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Christmas is in the Air!

I love Christmas time. This is a very special Christmas for us. The first Christmas in our new home with hour new son! We are truly blessed. We had a wonderful time at Grammie Crandall's annual Christmas party this past Sunday. Quinn had fun socializing and being held by everyone. On Monday Quinn went to visit Santa. He, of course, had no idea who Santa was, but wasn't scared either.

Thanksgiving

We had a great Thanksgiving with James's family in Maryland. The ride down was long, but Quinn slept most of the way so we only had to stop once. The ride back was a little harder, but still we felt like it was quite an accomplishment to go on such a long road trip with a 3 month old. It's so fun to see Quinn interact with his Wong side of the family. He's so lucky to be exposed to the Chinese language. James's dad even game Quinn a Chinese name. It sounds sort of like Hugh-Quinn, which means very understanding gentleman.

Thanksgiving 2009 - Much to be thankful for!

It was fun to see Angela, too bad she was sick.

Quinn gets more red envelopes from his Great Aunt and Uncle

The Desires of Our Hearts

Just a quick note to say how thankful I am to God for giving me the desires of my heart. I'm so happy to be able to stay at home and take care of Quinn, and so happy to be starting this new business that utilizes my love of children and my law school education. When I had to leave the glitzy "Big Law" world this past spring I felt so lost and confused. But God keeps his promises :)



Jer 29:11 (NIV) "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

27 Already?

Tomorrow is my 27th birthday. I'm now officially in my late twenties. Makes me want to reflect a little. In some ways, I'm just where I always imagined I'd be - married, a mom, and a lawyer. It was the getting here that was a lot different and harder than I anticipated. I am so thankful for a wonderful husband and super cute son, a great relationship with my family, and those few special friends that still stay in touch. The big challenge right now is the whole career thing. I'm working hard and trusting that God has the perfect plan for me. He hasn't let me down yet!

13th Birthday (more than half a lifetime ago)

Spit-Up and Up-North

Quinn has been really fussy and unhappy for the last several weeks due to severe reflux (aka lots of spit-up). He's on medicine now, but the doctor says it probably won't start working for two more weeks. I'm hoping she's wrong and it works must faster. There's nothing worse than a nearly inconsoible baby! The good news is that he's still gaining lots of weight, which means he's still absorbing enough food. And who said this was going to be easy, right?

A rare, content moment

This morning James, Quinn, and I got up at 5am to take a ride up to Dartmouth. It was my first time back since I graduated four and a half years ago. I had so many mixed emotions. My life is so different now, and yet so much of Dartmouth remains the same. Overall, it was really fun bringing Quinn to a place that has such a special place in my heart.

Cold morning on the Green

Lots of Firsts for Mr. Wong

Quinn is now 7 weeks old. Today he rolled over from his stomach to his back for the first time. I was so proud! Quinn has also started smiling. A couple of days ago after his 3 am feeding he looked me right in the eyes and gave me the most beautiful smile. My eyes filled with tears instantly. I'm still trying to get a picture of him smiling, but have yet to be successful. Quinn is also getting more coordinated, especially when it comes to getting his fingers in his mouth. I think he might end up being a thumb sucker. Easier than the pacifier for now, but a much harder habit to break in the future.

Almost smiling

Sucking his thumb

James and I are still pretty exhausted. James has started drinking caffeine so things must be rough. Quinn can be quite fussy and requires a lot of patience. I'm learning what I want to do doesn't always happen when and how I would prefer. Quinn is also struggling with a lot of spit-up, which leads to lots of laundry for me.

Ok, enough complaining! There's still nothing better than holding his peaceful sleeping body in my arms or having him stare lovingly into my eyes with amazement.

1st Month

Quinn is now one month old. As of today he weighs 7lbs 15 oz and is 20 inches long He's gained almost three pounds this month! I am so thankful he is a healthy and growing well. Quinn's a popular guy - he's had so many visitors this month. Currently, his Aunt Christina is visiting from Pittsburgh.

James and I are getting better at interpreting "Quinn noises," learning the importance of bibs (lots of spit up), and attempting to work out a schedule that maximizes our sleep (although we are still completely exhausted).

In my fleeting moments of spare time, I've started working on starting my own special education law practice. Its a big task, so I'm taking my time. The plan is to work part time out of our home. James is currently redoing the room that will be my office - it even has its own entrance. I'm really excited about this decision both for the intellectual challenge, but mostly because I think its a good fit for our family.

1 month old

Who do I look like?

James at 1 month

Lillian at 1 month

With Aunt Christina

Quinn has a "Great" Day

Today James and I took Quinn to meet his Great-Great Grandmother Miller (my father's maternal grandmother), Great-Grandmother Glidden (my paternal grandmother) and Great-Grammie Crandall (my adopted Grandmother). It was a really special day.

Great-Great Nannie Miller

Great-Nannie Glidden

Great-Grammie Crandall

Tomorrow James is returning to work and this weekend James' parents and older sister and her boyfriend are all coming to stay with us. I'm excited for Quinn to meet the "Wong" side of his family.

Quinn is doing great. He gained 10 ounces in the 6 days since he left the hospital. His doctor was very pleased. I'm slowly recovering from the c-section and very sleep deprived, but loving being a mom.

Quinn Robert Wong's Birthday

Today Quinn is one week old -I can't believe it!

I went into the hospital on Thursday the 20th to be induced. I had over 14 hours of contractions, but never fully went into labor. Twice during that night Quinn's heart rate dropped quite low, but then rebounded. When this happened a third time the nurse couldn't find his heartbeat for seven minutes so the doctor decided I needed an immediate c-section. James and I were both so nervous. We prayed together, and I was wheeled into the delivery room. I will spare you all the gory details of what was probably the scariest experience of my life, and suffice it to say that Quinn Robert Wong was born at 12:20 pm on Friday August 21st weighing 5 lbs 4 ounces and measuring 18 inches long and was completely healthy . He didn't need any special medication attention and James was able to hold him right away.

Just a few minutes old

Quinn's first visitors were his Grammie and Grampa Glidden. He has met his Aunt Leah, Uncle Isaac and his girlfriend, Katie, and my cousins Morgan, Mike, Sydney, and Aamie. Next weekend Grandma and Grampa Wong are coming to visit us from Maryland.

4 days old

James and I are both so in love with Quinn. I have never felt so at peace in my life as I do when I'm holding him. We are amazed at how much laundry a little baby can make and how little we are sleeping, but Quinn is a wonderful baby - he rarely cries and he loves to be held. He is truly a gift from God.

Going home from the hospital



Happy Family

Nursery

The nursery is still not completely finished - James has a shelf to paint and hang and closet door to fix - but still, I thought it would be fun to post these pictures of it. The room is very small. I don't even think a twin bed would fit in it, but it is perfect for a nursery.

When we bought the house the room needed a serious paint job and there was a really dirty carpet on the floor. When we (ok, James) pulled up the carpet the floor looked like it had been purposefully splattered with paint. It took James a lot of effort, but he got all the paint off and beautifully refinished the floors (with a lot of helpful advice from my dad). James and I painted the walls, ceiling, and trim (with help from James' sister Regina) and installed a new light fixture (the old one looked like a UFO). I bought all the bedding used off craigslist and made the wall hangings with fabric from an extra curtain and embroidery hoops (my mom's idea). The furniture is all new, but we purchased the dresser and crib in tax-free New Hampshire, with some serious coupons, and without a delivery charge thanks to two trips from Maine to Massachusetts by my parents. I got a great deal on the rocking chair online and put it and the nursing stool together myself.

I know Baby Wong doesn't really need a nursery, both of his parents survived just fine without one, but we sure did enjoy thinking about him as we immersed ourselves into this labor of love.

View from the hallway and a good shot of James' floor.

View upon entering. (Ignore my poor photography skills).

Changing table with side doors open to reveal the coordinating baskets I found at Home Goods. Soon there will be a white shelf above here to showcase Baby's special pictures and toys.



Rocking chair - a good place to sit and think about the arrival of our little man.

Inside the crib - so cozy and educational - haha!

James vs. Vacuum

I'm trying to "relax" and "keep cool" (both literally and figuratively) these few days before baby Wong is scheduled to arrive. Much easier said than done, but I'm trying. James' older sister Regina sent me these photos and I just couldn't resist posting them.


Some background: when Regina was visiting a few weeks ago James decided he would help vacuum. Unfortunately, James had no idea where the vacuum cleaner was located in the house nor how to turn on the machine. Now in his defense, it is a new house and a new vacuum cleaner and he's been working like a crazy person at his job and around the house, but Regina and I got quite a charge out of it. In then end, I directed him both to the location and showed him how to turn it on because its good to have a husband who can use the vacuum :)

Hmmm, where is the power button?

In here? Nope. These are all the attachements.

Baby Wong coming SOON!

My doctor has decided that baby Wong should be born next week because of his size. He is still really small for his age, but is extremely active and aced his stress test and biophysical ultrasound exam today. The doctor thinks baby will grow better once he is born.

I'm going to the hospital (Winchester Hospital) on Thursday afternoon to be induced and God willing, baby Wong will be born sometime on Friday August 21st (3 weeks before his due date). James and I are both extremely excited and nervous.

Update

We just had to go to the hospital for a stress test for Baby Wong. His weight is in the 10th percentile so the doctor is worried about him. He passed the stress test, but will now need to be monitored more closely, including a weekly ultrasound to make sure he is growing.

His movements are strong, so both James and I are optimistic. Please keep us all in your thoughts and prayers - its a little scary.

Baby Wong Waits For His Big Reveal

I went to the doctor today (I go every week since my due date is a month away) and my "baby belly" was measuring a little small so the doctor sent me to get an ultrasound. Anything but perfect news always makes me a little nervous, but James assures me he's just a "small Asian baby." And believe me, I'm providing him with lots of nutrition. Mommy Wong has gained 30 lbs as of today! Eeek!! Baby Wong has a tendency to measure small. My original due date was actually September 1st, but when I had my first ultrasound baby wasn't as big as expected so the doctor changed my due date to September 10th. So who knows when will baby Wong arrive? Maybe he's just a small baby like his Daddy was (5lbs at birth) compared to me (7lbs 12oz), and baby James grew big, fat, and healthy in no time.

My 35 Week "Baby Belly." Can you find Lucy in the background?


Newborn James (and his dad)

Baby James - 1 Month Old

James as a chubby, healthy baby.

While the ultrasound was really to get a sense of how much baby weighs (something I still don't know), it was really nice to "see" him. Well, he kept his hands in front of his face the entire time, so that was a bit frustrating. I told the technician he was waiting for the "big reveal." I think I watch to many makeover shows. She did manage to get one picture of its face, but its a bit hard to read. She says he has a full head of hair (just as I suspected after looking at pictures of baby James) and is definitely a boy.

Cheat Sheet

When I got back from the doctor's I set up the swing. I getting very good at assembling things thanks to this new house and new baby. It looks so comfy - I can't wait to put him in it. I'm still working on the nursery. I should have everything together in a week.

Close-up of the swing.

Approximately 34 days left, but whose counting. Oh wait, me :)

Baby Shower

Yesterday my mom (with the help of many others) threw me a wonderful baby shower. I was completely overwhelmed with every one's generousity. It was so special to have everyone there - family, childhood friends, church family, and my great-grandmother too! When I came home, James wanted to look at each and every present before he went to bed. He too was very humbled by all the gifts and we both felt undeserving and loved.

Today, while I was putting away each item I had such a fun time thinking about how my little baby-to-be will look in each outfit, use each piece of "gear," and play with each toy. Having all this baby stuff around the house makes Baby Wong much more of a reality.

As for James, he was been extremely busy with home repairs. He's nearly finished redoing the nursery and has started on the library. I'm so thankful I married such a handy man (and I didn't even know it!) I guess I have James' dad to thank for that.

I don't have any pictures of the shower itself, but here are some vignettes (along with a long-delayed pregnant picture of me) I created this hot and humid afternoon. Enjoy!

Before the Shower, in our backyard. 8 months pregnant.

My mom had this bassinet set up at the shower complete with a dressed up baby doll. My grandmother made the lining before I was born I think.

Baby's high chair is already in the dining room. Nannie Glidden gave us the high chair, Kate Spade (ooh la la) silverware from Morgan and Mike, and super necessary Cheerios container from Katie Miller.

Bath time fun. Cassie made the super cute goose and duck bath toys. Bathrobe is from Justine.

Baby play time. I already teared up reading "Love You Forever."

Travel system from my sister and girl-cousins on my mom's side. I set it up myself too! This fireplace is in our basement, pretty fancy, eh?

What James was up to during the shower