Going to be 6 months ...

So happy that am able to breastfeed baby Z till six months!!! Woohoo... well, when tomorrow arrive then this is the moment!

However, officially given semi-solid to him on 14th April, 5 days before he turns six months old. He's very active nowadays as he turns and twisted continuosly when lay down on bed; "walking" and bouncing in the walker when he's not sleeping. Very busy wondering and exploring around the house or outside the house. Guess he still prefer the taste of breast milk in his rice cereal though...

The Butter Rhyme

BETTY BOTTER

Betty Botter bought some butter

But, she said, the butter's bitter,

If I put it in my batter,

It will make my batter bitter,

But a bit of better butter

That would make my batter better.

So, she bought a bit of better butter,

Better than her bitter butter,

And she put it in her batter,

And the batter is not bitter.

So, 'twas better Betty Botter

Bought a bit of better butter.

This is En En's favourite rhyme that must read out loud by mummy. Why? Coz mummy got tongue-twisted when read it faster. (Try it, you can come out with an Indian slang too) So, En En laughed out loud!!!

The Red One

En En said: " Mummy, I want to wear bra!!!"

What is mummy making for her? Definitely not a bra...

Started solid at 5 months old!

Never expect this to happen before baby Z is 6 months old but... who knows... when mummy was busy paying attention to En En, Ah Mah and Po Po couldn't wait any longer to feed this little playful boy.

Baby Z reacted very fast when someone is feeding him and he will scream in order to request more! Is it true breastfed babies are always hungry and not feeling full???

So far, we had given him sieved porridge (from Jie Jie's), banana, orange, honeydew, biscuit dipped in MILO (alamak!) ,... a lot yeah... but not everyday. Mummy will only start daily to include in his diet once he passes 19th this month.

Well, to be exact, he started his first taste of solid or semi-solid 2 weeks before 5 months old!

Together

En En said:" The yellow colour (cup) is Jie Jie, small blue colour (cup) is Di Di and the big blue one is mummy!!!

Then, she will sing:" Fly it away..." (a tune from Tweety bird's cartoon) after her bath at Po Po's home when we went back for 3 weeks holiday.

She Drinks It!!!

Mummy was very surprised this morning En En requested to taste breast milk. Mummy was pumping halfway and En En was accompanying mummy throughout the whole process because she wanted to see.

After finished pumping, mummy asked her whether she wants and she said YES! Poured abit into the small container that used to store breast milk and she took it. After that mummy asked again whether she want some more and she said YES again! But this time she pointed to the MILO tin and told mummy to add this one.

At first mummy was reluctant coz unsure whether she really means to take the breast milk otherwise we have to throw away after adding in MILO. But to mummy's surprise, SHE FINISHED ALL!!!

Funny talk about BooBies!

Since En En is not breastfed exclusively, she finds mummy breastfeed DiDi strange to her and can't even imagine how it was like except seeing DiDi "bites" mummy. Maybe that's also why she finds it uneasy to see this scene.

One day, mummy finally invited and introduced her the manual breast pump. She thought it's a toy that she can play but mummy explained and demonstrated to her saying it's a pump to get milk for DiDi. She looked at how mummy pumped out the milk and she finally realized there's really milk coming out from the breast. She was amazed and "happy" to see it.

Mummy: "Do you want mummy's nen-nen?"

En En : "Don't want!"

Mummy: "Why? Mummy got milk for you..."

En En : "Want Po Po's (milk), want Ah Mah's (milk)!"

Then, at night mummy saw En En talking to her Pooh Bear while cradle holding it.

En En: " Give Ah Pooh nen-nen!"

After that, change to lying down position pulak... She said this is how mummy feed DiDi!!!

Breastfeeding Journey

It was never an easy job for mummy... Mummy can recall the moment when Baby Zheng arrived, it was really a blessing that he is a healthy and demanding baby. This is going to be a long story starts from the failure mummy encountered when trying to breastfeed En En 3 years ago.

Lack of knowledge and support from family members is the major cause of mummy's stress and depression to breastfeed successfully with En En. Mummy never knew breastfeeding is a demand and supply cycle until mummy met with a few successful breastfed mothers from this forum. The chance of becoming a blogger also widens up mummy's network to get more information and tips from mummies blogger.

Mummy joined MMPS group thruogh Facebook and attended the monthly meeting as much as possible. Lots of experiences sharing moments and that reinforced mummy's awareness about many different ways to handling problems that may occur during breastfeeding time.

On the first day when baby Zheng was delivered, he was passed to mummy's immediately after wrapping to start suckling in order to stimulate breast milk production. Mummy was very proud and surprise that he did know how to suck! Never have this experience before with En En because didn't know that this is the first stimulation which is very important for breastfeeding.
Mummy was worried baby won't be send to mummy in every 2 hourly and thus keep reminding nurses and midwife to help sending baby to breastfeed.

During the 3-days stay in Adventist hospital, mummy was very alert to make sure baby is keep by the side most of the time. Baby Zheng is a nibble baby... he sucked for as short as 15 minutes to 3 hours... mummy was having a breastfeeding marathon with him on the first 2 days and nights. Some mothers told mummy normally babies will have 1-2 hourly interval of feeding but this is just an average as baby Zheng feed almost every half hourly! Different baby has different feeding pattern, mummy just have to observe and offer the breast even it was so tiring.

Mummy went back to hometown with baby Zheng for confinement. By Day 3, the milk already dripping like the tap water! Mummy was delighted as this means the milk will comes abundantly. Luckily the confinement lady is experienced with breastfed babies as her daughter in law was a breastfeeding mother too. Mummy was able to learn how to identify baby's poo during the early days from her.

Nipple pain - this is what mummy felt from Day 1 until Day 11!!! Definitely, this is a WARNING sign of baby's latching on problem. During the first 3 days mummy thought it is normal if nipple feels pain as it wil toughen up after baby sucks. Things went very terrible after 7 days as the pain was so severe till mummy felt scare and tensed whenever it's feeding time. Baby nursed very frequently during daytime but mummy was reluctant to offer both the breasts since they were cracked and bleeding. At that time, the confinement lady and Po Po also advised mummy to give bottle for the baby. Mummy insisted to pump and feed by spoon or cup with the help from them. (Mummy got spare milk bottle, but hide away...)

Mummy fell sick twice during the first 2 weeks of confinement because lack of proper rest. Mummy still very persistent but was very sad when both nipples were bleeding and baby was screaming for suckle! Finally, mummy sms mothers from MMPS and went to see a lactation consultant in Penang immediately.

Poor breastfeeding position led to baby's unproper latching on. Luckily with the help from Dr.Balkess, the lactation consultant, mummy was able to learn all over again on cradle hold position and side-lying position to ease the back when feeding. Mummy was very surprised with the correction on feeding positioning and checking on baby's lips (to be turned out like the mouth of a gold fish) there's no more pain!!!

Mummy had a log book to record down how many times baby was fed, how many times baby pee and poo as well as how many cups of water intake for mummy per day. This is to ensure mummy have enough fluid throughout the day to avoid dehydration from breastfeed and reminder that breast milk consist more than 80% of water. Baby had jaundice for over 2 weeks but fortunately didn't need to admit to hospital. At this moment, mummy kept on feeding baby on demand and monitoring very closely on baby's daily output. Finally by the end of third weeks old, the jaundice dissapeared.

Mummy believes breastmilk is the best for baby even mummy went through so many challenges and difficulties. It feels so rewarding to breastfeed my own baby!

Multi-lingual?

It's between adults... why? Simply because we don't want En En to know we are talking about her. She understands on whether we complain anything bad about her behaviours, habits or tricky actions,... or even when we praise her (don't want her to be too proud of herself too much)... So, we speaks:

- Mandarin - She will reply us...

- Hokkien - She understands and will react immediately...

- English - She will understand eventually but Ah Kong said it's a good training as she will learn by ears...

- Malay - She understand too, imagine she knows what our Indon maid was trying to tell her too!

Now we are back to mummy's hometown for holiday, normally we speak Mandarin at home too BUT mummy is forced to pick up and speak HAKKA!!! Well, this little girl is definitely blank with this language! Haha...

The 34 months old and the 5 months old

It's sure a long way to keep them close to each other. Especially En En, as she's still feel scare (?) and lack of security if DiDi is around and even worst if DiDi screams! We realized she doesn't like to be alone with mummy and DiDi in a room, maybe she feels she's not the main attention now or maybe she just unable to accept or adapt herself in such situation.

We have been trying... and still is... to put them together in the same room to play or sleep. En En will say either "Mummy go out (with DiDi)" when mummy is carrying DiDi or "Baby Jie Jie run away!" She can't bear the screaming of her little brother and will burst into tears if DiDi continues... Baby Z on the other hands, seldom cry out with tears but screams his lungs out. Most of the time baby Z already becomes silent BUT En En still continue for quite a long time before she can stop crying (with tears!)

Lately, mummy knows how to turn off En En's "speaker" by distracting her with stories and new stuff to play. Only one thing mummy is unable to understand is that she will be very anxious and feel uneasy whenever she know mummy is going to breastfeed baby Z. Is it because this is so different from what she has since she's a formula-fed baby till today. She just couldn't accept and will cry out loud if no one is attending her. So weird....

Otheriwse, she's one active and playful little girl with big eyes and a sweet smile!

When she is in good mood, she loves to sing. She has good memory on any rhymes or songs that we taught her even there's some pronunciation mistakes. She loves to sing:

- Twinkle Twinkle Little Star
- London Bridge is falling down
- Two Tigers (in mandarin same tune with Are you Sleeping?)
- Baa Baa Black Sheep

She even use the microphone attached to the PC and sing non-stop when mummy was chatting with aunty Jess through Skype!!!

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Baby Zheng is very good at turning up from his back or flip downwards to sleep (on tummy). He's slower than En En at 5 months old last time who is able to roll and fell off from the bed!!! He's starting to recognize people and rooms as he won't feel good if we are in a strange and darker room. I think he's a sunny boy, he prefers bright places and smile or laugh very easily even there's no one talking to him! He's now loves cooing or perhaps trying to talk with us when he's in good mood.

He's very good in grabbing stuff around him AND PUT INTO THE MOUTH! Oh... he's in the walker now as he's too active being jumping and bouncing non-stop. We don't think he's tired but anyone who's holding him will sure encounter painful arms (therefore, mummy got to sling him!) He can moves front and back in the walker but most of the time will stuck in between furniture. Then, we'll hear frustrating sound from him... :)


Baby Zheng loves to be around with Jie Jie. He will smile and giggles whenever he sees Jie Jie and can't wait to jump in and play together! En En on the other hands, loves to see baby Z laughing and will imitates what he's doing or cooing together...

Lately, mummy found out he dislikes to be fed when mummy is sitting especially when he's overtired. He wants to lie down! Quite a demanding little master... hope this is not going to be forever... Planning to bring him for the 5th month injection next week and he's exactly 5 months old TODAY!

Can't stop to knit!

Currently working on a lacy baby kimono...

and a wool shorties for baby Z. Screwed up on crocheting baby booties... Hiya~

Bake... bake... bake...

Cakes or cookies?

Supposed to be muffins!

Technically error occurred... only the last 5 survived as m-u-f-f-i-n-s.

All I want is...

Mummy's attention!!!

We know why this happen, it's jealousy. She is now keen on doing what DiDi does to get attention. Mummy also try to spend as much time as possible with the "big one" together with the "small one".

Up till today, she is much more better than before and never cry or scream when DiDi is crying. But, only if DiDi's "speaker" too loud, she will continue with hers too. We still need time to overcome the sibling rivalry... :(

Flu went off... finally

Mummy was battling with flu for almost 2 weeks plus and now finally can declare for the victory! Yeah!!! Was worry that baby Z got flu from mumy too but luckily he's only discovered with a little coughing 2 days ago when mummy was getting well. That's the wonders of breastfeeding!

So, from the previous post, this is the so-called "Ang-Moh" mint. Pardon as the leaves are supposed to be all green but the one in the pic were taken out from the fridge after 2 days... therefore already layu lah... It's very big compare with the normal mint leaves that we used in cooking and it has some fur-like feeling when touching. Surprisingly, it's quite tasty as a drink after cooked with rock sugar but it also can be chewed raw. Immediate soothing for the throat irritation.

Just for a record of medication that mummy got from Dr.Zovi's prescription... in case in need for future while still breastfeeding (CHOY! CHOY! CHOY! touch wood...)

Cough - DURO-TUSS FORTE 0.3% SYRUP / PHOLCODINE

Antibitotic - AUGMENTIN 1g (amoxycillin + clavulanate potassium)

Baby Z's had flaming red "little bird" since last week but now it's under monitor and proper care with frequent changing of nappy, use lampin instead of modern cloth diapers. Visited paed and most probably the cause of it was too humid and didn't clean properly. In fact, it's just a mild case and paed only gave LACTACYD to be used in bath and nappy change. Well, sometimes he was soaking wet espcially using cloth nappies overnight... maybe need to add another layer of microfleece to wick the moisture away.

Oh... if you are new to modern cloth diapers, do drop by my diapering blog. Moment like this it always give mummy a mix feeling to use disposable and cloth diapers when you are so in love with the modern cloth nappies. No doubt disposable never gives any skin problem to both mummy's little ones but the impact of the environment... well, it's just feeling so waste to use and throw... Anyway, right now mummy needs to take more precaution at this moment for baby Z's little bird as mummy discovered there's some peeling of skin happening... Poor baby Z... Guess mummy will resume in full time cloth diapering soon.

Homemade Cream Puff

Baked these last Saturday for the babywearing gathering potluck BUT decided to blog for reminder as the first batch of the pastry was a FAILURE!!!

The two photos above is the comparison of the fail and successful pastry. I even need to drived out to Giant supermarket to get the butter to bake the second batch... luckily Giant open at 8am and baby Z was still sleeping.

The is the comparison of the first batch of the pastry batter which is too watery and abit lumpy (left) vs the second batch which is more sticky and smooth.

The end product - Pastry fills with custard filling... Absolutely YUMMY!!!

Baby Zheng is 4 months old!

The more frequent mummy trim the nail of those little fingers, that's the symbol of how fast our little one grows up everyday!

Vital

Height - 60cm

Weight - Weighed last Sunday when visit paed at Adventist Hospital was 7kg! But mummy think not realy 7kg yet but definitely more than 6.6kg already.

Diet

Exclusively on breast milk but mumy realized he is now showing interest on what we eat. He will smacks his lips and makes some sounds whenever he sees mummy is drinking or eating in front of him.

Feeding every 2 hourly, taking approximately 3-4oz of bm.

Poo poo between 7-12 days since last month and need to monitor.

Motor Skills

1. He is finally able to turn from his back to the sides and ended up on tummy.

2. He can grasp anything that he's able to reach such as the hanky, bolster and pillow.

3. He's a bouncing baby as he can't stop junping if we let him stand while carrying him.

4. He loves to suck his fingers. No particularly which finger but if possible he would love to have the whole fist inside the mouth! Sucks palms, arm or shoulder of anyone who carries him.

5. Laughes uncontrollably when we play peek-a-boo. Prefer rough actions very much while playing.

Emotion

Baby Zheng is a Happy Baby! He will smile and laugh with anyone who smile at him or play with him. He will draw anyone's attention by trying to talk to you and give you that million dollar smiling face.

Very active as he will kick and jump non-stop when we are holding him. Loves to be carried (even sleep!) and will play on his own for the most 30 minute if no one is free to entertain him provided he's full and not sleepy.

Baby Zheng can be very fierce and aggresive when it's pass his nap time and hungry. He will shout in the highest pitch he can while grasps tightly on the person who carry him. At the same time, he will start to "bite" while still shouting! It will be terrible if he has teeth later on...

Sleep

This is still a struggle for mummy and baby Zheng as mummy still in the process of training him to fall asleep on his own. Due to En En's crying on each time the little brother cries, mummy has no choice but to avoid letting baby Zheng cry too much and that's mean swinging him to sleep in a sling too! Therefore, baby Zheng already used to sleep that way, it will be another attempt to change his current sleeping habit.

The longest nap time for daytime is 30 minutes till 1 hour. Luckily he sleeps well at night except need to be fed every 2-4 hourly. At night, he will start to sleep from 10.30pm or 11.00pm till next mmorning 10.00am or 11.30am with a few feeding in between.

33 months old

Vital

Height: 92.5cm

Weight: 13.5kg

Diet

Lately, I found new love with rice but not forgetting the porridge. I prefer to sit in and take a few spoonful of rice with fish or meat when everyone is having meal at the dining table. I can't lie to Ah Mah or mummy that I'm full as Ah Mah will eventually feed me porridge later on. Ah Mah is frustrated to feed me rice as I eat too slow because rice is hard to swallow. Oh... most of the time I don't chew when people feed me.

Sometimes, I won't swallow if I don't like to eat rice or porridge. It depends on my mood. But I have supper every night in Ah Mah's room, be it the cheese stick bread or my honeycake (kuih bahulu) with milk. I still drink milk 7-8oz 3 to 4 times per day. Don't tell anyone that I still take milk before I wake up early in the morning around 5-7am or sometimes in the middle of the night if I hardly can sleep.

Daddy likes to bring me to Maxim Cake House regularly for their Gelato, a new type of ice cream which is less sweet and less creamier than normal ice-cream. I love to go there and my favourite... surprisingly is the waffle on top of the ice-cream! Speaking about ice-cream I can't forget McDonald's vanilla cone ice-cream. I will sure ask daddy to buy one whenever I see the McD's ice-cream stall when we go to Gurney Plaza.

I don't refuse plain water anymore and sometimes it' an good excuse to ask Ah Mah or mummy to get plain water, prune juice, yakult or yoghurt if I throw tantrum and want to lengthen the time for them to serve me. More choices to make now... hehehe...

Potty/Toilet Train

I won't tolerate to get into any diapers if I don't go to bed for nap or sleep. After much "advises" from Ah Mah that I must sleep on the floor if I wet the bed, I accepted the fact that I still need to wear a disposable diaper to sleep at night. Maybe I can't wake up or maybe I cried at midnight whenever asked to pee. Ah Mah scares my voice will wakes up the whole family, with no chice but to buy more disposable diapers for me. Luckily, no diapers for me when we go out kai-kai as I know daddy, mummy or Ah Mah will bring me to the toilet if I tell them I need to pee.

I still trust my red little potty at home whenever I do my big business. I don't want to use mummy's or Ah Mah's potty in the toilet, (the seated toilet) it is too big for me. My big business time is the time before I go to bed every night, provided if I don't constipated.

Feelings & Developments

1. I a now able to turn the door knob and I know how to open door!!! Hurray!!! Don't ever try to close door and leave me alone in the room as I know how to escape...

2. I am still learning to using fork and spoon together even I never success yet. But I love to play that way when at the dining table with all the "big people".

Jealousy

Sometimes, I feel not being loved when Di Di is around. Everyone's attention is him and not me. I cry alot lately and throw tantrum with no reasons in the eyes of the "big people". Ah Mah whacked my butt a few times but I just can't stop not to cry or manja. I want to be pampered like Di Di but I do not know what's missing in me... the feeling is miserable and I do not know how to express it except throwing tantrum and cry out loud.

Sometimes I want mummy, sometimes I don't want mummy but I want Ah Mah most of the times. Mummy needs to carry Di Di and I can't bear with it whenever I hear Di Di cries. I have butterflies in my tummy and I can't help but cry together with Di Di. I hardly can stop crying once get started. I know everyone dislike me when I cry but this is how I want to do to get their attention.

Whenever I see Di Di's stuff which was once belongs to me, I'll try to get back.

That's all for now, I want to follow daddy out to Youth Park to play slide and see-saw. Daddy brings me to many places nowadays and I love to go out.

Sick, sick, sick mummy...

Mummy is not the only one in the family who has flu, it started from Ah Kong during the second day of Chinese New Year. Then, it started to spread...

Mummy's condition worsen since yesterday. Non-stop coughing cause sleepless night and thus fever, sore throat all comes at once. Went to see the family doctor 2 days ago but no antibiotic was given due to mummy still breastfeed baby Zheng. Last night discovered blood in the phlegm and mummy can't bear with the counghing anymore. It's getting worse and worse. Not so sure who to turn to at this moment and therefore sms Chanel and Loh from MMPS to get help. Thanks to Chanel mentioned about visiting my gynea.

Mummy was the last patient when arrived at Adventist Hospital at 12.15pm. Today only open half day because it's a Sunday. Even Dr.Zovi is not a lactation specialist but is particularly very supportive in breastfeeding. Oh... she is the doctor who was in charge for baby Zheng delivery, she's so happy to see baby Zheng again. She told mummy all the gynea and nurses there were trained to help breastfeeding mothers. Dr.Zovi recommended mummy to take the mint leaves to sooth the sore throat and it's much better compare taking antibiotic in the futire. The mint leaves is different from the type we use for cooking, the leave is 6-7 times bigger. Mummy was touched when Dr.Zovi went back to her home to get her homegrown mint leaves for mummy! She asked mummy to plant this in a pot for future use. Will take a picture of the mint leave soon.

Mummy prays to get well soon. Hopefully, baby En and baby Zheng will be fine in the family as MIL and daddy also starts coughing now... Seriously, this is not an enjoyable Chinese New Year...

Nigthmare in the family

It's En En's crying and screaming!!!
It has been over a week this little girl cried and screamed for no particular reason. Right now, she will "tune on" her radio at least once per day for almost 1 hour... so, so irritating to the ears...

Back to what is her problem? Or perhaps what is the issues with us, the adult, who looks after her everyday? We got to see things both ways because mummy realised sometimes the problem is not from the child, it's the different perspective from adult. Mummy and Ah Mah observe and figure out how to tackle whenever En En crys for nothing. For sure, she's looking for attention and needs someone to pamper her.

Just imagine, she will cry when someone refuses her in anything, yes... just anything is good enough for her to take as a reason and start crying. Then, she will force herself to scream louder and cry longer even we are trying to distract her, sweet talk to her,... just name whatever ideas you have. Guess what she did? Cry even louder and shut both eyes!!! "Keng" or not? Exactly like small babies when they feel exhausted they will cry out loud and squint the eyes in order to shut the stimulation from outside world. Therefore, En En wishes to hear nothing and to see nothing but everyone in the family was so stress and panic! Even a small sound from Baby Zheng will cause En En to burst into tears within 3 seconds...

When she will stop? No idea... we tried the soft way - not working; the hard way - not working... she will stop when she think it's enough. The most ridiculous part is there were times whereby she stopped crying because she's thirsty and tired. She accepted water or milk with eyes closed but still awake. After finished her drinks, she started to cry again! Wah-lah!!! What does this means?? Sometimes we feel so geram and wanted to whack her butt but on the other hands, this little girl is just too funny... :)

What type of "baby" is En En now? Definitely a spoiled baby... Any ideas to handle this type of kids...

Surprise from Breastfeeding!

This photo won an Attractive Prize, from a Breasstfeeding Contest organized by MMPS Penang last month. Mummy just sent in for fun and who knows...?