My reflux baby

Despite his reflux, my Bryant is a smiley baby. I have so many pictures of him smiling, unlike his koko.

He was diagnosed with reflux when he was just 6 weeks old. No tests was done. It was mainly based on my "reports and observations" that the doctor made the diagnosis. Here are the symptoms that made me quite certain that my B was suffering from reflux, even before I stepped into the doctor's clinic. Of course I had already consulted with my faithful old friend - the internet!!

- hiccups long after feeds
- constant hiccups
- milk dribbling out from mouth and spit-ups. No vomitting though
- wanting to constantly suckle but would fuss and cry at the breast as he only wanted comfort. Not milk.
- arching his back every now and then
- difficulty sleeping, only catnapping during the day. Even when carried, he still catnaps.
- occassional sudden cry, as if in pain

The doctor put him on medication, Losec Omeprazole and Motilium. I was asked to observe B and report back to the doctor regarding any change in his condition. From there, the doctor would be able to confirm his diagnosis.

After two weeks on medication, B improved. So now, he is on medication everyday, till we visit the doctor again in a month's time. In the meantime, I also bring him to the chiropractor every week, when possible. At 3.5 months, his condition seemed to have improved and I hope that he will get well completely and would not need any more medication. Dear God, please bless my B with good health and heal him of his reflux completely. Amen.

The birth of Bryant

Our first son, Joshua came at 39 weeks. Therefore for my second pregnancy, doctor advised that the baby could be one week early as well. So in full anticipation, I looked out for signs of labour as soon as I passed 38 weeks. Waited, waited and waited but there was nothing. During my 39th week check-up, doctor did an internal check and pronounced that I was only 1cm dilated. Disappointed I was, and she then asked if I want to be induced by 40 weeks or go overdue. Since the hubby had to fly to Hong Kong for business a week after I hit 40 weeks, we agreed to induce if baby still doesn't want to come out.

The day before I was supposed to be admitted, I felt downward pressure off and on but it did not progress to anything. It just went off and on with no regular interval. I was calm since my MIL was already at our place to care for Joshua and the hospital was a mere 10 minutes away. So we waited till 11pm and went to TMC to be admitted for induction. The nurse inserted a tablet slightly past midnight to dilate my cervix further.

I could hardly sleep as the tablet seemed to have created a stingy feeling down under. The downward pressure that I had been feeling all day seemed to get more intense too. After 5am, this was accompanied by pain and therefore, I called the nurse to tell her that I think it's time. Into the labour ward I went at 6am. I was 4cm dilated. Bravely, I told the nurses that I did not want an epidural, just like my first labour.

The pain was still bearable until doctor came and burst my water bag at around 7:30am. I was 5-6cm dilated then. The pain got worse and I distracted myself with my iPhone. Even managed to call home and talk to my Joshie. Around 8am, the hubs told me he was hungry and was going down to Delifrance to get himself some breakfast. "Breakfast???? You are hungry and I am not? And you just had a cup of Milo not too long ago!!" But my dearest hubby just ignored me and went off, telling me that he would make it real quick.

Not too long after, the pain was really really bad and I felt as though baby was coming out even though I was not pushing. Pushed the button and the nurses came running in. Told them that I think baby was coming out and she did an internal check, telling me it's only 7cm. "What? Only 7cm. Gosh, I do regret not taking epidural now." I was given the gas and taught how to use it. By then the hubby had come out and he started taking pics!!! I glared at him and scolded him. After that, everything seemed to be in a frenzy. The pain was so so so intense. All I could remember was hubby's face right over mine telling me to calm down and the nurses saying "don't push, you will tear". And then finally the doctor told me to give a good push. After 2-3 pushes, my little B came out, at 8:40am =)

At 3.23kg, he is lighter than his brother who was 3.37kg at birth. I really thank God for the smooth and fast delivery =) Much better than my first labour =)

Naughty minds think alike

A picture of Joshie and his playmate, Oscar. They were watching Elmo when this picture was taken.

Two days ago, both boys decided to open the car door when the vehicle was still in motion. Uh-oh!!!!!! Trouble! They were in separate cars but somehow, their naughty minds are connected! Hahaha...........they probably don't know the consequences of their actions, so both mummies are to be blame. Thank God nothing serious happened.

Okay, so what happened? We were already in the car park when I realised that the interior lights of the car were switched on. I don't know the correct term but it's the lights that indicates that one of the car doors is opened. Luckily I was already parking the car and so I got down and checked Joshie's door. Yes, the cheeky had already opened the door. Thank God I was driving very slowly in the car park, so nothing happened. I told myself again and again that I always have to REMEMBER to LOCK the car doors. I thought nothing about this incident until I saw Elke's facebook status two hours later.

Her status said that she nearly lost Oscar out of the taxi. Quickly texted her and found out that that little boy had also opened the taxi door. Luckily Elke was wearing a seat belt and was holding Oscar when the taxi turned a corner and the door flung open! She reacted really quickly! Reached out to shut the door and thank God no one was hurt. She shudders to think that if she had not been belted in, she would have been thrown out of the taxi together with Oscar. Was a horrifying experience for her and the more she thought about it, the sicker she felt.

Actually, both Elke and I have always remembered to keep the doors lock. Except for last Thursday!!!! Excuses? I dropped my CashCard while driving out of Tanglin Shopping Centre and opened the car door to get it. After that, I conveniently forgot to lock. As for her, she was busy chatting with a friend till she forgot about the door. Both mothers forgot and both sons reached out their little hands to open the door!

It's a huge reminder to us as mothers. Always always remember all these safety details. No point regretting after something has happened. Must always be extra cautious and mindful with the little ones around! Thank you God for watching over us!

My Mother's Day

Guess how Joshie wished me? By pooing on his pillow!!!!!!!!!!! And it was watery poo. Of course it seeped into the pillow, so I had to wash both the pillow and the pillowcase. But I didn't scold him. I knew he couldn't control himself coz he wasn't feeling well. It was partly my fault coz I left the pillow on the floor while I was looking for a clean diaper.

I spent my morning changing his bedsheets and washing vomit stains. Joshie had vomitted quite a bit of milk the night before. He was down with fever since Thursday and developed a cough on Saturday. We were quite worried when he was still feverish on Sunday (day 4) so we brought him to see the doctor. Doctor said it's viral infection and prescribed him some antibiotics. Also checked him for HFMD. Luckily no blisters and ulcers! After seeing the doctor, we had dinner at Nogawa, Concorde Hotel. The food there was pretty good but I wouldn't go back again as I felt it was too expensive.

Ok, so what did I get for Mom's day? Hubby bought me a Mother's Day gift set from Crabtree & Evelyn (picture below).I normally wouldn't buy their products as I feel they are a too pricey. How did Joshie contribute? By telling the salesgirl "more, more"............he was asking for more samples for Mummy! Haha.....they managed to get 4 bottles of sample body wash and moisturisers for me! And hubby also bought me my favourite chamomile tea and a tin of strawberry cream cookies. The cookies were so delicious that I finished them all by myself in 3 days! Gosh, such gluttony!

Oh, and hubby taught Joshie to say "Happy Mother's Day".....=) (beaming from ear to ear)! He couldn't pronounce "mother's" clearly but it was like sweet music to my ear! He also wished his 2 grandmothers and I bet they were both floating on cloud nine too!

The joys of being a mother

.............watching him giggle happily as daddy turns him upside down!

Listening to him chattering away.

Inhaling his sweet baby smell when he lays his head on mummy's chest.

Looking at him shake his bum-bum and waving his arms to the beat of the music.

Watching him banging the pots and pans loudly with a stainless steel spoon.

Getting commands from a 19 month old to switch on the tv by pointing to the idiot box and saying "teet".

Listening to him attempting to sing the songs from the children's CD.

Him dragging mummy to the door and say "kai kai".

How he immitates daddy by picking up a "teeny weeny" piece of dirt from the floor and he would then say "dirty" before commanding mummy to throw that piece of dirt.

Looking on happily at how sociable and comfortable he is with strangers to the extent of waving at them and blowing kisses.

And many many more......but I am ready to hit the sack, so Happy Mother's Day everyone!!!

Motherhood

This mummy has organized a contest in conjunction with Mother's Day next month. So here I go:

What motherhood means to me...........

1) Wet kisses all over my face
2) Tantrums
3) Sleepness nights when baby is ill
4) Bits and pieces of food all over my clean floor
5) .....and also in my hair when baby decides to stroke mummy's head "gently"
6) Endless contact with pee and poop
7) Milk, milk, milk
8) Tripping over toys
9) Good excuse to watch Playhouse Disney
10) Humming 'Twinkle twinkle little star' over and over again
11) Shopping = buying diapers + milk + baby cereal
12) Child friendly restaurant
13) Finding my spatula in my wardrobe
14) Off to the playground........AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!!

And many many more.......the list is endless cause motherhood is always full of sweet surprises and challenges which you can never predict and prepare yourself for!!!!!!!!!