Adjusting to Adjustments

Having three kids is a blessing. But there are so much adjustments too!

For me I'm adjusting to juggling my day from dividing my time to half to see to the two older kids to also include Baby Keziah's feeds, baths etc. Feel as if I am running a marathon at times as my pockets of free time last time are now used to see to the baby. I miss my afternoon snoozes and internet time and my TV time at night! hee! But I guess all these has to take a back seat for awhile till baby gets a little older and more adjusted to her routine.

Our two kids are adjusting too. Jedi misses the time I have to play with him and build blocks or tracks and play house with Krisa. I still try but the time is so much less that I feel bad that I have so little time with them.
Dan always reminds me of Progression. Things will get better. Kids grow. The Baby will too and all this madness and rushing from one task to another will be less as she gets older. Its after all the early days of babyhood again.

But I draw encouragement that the kids adore Baby Keziah. They are my little helpers especially Krisa, to help me put her clothes in the laundry and fetch items such as diapers and cream and little things I need here and there.

I draw encouragement that my hubby is there to help me every night when he is back home and is there to pray for me for strength when I feel down and totally drained. And for getting someone to help me for these few weeks to cook and clean everyday for a few hours.

I draw encouragement that my parents call my every day and ask how they can keep me in prayer even though they are so far away. And for my dear Aunt who is always there to avail her help with the kids so that Dan and I can take a break.

And I draw encouragement that Baby K is slowly settling into her routine. This is the first time I have put any of our kids on the routine so early as I usually put it after the first month. But after the nasty Nanny left, I decided to just implement it. Blessing in disguise actually as the earlier I start the less adjustment later.

Most importantly, I must remember to draw strength from the Lord. I can't do it in my strength as I feel so pooped at the end of the day! Step by Step...and most importantly, One day at a time...

The Chronicles of Nar-nny: The Confinement Nanny from HELL (by DAN)

Day 1: Prelude
Expectations are low, since we understand that people need to adjust to new environments

Day 2: True Colours are hard to hide
Nanny fell sick, coughing!!!
For fear of baby contracting it, I brought her to the doctor
She claimed that this happens when she takes confinement food, but we bought lots of other food – fresh food and canned food

Nanny broke the remaining part of our kettle cover…and conveniently & quietly threw it away.

She coughs loudly in the middle of the night, and slept through the night, leaving Evan to do the night feeds and diaper changing.


Day 3: Reality Strikes
The kitchen floor is dirtier with her mopping. The kitchen sink and surrounding areas riddled with cockroach and ant baits – pieces of vegetables, unused garlic & ginger bits and even meat pieces!

To add on more stress to the adjustments to the new baby, nanny told Evan that she will turn into a “yellow-faced hag” if she don’t get a maid. Not a very helpful thing to say when a mummy just gave birth and recovering at home.

She is always the first one in bed.. but we initially thought it to be ok since she is doing the night feeds… She snores loudly, and grunts and lets out a loud yawn…

Day 4: Liar Liar
Evan found a cut on the baby’s finger. She thought I was the one who did it, and commented to the nanny that I cut the nails too deep. Later that day, the nanny confessed to Evan it was her who did it. She used HER OWN adult nail clipper – the big ones you would use to cut your toenails. Wahbiang!!

She helped herself to the longan & red dates tea that my mum brewed for Evan. When Evan noticed it, then she quickly said that she wanted to have a drink of it. She took a full cup. Told my mum it's too "thick" (and therefore too "warm" for her) Asked my mum not to put longans in it, make more of the drink and dilute it....so that she can drink as well.

She also helped herself to Evan’s fish and green papaya soup.

My fridge started having water droplets and the freezer started growing icicles.. ... obviously she didn't close the fridge doors properly.


Day 5: Ask and It Shall be Given
This slogan goes true to nanny. Never fails to ask for favourite food lists and gets my mum-in-law or mum to buy for her – mee pok, chee cheong fun, beancurd, bee hoon, etc.

Massive bread eater ..up to 4 slices at one time. Also ate up most of the chocolate bread that mother-in-law bought for Evan.
Nanny is not “paiseh” when comes to food, eats quite a lot, we have to ask her to set aside the food from ours.


Day 6: Liar Liar II
She startled us in the early hours of the morning mopping “loudly” the living room.. the mop head is knocking against every possible thing that has legs – table, chairs, etc (the kiddies are still asleep, and you wouldn’t want them to be woken up).

I bought a brand new standing fan worth S$179 for the baby’s room and the nanny. Tested it myself and it was powerful for that price. Evan and I used the older one for ourselves.


Day 7: Humidity beyond words
Evan realised that the fan is ONLY blowing towards (not oscillating) the nanny. Asked her the reason, and she complained that she is very warm and that the baby doesn’t need it and that natural ventilation will suffice. Evan felt the baby’s skin – it was sticky – obviously warm. She requested for us to buy her a table fan!!! Mind you, the fan I just bought is BRAND NEW!

Decided to instead allocate 2 fans in the room, one for nanny, and one for baby. Really ultimate!


Day 8:
Miracle Aircon
Our family does not use aircon at all, and the main aircon (located in the master bedroom) is switched off at all times. In “no particular reason”, the aircon in the baby’s room started working! The main switch is turned on, the remote control in the room’s cupboard was meddled with… The main switch was left untouched and forgotten by the kiddies many many months back, and the remote control is out of reach to them… Nanny says she was also puzzled as to why this strange thing happens.

Knock Knock, who's there?
While we are trying to put the 2 older kids to sleep in their room and they are settled down and ready to sleep in the dark quiet room, nanny barged in to tell Evan to drink her tea and soup. She did it at that time so that she can go to sleep, instead of having to drag herself out of bed to remind Evan later.

Day 9: Happenings
Five Loaves…
Nanny ate 3 pieces of pandan cake, 4 kaya buns, half a swiss roll. Doesn’t take the normal NTUC Fairprice wholemeal bread in one day. This excludes the normal breakfast, lunch and dinner meals that she cooks for Evan.

Wishlists
Weather is hot. Started ransacking fridge on her own. Evan asked what’s she is doing…she is looking for pandan leaves and either green or red beans – we don’t have it. Asked us to buy them so that she can cook it for herself (since she is warm)...

Asked my mother-in-law whether can buy “beancurd” for her to eat
Asked if we can subscribe to Chinese newspapers so that pass to her to read.

Soap bar on Krisa’s Mcdonald’s happy meal toy
I accidently spilled Jedi’s water bottle, went into the toilet to pick up the mop to soak up the water. To my bewilderment, I saw what was her soap bar on Krisa’s favourite Happy Meal Hotcakes Tray Toy! She must have simply picked it up from the floor conveniently while the kids are playing. Told her that I can simply give her a plastic container or something if she just asked for it.

“Is that my baby, or yours?”
The baby is put back in the baby cot after night feed, pooed at 10plus…. and hiccupping… Evan couldn’t take it anymore and at 11.10pm went into the baby room to change the diaper.. Nanny who was moments ago snoring..woke up and ask Evan in mandarin “the baby pooed hah?”… and didn’t even bother to change the diaper before and helped Evan then.



Day 10: We call it Quits
We decided to cease using the nanny. Told her about it.
Nanny started packing her stuff. She ask if I can send her to Yishun…. (huh?)
She also asked me to give her an angpao !!

(UPDATE)
Day 1 after Nanny left: Revelation!
- Nanny previously told my mum in law to buy some expensive ginseng herbs which is meant for "cool". It can't be for Evan..so guess who it is for?

- Nanny also asked my mum in law to buy CORDYCEPS (expensive! S$346.20) - but just realised that they are not meant for confinement!! Didn't remember eating any as well.... One bunch is missing from the container.

- Baby girl's private part had not been cleaned properly!! There is alot of caked yellowship residue on the inner parts!!!

Krisalyn Meets Baby Keziah

Welcome Little Keziah!

Little Keziah arrived on 11th July 2009 @ 7.53am.

Her arrival was unexpected as I was waiting for the usual signs of having the mucus plug dropping or having some 'show'. But as the due date grew closer there was still no signs at all. Other than some painful contractions on and off which were not regular, things were as per normal. I even complained to Dan why this baby was so happy inside as I was feeling super uncomfortable with the weight and doing my daily chores and running after the kids with my bulge!

So on Fri (10th July), I was in an a super grouchy mode. Was snappy with Jedi in the afternoon and feeling very lethargic. Had the on and off contractions here and there but they were still not regular. Checked to see if there were any signs but still nothing. Then at night after putting the kids to sleep I got grouchy with Dan and felt angry and upset over nothing at all. Don't even know what was there to be angry about! Poor Hubby! After cooling down by heaving at the sofa, I decided that I was being silly so we made up and I told him,

" Let's eat some ice-cream!" as I had just bought 2 Cornettos that were on offer that day! Went to the toilet as was feeling very high tide. That's when everything changed! *sobz* no chance to eat my ice-cream!

After easing myself, I stood up and felt something warm trickle out. Wiped and thought it was my usual discharge as it was clear. Straightened myself up a bit more and more water gushed out. Called for Dan as more water trickled onto the bathroom floor.

"Dear, think its time to go to the hospital!"

Never seen Dan change so fast in his life!

Waddled to my room and quickly put on a change of clothes, towel in case and wore a maternity pad! Didn't want to soak the cabby's seat!

Problem is that our kids were still home and sleeping. It was about 10.30pm. Dan called my Aunt and told her that my water bag had burst. So we sent a SOS to my sis-in-law who stays on the same floor, same block as us and asked her if she could keep an eye on the sleeping kids while my Aunt and her helper made their way to fetch them to her home. (Thanks so much Lynda and thanks so much Ah Kor and Emilia!!).Called my folks and told them we were on our way to the hospital. (Thanks Papa and Mummy for your prayers!)

Quickly grabbed my maternity bag which thankfully I had pre-packed. Quickly put the kiddies medicine, water bottles and Krisa's potty aside for my Aunt. Thank God we had already put their things there a few weeks before so it was just grabbing their stuff that they needed everyday. Dan quickly went with me downstairs and we flagged a cab. Off we went! we prayed hard all the way that my contractions won't be too bad and that I would be in time to get my epidural!! Yes I am really terrified of the pain!!

Reached Thomson Medical Centre about 11.20pm. At admission, we told them that my water bag had burst so I was sent to the labour ward. I always hate being checked in the labour ward. Was given a hospital gown to change into. Rather difficult as I kept dripping water. The nurse did an internal check (which I really hate as she has to put her hand in to see if I'm dilated) and found I was only 1cm dilated. So technically I haven't gone into real labour yet but as my water bag had burst first before my cervix dilated, they had to send me to the delivery room. I was given an enema to ensure that my bowels were cleared. (I hate that too!!!). Funny thing was that another lady came in 5 min later who was also having a third child and whose Gynae was also the same as mine!

My Gynae came in and told me that they needed to speed up my contractions. So after my blessed epidural they gave me something to speed up the contractions. Speed up it did not! Had my epidural about 12 am and we waited and waited and waited. About 4am the baby's heart beat monitor went crazy as it could not detect her heartbeat! I was so scared as the nurse kept trying to find it but couldn't! She then realized it was because they had not yet inserted the cathetar to drain my bladder! When they did, the nurse told me ,

"Girl you have 1 litre of urine!"

PHEW! baby's heartbeat was back on the monitor. was given some oxygen to stabilize her heartbeat and I guess to calm me down. Waited and waited till Dan fell asleep. I did too but was woken up every now and then with the nurses coming in to clean me up and check on my dilation. Guess that's the good thing about epidural. Still feel some pain but bearable. Finally at about 7.45am, the nurse checked and said,

" Oh baby's head is already there. Don't push ah I call doc!"

Apparently, the other lady had a long night of waiting and her baby was also ready to come at the same time! So he wa delivering her first then he came to me. Things moved really fast. I remember the bright lights turned on. My legs were put in the saddle and astride. The nurses were bustling with equipment and tubes. They asked Dan to support my back while I leaned forward to push.

2 1/2 pushes later, Keziah was out! Wonderful feeling to finally hold her in our arms! Surprisingly she has the most hair compared to her siblings too. Looking back, the whole process seems so surreal. Like a blur... and suddenly this new life is in our hands.

A new chapter has begun. Pray alongside us for wisdom to nurture her and assimilate her into the family smoothly.

Eraser in My Nose!

I had the most traumatic night of my life yesterday! No i didn't go into labour....not yet. But I think the shock could well have made my water bag burst!

It was just like any ordinary night. Dan and I were finishing dinner and the kids were clearing their toys to get ready to go and sleep by 8.30pm. I happened to glance at Krisalyn who was happily playing with her saucer and teacup and rattling something which I just presumed was one of her 'masa masa' pretend food.

Split second later she started crying and holding her nose. I looked in and to my horror I saw a mechanical pencil eraser lodged in her nostril. She was terrified and kept crying. Tears come with mucus so as she sniffed she also sniffed the little eraser bit back deeper into her nostril! Horrors!!!!!!!

I was getting so worked up that I literally broke out in a sweat. I was feeling angry, worried and horrified at what had just happened as despite our efforts to get her to blow and even Dan's efforts to use a tiny straw to try and suck out the eraser from her nostril, it was no good. Looking back, I don't know why I felt so angry but I think it was like the feeling of "Why must you do such a silly thing??!!" the answer was of course:

"Mummy, I'm still a little girl of 2 and a half years old". Guess I was selfish to feel that way as it brought back all the horrifying memories of being warded with her in the hospital when she was down with the tummy flu. It was also my negligence for not realising that she was playing with something so samll. Till now I have no idea where it came from!

Dan asked me to calm down and he quickly brought her to the GP downstairs. Krisa was not cooperative and apparently struggled so the doc advised Dan to bring her to KK Hosptial while I stayed at home with Jedi. Jedi and I prayed for Mei Mei at home. Thank God the hospital viewed it as an emergency and no waiting was required. The removal was not a pleasant one for her though. They had to pin her down and they did not sedate her as they were concerned that she might not be able to cough out the object should it go further back in her nasal cavity. So they used a long tiny scoop to dig it out! Was so relieved to see Dan's message:

'She's ok! Object removed. No waiting. Thank God! Keeping the object for her wedding day!"

What a wedding present that would be!

I was so thankful to the Lord for preserving her and for His protection from more serious harm. As for Krisa, think she learnt her lesson as she kept telling me today that nostrils are not to put things into!

Right now, I'm just glad my baby girl is ok.

Happy 4th Birthday!

Jedidiah turned 4 on 28th June! Had a mini celebration on the 27th of June with my mum's side of the family and my cousin Mel and my aunt gave Jedi a surprise birthday cake which had his pictures on it! A decadent and delicious chocolate birthday cake! It was also a farewell for my cousin and my dear brother Jono as they will be leaving for Australia to study somewhere this month. Enjoyed a yummy home-cooked dinner. Such a blessing!

Krisa in party spirits!

With Aunty Mel

So on the 28th we had our birthday bash for our dear boy. Dan was such a dear and doting Daddy! He had been doing his research and spending the past month finding all the party decorations to give Jedi the "Race Car" theme party that he has been asking for. He scouted around lots of party shops to get party hats, streamers, party packs, party goodies, tabletop covers, car party plates, flags and everything you can think of relating to cars! despite some failed attempts at finding shops closed or not selling the things, Dan finally found all the stuff he felt Jedi would love. Really appreciate him for that as I have been so tired and I'm the kind that can do without all the party packs and deco actually. Bottom line: I'm lazy! Even ordered a race-car cake for Jedi to top it off. The two kids were thrilled to see the party deco and kept clamouring for one checkered flag each.

Thanks everybody for celebrating and sharing in the birthday fun with our boy who is now 4 years old! Was especially glad that my family was there to celebrate in our joy!

Happy Birthday Jedi boy! We love you! Don't grow up so fast though...

Birthday Celebration at Koo Gong and Kim Poh's House