Kokochi

many beautiful gifts for Tesla

I've been meaning to post about some of the loveliest gifts Tesla has received to document to her how people have been welcoming her. I love the thought of telling her where these items came from. First is a giant soft white towel with "Tes" on it from Linnea, my high school friend. Linnea gave birth to Oliver about half a year before me. I've called Linnea many times asking her advice about pregnancy, birth, and all that baby stuff. Next are a bunch of books that the mother of my soul mate friend from nursery school (yes, we've kept in touch this whole time) sent. She works in a library and gathered some great books. Then Ian gave the ultimate classic "Pat the Bunny" book. Doesn't everyone recall that soft fuzzy tactile bunny? The cute kitty shoes are from Cathi, another high school friend now living in San Diego. It's hard to imagine Tesla walking, but apparently these are great shoes to start in. Cathi also sent THE MOST USEFUL gift called the Hooter Hider. I had been struggling with using Tesla's blankets, wrapping them around me when breastfeeding in public, always concerned about Tesla suffocating. With the stylish Hooter Hider (I got a super cute polka dot one), I just flip it over my head and I'm ready to feed. Plus, I can watch Tesla through the rigid neckline. I absolutely love it and highly recommend it! Next is a handmade quilt from one of Dav's friends in Okinawa. The material has the Japanese 招き猫　(maneki neko) and kanji character prints. It's quite gorgeous and has a dedication to Tesla. I'm incredibly touched that Sharon took the time to make a whole quilt. This is something Tesla could hand down to her child someday (eeek! to think of Tesla growing up!!). Lastly, Ele and Will sent a silver spoon from Tiffany! When I first saw the trademark blue box, I couldn't figure out who it might be from. Dav and I aren't exactly the Tiffany type. But when I saw Ele and Will's name, it was like, "of course!" With a cute silver piglet and Tesla's initials T.R.Y. engraved, I'm totally in love with it. So, Dav and I will be feeding Tesla with a silver spoon!

a deeper feeling in my heart

Today, Tesla got vaccinated. After much thinking about all the issues involving vaccination, we decided it would be better to go through with it since we are traveling internationally very soon. It was not an easy decision nonetheless. But what was most difficult by far was being there when little Tesla was poked three times by a needle. I have never felt the utter despair in my heart, deeply wanting to protect her and take any experience of pain away, yet not able to. The nurse asked me, "is mommy ready?" as I held Tes on my lap facing outward to the nurse. "Uh, no...." I felt like dashing out of the room holding Tes tight in my arms. I'm sure the nurse was used to all first time moms being uneasy, so she just went about her business in a calm and efficient manner. I couldn't help it. I cried when Tesla began to cry. I came out of the office and called Dav. I realized how much I love my little girl.

day 2 with Kimi & Yuka and kids

Went over to hang with Kimi and Yuka again in Concord. And again, Tesla was so stimulated with a different surrounding, sounds, and the kids. I think it's really good for her. Kimi's living room has a ceiling fan, and that's been a big attraction for Tesla. In the afternoon, we went to a local farmer's market, all piling into Kimi's mini-van. That's 4 kids and 3 adults. Her mini-van has an automatic door so when we were all buckled in, Kimi just pushed a button and voila! Door closed. Now that I have to carry so much stuff with Tesla, I sure want an automatic door too! They have a creperie at the farmer's market, Brittany style. I spent my junior year abroad in Brittany, France and miss their famous galettes and crepes. Even though it was close to dinner time, we couldn't help but all getting crepes. Then Kimi's youngest son fell asleep, so I held Tesla in my arms, Yuka lugged the car seat (that attaches to a stroller), and Kimi put him in Tesla's stroller. I rather liked heading to the car...us three women with a gaggle of kids and a baby. It makes such a different to be with kids and several adults, not one adult handling all. Team work is fun! However, on the way home, Tesla had a crying fit. If I were alone, I'd stop the car and feed her, but with 3 other kids, it just wasn't possible. Oh, how it broke my heart to sit there helplessly watching her cry her lungs out. We weren't too far from home, but still. She could see my face, and must have been wondering why I wasn't helping her...I'm going to make it up today with extra cuddles : )

With Kimi and Yuka

Yuka came up from L.A. to see Tesla, but since she's allergic to cats, she's staying at Kimi's. So I drove over to Concord to hang out. The ride was almost smooth except any time traffic slowed, Tes cried. Luckily, traffic was more or less OK, but I definitely shouldn't attempt to head over any time even close to commuting time. Was so much fun to see Kimi's 3 kids totally into Tesla. Her oldest daughter Kayli, who is starting 2nd grade soon (and I've known her since a baby...oh my! to think she'll be in 2nd grade), has baby experience and was great holding Tesla very gently. The boys kept peeking at her, bringing all sorts of toys they hoped she might want to play with. Unfortunately, Tesla still just stares at things. Interestingly, although obviously tired, Tesla would not sleep. I think the new environment and the totally different noise of kids around her made her curious to keep alert. I was amazed at how much staring she did. For dinner, there was no way we could simply put her down, so Yuka and Kimi kindly took turns holding her while I chowed down. I had a great time just hanging like good 'ol times.

Tesla's 2nd Six Apart visit

Today I went to the office to talk with Ginger, under whom I work, about the fast-approaching return to work for me in October. I know being apart from Tesla will be hard...much harder than any sleepless night with a fussy baby. I'm so glued to her that any time away will feel very strange, I'm sure. However, I was gladly surprised to also feel a tinge of excitement to hear of all the new developments going on (always so much), and that I can ease back into work with reduced hours. So I'm pretty confident all will go well (only current challenge is Tes does not take breastmilk via a bottle...she's a picky one!). It was super nice to have Tesla fawned over once again by a barrage of cell phones. Both Mena and Ginger couldn't resist holding Tesla : )

In Daddy's arms...

Yes, she is getting that chubby...I have to lift folds to properly bathe her!

Magical touch

Will and Ele left last Saturday, and boy do I miss them. It was so much fun to have them around, and to hang out with Ele during the day while both our men were at work. Got our hair cut, our nails done, and even did some shopping. I was grateful to have Ele around to hold Tes when taking a shower or cooking. Ele blogged their stay so well that I got a bit lazy on my side... I was very impressed by how Will handled Tesla. He had some special magical touch with her, and got her smiling and cooing pretty much anytime he had her. She clearly loved being in his arms. Oftentimes, she would get finicky, and all I could think of would be to feed her for the 100th time, but he'd scoop her up and successfully distract her. The best moment was when we were at the Supperclub, and Tesla got very fussy, and neither Dav nor I could console her for quite a while. Tes was so tired, but not letting go to sleep. When Will gently held her, she finally chilled. As he held her, Ele fed him and gave him water. It was truly a team effort! Thanks Will and Ele. You are always welcome to our place. It was great hanging with you!!

Treating myself

After breakfast in the neighborhood with Ele.

conversations with women friends

Will and Ele are visiting, so we've been busy. But I've been wanting to connect with Katia, so invited myself and Ele over for a visit. It was fabulous...in the way where we talked totally about girl stuff. Well, girl and women, and mother stuff. I really appreciate having Katia around to bounce off issues. This is slight, but sharing how gigantic my belly button is with Katia, and hearing that hers was like that too until recently, greatly relived me. I can wear bikinis! (when the belly button looks more normal). But then sharing stories of life, relationships, how perfectly wonderful each of our husbands are, children, and so much more made our day. We stayed a lot longer than intended as Katia graciously hosted us with cheese and wine. Looking forward to more moments like that! It's rather cool that all three of us are bloggers, so you get 3 blog posts for this one afternoon. Now we just need Tesla and Lucia to start blogging...

Wakame's magical tail

Here is Wakame sitting on the sofa edge acting as if she is preoccupied with something else, but making very sure that our guest Ele knows she is there. It's like Wakame has an extra eye on her tail so she knows just where to swish it. She's very adept at this. p.s. I love this picture.