My Frivolous Baby Picks

We live in a time of intense social connectedness. While others are splashing news of their bun in the oven all over FB, I'm not. ok, i try not to. Well, even when I do, it's subtle. Not that I'm not excited, on the contrary, I'm high beyond words. But somehow, I just want to keep it low profile. Given my nature, it's pretty tough. It hadn't been an easy start. Nauseousness, dizzy spells and vomitting episodes were far too many. All the way till wk 15. only there after did things start to mellow down. Or so I thought! 2nd Trimester should be my honeymoon period and I should probably be taking a babymoon (something which i didn't when I had No. 1) but a terrible virus hit me over CNY and that rendered me moody, nauseous, sneezy and all the works. finally when things started to clear and I'm all good, I found myself moving into the 3rd tri fast and furious!! OMG! where has all the time gone?

I am suddenly hit by the realization that much has to be done! AHHH! This is a period of transition and I don't know what to expect in a couple more months. Well, instead of stressing over such stuff, I turned my attention to something more pleasant. I've been trying to come up with my want list and checking on inventory. For No. 1, we've relied a whole lot on hand-me-downs. Love them, but that limited what i could buy. It's a fix. One should try to save, yet one wants to buy! It's a woman's thing perhaps. Somehow, because it's my 2nd time, many expect me to be a tad experienced (and thrifty) and are not handing things down. A great excuse to expand on my want list! So here's to share my frivolous wants which is subjected highly to financial and hubby's approval. Chances are, I'm not getting 99% of them. :(

MONITOR

Always in View baby Monitor

For any parent that drives with your little one in the car, you know how important it is to be able to see them while you are driving. This new baby car monitor from Infanttech Solutions is an innovative way to help you keep an eye on your little one while in the car. Rather than having to turn around to check on baby (which I did all the time for No.1) or try to get the perfect angle with the car mirrors, this wireless system makes it easy for parents to have their baby in view at all times. Simply attach the stuffed animal, which has a camera in it, to the backseat of the car and then attach the monitor to your windshield. It works both during the day and at night and has to be manually turned off after each use as an added safety feature to help parents remember that baby is in the car. If I had known of this product earlier, I probably wouldn't have gone nuts or counted from one to 300 just by driving to the nearest shopping mall.

Samsung Baby Touch Monitor

We'll definitely be needing one of these fancy gadgets for no. 2 as we intend to put the lil one in a separate room and sleep train asap! we were epic failures when it comes to sleep training for Lil K so hopefully things are set right for no. 2 right from the start!. I highly recommend getting a baby video monitor - it will bring you more peace of mind than you can imagine.I recommend purchasing a monitor that has a "mute" button feature. We didn't have this as we co-sleep with Lil K since she was a baby. Bad move. But honestly not much of a choice given that we only have two bedrooms. With the new addition coming, the hub has given me an ultimatum -- to spruce up my study (which looks like Popular Bookstore) and make way for at least a crib, or for him to throw all my books away. hmm. as opposed to the other option i offered to him which was to buy another house, I suppose i'll have to give in. It has a "mute"button. If you are interested in a WiFi Baby Video , the WiFi Baby 2.0 is a great option, but is complicated to set-up. With the WiFi Baby 2.0, you will be able to view the video stream from your iPhone, iPad, Android, Mac, or PC (you can also use the WiFi Baby 2.0 as a Nanny-Cam, and record video and audio). Sounds good and I'm sure the hub who is a techie will be more than willing to set it up.

CARRIERS

These inventions are Godsent! I mean seriously, when you have absolutely no time for chores or even to take a leak, or that the baby is oh-so-cranky, these stuff truly helps! Ok, technically, we don't need these. We've already got our trusty Ergo, which if we were to use for an infant, I'll need to get an insert, as well as our sling from Pupsik Studio. These two served us very well during the initial insane periods but hey, it doesn't hurt to shop around again right? teehee

Manduca Baby Carrier 

Ergobaby 4 Position 360 Carrier

I've always loved my Ergobaby carrier and have used it with Lil K, but I've also always wanted the option to carry her forward-facing. Well Ergobaby has now granted this wish so that baby can face forward in an ergonomic seated position! The new Ergobaby 4 Position 360 Carrier will let you carry your little one four different ways, including forward, towards you, on your back, and on your hip. 

ErgoBaby Wrap

We tried the pupsik sling and the traditional sarong sling with Lil K. Pupsik worked for a while. It made that skin to skin contact feel so nice, and I was still able to do things around the house. Ergobaby will release their new Wrap which features a 4D stretch material that allows the wrap to fit comfortably for both mom and baby without becoming loose once mom ties it on her. Sounds awesome!

ADEN & ANAIS

Muslin Wraps

With its semi-sheer weave, these 100 percent muslin cotton blankets give opaque cover but are wonderfully breathable too, so your baby can be completely wrapped up without getting overheated. With those cute prints, these Muslin wraps are indeed quite irresistable!

SLEEPING AIDS

Aden & Anais Bamboo Sleeping bag

Did I hear BAMBOO? Luxurious!! But a sleeping bag is probably a must-try since I had such bad luck with sleep training for Lil K.

Stokke Sleepi Natural Crib System

A crib is an investment, so why not shop for one you and baby can get a few year's use out of? The Stokke Sleepi works as crib from 6 months to 2 years and then easily converts to a toddler bed you can use until age 4. The elegant design is totally baby-friendly, so don't have to worry about pointy edges. But the price is a little hard to stomach. So i think i can only dream. Afterall, honestly, I don't even know if the lil one will take to a crib, plus, we do have a Graco Playpen at home which is so convenient to move around!

Cocoonababy

Not sure if this actually work but ANYTHING to get the baby to sleep!

Fisher-Price Newborn Rock 'N Play Sleeper

Many refer to the Fisher-Price Deluxe Newborn Rock 'N Play Sleeper as the "Magic Cradle." It's easy to bring from room to room, and easy to fold-up and bring with you on the go.  Fisher-Price now has a vibrating edition of the wonderful Rock 'N Play Sleeper - the Fisher-Price Deluxe Newborn Vibrating Rock n' Play Sleeper. Still considering as I've the traditional netted rocker from Mothercare. In fact, I've 3 hovering in various houses. It's only flaw, is that it is manual. But yet again, I'm a little concern that the newborn will be so used to the automated rocker that he needs to be rocked each time he naps. 

FEEDING

Medela Pump in Style Advanced

If you are planning to breastfeed and is still in search for the right pump, look no further! Why moms love it: Masterfully effective and efficient, this beauty makes pumping as hassle-free as possible. Moms gushed about its ease of use and durability — though it's expensive, you can use it for your next baby, too. Medela obviously has breast pumps down: The brand's Symphony and Freestyle models came in second and third among many moms. Thankfully for me, we've got a hand me down which served us well previously! Time to get the motors serviced!

Bottles

We've been using Avent and Nuk for Lil K, but am inspired to try the below:

Playtex Bottles

Dr Brown bottles

FUN STUFF

Kick and Play Piano Baby Gym

The Fisher-Price Discover 'n Grow Kick and Play Piano Gym is amazing is my favorite baby gym because of it's dangling mirror (babies love mirrors because they love looking at themselves), but it's main asset is its kickable piano that babies LOVE - it plays music and lights up....very entertaining. Another great thing about this baby gym is that you can level up the piano as baby grows and starts sitting.  

Soothe and Glow Seahorse Baby Soother

The Fisher-Price Soothe and Glow Seahorse Baby Soother  is the technical name for this toy, but I call it "Magic Seahorse" because it's works like magic at calming your baby to sleep. However, I did briefly read somewhere that it was rumoured to be recalled due to the mechanism catching fire! hmmm wonder how true was that.

PLAYMATS

ok i technically do not need this as I've one at home. Ours boasts a series of alphabet and animals. Educational. Colourful, but a little too clashing with the deco of my house. But too much of such kiddy stuff around really doesn't do the house good asthetically.

Alzipmat - Color Folder Mat (Vivid)

It's FOLDABLE! need i say more?

Playspot Floor Tiles from Skip Hop

Pwetty!

Picture Books to Make and Print

This i gotto Have! Eventually! I love taking pictures of my kid -- and I've got a stack of digital photo albums to prove it. But what to do with all of those random snaps? Create a personalized, drawn-from-your-own-life alphabet book for the kid with PROJECTalphabet.com. 

First book of names : An Excellent Book for keepsake for the lil ones!

https://pinholepress.com

HIGH CHAIRS

these probably can wait. But no harm penning them down. We've got a handmedown Ikea High chair like everyone else...but....

Stokke Tripp Trapp

Yamatoya SukusukuES high chair 

DIAPERS & STUFF 

highly recommended by mummies around

• Mamy Pokko
• Merries
• Goon (oh my favourite when Lil K was young..but in the long run it's pretty heavy on the pocket)
• Johnshon Wipes

That kindof wraps things up for now. I hope you find this list exhaustive! Do share with me what are your favourite baby picks and what were your hits and misses! I'd love to hear! 

PS: I don't know what in the world is wrong with the html in this post. everything seems to keep jumping around as I typed! Retyped thrice and still the alignment etc went off. Hope you are still able to decipher what I'm writing! Technology: a Blessing or a bane?

Major Meltdown.

Many people would adore their moms. Not me. Since young, we've never had the best relationship. She drove (still drives) me up the wall by screaming at the top of her voice such that every neighbour (upstairs or downstairs) would know us as the notorious pair. Very often, I felt ashamed as a kid. When I got older, things did not improve. She thinks I'm a social butterfly by staying out late at night and locked me out several times. Granted, she's concern of my safety but you know how those project datelines at university can keep you up till the wee hours right? She throws sissy fits when me or dad call in at the last minute saying that we can't come home for dinner. When i confided in Dad, his reply was: Sorry darling, you and her are connected by blood. Me and her only by paper. Good luck. Yup. their marriage is often on the rocks. It is true that it takes two hands to clap but honestly, the Empress Dowager should really reflect.

Anyhowz, something rather touching happened the day after my birthday. The Empress dropped me a text asking if I wanted her to send Lil K home straight after school, feed her and make her sleep instead of going over to the in-laws since her Highness didn't have work that day. OF COZ I WOULD LOVE THAT! And this couldn't be more timely coz my friends and I were intending to celebrate my belated birthday. It was a really great offer as I was just lamenting to my friends that I have a curfew to meet should the MIL be the one looking after Lil K. These days, the hub has been travelling oh so frequent (5 trips since Chinese New Year) that every day after work, it's straight home. Not that I would like to wander around at 9pm, but that meant driving like a mad F1 racer and not being even to pack a decent dinner for myself. Dinner is often at 11pm after I've put the little one to sleep and give myself a good shower. Yup. No one really bothers whether I have eaten or not. Gaining sympathy on FB by posting my instant noodle photos at 11pm doesn't make things better either. I have been feeling so unloved. No good soup from anyone. A far cry from when I had Lil K. Even when I was very ill, no one fussed over me. I was all alone i feel. Until this message from the Empress. Touched me to tears. I got so emo i cried all the way home whilst driving. It's been hell long since I had a good sit down dinner with friends without the need to rush home. I feel jaded. Not coz i don't like taking care of my child, but seriously, I need a breather too. Especially since there's more to come in the next couple of months. It's so easy for the Daddy to simply pack and fly and occasionally drop me a watsapp message to say he misses us all. But that's not enough. This birthday, there were wishes from him, but no presents. This Vday, he arrived back in Sg in the morning only to go to Japan at midnight. Meanwhile, life went on n we had dinner with his family as it was also the 15th day of the lunar new year. It's not that I'm so into such commercial celebrations. Honestly i believe that everyday can be Valentine's day if we treasure and show appreciation. But I feel that lacking at times. When he is home, he's either on his phone playing some game which he claims is highly intellectual (but to me it's somekind of tamagochi), or he'll be out with his friends having tea. Something which I can't do as and when I like. Honestly, it's not that I need or want to be out at unearthly hours...trust me, i'm past that stage. I only need some time for myself. A facial, a pedicure or simply zoning out. 

I'm tired. really tired. Jaded. Really jaded. Drained. Flat. Knackered. Everyday, I'll be getting the lil one ready for school. Prior to that, I'll have to ensure there's lunch and entertainment for her. By entertainment I don't simply mean ipads or dvds -- all of which I don't advocate unless i'm really desperate. I've shared this aspect with the hubs and his reply is that I'm simply obsessed. How can I not be? Occupational hazard i think not. It's more to keep my sanity. Seeing the lil one engage in the activity i've panned out for her makes me happy and it's really a form of achievement. She is kept entertained for a bit and I, on the others hand can get some chores done. Am very encouraged but these days, with a bun in the oven, something simple which could take just 5 minutes for an ordinary person would take me half an hour. And with time not on my end, I'm trying deliriously to think of what are the ways to stock up on entertainment for Lil K when the time comes. I told myself, I must not let her feel neglected. 

A matter of managing expectations i think. And today, i did not do it all that well. Empress Dowager was here as  usual on a Monday. I expected her to feed, bathe and get Lil K ready by a certain time without me breathing down her neck and babysitting them. A simple task like bathing and she needs me to "escort" lil K into the toilet else. She refuses to go in coz she simply dislikes her Ah Ma...to after-bath when mom realized she did not prepare all of Lil K's oils and powder etc and will be lamenting on how bad a mommy I am coz I didn't prepare it for her. Genius. Pure genius. And I ended up being a mother and a servant to them all at once. And I probably expected too much from the hubs. He just touched down that very morning. Probably very jet lag. It's his off day and normally it's me who sends Lil K to school anyway. So he probably thinks having lunch with friends is legit...though i would very much love for him to dine with us, afterall, we haven't had a meal together as a family for weeks. Maybe i expected too much from a man coz afterall, men will always put themselves before others as oppose to women. Or so I feel. In the end, I simply broke down in the toilet. It was 1145am. Lil K hasn't showered and we haven't taken our lunch. We have a schedule to run everyday and that was to leave home by 1230/1245pm max. This day, I know I'm screwed. Lighten up you say? How? When I know I've to move at my daughter's pace? She's all princessy when it comes to getting ready. Slow and steady you say? But, I've to rush off to work the moment I drop her off. Relax, you say? It's fine to be late for work right? Not quite, coz that would mean I'll end work much later and have to head home at breakneck speed, often without dinner, to tuck Lil K into bed coz apparently, the MIL has been complaining that K refuses to be put to bed by her now and would cry or talk incessantly or insist on going downstairs to "wait for mama". She used to be doing such a great job with K until much recently when I've been getting bad vibes. With such instances, how can I not be an F1 driver? With all this influx of emotions, I couldn't handle and a lone tear slipped from my eyes unguarded. This escalated to more tears. I cupped my face in my hands but i was unable to hide the woebegone expression that had invaded me.  My spirits was really at an all-time low. All the bottled up feelings gushed out all at once. Yet, when the hubs asked me what's happening, the words lingered at the tip of my tongue but I failed to verbalise it. Shortly, he probably managed to piece some of my incoherent words together and figured he needed to take some initiative by rushing Empress Dowager (who was oblivious to the time) and feeding Lil K before he headed off for impromptu lunch with friends. I felt a little more comforted but yet, why do I have to voice out my discontentment through such measures? Why can't these people have some sense of urgency or initiation?

All these are certainly unhealthy. It's causing me insomnia too. I need to learn to manage such meltdowns and somehow the emotional hormones are raging furiously these days.  It's tough but tougher times are ahead I'm sure.

We gain strength, and courage, and confidence by each experience in which we really stop to look fear in the face... we must do that which we think we cannot.

Eleanor Roosevelt

Valentine's Week Homeschooling

So the hubs wasn't in town during Vday. Big deal. I wasn't gonna dwell in my misery whilst he was having a great breakfast on the 54th storey of some hotel in Osaka overlooking some Ferris Wheel. Valentine's Day wasn't quite over for us. I was determined to make it more memorable for the babe of my life. So the below were what we did over the last week base on the Valentine theme.

Our DIY Shichida Material. Blowing activity.

See how focus how Lil K is?

The result -- Paint Resist Art! Was very satisfied with the outcome and Lil K not only gotto get her hands messy with the paint, we were also doing our literacy education!

The lil one was bugging me for more painting the next day. Yes literally bugging and pulling my legs, not allowing me to enjoy my breakfast! So I quickly grabbed what I've cut out with my Cameo the night before and hey presto! Stencilling!

PS: Ops, you've heard me...i've gotten myself a new toy! The Silhouette Cameo. Have yet to totally explore and have no time for scrapbooking though i've been meaning to do one since I got married. But hey, I'm pretty sure this machine will serve me well in our homeschooling exploration.

Tissue paper art. Lil K had to crush pieces of coloured tissue, spread glue on the hearts and paste the little tissue bits. She enjoyed every moment of it and I was very encouraged.

Thereafter, I left her to her own devices and she was happily applying glue on the newspapers! Turns out that this was more fun than the rest! haha

Being a rather right-brained person, I really enjoy creating stuff for my child and allow her to learn through play. Afterall, below the age of 6 is when the right brain thrives. In fact, they peak by the age of 3! Gulp! am running out of time. ok no pressure no pressure. Am actually feeling awfully guilty for not doing enough with Lil K. There are just times when I beg her to simply play with her lego or her puzzles, but she'll end up feeling restless and bugging me for more! That actually render me more breathless. But am feeling like a whale these days and sleeping late to prep materials isn't best for me. Seeing her enjoy the stuff I've prepared for her and getting compliments over FB (ok i'm narcissistic, so what?) really encourages me. However, am very anxious that I've around 3 months to get my homeschooling materials organised. At least half a year's worth? That is amidst other stuff of course. And trust me, I'm not exactly the most organised person around. Ha ambitious/ Kiasu much?

My special Valentine's Day at A for Arbite

The hubs has been travelling a whole lot since the beginning of 2014. Ok, to be fair, since CNY. It has been his 4th trip thus far i think and the most recent one saw him packing up for KL for a week and calling up on Thursday to say he's arriving back on Friday but leaving at midnight again for Japan! I've a stewardess as a husband! Geez!

So he has missed Vday What's new. In fact, even if he's around, he doesn't shower me with extra love or surprises. He doesn't give chocolates (thank goodness I would rather have ba kwa over sweet stuff now). He doesn't buy me flowers. Think to date I've only received 2 or 3 bouquets from him, including the one used for our wedding! Well, in all honesty, I'm not too big on flowers. Though it'd be really nice to receive my favourite blue roses, it's really quite silly to spend that kind of money on a day of commercial exploitation. So i said," My dear, you are DARN LUCKY!"...his reply, " that's what makes our vday so special!". -_-. Indeed, it was really special. This year's Valentine's day coincided with the last day of the Lunar New Year. Thus we went over to his granny's place to have dinner with his extended family. Mind u, there weren't big fish and abalone this time. It was their traditional "thunder tea rice" ie. 雷茶. Essentially, thund.er tea rice is about herbs, vegetables, tofu and more vegetables. Yup, it's vegetarian! It is low fat, low cholesterol thus ideal if you are detoxing or doing some kind of weight management. All of which I was not! In fact, again, I would rather MEAT anytime right now. But the extended family precedes our lovey dovey time, if any. Almost immediately after dinner, we left coz Lil K was tired and restless. Headed home, made her sleep. He packed and left. Yup, that pretty sums up my Vday.

The mood wasn't dampened just because the hubs wasn't in town. In fact, i was determined to make things fun for lil K and I. So we headed to A for Arbite at Aliwah Street. 

"Arbite" is actually "work" in german. In fact, their philosophy is Work Hard, Live Well. Something which I hope to instill in my dictionary as well. I'm still working on it. Anyhoots, the place is creatively decorated with a big chalkboard which features stuff that aren't on the menu and the whole ambiance resembles that of a school. Well almost. It is nicely peppered with lego bricks at its counter and the nicest bit, they provide a jar of Lego and stacker toys for the lil one to play while mommy chills! How nice is that! Only problem, some of the Lego bricks were previously glued together, thus wasn't stacking really well. Nevertheless, Lil K had fun!

This really entertained her for long! hmm wonder why she can't sit still to play whilst at home.

Truffle Fries but can't quite taste quality Truffles

My Egg Benedict

The bff's French Toast. Really pwetty!

Kid's Meal. Quite a good portion but pity Lil K only managed to finish the eggs and sausage and a wee bit of bread. Good by my standards.

There was an Aliwah Arts Centre next door but it wasn't the usual centre filled with exhibitions. instead, there were several dance studios, so nothing interesting.

Between the bff and I, we had French Toast, Egg benedict, Truffle Fries and a kid's meal for Lil K. I wasn't too impressed coz the egg bene was too lemony for my liking and the truffle fries wasn't quite up to standard either. The bff found her French Toast to be pretty nice but after a while she got sick too..coz it was too sweet by her standards. Thereafter, we wanted desserts and ordered Edith Mess. But we waited and waited and probably coz of the lunch crowd, it took an awfully long time and after a 15mins wait, we cancelled the order coz Lil K was restless. Nevertheless, I was really glad how coorporative my lil bub was and how understanding that mommy can't carry her at the moment. She walks 99% of the time and repeats incessantly that mommy can only carry her when sitting. What a darling. I'm truly blessed.

Right after lunch, we headed back home, but alas, her nap didn't last more than half an hour! in other words, I got no rest as well. I was knackered max but somehow, the optimism in me that day kept me going and we managed to do some crafting and I got my mountain of laundry folded! Trust me, that's really a feat coz it has been there for 2 whole weeks! The excuse -- I was sick! Truly i was but since I'm better now, I had better buck up! Coz time is really running out! i didn't realise that I'm already in my 24th week and that we have approximately 3 more mths before things really gets into high gear. I've been taking things as it is, one day at a time and telling myself there's time. But now, i'm really getting a tad anxious. There are tons of stuff I've yet to organise and many friends I've yet to meet up. I really don't know how things are gonna be like with two kids and a travelling husband plus minimal family support. Not forgetting work. I've not even plan for child care -- something we are all assuming that the MIL will help in. I honestly don't wish to bother and rely on family coz lessons have been learnt from no. 1 but family is afterall the best. However, these few months have been excruciatingly painful with the lack of initiatives and lack of concern. It's really different having no. 1 and no. 2 and I'm quite puzzled. In the past, no matter how late I return home, at least once or thrice a week, i'll have a thermos of soup on my dining table waiting for me. And at times, a tupperware of dinner as well. Homecooked no less. However, since the beginning of this pregnancy, there had been none. No special soup for me let alone special delivery of the homecooked tingkat. Something's amiss but i can't quite point a finger to what. Last minute requests and let downs have been one too many and even the hub who is constantly depending on his mom has come to realise that all might not be as rosy. Perhaps it's due to the fact that her DD is not feeling at best with regards to health. N though nothing much she can do about it. Psychologically I suppose she's not up to looking after her DIL. And afterall, blood is thicker than water so which mom wouldn't be anxious over their kid? Oh well, I shall rant and move on! Afterall, I'm a fighter and believe I can do it!! errr Right?

Sniffing and Coughing on CNY

I don't get it. Whilst everyone else was happily preparing to usher in the year of the Horse, I was and still am taking care of a very whiny and clingy sick 2yo. Since last Sunday, Lil k had had the fever. it's like a roller coaster ride and I'm sure it's every mother's nightmare. Waking up in the middle of the night to sponge her and to take her temperature is the least to say. We went to the PD prior to CNY and were prescribed some antibiotics. Upon completion, her fever was still random and now it's the cough. Great. just great. I thought and was furiously boasting that I'm the strongest in the family. The hubs took ill the week before before Lil K but alas, I'm sniffing furiously and coughing like a broken recorder as I blog. So Why am I not resting when I should? I CAN'T! Being in a sitting up position seems to ease the congestion and I've stopped sneezing. The moment I lie down, the sinus headaches and everything else comes back. 

So here I am, googling on natural remedies on how to rid that. Am so gonna do the following:

Stay clean as much as you can. 

Take care to be as clean as possible while you have the flu; it will help you fight the illness as well as reduce the risk of it spreading.

Take vitamin C.  

Since my daily diet (which at this moment is highly packed with junk food and bah kwa - yes i know, i'm trying to cut down but it's once a year you know!) is terribly un-nutritious, am gonna get myself those 500mg tablets! 

Steam orange with salt. 

Ok was told that i shouldn't be taking oranges due to the cough so am not quite sure if this would work. But many people have sworn by it so I'm gonna try!

Step 1: Wash then soak an orange for 15mins

Step 2: Create a cap and sprinkle some salt on the flesh

Step 3: Prick it and mix the salt

Step 4: Cover and steam for 15minutes

Step 5: Eat and drink the juice

Plenty of rest

This is definitely on my agenda but it's not an easy one to execute. Not when Lil K still wakes up once or twice in the middle of the night for her dream feed and the Daddy has selective hearing towards his daughter's cries. But yeah, i'm gonna try harder to rest whilst I can, even if it means to sleep in an upright position!

Here's wishing everyone a Healthy Horsay 2014!!!