Lil Shauna goes Swimming

We have no program this afternoon. In the past, we would have taken a nap or caught a good movie. But with the princess around, if she doesnt sleeps, nobody sleeps. Movie is definitely out of the league. Hearing from other forum mummies about a place for babies to swim, we decided to bring her there. It is not cheap, a 15mins swim cost us $28. Swimming at the swimming complex for 2 hours only cost $2. -.o" You get my point...



I tot Lil Shauna would love swimming since she loves bathing. She just woke up when we reached. She was very cooperative when the lady prepared her for her swim. A float was strapped to her neck. Then she was placed in this big tub of warm water. She was pretty still when she was placed in the water, but she didnt cry.
The lady helped to move her arms and legs a little and she soon got the point and starting floating around & moving in circle.


Then she got more & more excited and started splashing and kicking and moving. We were so surprised and impressed with her. afterall, she's a 1st timer. Even the lady commented that she's good for a 1st timer. A baby boy who was also a 1st timer was in a tub beside her and he didnt move much while Lil Shauna performs her kongfu kicks.





She absolutely love swimming and we are so bringing her back.
Mummy Lim

Decisions, decisions

Daddy Lim and his princess are soundly asleep. I am tired too. My next express is at 11.30pm. Had been debating with myself on whether I should try to wait till then or take a short nap 1st. On one hand, sleep is precious and I should sleep while I can. On the other hand, I noe that I am incapable of waking up at 11.30pm for my next express. Ever since the baby starts to drop to 1 night feed, I have problem trying to wake up for my 3-hourly express. For the past few nights, the 3-hourly schedule has been stretched to 6 to 8-hourly schedule. There will be lesser output and I will end up with rock hard bre**ts and very likely engorgement. The alarm clocks are not doing their job. Setting several alarms at different timing doesnt help too. Haiz.. I think I better wait. -.o"

Mummy Lim

Update: I tahan until 11pm, then couldnt resist the sofa while on the way to the kitchen. I tot I will just take an innocent 10 mins rest. Who knows that I only regain consciouness at 3.15am. I was awoken by Daddy Lim, who was up warming EBM for Lil Shauna. Haiz, there goes all my effort to stay up. Should have just stayed in the computer room and not venture to the kitchen. Lol!

No Night feed??!!

Lil Shauna went to bed and didnt wake up until 6am this morning! This is the very 1st time that she didnt wake up for her feed! However, this left her very hungry in the morning. We have to feed her in the car and she finished her bottle in 10 mins' time and wanting more. We wonder if this is the first of the many more nights with no feed to come, hehehe. I heard that many babies and even troddler still wake up for night feeds until 2 years old. Good job, ZZZZ monster!

Mummy Lim

The Doctor Visit

A quick update. I am dead tired.

We made an appointment with the PD's clinic for 8.15pm. I am glad that I did. The clinic was pack when we reached and many other kids were joining the Q. Despite the appointment, we waited for an hour. Luckily, Lil Shauna was asleep most of time. By the time we left, some gor gors & jie jies who came earlier than Lil Shauna were still waiting. Poor things.

The doctor did his routine check. After knowing that Mr. Poo Poo has taken a 4-day vacation, he asked if we wanted to get it out. Wat an understatement. -.o" So Uncle Doctor inserted the medication into Lil Shauna's you-know-where and we waited for Mr. Poo Poo to make his grand entrance.. I mean exit.. Lil Shauna appeared to be unaware of what the doctor has done to her.

The medication took effect pretty quickly. We were just out of the doctor's office and we can see Lil Shauna making faces. Soon, we heard the results of her efforts. She soiled 2 diapers with quite a fair amount of poo poo. Finally! She soiled another diaper after her last feed.

The doctor recommended Friso Comfort. He claimed that it is supposed to help. He said that we can mix it with her existing FM or go totally on Friso. I guessed we will go full force on Friso. Hopefully it will help her to move bowels. So, we have a tin of NAN to give away. Haiz. Waste $$.

We mentioned about her reflux problem but the doctor was reluctant to give her any medication. In fact, he said that there is NO medication. Liar, liar, pants on fire. The doctor advised us to hold her at 45 degree angle after feeding for 30 mins to an hour. He said that it would help. I read about that too but wonder who has the time to hold her for that amount of time after her every feed. Hmm.. maybe we should get her an inclined chair or something.

As for her eye which has been infected since a long time ago and is always clouded with discharge, the doctor recommended massaging. I have handed this noble task to Daddy Lim.

Oh, just to mention that Lil Shauna is 5.7kg and 59.5cm long. Her growth has slowed but I think she's growing well. Maybe still lagging her peers, but strong and healthy. :)

Mummy Lim

Reflux

In celebration of Auntie Dingz' big three-O, Beijing has set off fireworks and we have all been invited to her place for steamboat (cum viewing fireworks on TV). The spread was so fabulous, much better than what one can find in restaurant steamboat buffet. There was still so much left after we have filled our tummy to the brim. :)

Lil Shauna hasnt been too cooperative. She was really really cranky and kept spitting out milk. Her top was wet from all the spit out milk & I didnt brought her an extra change. It was so bad (her cranky mood + spitting up) taht we have to leave early. Fortunately, she's soundly asleep now after her last feed. I was so worried that she will be cranky and refused to sleep. I tink it might be the unfamiliar surrounding, the too many people and loud sounds that unsettled her. She was still smiley and sweet at nai nai's place. Here's a video of her trying to talk to nai nai. Too bad the aunties dun have a chance to see the sweet side of her. ;p

We have decided to bring her to the doctor tomorrow. She is suffering from constipation again. She hasnt poo poo for 3 days. Poor Lil Shauna is constantly at war with Mr. Poo Poo. We have changed to NAN and she is only on 1 FM feed per day. Not sure if she is still suffering from the aftereffect of Similac or that NAN is not suitable for her as well. If latter, we have to scatch head and decide on another brand again. Waste $$. Other than that, she has been spitting up milk too often and I suspect that she's suffering from reflux.

Reflux is the backward flow of stomach contents into the esophagus. I read that it is a fairly normal and common process that could affect people of all ages. It usually involves regurgitation. Almost all babies will regurgitate after some feedings, whether they are breast or bottle-fed. Reflux normally peaks between 1 to 4 months, and usually resolves by 6 to 12 months. Regurgitation has been reported in up to 65% of healthy infants, but decreases to 1% by one year of age.

Although I know that reflux is ok so long as the baby is gowing properly, it sometimes irritates me no end to see Lil Shauna spitting up so much and frequently after feeds. I heart ached that she's puking out so badly and heart ached that precious BM goes to waste. It makes bringing her out difficult too. I also feel bad when she started puking on aunties and uncles who wanted to carry her. There is medication to reduce reflux. I am not sure yet if I want to put her on medication yet. I hope that the doctor will be able to advise us tomorrow. My mum thinks that Lil Shauna is too greedy and drinks too much, too frequently thus the spit-up. Not entirely false, but she's a growing baby mah. She has alot of catch up to do bcos she's a preemie. The PD says that preemies tend to be greedier too. My SIL has bought her a nice top that so describes Lil Shauna.

Mummy Lim

Pix

Daddy Lim has been bugging me to post this photo. He said that it was very nicely taken. I think it has more to do with his ego. The perfect daddy & princess photo. -.o"

Actually, I like this one better. See, she's so much cuter..

Mummy Lim

Almost

I had decided to bring Lil Shauna to the doctor. Mr. Poo Poo has played the disappearance act for almost 4 days. Mum called in the afternoon and I tot there was good news. She actually called to check if Lil Shauna can take fei zai shui. I didnt want her to take when she was younger. The shui is supposed to help remove air and move bowels. Since she's already 3-months' old, I think it should be alright. I called later in the afternoon. Lil Shauna still has no success. Instead, her poo poo was stolen by cousin Yingxuan who has also consumed the shui and has successfully gotten rid of Mr. Poo Poo.

Then, at about 4.30pm, Mum called to report the victorious news! Lil Shauna has conquered Mr. Poo Poo! That is no need to visit Uncle Doctor. Lil Shauna was seen to be joyous over her victory. All thanks to the miracle water. :)

I am still wondering if we should start her on NAN tomorrow. I am unable to sustain her for long on BM. Mum said that she appeared exceptionally hungry after expelling Mr. Poo Poo. Yet, we are worried that she gets constipated again. Perhaps we should place our hope on the miracle water? Hmm...

New Policy
There is now 16 weeks of Maternity Leave (ML)! Announced 3 months after I have given birth. My colleagues were joking about taking Q no. to conceive. Actually, I am not enticed. I remember how desperate I was to return to work after 10 weeks. that is inclusive of the 3 weeks that Lil Shauna spent in NUH. Now, I have so much leave. I half-suspect that I will have leave forfeited at the end of the year cos I have not enuff time to consume my leave. I was hoping for more paternity benefits. Anyway, maybe I will need longer ML when we have Little Lim No. 2. :)

Mummy Lim

The Danger of Night Feed

Oops... King Kong...
A good reason to go shopping...
I think I should spoil something too.

Mummy Lim

Poo Poo, Poo Poo, Where Are You?

Mr. Poo Poo is still nowhere in sight. Lil Shauna was on EBM the entire day. Popo doesnt dare to give her FM. She hopes that EBM will lure Mr. Poo Poo out but he is being super uncooperative. Looks like Similac is not doing Lil Shauna good. Forget about all the DHA, RA and dunno what A. All we need now is Mr. Poo Poo.

We have bought her NAN. She had that when she 1st came into the world. She didnt have constipation then (or so I tot). Hopefully, both Lil Shauna and Mr. Poo Poo likes NAN. Otherwise, it will be another search. We will continue to monitor Lil Shauna. If Mr. Poo Poo still plays punk, we'll have to visit Uncle doctor soon.

As for the rest of the Similac, we will donate to Ian's grow-up fund. Mummy Chai will be very happy. She was just complaining about how expensive FM is. Haiz, Similac is doing other babies well but not Lil Shauna. Look like my BM is the best for her. It makes me feel all important. I will be a moo moo for my Lil Shauna so that she can poo poo.

A video of Lil Shauna trying to get ride of Mr. Poo Poo.

Mummy Lim

Constipated Lil Shauna

We had known that babies on FM are more likely to suffer from constipation than full BM babies. As some FM are more likely to cause constipation is certain babies, parents go thru' a period of trial & error, until such a time that they find a FM which their babies like, doesnt cause wind and constipation.

Lil Shauna used to poo poo at least 2x a day and her poo poo is super watery. After we switched her to partial FM, she started having difficulties in moving her bowels. She didnt poo poo at all yday and was very cranky. We suspect that the stools are a little harder than previously and she probably couldnt get it out.

She was cranky until this morning and there was no poo poo in sight. We can see her struggling with no results. Finally, after her feed this morning (BM) and many attempts, she had her 1st poo poo. As parents, we had the privilege to be the 1st to see the poo poo. ;p I even asked Daddy Lim to join me while I change her nappy. Haha. She was all smiley and responsive after that. Oh, her poo poo was super sticky. Yucks! I shall spare you all the agony and not post any pix of her poo poo. Hehehe.

Mummy Lim

Crying over Spilled Milk

I mean literally.. Although I didnt cry.
Haiz, yday alone, I spilled 2 bottles of precious BM, each about 60 - 80ml. I feel like bashing myself then.
I am so, so clumsy. That is to add on to forgetfulness + shedding hair.
Oh gosh, the after effects of pregnancy.

Heard from my Mum that Lil Shauna is taking the FM pretty ok. No more merlion episode. Let's hope that she will continue to stomach her FM. :)

Mummy Lim

First Taste of FM

I have always wanted to give Lil Shauna BM exclusively for 6 months. Thereafter, she should start taking solids and her demand for BM will decrease. However, she started feeding more than what I can supply. For a period of time (while on ML), I was stressed over providing enuff for her daily needs and to stock up for use after I return to work. After stressing myself unnecessary, trying different methods to increase BM but to no avail, I give up. I have decided that I will just try to provide whatever that I can and when there's insufficient supply, I will substitute with FM.

To my surprise, I was able to sustain Lil Shauna for 3 months! I told my mum to let her try FM before the last drop of BM runs out, just in case she rejects the FM. We wanted to put her on NAN, which was given to her in NUH, before my BM kicks in. We also heard that NAN tastes similar to BM. But we couldnt find NAN in small tin so we bought Similac instead. There are just so many choices in the market with all the different RHA, DA and duno-what-A-stuff. We will just trial & error until we found one that Lil Shauna likes.

She was given her 1st bottle of FM today. I have been worrying that she will reject FM but my worries prove to be unfounded. According to my mum, she was happily suckling at the bottle and managed to finish almost 120ml of it. Then, she happily drifted off to dreamland. :)

With that, we will probably consider substituting her night feeds with FM, which will leave her fuller. In that way, maybe she will stick to her 1 feed per night? Hehe.

Update:
My mum said that Lil Shauna puked out alot of the FM during the second attempt. Not sure if it is bcos of wind or she's not used to the FM. My mum said that she slept well after puking out all the FM from the 2nd attempt. Let's just hope that is it wind. Poor baby...

Mummy Lim

Happy Birthday Lil Shauna!

Lil Shauna is finally 3 months' old!
Happy Birthday!
Do continue to grow big & strong ya.
Daddy & Mummy are waiting to see your 1st flip! Hehehe.
Remembered that I wrote that she could suckle her wrist? She has now found her fingers and realised that the thumb tastes better. :)
Somebody told Daddy Lim that sucking the thumb makes it shorter and this would jeopardise Lil Shauna's future as a electrical guitarist. Tat freaks Daddy Lim out. Hahaha.
I brought Lil Shauna to the June Mummies' lunch gathering at JP on Monday - just me & Lil Shauna. It is the 1st time that I brought Lil Shauna out on my own. I jumped at the opportunity when I found out that they are meeting in the West. I had always wanted to bring Lil Shauna out on my own & tot that the gathering would be a good training ground and indeed it was. I was thinking that if Lil Shauna decides to show the world who is Queen, I wouldnt be too embarrassed. Lol!
Bcos Lil Shauna is pre-term, she is the da jie jie among the June babies. I wasnt too prepared for the outing. I forgot my sling, my stroller and my diaper bag. I was on half -day leave, which makes matters worse. Anyway, I loaned my SIL's sling and was on the way.
Things turned out quite nicely. Other than the little fuss that the princess made upon arrival, she slept thruout the gathering. My arm ached from carrying her. I think she's starting to grow too big for the sling, or at least for cradle wrap. Time to learn new ways of slinging her.
Almost SurrenderLil Shauna just woke up for her night feed. When she started fussing, I woke Daddy Lim. It is his turn, the 1st night feed. He couldnt wake up & asked if I could let her suckle. I told him to sleep on and wanted to warm up the milk for Lil Shauna instead. Daddy Lim then dragged himself out of bed. I helped him to carry Lil Shauna and asked him to sleep on and take the 2nd night feed instead. It doesnt matter to me cos I wake up both times to express. Daddy Lim refuses and replied "2nd night feed more siong". I duno to laugh or cry at his reply. Haha.
Mummy Lim

Sleepy Head

Lil Shauna is still asleep since 9pm! She hasnt woke up for milk yet!
It does get a little worrying. I wonder if I should wake her up for her feed. -.o"

Mummy Lim

Update:
Lil Shauna woke up at 4.30am for her milk. She was all big-eyed and smiley. After her feed, she's wide awake even after I tried latching her on, which usually helps to call up the Zzz monster in her. I left her on the bed and she started started kicking and talking to God (or I hope so) before finally drifting off to dreamland. It is one of the rare cases where she dozes off on her own! I think she's growing up. Hehe.

National Day Celebration

Lil Shauna celebrated the nation's birthday for the very first time. The celebration started early in the morning. She had bfast at West Coast Park MacDonalds.

She can now better "fill" the car seat. However, she usually gets cranky when taking a car ride, let alone being strapped to the car seat. Daddy Lim got her little princess a new sunhat. One of the rare times that she was willing to let the sunhat stay on her head without kicking up a fuss.

It is then time to don on her "national costume", in celebration of the nation's 43rd bday.

Grandaunt invited us to her place for po pian and to watch fireworks. Lil Shauna missed both. She needs to grow up a little more to enjoy those. ;p

Today, Lil Shauna went to visit yeye and nai nai.

Then a big blue dog jumped on her. Look at her unhappy face.

Some photos of smiley Lil Shauna. Just that she looks like a boy in them. Lol!

Mummy Lim

Balancing Act

We brought Lil Shauna home last night. I worked a little later than usual and she was already asleep when we arrived. My mum was reluctant to let us bring her home and tried all ways to persuade us otherwise. In her opinion, Lil Shauna was already so sweetly asleep, so why disturb her beauty sleep? However, I was persistent. I have always felt that it is our responsibility to take care of Lil Shauna, simply bcos we are her parents. If possible, I would want to bring her home every night. However, that would be too taxing on us and we have learnt to ask for help. Anyway, I was upset about some comments that she made in her attempt to keep Lil Shauna for the night. I know she meant well. She's worried that we will be too tired waking up for her night feeds. Moreover, she's away in Genting this weekend, so we'll be alone with Lil Shauna. Just that parents are sometimes not tactful with their kids. I hope that I will be careful on that when I deal with Lil Shauna next time.

Lil Shauna continues to sleep on when we reached home. She didnt wake up for her feed until 2am! She greeted us with her wonderful smiles. Daddy Lim and I knew that she would do that when she wakes up for her night feed and we were both looking forward to that. She didnt go back to sleep until 3+am. Daddy Lim was happily playing with Lil Shauna in the middle of the night! Haha.

Daddy Lim also notices that Lil Shauna is able to do a 90 degree flip. I think she's learning how to flip from the back to the front. Hehe. There shall be more tummy time over the weekend to aid the strengthening of her arm and neck muscle. This morning, I was sharing with Daddy Lim that as working parents, it is inevitable that we will miss out on Lil Shauna's development milestone. I remember Mummy P telling me that babies grow so quickly such that they will catch us by surprise when they started performing new stunts, like flipping and sitting up. As working parents, we can only compensate during weekends. Haiz.

Oh, Lil Shauna only woke up once for her feed last night. This has happened 2x in a row. I wonder if she's starting to drop to 1 feed. Daddy Lim shall continue to take the 1st feed while we monitor the situation. If Lil Shauna drops to 1 night feed, I will be able to take over fully and that will also mean that we will be able to bring her home more often. :)

Mummy Lim

Haywire

My expressing schedule is totally messed up today. First of all, I failed to wake up to express in the night for straight 8hrs and ended up with rock hard b***ts. I managed to express almost 230ml this morning (normally about 90 - 110ml per 3hrly). Then, I had a super long meeting in the morning and was unable to express until 6hrs later (from the last express). Again, I ended up with super hard b***ts. I was so worried that I will start leaking during the meeting. Didnt dare to touch my b***ts, just in case the milk comes gushing out. LOL! I was in another meeting in the afternoon and it again delayed my following express. When teh workload picks up (which it already did), such haywire schedule will be common. Haiz.. Looks like Lil Shauna will start to take partial FM soon. Well, I have tried my best.

We have bought FM to standby. We have wanted to tahan until she's 3-month old before substituting some feeds with FM. However, this moo moo is drying up and Lil Shauna is drinking like an elephant. I am wondering if she's indeed born in the year of the rat.

My mum called today to say that Lil Shauna only woke up once last night! I told Daddy Lim that it is telepathy. Mummy cannot wake up to express, so baby didnt wake up to drink. ;p Mum said that Lil Shauna slept after her last feed at 9+pm last night. At 3+am, she started stirring and my mum warmed up the milk. She was still asleep when the milk was ready. My mum then woke her up for her feed. My mum was initially worried about her not waking up for feed, but thought that maybe she's growing out of 2 night feeds. Hehehe. Maybe she's really starting to drop to 1 feed. This is such good news. Let's see how it goes today.

Mummy Lim

Shauna the Alarm Clock

I am suffering from the ultimate, super duper engorgement. Lil Shauna was at popo's place last night. we were too tired. Weekends always zapped up our energy. Other than to take care of the little princess, we run around Singapore, visiting family & friends. Cant help it.. As newbie parents, we have this compelling urge to show off our precious gem. :p

I went to bed after expressing at 10pm last night and couldnt wake up until Daddy Lim woke me up 15mins ago. It has been 8hrs since I last express. My br***ts are hard, lumpy and painful. Sob. If Shauna was home, I would have woken up for sure. Afterall, who could sleep thru' her screams for milk? Sob, I miss my alarm clock. I am going to be late for work again (I think). Another good reason to bring her home. Haiz...

Mummy Lim

Life is Restored

The computer is alive! It has been saved from the hands of the garang guni man by a mere $50. Apparently, it was a software problem, so the serviceman skillfully restored the program. All of a sudden, a new laptop doesnt look that attractive. It can now wait, until the computer fails on me again (touchwood). This is bad news to Daddy Lim, he was hoping to buy me a new laptop as the anniversary present, so that I can buy him a new guitar in return. I am still interested in a laptop, afterall I have never own one before. But that can wait now. :)

Anniversary Celebration

We finally went for a movie, "The Mummy" after our previous date with Mr Indiana Jones. It was a great show! There was no time for fabulous sit-down candle light dinner, but we are contented people. The movie was enuff to compensate for that. After the movie, we went to our favourite hang out place, "Insomnia". It is the same kind of crowd, a different band, but Daddy Lim's favourite guitarist was still playing. He had 4 beer, while I had a coke. I am not only the designated driver but also the official milker. I refrain from alcohol to prevent milk contamination and wastage of precious milk. Afterall, we both think that it is too early for Lil Shauna to start taking alcohol or in this sense, alcohol-flavoured milk. Hehe.

We left at 2.30am. The whole feeling was great! We felt so young, as if back to our dating times. It would be a long while for such opportunity to come again.

Picture Time

Lil Shauna is such a blessing. Her smiles and nonsensical babbling is enuff to drive us crazy.

Mummy Lim

Computer down! Computer Down!

We are computerless this weekend. Some software problem i guess.. So we've sent it in for repairs and at the same time been looking at some laptops. Laptops, however, mostly come pre-loaded with Vista software which we don't really like. Planning on getting one maybe at COMEX 08 hehehe

Today marks our 4th year together as a couple. I can still remember the courtship days and the embarassing stuff like losing my way in Kallang while trying to pick Dawn up from a NDP rehearsal. Thereafter, not knowing how to get to Suntec City and she had to guide me there. Till now she remains my trusted co-pilot LOL Yup, those were the good old days. Now we are at the BETTER days, especially with the arrival of Shauna. Was playing with her this morning when i should have put her to bed. What to do.. I can't resist her toothless grins =p

Daddy Lim