Independence Day

And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love. (2 John 1:6)

July 3-4, 2010



Soooo... for all of you who have seen the little Princess in the last, oh say, seven weeks, this should be no surprise to you: Naomi Hope is walking! When she turned one in May, I made a guess that Miss Mimi would be walking around 14 months. Actually, to be more precise, I predicted that she would walk by July 4th. I'd say it was probably a combo of "Mommy knows best", God heard me loud and clear, and Naomi unconsciously reaching a goal I set for her, but baby Ganda officially walked on July 4th weekend! Here's how it happened:

From Independence Day

Leading up to "the big weekend," around the same time that we bought Naomi her new car seat, we also got her one of those "walker" toys to help her practice. Not the kind that she sits in (she already had one of those) but the type that she could push around like a shopping cart. We would hear stories from Teacher Adela about Mimi standing up for a few seconds but not taking any steps. We also saw her take two or three steps at home before carefully sitting down - like she knew that she couldn't balance so she didn't bother trying.



One cute thing that Naomi did before walking was to "knee-walk." She would get in the kneeling position and scoot around on her knees. It was her adorable way of getting around without crawling in a semi-upright position. Of course, she also liked to stand up and furniture-cruise.



I was thinking that she might be one of those babies that just "gets it" one day and takes off running! It didn't happen quite like that, but pretty close. Tita Angeline was staying at our place for the 3-day weekend. We all went to church on Saturday night and watched the service from the "Family Room." Naomi was scooting around on her knees, but she was really determined to stand up and furniture-walk along the chairs. Our friends at Cornerstone were encouraging her as well: Catherine, one of the children's ministry teachers, would hold her hand and walk with her, while Sam, the usher/greeter, extended his hand out for Naomi to reach out to. "Any day now!" they both said.



Little did we know how soon it would truly be. That same night, July 3rd, Richie stepped out to rent a movie while Angie and I played with Naomi in the living room. Everything was just "normal": Angie was chilling on the couch, I was sitting on the floor, and Mimi was practicing on her walker. The magic happened when Angie got up from the couch to go to the kitchen. Next thing I see if Naomi walking across the room to follow Tita Angie! I couldn't contain myself! "Angie! Angie! LOOK NAOMI'S WALKING!" Angie turned around and Naomi just stood for a moment. "WOW! YOU'RE WALKING MIMI!" I guess I must have been too excited, because she sat down and started crying. Oopsies. "It's okay, Naomi, Mommy's just so proud of you!" When Richie came home only moments later, I was delighted to share the wonderful news! It was only about 8 steps, but it seemed like she coulda gone more if there was room and I hadn't embarrassed her.



The next day, July 4th, Naomi was practicing her new skill with a new found confidence. She just needed to get over the initial fear. She liked starting off holding one of our hands and then letting go. Here is a video of our little toddler:



For the fireworks festivities, we walked down to the Emeryville Marina. Even with our jackets and hats and blankets, it was freeeeezing cold! That didn't stop Naomi from having a great time. We had a nice view of the Berkeley fireworks conveniently located just a hop, skip and a jump away. Mimi stayed up for the entire show, but once we put her back in the stroller and strolled home, she was out! She must have been pooped from all that WALKING!!

Patience, my dear child

But if we hope for what we do not yet observe, we eagerly wait for it with patience. (Romans 8:25)

We are learning more and more about baby Naomi's personality and she amazes me with the amount of patience she shows at times... as well as what happens when the patience runs out! On the way home from South City, Naomi fell asleep in the car, but when she woke up, we were in the middle of a huge traffic jam. She started whining at first, but it progressed until she eventually was full-on screaming as though she was going to lose her voice! I felt so bad for her so I exited in San Francisco popped her in her Snugli and cruised a shopping center for about an hour. I thought the traffic would have died down but due to the changes on the Bay Bridge, we were barely moving. Naomi started to whine again, but when I gently explained to her that we already went for a walk and asked her to please go to sleep, she did listen. Even though it took me an hour to drive what should have been 20 minutes, I was able to get home in peace and quiet =)

Today, on her 4 months birthday, again she showed me two totally opposite sides of herself: extreme temper and gentle patience. Mimi threw her first temper tantrum in our studio. I took her for a walk outdoors in the Snugli and when she fell asleep I came back home and placed her in her bassinet. She woke up in a good mood and it had been three hours since she last ate, so I decided to feed her. After a few sips, she started crying. I tried to calm her down and offer her more food, but that just made her cry harder. NO, Mommy, that's NOT what I want! I changed her diaper and she cried harder. I'm SO ANGRY right now! I tried carrying her several different holds. NOOOO! Mommy, you're making it WORSE! I tried bringing her outside and she was okay for two seconds and began screaming again! Mommy, can't you read my cry!? She was just about as upset as when she was in her carseat in San Diego, but this time, there was no car seat! I then thought of going for a walk again in her Snugli and when she saw me putting it on, she stopped crying. Now, we're getting somewhere, Mommy. When I placed her in it, she smiled =) Yippee, you figured it out! Whew! *wiping my brow* What a relief! She was probably only crying for less than 5 minutes, but it seemed like an eternity! Moments like those, I soooo wish she could already speak, or better yet, that I really could just read her mind and bring her instant happiness.

On the flipside of things, that same evening, Naomi brought much happiness to Richie and myself. Maybe she knew, she had to make up for her temper tantrum earlier =) Rich and I are going to have Naomi baptized at St. Joseph's and they require us to take a class (Fortunately, the godparents that we chose do not have to take the class because their babies were recently baptized) I found out about the class only hours before, so I didn't have the packet with the information regarding the class. Richie and I thought about leaving Naomi at her grandparent's house down the street from the church, but ended up taking her with us. Well, it turns out that she was the only baby there and then when I read the packet, it said "NO CHILDREN: Please, find a babysitter for the evening." OOPSIES! I'm sure the reason they have this rule is because having a baby there could be a major distraction. Attending to a baby could take away from learning in the class. I just hoped she wouldn't end up causing a scene like she had earlier in the day.

Naomi sat in her carrier for the first 20 minutes while facing the rest of the class and didn't say a peep. She played with her "lovey-bear" and her bib. Then when the instructor began writing on the board, we faced her towards the teacher and Mimi began cooing quietly. It wasn't annoying though, it was actually cute... like she was paying attention and responding to the lesson =) Then for the last half hour, the entire class watched a video with the lights dimmed, so Richie and I took turns holding her. She was hardly fussy and didn't cry once in the entire hour that we were there! Afterwards, several people told us/her what a good baby she is =) I had prayed that Mimi would be a good girl... she ended up being an absolute angel! Thank you for your patience, Mimi-Girl!

Cornerstone

They have told the church about your love. You will do well to send them on their way in a manner worthy of God. (3 John 1:6)

We took Naomi to Cornerstone for the first time last weekend - twice in one day. Richie and I have been attending this Christian church in San Francisco's Mission district for about 5 years now. I remember when I was pregnant, Naomi would be very active during the worship portion of the services. Whenever I would stand and clap to the music, she would dance along with me :) Since Naomi has been born, we continue to watch Ed Young and Joel Osteen on Sunday mornings, but afterward Richie goes to church by himself. He brings home a CD of the message for Mimi and I to listen to during the week.

On the morning of Saturday July 25th, we attended the child dedication which is a special time for the Cornerstone community to celebrate each child as a gift from God. During this ceremony, the pastor encourages and prays for the parents to raise their children to know God’s love. This event is not infant baptism or a christening. Cornerstone believes that when people are old enough to understand what it means to put their faith and trust in Jesus Christ as their personal Savior, they should have the opportunity to make that choice for themselves. A baby is not able to understand sin, forgiveness, the sacrifice our Savior made for us, and what it means to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. This event is really about the commitment as parents to lead their children into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ, so that as they get older, we are able to guide them and to help them understand what that means.

Richie and I decided that we wanted to check out the ceremony and how it was organized before dedicating Naomi. Pastor Marty was officiating the ceremony and he also happens to be the same pastor who re-baptized Richie and myself a couple of months after we got married. During the regular weekend services, it's rare to see a baby in the sanctuary because parents usually drop them off at the nursery upstairs beforehand. So seeing a dozen babies, not to mention the older siblings running around, was actually quite a pleasant site :) Naomi sat in her Daddy's lap the entire time and was so attentive to what was going on. It was extra special because the sisters of the Hanalani Ministry performed two hulas and spread the "Spirit of Aloha" :)



After the baby dedication ceremony, we visited Grandma and Grandpa in South City for the afternoon. Then we decided to go back to Cornerstone as a family to attend the Saturday evening service. This was the first time I've been back as well as Naomi's first time, too. We sat in the "cry room" on the second floor and watched the service from a large flat screen TV. I nursed Naomi prior to the service but she started getting fussy so I tried to give her a bottle with formula, but she just played with the nipple. She was getting antsy while we were sitting down, so Richie took her to the back of the room to stand up and sway. After a couple of loud yelps, I went back there and gave her a pacifier. I brought it "just in case" since we usually only use the binky in the car... glad that I did, because it worked like magic. Overall, it was a great experience. We're waiting for Naomi to get her second set of immunizations before dropping her off at the nursery to play so Mommy and Daddy can enjoy Cornerstone together again.

Comfort Zone

As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you. You will be comforted in Jerusalem. (Isaiah 66:13)

This past weekend was another busy one for Naomi... it truly is the mark of summertime. Her cousin Bella came to visit again and on both Friday and Monday, all the moms and kids hung out in Pinole while the dads played golf. It seems that when other babies are around, Mimi is fussier than normal. All of their temperaments might tend to rub off on each other. Sometimes when one cries, another follows suit. There were many times when Cathy, Leia and I were all nursing in the backroom, but I don't remember a time though when all three of them were sleeping at once. Go figure.

On Saturday, we took Naomi to San Francisco's Noe Valley. We've been using a sling every now and then and this was the first time that I attempted to feed the baby while wearing the sling.. and then walking down the street. Talk about multi-tasking! Both she and I weren't comfortable at first, but once she realized that she wasn't gonna have any lunch if she didn't cooperate, she calmed down and did her thing. I also "sported" her in the sling to a graduation party for my girlfriend Crystal and although there was a slight breeze outside, she was as "snug as a bug in a rug" :) Other guests were commenting on how cool the sling is (made by Eddie Bauer). Mimi looked like she was wrapped in a little cocoon. (Wish I took pics, darnit!) I let someone else hold her in the sling while I gathered a plate of food together, but somehow it wasn't the same and she started crying... I guess she wasn't in "the zone". Eventually when she was back across my chest, she fell asleep in it. It's nice how those things mimic the womb.

From Comfort Zone

Then on Sunday, Naomi went to church for the first time. Her cousin Weslee was getting baptized at St. Patrick's in Rodeo. It was also the first time that she wore a bow :) I dressed her in pink from head-to-toe and she looked so precious! We arrived 15 minutes before the mass began and she was wide awake and ready to "meet & greet". By the time the service began, she had fallen asleep. Like most babies, Naomi knows how to "shut down" when her environment gets too stimulating. The more noisy the better she sleeps. She slept in her carrier and we placed her next to our table at the restaurant. When she finally woke up, she quietly "people-watched" for a while. Compassionate baby that she is: Mimi didn't start fussing until Richie and I were just about through eating our lunch. After I fed her, it was time for her to enjoy the festivities.

It's funny how magnetic a tiny baby can be. When I see a baby, I always have the urge to hold him/her. This is no exception when it comes to our family. Richie was holding the baby and his brother Craig came over to carry her now that she was awake and well-fed. We were seated in the "kids' room" and Craig took her over to the next room where the majority of guests were. Richie and I made a bet that it wouldn't take long before someone else was holding her and wanted to count how many arms held her before we took her back (we already knew how unlikely it would be that someone would actually return her to her parents... imagine that!) Sure enough, within half an hour, she was passed along four times (that I saw) before Richie scooped her up. During that time, I let my urges take over... if I couldn't hold my own baby, I could surely hold my niece Meleia instead :)

After more picture taking (including the one above with most of the kids: see little Mimi in the bottom corner), we eventually ended up at Grandma and Grandpa's house. Once again, the babies were being passed around. I noticed that everyone has their own way of handling the babies... different holds, some swaying back and forth, others bouncing up and down. There were a few times when Naomi would eventually start crying when someone else was holding her. They would ask if she's hungry or wet or uncomfortable. The second she lands in my arms, if she wasn't any of the above, she would relax and chill out. One auntie who was holding her when she began fussing thought that she was too young to know the difference, but I beg to differ.

Different babies like different things, but all babies love one thing in common: their mothers :) A crying baby will almost always calm down when he or she is comforted by their mommy - at least mine does. If Naomi is in the "Comfort Zone" where she's dry, fed and content, she can be passed from person to person without issue. But once she's out of that zone, she knows what she wants and it's usually Mommy that can take care of her needs most quickly. Being her mother, it's such a wonderful feeling knowing that she depends on me for so much. Sure, one day, she'll be off on her own, but for now, it's nice to know that she loves me just as much as I love her :)