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My eldest sis and her son Travis are in Singapore for the a few days, and Anya sure is enjoying their company. Especially her cousin.

She slouched towards her cousin. Wanted to carry a backpack when we all went out … just like him. She wasn’t even willing to let him go back to the hotel afterwards.

Good thing they’re staying with us for two days over the weekend, so Anya can spend most of her time playing with him too.

Aaah, I guess she longs to have someone to play with around the house (and Vai is just a liitttle bit too small right now)

And oh, it’s Travis’ 10th birthday today! Happy birthday li’l nephew!!!

>> Went to the doctor today to monitor Vai’s jaundice. Well, apparently his jaundice level is now 12.5 (not really much of an improvement since last Sunday).

The paediatrician actually thought it would ‘bounce’ back up when we decided to take Vai home instead of letting him stay at the hospital for one more day.

But Vai was actually okay and so we just need to continue with the ‘neon lights treatment’ at home AND hope for more morning sunlight too.

Aaah … basically I’m just glad he’s slowly getting better.

>> And oh, a big congratulations to our friends Astrid & Ivan! Astrid gave birth to baby Noah today. A huge 4.1kg baby boy! Normal delivery too! Well done, Mommy! *smile*

>> And last but not least … here’s Anya with some snoopy thingy on her head! A friend of ours gave it to her. Haven’t quite checked what it was. I think it was some kind of a pouch … but she managed to turn it into a silly hat! Hehe.

Just a quick update on Vai’s jaundice.

We took him home last Sunday after his 2-day phototherapy at Thomson Medical Centre.

His jaundice level was at 12.6. Not good enough actually, as the safe level is at 10.

And so as soon as he got home, we got him under two long neon lights (the ones we bought for Anya when her jaundice level was quite high a few days after she’s born).

Other than these neon lights, our paediatrician also recommends sunbathing Vai in the morning (between 8am - 10am) and late afternoon (between 5pm - 6pm). Vai’s supposed to wear only his diapers and a cloth covering his eyes during that 20-minute sunbath. And, we’re supposed to turn his body around after some 10mins.

(Note: there’s no need to have him under ‘direct sunlight’. Sunlight coming through a closed bedroom window is good enough for babies).

The thing is, it’s been cloudy these past few days. Sigh. But the neon lights ‘treatment’ continues, an average of about 18 hours each day.

We’re taking Vai to see the doctor again tomorrow.

Hope he’s better.

Can a mother forget her nursing child?
Can she feel no love for a child she has borne?
But even if that were possible, I would not forget you!
Isaiah 49:15

…

And oh, today is my parent’s 40th wedding anniversary! Congrats Pa & Ma!!

Every good and perfect gift is from above,
coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights…
James 1:17

…

When people talk about babies, many (consciously or unconsciously) say something like “Let’s make a baby!”

I personally believe that NO ONE can ever ‘make’ a baby, UNLESS the baby is GIVEN to us. We can do our part in ‘making’ a baby, but ‘nothing’ will happen unless HE blesses us with one.

And when the baby’s already ‘given’ to us and is growing inside, we can do our part in taking care of ourselves, eating well, exercising, etc … but ultimately, how the baby grows and develops inside is ‘beyond’ our control. ie. we cannot command and decide how the baby should grow and develop.

Being reminded again of all this after Vai comes into our lives, I can only say countless thanks to God for the many blessings HE has given to us.

A good and perfect gift from above indeed.

Took Vai for a check-up today, and apparently his jaundice level is quite high! His blood test result showed he’s at level 17 (note: it’s good and safe if the level is 10 or below).

And so we had to quickly admit him to the Nursery (at Thomson Medical Centre, level 3) for Phototherapy.

While he stays there, he’ll be given formula milk and I need to pump and bring the expressed breastmilk (EBM) to TMC. Formula will be given again when my EBM stock is finished

(note: regularly expressing your breastmilk at home, every 2-3 hours, also keep your milk production going)

At level 17, they expect Vai to be treated for 2 nights.

Sigh.

I know leaving him there at the hospital is good for him. I know jaundice in newborns are very very normal too. And hey, Anya went through the same thing when she was a few days old too.

But I just can’t help feeling sad when I come home and see he’s not there with us. Hiks.

>> If you’re pregnant and you’re on your way to the hospital to deliver your baby, remember to eat something first. Depending on your doctor’s examination, it’s possible that you’re not allowed to eat anything until the baby’s out

AND the thing is, you DO need that energy to push the baby out later

>> Hospitals are somehow ‘cold’, and so bring along your thick socks and long pants

>> I personally am not into confinement food. Didn’t have any (before and after I delivered Anya) and haven’t had any this time round too. To me, as long as you eat nutriciously and drink lots of water (or milk / juice / soya milk, etc), you’ll be healthy and fine

>> I told the nurse and my doctor at Thomson Medical Centre that I’d like to go for total breastfeeding (just like when I had Anya). It means, the nurses will not give any formula milk to the baby at all. As and when the baby’s hungry, they’ll bring him to you.

And to be honest, I actually wondered if Vai is going to be really really hungry considering that the amount of colostrum I had was not that much at all. Plus, since I didn’t gain much weight during my pregnancy, I’m always under the impression that I must have then not have enough ‘body fat’ to produce the breastmilk Vai needs.

The thought of giving him some formula milk did cross my mind. But then again I told myself, I should still give total breastfeeding. The more frequent I breastfeed Vai, the milk ducts are better stimulated too.

AND AND, today baby Vai’s starting to get the breastmilk he needs.

Yay!!

Anya’s now a proud big sister to her new baby brother … Levi!

It all happened two days ago, both my hubby and I definitely weren’t prepared for it to happen last Sunday morning!

As much as I’d like to share how my Labour Day really went, I could only share it on another day (it’s been a very busy day for all of us these past few days)

For now, here are a few things I can quickly share with you…

Name: Levi Hidajat

Origin: Hebrew

Meaning: United

Levi is also the english word for ‘LEWI’ (Indonesian). And if you notice, it’s short for LEonny and WIlson, too. Hehe.

In the Bible, the tribe of Levi is also appointed by God for many of His works. And it sure is our hope and prayer that this child can be a blessing to many people and is used by God for many of His works.

And just in case, you’re not too sure … it’s pronouced as ‘Lee-Vai’ … and we call him by the name ‘Vai’ (rhymes with ‘bye’).

I was 37.5weeks pregnant when Baby Vai was delivered.

My doctor said that the baby would be quite small (around 2.8kg). Considering my total weight gain was 8kg too. Weighing 3,42kg, Baby Vai sure was much bigger than anyone’s expectations!

It was natural delivery, with no epidural or injections. Just some laughing gas.

Honestly, it was quite a tough delivery. Kinda tougher than when I had Anya (and they say delivering your 2nd baby will sure be EASIER?)

Anyway.

Vai’s doing well. I’m doing great. Wilson’s a happy dad of two. And Anya’s a proud big sister to her little brother.

Thanks so much for all the wishes, cards, emails, calls, smses and gifts we’ve received. We REALLY appreciate each and every one of them.

Will post more photos soon!