Poor Breasts, Poor Me

I had a meeting at habourfront on Mon and ended up spending the entire day out of yard. I had to lug my pump and fridge-to-go to make sure that I can express during lunch.

I ended up expressing at the nursing room in haborfront during lunch and was glad that the nursing room was empty. However, there was no power socket and I had to rely on batteries. I had to make a dash to the nearest Watson to get batteries.

My 'new' breast pump sometimes fail me. The suction takes awhile to come on. Don't ask me why. Just that day, it took forever. I ended up with the pump attached to me for a long time but with weak suction and no milk. I was über stress, fidgeting with the pump and wondering if it is the pump's fault or that the batteries are not strong enuff.

I was left wondering if I should make a dash to the nursing room in vivo city. There is power socket there. After like 10mins, the suction finally resumed. Phew.

It was probably a combination of time stress, frustration, weak suction and what-have-yous. I got less than 100ml of output after struggling for another 20mins and I gave up. My lunch break was over too. And I was again wondering if i should have gone to vivo city. Then, it struck me - what happens if the pump dies on me or refused to cooperate while we are in Hong Kong?!!?

I have decided that I will bring my spare pump to Hong Kong, including some essential spare parts such as the valves. A little more weight is definitely better than exploded breasts. Haiz, the downs of expressing.

Mummy Lim

CNY Gathering

I lost count.. We went for so many gatherings and visitations this year and I am glad. We met up at Mummy J's house in far, far away Sengkang just now. Haiz, why wouldnt the Government build a direct expressway from Jurong to that ulu ulu land?

The kids didn't need warming up when we arrived. They were greeted with many other kids and a whole house of toys. Those always do the trick. At certain point, Mummy J's house was so noisy with screaming kids and adults trying to outtalk each other to be heard. I actually ended up with a headache. It was only better when some of the families started to leave. Their house, which is an executive flat, actually felt small when the full strength reported. Phew.

Again, it was stuffed-myself-silly-with-junk-food time. This time the sin was greater with the whole table of CNY goodies. The only happiness is that Lil Shauna can entertain herself and we only need to take turns to watch over didi.

We left at about 7pm. Lil Shauna was hugging AN and C and I think ER tripped over Lil Shauna and fell. His face knocked onto the floor and he started crying so pitifully. I only suspect that Lil Shauna tripped him when she suddenly turned quiet and her eyes went red. I picked her up and when we were just out of the door, she started crying. It was either out of guilt or fear. She cried so sadly in the car and I was assuring her that it was alright bcos it was an accident; she didn't mean it. And I told her that I would let Auntie J knows that she is sorry. I did, over what'sapp. Hehe.

I got to know that ER was alright and told her so and I took the liberty to also tell her Auntie J didn't blame her before Auntie J actually said that. Haha. Well, Auntie J did say that eventually lah. Hohoho.

Mummy Lim

Teeth Brushing

We are lazy parents. Lil Isaac has a full mouth of teeth but we haven't been brushing them. I think his full set, except 2, are out. Even his 4 big molars are out.

We didn't faithfully helped Lil Shauna brushed her teeth too until not too long ago. I decided that I cannot be lazy anymore and helped her brush her teeth every night after her bath. I did ask Popo to help her with the morning brush but it is always a mad rush in the morning... Well, at least I did my part.

Over the CNY, somebody asked me if I started brushing Lil Isaac's teeth. The somebody gasped when I admitted that I haven't. In fact, Lil Isaac didn't even own a toothbrush. Yes, I have been a lousy mummy to Lil Isaac. Since then, I got him a toothbrush and told myself that I have to brush his teeth every night.

We did. Lil Isaac didnt welcome the toothbrush into his mouth the first time. Now, he opens his mouth for us and happily sucks on the apple and banana toothpaste. Hohoho.

Mummy Lim

Happy CNY

I went back to work on the 3rd day of CNY. The office was very much empty as most of the people were on leave. I was feeling blue on Chu Er at the tot of coming back to work. However, since we have no hoards of relatives to visit, leave should be reserved for more important things, like holiday. Hohoho.

I enjoyed CNY now much more than during my teenage and young adult years. It is time to “showcase” my kids and savor the proud mummy moments. This proud mummy beams at so-and-so’s comments about how beautiful/ clever/ cute/ polite/ well-behaved Lil Shauna/ Lil Isaac is. Hohoho. We didn’t have many pictures. We are too busy running after the kids. This is taken at Centris before we start our visitation.


Ah yee made this. Lil Isaac looked like some gongfu master in his a little-too-big CNY romper.


This year, we also visited Daddy Lim’s uncle’s house on Chu Yi and my MIL’s brother’s house on Chu Er.


I don’t know why we haven’t been visiting his uncle’s house, we usually just meet them on CNY eve for reunion dinner. The kids brought them much joy and I think we should continue with the tradition. I have never seen my MIL’s brother despite being with Daddy Lim since year 2004. I always tot that they are some difficult people and thus we have little contact with them. But the couple was actually very friendly and hospitable.

We had steamboat from CNY eve all the way until Chu Er. I quite enjoy the steamboat after not having them for an entire year. Steamboat is too much to ask on common days now that we have 2 kids. I like steamboat bcos you are supposed to take your time to eat. People are more forgiving if we lingered a little too long at the dining table. Hohoho. It is now a luxury to sit down for proper meals in the kids’ presence. Lil Shauna enjoys dumping food into the steamboat more than the actual eating too. She wasn’t allowed too long at the table though. It feels too dangerous.


We have round 2 to go this weekend. We are meeting up Daddy Lim’s Poly friends and the SHSS girls. Hohoho, I like CNY.

Huat ah!

Mummy Lim

The Breastfeeding Journey

Lil Isaac is 15 months’ old and still on partial BM. My supply has somehow dropped and I can meet about ½ of his milk’s needs. He supplements either with FM or my SIL’s EBM. Oh yes, my SIL has extra and Lil Isaac helps to clear stock. I don’t mind. BM is good stuff, regardless of whose and I get to save $$ too. To begin with, Lil Isaac is not a milk baby and only drinks more before his nap, bedtime or when he is really hungry. The rest of the time, he tends to be distracted and refused to stay still to finish his milk. He will struggle and wriggle and we chase him around to finish a pathetic bottle of 100ml. So, a big tin of FM can last him for a month!

Lil Isaac has stopped latching when he turns one. I tried a few more times to latch him but he refused. Now, when I show him my nipple, he stares at it as if it is some kind of alien and then wants to play with it. Faint. I found it easier to establish an expressing routine with Lil Isaac. Now, I express before and after work, during lunch, before I sleep and once in the middle of the night. The night express is not always successful. That is maybe why my supply has dwindled. Then again, 15 months is a long time and I have no pressure to try to meet his demand. Weekends and PH are the times that I fret over my expressing routine and I miss latching him. No milk bottle and no need to heat up EBM. It is very troublesome to find time to express amidst a busy schedule. I now take about 30 mins to express and somebody has to help man the kids while I do. I also appreciate to be away from the kids while I express, accompanied by my iPad. I found their presence stressful and actually affect my supply. Tested and proven.

I had been wondering when I should stop. I have been expressing bcos Lil Isaac doesn’t really like FM during his wakeful hours. We usually give him FM mixed with EBM or just EBM. More importantly, expressing helps to keep the kgs from piling. Sadly, I already have to watch over what I eat now despite still expressing. So, I think I really have to eat like a mouse if I stop. I know I must continue through the CNY bcos I want to look good. Now that CNY is over, the question pops back again. And we are going HKG in mid February. I don’t want to inconvenience the others who are traveling with us. I can now easily last 10 hours without any discomfort. Hmmmm.. Mummy J and YF, when are you all going to stop huh?

Mummy Lim

JBP Annual Pass

We brought the annual pass for about $200. The pass admits our family of 4. We think that it will be worth it since JBP is so near to our place and they have a new water playground. On any of the weekend mornings with good weather and if Daddy Lim has to work, I think I can easily hop on to a cab and bring the kids to the Bird Park for some fun. Since the purchase of the annual pass, we have been to JBP 3x and always with Daddy Lim. With the pass, we also didn’t see the need to stay the whole day in the park just to make our $$ worth. We stayed for about a couple of hours each time without the need to outdo the Sun.

We went down to JBP on CNY eve. Popo wanted us to bring the kids away so that she can prepare the feast in peace. Ah yee and Uncle Ichi joined us. We had fun feeding the lory birds. They were so full the last time we went in the late afternoon and had to beg the few with little tummy capacity left to eat the bird feeds.

Then we had a little fun in the water playground before heading home. It was so hot and the kids enjoyed the cooling weather. If it is not bcos it was too troublesome to change and all, I would love to soak in the ankle deep water too. Hoho.

I like how the kids get knocked out after the crazy fun. Hoho.

Mummy Lim

Sick

I am down with flu. But how can I be sick? I was just recovering from a mild sore throat and a dry cough. Then the sore throat and dry cough worsen on Wednesday. On Thursday, my throat recovered but there's phlegm and I kept sneezing. Today, my throat is super itchy and my nose is blocked.

Unfortunately, I didn't have time to take MC and went to the office to spread germs. I only hope that the kids don't get the virus. It is no joke to face sick kids over the holidays.

Mummy Lim

Enrichment Classes

Lil Shauna went for her 3rd music lesson yday and so far so good. I hope that my presence in the class will help her to continue with the class. Well, I am not trying to turn my kids into geniuses, I just thought that it is good if they can persist in a particular interest. My heart broke when Lil Shauna decided that ballet is not for her. I can already picture her in her leotard and tutu performing gracefully on stage but I know that the most important thing is for her to enjoy herself and I thus respected her decision.

I mentioned previously that I had expected the music class to be more interesting. However, Lil Shauna seems to be enjoying herself. I have to admit that the course material, which consist of a textbook, a workbook and stickers, are of really good quality and vibrant color. They cost us $90! The kids get to paste the stickers in the books upon accomplishment of certain tasks. Kids love stickers!

The class requires the kids to sit and follow instructions most of the time. I see boys monkeying around and I can't help being thankful that I am attending the class with my little lady. She's fairly well behave most of the time. Then again, I wonder if it will be hell when it is Lil Isaac's turn 2 years down the road.

And there are plenty of opportunities for me to savor proud mummy moments too. The kids are often asked to go to the front of the classroom to "perform". I just couldn't help smiling at my little princess and be proud of her.

Ok, phonics, music and swimming for Lil Shauna and adding on Lil Isaac's play gym, I am really a busy mummy now. There is still abacus and chinese classes which I suppose can wait a little. Maybe when she has learnt how to swim and she can stop taking lessons. Ouch, my pocket!

Mummy Lim

Caught!

Jiejie started school since she was 20 mths. She is now 3.5 yo (44 mths), so you can imagine how many work sheets and art & craft she has done and brought home. She bring then even more work sheet from her phonics class. I kept most of them in this box.

Recently, I did some housekeeping and plod through the box. I threw away the art & craft work that were falling apart. I also threw away those work sheets done in her playgroup. I threw away a big bag of them.

I found some more tucked in her phonics bag and crushed those and threw them in the rubbish bin without thinking. Yday morning, Lil Shauna saw those, recognized them and told me that those are her phonics work and asked me why they are thrown away??!! Oops.

I quickly picked them back, tried to even out the crisp and pretend to keep them. My bad... Must remember to throw the stuff away discreetly in the future. I don't think she really remembers all the work that she has done but I wouldn't feel good too if I see my mum throwing away my work.

Mummy Lim

Swimming Lesson

I always thought that it is important for the kids to learn swimming. Unlike our time, there are just too many swimming pools around. Lil Shauna can now take instructions and I thought it is the right time.

It is just wonderful that Felicia can learn swimming together with Lil Shauna and there are plenty of private swimming lessons in Centris.

They now have lesson once a week and today is their 2nd lesson. They totally enjoy their class. It helps that they love monkeying in the water to begin with.

The swimming lessons now are definitely very different from the past. There are 7 kids in the class, each of different level. The coach not only have to teach them but have to mind over the monkeying kids. No wonder parents stand around during the lesson to offer extra supervision. They are really a bunch of monkeys.

Mummy Lim