More Sleepless NIghts...

Again, the night was difficult. Even though Nathan took a full feed, he was not able to settle after the second night feed. After the 4am feed, he refused to settle until 6.30am. Gosh! That was tiring.

The rest of the day seemed to go well. He'd wake every 2 to 3 hours for a feed, and settle well after he's fed. I suppose he's still on a reverse day-night cycle. Let's hope he recovers from 'jet lag' soon.

Dear God, please give me wisdom and strength as I learn how to be a good mommy. Give me the patience and strength I need to care for Nathan. I pray that Nathan will be able to settle well at night, like how he does in the day, and that we'd be able to train him to sleep thru the night by the time he's 8 weeks old. Then daddy will be well rested for work the next day. We are so thankful that you've given us Nathan and pray that You'll continue to guide us a we seek to bring him up to be a man of honour and grace.

First Day Home

Mom and babe were discharged in the afternoon after two nights in hospital.

We're so thankful that God has brought Nathan into our lives. Praise God the delivery was smooth even though I was close to giving up. Dean has been a really sweet husband and doting father. He has been most supportive. Have never seen this side of him - the fatherly side. He's taken on the role so naturally.

Felt rather emotional when it was time to be discharged. While Dean was settling the hospital bills, I was tearing in the ward. When in hospital, help was just a button away. Nathan cries, we can't figure out why; press the button and the nurse appears. Had difficulty breast feeding; press the button and the nurse appears. I wasn't sure if I'd be able to manage when we got home. I teared in the car on the way home too. Prayed that God will give me the strength and wisdom that I'd need to handle this responsibility.

The first night was rather difficult. After the second night feed, Nathan refused to settle. We tried soothing him, coaxing him to go back to sleep. He just wouldn't. Dean was real sweet. After we failed miserably at pacifying Nathan, he carried Nathan out of the room and asked me to get some sleep. Of course I couldn't get to sleep knowing that Nathan's crying. We weren't sure if he was crying cos he was hungry, uncomfortable or ??? He's been fed, diaper has been changed and everything seems to be right (at least to us). Dean managed to pacify him after awhile, and he slept for a bit, and woke up again. Figuring that he might be hungry because my milk hasn't come in, we decided to feed him the last bottle of Friso formula milk that we got from the hospital. I was feeling kinda disappointed about not being able to satisfy him with my milk. Dear God, I pray my milk will come in real soon, and that they'd always be enough milk for Nathan.

Nathan's Birth Story

Here goes Nathan’s birth story…

4+am

Felt like my water bag was leaking.
Went to the toilet to clean up, and noticed that my mucous plug has dislodged.
Washed up, thinking that I can wait till a more sane hour like 6am, before going to the hospital.
Another gush of water. Guess not.

5am

Took a shower.
Did some last minute packing.
Woke Dean up.
Dean showered.

5.45am

Left the house.
Popped by the post office to post some letters.

6.15am

Reached the hospital (called hospital on the way there so they can be on standby).
Midwife asked about my history etc.
Midwife did a virginal examination and was surprised to find that I was already 5cm dilated as I told her I felt no pain/contractions.
Dean was asked to see to the admission procedures (I/Cs of dad n mum needed).

6.45am

Enema given.

Poo-ed twice

9.23am

I was asked if I wanted any pain killers. Prior to this, I had already started using the laughing gas.
Another VE done. 7cm dilated. Had to decide on painkillers immediately as they can’t be administered any later else might have side effects.
Thinking that I hadn’t reached the peak of pain, I decided to take the pethidine jab.

9.27am

Pethidine administered by midwife. If I had opted for epidural, an anaesthetist will need to be called.
Pethidine takes ½ hour to take effect.

10.30am

Another VE. 9cm dilated.

Midwife got me to practice pushing. Her instructions – “push as if you are trying to pass motion”. ??? I had no idea what I was expected to do, and according to her, I wasn’t making much progress. Basically, the contractions come, and I’m supposed to push, hold for 10 seconds, and repeat till the contractions are gone. Typically that would be about 3 cycles of pushing. I was getting tired, and on the verge of giving up. Asked her if there were any alternatives.

11+am

Dr Thong appears. Broke my water bag. The pushing continues…

1.54pm

Nathan’s born

Dean and I are so thankful that God has given us Nathan. His hand is clearly visibly through my pregnancy and delivery, and we trust that He’ll continue to guide us as we seek to bring Nathan up in His ways.

First family photo with Nathan

Maclaren Stroller Liner

I've been looking for a Maclaren stroller liner for Nathan's Maclaren Techno XT. For some reason, I can't find it in any of the shops in Singapore, and had to resort to getting it online. It is a universal liner that can be used on all Maclaren strollers. Hope Nathan likes his stroller liner. Recently, I learnt that we got to get them used to sitting in their stollers / car seats from the start, and not wait till we decide to venture out after confinement's over before they get to ride in their new "toy" for the first time. So I suppose taking him for walks in his stroller shall be one of the wake time activities in his first month at home.

Laundry

I've finished washing Nathan's new clothes, bed sheets, waterproof sheets, blankets and towels. Just took one load cos the hand-me-downs came pre-washed. :) Have packed them into his little drawers. I've also made his bed - waterproof sheet, bedsheet, blanket, beansprout pillow. His room smells of Kodomo Detergent now. Thanks to all the nicely washed clothes.

The Car Seat

We were looking for a car seat that our baby can use from 0 to 4 years old. It's between that, and getting an infant carrier which can be used up to 12 months, then getting another car seat that can be used from 9 months to 4 years old. The advantage of the infant carrier is that it can be used to carry the baby in and out of the car without disturbing him too much. We figured that we will probably not be carrying our baby that way, so not much point for that. We also came across one that can be used from 0 to 7 years old. The price tag of such car seats are almost double that of the 0 to 4 years old kind. Given that we are planning to have more than one child, it did not quite make sense to get that one. That settles it. The search for a car seat that can be used from 0 to 4 years old begins.

After shopping around, we were down to two - Maxi Cosi Dori and Britax First Class. There is an ongoing promotion for the Maxi Cosi Dori, and most stores are selling it for $238. The down side is that it does not recline much and does not have much support for new borns. The Britax First Class is pricier, but has more recline positions, and looks more comfortable. Other than Mothercare, I couldn't find any other shops that carry the Britax First Class. Mothercare sells it at $468, and members get a 10% discount.

The Stroller

After much shopping around, we finally decided on the the Maclaren Techno XT. We were looking for a stroller that I'd be able to manage on my own with baby in tow. This one is light enough for me, and can be folded with one hand. We actually wanted to buy the one in scarlet red but we'd have to pay the full price for that colour. I decided to buy the one in sky blue instead. We can still get the comfort pack (for $30) in scarlet red if we decide to later on.

With the ongoing great singapore sale, all the places I've checked out are selling it at $428. Decided to make our purchase at Mothercare so that I'd get the VIP card. With the card, I can get baby's car seat at 10% discount.

Looking forward to quiet walks in the parks, grocery shopping, visits to the library/book stores, zoo outings... with baby in tow.

Preparations

Antenatal Classes

We have signed up for antenatal classes at Raffles Hospital. The six 1.5 hour lessons will cost $168. Very much cheaper than Birth and Beyond. I explored the Birth and Beyond option as we were put on the waiting list for the RH class commencing 30 June. If we didn't get a confirmed place, we'd need to attend classes elsewhere as the next run will not end before I deliver. Thank God we managed to get a place in RH. I suppose it'll be better as we'll get to tour the RH labour facilities. According to the schedule and topics, the following will be covered.

Lesson 1

- Maternal Nutrition

Lesson 2

- Changes in a Woman's Body During Pregnancy

- Exercises During Pregnancy

- Safety Considerations for Each Trimester

Lesson 3

- Relaxation Through Massage

- Coping with 1st Stage Labour

Lesson 4

- Coping with 2nd Stage Labour

- Moving Around During Early Postnatal Period

- Essential Exercises for the Postnatal Mother

- Hospital Tour

Lesson 5

- Prepartion for Breastfeeding & Common Concerns

Lesson 6

- Transition into Parenthood

- Normal Characteristic / Appearance of a Newborn

- Care for the Newborn

Suppose it'll be good for Deanaling who are still pretty clueless about the labour process.

Prepartion for Parenting

Two couples we spoke to over the weekend recommended Gary Ezzo's books (the Becoming Babywise series). There are also courses based on these books that are run by Growing Families International. I've bought the books, and signed up for the course. I believe we'll be able to pick up some useful pointers on parenting from this.

A Present for Daddy

Look what Baby got for his dearest daddy for father's day...


























With the help of mommy of course. She intentionally chose the 12 to 18 months size so that Baby can still fit into it next father's day. Daddy was rather amused. :)

The Essentials

My sister compiled a list of essentials c/w her favourite brands. With the numerous brands available in the market, I suppose it can be pretty daunting for first time moms. So I'm posting the list she gave me here. If you prefer the "tried and tested", here goes...

For Baby

1) Bath/Shower gel: Cetaphil, Quwash

2) Cotton pads: Guardian

3) Nappy rash cream: Nephew & Smith

4) Diapers: Mamy Poko Newborn (night time) & Drypers Small (day time)

5) Wet wipes: Pigeon, Tolly Joy (fragrance free)

6) Comb: Pigeon

7) Nail scissors: Pigeon

8) Milk bottles: Pigeon (buy 2 of the smallest size for water)

9) Pacifier: Avent (set of 2)

10) Bean sprout pillow: Spring Maternity

For Mommy

1) Breast pads: Tolly Joy

2) Sanitary pads: Kotex Ultra Thin, Cottony, Ultra Long with Wings

3) Nursing bra: Mothers En Vogue, Spring Maternity, Mothercare

4) Nipple cream: Cocoa Butter