Being a preemie, it's not unusual for Rianne to be smaller in size than the other babies of her age. However, when her cousin Joelle, 2 months younger than her has the same weight as Rianne, I became rather conscious.
Rianne does drink lesser milk than Joelle, if you look at the intake per feed. My baby takes 80-100ml/120ml of breastmilk every 2 hourly, and the latter drinks 175-180ml formula milk at an interval of 4 hours. But on totality, Rianne actually has more milk than her younger cousin. Not forgetting the twice cereal feeds Rianne drinks with 70/80ml of breast milk.
My little talkative princess although smaller than her peers, is not developing any slower than any of them! Take her motor skills for example, she's learning to sit already (pictures as shown in previous post) and before she could even sit on her own; she's now taking baby walking steps on a walker! It was my mum's idea to put her in a walker, and surprisingly she managed to take several steps.. ermmm, however they are in the reverse direction which I don't know why! Hahaha..
The other thing which I am so proud of Rianne (and I'm very certain Annie Mummy is too) is, her ability to poo using a potty! Yes, you have not heard me wrongly; a potty. Some toddlers only learn and succeed pooing in a potty at the age of 1-2. My darling baby knows it's poo-poo time when granny flashes the brightly coloured (it's orange in colour!) potty after her morning feed, and another time after she had cereals. Now then I realised how baby poop actually look like in solid form, when it's not squashed in a diaper.. Nasty.
Rianne does have a few unusual habits, even at 6 months old. She shakes her legs when she is seated on people's laps and when she hears music. She loves to check herself out in the mirror, especially when her hair is being combed. She likes looking at you from the mirror, and then at your face just so that she knows it's is the same person. She enjoys watching the telly, but not animation and the cartoony stuff though she still like the nursery rythmes dvds we got at home.
She loves it when you play peek-a-boo with her, and the more I play with this little bundle of joy, the more I wish I can stay with her all day and night..
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Back!!
Been out of blogging actions for a while, due to a faulty router. The D-Link router which my brother-in-law gave (during his courtship with my sis, trying to curry my favour I suppose! hahaha!!), became totally powerless one day. Regardless how me and my mum tried to connect the AC, it simply doesn't work! Then my colleague reminded me that I still have a modem. By plugging my lappie directly to the modem, I will be connected to the network..
Well, some updates on Rianne's condition. After she's been diagnosed with the genetic disorder (NF 1), we've been following up with eye checkups at the hospital. Poor baby her.. she was put to horrible eye tests with administration of 8 different types of eye drops, to see if there's anything growing (likelihood of a tumour) at the back of the eye. My little princess was so brave to got through the first 6 drops without shedding a single drop of tear. However, this smart baby was so clever to know that the second time into the treatment room would mean another round of eye drops; she immediately struggled and cried when my mum tried to keep her still.
There were many other kids & babies older than Rianne, (except one who's only 4 months old) at the eye centre awaiting to be checked in the scariest way ever.. A father & mother of a 2 year old girl was telling Annie Mummy and me how some of the checks were carried out. They said the doctors would pry the eyes of the young children with paper clips, and then shone super bright lights into the poor sockets. I was so terrified that Rianne's doctor will be using such method, but I had overworried. The 'nerdy' looking female doctor was so gentle, and even sang "Twinkle, twinkle little star" in a lulluby version to Rianne. Her nurses were also so kind, and used lots of toys to distract Rianne while the doctor checked.
The doctor explained to me that currently there isn't anything behind Rianne's eyes, probably just a small cafe au lait mark on one of her eyes which is harmless. However as the growth of a tumour can develop anytime, and Rianne is still too young to notify the adults of any discomfort/visionary problems; the doctor recommends us to come back semi-annually for checks.
At the counter while checking out, Rianne was the limelight at the eye center when she made singing-like sounds, and was 'chatting' to almost everyone. All the nurses love her, as Rianne was all smiley and talkative! Hmmmmm, maybe my darling's trying to create good impressions so that the nurses will be kinder to her the next time. Hah!
Well, some updates on Rianne's condition. After she's been diagnosed with the genetic disorder (NF 1), we've been following up with eye checkups at the hospital. Poor baby her.. she was put to horrible eye tests with administration of 8 different types of eye drops, to see if there's anything growing (likelihood of a tumour) at the back of the eye. My little princess was so brave to got through the first 6 drops without shedding a single drop of tear. However, this smart baby was so clever to know that the second time into the treatment room would mean another round of eye drops; she immediately struggled and cried when my mum tried to keep her still.
There were many other kids & babies older than Rianne, (except one who's only 4 months old) at the eye centre awaiting to be checked in the scariest way ever.. A father & mother of a 2 year old girl was telling Annie Mummy and me how some of the checks were carried out. They said the doctors would pry the eyes of the young children with paper clips, and then shone super bright lights into the poor sockets. I was so terrified that Rianne's doctor will be using such method, but I had overworried. The 'nerdy' looking female doctor was so gentle, and even sang "Twinkle, twinkle little star" in a lulluby version to Rianne. Her nurses were also so kind, and used lots of toys to distract Rianne while the doctor checked.
The doctor explained to me that currently there isn't anything behind Rianne's eyes, probably just a small cafe au lait mark on one of her eyes which is harmless. However as the growth of a tumour can develop anytime, and Rianne is still too young to notify the adults of any discomfort/visionary problems; the doctor recommends us to come back semi-annually for checks.
At the counter while checking out, Rianne was the limelight at the eye center when she made singing-like sounds, and was 'chatting' to almost everyone. All the nurses love her, as Rianne was all smiley and talkative! Hmmmmm, maybe my darling's trying to create good impressions so that the nurses will be kinder to her the next time. Hah!
Friday, July 24, 2009
Hey, Bumbo!
My darling, Rianne is finally sitting on a chair.. on the Bumbo chair made in South Africa, said to teach infants age 3 months on, to sit up straight.
I had bought 2 Bumbo seats around the same time last year for my nephews Joaquin & Jayden. One year later, my own daughter is sitting on the never-been-sat before Bumbo. The other one in my sister's possession is now in the hands of my colleague, whom I regularly share the nursing room in my office with. Her daughter is about 1 month older than Rianne, and has started sitting on the Bumbo at the Infant Care centre.
Modernization has cleverly produced an useful tool (I wonder how the babies of older days learnt to sit?!), which even a traditional woman like my mum is impressed by it.
Pictures of Rianne on Bumbo, so adorable I am proud to say she is.. Enjoy!
I had bought 2 Bumbo seats around the same time last year for my nephews Joaquin & Jayden. One year later, my own daughter is sitting on the never-been-sat before Bumbo. The other one in my sister's possession is now in the hands of my colleague, whom I regularly share the nursing room in my office with. Her daughter is about 1 month older than Rianne, and has started sitting on the Bumbo at the Infant Care centre.
Modernization has cleverly produced an useful tool (I wonder how the babies of older days learnt to sit?!), which even a traditional woman like my mum is impressed by it.
Pictures of Rianne on Bumbo, so adorable I am proud to say she is.. Enjoy!
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Life - happy for some, and short for others.
Time flies.. Woof, and Rianne just turned 5 months old yesterday! I am of course thrilled, but a part of me actually feels anixety as I watched my darling grow.
One thing I am most afraid to know, and hate to come to terms with; will be Rianne's inheritance of her daddy's disorder. As the appointment date with the genetic counsellor gets nearer, my mind starts filling itself with all the bad thoughts. "What's going to happen to Rianne if she really has NF?!", "Will it affect her growth and brain development?!", "Is she gonna look different as she grows?!", and most critically, "Will it lead to cancer?!"
Well, as news of Michael Jackson's death start flooding all media, I tell myself I should just quit worrying. MJ had a life full of twists, fame, accusations, and surgeries (it's the truth!), but he was never a sad person. His Neverland brought joy not only to the boy inside him, but to many young children who has never been to a wonderland like this..
Undeniably, life is as fragile as it can be.. be it a life worthy of living, or a life that is slumpy and filled with endless suffering. Live it upright and happy. God has his plans for you when he come and take you away..
I know God has taken you to be by his side, Uncle Ah Seng.. You will always be remembered, dearly in our hearts.
One thing I am most afraid to know, and hate to come to terms with; will be Rianne's inheritance of her daddy's disorder. As the appointment date with the genetic counsellor gets nearer, my mind starts filling itself with all the bad thoughts. "What's going to happen to Rianne if she really has NF?!", "Will it affect her growth and brain development?!", "Is she gonna look different as she grows?!", and most critically, "Will it lead to cancer?!"
Well, as news of Michael Jackson's death start flooding all media, I tell myself I should just quit worrying. MJ had a life full of twists, fame, accusations, and surgeries (it's the truth!), but he was never a sad person. His Neverland brought joy not only to the boy inside him, but to many young children who has never been to a wonderland like this..
Undeniably, life is as fragile as it can be.. be it a life worthy of living, or a life that is slumpy and filled with endless suffering. Live it upright and happy. God has his plans for you when he come and take you away..
I know God has taken you to be by his side, Uncle Ah Seng.. You will always be remembered, dearly in our hearts.
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Strawberry Milk, Cereal and Apple Juice!
Well, the term 'milk' in my context now only refer to my breast milk.. my hard-pumped milk which feeds baby Rianne, and make her grow. Until today, I am still very amazed by the fact that I am a breastfeeding mother when my mum hasn't been able to do that in her motherhood days (of 3 kids).
Day in day out, my top priority is to ensure I bring back enough milk for my little princess. So, when I realised my supply is on the decline, I was depressed. Maybe stress has made the flow less encouraging, and to a stage; I actually produced STRAWBERRY MILK! If you are smart, you would have guessed blood.. Darn right, I was bleeding in one of the expressing sessions and I never realised until I saw the milk collected in the bottle, was a little less white than usual. In fact, it wasn't white at all.. it was pink!
Apparently, some of the milk ducts were blocked and I had probably cleared the blockage with too much force; and caused the bleeding? Maybe, but there was no pain at all.
After discarding that bottle of strawberry milk, I decided that Rianne should get started on cereals. In this way, should my milk becomes insufficient for her; she wouldn't be overly hungry before I get home. As we are giving her brown rice cereal mixed with breast milk, my mum makes it a point to fully cook the cereal first and then pour into Rianne's milk bottle with my milk. It has been a few days since she drank cereal, and apart from the slight constipation (she didn't pass motion for 2 days!); she likes the taste of it.
The other food that Rianne began on was apple juice. Pure, non-flavoured and no preservatives. She seems to like it.. well, I'm not surprised if she love it coz the only fluid apart from milk that she is exposed to, is only water. The juice is a good source of vitamins now, and it can also counter the heatiness which cereals and formulas are said to cause.
Breast milk, brown rice cereal and apple juice, make up a healthy and well-balanced diet for little Rianne.. =)
Day in day out, my top priority is to ensure I bring back enough milk for my little princess. So, when I realised my supply is on the decline, I was depressed. Maybe stress has made the flow less encouraging, and to a stage; I actually produced STRAWBERRY MILK! If you are smart, you would have guessed blood.. Darn right, I was bleeding in one of the expressing sessions and I never realised until I saw the milk collected in the bottle, was a little less white than usual. In fact, it wasn't white at all.. it was pink!
Apparently, some of the milk ducts were blocked and I had probably cleared the blockage with too much force; and caused the bleeding? Maybe, but there was no pain at all.
After discarding that bottle of strawberry milk, I decided that Rianne should get started on cereals. In this way, should my milk becomes insufficient for her; she wouldn't be overly hungry before I get home. As we are giving her brown rice cereal mixed with breast milk, my mum makes it a point to fully cook the cereal first and then pour into Rianne's milk bottle with my milk. It has been a few days since she drank cereal, and apart from the slight constipation (she didn't pass motion for 2 days!); she likes the taste of it.
The other food that Rianne began on was apple juice. Pure, non-flavoured and no preservatives. She seems to like it.. well, I'm not surprised if she love it coz the only fluid apart from milk that she is exposed to, is only water. The juice is a good source of vitamins now, and it can also counter the heatiness which cereals and formulas are said to cause.
Breast milk, brown rice cereal and apple juice, make up a healthy and well-balanced diet for little Rianne.. =)
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Just for Laughs
Tummy-down exercising time!
Girl Interrupted.. obviously by the pig!!
Cousins of age 2months difference - Joelle & Rianne
Both enjoying the company of each other.. No!
Girl Interrupted.. obviously by the pig!!
Cousins of age 2months difference - Joelle & Rianne
Both enjoying the company of each other.. No!
Transformers Forever!!
Is it unusual to hear a bunch of girls going "Optimus, Optimus!!" at the wide-screen, while putting handfuls of popcorn into their mouths?! No, why would it be?! Girls can like robots, especially Transformers if they grow up with that cartoon.. like I did.
I have not been to the cinema ever since... ermmmm, so long ago that I can't even remember. My colleagues (both ladies, and married!) had bought themselves tickets to the highly anticipated Transformers sequel - Revenge of The Fallen, thinking that I probably ain't a fan. But when I expressed my equal interest to them, they immediately went online and tried to get another ticket for me. I was lucky, and the three of us went for the movie last night.
The night before yesterday, I was still having second thoughts about having an appointment after work. Leaving Rianne with my mum at home for more than 12 hours, means that my baby would probably have to drink formula milk when the breastmilk supply in the fridge runs out. Well, she isn't entirely on breastmilk now too, so that shouldn't be an issue actually.. and anyway, I won't be home too late, as we have chose a showtime that is quite early.
My review after the movie - better than the first, good story plot, and the cast of Shia LaBeouf, Megan Fox and Josh Duhamel only got better looking! And, the hotdog and popcorn was yummy! Heeheehee..
I have not been to the cinema ever since... ermmmm, so long ago that I can't even remember. My colleagues (both ladies, and married!) had bought themselves tickets to the highly anticipated Transformers sequel - Revenge of The Fallen, thinking that I probably ain't a fan. But when I expressed my equal interest to them, they immediately went online and tried to get another ticket for me. I was lucky, and the three of us went for the movie last night.
The night before yesterday, I was still having second thoughts about having an appointment after work. Leaving Rianne with my mum at home for more than 12 hours, means that my baby would probably have to drink formula milk when the breastmilk supply in the fridge runs out. Well, she isn't entirely on breastmilk now too, so that shouldn't be an issue actually.. and anyway, I won't be home too late, as we have chose a showtime that is quite early.
My review after the movie - better than the first, good story plot, and the cast of Shia LaBeouf, Megan Fox and Josh Duhamel only got better looking! And, the hotdog and popcorn was yummy! Heeheehee..
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