Daddy's the BEST!

Dear darling,

Today, mummy's entry is a tribute to your daddy, the first man in your life.  Your daddy is probably, to me, the most sacrificial man I have ever known.  Sacrificial in many ways.

Knowing that mummy struggled with you during the first month, daddy took 3 whole weeks of leave just so that mummy could be better supported.  I would have to admit that in the first two weeks, I cannot cannot CANNOT imagine how I would have survived if not for your daddy.  I cried every other day, for various reasons like engorgement pains, difficulties latching you on thus leading to pain, guilt for being ill-prepared for your coming due to heavy workload, anger towards self for every other things.  Mummy also had high fever for about 3-4 times during those 3 weeks due to mastitis.  In those times, daddy took care of you fully.  He prepared milk, cuddled you, changed your diaper, wake up every 2-3 hours through the night. 


Subsequently when we moved back to own home, daddy made sure he spent quantity time with you.  Back then, he was still in his old organization where he starts work at 10am.  Thus, the morning bath was always done by daddy.  He always treasures such intimate moments with you.  However, I am also very sure that he wants to bathe you so that he can relieve me of some physical activities as I would be taking care of you through the day till daddy's back from work.  Yes, mummy had pains in my tailbone for quite a while.

Every other hour at work, daddy will drop a message asking "How is my darling?"  At home, he would often whisper in your ears "Daddy loves you very much! Mummy loves you very much too!"  Whenever I discovered something new that you can do, or a new way that I have learned, daddy will excitedly want to try it to when he returns home.

Came to your 2nd month and that month was really a tough month for us.  We had no idea what triggered your crying.  However, a walk along the corridor or staircase climb usually helps.  Having spent one whole day with you, daddy knew mummy would be very tired at night so he tries to always be at home whenever he can so that he can help to carry you walk around (despite having worked one whole day). 

After awhile, we decided to sign up for the baby massage class.  Hearsay that baby massage is very good.  It helps colic and because it involves the sense of touch, it calms a baby down too.  That's when daddy gets so excited each time he gets to bathe you in the morning.  After your morning bath, you are usually in a very good mood and often enjoy a massage.  Sometimes in the evening after your wipe down, we can still squeeze in a massage time if you aren't too tired.

After the 5th or 6th week, daddy fully took over your night feed (before we took turns on a daily basis) because mummy was really very tired having to feed you and then go to another room to express my milk.  Back then, feeding you was also tougher than now (15th week).  You often get frustrated, refusing to sleep after feed.  Mummy then get very frustrated because of the need to express and the need to sleep.  Sometimes, the entire process could easily take up 2 hours of the night.  You seem to take very very well to daddy when daddy started taking over the night feed.  You drank well, sleep well.  I believe daddy is a very patient man and I am sure you were able to feel that patience exuded from daddy as compared to mummy.  (Pray you will forgive me if I get too impatient with you one day!)

Daddy works very very hard to support this family financially. On top of his full time job, he teaches private piano on Tuesday evenings and Saturday mornings.  Not forgetting that above this extra jobs, daddy also plays for God in church on some Sundays.  Whenever daddy plays on that Sunday, he would need to attend a band practice on either Thursday or Friday night.

All that's said, daddy's also not someone you can tread upon.  If there is a need to discipline you (yes, it starts from young), he would do it - right from the very basics of not playing with your milk.  :)

This is your daddy, my darling.  One who is willing to sacrifice for you and mummy.  One who is responsible towards his piano students and church.  Despite his tiredness, he never once complained that he doesn't want to teach or play on Sunday.  You see, daddy always see the importance of serving God.  Not that God really require daddy to serve but it's in serving God that daddy learns more of God's love.

Darling, such is the extent of daddy's love for us.  I will share with you more of daddy's goodness in time to come... For now, you just need to know that we are more than blessed to have this man in our life.

Love you my little one..

Motherhood, or rather, parenthood.

Motherhood, or rather parenthood is an art, a phenomenon. Subconsciously, I try to give what I felt I lacked of and amplify what I loved. On top of it, add on the knowledge from the many readings from books and Internet.

Readings and experiences are good, really. But ultimately, I have come to realize that more importantly, it's also to understand the child's uniqueness and personality and mold him/her to his/her personal potential and not make them into a mini-me or mini-hubby or to fulfill what we didn't attain.

I probably would not have known what it means to be a mother until I am a mother myself.  I passed a comment to my mummy one day, when she was frustrated after telling my sis to clear her stuff for over a year! I said "Mummy, now I understand a little of the pain when I lied to you before."  I reckoned that parenthood will be a journey of joy and pain.  Children will learn to lie even if parents didn't teach them to.  They will be up to their mischief to test boundaries.  As a parent, I would want to be prepared to be hurt, yet still love.

I guess that's how God's love is for us?  He knew that we would sin and thus He sent His son to die for us and that was the ultimate lamb sacrifice.  He knew that we would test boundaries and fall so there are verses to assure us of His presence and love and strength and joy.

Our wedding verse was from 2 Corinthians 12:9a "But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”"  This has never been more real to me than now at this season of my life.  It ain't just weakness that I felt but the very lack of wisdom to manage situations on the whole and His grace can only be what I cling unto.

Thank you Lord for showing me what love is, through the miracle you have placed in my life.

12 weeks old

Weight: 5kg (finally!)
Length: 57, taller by 8cm.

My dear Faith,

You are growing faster than I imagine you to be.  I was doing a photobook for you and was going through your past photos.  Found this photo so amusing! Your pillow used to look so huge on you and you used to look like a little nun with that very bald top.  I have removed your mittens as you are slowly opening up your hands.  You are also beginning to realize that your hands are not just a ball of fist but you do have 5 fingers too!  You are beginning to make attempts to hold your bottle.  When the bottle hits your mouth, your two little fist hits the bottle only to find that you don't have much strength yet.  Quite a sight I must say. When you are done with your milk, you have learned how to use your hands to push it away.






You seem to be getting used to church and going out.  You have this uncanny ability to know that it's Sunday and that morning, you enjoy your bath exceptionally well.  I am not sure if all babies are like you or are you a common type of baby but I am so awed by the countless types of expressions you have.  Not only so, daddy and I are amazed how active you can be. Yet, you could also be very still and is seemingly reflective and melancholic. 

 

The first time your PD saw you last month, she was impressed by your pleasant nature that you cried very little when jabbed.  This time, she was so impressed by the fact that you could just fall asleep while I sat you down on my lap.  She joked that you must be protesting against having a jab so pretended to fall asleep. 

Talking about sleep. Again, I am most amazed by your little milestone. When you passed your 2nd month, you stopped crying.  When you passed your 3rd month, all of a sudden, you love your stroller! Previously, you barely sit in your stroller for 10 minutes and you would be crying to be carried. Now, you would love to see the world when you are out on your evening stroll.  After awhile, you have also learned how to sleep inside the stroller. You are growing, my little darling.









Your smiles and laughters are really much more generous now.  Just last weekend, you had a ball of time with your 姨姨 whistling and your 姨丈's playing.  婆婆 also recite to you several nursery rhymes which sent you giggling and grinning from ear to ear!  After a whole afternoon, you knocked out the minute we were done with your wipe down.

Oh yes, you are also beginning to enjoy tummy time a little better.  No longer frustrates you. In fact, you could even lift your head up already! Soon, mummy will need to take out the bumbo chair for you to try sitting.  I am so enjoying every milestone of your life. Psst.. Tell you something! Two weeks ago, daddy & mummy were with our caregroup and all the aunties tried matchmaking you already! Well, my darling, don't grow up too fast ok? Enjoy every step of your life.. Do not run faster than you ought to. Remember to always stop and smell the flowers along your pathway.

It's been such a joy caring for you, my dear Faith.  Never fail to amaze me, never fail to lead me back to thanking our Creator for the marvelous work He has created in you.  I hold on tight to the promise that when God has started a good work in a person, He will help deliver it to the end.  God will see you through your mountain top exhilarating moments and valley deep sorrows.