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)
So much for rushing to a impromptu gathering out of goodwill. After all the trouble of finding parking lot, and much effort to end the previous event. Emme was crying badly the moment we stepped into the restaurant. Hubby and I were so busy pacifying her while feeding her.
Finally we had a breather, I got this comment from someone.
❝ Big size doesn't mean good. Later her motor skills will be affected, due to clumsiness. ❞
Faked through the half hour socializing.
Right before the gathering dispersed, I got another comment from another person.
❝ Look! Pig trotter! ❞, holding on Emme's left thigh.
Don't know if I am PMS or what, my tears started to drop secretly while pushing Emme back to the car. The moment I board the car, I burst into tears. I never thought that Emme can be this sensible at her age! Instead of her usual jumping and hyperactivity, she hugged me at my tummy, looking up to my face innocently.
Baby Emme, thank you so much! Mama loves u so much!
To the first someone: Even though you might not have the intention of sarcasm, you hurt me deeply. I perceived myself as a modern mummy, I know clearly that over chubby doesn't mean good or healthy! I was once terribly obese (member of TAF club, aka Trim and Fit club for those who are overweight) and I know all the shit of people calling me names. Would I be this stupid to land my own flesh and blood in such state? I know that your daughter was petite, but please don't use her as a benchmark as how a five month infant should look like. We feed our baby girl when she is hungry BUT NOT STUFFING HER LIKE A GOOSE! Every baby develops differently. If her health is jeopardized by her size, my hubby and I will be the first to be concerned, not you. We have already sought advice by doctors and nurses. And there is no such thing as obesity in infant stage.
To the second someone: I know that you are jokingly making such comment, but this stabs me in my heart. How will you feel if I say that your leg looks like pig trotter or belly looks like pork belly? I hope you can put yourself in others' first before making comment that is supposed to be joke.
I want to strongly emphasize that baby growth cannot be controlled; baby growth is NOT an application that can be edited programmatically.
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.
Hoho, its a new cycle of CardioBox yesterday. BUT HUBBY JOINED ME THIS TIME ROUND, involuntarily. LOL! I created his icanbook (for registering Singapore Sports Council courses) account and enrolled for him! *twisted fingers* Come on, keeping fit or maintaining fitness level in sedentary work nature is healthy ok! There is assessment of personal fitness level this round.
We need to do as many reps in the following eight exercises (break in between) in one minute, and record down our results.
1. Switch Kicks (for us, 1 kick = 1 rep) 2. Power Jacks 3. Power Knees 4. Power Jumps 5. Globe Jumps (for us 1 jump = 1 rep)
6. Suicide Jumps (we know it as Burpee Jumps) 7. Push-up Jacks 8. Low Plank Oblique
With respect to all I can remember, this is my first time doing such repetitions. The previous assessment was pretty standard like squatting, push-up, burpee and bicycle sit-ups. The above test actually work out the entire body. In other words, much tougher!
By the end of the test, all of us were panting like hell. He claimed that he was tolerating his upset tummy during cooling down exercises, poor boy. Some people do experience runny tummy after cardio exercises due to the contraction of muscle to propel the contents through digestive tract.
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It always very heart warming to see Emme improving each day.
Look! She's holding her own milk bottle (for awhile)!!!
In the 5th month, baby grows stronger and is more wary of her surrounding and people. Emme starts to be able to sit with support :) Attracted to different types of noises, bright colors and new faces. She reaches out attempting to grab things that interest her and put them in her mouth. Her curiosity got sky high. As a parent, we have to keep small items away from your infants to prevent them from choking out of their mouth.
Emme loves to blow "raspberries". There is a old wives' tale saying that if your child blow "raspberries", your hair will drop rapidly. It does happen to me now, which is very depressing. But in scientific terms, hormones is the culprit.
Recently, Emme was sick, she had this serious nose blocked with mucus. At times, applying saline drop might not help to remove her dried thickened mucus plug in her nostrils. I need to use round-tipped tweezer to remove the solid/semi-solid mucus. The extraction process is tougher. When she saw the tweezer, she will either scream or cry. Now, she will try to catch my tweezer to stop me from moving on.
When comes to fever, it is not a joke. Not to say on infants where their immune systems are much much much lower than an adult.
Emme is real sick this time, as in not part of the symptoms of a vaccine. She turned a little moody than usual, and was unable to get into her usual nap last Monday. This was when my parents suspected she got fever. Her body temperature was 38.2 deg! Poor baby was fed with 2.5ml of liquid Paracetamol. Feeding her first dose was easy. But the subsequent doses was WAR cos' she recognised the pattern!
Tips on how to feed infant medicine:Mix the necessary amount of liquid medicine into small amount of juice or milk, e.g. 80ml (an amount that your child will finish to ensure that he/she will finish all the medicine).
Her fever (with no other symptoms) subsided after two days. Then it came on Thursday, accompanied with blocked nose and cough. We continued to feed her with liquid Paracetamol and dropped nasal drop into her nostrils (she cried sooo badly that it hurt me deeply).
Her condition worsen on Friday that hubby and I decided to bring her to KKH. Symptoms that you need to bring your child to the doctor immediately.
Your baby is particularly sleepy or drowsy.
Your baby temperature climbs above 38 deg. Emme's fever come and go.
Your baby is having diffculty breathing (may leads to trouble sleeping). Emme is unable to sleep for two nights.
Your baby is coughing out green, yellow or brown mucus, or it's running from his nose. Emme has tinge of blood in her mucus.
Thank god that her lungs were clean. Other than monitoring her fever, we brought her to have her mucus vacuumed. It was painful to witness the scene, no wonder the nurses told me not to cry when I insisted on staying beside Emme. She soon dozed off in my arms after the torture, cos' her pipe and throat were much cleared!
our little warrior on one fine morning giggling even though she was running mild fever
Putting aside the fact that she was a little sick, Emme never fail to amaze us. She nearly pulled the blood pressure machine off the table when a nurse was examining her preliminarily. When its the doctor's turn, she pulled the doctor's stereoscope and her uniform, she sure have flaunted her herculous ability and shocked the doctor.
Emme weighs a whopping 9.3kg three days to her fifth months old and measures approximately 67 to 68cm.
I always believe that being chubby during baby stage is the cutest thing that can happen to parents! And that's the only time that when a person is chubby, he/she will still get compliments. Imagine you are 16 years old, you are still freaking obese chubby, will those aunties continue to praise you "sooo cute!" or say mean things (behind your back, most of the times) like "wah, that kid sooo fat, need to jian fei!" or even "fat and ugly".
Feed only when hungry
Emme used to turn her head and open her mouth towards my breast when she was hungry (first 3 months). Now, she cries LOUDLY. Once the milk bottle gets into her line of sight, she will lock the target and stare hungrily, with the both hands trying to grab the bottle ambitiously. LOL.
This leads to another question "should we give babies milk on demand?"
As a mother of a "well-fed" baby, I will try to stick to a schedule of at least every 3 hours when comes to feeding Emme. As she still regurgitates after most meal, I thought it might be a better idea for her to digest longer. Regurgitation occurs because the baby is still growing his/her tummy and usually go away when he/she is 6 to 7 months old (in most cases).
BUT, to the older generation, they thought that the baby is fed well and SUPER healthy when he/she is gaining weight steadily (not when a four months baby blends into a group of nine months babies without effort!!!). SO when the baby cries, they always thought that she is hungry. If they are the ones looking after their grandchildren, they will make milk in thunder speed. And they ASSUMED that you are ill-treating the baby when you refuse to feed her the moment she cries. *frustrated*
NO, CHUBBY ≠ HEALTHY (okay, I still hope the my baby is chubby, but not overly chubby! Skinny baby makes me sad.)
Never Over-feed
Usually there are instructions printed outside the milk powder tin on the amount of water needed for each bottle and the number of scoops of powder to use. A general guideline (for babies who are not taking solid food) that I read is your baby will want between 150 to 200ml per kilogram of his/her body weight per day. Not a fixed number, just a gauge!
Emme is around 9kg. So she require 1350 to 1800ml over a period of 24 hours (almost 2 litres daily!! That explains why I need to buy one tin of milk powder almost every week, fml). She drinks about 200ml per feed. On average, she need to be fed 6 to 9 times each day, 2 to 3 hours interval. She seems to drink more after she poos though. Her sleep may be disturbed when she doesn't have enough during the day - yes, she woke up twice this week at 2am, crying for milk.
Stop when your baby is full
Although the price of milk powder is hiking, never force your baby to finish a bottle! Don't be silly, his/her appetite varies each meal, just like an normal adult! Your baby will talk you when she hasn't got enough. Emme cries immediately when the milk bottle slips out of her mouth when she is not full.
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