Baby Boy or Baby Girl

The issue of the gender of babies goes a long way back. In some cultures, they believe that having a boy will carry on the family line. Some people also believe that it is important to have a balance of boys and girls in the family.

You see, I'm blessed with 2 girls. And I am so glad that I have 2 girls. But somehow, people assume that I might be secretly wishing for a boy. And they are only being nice when they say "It's ok, your next one will be a boy" or "Try for a boy next time round."

Well, here's the big secret: I'm not hoping or wishing for a boy. Not that I have anything against boys. I grew up being the only girl. I had two elder brothers. It's great having brothers. They look out for you and no one dares bully you. But I've always wanted a sister. I wanted someone to share clothes with and share thoughts with. Go shopping together. You don't get these with brothers. So after I had Princess, I really hoped for another girl. Just so that Princess gets to experience sisterhood; one that I never get to experience.

But after having two girls, I'm very comfortable with girls. In fact, if I do want another one, I want a girl again. Not that I'm planning for one. The fact is, the issue of who to take care of the child will come up again. And also, after almost giving birth to Baby in the car, I'm afraid that for the next one, I might give birth in the car or at home!

People don't understand why I do not want a boy. They think I'm hiding behind this lie so as to mask my disappointment of not having a boy. So, I've come up with some reasons why I do not want a boy.

1) I'm very comfortable with girls.

2) I can doll up my girls but not a boy.

3) Reason no. 3 is actually the main reason why I do not want a boy now. It's coz, if I have a boy, then the boy would be lonely as he would be the only boy with 2 elder sisters. Then I would have to try for no. 4 and hope for a boy again. And if I don't have a boy, I would have to try again for no. 5. Coz I would feel guilty for the boy as he would feel what I felt when I was young.

Ok, you might say that I'm thinking too much. Maybe I am. But I just want to be fair for my kids and I want them to be happy. I've tried telling people these reasons but of course, no one believes me. So nowadays, when someone tells me that hopefully my next one will be a boy, I just look at them and smile.

Coz I know, I'm not trying for baby no. 3 anytime soon. The shop is closed...

Time's Up

Days pass by really quickly nowadays. Baby is coming to 1.5mths old. My maternity leave is drawing to close soon. But the more time I spend with my girls, the less excited I feel about going back to work.

I'm 90% sure that I will extend my leave by taking unpaid leave. The 10% that's holding me back is the fact that if I take unpaid leave, I will have to rely on my savings to cover my expenses for the months I'm not working. I know I have to work or earn money somewhere to cover the expenses but I seriously do not know where to start. There's no one to look after Baby if I return to work.

I read somewhere that worries can kill your milk supply but I'm trying hard to be upbeat about things right now.

Meeting Pro-breastfeeding People

We had a family function over at Mom's place yesterday. Got to meet my new little nephew. Last saw him when I gave birth at the hospital. He is so good-looking. He's got dimples and long eyelashes. He's quite tall too. We put him and Baby next to each other. Baby is slightly bigger of course, since she is a full-term baby and nephew was born premature. But he's getting on quite well.

I had a chance to meet people from the extended family who are pro-breastfeeding. It was fun as we were exchanging notes. They made it seem like breastfeeding is a natural thing to do - which of course it is supposed to be. It was so fun. I was never close to them before but having something in common made everything so much easier. Really want to meet up with them again.

Baby Having THE Flu

Urrgghh! Now baby has the flu. Well, according to the PD, baby caught the runny nose first and passed it to Princess who then also developed cough and then Princess probably passed the cough virus to Baby thus now Baby has cough and runny nose. But no fever, thank God.]

It is so sad looking at such a small baby coughing away. I hope she recovers soon. It is especially tiring for me. Now I set reminders to remind me what time to feed who their medication. I feel like I'm falling sick myself but I've got to stay strong for my girls.

I'm so tired. I'm still trying to get used to being a mom of two. It's tough finding time to spend with Princess at times as when we are having fun, Baby wants milk. But Princess has been really understanding. She loves her sister, always kissing her. Calling me to carry her sister whenever Baby is crying.

I love MY GIRLS!!

On Bronchitis & Breastfeeding

I brought Princess to see a pediatrician on Tuesday as any mother would be worried if told that their child has moderate bronchitis and might need to be sent to KKH.

The PD took one look and said that Princess looks active for someone with moderate bronchitis. She then asked me whether Princess was given inhaler/nebuliser when we took her to the GP. We replied she wasn't. Then the PD asked whether she was wheezing when she was at the GP. Again, we replied she wasn't. PD then proceeded to examine Princess. PD then said Princess does not have moderate bronchitis. If any, it appears that she might be having early signs of bronchitis and we shouldn't be too worried. PD also changed the cough mixture since she said Princess had lots of phlegm. This PD that we went to was the one that we always took Princess to before she turned 2.

I was very disappointed with the GP. Actually, when we took Princess to the GP, the tone that I got from the GP was one that was very cold. Like as if he doesn't care much for kids. I bet he does not have any children. He is a total opposite of his colleague (the one we always see). His colleague, Dr Chong, is very fatherly, handles kids well and explains things clearly to us. I know that Dr Chong has a daughter as he once shared with us that he understood how we felt as parents as he is a parent himself. Unfortunately, Dr Chong is not a full-time GP at the clinic and it so happened that the day when we took Princess there, Dr Chong was not around.

Hubby said that he will never again patronize the clinic again. Actually he said this right after Princess had her check-up with the GP as hubby felt that the doctor on duty was very unprofessional.

I'm kind of glad that what Princess has is not as serious as what the GP said but we are still monitoring her and giving her medication as required. So far her fever has broken.

Now on the topic of breastfeeding. Haiz... As I've said, I'm very pro-breastfeeding now since I breastfeed my Baby exclusively. I have nothing against those who give formula to their child coz for Princess, I did that too.

Princess Having Bronchitis

Brought Baby to polyclinic today for jaundice check-up. Jaundice level is down to normal level so Baby need not go for anymore check-ups on bilirubin level.

Brought Princess to a GP today as she was coughing badly and had fever of 39.2 celsius yesterday night. Her usual doctor was not in but another doctor was around to see her. Would prefer her usual doctor actually...

Anyway, the doctor said that Princess had moderate bronchitis and that if her health worsens the next 2-3 days, she needs to be brought to KKH. The doctor prescribed antibiotics, cough syrup, salbutamol and singulair. So far Princess seems alright. She is still very lively but her cough is pretty chesty. I really hope that she'll recover soon.

In the meantime, I'm not allowing Princess to attend childcare as she is not feeling well. This means that I have to take care of Princess and Baby at the same time, without hubby around as he is working. This is the first time after I gave birth to Baby that I'll be taking care of both of them on my own. I'm kind of excited, actually.

Hope that Princess recovers soon. I worry for her.

Pumping enough milk

I always have this worry that I might not be able to express enough milk for Baby. Currently she latches on so she has enough. But when I express milk out, I usually get about 120-140ml in the morning. Thereafter, always left than 50ml.

I've just received my order of the Nursing Tea. Really hope that this can boost my milk supply. I worry that when I return to work, Baby won't have enough. Worry, worry, worry.

Baby's Having A Cold

I think Baby has caught a cold. Possibly from one of the people who came to visit. Actually I kinda know who she could have gotten it from and I'm pissed that some people are so irresponsible. If you are not well or a member of your family is not well then don't visit a newborn. You can visit later. I won't even hold it against you. I can't possibly chase you away, can I? And now poor baby has caught a cold.

I'll be going to see a paediatrician later. It opens at 7.30p.m. I hope Baby feels better soon. So sad seeing her sneezing and such.

As for my previous post on breastfeeding, I've got some answers from the mommoes in MummySG forum. My baby could be going through a growth spurt then coz now she's feeding better. I also learnt that I can burp her in between feeds as she might have a gassy tummy and that is why she keeps wanting to feed.

I am really enjoying my breastfeeding journey so far as I know I'm giving my child the best.