Gabrielle's Firsts - Attending a Wedding Dinner

 

. 10 August 2013 .

 

 

-- Event -- 

Our church pastor's daughter wedding reception

 

 

Our 2 princesses
all dressed up

 

Mummy can't resist taking
a picture with 2 sweeties



 

Gabrielle's Firsts - Rollover

. 18 Sept 2013 . 

 

Time flies!! Turning 6 months old in just a few days time!

 

Determine, initiative and strong, she strive and strive and on 18 Sept 2013 morning, she managed to rollover :)

 

And not to mention, there goes my tiny teeny weeny freedom when she  would stay put either on her back or tummy while I go about with my daily routine or attend to Isabelle.

 

Nevertheless, bravo my little love!  You did it!

Isabelle excited to witness Gabrielle's first rollover

 

Baking/Cooking ~ Steamed Chocolate Cake

I miss baking but have not had the chance to bake for the past one year or so since my oven decide to fail on me and I have yet to get a new oven to replace it.  Been hearing about how easy it is to make this cake sans the baking and oven.  Finally, I get to try out this recipe!

 

 

 

 

CAKE

Ingredients

-Dry-

1.  1 1/4 cup flour

2.  1 tsp baking powder

3.  1 tsp bic. soda

4.  A pinch of salt

 

-Wet-

1.  1 cup cocoa powder

2.  1 cup sugar (I used 3/4 cup)

3.  1/4 cup condensed milk

4.  1/4 cup evaporated milk (or fresh milk)

5.  1 cup oil or melted butter

6.  3 eggs

7.  1 tsp vanilla extract

 

Method

1.  Combine and sieve dry ingredients in a bowl.  Set aside.

2.  Bain-marie (double boil) all wet ingredients except eggs.  Once sugar dissolves, set aside and let it cool.

3.  Add eggs into the butter, cocoa and milk mixture.  Mix well.

4.  Combine dry and wet ingredients, mix well.

5.  Pour mixture into greased or lined baking tins.

6.  Steam for 40-50 minutes or till skewer comes out clean.

*Mixture will be runny

 

CHOCOLATE TOPPING

Ingredients

1.  125gm butter/oil

2.  1/2 cup cocoa powder

3.  1/2 condensed milk

 

Method

1.  Bain-marie (double boil) all ingredients.

2.  Cool and decorate cake as desired.

*Cake must be completely cooled before it is decorated.

 



 

Result

DH - Good la!!! Can sell!!

DS - Nice ler!! Steamed?  Don't bluff!

Me - I am surprised at the result.  Always thought that cakes are baked. 

 



Grown up Isabelle

Isabelle made us very proud.  Being a big sister has in many ways brought her to a whole new level.

 

It took her just a day, at most, 2 days to be fully toilet trained.  Less than a week, to wake up in the morning with her pants dry.  No fuss, no hassle.  In an instant, she transformed into a responsible and independent big sister.  She did her job very well. 

 

When I had to cook or get something done at home, she willingly helped to entertain her little sister.  She would put aside her toys and whatever she is doing, to distract Gabrielle so that I can quickly get things done. 

 

Most of all, she amazes me with her understanding and forgiving self, at such tender age.  I drown myself in guilt, everyday without fail that she waits for me patiently while I have to attend to Gabrielle before her turn comes. 

 

Isabelle, my little precious, Mummy and Daddy is very very very and extremely happy and proud of you.  Please forgive especially Mummy if I ever made you feel neglected.  Please remember you are never, never, ever, the second best.  You are and always will be my very precious and you will always hold the most special place in my heart.  Mummy loves you.

My Breastfeeding Journey

I am happy and proud to proclaim that I have achieved my first 4 months of breastfeeding journey!!

 

Because I didn't get to continue breastfeeding Isabelle after the 2nd month, I told myself and DH that with Gabrielle, I must give it a try, atleast beyond 2nd month. 

 

It didn't start off as smooth as I expected it to.  It wasn't easy. The thought of giving up and surrendering to formula was tempting and sounded easy. Struggled every now and then although deep inside, I knew that I would regret if I do.  And today, I am glad I persisted. The more I persisted, the more it reminded myself of my regrets of not giving Isabelle my best. DH gently reminded me that I did, and 2 months was better than none at all.

 

During the first month after Gabrielle was born, the ratio between formula and direct latch was initially 70/30.   After completing confinement, I slowly eliminate formula from our schedule.  And now, I am glad to say that Gabrielle is a 100% breastfed baby!! 

 

I am beginning to enjoy the fruits of breastfeeding.  Not only it is healthy.  It is free, convenient and most of all, I know I am giving her my very best.  And I love the bonding.  DH is getting jealous that Gabrielle doesn't fancy him as much! :) 

 

Just recently, strangers would comment that Gabrielle is so healthy looking and would normally look surprised and in awe when I said she is a fully breastfed baby! DH said I should be proud of myself :)

 

4 months is just a beginning! I hope I can continue until she says NO.



My Mommy is my
breakfast, lunch, dinner, supper & sometimes, midnight snack!

 

 

Belle Says - - Weddings

The below conversation was the result after we attended a couple of weddings lately and Isabelle asked about 'princess' (aka the bride) and weddings. 

 

 

Isabelle:  The princess at the wedding day is so pretty! I want to be like her.

 

Mummy:  Yes, you will be, one day, when you grow up.

 

Isabelle:  Like Snow White, Rapunzel princess? Are they like the princess during the wedding day?

 

Mummy:  Errrmmm... yes but a little different.  The princess during the wedding day is a bride.

 

Isabelle:  Hah? Bride? She is a princess la!

 

Mummy:  Yeah, a bride looks like a princess.  When you grow up, you will marry a special boy and he will become your husband.  Like Daddy & Mummy.  And when you get married, that is like the princess like we saw on the wedding day. 

 

Isabelle:  Then where will the boy live?

 

Mummy:  Then you and the boy, your husband, will live in a nice house.

 

Isabelle:  Hah?  What about you and Daddy?

 

Mummy:  Daddy & Mummy will live here and you will come visit us.

 

Isabelle:  Then I don't want to be the princess on the wedding day and I don't want to get married! I want to stay with you forever! (tears framing her eyes)

 

 

Belle Says - - Jobs

Daddy :  Do know why does Daddy needs to work?

Isabelle:  Yes. So that we have money to buy milk, food, books and toys!

Daddy:  Do you know what is Daddy's job?

Isabelle:  Wash plates (HAAHAAHAAHAA!!)

Daddy:  Oh ok... in that case, what is Mommy's job then?

Isabelle:  Cooking and clean Mei Mei's butt butt after poo poo (Blehhhhh....)

Daddy:  Oh Haha... alright. Then what is Isabelle's job?

Isabelle:  Ar... my job is play toys!!

Diaper Bag Search

My search for a diaper bag that doesn't scream 'I AM A DIAPER BAG!' is finally over!! Spent many late nights after everyone is sound asleep researching for bags that is versatile, comes with not less than 10 pockets and most of all, reasonably priced.

I fell in love at first sight with Mia Bossi's designs.  They are sophisticated and very thoughtfully designed for moms.  Unfortunately, they are way over my budget and also I could not find any retailers who are willing to ship her to Malaysia.  Hence, I had to stop dreaming about owning one.



Mia Bossi's Katie Diaper Bag
Image sourced from google

Coach's Multifunction Diaper Tote
Image sourced from google

And then, I found Storksak, an UK brand and apparently, it is more common here and a couple of retailers does carry them in their stores!! It is less expensive and designs are equally beautiful, trendy and generously spacious!

I opted for Nina in grey.  Here she is....

~~ My Nina ~~
Comes with a matching snack and bottle bag and a padded changing mat (not in picture)

~~ Inside of the bag ~~
Filled up with half of my usual diaper bag stuffs
and with a lot more space left! 

~~ External pocket ~~
Easy access for tissues, keys, mobile phones...etc

Birth Story - Gabrielle

7.30am  -  Woke up

7.45am  -   Breakfast and morning prayer with DH and my lovely parents

8.00am  -   Left for hospital

8.10am  -   Checked in 

9.10am  -   Induced

10.00am- 3.20pm  -  Contractions, waiting, moaning, groaning, praying and complaining

3.30pm  -   Received epidural

3.45pm  -  Ahhhh  B L I S S............

4.00pm-4.40pm  -  Rest and chatted with DH and 2 midwives and reminiscing Isabelle's birth story which happened in the same labour room

4.40pm  -  Doctor found out that my water broke by itself.

4.40pm-6.40pm  -  Continued resting

6.45pm  -  Told the nurse about the slight pressure I felt on my left leg.  She then checked and exclaimed that baby is crowning already!!!!

6.45pm  -  Me : "REALLY?? This soon?  So this is it? Do I push now?"

6.57pm  -  And there she is.... Gabrielle... healthy and perfect!!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~  AMEN  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Happy Birthday Gabrielle!!

Finally, she is here!  Please meet Gabrielle our little princess number 2.

And she was born on 1st April! 

Popped at 6.57pm.

Weighing 3.19kg.

/d/d/fd.d.d/fAnd her arrival has made our life busier, sleep deprived (for me definitely)

but complete our life and family

 in so many special ways that we can't imagine.

Amen!

39 Weeks and This Is It!

During my last appointment with my doctor on Friday, we have decided that if baby find it too cozy to come out anytime soon, we will get me induced tomorrow morning 8am. 

 

So, yeah, we will be having the first April Fool's Day baby in our family!!  How happening!

 

I am happy and relief that I will soon be non-pregnant.  But at the same time, I feel lousy as labor induction feels like I am forcing my little one to come out when she is not 'ready'.  Bad mother.

 

I am trying to figure out my mixed feelings.  Of course, the labor pain, recovery and all.  On top of that,  I am worried about so many things.  If I will ever learn the art of breastfeeding.  If I will be able to divide my time equally between attending to a newborn and at the same time, not neglecting Isabelle.  I know I am going to miss Isabelle terribly for the next few days while I recuperate in the hospital. 

 

Tomorrow onwards, life is going to be so different.  It is never going to be the same.  Our family as 4 instead of 3. 

 

Phew..............................

 

God bless Us!

38 weeks!!

• 38 weeks.
• Hospital bag, checked. 
• Shopping, done. 
• Baby clothes, washed and smells clean and new.
• Baby head engaged, YES!
• Had enough of being pregnant, clumsy and knocking into everything on my way? YES YES YES!!

 

It felt like just yesterday that we found out that we are pregnant with our 2nd baby. 

 

I am thankful I survived the nausea, the sleeplessness and all the whatnots. 

 

Now, I am anxious about the arrival of our little one.  At the same time, I want to keep her in me for as long as I can where she is safe and protected from harm.  But again, I am on the verge of raising white flag because of the pelvic pain, getting up 100 times to go to the loo in the midnight, the feeling of carrying a 10kg bowling ball between my legs and etc.

 

This pregnancy feels like forever but it is a bountiful blessing nevertheless. Whenever I think of my dear friend who just experienced her 3rd miscarriage, this pregnancy and baby is definitely and surely a priceless gift from our Heavenly Father.

Preggy No.2 Updates - Week 30

• Getting up in the middle of the night to waddle to the washroom, for like 5-6 times, every night
• Tummy feels like it is going to burst anytime
• Sleeping only on my sides throughout the night
• Having to find somewhere to sit every 10 minutes whenever we are out shopping
• Tired... tired... tired...
• Breathless... breathless... breathless...
• The weird feeling in my mouth (although no more nausea)
• Gagging almost each time I brush my teeth
• Tolerating some wushu and taekwondo kicks in my stomach during oddest hours of the day or night
• Imagining having to go through labor pain and embarassment all over again
• Not getting a good night sleep this April onwards (not that I am right now but atleast I am just getting up to get to the toilet, not to attend to a wailing and hungry little one)
 

 

With all that, I can't wait for all that to be over, yet, I also want to savour each and every moment I can, being with DH and one to one time with Isabelle before No.2 arrives.

 

And I thank God too that I passed my glucose test unlike my previous pregnancy and I did not develop scary stubborn stretchmarks (probably I am already really stretched).

 

Most of all, DH really contributed a lot to help me with housework and that has been really helpful to ease my burden.  It is not easy to get on with housechores with excess baggage as much as 6kg.  I would have feel more tired if not for DH's thoughtfulness.  Not forgetting Isabelle, she enjoys massaging my bump with lotion every night and it felt so good, relaxes me.  And she has been very cooperative with the changes (in me specially) and also very excited about the arrival of No.2.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adios Pacifier & Bottle!!!

Isabelle finally weaned herself off pacifier & bottle, totally!


....Pacifier...

Her first attempt to sleep without the help of pacifier was short lived.  However, this time around, we know it is for good and she is all for it.  She punctured her own pacifier and we told her, the shops do not sell pacifier for big girls like her so we will not be able to replace it for her.  She took our words and this is her 2nd week without it.  No, she didn't even fuss over it or ask for it.

*image sourced from google search*

BYE BYE PACIFIER!!!

...Bottles...
 

We started to train Isabelle to have her milk fix using bottles with straws throughout the day about few months ago except her first bottle of milk in the morning.  Last 2 weeks, again, she bit the bottle nipple and we told her the same thing, that we can't find any to replace for her.  So she will have to drink her milk with cup and straw.  And she did!!!

*image sourced from google search*NO MORE BOTTLES!!

Looks like Isabelle is all ready to be a big cherh cherh and I am so proud of her. :)

Preggy No.2 Update2 - Week 23

Yes, time flies eh? 

Week 23.  Nausea is almost completely gone.  But backache and sleeplessness start to kick in.  Not forgetting, the frequent visits to the washroom during midnight.  I miss sleeping through the night.  

But it is all worth it whenever I feel baby moving and kicking.  The first time I felt it was sometime in the beginning of November.  It felt like butterflies fluttering  Although I am a mother for the second time, it all felt new and surprising.  It reminds of my first pregnancy.  Very nostalgic and sweet.

Isabelle enjoys feeling the kick by putting her hands on my tummy and once, she saw baby kicking so hard my tummy jumped.  She giggled.  So sweet.  

No, my obgyn can't confidently tell from the scan if Isabelle will be getting a sister or brother.  But DH is hoping for a girl!! You gotta be kidding!  However, I only pray for a healthy baby regardless of gender.

Goodbye Diapers & Hello Toilet/Potty!!

Updates since last potty/toilet training progress, I am so happy to share that Isabelle has now finally and officially graduated from diapers to toilet/potty!!

This is a backdated post.  Infact, she initiated to move on to poo in the potty when I was recuperating from my nausea at my parents' place about 2 months ago.  It happened one night, right before bedtime, she just automatically, told me that she want to poo in the potty and said she do not need diapers anymore!! Probably due to previous failed attempts, I find it hard to believe so I waited for to witness it again for the following few days. This time, it is for real! 

Preggy No.2 Updates - Week 16

In a blink of eye (yeah right!), we are at week 16!  My new 'bff' Miss Nausea is still around, but a whole lot less annoying.  I no longer spend that much time looking at the toilet bowl through out the day.  I had to be careful not to forget to eat or take food that disagree with my stomach.  

My recuperating holiday at my parents' home is coming to an end.  We will be returning to our home in a day or two.  And I will resume my usual routine as the cook, cleaner and driver.

I have to thank my DH for his utmost understanding on my long absence from home.  It meant a lot to me and has made my first torturing trimester so much more easier to endure.  And thanks to my parents for taking care of me during my 'off' days.  It felt warm to be home and to be surrounded by things, places and faces familiar to me.  But I am happy to be returning home again.

After being away from home for almost 2 months, I have lined up an agenda to keep me occupied once we are back.  A trip to my obgyn, hair salon, a treatment at the facial salon and several trips to the mall to get some new clothes to 'upgrade' and 'upsize' my wardrobe.

The next time I post, I hope I will be able to share my experience of feeling the first kick of baby no.2!

Till then, stay healthy and blessed!

I Wish...

I can hibernate and fast forward

all the way to April 2013!!

Preggy No.2 Updates - Week 8

Puke

And more puking

Continously puking

More and more and more

Yes, more of it

 

The toilet has become my second home, the toilet bowl became my BFF and just staying in the toilet is my new routine.

But thank God for listening to my pleas, I do have my good days. Hallelujah!

Over the last one week, I enjoyed half of the week feeling better and more human.

I can't help but to keep hoping I would soon gain back my appetite and energy.

I miss them so much.

 

DH has been very understanding towards my condition and that is what I needed the most.

Isabelle on the other hand, has been an angel.

She rushes to the toilet everytime she hears me gagging.

She would tell me 'Mommy, it is okay.  I will protect you.  Do you want biscuit?'

 

 

 

Preggy No.2 Updates - Week 6

Picture sourced from google search

My nausea officially kicked in yesterday at 6 weeks.  Today, I threw up 3 times.  Felt sick all day long.  Ate hardly few bites.  Even caught the flu bug.  Stuffy nose, sore throat. The more the merrier doesn't work for my condition now.

Don't feel like going anywhere, doing anything.  Laundry from yesterday still hanging out in the drying yard.  I have no intention to get out there to collect them.  Dishes to be washed.  Isabelle watching Disney Junior on her own, I am sorry sweetheart.  All that will be taken care of once DH comes back from his badminton competition this evening.  Perhaps this is one of the privilege of being pregnant?

I am hoping that the nausea will only stay for the first trimester, if not, just a few days weeks (wishful thinking).  I really want to feel better and spend more time with Isabelle, knowing after baby no.2 arrives, I will have less time with her. 

Next post, I hope to share about how I announce this pregnancy news with my parents and family.

Till then, enjoy the lovely weekend!