Somewhere over the rainbow…

Tooth Care

I brought Justin a baby tooth brush 2 days ago, and Justin is eager to use it. Of coz, he only pretends to brush his teeth, imitating the way I do it. He’ll put his tooth brush in his month and bite it, then take it out again, put it in the water, then brush his teeth again. I only let him do it at night, which is before bedtime.

I’m not sure when we should start brushing baby’s teeth. He has 4 teeth, and 4 more are coming out. I think he’s using the tooth brush as a teething material which he can bite on. Or maybe he’s trying hard to learn from mommy and daddy on how to brush his teeth.

Well, it’s only a practice for him. Hopefully he won’t get bored of the tooth brush like most of his toys.

Boy or Girl?

This is the question most frequently asked to me lately. Personally I don’t mind if I’m carrying a boy again, as long as he’s a healthy baby. But most people around me wish that I’m expecting a girl, since I already have Justin.

Hubby would like to have a baby girl this time. He doesn’t plan to have more babies soon, and he thinks it would be perfect to have a boy and a girl and then tutup kedai. Of coz, most men think that girls are more attached to daddy, he probably wants to feel how “teh” a daughter can be.

MIL wants to have a girl too. She has 4 sons without any daughter. Out of 5 grandchildren, only Xin Yi is a girl. If this coming baby is a boy, that means Xin Yi will be the one and only granddaughter, if none of her DIL plans to get pregnant again.

During my last check up, my gynae said this one could be a girl as he couldn’t see the birdie. Hubby was very excited and told almost everyone. But today, my gynae saw a tiny thing down there, but couldn’t be sure as it’s very small. I called hubby to tell him that this baby might be a boy, and thought he’d be disappointed. But I can’t tell from his voice, he only said we can’t decide on the name yet. Or maybe he’s hiding his disappointment?

Girl or boy, that’s nothing we can do about, it has already decided. Nonetheless, I know if she’s a girl, hubby will be thrilled. But if he’s a boy, I know both of us will also love him as much.

One Step Nearer to SAHM

I’ve been thinking of being a full time stay-at-home-mum for some time, especially after my second pregnancy. I’ve been worrying about how to cope with a toddler and a baby, and my work. The best solution for the time being is cutting down my time spent at work, even if I’m only working for less than 6 hours a day.

I have a few friends in the same line as me. Most of them go to work at 7am as most kindergardens operate very early, finish in the afternoon or evening, and then rush to learning / tuition centre and work until 10pm. My friend said she saw the school children more often that her own. Once her daughter called when we’re having meeting in KL, asking her if she could be back on that night. She said she couldn’t make it as there’s another meeting the next day, but she’ll rush back to Seremban as soon as possible after the meeting. Her 6-year-old girl replied her in anger, saying that if she couldn’t come back that night, don’t bother to come back, she doesn’t need her mother then. My friend’s heart was broken into pieces hearing it. She’s busier than me, and can only see her children on Sunday. Poor mommy and poor kids.

There’re so many mothers who complaint to me that they just missed out the days when their children are growing up. I truly understand their situation. It’s very competitive in this field, and one should really work hard if she wants to have her investment capital returns fast. That’s why they tends to leave their children at home while they’re working like hell outside.

After some discussion with hubby and my partners, we all agreed to stop operating one of our kindergardens by the end of the year. It’s the one I am managing, and I really feel incapable of running it now. So most of the money invested is going down the drain as it has only been operated for a year and hasn’t break even yet. Hubby said it’s ok, and he doesn’t mind about the money. He also agrees I should slow things down, relax myself and enjoy my pregnancy again.

So, I feel so relief now that most of the documents and procedures are done. Just counting down the number of days to go.

My B-day

It’s my birthday today, and I only remembered it yesterday. My dad called to wish me an early birthday. Gosh, I can’t belief I can’t remember my own birthday. I live my days not knowing the date most of the time, if I really need to know, I’ll just check my h/p.

Luckily, hubby remembered. But we’re not celebrating like pat toh days, only having dinner with family members, not a romantic night out. I think after getting married, getting romantic is like once in a blue moon. We spend quality family time instead, and most married couples know what I mean by that.

What’s my birthday present? Besides the earrings given by hubby, my birthday present for this year is my baby inside my tummy. I was pregnant with Justin during my last birthday, and this year also pregnant again. My babies are my best birthday gifts ever, aren’t yours too?

Wasn’t that My Daddy?

Called mum yesterday evening, and she told me something that breaks my heart.

Justin was having his evening walk with my mum, and a man walk pass my mum’s house. He’s about the same height as hubby, and my mum said Justin could have mistaken him as hubby and was crying and pointing towards the man, asking my mum to follow him. Gosh, it took my mum some time comforting him and telling him that it’s only an uncle but not daddy.

After a while, Justin took a long look at the man and noticed that he’s someone else. Poor fella, he surely misses us. So, hubby decided to come back from KL tonight, and we’ll see him tomorrow after work. We miss him too.

Formula vs Breast

Just read one of Zara’s mama’s post, and can’t help thinking why so many mothers still prefer not to breastfeed?

I know most moms tried their best, and maybe due to lack of support, knowledge, dunno where to get help, they have no choice but to give up. It’s a personal choice, and I respect that. But I just beh tahan with those that give so much negative comments without checking the facts straight first.

I’ve fully breastfeed Justin for 9 months, and due to second pregnancy, my milk production decreased dramatically. Not to mention my experience with threatened abortion, I finally decided to supplement him with formula milk, and slowly, Justin weaned off by himself without much hassle. Occasionally, he’ll crawl to me and wanted to be nursed. But it’s only lasted a minute or two, and he’ll let go and crawl away smiling. It’s only comfort nursing now, and I really miss my breastfeeding moments with him.

Since he’s on formula milk now, I have to bring so many things when I go out with him. Lots of pro-formula mothers told me that it’s not fussy, only bring thermos, bottle, and a few feedings of formula milk. Yeh right, now I can’t go out like before when I only need to bring some diapers and handkerchief. I don’t even need to bring water sometimes as breastfeed babies can rely on breastmilk to quench their thirst.

Maybe I worried to much, it’s just that after each feed, I think the bottle should be washed. When we go out, we have no choice but to wash the bottle at toilets and I’m always worried about germs! Unless I bring a few bottles along, wouldn’t that be even ma huan? If breastfeed, no need to worry about this, breastmilk is always clean.

And I can’t extend our outings anymore, we have to get back before Justin finishes his last formula feeding I prepared, unless I bring the whole tin out, which is insane to me. Not heavy meh???

My friend said breastfeeding is troublesome because we can’t breastfeed everywhere. First of all, if you’re in a shopping complex, look for baby changing room. You’ll be surprise at how cosy some baby rooms are and they have curtains and sofas. I once breastfed Justin at Parkson Ipoh’s baby room in lying down position. The sofa is big enough, and with curtains too. If you’re at a chinese restaurant (ex, wedding dinner), ask the captain and host for permission to use the bridal changing room. If the bride can strip off and change, the room offers plenty of privacy. And if you’re out and about, and too shy to breastfeed in public, go to your car! That’s what I normally do too. Out visiting friends or relatives? Use their rooms lah! So, it’s really no big deal.

The worst thing is getting up twice at night, making formula milk, feeding him with eyes awake, and washing up after that. Previously, I only need to breastfeed him lying down and I normally half asleep while breastfeeding. Sometimes I didn’t even know he’s done. So, hubby also complains a lot now after switching to formula because he has to get up and feed his prince. Ha! Ha!

Mommy’s on Leave

Gosh, it took me a while to think of a title, don’t know which is suitable.

After spending a week in Penang during DeepaRaya, Justin is very attached to grandma and grandpa. Of coz, they don’t see him very often, and will just pamper him as much as possible, but not to the extreme of spoiling him. My mom has been persuading me to leave Justin there for a week or two so that they can spend some time with him. Previously, I can’t leave him there because he’s on breastfeeding, and was really attached to me. Now, he has self-weaned off (maybe mommy already pregnant and no milk), and it’s getting used to staying at granny’s place. So, we placed him there yesterday.

It’s funny driving back from Penang to Ipoh with only hubby and I in the car. Both of us felt empty, and weird. It’s like we’ve lost something that we have been used to having. We called back 3 times yesterday, just asking how he’s doing. Seems like he’s doing well. Last night, I didn’t sleep well either. I have the privilege of sleeping thru the night for a week, but my biological clock is not working that way. Funny huh?

Just called my dad this morning, and Justin was having some fruits. He doesn’t seems like missing hubby and I. Maybe he’s still young? Now, I try to restrain myself from calling back too often, maybe I’ll only call them tonight.

Justin’s Learning to Talk

Justin knows how to say Papa for some time already, and the next word he said was “apple”. Whenever he sees an apple, he’ll sound the word. Of coz, that means he wants to have the apple, and nowadays, he’s taking 2 apples daily. Too much or not?

Last week, he knew a few more words. The first one is “open”, as he likes us to help him to open the drawers, spectacles case, boxes, etc. And some how or rather, he picks up “open” very fast. It’s funny, I’ve always thought that he’ll start by calling people, but he learns how to say other words first.

Then, he started sounding “ball”, “golf”, “balo” (which means balloon), but still doesn’t know how to say mama. He knows what mama / mommy means, but just not really to say the word. So jealous of hubby as he successfully taught Justin to say papa so fast. Sigh!

Going Kai Kai

I’m going off to Penang (finally decided), and will not be blogging for a while. Ta Ta and have a wonderful holiday!

Where to go?

Hubby’s coming on Friday, if none of his flight is delay. He’s too anxious to be back to see his prince, he doesn’t care about jet lag, transferring flight, bus, and train from Shandong, China, back to KL / Penang.

He’s taking a week off next week, same as me. Both of us think that we need to spend time together with Justin. Poor fella, already missing daddy like crazy. But where should we go?

Most places already packed and fully booked. I’m afraid of spending holiday with a big bunch of people, just can’t relax and spoil my mood.

Ah! No place to go already. All because of last minute / no planning at all in the first place. I can’t stay at home in ipoh, MIL had ordered me to either leave for Penang or go some place else as chicken pox virus is still spreading in my house. Xin Yi’s having it now.

Gee, if no place to go, can only be back to Penang liao….