Stinks & Co.

We had a fun & family-filled weekend. My dad rode into town via his usual method of transportation, Amtrak train, and stayed the weekend. He is taking our current state of economy very seriously and refuses to let us go to Starbucks for our morning pick-me-ups (he must be in cahoots with Suze Orman). We had heard of Ikea's 99cent breakfasts and decided it would be fun, and economical, to take the Max to Ikea Sunday morning and have our breakfast there.

Mal and Gong-Gong (or "Dad" as she says) on the Max

It was delicious! We had a great time and a savory Swedish breakfast, but I had a sneaking suspicion the numbers didn't quite add up, so I did some quick calculations:

Max fare ($2.30 x 6): $13.80
Ikea Breakfast for all: $23
Grand Total for "budget-friendly" Ikea Excursion: $36.80

(Now I'm no math whiz, but something tells me 3 latte's and a muffin or two might have been cheaper...we were duped!) Anyhoo, it was a fun time had by all and easily beat out Starbucks!

Uncle Sung was in Seattle for a Neurology Conference and flew down to Portland on Sunday just for the day! Christian was very happy to meet his uncle and jumped at the chance to show off some of his talents, including his active GI system and mighty set of lungs! It was so nice to see Sung, if even for a couple of hours, and he came with all sorts of baby tips, being a father of 2 boys himself. Next up...Christian needs to meet his cousins in the South...he can't wait!

The Boys, chillin' in coordinated stripes

So Christian and I walked to Barnes & Noble today and I purchased some Chinese tapes to brush up on my embarrassingly poor language skills. (After watching Amazing Race on Sunday and witnessing fellow ABC's Victor and Tammy's massive Chinese vocabulary, I was feeling very inadequate.) I figure Christian's starting off with a huge advantage in 2 languages other than English, so I better do my best not to mess up this opportunity.

On an unrelated note, we've fashioned a new nickname for Christian that we are a bit ashamed to admit: Stinks. It just sort of morphed from Stink-eye to Stinks and it stuck. I know, it's horrible, but in those moments when we're too lazy to enunciate the full 2 syllables of his name, Stinks it is!

As far as Babywise updates, Stinks has gone on strike. We had a good run there for a few days and he did well. Then, disaster struck when I left for 3 hours on Thursday, dad caved and fed him 3 times. Dr. Bucknam of Babywise would be horrified! To date, I've tried to get him back on the wagon, but I think he has once again tasted the good life and is reluctant to go back. Maybe I'll give it one more try...

And here are a couple of adorable photos of Didi that Dawn took last week at Ev's house. She brought over her 2 1/2 year old daughter Elisa (who, as a side, has the best hair as well as the best manners, calling me "Miss Mel" - loved it!) and we had a blast. How I wish I were that talented at photography (or anything, really).

Girls' Day Out - Elisa and Mallory

Our final visitor last week (whew!) was Ann and her daughter Tiana. Tiana has such a nice way with babies and Christian immediately took to her. I'm secretly hoping Tiana will impart some of her vast sign-language knowledge so that we can get this guy's nonverbal language skills up and running!

Tiana and Christian (in his favorite, slim-fit turtle outfit)

What a great group of people we are surrounded by!

Babywise

Christian and I are on Day 2 of some rigorous training...two of my friends had recommended a book called "Babywise", which basically teaches consistency in the form of feedings and sleeping, with the ultimate goal being a good night's sleep for the entire family. Naturally, I was sold the minute I heard the magic words 'good night's sleep'. The basic philosophy revolves around 3-hour cycles...feeding every 2.5 to 3 hours, followed by playtime, followed by naptime. The book persuades us that the infant begins to realize when his next meal is coming so that he is calm, happy and healthy. Sounds good, in theory...

So far, Christian has not been impressed with the new and improved me. Considering his life up until now had been a bona fide milk free-for-all, I really can't blame the guy! My idea of a 'regimen' consisted of something to the tune of this: baby makes any semblance of a peep or suggestion of Mad Face, Dae or I rush over and immediately offer comfort in the form of food or hugs (usually food). I feel I'm managing to tap into my tougher side, but Dae is still quite the softie :)

So I think Christian's beginning to get the hang of his new schedule, but not without some hiccups. This, for instance, is a photo I snapped of him yesterday during our allotted "Playtime":



I did everything I could to rouse him out of his coma. I pulled out my limited bag of tricks (and tried to sing what felt like the entire line-up of Sound of Music), but when all was said and done, I felt so bad that after about 5 minutes of Playtime he got his desired nap (There's no doubt he is my child, he likes his sleep!).

On another note, Dae and I find it particularly hilarious when, after a frantic feeding session, Christian lapses into a coma, complete with milk all over his face...


We can't help but laugh every time we see this. Poor guy. He gets a daily facewash but at any given time during the day there is probably an ounce or two of dried milk adhered to his skin...what a waste of that liquid gold!

Lastly, my friend Jon from work came to visit today along with his adorable 2-year-old, Eden (another one of Christian's ilk - a half Korean! I personally think he could sense he was in the presence of his kind). They came bearing some great goodies: Burgerville (somewhat contraband but at least nothing was cold so hopefully my mom won't be too upset) and a beautiful, soft, blue blanket his wife, Carolyn, had knit for Christian. What a wonderful gift and visit!!!

Boppy courtesy of Dawn, blanket courtesy of Carolyn (gotta give credit where credit is due!)

The First 3 Weeks

Welcome to the Lee family blog! As computer un-savvy as I am, I decided to blog mostly as a diary to chronicle events in our family's life, but also as a way to keep family and friends in the loop with photos and updates. So while this website is unlikely to win the Most Sophisticated Blog award, hopefully it will keep you posted on our comings and goings!

We welcomed Christian Bian Lee into our lives on Saturday, March 28, 2009, a good 12 days before his due date. He weighed in at 6 pounds, 9.5 ounces and 19.5 inches long, with a full head of jet-black hair (complete with side-burns). As we Lee's are not likely to arrive early for anything, we were surprised that our little one decided to make an early appearance. I, for one, was certainly not complaining...dentistry takes on a whole new spin when there's a large protuberance threatening to hit a patient's head at any given moment!

Since his arrival, the last 3 weeks have been a wonderful, sleep-deprived, house-bound blur. My mom was kind and generous enough to spend 3 weeks with us, making sure I conformed to the traditional Chinese one-month "house arrest", including no hair-washing, no cold food or beverage, no leaving the house (exceptions were made for doctor's visits) and a bevy of Chinese foods and concoctions to ensure adequate milk production and fend off evil health risks! As picky an eater as I am, I tried my best to grin and bear it, but had to put my foot down after a run-in with some chicken liver. All in all, I was extremely grateful to have my mom here...thanks so much, mom!!!


Dae continues to work 80 hour weeks but still manages to pull his weight in the evenings when Christian gets a little fussier than usual. For his part, we of course think Christian is quite the fun little guy. A few of his quirks we have picked up:


1) Rigor Mortis: He loves playing Rigor Mortis on the changing table, especially when Dae changes him. All limbs reach full extension...maybe he's trying to impress us with his muscle tone.

2) Stink-Eye: This habit was noted straight out of the womb, where he showcases his uncanny ability to open one eye (preferably his right), check out the scene, and deem it worthy/unworthy of both eyes' attention. Usually he deems it unworthy and proceeds to close his stink-eye.
3) Chicklet hair: His head is chock-full of hair and is especially fun right after a bath, when it's fuzzy, soft, and rivals that of a newly-hatched chick!

Chicklet Hair and Stink-eye

4) The I-Refuse-Food Mouth: He makes it very clear when enough is enough (milk-wise) by tightly pursing his little lips into an "O" shape. We get a big kick out of trying, and failing, to open his mouth!

5) Fast and Furious Eating: He is definitely of Lee-Bian stock! His eating is fast and furious, complete with major panting and gasping. Dae and I used to time ourselves at one of the local conveyor-belt Sushi Restaurants and I think our record was 15 minutes, start to finish....I'm pretty sure Christian has our record beat with some of his feedings.

6) Mammoth Eater: Along with velocity comes enormous volume...we read about these supposed 'growth spurts' but is it possible to have sustained, no-end-in-sight hourly feedings? This guy is amazing! We haven't had him weighed in a week, but at his 2-week appt. he had gained back his weight and then some, up to a grand total of 7 pounds, 8 ounces! Dae tried a poor-man's version of weighing Christian by getting on the scale sans baby (I won't divulge Dae's starting weight to spare him any comments from family members! haha) and then again with baby - it registered 9 pounds!

7) Mad Face: There are no warning signs for his full-bore cry: furrowed forehead, bulgy eyes, red explosive face and the shrill, piercing, high-decibel level that announces (in no uncertain terms) that he is unhappy.



There are so many more, but all in all we feel extremely fortunate to have a healthy and seemingly happy baby! He manages to sleep in 2-3 hour increments (when not in above-mentioned growth spurt phase) and has showcased his tendency toward the finer things in life by turning up his nose at the notion of sleeping in a traditional bassinet...he instead opts for the significantly more plush Bugaboo stroller (hand-me-down courtesy of Ev)! Yes, he is sleeping in a stroller, but in all fairness, it is the bassinet component of said stroller! Speaking of hand-me-downs, we have become experts at receiving them, especially from Ev. There are very few things she has not brought over and supplied us with...big thanks!

Christian's Deluxe Sleeping Quarters

One of the big highlights of the past month was Christian's photo shoot at Day 5. My friend Dawn, who happens to be an amazing photographer (and an even more amazing person), very generously offered her services and came over to our house - bean bag, fabrics, books for Christian and camera in tow. She patiently photographed Christian for the better part of 3 hours. Here are a few of our favorites below. She did a gorgeous job, is immensely talented and truly gave us a lifelong gift. (As a side, she also sent us prints, made our announcements, and put together a coffee table book...can words describe our gratitude?) Thank you, thank you, thank you Dawn!





A few family and friends photos below:

Cousin Wade (aka Didi) and Christian hangin' at the hospital - look at the size of that Didi!

Cousin Mallory, Cousin Wade, Dae and Christian

Grandma Ni-Ni emulating Christian's facial expression

Dad and Christian

Minoo and Ann from work

Auntie Kelly, Danielle

Auntie Lisa

the Little Bug

Bootylicious

We're having an amazing time with him and can't wait to see what he does next!