16 December 2011

Isabelle Catherine Leong becomes baby food reviewer for Simon Food Favourites, Sydney (14 Dec 2011)

Prince of Wales Private Hospital
Level 6, Barker Street, Randwick NSW 2031


Babystorm hits Blogtown

Isabelle Catherine Leong safely arrived into the world on Wednesday the 14th December 2011 at 6.52 pm. Weighing in at 3.62 kg with a length of 50 cm she was ready for the position of becoming the official baby food reviewer for daddy's food blog. Mum is recovering well while dad is discovering the food being served at the Prince of Wales Private Hospital, although quite simple, is pretty tasty and satisfies a hungry stomach. Camera lessons for Isabelle are on the cards once she learns her hands are actually connected to the rest of her body. Dad's first responsibility for mommy was the procurement of some Coca-Cola due to sugar cravings. Dad soon learnt that buying a coke was highly frustrating when he wanted to find a bottle with Isabelle's name on it and not someone else's. Thankfully Isabelle's second name Catherine was finally found after searching through all the bottles in a Woolworths and Coles supermarket. The addition of King Island Dairy Triple Cream Brie and Lindt's Excellence Blueberry Intense successfully helped satisfy mommy cravings. Daddy is now thinking a baby-friendly status will need to be included in future restaurants reviews and hopes to find simple baby food recipes that Isabelle will happily eat in the future.

SNAPSHOT REVIEW:
PROS: Life-changing, Being witness to the miracle of life, Hospital staff are fantastic and supportive
CONS: Working out why baby is crying, Changing nappies, Lack of sleep, Total responsibility, It's scary not knowing what to do
MUST TRY: Spending lots of time getting to know Isabelle and helping mommy with domestic and baby duties

Day 1
My parents little gift of sunshine — it moves with solar power

Wondering how long it'll be before Isabelle can join me at blogging events in her Baby Bjorn

Nurses said I looked like a doctor although baggy shirts are so 80s


Isabelle Catherine Leong arrives at 6.52 pm — I'm amazed I didn't drop the camera in the surgery. I'm so glad that screen was up — doctors and nurses do an incredible job.

Isabelle meets mommy for the first time — smiles all round

Tiny feet — too cute. I'll keep this one for her 21st slideshow for sure

Checking out my scrubs in the change room

14 December dinner time — Lentil soup, Cajun fish and vegetables. Mommy not feeling too good from the drugs so daddy digs in. Was cold by that time but still satisfying.

Day 2
Isabelle meets Elmo and Josephine

I love her tiny feet

15 December lunch time — Vegetarian lasagne tasted better than it looked. Vanilla ice cream was a fast melter though.


Coca-Cola, King Island Dairy Triple Cream Brie and Lindt Excellent Blueberry Intense chocolate. Obviously I was still a bit dazed because I didn't notice I photographed the back of the water crackers box.

King Island Dairy Triple Cream Brie — with about 15-30 minutes at room temperature you can appreciate the buttery taste even more

Mr Surgical Glove comes to visit Isabelle (courtesy of Jill)

Flower gifts help liven the private room

Finally a chance to cheers with friends during the first 24 hours of Isabelle's life

15 December dinner time — Vegetarian quiche. Was cold by the time we had a chance to eat it but it was nice.


Sleepy time = quiet time = good time

Isabelle Catherine has arrived for her first Christmas

Day 5
Fromage d-Affonois from Formaggi Ocello — sooo good!


Moët chilled in a water jug

Adriano Zumbo macarons

Exactly one week of age

Belly Art inkless print kit — very cool

Daddy gives Isabelle a manicure

Sleeping beauty

Feeding times — trying to prepare and understand when Isabelle is going to wake and want to be fed


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36 comments:

YaYa said...

Congratulations, she is beautiful! Looking forward to future blogs about baby changing facilities and family friendly restaurants in your upcoming reviews!

Richard Elliot said...

Congratulations to you and the family Simon!

Anonymous said...

congratulations simon. i'm a long looooong time follower of your blog but this is my first comment. what a wonderful way to celebrate christmas. love to both you and your wife ccc

joey@forkingaroundsydney said...

Much congrats! She looks gorgeous! Love that you still had time to blog a 'review'! LOL. I hope she appreciates it when she is older. :-)

Ramen Raff said...

Congrats mate! Isabelle is beautiful! Cherish every moment with her coz they grow fast.

Tina@foodboozeshoes said...

Congrats Simon - she's adorable. Loving the hospital feast to. Hope mum's doing well - send her my best :)

Anonymous said...

Congrats Simon! All the best in this new and exciting experience as a dad!

OohLookBel said...

Congratulations on the new arrival, she's gorgeous. Hope you're all well.

gastronomous anonymous said...

Congrats Simon! She is absolutely gorgeous!!! love the scrub outfit :)

Vivian - vxdollface said...

Naaaw Congratulations! She's adorable :) teehee baby party?

Sharon said...

Congrats Simon! She is too cute, especially her teeny tiny toes :) Best wishes for your new adventure and Isabelle's first Christmas!

Brenda said...

Congratulations! She's just so adorable!
All the best to you and your beautiful family :)

chocolatesuze said...

congratulations simon! isabelle is such a cutie!

Márti said...

Congratulations! beautiful baby :)

KayB said...

She is perfect Simon! Congrats! What a fabulous early Christmas present! much love to you and your expanding family xx

irene said...

Congratulations, Simon! Isabelle is super cute! :D

Lou said...

Congratulations, Simon! She is gorgeous! Hope you and your family have a great Christmas :D

Julie said...

Congrats of Fatherhood Simon,

Your daughter is adorable, I'm sure she will grow up into food blogging like yourself =)

thesuzchef said...

Congratulations - she is a gorgeous baby and I love the "censored" picture!
What a wonderful Christmas present for you and your wife!

Kerancia said...

Congratulations! Isabelle is a sweetie, really precious. Who gets the points for her good looks... Mummy or daddy?

MissDissent said...

Welcome to the world Isabelle, and congrats to you, Simon!

Ashley said...

Aww, Isabelle is just gorgeous! Congratulations! :)

Mel said...

She is very very cute...a bit congrats to you and your wife! Looking forward to seeing what cafes Isabelle likes...

Sarah Entwistle said...

Congratulations Simon - Isabelle is gorgeous. Lovely name too.

sugarpuffi said...

congrats on being a daddy! Isabelle is beautiful! i loled so hard when i saw the little black dot with the word 'censored' on it

Peter G | Souvlaki For The Soul said...

a BIG Congratulations Simon! She is adorable!

Epicurious de Furious said...

Simon, congratulations!!! I was having withdrawal symptoms due to lack of your food blogs, not knowing what was happening in your private life.

Congratulations on the birth of your beautiful daughter. Such a wonderful gift and it couldn't happen to a nicer person.

Thank you for sharing the experience with your food blog readers.

Wishing you and your family all the very best for this festive season.

Cheers, Jack

Simon Leong said...

hi everyone, thanks so much for all your warm wishes. it means a lot to me. coming home from the hospital for the first time with a new born Isabelle was probably the scariest time for mommy and daddy that night but we survived. It's all so new and challenging but snuggling her and watching her cute little facial expressions while she's sleeping makes it all worthwhile. if anyone knows a great techniques for swaddling and settling them when crying please share.

Jelenie said...

Congratulations L & Simon! Baby Isabelle (formerly baby Amelie) is gorgeous! Can't wait til we can feed her bagels & breakfast wraps from work. Hope the three of you have a wonderful Christmas. xox

Fiona said...

Congratulations!
Well done. Christmas will be extra special this year.

Hi Isabella Catherine.

Fiona M

Chanel said...

Congratulations Simon! She is just beautiful, and I loved your photos & captions. All the best :)

Simon Leong said...

hi jelenie, she'll certainly be getting some of the best wraps in town that's for sure. hope you have a great xmas too.

hi fiona, definitely a special xmas present this year.

hi chanel, thanks heaps. mostly fun times ahead — I hope :-)

Jordan Harcourt-Hughes said...

Congratulations Simon and I love all your photo coverage - as well as all your great food planning - brie, chocolate, moet; looks like mum was well taken care of and daughter met the world in style! Thanks for introducing her to the blogosphere!
Cheers
Jordan

Simon Leong said...

hi Jordan Harcourt-Hughes, thanks for the warm wishes. soft cheeses was very high on the mommy wish list that's for sure :-)

Ms Darlinghurst said...

Oh Simon I'm so so happy for you both. Isabelle is beautiful, you're blessed. This is my favourite post on your enormous (and successful) blog. Can't wait to meet her! xxMsD

Simon Leong said...

hi Ms Darlinghurst, thanks so much. i'm sure she'll be soon having a Babyccino with you at your favourite cafe :-)

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