(Baby Keira) 6 months already?!

Keira turned 6 months a couple of days ago! Half a year old. Wow. Why so fast!

As usual, she has been learning every single day. Absorbing like a sponge. Her recent achievements:

- So she has discovered her toes. Not only that, apparently they taste yummy to her! I guess all babies do this at some point or another. Putting their little, tiny toes into their mouths. K looks soooo adorable when she does it.

- Our little bub has learnt to call for me in her own little way. She always whines or whimpers when she's being carried by others and wants me to take over. No more actual crying cries if you know what I mean!

- She's still experiencing sleep regression so I attribute that to mental growth leaps lol. I honestly have been sleeping very badly. My eye bags are sooooo bad. 

- Keira has been flipping like a pro since she learnt it last month! She can push up on her arms really really high now and she has been practising how to crawl. Our sweetie can now rotate around the bed and drag herself slightly forward or backward using her arms and torso. It's fun to watch her take pride in discovering movement lol.

- We fed Keira solids for the first time 3 days after she turned 6 months! Puréed sweet potatoes with a little friso milk for extra nutrition! Like Leia, we sat her in the bumbo whilst I tried to feed her. She started licking and eating almost immediately! After a few tries, she started smiling uncontrollably, as though she was enjoying it immensely. Glad I caught it on my videocam!

(SAHM journey) The hardest but most beautiful part of my life

Before my memory starts to fail, I need to pen down and describe how life was like as a full time SAHM, with no help. I became one from 10 Aug 2016 - 16 Dec 2016 to be accurate. It was the hardest and toughest thing I had to do. But yet, it was a beautiful journey of much self discovery... A period when my world was just us... G, me, L and K. A phase given to me by God as a test.

To be honest, when it first began, I wasn't confident. I've always had a helper since I moved to my own place... Except for one month in April 2016 when Jo didn't come back and things went haywire. I wasn't sure if I could do it. That's why we tried sending Leia to a full day childcare which didn't work out because she hated it and I just didn't feel comfortable with how shorthanded the place was and how the teachers handled the children. 

Sometimes, I feel God really works in amazing ways. Maybe the childcare didn't work out because I was meant to take on the life changing opportunity to care for my kids and my home on my own. 

It.was.hard. Especially in the beginning when I was still learning to care for little Keira again whilst juggling Leia. I remember struggling to give BOTH of them attention when they demanded it the same time. When Leia would cry and ask me to stop carrying Keira... And I had no one to pass either kid to. 

It.was.hard. I had to do laundry and cook lunches and do the housework, whilst surviving on minimal sleep. I was -never- so tired and exhausted in my life. I was in survival mode lol. Couldn't and didn't think much because I was just constantly doing and doing. I didn't have much time to do anything else. 

Hello 2017! New and simple Resolutions!

My 2017 resolutions! 

I realize I didn't make any 2016 resolutions! But I did grow a lot as a person due to the circumstances. I'm going to try to make a few simple ones this year that are hopefully, achievable. 

As a mummy of 2, I need to be realistic! 

1. Be healthier (my 2015 resolution)

During my pregnancy in 2016, I didn't gain a lot of weight. In fact, I only gained 5kg! And post pregnancy, I lost all of it only to gain it again since I was eating so much -all- the time. I blame it on breastfeeding! =D Well, I need to start eating healthier again. I need to:

- Cut down on sugary drinks. For eg, drink only teh si kosong. No soft drinks!

- More whole grains! This is quite difficult I must say. Especially when G and L don't like brown rice. I might have to start but mixing just a little brown rice to the white... Then slowly increase the proportion. I shall attempt to eat more oatmeal!

- Try to lose 2kg to 52kg!

2. Practise cooking and experiment with new recipes!

- Cook at least once a week!

- Learn from my mum, mil and my new helper =D

3. Declutter and simplify my home

I'm inspired by Marie Kondo to Declutter my life! 

4. Continue to improve my parenting skills! 

- Complete 2 of the parenting books I got!

- Put into practise the parenting tips from the books. 

5. Continue to take lots of photos and videos of my little ones! I hope to dress them up and take more natural yet more professional shots of them, using natural lighting. 

 

Goodbye 2016!

Today is New Year's Eve. 2016 has truly been a roller coaster year with so many ups and downs. It's honestly the most difficult yet rewarding year for me. Here's a brief summary of what happened... My own year in review:

End Jan:

I left my job to be a full time mum. At that time, I thought I was still going to have Jo, my helper then. Well, things changed. 

March:

Jo went back home and I became a full time SAHM with no help for the first time. First time doing housework, laundry, First time cooking... First time caring for Leia all on my own. I realized that Jo did so much for us back then. And we did so little. It was tough and exhausting for me to do everything for the first time. And I was pregnant. 

Well, mid March, we went to the airport to pick her and she never showed up. I felt so betrayed and lied to back then. I cried for 2 nights and kept having flash backs of her in my home. First I experienced anger then sadness. I missed her. I couldn't believe she left us without saying goodbye. 

Life went on and we had a staycation at Sentosa to have fun and forget about what happened. 

A week later, the most wonderful thing happened! We were baptized! Both Leia and I were sick when it happened but we were grateful and thankful that we made it.

And then, I was down with Mycoplasma pneumonia, worst experience ever. I had to be hospitalized in ICU and my pregnancy was threatened. At the same time, Leia was admitted to KKH because of very high fever. Poor G was shuttling betwen us both. Honestly, it was tough but we got through it with God and so much family support. 

I guess March was the highlight of the year lol.

April: 

After I got discharged, we were desperate for a helper and engaged a transfer maid. We thought things would get better and they did in some sense. I recovered with more time to rest as she helped with housework. But soon, living with her became a nightmare for me. We clashed as she was a very difficult person to work with... Defiant, dishonest, always showing attitude. I was afraid of living with her as she started showing odds antics and spoke to herself a lot.

July:

I gave birth to little Keira! So much joy to hold a baby again. And I was blessed with a very smooth and fast delivery. My parents hired a confinement nanny for me and she was Godsend. 

It's not easy to adjust to juggle a newborn when you have an elder toddler. Leia had a hard time as she was no longer the only one in the limelight! I had to spend more time with her and I was so thankful that Mary was around to take care of Keira and me! She made me happy unlike my then helper who was constantly doing otherwise.

With Mary's help, we decided to let go of the helper and send her back to the agency. She was really intolerable and we'd rather handle the housework and children without her. It was that bad.

Aug - Nov:

After Mary left, I had to become a full time SAHM handling 2 kids and the house. It.was.hard.work. But I learnt a lot and discovered that I could stretch my limits and do more than I thought. I was on survival mode most of the time. Cutting corners whenever I could. You see when you have a toddler and baby to care for, you really don't have a lot of time unlike what some people may think. I had NO me time at all! I had to shower and pee/poop with the door open. Keira was always in the bouncer right outside the kitchen, toilet or in the living room. I was struggling to get my children's basic needs met whilst maintaining basic home hygiene lol.

Sometimes I felt like a walking zombie doing the same routine everyday. I needed to have my daily teh si to function. But I was happy to be with my children. They needed me and I needed them. G was very supportive and hands on. I had my moments when I was always waiting for home to come home so that I could talk to an adult or get some help. 

My mum really helped me a lot too! She would come twice or thrice a week to watch Keira, cook and sometimes even clean my place. I always had to nag at her -not- to sweep/mop my place and bend down!

Dec:

Things got better when G had a break from school! We brought L and K out a lot since it entertained them! Our new helper came on 17th dec and so far seems alright! Crossing our fingers...

Our 2016 Christmas celebrations!

I love Christmas. It's a festive period for family and friends to gather and bond. This year, Christmas was extra special because it was our first time celebrating it as baptized Catholics =) 

On Christmas Eve, we had our yearly traditional lunch at my mum's place where we feasted on Xmas turkey, ham and pork knuckle! We only have Xmasy food at my mum's hehe. And our present exchange! It's always a noisy affair (because the Chen family just talks too much lol) but I love it. We stuffed ourselves crazy and took pictures! 

(Little Leia) Three years old!

Yes, Leia is already 3! Omg. Seems like just yesterday that I cradled her as a newborn. Soon she will outgrow her toddler-dom and officially become an older child. Ahhhhhhhhh. Mummy's going up have a breakdown.

I notice that Leia has grown immensely over the past 1 year. Not physically... Although she is taller, I'm really talking about mental growth. At the start of the year, she was still a little toddler, talking in phrases... Still acting a little gong gong (which is the cutest part I must admit lol). 

Now she speaks in full sentences... Thinks intelligently and asks questions. Now we can't have a conversation without her understanding what we're really saying! So G and I have to be careful of what we say. She has become more socially aware... Like when I play with her and begin to space out (due to sheer exhaustion), she realized and asks me 'why are you not playing with me!'. So I get guilt tripped a lot -.- I'm not saying that I'm not happy about her mental and emotional growth spurts, it's just we have to more aware because everything we do now really impacts her.

My little one has also learnt how to play independently and play make belief. I think it also has to do with the fact that I had to encourage her to self play after Keira was born and I had to handle both kids on my own. I love to watch her talking to her soft toys... Spinning stories in her little world. Bring her best friend 'Fur fur' and unicorn around in her shopping cart. Bathe baby in the bathtub with other water toys. I love that twinkle in her eyes when I suggest to do something totally random or silly with her.

She has her tantrum moments but I honestly think that she's rather well behaved. I can still reason with her most of the time. I'm happy that I've maintained that precious mummy-leia bond and that she still wants to be with me a lot. 

I love our bedtime moments when I always read her books and cuddle with her before she knocks out. We recently started this new 'thing' of ours which involves me giving her a back massage and vice versa. She really loves it since it's quite a tickley experience hehe.

We had a cosy birthday celebration at home with Leia's grandparents. We bought her so many presents (her favourite Num noms)! I'm so thankful for our little one. Feel really blessed to have her in my life.

Here are the photos from our mini celebration!

(Family time) Staycation at Grand Mecure!

Today, G and I are having a staycay with Keira at Grand Mecure hotel. My mum booked the room for us under her Accor membership so that we can have a break!

The truth is, it's currently 9.45pm and both G and K have already knocked out. I'm the only one awake reflecting on what happened today lol. Leia came with us to the hotel today and she left home with my in laws. Whilst I'm treasuring the peace (now that K is asleep), I'm missing L like crazy. 

We only checked in about 3pm today! The room is pretty nice and they gave us a baby cot that's decent. Leia was running about so happily! We rested a little bit before heading out to Parkway for a walk. My mum had to drive there because it was so inconvenient to cross the overhead bridge with a stroller and my mum's bad knees. We didn't do much at parkway... Just let Leia check out the toys at Isetan. Looking back, I don't think G and I did anything that we really enjoyed! -.- I guess I managed to walk super fast about the kiddy shops but that's about it. Hope that Leia at least enjoyed it! 

We went back to eat the Xmas special buffet dinner with my mummy, in laws, bro and his gf. Food was gooooood. I tried to gobble down as much as I could whilst jiggling K on me. She was being very very fussy. Dinner time is her fussy time. Doesn't help that she's been very moody these few days. Maybe she hasn't been napping very well... Or maybe it's a growth spurt. Ah well. She kept crying throughout dinner and everyone else tried to soothe her but to no avail. I was the only one who could make her less sobby. 

I didn't get to spend much time w L. Thank goodness for my mil who was entertaining and feeding her. The whole time I could tell G was tired... Sigh. Maybe I've been trying too hard lately to make it seem like we can still go out... Still behave like before... The truth is, it's very hard. It's tiring. You have to sacrifice time with your firstborn. I'm not saying that I'm regretting having K (which G might say lol), but I guess I have to admit that we have to make more adjustments and give up on certain things. We have to make our life work with the two little ones. Don't over stretch ourselves. 

I'm lying in bed now and it's reaching 10pm, thinking that maybe it's better to be home? It's not like I'm doing anything special at the hotel. We're too exhausted anyway lol. Well, to be positive, I guess it's stepping out of our comfort zone and trying new arrangements like staying elsewhere with K. It's good practice!

I'm missing L tonight... Missing her 'goodnight mummy'. Her climbing on top of me to fall asleep. Her little kisses. I guess brief absence does make the heart grow fonder.