Here is Caitlin at 3 weeks old!
TGIF! Looking forward to Papa spending more time with us!
Friday, August 23, 2013
Saturday, August 17, 2013
Baby Caitlin
People say that when one child is a high demand baby, the next one would be an easy one. How true is that!
Kieran drove us mad the moment we brought us back from the hospital. First, the sleepiness and refusal to wake up for milk milk, then his incessant crying from 6pm to midnight during fussy evenings.
Now, I was surprised how much easier it is to take care of Caitlin. No wonder some people said taking care of newborn is easy. When I had Kieran, I found this saying ridiculous. How could it be easy. There could actually be easy to care for newborn in this world. Haha. Caitlin is a darling. She sleeps most of the time and yet wakes up every 2-3 hour for milk milk. Sometimes she sleeps more and wakes up 4 hours later. Sometimes she wakes up every hour for milk. But every time, she will guai guai finish her milky and then go back to sleep. She burps whenever I burp her and she regurgitate milk but not as much as Kieran does last time. Kieran "merlioned" his milk out. But I must say its partly my fault too coz I pumped too much and created an oversupply problem. My poor Kieran had to bear with the fast milk flow, hard breasts and had to cough when the flow comes as its too fast, and regurgitate more due to the oversupply. Its all my fault. This time, I am smart enough to treat the engorgement issue by not pumping, and using cabbage leaves once a day, and cold compression and massage in between feeds. By 2nd week, my breasts are no longer engorged, and I still have lots of milk for Caitlin and she's drinking happily. But I still have fast milk flow and she coughs at times but its not too serious. How do I know I have lots of milk? I tried hand expressing a bit of milk when my breasts feels too full, especially when Caitlin didn't drink from that side for the feeding session, and the milk sprayed out like last time when I pumped for Kieran. I tried not to pump until next week. Don't want to start stimulating too much.
Caitlin's poo also turn mustard colour by the second day after discharging from hospital and its just like what the book says. She also has a little bit of jaundice and tested 10.2 at Dr Ong's clinic, but Dr Ong said its not high, and the level will eventually come down as long as she feeds well, and output is good. Her output is not worrying at all. She wets 6-8 diapers a day, as stated in the book for a healthy baby and she poo a lot of mustard poo poo everyday too.
She's our text book baby. And we hope she remains so easy to care for!
By the way, she slept through the night for two nights and then last night, she woke up at 2.40am for milk and diaper change. Not sure if she'll sleep through the night again. But that's not important. Most importantly, dear Caitlin must grow up happy and healthy, and smart, just like her gor gor. But of course she'll be smart, with all the nutrients from mummy's milk! I'm determined to give her 100% total breast milk until she's 6 months and for as long as she wants thereafter! Just like with Kieran. Hmm... maybe I should ask Kieran if he wants to try sucking milk milk today... I noticed that its no longer colostrum but full milk already. Will he still accept milk milk?
Kieran drove us mad the moment we brought us back from the hospital. First, the sleepiness and refusal to wake up for milk milk, then his incessant crying from 6pm to midnight during fussy evenings.
Now, I was surprised how much easier it is to take care of Caitlin. No wonder some people said taking care of newborn is easy. When I had Kieran, I found this saying ridiculous. How could it be easy. There could actually be easy to care for newborn in this world. Haha. Caitlin is a darling. She sleeps most of the time and yet wakes up every 2-3 hour for milk milk. Sometimes she sleeps more and wakes up 4 hours later. Sometimes she wakes up every hour for milk. But every time, she will guai guai finish her milky and then go back to sleep. She burps whenever I burp her and she regurgitate milk but not as much as Kieran does last time. Kieran "merlioned" his milk out. But I must say its partly my fault too coz I pumped too much and created an oversupply problem. My poor Kieran had to bear with the fast milk flow, hard breasts and had to cough when the flow comes as its too fast, and regurgitate more due to the oversupply. Its all my fault. This time, I am smart enough to treat the engorgement issue by not pumping, and using cabbage leaves once a day, and cold compression and massage in between feeds. By 2nd week, my breasts are no longer engorged, and I still have lots of milk for Caitlin and she's drinking happily. But I still have fast milk flow and she coughs at times but its not too serious. How do I know I have lots of milk? I tried hand expressing a bit of milk when my breasts feels too full, especially when Caitlin didn't drink from that side for the feeding session, and the milk sprayed out like last time when I pumped for Kieran. I tried not to pump until next week. Don't want to start stimulating too much.
Caitlin's poo also turn mustard colour by the second day after discharging from hospital and its just like what the book says. She also has a little bit of jaundice and tested 10.2 at Dr Ong's clinic, but Dr Ong said its not high, and the level will eventually come down as long as she feeds well, and output is good. Her output is not worrying at all. She wets 6-8 diapers a day, as stated in the book for a healthy baby and she poo a lot of mustard poo poo everyday too.
She's our text book baby. And we hope she remains so easy to care for!
By the way, she slept through the night for two nights and then last night, she woke up at 2.40am for milk and diaper change. Not sure if she'll sleep through the night again. But that's not important. Most importantly, dear Caitlin must grow up happy and healthy, and smart, just like her gor gor. But of course she'll be smart, with all the nutrients from mummy's milk! I'm determined to give her 100% total breast milk until she's 6 months and for as long as she wants thereafter! Just like with Kieran. Hmm... maybe I should ask Kieran if he wants to try sucking milk milk today... I noticed that its no longer colostrum but full milk already. Will he still accept milk milk?
Tuesday, August 13, 2013
Sia Yun Xi Caitlin is born on 2 August 2013
1 Aug 2013 (Thursday)
Morning, sent Kieran to school, came home to pack things to get ready for baby Caitlin's arrival. Feeling a little breathless. Contractions with backache and feeling of something pushing downwards.
1+pm brought Kieran home from school, got into taxi and went to my parents' place.
2+pm Kieran slept, I went to Toa Payoh to meet my friend to pass her something for her daughters and she passed me a rubber diaper changing mat that she don't need. Went to Kiddy palace to shop around and bought cup for Kieran.
3+pm visited gynaecologist Dr Ho at Mount Alvernia. Did baby heartbeat test and discovered contractions 3 times in 20 min. Nurse asked if I felt any pain. I told her only occasional backaches when tummy tightened during contractions.
4+pm Dr Ho checked and said I'm 4cm dilated. Better to admit now. Couldn't believe it. That was so sudden! I didnt expect to be admitted immediately. Called hubby, who was very calm, made payment, and then went up to delivery ward. Hubby will go home to bring my hospital bag here.
Just waited and waited at the delivery ward. Not much pain, just tummy tightening only.
6pm nurse ordered dinner. Dr Ho came and told me he will not break my water bag today as delivey is very fast after water bag is bursted because this is second child birth. He will let nature take its course and if my water bag don't break my next morning, he will break it and deliver baby.
I was very nervous because hubby wasn't with me. I wanted him to be here when I am in pain, or when I need an epidural. Very scared of the pain when the catheter is inserted.
7+pm hubby finally arrived. He ate dinner that he da bao, watched tv and chatted with me.
9+pm felt more pain as contractions gets more intense. The backache is tormenting. I had to take a deep breathe and bear with the pain whenever the contractions peaked. Still very not frequent though. 5-8min one contraction. I felt breatheless and a little bit nausea and want to vomit. Kept complaining that the room is hot and asked to turn down temperature but huby asked nurse and they said its centralised control but they can give us a fan. I asked for epidural. Very nervous and scared until the aneathesist asked me is this my first baby. I told him no, and I had epidural for first one too. But how can I not be frightened? Each time I use epidural its still pain leh.
Later that day, not sure what time, nurse came to check and say its only 5cm opened. Nurse suggested I sleep and relax.
So hubby and I slept, and hubby complained of hunger but all shops downstairs are closed, no choice but to drink milo (free supply of milo and coffee and tea outside the ward). The milo tastes yummy, thick and delicious. I only get to drink 2 cups before epidural is inserted. I don't dare to drink much, except sips of plain water in case I vomit. But I'm the lucky ones who don't get side effects from epidural.
2 August 2013 (Friday)
Early morning, I start to feel pain in my left thigh and top portion of my uterus. I thought the epidural effect has worn off and that surprised me because I didn't feel any pain for first child birth, so I was wondering why I did for this one. The nurse said doctor ordered 8.5-15 dosage for me and I'm on the lower dose. She increased it to 10 for me and she said I can't be on higher dosage because I need to feel the urge to push. I was really frightened as this was different from my first time. I didn't get to feel the "pushing" because I was on full dosage, completely no pain, no feel, and baby was out using vacuum. And this time, I actually will be feeling myself pushing baby out!
Some time later, Dr Ho came in and broke my water bag. I couldn't feel the pain of course.
And then we waited a few hours. Hubby said the contractions were at higher frequency now, every 3 min once. I feel super painful at the top of the uterus and thigh when contractions peak and I'm actually perspiring a little now. The nurse checked and said I'm fully dilated. Of course I'm fully dilated! I don't need her to tell me because I can feel something coming out of my below!
They informed Dr Ho and they started to prepare for delivery. I was trembling all over. I don't know whether I should push or just stay like that. So the senior nurse came and put my legs up and said its very good, they can see baby's head and asked me to take a deep breathe and push. I can feel baby coming out more and more. I push only when they told me to. At a certain stage, they told me to stop and asked Dr Ho in. The nurses were very nice and calm, thank goodness, and hubby was beside me all the while. I told him not to look where baby's coming out. I'm afraid that he may faint. Haha.
Then Dr Ho came and asked me to push, and with a few pushes, we heard little Caitlin's loud cry! I felt her head coming out totally. Cry and cry. This little girl cried more than Kieran when he was born, and her cries are loud but gentle, like a little cat's cries. So cute!
Then came the placenta delivery and the stitches which all went well and smoothly.
The nurse told me my delivery is very successful and fast, if only all deliveries could go as fast and smooth as mine. LOL
While I was in the ward last night, I heard an emergency bell went off, some scurrying of feet, and then minutes later, a woman was screaming in pain at the ward next to mine. Super loud. I was so glad I am on epidural!
Then I rested awhile in the delivery ward while I watied for the nurse to arrange for a bed for me. Baby was brought in for breastfeeding after cleaning and injection. She suckle very very well on first try, and I had lots of milk ready for her, thanks to her older brother who was breastfeeding until few months ago.
Then the rest is rest and bear with the episiotomy pain and feeding baby at the maternity ward.
Good for hubby coz he got 2 additional days extended for his leaves since there's Hari Raya and National Day Public holiday on the following week, in addition to his 5 working days paternity leave.
Good for grandparents coz Caitlin was born on 农历六月二十六 instead of within 农历七月 which is the month of Ghost Festival in Lunar calendar.
One of nurses told me there are many Chinese mothers inducing these few days because they want to avoid having baby born during the Ghost Festival which many Chinese believes is bad luck. But I think it doesn't matter lah. I'm not superstitious.
Not so good for me coz I want National Day baby leh, but never mind, as long as my baby is healthy and happy, I'm happy.
Love my little Caitlin!
3 days later, she was discharged with no jaundice, feeding well, and looking great!
Morning, sent Kieran to school, came home to pack things to get ready for baby Caitlin's arrival. Feeling a little breathless. Contractions with backache and feeling of something pushing downwards.
1+pm brought Kieran home from school, got into taxi and went to my parents' place.
2+pm Kieran slept, I went to Toa Payoh to meet my friend to pass her something for her daughters and she passed me a rubber diaper changing mat that she don't need. Went to Kiddy palace to shop around and bought cup for Kieran.
3+pm visited gynaecologist Dr Ho at Mount Alvernia. Did baby heartbeat test and discovered contractions 3 times in 20 min. Nurse asked if I felt any pain. I told her only occasional backaches when tummy tightened during contractions.
4+pm Dr Ho checked and said I'm 4cm dilated. Better to admit now. Couldn't believe it. That was so sudden! I didnt expect to be admitted immediately. Called hubby, who was very calm, made payment, and then went up to delivery ward. Hubby will go home to bring my hospital bag here.
Just waited and waited at the delivery ward. Not much pain, just tummy tightening only.
6pm nurse ordered dinner. Dr Ho came and told me he will not break my water bag today as delivey is very fast after water bag is bursted because this is second child birth. He will let nature take its course and if my water bag don't break my next morning, he will break it and deliver baby.
I was very nervous because hubby wasn't with me. I wanted him to be here when I am in pain, or when I need an epidural. Very scared of the pain when the catheter is inserted.
7+pm hubby finally arrived. He ate dinner that he da bao, watched tv and chatted with me.
9+pm felt more pain as contractions gets more intense. The backache is tormenting. I had to take a deep breathe and bear with the pain whenever the contractions peaked. Still very not frequent though. 5-8min one contraction. I felt breatheless and a little bit nausea and want to vomit. Kept complaining that the room is hot and asked to turn down temperature but huby asked nurse and they said its centralised control but they can give us a fan. I asked for epidural. Very nervous and scared until the aneathesist asked me is this my first baby. I told him no, and I had epidural for first one too. But how can I not be frightened? Each time I use epidural its still pain leh.
Later that day, not sure what time, nurse came to check and say its only 5cm opened. Nurse suggested I sleep and relax.
So hubby and I slept, and hubby complained of hunger but all shops downstairs are closed, no choice but to drink milo (free supply of milo and coffee and tea outside the ward). The milo tastes yummy, thick and delicious. I only get to drink 2 cups before epidural is inserted. I don't dare to drink much, except sips of plain water in case I vomit. But I'm the lucky ones who don't get side effects from epidural.
2 August 2013 (Friday)
Early morning, I start to feel pain in my left thigh and top portion of my uterus. I thought the epidural effect has worn off and that surprised me because I didn't feel any pain for first child birth, so I was wondering why I did for this one. The nurse said doctor ordered 8.5-15 dosage for me and I'm on the lower dose. She increased it to 10 for me and she said I can't be on higher dosage because I need to feel the urge to push. I was really frightened as this was different from my first time. I didn't get to feel the "pushing" because I was on full dosage, completely no pain, no feel, and baby was out using vacuum. And this time, I actually will be feeling myself pushing baby out!
Some time later, Dr Ho came in and broke my water bag. I couldn't feel the pain of course.
And then we waited a few hours. Hubby said the contractions were at higher frequency now, every 3 min once. I feel super painful at the top of the uterus and thigh when contractions peak and I'm actually perspiring a little now. The nurse checked and said I'm fully dilated. Of course I'm fully dilated! I don't need her to tell me because I can feel something coming out of my below!
They informed Dr Ho and they started to prepare for delivery. I was trembling all over. I don't know whether I should push or just stay like that. So the senior nurse came and put my legs up and said its very good, they can see baby's head and asked me to take a deep breathe and push. I can feel baby coming out more and more. I push only when they told me to. At a certain stage, they told me to stop and asked Dr Ho in. The nurses were very nice and calm, thank goodness, and hubby was beside me all the while. I told him not to look where baby's coming out. I'm afraid that he may faint. Haha.
Then Dr Ho came and asked me to push, and with a few pushes, we heard little Caitlin's loud cry! I felt her head coming out totally. Cry and cry. This little girl cried more than Kieran when he was born, and her cries are loud but gentle, like a little cat's cries. So cute!
Then came the placenta delivery and the stitches which all went well and smoothly.
The nurse told me my delivery is very successful and fast, if only all deliveries could go as fast and smooth as mine. LOL
While I was in the ward last night, I heard an emergency bell went off, some scurrying of feet, and then minutes later, a woman was screaming in pain at the ward next to mine. Super loud. I was so glad I am on epidural!
Then I rested awhile in the delivery ward while I watied for the nurse to arrange for a bed for me. Baby was brought in for breastfeeding after cleaning and injection. She suckle very very well on first try, and I had lots of milk ready for her, thanks to her older brother who was breastfeeding until few months ago.
Then the rest is rest and bear with the episiotomy pain and feeding baby at the maternity ward.
Good for hubby coz he got 2 additional days extended for his leaves since there's Hari Raya and National Day Public holiday on the following week, in addition to his 5 working days paternity leave.
Good for grandparents coz Caitlin was born on 农历六月二十六 instead of within 农历七月 which is the month of Ghost Festival in Lunar calendar.
One of nurses told me there are many Chinese mothers inducing these few days because they want to avoid having baby born during the Ghost Festival which many Chinese believes is bad luck. But I think it doesn't matter lah. I'm not superstitious.
Not so good for me coz I want National Day baby leh, but never mind, as long as my baby is healthy and happy, I'm happy.
Love my little Caitlin!
3 days later, she was discharged with no jaundice, feeding well, and looking great!
Caitlin at Mount Alvernia Hospital
Caitlin's first day at home
Kieran Gor Gor & Caitlin Mei Mei
Thursday, August 1, 2013
Full term
Today, 1 Aug, baby Caitlin is finally full term. The waiting game begins now.
I wonder which date she will choose to arrive. Hehe. Excited!
I have an appointment with Dr Ho today. We'll be doing heart beat test. I'm eager to meet Caitlin and also because this heavy tummy is tiring me out. I wonder what her weight is now. My appetite is still good, and my tummy has been growing and growing even when she's close to full term. I guess appetite will decrease now that she has already grown to her appropriate size?
Symptoms at this stage:
Kieran is at school. Today he didn't cry much. He looked rather happy to go to school but he cried because he wants mummy to accompany him inside. I guess he likes the activities, toys and games he gets to play there, and the songs they sing. Just now I peeped in and saw him eating his bread by himself. Very obedient. And later on, after going to the coffee shop for tea and walking back, I peeped in again and saw him concentrating on his construction toys. He loves to assemble and disassemble things. That explains why he loves lego so much. Happy to see that he's not crying and doing activities in school.
Last night, he rolled a sticker in his palm and told me he's making "tang yuan" and its tang yuan that cannot be eaten. I guessed his teacher must have taught him that and they must be playing play dough.
Kieran's physcial growth spurt must have ended, but he seemed to be having a brain growth spurt. Nowadays, he couldn't stop talking and couldn't stop asking "what is this?" and he kept wanting to "read book, read book". I just made him recite di zi gui this morning coz he woke up early and he can recite the zong xu. Very happy. I sent the video to hubby and his grand aunt. They'll be proud of him :)
I wonder which date she will choose to arrive. Hehe. Excited!
I have an appointment with Dr Ho today. We'll be doing heart beat test. I'm eager to meet Caitlin and also because this heavy tummy is tiring me out. I wonder what her weight is now. My appetite is still good, and my tummy has been growing and growing even when she's close to full term. I guess appetite will decrease now that she has already grown to her appropriate size?
Symptoms at this stage:
- Frequent peeing and moving of bowels
- Increased vagina discharge. Sometimes it comes off as big lumps.
- Fuller breasts. I squeezed. Still got milk although I stopped breastfeeding few months back.
- Insomnia but Kieran always managed to help me with this by making me too tired due to caring for him
- Tiredness
- Hunger (yes, now I still have cravings for food, usually in late afternoon)
- Nausea. That's why I do not dare to eat too much at one go even though I'm hungry.
- Tummy dropped much lower. When I sit down on my dining chair, my tummy touches my thigh. That's how low it is now! I guess Dr Ho will tell me baby is engaged today!
- Felt baby Caitlin giving me awefully strong kicks at top of my uterus, near the lungs, and felt her hicups where my pelvic bones are. So I guess she is still in her wonderful head down position. Please stay that way, dear baby!
Kieran is at school. Today he didn't cry much. He looked rather happy to go to school but he cried because he wants mummy to accompany him inside. I guess he likes the activities, toys and games he gets to play there, and the songs they sing. Just now I peeped in and saw him eating his bread by himself. Very obedient. And later on, after going to the coffee shop for tea and walking back, I peeped in again and saw him concentrating on his construction toys. He loves to assemble and disassemble things. That explains why he loves lego so much. Happy to see that he's not crying and doing activities in school.
Last night, he rolled a sticker in his palm and told me he's making "tang yuan" and its tang yuan that cannot be eaten. I guessed his teacher must have taught him that and they must be playing play dough.
Kieran's physcial growth spurt must have ended, but he seemed to be having a brain growth spurt. Nowadays, he couldn't stop talking and couldn't stop asking "what is this?" and he kept wanting to "read book, read book". I just made him recite di zi gui this morning coz he woke up early and he can recite the zong xu. Very happy. I sent the video to hubby and his grand aunt. They'll be proud of him :)
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