Welcome home, Alexander!

Hi there, son.

So we had quite an ordeal recently. It all started with your “wait… wait… not yet ready… wait…okay, now!” business. And you made it all happen so fast. You were out in only four or five hours from the time Selina got to the hospital. Thank you for being so gentle to your mom.

Speaking of Mom, she is healing well and seems to have already recovered energy-wise.

On early Sunday morning, your jaundice had reached a concerning level and they moved you from the room to the baby center. By lunchtime, you were in the newborn ICU. That was super hard on us as it meant not being able to see you and just fearing the unexpected. It turns out you also have what is known as G6PB deficiency, which made the jaundice harder to treat at first. But after four days, you were able to finally come home to your family.

Your sister is tickled pink. She hovers over you constantly, rubs your hair, and showers you in kisses. You remember that for when you two are older and you’re upset at her—she really, really loves you, and I’m certain she is going to watch over and take exceptional care of you.

And here are photos to prove it.

Welcome home, son! We are so happy that you have finally joined us and are now at home. Life is complete and we are overjoyed and feel blessed.

Love,

Dad

Show time!

Dear Alexander,

So at your checkup this past Monday, Dr. Jimmy said Mom could come in the week any time and they would induce labor. You have shown no interest in coming out on your own. So she decided we would do it Friday morning—first thing after breakfast we’d head down to the hospital, check in, and hopefully get to see you sometime that same day, or early Saturday morning.

Tonight, as per my usual 9:00 Thursday night routine, I called to say goodnight to Elizabeth. Selina was at that moment having her fourth contraction that hour—that was a record so far. But Dr. Jimmy said not to make the move to the hospital until it was four to six contractions. So Selina brushed it off, saying we could wait till the morning, as planned.

I checked in with her after getting off the freeway in Taoyuan, and headed to the store to stock up on a few groceries for the coming few days. She was now at seven contractions, and thinking it was probably time to go to the ER. She said she could wait for me to get home—I was only five minutes away, 19 minutes with picking up the groceries and getting back on the road.

As I was checking out, my phone was ringing and buzzing. I knew it was urgent. She said her water has broke, that there was a little bleeding, and needed to go right away. (Elizabeth was fast asleep.)

So with the ambulance in route, I flew home as fast as I could safely and semi-legally, and raced upstairs. I went in, arms loaded with work stuff and groceries, and she was out the door to meet the ambulance downstairs.

I couldn’t get Elizabeth to wake up, so I called your grandparents to ask if they could help. Grandpa came right over and waited while I packed a small bag for your sister, wrapped her in a blanket, and we took her to your grandparents’ house. I flew to the hospital.

So we’re here now. It’s going on 2:00 AM, and your mom is having constant contractions. She’s got an epidural, so I assume it’s helping mitigate some of the pain.

You obviously want to do things on your own terms. But please be gentle on your mother.

I’ll see you very, very soon.

Dad