Same old shtuff, and also so much more...

No, I'm not obsessed with poop, her mom is, well we both are- there, you have it. It's still amazing to go a month or more without experiencing an actual poopy diaper, and she's working through the transition to solid foods quite nicely, though it brought some new challenges- and some very interesting vocalizations....

But as you must have suspected, there's certainly much more to the past fall and winter than you've seen here.

Blog posting fell by the wayside during my five months of weekly commuting, and also during our relocation and process of getting settled, but now life has arrived at a new equilibrium, and minor pleasures like posting pictures to the world may resume....

This was Ruthie's first Easter, and Grandma Joan, along with Great-Grandma Tiny, supplied a beautiful dress. The normal Northwestern drizzle held off for just a couple of hours on Easter morning, enough for Ruthie to nab one egg during the great hunt.

Wher've we been? - still poopin along

Dad, I'm sooo-ooo embarrassed- I'll like never forgive you.
Yes, I've been remiss in posting my paternal progress as of late, and it's not for a lack of goings-on, moreso an abundance thereof.
Where to begin? Well, let's take up where we left off. Infant toilet training, hereafter known as "pooping the baby", has continued unabated, and is now nearing total success with #2 emissions; diaper changes are now primarily due to sogginess and skid marks. That doesn't mean it isn't entertaining, however. Houseguests seem to show geniune amazement when we offer to let them see the baby go poo in the loo. Of course, I'm not sure if they're more amazed by the offer or the feat itself, but it's always a fun time.
And here, you can see what a fun time was had by all, and why she might be embarrassed, what with five spectators and two cameras in on the action.

We made it a month!

There's a Chinese tradition of holding a Red Egg Party, alternatively known as the Full Moon Party (but not the type you'd find on a Thai beach). It marks the end of mom's confinement, baby's debut to the world, and the announcement of her name. Instead of waiting for a full moon, it's now celebrated more often on the baby's first month birthday.
So, we put on such a bash, hosted by generous grandparents and Chopsticks Chinese Restaurant in Vancouver, WA. We put together some dandy invites for friends and family, but omitted a menu, instead, just telling folks that there would be traditional appetizers and then plenty of food for the main course. Well, things started off slowly, with our round-eyed guests picking cautiously at the cold boiled chicken, marinated jellyfish, pickled seaweed, and thin broth that was initially offered. Several sated themselves on these meager offerings, only to be greatly chagrined when the twelve courses of fish, fowl, beast and more commonly-consumed invertebrates started coming out rapid-fire as the kitchen got up to speed. The duck was to die for, the dungeness was delicious, the braised beef was never more beautiful, and the scallops were simply stupendous. Followed up by several exotic desserts and the old standby of mango pudding in goldfish molds, there wasn't a soul who didn't find a dish to delight in, and leave stuffed better than a thanksgiving turkey. The neighborhood kids all seemed to have a fun time, and Ruthie is developing quite a fan club, with future baby sitters even jockeying for first dibs.

Let the sinning begin..

Now I'm not an irreverent chap when it comes to truly reverential topics, but I do think I've noticed a small end to innocence after Ruthie's baptism. Instead of an infant's plaintive wails, there's definite anger in some of those cries, and an occasional glare that I recognize as the same one rarely received from her mother.

Nonetheless, the baptism was a great event; expertly handled by Fr. Armando at our church; St. John The Evangelist in Vancouver. Ruthie's paternal grandparents were able to make it across thirteen time zones from the Abu Dhabi to serve as godparents, and the church choir that Ruby and I sing with not only came up with special serenades for the ceremonial dipping, but also joined us for a luncheon afterwards.

Toilet training accomplished, what's next?

Surely he jests! Well, only in a sense. You may have already heard of the growing practice around diaperless babies, thanks to infant toilet training. Turns out that this is nothing new, just an ancient wisdom that western culture 'convenienced' itself out of. Anybody who's been watered by the Young Faithful geyser that eminates from baby boys when they feel fresh air has wondered whether junior did that on purpose. Again, in a sense, they're right. Babies know when they go, we just train it out of them, especially with modern diapers that don't even feel wet and uncomfortable, just warm and soft... (the gel-filled diapers actually undergo an exothermic reaction as they soak up water, making baby's butt warm and comfy).

So, the official Ancient Chinese Secret to this practice is to immediately after every feeding, perch baby's butt on the edge of the potty, lift her legs, and stroke her belly while saying 'pisssssss'. Now, the Chinese just say 'ssss', but I couldn't resist one small modification.
Grandma Chan had advised we start this once she was several weeks old, but when Ruthie gave several clear cues before polluting her very first bath, we decided to begin the field trials.
During week one, we were about 50% successful at the throne, and now in week 2, it's edging on 75%. I calculated (yes, I actually did) that the activity only saves @ $4.20 per hour in avoided diaper costs, but the avoided changes, diaper rash, and pain to Ruthie is priceless, plus, there is significant entertainment value.

We are leaving her in diapers as insurance, but hope to be actually soiling relatively few of them...

Week One- pin up the growth chart!

And how fast it flew...
I took one week off work to attend to my ladies, but it felt like a weekend. Ruthie quickly showed that her consumptive and digestive tendencies came from the Chan side of the family, as she has a voracious appetite (in her mother's words, "You are an aggressive little sucker!"). Friday's OB appointment was switched to a Day Six mother-baby visit, and at weigh in, Ruthie had already surpassed her birth weight by two ounces. The nurse declared that babies aren't generally expected to regain their birth weight and start making forward progress for two weeks. Well it's a good thing that Ruthie doesn't have any conventional wisdom, because she's sure to defy it! Yes, like all proud papas, I was prepared for my offspring to be above average, but even I am amazed at her intelligence, good looks, and general modesty.

Yes, I also took a bit of time to work on the Karmann Eclectric, and even took it to one show as a work-in-process. As you can see, Ruthie is a big fan and can't wait to take her first ride.

Ruthie's keeping a fairly regular schedule, with a 2 1/2 hour feeding rotation. It's tough on Ruby, but at least she gets to join in the afternoon naps. I'm just trying to keep my head off the table during staff meetings......

Sunday Visitation

I freshened up in time for Church on Sunday, and even swooped by Walgreens to print out a few of Ruthie's more photogenic moments. Of course, everyone was heartened by the news, and I invited our fellow choir members to stop by the hospital or house anytime.


But first, it was time for Grandma and Grandpa Chan to get some quality time. (Try to ignore that image of Israel's indiscriminate bombing of Beruit in the background, Ruthie is apolitical thus far....)

We also got a visit from Stella Chan (no relation), the owner of Chopsticks Chinese restaurant here in Vancouver. Stella and her family became fast friends here, and helped Ruby find the best local Cantonese resources.

So, I mentioned that we invited folks from the church? Well, after a long afternoon of visitation, Our Lady of Grunge decided that it was just about time for some ablutions, and preparations commenced for her first postpartum bath. Naturally I was called on to assist, and well, suffice it to say, that in only my caregiving uniform, some pants had to be found fast when the next visitors came a knocking.
"Guitar Dave" Schenck heard the fumbling belt buckle, and cracked- "Gees Man, you're supposed to wait at least until you get 'er home!" Thus is the lighthearted nature found in your average Catholic choral ensemble. If you haven't attended church lately, just think of what you've been missing!

So, we jumped back into social mode, and had a great time with Dave's wife Gloria, our star soprano, Joan and Scott Rustay, our leader and sound man, respectively.