The past week has been one of the hardest weeks of my life. It's quite strange that I feel "writer's block" at the moment since I have so much to write about, but I am just physically and emotionally fried. Jasmine was in the hospital all week with bronchitis, and thankfully at home today.

Doctors and nurses were coming in and out of our room every 2-3 hours, so it was hard to sleep comfortably. On top of all our worries, both Jeab and I got bronchitis as well. However, I have to take my hat off to Nonthavej Hospital. Their service was exceptional, and I really felt that she was getting the best care available in Thailand.

Watching your newborn daughter go through such a painfully exhausting and uncomfortable period rips your heart out. The first time they put the suction tube down into her lungs was just about unbearable for us. She was already really uncomfortable, it was late at night, and the sound of it was something I'll never forget. Between her gasps for air were these hideous slurps that reminded me of the dentist's mouth vacuum tool that all children hate. I had to leave the room. I could still hear everything outside, and I remember one point where I almost stood up and yelled, "ENOUGH! Can't you see she's gone through enough already?!" My sense got the best of me, but that was the first of about 40 more suction sessions that she had to go through this past week. It was for the better, but truly awful to be around.

This is long overdue, but I have to say how amazing my wife has been. Her patience is almost everlasting, and she is able to bounce back from the hard times incredibly well. If the doctor said she had to slam her head against a concrete wall to make Jasmine feel better, I could see her put her head down, huff, look up, and then ask how many times she had to do it. Her heart is stronger than anything I have ever known.

There truly is nothing more beautiful than coming home and seeing your wife breastfeeding your child. It's a perfect piece of nature frozen in time that wraps you up in life. Sometimes I come back from a crazy day at work where printers jam, FotoBooks get sent to the wrong stores, and van drivers have a personal vendetta against Honda Jazz drivers (I'm sure of it). When I walk upstairs to our room and see my girls together, it's like falling into a bed of feathers. One of the best parts of bringing up a child is that everyday is different. Everyday is exciting. There is finally a reason for doing anything and everything. Before Jasmine came into our lives, I really thought life was damn exciting and interesting, which it was. But this is "it". Reproducing is and has been the reason for living since the beginning of time, and I finally understand it...and it's all wrapped up in that moment when I open the door to our room and see my wife holding my daughter in her arms.

Anyway, we're out. We're back at home. What I just went through didn't kill me, so I guess I'm Hercules in terms of strength now. On that note, I remember I made a promise to myself that I would gain 5 pounds of muscle over the past month, but that never happened. Since the baby came out, I've lost almost 10% of my bodyweight, and I need to get back to the fitness center on a regular basis (yes ladies, many guys work out to GAIN weight). I always find some excuse not to go, but 50% of it is BS.

I'll try to practice my cello a bit over this week as well. I wanted to play a bit at our party this Saturday, so that will be my mini goal for the week. Looks like you guys had fun at the Pink Party...hope to see everyone at our Birthday Bash.

Happy Sunday.

<----- Little Feet 15   Little Feet 13 ----->

Great journal Rob, and so glad lil Jasmine is back home. Hopoe recovery and rest is quick for you all. : )

I hope your baby girl is now healthy!

This is a really wonderful journal. It warms my heart and my tears are welling up.

Thank you for sharing.

Thanks guys...I'll post a photo shortly.

Good to see the wee one back home and looking healthy again......See you Saturday.

Hope she is good health and be cheerful girl soon. Thank for sharing a lot.

as BOD's comment.

Glad to see those lovely pictures and thank you for sharing this with us.

Get well soon, Jasmine.

Almost got tears in my eyes..

yes, when it's really tough, women esp mommy, we are stronger than we ourself thought.

Lovely to here that you guys are home!

good news Happy to hear that, really.

Take care.. 3 of you

Great journal Rob. Good to hear you are all doing a lot better. Esp the little one.

Great News !!

Thanks guys...it's so nice having her back at home.

sounds like it's been a really tough and stressful week for U and Jeab .... good to hear u r all back home and doing well again. regards to all and see u this saturday !!

as from now, everything is going better and better

Last paragraph of the journal was beautiful, and so were the photos.

sorry to hear you had hard time, and happy to hear u & your family is safe and sound

Great journal Rob and a beautifully written 3rd last para. which reminds us to keep the essence of life in perspective. You both seem to be doing well with the joy and challenges of parenthood. Stay healthy.

Glad to hear Jasmine is doing better.

She's absolutely sweet heart !!!

I can still remember that time like it was last week. Definitely the most difficult time of my life.