The pacifier

We avoided buying one until the other day little Andrew started crying for nothing and it seemed to us that he needs one to sooth himself.

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.

17 years ago

That's when I left my hometown to pursue my further studies. And that is when I really live on my own without my parents around me for the first time. That is when I started to live by independently on my own. (Though I have my sis with me or near me most of the time) That's also when I cried when I left my parents.

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.

Sleeping on tummy

In the UK and USA, I read so many times not to let the baby sleep on their tummy because it could cause Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and I have been putting it back to let little Andrew sleeping on his tummy for the same reason.

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.

Plan? What plan?

Some pregnant couples will have a birth plan in order of anticipating the child's birth. Dr F told us very much before hand to throw it out of the window if we have any :) Some couples are very rigid about their birth plans it seems. I'm not one that insisted on anything.

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.

Keeping up with Andrew

Andrew was so up almost the whole night! After his milk, if he dozes off he will sleep through to next feed. If he is still awake, he will normally stay in his crib and play out himself if not me or hubby will "talk" to him and he will not fuss it.

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!!!!

One month and counting...

Yesterday my little baby Andrew is one month old now. Time flies! Everyday I am thankful for him. Everyday I felt blessed for he is finally here with us. I wish my little baby to grow up strong and healthy, big and tall - that's what I always say to him whenever I bottle-feed him :)

Better now

Little Andrew was cranky for a couple of days and I really understand why. If I am having such horrible reaction to a jab as an adult, imagine on an infant like Andrew.

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!