TQ Baby

Remember the little dragon baby shower for my Chinese tutor, TQ? Click Baby Shower to view old post. On February 29th, TQ had her sweet little boy. For one month after childbirth, Chinese mothers do not shower, brush their teeth, eat fruit, watch television, use a computer, and well, the list goes on and on, so it wasn't until last week that I got a text from TQ saying she was ready for visitors. Today, me and a couple of my classmates went to visit TQ and baby.

TQ's mom wrapped the baby in a towel and a couple of blankets--no diaper. I wondered, what happens when the baby releases waste?

Then I held the baby and found out firsthand: You get wet.
Note the wet spots on the thigh of my jeans.

He was so cute. I didn't mind.

TQ kept telling us how the baby cries all the time and never sleeps. As long as we were there, we never heard him cry. Before we left, we wanted to get a photo of TQ with the baby. . .then he started to cry. TQ happily handed him back over to his grandmother--typically the main caregiver for a baby in Chinese culture, and definitely in TQ's situation. She told us she is afraid and doesn't know how to raise a child. TQ only sees her husband a few times a month because of his work schedule. TQ will return to work herself next month. Her mother will raise her baby.

Recognize that little dragon on the wall? Chip drew it for the shower, TQ loved it and took it home, and now it decorates the wall of her parents' place.


TQ is spunky and always makes me laugh. I told her mom (in Chinese) that TQ is a great tutor. She corrected me saying, "我是最好的家教" translated "I am the best tutor."