FB & E

It has been a fun week of new and colorful objects for Asha Ruby (and her parents). Early in the week, we said sayonara to the cloth diaper service and got little Roobs a set of Fuzzi Bunz. So far, they have been a hit! Not only are they more affordable in the long run, but they are more comfortable and come in a kaleidoscope of great colors. Here is Asha modeling the "Lime" version.



I think they should have called it "Atomic Lime", but that's just me.

Anyhow, after saying adios to his RSX a few weeks back, Papa brought home Asha's new ride this weekend - a Honda Element in "Atomic Blue Metallic" (that's the real name).



We are awaiting the arrival of a car seat before we take any family trips in the E, but we are still excited to have it. With its plastic utility flooring and water-resistant seat fabric, we're almost looking forward to the first Asha spit-up or spill in there. And while it slips through the wind like a herd of cattle through a supermarket, all of that space will definitely come in handy since it will soon be our only car! [Forgive me for the weird analogy, I'm currently reading a Tom Robbins novel...]

As for Asha, she continues to be very alert and increasingly engaging in her "conversations" with us. She is also starting to get more curious about her hands and has taken to gnawing on her right hand from time to time. Mama and Papa looked back at some of her newborn pictures the other day and couldn't believe how much she has grown in only 2 months. Believe it or not, she has already started to outgrow some of her "0-3 months" outfits!

8 weeks!

Asha Ruby is 8 weeks old today. She is such a different baby than we met 8 weeks ago! It has been amazing to watch her grow and change -- it seems like every day she is a little different. Lately, she has been spending a lot of time practicing talking, and loves to be held standing up. She has been enjoying listening to stories, here is a great shot of papa reading to her the other night:



On a less happy note, Asha is just getting over her first cold. She has been congested and sneezing, but has been taking it like a champ. We bundled her up and took her for a walk yesterday so that she could breathe some fresh air.



She seems to be on the mend, and hopefully she will be breathing clear again soon!

Happy Birthday Papa Morris!

Charles celebrated his 30th birthday today! He spent the day catching up on sleep and quality time with baby Asha. In the evening, we went to a little joint party for Charles and Kees where Asha entertained the crowd (it doesn't take much when you are a baby!).

Mama and Asha are so fortunate to have someone as wonderful as Charles as our husband and father. Happy birthday to you, papa Charles!

Alert Asha

On Tuesday, mama and Asha went in for a 6 week checkup with Sally, our midwife. Sally helped Asha be born into the world after 64 hours of labor (!), and did an amazing job taking care of mama and Asha during pregnancy, through labor and the birth, and in the days following. Sally said that all seemed to be healing nicely with mama and that little Asha Ruby seemed "exceptionally alert" for her age, much more like a 3 or 4 month old! Asha's proud parents loved to hear this, but it also came with a wise warning from Sally to make sure that Asha does not get so distracted by the world around her that she misses valuable time nursing and napping. She said, if we need to, nurse in a closet (or somewhere unexciting). She also said that Asha wins the prize for the biggest head of hair of all the babies she has delivered this year. Here is a photo we snapped of Sally with little Asha.

Big head and unkle naps

On Monday, Asha had a well-check at the Pediatrician's office. They gave her a clean bill of health and declared her to be in the 55th percentile for weight (10 pounds, 3.6 oz), the 65th percentile for height (22 inches) and the 77th percentile for head circumference. With that big head on her shoulders, it is amazing that little Asha is so good at holding her head up!



After the pediatrician's office, we took a trip to visit Unkle Kees (unkle = punk uncle), who was stuck in bed because his wheelchair was in the shop. Asha kept him company and he gave her a warm, loving body to nap on (one of her favorite things!). It was certainly a treat to witness such sweet bonding time between Kees and his "little buddy" Asha Ruby.

Red eggs and ginger

This weekend Asha had her second visit from her Canadian grandparents. They were amazed by how much she had grown, and how peaceful and alert she was during their visit. Grandpa Colin loved to watch how Asha was able to recognize faces and voices and Ama Lynette loved watching Asha smile. It was so nice to have them down for the weekend, and we can tell that Asha loved the attention and extra love!



On Sunday, we celebrated Asha's one month (well, six weeks) with a traditional Chinese Red Ginger party. Ama Lynette prepared wonderful sticky rice with ginger and red eggs, and the rest of the family ate while celebrating our little quarter-Chinese princess. Asha wore her first ever dress -- a red one to mark the occasion -- with a matching red hat in Ninja style given by uncle Mark. Thankfully for Asha, the party did not include shaving her head, which it would have traditionally included. Asha got to keep her full mop top (none has fallen out yet!) for the approaching winter months.

We miss papa!

Well, we knew this day was coming -- today was Charles' first day back at work. He was up and out early this morning (it was still dark!), in hopes of being able to get home early as well. Asha and I miss him, but we are doing OK on our first day home alone together. Being a mom is definately the most challenging and most rewarding job I have ever had!

Asha continues to be a joy to have around. Charles and I feel so fortunate to have such a happy, peaceful baby (not to mention the cutest little one around!). She continues to smile more and more and loves playtime with mama and papa. She makes eye contact now, and will follow you with her eyes as you move around. She loves to look at faces and at windows, and seems to love to listen to the classical music CDs that Ama Lynette gave her. She has started to "talk," making little coos and sweet squeals (in addition to her ever-expanding repertoire of grunts). Here is a picture of her on one of her favorite chairs (papa!).