Constipation

29th December 2008

It has been a rough night and morning. Its funny how being a mother, you learn to differentiate the cries your baby makes, sometimes. Amellia had a rough time sleeping. She was grunting and tsk-ing all night which kept us awake. I knew it was her tummy. She hadn't pooped the whole day so I sensed it could be constipation. She's had constipation before but this one was the worst. I breastfed her all morning and she hasn't had a bottle of formula milk since last night. By lunchtime she was crying in pain, the worst crying I've ever heard come from her. Alhamdullillah, after alot of support from her mummy and daddy telling her to push hard, she finally pooped and she seemed so relieved after that. If she's ever constipated again, I must try these methods;

1) Giving Baby Gripe water (though I've heard Infacol is better)
2) Give baby a bottle of honey water
3) Bath baby in warm water (with the water level above the naval)
4) Massage baby's tummy using fingers pushing from belly button outwards.
5) Move baby's legs in a circular motion (as if riding a bike)
6) Chinese remedy suggested by Auntie Mama (can only be used when she's a bit older)

Personally, I think honey water after every bottle feed should do the trick to prevent constipation.

Three days ago, with the sedekah given by family members I went to mothercare and bought a baby carrier. The price was reduced from B$399 to B$199. It seemed like a good bargain and I needed a reliable & safe carrier so I decided to spoil baby and buy it for her. Its actually useful for me as I can be my independent self, go out, drive to the shops and not worry about baby in the moses basket in the back seat. That same day, I went out with Amellia and we went to Mothercare. It was so easy strapping her in and attending to her while driving. I believe every mother should have one of these.


On Sunday, we all gathered at mums place for a belated christmas lunch. The turkey and mashed potatoes was heaven. Amellia spent the day in a happy mood and was a good girl throughout the whole time we were there.

As for Amellia's progress, she's getting bigger. Her romper suits that her Auntie Mama bought for her are beginning to fit, but still a tad bit big. She's now more curious than ever. Her eyes are all over the place, taking in the surroundings. One thing that everyone says when they hold her is that she seems to be very strong. She loves to lift her head up to have a nose around. What really amazes me is how she looks at her daddy. She looks at him so lovingly and gazes at him like he's her first love or something. Her eyes constantly follow him around.

We've finally bought her cupboard which will be delivered after new years. Maybe once that arrives, it will get me cracking on finishing up on the painting.

Officially One Month Old

It Christmas and Amellia is officially one month old today. Last night we had a BBQ get-together with some friends and it seemed Amellia sensed there were people in her territory and stayed up 'entertaining' with her parents. Today, after trying to wake her up, she finally got to wear her favourite (and mummy's favourite) red dress which was bought by her Auntie Mama and she looked adorable in it. We met up with my siblings for lunch at the Empire. My beloved dropped us off and we were greeted by Amellia's Uncle Rahman while daddy searched for parking. We then proceeded to have lunch. Not to boast but a proud mother will always sense people staring at her baby. It must of been that red dress that caught people's attention. I was rather worried to spend so much time out of the house with her but she was a good little girl that stayed comfortably in her daddy's arms the whole time. It was nice to be out for a change.

"Yayyy, I can't wait to open my prezzies"

4 weeks old

23rd December 2008

Last night was the first time I left Amellia to attend a Chinese wedding which lasted about 4 hours. And God did I miss her. I kept checking my phone & messaging my babysitter, i.e. my mum to see if baby was alright. Apparently she turned out to be a good baby, had two feeds and went to bed around 11-ish. After the wedding, my beloved stayed on to mingle with his friends while I dashed over to my mums to see baby who was fast asleep. As much as I didn't want to leave her, I think I did deserve a night off to spend with my beloved.

3 Weeks Old

16th December 2008

Dear Baby Amellia,

Today you are 3 weeks old and so far motherhood is treating me well. I wonder if daughterhood is treating you well. I hope I'm being a good mother. Forgive mummy if I do something wrong but I'll try my very best to get things right.

Now, I can finally see your eyelashes and eyebrows though the colour is very faint. You have very light brown hair which stands up but mummy thinks its adorable. I brought you to the Mall the other day to do abit of X'mas shopping and I must say I was so proud cause you were getting compliments left, right and centre. You definitely stand out in a crowded room full of people as you are so pink. Then again, it could also be your light coloured hair.

Your little fingers and toes are growing and so is your tummy, especially since you can gulp down a bottle of milk in one go. Burbing you on the other hand is difficult. You never seem to want to burb but when you do burb, after alot of rubbing and tapping, you often let out one big one for such a tiny being.

One thing mummy realises, is that you most surely have the strength of your daddy's bones. You are such a strong baby. very strong for a three week old baby. You can left up your head to have a look round which you normally do when your on mummy's chest, such a busybody, just like me. Since you are strong for your age and since you love sleeping on my chest, daddy & mummy have decided to allow you to sleep on your tummy, which you seem to like compared to sleeping on your back.

Your Grandma has seemed to have grown very fond and very attached to you since you've been born. We even went out together, just the three of us today. You were asleep in her arms throughout the whole trip we were out of the house.

Its a trip seeing you develop over the past 3 weeks. Since I have nothing else to do but be with you, you'll realize there are a ton of your pictures from the day you were born till today and mummy is going to keep on snapping photos of you till you grow old. Be a good little girl now, my little pineapple.

Love,
Mummy

2 weeks 1 day old

10th December 2008

Yesterday Amellia turned 2 weeks old and so far we have accomplished breastfeeding, well, sometimes. She's still trying to get the hang of it and so am I. It's difficult not knowing if she's latched on correctly since it is one of the many "firsts" in my life. Yet, to be on the safe side and make sure she's getting enough, I also feed her formula.

Two weeks old and she's already got characteristics of her own. She's never far from me which is going to make it difficult when I go back to work. She enjoys falling asleep on my chest in her fetal position, all crunched up which makes me wonder whether its the sound of my heart beat that soothes her or if she justs wants to go back inside her mummy's tummy. I remember the first week when she was asleep on my chest, her daddy came over and said "Both my babies are asleep". It must of been a sight. Amellia's sleeping pattern has changed. Last night she woke up twice. Once at 2.30am and once at 6am. Not bad considering she was in bed by 11pm. She normally falls asleep on my chest or in my arms then I put her in her bassinet so I can spend time with my beloved. Amellia is now officially a citizen as her daddy just picked up her birth certificate yesterday. I must say, I have never been so proud to see my name in print on a document.

My precious angel now is beginning to look alot like me when I was a baby. Funny thing is, she has hairy ears and a hairy back which will eventually disappear, I was told. As for her facial hair and other parts of her body, its all blond. When she was born she looked like she didn't have any eyelashes and eyebrows cause they were so blond. I'm definitely sure she'll be a fair little one, my little snow white~

Her eyes have started to open and she has been trying to focus quite alot. Yesterday, mummy put on the living room disco lights that changes colour and she started staring and absorbing in the colours, well, I think she was only able to see the white lights and red lights. Her eyes have an indescribable colour. They look like they are dark brown and in some light, dark gray. Her eyes don't look as sharp as they did when she was born but she's still as adorable.

Sometimes I pity the little bundle cause I can't breastfeed her fully. I'm worried and surely think I'm not producing enough milk because after every feed she's still hunting for more. Hence, formula milk, which gives her constipation sometimes. So I have to give her a bottle of water to help digest her system. She's so cute with her little sounds that she makes when she's trying to poop.

I find myself constantly looking at her, even when she's asleep. I just can't get over how small her fingers, hands, feet and toes are. I must remind myself to get the 'impressions' kit from mothercare to imprint them so I'll never forget. Looking at her now, I see she's perfect beyond words and wish she could just stay this age forever. I know in a couple of months time, I'll be reading back at this and will be thinking, where did the time go...

I just hope life will treat her well and that she does not have to endure the too much pain in life and that no one will hurt her bad as people have done to me and I pray that she will always know that her mummy & daddy will always be there for her, no matter what.

9 Days Old

4th December 2008


My Dear Chinese Goddess,

You are now only 9 days old and mummy has been itching to write to you. Although you are always by my side, I'd like to keep these letters as a keepsake so when you are older you can read them and always know how much I love you, how much you have changed our lives and how your arrival has made us the happiest couple on earth.

Everyday, your daddy says your face changes. One minute you look chinese then the next you look Eurasian but either way I think you look like mummy when I was a baby. I've even got my baby picture to prove it. Your daddy has dubbed you his little chinese goddess cause for some reason you look very chinesy with those small & sharp eyes, though you have very light brown hair just like mummy. You also have mummy's stubby little button nose and mummy's fair facial hair. As for your lips, they are definitely your daddy's lips. Must of been the effect of watching too many Angelina Jolie movies.

Your Grandma is absolutely over the moon with your arrival as she has come to babysit you everyday except Fridays & Sundays. I personally think she is besotted by you cause the other night she told mummy she couldn't sleep properly, waking up every hour hoping it was morning already so she could come over to see you. Your Grandma has been an angel since mummy gave birth to you. She comes everyday to make sure the kitchen is clean, boiled water is topped up and that I'm getting along okay. She babysits you when I'm getting my daily massage and when I have my Chicken Ginger soup which is made by your Mama who I am so thankful to. Your Mama makes the soup almost everyday for mummy to make sure I'm eating right. She has also come to visit you a couple of times but you've always been asleep when she comes.

At the hospital, you were able to meet your Auntie Sarinah and your cousin Shasha as well as your Uncle Azim & Auntie Sue. Your Nini Boy met you the day after we were discharged from hospital. Your other uncle from mummy's side is your Uncle Rahman. He came to see you the day we returned home from the hospital. Mummy was asleep so your proud daddy showed you to him. His first reaction was "Macam Cina", again I must tell you, you were born looking all chinesy. He took photos of you which he kept looking at before going to bed that night. As for the rest of the family on mummy's side is your Auntie Mama who is pregnant with her first born, Uncle Razak, Auntie Ayu and your three cousins Alisha, Aqyra and Armand.

Your family on daddy's side on the other hand is huge. You have six aunties, six uncles and about 30 cousins. You have your Auntie Sarimah & Uncle Hamir then your Auntie Sarinah and Uncle Shaz, Auntie Sue & Uncle Robert, Uncle Safri & Auntie Fau, Auntie Vivi & Uncle Aziz and finally Auntie Mimi & Uncle PS. As for your cousins who have been dying to meet you since mummy married daddy over 2 years ago, there are Amirah, Nina, Aqilah, Afiqah, Aryan, Aqil, Sofie, Shasha, Lisa, Shafie, Eliza, Elina, Faten, Boboy, Nadya, Harith, Afam, Hakim, Sonia, Danial, Chenchen, Raiyan, Haziq, Irshad, Shafiq, Aishah, Afia, Waie and finally Arisha. I know its seems like it will take forever for you to remember everyone's names but by the time you'll be able to read this I'm sure you'll do just fine in knowing who's who and if you don't, mummy is always here to help.

The past 9 days has been the beginning of a journey down motherhood lane for mummy. I believe this journey involves you, me and daddy. We are a team and to enable an understanding between us, we need teamwork. I definitely don't see this as a "me" thing. Mummy knows it must be hard for you too, especially adjusting to life outside the womb. Your daddy has done his part by evolving around minor changes. He wakes up when you cry in the middle of the night and cuddles you while I make your milk. He has also reduced the air-con temperature to suit your liking which is a big effort from your daddy as he likes the room icy cold. Mummy on the other hand is getting used to waking up in the middle of the night and wee hours of the morning to feed you. I realize you often sleep for hours, sometimes one hour, sometimes even 3 hours. You surprised mummy when you slept for 5 hours in the afternoon. In between each nap you are up for about an hour, enough time to change and feed. It must be a major change for you, especially since you've been in a dark, cozy space for nine months.

So my love, till the next time I write, love you to bits. Quiet time is over, I have to attend to you now.

xoxo

My Sleeping Beauty

Confinement

December 3rd 2008


Confinement is a tad bit boring for me since I'm used to going out. I love window shopping and just browsing around. Yesterday I was able to convince my beloved to go to Supasave. I needed to buy the essentials like maternity pads, diapers and baby formula.

Breastfeeding hasn't been a good trip for me. The first two days were okay but apparently those two days were days of breastfeeding wrongly. Baby didn't latch on properly therefore by day three my nipples were sore, cracked and bleeding. I cried in pain everytime she breastfed so we had to buy formula as a back up. I tried expressing but felt like I wasn't expressing enough. So nowadays I pump as much as I can and feed it to Baby Amellia but by nightfall, I'm all dried out and she has to take formula. I'm currently allowing myself to heal before I try to breastfeed her directly again.



As for myself, I've been reduced to eating nothing but Chicken Ginger Soup everyday made by my mother in law. Its so delicious that I end up taking seconds. My mum made bubur last week while my sister in law made me some chicken soup. My abang is strict and has told me not to drink any cold drinks and not to go up and down the stairs alot hence the reason why my living room has become my den. I brought down my mattress and just rest on it with Amellia. Here are a few of the do's and don'ts one has to surrender to during confinement;

1) No drinking of cold drinks of any kind
2) Wear socks at all times
3) No cold showers
4) No eating beef or spicy foods, chicken saja.
5) No walking up and down the stairs (Takut gugur peranakan)
6) Drink lots of warm drinks, esp Milo (To increase milk flow)

On Sunday, my Barut lady came. An Indonesian lady that goes by the name Siti. She's just so efficient as she drives herself. She charges about B$200 for the week. My ritual starts of with getting scrubbed down (belulut) then I shower in warm water, followed by her pressing her warm 'magic' stone down on my belly and lower back then a massage. Finally she ties up the barut around my torso. The barut is kept on for at least 9 hours. I call it my stray jacket.

As for movement, well, the first few days I felt like an invalid. For someone who is used to moving around and being active & independent, the stitches down below has made me slow down tremendously and has made me depend more on others around me.

I've learnt many things after giving birth naturally, some of them are;

1) Contractions! They aren't so bad, in the beginning then they hurt like hell towards the end, especially when your 6-7cm dilated.

2) Privacy. You don't have it at all. Your body becomes the amusement of others. There is no time for modesty as the medical people are poking you here and there from the moment you arrive at the hospital.

3) Labour. Its like being constipated and taking a long poop but its all worth it when you see your baby for the first time. A rewarding outcome.

4) Stitches. Getting stitched up hurts like hell when they don't give you enough General Anesthetic. BUT they hurt even more when you're recovering.

5) Movement. Due to the stitches, movement is limited therefore you end up walking like a duck for a week or so.

6) Breastfeeding. If its not done properly, its a nightmare. The pain of sore nipples that are cracked and bleeding is unbearable that you will end up crying. I rather give birth again. Next time I must make sure baby latches on properly.

7) Number Two. Doing a poop for the first time after childbirth is difficult. But once its out it feels like heaven. In order to make it much easier, stick to a soupy diet.

8) Blood. Its just never-ending. Must remind self, the next time I must stock up on at least 4 big packs of maternity pads. (Yes, I am willing to go through it all again!)

*wink*

One Week Old

December 2, 2008

WARNING! Explicit Content. Girls, don't read on if you don't want to know about Auntie Kim's labour experience.

Baby Amellia is one week old today and funnily enough its finally kicked in, I'm a mother to an adorable baby girl. Tears of joy came streaming down my face early this evening. Looking at my little bundle of joy, I cant believe this little baby was growing inside me for 9 months, well, 38 weeks to be exact. Time has actually flown by. The past seven days have been a trip. Tiring, yes, but most definitely the best 7 days of my life.

Baby Amellia

D-Day started on the morning of the 24th November. I woke up, went to the toilet and realized I was bleeding. I immediately assumed it was my water that had broke. Little did I know I was wrong. I seemed to have jumped to conclusion, it was actually the mucus plug. I called mummy since my darling was fast asleep in bed and didn't even realize I had gotten out of bed until he heard me telling my mum over the phone that my water had broke. He woke up straight away and said "huh? water broke?"..haha..I bursted out into giggles. It was the cutest thing. He started panicking whereas I just stayed calm, with a touch of excitement but nevertheless got things ready. We took our time, got dressed, shaved where necessary, loaded the car and by 10am, we were on our way to RIPAS with Didih as our driver. We went to the Emergency section where they did a quick check on how many centimetres dilated I was. Apparently I was only 1.5cm dilated. I still had another 8.5cm to go. I was wheeled to the labour ward and had to wait. The ward was full since everyone had decided to give birth on the very same day. I overheard that there were 27 births on that day itself. Finally got checked into the First Stage Labour Ward around mid day then later on around 9pm I was checked to see how many cm I was dilated. At this point I was only 5cm. Contractions were coming and going about 4 minutes apart. At this point, I knew if I didn't get any rest I wouldn't be able to push during delivery so I asked for some pain killers to help me sleep. Although the pain killers did not kill the pain, it did make me feel groggy so I could rest alittle.

I remember grabbing hold of the rails of the bed everytime the contractions came. The nurses ended up wheeling me into the labour room around midnight. I quickly messaged my darling as I needed him there with me. Since husbands aren't allowed in after a certain time, he was waiting outside with his friend, Khai and was on the verge of going home to sleep. As I got onto the bed in the labour room, I was only 7cm dilated but already had the urge to push. All I remember was the feeling of pushing felt like wanting to do a fart. Thinking back to what I said to the nurse still cracks me up...I can't believe I actually said, "Macam kan bekantut!"..haha

Things most people don't tell you nor do mothers enjoy sharing their labour details is the fact that if your bladder is not empty, have no fear, labour will empty it for you and it definitely makes sure you do. Pushing about two to three times, which made me feel like I was constipated gave me the urge to empty my bladder & bowels..(yes, eeeewww) Since my water hadn't broke yet, the nurses had to do it for me and apparently, if I can recall it was green, meaning to say it was meconium which is when the baby is in distress and poops inside you. My cervix was thin (which is what the nurses said) and soon baby's head was crowning. With my true love standing beside me, I felt a little relieved. He helped alot by supporting me and holding my hand. Well, it was more like me squeezing his hand.

It must of been an unforgettable experience for my beloved, to see it all live! I now love him more for his support in the labour room. As I had to control the final push, Baby A's eyes, ears, nose had to be suctioned from the green stuff. With the final push at 12.50am, she was officially out. My beloved's words were "You did it babe, well done" and all i remember saying was "Is she ok? Check sudah fingers and toes nya?" haha and he replied "Awu, semua ada babe."

They cleaned her up and dressed her before laying her beside me to feed for the first time. My beloved then cited the Azan in her ear. My little angel looked adorable. Her suit was a tad bit too big for her though. Must remind myself to buy new born size clothes the next time..hehe. My baby was finally here. A childhood dream of becoming a mother finally came true.

After the final stage of labour which was delivering the placenta, I was stitched up. Funny thing is, from what I read, stitching is not suppose to hurt as General Anesthetic is given but there were odd stitches I could feel. Nevertheless, it was all worth it. By 2.30am, I was rolled into Ward 18 and given bed number 34. The new daddy left to go home and sleep while I spent the night with Baby Amellia beside me. By 6am, the ward was up and running and babies cries could be heard here and there.

Later on in the morning the Doc came round to check baby then another doc came round to check me. Thank God my hubby's niece, Zura was on duty. She was able to persuade the Doc to allow me to leave the same day which was usually unheard of especially if its your first born. Being number 32 on the waiting list for First class was a bummer. I doubt I was able to get a room for one night and I needed to be beside my husband and baby in my own bed. Luckily by 6pm I was discharged.

Back at home, we settled down and had some quiet family time together before the family came over. Our first guest was the ever so sweet Alai Z who is currently 4 months preggers. She brought Baby Amellia a cute set from M&S and the letter A for her room. The family then dropped by to see baby Amellia. She finally met a few of her many cousins. I fell asleep soon after and was told my abang dropped by after work and had a peek at Baby Amellia. I heard he took a picture of her and when he got home, he looked at it over and over again before going off to sleep. Now, that's love..hehe.

The next day was our first morning together as a family. Our friend Rach dropped by and brought some cute tops for Baby to use when she gets bigger then in the evening Baby Amellia met her 3 cousins from her mummy's side and her grandpa.

On Thursday, Baby got her first visit from the lovely nurses of Anggerek Clinic. They checked her and me and had a little chit chat before leaving to their next visit. In the afternoon, my abang helped my beloved to sort out Baby Amellia's birth certificate and my placenta which had to be buried. Baby's crib also arrived on that day and they set it up in the nursery. It's a shame the nursery isn't complete yet but not to worry I've got two months to sort that out. Before the Baby's next visit from the nurses on Saturday, her belly button finally fell off. Quite quickly than normal but I was told not to worry.