RaeAnne started a mysterious fever this morning. 38.2 deg. Hubby gave panadol and it dipped to 37.2 by 11am. Brought her to MIL house as planned though she didn't go to school today cos didn't want her to infect Mei Mei. I called her CC and Huang Lao shi said none of her classmates were having fever for the last 2 days. That's good cos I was worried of HFMD.
Just started giving Nestle chicken & rice stage 3 cereals to RL today. Wanted to save the FEBM for milk feeds and not to mix into cereals since supply is running low. Nestle is really very sweet cos I tasted it. And she kept farting today, not sure if it's due to the added milk powder. :P Tonight, she didn't even finish 80ml of EBM. I fed her and she kept turning away, taking the cover and trying to cover the milk bottle. Gave up and about 20 mins later, maid tried to feed and she took about 50ml only. Last night, she finished 125ml and still woke up at 4+am for more milk, not sure why today her appetite so poor. :P
Ikea finally delivered the new toy storage racks this afternoon. Finally can move some of the toys from the storeroom into the toy boxes. The storeroom is becoming a hazard to enter with the toys stacked way up. :P
Went to Yamaha to buy her textbooks for her Music Wonderland class starting on 8 Jan 11. We didn't know that we have to pay separately for textbooks. They should have incorporated it into the course fees since it's compulsory to buy. Anyway, the textbooks and a percussion kit came up to $101.25. Commented to the course organiser and she said the materials will last 1 year. Oh well, hope RaeAnne is interested in the course and her interest will last for at least 1 year. :P
Sigh, RaeAnne's fever spiked up in the afternoon and evening though ILs gave panadol syrup. Brought her home at night and gave ibufen cos temp was still 38.5deg. She keeps insisting to take out her clothes cos she said she's very hot. Poor thing, keep explaining to her that it's the fever that makes her hot, not the clothes but she doesn't understand. :P
The BRAND NEW Piggy Family
The cartoon is by Piggy Daddy who is a full time educator and freelance illustrator. Anyone who needs freelance illustrations, please contact us! :)
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Monday, December 27, 2010
Raelynn's MMRV vaccination
Went down to IEA at HDB Hub in the morning to sign up for the Real Estate Sales course. So exp, $780 + $100 (student membership). Got to go for class from 17 Jan 11 on Mon, Wed & Fri. Sian to travel from East to North cos bus take 1 hour plus and MRT is not direct. Think I'll spend a lot of cab fare cos I would rather spend 2 hrs of travelling time playing with RL than being stuck in public transport. :P
In the afternoon, finally brought Raelynn for her overdue MMRV vaccination. Was debating whether to split up into 2 jabs (MMR and chickenpox) cos some of the Jan08 mummies were discussing that MMRV's side effects are worse than MMR + chickenpox separate jabs.
Spoke to the PD about our concerns. She confirmed that MMRV may cause higher fevers and fever may last longer (depends on individual). She asked if there is any family history of fits and I told her no. So, that was good, cos risk of febrile fits is low.
Anyway, she said it's up to us, we can always bring her back next month for chixpox vaccine. No point jabbing her twice today, cos the side effects will be similar to taking MMRV then. Let hubby make the decision and he said just do it. He is not keen to bring her back again next month. Plus we usually give panadol syrup after jab anyway. Hope RL will be ok.
Strangely, MMRV vaccination ($110) is $5 cheaper than taking 2 separate jabs ($35 for MMR and $80 for chixpox). One of the Jan08 mummy was quoted $200 by her PD. Wonder why my PD's jabs are always so cheap, but then, I am not complaining. :)
Weighed and measured RL today, she is 9.3kg (75th percentile), HC 45 cm (50th percentile), but her height at 71cm is only 10th percentile :( I still think she's short but sweet. But wonder if I should introduce her to skipping rope soon. :P
Asked PD what to do about RL's thumb sucking habit (her poor thumb is getting calluses and infected). She advised us to bandage her hands and pull a long sock over it. She said it's important to bandage both hands so that she can't pull off the sock with the other hand. If it still doesn't work, she said we can get her to suck the pacifier instead cos at least that can be thrown away. But I'm not really keen to wean her off thumb to pacifier cos that will be another evil to be weaned off. As it is, the reason why RL has crooked front teeth is because of her frequent thumb sucking. PD said that's why must wean off bottles when the kid is 4 years old, if not it will affect their permanent teeth. :P
Went with hubby to a movie gala event at Vivocity. Got to try Ximending restaurant before going for the movie (Narnya 3). Haven't gone for a movie with hubby for a long time. :)
In the afternoon, finally brought Raelynn for her overdue MMRV vaccination. Was debating whether to split up into 2 jabs (MMR and chickenpox) cos some of the Jan08 mummies were discussing that MMRV's side effects are worse than MMR + chickenpox separate jabs.
Spoke to the PD about our concerns. She confirmed that MMRV may cause higher fevers and fever may last longer (depends on individual). She asked if there is any family history of fits and I told her no. So, that was good, cos risk of febrile fits is low.
Anyway, she said it's up to us, we can always bring her back next month for chixpox vaccine. No point jabbing her twice today, cos the side effects will be similar to taking MMRV then. Let hubby make the decision and he said just do it. He is not keen to bring her back again next month. Plus we usually give panadol syrup after jab anyway. Hope RL will be ok.
Strangely, MMRV vaccination ($110) is $5 cheaper than taking 2 separate jabs ($35 for MMR and $80 for chixpox). One of the Jan08 mummy was quoted $200 by her PD. Wonder why my PD's jabs are always so cheap, but then, I am not complaining. :)
Weighed and measured RL today, she is 9.3kg (75th percentile), HC 45 cm (50th percentile), but her height at 71cm is only 10th percentile :( I still think she's short but sweet. But wonder if I should introduce her to skipping rope soon. :P
Asked PD what to do about RL's thumb sucking habit (her poor thumb is getting calluses and infected). She advised us to bandage her hands and pull a long sock over it. She said it's important to bandage both hands so that she can't pull off the sock with the other hand. If it still doesn't work, she said we can get her to suck the pacifier instead cos at least that can be thrown away. But I'm not really keen to wean her off thumb to pacifier cos that will be another evil to be weaned off. As it is, the reason why RL has crooked front teeth is because of her frequent thumb sucking. PD said that's why must wean off bottles when the kid is 4 years old, if not it will affect their permanent teeth. :P
Went with hubby to a movie gala event at Vivocity. Got to try Ximending restaurant before going for the movie (Narnya 3). Haven't gone for a movie with hubby for a long time. :)
Sunday, December 26, 2010
Why Study Smart?
Hubby's 5th book 'Why Study Smart?' is out! I think it is very relevant to all the students and parents out there cos this is Singapore mah. Most of us are kiasu when it comes to grades. kekeke.
This is the first book to be dedicated to our second princess, Raelynn, so hope readers of my blog can go support! So that we can buy more formula milk for Mei Mei since she is self weaning against my will. :( The new book is available at all Popular bookstores. :)
Friday, December 24, 2010
Merry Xmas 2010!
It's Christmas Eve today. How time flies, last year at this time, we had CL to make a really nice Xmas Eve western dinner for us. We were too late to preorder festive roasts so we went to NTUC in the afternoon to try our luck. Lucky for us, we managed to buy the last turkey with stuffing they had at $59.90. Decided to bake some potatoes and make a simple salad of assorted vegetables with yuzu citrus sauce (french beans, pumpkin, carrot, baby corn) so that it's a more nutritious complete meal. Raelynn has already eaten her porridge but since it is Xmas, I let her try the vegetables and turkey. We still have lots of turkey left so tomorrow there'll be turkey porridge or turkey sandwich. ;)
As per tradition, we gathered round the Xmas tree and opened our presents. To me, Xmas is not a religious event cos even schools and companies celebrate Xmas through xmas parties and gift exchange. It's an occasion to gather with the family and express our love for one another through presents. After all, who doesn't like presents? kekeke.
RaeAnne got a big fire engine with doors that can open (as she requested the door must open), and Raelynn a set of plastic bowling pins. As usual, the gals always seem to like each other's present better. Duh. I got 2 books and a computer game for hubby since I didn't wake up in time to queue for the iphone4 at Hello shop. Wnated to get the iphone4 Hubby got me 2 robin blue boxes to my surprise cos he said one was for our wedding anniversary and one for Xmas. :) Even the maid is happy cos she got 2 shirts, 1 pair of shoes and 1 hair scrunchie from us. This was on top of the 5+kg airmail box of goodies which we paid for her to send back to Philippines.
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Self weaning or Milk Strike?
I was searching online for answers on why RL doesn't want to latch anymore and finally I found some useful info from http://www.llli.org/NB/NBNovDec92p173.html.
Possible Causes of a Nursing Strike
Sometimes the cause of a nursing strike is obvious, but other times the mother may never discover the reason. Some common causes for a baby to refuse to nurse include:
•mouth pain from teething, an injury, a cold sore, or a fungus infection, such as thrush, (Check, 4 teeth sprouted while we are away. )
•an ear infection, which may cause pressure or pain while nursing,
•pain while being held in the nursing position, perhaps due to an immunization or an injury,
•a cold or stuffy nose that makes breathing difficult while nursing, (Check, she was having a runny nose when we were away in Taipei and still had it when we came back.)
•too many bottles, overuse of a pacifier, or frequent thumbsucking, which >may lead to a reduced milk supply, (Check, she has always been a thumb sucker, She even has a sore thumb with swollen bite marks. :P)
•regular distractions and interruptions while nursing, (Not sure, RaeAnne has always been a distraction but I thought Mei Mei would have filtered out the noise by now)
•an unusually long separation from mother. (Check, I was away for 5 nights due to Taipei trip)
Raelynn has 4 checks out of 7. Wish I read about this before going to Taipei. But then I'll never know if it's because she is self weaning because according to another article from kellymom http://www.kellymom.com/bf/bfextended/toddlernursing.html#selfwean.
A child who is self-weaning will almost always cut down on nursing very gradually over a period of months one session at a time (anything abrupt is most always a strike). Many children will continue with only a nighttime, morning or naptime nursing session (or a combination) for months before weaning. When a child self-weans, she will also have been drinking well from a cup and getting the vast majority of her nutrition from solid foods for a while.
RL has been willing to nurse only at night before she sleeps for the longest time. She loves her solids over her milk ever since I started giving her solids at 6 months plus. Besides finishing 1 cereal feed & 2 porridge feeds, she has started eating rice and bread. Many times, she refuse to nurse but when the maid feeds her, she will eat esp fruits, biscuits and bread. She can drink from a cup but not very well yet.
Oh well, I guess I really don't have answers. Maybe it's a mixture of both internal as well as external factors. Anyway, all I know is my heart ached when I had to lead the weaning for RaeAnne and she was lifting my t shirt and crying cos she still wants to nurse. Not to mention the physical pain cos I was engorged all the time and applied cold cabbages for 1 week plus and still had to rely on hormone pills to stop BF. Now, even when it is weaning initiated by Raelynn, I can just stop pumping immediately and I won't even have to worry about engorgement and blocked ducts. But my heart still aches.
I always think of breastfeeding as the unique bond between me and Raelynn cos it was something that only I could do. Not Daddy, not the confinement lady, definitely not the maid (RL's favourite person). I love to soothe her hungry cries and gaze into her closed eyes and suckling mouth and seeing her fall asleep happily and peacefully when she had her fill. It made me feel less guilty when I had to ignore Raelynn's cries and let the maid attend to her sometimes because of sticky and demanding RaeAnne. That's my motivation to BF no matter how many times and how early she wakes me up in the middle of the night.
Now, I feel sad when she is sleepy and crying cos she will suck her thumb and lean on my chest but I can no longer soothe her to sleep with my breast. I have to pass her to the maid cos even after 10 minutes, I can't make her sleep cos I don't have the right technique to carry or pat her to sleep. That was the maid's forte. For me, it was always my boobs that did the work. :P
Rationally, I know nursing is only one aspect of motherhood. Although losing the BF connection made me feel that I've 'lost' my baby, I must not forget that I have an active 13 months toddler who has been mimicking sounds more and more accurately (it's a bit unnerving sometimes to hear her trying to say 'rubber band' and 'tiger'). I think it won't be long before she shocks me by speaking accurately and putting 2 words together. She is waiting to discover more and more of the world around, I can be there for her even without BF. In fact without BF, I know I will have to put in extra effort to bond with her so that I can move from 2nd position to 1st position in her heart. :P
Possible Causes of a Nursing Strike
Sometimes the cause of a nursing strike is obvious, but other times the mother may never discover the reason. Some common causes for a baby to refuse to nurse include:
•mouth pain from teething, an injury, a cold sore, or a fungus infection, such as thrush, (Check, 4 teeth sprouted while we are away. )
•an ear infection, which may cause pressure or pain while nursing,
•pain while being held in the nursing position, perhaps due to an immunization or an injury,
•a cold or stuffy nose that makes breathing difficult while nursing, (Check, she was having a runny nose when we were away in Taipei and still had it when we came back.)
•too many bottles, overuse of a pacifier, or frequent thumbsucking, which >may lead to a reduced milk supply, (Check, she has always been a thumb sucker, She even has a sore thumb with swollen bite marks. :P)
•regular distractions and interruptions while nursing, (Not sure, RaeAnne has always been a distraction but I thought Mei Mei would have filtered out the noise by now)
•an unusually long separation from mother. (Check, I was away for 5 nights due to Taipei trip)
Raelynn has 4 checks out of 7. Wish I read about this before going to Taipei. But then I'll never know if it's because she is self weaning because according to another article from kellymom http://www.kellymom.com/bf/bfextended/toddlernursing.html#selfwean.
A child who is self-weaning will almost always cut down on nursing very gradually over a period of months one session at a time (anything abrupt is most always a strike). Many children will continue with only a nighttime, morning or naptime nursing session (or a combination) for months before weaning. When a child self-weans, she will also have been drinking well from a cup and getting the vast majority of her nutrition from solid foods for a while.
RL has been willing to nurse only at night before she sleeps for the longest time. She loves her solids over her milk ever since I started giving her solids at 6 months plus. Besides finishing 1 cereal feed & 2 porridge feeds, she has started eating rice and bread. Many times, she refuse to nurse but when the maid feeds her, she will eat esp fruits, biscuits and bread. She can drink from a cup but not very well yet.
Oh well, I guess I really don't have answers. Maybe it's a mixture of both internal as well as external factors. Anyway, all I know is my heart ached when I had to lead the weaning for RaeAnne and she was lifting my t shirt and crying cos she still wants to nurse. Not to mention the physical pain cos I was engorged all the time and applied cold cabbages for 1 week plus and still had to rely on hormone pills to stop BF. Now, even when it is weaning initiated by Raelynn, I can just stop pumping immediately and I won't even have to worry about engorgement and blocked ducts. But my heart still aches.
I always think of breastfeeding as the unique bond between me and Raelynn cos it was something that only I could do. Not Daddy, not the confinement lady, definitely not the maid (RL's favourite person). I love to soothe her hungry cries and gaze into her closed eyes and suckling mouth and seeing her fall asleep happily and peacefully when she had her fill. It made me feel less guilty when I had to ignore Raelynn's cries and let the maid attend to her sometimes because of sticky and demanding RaeAnne. That's my motivation to BF no matter how many times and how early she wakes me up in the middle of the night.
Now, I feel sad when she is sleepy and crying cos she will suck her thumb and lean on my chest but I can no longer soothe her to sleep with my breast. I have to pass her to the maid cos even after 10 minutes, I can't make her sleep cos I don't have the right technique to carry or pat her to sleep. That was the maid's forte. For me, it was always my boobs that did the work. :P
Rationally, I know nursing is only one aspect of motherhood. Although losing the BF connection made me feel that I've 'lost' my baby, I must not forget that I have an active 13 months toddler who has been mimicking sounds more and more accurately (it's a bit unnerving sometimes to hear her trying to say 'rubber band' and 'tiger'). I think it won't be long before she shocks me by speaking accurately and putting 2 words together. She is waiting to discover more and more of the world around, I can be there for her even without BF. In fact without BF, I know I will have to put in extra effort to bond with her so that I can move from 2nd position to 1st position in her heart. :P
Family outing to the zoo - drama ahead :P
One of the Jan10 mummies can get discounted zoo tics at $17 each so I decided to bring the gals to the zoo again though need to 'ponten' school for RaeAnne. Been wanting to go to the zoo again with Mei Mei before RaeAnne turns 3 years old in Jan cos admission is free below 3 years.
We reached there at 10am, it was cool but the sky was grey. Waited for some other mummies to reach and it started to drizzle by the time we went in at 1030am. Luckily I rented a buggy for 2 with rain cover. :)We already missed the giraffe feeding at 1030am but we decided to head there anyway cos RaeAnne wanted to see the giraffes. Then we went to see the lion and took the tram to the Elephant show at 1130am. The show just started when we arrived but we had no seats cos the place was packed. Although she did not get to see 'elephants fly high high' (she watched too much 'Dumbo' VCD), it was still the highlight of the zoo outing for RaeAnne. Tonight, she kept asking me why the uncle's hat dropped and why the elephant picked up the hat for him.
After leaving the show at 12 noon, we proceeded to Ah Meng restaurant on foot (didn't know that we can take the tram again) so that Mei Mei can have her lunch. She looked sleepy by then. Who knows we were still too late cos Mei Mei fell asleep on the moving buggy before we even reached the restaurant. Raelynn really has hubby's genes, she can fall asleep anywhere. kekeke.
Good thing the Ah Meng restaurant had lots of long couches so I decided to let her nap while the rest of us enjoy our meals. RaeAnne and maid had the hotdog set while I had laksa and fried chicken wings (finally dare to eat sinful laksa again after my bout of food poisoning. :P). Hubby didn't eat cos he was too full from eating the bun he bought from 7-11.
After napping for 1 hr, Mei Mei was still sound asleep but I had to wake her up cos we still wanted to catch the afternoon feeding sessions and it was already 1pm. While she ate, I decided to bring RaeAnne to the Rainforest Kidsworld myself so that she can pet the rabbits at 130pm.
Her wish to feed the rabbit came true cos there were 2 small buckets of carrots and long beans for the children to feed the rabbits. She had fun stroking the rabbits too. I was proud to say that though she was the youngest kid there, she was more gentle than the other bigger gals there. :) The zookeeper had to keep telling them: don't be so rough and don't force the rabbit to eat etc. If only she can be as friendly n gentle towards her 2-legged friends ie other kids and esp her own Mei Mei. -_-
After the rabbits, we went to see the goats (Hubby & co caught up with us by then) and the ponies and they were surprisingly smelly. Ew... :P Tried to find the Giant Rabbit and dinosaurs walk indicated on the map but we failed. Maybe the map was outdated? So, we went to the waterplay area again. RaeAnne enjoyed the water very much and knelt down on the rough ground so many times until her knees were badly bruised. Poor Mei Mei looked very worried in the cold water and didn't like being splashed by hubby. She shivered and cried so we took her out of the water n wiped her dry after just 5-10 mins. :P
After showering RaeAnne, we went to the toy shop but RaeAnne wanted to ride on the motorised ponies. So, paid $4 for 5 mins ride. Of course, she had her heart on the pink pony and even complained when another little gal after her chose the same pink pony. She said 'no, she cannot take my pink pony.' Possessive gal! ;P
When we went into the toy shop, I told her to choose 1 thing that she wants and I'll buy it for her. Then I started to browse around for good buys. Got distracted cos as usual the maid acts like a tourist n wanted to get a souvenir so she was browsing n asking my opinion on what is cheap but good. Since the maid was obviously more interested in the merchandise than her charge, I carried Mei Mei out of the buggy and tried to take a few nice candid photos of her.
When hubby came and asked me where is RaeAnne. I wasn't worried and told him I didn't know and asked him to look for her thinking she must be at one of the toy racks since the shop is pretty big. 5 mins later, he asked me again. And I told him, you find lar. Only when he replied me that he made 2 rounds looking for her already, then I started to kancheong and went around looking for her myself.
I must have looked like the 'perfectly irresponsible mummy who lost her kid and now frantically searching' (guilty guilty... :P) cos a Caucasian lady quickly appeared in front of me and asked me if I'm looking for a little gal dressed in a pink shirt. I quickly told her yes. Then she told me she found RA crying and didn't know where her parents were so she brought her to the first aid hut and she directed me there. I can't remember now if I thanked her properly but I must admit at first, I thought why is she so kaypoh to bring my kid out of the toy shop. If not, we would not have lost her even though she was out of our sight.
Only when I reached the first aid hut and saw the KFC staff there, then I realised through him that RaeAnne had been found outside the KFC. The KFC is a distance from the toy shop separated by the motorised ponies. So, RA had gone out of the toy shop on her own and went all the way to KFC. Why did she walk there instead of looking for us inside the shop, I'll never know. But thankfully, she was found pretty fast and didn't seem to be traumatised so far.
Morale of the story, I should never underestimate the kid's ability to wander far and never overestimate her ability to act rationally (ie look for us inside the shop first) even though she is such a precocious kid and always so clever to talk/argue and drives me up the wall most of the time. Secondly, either me or hubby or maid must tag teams and be responsible for 'sighting' her instead of everyone thinking that somebody is with her but end up nobody is. Finally, I better think of a way to do a 'Return to Mummy' dogtag or buy a ranged radio beeper for her so that if she is ever lost again (touch wood!!!), I will know asap. I saw one of those things being sold at SMH BP before so better go look out for it and buy one next time. :P
Other than this episode, it was a happy zoo outing and the kids were neither grouchy in the car rides there nor during the return ride though it was already 4+pm and RaeAnne did not have her afternoon nap. :)
RaeAnne is 1 month away from being 3 years old!
RaeAnne is 35 months today but it was not a good day. Today, her barely 1 week CC teacher complained that she has a bad temper and swept the bowls aside during lunch when throwing a tantrum. The plastic bowl struck another kid who was having his/her lunch nearby, luckily it was a plastic bowl so didn't cause any injuries. The teacher told her to say sorry, but she also refuse. The teacher said she let her be today since they are having Xmas party but she will discipline her more gradually. So paiseh... I told the teacher yes, please go ahead, that's why I send her to CC so that she can learn to socialise properly instead of being queen of the house. :P
Then Nai Nai and I went to NTUC with her after picking her up once it's Dong Zhi today and I wanted to buy tang yuan. Nai Nai bought a pair of scissors for her and she 'thanked' Nai Nai by cutting a hole in their fabric sofa cover. AIYOH!!! Really hope she will learn her manners soon. If not, she will grow up to be a kid that everyone dislikes. -_-
Went down to Spa Infinity this evening at Far East Shopping Centre which we bought the Beeconomic deal a few months ago. The way leading to the spa located at basement 1 was very shabby and dirty, we had to cross the basement carpark to get there. The facilities inside the spa was quite ok, big common jaccuzzi, many shower rooms and changing rooms. But they don't have shower room or jaccuzzi inside the couple room. Massage was ok but very rushed.
What I disliked most was that they made us pay $18 x 2 for aromatherapy oil. When the sales rep tried to get me to sign package after the massage, I told her I don't like the idea of having to pay for my own oil (no other spa I've been to does that). Then, she said that there is an option of not paying, then they will use normal grapeseed oil.
The first guy we met never said that. He just asked us to choose 1 out of 4 oils and said we must pay $18 each, usual price $30. He did not give us any option so end up we had to pay $38.52 incl gst for the oil when we have already paid $48 x 2 for the spa coupons which included 45 mins massage and 2 snacks. I will not patronise them again. -_- Their 'fan choy' with chilli was yummy though. :P
Then Nai Nai and I went to NTUC with her after picking her up once it's Dong Zhi today and I wanted to buy tang yuan. Nai Nai bought a pair of scissors for her and she 'thanked' Nai Nai by cutting a hole in their fabric sofa cover. AIYOH!!! Really hope she will learn her manners soon. If not, she will grow up to be a kid that everyone dislikes. -_-
Went down to Spa Infinity this evening at Far East Shopping Centre which we bought the Beeconomic deal a few months ago. The way leading to the spa located at basement 1 was very shabby and dirty, we had to cross the basement carpark to get there. The facilities inside the spa was quite ok, big common jaccuzzi, many shower rooms and changing rooms. But they don't have shower room or jaccuzzi inside the couple room. Massage was ok but very rushed.
What I disliked most was that they made us pay $18 x 2 for aromatherapy oil. When the sales rep tried to get me to sign package after the massage, I told her I don't like the idea of having to pay for my own oil (no other spa I've been to does that). Then, she said that there is an option of not paying, then they will use normal grapeseed oil.
The first guy we met never said that. He just asked us to choose 1 out of 4 oils and said we must pay $18 each, usual price $30. He did not give us any option so end up we had to pay $38.52 incl gst for the oil when we have already paid $48 x 2 for the spa coupons which included 45 mins massage and 2 snacks. I will not patronise them again. -_- Their 'fan choy' with chilli was yummy though. :P
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Milk supply running dry... :(
RL has been refusing to latch since last Monday, 13 Dec unless she is asleep. And it's taking a toll on my supply. At night, I can only pump out only 50ml after 20 mins of pumping. Not sure how long I can persist to BF at this rate. I still have 1 tin of happy bellies oatmeal cereal left (which I need to mix EBM for her cereal). I think the frozen stock can last for only a few more weeks at this rate. It doesn't help that for the last few days, I'm pumping for her milk bath cos the milk cannot be consumed due to the antibiotics that I took for food poisoning last Fri. This morning, I was even crazy enough to try using honey to entice her but she still refused to lie down on my lap.
The TMC LC hotline told me maybe she finds bottle easier so she refused to latch. :( she said her own son not even refuse to latch, he even refused bottle in milk so she had to flavour it with chocolate, before he would even drink milk. Such a naughty boy she said. Oh well, I guess in that aspect I was lucky, at least I did have 12.5 months of BF bonding with Raelynn.
Oh well, must look at the bright side. I did try my best to BF her. Everytime, my supply dipped is because she rather take solids and bottle than to latch. Even when I went to Taipei, I refused to wean off on my own and rather let her take the lead. Even though I pumped diligently there, she refused to latch when I came back after just 1 lucky time. I did reach my BF target of 1 year and looking back, I also BFed RaeAnne for 12.5 months before I started to wean her off. But RA was not ready to be weaned off so it was heartbreaking for me to stop latching her and apply cold cabbage. Subconsciously, I wanted to BF RL as long as possible to compensate for my loss of BF bonding. But I have to keep reminding myself, that RL is a different baby and she has always been more interested in food than milk. maybe, she is also trying to make it easier for me to be fair to both sisters so that I BF them for the same duration.
Just now when I tried to latch her while she was asleep, she pulled out her thumb to cry and woke up but she didn't struggle and unlatch. For a while, it seemed like things were back to normal but I knew she was not really suckling and swallowing but I am already very glad. I don't have much confidence that things will improve but I will try my best until Xmas.
If she still doesn't want to latch after that, then I will have to take it that her Xmas present to Mummy is Time and Freedom. Time to do my own things since she is no longer tied to my boobs and my supply is drying up. Freedom for me to pursue my own things, take up a part time course and hopefully find a fulfilling second career. :S
The TMC LC hotline told me maybe she finds bottle easier so she refused to latch. :( she said her own son not even refuse to latch, he even refused bottle in milk so she had to flavour it with chocolate, before he would even drink milk. Such a naughty boy she said. Oh well, I guess in that aspect I was lucky, at least I did have 12.5 months of BF bonding with Raelynn.
Oh well, must look at the bright side. I did try my best to BF her. Everytime, my supply dipped is because she rather take solids and bottle than to latch. Even when I went to Taipei, I refused to wean off on my own and rather let her take the lead. Even though I pumped diligently there, she refused to latch when I came back after just 1 lucky time. I did reach my BF target of 1 year and looking back, I also BFed RaeAnne for 12.5 months before I started to wean her off. But RA was not ready to be weaned off so it was heartbreaking for me to stop latching her and apply cold cabbage. Subconsciously, I wanted to BF RL as long as possible to compensate for my loss of BF bonding. But I have to keep reminding myself, that RL is a different baby and she has always been more interested in food than milk. maybe, she is also trying to make it easier for me to be fair to both sisters so that I BF them for the same duration.
Just now when I tried to latch her while she was asleep, she pulled out her thumb to cry and woke up but she didn't struggle and unlatch. For a while, it seemed like things were back to normal but I knew she was not really suckling and swallowing but I am already very glad. I don't have much confidence that things will improve but I will try my best until Xmas.
If she still doesn't want to latch after that, then I will have to take it that her Xmas present to Mummy is Time and Freedom. Time to do my own things since she is no longer tied to my boobs and my supply is drying up. Freedom for me to pursue my own things, take up a part time course and hopefully find a fulfilling second career. :S
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Raelynn's 1st Birthday Party Photos
Realised that I haven't uploaded Raelynn's birthday photos, hehe. Cos shortly after we got the photos from Sindy (who turned out to be my Sec schoolmate), me and hubby flew off for Taipei. Seems like so long ago. hehe. But better late than never ya? :)
Monday, December 20, 2010
Wedding anniversary, hotel stay, wedding dinner, food poisoning & Polliwogs
This is an outdated post cos a lot of things happened these few days. Rewind to:
16 Dec 10
It was our sixth ROM anniversary, we didn't go out early cos I was too sleepy after 'chasing' Korean drama Cinderella's sister until wee hours of the morning. In the end, we decided to go to hubby's favourite buffet place 'Olive Tree' at Hotel Intercontinental, Bugis Junction. Buffet was not bad but I thought the price has gone up, $59.90 for weekday dinner buffet. Isn't that similar to The Line, Shangri-La. Anyway, at least there was a 15% POSB discount. :) We didn't have time to shop for presents but we said we'll do it the next day. (P.S, nope, due to unforeseen circumstances, that didn't happen. :()
17 Dec 10
RaeAnne's CC was having their year end concert so we brought her home earlier. Who knows she didn't eat lunch at all that day so we had to scramble to buy food for her from the food court. Fish slice bee hoon soup then rush home to feed her. We are supposed to check into Swissotel Stamford Hotel before 2pm cos it was my cousin's wedding dinner but in the end, we only reached hotel at 230pm and reached our room at 3pm. RaeAnne had already napped for a short while in the car and refused to sleep anymore. Mei Mei slept though. At 430pm, after we gave up trying to put RaeAnne to nap, we decided to go downstairs and walk around and get some tea since we were feeling hungry and the wedding dinner is at 830pm.
We decided to try 'The Hand Burger' at B1 and that was the start of our troubles. I ordered the Pulled Pork burger while hubby ordered the Handburger Original. The beef patty of hubby's burger was still raw inside but being gungho, we decided to eat it instead of rejecting it. Thought it was normal for beef patty to be a bit raw inside. But technically, they never asked us how well done we wanted the patty to be. RaeAnne made noise and said she wanted to go back to the hotel room so hubby brought her back. But she only ended up waking Mei Mei up so we ended up downstairs again, all 5 of us this time.
5-6pm - We went to Robinsons to walk around cos Filamie said there is one at Manila and she is curious to see the Sg branch.
6pm - tapow salted veg duck and rice and some side dishes at the soup/broth place for RaeAnne's dinner. She ate only a little. She's been eating very little nowadays. :/
8pm - After showering the gals, we went downstairs to the ballroom.
845-9pm - March-in of the blissful couple who have been together for 10 years, their wedding date is also their 10 year dating anniversary (Aw..., so sweet), RaeAnne helped to throw rose petals at the aisle.
9pm - Wedding dinner started but it was very slow going, almost half an hour for each dish to be served cos the waiters were busy dividing every course into individual portions. RaeAnne started to cry and scream that she wanted to return to the hotel room at 940pm. Hubby only managed to eat 2 courses so far and he went up with her.
10.10pm - Mei Mei's turn to get grouchy and need to KO so brought Filamie up to the room. She just had 4 courses so far.
1030pm - I came back down and made it in time for the table photo though I was the sole rep of my family.
1110pm - Went up to the hotel room. We knocked out at 1+am after watching survivor.
18 Dec 10
830am - Start of our real woes. Hubby and I both felt our tummy were no good. Hubby started the runs while I started the runs then switched to vomitting. In total, hubby went to the loo 10 times while I had the runs 4 and vomitted another 4-5 times. We were too weak to look after the gals but RaeAnne still needed to eat something for breakfast/lunch so in between, got hubby to bring RaeAnne and the maid down for breakfast. But still, RaeAnne only ate half a sausage.
11am - 2pm
Everything passed in a painful blur. We were too weak to check out of hotel and drive but we had to do it cos the kids and the helpless maid are with us. Luckily we got back in 1 piece. Hubby brought me home first so that I can KO in peace and he went with the kids/maid to ILs house to rest.
730pm
we finally found a clinic that was still open and I was given a jab and antibiotics while hubby opted for just med cos he still needed to drive us back home. Unfortunately, the antibiotics the GP gave was not suitable for BF. But I was too stoned to protest and insist that he gave me another type of antibiotics. Poor hubby still had to go to the loo 3 times after coming home, probably cos he didnt have the jab. we just slept and slept after that.
19 Dec Sunday
we slept the day away, hardly ate, except taking our med. But we roused ourselves in the evening to prepare to bring the kids home. Luckily they are quite guai.
20 Dec Monday
Yeah, we are finally feeling alive again. RaeAnne has no school today. In the late afternoon, we finally went to Polliwogs and made use of the POSB everyday card 1-for-1 coupon that I have been keeping in my wallet for almost 5 months. Instead of $24, we only needed to pay $16 for the 2 gals. There was a slight drizzle when we reached East coast park but luckily, they could play indoors.
Raelynn was so sweet at the ball pit, she kept passing the ball over to another boy who is 17 months old (think she will have no lack of suitors next time) while RaeAnne had fun running around the activity gym and slides like a monkey. We had an early dinner there at the cafe. The gals had a good time so I have no regrets going there though hubby and I were not completely well. One item off my to do list but still got 10 more things to do. :P.
After dinner, we went to ILs house first (cos Mei mei KO already so we left her there to nap) then brought the maid and RaeAnne to the Tampines interchange pasar malam cos the maid wanted to buy some hair clips to send to her nieces. I had bought a box for her from Post office and had offered to let her send back 5 kg of stuff back to Philippines for Xmas.
P.S. Found out why RaeAnne ate so little recently, she had an ulcer below her lower incisors. -_-
16 Dec 10
It was our sixth ROM anniversary, we didn't go out early cos I was too sleepy after 'chasing' Korean drama Cinderella's sister until wee hours of the morning. In the end, we decided to go to hubby's favourite buffet place 'Olive Tree' at Hotel Intercontinental, Bugis Junction. Buffet was not bad but I thought the price has gone up, $59.90 for weekday dinner buffet. Isn't that similar to The Line, Shangri-La. Anyway, at least there was a 15% POSB discount. :) We didn't have time to shop for presents but we said we'll do it the next day. (P.S, nope, due to unforeseen circumstances, that didn't happen. :()
17 Dec 10
RaeAnne's CC was having their year end concert so we brought her home earlier. Who knows she didn't eat lunch at all that day so we had to scramble to buy food for her from the food court. Fish slice bee hoon soup then rush home to feed her. We are supposed to check into Swissotel Stamford Hotel before 2pm cos it was my cousin's wedding dinner but in the end, we only reached hotel at 230pm and reached our room at 3pm. RaeAnne had already napped for a short while in the car and refused to sleep anymore. Mei Mei slept though. At 430pm, after we gave up trying to put RaeAnne to nap, we decided to go downstairs and walk around and get some tea since we were feeling hungry and the wedding dinner is at 830pm.
We decided to try 'The Hand Burger' at B1 and that was the start of our troubles. I ordered the Pulled Pork burger while hubby ordered the Handburger Original. The beef patty of hubby's burger was still raw inside but being gungho, we decided to eat it instead of rejecting it. Thought it was normal for beef patty to be a bit raw inside. But technically, they never asked us how well done we wanted the patty to be. RaeAnne made noise and said she wanted to go back to the hotel room so hubby brought her back. But she only ended up waking Mei Mei up so we ended up downstairs again, all 5 of us this time.
5-6pm - We went to Robinsons to walk around cos Filamie said there is one at Manila and she is curious to see the Sg branch.
6pm - tapow salted veg duck and rice and some side dishes at the soup/broth place for RaeAnne's dinner. She ate only a little. She's been eating very little nowadays. :/
8pm - After showering the gals, we went downstairs to the ballroom.
845-9pm - March-in of the blissful couple who have been together for 10 years, their wedding date is also their 10 year dating anniversary (Aw..., so sweet), RaeAnne helped to throw rose petals at the aisle.
9pm - Wedding dinner started but it was very slow going, almost half an hour for each dish to be served cos the waiters were busy dividing every course into individual portions. RaeAnne started to cry and scream that she wanted to return to the hotel room at 940pm. Hubby only managed to eat 2 courses so far and he went up with her.
10.10pm - Mei Mei's turn to get grouchy and need to KO so brought Filamie up to the room. She just had 4 courses so far.
1030pm - I came back down and made it in time for the table photo though I was the sole rep of my family.
1110pm - Went up to the hotel room. We knocked out at 1+am after watching survivor.
18 Dec 10
830am - Start of our real woes. Hubby and I both felt our tummy were no good. Hubby started the runs while I started the runs then switched to vomitting. In total, hubby went to the loo 10 times while I had the runs 4 and vomitted another 4-5 times. We were too weak to look after the gals but RaeAnne still needed to eat something for breakfast/lunch so in between, got hubby to bring RaeAnne and the maid down for breakfast. But still, RaeAnne only ate half a sausage.
11am - 2pm
Everything passed in a painful blur. We were too weak to check out of hotel and drive but we had to do it cos the kids and the helpless maid are with us. Luckily we got back in 1 piece. Hubby brought me home first so that I can KO in peace and he went with the kids/maid to ILs house to rest.
730pm
we finally found a clinic that was still open and I was given a jab and antibiotics while hubby opted for just med cos he still needed to drive us back home. Unfortunately, the antibiotics the GP gave was not suitable for BF. But I was too stoned to protest and insist that he gave me another type of antibiotics. Poor hubby still had to go to the loo 3 times after coming home, probably cos he didnt have the jab. we just slept and slept after that.
19 Dec Sunday
we slept the day away, hardly ate, except taking our med. But we roused ourselves in the evening to prepare to bring the kids home. Luckily they are quite guai.
20 Dec Monday
Yeah, we are finally feeling alive again. RaeAnne has no school today. In the late afternoon, we finally went to Polliwogs and made use of the POSB everyday card 1-for-1 coupon that I have been keeping in my wallet for almost 5 months. Instead of $24, we only needed to pay $16 for the 2 gals. There was a slight drizzle when we reached East coast park but luckily, they could play indoors.
Raelynn was so sweet at the ball pit, she kept passing the ball over to another boy who is 17 months old (think she will have no lack of suitors next time) while RaeAnne had fun running around the activity gym and slides like a monkey. We had an early dinner there at the cafe. The gals had a good time so I have no regrets going there though hubby and I were not completely well. One item off my to do list but still got 10 more things to do. :P.
After dinner, we went to ILs house first (cos Mei mei KO already so we left her there to nap) then brought the maid and RaeAnne to the Tampines interchange pasar malam cos the maid wanted to buy some hair clips to send to her nieces. I had bought a box for her from Post office and had offered to let her send back 5 kg of stuff back to Philippines for Xmas.
P.S. Found out why RaeAnne ate so little recently, she had an ulcer below her lower incisors. -_-
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Happy 6th wedding anniversary!!!
It's been 6 years since our ROM. Happy wedding anniversary to my sweet and wonderful hubby. :)
RaeAnne's first day at new school
Today is RaeAnne's first day at Elfa CC. Hubby and I brought her over at 8+am cos breakfast is at 830am and Filamie doesn't know the way to the school yet. When we reached, Raeanne was happily exploring the toys and the role play area. She wasn't interested in the peanut butter sandwich and soya bean milk breakfast though. We were introduced to her teachers and her principal Mrs Cynthia also touched base with us. At first it was a bit messy cos the classrooms all open concept and the music room was playing a concert performance CD so RaeAnne was watching it there with all the other kids while RaeAnne's classmates were still having breakfast. But they finally broke up into their classes and to the indoor playground at 930am. So hubby and I took the chance to leave during that time.
When we went to pick her up close to 12 noon, her form teacher Teacher Helen that Raeanne did well for the first day. She finished half a bowl of rice with braised chicken and choy sim and told the teacher twice that she needs to shh shh. The same teacher already told that RaeAnne will be fine in the morning when she saw RaeAnne running around playing and touching the toys. She said kids who can play on their own are ok and can adapt fast. Oh well, she was ok until she saw us and nearly cried but luckily I distracted her cos we brought Mei Mei to fetch her as well and she was an instant hit among the students, teachers and principal. :)
Raelynn refused to latch on this morning and tonight. Don't know if it's because she is too sleepy from the cold/flu med or because she is trying to self wean. Had to let her sleep at 830pm then latched her when she was asleep. So ironical, cos usually I had to do that for bottle feeding of EBM or FM but never had to 'trick' a baby to latch. So sad. Maybe my BF days are ending soon. :(
When we went to pick her up close to 12 noon, her form teacher Teacher Helen that Raeanne did well for the first day. She finished half a bowl of rice with braised chicken and choy sim and told the teacher twice that she needs to shh shh. The same teacher already told that RaeAnne will be fine in the morning when she saw RaeAnne running around playing and touching the toys. She said kids who can play on their own are ok and can adapt fast. Oh well, she was ok until she saw us and nearly cried but luckily I distracted her cos we brought Mei Mei to fetch her as well and she was an instant hit among the students, teachers and principal. :)
Raelynn refused to latch on this morning and tonight. Don't know if it's because she is too sleepy from the cold/flu med or because she is trying to self wean. Had to let her sleep at 830pm then latched her when she was asleep. So ironical, cos usually I had to do that for bottle feeding of EBM or FM but never had to 'trick' a baby to latch. So sad. Maybe my BF days are ending soon. :(
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Raelynn rejecting latch on...
When we came back from Taipei, we found out that Raelynn has sprouted all 4 teeth at the same time. All along we thought there were only 3 teeth cos the last one was quite hidden away. No wonder she has been gnawing everything she can get her hands on and even had diarrhea which is always associated with teething. But though I managed to latch her after 3 tries on Sunday (after a 5 days break). But a few times, she will refuse to latch and cry after touching my nipple. Duh, such an insult. -_-
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Couple Retreat to Taipei
Went to Taipei with hubby from 7-11 Dec without the gals. Left ILs house at 11+pm on Monday cos I 'bu she de' the gals and went back at 9+pm to latch Mei Mei. End up RaeAnne refused to sleep until 11+pm so hubby and I were stuck in the living room/balcony feeding mosquitoes in the dark.
Day 1 - The SQ flight to Taipei was good and smooth. We reached Taipei at 1pm as scheduled and the tour guide picked us up. We were very lucky to to be the only 2 people on this semi F&E itinerary (booked with SA tours) so we had a personal tour guide 杨先生. He was a knowledgeable and responsible tour guide but with a sharp tongue when you ask 'stupid' questions. But he explained before that Taiwanese tend to speak like that ie. they are very straight but they mean no harm. Tour guide told us that the next 2 days will be very cold because of the cold winds from China. Great, I thought. :P
Around 3pm, we arrived at Cosmos Hotel 天成饭店, location was very good, near to the Taipei Railway station and the Taipei MRT station. Many 7-11s nearby too. But I think the room was very small and they don't have wifi facilities. :P Given a choice, will book Caesar Park Hotel next time.
Had to pump cos it was more than 14 hours since I pumped and I was engorged (had blocked ducts after day 1). Then we went for late lunch at 4pm at 何记 near M8 exit which served very good 生煎包,蚵仔大肠面线 and the smelliest 臭豆腐which I tried in Taipei. The shengjianpao was only 10NTD each which is about SGD0.40 and it was very juicy so we loved it so much that we went back on our last day to eat and even tapow 3 back. Then we went to Ximending on our own as suggested by the tour guide and ate so many street snacks along the way that we were too full to try the famous Ah Zong Mian xian. The sun starts to set at 5+pm cos it was winter and by 6pm, the sky was completely dark. I needed to use a toilet so for dinner we ended up eating at Meiguanyuan Jap food restaurant. The sashimi there was very generous, super thick slices but I thought it didn't taste as sweet as those we had in Singapore.
Day2, we met with the tour guide at 830am (SO EARLY!!!) and we went sightseeing with him driving us, we went to Yeliu's rock formation, Jiufen, old mining city near the sea (loved the ru3rou4fan4 and drunken chicken beside 阿信的店), then time on our own and we went to ShinKuang dept store within walking distance to our hotel. There were 13 floors and we were very lucky they were having their anniversary sale. I bought SKII there cos it was even cheaper than Singapore's duty free shop at departure hall. Bought some toys for the gals too. Best of all, there was 5% tax rebate. :)
Day3, it was an early start again at 830am, and we went to see the changing of guards at Martyr's Shrine (9-930am) and then to Lover's Bridge (very bright day with blue sky), they were building a huge Ship hotel near here. Then, we went to YangMingshan for a hot spring experience, we forgot to bring our own towel so we had to pay $10+ for a white bath towel (why didn't the tour guide remind us? :/) Then we went to Wufenpu, but we hardly bought anything cos it was the wrong season plus very few children's clothing shops. Then we went to Raohe night market for dinner. :)
Day4, finally a later start to the day today, at 1030am, tour guide drove us to Taipei 101 and we had lunch at the Italian restaurant there at the 85th floor for the free view. Initially, we wanted to go for dinner since it was a hazy day but the tables near the windows were fully booked so we decided to go for the cheaper lunch deal instead. Paid about $42 per head. Food was good and I got so sleepy. hehe. Took the free shuttle to the MRT station and went to the Sun Yat Sen Memorial Hall, the sun was starting to set by the time we left there. Then we went to find Jay Chou, Mr J restaurant, it was so ulu and difficult to find. And the restaurant was so empty that I wasn't keen to eat there for dinner but then it was only 530pm on a Fri so maybe that's why it was so empty. :P Went to Sogo (fuxing branch), thought we can shop and have dinner there but was surprised that there was no toys/children floor there. Initially, wanted to eat at 'Ding Tai Feng' but the queue was too long and the menu was identical to the one at Singapore so we gave up our queue number. We ended up eating at the basement2 japanese restaurant instead. Food was so so but at least it was quiet and there was no queue. :) After that, we went back for an early night and to start packing our stuff.
Day5, after an early breakfast, we took a taxi to the Weekend Jade market and bought some jade souvenirs. Since we were not experts on jade, didn't dare to buy expensive items so the most exp piece I bought was a NT2000 jade pendant with crystals. After checking out, we went back to ShinKuang Baihuo to buy some lipsticks for my MIL (ended up buying the Elizabeth Arden Xmas make up set), then we gobbled our lunch at Heji again. Then it was back to the hotel and the tour guide brought us to buy some fruits enroute to the airport. Our flight was 6pm and we reached Sg at 1030pm.
Flight was quite turbulent and I even spilled water all over my shirt. Luckily we came back in 1 piece and stayed up till 3+am to unpack, organise and take photos of our loot. We almost exceeded the baggage limit of 50kg, never bought so much before. I'm sure we can't shop like that if the kids were with us. hee. :P
Thought I will miss the gals so much (plus they were having diarrhoea the day before we left and we even brought them to see the GP near ILs house) that I won't enjoy the trip but I was wrong. I hardly missed the kids while at Taipei. Partly I did the missing before I left and also because I told myself, spend so much $ to go on holiday, must enjoy myself thoroughly and don't worry about things at home anymore. It was a good R&R trip with hubby. Felt recharged upon coming back to see the kids again. :)
Saturday, December 4, 2010
Raelynn tried soupy rice today! :)
Just tried giving Raelynn soupy rice today and she loves it. RL's always still very hungry after eating 1 foogo pot of porridge at night so I've decided to start giving rice after she turned 1 year old. Some jan10 mummies already giving their babies rice at night, not even 1 year old yet.
She took about 3-4 tablespoons of rice, the soup contains 1 slice of threadfin, 1 tablespoon of broccoli and 1 tablespoon of small pumpkin pieces, the 1 slice of lean pork (we usually throw away). :P I boil the ingredients soft in water, then put the cooked rice into the soup to cook further so that the rice is a bit softer. :)
Will monitor her poo poo tom cos I'm afraid it's harder to digest than porridge. But I think we didn't give enough rice (being the first time) cos she woke up after just sleeping for half hour at 10pm. :P She whacked another 80ml of milk before sleeping again. :P
The gals' room
It all started with a ceiling fan. After getting a kiddy ceiling fan for the gals room and because of Mei Mei's BD party, I wanted to make the gals' room sweeter and more cosy. After all, what's the point of having 2 gals if I can't give them a sweet girly princess bedroom right? If it's one gal and one boy sharing a room, how to have a consistent theme? hehe.
Most of the stuff came from Ikea but the imported Made in Europe fabric curtains were the biggest extragavant buy from Goodrich. 3 sets of curtains (including 2 sets in the living room) came to more than $1500. Imagine we paid about $2k for the whole house previously but that was 2 sets of roman blinds, 2 sets of full length curtains, 1 set of full length day curtains & 4 sets of half curtains. The ballerina curtains does add a sweet and bright look to the room compared to the old brownish curtains. But because I was too cheapskate to add a block-out lining, the room is very bright in the day and RaeAnne has problem napping in the day. Morale of the story, no point spending $1500 just to stinge on another $300-400. Sigh, hope it's a phase. :P
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Raelynn is 1 Year Old! :)
Mei Mei is one year old today. I wish she will grow up healthy, happy, pretty and taller each day. :)
We already had a big celebration last Sat but Raeanne will be going to Nai Nai place after school today cos we are busy this evening. This way, we can also spend time alone with mei mei on her big day. When we go out with the 2 gals, Raeanne inevitably monopolises our time and attention and poor Mei Mei is carried by the maid. From next year onwards, Mei Mei should be able to fight for attention too cos she's getting more and more vocal at 'complaining'.
Went to Tampines Mall with Mei Mei just now, dressed her in a pink tutu that I bought from BP for just $10 and everyone said she's so cute, so pretty. Mummy feels so proud, luckily, I stopped the maid from dressing her in Gap PJs as hubby suggested cos he said it's difficult to strap her into the car seat with her puffy skirt. But hey, it's her birthday, she deserves to be admired and praised. Of course, wearing a hat helped to disguise her 'baldness' and made her look prettier. keke.
We had set lunch at Cafe cartel while Mei Mei had her porridge. Bumped into my ex colleagues there. Most are surprised to see me and that I've not been working for almost 2 years. Mei Mei fell asleep after lunch cos she was so sleepy. But she woke up at 2pm and we went to Toy r us. Filamie bought her a toy hp and I bought her a toy hairdryer.
Weighed her and she is still only 8.8 kg but she has grown taller. 71cm now. :)
Saturday, November 27, 2010
Raelynn's 1st birthday :)
Finally finished celebrating Raelynn's birthday with the family and a few close friends. The balloon bouquet came first, followed by the caterer, then the photographer and finally the rotating musical cake. Finally to play a few party games and gave out the prizes.
Raelynn was grouchy and sleepy and had a nap right after the cake cutting at 12.20pm. She woke up at 1+pm much to the delight of my relatives who got to play with her. 11-2pm timing was much better but as usual some of my relatives left late at 3pm so RaeAnne only managed to nap amidst the noist inside her room after hubby and I tried 2 times to put her to sleep. Luckily she managed to catch some sleep till almost 5pm, or else she will be very very grouchy in the evening.
Ordered food from Liang Food Catering, most people said the food is good though hubby doesn't like the curry. This time round, there was a lot of extra food and my mum and relatives could tapow back. We had the extra food for dinner too but RaeAnne got sick of the food and refused to eat it. Can't blame her, it's quite tiring to see the same fried rice laden with veg gravy, chicken gravy, even though there's lot of her favourite fish balls. So, I whipped up some 'mee sua' soup for her with fishcake and spinach leaves and she ate a bit.
Thanks to a few forum friends, I finally managed to do a short 3.5min video clip on her milestones from 0-12 months. Hubby helped me by selecting the right piece of music, it was just in time for RL's party though I had to burn midnight oil from 1am to 4am. :P Cos I'm very new to the software and didn't have the software to edit music so had to make sure the duration of the photos/video clips fit the music and my laptop hung 3 times before I can save the project. Duh...
But in general, I'm still quite happy with it. :) Though after the last crash, I was unable to incorporate my last edit. And because the project was not saved (didn't know there is a difference between saving the video vs saving the project), I had to forego it or else I won't even get to sleep at 5am. This reminds me why I didn't want to go into video production after 2 years of specialisting in Electronic & Broadcast Media at NTU Comm studies. Very tedious to view video frame by frame, much easier to pay someone to do the job. But it is very touching if someone else does it for you as a gift/surprise lar. hehe. :P
Raelynn was grouchy and sleepy and had a nap right after the cake cutting at 12.20pm. She woke up at 1+pm much to the delight of my relatives who got to play with her. 11-2pm timing was much better but as usual some of my relatives left late at 3pm so RaeAnne only managed to nap amidst the noist inside her room after hubby and I tried 2 times to put her to sleep. Luckily she managed to catch some sleep till almost 5pm, or else she will be very very grouchy in the evening.
Ordered food from Liang Food Catering, most people said the food is good though hubby doesn't like the curry. This time round, there was a lot of extra food and my mum and relatives could tapow back. We had the extra food for dinner too but RaeAnne got sick of the food and refused to eat it. Can't blame her, it's quite tiring to see the same fried rice laden with veg gravy, chicken gravy, even though there's lot of her favourite fish balls. So, I whipped up some 'mee sua' soup for her with fishcake and spinach leaves and she ate a bit.
Thanks to a few forum friends, I finally managed to do a short 3.5min video clip on her milestones from 0-12 months. Hubby helped me by selecting the right piece of music, it was just in time for RL's party though I had to burn midnight oil from 1am to 4am. :P Cos I'm very new to the software and didn't have the software to edit music so had to make sure the duration of the photos/video clips fit the music and my laptop hung 3 times before I can save the project. Duh...
But in general, I'm still quite happy with it. :) Though after the last crash, I was unable to incorporate my last edit. And because the project was not saved (didn't know there is a difference between saving the video vs saving the project), I had to forego it or else I won't even get to sleep at 5am. This reminds me why I didn't want to go into video production after 2 years of specialisting in Electronic & Broadcast Media at NTU Comm studies. Very tedious to view video frame by frame, much easier to pay someone to do the job. But it is very touching if someone else does it for you as a gift/surprise lar. hehe. :P
Thursday, November 25, 2010
RaeAnne's playgroup photo :)
RaeAnne has a nice souvenir photo of her 1.5 years at the Learning Train playgroup as she started school on 3 Aug 2009. She has fun during this time and her teachers are very patient with her. Mid Dec, she will be going to a new school, Elfa CC. Hope she adjusts well there too. :)
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
How our baby has grown.... :)
Finally did up the picasa collage for Mei Mei at night when hubby went with RaeAnne to NTUC to buy fish balls and fish cakes. Managed to 'force' her to wear the wig headband so that she has a nice last photo with hair. kekeke. :)
Poor hubby has been having recurring hives for the past week and he finally went down to get a jab at A&E at 11+pm last night. Poor daddy had to drive himself back close to 1am in a dizzy, groggy state. I didn't accompany him as he was worried that RaeAnnne will wake up while we were away (which she did). After the jab, he KO on and off for more than 15 hours as the effects of the adrenaline jab gradually wore off. Luckily, it was near to school holidays so he could call in sick today.
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Mei Mei's Birthday present
Asked MIL to pick RaeAnne up from PG cos I wanted to cut my hair before Mei Mei's party. Also, got the guys from Ikea to install RaeAnne's mirror. After we came back, we brought Mei Mei to Kiddy palace at 6pm to choose her present. It was rare for us to bring Mei Mei cos she usually wants to sleep after dinner and the maid needs to wash dishes and clean up so we don't have the extra pair of hands to help look after Mei Mei. It was nice to see her tottering about and see how she took down the little Chuggington trains one by one and then pass them to me one by one. Showed her both a mini ride-on by Fisher Price and a Megablocks motorised train but she loves the ride on. She kept holding the handles and tried to climb on and ride it herself. So in the end, we decided to get it though the stickers were a bit worn on the only pink/purple ride-on left. Had to wrap it ourselves cos KP didn't have XL plastic wrappers anymore. Kept it in the storeroom so that RaeAnne will not try to 'take over' Mei Mei's present. :P
Sunday, November 21, 2010
It's Raelynn's Chinese Lunar Birthday today...
But Mummy just found out 5 mins ago after downloading the chinese lunar app on iphone to find out when is her chinese lunar birthday. And I was quite surprised that today is already 十月十六。Because last year 十月十六 is 2 Dec 09 (her birthday) and today is just 21 Nov, 3 weeks earlier than last year. Maybe it's because this year there is no 闰月。The grandmothers are usually better with the lunar dates and will be the ones to remind me (at least for RaeAnne's lunar birthday) but both of them forgot even though we visited ILs in the morning and my mum in the evening. :P
But it's ok, better late than never cos it's not over midnight yet. Plus I bought a pair of pediped shoes from OG today for $29.90 in size 12-18mths. Just nice, can take it as her lunar birthday present since it's traditional to give a 1 year old a pair of shoes. The nice sales staff reserved it for me when stocks arrived. Raelynn can walk very fast with it, compared to the other shoes I bought. Must be because of the soft leather soles, 不愧是名牌货. Usual retail prize is $49.90 so I'm very happy to get it for a steal. Hee. ;)
And it fits Mei Mei's chubby feet way better than the shoo shoo soles which I bought for RaeAnne long time ago. That one didn't come cheap too but even RA's skinny feet couldn't squeeze into that pair of flat front shoes.
农历生日快乐, Mei Mei! :)
But it's ok, better late than never cos it's not over midnight yet. Plus I bought a pair of pediped shoes from OG today for $29.90 in size 12-18mths. Just nice, can take it as her lunar birthday present since it's traditional to give a 1 year old a pair of shoes. The nice sales staff reserved it for me when stocks arrived. Raelynn can walk very fast with it, compared to the other shoes I bought. Must be because of the soft leather soles, 不愧是名牌货. Usual retail prize is $49.90 so I'm very happy to get it for a steal. Hee. ;)
And it fits Mei Mei's chubby feet way better than the shoo shoo soles which I bought for RaeAnne long time ago. That one didn't come cheap too but even RA's skinny feet couldn't squeeze into that pair of flat front shoes.
农历生日快乐, Mei Mei! :)
Friday, November 19, 2010
Shh shh....
Filamie got so motivated after Raelynn's pot of gold yesterday that she tried to put Mei Mei on the potty to shh shh as well. She succeeded in the morning cos Mei Mei peed in it. Clever gal. :)
But when she tried again in the afternoon, Mei Mei did not pee. Not sure whether she just peed or because she doesn't understand yet. Anyway, at least my nagging have produced results cos I told her must put RL on the potty since she can sit already. If not, end up like RaeAnne, every other night still wetting the bed, isn't it worse? She will always tell me she tried to put Mei Mei on potty but Mei Mei doesn't want. When I asked her again today, she said Mei Mei knows how to do it liao. Morale of the story - keep trying. hahaha.
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Raelynn's first poo in potty (Warning! Graphic photo at the end)
Hehe, after BF Raelynn in the morning, she started making gek sai sounds. Passed to the maid but nothing in the diaper. Maid put her on the potty cos I've been nagging for a while that it's time to put her on potty since she can sit well and walk well. Then she made her first poo in potty. Both the maid and I were so excited that RL got very happy as well. Clever gal! :) Hope she'll be toilet trained earlier than Cheh Cheh then we can save on diapers. hee.
T3 gathering on Hari Raya Haji
Brought the 2 gals to a small Feb08 gathering at T3. Thought it was an April fool's joke cos the table set for 10 pax was still empty except for us at 11am though we were supposed to meet at 1030am. Turned out the venue has been changed from TCC to Coffee Club and of all days, I forgot to bring HP so did not receive the sms on the change. :P
Anyway, we fed Mei Mei porridge at Coffee club cos RaeAnne has already eaten at TCC. Caught a naughty pic of Mei Mei which I like very much. Cos it reminded me of RaeAnne who had a similar expression when we went for her first professional photo shoot at 9months old in Sept 08. Don't they look similar? :)
It was very nice to sit and chitchat with the mummies while the kids walk, run and play at the big carpeted area besides the cafe. But at the gathering, RaeAnne refused to to look at the camera when Belina's hubby was taking the group photo.
I asked her when we came home why she insisted on not looking at the camera. Guess what she said, 'Only Mummy can take my photo. Other people cannot take my photo.' Hee, touched by her sense of 'loyalty'. But she doesn't realise that Mummy is very happy for other people to take her photo cos I'm a lousy photographer with a lousy camera. :P
Monday, November 15, 2010
Raelynn's Wishlist
Been beowing toys for Raelynn's 1st birthday present. Didn't want to buy clothes cos the wardrobe is bursting. Plus Cheh Cheh's toys are either spoilt by her, or she is unwilling to share toys with Mei Mei so Mei Mei needs a few of her own toys. Haven't bought any yet in case she receives them for her birthday party on 27 Nov. ;)
1) Playskool Zoomimals - Farm (4 animals)
2) Megablok Motorised Train set
3) Megablok Activity Table
4) Fisherprice Barnyard Cow Xylophone
1) Playskool Zoomimals - Farm (4 animals)
2) Megablok Motorised Train set
3) Megablok Activity Table
4) Fisherprice Barnyard Cow Xylophone
妈咪，你可以看我一下吗？
My darling RaeAnne said that to me when I was walking across the living room to take a shower at my mum's place. She was trying to paint my mum's white wall with a toy paint roller. How could I say no to a question asked so sweetly right? So yes, I looked at her and taught her a few paint techniques. kekeke.
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Fooling around at NTUC
Took some random pics of the gals at NTUC taken on Mon using my iphone after we brought the maid to Tampines interchange so that she can transfer $ home. :)
RaeAnne woke up so many times tonight since she slept at 10pm. Hubby has been so busy looking after her cos she's a Daddy gal these few nights. Want Daddy, don't want Mummy. Poor hubby is not even back in the room yet, looks like he's going to be camping over at her room tonight.
Too tired to blog so will just post the pics. :)
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
RaeAnne's new school - Elfa
Finally going to pay registration, deposit and collect uniform at Elfa today. Went down yesterday and they actually gave up my waitlist due to a miscommunication. Cos they called me in Sept and said got place on 1 Oct and asked me if I wanted to start RaeAnne but I debated and think it's too early cos RaeAnne's friends are still at The Learning Train playgroup. No point switching her yet. But the staff I spoke to said I'm still on waitlist for Jan11.
But end up they thought I didn't want anymore and gave up my queue no. But luckily the Principal remembers me cos I went down a few times to visit the centre. So, she gave me a place. But got to start her in mid Dec cos the principal said too many kids starting in Jan. Got to pay $1003 in cash or cheque today. Heart pain. But they are full, both my hubby's colleague and my friend's sister cannot get a place for their kids so I don't dare to procrastinate. Quickly pay and confirm liao. :P
Had to call in the plumber today cos the common bathroom showerhead is dripping, my MBR shower area is choked and the Ariston storage Heater has brown water staining the pipes. Only moved in for 5 years and things are all breaking down after their warranty period. In the end, got to pay $700 for all the plumbing work. Spent $1700+ in a single day. Heart pain. Must really go and find work next year to earn extra $ for the gals' enrichment lessons and CC fees. But just found out that $300 subsidy only applies to full day CC. If I want to continue putting RaeAnne in half day CC, it'll still be $470 for FTWM. Duh... :P
Brought RaeAnne to Elfa to collect new uniforms in the afternoon after she woke up from her nap at 245pm. She was quite curious about her new surroundings especially the music room, the roleplay area and the indoor playground. I tried to explain to her that she will go to Three Little Pigs (Pre nursery 1) classroom for 2 weeks in mid Dec then switch to Little Red Riding Hood (Pre nursery 2) in Jan11. Hope she adjusts well to the change.
RaeAnne knocked out at 955pm cos she woke up so early from her nap. :P Keep fingers crossed that she will sleep through.
But end up they thought I didn't want anymore and gave up my queue no. But luckily the Principal remembers me cos I went down a few times to visit the centre. So, she gave me a place. But got to start her in mid Dec cos the principal said too many kids starting in Jan. Got to pay $1003 in cash or cheque today. Heart pain. But they are full, both my hubby's colleague and my friend's sister cannot get a place for their kids so I don't dare to procrastinate. Quickly pay and confirm liao. :P
Had to call in the plumber today cos the common bathroom showerhead is dripping, my MBR shower area is choked and the Ariston storage Heater has brown water staining the pipes. Only moved in for 5 years and things are all breaking down after their warranty period. In the end, got to pay $700 for all the plumbing work. Spent $1700+ in a single day. Heart pain. Must really go and find work next year to earn extra $ for the gals' enrichment lessons and CC fees. But just found out that $300 subsidy only applies to full day CC. If I want to continue putting RaeAnne in half day CC, it'll still be $470 for FTWM. Duh... :P
Brought RaeAnne to Elfa to collect new uniforms in the afternoon after she woke up from her nap at 245pm. She was quite curious about her new surroundings especially the music room, the roleplay area and the indoor playground. I tried to explain to her that she will go to Three Little Pigs (Pre nursery 1) classroom for 2 weeks in mid Dec then switch to Little Red Riding Hood (Pre nursery 2) in Jan11. Hope she adjusts well to the change.
RaeAnne knocked out at 955pm cos she woke up so early from her nap. :P Keep fingers crossed that she will sleep through.
Sunday, November 7, 2010
A drama night...
My mum's birthday is on 9 Nov and my dad's lunar birthday is 1 week after hers. We had our usual small family dinner at Chin Lee Teochew Restaurant at Bedok North Road. Last year, when we went, there was only RaeAnne as I was heavily preggie with Raelynn then. :) Today, bought a tiny cake so that the gals can cut cake with Ah Gong and Ah Ma. Ah Ma doesn't like cream cakes nor the smell/taste of butter so I got a chocolate truffle cake instead. Gave RaeAnne a tiny slice (1cm thick) cos she was so excited about it.
But when she came home, she had milk, nearly finished it, then peed on her bed (we forgot to ask her if she wanted to pee after she came home). Then hubby gave her a small banana, she nearly finished it when she suddenly threw out everything, cake, milk and banana. Not sure if it's because she overate or is she falling sick? While we are all busy cleaning up RaeAnne, hubby was instructing the maid how to clean off the vomit the floor with newspaper, I brought her to the toilet to rinse her mouth, and then she peed again in her panties so I had to wash her bottom and change her again.
When we finally settled with RaeAnne, I went back to the bumper mat and found out to my great horror, that the bumper mat littered with dessicant silica gel beads. Raelynn had bitten and torn the packet of silica gel from the pair of new shoes I was trying on for her (before I got distracted by RaeAnne). Hubby quickly grabbed her and tried to sweep her mouth for the beads then the maid also tried to use a wet towel to clean away. I used the dustpan to sweep away the remaining beads while RaeAnne started to 'scold' Mei Mei for eating the 'small balls'.
Feel so guilty that I left Mei Mei alone and went to attend to RaeAnne. Luckily, she was ok after crying for a while when hubby grabbed her. Hubby goggled and swallowing a few silica gel beads causes dryness in mouth or at most a tummy upset cos it's a dessicant. Hopefully, we stopped her in time from swallowing any or many beads. If it's anything bigger or poisonous that she swallowed, she may have choked then we'll have to rush her to A&E or do the hemlich manoveure. Though there are 3 adults in the house, still feel short handed sometimes esp when there are 突发状况.
Sigh, what a drama night. Needless to say, both gals slept late. I had to latch RL for the second time while hubby sat by RaeAnne's bed until 1140pm. She refused to drink milk or milo so I think she will wake up hungry early tom morning. Hope she is not sick, cos there is a school outing to Downtown East Explorerkidz tom. :P
But when she came home, she had milk, nearly finished it, then peed on her bed (we forgot to ask her if she wanted to pee after she came home). Then hubby gave her a small banana, she nearly finished it when she suddenly threw out everything, cake, milk and banana. Not sure if it's because she overate or is she falling sick? While we are all busy cleaning up RaeAnne, hubby was instructing the maid how to clean off the vomit the floor with newspaper, I brought her to the toilet to rinse her mouth, and then she peed again in her panties so I had to wash her bottom and change her again.
When we finally settled with RaeAnne, I went back to the bumper mat and found out to my great horror, that the bumper mat littered with dessicant silica gel beads. Raelynn had bitten and torn the packet of silica gel from the pair of new shoes I was trying on for her (before I got distracted by RaeAnne). Hubby quickly grabbed her and tried to sweep her mouth for the beads then the maid also tried to use a wet towel to clean away. I used the dustpan to sweep away the remaining beads while RaeAnne started to 'scold' Mei Mei for eating the 'small balls'.
Feel so guilty that I left Mei Mei alone and went to attend to RaeAnne. Luckily, she was ok after crying for a while when hubby grabbed her. Hubby goggled and swallowing a few silica gel beads causes dryness in mouth or at most a tummy upset cos it's a dessicant. Hopefully, we stopped her in time from swallowing any or many beads. If it's anything bigger or poisonous that she swallowed, she may have choked then we'll have to rush her to A&E or do the hemlich manoveure. Though there are 3 adults in the house, still feel short handed sometimes esp when there are 突发状况.
Sigh, what a drama night. Needless to say, both gals slept late. I had to latch RL for the second time while hubby sat by RaeAnne's bed until 1140pm. She refused to drink milk or milo so I think she will wake up hungry early tom morning. Hope she is not sick, cos there is a school outing to Downtown East Explorerkidz tom. :P
Friday, November 5, 2010
A night without RaeAnne
Asked MIL to bring RaeAnne home after school today. Hope she got to sleep more at MIL house for her nap and bedtime.
Wanted to have dinner and watch a late night movie with hubby, something we have not done in a long, long time. Had dinner at Jack's Place It's strange how after being parents, how we choose a movie is no longer based on what is the movie genre, what is the title of the show, how is the movie review etc? Instead, our first criteria was where is it screening, followed by what time is the movie.
First we narrowed down to either Tampines Mall or Century square, cos we still can't break free from Tampines area. Sigh. Wish I can eat somewhere new for once but Hubby knocked off at 6+pm and we have a tight schedule so didn't want to waste time travelling back and worth. Chose a movie close to 10pm cos I wanted to go home after dinner and latch RaeLynn her last milk feed before she sleeps. Plus I feel bad to be out whole day, not spending time with Mei Mei so I will not deprive Mei Mei of her last milk feed. My supply has hit all time low after my menses returned so didn't want to miss a feed. I even forgot to pump when I rushed out to meet the curtain supplier this morning. Got some sweet curtains for the gals room and 2 new sets of curtains for the living/dining area cos the old set of curtains have been ruined by sun exposure. :P
Oh yes, almost forgot - so what was the movie we watched? Megamind 3d. Turned out it was a movie just launched today 4 Nov. Perfect for a movie 'suaku' like me. kekeke.
Wanted to have dinner and watch a late night movie with hubby, something we have not done in a long, long time. Had dinner at Jack's Place It's strange how after being parents, how we choose a movie is no longer based on what is the movie genre, what is the title of the show, how is the movie review etc? Instead, our first criteria was where is it screening, followed by what time is the movie.
First we narrowed down to either Tampines Mall or Century square, cos we still can't break free from Tampines area. Sigh. Wish I can eat somewhere new for once but Hubby knocked off at 6+pm and we have a tight schedule so didn't want to waste time travelling back and worth. Chose a movie close to 10pm cos I wanted to go home after dinner and latch RaeLynn her last milk feed before she sleeps. Plus I feel bad to be out whole day, not spending time with Mei Mei so I will not deprive Mei Mei of her last milk feed. My supply has hit all time low after my menses returned so didn't want to miss a feed. I even forgot to pump when I rushed out to meet the curtain supplier this morning. Got some sweet curtains for the gals room and 2 new sets of curtains for the living/dining area cos the old set of curtains have been ruined by sun exposure. :P
Oh yes, almost forgot - so what was the movie we watched? Megamind 3d. Turned out it was a movie just launched today 4 Nov. Perfect for a movie 'suaku' like me. kekeke.
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Energizer bunny RaeAnne
RaeAnne refused to nap today even though I laid by her bed from 1pm to 3.25pm. Don't know why she is so energetic. Tried to make her sleep early today after an early dinner. She KO at 9pm after I fed her milk at 8pm. Early but definitely she won't get even 12 hours of sleep cos I'm very sure she'll wake up before 9am. Oh well, hope this does not happen too often. -_-
Raelynn is 11 months old
Raelynn is 11 months old, 8.8kg and 69cm tall. She still has only 2 bottom teeth and her hair growth is minimal. The fancl shampoo helped but did not do miracles. Think she will still be botak by her 1st birthday party at this rate. :P
Physical update
Can walk confidently
Can clap hands
Can climb on top of the coffee table
Can self feed bread and rice
Speech update
Ah ma
Ma
There (sounds like Cheh)
Ye
me1 me3 (sound like mummy)
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Why I love Tampines
hahaha, because besides the 3 shopping malls and 2 cineplexes that provide numerous hours of shopping/entertainment, there is now a new Wendy's at Century square. It took over the old Royal Sporting House.
It just opened today and as expected is packed so hubby and I tapow the original burger (half pounder - 2 beef patties), a fish burger and a kids meal for RaeAnne (the cheeseburger set came with a Casper spinning top. I was so happy when Popeye came to Century Square and now there's Wendy's. Have been curious about Wendy's since the famous Orchard road flood which destroyed the new restaurant's renovation. If only there is a Koi bubble tea at Tampines, then life will be perfect. :)
P.S. Finally found out why my supply has been dipping by so much. Big M visited yesterday after disappearing for 10 months. :P
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Dilemma
Sigh, my supply has been dipping a lot for the last week. I'm not sure why cos I have not seen the big letter M yet. But the low supply is affecting Raelynn and my pump yield is so low that hubby jokes that should just use it for milo instead of storing/freezing for RL. I still took more than 10 mins to pump that pathetic amount okie? Sometimes even more than 20 minutes when I see that the amount is so little so I let the pump run longer. Duh, men... So insensitive sometimes. :P
I'm using nursing tea, drank 3 packs in 2 days. Hope there'll be some effect cos I sold all my BF supplements liao. Anyway, I'm in a dilemma if I should buy fish bones and green papaya to make fish soup to boost SS. Cos Raelynn is already turning 11 months soon and I'm going on holiday in early Dec without the gals. I have about 3 months worth of frozen EBM which we are using to mix into RL's morning cereal. So, is it a wise decision to try and increase supply now?
What if I end up with blocked ducts now or during holiday? The reason for my supply has dropped over the months is also because she is always distracted and escaping from my lap when I'm trying to latch her at 9am, 12noon, 5pm. Since TMC LC told me that it's ok, just need to latch 2-3 times a day, I left her be and didn't bother to pump when she didn't want to latch.
Just now, she was distracted by Cheh Cheh and woke up when I was putting her to bed after latching. Then for the 1 hr when I was trying to put RA to sleep, she kept crying. When RA finally slept, I came out of the room and tried to latch RL but she refused. Kept crying. So end up, I resorted to heating up EBM and she drank all 90ml. Still cried a bit and I heat up another 80ml but she refused to take anymore. She fell asleep after fussing and crying for a while more.
I wonder if I should start giving her EBM for last feed and add rice to her dinner instead of just porridge. She already has 3 solids but she seems always hungry these days. Poor gal. Growth spurt again? :P
I'm using nursing tea, drank 3 packs in 2 days. Hope there'll be some effect cos I sold all my BF supplements liao. Anyway, I'm in a dilemma if I should buy fish bones and green papaya to make fish soup to boost SS. Cos Raelynn is already turning 11 months soon and I'm going on holiday in early Dec without the gals. I have about 3 months worth of frozen EBM which we are using to mix into RL's morning cereal. So, is it a wise decision to try and increase supply now?
What if I end up with blocked ducts now or during holiday? The reason for my supply has dropped over the months is also because she is always distracted and escaping from my lap when I'm trying to latch her at 9am, 12noon, 5pm. Since TMC LC told me that it's ok, just need to latch 2-3 times a day, I left her be and didn't bother to pump when she didn't want to latch.
Just now, she was distracted by Cheh Cheh and woke up when I was putting her to bed after latching. Then for the 1 hr when I was trying to put RA to sleep, she kept crying. When RA finally slept, I came out of the room and tried to latch RL but she refused. Kept crying. So end up, I resorted to heating up EBM and she drank all 90ml. Still cried a bit and I heat up another 80ml but she refused to take anymore. She fell asleep after fussing and crying for a while more.
I wonder if I should start giving her EBM for last feed and add rice to her dinner instead of just porridge. She already has 3 solids but she seems always hungry these days. Poor gal. Growth spurt again? :P
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
扁嘴
Finally saw Raelynn 扁嘴 today and I was the guilty one. She was latching halfway then had tried to bite me 3 times when I was trying to latch her at 9.30pm after we came back from NTUC. After the 3rd time, I lost my temper and beat her mouth gently (cos my KK LC taught me to do that with RA when she was biting me). Actually, it wasn't very painful cos luckily RL has only 2 pearlies at the bottom but when she 'gum' her gums tight, it is still painful.
After I beat her, she paused for 1-2 seconds as if unsure that Mummy will actually beat her, then she started to 扁嘴 and 一脸委屈。She made a hurt sound but didn't cry. It pained me to see her 扁嘴 cos she's a resilent one. Even when Cheh Cheh pull her hand/or take away toy forcefully, she will only complain loudly and sometimes cry in protest if her head really hit the ground but never 扁嘴 to her sis or me before.
I don't even feel as guilty when 2 years plus ago, when I beat RA on the mouth for biting. RA is the vocal and sensitive one, she'll cry loudly for the slightest thing even up till now. So, I'm a bit 麻木 when dealing with her crying. But not for RL. I hate to see her cry cos she's such a happy baby. :P
No wonder, they say 'Youngest child syndrome' and 'the youngest one can get away with murder'. If I stop at 2, and Raelynn is going to be the youngest, I think I'll spoil her rotten. :P
After I beat her, she paused for 1-2 seconds as if unsure that Mummy will actually beat her, then she started to 扁嘴 and 一脸委屈。She made a hurt sound but didn't cry. It pained me to see her 扁嘴 cos she's a resilent one. Even when Cheh Cheh pull her hand/or take away toy forcefully, she will only complain loudly and sometimes cry in protest if her head really hit the ground but never 扁嘴 to her sis or me before.
I don't even feel as guilty when 2 years plus ago, when I beat RA on the mouth for biting. RA is the vocal and sensitive one, she'll cry loudly for the slightest thing even up till now. So, I'm a bit 麻木 when dealing with her crying. But not for RL. I hate to see her cry cos she's such a happy baby. :P
No wonder, they say 'Youngest child syndrome' and 'the youngest one can get away with murder'. If I stop at 2, and Raelynn is going to be the youngest, I think I'll spoil her rotten. :P
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Fan Review
The fan supplier came to install the fan at 5pm. Thanks to him for agreeing to come earlier cos I sms him that I need to bring my gal out for dinner and 6pm installation is too late. Turns out he was very understanding cos he has a toddler born on Sept08 too and his elder kid is already 10 years old. Kudos to them for having another kid after such a long gap. Anyway, I digress...
Just tried the fan. It's good for Raelynn who is just under it. At setting 1, it's silent with a slight breeze. But it's not good enough for my 'oven' RaeAnne who insisted that it's hot even at setting 2 because she is away from the fan. Had to shift her pillow to the opposite side of the bed but she's not used to it. So woke up crying just now after just 1 hr of sleep.
So end up I still have to switch on her usual standing revolving fan. Which to me defeats the purpose of a ceiling fan. But hubby still thinks it's not good to have such a strong ceiling fan in the kids' room. I'm sure the grandparents and the chinese sinseh will agree with him.
Oh well. At least it's silent and cute. And most importantly, the fan is blowing from the top so poor Raelynn doesn't have to sweat surrounded by the cot bumpers. We can always change to a bigger ceiling fan after the gals grow up. :)
Just tried the fan. It's good for Raelynn who is just under it. At setting 1, it's silent with a slight breeze. But it's not good enough for my 'oven' RaeAnne who insisted that it's hot even at setting 2 because she is away from the fan. Had to shift her pillow to the opposite side of the bed but she's not used to it. So woke up crying just now after just 1 hr of sleep.
So end up I still have to switch on her usual standing revolving fan. Which to me defeats the purpose of a ceiling fan. But hubby still thinks it's not good to have such a strong ceiling fan in the kids' room. I'm sure the grandparents and the chinese sinseh will agree with him.
Oh well. At least it's silent and cute. And most importantly, the fan is blowing from the top so poor Raelynn doesn't have to sweat surrounded by the cot bumpers. We can always change to a bigger ceiling fan after the gals grow up. :)
Bossy little RaeAnne
Hubby and I are often amused by RaeAnne who is so bossy. Feel I should document her conversations with us. Will be interesting to see how this fiesty (only at home) gal grow up to be.
'Mummy, only I can feed you.' - When I told her that I've already taken my supplements/medicines.
'No, you cannot say me' - when hubby and I discussed about her openly.
'No, you cannot touch my one' - when we were trying to decide on what to order reading from her copy of spread out restaurant menu'
'RaeAnne: Mummy, why you call me RaeAnne Teo?
Mummy : Because I am angry with you for ..... RaeAnne: No, you cannot call me RaeAnne Teo. You cannot say me' - When I'm angry with her and addressing her 连名带姓。
'Mummy, only I can feed you.' - When I told her that I've already taken my supplements/medicines.
'No, you cannot say me' - when hubby and I discussed about her openly.
'No, you cannot touch my one' - when we were trying to decide on what to order reading from her copy of spread out restaurant menu'
'RaeAnne: Mummy, why you call me RaeAnne Teo?
Mummy : Because I am angry with you for ..... RaeAnne: No, you cannot call me RaeAnne Teo. You cannot say me' - When I'm angry with her and addressing her 连名带姓。
Friday, October 22, 2010
RaeAnne is 33 months today!
RaeAnne is 33 months today! I've given up on taking a monthly photo of her since she turned 2years old. But today is an exception cos today is also the day of her playgroup photoshoot for the kids. I think it's a great idea cos she is also 'graduating' this year cos I intend to change school for her next Jan. She's getting a bit big for the Learning Train Playgroup cos it's at the RC so only 1 classroom so they had kids from 18 months all the way to 3 years plus. When I told her this morning that they will be taking photos so she needs to wear socks and shoes. My usual camera shy gal resisted and said don't want to take photo, don't want to wear socks. Had to coax her that if she take nice photo then I'll go down and see her at the photoshoot which is happening at 10am. Actually I was also curious and want to make sure that she looks at the camera instead of looking away which is what she always does when I take her photo. Didn't want to waste my $10.
She was dressed up so pretty cos the teacher had gelled her hair and tied it up with a red ribbon. But because the teacher said if you want to take photo, you better come and take now. So I went into the room. WRONG MOVE! The moment she saw me, she was so manja and sticky, refuse to let me out of her sight. Started to cry and didn't want to sit down with her classmates. Wanted me to stand beside her to take the photo. In the end, I had to hide behind the teacher and her before she was willing to have her group photo taken. I think the teachers were probably secretly irritated with me cos the other parents have left the room but I couldn't because RaeAnne will cry and be all red for her photo taking. Luckily, I redeemed myself by helping the teachers to type in the captions for the group photo. :P
Asked hubby to come back earlier today and went to Eunos Warehouse (3 Kaki Bukit Road 2) and finally bought my ceiling fan for the gals' room. Hubby and I shun ceiling fans and even removed the one left behind by the previous owner in our living room. 1) We think it's wobbly and dangerous 2) It is very difficult to maintain and clean cos we'll need a ladder and end up with a stiff neck. But in the end, the comfort of Raelynn prevailed cos the poor gal is always sweating in her cot. The tower fan is too weak to penetrate her cot bumper while Cheh Cheh also needs the bigger fan to be focused in her direction.
Asked a few forum mummies and even went to renovation forum to research on what is good. Was thinking of Fanco Aroma, Amasco Empire and other big ceiling fans with light. But in the end, bought a small baby fan (Alpha LK1) cos hubby thinks the room is not that big and he feels small acrylic fan blades are safer for kids. We asked for 2 20watt bulbs so that it will be brighter. Costs us almost $300 including installation. For the same price, I still think bigger fan will be more powerful but I think RaeAnne will love the new fan cos it looks so cute. :)
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Discipline and Love
A Jan08 mummy shared that she beat her son with a cane until he knelt down and turned black in the face and had bruises all over his legs cos he was so naughty. I can emphatise with what she was going through. It is difficult to control your temper when your child does not behave the way you want them to.
Don't want to eat, don't want to sleep, pour water on the floor, pour soup on the table, throw toys, don't want to share, push classmates and sibling, draw graffiti on your household items, chewed on toys, tupperware and even the Bumbo seat, refuse to put on clothes, refuse to dry hair after showering, refuse to wear every shirt or shoes that you take for her, if you let her choose, she will change her mind 5 times after you have put them on for her. Yes, RaeAnne is no angelic child, she has done all of the above.
There was a period also when I either beat RaeAnne with my hand or locked her at the balcony with the sliding door for her 'time out' when she is naughty. Less than 5 mins only. But after that, she kept telling maid, 'If you do this, I will beat you and lock you up'. Then I decided, if other people hear her saying this, they'll think what kind of family does this child grow up in? Do I want my child to grow up with so much anger and harsh words? Will she grow up to be loving and patient if I set the wrong example? So, I stopped doing it.
Many times, I'll snap too especially when she refuses to nap and keeps taking out her clothes. She can change 5 shirts in 1 night and take more than 1 hr to sleep. But luckily I'm usually not alone so I'll walk into my room and let the maid/hubby handle her. Sometimes, I'll flare up outside and start throwing her things then hubby will know I've reached my max and automatically take over. Luckily I got no cane in the house or I don't know what I'll do in my fit of anger. Cos I'm the sort who will act first then regret later if I really lose it. :P
But after I calm down, I realise if she were an only child and I don't have no. 2. Will I be still be so impatient and punish her or will i be telling her nicely or finding other creative ways to distract her and get her to behave? Answer is no then I'll feel guilty cos she did not ask to have Mei Mei. It is our choice so I should not punish her because sometimes when we are rushed for time, I will be behaving like a mad woman shouting at the maid and RaeAnne esp when Mei Mei is crying for milk/sleep, Maid has done something wrong again, RaeAnne is cranky and throwing tantrums because she is hungry/sleepy/thirsty/naughty while hubby is his usual cool self.
A few times, there is a reason why she doesn't want to do certain things. Eg. don't want to eat cos she has an ulcer but cannot express herself. Want to draw with my pen on my bedsheets cos she thought it can be wiped off with wet wipes like the white board marker. Push Mei Mei because she said Mei Mei cannot take the toy and eat. Mei Mei may end up swallowing it. Sometimes, I forget that she is only a child and expect too much from her, expect her to behave as an adult.
Today, she asked me Mummy are you a good girl? I said yes. Then, she said 'I love you. Naughty gal, I don't love.' It caught me by surprise but I realise that I always tell her that to make her behave. "If you are naughty, I don't love you."
But love for our kids should be unconditional, even when they are naughty and drive you up the wall. even if they are sick and vomit all over you. even if you send more than 10 photos, they will never make it to the cover of a baby magazine. So, I told her. No, if you are good gal, I love you a lot. When you are naughty, I love you a bit. But I still love you.
P.S. A mummy reminded me, love is not measured by how good or naughty you are. I should love my child just as much even when she is naughty. I agree and I do love her as much no matter what she does. But, I will still get angry cos I'm only human. Time to find a new phrase to get her to behave... :P
Don't want to eat, don't want to sleep, pour water on the floor, pour soup on the table, throw toys, don't want to share, push classmates and sibling, draw graffiti on your household items, chewed on toys, tupperware and even the Bumbo seat, refuse to put on clothes, refuse to dry hair after showering, refuse to wear every shirt or shoes that you take for her, if you let her choose, she will change her mind 5 times after you have put them on for her. Yes, RaeAnne is no angelic child, she has done all of the above.
There was a period also when I either beat RaeAnne with my hand or locked her at the balcony with the sliding door for her 'time out' when she is naughty. Less than 5 mins only. But after that, she kept telling maid, 'If you do this, I will beat you and lock you up'. Then I decided, if other people hear her saying this, they'll think what kind of family does this child grow up in? Do I want my child to grow up with so much anger and harsh words? Will she grow up to be loving and patient if I set the wrong example? So, I stopped doing it.
Many times, I'll snap too especially when she refuses to nap and keeps taking out her clothes. She can change 5 shirts in 1 night and take more than 1 hr to sleep. But luckily I'm usually not alone so I'll walk into my room and let the maid/hubby handle her. Sometimes, I'll flare up outside and start throwing her things then hubby will know I've reached my max and automatically take over. Luckily I got no cane in the house or I don't know what I'll do in my fit of anger. Cos I'm the sort who will act first then regret later if I really lose it. :P
But after I calm down, I realise if she were an only child and I don't have no. 2. Will I be still be so impatient and punish her or will i be telling her nicely or finding other creative ways to distract her and get her to behave? Answer is no then I'll feel guilty cos she did not ask to have Mei Mei. It is our choice so I should not punish her because sometimes when we are rushed for time, I will be behaving like a mad woman shouting at the maid and RaeAnne esp when Mei Mei is crying for milk/sleep, Maid has done something wrong again, RaeAnne is cranky and throwing tantrums because she is hungry/sleepy/thirsty/naughty while hubby is his usual cool self.
A few times, there is a reason why she doesn't want to do certain things. Eg. don't want to eat cos she has an ulcer but cannot express herself. Want to draw with my pen on my bedsheets cos she thought it can be wiped off with wet wipes like the white board marker. Push Mei Mei because she said Mei Mei cannot take the toy and eat. Mei Mei may end up swallowing it. Sometimes, I forget that she is only a child and expect too much from her, expect her to behave as an adult.
Today, she asked me Mummy are you a good girl? I said yes. Then, she said 'I love you. Naughty gal, I don't love.' It caught me by surprise but I realise that I always tell her that to make her behave. "If you are naughty, I don't love you."
But love for our kids should be unconditional, even when they are naughty and drive you up the wall. even if they are sick and vomit all over you. even if you send more than 10 photos, they will never make it to the cover of a baby magazine. So, I told her. No, if you are good gal, I love you a lot. When you are naughty, I love you a bit. But I still love you.
P.S. A mummy reminded me, love is not measured by how good or naughty you are. I should love my child just as much even when she is naughty. I agree and I do love her as much no matter what she does. But, I will still get angry cos I'm only human. Time to find a new phrase to get her to behave... :P
Sick of it
Officially, we have been sick for more than 1 month. We as in me, RaeAnne and Raelynn. We just keep cough and cold symptoms for the whole month. RaeAnne saw GP twice, PD twice, TCM once. I saw GP twice, TCM twice. Raelynn saw PD twice. Can imagine the ENORMOUS hole in hubby's pocket for medical bills this month. And worse, he can only claim $10 each time we see a GP/PD. TCM cannot claim. The PD has given RaeAnne Singulair for her cough and though cough is better, she has been having runny nose for the last 2 days. She missed school on and off for more than 1 week too. That's also why there are fewer posts these few weeks. The two gals are getting skinnier and skinnier esp RaeAnne. Even Raelynn has started to walk 8-10 steps quite confidently during this time and I had no time to take nor post her video. Sigh... hope all of us get well soon.
Monday, October 11, 2010
Toy R Us warehouse Sale & Explorerkidz
On Fri, Hubby and I went to try Mr Chicken Rice at ehub by the previous Mandarin Hotel Sous Chef. Chicken was nice, better than the Centrepoint food court Chef Han Chicken rice after visiting Toy r us sale. After that, learnt from the Jan10 mummies that can just combine purchases with strangers to hit $300 and get the discount. Ok, lesson learnt! :P
On Sat, maid wanted off day. So, we left Mei Mei at ILs house and brought RaeAnne to Explorerkidz at Ehub. She enjoyed playing with the colour balls and 4 storey Megaplay Activity centre and the other playareas. Join as member so paid $11 (for 1 hr play) + $7.50 (one time member fee). Wanted to bring her to Polliwogs but didn't. Cos I got 1 for 1 coupon (weekday only) till 31 Dec after signing up for POSB everyday card so will wait for school hols then bring Raelynn as well.
Since we are there, we went to the toy fair again yesterday with RaeAnne, really nothing much leh. She wanted to buy the big cheap doll house but I see the packaging so tattered and finishing not very good, told her I'll get a better one for her next time. Not sure if I'll do it though. :P
These few days, pump yield is quite low, don't know why. It doesn't help that Raelynn has been latching lesser and lesser at 5+/6pm feed. At this rate, think I can drop the dinner time milk feed soon and just let her have porridge earlier.
Friday, October 8, 2010
Toy R Us Warehouse sale
Went to Downtown East for the Toy R Us warehouse sale, today is preview sale for NTUC members, Toy R Us cardmembers and HSBC cardmembers. We went there at 7+pm. RaeAnne was uncooperative, refuse to finish her dinner so this time we brought Mei Mei. In hindsight, should have left Mei Mei behind too cos she was sleepy after her bath, milk feed and dinner. Poor gal dozed off midway while we shop for toys.
Was really tempted by the Little Tikes playhouse that was displayed on stage which was on 60% off. But I checked inside and there was no sink nor cooking set unlike the Little Tikes Country Cottage playhouse that she loved at Sol cafe in Mar this year. Obviously, it was a steal at $419 cos all the units were sold out except the display unit and the display unit got sold off just 15mins after they made the announcement of it being 60% off. Wanted to get the Little Tikes activity gym with a wavy slide but hubby said no to slides cos he's afraid RaeAnne will jump off and injure herself. :P
Anyway, got a Little Tikes golf set, a post office/shop playtent, a Dora backpack, a loops game and 2 musical stuffed toys for the gals. Total damage: $97.40. A lot of good stuff were sold out but some Jan10 mummies managed to grab good buys at additional 30% off. The toys are mainly for RaeAnne cos Mei Mei is still mouthing everything so it's hard to find toys that are non felt/furry, not metal, no small parts, waterproof, washable and non toxic. Think her teether and plastic shapes are the safest for now. :P
Was really tempted by the Little Tikes playhouse that was displayed on stage which was on 60% off. But I checked inside and there was no sink nor cooking set unlike the Little Tikes Country Cottage playhouse that she loved at Sol cafe in Mar this year. Obviously, it was a steal at $419 cos all the units were sold out except the display unit and the display unit got sold off just 15mins after they made the announcement of it being 60% off. Wanted to get the Little Tikes activity gym with a wavy slide but hubby said no to slides cos he's afraid RaeAnne will jump off and injure herself. :P
Anyway, got a Little Tikes golf set, a post office/shop playtent, a Dora backpack, a loops game and 2 musical stuffed toys for the gals. Total damage: $97.40. A lot of good stuff were sold out but some Jan10 mummies managed to grab good buys at additional 30% off. The toys are mainly for RaeAnne cos Mei Mei is still mouthing everything so it's hard to find toys that are non felt/furry, not metal, no small parts, waterproof, washable and non toxic. Think her teether and plastic shapes are the safest for now. :P
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