Arden meets her Ahma.

Arden got to meet her first extended family member - her Ahma (one of the Chinese words for grandmother)!

From the first moment my mom walked through the door, Arden was completely comfortable with her grandma. She gave my mom huge smiles and began excitedly babbling away, as if she had known her forever. Part of this could be because we've chatted on FaceTime with my family every weekend since her birth, so Arden may have recognised her voice and face. But my mom has a way with babies in general.

meeting for the first time.

My parents have raved about how interactive and aware Arden seems via FaceTime, so I was curious to see if my mom would feel the same way about her in person, since pictures/videos aren't always a true representation of things. But - according to my mom - it seems like Arden really is pretty interactive for a 2-month old, having "conversations" with us for long periods of time and being very aware and clear about her demands. If this is any indication of what she'll be like when she's older... we might have our work cut out for us!

My mom happily held Arden for the entire week (the only times I held my baby were during feedings and bedtime!) and I was more than happy for the opportunity to engage in frivolous activity - like eating with two hands, showering and even writing a few entries in my handwritten journal.

My mom visited us in Melbourne back in 2014, so we didn't feel the need to do a whole lot of sightseeing or touring this time around. Also it's summer here - unfortunately Arden hates hot weather, so we try not to go out on especially warm days. But we were able to plan a few excursions, such as visiting the department store Myer to pick up a new toy for Arden, and going out for brunch during one of the less-hot mornings.

out for brunch!

My mom was more than happy to watch the baby while Ben and I got some much-needed alone time. Before my mom's visit, Arden wasn't taking a bottle and we were nervous that she never would (mostly because we really really wanted to watch Star Wars Episode VII spoiler-free, and movie dates are too long to risk leaving the baby without milk). But my mom was able to work her magic on the second day of her visit, and Arden proved her bottle-taking proficiency on several occasions! Although we have yet to see if she'll take one from either of us...

prior to mom's visit. the look on Arden's face says it all...

It felt weird for both of us to leave Arden at home, which is silly because my mother is probably a hundred times more capable of taking care of a baby than I am. I guess I felt more guilty than anything, that I was away from Arden and actually felt happy about it. But - aside from a dentist appointment, a haircut and a short run - I haven't had a true break from the baby in two months. I've earned my time away!

on our way to dinner. dinner! alone!!

Ben and I excitedly went on several dates throughout the week - a few meals, a trip up the Eureka Skydeck before our year membership expired, and of course - The Force Awakens! I have to admit, I started bawling during the movie's opening crawl, thinking "We made it to Star Wars! I can still enjoy myself at a movie!" and then proceeded to think mostly about the baby throughout the entire thing. I guess you can't escape that nagging motherly instinct, not even in a galaxy far, far away...

the Force was with us!!

at the Eureka Skydeck. we had coupons for free "Edge experiences" where we got to see Melbourne directly under our feet. yikes. 

New Year's Day is one of my favourite holidays (I love the reflection/foreshadowing aspects that some cultures emphasise) and it was really special to spend the end of 2015/beginning of 2016 with not only our new baby, but also my mother. This year's holiday was probably the most low-key NYEve I've had since middle school. Ben and I stayed up after putting Arden to bed, with grand ambitions of enjoying a beer/pear cider and toasting to midnight... but, as all you parents would know - we didn't quite make it. We gave up at 11pm, fell into bed and were woken up at midnight by the official fireworks display that takes place a few blocks over. "happynewyearrrr," I grumbled to Ben, rolled over and fell right back to sleep. If this year's celebration is any foreshadowing of the coming year, we're both going to be super tired - but very happy and surrounded by loved ones.

My mom's week-long visit went by way too fast, but I am so grateful that she was able to meet baby Arden, give us a break from constantly holding her, and relay some baby care advice she learned from raising me and my brother. There's something really special about taking care of your child while hearing stories about yourself as a baby. According to my mom, the way Arden feeds (happily and noisily) is similar to how my brother once did, and she has tiny feet like me! Nobody really knows where her furious energy comes from though, since Ben and I are pretty chill...

treasuring every moment together.

I'm glad that my mom and Arden already share a special bond, and it was really hard for us to say goodbye. Australia seems further away with every passing week and every baby milestone. While we're glad that technology has made it possible and easy for us to keep in touch with everyone... nothing takes the place of holding a baby, rocking her to sleep and seeing her smile in the midst of a dream.

Thanks for visiting, mom. We hope Arden remembers this visit with her Ahma, and that she gets to see you again really soon!

three generations of women.

CK