7 mths 2 weeks old..

This is such a long overdue post..Boy had since started on solids at 5 mths 2 weeks old (22nd Sept 2011)..It is such an exciting phase especially when a new food is introduced to him...Only a couple of days ago, we started him on porridge and oats..had tried to work out a schedule for him and so far, he had been quite happy with the amt of food and milk...Daryl is now only drinking 3 milk feeds/day..and i m still expressing every 3-4 hrly..so there is suddenly an abundance of milk in the fridge (which hardly happened) in my 7.5 mth old moo moo career..

Maybe this is really an indication that I can start to gradually end this very fulfulling but tiring career...Tiring is really an underestatement!! Especially when i had been exclusively expressing..but i can proudly say i really did my best when i look back at the times where i cried/fret/pumped till my arms ached to provide for my baobei...

Hope i can do better at latching for no. 2..

But, i am still battling with the idea of stopping now cos i feel its such a waste and i cannot help feel guilty about it.. Hmm..then again, my holiday in dec would be a good start lah..since i dont think i want to pump every 3 hrs!! I need a real break and holiday !!

Anyway, at 7 mths 2 weeks old, Daryl boy is learning how to sit up and is babbling all the time!!

His first taste of food - rice cereal

Milestone

Daryl had finally learned to flip to his tummy at 4 months 2 weeks old! Cutie pie achieved his first flip in the morning before Mummy and Daddy went to work! :)

Time flies! I will need to return to work in 4 weeks time..had requested to work on a part time basis for at least a couple of months. Hope the management will accede to my request!

Have yet to bring Daryl out on my own..but its such a coincidence that Kavi had asked us out for lunch next week and she too will bring Sid out..so excited!!

Never knew looking after Daryl on my own could be so much fun! Though it takes some getting used to hurried meals and visits to the toilet, I am still enjoying this new experience totally!
I m glad I encouraged mum to go for her holidays in Sydney, cause if not for this, chances like this for me to look after bb on my own would be so rare!! Then again, its not like I am totally left on my own lah, cos I still have a helper to prepare meals and do the housework haha..and hubby to take over some feeds and diaper change.
Babies grow up so quickly! Daryl just turned 2 months old!!

Talking about time, I am looking forward to the day where i can fit into my old jeans!!! My SIL and friends keep telling me they regained their old figure 3 months after giving birth..and reassured me i would to..hur hur..How to when i cant do any exercise till Aug?!! Chams lah..

4 weeks old!

Daryl turned 4 weeks old last thursday! And i must say he has grown tremedously esp when i look back at the pics we took of him when he just came home.
We will be bringing him for his Hep B jab later..hope the doc at the polyclinic will let us know if he is developing well! And also some remedy to Daryl's phlegm, the poor boy seems to be in discomfort everytime after he drinks his milk!

Though I thought bringing him to the PD would be better, after hearing how Carol would bring her girl to the PD once a month to check on her growth and development. But dont know why hubs dont seem too keen about it..

Anyway, my first Mothers Day came and went..how sad..haha..was a little disappointed that hubs didnt really bother abt it too..oh well!

3rd day of my massage..and i really do hope it works! Cannot stand the sight of the loose bulge at my lower abdomen!!

The massage is not too bad, if only it was for 2 hours instead of 1 haha..greedy! Well, at least its time for me to relax without having to attend to Daryl for awhile..But it felt a little painful esp when she massage lady massaged my lower abdomen..
The binding with the cloth is the one that really needs sheer tolerance! Its super tight and restrictive that you will be forced to sit and stand up straight, it felt so uncomfortable as i wasnt used to it and even my breathing seemed restricted!! But i endured till 12 hours before releasing my bounded body! haha..

2nd day, better, i think i tolerated till 14 - 15 hours..Massage lady bounded the cloth a bit lower compared to the first day so that it restricted even my thighs..the cloth was tightening onto my thighs so much that it was too painful to bear..esp when i sat down..And since i had to move around much more at night to attend to bb, i surrendered..

3rd day today, feedback to massage lady about the pain around the thighs and it felt so much better today cos she adjusted the cloth..hope i can keep it on till tomorrow morning!!

It had been a totally new experience for me and Jeff for these few weeks..I will call this heavy duty on the job training! From trying to get bb to latch on, to figuring out how to use the bottles (Yes, no one told me you even had to learn to position the bottles at an angle for bb to suck properly!!), from working out how much to feed bb..and the list goes on..

I dont know how i can still survive with intermittent sleep time..Daryl wakes up almost every 3 hours for feeds..and sometimes it goes on more than that, he will cry for milk, feed him, change nappy, refuses to be put down and finally after carrying him for an hour, he falls asleep, then its time for me to express milk..after everything is over, i realise its an hour to his next feed!!

Am still adapting to all these challenges and i was definitely feeling the blues for the first couple of weeks, cried alot too..Am still feeling down at times now esp with my very inadequate milk production and esp when i hear friends around me doing total breast feeding or able to produce enough milk for their bb at each feed even with expressing..I know its silly to compare but somehow i feel so guilty for not being able to provide for my bb..

Another first time for me is to undergo the op, or rather the c-section. We had opted for bb to be out on the 5th April after consulting Stephen and before that, i was so worried that Daryl might decide to surprise us with an earlier labour, thank gdness he didnt but strange enough,i felt contractions the night before i went for the c! They were not the usual Braxton Hicks but they were painful and they came at regular intervals..

Experience at the operating theatre was scary!! The numbness waist down felt queer too..but given a choice, i would still have opted for the same..It was such a great relief when i first saw bb..Cos at least i didnt have to wait till i was awake to see him..Am glad hubby was with me throughout the entire op, would have felt so alone and helpless..

Next stage, is to get back in shape too! Hopefully i can start on my massage next week without my wound hurting too much..

Till then, will blog again when Daryl allows me to..

~38 weeks 2 days~

Last weight taken at gynae a week ago: 56kg! Total weight gain of 13 kg..Had my preggie pics 'professionally' taken by Jeff too haha..save money! They were taken when i was 33 - 34 weeks..

Date and time booked for C section..Been telling boy boy to be gd and stay in till the date arrives..

Finally started my ML a day ago..felt a sense of relief as I walked out of my office that day. I was initially panicking a few weeks ago as it seem like i had tonnes of work which i couldnt seem to be able to complete before I could go for my ML! Was so so glad to hand over my last article to my boss haha..

Glad to be off work too cos my pelvic is aching and my legs are swollen..sleeping doesnt feel so good anymore and not to mention the stretch marks which are multiplying!!! sigh, i had been religious with applying my stretch mark cream since my 1st trimester but doesnt seem to be effective huh..

Been thinking of how the C section will be like since i opted for spinal which means i will be fully aware of what is happening..thinking of having the catheter and plug site scares me too..not to mention the pain after the the anaesthsia wears off!! :(

Worries abt not being able to bf, unsuccessful latching on..too many to count lah..

I used to have cravings once in awhile for things like coke, chocolate pre pregnancy..those cravings could easily be forgotten or delay being satisfied if I was determined enough. But cravings when expecting are totally different!! They wont go away no matter how much i try to distract myself with other thoughts/tasks! haha

Its really strange how strong they can be..and i didnt know my cravings for drinks could be as strong as for food too..looking back, my likes for certain drinks changes as I grow bigger..

I remembered in my first trimester: Sprite was my comfort drink especially having to deal with throwing up at least 2 - 3 x /day
And it was Sprite, not 7 up..haha
Then it was Ribena

2nd trimester: Florida OJ and Iced water (with heaps of ice) even in the morning..

3rd trimester: Now, my latest fave is teh, and both iced and hot milo from the coffee shops!!

haha weird..

Am I am so glad my adverse reactions to milk had stopped after i passed the 2nd trimester..i rem how i would throw up everytime i attempted to down some milk..

Looking forward to my next check up next Saturday!

33 weeks..went for my gynae check last week and my heart sank when Dr Judy said bb is in a breech position..And that around 80% of babies would have had their heads down by now..

Gotta wait till my next check up at 36 weeks to see if he decides to be a good boy and changes his position..if not I will have to go for a c section..Which i really dont wish to undergo..

Takes longer to heal, cant carry and breastfeed as well after the op..sigh...

Many worries running through my mind too as the due date draws nearer, worry if bb is going to be ok..as in normal with normal features etc..

I gotta keep reminding myself to think positive!!

Gloomy

I am feeling moody..uncertain what the new job will bring if I choose to take it up. When I applied for it, I didnt really think I would be this close to getting it! Current job I have now sucks, but at least I am familiar with what I am doing..

On the other hand, I am tired to job hop and start all over again should this new job be yet again not suitable for me!

Anyway in addition to that, a few events had happened and I feel unreciprocated..The person I thought whom is close to me had started to make me feel otherwise..She is overall just a private person whom only confides in us when she is troubled. Other than that, from my view, whatever I try to share with her, will be returned with lukewarm responses. I dont think any of my true close girlies are like this..

Other than that, I just feel unappreciated in terms of the advice I have given..It just feels like even family don't view my knowledge as useful..

I feel left out as well..and pressured..to have children. I know it is silly to feel that way, but I just cannot help it! Its like, I havnt been a mum, but of cos I understand being a new mum is an exciting phase in life and lots to talk about..there is nothing I can contribute to in terms of advice other than those I have learnt from my profession as a dietitian. But somehow, i still feel left out, more now after yesterday's incident at dinner.

Once I walked in - they were talking and normally, they would come help me at the kitchen..but yesterday it was just me..

First thing i hear is abt her food preference now..

The bigger portion must be given to her cos she needs it more..

Hard to put it all in words..I am just not happy now...

Life

Now that I have joined the population that works regular office hours, weekends to me are definitely precious time for me to catch up on sleep, spent time with family and do whatever I feel like doing!!

It had been almost 2 months since I last updated about my new job. Well, there were a few incidents which once again tested my limits and tolerance to how things were handled by some bitches at work. In which as an employee, either to take it or leave the job! For now, I will just do my best to adapt to whatever stupid format or ideas those people want..

Had the chance to spend more time with 2 of my patients and speaking to them really made me ashamed of myself for whining and complaining about things which compared to what they have to face everyday seem so small and insignificant. To them, being able to wake up to a fresh new day is a bonus..

I should be thankful of what I have now and try to be more positive when I meet with any setbacks.. =)

My first week at 'school' (work)

My first week at my new job just whizzed past like that! I am proud to say I survived it!

Last Sunday night was horrendous as I suffered from the mother of all blue mondays! I had scary images of very cold or super hardworking colleagues eg knock off at 7pm, rigid rules conjuring in my mind and not forgetting the dreadfulness of having to wake up at 6 plus every morning..

Thankfully, it wasnt as scary as I thought it would for, at least for now..which things may change drastically once high and mighty comes back from her leave.

My colleagues are all relatively new, with the longest stayer in the company for ard 2 yrs excluding the management of course..they seem to be down to earth, non nosy parkers and quiet pple..But still its too early to determine...Time will tell!

Waking up early and sleeping with an average of 6 hrs consecutively for 5 days was damn difficult for me! But i know its all a matter of getting used to!

Tasks delegated to me now are still manageable but I know am only going to be busier and tasks more difficult to handle as time goes by..Just gotta try my best and learn!!

Oh yes and i realy need to add more variety and quantity to my working wardrobe!!

Lets see what is in store in the 2nd week of work...

Happy 2010!

Happy New Year Everyone!!

I hope to be able to cope and enjoy my new job!
To be a mum soon!
Happiness and Good Health to all my loved ones!

Will be spending the New Yr's day with family at Uncle MC's place..Its a pot luck event, hope the shepherd's pies I ordered will be delivered to his house man..hah..

Will post some NYE pics up later.

Another chapter closed..

7th December 2009 marks my last leg with the airline and it was 'so kind' of office to schedule a NRT- KUL/KUL-SIN pattern for me!

Nonetheless, my last flt to JFK was one of the most memorable..the crew who gave me impromptu hand made cards, the allocation ( the mid gly which i was really afraid of doing) and my batch girls, not forgetting the food and shopping we did!

2 yrs ago, this time..I remember me and my class girls undergoing rigorous training, all hopeful of the new adventures and travelling will bring to us, uncertain of what this new job holds for us..and 2 yrs later now, its time for me to close this eventful and enriching yet not always pleasant chapter.

Come 2010, another chapter awaits..I dont know if the choice to go back to my old line is the right one..from what i see now, i am in for a tough time with my new colleagues, new job scopes and to refresh all the facts and skills I have long archived in place of the waitressing skills for the past 2 yrs

So much for being trying to be positive, Jeff says I should think twice before agreeing cos no one forced me into this job, well he is true..no one forced me into it lah..but I am worried about finances and what if we have a baby etc...

Oh well, no use fretting over things that havent happened yet..Just gotta try, wait and see!

need some luck

Jo's usual routine these days are to wake up, turn on the pc, surf all the possible sites for jobs, send out resumes and pray for the best..

Besides a phone call from the prospective employer's HR to confirm the details for my qualifications, there had been zero response from the others I have written in to!!

Gosh, how to leave my current job lydat?!

This sux man..

Finally decided to perm my hair..Needed a change in my hairstyle but there was nothing left to do cos I couldn't colour my hair due to work and wasn't quite ready to cut it much shorter..so there, I was only left to perm it!

Am glad it turned out better this time as compared to the first I went for a few yrs back!
Lets see how long it will take me to get used to and then tired of the curls!