100

A mini gathering at home for baby Ning's 100 days celebration.

Just immediate family members, it was the first time my parents and sibling meet baby Ning post delivery, and also their first visit to CT. Very far, they complained.

And rhe wife's sister baked baby Ning a cute cake!

We catered food, pretty good stuff though slightly on the expensive side, but worth it lah. And got free 'acar'!

Had a quick scare as well, as my dad sneezed onto us when taking a picture - he wasn't feeling well (flu and cough) and was donning a mask all the while except when taking a photo of course and it just had to come then *roll eyes*. I felt some sneeze 'output' landing on my arm, next to baby Ning, hence the scare - quickly wiped her all over with wipes.

Lots of leftover food and without our family members 'tapao-ing' home, we would probably be eating the same food for breakfast, lunch and dinner over the next few days.

I hope baby Ning had a great time.

Food, glorious food

Cute right? Her attention to detail is amazing - drop me a message if you're interested in ordering, will hook you up :)

On a side note, we finally found a nanny of choice, one whom we felt comfortable and confident with - though the first few minutes of our meeting were pretty intense (at least for me as she looked intimidating lols), a recommendation from a friend's nanny, if not mistaken. Experienced, flexible, not too old, taking care of only another kid and less than 10 minutes drive from our home, what more can we ask for. Finally ...

Read More

Story of Ning #15

I suppose this will be the final installment of baby Ning's recovery story.

As she was showing excellent progress, on MAY 18, we decided to discontinue the oxygen feed, ever so reluctantly due to varying concerns. And this decision was followed by long hours of 'monitoring' the monitor, and sleepless nights, especially for the wife, even after continuous reassurance from DC that her breathing is stable now. As days pass, there were times when we 'release' baby Ning from the sensor attachments to let her experience freedom of movement, which we eventually regretted because she start resisting us re-patching the sensor on her. Sigh.

Around end of May, we reduced dependency on the monitoring device and by early June, stopped utilizing the monitor totally as her breathing cycle and depth normalized. At this point, taking care of baby Ning became much, much, much easier as there's less restriction now. Everything, from feeding, to diaper and clothes change, to feeding felt more manageable, no longer having to worry getting her entangled in all the cables and hoses.

But the joy was short lived because around the same time, mother-in-law returned to her hometown (FIL 'bising' liao) and her absence was immediately felt as we had to manage housework on our own now, much more to do. And then, we received news that the wife's aunt volunteered and was travelling over to help out, as temp nanny. We were initially caught by surprised, and was slightly hesitant but eventually relented, thinking we would be able to learn some tips and tricks due to her vast experience in nanny work. 

However, her aunt's stay lasted only 2 weeks, as her coughs and phlegm were becoming unbearable for us, due to concern of baby Ning contracting it, and some other 'issues' in between. In a way, we felt bad for 'engineering' her return, as she was here on good will to ease our burden but baby Ning well-being will always be our top priority.

Seems that this chapter's finally nearing it's closure, as baby Ning's breathing has finally stabilized - verified by DC as well during routine checkups and immunization schedules, devices were returned to the medical company as well as the kindhearted vendor - and our room no longer looking like a makeshift ward. Last but not least, we initiated our search for a nanny considering the wife's extended maternity leave's coming to an end soon and all of us would require some sort of readjustments with these changes, as we also trialed on 'scheduling' her daily activities.

Looking back, these had been difficult times indeed, probably the most draining and exhausting (both mentally and physically) few months I've ever experienced to date. Unable to eat nor sleep well, with most time awake caring or worrying about baby Ning (and the wife), juggling work, family, parents (at one point, dad had to be sent to hospital midnight as he was coughing blood, and was eventually diagnosed with TB and infection) all part of the 'symptoms' being first time parents and all, you know - a first for and of many experiences.

Lost quite a bit of weight as well, couldn't even binge eat - my approach to release the stress. Even when I kept reminding myself to eat, rest and take good care of myself, the priority and focus would always shift to baby Ning - as she had no one else but myself and the wife to rely on for everything. Even during work, she kept appearing in my train of thoughts, shifting my focus to 'Worryland' - hope my boss doesn't come across this.    

Life is unpredictable, no matter how thorough you plan and prepare, something's just meant to be. You may cry all you want, get depressed, blame your self and eventually everyone around you, and maybe even question your faith but after all these outbursts, take a deep breath, get help, seek for advise and take one step at a time while supporting one another. I'm extremely grateful and thankful to our family members (especially the wife's who was with us throughout the whole ordeal), DC for her continuous support, advise and encouragement, all the nurses from both hospitals who cared deeply for baby Ning, A for helping us with the equipment, friends and colleagues for their advise and moral support.

And most importantly, to the wife, who had been through so much pain, anguish and despair these few months and yet, was extremely patient and cared for baby Ning the best you possibly could, to this point when baby Ning is a happy and healthy baby, stay strong, there are still many years of hardship to some *laughs* 

Well, there you go. End of this chapter, with many more stories of baby Ning to come - I honestly hope I can find time to update them here.

Her royal chubbiness, baby Ning

Read More

Story of Ning #14

For the days and weeks to come, it was pure chaos as we adjusted to baby Ning's needs, schedule and tantrums - being first time parents, we were trying to 'follow' what was practiced in the hospital, such as feeding amount and timings, sleeping hours, noting down these figures for reference, etc. which we thought were best for her until advised otherwise (should be more flexible, on demand and not be too strict/rigid on ourselves and her) by siblings and relatives.

At the same time, we started searching for a nanny who fits our criteria, also had to deal with insurance claims, hospital discounts and confinement center refunds, and last but not least, struggling to get an accurate reading from on monitoring device. I suppose it was due to our hesitation to secure it very tightly (as advised by the vendor) around baby Ning's feet, worrying it might affect her blood circulation. 

After days of failure in getting consistent readings, I dismantled one of the sensors and reassembled it solely with medical tapes and voila, accurate, consistent readings and graphs - should have done this earlier! Alas, the joy was short-lived as the sensor malfunctioned after only 3 days of usage, without the original cover to protect the wiring, it snapped from the sensor components. So I dismantled another *laughs* Post medication, baby Ning's reading has shown vast improvements, able to maintain on the high nineties most of the time, regardless during feeding, sleeping or play time. 

With my recovery, I've started leveling up my skills in taking care of baby Ning as well, from carrying (fragile little one) to milk making and feeding, diaper change (difficulty increases ten fold when it's poo), cleaning and changing, bathing and putting her to sleep. At times, it gets really challenging when baby Ning was feeling groggy, or when I felt groggy during midnight feeds.

May 8 :: Our second visit to the doctor, whom I shall refer to DC henceforth. Similarly, using the more accurate (and trustworthy) device coupled with DC's monitoring, the outcome was positive and encouraging. She felt that baby Ning was ready and no longer need to depend on the oxygen feed, but if we're still concerned, can instead slowly reduce the dependency by scheduling intervals of stop and resume. Finally, progress! Her only caution is to avoid crowded places, to avoid chances of contracting respiratory related diseases as that would result in breathing difficulty for baby Ning.  

That night, after much discussion, we decided for now to stop the oxygen feed during daytime, when we can still monitor closely (so we can resume quickly if required) and resume it at night during our sleep. And as we get more confident (by monitoring her progress), we'll re-look into removing the feed totally. Slow and steady approach. I have to admit, we were pretty paranoid in the initial days, especially when baby Ning inhales deeply *worry* or had noisy breathing *worry* or eat less *worry* or higher/lower than normal temperature *worry* Sometimes, I do wonder how we got through those days without falling into depression due to endless worries

Difficult times ahead. 

Read More