Jadon's 1st Jab

Took Jadon to AMK Polyclinic for his first jab. He now weighs 3.73kg and is 54cm tall.. Head circumfernce grew to 37cm.

Jadon was born 2.68kg, discharged at 2.5kg. 2weeks later he weighed 2.7kg and tada~ he now weigh 3.73kg woohoo~

10 Breastfeeding MUST-KNOWs!

Just as each pregnancy is a personal experience, so too is breastfeeding. In fact, I find there are typically 3 groups of moms:

1. Those who love it from the very first latch, never have a minute's pain and were practically born to nurse;
2. Those who have a hard time with sore nipples/milk supply/latching and find it hard to imagine that they'll ever love it; and
3. Those who decide that they are just NOT going to do it at all - it's not for them.

I definitely believe that breast is best, but I know that it doesn't work for everyone. So as with all decisions that us moms have to make, get educated and do what you think is best for both you and your baby.

If you do decide to give it a try, be sure to give yourself a chance to settle in. Although breastfeeding is a natural process, it may take longer than you think to get used to it.

That's right, as natural as nursing is, I know that I had tons of questions. For example, I wanted to know if I had to prepare my nipples. I also wanted to know what it would feel like and if it would hurt? And most importantly, I wanted to know how to actually feed.

So, here's my list of 10 Breastfeeding MUST-KNOWs:

1. When your breasts get engorged for the first time (hello milk supply!!), apply a cool compress, like frozen peas. You can also try washed cold cabbage leaves (but don't leave them on too long they can drain your milk).

2. Drink lots of fluid. I know you've heard this before, but your hydration level really affects your milk output. So aim for at least 8-10 glasses of water a day. Try to have a glass of water next to you whenever you're nursing.

3. Keep away from spicy or garlicky foods, especially at the beginning. I slowly started introducing more foods at around 4 months and found it worked well.

4. Don't wash your nipples with soap - warm water is good enough.

5. If your nipples get irritated and sore, squeeze some breast milk on to them and rub it in. I also highly recommend Gel Pads - they worked wonders for me! If you'd like to give them a try go to Stinkerbells and do a product search for "Booby Tubes".

6. Relax! Stressing out will affect your milk supply, so do your best to "go with the flow".

7. Make sure your baby is latching on correctly from the very beginning - this will ensure good eating and prevent sore nipples. Just in case you don't already know, a good latch means a wide-open mouth like a yawn over your areola.

8. Expect to nurse often in the beginning. New babies eat at least 8 times in a 24-hour period. And don't worry if your feeds feel like they're really long in the beginning, they do get a lot shorter as your baby becomes more efficient at feeding!

9. When your baby is born his/her stomach is the size of a walnut, so don't panic if you feel he/she is not drinking a lot. Aim for small, frequent feeds. If you're at all concerned, don't be shy to ask your doctor.

10. Make sure your baby has lots of wet diapers to keep hydrated. A baby should wet at least 6 diapers per day. Breastfeeding is a wonderful gift for both you and your baby - don't be scared. Also remember, though, that if breastfeeding doesn’t work for you, don’t beat yourself up over it - there are many more ways to look out for your little one’s well-being!

WHAT MAKES A DAD

God took the strength of a mountain,

The majesty of a tree,

The warmth of a summer sun,

The calm of a quiet sea,

The generous soul of nature,

The comforting arm of night,

The wisdom of the ages,

The power of the eagle's flight,

The joy of a morning in spring,

The faith of a mustard seed,

The patience of eternity,

The depth of a family need.

Then God combined these qualities.

When there was nothing more to add,

He knew His masterpiece was complete,

And so, He called it ... "DAD!"

The Hidden benefits of Being an Involved Father

Most people can agree that having an involved father has obvious benefits to children. Before you think - "wait a minute, what about mothers?" - tell yourself that it's not question of who is more important: mothers or fathers. The point is that having both parents involved in rearing their child hassome obvious, and some maybe not-so-obvious, benefits for the child, the family, and for fathers themselves.

Benefit for Children
Researchers have been studying this issue for decades. For instance, did you know that ...?

- Children whose fathers are involved in rearing them score higher on cognitive tests (they seem smarter) than those with relative uninvolved fathers.
- A father's involvement in children's school activities protects at-risk children from failing or dropping out.
- Father involvement is associate with positive child characteristics such as empathy, self-esteem, self-control, psychological well-being, social competence, and life skills.

Benefits for the Family
These benefits come from having loving and nurturing relationshops among family members, not only between parents and children, but between a spouse, partner, or relative. Did you know theat involved fathering is related to ...?

- Better communication between fathers and family members;
- A greater sense of commitment to the family;
- Less troubling conflict with teenage children.

Benefits for the Fathers
Finally, being an involved father brings benefits to dads themselves. When fathers build strong relationships with their children and others in the family, they receive support and caring in return. Research has shown that healthy family relationshops provide the strongest and most important support network a person can have, whether that person is a child or an adult.

Being involved in their family members' lives helps fathers to ...
- Enjoy a secure attachement relationship with their children.
- Cope well with stressful situations and everyday hassles.
- Feel more comfortable in their occupation and feel that they can do their job well.

The benefits listed above are really only a few of the major research findings from studies of families with involved and uninvolved fathers. Many of the benefits may seem obvious, but perhaps not all of them. If you look at your own involvement in your family, you might discover that you have been enjoying some of the benefits listed above without really noticing it. Sometimes being an involved parent takes hard work and setting priorities. Don't forget to stop and look around once in a awhile to see all that you are getting in return.

Article written by Garret D. Evans Kate Fogarty
See original article

BONDS that tie

Nuturing the BOND

1) Touching and talking to your baby
Even if you had zero opportunity to bond with your baby in the hospital, you can start doing so as soon as you get home, and touch is the ideal way to begin. This should come as no surprise, as your skin largest organ, and body contact is an important source of heat. Also remember to give your baby massages. Besides helping you connect with your child, it also has been shown to increase weight gain and improve development in premature infants.

2) Maintain eye contact
We all know what our eyes can convey without words, so you can imagine the impact it has on your newborn. Newborn babies see best about a foot away from their bodies, what we call the breastfeeding distance. It is not unusual for a baby to look at a human face for hours, particularly the eyes. You can also use facial expression as a means of bonding with your baby.

3) Respond to his cries
Crying is one of your child's few means of communication. It is thus important to go to your child when he cries for comfort and hold him. Ignore the advice of those who tell you to let your baby 'cry it out'. Your responsiveness will not spoil him. In fact, every time you respond to your crying infant, you are helping to forge a trusting relationship.

4) From womb mate to room mate
making visual, tactile and auditory connection with your newborn may make you feel that you hdont want to release this little person that you've laboured so hard to bring into the world, into the nursery - and you don' have to. Feel free to room in with your baby. Relish the quiet moments you have with your baby deep into the night. It will not remain this way for long. Your peaceful, perfect baby will change daily and a strong bond between the two of you will form a wonderful foundation to face life's challenges into toddlerhood and beyond.

5) Breastfeeding right after birth
The benefits of breastfeeding are countless for both mum and baby. Nipple stimulation releases the hormone oxytocin and stimulates the releases of prolactin, the hormone that helps your mothering abilities kick right in. Besides helping with bonding, this nutritious diet makes the baby grow healthier and stronger, and it also helps the mother become healthier and avoid certain disease.

*Context taken from Baby Plus

BKK Hotel

woohoo~ bookings had been made!!!!! estimated $90 per pax... for 4D3N

Janine Vs Jadon

Botak Janine and Jadon after their FULL Month Celebration

Janine had a Big Fall

Janine overlooked a gap between the dinning chair and the table... resulting her fall.. She leg gave her the 1st feeling of natural fall aka gravity pull.... the gap was too huge so her head went downwards in a 180 degree turn ... her upper lip hit the table followed by her forehead...

So to conclude she had a big PAO and some minor cut on the left forehead and a bruise under her nose near her upper lips...

Poor girl... so pacify her, we brought her to MAC for breakfast and bought her a Happy Meal... with KungFu Panda - Panda as the toy...

Pictures!

How To Be A Better Couple

10 steps to enjoying each other better...

Courtesy from Eunice Tan

1. Be realistic about each other.
Don't try to turn ur partner into something he or she is not. Let's face it, guys-there's only 1 Pamela Anderson in the world, and even she has had her implants removed! Give ur gal a break and understand that her physical appearance is NOT going to change overnite with the help of a few facials or treatments. And ladies, Brad Pitt has already been taken, so u're gonna have to do with what ur guy is like! Chill out, love each other for what u are. There is more to ur partner than what meets the eye.

2. Always talk things out.
Now guys, I know this is not ur fave pastime or mode of resolving issues, but u know what? This works with the gals. Don't make assumptions about each other's feelings. Learn to xpress urself better so that ur partner undrstands what u're angry about, or hurt about, or even happy about! When u stop talking to each other from the heart, it's the beginning of the end.

3. Do stuff together.
Make an effort to do things together. Do some sports or involve urselves insome shared activities; something both of u enjoy or are interested in. It could be as simple as watching movies together, or jus strolling hand-in-hand down Orchard Road. Watch soccor with him once in a while though the green patch on TV puts u to sleep in 3 seconds. And guys, do give in ifur gal asks for another day at window-shopping, rather than suggest that she go out with her girlfriends for "that sort of activities" instead. If u're spending more time with ur friends rather than with ur partner, it's a warning sign that u're drifting apart!!!

4. Meet each other halfway.
If he agrees to throw out that rotten T-shirt with the "The_Rock" print, u shouldn't kick up much of a fuss if he asks u to keep ur room tidy. There'sgotta be a little giving and taking in a relationship, so learn to meet each other halfway.

5. Show ur love
Buy her flowers or candy or perfume everynow and then, even if u have been together for 5years. It's wonderful to continue showing someone that u carefor him or her. Cook him a special meal, paint him a Valentine's Day card. Knit him mini-socks he can't wear ( like for decoration purposes = ), buy him a packet of milk for breakfast, or pack his wardrobe for him... so he knows u can still be romantic and loving despite having been together for quite a while.

6. Respect each other.
Stop making jokes about her hair or skin, or whatever it is u love to laughat. Ask urself if she thinks if its funny. And if he has an inferiority complex about his height, stop ogling at tall guys and make him feel worse!Love is about respecting each other's feelings and being sensitive to each other at all times.

7. Bury the past.
Stop bringing up the past. Gals.. don't bring up the happy things about u and ur ex to ur guy, it would jus make him jealous or unhappy. And guys, don't talk about the happy times that u had with ur ex or mention about her in urevery other sentence as it would make ur gal feel un-happy and she might think that u saying all this b'cos u are gonna get back with ur ex or not interested in her anymore.

8. Sit on ur jealousy.
All of us go thru' spells of insecurity at the beginning of the relationship, but don't translate that insecurity into jealousy. If u're gonna go through ur partner's mail and cupboard, and eavesdropping on conversations, u know something is wrong - with u!!! Jealousy is like a poison that slowly spreads thru' the relationship before finally killing it. Trust ur partner; love has to have trust in it.

9. Keep ur commitments to each other.
If ur partner is standing u up all the time and cancelling dates and breaking promises, u need to talk! If u're in a relationship, make ur partner ur priority and don't disappoint them if u can help it. It's reallyterrible when someone promises to take u to dinner, and then calls to cancel it. Don't make promises u can't keep. If ur partner starts to feel that he/she is not important enough to u, u may jus lose him/her.

10. Be honest.
Honesty is not scowling at how awful she looks first thing in the morning, or telling him that he has the biceps of a fly~! When we say "be honest", we mean expressing ur feelings clearly, not being bitingly cruel. When u're hurt, say so, and when u're angry, tell him/her, w/o getting hysterical. Ifu can't be honest with ur partner, who can u be honest with? f Love is alsoabout honesty, and a relationship where no honesty exists probably isn't worth it!

zodiac

VIRGO - The Perfectionist
Dominant in relationships. Conservative. Always wants the last word. Argumentative. Worries. Very smart. Dislikes noise and chaos. Eager. Hardworking. Loyal. Beautiful. Easy to talk to. Hard to please. Harsh. Practical and very fussy. Often shy. Pessimistic.

SCORPIO - The Intense One
Very energetic. Intelligent. Can be jealous and/or possessive. Hardworking. Great kisser. Can become obsessive or secretive. Holds grudges. Attractive. Determined. Loves being in long relationships. Talkative. Romantic. Can be self-centered at times. Passionate and Emotional.

LIBRA - The Harmonizer

Nice to everyone they meet. Can't make up their mind. Have own unique appeal. Creative, energetic, and very social. Hates to be alone. Peaceful, generous. Very loving and beautiful. Flirtatious. Give in too easily. Procrastinators. Very gullible.

ARIES - The Daredevil

Energetic. Adventurous and spontaneous. Confident and enthusiastic. Fun. Loves a challenge. EXTREMELY impatient. Sometimes selfish. Short fuse. (Easily angered.) Lively, passionate, and sharp wit. Outgoing. Lose interest quickly - easily bored. Egotistical. Courageous and assertive. Tends to be physical and athletic.

AQUARIUS - The Sweetheart

Optimistic and honest. Sweet personality. Very independent. Inventive and intelligent. Friendly and loyal. Can seem unemotional. Can be a bit rebellious. Very stubborn, but original and unique Attractive on the inside and out. Eccentric personality.

GEMINI - The Chatterbox

Smart and witty. Outgoing, very chatty. Lively, energetic. Adaptable but needs to express themselves. Argumentative and outspoken. Likes change. Versatile. Busy, sometimes nervous and tense. Gossips. May seem superficial or inconsistent, but is only changeable. Beautiful physically and mentally.

LEO - The Boss

Very organized. Need order in their lives - like being in control. Like boundaries. Tend to take over everything. Bossy. Like to help others. Social and outgoing. Extroverted. Generous, warm-hearted. Sensitive. Creative energy. Full of themselves. Loving. Doing the right thing is important to Leos. Attractive

CANCER - The Protector

Moody, emotional. May be shy. Very loving and caring. Pretty/handsome. Excellent partners for life. Protective. Inventive and imaginative. Cautious. Touchy-feely kind of person. Needs love from others. Easily hurt, but sympathetic.

PISCES - The Dreamer

Generous, kind, and thoughtful. Very creative and imaginative. May become secretive and vague. Sensitive. Don't like details Dreamy and unrealistic. Sympathetic and loving. Kind. Unselfish. Good kisser. Beautiful.

CAPRICORN - The Go-Getter

Patient and wise. Practical and rigid. Ambitious. Tends to be good-looking. Humorous and funny. Can be a bit shy and reserved. Often pessimists. Capricorns tend to act before they think and can be unfriendly at times. Hold grudges. Like competition. Get what they want.

TAURUS - The Enduring One

Charming but aggressive. Can come off as boring, but they are not. Hard workers. Warm-hearted. Strong, has endurance. Solid beings who are stable and secure in their ways. Not looking for shortcuts. Take pride in their beauty. Patient and reliable. Make great friends and give good advice. Loving and kind. Loves hard - passionate. Express themselves emotionally. Prone to ferocious temper-tantrums. Determined. Indulge themselves often. Very generous.

SAGITTARIUS - The Happy-Go-Lucky

One Good-natured optimist. Doesn't want to grow up (Peter Pan Syndrome). Indulges self. Boastful. Likes luxuries and gambling. Social and outgoing. Doesn't like responsibilities. Often fantasizes. Impatient. Fun to be around. Having lots of friends. Flirtatious. Doesn't like rules. Sometimes hypocritical. Dislikes being confined - tight spaces or even tight clothes. Doesn't like being doubted. Beautiful inside and out.

presents for 2Js

Bro just came back from BKK and bought some pressies for Janine and Jadon.

Dresses for Janine

NB clothes for Jadon.

Being a boy a bit lugi, don't know if there is nothing for boys or my bro dont know what to get for boy... heeheehee

Happy Birthday to ME =)

Ninja in the house

Janine new hair cut

BKK Itinerary Update

Hotel Cost for Twin Sharing
1,400 baht per room/night (free lunch or dinner / 15min Neck or Shoulder + Foot massage)
S$60 per night x 3 nights = S$180
S$180 / 2 person = S$90 per person for 3 nights
Rates are incl. 10% service charge, incl. 7% VAT, incl. breakfast

Air Fare.... managed to get a good offer at $208 per pax

Itinerary for Bangkok
Day 1
wake up 7 early 8 early... prepare take cabby to airport. meet up for breakfast, perhaps MAC again...check in... we should be touching down around 9am... get a mini coach to send us to our hotel... check in hotel... unpack... meet up for lunch maybe we should have street hawker food near platium plaza then go there shop shop, oh we will be passing by A&W if I didnt remember wrongly. Shall we have A&W (not Air and Water this time) ice-cream waffle heeheehee...

Shopping at Platinum Mall
This massive wholesale mall is a source for retail shops all around Bangkok, from Khao San Road to Siam Square. You'll find many of the same brands at Chatuchak. Bargain hunters can still pay wholesale prices by purchasing a minimum of three pieces from the same store. If you are lucky you can pay the wholesale price for just two pieces. With more than 1,300 shops, you'll need at least four hours to get through the mall.

Shopping at Big C
Big C Supercenter emerged with a new concept of retail business where products include food and non-food items. It is simply a combination of a discount store and food outlets. to provide the utmost customer satisfaction and quality products at low prices evey day. The Big C Supercenter is located opposite the Central World Plaza.

Dinner at Chinatown

Day 2
Shopping at Chatuchak
R&R at pak-pong... street hawker for dinner and beer at hotel?

Day 3
Lunch at mama shop behind asia hotel...

Shopping at MBK
I need to rebond my hair there next... if we got time we can continue shopping at siam center, siam sq, discovery center... then dinner at COCA.... end the day with massage?

Day 4
I need to do my manicure and pedicure... last min shopping... pack stuff.... set off... home sweet home.

Dear WY

Getting ready for bath

Janine helped Jadon removed his mittens and booties and nappy... getting him ready for bath...

Easy peasy lunch

Found a quick recipie from Clueless Diva blog.

I was thinking if there is a easy way to prepare lunch for work the next day and voila! Karen blogged about her problem-free dinner and I thought I would dissect the recipie and make it my own.

Ingredients:

Can of tuna

Can of 4 bean mix

Can of diced tomatoRiceMixed Veg (Ang Moh style)

There is a handful of baby spinach that went into the dish in the end, but I forgot to take a pic.

Helpful hint: How much water to put into the rice cooker when cooking rice? My mum taught me, that the water should come up to about 1 inch above the level of rice.

I sauteed the beans and the mix vegetables together. It looks so colourful in the pan. It's like I am going to eat a rainbow or something. I added a dash of oyster sauce to the mix to make it more tasty.

When the rice is done, dump the rice, beans & veg, tuna, diced tomato, baby spinach and season with salt in a big bowl. Mix altogether. That's it! Easy peasy! And my lunch tomorrow sure looks very tasty.

Jadon Jaundice went down

yipee Jadon's jaundice went down... the clinic called to inform me of the lab result.. goodie...

But I must still go back to Mt.A to help maine get some glass bottles and I also need to buy some bottle caps too....

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JANINE!

Today is Janine's 2nd Birthday. We brought her out to let her choose her own present. In the end she chose a kidz lappie, a DORA water-bottle and I bought her a colouring book and a box of crayon

Jadon next blood test

Need to bring Jadon for another round for blood test... hopefully the Jaundice level went down else it will be another headache for us.

New Look!

Time for change! Just set a new look for my blog... Hope you guys like it.

10 June 2008 - Pictures

Gastroesophageal Reflux?

Gastroesophageal reflux disease is a digestive disorder that is caused by gastric acid flowing from the stomach into the esophagus. Gastroesophageal refers to the stomach and esophagus, and reflux means to flow back or return. Gastroesophageal reflux is the return of acidic stomach juices, or food and fluids, back up into the esophagus. Reflux is very common in infants, though it can occur at any age. It is the most common cause of vomiting during infancy. In most babies with reflux, the problem resolves on its own over time. However, medical management may be needed. Surgery is reserved for some of the complications of reflux discussed below.

What causes Gastroesophageal Reflux?

Reflux is often the result of conditions that affect the lower esophageal sphincter (LES). The LES, a muscle located at the bottom of the esophagus, opens to let food in and closes to keep food in the stomach. When this muscle relaxes too often or for too long, acid refluxes back into the esophagus, causing vomiting or heartburn.

Everyone has gastroesophageal reflux from time to time. If you have ever burped and had an acid taste in your mouth, you have had reflux. The lower esophageal sphincter occasionally relaxes at inopportune times, and usually, all your child will experience is a bad taste in the mouth, or a mild, momentary feeling of heartburn.

Infants are more likely to have the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) relax when it should remain shut. As food or milk is digesting, the LES opens and allows the stomach contents to go back up the esophagus. Sometimes, the stomach contents go all the way up the esophagus and the infant or child vomits. Other times, the stomach contents only go part of the way up the esophagus, causing heartburn, breathing problems, or, possibly, no problems at all.

Some foods seem to affect the muscle tone of the lower esophageal sphincter, allowing it to stay open longer than normal. These include, but are not limited to, the following:
- chocolate
- peppermint
- high-fat foods

Other foods increase acid production in the stomach, including:
- citrus foods
- tomatoes and tomato sauces

Read more

Things I wanna eat after my confinement

1. 99cent sushi
2. pizza hut
3. bak chang

Preparation for Jadon's Full Month Celebration

Finally I have confirmed the caterer.

Book the Ang Yee both green bean paste and peanut.

order glutinous rice and a birthday cake for Janine too.

Coach Bag!!!

Okie I have finally decide which bag to buy...



my 1st choice

COACH SOHO SIGNATURE SMALL HOBO
Inside zip pocket
Cell phone/multi-function pockets
Ring to clip an accessory or keyfob
Zip-top closure
Signature jacquard fabric with nappa leather trim
Fabric lining
15” strap
9” drop
11 1/2 (L) x 8 1/2 (H) x 3 1/4 (W)
my 2nd choice

CARLY SIGNATURE TOP HANDLE POUCH
Inside pocket
Zip-top closure
Signature jacquard fabric with leather trim
Fabric lining
11 1/2” strap
6” drop
9 (L) x 6 1/4 (H) x 3 3/4 (W)

Sweet Janine's Bao Bei~

Ads

Wooo I got a new nuffang Super Banner right on top wahahahhaha

PIL place - internet UP!!!

Hooray....! Internet is up... Starhub is so fast just a phone call away... wy brought the router to AMK and tada~ internet access MY OWN internet access - i can be online anytime i want liao hahahahhaha *evil laughter