Home Alone

We were counting down for Christmas at this hour last year! I can still remember that lovely night. But this year, I'm alone for the countdown. BB has just gone out with his kaki botol, Mr. Ong! I'm quite disappointed because I expect him to celebrate the eve with me together. Though he has gotten me a pressie, but his absence has a significant impact to me!

Normally I do not stop him from going out. I know he needs to distress himself sometimes. I tried to be calmed but I guess he felt the tense in me! He teased me and as expected, my tears started to roll down. Lousy me! I confessed to him that I love to spend every single festival with him, especially the atmosphere during the eve. He apologized to me and has promised that he will reserve himself just for me in future. Hopefully, he shall keep in promise!

I'm going to bed soon! Merry Christmas, Hubby B.

Happy 3-Month-Old Birthday!

It is just a glimpse of my eyes & Ethan has turned to 3 months old on 22rd Dec. I'm sorry for not able to be with him due to my training schedule in Shah Alam. Ethan is getting fun each day. He is so much responsive now. He loves to talk! Guess he will be a talkative boy in future. Arghh.... I can imagine how noisy he could be. Haha...

During this month checkup, he is weighing at 5.9kg with the length of 59cm. Well, he has finished his 2nd dose of Infarix. He cried during his immunization. Though I tried to soothe him by letting him latched on, he still cried non-stop. According to Dr. Gan, Ethan is a bad temper boy! Oh my gosh! Headache.....

Happy 2-Month Birthday, Ethan!

I woke up Sunday morning and realized that I am now the mommy of a two-month old (well, eight-week old) infant. Ethan has grown. He looks much bigger than he used to be. He is 5.2kg now and 4cm longer than when he was born. When I look at the hundreds of pictures we’ve taken of him since hhe was born, there are clear signs of maturity. His eyes are less puffy now, his eyelashes are full and his eyebrows are starting to grow in.

It has been fun watching Ethan grown from a fresh-out-of-the-womb baby to a two-month old infant. He is so much more fun than he used to be. Last week, he started laughing while awake. He used to laugh in his sleep, but never before had he laughed in response to things he actually found funny. But now he’ll laugh when we play peek-a-boo & when we make funny faces. He likes us to talk to him & amazingly, he likes to take pictures.

However, Ethan has refused to sleep in his baby cot. He even demand to have his own room. That's why he has been sleeping in the other room than with us. I was kind of sad initially because I worry that he would not recognize who is his mommy later (His nanny, Susana is sleeping with him). But what can I do? He was extremely cranky when he slept in our room. We ended up with a tiring and exhausted night. Anyway, my friends have assured me that our baby will somehow bond to his own mommy. So I'm much relief now!

In the weeks and months to come, I look forward to seeing how much Ethan will change and grow! So happy two-month birthday, my precious boy. Mommy looks forward to many more.

Breastfeeding

Ever since I'm pregnant, I have told myself that I will breastfeed Ethan exclusively. My determination got stronger during the moment Dr. Gan brought him to me. He was so smart to search for my nipple and latch it on. The feeling was absolutely good!

However, the journey of breastfeeding is not an easy one. Ethan was landed to hospital due to jaundice. I was so stressed up till my milk production was affected as well. Luckily, we have a savior to help Ethan get through this difficulties moments.

My milk supply has started from the initial 2oz to 4-5 oz now. Though it is not much but I'm trying my best to provide him the best nutrients. I do mix with formula but I tried to minimize it, if possible. My MIL always think that breast milk is not filling. Actually, baby appetite isn't big unless we have tried to stretch their stomach capacity. Recently, I met a pharmacist who is still breastfeeding her daughter till now (7 months old). I was surprised when she told me that her baby is taking 3oz of milk now. However, she told me that her baby is growing healthily and she is much more stronger compared to other babies. See! They are getting enough. Demand = Supply!

Besides, I have also taking fenugreek to boost up my milk production. It does help in some extend. Thanks to my SIL. Hopefully when I resume to work next month, my milk production will still flow in smoothly. :P

Durian Rash - Update!

Ethan has a Durian tree.
It grows on his head.
How many they have?
5! Do you want to buy?
We have XO, D24, D101, Red Prawn & Bamboo Leg!
Ooolala........What is the price?
Haha... sorry! It is our precious & we don't sell it!

P/S: After applying the olive and coconut oil, the rash has dropped finally.

Baby Language

Ethan was quite cranky since the past 3 weeks. He screamed and cried without any reasons (my assumption). I have fed him, I have carried him, etc. He just couldn't calmed himself down. He can't sleep peacefully too. Whenever we thought he has aslept & put him to bed, he will wake up again!

Later we found out that he is suffering from upper and lower wind. He farts many times. Hence, I have stressed to Susana & my MIL that we must burp Ethan after his feeding. Initially, my MIL didn't really believe in it but I insisted it. So they will try to burp him nowadays. Besides, Ethan also has a very swallow tummy. He can't drink much and he will end up spitting up the milk. I was worried that he never get enough of milk. Again, I called up his pediatric, Dr. Gan to check on his condition. She told me that the spitting up was due to their immature digestive system, especially the sphincter. So it it totally fine. I also checked whether I could give him Woodward's Gripe Water for his upper and lower wind. She don't believe in it as it might be just a placebo effect. She asked us to burp him in between or after each of his feeding.

With such a cranky baby, I have visited the Dunstan Baby Language recommended by Vix. It is quite interesting actually. I tried to pick up some of it from Ethan but failed. Haha.... His cries is enough to make the world tumble down!

From his bodysuit, he has already told us that "I don't sleep, NOBODY sleeps!" Headache........

From 1st Day till Full Moon

Ethan's Nanny

Initially, we do not know whether we shall let Susana to take care of Ethan or not. However, we decided to engage her as Ethan's Nanny after she has agreed with the terms & conditions we have set for her.

She carries Ethan with this sling. It was quite scary to look at on the first glance as I worried Ethan might fell out from the sling. However, she has assured that Ethan will be safe in the sling. Haha... Anyway, we do not wanna Ethan to be carried & pampered too much in this sling.

Susana has just undergone her hysterectomy on Thursday. She has been discharged today & she will be able to take care of Ethan once she is fully recovered. Well, she has met our requirements so far. She is organized and she is clean. Most importantly, she obeys to our T&C so far. No complaints at the moments but we will still monitor her on and off.

Wish "Wak Wak" (a.k.a Auntie) will have a speedy recovery!

Ethan's Full Moon

It is a Divali & we decided to celebrate Ethan Full Moon on the day too. I thought I would be a pretty mommie on his day but who knows that I turned out wearing the awful glasses. Sigh.... Actually, my CL supposed to take care Ethan and I wanna have a good rest. Who knows that she asked me to take care of Ethan! She was asked to wake up early to prepare the Ginger Chicken Wine (10 chickens) by my MIL. Moreover, Ethan was so naughty that he pooped quite a numbers of time during the night. I was so exhausted till I've shown my sour face to BB. Poor him.... Don't even dare to talk to me. Haha!

On the day, my eyes were badly infected & I was restless. After washing out ourselves, we have this hair cutting ceremony for Ethan. The ceremony was completed with the help from Grandma.

Daddy is cutting Ethan's hair.

I took the red egg to roll on his cheeks so that he will have a rosy cheek. Haha...

Mai Po fed him after the ceremony.

Our lovely Grandma. She is my all time favourite because she is always with her smilling face & humble look.

Ethan slept so soundly in the living hall.

My beloved no. 1 - Kai Jun!

My beloved no. 2 - Lucas. He is getting chubby now. Haha...

Daddy, Mummy & Ethan.

And of course with me!

We have forgotten to take family photo during the day. So these are the pics we managed to capture in the evening. We also missed all the photos session with our family and relatives! What a regret!

Ethan's pressies.

Durian Rash

Last week, when I was strolling Ethan's head, I saw one pimple with greenish discharge grew on his head. Then one day later, it popped out 2, 3, 4 and 5.

Sometimes we managed to wipe it out during his shower time. But I dare not pinch it out as there grows on his fontanel. SIL told me to apply a thin layer of Fucicort cream. I did and some of it has dried out already.

The elderly called it Durian rash as I had too much Durian during my pregnancy. Haha... If it is, then I'm sorry, my precious!

Happy Family

I must praise my Hubby B once again! He is not only a supportive, lovely & caring Hubby B, he is also a patience & caring Daddy too. I remember that he told me this before he resume to work.

"Nie, you must take good care of yourself. You must put yourself in first priority & Ethan comes in second, ok?"

Our one and only happy family photo.

Daddy brought him to the balcony. He likes chit-chatting with his precious son. Sometimes he can talk to him for as long as 30 mins. :P

Father & Son

While I was putting Ethan to sleep the other day, I can see how resemble he is to his father when BB was a child.

So I told BB and this was what he did! Do they look alike? Hehe......

Bathing

Ethan hates to be stripped off, especially during shower time. Once you undressed him, you can hear him crying out loud. We were wondering whether he is afraid of water or he dislikes to expose his sexy body to us. Haha...

Lien Jie is preparing him to shower. 1,2,3............

Here he starts!

Look at him! He just can't relax himself.

Ethan, you gotta get use to the water. Else, how is Daddy going to bring you to swim in future?

Once he is wrapped like a cocoon, then you can see how peaceful he is.

My Labor Experience

After taking my pregnancy portraits, I have told Ethan that he can come out anytime he wants to. So the next morning, 21-Sept-09, I experienced a series of roller coaster.

815am: Upon waking up from my sleep, I can feel an amount of liquid flowing out from my vaginal. I quickly cleaned up myself and have my last shower.

930am: My McD breakfast.

Is Hubby B ready to see his lovely son?

I admitted to Hospital Pantai Ayer Keroh at 1030am. The staff nurse did a vaginal examination for me & it was only dilated 1cm. She told me that the dilation for 1st delivery is about 1cm per hour. So I shall expect to see Ethan by 9pm??

The fetal heartbeat & my contraction chart.

1100: I was given enema to clear my bowel.

1135: I was induced with Pitocin 3mg. It was inserted into my vaginal and it was kind of painful. With the Pitocin, I was not allowed to walk around till 1230pm.

1233: Nurse said my contraction was a weak one. Amniotic fluid is still leaking.

1400: Suffering moderate backache & period cramp symptom. Dr. Liu is not here yet to examine me. I'm hungry but I am not allowed to take any food except for liquid. Hence I requested for a cup of Milo.

1450: Midwife asked me to remove my cutex. Sigh.... wasted my money doing the pedicure.

1500: I'm having moderate contraction.

1600: Aiya.... I need to run to the toilet. Diarrhea.

My camera man for the day. Hehe... Guess he is excited too!

1630: Only dilated 3cm. Dr. Tan KH came for epidural anesthesia procedure. It was a little discomfort when the needle went into my spine.

This blood pressure set is to monitor my pressure after the Epidural. The upper reading should always keep at 100 and above.

I'm still energetic!

2100: VE check again! OMG! Only 4cm. I'm suffering from severe gastric pain & was given Zantac injection.

2145: Staff Nurse came. She said my bladder might be full. Hence she put urine catheter to drain up my urine.

2300: Contraction pain on my left upper thigh and back. The epidural set was not well operated by the nurses. I will complain to Dr. Tan later!

2350: VE again! I'm fully dilated but still do not have the urge to push (passing motion).

0030: Dr. Liu came. I am kind of demotivated after he told me that Ethan's head is not engaged & I might go under c-section delivery. However, he suggested to try vacuum delivery first.

I'm kind of worry if I could make it for this vacuum delivery. Anyway, I told myself to stay positive & I must make sure I push Ethan out from my tummy.

Phew.... I successfully delivered Ethan out with only 6 pushes. What a relief!

I can't stop myself from crying after seeing Baby Ethan. It is such a miracle.

Ethan's pediatric, Dr. Gan YC examined Ethan while Dr. Liu is clearing out my placenta. I had 30 stitches since there is a tear (episiotomy).

When everything is done, Dr. Gan brought Ethan to me! He was crying none stop but when I called him, he stopped immediately. We're amazed! Dr. Gan, as a lactation consultant too, has shown us the power of Breast Crawl. Ethan searched for my nipple & he suckled it once he found it. He got my precious colostrum! Well done, Ethan. Dr. Gan also shared with us the benefits of breastfeeding & we have learned a lot from her.

0200: Dr. Tan KH came to remove the epidural needle from my spine. He shown me the blue tip must be seen when the small tubing is pulled out.

Then the staff nurse came to clean up my wound. It is already 3am when they pushed me to the ward to rest. I was overwhelming & excited! I only slept for 2.5 hrs and the nurse came. I was asked to pass urine and I managed to do so though I was kind of worried that the wound might hurt.

The nurse pushed him in for breastfeeding. Hallo Ethan!

Daddy & Ethan. Thanks Hubby B. You have always be a very supportive husband throughout my pregnancy & labor journey. I cherish it very much. I love you always.

Do I like good? Hehe... At last!