Cloth Diapers

I LOVE cloth diapers.

But when I was doing research while pregnant with baby E, there were so many different terms (AIO, AI2, pocket diapers, prefolds etc) that my head was spinning.

Plus I could not get over my hangup about touching poop, even if it was newborn breastfed baby poop which was supposed to be easily washed away and not very stinky. So we used disposables until baby E was about 8 or 9 months old before I took the plunge and bought some Bumwear diapers.

I'm busy, mom (periwinkle bee print)

Maroon turtle print

Green dino print *rawr*

White with black trim

Love the batik inspired patterns that Bumwear prints on their diaper covers. Baby E's bum has never looked cuter.

I then set about building my diaper stash because I knew I would need the extra diapers (and maaaaybe part of the reason is that there are so many cute diaper prints out there!). He now goes through 4 - 5 diapers a day, I change him often because he's gotten a rash before from being in a pee-soaked diaper for too long (was an overnight diaper, have not been able to resolve the issue so he sleeps in disposables to keep his bum dry and happy).

So now his diaper stash includes Bumwear, SgBum (also local Singaporean brand), Charlie Banana (bought from Takashimaya during their introductory promotion), SunBaby (China brand, bought direct off their website) and Bumkins (US brand, bought through a local seller on FB). 

We still use disposables when out and about for most of the day for ease of use and disposal. If it's a short trip to the supermarket then I leave him in a cloth diaper because I know we'll be home in time to change him. 

Baby E also had some diaper rash issues and I racked my brain to figure out what was happening, stripped his diapers several times, changed the amount of detergent used, tried baking soda etc. I finally realised that all I had to do was add an additional insert when stuffing his pocket diapers because he was peeing so much as he grew bigger!

The best part is cost savings. I'm not under pressure to potty train baby E as the cloth diapers will last him another year or so (maybe even longer) and he can start whenever he's ready. A friend of mine was bemoaning the cost of the XXL sized diapers for her son (1 year older than baby E) and she was trying to get her son potty trained ASAP so that she can stop spending on his diapers. 

Almost 2

We're 2 months away from baby E's 2nd birthday. 

Found a couple photos of him in the rocking chair, I can't believe how much he's grown. I have mixed feelings about this. 

1 month

3 months

Giving mommy the stink eye at 18 months

I feel relief that we've made it this far as a family, pride in my happy-go-lucky baby (now toddler) and some wistfulness at how fast he seems to be growing. 

The first year seemed like it would never end with all the non-sleeping, crying (both baby E and me!) and worrying. But the second year has gone by quicker than I expected and he is nearly 2 years old!

Judging by the last photo, his personality is really starting to shine through. 

And here I thought attitude didn't start until the tween years??

Palawan Beach, Sentosa

I've been wanting to bring baby E to the beach again since the last time he went. So in May we took him to Palawan Beach at Sentosa since it's a family-friendly place. 

I didn't get any pictures of baby E playing on the beach or in the water but there were a few good shots of him running around.

Let's see, where to run to first?

Wiggly foot

And he's off!

Enjoying the view

That's all she wrote!

Punggol Waterway Park

We took baby E to the water play area at Punggol Waterway Park a few months ago. He was wary at first but really seemed to get into it at the end. 

Since then we've taken him to a few other places that have a water play area like Sentosa's Palawan Beach, the roof area of Lot 1 Shopper's Mall and most recently, the pool area at Festive Hotel in RWS.

Look mama!

Water!

Just havin' a looksee...

What does this button do?

Favourite photo of my two boys!

Pointy finger

My other favourite shot of that day

Art Garden 2012, SAM at 8Q

So we took baby E to the Art Garden 2012 exhibition at the Singapore Art Museum a few weeks ago and he had a blast running around touching stuff. I'm on the lookout for more events like this because he had so much fun, it was a chance for him to play and explore without me or the hubby hovering over him and telling him 'no!' all the time. 

Colouring!

Does standing count?

Posing like a pro

Great exhibit for grabby lil' hands

Oops, sign says 'no climbing'

Baby E seems to have nice memories about our visit to the museum. He still tells me about the young couple who shared the table with us and coloured with him. He says 'draw' and 'koko' which means 'big brother' referring to the guy who drew a spiderman rabbit for him.

There was also an exhibit with a microphone hooked up to a sensor and computer that generates images onto a projection screen. The size of the images depends on how loud a person talks (or shouts) into the microphone. This is another of baby E's favourite memories, judging by how often he's told me about it now. He'll mimic holding a microphone and go 'baaaaah!' then point at the wall / pretend projection screen.

I think we all had a really nice time that day. A change from both the hubby and I feeling frazzled and worn out by trying to keep baby E entertained or in-check on our usual outings.

Babywearing

The memories of baby E's first year are slowly fading into the recesses of my mind, becoming hazy images filled with a sense of overwhelming love and affection for the little guy.

Before these memories fade any further, I feel a need to write down what I felt during that time to remind me of what it was like.

You know, just in case we decide to have another baby.

Baby E was a terrible sleeper. Terrible is putting it nicely. He is such a bright, attentive baby that it seemed like he just could not relax enough to close his eyes and fall asleep. And all I could hear were my mother-in-law's constant comments about 'babies need sleep to grow, why is he not sleeping? I think he's grown smaller!' ringing in my head so in my fuzzy, tired 'new mama' brain I was obsessed with getting him to sleep.

I guess it didn't help that even as a newborn, his crying was really (incredibly) loud and demanding. He would go from sound asleep to yelling his head off. I was constantly worried that he was in some sort of pain because I would do diaper changes, swaddle then unswaddle, walk him around the house, sing to him, lay down with him, give him wind drops, try to burp him etc. Nursing always helped but then I worried he was constantly nursing and might be having an upset stomach from too much milk.

Almost 2 months

I had seen a shop selling baby slings and carriers when I was pregnant but had some reservations about babywearing. The shop owners were really helpful and took the time to recommend and demonstrate the use of a Sleepy Wrap (now known as a Boba Wrap).

After baby E was born and the minute my confinement period was over, we went to buy a Sleepy Wrap. Right in the store, I wrapped baby E up and he fell asleep almost IMMEDIATELY. I was SOLD on babywearing. It wasn't just for convenience, I am convinced that it saved my sanity as well. 

Looking back, I probably had some postpartum depression in those first few months. Being able to wear baby E in the wrap meant I could keep him close yet still get things done around the home. And at the time, keeping things neat and tidy at home was tied to my mental state. It helped me feel like things were under control.

The hubby was also able to use the wrap and get baby E to nap which gave me a break.

2 months (photo taken by auntie J)

I loved the Sleepy Wrap. LOVED it. It did get a bit warm in our hot and humid tropical climate so I always dressed baby E in sleeveless onesies or thin shirts and he was happy.

5 months

As baby E grew bigger, I wanted a more sturdy carrier. So back to the same shop we went and bought a Manduca carrier. The wide waist belt helps distribute the weight of the baby more evenly which is great for the hubby who has bad shoulders. I could even breastfeed on-the-go with baby E in it.

The Manduca has since replaced the Sleepy Wrap as our go-to carrier and we never leave home without it!

15 months

Baby E has reached a stage where he refuses to be carried in the Manduca anymore. He's also started falling asleep in his stroller without needing to nurse. So more often than not, the Manduca is stashed away in his stroller basket these days.

I guess what I am trying to say is that the phrase 'This too shall pass' is true. Baby E has grown and adapted to life on the outside (of the comfort and safety of my womb) at his own time and the test for me was to take a step back and let him develop at his own pace.

Sunnies

Baby E loves to (pretend) drive and picked up daddy's sunglasses to try on for size.

Hey babe, how YOU doin'?