Was back at my mom's place today, just so I can buy the food jar for JCH's porridge. Now, we can go out and JCH will still be able to have his porridge!

I think this model is relatively new, can't seem to find pictures online (or I just didn't input the right search words). So went out and open up the bag to take the pictures. In consideration that it can get difficult to open the lid of the food jar after hot food is locked inside, Tiger has this two holes that you can use a toothpick to just poke any one of the holes to release some pressure within the jar before unscrewing the cap. This will make opening the food jar easier and less muscling around. Tangs@Vivo City is selling this for $101.00 (if I remember correctly, its including the bag and spoon as well), while Kimable was selling it for $99.00. Last when I was visiting Tangs and Kimable, both places' sales have told me that to keep baby food warm, this type of stainless steel jar is the best. Those with added plastic compartments are thermal LUNCH BOXES, and are good for adult food and when one has to separate the veggies from the meat and gravy and the rice. Anyway, I figured that if I really have to separate food using this jar, it is pretty easy to head off to either Daiso or hardware shops and buy stainless steel bowls that can fit into this food jar right? Using stainless steel containers sounds better than plastic, even though they paste that the plastic containers can withstand heat, are BPA free and all.

And no, I didn't choose to buy from Kimable just to save that $2.00. I have purposefully went back to Kimable because it was located within a Capitaland shopping mall and I can use the vouchers that we were blessed with during JCH's full month celebration before it expires. It just happens that its nearby my mom's place.

Of the many food jars around in the market, Zojirushi and Tiger are ranked high for their heat retaining properties. Well, I am about to test Tiger for it tomorrow! And will post the result! Got the largest available so that as JCH's appetite grows, the jar will be able to accommodate the volume of food I need to bring around. Within the bag itself, there's room to put a chopstick set with/without cover, I've put a Ikea feeding bowl inside, a sponge for cleaning up and a small bottle of detergent for washing. Meanwhile for those looking for some feedbacks on thermal food jars, can refer to Bento with Love for one.

And to share a collage from this afternoon's moustache pacifier episode.

Good night!

The season of flu, stomach flu, and mooncake munching!

Just had durians straight from Malaysia for brunch, how much more yummilicious and nutritious can a brunch get! Hahas! Am back at my mom's place for today and so happened she went to Malaysia yesterday for her treatment with some friends, and on their way back, they tabaoed durians out too!! Slurpslurp!

Following the exit of the stomach flu bug from our family, i have been reading about some of my friends' families getting hit by the nasty stomach flu bug. I think, even stomach flu has a season and it is now. Please take good care all, simply because it is not only heart wrenching to see your children and babies suffering from the bug, but also very trying and tiring for mommies. Somehow, in this round of the stomach flu season, i have observed a trend: everyone in the family can get hit by the bug - babies, children, dads etc - but mommies are always free from the bug. Seems like we mommies are somewhat immune towards the bug.

While tis the season of stomach virus, it is also the season of mooncake munching!! With Takashimaya's Mooncake Fair 2013 underway (15Aug to 15Sep), Vivo City's Mooncake Fair 2013 just started yesterday (27Aug to 19Sep), and many credit cards and hotels promos already running, be sure to spot the little snack in all colors, flavors, shapes, sizes, and packing everywhere you go. Mind you, this is a very big business (mooncake selling). Its not just the selling of the pastry itself, it is also the selling of its packaging and brand names. People are buying in part due to the pretty packaging that the pastry comes in. Plus the massive orders sold to not only consumers, but also corporate clients who prints their company names on the boxes. Especially in certain industries, where it is normal to see boxes and boxes of mooncakes sent to the upline companies as a mark of greetings and respect.

So enjoy the mooncake munching and stay bug-free!

*credits: best-singapore-guide.com*

Here's JCH enjoying his new moustache paci from my brother, while we enjoy the mooncakes and durians! Haha! If anyone's interested in such quirky pacifiers, this was bought from a small, quaint Japanese shop at Vivo City, located on Level 1 opposite Gong Cha. I'm making a trip there to buy one more funky paci if i can find one, because this paci is meant for 0-6 mths old! JCH needs a bigger paci. Haha!

*oohh..mommy when did i grow a moustache so thick??*

Of Joolz and World Breastfeeding Week

(MAJOR SHARING ON THE JOOLZ EXPERIENCE)

 

 

Finally got to this post! And I feel I have to do this post because though there are Joolz users in SG, I can't find anyone doing any post on using this stroller! From last year till like now, not even when I google. So yes, I'm having a Joolz stroller in the house!! Bought it second hand but its in good condition so..yipee!! Why the excitement? Because its THE stroller I wanted to get even before JCH was born. Be warned, this is going to be a long post!

 

After doing extensive research on strollers (back in 2012 Nov/Dec), I find that Joolz is the ideal one for me because:

1. It is one of the 2 strollers (the other being Stokke) that puts baby higher up, and this to me means shopping-bag-banging accidents is hugely minimized. I have seen so many near misses in shopping malls that I get so scared of any one of the near-misses happening to my baby.
2. Serves the same primary function as Stokke (i.e. baby higher up), but is cheaper.
3. It allows baby to face inwards or outwards.
4. It has a really cool slick look about it, plus the many varied materials to choose from especially denim! (fortunately for me, I managed to get the preloved Joolz in denim!)
5. Upon collapsing, it is self-standing.
6. Being a travel system, means if we are going to have a car in the future, I am able to put the car seat onto the chassis just by using the maxi-cosi adapters! (included in the purchase by seller..yes!)

DISCLAIMER: Have nothing against Stokke, it is a good stroller, but Joolz has won my heart long time ago!

 

Eventually, we didn't get the Joolz even though I was head over heels for it. At that time, we had concerns that it is expensive compared to conventional strollers, whether I can manoeuvre it without help and that it is a stroller only for those with driving. We got a light weight Aprica Karoon Plus stroller in the end. It is a great stroller as well due to its weight, the fact that it has a cover-all-the-way sunshade and the great manoeuvrings it can offer. We do not drive, and almost 99% of the times when I travel out with JCH using the stroller, I have to walk to use the train. Over time, I started to miss Joolz more and more when AKP wasn't enough. At first I thought, ah I was just missing Joolz because it looks so much cooler, in fashion, and baby can be higher. When I got my hands on the preloved Joolz, I started to realize, hey no, Joolz is really a lot better for the reasons below:

 

(all points below are not made up, they are the differences that I felt Joolz brought for me after using it for the past month)

1. My baby is higher now. This translate to no bending forward (better for my back) or squatting down just to reach for my baby to comfort him when he needs it, and also better interaction especially when I put him facing me. This also means I can avoid unpleasant situations on the trains when some pervert uncles (whether purposefully or out of no choice because the train is too crowded) slot themselves so close and just between me and the AKP (I had to align the AKP so baby is facing me 90deg so as to not block traffic by having baby facing me direct, so imagine a "L" shape, with me at one end, baby at the other and uncle at the corner), such that when I have to bend over to give JCH his pacifier, I can almost kiss his d**k. Now with JCH higher, he is at my eye level. No more bending over and no more pervert uncles.
2. It is a higher and wider stroller, so people pretty much siam the stroller now. I had enough of people brushing the AKP, or worse banging by the sides, just to squeeze by me and the stroller. As if they didn't see the stroller, or thinks there's no baby in the stroller. Think I'm just super suay to keep getting bullied this manner and JCH often gets startled awake when it happens, and he cries and I have to rush to a corner, squat down and comfort him back to sleep. Now, people just MOVE AWAY.
3. Because it is heavier, it also means it is studier. Coupled with the 4-wheel suspension, whenever it gets pushed over the dots on the floor meant for the blind, the impact is less severe and it doesn't feel like a car being driven over a road riddled with potholes. There is a section of the road which I have to pass that is not flat straight, its slanted with one side higher. With JCH getting heavier and heavier, it gets increasingly difficult to drive AKP over that path. So initially I thought, I am so screwed now, having to drive a 12kg stroller over that lopsided road when I could barely manage a 4.6kg stroller (with a 8kg baby sitting in it) over it. To my super-duper surprise, it is so much easier to drive over that section of the road! I think it is because of the suspension system. I can even do it single-handedly without feeling the stroller going downhill towards the road.
4. Whenever I needed to brake the stroller in the train, its just one step away, compared to previously when I had to step left and right.
5. I can have the handle bar adjusted closer to myself, so I wouldn't have to hunch over anymore, not even when I rest myself on the handle bar!
6. I can feel free to hang shopping baskets whenever I go grocery shopping at the supermarkets without having to worry about the stroller toppling over, because it is heavy enough to counteract! But of cos, don't think you can mount a mountainload of grocery la!
7. Removal of the fabric for washing or plain old sunning is so much easier now - just by a zip! With the sunshade that's removable as well, I can pretty much sun almost every inch of the stroller seat, inside and out.
8. After pushing in the safety catch, it is possible to fold down the stroller with one hand.
9. This preloved Joolz was acquired because JCH seems to be growing a bit big for the AKP. It allowed him wider shoulder allowance, and definitely a lot of room to grow tall. Joolz has the longest stroller seat in the market when the leg rest is pulled all the way down! Plus I have a matching bassinet at home, a great help from Miss YM and Mr ST.
10. Did I mention I love the cool leather handle bar and guard bar? Also the aluminium chassis? Though I love the black chassis more.

After this one month of using Joolz, I am ready to say a statement: it is not a stroller meant only for families who drive. I didn't have to worry about lifting this heavy stroller at all, simply because I didn't have to. I am real lucky that my location now is of walkable distance (around 10-15min exercise) to a train station. When I take cab, just fold it down and signal for taxi uncle to assist in putting it in the trunk. They usually help without being asked to. But of cos, remember to thank them for helping. It is a hefty 12kg baby afterall! When we're home after being out, just park the Joolz at a corner. I would wash the wheels sometimes, because the Joolz doubles as a push-chair for JCH at home sometimes.

 

And it seems like endless possibilities for this stroller. They have now come up with a summer seat, and their very own standing board for that older sibling to stand on! I am so going to buy that standing board. But first, some enquiries to clear with the company. Afterall, this is a preloved set, and I'm not sure if the standing board will fit this older chassis.

 

All in all, we have come a big round my love! I believe more good times will come for you, me and JCH.

 

Okok, this ends my raving about Joolz. I really do hope that anyone considering to buy it, please do not get pushed away by its weight factor. My logic is: if I have to buy a conventional stroller and it weighs in at 8-10kg, costs $900++, I would rather buy this travel system for $1000++. AKP is still in use at the moment, when hubs is out with me and we need to travel by bus, or when I bring it with me to my mom's place for visit. :) Of cos, another essential item that works to complement travelling with a folded stroller would be a good baby carrier. Mine is an Ergobaby, and no, there is no need for me to share much about it, it is well documented all around.

 

I have just found out from Mr RC's sharing that this week is WORLD BREASTFEEDING WEEK!!! Woooyayy~~~!! Whatever I want to say, has already been summarized by this post: http://ouradoptionfaithwalk.blogspot.com.au/2013/08/world-breastfeeding-week-salute.html . For all mamas who had breastfed before, still breastfeeding, going to breastfeed in time to come, or not breastfeeding at all: you are all great mamas! This is a topic that is so close to my heart because from the start, I haven't got enough BM for JCH. So all along, he has been partial breastfed only. It was really emotional for me at the start, but over time I have learnt to accept that whatever helps my baby to thrive works. Still, when the time came for me to totally wean him off, it was another emotional period, but shorter in duration, like a few days. I had withdrawal symptoms! And now, he is drinking FM total and feeding well (but still a messy eater) on homecooked baby porridge!

He's fed cereal in the morning, and sometimes in the afternoon if I got tired and needed to nap.

 

There you go, a healthy chubby baby showing his pose.

 

And happy 7th month old my dearest baby. <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3



Been a while..end of hoohaas..

Been two weeks since last post, but i thought it felt like one month though.

On that day of my last post, brought JCH out for grocery shopping, and on the Sunday that followed we were all back at NUH Children's A&E. JCH was down with a second round of stomach virus. He was all clear for Friday and Saturday, and by Sunday morning, he was vomiting and diarrhea-ing like mad. Rushed him to A&E by late morning, and the doctor there confirmed he had a second round of stomach virus. The next 2 days that followed, he was vomiting almost every single feed, and diarrhea-ing like 3 to 5 times a day. It was so worrysome. Until Wednesday, the vomiting stopped and we went for the follow-up appointment. Doctor checked on his stomach, and told us that the stirring is not there anymore. Thank God and he was finally keeping his milk in. By Thursday his diarrhea bouts stopped altogether. It was horrible and very heartwrenching to see the little baby have milk welling out of his mouth, and having to keep clearing his butt till it was a little red. Each time he finishes drinking, he'll give me a look that seems to be asking "mommy, will i vomit if i burp now?" and it aches. And each time just before he farts he'll look at me again, like asking "mom, will there be poopoo gushing out if i let off gas?" and it aches again. Each time, can only pray that he can burp, and no milk wells out of his mouth, and he can fart, without having poopoo gush out and his butt has to get cleaned. But each time the bad happens, he'll give a shock expression and it aches even more.

We're very lucky to be living in such a time and place, where medical assistance and knowledge is always so readily available. We were given the orange Hydralyte (for hydration), Lacteol Fort powder (to increase the good bacteria in the stomach), and Dioctahedral Smectite powder (to 'consolidate' his diarrhoea so that its less watery). So, from Sunday (after we're back from NUH) to Wednesday, JCH will be fed the Hydralyte first - so that he would at least have replenished hydration (dehydration can have dire consequences with the worst being fits, as experienced by a friend's baby, trust me, you wouldn't want to go through what she went through when her baby had the fits), and then the Lactoel Fort solution - to introduce the good bacteria, speed up fighting process in the guts and speedy recovery, the Smectite powder solution to serve its purpose, followed by a 5min rest and then his milk. Thankfully, JCH has been willing to coorperate and drink in this particular sequence (self-devised, so for your reference) with minimum fuss. Feeding of the Hydralyte and the powder solutions were all done by syringe (separate syringe for each drink, so stock up on the syringes!). I guess being sick, he didn't have much of an appetite as well hence the minimum fuss. Milk feeding were given at really small amount each time. So imagine the multiple feeds ala 1st month feeding pattern. Totally bushed.

One tips to share with parents out there. I don't dispense medical advise here, so while you are welcome to read and reference, it is always a must to talk to your child's pediatrician about how you are going to administer medications. For JCH, for both Lactoel Fort and Smetite powder, they were dispensed with administration method as "2 times a day, each time half a packet" and the dispensing pharmacist told me "mix each of the powder with THIS much of water". I didn't know how much does her signed THIS much is. Plus, JCH refused to finish half a packet each time. So i asked a friend who is in the medical profession how much water to add and whether I can feed the 2 solutions throughout the day as and when JCH would take them. After discussions, this was what i did:

1. It is not advisable to pour the powders into the milk, hoping to let the baby take down the powder with the milk. Always remember that there is a reason why they said mix with water and not mix with milk. The powder might lose its intended purpose. UNLESS the baby refuses TOTALLY to take the solution. But always check with the pharmacist or pediatrician before you mix anything into the milk bottle.

2. I mixed the powders individually with about 50ml of water, plus/minus. 50ml is just an indicator.

3. The solutions were mixed and kept tight in a small milk bottle with the feeding syringe.

4 . Any left over solutions were all thrown away at the end of the day.

I find that feeding JCH the powder solutions in this manner allowed him to consume more of it. I hope this would be helpful for any parents who meet the same situation with me. Please let your doctor know you intend to feed your baby this way and listen to his recommendation. If he does not recommend what i have done, please do not follow. Always get the green light from your doctor. In my case, there's no doctor to call on a Sunday, and i just wanted JCH to take in as much of the Hydralyte and powder solutions possible. Hubs and i had discussed and with what we understand, we decided to go this course. Each baby reacts differently, so take caution.

Thank God his second episode cleared up on Thursday, and he was back in 100% play mode. Which was timely and very good, because we were due to return to my mom's and stay for the weekend - my dad is back for the weekend to visit! JCH gets to spend time with grandpa! Had a good weekend with my family. Thought i could finally catch up on some sleep, but i was so so wrong. Probably JCH wasn't used to the new mattress, which is harder than his own cot mattress, he kept waking up at night crying. Further adds on the the 1st month period feel. I was so panda-ish at the end of the stay. Afternoon naps helped save me from blanking out. Took the past two nights to regain energy, so here i am typing! Ha!

Finally after all the hoos-haas, life back to normal routine of taking care of a bubbling bub who keeps rolling and frolicking everywhere and anytime he can (totally revelling in his newfound and totally expert in his new mobility), cleaning up the mess that's been there for 2 weeks. Now back to sleep! Will update more laters.

Tasty corn kuehkueh!!

Ohh!! Saw this being shared around on FB and decided must share this as well! If any of you happen to be free tomorrow, and in the mood to try making some yummilicious kuehkueh to eat, try this!

Have fun trying! Makes a good dessert for children too when bite sized.

Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri & Happy National Day!!!

Woohoo long weekends!! Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri to dear Muslim friends. And Happy National Day to all fellow Singaporeans and to Singapore!! No impact on me, except for the Starhub perks and..THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE WINNER FOR JOOLZ SINGAPORE'S JULY COMPETITION!!! Oh~oh~oh~! Pls let it be me~I want to have the sweet baby!! If the winner isn't gonna be me, i am sure it will prove to be very useful for the parent, and comfortable and protective of the baby who's going to sit in it. Joolz is simply lovely.<3 <3 <3 Can't wait can't wait for the result!!

~>.<~

JCH is alot better today. Yesterday night he did diarrhoea, this morning also a little, but its to be expected (as forewarned by the doctor previously). Milk intake today was lesser than yesterday though. Ah, shall continue monitoring.

I don't have super memory, but i do have a wardrobe with frosted glass doors which doubles up as my writing board. Yay! Haha! So just keep writing all his milk intake and temperature on the glass, and when its done, use tissue to wipe away, continue writing new things! Green idea huh? XP So you who have got frosted glass or some glossy surface, just try a small corner with white board marker, and there you have, a canvas for writing! Especially when there are young children in the house, and you need a space either to do some teaching, or for them to draw on.

Earlier i mentioned about Starhub perks (which is specially for this National Day holidays), it allows free viewing of all channels, with the exception of Demand TV, until coming Monday noon time. So i have been catching up on my NatGeo and Discovery channels these two days. Oh how i missed watching NatGeo and Discovery!! Anyway, am homebound with a sick baby. Hopefully tomorrow he will be well enough (and if the weather is willing) to take a longer trip out with me. Did take him to the coffeeshop downstairs while i pack my breakfast/dinner to let him have some air. The wind these days has been rather cool and breezy, good for short walks.

That's about all for now. Oh and a reminder that Shu Uemura's icon products are going at lower prices in celebration of their 30th anniversary! So make use of this chance to stock up on your favorite and staple icon(s), and to earn the points for next year's redemption!

So, BPL for u?

Was watching AXN with JCH in the afternoon, and saw Starhub's advert on transferring BPL viewing from Singtel's box to theirs, and the caption for the advert was: Come Home to the Real Bros.

Seriously, BPL used to cost around $20. And then Singtel went in for the bidding and it shot up to $34.90. And now MDA passes the cross-carriage case, Singtel sets the price at nearly $60! Already I have known of friends who have either terminated their contract with mio (they subscribed in the first place just for BPL), or are going to terminate soon when the contract runs up. Thereafter whether they will resubscribe to Starhub to watch i unknown. Afterall, like hubs calculated, how many BPL matches can you and/or will you watch for the entire season? He figured it will be more worthwhile to head to a nearby Hans or pub and watch the big screen with his REAL BROS. Hahaha. It wil be kinda like how meet-ups for me goes. Guys have gossips too!! Not that he would tell me all (no need for me to know all the gossips they have), but the juicy ones will do. Hur hur hur.

Anyway, end of day cross-carriage or not, Singtel bills everyone for BPL viewership. Setting such a high price doesn't help them a single bit. Or may be, they know that with cross-carriage, more people will choose to cancel the mio box and view via Starhub's channel, so might as well earn as much as they can for this season? Price is not the definitive word now, quality is. Everyone knows that by running on cable, Starhub provides a better viewing experience.

Think for hubs, he might not subscribe to BPL. If i wanna watch the match with him, we'll just head out for dating. Not a bad option. XD

Today is a whole day of being home, as JCH rests and recovers. He's doing well, drinking nearly the same volume as he would on a normal day. Except that now instead of the stretched 3hourly feeding, I'm like feeding him every hourly or 2hours. Small quantity, multiple meals. As long as he doesn't merlions or get diarrhoea, i can deal with the feeding and washing frequency. He only took one dose of paracetamol early morning, thereafter his temperature stays in the normal range. Everything went well until just now, when he diarrhoeaed a little. But at least he has good fluid intake.

Despite not being well, he is very very alert and talkative during his waking hours!! Talked a lot to my mom when she came by to visit him. He even figured out how to turn from his tummy to his back!! Bravo boy!! Left the room to collect in all his stuff and saw him on his tummy. When i went back into the room, he was on his back, giving me the widest grin ever when i exclaimed "OH WHAT HAPPENED BABY!! WHAT DID YOU JUST DO???" Hubs got surprised by my exclamation and came in to make sure things are fine, and he too gave JCH the same reaction as i did when i told him what had happened. I turned JCH over on his tummy to see how he did it, and he slowly just turned himself over, having an expression that was like "uhh..yesyes its like this first..and this", and then shining his grin at us proudly when he's completely on his back. Very lovely moment. I know all babies do the same, but I'm so proud of ma boy!! Took a video of one of his performance but its in my Lumix. Shall find time to retrieve it.

Thank God, and thank everyone for praying for JCH. Just hope little baby will recover fully and get back his feeding schedule soon.

一波未平，一波又起 (one storm calms, and yet another arises)

Before I go into today's post content, just want to make a statement: I am a Chinese - a SINGAPOREAN Chinese. It's just that I know my Chinese better than some people I meet these days. And just this alone, qualifies me to be a China Chinese. It's odd. Hubs says I look like one too but I beg to differ. Probably I should ask my hairstylist next time "has it got something to do with this super easy to maintain hairstyle now?" Geez!

MY DEAR FRIENDS PLEASE TELL ME IF I LOOK LIKE CHINA CHINESE?!

And I told hubs after he made that comment: "Then this month you give me more allowance horh..(Why?)..Just so that I can go revamp my wardrobe duh!"

As the title states, one storm calms, and yet another arises. JCH is now down with an illness, something like food poisoning but not food poisoning. This is exactly how the doctor described things to us. "It's just that his guts are not well" Well, I can make that exact same conclusion before we even arrived at A&E.

Early morning fed JCH around 830am and we snoozed on the bed. Shifted him to the center of the bed so that I wouldn't keep falling into his crib, he suddenly coughed, gagged, and simply merlion-ed all his milk out. UNDIGESTED and even looks more than what he drank! Freaked me out so much bcos I was half asleep when that happened. He got startled himself too. Cleaned him up, took off the stained beddings for washing, check him out - he looks normal to me. Able to smile, talk at coffeeshop later, play, and sleep peacefully.

12nn came. 1230pm. Ah, 1pm. He finally woke up to drink. Fed him and he drank, and burped, continued playing, smiling and talking. But was fussy, didn't want to be laid down flat. Thought its just the vomit caused him discomfort. Didn't think that much. He felt warm when I was feeding him, but hey he always feels that way whenever he sleeps in the stroller for one hour when I pick him up. Sometimes he would sleep while I was making my way home from outside, and would just leave him to sleep in the stroller with the house fan switched on for better comfort. Until after feeding, burping and when I was gonna change his diapers, it went from warm to hot. That's when I took his temperature and saw it shooting up to 39deg. Luckily hubs happened to come home for a moment. We decided to use the cool patch on his forehead to cool his head, and monitor for a while more, thinking its just fever only. He wasn't oozy droozy. He's alert. Just fussy.

39.4deg. 38.43deg. 37.4deg. It was going down steadily until it stopped at 37.4deg at around 5pm when hubs came back early and he took JCH's temperature while I washed the bottles. He didn't feed at 4pm as he should have. Around 530pm then he's willing to drink a little. We took off the cooling patch and monitor. Around 6pm, he merlion-ed once again. When picking him up, smelt a bad foul poopoo smell. Hubs checked it out and saw from the sides he pooped. When I opened up his diapers, it was bad diarrhoea. Cleaned him, took his temperature again. It's going up again. Immediately took him to hospital, where we were told the above, JCH give a pill up his pipi to relieve his fever, and we were advised to give him a small feed to see if he could hold it in. When the nurse and doctor next came to check on JCH, his temperature went down to normal range, and he was holding in his feed well. Doctor gave the all clear to go home but told us to remain alert in monitoring for the coming days with these advice pamphlets.

 

Was told that bcos its only the first day that JCH has these symptoms, indicative that he's still in early stages of the illness, that over the next few days, his diarrhoea, vomiting and fever may persist in higher frequency, and after that will taper off as he recovers automatically. *sighs*

 

Feels quite beaten up that he's ill again. It's like, I didn't do well enough to protect him. Was told by hubs and mommy friend CG that being too clean might not be all good, bcos baby wouldn't get to build up his immune system. Now that he has this virus in him, means his body is able to produce the antibodies to act against the virus, meaning that he will have developed immunity towards this virus. Yes its true. But I still feel very beaten up over this whole spat of JCH being sick. First was thrush+nappy rash, then the flu, and now this. Also makes me ponder whether I made the right decision to wean him off so fast. And as I was pondering all these while washing up and clearing all the mess (we left in a hurry with a lot of washing half-done or undone, and a load of laundry to be hung up for drying), hubs came into the room and I told him "I smell baby's vomit everywhere.." To which hubs replied me: "I only smell vinegar in this room now.." I only used the vinegar solution to wipe down the bumbo chair and sterilizer lo. (-.-"" )

 

But for now I know for sure, gotta nurse baby back to health, and I gotta stay healthy and positive in order to do so.

 

Wish me luck.



Back after a one week hiatus

Took a one week break from blogging, not bcos of holiday plans (how I wish..), but bcos was sick along with baby. Yes, mommy sick, baby sick, daddy sick, everyone sick! But I am so glad to be typing this post like, 99% well already! Yes!! The flu+cough bug is out of this house now!! It was a super horrible week. Like ownself unwell, but have to take care of bb, do the usuals (minus big time cleaning toilet and room cleaning). So, whenever JCH takes his naps, I follow suit!! Nap it shall be! Ha! By sleeping, it is the best way for your body to recover from flu, and I am very blessed to be able to do that for one entire week! If it was back in the QS days, even doctor give MC also must die die go back work, and the flu can drag for one month to clear up!

 

So nap, nap and more nap. Luckily had bought the Tefal frying pan before I got sick, so managed to cook my own lunch.
 

Looks healthy right? Pork+veggies. It was tasty, serious! Took my vit C as usual, and cut up watermelon plus cooked a lot of barley to drink everyday!!!
 

I have to proclaim this one more time: I AM GLAD FOR ALL THESE EQUIPMENT THAT MAKES MY LIFE SO MUCH EASIER NOW!!! So thankful for the Joyoung Soya Milk Machine (used it to cook barley in 20min max!), slow cooker (to cook and keep the porridge warm for lunch and dinner), and non-stick technology so that my pork and veggies doesn't get stuck to the bottom of the frying pan! While using the Joyoung to cook barley water, I did a random search on FB and saw that there's a page for Joyoung!! There's so many recipes in there (including some for baby food) for reference! And TAH DAH~my helpers!

 

Of cos I did take cough syrup to help clear up the phlegm. It works wonders for me. Up until I was a teenager, my mom used to keep giving us the Ngim Jom Pi Pa Gao thingie. It never really clear up any sore throat. Until our family doctor (who has since moved to Aust) told her that it actually creates more phlegm than clear it, then she chanced upon this alternative. Since then, we have stuck with it.

 

Like previous mentioned, JCH was sick too (down with flu). Pd told to look out if he would start coughing. If it happens, means his lungs have got infected. Thank God JCH didn't develop cough and despite being sick, he was still playing, sleeping, and feeding as per normal. It was a good time to practice sitting up straight for JCH, and he prefers to do that bcos his nose wouldn't get so stuffy and the mucus actually will flow out!

 

 

Hmm, amendment - sleep time not quite normal, he would fuss around more bcos of the mucus in the nose. Yet at the same time, he wouldn't let me suck the mucus out of the nose some times. It was 40% of the times he stayed still and quiet, even talking, while I used the nasal aspirator to clear the mucus, and the remaining 60% he would fight and scream his lungs out till he choked. But I still have to do it, if not he can't breath properly. Like his airways are already so small (cos still baby what..), and the mucus are like there blocking it, resulting in him snorting, or crying when he can't breath properly. Took him to the pd last Monday and was given a nose drop which will dry up the mucus. BUT it was IMPOSSIBLE to administer the drops into his nose! First time - fail. Second time - I spilled the bottle on our bed. (T.T) Third time - I waited till he slept then sneakily dripped it in. Even though he was asleep, once the dripper touches his nose, his hands came up to whack it away. So, given the level of difficulty in administering, plus I was feeling so oozy from being ill, only successfully dripped it like 3 times in a course of one week? BAH! Was given liquid Zyrtec as well to use, IF after dripping the symptoms still doesn't go away. Didn't went to using Zyrtec.

 

Each time I used the aspirator, I would be reminded of the scene where Mr. FTan told hubs and me this (not exact word-for-word, but to present the point in conversation, it took place long time ago): "Eh you know to buy nasal aspirator ah, don't gong gong like me didn't buy. That time my son sick (with flu) super jialat." (Then got mucus? How? Don't tell me you suck it out!!) "Ya la! Super disgusting lo! Didn't know and never buy that time la. Eh last time our parents also do the same thing de ok. Last time where got such thing as nasal aspirator. So you two go and buy hah, unless you want to try sucking your son's mucus out by mouth also." LOL!

 

And so there goes one week - of being sick, of sleeping, of not much playing with JCH and no feeding of semi-solids. No feeding of semi-solids was bcos JCH still hasn't grasps the skill of eating proper! So feeding him would take me half hour, plus the wiping to be done, and the washing to be done. Cannot cannot..too much to handle. (>.<"" ) But one thing I manage to get done though: transferring and tidying JCH's pictures before my phone crash from the pictures and videos!

 

One week of rest, means this week will be mad catching up on what I missed out on doing last week! Ggggrraaahhh!! Super duper dislike being sick, and super duper don't like to see my baby being sick. If an adult is sick, we can take care of ourselves - self medicate or see a doctor to get diagnosis, take vitamins or whatever to help us get well. But when a baby is sick, no the baby cannot take antibiotics or vitamins, they don't know how to articulate what's making them sick and uncomfortable, and a doctor cannot do much except to give you some things to alleviate their discomfort (meds safe for them to use). Basically it makes me feel bad and worried on top of being sick to see JCH sick. Now that its all over, I AM GLAD. We managed to take JCH out to BabySpa for his swimming session finally!!

 

Our baby took to the bigger float on Sunday. Super happy to see him enjoying himself in the new float. The aunties there also happy to see him happily playing around.

 

Just started today to catch up on cleaning the room, and met with a cockroach nesting area at the most unexpected place! Activated my powerful handheld vacuum cleaner to such the big cockroach! And proceeded to vacuum the corners in the room since I had the vacuum cleaner up anyway.

 

Time to call it a day and rest now.

 

WAITING IN ANTICIPATION OF THE JOOLZ COMPETITION WINNER ANNOUNCEMENT! THE WAIT IS KILLING ME!! RRRAAARRRRR!!!!