7 Weeks 4 Days: Disfigured!

Consequence of removing the mittens.. but what to do, we need to let baby stretch and exercise his hands. Hope the calendula cream i ordered in a spree comes soon. Andre's breastfeeding in this picture. I always love this eye expression when he's feeding.. Simply makes my heart melt.

7 Weeks 4 Days: Baby Massage

Baby Massage http://www.babycenter.com/slideshow-baby-massage#1259315542116_0 Only 12 slides of photos. I used Johnson baby lotion

Andre seems quite shiok when i massaged his thighs and arms

"Andre, will you help massage mummy's back one day when i'm tired?"

7 Weeks 4 Days: Peektures

Typical morning, when baby bunk in with daddy and mummy for a while
Trying to get a smile from the baby.. As usual, his expression looks terrified

Bathe time... 1st time with duckie

7 Weeks 3 Days

"Whoever says "no one is irreplaceable" hadn't consulted your baby"

7 Weeks 3 Days

The only picture we managed to take at Vivocity. Nicely snuggled and sleeping

Andre went on a growth spurt yesterday. He was feeding from 1.30pm all the way till 9pm, in between only taking a few 15 mins power naps. Last night, he was so knocked out till he slept till 4:30am. I was knocked out too and didn't even hear him cry. The 7-1/2 hours stretch is the longest i have slept since baby was born.

I realized when he's on a spurt, i go on one too. Was eating non-stop and constantly feeling hungry.

Brought him to vivocity today for the first time. Nai nai wanted to get some stuff from DAISO. Went to observe some babies swimming at harborfront. Had dim sum lunch. Fed him in the open in my favourite (one and only) nursing shawl. Life seems to resume a little normality *keeping fingers crossed*

7 Weeks 1 Day: Finally Andre has proper pyjamas

For the 1st 7 weeks in Andre's life, he has been sleeping with just a long sleeved top and diapers, leaving his legs pretty much exposed under the blanket. Mummy always felt weird about it but thought it should be ok since Singapore's weather is pretty warm.

Until one night, mummy discovered that Andre is starting to kick off his blankets, it's time to do something about it. So TA-DAAAA.... mummy bought some sleepsuits from mothercare. Boy, it's really good. Mummy really regretted not buying them earlier. The material is soft, covers up baby really well, and best of all, it is helping baby sleep better too.

Every evening, the regime is to wipe baby down and change him into his sleepsuit. We'll then leave a night light on, feed baby and normally it's not too difficult to make him sleep at this time.

7 Weeks: Bouncer

You'll come to realize one of the favourite spots for photo-taking is at this blue netted bouncer. What to do, Andre is still too young to sit up at this time and this is the only place he can sit by himself. So normally what we do is to strap him on the bouncer while we goo-goo, ga-ga, and make funny faces at him, do tribal dances, prance around like monkeys, to attract his attention while we try to snap the best perfect picture.

More to come on the trusty little blue bouncer =)

7 Weeks: Gigi the Giraffe

Introducing GiGi the giraffe.... This is the 1st soft toy mummy bought for Andre

6 Weeks 5 Days: Andre's 1st trip to Orchard Road

After yesterday's successful trip to Giant supermarket at Turf City, we decided to venture further to Orchard Road today. After Andre's morning bath, we set out at 9 am to avoid the weekend crowd. Mummy is so glad to be among civilisation again. Her head is starting to grow mushrooms after staying at home for 7 weeks

Had breakfast at Ion Orchard while Andre took his morning snooze. Later we window shopped a bit (realized that ION has zero baby shops). We then venture to Isetan scotts cos Nai nai wanted to buy some clothes for Andre. An Osh Kosh top can easily cost $30-40! I can get the same brand of clothing for 20% of the price at the factory outlet/TJ Maxx in the States! The price in Singapore really 杀人放火. We really couldn't bear to spend this kind of money. Since 姑妈妈 is going to the States soon, we decided to ask her to help us buy instead. At 11.30 am, baby's getting cranky, and so we made our way home.

It is tough to bring baby out initially. There always seem to be 101 things to bring out. "Beanie pillow, magic blanket, diapers, wet wipes, changing mat etc etc" But after a few trips (and with better experience maneuvering the baby pram), we are getting better and it's no longer such a hassle.

6 Weeks 5 Days: "Mama, look at my double chin"

Andre is fattening up. (I think he's going to hate me for putting this picture of his on-line)

Do you think Andre looks a bit like ang mo here? I think it's because of his blue eyes. My mum tells me that i have blue eyes when i was young too and did not look 100% chinese.

6 Weeks 4 Days: 今天是奶奶的生日

下午，我们买了蛋糕，还有献了一束花给奶奶。看！奶奶笑得那么开心 :)

6 Weeks 3 Days: At The Playmat

Mummy took out the playmat from the storeroom for Andre to play.. Swung my arms, kicked my legs, cuckled a lot and for the 1st time, sneakily stuffed my big thumb into my mouth to "zut zut". Mummy saw, but i was fast enough to take it out before she can click on her camera... haha

6 Weeks 3 Days: Mummy Finally Started A Blog For Me!

Right from the start of my pregnancy, I wanted to capture every single event and milestone for this precious baby. Took many pictures, jotted down notes, but somehow I couldn't seem to consolidate everything together.

Finally! After 38 weeks and 2 days (baby inside mummy's tummy) and 6 weeks 4 days (baby outside mummy's tummy), I finally stepped out of my IT phobic shell and created my 1st blog to put together the precious memories for Baby Andre *APPLAUSE*

I never imagined it be so painless (took <30 mins), that i have a tinge of regret of not starting earlier. But well, better late than never.... here we go... WHOEEEEE....

6 Weeks 1 Day: Hair Rebond

yay.. i went to rebond my hair today and i feel GOOD!

Returned home 6 hours later to an exhausted husband (now he know taking care of baby is not easy) and MIL. Apparently, after Andre woke up at 1pm, and fed from the bottle, he refused to sleep and became cranky. He wants to be cuddled to sleep by mummy... Jialat!

6 Weeks: Updates

I bought this 3 CDs of nursery ryhmes. Andre seems to enjoy it. I also have a couple of children story books which i'll read to him (even though he boh hue me). Nowadays, at six weeks, Andre does not always sleep after a feed. So i take this chance to interact with him or ask the grandmother to cuddle. After a feed, he does not normally fuss. Sometimes when i run out of ideas. i just leave him alone to discover the world (staring at the ceiling) himself. He does not like to be left entirely alone, so i just sit beside and do my own stuff (watch TV, read forum)

I realized there is no such thing as a perfect mum, and both baby and I are on a learning curve. Once i put my expectations down, i find myself enjoying motherhood more.

6 Weeks: Where is my booty?

Spot the booty?

Andre will typically shift his arms to the "surrender" pose when he sleeps. He likes to have the nappy surronding his chin and neck.

6 Weeks: See my pose

Doing a pose in 奶奶's arms. Andre has yet to smile a lot. You need to give him $1 million dollars before he'll smile. But well, stats show that babies do not really social smile until they are 6-8 weeks old.

5 Weeks 6 Days: Tummy Play

"Back to sleep, tummy to play"

Tummy time prepares baby for the time when they are able to slide on their bellies and crawl. As babies grow older and stronger they will need more time on their tummies to build their own strength. Your baby needs tummy time to develop strong muscles.

What is mummy doing with me?

So tiring...

Andre dislike his tummy time initially as it can be pretty exhausting on his neck muscles. But as time progresses, it just gets better.

There are lots of ways to play with the baby while he is on his tummy.

1. Place yourself or a toy just out of the baby’s reach during playtime to get him to reach for you or the toy.

2. Place toys in a circle around the baby. Reaching to different points in the circle will allow him to develop the appropriate muscles to roll over, scoot on his belly, and crawl.

3. Lie on your back and place the baby on your chest. The baby will lift his head and use his arms to try to see your face.

4. While being watched by an adult or caregiver, have a young child play with the baby while on his tummy. Young children can get down on the floor easily. They generally have energy for playing with babies, may
really enjoy their role as the “big kid,” and are likely to have fun themselves.

Content taken from a brouchure issued by American Academy of Pediatrics.

5 Weeks 5 Days

5 Weeks 3 Days: Friday the 13th

Today is Friday the 13th... Andre was simply fussing this morning... waking up the moment i put him on the cot and taking 10 minutes feed before dozing off again. This viscious cycle happened from 9-12 noon this mornin..I hummed "old macdonald had a farm" in all animals i know of. Finally, I lost it and scold the bawling baby... now i feel so guilty... he's so young, look so ke lian when he cry, yet i was so impatient..

5 Weeks 3 Days

Andre and his dreaded tummy time. Things will be better once he has more neck strength. Accompanying him is little teddy blankie from Aunty May Choon.


These 3 are among my favourites

5 Weeks 2 Days: Stroll in the new chariot

Over the weekend, we went to purchase Andre's stroller. It's a Maclaren Techno XT. Brought Andre for a stroll by the pool and the gardens. See how securely he is buckled up? Nai nai says he is like going to space. Not too bad for a first timer, but after 10 mins on bumpy ground, the baby started to wail...

5 Weeks 1 Day: Big Hand, Small Hand

A little emo picture

5 Weeks

Little Bald Guy

4 Weeks 5 days: Phototaking by the pool

In pa pa's arms...
In ye ye's arms...

In nai nai's arms...

In ma ma's arms...

Finally ... a nice family picture

After one month of staying indoors (By chinese traditions, the mother and child does not leave the house for fear of catching a chill), mummy and baby finally is released from house arrest. Finally, an outdoors photoshoot!

4 Weeks 5 Days: Andre's Full Month Gifts

Andre's full month gifts

4 Weeks 5 Days: Sleeping Child

After a busy morning, Andre slept for a long time. Andre really like to sleep on daddy and mummy's bed and can go for long stretches. Nai nai and mummy tried to wake him up, but he couldn't be bothered with us. Andre likes to sleep in the "surrender" pose nowadays. See how serene the baby is when he sleeps.

4 Weeks 5 Days: Visit to the Archbishop and Carmelite sisters

Present given by Mother Josephine from the Carmelite sisters. It is a little clay model of Jesus in the crib.

2nd day of Andre's full month celebration:

This morning, we distributed red eggs and cakes to the Archbishop and the carmelite sisters. At the same time, we asked His Grace, Nicholas Chia, to bless baby Andre. When i was trying for a baby, i asked the Carmelite sisters (Mother Josephine) to pray for me. Now, we like to thank them for their prayers.

Thank You God for blessing us with such a beautiful and healthy child.

4 Weeks 3 days: Full month gathering with family and friends

It has been raining cats and dogs for the past week till Thursday and we were worried that the rain would ruin our party plans on Friday. Thank God, we were blessed with good weather. For the 1st time, mummy sneaked out leaving baby in the good hands of daddy, ye ye and nai nai. I went for a hair wash and head massage. It was a treat to myself for all the sleepless nights in the past month.

Buffet

Gong gong and Nai nai painstakingly dyed the eggs red and wrap them in these cute parcels

Mummy's 1st official picture with Andre. (Those taken after birth were all frumpy without makeup)

Family pic

Secondary school friends pics.

Mummy bought the blue and white balloons in the background. Wanted to scatter them around the venue but the threads got so tangled up. In the end, ye ye ingeniously created a very nice bouquet and tied it at the sign-board. It is very pretty too. Ye ye is one of China's guo bao. He used to be a movie creative director. How can mummy's lousy half-past-six art skills fight with him... haha

Dua Kim and dua yi

Cooperative Andre slept throughout the party, from 7-10PM. (Mummy was wishing so hard for the boy to sleep so that she don't have to figure out the logistics of feeding, and baby seems to know mummy's thoughts). Despite the heat by the pool and the laughter of the crowd, Andre was in la la land throughout, only waking up at 10 to say bye bye to his guests. It was a good night and we like to thank everyone for sharing our little joy.

Special mention to uncle chee siong who took pictures of us throughout the night.