Coxackie??!! And the end of Breastfeeding Journey

Not really a real one but suspected symptom. Both En En and Zheng have ulcers in the throat but no spots on hands or foots. It started with fever on En En since last friday while Zheng was having flu. Visited paed on Friday as well and we only brought back medicine for flu and fever.

Zheng started to have bad appetite then refused to eat since Sunday's afternoon, and then at night... After that refused to drink at the end of the day. Worst still, he rejected to breastfeed! Mummy think this is really weird as Zheng never rejects McB since he's a newborn. He started to get fever too at midnight and was screaming and crying non-stop. All of us were so tense and panic with his reaction and therefore we brought both of them to visit the paed again on Monday morning. En En got a few red/white dots ulcers at the throat while Zheng got... Oh God! Countless ulcers all over his throat!!! No wonder he refused to eat and drink. Both were given antibiotics for 5 and 6 days treatment.

The most terrible part is Zheng still woke up at 1-2am, 3-4am screaming and crying non-stop for 2 nights! Everyone in the family couldn't sleep as long as Zheng was awake no matter during daytime or night time. He even asked us to bring him "kai-kai" at 2.30am by pointing to the door!!! We can say that almost 80% of the time Zheng was screaming and crying with occasionally complaining pain. Daddy got fever as a result of lacking sleep for 2 days... luckily mummy is well enough to take care of Zheng while gratefully Ah Mah is taking care of En En. Mummy is very determined not to fall sick during this difficult period... thanks God En En is recovering fast although she's feeling been left out as we pay more attention to Zheng.

Last night, we decided to bring Zheng for an emergency visit to the paed again thinking in maybe can get some solutions to let him feel calmer and sleeps well at night or maybe something to ease his throat pain. He took less than 10oz of fluid for a day! He has extremely dry lips and smelly breath. We only can feed him plain water, ice-cream and some juices with "leong fan" , one of his favourite drinks. Besides crying, he took very small amount of watery porridge and oat. The other paed at night clinic said he's having Coxackie, most probably got it from the elder sister. She only prescribed XYLOCAINE VISCOUS solution to make the throat and mouth numb for ease of feeding. Anyway, haven't really use this solution till this morning.

Last night Zheng slept well and never woke up till 6am... so did En En. Well, better way to say it is as long as Zheng is not screaming, En is able to sleep well too. Another weird scenario is Zheng wants Ah Mah to sleep with him at night and refuse mummy!!?? Maybe because Ah Mah accompany En En and Zheng for afternoon nap everyday, so once Zheng stop breastfeed to sleep, he's turning for another comfort with Ah Mah. This is just too strange to mummy.

We visited paed again this morning according to the scheduled appointment date. Thankfully both of them is recovering well. We are so relieved to hear that and in fact Zheng started to eat and drink much more than 2 days ago only in the morning. En En too has almost clear throat. They are slowly back to their usual self.

Now, daddy need to rest more for the following days and mummy feels grateful to have back sleeping time... Just feel so miserable mummy's breastfeeding journey ended up in this way. So, Zheng is breastfeed exclusively exactly 21 months and 17 days!

If not "throwing" (leaving) DiDi to the jungle...

From the previous post, En En already told us to "throw" DiDi into the jungle when he's naughty. We asked her again after a few days and this is her reply.

En En said :"Then leave DiDi in the farm... with cows and pigs!"

We asked :"Why?"

En En replied :"Got cows mummy (female cows) in the farm so DiDi can take the milk.." - Perception of breastfeeding babies... *mummy felt like laugh and rolling on the floor*

We said :" No, cannot leave DiDi in the farm, he will be alone."

En En still insisted and said :" Then, THROW him into dustbin!!!"

When DiDi is naughty...

En En said: "Leave DiDi in the jungle!"

We asked: "Why?"

En En replied: "DiDi is very naughty..."

We said: "But jungle got lions and will eat DiDi..."

En En quickly replied: "Lion lives in the zoo lah... so can put DiDi into a jungle."  :OD

Screaming... Crying...!!! AHHHHH

Mummy is going to get mad mad mad with Zheng. Our maid went back kampung since the beginning of the month and therefore everyone in the house need to co-operate in handling household chores... Sometimes mummy involves En En in bringing clothes, unclipped peg on clothes from the hanger and put something back to its original place. Sometimes she is very co-operative but MOST OF THE TIME, she prefers to do her own stuff.

Zheng on the other hands shouts and cry whenever he saw mummy is washing clothes or out of his sight! He will make terrible requests such as taking off his clothes and ask for bath right after is sleep when he saw mummy is doing the laundry. That is just 8am and this is definitely ridiculous... Or worst still he will cry as if he's been abused by us when mummy or daddy bathing. He screams, hit the bathroom door and ask us to OPEN THE DOOR!!! Arrgh... crazy moment... imagine how to do your big business???

RIDICULOUS REQUESTS and Screaming will happen when Zheng wants to achieve what he's looking for... be it a thing or a person. No one is able to convince him or persuade him stop crying and wait or distract him with anything... useless! He has such a strong determination that he won't give up so easily on what he wants! Should knew his bad character from the day mummy starts to breastfeed him... on how he insisted to suckle and the high pitch during the whole confinement month!

And yes, he is that typical type that will roll and stamp his feet on the floor if his request never been fulfilled. Horrible characteristics... *Sigh* Any tips on handling such kid???

Mummy is sick!

Still feel the wind pushing here and there in the stomach... no appetite to eat.. not a good news coz the weighing scales reading never goes down, ok?

It was last Tuesday mummy was feeling nausea and diarrhea for 3 days continually!!! The cause? According to doctor, it was food poisoning. Maybe it's the soon to be expired bread or the yoghurt drink that stay outside of the fridge for one night. Yes, mummy took these two stuff the day before Tuesday.

Visited 2 different doctors for THREE times... at the end swallowed Imodium and Motilium which already stand by in the house to ease the tummy wind and stop the diarrhea. So weird that the first doctor never mentioned to take Imodium to stop the diarrhea. Maybe he wanted mummy to clear all the "Poison" with bowel movement. The maximum was 20 plus times mummy headed to the toilet in a day! Yeah... even so, never drop a pound yet! Only the next day mummy weighed lighter of 1.5kg... arrrgh!

Everything was back to normal on Friday morning and we were able to go back to Alor Setar for mummy's maternal grandma 70th birthday celebration. En En and Zheng were delighted to play and stay late at night during the 2 nights stay at Po Po's house.

Today mummy went back to music center and was not feeling well again since afternoon. Wind was forming in the stomach again... Got to pop in Charcoal tablet or some Chinese traditional medicine powder to reduce the uncomfort. Praying hard that mummy will get well soon...

Oh yeah... irritable bowel syndrome was the name given by a specialist doctor about mummy's tummy's problem after the diagnosis few years back, before got marry. Guess mummy made some damage to the tummy during teenage years by taking too much cold food and vegetables.

Happy Birthday to En En!

This is a backdated post. Draft of this blog were written on 15 May 2010!

She is officially 4 years old today! Had a birthday party in school yesterday (14 May 2010) and she was sooo... EXCITED!!! Unable to nap during afternoon at her usual nap time... kekeke...

Gong Gong and Po Po also came over to celebrate her birthday earlier yesterday in her school with mummy, daddy and Didi. She received birthday's gifts from everyone of us and homemade party food for her school birthday celebration from mummy!

Pineapple Mini Muffin...

 Custard Cream Puffs

 Heart shaped chocolate butter cookies (En En's favourite!)

The school ordered a cheese cake for her since she dislike chocolate and the cake was small and cute!

 Original Cheese cake with KittyCat in Penguin suit

En En was enjoying her cake and food with her classmates and DiDi too! Zheng was soo cool with his sun glasses and refused to take off at the beginning... then when good food was so irresistable, he gave in. LOL!

Then today, Ah Kong and Ah Mah can't wait to buy En En another birthday cake and we had a little cake cutting ceremony at home. It was a delicious mango sponge cake.... very yummy~~! Zheng again couldn't resist the cake until we got to grabbed him away from the cake... he kept on saying "mum mum (food)" while the hands were trying to touch the pretty cake.

En En was happy as well even she didn't gave us a big smile but she was... and the most happiest moment is finally own the Fisher Price Medical Kit toys from Toy ' R Us this morning.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, EN EN!!!

Mother's Day of 2010

Unable to blog on time for what's happening before Mother's Day. En En's school was having a Mother's Day celebration and parents were invited to attend the celebration which includes some singing, dancing and drama performed by the children. Yes, mummy went with Zheng.

We are so impress that our girl was performing confidently with other kids from her class and she was not the shy and timid little girl anymore.

Teachers taught the children to create some cards and a carnation flower for mummy during their Arts & Crafts session. There is one handmade photo frame of mother and their child in it for memory keepsake. En En loves it when she first saw it. Really a wonderful gift for mother's day.

The first handmade carnation flower mummy received from En En...

Mummy baked some bluberry muffin for teachers from En En's school for their hardwork and also as a gift for celebrating Mother's Day together!

Life is busy...

as a mother...

as a wife...

aa daughter in law...

as a music teacher...

as a knitter...

and on top of all, the same old saying...

as a LEARNER regardless of how old you are...

18 months old Zheng!

Turned 18 months old on 19 April 2010

Yes, we miss out so many achievements of this little fella since mummy never sit down and blog them out. Here is a quick one before mummy forget.

Before that, Zheng and En En is still having flu and running nose (now turn into allergy, prolong flu) since 1 and a half week ago. Both of them still on medication at the time when mummy is blogging.

Vital: 
Height - 79cm
Weight - 11.5kg

Diet:
Main meal is porridge but basically he seldom rejects any kind of food that we offer him. A little dustbin at home as he even and STILL put non-food related item into his mouth.

Take 3-4oz milk per day, we just give him Fernleaf. Nothing fancy... as sometimes he won't drink at all and ended up throwing away. Therefore, no need expensive milk powder.

Still breastfeed even mummy planned to wean him by 18 months old but not the mid-night feed and comfort sucking. He still want "nen-nen" when he got nothing to do and seeing mummy free that time.

SMALL ACCIDENT
Happened on last Friday when mummy was not at home. Zheng inserted a small plastic part of the toy car into his NOSE!!! Then, no one was able to take out that small part and everyone was so panic. Daddy and Ah Mah quickly drove him to emergency unit in Adventist Hospital. It was around 5-6pm. Heard that Zheng still able trying to "talk" to the nurse by pointing his nose to tell his condition but he's not crying, quite calm. He was screaming so LOUD when doctor removing the plastic part from his nostril. After that, he was carried to Ah Mah with no crying and tears! He's back to his usual self as soon as you see him again! 


Speech & Vocab

- Everything that needs to be opened, he will ask you to "Open the door!" Even when he wants "nen-nen" (ask mummy to open the bra!)

- Thank kee (thank you)

- piii (please)

- pish (fish)

- meow meow (cat)

- dog or woo woo

- bubble (shampoo or bubbles)

- kok kok (horse, think Hokkien is "kok kok beh")

- shee shee (pee, sometimes poo)

- dui tiao (shui4 jiao4, means sleep in mandarin)

- bing bing (means biscuit in mandarin)

- mei mei (means pretty in mandarin)

Most of the time, he will mimic or trying to pronounce the words that we tell him. He's more responding compare to En En.

Potty Training
Still it is early but he already show awareness when he wee wee and poo poo. Now, he will "announce" to us AFTER he pee. Therefore, even when we get him the potty, the diaper already wet.

He is not familiar when not in diaper, he will pull his bird when he walks and make fuss to you if he's diaperless. Maybe we need to train him in using the potty more often and he is very interested to play when sitting on the potty cover on the toilet's potty (aka adult's potty by En En).

Sleep
Nap for 2-3 hours every afternoon (since 10 or 11 months old). He won't be needing McB if mummy is not around and will sleep in 5 seconds if he's very tired.

Always look for En En since they sleep together in the afternoon.

Night time need McB and supper before he goes to bed. He will ask for "mum-mum" (food) after 2 or 3 hours after his dinner. He won't be sleeping if no supper. Even so, he is not super chubby type.

Attitude
One BAD attitude is he loves to scream and cry his lungs out if things are not at his way. On top of that, rolling on the floor! Worse still, throw whatever he is holding or hit anyone besides him!!! (Most of the time, it's En En)

Starts his "radio" immediately and turn soft or Stop also immediately when given food or distracted. He must be a real good ACTOR!!!

Bird? Huh?!!

This is a funny one. Ever since we have baby Zheng in the family, En En was facing tremendous change in her life as she needed to adapt to (and accept) this little brother. So, we kind of started her to differentiate herself from Zheng by gender. Ok... now you know what bird stands for here (aka penis).

We told En En she is different from Zheng because DiDi got bird bird. Therfore, DiDi is a boy and she is a girl. So, everytime we ask her what;s the difference between En En and Zheng, she always answer :" Ah Zheng got bird!!!"

Today when we went out for dinner, we saw a dog walked pass the gate and below is the conversation:

 En En shouted:" Dog got bird!!!"
Mummy continued: "This is a..."
En En replied :" A BOY dog!!!" LOL...

Another neighbours black dog came out from the house, yes it's a female dog.

En En said: " That black dog is a GIRL!"
We asked:" Why?"
En En replied: " NO BIRD!"

She is actually correct but it just sounds so funny...

Recycle? Buy 2nd...

And yes, I buy second too. All of us consume too much raw material these days... So, at the end of the day, we have too many unuse things pilling up at home! Well, we do giveaways to Salvation Army or Tze Chu occasionally after spring cleaning. But, but,... they are items which is hardly use which remain new and also preloved...

Therefore, this mummy came out one idea which is selling them to those who need it. This is the birth of the FOURTH blog:

http://my2ndclosets.blogspot.com/

Crazy, huh? But never mind... to play a role on saving our earth. Support 2nd hand item... Planning to buy second hand piano too... in future...

Oh yes... there will be one Jumble sale organized by MMPS Penang next month. Let's see what do we have to contribute... So, mummy will be busy again and spend lesser and lesser time to blog. *Sigh*

Penang Mummy Bloggers Meet - CNY

Zheng with CE (who adores di di very much)

This is definitely back back dated post. But can't resists those cute kids messing around during their first met! We got 2 photographer daddies tagging along... so lots of beautiful snaps captured during the almost 3 hours meet.

Below are a few masterpieces...

Global Warming - end of our planet?

It's so sad and terrifying to read news about earthquake at Haiti, draught in China, flood and many others natural disasters all over the world nowadays. It's happening so frequent lately until mummy need to stop and think what is going on with our planet? In Malaysia, it is so hot as the temperature rising comapare to the time when mummy was a little girl. Global warming is the hot keyword today, we are really wondering what will happen to our next generation later. The major cause of global warming is too much consumption on natural gas and petroleum in our life. Don't you agree?

Two days ago, mummy was chatting with Ah Kong and discussed about the petroleum issues in Malaysia. There are prediction saying that there will be an end of the day whereby human will use up all the petrol. There is still no confirm renewable energy promise by the government. What will happen next? Use solar energy or water energy? Will there be a greater alternative energy exist in near future? Coal probably will work but isn't we need to use clean coal? Who is the provider? Suddenly so many questions came into mummy's mind...

At the same time we were watching Astro programme and suddenly there is short documentation film introducing the new solution to opportunity fuels. It's a technology from Japan, using waste to energy method and imagine what they use? Seaweed!!! They even build factories to grow seaweed as a new renewable energy solution. How amazing! Then mummy also came across N-Viro, an International Corporation that developes, implements and promotes the greener idea in using the organic waste as an alternative energy.  Frankly speaking, this is really a brilliant idea. At least we still have a better hope for the future in staying green on earth. Mummy is really amazed on the technology from N-Viro in doing their best to promote the new recycling method that will benefit each and everyone of us.

Holiday Trip

We went for holidays with Po Po and Gong Gong 2 days ago... the place is cozy and very cold when it's raining. Finally there is a reason to bring the knitted vests for the kiddos...


It's famous for all the pots with...

STRAWBERRIES!!!

Lots of beautiful, colourful and super Big-sized flowers...

Not forget the veggies too...

Unforgettable breathtaking sunrise and sunset landscape... which we never took a nice picture of... *Sigh*

But the most happiest mooment of En En was a surprise trip to the ZOO!!! It was on the way back to Penang, She was so delighted to see real animals...

Sleep now!!! Mummy is so frustrated...

The rare snap of the naughty face with naked body! LOL!

Not sure why Zheng can be so restless and refuse to sleep even it's way passed his sleeping time. Yesterday was playing too much in the bedroom, today maybe he's hungry and will only quiet down after supper was given.

Sometimes, it's so frustrated to play the guessing game of what he needs... ruining all mummies plan to do something else after he fall asleep. Why must wait till he's asleep? Since he is one active boy who is unable to sit down quietly for even 5 seconds, so be prepare for his destroy whenever he goes!

He loves to pull things out from everywhere, one moment not watching him, he's either putting or chewing small toys into the mouth or EATING CRAYONS!!! Arrgh... that's not the terrible part, he loves to play with shoes or En En's sandals... The most horrible one is biting En En's sandal IN HIS MOUTH!!! That's so gross...

How can mummy do other things or not paying attention to him when he's awake?? One day eventually mummy will be mentally ill...

Is she naughty? Or he?

The house is full of screaming, crying, yelling,.. It's true that there will hardly be any peace at home when there are 2 kids fighting for a toy!

Guess it's norm when the elder is playing with something, the younger will snatch and vice versa. Anyhow, En En never fight for food but Zheng will want each taste of his Jie Jies's (or anyone else holding food related item) and will shout loudly till we give him. Normally Zheng will finish En's food.

Really treasure moments when they can play or share things peacefully together...

What about yours?

Many, many updates...

Before the end of Chap Goh Meh (the 15th day of Chinese New Year), must update the blog!

Mummy lost count of how many things or incidents to be jotted down and blog about En En and Zheng. Well, about mummy too...

Too many things happen before, during and after Chinese New Year. Mummy just not so determine like last time to blog so often. Oh yeah... one of mummy's THIS YEAR resolution is to blog more... hopefully able to get there.

Let's start with En En

Characters

En En is now no longer the shy and timid little girl we once used to know. Ever since she goes to nursery school, she is now talking louder and clearer, mix well with her peers, responding well to questions we throw to her and also reasoning.

She is VERY INTERESTED in ANIMALS! PHDC programme from Astro no longer her favourite and guess what's her favourite channel?? ANIMAL PLANET! No.556... gosh... She LOVES documentary film! Well, it's good that she's learning alot from the animal world.

Health & Diet

But, still a very terrible picky eater and of lately we notice she will vomit out her food if she feels pressure from us scolding her or raise up the voice tone when talking to her. She seems weak after attending school... probably due to lung allergy too. Gosh, my girl been confirmed having allergy and from our monitoring for the past 8 months, she has reaction towards room temperature changes.

The other problem is and still is CONSTIPATION! She refuses vegetables and fruits, that's the major culprit. We are still trying to give her variety of food selection but she's not even interested to taste them. *Sigh*

Zheng

Weaning

Started trying to wean 3 days before CNY, but only wean him off McB for afternoon nap! It's so terrible and difficult as Zheng is a very strong will boy. He is the type that you don't give me nen-nen, I don't want to sleep! On top of that, he cried non-stop for 1 hour with annoying screaming and cursing in his own words that only God knows!

Some methods used to wean him off from direct feeding:-

(THE FAIL METHODS)

- Mummy tried to substitute direct feeding by expressed breast milk in milk bottle. Guess what?He threw the bottle back to us!

- Then we tried to carry him in arms to calm him down and he hit us so hard with his little strong palm!

- Already passed his napping time, he got even fierce and angry... he insisted to have McB! Mummy never give in, therefore must be very determine, no means NO! Poor little fella kept on crying and screaming. Mummy offered other drinks and food to make him forget about McB.

(THE SUCCESSFUL METHOD)

- Feed him full with solid food before nap.

- Never drag his naptime pass 5/6 hours from his previous sleep time.

- Quiet envinroment and no playing with En En before nap. (Yes, they will get crazy when playing together)

- Insist him to sleep on tummy while patting his back.

If all the above successful, Zheng in fact will go into his dreamland in less than 10 minutes! Really a blissful moment for mummy... LOL!

Speech:

1) "Open the door!" Even ask mummy to Open clothes for nen-nen *roll eyes*

2) Able to call everyone in the family including close family members from daddy's and mummy's side... eg. Gong Gong, Po Po, Yi Yee (mum's sisters), Jiu Jiu (mum's brother). He is able to mimic almost every sound we told him for almost 80-90% accurate on pronunciation!

3) "Bei1" (in mandarin means Cup)

4) "Xi1 jou" ( in mandarin means Wash hand)

5) "tuok tuok" (supposed to be zhou4, means Sit)

Motor Skills

Since 14 months old...

- Able to put his arm through the shirt when mummy is wearing him a shirt

- Able to hold on mummy when wearing pants while lifting his legs one by one at the same time.

- Able to throw ball from above head

- Able to lift up daddy's laptop that weigh 3kg with both his hands! A Strong baby...

- Able to walk up and down the staircase with one hand leaning on the wall

- Able to use cup or small bucket to pour out water into another one ( well, in the bathroom...)

- Able to hold a pencil or pen and draw on a paper... JUST TO ADD - When En & Zheng having pen or pencil in their hands and no adults in the room, they made their master piece ON THE WALL!

Mummy

- Put on 2kg within 1 week of CNY... blame it on the cookies and non-stop feasting...

- Rejected the job offer

- Confirmed on job with music center

- Started a mini customizable handicraft online business (so far only 1 customer... haha!)

- Still hook on Farmville! Bad mummy, bad mummy,...

Happy Chinese New Year!

Just want to wish everyone who celebrate Chinese New Year, GONG XI FA CAI!!!

We got 2 little Tarzan & Jane hopping around the house non-stop since the CNY's eve... guess they are excited for the celebration... LOL!


Rou En decided to take photos with one little animals of her cousin sister... named Sugar. Mummy got her one lovely post here...

The up-close look of Sugar...

En En couldn't help and giggles at last when Sugar tried to climbed on her neck...

Have a wonderful holidays!!!

p/s: Before mummy forgot, HAPPY VALENTINE too!

Surprise?

Mummy received a job interview call last week for the position of a purchaser. Was quite surprise since the application was about 2 years ago, before having Zheng.

Went for the interview yesterday and was unable whether to go back to the workforce after knowing that already been shortlisted. A huge commitment and sacrifice must make for the job and then feel so heavy to leave my little ones again. On the other hands, mummy already contacted back the music center to start a part time job which gradually will turn into full time. Headache!!!

So, the decision? Still uncertain... there are pros and cons ... must think carefully tonight... Another sleepless night...

My first pair of shoes!

Looks like "kar-kiak" (in hokkien dialect, is an old wooden shoes wore by traditional chinese ladies) to us but it's En En first pair of "high-heels"! Eww... 4 years old on high heels doesn't sounds nice to mummy though...

Well, she chose this pair of shoes on her own and insisted daddy to buy for her without looking at other. Ah Mah said En En gave excuses such as " this one cannot wear, this one leg pain after wearing" to those shoes that she didn't like. Now, she is real good at giving reasons and excuses.

She's happily posing for mummy to take her photos with her new shoes on...

Still looks big on her, maybe fit better by the end of the year after she grows more...

En En was getting naughtier and more brave to speak out whenever she's not happy with something or someone after attending school. She started to tell lie and denies on something bad done by her. A couples of days ago, she hide behind the door with a crayon in hand and drew up to the wall!!! Mummy caught her and guess what she said? She claimed that it's Zheng who drew the wall!!! Unbelievable that she's lying and look at the height of the "masterpiece", it's really impossible for Zheng to draw so high...

We taught her to tell the truth and admit that she has done something wrong and to our surprise, she was firm with her lie! She was very firm on her speech - saying that she's not the one who drew on the wall even she was still holding the crayon!!! Arrgh... mummy cannot stand it and brought out the small cane and asked her again who did that mess... Ah Mah was also shocked that this little girl was so firm and steady when telling a lie!

After many many times asking her to admit what she did wrong then only she admitted with an unwillingly face. Kakak got to clean up her mess on the wall and she was banned to use crayon for 2 days! Starting to feel the challenge is growing bigger in bringing up a stubborn little girl...