Updates

Well, the lack of updates only shows how badly I have been tortured by the 2 kiddos. -.o"
Things are managable, but my patience is thinning as the lack of sleep wears me out. Each night, I go to bed at almost 11pm, after tucking the princess to bed and woke up 2 times for night feeds, each can last anything from 30 mins to 3 hours. The princess will then wake up for her day at 7.30am. I do sneak in a short nap every afternoon to maintain my sanity.

Other than the night feeds, Lil Isaac is very much cooperative. He is a sleepy baby and sleeps most of the time when he is not hungry, which worrys me too. He sometimes sleeps so much that he doesnt latch well. I am not sure if he is sleepy bcos of jaundice. During the PD visit on last Wed, the doctor mentioned that he is slightly jaundice (no blood test to confirm level) but he doesnt seem at all worried. He mentioned that at this age, it is common for both jaundice and breastmilk jaundice to come in. He had been really sleepy since last night and I am not sure if it is due to heightened level of jaundice or plain sleepiness. I duno how to see leh. His eyes do looked a little yellowish but nothing extreme. Lousy mummy.

Lil Isaac is on TBF. But I am producing more than he can take right now and kept worrying that he is not drinking enuff. He drinks every 3 hourly and can barely nurse 10 mins per breast before he falls asleep. When I have the time, I will express out what is left and will sometime be amazed at what I can squeeze out of my breasts. It makes me wonder if I am producing alot of milk or simply he is not drinking enuff. Haiz. Lil Shauna has rejected my kind offer of breast milk. Hohoho.

Now, the princess. I want to pull hair. She has realised that this little brother is simply here to snatch attention and had been really sticky at times. Well, this is actually nothing new. She had always been sticky, insisting that mummy has to do this and that for her. Come to think of it, it is probably my fault. She hasnt changed, but I have. Somehow, although I know that it is impossible, I had expected her to grow up suddenly now that she has a little brother or at least be a little more understanding. With a little one crying for milk or my breasts bursting with milk, the last thing that I want is to have a sticky toddler refusing to let me latch the baby to stop his cries or relieve the going to burst breasts. But that is happening EVERYDAY.

Each day, other than going to the toilet and eating and napping, I am jumping from the older one to the little one and back to the older one. I am either latching or trying to spend time entertaining/ pacifying/ assuring the older one. Tired. I never tot it is so difficult to be a mother of two. As a 2nd time mummy, handling the newborn is actually easy. It is the toddler that gets me screaming. Haiz.

It is probably no fault of Lil Shauna. She is still her. The same only-mummy-can-do-this-and-that-for-her and the crazy and unreasonable demands before nap and bedtime. It is me. My patience is thinning and I get irritated when I tried to pacify her but failed after short attempts. Boohoo.

My mum tries to help but she adds on undue stress too. Her this-must-be-done-this-way day-to-day routines can drive people crazy. Poor Auntie MA who gets the bulk of it. Auntie MA is trying to get used to the extra work that comes with the new baby and the night feeds. She wakes up whenever the baby cries for milk, but just to cuddle the baby and pass him to be while I get ready to BF. I hope the earlier reminders that I have given her helped to prepare her for this day. My mum tries to bring Lil Shauna to Centris in the late afternoon and out with my brother's family during the weekends so that I can get some rest. But I hate it when Lil Shauna is reluctant to go (for whatsoever reason) and my mum has to force her to go, half dragging a crying Lil Shauna out of the house. I cannot help but wonder if Lil Shauna thinks that we are forsaking her whenever that happens. Must make a mental note to tell my mum not to force her in the future.

Daddy Lim is trying to help and had been a great source of help with Lil Shauna. He had on many occasions brought Lil Shauna out on his own (and the maid) so that the princess is entertained and I get some rest at home. However, he has always been quick tempered and when the little princess throws tantrum and only wants the occupied mummy or makes too many unreasonable demands, he gives up too.

Haiz, things will only get more crazy as time goes on. Lil Isaac will soon wake up from his sleepy world and demand attention just like his sister. His jie jie will continue to be herself. I dread the tot. -.o" But of course we will survive, just like many other couples with 2 kids (or more!). And there will NOT be a 3rd kid, hohoho.

I just need to rant and I feel sorry towards the princess. Boohoohoo. She can be such dear at times. Her smiles and cheekiness still brighten my day.


Mummy Lim

Sad!

Daddy Lim told me that while trying to dress up the princess after shower, she asked him, "why mummy dun like me?"

I had to leave halfway bcos Lil Isaac has to choose that time to be hungry and we hid in ah yee's room to feed.

My heart shattered when I heard it from Daddy Lim. Boohoo, poor Lil Shauna. She must felt left out and robbed ever since the baby came!

Thereafter, I kept telling her that mummy loves her and likes her so much and showered her with loads of kisses and hugs. Haiz, I hope it helps. She was happy when we tucked her to bed.

I hope she dun grow up hating her brother. Boohoo.

Mummy Lim

Mummy of 2

Tough! Lil Shauna is starting to realise that this little brother of hers is no fun. He cannot play with her and the adults are always telling her to go gentle with him when she tries to sayang him. The worse of all, he is constantly snatching Mummy's attention. Poor princess suddenly found herself to have less than 50% of mummy's attention as per what she used to get.

I am TBF Lil Isaac now and feeding on demand. That is to say, I can be latching him anytime and for as long as required. On the 1st day that we came home, Lil Shauna found it amusing but she soon realises that mummy cannot be with her and do things with her when that crying thing needs to be attached to mummy's breast and she started to disallow mummy to latch didi. -.o"

Things get very bad especially during nap and bedtime. Just that day, when Lil Isaac needs to latch nearing her bedtime, she refused to let me latch him amd insisted that I passed the baby to Pappy and carry her instead. I tried to make Auntie MA tuck her for nap yday afternoon and she cried like she was being tortured. I normally will tuck her for nap if I am home and Auntie MA will gladly allow me to do so. In fact, I can tell that she hope that I take over. No choice, Auntie MA and Lil Shauna both have to learn so that I get some breathing space.

As expected, she refused to go to school this morning and cried buckets at the door. They had to pry her away from me and carry a crying Lil Shauna out of teh house. Haiz.

I feel weird too. On one hand, I suddenly expect Lil Shauan to grow up and behave like a jie jie, which I noe is impossible. I realised that my blood sometimes boil when she still makes those untreasonable demands that she made when Lil Isaac was still in my tummy. On the other hand, I feel so guilty that I have to share my attention with Lil Isaac and cannot do things with her like how I used to. There is only one me and I realised that I must learn to let go. There is no way that I can spend as much time with Lil Shauna as before and yet take care of Lil Iaaac and TBF him. Otherwise, I will collapse very quickly. And when Lil Isaac was in my tummy, I tot that I wun have the extra capacity to love him but I was so wrong. I love him and feel guilty that I have to split my love between Lil Shauna and him now. Haiz.

I duno how I am going to handle when Daddy Lim goes back to work tomorrow. -.o"

Mummy Lim

Moo Moo Cow

Lil Isaac took revenge yday and latched non-stop. When the nurses brought him to me, he can latch for over an hour and still cries when I unlatch him and put him back into the cot. -.o" My mik hasnt kick in yet, only the colostrum and he appears to be latching well. However, I can't tell if he is really hungry thus latching or merely using me as a human pacifier. Either way doesnt sound good to me leh. I heard that milk suspply will only kick in on the 3rd day (today is my 3rd day) but may be later for some mummies. I duno how to meet his demand if milk comes in later.

Yday, each latched is at least 20 mins on each breast. In the afternoon, I latched him over an hour and sent him back to the nursery. Within the same hour, the nurse brought him back and said that he was hungry and crying for milk badly. They needed to conduct a hearing test on him and cannot do so with all his crying. I latched him for another hour but he was still rooting when the nurse came for him. He was the last baby liao and everybody was waiting for him and can no longer delay. No choice lor, I gave in to FM and asked the nurse to give him a little FM for only that feed so as to quieten him down and allow the hearing test to proceed. I dont feel lousy but more worried that I dont have enuff milk for him.

I latched Lil Isaac on after that FM supplement feed. I saw that they gave him 35ml. That must have been pleasing to him tummy. ;p

I still hope to TBF him and I find that it is easier to latch him on as compared to Lil Shauna, probably bcos the princess was a preemie and of course practice makes perfect. I can even blog or play game on my iPone while I latch him now. Lil Isaac suckles hard and is now able to open his mouth big big to accommodate my big n****es. Hohoho. I hope to feed on demand but am not sure how things will work out when I am back home. I feel like I am having a holiday now. The baby is mostly in the nursery and is brought to me at regular interval for feeding. No need to change diapers, hear his cries and pacify him when he cries. Then there is no need to entertain the princess. Hmmm.. I am not sure if I am prepared to face the hard work that is to come.

Jia you. I want to be a moo moo cow...

Mummy Lim

I Don't Like My Neighbor

After my last delivery in NUH, I knew that this time, I must stay in an aircon ward. But since Daddy Lim wouldn't be staying overnight and I probably wouldn't have many visitors, I opted for a 2 bedded ward in TMC and I regretted my choice tonight.

My neighbor moved in yday afternoon, almost the same time as me. She is a M**** and admitted due to contractions. I don't fancy M**** neighbor cos based on last experience, they have loads of family and friends and giving birth is like an opportunity for family gathering and picnic. -.o"

I was lucky that she went for delivery the 1st night and didn't came back until yday morning. I had the room to myself. Yday, we even say "hi" and share brief birth story. But when night came, it was a nightmare!

So many family and friends came and they came nearing the end of the visitation hours and was chatting so loudly. I was trying to sleep by 7+pm cos I will be waking up to bf Lil Isaac in the night but they were chatting and laughing so loudly.

After tolerating till 8.30m, I had to complain to the nurse, who didnt chase the visitors out but hushed them down. Most of the guests only left at 9pm, leaving her hb and sis and I kept hearing them whispering. Hello, 2 bedded means cannot stay overnight lah. Go home, go home! I think somebody was still here at 11pm and the nurse finally chased them away.

I wanted to remind her that I am bfg Lil Isaac and she will sure be disturbed when the nurses send him here in the night but with all the din that they created, I decided that she ought to be disturbed in the night and will purposely let Lil Isaac cries. Hohoho. Afterall, she's not bfg her baby and her baby is always full, warm and sleeping when she's in the ward to be paraded to friends and relatives. I will let my dear neighbor know what exactly is night feeding about. Kekeke.

The worse? She or somebody has to snore really loudly when she finally decided to off the light and turn in at 9+pm! I am so glad to go home tomorrow.

Mummy Lim

Latching the Baby

I am not sure if the general services of TMC is not good or yday was not a good date to give birth. TMC is crowded bcos so mummies chose to deliver via c sect or induce on 20 Oct 10, which is supposed to be my EDD and I am glad that I did not deliver on the said day. I heard that it was full house and the nurses and doctors were all so busy.

After I delivered on 21st, there was no bed for me and I had to be wheeled out of the delivery ward to a bed in a pathetic waiting area until 12noon when somebody checks out. I cannot even stay in the delivery ward bcos somebody elses need to give birth. -.o" The waiting area was cramp and only enuff space for 1 bed when the curtain was drawn up. Daddy Lim went home to rest instead.

I reminded the nurse that I want to total breastfeed (TBF) Lil Isaac and I supposed they will bring him to me when time was up. But I didnt get to see him even when I was wheeled to the ward at 12noon. -.o" I reminded again after I settled down in the ward but didnt get to see him until 2+pm.

Hmm, I tot the baby will be hungry but I was wrong. He was very sleepy, probably from the epidural and refused to open his eyes or mouth. I couldnt latch him. The nurse wheeled him to me again at 5+pm bcos he cired but he fell aslp again when he came to me. -.o"

I only managed to latch him on one breast for 10mins at 7+pm and he chose to slp instead when I switched breast. -.o" But things did get better in the night. The epidural effect on him must have worn off and he was able to latch when the nurse brought him to me at 10+pm, 2+am and 4+am (I think, I was hald awake.. Hoho). Otherwise, he must be an night owl, which is a bad thing for me. He latched for an hour during the last feed and I haven seen him since. He was wide awake and still was after his hour of latching. So cute.

Although 2x mummy, I have no idea if I am latching him correctly. My breasts seem a little bit too big for his tiny mouth. Oops. There is still no milk yet, just colostrum and I think today will be a tougher day than yday since he will be more awake, more alert and more demanding. Pls pray that I can be a moo moo cow. :) I duno if I will be successful but I will try. Mummy SY says that just latch on demand and there will definitely supply to meet her demand. Hohoho. Mooooooooo.....

Mummy Lim

Arrival of Lil Isaac

So, here is my birth story.

12.30am - Admit to TMC for induction. While on the way to TMC, Daddy Lim and I kept discussing about why we are admitting at 12mn for induction, some auspicious timing? No answer.

1.00am - Checked and still 2cm dilated. Given medication to clear bowels. Nurse asked about any preferred pain relief measures. "Epidural"!

1.30am - Sent to dilvery ward. Nurse started to set up drip for inducing.

2.00am - Asked if I preferred to have the epidural before or after the drip takes effect. Didnt noe that I have a choice, cos I always tot that I need to be 4 to 6cm dilated before I will be given epidural? But since I am opting for epidural, I figured out that it is not worth going through labour pains. Hohoho.
Daddy Lim left home for a quick nap.

2.30am - Doctor came to give me epidural. The process was actually quite scary. Prayed that I will not suffered from epidural side effects, which I did not other than shivering. Then again, the aircon in the delivery ward was uber cold. And I hate doctors who tell me that the injection is only a little painful, like an ant bite. -.o" It must have been a very big ant.

3.00am - Started feeling numbness in the legs, cannot feel the contractions at all. Nurse mentioned that mild contractions are kicking in. Managed to doze off for a little while.

5.00am - Nurse checked and still 3cm dilated only but I can start feeling the contractions. Not painful but bearable pressure down there. Msged Daddy Lim to take his time and not to rush down. Appeared as if there was still a looonnngggg way to go. Prayed for faster dilation.

6.00am - Waterbag burst on its own despite weak contractions but still 3cm dilated. Msged Daddy Lim to come back. Start of more regular and intense contractions.

6.30am - Daddy Lim arrived and I started feeling the contractions, which were largely bearable with deep breathing but tot that I should ask for higher dosage of epidural. Afterall, since I opted for pain relief, why bother gg through labour pains? Hehe. But the nurse rejected me and told me that pressure is good, will help when it is time to deliver and asked me to request again if the pain gets unbearable.

7.15am - Asked for higher dosage again. This time, another nurse attended to me and gladly helped me increase the dosage. Hohoho. Asked if she will check for dilation but she mentioned that the protocol is to do so every 4hrly and the last check was at 6am. She will only do so if I still feel increasing pressure after increased dosage of epidural.

7.35am - Asked nurse to check for dilation cos I kept feeling pressure bearing down. Found to be 8cm dilated. Nurses started preparing for delivery while we wait for the doctor to arrive.

8.00am - Doctor finally arrived and started wearing his gear for delivery.

8.15am - Started pushing. The TMC staff are probably been through so many deliveries. It is weird how the nurses and doctor all started joking and then becoming really encouraging and urged me to push. It was very relaxed and it actually feels like a soccer game with people cheering me on. Hoho.

8.21am - All it takes is 2 contractions and 7 pushes and we heard Lil Isaac's 1st cry. Hohoho. The nurses cleaned him up and the doctor continued with the removal of the placenta, the cleaning and stitching. The placenta is uber gross lor, like pig's kidney. Bleeehhhhhh...

I managed to latch Lil Isaac after he was cleaned up. Of course I have no milk yet but he gave powerful suckles and I hope he got the important colostrum. This is how he looked like straight after birth.


It is so different with Lil Shauna and Lil Isaac. For jiejie, she was almost grey when she came out and wasnt crying much. The doctors and nurses took her away almost immediately after I gave birth. All I did was to catch a glimpse of her. With didi, we heard his powerful cries the moment his head popped out. Hohoho. We get to take photos with him and latch him too.

And this is him after clean up. How? Look like who? Oh he has a dimple on one side of his cheek. Hohoho.


Lil Shauna came and visit in the evening. I heard from Daddy Lim that she woke up crying in the night when she couldnt find me and made Daddy Lim carried her around the house to look for me. Ahhhhh.. my poor princess. She was happy to see me and didi and was even happier to see the pressie that didi got for her. Hohoho. She willingly left the hospital when it was time for her to go home with Daddy Lim. I hope this signifies a good start and she will still remain so angelic after Lil Isaac goes home.

Mummy Lim

Live From TMC

Nope, Lil Isaac is not here yet, but I hope soon.
I admitted at midnight and was wondering why the doctor choose this timing. It cannot be that he is still around at this time mah. Anyway, it is good also since I can tuck Lil Shauna to bed and spent the night waiting for Lil Isaac to come.

Upon admission, I was checked and was still 2cm dilated with no contractions. Was prepared and sent to the delivery ward.

I was strapped to the CTG machine to monitor Lil Isaac's heartbeat and contractions and was given medication via drip to induce labour. Daddy Lim decided to go home to rest and come back the next morning. We all know that this will take some time. He made the right choice cos I got minimal rest. Every now and then, somebody will come in to check on me, stock up on duno wat or the bp machine will act up to take my bp. -.o"

I have opted for epidural this time. I figured that it is not worth the pain especially when inducing might take forever. The nurse asked if I wanted epidural before the drip and I was taken aback cos this was never an option given to me when I had Lil Shauna. So, the kia si me opted for epidural to avoid all possible contraction pains. Well, I tried labour pains before liao and once a lifetime is enuff.

The contractions were weak and I was only 3cm dilated at 5am. -.o" Was praying hard for natural delivery and to be quickly dilated and suddenly my waterbag burst on its own at 6am despite the weak contractions. Hohoho.

The burst waterbag seems to kick in stronger contractions. I am now waiting and waiting. I can feel the contractions but they are still bearable. The contractions are pretty close apart and I wonder what auspicious time Lil Isaac will choose to come out. Hohoho.

Mummy Lim

I See the Light!

Yes, yes, yes.. Hohoho.. I am seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. The doctor says that Lil Isaac is engaged. In fact, he was engaged since last week. No wonder I keep feeling that he headbutt my bladder and makes me go into some I-need-to-pee-now dance.

And I have dilated 2 to 3cm! Yes, I have been walking around dilated but not at all knowing. No feeling at all leh. Then again, some women walk around dilated for weeks!

I will be admitted to TMC at 12mn to be induced. Yes, it is still induction but at least my body has shown signs that it is getting ready for labour. The doctor will burst the water bag and I will just be waiting for the hour to come. I am excited.

Life will be different from tomorrow onwards for the Lim family. I am not sure if we are ready for the changes but have all been waiting for so long. Pls help to pray for smooth and natural delivery!

Mummy Lim

Cheeky Princess

I cannot help but snapped loads of photos and videos of the princess. She's so pretty but very cheeky too. One of those, "mummy I tie hair, I so pretty" look.


And of course, cheeky face look. In fact, loads of them everyday. Hoho.



The other day, ah yee bought this cat ears hair band and she was so happy wearing them and telling us that she is a "xiao hua mao".



This one is classic. My belly button has started to pop out and she kept asking me why. So, I told her the Lil Isaac is pushing inside. She describes it with such animation. Hohoho.


Just now, while trying to tuck her for nap. She decided to sing me a song with actions.


How not to love her? Hohoho.

Mummy Lim

ER's Full Month Bash

Time passes so quickly and Mummy J's ER is already one month old! See what a smart price charming he is.


Mummy J's EDD was merely 2 weeks ahead of mine and we both had history of pre-matured birth and she was on medication to prevent another pre-matured birth while I was not. I was even joking with her that Lil Isaac might end up becoming the gorgor but no such luck. Hohoho. ER had celebrated his one month's bday while Lil Isaac is still baking in mummy's tummy. Hello, chao ta already, can come out liao!

We were invited to ER's bash last Ssturday and I told Mummy J that we would turn up unless I have popped. Since Lil Isaac still stubbornly refused to come out, Daddy Lim drove us all the way to ulu ulu Seng Kang to attend teh party.

We knew most of the guests that they invited, some of whom we have not seen for the longest time. Bcos we were all about the same age, there were lots of kids and pregnant women bumping here and there. It was quite an interesting sight.

AN jie jie was very warm towards her guests and gladly shared her toys. Lil Shauna was glad to play with the toys and was very much self entertained under Auntie MA's supervision while Daddy Lim and I nuah in the house. Hohoho.


I managed to catch up with the girls and YF was there too. Her EDD is 3 weeks after mine. But at this rate that Lil Isaac is going, maybe he will become the didi liao. Hohoho. I cant wait to hold Lil Isaac in my arms. Come out lah.

Mummy Lim

Torture Chamber

That is the new name for our bedroom. I am not sure when and why it happened but It is so hard to tuck the princess to bed recently, be it her afternoon nap or at the end of the day. If her nap is delayed, it would mean that she will wake up late and thus sleep late in night. It is a vicious cycle.

There are basically 3 segments before she really fall asleep. She will start off by playing in the bedroom, i.e., jumping around, monkeying around, talking to her soft toy 'friends'', etc. Then we will attempt to coax her to settle her down and prepare her for bed. This is the worse part. She will start her nonsense and made all sorts of demands.

I want to feed Mummy medicine.
I want milk.
I want plaster.
Pain, pain, I want lotion.
Mummy get up, I want to lie on mummy's leg.
I want blanket.
Mummy close the window.
I want my toy.
I want to see mummy's hp.

You get my drift. She is really testing our patience during this part and it can actually last an hour until she finally decides to sleep. Then she will toss and turn for a good position before finally lying motionlessly and staring into the blanks. When that happens, she will drift to dreamland in mins.

Haiz, sleep is so easy, why she many patterns? She must be God's way of testing our patience. -.o" I hope things will get better. Otherwise, it will really be war when Lil Isaac arrives.

Mummy Lim

Toilet Training - Little Sucess

We are still at it and we see some progress. We will make Lil Shauna sits on her throne every morning and after her nap (after she wakes up and have her milk) and she will let go in her potty. And she seems to be able to hold her pee until it is time to let go, unlike the beginning when she will pee in her pants every half an hour. Now, she peed every 45 mins to an hour. She will reject the potty if she has no urge, even when we insist, urge and coax. If she needs to, she will sit on her potty and let go after much coaxing.

She still doesnt tell us when she needs to pee. It is usually us who made her sits on her potty but there had not been many accidents so far. But that is also bcos she still spent a large amount of time in her diaper. We haven tried letting her go diaper free during naps. I think we are progressing well but I am not sure how else to proceed. Do we have to wait until she starts telling us that she needs the potty before we try to let her nap without the diaper? She is still in her diaper when she goes to school now. I hope that she will soon go diaper free. But of course, we will attempt only after Lil Isaac comes. I read of how toddlers suddenly becoming toilet untrained when their siblings come along. Hmmm, I better check with Mummy J how to proceed on.

Mummy Lim

Updates:
I called Mummy J to ask about the next step in the "Toilet Training Instruction Manual" and she said to ask Lil Shauna every now and then if she needed to pee in the potty. If she doesnt want, then dun force her so that she will not get turned off by the idea of peeing in the potty. And if accidents happen, dun scold her, just told her that she had peed in her pants and she can tell mummy the next time she wanted to pee.

Lil Shauna refused to put on her diaper to nap. Seriously, wearing diaper is little or no comfort. Imaging having something wrapped on your butt in this hot weather! I let her and was praying hard that she doesnt peed on my bed, which thankfully, she did not! But we had 4 accidents after her nap. She refused to sit on her potty and kept telling us that she doesnt want to pee but let go in her pants the next moment. -.o" Poor Auntie MA had to handwash so many of her panties.

We are trying again today. She peed in her potty this morning after her milk but poo poo in her pants!!!!!!! She refused to sit on her potty when she was trying to poo but I know pooing in potty is step 2. I will be happy if she can start peeing in her potty liao.

I am not sure if I should make I should make Lil Shauna sit on her potty today or just let her when she said that she doesnt want to pee.

Still Not Yet Lah!

Mummy P, J and SY had been asking me every now and then if I have popped. And of course, the answer is "NO"!!!! Last night, while dinner-ing, Mummy L called me.

Mummy L: Eh, you give birth liao or not?
ML: (While trying to feast on my chay kway teow and oyster egg) No lah, haven lah. Why leh?
Mummy L: No lah, I was MSN-ing with YF and was wondering if you have given birth since I didnt hear from you mah.
ML: Haven, haven. You got read my blog or not? If I given birth I will update in my blog.
Mummy L: Got, but no entry on you giving birth mah.
ML: Ya lor, bcos I haven mah. Dun worry, read my blog lah. If I given birth, I will inform you all and update my blog de. Hurhurhur.

Hehe, my friends are all as gan cheong as me bcos Lil Isaac has been "stuck" in my tummy for the longest time.

And the verdict from today's check-up? No sign at all. Haiz.. Everything is well and Lil Isaac is probably about 3.3 to 3.4kg, which is about the same as the last check-up. Strong heartbeat, head still down and lower than last week. I forgot to ask if he is engaged and if there are enuff fluid cos I was turned off the moment the doctor told me that it is not today or anytime soon. -___-" No dilation also but cervix is soft. So, I am scheduled to come back to see him on 20th Oct 10, which is my EDD. If no sign of labour by then, the doctor mentioned that he will probably scheduled me to induce on 21st Oct 10. I was so glad to hear the last part. Hohoho.

Lil Shauna was much earlier and I was worried when I hit my 34 weeks that Lil Isaac will be pre-matured too. But I am already 39 weeks today and he showed NO signs of coming out. The doctor explained that Lil Shauna was extremely small and complicated case. So, we cannot use her as a yardstick. Lil Isaac is behaving like he is my 1st baby. -.o" And no coaxing or threatening on our parts help. I threatened to spank his backside and we even ask jiejie to tell him to come out but nothing happened. Sianz.. Of course we can try inducing anytime now since he is already a full-term baby but if my body and Lil Isaac are both not ready, it will probably be a very long labour, about 18 hours? And if inducing cannot get him out, I will end up in a C section, which I am not keen cos it will take time for wound to heal and time is something that a 2nd-time mummy doesnt have. I dun want to stay for prolong period in the hospital cos Lil Shauna will want me home and I already predicted that Lil Shauna will be sticky and want mummy to bao and this and that after Lil Isaac arrives. It will be hard with a C-sect wound. I supposed my body and Lil isaac will be more ready next week.

I can hardly wait for Lil Isaac to be out. I am clumsy and tired now. Walking around tires me. On so many occasions, I rather stay at home bcos I cant walk for long. -.o" There are so many things that I want to do with Lil Shauna. I want to bring her to swimming, to indoor playground, to the zoo, to shopping malls, etc., but I cant now. Sob, poor baby has to stay at home with me even before my confinement starts. Some of the Oct 10 mummies are already talking about their babies' full-month bash and I am still here wondering which great date Lil Isaac will choose to make his grand entrance. Why like that?

And I am still growing. -.o" I started my leave since last Thurs but still working from home and going back when there is a need to. Going to office tires me cos I get stuck at work the moment I step in and I get backache from sitting upright the whole day. But staying at home is bad too bcos I keep opening the fridge to find food. Hohoho. When Lil Shauna eats, I eat, when Daddy Lim, I also eat. When nobody eats, I still eat. And ice cream! When the weather is hot, I eat ice cream. When I bad mood, I also eat ice cream. Like that how not to grow leh? Hahaha.

Pls pray that I will deliver soon , hoping before EDD and I want to deliver naturally. Pls also pray for a short labour and a smooth delivery. Amen!

Mummy Lim

Plaster Saga

I duno when it started but Lil Shauna started her fetish for plasters. Not any kind but those with really cute pictures on them. We bought her some really nice ones with animals on them. She will happily stick one of those plasters on herself, usually her leg, when there is no wound. It is like a fashion statement. The plasters arent expensive and her crazy parents went on to feed her fetish until they start regretting recently.

She will ask for her plaster every night and will then stick it on herself. Things have gotten quite bad in the sense that she refused to shower or let us wash her backside after she poo poo bcos it will wet her plaster. -.o" A few nights ago, she woke up crying from a nightmare. I asked her if she dreamt that somebody bullied her, which she vigorously shook her head and said "my plaster". -.o" Heng ah, her plaster was still on her leg and I assured her that nobody took her plaster. Then, 2 nights ago, she asked Daddy Lim to help stick the plaster on her finger and she was so conscious of that plaster on her finger, even when she fell asleep. She was still sticking out her finger in dreamland.


We really hope that she grew out of this soon. Silly parents regreting their actions. Hohoho.

Mummy Lim

Vain Pot

I guessed encouragements do wonder to a person's confident and ego. We are never stringy with prasies and encouragements to Lil Shauna. We told her that she is pretty and clever and brave and what have you. And we realised that she is becoming more and more vain. Hoho.

She will want to look at her pix and videos on Pappy and Mummy's hp everyday. When Daddy Lim is at the computer, she will insist that she will want to look at baobao's photo too. Then she will be so happy to tell us which one is her and what she was doing in the pix. -______-"

Recently, she will happily pose for pix for us. This is her in her purple Mickey Mouse sunglasses and she thinks that she looks pretty in it. :)


Whenever we tie her hair, we will tell her that she is so pretty. So this once, after we tie her hair at Nainai's place, she went to tell Nainai that "baobao tie hair, so pretty". Hoho.

Popo told me that she once tied her hair to school and the teachers commented that she was pretty and it really made her day. She was so happy in school that
day. So whenever she refused to tie her hair for school, we will remind her that she is so pretty after tying her hair and she can go and show off to the teachers.

Today, I tied her hair and helped her put on new hair clips. She was so pleased when she saw herself in the mirror and even happily posed for me. Hohoho.


Mummy Lim

Toilet Training

Today is Day 5. We started on Thursday afternoon and there was little effort over the weekend as we were mostly out. Even on normal days, toilet training only took place in the morning before school and after Lil Shauna's nap till dinner time. We had no success until today.

We will ask her every half hour but Lil Shauna will resist sitting on the potty and will let go the next second, wetting her shorts and the floor. We duno why. -.o" We will then remind her to tell mummy when she needs to pee the next time, which she might or might not agree only to do the same thing the next time. Boohoo. But at least she is Ok about being diapleless.

This morning, after she poo poo in her diapers, she went diaper-free. She wanted to wear a little panty, like what Felicia did at home. So after lots of encouragement, she actually peed 2x in her potty and no accident! Hohoho. Of course, that was after constant reminders and asking by mummy and she had lots of praises and encouragements thereafter. I wonder if we are overdoing it. Haha, I have no idea how toilet training should actually proceed. We will try again after when she wakes up from her nap later. I am gg back to office tomorrow and toilet training can only resume on Wednesday. I hope we will succeed soon.

And, she hasnt told us when she wants to pee. All these times, it is us making her sit at the potty and encouraging her to let go when she's on it. I wonder when she will start to tell us that she needs to pee or go to the potty on her own. Still, it is a great success to me. Hehe. Jia you.

Mummy Lim

Another Weekend

It is another weekend with Lil Isaac in Mummy's tummy. Last night, I had insomnia and had such a tough time trying to fall asleep. Right before I drifted off, I was praying hard that I will pop soon, even that very night. I even commanded Lil Isaac to be engaged and to come out soon, but I still woke up with a big tummy this morning. Sian. Aiyo, when is it finally my turn?

We skipped church again. The extra kgs are weighing down on me, changing positions take tremendous effort and walking tires me out. I had to plead with ah yee to bring Lil Shauna swimming, which she agreed, heng ah. Poor ah yee was awoken early this morning to be dragged to bfast despite sleeping at 3am last night to rush assignment. So now, ah yee is monkeying in the pool with the princess while I sit under the shade and relax one corner. Hoho.

I hope the swimming will tired the energetic bunny and nap will come easy. By the time Lil Shauna is up, Daddy Lim should be home! Hehehe.

Hmmm.. Will things really get better when the little one finally arrives? I don't know actually. I don't know how Lil Shauna will survive during my confinement. I supposed Daddy Lim will have to bring her out on his own?

Mummy Lim

Staying at Home

Today is the 2nd day at home with Lil Shauna and it is tiring. Yday was still alright as Lil Shauna was sent to Centris early morning to facilitate my medical appointment. I fed her lunch and tucked her to bed after school and entertained her until Daddy Lim came back from work to bring us to JP for dinner. Things aren't that tough. Just that she always resist napping and had problem waking up after that. -.o"


We started toilet training yday afternoon after her nap but with no sucess. She soiled 2 training pants and 1 normal pants in 2 hours time befire we wrapped her in diapers to go to JP for dinner. I think normal pants are better at least when she peed, she wet herself and the floor and she was conscious. With the training pants, she continued with what she was it in her damp pants. -.o" By the time we were back, she was in diapers again as it was nearing bedtime.

Lil Shauna woke up early this morning. Her biological clock must be at work . Poor mummy. We tried toilet training and was again without sucess. She wet 4 pants in mere 4 hours. -.o" We asked her constantly if she wanted to pee and she will tell us "no". And she refused to even siot on the potty, then, she will pee the next second. I will to pull hair and scream at her but I know it is a battle of will. Whoever can tahan longer will win. She was again in her diapers to go to school. According to Auntie MA, she is the only one in her class who is in diapers now. Even younger kids are not in diapers liao. -.o" Luckily I had Auntie MA to help clean the floor and wash the soiled pants, else I probably would have given up liao.

And we made breakfast this morning! Lil Shauna helped to beat the eggs and put the ham into the microwave and start the microwave. She obdeiently stand one side while I fired the eggs and then helped to put teh stuff together and cut the sandwiches. Again, I was glad for Auntie MA to clean up the mess. We made cute heart and flower shaped mini sandwiches and Lil Shauna was a happy toddler. She had quite a bit of the snadwiches that she made.


Then we watched TV and played toys. She was sticky to me in the beginning as per usual since she always see so little of me. But she was OK to play by herslf for with Auntie MA after awhile. I think it is a good idea for me to start my annual leave 1st. Hopefully, Lil Shauna will get used to the idea of me being at home and be less sticky by the time Lil Isaac arrives. She was again tearful when it was time for school and Auntie MA has to tear her away from mummy. Lil Shauna had improved quite alot since Auntie M's time, from rejecting school to sticking to Popo in school to Auntie MA, to allowing Auntie MA to escape from class yday. I wonder how today will go with the new adjustment (mummy is around).

Toilet training will probably go easy over the weekend until Tuesday. I must jia you. I must not give up! Hmm.. what bfast should we make for Tuesday?

Mummy Lim

No Sign Yet!

Sob, sob. No signs yet. Lil Isaac is now 3.1 to 3.5kg (average 3.3kg). Still head down but not engaged yet. The doctor thinks that I should have another week to go. Boohoo for mummy. I wonder how much bigger he will be by next week. How to give birth to a big baby huh? Never try before. The gynea is not keen to induce me too since there is no urgent need to. Inducing might take forever now and leads to complications.

I am now strapped to the CTG machine to monitor Lil Isaac's heartbeat and to track contractions, if any. His heartbeat basically sound like horse galloping and it is hypnotizing. I think I am going to fall asleep soon.

Lil Isaac, this world is much prettier than mummy's tummy. Your jiejie is eager to see you too. Won't you pls come out soon?

Mummy Lim

Starting My Annual Leave

I have officially started my annual leave and will be on annual leave until my EDD. Apparently, God has not answered my prayer yet and Lil Isaac is still in my tummy despite me starting my week 38 today. -_____-"

Although on AL, I will still be working from home cos I cant finish my work. Sob, sob. But I only have 2 pocket of time to do so, i.e., when Lil Shauna is in school and when she takes her afernoon nap and taht will mean that I am forfeiting my nap as well. Hohoho. Let's see how hardworking I will be.

And I will be back in the office on Sat and next Mon to stand in. I have promised my boss that I would be back if she needs me, provided that I haven popped lah. We shall noe when I see my gynae later. Argghh, I wish I could pop soon. It is so tiring, I am so lazy to move around. Although I still have skinny legs and beautiful ankles this time, I walk like a penguin and feel like a whale constantly and I am growing out of my clothes, even the maternity ones! Perfect reason why I should hide at home.

Well, we shall see how things go. I wonder if I will be tortured to death by the princess or by the weather and go escaping back to office. Freaking hot weather, I tot it should be turning cooler by this time of the year? Shouldnt the monsoon rain be coming in? Our aircon is still on every night. I fear for my utilities bill. Hohoho.

Mummy Lim

Things that She Said

Lil Shauna woke up early Sunday morning when the sky was still dark. She was tossing about in bed and lazy mummy was hoping to nuah a little bit more.

LS: Mummy, get up!
ML: No baby, mummy is tired and wants to lie down.
LS: No, mummy get up!
ML: Why baby? Why mummy must get up?
LS: Bcos I want to lie on mummy's leg.
ML: ... (obediently get up bcos Lil Shauna gave a perfect reason and mummy has no excuse)

Then, last night, Daddy Lim was playing with Lil Shauna and her so many soft toy friends on the bed. Daddy Lim was trying to teach her about colours.

DL: Baobao, what colour is Spot's ear?
LS: Black.
DL: No, Spot's ear is brown, Mickey Mouse's ear is black. See, (taking the 2 soft toys and comparing) they are different. What color is Spot's ear?
LS: Black.
DL: No Shauna, brown, like chocolate.
LS: (serious look) Are you sure?
DL: (burst out laughing) Hahahaha, yes baby.

We expect more to come. The things that she says are so adorable now.

Mummy Lim

Still Not Time Yet??!!

Boohoo.. The doctor says that there is no sign that Lil Isaac wants to come out soon. He is about 2.8 to 3.1kg (average 2.95kg) today, still head down but not engaged. I had expected that he is not engaged bcos I had been feeling his hiccups everywhere. Doctor says that Lil Isaac is still happily floating around, about 2 inches about where he should be. If I am to go into labour now, it will be a long labour and we have to worry about him coming out facing teh wrong way. -.o" Blood pressure is climbing at 120+/70+ but very acceptable. Pockets of fluid still visible. Conclusion: wait and see. -__________-"

I had so wanted to give birth. I was hoping that I will get good news at the checkup this morning. I would be glad if the doctor had told me that today is The Day, but no such luck. I think I should pray harder that God will allow Lil Isaac to be delivered in my 37th weeks. Hohoho. I feel like a whale now and constantly walked like a penguin and people have to tell me that my tummy is small. I wonder how mummies with big tummies move around. Hmm...

A few more reasons why I should give birth soon. Two weeks ago, I met a friend (haven seen her for a few years) in TMC when I went for my check-up. She called me and I couldnt remembered her name. It took me one day to recall her name and that is after I flipped some old stuff to find her name lor. Yday, my cheque to Citibank to pay the credit card bill was returned bcos I remembered to send them a cheque to pay for the bills but I forgot to date the cheque. I = winner.

Mummy Lim

Insecurity

Lil Shauna is already 28 months old and going to be a jie jie soon. But she is still painfully shy in front of strangers, especially adults. She will clamp up, refused to speak, cling on to us and become immobile. This happens too when we bring her for classes and church. It will take a long time before she finally warms up and opens up, but still prefer not to join in the group activities. Well, Daddy Lim and I were shy kids too and it is not hard to understand why Lil Shauna is so shy. Of course, she’s like any of the bouncy kids when she’s in familiar surroundings. I had been trying to get her to open up but not much success so far. I so envy daring kids, who will roam and explore on their own when mine is clinging on to me for her dear life. -.o” Sometimes, I find it hard to believe that this monkeying and cannot-sit-still toddler is so shy lor.

Ah yee always tell me that Lil Shauna seems to have an issue with security. I refuse to take her words, cos if Lil Shauna is indeed insecure, it is as if I have failed as a parent. I want my kid to grow up happy and confident! But after the Lil-Shauna-so-rejects-the-maid sage, I have to admit that Lil Shauna seems to really have a security problem.

We had been spending much more time and effort on Lil Shauna ever since she grew temperamental upon the arrival of Auntie M. We had guessed that she became difficult bcos she is undergoing the Terrible Two phase but as time goes by, it seems largely due to insecurity. Ah yee’s theory is that Lil Shauna spent very little time with us, often waking up to a house without parents (who are the closest people to her now) and only Auntie J. After spending time and building bond with Auntie J, she suddenly disappeared and along came Auntie M, whom Lil Shauna was unwilling to learn to trust again, just in case she disappeared one day like Auntie J. Thus, Lil Shauna started her rejection campaign and make things hellish for all of us.

We see drastic improvement in her behavior after Auntie M’s departure. We took care of her very much on our own when we were without a maid for 3 weeks. Lil Shauna was initially reluctant to go to Popo’s house when Auntie M left and it was always a tearful departure in the morning. After awhile, she seems to understand that Pappy & Mummy will come back for her at the end of the day and she had great fun with her jiejies at Centris too. It was then that she willingly allowed Popo to carry her away from Mummy’s arms in the morning. Even when Auntie MA came along, we continue to take care of Lil Shauna on our own and there was not once that we left her with Auntie MA without a family member. She rejected Auntie MA in the beginning too but probably found it easier to accept her as time goes by and she came to accept that Pappy or Mummy or Popo is around even though Auntie MA is here. I also have to admit that Auntie MA’s cheerful nature helps and she is always attempting to get close to Lil Shauna despite her numerous “bu yao Auntie” and “Auntie go away”.

Something happened and it further convinced me that Lil Shauna is insecure. We have started attending church since we had a helper. I would “escape” to service while Lil Shauna will stay in the jolly room with our helper. In the jolly room, she gets to play toys, worship, listen to bible story, eat snacks and do art & craft. Sounds fun, right? But whenever we are going to church, she would tell us that she “don’t want to go church but want to go kai kai”. Of course she doesn’t put up fights when she enters the jolly room bcos she gets distracted by the toys. But after each session, she will still tell us that she doesn’t want to go church. -.o” I cannot figure out what is wrong until recently when MA came along and I had been together with Lil Shauna and MA in the Jolly room. I think Lil Shauna was plainly insecure. She refused to join in the worship sessions but would sing the worship songs really loud after church. -.o” But I am slowly seeing her opening up and she even volunteered when the “teachers” asked who would like to help do a particular thing. She would be so glad to hear us praise her after she has completed her tasks. And after church last Sun, I asked her if she wants to come back to church with Mummy next week, she amazing tells me “yes”. Hehehe. Sadly, Mummy is getting big and lazy and is contemplating skipping church next Sunday bcos Mummy finds it such a dread to take public transport and sits on the floor in the Jolly room with Lil Shauna. -_________-“ I want to give birth soon. And I hope Lil Shauna gets more and more confident.

Mummy Lim