I brought Sherryn for her 5 month old jab when I had this conversation with one of the patients at the clinic (an 'auntie').
Auntie: So cute, is it a boy or girl?
Me: She's a girl.
Auntie: Looks like a boy. How old?
Me: 5 months. Ya, many people say she has the boy look.
Auntie: First one or second?
Me: Second. My first one is coming to 3 years.
Auntie: Oh, boy or girl?
Me: I have 2 girls. (I know full well where this conversation is heading..)
Auntie: Oh, never mind, try for a boy the next time.
My helper was chuckling beside me cos she knows that I have one too many of such conversations.
What's wrong with having 2 girls? I dont see the need for any consolation for not having a boy... Also, even if I do try for a 3rd child, there is no guarantee that it will be a boy. And what would people say then if I have 3 girls? Try for a 4th?
The next time people ask, I am planning to say I have a boy and a girl and see what people's reactions are.. ha ha..
Monday, July 5, 2010
Friday, July 2, 2010
Sherryn is 5 months old!
Our dear Sherryn turned 5 months old a week back and weighs ard 7 plus kgs. She's growing fast, now drinking 180ml per feed 4 times a day. Whatever her jie jie could do at 5 months, she is able to too. Refer to Kaelyn's blog at 5 months.
At the PD's advice, we have started giving Sherryn apple and pear juice at 4 months, as she only as she only poos once a week, or even once in 10 days. Sometimes, we even have to resort to using suppository to help her out. I've started giving her pear puree as well but so far still dont see much improvements.. Have also let her try a little organic brown rice cereal twice just to 'test waters'.
Sherryn is still the happy, cheerful baby. My sis commented that she has never heard her cry (well thats partly because she seldom sees her. ha ha). But it's rather true that she laughs (really loudly) much more than she cries. So lucky to have such a baby! = ) I think shes getting smarter too. She knows when to call out to you and ask to be carried. She'll give you the wide-eyed 'oh I am such a poor thing' look, like the puss in boots in Shrek. Really, that always does it.
I have put her on some sort of 'programme' myself. After her milk and bath in the mornings, she will have music lessons where I play the piano and she sings along. In the afternoon after her 'lunch' and rest, we will have gym lessons where she will practise her rolling, play in her playgym and strengthen her leg muscles where I prop her up in the standing position for her to push with both legs. Then in the evening, I will read a book, or some flash cards to her. If I dont think of something deliverate like that to do, I guess I will be just chucking her into the rocker while I surf the net and do my own things. What else can you do with a baby so young?
At the PD's advice, we have started giving Sherryn apple and pear juice at 4 months, as she only as she only poos once a week, or even once in 10 days. Sometimes, we even have to resort to using suppository to help her out. I've started giving her pear puree as well but so far still dont see much improvements.. Have also let her try a little organic brown rice cereal twice just to 'test waters'.
Sherryn is still the happy, cheerful baby. My sis commented that she has never heard her cry (well thats partly because she seldom sees her. ha ha). But it's rather true that she laughs (really loudly) much more than she cries. So lucky to have such a baby! = ) I think shes getting smarter too. She knows when to call out to you and ask to be carried. She'll give you the wide-eyed 'oh I am such a poor thing' look, like the puss in boots in Shrek. Really, that always does it.
I have put her on some sort of 'programme' myself. After her milk and bath in the mornings, she will have music lessons where I play the piano and she sings along. In the afternoon after her 'lunch' and rest, we will have gym lessons where she will practise her rolling, play in her playgym and strengthen her leg muscles where I prop her up in the standing position for her to push with both legs. Then in the evening, I will read a book, or some flash cards to her. If I dont think of something deliverate like that to do, I guess I will be just chucking her into the rocker while I surf the net and do my own things. What else can you do with a baby so young?
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
First family trip to Phuket 2010
We did a 4D 3N trip to Phuket in June with the 2 little ones and David's family. It was a first overseas family trip for us and the packing before that took days! We booked a 2 bedroom resort at the Marriott Vacation Club Mai Khao Beach at special promotional price and I was really looking forward to it.
The trip turned out to be disappointing for me. Firstly, we made a mistake by not bringing along our helper so we ended up having to wash bottles change nappies, wash children clothes etc all by ourselves, when I dont even do this at home! Then I had to juggle my time between feeding baby, pumping, playing with Kaelyn.. Talk about going for a holiday... Secondly, the resort that we were booked in was very inaccessible, very very far from town and the nearest beach was not great at all. Then, Kaelyn came down with a fever the second night, and there goes the rest of our 'holiday'. We spent most of the time in the room itself or just take short walks around the resort, which doesnt have much to see anyway. But the consolation was that our room was big and spacious with full kitchen, 3 plasma TVs, large bathtubs, coffee / tea / water provided, fridge and freezer etc.
Phuket, here we come!
Kids enjoying themselves at the arcade and watching Playhouse Disney together
Sherryn and Kaelyn having a good time in the luxurious bathtub
Our day trip to the Phuket town - Having seafood, Big Buddha and Wat Chalong
I love the soft and big bed!
The beach - nothing to shout about..
The swimming pool - the kids had a great time there on the first day
Outdoor table tennis
Kids club in the resort, where the kids spend quite some time in
Home sweet home - Sherryn in the bassinet
Some takeaways from this trip:
(1) Bring your maid along if you do not want to spend most of your time focussing on a young kid and a baby. There is no time to relax at all! I feel so exhausted when I came back that I took 3 days to recover. Serious!
(2) Bring along all types of medicine for your kids. You never know when you will need them. We called the local doctor in to see Kaelyn in the wee hours of the morning. Good thing we are able to claim from travel insurance.
(3) Book somewhere accessible if you do not want to be stuck in the resort all the time.
(4) Keep the group small. It is sometimes quite difficult to move with a big group as there was a lot of waiting time, mostly contributed by us! Kids needing a change of clothes / diapers, needing to feed, I need to pump etc etc. So I feel quite guilty for holding the group back.
(5) Do planning in advance. We had no idea what to do and see there and in the end really ended up in the resort most of the time. But it was also partly because of the kids and Kaelyn being sick that prevented us from venturing out.
(6) Keep a bottle of water or pacifier or your breasts handy in the plane when the plane takes off and land. This will minimise wailing from the kids due to the pressure in their ears.
Well at least, the kids experienced their very first ride on an aeroplane!
The trip turned out to be disappointing for me. Firstly, we made a mistake by not bringing along our helper so we ended up having to wash bottles change nappies, wash children clothes etc all by ourselves, when I dont even do this at home! Then I had to juggle my time between feeding baby, pumping, playing with Kaelyn.. Talk about going for a holiday... Secondly, the resort that we were booked in was very inaccessible, very very far from town and the nearest beach was not great at all. Then, Kaelyn came down with a fever the second night, and there goes the rest of our 'holiday'. We spent most of the time in the room itself or just take short walks around the resort, which doesnt have much to see anyway. But the consolation was that our room was big and spacious with full kitchen, 3 plasma TVs, large bathtubs, coffee / tea / water provided, fridge and freezer etc.
Phuket, here we come!
Kids enjoying themselves at the arcade and watching Playhouse Disney together
Sherryn and Kaelyn having a good time in the luxurious bathtub
Our day trip to the Phuket town - Having seafood, Big Buddha and Wat Chalong
I love the soft and big bed!
The beach - nothing to shout about..
The swimming pool - the kids had a great time there on the first day
Outdoor table tennis
Kids club in the resort, where the kids spend quite some time in
Home sweet home - Sherryn in the bassinet
Some takeaways from this trip:
(1) Bring your maid along if you do not want to spend most of your time focussing on a young kid and a baby. There is no time to relax at all! I feel so exhausted when I came back that I took 3 days to recover. Serious!
(2) Bring along all types of medicine for your kids. You never know when you will need them. We called the local doctor in to see Kaelyn in the wee hours of the morning. Good thing we are able to claim from travel insurance.
(3) Book somewhere accessible if you do not want to be stuck in the resort all the time.
(4) Keep the group small. It is sometimes quite difficult to move with a big group as there was a lot of waiting time, mostly contributed by us! Kids needing a change of clothes / diapers, needing to feed, I need to pump etc etc. So I feel quite guilty for holding the group back.
(5) Do planning in advance. We had no idea what to do and see there and in the end really ended up in the resort most of the time. But it was also partly because of the kids and Kaelyn being sick that prevented us from venturing out.
(6) Keep a bottle of water or pacifier or your breasts handy in the plane when the plane takes off and land. This will minimise wailing from the kids due to the pressure in their ears.
Well at least, the kids experienced their very first ride on an aeroplane!
Friday, June 18, 2010
Reflections..
When I was younger, I have always thought that I am a kids lover, those kind who really love kids (whether their own or not) to bits. You see, my personality is of the milder temperament, and with a great deal of patience. I was in Girl Guides (think of community work, campfires, singing songs, doing good deeds etc), and had a short stint as a relief teacher. Even when playing those silly horoscope games, I am always 'most suited' to be a childcare teacher, social worker, counsellor etc. If I were to look into a crystal ball then, I should be seeing a kind and patient mother, perhaps doing some part-time work in a nursery / childcare for the sake of her children, very adept with babies and children, always smiling and patiently teaching them....
Fast forward to today, I am now a mother of 2 (and I hope to stop here!), tired out by an active, temperamental 2.5 year old and a 4 month old infant. I cant seem to work out my time and love between the 2, and my schedule is often in a mess. My patience has been tested countless times, and I find myself screaming at my elder daughter at least once a day, mainly over mealtimes and when she throws tantrums (which is quite often). I fluctuate between the patient mother and an evil stepmother when that patience limit has been breached. I have frequent mood swings that sometimes will spiral into some kind of 'blues' (not depression yet, thankfully). I sometimes am guilty of wishing I was back at the good old childless days.
Having said the above, dont get me wrong, I love my children and enjoy being with them as can be seen in my previous postings. I love it when they rely on me on the smallest things which means I am a world to them. I love it when we say silly things, play silly games together etc. But the reality is that child rearing is an extremely demanding and energy-sapping affair. And 2 is really more than enough for me for now, thank you very much..
Fast forward to today, I am now a mother of 2 (and I hope to stop here!), tired out by an active, temperamental 2.5 year old and a 4 month old infant. I cant seem to work out my time and love between the 2, and my schedule is often in a mess. My patience has been tested countless times, and I find myself screaming at my elder daughter at least once a day, mainly over mealtimes and when she throws tantrums (which is quite often). I fluctuate between the patient mother and an evil stepmother when that patience limit has been breached. I have frequent mood swings that sometimes will spiral into some kind of 'blues' (not depression yet, thankfully). I sometimes am guilty of wishing I was back at the good old childless days.
Having said the above, dont get me wrong, I love my children and enjoy being with them as can be seen in my previous postings. I love it when they rely on me on the smallest things which means I am a world to them. I love it when we say silly things, play silly games together etc. But the reality is that child rearing is an extremely demanding and energy-sapping affair. And 2 is really more than enough for me for now, thank you very much..
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Sherryn at 4 months old
Oh dear, has it been 4 months already? Where has all that time gone to?
I cant help but keep comparing Sherryn to Kaelyn every now and then. I just want to see if Sherryn is developing / progressing faster or slower than her sister. After 4 months, it is quite clear where their similarities and differences lie.
- Physically, Sherryn is bigger and heavier than Kaelyn at 4 months. Sherryn was 6.5kg at 3 months and 3 weeks while Kaelyn was 6.1kg at 4 months.
- Sherryn still cant roll from back to tummy while Kaelyn was already an 'expert' at this age. Perhaps this is due to Sherryn being heavier?
Sherryn
Kaelyn
- Both like to be propped up or carried around to view the world from an upright position.
Sherryn
Kaelyn
- Both are easily distracted at this age and do not drink much at my breast as all they face is me! However, Sherryn is able to drink more using bottle compared to Kaelyn. Sherryn is much easier to feed and finishes her milk of 160ml without much fuss.
- Sherryn has a better temperament. She does not scream or shout to get what she wants, much easier to look after. When she's hungry, tired or asked to be carried, she will let out some cries but nothing close to the angry howls of protests Kaelyn let out.
- Both are cheerful and 'talkative' babies who will laugh and babble when you play with them.
- Both like to watch TV!
- Both are able to amuse themselves by playing with their own fingers and toes and scratching their ears, and trying to hit at toys in front of them.
I can tell that these 2 girls will grow up to have different personalities. Both will be cheerful but Kaelyn will be the more impatient and quick tempered one just like her dad. And Sherryn make take after me to be more patient with a milder temperament.
I feel quite guilty towards Sherryn, as I have been spending less time talking, reading, singing to her as I did with Kaelyn. Perhaps due to attention having to be split between 2 kids, and also me taking advantage of Sherryn's nicer temper, as she does not 'demand' much attention from me. I have about 7 weeks before I go to work, so will use this time to 'make amends' by paying more attention to Sherryn..
I cant help but keep comparing Sherryn to Kaelyn every now and then. I just want to see if Sherryn is developing / progressing faster or slower than her sister. After 4 months, it is quite clear where their similarities and differences lie.
- Physically, Sherryn is bigger and heavier than Kaelyn at 4 months. Sherryn was 6.5kg at 3 months and 3 weeks while Kaelyn was 6.1kg at 4 months.
- Sherryn still cant roll from back to tummy while Kaelyn was already an 'expert' at this age. Perhaps this is due to Sherryn being heavier?
Sherryn
Kaelyn
- Both like to be propped up or carried around to view the world from an upright position.
Sherryn
Kaelyn
- Both are easily distracted at this age and do not drink much at my breast as all they face is me! However, Sherryn is able to drink more using bottle compared to Kaelyn. Sherryn is much easier to feed and finishes her milk of 160ml without much fuss.
- Sherryn has a better temperament. She does not scream or shout to get what she wants, much easier to look after. When she's hungry, tired or asked to be carried, she will let out some cries but nothing close to the angry howls of protests Kaelyn let out.
- Both are cheerful and 'talkative' babies who will laugh and babble when you play with them.
- Both like to watch TV!
- Both are able to amuse themselves by playing with their own fingers and toes and scratching their ears, and trying to hit at toys in front of them.
I can tell that these 2 girls will grow up to have different personalities. Both will be cheerful but Kaelyn will be the more impatient and quick tempered one just like her dad. And Sherryn make take after me to be more patient with a milder temperament.
I feel quite guilty towards Sherryn, as I have been spending less time talking, reading, singing to her as I did with Kaelyn. Perhaps due to attention having to be split between 2 kids, and also me taking advantage of Sherryn's nicer temper, as she does not 'demand' much attention from me. I have about 7 weeks before I go to work, so will use this time to 'make amends' by paying more attention to Sherryn..
Talkative Kaelyn
Kaelyn is now 2 years 10 months old. She is considered a very talkative girl. She would yak and sing non stop in the car, at home, in her bed before she sleeps, when eating etc. But this happens only when she is around people she is familiar with. When in front of not too familiar people, she becomes 'dumb'.
She would yak about her teacher, her friends, the songs she sing in school and what she likes to do with her 'mei mei when she is big'. She is creative with song lyrics and would replace those lyrics with her own.
It is always very entertaining to hear her talk and sing. She really makes my day sometimes, although she drives me up the wall rather often.
I recall one conversation I had with her at her school's playground while she was sitting in the mini car.
Kaelyn: Mama, after I come out (of the car), its your turn to sit ok?
Me: The car is too small for me. It is for children like you.
Kaelyn: And mei mei and my friends?
Me: Yes
Kaelyn: Then tomorrow you eat slow slow, then become smaller then you can sit already.
It really left me in stitches. Kids' thinking is really very simplistic. We always tell Kaelyn to eat more, eat faster so she can grow bigger to do things that 'big people' can do. And she used this logic to apply to the reverse situation. How I wish sometimes I can become smaller to do things that only kids can do!
On several other occasions, she would say she would buy things for us 'tomorrow'
Me: Kaelyn, mama doesnt have this toy. Can you give it to me please?
Kaelyn: No. It's mine. Tomorrow I buy for you ok?
Me: Oh, do you have money to buy?
Kaelyn: Yes! In my wallet (which is a piece of scrap paper folded into something that looks like a wallet)
Me: Who gave you the moeny?
Kaelyn: Mama! Tomorrow I buy for you ok? You share with me first.
How sweet!
She would yak about her teacher, her friends, the songs she sing in school and what she likes to do with her 'mei mei when she is big'. She is creative with song lyrics and would replace those lyrics with her own.
It is always very entertaining to hear her talk and sing. She really makes my day sometimes, although she drives me up the wall rather often.
I recall one conversation I had with her at her school's playground while she was sitting in the mini car.
Kaelyn: Mama, after I come out (of the car), its your turn to sit ok?
Me: The car is too small for me. It is for children like you.
Kaelyn: And mei mei and my friends?
Me: Yes
Kaelyn: Then tomorrow you eat slow slow, then become smaller then you can sit already.
It really left me in stitches. Kids' thinking is really very simplistic. We always tell Kaelyn to eat more, eat faster so she can grow bigger to do things that 'big people' can do. And she used this logic to apply to the reverse situation. How I wish sometimes I can become smaller to do things that only kids can do!
On several other occasions, she would say she would buy things for us 'tomorrow'
Me: Kaelyn, mama doesnt have this toy. Can you give it to me please?
Kaelyn: No. It's mine. Tomorrow I buy for you ok?
Me: Oh, do you have money to buy?
Kaelyn: Yes! In my wallet (which is a piece of scrap paper folded into something that looks like a wallet)
Me: Who gave you the moeny?
Kaelyn: Mama! Tomorrow I buy for you ok? You share with me first.
How sweet!
Kaelyn's childcare update
As mentioned in previous post, we sent Kaelyn to half day child care since beginning of the year. We didnt want to start her on full day cos firstly, there is someone at home looking after her (I am still on maternity leave), and secondly, we didnt think she can cope with full day childcare, sleeping in a foreign environment and not sure if she will eat anything there.
But last Friday, we had planned to let take her bath and have her milk there before we bring her home slightly later. When I reached the school, the teacher said that she's already asleep! I was surprised! This is a very good sign that she might be ready for full day childcare since I will be returning to work in 2 months time and we need to prepare her for it. So these 2 days we left her at the centre till around 5pm. She didnt fare very well though. She hasnt been taking her naps, and the teachers commented that the 2 challenges they face with Kaelyn were to make sure she takes her nap, and to feed her her lunch. She needs lots of encouragement / rewards dangled in front of her before she is willing to open her mouth to eat. But other than these, she seems happy there and enjoys the activities very much. She loves her teacher and friends and often mentions them when she's at home.
Hope she is able to settle in by the time I go back to work.
But last Friday, we had planned to let take her bath and have her milk there before we bring her home slightly later. When I reached the school, the teacher said that she's already asleep! I was surprised! This is a very good sign that she might be ready for full day childcare since I will be returning to work in 2 months time and we need to prepare her for it. So these 2 days we left her at the centre till around 5pm. She didnt fare very well though. She hasnt been taking her naps, and the teachers commented that the 2 challenges they face with Kaelyn were to make sure she takes her nap, and to feed her her lunch. She needs lots of encouragement / rewards dangled in front of her before she is willing to open her mouth to eat. But other than these, she seems happy there and enjoys the activities very much. She loves her teacher and friends and often mentions them when she's at home.
Hope she is able to settle in by the time I go back to work.
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