Development: 10 weeks

Abigail gave me the most wonderful smile this morning. The first time a baby intentionally smiles at you is a heart melting moment. And it gets even better when she smiles at you in the morning before you pick her up from her cot. The intense joy and love you feel at that moment is quite indescribable. In that moment all frustrations from the days before or from lack of sleep disappear and all the sacrifices you made becomes worthwhile.

cheryl

Development: 9 weeks

Our baby girl has discovered her hands. She doesn't really know they are there as yet and neither does she know she has fingers but she must know something is there because she has started stuffing the back of her fist into her mouth. Quite cute really... I was initially a little concerned that she was going to start sucking on her thumb. I don't want to encourage thumb sucking because it acts just like a pacifier. Unlike a pacifier, a thumb cannot be taken away from baby. But from observation it looks like she just wants the back of her hand and that is all fine and dandy.

cheryl

Before Giving Birth

In the short amount of time that I have been a new mom, I have learnt things about myself. Discovered parts of me that I didn't know existed. I am sure that as the weeks go by I will be discovering and learning a lot more but for now, I am putting them on the blog so I can remember these moments in the future.

Before giving birth-I never thought that moving around post delivery could be so strenuous on the body. Everything hurt. Just the simplest movement was difficult. I discovered the importance of muscles in places that I didn't know there were muscles. I wished the body would heal as quick as people get over colds and fevers but its taking much longer than that. And to this day, I still ache in several places for which I need physio appointments for. (This post is back dated and Abigail is now nearly 3 months!)

Before giving birth-I thought that with my maternity leave of 4 months I would be able to finish off novels, go have coffee (decaf) with friends, go jogging, enjoy parks and basically relaxing. I had bought stacks of novels from Lifeline in preparation for this juggling act with baby and boy.. was I naive! Not only do I not have the time for personal interests, what little time I have I crave sleep! And sadly to say in that little window of free time, before I can fall asleep Abigail is up and needs attending to. So mothers to be, don't go investing in stacks of novels ok? :) You might be able to get to it when baby is 4 years old. Or as some sceptics say when baby is 25 years old? :)

Before giving birth-I didn't know I could do with 6 hours of sleep for weeks on end and still function through the day, juggling baby and household duties.

Before giving birth-I didn't think I could take care of a baby all by myself 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. I didn't know I could instinctively predict my baby's needs.

Before giving birth-I did not really understand the meaning and depth of self sacrifice.

Before giving birth-I didn't think I could feel such an intense protective instinct and love a child this much. Now I understand the meaning of a mother's love.

cheryl

Development: 8 weeks

Our little red riding hood

Our baby has given us her first intentional smile! Whoopee! She doesn't smile very much ( I think she inherits that from me ) but when she does smile... she is so sweet!

cheryl

Development: 7 weeks

Abigail has started smiling this week. Not intentionally as yet but she has begun smiling to herself a few times a day. Sometimes she smiles and chuckles while being breastfed which I find so very funny. I can't wait for when she starts smiling at us!

I have also started Abigail on some sort of schedule. I put her down for an afternoon nap at 2pm after her lunch. So far she has done quite well, going into her cot without much complaint after 2 afternoons of practice. I hope she keeps to this routine and it will keep her in good stead for when she goes into day care. She takes plenty of intermittent naps throughout the day so she is either asleep or feeding on the breast. I expect this will change in a few weeks when she starts staying awake a lot more during the day.

cheryl

Grandma Left for Home Today

My mother (aka Abigail's grandmother) leaves for Penang today. The past 6 weeks have been wonderful with my mom around. I now know that its true when people say 'Daughter's learn to appreciate their mothers most when they have their own daughters.' I am so grateful that my mother came to help me out right after Abigail arrived. Having her around has been very uplifting to my spirits and I am ever so thankful for the lovely meals she cooked, making sure I eat and helping me keep the house clean. ( I actually feel very guilty about the amount of work she has done around the house. Mom if you are reading this, really from the bottom of my heart, THANK YOU )

The fact that my mom has been here for 6 weeks-not less, has given me time to recuperate and somewhat get my body back to its previous strength to manage Abigail on my own. I never had the opportunity to observe other mothers (sisters, cousins or friends) looking after their babies. Maybe it wasn't so much as not having the opportunity but rather not having the interest to observe them. Having the chance to observe is essential so you know what to do when you have your own baby. These few weeks with my mom has given me the most valuable insight and knowledge on how to care for baby. So ladies, if you can, definitely get mom to help you out post delivery. You will not regret it.

I must also thank my dad for allowing my mom to be away from him for that amount of time. I believe since they were married they have not been apart for more than 3 days at any time. It must have taken a bit of adjustment getting used to being alone at home before mom got back. So thanks dad! And again mom, thanks for the BIG help :) Abigail thanks you both for it too! She is looking forward to seeing you both again and hopefully that will be soon!

cheryl