Birth Announcement Card

Aaz will be one month old next week!  How time flies amidst sleepless nights, breast pumping, dengue, blocked duct, fever & etc.  One hell of a month I would say!  

Order for 'Fullmoon cakes' have been placed for family & friends.  Reduced the quantity by half this time round as I lack the energy to deliver them all.  Still, a whopping 54 boxes.

Been busy designing the 'Birth Announcement Card' to go along with the cakes.  Isn't it cute?  :)  Already sent for printing.

By the way, I am getting pretty good in this multi-tasking business; while pumping, I can blog (that explains a sudden surge in my post), does banking, design cards, eat, catch up on world news and etc.  I need to save the in-between time for nap.  Pretty good at time management too huh?  Hahahahaha...

Mantra of the day - Keep Calm & Keep Ignoring

Over the years, I've friends who called up to chit chat every now and then be it over coffee, lunch, watsapp & etc and it always inadvertently will end up with some life issues and that gave me a 'light bulb' moment!  I've decided to inject some personal life mantras that I've been living by here in my blog every now and then (whenever I am inspired :p), with an intention to help & share.

We are all in our own learning path.  Everyone has their own ways.  Mine may not be the best.  But if it is able to fuel you with the slightest positive energy, my job is done. :)

Therefore, Redbabe's first MANTRA of the day would be:-

Don't allow what others have to say or think about you affect YOU.  We can't control what they want to think (unless we are Megamind) or say.  But, we can control how we want to react to it. You can choose to be upset or you can choose to ignore.  I would say...  KEEP CALM & KEEP IGNORING.  They are just being smart ass without realising it.  :p  

Gabb and His Episode of Dengue Fever

I should have known better how the 'law of attraction' works.  But, I can't help it.  Despite of taking as much precaution steps as we can, Gabb still got bitten by an aedes mosquito and got dengue fever.

To put everything in a gist, he started having fever a week after my delivery.  Fever subsided 5 days later and rashes appeared.  Rushed to emergency unit at hospital and doctors ruled out dengue, reason being: 

1) Dengue rashes are just red spots.  It will not be raised rashes.

2) He is too strong to be having dengue.  It took quite an effort to hold him down for the blood test.

3) His fever is just hovering around 38 deg celcious.  Dengue fever usually will peak at 40 and drop to normal next.  Very erratic.

We were asked to return next morning to see Gabb's regular paediatric.  We requested for another blood test (the night before failed due to clotting) just to have peace of mind.  An hour later, result came back positive and Gabb was admitted immediately.

Thank God somehow, for some strange reason, he choose to cling to his daddy.  I had a c-sec barely two weeks ago will not be able to carry him (12kg) 24/7.  He refused to be put on the bed.  Poor daddy have to carry him for hours and if lucky, roll him onto the bed without waking him up and quickly go for a toilet break or grab a bite.

I on the other hand, instead of 'confinement' where I am not suppose to expose to wind/rain/chill, was commuting between home & hospital & running little errands.  Spent the nights in hospital too just in case he wakes when daddy is taking a leak.  Despite of properly wrapped up, the super cold aircond at the hospital doesn't help at all.  Brought extra quilt on night two and set up a cozy corner for myself to snuggle.  Woke up drenched in sweat instead. Damn those post-partum hormone adjustment.  

It was actually pretty hard that few days there.  Body still exhausted, wound still healing, mentally still adjusting to the crazy breastmilk pumping hours (dozing off halfway in the middle of the night). The only good thing is my wound doesn't hurt much.  He is my son.  I will be more worried staying at home. :p

Glad that everything is alright now.  Apparently for dengue, from the start of fever to recovery, it takes 10 days approximately.  When he was admitted, it was already the 8th day.  I was not that worried but didn't want to say it out afraid it will jinxed it.  I am an Asian mom after all. :)

Introducing Our Second Boy, Aazriel Woo

Our second boy, Aaz, arrived on the 6th of October 2014, safe & sound.  He is a dream!  We are so smitten.  

This second time delivery experience were even better compared to the first time (the previous time were already very good).  Probably cause I already familiar with my doctor, anaesthetist and the husband decided to join us in the Operating Room as well.  I know what to expect and I know I am in good hand.  The entire OR atmosphere were rather 'relaxing' with some latin music playing in the background. And I felt less nausea too unlike the previous time.

We were chit chatting on something (I think the doc just trying to relax me) and before I knew it, they already pushing the baby out.  I opted for c-sec due to too close a gap from my previous delivery. The first thing I said when I saw him was.. "Aiyo... you sooo CUTE!" hahahahaha...

Gabb has been great to his little brother, checking on him every now and then, patted his head gently. I believe he doesn't really bother about his existence and going on with his life as usual. Lols... The poor boy caught dengue fever the following week which I will write another time.

So now, for the past 3 weeks, we are reliving all the night feeds.  We are like... OMG!  Why are we putting ourselves thru this all over again? :p  We are still trying to gauge his feeding pattern.  Quite erratic.  When trying to poo, he cry for milk.  Trying to burp, he cry for milk too.  So sometimes, when he cry, we are not exactly sure if he is hungry, want to fart or want to burp.  He probably not sure himself too.  But we are slowly getting a hang of things.  

I on the other hand, is back to cow-ing.  Am pumping milk every other hour.  Trying hard not to miss any session so that I can maintain a good supply unlike the previous times, can hardly feed Gabb for half a day.  So my schedule is like... 12am, 3am, 6am, 9am, 12pm, 3pm, 6pm, 9pm.  The in between time during the wee hours, if I am lucky, will get to catch an hour or two of sleep after settling Aaz feeding/burping/nappy change.  The in between time in the afternoon, I try to nap as much as possible as mom will be helping out with Aaz.  

Was down with fever and flu like symptoms last two days due to a blocked milk duct is not helping at all.  Felt like I have been run over by a truck!  Anyway, fever is gone for now but duct still remained blocked.  My boob sore.  Am trying all means - hot/cold compressed, massage, pump.  Hope it clear of as soon as possible.  I am so exhausted.

Awaiting His Highness No.2

Hospital bag are all ready at the corner waiting.  Approximately 3 more sleeps to go before the BIG day.  Hopefully No.2 will stay where he belongs, snugs and warm, till then.  His EDD should be somewhere around third week of Oct. But due to elective csec, it will be two weeks earlier.  Rightfully, we shouldn't be expecting him anytime sooner than that but somehow, there were mild symptoms that labour may be anytime soon. *sweat*

Sleep has been rather uncomfortable these days.  My tummy has always been rock hard with this pregnancy and it is much worst now.  I told the husband that I feel like masking taping a huge rock to his body so that he knows 'exactly' how I am feeling now.  Hehe... 

Carrying Baby G throughout nine months was a breeze other than the first trimester nausea and never ending hunger pang.  I don't feel pregnant other that having a big tummy.  This time round, I really do feel like a whale.  A beached whale more like it.  I just wanna lay in the bed sideway and nothing else.  :p. The hard and stretched tummy is giving me aches all over the place.  I felt so exhausted.

My total accumulated weight were a couple kilos lighter this time round.  Hardly any water retention; still wearing my same pair of shoe.  Not much cramps either.  Have yet to reach 10kg mark. Hopefully able to shed them off and tone up all flabs in no time.  Can't wait to try on couple of new dresses still hanging in my wardrobe.

Anyway, we are all ready for His Highness arrival.  Hopefully, can yield better breastmilk production this time round.  Come what may. I am loving him already.  In full anticipation of having two little cheeky rascals running wild at home.

Chinese Way of Confinement Care (Postnatal Care)

A Confinement Nanny

The main duty of a confinement nanny is basically to ensure the mommi is well rested and the newborn is well taken care of which includes taking over household duties such as laundry, cleaning of the house as well as cooking healthy confinement food for the mommi to ensure fast recovery.  At the same time, providing guidance & support on how to care for her newborn.

When we first had Gabb, we didn't managed to hire a confinement lady to take care of my needs during the first month after delivery.  Reason was, I started looking for one only after my first trimester.  I thought that would be a sensible time to start hiring one when things are stable.  Oh boy I was wrong!  Apparently, they are booked 9 months in advance if not earlier.  So basically, the moment you tested yourself positive, the first person you call is the -----> CONFINEMENT NANNY.  Not your hubby.  :p

This time round, I thought I out-smarted the system.  I called the confinement lady first before anyone else the moment I tested positive.  We agreed on her fees and I gave her my estimated due date.  All was well until 3 months later, she called to say she can't help me cause my two weeks earlier confirmed c-sec date (cause I am going for c-sec) clashed with another job she accepted.   I smelled something fishy.  Two weeks is not a big difference.  Found out later she accepted another job paying in SGD. *%$#$

And so I decided that I will never ever hire another confinement nanny even if I were to have another dozen of babies (really, it was just anger talking!).  Why should I subject myself to the mercy of others?  More so at the mercy of someone I am paying RM3.5k - RM4.5k excluding RM800 angpow to care for me?!  I must be mad.  Logic-less.

Seriously, it is not that hard to DIY our confinement.  Just dont think too complicated.  Actual fact, it is pretty simple.  Here are some tips and hope it helps new mothers who stumbled upon my blog:

1) Nutritious confinement meals: If you have a mom around to help, confinement herb packages for 24 days are available in most TCM shop with prices ranging from RM399 - RM999 complete with instruction.  Also, get a confinement recipes book for meals.  If you do not have anyone to help, just cater from confinement food caterers.

2) Confinement drinks: Some believe that new mothers are only allowed to drink red dates water or rice water.  Just pre-packed all those herbs in the fridge, get hubby to throw them into a slower cooker set on timer to boil every night.  Rice water are easier.  Pour hot water into thermos with 3-4 tablespoons of pre-prepared rice (washed, dried & roasted in wok) and voila!  You can alternate between the two types of drinks.  I on the other hand, drank plain water as well.  :p

3) Bathing herbs: To make life easier, get a big electric kettle at your floor (if u stay in double/triple storey home).  Put a kettle-full water to boil with one packet of those herbs came in 'teabag style' (bigger).  Once boiled, mixed it with a bucket of lukewarm water.  These bathing herbs are also readily available in most TCM shops.  Please dont tell me no-bathing for a month nonsense.  We are in Malaysia with 40 deg Celsius on average.  Not winter in China.

4) Avoid catching a chill:  Wrap yourself in a thick towel bathrobe before stepping out of the shower cubicle.  Down a pack of DOM to warm your body internally.  Dry your hair and etc. wait till you are totally dry and warm, then changed into your clothes (long sleeves, long pants & socks).  Another option for washing hair would be to head out for the salon.  Tell them you are in confinement and ask for a quick wash & blow dry. :)

5) Laundry: If washing machine is too tedious, there is always a launderette.  Just get hubby to drop it off.  

6) Disposable undies:  It's a blessing.  No need to worry about washing stained undies.  Just throw it away after wear.

7) Feeding/Burping/Swaddling/Bathing baby: Anything concerning baby care, you can always youtube it.  Plenty of good teachers out there.    

8) Postnatal massages: You can always signed up packages at beauty & spa centers who provide postnatal care or you can always engage a Malay Masseur to drop by at home which will probably cost approximately RM70/hour excluding 'bengkung' (body binding services).

9) Sleep in aircond/no aircond : I slept with aircond turned to 25 deg celsius and not directly blowing at me.  As long as the room is cool, it is good enough.  Better with a cool room than a fan blowing full blast.  Due to hormonal changes, you will tend to sweat a lot.  Just ensure that you are changed into dry clothes at all time to avoid catching a cold.

10) Heat pad: This is additional.  A girlfriend gotten me a heat pad with regulated temperature of approximately 2'x2' to sleep on.  I thought it is rather useful.  It kept my spine warm or soothe my aching shoulder from all those breastfeeding.

And last but not least, 

11) A positive outlook & a mantra: This is the most important.  Tell yourself... "It is just a baby. Easy peasy!" :)  hehehehe....

Really, the services rendered by a confinement nanny is overrated.  It is really not that hard.  I had a c-sec and I survived taking care of myself as well as baby Gabb.  You just need to be a little more cautious in things you do, taking care of your wound and etc :)  Be sensitive to your body needs and rest whenever you can!

We have no confinement nanny with Gabb and we survived.  Mom was around to help with the meals. This time round, we not only have mom but Ella as well (our Pinoy helper).  I don't see how we can't cope at a ratio of 4 adults to 2 infants!  Lols...

Good luck & enjoy your little bundle of joy!  Believe me, it is a beautiful experience. 

Disclaimer: All photos courtesy from original producer.  Googled from internet.  None are my own photos.

Announcement: Yes, we did it again!

Yes, we did it again.  Special package arriving in October 2014.

Photo taken on 17.8.2014 when I was 7 months 2 weeks.  Now, I am 8 months 1 week!

This is what prompted the tidying up of Gabb's drawer.  About time to get ready for the second bundle of joy!