Our boys’ new adventures

Having lived in mainland China for some 8 months, it was time for us as a family to explore our nearby travel options.  Therefor we chose to travel to Beijing.  The first time I visited Beijing was 16 years ago and that was also the first time that I was really proud to be Chinese.  Visiting Beijing again gives me a lot of pride.  Also I felt I was actually showing Ian my history/country (which he has been doing of Australia for years)!!!

Although we were only there for four days and had only visited a few places (Bird’s Nest Stadium, Water-cube, Forbidden city, Tianamen Square and the Great Wall), we had an incredible time.  We also had glorious weather the whole time (what was all the fuss about Beijing Pollution!?  It’s sooo much worse in Shanghai!).  Money must have solved some of those pollution problems!

Michael just had the best time – he LOVED the GREAT WALL!  We went to the part of Mutianyu (there are several parts of the Great Wall which are opened for tourism.  I went to the Badaling part in my first visit however, I have to say that, Mutianyu is MUCH better)!  We went really early in the morning and pulled out all the tricks in the 1.5 hour car ride with Michael!  Books, toys, songs, camera (with video of Michael)…and books again!  Michael finally lost it just as we approached the Wall.  Then it was uphill from there. 

We took the cable car (which Michael was scared – and is still saying “skard” when he sees the cable car brochure) and he attempted to walk most of the Wall that we did.  The weather was beautiful and it wasn’t crowded (until we were on our way leaving the Wall).  Then we topped it off by going to a local “western” cafe which had a terrace – it was set in a school house (and hence its name).  It was perfect. 

After returning to the Beijing city, we took an adventure and took the subway to the Olympic Stadiums.  They were magnificent.  Michael couldn’t care less about where he was – but he was excited about the HUGE square and proceeded to run everywhere.  Needless to say, he had a great sleep that night – Beijing definitely worked those little legs!

In this holiday, it made very clear a few things about a toddler:

- doesn’t matter where you go, as long as Mama and Dada are around

- doesn’t matter what you do, as long as there is a big area to run around

- doesn’t matter how much you plan, as long as you sort of follow some routine and don’t be overly-aggressive in the planning.

All in all, we had a wonderful time.  Can’t wait for the next holidays!  Until then, enjoy our photos and love from Shanghai.

Michael’s Album – Beijing, China

Many of my friends know that I’m a “free economy” type of guy.  No wonder then that I ended up residing in Hong Kong – reportedly the most free economy in the world.  I put it down to that American B-school education … or was that a case of self-selection! (Economics joke!)

Well, my dear friends, the free economy has its advantages BUT, for those that can pay, you certainly will PAY.  Ok, what do I mean?  Stacey and I have decided to select a “semi-private” room in the Sanatorium Hospital.

Birthing “privately” in Hong Kong (probably like anywhere) is not cheap but this week, during our visit, we had to laugh (cry) at the pay-scale of the maternity packages.  E.g.:

• Epidurals: additional charge for general ward HK$4,000; semi-private HK$6,000; private room HK$8,000
• Cesarean Section 8am-10pm Mon-Sat: general ward HK$2,500; semi-private HK$3,500; private room HK$4,500
• Emergency Cesarean (ie out of normal hours or no booking!): general ward HK$6,000; semi-private HK$9,000; private room HK$12,000
• Collection of cord blood: general ward HK$500; semi-private HK$750; private room HK$1,000
• Husband accompanying wife: HK$500 – thank goodness no scale!

Even our obstetrician’s fees go up 50% for selecting a semi-private room!

Of course, you choose to pay whatever level you think you can afford no matter what the input cost to supply the services.  Will an epidural cost the hospital more in drugs/labour just because the patient is in a private room?  Of course not!  This pricing (as it should be for any retail product in a free market) is driven by what customers are willing to pay.

You gotta smile … and open your wallet.

All is well in Hong Kong from Ian, Stacey and “free economy inspired” bump!

P.S. did you know Stacey is an economics major from Boston University - makes for very interesting household debates! and, yes, A Beautiful Mind is one of our favorite movies.

p.p.s.s. Stacey is just able to squeeze into that little red t-shirt at 35 weeks.  But we reckon this will be last pic before Monkey makes his grand arrival!  All bets welcome on the actual delivery!

When Stacey first proposed to me that she’d like to do her birth by “HypnoBirthing” I immediately thought: “Has she gone mad?  How can you give birth while hypnotized?  Has my hippy sister got to her!?!?  Does pregnancy make you crazy???”

Of course, no to all questions.  This week I’ve learnt that I’m totally ignorant to the latest techniques in birthing sweeping the world and have had my first formal lesson to bring me up to speed.  Stacey has been introduced to HypnoBirthing by her teacher at the prenatal yoga class she attends at Pure Yoga.

So, what is HypnoBirthing?  HypnoBirthing teaches techniques for relaxation and visualization, along with physical exercises and good nutrition that will help the mother to ease through a happy, healthy pregnancy and childbirth.  How can a mother “ease” through pregnancy I hear you ask?  Well, you’ve got to see it to believe it.  In your first lesson you see a few videos of mothers going through pregnancy with Hypnobirthing and you discuss current perceptions of birthing and what should happen.  It’s certainly eye-opening.  Fyi – our class is taught by a very nice Australian registered nurse who reminds us a lot of my sister, Sam.

HypnoBirthing is designed especially to serve the 95 percent of families whose pregnancies fall into the normal, low or no risk categories.  It is also not an approach that recommends birthing without medical supervision.  Hypnobirthing is “a natural approach to a safe, easier, more comfortable birthing”.  Oh … it also happens to be the most expensive prenatal class in Hong Kong – more than that of the Matilda Hospital!  No wonder Stacey chose it!

Monkey had a scan this week.  He now weighs ~1.5 kg (~3+ lbs!) and his head has turned to the right direction - all good news.  I also asked about the “safety” of the Babyplus system (remember the crazy heartbeat thing that Stacey uses day & night?!)  Dr. Ma reckons Monkey would prefer classical music (and so would I!).  Attached is Thursday’s scan (the right picture is his head and the left one is a bit blury but I think it’s his spine and stomach):

Meanwhile, much love from Hong Kong and Stacey is growing well at 30 weeks.. 

Many of our readers will know that we are expecting a little Lacy BOY in late October but I wanted to let everyone know.  I guess we have not announced it before because we always presumed that the doctors may be unsure.

We first found out at our 12 week detailed scan when the doctor dryly asked “Do you want to know the sex?” and subsequently typed “penis” on one of our scans (very big of course!).  Not feeling confident, we then had this initial assessment reconfirmed twice at our regular scans with Dr Ma before loudly announcing.  I guess now we’re sure.

To say “Stacey is thrilled” is a mild understatement.  She always “felt” it was a boy.  Me on the other hand really didn’t mind as long as our child was healthy.  Now that we know, I’m actually warming to the idea of having a little boy around.  I’m certainly dusting off the cricket bat and pumping up the soccer ball … all in anticipation of a game in 5 years or so!

It’s funny how some women react to the gender debate.  I’ve heard all of the following in recent weeks: “Boys are wonderful”; “Boys are so much better than girls”; and “Boys love their mothers differently than girls”.  I know I have a “special” relationship with my mother!

On this topic, I read something amusing lately.  This one Dad was quoted as saying about boys: “They’re really easy.  Once they hit puberty all they think about is sex.  They don’t care about anything else.  And that’s pretty much it until they die.”  Ha ha!  I can’t wait until Mom has to deal with wet dreams and first girlfriends!

Until next week, much love from Hong Kong at 25 weeks.

After providing much “advice”, I guess it’s time to get my hands “dirty” and do some writing!  This is Ian in case you haven’t guessed.  Btw – thanks to all those people who have written expressing their pleasure at the latest blog addition (slide show on right).  It’s very easy and from http://www.slide.com

My wife is beautiful.  Full stop.  She is even more beautiful as she enters the childbearing phase.  I don’t know what it is but pregnant women tend to glow and Stacey is developing a very nice glow herself.  Maybe it’s the joy/fun associated with pregnancy.  Maybe it’s just the body’s blood flow working harder.  Whatever it is, it a pleasure to be around.

Stroller reviews are going well.  We have a spreadsheet with the pros and cons of our favorite models.  It has also introduced us to a few baby stores in Hong Kong.  We already knew Bumps to Babes (http://www.bumpstobabes.com/) but had fun discovering ”Chinese bumps to babes” ( http://www.eugenegroup.com.hk/center/eng_centre.php) and even Hong Kong has Mothercare (http://www.mothercare.com.hk/).  All of which have a range of strollers to choose from and many other “necessities”.

Cheers for now.

Ian, Stacey and bump.

PS all baby advice happily accepted.  If you think your advice is particularly good – post it here!  If shy, just email us!