Baby O, the super girl

Thanks Wini for the first photo of me and baby O!

I want to share this photo of me with baby O, who is perhaps the most determined baby I've seen. She was born a couple of months early due to my friend's pre-existing health conditions. When I first met her in the hospital in January two weeks after she was born, her head was so tiny that it barely covered my palm (even with her oversized wool beanie on); she lay in an incubator most of the time. Still, she had the funniest expressions and could afford dreamy baby smiles.

 

Yesterday, I popped by Wini's house again to get some books from her and to visit them again. Baby O has grown so much from that tiny baby I first saw. At six months, you could already tell that she loves company, wants to talk ("ah gar gar gar"), and can't wait to crawl and walk (her kicks were pretty strong!)  

 

Wini shared that O is still considered small compared to her peers since her corrected age is 4 months. But what's important is that she can eat and sleep well, and stays healthy and happy. It's a joy to sense her cheerful disposition and to see her become a healthy growing baby just like any other.

 

I thought back on the circumstances in which baby O came into this world. God gives that breathe of life to babies, and plants in them that strong will to live. I think it's really, really awesome.



Thank you

I went to bed last night feeling extremely lousy and when I woke up this morning I sent a text to Mr. Jang just to let him know I'm awake.

All of a sudden, I heard pounce, pounce, pounce. Then a big flop.

It was Mr. Jang landing in a heap on the bed next to me.

He must have sensed my depression since last night and decided to work from home today. Despite my acting normal and expressionless face, he took the initiative to speak to me about what was bugging me. What followed were sobbing and wailing (on my part) and bear hugs (on his part).

I hate acting like a child and crying. I look stupid with puffy eyes and a red face. And I wanted to push this big bear away.

Two hours later, after calming down and having lunch, I thank him silently for being the bigger person, for putting down his pride and being honest with me too.

Thank you, Mr. Jang. I don't know if you are the best husband in the world, but I know you are that precious tree that protects and comforts when the rest of my world gets tough.

月亮代表我的心ukulele

Got a bit bored with strumming and was inspired by a fellow ukulele learner... so I bought a book on finger style for ukulele. I can only do simple fingering for now but it definitely adds more fun to playing.

Here's 邓丽君's月亮代表我的心 in ukulele.

For fellow ukulele learners, here are a few finger styles that you can try. Credits to my friend, Ryan, for sharing these! It takes loads of practise and I'm still trying to get the hang of it.

4-3-2-1
4-1-3-2
2-3-1-4

1&4-3-2&4-3 (4 beats)
1&4-3-2&4-3-2&4 (3 beats)
4-3-1&2-3-1&2-3 (3 beats)
3-4-1&2-4-1&2-4 (3 beats)

The book also has other methods such as 'The Pinch', 'The Claw', and 'The Scoop'. The names sound awfully painful, don't they? Hope I can master them one day.

Another useful ukulele site: http://ukupu.com/

Just an update

These days it seems like I haven't been blogging... but I have. Just on another platform to note down the events that's happening in our life in USA. I've created a link to the US blog Dancing in California's Sunshine on the side bar. Read on if you want to find out what we've been up to.

On a separate note, happy birthday to my dear baby nephew who has just turned one year old. We love you!



BIL and Sis with baby Jovan, whose sole attention was on the giant cake.