So off we go buying him one. Buying the right one is a task by itself! There are so many out there and you just don't know which is he right one.
We decided to choose one that is BPA free from a more reputable manufacturer. We saw some real cute ones but safety is more important here.
So yes, we gave in to the inevitable pacifier/soother/blinkie whatever it's called.
After 17 years, I cried again. And this time, it's my parents leaving me to go home. I left the great emotional rush when my parents bid their farewell after visiting me this Christmas. I didn't realise I miss them so much until that day when they had to go.
I guess having my own child made me a softie. It kinda made me miss my own parents even more. I wish they could stay longer and enjoy their moments with their grandson.
I tried some tummy time with him on my chest and he seems alright about it. But he can't lift his own head for very long just yet, maybe for a couple of seconds. And for this I refused to let him sleep on his tummy.
Lately he has improved on his neck strength so I tried letting him sleep on his tummy. He seems alright with it and during his first time sleeping on his tummy, he slept for slightly more than 3 hours! But all on one side of the neck which I am not too happy about worrying that he might get a neck pain after he woke up!
Today again I let him sleep on his tummy, to see if he will enjoy it and if he can turn his head which he did!!! I am very pleased that he turned his head by himself in the bed while sleeping on his tummy.
So far he slept on his tummy during he day when I can watch over him. I'm not sure just yet if I want to let him do it overnight when I'm sleeping too. I will have to continue to "test water" and see how it goes.
All we planned for me was caesarian and the date - we were dwelling between 11/11 or 20/11. I thought 11/11 was too soon because he needs to stay in there as long as he can so he is more ready for the world. In the end we decided 20/11. My estimated due date isn't until end of the month or early next month anyway.
Well, if I had a plan- it failed big time!! Because our little Andrew decided to come out earlier than 20/11! Well, I tried to put it off but my body told me that it's time already.
Then there is this parenting plan. Well, I did have a few things in mind for after birth and some of them will never work but others worked. I believe you can plan for certain things to happen your way but it will never be all dream come true. For example, I planned very much for breastfeeding but it just never happen. Then I vowed never to give little Andrew a pacifier/soother, but I went ahead and bought one yesterday and gave in to his crankiness to give it a try.
I believe it's not possible to have all thugs your way because the little one will have his/her own personality, his/her own needs. It varies between babies as well. So, I will not be rigid with what I have in mind planned but be more adaptive to Andrew's personality and needs.
Last night after milk, he was so cranky- he refused to be put back to his crib or he would cry so very often for milk. Normally if he cries, I would just cuddle him and let him sleep in my arm. But not last night, even in our arms he would cry (during every waking and half conscious moment) - which is very unlikely of him.
The other time Andrew was this cranky was when his BCG was flaring up. But now that his BCG jab site is drying up, it can't be the reason he is up all night cranky!
My thought - he was playing or rather being kept awake earlier in the evening. And that kind off throw him off his mood I believe. I will never keep him awake just to take photographs with him. I would only do it whenever he is awake and will not say "open your eyes Andrew" or "look here." All my pictures with him are all natural circumstances or when he is awake (for open eyes pix) or asleep (shut eyes pix).
I was so pissed and angry when Andrew was kicking up a storm. I was wrong to be angry with him. It wasn't his fault. I should have known better not to allow this happen! There shall be no more next time.
I'm sorry that I had to limit visitors after 5pm. Even if there is, I will tell that person off from keeping my baby awake for taking pictures!!!!
He was especially hard to please and would refuse to sleep in his own crib after he woke up for his night feeds. This is very unusual of him. He had been very good in sleeping by himself in his own crib!
I kept thinking to myself this will pass, hubby and I just had to endure this phase and take extra care for him. Thank goodness that his pus did not "burst" and is drying up already. I hope he will be back to his normal self soon!
No wonder as I picked him from his crib, I felt his head was a bit warm and I thought he was just feeling warm. He is having slight fever as a side-effect of the vaccination.
For the first time since little Andrew's birth, it was a thunderstorm 2 days ago (12/12). When Andrew was still in my tummy, he didn't enjoy raining, let alone the thunder! And for the first time, his first thunder was really really really loud! I was having my dinner and it struck. I waited for a few seconds to see if he cried, oh yes he did and very loud too. So I threw everything and came to coo him. Poor baby was so frighten by the thunder.
I'm not sure what has gotten into Andrew since then that he has been acting up. I am no longer sure if it's just poo problem or scared by the thunder or it's the BCG scar on his arm. I hope he will pass the cranky phase and be a happy baby soon.
The dark greenish blackish poo is called meconium, poo that had been building up in his intestines during pregnancy. When Dr K came for rounding in my ward, I asked him how long it will be in that colour. He said every baby varies, some 3 days, some up to a week. After all the meconium is passed out, the poo will turn yellowish.
I remember our first diaper change. I was prepared for the worst! The moment I opened the diaper, TADA! Poo in yellow! Thank goodness! And he yellow is not as stinky as I thought, though others (hubby, sis & mom) will say otherwise.
And now Andrew's poo has been quite a nuisance (in a way) for him and me. He only poo once a day and he has such tough time trying to poo that I had to coach him to poo. This happens in the afternoon most of the time (well, that is so far the trend).
He will either not go back to sleep after his morning bath and feed, or he will have cat naps throughout the day. Cat naps because he will make noises and become cranky (cry his lungs out) after 30 minutes into his nap. And it will take quite a feat to sooth him when he wakes.
I know for sure it's the poo problem because after all is released, he will be such an angel and sleep through at least 2-3 hours.
He had been acting up, not very himself to stay awake for such long hours, and cried whenever I put him back to bed after his feed during the day. After 2 days of same behavior, I realised it was due to the fact that he had been trying to poop and just couldn't get it out.
The whole drama trying to poop will start right after his morning Daddy Bath Time (Oh yes! His daddy get to bath him every morning). He sometimes stayed awake until the next feed or would doze off after his breakfast. If he is awake, he should be sleeping again after the next feed. But as the poo was still stuck, he wouldn't sleep. The whole no sleeping thing will last until he poo!! After which he will be back to his angelic self again.
Poor baby having such tough time trying to poo. I tried to give him water after his feed so it helps to soften the poo. Unfortunately, my little Andrew is such a smarty pants that he knows how not to drink water after milk >.< I would very much prefers he drink a bit to help soften his poo so he won't need to suffer for the whole day trying to push them out.
Now that I know what makes him sleepless and cranky, I just need to figure out how to give him more water to drink.
I was so slow in reacting in a way that I didn't just drop everything on risk scaring Andrew, I actually went "Ouch!" then slowly put down the Termos and the milk bottle.
With my limited First Aid knowledge, I could only think of running my pinky through the tap water. But it was just excruciating painful!!!! Then I put on some toothpaste - did so with limited First Aid knowledge as well. After while removing the toothpaste, there was no easing of the pain from the scalding.
The little pinky needed half a day to ease the pain and felt better now after a whole day. I was certainly difficult to take care of the little pinky with Andrew around needed to be fed and changed. But I embraced the pain with gusto and life goes on.
First Aid note to self: Run scald skin to running tap water. It should reduce the soreness temporarily. No blistering is good sign! And always be careful when handling hot water especially now that Andrew is around!
His milk intake is scary. How is it possible that such a small little person can drink so much milk in a day! I even had to increase his milk consumption like almost all the time- well maybe not. But having said that seriously every 2 hours or so he will be whaling for his milk. I don't even have time to check his diaper first!
Last night Andrew refused to go back to sleep at his 4am feed. There is no soothing him back to sleep. I still got long way to learn in soothing the cranky Andrew to sleep. Though he really likes sleeping in my arms but it didn't work all the time.
My take in that he slept so little - 2 hours each time is probably due to the fact that he didn't get a good burp. It's not that easy anymore compare to when he was smaller (though he is not a lot bigger now). I believe a good burp allows him to sleep more peacefully and calmly.
I shall work on being the expert "burper."
In fact last night (2nd time so far), Andrew would not go to sleep at all after his 3.30am feed. He was sleeping in my arms after the feed but woke up and started crying the moment I put him back to his crib. It was like that the whole night until the next feed. I hope he will be back to his angelic self tonight.
I probably tire him and I was hoping he will go back to bed immediately. But I was wrong it didn't tire him instead he is now so wide awake!!! I hope he goes to sleep soon or give me a tinkle that it's time to feed.
I miss the routine stroking if my bump. I miss the gentle kicks and punches from within. I also miss not caring how huge I look like. I love wearing maternity dress. I enjoyed sitting on the bench in the mall.
The 9 months had truly been an amazing journey for me. And now a new journey sets out for me. Baby Andrew will be the love of my life and the most important person to me now. Everything I do, I say, will be making an impact on this little life that Hubby and I created and brought to life. I shall enjoy this journey with an anticipating heart.
But what is the term to use when I'm the one who needs the daddy to be around?
Last night I broke down in front of hubby, maybe scaring him just a bit. I told him I needed him to be around for a bit longer- for me. He has been with me the whole journey, so I felt kinda lost at times without him around.
This morning hubby stays back at home to accompany me. And I'm happy that he did. It is such a relief to have him around.
I gave birth in November, next one is due in Feb, another due in April and another due in May! Which actually means that 4 out of us of us were pregnant at the same time! What are the odds! I mean we see pregnant women all the time but the 4 of the besties pregnant together?
It would have been great with we could meet up while still pregnant. But distance is the killer here, all four of us are located at different part of the world.
I would certainly hope that one day, our next generation will bring us together once again :)
"No poo only pee- pee?"
"What no poo? So smelly!" while
lifting little Andrew's butt higher
"Smell? What smell?"
"Poo smells!!"
"Nope, I can't smell a thing."
Hahaha! I wonder if it's normal or is it just me feeling that my own son's poo is not smelly when everyone else think otherwise?
I think it's a blessing in disguise that I can't smell the poo otherwise I will
have to gag every time during diaper change!
Few nights ago, during one of the midnight feeds, I suddenly felt so happy that I shed a few tears of joy. That our dream finally came through.
And now the thought of hubby gonna go to Singapore tomorrow made me emotional again. I don't know why but it kinda made me feel sad that he is "going away" on a weekend and leaving me behind. He has been very supportive all these time and so maybe I thought he would know better than to leaving me behind.
I normally wouldn't mind but maybe during this confinement period I need him more than ever.
Don't get me wrong. I am enjoying the moment I spent with little Andrew, especially during night feed when it's just me and him. In fact, I felt especially overwhelming happiness when hubby is there for me and with me as we change diapers together, making formula together, showering him together...
Not only I can't bear with little Andrew leaving my sight, now hubby going away further "unnecessary" (besides going to work or church or grocery shopping) is making me emotional. This is strange new territory for me. Maybe I'm scared so I'm being emotional. But what can go wrong right?
How it happen...
1.20am - First sign on the "show" during my toilet break. Tried to go back to sleep but the backache kept me awake most of the time
6.30am - Another toilet break where the "show" continued.
9.30am - Time to get out of bed and washed up. More "show" making appearance.
9.58am - Called the clinic to update my backache and informing about the arrival of the show. Nurse said she will call back. Woke hubby up to get ready to go clinic or hospital.
10.26am - Dr F called and spoke for like 2 minutes and decided that "it is time!!!" Told hubby it's time to grab the hospital bag! We steadily got dressed and grab the bags and off we went.
11.10am - Clinic called and said that Dr F had arrived the hospital and was waiting for us. How did he get there faster than us!!!
11.15am - Arrived the hospital (finally after missing the turn off). Dr F waited for us in the hospital lobby. We registered ourselves. The administrative staff told us only the 6-7 beds ward is available! No way I'm going to share with other patients! We asked them about the top floor where the suites are. We were lucky to have toured the hospital weeks before and were shown the suites! In the beginning they told us 4th floor is not open. But we insisted that they check with the administrator about the suites! A lady came out and told them to let us have one of the suites! Yes!! Thank goodness we were prepared!
11.35am - We finally got ourselves registered and checked in. We were brought up to our suite in top floor of the hospital. It wasn't in use so the nurses were just getting the bed ready for me. They gave me a hospital gown to change into and prep me.
12.05pm- I was wheeled into the operating theatre. I remembered the time because I asked hubby what time it is right before arriving the OT. We bid each other "see you" and I am on my own now.
The nurses seemed to me they are rushing things around like it was an emergency! Well maybe it kinda was. Dr F greeted me together with the Anesthesiologist (Can't recall his name - all I remembered about him was he said he can't speak Mandarin). He told
me to sit up on the operating table so that he could administer the half body anesthesia through the back of my spine. And he warned me that it was going to be painful. As he jabbed me, I felt a prick and it wasn't as painful as I thought it might have been. The Anesthesiologist commented that I was good and that I didn't scream of pain. Dr F was there and he knew that I had worst and is probably not afraid of needles anymore. And yes he was right.
After they lay me down for about 10 seconds I started to lose feelings on my toes. I couldn't move them anymore. And the nurses raised a curtain that blocked my view of my soon to be opened up tummy.
12.44pm - I probably lost all feelings in the next 10 seconds because I recalled that I soon heard baby's crying!! I was like, "oh ok! That's fast." After that it was a bit of a blur for me. Did they put me under first or did they bring the baby to me?
When the nurse brought our little warrior to me, I was kinda blur but I clearly remember the cute little face all bundled up. The nurse let me kissed the baby and I was so happy. Now that I recall, the first word I said to him was "Hello" :) I was quite surprised that I didn't cry! Maybe because everything happened so fast that the emotion had no time to hit me.
And after seeing the baby, I think that's when I was put under. By the time I was up, Dr F came by to say everything is done.
I was soon wheeled out. Hubby was already standing outside waiting for me.
Before 1pm and I'm back to my room. Hubby must have been busy messaging and calling everyone while I rested.
After I rested for a while, the nurse brought little Andrew to my room and
let us took out first picture with him. (Will update with picture later)
It had been quite a journey for us. Little
Andrew is our pride and our joy, our pain and happiness... he is our everything now.
Today was my review with Dr F and we brought along little Andrew to see Dr F. It is with the help of Dr F and his team that helped us making our dream come through. Dr F was so delighted to see little Andrew - coincidentally his son's name is also Andrew!!!
My little trooper was such a sleepy head that he slept through the whole visit. And I'm glad that he brought cheers and happiness to the Dr F and his team with his visit today.
We were a bit worried about little Andrew because he looked a tad "yellow" so that prompted us to bring him along for today's review. Because otherwise we will have to wait for another day for his own review with the pediatrician - Dr K. Being first time parents, we were a bit paranoid I guess and we just couldn't wait for another day. So when Dr F said he does look a bit yellow and we should just go ahead and bring him to Dr K.
So we came home after Dr F since the pediatrician clinic is going to closed for lunch by the time we get there. I managed to steal 10 minutes of bed rest in between.
Of we go to see the pediatrician, little Andrew fell asleep on his way there. He woke up only because he had to be "changed hand" so many time disrupting his beauty sleep. While waiting to see Dr K at the waiting area, we saw other children going to see him and all came out sobbing or crying!! I guess all children hate doctors' visit.
When it was our turn, we went into the consultation room, it was decorated with so many cute stuff and kiddy wallpaper to entertain the kids!!! Dr K said he does look a bit yellow so he ordered a blood test - and it was painful for hubby to watch little Andrew being poked with a needle to extract a small vial of blood for testing. Little Andrew is such a brave boy that he only cried when the needle was stuck to his hand. And he stopped crying pretty quickly after that.
Andrew, the warrior, really made us proud today!
We waited outside the clinic for the return of his blood test result. He was still fast sleep. I'm glad he slept through :) When the result came back, it showed that he has very mild jaundice and did not require any treatment under the UV light. I'm so relieved that we didn't need to leave him in the hospital!!! Dr K said the reason that he is having a slight jaundice is a proof that his liver is functioning which is a good sign.
Other than being on the lighter side, he is totally healthy! We are so glad that the whole ordeal is just us being paranoid. Well, better safe than sorry, right?
I have not started recording our baby's first and I'm not sure if I ever will, just yet. Well you see, in 20 years looking back, will anyone be interested with his first hair cut or his first step? So is it really necessary keeping all this stuff?
At the moment, I have only kept notes on his growth when he was still inside of me. And now, I'm keeping notes about his milk intake- time and quantity. This is just part of me monitoring his growth, making sure he drinks enough and looking at the notes, hopefully can understand his needs and eventually be able to use the information to start training him on drinking time and knowing the day from night - for now. Not sure if those notes are important beyond that just yet :)
He was so well behaved in his feeding last night but this morning he is cranky again. Everyone has been telling me to teach him to differentiate day from night by having lights on in the room during the day. I know this is good advice but I personally think its too early to do too many trainings at a night. And this is probably the root to my sleeplessness.
What I will do from now on is introducing to him: there will only be a feed every 3 hours. Even if he started to make noises or cries, I will try to wait for the feed at 3-hour mark.
When hubby is around, I will let him make the formula while I try my best to let him suck- which until now hasn't been successful. I know I have milk because both my breast are tender and sore. But there is just no way in getting them out no matter how I try - baby sucking, manual squeeze and breast pump.
His feedings are still irregular in terms of timing and amount. I need to get the rhythm right until I work on other stressful training. Otherwise, I'm just chewing more than I can bite.
Hopefully he will continue to finish his bottle of milk! ^_^
So I finally gave in. I picked him up and gave him a cuddle and starting singing "Jesus Loves Me" a Sunday School song I have known all my life. He then stopped crying.
Oh I spoke too soon... he started crying again before the end of the blog. So next... we thought is it that we forgot his baby oil??? So far so good... Fingers crossed.
Today is first diaper change (1 by daddy, 1 by mummy), bottle feeding on our own - unfortunately mummy has no milk, mummy's first time midnight feed - on my own!
My first 2am feed was easy-peasy-lemon-squeezy! I hope for the many nights to come it stays that way!
Baby has this strange sleeping pattern. He loves making noises while he sleeps! Well, in a way which is good because this will probably mean I won't need to check if he is breathing every minute! For now he sleeps next to me for easy feeding. Hopefully when the time comes he will sleep on his own in his own room!
I was on painkiller meds for 3 days now, but since yesterday it's oral medication already. I love the injections- they gave you instant grouchiness and made you so sleepy!! I was in so much pain on first night that I had to ask for double dose which was super "happy"!! Haha! It took the pain away instantly!
But the next day, I felt much better and went on to try pills instead. It maybe lesser of a painkiller but at least they did take some pain away. Dr F came on Day 2 and told me not to pinch on painkiller- which I think it's good to have. You need the pills to take he pain away so whenever the baby comes by to your room, you can carry him, cuddle him, hug him with ease. Otherwise you will be so distracted by the pain.
I'm glad that baby is a healthy boy. So far I tried to breastfeed him 3 times already, and on the 3rd time it was success. Albeit it was just a little plus he was such a sleepy head. He fell asleep 2 minutes into feeding!! Hahaha! But I'm glad that he didn't cry a bit when he was with me :)
I had the "the show" (aka Mucous Plug) at around 1am then again at about 6am. My backache was better only if I have the heat pack so it's not going away anytime. My lower abdomen is starting to be painful from contractions.
So I called the clinic and Dr F told me to go straight to the hospital, he will meet us there!
Ok the time is here and is NOW! Off we go to the hospital only to miss the junction! Hahahaha!
We registered ourselves and off we go to the room and got myself prep for the surgery.
By 12.44pm, all is done now. I'm officially mummy!
I managed to get some much needed sleep for about 3 hours with the help of
the heat pack! I think heat pack is such God-sent!!!! Greatest invention by mankind!!!!! The moment the heat is gone, I woke up from pain. I was sleeping on my favourite "throne" for the 3 hours. So I tried to get back to sleep on the bed, it was not good! I got onto my back and the back pain is terrible!!! And so I turn toy left. I actually felt ok on my left for 5 minutes then I turned to my back- biggest mistake EVER!!! The pain went on not only toy back but my nether region as well - sucks to the max. I got up and decided to go back to my throne and I felt much better sitting in a reclining position.
So is it imminent that the baby is coming today or tomorrow?
It's not constantly there but it comes and go. And I have no idea how I get it or how to get rid of it. Sigh.
Oh I'm suppose to talk about my favourite trimester and no, third trimester is definitely not it. I had a relatively easy first trimester with pretty much none or little horrible first trimester symptoms that many pregnant women had. But I prefers second trimester :) I felt more at ease during the second trimester, knowing that he is now safer in me and that the risk of losing him is relatively much lower. And I could do pretty much what a normal person can do- I can walk freely and longer without backache! When I'm not as big as I am now, there are less stare. I was better with long distance car ride, eat better (no compressed stomach or indigestion), less toilet visits during the night... the list goes on and on!!! I just love second trimester! :)
After that I thought that I can finally eat and drink! But the nurse say I need to drink up the Glucose water and still not eat/drink other things for another 2 hours! Oh gawd! Another 2 hours. My energy level is down to negative level by now. So I drank up the 300ml of super sweet water and went home to rest. I was just dead tired to do anything at that moment. Hubby suggested that we go home and rest for a while before going back to clinic 2 hours later. We went home and I went straight to bed to rest....
Next week is the mark of the next and final trimester! Yaye! We are on the home stretch now!! 20/11/2011 is gonna be the biggest day of our lives!
I know life will never be the same so it's time to celebrate just the two of us next week and enjoy the moment!
Happy Babymoon!!
By now he has been doing his step exercise for more than long enough. I have been to the toilet for more than 4 times in the last hour!! I thought by the 3rd time, it's all emptied. Clearly I'm wrong! By the 4th time, I had more pee than before!!! How is that possible!!!
I get worried if he moved less but when he moves he does the unthinkable- having a great step exercise on my bladder.
His kicks are definitely stronger now by the day. I have not really look at how much if a movement is happening on my tummy physically, I have only placed my palm over it to feel. It's cool when he kicks but not when he is stepping on my bladder!
Baby, can we go back to sleep now? Or do I still have to get out of bed a few more times over the hour?
nt!
The feeling is awesome!! He is making his presence felt from time to time. Now if he just stops all the kicking and punching, I would totally be worried.
He is growing bigger and stronger each day. He is still the one who calls the shots how I should sleep every night. There is no way I can ignore him because he would make me so uncomfortable that I HAD to move to a position that he wants- even if that position gives me backache!