Mobile changing station

Yippee! Our first outing with the baby that is not to the pediatrician! With a bag full of things packed for emergency, off we went, to one of the most crowded places a couple can bring their baby on a Saturday, 2 weeks before CNY – Orchard. Tsk tsk tsk, not a very wise decision I must say. Before we even stepped foot to the departmental store, our friend has already done a big poo job in the car, crying to be changed asap!

Daddy M: let's change her in the boot.

SK: Huh? So hot?!

Daddy M: No lah , it's not hot in the boot.

SK: Huh? IN the boot or ON the boot?

Don't worry, bb S was comfortably lying on a diaper mat just in case you can't see clearly from the picture.

Powderpuff girl

Mom's traditional remedy for rashes - "bedak sejuk" aka cold powder which has cooling effect. Shaped like Hershey's Kisses, they are made from rice that have been soaked in water for months and sun dried. We've got a bottle of these powder from mom's friend who is in her 70's and swears by it. Apparently she has not used any cosmetics or skin care in her life but able to keep her skin smooth and blemish- free thanks to her homemade bedak!

I'm not sure if the powder is helping bb S's rashes but she seems to enjoy it after bath every day!

What's in the library

Imagine the scene: the clock strikes 2 in the early morning; the husband is half asleep; the baby is crying; the wife frantically flips through books under dimmed lights “what does the book say”...Well if only it's that easy... After a few days/ nights  of book referrals, I gave up. I'm learning to labour into REST and be led by the spirit.

The real drill- cont’d

Night 3 after CL left – The party started from 1am to 6am. Fed: 2x. Diaper change: 6x. Picked up pacifier that dropped off the mouth: 100x. 

I need a lasik surgery- sleeping with my glasses on is super unglam…

The real drill

The honeymoon period is over. The confinement lady left 2 days ago. Despite her initial incompetence, she spared us from some sleepless nights as she was in charged of the night feeds for a few weeks.  We were blessed to have some 6 hours of sleep every night.

Night 1 after CL left- BB S moved in with us. She was cranky from about 1am to 3am. Fed, changed, burped, carried, checked room temperature, fed again, pacified and finally after almost 2 hours, M managed to put her to sleep (I fell asleep half way through!)

Night 2 after CL left- Mom (aka the nanny of the century) offered to help and BB S moved in with her. Apparently, the rated nanny was also challenged as BB S was cranky from 2am to 4am, refused to be fed.

Night 3 -  ??

The chef returns…

A few nights ago, I had a sudden crave for fried rice and felt like cooking. It’s been months since I last cooked! It was weird to not able to find a few things in my own kitchen as it’s been conquered by mom and confinement lady.  I secretly felt like I’ve lost my sanctuary…

Simple fried rice with Chinese sausage and chicken but it was extra tastier after one-month of abstinence!

Note: 1st time in history, baby’s mom cooked for the hired confinement aunty!

Total-mom or sophisticated?

Finally went for my long overdue hair cut and colour yesterday. Satisfied and felt 'normal' again after enduring the "aunty" look for 1 month! My hair length was at the 'in between' phase - too short to tie up nicely but too long for the hot weather +heaty confinement food! The perpetual hair clip (fringe too long) almost left a mark on my scalp.

Although it looks like I'm joining the total-mom-hair-cut club with the short length ( some call it sophisticated cut), I think it's worth the hassle of getting into town, ensuring someone is with bb S, pressing for time to be home in max 4 hours.

I'm happified and not thinking too much of the warnings by my hairdresser and colour technician that shedding of hair is expected into the 5th or 6th month post partum. Yikes!

Happy 1st month

Thank God for the 30 days! As I held Sophie today, I know that very soon, I will miss the feeling of holding her whole body in my arms (as she grows bigger and bigger!!). Just a matter of a week or two ago, I was able to cup her with one arm, but I need two arms now. Sometimes I still think it's surreal and asked M “How did this little thing manage to hide in my tummy for 9 months?” The first few times M responded with “What kind of stupid question is that". Now, he just ignore me :). It is really amazing how this little fella has accompanied ME and only ME for the past 9 months, just me and her, doing everything together, 24/7, sharing every emotions of mine, being with me as I slogged through the nights in the office, kicking me to signal me to go home and rest! I get all teary every time I think of that... I know this may be a bit late, but I'm finally getting gushy about my pregnancy. I was quite neutral through out my pregnancy (apart from the 1st 2 days after discovering that I was preggers). I was not overly in awe or sentimental (if you remember, I didn't tear when I first saw the sonogram). I promise to be gushier next round!

Oh just humour me to be gushy for the last time today:  I wish I can cup her in my arms forever (ok, the cynics are probably vomiting by now). As my dad was telling me: “Soon she will grow and be able to argue with you...”(Gulp).  Let me indulge in my dream for a little longer...