Achievement Unlocked

4 months since my last post?

So many things about Olive that I want to document, which I did on instagram. But I think it is time I document them on this blog as well, for in case. Always good to have a backup, no?

Just today, I got to witness Olive’s first steps. 6 little flying steps before she threw herself forward into my arms. This is my little Olive at 5 days shy of turning 11 months small.

Also today, while flipping through a magazine, she pointed to a picture of a dog and said “Doe-dog! Doe-dog!” I have been repeating certain words to Olive on an everyday basis, especially animal names because animals are all the rage when it comes to babies’ first words. So I think she actually knew what she was talking about earlier!

What a magical feeling! Oh, what a day!

Gingham romper from @hubbleandduke and reversible bibdana worn as headscarf from @paperplanekids.

#Maythefourthbewithyou

Heart.melt.now.

Romper & Socks from @hubbleandduke; Moccasins from @freshlypicked.

My Husband Says the Darndest Things

I think I should have daily posts titled ‘My Husband Says the Darndest Things’.

Today, over a lunch date with Oska, we were on the topic of our daughter (yes, she is always a topic in all our conversations ever since I got pregnant with her). I was asked to rate Olive on a scale of 1 to 10 for the following questions which Oska ended up rating on his own before I could even respond:

1. Cuteness – His response: “20. She is the ultimate cute. She is going to be the cutest now right?”

2. Expressiveness – His response: “20. When she is happy and when she is angry, she is oh my God…”

3. Fats content – His response: “Above average.”

4. Thigh ratio (I think he meant thigh to body ratio) – His response: “Above average.”

You see, Olive is so lovable in her Daddy’s eyes that she cannot even be placed within a scale, whatever the scale might be.

Bow from thelittlebowco; Sunsuit from Sapling Child; Shoes from Carters.

Breastfeeding & Intelligence

This just in from BBC news: Breastfeeding ‘linked to higher IQ’.

The article basically explained how breastfeeding is beneficial and that there is a possible link between breastfeeding and intelligence (though results from many studies including this featured long-term study in Brazil offer some insight but are still inconclusive).

Whatever the case is, I have definitely been brainwashed enough by lactation consultants, paediatricians, research articles, breastfeeding support groups etc. that breast is best.

So I have been asked many times how long I intend to breastfeed for and my answer had always been, “WHO (The World Health Organization) recommends for babies to be breastfed exclusively for the first 6 months, and even with the introduction of solids, to be breastfed up to 2 years and beyond.”

Every time I begin my response with ‘WHO’, the non-mamas look at me as though I have crazy eyes and probably regretted asking me the question. The mamas though, reflect their crazy eyes right back at me. Amazing how these mums have the determination to breastfeed for more than a year, and some did 3 years and more.

I’d be happy to do the minimum 6 months. And I say to all mamas, breastfeeding or formula feeding, fret not as long as your kid is healthy and happy! Many of us weren’t breastfed back in those times anyway, and we still turn out well. Also, not all of us are able to or have the luxury of time to breastfeed but we can still be supermoms in our own ways.

Here’s Olive trying to look all intelligent with her first book of 123.

Tee from Whistle & Flute; Shorts from Baby Gap; Shoes from Potatofeet.

The Woman in Me

One fine day, while waiting for me to doll up Olive before we headed out, my husband suddenly remarked, “All the bad habits of a woman in you have been unleashed after having Olive.” I broke out into laughter because I couldn’t agree more.

Here are my top 3 transformations pre- and post-delivery:

1. Pre – Always ready to head out in less than 10 minutes, sometimes even 5. Yes, I was, and still am very low maintenance.
   Post – Probably need close to an hour to prepare Olive’s diaper bag, make sure she is well fed, and well dressed but still don’t give two hoots about myself.
2. Pre – Never a fan of shopping. In fact, my husband, Oska, shops more than I do.
   Post – Non-stop shopping for Olive, especially online.
3. Pre – Very chill with a high level of tolerance, and zero pet peeves about Oska.
   Post – The nesting mother who wants everything spick and span, and who would love to have a husband who cleans up after himself (think dirty laundry strewn all over the floor, food/beverage packaging left on the table etc.).

Blanket from Jamiekay; Bow from thelittlebowco; Tee from Adidas; Leggings from Bonds; Shoes from H&M; Flounder from Singapore Airlines.

So, I made a pie chart of where I am at now:

And this is where I aim to be at:

But you know, nothing is quite fair in this world, so I will just have to do my best in finding equilibrium, finding the balance, the harmony, the rhythm, the highs and the lows, the yin and the yang, the blues and all that jazz.