2 weeks, 3 cities, 3 weddings

Hi Darlings,

I know I've neglected this blog for the longest time. I'm giving it a faint try to relive the blog. But everytime I try to blog, there must be some craps *aherm...pardon* that happened (Mobile blog refused to save, baby fell sick, mad tired, my laptop died on me, list go on and on...) which stopped me to do so. But this time I told myself to brave it and to update as soon as I have the chance. It is a game on.

So, my most anticipated weeks of the year 2012 had passed. It was end of Sep to early Oct 2012. They were wedding weeks and for the bonus, I got to travel to attend the weddings. Hear me? It was HOLIDAY! (Theoretically it was, but bringing baby to travel along is not so much of Holiday definition)

In short, there were 3 weddings to attend. Started with Mery's wedding in Singapore on 30th Sep 2012. Followed by Ling's wedding in Jakarta on 7th Oct 2012. And lastly, Agnes's wedding in Bali on 9th Oct 2012. (YES, are my friends cool or what? They somehow, magically arrange their weddings to be so conveniently dated for me to wedding-hop from one wedding to another)

So the journey itself instantly added my miles accrual pretty fast. There were total 6 legs!!


Little Town -> Jakarta (For 1 night transit) -> Singapore (To attend Mery's wedding) -> Jakarta (To attend Ling's wedding) -> Bali  (To attend Agnes's wedding) -> Jakarta -> Little town

And now I'm back to the reality and will soon update the trips in details. Note to myself: Bali Trip comes first!

Till then, squeeze!!!!
Jumpbeemama

Review: Milk Bottle Nuk vs Playtex vs Tommee

Hi everyone!
It's been a long hiatus since my last entry. Pardon this new mommy as mommy's duty is no joke at all. Sleep deprived, and overweight are my current problems and I'm still working on it.

Today I'm gonna talk about perfect milk bottle!!! Recently, I developed an obsession in buying milk bottle for baby Edward. Spending times in baby department has beaten my previous interest in fashion or so, and getting the perfect milk bottle has been on top of the chart.

Up to date, Edward has been only using 3 milk bottle brands (only...?), which are Nuk, Playtex, and Tommee Tippee. And the billboard gonna be:

Best for:
Newborn-6 months: Playtex Ventaire
6 months onwards: Tommee Tippee (Breastfeeding baby) / Nuk wide neck bottle


1. Playtex Ventaire

I came across this brand when I was still pregnant with Edward. Was flipping some British Motherhood magazine which recommended this product as a colic reducer bottle. We didn't use this bottle until the second month when I got the chance to shop. I got one at Takashimaya and came back for another 5 after using it.

Pro: The bottle comes with a genius design like below. I have problems describing it in words.

Images from ToysRUs

I think it really reduces the colic problem in newborn. As we know, most newborn has burping problem. With bottle that allows more inflow air, the higher chance colic problem will come in the middle of the night. But eversince we use Playtex Ventaire, we realize sudden decrease of burping needed on Edward and lesser fussy times for him too.

Cons: Limited choice at Takashimaya. In addition, the 3 different parts make it 2 times more hassle in washing the bottles. And when baby screamed for milk, it takes longer time for us to prepare because we have to assemble the bottle parts ...So if you have to master the art of crying music in order to use this bottle :)

Tips: Get the crystal clear series. It's beautiful and easier to clean. :)

Will I recommend this product? Absolutely yes for newborn especially.


2. Tommee Tippee

I've heard many raves on TT bottles but at that point in time, I was pretty happy with Playtex bottles up until Edward was 5 months old and my itchy back turned me to invest on 1st TT bottle. Turned out that Edward loves the bottle so much that makes me loving it too. The fact that it has extra wide neck makes washing it a breeze task and the ultra soft teats are supposed to replicate mother's nipples. They are available in 4 teat flows:
Slow for newborn. Medium for 3mths+. Fast flow for 6mths+. And varies flow for 0mths+.

Will I recommend this bottle? ÝES. If you are breastfeeding and switching to bottles, plus your baby has no colic or reflux problems.


3. Nuk
This is the first brand that was introduced to Edward. On the 2nd week of breastfeeding, I had sore nipples due to poor latching and had no choice but sourcing it to bottle feeding. I was told that Nuk has the best nipples for newborn and I personally think it was just alright. Maybe it's because Edward sucks very well, hence the standard nipple was usually almost all into his mouth.

I stopped using Nuk up until we got him the wide neck bottles. But honestly, I dont find any special factor to make this bottle 'a must have'.

Will I recommend this bottle? Probably only if you have hard time buying other brands because this brand is easily found in major supermarket unlike TT or Playtex.

That's my review and happy bottle hunting,mamas!

Signing out,
Jumpbeemama

Pregnancy 1: Edward's Arrival

After 37.5 weeks being pregnant, there was one thing I wanted badly, was to be un-pregnant ASAP. The pressure on the pelvic, the trouble sleeping, the backache, and many more had my pregnancy physically unpleasant and worrying.

Baby's initial estimated due date was 2nd november, however doctor diagnosed me with short cervix, which means I wouldn't be able to make it full term to the date (last post: preterm labor threat) Therefore, hubby flew in early to anticipate earlier labor than the estimated date. So here we were waited and waited on week 36 onwards for his arrival with the help of tons of medicine and hormone injections.

After waited for a week or so, all of us (inclusive my family) were getting impatient and over anxious for baby arrival. Many suggested me to walk more to induce the labor naturally. Some readings suggested yoga. Some even said eating spicy food may help. So out of desperation & over-anxiety, I did try all the above mentioned.

Saturday, 15 Oct 2011

I was silently wishing that baby might be out on that day because 15 is always special day for both hubby and me. My mom suggested us to go to temple and pray for smooth delivery. We went and I was joking about how I will give birth the day after because the Goddess of Mercy had heard my prayers.

When dinner time arrived, hubby suggested me to walk the long way to our dinner place. May I add, the long way is also an incline pathway for disabled or cycles. It's a long slow walk but it sure triggered the contraction the day after

Sunday, 16 Oct 2011

I can still remember vividly every single details of the day. I woke up around 0730 and found that my water might have  broken. I was hesitating if I should wake hubby up because I was unsure if it's the case. Finally, I woke him up and he was surprised cum unprepared for the morning news.

Pain level: 1/10

We rushed to TMC immediately with my mom and younger sister too. I was still bubbly, goofy and excited about the labor. We bumped into Lilian, a lactation consultant whom my elder sister always brag about. She wished me smooth delivery and there we off to the admission counter. As of then, I could feel the water stream was getting stronger. Pain level: 2/10

We were then told to proceed to labour ward. And coincidentally my gynae Dr. W.K. Tan was also there, perhaps there was another mother delivering too under her care. 16 Oct must be a hot date for delivery. The observation room was actually full house. There was no bed for me! Dr. W.K Tan swiftly asked one of the nurse to guide me to delivery room. So, I wasn't kept at the cramped observation room for waiting. Instead, I was placed at a spacious delivery room to wait for full dilation.

Doctor then checked my dilation, and informed I was actually 1.5cm dilated. She was pretty sure that I should be able to deliver before dinner (another 8hours to go). At that point of time, pain was minimum and bearable. I was texting friends, joked around with my nervous hubby.

Pain level: 3/10

At noon time, a sharp continuous pain started to attack. A severe menstrual cramp like. And I know this was going to get crazier. Nurse informed me that I was 5cm dilated. I shouted for epidural after laughing gas failed to comfort me

Pain level: 100/10

By the time the anaesthetist came, the pain was intense. Honestly, I just wanted the needle to go in fast and end the pain. The pain level was 1000/10, but when the epidural went in,... It is all fine! Happidural as the nurse said

At 1600, I was fully dilated. After pushing for an hour, doctor finally vacuumed baby out of me and baby Edward was born.

I can remember vividly Edward's look and cry when he was just born. Couldn't help myself but crying for the happiness too. He was a tiny baby but cried loudly.

Was eversince blessed with his arrival and enjoying watching him grow up.

That's how God send me my little angel