Day 25: 爷爷and 奶奶 comes to Singapore

爷爷 and 奶奶 arrives from Nanjing early in the morning after an overnight flight. It must be tiring for them especially at their age (奶奶 is 72 whereas 爷爷 is 77) . 奶奶 is so excited to see 宇涵. We can see that she is so proud of this grandson :)

奶奶 distributed the full month gifts before coming to Singapore. Inside the red plastic eggs are individual 豆沙 pastries encrusted over a salty egg yolk.

Day 23

Day 21: Baby sleeping cross-legged

21 Days

Pictures taken from mummy's lap. Andre's just woken up and all blearly eyed

20 Days

Daddy playing with Andre after work

One of my favourite pictures taken in Andre's early days. Everyone says he has a wise look...

Day 20: Burnt Pump

This is what happens when there is a soccer match going on and Daddy offers to help mummy watch the fire.

16 Days

so sexy... well, actually it's mummy's fault. I bought all the 3-6 months clothing for him which is too big for him at newborn.

Day 15

My little Andre is quite a sleepy head leh. From what i see, normally babies will be the one waking their parents up to feed. For me, i have to wake him up every 3-4 hours to feed. The CL and my mum says to leave him to sleep all he wants, but the sleepiness, do you think its any cause for concern? Other than that, he seems pretty contented and happy leh..


Just weighed him, i think he put on 0.8kg. He is 15 days old. When he is fully awake, he is not lethargic leh, and bawls for his milk (by then, super hungry liao).

Day 16: Patient from IMH?

The violent cry The pitiful cry

Confinement lady Mdm Tan says that newborns need to be swaddled so that they can sleep well and will not be frightened easily. So she taught me how to wrap the baby. Somehow i just thought Andre looked like a patient at the mental institute. He couldn't move left or right, all he could do is to violently jerk his head and his legs like a worm and WAIL...

15 Days

14 days: KKH Bill

This is the bill for A1 premier. I delivered naturally, induced labor with epidural.

My bill:
2 days delivery package $1550 (inclusive of 2 days stay, daily treatment fee,8 hours delivery suite charge, admin fee, incontinence pads, 10 pieces sanitary pad, medical consumables for natural delivery, CTG monitoring, IV, normal delivery drugs, postnatal discharge drugs, gas, artificial rupture of membranes (burst waterbag),type and screen procedure)

Additional cost incurred above the $1550
1.Lab investigations $54 (dunno what is this item)
2.Delivery Charges $952 (gynae's fee)
3.Delivery Suite Charges $113.42(I exceeded 8 hours, so its chargable at $0.53 a min)
4. Drugs/Prescripton/Injection $82.57 (i think this is the drug for induction, mine was induced labor)
5. Ward Procedures $379.02 (I assume this is for the epidural)
6. Consumables $18.50
7. Other Procedures $31
Total = $3180.51
After GST = $3403.14
Initial deposit i paid = $2080
Medisave deduction = $2100
So KKH still refund me $776.86

Andre's bill:
2 days neonatal class A ward $150
Daily treatment fee $100
Lab investigations $154.01
Ward Procedures$25.50
Consumables $9.50
Other Procedures $111.50
Misc $12.50
Total $563.01
After GST$602.43
Deduct Medisave $589.05
I need to pay KKH $13.38

In the ward, he was given one pack of pampers, wet wipes and tissue paper.

Day 15: My First Photoshoot

Managed to get the 1st sponsorship from Andre's =) 大姨 => A photoshoot package for newborns.

I like Kelly's photgraphy style, it's somewhat like Anne Geddes, a lot of feel. Managed to secure a slot when Andre is 15 days old, that's when baby is still scrawny and still looking so fragile. Out of the 4 hours Kelly was here, Andre was crying for 3-1/2 hours. Guess he just didn't like being exposed less a diaper cover. I was trying to calm him down by feeding and feeding (until my breasts had jellified). The angry photo taken above is actually the last photo taken during the photoshoot. See how pissed Andre is (Actually, this is one of my favourite pictures cos it is so natural... hahaha).

But well, the end results are good. Everyone simply love the photos!

Mummy's Favourite

Daddy's Favourite (He says looks like baby Jesus in the crib)

14 Days

12 Days: Visit from gong gong and nai nai

Gong gong and nai nai visited us for the 1st time after we moved home on friday.

12 Days

Today is the actual EDD of Andre's birth. If he was to be born today, will he be looking like this?

Lovely koala socks bought by Dua Yi from Melbourne

11 Days

1st day at home. In the morning, daddy went to get breakfast for mummy at the hawker centre and got into a mini car accident. This ku ku car did not see daddy's car coming and bumped into our car. In due course, the damages were settled at a 50-50 basis. Nevertheless, what an expensive chicken porridge for mummy!

The confinement lady, Mdm Tan, also dropped by today. We were very lucky to be able to get her at last minute. Now mummy can rest better and concentrate on making more milk for me ... hehehe

10 Days

I'm double digit old today! Daddy and mummy had a very good laugh over this picture. Somehow Andre looks like some lama (tibetian monk). Look at the scrawny bath picture. Andre needs to fatten up.

Anyway, so far daddy has been a great help in taking care of Andre. All the bath and peepoo changing is done by dad cos mummy is simply too tired after all the marathon latching sessions. Thank you daddy! You are the bestest dad in the world and mummy is so glad to have you for support.

9 Days: Daddy bathing the little boy

Day 8: Very Very sad day

Today, out of a sudden Andre refused to feed from my boob. I was so distraught that i thought that it is the end of my nursing career after one week. He looked as if he has simply just forgotten how to suckle and cry in hunger. In the end, i had no choice but to express out my milk and give him the bottle. I was really reluctant to make this choice because i read from the books that once babies enjoy the speed and ease of bottle feeding, they will unlikely learn how to suckle from the breast again and i didn't want to start this viscious cycle.

I broke down several times during the day, all heartbroken. It's crazy on hindsight, but somehow i just kept thinking that my baby didn't want me anymore. When my baby cried, i cradled him and cried even louder. And in one instance, my little boy just suddenly stopped and looked at me in bewilderment. He must be thinking " Helloooo, i thought i'm the one whose supposed to cry??!!" Anyway, I never found myself in a more irrational state of mind.

I tried looking for support, but KKH one totally sucks. The LC sounded so impatient. I called a 2nd time, they did not return my call. Do you know, they have only 3 LC and one is on maternity leave? It's crazy lor, so many people give birth everyday, many are 1st time mummies eager to start on breastfeeding and they only got 3 LCs? I realized many hospital LCs are like hotcakes like that and they simply are understaffed and not very patient. Worst still, i find them cold even though its a very emotional time for us.
Anyway, i ended up calling joyful parenting. Its a voluntary breastfeeding hotline and i found the lady at the other end (Maureen) very patient and she gave pretty simple instructions and good suggestions to follow. http://www.breastfeeding.org.sg/alternative-breastfeeding-help.html

In the evening, i was ready to pay a lactation consultation for help. They cost $60-$100 per hour house visit. I called one, barely said 3 words, and i was sobbing my heart away. For the first time today, she was the only person that could perfectly understand what i was going through. She gave a few quick tips and said that she will drop by my place tomorrow. I was so comforted.

Seeing my depressed stated, everyone around me just told me to give up and move on. No direct feed, then no direct feed lor. If we give by bottle, it is still breast milk. Call me obstinate, but i was determined to make it work out. At the back of my head it was this article that spurred me on: http://www.breastfeeding.com/reading_room/perseverance.html This lady never gave up and after 12 days, her baby managed to latch on.

After many attempts, finally at the end of the day, Andre suddenly latched on again. That was at a point where i was calmed down, and just letting him play around with the boob with the minimum expectation. That moment i won't forget, i call it pure bliss. The bond between mother and child.

Soon after, I had the chance to descibe the whole situation to a lactation consultant. It was only then i realized what baby went through was call a nursing strike. Kaoz..

Day 7

Hubby and mum brought baby to the polyclinic this morning so i have abt one hour of rest.

measured my weight today. drop 7 kg since delivery (ONE WEEK). That kinda put me in a better mood. sigh, but the stomach still a lot of loose skin.

Day 6: Thoughts

It's day 6 already and my nippples are so sore and have a bit bleeding. My episo wound is still hurting. Up there pain, down there pain, its been really depressing. For those who did natural, please take care of your wound. Don't be like me, walked around vigourously for the 1st few days and now, the stitch is hurting like crazy. I'm still sitting on float.

luckily, i have my hubby ard. i never expect the tremendous help n support he provide, usual day, he is very nua, but this time he really rise to the occasion baby and all. So far, i haven't even change a diaper or bathe the baby yet. I want to hands on, but he insist healing the wound should be my 1st priority now. i told him, he better not fall sick or break down, otherwise i definitely cannot take it. told him, no need LV or Chanel, just be there is the best i can ask for. considering next week when he returns back to work。 i think i a bit depression now. Hopefully things will be better.Baby's jaundice is high today, dr say if tomoro still high, then need to be hospitalised.

Last night, baby Andre couldn't sleep again. This time, even daddy had difficulty patting him to sleep. In the end, i took Andre in my arms, rocked, cradled and hummed to him. Desipte my painful nips, i let him comfort suckle till he fell asleep. Seeing him quieten down and sleep like an angel, it makes it all so priceless in the end.

5 Days: Baby Andre says 'Hi'!

Andre looks tan and yellowish due to the jaundice.

4 Days

Po po gave Andre a bath in the morning. She then noticed that the umbilical cord stump is a little infected. We promptly brought Andre to the PD at Bukit Timah Plaza. Quite lucky to get an appointment as it is a saturday. The PD said that the area is not too bad and we were given some alcohol swabs and powder to dry up the area. Andre had a quick check up too and everything is well.

Andre couldn't sleep well last night. He wasn't crying very loud, but whimpering away... Somehow we couldn't comfort him. In the end, daddy cradled Andre in his arms until he fell asleep. Then daddy put Andre beside him and they slept together. Everytime, Andre stirs, daddy will pat him quickly. That seems to do the trick.

Day 4: Start of Jamu massage

Thanks to Lek who recommended Aunty Yati, i started my slimming massage today. Considering it's $60 per 1 hour session and the lady comes to my place, it is pretty reasonable.

Mdm Yati is a spunky, optimistic lady, very nice to chat with. The massage is sheer bliss, but the jamu wrap is a torture (and sure smelly). In short, after the massage, Mdm Yati applied some herbs and wrap me up in a cloth like a mummy (the belly and thigh regions). Supposed to feel burning hot (but i didn't, maybe because my skin too thick), and keep the wrap as long as possible. It's already very tough, i'm bleeding, i'm sweating and now something else to add to my woes? But what to do .. for the sake of beauty.

I'll bear with this for 7 days in a row. GRRRrrrrr...

3 Days

Baby Andre with Janelle jie jie

With Daddy

2 Days

We are discharged from the hospital today. Left the hospital at 2 pm. It's a bit surreal... i mean, 2 people went to the hospital and 3 went home.. Amazing huh.. hehe

Guess who is this gorgeous lady? She is none other than Dr Chee Jing Jye, the wonderful person that brought Andre into this world. She's not only pretty and glam, she's very skillful too. During the pushing part, her "cheerleading" was very encouraging and even when baby's heartbeat dropped, she was steady and managed to get baby out without vacuum or forceps. Because of the confidence she exudes, i was not nervous at all during delivery. Glad to have found such a great doctor!

Andre's having his butt cleaned

It was pretty eventful once we got to my mum's place. Found that the air-con was not working at all. I was feeling so so so hot (Ladies in confinement feel extremely hot and sweaty by the way). Milk was starting to come in the engorgement was bad. As i hadn't used the breast pump before, it took me a while to figure it out and get it sterilized. Gong gong got the air-con guys to our place immediately and while they figured out what's wrong, i was struggling to breastfeed Andre in the other room. It was kinda madness all the way till 11pm. By then, i was so exhausted. Just as i was about to settle down, gong gong came to the room to get diapers for Adelle jie jie and the baby woke up and started to cry....

1 Day Old: Full day at KKH

Uncle Chee Siong, Aunty Janice and Aunty Cat came to visit. So did Pei Hong Yi Yi. After which, mummy became so exhausted that she told the rest of the visitors not to come. Giving birth is not easy man.

Like father, like son. Don't you think they are a replica of each other?

Day 1: Mummy struggles with breastfeeding. Can't seem to get the baby to latch on! Somehow when the nurses are here, the baby does ok. And they say: " Good, good, excellent job!" But the moment they leave, Andre's mouth just dropped out. And the nurses say i need to latch on for at least 15 minutes... oh my gosh, even 5 minutes is tough. Baby looks so fragile, mummy is afraid of breaking that little neck.

And it's kinda tough, cos the epidural is wearing off which makes sitting kinda challenging. Daddy went home early in the morning to get the swimming float for mummy to sit on.

Came evening, daddy and mummy wanted to take care of Andre, but in the end we relented and sent Andre to the nursery. We really need the rest, cos we know after tonight, there'll be no other help to look after Andre at night.