Introducing Penguin Friends: Vivi’s New Youtube channel

Vivi and Juliette love watching youtube, specifically this channel where this lady plays with toys or reveals what toy is hidden in random cups of goo.

I asked Vivi if she wanted to make videos of this as well. Well she said yes. She has always been a ham for the lime light:-) I also figure it’s a way to catalog her antics.

Here’s the intro:

Juliette Day One: journey home

Just after 24hrs, health status excellent. We are on our way home.

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“my first car ride”

Fits in the Graco carseat. Snug as a bug.

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back home

Made it back to the house

My pal Stella told me that when they had a second child, they offset the jealousy factor when they came home by saying new baby sister brought a present. So this big box has a gift from Juliette Meimei to ViviBear.

 

Meeting combo for the first time

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Vivi and Combo Meet Juliette
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ViviBear rocks her Juliette Meimei

Vivienne already is taking on the big sis roll well. She is protective and caring:-) Combo is trying to get a glimpse, but ViviBear puts down the law.

 

 

800p: Alas, our family is whole, at home, safe and sound. I am surrounded estrogen. Well Combo was spayed, but you get the point. Thank you everyone for all the well wishes!

Doppelgangers

By special request, Clement has been asking side by side comparisons throughout the years. From what I could dig up, here you go. I tell you what I hate calculating backwards to figure out ages based on dates. Too much brain power for me. (always makes it tedious to input immunization data and make sure people are up to date/on schedule with shots.

So do you think VviBear will grow up to be as pretty as her daddy?:)

19 Months

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 18 Months

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16 Months

 

 

12 Months

Newborn (my original post)

The Clones nap
The Clones Nap

When to start training a baby… to use chopsticks…

Chop Sticks
Chop Sticks
The Asian fork

Vivienne loves to mimic us and do things we are doing. It’s rather cute. We were at Sunflower Chinese Restaurant this past weekend eating some Dim Sum, and ViviBear really wanted to play with our chop sticks. Well I figured what the heck. I let her have mine, since she already threw hers on the ground. The first thing she did was stab some shrimp dumplings [Hsia Jiao] (i was never good with the phonetics) and proceeded to feed herself. She stopped, and gave me a sly look and offered to me. Not a bad try. Heck I still stab food with my chopsticks too. Actually, I apparently do not even use chopsticks properly. When I spent a month in China a 4 years ago, the servers or owners at the local restaurants/food carts would love to point out to me how I use chopsticks really weird and like a child. Well whatever. Back to the point. I wonder if it is too early to start training Vivienne how to use chopsticks. Well, it’s kind of like me teaching her Chinese I suppose, or a penguin teaching a pomeranian how to fly. Well I at least can kind use chopsticks to move food from point A to point B, no matter how improper my technique.

 

“Vivi trying to use chopsticks”

On one of her attempts she actually grabbed some sticky rice with the chopsticks, but I unfortunately did not record that part. I dont really remember when I learned how to use chopsticks. maybe it’s innate in all Asian people (hah). I still find it amazing to watch ViviBear grow up, and start doing new things. I fear the day when she starts doing things I dont want her to. shudder. 

On a similar note, it’s funny to hear some people’s reaction to things like potty training. Vivienne has been using the baby toilet since about… 6 months? maybe earlier. I dont remember. There is a picture somewhere with a censored ViviPoo  Bombs in the Baby Bjorn After re-reading that post, I think she was around 6-7 months when she first started.

 

I figure, if we can train our offspring to do things early as possible, why not? I mean I do not forsee any sort of “traumatic experience” as long as we are not berating and yelling at them. I figure if I see her doing something, we can give her positive reinforcement such as fetching slippers:


I mean she started washing windows on her own (after watching Nai Nai do it) as soon as she could cruise:

“10 month old window washer (from MommyMD)”

Now I just need her to start mowing the lawn.

Growing up so fast… to be a couch potato?

Lounging with mommy's PB and J
Lounging with mommy's PB and J
mmmm, Mommy’s PB and J

I fear the things to come… MommyMD and Vivi were upstairs in the Arena. I came up to see what they were doing, and I see mommy passed out on the ground and ViviBear lounging on the couch. Usually she would not sit so contently by herself. She usually is crawling all over MommyMD or trying to find a way to escape the Arena, or playing with her Toys. Instead, she was sitting on the couch, content. I notice her chopping way. Then I notice a PB and J sandwich in her left hand. This 1-year-old somehow was able to crawl/climb on to the couch, grab MommyMD’s PB and J sandwich, and sit there haughtily eating it. I asked Mommy, “why is Vivi on the couch?” with the reply: “what huh? OMG”.

Piglet and Piglet
ViviBear with her Twin

It appeared that Vivi was enjoying a snack, watching the screen saver on the monitor, while MommyBear slumbered below.

Turns out ViviBear had been utilizing her Piglet (a gift from Nai Nai) as a stepping stool to climb up. It is amazing to me how she has figured out how to manuever obstacles and manipulate her surroundings to her advantage. I’ve witnessed her slide/crawl off the bed and couches… I suppose this is abilities of a 1-year-old? I should know I suppose.

 I do fear what she will be doing next now. Before I know it she will be taking my car and driving off…

New baby Chariot *please dont actually do this*

Basket Chariot
Basket Chariot

***** disclaimer ********** it is my medical opinion to NOT carry your child in a laundry basket ***********

It is almost impossible to get anything done when the little ragamuffin is mobile. Luckily ViviBear is only crawling and cruising. I have no idea where the walking will get her. I can strap her down to her baby chairs but that is not very mobile. I could leave her in the playpen or the arena, but sooner or later she gets bored and starts to cry.
last night I was trying to brush my teeth I came across an epiphany to put ViviBear in the laundry basket. she seemed to enjoy it so I carted her around in it. I have tried this with combo before but she did not like it.
ViviBear just sits there in her chariot. maybe she actually is terrified but either way she stays there quietly and appears happy.

Traveling around the house:

At first it looked fun and great, but I knew things would go awry if she decided to stand up in the basket. For whatever reason the basket had a calming effect on her… for like 10 minutes. She started to try to stand up. I knew this would not work. No worries she did not hurt herself. I guess it is any fun means of transport, but it is not very effective. It makes it harder to carry this already heavy ViviBear, and just think if you lose your grip or trip and fall while they are in the basket. ack. You can check out the travels we did around the house today.

Basket in the Penguin Room
in the penguin room

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Baking with me in the Kitchen
Baking tater tots and fish sticks with me in the Kitchen

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

by the pond
in a basket by the pond

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Looking outside
"whats going on outside"

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bathroom
"what's going on and why does it smell in here"

 

 

I do NOT recommend carrying a baby in a laundry basket

Daddy Day Care Week – a week in review

Asleep in my arms

First time I have the pleasure of rearing the ViviBear for a whole week sine assistance from MommyMD or my mommy. I did 2 days without significant mishaps (aside from forgetting to feed her once). What can I say she was having too much fun with me that time. Eitherway, I figured I’d do I live (pseudo live) blog as the day progresses. It wont make much of a difference since I dont think there is anyone who frequents this site outside of me sharing my posts on fbook or google+.

Day 6 and 7: I’ve more or less reverted back to sleeping in on weekends and having MommyMD do the morning routine. What a draining week. So much energy. soo much energy in this young one. Either that or I am getting old. Now back to the working world.

Day 5:

730AM: up before the Vivi. Woke her up, took her to the pot. Poo in pot. feed 6oz. play.

1040AM: took about 30 min of fighting, but got her to go to sleep.

1120AM: wake up, pee in toilet. 6 oz in. some nasty spinach baby food thing. Poo in Toilet. Off to meet aunties Joyce/Holly and uncle Helios for lunch a Nicola (Italian lunch buffet in UA, pretty good).

200PM: off to the office to do some paperwork and check mail box. Get Vivi exposed to some bugs to inoculate her immune system (just kidding mommy, I kept her clean). Slept in car on way down and up.

400PM: 8 oz in, more nasty spinach stuff. Poo in toilet. Commence slap happy time. Not sure what is up with the constant raspberries these days

 

530PM: handoff to MommyMD

Day 4:

730AM: argh i hate poop diapers. 7 oz in. some spaghetti/tom/bef an 2oz h20,

900am Gastrocolic reflex works w/a poo and pee in the pot.

1030AM: ViviBear seems to get really slap happy when she is tired. Lets not forget the cranky part too. Down for the count and asleep.

1140AM: Rise and shine!

1200PM feed the bear 6oz and some spaghetti/meat/tomato.

100PM: ComboBear Vet visit. Talk about one difficult task have the Combo and ViviBear.

Outing
A Dog, Bear and Penguin walk into a Vet office...

200PM: Aunt Lindsay visits with Baby Andrew:)

Lindsay and Andrew
Lindsay and Andrew

400PM: 4 oz in,  spaghetti/meat/tomato. Auntie Holly comes visit. Poopie and peepee in toilet. :)

600PM: MommyMD is back. ViviBear is in rare form.

Day 3:

720AM: freak’n A, poo in the diaper. mommyMD wont be happy with this transgression in potty use. 7oz down. some Beef and Vegies. now time to play.

1050PM: Nap time. fairly effortless this time.

1120PM rises from hibernation, consumes 8oz and remainder of beef veggie with difficulty

1210pm: poop in the toilet. w00t!

1225PM: mommyMD returns. okay was not her. Combo was barking randomly.

200PM: 9month checkup at the Doctor’s office. Mommy Meets us, mommy takes it from here.

630PM: Mommy naps; bath routine starts. Pees in toilet. ummm.. I think I was her head first then down (mommyMD’s method). meh, good enough, moisturized, burt’s beez on the butt. Jammies on.

 

Day 2: Wakes up 730am: Poo in the diaper>.< didnt wake up fast enough to the wales of the ViviBear. Intakes 6oz formula and ingests Beef and Veggie baby food.

900am: Play Date with Noel and Auntie Stella. Battle in Arena is fought and lost by ViviBear, video to come.

aftermath interview:

1100am: Slumber befalls the ViviBear

1230PM the ViviBear rises. More Poo in the diaper. missed yet another potty break

1250PM: 6oz sustenance obtained by ViviBear

350PM: 4 oz consumed.

523PM: I keep missing the after dinner potty break, another poo diaper.

600PM: ViviBear falls asleep in my arms.

Asleep in my arms
The Bear cant fight sleep

650PM: Handoff to MommyMD

Day 1

730am Morning routine done: Poo/pee in the toilet; 6oz of formula down. a few puffs which was shared with the Dog.

Continued play in the Arena.

1100am: ViviBear proceeded to eat her hand continuously; 2 oz formula substituted for hand. After much fighting, sleep was victorious, and she was set back in the babycage  (not really a cage, come on. it’s the crib)

1140am: Combo wakes her up with her barking>.<

1200pm: After much friction, Lasgna was fed and 5 oz formula was infused orally. Now happy in the Arena.

200pm: after watching me eat fish sticks and iron my laundry; I guess I didnt have her sit on the pot long enough after lunch. stanky poo diaper!

3pm: daddy ViviBear outing: went to Polaris, walked around, fed her: 6oz Forumla. met mommy for dinner at PeiWei

6pm mommy takes over

-to be continued

 

Why o why do you not want to sleep?

The Book
Go the F*k to sleep

When I first heard about this book, I thought, wow that is clever. It is apparently written by a parent for parents. It was apparently was intended for a later release, but a leaked PDF gotout on the internet, and it became insanely popular, sovthey decided to release it earlier (so i have read online). I immediately wanted to buy the book, but couldn’t really justify the purchase. I ended up buying it for a friend, who by the way will altogether baby girl to the world tomorrow 12/15/11.

Looks are deceiving, she is not sleeping. She's just closing her eyes from the flash

When Vivibear came along, she slept fairly well through the night as well, so it didnt really apply. Well hqve things changed a bit over the past week. Not sure what is going on, maybe she is made I was posting pictures of her poo online, but she is now waking up mult times throughout the knight, and wont fall asleep without a fight. Maybe this is a normal phase in growing up, but at 5am, when i got to get up in 2 hrs I really want to ask Why the F*K wont you go to sleep.

I have to admit, the brunt of the night time sleepless baby care is performed by “the boss.” Many a morning/night I continue sleeping as the wails of the babe go answered by the matriarch. I really cant complain much considering we are lucky to have Nai Nai (Grandma) here during the weekday to watchover this cute yet unruly chic. EItherway, lack of sleep still sucks. I dont think I have been sleep deprived like this since being on call intern year. Instead of catering the requests of a 37 year old asking for pain medicine, or something to help them sleep in the middle of the night, I have to answer to the demands of a 7 month 3 week old who will not sleep. She’s pretty darn cute though so you have to forgive her.

I just wonder what things will be like in the next few years. She will start talking (back), and walking (running away), as if to “cry havoc and let slip the dogs of war.” [i think that works right?]

I can already foresee myself facing off with this face in many future confrontations.

"what the f are you looking at?"

All I have to say is bring it! Your cute glare has no affect, okay you can have it…

p.s. Vivienne, just keep in mind I do have pictures of your poo, as well as you dressed up in a penguin outfit, and I will show them to any future boyfriends to be.

 

As far as a review of the book:

Short read. Unlikely will you find yourself reading this aloud to your child, unless you want to curse are your baby aloud. You get the gist of the whole book in the first page, but it does hold o, so true throughout the sleepless nights.

Conclusion: worth buying as a gift.

Poop(ing)! So satisfying yet so smelly.

Censored Image Poop Trials
Censored Image Poop Trials
Per "the boss" demands, images have been censored

So “the boss” has had Vivibear using the baby bjorn toilet for a while now. When we tell other people that we are using a toilet to let Vivi do her business, a common response is “it’s too early to potty train,” “you guys are crazy,” “you are going to cause anxiety issues in the future.” Well thing is we are not “potty training” perse, more so just utilizing our understanding human nature and trying to conserve money on diapers. She cant tell us when she needs to do her business, nor do we expect her to.

The basic concept of what goes in must come out applies. There is the gastro-colic reflex that is innate in animals, where when you eat, you will want to poop. Same idea behind house breaking a pet. When we feed vivi, she is likely to poop within 10 minutes or so. Also when she farts or starts to grimmace, we know she likely will need to poop. Nowadays, she poops about once a day, so it’s easier to gauge.
Another thing we (“the boss” does I suppose I should say) do is set her on the toiler each time she wakes up from a nap, because she likely will need to pee.
When “the boss” is around we really dont have any poop/pee diapers, so now while at home Vivi is using cloth diapers.

Bombs in the Baby Bjorn
Censored-Deuce

Well since “the boss” has been battling a virus of sorts, I was tasked with entertaining and tending to the ViviBear. I will admit my participation with child-rearing is below 50% as of late, but today I got my first Pee and Poop in the baby toilet today! Now this may seem like a trivial accomplishment, but grandma, and mum have had success with this toileting. I felt like I was missing out.
I will admit I did try to cheat. I figured if I pressed on her bladder a few time I could encourage her to pee faster, and I also tried some (OMM) Manipulation, namely mesenteric lift. Who knows if this really helped, but hey, she still plopped down! [boy it stinks, but I guess it is not supposed to smell like roses]. Now I took a photo of this, and was told if I post it, she will be embarassed for the rest of her life. I disagree. I dont think she will remember. Heck, I have taken pictures of my own and am proud of the caliber I can produce. I think she will be happy to have this documented. Shall I post? [i posted it] By the behest of the boss, any potential damaging images had to be removed. I opted to censor them instead. I guess this is for the good of my future relationship with my daughter. I mean, would you really be mad at your dad for pooping up your #2 for the world to see when you were 7 months old?

Penguin Poop Seat
Penguins do everything! Even train you to poo!

On another note, we have been using this BabyBjorn toilet for a while now, but we still have to clean the commode after use. With pee, it was easy. fill with water and pour into the regular toilet, and flush. With the #2, the residual residue is just nasty. I figured it would be time to bring out the Penguin Toilet Cap. We had this on our baby registry and our friend Dr. K, (aka Melen Cantelope) was nice enough to get it for us. Now this rocks. Well maybe kinda creepy. It sings and plays music to encourage “potty time.”

O the joys of being a parent.

Vivi you’ll forgive me one day right?

Penguin Potty Topper