1/26/07 Friday (very cold, ice and snow)
We went to the Mall last night with Samantha (as promised the night before). The Mall had a lot more people around. Dennis and I must had missed the county meeting they had the other night or maybe we were at a parallel universe (just kidding). Samantha had fun jumping on the virtual game at the center of the mall. She is really good at it now. We saw another dad experiencing the same kind of problem that we are having...kids not follow directions. The dad was speaking in Spanish, I assumed he told his "seems to be" 3yo son to leave, the little boy didn't even look at his dad. He continued to play until he felt he was done. So classic, I guess we are not alone...And Samantha didn't throw a tantrum when we left the mall this time. Well, I told her we will go out again tonight. Mmmm....maybe we need to go out every night for Samantha.
I looked into Ann Arbor Public School Pre-School Program, it seems like Samantha will need to be 4yo by Dec 1 in order to join the class. Will have to do more research because I think she is ready by end of this year to start pre-school.
We are going to Las Vegas tomorrow. Will be staying at Circus Circus. Many people at work have suggestions for where to go for fun, food, drink etc....it will be a fun trip. I have 2 more days off before coming back to work. It will be a nice break for me. Dennis only has one day off after coming back. We are looking forward to it. Will post some pictures after we come back.
Friday, January 26, 2007
Thursday, January 25, 2007
Where is everyone?
1/25/07
We went to the Mall last night and the play ground in front of JCP was dead. Samantha actually owned that place for the night. After about 30min of playing by ourselves, a kid or two came to play with Samantha but they didn't stay long. Maybe because Pfizer had just announced their bad news about closing the Ann Arbor research site by end of the year, which means about 2100 jobs cuts. Most of these people live in the Washtenaw county. According to the Ann Arbor News, an average income for Pfizer employee is $83000 (above average). Hopefully with Google and Toyota moving to Ann Arbor, they can help to absorb some of the job cuts. Tony and Becky at work said Ford has released their 4th quarter financial report, and it is "the worst they have ever been in Ford history". GM said their 4th quarter report should be better...I guess we'll see. Although none of us in our family is directly effected by all these bad news. It's just depressing to see so many people getting effected. Especially so many of our friends and neighbors work for Pfizer. Anyway, that's the news for this week.
But, on the other hand, it's kind a good for us. Dad was in a car accident recently and needs to buy a new car. I guess this is the best time to negotiate a good price for it. Dennis bought a new vest for $10 at JCP. I guess we should continue to support the market. If too many people stop spending money, the economy will only get worst.
Samantha throw a little tantrum last night when we left the mall. Thankfully, she only cried for a little bit. I told her that we will go back to the Mall tonight. She stop crying after that. I don't know if she understands me....but I will bring her back to the Mall tonight because Mom and Dad will never break a promise:)
We went to the Mall last night and the play ground in front of JCP was dead. Samantha actually owned that place for the night. After about 30min of playing by ourselves, a kid or two came to play with Samantha but they didn't stay long. Maybe because Pfizer had just announced their bad news about closing the Ann Arbor research site by end of the year, which means about 2100 jobs cuts. Most of these people live in the Washtenaw county. According to the Ann Arbor News, an average income for Pfizer employee is $83000 (above average). Hopefully with Google and Toyota moving to Ann Arbor, they can help to absorb some of the job cuts. Tony and Becky at work said Ford has released their 4th quarter financial report, and it is "the worst they have ever been in Ford history". GM said their 4th quarter report should be better...I guess we'll see. Although none of us in our family is directly effected by all these bad news. It's just depressing to see so many people getting effected. Especially so many of our friends and neighbors work for Pfizer. Anyway, that's the news for this week.
But, on the other hand, it's kind a good for us. Dad was in a car accident recently and needs to buy a new car. I guess this is the best time to negotiate a good price for it. Dennis bought a new vest for $10 at JCP. I guess we should continue to support the market. If too many people stop spending money, the economy will only get worst.
Samantha throw a little tantrum last night when we left the mall. Thankfully, she only cried for a little bit. I told her that we will go back to the Mall tonight. She stop crying after that. I don't know if she understands me....but I will bring her back to the Mall tonight because Mom and Dad will never break a promise:)
Monday, January 22, 2007
Samantha's Tantrum
Ever since recovering from her major flu a few days ago, Samantha starting to not wanting to go out often and if we go out (to the mall or just outside the house), she will start to throw tantrum and did not want to go back home. We did not have this problem with her before. This make it very difficult to bring her any where as we are afraid that she will throw those tantrums again. When she throw her tantrum, it is very hard for all of us to watch her cry so hard.
We do not know why. Maybe we did not bring her out for the past 2 weeks and she really wants to play out side now? Maybe it is just part of her development phase. My wife said we will bring her out less if she behave like this. I suggest we should bring her out more instead so that she knows she can go out often without restrictions. We probably will do something in between. Time will tell.
We do not know why. Maybe we did not bring her out for the past 2 weeks and she really wants to play out side now? Maybe it is just part of her development phase. My wife said we will bring her out less if she behave like this. I suggest we should bring her out more instead so that she knows she can go out often without restrictions. We probably will do something in between. Time will tell.
Friday, January 19, 2007
Poor Samantha
1/19/07
Finally after few days of power outage and recovering from a flu, Samantha is happy again! Unfortunately, she bite her lower lip last night when she tripped over the rug at the foyer. Poor Samantha cried so bad that she fell asleep shortly afterward. I put her in my mom lap when I was assessing her lip laceration since it was bleeding pretty bad. After that, she won't let anyone else to hold her except my mom. G-mom ended up rocking her to bed in the rocker. I was at her side the whole time, getting ready to bring her milk, clean her lip laceration and apply antibiotic ointment. A little laceration on her lip made all of us worry and anxious...will she able to eat since it will hurt, will it get infected, I should have been there to catch her fall...
Samantha, only if you know how much we wish to protect you forever and won't want any bad things happen to you. But it's just like Marlin promised Nemo the same thing...we'll eventually need to let you grow and be independent. .
Finally after few days of power outage and recovering from a flu, Samantha is happy again! Unfortunately, she bite her lower lip last night when she tripped over the rug at the foyer. Poor Samantha cried so bad that she fell asleep shortly afterward. I put her in my mom lap when I was assessing her lip laceration since it was bleeding pretty bad. After that, she won't let anyone else to hold her except my mom. G-mom ended up rocking her to bed in the rocker. I was at her side the whole time, getting ready to bring her milk, clean her lip laceration and apply antibiotic ointment. A little laceration on her lip made all of us worry and anxious...will she able to eat since it will hurt, will it get infected, I should have been there to catch her fall...
Samantha, only if you know how much we wish to protect you forever and won't want any bad things happen to you. But it's just like Marlin promised Nemo the same thing...we'll eventually need to let you grow and be independent. .
Thursday, January 18, 2007
Power Restored
Power finally restored at 6:10pm yesterday.
We were all very happy. No more smelling like a gas station when I go to work.
I was working on my old generator yesterday afternoon and it took me some time to just get the pulley part out. I had to take the air intake module and the carburetor apart to get to it. Bad design. Took it to Larry's and it was fixed on the spot for a total of $25.
Samantha was feeling very well now. She still cough occasionally and still have a running nose. But she was playing and dancing with us. She seems to understand us more now. She now knows when is "Eyes, Nose, Mouth, Ears, Knees, Foot, Head, Hand, Pep Pep (butt) and belly button". My wife told me that she was interacting with the TV shows as well and she knows how to peel her own cheese. Good girl.
She slept early last night. At about 9:45pm. I had to rock her and she is getting very heavy. I must be very tire as she is extra heavy tonight and my back is very tired. She finally wen to sleep 15 minutes later.
We were all very happy. No more smelling like a gas station when I go to work.
I was working on my old generator yesterday afternoon and it took me some time to just get the pulley part out. I had to take the air intake module and the carburetor apart to get to it. Bad design. Took it to Larry's and it was fixed on the spot for a total of $25.
Samantha was feeling very well now. She still cough occasionally and still have a running nose. But she was playing and dancing with us. She seems to understand us more now. She now knows when is "Eyes, Nose, Mouth, Ears, Knees, Foot, Head, Hand, Pep Pep (butt) and belly button". My wife told me that she was interacting with the TV shows as well and she knows how to peel her own cheese. Good girl.
She slept early last night. At about 9:45pm. I had to rock her and she is getting very heavy. I must be very tire as she is extra heavy tonight and my back is very tired. She finally wen to sleep 15 minutes later.
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
Power Outage: Day Two
Still have no power and my generator stop working at about 3:45pm yesterday. A lot of things went through my mind on what will be the problem. Went home early to investigate. Observed the engine oil was low. Filled it up and about to start it up. Found the pulley starter does not catch and thus can not start the engine. It was extremely cold too. About 20 degree. I tried to fix it in the cold and in the dark. I only have a flashlight. When my hands stop responding to me when I ask it to hold a screw driver, I gave up and went to Sam's club to buy a new generator. Dad was with me the whole time and he said it is harder than going to work.
We got a Subaru engine generator. It was one of the few left. They are in high demand now. Samantha seems to know something is up when I did not play with him immediately after work. She still coughs but is getting better each day. I missed playing with her. But providing her and the family with a warm home is higher priority.
We ate dinner for the fist time in front of our fire place. Dad and I set up the generator and fire it up. It started fine and ran for about 10 minutes and stop. I started it again and it ran for another 10 minutes and stop. I was really worried then. I check everything one more time and start it again. It ran fine after that.
This new generator is a bit smaller than my old one. I think it can not handle the power demand when all appliances started to run almost at the same time.
It ran well over night too.
We got a Subaru engine generator. It was one of the few left. They are in high demand now. Samantha seems to know something is up when I did not play with him immediately after work. She still coughs but is getting better each day. I missed playing with her. But providing her and the family with a warm home is higher priority.
We ate dinner for the fist time in front of our fire place. Dad and I set up the generator and fire it up. It started fine and ran for about 10 minutes and stop. I started it again and it ran for another 10 minutes and stop. I was really worried then. I check everything one more time and start it again. It ran fine after that.
This new generator is a bit smaller than my old one. I think it can not handle the power demand when all appliances started to run almost at the same time.
It ran well over night too.
Tuesday, January 16, 2007
Power outage: Day One
Power has been out since yesterday at about 3pm. We have to go home to make sure the sump pump does not overflow. The battery for the battery backup sump pump died a week ago and I did not get to change it out yet. Got the battery from Sears went home at about 3:30pm.
The battery backup system needed a "kick" start as it has not been used from a few years. We were lucky that we have a generator and emergency power grid. I just need to fill it up with gas every 6-8 hours. Very nice to be the only house in the neighborhood who has power. We invited Tawei and Matt's family over but only tawei's wife and 3 months old Anica came. Matt just needed a jump start to his sump pump before going to a hotel for the night.
We all had a good and warm night at home.
Since we have a finish basement, Chia and Anica were able to stay in the basement the whole night without interruption from us.
Power will not be available until mid-night, according to DTE.
The battery backup system needed a "kick" start as it has not been used from a few years. We were lucky that we have a generator and emergency power grid. I just need to fill it up with gas every 6-8 hours. Very nice to be the only house in the neighborhood who has power. We invited Tawei and Matt's family over but only tawei's wife and 3 months old Anica came. Matt just needed a jump start to his sump pump before going to a hotel for the night.
We all had a good and warm night at home.
Since we have a finish basement, Chia and Anica were able to stay in the basement the whole night without interruption from us.
Power will not be available until mid-night, according to DTE.
Monday, January 15, 2007
I guess I used this as our journal.
Samantha has been sick since last Tuesday. We took a day off on Tuesday to take care of her. She had high fever and had no apatite to eat. At least she drank milk and water. She started to cough too. We were worried. We called CHA to for advice. "Plenty of rest and water and don't worry about no food. Just make sure she is hydrated. It is probably a flu." they told my wife.
Her condition worsen on Thursday and Friday. Elsa called in sick on Friday to take care of her with mom. We have been sleeping with her in her room since Thursday as she wakes up every 20 minutes. We also wants to monitor her fever. She has been on pain killer meds since Wednesday every 4-6 hours as her fever keep coming back. Mom already got her flu. She was weak and needed more rest. Thus we took over the late night shift since Thursday.
She was worse on Friday and Saturday. We all have to take turns keeping her monitored. We were all very tired but see her feeling miserable hurt us more than anything else. She had running nose and constant coughing. She cough so bad that she threw up a few times already. Some on our carpet. We learned our lessons fast as her puke stinks for days on our carpet. My wife told me we ran our of carpet cleaner on her last puke on Saturday.
Mom had some rest but still go to work on Saturday. Samantha slept almost all day on Saturday. We brought her to CHA to be sure she does not have any other issues or sickness besides flu. We were very worried. The doctor was an Asian lady, very nice and thoroughly examined her. She diagnose her with RSV. Since is viral, she has to fight it herself. We can only support her emotionally.
We started to feel weak due to lack of sleep. We might also got Samantha's flu. We stayed strong as we know she needed us most. We were so tire holder her constantly. She is now about 30 ibs and she is heavy if I need to hold her for a few hours. In addition, she wanted us to go up and down the stairs all the time! We will have to ask her why when she grew up. I started to develop a strategy to handle that. I started to walk up really slowly, so by the time we got up, she already forgot that she wanted to go down!
Sunday was a good day. She slept quite often and we slept with her as well. She slept at about 4:30pm and did not want to wake up until 7am. She was still tire but at least did not have a fever for almost 20 hours already. Still coughing. At about 9pm, she started to play with us and wanted to participate in games and dances. We were all very happy to see her smile and dance again. She surprised me again when she actually went back to sleep at about 10:30pm. We all took turns to take care of her that night too.
We had a ice storm today (Monday). Dad did not go to work as there are too many fallen trees on the road and he can not get out of Ann Arbor around 6am. He took a day off. power was intermittent as well.
We went to work as usual without incident.
Samantha has been sick since last Tuesday. We took a day off on Tuesday to take care of her. She had high fever and had no apatite to eat. At least she drank milk and water. She started to cough too. We were worried. We called CHA to for advice. "Plenty of rest and water and don't worry about no food. Just make sure she is hydrated. It is probably a flu." they told my wife.
Her condition worsen on Thursday and Friday. Elsa called in sick on Friday to take care of her with mom. We have been sleeping with her in her room since Thursday as she wakes up every 20 minutes. We also wants to monitor her fever. She has been on pain killer meds since Wednesday every 4-6 hours as her fever keep coming back. Mom already got her flu. She was weak and needed more rest. Thus we took over the late night shift since Thursday.
She was worse on Friday and Saturday. We all have to take turns keeping her monitored. We were all very tired but see her feeling miserable hurt us more than anything else. She had running nose and constant coughing. She cough so bad that she threw up a few times already. Some on our carpet. We learned our lessons fast as her puke stinks for days on our carpet. My wife told me we ran our of carpet cleaner on her last puke on Saturday.
Mom had some rest but still go to work on Saturday. Samantha slept almost all day on Saturday. We brought her to CHA to be sure she does not have any other issues or sickness besides flu. We were very worried. The doctor was an Asian lady, very nice and thoroughly examined her. She diagnose her with RSV. Since is viral, she has to fight it herself. We can only support her emotionally.
We started to feel weak due to lack of sleep. We might also got Samantha's flu. We stayed strong as we know she needed us most. We were so tire holder her constantly. She is now about 30 ibs and she is heavy if I need to hold her for a few hours. In addition, she wanted us to go up and down the stairs all the time! We will have to ask her why when she grew up. I started to develop a strategy to handle that. I started to walk up really slowly, so by the time we got up, she already forgot that she wanted to go down!
Sunday was a good day. She slept quite often and we slept with her as well. She slept at about 4:30pm and did not want to wake up until 7am. She was still tire but at least did not have a fever for almost 20 hours already. Still coughing. At about 9pm, she started to play with us and wanted to participate in games and dances. We were all very happy to see her smile and dance again. She surprised me again when she actually went back to sleep at about 10:30pm. We all took turns to take care of her that night too.
We had a ice storm today (Monday). Dad did not go to work as there are too many fallen trees on the road and he can not get out of Ann Arbor around 6am. He took a day off. power was intermittent as well.
We went to work as usual without incident.
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