The Original Juice

Some of you may have seen this photo on my FB - but this will be the full story of how I discovered this gem.

I still remember that fateful day 3rd of October 2011, my first sister, Ashley, begged and begged me to go with her to Wellness Express Studio (just across the street) for moral support on her first liquid lunch. I was totally dragging my feet to go there because I wanted to eat REAL FOOD. But because I'm a *cough* good *cough* sister, I followed along.

I just listened to what her coach shared with me about the benefit of good nutrition.. How the aloe concentrate mixed with water helps to clean your internal system, and how 500ml of their thermogenic tea is equivalent to running twice around the tracks. I did not doubt the product. What I doubted was the taste and whether it could truly keep me full. I did the free health evaluation but walked away free.

As time goes, Ashley updated me how she's been going there every lunch time that she was available and how she had lost 1kg after a few drinks. And the bell started ringing for me and i thought, "Why not just give it a shot? You've run out of other options. Slimming centre is too expensive. Don't have time for gym. Cant take slimming pills cos not BFing safe."

With that, I bought a 10-day membership pass to drink the shake-tails (chocolate/vanilla/tropical base shake + assortment of fruits) for lunch. After my 5th session, I discovered I actually lost 1kg! I actually was still not entirely convinced. I mean weighing yourself in the morning, you will often find you are 1kg lighter before breakfast. so 1kg was like... nothing.

And then they started bugging me to enter the Weight Loss Challenge to potentially win $1,000 / $500 / $100 / $50 / $50. You have nothing to lose, just fats! The reason why I was so reluctant was because I'm afraid I'd be lazy to make my shakes in the morning. I like drinking it for lunch when OTHER people made it for me. But what one of the operators told me kinda sink in, "You just need to work hard the first 3 - 6 months. After you've reached your ideal weight, you just need to maintain..." I took another couple of session to finally sign up for the WLC.

To make a long story short, I lost 5kg and 3% body fat by the end of the 1-mth challenge. I did not win but I still walked away happier than ever having lost so much and stayed motivated throughout the process, thanks to my sisters and my coach.

That was end of November. December was my "off" month due to my 2 weeks holiday to Turkey and Spain (To be blogged!!!). Surprisingly I maintained my weight with just one shake a day but A LOT of eating! I've lost a further 2kg as of today. and have another 6kg to go till 55kg.

I'm VERY DETERMINED to be healthy! *wink*

Just finished my 4th lesson of Cardio Jam and I'd like to think I'm getting better at it.

First lesson, a temp guy trainer taught us and it was awful cos i cld feel his lack of dedication. Without any clue how it was going to be, I was shocked at how strenuous it was! I also didnt have any sport shoes so i wore my comfortable mary jane instead and my knees hurt.

The next 2 days, my whole body ached like crazy. I blamed him for not stretching us properly.

Second week, Ange, our ex colleague who now owns her own dance/exercise mobile school, started. I still didnt have sportshoes so i went barefooted. It was horrible bcos i cldnt jump as it cld hurt my knees.

It was more fun w Ange bcos we know her and her style is very much like the previous dance instructor we had all gone for. She's attentive and corrects our posture and explains which muscle should be feeling some stretch, and that stretching your obliques (in various twisting moves) will help to tone your waistline. The most important thing is to focus everything on your core muscle: the abdomen. Always tuck it in (and therefore engaging it) when doing anything. Again helps you to slim your waistline.

Basically the session would start with some cardio moves incorporating some stretching movements like shoulder rotations while on the move, that make me feel like dying! And then proper stretches before we start being introduced to 5 or 7-steps routine. and then the winding down stretches which still involve a lot of abdominal engagement I can't really do.

On the 3rd week, I got my shoes already but was feeling a bit wheezy so I opted for lo-impact one - meaning there was no Jump in my steps. By the 4th week, the DYING feeling was very brief and I could even jump a bit.  I'm loving it!

We actually have another Stretch & tone (basically Yoga, i think?) class on Wednesdays. But I didn't think it would be effective for me so i don't go for that one. Besides, My parents have class on wednesdays anyways.

Anyway, I'm looking forward to the 5th lesson this friday! We only have a total of 12. And can't wait for the dance class to start next!

So with a 5% increment and the end of two loans, I felt ready to look at increasing my own insurance coverage. Because I was being loaded (extra premium) @ Manulife, the adviser told me to go back to Prudential where I have existing policies. I met up with Salmah my ex colleague who's handling my portfolio.

Inevitably, with the many health declarations I made, I was being sent for medical exam, lipids test and the like. My major concern is actually diabetes. I had Gestational one when I was pregnant and never did a glucose test again at 6th week, and family history is not on my side, so i really worried like hell. I prick tested myself sometimes. While in the morning the reading was good at 5.0, an hour after a simple meal gave me a 7.5 (ref range 5.5-7).

On top of that, I found out that the reason I was loaded by Manulife was not due to diabetes but to abnormal liver function test!!! What is this Abnormal liver function test?? I tried to google it, but I couldn't understand anything out of it. But it did say that it's actually pretty common and that it could or could not lead to other diseases.

This made me feel quite frustrated with the M adviser. Because firstly, he only told me that my health was "terrible, very terribly" when I asked the reason for the loading which led me to suspect it might be diabetes. And secondly, Salmah pointed out that there's no use of an insurance policy for my son if I, as payee, is not insured. Meaning to say that if I, wanauzubillah, fall sick or whatever, I would still need to keep paying that premium.

Now the results from Prudential is back. They are loading me. But for totally different reason. They've also excluded bladder cancer and carcinoma insitu (early and concentrated cancer) bladder. From $50 budget, I hafta pay $104 per month for Early Crisis Cover. This program will actually pay for medical and other expenses if critical illness are discovered as early as Stage I and II. I actually didn't know that my current critical illness coverage would only pay out at advanced stage. *Slaps forehead*

But the good news is I'm cleared of Diabetes and any abnormal liver function. For that, Alhamdulillah wa shukru lillah.

I would have tweeted about it if I had only brought my hp along today.

I've been having an earache since Monday. It was sooo painful I ditched the idea of staying back late in the office. Luckily, I had some ear drops from the last time. The next day, the pain was gone.

However, the next 3 days, my ears just didn't pop back when it got blocked riding down the lift.

By this morning, Thursday the 4th day, I'm getting paranoid. (I secretly think i'm a hypochondriac. Not that I'm a health freak or even health conscious, but my imagination always become active at the slightest ill symptom.)

What if I lost my hearing totally because I went to the doctor too late? I didn't wanna go initially because I just saw her last week and I dont wanna make myself look bad like always falling sick or something... but I think this cannot be ignored anymore!! I mean it was really very scary when I couldn't hear the beep sound signalling the door's been opened. I had to rely on my sight.

The doc explained that my ear drum is inflamed. Possibly from the result of the high fever but no fever today at 36.8 Celcius. When the drum is inflamed, it gets thick and so noise doesnt bounce off making everything sound so muffled. Hell Yeah! And then because its thick and rigid, it is not able to bend from a sudden change of air pressure - that's the lift explained.

So I was prescribed anti-inflammation meds which is exactly the same for the throat. And also something to clear the blockage which is also applicable for nose.

I feel very conscious that I might be talking too loud because I can't hear myself talking!

I noticed red spots ard his mouth last night n showed mum. She tot its just food allergy but when we think back, no new foods were introduced.

This morning i went to work as usual but at 10am mum called saying d dots have made sudden appearance all over his arms. I tried to hang on to a sliver of hope that its not Hand Food Mouth Disease cos maybe ARMS is not equal to hands and tt he has no fever.

Nonetheless i took urgent leave from work to take him to the paediatrician.

Well.. What can i say? Even the nurse at the counter confirmed it. He's given 3 types of meds anti fungal x 2 and runny nose. Yah his cooties are all over d place.

Doc told baby to stay home till sunday. The rashes will go away by itself. To give cold food. Not to force him to eat if he doesnt wantto. I asked if my baby is ij any danger. Doc replied no as long as he's active, tts gd. But look out for constant vomitting, listlessness an diarrheoa.

At home, while hes still active as ever, he did vomit out all his meds tho only once n seem disinterested in food. I checked some info online n basically we just hafta wait it out. :(

We had plans to go to JB this sun. Hopefully he wldve recovered by then.

Syafakallah Tufeil.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Ever since that time when he got sick then i got sick and only worked 1 day in a week, Tufeil has been refusing most of his eBM. This was some 2 weeks ago.

The week after that, he went out with his cousin a lot during the day so we didn't really worry about the much decreased milk intake. But last week, it got really worrying. He pushed away his bottles vehemently.

I suggested for Mum to use the Fast Flow teat i bought or maybe try FM. But mum said that he cant even look at the bottle. So maybe give in a cup? Nah, mum said, she's terrified (geli?) of milk.

So i tried to google some answers. It was difficult to find the same scenario online. Mostly the babies are <12months whereas Tufeil is 15months now. What i've found quite applicable are:

1. Change bottle / teats to the most natural one
2. Change to SIPPY CUP. Big boys dont drink from bottle anymore <<-- but i hafta disagree cos my niece Syifaa' still drinks from bottle.
3. Decrease his Solid intake.

I already bought him a new bottle and Tommy Tippee's teat as well as Mothercare's Sippy Cup. Alhamdulillah he took to the latter very well. He had another sippy cup, you know the one with a thick spout to suck from but it was too much for him. This cup is not non-spill and is very flat and narrow so it was easy for him to drink from it. But so far i've used this for drinking water.

It so happened that last friday, we really ran out of food for both Adults and baby. No bread no rice no nothing. I was on leave but had an appointment for awhile and was supposed to buy Tufeil's lunch. Unfortunately, i got delayed and wasn't back for almost 2 hours. Tufeil at home must have gotten real hungry and finally drank his milk!! YIPPEEEEE!!

Yesterday was Monday and Mum reported that he didn't drink ANY of his milk either but that he slept a total of 3hours worth of nap. I didnt ask about how much food he had. I assumed he ate a lot.

Should I worry about this? I wanted to wean him off BM anyways. Maybe I'll get mum to make Formula milk in that new bottle or sippy cup. HMMMM....

I am generally aversed to any forms of house cleaning. Ok simply put: I'm Lazy with a capital L. That is, until i met Rainbow and my inhibitions evaporated. As of now.


One of the 11 Bestfriends referred me to Rainbow. She said R is very good. It took me a looooooong while to finally have him over at home. I cancelled him a couple of times fearing betrayal and misrepresentation and whatever, ya know.

Until the fateful day, My mum warned me not to do anything foolish. I reckon i had a perfect getaway excuse: i had another appointment at 2pm (That's you, Nan). Alas, I caved in. I couldn't deny that R is very good.....

Fri, I took leave to receive R with a warm welcome. We all need to get to know R better.

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1. There are some charges and Insurance fee after the $4,000 so the balance is lesser and could only cover for prolly 4 months?
2. I am not able to pay IN ADVANCE during the first year as I had intended to put all the balance in that account so i wont use it. BAH

My mother, when she knew i bought this vacuum, got speechless. Almost like saying, "I TOLD YOU NOT TO BUY THIS THING, RIGHT?" Later i found out, it's because that we had once bought a supposedly "GOOD" vacuum from an uncle too at over $2,000 only to have it broke down quickly and besides it was too heavy and inconvenient to use. However, when she actually saw the thing, she said, "Oh. This is the one like Mak Long's which we had ever borrowed before to clean the carpet." Phew~ I felt so relieved she approved, finally.

We had a good fortune that my aunty who helped to clean the house once a week used to have this Rainbow and believed in it whole heartedly. So at least, i feel secured that she would not refuse to use this new cleaning equipment citing heavy-weight and cumbersome.

While i feel good about the purchase, I can't help doubting myself. Because there are also another school of thought that you should expose your children to germs so that they could get immune to it when they grow up. If they stay in a sterile condition for so long, the moment they hit a "dirty" environment (which is mostly everywhere), they could get sick easily.

*Shrug* What's done is done anyways. Let's just utilise it.

My Period-Free Days, that is.

1.5 weeks ago, i tweeted about thinking i'm ovulating and then suddenly it's here! I wasn't sure at first, cos it was just a speck or two of red, so i prayed zohr anyway. Oh God, I hope I had not caused Your wrath.

It's been a day now, and its still very tiny little with no pain whatsoever, which is just the opposite of my pre-baby periods. I'm hoping it will last till this Friday for my company's Dinner & Dance! Ameen! Cos being a RecClubber, I hafta be there from 12nn - 11pm! *faint*

Ok so.. I was pregnant for 10months... Then confinement 2 months, then up to today a total of 20 months of missed periods. Whoaw...

Now with regards to BreastFeeding...

I had been expressing 3 times a day and got 3.5 bottles while Tufeil drinks 3. and the 0.5 bottle is so irritating in which, if i mix it with another day's supply, Tufeil won't drink it! So to eliminate wastage, I've decided to adjust my pumping times. I'll be skipping the 8.30am slot and push it to just before lunch at 11.30 and another session at 5pm just before leaving work. Which will also mean i dont hafta pump at home with the toddler bugging me to "tatih" (hold his hands to walk).

Formula Milk Samples have also started to arrive. Ok so far only 2 Mamil Gold (Dumex) and Enfa Baby or something MeadJohnsons. While i actually have 8 more packets of frozen eBM, i thought it might be wise to have some samples on hand for emergency. hahah. Well it IS funny, because the actual truth is, I DON'T KNOW HOW TO STOP BF-ing MY BABY!

Ok actually to stop is easy, just change to formula milk and ur supply will dry up. But the issue is actually... How to send Tufeil to sleep WITHOUT nursing him???

There had been two times when he followed mum to a class at mosque and after tossing and turning in mum's lap, he suddenly fell asleep on his own. Well that's a good sign BUT my mum tried the some technic at home just lying around in bed, he won't be fooled! He pointed to his glider in which he sleeps. So naturally, i would think that he'd demand be nursed to sleep... Sighh... Need to read up on this i guess...

Another question is : Do i really want to change to Formula Milk and not Fresh Milk? From what i read, Fresh Milk is not enough for growing babies. I think it said under 2yo. But what some of my friends are doing are SUPPLEMENTING from BM and daily meals with Fresh Milk, so i suppose that is just as good if not better since its cheaper! haha.

So yah.. another food for thought.

Ok gotta go. Got meeting the whole afternoon, so need to clear my work this morning. Ta~

Ok i know im very weight obsessed. i even want my baby to NOT gain too much weight. I can't believe some pple actually think Tufeil is skinny! I'm like.. HUH! his cheeks are 1kg each ok!

On the other hand, i also like to eat!

But i think my appetite has returned to normal. I think maybe at 8th month of breastfeeding. Also at this point i think that i start to regain the extra weight i've lost after giving birth. Chet! I sooo cannot fit into my jeans anymore. EYEWWW Ugly sight!

I totally loathe the buncit-ness of my tummy. But i'd like to think that my stretch marks are getting lighter and lighter.

While i doubt i have time during lunch time to squeeze in GYM AND PUMP, i think i can do slimming treatments though. Now i just need to finish paying off my computer and then we can buy that package at De Beaute, International Plaza.

In the meantime, i sooooooooooooooooo need a massage!!!!!!!!!!!! My body feels soooooooo tired and aching. Ok that's partly cause i'm down with a cold.

I've got a fantasy:

When Tufeil turns 1 year old, i wanna go for a week long beach vacation ON MY OWN. this is to help ease Tufeil thru the transition from Breast Milk to Formula milk and to let him learn to sleep without nursing. And i will have ALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL the time in the world to sleeeeeeeeeeeep, to go for spaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaasss, to snorkle, swim.... and devote some time to the Almighty too (let's not forget that).

My heart aches to realise this dream. But... DREAM ON, they'd say!

Friday, 22nd Jan 09 (9 3/4months old)


That was the day we decided to send Tufeil to the hospital.


I had noticed that he started coughing from Mon / Tues when Syifaa' was sick too.


Wed, i woke up to get dressed to work because i had a RecClub Thank You lunch with the French CEO they were going for Pagi Sore esp for me the only Muslim in the committee. But after much thought, i think i didnt wanna risk it. Esp cos mummy was not feeling quite well also though she told me she was ok.


So instead, we went for Bfast at McDonalds, and i walked to Baby Bear. (Ok this feels like De javu, i think i've written about this alr but what the heck...) He was given Zyrtec drop, nose drop, the runny nose oral drops and a white liquid for his cough n phlegm. Each time i hafta employ Mummy's help to administer the drugs as i can't bring myself to hold him tightly amidst his strong struggles. I'm weak in that sense.

Thank you to Mummy for skipped classes for Tufeil.

>But i do agree that his lingering phlegm is quite disconcerting. So that's y i was glad when the next day Syifaa' had another high fever, Mummy brought Tufeil to see the GP too. Mum said he looked at the meds we were given and shook his head. This time around he gave antibiotics and to lay off them peaches.

Half day and one dose later, Alhamdulillah, he seems A LOT better. Cough is still there but not too much. He had a slightly better sleep prolly waking up only every hour or 1.5hr (and this is quite normal too!) as opposed to .5 hr.

I pray that it'll all clear up soon! So he can start drinking my eBM otherwise... i'll just hafta sell them! Ahahahah

Was on Child Card Leave yesterday.

Tufeil was cranky the previous night waking up every half an hour with a badly blocked nose. He has also started coughing. Also because my mum didn't feel well at the end of yesterday too.

Since i was already up that morning, we straight away got dressed and after a McDonald's Bfast, went to Baby Bear.

I walked allll the way, about 10min, while T slept away, lulled by the movement. Was 3rd person. Thank God! We got him nebulized. I dont know how to hold him tightly when struggle ensued... so one of the "more experienced" nurses aka motherly figure much like my mummy helped to hold him while i held and kissed his hands trying to soothe him. He was SCREAMING and KICKING like being held prisoner or something.

$75 payable by CDA fund. Thank God for that too.

Later in the afternoon, suddenly fever came. 38.8!! Gave him meds, and sponged him. I tried to nurse him to sleep but he won't have it. cried and cried. So mummy just cradle held him while sponging at the same time. She did for like 1.5h when she passed back to me i cld barely last an hour! PLUS i dont know how to sponge him while holding him. Just left the cold towel on his forehead.

Some 5hours later, his fever was still no better. So we gave him another dose with a mind to go to the hospital if it still didnt go down in another 2hours or what.

I sent him to sleep at 9.30pm. I went to sleep 10.30pm. Next time i woke, it was 2.30am already! Wow he slept for 5 hours!! Without the aid of nose drop too. Alhamdulillah!! He slept on for another 3hours straight. His fever got much lower but is still just a tad higher than normal.

Sadly, his phlegm is very bad. His coughing. His whimpering also has changed his voice.

I pray it wont be long now. Ya Allah, please heal my son, you are the Curer.

Monday 4th Jan 10 (9months old)

Just for the record, Mummy sent Tufeil to the polyclinic for more vaccinations.

He is 8.4kg and (still) 70cm tall.

Unfortunately, he did not get to see the PD. We wanted to ask why his left big toe nail is sort of bleeding (albeit not profusely). The nurse took a look and said its an infection and to apply cream on it.

*bite lips* Hmmm its been there for quite sometime. I first saw that his toe nail got a bit overlapped. I thought that it could be because he uses so much of his toes to propel him forward in his commando crawl stance. then the previous physiotherapist session noted his nail condition and told me to cut properly too.

Hmmm an infection? Seems to me like a dubious deduction. Should i send him to Baby Bear PD again? If this weekend its still not cured.

Tuesday, 29th Dec 09

Another round of Follow up with Physiotherapist for his curled toes condition.

i don't know why i wasn't as nervous as i usually was despite not having done all the exercises required.

As it turned out, he stood well (supported) and he was discharged since the toes will align itself once he starts standing / walking on his own.

Another stern reminder to THROW AWAY THE WALKER even though i told her its mostly stationary cause we took off the wheels and in effect its more like a "gym" or game station or whatever they call it. As long as he is SEATED in it, it will make him walk on tiptoes - which is not what we want.

$11 was paid from Tufeil's CDA account

I'm truly gonna miss going to KK.

Thank you to Mummy and Ayah who took half day from work and brought Tufeil (and Syifaa') to meet me there and then sent us to see another newborn baby Aidil @ Thomson Medical.

Friday, 11th Dec 09 (8.5month old)

So im back on leave. In fact, ill be totally alone at home. Ly and family are going away for the weekend with the maid. ASh would practically be working round the clock.

I had noticed some red spots before and wondered if it could be chicken pox but its not really lumpy... so i dismissed it as just another rash episode like he always had.

But Ly advised me to just go to the doctor to get it checked out. Since my swimming date got cancelled and i have nothing else better to do, i tot why not. Before going, i checked in on my Mak Long who lived nearby to ask we could visit. She said yes of course and even picked us up!

Tufeil got his first fever from Sunday for 3 days till Tuesday. That day, i began noticing the spots on his tummy, and then spread on his forehead and at the outer corner of his eyes. He had been cranky waking up at night wailing and wailing. Thurs night, he pooped three times, the last two being water.

Doctor diagnosed it as FALSE measles. Measles tak menjadi gitu. Said the spots should go away in 24hours and prescribed us an oral drop for the itch and local cream.

So $85 (paid thru CDA fund! YAYY) and 1.5hours later, we're at Mak Long's house.

They have a 1.5yo grandchild and the place is like a haven for kids! ok... for kids' mothers, more like. They have flashcards pasted on the wall. One side ENglish, another Arabic alphabets. Their toys are very educational stuffs... like A is a Apple musical toy. I dont know how to explain! And they are also health conscious when it comes to baby food! I like!

Tufeil seemed to enjoy being there. Well, when we came, ARina was asleep so he had the attention to himself. I like the way Mak Long played with him. Teaching him to "give" the toy to her, that sorta thing. I dont know how to entertain kids that way.

There is a low height couch that's just perfect for Tufeil to cruise around. He LOVED the thing and kept standing there.

Perhaps i might just drop him there for a couple of hours on Mon while i do some errands... like PACKING MY LUGGAGE!!! and going to the dentist or catch a movie! *wink*

The last day before my 2 week break, i forgot the actual pump unit and took urgent half day to go back and express.

Now, the very day i came back it's the bottle and funnel's turn to be forgotten!! Hmmm i do still have some leave but Ash n i tot that it's not appropriate for me to go off as we're packing and unpacking for the office move. I contemplated buying a new pair from mothercare nearby, also to rent a better unit from a shop at United Square.... In the end, i took a cab, went home popped up for 3 mins and zipped thru town with a damage of $40. Hmmm i suppose that's the cheapest alternative.

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Tufeil had his first fever last sun, 6th Dec at 8.5months. We automatically deduced its due to the teething phase.

That Sunday i was home but did nothing much except for sponging him a couple of times and did not turn on the aircon and cover him fully in comforter at night.

When Monday came and i had to go in to the office, Ly said his temperature went up and gave him paracetamol. As a result, he was very cranky at home, didn't drink his milk except for a few sips... preferring Baby Bites and porridge and nodding off at the high chair!

Tuesday he was the same. He refused dinner when i gave him that night. and was yawning away. i wrapped up with another dose of meds and nursed him in bed. he was heady but refused to let me go. and then, like with a snap of a finger, he suddenly got up and wanted to play. Fever's totally gone.

Alhamdulillah.

But he's been getting bouts of blocked nose. That's really troublesome since he depends on suckling to get to sleep but he can't bcos he can't breathe when mouth is full and so he can't sleep. I resorted to nose drops, walking to other rooms, turned off the fan totally and letting him play for a few minutes. That took like an hour. And he finally went back to sleep.

Nowadays he would even be in his tummy but still suckle. weird position, i say! Tak tersedak ke?


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I looked chubbier than usual in my recent pictures right? Well That's cause i've put on some 2kg at least! At home, i was perpetually hungry. I dont know how to satiate my hunger! I constantly need some sweet chocolatey dessert to feel at ease.

Staying at home didn't help things as i like to nap when T naps. and usually that's like... after lunch! Yikes!

I shall resolve to stick to sandwich lunch when i get back to work after Xmas.

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Tues, 20th Oct 09. (6months 3weeks ols)

On half day afternoon. Tufeil went to class with Mummy and they picked me up at midday and straight to KK. Even Ash joined in today!

First was an appointment at the ENT centre. I actually postponed the last one cos Mummy said there's no need for an ear check up since Tufeil seemed to be hearing well and that there will be a hearing assessment at poly's 6month check up. *Shrug*

The reason we were called for this test is because i declared some history of hearing problems from his paternal genes. When i received the letter urging us to come, i scheduled it to be on the same day as the physiotherapist's, so save one trip.

When i came into the room, T was asleep. The doc said its better so he won't cry when given the earphones to do the test. But, as usual, T the lightsleeper came awake just a min after the test started. Thankfully, he didn't cry. He was much intrigued by the sound he was hearing (not the mention the cute yellow star soft toy the doc had in her hand), while the doc was looking the monitor screen reading the feedback frequency Tufeil's earlobe is giving off.

He had to go thru the test like... 5 times to get a A* reading. previous 4 were just passed. But doc assured me that his hearing is normal. Told me to go to the neonatal follow up check up the following monday to go thru the report. which, Actually, i dont intend to go...

PHYSIOTHERAPY

Next up, his toes.

I don't hafta tape his right toes anymore. Nor do i have to do the bend-the-knee-and-press-the-foot-flat-on-the-floor exercise since he is standing ok already. But his left toe is still unsatisfactory though improving.

She introduced me to a set of new exercise. Just push the left pinkie toe upwards 10x of 10counts. and continue with stretching the toe outwards - now 3 toes. Ill take a picture some time tonight.


After that, we went to visit the Simei Gang Chief. He was warded into TTSH. It started out as a simple bacterial infection from one of his teeth and led to surgery! As of today, he's out from ICU and into normal ward. We pray for your Speedy recovery!


Long after i reached home, i realised i probably could have used my CDA account to pay for Tufeil's two appointments. close to $40's worth. Huarghhhhhhh

Tues, 25th Aug 09 (5months old)


Took halfday in the morning to go for Tufeil's Physiotherapy check up at KK at 11.45am.


My colleague insisted i drop by the office with the baby. She missed him. =) Said she has developed a bond with him cause he's the first ever baby she visited on its first day of life. Besides, i thought he looked like her on that day too!

4 months old now!


Is it the 3rd one already?


His Jab took less than 10min cos we got an appointment in the crazy early. But because we wanted to see the doctor regarding the rough and broken skin all over his body and especially on his neck.

We doubt its sensitivity from the diaper as we have been using the same brand, Mamypoko, from 1st month.


I bought SebaMed's Special Healing Cream for this and his bottom as well. While his bottom showed some improvements, his knees didnt but if anything, the tummy area spread(ed?)!

Mon, 13th July 09 (3.5months old)

@ 1pm, my parents picked me up at that Aranda CC from my mother's hospital appointment at GH.

I've only had bfast at 9am and was raving hungry but we made a stop at a mosque first before heading to the KK. and even then i had to endure another 30min for the appointment before i got Mc for lunch.

Right at the door, we were both issued masks. The kind nurse tied it on for me but told me to hold the mask for baby. At first, Tufeil was quietly excited at this thing covering his face but after awhile, the fingers resume its permanent residence in his mouth. haha.

While waiting, i managed to feed him for 5min before he fell asleep. Oops This might just spell danger. True enough, when we carried him to the bed to be inspected, he cried his lungs out!! He hates to be woken up from sleep. He WAILED and WAILED and WAILED till it was diff for the doc n me to talk and to tape his toes! In my heart i was saying, "Alamak Tufeil, Ummi 'Azma just praised you for being a good boy yesterday..."

Basically, the therapist said that his club feet are no cause for worry, its quite natural for them to rise inwards but as long as they correct it on their own, its fine. But to continue with the exercise, which to be honest i didn't do cos i thought letting him stand on his feet would suffice. Apparently not. While lying on his back, i should raise his knees and push his ankles towards his thighs and stay for 10counts x 10times a day.

As for his curled toes, his right one is good already but his left is still on the lower side. So far i've met 3 different physiotherapist and this 3rd one is telling me the first method of taping the two last toes is better even though its tougher to do. PLUS must make sure no creases and blood circulation is in order.

I asked her what will happen if his toes remain like that? Indirectly asking if its ok i slack a bit and not tape it haha. She said if the condition is not corrected at 1yo or older, it will be more diff to change and more invasive therapy has to be introduced. And this will result in the toe being uncomfortable wearing shoes as it will get "stepped on".

Ok Julissa, buck up! Next appointment in 6 weeks.

So now i've started taping again at night. By right, it should be twice a day. But i feel like i can't impose more on my mother than i already have when i asked her to look after Tufeil. Altho i havent really asked, I simply can't expect her to do it after each morning bath. So its once at night for 12hrs and twice at weekend insya'Allah should help.

Mon, 29th June 09

I bought a term life insurance policy to protect my child in case anything untoward happens to me.

But becaused i declared anemia and Gestational diabetes, i was sent for the most thorough check up. Clinic was at somewhere Tiong Bahru. Supposed to meet the agent there.

I wanted to leave Tufeil at home. Can be like a practice session for my mum to take care of both grandchildren, but i changed my mind. Let's bring Tufeil out, instead.

So Tufeil had his first TRAIN RIDE! He fell asleep in the stroller on the way to the mrt. When we boarded, he kept being jolted awake by the irritating overhead announcement! IT was soo loud! But after 3 stops, he got used to it and slept thru.


In the afternoon, we had 2nd Immunisation @ Poly along with 3rd month development check up.

Z can't come so i asked Mummy to accompany me and so Syifaa' tagged along too.

Even though we reached like 15min earlier, our number was only called like 1hr later from the allocated time slot!

I thank god mummy followed us cos i wldnt, for the life of me, be able to hold my baby firmly to stop him from wriggling around. It was shot on the thighs. I can't remember where the first shot was because i didnt look.

We had a very nice young Muslim nurse. She jabbed my baby with a Bismillah. =)

I was soo surprised there's no payment for all subsequent jabs and doctor's consultation. Weee Alhamdulillah

Two weeks after last check, not much diff in height and weight @ 60.5cm and 5.8kg. Nurse said that both are still one notch down the national average but head circumference is one step higher. Don't know measurement. She was definitely stumped. She can't say my baby is heavy anymore.