Reminiscense part 3 - Babywearing

This is just to remember the first year when I was forever carrying Sean. During the first year, I went everywhere carrying Sean in a sling, but I have so few photos (and not of good quality) to remember about it because hubby never took photos unless I asked. =(


This was when Sean was 4 months old at Christmas time.
I made a simple baby sling with a cute Mango candy striped beach sarong. This was my favourite sling. The material was comfy and it was easy to put on and take off. The sling can be converted as a blanket (even for me!) or pillow.

Sean was a clingy baby who wanted to be carried everywhere. But I guess it's just the nature of babies to want to be in close contact with their mummies at all times.

I had several people telling me not to make a habit of carrying Sean because it'll be a lot of hard work having to carry him when he gets heavier. But I didn't have the heart to reject him from wanting to be close to me just because I shouldn't make it a habit. My wrists hurt due to the endless pumping during the early months. But I had the sling to assist me, so it was not really a problem as Sean got bigger and heavier.


When Sean was 3 months old, I slipped down the stairs while carrying him. It was my fault.. I was sleepy and my pants were too long. I think I slipped on the cuffs of my pants. Luckily we were both alright. But after that I had a phobia about going down the stairs with Sean. So I made sure that I carry him in the sling and always have myhand on the stair railing when going up and down the stairs since then.

My hubby is still traumatized over that fall. Every single day when I bring Sean down, he will ask if I'm wearing the sling and if I was awake enough to carry Sean down the stairs. Even now when my wrists no longer hurt and I can carry Sean down confidently, he still asks every morning.
The sling has been very useful. At one stage, Sean needed to be rocked and carried to sleep.I would put him in the sling and walked around until he falls asleep. I can do things at the same time too.






When Sean was 10 months old, he wanted to push the pram even when he still couldn't walk.






We had no maid for 2 months, so I had to carry Sean to do household chores. Sean was still crawling and since I didn't want to leave him alone, I carried him all about the house. By then I had bought the heavy duty Ergo sling since Sean was already 12 kg.



Now that Sean is bigger and can hold on to me while being carried, I don't use the sling anymore. Somehow he feels lighter now. But I still bring the Ergo sling along when I go to the library . Put him into the backpack position and then I can browse for books in peace without having to worry if he was tearing any books apart.

Tennis Balls and Stacking Cups

Sometimes anything can become the best toy that satisfy a curious toddler. One rainy a few weeks ago, Sean picked up a case of tennis balls and proceeded to play quietly and happily with his stacking cups in the corner of the room. He first tried to put the balls into the different size cups. Then he poured the tennis balls to and fro the containers and cups. I think it was one of the best rainy afternoon ever.

Sometimes I wonder if we should spend so much money on toys. I think it's us parents who are attracted by all the amazing toys available at the shop. Toddlers are happy enough to make do with whatever available around them.

Stickeriffic!

Sean's latest obsession, other than going out (which I truly believe will be a long-life obsession) is stickers. He loves peeling them off and sticking them somewhere (even his own face!), then peeling them off again. Our room is covered in stickers, the door, the floor, the bed, etc.

I've bought him cheap stickers from pasar malam. After all, the stickers end up being torn apart when he tries to peel them. It's just fun playing stickers with him. Sometimes I'll peel the stickers halfway for him so it's easy for him to pick them up. He'll then go about sticking them somewhere. What's funny is that he likes putting them on his face too. It's probably because I stick stickers on him to tease him sometimes =D.

Nen-Nen

A funny thing happens when you breastfeed your baby. Your breasts are no longer your own. In my case, they belong to Sean. In other words, they are his 'nen-nen'.

When Sean was young, I was forever offering him the breasts, either it's because I think he's hungry or I think he needs comfort. Breasts are useful things to have. Not only they produce fresh milk for your little darling, they're a source of comfort to him. When he falls while learning to walk, I offer the breasts and soon his cries dies down and he happily enjoys his nen-nen.

They're even a source of entertainment =D... When he's bored, he pokes at them.. Ok...not all the time, he still prefers my squishy tummy for entertainment. The tummy makes ruder noises when he blows them! LOL =P

Recently, my cleavage has another function. It has become Sean's pocket! He's shoved face towels, tissue, papers, stickers, even books and CDs into my singlet!

As he grows older, it's going to be rather embarrassing in public the way he indifferently treat my cleavage as his personal thirst quencher and pocket. Now he knows how to ask to nurse when he's thirsty or hungry. He'll pull at or put his hands into my t-shirt when he wants nen-nen and says 'ne-ne'.

So I've been contemplating about weaning him and starting him on formula. So earlier today I made a bottle and offered it to him. He took a sip, made a face, retreat to his corner (he was playing by himself) and said 'nye-nye-nye' (not sure what he meant, but probably 'don't like'). I kept offering him the bottle and entreat him to try some more. He threw a major tantrum and refused to stop until I asked hubby to put away the bottle and offer him his nen-nen. Tantrums stopped and he happily sucked away into blissful sleep. He was probably sleepy and it wasn't the right time to introduce the formula.

I'm still not decided whether or not it's a good idea to wean him or let him wean himself as he grows older. I wonder how long it'll take for him to wean himself?

Sean's new Blog

Sean has a new blog address:
http://seangabrielwee.blogspot.com/

I didn't want to usurp hubby's role as the voice behind Sean's old blog, so I've been bugging him to update Sean's blog. The blog is written from Sean's point of view (or rather his daddy's point of view) =P

On a hot day

It was really hot this afternoon. Sean, as usual, wanted to get out of the house. So we went to the garden and tried to play in the shade. It was so hot that I wilted just standing in the hot sun. I even tried to liven up the afternoon with playing with Ussop the rabbit. We picked some Basil leaves from the garden to feed Ussop. Even the rabbit felt to hot to chew. He refused to open his mouth!

We usually play with a water hose on hot days, but today was so hot that I was afraid that the water from the hose was too hot for Sean. So we came back inside and I shaved some ice for Sean to play with. Sean can usually play with ice and water for hours. I put the shaved ice in colorful cups and bowls. I give him a few spoons and he'll scoop the ice back and forth, usually wetting himself thoroughly and enjoying himself very much.

But the heat was still too uncomfortable, so we retreated into the cool air-con room and play some music while Sean play with his favorite box. Carrying it here and there, turning it upside down and spilling its contents everywhere.

I'm glad to say that it cooled down considerably in the evening. So we went back to the garden and played a bit of ball. I kicked the ball....Sean was just happy to be able to run about....

Period

My period has shown itself again today, exactly 16 and 1/2 months since Sean was born. I read that breastfeeding was a form of natural contraceptive and was rather skeptical about it before. When Sean was born and I started breastfeeding, it really didn't come. It was bliss not to bother about the old period while having to cope with breastfeeding.

As months came and gone, it still didn't come. I wondered how long it would last. This month I suspected that it was coming back since I thought I ovulated.. and true enough it came back! Bye bye period free days...I shall miss you....