My breasts are still lumpy, heavy with milk and tender to touch. Milk still leaks when I try to massage away the lumps. The only comfort is that the worse pain seems to be over.
It is tough to be a woman in Sgp. Seriously, it takes a lot to be able to juggle work and being a good wife, mummy and daughter. It wouldnt take my mum too long to think before calling me to talk/ ask/ complain about things that happened at home. I am sure this doesn't happened to my bro, simply bcos he is the man of the family and brings home the bacon. So, he must be busy at work.
I got the impatient tone when I was caught at work last night and was late to bring Lil Shauna to her music class. Daddy Lim got away bcos Lil Shauna doesn't like him to accompany her to the music class. Well, that preference is mutual and I ended up taking up mummy's role after a long and hard day at work.
I had to take leave to bring Lil Isaac for his jab today, leaving work. A colleague was following up on an urgent work and I was discussing with her over the phone several times this morning.
Arrgggghhhh.. I am just at some low point of my life. Things will get better. It must get better. I need to dye my hair.
Mummy Lim
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Sunday, March 25, 2012
Stopping, Stopped
It has been 17 hours since I last expressed and there is no discomfort. I think my breasts are ready to let go of the pumps. Woohoo!
It is much easier than I imagine. I think it is easier than the last time. I simply dragged my pump and the next I know, it just happened. I went on and on and there is no engorgement.
Now the next thing in my head is the weight gain. I feel hungry at the thought of having to diet and I don't even think I was eating alot when I was breastfeeding and I already put on weight when I eat too much, arrgghhh. I don't think it helps that my 33rd bday is coming.
Mummy Lim
It is much easier than I imagine. I think it is easier than the last time. I simply dragged my pump and the next I know, it just happened. I went on and on and there is no engorgement.
Now the next thing in my head is the weight gain. I feel hungry at the thought of having to diet and I don't even think I was eating alot when I was breastfeeding and I already put on weight when I eat too much, arrgghhh. I don't think it helps that my 33rd bday is coming.
Mummy Lim
Saturday, March 24, 2012
New Auntie
She's here! We collected her last night. She is Lekah, 26 years old and married in September last year. No kids now. Smiley and chatty and very very skinny. She said that she's 42kg but definitely looks less than that.
The kids took her well. Lil Shauna was busy showing off to her last night. Lil Isaac at least didn't reject her.
LK appears a little slow on the housework aspect but I guessed she can pick up speed. Anyway, that is not my concern. She does take initiative to play with the kids and Lil Isaac is definitely testing her limit and trying to tired her out.
I hope you will hear good news from me. This is my last try. I promise myself that I will send both kids to the childcare if this maid still doesn't work out. Cross finger.
Mummy Lim
The kids took her well. Lil Shauna was busy showing off to her last night. Lil Isaac at least didn't reject her.
LK appears a little slow on the housework aspect but I guessed she can pick up speed. Anyway, that is not my concern. She does take initiative to play with the kids and Lil Isaac is definitely testing her limit and trying to tired her out.
I hope you will hear good news from me. This is my last try. I promise myself that I will send both kids to the childcare if this maid still doesn't work out. Cross finger.
Mummy Lim
Thursday, March 22, 2012
No More Milk
My milk supply has been dwindling. Now, I barely get 120ml every 6 hours. The satisfaction of breastfeeding drastically reduced after Lil Isaac refused to latch. I lost that opportunity to bond with him at my breasts. The need to express is starting to get in the way. So, after 17 months of breastfeeding, inclusive of 5 months exclusive pumping, I have decided to call it quits.
There had been lots of pros breastfeeding. Lil Isaac had been healthy with few episodes of high fever as compared to when jiejie was his age. I contribute that to my powerful breast milk. I save loads on milk powder, they are seriously not cheap. Most importantly, it allows me to eat without much weight gain. Now I have to watch out for that weight gain that comes with the cessation of breast feeding. I remembered that I put on weight the last time when I stopped (for Lil Shauna) even when I was just breathing in air. Boo!
Popo had been asking me to stop too. We have been supplementing with FM, Lil Isaac is definitely taking the bottle well and has stopped showing a preference for my BM over FM. This is on top of the hassle of having to find time for me to express and the need to warm up EBM.
I had thought about relying on medication to stop but read about side effects and all. So, it is back to the gradual dragging of pumps. I had been expressing between 3 to 5 times a day, depending on how tired I am. I can last more than 10 hours comfortably without expressing. I will start with dropping my lunch express and probably the express right before bed.
Well, I do feel a little “wasted”, but I guessed it has been good enuff and I have definitely done my part as a moo moo cow. Now, what do I do with my 2 ameda pumps, new spare parts and the single medela pump that Mummy P pass to me? I wonder if there are people who may want my pumps (motor) and new spare parts?
Mummy Lim
There had been lots of pros breastfeeding. Lil Isaac had been healthy with few episodes of high fever as compared to when jiejie was his age. I contribute that to my powerful breast milk. I save loads on milk powder, they are seriously not cheap. Most importantly, it allows me to eat without much weight gain. Now I have to watch out for that weight gain that comes with the cessation of breast feeding. I remembered that I put on weight the last time when I stopped (for Lil Shauna) even when I was just breathing in air. Boo!
Popo had been asking me to stop too. We have been supplementing with FM, Lil Isaac is definitely taking the bottle well and has stopped showing a preference for my BM over FM. This is on top of the hassle of having to find time for me to express and the need to warm up EBM.
I had thought about relying on medication to stop but read about side effects and all. So, it is back to the gradual dragging of pumps. I had been expressing between 3 to 5 times a day, depending on how tired I am. I can last more than 10 hours comfortably without expressing. I will start with dropping my lunch express and probably the express right before bed.
Well, I do feel a little “wasted”, but I guessed it has been good enuff and I have definitely done my part as a moo moo cow. Now, what do I do with my 2 ameda pumps, new spare parts and the single medela pump that Mummy P pass to me? I wonder if there are people who may want my pumps (motor) and new spare parts?
Mummy Lim
Sleep
The new sleeping arrangement is working out fine. The kids have gotten used to the idea that they are supposed to sleep in their room. We still do jump around and play monkey in the master bedroom (MBR) after shower but they will ask to go to their room when it is time to sleep. We haven’t been very successful in getting jiejie to sleep on her deck. There had been nights but she spent most of the nights squeezing with Lil Isaac or with me. It is OK with me so long as she sleeps in her room. I supposed as the kids grow and they find it squeezer to sleep together, one of them will automatically shift to the top?
I had been sleeping with the kids and Daddy Lim had been enjoying our big bed on his own. I am looking forward to the day that I get back to my bed too. We are cutting back on night toilet training for jiejie and she’s on the diaper most of the nights bcos I am too lazy to bring her to the toilet in the night. Boo, I should buck up.
As for Lil Isaac, he seems to have grown stickier to me since we started sleeping together. Even Popo realizes that. He often wakes up and starts looking for me in the middle of the night. There had been so many occasions that I was expressing (in the middle of the night) and I saw him walking unsteadily out of the room to look for me. I think he will grow out of it?
Mummy Lim
I had been sleeping with the kids and Daddy Lim had been enjoying our big bed on his own. I am looking forward to the day that I get back to my bed too. We are cutting back on night toilet training for jiejie and she’s on the diaper most of the nights bcos I am too lazy to bring her to the toilet in the night. Boo, I should buck up.
As for Lil Isaac, he seems to have grown stickier to me since we started sleeping together. Even Popo realizes that. He often wakes up and starts looking for me in the middle of the night. There had been so many occasions that I was expressing (in the middle of the night) and I saw him walking unsteadily out of the room to look for me. I think he will grow out of it?
Mummy Lim
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Auntie No More
We sent auntie back. The agent told us that the new auntie had touched down in Singapore and will go for her medical tomorrow morning. If everything goes right, we should be able to collect the new auntie on Friday or Saturday. So, we will be maidless for the next 2 days.
We had been toying with the idea of sending auntie back earlier. Auntie hasnt been much help and Popo scolded her too much. My only worry is that Popo cannot handle 2 kids on her own. Popo wants us to send her back after seeing auntie staring at the wall for an hour this morning while waiting for the kids to wake up. Popo feared that some of auntie's "wire" might have gotten disconnected.
Popo packed auntie's bag and we picked auntie up without telling her much. We only told auntie that we were sending her back when we reached JE. Auntie appeared happy and relieve to go back to the agency. Well, I guessed this is the best way out for all of us.
Popo worries about the weirdest thing, such as auntie sharing bad things Nd habits with the new auntie, thus scaring off the new auntie. She ended up asking and nagging about unimportant things. I told Popo to save her energy and think harder on how we can make the new auntie stays longer. I surrender liao. If this new auntie still cannot make it, the kids are probably going to the childcare.
I asked jiejie to help by behaving for the next few days since there is no auntie. Jiejie agreed only to throw a tantrum on the way back from the agency and without an auntie. -.o"
Mummy Lim
We had been toying with the idea of sending auntie back earlier. Auntie hasnt been much help and Popo scolded her too much. My only worry is that Popo cannot handle 2 kids on her own. Popo wants us to send her back after seeing auntie staring at the wall for an hour this morning while waiting for the kids to wake up. Popo feared that some of auntie's "wire" might have gotten disconnected.
Popo packed auntie's bag and we picked auntie up without telling her much. We only told auntie that we were sending her back when we reached JE. Auntie appeared happy and relieve to go back to the agency. Well, I guessed this is the best way out for all of us.
Popo worries about the weirdest thing, such as auntie sharing bad things Nd habits with the new auntie, thus scaring off the new auntie. She ended up asking and nagging about unimportant things. I told Popo to save her energy and think harder on how we can make the new auntie stays longer. I surrender liao. If this new auntie still cannot make it, the kids are probably going to the childcare.
I asked jiejie to help by behaving for the next few days since there is no auntie. Jiejie agreed only to throw a tantrum on the way back from the agency and without an auntie. -.o"
Mummy Lim
Monday, March 19, 2012
I Want to Go
This is freaking coincidental. Maybe Auntie can understand us all the whole and had been eavesdropping but act blur.
Yday morning, I was expressing and Popo was taking care of both kids bcos they both rejected auntie. She asked to talk to me, telling me that both kids dislike her. Long story short, I asked her if she wanted to go back to the agent and she wanted after short consideration. This was also what happened the last time. She popped the question just when we were about to send her back. It makes sending her back easier. I mean, sacking people is never easy mah.
I have the intention to let auntie go earlier. She's not helping much and I dont think the way she is being treated now is healthy. Popo is vert harsh on her despite my numerous reminders. I guessed that is also bcos she is very tired and frustrated chasing the 2 kids while the maid "sees only". I lose my cool easily on her too.
My only problem now is that I am not sure if the new maid is coming. Popo is quite confident that she can do without a maid for a little while. But if the new auntie cannot come in, we have to choose another maid and that will take another 2 to 3 weeks!!! I don't think Popo can tahan that long.
I am with the mentality that this will be the last maid for a while. If things still don't work out, I am thinking of going maidless for awhile and send both kids to the childcare. Well, at least they can both go to the same childcare and have companionship.
Mummy Lim
Yday morning, I was expressing and Popo was taking care of both kids bcos they both rejected auntie. She asked to talk to me, telling me that both kids dislike her. Long story short, I asked her if she wanted to go back to the agent and she wanted after short consideration. This was also what happened the last time. She popped the question just when we were about to send her back. It makes sending her back easier. I mean, sacking people is never easy mah.
I have the intention to let auntie go earlier. She's not helping much and I dont think the way she is being treated now is healthy. Popo is vert harsh on her despite my numerous reminders. I guessed that is also bcos she is very tired and frustrated chasing the 2 kids while the maid "sees only". I lose my cool easily on her too.
My only problem now is that I am not sure if the new maid is coming. Popo is quite confident that she can do without a maid for a little while. But if the new auntie cannot come in, we have to choose another maid and that will take another 2 to 3 weeks!!! I don't think Popo can tahan that long.
I am with the mentality that this will be the last maid for a while. If things still don't work out, I am thinking of going maidless for awhile and send both kids to the childcare. Well, at least they can both go to the same childcare and have companionship.
Mummy Lim
Friday, March 16, 2012
Still No New Auntie
The new maid is supposed to fly in today. However, the agent called to say that she is unable to get her immigration clearance paper. She will probably come in next Wednesday instead. My heart almost stopped when the agent called and said that she has bad news. Well, at least the new maid is still coming... I hope.
So how is NRT? The kids still dislike her very much, especially Lil Isaac. He whines the moment auntie tries to lure him away. Lil Isaac prefers my bro's maid than auntie. I was told that he will ask my bro's maid to play with him.
Interestingly, jiejie became more independent. Popo says that jiejie chose to do things on her own than asking auntie to help.
I seldom crossed paths with auntie recently bcos I was so busy at work and had been a little late. I very much enjoy the kids in the night. Now, auntie totally doesn't help out with the kids after they bathed. Nobody wants her.
Haiz, the new maid must come.
Mummy Lim
So how is NRT? The kids still dislike her very much, especially Lil Isaac. He whines the moment auntie tries to lure him away. Lil Isaac prefers my bro's maid than auntie. I was told that he will ask my bro's maid to play with him.
Interestingly, jiejie became more independent. Popo says that jiejie chose to do things on her own than asking auntie to help.
I seldom crossed paths with auntie recently bcos I was so busy at work and had been a little late. I very much enjoy the kids in the night. Now, auntie totally doesn't help out with the kids after they bathed. Nobody wants her.
Haiz, the new maid must come.
Mummy Lim
Sunday, March 11, 2012
L
Just this week, Lil Isaac fell while under Auntie's charge. He sustained a horizontal blue black bruise across his cheek. Poor boy. He is always knocking into here and there and getting bruises. Haiz.
I made Auntie called the agency and asked the agent to knock some sense into her. Sadly, nothing changes after that phone call. I was too tired that day to scold her after work. We are all just enduring and yearning for that day to come, the day when we can finally send her back.
Yday, we brought Lil Isaac for his gym class and were in Marina Square. Jiejie was fussing for a pair of new shoes bcos I forgot Lil Isaac's shoes and bought him a pair. We were in Crocs and Popo was helping to look after the tiger, who was walking and exploring, walking in and out of the store. Auntie has this crazy habit to "fight" for Lil Isaac, despite the fact that the boy hates her. He often ends up crying or struggling to pry away from her hold after a while.
It was only a little while later and we heard Lil Isaac crying. We went out of the store and saw Auntie carrying a Lil Isaac who was crying badly. He had an angry red bruise across his face. Apparently, he started running (from auntie??), fell and crashed into the railing. Arrrggghhhh.
We had to stop the shoes buying, which upset jiejie and she started crying too. Duh!!! Daddy Lim had just arrived at MS and we had to carry 2 crying kids to go find him.
I was so pissed with Auntie, who didn't at all look apologetic or guilty. After I scolded her, she was still trying to explain! The beat part? She still looked exactly expressionless, as if the incident was just a bad dream and didn't happen at all. I really wanted to leave her in the mall and not bring her home or send her back to the agency immediately.
I had thought about going maidless until the new one is here. Popo was very against the idea bcos school holidays starts tomorrow and even though Auntie is close to useless, she can still help to do simple housework and keep an eye on the kids in desperate situations.
I am going to the agency today to rush them for the new maid. The idea of sending her back is still playing in my head. I really hope that the new maid will be better and really envy my brother's luck. His maid is really good with both housework and kids. Boohoo.
The 2nd fall left another long bruise on the same side of Lil Isaac's face. It is almost perpendicular to the first bruise, forming a big L. Heartache.
How? How? How?
Mummy Lim
I made Auntie called the agency and asked the agent to knock some sense into her. Sadly, nothing changes after that phone call. I was too tired that day to scold her after work. We are all just enduring and yearning for that day to come, the day when we can finally send her back.
Yday, we brought Lil Isaac for his gym class and were in Marina Square. Jiejie was fussing for a pair of new shoes bcos I forgot Lil Isaac's shoes and bought him a pair. We were in Crocs and Popo was helping to look after the tiger, who was walking and exploring, walking in and out of the store. Auntie has this crazy habit to "fight" for Lil Isaac, despite the fact that the boy hates her. He often ends up crying or struggling to pry away from her hold after a while.
It was only a little while later and we heard Lil Isaac crying. We went out of the store and saw Auntie carrying a Lil Isaac who was crying badly. He had an angry red bruise across his face. Apparently, he started running (from auntie??), fell and crashed into the railing. Arrrggghhhh.
We had to stop the shoes buying, which upset jiejie and she started crying too. Duh!!! Daddy Lim had just arrived at MS and we had to carry 2 crying kids to go find him.
I was so pissed with Auntie, who didn't at all look apologetic or guilty. After I scolded her, she was still trying to explain! The beat part? She still looked exactly expressionless, as if the incident was just a bad dream and didn't happen at all. I really wanted to leave her in the mall and not bring her home or send her back to the agency immediately.
I had thought about going maidless until the new one is here. Popo was very against the idea bcos school holidays starts tomorrow and even though Auntie is close to useless, she can still help to do simple housework and keep an eye on the kids in desperate situations.
I am going to the agency today to rush them for the new maid. The idea of sending her back is still playing in my head. I really hope that the new maid will be better and really envy my brother's luck. His maid is really good with both housework and kids. Boohoo.
The 2nd fall left another long bruise on the same side of Lil Isaac's face. It is almost perpendicular to the first bruise, forming a big L. Heartache.
How? How? How?
Mummy Lim
Friday, March 9, 2012
Maid Woes Again
I have chosen my new maid and MOM has given me the In-Principle Approval. The agency informed me on Wednesday and told me that the new maid should be here in 2 weeks’ time but they will try to expedite.
Auntie is getting from bad to worse and more and more block headed. Both kids are rejecting her more and more. Just a few days ago, on top of the usual “Auntie-doesn’t-play-with-me” complaint, jiejie told me that Auntie doesn’t understand her even after she repeats herself to Auntie and speaks slowly. Yes, that came from a 3.5 years old. Now, both of them refused to let Auntie helps them and stick to us when we are home or stick to Popo otherwise. Poor Popo. It is frustrating enuff to be bugged by 2 fussing kids. Auntie adds on by constantly asking Popo why the kids dont like her and how to make them like her. Duh!
Popo is tired. When jiejie is in school, Popo hawks over Lil Isaac and brings him along when she needs to run errands. She doesn’t trust Auntie. Lil Isaac continues to fuss most of the time when under auntie’s charge. According to Popo, Auntie spent all her time “trying” to watch over Lil Isaac while in Centris. Bcos she did so badly with housework, they stopped asking her to help. So when Lil Isaac naps in the afternoon, she stands or sits beside the cot up to 3 hours. -________-“
Auntie seems to lose all initiatives. Ask and she does them, otherwise, she just gong gong and stands around. Haiz.. I try not to scold her, telling myself that we are counting down and it soon will be over. I told Popo the same thing too.
Yday was another ultimatum. Popo went to the toilet and left Lil Isaac in Auntie’s charge. Popo heard Lil Isaac crying and when she asked Auntie if Lil Isaac fell, Aunite said “NO”. But Lil Isaac got a blue black streak on his cheek and only when Popo asked how did the blue black come about that Auntie admitted that Lil Isaac fell. See, she is starting to lie too.
I made her call the agent and asked the agent to scold her. Popo said that she was on the phone for awhile but the phone call didn’t seem to help cos there was no improvement after that. Auntie got scolded again after that incident when she allowed Lil Isaac, who isn’t very steady in his steps, to walk around with a sharp pointed toy in his hands. Auntie tried to apologise and explain to Daddy Lim and me in the night. Popo wanted us to scold her. I had a bad day at work and couldn’t be bothered to talk or put on an act for Auntie.
We are really counting down. We are not sure if the new maid will be better but I really pray so. Regardless, we just need to be away from Auntie. Our patience is running thin and whatever that she does now is starting to irk us. Oh, did you read about the new ruling that requires all employers to give their maid one day off a week starting on 1 Jan 13? The maid may be compensated with pay to work on her off days, subject to mutual agreement but the amount will definitely be higher than the $20 per month now. Maid’s salary has increased about $150 since a year ago. With inflation, it is now more expensive to feed and clothe the maid and we have to pay more to compensate the offday in the future. The maid might not even be good and I am not even hoping for a fantastic maid. I think I can laugh if I get an OK maid.
Somehow, I wonder if it is time to look at Childcare Centers (CC) again. I will save more if I send both kids to an average range CC and save myself a lot more headache over maid issues. I am just waiting for Lil Isaac to grow up a little bit more. It seems so sad for him to enter full day CC when he is so young now. Of course, I am also hoping that it will be easier to handle them on my own when they are a little older. I have never tried bringing them out on my own before. With Daddy Lim having to work on most weekends, it would then mean that we will be cooped at home unless Popo helps. That is my only hurdle and why I am still with a maid now. Can cry.
Mummy Lim
Auntie is getting from bad to worse and more and more block headed. Both kids are rejecting her more and more. Just a few days ago, on top of the usual “Auntie-doesn’t-play-with-me” complaint, jiejie told me that Auntie doesn’t understand her even after she repeats herself to Auntie and speaks slowly. Yes, that came from a 3.5 years old. Now, both of them refused to let Auntie helps them and stick to us when we are home or stick to Popo otherwise. Poor Popo. It is frustrating enuff to be bugged by 2 fussing kids. Auntie adds on by constantly asking Popo why the kids dont like her and how to make them like her. Duh!
Popo is tired. When jiejie is in school, Popo hawks over Lil Isaac and brings him along when she needs to run errands. She doesn’t trust Auntie. Lil Isaac continues to fuss most of the time when under auntie’s charge. According to Popo, Auntie spent all her time “trying” to watch over Lil Isaac while in Centris. Bcos she did so badly with housework, they stopped asking her to help. So when Lil Isaac naps in the afternoon, she stands or sits beside the cot up to 3 hours. -________-“
Auntie seems to lose all initiatives. Ask and she does them, otherwise, she just gong gong and stands around. Haiz.. I try not to scold her, telling myself that we are counting down and it soon will be over. I told Popo the same thing too.
Yday was another ultimatum. Popo went to the toilet and left Lil Isaac in Auntie’s charge. Popo heard Lil Isaac crying and when she asked Auntie if Lil Isaac fell, Aunite said “NO”. But Lil Isaac got a blue black streak on his cheek and only when Popo asked how did the blue black come about that Auntie admitted that Lil Isaac fell. See, she is starting to lie too.
I made her call the agent and asked the agent to scold her. Popo said that she was on the phone for awhile but the phone call didn’t seem to help cos there was no improvement after that. Auntie got scolded again after that incident when she allowed Lil Isaac, who isn’t very steady in his steps, to walk around with a sharp pointed toy in his hands. Auntie tried to apologise and explain to Daddy Lim and me in the night. Popo wanted us to scold her. I had a bad day at work and couldn’t be bothered to talk or put on an act for Auntie.
We are really counting down. We are not sure if the new maid will be better but I really pray so. Regardless, we just need to be away from Auntie. Our patience is running thin and whatever that she does now is starting to irk us. Oh, did you read about the new ruling that requires all employers to give their maid one day off a week starting on 1 Jan 13? The maid may be compensated with pay to work on her off days, subject to mutual agreement but the amount will definitely be higher than the $20 per month now. Maid’s salary has increased about $150 since a year ago. With inflation, it is now more expensive to feed and clothe the maid and we have to pay more to compensate the offday in the future. The maid might not even be good and I am not even hoping for a fantastic maid. I think I can laugh if I get an OK maid.
Somehow, I wonder if it is time to look at Childcare Centers (CC) again. I will save more if I send both kids to an average range CC and save myself a lot more headache over maid issues. I am just waiting for Lil Isaac to grow up a little bit more. It seems so sad for him to enter full day CC when he is so young now. Of course, I am also hoping that it will be easier to handle them on my own when they are a little older. I have never tried bringing them out on my own before. With Daddy Lim having to work on most weekends, it would then mean that we will be cooped at home unless Popo helps. That is my only hurdle and why I am still with a maid now. Can cry.
Mummy Lim
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