Christian turned 2 and Connor's 1 month celebration!

Happy birthday sweethearts

A backdated post here on the bubs' celebration that we had on 29th March '13. 

Looking after a 2-year-old and a 1-month-old is no mean feat by itself so planning an elaborate party was certainly out of the question.

We just wanted to book a restaurant/cafe and let them handle the food, and give us the opportunity to give Christian a treat, and introduce Connor to our friends and family.

We went with Empire State at Greenwich, because Christian always loves the "monkey place" and there's a nice open space with a water fountain right outside for the kids to run around. 

He was going through this 'Thomas' phase at that time, so I just ran around a couple of party shops to pick up some balloons and decor. Thomas and Percy cakes were from Polar.

Here are some beautiful pics (as always) that Ben took for us.

With my parents and Godpa

Candles time

Thomas & Percy cakes

In his element

Bubbles with Godpa

Little Ian

Grace and bubbles with her Godma

Sweetie Joy

Happiness

Eli and fam

Wide-eyed cutie

Cheeky bugger

Little Eena and fam

Who's birthday is it?

Happy 1st month chubster!

Fry or ang pow?

One with mummy

The sicklies

I write this post as a reminder never to take our health for granted.

Some three weeks a ago, sickness struck our household. First to get hit was Christian. A mysterious rash had started to appear on his body. There weren't any other symptoms - no fever, itch, or anything else, so we just put it down to a mild allergy.

Rash starting out on the thighs and mildly on the torso

However, when the rash persisted for the third day, I decided to take him to our GP. She checked his mouth, found a couple of ulcers and made a diagnosis: HFMD! We were quite horrified, as we knew how contagious that was!

Still, I had a nagging feeling of doubt, as Christian did not have any rash on his soles and palms, neither did he have a fever nor difficulty eating.

Anyhow, we tried to keep the kids separated as much as possible.

Then, it was Ewan's turn to feel unwell. It started with some body aches, and he started to feel cold and hot alternatively. He developed a rash, fever and had severe migraines. We begun to suspect that he had Dengue fever - he'd had it before and he noticed similar symptoms. We hurried him to the A&E at Mount Alvernia Hospital, and he did a blood test. Thankfully, it was not Dengue, but a viral fever. In fact, we also thought that perhaps that was what Christian had - and not HFMD - as the rash looked quite similar.

We were relieved, thinking the worst was over.

Then Connor came down with a fever. It never went very high - hovering around the mid-37 degrees to 38 degrees. I wasn't too worried, because, well, kids come down with fevers all the time. Right? Right? (Second-time mum speaking here)

Hot hot!

We gave him some Progesic, slapped a fever patch on his forehead, and the fever went down each time.

Then one Saturday night, Connor woke up repeatedly through the night. He felt warm so I gave him some medicine and the fever patch, but the fever just kept spiking.

Sunday morning came, and I decided to take him to the A&E as the GP and Paediatrician weren't open. I rushed down to Mount Alvernia Hospital and he did a blood test. The poor little fella was screaming as they tried to draw blood from his teensy finger. The test results showed that his white blood cell count was extremely high - 1,350. The normal range is just 0-6!

A urine test followed and we found out that he had a urinary tract infection and had to be warded immediately.

Patch me up

Dr Ong Eng Keow, who's actually Christian's PD, was on hand at Mount A, so we went with him. He checked on Connor and put him on Augmentin, an antibiotic.

Drowsy from the meds

All this time, while I was settling Connor in at the hospital, Ewan was with Christian at home. Christian wasn't feeling too good either. His rash was clearing up, but he didn't have much of an appetite (a rarity!), and when he did, he was throwing his food up. After eating, he would practically double over in discomfort. His meds were making him drowsy and he would just doze off while sitting in the living - something that NEVER happens. Ewan ended up bringing Christian to the A&E on Monday for a quick check - and he was found to have a viral fever, probably what daddy had.

Masked men

Connor stayed at Mount A for two nights. He was always his cheery self, except when we had to give him his meds, which he hated (who could blame him).

Love the huge bed to roll around on

On the second day, he had to get an ultrasound done, to make sure his kidneys and bladders were structurally normal. Thankfully everything was. Right after the scan though, he did a major poop (antibiotics causes loose stools) and leaked everywhere! I had to run back up to the ward and give him a bath.

Unfortunately for him though, he had run out of rompers (daddy was bringing them only later that afternoon) so he had to wear Mount Alvernia's official garb for infants...

Sexy and I know it

The nurses at Mount A were a great bunch. The morning after he was warded, he had woken up at 6am, and was being fussy all the way to 7am. The nurses saw that I was exhausted and offered to watch him for a bit while I went to freshen up. After I took a quick shower, I found him in the corridor playing with the nurses - little things like that, I was indeed grateful for.

Mornings at the hospital spent watching Channelnewsasia with mummy

On Monday morning, Dr Ong came to see him with the results of another urine test and we found that his white blood cell count had gone down to 80 and could be discharged. Boy, were we relieved.

He'll have to go back for a review in two months, and we'd have to decide if we want to do some additional tests to ensure he's fully cleared of the UTI, but that's another story for another day.

Imma superhero

All's well now and I'm so thankful. I pray that we'll always be blessed with good health.

Sam L J

Loved him in movies and love that he gets parents of young kids.

This video totally cracked me up!

Model Behaviour

Yeah right!

But seriously, Christian had a little ‘modelling’ stint for a fashion spread in Mother & Baby in July, and Connor just did one in the October issue.

Action only

Laughing at daddy pretending to jump of the boat!

My lovely baby lumps!

A tad nerve wrecking for us, but it was fun!

Connor's first foods

We gave Connor a taste of his first semi-solid food (avocado) last weekend. The verdict? A mixture of shock and horror! Here's the video!

PS: Yes we were laughing, but it was just too funny ;)

Tantrum Tales

Oh my goodness!

We have an awesome two year old.

He rocks out to Aerosmith, ACDC and Guns N' Roses, insists on wearing mismatched socks and two tees at the same time and asks us to refer to him as Pluto.

We love his quirks - But like most two-year-olds, he can throw pretty epic tantrums - we're talking lying sprawled out on the floor screaming, arching his back and flailing his arms. But then he also provides us with funny gems: Like if I tell him don't scream, he says must scream! Or if I say don't cry he says must cry!

It's exhausting but hilarious at the same time.

Over time though, I've learnt certain strategies to help - both us and him - cope with this phase.

1. Distraction

Ice cream, Harold the Helicopter and Stickers make mealtimes happy

It's simple really - something yummy in one hand and a toy in the other, and he doesn't realise that he's doing exactly what you want him to.

2. Cause And Effect

I'll wear my shoes if I get to shoot you.

Or positive reinforcement. Or bribing. Whatever works.

Pretty much goes something like this.

Me: "Wear your shoes please."
C: "Nope."
Me: "You want a biscuit?"
C: "Yes."
Me: "Wear your shoes then you get your biscuit."
C: "..."

Works sometimes.

3. Engaging

Shopping trips are fun when I get to do this!

I recently read an article that stated that "Children tend to throw temper tantrums in public for two reasons: they are deliberately disobedient, or they are bored out of their minds."

How true - especially the second part. As parents, it's easy to "expect" the kiddo to simply follow you around for the day, whether your catching up with friends over coffee or going shopping, forgetting that these tiny human beings need to be engaged at their level. 

Even while Ewan and I are talking to each other, we try to make it a point to address Christian once in a while, so he feels included in the conversation, and not simply drowned out in the background.

4. Routine

My new stuffed toy

One of the hardest things to do these days, is to get Christian into bed. 

From a young age, we got him into a routine of having dinner, then bringing a bunch of "cool" stuff into his room for some pre-bedtime play, then milk and night night time. 

As he got older, he started to bargain and drag his bedtime.

I'm thankful though, that because of the nightly routine, once he's convinced to get into his room, it's a pretty straightforward bedtime ritual because of what he's used to.

5. Naps

Snoozing 

One of the most basic but underrated toddler needs. Christian's at a stage where he can ALMOST drop a nap - he does that some times when he sleeps in in the morning, so we simply put him down earlier at night. But for most days, he does need one, and will get incredibly cranky when he doesn't get one. The key is to be aware of when he's getting tired and to quickly pop him into the car or stroller (if we're out), or give him a bottle of milk to lull him to sleep.

I think we're handling the "twos" pretty well - so, here's to new parenting adventures and experiences!

Yellow

One of the most terrifying things I faced as a new mum was Jaundice. For some reason ― perhaps because my babies were both born at 37 weeks and their livers had not fully developed ― they were checked out of hospital with low jaundice levels, but the levels went up a few days later, and they required phototherapy.

For Christian, we decided to rent a phototherapy bed from the hospital. We’d already come back to the comforts of home and really didn’t want to have to be admitted again. As it turns out, that might have been the wrong decision. The poor little guy cried almost the whole time his tiny body was in the phototherapy unit and stopped only when we took him out to feed him. As first time parents, we cried along with him and I recall the hours we spent by his bedside holding his hand and praying as he screamed his lungs out.

Christian under phototherapy

For Connor, we were told to give him a sun bath every morning and evening from the day he came home.

Morning, Sunshine!

But after a few days, we noticed his skin was still yellow, and so were the whites of his eyes. So, we weren't surprised when his bilirubin levels were high at his first paediatrician check up. This time though, we decided to check back into the hospital with me staying in a single ward with him. We sure didn't want Connor crying through the night, especially when Christian, who was still grappling with the idea of a new sibling, was trying to sleep.

However, it seems our fears were quite unfounded, as Connor slept like a dream in the hospital, only waking up when he needed to feed. As for me, that hospital stay was pretty much like breastfeeding boot camp - so my supply certainly went up by leaps and bounds!

Connor under phototherapy

Thankfully, after a couple of days in the light, both my babies got much better :)

Connor

Connor

So, here’s Connor’s birth story.

As I approached the weekend I turned 37 weeks pregnant, I knew that it was just about time. No, I didn’t have any contractions or pain, yet, but because Christian was born at exactly 37 weeks, I knew that Connor would come at right about the same time.

It was Friday, 22 March, and we were at Dr Khi’s for my regular gynae check. She did a vaginal examination and I was 2cm dilated ― nothing surprising, because by the way Christian’s birth went, I dilate pretty easily, I guess!

She told me to go back, get some rest, and that it was likely that baby would come the following week.

An appointment was made for the following Wednesday, but when Tuesday rolled around, I just had the feeling that I’d dilated even further, so made arrangements to pay Dr Khi another visit.

I’d gone to the office earlier in the morning, did a couple of hours of work, clearing my desk and handing over the month’s stories. Mum took over watching Christian, and with the hospital bag packed, we went to Thomson Medical Centre.

All this time, no painful contractions ― but I did have Braxton hicks.

After another check with Dr Khi, we found out that I was 4cm dilated, and she told us to head to the delivery suite immediately. As in now. No lunch, nada, unlike how we could go for a leisurely subway lunch just before Christian’s birth. It felt a little weird, as I still hadn’t felt any contractions.

So, at exactly 37 weeks ― on Holy Tuesday nonetheless (same as Christian in 2011) ― we were going to see our second son, Connor!

I was made to poo, put on an epidural, and Dr Khi came to burst the water bag at around 2pm.

Excited to see Connor soon!

Things went smoothly, other than the fact that his heart rate wasn’t increasing as it was expected to each time a contraction came. The nurses said that he seemed a little “sleepy”, but we weren’t quite bothered about that. Expecting things to go into the night, I was rather surprised that I was 10cm dilated by 6pm.

Connor arrived at 6.23pm, weighing 3.065kg ― Praise God for a quick and easy birth!

Screamy screamy

We also learnt that he actually had his umbilical cord wound around his neck, which was the reason why his heart rate actually dipped a little during a contraction. Dr Khi said that it was lucky he wasn’t too big and that labour was fast, or I might have had to go through an emergency C-section. Thank God for that.

Bundled tight

Unlike Christian, Connor came into the world wide-eyed, not crying, although he started wailing a few seconds later. Ewan got his daddy-hands busy by cutting the umbilical cord and cradling our little guy.

Here's... Daddy!

And mummy!

First pic with the parents

The difference at Thomson Medical Centre, compared to Mount Alvernia was that they didn’t wash baby yet, just bundled him up and placed him on me, wheeling us both back to the ward. Only later did they take him away for his first bath, while I got some rest for the night.

All washed up

Phew. Sleep time.

By the way, I was starving by then, as I hadn’t had anything to eat all day! Plus the kitchen had closed as it was past 8pm, but the nurses managed to get me a sandwich. I was still starving, so Ewan went out to da pao some Bak Chor Mee. Awesome.

We were extremely excited the next day when my parents brought Christian over. We had prepared him for his brother’s birth by taking him to buy Connor a little toy a few weeks earlier ― a Lamaze toy lion, which Christian eventually claimed for his own, and secretly bought him a Thomas the Train toy and a Chuck the Truck Trailer, with the plan to present it to him, from Connor.

Presents from Baby Connor

I guess Christian didn’t quite understand the concept of the new baby brother at that time, but he sure understood the concept of new toys and was extremely happy when he came by the hospital. Till today, he tells us that those toys were given to him from Baby Connor ― which completely warms our hearts.

With Mama, Pop pop and his first toy from Christian

First family pic

Of course, through these 5 months +, there were times of jealousy and frustration, as we learn to be parents to two little ones, and as Christian grapples with the notion of being a big brother. But through it all, we are honoured and truly blessed to have each other. I leave you with a quick video of Christian sharing his precious trucks with month-old Connor.




Precious moments :)

Revival

Time to revive this blog! Lots has happened since my last post ― Christian is quite the feisty 2-year-old now and we now have Connor, who's just about hitting the six month mark. Despite some toddler tantrums and the lack of sleep that comes along with a young baby, we are extremely happy with the blessings we received over the past year. More to come soon!

My boys

Three months in!

Between the diaper changes, the feedings, baby baths and soothing, I hardly take the moment to realize that I've really become a mom!



Three months have sped by and I want to try to document all his firsts before I forget them.

The newborn weeks were tough. Breastfeeding was tough, the lack of sleep was tough. But slowly and surely, things got better.



The fears about having a low supply of milk are vanishing. Engorged breasts are becoming more of a reality these days! Whatever the challenges, I pray that I'll be able to persevere with this for at least six months.

Our little boy has begun to sleep a 4-5 hour stretch at night, in his cot in our bedroom. This stretch usually begins at around 11 or 12, and he wakes up at about 3 or 4 in the morning, where I would bring him into bed with me.



The mornings are the best. About 7am - way before Ewan and I are ready to greet the world for the day, Christian is up and awake and raring to go! Tired as we are, we love his little chuckles and gurgles in the mornings. Our little ray of sunshine!



He used to 'swim' in all his clothes. I remember after we brought him home from the hospital, all his Newborn clothes were just so big for him! We couldn't even find mittens and booties that he could wear without them falling off. He slowly grew into them and today our 7kg milk monster has trouble fitting into many of those! Even some of the 3-6 month outfits are getting tight.



He is much easier to burp these days. I remember the days where it took ages to burp him and the one who did it best was Daddy, propping him over his shoulder. Mummy used to try burping him and took so long, that all she got was an arm ache. These days, just carrying him upright usually induces a nice long burp :)



He had his first vaccination recently. He was supposed to get it in his second month, but he had some phlegm so we delayed it to his third month. The cutie was in such a good mood at the doctor and happily slurped up the oral Rotarix vaccine. When it came to the jab, Ewan held him while I made silly faces at him. He cried about thirty seconds and that was it. Our brave little boy! The doc also checked his length and weight - 62cm and 6.5kg at 12 weeks!

We also celebrated his baptism on the 10th of July. He was in a fantastic mood all day and didn't cry at all when Fr John Bosco poured the Holy water on his forehead. Friends and family joined us and Leon became his Godpa.



He loves going out, especially in his BabyBjorn carrier. He's incredibly curious, looking at the world around him, until he gets sleepy then starts burying his head in our chest. And just like that, he can go to sleep.

From the time he was about 2 months old, I plucked up the courage to take him out on my own. Either in the Bjorn or in his stroller. He's such a joy to bring out, always in a really happy mood. It's also great that I don't have to prepare any milk to bring out for him - the perks of total breastfeeding.

He also enjoys car rides and is especially amused with the ceiling of the car, that is, till the vibrations and air conditioning in the car helps him drift off to sleep.



But lately we've also noticed that he gets cranky when out too late, so we're trying to make it a point to come back earlier and put him to bed.

On most days, we spend the day together chilling in the living room, him in his rocker, me watching TV, surfing the net, or reading... other times, we're lazing around in bed, or taking short walks around the neighbourhood.

He loves bath time. He knows immediately when he hears the splash of water and is super wide-eyed during the entire bath. Recently he started kicking lots, like he realised that he can make tons of splashes with those legs of his. The result is a really wet bathroom floor after each bath!



Poop - lots of it. To this day, we still change his diaper about 6 times a day, and he poops about 4 times a day, the watery yellow breast fed baby poop. I've been sprayed on several times already, among which, the times he pooped in the bath. These are the worst cos I'd have to take him out of the bath, wipe him clean of the poop, change the bath water and have him bathe all over again.



He loves to chat these days. You could almost have a conversation with him. Ask him something and he coos and gurgles back at you. He loves talking to us and his grandparents especially. He also loves it when people make funny faces at him. Open your eyes and mouth big in a shocked manner and he just loves it!



My new hobby is sourcing out cute toys for him! He just loves his crib mobile and rocker that I got him recently. He's also got a ton of rattles, stuff toys and teethers that came as gifts. Ewan and my mom have been reminding me that he would outgrow these pretty fast, so I should think twice about getting these toys, the big ones especially. So maybe renting would be an option! In any case, I love walking around the toy shops looking at these colourful infant toys... soon he'll lose interest in them and Daddy will take over the buying of the big boy toys :)

My maternity leave is ending soon and I will be passing on more of the baby care responsibilities to Ewan and my mom.

I'm sitting on the fence when it comes to whether I'm looking forward to going back to work. On one hand, it'll be less diapers, feeding and soothing, but then, I'll probably miss it terribly. And I'll miss him terribly too.



Love you my sweetheart :)

Our first anniversary! - 31st July 2011

In a blink of an eye, we've been married a year!

And what a year it's been!

We got our own place, moved in, got pregnant and our dear baby boy Christian was born.

We celebrated the weekend with a nice dinner and movie (Captain America), and took a trip to Marina Bay Sands with our little bub.

It's been an amazing year dear. You're the best husband and father I could have wished for and I love you oh so much :)



PS, I've been meaning to blog about our wedding, but the sheer amount of pictures has held me off... promise to do it eventually!