Happy Niu Year!

Happy Niu Year! Moo Moo Mooooo....

This year, RaeAnne is old enough to join the extended family for Reunion Lunch and Dinner. The high chair we bought was very useful so that RaeAnne can sit together at the family table but because we only had one, we had to lug the high chair from ILs place to my mum's place.

At Ye ye, nai nai place, RaeAnne got to try Abalone porridge. At wai po's place, she had pomfret porridge. Really nian nian you yu. Hope RaeAnne grow up healthy, happy in the year of the ox! :)

Happy birthday Darling

Happy birthday darling! :) You are officially a toddler and not a baby anymore. But always a baby in Mummy's eyes ya? Mummy and Daddy loves you so much! Sorry, we couldn't really celebrate your official big day with you. Mummy didn't buy another cake for you since you can't cut cake twice and had already cut cake on Sunday, Chinese pantang lor.

Daddy got a late meeting and came back only at 630pm. Daddy suggested going to ikea with you yesterday but by the time Daddy came back, we finish dinner and you have showered, it was already close to 8pm, near your bedtime.

But at least Mummy took leave these 3 days to spend time with you. Took care of you yesterday morning so that ye ye and nai nai can go CNY marketing. Nai nai has been hinting that she got no time to buy the meat and fish, spring clean the house etc so in hindsight, it's good that I took leave before CNY. Hee. Tiring work to look after you though. You didn't finish your cereal and weren't very cooperative when showering so Mummy accidentally caused you to take in some water when washing your hair. You cried but cheered up quickly when Mummy passed you your favourite 'ru yi' oil bottle to play.

You seem happy to see more of Mummy though. When you woke up from your morning nap, you were all ready to cry but when Mummy (who was waiting on the bed for you to wake up) greeted you good morning, you smiled at me instead. You even gave Mummy two wet kisses on the mouth yesterday and even cried when I left you at Ye ye and nai nai place at 12+pm to go grab my lunch. First time you did this too. :)

Today, mummy met a photographer friend for lunch and got him to help you take some photos today. Mummy dressed you up in the red CNY bubble dress I bought and you look so cute once you warmed up a little to the camera. Too bad I don't have a compact flash card reader or else can upload the photos immediately. :P

P.S. Mummy bought a Winnie the Pooh DVD for you as birthday present but I don't think you know how to watch it yet. Mummy keep for you first okie? :)

Milestones at 1 year old (http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/ActEarly/milestones_1year.html)

Social and Emotional

Shy or anxious with strangers - Yes
Cries when mother or father leaves - Increasingly yes
Enjoys imitating people in his play - No
Shows specific preferences for certain people and toys - Yes
Tests parental responses to his actions during feedings - Er, not sure. Does grabbing bowl and spoon count?
Tests parental responses to his behavior - Not yet
May be fearful in some situations - yes
Prefers mother and/or regular caregiver over all others - yes
Repeats sounds or gestures for attention - yes
Finger-feeds himself - yes for biscuits
Extends arm or leg to help when being dressed - sometimes


Cognitive
Explores objects in many different ways (shaking, banging, throwing, dropping) - yes especially flipping to explore the back
Finds hidden objects easily - yes
Looks at correct picture when the image is named - yes
Imitates gestures - yes, bye bye, exercise, french kiss, gong xi gong xi
Begins to use objects correctly (drinking from cup, brushing hair, dialing phone, listening to receiver) - yes

Language
Pays increasing attention to speech - yes
Responds to simple verbal requests - yes eg. tries to give but will not release fingers on object
Responds to “no” - yes, by whining or crying
Uses simple gestures, such as shaking head for “no” - not yet, you shake head for fun.
Babbles with inflection (changes in tone) - yes, how I wish I know what you are talking about. ;)
Says “dada” and “mama” - ba ba, ah ba, ah meh, M and recently ma ma.
Uses exclamations, such as “Oh-oh!” - Not yet
Tries to imitate words - sometimes

Movement
Reaches sitting position without assistance - yes
Crawls forward on belly - yes
Assumes hands-and-knees position - yes, often and head too as if you are going to do a somersault. ;)
Creeps on hands and knees - what's that?
Gets from sitting to crawling or prone (lying on stomach) position - yes
Pulls self up to stand - not yet, can only do it with support
Walks holding on to furniture - yes
Stands momentarily without support - yes, especially on bed or bumper mat.
May walk two or three steps without support - Not yet

Hand and Finger Skills
Uses pincer grasp - yes
Bangs two objects together - yes
Puts objects into container - yes, especially sweets into crevices
Takes objects out of container - yes
Lets objects go voluntarily - not yet, still very possessive of the things in your hand
Pokes with index finger - yes
Tries to imitate scribbling - not quite yet

Happy 1st Birthday RaeAnne!!

Today is RaeAnne's birthday!
Piggy mummy and daddy will like to wish you a Happy Birthday!
May you continue to be a Happy, Healthy and Lovely baby!!

Luv!

Happy Wedding Anniversary!! (Belated.. :P)

21 Jan is our wedding anniversary and we piggy mummy and daddy 'abandon' piggy baby to celebrate. Sorry BB, but today 22 Jan is your birthday so we'll keep you company and celebrate with you ok!

Piggy mummy had cravings for escargot so we decided to go to Bugis to dine at Pivdofr restaurant where they serve pretty decent escargot. When we got there at 6 plus, we couldn't find that restaurant at all! Think it might have shifted or something but we just couldn't find it. Piggy mummy was visibly disappointed. But all was not lost as the Ma Maison restaurant in Bugis Junction also serve escargot.

So we made our way there. We had to wait a while before getting our seats, even then, we could only get bar counter seats. Not very nice as the chefs weren't doing much except setting their pans on fire from time to time.

Anyway, we ordered escargot and cheese fritters for starters. Piggy mummy ordered rice wrapped in egg topped off by their special brown sauce while piggy daddy ordered Ma Maison gratin. The escargot was pretty decent and tasted nice. The cheese fritters were wonderful and the dip for it was tangy and tasty. The main courses were alright but the last few mouthfuls were a bit gelat... :P Overall, the appetizers turned out to be better. So think will order more appetizers as the main course next time we visit.

Just a note: does anyone out there know where Pivdofr is now? Would greatly appreciate any info on this restaurants whereabouts. Thks!!

RaeAnne's balloon

RaeAnne's helium birthday balloons are still in good shape, they lasted 72 hours since I pumped on Sat night, 8+pm. RaeAnne was in a good mood last night and was happily playing with her Pooh balloon on our bed. She was clapping her hands, doing gong xi gong xi and exercise too. :)

RaeAnne's first Birthday Party

We had a small celebration for RaeAnne's first birthday on Sunday, 18 Jan 09. The theme is Winnie the Pooh since she recognises the bear bear. I bought some helium balloons from BP, Winnie the Pooh banners, Pooh DIY decorations and ordered a Pooh & Piglet cake from Bengawan solo. Catering was from Kriston gourmet. Food was so so, too spicy and too oily, especially the chicken curry. I scooped out 1 small bowl of chilli oil!?!

RaeAnne was a bit grouchy cos there are about 20 people in the house, very crowded and because she didn't have her morning and afternoon nap. Tried to latch her on and make her sleep but she only slept 10-15 mins max. Also rented a playyard and the Leapfrog table as toys for the party. The kids love the balloons and I let them bring back one each.

We were too tired from preparing and hosting the party but our little gal only slept at 11pm last night despite being very tired. My brother was the photographer and videoman. RaeAnne is very difficult to photograph cos she keeps moving and I don't have a digital SLR so most photos taken were blurry. Difficult to capture her smilling on video too. Poor guy was kept very busy for the day. Thanks Bro. :)

RaeAnne received her pressies including toys, books, bicycle and of course ang pows. RaeAnne says Thank you to all the auntie, uncles. :)

Taking the plunge to be SAHM!

It's final. I've finally done it after procrastinating and wavering for nearly 1 year since RaeAnne was born. I've tendered my resignation on 10 Jan 09 and I'll take a break and be a SAHM (Stay At Home Mum) after that. I've been wanting to spend more time with RaeAnne for the longest time, want to witness whatever is left of her milestones, standing w/o support, walking, talking, etc. After RaeAnne's recent HFMD episode, I feel it even more acutely that no one can replace the role of the parent and it's not fair and not right to impose that responsibility on any babysitter or grandparent.

Actually, my first choice was to work part time instead since my company is supposed to be family friendly. But that didn't seem possible after my very experienced manager left because the department is short and my AD is new. Anyway, she didn't offer me part time even when I tendered my resignation so my hunch was right. But I don't blame her after all the dept is short handed so she don't have someone to take over my portfolio but I can only make my decision based on what feels right. No point working 'part time' when it's doing the full load at half pay right?

Of course, money will be tighter after I quit cos we'll be single income but I think we'll manage as long as we cut down on unnecessary expenses. Must give special thanks for hubby who is ok to be sole breadwinner to support me and baby and my own family esp my mum & bro for their understanding that I won't be able to contribute much during this period. If not, I also can't be SAHM. Anyway, I intend to try relief teaching or help hubby with his book writing business so maybe can still supplement the income. :)

Road to recovery

RaeAnne is recovering well, she managed to latch on at 4+am last night which means the pain from her ulcers must be better. Hurray! But 7am, when I tried to latch her again when she woke up, she arched back her head. After I talked to her and said gal you already drank milk milk at 4+am from Mummy, you forgot already? She agree to latch on again. Hee. Fever is down, she's active again. Such a relief! I've been blocked for nearly one week, keeping pumping but not successful to clear cos suction from baby latching is much more effective. Had to break two milk blisters in the process, ouch ouch!

The last few days have been very trying for us. FIL showed 'black' face on Tues when I commented to hubby that RaeAnne missed a dose of fever medicine in the morning, that's why fever came up again. Talked so loudly about how difficult it was to feed medicine and that he has not even eaten 'a grain of rice' for lunch. Guess he thought we were unappreciative. But our concern is to give medicine regularly as it is important that the fever doesn't spike up again. As if we don't know it is difficult to feed her medicine, we've been feeding medicine through the night starting on Monday, even force feeding her with syringe. When he commented that he didn't eat his lunch, we also haven't eaten. :/ Had to rope in my mum and aunt to prepare lunch and dinner to help smooth things over. Now that RaeAnne is better, he is back to his doting ye ye self. Phew!

Brought RaeAnne back every night though we are not feeling well ourselves to avoid burdening them. Poor hubby had to pat RaeAnne to sleep the first 2 nights cos she wants to latch when I carry her. And she'll wail loudly when she can't latch due to the ulcers. Anyway, moral of the story is, it's never good to rely solely on grandparents because they may end up flaring up especially in terms of stress and when baby is sick. Ordered nearly $80 worth of Sureclean products, got to wash and disinfect the house in time for RaeAnne's party once she fully recovers.

Seriously thinking of being SAHM liao. :P

HFMD

Went to GP today and found out that I have HFMD. No wonder I have so many ulcers in my mouth. Guess my cousin's kid must have spread to hubby/me at Shanghai and we spread to RaeAnne. She has high fever yesterday, rashes on feet and hands and diaper area, and reduced appetite, found an ulcer today. Had to sponge her and keep feeding fever med. Supposed to keep a distance to avoid passing more germs to her but difficult to do that when we are the ones looking after her though we are sick ourselves. :P Still up now cos she refuse to drink and I need to pump regularly to prevent mastitis again. Worse, LC can't even help me if I get it (touch wood) cos HFMD is infectious so I can't go to KK and see her.

Actually, LC suggested we leave the baby to be taken care by ILs for these few days and I did tell ILs. They didn't follow up on the suggestion and hubby didn't have the heart to dump her there when they didn't volunteer. As I predicted, he can't cope alone, I got to help esp the force feeding of medicine, find time to pump and can't rest cos she'll fuss and wake up every 1-2 hours unless she is carried which is what hubby is doing now in the living room. Sigh. Bringing her to see PD tomorrow, hope she gets well soon. After that, there'll be a mountain of things to wash and disinfect but we have no time and no maid. Just thinking about it makes me want to faint.

P.S. It's hubby birthday today! Happy Birthday! Only had time to get a cake after my GP visit. Sorry about that.

RaeAnne's sick

Today, hubby called me at work and told me that RaeAnne's running a fever. ILs called him and true enough, when he went back to get the thermometer, her temperature was 38.7 deg so he quickly brought her to our usual PD. She was fine yesterday night and this morning when I BF her so it's strange that she will suddenly fall sick. There were also tiny red rashes on her hands and feet. The PD suspected HFMD but the rashes didn't look like blisters. They needed to do a urine test so our poor gal had to have a catheter put in. They had to wait 2 hours for the urine sample cos the catheter was loose. Luckily, PD said her urine is clear so not dengue. The PD put in suppository panadol? and that brought her fever down quickly. Hubby said she cried so much at the clinic and fought with the nurse. Poor thing, sayang sayang.

It's my first day back to work and I'm so busy. End up working until 645pm before I could go back to see my darling. Thinking I may take family care leave tomorrow so wanted to clear my work. She looked better when I saw her. We fed her medicine at 730pm because ILs had not given her the 6pm dose yet. She slept at 8:30pm just now but just woke up making noise. Tried to nurse her but she had no appetite, only drank a bit. Hubby carrying her to sleep now, looks like it's going to be a long night.

P.S. She slept again, hubby said let her sleep on our bed tonight since she's sick, special concession but he's afraid he'll crush her in his sleep. I'm also sick, got painful lump on right side, 4 ulcers in my mouth and bodyaches at work. Hubby has 3 ulcers too. Joked with hubby maybe we are the ones with HFMD. :P

RaeAnne's first Birthday present

RaeAnne received her first birthday presents today, from 2nd uncle and 2nd auntie who brought her shopping at Kiddy Palace. They bought a dress for her birthday party (a sweet pink one chosen by Mummy), a Fisher Price toy and her first bicycle. Look how happy she is with her pink bike at Kiddy Palace. :) I have been wanting to buy a bicycle like this for sometime but I thought she would be too small to ride it. Looks like I'm wrong and our baby gal is tall enough. Daddy measured her today and she is about 75cm long. :) Wish her weight will catch up though. She's still weighing between 8 - 8.5kg. Don't know why but everytime we weigh, the weight is slightly different. :/

Wee wee

Just found out from MIL tonight that RaeAnne can finally 'she she' in the potty liao. I've been wanting to find out her toilet training progress for some time but didn't dare to be too pushy cos last week when I asked they said that while RaeAnne enjoyed sitting on the potty but there was no action.

Tried finding out from FIL which date did she do her small business in the potty. When I asked, he said it was yesterday, so I said, oh that means she did it after we came back from Shanghai? Then he pondered and said no, should be before we came back. Then I said, oh was it wednesday, New Year's Eve cos that's when we flew back. Then he answered me matter of factly that he did not take note.

Maybe to him, it's nothing important but for a mummy who's already feeling guilty about not witnessing her milestones, such details are very important. Plus sometimes they don't update me on progress unless I ask so I feel it even more keenly on what I missed out because by the time, they remember to tell me, she would have done the feat days ago. Hubby doesn't bother about such details so he will only ask when I prompt him to ask them. Maybe, this is what they mean by generation gap or maybe it's a family trait? :P