Mother's Day - 271 Days

You were a nice little boy on your mama's first Mother's Day. Quiet and sleepy, but still in a good mood. I think you are a morning baby because you are so happy at 6am. You wake up and talk to yourself. You play in your crib, undoing the little blue ties that hold up the crib liner.

Mother's Day morning you were happy too. Talking a lot. You had a nice breakfast (you're eating more, drinking less). It's nice to wake up to a happy baby.

We took you to Laurelhurst Park. You saw some ducks, dogs and geese. You also took your first ride on a swing. Pretty good Mother's Day.

Outdoor Baby - 264 Days

Your first time camping was meant to be on Barlow Road, in the shadow of Mt. hood. We drove up Mt. Hood and took the turn onto Rt. 48 towards Barlow road and soon saw the road was covered in snow.

We searched the area for other campgrounds, but so early in the season, everything was still closed. Uncle Ben found a place not too far away and we decided to go there. Lucky for us though, on the way there we found Nottingham Campground! 

Though technically closed, there were several campers at this wonderful site on the East Fork of Hood River. Temps were cold and the rain never really let up. We were worried about you being warm, but you slept right through the night and survived your first camping experience like a champ. I really hope you like camping as you grow up. It's a wonderful thing to get into nature and only hear the sounds of water and birds and the wind through the trees.

Happy campers.

Early morning wake up. Mama was cold!

More happy campers.

The king in his castle.

Spring Time! - 8 Months and 17 Days

Last month, we did a great adventure. We went to Toronto, only me and you!

It was about 7 hours or travel time total. I was really nervous to go there without your papa. But he'd worked hard for us instead of going on this trip.

First, I had to wake you up at 3:30am. Well, it was surprising. We didn't expect but you started to be able to sleep alone and all night! …2 days before that our departure day. It means I changed your schedule again. I felt really sorry. Until then you woke up about 2am, every night. So I thought it's good timing to take the plane. So you can sleep well.

It was a mistake.

Also the flight staff was not nice. At the body check, they checked my bag and dropped the milk bottle. I lost my favorite towel too! I've had this since I was a baby. Now I used for you. I really didn't want to lose this. I looked for it for a while. That was extra work…(in 10 mins I found other staff was picking it up like she is touching dirty towel).

Then I got to the gate and I asked about the stroller. I followed what they said even though I didn't need to do that. This is the reason that I don't like American airline company. They are not nice.
I walked same 2 person's 3 times. If it's only me, I don't mind so much. But I had the big stroller and the bag and you!! Crazy ladies… more extra work there.

Finally I got in the first plane. It's about 3 hours. It was lucky. We were by the window of the 3 seats. and next to us was nobody and some business man was there in the aisle seat.

Of course you were sleepy but excited, nervous at the same time. You fell asleep soon but you couldn't sleep well.  You became fussy soon. The guy looked like he was not super friendly but he did't show bad face. He was a nice parson. You drank milk more than usual. I'm glad I brought extra milk.

I tried to make you happy and put you to sleep. But maybe only 1 hour you slept and did't sleep again.
Then about 1 hour before the plane landed, you did a big poop! I realized it but the seatbelt sign was on. I hope the business man didn't know it.

The plane was shaking more because they started to get ready to land. It made you sleepy. But you had poop in your diaper. So you couldn't sleep more. You fought the sleepy feeling and you fell asleep finally when it landed. The announcements started, many people stood up and got ready to leave. So of course you woke up in 15 mins. I felt really really sorry. You looked tired…

But first flight is done. We are in Denver now.

I will write the next part of the story soon.

Summer Ride - 260 Days

Japan Grandma sent you a new stroller. Something a little smaller and lighter so mama can bring on the bus easier. Pretty cool right? Great colors and looks comfy for a nice summer stroll.

Giant Baby - 243 Days

Mama sent me this picture of you next to your cousin, and wow. I know little An chan is a newborn, and you were pretty small then too, but wow. You look like a giant baby!

Lonely - 238 Days

Mama took you to Toronto to visit Uncle Jun, Aunt Mai and Grandma (and An chan!). The house is quiet tonight and it is not a nice sound. You are not in any of your favorite places.

Self Sleep - 232 Days

A bit of a milestone last night. We've been at wit's end recently with your sleeping patterns (or lack of). You don't seem to need much sleep. A 30-40 minute nap suits you fine and 2 hour chunks of sleep at night seem to be enough for you.

Not fine for us though.

Compound this with the fact that getting you back to sleep after you wake up can take upwards of an hour...more sometimes. Recipe for two tired parents (though to be honest, it's your mama doing all the late night work).

I've been advocating for a bit more of the Cry It Out technique. Controversial for sure, it's a very difficult, heart wrenching thing to do. What made it easier for me was this though: you're a faker.

You are kid, sorry. A few nights back I wanted to let you cry for a bit at bed time. We gave you your final feeding, changed your diaper and put you into your crib fully awake. This you did not like.

You cried and wailed and made faces of agony. You appeared to be in pain beyond belief. We thought you might really be in pain. We wavered.

I picked you up and miracle of all miracles....you stopped crying. Instantly. And realizing your victory, you did something that would ultimately double our future resolve.

You smiled.

Before even picking you up I knew I was being conned. I felt it, yet was powerless. I picked you up. I caved. But when you stopped crying and then smiled, I knew round 2 would be mine. You overplayed your hand. 

Last night, with quiet determination, I took you upstairs at bedtime. Normally mama does this, but I had a plan. And I was sticking to it.

I fed you a half bottle of milk, giving you a chance to drink yourself to sleep (something you like). And it almost worked. When there were but a few drops off milk left your eyes were mostly closed. Had there been a few more ounces you probably would have made it.

But, with the bottle dry, you woke up and started to fuss. This was my cue. I stood up, placed you gently in your bed, and walked away...your screams trailing me down the stairs. 

Mama and I then just watched TV, with the ebb and flow of your cries drifting to the living room. Soon, all was quiet, so mama snuck upstairs to check. No dice. You were wide awake and playing.

Undetterred, we continued watching TV, while you went from babbling, to crying to quiet...and usually back to crying.

After some time, your cry became a whimper. Your babble became a burble. Then. Silence.

Suspecting it was another "I'll be quiet until they come upstairs" ploy, mama cautiously climbed the steps to check on you. To her amazement and delight...you were fast asleep!

You'd done it! Put yourself to sleep without mama's reassuring snuggle or a milk bottle. Granted, you were sideways and on your belly, tangled in a mess of swaddle blanket...but you were asleep.

Hallelujah.

You woke up several hours later and after a prolonged spell of crying, put yourself back to sleep again!

Not ready to say you've turned a corner just yet, but for a night, for this first battle of will...I think we all did very well. 

Sleep more little man. Dreams are a wonder.