The More We Are Together

Daen is 2 months old now. He's become more aware of his surroundings, watches faces intently, and smiles socially now. Vera and he are not exactly playing with each other yet...but we look forward to the day.


Here, you can see clearly their relative sizes. I like that he's 'looking up' to his chea chea (big sister).

Here, he's watching intently as Vera claps her hands.

Of course there'll come the day when he overtakes her on all fronts. But for now, he's got some catching up to do!

Rudeness

On a recent visit to Vera's hospital NUH, I witnessed behaviour of some mainland Chinese (from China) that really cheesed me off.

Okay. It is known fact that there are now more and more foreigners living in Singapore than ever before, due in part to the very open policy that encourages them to come here to work (bringing their families along with them.)

Sure we don't mind sharing our city, but please, behave with a little decorum and civility!

There was this couple bringing their about 5-year-old daughter for what seems like a routine visit. Well, she doesn't seem like she's in pain or sick.

First the woman barged up to the counter staff and demanded in Chinese:

"Where is there Internet access?"

Staff replied: "There is no internet access for the public."

"You mean there is no internet access in the ENTIRE hospital?" She raised her voice.

Staff replied calmly: "There isn't."

"How can that be possible? What about in the doctor's room? No internet access??" She pressed on, sounding all high and mighty.

Staff, not reacting to her impatience: "No it is not for the public."

I was thinking in response: "Lady, in Singapore, if you want internet access, you have your own laptop or mobile phone."

I thought I had seen the last of her, but then her husband started shouting indignantly to a nurse:

"What do you mean we have to wait so long? This is ridiculous!"

Well, it is a government hospital and you pay subsidised rates, so don't expect the sky.

Next thing you know, both parents barged into Vera's doctor's room (we had just finished our consultation with sweet unassuming Dr S) with their daughter without even knocking on the door and shouted at Dr S. And guess what? They were seen to immediately.

Totally uncouth behaviour. So much for the gracious society that we've been trying so hard to cultivate!

Look At Me!

I've been so pre-occupied with Daen that I feel like I'm short-changing Vera on quality time.

I love that I caught this split second shot. Here, she looks as if she's trying to get my attention by 'performing' Mommy's favourite act. She's by no means recovered from her congestion - Mr. Mucus seems to be hanging around for a longgggg time, even though we're shooing him off with the suction machine.

To be honest, the only time I spend with Vera these days is when I suction her 3 times a day. The rest of the time I'm attending to Daen, eating, or catching some sleep. Time to blog is rare nowadays, or I'm mostly too tired!

Trisomy 18 Miracles

When a Trisomy 18 baby is born alive, it is already a miracle. Those that survive past their first birthdays - more than their families could ever hope for. Those who make it into their teens, a definite rarity.

This is a touching collection of Trisomy 18 miracles by a fellow mom to a beautiful baby named Lily who just turned One. Each and every one treasured each day of their lives no matter how long or short. You'll catch Vera right at the end.

Trisomy 18 Miracles

Sick So Easily

Vera falls sick so easily. With her, a common cold is exactly that - it's really common.

Already she's having to deal with assisted breathing with the BiPAP. Add a blocked/runny nose to the mix and breathing gets so tough for the little girl.

Our helper Beth is having to carry her (all 9 kilos) for hours in the night to get her to sleep.

And then she only sleeps for a short while - before she is awoken by blockage and is so upset that she has not slept enough.

To add to it, I tried Vera on another milk powder, as she doesn't really need Pediasure anymore cos she's putting on weight too fast. She reacted really badly after just 2 feeds. She started vomitting and having diarrhea. Just like a few weeks ago.

This time, I'm NOT gonna start her on antibiotics. It would just make the diarrhea worse and upset the tummy even more. We'll just have to let the cold run it's course.

One little change in anything has such a big impact on her. I am so scared to change her milk anymore.

Before, I could just focus on Vera. The difference is now, I have to be handling Daen as well.

The current situation is such:

I get up every night for the middle-of-the-night feeds for Daen. This is anything from 1am-5am.

Beth gets up every night because Vera needs water and milk feeds. This is anytime from 2am-5am. She seems to get thirsty with the biPAP blowing air continuously through her airway.

I get to sleep when Daen sleeps in the day (which is quite a lot).

She gets to sleep about an hour (chores/cooking need to be done).

I took over Vera last night from 2-5am (giving Beth a little sleep break), but the spillover is that Ian had to wake up for Daen.

Conclusion: You need 3 to take care of 2.

Thank goodness my mom has been coming in the daytime to keep that equation.

Hospital Visit

I brought Vera to see the GI doctor last week. What a patient, unassuming lady Dr M was!

She recommended that Vera see the ENT doc again to assess if she still has swelling in the throat area (a sign of reflux), now that she's been on Omeprazole (acid reduction meds) for quite a while now.

If there is still Laryngomalacia, then we'll consider doing a PH impedence study. Not very sure exactly what's that yet - I guess we will when we come to it.

After that, I had two chance encounters at the hospital that left me feeling really happy.

I had wanted to get an oximeter from the Respi team but had not managed to contact Dr D in time.

But walking down the hospital aisle, I bumped into him and he arranged it on the spot!

I also had to get a copy of Vera's milk intake calculation but hadn't arranged to meet the Dietician who didn't know when I would be coming. When I arrived at the Dietetics department, no one was at the counter as it was lunchtime. Just then, the dietician walks in, back from her rounds in the ward. She sat down and explained it to me.

Nothing was planned. But yet, it seemed like everything was planned.

Two ordinary miracles make for one special day!

Lion Dance

Latest development: Our little friend is into showing off her head control.

She is so funny these days.