BB's 1st try on solids

In 2 weeks time, Yuan2 will be 6 month old! Lately, she will look at us curiously and mimick our mouth movement like chewing food -- and she drools loads! Time to start her on solid food -- I am very excited to make baby food for her and busy collecting recipes from internet.

BB food making tools

1) Food Blender

My friend San2 recommended us to get an easy-to-clean food blender, Magic Bullet, to make baby food. We finally got it @ Raffles City's Robinson -- used $100 voucher and paid cash $29 :)

2) Food storage

I bought Baby Cubes from bulk purchase with SMH May09 mummies. This is for easy storage of the blended food in small portion.

3) Bowl & Spoon

KKH gave us a 5-piece set when we signed up for the prenatal class -- consists of bowl, plate, cup, spoon & fork. I also bought a Pigeon bowl & spoon set -- comes with a part for mashing soft food.

BB food preparation

Last weekend, I finally had time to make rice cereal for Yuan2. I mixed half cup of cooked rice with EBM 20ml and blended it. Viola, 10sec later, a nice creamy rice cereal was done! I portioned 2 tablespoons of rice cereal into each Baby Cubes (made 4 portions) and stored in the freezer. To serve, defrost 1 Baby Cube and mix in warm EBM 20ml.

Note : For cooked rice, do not leave it for more than 1 hours as bacteria will grow on them. I had to throw away my first try as I leaved it to cool for too long. This time, I blended it right away and store in freezer immediately.

BB's first try on rice cereal

We put Yuan2 on the baby chair and put on a cute moo-moo-cow bib -- haha, she was fascinated with the bib around her neck and tried pulling & put in her mouth :) TK was on standby to video Yuan2's first spoonful of rice cereal. When Yuan2 tasted the rice cereal, she tried to lick n swallow but the cereal dripped out together with her saliva *faint* I had to use the spoon to scoop and put it back in her mouth. Her interest in this new food only lasted for 3min and she started to wriggle on the baby chair! Haha, think she was getting impatient with the slow progress -- normally, she finished 200ml of milk in 5mins. No choice, I poured the rice cereal in a bottle and added EBM 40ml -- she happily drank it. Oh, I had to punch a bigger hole on the teat -- she got frustrated when the rice grain got stuck at the teat initally. She cried for more and I top up with FM 120ml.

Yuan2 eagerly took her 1st spoon of rice cereal

Feeding through bottle when Yuan2 got impatient

BB's bowel after starting solids

I was worried that she would be constipated after starting solids like some babies. We were out the whole day and she didn't poo. Luckily, she poo-ed big time after her 1st feed the next morning -- still watery mustard yellow. Yeah, that means she digested the rice cereal well :)

Now, I am gonna make more baby food using fruits & vegetables.

BB @ Fun Times

Life is getting more fun -- Yuan2 is very active and likes to explore new things. To keep her entertain n have safe fun, we bought a Parklon bumper map and rented a exersuacer.

Yuan2 having fun "rolling" on the new bumper mat -- look at the colorful cartoons on both sides of the mat.

Yuan2 happily exploring the toys on the exersaucer

BB @ Peek-a-boo

Met up with Mag & bb @ Peek-a-boo at Kallang Leisure Park on 29-10-2009. Yuan2 had a fun time playing with the toys n watching other kids playing :) Co-incidentally, both babies were wearing the same Mary Jane socks!

Haha, so difficult to get the babies to look at the camera :)

LeXuan n Yuan2 sitting on their own

Babies playing on the rocking toys

Yuan2 enjoying herself on the rocking toys

Yuan2 -- the spiderwoman & superwoman :)

BB @ KKH A&E

Last Saturday, we brought Yuan2 to my parents' place for Mid Autumn Festival celebration. Yuan2 was all dressed up and having fun playing with her cousins. Then she took a nap in my room -- think the aircon was too cold... The next day, she started to have running nose and we were home-bound. She was drinking, sleeping & playing as usual -- except we could hear the "blockage" noise throough her breathing. After her last feed, we put her in her cot and she dozed off soon after. We then got ready her stuff for IFC and prepare to go to bed.

Yuan2's 2st lantern -- a cute star-shaped doraemon

At ard midnite, Yuan2 woked up when she got choked by mucus stucked at her throat -- she was wailing with a hoarse voice and seemed to have difficulty breathing! We had never seen her like that before -- she could not be pacified even when we carried and hugged her :( We immediately rushed her to KKH A&E -- she was tired from crying and dozed off on my shoulder on the way there. When we reached there, we took a queue number and it was our turn right away. The nurse used thermometer that clasp under Yuan2's armpit to check her temperature -- UNBELIEVABLE! When I asked whether she has a ear thermometer, she said hers is too big to fit in Yuan2's ear -- FAINT, this is a children's hospital and they dun have a kid's ear thermometer??!! Finally, the thermometer beeped and Yuan2's temperature was taken -- phew, no fever. We got a queue number and were asked to make payment of $80 for A&E first -- so practical!

There were lotsa of kids at the waiting area -- maybe Yuan2 is an infant and has high priority, it was our turn right away. The male doctor asked what happened and proceed to check on Yuan2. By then, Yuan2 was wide awake and in a playful mood -- sticking out her tongue, grabbing things ard her, attempting to flip *haha* After a detailed check, the doctor said that Yuan2 was fine as there was no whizzing sound (water in the lung/chest) but there was lotsa mucus in her throat. As Yuan2 was too young to how to spit out, he need to use suction machine to take out the mucus. We then went to the weighing machine to take Yuan2's weight -- yeah, our little darling is7kg! The 2 nurses explained what they would do -- 2 tubes would be inserted through Yuan2's nose to suck out the muscus. They warned me that our baby would cry but we gotta bear with it. On hearing that, my face turned green and I was on the verge of crying -- I myself had not gone through this and the thot of the process sent chills down my spine. They swaddled Yuan2 tightly (to prevent her hands from moving n pulling the tubes) and asked us to step behind the curtain -- think they saw my worried look and better that I dun see. TK held on to me when -- gosh, broke my heart into bits when we heard Yuan2 crying behind the curtain. The nurses kept talking to Yuan2 to reassure her and it was done in a flash -- they commented that lotsa mucus was sucked out! Finally, Yuan2 could breathe with no blockage! The doctor prescribed nose drop and medicine to reduce phelgm -- yeah, Yuan2 was discharged. So happy to bring Yuan2 home -- she dozed off in the car on the way home.

I took childcare leave to look after her at home on the 1st day. TK took leave on 2nd day -- I was worried as this was the first time he was home alone with baby for more than 2 hours! I packed lunch home to check on TK and Yuan2 -- very happy that Yuan2 was happily playing with daddy (though she was not sleeping as much as when I was home with her). Good job, daddy! Her running nose turned to cough but she was drinking, sleeping & playing as per normal. She was well enough to go to IFC on the 3rd day -- we asked the caregivers to give her medicine if necessary. It would take some time for her to fully recover...

P.S. This was a scary experience but we are learning with each new experience to better take care of Yuan2.

BB @ Botanic Garden

Our little princess was 5 month old last Wednesday :) TK and me took leave to catch a movie and run some errands in town while Yuan2 spent half a day in IFC. Finally, we had some couple time -- and nice to watch a comedy movie (after more than 1 year break). However, I felt guilty that we were having fun without Yuan2 - decided to abandon the rest of our shopping and fetched Yuan2 home (TK was slightly disappointed though). Afterall, it was her special day! Haiz, I need to learn to let go and enjoy our next couple time with TK...

BB Weight Gain

Yuan2 is getting chubbier but her weight gain is not fast -- currently 7kg at 5 months.

Happy Yuan2 -- opps, she is outgrowing her clothes very fast!

BB @ Botanic Garden

Botanic Garden(BG) is a special place for us -- TK n me first met @ BG during a monthly run organised by SgRunners. On the auspicous date of 20-09-2009, my good friend YZ was having her ROM @ BG -- we decided to bring Yuan2 there to soak in the happy atmosphere :) We had a yummy lunch @ BTGH and went for a walk ard BG -- wow, it was crowded with lotsa happy couples n families! Our little princess fell asleep on the stroller and miss out on the sights totally... Weather was so HOT but Yuan2 zzz so comfortably!

My yummy lunch @ BTGH

TK's yummy lunch @ BTGH

Yuan2 wanna join us @ the dining table -- dozed off soon after :)

The happy atmosphere @ BG Mass Wedding for 168 couples

XYZ's ROM @ Pavilion 16 -- The Long Waterfall

Me with happy bride while TK was aside with a zzz Yuan2

The marching in for 168 couples

At the cool garden in Orchid Garden

Yuan2 finally woke up and enjoyed seeing the beautiful orchids :)

We brought Yuan2 to BG again on 18-10-2009 -- there was an open-air concert @ Symphony Stage by Singapore Chinese Orchestra and New York Philharmonic Band. We packed fruits, drinks and wu xiang for our picnic :) This time, Yuan2 was awake and excited with so many people having picnic on the green grass patch. We found a good spot and spread out the food -- we had our mini Oktoberfest (German beer festival) with Erdinger light beer! Yuan2 had fun dancing to the music and dozed off in the mist of the concert *haha* And our naughty girl was too disctracted that she refused to latch on! She finally asked for milk when we reached home -- 6 hours after her last feed!

Look at the crowd -- Yuan2 was happily playing with daddy n mummy!

Yuan2 looked interestingly @ the Erdinger beer -- even wanna have a sip *haha*

Yuan2 dancing to the music -- and soon dozed off in mummy's lap

BB @ Infant Care Centre

Yuan2 started going to Infant Care Centre (IFC) on Sept 2. We were worried abt this big change for her :-

1) mummy is her main caregiver for the past 4 months

- mummy/daddy bath n feed her

- wonder how she will react to a stranger feeding/bathing her...

2) from a non-aircon to a fully aircon environment

- since birth, she sleeps n plays in non-aircon environment (coz daddy & mummy will have running nose n dry throat when we sleep in aircon room)

- wonder whether she will feel too cold...

3) from quiet to noisy environment

- at home, it is quiet and she is easily waken up by noises like opening door/window etc.

- wonder if she can sleep with other babies playing ard her...

The IFC is located in NUS -- abt 30min drive from home and 5min drive from my workplace. Currently, there are 5 teachers looking after 12 babies -- only Yuan2 and a 2-mth-old boy, Hayden, are immobile while the rest can crawl n walk. The place is spacious with separate area for sleeping, feeding, reading & activities.

From top n clockwise : Cupboards to put her clothes, towels & hankies; Basket to put milk bottles; white board to note her last feed n last diaper change; basket for her toiletries & diaper.

Spacious environment with separate areas for various activities like reading, singing, playtime etc.

Yuan2 on bouncer when the teachers are busy feeding solids to older babies

I stayed with her for the first 2 days to observe how she adapt to this new lifestyle. To my utter surprise n amazement, she was a little angel on her first day there! She slept while other babies were screaming, playing, and crawling ard her. All my worries were unfounded!

When Tr Mona fed her EBM 200ml, she finished within 5mins -- at home, sometimes she will fuss/cry and took 30 mins to finish it!
She was curiously looking ard when Tr Su bathed her -- Tr Su commented that normally babies will cry @ their first bath there but Yuan2 seemed to enjoy it :)


Different teachers will read story book, sing nursery rhymes, play toys with her inbetween her naps.

During my 2-day of observation, there are 2 peak periods at 9am and 3pm where most babies feeding clashed. Once, Yuan2 was crying but all the teachers had their hands full -- I felt heartpain that my little darling was neglected and carried her. Upon seeing this, one of the teachers quickly took over from me. Haiz, I knew they cannot give Yuan2 100% attention -- juz hope Yuan2 will learn to be more independent. Other than that, I am happy with the enthusiasium n patience of the teachers -- can see they genuinely like babies.

After 3 weeks there, Yuan2 looks forward to go IFC -- she will smile at the teacher when I bring her over in the morning and open her mouth during routine check for ulcers(signs of Hand Foot Mouth disease). When mummy waves goodbye to her, she is more interested in looking at the colourful decorations ard her *haha* To put my mind at ease @ work, the teachers will take pics of her and emailed to me -- that's a very nice gesture.


Routine
After Yuan2 started IFC, life has become more routine. We will prepare her stuff the nite before -- change of clothes, towel, hankies, nappy cloth, diapers, milk bottles and EBM. Here's how our typical day is like :-
6.30am - change her diaper and latch her for her 1st feed.
7.30am - dress her warmly in long pants, cap, mittens n booties, I will 'load' her in the car and drive to IFC
8.00am - reach IFC and settle her down before leaving for work
5.45pm - miss my little princess and pick her up straight after work
6.30pm - reach home, wipe her down, play with her and have dinner
7.30pm - bottle feed her last feed and zzz soon after

Now, we have little time to bond with her... I sure miss the days when I can spend a leisure day at home with her and watch her grow bit by bit... But I am consoled that she is doing well @ IFC -- she enjoys the company of other babies and attention of the teachers.

P.S. Mummy bought many new clothes for Yuan2 -- coz she has outgrow her existing sleepsuits & long sleeves top n pants!

BB @ 4th Month

Gosh, it has been a month since I last update this blog! Our little princess is keeping mummy & daddy on their toes :) Yuan2 is becoming more expressive -- deafening scream when hungry/unhappy vs hearty chuckle when excited/happy... and actively using her hands n legs to grab/kick...

How time flies -- Yuan2 is 20-week today! Here's her happening for the past few weeks :-

1) Mummy heard her first loud chucke while playing with her @ Week 17 -- so cute to see her throw back her head in happy laughter :) Too bad daddy was not around to video this funny moment...

2) Yuan2 got a new look @ Week 18 -- we shaved her spikey funky hair @ 4mth and she had first taste of food. We put her on 3-day trial @ infant care centre(IFC) as mummy will be back @ work the following week.

Yuan2 looks like a boy -- so mummy bought cute girly headband for her :)

3) At Week 19, she preferred to sit up than lie down -- she took her first seat on a bb chair and join us for dinner @ the dining table :) She loves greenery and enjoy sitting by the window watching the green green grass patch infront of our place.

4) Without any warning signs, she did her first flip @ Week 20! And now, she will flip at every chance *haha* She is also learning to sit up...

BB outings

Brought Yuan2 to join our 3rd SMH May babies n mummies gathering -- this time was a small group of 5 babies @ mummy Joyce's place. We had a home-cooked pasta + mushroom soup lunch. Mummy Joyce is a very experienced mother of 3 kids -- she demo-ed how to use the baby sling and gave me valuable tips :)

After lunch, I drove over to TK's work place -- to "show off" Yuan2 to his colleagues before we shaved her hair.

4th Month Bday
According to Hokkien tradition, We shaved Yuan2 hair on her 4th month birthday. We brought her to a kids hair saloon -- Junior League @ Suntec City. A TV screen was playing Barney show to keep kids glued to the screen and sit still for the cut. The hairdresser tried to persuade us to keep Yuan2 hair -- juz trim instead of shave... I nearly gave it but TK insisted on shaving... Yuan2 was a good girl -- sat on my lap and let the hairdresser shaved..

Yuan2 also had her first taste of food :-

- mee sua to signify long life
- drumstick to signify have meat throughout her life

- mushroom to signify sweet smell mouth- prawn to signify rosy lips

- egg to signify round n abundance

Yuan2 was so excited to taste new food -- kept pushing the food in her mouth :)

BB's happenings

Have not been updating this blog due to problems with blogspot. Anyway, here's the happenings since our last post.

Our little princess is coming to 16 weeks old this Thursday! Let me recap how Yuan2 has grown over the past few weeks :-
1) FINALLY, our little darlg gave us her first BIG smile @ Week 11 -- mummy was so happy to capture her big hearty smile on camera and MMS to daddy immediately :) And she began to explore her sense of touch by grabbing things ard her.

2) Yuan2 had her first swimming session @ Week 12 -- such a fun sight to see her twirling n kicking in the tub. We signed up for 10 more sessions :)

3) At Week 13, she began to sleep longer at nite and skip the nite feed. After her last feed at 8pm, she will zz till we feed her at 6-7am the next morning. Usually, she will wake up in the middle of the nite when her pacifier drops -- she will go back to sleep once we put it back. She became more responsive with lotsa smile n 'yakking' :)

4) She discovered finger-licking-good KFC (aka her fists) @ Week 14! Instead of her pacifier, she derives such joy while "feasting" on her KFC :)

5) She has outgrown her new born clothes and wears 3-6mth clothes @ Week 15.

6) She can put her hands together @ Week 16 -- not clapping but push into her mouth *haha* Oops, there is little room for her to kick while bathing her -- need to get a new bigger tub.

BB outings
We brought Yuan2 to many shopping malls over the weekend -- Paragon, Centrepoint, Takashimaya, Plaza Singapura, Isetan Scotts, Shaw Centre, IMM, Jurong Point, Vivo City, Harbourfront etc. Haha, the first place we look for is the nursing room :) Yuan2 is usually well behaved outside -- sit in the stroller and dozes off :)

Met up with SMH May mummies n babies @ our 2nd gathering -- great fun to see so many babies and all growing well :)

BB's growth
We juz weigh her -- she juz tipped the 6kg mark at Week 16 :) With her increasing weight, we gotta change our style of bathing her. Instead of football hold her to wash her hair, we put her in the tub straightaway and wash her hair with her facing upwards.