Please stay away from my baby!

It's flattering when you want to hug my baby. It's even more flattering when you say she is so adorable and wanting to give her a smooch. But wait! You are all dolled up! My baby still sucks her thumbs, licks on almost every surface and floor even! She rubs her face al lthe time especially when she is sleepy.Your nicely painted face, pouting lips, manicured fingernails.... errrm, my baby does not need extra supplements from you, my friend or rather stranger.

How do you tell them off nicely that I do not want my baby to have extra chemicals laced onto her hands and face? My baby is only 8mo and I am just starting to loosen up with lesser need to sterilize bottles on a regular basis. If they are my friends, I can just tell them straight to the face and they know that I still love them. But to a well meaning stranger? They may think I am cocky. I am fine with that, but I need to 'jaga' the feelings of those close to me....

Oh I forgot there's other cases too. When your children who loves baby is sick and flu-ish, please, please refrain them from coming near to my baby or any baby if at all. Sigh... Am I too paranoid?

Durian, we love it!

Durian, the king of fruits! It's one of the best creation. Nothing can ever beat the creamy flesh that melts in your mouth, pungent bitter-sweet taste... yummy-licious!! And my girl loves it! Wheee, it makes us a happy family. *blink*blink*

We both loves durian. I have no issue settling durian for lunch, dinner and snacks time although it's known to be heaty. And I had some during pregnancy too. I have bad appetite during my first 4.5mths, and I couldn't resist the tempation of durian though some say that it causes skin problem to the baby. I have no idea if that could be the reason my darling has sensitive skin. Or maybe it's in the genes.. I have slight sensitive skin too *grin*

Today, my hubby let her taste the durian. Of course we dare not give her the flesh. She's only 8.5mo and starting to have slight texture to her solids. What if she chokes on it? Hehehe, or maybe I am paranoid. But let's not take the risk. Oooh, back to my darling. It's not the first time she tried it but today, she has more than the first. We thought maybe she would reject it just like how she rejected apple! But no. She wanted more! She was clinging on my hubby like a hungry dog waiting at the table for crumbs. Ok, maybe not a nice way to describe my darling with a dog. Her expression was so adorable.. It's harder to take picture of her now since she can't be still for a minute. New found freedom with her improved crawling skills.

Well, it will be nice to fight over durian when she's older. At the moment, she just have to bear with my amateur cooking skills.

Surviving Breastfeeding!

No one share much about breastfeeding during my pregnancy. Most of the times, it was always about eating healthily, the progress of my term etc. No one, no one has actually told me the new challenge that awaits me after delivery. It is not just about sleepless nights in meeting the demands of a newborn as a new mommy. It is the challenge to have enough supply for my baby!

I went online during my confinement just to check on websites about breastfeeding, talk to lots and lots of friends who have been successful in breastfeed. I still remember the miserable 10ml after each express in the first few weeks. I took comfort that my body is now producing for local demands, so don't expect mass production for export market. Some economic terms used in my pre-natal class. But it did not help further when my baby was introduced to formula, some more a special one for pre-mature baby as my darling was born slightly underweight. So, the stress was always there to feed her formula... Then, on 2nd week I decided to just let her latch on directly to boost the supply. It was not an easy decision either. Thankfully, I have supportive mom (though she has no experience in breastfeeding, not a choice for her time though) and my hubby...

And my darling is now 8 mo. My dilemma is whether I should stop or not. Before pregnant, I wanted to breastfeed for a year. And when I delivered, I thought 9 months should be good, then 6 months when I find breastfeeding is not as easy as it seems and then to 3 months to as long as I have the supply. My supply from 10ml from each time to 4 oz lasted through till now. Should I stop? Or should I continue? I have slowed down a lot and she's now on 50-50 formula and bm. Sigh, human (or maybe just me) is so weird right? Worry no matter which situation we are at. LOL!

Some good reads on breastfeeding:
http://www.llli.org/

http://www.mamababyworld.com/index.php/blogs/blogs/nobody_told_me_this_about_breastfeeding (author has her own blog too and it's interesting to learn from her ways of upbringing and juggling as a wife, doting mother and gorgeous woman.. and she has just recently became a working mom too!)

Wheee... She's teething!

After months of anticipation, we can finally feel the 2 front bottom teeth on her gum! Her gums has been swollen for so long and I didn't know that it can be so long for it to finally show up. And just today, I can see her first white cap. Happy =)

Ooh...decision, decisions. Do I change her solids to more texture? Our cheeky darling is very good at rejecting food. If we push it to her a lil' bit more, she will cough as if throw up. And her hands coordination is good too. She will push away the spoon or bottle. Stress when she is underweight. She is one baby who won't cry for milk! There were times that when we are out, she will skip at least one feed. Both of us, my hubby and I love food. Looks like she hasn't take it from us yet.

Breastfeeding. I wanted to wean her when she hits 6mo. Somehow, I managed to continue thus far. Supply has dropped definitely and I am lazy to push for it either. A lot of my friends advise me to continue as mama-lac is the best. True but, but..It's not easy when we have work that is quite demanding. Taking time off to express in the past has been by God's grace and favour.. Well, we shall see. Since pd has advised us to give her unhealthy diet (to adults), maybe we just.. .. Sigh. Don't know what to say. Maybe, I am a lazy mom afterall.

I love the teethers below and one of it is used by my darling. using the ads to add colours to my post =)s

Happy Mothers' Day

Another first's for us. MY first mothers' day where I am very much part of it. But then, when your child is sick, all you want is for your child to be healthy.

It's nice to be appreciated by my other half, and it would be even better if everyone is healthy to celebrate. And it's on these few days, we just monitor her temperature closely and glad that she is pink in health after all. That would be the best gift for any moms. Don't you think? Taking a deep breathe of relief

"I am not too happy"

Those were the words said by the paed when we see him this morning. We are asked to see him again when darling hits 9mo when others only need to see him for jab when they are 1 year old. For a note, darling was underweight, 200gm less than the acceptable weight of 2.5kg. Nonetheless, paed wants to see us to check on her growth. We brought forth the appointment when darling has fever. Is 38.4 consider high? She sure stressed both of us out since she has not really been so sick since birth. Thinking it was the weather, but it's rare for her to fall asleep without much fuss in the car... something is not right. We have never feel her so warm before. We rushed to the clinic of course. To cut the story short, we took EL (it's definitely not how a long weekend should be) and see the paed the next day.

But when he saw the measurement, he said those words! Darn.. when you hope to hear some comforting words for the 38.4 high temperature, you get another bad news. Well, looks like we got to boost her diet with butter, cheese, yoghurt and anything with high protein.

Note: Her temperature has gone down after we managed to feed the medicine to her, by mixing with milk. We have tried other means we can think of and she even cries without opening her mouth! Well, at last we found a way. It's painful to see her having fever but more painful when she threw up all (ALL!), whatever that is left in her small tummy when we fed her medicine.Can't wait for her to be fully well so that I can try new recipes for her. Gambate Darling!

Labour Day and I am WORKING!

ingBut then, it's the same to all MOMs out there, hehe. I guess it's a different way of celebrating any available public holidays doting our little ones. I am glad that the much awaited long weekends were finally here. Stayed at home, spending time with my darling.. unlike my past with long list of activities :P Can't wait for another holidays long weekends.

Ooh, why do I say that I am working? I am her cook (preparing her solids), her cleaner (cleaning after her poo poo and wee wee), her entertainer, her play mate, her slave. And I am a willing slave.. I am thankful for every moments we have with each other. Can't imagine the day when she will walk down the aisle in the arms of her father to the arms of... ... Nah, don't want to think too far.

Beyond Bunny, Eggs and Chocolates

Before I delivered, I was reminded that I am first and foremost the child of God. Only then am I a steward of His gift, my child. I am only a mother to my child, to care, to love and to nurture... I've learnt to "seek first His kingdom of righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well". All these things include her development, her skills set, her growth, her intellect, her gifts. ALL of the things that I worry that she will lack of to survive in this world. And these few days, I am reminded again of the Creator, who loves our darling more than we do. More than I could ever imagine. He is after all, the giver of life.

It is our darling's first Easter and also our first's with her. Our heavenly Father's sacrificed His one and only Son, is an act that shows the extent of His love for us. Endless. Indescribable. Holding our darling in our arms, reflecting His goodness.. just magnifies further His faithfulness in my life.It is my heartfelt prayer that our darling will encounter Him at a tender young age and will live purposefully and powerfully. As always, will pray over her that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen her with power through his Spirit in her inner being, so that Christ may dwell in her hearts through faith. And I pray that she, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that she may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.(Ephesians 3:16-19)... I am a kiasu mom after all *wink*

Employer from Hell

I am one, I believe. At least to my maid! Sometimes Most of the times I wonder what's really in her mind. She has been with us for almost a year and I still have to keep telling her what to do. Of course, things like sweeping and mopping the floor every day is auto tasks for her. I think that's about it. I have to remind her to wipe after cleaning the tables, clean the sippy cup to sterilize, packets of stored breast milk to MIL's place in the morning (we send our baby to MIL with the maid to babysit her while we are at work), her solids, to clean up the kitchen cabinet especially where the rice cooker is, to put away cleaned and dried utensils.. and many more? Does she expect me to clean up after her all the time? Or am I her PA to remind her all the time? There are times I would remind myself that she has the mind of a maid, meaning with lack of education and hence the brain has somehow stopped progressing! I have given her a schedule in her 1st week on tasks to be done on daily and even woke up with her to ensure things are properly done. It was ok in the beginning and slack after a while, which is expected.


The recent incidents really blew me off! I have given her a notepad to jot down notes since she always says "Aiyo, tak ingat" (aiyo, don't remember). Once or twice is fine but countless times to hear the same statement! For God's sake, that's the very reason you are given the notepad. Grrr... even angrier when I asked her to take out her notes. "Sudah kobek" Torn??!! Though it was not the first time I scolded her (my hubby and I play different role. He's the gentle type and me the fierce one ;p), but she told me for the very first time and say that she wants to tell the agent that she wants to quit and go back. My answer. OK! She cried and cried and cried. It was not the first time she threatened to go back. She said that to MIL and hubby, but never to me whenever I scolded her. Then again, who would want to approach a tigress? I came out from her room and went back in 5 mins later to sort of made amends ;p And as usual, silence. And knowing that I wouldn't get anything from her (not even an apology, which she always have reasons for overlooking), I told her that it will be us to dictate the last date.


Sigh, and she did her usual tasks the next morning at our home and in-law's. Then I told my hubby, looks like her threat backfires. If she really wanted to go back, why would she complete the house chores albeit with a black face and only tell me after all the threats to them in the past. We had a hard time getting her medical report to be approved, that is another long story deserving a new post... it's only another year to go and our baby will be old enough to be sent off to nursery. So, I shall be patient. At least, no more broken stuff every month, no missing things, no unexplainable bruises on my baby, no.. no.. no..  Well, we are still thankful in certain ways and unfortunately, until there's lesser 'overlooks and mistakes', she just has to bear with a tigress as her employer for now and me, a helper who is only helpful when she's up to her mood. 

Maid, oh maid.. ..

Growing too fast!

Do all mothers feel the same? That their child(ren) growing up too fast? I for sure am feeling that way now. At 7m3w, I have not stopped feeling that I need to catch up with my darling's development. Fearing that I will miss out her many firsts ie sitting, crawling, walking or worse... her first words of mama or papa! Gasp!!! I can't ask her to wait till the weekends for me to spending time with her and show me her new found skills right? Thank God that I do not have to work late like I used to but still, reaching home at about 8-ish and to rush over dinner just to catch up with her before she dozes off... Sigh, the pain of a working mom?

My Darling..

At 7mo

Superparents

With information just a click away, there are so much information that we need to digest. And not to mention enthusiastic well wishers who would like to give a piece of their advise. I am glad that I have learnt a bit about attachment parenting. It is so totally opposite from my beliefs before I delivered her. Then again, I only know the skills from the best babysitter in the whole universe! My own mother. I realized then that with the education my mom has given me, I should have at least read more. Though my mom practices co-sleeping, there are more explanations and studies done on parenting. And I don't think there will be a time that I am confident to say that I am ready to be a mother.

What this post about? It's just to note on one of the links I read and would recommend to others - http://www.superparents.com.my/

I am a mother!

Baby is now 7mo. And it is still as hard to believe that I am now a mother. Thankful indeed of His faithfulness to give us such a healthy and beautiful daughter. I just can't imagine.. it seems so unbelievable but here I am, holding her in my arms. Embracing every moments I spent with her. Being a working mom, I wish I could be there with her when she says her first syllabus, takes her first step, all of her very firsts. Then again, I know that deep down I need to learn to let go of her, knowing that I am merely His steward for such a beautiful gift. I am taking one step at a time, one baby step of faith each day, surrendering her well being to Him. I pray that I will continue to be mindful to "seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well" ~ Matt 6:33. It is my desire that she will grow up to be a woman after His heart, a woman who lives purposefully.. for I know, all will be well when we are close to Our Creator.

Her first food...

I've let her tried cereal. She loves it at the beginning but it seems to be slightly harder to feed her that now... Then, the broccoli. She blew them away ;p hehe.. so, funny to see her reaction to the taste. Maybe it's too strong or maybe the texture is too rough. I just mashed it with fork as we haven't bought any blender yet. Carrot, blended and she loves it! And not surprising, her poo is in orange colour. Thank God, there is no constipation so far. Well, will start giving her rolled oats soon instead of rice cereal ;)

Learnt a lot from here: http://www.wholesomebabyfood.com especially since I don't cook ;p Well, babies have clean palate. So, my darling will be my guinea pig.

cough, cough.. sniff, sniff

For the first time ever, my baby is sick! Yes, there was a time when her temperature was slightly higher. But them you know that some babies do have that after jab. Now, I don't even know where she got the flu from. Thank God she doesn't have any fever. Else, I will feel so helpless, and crying out loud to HIM! I am in fact praying for her recovery even now... sigh, part and parcel of motherhood :)

Pulau Ketam.. on fire!!

It would have been a wonderful trip to spend with family members if not for the fire! We would have not been so tired and lack of rest if not for the fire! When we searched and googled about the place, we get to know that it is really a fishing village and the only means of transportation is bicycle. No point to get a car of motorbike over, there isn't enough space for wider roads, and definitely no space for petrol station. And if fire ever happens, all will be gone! I am imagining it to be a floating village... hmm.. I didn't join my family members walk all the way from one end to another, and there could only  be 2 streets that is alive.. as in with stalls and food around. I have really not much interest to walk so much.. not when you have a 6 mo baby with you :P yes, i brought along my girl. Too adventurous eh? But then, I rather bring her along than not spending time with her. I work late and when I get to reach home on most weekdays, it's about time to get her to sleep. Sigh. She's growing too fast...

Back to the fire.. there aren't many budget hotels in Pulau Ketam. It's a small village and don't see the point of having too many hotels when it may not be able to cater to attract the tourists. Nothing much to do there.. no doubt the seafood is fresh, but we can also get fresh seafood here too. Yes, it's cheap comparatively but, but... there's no beach except for the muddy water surrounding the island, the lala omelette is nothing to shout about, the nasi lemak that it famous for.. We can get something nice over elsewhere and need not park our car at the jetty, wondering how safe it can be and take a ferry over. Anyways, it's just my own opinion. Afterall, I'm no longer a kampung girl. I've been staying in Klang Valley for the past decade and I can't imagine being trap if fire ever happens! I've witnessed a fire that destroyed 3 shops when I was young. But, a fire in Pulau Ketam means, it may spread and the whole kampung will be gone!

It all started with short circuit.. We were in our room upstairs when the lights were on and off and then, a total darkness! We guessed it right that it''s due to overloaded and thought nothing about it. No shouts, nothing. Until my sis called. Her room is downstairs with shared/public toilet. It's the 2nd last room available and it's full house for the hotel that night. My sis called and told us that there is fire.. and we thought, oh ok. It didn't dawn on us to rush out!! Silly us.. Then the 2nd call. Asked us to pack and go down. And when we went down, we realized how bad it was. The smoke! *cough*cough* and the villagers are surrounding the place. The firemen has rolled away the hose.. Honestly, if not for my sis who happenned to go up and pass by and smell the smoke and ask what happened, we won't know that there was fire! Though the owner has managed to put off the fire, but if it is due to short circuit, how safe can you be certain that it's really safe? I don't know.. but with a baby, a pregnant lady, senior citizens, children?! I can't just jump off the room out of the window if fire really breaks out. Should have at least informed us and led us out! We would have to walk in total darkness if not for the torchlights my mom brought along, if not my sis happened to passed by.


And then, the step from the jetty to the ferry.. Thank God I have a baby carrier with me. Else, I need 4 arms! Sigh.. what a weekend. Nonetheless, I thank God that He's watching over me and my family. I thank my hubby for being so calm, at least he tried to be in those chaotic moments - the walks to get into the ferry and the fire. Enough said of my first and very likely last trip to Pulau Ketam.

Another milestone

My baby is on semi-solids since a 2 week ago! Truly time flies. There are times that I hope she won't grow up too fast.. I will definitely remember the days when I could scoop her with one hand.. the days when I hold her close to me to feed her. The joy of motherhood =)

Co-sleeping..

We don't really co-sleep with our baby since she's born, only once in a while when we travel or when fireworks lasted through the inghts. And the last few weeks are those rare occasions with lotsa holidays - 2 nights at Cherating, 2 nights in Melaka, 3 nights in Ipoh....So, you can imagine the number of nights that we had our baby sleeping with us!

A new challenge has just begun  *sigh* We have to start all over again the sleeping routine :) At 5+ mo and with previous changes to the routine, she is more alert to her surroundings and people. She clings more to me than my hubby. The first night when we are back home, she is still very alert (and of course very cranky) as it's way past her bedtime. My hubby couldn't comfort her to zzZZ! But she will be all smiles when she sees me. It's sweet but not for all nights! Mommy is tired too ;p And she can sleep straight up to 6 hours or more with one dream feed if she sleeps with us!

And just today, after waking up at 2-ish and 6-ish, i just carried her to our bed. She slept till 9-ish and none of us are at her side! Well, will only let her sleep with us once or twice the most each week. For her to catch up on sleep and for us (me) to have a good rest. Looks like that's the way to go for now...

A baby who doesn't sleep!

What is the recommended number of hours of sleep for a 5mo baby? My baby sleeps about 12 hours on good days, which is rare! In fact, she barely meets the 12 hours frm 3mo up to now. Stress, stress! Hope that's not the contributing factor that my baby is not really growing ;p Weight - 5.6kg, Height - 62.5cm & HC - 39cm

Darling of My Heart

My darling at week ... can't remember ;p maybe at 3mo.

That's me, bad with dates and numbers.

She's indeed a gift from Heaven, our Heavenly Father. We are truly thankful for her.. She has been an easy baby from the beginning (can differentiate between day and night, sleep through the nights, rarely cries except when she needs to be fed and cleaned) unlike me when I was young or my hubby. Both of us have nicknames that resemble who we were then - "big cry ten" (translate that to cantonese) or tarzan. We both cried a lot for no reasons, hehe and my relatives will share the same ol' stories about me whenever we meet.

Of course, we experience the same things as other new parents do. Our schedules are no longer the same. 20min shower is a luxury (to me at least) or 6 hours sleep straight or shopping for more than 3 hours. I am so looking forward to watching movie but let that be a wishful thinking for now until I am comfy to let someone else taking care of her. Ooh, I will only leave her at my MiL's place when, only when I am not working. Aiks, she's crying and that's it for now..

CNY 2011

Today marks a new journey, not because we are celebrating Chinese New Year! But because we have Faith to celebrate with... ooh, with cough, sniffy nose and aching muscle too. Not just me but my hubby got those 'buddies' too. Bah! What a way to welcome the bunny year. It's kinda challenging to travel but we did it! We travelled to Melaka, MiL's hometown on the eve of CNY and then back to PJ before continue to Ipoh, my hometown on the 3rd day.. and it's kinda challenging when we are not feeling so well. But thank God Faith has been behaving well throughout the journey. Should have asked my SIL to take our pics when I was sleeping in the car while carrying Faith. What a sight, hehe... Faith almost slipped away from my arm. Ok, what this post is about? Just to mark the beginning of this blog and hopefully, I will continue to posting more updates so that our next generation will see how our love for her (Faith for now) and with Him grows as we take this journey as a family together..