Mickey Mouse Infant Pacifier

Yoko's cousin sent this baby pacifier for Sato-chin all the way from Japan. Daddy was skeptical - does this cute Mickey Mouse doll actually works. Well, the doll plays both relaxing music in the tune of "If Your Wish Upon a Star" accompanied by a sound similar to those heard in the womb- and that is suppose to pacify cranky babies. You know what...?? It works!! Brandon falls asleep after a while...and it works on daddy too!! It's so cute that Ashley even wants it for herself.

Sato-chin's Adventure

Brandon in his "tin-tin" hairdo

Yesterday was Brandon's one-month old birthday - and to celebrate that, we brought him out for a shopping trip. OK - that is not entirely true - we went out coz mommy needed to buy some new clothes that would fit.

"Wow - I had a great time yesterday - we went our with daddy, mommy and my big sister. Daddy & Mommy bought me a set of wheels and I tried it for the first time yesterday. I was cool - wished I could go faster...!! Look at those strange faces looking at me as we go past them - am I really that cute...?? Well, daddy always says so - therefore I am!!" Hmm... what are those things I'm seeing above me - they're soo bright - are they stars...?? Daddy was telling mommy that I'm enjoying the lights - that MUST be it - they're "lights" and they're really nice. But all those lights were making me really sleepy. I fell asleep but mommy woke me up while we were on our way home to feed me so that I wouldn't be hungry.... what an adventure!!" - Brandon

"Gu-Ma" Wants Update

"Gu-Ma" (Vernon's sis) complains that he have not been updating the blog - and she has been bugging him with her SMSes - so, Viv - if you are reading this (you better be...!!) - here are some updates & pictures

About Annie
We have a confinement lady come in to help Yoko for 2 weeks (from 8:30am to 5:00pm) - started 2 Fridays ago and I'm glad we can't afford to have a domestic helper - otherwise, I'll have a problem. Was told by the agent that she will prepare simple breakfast and will cook depending on what we have in the fridge. She started out OK but soon I noticed she liked saying - "I don't know". "Annie what will you be cooking for lunch?"... "I don't know" There were days when I had to cook. I think she is using the excuse that since Yoko isn't local - she doesn't know what to prepare for Yoko.

Yesterday's dinner was one of the worst - her tofu dish takes like she dumped half a bottle of sake (Japanese cooking wine) in it. Though I enjoy airplane and army food - the tofu was too much for me. Needless to say, Yoko couldn't eat it too. Surprisingly, Yoko is OK with her - since she's only going to be around for a few more day - and I though SHE is the picky and difficult one ;-) We will say "bye-bye" to her this Friday... and honestly, I can't wait!!


"Sato-chin"
"Sato-chin" - that's Brandon nickname!! Well, everyone in Yoko's family has a nickname, so we decided to have one for Brandon too. In case you didn't know, Yoko is "kuri" (which means "Chestnut" - and don't ask me why) and Ashley is "Mame" (which means "bean"). I'm not going to reveal mine. You'd have to ask Yoko personally.

Last time we weighed him - he's 4.2kg (9.2 lb). He is definitely getting bigger and drinks a lot too. We've also giving him milk formula for the night, in addition to nursing him. This has allowed mommy to have better rest in the night. His last feed is at 11-ish and wakes up looking for mommy at 5-ish.

Ashley
Daddy will be able to go swimming with Ashley very soon (yeah!!) - she's now able to swim the entire length of the pool. Recently, she (and a classmate) was sent home from school because of hair lice (eek!!) We sent her for hair treatment and we took the opportunity to have her hair cut short. Anyway, we think she looks great with shorter hair.

More Poo-Poo Story

WARNING: Due to the Graphic Nature of this Poo-Poo Story, Reader Discretion is Advised

Daddy was having dinner with some international students when he received an SMS (text message) from mommy;

"Brando was so fussy n crying alot even when I carried him. Noticed poo-poo so much till side of diaper got dirty. While cleaning, he pooped some more - 4 or 5 times, couple of times poo-poo shot out till cloth underneath also got dirty. Finally asleep after I lectured at him about being cranky. He quietly listened."

Daddy has been busy to update :-( Sorry...!!

Brandon pissed on daddy today while daddy was changing him!! Daddy was admiring how adorable his son is when he saw something shoot 45-degree towards daddy and onto his shorts. Eek... urine!! Oh, well - daddy just have to be more careful in the future.

Anyway, Baba (Yoko's mom) went back to Japan on Tuesday - and we're on our own :-( Baba has been a great help over these three weeks though we know it has been tough on her, having to get use to new routine in this (Singapore) humidity. She must have been extremely tired (who wouldn't) - we heard from Yoko's sister that she immediately went to bed right after she got home - she started to sneeze and even had to get medication for her running nose and sneezing. Pray that she gets well soon!!

Thanks to Mothercare Bath Support - Brandon isn't crying during his bath - In fact, we think Brandon quite like it, sitting comfortably in the warm water as daddy cleans him. (Actually, the bath support helps Daddy's back too)

Doesn't Brandon look cute with the pacifier...?? The problem is mommy doesn't think he should use it - mommy's reason - this will cause confusion especially since she is also trying to nurse him. But daddy thinks it's OK - the problem with Brandon is - he doesn't sleep even after his feed - he gets restless and cries. Thinking that Brandon is still hungry, mommy continues to nurse him only to find him fast asleep soon after. So, daddy's suggestion is - the pacifier - which seems to work. It takes less than 2 minutes before you see Brandon dosing off. to "zee-land". This will also mean that mommy can get more time to rest as well with Brandon sleeping more.

What do YOU think...?? Do share with us your thoughts by participating in the Poll (on right margin) - or Leave Us A Note with your advice/suggestions . Xie Xie!!


Thanks for participating in the poll. Here are the comments of those who picked "Other". Keep your comments coming!!
- I agree with Yoko, but there are times when it is helpful.

- It depends. Ok when he need it.

- (from an email) Listen to your wife on this issue. There are many things at stake with your child and the bonding, nurturing and feeding of your son. Do not interfere with that. Secondly, a pacifier is just not a good thing, ever....

- (from an email) Until I had my son, I did not know there was so much controversy about nursing, parenting, etc. There are so many theories, opinions etc. I asked 2 friends and they gave me similar wise counsel. Each child has a different personality and parents cannot rigidly follow one method for all children...

Brandon on the War Path...er... I mean WAR BATH

Bath time has been a real battle between daddy and Brandon. He'll wail and wave his tiny hands all over the place - stripping him, putting him in the bath, drying him and dressing him - as simple as it may sound, is a real challenge.... and "ouch", daddy's back hurts too... "ouch, ouch". Bathing Ashley was sooo much easier 8 years ago - not only did she NOT cry, daddy's back didn't hurt as much either... (hmm... maybe he's getting old)

Brandon The Pooper

Brandon refusing to wake up ^

Brandon pooped 10 times today! Didn't know that someone who "eats" so little could poop so much. Hmm... Anyway, Brandon woke up about twice for midnight feed last night. This is an improvement and we certainly hope that Brandon will keep to this pattern. Mommy is trying to keep him awake in the day by feeding him every 2 - 3 hours... and this seems to be working.

Mommy continues to get water retention and it's pretty obvious just by looking at her feet. She is having post-natal massage by a Malay lady and guess what the remedy is...?? She needs to stand on a heated brick. Surprisingly, this seems to be working - Yoko's mom is even giving it a try herself (not that she has water retention).

Standing on heated brick ^

Yoko's mom giving it a try ^

May 5

May 5 is "Kodomonihi" - a children's day generally for boys. So, Happy Boy's Day, Satoshi-chan!!

Anyway, we had another sleepless night yesterday. So, Denise - if you are reading this - thanks for the "I Pulled an All Nighter" rompers - how appropriate. Basically, he sleeps really well in the day - not even waking up for his feeds - but when night comes, that when he comes alive!! So, in order to help him get over his "jet-lag" and ensure mommy gets enough rest at night, we tried to keep him awake during the day. You should see how adorable he is when he gets all upset because we wouldn't let him sleep . Anyway, hopefully he'll be so tired by the end of the day that he'll sleep a little more in the night. Will it work...?? Well, it's 11:28pm right now and he's sound asleep in his room - it's working - for now ;-)

Mommy is doing OK - except for the water retention she's getting and it seems to worsen since she was discharged from the hospital.

Day 4 - Home Sweet Home

Yoko and Brandon were discharged from the hospital today. After spending a full 24-hours under the light yesterday, Brandon looks better and was allowed to go home. It's now 11:00pm and Brandon was just fed and is sleeping in his very own bed, looking so contented - although we're not sure how long this will last. He's probably wake up wailing for food again... soon!

Earlier today, I took the opportunity to "show" Brandon around the house while he was awake. I started with Ashley's room, our bedroom, the living-room... and by the time I got to the kitchen, he fell asleep!! Oh boy, am I that boring...?? :-(

Thanks for leaving us messages - we enjoy receiving them - and at least I know my effort to maintain this blog to share with family and friends has not been in vain - someone(s) is ACTUALLY looking at it. So, keep writing!!

The First Night
It was a l-o-n-g night. Brandon woke up wailing for food about every hour... so, you can imagine how much sleep we've got. Finally, at about 5am, we decided to feed him with milk formula because Yoko had nothing to offer anymore. The only problem was, we didn't have any formula. Thank goodness, we have a 24-hour "Shop & Save" grocery store nearby.

Yoko called the hospital for advice this morning and was told that this is normal as Brandon is still trying to get use to the new environment, and also to feed him more frequently in the day. And we thought the 2nd time round as parents would be easier - NOT!! Having said that, it's comforting to know that this is just a phase. I'm sure of you parents out that can identify with us :-)

The New Song

We are proud to announce the birth of BRANDON SATOSHI SONG on April 30 and weighing 3.605kg at birth.

Brandon was due on April 29 but since Yoko wasn't getting any contractions and didn't seem to be going into labour anytime soon, we were suppose to have a final doctor's visit on April 30. However, in the evening of April 29 - Yoko mentioned that she hasn't been feeling any fetal movement (there should be at least 10 every 30 minutes). As such, on doctor's advice, we immediately headed down to the hospital. Yoko was hooked onto a machine we were able to detect the baby's movement and heartbeat. The doctor then suggested that we may want to consider induction since Brandon was already due anyway.

The induction didn't actually happen until the following morning at about 9:30am and 5 hours later, BRANDON SATOSHI was born. Satoshi means "wisdom" in Japanese and it is our hope and prayer that Brandon will grow up in wisdom and stature, and in divine and human favor, (Luke 2:52) for the glory of God!

Yoko is doing well and will probably be discharged on Wednesday. Just as any proud father would do - showing of his child to the world, as such watch our for more pictures on this blog.

DAY 3
Yoko has decided to stay in the hospital for one more day so that she coul get some help from the nurses here with some nursing problem - nothing major - Brandon just needs to learn to get it right. Anyway, Brandon is put under the light today - he's got some jaundice and hopefully Brandon will be allowed to go home tomorrow (May 3).

Ashley & Brandon ^

Baba & Satoshi ^

FIRST TIME

Brought Ashley to the hair salon to have her hair trimmed last night - and for the FIRST TIME, she had her hair washed at the salon by an apprentice. Looking at the pictures - I think she really enjoyed the experience, don't you think so...??

BathTub-Lounge Chair

This is NOT the lastest piece of furniture we got for Ashley! You've heard for sofa-bed - well, here's a bath tub -lounge chair! I bet Ikea would never have thought of this!! Hmm... should we patent the design...??