Little Man

Many props to my dad for all the nice blog posts and for keeping everyone updated. And thank you to all my family and friends who have sent messages of support and congratulations. I'm sorry I haven't responded personally to many of you, but, needless to say, I've been a bit busy recently! I haven't posted at all since Eli was born. In fact, I've hardly had a chance to check my email. My personal computer usage time has severely diminished, especially since I now have to battle both Mark and Leila for some serious keyboard time. Between Mark (with his slickdeals, football news, and google reader) and Leila (with her cbeebies, maisy mouse, and tux paint), I find myself having to sneak quick peeks at my email when my husband and two year old have stepped away from the computer! haha. (I can't even fathom what Mark's life was like before the internet existed! And as for Leila, I'm not sure whether to be impressed or worried by the fact that she already knows how to type "elmo" into the Google search bar in order to find the Elmo's World website!) I live in a house of techies.

Well, Mark and I are absolutely thrilled with our little Eli. We cannot believe that we're now a family of four! So crazy, and so wonderful! Eli is already becoming a little chubby thing. Those newborn size onesies already look tiny; he certainly can't fit them over his big belly! Just like Leila, Eli has my stubby nose and Mark's long eyelashes. I love the way he makes little grunting noises when he's waking up, and the way he stretches his tiny arms and neck. He is amazing and perfect! I've gotten in the habit of calling him my "little man," while Mark has lovingly nick-named him "E-cry". Cheeky, very cheeky!

Leila has been the most amazing big sister (knock on wood!). When she hears him fuss or cry she says, "What's the matter little man?"! So cute. She has heard me say that many times, so she now says it too (beware what you say in front of Leila--she remembers and she copies!). She is so loving towards Eli: she checks on him when he's crying, she covers him up with his blankets (even though it's 80 degrees out!), and she showers him with kisses all day long. Eli receives more kisses from Leila than Mark and I combined, and his kisses are given freely while Mark and I have to ask for ours! We are so fortunate that Leila has adjusted to Eli so easily. The only issue we've had is that Leila doesn't always want to sleep in her bed alone. So our bed can get pretty crowded when Leila comes strolling in at three in the morning and Eli is in my lap feeding. A queen size bed isn't big enough for four!

Today Leila very sweetly said, "Happy Father's day Leila!" She may have gotten things a bit mixed up, but I'm sure the good intention was there. A very happy father's day to Mark and all you dads!


Happy Daddy Day!


Today is also our 3rd anniversary!

Gai Jow and Gee Gurk

posted by Brace

Another blog writes, "The traditional diet of the new mother is chicken whiskey soup and pickled pigs feet. Both dishes are nutritious and have medicinal value because they provide a source of protein and calcium, act as a purifier and blood thinner, and also rid the body of cold air in the system". While we are not so sure about all of these claims, we like to continue with the practice of providing gai jow (whiskey chicken soup) and gee gurk (pickled pigs feet).

Phyllis managed to make the gee gurk in Lancaster, England for Ryan when Leila was born. We flew into Manchester. They have a little Chinatown there with a couple of stores that sold some of the required ingredience. We found a little old fashion butcher shop on the main street in Lancaster. Surprisingly, they said they could get pigs feet for us. We asked them who buys pigs feet in Lancastser. The Chinese, of course. Phyllis did a great job. It tasted perfect, to me.

Eli's Red Egg and Ginger Party will be postponed until maybe September, when Mark's parents will hopefully be coming to the US for a visit.

(click images to zoom)

Making these traditional dishes for Eli, here in Petaluma, was easier of course. There is a good asian market in Santa Rosa (not a 99 Ranch, but pretty good for up here where there are much fewer asians). Phyllis got the what she needed from them to make both the chicken and the pig feet dishes. Once again they turned out great.


The Wong's and the Mo's were invited to join us. Fortunately, Mark's brother. Ryan, is still visiting from England. Chow mein, chow fan (fried rice) and sweet and sour pork (special order for Mark) rounded out the menu.

Eli slept a lot with the party going on around him. Tai Gung got to hold him during one of his many quiet periods. Beautiful Leila at their side. Tai Pau wasn't so lucky. Eli got a bit fussy.

Same thing for Pau-Pau and for Kevin. Quiet for Phyllis; fussy for Kevin. Kevin drove all night Thursday, from Fullerton, for the party.


It's so great to have Ryan back in the states and Kevin up from southern Calif. We treasure these moments.

I am really glad that Phyllis is able and willing to continue with this family tradition. I can feel my bone getting stronger already. Or maybe that's the whiskey talking.

Leila and Fox Go Camping

posted by Brace

Phyllis and I took Leila out for a camping adventure this past weekend. We rented a KOA Kabin for two nights, right here in Petaluma. The facilities were very nice. Included a vey nice playground, swiming pool, rec hall, petting farm, hay ride, and even evening movies and karaoke. Leila was really good - even when she started to miss her mommy and her daddy. She had lots of fun.

(click pics to enlarge; then click Back arrow to return)

We got a simple log cabin - no water; no heat.
Leila's red Dr. Seuss fox went every where with her.


Leila got the bunk bed all to herself. The fox
slept with her, of course.


Leila liked sitting on the porch swing (with fox)
and singing. She insists on singing alone.
(click to listen)

A lot of time was spent on this big green "tractor".
It is really a playground structure. It has a slide
on the other side that is made of rollers. Cool.


The slides really generated a lot of static electricity.
Leila's hair would stand out. We would feel quite a snap
if we touched each other. The fox was immune to the shock.

There were lots of different things to climb on.
One of Leila's favorites was this eight foot ladder.


She would climb up and peek back down at me
as I brought fox to her.


She got a purple flower painted on her hand.


Surprisingly, she wasn't all that crazy about it.


So it was ok when the flower washed off when she went
swimming. This was her first time in the pool this year.
The only place where fox didn't go.


The water was cool, so we didn't stay in too long.

Ryan, Mark and Eli (not pictured) were our guests
for a BBQ chicken dinner on the second night.

They took Leila on on the hayride while the chicken was cooking.


They had to leave right after dinner. Leila cried for
a little bit, as they left, but she was ok soon after.

It was a great camping trip, but all three of us were ready to go home.


Leila was happy to see her mommy, daddy, Eli and
Uncle Ryan (Mark's brother) - fresh in from England.


Her Uncle Ryan is here to work again at a summer
camp for special ed kids at in Pennsylvania.

Eli's first four days

posted by Brace

Eli is doing great in his first week in Petaluma. Seems like he is into eating, sleeping, and pooping. What a life.

(click images to enlarge)

Thursday, Day-4

Dr. John Dahmen, a UCSF grad, was named a 'Family Favorite' pediatrician by Sonoma Family-Life Magazine, Jan 2008. He examined Eli at Kaiser today. As we well knew, Eli is absolutely perfect - well almost. His conehead is slowing resolving.

Tuesday, Day-2

It's easy to get good pictures of Eli. He doesn't fuss much.

Announcing his arrival -

posted by Brace

Eli Harrison Cooper

born at 5:35pm
May 18, 2008

Kaiser Hospital,
Santa Rosa

7lbs 11oz
20 inches

Ryan entered the hospital with
frequent contractions at 9:00am. As with Leila's delivery, she received no analgesics

Labor went well. Phyllis (an old L&D nurse) commented on how well Ryan managed it. Ryan may appear on the fragile side, but she's as tough as nails. Ask her about the freezing wet bicycle rides to work in Japan, or about her hike up Mt. Fuji. We are proud of her.

Leila is going to be a great big sister. Unprompted,
she showered Eli with kisses.

Phyllis wanted to much to be with Ryan at Leila's birth, but because she was born in Lancaster, England, Phyllis wasn't able to attend. Being there for Eli's arrival meant a lot to her. Leila and I (Brace) had a great fun day together.

Eli appears very healthy. He has demonstrated
a mellow personality so far. No fussiness, no crying while I was there.


Eli will be coming home tomorrow.

It was a great day.

Leila: Two and a Half Years Old

all sunshine and smiles!



























techie in the making, just like daddy!


little rockstar!



















feeding the ponies;
Leila and her classmates took a field trip to the farm












coloring is serious business!














picnic time at the farm

39 Weeks, and Still in Waiting

Well, after all this talk about how I thought little Eli would come early because Leila was two weeks early, I'm now only a week away from my due date and getting impatient. He must be too cozy in there! Either that, or he has been siding with Mark who keeps urging him to come later, after the 40 pages are written and submitted. Meanwhile, I'm still pretty comfortable considering I'm so far along and now 24 pounds heavier. My doctor keeps saying that I'm all baby, just one big bump. Poor Leila has no more room to snuggle up on my lap!



Eli back in December, at 4 months.
I love this picture, one of my favorites.
That's his little fist there above his tummy.





And here are some shots of Eli just a couple of weeks ago. At the time, Amanda our ultrasound tech said that he was just about seven pounds. He'll certainly be bigger when he's born than Leila was when she arrived.

I guess all this waiting has given me a good chance to do some serious spring cleaning. Time to clear out all the junk and start fresh. Seriously, how do we accumulate all this stuff? More trips to Goodwill and some postings on Craigslist are in order. Good thing for that nesting instinct.