This is certainly the last expo baby fair that I'll ever go to. I'd rather spend a little bit more and just buy from departmental stores.
REALLY EXHAUSTING!
I went alone to shop around for what I want first and then wait for hubby to come and buy the diapers together. The diaper queue is amazingly long and the cashier process payment not as quickly as we wish it to be, so the queue just dragged on.
The worse buy is the medela bottle exchange. I thought its an exchange for a full medela bottle with teat but its only for a milk storage bottle. Waste my time to queue. Still feeling a bit sore over it.
I bought Baby One thermal milk bags, a nursing wear, a new manual breast pump, Y bike as present for my son, and Merries and Mamy Poko diapers.
Shopping therapy is really not for me. I feel nervous whenever I spend money. I wonder why I always feel this way after spending large sums of money. After effects of some childhood experiences I supposed but I don't remember what. I need hypnosis to reveal that, really.
It doesn't help that I have one stack of bills to pay and that I've really no time to make payment, and one credit card bill of 1k+ to pay... 1k because its insurance rider deduction, and some other buys which I forgot what. But anyway, the following months, we've got to be more prudent with money.
Anyway this is the last last last time I'm going to baby fair at expo. I swear. The crowd, the queue, the large purchases... all these are making me anxious and nervous, even now, few hours after coming home from the fair.
I was anxious partly because I left my children with my parents to go to the fair to buy stuff, and the queue was delaying our time to go home. When we finally reached my parents' home its 10pm + because we went back to Punggol, our own home to put down the stuff first. Really need to thank my good buddy and her hubby for driving us to Punggol and to our parents' home. Otherwise we will really die waiting for the cab. As I was in the car going towards my parents' home, I was suddenly reminded of myself as a teenager, reaching home past 10pm and feeling butterflies in my stomach because my dad would be at the corridor waiting to scold me for coming home late without calling. I didn't like to call because he would shout at me if I had called to say I'll be home late, and if he shouted at me, my mood will be bad, and I might as well just go home, and not continue to go out with my friends. And if I don't call, at least I'll be happy until going home time. Well, that's the strange logic I had as a teenager. But even though I know I'll be scolded, I still want to reach home late because well, all my other friends too went home around that time. Sigh. I can understand my dad worrying about his daughter but being too fierce just simply backfires. I didn't like to talk much about my thoughts and feelings to my dad last time because most of the time I get shouted at and lectured unless what I said was what he wanted to hear, and how many thoughts and feelings of a teenager is what her dad wants to hear? After some trial and error, I just filtered it out myself. I only talk about neutral stuff with him. Nothing personal, nothing that challenges his ideas. But I'm really thankful my parents and my mother in law helped out today. And they helped us a lot a lot today. Otherwise it would be impossible for us to buy anything from the fair. I saw parents bringing toddlers and babies to the fair. That's just crazy. Poor kids and babies had to tolerate boring long queues and shopping booths. A lot of crying and tantrums went on around me.
I'm glad my darling Kieran and Caitlin were good, and ate well, and slept well while I was away. Kieran went to open my bag, saw that I didn't buy any toy for him and said "mummy 没有买东西叻". So cute! But it stabbed my heart coz I really should buy a small present for him for being so nice and obedient to spend long hours at ah gong's house without mummy.
I'm looking forward to Kieran's Elmo theme birthday celebration at parents in law's house this coming Sunday. Luckily he has almost recovered from the eye and nose infection that he got last weekend. Poor Kieran had to miss the children's day celebration from school because of that illness.
Got to accompany my little Caitlin to sleep now. Good night. A whole new challenge lies ahead tomorrow. I hope I will survive another day!
Saturday, October 5, 2013
Saturday, September 28, 2013
Quiet happiness
Weekends are chaotic. My mom stays over but she goes home on Friday and comes to help out on Sunday night. So on weekends, hubby & I are left on our own to cope with an attention seeking toddler and a demanding little babe. Wow. You can imagine the mess the house is in. Today I took the chance to quickly sweep the floor while hubby brought Kieran out to buy breakfast and Caitlin was napping. That's about the only chance we get to clean the house on weekends! After that, its challenges after challenges to overcome. Non stop busying around until sleeping time... which is now.
Finally Yilin has patted Kieran to sleep and I've nursed Caitlin to sleep, and I have just a few minutes to do some stuff like washing the kitchen and surfing net and type this blog post here before I go to accompany Caitlin.
Bringing Caitlin out is a big challenge and through trial and error, I've realised what works and what don't. She's easily disturbed by loud noises, flashing and bright lights and cold air. So shopping malls are bad. Crowded places are bad. This cinderella needs to be home before 8pm. After 8pm, her fussy time starts to get worse and she'll scream her head off in public. So I nurse or rock her to sleep first and place her snugly in my sling carrier, hidden from the lights and shielded from the cold, and as I walk, the walking motion rock her gently in her slumber and she's nice and quiet as we bring Kieran out for dinner and walks. Today that's what we did. We went out for early dinner before 6pm. We had nice fried kway teow and laksa. And bought breakfast for the next day. Later we walked pass a playground in the neighbourhood. Kieran was attracted to the playground and we let him play. He went up and down the slide and played with the "gears" at the playground. And he also tried to interact with the older kids there. These kids are nice kids. I've met really rough ones who went tumbling all over without regards for other kids' safety. We all had fun although it was tiring. Luckily, we reached home before 8pm, and Caitlin was very cooperative. She opened her eyes when we opened the door. Perhaps she smelt "home"? Then the "concert" began. Oh well. We showered Kieran, bathed Caitlin, showered ourselves, had some time to watch the tv, talk a bit, brush Kieran's teeth, and then its sleeping time.
I hope to post pictures of Kieran celebrating birthdays of rabbit babies together at NEX. He had fun eating ice cream, playing with dogs and with his friends that day. I don't have time to upload photos on weekends. Weekdays maybe. Next week.
Looking forward to the baby fair on next Friday, and celebrating Kieran's 2 year old birthday with loved ones on next Sunday. He's going to enjoy it a lot. All the people he loves and adores are going to be there and giving him blessings and presents.
Life as a parent of two is damn tough! But at the end of the day, when the sweet babies sleep, I do feel a sense of quiet happiness. I think of the smiles and laughter that goes on in the day, and I know I will have sweet dreams of those memories at night.
Good night.
Monday, September 23, 2013
Updates on the kids!
I FINALLY HAVE TIME TO BLOG!
Time to update this blog...
Phew... Taking care of 2 children isn't easy. Even with my mom here to help on weekdays.
Little baby Caitlin is now 7 weeks 3 days old.
She's a little darling. She's STILL in the eat, sleep, pee & poo phase. Thank goodness. She's a rather peaceful baby and easy to care for although there's one thing that isn't easy... When she's hungry, she don't give warning. She'll suddenly wake up from sleep, and give a sudden and loud and shrill cry which escalates to scream within minutes if milk isn't served. My mom said she's a fierce girl!
I'm a little sad that she didn't inherit her daddy's eyes and nose. Never mind, she's still our pretty princess.
She's 4.3kg at 6 weeks. Doctor said she's on 25th-50th percentile during her check up and first vaccination at Sengkang Polyclinic.
Babies grow up so quickly. She could fit into many of the 0-3 months rompers now, and even though the 3-6 months romper looks big on her, she could wear them too.
Breastfeeding is a breeze. Really easy for a second time mom who has breastfed the older child to toddlerhood.
Now Kieran.
I tried giving the breast to Kieran and once put it into his mouth and ask him to suck. He smiles shyly whenever I ask him to try. And he kept refusing. One time, he tried and I felt him sucking it like sucking the straw. He only sucked once and said he don't want it.
I enjoy hugging my little Kieran. He's so much fun! He could sing and recite all of the nursery rhymes and the poems we taught him, even the Hokkien ones! I watched him play with his cars, trucks, legos, everything with wheels, noisily making zroooom, zrooooom, beep beep sounds, and I wondered how long can he be in such adorable and innocent phase? He asked me to pat him to sleep, and he turned around to say "bye bye ah gong, bye bye mah" in such a sweet manner that my parents laughed. Sometimes he will say bye bye to his cars and trucks and tell them that he will play with them later. He held on to my blouse, followed behind me and sing the choo choo train song as he walked. When he first learnt to walk, he used to say "walk nat, walk nat, walk nat." when he hold my hand and happily walk around with me. He invented the words himself. Many months later, now, he suddenly say "walk nat, walk nat" as he held my hand and lead me into a room. He hadn't held my hand to walk in the house for a very long time since he could walk by himself. Now that he could explain himself, I asked him what he means by "walk nat". He thought for a very long time and then replied "Walk walk lor." LOL.
At one year old, Kieran could vocalise sounds to mean different objects like "ah per" for apple and "mah" for mummy.
At 13 months, he could call everyone. He could call "mama, papa, ah gong, ah mah, nai nai, yeye, gu po, etc".
Before he's 18 months, he could already name all objects correctly, and if you tell him something, he repeats after you. At first he could only say 2 syllabus like "helicopter", he would say "hop ter" but gradually, he spoke 3 syllabus. He repeats after you when you talk to him, and he will laugh and giggle, but he didn't actually reply you.
At 19 months, one day, when I was tidying the room and moving a clothes rack, he came to "help" and move the clothes rack too. I told him "it's dangerous!" Kieran turned to look meaningfully at me when I said that, and I thought he would repeat after what I said. Instead, he surprised me by replying, "No lah." And I surprised him by laughing out loud. From then onwards, he could reply our questions meaningfully. At 19 months, he could actually have a conversation with us. If you ask him "Kieran, is this a pear?", he no longer repeats "pear" after you. He would reply "Yes, pear." or "No, banana"
At 20 months, he could recite the entire nursery rhymes from memory. We were fooling around, hubby, Kieran and I at the living room, and Kieran suddenly sang "San Lun Che" (三轮车) and pronounced the words so well! Yilin and I were so surprised, we stopped to listen and clapped loudly after Kieran's done. He laughed and continued to talk and sing more. He really couldn't stop talking once he started.
At 22 months, he could talk in full sentences and he replied you intelligently if you called him on a telephone and talk to him. He could tell you what he learnt in school, and where he went, and who bought what for him, and who taught him which song.
So its a great pleasure playing with and talking to little Kieran. He loves hugs and cuddles and he'll often run to me and hug me. He's such a darling! I'm sure little Caitlin will also grow up a talker with her older brother's influence!
Kieran is 23 months, 1 week and 6 days old today. He'll be celebrating his 2 year old birthday soon! I'm bringing him to have a birthday celebration at Swenson's at NEX this Friday. Kieran has 2 other friends, Jodi and Xin Ning who were born around the same date at the same year, and they are my friends' daughters, so we mummies are going to celebrate the 3 rabbit babies' birthday together. The kids will love the ice cream cake! On 6 October, we'll do another celebration for him at Ye ye & Nai nai's house and this one will be with all his favourite loved ones. Grandparents, grandaunt, uncle and 2 aunts will be there. And on 10 October, the actual day, we are going to his school at 3pm with a cake and celebrate his birthday there, singing birthday song with all his teachers and classmates.
We're going to have lots of fun!
Time to update this blog...
Phew... Taking care of 2 children isn't easy. Even with my mom here to help on weekdays.
Little baby Caitlin is now 7 weeks 3 days old.
She's a little darling. She's STILL in the eat, sleep, pee & poo phase. Thank goodness. She's a rather peaceful baby and easy to care for although there's one thing that isn't easy... When she's hungry, she don't give warning. She'll suddenly wake up from sleep, and give a sudden and loud and shrill cry which escalates to scream within minutes if milk isn't served. My mom said she's a fierce girl!
I'm a little sad that she didn't inherit her daddy's eyes and nose. Never mind, she's still our pretty princess.
She's 4.3kg at 6 weeks. Doctor said she's on 25th-50th percentile during her check up and first vaccination at Sengkang Polyclinic.
Babies grow up so quickly. She could fit into many of the 0-3 months rompers now, and even though the 3-6 months romper looks big on her, she could wear them too.
Breastfeeding is a breeze. Really easy for a second time mom who has breastfed the older child to toddlerhood.
Now Kieran.
I tried giving the breast to Kieran and once put it into his mouth and ask him to suck. He smiles shyly whenever I ask him to try. And he kept refusing. One time, he tried and I felt him sucking it like sucking the straw. He only sucked once and said he don't want it.
I enjoy hugging my little Kieran. He's so much fun! He could sing and recite all of the nursery rhymes and the poems we taught him, even the Hokkien ones! I watched him play with his cars, trucks, legos, everything with wheels, noisily making zroooom, zrooooom, beep beep sounds, and I wondered how long can he be in such adorable and innocent phase? He asked me to pat him to sleep, and he turned around to say "bye bye ah gong, bye bye mah" in such a sweet manner that my parents laughed. Sometimes he will say bye bye to his cars and trucks and tell them that he will play with them later. He held on to my blouse, followed behind me and sing the choo choo train song as he walked. When he first learnt to walk, he used to say "walk nat, walk nat, walk nat." when he hold my hand and happily walk around with me. He invented the words himself. Many months later, now, he suddenly say "walk nat, walk nat" as he held my hand and lead me into a room. He hadn't held my hand to walk in the house for a very long time since he could walk by himself. Now that he could explain himself, I asked him what he means by "walk nat". He thought for a very long time and then replied "Walk walk lor." LOL.
At one year old, Kieran could vocalise sounds to mean different objects like "ah per" for apple and "mah" for mummy.
At 13 months, he could call everyone. He could call "mama, papa, ah gong, ah mah, nai nai, yeye, gu po, etc".
Before he's 18 months, he could already name all objects correctly, and if you tell him something, he repeats after you. At first he could only say 2 syllabus like "helicopter", he would say "hop ter" but gradually, he spoke 3 syllabus. He repeats after you when you talk to him, and he will laugh and giggle, but he didn't actually reply you.
At 19 months, one day, when I was tidying the room and moving a clothes rack, he came to "help" and move the clothes rack too. I told him "it's dangerous!" Kieran turned to look meaningfully at me when I said that, and I thought he would repeat after what I said. Instead, he surprised me by replying, "No lah." And I surprised him by laughing out loud. From then onwards, he could reply our questions meaningfully. At 19 months, he could actually have a conversation with us. If you ask him "Kieran, is this a pear?", he no longer repeats "pear" after you. He would reply "Yes, pear." or "No, banana"
At 20 months, he could recite the entire nursery rhymes from memory. We were fooling around, hubby, Kieran and I at the living room, and Kieran suddenly sang "San Lun Che" (三轮车) and pronounced the words so well! Yilin and I were so surprised, we stopped to listen and clapped loudly after Kieran's done. He laughed and continued to talk and sing more. He really couldn't stop talking once he started.
At 22 months, he could talk in full sentences and he replied you intelligently if you called him on a telephone and talk to him. He could tell you what he learnt in school, and where he went, and who bought what for him, and who taught him which song.
So its a great pleasure playing with and talking to little Kieran. He loves hugs and cuddles and he'll often run to me and hug me. He's such a darling! I'm sure little Caitlin will also grow up a talker with her older brother's influence!
Kieran is 23 months, 1 week and 6 days old today. He'll be celebrating his 2 year old birthday soon! I'm bringing him to have a birthday celebration at Swenson's at NEX this Friday. Kieran has 2 other friends, Jodi and Xin Ning who were born around the same date at the same year, and they are my friends' daughters, so we mummies are going to celebrate the 3 rabbit babies' birthday together. The kids will love the ice cream cake! On 6 October, we'll do another celebration for him at Ye ye & Nai nai's house and this one will be with all his favourite loved ones. Grandparents, grandaunt, uncle and 2 aunts will be there. And on 10 October, the actual day, we are going to his school at 3pm with a cake and celebrate his birthday there, singing birthday song with all his teachers and classmates.
We're going to have lots of fun!
Kieran during Lantern festival held by Ci Ai Education Incubator, his Childcare centre.
At the playground during the Lantern carrying walkabout.
Peekaboo!
One of my favourite photos of the night.
Kieran and mummy!
Friday, August 23, 2013
Caitlin 3 weeks old
Here is Caitlin at 3 weeks old!
TGIF! Looking forward to Papa spending more time with us!
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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