2011 resolution

I read what was my 2010 resolution: discipline. Again, nothing new, I didn't really achieve that, I must say TV play a big part of temptation.
Anyway, I think I need make new year resolution smaller: Making my girl sleep at 9.30pm on weekday. sound small, but I believe it takes lots of discipline on me and the rest of family to achieve that.

second wish, I hope to be a better leader with better time management.
I think those are hard enough for me to achieve.

Lighting at new house

I am not sure why its is so difficult for me to figure out the lighting coordination for my new house. I have been planning it out for nearly a month, yet still couldn't find a perfect solution for it.
While the whole area should be illuminated enough, I wish the to have different control for number of downlights for a different ambiance :
1. lighting when watching TV,
2.lighting when need to read newspaper...
3.lighting when kids is playing at the area near staircase...,
4. Lighting when guess come..(this is easiest, basically on all lights)
while also considering its impact on electrical bill later on. I have used power points, draw on the floor plan the likelihood of the lights coordination... but still I am not quite satisfied. Just when I feel its good enough, then 2-3 days later I doubt again and wanting to find alternative. Worst is after I mention to the electrician the light plan (which I thought good enough), I will go back home and think again, wondering what if....
I think the contractors is quite frus with me, keeping asking to change this and that, can't really fix my mind. Even the light shop where I bought also, I think...as I have already change lights for 2 times. and likely changing for 3rd time:P
I got to tell myself that nothing is perfect...nothing is perfect...just live with it.. arg!!!

HX-almost 8 months old, standing up

Yup, this girl is eager to grow and adventurous to test out her new strength. Just 3 days ago, with support of the sofa and her hands, she is standing up, against the sofa.
Let see if she is walking before age of 1 or not.

Breatfeeding, pumping and travelling

My friend has been successfully expressing milk while she is travelling abroad. below is her experience. She also shared her experience in suzette's blog, which has encouraged her a lot. Hope this will encourage more mothers to breastfeed even need to travel more.

"I managed to bring back frozen milk from my last trip to Lyon, France. Transit Amsterdam. Total travel time after checking out from hotel ( after packing the frozen milk in the cool box) till Malaysia: 19 hours.

What i learnt:
KLM air line latest policy: one luggage per person. ie we must check in our ice box in our luggage bag

How to obtain dry ice?
I had difficulty obtaining dry ice from Novotel, Lyon, France. Actually bought techni ice ice pack from babyland, SS2 ( RM25, cheaper than other shops) , freeze it in the freezer at -18 celcius for 5 days, and used it as dry ice. My husband was creative enough to get paper bags from small cafes so we didn’t have to wrap the ebm one by one with oversized newspapers. Once we took the frozen ebm out from the freezer we just put each packet of ebm in those paper bags.

How to fill up space in the ice box as towel was bit bulky. my ice box was smaller then your’s.
We scrunched newspapers to fill up the spaces in the ice box, these were also useful as insulators.

Where to find place to pump?
Initially while i was touring around the old town of Lyon, i tried to pump in toilets, hospital toilet, hotel toilet.. after that i gave up finding toilets. I just brought a scarf, wrapped it around me, and pumped at the benches along the park. That was more feasible.

How was the security in Lyon, France?
They didn’t allow me to bring in ice packs and my chilled milk that i had expressed at the air port. I had already checked in my luggage. So had to throw that away ;( i tried to explain that i’m a breastfeeding mom. They said only if my baby was with me, then only i could carry milk. Otherwise i need a doctor’s letter.)

Airlines and local securities are totally TWO different things.
I emailed airport securities at KLIA, AMSTERDAM, LYON and also my airline: KLM.

Reply from KLM CRM MANAGER: Breastmilk is not a restricted item and may be taken onboard. You may carry a total of 2.5 KG in dry ice packs. If you are expressing at the airport/onboard you can arrange a request with our KLM reservations to have a note made in your booking : SRFRAG IN CABIN – we can then confirm that you are taking the pump/milk with you. Do take note of course that the actual security check at airports is not controlled (or owned) by the airlines – so if the officers at the security check have any doubts they have a right to question and make a final decision. (which i DID have problems with the security in Lyon. STRICTLY NO LIQUIDS UNLESS YOU HAVE A BABY WITH YOU OR DOCTOR’S LETTER.

Reply from KLIA Corporate Communications Office:
Please be advised that the exemptions for baby milk/food as hand carry is as below:
•Baby milk/food must be accompanied by infant of age 7 or below.
•Proof of authenticity and justification for exempted liquids for medical or special and dietary needs
If the traveller is travelling without her baby, she must provide a letter to prove that she has a baby and certified by medical practitioner that the liquid is her breast milk.

 i feel so happy after this success !! glad that u could do it for Cherilynn. tough though!! but thanks for all the support from u and my husband and friends
michelle

My spectra breastpump need service after 3 1/2 years!

So busy with my house reno and so busy at work, and of course busy taking care of the 2 kids, making me hardly got time to blog.
I have been using spectra 2 to double pump. I must say, apart from bulky ( 2 kg weight!) and require to plug in, it is a good and durable pump. I only need to send it for service after it has been used for 3 and half years. The reason for service is the switch is broken, and that's likely I have put too many staffs in the bag ( it a shoe bag actually), and the book has pressed against the switch so hard, causing the plastic covering the switch broken.
I send to Histopoint at Subang Jaya. The switch only cost RM5, and the service cost RM60. Since its an electrical item and has been in use for that long, so I agree to pay for the service, which claim to clean up incase any milk gets in.
Now its as good as new.

So I highly recommend Spectra for any working mom.

HX update :7 months old

After one month, HX has gained another 300g. Her weight now is 6.95kg. ya she is reaching HE weight at 1 year old. However, both HE and HX fell sick again. ya..again! running nose and cough.
and that's the reason HX is weighed, due to a visit at Dr Koe's clinic, just to make sure her lung is clear, after cough and running nose for a week.
Now she is into the second week, the symptoms get better and worse. like today the running nose seems to be clearing up, then the next day, she got 2 columns running down once she sneeze. HE also cough on and off.
I really feel tired of rubbing her nose. HX has just recovered last month, then this flu attack again. sigh...hope it goes off soon...soon...s..o..o..n

By the way, HX also starts to climb couch with her hands. She can reach higher level, i.e I have to start lifting stuff to higher level and more childproofing. tiring...tiring...

HX update-6 months old

Too overwhelmed by the locked car incidence and have forgotten to update HX progress.
At last follow up at Klinik Kesihatan, her weight is 6.6kg, length is 66cm ( increased by 4cm after last month).
She also grows a tooth, ya only a tooth from bottom. I am not sure if this is normal, as usually it should be 2 at the same time. Somehow HX tend to have one side different from another, be it hair, eye, dimple. Hope its just that.

Also, she started crawling since 5 months old, now she know how to sit up.

Baby locked in a car alone!

This morning I brought HX for vaccination. After that we went to Tesco to get her some Heinz rice cereal. Its just a quick shopping. As we went back to car park, I started the car engine, throw my bag in, push down the car lock ( as having phobia people may snatch car while I am buckling up HX), after I'd done buckling HX, out of habit I closed the door. At the very second, I realized that HX was left in a locked car alone!, with my handphone, car key all in a locked car! and I forgot to on aircond too!

I was panic and called for help from two old folks having lunch in the next car ( dun know why, but that's not the issue). They were very helpful and the husband went to seek mechanic help from a nearby mechanic shop. We waited and waited. I was really anxious. In the mean time, HX seemed very happy inside, she smiled and smiled. No matter how panic I was, I tried to keep HX entertained by knocking on the door and playing peek-a-boo with her. Then came a few other residents nearby. I managed to borrow a handphone to call hubby to come back quickly to get spare key, although it would take him around minimum 20 mins to arrive! Then a lady was suggesting locksmith, but she said no need since the spare will come in 20mins, must as well save the RM80 service fees. But I couldn't care more about the money, I was very concerned that HX would start crying, and it was stuffy inside without air-cond at all! I hoped to get her out immediately!

Another lady came and suggested why not try the locksmith inside tesco itself. She was very helpful to help me to run up to call for one. The locksmith finally came, he checked and called his boss, also RM80 service fees. Deal! As he went back to get his tools, what I was worried came, HX started crying. I tried Peek-a-boo a few times, it giggle her for first few times and failed later. Then she was distracted by another gentleman who was brought by the old folk earlier, stop crying for a while and started again. Its so scary for me to see her crying but couldn't her at all! 

Finally the locksmith returned, he did something to the lock, and in 2 mins, the car was unlocked and could be opened (without siren at all). I was so thankful, quickly took out RM80 ( I was so glad that I didn't use cash to pay just now as I only got RM90 in my purse). What's more important was HX, I couldn't imagine if she was kept inside any longer. 

I learn the lesson the hard way. I will always keep the car key with me until finishing buckling up my kids and sit in the driver seat. This thing should never happen again. 

HX fall off bed

This morning HE wake up early this morning and quickly she wants to lie beside HX. As usual, hubby and I will get out of bed to prepare ourselves for work, leaving them on the bed. Most of the time HE is still asleep while HX has already wake up but playing in the cot.
However as I am washing my face, I notice that HX is gone to another side of main bed while HE is beside her in the middle of the bed. I am not alert enough to relocate HX, instead I proceed rinsing my face. Just in a second, HE :"wou..." I notice something wrong, and found HX has gone off the bed and ended on the floor. I am shocked! Quickly I picked up HX and angrily accusing HE for pulling HX to the open end of the bed and I also slap her at the arm. The next scene is both HE and HX are crying.
After a while HX has stopped crying, but there is red bump on the right side of her head. Then I console back HE. She still deny that she has pulled HX. She claimed that HX has gone there herself.
Now thinking back, it is not impossible that HX rolls herself there. I shouldn't blame HE rightaway, making her a blacksheep. Nowadays I scold HE a lot, I am afraid it will become the pattern of communicating which is unhealthy. I should be careful and control myself. My temper has gone out recently which I donno why. Because I am too tired of juggling 2 kids, work and renovation thingy? Tonight I got to adore HE more to compensate.
Hope that HX do not have any problem due to the fall.

Respiratory tract infection-3 infected, one still free

Ya, myself, HX and HE were all down with fever and cough and running nose, one after another, first me, then HX, then HE. I am not so worry about HE since she is already 3 and all this while she has been quite strong to withstand any cough or cold, normally she would have cough for 2-3 days then no more, without fever at all. However, this time also she end up with fever for nearly 2 days.
HX, on the other hand, make me worry more, since she is only 5 months old. I start to regret that I didn't make hygienic precaution like wearing masks or using alcohol handrubs. I thought HX should be protected by getting the antibody through breastfeeding. But it seem this virus is reall strong one (otherwise HE won't have fever). HX has a bad blocked nose wih occasional cough. She has fever only for one day, then no more for the next 2 days. However the fever returns again yesterday and couldn't settled by tepid sponging until she is fed paracetamol syrup. I am quite worry as I am concerned about supreimposing bacterial infection. If today there is anymore fever, I need to bring her to see doctor again especially to check her lung. Her blocked nose is so bad that she has to open her mouth to breath. When she is breastfed, she has to unlatch several times to catch some breath. Poor little baby. HX also becomes quite cranky and keeping requesting (by making pitiful sound) to be carried.
As in this time when I am typing, I thank God that HX fever has settled, today she has no fever, but blocked nose and cough are still bad, HE also has some mild running nose and occasional cough. Overall, it seems getting better though. I hope all this is getting over soon, as I am so exhausted, being sick and taking care of the sicked children. Thank God for hubby, the only healthy standing, has helped to take good care of us

HX also down with fever

I hope she get well soon. Quite worry as she is less than 6 month old. I myself still cough badly with itchy throat and running nose too.

Cough...cough...cough

Last thursday I had fever, followed by sore throat, then cough. I cough so badly till I lost my voice, or turn to hoarseness. It started with my husband then HE, then me, but my symptoms were the worst. Hubby and HE only cough once in a while, but I cough constantly. In the morning, I was able to produce some phlegm, which was green-yellowish, the rest of the day I was having dry cough.

For the past 2 nights, I was not able to sleep as I kept coughing. I could only describe my cough as " coughing my lung out" It could be quite forceful, and not quite be able to settle with lozenges nor warm water. Today, my tummy muscle was in pain when I cough.
I tried to avoid antibiotic, but I resort to it after seeing my phlegm was coloured. So I got throw away ( actually bath with it) all the breastmilk I pumped out during the 3 days antibiotic course. I seem to have improved after the antibiotic but my throat is still very itchy and my cough i still there. I hope this cough can go away soon :(

Back to the nature_Janda Baik 2

River with clear cooling water of Janda Baik

Time to play water!

 My Daddy,My hero, I am scared to walk on the river! The rock is slippery. I cry if I am asked to walk in the water, carry me please...But daddy leg got scrathed when we are trying to get to the shore as the slippery rock make us fall.

 After the water play, time for durians!

I am so tired after all the activities in nature. I got to sleep. Poor daddy still need to drive

Back to the nature_Janda Baik

We need to cross a wooden bridge to get to the picnic site

The gap between the bamboo are quite big. Got to be careful when crossing on it

The flowe on the tree that I can't name :P

One of the hut

Plucking langsat

Langsat on the tree. Feel free to pluck. They are sweet!

Rambutan. They are sweet too!

Sesame seed in 4 month old baby's stool!

I sometimes find some 'solid' in HX stool. I thought it is due to undigested milk fat and leave it, without suspecing anything. but today I am so suprised to find 2 sesame seeds in her otherwise usual runny stool!

I am very concerned as I am afraid it is not sesame seeds but some kind of bug egg. Babysitter has been telling me that HX appetite is not that good, she can hardly finish 3 oz per feeding. Could that be the cause? got worm in the tummy? that's horrifying!
I couldn't reach babysitter to ask whether she has accidentally feed HX sesame seed, hence I test it out by my own bare hand, and found....indeed sesame seed ( phew!). But she is only 4 months old, how does she take sesame seed?
As I look carefully, the 'solid' look like oat's skin. Then I remember babysitter mention to me that she fed HX little bit bread, it doesn't alarm as I thought it is white bread bits only. But today I realize babysitter has changed from white to wholemeal bread eversince she is diagnosed diabetes. Oh no, of course HX couldn't digest that and such a high fibre food is bad for her very young stomach. Could that be the reason that her milk intake is low? We shall observe after I tell babysitter stop feeding her bread.

Taking great photo

I had once thinking of taking up photography as hobby but was back off by the expensive accesories and the film development (those days...) However, inspired by demoments,I feel like to learn photography, at least try. But first I should get myself a gadget : changgih camera. Again I am not that ambitious yet, taking DSLR, a high end compact camera probably good enough for me before I move up further ( who knows I may learn halfway...and drop...my typical style of interest or hobby pattern, always half pail (cantonese)). Anyway, before I gave birth to HX, I have been eyeing on Panasonic LX3 or Canon S90. It seems there is better version now

Canon S95

Panasonic Lumix LX5

It seems LX5 better, but definitely more expensive. Difference by 100 pounds. Anyway, keep my eye watching. 

HE and HX sleep position

HE likes to touch her ear when she is about to sleep. Since HX arrive, she likes to sleep beside her. I love to see that the big sister like to be with the small sister but I do have the concern that it will lead to sleep hazard to HX. So once in while I will have to check on them when both are asleep without having me in between them.

HX, on the other hand, starts to sleep on her tummy ever since she is good in rolling over. Thank God that she knows how to adjust her head position so that she can still breath. However SIDS concern is still in my mind.
Here is the typical sleep positions of HE and HX at the moment

Sending HE to preschool

Recently HE seem to be quite attach with her daddy. Everymorning, she would request to hold daddy hand to go out of house and ask me to carry HX instead. She also prefer daddy to bath for her.

One day, she specially request for daddy to send her to school, since we get to go out of house quite early, daddy agreed. Then the next day, she request again, this time I diagree, as last time daddy mention that there is only maid in the school when he arrive there around 740am, I don't feel safe. After much persuason, HE finally give in and willing to say bye bye to Daddy, however...her face is down and teary eye. Her mood in the morning become bad. She refuse to say bye bye to babysitter too when we drop HX there. As the day is still early, I stop over by roadside to talk to her. I remember the lesson I learn during parenting class 2 Sunday ago, reflect her feeling in words, so I go to her and say, " you are sad as you want daddy to send you to school..." right away, she cry out. I hug her, trying to console her. When she is a bit settled, then we head on the school, with her face is still down. As usual, the teacher come out to bring her in when we reach school gate, noticing her moody face. As I mention why to the teacher, HE cry again very sadly. I am feeling bad too.

Hence hubby and I try another strategy, first we decide the day that daddy can send HE, then we inform HE that daddy will send her on Tuesday and Thursday but Monday, Wednesday and Friday mommy send. HE agree. So every morning we tell her what day is today and she understand. I am glad that this way not only teaches her day but also get to keep her cheerful. This I learn from "making children mind without loosing yours" and " how to talk so kids will listen and how to listen so kids will talk". Involving children into decision making even when they are as young as 3 yo like HE, is possible and it gets to reduce unnecessary crying and scolding. still learning to fine tune this skill.

Estee Lauder Staff sale 2010

The last time, also my very first time to Estee Lauder Staff sale is back to year 2006. It burn a hole in my purse as I bought a lot of make up items.

Though most of the items bought last time are barely used, they are probably no longer hygienic to be used anymore, since they are warehouse sale item and its been 4 years! Hence I decided to get myself a new set of basic make up items.

To go this sale, normally it require an invitation card. However from my past experience and what I read from people blog, by 11am, the card is no longer needed, and best of all, no need to que. Hence I go there around 11.30am, thanks to my hubby who is willing to fetch me there and take care of HX while I bring along HE to see 'world'. :)

As expected, no card needed and no que. :) I can see that this time the sales are smaller (or the item are grabbed much faster than early birds?) Most of M.A.C items are still available. I make a round to see what is available, hopefully to get a face powder and even Estee Lauder Time zone eye cream. However, no more face powder available and the only EL skincare item left is Cyberwhite essence. But I can't just leave like that, hence I walk around again, seeing M.A.C, Clinique, lots of perfumes counters...finally I see Bobbi Brown! Lots of foundations are available, but not what I want. There are still many eye shadows, lip gloss/lipsticks. I grab the pot rouge for lip and cheek (powder pink +sheer colour cheek tint no 8, sheer pink) (Normal price for pot rouge alone is RM90).

As I am still staying around, hoping that some early birds may leave behind some great stuff...finally I saw a palette in a plastic bag! The staff go around to collect those left behind item to be repacked and sell again. I grab hold of one and it happens to be the cabana coral lip and eye palette, though I actually would prefer to get the eye gel palette which another girl has grabbed earlier.

According to the sales person, I am very lucky to get the palette. I also quite like to eye colours. ok, decide to keep it. Then I suddenly think this is a good chance to get something for my mother and sis in law. Hence I go back to BB station and get hold of another set of Pot rouge (Powder Pink) and Sheer colour cheek tint (no7, Mauve).

That's all I get, but also cost me RM270! Compared to 4 years ago, the price has gone up. Last time per pack of 3 items cost RM60, this time its RM80. The palette also cost RM110, but its 6 eyecolour, 4 lip colour + lip brush+eyebrush. Ok la, reward myself a bit, better to buy it at actual price ( should be around RM200+) at counter.

Registering for Standard 1

My elder is 3 years old. A bit Kiasu to think about registering her to primary school? I think I am not. As I search online, I read some have registered when born! However, no one tell how to do that.
I have read also recently government have started online registration, which I think is good as that would avoid long que, provided the technical support is good as information lost along the way is not new. (Note, for school under Kuala Lumpur or Wilayah Persekutuan, online registration has not been implemented yet as for 2010)

Anyway, it seem the registration normally start in March. This year, they are accepting registration for standard 1 for year 2011 ( born in Jan 2004-Jan2005) and 2012 (Jan2005-Jan2006). Hence likely it will be the intake of 2013 (Jan 2006-Jan2007) and 2014 (Jan 2007-Jan2008).  My girl is born in May 2007, meaning I got wait till 2012 to register her for 2014. I hope this is correct. Just wonder if I will 'rugi' or less chance to get the prefered chinese primary school if I follow the 'official ruling'. hm... There is not exact info that I can find online though. At least I found 2 bloggers that give the info.
Joy or Happiness and the suzette
Generally I need to prepare the following document ( Just to record to save my search in the future)

1. Child Birth Certificate


2. Utility Bill (TNB/ Water/ Telephone Bill) – Proof of address

3. Parent’s Identity Cards

4. Marriage Certificate / Divorce Certificate

5. Proof of guardian (if applicable)

The link to register for schools under Selangor is http://apps.emoe.gov.my/esppsel/pptahun1/

Whereas for Kuala Lumpur is http://www.moe.gov.my/jpwpkl/ (in case online registration will be implemented in futute, which I think likely by year 2012)
Hope the info stills stay correct when its HE turn for registering

Perfect Living Exhibition 2010

I purposely take leave to go to this event. My new house has been ready since May, but hubby and I am still not able to make up our mind on who to engage as our contractor, family and work has kept us busy so much so we can't really concentrate on it. Anyway, I am going to this expo aiming to survey the pricing so that easier for bargain later.

Xyn 4 months old

Its been a while since I last update Xyn progress. Its very busy ever since I was back to work, hardly got time to blog.
on 20th July, Xyn's weight was recorded 5.5kg and length 61cm. She has gained weight well, but guess she's grown faster in length, giving BMI of 14 ( that's the only 'regres' she has :)
Today she has progress to another development milestone, she manage to flip over and be on prone position all by her own! She is very happy, probably she finally get to see better the things around her instead of ceiling. However, eversince, she seem to easily flip over, almost automatically whenever I place her down, even when she is about to sleep. This sometimes make her uncomfortable, especially when she is tired of holding her head up. Probably she doesn't know how to flip back to lying position. :)
Apart from that, I notice she likes to sleep sideway, once moment she is sleeping on her right, then next moment she is sleeping on her left.
On anothe note, the eczema on both her cheeks are improving now, after I have applied Potassium permanganate given by Dr Koe everyday, I thought. The eczema has been there since she is one month old, it flare and subside little but never resolve. Last week it worsen again, which I think its probably due to my mom-in law has cleansed her face every morning, it could be due to the warm water that has dry her cheek even more. Last 2 days, its resolving, however, to my surprise, my babysitter told me that she has actually rub her face with the overnight-soaked disposable diaper in the morning before the morning bath. I can't really believe in it, but I also not surewhat else to do with the eczema which is still there despite almost a moth hydrocortisone cream application. Most importantly, the eczema does seem to improve. Guess I can only monitor.

HE was fever 3 days and 3 nights part III

Eversince HE had fever, she had been not well for a week already. She was no longer having fever, stomachache, vomit, her red eye was also resolving. As I thought she was well, babysitter called me up in the afternoon. She mentioned to me that HE was not eating nor drinking, she was basically laid on the sofa or floor, not doing anything. Babysitter suspected that HE was having  'Zhu Mao Dan"suggesting a Chinese Shin Sheh who was good in treating that. Although I didn't really believe in that, I had really no idea what to do next. I agreed to the idea with a condition that no oral chinese medicine for her.
After an hour, I called back babysitter to find out. Surprisingly, HE started to eat and drink, talking and running! She even complaint of hungry on the way back! I must say 'wao!' So effective!
According to my mom in law, the old lady just mix corn starch like flour and rubbed HE tummy for a while, then done. Then voila, HE became well already.
SInce that, day, HE became the same old chatty and running and jumping girl. Witnessing this, I must admit, the effect of the chinese medicine practice was beyond our understanding. No matter whether that's placebo effect or not, I was glad HE 'sick' period was finally over. phew...

HE had fever 3 days 3 nights part 2

HE fever had finally settled on Saturday. After I left for a seminar, hubby forced her to sit on the toilet after she kept complaining of stomachache. As expected, as described by hubby, she passed out lots of semisolid, foul smelling stools. Then she could sleep through the night.
However, on the very next day, her right eye became very red and the left quite pink. In the morning, she could still talk and sing, hence husband and grandparents brought her to church then KLConvention Centre for the MF3 expo in the afternoon. However, HE just sat in car seat, no, she laid there throughout the whole afternoon, looking lethargy, not eating, not drinking. Once got back to home, she complaint of stomachache again, she kept crying and refused to sit on potty until we forced her too. She still passed out loose stool. This stomachache kept coming back even during midnight. It made me sad seeing her like that.
Strangely, next day as I sent her to babysitter place, she was able to eat again. However, her eye was still red. The Paed said it could be viral conjunctivitis and prescribed antibiotic and steroid eye drops. Although we were given 2 eye drops, I only gave HE the steroid eye drop to relieve the inflammation since HE didn't complain of itchy eye nor there was any discharge from her eye. After drop once, her 'eye white' redness reduced tremendously.
However, HE was still not well yet...

HE had fever for 3 days 3 nights

HE has been healthy all the while, the last longest fever that I can ever recall is when she is 11 month olds due to Roseola infection. Another high fever till 39 degree celcius is on the day of her 2 years old birthday. After that, she has the most one day low grade fever.
However, 4 days ago, on tuesday night, she suddenly developed low grade fever, the temperature was 37.7-37.8 throughout the night and reach 38+ in the afternoon. I took emergency leave to look after her while HX stayed with babysitter. Since the fever has gone high, I gave her paracetamol syrup, she took it readily. The fever settled a bit for a while, hovering around 37+ still before it rose again in the evening. In spite of that, she still could eat and play. However, this fever was longer than usual, and she refused to take second dose of PCM syrup. Hence I brought her to see Dr Koe. After checking her ear, throat and lung, Dr Koe couldn't find any problem with her except fever, concluding viral fever and prescribed her Ibuprofen syrup.
However, HE couldn't tolerate the syrup, in fact she had projectile vomit after given 2 sips. We tried to mix the syrup with water in the straw cup but she still vomitted. Hubby and I was truly worried, her fever was rising up, reading 38.1 but we couldn't get her to take the syrup. She even rejected sponging. At the end we resorted to PCM supp, she complied. Finally the fever settled for a few hours at night before it rise again 5 hours later. Hence almost every 5-7 hours I needed to force a suppository. Not only that, her symptoms also worsen and she complaint of headache.
On 3rd day, the temperature still swing, hence I got to bring her to see Dr Koe again. Again no problem was found except fever ( it was 38.8!). I had tried to pursue HE to pass urine to rule out UTI, with all the scolding, threatening, begging to no avail. Finally she was willing to sit on toilet bowl but no urine. Without much result, we went home. I was really worried, if the fever still persist, HE need to do blood test. I prayed real hard. Thank God that the fever had finally settled and high fever recorded at Dr Koe's clinic was the last episode. On that very night, after the last suppository insert, HE temperature had finally settled. However, another symptoms appeared....

Relaxing vacation?

I am thinking of giving my hubby a surprise for his birthday by going to vacation at Pangkor Laut Resort. So I call YTL travel centre and find that they are having promo package for malaysian resident. Th package they quote :

3D/2N Pangkor Laut Resort Resident Package (From Lumut)2 Adult(s)


-Return ferry transfer : Lumut Jetty / Resort / Lumut Jetty

-Meal Plan (A) - Breakfast at Feast Village, Lunch at Royal Bay Beach Club or Chapman's Bar and a Set Dinner at Uncle Lim's Kitchen or Feast Village. Beverage is excluded except coffee, tea and mineral water during dining.

PLR Deluxe 50-minutes Massage Therapy (Pkg)2 Adult(s)
 
Total cost for the package is RM2,058 nett. Without the massage, its RM799 nett per adult.
 
I am not sure if its a good deal. Its average RM1k per person. I read many good review online, and really tempted to confirm the deal as the promo started in April 10 till further notice.
But I wonder I should spend this big sum of money when we are about to start the reno of our new house which can cost a lot. In addition, hubby is so busy that he is not sure if he can take leave on his birthday.
On the other hand, we are so tight down with work and 2 kids, we deserve a relax vacation rite? But RM2k for 3 days 2 nights...
Argh...should I...shouldn't I...

Me and my two girls

Last 2 days were the first times I was taking care 2 girls alone since I started working after maternity leave. Hubby need to go to Singapore for work. Initially I was worried if I was able to cope. But I had to anyway.
First thing I was worried about was how to bring get 2 girls up and then down from condo to the car and then drive them to babysitter and preschool. Thank God that HE was behaving well, she didn't make fuss, she could wake up early, drank milk and took the shower, dress up in school T-shirt, and willing to walk while I was carrying HX. I remember the first few days of work, she cried almost everyday and insist I carried her. Whereas HX, as usual so far, woke up early every morning but enjoy herself without making noise. She was so adorable. :)
Second challenge, getting both to sleep. I had handled this before during my confinement without hubby and mom in law. However, HE was better than expected. Around 9.30pm, after I had fed HX to sleep, HX asked to be tucked into her sleeping sack. I went out of room a while to clean something, then she slept, by herself, without asking me to 'sayang' her. Muak!
Third challenge, spending weekend. I doubt I could get out so I got to settle my and HE breakfast, lunch and dinner. Since HX could entertain herself, I manage to settle all. HE and I ate oats as breakfast, fried rice as lunch, and going to have chicken soup tonight ( cooked in slow cooker now).
Now, at this very moment, both HX and HE are napping now. Seeing them sleeping next to eachother, they are just so adorable. I can also see that HE has settled and adjusted having a new sibling. Thank God for that:)

Parent meet Teacher day

 Today is the parent-meet-teacher day at HE preschool. For the past few weeks, I have been hearing the teacher comment that HE is very quiet, to the point that the principal is suspecting if HE got speech problem.Hence, it is not surprising that today hubby hear the same comment again. According to the teacher, HE hardly speak, she is also reserved from following the action during action song time. When teacher ask everybody to raise hand to count, HE won't follow, she will either move her fingers on her lap or the most raise one hand. HE also can watch educational DVD the whole time sitting down, not following the movement. ( which is totally opposite to how she is at home-she start moving her hands and butt whenever she watch Barney's or Nursery Rhymes...)
HE also used to be able to go toilet and wear pant back, however, from second semester onwards, she need to ask teacher to wear for her ( which I also observe that she does the same at home). Teacher also mention that recently she start fighting, suddenly cry, and deep in thought. Hearing that, it sadden my heart. Teacher also explain that HE refuse to look at me and say bye-bye in the morning when I send her to school, as she is angry at me for sending her despite her plead not to come to school. It shows that HE is adjusting very hard to the new environment with the arrival of baby sister.

In the report cards, there are many comment on 'need practice', some I can't seem to agree. For example, count 1 to 3, HE can count even more than 20! Teacher explain that she need to put that as HE refuse to speak, hence she couldn't tell if she understand.
Other comment are -
Under VISUAL "working to improve and encourage her to communicae more in English"
English(NPC)"Progressively working on getting up Leanne confidence to speak openly/free;y
Math in English(NPC) "Able to coun, recognize numbers 1-5"
Bahasa Malaysia "Working to develop bettervocabulary
Themesand Humanities "More interested in Animals, My body & Story Time"
Arts "Good focus during arts & crafts lessons"
Practical Life exercises"Shows mastery in most of the PLE activities for her target age"
Sensorial"Enjoy working with preliminary sensorial materials"
Overall comment " Leanneis a not so out-spoken girl, love art, have patience towards others and likes to colour at her own pace."
Teacher also mention that HE seems to be more comfortable with mandarin speaking and would open up better when teacher speak mandarin to her. The teacher ask hubby and I preference on the language to be used. We both agree that teacher should used bilingual alternately as when appropriate.
We also feedback to the teacher that HE would recite back some of the things she learn in school. During the session, HE also speak a lot to the father when they are looking at the sticker book. The principal says she has never seen HE speak so much for the past 6 months in school!
At the end, teacher conclude that HE still need sometime for adjusting. She ask to pick up HE a bit later after school so that she can spend some one-to-one time, hopefully to open up HE.
I do hope that HE won't continue to stay introvert and start to be more out-spoken. But I think the least I can do now first is to be patience and don't push her.

I lost my temper

HE has become a tantrum thrower. She cry frequently and always do the opposite to what we ask her to. She also demands lots of things to be her own way. One the most frequent thing that she ask for is doughnuts. Everyday she ask to buy daughnuts, from morning till night. Then she is showing...I can't say its jeolousy as she is nice to her sister but she seem feeling insecure. She ask me to carry her once we arrive home, if I refuse, which I need to as HX can't walk and need to be carried, she keeps sobbing and even throw herself to the floor once we arrive at the doorstep.
Everyday, everyday she is whining and crying. She is no longer the happy girl that I adore. My angry button seems to be always on the standby mode, with a sensitive touch switch. I really lose my cool with her and even to the point of just want to release my wrath towards HE with some silly action. I can get so angry that I started to pick on her. Like today, after brushing her teeth, I pass her the cup to rinse her mouth and remind her not to drink it. However, she drink it and laugh. I got angry, ok, you like to drink, finish the whole cup! holding the cup to her mouth. She laugh and this bring my angry to higher level and I throw the water to her. She cried. As I see the floor was flooded with her stuffs, colour pensils, puzzles...I threatend to throw into rubbish bin. I did go the bin and throw something ( not her stuff though) but she thought I did and cry till screaming. I don't know what gets into me, I dun attempt to comfort, instead I keep pick her wrongs, just to release my wrath. Of course, what I did only make the situation worse and I ended feeling more guilty and frustrated.
I pray that I can be more calm. A reference say we as parent also is learning and try to manage our own temper tantrum.
'Having children forces adults to take stock of their own emotion maturity', that's right. I begin to understand why some parents are able to torture their own children as seen from the recent sad news in newspaper. Some of them probably had lost the temper too and did something regretful.
I really need to deal with my temper, very hard, very hard. God help me.

hardly got time

 Eversince I finished confinement, I have been going out here and there, shopping and makan makan, seeing doctors for vaccination. By the time I got home, I am so tired that I just want to head to the bed besides attending to baby needs.
Now my new house is ready. Apart from reading parenting books, I got to equip myself with knowledge in house renovation so that I can have a good functionl space, at good price and good quality. On top of that, I got keep watch of warehouse sales, trying to get appliances and house accessories of good quality at much cheaper price. All this need work and time. I doubt I have time to blog as frequently as before especially I am about to be back to work soon. Now also I am also trying to crack my head on time arrangement so that I can organize sending HE and HX to babysitter, then send HE to preschool, pumping time, time to pick up 2 daughters and time to sleep, besides the busy work schedules. Can I have more heads and hands? 

"Baby pull it all out!"

Today I brought HX to shave her head. Although I am not the believer that shaving the head will make more hair but I think it will make the hair thicker. Both Hubby and I have pretty fine hair, a common comments from the hair stylist whenever we go for hair cut. Hubby also can hardly style his hair as it always 'collapse'. Hence I would like my girl to have a little thicker hair by shaving it once.

In the evening, HE is back and she went into the room to see HX, who is sleeping. Then I heard HE shout ' Baby pull it all out, now she got no hair!". At first I puzzle why she say so, then I understand. HX has this involuntary action of pulling her hair. :) As baby always have the hands up, HX tend to grab the hair and pull, and she pull them pretty strong till she cry, probably due to the pain. The grab is so strong till I have to release the hair by releasing her finger one by one! So, that's why HE thought HX pulls all her hair out and becomes bold head. haha.....

Booster seat for HE

cWhen I am back to work after my maternity leave, I plan to send HE and HX to the same babysitter. Hence I need 2 car seats in my car, one is the existing Britax convertible car seat, another is the infant car seat. As the babysitter need to fetch HE home from preschool in the afternoon, likely she also need the same equipments in her car. Although I have borrowed another infant car seat from my friend as temporary measure, I need to buy one sooner or later.

My husband company has this family friendly allowance for staff who has newborn, not only they provide RM1500 for hospital bill for giving birth, but also RM150 as baby gift allowance. Hence we plan to make use of the money to buy an additional car seat. Since we already have the Britax convertible car seat 0-4 years old, which HX can inherit once she outgrow the infant car seat. The practical choice will be a toddler booster seat for HE.

I have tried to search online and find that Graco brand is the good brand that meet our budget compared to Britax, Maxi-Cosi or Recaro. What I mean as good brand is the one that meet international safety standard. I can't really trust local brand which may have the feature but the quality is not assured since there is no local standard requirement for safety testing.

However I notice that there are so many different model of Graco booster seat with different pricing. Currently the one that I am looking ar is

1. Graco: Logico L X Comfort Booster Car Seat

2. Graco Junior Maxi Comfort

3. Junior Maxi

The seats are listed according higher priced to lower priced, though only by RM50-100 difference. Need to really see and touch them to decide which one to buy.

Toddler anxiety and fear

HE used to like preschool. Sometimes we even used to that to make her sleep by saying ' do you want to go to school tomorrow? then you better sleep now.' It works sometimes.

However, starting this sunday night, HE starts to tell me " mommy, I don't want to go to school", and she says it a few times, like making sure that I get her message. I thought she is just being 'manja'. Then she repeat the same the next night, it gets me thinking. I wonder if there is anything happen in the school.

I talk to babysitter, she inform that there is a new student in the school, who is dark in colour. HE does seem to have some colour discrimination, but I don't know that she will develop fear towards darker skinned colour person. In addition, there are mixed race in HE class, why she is fearful towards this particular child.

Yesterday, wednesday, she cried a lot at school till teacher is asking babysitter why also. I am concerned so I sms the principal. According to her, the new comer already attend the school since March. She suspect the change in HE could be due to the arrival of HE, my newborn baby. Although she seem to accept the new siblings, but 3 weeks later, toddler may feel insecure as they get the idea of ' this baby is going to stay at home forever, getting mother's attention permanently, the baby won't go away anymore'. She advise me to spend some one-to-one time with HE to ease her.
I think its probably true. I call babysitter again to see how's HE doing today (thursday). According to babysitter, she doesn't cry today probably because the new boy doesn't come today as the boy attends school on Mon, Wed and Friday only. So which one is explaining HE's change? What I can do now is just monitor. I also try to search online for barney video to see if there is anything that can help ease HE's fear towards stranger or particular skin colour. I am also figuring how to spend more time wih her without baby. Hope HE will be doing fine soon.

I survive doing confinement alone

Finally, my mother in law will be coming back today, and I gladly announce that I survive through the week doing confinement alone without my mother in law or confinement lady!

Basically everything goes according to my previous plan, except the part on the part time maid. My sister also stay around with me for certain time of the day, though she couldn't really help in taking care of baby, but at least she brought me delicious 'Char Siew Bao' and Soya drink.

My husband help the most, he helped to distract or entertain the elder daughter, or attend HX while I am in toilet or taking bath during weekend. He also did the laundry, dishes and sweep the floor. Throughout the whole week, during weekday, He also wake up earlier in the morning to boil the herbal bath solution, then place it at the bathroom for me . He took half day leave on 2 days also. Also he bought me a TV series to help me past time.

Also, HX also is a better sleeper. In the morning, she takes the last feed around 6-7am, then normally will sleep till around 9am. That's the time I can take to clean my face, brush my teeth and take my breaskfast, as well as pump also. I also boil water to be used for the day. My breakfast is simple, its 3 in 1 oats drink or Horlicks plus oat with 2 pieces of bread. Then when HX wakes up, I feed her first then give her a sponge bath. I am still not confident to bath her in the tub as I am concern with the physical restraint that I may have and also consider the umbilical cord is not quite dry fully. Midmorning till noon is the busiest time, when HX is awake and keep peeing and pooing, and I keep cleaning. Initially to save the trouble, I use disposable diapers all the time, then I notice that her bump seem to develop rash and small 'pimples', so I use 'lampin' instead. In addition, that's the busiest feeding time also, HX normally will settle around 1 to 2pm, after she is fed almost continunously, probably because she also keep pee and poo. I take shower with the herbal solution around 11am, then I take my catered confinement lunch around 1pm, regardless HX is asleep or not, but I make sure she is contented and not fussy.

HX sleep the best during afternoon, even she normally wakes up around 5 to 6pm, she is quik to settle to sleep till 7 or 8pm. Hence afternoon is my most free time. Though I am supposed to sleep whenever HX sleep, but I am just too awake. :). Around 6pm, I cook the rice to eat with the dishes I cater also. Then I pump around 7 or 8 plus, so that I can feed HX through bottle when she wakes up around that time. My husband and HE are back by then. After finish my favourite TV series at 9.30pm, its time for bed and I feed HX lying down. Of course, waking up a few times ( minimum 3 times) at night for feeding is the norm, but HX seems to sleep better at night now after each feed.

So I almost pass my days with the same routine. I am also able to catch up with some readings on the parenting books that I have bought sometimes ago. So far I have only finished reading one, that's considered an achievement as I hardly finish a book. Thank God for answering my prayer on giving me the strength to go through the confinement while I am alone and also on easier breastfeeding. As I have written in my previous post, once breastfeeding is ok, the rest can be easily settled. I also pray my post-delivery healing will be completed soon.:)

Sleep battle

Today is another day of struggle for getting HE to nap. As usual, she will start asking to be read at least one storybook, then want to cuddle baby, then walk around the bed, then telling me story...then ask for water, then ask for milk...this will last at least 1 hour before she can quiet down and slowly doze off. Everytime, HE never fail to get my nerve up to the brim during nap time till I said and do something that I regret. I really need references to help me solve this problem.

Sleep obstacle...again

Ever since I deliver HX, I am able to cope with everything, including doing confinement myself, except...on weekend, when I need to juggle between HE, a toddler and HX a newborn.

HE loves HX, though I am not sure it is out of sibling passion or just HE passion towards baby (a.k.a little toy that can move?) She like to touch her, hold her, hug her. As a parent, I got to allow her to 'sayang' her sister but also in the mean time I got to be extra careful to foresee any accidental 'extra force' inappropriately exerted on HX. It is both psychologically and physically challenging.:)

Anyway, today i am writing this post at 7am, my hubby and HE are out for breakfast. Why this early? That's because all of us has woke up and can't sleep anymore. Around 6 am, HE suddenly cry, while I am half body lying on the cot ( Ur hum...the cot is attached to my bed without rail in between), trying to put HX to sleep in her cot by feeding her. After trying to console HE and able to make her smile, HE become so awake that she want to have a look at the baby and be next to her. That's fine for me except HE also wants to touch her which I try to ask her not to as I want HX to sleep. As I prohibited certain 'passionate' action from HE, I think she got upset and throwing some mild tantrum, the way HE always do, just restless and make no sound but very sensitive to cry if any additional 'dose' from scolding or accidental knocking on objects around her. Hence one hour has past, its 7 am, everyone can't sleep, hence must as well get up and go for breakfast.

Except HX, she sleep.Just like before, she couldn't really settle in the cot, but once shifted to my bed, she can doze off peacefully and sleep soundly. My hubby commented that the mattress can be too 'cooling' for her. Hm...I think I got to change the 'condition' of the cot, probably add a towel beneath the bedsheet to make it more warm, or to get a mattress protector also. Hopefully, hopefully that solve the sleep issue. No wonder there are childcare books soley talk on sleep, apart from eating and discipline, it is so essentials and strategies are badly needed by sleep-deprived parents.

Mom & Baby Expo 2010

My confinement is only halfway through. But it will be ended on 5th May, meaning I may be in time for this expo. Hopefully can grab something at cheaper price, one thing in my mind is storage bags. So far I have bought total 150 bags. Currently I am using about 3 bags a day, meaning I will finish the bags in 50 days itself, not even over maternity leave yet. Also it should be time for me to breath some fresh air outside after being 'confined' for one whole month!

Sleep war

So far confinement has been ok for me. My mom in law has gone for her holidays last friday, so I will be on my own and HX only for the next one week before my mom in law come back from the trip to help out for the last week of confinement.

Actually the most difficult task for me is to juggle between a toddler and a baby, especially when it comes to nap time. HE is difficult to be put to sleep if she is not sleepy. She will ask for drink, milk or play whenever I try to put her to sleep. So it may take around 1 hour minimum before she finally get tire and sleep. Now with the baby, it is even harder. I have to keep urging, scolding, even sometimes threatening HE to ask her to stay put on the bed and hopefully sleep, while keeping an eye on HX in case she cries for milk. It will be easier if one of them sleep, allowing me to handle one at one time, however it is always not the case. HE will also ask to sleep beside HX, so sometimes I have to shift HX in between HE and I. If hubby or I happen to upset HE, she will throw tantrum. So far, one tantrum that I see is she kicking her legs here and there with no sense of direction. I feel sad to see that and lost of idea what to do. Wish I can find solution from books or any references.

One thing I am glad aboout is HX sleep better, compared to HE at HX age. However, I observe that she only sleep well when she is on the sofa or on my bed, NOT on her cot. She hardly settle on her cot. Whenever I transfer HX from my bed to the cot, she will wake up and kicking away. I wonder what's wrong with the cot, I thought the latex mattress should be more comfortable. Or HX prefer harder bed compared to soft bed? Anyway, I change the bedsheet and try to adjust the mattress ( I put the playpen latex mattress on top of the cot latex mattress)and see if it makes a difference. No matter how, HX got to learn to sleep well on the cot.

HX day 11

Today is another follow up at Dr Koe's clinic. Thank God there are less patients in the clinic. According to Dr Koe, HX jaundice is subsiding ( though to me she still looks jaundice). Although the umbilical cord has dropped, but the inner part of the unbilical area is still wet and not fully dry yet with some yellowish stuff. I am concerned about it as I am worried that it can get infection. Dr Koe has examined the area and she used a cotton bud with spirit to clean the area and add a little bit of fusidin ointment. However, she assured me that there is no infection as the umbilical area is not red and HX has no fever. Overall, HX has gained weight and grow bigger:

Weight : 3.2kg (Increased from 3.05kg 7 days ago)
Length : 52 cm (Increased from 48cm at birth)
Head size : 35cm (Increased from 33cm at birth)

On average, HX has gained around 21gm perday, meeting the minimum weight gain of 20g per day. I am so glad. Compared to last time, HE has problem of gaining weight, hence needing to supplement 3oz pumped milk 2-3 times a day. Sometimes I wonder whether it was because I didn't really latch HE properlay last time hence making her lack of milk intake, although the number of soiled and wet diapers showed adequacy.

For the past one week, HX basically sleep more in the morning and afternoon. At one point, she sleep so much till I am worried that the jaundice has worsen making her sleepy all the time. When the last feed is around 6 or 7am, HX can sleep till 10 or 11am. Then after my mom in laws gives her bath, she will be fed again around 12pm, sometimes she just sleep after only around max 15 mins, sometimes she is kicking away while I am having my lunch. Then she need to be fed almost continuously till 2pm before she sleep again. Then, after another feeding around 4-5pm, she can sleep through till 7-8pm. Then she is mostly awake till I make her sleep by feeding her around 10pm, as if she knows that's timing when sister and daddy are around.:)

I am glad that HX can sleep well, but she wake up more at night for milk. At night, she is asleep around 11pm, then 1am, 2am, 4 am, 5-6am. According to Gina Ford, there is a certain amount of milk a baby require, if a baby takes less during day time, the baby will wake up more at night to make up the total requirement. I suspect that's the case with HX. In addition, HX makes lots of sound when asleep, with some moro reflex too. Being a mother, I can be easily alerted whenever there is a sound or movement from HX, hence so far I couldn't have a quality sleep yet. Compared to HE last time, although I still wake up 2-3 times at night to feed, but I had good sleep in between. Hopefully HX orientation on day and night will be getting better and I do have a greedy hope that she can sleep through the night sooner:)

Postnatal blues...breastfeeding

As mentioned in my earlier post, HX is a better suckler. She suckle strongly. However, it is not easy to latch her properly. I have to attempt a few times before she is willing to be lactch on and suckle strongly. HX seem to be choosy, sometimes I manage to put whole areola into her mouth, but she would push it out with her tongue. As she can suckle strongly and my breastfeeding skill has dropped ( after one year not breastfeeding), on the very first night, I see blister on my nipples.Then it progresses to cracked nipples. They are painful. Whenever HX starts suckle, I feel a sharp pain till lifting up my leg, not to mention coping with the uterine pain and backache that come in the same time. It is really suffering.

On third day, my breasts are heavy. Mature milk is in. Hoo...the milk come earlier compared to HE time which come only on 5th day. I attempt to pump as HX couldn't empty them. However, I am so stupid that I forgot to adjust the suction setting of my Spectra 2. The moment I put the funnel on my right breast, blood shoot out! I am stunt at one moment. what happen! I see my right nipple bleeding. Later I adjust to lowest setting and managed to pump out 2 oz plus from bothe breast in 5 mins time. ( see the bottle on the left, that's the milk mixed with blood, compared to the milk pumped on other times)


Painful, painful, but at least the engorgement is relieved. Hence I need to see Dr Koe, not only for her to check HX jaundice but also to advise me on breastfeeding. True enough, we need to learn again how to breastfeed with every baby. Now HX is getting more patience, hence I am taking time to latch properly to ensure that she takes in big mouthful. Till now, a few attempts are still required for proper latching, hopefully we gets better once HX has better control of her head.

Postnatal blue...

After delivering HX, I have to say that this time is different compared to when I deliver HE 3 years ago

1. Emotion
I am more stable this time, probably I already know what to expect with a newborn and what I am supposed to do. Last time, I feel like my whole world is upside down, and changes was so drastic to me that I feel hard to keep up. Now, the challenge I need to overcome is how to cope with a newborn and a toddler, other than that, they are all within my expectation. Hence, life wise, I am pretty coping well.

2. Physical condition
This is the one out of my expectation. When I delivered HE, I don't need pain medicine at all. I can walk well with energy within 12 hours of delivery. However, this time round, I really walk like a gentle Japanese women in her kimono or an ancient chinese women with 3 inch foot. If I stand longer, I can start to feel shaky leg. Really weak! I also can't really sit for long without feeling ache at my back. Is it the side effect of epidural? or its simply because my stamina drop badly after 3 years. I can also feel heaviness at the tummy area which make my movement even slower.
while on pitocin drip, I don't feel pain at my tummy area, so I thought I should be able to cope without the need of analgesic. However, on the next day, I started to feel the uterine contraction. 3 years ago, I only feel it whenever I breastfeed HE, but now, I feel the pain regularly, the pain is so intense that I am feeling I am almost back to the labour room! The pain continue for the next 3 days. I frown and almost want to curl my body whenever the uterine contraction come. According to 'What to expect when you are expecting' the pain is greater when there was previous birth or the uterine muscle is overstretched. I think both explain when I suffer the pain so badly. The pain is relieved a bit better when I have an indon to 'urut' me. There seem to have another traditional believe that the pain is due to the blood clots inside the uterus. It seem quite true, after 'urut', more blood clots are seen on my pad. There is one day, I am so frightened to see a big blood clot on day 7 postdelivery, after I feel heaviness and pain at my lower tummy area again.
Apart from that, I also experience backache and headache. the ache at my left waist area woould emerge whenever the uterine contractions and pain start. But I think massage really help, after first session, the pains were less, I walk better, sit better and physically more capable.

3. Breastfeeding
see my next post.

Frakly speaking, there are many antenatal classes teaching which normally cover baby care, pregnancy, labour and breastfeeding but many don't touch on what to expect on the changes on new mother physically and emotionally and how to cope with it. At least certain confinement myths may be discussed and what could be wrong on moms body if certain things happen. I think many moms including myself would have stopped reading further once reach labour chapter and continue reading on babycare instead. Only now, when I feel more weak and much painful uterine contractions then I flip to the chapter on postpartum to understand why, just in case anything goes wrong. Sigh...we women is really betting our lifes on our children.

When HE sees HX

On the very night HX was delivered, she was already introduced to HE. My husband went to pick HE from babysitter place to visit me and HX. As expected, HE was very excited to see baby. I don't expect she understand what sister mean. I let HE touched HX, telling her that the baby is her sister, she need to 'sayang' her. Then HE attempt to hold HX while my mother in law supported the baby head and bottom.

Then HE saw the IV drip on my hand, she asked if I had fallen down, was it painful? I just told her there was a needle. SHe frowned and looked feeling sorry for me. When I went to toilet, HE saw my pad that was filled with blood, as I couldn't really closed the door due the drip. "what is that?" I felt sorry to let her see that as I thought it frightened her till she dare not use the toilet though she looked having the urge.

Later, as HE needed to leave with the babysitter, she was quiet. As I said bye bye to her, she didn't reply back, nor waving her hand. At first I didn't sense it, until my mom in law made face to me, then I suddenly realize that HE could be feeling sad that tonight she couldn't go home to sleep with daddy and mommy. Oh...

The next day, according to my mom in laws, HE behaved well and slept right after coming back from hospital. In the evening, she came home and again excited to see that baby was at home. "why baby come here?", "why baby is here, mommy?" we just replied her that this is baby home too. Then HE couldn't stopped touching HX, " yee...this is baby hand, this is baby leg, they are so small!" HE was really excited and she gagged all the time.

Night time, time to sleep. I went in with HX first, attempting to put her to sleep. Then hubby was supposed to sleep with HX at the living hall at the moment until we were ready for foursome. After spending an hour trying to put HX to sleep, I heard HE was crying outside, I could tell it was a sad cry and I normally hear that when HE accidentally knocked her head. A few burst of crying was heard, I thought HE was hurt. The next day, I asked my husband and mother in law, according to them, HE looked wanting to but hesitating to go into the room. HE didn't say or demand to sleep in the bedroom, but she kept going to and fro, watching the bedroom door. I almost teared out when I heard that, poor HE...she was such an understanding girl. No wonder the next morning, she straightaway came into the bed room with her pillow and bolster and want to cont sleeping on the bed although it was time to go to preschool.

Hence, we attempted to have 4 of us in the bedroom, HE, HX and I on the bed while husband on the floor. That very night, though it was pretty difficult to put HE to sleep as she kept wanted to look at HX, stroking and playing with her, husband and I managed to let HX and HE to sleep. It was a busy night for hubby and I. It was more challenging for mer as I had to watch out for HE for not falling off the bed at one end or hit HX on another end while attending the milk demand from HX. Hoo... After 3 nights, we set up the bed rail, and I would transfer HX to the cot ( which was attached to the queen size bed) once HX was asleep, to give four of us a sound sleep. Until we can figure out better solution, that was our sleep arrangement at the moment.

Now HE began to call HX by name. She didn't fuss even when she recognized that HX was wearing the clothes that she had once wore before. When I mentioned to her that she need to share toys and things with HX, she would repeat the words and seems not rejecting the idea. Every now and then, HE wanted to kiss HX and smell her. HE liked to ask " what smell is this" as she put her nose on HX head and 'sniff'. " baby smell lo" I replied. In the morning, if He woke up early in the morning and saw baby, she would tut her hand on HX head and stroke gently while closing back her eye. HE would also demand to sleep next to the baby, which I always rejected due to obvious reason. Lets hope HE and HX could get along well. :)

Newborn Jaundice

Another postnatal that I prayed hard about was no more neonatal jaundice in the baby. Although I knew that it was common especially among East Asian and even more prone in mother with blood type 0, which I am.

HE looked jaundice on the very second day of life. HX...a bit better, but tinge of yellow was observed especially when she cried on second day. On 4th day, I decided to bring her to the nearest clinic to have a blood test. Though I prefered to go Dr Koe's clinic, I dread the long que. Hence husband and I headed off to the paed clinic at Taman Pertama, Cheras, the paed that my babysitter used to bring the children to see.

There were not many patients, HX was weighed : 3kg. Very soon we were called in. Once in, the paed asked me to sit in front of him. Without informing me, he pull my knee to be in touh with his knee, so that the baby was placed between my and his thigh. I felt so uneasy but kept quiet. " so you want to check for jaundice." emotionless tone. " hm...baby does look yellowish, lets do blood test, but you had to sent to Pantai Cheras to analyse." Then he took the needle, failed, needle drop on the table, he had a hard time picking it up with his hand with oversize glove. Then, he insert in the needle, drop by drop, he collected the blood into the tube. The blood taking took so long! HX was screaming all the way. At that moment, I was so regret that I didn't bring her to Dr Koe's clinic. The last time HE was being taken blood, she was breastfed and blood was drawn in a flash.

Not sure it was due to exhaustion of screaming, HX slept right after blood sampling was drawn. After waited for around 1/2 hour, the result came : Bilirubin level was 239umol/L or 14gm/dL. We were called in again, the paed commented that the level was considered high at 4th day of life, and expected to rise further till peaked at day 7-8. Hence he wrote a letter of referral for admission. sigh, in my mind, history happen again...

While on the way to hospital, I called up the neonatologist whom I know to ask for opinion. After giving the details, he didn't think baby need to be admitted and 239 was low. However, as I am blood type 0, husband blood type B, he advised for second blood test the next day, in case baby had ABO incompatibility, furthermore, HX blood type was not done before discharged. Hence we headed home instead.

The next day, we went to Dr Koe's clinic. HX was weighed again: 3.05kg. From 11am till 1pm I waited. Before going to clinic, I had already started packing baby and my stuff, ready to be admitted to the hospital. In addition, HX looked more yellowish compared to last night. Once being attended, Rightaway, Dr Koe checked HX eye, mouth, leg, private part...(which the previous paed didn't do at all). Then she checked my breastfeeding technique and corrected the latching. She taught me again how to latch baby with cradle position and lying down position so that cracked nipple won't happen again.

As I was expecting that she would take a blood sample, Dr Koe came in again and asked if I had any query. I asked if blood test needed, she commented that HX jaundice didn't look that bad, not like her sister HE, hence blood test was not necessary and I could go home with antibiotic ointment for my nipples. I was so glad to hear that! Thank God, thank God!

HX day 1 and 2

On 5th April 2010, 1749, HX was borned at birth weight of 3.19kg. Same as the elder sister, she opened up her eye browsing the world right after delivery. There was a dimple at her left cheek, almost like my husband family. However, the nurse also informed to the gynae that a whitish hard lump was found at the left thigh. We were later informed by the Paed that the lump shouldn't be worrisome but just need monitoring.

After she was cleaned up, HX was put on my chest to be breastfed. Although I had already had breastfeeding experience, I had to admit that HX was good in suckling and she suckled strongly. Hearing HX swallowing the milk was so satisfying.

Back to the ward, I was still prescribed pitocin infusion for further 6 hours. I felt really exhausted post delivery. I passed out lots of urine and 'gas' too. Only after that, I felt more alert and was able to take my dinner.

Later at night, while there were only husbad, I and HX, HX began rooting for milk. I breastfed her, thought she would be well fed and sleep for the next hour just like when I fed her around 8pm. However, same things happened again when I had HE, just this time it was more challenging as HX seemed to be less patience. When I failed to latch her probably, she would cry and became fussy. At certain times, she even cried till there was tears! As I couldn't really sit for long, I breastfeed her at lying position. With that position and the jelly like baby, it wasn't easy to latch her on. Furthermore the nurses were not helping at all. At one moment, a nurse came in with a bottle of formula 'baby lapar ke, nak bagi susu?". Another time, I got worried when HX kept hiccuping, hence I called nurse in, 2 nurses came, they commented the room could be cold and asked to put the baby in nursery as there was no aircond, when I asked her if they could bring to me the baby whenever she cried for milk, I could tell the hesitation, even near to frowning face, ' kalau you nak baby dengan U, U kena off aircond." ok, fine, I opted to off aircond though I was sweating away and also the fact that HX kept sneezing.

The whole night, I kept struggling latching on HX, sometimes successfully, sometimes not. She fussed, cried, sometimes screams. At certain times, she would let go and cried to the point I was worried that she might have stuffed nose that make her refuse to be fed. I kept praying, so that she had no respiratory problems, as that would really put an end to breastfeeding.

Things was not quite improved the next day. Fussiness continued during feeding time, though there were times she was settled. I managed to pull through and HX behaved when my colleagues drop by to visit me. After waited for paed to examine her, we were ready to be discharged around 4 plus pm.