Kokochi

Jazz and Blues

I wanted to listen to some 30's jazz, and when I asked Dav if he had some, he pulled out this old school record player and some nice albums he got from his mother years ago. The sun set, Tesla was sleeping, I munched on food, and blogged. All is well : )

new activities

Tesla has a few new "firsts": we decided to slowly introduce a pacifier. I've read a lot about this and initially didn't want to use one at all, but seriously there were way too many moments when Tesla used me as a human pacifier, totally not hungry for the boob but using me just for comfort. That's all nice and well, but every so often, I need rest. So in the interest of a balanced life, we decided to experiment just a little. Well...she doesn't really like it. But the few times she has sucked on it totally reminded me of the baby on the Simpsons with that sucking sound and the pacifier moving in/out...really cute! We also started giving her a few moments on her belly to let her use her neck. Daddy has been the coach in this. Lastly, we gave her breast milk in a bottle for the first time. We heard that some babies, if not introduced to the bottle til later, might reject it even when necessary (ie. when I go back to work), so we're going to have her use the bottle 2x a week with breast milk. She didn't seem to mind it. Plus, this allows daddy to feed her : )

Happy Birthday Elida!

Today is Elida's b-day. We did a small celebration earlier, but today is the day, and her family joined. It's the first time I got to meet her lovely parents and siblings. Elida has gone all out and spoiled me rotten on my b-day the last few years, but with Tesla on my hands, I wasn't able to do much special activities : ( The gathering today was a BBQ in Dolores Park. First, it took me about 2 hours to get there! First, to leave, I kept having to feed Tes, then change her diaper. Then our neighbors whom I've been wanting to meet saw me leaving and invited me to meet their baby girl. Then after loading the car with a mountain of baby stuff, I stopped by the deli for some items to bring. Then I had to feed Tes again...but I made it there! Once there, Tesla dozed the whole time. Elida's mom kindly held her while I chowed down on super yummy BBQ by Elida's dad. I was pretty tired by the end of the afternoon, but totally happy I made it out. Happy Birthday Elida!!

another mlle a. beautiful creation

I was flabbergasted (I love that word) when I received a beautiful gift package from mlle a. that contained handmade items for Tesla, myself, Dav, and my mom! I got a lovely hair pin, Dav got chocolate, and my mom a little something that I'm sending to her without opening since it's so nicely wrapped. And Tesla, my golly...she got the most precious handmade bib, with matching booties, and a burping towel. They are too nice to use, but I'm a firm believer of using lovely things instead of saving them away. So I get to relish whipping out a matching handmade burping towel that matches Tesla's bib. Thank you, mlle a. for taking the time and thought. It really really touches me!

Lots of cuteness

I love watching Tesla and Daddy cuddle up. She seems so big to me now as she grows everyday, but when I see her with Dav, I love noticing how small she still is. I also, um, love her cute butt. A butt picture is not easy to take, but I always give her butt a pat when doing a diaper change. Is loving her butt strange?

Daddy's big hand

Or Tesla's small head.

Ooooo!

And now it's just us five

Three humans plus 2 kitties, that is. My mom went back to Tokyo last Thursday (it's taken me this much time to catch up on blogging). My dad had been sending love postcards to her everyday, so I'm sure he's thrilled to have her back. I cried as Dav pulled out of the driveway with her waving out of the window. The realization that the blissful month - where we shared my pregnant belly, then delivery, then the first weeks of Tesla's life - has past made me sad. Like I said before, there is so much going on yet life is zooming by. I can't hold onto anything and it's hard because I very much want to. I'm so grateful for having shared this time with her. Plus, she totally helped. Now that I can't wake up, plop Tes down with my mom while I eat breakfast, or have my mom cook a yummy dinner or vaccum, everyday is a lot of work! Luckily Dav is a huge help. He will be doing some work in August though, so my real challenge begins then. My mom had some fun too though. She rode on Dav's motorcycle, went sailing, visited the De Young museum, ate at Green's, had a sunset dinner in our RV, and had a beautiful Mexican bayside dinner in Tiburon. I'm very happy that we already have tickets to visit Tokyo in September, so my dad and the rest of my Japanese family can meet Tesla, and so my mom can see her grown. I don't look forward to the plane ride, but I do look forward to being in Tokyo. Thank you, mom. And thanks dad for letting me have her : )

Tesla is a Campalicious baby

Toni had a gathering of our Campalicious BM friends for Elida's early b-day celebration. It's not until next week, but it was perfect so my mom could attend. It's so nice to be able bring Tes along, have her held by her various aunties, and for all of us to enjoy hanging out with friends. It's so necessary to know our social life doesn't have to end. But having my mom join was the best. We discussed how visiting for one week is one thing, but living here for a month gives a much better view of our lifestyle, and daily rhythm here. I'm so happy my mom has had the chance to see how Dav and I live ... and how Tes is part of such a great community. Kudos to our friends for welcoming her to various gatherings.

Tesla visits Six Apart

Now I understand. When you have a baby, you wanna introduce them to everyone! At least for me...so I was quite pleased to be able to stop by Six Apart and show off whom everyone watched grow in my belly. Of course, she was blogged. Mena lovingly held her and gave us pooh the bear socks and a bib : ) Although I hadn't been in for 3 weeks or so, the office felt a world away. It was great to see everyone, but my life is so focused on diapers, feedings, and laundry! I'm loving it though. After Six Apart, my mom and I went to South Park for a nice French lunch. It feels good to get out and about.