Baby Tom has been a good eater since the second day. After taking a few 18 to 20 cc's, he suddenly got an appetite for 45 and then all the way to 90 cc's at day 3. Two days after birth, Tom's pediatrician Dr. Wang came to visit and had him checked up. She later told us that Tom was meansured left and right for a couple of times because Dr. Wang could not believe Tom actually gained 10 ounces 48 hours after birth! It is typical that a baby loses some body weight after birth but Tom does not seem to fall into that line.

What really amazed his dad is that Tom almost never needed burping, oh, if you are a dad, you'd know how lucky I am! Tom eats and sleeps and when he wakes up but is not hungry, he looks around and his neck seems to be strong enough to hold his head up from day 3. Other than being hungry, Tom almost never cried for any reason. So, Alex is taking the night shift to take care of the dear new born, but that was not a tough job at all. On the contrary, to be alone with babie Tom makes the new daddy really proud and really in LOVE!

Tom was born on October 7th in St. Peter's Hospital. The labor was quick and very smooth, which took less than 30 minutes. The contraction before the labor, however, was more than 24 hours and quite painful. The doctor told us that contraction is probably the most painful event in a woman's life and is also the one that got most easily forgotten. It is certainly true. 

Before I was able to give Jessica some comfort during the labor, I saw Tom's little head. As a matter of fact, my brain was totally empty so that even if I had been given more time, I most likely would not have been able to say anything to comfort or encourage her. Jessica and I took a 2-hour nap before the labor started. I had a dream that Tom was handed over to me from the doctor and he was already a few days/months old. I was so upset in the dream because I did not witness his birth. Suddenly I was waken by nurse Josy who came into the room to check on Jessica. That was 6:50am and she said she would like to see the baby before she leaves at 7am. "You must be kidding, Madam!" The labor has not even started, and the doctor was not even there, but she wanted it to be done in 10 minutes! Josy was almost right. She encouraged Jessie to do a few pushes, and when she thought it was the right time, she brought in the doctor and before I was still fussy trying to figure out what is in the dream and what is real, Tom's head showed up.

Josy left us a few minutes after the delivery and I hope she would enjoy a good sleep after the night shift and a wonderful day. Josy was such an excellent nurse that I would not give St. Peter's hospital a one star out of five in the feedback forms for their extremely horrible service that we received afterwards.

There is only a week left before the due day and there is still no sign that the little Tom will come out soon. Back a few months ago, he was very active, making it quite difficult for the doctors to meansure his size. It seems that he has got used to the enviorment and likes to stay there for a longer time, :-) 

We went to see the ob/gyn today and Tom drew a beautiful cardiogram for himself. He kicked around every a few minutes and then fell into sleep for a little longer time before waken up again by the doctor's entrance. He seems to be pretty familiar with Jessica and my voice and can sleep very well while we talk. I used to call him little Nie to which he almost could respond when he was "younger". Now it seems that he responds to "Tongtong" much better because since my in-laws came, we have all started to call him Tongtong. He thinks Tongtong is a nice name, I believe :-)

Okay, please, do not stay there too long. Your daddy and mommy really want to meet you now!