Reflections on year 2009

Counting my blessings for the year

• promotion at work despite the economy being in a recession
• had a smooth pregnancy despite the growing fibroid to the surprise of my gyne
• had a smooth delivery despite having to deliver baby Sophie earlier due to preeclampsia
• made new friends who are fellow mummies for us to exchange stories on sleepless nights, baby's poo , etc..
• love and support from family and friends when the role of being a mummy was sometimes too overwhelming
• supportive and loving hubby who often gets his hands dirty changing the diapers and bathing baby Sophie.

2010 is just a day away... I no longer have the habit of setting new year resolutions anymore. But maybe for this new year I would.

New Year Resolutions for 2010

1. Pick up driving : I really have not been driving for a long long long time. And I have to admit I'm really very put off by driving a manual car. Like it's not hard enough trying to navigate and watch other cars in front of you, beside you and behind you, still got to make sure that I don't press too hard/ too soft on the accelerator, control and switch gear, apply handbrake when going up the slope and then releasing enough to go off...and the last is always the one that makes my heart race, palms sweaty and mind blank! Maybe I should stop having such negative feelings towards it first then I can conqueror whatever feelings to start driving...

2. Be more productive at work: I think that I'm already quite an efficient worker hence the nick name in office - Super Susan *wink*. But now that I have to spend about an hour to pump (30 mins each time), that easily shortens my day and I have to be less "engaged" with the gossip in the office and work faster. And after work, I have to pick up Sophie from the infant care so I cant work OT anymore. And did I also mention that the new boss seems like a slave driver too :P


3. Have more me time : As a mummy, I don't have my own life anymore as everything revolves around Sophie esp after work and on the weekends. Sometimes all I wish for is some time to sleep in, hubby to do some of the housework so that I can read a magazine or a book, go for a nice massage, go out with friends and more than anything spend time with the hubby and not have any baby related conversations. Yes, and not feel guilty that I'm having time for myself too.

I think the list will be more than just these 3 items. But I'll add them as they come to mind before the clock strikes 12 to 2010!

My breastfeeding journey

First week back at work and I'm already down with a flu *sniff sniff* Alexis too has fallen ill, so the flu bug is definitely in the air at home. Hopes that Sophie will be strong enough to withstand the virus flying around the house else we will have to keep her away from the infant care centre. Heard that man babies are also sick, hence the near empty state when I visited Sophie today. Another reason why I plan to continue to breastfeed her so that she will have my anti-bodies now that I'm ill.

Although I am proud that I have successfully breastfeed Sophie for the past 4 months, the journey for breastfeeding has not been an easy one. The first few days in the hospital, the nurses and my mom were so insistent that I should feed Sophie with formula. But I was stubborn and refused and insisted that all babies have enough reserve since most mummies milk supply don't kick in until the 3rd day or so. And on the 3rd day,it was a great encouragement to hear the nurse comment that the milk I've expressed is actually quite a lot. So I persisted and persisted. Persisted through cracked nipples, bleeding nipples, engorgement, leaking nipples, nipple being bitten by Sophie. Such is a mother's sacrifice just to give the best to my baby. Of course, nothing beats the bonding that I enjoy with her while breastfeeding her. Knowing that she is nourished and also connected to me in such a special way.

Of course the plus point is that breastfeeding burns calories, so that allows me to still eat and not put on too much weight. But cant say much about losing all the pregnancy weight. I suspect, it may take a few more months for all the weight to be lost by the way I'm still eating now. But the downside is that I still have to watch my diet in case it gives Sophie tummy upset. Now I'm a bit more relaxed and will have my daily dose of coffee and even have spicy food like tom yum occasionally.

Well hope that I can continue to give Sophie mama's milk for as long as possible but also gotta see if I can keep up with all the pumping at work. It's such a chore sometimes, having to run away from work and pump and be stressed that the boss may not be happy about it.So conclusion: On a best effort basis :)