smokerblog

Gung Hai Fa Choi! (Happy Chinese New Year) We ate dumplings as well - unfortunately, Casey is too young for the red envelope (he put it in his mouth!). We brought Casey to China with us last year - he seemed to recover from jet lag much faster than Todd and I. Wow - jet lag and new parenthood - you'll get used to the lack of sleep (it takes about 2 weeks), but it will be worth it! Ben looks so handsome! Keep sending the photos!

WELL IT DOESN'T SOUND LIKE YOU HAVE MISSED MUCH ABOUT HAVING A NEW LITTLE ONE IN THE HOUSE. ONCE YOU HAVE RECOVERED FROM THE JET LAG YOU WILL MOVE STRAIGHT INTO THE MOMMY/DADDY LAG. I SUGGEST WHEN YOU ARE UP IN THE "NORMAL" SLEEP HOURS KEEP IT SUBDUED. USE MINIMAL LIGHTING AND NO STIMULANTS LIKE CARTOONS OR "PLAYING" INSTEAD TRY READING AND MUSIC. THAT WAY IT IS "BORING" AND HE WILL LEARN THAT IT IS NO FUN IN THOSE HOURS. THE SAME WITH EATING... DON'T GET HIM USED TO "NIGHT FEEDINGS". WHEN MY SON WAS BORN HE WEIGHED NEARLY 10 POUNDS IT TOOK ALMOST 2 MONTHS FOR ME TO REALIZE HE DIDN'T "NEED" NIGHT FEEDINGS. I AM NOT SURE JUST HOW BIG BEN IS BUT HE LOOKS PLENTY HEALTHY, DON'T CREATE A HABIT YOU WILL BE SORRY FOR. GOOD LUCK. DONNA

Thanks, Donna! The pediatrician said the same thing. She told us that he does not need to eat at night and the last thing we want to teach him is to use food for comfort. He is perfectly proportioned but is definitely small. His feet are a size 7--my 1 year old God-son and my 3 year old niece have size 7 feet!! But he is robust and healthy. We had an hour long doctor appointment yesterday and 4 hours of tests and bloodwork at the hospital today--the doctor and the technicians can not believe how cooperative he is. He is a good boy! As long as he can see me and as long as I pick him up and cuddle him when he's nervous, he's ok (I had to carry him in the hospital--he thought it was the airport--he kept saying the Chinese word for plane--and was scared, I think, that he was leaving home!) We also have the night-time routine down pat. Dinner, bath, book, bed, per my friend's advice. As long as he does not go to bed too late, he's out like a light!