River Safari on 14 May 2013

Thanks to one of my mommy friend who is working in a bank, i went to River Safari last Tuesday FOC!.

She managed to get her corporate pass to River Safari and invited me and 2 others to join her.

This new river themed wildlife park is very pleasant to visit as its mostly sheltered so even if its sunny or rainy (light rain) day, you can roam around the park at ease.

We were there at 10am and left at 2.30pm to bring bb to her music play session at Our Music Studio in Tanglin Mall.

The main attraction to this wildlife park would be the 2 panda bear, Kai Kai and Jia Jia, but our babies prefer looking at the red panda instead as they are more active moving around.

I think I may consider being a member so that I can bring bb there more often.

How to discipline my bb?

My bb is very active and has been making me lose my cool.

At times, I'd raise my voice and tell her NO and when it doesn't work, I'll shout at her (I know it's bad) and if it still doesn't stop he mischief, I'll resort to beating her using the short plastic balloon stick ( hub disallowed me to get cane and I didn't want to use my hand as a hitting tool for I believe that hand is to cuddle and hug her).

But hub has been disciplining her with his bear hand and now bb copy the action and hit us or her friends.

I kept telling hub to change but he is not listening.

I must try to rectify this mistake.

I pray to God to let me be a patient and loving mum so that I can maintain my cool and not get angry with my precious baby. 

I also hope that hub would agree with me and work with me to a better way to discipline bb Rae......

Flu Jab

Bb had her 1st flu jab last Monday and she'll need a 2nd dose next month prior to our Europe trip.

As I'm stopping EBM soon, I thought she should get some protection from the flu virus prior flying.

If not for the Europe trip, I'd continue EBM and not let her have the jab!

Should I stop EBM?

I've been expressing breast milk for bb Rae despite weaning her from breast feeding.
Am thinking of stopping EBM in view of the forthcoming Europe trip in mid June.

Yah, we're going on a Europe trip as a family with RY and bb!
I seriously don't think I'll be able to express BM during the 2 weeks trip.
I'll be too tired to care for bb and doubt will be able to wake up early in the morning to pump, wash and sterilize the breast pump accessories and pack up the luggage as we'll be changing hotel every 3 days ........

I know it's kinda "sayang" to stop EBM as breast milk is the best for my bb, but as a Mother I need to feel good too right?
I can't possibly wear myself out which may in turn fall sick ........

I need to start making plan on the gradual stop in EBM s that my breast won't engorge which may hurt.

Being a SAHM has slim me down!

Prior to preggy, I was 46kg, during preggy was 62kg and now am 43kg!
My bb has certainly made me slimmer than ever!
No, I didn't get to do any exercise nor running, except for the baby chasing, stroller pushing, bb carrying etc.

Play dates

I've been busy lately!
I've been busy fixing play dates for bb Rae!

I get to know a group of SAHM and have been organizing play dates for the toddlers.

We'd either go for tea meet up and child friendly restaurants or go to some mommies house (we take turns to open our house to all to visit) and also do outdoor like zoo or botanical gardens.

Yesterday we were at Jacob Ballas Children's Garden for the water play.
Then we had lunch at Watami at Star Vista.

I believe in play dates for bb to let her interact with other tods to horn her socializing skill which may help in developing her EQ.

First time in Zoo

Last week, RY took a week off to clear his annual leave and he planned a series of fun filled family activities like zoo, short vacation to Desaru, Malacca and KL.

On Monday, we went to the zoo and it was Bb Rae's visit!

It was a sunny morning and we only reached zoo at about 11.30am.
We bought ticket to the sneak preview of the Panda bear for 12pm viewing.
After viewing, we had lunch at 12.30pm in the Panda theme restaurant.

Having a baby means you got to take things easy and we only finish lunch at about 2pm.
So we took the unlimited tram ride around the zoo and went to see different animal shows.

We left the zoo at about 5pm and didn't really get to see many animals and also skipped the water play.

Today, I'm bringing Bb Rae to zoo (without RY) with a group of mommy friends.
We intend to do the water play so I ve brought a lot of stuff in a backpack!

Role Switch

Prior to yesterday, RY had big ideas and would suggest on bb caring, cooking & feeding routine.
He also had the thinking that a SAHM like me must ve a lot of free time.
So yesterday we had a role switch to let him experiment his method.
Just merely a day of role switch, he surrendered .....
He only gets to read his newspaper in the evening when I'm back!
It's always easy to give ideas and suggestions but when you're doing it Daily, it's not what you imagine!
SAHM caring a bb/ toddler with no help is no mean feat!
Do not judge or hold any unfair comparison.........

Universal Studio Singapore on 20 Mar 2013

Yesterday was the 1st time I went to USS with bb but we'd gone to the one is US in September lat year while she was 8 months old.
RY didn't come along as he gotta work so I went with my sis and her family.

It was a really hot day.

I started my day by waking up at 4.45am to cook porridge for bb and then move on to clean the house and express BM for her etc.
Then I woke bb up at 7.45am to feed her milk and wash her up.

We left the house at 8.40am and arrive Vivo City RWS bus pick-up point at 9.25am to meet up with sis to catch the RWS bus which cost $2 for a round trip ride.

USS was not very crowded since it was a weekday.
We roamed around the theme park leisurely and had lunch at 12.30pm at the food court in Madagascar zone. I must say the food is lousy for the price we paid ($15 per portion).
The rice, roasted chicken and satay were hard and dry.

Bb refused to take her nap in the park and was very cranky.
She refused to eat her porridge so I gotta feed her milk instead.

I bought a cap, t-shirt and bottle sprayer for bb.
I'd never buy anything if not for bb, now I understand why the theme park targets at children market segment.

We left the park at about 6pm.

Chicken Pox Jab on 5 March 2013

Last Tue we brought bb to ve her chicken pox vaccination.
Some may think that this jab is unnecessary but I feel it's better to jab her so that she has certain level of immunity instead of a full blown one should she gets chicken pox.

We were told to monitor her body temperature and possible body rashes for 2 weeks.
I hope all is well for her!

The weight is 8.9kg (50th percentile) and height 77.5cm (90th percentile).

How I wean my bb Rae from breast feeding?

I thought it'd be good to document down the wean off process so that some of the BF moms may benefit from my experience.

I had original planned to BF bb for 9 months then gradually wean her off by introducing bottle feed BM to her. The plan was to give her 1 bottle feed BM for 2 weeks then increase to 2 for another 2 weeks then introduce FM into one of the feeds, so become 2 BM and 1 FM, then another 2 weeks increase to 2 FM and 2 BM. So by the time she turn 1 year old, can can be on bottle FM fully with just 1 BM.
Note: BM is Breast Milk, FM is Formula Milk and BF is Breast Feeding

But due to the viral fever in Sept 2012 and house moving, so my weaning plan was not able to proceed as planned.
I only manage to bottle feed her BM in end Oct'12 and was 1 feed a day in the morning.
The in mid Dec'12, I added a feed of FM in the afternoon and after we return from KL, I weaned her off from mid-night BF feeding by changing to FM.
In Jan'13, I change her last night feed to FM.
Her feeding schedule is as follows:
Morning 7am - 120ml FM
Morning 10.30am - 100ml BM
Afternoon 3pm - 150ml FM
Night 9.30pm - 150 FM

I intend to give her BM till her next MMR jab which is next month, then I'll stop pumping BM for her and my life may be easier and more relaxing.

Challenge
I'd list down the challenge that I faced in weaning her off.

Finding the right bottle
It was a nightmare to find a milk bottle for her as she has been BF exclusively so she won't accept any milk bottle. She rejected my Medela bottles and Calma teat.
But am glad to be able to learn about Como Tomo bottle which is silicon bottle which feel like breast.
Bb Rae was willing to suckle on it.
The bottle cost SGD32 and the fast flow teat is about SGD14.
It is an expensive but worth the investment as she is willing to suckle

Encouraging her to drink from bottle
She resisted bottle feed BM initially and would cry and struggle at every feeds.
I gotta be firmed to let her understand that I m determined to not let her BF.
I sang and talked to her and she finally relented and suckle.

Constant mid-night crying
She was crying fiercely for the mid-night suckle for for few weeks when there was total no BF.
So every night I'd wake up to pacify her by patting her back to sleep or make her FM.
I gotta keep assuring her that no nursing doesn't mean no Love.
During bottle feed, she'd hug me tight and fondle my breast and then smell my breast for comfort.

Frankly speaking, I do miss nursing her.
I miss the "closeness" and the private bonding time that we shared.
I miss her looking at me, smiling at me while she suckles ........
I also miss the convenience of BF as now I gotta pack hot water flask, FM powder, whereas previously I only need to bring a nursing cloth.

It was a tough weaning process but I don't regret BF her.

2nd Mens in 2 weeks time!

I had my 1st mens post childbirth and BF weaned off on 16 Feb and my 2nd one came yesterday 1 Mar, which is CD14 of the previous cycle.

I've read that it's not uncommon to have irregular mens during the 1st few months and subsequently it'd stabilize.

I hope it'd regulate soon .......

What is Love? Point 4

Love is ......... Squeezing every single drop of breast milk (BM) that you can and hope that hope that supply would improve instantly!

Since last month, I've not been latching bb on for breast feeding but I'd express out BM to bottle feed. With no latching, my BM supply gradually drops and jut 2 days before my mens it dropped horribly and during mens, the BM yield was pathetic.
It would take me an hour just to pump out 2 oz.

Supply gradually improves when mens is over, now the yield is much better.

What is Love? Point 3

Love is ....... Holding her close to your heart to comfort her even tho your bladder is very full and on the verge of exploding .........

What is Love? Point 2

Love is ........ Waking up in the middle of your sleep to check on her to ensure she is sleeping well and lay her blanket.........

What is Love? Point 1

I've decided to start a series of What is Love base on my own understanding and interpretation.

Love is ....... Willingly stick your finger into her mouth to clean her teeth, gum and tongue after milk with a handkie eve tho u know that she'll bite your finger hard .........

1st Menses after almost 2 years!

Today my mens finally came after almost 2 years!
I've weaned BB Rae off from breast feeding for about a month and was thinking when my cycle will resume.
I am very very tired ....... I've forgotten how tired it is on the 1st day of the cycle ......

Happy Valentines Day 2013

I've forgotten about the V Day till hub came home from work with a bouquet of roses.
I thought I won't be getting anything after being mom, am so surprised when he presented tome the flower.

Baby No. 2?

During CNY visits to relatives and friends' place, there are few questions which they'd definitely ask, for instance "how's your school result? Where r u working now and what position? When r u getting married? When r u going to ve baby?"

Before bb Rae, we ve to think of how to answer the bb question.
This year, we also get the bb question but the kind of question we get is "when is baby no. 2 coming?"
Frankly speaking, I just hope that this people can keep their mouth shut!
RY and myself just smiled politely and answered "coming coming ......"

I've already gone thru so much to ve my miracle bb, I certainly hope that God can perform another miracle on me to let me have another baby...........
Am I being greedy? Deep in my heart, I am wishing for another bb so that bb Rae won't be lonely when me and RY are not around ......
I wish but I dare not think too much about it.

Gong Xi Fa Cai 10 Feb 2013 Year of Water Snake

My baby girl wishes all Gong Xi Fa Cai and may all your wishes (esp baby dream) come true!