How can I be so lucky?

I have a part time job that I am doing for a couple hours a day. I feel so fortunate to be able to have the opportunity, work while in Hong Kong and be able to snuggle this snuggle bug while working!! Here is how Marissa and I spend our mornings these days while Kay is at school. She lays on my lap while I work on the computer.

All wrong...

We had our first "outing" last weekend. We took a five minute walk to get coffee and then get Marissa's passport picture made. We had to have her picture to start the birth certificate/passport process. The picture was hilarious. Craig had to hold her on this stool and we had to have her eyes open. It looks like a two week old baby mug shot.

During breakfast we sat next to a very friendly and chatty local. She insisted on telling me about the Chinese traditions after having a baby. It started out very interesting but ended a little frustrating as basically I was doing everything "wrong". The new mothers basically do not leave the house or do anything for a month (as I sat at a coffee shop less than two weeks after giving birth). They have either a confinement nurse come or their mothers stay with them (as my mother is half a world away). Their mothers made special soups and black vinegar foods. I was told you are not to have any cold items (as I ate a cold yoghurt parfait). The mother is supposed to stay bundled and warm (as I sat in my short sleeved shirt). No caffeine is allowed (I got this one...my coffee was decaf but she did not know this!) The list seemed to go on and on but those were some of the hi lights and the ones I was obviously breaking...

City Life...

Two days before Marissa was born we found a festival that was taking place right by our apartment. Kay loved watching all the dancers. The dancers were from a nearby studio where they teach funky dance. We have enjoyed living somewhere that has something happening on almost every street corner it seems.

After attending the dance show we had a family dinner. We discussed what we wanted to do the next weekend. Little did we know we would be a family of four by then!

The first week at home...

Well, we survived the first week at home with two kids!  I have been really sick with a cough head/chest cold.  It is pretty unfair to be so sick while recovering from giving birth.  I am starting to turn the corner (the lack of sleep has not helped with this!).  I am going to be glad when I am healthy and just sleep deprived instead of sleep deprived and unhealthy!  Craig started back at work today (he took one week off).  We will see how I do with two once he starts traveling to China again!

It has been amazing the difference between a NICU baby and a full term baby.  It also helps that this is baby number two.  Everything seems to go so much smoother.  The biggest difference is the feeding.  Poor Kay had such a hard time with the nursing it consumed our days.  Marissa is a champ and was almost back to her birth weight in just 5 days!

Kay thinks it is fun to sleep in a mask now.  She got this from the airplane.  We laugh saying she is getting her "beauty sleep"

 One of the great things about living in Hong Kong is learning about different cultures from around the world.  Kay's school learned about Diwali and she came home with the red dot on her forehead.  She wore if for a couple of days before wanting to take it off.

Celita was amazing during my many many weeks of bed rest.  She helped keep the house running and helped watch Kay so I could follow the doctors orders!

My friend brought Kay a "Big Sister Cake".  Kay was very excited!

 Kay wanted to have a special dinner when Marissa came home from the hospital.  We turned out the lights and had a candle lit dinner.  She sang happy birthday to her new sister too!

 Reading books to Marissa...

Marissa's Birth...

 In the Taxi on the way to the hospital...

Goodbye Belly, 38 weeks pregnant!

 Monitoring the baby and the contractions...

Ready for Marissa...

The halls we walked....and walked...and walked...

First Snuggles... because there was only the OB, Nurse, Craig and I in the room we did not get too many pictures.  Craig and I did the best we could taking pictures of our first snuggles....

Nurse Jenny Ng... She was amazing!

Excited to meet her new baby sister!

Marissa got Kay a new red sparkly purse!

Skype from around the world...

My friend Tara comes to visit.  She is due with twins for Marissa to play with in a little over a month!

Ready to go home...waiting for the taxi

Excited to show her sister our home!