Shenyang's Forbidden City

Today I took my mom to Shenyang's Forbidden City.

No, it is not as big or as famous as the Forbidden City in Beijing, but Shenyang does indeed have one.

The Shenyang Forbidden City is the only palace complex in China outside of Beijing. It is not as big, but not as crowded either. :) Who needs much more than its 300+ rooms?

Started in 1625 and finished in 1636 by emperors of the Qing dynasty, the complex is more than 60,000 square meters.

My mom took some pictures of some of the things she found most interesting and I included some of those here. You may ask what it is that has this small group of people so interested. There isn't much visible in the shot. What could they possibly be looking at? The answer is my baby! Justin was one of the big attractions. If I sat down, people would crowd around and ask all kinds of questions about him. Of course I would have to endure them talking about how my baby was not properly dressed. Sure he was wearing a diaper, onesie, long sleeve shirt, shoes, socks, and sweatshirt with hood, but surely he must be cold since it was only 65 degrees. Good grief! Most of the time he was in the baby bjorn carrier right up against me. He and I were both sweaty when we got home! Justin gets stared at wherever we go. He is our own little movie star. I realize I put short video clips of him on my blog, but they are intended for family and friends who might have some interest in Justin. Why people want to take pictures and video footage of my baby who is just some random white baby to them is beyond me. Yes, I think he is cute, but I am biased!

HAPPY EASTER!

Here is my sweetie on his first Easter.. We tried to do the Easter bunny ears as a tribute to my sister Meredith and to the late Tigris . (Meredith put bunny ears on Tigris the cat one year, much to the dismay of the cat!) I don't know that Justin liked the ears any more than the cat did. I didn't have to worry about him running away or biting me though.

He was then clothed for some pictures with some Easter stuffed animals. Sure I got them at Kohls a long time before he was even born, but they still have the tags on so they are new to him, right? He had more fun with them than he did with the bunny ears.

I also decided to make my baby into an Easter egg. Okay, a baby with a ribbon wrapped around him. At least I didn't let him strangle himself. That might have been more fun for him.

Next year I won't get to have as much fun. He will be able to protest more!

Big Fire in Little China

Can you believe that I am writing a post that is not about my sweet baby? Today there is a large fire a block south of where we live. About 9:00 AM they closed the street. Now it is after 4:00 PM and it is still closed! I have never seen so many fire trucks and other emergency vehicles in my life! I tried to find out more about the fire, and was told "big fire" by one of the hotel employees. Yeah, I figured that one out on my own with the fire trucks and the smoke. Maybe I will find out more later, though since I don't speak or read Chinese I might not. I wasn't the only person checking out the fire. Check out part of the crowd.

There's no place like home...even for an American in China

After five months in the US (two before Justin was born and three months after) I am back "home" in Shenyang, China. It was nice to be in the US again and staying with my parents, but there is something to be said for being back with my things. I am once agian with my things and they are kept how I like them. Actually that is not necessarily true. Rob was here without me and in five months things can really change. There is work to be done. I feel appreciated. It is obvious that the house does not clean itself.

People have been asking me about my trip. Short answer: it went very well. For those who would like a longer answer I have decided to cut and paste from an e-mail I sent to my dad. Now you can choose if you want the "it went well" answer or something more substantial.

The trip went better than expected. We flew from Spokane to Portland with my mom. She was able to help get us through security screening, help with carry-ons, and assist getting settled in the plane. Justin and I had two huge carry-ons plus his car seat. I had him in a baby bjorn carrier. Once we arrived in Portland my mom was able to help get us to the gate for our next flight. She watched our bags while I changed Justin and then watched him and the bags so I could use the bathroom all by myself! When it was time to board, J and I got on the plane and my mom left to get her bags and head off to the Oregon coast with my brother's family. J and I had business class seats by a bulkhead. We (flight attendant helped) got his car seat situated and a man behind us put away our carry ons and offered to help anytime if we needed during the flight, even if he was asleep. He said that he and his wife had adopted a little girl from China and they took their kids with so the five of them traveled back together and he knew how long the trip between Tokyo and Portland could be with a small infant. For the 10 1/2 hour flight Justin spent about two of those hours in his car seat, but it was nice to have the extra room. He actually slept in it while I ate my dinner. :) We are able to put a blanket down on the floor in front of our seats so he could stretch out a little bit. That helped a lot. He sat on my lap and played with toys for awhile and also slept or rested on me with the seat reclined back. When it was time for breakfast he sat on my lap and watched Baby Einstein while I ate. He did manage three poopy diapers on the plane, but they were all contained, though one spilled into the diaper cover. Glad I had that on him. I lugged the poor child to the bathroom with me when I had to go. Flight attendants offered to hold him, but he had a nice hold of my shirt and/or hair at almost all times and I knew a transfer would get him screaming. I was able to manage it though, thanks to previous practice at home when I was nursing and would really have to go to the bathroom. Such interesting multi-tasking mothers develop.
When we landed I put J on a blanket on the floor while I got our stuff gathered up and him into the carrier. We had to go through security again. Leave it to the Japanese to screen you as you get off the plane if you have a connecting flight. Juggling baby, car seat, shoe removal, two carry-ons (one with a laptop), and a ziplock of my liquids/gels was busy. I let people go around me as I got things situated into place while holding our passports and tickets. An elderly couple refused to go around me, but instead helped me get everything on the belt and then on the other end helped me pack up again. They offered to help me carry (I wonder if they were physically able!) but I said I had it alright. At the gate a man and his daughter saw me and the man said his wife and older daughter had just gone to buy some water and snacks with their leftover yen and offered to send his other daughter after them to get something for me if I wanted. I thanked him and told him I was okay because I had just eaten on the plane. He and his family helped me carry my things on board and get them settled and put away though.
J was pretty good on the flight from Japan to Beijing as long as I held him. I was able to watch a movie and doze a little. He took a lot of comforting to keep from crying, but as long as I was attentive he was fine. That was about a five hour flight. When we arrived in Beijing we were able to go through the diplomat line to have our visas checked (one person ahead of us instead of a long line). We went out to the baggage area and there was a man from the hotel holding a sign with our name. I don't know why they let him in there. No one else was there meeting people. He got our luggage and carry ons on a cart and went through customs with us. (On the other side of customs is where everyone else was being met.) He loaded us up on the hotel shuttle and we got to the hotel. Bellboy took our things to our room and J and I were in for the night. It was just after 10:00 pm on Friday in China and we had been on the go for 22 hours.
J and I took a bath and I hoped for some sleep. He wanted to play and then be walked. We walked and sang most of the night. He got some sleep, but would wake up if I tried to get any. I managed about two hours of sleep with J cuddled on me.
In the morning we got dropped off at the airport, hired someone to load up our bags, and got checked in with minimum difficulty. The Beijing Airport is not a very well designed airport. The people at the check in counters are never sure what to do with confusing situations (ie: transferring to domestic flight from international, having an infant who actually has a purchased seat, dealing with diplomatic passports...). The people at security were nicer than I have ever seen anywhere. They did their job, but were not only patient, but helpful. Justin was wearing an outfit with metal snaps (oops) and they were so gentle doing the check and told me what they needed to do (basic pat down) while trying to keep him entertained. They helped me get my things gathered up again and on my way to the plane. On the plane a flight attendant helped me with my bags. Another brought me a pillow and blanket as well as bottled water and a wash cloth. Everyone wanted to talk to Justin with his big blue eyes. When the plane landed, the woman seated in front of me not only helped get my bags down, but carried them off the plane and got a cart for me. She was worried how I was leaving the airport, if I was being met, etc. and was relieved that someone was coming for me. Once again the person picking me up was allowed to come in to baggage claim and help me. Baggage claim is in the secure area so it is not usually allowed. I think it helped that I was picked up by a consulate driver with a US Consulate blazer and ID badge.
Back at the hotel I found that June had gotten me some basic groceries. Julia helped me assemble the baby swing and get a few things put away. Already way more info and detail than you ever wanted. Rob was so glad that everything went well. He was worried about us. It is a long trip and Justin can be a Monster Baby at times. He has been pretty good and we are even mostly on the right time zone. I think that is great for a 15 hour time difference. J has been pretty good, but he has been screaming if I get out of his sight. He is falling asleep beside me sometimes. He slept 3 hours and then 2 1/2 hour stretches on his own. He wasn't doing that in the US! I can't deal with it though. I have to keep checking on him and making sure he is breathing. I am not used to my baby sleeping on his own so I wonder what is wrong with him. I am sure I will get used to it. :) Hope he continues to get better at sleeping on his own.
I have been doing a lot of reading about trying to get babies to sleep. I think I fall somewhere in the middle in terms of theories. I don’t think it hurts Justin to cry and learn to calm himself, but when he does that for over an hour it seems to me that is long enough. I tried comforting every 15 minutes without picking him up. That way he wasn’t abandon, but wasn’t getting his way. I confess I like having the little guy with me if he is actually sleeping. He is so sweet and a cuddler. If I feed him before he wakes up all the way I get even more sleep than if he had to wake up and cry to get me in to him. Obviously now is not the time to do much until we get settled a little. He is screaming whenever I am out of his sight. When I pulled out familiar toys from Idaho he was crying and laughing at the same time. I thought he was too young to really care about those things, but I guess he was traumatized a little. Maybe I already wrote that. It is the second day on this e-mail now and many different sessions each day as I have time and two free hands. The couple of times here he has fallen asleep on the floor while playing I haven’t been able to get much done because I keep checking on him. My baby doesn’t sleep for more than a couple minutes on his own, so something must be wrong if he is. I watch him breathe or poke at him. Poor child.
Unlike Idaho there isn’t snow and slush so I have been able to take him out in his stroller. He loves that. Good way to get him some sleep time in. I can’t rest while he sleeps though. Until we figure out this 15 hour difference thing I am more anxious than ever to sleep whenever he does since I don’t know when the next opportunity will be. I think he has been doing pretty well. We have been going to bed too early (5:00 pm or so) and getting up at 3:00 am for the day, but with naps during the day that is doable for now. Plus my mom arrives on Friday. J I am so excited to have her here and to show her around the area.

Some quick clips of Justin

STRETCHING


Hanging out

My Sweetheart

I know I am biased, but I think my monster baby can be a cutie! Ugh. The internet at my parents' house has been psycho. We have been able to get it only on my mom's computer. I have to share it with my mom and dad in addition to working my computer use around Justin's schedule. It is VERY frustrating. Hopefully it will be "normal" soon. Oh well, I will be leaving for China soon.
I did want to at least post some pictures. I have some video clips at youtube that I will be uploading as well.

Isn't he a cutie? I know I am probably biased. Thevideo and these pictures were all taken on Sunday, February 25th. I had a hard time choosing just a few of them. Be glad that you don't have to look at all of them.





Hope you enjoy.

I found these pictures in a "draft" file on my blogger. Oops. Well, better late than never I guess. Here are some pictures of my sweet boy. They were taken sometime in February.

PETULANT

Justin makes just about the cutest pouty face I've ever seen. The weirdest part of this video is that noodles is egging him on to cry, and also that his cry is totally fake. Most of the way through the video, he actually forgets what he's doing and starts to laugh. Oops. Man, this kid is cute.

Isn't my sweet little Muzz cute? Even with his baby acne and the occasional milk crusties around his mouth.

I NEED PHOTOSHOP!

My Justin is cute enough, but I need to use photoshop to touch up pictures of me if I am going to continue to post them on the web. When I was pregnant and puking that was a great excuse for my appearance. What is my excuse now? With my mom taking J in the mornings so I can get four or so consecutive hours of sleep (in addition to the other times she takes him) I can't say that I am horribly sleep deprived. I don't really have time to photoshop myself to look presentable. I think it would take more time to actually make myself look somewhat presentable.

Today's pictures for your pleasure include Justin ready to go out on a walk with mom, Justin looking cute after being changed, Valentine Justin, and pouty Justin. He is good at that one too. Can it be that he has already learned that looking pathetic gets him attention?

Star of the Show

When I left Idaho around the holidays, little Justin was cute and all, but he wasn't doing a whole lot. He would sometimes cry, sometimes squint a bit, and sleep a lot. Every week, though, I hear updates about all the cute things he's doing. I told Noodles she should post some videos of him, and so that's what I'm doing now. Enjoy his cute smiles and giggles.

I think my sweet baby looks different from day to day. Sometimes even from hour to hour. Here are some recent pictures of him.

Happy Birthday to Me!

Today is my birthday and my sister, the one and only Miss Meredith A Bak, sent me some onesies for my sweet baby. Aren't they adorable? She is the best! I will have to take a picture of the alphabet poster that she made for Christmas. I want to get it framed in China first to keep it protected. For more on Meredith and her wacky style, check out her blog at http://thedailycollision.blogspot.com or watch her animations at www.youtube.com (search for her things under lasalebete).

Here we are, the happy (but tired) family. Justin went to church and was very well behaved. He seems to love to be out and about. He absolutely loves being all bundled up and driving around in the car. He falls asleep right away. Unfortunately he tends to wake up as soon as we get home. :( If only I could sleep while I drive, then I could catch up on sleep while he does. I am hoping that his car sleeping behavior is a prediction of similar behavior on the airplane. If he decides to show his Monster Baby behavior a very long trip could become a VERY very long trip for me and those around us!

CORRECTION:

After reading the previous blog entry, Rob corrected me. While changing Justin's diaper Rob was indeed peed on twice, but only once in the face.

As for my experience..

Last night I was able to successfully keep Justin covered and avoid being peed on. Unfortunately I learned that poop can fly out just as fast and far as urine. :( Sigh. I love my monster baby though. I think he is pretty cute. Of course I am probably biased.

MY SWEET MONSTER BABY

I just love my sweet little monster baby. Sure he keeps me up all night and yes, he did pee on his dad's face (not once, but TWICE during the same diaper change!) but I love him and think he is pretty cute.



I had this great idea when he was first born. I thought it would be neat to take pictures of him in the various clothes that people had bought for him and then send those people a picture of him wearing the outfit they had given him. Well, it should be easy enough. I should be able to get it done in a day or two since he goes through SO many changes each day. It can take me more than a day to get a single thank you note written! It just isn't going to happen.

Justin Thomas Weber: The Name

A couple of people have asked about Justin's name and wondered if he is named after anyone. Justin was going to be Hannah Renee Weber. I like the name Hannah and Renee is my middle name as well as my mother's. When "Hannah" ended up being a boy, we were at quite a loss. I had a list of other girl names that I liked, but hadn't been planning on a boy. Rob was still on his way out to Idaho and couldn't exactly help me to come up with a name right away.

I went through the alphabet in my mind one letter at at time thinking of boy's names that I liked that started with that letter. I came up with a list. I thought Robert or Evan (Rob's middle name) might be good middle name ideas. Left the hospital without a name for Weber, Boy.

My sister helped look for names online and everyone added to the list. Rob and I crossed off names that we didn't like for whatever reason. We didn't want a W or a R name because we thought it could be a mouthful, especially if our little one has trouble with speech. We didn't want a name that everyone would automatically shorten. A lot of names that we liked we didn't like the nickname that is common with it. Rob wasn't too big on using one of his names as a middle name.

One morning when I was catching up on some sleep, Rob and Baby had a talk and thought Justin might fit. They told me the idea. It was a name on the list and a name that I like. I thought about it for the day and decided it worked. We had a hard time with a middle name, but Thomas is a name that I like and it flowed with Justin better than a lot of the other name ideas so Justin Thomas became our Baby's name. The day after Christmas we went to the hospital and gave them the information so it could be processed.

I am pretty much used to referring to my baby as he and not she. When I talk about what he was like in the womb he is still often referred to as a she because as far as I was concerned at that time he was going to be my little girl. I am used to calling him Justin (in addition to about a million other nicknames). The day we named him we had a dr appt and when they call you back they call the child's name. As they called patients back I had to think if they were calling my baby or not. :) How embarassing. At least I didn't go back until they called for Justin.

Speaking of Justin, he is stirring so I need to go. Here are a few pictures of my sweetie.

January 1, 2007

It looks like I might have a few minutes to write. Justin is such a sweet baby, but a gassy one who doesn't like to be put down. As long as he is being held he is pretty mild mannered. He is definitely not the little girl I expected, but we will keep him. :)

Justin is definitely better on the after side of the pregnancy. Even his birth wasn't bad in comparision to pregnancy. Nine long months of puking and feeling uncomfortable vs. less than five hours of pain. I am still a little bitter that I didn't get my epidural or anything for pain. Once he decided to come, Justin came pretty quickly. Friday, December 22nd around 7:00 PM my mom and I arrived at hospital. 9:00 PM they were ready to send me home because my contractions had slowed down and hadn't gotten past 2 cm. I am, at this point, still puking. :( Luckily, my water broke so they kept me. About a quarter to midnight my sweet little Justin was born. I kept puking all through labor, but stopped as soon as he was born. Justin (no name at the time) weighed 7 pounds 6 ounces and was 21 inches long. We didn't have a boy named picked out so he didn't officially get his name until the day after Christmas when we went back to the hospital and finished filling out the paperwork.

Justin is a gassy little baby. He should have been born back in the day when people put their babies to sleep on their stomachs. He does not like his back and I end up holding him all night long while dozing in the recliner. Other people help take turns (Rob, my mom, my sister, even my dad) but Justin seems to like to be with me so he can eat frequently. Sure I get so tired that I burst into tears now and then, but he is worth it. I don't know how people manage if they don't have other people to help out. I know that I am going to have to learn to type faster with one hand or I will hardly ever get anything up on the blog.