Ariel boycott for ½ day..

Today, Ariel refuses to drink her milk for ½ day. She also refuses to sleep but wants to play and play and play… Imagine, no milk and solid for ½ day?

PohPoh is so worried that she tries to spoon feed her the milk but fail.

Mummy suspects she is teething. Mummy will need to see how she is tonight and hopes it is due to teething….

If only we stayed in landed property and had patio furniture for us to relax to ease all these worries and stress at office and home. Mummy really hopes that Ariel will feel much better by tonight.

Headache….Solid food progress

Ariel is already 8+months.

Mummy started solid with Ariel when she was about 6 months old because she would show her pitiful puppy look, showing her tongue and open her mouth towards our (adults) food.

Mummy started with a bit of organic rice cereal then organic millet cereal. Ariel would only take 1-2 mouth then she would close her mouth tightly. Then Mummy tried to cook little porridge with potato, Ariel did the same thing. Mummy even tried plain sweet potato and plain potato.

Ariel’s progress in solid is so different then Jeriel. Jeriel’s time, within 1-2 weeks, he was taking 2 bowls of porridge per day. By 8 months old, Jeriel had tried a variety of vegetables and fruits.

Mummy is running out of idea soon on what to cook for Ariel. Seeing other babies who are about the same age of Ariel progressing so well in their solid intake really make Mummy wonders what has went wrong. Sigh Sigh….

Mummy is not going to give up but continue be patient with Ariel solid intake progress.This can be very tiring to Mummy’s brain thinking of all possibly solutions. Most probably more tired than going through a few sessions on the treadmills.

Sale Sale…What did we get this time?

School holidays have over even though it was only one week and also most of the sales have over. During sales, there are some items which are good deal but some are nothing great. As consumer, we need to be careful when we shop especially on the price. PaPa and Mummy will always make price comparison and will wait for special Sale. Besides that, we also make sure that the item is what we really needed to avoid becoming white elephant in our apartment thus taking up space in our limited space apartment.

Our recent purchase which was actually free because we redeemed cash vouchers with our credit card points was a Thermal Pot. We got ourselves a medium size one and Mummy was testing by using it to boil soup for PaPa and Mummy for tonight dinner. It took us some time to decide whether to get it or not. Besides that, Mummy found that we had enough points to exchange for the cash vouchers which were more than enough to get the Thermal Pot. Mummy hoped the soup will be nice by the time Mummy would be back from work for dinner tonight with PaPa.

Why Thermal Pot?
Mummy heard from a lot of people that it was a good buy. Mummy would not have to worry about standing in front of the stove too long or getting worry about the water level using the slow cooker for the whole day.

Mummy gave up on the slow cooker because Mummy tended to put more water to avoid the soup drying up. As usual Mummy would start the slow cook in the morning before work and the soup would be ready by dinner time for PaPa and Mummy. PaPa would always complain that the soup was tasteless because of too much water.

Besides that, it would be mobile which means Mummy could carry the Thermal Pot around and also it helped to save electricity. On top of that, Mummy would not have to worry about the slow cooker on for the whole day while in the office because the Thermal Pot would help to cook the soup and keep it warm till evening without using electricity.

The branded one especially Thermos was very expensive. We were reluctant to spend the money. When we found we can get it for free (using cash vouchers redeemed from our credit card points), then PaPa said that we would get one but we didn’t get Thermos one because it was expensive. We got a cheaper brand. Mummy hoped with this, PaPa and Mummy would be able to get a decent dinner daily.

AL is 8 months old

Our princess is 8 months old today. She is 10 kg. (So far, her weight is ok according to doctor and she does not require to go on diet or any weight loss supplement). She is a great bully to especially his PaPa who will spoil his princess a lot. The naughty and cruel one is this Mummy. Generally, she is able to entertain herself as long as she can see Mummy. Sometimes Mummy has no choice but to let her cry while Mummy rushing to do chores. Mummy really feels sorry but then it does take time for her to understand that once Mummy is done, Mummy will entertain her.

As for night feeding, her usual last feed will be between 11pm to 12 midnight. Then her next feeding will be usually about 5.30-6.30am.

AL has been using modern cloth diapers (CD) and traditional napkins since she was born. We pass some Drypers disposable diapers (which were given as gift) to PohPoh to use when PohPoh and KongKong take her out for outing. We hope it will finish before AL outgrown. After that, Mummy will pass some CD for PohPoh to use together with the traditional napkins. We usually change her CD between 11pm to 12 midnight after her last feeding. The CD will be able to last her till 7am when we change her into traditional napkin+cover before going to KongKong and PohPoh’s apartment. Mummy has extra task to do - washing and keeping the CD and napkins - but it is worth it all the effort. Mummy believes all Mummies will want to do the best for their kids no matter how much effort and time is needed.

When we are eating out, we make sure we bring some toys and biscuits to keep her occupy. This will keep her occupy enough for us to finish up our main meal. As for the toys, we will usually tie to the high chair or boaster seat so that the toys will not end up on the floor. This is not an overnight training because we train her at the early age to self-entertain herself like her JL KorKor.

AL loves going out and she will sit down in the pram enjoying the ride. If we stopped the pram too long then she will start to complain (making noise) asking us to move the pram.

JL boy is 5 years old

My boy has grown up but he is still Mummy’s darling boy always and forever.

JL is picking up mandarin and speaking like ‘guai low’. He has been busy learning mandarin and teaching PaPa mandarin...LOL…har har…

He is adapting well with his new kindy. The only thing is he cannot sit still and cannot walk. He must run and jump etc non stop. So, Mummy will be screaming like crazy woman asking him to walk instead of running and jumping. He will walk for a few steps then back to run and jump. He falls many times but still it didn’t stop him from jumping and running. Mummies out there...any tips ar?

What is his favorite hmm…many but the top in the list is BEN -10…this is the show that bring him and PaPa together a lot in television and also shopping mall (toys section). He can remember all the aliens’ names.

JL also loves music and he will usually listen to music via PaPa's handphone when we go out. Maybe we can look around for something for him which is affordable from warehouse sales or maybe from wholesale ipods.

JL is a loving boy especially to his princess AL. He also loves to get involve in dressing up his princess.

As usual no big celebration or big party …just a few cakes...yar…will update later on his simple birthday celebration…

Today, Mummy took off (since need to clear leave before end of Mar09) to spend time with JL and AL too. PaPa is having his night class but we promise him that we will go out for a simple dinner as family (4 of us) either tomorrow or weekend.

JL is 17 kg now...

JL boy,

We love you a lot

&

Blessed Birthday

from us,

PaPa, Mummy and AL girl…

Part 3 : Pumping in Office

Long overdue post….sorry…it would be a very long story here…

Mummy used to pump 3 xs during working time where the morning pumping would be at home and 2 xs in the office. Now, Mummy only pumped 2 xs in the office and minus out the 1x in the morning. So morning pumping task was being replaced to a new task which was packing Ariel’s porridge.

Mummy usually pump midday once between 1130am to 1230pm (sometimes would be late until 2plus pm when too busy…this would effect the milk production if the schedule kept changing, so Mummy tried to avoid this). However this time Mummy production was not badly effected because thanks to the special pump, little Ariel girl. Yes, our baby is the best pump in the world. Mummy would direct feed Ariel at night time, weekend and holidays. So, the steam sterilizer and electric bottle warmer would be on ‘holiday’ when Mummy was not working. If Mummy was a full time pumping like Jeriel time, it would be hard to maintain the production if Mummy didn’t keep to a strict schedule. Jeriel’s time, Mummy couldn’t afford to be late. In short, Mummy was naïve and didn’t know Mummy got inverted nipple during Jeriel’s time. Now, Mummy was a bit smarter with Ariel though initially it was a very tough journey.

Did the milk production drop after cutting 3 xs to 2 xs?
It did drop a bit but still enough for Ariel’s daily consumption. Last time, Mummy usually would pump more than 20oz per day (3x pumping) and Ariel’s daily consumption was 20oz. Now it would be either just nice, slightly less or sometimes more (2x pumping). Mummy and Sam Yee’s freezer were still full but manageable. During CNY, Mummy got to transfer all the frozen EBM from Sam Yee’s freezer to Aunty Wai Leng’s freezer to make space in the freezer for Sam Yee Cheong’s parents.

Where Mummy pump in office?
Initially Mummy thought Mummy has to pump in toilet but then Mummy’s Malay colleague’s said Mummy could use the surau. Then, Mummy asked when was the best time to use the surau which was not crowded or empty.

Double Electric Pump
Mummy decided to invest on double electric pump (thanks to Paidpost) and PaPa helped Mummy to survey (we did our study even before Mummy was got miscarriage and pregnant).

We decided to get Ameda the full set from UK because the full set was not available in Malaysia and Singapore. Besides that, Mummy got an online shop from UK (thanks to Aunty Yin Huei’recommendation who got her Ameda pump from here too) and including shipment, the pump was still cheaper than in Malaysia. Besides that for the price Mummy paid Mummy got everything very similar Medela PIS (Mummy wanted this but couldn’t afford to get this) with extra Car Adapter and extra 10 storage bottles. Mummy also added extra white valves (spare parts) and extra Breastshield (Ameda Polypropylene Milk Collection Set - in case Mummy had no time to sterilize the breastshield for 2nd pumping in the evening).

Due to Mummy’s job nature, Mummy didn’t want to take so much time to pump so by using electric double pump it would actually shorten the pumping time by half and also produced more milk because each breast would stimulate each other when pumping was done together. Mummy realized that if Mummy pumped using single, the other breast would be leaking (let down).

Pump direct to Storage bag in office
Mummy also wanted to find way to pump direct to storage bags because:
- cut short time to pour EBM from bottles to storage bags (sometimes spill…heart very very pain)
- no need to wash and sterilize the storage bottles.
- After work, just transfer all the bags of EBM from coolant bag to freezer.

Note: Mummy top preference to store EBM is always glass bottles which are much cleaner but the due to space constraints, Mummy has to use Playtex Storage Bags.Hopefully, when storage space permitted, Mummy will switch to bottles (plastic/glass).

Pumping in office
Mummy would leave in the office a stainless steel bowl, a bottle of Liquid Cleaner and a sponge (in a covered container).

Everyday, Mummy would carry a Ameda backpack to work.

1st Pumping Session (midday)
Before Mummy go to surau, Mummy would press out some Liquid Cleanser on to the sponge (so that Mummy would not need to carry the Liquid Cleanser bottle).
What Mummy bring for 1st pumping session?

• Ameda backpack
• Stainless Steel Bowl
• Sponge
• Flask (this flask had been with Mummy for many years from the previous job to this job, to keep Mummy's water hot and warm the whole day)
  

Ameda Backpack contained:

• Coolant bag with 3 icepacks which could keep EBM chilled for about 10-12 hours without fridge. Mummy got scare from this incident.
• 4 Storage bags (2 for each pumping session)
• 4 rubber bands (2 for each pumping session)
• Some tissues, hand sanitizer and marker pen
• Storage bags bottle holder (so that Mummy could pump direct into the storage bags)
• Of course the pump and assembled breastshields.
• Hairband

The breastshields were usually assembled the night before and put into a ziplock bag. Mummy would usually pack everything the night before (storage bags etc), so that in the morning, Mummy would only need to pack coolant bag into the backpack.

Mummy would tie up Mummy’s hair and clean hands with hand sanitizer. Then line the bottle holder with the storage bags.

Bottle holders
Initially Mummy got one from US Ebay where PaPa’s Yee Ma carried back for Mummy last year. Then Mummy was cracking head for the 2nd one. Initially Mummy tried on the Avent bottle 9oz but then it would not maximize the space of the storage bag. Mummy needed a wide neck bottles (easier to line to storage bags) and tall (about 12oz). Avent 12 oz bottle was too expensive. Then Mummy found MAM’s 12oz bottle promotion from Vivian’s online shop. PaPa helped Mummy to collect from Vivian’s shop. Even though to screw up the pump using MAM’s bottle was not as smooth as Avent bottle holder, well, Mummy just managed it until Aunty Yuet Leng came to Mummy with good news – while she was clearing her condo, she found the Avent bottle holder. Yahoo, Mummy now got 1 pair to use.

Now, Mummy would start the pumping session after fixing up the breastshields. Mummy would hold the both pump using one hand while the other hand would be free to massage the breast during pumping session. This way would not only help to clear some of the harden part but also fasten up the pumping session.

Once done, Mummy would tie up the storage bags, labeled with market pen (date, time and oz) and placed into the coolant bag. Mummy put a Tupperware container between the icepacks to keep the storage bags upright and one of the 12 free 3.5oz storage bottle (came with the pump) would be placed in the middle to keep all 4 bags upright.

What were the tissues for?
The tissues were used to close up the breastshield after pumping. This was also to avoid the breastmilk to drip from the breastshield while Mummy busy tying up the storage bags.
After pumping, Mummy would dismantle the parts and kept the other parts into ziplock bags. Mummy would wash the breastshields with Liquid Cleanser using sponge. Mummy just needed to wet the sponge a bit (since the sponge already had the Liquid Cleanser which Mummy put on the sponge earlier. Before keeping the sponge in the container, Mummy must make sure the sponge was squeeze dried. After washing, then Mummy would pour hot water over the breastshields, drain the hot water and the air-dry on Mummy’s office table.

2nd Pumping Session (evening)
Evening pumping in the office was much less thing to carry to the surau. Mummy would just assemble the breastshields and carry only the Ameda backpack to the surau. After pumping, Mummy just rinsed the breastshield with tap water and pack in a separate ziplock bag. Back at home, Mummy would wash and sterilize together with Ariel’s bottles using steam sterilizer.

If Mummy needed to go back earlier than Mummy’s usual time, then Mummy would go back and pump. Mummy would just assemble up the breastshield and back home for 2nd pumping session. If Mummy could leave office by 6pm considered early even though office hour ended at 530pm.

It took Mummy quite some time to get the right and most efficient process to shorten pumping experience- trial and error. Different people would have different ways of doing it based on workplace nature and other criteria.

Mummy hopes this post will motivate more Mummies to breastfeed because if Mummy can do it, so can other Mummies...

Hmmmm….Mummy has been wearing nursing bras since Mummy was pregnant (trying to maximize the purchase of the nursing bras even though Mummy only got a few only). Mummy was eyeing at the beautiful lingerie bra sets during sales but at the end, Mummy didn't get any since Mummy didn’t need any yet at the moment. Economy would be bad, better save the money.

Other related posts on Breastfeeding Experiences.

11 March 2009 -- What happen?

This EBM was not thawed for Ariel….too much... equivalent to more than 2 days milk for her.

A few hours ago, Mummy just threw 41.25oz of EBM (total 9 packets). Why? Because it had expired…For record purpose, the following EBM had been thrown away:

09 Dec 09 – 4.5oz
10 Dec 09 – 3.5oz, 4oz x 3
12 Dec 09 – 5.5oz
15 Dec 09 – 6.75oz, 4.5oz x 2

Very very ‘sayang’ and wasted….but then the EBM was already 3 months old. Since Mummy was not using the deep freezer and besides that the EBM had been traveling from one freezer to another, it was not wise to keep the EBM up to 6 months.

So sad, maybe Mummy should go for window shopping to cheer Mummy up.

Other related posts on Breastfeeding Experiences.

Wanted swimming instructor..

We love to have fun on the pool as family. We hope we can bring both Jeriel and Ariel more often to our apartment pool. We have yet to find time to get a good swimming instructor for Jeriel so that Jeriel will not need all the pool floats in future. Anyone has any recommendation, a good and reasonable swimming instructor?

Fighting moth in the kitchen…

We were busy cleaning up the kitchen and getting rid all the expired food on the shelves and fridge. We also found some food which was not expired but infected by unknown creatures even though we had kept all the food in good air-tight containers. What a waste to throw all these food. Our fridge was too small to accommodate all the food especially grains like millet which was advisable to be kept in the fridge. We got to hunt for some safe moth traps this weekend soon.

Sick sick..tired.....

Everyone sick sick…

First, Jeriel was having nose congestion and minor cough which was due to nose congestion. His nose congestion was slowly clearing….still clearing taking some time.

Second, Ariel got nose congestion. Her mucus was clear and no fever, so no medication required as advised by the paed the last time when we seen him last year. The only thing we could do to clear the nose congestion was to spray salt spray. Like Jeriel, it is taking some time to clear. On top of that, she is teething which upset her even more. This week Ariel lost her appetite. Her solid intake before nose congestion and teething was already quite slow compared with Jeriel – e.g. 1-2 spoon mouth only, for this week, it was worst that she totally rejected solid (porridge, mashed potato etc...)

Third, Mummy got bad flu, nose congestion and sore throat. Only took once piriton then decided to drink more water because could not afford to be sleepy. Then, Mummy’s left bottom eyelid started to swell. Dr said it was due to dust which clogged the pores and turned infections. Now, Mummy is much better with some congestion which is yet to clear 100%.

Fourth, PaPa was and is the most sick of all. For two nights he got high fever and almost lost his voice. Yesterday, he went to see doctor and got throat infections. Now, PaPa is under antibiotic and still sick.

Mummy has not been sleeping early…actually since started work after maternity; Mummy has been sleeping after midnight – early morning. Now that PaPa is sick, Mummy got to wake up earlier in the morning to do the daily chores (only difference is no more morning pumping because Mummy had cut pumping from 3x to 2x but additional task was to pack Ariel's porridge in the warmer)…plus another additional task is to wake Jeriel up , to bath him and get him ready to kindy. Then Mummy got to feed Ariel and change Ariel to clean napkin. Mummy will then take bath and get ready to leave together with Jeriel to kindy then to office – KongKong will send us to kindy/office every morning.

Mummy's daily routine is like a 'robot'.

Maybe all of us need a break and go for holidays, hmmm maybe we need to check out for Orlando vacations?

Economy down, insurance also down?

Globally, the weather of the world economy is getting gloomy. Most of the industries are feeling the heat of economy downturn even though the worst has not hit yet. Insurance industry is also affected. People are getting more careful in spending any extra money that many insurance companies even offer free insurance quotes in order to get more customers. Mummy hopes all these will be over soon.

Dream dream dream….

Yesterday we visited almost completed Tai Pak’s landed property. We sat on the newly polished floor under a nice new fan enjoying the breeze and chatting. Even though, it was not our home but we were happy for Tai Pak and his family who hope they would be able to shift in by this weekend. Topaz and Orion would have such a nice place to run around and have fun.

After moving to their new landed home, Tai Pak Leong would need to get a real estate agency to help to rent out their current apartment. Maybe Wilmington NC real estate would be able to help her?

Digital photos storage

Now, everyone is using Digital Cameras instead of the film based cameras. However, with digital cameras, we now hardly print the photos out but just keep in the computer. Recently, our hard drives are starting to get full that we need to find way to store all the photos which are very precious memories to us. So Mummy is planning with PaPa to actually back up all the photos into a separate hard disk and also into DVD. As for DVDs, all will be kept in a holder like a photo album. Hmm…when will Mummy start this project? Hopefully soon…