正月初七: 人日

Gong Xi Fa Cai

GONG XI FA CAI

from the Ma family

We had a busy end for 2013, and an equally busy start for 2014.

Had our 3D2N family staycation at Rasa Sentosa, followed by new year celebration back in Sungai Tiang. 

Pictures coming up on Facebook shortly!

And for now...

Here's Toddler Sascha grabbing Ang Baos off Grandma's "money tree"

Sascha is turning One!

I am constantly in awe of how fast time slips past, especially when life is joyful and fulfilling.

Less than a year ago, I was still carrying my teeny babe in my tummy, suffering from heartburns and insomnia. Now, my infant is all grown up, and is turning into a terrible terrific tot.

Oh my, how she has blossomed!

To commemorate the little steps Sascha has taken thus far, I made a short video montage.

Hope you enjoy watching it as much as I did making it.

It is said that a picture speaks a thousand words. I say a word paints a thousand pictures.

And the ones we're painting now are all about LOVE.

Firsts.

Here's Papa and Mama with Sascha, at her first National Day celebration, at the Baby's Day Out organised by NTUC UFamily.

She has achieved a long list of "Firsts" as she reaches her 9th month.

2013.08.XX (8MXXD) - Cruising along with support
2013.08.03 (8M07D) - First National Day celebration
2013.08.09 (8M13D) - First indoor playground experience
2013.08.14 (8M18D) - First successful crawl forward
2013.08.25 (8M29D) - First gym experience
2013.08.30 (9M04D) - First sat up successfully from tummy position
2013.09.04 (9M09D) - First successful attempt on potty

And, now she has 8 teeth, with her pre-molars popping out soon!

We recently had a photoshoot done with Sascha's group of friends and Mommies. Dr. Ludwig did an awesome job! Here are two of my favourites.

And before I end, here's another picture of my little "Summon Auntie" on her playmat, waiting for Papa to get ready, before her Sunday music class.

July 2013

Putting up a post before the month of July ends. 

Yes, my brother has graduated! And, here's a picture of Sascha, not being entirely cooperative as you can see.

Time has slipped past quietly... well, it can't exactly be quiet when you have an infant babbling, giggling, or bawling every other minute, but the point is that Sascha turned 8 months last week! Times flies!

Hardly have any time to blog these days. Weekdays, I'm diving through work, squeezing in pump sessions in the afternoons, and rushing home on the dot to see Missy. Weekends are packed to the brim - sending Mom home every Friday/Saturday, swim sessions on Sundays with Isabelle, trial classes every now and then, and never seeming to be able to get enough rest for the work week. Took a week-long break last week, and I cleverly (not!) jammed in a couple of playdates after returning from my short trip to Bangkok, and ended up feeling more tired than before.

That said, it has been a whole lot of fun (Minus the diaper rash, teething woes, of course. Her 6th tooth has just cut through, I'm hoping the next one doesn't cut soon coz I'm totally not looking forward to getting back a cranky baby.). Since Sascha grasped the skill of sitting up at about 4 months, life has been a tat easier, and I can leave her on the playmat/in the play yard while I do my chores. Well, I know, soon she'll be crawling/walking/dashing across the house, and I'll find myself chasing after her again. Oh well...

Before I end off, here's one of my recent favorites taken at a steamboat restaurant. Sascha was caught trying to hynoptize, okay, maybe more of mesmerize, her Papa into giving her something to eat. This happens whenever her Poppy is home, and ignoring her. She'll go "baba, baba" the whole day, trying to get him to play with her. Mama feels totally left out. Bah!

Look at that cheeky face!

Happy Daddy's Day

Dear Poppy

Happy Father's Day

With Love

Mama & Sascha

Sascha's 4th Month

Our sweetie, together with Papa, at the kids salon on her 1st and 4th months, for her second haircut.

How do babies multi-task so well?

Here's Sascha snoozing and looking cute in her smurfette cap.

Marie biscuits, chives, and drumstick. Om nom nom.

Our baby is ready for solids!

Growing Up

Pictures taken in her favorite seat, a month apart

Growing rapidly to fit into her stroller within 2 months

Blooming from teeny weeny to sturdy turdy

The first days

26-Nov-2012: Our little bun, fresh out of the oven!

First picture with Mommy

28-Nov-2012: First day home

My little drama mama - Sascha

Was admitted to Mt. A on 25 November, a day after our trip to Pontian, as there was watery discharge. We weren't sure if the waterbag had burst or it was hind leakage, so Dr. Ben suggested that I get admitted in order for his relief gynae, Dr. Claudia, to get me checked.

Put on CTG for monitoring

 Got discharged on Sunday, after confirming that waterbag was still intact. Although, we were encouraged by the relief doctor to induce labor (since cervix was already dilated and contractions have started albeit irregular), Hubby preferred to wait for our gynae to return from his holiday.

That same night, regular contractions kicked in.

Poppy reminded me to take my last belly photo. Hah!

0200hrs - 0800hrs

After the day's false alarm, I decided to quietly time the contractions on my own, lest I raise another false alarm. 

0800hrs

Got Hubbs to SMS gynae for advice.

0900hrs

While waiting for clinic to open, had a bloody show. 

1030hrs

At the clinic, we were told not to panic, and to admit to hospital in the evening, unless pain relief is required immediately.

1130hrs

Waiting game commenced. Laid around in bed for close to 4hours after brunch, before leaving for hospital. Contractions were regular, but still manageable.

1930hrs

Dilation: 2.5cm

Gynae arrived to break the waterbag. Sascha's hand was lodged in the pelvis with her head, and I was advised to take epidural as there could be a possibility of emergency C-section. Was pretty disappointed at that point in time, since I've endured so far. Told gynae I'll sit on the idea a bit and see if things take a turn. Put on saline drip for hydration, and waiting game resumed.

2130hrs

Dilation: 3 - 5cm

After some pep talk, Sascha has miraculously shifted her hand away! Again, the nurse offered option of pain relief. (I have yet to use the nitrous oxide up to this point, simply because I've clean forgotten about it). Under desperation (contraction readings peaked at 127), and thinking that she was referring to epidural, I quickly signed the papers.

2200hrs

Dilation: 9cm

Anaesthetist Dr. Yvonne Lim arrived but epidural is no longer possible since cervix is almost fully dilated. Within minutes, it was at 10cm, and I could no longer suppress the urge to push. Nitrous oxide was administered. I was cautious about the quantity I inhaled, thanks to the horror stories I've heard about the post-partum side effects. In any case, the gas pretty much did its job and I was rather zonked out.

2230hrs

"Pop! Goes the weasel."

Of course, I wish it was all that easy. Good thing was, the bursts of contractions became "windows of opportunity" for pushing. Under the influence of the gas (ya, right!), I suddenly turned into an emo freak, and remember repeatedly apologizing for the futile attempts at pushing, and taking so long.

Hubbs and the nurses pressed on and repeatedly motivated me by telling me that they can spot BB's crop of thick, black hair. Now, I can fully comprehend the phrase "用了吃奶的力", because I practically squeezed every possible ounce of energy I have in each push.

Suddenly, there was a huge sense of relief. I could feel the depressurization in my tummy (akin to the sudden deflation of a balloon). 

2246hrs

The "poop" is out!

It was surreal. And boy, was that a huge piece of "poo".

Everything was a blur from then. I've clean forgotten about the fact that at Week 36, she still had the umbilical cord around her neck. And, I couldn't even make out if it was Poppy or the gynae who cut the umbilical cord. But, one thing's pretty clear. When Poppy thanked the gynae, I could hear the tremble in his voice, and it was obvious that he was trying to stifle his tears of joy (or that of fear, for what unknown horrors his Princess is going to bestow upon him). Haha.

Smiley Baby Sascha