Insider Info

Playing with mommy

2008-04-30T12:51:00.003-04:00

I do love to play. Lilly pays the most attention to me -- maybe because she's not as interested in running around and roughhousing with the older boys -- I can't even imagine when I'll ever be fast enough to keep up with them! No, Lilly suits me much better right now. Although she can be a bit rough, too. Still, I don't mind much. Mom thinks I'm just about the cutest, most interactive baby in the world! And if you ask me, she's right (although I'm not going to be the one to tell her that Ethan, Isaac, and Lilly all went through this phase, too)!

Meanwhile, I’m tearing up the house with my walking now, even climbing up stairs now (although descending stairs is entirely another matter). I’m especially good at running around corners in a Kramer-esque sort of way, although I’m not sure he used to drool as much as I do.

I got to go camping for the first time a couple of weeks ago! I missed out on some of the activities – I was asleep during the campfire, for instance, but I really loved being in the great outdoors all the time! Mama and yeye were kind enough to give us their big tent, and there was enough room in there for dad, Ethan, Isaac, me, AND my portacrib! Of course, my blankets weren’t warm enough and in the middle of the night dad had to put me in his sleeping bag to keep me warm. I pretty much took over the sleeping bag from there, pushing dad off the foam pad onto the ground – I was pretty comfortable, but dad probably didn’t sleep very well!

Mom loves how interactive I’m starting to get – my favorite games involve gesturing and vocalizing (clapping, cupping my ears, saying “dada” on cue), making loud sounds for no apparent reason, and being chased around the house. Everyone finds my funny sounds and gestures are so endearing!

A Whole New World

2008-03-23T20:49:00.003-04:00

Whoo hoo! I'm starting to be able to walk! Still takes a lot of effort, but it's so fun to have my head up so high! Of course, the more I try, the more my baby fat melts away, much to mom's chagrin. No more "Baby James" for me -- "Toddler James," here we come!

My First Christmas

2007-12-29T14:09:00.000-05:00

Mmmm, yummy lights. Mmmm, yummy carpet. Mmmm, yummy wrapping paper. Mmmm, yummy toys. (I love Christmas!)

Merry Christmas!

I Can Fly, I Can Fly, I Can Fly!

2007-11-04T20:57:00.000-05:00

Okay, fine, so maybe that's a bit of an exaggeration. But at least I can sit now! Next thing you know, I'll be crawling! Whoo hoo!

Somewhere along the line, I also picked up this nasty habit -- although mom and dad (dad especially) are glad to report that I don't indulge much (yet?).

Tree Trunks

2007-10-01T22:06:00.001-04:00

Aww yeah, look at those tree trunks -- tipping the scales at 21 lbs. ("off the charts" in relation to my height, or so my doctor exclaimed), I'm a definite linebacker in the making!

Yum yum!

2007-09-02T23:05:00.001-04:00

So in the last month I graduated from straight formula to supplementation with rice cereal, followed by bananas and now even to avocado and sweet potatoes! Mmm, mmm. This video here isn't my first try at eating solid foods, but better late than never, I suppose. And for those of you who aren't my Mama, feel free to skip through it -- it's a solid 9:16 of watching me eat!

Sweetly Sings

2007-07-08T20:35:00.001-04:00

A couple of months ago, I made a new best friend when dad and mom's GPR resident friends came over for dinner. Nick Seaboyer, April's fiance, brought his guitar over and gave me a personal concert to help put me to sleep. He's was so nice to me -- made up a song right on the spot for me and everything! I mean, how cool is that?

James and the Giant Head

2007-07-08T17:30:00.001-04:00

As you can see, eating + sleeping = big chunk. In other words, I'm definitely growing. Everyone at the last two family reunions I attended -- Tangs and Baileys -- were impressed at what a big baby I am. I may not look much like dad in the face, but at my age, dad was getting a lot of the same comments. In fact, people used to say he would turn out to be a football player for sure, he was so chunky. If you know my dad, you'll know how differently he turned out, so who knows what I'll look like in a few years?

The past few weeks, although tumultuous for the rest of the family, have all been part and parcel for me -- what do I know differently anyhow? Relatives coming out of my ears, enough time spent in my carseat to make a person sick of traveling for life, plane trips, and through it all, the constancy of mom, my bottle, and my sweet dreams.

Here's a clip of yehyeh and I making friends when he came to visit in Edmonton:

I can smile!

2007-05-19T12:03:00.000-04:00

The other day mom took the boys to the park while Lilly went to a birthday party. I went on the slide with mom for the first time -- possibly the funnest experience I have ever had up until now -- just check out the excited expression on my face as we go down!

Actually, Mom's believed in my smiling for a while now but dad has been a little more skeptical. This photo proves it -- how cute!

Michelin James

2007-05-15T21:26:00.000-04:00

Hey, does anyone know where I can get a baby-sized man-ssiere (AKA "the bro")?

In Which I Try to Please Mama

2007-05-10T00:36:00.000-04:00

In order to please mama's insatiable appetite for new pictures of my growing self, I present to you... well, me!

BIG CHEEKS

DOUBLE CHIN

CRAZY EYES

Hefty Baby

2007-05-04T02:01:00.000-04:00

And, tipping the scales at 10+ lbs... introducing Baby James!! (applause and cheering please). Alright, alright, so 10 lbs. isn't exactly mammoth, but if you consider that Cousin Ashlyn took over six months to make 10 lbs. (granted, she lost some weight when she was sick), it's a much bigger accomplishment than you might think. I've got a ways to go before I catch up with Andersen, but even so, the doctor (not to mention mom and dad) was quite impressed by my growth!

I'm a pretty strong baby, too -- always kicking out with my feet and struggling to keep my head up and steady. It's a tough workout, but it's paying off as every day I get closer to independence. 6 weeks down, 982 to go!

My Sweater

2007-04-03T01:01:00.000-04:00

My ever-so-crafty mother knitted this beautiful cardigan for me to wear to church on Sundays -- started it before I was born, even. I love the color -- a beautiful Carolina blue with a fancy pattern of argyles knit into the bottom half. Look how well it fits me! To think she only started knitting a couple of months ago, and now... this! Very cute and baby boyish, wouldn't you agree?

P.S. Speaking of Carolina, having just left His presence, I think I can say with some authority that God is indeed a Tar Heel, and that is why He made the sky Carolina blue!

My Dad

2007-04-01T23:03:00.000-04:00

Considering the wondering expression on my face in this photo, the proper title of this post probably should be "My Dad?" As in "Who's that?" Which really isn't that far from the truth, to be honest, since I spend ~22 hours a day asleep and the rest of the time nursing (~100 minutes a day if you assume 10 times a day, 10 minutes per time) Happily, my jaundice is slowly clearing up, so maybe there'll be a little more awake and available time in my day soon enough!

Baby Gaa.. No Longer...

2007-04-01T01:07:00.000-04:00

Isaac has promoted me to a full-fledged person -- I'm officially Baby James now, Baby Gaa no longer! (quick, what movie?)

Sunbathing

2007-03-29T23:51:00.000-04:00

I sunbathe 10-20 minutes every day, but for quite the opposite reason that you might imagine. You see, because I'm mildy jaundiced, instead of sunbathing to get darker, I'm actually sunbathing to get lighter. The nurses suggest letting me sleep close to an window for a little while each day, as well as making sure I'm nursing and pooping as much as I'm supposed to (one of the side effects of jaundice is a tendency to sleep through regular nursing times, which is counterproductive to getting rid of the bilirubin that's causing the jaundice). I get daily checks from the nurses (over the phone) to make sure I'm improving, which I feel like I am. I should be all better by 10-14 days old -- just about there!

Who's Baby Gaa?

2007-03-28T22:22:00.000-04:00

So after careful observation over the past week, Isaac finally decided the other day I'm safe enough to hold. I thought he was quite gentle touch... my only question: Who's Baby Gaa?

My First Bath

2007-03-28T02:05:00.000-04:00

This may have been my first bath at home (in a kitchen sink, no less!), but really it was my second bath, if you include the one the nurse gave me in the hospital. As you can tell, it was a rather traumatic experience -- enough so that just writing about it now is reevoking some of the terror I experienced. I may have to take a bath, but I reserve the right not to be happy about it!

Are You Smarter than a 5th Grader? (or Uncle Jason, for that matter!)

2007-03-27T01:11:00.000-04:00

Q: What is in Baby James's bellybutton?

(Hint: Definitely NOT a raisin!)

Where Oh Where Has My Balloon Gone?

2007-03-25T20:52:00.000-04:00

I had my first outing today to church -- I slept through it all, so I didn't notice all the moms who came to admire me. Everyone agreed I look smaller than my 7 lbs. 3 oz. birthweight would suggest. Small but cute, of course!

That's really besides the point, though -- the important news of the day is about my balloons. When I first came home, Ethan, Isaac, and Lilly informed me they had each picked out a welcome home balloon to hang above my basket/bassinet -- one of Pooh Bear, one of Finding Nemo and one of Dora the Explorer. Thing is, I've never seen the Finding Nemo balloon, but felt to ask would be rude. Anyhow, the mystery has been solved -- I happened to look up into the tree branches beside Apartment Canada as I was being brought home from church, and voila!

My Introduction to Real Life

2007-03-24T16:46:00.000-04:00

You know, until this morning, I don't think I realized just how sheltered I've been. During a momentary period of awareness this morning, I was introduced one by one to each of my brothers and sisters, who (for the most part) ooed and aaed over me for a few chaotic minutes. I didn't fuss much or anything, but I definitely was glad enough to be taken back to my room for some peace and quiet after not too long!

Playing with Mommy

2007-03-24T01:33:00.000-04:00

Don't knock my "playing" -- this is all I can manage right now, you know! Over the past 24 hours, I've had my eyes open a total of about 15 minutes, which, over four days, averages out to a lifetime total of maybe an hour? The rest of the time, I'm either sleeping or eating (which, as far as daddy can tell, counts as sleep-eating anyhow). What a life!

My Two Feet

2007-03-24T01:26:00.000-04:00

Survey Question (please answer in the comments section):

1. Does this photo remind you of:

a) chicken legs
b) Daddy's legs
c) the Wicked Witch of the East's legs (minus ruby slippers!)

"What, the baby doesn't know it's in a box!"

2007-03-23T00:30:00.000-04:00

This from the same oh-so-quotable woman who at various times has been known to say: "What, I'm holding the book!" and "His name is Andrew, Dick!" and "You're not spiritual enough to be an Institute Teacher!" and "Do you even like girls?" and "IF you get married!" and "Oh, so how was your day?" (you had to be there for that one) and "They did an experiment on my bum!" This woman is my mama, and I have her to thank for my current accommodations in a laundry basket! But, teasing aside, she's right -- I don't know, and I don't mind! In fact, I feel privileged to be following in the footsteps of my older brother, Isaac, who also spent the first part of his life sleeping in this very same laundry basket! Given the space restrictions in our small apartment, it really works out for the best -- I'm quite content!

Call me Tang... James Tang

2007-03-23T00:01:00.000-04:00

Well, quite the debate had been raging over the past few days as to what my name should be, with suggestions ranging from Baby Gaa and Baby Bugooglio (both Isaac's suggestions), Baby Lilly II and Baby Ethan II (both Ethan's suggestions), and Baby Unnhhh (Lilly's suggestion), to more conventional names like Jacob, Joel, Jaden/Jadon, Jared/Jarett, and James. Mom and dad finally settled on a name though, and I'm just glad it's not Bugooglio Tang. Poochie IV no longer, you can call me Tang... James Tang. (And incidentally, my middle name is Courtney, after my Grandpa Bailey's first name.) Whatever you do, just don't call me Jim -- this means you, Richard "Dick" Barker!

Mom was released today from the hospital, less than 48 hours post-surgery. Hurrah, I got to go home earlier than I expected!

So, at around noon today, I was put in my oversize carseat (or maybe I'm just undersized?) and mom and I were whisked home by dad (accompanied by Ethan and Isaac). After dropping us off at home, dad promptly drove to the University to go to work for the afternoon, leaving my brothers and sister at various babysitters along the way so mom could continue recuperating in peace and quiet. Good thing, because as soon as they got home later that evening, the whole house was filled with the sounds of toddlers working their way through "the witching hour," as mom and dad call it. Noisy! Not that I noticed, honestly. In the two and a half days since I was born, dad still hasn't actually seen me awake with my eyes open (although mom assures him I can open my eyes), and even the great wailings of my brothers and sister (especially the sister) weren't enough to make a difference! I guess I just like my sleep!

Day 2

2007-03-21T21:56:00.000-04:00

I forgot to mention yesterday that Dr. Bow had to use forceps to get my head in a position where he could take me out, so I have a couple of residual marks -- a line on my forehead and a bruised upper lip. Thought you might want to see them, but really they're no biggie.

My second day has passed fairly uneventfully. Besides eating, all I've done is slept -- in fact, I slept from midnight all the way to 8 a.m. last night! Mom wishes she could take advantage of the time to sleep, but, being in a hospital, is disturbed on a regular basis so the nurses can take her vitals, etc. etc. She's looking forward to coming home soon! Here's a picture of me in my favored state of consciousness!

Ethan, Isaac and Lilly came to visit today. Honestly, it's probably best that I was blissfully unaware of their visit -- besides taking me on a walk, they each put in their votes for naming me -- I'm sure their ideas would have put me in tears had I been awake!

HELLO WORLD!

2007-03-20T20:03:00.000-04:00

Not super happy to be out in the real world, to be honest, but hey, those are the breaks. Guess all good things have to end at some point, eh? Happy Birthday to me (and Cousin Natalie, incidentally!).

By the Numbers:
Physician: Dr. Michael Bow
Enter OR: 1330h; Leave OR 1420h
Anesthesia Start: 1335h; Anesthesia Stop: 1346h
Time of Birth: 1352h
Height: 20"
Weight: 7 lbs. 3.2 oz.
Head Circumference: 14"
Temp: 34.1 C (one hour post partum)
First Feeding: 1451h
Name: ??

I'm A Boy!

2007-03-03T22:40:00.000-05:00

Admittedly, I'm a month late communicating this great piece of information to you, but better late than never. Feb. 6 I had what will possibly my last ultrasound (see the photo above) and I have to tell you I think I'm quite the handsome looker. A lot like my daddy, I would say. :) In four days I will have reached the ripe old age of 37 weeks and would no longer be considered premature even if born then, although technically three weeks early. Mom wouldn't mind, I'm quite sure, because in the meantime, I am kicking and punching and getting ready to raise the ruckus I've been destined to from the moment I make my sortie!

Who Am I?

2006-12-17T02:30:00.000-05:00

The title of this post reminds me of the Children's Encyclopedia that dad used to read when he was a kid, in which every volume featured a "Who Am I?" article -- or wait, was that "Where Am I?" Crud. He can't remember.

Anyhow that's all besides the point. Mom's OB appointment on Dec. 1 came and went, and do you think she remembered to ask the physician the one most important question on her mind? Of course not. Pregnancy seems not only to allegedly affect tooth composition, but seems also to have obvious effects on mental capacity. End result -- my gender remains a mystery, not only to everyone else, but to myself, too. ROAR.

To make matters worse, it seems I may be subject to the rigors of labor. Woe Is Me. Here I was expecting a nice, big incision to be opened for me at a scheduled time and place, and now instead I'm going to be jammed out head first down that cramped tunnel they call the birth canal. Not all hope is lost though -- mom has been offered the option of a "natural" delivery, but may opt for the C-section anyway if, ultimately, she feels the risk of complications during delivery (uterine rupture, for one) are too great. I dunno -- I just don't want a cone head!

Freakin' Canadian Healthcare

2006-10-29T23:50:00.000-05:00

So dad's pretty stoked about me being born in Canada, but in the meantime, I suffer the consequences of having to navigate an overloaded healthcare system. All this time mom's been wanting a specialist for her and me, and only this week did I finally get an appointment with an OB, and even that isn't until December! Geez, I'll practically already be born by then! Ethan, Isaac, and Lilly all got regular checkups while they were gestating -- at least once a month from the first trimester on -- what's up with my second-class treatment already?

Eat that Gary!

2006-10-08T17:03:00.000-04:00

Lately there seem to have been misunderstandings regarding my viability and growth: Ectopic pregnancy -- not. Irregularities in development -- not. Miscarriage -- not. Low hCG levels -- well, maybe that, but c'mon, if everything's working okay as is, why should I have to spend time coaxing my corpus luteum to suddenly start producing more hormones just to improve my percentile rank in the Gaussian distribution? There are much better things to do -- like working out.

I'll be the first to admit that, in my confined space within the placenta, working out has its inherent dangers. Like two weeks ago, when, during a particularly vigorous session of high-impact aerobics, I accidentally put my foot through the amniotic membrane and caused a bit of leakage and bleeding. Well, the hole was patched up quick enough, but the damage was already done, suspicions were raised, and before I knew it, another imaging technician was blasting me with ultrasonic pulses and pushing me around with her wand for the second time in a month.

Being ultrasounded may not be the most comfortable experience, but in using the pictures above (first taken at about 12 weeks, second taken around 15 weeks) to evaluate the success of my workout program, it is rather gratifying to realize that I've probably quadrupled my body weight in only THREE WEEKS! Sure beats the workout program Gary's using, who thought a gain of 10 lbs. over four months was great -- well, all I have to say is you can eat that Gary!