I think it is unavoidable that mothers (especially when your child is four months and above) experience hair problems.
When I was young, my mother complained that she suffered from severe hair loss (post pregnancy), one huge patch was gone at the back of her head! So not obvious that she only realised the problem during a hair cut where the hair dresser said "Ah, aunty ah, 你头后面没有头发.". So the ordeal was 3 jabs onto the scalp of the problematic area! YES! NEEDLES!
Two to three years ago, I suffered similar problem, but more mild. *sniff sniff* The left side of my head, sizing up to be more than a fifty cents coin. Visited our GP, applied medicine and bought zinc vitamins from the pharmacy. The doctor suspected that I have a sudden spike loss of zinc (through intensive exercises). Hair grew back gradually. *Phew*
Seven months ago, IT HAPPENED AGAIN! Now, its the hormones. A small patch of hair went missing at the back of my head. I didn't visit the GP this time round, cos I was told that such thing was common. I niam-ed non stop until i feel that my hair grows enough in my definition. HAHA. Poor hubby.
Three months ago, I started to experience severe hair loss (overall, not patch). Again, I was told that it is one of a common post pregnancy. I dropped more hair than usual during bath, comb and anytime! But I was so worried that the growth is unable to sustain the dropping rate. Before the issue of hair loss recover, my scalp turned itchy most of my waking time. And dandruff started conquering my scalp. Snow falls so frequently onto my shoulders. Feeling so inferior wearing dark colored clothings. And worst of all, dark colored apparels are my best wardrobe friends!
Researched and tried different anti-dandruff shampoos. THEN, before I could get over the snow season, MY HAIR (OWN HEAD) TURNED OILY! It is like the inside of a kuali (a large metal Chinese cooking pot having a curved base like a bow)! My neck and face were affected!
After intensive researching, I'm proud to say that I found an effective remedy for removing the grease.
Mix some baking soda with your choice of shampoo then wash and rinse as per normal! The amount of soda used depends fully on the condition of your hair. If it is god damn oily (like kuali after u fried chicken), you can use perhaps one teaspoon of baking soda. For me, I add 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon. After two washes, my hair went back to normal!
Im still in the midst of battling dandruff and hair loss, will update if there's new discovery!
When Emme hits 6 months (she is 6.5+ months now, FYI), I was soooo excited that she will be able to take solid food. Least that I can expect is the starting process was soooo tedious and sooo demoralising!
Weeks before her actual 6 months, I bought baby biscuits, rice cereal, studied the feeding schedule of alternating milk and solids and etc... Oh, even baby bowl and plates!
So let's talk about the day when I decided to let her taste her FIRSTrice cereal using a baby spoon!
I carefully mixed the rice cereal with milk, so that it is not tooo thick or running. Digressed abit, the rice cereal was provided by Emme's pediatric during her 6th month assessment. She turned cranky the moment she entered the room and cried all the way. Since the doctor could not assess her, all he did was asked me questions. After i said that Emme doesn't sleep on her tummy and flip and taking her weight into consideration, he jitao indirectly told me that Emme was obese, and her psycho motor skills were affected. And he questioned about Emme's feeds, he was traumatised about the amount of liquid milk Emme took and the frequency. Then asked me to cut the milk and "force" her to take solid food. Come on lo, its not me that I don't want to feed her, I'm more excited to feed her solid la. BUT EMME CANT ACCEPT THE SOLID YET! What can I do? So I emo and lun until we board the bus before I cry. HAHA, I think I'm very sensitive when comes to Emme's weight and overall health being.
Back to the rice cereal, I placed Emme in her bumbo chair and fed her. SHE REJECTED! Super sad! The cereal flowed out of her mouth like glue.
I'm not that easily defeated hor! After getting some enlightenment from my colleague that she might like sweet food, I got sweet Banana Custard (Heinz) and fed her. BIG FAT SUCCESS! Why didn't I thought of this! She ordered alot of sweet food via womb service when she was in my belly!
Did I miss out saying that Emme love sweet stuffs, like the daddy? We let her taste ice cream, and she LOVED it and kept asking for more! *HAPPY*
Two days ago, Emme finished a small bottle of baby food - PRUNE! Despite the extreme mess during feed, it effectively relieved her from her constipation problem! *Double HAPPINESS*
Mess on her face and top while having Prune baby food!
Saturday was never the same ever since we started our family. Hubby and I tends to get a little busier than usual. We always complain to each other than time spent together are passing too fast!
Rarely, we found ourselves at a much more relaxed pace last Saturday. After bathing Emme, we placed her on her day bed to watch Doraemon (on MediaCorp Ch 8 every Saturday and Sunday at 0930hrs). Looking at her enjoying her milk and watching tv at the same time was a true bless.
So... when hubby was helping out to feed the baby, I dug out my old Mr. Kiasu glasses (from Bangkok) while looking for something that I cant remember. Side tracked alittle, my system turned so much older after giving birth, wtf. My memory slipped off within seconds. I'm as good as suffering from amnesia -.-" Sad max!
Then I placed the specs on Emme and the hubby immediately shook his head. Emme looked extremely cute right?
From role as daughter+wife to daughter+wife+mother! The responsibilities increased exponentially.
In the past, I am mainly stressed with
Why am I not earning enough (Refused to accept the fact that I am not saving enough)
Why am I gaining weight even though I am not eating that much
Why is my facial complexion looks dull
Why is my stamina worst as compared to the previous cardio class
Why isn't my menses coming on time (self-induced stress)
I need to reach home at 8pm for a launch if not I will be able to get the dress I'm eyeing on at a particular e-store (I'm a typical blogshop shopper addict)
Now, with the above still applicable, I'm ALSO stressed with
Why is Emme resisting tummy time
Why is Emme putting on weight so rapidly
Why is Emme constipating
Why is Emme unable to roll over
Why is Emme not sleeping on her side
Why is Emme not responding to me
Will Emme grows/develops slower than her peers
Am I a dispensable mother to Emme (constant feel that I am not spending enough time with her)
and list goes on...
Practically, I'm stressed with preparing my child to meet her endless milestones and day to day behaviors in life.
Is it only me that is over-concerned with our child's development? Even though I consciously understand that every baby grows differently and at different pace, I will still compare our baby with her peers, cos' I AM KIASU! I just don't want Emme to lose out when she grows up. Who don't want their kids to shine right?
Knowing that it is Emme's 6th month assessment with her paediatric next week, I flipped to the checklist in her health booklet and self assessed her first. 职业妈妈病. And I started to panic I know that she will be assessed with rolling over. See, all these are self-induced stress!
I realised that all these can't go on, my loved ones will be the first to feel the impact with my negativity. I thus decided to do some self reflections during the weekend since our schedule was rather light.
For Myself
Shed the +3kg (sometimes +4kg) that I have gained from pregnancy healthily
Plan out future for the family (insurances, accomodation, financial and other aspects)
Save more for the rainy days
Know more about make-up
Gain back my stamina for long distance run
For Emme
Spend more quality time with her
Bring her for swim/spa (I will try with weekly)
Engage more activities with her to meet future milestones (next: Taking Solid Food! EXCITING!)
For the Family
Spend more time with them
Listen to them more (mainly domestic issues, since I'm considered the sole bread winner?)
Plan the first oversea trip (I need to make passports for them first!!)
For the Husband
More couple times together
More attention to you (most times and effort are on Emme nowadays, I confessed)
Went home to kidnap Emme out to Tiong Bahru Plaza to collect red bomb for a gathering on Friday. Walking close to a km carrying Emme is no joke, luckily dad shared half of my loads since he needs to buy fruits nearby. Dining with a infant without a stroller can be challenging. I asked dad for suggestion if I should bring stroller that evening, he replied "Mai la, ma fan". So I regretted. Emme was busy hitting the table and attempting to eat the table before she turned rowdy. She drank some milk and soon fell asleep on me. Managed to disturb her alil' to wake up for photo taking! YAY!
Curious baby with Joan and Elaine (the bride-to-be)
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After the usual routine of tidying up Emme laundry and bed, I went to expo to collect race pack for upcoming Sundown Marathon. Guess what!? I went there WITHOUT hubby's authorisation slip and photocopied IC. The feeling is like my world was casted with thunderstorm suddenly. EXPO IS NOT NEAR MY HOUSE LO! Stupid me mixed the folded papers with diaper when I was packing the bag! FML. Heng, hubby never blame me (cos' I initially wanted to loosen his hectic schedule by volunteering to collect the race packs myself). *muacks* In the end, I went to Expo twice a day, with hubby driving the second time. Did I missed out saying that our little bundle of joy joined us to Expo too? She was busy tasting her pillow while waiting for her daddy. Its a pity that there's no photos, my hands were severely tied up with Emme.
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It was Alston's first birthday celebration at Cycle & Carriage Wellness Haven. Quite a good and conducive place I would say.
Snapshots of the venue space
There is this sofa area, excellent place for diaper changing! hehe. Our model wannabe on a rattan hanging egg chair after having her diaper changed.
Soon after Emme's posing, Alston came in cos' he need to change diaper too!
The little big boy. Isn't he cute?!
Oh oh oh! Normally when two adults first met, they will shake hands right? Babies can do that too (after some attempts though)! See how magnanimous our baby girl was, she reached out her tiny hand! So proud of you, Emme!
Emme had her lunch while we had ours. Not sure if she has started teething, she picks up the habit of biting her milk bottle nipple, especially when she is drinking water. Super pek cek at times, cos' she will dirty her face and clothes! Caught her red handed playing with her milk bottle while drinking milk! Tsk tsk tsk, after some stern stare at her, she guai guai drank her milk. HAHA.
Some photos before we headed down to the second gathering after Alston's to end this entry.
Group shot ((:
That's me and the birthday boy!
Last but not least, the two adorable babies together. That's my warrior, hahahaha.
It was my FIRST Mother's Day. We don't usually celebrate traditionally actually, but sweetness can be added if the hubby could surprise me with something (no matter what its our first Mother's Day right?). But it's okays.
Dear Sweetie Pie,
All mummy wishes for in every Mother's Day is your pink of health! Seeing you grow up is a true blessing, despite the uncounted ups and downs. It hurts seeing you suffer when you are sick, like a knife stabbing through the heart. Get well soon, baby!
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