Another pre-schooler

At 35th month old, Yuxi is finally attending school. So she is now officially a pre-schooler, and no longer a toddler who stays home with me. Haha!!

Yuxi just started child care early this week on Monday. Its been amazing that she was coping so well. She could wake up early at 7am in the morning, drink her milk, get dressed and be ready to leave the house. She would also pack her bag excitedly with me the night before. On her first day of school, I only stayed with her for the first hour and she was pretty ok to see me go. On the second day, she was all ready to go into the child care centre by herself and to nap there in the afternoon. These were her exact words on the morning of the second day of school: "妈咪，你不用陪我，

我不会哭的." She's such a darling! And indeed, she walked in to the centre, all composed. Later on, when she was led by a teacher to the table to have her breakfast, she sat there quietly, eating oats cereal. And she finished that bowl of oats, all by herself! What a beautiful sight! I didn't think my mischevious little Yuxi could cope so well in a new environment. In the evening, when I fetched her, teacher also informed me that Yuxi slept by herself in the afternoon and slept very well. Needless to say, I'm so surprised. At home, Yuxi would cling to me like superglue, and wants nothing but me to lie down with her when she naps. Not only that, I have to lie very close to her and she will demand that I have to face her, sometimes scratching her back. This daily routine could drag for an hour!

Perhaps it was because Yule took 6 months before she could walk into the child care  centre happily, I was all prepared for the drama to unfold when its Yuxi's turn to start school. I couldn't be more happy when none of such drama has happened so far! (Of course, fingers crossed!) When I pondered what makes Yuxi cope so well in child care, compared to Yule at that time, I tend to give myself and the fact that I'm staying at home some credits. Yuxi has been taken care of at home all these while, and got especially close to me for the past (almost) one year of me staying at home. I believe such closeness and bond have helped her to develop a fundamental and deep sense of security and that when its time for her to move on to explore a new environment, she is all ready.

In Erikson's Theory of Psychosocial Development in infancy and early childhood, a child goes through different stages of development, and if a stage is handled well, the child will feel a sense of mastery and gains confidence. At the age of 2+, Yuxi is at the stage of Autonomy vs Shame and Doubt, where she is learning to do things by herself, and feeling a sense of control and independance. I am happy that I have the opportunity to witness and walk through this stage of development with her, and affirming her little milestone successes from toilet training, to recognizing her ABCs, understanding, following and getting rewarded for certain behavioural expectations and of course being a little helper at home - small steps like putting the dirty laundry away, placing the milk bottle on the kitchen table after finishing the milk, clearing the baby brother's diapers, setting the children table and chairs during meal time and even folding the baby's clothes. The home environment, together with a full time mummy, indeed makes a difference. I am convinced, in the early childhood development, a child's learning is caught, not taught.

Of course, not forgeting the eldest sister in celebrating Mei Mei's successful adjustment in school. Yule is the type of elder sister who likes to lead (and of course who likes to make decision of behalf of others and order others around!) She has given Yuxi a role model in gaining a sense of mastery in many aspects. Though often at loggerheads, Yuxi likes to follow the sister, Yule also enjoys being able to influence the younger one.

Yesterday, on the fourth day of child care for Yuxi, we sent them early, and since in the early morning, the playgroup kiddos and the bigger kiddos are mixed together before they are splitted to their respective classes. Yule and Yuxi were thrilled that they could be together for that short time in the morning! In the evening, the girls reported to me that they were playing around in the morning (I believe making alot of noise too!) and Jie Jie was watching Mei Mei having her breakfast. Mei Mei asked Jie Jie to feed her the cereal and Jie Jie did! So Mei Mei managed to finish her breakfast. with Jie Jie's help. So cute! Can they be so loving and cute all the time??!! Being so sweet.. my girls got their surprise treat when they got home - choice of stickers, evening swim and an ice cream treat at home.

Proud of you, girls!

As for me, I'm enjoying the serenity at home while blogging!

 

 

"Your baby has Eczema"

"Your baby has Eczema" is what the PD said to us on few days back. Sigh.... I can only give a long sigh... Just like Jie Jie, Yuxi also has Eczema, at 8 months old.

I know how frustrating this rough, itchy, dry, red patchy skin condition is like for the child and for the parents and caregivers. Yule had Eczema since birth.. we never get to use nice smelling bath soap for Yule since young, we spent a lot of money to see different doctors (PD, GP and Chinese Physician), we used many different type of moisturiser and treatment cream, we struggled to put the cream on and moisturiser for her since she was not always cooperative, we put up with her temper tantrums knowing that she could be frustrated due to the itch, we scratched her hands and legs for her so that she could sleep, we went for skin prick test to find out any allergies.. etc etc... the list goes on... the frustration remains, and the hope lingers.. that one day she will outgrow it...

So now, we found out that Yuxi also has eczema... there goes Yuxi's beautiful and fair skin...(hubby says at least she has beautiful skin for the past few months) there goes nice smelling bath soap and nice smelling moisturiser... money to buy expensive soap-free bath and moisturiser, time and patience to carefully apply these stuff for her to prevent any flare up...

While I'm kinda sad that Yuxi also has Eczema, I'm reminded to count my blessings... I have 2 healthy and beautiful girls. That is all that matter isn't it? Well, Daddy also says at least its economy of scale when the not-so-cheap bath soap and moituriser that we buy can be shared between the 2 sisters... Ha... see how Daddy never fails to delight me with his pragmatic perspectives, and the ability to reframe the situation.. =)

Little Yuxi with the eczema flare-up on her face.

Last day...

Today is Yule's last day of school at JCCK.. and yesterday, the day where Yuxi turned 6 months old, was the last day of my pump... finally!

I'm happy for Yule who had really nice experiences in her one year at JCCK... making friends; and having best friend; learning new songs, new skills and new knowledge; learning to be more disciplined and all the cool outings to Marina Barrage and Duck Tour... and her solo performance during Children's Day and class performance today (the last day of school). Yes, we are so proud of you, Yule! You are really a quite a performer! I especially like to see your signature move on stage - shaking backside!!

What's even more wonderful is that I could be part of these new experiences, since I was very much around during the second half of this year, joining her in several school celebrations and activities... I am so thankful...

Last day also signify the beginning of something new... last day at JCCK means a new start at Child Care.. last day of my pump also means that work in school is starting and waiting for me... I am apprehensive. Will blog more on that.. now, just a showcase of some photos of Yule and her experiences in JCCK.

Cute Yuxi

Little Yuxi is so irresistably cute now! Haha! I just love her big round eyes, little cutie mouth, big fat thighs and her contagious laughter! And I just love her shy demeanour where she will turn away her face or hide her face on my chest when someone teases her... or she will begin to pout her little mouth to show her displeasure.. all these just ascertain her mummy me as one of the exclusive few whom she feels secured with.. Just love it! hahaha!!

I remember asking myself when I was pregnant with Yuxi how do I learn to begin to love a second child if all my attention and energy had been given to the first-borned for the past 3 years? Will the second one receive the same amount of love and attention? When I was pregnant with Yuxi, I didn't really thought much about her yet, my thoughts were mainly if Yule would be able to accept the baby sister, would Yule feel neglected, would Yule this and would Yule that.... I was still worried if I would love the second child just as much..

Now I know the answer.. it just comes so naturally! Its was rather silly of me to even think about not being able to love the second child just as much! I think mothers are just equipped with the motherly powers to multiply our love, attention and energy!!

Me and the girls with the bouquet from daddy on
my birthday!



Little Yuxi at 5 months old... cute!!

 

This is how she always turns and looks at me when
I lie beside her... how not to give her a kiss??

Weaning

Just when I am thinking or rather asking myself if I should wean Yuxi off breastmilk, I saw the manic mummy column by Clara Chow on My Paper today. I have always enjoyed reading her column, and now this article aptly describes how I feel about weaning. Just like Clara Chow, my decision to wean wasn't a straightforward one.

Yuxi is now 5 months and 1 week old, and I have been exclusively expressing milk for the past few months since she was 4 days old. Seriously, I don't enjoy the pumping milk experience, being stucked in the same position for at 15 to 20mins (in the early days, it was 30 mins to an hour plus alot of pain and tears!) a few times in a day. Always having to plan ahead what time I need to pump, and where I might be (for eg. if I am going out and may miss a pumping session, I'll have to pump before I go out, and pump again after I return, or reschedule my 'outing' so to fit my pumping schedule). Also bringing along my pump if I'm out for extended hours. Storage of milk is also another hassle. I have to make sure wherever I go, I need to store my milk in refrigerator, or warm up the milk first and put in warmer bag if Yuxi is due for feeding soon. Otherwise, will have to pack formulae millk along. Also worrying about maintaining supply, increasing pumping session when supply dips... Not forgetting all the pump parts, storage bottles, drinking bottles that I have to wash and sterilise A FEW TIMES EVERYDAY.

I guess the worse thing about expressing milk is that sometimes I ended up making my children wait for me while I pump. Sometimes Yuxi will give me the oh-so-poor-thing look and please-carry-me cries hoping that I can pick her up while she lies beside me, but I have to tell her 'Oh give mummy a while more ok, mummy is pumping milk!' Sometimes, I also got Yule to 'look after' Yuxi while I retreat to the room to pump. (This not exactly bad, as she learns to be a responsible jie jie.) And also the late night pumps.. many nights, I wished I could just sleep with my baby in bed, but I have to make sure I get up to have a final pump before I sleep. Likewise in the morning.. my mornings are always so busy as I have to feed, pump, bathe baby within 2 hours before she gets tired again for her morning nap.

Despite these complaints that I have, I am proud that I have done it! Not a remarkably glorious result slip that I have produced, compared to many mummies who have done it for many months and beyond 1 or even 2 years. Kudos to these mummies! Though my 6 months is nothing compared to them, I am glad that I can say I really did it despite my initial target of only 3 months, after my horrible bf experience with Yule that gave me such a phobia! And I am so proud that Yuxi is now a very fair and chubby baby weighing 8kg! Thanks to my breastmilk! It is precisely because Yuxi is growing so well.. she is now a typical baby who is 白白胖胖.I am happy what my breastmilk has offered for her, thus I was torn whether I should continue to do this pumping business.

Nevertheless, I have decided to stop. Yuxi is taking her occasional formulae milk well, and even her semi solids well. I am about to return to work. I can't continue to pump while at work, I also wouldn't want to rush around after work to get home to pump, as I will probably have to pick up Yule from childcare as well. I also don't like the idea that I have to wake up before 6am to pump in the morning so that there's time to get ready for work. This is the timely moment to wean.

The good news? Finally, I can pick up my baby whenever she cries. Finally, I can sleep at 9pm with my baby. Finally I have more time to myself and my children. Finally, I can stop thinking what time I need to pump.. and finally, I can stop washing all the pump parts and bottles A FEW TIMES EVERYDAY. And now, I don't have to worry what am I to do if I am still pumping milk while holidaying at resorts world in Dec, and what am I to do to make sure my supply stays after I return to work.

Interestingly, my supply dips after I begin to think about weaning. My breastpump is also losing its suction power... maybe its really signaling me that its about time... making it easier for me to make this decision to wean.... in perhaps one more week's time, I will reduce my pumping session from 3 to 2 times a day. Then I will start to use the frozen milk in the freezer. When all the milk finishes, Yuxi would probably be already 6 months old. I can only say I'm so proud of these 6 months.

Without the people around me, I wouldn't have made it this far. My mother-in-law and mother who would help to 'jaga' the kids if I have to pump.. also Yule, who despite asking me irritating questions and scrutinising me while I'm having my private pumping session, has been really nice to help me 'entertain' Yuxi while I pump... and my hubby who sees me through the difficult early days of blocked ducts, fever, low morale and tears.. and keeping me company at night watching movies while I pump despite being tired at work.. also my friends who are breastfeeding or breastfed before who gave me encouragement, inspiration and an example to follow.

Manic Mummy Column in My Paper on 25 Oct 2010

Daily dose of laughter

Undeniably, when it comes to playfulness, Daddy will be the more playful parent. Yuxi seems to know that she will have her daily dose of laughter when Daddy comes home in the evening. She will eagerly look at Daddy and laugh repeatedly when Daddy makes some silly sounds or ticklish acts. So cute... can melt one's heart just looking at her =)

Yule and Yuxi