Birthdays!

We have 2 birthdays to celebrate this month!

The first is Annika's full month celebration, which we held on the 22nd of August. It really is a milestone, surviving the toughest month of the baby's life. I'm so grateful that she didn't have any major problems the first month, unlike Madison, who had the groin abcess, bad jaundice and then URTI at the end of the month.

We held the party at the Novena house. Catered with Gustos-- they catered for Pa's opening at Healthway at 111 Somerset, so I figured they must be reasonably good since Healthway has an entire marketing team to source for caterers.

The party was a success. I'm glad we opened it to my parents' choir friends, they made up half the guests and contributed quite a bit to the atmosphere. The entire event lasted over 4 hours and the guests came at just the right time throughout the event. Am also grateful to my mother-in-law for helping in the preparation of the party. And of course, my parents who shopped endlessly to get stuff ready for the party. There were plenty of kids to entertain each other and of course, they had fun with all the toys at home.

Today, is the other birthday! Mine! Turned 33 .. I was thinking, 33 years ago I was a tiny baby, not unlike Annika and my mother was the one carrying me. 33 years later and the roles have changed... I'm the one carrying the baby. 33 and 2 kids. Am happy with my job. Hopefully the kids turn out ok. Good hubby... supportive families on either side. That's not bad. Of course I could do with Heidi Klum's body, drive a Porsche Cayenne or Panamera and live in 4,000 sq feet of land, but really I shouldn't complain.

To celebrate my birthday, Pa cooked an elaborate Japanese dinner yesterday. He started planning the minute I told him I'd rather have dinner at home than to go out to a fancy restaurant. We had sashimi, home made chawanmushi, wagyu steak, tempura and ramen noodles. There wasn't time to make the california rolls so they became a DIY course. For dessert we had the birthday cake from Cedele and lots of mooncakes. Of course there was the mandatory picture taking, candle blowing ( this time Madison actually blew the candles out for me! ) It was a really nice family affair. Pa spent over 3 hours slaving away in the kitchen. That is better than any restaurant meal.

Today, we had dinner at Marriot with Chris' mum, Neil, Tim Hui and Brenda. Tim and Brenda were visiting from Hong Kong. They were really thoughtful and brought gifts for the kids too. Madison absolutely loved her soft toy bumblebee backpack. Smart choice. We had the buffet dinner and of course Madison had her fill of dessert.

I'm still eagerly awaiting my present from Pa and Ma! I know what it is already.. but am not going to jinx it until I receive it. I'm really excited. I also had a few messages from close friends wishing me Happy Birthday. It's so touching to know that people actually remember and care.

The day is over... my final wish is for a good night's sleep.. that'll be a great gift from both my children.. if they can possibly grant it for tonight! ( wishful thinking! Maybe in another year's time..)

Bad nights

We've been having a spate of bad nights recently.

Last night was terrible. Annika settled well initially at 7PM, but then it was downhill from there starting past midnight. She was up every hour, probably due to gas bothering her, but then after that would be fussy and could not be settled with rocking. I ended up nursing her but then she would sleep for an hour and the battle would start again. It finally ended at 6 AM with all of us exhausted and on the bed.

SO.. I've finally decided she DEFINITELY needs awake time in the day time routinely. Possibly 5 or 6 hours if we can manage it? Maybe like an hour after each sleep period? Tried to follow Gina Ford but it doesn't seem to work. Funny how I cannot remember what Madison was like at the same age.

Madison had her music class this morning, then lunch at home for her. During their naps Chris and I stole out to get a breather. Lunch for us at Toast then a spot of shopping at Takashimaya where they are having a baby product sale. Later in the afternoon we all went to the beach to let Madison fly her kite. Ended up needing to nurse Annika on a park bench at the beach too. But we did alright!

Dinner was at Boon Tong Kee. Chris took his mom, Neil, Madison and Warni over for dinner while I tried to settle Annika down for the night. It was nice having the house to myself! I could nurse in front of the TV, go to the kitchen and grab snacks etc. Took ages to settle her .. in the end Chris had to rock her down to sleep. Seems like the fastest way to tire her out is when she is post a screaming fit!

Sigh.. another night to face. Am getting resigned to bad nights..

Week 4 post baby

I cannot believe how time flies!

4 weeks ago on this day I was in the final day of the pregnancy, without really knowing it. It was a Wednesday too, can you believe it!

I was at the Gardens walking and having contractions (which I thought were Braxton Hicks!!). Today, exactly 4 weeks later it was like deja vu... except minus the heavy belly.

I am still trying to figure out a routine for Annika, and to make it fit around everything else. Funny how with Madison I wanted it to be textbook right, following the Gina Ford principles. Today, I'm alot more relaxed about it, but I do borrow her ideas to try and work it out.

Initially life was harder because Annika could feed half to hourly. Now that she's a little bigger and probably has some store( as well as a greater stomach capacity ) she can last at least 2 hours. That gives me more time to run errands and do other stuff. I wonder how much she weighs now.
She definitely is 53 cm long. We think her birth measurement was wrong. She measured 49 cm at birth, but when we took her for her jaundice check at day 4 she was 53 cm! We checked it at home and it was 53cm.

This week with Madison is a little better. Partly because I am starting to have more time with her ( Madison ) and partly because she is slowly adjusting to the baby. It also helps that Chris' mum is here to spend time with Madison so that takes some of the pressure off me in the afternoons.

So far Chris has been on call twice, once during the week and once over the entire weekend. Warni has been great. She stayed over all 3 days. We take turns with the 2 kids so it's quite a team effort.

Neil arrived today, and will be staying 10 days. We are really blessed to have a great supportive family on both sides, and I am eternally grateful. The full month party is happening this Sunday, and I've booked Gustos to cater for the guests. We're not quite sure exactly how many are coming, so I paid for 50 people. We'll cook if there's not enough.

To thank Dr John Tee, I went to Jones the Grocer at Dempsey Hill to get a food hamper. Cost me $400! But to be fair, it was a really nice one and they packed it well. I hope he likes the stuff and actually uses it. ( rather than just give it away! )

The next hurdle will be when I have to start work. Am getting nervous about it, especially having to fit feeding around it. With Madison I didn't bottle feed at all because she refused it after 3 months. I'd rather do the same with Annika, but I don't know if I'll have that luxury. I'll take it as it comes. I'm still in 2 minds as to whether to start giving her some bottles during the day.

Hopefully things will start to settle down and Annika will start sleeping longer AT NIGHT... she's been staying up from 2 or 3 am till 5 am the past few nights...

Present for doc; visitors

I can't believe it's almost been a month!

I have an appointment with the obstetrician on the 25th August, and am thinking of getting him something nice. He happens to be a family friend too, so has been waiving his professional fees for me thus far. He did a great job of managing the pregnancy and then subsequently a difficult C section.

The last time we got him some nice wine and a hamper. This time, I am thinking of doing something a little different. But I'm not sure whether it'll be wierd.Maybe I should still stick to the hamper/wine. He likes to run, so I was thinking of getting him a heartrate monitor/watch device. But that's a little personal. Just that it's practical. Hm.. Chris thinks it's weird too. Maybe I'll just get him a nice hamper from Jones the grocer at Dempsey.

Yesterday we had a bumper crop of visitors. My mother-in-law is around visiting for the month. Then for some reason everyone decided it was a good day to come. My aunt and her 2 friends came over bearing confinement food and cakes and a gift for the baby. I had to feed the baby in between chatting with them. Then Joan and Su came over too. It was great that Su brought a gift for Madison; I think she really liked the mini Minnie mouse from Disneyland. Thanks a million, Su!

Wei Yee also happened to arrive at the same time from KL. I had to go pick her up from the bus station, which was fortunately just down the road at Novena Square. Then come back, feed the baby again and keep an eye out for Madison. Thank goodness Chris had finished work by then and he took over the baby..who was grisly by then because she couldn't sleep with the noise!

Anyhow. In the end, everyone left, and after I finally settled Annika down for the night we went out to dinner. Just nearby, with Chris and his mum. It was nice getting out for a meal though.

Another battle this weekend: Chris is on call the entire weekend!

3rd week with Annika

It's been a crazy week!

So busy that it feels like there's hardly enough time in the day to breathe. Except when the kids are finally down for the day and I finally get to relax, have a drink and not feel like someone needs looking after/entertaining! But then by then I'm supposed to be sleeping too so that I can cope with the nights.

Annika is definetely more awake this week. So much more aware too, that now for some strange reason I cannot seem to successfully put her down for her naps. Overnight she needs to be carried for most of the day. We're trying to get her on some form of routine but it's not been easy juggling 2 kids. At least with hindsight, I know all this is temporary and she will eventually be on a similar schedule to Madison. So no need to stress about it right now.

Breastfeeding is exhausting too. Now I remember how tempted I was to give up at various stages with Madison. My back, neck and shoulders are aching constantly from supporting her while she feeds. My boobs are needless to say, sore despite correct latching. ( But that's getting better). And the time taken to complete each feed! Then settle her. And then it's close to another feeding time. I really wish I had an iPad right now. At least I could read an e-book while she eats!

Madison is getting the green eyes too. I think the novelty of a baby has truly worn off and she is acting up occasionally. Thank goodness for school 3 times a week. Its funny how a few months ago I couldn't fathom sending her to school every day; now I am seriously contemplating sending her on a daily basis!

Chris has started back at work this week. I was nervous at the start; he was on call on day 1! But I coped alright. It helps that Warni is excellent with kids and she hit it off with Annika on day 1. So because of that I get to have a little break everyday. She stayed over with me when Chris was on call, but Annika was great that night so I didn't need her help. Still, it was a psychological support that I got.

This weekend is going to be another challenge. Chris is on call the entire weekend and so I'll have to figure everything out myself for the 2 kids and his mom . Man. I need more than luck.

Week 2 post baby

It's been one hell of a week.

Managing 2 kids is quite a challenge. So far we've been coping, despite the amazing lack of sleep every night. The first week was somewhat a honeymoon period- the baby ate, slept, ate and slept. And pooed and peed in between but I didn't have to settle her much. There was the usual engorged boobs, pain from the Csection wound and bleeding but I have to say, it seems less painful and horrible compared to the natural birth the first time round. No wonder female doctors opt for elective C sections!

The second week started off slightly better. At least we didn't have to go to KKH first thing in the morning. Took the baby to the Gardens again, but she was fussing most of the trip unless we carried her. We also made a trip to the Australian embassy to lodge her citizenship application.

The swimming club has been a great place for us as well. Chris took Madison and Elizabeth for a dip in the pool. There's a decent parents' room at the club which is airconditioned as well ( most of the club isn't ) which is a godsend in the current weather.

Annika is starting to have more awake periods. Initially she could stay up for 3o minutes but the past few days it has stretched to an hour. It's quite cool how she can localize a voice and turn towards it. The downside to this is that she is getting harder to settle to sleep. But I guess Madison was the same too at that age. That's the beauty of hindsight. Makes me less stressed about these things second time round.

Madison, on the other hand, was a bit of a green eyed monster this week. I think the novelty of a baby is starting to wear off, and she was acting up quite a bit. She'd start crying out in the middle of the night too. I figured she felt left out since I'd been carrying the baby and not her, so started to carry her this week. I know I'm not supposed to do any heavy lifting, but I don't think she'd be able to understand this for another 3 weeks! Seems to have helped though, she's happier now.

Chris had to go back to work on Wednesday and I was left with the kids for most of the day. I was quite nervous initially, but I DID it! I survived! Dropped Madison off at school, fed the baby, picked Madison up while Warni watched the baby, then fed the baby again while Madison had lunch, waited till Warni put Madison down for her nap then took the baby out to get some lunch. Was doing ok until close to 4 PM when I simply needed to crash, BUT Annika just wouldn't settle! In the end I took her to bed and I fell asleep. I think she did too, eventually.

This week marks the end of Chris' leave. I'm worried about coping on my own, mainly because he's been the main parent to Madison for the past 2 weeks. I'm so tired most of the time that I don't feel the energy or mood to entertain her. I feel bad towards her but the baby needs my time and attention right now. It doesn't help that the active toddler in her feels the need to be shouting, jumping and getting into fights with her cousin Elizabeth most of the time.

But, I know it's all temporary, and before long it'll be in the distant past. I'm trying to treasure the time now that the kids are small and cute. Just would be nice if I could do that AND have sleep at the same time!