20120214~Happy Valentine's Day

Just as usual, time for me to made something  for Valentine's Day!!!

 This year, I learned a new tool named "Bendaroos." It is basically some waxed sticks which are easy to bend, shaped, attached and removed on wall or window without making a damage.

If you see my friend's art master piece, you will know What I made is definitely just simle craft.

I am lucky to have KK also add his own image while I was on the processing of Valentine's heart. ( Did you notice that he specially had a funny face with his tongue out, and a cute yellow belly button!)

Note: Here is my REAL time consumeing project - making my soon-to-be 4 year-old son KK sit down and wrote his Valentine's cards for his classmates!

20110910~hand-foot-mouth disease

KK晚上要就寢前開始發燒, 隔天睡醒燒就退了, 但開始口內潰瘍, 破洞
腳底跟手指出現紅斑點, 醫生說是病毒, 所以什麼都不做
口腔潰瘍痛得KK睡覺都會哭醒, 期間每天想的是可以吃什麼不那麼痛, 又能維持熱量, 後來不要給含酸acid的食物, 多吃冰淇淋, 冰棒, 優格, 剪碎的湯麵或冬粉, ...約四天就會開始好轉, 七天就都OK了

Note: 妹妹沒耶

20110907~Fabrile Seisure (熱痙巒)

熱痙巒 Febrile Seisure，就是突然高燒誘發抽痙(抽筋)！Around 3% of all children have a seizure when younger than 15 years, half of which are febrile seizures (seizure brought on by a fever).



This is a note about seisure situation occurred on my almost 18 month baby girl.

Isabella - seisure


DOB: 03/28/2010
Gender: Female

Seisure Date: 09/07/2011
1. Fever: started around noon and last over whole night
2. Seisure Situation: Puke out a bit- seisure - Vomit - seisure stop
3. Seisure duration: once, ~ 10 mins

What catch our attention besides simple fabrile seisure:
1. Low heat fever: the highest measured was 100.4
2. Partial body seisure: only left arm/hand squeezing

What we did:
1. We tried to cool her temperature down with ice pad on front head after seisure. No more episode after.

Side info:
1. Isabella is a premature baby, stayed at NICU for 14 days.

20110922~Tic disorder?

Although Tic disorder is common on children, it worries me as a parent. Hereunder is brief observation data I would like to start note down for my dear KK.


KK- Tic disorder?

1st time :
age: around 2 and half
occasion: after bounce-a-rama extremely play
symptom: blinking eyes hard frequently
duration: remain 1-2 day.

Then:
age: around 3 and 3 1/4
occasion: unknown
symptom: blinking eyes excessively
duration: remain 3-5 day, on-and-off.

Now:
age: around 3 and half
occasion: unknown
symptom: blinking eyes excessively and frequently, morning, after nap, playing,
duration: daily and more frequent, remain few weeks so far since 09/B/2011.

side info
KK himself- blood test done 09/19/2011
Grandma - head-shaking, especially when focus such as thinking, eating
Sister - seizure on 09/07/2011

20110224~so many to-be-done thingsssss

OMG!! My babies birthdays are coming....and I have no preparation yet!!!!

20101227~Gilroy Garden

20101128~ 长牙 会爬 双眼皮 (不太会坐））

happy birthday, my lit princess.
what is new this 7-to-8 month for you?
- get bottom two teeth out (kk is about similar time too, see his pix)
- crawling around on your tummy...like a caterpillar..(but not a good sitter..hum?)
- shown your double eyelid! ( finally on both eyes on the day before 8th month bday. mommy is waiting long for this to happen. Tears~~)

20101025~ Lit POCOYO costume

I cannot believe I can made it!
Hooray for my lit pocoyo, aka KK. Hooray for me.
(for thos who has no idea what/who Pocoyo is. Here, take a look this very cute cartoon character on YouTube.

)http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s5VXapET_nk&sns=em

This is my FIRST time making clothes. From day one I decided to give it a try, I told myself being easy and my goal is making it a super eazy project. Especially, not much time I have dealing with 2 young children...

so here is my finished work
Pocoyo suit


As i said, it is intened to be a simple project since my skill level is very super duper low. I even not using a ruler at all...
totally i use less than a week from scratch, each day around 2 hrs...including thinking what to do next.

my lit Pocoyo costume pattern....forgot to take picture before I sewed the pants...my very simple Pocoyo suit pattern (I just took his shirt and reversed it and traced down. that is it! Pants is a bit tricky since the front panel will be different from back panel. )


making Pocoyo hat


hat patterns...that you will say ha ha..they are just some pie shapes..

tell more later...my lit princess is awaking..and calling my services... Note: we are going to Vancouver for Halloween this year!

20100408~ home sweet home

Isabella is going home today! here are pictures.
Big brother and family are coming to hospital to welcome his little sister. KK's first time to meet with Mimi.











p.s. due to H1N1 and flu season, Good Sam's NICU only allows visitors who is 16 or above, including siblings during lit mimi's stay.

20100322~ hiring a nanny (SF bay area)

Dear,
Going back to work??!! I bet you are gonna miss little one all the time and cannot move your eyes from his/her photo on your destop screen....:">


We did put ads on chinese newspaper(TsingDao) because we preferred nanny speaks mandarin or cantonese. You can decide your preference for live-in or commute nanny.

Commute Nanny -----
Schedule: If you are not an early bird, you may also want to count in your preparing time before heading to work. My nanny comes over 8:30am-6:30pm (mine is generous on this .^_^.).
Price: approx $1400~1600 a month or $70~80 a day. Also depends demand-supply in the area.
(one friend's young educated nanny charges them $20/hr at SF city. :P)


Function: simply cooking for dinner, simply housework, laundry, shower for bb. ( up to you.)

Live-in Nanny -----
Schedule: Some asks for resting schedule, like no work during weekend or after 8:30pm or etc....you can set up your expectation too.


Price: Approx $1600~1850+ a month. depends on working hours and not necessary to be a lot more expensive since you offer lodge, food, laudry....


Function: simply cooking for dinner, simply housework, laundry, shower for bb. ( up to you.)

Note1 -Capability:
Remember your purpose is to have a nanny whose focus is on baby, not as a teacher, or as ahousekeeper. ..so our selection is more on how we feel about nanny's personality and if bb is happy with her.
(one of my friends does concern if her bathroom is cleaned up or not lol.:D)


Note2 -Satbility:
You may want to take into consideration candidate's stability. After 5 month, BB is able to recogonize his main care provider, and you will want to avoid change nanny frequently. Some people may leave for higher pay jobs easily.
(dom's co-worker had bad experience on their first nanny, who left 2 weeks later without notice and took one LV bag. )


Note3 -Payment:
Set or ask candidate's expectation on payment. cash, check or..? every 2 wks, twice a month or once a month...**Price reference is SF bay area. Higher price and more rules for licensed/taxed nanny.


Note4 -Food:
Nanny's lunch. Our nanny bring her own, so I don't have to worry what she cannot or wants eat....but she is welcome to eat or cook anything from our ref if she wants of course.


Note5 - Misc:
My cousin only ask their nanny to prepare food ready for them to cook and prefer to take shower for bb themselve.


Note6 -Worth Value?:
This is how we count the value for parents like us to comfort ourselves why spend more money, FYI~~
-Decent daycare (family style) $800~900/month
-Pick-up/ send out $5/day (save time+gas) ; $150/month
-BB bath shower $5/day  $150/month
-Laundry for $25/week (familyx2+BBx2) $100/month
-Less BB sickness due to other kids (also, no need to rush to pick up bb or take day off when bb is sick)  :D


Cons is
-Less group interaction, so our plan is to let Kendrick go group or school after he is 2.5 or 3 yr-old.

Enjoy and hope it helps my dear freinds.

20100320~ BB shower for mini-mi

A Baby Shower for Michele & Dominic... Part 2!



see photos here...


***************

Host: Vicky Chu

Location: Dominic & Michele's Home
When: Saturday, March 20, 12:00PM


Kendrick is going to be a big brother to a baby sister!
Please join us for a baby shower honoring the proud parents, Michele and Dominic.
Of course, children are welcome. Kindly respond by Wed., March 10.

***************

20100317~incredible trouble 2 begins?

Due to mommy is getting tired easily with preganancy, KK doesn't have a BIG birthday party for his 2 celebration. Instead, both daddy and mommy took a day off to have fun with him.


KK's 2-yr-old birthday journeys
1. visit Dr. Pearlman for 2 year regular check! No shot today! No crying while seeing dr.
    ~ weight: 26lb5oz (20%), height: 35.5" (75%), head: 17"(15%)
2. having noodles before heading to CALIFORNIA Academy of Science at Golden Gate Park
    ~ happen to be free entrance every 3rd Wed of the month! Hooray. (thank for Chin's info.)
    ~ KK not really know how to appreciate the presentation there yet, but he did enjoy running around....maybe later when he is over 5....
3. driving back to have dinner & birthday cake ( the most exciting part).
    ~ dinner with auntie Vicky, & auntie Jenny plus uncle Ant at Korean noodle place
    ~ Sun's family came over to join for birthday song and KK's favorate strawberry cake!
4. playing around until 11:00pm...very late nite nite time today!




more photos....



p.s. Dr. Pearlman said Los Gatos Hospital is not the same atmosphere as it was before.....more rules under big hospital network....hope people still are warm heart there...

2010309~32w~fetal fibronectin??

今天由DR. Babara 看診
to take some swap sample to check one kind of Protein as pre-term index. The higher the index, the higher risk to have pre-term birth. Then, mommy should do bed resting.

英文名稱： fetal fibronectin
中文名稱： 胎兒纖維結合素
名詞解釋： 纖維結合素幫助胎盤和羊膜緊緊附著於子宮壁。如果子宮裡胎兒纖維結合素的數值升高，可能表示胎盤和羊膜正在鬆脫。許多產科醫師現在使用纖維結合素的檢測來輔助預測早產。

Fetal fibronectin is a “glue-like” protein that holds the developing baby in the womb. (胎兒纖維結合素是一種黏膠樣的蛋白質將胎兒穩地安置在子宮內)

20100223~30w~Hooray!

My little beautie cutie girl...
See you today at Dr. Kilkenny's.
Mommy is being good for you, so stay good with mommy couple more month...
I love you.

20100217~ Good Samaritan SJ v.s. Los Gatos Hospital v.s. O'conner Hospital

2010/02/11 Good Samaritan San Jose's maternity tour
2010/02/17 El Camino Hospital Los Gatos family tour
.....
.....
I gave birth of KK in 2008 Mar. at Los Gatos Hospital, former El Camino Hospital Los Gatos.
I was at O'conner hospital with my sis for her C-section birth in 2003 and with my friend Kek for her labor birth in 2007 Dec.
.....
Hospital service:
- My hubby and I love people and service at "Los Gatos Hospital." We still remember the leader Sandi Miller. She is the best out of the best. They made the place warm and made us feel helped.

The tour lady at "Good Sam" looks so exhausted without a smile for our first impression of Good Sam.

Hospital size:
"Los Gatos Hospital" is a relatively smaller community hospital compared to Good Samaritan or O'conner Hospital at SF South Bay Area. When hospital is smaller, the less disturbing environment during your post-birth rest. (good!) My sister reminds me when each room has two companies, the hallway is simply filled up 40+ people including guests and nurses and etc...in a big one.

Hospital Space:
"Good Sam" is much newer building since "Los Gatos hospital" was there serving community over 40 yrs...Lately, Los Gatos Hospital is doing its rennovation. Since their schedule can not be rushed but my baby girl will due in early May of 2010...so we won't be able to enjoy new room or furniture as hospital planned. (bumper.)

Hospital Equipment:
"Good Sam" is well known for its advanced newborn 3rd level intensive care and is the only one capable around the area. If KK was born before my 34-wks preganacy, Dr. would send me to Good Samaritan Hospital for a better necessary  baby care. Los Gatos Hospital equipped up to 2nd level only. Luckly, KK didn't rush out 2 years ago. Thank god bless us!

Hospital Labor Room & Post-resting:
My experience in Los Gatos Hospital labor room is not really long since I was scheduled C-section.
Both labor room in Los Gatos Hospital and Good Samaritan are similar as individual studio room.
O'conner's labor room is much bigger if you wanna fit in more friends or family members, but their post-rest room is kind of crowded. Also, they may arrange two in a resting room if single space were all taken.
...................

My hubby and I still prefer to have our baby girl having her first hug at "Los Gatos Hospital" after our visiting. Hope we have all same happy service memories as before. 


p.s. (2010/03/17 KK's 2 yr-old body check), Dr. Pearlman said Los Gatos Hospital is not the same atmosphere as it was before...more rules under big hospital network....hope people still are warm heart there...

20100214~Giant 2 hearts togather...+ little Romeo

Once again for my creative Valentine's day. Yup, a.k.s. "See-fa-han~" in Catonese from my hubby's interpretation. Since my honey "lost 3 Hermes Birkins Croc" lately, I have to swtich to a budget Valentine plan B.

Anyway, see my work this year! Simple & Easy.
Giant Valentine Heart Wall Deco
Cost: USD$2(2sets)+ endless love



Preparation:
- Tissue Paper in red and hot pink
- Secissor
- Tapes

Let's get start.
1. Buy 2 pack of tissue paper, each contains 4 pcs ( 24inx26in)
2. Clip paper together to save time
3. Cut a mild curve as top heart, cut a pie-like shape as bottom heart.
4. Tapes 4 pieces together then you get ONE big heart.





tip1: if paper have top/back sides, need to make them reverse facing each other.
tip2:if you have better budget, buy heavier paper instead. Tissue paper is easier broken.
tip3: I tried to tape each 1/4 heart pieces on the wall first. It is easier to controll location, but it will see the tapes. So, I suggest to tape the back side together into a big heart shape before you tape on the Wall.
tip4: Don't waste some left over papers, same, put them together and cut some small hearts to decorate around.
tip5: if you using double side tape, be careful you may not easy to take "tape" off later.

p.s. my 23-month baby boy woke up while I am decorating...so he "insisted" joined my work to stick some little heart onto the wall....murrraarrrr....thanks to my little remeo!



 
Dominic& Michele’s Valentine memories


2010 ~ Giant 2 hearts togather...+ little Romeo
2009 ~ 3P Valentine?! TwinPeak SUNRISE at SF
2008 ~ Premium Pizza + Chocolate Fondue
2007 ~ Homemade Lobster & Crab
2006 ~ Candlelights with our wedding top cake!
2005 ~ Steak dinner at Spencer

20100209~28w, 3rd trimaster begins....

今天小K跟我一起去看產檢
一開始他以為是他去看醫生 說什麼也不要進後診室
後來教導他一番     居然就乖乖聽話  
他坐椅子 媽咪坐檢查台  醫生坐檢查凳
眼咕嚕咕嚕靜靜地盯著看我跟醫生討論

I listed out certain critical items in order to discuss with Dr. Kilkenny
(a). HOSPITAL: Good Samaritan Hospital San Jose or El Camino Hospital Los Gatos ( previous as Los Gatos Hospital, Kendrick was born there)
(b). Birth : I prefer still go C-section this time since I already had one wound from last birth. So, I will schedule a time in advance. :)  big relief~~~
(c). Insurance: I may have new insurance kick-in...big headache contributed by company.

20100113~snoopy on kidkraft nantucket bed

Kendrick's new bed built! Kidkraft nantucket toddler cot 86621
How is it? see our thoughts...for its review...

Pros -
1. First of all, shipping is super fast. Placed order 01/05 and got it 01/08.
2. Great price on Allchildrensfurniture.com
3. This bed is way cute, we truly love it. (for our son and plan to get one later for coming bb girl to match with it.)
4. Assembly is not too hard with illustration. (took my hubby 20~30min using power strew driver.)
5. The support system design is not bad according to my hubby- a cross beneath instead of stripe style.
6. The quality is not bad. (on the paper says it is handcrafted, handpainted...)
7. Able to use standard crib matress, which is easy to get one - buy or borrow.
8. Good height for my toddler to come in-n-out.

Cons-
1. shipping package is not very well protected. a very very very mild squeeze on edge of 1 of 4 supporting boards.
2. still a little not very matching holes for assembly (quote fm my dear hubby.)
3. *****Daddy Mommy cannot lie on this bed with their kids for sure..., especially when I see my lovely CHUPPY hubby compare to the bed its size...

p.s.: no weired paint smell as some ppl experience before. thanks for the improvement.

Folks took great pix of addorable kids on this lovely bed so I think I would like to share some photos of its supporting system for you here :) enjoy.

Forgot to bring my camera, stay tune....will post photos soon...:P

here you go!
1. completed (no mattress yet)


2. Working hard daddy, need to give him some credit.


3. Cross supporting and 4 base boards


4. instruction

20100105~ Happy Birthday, sister of HUANG!!

It is birthday of the prettiest sister of HUANG, Michele and Teresa!

My sister and I were born 4 years apart.

wanna see wrinles on our faces?  click here No way!

******************
My hubby took me to SF little Italy for a lite dining to pre-celebrate my birthday....sitting outside on the street...very romantic.....nice nice...

4.5stars for Calzone on Columbus Ave. Food we ordered is tasty- crab crostini, scallop, pork filet. US50 buy a sweet n' easy evening....what a great deal.

Seated outside
with heater over the top. warm and breeze.
Bread
*free Bread is "chewy" and not warm. However, don't miss their sweet vinergar, which turns everything good.
Small plate
*Crab Crostini: smoked salmon & avocado drizzled with extrea virgin oiliv oil (don't miss it!)
*Scallop: scallop with wasabi pesto aioli (taste good but be aware of is tiny small 3 pieces only portion.)
Large plate
*Pork:Caloppini topped with eggplant & fontina swiss chard & zucchini mashed potatoes ( sources are all into eggplant, we both like the side mash potato.)
Drink
*Drink is consider relatively expensive in this bill, US3.75 for a coke.

by seeing them on table next to ours...we know Pizza will be our try next time...:D

20091215~20w~ little princess w/ negative AFP result. :)

Dr. Mary gives 99% confididence bet as a girl for BB.

our little princess will arrive before next mother's day. :)

AFP result is all negative and low ratio. Horay!