I am Teething!

I read a lot of baby books starting from the day I conceived till to-date. Most of the books said that baby will only start teething at about 6 months and above (sometimes earlier, sometimes later). I was looking forward to it.

The challenge came about about 1.5 months ago. Luther started being grumpy and cry often. I was initially worried if it was something else. Until he started chewing on things, using his tongue to play with his lower gums and drooling a lot... literally, my shoulder is always smouldered with saliva.

Saw me your tongue

Sleepless nights were also on the list as he will suddenly wakes up at night and cry.... really pitiful! Until my hubby was looking around for teething gel.... although my hubby bought Dentinox Teething Gel, we decided not to give Luther as I believe it's the natural process of growing up....... and there were cases of recalled products back in 2009.

Yummy bottom lips.....

So, Luther continued on sucking his lips, chewing on his fingers and our shoulders or anything he can grab to put into his mouth.... I gave him Bo Ying Tan as well during the day. In fact, I tried many many ways, but it just didn't really ease his 'itch' or 'pain'....... 

At about 5 months 1 week old, we saw some budding on his gums and were so excited that it is really happening already....

MY BABY IS HAVING HIS 1st 2 TEETH!!!!!!

Now, we can really see the teeth already and it just makes Luther even cuter.

Can you see my teeth?

 I believe he is about to go into his top 2 teeth now as he is starting his drooling again! 

I love my mama!

We shall wee when his top 2 teeth is coming.... 

Mommy will be with you all the way.... 

Not to worry my little hero!

..Luther in Genting..

Where do we go for a cool weather without going out of the country?

Genting Highland, of course!!

It is the cheapest way to feel the breeze... although I must agree that most of the time, we are breathing carbon dioxide from the vehicles coming up!! Anyway, it is a family trip with loads of fun fun fun......

My Family and I (Gugu behind the camera!)

The weather was really cold and I have the chance to play dress up with Luther... hahaha... not much but at least I get to dress him up in long sleeves and long pants. Luther was enjoying his stay there although there weren't much he could do there now. Nonetheless, we brought him around from First World Hotel through Resort Hotel to Theme Park Hotel then Genting Hotel.

Ah Ma and I

 It's was Doraemon World Wide Anniversary at First World. I couldn't get any nice clothing for Luther but I got a small tumbler... which I am using now and will hand it to him when he knows how to use one.... good for traveling.

Papa and I at the Doraemon Exhibition

Genting was celebrating Chap Goh Meh; the 15th day of Chinese New Year. We managed to see the longest firecracker burnt and trust me, the bang was amazing. So amazing that during that moment when I thought Luther would be afraid, he slept soundly through the deafening bangs.

What sound?

Got him back to the room and guess what we changed him to?

Grumpy Superman!

Hahahaha......

'I love my Daddy'

Mommy, Papa and I

Mommy and I

Comfy on my bed!

Lunch before going back home at Ulu Yam

After all the fun in Genting, we traveled down from Batang Kali and headed towards Ulu Yam for yet another good meal. This restaurant; Hock Lay Restaurant, has been our regular pit-stop after Genting for many years and their food have not failed us. Simple yet good..... especially their Guinness Chicken Wings, Loh Mee, Coconut Prawns and the Thai Style Fried Tofu. Yummy......

My 1st trip to mommy's hometown!

It has been a while since we planned to take Luther back to Ipoh. Well, we went back to Port Dickson to visit Papa's hometown during Chinese New Year.... Since it's the weekend most people will go back home to pay their yearly visit to their beloved..... during Cheng Beng*, so, we decided to go back to Ipoh to join the crowd.

We all traveled in 1 car... Mom, bro, Shereen, Wo, Luther and I. Yup... all 6 in 1 Perodua Alza. We were having fun and what is more fun than being in 1 vehicle with all the people you love. The other half of the group were all in Ipoh waiting for our arrival.... More like Luther's arrival. It's like welcoming our 'Big Chief' back home.

View from the Back Seat.

Big Chief at the back seat!

When we arrived back in Ipoh, the weather was rather good. 

NOT MUCH SUN = NOT HOT!! Yay!!

Ipoh is in a valley surrounded with limestone hills, therefore, during the day, the heat just sink into the valley... Limestone hills extend 20 km north of Ipoh and also 20 km to the south. There are many caves in these hills; cave temples are built in some of these caves.

Of course we ate a lot... not Luther.. but the rest of us. 

My Papa and I in Ipoh

 It was a long ride to and fro but it's all worth it. It was all great fun.

*Cheng Beng is a festival where its name denotes a time for people to go outside and enjoy the greenery of springtime (踏青 Tàqīng, "treading on the greenery") and tend to the graves of departed ones.*

Cranky Luther

I was regularly told by older folks that babies coming back from holidays, will be 'hong sim' (in Hokkien roughly means - over stimulated). And Luther prove that 100%.

On the 3rd day of Chinese New Year, we returned back to KL from Port Dickson. All of us were tired from the traveling and the hustle and bustle of CNY. Luther was unusually cranky and wouldn't take his usual 4oz on his usually accurate timing. Believe me, my baby do not miss his feeding for anything other than sleep and even that is occasional. Actually, he hasn't been feeding well starting 2nd day of CNY taking only 1 - 2 oz each time.

My so-called Uniform

Yu Yee Oil

Nonetheless, he was still smiley the whole afternoon and able to 'converse' with us UNTIL evening approached. I wash and change him out of his 'uniform' and into his regular comfortable pajamas top, yet, he was screaming endlessly. I though he might want direct latching and I did. He didn't take that well too. Than I recall, he hasn't poo-ed today! So I try tapping his little tummy and found it a little gassy. As usual, taught by mom, I rubbed YuYee Oil on his tummy, his back and on both his feet. Well, he did fart a lot but that didn't stop him from crying still.

His crying this time was scary to me and panicking my hubby cause his face was turning really red and his big big tears were rolling down his eyes and there was absolutely NOTHING we could do. I was already in tears feeling really rotten not being able to help my own son to relieve whatever that was bothering him. We called my mom in Singapore (she is there for holiday and to attend my uncle's birthday dinner). In tears I was asking her for advices and she said if he hasn't poo-ed, we just need to wait. He is also not eating because he is not comfortable. Just remember to feed his, even if it's 1 or 2 oz milk along with water to ease him passing motion. We wanted to wait but I was in tears and Luther was also crying. My hubby finally decided that we just bring him to the Dr to confirm he is just uncomfortable because he haven't poo-ed and eliminate other possibilities (i.e. constipation, pain, any discomfort). 

Papa trying to get Luther to take some milk

In Assunta Hospital (no regular Children Clinic nearby, so best option was to go back to the clinic in Assunta), Dr Vijaya checked on Luther and found that there was nothing wrong with him. So, Luther was just really uncomfortable being unable to poo-ed that day (it's not constipation too!). Dr Vijaya called Luther's Pediatrician, Dr Paran, to double check whether to give Luther any medication. Luther was given Duphalac to soften his poo (not a laxative). And true enough, we when back home and feed him some milk and than 2.5ml Duphalac. Within 15 minutes, his 1st poo (smelly as it is) made an exit! We were all relieve (inclusive of our Indonesian maid) and Luther was able to smile a little again.

The smile we missed the whole evening!!

That night, he still didn't take his regular 4oz but we were extremely relieve that he is taking his 2 oz without struggling and slept through the rest of the night soundly without crying or agitation. Nonetheless, Luther is still 'hong sim' the next day. Talking a lot, probably describing to his friends (toys) his adventures for the pass few days.

Our Luther's Charming smile is back!

My 1st Chinese New Year

What an adventure for me and my hubby bringing Luther out of KL for the 1st time without any assistance from experience folk(s) a.k.a my mom!!

Packing clothes for Luther wasn't much of a problem as I love packing with lots of extras 'just-in-case' this and that happens. Anyway, how large can babies clothes be and it fitted all in 1 luggage... really... it's not that big (I meant the luggage). Nonetheless, it's stressful cause I was worried I missed out things. So, I literally packed the whole house.... I took the baby bouncer, sterilizer, all his Milk bottles, 1.5 box of formula, a thermos flask and mug, clothes, socks, mittens, hats, Luther's toiletries, 1 full pack of diapers, a few muslin cloth, baby pillow and bolster, bathing tub and a baby carrier. Well, the car can't fit the stroller so we left that out. I KNOW I KNOW... that's almost everything, missing the baby cot and toys! I was worried Luther would feel out of place when he goes to a new environment.

Anyway, we traveled about 1.5hours down south to my hubby's hometown in Port Dickson (PD). The traffic was surprisingly alright with just a little jam along the Nilai area. Not too bad for a festive holiday. And Luther did great by sleeping all the way from KL to PD. 

3 generations

Enjoying the beach scenery

Luther was alright with the place... of course being a little excited with the new place, looking around with his big big eyes. Ah Gung and Ah Por were very happy to see him. So, there comes all the carrying and coo-ing and laughing. Then we brought him to the shelter next to the beach to avoid the sun. The breeze was refreshing. Although it turned Luther into this sticky little baby... hahaha.....

CNY Reunion Dinner Hainanese Style

Having our reunion dinner was another exciting one. My hubby was saying,"This is the quietest reunion dinner he ever had!" Why? Because our little prince was sound asleep on his bouncer during dinner time and grandparents don't want to wake him up so we all can sit together to eat. The whole situation was so funny... every one was literally whispering throughout dinner.....

I Love Gung Gung

I Love Por Por

1st day of Chinese New Year, we were celebrating it at home with the family. On the 2nd day, we traveled further south to Malacca to visit Luther Great Grandmother. I would say the only surviving great grandparent for Luther. She was so happy to see Luther (great grandma is already 93 years old with failing vision). Everyone was so happy greeting our superstar. 

It was an exciting CNY. We came back to KL on the 3rd day and the traffic was, again, surprisingly ok with slight heavy traffic. Thank GOD.. if not, our little champion would be noisy cause he dislike being in a stagnant vehicle too long.

I am 3 month old already!!

I am a big boy now!!

I can't believe it... My baby is already 3 months old!! I still remember giving birth to him just ....... wow!! it's already 3 months....

Hamster cheeks?

Taking care of your own baby is really a challenge in a way but it's all worth while. I can still remember the feeling of the 1st month where sleep was almost non existence. Than the next thing I worried was my breast milk supply slowing down. 

 Well, either my milk supply was reducing or Luther's appetite was increasing. I choose his appetite grew! So, I tried taking Fenugreek (which really did increase my supply...a little), drinking Holick, eating cheese cake and eating more meat for the protein.... I am still breastfeeding him till now although not as much as I want to.

Guess what I am eating!

Luther has grown very much physically and psychologically. He is now 'standing' at 60cm tall weighing at about 6.5kg. The last time, he was sleeping most of the time and now, for the last 2 weeks, he started to learn calling out to us by whining (it's really cute!) and when we  carry him, he stopped. And after a while, he will start making a kicking gesture expressing that he wants us to start moving (i.e. walking). My baby is now our Chairman with lots of request and demands.

At Mid Valley with Papa

After a long long wait, we finally got to see his voluntary smilesssss. All we need to do are some simple gestures, funny faces and plastic sound. He will smile just like the usual smiley (i.e. =D). The funniest thing is that Luther still laugh in his sleep, which is funny!

Another new development is that he started to find his fist very appetizing and have it all the time. I started to keep his hands clean so that we don't encounter unnecessary visits to the clinic. We have also brought him out a little more often before I start work to expose Luther to the outside world although I still worry about him getting all the cough and flu going around... so no crowded places as much as possible.

'The Ramones'

Now, I know how parents feel about their little child. You love them so much that you worry at the smallest things sometime. You love them so much that you sometimes hate yourself for not being able to give them the so-called best. But yet I have also learn that, to a baby, they love you no matter what. And the give you all the love and trust in return.

If only Luther can read, I want to say, "Thank you baby for being in my life. You have brought so much joy and happiness to the whole family. Papa & mommy love you so much."

Simple Steps to make Baby Passport (repost)

Now Everyone Can Fly... I mean... Now My Luther Can Fly....

I know many mommies would love to bring their little one abroad... maybe to visit some relatives or friends. For me, I not only want to visit my relatives, I also love to show off my beautiful baby to the world. Although bringing a baby traveling is not easy (I literally was like bringing my whole baby items with me!!), it is good for the child as this would be 1 way for him will not to be shy or turn to an introvert person in future. Social exposure is always good to bring up a happy, cute and sociable baby!

Here are some things you will need to prepare before heading to the immigration office to avoid delay or whatever similar. Babies cannot wait long.. neither can this mommy especially when Luther starts to show his untamed temper. hehehe....

What u need to prepare before going to the immigration office:

1. RM150 (for baby)
2. 2 latest passport size photos of your baby
3. Your baby's birth cert (original and copy)
4. Parent's IC (original and copy)

5. Application Form completely filled up . 

*Note: Malaysia Passport Application Form. Print the downloaded file on both side of an A4 paper or else they wont accept your application form and you need to buy one for RM1 per form.

(For further reference, you can check out Malaysia Immigration Official Site)


What to do:

1. All documents and payment to be ready and form completely filled

2. Go to the nearest State Immigration Office  

*Note: Parent and baby to be present at all time at the Office as the officer will need to see both of you.

3. Average time frame from start to passport collection is 2-3hours (not inclusive of lunch and tea break). Although I think it's a bit risky, but you can take 1/2 day leave to do this. 

I hope these information will help those who are planning to get a passport for their child and travel.