Aisu
EBM (expressed breast milk) can be frozen. Some have way way way too much and donate to hospitals. Or give to friends with lower supply. My daughter's first taste of breast milk was not mine. From a very sweet mummy friend whose daughter was born on same day but she was overflowing with liquid gold. That same day, my own supply kicked in. 5 days after delivery
Tangerinez
You never demonstrate (your crying) for better effect? Hehe. Well at least now he knows la. These hormones really get our emotions messed up and all over the place!
And don't worry. Every pregnany is diff. Ms
Coraine
Oh no sayang sayang. You know those baby centre weekly updates? I signed my hubby up for them too. For us, we experience the baby everyday, it's very special and real to us. But the hubbies don't get the same feeling so it's sometimes hard for them to feel the excitement. After baby is born then action really starts for them. But if at that stage still iphone addict then er... Bo ueh tang gong (hokkien for "nothing to say")
Mummy gina
I also short tempered. More than usual. My poor #1. But I found something works for me - the more rest I get, the better my temper. Perhaps it's exhaustion that adds on to the quick temper. If possible, try to sleep half to one hour earlier and test it out?
Getting hubby's attention
I remember sticking a post-it pad on my huge belly (#1) with the words "papa, mama needs to talk to you". Got his attention and we both had a good laugh
Re hubby playing games: um mine stopped after baby was born. Also cos he matured la haha. So take heart, maybe he'll be so busy helping u with baby that games will collect dust
Summerbliss
I checked on the exact same questions yesterday with gynae! I was also surprised by my little weight gain. But he said a lot of women actually lose weight in 1st and start to put on only in 4th month or so. Nothing to worry about. Also sharp pains and "tightness feeling" is all due to expanding muscles. All ok. All normal
Yup me. Cutting down on workload. #1 is changing to "real" (3-hour) school instead of childcare so I'll be doing all the ferrying. It's closer to home which is good but that means a 20-min walk compared to a 3 bus stop ride. With #2, I also dunno how. Will be madhouse for sure! But will manage la. Somehow
Talking to baby
I even make "baby's voice" and #1 has conversations with baby! She knows it's me but it cracks her up and she plays along.
Re baby movement vs gas
I think... If movement is not followed by poooooot (you know, the smelly thing), then it should be baby and not gas? Haha.
Staying home more
I just thought I'd share this cos some of you seem to be toying with the idea. This is what we did/are doing, and it's working out so far so good. I'd be lying if I said there've been no sacrifices. But we don't have a car, maid, cable. None of the supposed 5Cs la. So our expenses are relatively manageable.
After #1 was born I still went back to work. But only for a couple of weeks cos our babysitter option didn't work out and we tried having a helper but let her go after 5 weeks. Maybe it was post natal blues or what but I really didn't like having a stranger in my house. We live in a small apartment so bumping into each other was inevitable. My parents are working and in-laws don't live in SG. So I had to resign in a hurry cos there was no other option. We really didn't want infant care.
It was my hardest decision, career wise because I loved my job (I mean really L-O-V-E-D it) and I probably have saboed myself into career suicide. But as a mum, it was my best choice ever. I was a SAHM for 17 months (during which I stumbled a freelance work option and worked while baby slept or during whatever scrap of time I had) and then hubby did SAHD for 6 months between jobs while I started a new FT job.
Worst. Decision. Ever.
But only cos I was in a horrid job with a horrid boss and all colleagues rushing to suck up to this horrid boss. Every other director in that co was nice but I had to get assigned to this particular one. So I lasted 8 months. #1 also started going to childcare around that time (at about 22 months).
Then hubby went back to FT work and I managed to start a small biz based on kids my daughter's age. Purely coincidental and I absolutely love it. Still holding on to that freelance work option on top of that.
But now, new plan is next year, will slow down on the biz and concentrate on freelancing (because the money helps and it also helps maintain some level of sanity).
Based on those I know, and my own experience, staying home is definately a doable option. Belt tightening necessary. And there are sacrifices to make. You might need to be creative about the way you earn your extra dough too but it's all possible if you are willing to explore options.
I just hope that by sharing this, you might somehow see that if you want to, you can do it too. Cos honestly, they can drive you crazy but kids are only young once. If I don't want to spend time with my daughter now, next time when she grows up and doesn't want to spend time with me, I cannot complain.
Wow. My longest post ever!