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.

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)

 

 

I Will Protect You

Scenario

I accidentally scratched my wrist against the sharp edge of the wardrobe while  I was springcleaning.



Conversation

Isabelle :  Mummy, what happened to you?

Me : Oh, mummy accidentally scratched my hand.

Isabelle : Hah? Bleeding? Pain pain?

Me : Ya,a little bit. (show her the tiny cut)

Isabelle : Ok. You wait for me.

Me:  Where are you going?

Isabelle:  Get tissue.  We need to wipe the bleeding and I will doctor (check) you.

Me:  (pretending to be very sick).  Doc Belle McStuffin, am I okay?

Isabelle :  You are okay now.  A bit of fever.

Me:  I feel really not well.  How ar Doc Belle McStuffin?

Isabelle:  Okay, you need to stay in hospital.

Me:  I stay hospital, then how about you?  You stay at home with Daddy, wa?it for Mummy to come back okay?

Isabelle:  No. I stay hospital with Mummy.  You don't be scared.  I will protect you.  And I take care of Mummy.

Me:  *** melted ***

Our Little Chat

Picture sourced from google search

Me :          Are you happy being with Mommy?
Isabelle:   Yes... of course (apparently this is her latest most favourite sentence)
Me:          Are you sure?
Isabelle:   Yes... of course
Me:          Can Mommy go to work in the office like Daddy?
Isabelle:   Yes... of course
Me:           Are you sure? Mummy can go out to work?  Whole day?
Isabelle:   ***Pause***
Me:           Mummy will go to work soon okay?
Isabelle:    No.. I want to stay with Mummy (hug).  You no go to work.  You must promise me.
Me:           Teary eyed

Welcoming Megan!

No no no.. Megan is not my 2nd baby although I do wish she is mine because she is just so adorable and smell so baby-ishly good!  But I am not greedy.  I am happy enough to be her aunt. :)

It felt so good and the feeling is so familiar when she was in my arms.  It reminded me so much of Isabelle and how much I miss Isabelle's baby days.

I am so proud to introduce to you my niece, Miss Megan.  My brother's little baby girl and our family's new bundle of joy.  Came on board on 30 December 2011.

It is a funny feeling to see my own little brother growing up, get married and now, became a father!  But it is a joyous feeling though and I can't wait to share lots & exchange parenting tips with him and my sis-in-law.

As for now, I am counting days and hours and moments till I get to see and sniff Megan again!

"Hello! My name is Megan.  Nice to see you here. "

"I want to carry baby Megan."

"Hush hush... go to sleep."

Can't Quit

You can quit your job when you are a banker, manager, accountant, salesperson, nurse, doctor, engineer....

Motherhood and parenthood is that one 'job' you cannot just give up and quit, can you? Can we?

One Day When You Become a Mother

You will finally understand

... when your child cranky, you try your best to calm her down but it does not work all the time

... you can't make your little child obey every single word or instruction coming from you eventhough it might be for their own good

... a child is an individual and they have their rights (yes, you read it right)

... children have their 'off days' too and that it is totally alright for them to loose it once a while after all they are humans like us too

... that a child will stand when you ask her to sit, scream when you beg her to whisper and run wildly when you demanded her to crawl


... it is not your wish to have a sick child so yeah, blame it on the bad weather

... it is impossible for me to just pack and leave as and when I please

... how lousy it feels having to turn down all the invitation I get for ladies night out, hightea or even just a cuppa coffee

... why I have to drop whatever I am doing everytime the "Mummy!!!" siren goes on.

... the reason why we put ourselves second (or last) in most of the things that we do

... that punctuality is not always achieved as we need to clean someone's butt just when we were to open the door to leave the house for an outing.

... that it is not my choice to be backlogged fashionably and I have to wear flats ALL THE TIME. Try running after your little monkey in stilettos in future and I will award you with a trophy if you can outbeat me.

... that it's totally beyond anyone's control and it is not your fault when your baby scream and cry and screech in restaurant and how much you want to dig a hole and bury your head when others can't stop staring at you with 'that' look and how frustrated that feels and also how much you want to give them a big piece of your mind but you know you can't

... being a mother is not the most glamourous job in the world but it is one of the most meaningful job one could ask for

What's With Two?

She wants to take all of his stuffed animals into bed with her and her stinky bolster, almost everywhere she goes.

She hides behind the curtain and under the table when she poops in her diaper but very obediently wee wee in the toilet.

She transforms into a total brat when she sees Daddy-- throwing food, hitting, climbing on Daddy's head (literally) and soak all her biscuits in her milk and juice and water.

She pitches a fit while I cut her fruits she just demanded asked for.

She pushes my hand away whenever Daddy holds my hand and take away Daddy's hands whenever he puts his hands over my shoulder.

This is overwhelming for me.  Am I alone or does most 2 year old behaves like this?

Simplest Things Makes A Mummy Smile

They say best things in life are free. Now that I am mother, it amazes me how true that is and how such simple things can bring so much joy to a Mummy.



When it only takes a cup of plain water to make her smile like this



When she laughs like this

When she learns to draw, color, mess up herself and my coffee table

When she eats what I cook and made standing infront of a hot stove for a good 20 minutes

When I see my little princess becoming Daddy's girl, walking hand in hand in the park

When she giggles like this playing with the rain



When she jumps right in after the sheets were changed and tell me, "Mommy, sheets, nice!"

And all those above are well, free :)

Thank you Isabelle, for bringing us so many laughter, love and joy. We praise and thank the Lord that when He decided to give us a baby, He gave us you.

F.E.V.E.R.

Isabelle is down with fever since Thursday night.  I am praying she recovers soon and she will be back to the usual active and cheeky self in no time.  I miss her naughty-ness (is there such word?) and I miss having her playing with her toys and chasing the dogs and the duck.  She causes no fuss.  Other than having to hold her down for her medications, she clings on to me most of the time. 

This episode lead me to get to know about Mr Fever and my discovery only amaze me even more!  Our God is not only wonderful but clever and thoughtful!  Look at how He makes FEVER works for all of us.  I can't help but to be in awe of His creation.  Who on earth could have created anything like our human body to be so 'automatic' but God?

"Fever is not an illness. Far from being an enemy, it is an important part of the body's defense against infection. Many infants and children develop high fevers with minor viral illnesses. While a fever signals to us that a battle might be going on in the body, the fever is fighting for the person, not against.

Fever is an important part of the body's defense against infection. Most bacteria and viruses that cause infections in humans thrive best at 98.6°F. Raising the body temperature a few degrees can help the body fight the infection. In addition, a fever activates the body's immune system to make more white blood cells, antibodies, and other infection-fighting agents. "

Source:  http://www.miamiurgentcare.com/page/page/3655289.htm

But anyway, fever... please do go away as soon as you finish fighting all the viruses or bacterias and whatnots.  Thank you.



She Is All Grown Up

Tonight marks the 3rd night in a row she went to bed without her best friend aka pacifier. Hooray! I didn't anticipate that she would wean herself off it, this soon and this easily! Pacifier is only given to her to lull her to sleep at night and nap, and we pull it away from her once she dozes off. She hardly cries for it in the middle of night and would go back to sleep quite instantly. Although she was not seriously addicted to it or can't live without it (and occasionally does fall asleep without it at all), 80% of the time, she needs it to go to bed.

*picture sourced from google search - modified

We had initially planned to wean her off at 1.5 years old. She is now 2 years and 4 months. Yes, we put our plans on hold. I can't even remember why. Lazy parents, I guess.

I had previously thought and imagined of countless ways to wean her off it. I was also afraid and worrisome of how was I going to cope with her tantrums during the process. But now that it happened, on her own accord, I am SO relief! And shame on me for having so little faith. I should have had more faith that when she is ready, things will just fall into places. "Isabelle, Mommy & Daddy is very proud of you! And thank you for making this such a breeze for Mommy"

*picture sourced from google search

Apart from feeling a great sense of achievement, I have a mixed feeling. This milestone dawned on me that my girl is growing up fast. I am missing her being a little baby. She is growing to be independent and I miss having her relying on me. She can do so many things on her own now that I feel she need me less. Sigh.

Does any Mommies out there feel the same or is it just me?

Crib or Co-Sleep

*Picture sourced from google search

Few weeks ago, I decided that it is time for us to return Isabelle to her crib. I anticipated it will need a LOT of getting used to after having her co-sleeping with me since she was 5 months old.

So the adventure begins. We tried for 2 nights. And as expected, I had the worst and most dreadful 2 sleepless nights of my life. I woke up like a million times to check on her and to hold her hands poking my hands into the crib through the railings (holding her hands while we sleep is a habit I picked up when she starting co-sleeping with me). I miss having her next to me, I miss turning over and smelling her hair and sometimes, with her legs in my face.

Here are some pictures of our co-sleeping milestones and mostly taken when I woke up in the morning before leaving my bed or in the midnight. They are also reasons why I simply can't just wean myself from sharing my bed with my little precious.

Isabelle at 6 months old, sucking her fingers in her sleep.

Picture taken when I woke up in the morning.

Isabelle at 7 months old.

Picture taken in the midnight when I return to bed after a visit to the washroom.

Isabelle at 14 months old.

Picture taken in the morning when I woke up.

On the 3rd night, I was a happy and blissful mummy again ... because Isabelle was back in my bed... sleeping and snoring away, right next to me.

I guess there are things we need not rush into. There are things in life with kids that we should cherish as long as we could. Cuddling, co-sleeping, carrying them when they are as heavy as 20 bags of rice. I even miss having to rock or pat Isabelle to sleep which she doesn't need that anymore now. They are going to grow up and we are going to miss doing all that with them one day, soon. And did I mention, I think our babies do grow up, way too FAST! So for now, I am going kiss and cuddle her as much as I can while she still allows me to!

2 years being a Mom

*picture sourced from google search

Come this May 8th, I would have achieved my first 2 years of being a Mommy (and yes, I have a long long way to go still). What have I learn throughout this journey?

• my time is no longer mine alone but I don't mind
• patience is the key to everything
• not everything will go our way all the time
• practise what I preach
• multitasking & priority setting is the best life saving skill one can learn being a parent especially a sahm with no extra help at home
• how just a smile from our precious little one can take away any anger and frustration
• how simple things in life can make me smile ~ a hug and when Isabelle finish her meal
• now, I know, how my parents get their grey hair! :)
• I am so so so so extremely grateful for what my parents has done for me, truly
• I now know how much parents would sacrifice for their child and their love is so unconditional
• I love my parents even more now
• Leaving my job is the hardest yet best decision I have made in my whole life!
• There is a chinese saying that goes like 'raising a child for 100 years but worry about him for 99 years' and I can't help agreeing to that.
• God is so awesome and amazing in creating a life itself

Cheers to mummyhood!

She Likes Me Not

*Picture from google. Text was added*

Isabelle was a little moody earlier today and she is rarely like this. Rejected her lunch and me too, unfortunately. She only wanted her Daddy and Granny. Anyone but me. I tried to convince myself that it must be due to tiredness because we have been out of home to run errands for the whole of the morning.

Many ideas ran through my mind. Maybe she is really bored with my face because she has seen too much of me... well since the day she was born. Or maybe I said NO to her more often than any other human beings she have ever encountered in her whole life. Thus, that made me the less likeable and least fun person to be with. Or maybe it would help her to like me more if she don't see me as much as she does now. Maybe it is time for me to return to work. Maybe I should send her to a daycare centre so we both will have some space for ourselves. Or maybe we should get stranded in an isolated island where there is only 2 of us and we will have no one but each other.

Although nothing will ever change the love I have for her or love her any less, but for now, I could not feel anything else but unworthy, wronged, rejected & unappreciated. It feels that all the sacrifice made, the long labour hours, the pain, the sleepless nights just means nothing. I do not ask for anything in return but her most sincere love. People say children are the most honest species on earth. With this, she has made her thoughts heard, loud and clear. She likes me not.

Maybe I have been nothing but a boring, uninteresting Mom a child could ask for.

Is it okay for Moms to want to be the most important person in their child's life? I sure want to be eventhough it does not sound right.

I am not sure if any Moms out there have felt the same way I felt today, anywhere along their journey of motherhood. But this feeling is certainly lousy.

SIGH.

To Do & Shopping List for Parents-to-be

It is always so wonderful to know that someone we know is pregnant (or finally pregnant after years and years of trying). The news taste sweeter than honey. And of course, it reminds me of my experience. Unforgettable, amazing and beyond description.

Recently, a few friends found out that they will be expecting their child soon. And the first time moms (or dads) asked me all sorts of questions when we meet, on or offline. Some of it, never even crossed my mind when I was pregnant. But, I understand how overwhelming it could be for them and how little tiny issues would make them go searching hi & lo for answers. Not forgetting, lots of doubts and feeling lost at the same time. Been there, done that.

One of the common question was what to buy and what are the things they need to prepare for in advance. I have compiled the list below, for my own reference (who knows maybe God wants us to have another bundle of joy) and also for my dear friends' reference.

Here is my own preparation and shopping list:

*The items is subjected to individual's need and requirements.

What To Do When You Find/Suspect Yourself Pregnant:

1. Get pregnancy home test kit

2. If result is positive, get yourself checked by a ob-gyn.

3. If result is confirmed positive, celebrate!

4. If you will need help during the first month of the arrival of the baby, appoint a confinement lady/someone who can take care of you and the baby. In my case, we appointed a confinement lady right away when we found out the news.

5. Rest, Relax and Enjoy the pregnancy

6. For IT savvy mom, sign up and join a network or website know more or to keep track of your pregnancy. I used Baby Centre. This is a popular website for parenting related issues. Till today, I still receive updates for toddlers.

How To Prepare Yourself Emotionally & Physically

1. Many elderly will offer endless opinions and advices and usually believe they are right. Some makes sense while some don't. Just keep the sensible ones. To avoid offending the elderly, just listen, nod your head and smile. Makes everyone happy.

2. Appoint a good and reliable ob-gyn. It helps to have one who is always ready and patient to answer your questions. You will have lots of question marks floating in your mind. Don't let it bother you. Do more reading and ask your ob-gyn.

3. Some believe that pregnant mothers should just sit at home and do nothing. It is a myth. Moderate exercise does more good than harm (of course, with the doctor's green light).

4. Everything you do or eat, moderation is the key.

5. Do not worry about morning sickness, it will come to an end. If you are lucky, you might not have it at all. I had it and it lasted till the end of 1st semester. It gradually disappeared.

Shopping List

For Mommy - Prenatal

1. Comfortable inner wears

2. Comfortable shoes

3. A decent haircut about a month before due date to last you through the first month

4. Clothes ~ No need to rush off and revamp your whole wardrobe immediately. I only bought total of not more than 10 maternity blouses, 5 dresses & 5 pair of pants. That lasted me throughout my whole pregnancy. Some of my very loving & generous friends gave me some of theirs and they were still in very very excellent condition and made me look pretty.

5. Breast pump (I opted for Spectra)

6. Prenatal care book (I read Your Pregnancy Week By Week by Dr Lesley Regan)

For Mom - Post natal

1. Nursing bra pads

2. Loose and comfortable sleep wear

3. I wore sarong for the first 2 weeks. Never thought I would but it was comfortable.

4. Some comfortable and nice looking clothes to wear when you have guests over.

5. Maternity pads

6. Post natal care book (I read Asian Parenting Today by Parent Craft Education Practioners Jennifer Hor, Ho Ai Ling & Jocelyn Oo). I like this book because I can relate to most of the contents and practise because it is written for Asian parents.

Shopping List

For Baby

1. Stroller

2. Baby car seat

3. Baby crib, blanket, mattress, bedsheet, pillows & pillow cases *my Mom made us the sheets and cases.

4. Baby Carrier *We end up not buying this because we did not even need it

5. Sling Carrier *I started using this much later after Isabelle came. I regretted not using this earlier as I posted here

6. Cloth napkins *If I know about cloth diaper earlier, I would have opted for it.

7. Nappy Liners *1 box is enough

8. Newborn sized disposable diapers *2 packets (maximum) will be sufficient. Drypers and Huggies should be good enough because newborns will wet and soil the diapers very very regularly and there is no need to get the expensive ones.

9. Babywipes *Tollyjoy & Pigeon is good because it is unscented and contains no alcohol.

10. Bepanthen cream *Both baby(for diaper area) and mommy(for cracked nipples from breastfeeding) can use this.

11. Baby bath *We used Mustella. But any good brand would do. Try to use non-fragrance version

12. Milk bottles *3 newborn bottles should be enough to just standby. If you are breastfeeding, you would not need too many bottles. Otherwise, you can always get extra.

13. Napkin fasteners

14. Napkin detergents *We used Nappikleen but we found a safer & organic product from Natural Origins.

15. Steriliser *Ours was from Avent. Or you can opt for the traditional method via boiling the bottles and other baby's utensils in boiling water. If so, get a big pot.

16. Tub to bath baby *Or if your sink is huge and with hot water connection, then you can use that.

17. Antislip mats for the tubs

18. Changing mat/pad

19. Towels

Newborn Clothes

1. Newborn short sleeved rompers - 4 pieces

2. Short sleeved shirts - 4 pieces

3. Long pants - 6 pieces

4. Long sleeved shirts - 6 pieces

5. Newborn Rompers (long) - 2 pieces

6. Mittens & Socks - 6 pieces

7. Hat - 1 piece

8. Handkerchiefs - 12 pieces

*Reasonable number of clothes for your newborn. They will outgrow the clothes very quickly.

Your Hospital Bag

For Mommy

1. 1 set of clothes to wear during discharge day to go home

2. 2 set of clothes to wear during your stay (if the hospital does not provide)

3. A few pieces of maternity pads (hospital usually provides, but just in case)

4. Toiletries & some cosmetics (for vain moms like me)

5. A pair of sandals to wear in your ward/room.

6. A book/magazine or any form of entertainment gadget

For Baby

1. 1 set of clothes to wear during discharge day to go home (hospital will provide everything that your baby needs during the stay)

2. Baby's hat

3. A pair of mitten and socks

4. Few piece of disposable diapers in case you need to change him/her on your way home

5. 1 milk bottle (for water or to make milk for him/her on your way home, just incase. If your baby is on formula, the hospital will let you bring back 2 cans or so of the formula your baby is on).

6. A small blanket

If your husband is accompanying you during the stay, don't forget to pack for him too.

Okay, that is all I can recall. Not sure if I miss out anything.

Wishing all the new parents, all the best and enjoy this beautiful journey. You will miss this moments, I reassure you. God bless you, your partner and your little one in the tummy.

My Little Copycat

Isabelle is picking up quick on some new interest. Big time mimicking. She mimics me applying my skincare and cosmetics and combs her hair when I comb mine. She will try to put on my shoes and hold my clutches and bags. Sometimes, I would pass her some empty skincare bottles to play with and she'd 'apply' some on my face.

And she also love to imitate the words we use. Today, she said Night Night (with a silent T of course) and it sounded funny but cute. After a few weeks of blurry Bye Bye, out of sudden, she blurted out a very clear version of it today!

She also likes to watch how me and DH communicates and she listens like a pro when we talk. Whenever DH hugs me, she would watch and smile. I told DH, we have to be as lovey dovey as we can to inculcate more loving elements into her life. LOL.

And above all that, we have to watch what we do and say because we are living under the watchful eyes of a 16 month old toddler/copycat.

Ridiculous Parenting Products

Was reading online and came across this. Have a laugh!

http://www.parenting.com/gallery/Mom/Ridiculous-Parenting-Products/2/

Happy reading!

Fun Grandparents vs Strict Mummy

This is the usual dilemma whenever we are back at my parents' or when they visits us.

When I said No.. they say Yes...

When I said Sleep... they say Play...

I said highchairs for mealtimes... they let her walk everywhere...

I said 'No icecream'... they say 'A little bit won't do any harm'...

When I said 'Time to wake up from day nap'... they say 'Let her sleep as long as she want'...

Baby car seat is for babies/toddlers... they let her sit on their laps during car rides...

It worries me half of the time that I would need to mend all the damages done. Damages as in the aspect of discipline and routine. It takes 1 day to learn the good stuffs but 1 minute to master the bad ones.

But again, I told myself, so what if it changes her routine a bit? What if they insisted her to play when it is time to nap/sleep? It is nothing I should worry about. Even if they give in to her request for ice cream or not sitting in the car seat, I should have more faith in myself, Isabelle and God. All I need to do is just tune her back to her usual routine and as for discipline, it is totally fine to be a fun mummy (and not a prison warden) once a blue moon. If my way of upbringing Isabelle is in the right track, I should not even worry at all.

After all, it is the job of grandparents to pamper the offspring of their children and it is all done in the name of love.