Second Week at Work

I can't believe I'm already on my second week at work. How did I go?

It was not too bad. I am very fortunate to have my mum here, as she does most of the house chores, on top of looking after Baby Bear. I really just have to go to work, come home, give baby a bath, feed him and that's it. I did miss him and Little Bambi a lot. 

My first week at work was easy, yet it felt busy. Catching up with workmates mainly. I have a new boss now, and he is nice. However we still have some time to build up our working relationship. Plenty of new faces at work - some friendly, others not quite. Which is fine. 

Going back to work did not affect me too much, as my mind was mainly preoccupied with our housing situation. We did our first inspection last Friday, and there was not much to it, apart from looking out for little marks around the walls etc. The biggest issue we had was our gas lines. It was still not connected at the time, and the provider could not give us a date. It was so frustrating, and Grumpy was trying to prepare me for further delays. However, we were surprised with the news yesterday evening that the gas has been installed, and so today I received the final invoice for the completion of the house. Next steps for us will be to organise settlement. Fingers crossed we can move in on the 1st of December.

Tomorrow night is my work Christmas party. It is usually a lot of fun, however this time round, I'll be carrying my breast pump with me!

Time go pump!
Good night.
Xx
Jules

Capturing the moment

27 days! I am running out of time! Lots of reminders today about my maternity leave coming to an end...

Grumpy is out again tonight and I find myself taking the quiet time to write on my blog.

It was Little Bambi and myself at dinner just before. We were watching 'The Block', and she just loves telling me what she thinks of the contestants and all that is happening. AGAIN, it flashed before me, and tears filled my eyes. Capturing the moment with her, just us two, before things change. My mum comes end of the month to help us out, then I go back to work, then its Christmas, and a whole bunch of guests coming over to visit. 

When I picked Little Bambi up from school today, we bumped into my boss who's kids also go to the same school. He says to me "Will I see you in about three weeks Jules?" Yes thanks for reminding me! OMG...

Little Bambi's school fair is coming up, and I have put my hand up to contribute something at the bake sale. I tested out a special brownie recipe today, from a friend. It is a family secret recipe, and I cannot believe she just emailed it to me, that easily. 

And so while Little Bear and I were out food shopping today, I decided to give him a piece of free fruit to keep him occupied. 

Look at that face!

And when we came home, I fed him his lunch first. Then I usually let him have a play while it was my turn to lunch, and as usual, he turns the whole place into a mess. He pulls out all the books from the shelf, but then I caught him reading The Very Hungry Caterpillar. Haha we read together every night before bed, and it just goes to show how smart little babies are - his ability to recognise a book and turn the pages. I will miss moments like these once I head back to work.

Time to hit the breast pump!

Good night!

Xx

Jules

Luck

31 days to go. Too soon!

Ahhh tomorrow is Friday, and we survived the first week of Little Bambi being back at school. Term 4, also the final term, where things just fly past, and before I know it, its already Christmas! I had an amazing time with Little Bambi at home during the past two weeks of school holidays. Baby Bear had a ball having his sister at home with him. One of the highlights for her, and me, would be her 2 day junior basketball camp. I was very worried when I signed her up for this camp, considering she is not athletic at all, and was feeling very nervous about the whole thing. However Grumpy and I agreed that she should at least try out different sports, to give things a go. Thankfully, she enjoyed her camp so much, she wants to return the next school holidays. She made us so proud!

Basketball camp

Baby Bear is now 9 months old, and he has been driving us insane every night this week! He was unwell two weeks ago, with a cold and cough, but he is now back to normal, and yet he wakes up at least twice each night. For the life of me, I can't figure it out. He eats well, he is still exclusively breast fed, takes his morning and afternoon naps, and still wakes up at night! Come on baby, will you give your mama and papa a break? Despite all that, he gives us the most beautiful smiles. Grumpy and I constantly compare notes on how gorgeous he is, and that makes up for all the sleepless nights. 

Baby Bear at 9 months

On a different note, our housing situation has not been the best. We were hopeful that the new house will be complete very soon... as in end of this month or early November. Unfortunately that won't be the case. The builders keep saying before Christmas, which is still a few weeks away (although I know it will be very soon). I was feeling so down. We are so close to the finish line, and yet it feels like its so far away. My mum arrives end of this month to come and live with us, and most importantly to help me care for Baby Bear while I go back to work. I feel bad that she will have to live in such crappy conditions - stuck in a small cramped one bedroom apartment for god knows how many weeks. 

I meet my new boss next week for coffee - to discuss my return. Wish me luck, because I need lots of it!

Good night.

xx

Jules

Things Will Get Better

46 days to go, time is running so fast. 

Last week, I was actually feeling ready to go back to work. I am not sure why, but it was the final days of Term 3 at school, perhaps I was feeling a bit tired from doing school runs for the past 10 weeks, packing lunches, laundry, etc that I said to myself, this stay-at-home-mum thing isn't for me. 

And then, Little Bambi started school holidays this week, and today, at dinner, it was just us two (Grumpy is out with the boys, and Baby Bear fast asleep). I realised how much I've missed her, the beautiful soul that she is, and how much I love her. Words can't describe it, but she means the world to me. I haven't written too much about her lately, but things have not been easy for her. I feel sorry for her, I know she is still struggling to find her place in school and in our new temporary home. I know these things take time. Things will get better, baby. I promise.

Little Bambi, Baby Bear and I went in to the city today. We took the train in, visited the aquarium, followed by lunch with Grumpy. Grumpy took us to this burger place, which was not kid friendly at all (of course!). They didn't even have real chairs - only bar stools. And they played loud rock/metal music. Just perfect!

Us at the aquarium

Little Bambi at the burger place

Oh my, time to hit the breast pump.

Good night!

xx

Jules

Maternity Leave

56 days! And the countdown begins...

To the end of my maternity leave, and back to the workforce as a full time working mum. Only this time, with two kids. And soon, a bigger home than before.

Maternity leave is different this time round - as it revolves around Little Bambi's school drop offs and pick ups. And catching up on sleep where possible. Baby Bear is 8 and a half months now, and still wakes up at least twice each night. Now I know what sleep deprivation feels like!

We travelled back to Malaysia at the end of June for three weeks. It was an interesting holiday, travelling with a young baby. It was a really good trip, everyone had the best time, and most importantly, we were able to spend lots of time with the family. Going away during winter was a great escape from the cold. When we returned, the winter did not bother us too much, and before you know it - its SPRING!

My fave pic with both my babies in Melaka.

Our living arrangements have been very different this time round. We sold our home last year, and moved out in February this year. We moved in to a one bedroom apartment, yes, crazy I know, while building a new home. I'll write more soon about our new home. It is very exciting times ahead! We have been slowly buying new furniture etc, but I can't wait to get both the kids settled in a proper home and not in a tiny shoebox. 

When I returned to work with Little Bambi, it was terrible. I had the worst experience at work, but that somehow was a life changing moment for me. Looking back now, I realise I will not let such a situation upset me like that ever again. It has made me stronger and also it has taught me to be a lot smarter about things. Haha..and while I finished work last year before giving birth to Baby Bear in a really good position, I know that good things don't last forever, so I will not go back expecting to be all rosey and perfect.

Xx
Jules

4 Months Old - Baby Bear

Baby Bear is now 4 months old! By this age, he really should be sleeping through the night, but no, he still wakes me up at least once, usually around 3.30am for a feed. While I have started to get used to waking up at this time, he has not been too difficult to manage in the wee hours of the morning. After the feed and a clean nappy, he settles himself back to bed before waking up at 7am to kick start the day.

Over a week ago, he started turning and then rolling! There was one morning when I left him right in the middle of the play mat, went to the toilet, came back and found him outside the play mat.

Because of this, we are slowly starting to transition him into a sleeping bag - which means giving him the freedom of his hands! I have also realised that 4 months is actually quite a different stage. Not only is he more mobile now, he is also more vocal. Talking and definitely more aware of the environment. Which makes feeding more challenging too, as he gets easily distracted. 

His hair was starting to look funny. He had long strands on the top, a receding hair line, and bald patches at the back. My mum kept persuading me to shave his head, and so I borrowed a baby shaver kit from a friend, and we did it! We shaved his head ourselves. Little Bambi found it so amusing. 

Anyway, this is what my little Baby Bear looks like now - after we shaved his head! 

xx

Jules

Little Bambi's Presentation

My gorgeous Little Bambi gave a presentation in front of her classmates today, as part of a project they were given prior to school holidays. Her teacher posted a picture of her on the school app, saying it was fabulous, how well she spoke and how she impressed everyone in her class! My heart is bursting with joy, because she is my baby girl and how proud I am to be her mama!

She started school yesterday, after a 2-week break, and I was secretly sad when I dropped her off - because I miss her so much. She was such a pleasure to be with at home, particularly with helping me with Baby Bear. We did heaps of activities together, going out each day, to the shops, library or a trip to the city etc. I will blog more about all the things that we did - to capture the wonderful memories of our time together.

Good night!

xx
Jules