Turning 5 months

Eden turned 5 months last Saturday 5 Nov, coincided with my company's family day. A little disappointed that I could not bring Eden along because he was still coughing very badly and his nasal congestion was making him fussy at times. It was a strong bug that bothered him for more than 2 weeks. Even now he still coughs on and off with some phlegm lingering inside. Now I kinda caught the bug with a runny nose.

At 5 months, Eden was much more playful and expressive. He "tells" people where to go by kicking towards a certain direction when we carry him. It looks like he is swimming towards the place. Very funny. He really likes to go into my parents ' room where Evans sleeps every night. He also expresses great interest when we approach the main door. Every child loves to go out and play!

Another new thing is he tends to mimic us eating by moving his mouth and tongue. He is definitely observing more and learning how to eat. Sigh he sure learnt to eat some medicines for past weeks. Even now he is still on Zyrtec for nasal decongestant. I broke the record of bringing him to the PD like 3 times within a month because of his cough. But in my last visit, dr wasn't keen to give any more new medication because he was too young. I understood and at least got a peace of mind, knowing that now we just let the body recover on its own.

Hopefully he can be clear of the flu bug before we head off to HK sothat my parents can have an easier time taking care of him while I am not around. Of course I also hope hubby can also recover soon. And me, just hang in there. Curb the runny nose and cough.... let me enjoy my well deserved holiday.... pleeeaaasseee!!!!!!

Anyway sharing some shots of Eden and of my Family Day.

Coughing and Sleepless Nights

At 4am Eden started coughing. It almost seemed like he couldn't stop the coughing. Think his little body was trying to purge the phlegm or mucus or whatever but he just couldn't. I felt really helpless as all I could do was to pat his back and apply vapour rub. I carried him so as to make him feel better. When he was lying down, he seemed to be choking on his thick phlegm.

I patted him a lot, carried him back and forth the kitchen in case he puked. I was hoping he would tire out soon so that I could start pumping milk. Felt a little full and bloated.

Ultimately mama came to the rescue. She offered to look after Eden while I pumped. She tried to pat him to sleep but Eden was still feeling congested with the mucus so she carried and rocked him. Finally he did fall back to sleep. It was 5plus am already.

Eden woken up at 9plus am for his 1st milk. Could see he was exhausted. Usually he would drink at 7plus am.

Since the coughing started a week ago, we did not have satisfactory sleeps. I am yearning for a better sleep for baby, and of course me. If he is well, I will be well.

Continue wishing for speedy recovery Eden! Xxxooooxoxoxoooxxx

Terrible Cough

Last night was a terrible episode. After the last feed, I put Eden in the sarong to sleep . He was already asleep but a nasty cough woke him and caused him to puke all the milk. It was projectile vomiting and I was so worried. He was coughing non-stop. He was stained with his vomit and the sarong and beansprout pillow were not spared too. I had to shout for help literally because all were in the rooms, sleeping. Luckily my mom heard my plea and she quickly helped to clear up the mess. Frankly I was a bit helpless, didn't know where to start rescuing the situation.

Eden was probably ignorant of what had happened as he quietly sat on my lap. He could still smile when my mama talked to him. In my head I couldn't stop worrying.

I tried patting him to sleep on the bed. Not easy and I was losing my patience. Surrendered coaxing him and left him on the bed to watch him soothe himself. I know he is unwell. I should be understanding. I guess I am just tired.

As I have expected, the night wasn't easy as Eden kept tossing and making noises. He was probably feeling choked with the phlegm and all, so kept trying to find a comfy position to sleep. So I helped to switch him from facing left and right side. It helped for awhile but the process just continued. Really feel bad seeing a 4 month old like that. So scared to hear him cough...

This morning after first feed, he coughed out a huge lump of what seemed to be phlegm. And I truly hope it was. At least get some of the nastiness out.

Now he is still sleeping in the new sarong... later will need to start his antibiotics.

A Cut Short Lunch with Colleagues

Was very much looking forward to today's lunch with Bo and the rest. KS, Yeo, Irene, miss Ang and Bo were there. We gathered at 4 Fingers, Orchard Gateway.

It was back to the old times when we had long chats at lunch and talk sense and nonsense... lol. It felt really good. But short lived. As we adjourned to Yakun for part 2, mama's phone call gave me a shock and I sprinted back home.... not even an hour lunch together. She said Eden was crying non stop. Initially I misheard he was puking non stop. In either case I was still very worried so got to leave the gang without further ado. I felt worried yet sad to have ended my time out like that.

Thankfully Eden was a lil more settled when I reached home. Thankfully I could get into a cab without waiting.

Eden could be cranky as he was coughing badly or he could be looking for other people for companionship at home. Or even both. Poor baby was all whiney and tired and probably hungry. He was falling asleep during the milkfeed.

On the other hand I think bro and Evans are now having fun, the last I checked with bro, they were at Art Science Museum!!! Happening right!? I have never been there myself!

Eden is now asleep but I can't stop thinking when I can be out with friends  (free from worries) again. Actually I do have a dinner coming up this Fri. Certainly hope things will be better.

Throwback to Last Saturday's Dinner at Shabu Sai

When I was doing laundry just now, I tried to recall where did we go for dinner last week. Cos today I suggested not to go out  (sad) cos didi is having a cold.

I realised I forgot to blog about dinner at Shabu Sai, East Point last Saturday in celebration of my papa's birthday. It was my parents' first visit. Somehow it felt a while since we last went out for dinner like that. This time, with Bin Bin in the pram.

Hubby, bro and I are not new to Shabu Sai. And its 90 min limit is rather well known so I was quite cautious when they asked me to go have a seat first before the rest arrived. Then I realised the outlet at East Point wasn't particular about the time limit, probably cos there was no queue. The restaurant was not fully occupied but it was still bustling with action.

That outlet did not serve any cooked food like the one at Orchard Central. It seemed limited with the food choices but I still found it enjoyable. It's always the people that matters. I think papa and mama enjoy themselves too though they shared that the soups were a tad salty and the price was steep for the ingredients. True that but it is still a decent and reasonable place for family dinners. The last time at Shabu Sai was with Evans and hubby at the The Clark Quay Central which has now closed down. Still remember that time we were having staycation at Merchant Court and baby was still cosy in my tummy. Missing those times when I could go freely whenever and wherever I wanted. Now... ...

Anyway back to the dinner, paid around $161 with 3 top ups for free flow drinks and ice cream. Had my heart's content!!!

Got to think of the next dinner place to celebrate mama's birthday!

Breast Milk

People call mummy's milk as liquid gold because there are hundreds of natural nutrients in the breastmilk  (bm) which is not present in the formula milk (fm). During my mom's times, giving bm wasn't popular and we were on fm. But now, everyone is advocating breastfeeding. For Evans and Eden, I managed to latch for a few days before kicking in the pumping schedule. Very tough to start and build supply. Once the routine and supply are set, things seem easier even though for Eden, I had problem pumping on time because of lack of help.

I was more diligent during Evans's times because all of us just had to focus on one baby. I recalled I was an over supplier. For Eden, I had experienced short supply before and we had to rely on fm to tide over. Now 4 months plus post partum and Eden drinking 150ml for each feed  (5 to 6 times per day), I am just an "enougher". There were good times last 2 months when I could store some frozen bm in the freezer for future use when I am back to work. But now I just wanna focus on feeding the fresh ones, particularly because Eden seems to be coughing and he often sounds nasal. I could hear phlegm. I know a few friends told me due to narrow airways babies have, they usually sound nasal. But still I think it is affecting our sleep. At around 3 to 4 am, Eden would start to fidget and turn, I think he is trying to find a comfortable position to breathe better while sleeping.

Recently his coughing seems more frequent, so I feel that all the more I should give more bm for the antibodies. When he was coughing, I was still thinking "eh... I thought breastfed babies shouldn't fall ill so easily...." Recalled Evans was quite illness-free during the bm times. But now probably with a sibling, Eden is exposed to greater risk of being hit with some flu bugs. So I really hope my bm is a good medicine for him.

While bm is liquid gold, it doesn't mean breastfed babies don't fall sick. If they do, it will be less severe in terms of intensity and duration. So I can only keep giving my liquid gold and will keep pumping for the supply.

4 hourly, 20min per session, 1 middle of the night pump, 5 pumps per day.

To-gather Cafe

Last Sunday hubby brought us to this cafe in the midst of the neighbourhood at Bedok North. Within an old estate, this hippy cafe stood out and seemed to be popular amongst the youngsters and small families like ours, minus the baby.

Wouldn't say this was an enjoyable lunch despite the food was delicious. Eden was not too pleased halfway through so hubby and I got to take turns bringing Eden out of the cafe for a walk. And somehow I thought the outside smell a little with the birds shop next to it.

Anyway the consoling part is I like what we ordered. Other than the small portion of calamari, I think the rest was good and reasonably priced. I enjoyed my fish and chips! Smell and tastes great. The Mango breezer was a good complement, sour tangy mango in sparkly soda was what I needed in the hot weather.

Next time we shall try the lava cakes which looked alluring in the display window.