First Laugh!

3 nights ago, Daddy was playing with Lil' Angel and she was so amused by his antics that she laughed! Her very first laugh! Once again, I quickly grabbed my oh-so precious gadget (another great invention) and started snapping shots of her laughing!

Baby Caitlyn has been smiling alot more since that day - 4th June 2007. She first smiled when she was 6 weeks old, and it was not very often unless she was in an exceptionally good mood. Now that she's older, she has become more responsive and able to show her emotions more! I am so sad that my leave is going to be over in about a month's time! I will really miss being with her the whole day and being there to see her "Firsts"! The Government should have increased the maternity leave to 6 months instead of 3 if it seriously wants to increase the population!!

Dressing Up...

Honestly, I am so glad that I got a little girl and not a boy cos I can doll up my lil' girl! In another of my attempts to train her to be a natural in front of the camera, mean Mommy made Lil' Angel sit up hugging a stuffed toy in a new dress! Doesn't she look so sweet in the pretty frock? I got this very pretty dress for her when we were shopping. It was so irresistably pretty that I just had to buy it, though she already has so many clothes! I have created some precious space in my wardrobe to hang angel's pretty dresses but very soon, she will be throwing out all my clothes to make space for hers!

Anyway, I have decided to let her wear the dress when she attends her first wedding in a week's time. I will definitely take a picture of her that day and post it for all to see! I have even bought a cardigan to match her dress! Angel, you are all set to attend the first wedding and one more step closer to being a model for advertisements!

Favourite Toy...

Since my last blog touched on the topic of shopping, here's one of the toys which I bought Caitlyn dearie on one of our shopping trips. It is called "Storybook Rhymes" from Fisher-Price. It's really cool and entertaining as you can sing along with the caterpillar and his nose can light up too! There are six nursery rhymes though I wish there were more. It also teaches letters, numbers and colours too! Lil' angel loves listening to the nursery rhymes and she gets very entertained by it. I usually place it beside her while changing her diapers or clothes to distract her and it works! She will either be staring intensely at the nice pictures or reaching out to press the buttons. I'll give this a "Good Buy" rating!

BabyBjorn Carrier...

Dear Lil' Angel gets cranky like Mommy if she stays home all day! She loves to go out so I try to bring her out everyday if possible. It is actually quite easy to bring her out as I will carry her in her BabyBjorn - whoever invented it is a genius and my friend, Adeline who lent it to me is a Bigger genius! Caitlyn dearie likes being in the carrier and she can sleep through the whole shopping trip! Look at her sleeping so sweetly. She, the Milk Monster will not even wake up for her milk! She is really very considerate as she doesn't want to disturb me shopping. Thanks girl! But wait! Who am I shopping for?? Not myself but Caitlyn dearest! Hmm...what a tricky lil' girl! You know that Mommy will buy you pretty clothes and interesting toys each time we shop right?

Best Friends...

Isn't Lil' Leon adorable! He is one of my bestest friend's son and he's 8 months older than Lil' Angel. When we realised that I was pregnant with a princess, Adeline and I got all excited and said that we can matchmake our lil' ones! Good idea indeed! Hahaha. However, from the rate Lil' Angel is growing physically, she looks like she will be catching up with Leon soon! Guess they can only remain as friends unless they don't mind each other's size!

Since I am on the topic of best friends, I'll like to share my amazing story about Adeline and myself. We have been friends since we were in Primary 2, when we were all of 8 years old. We became best pals at 10 but sort of lost touch after we graduated from Secondary school. When we met again by chance, we were both in university and studying in Australia. We also got married almost the same time and gave birth around the same time too! How's this for coincidence?

I'll share a quote from another of my bestest friends, Sheila - "They say that over time, husbands and wives become more and more like each other. However, it seems that there is also a special kind of connection between good friends of many many years "

Shrek!

This is dear Lil' Caitlyn looking like Shrek. Heehee. I love doing silly things to her and start snapping away! The camera is always with me 24/7. She is always full of expressions and I just can't help but to snap them all!

Actually, I don't think she's really into taking pictures much as Mommy always tortures her by placing her in all kinds of positions and keep asking her to "Smile, Caitlyn...Smile" even when she is in her most grouchy moods! Hahaha. No worries dear, in time to come, you will be so used to it and love taking pictures! Mommy will then send you to model for advertisements ya??! Then you can start earning enough for your milk powder when Milk Machine can no longer produce any more milk!

Bath Time!

Caitlyn dearie looks forward to her baths everyday - I call her baths "spa baths" cos she always looks so relaxed and calm in her bubble bath. Baths have a therapeutic effect on her and she can even end up falling asleep before her bath is over! The therapeutic effect could be due to the nice warm water, the nice smelling bath gel, or yet again, my wonderful singing! Our favourite bath song is - "This Is The Way We Wash Ourselves". My singing is so good, it is confined to the bathroom only and for my most appreciative and honoured audience - Caitlyn dearest! Heh Heh!! Recently, she is treating her little tub like a swimming pool - kicking her legs and squirming around. Ok Caitlyn, Mommy got the hint...you want Mommy to take you swimming in the real pool soon righty? Sure babe, we'll get you a nice swim suit and bring you to the pool when you are a wee bit older, okie? Well, Caitlyn hasn't always enjoyed bathing. She only started enjoying it after her 1st month. She used to cry when it was time to bathe. Now, she cries when bath time is over!!

The first time I tried bathing her when she was 3 weeks old, she pooed on me!! Bet she knew that Mommy was inexperienced! Naughty girl, trying to bully Mommy, ya?

Birthday Party!

Happy 1st Birthday, Charlotte! At 5 weeks, Caitlyn dearie attended her very first birthday party! It's cousin Charlotte's birthday bash at Club Chinois! Above is their first picture taken together. Don't they just look sweeeet??

Charlotte had a very pretty 3D Strawberry Shortcake House cake and it was yummilicious too! Poor lil' Caitlyn could only see Mommy & Daddy enjoying the cake. Nevermind dearie, Mommy promise to buy you a nice & yummy cake when you are 1 too, ya?

Office Visit...

I brought Caitlyn dearie to my office when she was 6 weeks old to visit all my wonderful colleagues. I am already beginning to miss them all! Some of them were so nice to come by my place when Caitlyn was only 1 week old just to see the lil' angel and showering her with even more gifts! Caitlyn is really one blessed lil' girl with so many aunties and uncles doting on her! Anyway, she is really so appreciative for all the wonderful gifts and well -wishes, my Lil' Cupcake told me that we must really get something nice for the whole Department. So when I brought her to the office that day, we gave all the nice aunties and uncles these very pretty little cupcakes! They are really very sweet (literally too!) and pretty...just like my lil' angel...

"Thank you for the wonderful pressies and well-wishes! I hope you enjoy the cupcakes as much as Mommy & Daddy are enjoying theirs!" - Caitlyn

Caitlyn's Baby Shower!

We celebrated Caitlyn's first month on Sunday, 6th May 2007 at home. Dad & Mom arranged for the yummy Peranakan food for almost 60 guests! Everyone came, armed with pressies for Caitlyn! Look at all your pressies Caitlyn! You are one lucky angel! There are more pressies but Mommy's camera isn't good enough to capture them all!

I'd like to thank all the aunties, uncles, cousins and friends who came to her party and showered her with all the wonderful gifts! I know baby Caitlyn loves all the gifts as she was smiling when I was unwrapping all her pressies!

End of Confinement!!

How time flies! It's been one month since Baby Caitlyn was born and it's time to say "Byeee" to the confinement lady. I am thankful that I had her for the first month as it has given me some time to settle down with a new person who is totally dependent on me. The days leading to the confinement lady's departure left me feeling apprehensive - Will I be able to cope? Will I know how to bathe baby?

Well, another month has passed and I am pleased to say that we are still surviving and I am managing OK!

After sending the confinement lady off, we headed back to my house to visit her grandpop! This is Caitlyn's first trip back to my house! Her great-grandma, grandaunt, granduncle, aunties, uncle and cousins were there to welcome her! We all went to Penang Place for dinner, Caitlyn's 1st at a restaurant.

Blessing At The Temple...

5th May 2007, Mom arranged for Caitlyn dearest to be blessed at the temple. It was a very short affair, where the Reverend chanted and sprinkled some water to bless her.

Lil' "Angel" At Night...

This is our lil' Angel in the middle of the night with her eyes wide opened! Truthfully, she is no angel when it comes to this time of the day (or should I say night?) as she does not sleep! You can sway and bounce all you want, she does not sleep. Try putting her in her cot, she will cry! The only way with some hope of getting her to sleep - let her latch on to me in the lying position - hopefully she will doze off while feeding but usually, its me who dozes off and I will wake up finding her still latched on to me but still awake! Urrrghhh!!

And her cries are no laughing matter. Her cries are so loud (bet she has powerful lungs!) it's as though she has been tortured! Thank goodness we are not living in an apartment or the neighbours will be %$*@! and #%$* at us! This tee definitely suits her to the T! Hee hee! Doesn't she just look mischievous??

1st Wedding Anniversary...

26th April 2007 was our 1st Wedding Anniversary! Though I was still in confinement, hubby dearest & myself went to Dan Ryan's to celebrate the occassion, leaving our lil' darling with the confinement lady. Sorry angel, we didn't mean to leave you behind but you were still too young to go out. After lunch, we shopped at Tanglin Mall for awhile then headed home. It was a short outing as we were afraid that the lil' one may go hungry or miss her Milk Machine.

Great Grandma Visiting Angel...

My grandma visited Caitlyn and me on baby's 12th day. She and my aunty prepared vinegar pig trotters specially for me. Though I never fancied this dish, I ate it cos they had been so busy visiting my grandpa in hospital yet still found the time to prepare the trotters. I could feel the warmth and love in the dish! Thanks Por Por and Kummo! Grandma was so happy to see her 3rd great-granddaughter. Look at her smile carrying Caitlyn baby.

Sadly, I was informed the next day that Grandpa had passed away. I didn't have the chance to visit him when he was hospitalised and attend the funeral as I was in confinement. Well, at least he knew that Caitlyn has arrived and I'm glad that he doesn't have to suffer any longer. You will always be remembered, Ah-gong!

Our First Trip to East Coast Park

Look at Caitlyn's contented face! She is obviously enjoying the sea breeze! We took her to the Park when she was only 2 weeks old. After being cooped up in the house for so many days, bringing her out to enjoy some fresh air sounds like a good idea, isn't it? However, according to the older folks, it didn't seem like such a good idea to bring her out, especially to the beach when she is so young as she could catch a cold or some virus. Anyway, so far so good, she hasn't caught anything unfavourable *touchwood*.

We have been bringing her for walks at the beach since she turned 1 month. She used to sleep through the walks initially but now, she is usually awake to see the beach, people, aeroplanes and hear the waves crashing. I think she finds the walks therapeutic as she will doze off in the pram after awhile.

The First Outing...

Does bringing baby for her 1st week check-up at the paediatrician considered a first outing? Definitely! After being stuck at home for a week, we are finally going out!! Even to see the PD only, I'm happy!! I got Caitlyn dearie dressed up in her nice outfit which I bought from Mothercare and her little booties from Pumpkin Patch. I stocked her diaper bag with all the necessary items - diapers, wet wipes, changing mat, another set of clothing and we are all ready to go! Well, I wasn't really sure if she was just as excited as me since she fell asleep even before we left the house (see picture above)!

This picture was taken at the PD where the nurse measured her weight and height. Caitlyn dearie grew about 2cm and put on 500g in a week! The PD gave Caitlyn's growth the thumbs up and told us that she was eating and sleeping well. Thank God for blessing her with good health!

The First Few Days...

Oooh, doesn't she just look like an angel resting in her cot? Well, not so for Mommy as I am feeling shag from the frequent night feedings! Anyway, the arrangement for the month was Baby in our room in the day and sleeping with the confinement lady in the night. As I am breastfeeding her fully, she will be carried into our room whenever she wakes up for her night feeds. On good nights, she will fall asleep promptly after her feeds. On bad nights, the confinement lady won't get to sleep much.

Baby's first few days are mostly spent sleeping. She gets up on average every 1.5-2 hours for her feeds and she will then fall asleep again. Sometimes, she stays awake for awhile longer and I will talk and sing to her. Sounds quite good ya? But as each feed takes up to half-hour or more, I can't really do much cos before I know it, it's time for her next feed. I can't wait for her to be a little older, then she'll be able to play! That'll be fun!

Oh, did I say that pregnancy was the best time since you get treated like a princess? Well, the confinement period is also another time when you get treated like Her Royal Highness (ie of cos if you hire a confinement lady)! Every morning, yummy breakfast will be awaiting me when I am up. It goes the same for lunch and dinner. Essence of chicken will be warmed and served to me in bed. The longan and red dates drink will also be brought into the room. My heral bath water will be prepared just so that HRH can at least shower and lessen the stink for baby and hubby dearest. Need I say more? Yes!! Most importantly, baby's diaper changes and baths are also seen to! So what do I do? Feed the baby, feed myself and watch cable tv!! Heehee!

Welcome Home Caitlyn!

Doesn't Caitlyn look sweet in her Carter's romper (thanks Ah-Gou Adeline!) and piglet socks? This was what Caitlyn wore when she checked out of the hospital - her 1st own outfit! For the past 2 days, she was also wearing hospital garb...but hers looked so much better than mine! How unfair!

Baby Caitlyn came home on Easter Sunday. Mom and Dad came to the hospital to fetch us home. Maid Khoti and my confinement lady welcomed us at home. Oh, Marshi & Maro (our rabbits) and Baileys (the Dog) welcomed us too!

The first thing that I did was to let Caitlyn dearest try out her new bed! I have been waiting so long for this day! Finally there's a baby sleeping in the cot! For the few weeks before she arrived, I could only imagine a baby sleeping in the empty cot. I got so impatient from waiting that I even placed my stuffed animal in place of Caitlyn!! Sorry baby that you are not the first to sleep in your bed.

Even though we thought that we got everything ready for angel's arrival, there were still quite a no. of missing items. So Mom and Dad went out to get all the missing items such as pails for Caitlyn's laudry and my herbal baths, covered bins to dispose her diapers etc. Thanks Mom and Dad! It was actually quite a chaotic day. It's hard to imagine how a little baby can turn our lives around! Meeting her needs round the clock has become our priority! Reality has finally hit me and I realise that the maternity leave does not equal LONG HOLIDAY.

Our Angel Has Arrived...

Yap! That's me in the hospital garb looking oh-so unglamorous! This was the day after the delivery, when I had not showered and washed my hair since before checking in to the hospital the day before...yewww! But dear Caitlyn wasn't one bit bothered by it. She looked very contented when I was breastfeeding her, so who's to complain? Thanks Caitlyn for being so understanding! You know that Mommy had a tough day ya?

Since we are at the topic of breastfeeding, let me tell all the men and not yet mothers - breastfeeding is suuuper painful - at least for the 1st two weeks! It really is not as simple as chucking your breast into the baby's mouth and feeding her. There's a technique to latch the baby so that the pain will not be so bad. But it really is not easy to master it the 1st few days. I suffered from sore, blistered nipples *ouch* and Caitlyn dear did not help much (sorry girl, mommy can't speak up for you this time) as she has an insatiable appetite. At this point, I am not sure if I should still call her "Angel" or "Milk Monster". But anyhow, Mommy is now known as the "Milk Machine". However, I would like to urge all new mommies to persevere with breastfeeding as the pain will eventually subside, at least by the 3rd-4th week. Breastmilk is simply the best for your lil' angels, not forgetting that it is FREE and saves you the effort of sterilizing the bottles & teats and LOSE weight! I regained my pre-pregnancy weight in 2 weeks! Where else can you find such a good deal?? Caitlyn dearest should be getting her nutritious milk for at least a year, if Milk Machine is able to continue producing.

Anyway, back to my after delivery story. This is my 1st time staying in hospital ever since I checked out of the hospital 29 years ago with my Mommy. I must say I quite enjoyed the stay. Whenever I need anything, I'll just press the buzzer by the bed and a nurse will come walking in to meet my requests. Hee hee. Sure feels like new-age Aladdin and the Magic Lamp. And there were so many relatives and friends popping by to see me...oh, I meant Baby. Who cares about the Milk Machine when there's someone cuter to look at right?? Ah, since I am at the topic on visitors, I will like to take this opportunity to thank everybody who came by to visit and all the thoughtful gifts & well-wishes for Baby and myself! Caitlyn dearie also told me that she was very happy that so many people got to see her fresh out from the oven!

As Caitlyn's jaundice level was very low, she could check out of hospital with me 2 days later, on Easter Sunday! Say "bye-bye" to the wonderful nurses at Mount Elizabeth Hospital, Caitlyn as they took such good care of you and Mommy!