Yes, for a while, Faith has been trying to lift her neck whenever we hold her in an upright position, with her chin over our shoulders. Today, while I was trying to burb her after her feeding, I noticed that she could hold her head up for about 5-10 seconds.
Of course, she couldn't really hold it for long cos she will flop about. Nonetheless, I thought it was a little achievement for my little one. I wonder when would be the day that she would be able to have control over her neck and can take in sights whenever we hold her up. Curiously, I wonder if its a progressive development i.e. increasing timeframe that she can hold her head, or would it just happen? Nonetheless, I think I shall give her more time on the tummy so that she can use the opportunity to exercise her neck.
Bon chance, ma petite fille!
Thursday, June 07, 2007
Tuesday, June 05, 2007
Is the grass greener on the other side?
I think it is true. Back when I was holding a job, I always wanted to be a stay-at-home mum (SAHM) and I thought that there could be so much things that I could do with my kid when I become one.
Today, I went back into office to pack my desk in preparation for the start of my 2-year leave of absence from work in Jul. Maybe its becos I haven't been experiencing the stress of work, but I was actually looking forward to going back and meeting with friends and colleagues. I felt guilty for feeling this, but then, it was good to be interacting with people. Although I have always wanted to be a SAHM, these days, I am ocassionally gripped with the thought that it would be liberating to earn my own money and not be consumed by guilt whenever I want to splurge on myself and know that I'm spending my hubby's hard earned money.
Perhaps I would embrace and enjoy my role as a SAHM as Faith gets older and there are more things that we could do together. I've always fantasised that I would be cooking different types of food and cuisines that are nutrious, going out or playing with her and yet, still have the time to pursue my other love i.e. cooking and baking. It may sound rather simplistic. Just as I had always loved my deceased but dearly missed grandma's cooking, I hope there comes a day in the not too near future where Faith would tell me that "Mommy, could you cook me my favourite XXX dish".
In today's context, this may not be the yardstick for being a good mum. However, in the Asia of my grandma's and mother's time where love may not be expressed so openly, it is most often communicated through the food you cook for your family.
Today, I went back into office to pack my desk in preparation for the start of my 2-year leave of absence from work in Jul. Maybe its becos I haven't been experiencing the stress of work, but I was actually looking forward to going back and meeting with friends and colleagues. I felt guilty for feeling this, but then, it was good to be interacting with people. Although I have always wanted to be a SAHM, these days, I am ocassionally gripped with the thought that it would be liberating to earn my own money and not be consumed by guilt whenever I want to splurge on myself and know that I'm spending my hubby's hard earned money.
Perhaps I would embrace and enjoy my role as a SAHM as Faith gets older and there are more things that we could do together. I've always fantasised that I would be cooking different types of food and cuisines that are nutrious, going out or playing with her and yet, still have the time to pursue my other love i.e. cooking and baking. It may sound rather simplistic. Just as I had always loved my deceased but dearly missed grandma's cooking, I hope there comes a day in the not too near future where Faith would tell me that "Mommy, could you cook me my favourite XXX dish".
In today's context, this may not be the yardstick for being a good mum. However, in the Asia of my grandma's and mother's time where love may not be expressed so openly, it is most often communicated through the food you cook for your family.
Thursday, May 31, 2007
Filling up our rooms
Louis and I have always resisted buying a study table when we first shifted to our current home. Partly, we wanted to keep our 2 rooms empty and also, there weren't space elsewhere to site a work desk. Our dining table doubled up as our work area whenever we need to use our laptops.
Increasingly, with Faith's appearance in our lives, we've now accumulated a lot of other stuff in our house. Slowly, the 2 rooms that were once empty are now filling up very quickly. Last weekend, we purchased a multi-function printer and I shifted my laptop into the room next to Faith's and that became our little office. Today, we went to Ikea and purchased 2 tables and chairs. With these purchases, our 2nd empty room has now become sort of a study room, amongst other.
Admittedly, it feels nice to finally have a proper work table, instead of working or surfing the computer at the dining table. I don't know why we resisted the idea for so long.
Increasingly, with Faith's appearance in our lives, we've now accumulated a lot of other stuff in our house. Slowly, the 2 rooms that were once empty are now filling up very quickly. Last weekend, we purchased a multi-function printer and I shifted my laptop into the room next to Faith's and that became our little office. Today, we went to Ikea and purchased 2 tables and chairs. With these purchases, our 2nd empty room has now become sort of a study room, amongst other.
Admittedly, it feels nice to finally have a proper work table, instead of working or surfing the computer at the dining table. I don't know why we resisted the idea for so long.
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Coming into motherhood
A few weeks ago, I was chatting with an old friend and lamenting to her that motherhood wasn't such a big deal as many friends have told me that it would be. In fact, many times, I feel frustrated at the challenges in trying to breastfeed Faith, the intrusion of another living being (even of my own flesh and blood) into the couple lifestyle that Louis and I have, as well as trapped by the responsibilities of motherhood. Truth be told, I was feeling guilty that I'm not experiencing any of the joys and fulfillment that motherhood is supposed to bring.
I remembered very clearly and am ever thankful up till now for what she told me. She shared that it takes time and reminded me that the body is still recovering from the delivery, hormonal changes, as well as the fact that I could be going through some small amount of post natal blues. But, she also assured me that things would get better. It was the same with her too when she delivered both her kids, the 2nd being about 4 months ago. She assured me that one day, I would wake up feeling happy and excited becos I have a baby to play with. Tammy was right!
Throughout the birth of Faith and up until now, there wasn't any doubt that I love my little baby. Nonetheless, I couldn't help the occasional feeling of resentment creeping in. But for the past few days, I've been feeling very positive and happy about motherhood. Perhaps its a combination of a few things.
Firstly, Faith is growing up and developing well both physically and emotionally. She's a happy baby most of the time, especially in the mornings when she would wake up on her own and coo on her own in her cot. Being treated to her innocent smiles when I talk to her just about melt my heart and makes me think that I've got the cutest and greatest kid in the whole world!
Secondly, now that I've changed my own mindset about breastfeeding, Faith seems to have a happier disposition with 2 bottle feedings a day. Overall, she manages to drink more and fusses a little lesser when given the bottle. Now that I do not have to fight and struggle with her so much at feedings, I'm feeling a little more relaxed myself.
Thirdly, and this, I have a lot of people to thank for. I cannot be grateful enough for the support that my mom and in-laws have given to help take care of Faith. My mom would come in on weekdays and "relieve" me in the afternoons and also bottle feed Faith. That gives me some break time and "me time" to blog or even step out of the house to go for lunch. And my MIL and FIL would help to babysit Faith on weekends and public holidays so that Louis and I could have some couple time or run errands. Even with such offers of help, it took me a while to comfortably handover Faith to my mom and in-laws and not let guilt assuage me that I'm not taking care of Faith 24x7 on my own. On this, I have Louis to thank for his gentle persuasion and encouragement that I'm not a bad mom for wanting some personal time of my own. Not forgetting that Louis and I are very appreciative of our extended family members, each of whom have most willingly and happily helped to love and care for Faith in their own ways e.g. Adrian, Astee, Anthea, Anders, Terence, Cherry, Nicole, Nell and Richard.
Lastly, I've got many friends and colleagues to thank for, especially the moms who were most helpful in answering my SMSes and IMs with advices and assurances for this new mother. There are so many of you and at the risk of leaving out any names, I'm just going to leave it as that. You know who you are :)
So, thank you very much, xie xie ni, terimah kaseh, je vous merci and muchos gracias :)
I remembered very clearly and am ever thankful up till now for what she told me. She shared that it takes time and reminded me that the body is still recovering from the delivery, hormonal changes, as well as the fact that I could be going through some small amount of post natal blues. But, she also assured me that things would get better. It was the same with her too when she delivered both her kids, the 2nd being about 4 months ago. She assured me that one day, I would wake up feeling happy and excited becos I have a baby to play with. Tammy was right!
Throughout the birth of Faith and up until now, there wasn't any doubt that I love my little baby. Nonetheless, I couldn't help the occasional feeling of resentment creeping in. But for the past few days, I've been feeling very positive and happy about motherhood. Perhaps its a combination of a few things.
Firstly, Faith is growing up and developing well both physically and emotionally. She's a happy baby most of the time, especially in the mornings when she would wake up on her own and coo on her own in her cot. Being treated to her innocent smiles when I talk to her just about melt my heart and makes me think that I've got the cutest and greatest kid in the whole world!
Secondly, now that I've changed my own mindset about breastfeeding, Faith seems to have a happier disposition with 2 bottle feedings a day. Overall, she manages to drink more and fusses a little lesser when given the bottle. Now that I do not have to fight and struggle with her so much at feedings, I'm feeling a little more relaxed myself.
Thirdly, and this, I have a lot of people to thank for. I cannot be grateful enough for the support that my mom and in-laws have given to help take care of Faith. My mom would come in on weekdays and "relieve" me in the afternoons and also bottle feed Faith. That gives me some break time and "me time" to blog or even step out of the house to go for lunch. And my MIL and FIL would help to babysit Faith on weekends and public holidays so that Louis and I could have some couple time or run errands. Even with such offers of help, it took me a while to comfortably handover Faith to my mom and in-laws and not let guilt assuage me that I'm not taking care of Faith 24x7 on my own. On this, I have Louis to thank for his gentle persuasion and encouragement that I'm not a bad mom for wanting some personal time of my own. Not forgetting that Louis and I are very appreciative of our extended family members, each of whom have most willingly and happily helped to love and care for Faith in their own ways e.g. Adrian, Astee, Anthea, Anders, Terence, Cherry, Nicole, Nell and Richard.
Lastly, I've got many friends and colleagues to thank for, especially the moms who were most helpful in answering my SMSes and IMs with advices and assurances for this new mother. There are so many of you and at the risk of leaving out any names, I'm just going to leave it as that. You know who you are :)
So, thank you very much, xie xie ni, terimah kaseh, je vous merci and muchos gracias :)
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
Tagged: Meaning of Faith
Actually, I'm still not very sure how this tagging thing works on the blog. Nonetheless, I've been tagged by my SIL on the meaning of Faith's name. Well... would be good if someone can eventually tell me how this tagging thing works on blogs.
Now back to the meaning of Faith's name. From the onstart, Louis and I wanted the name Sara if our kid turns out to be a girl. The reason? We like the sound of Sara. Actually, we wanted our kid's name to reflect characteristics or certain virtues e.g. wise, kind etc. However, we couldn't find out that we liked with the appropriate meaning. Hence, Sara was the name that we stuck with for the longest time even though we know the meaning for it was Princess. At the back of our minds, we wanted to ensure that the Chinese name for a baby girl would reflect the virtues that we have in mind (wisdom, kindness or filial piety). We were most afraid that our kid would turn out to be some spoilt brat.
Since we didn't know the gender of our baby, Louis and I were ploughing through a Baby's name book that a friend gave to us. While we were supposed to look for an equivalent name for a baby boy, we chanced upon the name, Faith. I told Louis that I've always liked the names, Faith and Grace. In particular, Faith. Flipping through the meaning in the book, this was what we came across:
Now back to the meaning of Faith's name. From the onstart, Louis and I wanted the name Sara if our kid turns out to be a girl. The reason? We like the sound of Sara. Actually, we wanted our kid's name to reflect characteristics or certain virtues e.g. wise, kind etc. However, we couldn't find out that we liked with the appropriate meaning. Hence, Sara was the name that we stuck with for the longest time even though we know the meaning for it was Princess. At the back of our minds, we wanted to ensure that the Chinese name for a baby girl would reflect the virtues that we have in mind (wisdom, kindness or filial piety). We were most afraid that our kid would turn out to be some spoilt brat.
Since we didn't know the gender of our baby, Louis and I were ploughing through a Baby's name book that a friend gave to us. While we were supposed to look for an equivalent name for a baby boy, we chanced upon the name, Faith. I told Louis that I've always liked the names, Faith and Grace. In particular, Faith. Flipping through the meaning in the book, this was what we came across:
Louis and I rather liked what we read and since then, the name Faith kinda superceded our earlier choice for Sara. So, there you go. That's how we the name for Faith came about (for more on the meanings of Faith, click here to go to an earlier posting). An interesting little story to share too. When we brought Faith for her routine check up one week after her birth, her paedi remarked that the babies whom he had come across with the same name were usually fiesty little things with a temper to boot. Hmmm... he's somewhat right on that score too ;)"Now Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." Hebrews 11:1 "
Source: Name That Baby
Sunday, May 27, 2007
A weekend to smile about
Eve and I finally caught a show this weekend :) This might not seem like much, but it was our first show after Faith was born and for some time now, Eve has been longing to catch a movie on the big screen. It was opportune because this was a weekend of blockbusters it seems - with Pirates of the Carribean, Spiderman 3 and Priceless show
ing, we had no lack of shows to choose from. In memory of our years in France (and a test of how far we've sunk from our quasi-DELF days), we quickly settled on Priceless starring Audrey Tatou. Add to that, we managed to pull Patrick out after a long hiatus of no-shows and weeekend works to join us - so it was a reunion with a close friend, plus a movie out.
I think over the weeks, Eve and I have now gotten more relaxed about Faith's progress. Next time, we'd take some pictures of ourselves and you can see that we're probably less tired and less stressed out. We just can't wait now for Faith to grow older and be able to interact more with us and the rest of the family. It'd bring its joys and headaches for sure, but oh well, it's all part of the learning journey isn't it?
ing, we had no lack of shows to choose from. In memory of our years in France (and a test of how far we've sunk from our quasi-DELF days), we quickly settled on Priceless starring Audrey Tatou. Add to that, we managed to pull Patrick out after a long hiatus of no-shows and weeekend works to join us - so it was a reunion with a close friend, plus a movie out.On Sunday, we also had a nice relaxed dinner with drinks afterwards with the family. Apart from Terence and Cherry who had to attend a wedding dinner (they seem to be attending lots of wedding dinners these weekends: a sign of where their cohort is), the rest of the family had a nice Chinese dinner with wine, followed by a stroll along the river for drinks at Central. It seems like a long time since Faith had a chance to go out with her cousins so this weekend's family dinner was a much-anticipated one. Dinner was at the Tung Lok restaurant at Liang Court. Given that this was the last day before the restaurant shifted its operations to Central, we were all too glad to catch the restaurant's swan song. After all, Imperial Herbal's standard dropped drastically after it shifted, so here's hoping that Tung Lok would keep its standard at the new place!
I think over the weeks, Eve and I have now gotten more relaxed about Faith's progress. Next time, we'd take some pictures of ourselves and you can see that we're probably less tired and less stressed out. We just can't wait now for Faith to grow older and be able to interact more with us and the rest of the family. It'd bring its joys and headaches for sure, but oh well, it's all part of the learning journey isn't it?
Faith's got mail
Yesterday, a registered parcel arrived for Faith. It was a parcel containing presents from Faith's grand-aunt Catherine, from UK. How exciting!
We eagerly opened the parcel and saw that there were 2 tops, a dress and 4 pairs of socks with cute wordings like "I love mummy", "I love my daddy" and "I love my aunty" and an old picture to boot. Now, why did my Aunty Catherine enclosed an old picture of me in the mail when I was 5 1/2 months old??!!
We'll... she's been reading on our blog that we've been trying to figure out whom Faith most resembles -- Louis or myself. Aunty Catherine, I don't know how in the world did you still have an old picture of me, but I'm sure glad that you did. Becos, Faith does look like me. And its not just the mouth that everyone unanimously agrees with.
Faith would probably be able to fit into her new clothes in another 2-3 months. For grand-aunt Catherine's sake, here's a few latest pix of Faith and also her posing with her new outfits :) Our little girl has been smiling a lot more in response to people talking to her. Its getting to be more fun to talk to her and have her coo back at you or flash you the occassional cheeky grin or wink.
Thanks Aunty Catherine for the presents and the other very generous gift enclosed in the card. We'll be sending you some of Faith's pictures by post to you in the UK. Wouldn't it be great if we could head over to UK within the next 1 year so that you can see your grand-niece up close and personal?
Lots of love
Louis, Eve & Faith
We eagerly opened the parcel and saw that there were 2 tops, a dress and 4 pairs of socks with cute wordings like "I love mummy", "I love my daddy" and "I love my aunty" and an old picture to boot. Now, why did my Aunty Catherine enclosed an old picture of me in the mail when I was 5 1/2 months old??!!
We'll... she's been reading on our blog that we've been trying to figure out whom Faith most resembles -- Louis or myself. Aunty Catherine, I don't know how in the world did you still have an old picture of me, but I'm sure glad that you did. Becos, Faith does look like me. And its not just the mouth that everyone unanimously agrees with.
Faith would probably be able to fit into her new clothes in another 2-3 months. For grand-aunt Catherine's sake, here's a few latest pix of Faith and also her posing with her new outfits :) Our little girl has been smiling a lot more in response to people talking to her. Its getting to be more fun to talk to her and have her coo back at you or flash you the occassional cheeky grin or wink.
Thanks Aunty Catherine for the presents and the other very generous gift enclosed in the card. We'll be sending you some of Faith's pictures by post to you in the UK. Wouldn't it be great if we could head over to UK within the next 1 year so that you can see your grand-niece up close and personal?
Lots of love
Louis, Eve & Faith
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