Hello, I'm Peter Yong. I'll soon be 1 month old..so fast right?
A month has passed and Peter is already 1 month old. After 28 days of service we bid farewell to the confinement lady. Her salary was equivalent to a month of my take home salary and that's not counting the customary red packet. She was dutiful and efficient nonetheless, albeit a little grumpy towards the end of confinement month.
That spells freedom and relief for Karling. The 1st thing she did was taking a nice long bath and shampooed her "odourous" hair. She thoroughly scrubbed her body from head to toe and emerged from the bathroom polished clean and feeling refreshed like a highland tea garden.
Sweet dreams Nana, happy childhood is made of these.
Nana wasn't a big fan of shopping trolley. And we found out Peter could sleep anywhere.
Chinese confinement period has very strict, most probably the strictest rules to adhere to. Not many modern liberal thinking Chinese mothers follow them nowadays, furthermore as generation passed, the customs took a turn to either be obsolete or more lenient. Imagine, having to consume rice wine dishes with lots of ginger for 1 month, in addition to various herbal soup with more ginger. Best to avoid vegetable, no fruits, absolutely no desserts, and no fried stuff except stewed or steamed.
No wetting the hair, always keep warm with a sweater during daytime and blanket at night. And that was the 1st time I got to know a dry shampoo. My grandpa once told me if we bath too late at night we're bound to get pneumonia, so Chinese custom has warned us that poor confinement would result in poly-arthritis during old age.
I felt sorry for mami almost everytime on the dining table I wanted to feed her a fried chicken.
1st time the 4 of us doing grocery shopping together.
Nana always like having fun with water, she gets excited playing with it.
Ever the inquisitive girl, Nana tailed and observe me washing the vehicles.
It was also time to bring mami and the kids for a long overdue grocery shopping at the town's customer friendly hypermarket. Notice the stroller that even has a mini baby court attached to it. This thoughtful measure has made Karling's marketing so much easier and enjoyable. Since mami still has 2months of maternity leave, she planned to stock up groceries and cook up a storm in our kitchen every dinner. Hallelujah, no more cracking my head thinking what to eat out.
It was weekends such as these I looked forward to. After roti canai or wan tan mee for breakfast, I would wash my car and the bike, with my little helper assisting and inevitably getting wet. Got the housework sorted out, blog a little, go to the park in the evening, sometimes visiting our up-and-coming new house. At night we danced and played with Nana around her musical laptop, her talking duck or electronic book that sang nursery rhymes. Concluded by watching Nana emptied her milk bottle then patting her to sleep. All these while Peter was steadily growing accustomed to a regular sleep pattern.
Its gonna be a busy day for everyone, and my job is to sleep and quickly grow up.
Full moon gift packet consist of these colorful cakes, succulent grilled pork and red hard-boiled eggs.
Mami busy sorting out the gift packet for Papa to later deliver personally to relatives and friends.
One day before Peter turning 1 month, Nana's ever dedicated po po came down from Kelantan to celebrate with us Peter's full moon. She always traveled alone, which never prevent her from bringing raw food or ingredients for cooking later, and colorful clothing for the children. A mother, and now grandmother always know best how to love and care. This time, she has also came to help us prepare for Peter's full moon commemoration.
So what is this full moon commemoration anyway? It is Chinese custom to observe a child's 1st milestone by celebrating him reaching 1 month. Like Easter Sunday, though this practice has nothing to do with Christianity, we give out eggs, dyed in red ink to be particular. Red is an auspicious colour to us Chinese, and the egg represents full moon, which has a 1 month cycle. Hence the term "full moon" when a child has reached 1 month old.
Po po's little helper swings into action. First, we dig the refrigerator.
This is our humble little kitchen which has served us well.
While we prepare the gift packets, po po cooks up a hearty lunch.
Papa had ordered boxes of colorful cakes from a bakery. They all looked so mouth-watering I needed will of steel to prevent myself from gorging them down during the packaging. We boiled the eggs so that they were hard-boiled, then dyed them in red. Not leaving out the fresh succulent roasted pork, we packaged all them yummy stuff into boxes before delivering them to relatives and close friends.
All these while our curious and inquisitive Nana learned to participate in the kitchen. She was glad she didn't have to go to the babysitter, so Nana made the most of it by following Po po around being her little helper. Po po has started waving her cooking wand and conjure up cooking wizardry in the kitchen as she prepared us heartfelt home-cooked lunch that we missed so much.
Nana's excavation of the fridge has lead her to this yummy discovery.
The childhood world of Nana: fun, learning, discovery; love and companionship.
Does the egg comes from the chicken or chicken comes from the egg, papa~?
So far from what i observed, Nana is unique (in comparison with other children) in a sense that she didn't like to be touched or held. If you want to cuddle her, you have to earn her trust, spend time with her and win her heart. Nana had short temper, and threw tantrums easily when she got moody. She would turn irritable, all this while crying, wailing and sweating over her whole face.
I would carry her and try to pacify her in the form of distraction, which never lasted for long because eventually Nana still preferred mami. I have learned to accept rejection from my own daughter while having to swallow the bitter pill from Karling that I wasn't spending enough time with Nana. When Po po is around, even sometimes the hierarchy of Nana's preference changes to Mami-Po po-lastly papa (from top to bottom). Having a short-temper myself didn't help to make me her Mr. Popular. It ran in the family by the way( Po po sneezing), I supposed the apple didnt fall too far form the tree.
After sweating it out at the kitchen, its splash time in the bathtub. So refreshing~!
Look, I'm a well behaved girl with excellent table manners.
I can multitask now, and feed myself with 2 spoons at the same time.
But when Nana is happy, she's a charmer. The smile and laughter of a thousand sun, I would give anything just to live in that moment. Not only does she play by herself, she entertains us with her theatrics and demeanor. Nana's cheekiness tickles us, it just comes naturally from her, she simply knows how to make us laugh without even trying. Hence watching her makes me beam with pride, joy and love. Nana is irreplaceable, there can never be another one.
But nothing taste better than when po po feeds me my favorite half-boiled egg.
Every baby loves sun bathing, its relaxing and enriches the body with vitamin D.
As Peter grew fatter, he became more handsome.
At 1 month old, Peter is still sleeping like 50 per cent of the time. When he opens his eyes and look at me, holding his gaze long enough before a smile appear on his face, my heart simply melt knowing that he recognizes me as papa and acknowledge me in the only way he can. Every time after breast milk and a refreshing bath, or a clean up of his soiled napkin, Peter says thank you by rewarding us with a subtle smile of content.
Mami feeds Peter average once every 2 hours, that's before Peter even wakes up and cry for it. With the quantity and frequency he drinks, Peter soil his napkin average of 8 times/day, and that's not counting the 2 pampers he wears at night. First born a little wasted(skinny), now he is chubbier, cuter and more handsome. As long as mami is still lactating and on maternity leave, we will apply and live by the full benefit of breast feeding milk. In terms of cost, nutrition, health and immunity, not to mention mother-child bond, breast milk is medically proven more superior than even the best formula milk in the market.
Stuck in a dilemma or wanna know more? Hope this link is helpful.
Breastfeeding vs formula feeding
Look at how attached Peter already is to Mami, he could even soundly sleep lying on Mami's chest.
I sleep on Mami's chest and drink from Mami's breast. My sanctuary...
Papa and Mami never had touch-screen smart phone games at Nana's age.
As i mentioned earlier, Peter spends half of his time asleep. Unlike his fidgety sister during his age, Peter doesn't shift much during sleep. Place him in prone, lateral or supine position, Peter wakes up in the same pose. Perhaps he's not such a light sleeper like Nana, and he's never startled in his sleep unlike his sister. Peter sleeps in the morning after breakfast and bath, wakes up around lunch time for milk, goes back to sleep again until 3-4pm. After a bout of milk, he sleeps from evening until night as we are finishing our dinner, then stays up until our bedtime. Middle of the night mami wakes Peter up 2-3 times to breastfeed him. We put on Pampers for him if we want him to sleep longer.
In the weekend, Nana will be home to play, and take afternoon nap together with Peter. Oh the sight of them in deep slumber, I adore watching them as that's the time i often ponder how fast they have grown. Call me sentimental, its at moments like this I'm amazed that i have not 1 but 2 little angels, and how did it all happen. The hectic and mentally draining environment is now replaced with peace and silence as they sleep, bringing a short respite to both papa and mami, but not for long.
I peck their temple and cheek lightly, being extra cautious with Nana the light sleeper, as I whisper my well-wishes and prayer to them.
Its an underrated fact that we all spend one third of our lives sleeping. It is the simplest pleasure and most essential part of our lives.
Nana could roll over everywhere as she sleeps. I wonder what adventures she often has in her dreams.
Isn't it heart warming to see how adorable both of them look when they sleep next to each other.
The time when Nana and Peter are both sleeping is also the time both papa and mami look forward to. We can finally take a breather and catch-up with each other. Women are emotional being and they find conversation and cuddling very fulfilling. I try not to discuss serious matters or start any debate, but talk subjects on a lighter note. More often I would end up talking about my dreams for the children or family ambition and Karling will nonchalantly oblige my rambling.
Mami has a virtue of not complaining or rambling about anything. She would just persevere or dig deep into her reserve even when she's tired. That could be quite dangerous for me too because i never know when will she eventually explode and lash out all her pent-up frustration on me. What i've learned so far to keep myself out of trouble, is to always listen, voluntarily help out, and keep to promises.
Hello papa, good morning papa.Did you have a good sleep?
Urrgghh..I'm trying to reach my toys..Juusst a lil' bit moorrree~!
Listen here: Impossible is Nothing!
I'm not all talk about family dreams and ambition. When working in government health sector as a medical practitioner doesn't even pay halfway decent wage, especially the on-call claims, a father of 2 has to find work outside. We call it working as a locum, where non-permanent doctors are paid to see patients in a private clinic which pay them by the hour. Most often patients come with minor ailments like cough and sore throat; stomach discomfort; diarrhea, which can be treated as upper respiratory tract infection, acute gastritis, and acute gastroenteritis, respectively.
The lure of instant cash by the end of the shift is hard to resist, other perk is its non-taxable. I keep calling up the clinic which pays the best wage requesting for extra locum slot. I jump at the opportunity to replace any locum doctors that can't make their shift. My work rate and zeal is relentless, I am willing to work overnight over clinics that operate 24hrs, then rush to my daytime job the next morning. I know no fatigue, the amount I gained from locum is either same par or even higher than my take home government salary.
Peter suddenly shook in excitement listening to Mami's phone conversation.
Peter enjoys every moment of the free ride around the house. He is so cuddly.
Nana was trained to eat spicy food at a tender age. I'm proud of her.
Will talk more about the locum experience in subsequent blog. I know mami would definitely want papa to spend more time at home especially now that she's home alone on maternity leave with the kids. However, since the money seem to be rewarding at that time, plus we needed essential funds for the minor renovation of our new home, we had to sacrifice our comfort zone and time for each other. Looking back to the time I spent more time with patients than with my own family, we could have settled for life in moderation rather than one in comfortable luxury at the price of pivotal family time. But i had made my choice, those locuming days are behind me, and now I'm making up for the lost time with Karling and children.
While papa was busy working, mami hold the fort at home. She had her hands full with Peter, Nana, the cleaning, laundry and cooking. Sometimes Nana would go to the babysitter next door for a change, get to play with the babysitter's grown-up children nevertheless enjoys it. Mami would carry Peter all the time he was awake either walking, standing or sitting because Peter doesn't like to stay in one place too long. He became restless and would wine or "complaint" in his own way when left lying on the bed. As Peter stayed awake most of daytime, naturally curiosity took over him as he wanted to venture into his surroundings. Hence Mami became the vessel transporting Peter around, showing and telling objects to keep him amused.
Coconut milk curry prawn. Great job Karling, you got it right the 1st time.
Peter likes papa oh yes he does.
Don't you think papa's funny, don't you think papa's fun?
Who's the cute one huh?Who's the cute one.
You are, Peter! You are.
Thanks for playing with me Papa, even though its not easy coming from a tough guy.
But thanks for trying papa, and I enjoyed it.
Mami talked to Peter a lot when she was carrying him. Not only did it stimulate the infant's mind, but they say babies actually understand what their mommies are talking about. Not to mentioned it strengthens their bond even closer. Peter would response with cooing, like "uuuu.., mmmh..". He wiggled with excitement when he saw something unusual, and would stoop forward as if signalling mami to bring him closer. Close to 2 months now, Peter was still lazy to lift up his upper limbs to reach out. We would play some music and lay him down on the couch, just to see how long it would keep him entertained, but after a while without Mami within his sight, Peter started his pleading and begged to be carried around.
Then came 4th of July, when people in the USA celebrate their independence. To us, this date mark our wedding anniversary, the solemnization of our vows as husband and wife. By our second anniversary, we were already blessed with 2 kids, so lets slow down the production factory a little, eh? (Mami crossing her forearm in protest) What many people didn't know is that papa and mami got acquainted with each other since 2003 (8 years ago), started going steady since 2004 (7years ago), before getting hitched 5 years later (2009). The point is, we decided to tie the knot after 5 years of relationship, which had dramatically leapfrogged us to a different phase of life ever since.
Are we stronger together now? In retrospect. Yes. We are, but still learning to be wiser.
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It is the 4 of us versus the world now.
And with His mighty hand and outstretched arm, God who keepeth us will deliver us. Amen.
Eat it Nana! Mami said eat it if Nana want to grow up.
My burden, my joy.
