PD

Mummy decide to bring Zethan to the PD on Mon (24th) as she's worried about his feedings decline as well as the 2 white spots/lumps observed on Zethan left gum.

without appointment, the wait is going to be terrible and to make matter worst, it's a Mon night! due to the swine flu precaution, waiting area in the clinic is moved to the corridor which is bad since it's rather warm. We registered and decide to go for our dinner since it's not a good idea to be among coughing and feverish kids.

daddy received a call from them after our dinner but Zethan is having his milk (without much success). He refuse to drink his milk for almost like 7 hours and yet subsequent feed only down 70ml.

this trip to PD wasn't vey fruitful and conclusive as the PD did not address my query on the white lumps on his gum despite repeatedly posing the question. He only attribute it to probable teething which should sprout around 6th mth. But initial teething should be the front lower incisor which does little to explain the spots on the left side of his gum.

He agree that his milk intake is a little too low and asked about his poo and urine patterns. Suggested that we can try to switch formula if drinking more water doesn't help to alleviate his hard initial poo issue. Zethan love to use force while peeing which PD asked if he is 'shooting' properly. A tough question to answer since when he pee, it's hardly visible behind the diaper. Anyhow his advice is if the teething gel doesn't help resulting in increasing his milk intake to close to 800ml, we would have to come by for a review and urine test for UTI (which can be asymptomatic).

As of now, his total milk intake is still fluctuating between 600 - 750ml thus perhaps will monitor for a few more days before deciding the next course of action!

haiz, worrying!

New Toy

A new toy ~ Fisher Price Jumperoo for Zethan which can be considered as a little gift for his 4 monthsary.

1st try, he started wailing after 1 min or so, guess could be due to the fact he has just awoken from his sleep.

2nd try, appear blur but after warming up, getting the hang of twilling around slightly and jumping around. Need more practise ~ practise make perfect!


evidence of twilling from front to side, all by himself

short attention span - decide he had enough, 15 mins later playing with saliva

droolz and calling out for rescue

To mummy's surprise, daddy commented that this is a good investment upon seeing how Zethan is enjoying himself.

Milestone

Zethan did his 1st flip from back to tummy on 23 May 2009. As the video clip is unable to be uploaded due to the large file size thus a subsequent clip can be seen here.

After 1st successful flip, frustrated that he can't flip again, losing the technique perhaps.

1st Cereal

Zethan had his 1st taste of cereal today @ 4 months 8 days.

Mummy mixed 2 spoonful (FM spoon) of Healthy Times Organic Brown Rice Cereal (original form is flakey) with about 20ml of milk for a just right texture.

Overall, Zethan did well in his 1st attempt at semi solids and appear to enjoy it with a fair share of swallowing and spitting, not exactly a very messy event!

1st Flip

Zethan flipped from his tummy to his back for the 1st time today during his tummy time.

Mummy is really elated to be around to share this milestone of Zethan's.

It's a shame mummy did not manage to video it down for memories sake.

Mummy try her luck by placing Zethan on his tummy again hoping that Zethan will flipped again but no luck so far. Shall attempt to catch it on video again.

'Skills'

Zethan has not been putting on weight for the past weeks due to the flu saga coupled with the recent vaccination, still remain at 7.6kg. Guess there isn't much of a concern since it should be a passing phrase, hopefully though.

Going for dinner on Mother's day (no celebration)

Zethan has accquired new skills which could be irritating yet funny depending on how you look at it. He loved to play with his bottle's teat while feeding either pushing around with his tongue, opening his mouth big without suckling or nibbling at the teat which is not very efficient in polishing his milk. It's such a challenge to feed since one would have to overcome the tricks he is coming up with and not to forget an hour spent on coaxing for him to finish his milk which might not happen at all times. He even mastered the skill to brush away his milk bottle which sent the milk bottle flying if caught unaware!

Another newly accquired skill which get on mummy's nerve; Zethan love to play with his saliva. Either he go boo boo spitting his saliva or blowing bubbles which both end up in drooling. What is worst being he love to feast on his fingers and fist and subsequently rub his eyes and face coating the whole face with his saliva!

Zethan tend to fuss when past his usual nap timing. He have to return to nap not longer than 1.5hrs upon waking otherwise resort to screaming and yelling. On the average he is still having cat naps for like 30 mins to an hour in the noon based on every 3 hours interval.

see how Zethan enjoy life; "kiao kar"

Zethan's 1st attempt in Bumbo seat

Worried

lil guy went for his vaccinations on mon noon. develop fever in the night, fluctuating between 37.7 - 37.9. mummy knew it coming as he did have fever for 1st dose as well.

sponge him and continue to monitor the whole night. It was tiring for mummy as she is concerned over the fever thus ask grandma to have her sleep while she monitor Zethan till 6.30am, going to bed when the temp is back to normal. The following day the fever return and fluctuate again thus after discussing with grandma, decide to give paracatemol and monitor which it return back to normal in the noon time.

His total feeds reduced from about 900ml to the current 700ml with much efforts in coaxing to achieve that. Feeds lengthen from the usual 20mins to finish till the current 1hr or more.

Now the thing is, it had been almost like 5 days since his vaccinations. For the intial few days, mummy though that it is not unusual for him to fuss over feeds and see a reduction as well. However just an hour ago, he scream and yell (very high pitch), coupled with super red face and big drops of tears before and amid feed. This is in particular when he's held lying down in the arms and automatically all actions will be activated!

Mummy is concerned if this is the post jabs usual symptoms or could it be tell tale signs that something is not right? Mummy is contemplating another trip to the PD again...

Vaccination

11 May 2009 (17th day of 4th month ~ Lunar Calendar)

Zethan went for his 2nd dose of 6in1 and 1st dose of rotarix on his 4 month~sary (Lunar). Intended to go in the late morning but mummy decide not to disturb Zethan as well as grandma who was sleeping soundly till 10+am, thus had to set off in the noon instead as the clinic is due to close for lunch at 12.30pm.

Feeding Zethan took about an hour (recent 'trend') and after bathing, just about time for daddy to pick all up. Had lunch at Sun Plaza and Zethan is due for his milk time again so spend another 40mins feeding again. There was quite a crowd at the clinic and mummy decide to come back 30 mins later after handing over the health booklet (due to the swine flu + lots of coughing patients around).

As requested, Dr Wong did the 3-4 months assessment for Zethan. He weighs 7.6kg and measures 66cm in height. No signs of rejecting 'strangers' shown by Zethan although he stare at Dr Wong amidst the assessment. Mummy, grandma and Zethan was startled when Dr Wong 'sit' Zethan 45 degree on the examination couch and allow him 'free fall' backwards. Of couse he did break his fall and catch him. Apparently it was supposed to be testing for baby's reflex but was quite a heart dropping experience for 1st time mummy.

Next, to start off with 1st dose of Rotarix which made Zethan squirm a wee bit.

followed by the 2nd dose of 6in1 which Zethan wail for like few seconds before being pacified with his pacifier. He was a little grouchy as he missed his afternoon nap which is crucial in determine his mood.

Zethan's 17th week

mummy's little guy weighs abt 7.6kg and has outgrown his diapers to the current size L for Fitti and size M for Mamy Poko which is barely wearable due to his thunderous thighs and humogous bum.

He has outgrown most of his clothings too thus facing wardrobe crisis but mummy and grandma came to his rescue by buying more than $80 worth of basic homewear alone.

more yelling, chuckling, giggling observed especially when he's in his playful mood. Displayed his patience by looking at you with his innocent smiley face untill one play and talk to him. weird enough, once the camera is spotted by him, he 'froze' and show an irriated face thus capturing nice and smiley photos of him remain as a tall order!

started him again with the remaining frozen EBM which he is violently rejecting thus it's such a challenge to coax him into finishing it which most of the time it's merely 100ml from the usual 150ml FM. Thinking it will be really wasteful to throw them down the sink especially when it's "while stock last" so got to work harder to coax him to accept it.

with the EBM saga Zethan is in, somehow his overall milk intake heading south once again. uncertain if it's the aftermath of rejecting EBM thus 'protesting' even with FM. feeding him can range from like 30mins (considered one of the fastest) to an hour yet only managed 130ml on the average compared to the supposedly norm of 150ml. daily consumption can add to barely 800ml most of the days which got mummy concerned, shall check it out with the doctor during the upcoming 2nd dose of 6in1.

Zethan's sleep posture is getting from bad to worst by the days. regardless of in his cot or on our bed, he can end up doing a 180 degrees turn. mummy was awaken on sat morning by his 'cries for help'; apparently he 'moved' himself to the far end of the his cot (above his head). if not for the cot bumper, most probably he would have bump his head.

in a matter of minutes from smiley to frowning to lala land

one of the newly accquired 'skill'; look at his mouth!

cutie pie in his swing bed bought from Taka Baby Fair

Zethan's 16th week

Zethan put on 300g in a week after recovery and weigh 7.3kg (self weighing at home thus might not be very accurate)

mummy did not take many photos of Zethan this week as her digital camera is showing signs of reaching the end of its life span. (never ever buy Casio, same problem occur after repair about a year back)

mummy and grandma is trying to increase his total feeds to about 900ml from the 700ml when he's unwell. Generally he feeds about 6-7 feeds a day with an average of 150ml though he don't finish his feeds all the time. Progress to upgrade his teats to Mas he's taking a long time to finish his milk but still in the progress of getting used to it.

Zethan have been under house arrest for close to a month initially because he's unwell and just when he has recovered, there come the Swine Flu! Mummy is a little paranoid as she need to visit hospitals in the course of her work thus she try to make a mental note to bath and wash hair before approaching Zethan. Imagine she bathe like 3 times a day!

The only day Zethan went for his outing is the day mummy went to collect her red liability in red. Mummy wish for Zethan to be one of the 1st passenger beside daddy thus he came along. After which we went to pick grandma up and have our dinner @ Vivocity before heading home.

In the old ride

@ Vivocity nursing room

Mummy and Zethan with her new ride

Zethan is very playful these days and advanced from cooing to yelling, screaming and chuckling out loud. Dislike being alone so will 'called out loud' to ensure somebody is around to accompany and chat with him. Discovery of his tongue leads him to sticking it out or rolling it in his mouth. blowing bubbles too! Sucks his mittens till totally soaked through otherwise enjoy sucking on his fingers and fist resulting in loud suckling noise. He master another skill - using his hands to shove away his milk bottle so feeding can be rather challenging.

mummy bought this romper during her recent biz trip

Breastfeeding

mummy 'officially' throw in the towel and decide to call it quits at the end of 14th weeks.

She struggled big time before arriving at this decision as it's not going to be reversible and she has been feeling half hearted for more than 2 weeks.

The journey of breastfeeding for mummy had been a really eventful one, full of twists and turns. Her milk flow came in on the 3rd day (when Zethan can't be discharged together with mummy due to jaundice which occur only on the 3rd day!). She leaked and is expressing like 60ml which is reasonably good. However she had sore and bleeding nipples after latching Zethan on the 4th day resulting in engorgement as the pain is to great even for manual expressing. Coupled with flu, her milk supply headed all the way south!

Mummy tried very hard to work back the supply but guess she did not express diligently for the initial period post engorgement thus her supply is very pathetic which is partially the reason why she chose to give up breastfeeding. The most effective way of building supply being latching is not possible here as Zethan simply refuse to latch. Of course the other factors include logistic issue after returning to work and she hope to spend quality time with Zethan since she see lesser of Zethan. The low supply does not justify the hassle to continue as Zethan is feeding like 140ml so 4 pumps a day can only provide for about 2 feeds.

She is feeling extremely guilty about not being to provide the essence to Zethan. Technically speaking, although she only stopped at 14th week but as Zethan is not on total breastfeeding, he is given BM about 3 feed maximum a day thus working out to about TBF for 7 weeks only!

Currently there are still about 15 feeds of frozen BM in the fridge for him. He has not been fed on BM for a while when aid recovery from his flu as it was noted that he tend to regurgitate BM over FM.

The last pump.....till the next (read as next pregnancy)