Christmas in Nanjing

This week, Mom and Papa took me on a trip. Now I have some more chops in my passport :-) We spent one whole week in Nanjing, where Mommy grew up. We did some sight-seeing, and I visited a place dedicated to the worship of my direct ascendant Confucius. We stayed in a hotel, where they prepared a very comfortable Teddy-sized bed for me :-) in the same room as Mummy and Papa. Luckily I sleep so soundly, and Papa's snoring didn't bother me very much.

I met my [other] grandparents, who looked after me for quite a lot of the time during our stay. My Grandmother was so pleased to see me for the first time that she picked me up and hugged me like a bear. She also asked me why I said 'baba' so much of the time and 'mum' when I'm hungry. Of course, I forgive her for not understanding baby-talk. In fact, 'ba' is the sound I find easiest to make, and 'mum' means food.....

My grandparents wondered if my skin was yellow in colour because I liked so much to eat pumpkin, carrots and sweet potatoes. They were also surprised that I wore my Huggies, because most babies in China run around without wearing them.

On the night before we left Nanjing, they held a dinner party to celebrate our home-coming, and invited all their relatives. There must have been about thirty people if I could count so far up... All the relatives were fighting for a turn to hold me. I was a real hit, as I smiled all the time whilst being passed from hand to hand. Fortunately, the evening ended early, and I was taken back to the hotel to bed.

We're back in Hong Kong now, and it's good to be home. I've missed not having a room to myself. What's more, it's tiring being on the road, because it's difficult to keep to your routine.

Papa and Mummy are back

Mom and Papa have been here in Hong Kong one week already!

Papa has been impressed with the way I am now cruising all over the place. So fast, so furious;-) I can crawl around, and pull myself up to a standing position with ease every now and then. Occasionally, I catch the adults unawares, and send cups of water tumbling down onto the ground.

I blow raspberries quite a lot. The big people think I'm spitting, but in fact I am trying to see what different sounds of the alphabet I can make. We have a good deal, as I enjoy making sounds, and everybody is amused by the process.

I was so chuffed to receive a card from England from my auntie Helen. I love it firstly because it said "baby's first Christmas card" on it, and secondly because it tasted delicious. Papa laughed loudly when he noticed that I had demolished one of the corners.

Happy Halloween!

As of Tuesday, I have 4 upper teeth; and as of yesterday, I have 4 lower teeth. My poor gums are itching quite a lot, and I just have to sink my teeth into anything I can get my hands on. So far, Rubber Duckie is standing up to the punishment, but I have destroyed 2 books and numerous scraps of paper. Auntie said she thought about getting me a Count Dracula costume.

It's all very topical, as today is Hallow'een. Aggie bought me a pumpkin suit. Papa says that I look like the pumpkin with my eight teeth; I love it because I can dress up and go 'trick or treating'. I'm looking forward to the sweets, and I'm also just dying to put spiders and stink-bombs through people's letter boxes for a trick.

I took a liking to Grandma's watch, so she gave it to me to wear :-) I can now tell the time: breakfast time, lunch time, tea time and dinner time ;-)

Auntie sent me some booties from England so I don't hurt my feet when I start walking. I still crawl around now much quicker than before, and am now quite stable on my two feet when I am holding onto something. I have started to cruise around the place that way hanging onto the furniture.

Goodbye, I have to go trick-or-treating now.

Standing up

Today was my two-thirds birthday! Great Uncle Frank came up to see me. He had a good look at my teeth. I showed him my new tricks, and he looked very impressed. Lulu and Ella came over tonight too.

Yesterday, I got to stay up late and met Uncle Abe, who invited us to dinner at the China Club. He was really nice and spoke to me all evening.
My workout routine continues to get more ambitious. For 4 days now, I have been getting to an upright position in my bed. I've worked out how to pull myself up using the bed frame to a standing position. Crawling around is still the only way to travel, but I I now like to stand so much that I do it at every opportunity. They all predict that I will walk before my birthday. On the first day, I was so excited at my latest achievement that I kept myself awake, sleeping little for most of the day. Papa helps me to walk, but I get confused: I have to remember to move my left foot and then my right foot..... Which is my right foot again?

Auntie and Papa wanted to avoid waking me at 11 o'clock at night for my last feed, and have changed my feeding routine. The timing has changed a little, and I now get a bigger breakfast with apple cereal and milk. Afternoon tea is simpler, and I have fresh fruit, but I get more to eat at dinner. For three days, I have been a little grumpy at times when I get hungry, and it has taken that long for the change because they had to tune the quantities each day.

But the joke is that they still wake me at 11 when they change my nappy! Except for that rude awakening, I can now sleep from 8 at night to 6:30 in the morning.

Teething

Wow, did I get some big big surprises this week! Hardly recovered from my cough, my gums started hurting on Thursday. Papa was wondering why I was still restless after my cough, and fortunately discovered that my upper front teeth had just come out! It caused me some discomfort for about 3 days, and I woke him up in the middle of the night. So Papa gave me some medicine so that it would hurt less. It was the same horrible red medicine which auntie gave me, but it tastes OK if it is put in my milk.

I've also become good friends with big duckie, and we play together not just in the bathtub. I now enjoy snacking on duck in between meals;-) You can see my duckie video here.

On Saturday night, Grandpa arrived from Hawaii! I am so thrilled. His suitcase contained several weeks' supplies for Teddy :-)

Grandpa was also pleased to see my new tricks: You see, I've been a busy boy since I last saw him. Not only did I learn to roll over and do push-ups, I can now also crawl a bit, and sit upright on my own. I got so excited when I succeeded in doing this on Sunday that I hardly slept. Since then, I have full rested, and can sit up with ease even in my bed. Click here to see my second workout video.

My first postcard

I've been up playing with Auntie all morning and was too excited to take my morning nap: Today is Auntie's birthday. I woke up early as usual, and handed her my pressie with both hands. It's a camera for when I go away, I will still see Auntie, and Auntie will still be able to see me from her computer.

Yesterday was also a special day: In the morning, Mr Postman brought me my very first postcard. It was sent by Auntie Helen when she was in Italy. Auntie even wrote "Teddy's first postcard" on it for me :-O Grandma, Papa, and Auntie were all sooooo envious, because they didn't get one! In the evening, Auntie came home with a big box - a pressie for Teddy :-) It is an Exersaucer - I can now play in an upright position, with my feet on the ground. Papa is getting worried, as Auntie comes back almost every day with something for lil old me. If he wins the lucky draw again when we get on the plane, he will be in trouble.

As I have been at home most of the time, I haven't had the chance to show off my lovely new clothes yet. I'm feeling full of beans now that my cough is almost gone. I still cannot crawl, but when Papa puts me on the play-mat, I can go walkabouts on all fours. My nose is still runny, but I'm eating and breathing normally. Papa promised to take me out again this week, a couple of days after my cough has cleared.

I am exploring different flavours of food. My favourites are sweet corn & potatoes, and vegetable korma. I am getting plenty of fibre with this diet, and so I am very regular. As I have been choking on my milk lately, Papa has decided to slow down the flow from my milk bottles. Today, Auntie gave be my first biscuit, made from rice.

I miss my swimming, but Grandma lets me stay longer in the bath to make up for it.

Recovering

Papa thinks that I've been going out far too much lately. "Too much excitement is not good" he concluded. So, this has been a quiet week. I've hardly been out, but I did go downstairs to see great Uncle Frank, who just came back to Hong Kong. I also met my cousin 'Uncle Colin' for the first time.

Papa and Auntie went on a shopping spree yesterday, and came back with lots of goodies, all of the for Teddy :-)). I now have lots of clothes to take me through autumn and winter. There are lots of T-shirts, long-sleeves, pants, socks. What's more, I now have a one-piece full-bodied swimming costume to protect my skin while I am swimming. I look forward to trying it on when I next go to the pool.

I've been swimming twice since last week, but Papa won't taking me again until I get better. I'm feeling poorly, you see. I have this cough, and it can be a bit uncomfortable for me now and then. Sometimes, it chokes me tight around my tummy and I feel sick. A few times, I've lost what I've eaten. I'm slightly hot in the head, but the worst is Auntie making me take some horrible pink-coloured medicine :-(. Auntie told me it would help make me feel better. My temperature's now back to normal, and auntie promised that my cough will go away soon.

None of this has stopped me from working out. I have been gaining confidence with my stretches and push ups. In trying to work out how to move forwards, I'm now doing bunny-hops.

Seven months young

I am exactly seven months old today, and it is also happens to be my mummy's birthday. Happy Birthday Mummy! I hope she is not too lonely. I haven't seen her in one whole month, and know she would just love for us to be together.

Today, Aggie came over to our house with Darren, Lucy and Ella to see me. Lucy and Ella are both older than me, they showed off singing and dancing to "Just like Jesse James". I'm envious because I can only smile to "Wouldn't it be Loverly".

Grandma has taken me out to meet some of her friends. I must be a real hit as they keep on inviting me back :-)

My arms and fingers are now strong enough to hold my own milk bottle unaided, and I can do proper push-ups. I also exercise my legs all day. I like to try and stand when Papa holds me above his chest. Click here to see my latest workout video :-0.

Whenever we go to the club for swimming, every other day, the ladies there all come over and say googoo to me, and the staff recognise me wherever I go. Wow, I wonder if this is what it's like being a star?

Papa has just bought a new camera and wanted to try it out on me. However, I think it is very complicated to use : he keeps looking rather puzzled and has his head buried in the manual half the time. Occasionally I see a bright flash in my eyes.

Hong Kong phooey

We never have storms like this in Paris! Yesterday, there was this enormous storm in the afternoon, and all our windows shook. Bang, bang, bang, it was scary :-(. Papa told me it was like a hurricane but was called taifoon Dujuan (for "big wind" in chinese) I thought Dujuan was spanish, but Grandma told me it was the chinese name of a flower. Luckily, the storm was all over by this morning.

I am still enjoying my bath time so much these days. No more showers, but I can play with my 3 rubber duckies in my tub - I have a big one, a little one, and a medium one. I kick my feet and splash a lot. When I try to take a drink just like I do in the swimming pool, grandma won't let me.

We met big aunty's friend at the club today at lunchtime. First, big auntie fed me the lovely sweet potato she made for me. Then, aunty's friend Aggie held me in her arms for quite a while, saying googoo gaga rather a lot. I think I made a good impression :-) Papa also took me swimming today. Boy, was I exhausted: the water wasn't cold, and I swam ten lengths, kicking most of the time. Don't tell anyone, but I left parts of the contents of my stomach in the bottom of the pool.

I work out a lot too: when Grandma holds out her hands, I hold out both hands and do trunk curls, by lifting myself up off my back into an upright position.

Touchdown in Hong Kong

I now wish I hadn't opened my big mouth the other day: two days after my doing so, Grandpa lopped off big bits of the Mango tree. It now looks like there are no branches left :-0 Will there be any mango next time Teddy is there ??? :-( However, the pool is now warmer and sunnier, so I am making good progress swimming. I scared Papa one day when, after a particularly vigorous swimming session, I vomited some of my milk, along with all the water I swallowed in the pool, but I can't wait to go swimming again. Having to get out of the pool sucks.

Granddad took us to Pearl Harbour, but why I didn't see any pearls........... To add to the list Papa started, Grandma had to change me in the back seat of the car, and on the floor of the aeroplane too.

I now have two front teeth :-= It was a little sore for two days, but doesn't hurt much any more.

We said Aloha to Grandpa after 2 weeks, and left for Hong Kong via Japan! Papa, Grandma and I took a flight from Honolulu to Tokyo. Papa did not win the draw this time, because every one was declared a winner of the security check prize. As a result, there was so much confusion the staff did not know what to do, and we were nearly late for the flight. I had my very own seat on the flight (hehehe), and got to use the car seat Grandpa bought me. Yet, I didn't sleep very much. I was so tired after a 3 hour delay in Tokyo that I slept all the way on the connecting flight. In Hong Kong, a man put another chop in my passport :-)

Aunty Vivian has everything prepared for my arrival. She was on holiday last week, and has been busy this week buying all my essential supplies, and getting the flat ready for me. I have a proper cot here to cramp my style, as I can no longer spin around freely! Oh boo, I now have to go back to the water thang again.

Grandma arrives in Oahu, Hawaii

Papa and I have been here for a week already. Grandma arrived on Tuesday.

The water is cool and the wind is blowing on the pool; the mango tree is no help either because it is so big blocking the sun to the pool making the water cooler still. I do wish the tree was not there. Second thoughts, I take that back: the mango I had for breakfast this morning was from that tree, and it was yum.

I am swimming regularly, and am now learning to breathe in the water. I also test the water with my mouth, by taking it in and then spitting it out again. I can now kick my legs and breathe at the same time. Click here to see my second video. Yesterday Grandpa took me out of the pool thinking that I had had enough, but I wasn't sure if I had. The best part was yet to come.

Grand Dad then took me to his shower, Oh boy, this is better than the pool! :-). The warm water come down on me like rain, and I loved it. I was so happy, giggling in the shower like Singing in the Rain.

I learnt a few other things in the last few days: I managed to turn face down in bed and fell asleep that way. It was nothing really. I don't exactly like to sleep face down, but I could not reverse back to my back side. I was trying to do lots of push-ups, and ended up too tired and fell to sleep. You know, I have had a few close calls lately, I pushed myself off the matress, and got myself stuck half on half off. So, Grandma added two deck-chair cushions to surround my mattress. Bad luck to the sun bathers! I don't see that will be any good - soon I will be pushing myself out, cushion or no cushion ;-)

Today, Papa and Grand Dad took me to the shopping mall, and I was able to sit upright in a shopping trolley. It was fun to be looking down at everything from up there.

In the afternoon, I was so excited by a new discovery which I have been wearing myself out with: following my afternoon tea, I was put to bed. Instead of sleeping, I found out I could turn around and around in bed - first face down, then face up, then face down...... I worked out for three hours this evening, coz it's just too much fun. After giving me my evening porridge, Grandma put me to bed again. I finally fell asleep crunched up in one corner on my side.

Oahu, Hawaii

Grandpa's spending some time in Hawaii!

Papa and I took a United Airlines flight from San Francisco, to see Grandpa. Papa once again won a draw,but he looked very annoyed at the staff, who made him open up all our bags and take off his shoes.

When I arrived at the airport in Hawaii, Grandpa gave me a colourful garland called a "lei". He explained it was the local custom, and insisted that I had my picture taken wearing it. I just think it tastes and smells loverly ;-) Grandpa has a great swimming pool..... so I can swim every day. Click here to see my video.

Grandma is coming all the way from Hong Kong to see me :-)) I speak to Mummy every day on the telephone, and she sounds very sad. Papa says we will soon have ichat, so we can also see each other on the computer.

Arriving in San Francisco

Daddy took me to America!

Papa and I took a United Airlines flight to San Francisco. Papa got all excited because the lady at check-in told him he had won some kind of draw. Unfortunately, it turned out to be extra security check of all our bags. On the plane, my first time in a plane, I did not have a seat. I slept for a while in a bag which Papa said is the kind people often use to keep their picnic food cool, but otherwise I slept most of the way on Papa's lap. When we arrived in San Francisco, the man at US Immigration put a chop in my passport :-)

I met Uncle Peter, who lives in San Francisco. After a long and tiring flight, I fell asleep on the rocking-chair in Uncle Peter's living room. In the last 2 days, Uncle Peter has been really great, driving us around and showing us the sights. He has a lovely little sports car with no room in the back, so I sit in the passenger seat on Papa's lap. So we have been real tourists: I skip all the boring bits by falling asleep, and Papa has been busy collecting photos of me everywhere for his album.

We usually find a restaurant where I eat before Papa does, but Papa is now getting very adept at feeding and changing me in all kinds of places (now with my diet of solid food, I need to be changed at least 3 or 4 times during the daytime). Papa has found it most challenging to change me nappy where there are no facilities. He has now experience in the airplane, airport, and restaurant toilets. However, he thinks that the most special place of all was on the floor in a restaurant kitchen!

I am enjoying all the visits, and also the attention - lots of lovely ladies have been telling Papa that I was cute and well behaved :-)

Hot Child in the City

It's been too hot these days, I haven't been sleeping well either in the day or at night, my rocker-seat is always wet when I get out, especially where my head rests (but not on bottom, thanks Huggies!). One day I had a rash, mum didn't want me wear Huggies- she thinks it may be bad for my rash, so she put cotton nappies on me. But I felt wet in my bed at 3 o'clock and woke up, and cried. Mummy had to get me changed in the middle of the night.

This is second day that I didn't sleep in my bed, cause it's too hot. It's 40 degrees in the daytime and Papa has been taking me to visit museums in Paris because they have air-conditioning. But the heat doesn't let up, as it's 33 degrees in my room at 4 o'clock in morning! Mum took me in her bed with tower fan, oh much better! We had a huge bed for both of us, anyway at least for me.

It was a wonderful occasion for me to practise my turns. I made a lots of turns all the night in middle of the bed, leaving almost no place for Mummy to sleep. Today, on my half-birthday, I made it!

Now you know that I can sleep whatever position I like, but my Mummy and Daddy should be aware all the time, because I may hurt myself.

This morning Papa took me to the airport, I didn't know where we were going yet. Dad told her we were going on a holiday to see Grandpa and Grandma; Mummy wanted us to stay and would be back in a few weeks. She wasn't happy, I saw her wet eyes, she hugged me very tight this morning before she went to work.

Leaving London

It's been a very hectic weekend, Papa came over to take me back to Paris. Going out is more routine these days, as Grandma and Auntie have now got so well organised with my buggy and my car seat. Grandma and Papa took me swimming on Friday, and I swam 6 whole lengths of the pool! Papa said he was pleased with my progress. He said that I may not be as famous as Mark Spitz one day, but will certainly be just as good!

On Saturday, it was Auntie's turn to go swimming with me. I had fun and was not afraid to show it. I was a bit disappointed because it was crowded, and I didn't see any of my little friends to say goodbye to them.

On Sunday, after having lunch of carrots and rice porridge, Auntie and Grandma took Papa and me to the railway station. We travelled first class :-) , and a nice man helped me board the train. As the train ride took a bit longer than usual, Papa let me sit in his lap, where I promptly fell asleep, exhausted from the morning's excitement.

I am going to miss Grandma, who has never let me out of her sight in July. She has looked after me so well - look how I've grown......8.5kg in weight and 68cm in height! Now, Papa will have to make sure that I eat and sleep at set times, but nothing will replace the work-outs I have with Auntie.

Today was hotter than Chicken Vindaloo in Paris, and I am having problems getting comfortable! Daddy and a friend took me for a refreshing swim this afternoon; I slept all the way home.

More London

Big Auntie left for Hong Kong today. Auntie and I played a lot together today.

I was bouncing up and down on Auntie's tum and thighs (which I am sure is toning for both of us), and doing my exercises. I am now a very good a shadow swimmer when I'm on my tum!

One thing I won't miss about Big Auntie is the whole water drinking thang. Auntie is trying to encourage a good water drinking habit with water in the morning, water in between meals, water in between grown-up food and milk...Yuck :-/ I prefer to chew the teat/spout. Grandma tries to con me with using the spoon (and bribing me with Papaya puree, yummy!!) and Little Auntie simply tips me on my back and force feeds me :-(

Grandma's house is a lot quieter without Big Auntie, I'm missing her already.

London, 23 July 2003

After an eventful Tuesday I decided to take things easy today. I slept-in and was full of beans all morning. I chatted to Grandma and Big Auntie, and when I had exhausted them, Little Auntie and I chatted and sang for another half hour.

Grandma and Auntie have been propping me sideways (to help with my exercise amongst other things), but I've been doing my exercises and always end up flat on my back. My favourite is when I'm lying across my bed and giving my legs a good workout against the bars.

Grandma has introduced more solids to my diet. I'm now eating spinach and carrots, both organic and mashed up with rice. Auntie's friend Louise has recommended a lovely cookery book for me, I'm hoping Grandma will try out some of the recipes soon. A big smile and gurgle to you all.

London, 16 July 2003

Wow! What an exhausting day!

Auntie came over first thing this morning and found me in the middle of my workout... I was lying cross-wise in bed (!!) having worked shoulders, tum and bum so hard that I'd turned 90 degrees. Auntie says she wishes her tummy "crunches" were as effective, she explained that "crunches" were when I raise my head and legs at the same time.

Grandma and Auntie then took me swimming. I was hoping to meet Herbie this week (I met his mum and older brother last week) but they didn't come. Instead we saw two little girls, one 1 year old the other 2, having a private swimming lesson. They were swimming to fetch balls and the older girl disappeared from the surface several times to pick up stuff from the bottom of the pool. Grandma says it take me 15 minutes to relax and really get into the kicking and splashing thing.

I then had my first grown-up hair cut. The pretty lady gave me a certificate! Grandma put me to bed after my afternoon feed but I wasn't tired so I exercised some more. I turned 90 degrees on my back again. I've also been trying to turn onto my side but Auntie won't help me. If I practice some more maybe I'll be able to flip over by the time I see you guys next visit.

Big Auntie, please remember to bring your swimming costume to England so you too can take me swimming. Can't wait to meet you and to share a bathroom with me. Auntie wants to see which of us will make more of a mess :-)

London, 11 July 2003

I've had a very eventful week. Grandma and Auntie have taken me swimming twice already (we went in my new buggy & I remembered to wear my sun hat), we're going again this w/e. Grandma also took me for a short trip to the Post Office where she applied for a new passport (Why doesn't Grandma have a Passport when even I have one?).... And last night, Great Uncle Frank came to visit little ol' me. I was very flattered by the attention and was on my best behaviour, we chatted and I smiled and gurgled a lot. Great Uncle Frank thought I was smashing and Grandma was very proud of me.

Grandma has done so much for me this week, I've been very good but I'm getting heavier. Auntie took me on the scales today, I now weigh 16.5lbs (7.5kg). When Auntie's been at home we've chatted together and played. My current favourite is sliding on my bottom down Auntie's thighs while she's lying down and onto Auntie's tum. It is such fun, it makes me laugh out loud and screech a lot:-))

Auntie has also made me some delicious apple sauce, I'm eating half a bowl a day (!!). Grandma says my tummy is still too delicate to take Chinese rice so we haven't had any more since Monday. Auntie gave me my final feed at 10.45pm and I was tucked up with Fuzzy in my arms when Big Ben bonged at eleven.

London, 6 July 2003

What an eventful day! Grandpa left for the US this morning but not before helping Grandma with my morning feed. Grandpa tucked me in and I slept for the rest of the morning until Auntie came to say hello. Auntie was on her way to the gym and then go to Sainsbury's to buy yet more nappies for me!

I was a very good for most of the day but the weather was very warm and sticky and I couldn't get comfortable.... Who can get comfortable with the Wimbledon Men's Final, I ask you? Grandma thinks starting on solids might have made me more grumpy than normal as my digestive system was working overtime and still not getting it right (I think it was the organic banana - too much goodness!!). Grandma says we're going to cut down on solids for a couple of days.

Auntie told me she's going to take me out in my new buggy tomorrow. I think she's taking me swimming :-)) Fuzzy Wuzzy gave me a kiss on my forehead and tucked me in bed tonight, I love Fuzzy!!

29 June 2003

It's been a very hot weekend. Mummy, Papa and I were invited by some friends to their home for lunch today. They live outside Paris, so we had to take the train. I have a buggy borrowed from a friend, which made the voyage quite comfortable. It wasn't so much fun for Papa, who had to lift the buggy over the railings at the railway station.

It was a very hot day, and very sunny when we arrived. I met Luella, her husband Yves, and their daughter Mercedes, who is one year older than me. It's better at their place than in Paris, as the air is much cleaner, so we got to sit al fresco. I love their garden!

Unfortunately, I'm too young to crawl around. Anyway, I have to watch myself because the sun can do an awful lot of damage my tender skin. Whilst Papa was sunning himself in the garden, I snoozed away under the shade.

Third jab

Papa took me to the paediatric centre today for a check-up because I'm now 3 months old. Once again, I was on very good form for my check-up and my [third] jab. I weigh 6.1kg (13lb 6oz+), up from 5.85kg ten days ago. My height is now 60.5cm, and my head circumference is 40cm.

Meeting Jean-Marc

Papa, Mummy and I went for a day trip, to a town on the far west side of Paris called Trappes. It was a fine and sunny day. We took the train, and it was such an adventure to be out of Paris! We were invited by Jean-Marc to have lunch with him, Hélène and their daughter Margaux at their house. Jean-Marc tried hard to make me laugh by making funny faces, Hélène cuddled me a lot, and Margaux was really nice (hic!). Their daughter was also very nice ;-).

"Booboo Bear"

Papa sometimes gets up to give me the bottle, but it's usually Mommy who stays in my room at night to feed me when I wake. Papa's got bags under his eyes. Last night, Papa had the first complete night's sleep since I was born: he's so pleased that Teddy slept straight through from midnight to 6 a.m. without waking up.

Mommy took a picture of my first smile two weeks ago. Yet Mommy and Papa noticed that I am now smiling regularly in reaction to their faces -They were so overjoyed that they actually laughed out loud today.

Papa has taken to calling me "Booboo", after the character in Yogi Bear. He says it's because I am a "mighty fine bear" (in Yogi's words) :-)

First trip

Papa tool a week off work, and Mummy and Papa took me over to London on the Eurostar. Papa had to plan well ahead to get my first passport. The biggest problem he had was to find a photograph of me with eyes open, and with a white background behind me. In the end, Papa had to improvise by turning a blue background white using Photoshop. So now, I have my own passport at the ripe old age of two months ;-)

They spent the whole week taking me around London to see the sights. So I went to Buckingham Palace, the Tower of London, and a few other touristy places. Most of the time, I slept in my hammock, strapped to Papa's chest.

I met Papa's friends Gavin and Julie, who came down from Birmingham specially. I also met my cousin Fiona, who lives and works in London.

Check-up

I'm now 2 months old, so Papa took me to the paediatric centre today for a checkup . I was very well behaved - I didn't even wince when Dr. Ah Hot gave me my jab (my second). The doctor reported that my growth was on track: I now weigh 5.1kg (11lb 3oz+), my height is 55cm, and my head circumference is 39cm.

Grandma arrives

Papa got on the phone to Grandma and Grandpa as soon as I was born, and Grandma packed her bags and got on the first plane bound for Paris. She arrived on Saturday, and came to see Mummy and me at l'Hôpital Bichat once she had dumped her bags at home.

After getting the results of my blood test, the doctor prescribed ultra-violet treatment because they detected a high level of bilirubin in my blood, and wanted to ensure that the jaundice wouldn't appear. Therefore, they would give me artificial sunbathing morning and evening for three days. They would take off all my clothes, put blinds over my eyes, and put me on a "sunbed" for 20 minutes.

Other Mummies are usually allowed to leave hospital two days after giving birth, but the doctor refused to let me out of the hospital until my weight had stabilised. That was indeed the case this morning, so we were allowed to go.

At home, I have my very own room, and a bed bigger than the one at the hospital :-).

"Welcome Theodore!"

Papa took Mummy to l'Hôpital Bichat near where they lived for a routine medical check yesterday morning. They ran extra tests. After checking for two hours, the midwife declared everything was OK, and Mummy and papa were allowed to leave. Mum went home, while Papa went to the office, all anxious.

Then Mummy called Papa at the office two hours later because I couldn't wait any longer, and had burst Mummy's water. Just as well, as Papa wasn't able to concentrate at work, so he rushed home, called an ambulance which took Mummy to the hospital once again. Mummy was admitted straight away, but Papa was told to go home and prepare for a sleepless night ahead. Papa duly went home, had some dinner and waited for the hospital to call. The call came at 11:30pm, and Papa rushed to the hospital.

After enduring 12 hours of labour, I arrived at 4:40 in the morning. The midwife handed me to Mummy immediately. Mummy thought I was ugly because I was covered in blood, but Papa did not agree, and thanked her for a "most beautiful baby" :-).

Although Papa already had a shortlist, he decided to name me only after seeing my face. In the end he chose Theodore. I heard it for the first time when he whispered to me "welcome Theodore Cheung!".

I slept for about 20 minutes on Mummy's belly, the midwife took me (and Papa followed closely to make sure there was no mix-up) to the next room, where I was cleaned and bathed all over, and then given the once-over. I weighed in at 3.24kg, (7 pounds 2 ounces) and measured 50cm. I was given a bracelet marked with my new name :-). As I'm not used to the bright and noisy world, so I've decided to keep my eyes closed for a few days.

Waaaaaaaaaaaa! My name is Teddy!