Theodore and His Development

On Saturday, I went for my one month check-up with the gynae; and at the same time brought Theodore for his one month check-up with the paediatrician. One of the developmental checklist which focuses on fine motor-adaptive skills was "When the child is on his back, he can follow the movement of an object, from one side to facing directly forwards." I replied "Yes", and luckily it was because on Day 28, I saw Theodore staring at the smiley flower, and I moved the flower from side to side, and voila, his sight can now follow an object.

On April 18, we also held a celebration for Theodore's full month. Mum made about 120 red eggs which we gave out during the celebration. Thank you :)

CONFINEMENT: Right In the Middle of It

With the birth of Theodore - apart from attending to his growth & needs, another being that requires care is the mother. Yes I am currently right in the middle of the confinement period.

There are a lot of practices which I was trying to figure out if they are merely myths or fact.

We didn't engage a confinement nanny. Having another stranger in our house for a month was not something we could tolerate.

Plus & minuses.

Well, things were not running as smoothly as I wanted to initially. No sleep for the first night. Badly coordinated timing between the lunch and the bath time & the temperature of the boiled herbal water. (Apparently, you cannot shower on an empty stomach, so I have to shower almost immediately after lunch - but of course the schedule can be messed up by the wrong temperate of the boiled water - hello how to shower at 50 degrees?; and Theodore being hungry on a on-demand basis)

So my days now are, although a schedule has started to form, mainly pumping milk at 6am (yes I don't need an alarm clock anymore. The milk can be so full, you will wake up naturally), going back to bed, wake up at 8am to feed Theodore, do some administrative work (for now, arranging guest list for Theodore's First month party; trying to make claims from Singpost/ DHL for non-delivery of item etc), lunch, shower, feed Theodore, massage, feed Theodore, Aunty Jup came to visit on her birthday, nap, dinner, feed Theodore...and voila some 'me' time....before the next feeding & pumping.

Oh yes, my mum-in-law has started to ask me to drink a shot of DOM before going to bed. I was reluctant at first as many of my friends didn't like it. Surprise, surprise, having kept away from alcohol for nine months...hmmmm DOM is superb. Looking forward to my next shot later.

From the chaotic first week, yes, its getting better. At least Sumini can help me with the showering, diaper change and change of clothes. Imagine having to perform everything during confinement. My back and neck are already in pain due to the feeding and pumping. You know you have to keep your eyes down since I am not so experienced yet. Despite the many tasks, knowing that Theodore is well-taken care of and that he is happy - thats all it matters. He had slight rash on his neck a few days ago. Didn't know whether it was due to milk, or heat or hormonal. Still, I got a little worried. Luckily Sumini suggested J&J baby powder. I was a little reluctant at first - but hey it works - its disappearing. Good thing is he does not appear to have any discomfort from the mild rash. Nevertheless, Theodore seems to be starting to show emotions or temper. When he doesn't get his milk promptly or when he is being wiped down with water - his face turns red & grumpy. He is starting to turn on his sides too, although suceeding only at a halfway mark. Hmmm...

Theodore reaches 13 day old, as we plan for first month birthday




As I write, Theodore is 13 days old. Based on the gynae's EDD, as of today, he is not supposed to be out yet. Still, these past two weeks have been filled with such joy in the household.

Oh yes, we have to plan for Theodore's first month birthday party -- tentatively it would be held on April 18, 2010, Sunday brunch. We are still looking at two potential venues to celebrate the occasion. Initially we wanted to hold it at home, but looking at the guests list it may not be practicable - hence the hunt for a suitable venue by my in-laws and hubby. This Sunday, they would be going for food tasting..while I rest at home and wait for Grandpa and Grandma Choong to visit.