The Apple's Diary!

At the beginning of December, I was lamenting how fast my maternity leave had come to an end and in a flash! We are now approaching the end of December and the year 2011. 2011 is really such a blessed year for me! I got all my 3 wishes come true by God's grace - a cutie baby, a doting husband and a promotion at work. In fact, God's goodness and love extended to more than just 3 wishes. Both daddy and baby got baptized on Christmas day and we had such an eventful Christmas this year that ended at KKH. Jonathan - enjoying his tummy time at 3month + Jonathan is definitely a happy baby. At 4 month old now, he still couldn't flip over on his own and will get angry if we try to help him. But his neck and back muscles are getting stronger as each day passes by. He could do his tummy time better now. Jonathan - having his first experience with a wedding dinner Jonathan had his first taste of attending a wedding dinner on the 16th Dec. We decided to bring him along to attend my cous...

I can squeeze in all my five fingers!

I finally got a chance to eat this famous 老伴豆花. Despite going down on a Thursday afternoon at 4pm, I still couldn't get a chance to buy its original flavour. Ended up with only 2 boxes of almond flavoured ones. But I must say 老伴豆花 was really good, much better than its rival No. 51 I have made my choice. It will be 老伴豆花 for me from now onwards!

Another lovely gift my dearest Darren... My 2nd Coach bag. I'm pleased =D

My Happy Call Pan from Korea. Read about its amazing capability in dishing up yummy food but keeping your kitchen spotless. But sad to say, I haven't got a chance to 开张 my HCP. I am so eager to do muan chee and the zebra cake!

21st November marks our 2nd Wedding Anniversary also known as the Cotton Anniversary. Cotton was used to symbolize as by now, both of us would have been used to living with each other and able to handle changes together, just like the nature of cotton being a soft fiber, comfortable to wear. To celebrate this evernt, we made a reservation at TripleThree buffet located at Mandarin Orchard Hotel. Our buffet lunch started with abit of drama. While waiting to be led to our table, Jonathan decided he should have his milk buffet first and did it with a loud wail which made many heads turn to our direction. Just as we thought we had settled him down and was able to dig in, Jonathan got cranky. We didn't get to enjoy the buffet as we took turns to carry him and trying to soothe him. By the time we finally made him sleep, it was last call for the buffet. We really didn't get to eat much. What a pity! And just as we were to leave the restaurant, Jonathan woke up crying again. We made a d...

My iPhone blackout and went into a coma. The surgeon is operating on it right now. Early diagnosis revealed a virus outbreak and may remit into amnesia.

Looking at Jonathan sleeping so blissfully after a latch-on session is fulfilling. Moments like this make me want to stay home forever to watch Jonathan grow up. Time really flies ... I have another 15 more days to go before I return to work. Suddenly I have a lot of unfinished business at home. Come next Monday, it will be my 2nd Wedding Anniversary. Looking at the growing smiley baby, I give thanks to God who listened and answered my prayer without fail. I still remember the frustration of getting conceived to the self realization that man effort is not enough. I am further convicted that this year is crowned with God's goodness. Thank God for honoring my faith in Him. Today I hold such a lovely little boy in my hand. As Jonathan continues to grow, my prayer is still the same. Praying that God keeps watch over him and may the Lord's peace is with him always. May the angels of God dance around Jonathan and keep him away from all harm and evil. May Jonathan grows healthily and...

Wanted to try doing baked rice at home but never got round it. Today with the maid doing the cooking and me giving instruction, I finally managed to have my first baked rice from home. The chicken and sausage baked rice getting ready to be baked. The end product - cheesy chicken and sausage baked rice. Look at the amount of cheese.... Verdict : Should have told maid to cut down on salt when doing up the fried rice and no need to spread such generous amount of cheese. Otherwise, it would have been nice.

Can't believe that I'm so stressed again after Jonathan's birth. Maid problem - 1st week, she performed so well and I was secretly happy I found a gem. But happiness don't last long. Found out that she started to "mis-handle" the tasks she needs to do. So much so I have to lecture her again and again... I can close one eye for non-baby related stuff but when it comes to Jonathan's thing. I cannot afford to let her be so slip shod. Sigh! I frankly told her, I'm not just tired, I'm SCARED when I go back to work. The saving grace is my mum is the main caregiver. Everyday, I keep complaining to someone I want to send her back after the maid loan is fulfilled. Sigh! I guess I am still better off without a maid. Work problem - Because I suddenly had to deliver Jonathan, I was not in office to tie up the loose ends. Hence, I have great difficulties in recalling details. Darren told me to take it easy and just take it as a new job. I really hope so... My s...

Woo... Ho... Photo Source : Mummy Joanna Tan's album The big family of September 2011 mummies at Marche @ 313 yesterday. What a good turnout with mummies and babies and 2 awkward hubbies that stood out. All thanks to these wonderful mommies that kept my spirit up when I was down with baby problems. Our next Xmas luncheon gathering promise to be bigger and better.

After the Motilium attempt, my moo moo career took a rollar coaster ride. It went up, hitting my highest record of 130ml in a single pump session but lasted for 3 days before it took a nose dived to a meagre supply of 50ml. Trying to save my milk, I continued my fenugreek supplement diligently and drank plenty of water. Also, try not to make myself very stress and have more rest. It went back to 100ml max but never saw my 130ml anymore. Recently, I guess the stress of returning back to work took a toil. My milk supply hit a bottom low again. In a last attempt to continue breastfeeding, I turn to Sacred Tea. Highly recommended by many nursing mothers. One wonderful mummy sold me her pack below cost to let me try out. So it was fenugreek packed to the max. But I won't say the tea is excellent in taste. Indeed, the Sacred Tea smell awful but still, I do anything to pump up my supply. So far after 2 tea session, I still cannot give a verdict whether it is really that good. So finger cr...

With my mum coming over to help me and as well have hands on in caring for Jonathan, we (me and hubby) went out for a lunch date. We ended at Sakuraya @ West Coast Plaza for good fresh sashimi. I always love sashimi and so we had salmon, tuna and scallop. We ordered sushi rice to go with our sashimi and ordered my usual favourite side dishes to add on. Potato salad and wafu salad. We also had their grilled squid which was second best to the one we had in Phuket. Lunch date could have been better if not for Darren so stress with his work and the numerous phone calls that kept coming in.

Ever since I was preggie, I had constant worry about a dozen things. Now, even with Jonathan at 2MO, I have a lot of questions and worries too. Like how come he suddenly stop poo-ing daily? And why his poo poo become greenish? Did I not nurse him long enough on each breast so he gets the hind milk more? Why does he become phlegmy again? Why my milk supply suddenly drop so low again? Is he gaining weight okay? Should I just bring him to a PD and seek out all my answers? While the helper does all my houseworks, I know eventually she needs to look after Jonathan for that 1-2 hours gap when I return to work. Honestly, I don't like her touching my baby. Called it maternity instinct, I'm pretty much defensive when it comes to carrying or touching my baby. I also dislike her talking gibberish to Jonathan with her limited English. As much as I dislike this and that, I have to force myself to slowly let go since 1st December is coming REAL soon. So while she plays with Jon, I am still k...

I can't believe my ears when someone posed a question whether I'm working my helper too much. Hello! She gets more than 8 hours of sleep straight in a night while I still wake up and feed and pump, wash and sterilize twice a night. Who is more tired?! Seems like just because I'm home now on maternity leave, someone thinks I'm very free hor. I dare that person to take up the challenge of looking after a 2MO baby for one full week and then come and tell me who's more tired. And please, when I discipline my kid, stop telling me what to do and sing opposite tune. You had your chance before and you, you... stop making me being the baddy while you play the angel.

Hello everyone! My name is Jonathan... I am 2 month old today! Mummy has been caring for me since auntie left. I think mummy is doing well although sometimes mummy gets angry with me for being cranky. I got a new wardrobe last Saturday because I have outgrown most of my clothes. But mummy was very happy shopping for me :) I hope mummy will also upgrade my diaper size to M for me soon. Small diaper is very tight for me .. waahh waahhh

.... at the reunion with my long lost friend... my Teh-C. Decided to take the risk and had my first cup of caffeinated drink after so long. I must say... is heavenly!

I wanna be.... Hmm... let me think....

A gloomy news hit me in the early morning today. Feisty Princess Charmaine had parted the world. I have been following her story since it came out in the NewPaper in 2008. Her plight had touched many. This brave little warrior had put on a strong fight which lasted 4 years. I remember I was still single when her story first came to light, then over the years... I got married, bought a house, then got pregnant and now with Jon. Indeed, I feel doubly awful since I'm a mummy now. I can't imagine if my baby is taken away from me. Mummy Cynthia must be feeling even worse now. In a timely fashion, today's QT ( Our Daily Bread ) I am reminded how in our difficult period, we need not hang by our fingertips but rest peacefully in our Father's hand. This verse by Anon summed it all up. God’s hand that holds the ocean’s depths Can hold my small affairs; His hand that guides the universe, Can carry all my cares. —Anon.

Arranged an outing myself with a new-found friend. All decked out with Jonathan in the Manduca and traveling light. Verdict : Is doable with a short trip to nearby mall. I'm happy!

I smell freedom. I have my Manduca. I am set free!!!! After spending 2 hours at Baby Slings & Carriers , located at Square 2 and numerous demo and hands on practice, we paid $249.90 for my Manduca Newstyle in Black. Purchase with purchase was also done for the strap protector. Unfortunately it didn't come in matching colour. But I can't wait to use my Manduca. I can finally step out of the house alone with Jonathan. Shopping shopping.... here I come!

Mummy said I'm Jesus' little lamb....

My best yield so far... 130ml in a single pump session.

I suspected Jonathan could lift his head up when I did chest to chest burping when he was 3-4 weeks old. But I didn't want to risk him spitting out his milk so I waited till yesterday. Jonathan with his head lift, coming close to 7 week old. Since he was so alert yesterday after his milk and a round of flash cards, I put him on his tummy for the first time. He proved me right by holding his head up long enough for him to snap photos. Well done boy! Mama is proud of you!

1. I look crappy! Sigh! Messy hair, pimpled face, flabby thick arms. Pale complexion, dark eye circle. Another 4kg more to lose but my biggest grouse is my messy flyaway hair. I can't do much unless I stop breastfeeding. Wish I can head straight to the salon for a rebonding session, followed by a spa facial session, lastly a relaxing pedi and manicure. I need to be pampered! 2. Paid my $300 deposit for my maid. Sigh! Wonder why the girl at the agency make it sound like I'm making a very bad decision to hire a maid. Kept telling me the first 3 months, employers are likely to vomit blood, run into high blood pressure. The maid won't be able to do much, except eat and sleep. Sigh! Why can't someone invent a robotic maid? Turn it on when I need it, turn it off and tuck it away when the job is done! I need a miracle!

Jonathan is drinking far more than I could produce. In a desperate measure, I took on Fenugreeks. Still unable to meet the demand, I approached Dr Tan for help. I am glad he supported breastfeeding and encouraged me, giving me tips on how to boost up the milk supply. To kick start the moo factory again, he prescribed me Motilium. Motilium is used for gastrointestinal problem and its side effect was actually to raise the level of Prolactin which is the hormone that produce the milk. Dr Tan warned me that Motilium is no elixir and if it helps, then good. If not, I shouldn't take more than 2 weeks. Whatever it is, I am banking on it.

I went for my postnatal gynae check on Wednesday. Had a PAP smear done as well as ultrasound scan to ensure my reproductive system is good to go again. Since it was the last visit and Dr Tan Hang Yang is retiring next month, we seized the opportunity to have photos taken with him. It was also our first and probably last time we see Dr Tan beamed so widely when he carried Jonathan. Ah... the usual stern and strict Dr Tan softened at the baby's coos and smiles. Oops... and he is certainly a tall gynae compared. Nonetheless, we are thankful for his dedication and commitment throughout my pregnancy journey. We are also grateful that he helped to deliver Jonathan safely without any complication.

Time flies... Jonathan hit 6 weeks old on Wednesday, though technically he's still less than a month old (corrected from actual EDD). Brought him out on that day and I finally managed to fasten him to the seat belt. I wonder when he will be big enough to fill up the gaps in between.

Motherhood really holds a ton of surprises for me, mostly the unexpected. 1. Remember how I fear that Jonathan will fuss when we are outside, it turned out that he slept through most of our shopping trips that he got super cranky once he was home. 2. I never thought of giving up my piano teaching until Jonathan came along. It was a tough decision to make. In the end, I chose time with Jonathan. 3. I never expect my mum to suggest that she quit her job and helped me with Jonathan. I didn't even dare to ask her because I know she is needed by my elder bro with his two kids. So because of this sudden but life-saving change, we are getting a foreign domestic worker. Another dilemma as we really want our privacy yet we need help on keeping our place clean. I hope this extra help is really helping me then giving me extra problem.

We made our first family outing to PD on Monday for Jonathan's first month vaccination. Technically, our second trip out since the first was to my mum's place. As you can tell, I'm still not very good at securing him at his car seat. His car seat looks big and the seat belt looks gigantic on him. Over at PD's, Jonathan was assessed on his overall well-being. He has put on 1.2kg from birth, making his weight now 3.86kg. He has also grown 3cm taller (but Darren thinks it should be more as Jon didn't really allow his leg to be straightened completely.) Jonathan was such a brave little boy. He let out a big wail when he got injected but stopped very quickly when Dr Yip put a plastered over his injection site. Since he was so well behaved, we took him to vivocity for a quick shopping trip. We went to Swenson for lunch and had their weekday set lunch which had nothing much to talk about. I ordered the Cajun chicken which was tough. Darren had his dory fish which was so bl...