Welcome to the World: Mason Kalei Wong

Today something wonderful happened.  Today, Mason Kalei Wong was born at 2:30pm, a beautiful, healthy baby boy came into the world.

At 9am, I get a text from Alan warning me that this could be the day!  Unsure of exactly when Mason was going to come, I waited to hear back for more news.  Around 3pm, I get a text from Alan, “Baby Mason Wong was just born”.  Naturally, I flip out and immediately call him to congratulate him and his response? Alan starts singing, “I love it when you call me Big Pop-pa” – HAHAHA, typical.  I haul ass over to Beijing United.

You’ve seen movies and movies about pregnancies (Nine Months, Father of the Bride 2, Juno, & Knocked Up to name a few) – they are always racing to the emergency room when the mother-to-be’s water breaks and when she’s giving birth, she’s drenched in sweat, screaming in pain throughout the ordeal.

To my surprise, that is all completely over-exaggerated and not even close to Alan & Hannah’s experience today.  According to them, Hannah’s water broke around 5am, woke Alan up and said, “I think Mason’s coming now” and then proceeded to take a shower, wash her hair, pack some clothes and were in absolutely no rush as they gathered together necessities for Mason’s arrival. After an hour or so, they leisurely made their way over to Beijing United and checked in to their Maternity Suite, where they waited, prepared, gave birth in that same maternity suite, and where they continued to stay for the next three days.

When I arrived (completely drenched wet after a crazy sudden heavy thunderstorm while trying to bike my way over), Mason was sleeping soundly in a little bedded table beside his mother Hannah, Hannah’s sister, Alan & his auntie. Mason and his new family were all just chillin.  Hannah looked great, she said she was fine, that Mason’s birth was much quicker and less painful than she had expected and to my surprise, she was already up, walking about – even giving birth doesn’t phase her.

Alan showed me a little video clip he had taken of the event (tastefully done with no crotch shot) – it showed Hannah laying back with 5 or 6 nurses/doctors all around her and then Mason just came out covered in goop, which the doctor and nurses quickly and efficiently removed and washed away.

Naturally everything in movies is much more hyped up and dramatic, but I never imagined it to be this calm.  But then again, Hannah’s always so composed.  Even in the days up to Mason’s birth, Hannah was never nervous or anxious about the big day, only saying that she hoped he’d come out sooner rather than later.

The whole day, Mason was in the suite with his mom and dad, there was no isolated room for him and all the other newborn babies to sleep in – in this case, all the babies stayed together in the maternity suites with their parents.  Visitors came in and out all throughout the day, to get a glimpse at the superstar himself, commenting that he looks exactly like Hannah, especially his eyes & nose, but mouth takes after Alan.  With a head full of hair and a rosy pink complexion, Mason was the center of attention.

But as noted in the guidebook provided by Beijing United, Mason did as expected – he just slept and slept and slept. And if he did wake up, it was one eye that opened just for a glimpse before shutting again.

According to Uncle Evgeny, who so happens to be a baby-expert, baby’s see the world upside down in their first few days until their eyes have time to adjust and turn everything right-side up again.  So if Mason did just open one eye, he looked rather wary or as Evgeny beautifully put it, “Mason’s hungover, he’s had a rough night.”

Another fun-to-know baby fact: It’s a misconception that a newborn baby should be bundled up tightly.  While you should make sure your newborn is warm enough with sufficient layers of clothing, head beanie, and blankets, you should also allow for movement and stretching, rather than constricting his arms, legs, body too tight together.   And it’s also good practice to place your hands below your newborn’s feet and allow for him to kick against your hands to get their leg muscles developing sooner, which can lead to them walking sooner as well.

Who would have known Uncle Evgeny was such a pro when it comes to babies?  Always full of surprises.

And just as I am about to walk across the street to order some Annie’s take-away, Uncle Asher comes just in the nick of time with massive portions of homemade meat lasagna and Fettuccine Bolognese. So Bomb and so clutch.  I don’t know how he does it. I can’t wait for him to start up his own place, he’s got a gift worth pursuing.

As Uncle Evgeny, Uncle Asher, Auntie Kristen (me) and other visitors each took turns holding baby Mason, it was easy to point out that this baby has a LONG line of people willing and devoted to not only babysit and look after, but also protect, nurture and love him as he grows up.

And while this is only Mason’s first day in the world, he’ll soon discover that he’s arrived into the loving arms of two perfect parents and a wonderful circle of Uncles and Aunties just waiting to show him what this world has to offer.

Here are some shots of the superstar himself: Mason Kalei Wong with Papa & Mama Wong. What a beautiful new family.

Baby Mason getting burped by Papa Alan

Mama Hannah holding Baby Mason

Just the Beginning of George & Mason

George misbehaving

Mason Goes Home!

...with George