Pacifier - Boon or Bane?

18 months & 5 days old.....

Since the previous post, there was no improvement in Ethan's chewing habit. He has punctured another 2 pacifiers and I bought another one last night. Since it's (very likely that this is) due to teething, there's nothing much I can do to prevent him from chewing on things. I just try to limit him from sucking the pacifier but when he cries, I would normally give in. His cries drive me nuts especially at night. Since he only want his pacifier when he sleeps, I think it's not that bad lar. The only thing is I have to keep on checking his pacifier to detect the tiny holes.

Last night, he woke up for milk and had difficulties getting back to sleep. Normally, I would just give him the pacifier and leave him alone. But last night, I slept with him and pat him back to sleep without giving him the pacifier. It worked. Guess I just need more perseverance.

This time, I kept the the punctured pacifiers and did a little test on them. I tore it apart with my bare hands and it's as easy as tearing up a sachet of Mc Donald's chili sauce. It's that easy. The hole (yes, only 1 hole) on the pacifier were very tiny, like only 1-2 mm in diametre. This tiny little hole can cause disaster if we are not careful. To all parents out there, please check on your kid's pacifier for this little hole. You have to pull on it in order to see the little hole because it's hard to see with our naked eyes.

This is the result of my little experiment.

See the danger? What if the tiny part come off while our kids are
sucking the punctured pacifier? The one on the left was
Ethan's old pacifier, which I kept as spare. The other one was
courtesy of my sister as Ethan punctured his pacifier at my mum's
house the other day and I did not bring extra one.

'Pokai' Month

18 months & 1 day old.....

First of all, I got 4 wedding invitations in December. Ouch! Big hole in my pocket. And then, Ethan's chewing habit made the hole even bigger. In the last 4 weeks or so, Ethan had destroyed 5 pacifiers (it's 5 ok) and 2 teats for the milk bottle. I suspect it's the work of the two cuspid.

He has been using the variable flow teat from Avent since he was 3-4 months old. I normally get my friend's help to buy it for me from Singapore. I paid only half of the price here. Luckily, if not more 'pokai'. I normally change the teat after 6 months of use or when it turned matt/dull. Now Ethan seems to expedite the process by puncturing them. Sigh......

Too bad I didn't take photos of the spoilt teat and pacifiers because I was so horrified and I dumped them into the dustbin straight away. I'm scared that he will swallow the torn portion and choke himself. I still remember the incident when a 1-year-old-plus toddler died because he was choked by a pacifier.

I have been thinking of a solution because I cannot be replacing the teats and pacifiers at this pace. For the teats, I will replace it with the soft spout. I think (and I hope) he will not be able to puncture it. My sister gave me a soft spout and a handle (like the photos below) when Ethan was born. The two things can be used with Avent's milk bottle and it functions like a trainer cup. I let Ethan used them when he drinks water but when he started using drinking cup (with straw) few months back, I put them aside. It's high time now to switch him to trainer cup for milk.

For pacifier, I'm giving him the old one, which I kept for emergencies (like now lar!). At the same time, I try to wean him off the dummy. Actually, he has been taking his afternoon nap at the day care without pacifier. But, it's a different story at home. It's already difficult getting him to sleep let alone doing it without a pacifier. I have tried a few times without much success but last night I managed to lull him to sleep without it. Unfortunately, he woke up in the middle of the night looking for his pacifier. Needless to say, I gave in.

(The one in the photo lasted only 2 weeks.)

One, Two or Three?

I'm contended with one, don't mind having two and doubt will have three. The question on 'how many children I want' always lingers in my mind. Until now, I do not have the definite answer. You know, people always ask 'When are you getting the second baby?' or they will tell you 'If you want a second baby, better get it now, don't leave the age gap too big, etc. etc.'. I always tell them 'Not now'.

If I ever want to have a second child, I would want to wait until Ethan is 3, at least. By then, I hope he will be more understanding when it comes to sharing. I miss his babyhood but the thought of having a baby again shudders me. You know, confinement, night feedings, vaccination (which will be followed by fever, most often than not).

For me, the only reason to have a second child is I want my children to have siblings. I have two younger sisters and I think it's a wonderful thing to have siblings. We are very close. We go shopping together and we always share clothes, bags, shoes, until now. My childhood will be very dull without them. I want Ethan to have the same childhood. I don't want to have more children just because I want someone to take care of me when I'm old. Furthermore, I don't want to stay with my daughter-in-law in the future. I bet she will have the same thinking like me now. Hahaha! Nursing homes are so good nowadays. Why worry so much?

Withdrawal to Citibank

It only take ONE day! I thought it will take weeks before I see the money because PayPal says this:

Your request to withdraw funds from your PayPal account to your card ending in xxxx has been received and is in process.

PayPal completes this transfer in 5-7 days, but your card issuer's policies may affect the processing time. For more information, contact your card issuer.

Sincerely,
PayPal

I withdraw the money from PayPal to my Citibank credit card on 12 November. I didn't bother to check my account after that as I thought it will never be done so soon. But when I check my account today, I saw the money has been credited on 13 November! That's fantastic. PayPal charge USD5 for the withdrawal and the exchange rate given by Citibank was 3.35. WOOOOHOO!

Whoaw!

Thanks to babybooned for the Happy Blogging Wish.


Apart from being really happy, I feel so honoured by her comment, which read as follows:

"because hers was the first mummy blog I've ever read (seriously) and reading about Ethan inspired me to start Gibran's blog *huge smile*"

I never thought that my humble little blog (I mean it) will ever, ever... inspire someone to start a blog. I'm contended with a comment or two from my readers. I started the blog to jot down those little yet important memories in raising Ethan as well as my journey in motherhood. Somewhere down the road, I started doing paid post. I want to THANK all my readers who drop by this blog and leave your comments, even thought it's tainted with paid posts :-). No matter how simple or short it is, I treasure it.

Now, I would like to extend this wish to all these mummies and I hope they will never stop blogging:
Sasha - blogosphere will be gloomy without your blablablas
Nadia & Jazzmint - love your scraps a lot
Etc-Mommy & Malaika's Mummy - love to read the notes on your little angels
Darren's Mummy - a totally devoted mother
Judy - thanks for all the help and tips on the paid posts
The New Parent - love your thoughts and tips on parenting

Good News For Baseball Fans

If you are fanatic baseball fans, then you must know Boston Red Sox, also known as 'The Sox'. The professional baseball team, which is based in Boston, Massachusetts had won many leagues in the United States. They are also the reigning World Series Champions. It will be great to watch them play but knowing that it is a famous team, tickets for the games are definitely selling like hot cakes. And, if you don't know, all the home games since 2003 was sold out. So, it is really not easy to get a ticket, let alone picking the seats you want. But everything is made easy now because fans can purchase Boston Red Sox Spring Training tickets online or through a phone call. Payments can be made via credit cards. No queue no hassle.

It Is Not So Tough After All

17 months, 3 weeks & 2 days old.....

Hubby is away for a 2-days/1-night business trip to the Northern states. Last night, me and Ethan slept alone. The last few rounds when hubby was away, I will put up the night at my mum's place. If it happens in between Monday and Wednesday, I have to change the arrangement with the daycare so that Ethan goes there on some other days. I don't feel like changing the schedule this time. So, we stayed at home, without hubby.

At first, the plan was to go home shower and then go out to pack my dinner before picking up Ethan. That was the plan until 5p.m. When I left the office, it was raining cats and dogs! But as I approached my area, the sky was still dark and it wasn't raining yet. I was thinking if I go home first and then go out, I'm sure by that time, it will be raining already. I don't want Ethan to get wet. Furthermore, I don't think I can manage to hold two bags (mine and Ethan's), my dinner, Ethan and an umbrella with my two muscle-less hands.

In the end, I went straight to the daycare and headed straight home. Before I reached the daycare my mind was already thinking on what to eat and how to shower with Ethan around. I don't want the same incident to happen again. To make things simple, we took shower together. No, he did not bang his head this time. I put him on his potty and let him play with the tap while I took my quick shower. First hurdle was completed without much problem.

Then, it's my dinner. What's easier than a pack of instant noodle, right? Since I did not take it often, it's ok to have a pack for dinner. Before that, I fed Ethan yoghurt and gave him cod liver oil. While I ate, Ethan sat on his high chair watching Barney. Gave him biscuits and some toys and my dinner was a bliss.

As usual, I gave him a bottle of milk and tucked him to bed at 8p.m. I fell asleep too in the process but have to force myself up to clean up the mess. The dishes were still in sink and toys all over the living hall. Clothes folded but were left on the sofa. Washed the milk bottle and prepared Ethan's stuff for the next day. Everyday, I pack two sets of clothes, a bottle of water, pacifier and some biscuits for Ethan to bring to the daycare. Like going to school hor?. If he goes to my mum's place, I just bring a pacifier. After finishing the chores, I washed my hair and called it a day.

See, not difficult at all right? The rule of thumb is I must do everything with Ethan by my side within a 1-metre radius. And, I must be visible. If either one of the above rules is not met, he will come running towards me, crying.

Sweet dreams...

This morning, he woke up and said 'Ehhhh daddy eh?'. He searched for a while and I told him 'No daddy, daddy not at home'. He then turned his wrist and said 'uuhh ohhh'. That's the way he says no more/finish.

How To Do It?

If you want to be rich, start a business now. That's a pretty general statement. Like Chinese saying 'one will never be successful or rich by working for someone else'. To me, I think doing business is a huge risk because you need a lot of money to start one. But, things changed. With the advancement of technologies and the development of online business, I think starting a business now is not that difficult after all. The most important thing is to have reliable service providers like web-hosting and shopping cart software.

I have been thinking if I ever start an online business, what would I sell? Hmmm.....the answer is boys clothing. Why? Because boys clothing here, especially for babies, are extremely boring. Colour selection is also limited. You always see 'blue' stuff for boys. Not to mention designs. I see a lot of nice clothing for boys when surfing the net but the shipping fees are exorbitant. Unless you buy a lot, if not it's not going to worth it. Ok, I'm day dreaming again. Where am I going to get the stocks in the first place?

Aunty.....

I was called 'AUNTY' twice in two consecutive days. 'Lei war sei mm sei'. Mind you those two people are not kids. If kids, I don't mind lar. They are in the early twenties or late teen, I guess.

The first time happended on Saturday. I just shrugged it off thinking that I heard it wrongly. But, the second time was loud and clear. I was at Jusco checking out the price of MamyPoko and this sales girl told me there's a discount, etc. etc. I said 'Ok, I will take one packet'. Then right before I leave that place, she said 'AUNTY, CAN YOU FILL UP THIS FORM?'. What the he*k.....If you want to be polite, just call 'MISS' lar. My heart was cursing but still managed to put up a smile and 'guai guai' fill up the bl**dy form. After that, I told hubby, 'She called me AUNTY' wor. No comments from hubby, just a smile.

Want More Money?

If you have a blog and are thinking of making extra income through paid post, you may want to consider bloggerwave. It's one of the easiest way to make money online. If an IT idiot like me can do it, so can you. The good thing about doing paid post is you can choose to write on the subject you want at your convenience. Try it out!

Men and Football

Until now, I don't know what is it with football that men get so excited with. When me and hubby were dating, I used to accompany him to watch football. My eyes will be glued to the t.v. but my mind wandered far far away. I just cannot concentrate on the game. Worst still, I don't know where the ball is most of the time. When he got excited or screamed for goal, my mind will get back to the game hoping to see someone score a goal. After that, I will continue with my day dreaming while hubby still focusing on the game. That's how I watch football, until now (if I ever have the time to sit down in front of the t.v. at night). Anyway, I'm glad that he's only interested in watching football and not football betting. Unlike western countries, I think football betting is illegal here. Not sure about online betting though.

Sun, Sea, Sand & Fun

17 months & 2 weeks old.....

We went for a 3 days/2 nights trip to Kuantan on 2-4 November 2007. It was our first beach holiday with Ethan.

Day 1-Gloomy Sky

We started the journey at around 9.30 a.m. Ethan started fussing and refused to sit in the car seat after 30 minutes or so. I took him out and pat him to sleep. After putting in 30 minutes of efforts, he fell asleep in my arms and I transferred him to the car seat. Phew! I thought we’ll have a peaceful ride for at least another hour. Then, Daddy decided to make a stop in Bentong. That’s barely 15 minutes after he fell asleep! Ethan’s eyes were wide open when the car stopped.

Since Ethan had woke up, we decided to feed him cereal and ate something ourselves. I was so scared of food poisoning but thank goodness we didn’t. We continued our journey and Ethan fell asleep again at around 1p.m until we reached the hotel.

The weather was cloudy and drizzled a little. I like this kind of weather when travelling. After checked in, we rested for a while and I cooked porridge for Ethan. I brought along the slow cooker (borrowed from my sis), rice and pumpkin. But I’ve forgotten to bring a knife to cut the pumpkin. So, I asked the hotel if I can borrow one from them and they offered me a butter knife! Oh well, never mind. Better than using a spoon right?

While waiting for the porridge to cook, we headed to the beach for a stroll. We did not change to swimming suit because it was still drizzling. When, we got down to the beach, Ethan was a bit wary at first. He looked at the beach without much expression. I assumed he’s going to be scared of it. After a while, we sat at the lazy chair and the drizzling stopped. We let him down to explore a little on his own. He walked on the beach and tripped and his hands were full of sands. And…..that’s the moment he fell in love with the sand. Love at first touch! He was afraid of the sea/wave though.

He played with the sand for a while. Then, we decided to change him and let him mess around with the sand. He had a very good time playing with the sand and decided to TASTE them! We quickly carried him to the shower area to wash away the sand and let him play in the pool.

In deep thought....

Exploring....


Love the sand.....

Day 2-Fun, Fun, Fun....

It was a sunny day and we brought Ethan to the beach in the morning after breakfast. This time, I brought along a bottle of water. It proved to be useful coz Ethan rubbed his eyes with a hand full of sand. Again, the sand session had to adjourn and we headed to the pool.

We went back to the room and fed Ethan porridge after shower. He slept at 11a.m. and we thought of going for some seafood after he wakes up. Wait and wait and wait. Finally, he woke up at 2.30p.m. Gave him milk and headed straight to a seafood restaurant. By the time we ordered it was already 3.30p.m. and the restaurant closed for the morning session. There were only 2 groups of customers at that time and we were left all alone after the other group left. The ‘tauke’ and staff were no where to be seen. Of course, they asked us to pay first. It’s understandable coz their closing time was at 2.30p.m.

Then, it’s ‘keropok lekor’ time! It’s something we will never miss. After ‘tapau’ the ‘keropok lekor’, it’s swimming time again. While daddy entertained Ethan at the pool, mummy enjoyed the ‘keropok lekor’ by the pool.

In the evening, we went down to the little garden for a walk. We were still full during dinner time and we didn’t go out as Ethan slept early at around 8.30p.m. Daddy went out alone for dinner and packed something for mummy.

Splashing time!

I don't like to walk on the grass....

Day 3-Record Breaking Day

All the 3 of us woke up at 10a.m.! It never happened ever since Ethan was born. It’s always Ethan who will wake us up in the morning. The latest was 8-8.30 a.m.

By the time we packed and fed Ethan porridge, it was already 12p.m. We quickly checked out and made a stop in Gambang (I hope I got the name right) to buy some dried seafood. The day was hot and Ethan only slept for 1 hour in the car.

We reached home at closed to 5p.m. and I cooked dinner. Dead tiring. And I still mopped the floor after cooking. No choice.

Overall, the trip was fun and I’ve already given hint to hubby to go back.

If you want to know how Ethan tasted the sand, watch the video. Please ignore the scream at the background. Mummy couldn't help it.

My Favourite TV Programme

Ever since I knew about the Discovery Home & Health channel on Astro, I will press on the number everytime I switch on the tv. My favourite programme is 'Till Debt Do Us Part'. Although money shouldn't be the reason for people to go/stay in a marriage, it certainly has tremendous effect on a couple's relationship. Most of the time, these couples went into financial difficulties because of credit card debt. It's not that they have health problems or business failure or unable to work, they just indulged on non-essential items and keep on applying credit cards. There was a couple who had 16 credit cards and chalked up a hefty total debt of $50,000. It's crazy. With this kind of problem, they can only get back on their feet financially with professional help or bad credit loans. It made me realise that 'No matter how much you earn, you will not have enough money to spend if you don't control your spending'.