My New Fascination

Dear all,

Thank you for your patience with my updates, and for sharing our joy with the birth of Gaby.

Both Lionel and I have been busy trying to journal Gaby's entry into our life. The moments come and go so fast! And I really want to have my journey recorded because the learning and discoveries we make with our firstborn is always a once in a lifetime experience. And it is always humbling to return to these memories years later...

While I am more of a words, details and emotions auto-/biographer, Lionel's the photo journalist. So to get updates on what's going on in our lives, you have both my blog and Lionel's Phanfare photo website.

Here are some of my favourite and latest visual captures of our two-week-old darling:

Eyelashes!

That's most of the view I get when I'm breastfeeding her. I am so fascinated that she has eyelashes at such an early age. I keep showing them off to my Mum. However, her eyelashes are nothing compared to those of her ang moh counterparts here -- they have those flip-flap doll-like or liondance lion kind of eyelashes!

Showing some neck

Most of the time, babies are pretty neckless with their lack of head support and all that lovable layers of fat.

Whenever Gaby is awake, in a fussing mode, and I am exhausted, I just can't wait to finish breastfeeding her and putting her back to sleep. But when she's asleep, I enjoy just staring at her and all is forgotten. I find it impossible to resist the urge to kiss her lightly on her cheek, and by so doing, recklessly risk waking her up. It is so hard to let sleeping dogs lie.

Going-out gear

We've started bringing Gaby out! She had her first outing when she was 13 days old. It was a Saturday and Daddy was around. So we could afford the muscle to bring her 4-wheel-drive-solid pram down the stairs. And among the three of us (the other Mum included), we had enough arms to manage supermarket shopping, a pram and a crying baby.

Gaby enjoyed the outing. Well, actually Gaby's mum enjoyed the outing more. It wasn't until we walked out of the apartment that I realised I so badly needed to get some fresh air after a week in hospital and a week at home.

On Sunday, Lionel and I took Gaby out for a walk in the hilly foresty area opposite our home. We were trying a new route and Lionel ended up pramming her uphill for what seemed like a long time, and over lots of bumpity rocks, twigs and earth. Gaby probably had nightmares of motion sickness last night.

And finally, how can I not leave you with this? It is tempting and instinctive to only put up all the positive bits in public, but blogging, and any piece of recount (especially of motherhood) I believe, should always include the good, the bad and the ugly.

Double dose

Stinking the house down and every bit nonchalent about it