Character building?

I dropped you in nursery 2 days ago for the first time. Although it was only for an hour, I was so anxious and felt terrible that I could not pick you up because of work. I could not wait to hear the report from nursery and my parents. My heart broke and tears flowed when I heard that you cried till your eyes were red, refused to nap and refused to have formula. How I wish it was me who picked you up, it was me who soothed your crying and it was me who reassured you that you're not being abandoned. I wanted to leave work immediately to go home and see you. Thankfully I could talk to a friend who reassured me that all these feelings were normal and it will be abnormal if you settled into nursery immediately. She confirmed that nursery was a good thing and it will build you into a better kid. Unfortunately you woke up every hour at night.

You went in for a second session today and thankfully things were better. I made sure I dropped you and I picked you up for both our sakes :) There were 12 babies today and you got distracted by them all when I dropped you. There was no crying except for a 'manja' cry when I picked you up. Tomorrow you will have your first meal there. Hopefully you will slowly settle in well. We both have lots to learn. You - to have a set routine, not have your way all the time, be more independant and to learn interaction with other babies. Me - to let go and trust God and others to care for you. We will both become stronger.

Nursery

Although we have paid the deposit for a nursery near our place, the kiasu I made your dad make an appointment to view the nursery in his hospital as the fees there is about half of what we will be paying in the nursery that we have booked. It was reasonable as your daddy will be there for at least 2 years and that nursery is highly recommended. Alas, the waiting list is very long!!

So, next week will see you going into nursery and making a hole in our pockets. Our little hoodie, please don't become a scouser.

Playground

After 'making' us dispose off the coffee table, you proceeded to take over the whole living room and make it your playground with toys constantly all over the place.

You can also sit very steadily now and crawling in your own way. Your latest amusement? Yourself :) We have caught you kissing and licking yourself in the mirror many times.

High chairs

Since you are able to sit on your own, you have sat in many baby chairs. The best one had to be the one with a large pooh behind as you were first scared by it and later amused you throughout dinner. We ate in peace. Maybe this is the one to get for our house.

Outdoor fun

We have tried to spend as much time outdoors as possible coz the weather has been great and your grandparents are here. The initial plan to go to Formby beach was scrapped because it was too far and we ended up in Crosby beach instead. It was good we did not waste time travelling all the way to Formby because we ended up in the car most of the time due to the bitterly cold sea breeze. Coincidentally the last time we were there was when you were about 6 months old in my tummy. Now you have spent 6 months in our world :)

Another weekend was spent in Heaton Park. You were very excited initially and refused your afternoon nap. You went on your first ride on a merry-go-round. But, you did not seem very impressed. Maybe you were too tired by then? Hence, the pitiful cry of sleepiness on the way back to the car.



We walked sefton park quite often, especially if I came back early from work. I am looking forward to the day that I can bring you there to feed the ducks. For now, I am contented to just be pushing you around in your Buzz.

Motherhood vs Career woman

I have returned to work for one week and it has been full of mixed feelings.

It was initially very difficult to leave you in the morning because you have been by my side for the past 6 months and I missed you terribly in the first hour or so. However, work soon absorbed me and I turned into the 'workaholic' mindset and sort of forgot about you until it was time to go home when feelings of missing you returned. I also feel slightly guilty that I enjoy the freedom of eating lunch at peace and can have adult conversations without interruptions :) Stress and pressure at work is not as easily dealt with when tiredness of having disturbed nights overtakes me but you always greet me after work with a big smile and open arms that makes everything better. Thankfully I have the help of my sister and parents and always had good food waiting for us at home.

Life will be challenging when everybody leaves and I have to juggle between giving my best at my career, being a good mother and a loving wife. If only there were more than 24 hours in a day or if I can function without sleep. Going back to work has made me realise that I love my job as much as love being a mother and I strive to excel in both. Thus, my prayer every night is 'Lord, please grant me strength for another brand new day, AMEN'

Indoor activities

In the week before I started work, I decided to bring you to all the activities available in the children's centre as this was probably the last opportunity to do so. So, in one week, you went for an activity a day including the 'kindermusik' class, messy play, softplay and baby swim class.

Although you were a little shocked by the classes as they were quite noisy with lots of babies/toddlers, you enjoyed everything except for the messy play. I suppose stepping in cold and sticky jelly and strawberries' not your cup of tea, and probably a good thing too. I will definitely bring you again to the soft play and sensory room because they open in the evenings but its a pity I can't bring you to anymore 'kindermusik' or swim classes.