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?
Monday, May 24, 2010
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
"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.....
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.....
Saturday, May 1, 2010
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
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.
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
Thursday, April 29, 2010
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.
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.
Monday, April 26, 2010
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.:)
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.:)
Sunday, April 25, 2010
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.
Saturday, April 24, 2010
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.
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.
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