I’m thankful for…
1) My health and well-being: I had a smooth and pretty easy pregnancy, uneventful labor and delivery, and a quick recovery. I’m also 4 pounds away from my pre-pregnancy weight. Woohoo!
2) My husband: He worries for us. He cooks for me. He loves me no matter what.
3) My family: They’re always there for me even if they live far away. I feel so lucky to have had my mom around to help during Kumquat’s first 6 weeks of life. It’s also been so nice to have Jason and Jia back in California and in the Bay Area now!
4) My friends: They’ve helped me through some of the toughest parts of this year and have celebrated with me during my happiest moments.
5) My beautiful baby girl: I’m thankful for such a healthy (sturdy!), happy, and thriving baby. She brings me so much joy and I’m so proud of all that she’s already accomplished these past 7 months.
This is truly my favorite holiday of the year. Happy Thanksgiving, Everyone!
Today Kumquat had her half birthday and I had a long Saturday to really reflect on everything that has happened so far. Sounds silly since she’s not even a year old yet but I can’t help feel nostalgic. I already have thousands of photos and videos of my little girl and yet I feel like I haven’t done enough to really capture the experience thus far.
After attending my lactation class this past week, I was impressed that my hospital did such a great job in teaching me and Jes all the things we needed to know regarding feeding and caring for a newborn because it was all repeated in the class. They also provided us with every opportunity to bond with her (by delaying the weigh-in and bath) from the moment she was born, which I think helped her grow into an adaptable and secure baby. Of course we’re also first and foremost lucky to have a baby that is so healthy and so eager to eat and learn from the start.
Six months later, I now have a chubby baby girl who sits up on her own, has two little teef, eats solids, and gives me a big smile when I come home from work. She’s been a pretty easy baby so far and I’ve learned a lot from her already.
Today I took her on a walk to the new Target down the street and on the way home we picked up a cupcake to celebrate out accomplishments as mommy and baby. We’ve both endured together the nighttime feedings, stuffy noses, and afternoons of being just plain old grouchy. We’ve also shared lots of conversations, giggles, naps on the couch, and new experiences.
So, after her serving of sweet potato, I lit a candle and wished her a happy half birthday in hopes of a smooth second half to the first year of our life together as a family. I hope that we’re doing everything right so far and even if we’re not, I hope she grows up knowing how much we love her.
I didn’t wake up again until 8, which is what time I was actually supposed to be at work!! She woke up just in time for me to leave so I put her on the bed next to a sleeping Jes and left. I didn’t get to work until 8:30 and luckily no one was looking for me. The rest of the day was rough but I survived.
When I got home, I found a bouquet of flowers on the table, which Jes said was from Kumquat. It was her way of saying “sorry for being a wanker last night”. Aw, cute.
Week 1 of Jes’ Paternity Leave is coming to an end and it started out well. He really stepped it up and it’s made going back to work a little easier each day. I don’t know if he has a greater appreciation of our little pipsqueak or being a caregiver but it’s great to see him so involved. When I get home, he recounts all the blowouts she’s had, the walks that they take, and the little tantrums she’s had that day. It’s also cute to see Kumquat give him a big smile in a way that tells me that she’s had some good quality time with him.
Everest is opened for Neil Young tonight and they were invited to watch from the pit and backstage. Here’s a photo of Joel being a rockstar.
This afternoon we went to the Aloha Festival to watch my hula sisters perform on stage. Kumquat hung out in the carrier while we ate lunch on the picnic blanket.
Here is one of the Keiki groups. The youngest little dancer just turned 4 years old! So cute!
Here’s Dot in one of the performances. It was hard to get a good shot of her because there was a pole right in my line of sight of her on stage.
This is the whole group during “Aloha Oe”, which is usually our final song and made me miss dancing with them. One day I’ll figure out how to make time for hula again.
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