I'm migrating my blog. My new blog address is: http://lilacjunkie.wordpress.com.
It's been something I've been contemplating for a while. I first started this blog to document my journey through pregnancy, hence the peapod in the address. But as time went by, and my pregnancy being uneventful, I started blogging more about other things that were happening in my life, such as my hobby - scrapbooking. So this blog evolved and the peapod wasn't so adequate anymore. And now, with the arrival of my darling Cherise, I've outgrown this blog, hence the final decision to make the move.
Thanks for following the posts so far - please do continue to visit at the new blog. Friends (and others) - please update your links! I'm sorry for the inconvenience.
Congratulations to Roy and Ade on the arrival of their little princess!
Here's a little something I made for the new baby!
Welcome to our world, little one!
Just because we have a baby doesn't mean we surrender the right to turn away people who wish to visit.
Spare a thought for me. My husband has gone back to work, leaving me to care for the baby alone most of the time. I'm not complaining - it's a joy I cherish. But that means I really don't have the energy to entertain guests, especially when Hunny is working and I'll be alone at home. Don't get offended when we say, "Not today, come again another day." Some days are just busy days.
Even my father doesn't quite dare to visit me (and my parents stay in the next block) because I'm usually scantily clad in a nursing bra and shorts.
Just because I'm breastfeeding doesn't mean my boobs are public domain.
Only one reason for this post -
I managed to bathe baby - ALL BY MYSELF!
*clap clap clap clap clap*
Ok, ok, I can practically hear you experienced parents out there saying, "No biggie," but it is a big deal for me! It is the last hurdle! Now I have attained "fly solo" status! Which is important because I can't keep getting my mom to come over and help me bathe the baby...
But just because I can do it doesn't mean I don't appreciate the extra pair of hands.
Last night was a nightmare. I was alone at home with baby because Hunny was doing the night shift. Cherise's been spitting up her milk - a common occurrence amongst young babies, I hear. Got to do with the sphincter muscle not fully developed yet, so milk tends to come back up. Nothing much to worry about. But man! The sheer amount of work involved! Only one word to describe it - overwhelming. So what happened last night? It started in the wee hours of the morning - Cherise started to show signs of having an "episode". Best way to manage this is to keep her as upright as possible after a feed. Not too difficult (praise God for the people who invented the sling!) but how do you change a nappy while keeping a baby upright?? Crunch time came at 3 am. Cherise woke up for her feed. But she decided to poo first. So I had to decide - feed or change diaper first? Change diaper. So I mentally girded my loins and prepared for the screaming - a hungry baby is an inconsolable baby. Went to get some warm water - out came milk. Placed her on her changing table - out came milk. Her outfit's got to be changed now. Never mind. Changed diaper - massive load of poo! By which time she was screaming. I felt so apologetic - hope the neighbours didn't wake up! Took massive self-control to continue speaking in a soothing, calming voice to baby - whilst she's still yelling her lungs out. Almost got the new diaper on - out comes pee. Sigh. True test of patience now! Cleaned her again, and worked on the diaper at twice the speed. Done. Brought her to the bedroom (we were sleeping in the hall - less claustrophobic) to change her outfit. Out comes milk - all over my clothes this time. Sigh sigh. Prayed. Hard. Desperately. Removed her outfit - out comes milk. Seriously contemplating not putting any clothes on her (what's the point?), but I put on a new outfit anyway. Double time.
And if you think that's the end of the story - well, I changed Cherise's outfit about 4 times last night. That's how bad an episode gets. Thank God it only happens occasionally, and it doesn't seem to cause her any discomfort.
But I have to add, just so I don't alarm people - there's really nothing to worry about. I hate it when people think that Cherise is "not ok". Really makes my blood boil. Cherise is fine. Her doctor says she's healthy and gaining well. She's just doing a baby thing, which is exacerbated by the fact that she's very squirmy. So sometimes when she "exerts" too hard, she places pressure on her diaphragm which causes the milk to come out. That's what I read anyway. So she's fine. In fact, the whole thing is quite manageable - if you have more than one pair of hands. That's why it's so difficult to handle alone - because you don't clean the butt and the mouth at the same time. Makes me wish I were an octopus.
I've been tagged by Hunny!
Four Jobs I have had in my life:
1) Cashier at a bar
2) Admin Assistant
3) Teacher
4) Private Tutor
Four Places I have lived:
1) Toa Payoh
2) Lorong Chuan
3) Seletar Hills
4) Braddell
Four Countries I have been on Vacation:
1) Australia (Melbourne/Perth/Tasmania)
2) Thailand (Bangkok)
3) China (Shanghai/Hong Kong)
4) Mauritius
Four Favourite Foods:
1) Sashimi
2) Fish Head Curry
3) Durian Gelato
4) Billy Bombers' Burgers
Four Places I'd rather be right now:
1) On holiday with Hunny and Baby - anywhere away from Singapore
2) Linda's Shop - pampering and beautifying myself
3) The Hair Spa - getting a much-needed hair cut
4) Sentosa - island retreat with Hunny and Baby
Four People I'm going to Tag:
1) totochan
2) starmist (have you done this one already?)
3) erh.. I don't know anyone else who blogs who hasn't been tagged. :(
4)
We (all 3 of us) went for our first outing together yesterday! I had a gynae appointment in the morning, while Cherise had to go see the paediatrician to clear some mucus in her nose. So after we had seen our respective doctors at the hospital, we headed off to United Square for some shopping therapy!
Here are some pics:
Cherise sleeping in her car seat - mouth wide open!
All snuggled up in the car seat..
Pretty in pink!
She looks so small...
Yesterday was a good day for me. I was really happy - not just because I finally got a chance to get out of the flat. Let's see, Cherise's doctor said she was gaining lots of weight. Healthy baby! Cherise now weighs 3.92kg - 900g more than when she was born 3 weeks ago! This reassures me a lot - at least I know I'm producing enough milk to nourish my baby... And she's filling out really nicely. A couple of ladies at United Square said, "Oh look at the baby, so cute!" Sweetest words I heard the whole day...
I'm also making progress in other areas (besides the usual feeding/diaper changing). I've learnt how to use the sling (thanks Noe for helping me out!) - and this has helped free up my hands so I can do other things... like scrap! And housework, of course. Ahem.
The sling..
Baby in the sling! She loves to be in it.. whenever she's fussy and having trouble sleeping, I pop her in and she nods off almost instantaneously!
And here's what this busy mommy has been up to..
A mini album I scrapped for baby. It's supposed to be like a brag book - something for Adrian to take to work and show his colleagues.
Pages of the album..
An ongoing project - little booklets for our friends. I'll be giving these away come this weekend - baby's first month! I've completed five already - I don't really have a quota, just going to see how many I can complete by Sunday. :)
So, all in all, there's some semblance of normality in my life now. Baby's fitting in fine - it's not like those first few days when everything had to revolve around her and there was no time, no energy left for anything else. My body's getting used to having sleep in bits and pieces instead of one long stretch, and feeding Cherise is getting easier and easier as I get accustomed to it. I'm glad - we're all adjusting to each other just fine. :)
Here are some more photos of baby Cherise!
Here's Hunny burping her after a feed. 
Sleeping beauty..
More sleeping beauty..
That's all I have now - will take more photos soon!
