Train ride

Together with gong gong we took the train this morning to visit one of the kindergartens in our neighbourhood.

This was her maiden trip and she performed really well. She held hands and minded the gap as she crossed over the platform into the cabin.








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Card for watt

As a gesture of appreciation, Natalie made a card for doctor watt.

First she used watercolour to paint the front cover...


Then she used construction paper, stickers, ribbons, a photo of Nathan and herself as well as magic pens to write and design the content of the card.



She was so happy with her artwork and personally handed the card as well as toffees to dr. Watt Saying "this is for you at the same time!"



Mummy is so proud of you darling!

First month checkup

We brought Nathan for his first month checkup today. It was a long wait to see his doctor as Veronica is really popular amongst the parents. I've decided to stick with Natalie's pd since birth as she is proven to be real gentle with babies and talks to them in such a feminine way that gains baby's trust.

Nathan was totally oblivious to her touch as she always warms her hands before holding the babies. It was these little gestures that mothers view as going the extra mile when handling her tiny clients, and made it worth the extra bucks for us to see her and join in the super long list of appointments.

Even when given the 6 in 1 jab, nathan had been a brave little boy and only made one loud scream. This was so different from the treatment of babies in the clinic next door.

Dr toh commented how strong and sturdy he was at 5.05kg. Comparatively Natalie was only 3.95kg at point of checkup. So happy to see all my efforts of expressing and feeding not going to waste and fully consumed by him!

Here are photos of the strong little boy and her popo and jie jie cheering him on...








































































Btw we waited almost 2 hours to see dr toh and only managed to grab lunch at chef daniel's at 2ish! Natalie was super hungry by that time and she gobbled up my soup and pasta greedily leaving little for the hungry mummy.




















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Nursing cover

I've been trying to look for a good nursing cover that allows me to have a visual on Nathan while he feeds.

I was prepared to settle for one of the more popular brands such as balboa, pulsik studio, jj Cole, babe au lait etc, where I could either purchase online or at major dept stores. However, being a careful shopper and with so many mixed reviews regarding the various brands, I wanted to feel the material myself and if the price is much cheaper than international postage, I would rather save the hassle and get them off the rack.

So we Went to mothercare but they didn't have the design that I wanted. They carried jj Coles ($49) design but I find the material way too thin and flimsy despite it being 100percent cotton. Babe au lait ($55) was wide enough with good visual but design was too polka dotty for me. Pulsik studio($45) only had a single range of browns with coloured spots on rack, which I didn't quite like either. Was told by the shop attendant to checkout the outlet at paragon or centrepoint. So we ended up shopping at centrepoint. Again the range was no different. I was kind of disappointed!

Now that we've spent the time scouting, I really do not want it to be a wasted trip, so i persuaded hubby to checkout robinsons. That's when I came across a similarly designed piccolo nursing bib! It had a lot more selections to choose from and the cotton material felt similar to that of babe au Lait, where it is thick and none flimsy. And best of all, it was going at only half the price with an additional 20percent off! It is a Super good deal! am so happy with my steal!

Liberation

The feeling of liberation after 1 month of confinement was less intense given that this was my second delivery and fact that I had taken strolls to the playground for the prescribed dose of vitamin d to reduce Nathan's bilirubin level. however, it's still good to know that I am now officially out of the confinement period. No more fanless nights, hot flushes, losing all that pregnancy bulge but far from my original figure, and saying goodbye to the extra person in the house ie my confinement nanny are just some of the more apparent perks at the end of this restrictive tradition. Of course Natalie has been the happiest as it means that mummy could now officially sleep and hold hands with her while she sleeps in Aircon and bring her opposite to borrow and return her library books, especially when papa had been away for more than 2 weeks during my confinement. Mummy is also able to follow her to school rather than her 'dong dong'( she has been calling her gong gong 'dong dong' since she first learnt to speak and it kind of stuck as its her special way of addressing her grandpa) and popo and not forgetting her dearest yiyi as well!

So was there a major difference to my lifestyle? To be honest, we've established an expression, feeding and sleeping routine that it makes little difference in what I do each day. Mum who visited me commented how busy I was with no rest time at all other than the 1 or 2 hours of precious nap time where both children are asleep but this doesn't happen everyday! still looking at both the babies loving each other and natalie being the forever helpful girl who dotes on her little brother makes it all worthwhile! Can't imagine leaving them at home when work starts.

Anyway we celebrated my liberation and Nathan's full month last Sunday! Invited some close uni friends over for a get together, and my maid single handedly cooked up a storm! We prepared fried bee boon, chicken curry, broccoli and cauliflower with prawns, nuggets, fries, and almond longan for our guests.

Friends brought along their children and Natalie was such a good host! Without us even prompting, she brought out her jigsaw puzzles and toys to share with her new friends! She even remembered to retrieve the packets of gum drops which she had kept aside the night before and distributed them to her friends. Such generosity! Appended are pictures of all her friends!






And how can I forget the star of the day......?

Nathan's Full month celebration

A late post...draft which was kept on my iPad...well it's never too late to post it. And again it reminded me of how quick they both grew!!!

It had been a while since we last had a HL gathering and thought we should do one as Nathan turns 1 month. I've invited all my close uni friends over for lunch last Sunday and the kids had a jolly good time playing with Natalie's toys.

Natalie being her usual sweetness was anticipating the arrival of her friends since morning and she didn't forget to take out the goodie packs which she had prepared and kept aside for distribution to her friends! We were so preoccupied that day with food preparation and catching up with the latest happenings amongst friends, but fortunately she being a great host, remembered and took out the goodies to share with her friends. WHAT A RELIABLE GIRL!!

Nathan young and oblivious to the world had a fun time too gazing at presents and new faces and wondering whats going on....somehow I think he knows he is in the lime light!

Appended are photos of Nathan all dressed up for his big occassion.

Nathan at 1 month 1 week with Natalie at 30 mths

Both babies decided to cry at the same time!








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Mastitis vs blocked ducts

Found a good site that described the difference between mastitis and blocked ducts clearly, stating symptoms and cure!

Making a bookmark for it. Hopefully there is no need to refer ever again!


http://kellymom.com/bf/concerns/mom/mastitis.html#what

Mastitis 2

It has been 2 days since I had mastitis. Definitely not a good feeling, but what's comforting is the concern that my daughter has expressed when she sees me lying in bed. Here's what she said to me...

N : mama are you sick?
M: yes mama is sick.
N: are you not well? Are you having a fever?
M: yes I am having a fever.
N: I love you mama.
Then she went off and returned with her kodomo cooling adhesive.
N: mama is having a fever, use this ya. I hold hand with mama.
( she finds comfort in holding hands and demands for it when she sleeps)
N: mama is sick, must go hospital see doctor yes?
M: yes I will see a doctor at the clinic. Thanks baby.

Mastitis

I suffered from mastitis last night! It was the worst experience ever! My symptoms include a fever, chills, flu-like aching throughout my entire body and bones! The pain was horrible! And unbearable!

Fortunately Nathan has been a good drinker and drained out the affected breast as I practiced direct night feeds. But each suckle was accompanied by excruciating pain that literally sucks your life out! All other methods of hot compression, massage and hot baths didn't work as well!

Having gone through this horribly painful experience, I will practice direct feeds at night! Good news for my helper who would be able to sleep through going forward.

Nathan's baby favour

Ordered a really adorable baby favor for my colleagues since it's the mooncake festival and they must be tired of savories.

The baby favor came in a cute personalised box with name card, personalized stamp at box cover, toffees, chocolate eggs, lollipop and a Teddy bear!

Natalie loved it! She simply
Couldn't resist the adorable little choc eggs and lollipop!



























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