Want some caffeine, baby??

Baby Sarah has not been sleeping as much as she normally does these days. Last week was a great progress as she slept through the night for days and that gave mummy & daddy sufficient rest too.
This week, she's been a little bit more "wakey". She sleeps about past 12mn and wakes up at 4+ or 5 for milk and wont sleep back until much later. Her eyes are just wide open!

Conclusion:
Breastfeeding mothers (whether part-time or full-time) should try to avoid drinking caffeinated drinks! *sigh* I've been drinking "teh panas" everyday and sometimes coke too. Looks like i have to cut that down to drinking none at all for the next few months. Will just try that and see if "that" is really the reason of her being so wakey!

So.... NO caffeine for baby Sarah for now! :p

BabyJaya - A One-Stop Shop for Your Baby

Babyjaya is a one-stop 3-storey baby shop for all the needs of your baby.

With the objectives to help parents in choosing or searching for good quality and value-for-money baby products, Babyjaya is constantly working to increase the range and brand of baby products we are offering.

All the featured baby products at Babyjaya are carefully selected for infants, babies, toddlers, pre-schoolers, kids and children of ages range from birth to 12 years old.

Anybody interested to go check it out? *drool* :p

Manual Breast Pump Out & About Set

It is everything you need to maintain your milk supply and to express and store your breast milk when away from your baby.

This travel set is very convenient for all working mothers. It looks nice too! :)

Thanks to CK & SP for advising us to get this set. It is worth the money! We got it for RM272.90 in Jusco Equine Park. It was a really good deal! I think the current price is RM389... (i think la)

3 kids, a Mum & a Sunflower!

Hubby & i decided to buy an automatic yao-yao for baby Sarah so that MIL can free up herself to do other things while Ms Sunflower takes over to yao-yao Sarah to sleep.

There are 2 of its kind: 1-with music and 2-without music.

We bought the one without music for RM169 at Babyland in SS2, PJ. It's the whole set (Sunflower machine+ 7 springs) and can hold up to 20kg!
But well... we've already used up 5 springs for baby Sarah and she's only 6+kg...

Anyway, as long as it helps MIL for now. Thank God for Ms Sunflower! :)

FYI, the one with music costs RM199.

[Knowledge: Baby] ECB1: FEEDING AND NUTRITION – Why Breast is Best

Your baby depends on you for the provision of adequate nutrition, and for a newborn, breast or bottled milk will provide all she needs. Breast milk is the ideal food for a baby. It is the perfect food for babies because it contains all the nutrients your baby needs, and in just the right amounts.

Breast milk has many benefits for your baby.

1. Breastfed babies tend to suffer less than bottlefed babies from such illnesses as gastroenteritis and chest infections. Antibodies from the colostrum and the mother’s milk are absorbed into the bloodstream, where they act to protect the baby against infections. In the first few days of life, they also protect the intestine, reducing the chances of intestinal upsets.

2. Breastfed babies don’t get constipated, since breast milk is more easily digestible than cows’ milk, although they pass few stools because the milk is so completely digested that there is little waste.

3. Breastfed babies are less prone to ammoniacal nappy rash which irritates and burns the skin.

4. From some mother’s point of view, breastfeeding is far more convenient than bottlefeeding: there is no need for the milk to be warmed up, there are no bottles to sterilize, no formula to be made up and no equipment to buy.

5. Breastfed babies usually sleep longer, suffer less from wind and posset – that is, regurgitate food – less, and the posset smells less unpleasant.

Every woman is capable of breastfeeding her baby, and you should try to do so. Many women feel that they must breastfeed to be a good mother, and feel guilty if they decide not to. On the other hand, some women find it emotionally or psychologically difficult to breastfeed; others find that however much they try, they cannot master breastfeeding. If this is the case, then you should forget about it and concentrate on giving your baby a good bottlefed diet: she will still thrive.

Everyday Care for Babies (ECB)

Many parents worry that they will not know what to do when confronted with a newborn baby. Fortunately, looking after a baby does not require specialist skills – just some basic knowledge, common sense, and a willingness to ask for advice, and of course not forgetting… Mother’s instinct!

I’ve basically gathered a few great pointers on caring for my baby, and thus a new label “Everyday Care for Babies (ECB)” is created.

Hope new mums & dads will find this helpful as it does for me!

Baby Sarah's first fall...

It was on Monday, 26th May... about 3+pm.

Pain? I believe so. She cried... and she made everyone who loves her cry. It's sad to see the pain she has to face at this very young age. Any parent who go through it will surely understand how we feel.

It was an accident - using the sarong. No one could actually explain how it happened. MIL was making milk in the kitchen for baby Sarah. Suddenly, she cried so loudly and the next thing we knew, she was on the floor, with a bump on her head! Her cousin Ivan was holding on to the sarong - panicked i believe... Well, all i can say is... accidents happen and we cant blame anyone for it. We just have to constantly pray for God's hands of protection upon our families, and especially now, i pray for His special hands upon baby Sarah, baby Reanne & Ivan too.

Lord, may Your guardian angels surround each little one... and all those who are taking care of little ones - In Jesus name i pray, Amen!

Well, initially, I didn't want to pen down hurtful moments, esp when it hurts my girl... but then again, "It's All About Life!"

Life goes on... right?! And we can always make the whole scene better by looking upon God and think positively. Thank God she is alright! And that is ALL that matters! :)

One thing to learn from here...
To all parents who use the "sarong" or "yao-yao": Place a BIG pillow under it... for 2 reasons:
1. To stabilize the equipment
2. If the baby falls, he/she will land on a soft ground

[Living Truth] Communication

Generally, our communication is based on what we consider within our safety zone. It's incredibly safe to exist on cliches or by simply stating facts. Most conflicts begin to enter into the picture when we share opinions, feelings, or needs.

And how about this??? LOL!!!

This is hilarious! :D
A Shiseido model in the making??? Some people says baby Sarah has Angelina Jolie's lips!!! We'll see how it goes when she reaches 16 years old! hahaha!!!

Any resemblance??? Hahahaha!

Baby Sarah in her new sarong...

Well... since she is so comfortable in there, and since it became a helping hand to us, we bought another sarong for Sarah for our own house. Now she has one in her grandma's house, and another in her own house. hehehe....

Similar to the pacifier story, we never knew that as time goes by, esp in taking care of our little one, we find that we need to do lots (and i mean... LOTS) of trial and error... testing this, and testing that... to get the best of everything for the family, ie so that baby Sarah would be comfortable, which of course make us both parents super glad as well. No doubt there is so much more money spent on these testings, but in the end, they are all worth it.

Baby Sarah's facial expressions...

Little by little everyday, baby Sarah is learning to express herself through facial expression! :)

It's funny at times and i just cant help taking her photos whenever i have the chance! hehehe... i soooooooo love her. Just looking at her melts my heart!

Thank You, Jesus for blessing me and Silas with this little princess. She's an apple of our eyes!

More pix in:
Facebook Album

Baby Sarah & baby Giraffe...

Thank you, aunty Brenda for a cutie giraffe for a cutie girl :)

It's mummy's toy for now... hahaha!!!

More pix in: Facebook Album

[Article] A Dozen Ways to Get to Know Your Real Partner

A Dozen Ways to Get to Know Your Real Partner

The Signs Are All Around You

By Stacy D. Phillips Special to Yahoo! Personals Updated: May 20, 2008

In my line of work - family law - I often hear the same old refrain when my client explains to me why they split from their significant other. It goes like this, "I guess I didn't really know my partner after all." You might ask, "How could that be?" How could you have an intimate relationship with someone only to wake up one day to find out that the person you fell in love with is not the person they turned out to be?

I believe there are at least a dozen ways to know who someone really is - indicators - and if we do an inventory early on, we might stand a better chance of getting to know the real person before we fully commit. The following "observance" suggestions are important ones to make in the early stages of any relationship because each offers insight into habits, patterns, and behaviors. As you ponder these observations, know that there is no right or wrong; it's a matter of acceptance. Sometimes we have to accept quirks and differences as part of the give-and-take process. As you do your assessment, however, the goal is to decide whether or not you can live with or without your real partner.

Here are the dozen indicators:

1. Protocol: First or Second? Whether it's walking through a door, ordering dinner, or taking a bite out of the freshly baked cookies you have made together, if your partner always have to go first this could indicate self- centeredness. Are you willing to always be the giver?

2. Politics: Liberal or Conservative? How your partner views what is right or wrong in a political sense tells you a lot about his deep inner beliefs about society, and ultimately, the way he will approach your relationship issues. Will his views cause a rift in your relationship?

3. Television: Sitcoms or News? If his tendency is to watch "escape" TV programs versus "newsy/event" oriented ones, you can learn a lot about one's intellect. Do you want a mate who can keep up with your every day interest in what is going on in the world or a person you can run away with to avoid the world we live in?

4. Money: Flash or Stash? If your partner throws money around while dating, he might well be reckless with your joint finances when you move in together. Do you want to hook up with a tightwad or splurger?

5. Stress: Freak or Peak? Under Pressure, does he go to pieces or rise to the top of his game? If the answer is the former, every minor incident in your relationship might become a crisis. Do you like a lot of drama?

6. Conversation: About You or Him? As you first get to know each other does he always talk about himself first or you? If he is usually the topic priority do not expect that to change. Can you subordinate yourself to the world revolving around him?

7. Pets: Warm or Aloof? Believe it or not, the way in which he treats animals will not be dissimilar to how he treats your children. How do you want him to treat your loved ones?

8. Communication: Listens or Ignores? If you have something you want to talk about and he tunes you out as a general rule, can you cope?

9. Strangers: Kind or Rude? How he treats those they do not know (waiters, grocery clerks) often reflects on how he will treat people in general, including you, shortly after the glow wears off.

10. Priorities: Family or Work? You can tell almost immediately where a person's preferences lie in terms of what comes first (a family member's illness or a business trip) by the choices he makes when faced with an "either/or" situation. Do you care if he leaves on the next plane to present the such-and-such report if you or the kids have pneumonia?

11. Appearance: Fat or Fit? How he regards his appearance screams loudly about his sense of self-esteem. Those who eat sensibly, workout reasonably, and who take pride in their appearance are the ones who have a great sense of self. Does he really have self-confidence or might it be a front?

12. Faith: Strong or Weak? If you want a peak at his soul, learn more about his spirituality, or lack of it. What a person believes deep down is often what shapes the way in which they conduct their day-to-day affairs. What is your mate's "words to live by?"

Never ever keep your milk to yourself!

To ALL breastfeeding mums: Never ever keep your milk to yourself! :p

Went to the movies on Thursday - the good ol' Indiana Jones movie. It was a 9pm show. The idea was that since i will be away from home for more than 12 hours, and that i don't have a place to store the expressed milk, i thought to myself... I'll just not express it for this one day. It's only one day... It won't kill...

OOPS! I was wrong! Dead wrong! Heard of engorgement? Well... yeah, i suffered from being naive. Anyway, just an experience to share... so for those new mums or soon-to-be new mums, if u r nursing your child and would like to continue giving breast milk to your child once you're back to work, make sure that you express it and store it well everyday (Get a minibar for your office if your office doesn't already have one). Before work (if you reach office really early), lunch break and after work are good times for expressing. So... there goes: Happy expressing!

I had to go to the toilet in the mall to ease the pain... it helps a little, but i was already feeling very very uncomfortable during the movie. *sigh*

A lesson learnt should be passed on! :p

One step at a time...

"I hope this phase will be over soon!"
"No, don't say that... i want to see her grow little by little"
"But it's tiring. I can't wait for the time to come when i can teach her lots of things i know"
"Well, the time will come. There is time for everything"
"Hmmm...." *quiet*
"I want us to give her the chance to learn one thing at a time... one step at a time" :)

Not sure whether you parents out there has this kinda conversation with your spouse. Well, i do! To me, i always believe in having a time for everything. Things don't just happen. They come in stages and if the stages are done and received in a positive manner, the outcome will be great. It's the same with being pregnant for women. Even though the first trimester may be hard, and you cant wait for the second, and later the third, you will find that you need to go through all those different stages of pregnancies to prepare both mother and baby for the final stage at birth.

During my pregnancy, that's what i told myself and from going through all that, i knew i was prepared to be a mother when the baby is ready to be born. There are of course some things that i do not know until and unless i go through it, but then again, it is those 9 months of pregnancy that had prepared me - in all areas - to be a mother and a good one too! I'm still learning.... and again, it's a lifetime process! For me, as a mummy... for Silas, as a daddy... and for Sarah, as a baby... let us just walk this walk one step at a time.

In Memory of Maria Sue Chapman

My condolences to the Chapman family.
I do not know them personally, nor do i know this little girl Maria, but just watching the short video posted in their site gave me a chance to know them.

Maria was such a darling and Steven Curtis is such a great father. The Chapman family has shown a great deal of love which has touched my heart so deeply. I pray that God will strengthen their hearts and may they grow stronger together, knowing that their little girl is in a better place called Heaven.

© 2007 Tucker Photography.

(Left to right Will Franklin, Maria, Steven, Shaoey, Mary Beth, Stevey Joy, Caleb and Emily)

MARIA SUE CHAPMAN, DAUGHTER OF STEVEN CURTIS CHAPMAN, DIES IN ACCIDENT AT FAMILY HOME

NASHVILLE, TN...5/21/08... At approximately 5pm on the afternoon of Wednesday May 21st, Maria Sue Chapman, 5 years old and the youngest daughter to Steven and Mary Beth Chapman was struck in the driveway of the Chapman home in Franklin, TN. Maria was rushed to Vanderbilt Childrens Hospital in Nashville, transported by LifeFlight, but died of her injuries there. Maria is one of the close knit family’s six children and one of their three adopted daughters.

Visit

http://www.stevencurtischapman.com/

http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/mni/daughter-of-christian-music-star-killed-by-car.html

http://chapmanchannel.typepad.com/inmemoryofmaria/2008/05/maria-and-siste.html

Indiana Jones IV

The movie was OK. Feels a bit ridiculous though, when there are ALIENS involved... but then again, it's Indiana Jones - everything about it from Indiana Jones I seem rather ridiculous! Hahaha! There are science-fiction & plenty of adventure & fantasy... i know they've now added lotsa 3D stuff (animals mainly) & lotsa chroma-keying. If they're done for real... i guess no-one will survive the thrill! :p

Go watch the movie, and be a judge yourself! :)

[Knowledge: Baby] Seven reasons babies cry and how to soothe them

Seven reasons babies cry and how to soothe them Reviewed by the BabyCenter Medical Advisory Board Last updated: November 2006 Babies cry. There's no way to avoid it — it's one way they communicate. Since your baby can't flat out tell you, you may worry, "How will I know what she wants?" It can be difficult at first, but a large part of parenting is trial and error and you'll soon learn to anticipate her needs, read her cues, and wipe away her tears. Here are the most common reasons babies cry. If your little one is wailing, work your way down the list and chances are you'll find something that helps. How can I tell why my baby is crying? She's hungry Once you learn to recognize the signs that your baby wants to eat — she'll fuss, make noises, and root around for your breast if you pick her up — you'll get pretty good at feeding her before she starts to really cry. Until then, checking to see if she's hungry is a good first step when your baby cries. Food might not stop her crying right away, but let her keep eating if she wants to. She'll stop once her stomach is full. She needs a fresh diaper Some babies let you know right away when they need to be changed. Others don't mind when their diapers are soiled — it's warm and comfortable to them. (Parents are often surprised when they pick up their infant and find she's been sitting in a dirty diaper and never made a sound.) Either way, this one is easy to check and simple to remedy. She's too cold or hot Newborns like to be bundled up and kept warm. (As a rule, they need to be wearing one more layer than you need to be comfortable.) So when your baby feels cold, like when you remove her clothes to change her, she'll express her discomfort by crying. You'll learn how to quickly change a diaper and wrap your baby back up. Be careful that you don't overdress her, since she's less likely to complain about being too warm than about being too cold and won't cry about it as vigorously. She wants to be held Babies need a lot of cuddling. They like to see their parents' faces, hear their voices, and listen to their heartbeats, and can even detect their unique smell (especially Mom's milk). After being fed, burped, and changed, many babies simply want to be held. You may wonder if you'll "spoil" your child by holding her so much, but during the first few months of life that isn't possible. Infants vary a lot in how much they want to be held. Some demand a lot of attention, while others can spend long periods of time sitting calmly by themselves. If your baby likes the attention, pick her up, wear her in a front carrier or sling, or place her next to you. She can't take it anymore While newborns often thrive on attention, they can easily become overstimulated and have a meltdown. You may find that your baby cries longer than usual after spending a holiday with many adoring family members or has periods at the end of each day when she seems to cry for no reason. Newborns have difficulty processing all the stimulation they receive — the lights, the noise, being passed from hand to hand — and can become overwhelmed by too much activity. Crying is their way of saying, "I've had enough." This usually happens when your baby is tired. Take her somewhere calm and quiet and let her vent for a while, and then see if you can get her to sleep. She doesn't feel good If you've just fed your baby and checked that she's comfortable (she can be troubled by something as subtle as a hair wrapped around her toe or a clothing tag that's poking her), but she's still crying, consider checking her temperature to make sure she isn't ill. The cry of a sick baby tends to be distinct from the hunger or frustration cry, and you'll soon learn when your baby's cries "just don't sound right" and she needs to be taken to the doctor. None of the above Sometimes you might not be able to figure out what's wrong. Many newborns develop periods of fussiness when they're not easily soothed. These fussy periods can range from a few minutes of crying to full-blown colic. Colic is defined as inconsolable crying for at least three hours a day and at least three days a week. Even if your baby isn't crying this much, these episodes may be difficult for you. When all else fails, try the tips below. I can't figure out why she's crying. What should I do? Wrap her up and hold her close Newborns like to feel as warm and secure as they did in the womb, so try swaddling your baby in a blanket, wearing her, or holding her against your shoulder. But be aware that some babies find swaddling or cuddling too constrictive and respond better to other forms of comfort such as rhythmic movement or sucking a pacifier. Let her hear the rhythm Babies are used to the sound of your heartbeat; that's another reason they love to be held close. You can also try playing soft music, singing a lullaby, or even putting her close to the rhythm of an electric fan or the white noise of a vacuum cleaner. Put her in motion Sometimes just the motion of carrying your baby will be enough to calm her. Other times, it may help to rock her gently in a rocking chair or swing, set her in her bouncy seat, or place her in her car seat on top of the dryer while it's on (the dryer's vibrations can cause her seat to move enough to fall off, so make sure you stay by her side while you do this!). You could also push her around outside in her stroller or take her for a ride in the car. Massage her Most babies love to be touched, so a massage might be just the thing to soothe your baby. Don't worry about not knowing the perfect movements — as long as they're gentle and slow, they should bring comfort. Also, try rubbing your baby's back or belly. This will help if she's having gas pains — which may be the problem with some colicky babies. Let her suck on something Even when she's not hungry, sucking can steady an infant's heart rate, relax her stomach, and calm her flailing limbs. Give her a pacifier or a finger to clamp onto and let her go to town. Take care of yourself No baby ever cried herself to death, but a crying baby can be very stressful for new parents. You're chronically sleep-deprived and may already be unsure about how to care for this baby. Mom's emotions are all over the place due to the hormonal changes she's going through. Dad may not be sure what role he should play in caring for the newborn or whether he'll ever get Mom's attention again. Add a crying baby to this scenario and many parents can become overwhelmed with feelings of incompetence. If you know your baby's needs have been met and you've tried to calm her but she's still crying, it's time to take care of yourself so you don't get too exasperated: • Put your baby down in a safe place and let her cry for a while. • Call a friend or relative and ask for advice. • Give yourself a break and let someone else take over. • Put on quiet music to distract yourself. • Take deep breaths. • Remind yourself that nothing is wrong with your baby and crying won't hurt her — she may just need the release. • Repeat to yourself, "She will outgrow this phase." • Whatever you do, don't take your frustration out on your baby by shaking her. Fortunately, babies (and their parents) are resilient and somehow manage to get through even the most difficult crying episodes. Take heart that by the time your baby is 8 to 12 weeks old, she'll be better able to soothe herself and much of the crying will stop.

All contents copyright © BabyCenter LLC. 1997-2008 All rights reserved.

The cries of my heart...

Oh my girl... my darling girl... As parents, we're truly sorry for coming back late every night for the past 3 nights. Sometimes, we just couldn't help it. Perhaps, that alone made you uncomfortable and sad. Perhaps you knew, but all of us adults don't. We tried to comfort you, but sometimes to no avail. Last night, when mummy heard your cries, it saddens mummy because it sounded different from what i used to hear when i was around you. Your cries seemed to reach the limit, making it sounded like you were crying a lot much earlier and causing your voice to change. It looked as though you were crying, but yet there were no more tears. It truly saddens mummy to see you like that.

That was exactly how i felt last night when i saw her sleeping peacefully. It was already about 2am then. I couldn't really sleep until about 2.30am because there were just so many things to think about and to pray. She slept through the night last night - perhaps too tired. What i felt deeply was that she could sense both our presence and that alone brought change to her soul & spirit - giving her security & peace to sleep right through the night. She's a good girl. I know she is. I've no doubt about that at all. She cries when she's hungry or when she feels alone and perhaps insecure. Sometimes, we just don't understand why she cry so much at times. But i know deep down, she was needing something... or someone... to be with so she doesn't feel alone.

Lord, i pray that You would hear the cries of my heart. I do not want to make decisions that i would later regret. Grant us wisdom to raise this child the way You want us to. Help us to see her needs so that we can provide what is best for her. Lord, i pray that she will be happy at all times and be at peace. It saddens us to see her sad and cry for something we can provide but yet fail again & again. Help us to be better father & mother to this baby girl. Connect us with her. Connect her grandparents with her. Connect her with all of us and with You - In Jesus' name i pray, Amen!

To the cinema we go... yippie!! :)

It feels like a long time since we last watched a movie in a cinema... the last was Transformer... baby Sarah was still inside me then! kekeke...

Tonight, we're going to watch "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull" - it's a birthday gift to dear from CEO & wife!

A BIG thank you to Elijah & Sarah! Appreciate all your efforts to get the tickets for us. We're gonna enjoy it for sure! :)

And also... thank you MIL for taking care of baby Sarah. Hope she's a good girl tonight. Sleep well, princess... Dont make nainai cranky! :p

GUNDAM!

Hubby lovessssssss Gundam!
I bought him one... and he bought himself 4 more! Hahahaha!
It's his birthday gift! He said he has been deprived of his childhood... and therefore, the collection now! :)

Silas dear... glad to see you enjoy your collection! Have a happy birthday & a very blessed one too!
Love u! *muacks* kekekeke...

ahhhh.... satisfied! :)

I didnt get my hot tea this morning..... so, to satisfy myself, i had hot tea for lunch! mmm... :)

Mummy Rachel on the 1st & 2nd day without baby... & work schedule

Physically tired... sleepy... but at the same time, busy working on backlogs at work, which diverted my attention from tiredness. I think of baby Sarah all the time and miss her much, esp when i see her picture on my yahoo IM display pix! hehe...

When i resumed work 2 days ago, i actually forgotten that i was on leave for 2 months (and that made a lot of difference to my daily work schedule) and that there is a lot of work to complete, both old and new projects.

My initial arrangement with CEO is that i will work from Mon-Wed once i resumed work. When i proposed this to him, my reason was to be there for my girl as she grows. I wanted to spend much of my time nurturing her, and at the same time to work for money. Well, you cant really get this kind of arrangement anywhere, so i take this as a privilege, ie to work a few days & then be a full time mum for the rest of the days in the week. It's a bit tough when comes to reality as work calls for much of my time (especially now). And since there's so much to do at this time, i told him i'll be working full week for until end of May, ie 2 weeks.

I do hope that things will work out fine... Am surrendering my plans to God for He knows what's best for all of us as a family.
So God, please be my Guest of Honor to erase and modify whatever that's in my agenda, according to Your will and purpose. Amen!

Baby Sarah on the 1st & 2nd day without me...

We reached home and it was already 8 plus pm on the first night, and 9 pm on the second night... Baby Sarah was sleeping by the time we reach home. She was alright on the first day. MIL said that she cried a lot but only when she's hungry.

On the second day, MIL said that baby cried so much almost all the time. She got cranky which also made MIL a little cranky too - much stress at home taking care of babies and also the housework.

I miss baby Sarah so much... and i guess she misses me too.

My prayer for now is that baby Sarah will learn to be more independent and learn to play on her own at certain times so that MIL would be able to free up herself to do other things at home too.
I pray that baby Sarah will be able to have good sleep and rest during both day and night whenever she needs to and not be cranky.
I pray that MIL will have the strength to take care of all 3 little ones at home... i know it's not easy.

Heart & Mind not in sync!

I wanted to drink hot tea... "teh panas" or at least a "teh tarik", but what i ordered was "teh peng", and i got ice tea. *sigh*...

Told hubby i wanted to buy buns from King's Confectionery. He parked the car between King's and Baker's Cottage. I went to Baker's instead...

Dont know what happened to me this morning, but i suddenly felt as though my whole being is not communicating with one another...

[Living Truth] Give God the eraser

Something i came across...

"Write your plans in pencil and give God the eraser."

Back to work!

It's 20th May today and i'm back to work!
So much seems to be done! Time to practise discipline! hahaha!

I'll be missing my princess until i see her again later tonight. Am praying that everything will be fine for her and mum-in-law.

Girl, be good to nai-nai, OK?! :)

the Cousins...

korkor Ivan, chehcheh Reanne & meimei Sarah

Sarah & Reanne - the twins?! :)

Thank God for friends...

I would like to personally thank all my friends who have been such a blessing to me & my family, specially to Daniel & Marilyn, Samuel & Chris, Joey & Ebbie - for blessing us with so much for our little one. Baby cot, cozy car seat, baby monitor, bottle sterilizer, clothes, toys, clothes, toys, clothes, toys, and so many other things... kekekeke...

We saved a lot of money because of great friends around like u guys. Some of you and your children have even sacrificed for us! (Daniel, give a super big hug to your children from baby Sarah... related story in this link: http://danlion.blogspot.com/2008/04/farewell-baby-car-seat.html)

And to all our families, relatives and friends who have also blessed us with so much - in prayer, moral support, gifts & cash: a BIG THANK YOU & a BIG BEAR HUG to all of you! You know who you are! :)

God bless all of you exceedingly & abundantly above all that you ask or think (Ephesians 3:20)!

Baby Sarah's Weight & Height - Month 0-2

At birth (15 March)
Weight=2.95kg
Height=50cm
Head circumference=31cm

Month 1 (15 April)
Weight=4.51kg (+1.56kg)
Height=53.5cm (+3.5cm)
Head circumference=35.5cm (+4.5cm)

Month 2 (13 May)
Weight=5.83kg (+1.32kg)
Height=58.5cm (+5cm)
Head circumference=37cm (+1.5cm)

Doctor says she's doing fine... Praise the Lord! She's not overweight, because her height has increased and it gives a balance! :)

Follow this link for earlier post on Sarah's weight: http://richrach.blogspot.com/2008/04/baby-overweight.html

Lullabies for baby Sarah

Having baby Sarah has brought me back memories when i was a little girl myself, or perhaps not too long ago when i was a young teenager. One thing's for sure... because baby Sarah loves to listen to mummy singing her lullabies, mummy has to browse through her song bank stored in her brains (collection of over 20 years! hahaha!)

I've been singing to her some tunes to put her to sleep or to calm her down when she's feeling anxious or restless. Some tunes are actually unknown - just some melody that do not sound bad. :p Ask Sarah.. she's the judge! hahaha! Well, other than those unknown tunes, what's familiar that's been coming out from my mouth are some Worship songs (both English & Mandarin! wah, i can sing Mandarin songs! kakaka...), Christmas songs, Children songs (learnt when i was a kid in Children's Church... kekeke... songs like "This Little Light of Mine", "Ho-ho-ho-hosanna..", "Jesus loves me this i know" and "Jesus loves the little children"), and not forgetting the old faithful rhymes i learnt when i was a kid too! hehehe... It's kinda fun to think that i've not forgotten them. Having a song bank is really helpful to us both hubby and self because it got us closer with baby, and with our Lord Jesus too.

Thank God for songs! :)

MIL the Supermom!

My mum-in-law is a superwoman!

Once i'm back to work, she'll be taking care of 3 of her grandchildren - Sarah (2mths) & 2 of her cousins - Ivan (2 y.o.) & Reanne (3mths), plus managing the household - doing all the housechores + cooking (WOW!)

It's no joke taking care of just one little one - if the little one's a dependent & demanding kid like Sarah :p, but i've seen how she takes care of them all at the same time, and what amazes me is her ability to cope with the crying of one sleepy baby, and another hungry baby, and yet another BIG baby! Well... she did it anyway! :)

Such an amazing role she is taking, and God will surely bless her in abundance for taking care of His children with such BIG heart! :)

My prayer for my MIL is that she will have continuous blessings of good health, protection, strength, joy & peace, and that God will supply all her needs according to His riches in glory!

Will still pray that she will get favour from people around her to offer their kindness to help her in anyway possible so that she will not have a hard time. Will also pray that 2 babies and a toddler will be obedient children to their nainai & yehyeh of course!

MIL, you're one strong super woman and i admire u for that!

CK & Silas... take great care of MUM OK?! i know u guys are reading this. kekeke... :)

Baby Sarah in "sarong"...

We put her in sarong in Melaka house, and she cried... well, first time user - no doubt about that. And then the 2nd attempt was in Kajang house, she cried for awhile but got used to it after that. *phew* Well... not just gotten used to it, she seemed to love it. "Syiok sendiri" - i'd say!

She still wants the attention though. We put her in and yaoyao her until she sleeps... well, we thought she slept, but everytime we stop yaoyao, she would make some movement or sound... like to tell us, "hey, please dont stop! i'm loving it!"

Well, she's enjoying life at this moment! hahaha! So be it! :)

Colic Solution

Went to the clinic last Thursday and we were given colic drops to help ease Sarah's "colickyness" (hmm... is there such a word?! :p). Doctor says it is the wind in the stomach that causes colic in babies.

A few possible reasons:-
i) Mummy eats wrong stuff like beans vege, kangkung, caffeinated drinks;
ii) Crying too much causes baby to swallow air;
iii) Some colic babies cant stomach certain formula milk and therefore colic babies need a special kind of formula milk (Novalac AC which is an anti-colic formula);
iv) Milk that is shake, and not properly stirred (Steff, thanks for your advice earlier. it was helpful - i did shake the milk and always tell baby Sarah, "Milk shakes' comin'!" *DUH! DUH!*); and
v) Formulas with high sugar contents may cause bacteria in baby's stomach to react actively, thus produce more gas in the stomach.

At first we gave her the colic drops via a syringe, but she refused to take it and kept crying. Doctor mentioned that we could mix it with her milk. We did that but for about 4-5 feeds, she had problem finishing the milk (it's unlike her!) She knew the milk tasted different. Clever girl! Cant be fooled! :)

Went to parents-in-law's house on Saturday and mum-in-law (MIL) said not to mix it with the milk since she cant finish the milk. So, MIL fed Sarah the colic drops via the syringe. Sarah cried a little but managed to swallow the medicine. Good girl!

It was almost an instant prayer answered for us because she somehow slept more that night and cry less. I believe there is somewhat a sleeping spell in that medicine! hahaha!

Anyway, thank God that she became less colicky after that.

It's been 4 days already since we first gave the colic drops (minus the mx). i tried not to give her since Sunday night and she was already feeling better (i was hoping for natural healing). Thank God for giving better sleeps to all of us. Sarah still wakes up during the night for feeds, but that's OK, as long as she doesnt cry so much anymore.
We're still praying for complete healing for baby Sarah, and thank you all for praying. God is good all the time! :)

Twins?

When the 2 families go out together and the 2 babies are seen together, some people would ask, "Twins?" We'll reply, "No, they're cousins" :)

Only a month apart, they definite look almost alike from afar. They are about the same size, same height, same hair, etc.

Reanne is Sarah's chehcheh cousin. Though they may look somewhat the same, they are very different in character.

Here's what i've gathered... hehe

On sleeping - Reanne could be left on her own until she sleeps, Sarah demands to be carried at all times until she sleeps.

On playing - Reanne could play by herself for some time, Sarah demands attention from people around her!

On drinking milk - Reanne drinks little and polite (little lady :)), Sarah drinks A LOT and fast! :o

On bathing - Reanne doesnt really like water, Sarah loves water.

On crying - Reanne's crying is soft, Sarah's crying could be heard all around the neighbourhood (exagerated! hahaha...)

On sneezing - Reanne sneezes softly, Sarah's loud!

Mum-in-law says that Reanne's "soft-spoken" and ladylike... just like her mum! :)

hmmm... what is Sarah then? hmmm.... well, she is my Sarah... my darling Sarah. hehehe...

Mother's Day Celebration 2008

Hi-tea buffet in Cafe Lavista, in Equatorial Hotel (Bangi)... in celebration of Mother's Day this year with the Chongs!

Pictures speak a thousand (or more) words... so let the pictures tell the story!


We had a great time and after our stomachs were filled, we went back home to Kajang house for a nap... a long nap that is! :)

More pix in: Facebook Album

Paul's Masterpiece... Part 2

His mummy found it!!!!!!

Way to go, Peggy! hahahaha!!!

Now.... his masterpiece is COMPLETE!

The "Complete Piece"...

Read Part 1 here:

http://richrach.blogspot.com/2008/05/pauls-masterpiece.html

A tribute to MUM with love...

A strong woman is she who has never fail to love her children and support us in everything we do. So wonderful, so beautiful... Well, no words could describe the person she is! She's truly an amazing mum! Her love knows no bound.

Well, who's Mummy to me? She's my HERO indeed!

Mummy, I love you belly belly muchie! :)

Happy Mother's Day, Mummy!
(Cheh, read this to her, OK?! kekeke...)

Thank you for everything you've done for me.
Thank you for your love.

Early Mother's Day dinner... in Melaka

Mum feeding baby Sarah... well, look at that glow on her face! :)

Sis Cheryl (Right) & Sis-in-law Peggy (Left) & Paul's hands... playing with his food... i think!

Paul-Elijah Yeo! Big boy already!

Mum, me & the baby... with my wet shoulder! :p

Baby Sarah & her Ah Ee...

hehe... baby Sarah's getting uncomfortable!

Peggy... stomach's all filled up! hehe...

Went to Kenny Rogers Roasters in Tesco Melaka last Saturday for a Mother's Day meal with all the ladies in the family. All ladies nite that is... well, except for little Paul.

It was my first Mother's Day celebration with me being a MUM myself! :)

The meal was just so-so... The dishes were OK, but the chicken was... well, it kinda slacks a lil... compared to earlier times.... ie back in late nineties :p (am feeling a little OLD now!)

But i have to say that it's not the food, but it's the people you're together with - that's most meaningful! :)

Weren't able to take good pix though... hands were full... baby Sarah cried for milk... mum fed her while i ate as fast i could to take over... and she then vomitted on my shoulder while burping her.... hence, the "wet look" on my t-shirt! Paul got restless and was running around and wasnt in the mood to take pix... Paul's mummy was a little angry with him cuz he didnt behave... hahaha... well, just a glance of a mummy's life! :)

Mummy Rachel at 7 weeks... (on being a MUM)

Like in any educational courses, we have 2 parts in the whole course - 1st theory, 2nd practical. I've learned a lot about being a mum and the things mum do for the love for her children, since baby Sarah's arrival into this world.

During the first 4 weeks, i learn some new-mums-must-know stuff (the theory) and only managed to watch the ways of taking care of baby from my mum and also from internet videos (mainly on nursing).

Diaper changing was OK. No problem with it! *phew* :)

I started bathing baby by the 5th week and it wasnt easy at first. Carrying her with clothes on and without are 2 different feel. Watching mum bathe her was different from doing it myself! After the first practical lesson, i told mum i wasnt ready yet and need a little bit more time to get adjusted to it, so mum continued bathing her for another few more days and i continued watching her (more closely this time) hehe... By the 6th week, i took over that responsibility fully and successfully mastered the art of bathing baby. hahaha!

Nursing is a natural process (supposedly), but i have to say that it wasnt easy for me at all. It was painful at the beginning and i was already feeling discouraged during the first two weeks. I wanted to give up but supports from hubby and friends all around me was what i needed most to give baby what's best. So, i continued and thank God, i'm getting better at it too.

Now at 7 weeks, i've learned all the above, plus being a housewife - do laundry, cook, clean house, etc. I learn about time management, housechores management, and some other traits i need for me to be a better mum and a better wife. I learn to be more patient (and still need more of it), organise and not to procrastinate. I learn to also appreciate my family more and spending quality time with people i love... waaaah.... looks like i'm going through 2 very productive months... and more days and months and years to go... :)

Well, apart from learning all these, i too ride through lotsa emotional roller coasters, plus body aches everywhere (literally). But praise God for giving me this chance of a lifetime to be a mum!

Daddy Silas at 7 weeks... (on being a DAD)

Tired... tired... tired...

He's exhausted... i know he is. He had to take mc yesterday because he had a slight fever and body aches due to over-exhaustion. He's such a dear husband and father. He's got a very great heart and his patience is an amazing trait... something that i must learn.

Before the birth of baby Sarah, Daddy Silas was fearful of carrying babies. "Too fragile...", he says. It's no surprise... Many men that i know would say the same thing. But from DAY 1 being a daddy, he overcame his fear and carried baby with much confidence! *Hip-hip-hurray!!!*

He has learned to carry her, change her diapers, feed&burp her, singing lullabies (hahaha!), etc... good 'ol daddy Silas!

But the one thing which i'd really like to appreciate him for is the night shifts of taking care of baby. We take turns during the night, ie a couple of hours me, a couple of hours him, etc... This is the one thing that is seriously hard to do as parents but we're doing it together and that makes it easier for me. "TWO ARE BETTER THAN ONE" (Ecclesiastes 4:9)

I was going through another battle with my emotions last night and couldnt take it when baby cried so much... like REALLY A LOT! With my stressful self, I went out to the living room and left baby with daddy (it was about 2am then). I took a pillow and covered my ears (yes... i actually did that... i was lacking "long-suffering"...)! About 5 minutes later, after getting back my cool, i went back to the bedroom and daddy was still carrying her. She was still in tears. We just didnt know what was wrong, but looking at her in tears was a sad thing. We really felt helpless. I fed her after that and put her to sleep.

At 7am, she cried to be fed again. I was happy that i thought we all had a good sleep from 2+ till 7am that morning. But what i didnt know was that Daddy sacrificed his sleep so that i would have more of it. At 3+, baby woke up and before she cry aloud again, Daddy brought her to the living room and carried her to sleep so that she wont wake me. She woke up a few times in between sleeps and that was the price Daddy paid for my comfort. Thank u, Daddy, for doing so much...

I know Daddy was also feeling helpless. So, we decided to bring baby to see her doctor tonight. We heard that there is a solution for colicky babies. Praying that things will work out fine...

Do pray for her too. Thank u, readers! God bless!

Baby Sarah at 7 weeks...

Until 4 weeks old, she was a hungry baby! She only wakes up for feeds! hehe...

At 4 weeks until current, she was a sleepy baby! But she sleeps at wrong hours.

She sleeps a lot during the day and becomes super colicky after 12mn. She seems to think that day=night, and night=day... The problem about trying to switch it back is that since she didnt have a good night sleep until sometimes 6-7am, she would then sleep more during the day, and it's very very hard to wake her up when she's sleeping.

As parents, we felt helpless too. We do want her to be awake during the day, but that's also the time when we are free to do our own things. hmmm... really really really not easy... :(

She has truly grown much in demanding for attention from daddy n mummy.

It's hard to leave her alone on the bed/bouncing net/sofa/playgym/etc... It will only lasts for a very short time before she starts becoming restless and cry. She loves to be carried and that made it hard for us to leave her to play on her own. We pray that in due time, she will learn to be more independent and play on her own in the coming days.

People say that we shouldnt carry her often so that she wont get too used to it, but looks like she has already gotten comfortable with that, else she will cry - and cry a lot!

Bye-bye "S", Hello "M"!

Today, baby Sarah has officially graduated from using S-size diapers! I've just switched her diaper size to M and it looks more comfortable for her in it. I was hoping to continue letting her use the S-size but looks like it cant contain her butt anymore. She seemed so pitiful when i saw marks on her chubby legs and tummy showing signs of a growing butt! Hmmm... bought some more socks for her too... as some of her baby socks are too tiny for her feet.

WOW, Sarah... you have really grown! :)

So, byebye "S" and hello "M"!

p/s - size differs depending on brand... :p

Home alone with baby...

It feels rather strange to be alone with baby. I had mum with me all the time, and suddenly, i felt alone now. It's not a bad thing... it just feels strange. :)

I managed to do much of the house chores. I'm happy to be able to complete much and to also manage my time. I'm still learning though... Oh yes, much to learn... especially cooking!

Having mum around the past one and half month was a blessing. I learned not only about caring for baby but also about time and house-chores management. hehe... And since mum had graciously cleaned my house while she was around, i'd better not stop that routine.

I never knew being a fulltime housewife (wife n mummy) is a tough call. No, i'm not a fulltime housewife (yet!) but being confined in the house for more than a month gave me the privilege to be one... yes, a privilege indeed! :)

The Prayer...

No, this is not the song by Celine Dion & Andrea Bocelli... hehe... well, it's the prayer hubby and i prayed in our journey back from Melaka to SK.

We prayed for:
God's guidance - in our family and our careers - in making everyday decisions.
God's wisdom - as parents in raising up baby Sarah the way He wants us to.
God's provision - in good health & finance - opening doors of opportunities for greater challenges ahead of us, esp in our careers.
God's protection - upon our families - pray against any forms of accidents on the road, at home, basically in everywhere we go.
God - to be our Master and Lord over our lives.

As i prayed, i sense a deep cry to God to take the lead in our lives. Many times we fail to surrender our ALL before God and instead, we went ahead and lead our own lives, making our own decisions and eventually blame God for it if things didnt turn out right.
Father, forgive us for being careless in our life journey. We pray that You will take over as we commit our lives back to You.

There is a song that is commonly sung in weddings, holding the title "Father We Commit to You". Sounds familiar? :)
Well, the song came to me this morning and having it rung in my head, i know it's a reminder to me to re-dedicate my life to God. May He truly be Lord over my life and my family.

Father We Commit to You
God before us, God beside
God within us abide
God in heaven, and in this place
Father we commit to You this day

Chorus:
For we know that You are faithful
Through the stillness and the storm
For You've been with us from the start
Father we commit to You our heart

God in pleasure, God in pain
God will ever remain
God in gladness, and God in strife
Father we commit to You our lives

TTFN Melaka & Hello SK!

Left Melaka about 9.30pm last night. Was worried if baby Sarah would be colicky during the journey, but thank God, she was an angel. hehe...

Mum kissed baby Sarah goodbye. I know she missed her already. I almost cry seeing that beautiful sight - not of a goodbye, but of a love. For the first time after so long, I actually missed my home in Melaka. Spending 2 weeks there made a whole lot of difference in my emotions toward my home. Most of the time in the past years, hubby and i will go back to Melaka for 2-3 days. Saying goodbye then was not as difficult as saying goodbye now. I missed everyone and i especially missed mum. She's such a great mum and words can never express how i feel for her. Watching her carry baby Sarah everyday and how she played with her had melted my heart deeply. I dont know whether being a mother myself had made me more emotional, but the truth is... this love i see is unconditional and so pure. The love that the Lord has given in this family is a gift in itself and i truly want to give God all the glory.

Mummy, thank you for loving me, and thank you for loving my baby. It meant so much to me.

It was a great journey back. Had a great fellowship with hubby. Missed the "car-fellowship" with hubby for a month plus already. We also took that opportunity to pray together. Missed praying together too. Sometimes at home, we're just too distracted by many chores that has to be done, and forgot the most important of all in a family - spending quality time together in fellowship, with God and with each other. I thank God for the 1 hour plus journey that was refreshing indeed.

Thank You, Lord, for a great trip in Melaka. So much i've learnt and so much i've gained - not just in weight :p, but in experience, knowledge, wisdom, etc (physically, spiritually, emotionally & mentally). What blessings indeed! Once again, Thank You, Jesus.

Will be missing mum's cooking...

Oh yes, i will.... *sob sob*

Enjoyed every bit of confinement food during the one month confinement. After that, i had the privilege to stay on with mum for another 2 weeks in Melaka to enjoy her cooking. Oh, i'm missing it already... :'(

(Conversation made in Malaysian english!)
Her favourite statement after cooking: "Eat simple la ha..."
My reply: "Where got simple?! So much food!!!" :)

Last week, she cooked chicken curry and some other simple (according to her) yet yummy food like my fav fried ikan bilis, long beans masak with udang kering (dried prawns), and... and.. and... hmmm... cant remember. *sigh... should have blogged about it while it's still fresh in my mind!* Then, early this week she cooked Bak-Pong-Teh - another one of her yummy dish! yum-yum! Then the following day, she cooked Bak-Rendang... mmmm... :)

Well, i'll be going back tomorrow to my home in SK... well, home sweet home! But, i'll be cracking my head about everyday's menu.... :'(

Paul's Masterpiece...

He's only 3 and he's able to fix his "masterpiece" within 10 minutes!

I'm truly amazed by what this little boy is able to do that sometimes we, adults have difficulty in. I watched him fix his jigsaw puzzle (which he calls "His Masterpiece") and noticed how he solved the puzzle easily. He literally takes every piece of the puzzle and fix them to their respective places. The amazing thing is... he's almost always correct in every move! And of course, as the saying goes... "Practice makes Perfect" ;o)

The "Masterpiece"

The "Missing Piece"

Kor-kor Paul & Baby Sarah

Baby Paul... oops, i mean kor-kor Paul has been a caring cousin brother to baby Sarah. It's amazing to see how children are able to love and care for one another from a very young age, even though their ways of showing love could be different and rough (scary!!!) to older people like you and me! :p

Some words uttered by Paul almost everyday...

"Baby Sarah cry???"

"Baby Sarah sleep???"

"Baby Sarah cute....."

Mischievous he may be (many yelling from mama & his mummy are heard all around the house...), he's still baby Paul to me. :)

Waking up is hard to do... (for her, that is!)

Today, there is progress! Praise the Lord!

She slept at 12mn, wake up at 3.30am for a feed and slept back at 6.30... well, not too bad compared to the previous days. I really thank God for the earlier sleep we all had. Hubby told me earlier that he's very very tired and may not be able to do the night shift. Well, no surprise cause he's been out whole day doing shooting for the Bar Council's Sports Event called the Malaysia/Singapore Bench & Bar Games 2008 . It's a 3-days event, and so since my bro had invited him over for it, hubby took this as a great opportunity for exposure since he's here in Melaka anyway!

Baby Sarah sleeps a lot during the day. We tried to help her differentiate what's day and what's night. Well, still trying... She sleeps more in these 2 weeks compared to the first month... I mean without interruption (Err... she woke up almost every hour or 2 for feed in her first month). Now, by 6pm, she wakes up for her evening feed and playtime! After cleaning her up, she'll start feeling sleepy again. We have problem trying to keep her awake and even if we did it successfully, she'll be crying. Oh well... i'd rather have her crying that time than later! :p

Baby's cry... are they different?

Many mothers i know say that i should be able to differentiate baby's cry after some time. Well, i did read about that too. Hmmm.... it's been 6 weeks now since the birth of baby Sarah, and guess what?! I totally cant differentiate her cries. They all seemed the same to me :(

Am i alone in this?

Boo-hoo-hoo... a colicky baby?

Babies cry... why, of course! If your baby doesnt cry, you will get panicky and wonder if everything's fine with her. But when your baby cries, you'll find yourself feeling super stress - especially when you do not know what's the reason... oh, human! :p

There are a variety of reasons a baby cries. She's either tired, hungry, lonely, feeling discomfort (too hot or too cold), in an uncomfortable position, weewee, or poopoo! But sometimes, a baby will cry for no reason! This type of crying can be the most stressful for a parent! Hmmm.... i get that lots! It's called "colic". Baby Sarah will cry for hours at a time, no matter what hubby and i do... and it happens mainly between 12mn till 3/4/5/6am! (My latest encounter was from 2am - 6.30am! Thank God it was a public holiday then!) I read that this extreme type of crying in a baby lasts till about 3 months of age. I sure hope that she's back to non-colicky by the 3rd month. Boy, we sure need some good rest after that!

[Knowledge: Baby] Baby's head - the fontanelles

(Nope, this is NOT baby Sarah's head. I got this from the net instead. :))

Are you interested to know a little something about baby's head? I was... and so, here's sharing something i got from "Complete Baby & Childcare" by Dr Miriam Stoppard:-

Your baby's skull is made up of four large plates that dont fuse, so they can move across each other, especially during labour when your baby's head is compressed by pressure from your vaginal walls. The sliding skull bones enable him to pass through the birth canal without hazard, though his head may become slightly elongated or misshapen in the process. This is entirely normal and does not affect the brain. There may also be some bruising or swelling, but it will disappear during the first few days or weeks.

The soft spots on the top of your baby's skull where the bones are still not joined are called the fontanelles. The skull bones wont fuse completely until your baby is about two. Be careful, especially with a very young baby, not to press the fontanelles.

Knowing this, i would try to protect baby Sarah's head at all times. Kids around and even "big" kids around seem to like touching baby's head (not just Sarah's), so i would always say gently to innocent children (her korkor's and chehcheh's) not to touch baby Sarah's head because it is sooooo soft and needs lots of care.