October 31, 2007

有驚無險的地震

聽說Bay Area 地震帶多,所住的Fremont一帶更接近 Hayward Fault. 搬來加州已經三年的我,倒是從沒碰過地震.
昨天結束了第39週的產檢,醫生說已經開了一指,也就是說離生產的日子不遠了. 想想該是多走動的時候, 吃完晚飯就跟Frank去散步, 順便去Walgreen買些Halloween的糖果.(前年啥都沒準備,竟碰上有人上門要糖果卻沒有糖果的窘境.去年買了糖果,結果沒有人上門.)

到了Walgreens, 開始研究起哪些糖果有特價,還有哪些是自己也喜歡吃的.當Frank在仔細比價,而我在東張西望時,突然就天搖地晃了起來.那時我正抬頭望著天花板, 這麼個搖起來, 當下覺得可能是懷孕後期造成的頭昏腦脹.回過神來,聽到Frank說,"趕快到外面去!!" 就這樣在Frank的護衛下,衝出到店門口. (當時有一位在櫃檯負責結帳的小姐, 非常激動的從櫃檯中跳了出來.....真怕她撞到我*-*)店門口已聚集了一些人,不是忙著打電話就是交頭接耳在討論地震的嚴重性.Frank打了電話回家,確定家裡沒事.在門口待了幾分鐘,又回到店裡繼續購物.店裡並沒有太多掉下來的商品,只見少許幾樣較輕的東西散落在地上. 不過在店裡的時後,心理面還是有些忐忑不安,想著...會不會還有餘震阿....所幸之後什麼都沒發生.

回到家裡,查了一下震度跟震央. 發現是五點多規模的地震...還不算小. 震央在San Jose, 離我家還頗近.
這算是我在加州經歷的處女震吧....

October 30, 2007

Another Baby Shower

I thought most of the baby showers are for the moms, and the guys are just tagging along. There will be cakes, gifts, but no beers.

Few days ago, Kathy sent out an email to all the employees, "We will have a lunch meeting on Oct 25th at noon to review the 2008 benefits. Please let me know if you will not attend. Yes, Lunch will be provided."

Well, it's been a while since we had a staff meeting, and we didn't have our annual retreat this year, either. I guess it's about time to talk about stuff, maybe there will be something about the new office. I didn't really pay attention to the "benefit-reviewing" part, though. That morning, Kathy was passing around a birthday card for Jeni. She mentioned that we'll celebrate her birthday during the lunch meeting.

To be entirely honest, I have completely forgot about the lunch meeting. After all, it was almost ten days ago when I got that two-line email. I don't really recall what the meeting was about. I am more interested in what we are going to have for lunch. All morning, I was dealing with Caltrans to get the drilling going next week. Had to do location plans with permits and followed by phone calls and fax. Things finally slowed down a little bit when the food got here.

I should've noticed the door of the marketing room was closed in the morning. I should've sensed that there is something going on when they put the food on the table just outside of David's office. Well, I didn't feel anything different when they let me get to the food first......

When I opened the conference room door, I was shocked. There was a cake on the table, and the room was full of balloons of pink and white. All the files on the cabinet were replaced with bunch of presents. It's a surprise baby shower for me!! That's when I realized... that's right, I am going to have a baby soon......

diaper cake cake



Isabella gift basket gifts

a quickr pickr post


Thank you all for everything you've done!! I am sure Ashley will enjoy all the presents you've got for her. I will also let her know...

"You know, the fajitas was pretty good, too!!"

October 24, 2007

Nursery for Ashley







Nursery 大致上是完成了.原本這間用來當做office,為了迎接baby,把office移到了原本的dining room. 於是這間就成了Ashley的房間.三層衣櫃,搖椅,和矮櫃全都是IKEA貨.原本考慮要不要買專門的changing table,後來決定直接用衣櫃可以還比較實用.畢竟chaning table等baby大了也用不上. 因為喜歡白色,矮櫃也買了白色的.矮櫃現在放了些board books 還有些雜七雜八的嬰兒用品.等baby大些能活動時,再放置些baby toys 讓她能自由取用. 矮櫃旁的白色bassinet是跟朋友借的,Ashley頭一個月就睡在這裡.等大些再慢慢介紹floor bed 給她.

恩....現在缺的就是台CD player還有floor bed牆上的鏡子就大功告成.

October 22, 2007

清真東來順

「星期六晚上去吃東來順吧,以後有了baby後就不是那麼方便出門了。」David說。

在古今中外的各式料理中,北方麵食對我來說是百吃不膩的。從小跟著家人最常去的餐廳就是忠孝東路上的「悅賓樓」,合頁餅夾京醬肉絲、合菜帶帽,再帶上花素蒸餃,對我來說,這可比王品牛排還要有吸引力。

到了美國之後,這兒的中餐館以廣式為主,就算是烤鴨,也是配著荷葉包的廣式吃法,京醬肉絲倒不難找,但是要吃道地的烙餅可就沒見過了。幾家清真館子的菜單上都有合菜帶帽,也都有附上薄餅。不過,有誠意一點的,上桌的是墨西哥Flour Tortilla,再懶一點的,直接就給你春捲皮。上次回台灣發現,悅賓樓早已結束營業。現在要找個道地的北方館子,還真不是個容易的事。LA的清真馬家館算是相當不錯的,可是總不成為了幾張餅開上個十二小時的車吧。

聽David說,東來順因為某些原因,換過不少次地方,現在位於Cuptertino,離我們住的地方大概半小時車程。店裏的牛肉饀餅是招牌之一,我們還點了小米粥、烤羊肉串、羊肉褡連火燒、醬肉燒餅、一籠黃魚饀蒸餃,當然,也少不了合菜帶帽配上薄餅。

合菜帶帽 黃魚饀蒸餃 醬肉燒餅
烤羊肉串 羊肉褡連火燒

a quickr pickr post


牛肉饀餅果然道地,汁多味美;這兒的餅,可是道地的烙餅,咬勁不錯,可惜的是,店家用廣式海鮮醬代替傳統甜麵醬,不過瑕不掩瑜;羊肉褡連火燒,口感吃起來和饀餅很類似,外型看起來則像大號的鍋貼;蒸餃味道不錯,不過餃皮稍厚了點,感覺比較像包子;羊肉串有孜然的香氣,十分好吃。基本上,整個口味相當值得推薦!

等到下次親友造訪,看來可以帶大伙兒去東來順飽餐一頓了!

October 19, 2007

Mobiles for Ahsley

買的兩個mobiles 給Ashley...


Wimmer-Ferguson Infant Stim-Mobile


Flowing Rhythm Mobile


Flowing Rhythm Mobile

其中一個是 Wimmer-Ferguson Infant Stim-Mobile from Manhattan baby. 這個mobile 是我在一個家長的網頁上看到, 自己很喜歡這個設計. Mobile主要設計給0-5 m 的baby. 安插在mobile 上的圖片卡是可以更換的, 最多可裝五組卡片. 卡片上的圖案有分黑白及彩色的組合, 全都是線條清楚, 對比強烈的圖形. 這個mobile 不僅可以裝在 crib, 天花板, 也可以視需求吊在Car seat 或是buncer上. 我目前把這個mobile吊在changing table 的上方. 主要放的是黑白對比的圖形 (新生兒對黑白的刺激較敏感).

另一個Flowing Rhythm Mobile是我在 Montessori Michael Olaf Catalog上看到的. 這個mobile 產自 Denmark Flensted Mobiles. 其實主要是設計給裝飾室內空間用的. 有趣的是, 最近重新複習了日劇-不婚的男人. 發現這個mobile 及同公司出產的其他款 mobiles 也出現在男主角的家中和事務所. 這型的mobile上面聯結著是非常細的一條線, 所以懸掛在天花板時, 就好像漂浮在空中似的. Mobile 的一面是黑白, 另一面是彩色. Frank 說, 這真的是給baby的嗎?? 既沒有音樂, 又沒有電動的裝置能讓mobile轉動. (有點騙錢的意味......)
恩....如果Ashley不喜歡, 我就把mobile 拿來自己觀賞用吧.......

October 16, 2007

如扁豆般的膀胱.....

今天去了一週一次的產檢. 正如往常, 醫生進行第二次的內診看看baby的胎位.
醫生說 ''恩......位置又變了. 嬰兒的頭壓在我的膀胱上". 阿.....正如我所料. 這星期開始覺得baby越來越低...膀胱也越來越無力.
醫生之後又讓我照了超音波. 沒錯....圓圓的頭直接擠壓著膀胱. 膀胱就如同扁豆般大小.
醫生說我的膀胱不能發揮機能了.
其實我也不會很介意, 原本我就很愛跑廁所. 加上現在都在家, 上廁所其實不是什麼問題.
只是每小時就要解脫一次...還真是有點麻煩.

October 15, 2007

Thanks for the baby shower


上個星期六在宛璇 Mike 家開了一場吃吃喝喝 baby shower.
以potluck的方式舉行, 大家依約帶了午餐. 菜色有 egg rolls, pizza, popeyes fried chicken, onion rings, 還有涼拌豆乾及泡菜炒牛肉. 之後還有在whole food 買的chocolate berry cake.
我只能說, 這是我在懷孕後吃的最高熱量的一餐. 自從懷孕後, baby好像榨乾我每餐下肚的食物. 肚子總是每兩小時準時的清空. 上班時也要準備許多份的點心, Frank看見我在打包時說"你是要去遠足喔~~".總是絞盡腦汁的想著要吃什麼東西 (兼具飽足感,營養,低熱量).
不過這天的午餐奇蹟似的讓我飽到晚上六點. (可見熱量之高)
我對於whole food的這款蛋糕給予高度評價. 不像其他在一般超市買到的美式蛋糕(空心及過度甜膩), 這個蛋糕相當扎實, 有巧克力適當的甜度但不死甜, 造型也很特別.
Claire真是越來越可愛了, 還沒有怕生的情況, 大家都玩的很開心.
大家買的都是我在Baby's rus 還有Target register的東西.真是等不及要給Ashley用了~~
也再次說一聲謝謝大家!!

October 12, 2007

童言童語

昨天回了學校一趟, 送了幾張感謝卡, 也順便跟班上的老師打聲招呼.
孩子看到我, 嚷嚷著 "Ms. Sonia, Where is your baby? " 我回答 ''The baby is still is my tommy."
有些孩子仍是用不解的眼神看著我. "Why?" "When will the baby come out? "

從開始懷孕到肚子越來越大, 班上四五歲的孩子都察覺出來我肚子的變化. 他們不懂 ''being pregnant" 這個字眼, 但他們都知道有個小baby在我肚中. (還好並沒有小孩認為我是變胖.......)

肚子變大後, 孩子們的好奇心也越來越重. 每天上班都有小孩問我一樣的問題 ''Will the baby come out tomorrow?" 或是不斷的提醒我 ''You have a baby!!" 我總是開玩笑的回答 ''Thank you for reminding me, I almost forget." 有幾個男孩總是說 ''You have a fat tommy!" 好奇心的驅使下, 小孩無數次叫我掀開衣服讓他們看baby, 或是蹲下來試圖窺視衣服下我肚子的樣子. (他們大概認為掀開衣服就可以看到肚中的baby) 幾個貼心的女孩會輕輕的摸著我的肚子, 說要唱歌給baby聽. 有幾個女孩就在我面前跳舞說要給baby看. 有個五歲的女孩, 每次當我在打掃教室時, 會跟我說 ''Ms. Sonia, you are working very hard !'' 真是窩心.

Baby shower前, 班上其他老師帶領小孩做了一個art project, 說是要當做個surprise. 每個孩子做了一個作品, 老師幫他們寫下要對我說的話. 我真的很喜歡這個禮物.

以下幾段是我覺得很有意思的話:

"I wish you can come to my home because I want my grandparents to see the baby because it's coming pretty soon."

"Sonia's baby's birthday is coming!"

"When is your baby's birthday? When will she be born?"

"I hope that your little girl likes batman, spiderman, and princesses, too!"

October 11, 2007

The Board Books for Ashley





The Grouchy Ladybug by Eric Carle
From Head to Toe by Eric Carle
1,2,3 to the Zoo by Eric Carle
Little Cloud by Eric Carle
Today Is Monday by Eric Carle
Elmer's Colors by David Mckee
Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney
GoodNight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown
Freight Train by Donald Crews
Time For Bed by Mem Fox

這幾本board book (紙板書) 是特別採買準備給Ashley的. (順便納入自己的收藏)
Board Book 特別適合給0-2歲的孩子. 比一般童書尺寸來的小, 使這樣年齡的小孩也容易翻閱. 再者既然是紙板做的, 表示耐摔 , 耐啃.........

Eric Carle 是我喜愛的童書作者及插畫家. 他的作品內容簡潔, 故事情節具有重複及連貫性. 插畫色調鮮明協調. 他的書不僅小小孩喜歡, 我們班上五六歲的孩子也喜歡. 我曾經立志要收集 Eric Carle的所有出版品......

其他Board Book 也是我在學校接觸過相當喜歡的童書. David Mckee寫了一系列主角為Elmer(一隻大象)的童書. 這本主要是介紹顏色的.其他幾本書的情節也同樣具有重複性, 內容適合當Bed Time Story.

October 10, 2007

The Idea of the "Floor Bed".

''Floor Bed" 這個詞對於蒙特梭利老師來說也許不陌生, 但對大多數人來說, 絕對是個陌生的概念.

剛開始接觸蒙氏教育哲學時, 就曾聽說蒙式的育嬰房不採用''Crib'' (有欄杆的嬰兒床), 取而代之的是 "floor bed''.

所謂的 floor bed 其實就是twin size 或是 full size的床墊加上床罩, 原則上床墊不超過 4 inches. 如此一來, 嬰兒就算翻身超過了床沿, 也不會因此而受傷.

第一次接觸這個概念時, 並沒有seriously的考慮過 , 只覺得這是一個理想性的做法罷了. 當自己懷孕要有baby時, 再次接觸到這個概念 (從 Montessori From The Start)後又想了一想, 何不試試呢.
跟Frank聊天時提到這個想法, 沒想到他覺得也有道理 (還真是出乎我的意料), 於是就付諸實行了.
跟學校的同事談到了 "Floor bed'', 大家的反應分成兩種: 一. 這是個有趣的想法, 那你就試試看. 二. 懷疑的態度. 你真的不用嬰兒床嗎?? 有一位同事說 ''萬一蜘蛛爬到床上怎麼辦?'' 恩.......我想蜘蛛也會爬到嬰兒床上吧~~

書中提出使用Crib的缺點: "Not only is the small space very confining for her; typically, she can now pull herself up by the bars. Because at first she cannot get down again, she stands and howls until a parent comes to get her. Often this is the beginning of another disturbed sleep cycle for both parent and child." (Montessori From the Start, p. 128)

摘錄一段書中講述 Floor bed的益處:
"We want first to add to the child's visual impressions and opportunities for focusing her eyes and developing her sight. We have mentioned the child-bed on the floor which gives the baby more to see, versus the crib high in the air with a limited view. From the lower position of the child-bed, the child builds a visual map of her room before she begins to move about in it and take in even more. '' (Montessori From the Start, p. 43)
The Links of the Floor Bed:
http://www.lordequip.com/shopping/index.php?cPath=30_21
http://www.michaelolaf.com/1st%20yr%20GENTLE07.pdf

October 9, 2007

The books that I have been reading.....

Montessori From The Start by Paula Polk Lillard
The Happiest Baby On The Block by Harvey Karp, M.D.
The Baby Sleep Solution by Suzy Giordano

在懷孕的初期和中期, 看了不少像是懷孕大寶典以及孕前孕後的相關書籍.
這三本書是我在懷孕六七個月之後買的. 所謂的產前焦慮症就是這樣吧. 總覺得自己所之甚少. 印證了一句話 ''老大照書養,老二照豬養 .''

第一本蒙式的書, 是我找到唯一一本討論如何教育零到三歲幼兒 (依照蒙特梭利的教育哲學)參考書籍. 因為不是蒙特梭利本人的著作, 內容相對淺顯易懂. (唸過其他蒙氏經典教科書的人也許知道, 義大利文譯成英文的文法相當拗口)

第二本書我也是相當推薦. 書中理論與實務兼具, 提到的論點也是客觀中立. 主要是討論 5 "S's"能夠有效安撫哭泣的baby. (1st-swaddling, 2nd-side position, 3rd-Shhhh, 4th-swinging, 5 th-sucking)

第三本書是一本實務的教戰手冊. 討論到如何訓練baby的生活頻率和睡眠.

第二和第三本書有頗為類似的基本主張 (哭泣是健康的活動, baby具有自我安撫的能力, baby是可以被教育訓練的)

我目前是三本書同時唸......這樣的做法也許比較能加強記憶.

WHY FRASHNIA?


FRASHNIA stands for FRAnk, ASHley vs. soNIA

This site will be the birth gift for our lovely baby Ashley.

ps. Let us know if you happen to know the meaning of "FRASHNIA".... (maybe in different language)

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