First Day at Infant Care

Nathan started going to the infant care centre yesterday. I had to lug his bag (which has his clothes, towels, teddy bear etc.), his milk bag and my big bag (with pumping essentials) and carry him at the same time. Think my arm muscles are getting stronger as he grows.

The day started off with free play followed by his first milk feed. I let the teacher feed him for the first time, and thankfully it was a non issue. He finished the whole bottle real quick as usual. Then they had hello time when they took turns to say hello to each other in song. His usual bath time followed. He fussed a bit during bath time. I suppose he still prefers his bath tub at home. After a bit more play, it was time for his first morning nap. I put him in his designated cot, which had his cot sheets, blanket, bean pillow and teddy bear brought from home. He started sucking his thumb, and was falling off to sleep when I told him that I’d be leaving for work, and will be picking him up later in the evening. I couldn’t hold back my tears when I kissed him goodbye. My boy has grown up that little bit more. As much as I’m happy that we’ve hit another milestone, I’m also missing the journey we took over the last 5+ months.

He was happy to see me when I picked him up in the evening. Felt so good to hold him, kiss him and smell him after a long day’s work. He seems to enjoy his time there, playing with new toys, standing in front of the mirror holding onto the handle bars (think mirrors at ballet studios, just that it is built for his height), interacting with his new teachers and friends. He had no problems feeding and sleeping in the new environment. In fact, he took a real long afternoon nap. Probably cos of the lack of afternoon naps on Saturday and Sunday when we’d usually take him out.

The little kids there are really socialable, and this is something that Dean and I thought would be good for him. Even though quitting my job to stay home to look after Nathan full-time is an option we can consider, we thought that sending him to the infant care centre is a good option. The social interaction would do him good. I also like the fact that they have structured activities to occupy the young ones. Am hoping that I’d be able to get a more flexible work arrangement. Then we’ll be able to have the best of both worlds – Nathan can spend some time at the infant care centre, and some time at home with mommy, and mommy can still stay in touch with the working world. Shall continue praying, waiting and trusting God for this.

I'm sad but he's glad...

I had a good laugh when I saw these writings on my Facebook wall. No prizes for guessing which one is written by my boss. I'm sure he didn't see my status when he wrote the birthday wishes.

On turning 30...

At 30, I am a very blessed wife and mommy. Thinking back, I remember that I've always wanted to get married and start a family of my own some time in my life. I didn't plan for it to happen by 30... there was no timeline for this plan of mine, but I suppose there isn't a better time for it.

I've done all the studying I need to do, gotten a pretty good job, spent a year in US (which in itself was a wonderful experience), bought my first property, married the man I love, given birth to my precious son. I've been showered with numerous blessings the past 30 years and I can't be more thankful. Moving ahead, I'll continue striving to be the Proverbs 31 woman. To be the perfect wife and mother.

Next week, I'll be going back to work after a 6 month break. I've spent almost every hour with Nathan ever since he was born. Such joy to be able to witness his growth, his development, his first smile, his first laugh, his first attempt at flipping over, sitting up, sucking his thumb. I enjoy reading to him, playing with him, bringing him out shopping. I know I'll miss his so much while I'm at work. It'll not be easy juggling full time work and motherhood. Dean and I have discussed this at great lengths, and we've decided that I'll go back to work when Nathan turns 6 months old. I'll try out this arrangement and we'll see how it works out. Am praying that I'll be able to find a good work-life balance.

Two are better than one... two plus baby makes three! I'm 30 this year. Next year, Nathan will sing me a birthday song and draw me a birthday card. Till then, I know I'll enjoy every moment of this new decade of my life.

5 months old

Dear Nathan,

You just turned 5 months old... you've been smiling a lot lately, and you respond enthusiastically (most times) when we interact with you. So much fun! Seeing you smile really warms my heart. I was reading somewhere that babies smile the most when they are 4 months old. Yikes! I hope you continue smiling as much as ever... :)

In preparation for "school", we've gotten you a little school bag. This is one of mommy's favourite photos of you... You love it when daddy lifts you up like that. Never fails to bring a smile to your face.

Daddy took time off work between the Christmas and New Year break and we got to spend quite a bit of time as a family. Mommy loves such times!

You've taken a keener interest in your toys. You are able to reach out and grab toys held in front of you. Once you grab them, you'd try putting them in your mouth. Everything that you get your hands on goes into your mouth. Pretty amusing to watch, but it means we've to be more careful about objects that we leave within your reach. You've also discovered your feet. You've been holding on to your toes, and grabbing at your socks. You try to put your feet in your mouth too, but haven't quite succeeded. You enjoy sucking your thumb - helps you to sleep and soothes you when you are cranky. With your thumb, you do not use your pacifier anymore. You're also learning to sit up on your own. Still not very stable as yet, but you are getting there.

We attended several celebrations this month. Por Por and Yi Yi's birthday, Naomi's, Hannes', Darius' and Shannon's first month parties, Uncle Jackson and Aunty Sharon's wedding at Sentosa, and Christopher's 1st birthday. You enjoy going out and try hard to stay awake even when the outings eat into your nap times. It's really funny when you try to fight the Z monster.

Mommy will be going back to work next month. The thought of going back brings tears... Having spent almost all of my time with you ever since you were born, I will surely miss you when I'm at work. Been trying to think up fun things to do with you in the last few weeks that I'm home with you. Still praying that mommy will be able to get a more ideal work arrangement so that I'll be able to work and still spend time with you.

You continue to bring so much joy to mommy and daddy. We love you loads!

Hugs and kisses,

Mommy

Nathan's Sleeps in His Own Room

Nathan usually sleeps in his own room during his day time naps, and in mommy and daddy's room at night. Now that he's capable of sleeping thru the night, we figured that we can let him sleep in his own room at night too.

In preparation for that, we decided to lower his cot mattress just in case he sits up or stands up on his own when we are not around. Not that he can do any of that on his own presently... but you never know when.

31 Jan is the first night that Nathan will sleep in his own room alone. After his night feed and warm bath, I told him that he's a big boy now, and he'll be sleeping in his own room from then on. I settled him in his cot, and switched off his room lights. We said our bedtime prayers with Nathan, kissed him good night and left him in his cot to fall asleep on his own. That's his usual bedtime routine. He's usually capable of falling asleep on his own without much fuss. That night, I suspect he got confused and wondered why he was in his downstairs cot instead of his upstairs cot. He cried once. Mommy went in to explain that he's sleeping in his own room from now, and assured him that all is well. After a few minutes, he cried again. This time, daddy went in. He fell asleep soon after. At about 3am, I heard him crying thru the baby monitor. I went into his room, tucked him under his blanket, and said, "Nathan, mommy's here". He took one look at me, popped his thumb back into his mouth, and fell asleep soon after. The next time he woke up was at 8am, for his first feed. :)

I didn't expect that it'd be a difficult move as he usually sleeps in his own room in the day, and even when he sleeps in our room at night, he sleeps in his own cot. Maybe it was more difficult for me than for Nathan. I felt a tinge of sadness as I walked back to our room without Nathan. For the last few months, I would carry him to our room after his bath, tuck him in his cot, pray with him and leave him to fall asleep on his own. I could hear him when he sucks his thumb, and could easily check on him in the middle of the night. I felt sad as my baby has grown that little bit older. Old enough to sleep in his own room. It's the same feeling I get each time he hits a new milestone. On one hand, I'm filled with joy that he can now do something new, but at the same time, I'm sad cos he's grown that little bit older. Strange... I wonder if it's just me. Dean doesn't really feel that way. He says they'll be more milestones even as he grows.

After that first night, he didn't cry anymore when I left him in his room the next two nights. He didn't even wake up in the middle of the night to fuss. My baby has really grown that little bit older. *sob*

Daddy's Going to Work

Dean is usually the one who feeds Nathan at 8am. This morning, he was going to work early, so I was going to feed Nathan instead. At 7 plus, Nathan was already awake and playing in his cot on his own. He usually wakes up on his own and we leave him to play in his cot for a bit, before feeding him at 8.

Dean picked Nathan up from his cot...

Daddy: Nathan, daddy's going to work early today.

Nathan: *baby talks with sadness in his voice*

Daddy: Daddy will be back in the evening. Daddy will see you later.

Nathan: *baby talks more cheerfully*

As I sat there and watched, I couldn't help smiling. It was one of those moments where although we didn't understand what Nathan was saying, we understood him fully.

Nathan's Routine

I'm pretty happy with the routine that I've gotten Nathan into. Wanted him to get into a good routine before I return to work so things will be more predictable for both of us. I've been working on this eversince the beginning, so I'm really pleased that it has worked out. Another answered prayer.

7.00am Rise & Shine

8.00am Milk feed (usually bottlefeed by daddy)

8.30am Bath

9.00am Wake time

10.00am Nap time

11.00am Milk feed

11.40am Wake time

1.00pm Nap time

2.00pm Milk feed

2.40pm Wake time

4.00pm Nap time

5.00pm Milk feed

5.40pm Wake time

7.00pm Nap time

8.00pm Milk feed

8.40pm Bath time

9.00pm Bed time

Milk feeds

Nathan has 5 feeds a day. Other than the first bottlefeed (expressed breast milk) in the morning, he latches on for the rest. I give him 150ml for the first feed though he's capable of finishing more if we fill the bottle up but I'm concerned about over-feeding him. Not sure how much he drinks when he latches on, but he usually takes a full feed (20 min each breast).

Wake time

During wake time, Nathan can play by himself for short periods of time when I leave him in his play gym. Other times, I'd read to him, sing to him, play with his toys or we'd go thru his flash cards. Lately, he's happy when we leave him in his Bumbo chair infront of the TV. But I'm not keen on letting him watch too much TV although it does make a good baby-sitter. Sometimes, I'd take him out (usually shopping centres).

Nap time

Nathan takes 4 short naps which add up to less than 4 hours. I believe the 4 short naps will be consolidated to 2 longer ones but I haven't figured out how to go about it. It seems that he still gets tired after each wake time and needs to sleep although sometimes the naps can be as short as 30 minutes. Was asking some young moms, and they said the consolidation will happen 'automatically'. No intervention required. Hmm... oh well... so for now, I'll still let him take 4 short naps.

Kindermusik

I signed Nathan up for Kindermusik classes for the month of Jan and Feb. First lesson was yesterday. It was loads of fun! An hour filled with songs, dance, bubbles, percussion instruments and more.

Nathan with his imaginary microphone

Nathan will be going to the infant care centre when mommy starts work in March. Kindermusik classes will be conducted at his infant care centre. So I figured that exposing him to a 'classroom setting' and having some degree of familiarity will help him settle down in March. But more than that, it was also a good break for mommy. Even though I sit thru the class with him, I didn't need to think up ways to occupy him for that hour. :) Reminds me of my Yamaha days as a child more than 25 years ago.

Daddy came to meet us for dinner after the class. Think I'm going to miss such times that I get to spend with daddy and Nathan when I return to work.

Daddy: Nathan, did you enjoy today's Kindermusik class?

Nathan: *BIG SMILE*

4 months old

Dear Nathan,

You just turned 4 months old... you are smiling, talking and laughing so much more these days.

Nathan tries to eat the very hungry caterpillar

You surprised mommy when you flipped over from your tummy to back when you were 3 months 1 day old. I missed your first attempt, but managed to capture the second and third attempts on video, so daddy got to see it too. It is such a joy to be able to witness your firsts.

Several new shopping centres have come up along Orchard Road. We took you to Orchard Central and 313 Somerset. It is mommy's first time in these places as well. You enjoy being pushed around in your stroller and would usually sit quietly observing the sights and sounds. You attract quite a bit of attention. Strangers would come up to us and say how cute you are. Two days before Christmas, mommy ventured out with you alone. Just mom and babe. It's the first time I took you out on my own in my car. Mommy drove while you sat in your car seat at the back alone. You didn't fuss at all, and we enjoyed our time at Raffles City. Mommy chose this shopping mall as it is has a very nice nursery... just in case I needed to feed or change you. Since you were so well behaved, I decided that we could go out more often while daddy's at work. It's quite a bit of logistics with the car seat and stroller, but I think the fresh air will do us good.

Daddy took some time off work and accompanied you to see Uncle Eng Keow for your 3rd month jabs. You developed a slight fever after the jabs. Thankfully the fever was gone after two doses of paracetamol and your sleeping/feeding routines weren't affected.

We celebrated Christmas with our extended families. Lunch at Mount Sinai, dinner at Cashew. You received more Christmas presents than mommy and daddy even though you didn't give any. Mommy and daddy both agreed that you are our BEST Christmas gift this year. We thank God for you everyday.

You continue to bring so much joy to mommy and daddy. We love you loads!

Hugs & kisses,

Mommy

Bottle Feeds

After our failed attempts at bottle feeding about a month ago, we decided to give the bottle a break. All this time, I've been praying that Nathan will be willing to drink from the bottle as I'd be going back to work in March. His refusal of the bottle got me really worried.

Last week, I was plagued with blocked ducts (again!). After I cleared the blocked ducts, I had blisters. Sigh! The woes of breastfeeding. Well... because of all that, Dean suggested that we give my boobs a break, and try bottle feeding again.

I was rather nervous when Dean gave Nathan his first bottle this morning. But I needn't had worried. Nathan finished the 140ml bottle in record time! Mommy's so relieved. Daddy continued giving him the rest of his feeds from the bottle except the last feedm and Nathan was able to drink up without much fuss. Thank God - another answered prayer.

Nathan enjoying his bottle of milk