I have been back at work (from maternity leave) since 3 January 2010; that is a total of 8 months.
My baby is now no longer a baby but not yet a little person. She is exactly 17 days shy of turning 1.
Where has the time gone?
Story of our simple lives - of our family, of our beautiful children, Kate & Jake
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Friday, August 27, 2010
Three times lucky
For the first 10 months of her life, Kate woke up one to three times each night for feeds. I was breastfeeding her then, so while it was tiring, I'd gotten into a familiar routine of feeding her in bed, both of us half asleep.
I remember the husband and I talking about her sleep pattern, and discussing (pining) when she will start sleeping through the night. There was no answer then, because obviously this was something we had absolutely no control over.
I know of mothers who have strict routines, who follow parenting books and achieve amazing clockwork schedules with their kids. Uh, let's just say we're not those types. I mean, I was hell stressed in the initial periods of motherhood where I tried to follow these schedules; but when I did not succeed and the stress was too much to bear (these self-imposing standards, I tell you...) I quite simply gave up. And just went with the flow.
With the husband who is a major type L for lalala (read, anything goes - I made this up, btw in case anyone's trying to decipher which personality type this belongs to), who does not like planning, it works out well. I pretty much have become a lot less planning and alot more lalala since I've become his wife, and even more so after becoming her mother.
I think it's me shifting into survival mode - because there is only that much a person can cope and deal with.
So anyway, going laissez-faire works pretty well in our household. And Kate's doing great! Even if she wakes up in the night.
But, ladies and gentlemen, that seems to be no more.
Since we introduced formula milk to her a month ago, she has slowly evolved into waking up only once in the night for feed. And for the past THREE nights, Kate's woken up whiney and pretty much rolls back to sleep after we feed her the pacifier.
I'm stoked!
Now let's hope this sticks.
I remember the husband and I talking about her sleep pattern, and discussing (pining) when she will start sleeping through the night. There was no answer then, because obviously this was something we had absolutely no control over.
I know of mothers who have strict routines, who follow parenting books and achieve amazing clockwork schedules with their kids. Uh, let's just say we're not those types. I mean, I was hell stressed in the initial periods of motherhood where I tried to follow these schedules; but when I did not succeed and the stress was too much to bear (these self-imposing standards, I tell you...) I quite simply gave up. And just went with the flow.
With the husband who is a major type L for lalala (read, anything goes - I made this up, btw in case anyone's trying to decipher which personality type this belongs to), who does not like planning, it works out well. I pretty much have become a lot less planning and alot more lalala since I've become his wife, and even more so after becoming her mother.
I think it's me shifting into survival mode - because there is only that much a person can cope and deal with.
So anyway, going laissez-faire works pretty well in our household. And Kate's doing great! Even if she wakes up in the night.
But, ladies and gentlemen, that seems to be no more.
Since we introduced formula milk to her a month ago, she has slowly evolved into waking up only once in the night for feed. And for the past THREE nights, Kate's woken up whiney and pretty much rolls back to sleep after we feed her the pacifier.
I'm stoked!
Now let's hope this sticks.
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Thankful for you
I just heard a piece of sad news; a friend's partner passed away suddenly last week. My heart goes out to him and I wish him well.
My heart's really heavy now and I hope that you can take a moment to think about all your loved ones and be thankful for them.
To my family and my friends, I love you.
Special call out to my husband, and my baby, I love you.
My heart's really heavy now and I hope that you can take a moment to think about all your loved ones and be thankful for them.
To my family and my friends, I love you.
Special call out to my husband, and my baby, I love you.
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Baby pincers
Kate is a pincher.
Because she is a little person, anything she does seems cute. And when she pinches, it is a little bearable. But when it's become this often and seemingly necessary, it's becoming a real pain.
She does this in a different ways - when we carry her; or when she goes to sleep.
The poor MIL has bruises along both her arms inflicted by Kate.
I'm also been on the receiving end and it's especially bad for me at night time, when she's about to go to sleep and insists on pinching, kneading those tiny fingers of hers like pincers against skin (mostly mine; unfortunately for me, she seems to prefer me to the husband).
Some babies have their smelly pillows, some need the pacifier.
After we managed to kick her habit of suckling (me) to sleep, we now have another problem.
Because she is a little person, anything she does seems cute. And when she pinches, it is a little bearable. But when it's become this often and seemingly necessary, it's becoming a real pain.
She does this in a different ways - when we carry her; or when she goes to sleep.
The poor MIL has bruises along both her arms inflicted by Kate.
I'm also been on the receiving end and it's especially bad for me at night time, when she's about to go to sleep and insists on pinching, kneading those tiny fingers of hers like pincers against skin (mostly mine; unfortunately for me, she seems to prefer me to the husband).
Some babies have their smelly pillows, some need the pacifier.
After we managed to kick her habit of suckling (me) to sleep, we now have another problem.
Really gotta do something about this - it's becoming painful
Mini bruises from mini pincers
Midnight love
The husband went away for work since Saturday so Kate hasn't seen her papa for two days.
Last night, she'd woken up for a feed at about 1.30am and while she was rolling about trying to settle back to sleep, the door opened and it was papa! (Even I was surprised because he was supposed to come back only tonight)
It was the sweetest sight seeing her respond with such uninhibited happiness!
The pacifier fell out from her mouth as she opened it wide with a huge smile, her arms waved frantically and she called out "PAPA"!
The fun, however, lasted only for short moments, because she was so excited she couldn't fall asleep after that. She rolled and pinched and was in a semi-state of sleepiness/play; and she didn't fall asleep until after 3.30am.
Zzzzz.
Last night, she'd woken up for a feed at about 1.30am and while she was rolling about trying to settle back to sleep, the door opened and it was papa! (Even I was surprised because he was supposed to come back only tonight)
It was the sweetest sight seeing her respond with such uninhibited happiness!
The pacifier fell out from her mouth as she opened it wide with a huge smile, her arms waved frantically and she called out "PAPA"!
The fun, however, lasted only for short moments, because she was so excited she couldn't fall asleep after that. She rolled and pinched and was in a semi-state of sleepiness/play; and she didn't fall asleep until after 3.30am.
Zzzzz.
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Sweet treat
The husband brought Kate to the doc's for a follow-up check up today. We're very happy that she's been declared wheeze-free - yay! The neubalising process has been rough and it is great that we're rid of this undesirable exercise.
So after this positive check-up, the husband brought Kate to meet me for lunch.
It was a totally enjoyable session, and it was doubly sweet that I got to show Kate off to my colleagues. She was a joy and a hit with everyone - she gurgled, and flashed her toothy grin at everyone.
I'm a proud mother.
Much thanks to the husband for making the trip to me with our precious. Definitely made my day!
So after this positive check-up, the husband brought Kate to meet me for lunch.
It was a totally enjoyable session, and it was doubly sweet that I got to show Kate off to my colleagues. She was a joy and a hit with everyone - she gurgled, and flashed her toothy grin at everyone.
I'm a proud mother.
Much thanks to the husband for making the trip to me with our precious. Definitely made my day!
Lunch date
One Saturday, the husband and I were looking to fill our tummies with lunch, while Kate who has already eaten before we left home had gotten comfy and dozed off in the car.
Not the most comfortable seats in the house, but it was special because it was filled with love. Ah, the sacrifices we make as parents.
Not wanting to disturb her nap (we know how cranky sleep-deprieved/disturbed babies can be), the husband and I ended up on a rather, uh, special lunch date.
Not the most comfortable seats in the house, but it was special because it was filled with love. Ah, the sacrifices we make as parents.
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Hugs are good for you
Last night, I stumbled upon the sweetest thing - I hugged Kate to sleep.
Now, this may sound like a most commonsensical thing, but Kate isn't the easiest sleeper. She'd toss and turn and have to be rocked or fed and recently, she's also begun pinching - she just cannot seem to stop fidgeting and even in her half-comatose state she'd have to twitch her fingers.
So to be able to hold her (while sacrificing my arm as her pinching device) while she goes to sleep feels most awesome. Her warm little body against mine, hearing her rhythmic breathing...
Bliss.
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Dear Kate
Dear Kate,
Happy 11 months old!
This morning, I gave you an extra tight hug (quite a feat as you were, as always, trying to wriggle away) as I celebrated how much you have grown. I love your thin bony arms, round tummy and cherubic cheeks (actually, I love everything about you).
You weigh 8.7kg and are 72cm long. This falls in the 50% percentile - so all's well!
You have graduated from the "sit-down walker" to the pushing one and you are able to walk rather quickly with it now; next you'll have to learn how to steer it yourself.
You also love walking assisted and you'll lift your arms up seeking us to hold you so that you can walk about. I love that you'll stop and look up at me after a few steps, as if to say "hello Ma!" and as I look back at you, my heart will fill with love.
You love playtime, especially silly games, and I'm beginning to experiment different ways and means to make big, dramatic actions - anything to tease out that lovely giggle of yours. You flash your four big teeth at me when you laugh and it is a sight for sore eyes.
I love singing and reading rhymes with you. By now, you recognise many of them and are able to gesture along with them. Your current playlist include Eensy Weensy Spider, Humpty Dumpty, Twinkle Twinkle, Little Teapot, Round the Garden and your current favourite is This Little Piggy. Now that you've mastered all of these, I definitely got to find more songs and games to amuse you with.
You still love bears and cats. The former you'll never fail to point to when you spot it - whether it's in books, or toys in shops. The latter you have the funniest way of expressing your delight when you see them! 
You are definitely learning to speak and nothing really makes much sense, except for "umm" which you associate with food/feeding, and your favourite word now has got to be PAPA! It's very amusing to hear you say "papa" no matter how many times I coax you to say "mama". You also know how to go "wowo" when we say "how does the dog bark?" Your comprehension levels have also gone up and you know to point to objects which we name.
You are a very sociable baby who LOVES to get out of the house. Recently, you've even taken to taking the initiative to smile at any person you see - and everyone who is at the receiving end of your toothy grin never fails to smile back, and I beam with pride that my daughter is such a little bundle of joy.
You have always enjoyed food and your diet is a good mix of liquid and solids by now. You know when your food is being prepared and you'll go "umm". Your milk consumption has increased to 150-180ml about 2-3 times a day, and you take well to cereals of different flavours, as well as porridge with different ingredients 2-3 times a day too. You love fruits, even the slightly sour ones like strawberry! You have become a lot more demanding lately, insisting on eating when we are eating too. While we could get away with distracting you with toys before, we have to share our food now or you will yell in protest! It's very amusing to see you pointing to food on the table while nodding furiously, showing us in your own way that you wish to eat too! You also know to crawl towards the pantry area, pointing at the biscuit tin you see sitting on the shelf.
2 weeks ago, you tasted formula milk for the first time in your life. You didn't like it very much initially, and we had to experiment with different brands of formula. We also had to mix breast milk and formula milk for a while to get you accustomed to the new taste. You are taking formula milk very well now. I miss breastfeeding you, my baby, but I also know that it is the right time to wean you off. I will always remember our intimate feeding moments, they will always be special to me.
Your character is becoming more and more defined as days go by, and you're definitely a feisty little one. You are energetic and playful, friendly and cheeky.
I still think that we don't have enough time together, but I'm getting used to being a working mom. I know that you're in good hands when Daddy and I are at work and I love how you squeal when you see us after work.
Love, Mommy
Happy 11 months old!
This morning, I gave you an extra tight hug (quite a feat as you were, as always, trying to wriggle away) as I celebrated how much you have grown. I love your thin bony arms, round tummy and cherubic cheeks (actually, I love everything about you).
You weigh 8.7kg and are 72cm long. This falls in the 50% percentile - so all's well!
You have graduated from the "sit-down walker" to the pushing one and you are able to walk rather quickly with it now; next you'll have to learn how to steer it yourself.
You also love walking assisted and you'll lift your arms up seeking us to hold you so that you can walk about. I love that you'll stop and look up at me after a few steps, as if to say "hello Ma!" and as I look back at you, my heart will fill with love.
I can stand!
You are a trouper with a mission, always knowing where you wish to head to and walk purposefully in that direction. When I try to steer you away, you know how to sit down in protest to escape from my grip! You are able to crawl, in your funny three-legged style, very quickly now. Just the other day, I realise that you are able to climb up the slide at the playground on your own.
Runaway baby
You love playtime, especially silly games, and I'm beginning to experiment different ways and means to make big, dramatic actions - anything to tease out that lovely giggle of yours. You flash your four big teeth at me when you laugh and it is a sight for sore eyes.
I love singing and reading rhymes with you. By now, you recognise many of them and are able to gesture along with them. Your current playlist include Eensy Weensy Spider, Humpty Dumpty, Twinkle Twinkle, Little Teapot, Round the Garden and your current favourite is This Little Piggy. Now that you've mastered all of these, I definitely got to find more songs and games to amuse you with.
You still love bears and cats. The former you'll never fail to point to when you spot it - whether it's in books, or toys in shops. The latter you have the funniest way of expressing your delight when you see them!
CAT!
You are definitely learning to speak and nothing really makes much sense, except for "umm" which you associate with food/feeding, and your favourite word now has got to be PAPA! It's very amusing to hear you say "papa" no matter how many times I coax you to say "mama". You also know how to go "wowo" when we say "how does the dog bark?" Your comprehension levels have also gone up and you know to point to objects which we name.
You are a very sociable baby who LOVES to get out of the house. Recently, you've even taken to taking the initiative to smile at any person you see - and everyone who is at the receiving end of your toothy grin never fails to smile back, and I beam with pride that my daughter is such a little bundle of joy.
Kate and her cheeky, toothy grin
You have always enjoyed food and your diet is a good mix of liquid and solids by now. You know when your food is being prepared and you'll go "umm". Your milk consumption has increased to 150-180ml about 2-3 times a day, and you take well to cereals of different flavours, as well as porridge with different ingredients 2-3 times a day too. You love fruits, even the slightly sour ones like strawberry! You have become a lot more demanding lately, insisting on eating when we are eating too. While we could get away with distracting you with toys before, we have to share our food now or you will yell in protest! It's very amusing to see you pointing to food on the table while nodding furiously, showing us in your own way that you wish to eat too! You also know to crawl towards the pantry area, pointing at the biscuit tin you see sitting on the shelf.
Watch me stuff bread into my mouth!
2 weeks ago, you tasted formula milk for the first time in your life. You didn't like it very much initially, and we had to experiment with different brands of formula. We also had to mix breast milk and formula milk for a while to get you accustomed to the new taste. You are taking formula milk very well now. I miss breastfeeding you, my baby, but I also know that it is the right time to wean you off. I will always remember our intimate feeding moments, they will always be special to me.
Your character is becoming more and more defined as days go by, and you're definitely a feisty little one. You are energetic and playful, friendly and cheeky.
I still think that we don't have enough time together, but I'm getting used to being a working mom. I know that you're in good hands when Daddy and I are at work and I love how you squeal when you see us after work.
I'm thankful that I have such a beautiful baby sleeping besides me every night; Daddy and I love to watch you sleep. Last night, we were just talking about how much we love you and we want you to know that we love you very very much.
Sleeping beauty
Happy 11 months my precious.
Love, Mommy
Monday, August 16, 2010
Things you can do with a baby at meal time
Put a grain of rice on her nose
Let her show you how to EAT
Put shredded tissue on her headScare
Last Saturday, the husband and I decided to bring Kate to the doctors' - we'd noticed that her eyes were slightly puffy and were worried that she was over-medicated and/or was allergic to her meds.
The pediatrician couldn't really tell that her eyes were puffy (probably because it wasn't too bad - that's a good thing) but he did detect a bit of wheezing.
"it's best you admit her for 2 days to clear the phlegm in her breathing tubes"
.......
The husband and I were so shocked by this sudden piece of news that we were quiet and didn't know how to respond. I knew that my mind was a blank. I couldn't believe how a seemingly harmless by-the-way trip wound up being so serious.
After deliberating, we decided not to admit Kate and rent the neubaliser machine back home to 'treat' her ourselves instead. The little one hates it, but I think it's doing some good. She doesn't have a cold, but her nose is mildly leaky, especially so after a treatment session which I take as a good sign - all the phlegm is coming out, slowly but surely!
Dear Kate, please purge out all the icky phlegm quickly, then you won't be wheezy anymore and not have any difficulty when you breathe. You're a strong girl and I know you will be well, very soon.
Love you my precious.
The pediatrician couldn't really tell that her eyes were puffy (probably because it wasn't too bad - that's a good thing) but he did detect a bit of wheezing.
"it's best you admit her for 2 days to clear the phlegm in her breathing tubes"
.......
The husband and I were so shocked by this sudden piece of news that we were quiet and didn't know how to respond. I knew that my mind was a blank. I couldn't believe how a seemingly harmless by-the-way trip wound up being so serious.
After deliberating, we decided not to admit Kate and rent the neubaliser machine back home to 'treat' her ourselves instead. The little one hates it, but I think it's doing some good. She doesn't have a cold, but her nose is mildly leaky, especially so after a treatment session which I take as a good sign - all the phlegm is coming out, slowly but surely!
Dear Kate, please purge out all the icky phlegm quickly, then you won't be wheezy anymore and not have any difficulty when you breathe. You're a strong girl and I know you will be well, very soon.
Love you my precious.
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Meds are good for you
We had a pretty good night yesterday. Before bed, the family spent time together, and in the night, we all managed to sleep pretty decent hours!
The husband and I rushed home to be with our poor little sickie and she was in rather good spirits (phew). We had dinner together, and we played together, and I think it was super sweet because the husband made a choice to stay home with us, forgoing his soccer play for the week.
Yay to the husband.
Kate's rather heavily medicated with three different types of medication and they definitely affected her, because though she was her usual active self before sleep, she was really drowsy when she woke up briefly in the night - which happened only once. The other times she merely rolled around and was satisfied/able to go back to sleep after I put the pacifier into her mouth (other nights she demands a feed or starts to cry and become more active).
And she woke up after 8 this morning! Just as I had given up being able to see her awakened before I left for work, she lazily stretched and opened her eyes...
Kate, 2 minutes after she opened her eyes
Gotta love her gangsta-expression!
On a separate note, our camera's missing. Ok, it's not lost (I hope) but it's not anywhere we can see it. We really need to find it!
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
It's not easy
My poor girl's ill again, after recovering from flu last week.
It started out with mild cough the past 2 days, then she had fever last night.
This morning, she's contracted the full-blown leaky nose, cough (worsened) and mild fever.
I was up with her while she couldn't sleep last night from 4 to 5am, and my heart aches everytime she coughs. I kissed her and hugged her when she finally fell asleep, willing the discomfort to go away. I love her fiercely and wish that I was the one unwell rather than her.
I do not wish for her to be ill, as much as, if not more than anyone. She is my daughter, my precious and I feel sad and worried that she's unwell, as much as, if not more than anyone.
:(
It started out with mild cough the past 2 days, then she had fever last night.
This morning, she's contracted the full-blown leaky nose, cough (worsened) and mild fever.
I was up with her while she couldn't sleep last night from 4 to 5am, and my heart aches everytime she coughs. I kissed her and hugged her when she finally fell asleep, willing the discomfort to go away. I love her fiercely and wish that I was the one unwell rather than her.
I do not wish for her to be ill, as much as, if not more than anyone. She is my daughter, my precious and I feel sad and worried that she's unwell, as much as, if not more than anyone.
:(
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Planning in progress
Kate is a week shy of her 11th month and the sister and I have been trying to get our act together to plan her 1st birthday party.
I'm excited.
I'm excited.
Monday, August 9, 2010
Feeling pensive
I feel as if I've gone through some sort of mini transformation in the past month. Most of it is emotional, and triggered by things like happenings at work, developments with Kate and all the thoughts soldiering on in my head non-stop.
I questioned what life was for, why we do what we do. And I feel that everything's tinged with a bit of melancholy - I need to stop thinking.
I questioned what life was for, why we do what we do. And I feel that everything's tinged with a bit of melancholy - I need to stop thinking.
Friday, August 6, 2010
The long weekend
I've not spending enough time with the husband and Kate. So I'm very thankful that I have the long weekend to catch up with them. Yay!
Thursday, August 5, 2010
CAT!
Haha! I received this mms from the husband when I was at work. I burst out laughing and my heart filled up with happiness and love. Kate's favourite animals are bears and cats.
I'm thankful for a patient husband who tolerates my frequent badgering "please send me pics of K" (I reciprocate when I'm the one with her), and for this lovely bundle of joy.
O darling Kate, Mommy loves you so much!
Adapting
While I've kinda gotten used to having interrupted sleep for the past 10+ months, it's taken quite a toll on me in the past month. My body's not responding too well to the lack of sleep topped up with the flu attack and long working hours in the past weeks.
I've been feeling physically drained. I'm tired, a lot more.
The husband has been excellent helping out with putting Kate to sleep and I appreciate all that he's doing. I'm very fortunate.
I miss Kate, but I'm also getting used to being more of me. I suspect there's a link between how I'm feeling and the fact that I'm barely breastfeeding her anymore. I'm more independant (ironic since she's the baby).
All in all, I think I'm adapting to life. Work, being busy, being a mother, being me.
My little girl's growing up and so am I.
I've been feeling physically drained. I'm tired, a lot more.
The husband has been excellent helping out with putting Kate to sleep and I appreciate all that he's doing. I'm very fortunate.
I miss Kate, but I'm also getting used to being more of me. I suspect there's a link between how I'm feeling and the fact that I'm barely breastfeeding her anymore. I'm more independant (ironic since she's the baby).
All in all, I think I'm adapting to life. Work, being busy, being a mother, being me.
My little girl's growing up and so am I.