Posts from — May 2007

Here’s how Erin looks at 2 months: 

[rockyou id=69537933&w=426&h=320]

At two months, she also had her second batch of vaccines (first time was right after she was born — for Hepatitis B and Vitamin K). This second set included vaccines for Hepatitis B (hepB), Diphtheria, tetanus and whooping cough (acellular pertussis) (DTPa), Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib), Polio (inactivated poliomyelitis IPV), and Pneumococcal conjugate (7vPCV). The first five vaccines were injected on one leg, the pneumococcal conjugate on the other.

Erin was already crying when we arrived at the community health centre yesterday morning. She was tired and wanted to take a nap. But that proved to be impossible because we had to undress her to expose her thighs. I was anxious myself because I had to hold her very well to keep her still so that the nurse could properly inject both thighs with the vaccines. I had to look away as it was happening because I couldn’t bear to see the actual procedure. I was left with no choice but to look at poor Erin’s crying face as she screamed with pain. I thought she would go on crying for hours. But surprisingly enough, she immediately stopped wailing when the whole thing was over.

She’s been such a good little girl now, I tell you. She wasn’t as fussy as I’d thought her to be when we got home. After twenty four hours, she was back to her normal self. We knew because she greeted us with her cute little smile when she woke up the following morning.

What a godsend this contraption is! Whoever invented it is a genius! My mom left for a short trip to Melbourne early this morning, leaving Erin and me alone at home for the entire day. I thought I was going to have my hands full for as long as mom’s not around (meaning: can’t do much anything else but tend to Erin). But today really just surprised me! I did a little experiment and used the bouncer as an aid. As soon as Erin drifted to sleep, I gently placed her on the bouncer, making sure the vibration modewas turned on. Lo and behold, she slept on that thing for at least an hour and I am dumbfoundedly left with empty hands! I was able to wash and hang her clothes on the line outside, tidy the house a bit, prepare her bath, set the table for dinner, eat, wash a few dirty dishes and obviously, blog (with both hands free). I am seriously considering of getting the toddler rocker for future use.

I guess she really has grown up. She’s not anymore the fussy little newborn we once knew. There was once a time (maybe a few weeks ago) that I thought this day would never come. But, come it did! Poor Erin! I underestimated the little bub. *sigh* All’s well that ends well. Maybe we won’t need to stay at QE anymore. *still crossing my fingers*

Got this in my inbox today…

POSITION : Mother, Mom, Mama, Mommy, Momma, Ma

JOB DESCRIPTION :
Long term, team players needed, for challenging permanent work in an, often chaotic environment. Candidates must possess excellent communication and organizational skills and be willing to work variable hours, which will include evenings and weekends and frequent 24 hour shifts on call. Some overnight travel required, including trips to primitive camping sites on rainy weekends and endless sports tournaments in far away cities. Travel expenses not reimbursed. Extensive courier duties also required.

RESPONSIBILITIES :
The rest of your life. Must be willing to be hated, at least temporarily, until someone needs $5. Must be willing to bite tongue repeatedly. Also, must possess the physical stamina of a pack mule and be able to go from zero to 60 mph in three seconds flat in case, this time, the screams from the backyard are not someone just crying wolf. Must be willing to face stimulating technical challenges, such as small gadget repair, mysteriously sluggish toilets and stuck zippers. Must screen phone calls, maintain calendars and coordinate production of multiple homework projects. Must have ability to plan and organize social gatherings for clients of all ages and mental outlooks. Must be willing to be indispensable one minute, an embarrassment the next. Must handle assembly and product safety testing of a half million cheap, plastic toys , and battery operated devices. Must always hope for the best but be prepared for the worst. Must assume final, complete accountability for the quality of the end product. Responsibilities also include floor maintenance and janitorial work throughout the facility.

POSSIBILITY FOR ADVANCEMENT &PROMOTION :
Virtually none. Your job is to remain in the same position for years, without complaining, constantly retraining and updating your skills, so that those in your charge can ultimately surpass you

PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE :
None required unfortunately. On-the-job training offered on a continually exhausting basis.

WAGES AND COMPENSATION :
Get this! You pay them! Offering frequent raises and bonuses. A balloon payment is due when they turn 18 because of the assumption that college will help them become financially independent. When you die, you give them whatever is left. The oddest thing about this reverse-salary scheme is that you actually enjoy it and wish you could only do more.

BENEFITS :
While no health or dental insurance, no pension, no tuition reimbursement, no paid holidays and no stock options are offered; this job supplies limitless opportunities for personal growth and free hugs for life if you play your cards right.

Now ain’t that the truth?

Oh, and here’s a wonderful tribute naman to all mothers. This is really touching!

Happy Mother’s Day to all you mums out there. I hope you’re getting spoilt, even if it is just for today.

I got a letter from this organization in the mail today. It seems like our maternity and child health nurse E wasn’t so pleased with Erin’s progress in settling and feeding. I think she was the one who referred and booked us at QE.

I’m not really surprised. To this date, Erin still has major settling issues which we just can’t seem to resolve. Although she isn’t as fussy as before, still she has difficulty in trying to sleep on her own. Most of the time we can’t place her down on the bassinet because it doesn’t take long for her to wake up and start crying again. Then we’d have to pick her up and try to soothe her to sleep once more. It’s a vicious cycle and it’s very frustrating especially when she does this in the wee hours of the morning.

This concerns me a lot, especially since my mom will be departing soon and I’m left all alone to take care of Erin while J’s in the office working. I’m afraid I won’t be able to do much of the rest of the chores if this keeps up.

We have been booked from the 6th to the 10th of June. Erin’s got a month to shape up or else I may have to confirm that booking at QE. *crossing my fingers*