To Malaysia and Back...

Okay, lets start with the latest happenings (Much easier this way. I don't want to start digging into the recess of my memories this early in the morning).

We were recently on a trip to Malaysia to visit relatives and friends and also to pay my final respects to my beloved Grandmother who passed on (hopefully to Nirvana) a few days prior to our arriving in Malaysia. This trip also marks Da-Yong's first plane ride (courtesy of Japan Airlines) and our first experience with infant plane travels.

Prior to our trip, we were wincing everytime someone mentions babies and planes in the same sentence. We were really dreading the 18 hour journey home to Malaysia. We tried to prepare as best as we could but didn't find too many sources of information out there other than speaking to other parents who travelled with babies. We received advices from "Oh, don't worry, just go as per usual." to "Hmmm....secret ingredient, strong cough medicine, will knock out the baby for the entier journey!". We definitely didn't like the cough medicine approach, so opted for the lazy, just go as usual approach.

<---Oh uh..I can hear Da-Yong crying... gotta run and complete this entry later. In the meantime, enjoy some preliminary pictures of our trip.

Okay..I'm BACK!

Finally, after a LONG hiatus, I'm finally back...armed with more experience and 8 months worth of taking care of a baby... Actually, my wife's the expert here, I'm just the assistant.

Lots of things happened over the last 8 months, lots of new experiences, zero time for leisure and a truly back breaking 8 months, but I think we have finally gotten a handle on how to bring up a baby. From today onwards, I will restart my blogging attempts and slowly bring up pictures and experiences from my last 8 months. Without further ado, here we go! Again!

Fullmoon Party!

According to the Chinese customs, once the child reaches his first fullmoon, he makes his debut to close friends and relatives. Prior to his first fullmoon, he is supposed to be confined in his home together with his mother. Interesting aside, why fullmoon? I believe it is because Chinese has always used the lunar calendar and hence, the first fullmoon is akin to the first month of his life.

In anycase, here are some pictures of Da-Yong's fullmoon party with approximately 50 guests celebrating this wonderful event with us. Many thanks to everyone for attending and making this celebration a success!


Let the party begin!


Here is Auntie Shanon carrying him...


Loads of guests, hopefully they are enjoying themselves.


Here is Auntie Kheng Lee saying "Kuchi Kuchi Kuuu!!!"


I'm all beat from this party...time to go home!

More Pictures!

I guess I should have expected this but I never realised that taking care of a baby is really a full time job. Actually, this is more than a full time job! It is truly tiring. In anycase, sorry for the long silence but I really didn't get any chance to come online until now. So, without further ado, here are some new pictures of Da-Yong. I will write more with my thoughts in another update later when I get another breather..


Here, Da-Yong is just getting ready to brave the COLD new world outdoors...:)


Isn't he cute with his new gargantuan sweater from his Tua Kor?


Here he is, sleeping on our bed blissfully...


Look at him, he could not be bothered even if the sky fell! :)


Here the entire family enjoying a lunch outside with Da-Yong watching...


A-hah! Caught Wendy with baby asleep!


He can't be that comfortable in that position...


Oh oh...he is TRULY angry...


WAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What's in a name...

Well, Da-Yong is now 21 days old and he is growing more active with more facial expressions by the day. We are now only waiting for him to smile socially (not just in his sleep). Hmmm..I wonder, when he smiles in his sleep, what is he dreaming about? :-)

In anycase, while he is resting a little and keeping a little quiet, I thought I might take this time to update this blog a little. I'm sure many people (especially those of the Chinese descent) might find it weird why I named my child Da-Yong which can be directly translated to be Big Courage. A little cultural background, Da or Big is not a common first name as it isn't easy to choose a middle name with that. However, in my family (Chiam), that name, Da has already been chosen by my ancestors from my ancestralvillage in China. The Chinese first name is what we call a generation name. Just like my name, Siong Heng, Siong is actually the name used by ALL my cousins (those who are still traditionalist). Thus, my brother and all my cousins will have the same first name. What makes our names unique is our middle name as in my case, Siong Heng, my brother, Siong Chin, my cousin, Siong U etc. In the case of my son and all of his generation, Da is the stipulated first name. Actually, based on literature from my home family village, my father's generation is Kong, my generation is Siong, my son's generation is Da and my grandson's generation is Keat.

Also, I do intend on registering my son's birth with my home village in China. Now, I just have to find a way to do so....

Finally, I do intend (to my best ability) to ensure that my son keep to this proud family tradition and name his sons Keat....

And....It's OFF!

A huge milestone happened today. The baby is growing like a bacterial culture during its exponential S Curve growth stage. Clothes that didn't quite fit a week ago is now too tight! It is really quite an amazing sight!

Well, yesterday, his umblical cord came undone. This is huge with Da-Yong discarding his last appendage of any linkage to another human being (the Mom). He is truly an individual able to function on his own... Errr...I guess that is not quite true at this stage. He is a helpless little biological creation that eats, sleeps and poops.

As for us, Mom and Dad, we are now getting used to the fact that we have this little one to care for. Getting more used to the task of changing diapers and bathing him.

Again, it's a good thing I suppose....

Gramps are here!

Reinforcements have arrived! Gramps are here...and they are just in love with Da-Yong. They cannot get enough of him. I personally haven't seen my parents so happy. Just like what my Dad says, "Da-Yong brings a lot of joy to a lot of people in this household..." As a new daddy, I tend to agree. :-)


Proud Grandma and Grandpa.


Sleeping peacefully in Grandma's arms.


Grandma looking very happy! :-)


Happy new Mom!


Another family shot.

It's been a week...

All, Wendy here. I'm finally finding a little time to post into this blog. It has been quite a week to say the least. Finally, we are getting into the routine of things although apart from feeding our little Cherub, changing his diapers, burping him and then making sure he sleeps, it doesn't give me time for anything else. In anycase, here are some more pictures that I thought you might like to see...


Cherub sleeping on Daddy's chest.


Here he is contented after having his dinner...having a nap.


Another napping picture.


Thought I just had to post this picture...I took this without Siong knowing. Both, Daddy and son deep in sleep.

Thank yous...

A huge thank you should go out to all the staff of Burnaby Hospital who cared for us during Da-Yong's delivery namely:
RN Janet
RN Gilles (sp?)
RN Elaine
RN Champa
RN Florence
RN Linda

Also, a big thank you goes to the Newton Centre Public Healthcare nurses:
RN Joanne
RN Maureen

You all have set an impossibly high standards for the Canadian Healthcare system. Not only did you deliver Da-Yong, but you provided us with our parenthood crash course in two days that allowed us to cope with having Da-Yong at home.

Also, thanks to Dr. Shelly Ross whose level of experience and professionalism really impressed us.

Finally, thanks to all MDA and RSI staff, friends and family. We really appreciate all your well wishes and gifts.

Its a Boy 2!

Well, it's been 5 days since Da-Yong's birth, and we are back home now. Man, that boy is a really hungry guy, all he does, eat lots, poop lots and sleep little. In anycase, this is a little quiet time that I can use to update the blog with more pictures.

BTW, just in case you are wondering, with my Father's blessings, we have named him Chan Da-Yong (Big Courage).

Do note that I have included more pictures prior to the birth as well down on the March 9th 2005 post below.

Better start posting all the pictures before Da-Yong starts crying again...


Dr. Ross getting Da-Yong ready for his first close-up shot.


RN Janet looking over Mom and newborn.


Another family picture.


Baby in the Maternity Ward the next morning. Hmmm nice swaddling technique.


Mom and Da-Yong in maternity ward.


More Mom and baby.


This what makes my heart melt. Hmmm...doesn't he look like me (SH)? :-)


Now, my turn to have a picture with Da-Yong.


Awwww...doesn't that just makes your heart melt?


Another Mommy with baby shot.


Now, this is my favorite shot of the lot!


Tua Kor just can't have enough of him!


Family shot with Tua Kor.


Here's Jee Chek with the kid.


Peter coming over for a visit in the hospital. Look at Siong Chin, all beat!


RN Florence (hopefully her last name is Nightingale?? :-)) Carrying him one last time before he left the hospital. Really, does he not look like me?


At home in his crib feeling contented after feeding.


Nice big yawn...


RN Joanne on a home visit 24 hours after birth. Isn't Canadian Healthcare system something?


RN Joanne weighing him. He's just got 100gm left to achieve his birth weight.

That's it for now. I'll update more later. Keep watching.....