31st Dec 2009

I've recovered! All ready to welcome a whole new year ahead. Hmm, the last blog post of the year, what shall it be? Let's do a mini evaluation on Mum and Dad's first time parenthood. 

 

To Mummy:

1. Do you think I've brought much inconvenience to you and Dad?

"Jazz, inconvenient isn't the word to use. It's part and parcel of growing a family, a baby is either now or later. I'm glad that you came early, it takes so much energy to take care of you, which I'm glad I still have. I've learnt to include you in almost whatever activities we could, such that I think I'm an expert in bringing you almost everywhere now."  

 

2. Do you think Dad was a great Dad? 

"He's good in making you smile and laugh. Other than that, he probably needs more involvement in your daily activities. Oops, some reflections!"  

 

To Daddy:  

1. Do you think Mum was a great Mum? 

"Of course! She bore the labour pain, gone through 9 months of motherhood, and is still doing a good job. Good training for the 2nd one!"

2009 wasn't an easy year for Mummy. No doubt, my arrival is the greatest miracle in her life. Withing a year, she felt like she has learnt and experienced much. Still lacking some courage to talk about her encounters, she knows life will get better ahead. Last year, she left her job without knowing I was in her womb, and since then she hadn't been able to get a job. She was unfortunate to have met an employer who contracted her till I was birthed. Not wanting to bear the maternity cost during her absence, they released her when I was almost due. How does it feel? Ask a mum working mum and you'll know how helpless it is to not be paid for the 4 months maternity.

Pregnancy wasn't easy for her too, with me in her womb, Mum and Dad went ahead with their holiday plan to USA. She didn't enjoy the entire trip because of bad nausea. Many setbacks but mummy picked herself up gradually, and found joy upon my arrival.

Well, it's sore, but she has moved on. Looking ahead and not looking back, life is still beautiful. Hereby, wishing everyone a happy 2010! May you be prosperous in every aspects of your life - health, wealth, career and family!

Go Fever Go

School's closed today, Dad and Mum are on leave to be with me and also to end the year well with some family bonding. They've also arranged for my vaccination today.

 

It's a sleeping marathon for me, after the jab. I behaved by napping long hours in the pram. Mum even asked Dad if I was alright, it's quite unusual for me to take such long nap. They found out that I was down with a fever when we were heading home.

 

I continued my sleep journey back home, waking up at 7:30pm for dinner. Mum prepared my favourite brown rice cereal with banana, hoping to stir up my mood a little. Though my favourite food, my appetite wasn't quite there. Daddy tried reading me a book so that I could eat, but I don't like the way he reads to me. It's strangely funny - An English story in 3 different ways, English (the broken kind), Chinese and Hokkien! Mum was laughing at his poor story telling skill. After meal, she sponged me, read me some books (the correct style) and ended my night with milk at 9pm. Much rest is needed, which is why I'm sleeping so much today. I'll be well soon... 

 

And daddy is naughty, he video-ed my 'painful' experience again:

Mummy's kiss comforted my pain...

Diapers Madness

Last week, Daddy stocked up my diapers again. It's bargain madness. Look at my trolley of goods! Thank God, uncle Jack was with us to transport the stuff. 

 

Spot the 4 boxes of diapers!

 

My Fringe

Few weeks ago, Mummy trimmed my fringe. It was so long that it poked my eyes. The cut was tough, I was constantly moving my head despite being confined to my high chair. It was difficult for her to give a neat cut. She settled for a round tipped scissors instead of the usual sharp one, fearful of 'accident'. 

 

My fringe before the cut

 

Now, don't laugh... this is after the cut

We can tell that the cut isn't neat, but mum isn't a hairstylist by profession. That's understandable. I still look cute ya...!  

Christmas is over

A fond farewell to Christmas, it'll be another long wait for the next one. So what's Christmas all about? I'm probably too young to know, but Mummy told me it's the day Jesus was birthed - The reason for the season. She said it's a season of love, gifts and Thanksgiving. This is the time when love is showered even more abundantly, gifts are given and received and with thanks given to our family! Mummy had very much wanted to attend the Christmas service with Auntie sha, but it's really inconvenient to bring me along and she's worried about leaving me in the creche room. Thank God for webcast! 

 

Well, I think Christmas was rather well spent. Just that Dad and Mum couldn't set for a good and peaceful dinner like the past years. I've joined them this year, so it's a threesome celebration! On Christmas eve, I skipped school to join Daddy for his corporate Christmas party. Mummy couldn't join because she had to work. Again, I was being carried around by many uncles and aunties. And within this week, I've been to Orchard twice, including Christmas day. Photo taking was never ending for us. I enjoyed the lightings, but not the crowd. Shopping was out for Mum, she has spent a bomb on gifts, so she has to thrift on herself. It's definitely a joy to be giving!

 

 

Opening my Christmas pressie from Jiu jiu and Jie jie

 

 

 

Fascinated with the huge Christmas deco

 

Mummy and me with the tree of bears

 

Daddy's not missing out a shot with me

We need an accompanying photographer for better family shot

Ho Ho Ho! That's 2009 Christmas, a few more days and we'll be leaping into a new year. Time for reflections and resolutions...

My Beanie

We've been so upset the past few days, Beanie is lost! Mummy's so sad that she couldn't sleep well that night. The last time we saw it was as Suntec, Carrefour. I was playing with it in my pram and didn't realise it was missing till we were home and time for bed. Sigh! Grandma reminded mummy that it has been with me since birth, and it carries my smell. Precisely! Which is why mummy is so upset over it. She was so desperate to search it back, so Daddy called Carrefour to help search for it, but to no outcome. It's just a bean bag, but yet it's of great significance to me, it means sleep time. Mummy wanted to sew one for me, but Daddy acted fast, he bought me a similar beanie. He got one closest to the design I previously had. Still, it's never a replacement. 

 

Today, teacher told Mummy, "She was trying to snatch some other child's bean bag." Mummy told teacher my beanie's story and said that I'll bring a new one to school tomorrow.

 

Similar to my previous one - Polka Dots

Still giving me the comfort of sleep

I was the one who lost beanie, but Mummy got the blame. Daddy said that she was too engrossed with shopping that she didn't realise beanie fell off the pram. 

Playtime with Dad and Mum

Mummy always thinks that Daddy is soooo good at making me laugh. She labels Daddy as the Entertainment department and mummy the Disciplinary cum Food department. No wonder I love playing with Daddy. Hmm, but food is important to me too, I better smile more at mummy. I've been so sticky to her these days, so much so that Daddy calls me, "Sticky Chewy Chocolate!". An ice-cream flavour at Swensens.

Here are some playtime moments with Dad and Mum:

Mummy's turn. When her forehead touches my forehead, it's instant that I'll shake my head from left to right and right to left. This has become my trademark, even school teachers are telling Mummy that I love doing this with them. Mummy wonders who taught me this. It's probably Grandma, she would say,"头碰头" when it's time for this play. I can do this with anyone, try me!

My teeth

Christmas is just a week away, it's marking an end of the year again. What have we acheived? Jazz iss birthed in 2009! Every year, Mummy would put up the Christmas tree at home, seeing it brings peace and joy. This year, the house is too cluttered to have a tree around. No space! Sobs. No present under the tree? Anyway, Mummy is thinking of what present to get for me. Christmas is just another 'excuse' for her to pamper me with toys. 

I think I've got what I needed for Christmas. My two front teeth! It came to me 2 months ago. In total, I've 4 teeth, 2 upper and 2 bottom. Daddy insists on getting me a toothbrush to begin an early routine. Isn't that way too early? Mummy thinks it's almost difficult to get the brush into my mouth. She pre-warned Daddy that she's keeping her hands off this teeth brushing routine. How do you brush an 'always wriggling' baby's teeth? True enough, I wasn't receptive. The toothbrush looks like a toy to me.

The brush in my mouth after a few attempts

Touching to feel if I really had teeth

My toothbrush set

And all I want for Christmas and New Year is teeth and more teeth!

 

A Birthday Party

Last weekend, Dad and Mum brought me to a birthday party! It was fun and I've enjoyed myself throughout the party. It was Russell's first birthday. Mum thought such parties are fun for the young and old. 

 

Hmm, but there's always a little problem when I meet new uncles and aunties. They don't know how to pronounce my name. Actually, it's not difficult, just say, "Jazz-Elle', then say it fast, and you've got my name - Jazzelle! My chinese name is tricky too, I'm 张韶恩, the middle character is of “第二声", which most people couldn't get it right. Hope you've figured my name. I didn't choose my name, Dad and Mum gave them to me. World is evolving, so are names. Seldom do we find easy read names like before. Parents are now giving interesting and beautiful names to their babies, or rather hard to pronounce names. 

 

Corner for the children's sweet tooth

 My first gaze at Russell

Enjoying my horse ride

The cake was yummy and beautiful! 

 

Parties are great fun for everyone!

 

Pillow is Botak!

My doggie just enrolled for 'BMT', we got him shed! His fur is super short, and he's so much more manageable now. Although not as majestic looking as before, he's still cute. 

 

 

He looks like a bear now. Children at the void deck often ask Mummy if he's a fox. Mummy replies that it's a dog that looks like a fox.

 

Daddy is good with Finance

My daddy's in-charge of stocking up my supplies - Diapers, Milk, Wet wipes, laundry and liquid detergent. When my diapers and milk supply runs low, it would be the time daddy start flipping the papers for diapers and milk promotion! Just a month ago, I weaned off mummy's milk. Mummy stopped nursing me, and formula milk doesn't come cheap! At least, we saved on the 7 months of milk.

The 'Baby Expenses' spreadsheet

Updating diapers discount at different supermarkets!

Daddy is indeed a good steward of money. He tracks it, spends it wisely and ensures that each cent is spent to its worth. Mummy does laugh at him at times. But well, a good and healthy account keeps the family strong and uphold.

Disclaimer: Daddy isn't a miser, he's just prudent with expenditures. He does splurge on us.

My Week in school

Babies are active and bouncy little ones. To many, scratches, bumps and falls seem inevitable or rather, common. But still, most can be prevented if we exercise a little more caution to them. When mummy picked me on Monday this week, teacher showed her a scratch slightly below my left eye, explaining that I fell forward and hit a hard covered book. On Tuesday, two scratch marks on my left hand. Teacher explained some other kid's teeth brushed through my arms, probably in the midst of toys snatching. And on Wednesday, I had a small bump on my left forehead! Teacher explained, I hit the floor while reaching for some toy. 

 

Okay, enough explanations on the 'injuries'. They are 3 incidents in consecutive days, in a week! Mum had been perfectly cool about the 1st and 2nd instances, she knew I'm getting adventurous and curious about anything at this stage. It's really not of a big deal to her. The trigger came at the 3rd instance, which Grandma came for me at school. She was so upset that she blew the matter big to the teacher.

 

Mum was still at work that day, she got a call from Jiu Jiu saying that I've got a bump on my forehead. Mum thought it was a scare joke, how is it possible to happen within 3 consecutive days? It wasn't a joke, he sounded serious. Mum called the school to find out, sounding quite unhappy on the phone. The teacher explained that it's part and parcel of learning and growing and that it's inevitable to encounter them. It's not that Mum doesn't agree, but 'hey there', the fees that we are paying is exuberantly high! Real high! We're paying for a ratio of 1:3 infants compared to 1:5 infants elsewhere. So, shouldn't the risk of 'injuries' be lesser? Of course, these incidents are really minor and almost nothing after a cry. However, to accept it 3 times is a week, seems abit too much. 

 

Enough of the steam letting, it's a long-term relationship with the school. I've still got months or maybe years in that school, it's only best to put the whole episode behind and look forward. The school ended the phone conversation with an apology and I guess we've solved it in an amicable manner. 

 

Some baby's recipes

Mummy's getting better at preparing my meals. Although meal time is still a struggle for us, I see improvements. I can take porridge better in school and at home now. Mummy tried the following recipes with the slow cooker. 

1. Diced pumpkin + bean curd + rice 

Outcome is soft enough for mashing 

2. Diced Apple + lean pork slices + rice 

Pork stock to enhance the taste of the porridge only. Apple can be mashed. 

3. Carrot + Broccoli + Sweet Corn + lean pork slices + rice 

Blend broccoli and sweet corn. Carrot will be soft enough to mash if cooked long. Pork stock to enhance taste. 

Hmm, think that's about my meals for now. Playing around with the food, mixing and matching. Slow cooker is a good way to give baby food the softness. Just 'dump' everything in and check back hours later. Of course, remember to add ample water.

Sleep Through

I've been on the best behaviour, learning to sleep through the night, and I did it! See my schedule: 

 

Sun: 9:30 pm to 7am

Mon: 9 pm to 4 am

Tues: 9 pm to 7 am

Wed: 8:30 pm to 6 am

Thur: 8:30 pm to 7 am

 

Mummy's so thankful for these days. She wonders if this is really the end of those disrupted nights? Mummy hopes so. It seemed like a long journey to be always waking up for me, and you never know when it'll ends until it happens. I think there isn't much one can do to get babies sleep through the night. Being patience seems like the only way out.

Daddy is in camp

Miracle happened on Sunday, I slept through the night! Sounds like 'duh', but to a Mummy who has been tirelessly waking up to baby calls, it's light at the end of a tunnel. She couldn't believe me, she woke up to check on me and even sought affirmation from Daddy the next morning. Indeed, I slept through that night. Mummy's crossing her fingers for more such nights and hopefully I won't have to wake up for midnight snacks as days go by. I'm 8 months young today, I should be old enough to sleep on my own and sleep through.

I have to be good this week, it's one woman's show for mummy. Daddy is in camp, he leaves home before the sky breaks and comes home after dark. Which means leaving and coming home when I'm asleep. Daddy wonders if I'll still remember him after a week. I dislike the army for occupying my Daddy. But, thank God for grandparents and jiu jiu, they send me to and fro infant care on behalf of Daddy. Mummy wouldn't have to walk the long distance to send and pick me.

It's one manpower down when daddy is not around, mummy has to prepare my dinner, shower me, walk the dog and get me to sleep after her long work day. After which, she gets some time to her own before heading for bed. What a typical Mum's day. No wonder, mum's capacity is so elastic, always stretched without snapping. Of course, Daddy has always been of great assistant to us at home too!

 

 

Daddy on xbox with me!