bathing caden for the first time

Caden is 1 month and 2 days old today. For the past week I had been learning from Ai how to give Caden a bath and by looking at her doing it. I already told myself that I will try to give him a bath when he is 1 month old, so I thought, today would be the best day. We give Caden a bath everyday in the morning; once a week is enough for now. Caden woke up at around 8 am, we let him play under the morning sun for a while then I gave him a bath.

I started by shampooing his 'no-hair' head and then dipped him in a small tub to clean his body (front and back) with Johnson baby soap thoroughly . It was not difficult at all, I just need to be careful of the soap that could make his body slippery which could lead to dangerous falling into the bath tub -- and that's need a little practice. Also assuring Caden that I will always hold him tight will help him a little too -- Ai said, Caden seems a little scared when she put him into the bath tub as he curl up his fingers tight (that's why we left his hand's mitten until the end of the bathing time and put on a new one after).

He has very sweet-smelling right after that; so cute, tiny and handsome ^_^

1st time going to the mall

Caden is very seldom go out but after his 1 month birthday, I think it's time for me to bring him to a mall. So, I choose Barton Creek Mall as that is the place that has the most children's stuff. The trip was not that smooth as Caden often cry as he wants us to carry him rather than staying at his car seat/stroller but overall, for his first long trip out (about 2 hours only!!), he was not bad. When he was cranky, ai ayun gave him a bottle of milk of 120ml (which I still think that is too much for his age) once while I browse "Janie and Jack" , a baby clothing store that I loved. We did not do much and did not stay that long at the mall as I am still not comfortable do shopping with him, for now, I still prefer to go shopping alone. Hehehe...I guess I would have to get used to it, or else Caden will stay at home forever... ^_^


After taking this picture and ready to go home, ai ayun and I found out that Caden was doing "the number 2"...haiyah... In the end we end up cleaned him at the bathroom there; took us a while to figure out as it was our first to do that other than at home.

a month birthday party just for Caden

We made a small party for him on his first month birthday and shaved his hair too -- Grandma said, hair that was grown inside the my tummy is "dirty" hair, we are suppose to shave it so that the "clean" hair will grow. Caden was crying throughout the process, he was mainly hungry and did not feel comfortable when he was shaved but after he was dipped into the water full of colorful flowers (Ai said this symbolizes cleanliness -- I just followed her just for the fun...hehe...), the cries fade off. Ai Ayun did all the shaving and shockingly, she shaved Caden's eyebrows too without telling me first about it!! Yes you heard me right, THE EYEBROWSS!!!

All Austin cell friends were there so see it; Yance, Vivi, Vivi's mom, Handi, Tony, Linda, Herman, Christina, Addison, Melinda, Johan. Ai cooked for us, Linda and Herman was the camera-men (thanks Linda and Herman -- I even get the VCD!!), Yance was the photographer although he was using my digital camera....his one was much better but he could not find his camera among the boxes as today was the day that he moved to his new house.

Unfortunately Paul was not here to see it, but he is coming this Saturday though….fuihh..at lastt after another month of separationss...!!! (Still not sure how I can do this!!)

PS: Many thanks to all my Austin Cell friends that, despite their busy schedules, had came and celebrated Caden's first month birthday with us. Thank you for everything.

Caden's first cake....the design was Pooh with his friends-- I even bought Pooh table cover, Pooh paper plates and paper glass, too! ^_^

Look at those 2 huge cheekss... By now Caden has been given 100ml of milk/feeding -- that's about 800ml/day and for some reason his hair is thinning too (only the top part! ^_^). Ai Ayun said it's normal for baby to loose his hair towards his 1st month birthday. For now, he looks kind of weird with his head bald on the top and because of the cold weather coming in, we always make a habit to cover his head with a hat.

botakk....(baldd...)!!!

I was reluctant to shave Caden head at his first month birthday. First because I thought it was unnecessary and second I was afraid Ai would harm Caden's head. But today, I made up my mind that I will let Ai shaved him as his hair (who has already very thin hair) is falling off. Ai said not to worry because usually a baby did lost his hair near to his 1 month birthday...but stil I was worried that Caden would not have enough hair in the future. So, okay, shave him bald!! and hope he will have more hair soon....
Therefore...we need hat/cap everywhere we goo!! Yey....I got reason to shop more for Caden!!! ^_^

Caden @ Austin Cell

Everyone want to meet Caden so instead of bringing Caden out, I told my bible study group friends that we should held the austin cell this week in my apartment, anyway Ai Ayun had agreed to cook for us and it's better for me too as I am still breastfeeding and Caden could sleep anytime he wants in his room.

The food was great. Ai Ayun made us noodle just like the one they used to sell in Indonesia. Although the noodle wasn't exactly the same, it was similar enough that some of us have their own 2nd serving. Everyone was enjoying their time there, even Caden is. He did not seem scared of new faces at his home, in fact, he did not cry just like he used to every night. So some of us were joking that we should have the austin cell every day in my apartment.. (of course Ai has to cook!!! ^_^)

Uncle Addison had agreed to bring his camera (he is a pretty good photographer!!) and take some pictures of Caden. He in his phographer mood that he started "shooting" right away after he arrived. Thank you to Uncle Addison!!! The pictures were great and we love it.

Caden @ 3 Weeks old

playing with boppy

Playing with boppy (mom's nursing support pillow). Send this pictures to relatives, including mom, and she said I put a trick on Caden so that he looks like he is able to raise his head up. haha..."nope grandma...mommy did not do her trick with me at all...I did it all by myself..."

lil' rockieee...

I took this just before he went to sleep at night!!

Mommy loves this suit (there is a jacket that comes with it) but you grows so fast that you only used it twice and it almost doesn't fit anymore.

Is Caden a colic baby???

Caden has been crying so much at around early evenings (start at about 7pm and could end as late as 1am) It started about a week ago and it drives me crazy. I tried to soothe him, give him my breast (which used to help), rock him, let him listen to a music, etc...but unfortunately, none helpped. So I went to the doctor and asked their opinion about it, they told me Caden may be a colic baby. I was very dissapointed, I heard about colic baby often but never ever think that Caden will fall under that category. I mean he is such an angel in the morning and afternoon, but at night time he seems like a totally different person. The doctor assured me that there is nothing to worry about and I did nothing wrong in my pregnancy days or now -- being a new mom. While the doctor keep telling me that my breast-milk is the best option for Caden and is actually enough for him, Ai Ayun and mom believe that Caden cries because he is not getting enough milk. I try to convince them that they are wrong as Caden was still gaining weight, unfortunately, they don't want to listen. So Caden has been given formula quite a lot. I have to pump my milk and see how much milk I get and then Ai will add that with formula to a correct measure. I told them that Caden does not need that much milk per fedding but again, they won't listen. So, alone without Paul and battling between 2 older women whom they think that they know better even from the doctors, I give up. I let them do whatever they want to Caden about this feeding schedules.

So back to the colic problem, I try to search the internet about it and found lots of articles regarding it. I read it and understand more about it butttttt...no real solution for it...*sigh.* Colic baby is just a term used to describe uncontrollable crying in an otherwise healthy baby (usually under 5 months old). Satistic said about about 20 percent of all babies become colicky, usually starting between 2 and 4 weeks of age. Sixty percent of babies will be through the worst of it by 3 months, and 90 percent are better by 4 months of age. *sigh* So Caden will cry a lot every night for the next 3-4 months? Doctors and articles on the internet says the same thing, that I just have to be patient and love him as much as I can. Other ways that I try and it somehow works sometimes:

• Give him a pacifier
• Rock him
• Warm his belly -- I use "minyak telon" bought from Indonesia
• Swaddle him

Doing the methods above sometimes helps him to calm down but if not, we would just keep rocking him and put him in motion until he is tired and drift to sleep. It was hard at first to see him cry so much but after time I know I have done my best. I am also thankful that although Paul is not here to help me, there is Ai Ayun who help me to cope with this. I just hope that this constant crying will end soon. Can't wait!!!

==> one of his bad mood night.....Ai Ayun carried him in a kanggoro style sling which I bought a few weeks earlier for him --- hopping he will feel like he is still inside my womb.

Father and son bondingg....

Paul came earlier than schedule. Although it was only for 5 days, I was so excited to see him and I am sure Caden, too. At first, Paul did not dare to hold Caden up but after some reassuring that Caden is not that fragile, today, Paul carry him up for a few minutes -- so I took this pictures. Paul was worried that he would smashed Caden that he hold him uncomfortably for both of them. But it's okay..there will always first experience for them.

Sleepin' with one hand

Ai Ayun told me that for some reason Caden likes his left hand to be out from his swaddling blanket. He seems to fight back if we force him to put both his hands in the swaddle. I don't believe her at first, I thought all babies likes to be wrapped tight in a swaddle but I guess Caden is different, maybe his hands were free to move (or at least his left hand) when he was inside my tummy. Since then we decide to let his "favorite" hand out, just to keep him comfortable and yes, he does seem at peace with one of his hands out.

@ the oasis

Oma is going back tommorow so this last day of her in Austin has to be special! We decided to go to The Oasis which is located 450 feet above Lake Travis that offers breathtaking views of the Texas Hill Country. It's well known for the spectacular sunsets which Paul had wanted to bring me there to see it since we moved to Austin, TX in February 2005, but something always come up....I thought this would be a great day for us to go out together and see this place which is very well known in Austin.

This is also the first day of Caden officially go out...and it was outdoor... It was a great place and definately great view but because it's outdoor, a few people did actually smoke...so we have to find a place to sit that far from those cancerous people...hehe...

The dessert is famous...and yes they are great...but I was not enjoying it so much as I know that I got to loose my weight soon! I am huge! Paul has been nagging about it too....

PS: Thank you, oma for taking care of mommy and I for the past 3 weeks!! Have a safe journey home...

Caden and Mommy....

cute and small caden + tired and sleepy mommy.... ^_^

but both are glad that we have each other to cuddle with...

Proud Grandma

Celebration just for Caden

The Austin Cell people has been wanting to see Caden but I told them not to visit me at the hospital (because I will surely look very ugly with those half-naked hospital gown). So mom and I agreed to have a gathering at the apartment on Sunday, the 1st of October. Ai Ayun cooked and Mom was the MC for that day, she lead us in prayer and songs. She touch my heart by saying, "how proud she was with me that I could do all that alone without a husband beside me." And the "most important person" on that day was surely got all the attention of all the visitors. Although we were talking so loud, Caden doesn't seem care at all -- I read once it's because it was very noisy actually living in my womb that loud sound will actually make him feel like he is still inside my womb. Overall, at 4 days, he was doing nothing much other than sleep and cry for some milk.

Ai Ayun and Grandma

The BIG day!!! September 28th 2006

At last my mom and the Chinese lady (that I called ai Ayun) had arrived safely in Austin, Texas International Airport on Saturday 16th of September 2006. And now, the count down begins...everyone was hoping that the baby, whom we decided to call Caden, to arrive anytime soon but it has been more than a week and there were no sign of it at all.

All of us were waiting...couldn't wait for the day to come. Especially for me since I was so huge and big and gigantic.....I was just hoping that I could be in labor soon enough before I became an "elephant" ^_^. I was so sure that everyday that passed, I gained a couple of pounds. SCARY!!!

Then came September 27th when I experienced "spotting" (blood drops) in the morning and afternoon but no sign of contractions. Not sure what to do, I decided to go to the doctor that afternoon. Unfortunately the doctor said, I was only 1.5cm dilation (which had been going on for a week) and no contractions at all so the doctor told me to go home and wait until I feel contractions that are 5 minutes a part for at least 1 hour. Dissapointed, my mom and I went home.

I took a nap for 2.5 hours and woke up at 7.30pm feeling a something is different in my tummy but decided to ignore it as I was just went from the doctor office and she said nothing to show any early labor sign. I ate my dinner and joked with my mom that today would be the day as I felt something more stronger but still not sure if that was contractions. By 8.30pm, I becaming more anxious and the my tummy hurts a little bit more, I decided to call the doctor at 9pm. Then by 10pm, I could barely speak through the contractions. I knew then I was really in labor. Quickly I took a bath and call my friend, Vivi, who was going to take me to the hospital.

• 11.30pm I arrived at the hospital, checked by the nurse said I was only at 1.5cm dilation...my mom and I were shocked...I was in so much pain...I thought I was at least at 5cm dilation. The nurse then told me to walk around and be back in 1 hour.
• 12.30am, the nurse said I was already at 5cm dilation *huh???*. I was then transfered to the labor and delivery room and being prepared for the labor.
• 2.30am, I was said to be at 9.5cm dilation and ready to push. *SHOCKED!!!*
• 3.05am I was pushing and after only pushing through 6 contractions, the baby came at 3.43am --- 39 minutes!!! *Gosh..I wasn't thought it would be this fast!!*

I thank God for the safe and fast labor that I experienced and more importantly a healthy son to be taken care for.