I held his pinkie with mine and said, "Let's be best friends forever."
He looked into my eyes and let out the sweetest smile.
A promise is a promise, little boy. Mummy loves you. :)
Thursday, 19 March 2015
Tuesday, 10 March 2015
The worst has happened
The worst has happened. Yesterday was a very eventful day and on top of that, I fell ill. Hubby is not around as he's working overseas and I am down with bad chills and fever as high at 39 degree Celsius.
I don't dare to touch Ethan at all, for fear of spreading the fever to him. The worst has happened - not being to touch, cuddle and care for my child. But I know with my mum around, he's in good hands.:)
Mummy misses you very much, Ethan boy!
Tuesday, 3 March 2015
Bathing Hero
The little one would usually make a little noise or wail when we bathe him but today.... achievement unlocked! No crying when bathing. It was an enjoying bathing session for baby and I. :)
Let's do a fist pump, mummy! ♡
Sunday, 1 March 2015
Ethan's First / Full Month Celebration with ecreative
Thinking that Ethan would arrive in mid Jan or earlier, we planned to throw a party for him to celebrate his first month. I looked into possible venues, caterer and decorations and was really excited about everything. Came 15 Jan - Nothing. 16... 17... 18... still nothing! By then I had given up hope on throwing a party as our guests would be too busy to join in the celebration since it is on the 2nd day of Chinese New Year. As such, we decided to just give out cakes to announce and celebrate Ethan's birth.
We decided that we wanted to give out red eggs as that would be the best symbol of why we are even giving out anything - to announce and celebration a baby's birth. And we also decided to give out cakes instead of something unconventional such as cookies and durian puffs which I would love to have, but may not be well received by every one.
Price was also a very important factor as we had to give the packages to our families, relatives, friends and colleagues, so we wanted something that is presentable and yet not too damaging on our wallets. Of course, even with an attractive tag, it's very important that the items have to be reasonably tasty.
We did quite a lot of ding-donging around as we were met with some restrictions with our initial choices and we finally settled on ordering from ecreative and I must say it's not bad at all!
What we like:
- affordable packages starting from $5.90 (GST not included)
- it is Halal certified so we could give it to our Muslim friends too.
- friendly and helpful staff! I was served by Ruz via the phone and she was patient and polite even though I made some changes to my initial orders.
- clarity and efficiency. I received my invoice via email very quickly and it's important to me as I dislike being left hanging wondering if my order got through or if the order has been keyed in correctly or not.
- presentable packaging. It arrived in big lovely boxes which are sleek and cute. Totally exceeded my expectations.
- it is near to our home so we could do self collection easily so that only fresh products are distributed out.
- the food items are fresh and quite tasty. We selected cupcakes and they were soft and fluffy. The cream wasn't the best tasting but it was fine. The donuts also tasted good, not dense and stale. We were also happy that the red eggs were evenly dyed!
What we didn't really like:
- I didn't like and wasn't comfortable that I had to give my credit card details to the service staff over the phone. I would appreciate a more secured way of making payment.
- the cream could be make tastier by making it more buttery.
- the cupcakes were not all evenly made. Some had more cake and some lesser. Those lesser were levelled by putting in more cream but I didn't enjoy having so much cream in my cupcake. Less cream more cake, pls!
- ecreative gave us a lot of plastic bags which I think is meant for us to put the boxes of goodies in. But the plastics bags were not exactly the nicest looking around. To be frank, the box itself is quite sturdy so I don't think there's need for those extra plastic bags.
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On the whole, we are happy with ecreative, especially with regard to the box packaging. It would be even better of they could make slight improvements based on what we observed.
Saturday, 28 February 2015
Little Ethan at 1 Month Old
Say Hi to little Ethan! :)
Hair color: A lovely head of brown-black
Eye color: Brown-black as well
Eyes: the shape of his eyes takes after me but just like his father, he has lovely double eye lids. He has long eyelashes, just like his daddy and mummy.
Nose: hard to tell for now but it is button-like! There were initially quite a lot of white specks on his little nose and mum says it's pretty common for newborns. I'm glad it has since cleared up! :)
Lips: Dedinitely mine! Just like mine, his lips dries and peel very easily.
Face shape: Definitely mine since its round and bun-like. Hehe
Ears: he has lovely ears that take after his daddy but he has hairs at the rims of his ears!
Other features: Ethan takes after me when it comes to the hair compartment. His amount of hair totally spells MACHO. Haha! He has a full head of soft hair when he was born and what more. Much hair is found on his back and also the rims of his ears. People usually marvel at his hair and it's a good conversation starter! Lol.
Feeding: Ethan is on total breastfeeding and we alternate between direct latching when it's more convenient to do so (when we are out, in the night or when he is crying very hard for his milk).
Alternatively, when Hubby or my mum is around to help, we would be using the bottle.
Currently, he takes about 140ml at one month. He can last for around 3 hours, but when he falls asleep when directly latching, he would then wake up every 2 hours for his feed.
He also requires us to segment his feed into 3 parts by burping him, otherwise, he would usually vomit at the end of the feed.
The best thing about feeding (whether directly or using a bottle) is that I can talk and play with him and study his facial features closely. He's changing every single day and I'm trying to grab hold of every single moment of his babyhood.
Sleep: Theres no fixed timing that we try to enforce but generally, he is able to sleep at night. The thing that we are trying to get him to learn is to go to sleep by himself rather than needing us to be there. His current favorite sleeping position is to lie on our chest on his tummy. However, he tends to fret easily in the middle of his sleep and would need us to pat or carry him before he would calm down.
Movements: Ethan is quite active for his age. At around week 1 to 2, he started to love kicking hard with his legs, especially when we were changing him, seemingly to tell us of his displeasure. He would kick so hard that we were worried might propel himself up and hit his head on the wall. There were a few times when he was kicking so hard that he was propelling himself away from us as we were trying to take his clothes off for bathing.
Needless to say, bathing him can be quite a challenge for all of us as he would struggle and kick hard when in the tub, making it hard to have a tight grip on him.
He would also kick his leg against each other or at our arms as we carry him as he's impatient about having to wait for his milk.
He would sometimes also try to push us away using his hands and arms and when i rest him on his stomach against mine when he's unwilling, he would also use his arms and push hard to move himself away.
It's also interesting to note that he is now able to use his hards to push his loosen pacifier back into his mouth.
By week 2, he was already able to lift his head off from our chests slightly and currently, he's able to to it for a longer time even though his head is still quite weak.
Pacifier: We introduced the pacifier to Ethan very early on at around his 2nd week as he was fussing quite a bit and the pacifier brought him much comfort. It was even more comforting for us to know that he isn't addicted to it! Hahaha! Yesterday, I was told that he pushed the pacifier into his mouth and that pushed it away purposefully immediately after. He also does not demand for it on normal days after and is able to sleep well without it.
Eyes: Initially, perhaps due to his developing sight as like all newborns, he would always look at things from the corner of his eyes which made him very sly-looking or very discontented. That has stopped gradually and he is now able to focus on an object and follow its movements from left to right.
He's extremely curious about the world around him and loves to be out and about. Recently, he has also taken a liking to lights. He would stare long at the ceiling lights or also the TV.
Smiles: His first smile was a day after he was born and till now he would give us smiles when he's satisfied after his feed, in his sleep or simply when he finds it ticklish when we roll the milk bottle against his lips.
He laughed for the first time on 31st January 2015. It was a short distinct chuckle that's oh so cute. Can't wait to hear more laughter from him!
Other details: The little boy seems to be able to understand our speech. While I highly doubt he understands the content, I believe he responds accordingly due to the tone used. The dad's the disciplinarian and he's the one who uses the stern tone more often and Ethan is usually more well behaved in front of him.
So what about the sounds little Ethan makes? He does not respond to us with his own words yet, but one distinctive one would he going "Aiyok Aiyok Aiyok" when he's crying. Haha!
Alright, here's his progress for his 1st month and we are already looking forward to his development in the 2nd month! :)
Ethan, daddy and mummy love you! ♡
Hair color: A lovely head of brown-black
Eye color: Brown-black as well
Eyes: the shape of his eyes takes after me but just like his father, he has lovely double eye lids. He has long eyelashes, just like his daddy and mummy.
Nose: hard to tell for now but it is button-like! There were initially quite a lot of white specks on his little nose and mum says it's pretty common for newborns. I'm glad it has since cleared up! :)
Lips: Dedinitely mine! Just like mine, his lips dries and peel very easily.
Face shape: Definitely mine since its round and bun-like. Hehe
Ears: he has lovely ears that take after his daddy but he has hairs at the rims of his ears!
Other features: Ethan takes after me when it comes to the hair compartment. His amount of hair totally spells MACHO. Haha! He has a full head of soft hair when he was born and what more. Much hair is found on his back and also the rims of his ears. People usually marvel at his hair and it's a good conversation starter! Lol.
Feeding: Ethan is on total breastfeeding and we alternate between direct latching when it's more convenient to do so (when we are out, in the night or when he is crying very hard for his milk).
Alternatively, when Hubby or my mum is around to help, we would be using the bottle.
Currently, he takes about 140ml at one month. He can last for around 3 hours, but when he falls asleep when directly latching, he would then wake up every 2 hours for his feed.
He also requires us to segment his feed into 3 parts by burping him, otherwise, he would usually vomit at the end of the feed.
The best thing about feeding (whether directly or using a bottle) is that I can talk and play with him and study his facial features closely. He's changing every single day and I'm trying to grab hold of every single moment of his babyhood.
Sleep: Theres no fixed timing that we try to enforce but generally, he is able to sleep at night. The thing that we are trying to get him to learn is to go to sleep by himself rather than needing us to be there. His current favorite sleeping position is to lie on our chest on his tummy. However, he tends to fret easily in the middle of his sleep and would need us to pat or carry him before he would calm down.
Movements: Ethan is quite active for his age. At around week 1 to 2, he started to love kicking hard with his legs, especially when we were changing him, seemingly to tell us of his displeasure. He would kick so hard that we were worried might propel himself up and hit his head on the wall. There were a few times when he was kicking so hard that he was propelling himself away from us as we were trying to take his clothes off for bathing.
Needless to say, bathing him can be quite a challenge for all of us as he would struggle and kick hard when in the tub, making it hard to have a tight grip on him.
He would also kick his leg against each other or at our arms as we carry him as he's impatient about having to wait for his milk.
He would sometimes also try to push us away using his hands and arms and when i rest him on his stomach against mine when he's unwilling, he would also use his arms and push hard to move himself away.
It's also interesting to note that he is now able to use his hards to push his loosen pacifier back into his mouth.
By week 2, he was already able to lift his head off from our chests slightly and currently, he's able to to it for a longer time even though his head is still quite weak.
Pacifier: We introduced the pacifier to Ethan very early on at around his 2nd week as he was fussing quite a bit and the pacifier brought him much comfort. It was even more comforting for us to know that he isn't addicted to it! Hahaha! Yesterday, I was told that he pushed the pacifier into his mouth and that pushed it away purposefully immediately after. He also does not demand for it on normal days after and is able to sleep well without it.
Eyes: Initially, perhaps due to his developing sight as like all newborns, he would always look at things from the corner of his eyes which made him very sly-looking or very discontented. That has stopped gradually and he is now able to focus on an object and follow its movements from left to right.
He's extremely curious about the world around him and loves to be out and about. Recently, he has also taken a liking to lights. He would stare long at the ceiling lights or also the TV.
Smiles: His first smile was a day after he was born and till now he would give us smiles when he's satisfied after his feed, in his sleep or simply when he finds it ticklish when we roll the milk bottle against his lips.
He laughed for the first time on 31st January 2015. It was a short distinct chuckle that's oh so cute. Can't wait to hear more laughter from him!
Other details: The little boy seems to be able to understand our speech. While I highly doubt he understands the content, I believe he responds accordingly due to the tone used. The dad's the disciplinarian and he's the one who uses the stern tone more often and Ethan is usually more well behaved in front of him.
So what about the sounds little Ethan makes? He does not respond to us with his own words yet, but one distinctive one would he going "Aiyok Aiyok Aiyok" when he's crying. Haha!
Alright, here's his progress for his 1st month and we are already looking forward to his development in the 2nd month! :)
Ethan, daddy and mummy love you! ♡
The two firsts.
Yesterday (27th Feb) was the first time I brought Ethan out to a mall on my own! We went to meet my colleagues for lunch at the nearby mall and man, did it take much planning for the whole day just to make sure that I would be on time for the appointment. Haha!
It was slightly stressful, ensuring that the little one got his feed and nap so that he wouldn't fret during the lunch date and I'm glad it all worked out well! My colleagues had a good time playing with Ethan and seeing how Clara took wefie with my boy reminded me that I rarely have photos taken with Ethan! How can!!!? Haha his precious moments without me in the picture??? Hahaha...
Achievement on bringing kid to the mall alone checked! Next achievement would be to take lots a wefie with the little boy.
The hubby and I had the opportunity to catch the Chingay 2015 live and we made the decision to watch the parade together as we know we won't get to have much time together, much less date time, with baby Ethan around. So after lunch with my colleagues, I went home and it was another round of big plans waiting to be executed. I was pretty worried that he would be hungry fast so I gave my mum an extra bottle of milk. The last thing I wanted was for my mum to call me because of a wailing hungry baby.
We had fun at the parade. It's our first time out on our own without the little boy and it's a good time off for us both. Of course, the anxious mummy in me couldn't help but dropped my mum a few messages asking about the boy.
Here's our little one sleeping soundly at my mum's:
The hubby and I tend to want to retreat I to our own little world whenever we have a little free time when Ethan is sleeping. Both of us would be on our phones or iPad or we would be doing our housework and attending to other commitments. While I think it's not exactly good for our relationship if this continues for a long time, I think it's a necessary stage where we get used to the new routine and added responsibilities as new parents. I think it's important that we have some 'me' time away from everything and just cater to our own needs. Our first date without Ethan is a good big step into tuning back into couple-time so I'm absolutely looking forward to our next date together. AND IT'S COMING SOON! :)
It was slightly stressful, ensuring that the little one got his feed and nap so that he wouldn't fret during the lunch date and I'm glad it all worked out well! My colleagues had a good time playing with Ethan and seeing how Clara took wefie with my boy reminded me that I rarely have photos taken with Ethan! How can!!!? Haha his precious moments without me in the picture??? Hahaha...
Achievement on bringing kid to the mall alone checked! Next achievement would be to take lots a wefie with the little boy.
The hubby and I had the opportunity to catch the Chingay 2015 live and we made the decision to watch the parade together as we know we won't get to have much time together, much less date time, with baby Ethan around. So after lunch with my colleagues, I went home and it was another round of big plans waiting to be executed. I was pretty worried that he would be hungry fast so I gave my mum an extra bottle of milk. The last thing I wanted was for my mum to call me because of a wailing hungry baby.
We had fun at the parade. It's our first time out on our own without the little boy and it's a good time off for us both. Of course, the anxious mummy in me couldn't help but dropped my mum a few messages asking about the boy.
Here's our little one sleeping soundly at my mum's:
The hubby and I tend to want to retreat I to our own little world whenever we have a little free time when Ethan is sleeping. Both of us would be on our phones or iPad or we would be doing our housework and attending to other commitments. While I think it's not exactly good for our relationship if this continues for a long time, I think it's a necessary stage where we get used to the new routine and added responsibilities as new parents. I think it's important that we have some 'me' time away from everything and just cater to our own needs. Our first date without Ethan is a good big step into tuning back into couple-time so I'm absolutely looking forward to our next date together. AND IT'S COMING SOON! :)
Sunday, 15 February 2015
Feeding our little boy
Ethan has been in our lives for nearly 4 weeks and he's a surprise every day, bringing much joy and laughter to all of us in the family. :)
Milk Intake
When he was born, he was already able to suckle on my breasts immediately when the nurses placed him onto my chest for skin-to-skin contact. I was initially worried that he might not be able to latch on well and that would be quite stressful for the both of us. He also opened his eyes soon afterwards and for the 2-ish hours when we were still in the delivery room, he was all active and alert and didn't go back to sleep at all. Perhaps he too was excited to meet all of us. :)
He feeds very well and on the 2nd night, he wanted to latch on almost all the time. I couldn't sleep and was exhausted and the little boy was frustrated as well. He was wailing badly and I had no choice but to call in the nurse for help. We eventually decided to send him back to the nursery and let the nurses feed him some formula milk.
He started with 20ml of milk and very soon, by the 2nd week, he graduated to needing 80ml of feed. As of now in the 3rd week, he is taking in around 100 - 120ml of milk every three hours. What more, I suspect he's undergoing a growth spurt and he demands to be fed every 2 hours... By the time we finish feeding, burping and trying to put him to sleep, guess what? It's time to feed him again. Wahahaha.
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