How bizarre!: June 2010

Thursday, June 10, 2010

Missing Miss Natalie

I haven't seen my daughter in 4 days... It's the first time she's away from home and the longest we've been apart.

It's the school holidays and we were in Ipoh last weekend for the 3rd and final leg of Val's wedding celebrations - the requisite meal at Public restaurant and beyond doubt, the most gastronomic feast of all. We were about to make our way back to KL when Nat announced that she wanted to stay with Por Por and Kung Kung for her "holiday school".

I was mighty proud that she was showing such autonomy but cautious about her feeling unwanted, I kept asking if she really wanted to stay and reassuring her that she could come back with us if she so chose. She seemed a little torn between wanting to stay and leaving with us but finally stayed put and happily waved us off on our journey.

As our car turned the corner, my heart suddenly went to shreds, acknowledging her absence. Hubby felt similarly but stressed that just as she had to learn to be independent, we too, had to learn to let go.

Worst thing is, we're missing her more than she does us. I'm the one who keeps calling to make sure everything's ok and she's... well, she's having the time of her life being spoilt rotten by her grandparents! There was one night though, when after talking to me, she started screaming and wouldn't stop. Mum's theory was that she became emotional hearing my voice but didn't want to start crying, big ego and all... so started screaming instead.

I do feel liberated though. I've not had the freedom to do as I please in a long while. Not to mention I have had a few peaceful nights in the bedroom. She can be so noisy when preparing for bedtime that she often wakes her brother up and I have to quickly turn off the bedside lamp so he'll go back to sleep.

This Saturday, I'll be making a trip to Ipoh just to pick her up. Don't think I can stand being separated any longer than 7 days for now.

Mama's so looking forward to have you home, sweetheart!

Tuesday, June 08, 2010

Bad mummy

Yes, I know I'm a terrible blogger and an even worse mother! Adam's already 7 months and I have yet to post a single picture of him on my blog! What will he think of me when he's old enough to read?

The last few months have been hectic to say the least. Being a working mum of one child is one thing but working and having 2 kids is a different story altogether. The workload more than doubles though I really can't complain, since I'm lucky enough to have a maid to help out around the house which is more than I can say for some of my Supermum friends. You know who you are.

Since coming back to work from maternity leave, I've had a host of changes to get accustomed to, starting with Nat going to school on all weekdays (as opposed to only 3 times a week last year), ferrying Adam to and from my in-laws' house en-route to work and home (Hubby didn't think our maid could cope with both the kids and housework), shedding my pregnancy weight in order to look good for my brother-in-law's and sister's weddings (no, they're not married to one another and yes, I AM that vain!), making several trips up North for the various wedding festivities and now, we've settled in with my in-laws (our second house move in 6 months, two more to go).

I now have to wake Nat up (a herculean effort, no less), get her bathed and ready for school, pump milk for Adam's cereal breakfast, get myself ready for work, feed him and myself before I can even step out the door. I no longer have to ferry him around but because of that, I tend to stay out later in the office and so, Adam is asleep by the time I get home (he goes to bed by 6-ish and sleeps through at least 10 hours before waking for 1 early morning feed and then going back to sleep again till 7-ish). I attribute this to Gina Ford's bedtime routine of bath, feed then sleep. Thanks An Pheng, for recommending the book!

I hope I'm not jinxing myself by broadcasting this but he's a wonderfully happy baby, always smiling and laughing readily. Such a darling! Must be the ample sleep and food he gets. My milk supply was just barely enough for Adam's voracious appetite but I didn't want my MIL to worry about him being hungry since she was already so helpful and supportive so I decided to supplement. He's still 90% breastfed though, and I intend to continue for as long as I can. Must be the guilt factor... Hubby and I pledged to try as far as possible to give this baby the same treatment as the first.

I am so glad he only had slight eczema which has seemingly gone away but to be safe, I fed him only goat's milk formula in the first 6 months. Only time will tell if other allergies will crop up in future but I'm not going to think that far for now.

Okay, now for some photos....