Pie had fever, Mummy not around to take care

Pie had fever on Saturday. It all started with her having her usual milk intake. After I gave her the milk, I was expressing milk at one corner. As she couldn't finish her milk, I didn't force her; instead put the bottle away, meaning to wash it later on. Then I was back to expressing milk, letting her lie down for a while (laze away). Then I heard coughing, I thought nothing of it. Pie called out to me, and I went to see her. Then only did I saw that she actually vomitted some milk out. Then she vomitted a bit again, and I quickly called out to hubby. Hubby brought out a basin, meant to contain her milk, but haven't even reached her, she vomitted the entire bulk... leaving a big mess on the bedsheet, her clothes, my pants and a small area on her blanket. Then she started crying loudly and I tried to console her (but couldn't), and she almost woke Pea up. Hubby quickly brought her to the washroom for a quick wash, while I tried my best to wash the vomit away. Can't even stand the smell, I quickly remove the bedsheet and the mattress protector (but there were stain on the mattress too).

After being washed up, Pie felt better, and immediately went out to the garden. I couldn't even get her to sit down and rest (looks like after her vomitting, she felt very good). Since she was quite active again, hubby brought her and the rest of the family out for 'Pai Lin' (visit relatives), leaving me behind, as I had to attend to my customer's problem later on.

I went out to my customer's place, thinking that I should be back by mid afternoon (at most). But then, I was only back around 9 pm, and that also had yet to have dinner.

When I came back, Pie was watching tv, but wasn't feeling too well. She already had fever on and off the entire day. Hubby sponged her, and the fever went down, but after she slept, it went up again. Gave her fever medicine twice, but hubby wasn't happy that the ear thermometer was around for him to use, as it was at Mum's place (I'm sorry dear hubby). I was supposed to pick it up on my way home from work, but I left my customer's place late, thus didn't manage to.

Gave Pie her milk, and she immediately dozed off. I then had my dinner, and went to sleep a while later. Pea woke up for her milk around 2 in the morning. After feeding Pea, checked on Pie, and found that her body was quite warm. Woke hubby up, and he sponged her body (to cool down her body temperature). Checked her temperature and it was at 38.6 celcius. Immediately gave her fever medicine, and sponged her some more. Next check was at 38.3 celcius, more sponging. Next check was down to 36.4 celcius... her fever broke and she requested for milk. Gave her half dosage, and after a while, she went to sleep (not even allowing me to express my milk).

Luckily the next day she felt much better. Hubby thought that she still had fever, so took her to see the doctor. At the clinic, told the doctor the sequence of events, but after checking her, she doesn't have fever anymore, neither does she have any other sickness (no sore throat either). Doctor said there's nothing wrong with her anymore and she's so active, maybe it was just at that time that her fever come and go. Therefore, he only prescribed fever medicine for her (I think if he can don't prescribe anything or if I didn't keep babbling on about her having fever and what could caused it, he might have just said that no medication needed).

Now she's back at my Mum's place, and I bet she's active and talkative as ever again...

Chinese New Year celebration

My take is that both Pie and Pea enjoyed their CNY celebration a lot. Esp, when they received much ang pows from relatives.

Pie came back on Saturday afternoon, as it was CNY eve (Hubby's parents would like everyone to be around during CNY). And she was with us for CNY hols until she kinda got stuck to me (again). Luckily her 2nd Uncle (Yee Pak) took her under his wing and she played with him while I was busy packing things for Genting trip (with the new car obviously).

Talking about the new car, Pie was very protective of it. When hubby's Uncle and Aunt opened the car to see the interior, she grew angry until at one point started crying out loud. I was dumbfounded, as I've not seen her like that. She must be thinking why are they taking MY (noticed the word MY) car away. She must really loved the car so much. I had to console her, telling her that Uncle and Aunty is only seeing the car, not taking it away. Thus that night I purposely test her to see who can sit the car... People whom can sit the car - Daddy, Mummy, Grandparents, Uncles, Aunties, Granduncles & Grandaunties, her cousins... but not one of her Uncle (hubby's eldest brother). I asked her twice whether Tai Pak can sit the car, and she kept saying cannot. Then she went on saying, Uncle Aunty can see the car, but CANNOT sit in the car. That's how protective she is of the car...

As for Pea, the entire time she kept cooing to people to talk to her. She loves it when my Mum and Grandmother talk to her non-stop... she'll answer you by cooing, smiling; like she do understand what you are talking about. She (unhappily) slept in the car seat on the way up to Gohtong Jaya, but luckily was quite ok with the trip up to Genting (maybe because at that time there were so many people talking and laughing together).

Pie and the Lion Dance

My parents brought Pie to 1 Utama to see the Lion Dance today. It seems that she enjoyed the show so much, until my Mum bought her 2 CDs - 1 is a Lion Dance Competition, 1 is a cartoon which I assumed would have a lion dance in it ?

Anyway, now Pie keeps talking about "Tong Tong Chang" (the sound of the drums for the lion dance). Surprisingly, she is not scared of it. I remembered that I was scared of the lion, eventhough I was 6 years old, that I dare not touch it and someone (cannot remember who... must look back at the pix) was carrying me (like trying to console me). My girl is really brave...

Pea's 2nd month

Sweetie Pea is now 2 months old. Happy 2 months old to Pea.

Vital Stats:
Weight: 5.3 kg (up more than 1 kg from 1st month)
Height: 56 cm (up about 4 cm from 1st month)
Head Circumference: 38 cm (up 1 cm from 1st month)

Dr. Foo said that she is very strong and responsive (she cooed and smiled at him when he checked her). She usually don't do that to strangers, but I still have the feeling that Dr. Foo is super good with kids (I liked the way he handles Ashley, talked to her, let her play with the toys, and keep smiling and so gentle).

She's now using the sleeping bag that was won by Pie previously (sad to say that Pie had not slept in it before). And with it, she feels more comfortable and secured that she can sleep for about 5 - 6 hours (from 10 - 4), and then every 3 hours after that (super sharp).

To Pea:
You like to smile and laugh a lot these days. Mummy has been talking to you a lot (compared to the rest, it is a lot), and you do recognize me and my voice. Once I call you, I will get a smile back... For that, Mummy calls you "Cheerie Lil' Girl" You love people to talk to you, and you will coo back, like you do understand what we are talking about and that you are answering. It is amazing watching you grow up.

Sour breastmilk, cranky baby

*Sigh* all my hardwork of expressing the breast milk have gone down the drain. Most of the breast milk have gone sour, most likely due to the fact that the storage bag did not close well and the smell of the other food stuff in the freezer went to it. I had to throw all of them away (it's a waste, but better than letting my baby suffer). Even so, she was quick to know that the milk is not good and didn't want to drink it.

Now I have to use the plastic containers (ones that have a cover as well) to store the breast milk. At least I've used that previously and know that it is still well and good for her to drink.

Our nicknames

Occassionally, Pie will call us by these nicknames... Lazy / Silly (eg. Lazy Ah Mah - when my Mum finished all the housework and was resting on the sofa with Pie, Silly Mummy - when I said something amusing to her or do something funny)

Conversation with Pie

I called my Mum 2 days ago, to let her know that either hubby or I will fetch Pie home for the day. As Mum was busy in the kitchen, my Sis picked up the phone, and then I was talking to Pie:
Mummy: Ashley want to come home to Ma Ma Yea Yea's house ?
Pie: No, thanks
Mummy (laughing): Where is Ah Mah ?
Pie: Downstairs making pasta for Ashley (which is exactly what my Mum is doing in the kitchen)

Yesterday, she was back for the day, and this was our conversation:

Mummy: What is Ashley eating ?
Pie: Mee Mee (she's having wan tan mee for lunch)
Mummy: What is Ashley drinking ?
Pie: Soya bean (and takes a sip from the straw)
Mummy: Did Ashley go Genting ? (My parents brought Ashley to Genting during Thaipusam)
Pie: Ahh, cold cold (nodding her head)

As I was having lunch together with Pie, Pea was left alone on the bouncing net...

Pie: Nobody take care of Hayley
Mummy: Then Ashley take care of Hayley lor

Conversation with Yea Yea:
Yea Yea: Where did Ashley go ? Got go Genting Highlands arr ?
Pie: No, go Genting only (well, she doesn't know that it's the same, until we told her)

It's fun having talking to Pie nowadays... she is able to understand you and answers you accordingly... I realized yesterday when I saw her that she's grown to be more independant...

Good night wishes (from Pie)

Dear Pie,

Everynight, Mummy will wish you goodnight (without fail before having Pea)...

Mummy love Ashley in the whole wide world, and back again,
Ashley love Mummy in the whole wide world, and back again too,
Good night my dear little princess, Sweet dreams,
Have plesant dreams of Daddy, Mummy, Ashley and Hayley together.

Now, whenever Mummy gets to tuck you in, you'll say the good night wishes along with me...

Mummy: Mummy love Ashley in the...
Pie: whole wide world, back again
Mummy: Ashley love Mummy in the...
Pie: whole wide world, back again too
Mummy: Good night my dear little...
Pie: princess, Sweet dreams
Mummy: Have pleasant dreams of...
Pie: Daddy, Mummy, Hayley, Ma Ma (Hubby's Mum), Yea Yea (Hubby's Dad), Ah Mah (My Mum), Kung Kung (My Dad), Ma Mah (My Sister) (to) gether

To drink or not to drink formula

Pea doesn't like to drink formula. Whenever we feed her formula, she'll drink lil' bit, cry, drink, cry and on it goes... and that also she absolutely won't finish the milk (unless she's sleepy)... But yesterday after hubby fed her formula and she did the same old trick, it makes me wonder whether does she only like drinking breastmilk. I've read that the breastmilk is somewhat sweet... is it true ?

If Pea continues like this, I'll have no choice to be exclusively breastfeed her. Not that I don't want to exclusively breastfeed her, but it's just that I'm the lazy type. Previously (when we first had Pea), I would wake up around 1 / 2 am to feed Pea her formula milk and then express out my breastmilk for her next feed (which was around 3 / 4 am). While hubby takes over the next feed, I would be expressing milk again (instead of sleeping). Initially when I tried breastfeeding Pea, she took ages to finish (could be around 1/2 hour ?); that's the reason I used that method (feed formula, express milk for next feeding)... With this, Pea has one time of formula, and the rest breastmilk.

But now, I guess I've been slightly more hardworking, thus I'll feed Pea direct and then only express milk out (she'll drink around 10 mins on one side and then will go back to sleeep). There are EBM stored in the freezer and fridge, but I wonder how long those will lasts ? MIL expected me to finish using them up before I start work... her thinking is that when I start work, I'll be expressing again, thus the expressed ones can let Pea drink the next day. My aim is to let Pea have breastmilk as long as I can take it (that means I'm not stressed up to the maximum... I wouldn't know as I've yet to start work), and that I can still express milk out (there would be times when I've gotta go customer's site and that depends whether they have a suitable place for me to express milk).

My Girl having sweet dreams

Pea is currently sleeping on the bouncing net, and she has smiled multiple times. At times, she also was the making the sound "eh, eh", like she's talking to someone in her dreams. I wonder what is she dreaming of, of me (her lovely Mummy :)), of her having a nice time ? Hmm...

Breastfeeding experience (During maternity leave)

I didn't breastfeed Pie for long... it was around 2 months only. Reason being, I was into depression thinking that I've not enough supply, not much support from family and also did not read enough about breastfeeding. All in, I could say Pie is 50% breastfed. I also made my first huge mistake when I allowed Pie to be formula-fed right at the hospital, thinking that she could be hungry and that I didn't have enough milk for her to drink. I was nagged by the staff nurse when she found out what happened, which made me more depressed.

Therefore, for Pea, I tried to change my thinking and attitude. My colleague gave me a photostated copy of a breastfeeding book, which I read (twice) months before my due date. At the same time, I went into multiple breastfeeding sites, to enhance my knowledge. I dare not say that Pea is 100% breastfed (she is about 90% breastfed); she has drank formula a number of times, especially once at night to let her sleep longer, but I know she prefers my milk than the formula ones (which motivated me to breastfeed her and express milk for her to drink). But at the same time, I do tire myself out because of the same reason. Now, I have some EBM stored in the freezer and fridge, which I bring out to use twice in a day, once during dinner time (if she disturbs my dinner) and once when hubby feeds her at night... The other times, she is fed directly (which means I wake up around 4 am and 7 am to feed her... luckily now she drinks around 10 mins - yeah I do time her - thus it wasn't that long... but then after she has drank, I will expressed the balance out for storage). I only wonder when I start work, would I be that hardworking (esp. the night shift), would I be able to sacrifice my sleep for feeding her and expressing her, would I have enough sleep to last me the next day in the office, esp. in my current position ? Time will tell...

Pea's feelings: Contented, Frustrated and Happy girl

Pea's feelings can span from being contented (right after she had her milk and even during feedings coz that's when she smiles the most), to frustrated (when she is about to pass motion), to being a happy girl (once pass motion, she'll start cooing around, looking for people to talk to).

All in a day's work for Pea...

A New Leaf

Looks like an improvement for mummy where she is now more happier even if daddy comes home late. I guess it's self management and stress control.

Brought mummy and sweetie pea out to Midvalley on Thaipusam. Though mummy had to pay for Mdm Kuan's. At least we get to do our own shopping as mummy got some clothes and daddy got his computer games. All a Happy Family. Sweetie pea was asleep all the way thorough until we finished our lunch where she woke up and wanted milk. Had to feed her in the car on the way back.

I came home one day about 9.30pm and the mummy princess have been in high temper.The queen and princess pea are being cared by the mummy princess. I had to make up with breakfast and taking a longer shift for the night. Sometimes, thinking if mummy princess is able to take continued stress or not? As a parent, she needs to be strong and patient. These two are our kids and they are still young. Why do we need to shout and stream or behave angrily?
In my view of all these, I do my best to show a good happy environment to my kids. I don't want them to grow up thinking that we argue or "fight" alot. I want a happy family . Being times, where stress reaches the maximum, mummy princess will shout or unhappily make me come home early or as fast as possible. I wonder if she ever think that if something happens to me on the way home, would she forgive herself?