16Nov2011

Phew! It was a tiring holiday.

The whole family, kids n grandparents included, and close family frens decided to take a cruise. So off we went on Superstar Libra for a 4D3N cruise Pg-Phuket-Krabi-Pg.

Indeed it was quite nice, minus the kids...but if kids included....its just not suitable. Well, technically not suitable for kids below 5, I'd say. Otherwise it'd be a perfect holiday. To make things worse, AIR1 just has to be at his 'best' at throwing tantrums in the morning daily. Until the staff there has recognized him. And then AIR2 wasn't too well with a stuffed nose and poor lil' girl was not comfy at times.

However, the trip also turned out to be a real workout for hub n I. We went to Patong Beach in Phuket and went to the Patong Ceylon Mall (can't really remember what exactly it was called). Almost 80% of the time, AIR1 wanted to be carried. And so he stuck to me like a semi-permanent attachment ;p Even slept on me throughout our 1.5-2km walk from the complex to the jetty. And AIR2 stuck to hub...and together we had out weight workout. ;p Thank goodness my knees are still intact and not sore...and hopefuly ready for PBIM this sunday.

But anyways, so what's so special on 16Nov 2011?

Got back to good ol' Pg and shortly after all the chaotic disembarkment etc etc and reached home, I got a call from a strange number. Thinking it was from True Fitness who was for the umpteenth time trying to give me a 2-week free pass and remind me to go collect it as it was almost 2 weeks since my appointment. I answered and there was this Chinese sounding guy trying his best to speak broken malay to me. I was almost annoyed, but when he told me he was calling from Dumex Mamil, I listened a bit more. At the back of my mind I thought he was trying to get me to update my info on their database or something of that sort.

Then he mentioned something which caught me instantly...which I didn't pay attention initially. He asked if I joined the contest, but I heard if I had joined the Mamil Club ...hahaha then by then I spoke English to him and I guess he was relieved. He proceeded to congratulate me. And said I've won. I expected him to say I won RM500 for AIR2 (cos I put her name there) and RM500 was the consolation prize, but he said congratulations, you won RM5,000.!!! I was like 'WHAT? Oh, ok...' pretending to be cool. And now, he is talking!!

So info n procedures were mentioned. Thank God I answered the call. Now I wonder if he had tried many times to call me earlier but failed.

And when I looked at the contest details again, I was surprised...RM5,000 is actually the 1st prize for the weekly winner!!

Woweeee! 1st time ever winning a first prize in contest of this sort....(Fear Factor doesn't count, ok.) ;p

Now can't wait to get the bank acc set up for AIR2! Yipee!! (aptly said and pun intended! - am supposed to open a Yipee savings account thru Maybank) hahahaha ;p

Now time to go zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz!

Day 1 LDU

After much contemplation, I will be in Lahad Datu without AIR2.

Thanks Fong for the effort in helping find the nursery. Managed to go view it and though there were people there, I didn't stop to talk/chat/check with them. It's a proper nursery, I'd consider it when I'm back here again in a couple of weeks' time. But quite pricey too...

Without AIR2 I will have more flexibility in terms of time management and movement. Weather will not be a major concern. Oh yes, if it rains, traffic and time to go fetch her will have to be considered. Who said a small town like LDU does not have traffic jams?

I will also have less things to bring along.

But I will surely miss her laughs and baby talk every morning and night. And her brother's antics band daddy's too.

So far, its been relaxing. Let's see what happens tomorrow.

Now let me wake up at 530am for a run tomorrow!

21 weeks and balding

AIR2 is now 5months and 1 week old. Time flies.

About 2 weeks or so ago, I started experiencing significant hair fall. Then I recalled that during this similar period, with AIR1, I also had this same experience and I got really worried then. I thought it was due to b/feeding (I was then but not now) but I guess its mainly due to hormonal changes.

It's really scarry. Comb my hair and I'll see large quantities stuck to the hairbrush. It's even worse after washing my hair. When I dry my hair, I seem to be 'sweeping' off hair from my head. And it's kinda significant cos 'hair thinning spots' can now be noticed.

Somehow I'm not as panicky as I was the last time, knowing the fact that it would one day just return to normal. HOwever I am not taking it fogranted. Vitamins should not be neglected.

Any of you have the same experience after child birth?

Still unwell

Think it's the season....so many kids are down and out with fever and the works!

AIR wasn't spared. All of a sudden he came home with fever, and that was 5 days ago. I thought my body was cold form the car air-cond, so when I asked mum for her opinion, she said he seemed ok.

Next day, the truth revealed. He had fever. For the first time, he gladly took his PCM and wanted more :) After two days, the lil fella was still down. His moods were getting bad, really cranky and crying at every other moment. Gosh, it was really mind-boggling. Stressed out man! He wakes up in the middle of the night screaming. I guess its the discomfort but everything he does that, its for no specific reason.

2 days ago, we took him to the clinic and his encounter with the antibiotic wasn't so nice. He refused. But he still gladly took his PCM. He barely ate, refused milk (unless he was sleeping) and oh well, his inflamed throat is no comfort, I guess.

Today, finally back to the babysitter again, I hope he feels better, stops screaming for no reason (he partially lost his voice already) and will not give the ladies there a hard time!

Infant Formula

How do you find the best infant formula, presuming that budget is not a restriction? Does the most expensive mean the best? Well, it is usually equated to that.

So does it mean if you can't afford expensive milk, your baby would be deprived of nutrients or the better stuff? Sounds like it...

It's kinda sad, isn't it? Since having AIR2, I've been pondering on what formula should I give her when I go back to work. The nursery do not want to take EBM, only formula. Well, I guess with many kids around, formula is easier to handle.

Milk prices have increased tremendously. When AIR was an infant, up to 12 months, we gave him 'expensive formula' as it wasn't THAT expensive at that time, and we had a family friend who was working in the company and was able to purchase it at almost 30% off the rack-price, and so that saved us a lot in the long run. Considering how much a baby boy takes, it definitely did save the pocket.

Now, the princess though doesn't drink much, but the substantial increase in costs, at almost 25% (and if compare this to the staff-price, it'll be almost 55%), THAT's ALOT of $$$!!

So, back to the question - how do you determine which is the best? Some have DHA-ARA and whatever-A and some gangliosides, some iron, some dunno what other enhnaced vitamins etc etc

Can it be concluded that the general rule of the thumb still lies in the more u spend, the better it is? ;p

Roller Coaster

I think my emotions are like a roller coaster at the moment. (This just happened few days ago)

Nope, not post-natal depression or anything post-natal related but I just feel like it's not so 'normal'. hehehe

Losing my appetite too. (This started since a week plus back, I think) This I say is from eating the same herbal soup daily twice a day, almost the same dishes daily and oh well, it just isn't very apetizing. Anyway, not complaining much, just eat and it's supposed to be good, but the thing is, I notice my portions are smaller and smaller by the day and it takes mammoth 'strength' to eat it all. hahaha Tak makan kang, mum pulak bising kan? dah penat2 masak for us.

And that is also why I can't wait to put on my running shoes and just get out and go for a walk...

Erm, no insanity hasn't kicked in, though I've been confined to the many corners/walls (not the usual 4 only) of my home-on-the-air, looking out to the now barren land which was a forrest 3 weeks back. OK, there still is a forrest behind that barren land.

Neways....another struck off the calender...

What to do after 30 days?

Another 15 days to go (more or less lah) and I'll be free to eat and drink what I like.

So, what have I planned for this time? Yup, of course already planned...

Breakfast - coffee (at home) then dimsum with mum
Lunch - cos it's friday, if I've not had my share of briyani before this, then it shall be briyani, otherwise skip lah, dimsum would last till dinner-time (it usually does cos we eat alot) ;p, worst case, IKEA foodcourt nyumyum
Dinner - if its not briyani for lunch, then perhaps the Lamb Kabsah (in Cyberjaya), otherwise maybe dinner at someplace serving western food, or even some foodcourt so I could sample everything

Terrible, right? hahahaha I'm just so bored eating the same old soup daily, twice a day. Well, of course the other dishes change slightly, but DAILY same soup!! Adoi!

And then of course, some shopping after that! :)

Alvina Iman Ranya

Checked myself into labour suite #3 at 9am for the scheduled transfusion and induce (yalah, in view of wanting to deliver with my gynea and not anyone else...what to do, luckily baby & all were 'ready').


Long morning…blood only came at 10+am, 1st pint was quick, 2nd pint took more than 4hrs to finish. By 11 am I was hungry. Thinking I’d be given normal food, I was wrong. I was served tasteless porridge with some weird soup. Adoi. I looked at it and decided not to eat. Had milo instead. Asked hubby to buy porridge from outside as I was still hungry. Had the porridge and wasn’t feeling too good but didn’t think much about it.

At 5pm, pitocin drip was given. By then I was 3cm. contractions were consistent all the while, at about 5mins apart. Shortly after I felt nauseas and vomited all my porridge and whatever else that was remaining.


Just before asking for a painkiller jab, I vomited again. This time the remaining portions of whatever left, so technically tummy empty. By 8pm, I decided to ask for the painkiller jab. I was almost 5cm and was told usually 5 or more, they won’t give. But midwife gave anyway. But the pain was still there. Consistently increasing.


Drowsy but everytime almost dozing off, I’ll be jolted by the pain, and I was trying to make a mockery of myself to forget the pain, I’ll talk nonsense. Hubby was surprised that I was asking bout mosquitoes, food and then I kept asking baby to come out quick to see us so I won’t feel the pain anymore.


By 9-9.5cm, I had the strong urge to push. I was told not too in case I’ll tear a lot. I dunno but it was really hard to hold back. Painful to hold back and it felt much easier to just push. And I think I somehow at certain points did push and tear. :(


At 10cm when I pushed with all my might, somehow it just didn’t seem to make progress. After what seemed like never ending tries, I think it was 4 cycles, dr decided to use vacuum. And finally she was out. Relieved and oh my goodness, she was soooooo tiny. So tiny yet so difficult to come out :) I was thinking since she was tiny, it’ll be easier. How wrong was I!


Legs were quivering (I dunno why) and so was my mouth, like I was shivering. Everyone thought Iwas cold, but I think it was just muscle spasms reacting and I was kinda tired. Wasn’t sooooo bad the last time though I didn’t eat the whole 23 hours.


Ecstatic that finally the ordeal was over and we finally got to see our dear princess. Albeit much earlier than anticipated and no ‘nice birthday’ dates to choose from (EDD was 7th July, so quite nice...since induce, I would have thought we would have a better pick, but we were only left with the ONE day, after that, gynea is off), a healthy and dandy baby girl, Alvina Iman Ranya, was already born.

Welcome AIR2

Gosh! it's 2+am and I am tired. But still awake with AIR#2 in my arms...

She popped into the world at 2201 hrs on 23rd June 2010. Alvina Iman Rania, 2.485kg.

Will blog details later. since I am awake nursing her, thought I'd just pop some info.

Boderline low birthweight (2.5kg) with boderline low glucose level at 2.9 (vs 3), so am hoping to nurse that level back.

Adoi, feeling sore already...

23 June 2010

This will be the day...check in at 9am and let the show begin.... ;p

My gynea will be away from Thursday (24th) onwards for about 2 weeks, and from the check up on 22nd, I'm already 2cm dilated. We don't think AIR#2 can wait so long, so tomoro, I'll be induced.

Now this is a totally different experience as now I know what and when it will happen. As I am writing this, I feel mild period-pain sensations, and from previous experience, at this point of time, strapped on the CTG, there was mild (yes, very mild) contractions also. It's really weird and different now, in the sense that it was all a surprise the last time, and now, I am experiencing 'things' for the first time - sort of lah. PReviously, I was already in the labour room, not walking around and just waiting and waiting and waiting for the 'show'.

Today, I've eaten all that I think I would miss for the next one month (includes iced-coffee, tea, durian, fries from a certain fast food outlet and vanilla coke), done some last minute shopping for AIR#1's stuff and stuff I may need for the next one month.

Yes, I do feel abit different in the legs (like high-lactic-acid built-up sensation) when I walk alot and a slight achy-feeling on the waist when I sit/lie down. Not noticeable until 2 days ago.

So, bags packed and mum's on the way here.

Not to mention that the encounter with CIMB bank this morning was an experience (will blog about this later and will be lodging a complaint to the HQ and the press)!

Anyway, praying for a smooth delivery and healthy, bubbly baby! :)

Good night! (will try to get some sleep!)

Mummy!.....not

We were late yesterday in fetching AIR from the nursery.

When I arrived, sitter#3 was carrying him while sitter#2 told me that AIR actually mistook sitter#3 for me. Then I looked at her and realised, yeah, she's about my size, wears specs (I do, esp at home) and she's also pregnant. However, I was told that when she took off her head scarf, he reliased it wasn't me and started to cry. Oh, poor boy! I felt so bad. The other kids were already long gone by then, that's why I supposed he wanted to manja with someone.

It probably happened not too long before I arrived. I tried to pacify and pujuk him. I asked him to sayang me, he did but it seems kinda half hearted. Perhaps he was tired, or perhaps he was really upset. I asked him to give me a '5'. He did it emotionless-ly.

Oh well, what to do. It wasn't planned that we would be late.

430 am?

Strange. For the past two weeks, I’ve been waking up at 430am or 5am and not being able to go to sleep again. Only once or twice I managed to continue. Usually its 530am.

Under normal circumstances, I’d be glad to don my running shoes and perhaps go for a quick run or something, but not at 34 wks pregnant! ;p so what should I do? Read, try to be as quiet as I can preparing and eating my breakfast (the microwave doesn’t do justice at times, though) and pray that after I finish all my tasks only will the lil’ one wake up. Oh yes, he’s an early riser. And talk about wanting to have as much rest before the next arrival! :)

AIR wakes up between 530am to 630am. Hence, I’ve always made it a point that I have to be earlier than him. But for the past 2 weeks, this is impossible! By 11pm I’m all ready to ZZZzzzzz….no fun la, watch Desperate Housewives pun can’t finish the last 15minutes. Watch CSI also the same. Crap!

Day 1 New Nursery

Relieved that AIR didn’t kick up a fuss and actually did enjoy himself at the new place. As I left yesterday, he cried a little (normal, to me) and was fine the whole day, according to the sitter.

When I went to fetch him in the evening, I drove further on to make a U-turn then parked right in front of the house. Before even I got out of the car, he was already jumping up and down, holding on to the grill, wanting to come out, recognizing the car. It was quite difficult to compare the emotions then because usually he’s happy to go back.

Funny thing was, it was as though he knew we were going to see his grandma, and he kept saying 'Ah Ma!' (that's grandma in Hokkien) repeatedly throughout the journey from the new place to One Utama.

And this morning, he was happy, as we arrived at the house. Am taking this as a good sign, so far. There were more kids his age in the evening than in the morning.

Portraiture

I'm kinda excited. Like a lil' kid. Well, nothing much...it's just that I've been thinking of a family photo done by some pro/photog. And well, I have friends who are doing it and well, these aren't cheap.

And after a lot of contemplation, funny thing, hubby was quite supportive. So one huge bump, the man of the house and the lil' man of the house and off we'll go soon to snap some shots. Maternity protraiture it shall be.

Excited. Now so many things are running through my mind. What to wear? What colour shall we coordinate ourselves? Shall I bring extra change for AIR (he's bound to mess up if its outdoor) and myself? What other things to do? I'm not going to put make up....will it be ok? hahaha looks like some of these are sorted out with the photog but the rest, will have to discuss further....

mmmmm can't wait for the day it's gonna happen. Iwonder how AIR will take to this....by that time, I'll be around 33-34 weeks. Oh boy! hope I'm not clumsy...

Anyone done this before?

Reminiscing Jan 14th 2009

What do you on on a night when there's nothing much on TV, AIR's asleep, hubby went out for a while and 32 weeks along on your 2nd pregnancy?

Well, I was looking at photos of the night when AIR decided to greet the world. Oh yes...some of the photos were still on the camera, 1 year 4 months plus on, and the whole lot of it are saved in the lappy. And so, here I am going through all of those.

fresh from the oven

And I'm wondering how different would #2 be? #1 was full of uncertainties, of course, it's my first and things I read about, well, some of it I didn't even go through it at all. I didn't experience morning sickness, Braxton Hicks contractions, bloody show or whatever not! I was itching alot during the initial stages and had a more or less problem-free pregnancy. I missed training, but I was having a whale of a time watching movies every other day, for FREE. Until the night after watching Ip Man....my water bag leaked when I was about to go to sleep. THen the drama began....lasted for a good 23 hours.



So now I'm wondering how this will be like. Though my gynea has plans to induce me a couple of days before my EDD (as I may need transfusion, from #1, though I was transfused at week 36, by week 39 I was low again, at 6.4 only), I'm hoping that I'll get to go through a problem-free delivery.

Both pregnancies were enjoyable for me, aside from the fact that I was at times more tired than I would want to be. It's not easy when hemoglobin count was hovering around 6.4 - 7 mg (during #1) and 5.4 during #2 (until I got transfused at week 20 and it was 6.5). I could eat all I want without worrying about gaining weight.

I wonder how my next few weeks would be like. I'm partially excited, partially afraid. I keep thinking if I'd be able to go through the pain once again. I went through a normal delivery without epidural. Though I can't remember the extend of the pain now, but I do remember it being very painful. Painful enough for me to tell hubby 'Adoi....it's going to be at least another 30mins to 1 hr before baby comes!! Why soooo looong???' And then me telling baby in my heart 'Faster la....' :) And then after more of less 30 painful minutes, and 3 tries, finally AIR greeted us.

And the anticipation starts now.....

What a day!

AIR's having a phlegm-y cough and its really disturbing hearing him cough. Last night I was too tired to realise. But this morning Iwas rudely awaken by it. Gosh...really terrible...

Lousy appetite, grumpy and clingy the whole day. Vomitted at lunch but almost instantly after that, he was all cheerful and fine. Must have not been feeling too great. Car, clothes (his and my pants) were all smeared with his milky-vomit. Now, I wonder if it was a good choice at that point of time he was at the rear seat with me instead of in his car seat? Luckily no vomit-smelling car...the sun helped 'clean' it up, I guess...

BTW, is it possible at all to give medication to a sleeping/half asleep toddler/baby? Would they actually swallow it? Natural reaction to a not-so-pleasant-tasting-item would be to reject it...hmmmmm

Mission 1

I’m on a mission today!

Hah! You must be wondering what mission, kan?

A long delayed mission. My mission to go visit the new babysitter. I hope I will be pleased. Please don’t rain in the evening …. It’s such a hassle to go visit/look for the place if it does. *Keeping my fingers crossed*

And if all goes well, when we come back from Penang, AIR will be sent to the new sitter next month!

Hmmmm can’t wait to go back to Penang next week…work cum holiday and the long weekend then! Yipee!!

8 weeks to go but....

Hmmm it caught us off-guard.

My 32nd week ob-gyn appt left us laughing hysterically...while doing the routine scan, my dr asked, ' so, you know the gender of the baby, right?' and I'll always nod or go 'uh-huh' and then silence...and she goes on looking at other things. But not yesterday. After my 'uh-huh', she went on, with fingers pointing on the screen, saying 'it's a girl'...and after 3 times not joining me during my visits, I looked at hubby and he was surprised to hear that. I had to laugh after i gave him a stare. (He doesn't know until yesterday).

Then, I told Dr that I knew, but not him. It was so cute of her to cover-line...'Oh well, sometimes the doctor could be wrong', she added and continued smilling and told me, 'you should've told me not to tell'. And we went on laughing. I was laughing so hard that it was diff to hear my baby's heartbeat.

And so the cat slipped out of the bag...wasted effort...kekeke

Pouch, wrap, sling, carrier?

Contemplating having a baby sling/wrap/pouch/carrier.

I bought a cheap one for AIR. However, cheap it was, hence it didn’t provide the back support for the carrier (i.e. the mum/dad carrying the baby). Only used it once. I wasn’t comfortable with the amount of support that it gave the baby either.

At about 3-4 wks old, we tried putting him in a sarong, i.e. improvised sling but he squirmed so much, we took it that he didn’t like it. He probably felt claustrophobic or perhaps since my body is always naturally warmer than usual, he didn’t feel confortable.

Now am thinking of these options again as when baby #2 comes along, it’ll be easier for me to have at least both hands free. Convenience sake. But dunno how long I'll stick to using it. Or if baby would like it. Not keen on those very expensive ones, i.e. Mei Tais and those super expensive slings. I saw videos on wraps and I think they are fairly simple to put on. But gosh, the cloth around my body – it’ll be hot for me too. Hmmm we’ll have to see.

Am going back to experiment with AIR, though BIG, these are supposed to be able to carry up to 30lbs or so. Just hope my tummy won’t get in the way! :)

A Ray of Light

Finally a ray of hope and change for lil’ AIR.

The new nursery can still take him in, but I’ve yet to view the place or see the care-givers. Oh yes, that’s particularly important. But at least now there’s hope for change.

I’ve been wondering what goes on in that little mind of his when he’s being left alone in the sitter with no toys, no books nothing to entertain him except older people and another boy 9 months old. At home, when my mum sometimes comes over and looks after him, apparently he keeps himself occupied going through his books, nursery rhymes and toys. And sometimes insists on playing (or banging) the piano. (I’m so happy that he seems to like it, though it’s not much at this stage)

I wonder if there was any beneficial interaction, other than some basic communication.


Oh dear, I think I’m just rambling on and on about the negative points….well, I shouldn’t do that, though it’s good to look at it once in a while. I’m not happy with the cleanliness, i.e. how the drinking bottle is being kept ‘clean’ and how sometimes the unworn clothes/diapers are kept together with the used/soiled/wet stuff. I mean that’s basic, right?

Oh well, keeping fingers crossed and praying that if this change happens, it will be good for all of us.

I guess am kinda at my wits end already, trying to close one eye and not see all that, but right at the back of my mind, I just can’t seem to let it go. I need (yeah it’s me, more than AIR) that change, because I WILL be sending the younger one soon too. I can’t imagine feeding milk to a 2month-old using a bottle which is not properly cleaned!!! Arrrgh!