neglectomatic

Babies are impatient and get bored easily. You must find any way possible to keep them calm and happy. The most useful of tools is the classic pacifier. Often times, Jalen just needs a little soothing when he's tired. Sucking is a baby's greatest skill, so it's great when you can get babies to use their powers against themselves. Here's when I feel a little guilty--sometimes when Jalen gets hungry and we're in a situation not suitable for feeding yet, we'll hold down that pacifier in his mouth. Jalen gets pissed when we do that. He cries, yells (Jalen has a special yell for when he's hungry, hard to describe, but it's sort of a monotone yodel), kicks, and/or twists his head from side to side. With every minute that passes, he'll get meaner and meaner until he's fed. I hate trying to double-cross him like that mainly because he knows it.
The swing makes me feel like a criminal. The one we have rocks back and forth. Little birds chirp and leaves rustle to the sound of a soft breeze, while rotating above his head. Then, to top it all off, there's a bird's-eye mirror facing him at all times and music playing to make sure that all bases are covered. It really does soothe him to sleep though, but ever since I read somewhere that refers to a swing as a neglect-o-matic, I hated these things. How would you feel if someone put you on a rollercoaster (assuming you like rollercoasters) on repeat until you fall asleep (with a rubber candy in your mouth)? If he doesn't fall asleep within 20 minutes or he wakes from slumber, we'll take him out. By the way, this one in the photo is a borrowed swing, so if you see a good deal, let me know.

is that seat taken?

Jalen is a little over 7 weeks old now. I can't begin to tell you how fast that time has passed. All the things you hear before becoming a parent are true. They say time flies, you will get no sleep, they grow so fast, no more time for anything else, no time with your spouse, hardest thing you will ever do, most trying time in your life, maddening, sad, happy, exhilarating, etc.,...it's all true. Undoubtedly, this is the most difficult assignment that I've ever ventured into and it's only been 7 weeks. It's surreal, being a parent for the first time. I still can't believe it. It really is wonderful and profound. At times, though, I feel a little melancholy because I know that Eumi and I will never be the same again, no matter what happens at this point. I deeply miss those times alone, just the two of us. But when I come home to see that lovely shiny head and those strikingly big eyes staring me down and demanding that I wipe that stinky butt of his, I say, 'Hey Eumi, move over, this seat is reserved!'

do you have a gymini?

That was the question that Nina asked Eumi and me. With grins on our faces, we thought, what on earth is that? I think it's human nature to not want something that sounds a little stupid. Boy, was I wrong! Thank you, Nina, for a great gift. The first time I put Jalen in it, he was cooing and smiling and getting cross-eyed from looking all over the place. I had to take him out after a little while because he was getting a little freaked out from all the stimulation. Jalen loves this thing!

tummy time!

Having kids these days means having to deal with SIDS fears and warnings at every corner. Basically, the term SIDS is used whenever there isn't an explanation for why a newborn passes away. That's why all babies today are sentenced to sleep only on their backs. That's just one of the many SIDS prevention rules. For that reason, fewer babies are learning how to roll over. In fact, some babies learn to walk before rolling over. So, in order to develop their back muscles you spend some time every day doing tummy time. Let me tell you, those of you who have never witnessed the early stages of tummy time, it is too cute. Words just cannot explain.

cool jalen

Recently, Jalen started to get baby acne. They come in small sets that last for a day or two, only to be replaced by a new set. He has also become much more aware of his surroundings and people around him, hence his staring problem. He has developed an interest in conversing. Basically, he'll throw in a sound or two or three while you're speaking to him. His movements are less twitchy and more deliberate. We have figured out ways to make him smile, which, more than anything, could just be a reflex. But we like to think that he likes us. After all, we can't help but smile at him, especially when he looks so cool in all his little outfits.

ain't easy being baby

Every now and then, an infant will go through a growth spurt that lasts 2-5 days. The baby becomes very insecure and needy. Even in their infancy, babies can notice the changes happening inside their little bodies. They struggle to comprehend the world around them as their senses develop rapidly. These are usually pretty dark moments because the baby is quite miserable. And misery for baby equals misery for you. But what may initially seem like a step backwards for the baby will turn into two steps forward when it's all over. Why didn't someone warn me about them growth spurts?

hal-mu-nee and me

I'd like to give a big, special shout out to Eumi's mom, Jalen's hal-mu-nee. This picture was taken the week before Jalen's cousin, Rilee, was born. She was with us until it was Tony, Eura and Rilee's turn for some good old Korean TLC. As I relive, vicariously through Tony and Eura, the pain and stress of being first-time parents, the laborious task of learning to breastfeed a hungry baby, the dreadfully frequent sound of a newborn cry as you're trying to catch up on days of lost sleep, the fear of...
OK, I think you get the point. Anyhow, without Jalen's adoring hal-mu-nee doing all the cooking, cleaning, helping with the baby and taking care of Eumi (who suffered from a slow 3-week recovery) while I was at work, I don't think we could have gotten through it all as smoothly as we did.

double trouble

Jalen is 29 days older than his new cousin, Rilee. In this picture, Rilee is 3 days old. Even though Jalen has grown about 2 inches and weighs about 10 pounds now, Rilee makes him look like a pipsqueak. Jalen later revealed to me that he was somewhat intimidated by his little (or big) cousin. Thus, Jalen's reaction when placed next to Rilee.

napping with papa

I suppose there will be a time soon when all Jalen wants is his mother. I assume that most babies go through this phase. I'm not exactly looking forward to it, but I'm prepared for it. Hopefully, we will still share our naps together. Jalen seems to sleep particularly well when he's on my chest. I wonder if he anticipates these moments as much as I do. Eumi and Jalen have breastfeeding whereas Jalen and I have naptime.

monkey baby

We've recently discovered a way to distract Jalen for a little while when he's hungry. Holding him this way will kind of stun him for about five minutes.

3 of us

I love this photo of us. Jalen is starting to make lots of different sounds as well as funny faces. He's very aware of the camera.