Adjusting to Life Back in the US with a Baby
After a trip back to Taiwan, adjusting to life in the US with a six-month-old baby has been challenging but rewarding. From navigating travel with a lot of luggage to re-organizing the house for a growing infant, there's been a lot to handle.
Travel and Initial Adjustments
Getting back to the US from Taiwan proved to be an ordeal. The family flew into Seattle and then drove three hours to Portland. After dealing with luggage and the children, a large minivan was rented to transport everything back to Portland. The speaker described feeling extremely tired upon returning. Even with saved allowance intended for a break, adjusting the baby to the time difference and dealing with a cold proved exhausting.
Home Organization and Baby Gear
Returning home also meant re-organizing the house to better suit a six-month-old. The speaker highlighted a product called Catchy, describing it as a high-end chair from a famous brand, making it easier to pick up toys without having to bend over. In addition to buying new products, she also made a bookcase. After being away for two months, the speaker noted a strange incident: the water in the toilet had dried up, causing a foul odor due to sewer gases escaping through the U-bend.
Kani Baby Bed
The baby's bed has also been upgraded to one by Kani. The bed features a breathable and washable mattress. The mattress is made of heat-resistant plastic PP, similar to the material used in milk bottles and can be heated to 120 degrees Celsius, enabling the use of hot water for cleaning. Hot water is effective for killing dust and bacteria, which is important when caring for a baby. The speaker emphasized that dust mites don't eat plastic, but the mattress is a place where dust can easily accumulate. The PP material's strength allows it to be shaped, giving the mattress an independent bucket design similar to adult mattresses, further enhancing breathability.
The speaker also noted that the baby used to sweat a lot when sleeping on regular mattresses, but that has decreased significantly with the new breathable mattress. The breathable design is comforting, especially since the baby often sleeps on her stomach. The mattress has also won several awards including the German Red Dot Design Award and is customizable. The bed is designed with a chain that can be pulled for breathability. The dragon doll and snake bell accessories, made of organic cotton, are also mentioned.
Introducing Solids and Meal Preparation
Another change has been the introduction of solid foods to the baby's diet. While some feeding was done in Taiwan, the speaker feels more in control in the US. Frozen food is prepared in advance for the weekend. Two useful items are highlighted: Munky small plastic boxes for freezing and microwaving food, and a label machine for marking the contents and date on multiple cups.
The school teachers help with feeding. In the morning, milk and side dishes are prepared to take to school.
Balancing Work and Motherhood
Working from home has its advantages, especially for breastfeeding. The speaker acknowledged that returning to the office might necessitate giving up breastfeeding due to the difficulty it would create. The first week back at work was easy, which the speaker recognized isn't necessarily a positive thing. As a mid-career engineer, her performance depends on independent contributions. Having been away for over half a year, the projects she was working on have been taken over by others, requiring her to find a new position. She describes this situation as unsettling, understanding that many professional women experience a career setback after having children.
Despite these challenges, the speaker expressed a shift in perspective. While previously career-focused, she now values spending time with her child, even if it means less career success.
Daily Routine and Sharing Responsibilities
A typical day involves preparing lunch (which feels like a rare mini-vacation), taking the kids to daycare in the morning, and the other parent picking them up in the afternoon and cooking dinner. The speaker also mentioned the upcoming Teacher Appreciation Week and the tradition of giving gifts to teachers in the US, which she finds a bit strange. However, she acknowledged that teachers in the US are often underpaid, making it feel necessary.
The couple shares responsibilities, with one taking care of the child while the other does housework. This allows them to rest together and even watch TV, which they consider a success as parents. They recognize that this arrangement is easier with only one child and while they are not yet forced to return to the office.
Evening Routine and Reflections
The evening involves feeding the kids, attempting to cook (though often interrupted), bathing the baby, and if time allows, exercising. By 9 PM, they try to watch TV or work until 10 or 11 PM before going to bed. The speaker considers themselves lucky compared to some of their friends, but also acknowledges the exhaustion of being a parent. Despite the challenges, the speaker wished for all parents to have enough sleep, exercise, and work-life balance.
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