There is always a tendency to compare the kids when you have more than 1 of them. Hahah...but the good thing of being the 2nd child, apart from "being" compared to your elder sibling, your parents are more "bo chap" and more easy going when managing you!
Clovy is growing up a such a tremendous speed! Or maybe because I am too lazy to update. I guess main reason is she is doing superbly well in the infant care, the best choice I ever made. She is a very cheerful baby and quite easy going. The only thing that we cant stand is her ability to put anything in sight into her mouth and swallow it! The record of stuffs she swallow includes hair rubber band, sticker, hair, thread. These were things found in her output. Mostly discovered by her teachers in school and we are 100% sure these things are stuffs she swallow at home because teacher always kept the "evident" to show us.. Hahahhahah
Comparing to her sister, she is more sociable. But in term of her motor skill she is less agile than her sister, most probably due to her "size"..... she is wearing L size diaper at 1 year old as compared to her 6 years old sister who is still wearing XL size... Size does matter! Hahah... But her size does not limit her guts! She is far more daring and try to explore new boundary. I did not confined her to any play pen or play yard at home as I would prefer to let her roam around. I believed she was being confined in school as the teacher would not have the bandwidth to let them roam around all the time. Apart from this, Clovy also dislike stuff like the walker.
At the age of 1, clovy has 4 teeth both top and bottom. The 4 molars (2 on top and 2 on bottom) had a hard time "popping" out of the super swollen gums. The gums bleed when the molars emerged. They made their grand appearance at the age of 13 months old! Applaud and throwing confetti!
In term of her growing up, she also had an episode of Rosela which kept her at home for a couple of days, great bonding time for her and her daddy! Overall, she is quite an easy baby who can sleep through after 6 months old. She still occasionally wake up but mostly because due to real hunger and can fall back to sleep after the milk satisfaction.
Her favorite person is none other than her sister. She only call out to her sister most of the time. In term of her appetite, she is quite picky on food, as in she love noodles and dislike rice and porridge. I have also exposed her to a large variety of food for her age. I did not follow strictly to the test the same kind of food or 3 days concept. The only thing I did was to only start her on egg after 1 year old.
As she progresses to her toddler stage, she is extremely active and climbing up and down non stop which she will get knocks and bruises inevitably. She seldom cry too long for this. Nick says we have 2 candy at home. 棉花糖 and 棒棒糖. Clovy is obviously the hard candy. Charlotte has become more sensitive and "yang o" with the presence of her sister. Nowadays she will cry at the slightest problem. The new sensitive age. Most probably also due to the upcoming change in life... Primary School Life.
As we have started Charlotte on her swimming class, Clovy gets to go to the swimming pool every week. As we did not exposed Clovy to swimming before she turn 1, she was screaming at her first encounter with water. This is unlike her sister whom we exposed her to public pool since 6 months old. Another reason could be due to not using the bathing tub at home for Clovy due to her voluminous hair. She bath in a sitting on the floor format since 6 mths old when she can sit upright. I tried to re-introduce bathing tub by letting her have water play but this send her literally running away.
Tuesday, July 28, 2015
Friday, November 07, 2014
Hot sausage lips
I received a phone call from Charlotte's school on Wednesday morning informing me that her teeth cut her lip from an accident in the school playground. I asked the teacher is it was serious. She told me the bleeding has stopped after they apply ice. Furthermore, Charlotte told teacher she was not in pain. From our phone conversation I gather that it was not very serious, thus I did not pick her up from school immediately.
However, when we fetched her from school that evening, I got a shocked to see this:
The cut is really bad. We brought her to see the doctor immediately and the doctor says the injury is on the surface thus it was not so bad. There are cases where kids teeth actually cut through the lip. Sound damm scary. I felt so bad for not picking her up from school when teacher called that morning. That evening I cut her food into small bite size so that it won't touch her wound on the lip. I asked her if the teachers help her with lunch and bathing she answer no. I ask her how she eat her lunch in school with this swollen lip, she answered, "use the other side". OMG. ... She is quite hardy... maybe also because we normally don't "yang o" her from falls and knocks since young. But it does pain our hearts to see her swollen lips. However, it is common for kids to get injured during play, the only way we can protect them is to train them and we told her to be careful during play and no more running so close to her friends in the playground. The accident happen when they were running in the playground and her friend stop out of the sudden and she jammed right into her friend. I would not teach her to "stop" running as it is part of growing up. I also do not wish to make her into the small flower who grow inside the green house.
However, when we fetched her from school that evening, I got a shocked to see this:
Friday, October 31, 2014
老爸的小情人 ~ Sweetheart of Daddy
Why I titled this blog the sweetheart of Daddy (this daddy refers to Nick)? Because in this case, the sweetheart is not me.
Charlotte got this small bedtime carebear from her school mate who got this carebear from Rivervale mall (those insert coin and get a plastic ball kind) and she told me she wants to get the care bear for another 2 girls in her class. I told her only if we go there.... my usual delay tatics.
Last week we went to Rivervale mall and she remembered about the care bear. Since I already promised her we will get 1 when we go there, I let her have 1 even though in my context its bloody expensive. It cost $2 for 1 turn. She got a bed time bear and she says she wants to give to Sue Ann.
We proceed to dinner. Right after dinner, the father wants to go out for a while. I answer "Not leaving me with a crying baby rite?!.. Clovy was fussing... Then after settling the bill, Nick try his luck again. I told him to go and I bring the kids to walk in Daiso.
My impression of him going out for a while is for smoke break, but he appear back within 5 min with another care bear ball... for his precious daughter. I was like.... "HUH".... he said since she wanted 2 then might as well do it once and for all. Because being the verystingy economical mother I will not spend $2 on a small carebear, let alone spend 2 x $2...hahhahah...
I was not upset of him spending money... but kinda remind me of what a boyfriend will do to surprise her girlfriend. In a typical setting, the girl will drop hint on a liking of an item... next, you will see the boyfriend sneak out for a while and return with the item, FULL of LOVE.
In the exact setting, but a father and daughter as the main casts.
Charlotte got this small bedtime carebear from her school mate who got this carebear from Rivervale mall (those insert coin and get a plastic ball kind) and she told me she wants to get the care bear for another 2 girls in her class. I told her only if we go there.... my usual delay tatics.
Last week we went to Rivervale mall and she remembered about the care bear. Since I already promised her we will get 1 when we go there, I let her have 1 even though in my context its bloody expensive. It cost $2 for 1 turn. She got a bed time bear and she says she wants to give to Sue Ann.
We proceed to dinner. Right after dinner, the father wants to go out for a while. I answer "Not leaving me with a crying baby rite?!.. Clovy was fussing... Then after settling the bill, Nick try his luck again. I told him to go and I bring the kids to walk in Daiso.
My impression of him going out for a while is for smoke break, but he appear back within 5 min with another care bear ball... for his precious daughter. I was like.... "HUH".... he said since she wanted 2 then might as well do it once and for all. Because being the very
I was not upset of him spending money... but kinda remind me of what a boyfriend will do to surprise her girlfriend. In a typical setting, the girl will drop hint on a liking of an item... next, you will see the boyfriend sneak out for a while and return with the item, FULL of LOVE.
In the exact setting, but a father and daughter as the main casts.
Tuesday, October 28, 2014
Bring home LOVE
What do we look forward to after a day of work?
A picture speak a thousand words.....
........Continuation.... after 老 Tan saw this picture over whatsapp....
老 Tan : How about 老 Tan?
Me: Lao Tan every week jiak good food until high cholesterol, its time to jiak cai only.
老 Tan :I like Cai (菜）
Me: Lao Cai ai mai? （老彩 in this case refer to old woman)
老 Tan :Ok. Lao Cai ke Hong （老彩/菜去风)
dot dot dot
........Continuation.... after 老 Tan saw this picture over whatsapp....
老 Tan : How about 老 Tan?
Me: Lao Tan every week jiak good food until high cholesterol, its time to jiak cai only.
老 Tan :I like Cai (菜）
Me: Lao Cai ai mai? （老彩 in this case refer to old woman)
老 Tan :Ok. Lao Cai ke Hong （老彩/菜去风)
dot dot dot
Tuesday, October 21, 2014
Staycation fun @ Sentosa
As I went for company dnd the night before the staycation, the whole of Saturday morning was spend packing away. We arrived at Sentosa about 12 noon, collected the tickets and head for POLW straight away. We managed to get a indoor seat inside the restaurant with nice cooling aircon that lead to the open area (port belly). We ordered our lunch before the water play. Nick was on standby and so "heng"... he got a call. He has to work on his computer while I change and prep Charlotte for the water play. As Clovy was still not sleeping by then, I carry her out and watch Charlotte while she play. When Nick was done with his work, he join Charlotte while I make Clovy nap and enjoy my cup of Latte. The POLW exceeded my expectation. They have planned the seating area quite nicely where parents can have visibility of the kids playing at the water area. The picnic area looks nice as well. The air cushioned mattress are provided and I saw some people brought their own mat to lay on top. The area is near the water play area so parents can sit there to have a full view of the kids who are playing water. I am considering bringing Charlotte there again in Dec during her off school day.
We finished the water play with a nice Belgium waffle with ice cream!
The next morning, Charlotte was looking forward to dipping again! Hahahha... Right after breakfast.
Clovy had her 1st try in the pool the following day! Not sure if she likes it from her poker face expression. But she did not make any fuss. I am going to buy her a swimming ring soon. By the way, the swim suit she is wearing (4mth) was what Charlotte wore at her 6 month. Nick was working away while I brought the girls to the dip pool.
The room provide nespresso coffee. How can we missed out a cup of coffee before heading home! :)
Monday, October 13, 2014
Back to work, wedding anniversary, thermal bag, milk storage...
Yes... the word that every mother with newborn dread. I am back to work. So 2 weeks or rather a month before the actual day, my schedule is packed with catching up with friends, eat all I want, shop for new clothes, bag, etc.
I have picked a Wednesday to return to work and the Monday of the week is our wedding anniversary. Nothing fanciful, we went for a couple massage, a package that I finally finishing using it. The package was way way back even before we had Charlotte. By the way, the massage sucks big time. Initially wanted to go for a nice lunch, but we had some good food the weekend before as it was my fil birthday celebration. We ended up at fort road due to holland king holland again... so we had some kueh chup for lunch. Wedding anniversary need to not big bang celebration as long as quality time is being spend together. Moreover I was on maternity leave for a couple of months already and Nick has been on leave on and off during this period as well. We also went for good food on and off especially during Charlotte birthday period.
The following day was the 1 day before return to work. We went for a nice prata at prata place and this picture created an agony morning for a group chat in my whatapp. Hahahha... I send this photo to my ex col group and they are cursing and swearing.... complaining that I created a very disturbing morning for them :P
The biggest challenge I would have back to work is not about work...hahahha... but more of my commitment to breastfeeding. I did not think that I would still be pumping when I return to work... Since my supply is still there, I would supply till it dried up. I heard that most mother had their supply drop drastically upon returning to work. We shall see.
I did a secret setup in office. Why is it a secret set up? Because it is hidden under my desk. The portable fridge is a hand me down by my cousin. I got a portable steraliser from the pigeon sale. I did not intend to bring a steraliser but it was too cheap to resist buying. It is only $30. I can bring it for holiday. The fridge is not as cold as expected but good enough to chill the milk. So I will put in 2 frozen ice pack after the expressed milk has chilled.
My office did have a nursing room. I would try to pump during lunch time or right after a quick lunch. My supply for 1st day is good. But it dropped drastically on 2nd and 3rd day. I reckon it due to lesser intake of water in office. So the 2nd week I did my water parade all the time and I am not into dieting...hahahh...
As I cant be lunching in all the time. I will sometimes do hand expressed in the toilet just before lunch and 1 more hand expressed session in the late afternoon. Each hand expressed session take about 15 min. It is definitely much faster than a 45 min pump session in the noon time. However, the hand expressed will resulted in some bruise (you know where), and my hands will ache from it... I only do it when I am going out for long lunches.
Next thing I would like to share is on thermal bags... I am quite crazy over thermal bag. My eyes sparkle when I see thermal bags (sometimes free with other purchase). So far after my trial and error, I am sticking to 2 main thermal bag.
The pink bear logo has very thin layer and it is free from some goodie bag during charlotte time. The good thing is it can fit 4 bottles which is just nice to bring milk to Clovy school. Before I went back to work she only need 3 bottles in school (cos we send her to school later), so the diaso one is compact enough. But for both of the bags is very prone to condensation which will wet the other items in her diaper bag. My final choice is the carter colourland which is slightly bigger than the pink bear logo bag and thick enough so prevent condensation. I have been aiming this bag in Taobao but I did not get it as I wasn't sure of the quality. I saw the exact same bag at the mummy market fair and it is only $15. I grabbed it the minute I saw it!
I also wanted a compact thermal bag for me to bring milk back home from work. I look around for the type of thermal bag available. I am particular about the inner linning as I need it to be able to keep the milk really cold. Before I got the mini fridge from my cousin, I was thinking of storing a lot of frozen ice pack in the bag and put in the expressed milk. My office did have a fridge but I am not sure about the cleanliness and it is always packed. I read a lot of review on the type of thermal bag available. Initially, I wanted to get the fridge to go but I realize the size is not really compact and it is quite heavy. I went to source around in kiddy palace and found 2 bags that fit my criteria, the Munchkin Cool Wrap Bottle Bag and Vog insulted bag. Apparently, the Munchkin one I can get it cheaper via iherb. I tested the size of both bags with the medela milk bottle. Munchkin one is bigger and heavier. The Vog one is a singapore brand and much cheaper. The best thing is the inner layer. It is the same insulated layer like what we see from the bag that pizza hut delivery used.
I got the VOG bag in the end. It can fit in 2 bottles and still ample of space for the frozen ice pack. Before I got the VOG bag, I got a small Mag Mag thermal bag from Pigeon sales but the fabric peel and I was quite upset. Pigeon swapped some wet wipes in return. Actually the Vog bag can fit 4 bottles (2 stacking on top) and it is relatively cheap but I did not want to get 2 of the same as I am worried that I might mixed up the 2 and bring the milk to work instead of to Clovy school :P
I also have some other thermal bag which comes free... the simple one is from mamil which can fit in a bottle and a small thermal flask. I don't really use it to transport cold milk. Another one is my newly addition from Hagan-daz ice cream. I haven started using..hahahha
I have picked a Wednesday to return to work and the Monday of the week is our wedding anniversary. Nothing fanciful, we went for a couple massage, a package that I finally finishing using it. The package was way way back even before we had Charlotte. By the way, the massage sucks big time. Initially wanted to go for a nice lunch, but we had some good food the weekend before as it was my fil birthday celebration. We ended up at fort road due to holland king holland again... so we had some kueh chup for lunch. Wedding anniversary need to not big bang celebration as long as quality time is being spend together. Moreover I was on maternity leave for a couple of months already and Nick has been on leave on and off during this period as well. We also went for good food on and off especially during Charlotte birthday period.
The following day was the 1 day before return to work. We went for a nice prata at prata place and this picture created an agony morning for a group chat in my whatapp. Hahahha... I send this photo to my ex col group and they are cursing and swearing.... complaining that I created a very disturbing morning for them :P
The biggest challenge I would have back to work is not about work...hahahha... but more of my commitment to breastfeeding. I did not think that I would still be pumping when I return to work... Since my supply is still there, I would supply till it dried up. I heard that most mother had their supply drop drastically upon returning to work. We shall see.
I did a secret setup in office. Why is it a secret set up? Because it is hidden under my desk. The portable fridge is a hand me down by my cousin. I got a portable steraliser from the pigeon sale. I did not intend to bring a steraliser but it was too cheap to resist buying. It is only $30. I can bring it for holiday. The fridge is not as cold as expected but good enough to chill the milk. So I will put in 2 frozen ice pack after the expressed milk has chilled.
As I cant be lunching in all the time. I will sometimes do hand expressed in the toilet just before lunch and 1 more hand expressed session in the late afternoon. Each hand expressed session take about 15 min. It is definitely much faster than a 45 min pump session in the noon time. However, the hand expressed will resulted in some bruise (you know where), and my hands will ache from it... I only do it when I am going out for long lunches.
Next thing I would like to share is on thermal bags... I am quite crazy over thermal bag. My eyes sparkle when I see thermal bags (sometimes free with other purchase). So far after my trial and error, I am sticking to 2 main thermal bag.
The pink bear logo has very thin layer and it is free from some goodie bag during charlotte time. The good thing is it can fit 4 bottles which is just nice to bring milk to Clovy school. Before I went back to work she only need 3 bottles in school (cos we send her to school later), so the diaso one is compact enough. But for both of the bags is very prone to condensation which will wet the other items in her diaper bag. My final choice is the carter colourland which is slightly bigger than the pink bear logo bag and thick enough so prevent condensation. I have been aiming this bag in Taobao but I did not get it as I wasn't sure of the quality. I saw the exact same bag at the mummy market fair and it is only $15. I grabbed it the minute I saw it!
I also wanted a compact thermal bag for me to bring milk back home from work. I look around for the type of thermal bag available. I am particular about the inner linning as I need it to be able to keep the milk really cold. Before I got the mini fridge from my cousin, I was thinking of storing a lot of frozen ice pack in the bag and put in the expressed milk. My office did have a fridge but I am not sure about the cleanliness and it is always packed. I read a lot of review on the type of thermal bag available. Initially, I wanted to get the fridge to go but I realize the size is not really compact and it is quite heavy. I went to source around in kiddy palace and found 2 bags that fit my criteria, the Munchkin Cool Wrap Bottle Bag and Vog insulted bag. Apparently, the Munchkin one I can get it cheaper via iherb. I tested the size of both bags with the medela milk bottle. Munchkin one is bigger and heavier. The Vog one is a singapore brand and much cheaper. The best thing is the inner layer. It is the same insulated layer like what we see from the bag that pizza hut delivery used.
I got the VOG bag in the end. It can fit in 2 bottles and still ample of space for the frozen ice pack. Before I got the VOG bag, I got a small Mag Mag thermal bag from Pigeon sales but the fabric peel and I was quite upset. Pigeon swapped some wet wipes in return. Actually the Vog bag can fit 4 bottles (2 stacking on top) and it is relatively cheap but I did not want to get 2 of the same as I am worried that I might mixed up the 2 and bring the milk to work instead of to Clovy school :P
Monday, September 15, 2014
Maid verse infant care center
Before the confinement nanny went back, I got a maid in. She is from Indonesia and had a baby once but passed away when delivered. I took her despite she has zero experience with baby. She told me she help her siblings take care of baby. When she was at my place I even console her on her lost baby. I encourage her that after her contact end in 2 years, she can go back and try again and who knows the lost baby might come back to her.
She followed the confinement nanny for 3 days and my confinement nanny had full of complains about the maid. The maid does not speak English and she cannot understand the feeding schedule. I told her to write down all the feeding timing. She can't figure out am and pm. She can't figure out dates as well. I think I m very patient towards her... There was once I even invented a new method to teach her about feeding interval using 2 bottles to mimic baby tummy and feeding. The 1st week she was at home with me and baby during the day. 2nd week we start going to my mum place in the day as that would be the arrangement for her and baby when I return to work. Everyday she has to pack baby stuffs to my mum place and there are days she forget to pack milk. I wonder would she forget to eat her own meals.
Having trained her for 2 weeks I decided that she is really not cut to take care of baby. Considering that Clovy is a much easier baby than Charlotte... She can't really manage her feeding... Clovy is constantly crying when the maid feed her... Cos the maid doesn't know how to burp her. I do not know how is the maid going to manage it alone when I go back to work. I think Nick is constantly hearing my complain about the maid everyday. I spend so much effort to train her, forsaking the comfort of my own place to bring her and bb to my mum place early in the morning and teaching her how to take care of baby, yet nothing much goes into her brain. She is very stubborn and will take things in her own hands.
Initially, Nick is not keen for Clovy to go infant care as this would chalk up our expenses plus we might not need the maid which means housework for both of us. But after a few agony days with lots of blood boiling incidents, (I do not want to recall so I m not listing them) I convinced Nick that we really can't leave Clovy in the maid's care. He is supportive of my decision so I called up about 8 to 10 centers mostly Pcfs as the ntuc ones has long waiting list. I managed to find 3 centers near my mum place which has vacancy. I went to view the centers immediately. I dare not leave the baby alone with the maid for too long so using the interval during her feeding time, I walked to the 3 centers. After viewing, my ultimate choice is the one which a small area and they can only take in a max of 10 babies. Currently they have 5 and including Clovy, it will be 6. I ask around for advise on infant care and I decided that the smaller area IFC would be a better choice. I brought Nick to view the place the next day (Saturday) and place the deposit and enrollment on following Monday. Before placing the deposit, I asked around my mum place to see if there is any nanny. It happen that my mum Neighbour staying 1 level down is an experienced nanny. I went to look for her but she can't take in Clovy as she is currently taking care of 1 toddler.
As the center only take in baby every beginning of the month, they hope that Clovy can start in 1st Sept as they already have bb going to come in Oct. Clovy will only be 2.5 months old by 1st Sept. Nonetheless, I decided that it might be better to get her to kick start the routine fast. Whenever I tell people Clovy is in IFC, they will give me this horror look... But I rather she goes to IFC then in the hand of the maid which is so unpredictable. People start telling me how neglected the baby will be in the IFC... But I myself can't attend to here all the time when she was with me at home. I often left her crying and screaming when I need to attend to other matters.
I send the maid back to the agent by late of August. Initially I wanted to keep the maid for housework as my mum place need to clean up as well. But a lot of incidents that make my blood boil and I keep losing my temper. I am worried that one find day she will go crazy also. She really bo sim to work for us. By sending her back I lost about 1k. The insurance and misc about $500, her 2 weeks stay in the agent before she get a transfer will cost $210. The govt levy during the transfer another $120. It got me really upset and pissed. Now I am still waiting and considering if I want the replacement. If I do not take the replacement, I would lost the agent fee about 1k. Her prepaid salary about 2k I still do not know if I can get those back. Sian.... All in all, I might be paying 2.7k (1k misc, 1k agent fee and 700 for her 1 month salary) for her 1 month work with us! Bloody hell, it's even more expensive than the confinement nanny and yet useless. The issue about maid is when you get a good one, it will be helping hand. When you get a lousy one, you will have sleepless nights and training for your blood pressure. I am seriously considering not to have any maid.
When I had the maid, I stop the part time cleaning service for my mum place... Then now I get the part time cleaner to come back... She increased our fee.... I really feel like a walking carrot all thanks to the maid... My wallet is feeling very very painful.
She followed the confinement nanny for 3 days and my confinement nanny had full of complains about the maid. The maid does not speak English and she cannot understand the feeding schedule. I told her to write down all the feeding timing. She can't figure out am and pm. She can't figure out dates as well. I think I m very patient towards her... There was once I even invented a new method to teach her about feeding interval using 2 bottles to mimic baby tummy and feeding. The 1st week she was at home with me and baby during the day. 2nd week we start going to my mum place in the day as that would be the arrangement for her and baby when I return to work. Everyday she has to pack baby stuffs to my mum place and there are days she forget to pack milk. I wonder would she forget to eat her own meals.
Having trained her for 2 weeks I decided that she is really not cut to take care of baby. Considering that Clovy is a much easier baby than Charlotte... She can't really manage her feeding... Clovy is constantly crying when the maid feed her... Cos the maid doesn't know how to burp her. I do not know how is the maid going to manage it alone when I go back to work. I think Nick is constantly hearing my complain about the maid everyday. I spend so much effort to train her, forsaking the comfort of my own place to bring her and bb to my mum place early in the morning and teaching her how to take care of baby, yet nothing much goes into her brain. She is very stubborn and will take things in her own hands.
Initially, Nick is not keen for Clovy to go infant care as this would chalk up our expenses plus we might not need the maid which means housework for both of us. But after a few agony days with lots of blood boiling incidents, (I do not want to recall so I m not listing them) I convinced Nick that we really can't leave Clovy in the maid's care. He is supportive of my decision so I called up about 8 to 10 centers mostly Pcfs as the ntuc ones has long waiting list. I managed to find 3 centers near my mum place which has vacancy. I went to view the centers immediately. I dare not leave the baby alone with the maid for too long so using the interval during her feeding time, I walked to the 3 centers. After viewing, my ultimate choice is the one which a small area and they can only take in a max of 10 babies. Currently they have 5 and including Clovy, it will be 6. I ask around for advise on infant care and I decided that the smaller area IFC would be a better choice. I brought Nick to view the place the next day (Saturday) and place the deposit and enrollment on following Monday. Before placing the deposit, I asked around my mum place to see if there is any nanny. It happen that my mum Neighbour staying 1 level down is an experienced nanny. I went to look for her but she can't take in Clovy as she is currently taking care of 1 toddler.
As the center only take in baby every beginning of the month, they hope that Clovy can start in 1st Sept as they already have bb going to come in Oct. Clovy will only be 2.5 months old by 1st Sept. Nonetheless, I decided that it might be better to get her to kick start the routine fast. Whenever I tell people Clovy is in IFC, they will give me this horror look... But I rather she goes to IFC then in the hand of the maid which is so unpredictable. People start telling me how neglected the baby will be in the IFC... But I myself can't attend to here all the time when she was with me at home. I often left her crying and screaming when I need to attend to other matters.
I send the maid back to the agent by late of August. Initially I wanted to keep the maid for housework as my mum place need to clean up as well. But a lot of incidents that make my blood boil and I keep losing my temper. I am worried that one find day she will go crazy also. She really bo sim to work for us. By sending her back I lost about 1k. The insurance and misc about $500, her 2 weeks stay in the agent before she get a transfer will cost $210. The govt levy during the transfer another $120. It got me really upset and pissed. Now I am still waiting and considering if I want the replacement. If I do not take the replacement, I would lost the agent fee about 1k. Her prepaid salary about 2k I still do not know if I can get those back. Sian.... All in all, I might be paying 2.7k (1k misc, 1k agent fee and 700 for her 1 month salary) for her 1 month work with us! Bloody hell, it's even more expensive than the confinement nanny and yet useless. The issue about maid is when you get a good one, it will be helping hand. When you get a lousy one, you will have sleepless nights and training for your blood pressure. I am seriously considering not to have any maid.
When I had the maid, I stop the part time cleaning service for my mum place... Then now I get the part time cleaner to come back... She increased our fee.... I really feel like a walking carrot all thanks to the maid... My wallet is feeling very very painful.
Breast feeding journal ~ chicken feet phase
I am now into week 12 of pumping... Comparing with the first 4 to 6 weeks of breast feeding journey, now is the phase I personally call it the chicken feet phase! Now I m really good at controlling my pumping time. I am doing 3 pumps a day, the longest I have dragged is 10 hours. It was Charlotte birthday celebration so that day I was so afraid of blocked duct. Now that the breast are regulated, when it's hard it won't become rock hard, sorry for being so detail, but pumping mothers would understand what I mean. It's really not easy because I m practically watching out for timing and yield. The good thing is I can control the interval better, meaning I can drag or shorten the timing if the I am not able to pump at the stipulated timing.
Before you continue reading.... Warning as content might get a bit graphical... Descriptively.
My regular pump timing would be 5-6am, 1-2pm, 9-10pm. Averagely my yield is 130 to 150ml on left and 50 to 70 on right. I read online that it's normal for unbalance yield. Clovy is feeding 130ml per feed, so I am supplying her with close to 90% breast milk. I would say with Clovy it really bring me new experience on Breastfeeding. I did not breastfeed Charlotte due to low or no supply. Charlotte is also not a milk drinker.
With my new breast feeding experience, I also thought of more tips to warm up breast milk. My newly discovery.... Instead of warming it via the traditional way of hot water in the mug and change a couple of times.... I warm it via a thermal mug. I found a thermal mug at home which the cover is spoilt, then I slot my thermal flask (for bringing outdoor) and it fit perfectly. When we are outside, I just pour 1 round of hot water to warm the chilled milk.
My next research would be on thermal bag to transport the milk as I am going back to work real soon. Currently I am using the daiso small thermal bag to transport 3 bottles of chilled breast milk to Clovy school. I also put in the 2 small iced cooler which I bought from daiso. The minus point is condensation. It often wet her clothes which is in the same bag... If I carry it separately, I am worried that I might forget to bring out. I am now trying to find a thermal bag which has minimum condensation on the surface.
The part about Breastfeeding is diet is no no in the equation...I don't know if I am in self denial stage or what... I haven lose my Preggy weight.... I just tell myself "it's ok cos I am Breastfeeding" and I eat a lot.... Hahahah ah.... Recently I am crazily into granola. Every morning I do look forward to the pumping session the the wee hours... I will feed baby when she wake up... Sometimes 4 sometimes 5am... Then I will wash up and prep for pumping. A bowl of chilled fresh milk and granola is what I look forward to every morning. Hahahah I used to suffer from constipation when I consumed too much cereal like this... But now I do not have this problem. I guess the loads and lots of water in my diet count. Yes! I eat while pumping... In fact I m typing this blog as I pump. I do not have a hand free set. Basically, I set up a small pumping station in my room consist of very simple stuffs, 1 ikea children child with cushion (the plastic is ok but with a cushion, it's more comfortable), a mat on the floor (cos I do drip and spray when I hand pump towards the end), sometimes I hand expressed in the toilet, and a small side table for my pump, warm water with hankie for cleaning, cereal in milk or water, iPad and handphone! Conclusion? I can do nothing when I m pumping... What I did is use my thigh to support the bottles and the height is just nice when seated on the ikea children chair. I used to pump sitting upright on the bed, but very hard for me to access to my stuffs on the side table as any movement will cause the funnel to leak.
The part of food intake... I only avoid broccoli, other than that I eat anything, everything... From coffee to seafood to wine... Yes, I do take red wine... Quite often because there are so much wedding dinner going on. :p I take a lot of dairy products as well, ice cream and cheese are my favorite. I m not taking any supplement. Let things take it's natural course.....
Before you continue reading.... Warning as content might get a bit graphical... Descriptively.
My regular pump timing would be 5-6am, 1-2pm, 9-10pm. Averagely my yield is 130 to 150ml on left and 50 to 70 on right. I read online that it's normal for unbalance yield. Clovy is feeding 130ml per feed, so I am supplying her with close to 90% breast milk. I would say with Clovy it really bring me new experience on Breastfeeding. I did not breastfeed Charlotte due to low or no supply. Charlotte is also not a milk drinker.
With my new breast feeding experience, I also thought of more tips to warm up breast milk. My newly discovery.... Instead of warming it via the traditional way of hot water in the mug and change a couple of times.... I warm it via a thermal mug. I found a thermal mug at home which the cover is spoilt, then I slot my thermal flask (for bringing outdoor) and it fit perfectly. When we are outside, I just pour 1 round of hot water to warm the chilled milk.
My next research would be on thermal bag to transport the milk as I am going back to work real soon. Currently I am using the daiso small thermal bag to transport 3 bottles of chilled breast milk to Clovy school. I also put in the 2 small iced cooler which I bought from daiso. The minus point is condensation. It often wet her clothes which is in the same bag... If I carry it separately, I am worried that I might forget to bring out. I am now trying to find a thermal bag which has minimum condensation on the surface.
The part about Breastfeeding is diet is no no in the equation...I don't know if I am in self denial stage or what... I haven lose my Preggy weight.... I just tell myself "it's ok cos I am Breastfeeding" and I eat a lot.... Hahahah ah.... Recently I am crazily into granola. Every morning I do look forward to the pumping session the the wee hours... I will feed baby when she wake up... Sometimes 4 sometimes 5am... Then I will wash up and prep for pumping. A bowl of chilled fresh milk and granola is what I look forward to every morning. Hahahah I used to suffer from constipation when I consumed too much cereal like this... But now I do not have this problem. I guess the loads and lots of water in my diet count. Yes! I eat while pumping... In fact I m typing this blog as I pump. I do not have a hand free set. Basically, I set up a small pumping station in my room consist of very simple stuffs, 1 ikea children child with cushion (the plastic is ok but with a cushion, it's more comfortable), a mat on the floor (cos I do drip and spray when I hand pump towards the end), sometimes I hand expressed in the toilet, and a small side table for my pump, warm water with hankie for cleaning, cereal in milk or water, iPad and handphone! Conclusion? I can do nothing when I m pumping... What I did is use my thigh to support the bottles and the height is just nice when seated on the ikea children chair. I used to pump sitting upright on the bed, but very hard for me to access to my stuffs on the side table as any movement will cause the funnel to leak.
The part of food intake... I only avoid broccoli, other than that I eat anything, everything... From coffee to seafood to wine... Yes, I do take red wine... Quite often because there are so much wedding dinner going on. :p I take a lot of dairy products as well, ice cream and cheese are my favorite. I m not taking any supplement. Let things take it's natural course.....
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