Run For Your Life?

Spencer's first outdoor appearance was Alhambra's Relay For Life. This is the 24-hour event for the American Cancer Society that's held in cities around the country. Vi was one of the main organizers and several of us supported her efforts. The team name was "Run For Your Life!" which was ironic since it was a walking event. But the team raised the most money by far and Doug raised the most money for an individual (also by far). The Luminary Ceremony, despite the technical difficulties, was an awesome event (that I missed last year) highlighted by a little girl who can sing the dickens out of any song, including Titanic's "My Heart Will Go On" (embarrassingly, my favorite song of all-time... yes, surpassing another embarrassing number "We Can't Go Wrong" by the Cover Girls). Linh was very protective of Spencer getting cold so he was enclosed in the stroller's canopy (combined with the car seat's canopy which formed a bubble-like shield) as we walked him around the course. The luminary bags, when they get lit along the course at night, for cancer victims or survivors is always a highlight for its strong message.

My First Blog Post About Spence

Don't look now, here is my first blog entry ever. I would say that the birth of baby Spencer is as good a time as ever to post my thoughts and feelings. And with the amount of time it has taken Scott to get a cell phone, it has taken me just as long to post my thoughts for everyone to read on any type of community blog. To start, I would say that I like little babies as much as I like listening to Mark and Brian argue about basketball on a hot Saturday afternoon. I'd probably prefer the intense high pitch crying of a little baby to hearing those guys chatter back and forth. I don't know why I feel this way, it just is. It's not that I don't think that they're cute and adorable, in fact we all know Spencer is one cute kid! Maybe because they are a bundle of responsibility needing your constant attention or because they are so tiny and fragile. That all is probably true, but I think things are going to change. That was with other people's kids, but now Spencer is my bro's kid, my first nephew in my immediate family so it feels different. He's special and he has brought a lot of joy to my family. Although, it might take a while before I'm insisting to baby sit and change his diapers, you might see, more fantastic pictures of me holding the little guy. For you dream doctors out there, I had a dream that my brother brought over little Spencer to my house, but he wasn't so little anymore, he was like four years old with a big head. I felt saddened because I felt like I missed out on his growing up. So, Spence, sorry about missing your one-month party, Brenda and I will do a better job of visiting. I know she wants to hold him and play with him and I'm starting to feel that way too.

Spencer's First Public Appearance

Well, Spencer made his first public debut today for his one-month celebration (Chinese tradition) at the Phung House. And he handled it really well (guests, you see) with everyone wanting to hold him and such. Eventually, he got tired and slept (as did Daddy) the last part of it. Quang debuted his new BBQ grill and smoker to great success. Great Grandma Au got to hold Spencer (a little nervous, but she's pretty strong) and Spencer entertained all the kids. Hopefully, all the germs surrounding Spencer were harmless. We are glad this first event is over and we are getting more comfortable taking him out.

First Dinner

We were convinced to bring Spencer to Doug/Debbie/Tran's birthday dinner at Sophia's Greek Cuisine Restaurant. So this was his sneak preview public appearance ahead of tomorrow's official first public appearance for his one-month celebration. We were a little worried how Spencer would handle this and if the restaurant would be too loud and where we would put him. The chairs were pretty sturdy and we were able to set the baby car seat on the chair and keep it secure. It didn't get loud until the belly dancer (and her dancing music) showed up and had a certain connection to Quang (or his one dollar bill). The food was actually pretty good and the Moschofilero Boultari wine was excellent. We were able to feed Spencer and he behaved the whole time, much to our relief. This was also the first time Tran visited us since Spencer was born so she finally got to hold him, the last of the Aunties and Uncles to do so. So it was a fun and nice family dinner and it's weird to think that we are a party of three when we eat instead of two.

My Baby Is Sick!

Well, Spencer missed his first public appearance today. We were supposed to go together to Brian & Meliza's Wedding Reception (married last year, just took a while for the reception... and on Cinco de Mayo (neither of Mexican descent) - if it seems odd, you kinda have to know Brian to understand the un-understandable). So I ended up going solo because... Linh was sick! Probably, more like exhaustion after almost three weeks of taking care of Spencer (I'm exhausted, too, but she reached that state first, so I have to wait til she feels better before I can claim fatigue). Plus, Spencer was having some gas problems which prompted more than his usual share of crying. In the end, it was better to have a tired Linh take care of Spencer at home than for me to take care of Spencer at a wedding reception with almost 100 people. It was a lovely event and I got to see some friends I haven't seen in a while. May Brian & Meliza have a long and happy marriage. Meanwhile, Spencer was missed by all, and now we have to figure out another event so my friends can meet him.

Granddaddy of Them All

Sunday (4/29) we took Spencer for his third ride, this time to the Tamashiro's home for a family gathering with my parents and my brother and his wife. Again, he behaved himself for the most part although the grandparents did get to see him cry for a while (so they know we aren't exaggerating when we tell the tales of the late night theatrics!). For some reason, my brother and brother-in-law are afraid to hold him. But Sunday, we were able to force my brother into holding him, the precious boy Spencer is. We'll work on Linh's brother later.

This was also the last time Grandpa would be able to hold/swing Spencer for a while. Grandpa had scheduled major surgery today (purposely a couple weeks after the Spencer's anticipated due date) and he went through it without any complications and is doing fine, thank goodness. Hopefully, his recovery will be just as smooth. I don't think we'll be taking Spencer to the hospital (where Dad will be til the end of the week), but when Spencer gets into his crying fits, I'll give Dad a call so he can hear him :-) When he is released from the hospital, he still won't be able to keep up with Spencer, who is moving more and more, and my dad needs to rest and not do any sudden movements - and with Spencer, at any time, he could try to fidget out of your arms. This afternoon, he knocked my glasses off my face. I don't think he knows how to enjoy doing that yet, so that's good news. Of course, while my dad will have to be content with just watching (and hearing) his grandson for a month or so, I will lose two people to change diapers as my mom will be taking care of my dad.