(SAHM Life) Tips and hacks

Since I became a full time SAHM after Keira turned 1 month old, I've been trying to find ways to survive hehe. It's really challenging to handle both a toddler and newborn at home alone, without any help. Here are some of my tips and hacks that have helped me and I thought it's good to document them!

Cleaning:

I try to minimize the amount of housework I have because there is simply no time!

We also hire a part time cleaner to come every Friday to do more thorough cleaning and ironing. 

1. I mop the floor only occasionally with Scotch brite's ready wet wipes and sweeper. Before that, I will quickly sweep or just use a roller to stick all the dirt.

2. A load of laundry every single day, usually in the early morning. I will alternate the adult clothes and children's clothes. Doing a load everyday helps me keep the load light and prevents laundry from accumulating. 

3. I try to minimize the number of dishes by cooking one pot meals or re-using cutlery. 

Cooking:

1. It's a lot easier to cook one pot meals. My easy go to is to cook rice in the rice cooker, add in marinated chicken (or pork/fish) and then followed by veggies at the end. It's fuss free and takes very little time to prepare. 

I also like to prepare soups then add in meat and veggies at the end. Very healthy and convenient!

Childcare:

1. I try to play with Leia whenever Keira's well fed and happy in the bouncer. That's the best time to spend time with Leia or even shower her.

2. If Keira is sleeping or calm, I will bathe together with Leia. It gets hectic in the day so that's the best time to shower lol.

3. As much I don't like to, I sometimes hand Leia the iPad to keep her occupied when I have to tend to a fussy Keira. 

4. When Keira becomes very fussy, I will bring both kids to the playground! Leia gets to play and Keira sleeps or stays calm in the stroller. 

5. I have a mental checklist for the things I need to pack for the kids when we go out. That way, I can pack quickly when we're running out of time before we leave the house. 

Checklist

Hacks:

1. I love using vinegar + water to clean table tops, mirrors, faucets, shower door etc. Vinegar is also awesome as a fabric softener and disinfectant!

(Little Leia) First kindergarden concert!

Leia had her first concert yesterday at Kallang theatre! She has been practising her dance at home, always showing me her moves. Her dance partner is apparently Tisha (or Tricia? Who knows lol) and it's a simple dance choreographed by her teachers.

I was really, really psyched to watch her perform! Unfortunately, all of us, including G, 奶奶 and 爷爷 weren't sure which dance item was hers and couldn't spot her for sure. The thing was, they didn't share which class was going to perform, and it was hard to find her since they were all dressed differently, with make up on and hair tied up. I guessed that which performance was hers though! The dance moves were familiar and I think I saw her with her partner. We would just have to purchase the dvd to watch it! 

I'm still so happy that Leia had her first ever stage performance. It's almost as though she met a significant milestone in life hehehe. When I was applying make up on her, I just had that feeling that she was already growing up so fast. And during the concert when the K2s had their graduation ceremony, I actually teared thinking about how it would be Leia's turn soon and when it happens, I would be crying tears of joy and sadness. 

My little baby is growing up so, so fast. Slow down darling. Let mama hold you for a little while longer. 

(Baby Keira) Happy 3 months darling!

Keira turns 3 months today! She has learnt new things recently, like holding my finger and laughing out old. She's soooo adorable when she smiles her gummy grin. Keira's a lil fussy these few days and I suspect she's going through a wonder week.

Oh and just that day, she tried to turn over when I gave her tummy time. Need to give her more of that soon!

I can't believe that Keira's almost exclusively breastfed now. Our breastfeeding journey didn't start off easy... My milk only came in on the 8th day and my supply didn't seem enough. I remember Keira always crying at my boob, as if I was torturing her! I'm so glad I continued to latch her before bottle feeding her... Somehow, she gradually breastfed more and now, she doesn't really like the bottle anymore. Sometimes, I still feel uncertain if my milk is enough for her. I do give her a bottle from time to time and most of the time, she refuses. Hehe. I'm happy that I get to breastfeed this little one.

I guess the one thing about breastfeeding and being a SAHM is that I'm her only caregiver. She's soooo attached to me that she cries whenever someone else, including daddy, carries her! It's a recent change that happened and it can get quite challenging. I'm the only one who can soothe and comfort her. Hope she gets used to others soon!