Introducing Leonard Taikun Chuang

Since Tina is still under postpartum care, I am here to document the arrival of our son, Leonard Taikun Chuang. This article is also the first gift I hope to give to my son.

First-time fathering is an agitated experience. It is a mixed emotion---excitement, happiness, awkwardness, and the feel of "not-know-what-and-how-to-do." Now I still cannot believe I have a son--biologically an offspring who shares so many similarity, good or bad, with mine.

Lord, what a miracle!

The portrait on the left is taken at 4:24pm on Aug 18--approximately 72 hours after the birth. This photo is picked for publicity purposes--since it looks better. Both eyes are now open. The right one appears to be larger than left one, though. (This is somewhat similar to dad Michael's eyes).

WARNING: EXPLICIT CONTENTS AHEAD. PARENTAL ADVISORY: STOP HERE IF UNPREPARED OR DISQUALIFIED.

Leonard Taikun Chuang

Leonard is inspired by the first name of an Italian polymath, Leonardo da Vinci. Da Vinci captures a valuable trait of Chuang family--polymath (which as I interpret it, "Jack-of-all-trades" in today's terms, at least). In Chuang's family, polymath is common, as many members own expertise spanning a significant number of different subject areas. Great-grandfather of this boy, Chuan Chuang, was a carpenter and woodwork artist mastering sculptures, motifs, and ornaments on alters and in temples in Lukang--a town full of historical heritage since Holland's rule in 17th century. Chuan Chuang was also a poet, and a member of Culture Association--an organization of renowned writers, poets, and artists during Japanese Era in Taiwan.

While the baby is 2 weeks early, we are a bit stressed to finalize a name. The name is determined on 17th, the previous night before discharge. While the Italian spelling ends with an "o", the English form is finally used, without an "o." Due to the concern of "-nard" pronunciation, "Leonardo" was once considered to avoid any awkwardness . Worried, I consulted with some people, including the lady who registered name into computers, and was advised that "do not worry about it".

Lastly, because Tina prefers the form without an "o," "Leonard" is finalized. "We don't have any Italian heritage anyway," Tina said.

It is derived from Germanic origins. Two-element name derived from the elements: 'leon' meaning lion ; 'hart' meaning brave, hardy. All together, it refers to "courage and hardness of a lion" or "strengths of a lion". Leonard was used more often in 1920-30s and not common nowadays, making it an unique name among popular ones. "So we have a grandson whose name sounds like a character in old-time novels," Grandma Annie said.

Surprisingly, upon returning home, we found the design of the baby bedding features a lion, which we never noticed at the time of purchase!

Other celebrity with this name: Leonard Bernstein, an American conductor. Would there be a need to find more famous people with the same first time to justify this is a good name? Hope not.

In Western culture, Leonard can be shorted for "Leon" or "Leo"(referring to a lion) or "Lennie" (unsure what it means, suggests, or feels. Anybody?). We may go with one after the boy is socialized.

The birth date is Aug 15, making the newborn a Leo for the astrological sign. Thus, "Leonard" echoes this connotation as well. According to horoscope information, Leos are outgoing, generous, unselfish, warmth, creative, loyal and loving--the characteristic we hope our son to own. Leos are said to be good (if not great) leaders, showing enthusiasm to life, if not fervor. We love to see our son to have these traits too.

In general, "Leonard" embraces facets of "creativeness", "brilliance," and "fervor to life." This echoes one of the Taiwanese name candidates Daiya or Taiya ("Great Craftman or Creator") which we loved very much, but later not used.

Taikun, meaning "great balance and harmony" in Taiwanese, is chosen as the his middle name. This name is given by his grandfather Professor Wanshou Chuang. Once a civil engineer, Professor Chuang owns many research interests, and one of which is Philosophy. In particular he studies Chuangtzu, an ancient philosopher who promotes the harmony and balance with the great nature. Grandpa and grandma will able to see their adorable grandson soon, in Aug 31!

While resembling the word "tycoon" in pronunciation, Taikun refers to "great lord", "great prince," "great monarch,"or "great commander" in Japanese. So, with these anecdotes, we experience a very Asian way to name our child---picking a name with multiple good and lucky connections.

Further, Taikun connects this boy to his family origin "Tai"wan---an island on west Pacific Ocean, 7612 miles (12,250 km) away. The great circle route depicts such a shortest "straight-line" flight, passing U.S., Canada, Arctic Sea, Siberia (of Russia), China, Korea, and tangentially Japan. What a distance, wow.

With both Leonard and Taikun in place, we hope our son will have a energetic and loving life, and able to maintain great harmony with the nature, and balances in his life.

With these best wishes, he is going to be happy--which is hoped by his mother Tina.






Birth documentary


Date: August 15 2010, Location: Hillcrest Hospital














1:29am First admitted to hospital, but soon advised to exit (2:14am) since there is no significant sign of cervical dilation. Nurse: Carla Merrick.














2:07am. Before leaving, both Michael and Tina managed to squeeze smiley faces.













6:53pm. After several hours of stay in a nearby hotel suffering from great agony, Tina is admitted again to hospital around 6am. At 6:53am, Carla installed IV to Tina's arm.












10:03am. Both parent-to-be's are swamped: Tina's in bed, and I collapse on a coach.













11:51. Tina had a Popsicle while getting my "shoushou." (Taiwanese: patting for comfort)












12:10pm. Dr. Amanda Ferry (middle) breaks the amniotic sac ("breaking the water") and installs internal monitors for a better accuracy of fetus' vital signs.











12:10pm. Monitoring fetus heart rates (up:red curves), and Tina's contractions (below: black curves).












1:05pm, in Labor Room #9. After pain management, Tina feels better. Cervix opened to 4cm. Tina is reading naming books for inspirations - last stretch.















Medication:
6:30am Nubain, a painkiller, was used.
8:40am Epidural was injected by Dr Stotts, to alleviate severe pain.
Noon-1pm or so (while I was out for lunch), Pitocin is used to encourage further cervical dilation.

Cervix dilation progress:
6:30am 1cm
8:00am 2-3cm
11:55am 4cm
2:55pm 4-5cm


3:03pm, in labor room #9. Dr Snelson appears and checks fetus heart rates. To encourage cervix dilation, Pitocin is used again, but a great reduction of fetus heart rate is also observed. With this risky situation, Dr. Snelson decides to go C-section immediately, instead of working for the 10-cm goal of cervical dilation needed for a vaginal delivery.






3:28pm. C-section: Taikun arrives at this world.

3:43pm, operating room. First Shot of the baby- a boy, now 100% confirmed without any lingering uncertainty. He's crying so hard!
He is the second person crying in the operating room that day.

3:43pm. Nurses get ready for cleaning and checking the newborn.

















3:46pm, operating room. Smiling father cut the umbilical cord. Technically, the cord had already been cut since this is a C-section. Thus, this photography setting was arranged for "ritual" purposes.










3:51pm. Head close-up photo. Skin still wet and soggy. I am so surprised at the look of the umbilical cord. It looks silver and shiny---almost like a plastic pipe interestingly!













3:50pm. After struggling and crying very hard for a while, he takes a rest. A little pale for hands--may be because soaking in amniotic fluid too long?



















4pm. Though the baby's out, Tina still undergoes the surgery, to complete the C-section procedures. She was numbed for her lower body, but still remained cognizant. Something too graphic to be shown here.

Now, as I reflect on this episode again, I cannot help but get emotional since Tina has suffered so much excruciating pains. I guess this image will vividly ingrained on my mind forever, for how great a wife and a mother she is!




Cord blood collected. I am surprised that at the amount--the entire pouch is almost full!
















4:13pm, operating room. Weigh 7 lb 7 oz, or 3345grams approx.












4:15pm. The boy is dancing, twisting, and turning.

















4:16pm. Chest size is measured.

















Then, we are sent back to the labor room #9.

5:32pm. The family (first time I use this word) gets together after Tina breast-feeds the boy for the first time. It's a touching moment.












6:04pm. The new father holds the boy!













6:39pm. A photographic moment---so formal to be used for publicity!

















Around 7pm, we move to postpartum recovery room, where will be the place for our stay afterwards before discharge.

A Card created for labeling the crib. Length: 20.25in (51.4cm): A tall boy! Arm and leg lengths need to be measured soon as well...

11:03pm. First close-up of Taikun's face. Looks a bit rebellious, isn't it?

Footprint card:

8:06am, Aug 16. Next morning, Dr. Marc Snelson visits.

















12:48pm. Baby in transparent crib, which is his temporary home for at least 3 days.
















Leonard, we love you. You are everything.

To be continued...