Letters to Julianne #5

Dearest Julianne, 

Just look at how time has flown us by! You are 4 months old today! How awesome is that!! I wish I could report that your drinking habits have improved but unfortunately, we are still working on getting you back on track with your drinking.  After almost 2 months of second guessing what was causing all the fussiness at meal times, we have finally pinned it down to the doings of silent reflux.  Mama is just glad we found Dr Vas through the recommendation of good ole Dr Liang.  I know how you hate it but we hope the medicines that you're on will help you through.  I can't tell you when this is going to end, we can only hope and pray that things will get better once you start on some solids.  We even brought you to a chiropractor where we were told your first bone was misaligned, something that happens very often to babies born via assisted birth.  I'm not sure if the one session really helps but at least we got your bones straightened out. 

Probably the only good thing that came out of your silent reflux is that Mama gets to spend two extra weeks with you at home.  I didn't feel good about going back to work knowing that you won't take the bottle well so Papa and Mama decided the best thing was to stay home a little longer.  But it ain't for long.  Mama goes back to work in 2 weeks, no more buying time so be good my child and start liking your bottle alrighty?  Mama promise that I'll still nurse you at night and we can still bond over our night-feeds! Deal?! 

Mama jumps through hoops everyday, just trying to get as much milk into you as possible.  When your weight dipped for the first time 2 weeks ago, my heart too sank and I told myself I won't let that happen to you again.  For now, you will only nurse when sleepy/sleeping but Mama and Aunty Joy have pretty much settled down to a routine on how best to do this.  I hope it won't be long before I can nurse you on demand, anytime, anywhere again.  We keep praying Julianne, Mama keeps praying for God's grace and healing to be upon you.  He'll answer us soon.  Be patient. 

On all other fronts, you are doing well.  You love grabbing anything and everything that is within sight and instinctively put them in your mouth.  You started your last month with always raising your right arm.  Gong gong calls you champion! Then progressively, we went on to both hands.  Papa calls you superwomen.  Now, you have gone on to transfer things from one hand to another.  You've also got your head held high this month! So proud of you! 

You've also been talking a whole lot more!! You seem to know how to communicate to us that something's not right with you.  Like you have a poopy diaper or you want some attention.  Mama is glad you don't cry it out but have chosen to coo to us voicing your discomfort.  Everyone calls you zi-zar!  You're so talkative, Por Por thinks you'll start talking very soon! We still think you save the best of your baby talk for Gong Gong.  Every evening, without fail, you will have your conversation time with him and give him your biggest grins. I don't think even Papa gets that from you.  Thankfully you know who your Mama is and never fail to give me your widest smiles from time to time throughout the day.  I love you so much!

We've also been reading alot more this month.  Mama thinks your favourite color is purple - much like che che Sophie! You respond most to the purple noisy baby in the Babies book that Yiyi Rene got you.  You also get most excited when the purple turtle on your mobile comes into your sight!   

Because of your reflux, we are starting you on solids ahead of the usual 6 months.  We have since started you on porridge water and you seem to love it.  It's yummy isn't it!  Well afterall, you do have some teochew blood in you! In a few weeks, we'll introduce you to rice cereal and maybe some pumpkin and avocado!  Woo, exotic taste buds you're going to have! 

Two more weeks of having you around me 24-7.  I'm going to miss our special times together even though it sometimes gets so rough especially dealing with your feeds.  You're growing up so fast, your every smile, your every coo, they go past me so quickly, I wish I could capture them all in a jar and savour them slowly.  

Love you so much my sweet sweet Julianne.  May your 4th month be another exciting month of hitting milestones and exploring our big world! 

Love you much, 

Mama