Monthly Archives: August 2008

No matter what – DO NOT DISTURB

Posted by Misty Mom on 30/08/2008 2 comments

It occured to be that the best lessons learnt are the ones that are learnt the hard way. This can be applied to most of my parenting experience with Arianna. The most recently one is her sleeping positions. Apparently with being so mobile these days, Arianna tends to sit up in bed the moment I put her down. In the beginning, I’d continue holding her down until she’d cry because she got frustrated and must have been wondering why this crazy Mummy is trying to stick me down to the bed but now, not anymore.

These days when it’s time for her nap, I tuck her in as usual and if she doesn’t want to stay in the position I put her in, fine by me. I carry on as usual, kiss her night-night and out the door. She normally screams at this point but I’ve learnt to ignore that because she just wants attention which she should not be getting at the time she is suppose to be napping. So she’ll cry a bit and then, she’s down. It was hard in the beginning but I’ve come to realise that they will get the picture in the end.

Now what lesson was it that I recently learnt? Well, for starters, if your child’s asleep, no matter what, do not attempt to reposition them as you see fit and comfy. Last week, after she went to bed, I went to have a peek and she was asleep face down but in a rather awkward position. She was sleeping over her pillow hence it looked to be as if her head was lower than her body and I didn’t think that was good at all. Not only that, she fell asleep on her knees with her bum in the air!!! Just like Daddy when he was little as I’ve been told. So I moved her and she woke up and cried and cried and cried because I ‘woke’ her up. She would have cried till the cows came home but we don’t own a farm so that’s not possible but if we did, that’s what she’d do and the whole day was RUIN!! Ruin I tells ya….

These days, although I find her sleeping in the most weird and uncomfortable positions at least to me, I just watch and wonder. Sometimes I laugh to myself and think, how in tarnations can THAT be comfortable?! But the thing is, if she was uncomfy, she’s get up and GET comfy just like you and me. So I definitely am not worried that much any more. Although I find that her sleeping on the front still scares me abit but I think she’s old enough to ensure that she’s got proper breathing space. :)

 

Oooo, I want that pop up tv!

Posted by Misty Mom on 30/08/2008 None comments

Wouldn’t it be great if you could hide that huge plasma TV when it’s not in use? Well, after a visit to Cherlyn’s home the other day, that woman has really given me the itch to get one of those pop up tv cabinets. Makes you go green with envy when one moment there is the tv there and the next, there’s a lovely empty space which really helps declutter a room especially when you have wires sticking out from all directions as you can find with our tv cabinet.

So yes, this has definitely made it’s spot on my list of furniture-to-get in the future. ;) And having so many shades to choose from is such a blessing!

Di-di, mama & bird

Posted by Misty Mom on 29/08/2008 3 comments

I wasn’t surprised that the one thing Arianna knows very well is BIRD. She’s got a couple of bird soft toys and we’ve got a million bird fridge magnets as well as other bird decors around the house. This is simply because Ted loves them. So recently, I asked Arianna, ‘Where’s the bird?’ and she pointed to the one sitting on the shelf in her room. I was rather surprised that she pointed coz that the only thing she points to and when asked, ‘How does the bird sing?’, she remains quiet looks at me and then, I make this silly bird sound and she goes all shy and grins, then kinds of mimics me by saying, ‘Di, di, di’. Very cute!

Her vocab isn’t that good although instead of associating ‘mum-mum’ to me, the MUM. It’s been associated to food but then again, I think this is quite normal la. She seems to be able to call out ‘Da-di’ once in awhile but kinds of gets confused when I say ‘Daddy’ coz she then turns and looks out the kitchen window where the rainbow lorikeets come by almost everyday. So she is having a bit of an ID crisis when it comes to ‘Daddy’.

I used to think that reading to her could wait but now I think it’s a tad too late as I should have started earlier because she doesn’t take to books that well. Everything is for chewing as far as Arianna is concerned. The only books that she is actually interested in and paying attention to are the ones Uncle William [Ted's brother] got her for her birthday. They are part of the ‘In The Night Garden’ series which she absolutely loves.

Other than that, not much development where standing up and walking is concerned and I’ve been told why too. Apparently she has no confidence because her feet are always covered up. It is after all winter here and we don’t have internal heating to warm the whole house so she always has her socks on or those long johns on. The nurse told me to remove the sock and keep her feet free and I can expect her to be pulling herself up more confidently. I tried that last night but it was just too cold. She will have to wait a bit till the weather gets a little warmer la. For now, have to just bear with it la.

Growth development :

  • Weight : 9.5kg [Apparently slightly lower than what she should be but still within the average weight so it's ok]
  • Height : 77cm [Supposedly tall for her age so we can expect her to be lanky like Daddy]
  • HC : 45.5cm

Went from bad to worst

Posted by Misty Mom on 27/08/2008 4 comments


Sayang the bird, originally uploaded by mistyeiz2.

Apparently all her whinging and whinning and tantrums was caused by German measles. :( Poor little thing…. I noticed the spots the next day after the appointment for her jabs were cancelled. At first we thought it was just some rash from her rubbing her back on the floor when she does throw a tantrum but apparently after getting 2 doctors opinions, it was German measles which explained why she was so upset. On top of that, she also had a sore throat which was also why she wasn’t taking much food but was drinking a lot of water.

So for the next couple of days, she mainly just ate mushy food. She didn’t like the stuff I cooked for her like her normal meals but was happy to eat all the not-so-healthy stuff like the baby bottled food particularly the desserts like apricot pudding, raspberry muesli, custard and gels. And she loves bread. So I just gave her those things la. For me, it didn’t matter what she ate, as long as she did get something down. Breastfeedig went on as normal although I am seriously thinking of moving her on to formula.

I think her suction is too strong and my poor nipples are suffering. I am suffering so will definitely check with the nurse to see how to go about it. I hope it doesn’t rain tomorrow.

On the other note, the rash has gone and Arianna is definitely on the road to recovery. I don’t know if she is 100% ok or not because she isn’t eating as much or as euthusiatically as she use to. Maybe it’s just part of growing up where they tend to eat less and become picky eaters. I don’t know….but I hope not.

And since this rubella episode, she’s learnt to throw tantrums but throwing herself away from you when you’re carrying her. I find that extremely disturbing and dangerous. Is there any way of stopping this behaviour? Other than that, my house is a total wreck these days. Feels like a cyclone blew through it and left all the debris behind. Other days, it’s like an obstacle course.

I finally realised that there is no point in trying to block her from getting from Point A to Point B because she will make a way even if there is no way. So we now keep all the doors shut but I can’t really do much about the kitchen yet. Feel bad for putting the gate up since she likes to be in there with me. But the kitchen already so small and to have this lump sitting like a Buddha right in the middle makes it hard for me to make my way around so like it or not, guess the gate will have to come up la.

The perfect promotional gift

Posted by Misty Mom on 20/08/2008 None comments

Being new in the area, I thought that it would be a good idea to get accquainted with the other mums in the area so I attended a gathering to meet up with other mothers who are planning to join a local playgroup in our housing area. I did feel a little out of place and shy as well since I didn’t know anyone there., and being one of the rare Asian around. But after awhile, everyone warmed up to each other and things weren’t so bad.

It was a short meeting but it was long enough that some of the babies were getting restless so we broke the meeting up and we were all given a choice of promotional items of either an insulated travel mug or a flashlight. I think I’ll be attending more of these meetings and hope they give out those huge golf umbrellas next time! Those are my absolute fav. ;)

Poor little cheeky-boo

Posted by Misty Mom on 19/08/2008 6 comments

Turns out that all that whinging and clingy-ness had a good reason attached to it. My poor baby girl actually had a slight fever from a virus that’s been going around due to this stupid weather. It doesn’t help much when we can experience all 4 seasons [autumn, summer, winter & spring] in one day. So she escaped getting the terrible 3′s.

Yes, I guess she could thank her lucky stars that she escaped getting 3 jabs that day due to her temperature. But there will be no escape next week when we go in again. I can already foresee how things are going to turn out! :( She totally freaked out when she saw Dr. Gunther and she just cried and cried while he checked her out. But the funny thing is, while she was getting checked, her curiosity got the better of her and she actually attempted to grab at his stethoscope! *lol* I thought it was hilarious because even with the tears streaming down and all, can still find the energy to grab at it. Such a funny Cheeky!

Anyway, she also has a sore throat which explains why she wasn’t interested in her foods at all and that really upset me because I’m so afraid that she’d get hungry and get a gastric or something. So I kept trying to feed her stuff. Sometimes she ate, sometimes she didn’t. But doc said that I should just give her whatever she wants like fruits or light stuff and lots of fluids which was what I was already doing. At the end of the check up, doc was quite happy with her because despite being ill and all, she was still inquisitive which was a good sign according to him and she was telling us that she was ill and not just putting on a happy face, which would be bad coz then we wouldn’t have known.

There was no medication needed just gave her a shot of baby Panadol last night and today too. Her temperature has been up and down today but she has definitely turned for the better. I can have my baby back now! :) I just knew she wasn’t 100% with the whinging and all, I just knew it coz for most of the time. she had always been a happy baby. I’m just glad that she’s slowly recovering. I don’t expect her to be 100% ok in 24 hours but something is certainly better than nothing.

Getting up every 2 hours last night was not fun at all! *blek*

Whinge, whinge, whinge

Posted by Misty Mom on 18/08/2008 4 comments

Whinge, whinge, whinge

For the past 2 days, Arianna has been driving me up the wall with all the whinging. And this is something like just making a crying noise but not really crying and it’s really getting to me. I don’t know what’s wrong with her. Perhaps she has some sort of a 6th sense that she is going to get jabbed today or something, I don’t know but the thing I know for sure is, the minute Daddy walks in, she’s a different baby all together.

Hence Ted doesn’t really believe me when I tell him that she’s been very whingey and that I had a tough time trying to cheer her up. I feel bad that I try to take mer mind off the whinging by giving her food. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn’t. But I am so darn thankful for that Baby Bright DVD we bought in Kulim for that is truly my Saviour in times of desperation, and when I want to take a bath. ;)

So far, it’s done a great job in keeping her occupied long enough for me to take a bath, quickly check on lunch and for the moment, to even write out this post. In fact, just yesterday it also gave me a chance to chat with my long time best friend online which was such a blessing coz I miss her heaps.

For now, she is paying 101% attention to the tv but once the show is over, it’s back to the whinging I’m sure. Even trying to play anything with her doesn’t quite work as her attention span is shorter than a bee’s. The only consolation I have is that looking forward, it will stop sooner or later but till the  tide is through, aiyo…..my patience is being tested time and time again. Sometimes I surprise myself that I can actually control myself from not getting too upset as I know that I sometimes have a super short fuse.

And when I’ve had enough, I just zone her out and leave her to cry/whinge a bit till I get myself back in order. I don’t want to end up like one those mums who snap and throw their kids over the balcony or shake them out of anger, you know? It does happen coz you’re just so frustrated and angry, you don’t know what you’re doing. I just thank God that I haven’t reached that stage yet because scarily, I think I am quite capable of it and that is such a scary thought. :(

Found a good use for Daddy’s old holey socks!

Posted by Misty Mom on 17/08/2008 1 comments

In my previous post, I mentioned about Arianna and her blue black marks from all the crawling. I was thinking of getting her knee pads but the price….can pengsan!! So I did something I have never done before. I googled up how to make your own baby knee pads and voila!

How to make free knee pads

So instead of spending AUD25 for ONE pair of knee pads, now I don’t need to spend anything at all since I have thread and all on hand. Just need to dig up Ted’s old holey socks which he has many of because just like my Dad, he’s got this habit of using clothings like singlets and socks and undies till the moth also can’t have a proper meal! He pretty much wears these things until I get rid of them. If I don’t then he will continue wearing it until kingdom come.

That said, I’ll be finally trying my hand at making something useful and being more productive with my time as Ted is of the opinion that I spend too much time on Scrabulous, which is quite true, sad to say. If it all comes together ok, I’ll definitely post a pix of it! :) Have Arianna pose in it too….hehehe, being frugal is GOOD.

After all, money don’t grow on trees you know! :P

Blue black

Posted by Misty Mom on 16/08/2008 4 comments

When I first found out about knee pads for babies, I thought that idea was just too much. I mean, why would a baby need knee pads for? Today, I know why and am seriously considering getting a pair for Arianna.

Despite not even trying any attempts to stand other that waving her bum in the air some of the time, Arianna has been crawling like there is no tomorrow and I really am amazed at the speed this kid can go! I really pity her because when I undress her to get her ready for her bath, both her knees are always red from all the crawling and most recently, at least for the past week or so, there are blue black marks just below her knees. The one on her left leg has gone but not the one on her right. I don’t know what she knocked as she makes her way around the house but I’m sure it must have hurt and somehow, it just doesn’t bother her at all.

I can’t say that it isn’t worrying me because it has been some time now so I’ll bring it up to the doc when she goes in to get her 12 mth jab. Ted whines about how hard the floor is when he tries to get on all fours and chase her and I can’t help but agree. Somehow, this doesn’t bother Arianna one bit. I guess she knows that hard floor or not, this is the only way she can move about and get from one room to another. The whole house is like an obstacle course!

If I block one side to get her from going to the kitchen, she will some how find a small gap and push her way through. If she can’t get through, she cries and makes sure I move the ‘mountain’. Otherwise, if she is in a more an exploring mood, she’s actually go around to the other side where the gap is bigger. I prety much have given up blocking up the places I don’t want her to go, because to Arianna, where there is a will, there is a way. So, all the doors to the rooms and bathrooms are permanently shut while she is awake and if I’m in the bedroom doing the sheets then I shut the door with both of us in so she doesn’t go wandering off.

Gosh, to think I’m only in the crawling stage!! *pengsan*

Recipes galore!

Posted by Misty Mom on 15/08/2008 None comments

I don’t really consider myself a good cook but I can definitely whip up a completely proper meal when the need arises, which happens to be everyday. For most of my meals, I don’t really follow any recipes as these dishes are what I grew up with.

But sometimes, it’s time to cook up a storm with proper recipes and I get so inspired and encouraged when I see the outcome. It has also helped that my collection of recipe books has jumped in leaps and bounds thanks to my mother in law.  ;)