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Que sera sera

Wednesday, September 3, 2008 –

When I was pregnant with Dylan, I often look at Bryan and feel sorry that within a short period of time, I will no longer be able to give him 100% of my attention. I also wonder if I will be able to love another child as much as I love him. If yes, I wonder how it is possible for me to love another being so much. How am I going to share my love between Bryan and Dylan? Do I worry? Yes, u bet i did…very much!

Given that he will soon no longer be an only child, we tried to give him as much attention as possible. Before I reached my 2nd trimester, we went for 2 family vacations – to Cameron Highlands/ Ipoh and to KL. The trips were planned with Bryan in mind, making sure that he will enjoy the places that we visit.

So Dylan came and commands 80% of my attention immediately. Just like when Bryan was small, I am extremely protective of him. In fact, I think I am bordering on possessive most of them time.

I do not have a confinement lady. So I took care of Dylan myself (almost). Well my parents & husb helped out occasionally, but I do most of the caretaking. I bf exclusively, so when it comes to feeding – I will have to do it. I bathed him myself everyday (yes, I don’t pantang). I changed his diapers. I even laundry his diapers myself. (Got washing machine ma, but still need to hang & fold la). Basically, I wanna do everything myself. Yeah, call me nuts la. Post natal hormones mah…

Since I spend so much time on Dylan, what about Bryan? Yes, I admit that I did neglect him in that first few weeks. I am very glad that my parents is around so they helped to fill in the gap I left. Of course, it was obvious at that time that he misses me tremendously. But what to do ah? I cannot double myself.

Now that Dylan is older, I am glad to say that I can now spend time with BOTH of them. I can bf Dylan while reading to Bryan. I can read with both of them together on my lap. I can hold Dylan while accompanying Bryan to play. I can help Dylan to play with Bryan. And becoz I am so used to bf lying down, I can even bf Dylan while patting, telling stories, etc to help lull Bryan to sleep. Usually..in the end, I will also fall asleep.

Yes, Bryan is no longer my only child. But now he has a new buddy at home. A new buddy to play with. A new buddy to share his joys and pains of growing up.

Bryan no longer has my complete attention. But now he has the love and adoration of a younger brother.

Shooi | Family | Comments (5)

Time buster

Tuesday, September 2, 2008 –

Huisia got it right! I got myself a DSLR. Actually my colleague has been brainwashing me to get one since last year. When she herself got herself one. With DSLR getting more affordable and my babies getting older and older – it is time for me to get one myself.

I bought it on Friday evening and immediately went for a photography class that night. Well, it wasn’t really a class la. It was sort of a photography get together where they have someone sharing tips on photography & photo editing. The venue is less than 10 mins from my house and is only RM5/ month (proceeds goes to the temple). So mah go lo…. My battery wasn’t even fully charged at that time. I figured that if my battery dies on me, then I will just go home.

The topic of that night was portrait, and they had a volunteer to help pose for the photos. Don’t talk about taking photos la… I have not even figured out what buttons is for what purpose.

Besides, the model was very late…one hour late! So I just snapped some photos, then I had to cabut oredi coz it is past my sons’ bedtime. Don’t ask me to post my virgin photos yet ok. Let me try to sort out this and that first.

So you can imagine that the last weekend was spent snapping photos whenever possible. My fren actually invited me to a sunrise photography session on Monday. The venue is again not very far from my house. And it is possible for me to complete everything and reach home before the kids wake up in the morning. I was really tempted to go but am a bit worried leaving my husb alone with both boys. What if Dylan wakes up & wants a feed? What if Bryan has nightmare and looks for mommy….what if… what if… what if….

Hubb actually scold me, “oredi no time still wanna play tis and tat. Wanna go here & there… ”

*show tongue* BLeearrrrrrr* cannot ah. If cannot, then why the camera for me? Since I have the camera already, I might as well make full use of it.

Truly, this is gonna be a very expensive hobby. Firstly time! I need to learn & practice how to use my camera. Then I need to learn how to photoshop.

Since I almost never go for facials nowadays. I will probably need major photoshopping on my photos if I want to look good. Hahaha..thank goodness I don’t have to worry about acne treatment for now. Otherwise, even more major works!

And I guess the more I hang out with the photo-kakis, I am gonna start wanting upgrade on my lenses. Oredi I am complaining that my basic kit lense is not sharp enough. I can’t wait for my 50mm portrait lense to come home end of this month! Whopppppeeeeeeeee. My sifu punya sifu punya fren (u confuse oredi?..haha) has helped me to buy a 2nd lense from US. Cheaper mah… Can’t wait to play with it. I can’t wait to see the results.

And what about husb’s baby? His baby has been adopted by Bryan. Haha..it is now Bryan’s new toy.

Shooi | Family, Health | Comments (4)

New babies!

Friday, August 29, 2008 –

Our babies are coming home tonite!!!

Hubb and I are getting a new baby each respectively. Well, actually my new baby is an early birthday gift from hubb. *Muaksssss*

Timing is just perfect! Long weekend to play with new babies!

Happy Merdeka everyone!

Shooi | This & That | Comments (1)

Pains of motherhood

Wednesday, August 27, 2008 –

I recently experienced something quite painful. The pain lasted several days and I am glad to say that it is slowly going away now. I did not see a physician on it, because I checked the internet for information and it is a condition that will go away with just some home treatments, and that’s what I did.

According to the internet, it could have been started by my unbalanced pregnancy hormones, or the child birth process itself. I don’t know because there were no symptoms. And then a series of event thereafter (some due to post natal hormonal changes & some just pure bad luck) could have made the situation worse.

The incident probed me to recall that I had actually gone through a lot to be a mother.

Though both my pregnancies are quite smooth sailing (no morning sickness,etc), I still have had my share of “sufferings” in my course of being a mother. My 2nd pregnancy being slightly worse that the first one…Maybe because I am older or I am no longer as healthy as I was earlier.

In my 2nd pregnancy, I had pubic synthesis and some back pain in my 3rd trimester. The back pain is mainly due to poor sleeping postures because I had to take care of Bryan at night. I had to sing song, cuddle cuddle, and pat-pat-pat him to sleep, and usually I will collapse into my sleep in some weird yoga-like sleeping positions.

My hormonal changes also caused me to

  • have pain in my fingers’ joint postnatal for my first pregnancy
  • constipation after my 2nd pregnancy during my maternity leave though my diet was not lacking in vege & fruits.
  • bleeding gums during my 2nd preggie
  • gum infection after my 2nd preggie which require a visit to the dentist (read: very painful visit)
  • bfg related pains – blocked ducts *OUCH*, cracked nipples,

Hmmm…what other pains did I go thru… *think* think * think*

Oh ya…labor pain la *duh*. 2 epidural free normal labor… The 2nd one more painful than the first due to the pitocin drips for labor induction.

There’s probably more but I really can’t remember them anymore. In fact listing the pains above did take some time. I have forgotten most of them.

Why? Because, once I see the smiles on my children’s face…all the pains have disappeared and forgotten. :-)

Shooi | Family, Parenting | Comments (4)

To blog or not

Tuesday, August 26, 2008 –

The problem with blogging is, once you’ve started, it is easy to get addicted! You not only spend time blogging, you will also spend time reading other people’s blog. And for a full time working mother, blogging becomes a hobby that takes up precious time that I don’t have.

  • Time that I could have spent to housekeep.
  • Time that I could have spent to take a more leisurely bath.
  • Time that I could have spent to pretty up my nails.
  • Time that I could have spent to clean up my wardrobe.

But then, if I don’t blog.

  • I won’t be able to read back what my lil toddler did when he was a baby. When did he do this and that.
  • 20 years from now, my kids will not be able to read some of the things their crazy mama did when she was (ahem) young.
  • Next time, my kids will have to rely on my memory (or whatever that’s left of it) to recall their childhood stories to them.

So I blog and I read blogs.

  • I read what other people do for their kids, and I wanna do to, like Bento.
  • I see the great food photos, and I wanna eat too … there goes my diet plans.
  • I see all the nice gadgets people buy, and I want one too….here comes another hole in my account.

With new activities to do, time become even more precious.

Haizz…blog is really one real time killer!

Shooi | This & That | Comments (10)

To start or not

Monday, August 18, 2008 –

Yesterday, I thought I was really gonna start Dylan on solid, for the very first time.

  1. I bought a box of baby rice cereal.
  2. Got ready 1 ounce of EBM
  3. Sterilized a bowl & spoon

All I was waiting for is for Dylan to wake up from his afternoon nap.

But he napped much longer than I anticipated. And when he woked up, it was getting late for dinner. Hubb was getting hungry. Bryan wants to poo-poo. So the solid introduction session was postponed.

Being a 2nd time mommy, I thought I know everything I need to know. Then I forgot… Err…how am I suppose to plan the first feeding session ah?

  • Do I feed him when he is hungry? or
  • BF him till he is full first as he is still supposed to get as much BM as possible? (but then full liao, how to eat solid ah) or
  • BF till full, then wait 30 mins before giving solid? (aiyo, no time liao, wanna go out for dinner liao)

But I guess the most important fact was - I am NOT ready to start Dylan on solid. He is my precious baby. He grows up so fast. Now solid, soon porridge, then rice…before I know it, he’s gonna grow into a Terrible Two like Bryan… He’s gonna know his ABCs, 123s, and soon, all the complicated words like Stokke Tripp Trapp.

WUAAAAHHHHHHH ….I miss my baby oredi!

Anyway, I checked Dr Sears website today and it says,
“If your baby is content with breastmilk or formula, no need to complicate his life with solids”

I guess he can remain my little baby a little longer…. :D

Shooi | Parenting | Comments (8)

Umbrellas for sale?

Monday, August 18, 2008 –

I did an inventory check on my umbrellas yesterday and realized that I have just too many umbrellas. I have 7 hanging at the corner of my porch, 3 in my car and 2 at my office. And how often do I use them? Very seldom! The ones that are used most often are the ones in my car / office. But then again, I don’t need to use 5!

The ones at home are rarely used. In fact, I can’t imagine why I would need to use them at all.

So, why did I have so many in the first place. Most of them are free gifts – from electrical appliances, cosmetics and insurance. In fact, my husb and I gets a new umbrella each time we renew our car insurance. Sheesh…. I wish they would give us some other type of free gift next time. Why can’t they vary the gifts they offer each year?

If I am not stucked with this insurance company, I would have hopped around online car insurance“>online car insurance looking for the best gift.

Shooi | Wish bank | Comments (0)

Tamchiak mommy saved the day

Monday, August 11, 2008 –

We had a small gathering at my grandma’s place yesterday as my grandma cooked a lot of food for the 7th month prayers.

One of my aunt brought 2 slices of leftover birthday cake. It was chocolate..yum! Whose birthday? I donno, it was one of her son’s fren. Anyway, we shared one slice between my sis, her husb, me and my husb. And the remaining 1 slice, my aunt told me to take it home since I liked it so much.

Bryan loves choc cake, so I thought no harm to bring it home.

But did I share with Bryan… Err no. I waited until he sleep liao, then husb and I finished the whole slice..yummy yummy. Why never share?
1. Bryan have a mild flu and his body was slightly warm (37.3) on Saturday morning. So I avoided giving him heaty food.
2. Mommy tam chiak lo.

And luckily mummy tamchiak….

Cause I have a very bad case of diarrhea, vomit and stomach cramps this morning. I can’t eat or drink anything without contributing it back to the toilet bowl (kong sien mah tong – phrase borrowed from this mummy).

So I took MC for the day and rested the whole morning. I am feeling much better now.

Did anyone else had food poisoning…no wor just me. But my doc and I suspected the cake as I could see chocolate icing in my vomit. *YUCK* Maybe just one area contaminated nia kua.

Aiyo, luckily I did not give any to Bryan.

*tamchiak = food greedy

Shooi | Health, This & That | Comments (7)

Beijing Olympics TONITE

Friday, August 8, 2008 –

Everyone i know is going off early today…To catch the grand Beijing Olympics opening night.

2 of my colleagues purposely subscribed to the Astro Sports Channel - one yesterday, and the other this morning - just so that they can watch the Olympics.

I don’t subscribe to Astro Sports, so I won’t get to watch it on Astro *SHUCKS*

But i probably can still catch it on RTM. Now I am just hoping that the coverage will be as good as Astro’s.

OK..now i gotta go bug hubb to come fetch me quick.

*Whei Olympics tonite la…balik balik liao*

Shooi | This & That | Comments (0)

Working for myself

Friday, August 8, 2008 –

When I am young, my mother used to tell me to study hard so that when I grow up I can be a “manager” and no need to work so hard. I just need to sign some papers from work. (Psst..this is what managers do in TVB dramas mah)

Now that I am all grown up and working in the corporate world – who says being a manager is easy? No need to work hard?

I think being a manager is even harder work than regular workers. On top of worrying about your own tasks at hand, you need to worry about the welfare of all the people reporting to you.

Thus I chose not to be a people manager. I rather manage projects.

I do not have to worry on how to retain my staff. I do not have to worry that if so & so leaves, I will have to hire new staff. I do not have to worry about going through stacks of resumes which can come from all over the place, including Los Angeles resumes to find the right candidate to replace so & so.

I just have to worry about my own work and my own happiness.

Shooi | This & That, Wish bank | Comments (1)