Baby's First Christmas

With Auntie Jac by the family's Christmas tree on the eve.

Food Time!

Hi Baby,

Now that you're six months old already it's time to introduce you to food other than breast milk. Mommy read that the best first food to give you was avocado. As you passed your sixth month mark I excitedly, and at the same time not really wanting to because mommy don't want you to grow up so fast, sliced a small piece of avocado and mashed it up, and fed you with a teaspoon. You took to it like a duck to water. In total over the past week you pretty much only had almost half an avocado, mommy just finished the other half on toast with slices of tomatoes, yummy. Also we've been giving you water to drink out of a cup.

Well, with the introduction to food into your diet now you also have stopped pooping for a week. You have yet to give a good pooping and I decided to cut down on your meal frequency (considering you only have it once or twice a day...)

But something wasn't right. Experience wise. Had to hold your hands down so you won't take the spoon and get avocado everywhere.

While mommy happen to be browsing another mommy's blog who took pictures of her baby in dreamland, I read that she was introduced to this concept of 'baby led weaning'. Intriguing...

So mommy googled it up and all these links came up, feels like the time when mommy was researching cloth diapers, opened up a few and read up what is all this baby led weaning. I can tell you I felt so pleased with the concept.

The idea is to let baby control what she chooses to put in her mouth, the emphasis is more on play and exploration than actual eating.

Let's see how that all work out for us...

Love,

Mommy

6th Months Check Up

Hi Baby,

At 6 months and a weekish, you checked in at 70cm tall and 8.8kg. Yesterday was the doctor's appointment. And we waited almost two hours! Which never happened before, and the clinic was unusually full yesterday too. Daddy and I agreed that at your next appointment we're going to have breakfast first before coming to the clinic because we planned on going out for breakfast after your appointment, it didn't happen, by the time we were done it was almost lunch time.

While waiting for our number to come up, mommy was people watching. The weighing and measuring station was right in front of the waiting area, and there was one couple mommy was watching as they take off their baby's clothes and diaper, weighed, and back on the mat to put the baby's clothes back on, mommy noticed and excitedly said to daddy, "Hey, their baby is using cloth diaper too! I wonder what brand is it..." Trust mommy to see that.

Oh, almost forgot, you weren't very happy when we first came into the clinic and weighed and measured you. When daddy placed you on the scales you started crying and fidgeting, and did not want to be on it. Daddy took the lowest number as your reading because he said all the other readings were way too high from all that movement you did. Same goes with the measuring baby's length, but at least you didn't cry, just upset.

Mommy was kind of surprised or that your growth has slowed down, but then you do have a growth spurt coming up.

We met a couple of daddy's friends, and mommy helped out one of them by holding their one month old son while the mommy was getting the bottle ready. The baby was so light and fragile in my arms, and I don't recall a time when you were like that... probably on your first day? No... can't be... No, you were never as fragile as that baby. You were pretty tough from the get go.

When finally it was our turn to see the doctor. It was a pleasant surprise to see an old friend of the family sitting in the same room, she was shadowing the pediatrician that day. The doctor assessed you, I don't know what, probably to see if you were responsive as mommy had you in my lap and the doctor was holding up some rings and you reached out to them. Then you were placed on the bed and undressed and the doctor checked out your joints, daddy said you got confused and thought you were getting your diaper changed.

After that the doctor asked where does daddy smoke, not in the house, and then proceeded the rest of the consultation lecturing daddy about the dangers of smoking, second hand smoking and how it will affect you, and how if one parent smoke chances of the child following is high. The doctor went on and on about how daddy would need support from everybody and all that. Mommy could sense daddy was not pleased being lectured about that and how the doctor kept on saying to come to my clinic as they give nicotine patches etc.

While that was happening, mommy was talking to our family friend and showing her the cloth diaper and explaining about it, they were well intrigued, all of them in the room was saying it was the first time they've seen it.

From the doctor's room we made our way to the vaccination room to get your last hepatitis shot. And the nurses gave the next appointment three months from now. Mommy was surprised, I thought it'll still be a monthly visit, they said if the baby is developing and growing well, no need to, if baby wasn't, then they'll have to monitor more often.

Mommy figured maybe we'll just come over monthly anyway and use the weighing and length measuring just so we can check your growth.

So, next visit is when you are 9 months!

Love,

Mommy

Baby At Wedding

Dear Baby,

Last sunday we went to a family friend's daughter's wedding, the parents came to daddy's wedding so this is like to reciprocate. We went with your Nini Noi and Nini Boy in one car to the hall which is next to the beach, so it felt cool even though it was a bright sunny day. From the carpark to the hall we made sure you were wearing your sun hat (spf 50).

Mommy dressed you up in the baju kurong Nini Noi made for you with matching light green diaper.

You were with daddy from the car and into the hall and since they had separated the seatings, males on the left, females on the right, mommy went to sit with some of daddy's cousins and you and daddy disappeared else where. Eventually daddy came to pass you to me and you were with mommy. Well, you took the hearts of a lot of ladies in the area mommy was sitting with, you smiled and laughed and cooed and they all just kept on looking at you. Where as you on the other hand would not sit still, you kept on wanting to stand up and bounce.

The lady that was sitting next to mommy commented what a sweet baby you are, so happy. And you looked towards her and raised your arms like you wanted to be picked up. Mommy passed you to the lady and you cooed and smiled at them.

When it was time to eat one of the ladies offered to hold you for mommy since she doesn't eat at weddings. And you went to her arms willingly leaving mommy free to check out the buffet. After mommy was done, apparently the wedding photographer was her son in law and had been taking pictures of you. So mommy just need to contact the lady to get your pictures, she told mommy where she works so one day when mommy happen to be training there I'll look her up.

When wedding was over, passed you to daddy and I lost him in the crowds. Saw daddy a distance away and you were with Pa'Ngah, he was at the wedding too. Had to wait for you grandparents as they sat up front and a surge of people making their way out of the hall. Eventually we went out of the hall hoping your grandparents were already outside, nope. Met more of daddy's cousins. And finally your grandparents emerged, and more waiting because your grandmother were stopping people to introduce you as you are the first grand child for them. Very proud of you they are.

Finally we get to make our way to the car and make our way home. Your grandparents talked about how you were so well behaved at the wedding, this is the fourth wedding function you've attended. We got home just in time as Auntie Wina was comming over to pick up the recycled stuff, they got a beach cleaning event that day.

It was nap time for you before we head out again to look for a new car seat for you. That's another story...

Love,

Mommy

Baby At Work

Dear Baby,

Mommy had to bring you to work one day because nenek wasn't available that morning. Needless to say, mommy's colleagues went all 'iski' having you around. They all commented they want to bite your thighs. There was a lot of talk about legs that morning.

Look at you in the office chair, what paperwork have you done that day baby? You look well busy with all that papers behind you.

At least mommy didn't have to express that day.

Love,

Mommy

High Chair

Dear Baby,

We were over Auntie Nadia's house one day and tried out the baby high chair she bought for Abang Nawi.

So what do you think? Do you like it? Daddy said you look really happy in it. Mommy kinda like this model because it allows you to be at the table at the same height as everybody. And not only that the chair is adjustable. Like for you, we just need to increase the bottom shelf up one notch so your feet can rest on it and not dangle. The seat platform can be pushed out a bit more to give room for the thighs.

And when you're all grown up and don't need the baby attachments anymore we can have that removed and it'll be a high chair that you can get in and out from easily. And when you're even older we can remove the top seat and just use the lower and it'll be a proper chair you can use.

End of the day, it all depends on daddy. Mommy already gave him all the details. Are we getting it or not I don't know...

If we do get it it'll either be a red or black one. Heheh...

Love,

Mommy

The Princess of Themyscira

Dear Baby,

The little Wonder Woman! These were taken when you just turned 4 months old, the outfit came from Australia, a friend picked it up because it was on sale. Well, I think baby only wore it twice before you outgrew it. Daddy was very excited when you first wore it. Mommy was wondering where can we find red booties to go with the outfit... Only trouble was with the outfit was that it was velvety which is warm for you so we only dressed you in it for bed. Pictures were taken in the morning after you woke up! Hehehe...

Love,
Mommy

P. S. Mommy is just slow with uploading your pictures...

So Much Development!

Hi Baby,

Mommy worked out in one week you showed so many developmental milestones. Starting off with new baby teeth, sitting up unsupported, rolling on your front to back to front again, playing with your feet and stuffing them into your mouth (happy baby pose!), learned how to seek attention, expressing feelings (just a matter of us interpreting the meaning correctly). What else is there that I might have missed out...

Last weekend Auntie Choo came over and took photos of you, here are some taken in your playroom..





Aren't the pictures great? Auntie Choo been practicing a lot with her camera and you're one of her favourite subjects.

Oh yeah, that reminded me, whenever there are people around, and even if it was your nap time, you don't want to sleep, you'd stay up so they'll play with you. Like last time, mommy put you down for a nap and managed to sleep for at least half an hour then your cousins and Uda came over and you were wide awake, playing, laughing and only had your nap after they all left.

One of the great things about baby is no matter how short your sleep is, you'd always wake up smiling.

Love,
Mommy

You Can Sit!

Dear Baby,

Beginning of the week mommy was feeling really sick, and it also just so happen that mommy took a couple of days off anyway to take care of you since nenek lambak was in Jakarta with Uchu. On one hand it was annoying mommy got sick while on leave but on the other it was good because mommy just spend the days in bed, and since daddy was working it was just you and me.

So it was one of those days while we spent the day in bed was when mommy discovered you can sit. All I did was sit you up, and hey, you're sitting! I can't remember if this was the same day as when mommy discovered you got teeth... It was great to see you able to sit upright, and you're trying to balance your body and using your arms. At first you seemed unsure but also happy as it was something new.

That night when daddy came home showed him you can sit. You're growing up really fast now. You get really antsy nowadays if you get put in a lying down position and insist on standing, or sitting at least.

We really have to be careful with you, for all I know, I turn my back on you and you're crawling off. It really is harder to take care of babies once they learned how to move around... there was that episode where you rolled off the bed in your sleep, thank goodness for japanese style beds, and that other episode of falling over backwards while sitting, thank god you're still short. I know mommy can't protect you forever, but I have to try, all that adrenaline and increased heart pumping leaves me all jittery when something happens to you when it could've been prevented. Aaarrghh!!

Love,
Mommy

Aahhh!!

Hi Baby,

Mommy just discovered you got teeth! Mommy could feel two front teeth coming up on your lower gums. It just so happen you took mommy's finger and started sucking it, and it just happen mommy's finger rubbed against your gums, and that's how mommy found out today. Gotta tell daddy now.

Love,

Mommy

More Ring Slings!

Hi Baby,

This weekend Auntie Lin is in Singapore. Mommy asked her to get some stuff for you, or technically for mommy. She's gonna come back with at least 3 ring slings. Yay!

Love,

Mommy

PS, daddy doesn't know :p

Just The Two Of Us

Dear Baby,

Today we went to see Auntie Choo do her grading for her shodan, that's first dan black belt in Aikido. Since her grading was in the afternoon, and we're down to one car, we sent daddy to work in the morning so mommy have a car.

The day went by with baby napping, short nap in the morning which gave mommy the opportunity to hang up the laundry and then a long nap in the afternoon, which mommy joined you for the first half and then waited for you to wake up. As the time got nearer to when we were suppose to go you were still sleeping, by the time you woke up after an almost 4 hours nap, we had ten minutes to change diaper and get to the dojo.

We got there in time and saw Auntie Choo do her grading as we sat at the back. She was nervous and rushed through some of her moves. We even watched Uncle Noh and Uncle Chiong's grading. When mommy used to do aikido these were the people I trained with all those years ago, and I felt it was fitting we were there to witness their achievement to getting their black belts, these guys trained really hard to get it, and they say once you get your shodan, that's when the real training begins.

After Auntie Choo did her bit, she broke rank and came over to us as we sat at the back of the room. During the whole time we were there you were more interested what was on the notice board that was behind us then what was going on on the mat. Mommy thought you'd be interested to see people being slammed and flipped on the mat, maybe because it was all so quiet and serious concentration going on. There were quite a number of people watching the grading and they were all aikidokais of various age, they only realised we were there when you coughed! I bet you there were probably surprised to hear a baby's cough in the dojo. Apart from that, you were really well behaved while we were at the dojo, no fussing at all, I guess it helped that we sat in line with the fan which kept us cool as it was a hot afternoon.

After an hour of being there we left the dojo and headed over to atok and nenek's house, as they were flying off that evening with Uchu to Jakarta for the next few days. So mommy had taken leave to take care of you.

Mommy just realised us going to the dojo was the first time mommy and baby had gone somewhere just the two of us, usually it's with daddy everytime we go out. So most probably they'll be future jaunts for the both of us. Wonder where can we go next....

Love,

Mommy

5th Month Check Up, or Not...

Dear Baby,

Monday mommy and daddy were suppose to attend this course but as the universe moved it turned out we were excluded. But that's ok, what we thought would be a nice slow start to the day got interrupted with a phone call from the clinic asking if we could come in today instead of the appointed Thursday. Well, all of us are awake already so we got ready.

When we got to the clinic it was just for your third polio vaccine dose, and the nurse said we just go straight in for your drops. She said we don't have to weigh you like we normally do but we did anyway just so we know...

So, as of 5 months and 8 days old you weighed in at 8.17kg and 69cm long.

While waiting for our turn the television at the waiting lounge was showing a programme about saving babies and it showed a preemie baby having surgery to it's head to alleviate the pressure the fluid build up. There were lots of blood. There was a little girl sitting with her mother covering her eyes across from where we were sitting. Mommy avoided looking at the television, not a thing a parent would want to watch. Was so glad when it was our turn for the vaccination.

Baby at first while we were waiting looked apprehensive, we figured because you thought you were going to get a jab and you cried a bit and daddy took you for walkabouts. When he took you into the room where they give the vaccination, and you came out you looked pretty happy, and probably relieved as there was no pain associated! Daddy said you sucked on the dropper, and the nurse was surprised.

We then went for breakfast before we headed down to Jerudong as mommy had to deliver an order. On the way you nursed and fell fast asleep. Had to hand you over to daddy to hold and waited in the car while mommy went to give the stuff. Handed you back to me when I got back into the car and you were still asleep. As it was a rainy day we headed back home.

Love,

Mommy

The Baby Shower!

Dear baby,

Today was your 'Mandi Belawat', how I explain it, your baby shower. Apparently this is a Brunei Malay thing. They don't have it where else with other malays in Singapore or Malaysia. The 'Mandi Belawat' is reserved for the first born, traditionally held right after the confinement period to celebrate the new arrival and that mommy and baby is doing well.

I'm not sure how it was back in the old days but nowadays, the time to have the 'Mandi Belawat' is anytime within the baby's first year, and that it's a dress up affair. It was said this is the last chance the mommies get to be queen for a day again apart from the wedding. Also supposedly the mommies were suppose to be able to fit back into their wedding outfit. I'm not sure how they were able to do it after only 40 days of giving birth, mommy still got that extra 10kg after you came out to get rid off and it has already been 5 months!

For the event mommy decided on a black pink jubbah and dressed it up with a head gear and wore one of mommy's wedding tiaras. Auntie Nadia did mommy's make up and Auntie Choo came over right after her AGM and was happily snapping away with her new camera. Auntie Adeline did an unexpected turn up whom mommy hadn't seen in 4 years. And Uncle Erwan and Auntie Mimi came too.

You had to be wrapped up in a 'kain jong sarat', the traditional gold woven cloth, and you wore the gold bracelet atok gave you and the gold chain and pendant nini noi and auntie lin got for you. And you were wearing one of the baju kurongs nini noi made from raya.

While we waited for us to make an entrance you decided it was time to nurse and nap. By the time we came downstairs you were fast asleep. You slept right through the 'tahlil' and mommy presented you to each and every guest that came. Each guest would dab a liquid powder made from ground up uncooked rice grains using pandan leave brush and a gold ring tied on it's end and sprinkled you with 'bunga rampai' and wish you. Mommy got the same treatment too. Needless to say it had to be wiped off after every few guests.

Mommy insisted to be the one that would carry you around and boy were my arms tired. And I was sweating like crazy as it was hot. Mommy was worried the make up would run. One of daddy's cousin had to dab mommy's face to stop the sweat from making little streams. It was that hot. When mommy passed by the hallway mirror had a quick look and make up still looked good. When I told Auntie Nadia about it she said the make up was suppose to look better when you perspire.

After mommy was done taking you to all the female guests, it was daddy's turn to take you to all the male guests. But before that, we cleaned you up from all the dabs and flowers. You were still asleep. While daddy did his round mommy went back to all the female guests to salam and thank them for their wishes and contribution.

Apparently you were wide awake when daddy took you, with a scowl on your face, heheh...

Daddy handed you back to me and we went upstairs to nurse a bit more and change diaper, you decided to empty your bowels somewhere during the event.

After mommy rested up a bit and with Auntie Choo's help taking care of you, we headed back down. You got taken by somebody and mommy had something to eat as there were still lots of food left.

Since we hired a photographer to capture the event mommy got him to do a photoshoot of you and us, a nice family shot. By then all the guests had left. And when it was all quiet, Uncle Rashid and Auntie Lina came with Rafie! They couldn't come any earlier but mommy glad they came anyway, we still had lots of food left and we hung out for a couple of hours catching up on happenings.

By the time we got home it had been a long day. Daddy tallied up the contributions that was given and all in all you made almost 3k not including jewelleries. More savings for you!

It was an interesting experience as on mommy's side we never had a baby shower because we follow nenek's malaysian heritage.

I promised your grand uncle who lives in peninsula malaysia to send him pictures of the event and see how big you've become.

For a baby, even before you were born, your lucky star has already been shining bright, and may it continue to shine bright for always.

Love,

Mommy

Expressed Breast Milk & Baby Wearing

Hi Baby,

Past week mommy been... researching? I suppose so. It all started when the freezer at home was overtaken by the stock of expressed breast milk (EBM) mommy been producing. I wonder if this is why mommy and daddy sort of stopped cooking because there is no more space in the freezer to put in stuff...

Anyway, it got mommy curious, how much ebm do one produce and stock up? How does every mommies out there store them? Because mommy is at a stage of thinking to shop for a mini deep freezer just to store all the milk, and free up the freezer for food. And it gives a longer shelf life, 6 months as oppose to 3 months. Right now at home there are almost 72 cups, (1 cup = 3oz = 100ml) and at your grandmother's there are another 48 cups. A rough calculation if baby is taking 4 cups per working day there is enough for 6 weeks. Funny how that doesn't sound a lot, 6 weeks only, and it got me paranoid, oh no, need to stock up more! Daddy just bought another 30 storage cups the other day, mommy is down to the last 5 from the 30 I bought last month.

So mommy googled, and found some interesting blogs and been reading them. There was one mommy who got a standing freezer and it was filled with ebm in bottles and bags from top to bottom. Another mommy got a three months supply in their freezer and expired ebm as well (what can you do with expired ebm?) I must remember to take a picture of the freezer of the ebm I have stocked up for you for posterity. In terms of dates mommy is a month ahead, baby is having last month milk supply while mommy is at work.

On a week day I am able to get 4 to 5 cups, on a good day can get 6 cups, which doesn't happen often. On the weekends, since baby and mommy are together I express 1 cup in the morning and another cup throughout the whole day. I don't know as you grow older if your demand increase as in a couple of months time we're going to start introducing you to other foods. Mommy is going to feel sad about that, story for another time...

Yesterday being a weekend, we spent the whole day together. Daddy was at work and he didn't come back until way late in the evening. In the morning baby didn't nap as long as you normally would, and it being laundry day baby woke up just as mommy was about to hang up the laundry on the line. And what do we do, we wear baby! Mommy decided not to use the ring sling and took out the mothercare carrier that we bought way before you were born, I figured this way baby can face forward and see what mommy is doing. Three times baby was in the carrier as that was the amount of times we did laundry. I think baby really enjoyed being able to see the world and the going on, since there was just us at home mommy really couldn't leave you alone.

But it was bothersome using the carrier, so many straps and buckles to fasten, and I couldn't shorten the straps enough and couldn't really adjust the pouch baby was in to lie against mommy more. And the straps hurt my shoulders since baby's weight distribution was too low to be comfortable, it'll probably fit better on daddy since he got a bigger frame. At least it's an alternative to use, apart from that I rather use my ring sling, way more comfortable. Mommy lent the other sling to Auntie Lina because Hanna is always clinging on to her, and she's 1 year plus already and is getting way too heavy for Auntie Lina to carry for long, this way Auntie Lina can do her thing around the house and Hanna is happy because she gets to be with mommy in the sling. I heard it's working really well for both of them.

Then mommy hit a blog about this mom in Sabah who got a collection of slings and I'm tempted to get another one or two more since they do come in various colours... it's like changing handbags! Hahaha... but the material have to be thin and easily slide on the rings. The first sling mommy got I think had too small rings and too much materials to slip through and it made it hard to adjust. I liked it because it got pockets in the tail but baby got hot too quick in it even though it's cotton. The second sling mommy got had bigger rings and the materials was linen and it was much easier to use, easier to adjust when baby's in it and material was thinner, they didn't have the colours mommy wanted when I ordered it and had to choose an alternative colour, it being online shopping and all and already paid for it, but at least mommy is happy with the ease of use, and baby I think has developed the knowledge that when mommy put on the sling, baby get to go on an adventure! I'm guessing from the expression on your face, you looked really excited...

Love,
Mommy

4 Months Check Up

Dear Baby,

Yesterday was the appointment for your 4th month, and 9 days, check up at the clinic.

Weight: 7.66kg

Length: 67cm

Head Circumfrence: 41cm

Compared to previous month, you gained about 400g, grew 2cm height and 1/2cm head. You're back on the charts, I think it was the 90th percentile, below the red line, not that it made much difference, as long as you're growing and gaining weight you're still good. I think it's because this month you've been down with a cold, phlegmy cough and wheezy breathing, which could contribute baby not gaining as mush as previous months. It's ok, mommy's concern is for you to recover from your cold. At least you only cough on occasions, the nurse said to just keep an eye, and if the coughing is reducing in frequency there's nothing to worry about and just keep you warm at nights. You already finished the rhinithol the pediatrician gave last week, so we'll see how things goes.

You had your third dose of Tetra vaccine (right thigh) and second dose of polio vaccine. All in all we were in and out of there in an hour.

We went for breakfast, daddy hadn't been to Seria Kueh Teow in a while and it was your first time there. When the waitress saw us she exclaimed, "Ada baby sudah!" ("You have a baby already!") It was interesting to watch daddy use his chopsticks because you were sitting on his right side with your right arm on daddy's arm and daddy's right handed, mommy should've had a camera then.

We then went to pick up Auntie Lin from work for an errand to do, mommy received a free bottle of honey from a honey shop because it was mommy's birthday, and on the way home you fell asleep and we decided to drop you off at grandma lambak and we head to work.

In the evening when mommy came to take you home, your grandmother said you cried so loudly in the afternoon. She held you and tried to distract you and nothing worked, eventually you fell asleep and she dare not move in case you woke up. Mommy pretty much expected that to happen, baby always get a bit sensitive and fussy every time you get a jab.

And in the evening when we went out for dinner with Auntie Choo was the same, whoever happen to be holding baby you wouldn't let them sit. As soon as they were about to sit you started wailing and only stopped when they stood back up again. So throughout the night the three of us took turns holding you and entertaining you. You managed to nap twice so that was good, mommy's always concern that you should get enough rest. The second nap happened when we left the first restaurant to go to another for dessert and baby was nursing and fell right asleep.

This morning you woke up several times just to nurse and back asleep again, gives mommy time to do the laundry. Mommy overdid on the detergent with your diapers and had to rinse it several times before I could hang them up, and do the rest of the washing. Hopefully when baby wake up your mood has improved and we'll do some reading in the afternoon and fit in a nap as well because mommy could do with one with waking up at 4 this morning...

Love,

Mommy

"I Want To Stand Up!"

Dear Baby,

For the past week or so mommy and daddy noticed that whenever we hold you up to stand, you really enjoyed it. Yesterday mommy noticed that you were able to hold it longer and we could feel the strength in your legs too. Last week one evening mommy held you up against the coffee table and you were playing with the laptop, clicked on functions even I didn't know exist. You really enjoyed standing up and playing.

By the time we get home in the evenings after picking up daddy from work, you insist on standing up, and daddy would have you standing on his tummy or chest and you happily gurgle away. Only our arms gave out before you even tire of towering over everyone.

Auntie Elaine happened to come by and I mentioned to her that you've been wanting to stand up. She said, "Oh yes, they'll want to do that, but only for 5 seconds, her bones are still soft and we don't want her to be bow legged now do we." Ack! Must tell daddy that.

Ok baby, no putting weight on your legs just yet until you can sit up at least. Which you still haven't, but it's ok, enjoy your babyhood stage as long as possible, cos you're developing really fast...

Love,

Mommy

Baby's Clinic Check Up

Hi Baby,

Mommy is a bit late with this one. So a quick update before your appointment next week.

Let's see, it was your 3 months plus check, baby weighed in at 7.27kg and your height was 65cm. You received a shot, I can't remember which vaccination it was and your first polio vaccine. They injected the vaccination in your left thigh, daddy was holding you as usual and you cried which I told auntie elaine it seems to be longer than last time, she said you're more aware of pain now. And the polio drops were given orally.

As usual as soon as we're in the car mommy nursed you for comfort and you fell asleep. Mommy and daddy decided to go for brunch at the italian restaurant we always frequent and you were still nursing when we got there, good thing mommy had a scarf so was able to cover up with that. Good thing about going to this place at that time in the morning there was hardly any people, pretty good.

Mommy and daddy took the day off and spent the whole day with you. We didn't spend it at home though as trees by the main road was being cut, so they cut off the electricity and since it was a hot day we went to your grandparents in mata mata to chill after we came back from brunch and packed what we needed for you. Your grandparents weren't home at that time as your granddad boy was in singapore having an operation for his heart, and everybody else went too.

And then the next day you started coughing and had been coughing since. Did mommy write up about your first visit to your pediatrician...

Love,
Mommy

Cloth Diapering - Again

Hi Baby,

Mommy just ordered another ten pocket cloth diapers... this is on top of the five that was ordered two weeks ago, and on top of the five that we already have before you were born. Basically, mommy and daddy like using them on you as it's convenient, safe (as in no chemicals as oppose to disposables) and colourful! When the next five arrived and after being washed the recommended at least three times and in your basket, I got excited seeing the many different colours and was tempted to order some more just for the colours. Bad bad. And I held out, things like this needs thinking, and so I asked daddy whether we should get some more for you and he said yes, YES! Yay!

It's sort of weird that mommy would be excited about diapers. I like how it is safe against baby's skin, reduce waste (apparently it says 50% of household waste of a family with baby is made up of the disposable diapers) and I think it's the convenience of not having to go buy them every week. Yeah granted that there is work involved when it comes to laundry, but I don't think much of it, maybe because the washing machine got a timer on it so all mommy has to do is put them all in the washer and set the timer and by the time I wake up in the morning they are ready to hang on the line to dry which doesn't take long to do.

There are many different brand of cloth diapers out there, and each offers different things to different people. Fortunately the brand we're on works well with baby and their service was very good, and cheaper compared to some around the region, I was confident when I ordered this newest batch. Mommy could have gotten it through the agent that is in the country, but I feel it is much cheaper to get them online and since Auntie Lin is heading down their way we also save on postage and packaging because they don't have to send them overseas!

When we get all your diapers mommy is going to take a picture of them just to see the colours! Your diaper basket is going to be so full. Yes, I think twenty should be more than enough. And not to mention you also have the flatfold diapers. The other week(s) mommy just happen to mention I used cloth diapers on you to my head of unit, and she was happy to hear because apparently she cloth diapered her five boys, and still have the flats, she didn't want to give them away to just anybody because the material was still good and feared they'll just use them as rags instead. Now that she knew mommy cloth diapers she gave me her whole stash of flats. Her last kid is now six years old so these flats were in storage for at least four years, and what a difference in quality, the flats we got given and bought are thinner compared to the ones my HOU gave, hers were much thicker, no wonder they kept well.

Oh, and the first batch of prefolds that mommy got, you outgrew them already and those were hardly worn because they were for downstairs changing and baby been spending alot of time upstairs and upstairs we have the flats. Mommy got the prefolds because I didn't think we would be using flats, your grandmother lambak over ruled because flats dries faster. But mommy still used the prefolds and got the bigger sized ones now too, only I haven't done the multiple washing yet to prep them for use.

Let's see what else, bought new diaper covers, in the medium and large size ready. Your smalls are already packed away for next baby, that goes for the clothes that you already outgrew.

For Hari Raya last month bought three medium size smart nappy system by mothercare, your two small size was obviously too small, and since we didn't have enough of the pocket diapers this was the system that was used for you, we had the option to use either washable inserts or disposable inserts, and these became your travelling diapers, and we only use the disposable inserts if we need to, apart from that we'll been using the washable ones where possible.

Happy cloth diapered baby!
Love,
Mommy

Hidden Message

My kid already has a twisted sense of humour, just like her parents!

What Mommy Is Feeding Baby

Hi Baby,

At your last clinic check your weight was off the charts. Since you were exclusively breast fed the nurse wasn't concerned. If you had been on formula, mommy and daddy would probably get a lecture I'm guessing.

It got mommy thinking, I know whatever I eat can affect the flavour of the milk, but does it affect the fat content of the milk?

So I googled...

And I came across the following articles, so informative!

Breastfeeding Mom's Diet & Baby's Brain Development - I'm so glad Auntie Elaine told mommy to take Omega 3 while pregnant and kept it up while breast feeding. Eating lots of sardines and salmon helps too.

Coconut Oil & Medium Chain Triglycerides - I'm glad I had fresh coconut twice a week when I was pregnant with you, all that benefits! To think the reason I was having it was because it made me feel slightly better after the all day sickness... There's palm oil in Milo too!

Nutrients & Calories In Breast Milk - I did wonder how much calories there are, and according to this article, there's about 70 calories per 100ml on average.

Flavours In Breast Milk - Mommy researched that the best food to give you for the first time would be avocado. Then mommy realised, waitaminit, baby won't eat it unless baby knows what it's going to taste like in the first place! And that means mommy have to eat lots of avocado first so you could taste it in the milk. This goes for all the rest of the food stuff that is good for you which I must put in the effort to eat, more fruits, vegetables, good source of protein, etc etc as well as the variety. You like Japanese and Italian food already.

Like I said to a friend, there's always new things to learn and having baby around now the learning is never ending. We can only hope for the best that we are doing the best for you...

Love you baby!
Mommy

Hiccups and Wet Diaper

Hi Baby,

Mommy been so busy taking care of you and everything else, almost forgotten to write to you...

This is an interesting one, Daddy made an observation that when you stop hiccuping your diaper would need changing. So there we were in the family living room, Daddy on the leather arm chair and mommy on the low chair and baby was on the sofa bed hiccuping away and you had a dry diaper on that time. Then, the hiccups stopped and Mommy checked, Daddy was right, diaper was wet!

This has to happen at least another two times before we could put it in the 'true' box. But it is interesting isn't it.

On another note, Mommy just came back from the vet on an emergency, Chi got injured. Your granddad called up daddy, and daddy called me and said, "You'd better take Chi to the vet now. He got cut on glass." And when mommy went to pick up Chi, granddad said it was the long mirror in the bedroom that broke that he landed on.

Mommy immediately took him to the vet and at the vet the doctor discovered a deep wound which if it was any deeper it would've cut his leg tendon, and there were two other smaller wound on his leg and paw. The doctor had to stitch up the bigger wound and Chi is now coming home so it'll be easier for mommy to take care of him.

You're heavier than Chi now, Chi is 5.9kg, baby is 6.2kg!

Love,
Mommy

Pictures From Baby's First Social Outing

First family picture with mommy, daddy and baby

Sleeping baby with daddy

Second mommy and baby picture

(first one was when you were born)

Sleeping baby who slept right through all the noise

2nd Month Check Up

Hi Baby,

Mommy hadn't been able to write to you as often as I like to, more to do with any free time mommy have to myself involved in trying to get enough rest and wind down.

We're going to talk about your second visit to the clinic, this is the visit where the doctor meets you. Daddy and mommy took the day off just to take you to the clinic, it being the fasting month so working hours are shorten. Mommy dressed you in a white dress with white socks and the blue booties Auntie Wina made. I decided to put you into the smart nappy system from mothercare so the nurses and doctors don't get confounded how your diaper works.

Daddy had to park at the side of the road as all the parking spaces in and around the clinic were packed. You were asleep like you normally do when we're in a car and nursed. We got a number and there were six others ahead of us, we weighed you and that's when you woke up, and after that had your height or length messured.

Baby's weight: 5.79kg
Baby's length: 62cm

You fell back asleep for a bit and was wide awake when mommy transferred you to daddy. You looked around and took in your surroundings. Mommy was looking at all the other babies that were there and how their parents dress them up, interesting...

The nurse checked you first before the doctor, and when in the doctor's room, the doctor listened to your heart beat, checked your hearing and your ears, checked your reflexes, checked your visual tracking, and declared you're a normal healthy baby.

Then it was to the immunization room, which mommy don't particularly like. Daddy took you and held you. The nurse was giving you what they call a Tetra shot, from what I looked up it's a combination of several immunization shots. Prior us entering the room another nurse walked by and asked what shots you were getting and told us you'll come down with a fever with that shot and she went, took and gave us liquid paracetamol and told us to give it to you as soon as we get home. So in the room, daddy held you, the nurse asked which leg you had your last shot, which was left, and so this time it'll be your right. Baby all that time was quiet, and you cried when they injected you, but that was the only time you cried or made a sound at the clinic. Mommy had my back to you because I couldn't stand seeing the needle so was pretty glad it was daddy you was doing the holding.

You were also suppose to have a polio innoculation as well but they didn't have any stock because some of the stock that came were damaged and had to wait for new ones to arrive. So the clinic will call up either mommy or daddy to let us know when the stock arrives so we can bring you in to get it.

By the time we got home it has only been an hour since we left the house. As soon as we got in, we gave you the liquid paracetamol which baby swollowed. Mommy nursed you and you fell asleep. Daddy left as he had to go to the hospital to visit a friend and back to work and he was gone the whole afternoon.

It was the afternoon when mommy was worried, because whenever you woke up, you would cry your lungs out, baby was so unhappy and upset and I was trying my best at soothing you. It wasn't your diaper and it wasn't because you were hungry. You nursed for a bit when you finally decided to and fell asleep, and whenever mommy changed position you would cry. Twice there were moments where you wouldn't stop crying whatever mommy tried to calm you. Baby rarely cry but when you do cry it was loud. Fortunately Auntie Elaine texted and she told me that you were just unsettled after having the jab that morning and said to give the paracetamol every six hours.

So by the time daddy came home (an hour after mommy called him up to hurry home) it was six hours since you last had it and we quickly gave it to you. Daddy relieved mommy and you didn't cry once ever since having the paracetamol. Baby must've been really uncomfortable in the afternoon.

Before bed we checked on your temperature and it was a bit warm and gave the paracetamol again just in case. You slept throughout the night, not waking up to nurse even, but when you woke mommy up at almost 7, you latched on. So all was good with baby.

Hopefully next month baby wouldn't be so upset with your shots... mommy feels so helpless not being able to make it all better for baby when you cry...

Love,
Mommy

The Dilemma Of Cup and Bottle

Hi Baby,

Mommy is in a dilemma, your practice at cup feeding didn't go exactly as planned. You drink from the cup but we don't know how much went in and how much went on your front. We always end up with a very wet front (even with the towel and bib), a very upset baby, and worried mommy.

Mommy is going to work soon... mommy also have another dilemma on top of this, what to store the expressed milk in?

Mommy is worried that when you're with grandma when mommy is away, you won't get enough milk going in you and you'd get upset. Since cup feeding was stressing both of us out, I decided that the only way next is the bottle. Although mommy did think about spoon feeding but I'm too tired to even go there.

When I told daddy that we most likely have to do bottle, he raised his eyebrow, because to daddy bottle translate to formula, assured daddy you'd still be getting breast milk, he was ok with that. Also it would be easier for whoever is taking care of you to feed you.

I'm not too happy that we would have to go to the bottle to feed you while I'm gone, and I did debate on bringing you to work instead, I'm also not happy with the thought of having to get bottles and teats, how many do we need? How do we know if it's the right one? Does it matter what style they are? Will baby prefer the bottle instead of the breast? Mommy isn't too keen having to spend on something that we're not sure of if it'll work only to find out no, it doesn't.

It just so happen mommy was going through the box that the breast pump mommy got given was in and found this product information, it solves the storage for the milk and the bottle for baby all in one. And mommy decided that is the system we should go with, the containers could be used with the pump and all it need is the adaptor, and after that unscrew the pump and screw on the teat. The milk stays in the container and chances of contamination is minimized and container is reusable after being steralised. Fantastic! No wasteage of milk storage bags, as those could only be used once and no need to get bottles as we already have the container. Mommy also read to stick with newborn flow teats regardless what age baby is in so that baby wouldn't get attached to bottle feeding and that you'd still prefer the breast.

Have to test whether baby will take the bottle and good thing that the breast pump came with bottle and teat, so will be able to experiment with that first before mommy goes out shopping.

I'm sorry that we couldn't get the hang of cup feeding, baby and mommy just couldn't get the right rhythm going. But at least we tried, and that's important.

Love,
Mommy

Baby First Social Outing

Hi Baby,

Your first social outing was when you were 7 weeks old. Mommy and Daddy got invited to a wedding and Mommy already promised the bride that we'll be going. It had only been a week since we moved back home and there was no thought of leaving you behind.

Fortunately Aunt Jenn from Australia sent you a white cotton dress, which was your only dress at that point, and I thought it'll be suitable for baby to wear to a wedding dinner. We teamed it up with your Lunatots blue pocket diaper and plain white socks with the blue handmade booties Auntie Wina made for you. And your look is complete! It didn't take long to dress you and we left the house slightly earlier than planned as the weather looked like it was about to pour and we wanted to make sure we got parking in the car park basement.

Baby nursed on the drive to the venue, and by the time the car was parked you were asleep. Daddy carried you as we made our way up to the wedding hall. During the time while guests were still arriving daddy took you around the hall as he recognised some of the guests. When he came back, he told me how everybody was asking how many months were you and were surprised to learn you were only 7 weeks old.

We shared a table with Auntie Choo and she took lots of pictures of you. Oh, Auntie Choo can really sing, what a voice she had!

Baby slept most of the time throughout the whole dinner amongst all the noise and happenings. You woke up wanting to nurse and daddy handed you to me. Mommy borrowed a nursing apron from Auntie Jacq and used that to nurse you at the table. And when you fell asleep mommy just held on to you giving daddy's arms a rest.

Baby was pretty peaceful throughout the dinner, you nursed twice and you slept the rest of the time. Mommy gotten used to eating with just one hand and a fork, while holding you in the other. Mommy just have to learn how to be ambidextrous... will check the spelling later... You still slept when the wedding was over and home we went.

So your first social outing went pretty smoothly, that we were in an air conditioned place and it was at night and it just so happen you decided to sleep all the way and mommy and daddy had a pretty easy time with you.

Love,
Mommy

Baby Pictures!

Napping on the elephant chair, Auntie Elaine put you in that position...

Baby with Auntie Wina

Baby walking...

Baby Vs Sling

Dear Baby,

Before you were born, mommy had this vision of carrying you around in a sling, that way I can have you close and at the same time enable me to do what I need to do.

Unfortunately you have other ideas.

You like to be held especially when you sleep, grandmother lambak can attest to that, she can hold you for hours which you enjoy.

The first time we tried out was the baby carrier, but after it was on daddy and we tried putting you in it, you seemed lost in it and we figured better to wait for you to be bigger before he could use the carrier with you in it.

The next one we tried was the ring sling which mommy been especially looking for. But the first attempt I wasn't wearing it properly and when we put you in the same thing happened. And mommy needed to look up more instructions.

Now that mommy got the instructions including watching the various videos on how to wear a ring sling, I've been trying to get you in it, but somehow it seemed like you don't like being all snug up!

But mommy is not giving up, it's a matter of us getting used to it. In the few instances where I could get you in, it helped free up mommy to do what I need to do and at the same time I didn't have to worry about leaving you because you're always right next to me.

So baby, we're going to get through this, we're going to have a nice happy relationship with the sling, that way you can participate in life instead of being just an observer. Right now you're asleep, strapped on me and I have both hands free to type. We heading to the studio next...

Love,

Mommy

Diapering In Cloth

Dear Baby,

Months back before you were born, mommy decided that you will be cloth diapered, and daddy supported the decision. It was for an environmental reason why we decided to cloth diaper you, 500 years before a disposable diaper breaks down, and we'll use up how many? That's just too much guilt for me. I'll admit there might be times when we'd have to use a disposable but at least it'll be minimal, and cloth diapered babies potty trains early too so that's a saving grace there. When mommy started researching about cloth diapers and read reasons why people choose to do cloth diapers I learnt about the chemicals that were used in disposables, and they were scary. Some babies are allergic to them and got nasty rashes on their bums. I didn't want that for you and all that chemicals almost 24 hours a day next to your skin is extremely unhealthy. Babies who wear disposables get rashes a lot whereas cloth diapered babies hardly have any, big plus there. Wearing disposables is like throwing money into the bin, as they are one time use when cloth diapers are one time purchase and can be used multiples of times. The amount of water and electricity used is minimal compared to the energy it took to make a disposable and break it down. I'm quite happy with the decision we made to cloth diaper you, and your future sibling(s) will benefit from it too.

Mommy did a lot of research on cloth diapering and discovered a world beyond the usual flat fold origami. Mommy had to understand what prefolds, fitted, AIO (all in ones), pockets and more, were for. Mommy even tinkered with the idea of making the diapers as well, but with my limited sewing skills it's a bit out of my league and there were tons of tutorials online on making cloth diapers. Maybe in the future...

After discovering the various types of cloth diapers the next thing was how to wash them. New diapers have to be washed at least three times using just water to prepare the material for maximum absorbancy... if there is such a word... and when washing wet and soiled diapers, we don't want tons of suds, keep rinsing until no more suds, use less detergent than recommended amount because we don't want particles left on the cloth which can lead to irritation and rash on baby's skin.

For you, mommy got you prefolds, which had to be ordered from Singapore because there is no such thing here. And we got given flats as well, which your grandmother likes using because they dry faster when washed. Especially more so when it's the rainy season upon us currently. We also got you some pockets system but we haven't used those yet, am hoping they'd be useful for night time diapering.

Daddy learnt how to do the origami for the flats, cool ain't it...

We got given a few months worth of nappy liners, and your grandmother read that they can be washed and this was after I already told her, she didn't believe it until she read it, so we're able to stretch out the use for a bit, only when they got pooed on is when we throw them out. The liners are to keep you feeling dry when your diaper gets wet so you won't be too uncomfortable in them.

When we're out and about, that's when you get to wear the covers too, purely for convenience really. At home we don't use it to allow the air to circulate and reach your skin. I'm not too happy with the covers as you get so heated up in it and when you're wet it gets really humid and these are conditions that can cause rashes to develop.

We're quite fastidious in changing you anyway when as soon as we discover your diaper needs changing, so sometimes you end up going through three diapers in an hour. I read that for newborns up to three months you'd be going through 10 - 12 diapers a day, that's like a diaper every two hours. When it comes to you, I think we go up to 20. I tried keeping tabs on how many in a day you used but I always lose count after 10 and there are still several hours in the day left. So because of this that's why your grandmother preferred the flats. The amah had to do the laundry twice a day, I don't know if I could keep up with that when we move back to our place.

Those are your diapers for now, mommy been reading up alot on cloth diapering and it says not to go overboard investing so much as different system works for different babies and parents.

Now, what are we going to do with the hundred of disposables that got given to you... am thinking of donating them to the maternity ward at the hospital so they can use them for the newborns who needed it, first, gotta ask if the ward would like them...

Love,

Mommy

The First Check Up

Hi Baby,

Your first check up went well. Daddy took half day off from work just so we could bring you to the clinic. The night before we packed a bag for your diapering needs, good thing we did, because you needed changing at the clinic. You slept the whole way, from leaving the house and getting back. Daddy carried you mostly, he doesn't get to be with you often so it was good. Daddy met several people he knew while at the clinic too. He's super proud of you.

Apparently there's a routine with baby check ups just like mommy's prenatal check ups, what we have to do was weight you and measure your length prior before we see the nurse. You have gained a whole kilo after one month from birth, wow... but we weren't sure if we did the measuring right, it says you only grew a centimeter in length.

I'm guessing mondays are baby days, because when mommy went there for the prenatal checks on tuesdays or wednesdays, never seen babies on those days, but yesterday everybody was holding a baby in various sizes and ages. Babies are big nowadays, there was one baby boy and he was as half as long as his mommy, and when the dad walked in you can see from where the baby got his genes.

While we were waiting for our turn, you needed a diaper change, fortunately there was a space on the table next to the weighing machine and daddy had you quickly changed, unfortunately we forgot to pack a bag to put the wet diaper in, fortunately we packed an extra cover so we just used the old cover to wrap up the wet diaper and used the new cover on you.

The nurse took the measurements down and she also measured your head circumference, 36.5cm, that's 3.5cm growth since you were born. I wonder what's the significance, your brain is developing? Head going into shape because when you were born your skull was mouldable just so you'll fit through the birth canal. Probably that's the reason for the head measurement. Another nurse checked you over, I noticed she checked your soft spot on your head, took off your diaper (she was a bit stumped with the snappi, hehe) and pressed your pelvis area, checked your response, asked what sort of milk you're getting, breast milk exclusively of course and asked about your wet diapers, lots. Then mommy and daddy regaled them with labour stories.

After that you needed to get your second vaccination for Hep B, the nurse said better to wake you up or else you'll be shocked when the needle goes through. You refused to wake up and was still sleeping in daddy's arms. Mommy had to hold your knee down just in case you'd kick and the nurse inserted the needle into your left thigh. You gave out a piercing wail and then went all quiet again. Daddy said it was much louder than the other babies before you who had their jabs but yours were short whereas other babies were still crying.

So your next appointment is on the 16th August and we're scheduled to see the doctor. Hopefully she's nice and tells us lots of things about baby's health. Daddy said he'll take the day off to take you again.

Love,

Mommy

Baby is 1 Month!

Hi Baby,

Well, by monday 12th july you'll be. You just past the 4 weeks old! Tomorrow will be your first check up at the clinic, exciting and nervous as it'll be your first expedition out of the house. Mommy's current debate or ponder, how to do the whole cloth diapering trick outside the home... hmmmm...

Love,

Mommy

Umbilical Cord Stump & Midwife Visits

Hi Baby,

The government antenatal programme is so good. Mommy's experience with the prenatal check ups, time in the hospital before during and after labour, and now that we're home, the visits from the midwife.

We got home on a sunday, on monday daddy sent the letter the hospital midwives gave to give to the antenatal community clinic we went to for our prenatal checks, so that they know mommy had already given birth and they will arrange for a midwife to come visit starting the monday afternoon, so they told daddy.

In the afternoon, mommy got a call from the midwife saying she won't be able to come but will come tomorrow and asked how we were doing. That was nice I thought.

The next day she came in the morning and basically checked on your umbilical cord stump, cleaned it, said you got a bit of yellow and told us to take you to this other clinic to see the level of your jaundice. And then, she checked on mommy, told blood pressure and temperture, and checked on mommy's stitches.

She did this every day until your stump fell off. That happened on a friday, it just so happen mommy was changing your nappy and the stump came off! the next day the midwife came and cleaned your belly button, had an independent source saying your jaudice was mild and just sun you and breast feed, midwife was satisfied with that. Checked mommy for the last time and gave appointment for baby for first clinic check at exactly one month old.

Your umbilical cord stump coming off in a week was pretty good, some I read takes up to three weeks. The midwife said some mommies and babies she visited can go up to ten days, so ours was pretty good since she only had to visit for five days.

Your grandmother said to keep your dried out stump and save it for when you get another sibling to keep the stumps together, it's a belief that the siblings will always be in harmony together. We don't know how true that is but ok, we'll give it a shot.

Love,

Mommy

The 40 Days Confinement & Other Thoughts...

Hi Baby,

You and I are in confinement for the next forty days... at first mommy was quite worried about being in confinement, everybody who have gone through it said they were bored out of their minds and I feared that the only highlight was when it's meal times and end up over eating. Brrr...

So far, three weeks into this, I quite enjoy it. Minus sometimes I get that being-stuck-in-one-place-boredom but it's really not too bad. Every morning your grandmother would prepare the sitz bath with sea salt and herbs in boiled water, and it felt like as if mommy is being dunked in tea. But it's very comforting to be in, and I'm imagining all the sore, achy, torn, cut, stitched up bits are being healed. It also gives me some me time, and I do sudoku to pass away the time while you spend time with granny.

We get food delivered to our room, mainly soup and I haven't really gotten sick of it. Plus daddy sometime comes home with other yummies, hahaha. Your grandmother made sure the room is stocked up with fresh fruits, been eating them just like the time when mommy was pregnant with you, fruits aplenty.

Mommy don't have to worry about doing laundry, cleaning house, etc because someone else does it - but I do wonder about the state of our house being left alone...

I get to nap with you in the afternoons, make up for the multiple waking up at nights for nursing and changing nappies.

Basically I just get to enjoy you... even though your activity is limited to nursing, sleeping and changing diapers at the moment, but it's okay. I've been watching out for your signals when you need what. We pretty much manage to keep you from crying most of the time, only time when you do wail your head off was when mommy or daddy was a bit slow in attending to your needs. Mommy also been trying to do EC with you, but the few times I did you weren't too happy, I could be holding you wrong so will have to try and find the right that works for you.

It's only been three odd weeks so far and all of us are getting used to have each other, mommy and daddy are the center of your world right now and we're more than happy to fill it with as much happiness and love as possible for you.

For mommy, this whole motherhood and taking care of baby felt right, I just fell into the role and it didn't faze me, like I knew what to do, strange really because I never responded to other babies before, I guess this only happens when you get your very own and went through the process and all of the sudden you believe the precious bundle in your hands is the most cutest ever! We'll revisit this when you're a teenager and see how it goes, hahaha...

Love,

Mommy

The First 24 Hours

Hi Baby,

Daddy went to your paternal grandparents for our grandmother to bury your placenta, I was told it got planted between the pineapples and papaya tree...

While daddy was away, you and I slept until mommy heard a ruckus. The bed in front of us got a new occupant with a whole mob of people who were trying to be quiet unsuccessfully.. or they didn't even bother attempting to. This was precisely the reason why mommy was specific about who to come to the hospital. While you and I doze, apparently we were on show as well because at one point mommy opened my eyes and one of the ladies in the mob was looking intently at us. Mommy just smiled in acknowledgement and proceeded to ignore them, I'm tired, sleepy and I want to rest.

Our first visitor was mommy's cousin, apparently she works in the maternity ward but that day was her day off and she only came in to attend a lecture. She found out mommy was there when she saw a message from Auntie Wina about you arriving in this world and after her lecture she decided to pop by. We talked briefly and reminisce about her late father. Good of her to drop by.

Daddy came back not long after, with the carry on luggage and blanket mommy had packed earlier for the hospital stay. Our afternoon was spent with just the three of us and daddy holding you. Mommy just can't move out of bed, everything between the waist and knees felt so heavy, I couldn't even turn in bed to change sides without great difficulty. It was only towards early evening when mommy just had to get out of bed to change the maternity pad. By the time I got to the bathroom it was soaked through. And the bed and the bathroom were at opposite ends of the ward, and that was when mommy experienced the slow duck shuffle. Peeing was a daunting thing to do and was ever so grateful for the hose spray to counteract the pain and gave a bit of relief at the stitched up site. And remembering Auntie Elaine's advice to make sure the area is dry, mommy developed a certain technique to pat self dry down there.

Just moving did make mommy feel better but the pain down there was ever present and butt felt so heavy.

The hospital caterer served dinner and mommy ate a bit as sitting down was difficult. Food wasn't exactly appetizing either.

After the sun had set daddy's parents and sister arrived to visit you an brought mommy some food. You are their first grandchild and niece. Needless to say your grandmother was a bit exuberant giving you your first taste of honey, to ensure you will always have the sweet things in life, as you ended up coughing and hiccuped for a while. She wondered whether to give you water and it was resounding no, babies are to have nothing but breast milk for the first six months. Your grandfather was a bit more stoic but he was happy to hold you. That was when daddy and your Auntie Lin took lots of pictures of you and uploaded them online. By the end of the evening, lots of people had commented on your pictures.

After they left, mommy's parents came, along with your Pa'Ngah, Ma'Ngah and your three eldest cousins. During their visit the hospital pediatrician came to assess you and after checking you over she said she can't find anything wrong and you seemed perfectly healthy and can go home when mommy gets discharged. I remembered thinking she could've worded the sentence more positively, but she was nice enough and your grandmother found out she came from Myanmar or was it Laos.

After they left daddy stayed on until he was shooed out by the security personnel who came around to let visitors know visiting hours are over. Daddy promised he'll be back in the morning to see us again. Mommy settled down with you in my arms and tried to get some sleep, but the pain was getting to me and sleep just seemed impossible. The security people came around again to make sure everybody who aren't meant to be there are out. The night shift nurses came on and they pulled everybody curtains back so it'll be easier for them to monitor us.

Mommy saw that in our section only three beds were filled, the other four beds were empty. The nurses told mommy and the other mommies that the doctor will be coming around to check on the patients about 6 in the morning, and told us to make sure we change our pads or risk end up having to stay another night because the doctor will think the flow is still heavy. Mommy ask the nurse to wake us up just in case we'd overslept.

Well, the nurses didn't have to wake mommy up, because mommy couldn't sleep at all that night. After fidgeting around in bed, couldn't move much considering was in pain, took pictures of you sleeping and MMS them to daddy who also hadn't slept yet, finally decided to just get out of bed. Had you in my arms and nursed you standing up, carried you around, all the while trying to keep myself occupied and not move around much.

During the night the empty beds started to fill up slowly. The first one came about 2 in the morning, it was a mommy who was wearing a head gear (tudong) which throughout our time in the ward had never came off, she even slept in it. Her husband was with her and I was just watching them, he helped her in bed and kissed her before he left and their baby got taken away and it was several hours later before the baby came back.

One mommy was constantly under UV light with her baby. Mommy saw that baby had his eyes covered. A nurse was with her helping her get into a better position so the baby could get the most from the light. For a ward filled with mommies and newborn babies it was pretty quiet I thought. There were occasional baby crying but it wasn't disturbing. Maybe us mothers are in tune with the sounds. You didn't cry much, as a matter in fact you were pretty content, maybe because you were in mommy's arms the whole night helped as I could anticipate your needs instantly. The one bit that I kept on checking was your diaper whether you needed changing, as the other mommies had to change their babies diapers. I wondered if it's because you already went when you came out of the womb that's why you didn't need to go.

The next bed got filled up about 5 in the morning, the mommy and daddy were there but no baby. The daddy stayed for a while until it got light and then he left. Not long after a nurse came to the mommy and told her to bring her cards and go to the infant intensive care unit as they wanted her there. The nurse asked where the daddy was and said to call him to come back. That mommy was gone for a while.

The day was getting bright as the sun was coming up. The mommy who's bed opposite us got up and was getting her toothbrush and stuff together, then, she wheeled the cot her baby was in with her to the bathroom. A nurse came around, asked if mommy had already changed pads and told her I hadn't yet, but will soon, as I was putting you to sleep. Figured I didn't need to bring you to the bathroom with me so you stayed in your cot. Mommy can freshen up when daddy gets here.

It wasn't long after mommy got changed when the doctor came around. The nurses had already placed each mommies medical records by each bed for the doctor to check. A nurse told mommy to get into bed and the drew the curtains and the doctor did her checks, hardly anything on the pad and my perineum was intact. She said I looked fine and am allowed to leave providing baby is alright, told them you were already checked out by the pediatrician and got the a-okay. So we could go back in the afternoon after mommy got the rubella and depo prova jabs.

The hospital caterer came with breakfast, a croissant with jam and hot milo. Mommy drank and had a bit of the croissant and jam, for some reason I wasn't hungry and left the rest on the tray.

Then your Nek Os and Nek Ajis came! Total surprise for me, turned out they wanted to come last night but got held up and came this morning complete with chicken porridge with ginger for mommy to eat for breakfast. She got a spoon and went to borrow a mug from the nurses to get mommy a hot drink. Oh dear, rice... so mommy ate slowly, and chatted with them and daddy came. He took you so mommy could go freshen up and when mommy came back the three of them were deep in discussion, where as you slept away until a nurse came to take you for a bath.

Another set of visitors we got were your Uncle Boy and Auntie Zarina. Uncle Boy promised mommy he'll bring kolo mee when you are born and he kept his promise, hehe... they got a present for you too. Not long after Ucu turned up as well. So that was mommy’s lunch because hospital food wasn’t that great again for lunch. After everyone had left mommy and daddy packed up to get ready to go home. Daddy went to get your car seat from the car and the nurse came to give mommy the injections, one to go in the arm and the other in the bum. Interestingly bum injection doesn’t hurt, that was for the birth control so the rubella injection could work it’s way to get mommy immunized against it and it’s dangerous to be pregnant when that is happening. Mommy chatted happily with the nurse and I mentioned to her that I hadn’t had to change you and apparently when she took you for a bath, that was when you decided to go toilet. Oh, that saved mommy the trouble, hehe, smart baby.

Daddy came back and held you in his arms, mommy made sure everything was packed and got changed out of the hospital outfit, he was making small talks with the people in the bed opposite while mommy was packing, when they heard mommy is being discharged they wanted to go to but I knew this morning the doctor said she can’t go because her baby was still sleepy the mommy said to the doctor. The daddy got sent to the nurse station and he came back with no because the doctor said so. So that mommy and baby had to stay another night.

Mommy was happy because we get to go home, and everything was packed and daddy strapped you into the car seat and carried you while I pulled the trolley bag. Extra food and drinks we left them at the nurses station for them to distribute so we wouldn’t have to bring them home. I think mommy was the only one with a wheeled luggage in that place, it was a lot easier to pull than to carry, and mommy couldn’t move very fast either because of the pain.

Baby had your first feel of sunlight on your skin as we made our way downstairs. We went to the entrance of the OBGYN clinic as it was easier to wait there with baby while daddy went to get the car. By 3pm we left the hospital and headed home… to your grandparents Lambak place…

Your first 24 hours in the world was pretty pleasant, you seemed content and didn't kick up a fuss, you like being kept close and wasn't too keen to be in the cot unless you were wrapped up well, apart from that you spent it in mommy's arm like you've always been in the womb, all safe and secure.

It never occurred to me that was why mommy's arm was aching te next day, hahaha...

Love,

Mommy

The Labour, part 2

I think before that injection, the on call doctor checked mommy out and found I hadn’t dilated much and felt that the second membrane was still intact. She was so rough with sticking her hand in and using whatever apparatus to break the membrane it made me cry. When she was done I saw this bloodied clamp/scissor like thing she passed on to the nurse. I was shocked and looked at daddy and he looked weirded out looking at the thing.

From then, I made up my mind that doctor was to never step into the room again, and told the midwife so.

After that it was dozing in between pain. It was really strange, when the contraction hits, I’m wide awake and in pain, then when it subsides, I’m dozing away. I welcome it really, gave me a chance to recover and relax.

I hoped for us to be out of there before the midwives changes shift because we’re so comfortable with them already.

Everything else was pretty much a blur after that. I remembered being checked several times, I remembered being asked if I needed the toilet, yes, needed to empty the bladder and was told won’t feel a thing, they lie, I could feel the catheter going in and out! I remembered being asked if I got that sensation of needing to take a dump, no. Most of all, I remembered being in pain, but now I don’t remember how the pain felt.

After several hours had gone by I was glad when they checked to see how far along the cervix dilated, and it was only 6cm! I was so annoyed, and that was when they emptied out the bladder, and checked again and I was 7cm dilated!

The time between going from 7cm to 10cm I don’t remember. Just being in lots of pain. I do remember hearing the midwife saying everything else had dilated, just this one bit left.

After asking me over and over whether I am feeling the urge, I finally felt the urge. During this time my eyes were shut tightly because of the pain, yet I could feel everybody was getting to their battle stations.

Next thing I knew daddy was holding mommy and I heard someone telling him how to hold me. I heard someone told me to hold my legs. I felt my legs being held by someone or more and was told to push against their hands. And I was aware there seemed to be more people in the room.

I was right, there was a cheerleading squad cheering mommy on to push! It was weird, strange and supportive. I think somewhere in the back of my mind with the pain in front thinking, gosh, I wasn’t expecting this…

The pain I felt wasn’t what I expected ‘the ring of fire’ to be. I thought that meant the vagina opening as baby makes it way out. What I experienced was a burning sensation all around the pelvic! There was really nothing I could compare it to. I didn’t know at what stage baby was at. I thought baby was still in there and mommy was trying to push you out just to get through the canal.

At one point, I opened my eyes and saw the doctor, I yelled out to get her out of the room. Daddy said she was ready to use the vacuum just to pull you out!

One of the midwives asked mommy if I want to have an episiotomy done, she kept on saying it’ll make the delivery easier and mommy won’t feel a thing. In the end, mommy gave in worried baby probably hadn’t crowned. They lied again, mommy felt them cutting, twice! And mommy said so too. I wondered how they reacted when I said that.

Then another urge came to push, and mommy pushed hard and it literally felt like a plug being pulled out because out came baby with a pop! I was surprised, I didn’t expect it was that…easy? Soon? Quick. Painful but fast. I remembered looking at the clock on the wall when it happened, 1.28pm. Half an hour before the midwives changes shift.

They held you up to me and I saw a purplish baby covered in vernix and crying. They gave you a quick wipe down and placed you on mommy’s chest and I immediately breast fed you.

Apparently at that time daddy was told to go outside and get a breath of fresh air, he said there were lots of nurses in the room and he left and made calls to your respective grandparents.

When he came back mommy was being stitched up. You got taken away and I had to verify your name tag they were going to put on you and at the same time felt the local anesthetic injection they gave me, I could feel the needle going in at two places down there. Then, for some reason what I didn’t get was that I could feel every single needle stitch! You should’ve heard mommy, it was ‘OW OW OW’ all the way. Had to bite the towel I had with me to bear the pain. It took the nurse an hour to stitch me up.

During that time, a nurse gave daddy your cleaned and neatly wrapped up placenta and he put into the cooler bag we brought.

I asked for an ice pack to try and sooth the bits down there afterwards and got dressed and put in a wheelchair. I was just feeling exhausted and wondered if I could move. We left the labour ward with mommy in the wheelchair with a nurse pushing the chair, another nurse carried you and daddy at my side.

We went back to the maternity ward and placed in a bed by the window which mommy was happy with because it was nice and bright. Mommy gingerly got out from the chair and was helped in bed, you were placed in the bassinet that was next to the bed. Nurses left leaving just you, me and daddy.

Daddy stayed for a bit to make sure mommy was comfortable and had you in my arms, he left to send your placenta to your paternal grandparents for burial and would bring mommy’s hospital bag when he’s back.

You and I snuggled up and fell asleep.

Welcome to the world baby.

Love,

Mommy