My recent experience with baby Sarah had made me realise that sane people can go insane for just any reason! Hmmm... what scary thought! I was talking to my mum about this and she said that's why there are so many cases out there showing babies get abused and killed, whether by their own parents, caretakers or maids. It's so sad to learn that people could do such a thing to innocent beings.
I am an average person, living an average life. Growing up in a Christian family, I was taught to fear God and keep His commandments. Having said that and being a mother now who had recently experience some unpleasant moments while caring for the baby, i have to admit that without God, my life would totally be in a mess. If i walk carelessly and fall into the wrong path, things will get pretty bad. As we now can see the many terrible news we watch on TV or read in the newspapers, it's alarming to know that any average person could do terrible things! Sane people can do insane things!
The song "People Need the Lord" came to me again this morning. A reminder that we all need the Lord because the flesh is weak. As the Lord says in 2 Corinthians 12:9 - And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
Lord, i thank You for your everlasting grace that rests upon me each time i fall. Thank You for Your strength that helped me to go through trying times.
People Need the Lord by Steve Green
Everyday they pass me by,
I can see it in their eyes.
Empty people filled with care,
Headed who knows where?
On they go through private pain,
Living fear to fear.
Laughter hides their silent cries,
Only Jesus hears.
Chorus
People need the Lord, people need the Lord.
At the end of broken dreams, He's the open door.
People need the Lord, people need the Lord.
When will we realize, people need the Lord?
We are called to take His light
To a world where wrong seems right.
What could be too great a cost
For sharing Life with one who's lost?
Through His love our hearts can feel
All the grief they bear.
They must hear the Words of Life
Only we can share.
People need the Lord, people need the Lord
At the end of broken dreams, He's the open door.
People need the Lord, people need the Lord.
When will we realize that we must give our lives,
For peo-ple need the Lord.
People need the Lord.
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
I'm exhausted...
It has been madness for me for the past 3 days! 3 nights ago (wee hours of the morning actually), i slept at 4.30am. Baby Sarah has not been giving mummy a good sleep. She was super colicky i'd say. She was restless, only able to take a 5 minute "nap" in between hours and thereafter starts her night activity of crying. It started from 7pm until 4.30am. I was really feeling helpless at that time. I did everything i could and just hoped she would sleep but nothing seemed to work. My family helped in taking care of her while the hours are still early so i could take my bath, my dinner, and do some other stuff. After that, i'm all alone. My prayer seemed to be left unanswered too... :( I don't know what God's telling me this time, but i was really feeling helpless, set aside being exhausted...
And then, 2 nights ago, she did the same thing. It seemed like a routine for me and her to sleep so "early" everyday! But it was a little better because we slept a little from 12mn until 2am and she was then awake until 4.30am. I couldnt sleep after that - i guess due to over-exhaustion, so i did some reading till 5+.
Last night was the ultimate for me! We both slept at 5.30am, and my patience had reached the ultimate! I was totally exhausted from the inside out - physically, mentally, emotionally, etc. My knees were feeling super painful. Not sure why, but probably due to walking up and down the stairs too much + carrying a heavy load almost at all times. That alone had caused much difficulty for me to take care of baby, ie especially to go "jalan-jalan" around the room so as to make her sleep. I wanted to wake my mum up (that was already 5am) so that i could leave baby with her and so that i could catch some sleep. I went to mum's room, saw her sleeping so soundly and giving it a 2nd thought, i decided to "try" putting baby to sleep once again. I was surprised by the thoughts that were haunting me! Thoughts like bang her head to the wall so she will be quiet or throw her down the stairs or put her in a basket and leave it at the door of an unknown, etc! I was almost going insane! Worst thing... I was thinking like a murderer! In fact, i was already a murderer in my mind. Guilty as charged! :'( I do not know how to calm her down, and i allowed that to affect me all over. The mind is the processing centre of all actions and it's like being attacked by a virus, making me think of the most -ve of all things. I felt really really helpless and alone at that time. I know God was with me but for a moment there, He seemed so far away... I know i cant do this alone and i'm really looking forward to hubby's arrival tonight. But again, a thousand apologies to the innocent one. Again, i failed to love her the way i should. I cried as i was carrying her last night (this morning i mean). It was a mixed feeling of anger, tiredness, sadness, helplessness, etc etc. I looked at her in the eyes, hoping that i can help her in all her discomfort. If only i knew....
Dear Father in Heaven, please help me to be a better mother to baby Sarah. I need a lot more patience to take care of her, esp when she becomes colicky at night. Forgive me for allowing -ve thoughts to visit me during this time and i thank You for giving me the will-power to not entertain them and making it a reality. Being a mother is not easy and all the more i know i need You to guide me in this role. Lord, i uphold baby Sarah into Your loving hands. Grant her good rest, good sleep, good dreams at all times. Take away every discomfort that steal away her rest. Give her good rest so that her mummy and daddy can get good rest too - In Jesus' name i pray, Amen!
And then, 2 nights ago, she did the same thing. It seemed like a routine for me and her to sleep so "early" everyday! But it was a little better because we slept a little from 12mn until 2am and she was then awake until 4.30am. I couldnt sleep after that - i guess due to over-exhaustion, so i did some reading till 5+.
Last night was the ultimate for me! We both slept at 5.30am, and my patience had reached the ultimate! I was totally exhausted from the inside out - physically, mentally, emotionally, etc. My knees were feeling super painful. Not sure why, but probably due to walking up and down the stairs too much + carrying a heavy load almost at all times. That alone had caused much difficulty for me to take care of baby, ie especially to go "jalan-jalan" around the room so as to make her sleep. I wanted to wake my mum up (that was already 5am) so that i could leave baby with her and so that i could catch some sleep. I went to mum's room, saw her sleeping so soundly and giving it a 2nd thought, i decided to "try" putting baby to sleep once again. I was surprised by the thoughts that were haunting me! Thoughts like bang her head to the wall so she will be quiet or throw her down the stairs or put her in a basket and leave it at the door of an unknown, etc! I was almost going insane! Worst thing... I was thinking like a murderer! In fact, i was already a murderer in my mind. Guilty as charged! :'( I do not know how to calm her down, and i allowed that to affect me all over. The mind is the processing centre of all actions and it's like being attacked by a virus, making me think of the most -ve of all things. I felt really really helpless and alone at that time. I know God was with me but for a moment there, He seemed so far away... I know i cant do this alone and i'm really looking forward to hubby's arrival tonight. But again, a thousand apologies to the innocent one. Again, i failed to love her the way i should. I cried as i was carrying her last night (this morning i mean). It was a mixed feeling of anger, tiredness, sadness, helplessness, etc etc. I looked at her in the eyes, hoping that i can help her in all her discomfort. If only i knew....
Dear Father in Heaven, please help me to be a better mother to baby Sarah. I need a lot more patience to take care of her, esp when she becomes colicky at night. Forgive me for allowing -ve thoughts to visit me during this time and i thank You for giving me the will-power to not entertain them and making it a reality. Being a mother is not easy and all the more i know i need You to guide me in this role. Lord, i uphold baby Sarah into Your loving hands. Grant her good rest, good sleep, good dreams at all times. Take away every discomfort that steal away her rest. Give her good rest so that her mummy and daddy can get good rest too - In Jesus' name i pray, Amen!
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Pacifier update...
hmmm..... looks like little Sarah is not a fan of pacifier anymore.
I've been trying to give her the pacifier but she constantly rejects it for about a week now. Looks like we have to say goodbye to pacifier.... Hubby said maybe she wants a more expensive one! haha! Anyway, we're not getting another one. :)
Older post: Pacifier story
I've been trying to give her the pacifier but she constantly rejects it for about a week now. Looks like we have to say goodbye to pacifier.... Hubby said maybe she wants a more expensive one! haha! Anyway, we're not getting another one. :)
Older post: Pacifier story
[Knowledge: Baby] Birthmark
It's interesting to know that every child is born with some type of birthmark! That's what i got as my knowledge on babies expands! haha... like real! :)
Yep, been doing lotsa reading (whenever i'm free). Those who know me well knows that i'm not a reader at all! Maybe the only book that i read is the Bible! Now, i've got a new good habit! Babies change mummies! Baby Power! Hahaha! OK, OK... back to what i'm supposed to be writing... *trying to stay focus* ;o)
Baby Sarah has got a birthmark called "Strawberry Mark"! I found out that this birthmark commonly appear at the back of the neck just under the hairline.... that's where Sarah's birthmark is!
Just some things to share on the types of birthmark. There are a few types which are commonly found in babies. Most marks will fade off and disappear on their own by the time the child is 3 years old, although some may remain and increase in size.
Types of Birthmark
1. Strawberry marks (a.k.a. stork's marks or stork bites)
These pink discolorations of the skin usually fade with time, often within a few months. They usually first appear as small red dots that are not always obvious at birth. They may grow rather alarmingly during the first months of life into red raised lumps, but during the 2nd year most shrivel and disappear without leaving a scar. They are most common on the forehead, eyelids, upper lip, between the eyebrows, and the back of the neck.
2. Spider birthmarks (naevi)
These small marks appear shortly after birth as a network or a cobweb of dilated vessels. They generally disappear after the first year.
3. Pigmented naevi
These brownish patches can occur anywhere on the body. They are usually pale and nearly always enlarge as the child grows but they seldom become darker.
4. Port wine stains
Found anywhere on the body, these bright red or purple marks are caused by dilated capillaries in the skin. Although permanent, they can be removed with laser treatment, or camouflaged with special make-up.
5. Mongolian spots
It is common for dark-skinned babies to have harmless, dark bluish-black discolorations of the skin, usually on the back or buttocks; these will fade naturally.
Yep, been doing lotsa reading (whenever i'm free). Those who know me well knows that i'm not a reader at all! Maybe the only book that i read is the Bible! Now, i've got a new good habit! Babies change mummies! Baby Power! Hahaha! OK, OK... back to what i'm supposed to be writing... *trying to stay focus* ;o)
Baby Sarah has got a birthmark called "Strawberry Mark"! I found out that this birthmark commonly appear at the back of the neck just under the hairline.... that's where Sarah's birthmark is!Just some things to share on the types of birthmark. There are a few types which are commonly found in babies. Most marks will fade off and disappear on their own by the time the child is 3 years old, although some may remain and increase in size.
Types of Birthmark
1. Strawberry marks (a.k.a. stork's marks or stork bites)
These pink discolorations of the skin usually fade with time, often within a few months. They usually first appear as small red dots that are not always obvious at birth. They may grow rather alarmingly during the first months of life into red raised lumps, but during the 2nd year most shrivel and disappear without leaving a scar. They are most common on the forehead, eyelids, upper lip, between the eyebrows, and the back of the neck.
2. Spider birthmarks (naevi)
These small marks appear shortly after birth as a network or a cobweb of dilated vessels. They generally disappear after the first year.
3. Pigmented naevi
These brownish patches can occur anywhere on the body. They are usually pale and nearly always enlarge as the child grows but they seldom become darker.
4. Port wine stains
Found anywhere on the body, these bright red or purple marks are caused by dilated capillaries in the skin. Although permanent, they can be removed with laser treatment, or camouflaged with special make-up.
5. Mongolian spots
It is common for dark-skinned babies to have harmless, dark bluish-black discolorations of the skin, usually on the back or buttocks; these will fade naturally.
ang-goo-goo :)
27th April 2008 marks the day when little Sarah started becoming more responsive towards people/things around her :)
She's more awake now than before and able to so-called communicate her interest with others, ie especially in playing baby talk - not sure what they really mean but as long as she's happy, why not join her?! hehe... She responded to me talking baby talk with her during bath times, changing diaper times, and many other times, which is really a good thing so as to distract her from feeling alienated and cry. She seemed to be able to focus her eyes more now on objects and people. That's really fun especially when she stuck out her tongue, mimicking her mummy! hahaha!
It's truly a joy to see the development of little Sarah from the day of birth until now. Surely, there is more to come and i'm excited to see her grow little by little everyday.
Babies are indeed a wonderful and an amazing gift from God. He knows what's perfect and He gives what's perfect. That's our GOD! All glory be to Him! :)
She's more awake now than before and able to so-called communicate her interest with others, ie especially in playing baby talk - not sure what they really mean but as long as she's happy, why not join her?! hehe... She responded to me talking baby talk with her during bath times, changing diaper times, and many other times, which is really a good thing so as to distract her from feeling alienated and cry. She seemed to be able to focus her eyes more now on objects and people. That's really fun especially when she stuck out her tongue, mimicking her mummy! hahaha!
It's truly a joy to see the development of little Sarah from the day of birth until now. Surely, there is more to come and i'm excited to see her grow little by little everyday.
Babies are indeed a wonderful and an amazing gift from God. He knows what's perfect and He gives what's perfect. That's our GOD! All glory be to Him! :)
[Knowledge: Baby] The newborn traits
From the moment of birth, baby boys and girls will show different behavioural traits, which is interesting to know. It's all about the genes that they carry in them since the time of conception. Here are some behavioural traits that are typical of girls and boys (taken from a book i read - Complete Baby & Childcare by Dr Miriam Stoppard):-
Your Newborn Girl 1. Hearing in girls is very acute and they can be calmed down with soothing words much more readily than boys.
2. A baby girl cries longer than a boy if she hears another baby crying.
3. Baby girls use their own voice to get their mother's attention earlier and more often than boys.
4. Baby girls can locate the source of a sound without difficulty.
5. Girls respond enthusiastically to visual stimulation from birth.
6. Baby girls are interested in the unusual.
7. Girls prefer the human face to almost anything else. Later in life, this trait shows as intuitive reading of facial expression regardless of cultural differences.
Your Newborn Boy1. Hearing in boys is less acute than in girls, so boys are more difficult to calm down.
2. If a newborn boy hears another baby cry, he'll join in but stop crying quite quickly.
3. Baby boys don't make sounds in answer to their mother's voice earlier on. This hearing response lasts throughout life.
4. Newborn boys have difficulty in locating the source of sounds.
5. Baby boys require more visual stimulation than girls. They quickly lose interest in a design or picture, and lag behind girls in visual maturity up to the age of seven months.
6. Baby boys are interested in the differences between things.
7. Boys are more active, and are interested in things just as much as in people.
2. If a newborn boy hears another baby cry, he'll join in but stop crying quite quickly.
3. Baby boys don't make sounds in answer to their mother's voice earlier on. This hearing response lasts throughout life.
4. Newborn boys have difficulty in locating the source of sounds.
5. Baby boys require more visual stimulation than girls. They quickly lose interest in a design or picture, and lag behind girls in visual maturity up to the age of seven months.
6. Baby boys are interested in the differences between things.
7. Boys are more active, and are interested in things just as much as in people.
8. Boys want to taste everything, touch everything, and move things about more than girls.
Monday, April 28, 2008
Baby Sarah is a Jusco Kid! :o
In Melaka, we went shopping to Jusco twice! So all in all, i personally went to Jusco 4x during the sale period. That seems really unhealthy isn't it?! hehe... I brought little Sarah with me in all my trips out.
Last Saturday, the visit to the mall + late dinner took us about 3 hours - a considerably long hour for the little one, but she enjoyed every moment of it! Being carried around in our arms, she was sleeping soundly from the beginning until the end of the shopping & makan activity, which made it so much easier for all of us - as parent/grandparent/aunty/uncle. Sarah good girl! :)
The day after that, we went to Jusco again to rectify a matter (Cashier keyed in wrong amount which caused me a good RM9.50!) and also to buy some more stuff (not for me *phew*). And again, Sarah was sleeping throughout the 1.5 hours! No noise made, no cryin', no nothin'! :) All she did was making people around her stared at her jealously for her cuteness. She's a darling indeed. One of the promoters said she wanna "gigit" her (bite her that is) cause she's so chubby. Poor baby! That same promoter "prophesied" to Sarah that she's gonna be a lawyer! Haha! She said that look of her lips shows that she's gonna be a talker and a lawyer! hmm... well, we'll see. ;o)
Last Saturday, the visit to the mall + late dinner took us about 3 hours - a considerably long hour for the little one, but she enjoyed every moment of it! Being carried around in our arms, she was sleeping soundly from the beginning until the end of the shopping & makan activity, which made it so much easier for all of us - as parent/grandparent/aunty/uncle. Sarah good girl! :)
The day after that, we went to Jusco again to rectify a matter (Cashier keyed in wrong amount which caused me a good RM9.50!) and also to buy some more stuff (not for me *phew*). And again, Sarah was sleeping throughout the 1.5 hours! No noise made, no cryin', no nothin'! :) All she did was making people around her stared at her jealously for her cuteness. She's a darling indeed. One of the promoters said she wanna "gigit" her (bite her that is) cause she's so chubby. Poor baby! That same promoter "prophesied" to Sarah that she's gonna be a lawyer! Haha! She said that look of her lips shows that she's gonna be a talker and a lawyer! hmm... well, we'll see. ;o)
Friday, April 25, 2008
[Article] Debt Busters - Contingency Fund
Taken from a newsletter from Crosswalk.com
5 Reasons You Need a Contingency Fund
by Mary Hunt
No matter your situation--even if you are up to your eyeballs in credit-card debt--you must have a Contingency Fund. Every household needs one. It is as essential to you getting out of debt as water is to your health. Without it you won't go far.
by Mary Hunt
No matter your situation--even if you are up to your eyeballs in credit-card debt--you must have a Contingency Fund. Every household needs one. It is as essential to you getting out of debt as water is to your health. Without it you won't go far.
A Contingency Fund (CF) is an emergency fund that you can get your hands on at a moment's notice. Even though you can begin building your CF with the change you have in your pocket right now, when you follow the rules of debt-proof living, it will begin to grow--slowly, steadily until you have accumulated at least $10,000 or the amount of money you would need to pay your bills for three months without any income.
When you're in debt and committed to getting out, it makes no sense to keep any money for yourself. Common sense says you should be sending your creditors every nickel you can scrape together. That's the same "common sense" that said it's okay to use credit cards to buy stuff and pay for it later; the same "common sense" that says if you are severely overweight you should not eat again until you have achieved your goal weight.
How it grows?
Under the debt-proof living plan, ten percent of your net paycheck goes straight into your CF before you pay any bills.
Five reasons
Face it. Getting out of debt is no simple feat. It takes commitment, knowledge and most of all endurance. You didn't get into this much debt overnight, so it's going to take longer than a few days to get out. This will not be a sprint, but rather a marathon. Your CF will be the assurance you need to see it to the finish line.
1. It is the antidote for your credit card habit. Just knowing you have money in the bank quiets that thing inside of you that demands to have stuff right now, even when you have no money to pay for it.
2. It counteracts that pathetic feeling of being broke. One of the reasons you are in debt is that you can't stand that feeling of being poor. No one likes being broke, but some of us like it a lot less than others. Curiously, a pocket of credit cards makes us feel rich in a really false way. Knowing you have money in the bank is the authentic way to not feel broke--even when you are determined to not touch the money you have stashed away.
3. It gives you an alternative to hitting the panic button. When you're broke, you live on the edge of panic. And when even the smallest thing happens, even if it is not a true emergency, it feels like one because you press the panic button. Having money in the bank allows you to calm down so you can think reasonably.
4. It's the lifesaver that keeps you afloat while going through deep waters. If you can make it all the way from right now to paying off your last debt without facing some unexpected expense (tires, water heater, medical expense, car repair, and so on), you will be fortunate indeed. And you'll arrive with an intact CF. The chances are far greater, however, that while on your journey to becoming debt-free something unexpected will happen. It's your CF that will allow you to keep going without having to run back to your credit cards for a bailout.
5. It's your guarantee that you'll make it to the finish line. I say this on the basis of my own experience and that of countless readers who are now debt-free--having a CF, whether fully funded or in process, is the secret to your debt-free success. It's that second wind we all depend on when we've come to the end of our endurance, but there's still more journey ahead.
Your CF will keep you going and going. And going some more until you pay off that last dollar of debt.
Thursday, April 24, 2008
SALE! SALE! SALE!
Everyone's familiar with that 4-letter word - SALE!
It's the J CARD Privilege Shopping Day from 18 - 27 April!
There's no doubt that i am a huge supporter of Jusco. The prices are reasonable and my house is conveniently located for spending, ie between 2 Juscos - Cheras Selatan & Equine Park. :p
Went to Jusco for 2 consecutive days last weekend to buy groceries/toiletries/(more) baby stuff/household stuff and our total bill came up to more than RM600! How in the world did that happen??? Well, what can i say? Expenses have surely gone up, and of course we wanted to seize the J CARD Privilege Shopping Day. :p
2 weeks in Melaka
One month confinement has finally come to an end (1wk+ ago). I was confined back in my own comfortable house with mum and baby Sarah. Thereafter, we decided to go back to Melaka for 2 weeks, ie till 4th May. Hubby went to Singapore for a day-trip for a food exhibition (ain't sure why he's there for, but getting exposure is one of it of course, besides taking pictures!) and after that, he will be busy, attending a 4-day conference until Sunday. He's sure gonna miss us! :)
The decision of going back to Melaka came when i thought... baby Paul (not a baby anymore, but so used to calling him that! :p) would need his mama at this time (since mama has been away for 1 month already), and everyone else in the family misses her so much. She would probably missed Melaka too by now. On the other hand, i'm still not confident in taking care of baby Sarah alone and would really appreciate mum's help at this time... and i still get to eat mum's cooking! This little princess is still soooo fragile, and so demanding... i dont think i am able to cope just yet, so why not go back to Melaka for 2 weeks?! It'll also be an opportunity to spend some quality time with my family back in Melaka. Oh... and Mother's Day is just around the corner! We could probably celebrate this special occasion early since all the mothers in the family are together (hehe... me included! :)). WOW! Looks like so many birds killed with just one stone! That's GREAT!
After the 2 weeks are over, then it's time to spend with my mum-in-law and baby Sarah's cousins in Kajang house, so that baby Sarah will get used to staying there during the weekdays when i resume working! Hmmm... sounds like a good plan! hehehe... Would make sure that this one month is spent wisely, esp in taking care of baby... oh yes, my final month of crash course in motherhood!
The decision of going back to Melaka came when i thought... baby Paul (not a baby anymore, but so used to calling him that! :p) would need his mama at this time (since mama has been away for 1 month already), and everyone else in the family misses her so much. She would probably missed Melaka too by now. On the other hand, i'm still not confident in taking care of baby Sarah alone and would really appreciate mum's help at this time... and i still get to eat mum's cooking! This little princess is still soooo fragile, and so demanding... i dont think i am able to cope just yet, so why not go back to Melaka for 2 weeks?! It'll also be an opportunity to spend some quality time with my family back in Melaka. Oh... and Mother's Day is just around the corner! We could probably celebrate this special occasion early since all the mothers in the family are together (hehe... me included! :)). WOW! Looks like so many birds killed with just one stone! That's GREAT!
After the 2 weeks are over, then it's time to spend with my mum-in-law and baby Sarah's cousins in Kajang house, so that baby Sarah will get used to staying there during the weekdays when i resume working! Hmmm... sounds like a good plan! hehehe... Would make sure that this one month is spent wisely, esp in taking care of baby... oh yes, my final month of crash course in motherhood!
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Pacifier for little princess!
Hubby and i were contemplating whether or not to get a pacifier for our little princess.
It took us a little while before we got one - a cheap one just to try out! The thought came when she became really colicky during the night. It wasn't easy making this decision as we have decided long long ago that it is a no no to get our baby a pacifier. Little did we realise that there are just so many things that we had to "bend" when comes to reality.
Well, we tried giving baby Sarah pacifier. She was OK with a pacifier in her mouth but she will however spit it out after a short while. Sometimes she doesnt accept it at all, due to pure hunger! I learn not to let her get too hungry cause she will get really cranky!
Simple Dimple Merry-Go-Round Playgym
Ah Ee bought baby Sarah a playgym. She still seem to be a little too young to play with it. She gets amused by it for only a short moment (like less than half a minute!) but after that, she'll cry and seek for attention.
Thank U, Ah Ee, for a beautiful gift! So colorful and so interactive... wait till i grow up a little bit to play with it! :)
Baby overweight?
Doctor says baby is overweight! It's no surprise, since she's a heavy drinker (of milk of course, not alcohol! haha!), but he says we can only tell whether she's really overweight by 3-4 mths. As for now, we still go by the demand and supply theory.
After 1 month, she's now 4.5kg, ie an increase of 1.55kg! An average weight gain should be about 1kg from the birth weight... but anyway, she's still my cute chubby little princess! hehe...
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Reality of being a MUM...
So many things to share, yet so little time...
It's been 1 mth & 1 wk since the birth of baby Sarah.... life has never been the same. A change of many things in life!
I never knew being a mother can be so tiring... It's more tiring than working till midnight in the office! i mean.... i've tried that, and yet my energy level didnt drain out as fast as it has just being a mother...
New experiences:-
1. Cant wait for baby to sleep so that i can do as much things as i can, like doing house chores (tonnes of them, esp after adding baby-related stuff like expressing breastmilk, sterilize bottles, wash her poopoo-ed pants and sooo many other things to wash! almost never ending!), update baby-fund book, file my bills, checking emails, searching for information & doing research, blogging (haha!) and even going to the toilet! Well, i am still under the grace of my mum's cooking so i've not done any of my own (yet). After the grace period is over, i know for sure, it's gonna be tough looking for time to even do some decent cooking. Time spent feeding baby is also a lot since she's a "heavy" drinker, but thank God for a bonding time such as this with her. As the saying goes... TIME is GOLDEN. Truly, spending time with her is precious, and also a good time to do some reflection! On the other hand, since she drinks lots, poopoo lots, cry lots, and well, she's never really able to stay quiet (when she's awake). Therefore, mummy here cant wait for baby to sleep so that she can do HER stuff!
2. Tonnes of things to pack when THE FAMILY goes out - to church, to shopping malls, to eat out, etc.
It's not just putting my lipstick on and off to wherever with my handbag. This time, it's bringing baby diapers, some changes, flask, baby bottles (water n milk), etc... Well, i'm still trying to learn the art of organising and hoping to manage this task real well! Being fully equipped and yet mobile is my aim for now! As you can figure by now, i'm still pretty new in this....
3. Eating out makes me and hubby think twice! We wonder first of all whether the place is comfortable for baby. Is it clean? Air-conditioned? Baby friendly? Nope, we cant go for mamak or hawker stalls to eat for now. Yes, for now.... until baby is slightly bigger. So we either cook (planning to) or tapao!
4. MONEY MONEY MONEY! (Singing it to the tune of "THE APPRENTICE")
i. Our shopping lists has changed from just for the 2 of us to the 3 of us, with baby being #1 (Expenses increase tremendously in these recent months!!!)
ii. If we're eating out, it's gotta be an expensive meal cuz we cant go mamak or hawker stalls for now.
iii. Electric bill has gone up 3x our usual amount during confinement period! Fingers crossed for the coming months!
Praying for God's continuous blessings in finance. As for now, it's manageable, but what's up in the future?
It's been 1 mth & 1 wk since the birth of baby Sarah.... life has never been the same. A change of many things in life!
I never knew being a mother can be so tiring... It's more tiring than working till midnight in the office! i mean.... i've tried that, and yet my energy level didnt drain out as fast as it has just being a mother...
New experiences:-
1. Cant wait for baby to sleep so that i can do as much things as i can, like doing house chores (tonnes of them, esp after adding baby-related stuff like expressing breastmilk, sterilize bottles, wash her poopoo-ed pants and sooo many other things to wash! almost never ending!), update baby-fund book, file my bills, checking emails, searching for information & doing research, blogging (haha!) and even going to the toilet! Well, i am still under the grace of my mum's cooking so i've not done any of my own (yet). After the grace period is over, i know for sure, it's gonna be tough looking for time to even do some decent cooking. Time spent feeding baby is also a lot since she's a "heavy" drinker, but thank God for a bonding time such as this with her. As the saying goes... TIME is GOLDEN. Truly, spending time with her is precious, and also a good time to do some reflection! On the other hand, since she drinks lots, poopoo lots, cry lots, and well, she's never really able to stay quiet (when she's awake). Therefore, mummy here cant wait for baby to sleep so that she can do HER stuff!
2. Tonnes of things to pack when THE FAMILY goes out - to church, to shopping malls, to eat out, etc.
It's not just putting my lipstick on and off to wherever with my handbag. This time, it's bringing baby diapers, some changes, flask, baby bottles (water n milk), etc... Well, i'm still trying to learn the art of organising and hoping to manage this task real well! Being fully equipped and yet mobile is my aim for now! As you can figure by now, i'm still pretty new in this....
3. Eating out makes me and hubby think twice! We wonder first of all whether the place is comfortable for baby. Is it clean? Air-conditioned? Baby friendly? Nope, we cant go for mamak or hawker stalls to eat for now. Yes, for now.... until baby is slightly bigger. So we either cook (planning to) or tapao!
4. MONEY MONEY MONEY! (Singing it to the tune of "THE APPRENTICE")
i. Our shopping lists has changed from just for the 2 of us to the 3 of us, with baby being #1 (Expenses increase tremendously in these recent months!!!)
ii. If we're eating out, it's gotta be an expensive meal cuz we cant go mamak or hawker stalls for now.
iii. Electric bill has gone up 3x our usual amount during confinement period! Fingers crossed for the coming months!
Praying for God's continuous blessings in finance. As for now, it's manageable, but what's up in the future?
Monday, April 7, 2008
Sarah's sleeping regime
When baby Sarah sleeps, you can really feel the peace… :)
Well, literally when you watch her, and of course as parents… especially when it IS time for bed!
She’s been sleeping well for the past 3 weeks. When she wakes up, it’ll be either because she’s hungry or if she has poopoo-ed! Her wake up time is either 2am and 6am or 4am and 8am. Good timing ya?! Thank God she is consistent in her sleeping hours, making it easier for hubby and I to attend to her. She’s such an understanding princess! Hehe..
Two nights ago she slept for 6 hours straight! The mattress + comforter that Uncle Philip and Aunt Hannah bought for her suits her really well. My biological clock woke me up at 4am to feed her but she was sound asleep. I guessed she was really comfortable in there!Last night was different though. We fed her, changed her diapers, yao-yao-ed her, and we sort of basically tried everything to make her sleep but she was crying all the way. She would sleep for awhile but will wake up every hour and cry like never before. She was feeling really uncomfortable and we really felt helpless. I was a terrible mum that night! I gave up so easily and passed that “burden” to hubby. It was 3am and he cradled her till she sleeps. Her stomach must have felt uncomfortable and needed some attention. I was tired but I know I should have persevered. Hubby was tired too. He kept falling asleep while cradling her, but he persevered and she slept at 3+ am. God bless him! By 7.30am when I woke up to feed her, I felt such a regret to quit so easily as a mother. She’s just a baby and that’s the only way she communicates her needs. She doesn’t give us problems taking care, yet I was demanding in wanting her to “learn” to communicate the way I want. That’s so unfair for her... :( Mummy’s really sorry, baby Sarah. I will try my best to be a better mum. Love you so much!
I felt guilty and regret so much so I sms-ed hubby that morning, telling him how sorry I was. He needed to wake up 6am in the morning to get ready for work, yet he had to take care of little one too. He didn’t complain. He’s such a dearie. His reply: “We need to stretch more so we can give our best as parents. Pray that God will guide and teach us lo. It’s OK, I’m here…” So touched to receive this from him, knowing that we’re together in this and truly, we’re praying that God will continue to guide us and teach us to be great parents to baby Sarah. It should never be a “burden” but a joy. For the JOY of the LORD is our STRENGTH.
Watching her every morning when I wake up brings peace and joy to my heart indeed. Not because I felt the burden lifted, but just seeing her in my life is a joy itself, which nothing else can bring.
Sunday, April 6, 2008
Weight gain!
Professional opinion is that an average weight gain of 11.5kg by the time of the birth is ideal. The weight gain in an averaged-sized woman is about 11 – 15 kg during pregnancy.
A sample of the average weight distribution is:
Baby = 3.3kg
Muscle layer of womb (uterus) = 1kg
Placenta = 700g
Breasts = 400g
Blood volume = 1.3kg
Amniotic fluid = 800g
Retained water = 1.5kg
Fat = 2.5kg
My overall weight gain was 11.9kg! Well, not bad… Haha! At least I fall within the average range.
After the birth of baby Sarah, and a few days after that, I lost 6.6kg (that is… IF my weighing machine doesn’t fool me!), which means 5.3kg is still somewhere inside me! The 2.5kg of fats is definitely included in there! *aaaarrrrggggghhhh*
Time to get fit and slim! :o)
A sample of the average weight distribution is:
Baby = 3.3kg
Muscle layer of womb (uterus) = 1kg
Placenta = 700g
Breasts = 400g
Blood volume = 1.3kg
Amniotic fluid = 800g
Retained water = 1.5kg
Fat = 2.5kg
My overall weight gain was 11.9kg! Well, not bad… Haha! At least I fall within the average range.
After the birth of baby Sarah, and a few days after that, I lost 6.6kg (that is… IF my weighing machine doesn’t fool me!), which means 5.3kg is still somewhere inside me! The 2.5kg of fats is definitely included in there! *aaaarrrrggggghhhh*
Time to get fit and slim! :o)
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