Little Miss Honey

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CONFINEMENT FOOD SERVICE FOR POSTPARTUM MOMMIES BY NATAL ESSENTIALS

June 18, 2018 by Little Miss Honey 2 Comments

Natal Essentials Confinement Food Service

When I was into the 6th to 7th month of my pregnancy, most of my local friends and colleagues here in Singapore would ask if I have engaged a confinement nanny or someone to take care of my meals during confinement. As a Filipino, this was not practiced in our country but being introduced to this idea of confinement period in Singapore made me curious about this postpartum practice.

Confinement Period starts after a woman has given birth. There are a lot of physical changes in a woman’s body during pregnancy and labour which require a proper recuperation and allow mothers to regain back their strength that was lost during pregnancy and delivery. Postpartum mothers also need proper nutrition to provide for their babies especially if there are breastfeeding. Confinement Period means the mother is not allowed to go outside after giving birth for 30 days. It also requires mothers to have a special confinement food diet to accelerate the recovery of mothers’ post-birth body that have been weakened by pregnancy and child-birth. Following a confinement practice would also help in preventive measures that are often seen postpartum like postnatal hair loss, back aches, rheumatism, premature aging, etc. Confinement foods often have common ingredients found in any regular Chinese diet: ginger, eggs, sesame oil, black vinegar, Chinese rice wine, pepper, black chicken free-range or organic chicken, fishes, and pork. Other ingredients of confinement food include fairly general herbal provisions like Chinese Wolfberry/ Goji Berry (Gou Qi), Angelica Sinensis (Dong Quay), red dates, black dates, dried longans, and whole bunch of other Chinese traditional herbs.

I believe that it really makes sense to have a 30-days confinement period for all postpartum mommies. All mothers know that being pregnant and delivering a baby require a lot of strength and stamina. Regaining that strength and being taken care of after birth are definitely essentials. Thus, I was excited to try out the Confinement Food Services by Natal Essentials for 5 days. I wanted to experience the Confinement Food service.

Natal Essentials is a Confinement Food Service Delivery in Singapore that was setup in March 2002 to deliver quality home-cooked confinement meal to door-steps of postpartum mommies. They served thousands of customers from different races and nationality. They are known for providing excellent customer service, food and quality standards. Their cook has more than 20 years’ experience in the confinement meal which make them a top quality confinement food service provider. There are proud to inform their clients that no MSG is added in their dishes and each dish is designed to serve a purpose.

To start my 5-Day Confinement Food Delivery, I log-in to Natal Essentials user-friendly website. I completed an order form with my details to design a menu that would fit my preference and needs. On the order form, you can indicate your preference on the type of ingredients to be omitted. I also choose to have brown rice with my dishes instead of white rice.

My 5-Days Lunch & Dinner Confinement Food:

Day 1:

LUNCH

Natal Essentials Confinement Food Service

  • Stir Fried Pork Tenderloins & Liver with Assorted Vegetables and Lemongrass
  • Stir Fried Spinach with Ikan Bilis
  • Double Boiled Lotus Root with Peanut & Discorea Yam Chicken Soup

DINNER

Natal Essentials Confinement Food Service

  • Grilled Salmon Filler with Teriyaki Sauce
  • Stir Fried Broccoli with Shimeji Mushroom, Black Fungus & Baby Corn
  • Double Boiled Sweet Corn Lily Bulb Pork Rib Soup

Day 2:

LUNCH

Natal Essentials Confinement Food Service

  • Braised Chicken with Homemade Glutinous Wine
  • Stir Fried Long Bean with Minced Pork
  • Double Boiled Six Herbs Pork Rib Soup

DINNER

Natal Essentials Confinement Food Service

  • Braised Trotter with Chestnut
  • Stir Fried Lan with Sliced Sheng Yu
  • Double Boiled Hashima Black Chicken Soup

Day 3:

LUNCH

Natal Essentials Confinement Food Service

  • Steamed Threadfin with Black Fungus & Lily Bulb
  • Stir Fried Snow Peas with Sliced Liver
  • Double Boiled Chicken Tea Soup

DINNER

Natal Essentials Confinement Food Service

  • Deep Fried Mid Wing with Rock Honey Sauce
  • Stir Fried Spinach with Braised Mushroom
  • Double Boiled Raw Di Huang Pork Rib Soup

Day 4:

LUNCH

Natal Essentials Confinement Food Service

  • Grilled Chicken Chop with Black Pepper Sauce
  • Stir Fried Broccoli with Lotus Root & Assorted Vegetable
  • Double Boiled Sweet Corn Lily Bulb Pork Rib Soup

DINNER

Natal Essentials Confinement Food Service

  • Stewed Fish Maw with Pork Rib
  • Pan Fried Egg with Long Bean
  • Double Boiled Tian Ma Chicken Soup

Day 5:

LUNCH

Natal Essentials Confinement Food Service

  • Braised Vinegar Trotter with Egg
  • Stir Fried Chinese Spinach with Wolfberry
  • Double Boiled American Ginseng & Carrot Black Chicken Soup

DINNER

Natal Essentials Confinement Food Service

  • Steamed Threadfin with Bean Sauce
  • Stir Fried Snow Peas with Sliced Chicken
  • Assorted Beans Pork Rib Soup

My Natal Essential Food Delivery Review

Having Confinement Food delivered right on my doorstep was a very new experience for me. I love the convenience of having healthy food delivered to help me in my postnatal healing, I am surprised and happy to receive the food kept warmth in a pink thermal bag and arrived conveniently 15 minutes before my usual meal time. The food is packed carefully without any nasty leaks running from the containers or bag which you would expect because most of the dishes are soups and with gravy. I happily noted that no leakages and that it was sealed neatly. They take particular care with the food presentation. I got acquainted with different types of confinement foods and I didn’t expect that the dishes would be so flavourful and yummy. My favourites are the Stir Fried Pork Tenderloins & Liver with Assorted Vegetables and Lemongrass, Stir Fried Spinach with Ikan Bilis, Deep Fried Mid Wing with Rock Honey Sauce and Pork Rib Soup. It was my first time to try the Black Chicken. Initially, it was jarring to eat a black chicken but once I got pass the color of the chicken, it was actually quite flavourful. Each delivered meal was anticipated with excitement. I was aware of the menu but it was still fun waiting for how the actual food would be presented and tasted. It was also nice to know that feedback from Natal Essentials was very much welcomed and they cater to their customers with great concern and care.

On the 5th day of the delivery service, I could happily conclude that it was a wonderful experience and I would recommend that all postpartum mothers need confinement food for better recovery. Natal Essentials is a great confinement food delivery service that knows what postpartum mommies need in the stage of healing and recovery after giving birth.

Promotion benefits for all My Readers!

Simply fill up your name and quote “Honey” as seen- Name (Honey)

on our order form at http://www.natalessentials.com/order-form/ to enjoy these promotion benefits:

28 days double – 15% discount ($238.20)

20 days double – 10% discount ($118.80)

28 days single – 10% discount ( $81.80)

Natal Essentials Pte Ltd

Blk 15, Woodlands Loop,
#02-42 Woodlands East Industrial Estate,
Singapore 738322

Tel: (65) 6755 4747
Fax : (65) 6752 8667
Email: 
enquiry@natalessentials.com

Operating hours:
9am – 5pm ( Mon – Fri )
9am – 4pm ( Sat – Sun & PH )

Website: http://www.natalessentials.com/

Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/NatalEssentialsConfinementMealDeliverySingapore/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/natalessentials/

Disclaimer: This is a sponsored post collaboration with Natal Essentials.  The 5-Day Food Delivery were free of charge. All opinions are my own. Regardless, I only recommend products which I personally believe will be good for my readers.

Filed Under: Food Discoveries, Motherhood Tagged With: collaboration, confinement food, confinement food service, confinement period, food delivery, natal essentials, postpartum, pregnancy, sg food, Sponsored post

GIVING BIRTH TO BABY #3 IN SINGAPORE

May 17, 2018 by Little Miss Honey 174 Comments

I decided to write this post for those expats and OFWs  (Overseas Foreign Workers) who are pregnant and thinking delivering here in Singapore for the first time instead of going back to their home country to give birth. I will share with you my experience. I just delivered last 9 May 2018 to a bouncy baby boy, our 3rd baby boy, in KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital here in Singapore.

My first two boys were delivered in the Philippines. Initially, when we learned that I was pregnant with our first baby, we did have thoughts of me, delivering here in Singapore. However, since I didn’t know much OB-Gynae doctors here in Singapore, I asked the referral department to assign me to any OB doctor. I was assigned to a senior female OB consultant. After a few sessions with her, I was dismayed that she didn’t seem as caring and attentive enough which brought a wave of panic for me as a new pregnant mommy. I didn’t want to go doctor-hopping so I decided to give birth instead in the Philippines. Being a doctor myself, I get to enjoy the perks of giving birth in the Philippines without it being cost-constrainting and I get to avail some government discount as well since I am paying dutifully my government monthly dues. Plus my family gets to be with me when I give birth and will be able to take care of me during my recovery. So, I was pretty happy with our decision to deliver in the Philippines. For my second pregnancy, we decided to do the same thing even if I really liked the OB doctor who does my prenatal checks in Singapore. So, I had my scheduled caesarean section for baby #2 in the Philippines.

When we found out that I was pregnant for the 3rd time, the logistics of us, 4 going home to the Philippines before my 34 weeks pregnancy (since this the allowed weeks of gestation for a pregnant woman to ride a plane) and again my eldest & hubby going back to Singapore for school & work until they come back again for my schedule caesarean delivery and going back again to Singapore, then back again to Iloilo to fetch me & baby #3 back to Singapore, seems very taxing, confusing and notably expensive. All the back and forth travelling doesn’t seem practical at all, so we seriously thought of having me deliver baby #3 in Singapore once I clarify with my company my maternity benefits and if we can afford the maternity hospitalisation bill in Singapore, considering I will be delivering baby via caesarean section.. Being a foreigner and in a non-Permanent Resident Visa, I need to make sure that we won’t be buried with hospital bills we can’t afford since we don’t get any subsidy. I clarified my maternity benefits from my company that I will be paying only 10% of my maternity bill and the rest will be paid by my company. My baby’s bill, which is often not as expensive as the mother, will be footed by us. But I can still claim the expenses incurred from the company once we have made the baby as my dependent.

So as far as the regular prenatal check-up goes, the schedule follows as the recommended prenatal schedules:

  • Weeks 4 to 28: 1 prenatal visit a month
  • Weeks 28 to 36: 1 prenatal visit every 2 weeks
  • Weeks 36 to 40: 1 prenatal visit every week

There would be scheduled ultrasound scans in between these prenatal check up and an Oral Glucose Tolerance Test on Week 24 to 28 to check for Gestational Diabetes. I also did the First Trimester Screening For Down’s Syndrome with all my 3 babies.

I liked my Obstetrician too for baby #3. She is Dr. Kazila Bhutia. She has a MBBS (LHMC, Delhi), MD (O&G), MRCOG (London,UK), and FAMS (O&G, Singapore). I like her friendly and caring approach to her patients. I like that she always have a smile on her face. She takes the time to answer my questions and my concerns. She explains to me well, giving me options and offers helpful advice.

My last prenatal check-up with her was last 4 May 2018. I was asked to do an ultrasound scan first to check my amniotic fluid and to know baby’s estimated weight. Baby’s weight was 2.9 kg and my amniotic fluid was adequate. I saw Dr. Kazila shortly after that. She explained that she scheduled the caesarean delivery on our chosen date, 9 May 2018, at 9:45 AM. Since my previous caesarean incision was midline, she will do the same incision. She would have preferred the Pfannestial Incision or Bikini Cut (actually me too, aesthetic-wise) because it is less painful and has reduced incidence of wound infection. She reiterated that now, even if it emergency CS, they still do Pfannestial incision but she didn’t want to create two scars for me so she will follow the previous incision. She said I didn’t need to be admitted a day before the surgery. I just have to fast 12 midnight before the operation and come early in the morning to be prepared before the surgery. I was, then instructed to go to the nurse for further instructions. In the nurses’ room, I was given an appointment on 6 May 2018 for a pre-admission assessment before my actual hospitalisation to ensure that I am fit for surgery on the 9 May 2018. The nurse also instructed me to go to Billing for Financial Counselling so I would have an idea how much is the estimated cost of my caesarean delivery as well as baby’s hospital stay.

In the Billing Department, the kind lady gave me the estimated cost for both normal & caesarean delivery for non-residents. (I will add in MediSave for those PRs who are reading this as well)

Class A1 (single-bedded) Packages *

Type Length of Stay MediSave Estimated Bill Size From
Normal Delivery Two days $2,550 $7,076
Caesarean Delivery Three days $4,400 $11,455

Initial Deposit                                            $4,526          $7,055

Class B1 (four-bedded) Packages*

Type Length of Stay MediSave Estimated Bill Size From
Normal Delivery Two days $2,550 $6,391
Caesarean Delivery Three days $4,400 $10,973

Initial Deposit                                            $3,841          $6,573

*Correct as of 23 Feb 2017

Under my company, I am privileged to get the Class A1 Room. So my estimated cost is: $11, 455. And if complex, it can go up to $13, 746.

For my baby, the estimated cost is $2,245. And if complex, it can go up to $2,694.

I have to admit, one of my apprehensions for giving birth in Singapore is the cost. I heard horror stories of foreigner patients  who accumulated expensive hospital bills due to complications of their condition and they have to reach out to the public for financial help. I may be shouldering 10% of my maternity bills but still if complications does occur, that 10% can still be a lot.

On 6 May 2018, heavily pregnant  at 58.9 kg, I headed to KK Hospital for my Pre-Admission Assessment. We never had that in the Philippines. When I got there, the staff took my height and weight. Then a nurse asked me a series of questions in her checklist. Then I was transferred in another room to have my some blood test taken. Lastly, I was seen by a doctor who asked a few questions and auscultated my lungs  & heart since I told him that I been suffering from Upper Respiratory Tract Infection the past 2 weeks. But I assured him I am significantly better. I was cleared and ready for my caesarean section on the 9 May 2018.

I got a call from KK Hospital on 8 May 2018 for my instructions before my surgery. The staff advised me to fast from 12 midnight including water. I will have to head to the hospital by 6:30AM at the Day Surgery at Basement 1 across the Taxi Stand and make sure that we don’t bring a lot of stuff because there won’t be any space for secure storage in the operating theatre. My husband will be joining me inside the operating theatre and no room won’t be provided for us until they finish the surgery.

So at 5:45 AM, my hubby and I kissed our two sleeping boys, took a cab and headed to KK Hospital with our 2 bags and small pink trolley. We headed to Day Surgery. We arrived a little before 6:30 AM so we waited a few minutes before they officially open. We did the routine registration then we were ushered into a sliding door where I have to be prepared before proceeding to the operating theatre. The regular questions and safety checked were done by the nurse. Then a doctor came to me, asked me a few questions and told me that they will give me a solution to keep my gastric fluids down for the surgery. Then a nurse would bring you to a room for a shave if you haven’t done your own at home or did your Brazilian wax.

Once we are done will the pre-surgery prep, a staff from the Operating Theatre fetched us and brought us to Level 2 where the Operating Theatre is. I was asked to wear a blue hospital gown then a pink robe with a head cap and a cover for my shoes. They ushered me to a room where patients wait for their surgery. The staff would give us a heavy blanket to warm us as we wait. They brought my hubby in the same room with me wearing an outfit that looks like an astronauts suit but thinner in material. The staff told me that I will come in first, the staff will prepare me and once the surgery started, they will asked my husband to come in but no photograph is allowed inside the surgery room. Then the pretty young anaesthesiologist with a nice pink Crocs sandals came in to speak to me and my husband. She did the routine questions. She told me of the plans for anaesthesia. She said that she will do a spinal anaesthesia but in cases that it is difficult for them to insert the spinal anaesthesia, they will do general anaesthesia. I told her that my first delivery was via general anaesthesia because the anesthesiologist have trouble in inserting the spinal anaesthesia during my emergency CS. My second delivery was a successful spinal anaesthesia  but I was sedated until the time, baby came out and I get to kiss him groggily. She was nice and clear in giving me the needed information as well as the risks that may occur.

Delivering my baby in Singapore

The hospital staff lead me to Operating Room 3. She chatted with me for awhile and learned that this is my 3rd baby. She noted that my room is so appropriate because I will have my surgery in Room 3. When I went in and they lay me down the bed, a wave of panic and fear set in. The big operating light overhead scared me and the cold room enveloped me into chills even before the anaesthesiologist administered the anaesthesia. It was sinking in that this is my first time giving birth in Singapore and my anxieties are going a bit haywire. I said a little prayer to calm my nerves. I was greeted by Dr. Kazila when she went in the operating room. I felt a little bit better seeing her in the room. Then they inserted the IV on  my left hand. The young pretty anaesthesiologist asked me to sit down with both my legs dangling one side of operating bed. I need to relax, shoulder down and my neck bend down. She told me she will be inserting the lidocaine anaesthesia to numb the pain for spinal insertion. It was a bit painful but tolerable. I just have to meditate a bit and concentrate on a peaceful place so I wouldn’t feel the pain. Then she inserted the spinal anaesthesia. She said I was doing great. I was surprised she didn’t have a hard time in administering the anaesthesia because in my second CS, they did have difficulty in inserting the spinal anaesthesia because of some blockage in my spinal cord, the anaesthesiologist have to go a bit higher on my spinal column. Then they asked me to lie back down and I felt my legs getting really heavy. The anaesthesiologist tested a block of ice pack for sensation on  my face, chest up to my abdomen to see if the anaesthesia is working. It was indeed working because I noted the difference and they started inserting the urinary catheter and placed the screen near my neck to cover the operating site. I did fear I may feel them opening me up and it is scary thought. The anaesthesiologist did tell me when baby is coming out, I would feel a bit of pressure on my abdomen because the doctors will try to push baby out.

My hubby was brought in and was placed on my left side  near my head so he won’t get to see the operation. He asked me if I felt anything. I said I don’t feel anything, just a few tugs and pull in my abdominal region. Then the anaesthesiologist said, “Oh, we see the baby head already.” Then I felt a light pressure near my xiphoid process, then  I heard a sweetest sound, a tiny cry from our baby. Then they called my husband to look at the baby. I heard our baby crying faintly in the background and I let out a tear in my left eye. I was so glad I was fully awake during the procedure. I was overwhelmed with joy just hearing my baby cry. I couldn’t wait to hold him. Then later, a Filipino nurse came over  to bring me the baby.  They want my baby latch on my breast to facilitate production of my milk while  the doctors stitch me back up. My baby was perfect and beautiful. I smell his head full of thick hair and kiss his soft cheeks. He still doesn’t know how to latch properly but in time, I know he will be an expert.

Delivery baby in Singapore

Dr. Kazila told me that they are done and congratulated me.  I was then brought to an area  where I will be monitored before I will be transferred to my room. I was joined by my husband and they brought baby Zeke in to latch on to me. My vital signs were normal so soon, I was transferred to my room.

Credit: www.kkh.com.sg

In my room, I was attached to a calf pump on both my legs which acts like a bp cuff that inflates & deflates every few minutes to prevent Deep Venous Thrombosis. They brought in baby Zeke in the room soon after and was placed beside me. Soon, the effects of the anesthesia as well as the postpartum hormones came rushing in. I was nauseous and vomited on my pink hospital gown. Then I felt super hot that I want to tear off the hospital gown. To top it all, I felt really sweaty and trapped with a compression stockings on and the calf pump on. I vomited several times and the nurses gave me some anti-emetic medications for my vomiting. By evening time, the symptoms wore off except for the slight itchiness of my skin maybe from the anaesthesia or because I am not used to not bathing in the evening. By dinner time, I got to eat porridge and drink some juice.

You get to choose your meals in KK Hospital with variety of options, from Halal, Western to Vegetarian choices. Nurses were nice and attentive. They come in speedy everytime I press the the call button. They helped me when baby would cry at night and encourage me to swaddle baby instead of always making him sleep beside me. They also encouraged me to breastfeed the baby instead of supplementing. They arranged a lactation nurse to see me which has been very helpful and taught me techniques to get a good latch from baby.

  • My hubby and I were surprised when a staff came in with a big knapsack and said, You just delivered here?” and she, then, left the bag in our chair. We saw inside lots of freebie stuff from brands and companies given to the hospital for mommies & babies to try out. We love it! There were swaddle blankets, nursing breastpads, storage bottles, bathing & skincare sets for baby, laundry solution for baby’s clothes, magazines, discount vouchers, etc. We were so happy with the stuff we got. Also during lunch, we got a little congratulations cake from from the hospital. So sweet, isn’t it?

By Day 2, I was rushing to have my IV, my catheter and calf pump removed. I felt icky and strapped in the bed. I wanted to freshen up so I wouldn’t feel sickly, dirty and sweaty. By noontime, my IV, catheter and calf pump was removed. I get to changed to my own pajamas and I felt much better. I find the pink hospital gown heavy and too warm for me. In the afternoon, I received visitors and I feel much better in facing visitors by Day 2 without me feeling nauseous and gross. I also got to see my two older boys who came to visit in the afternoon. Oh, they adore their new baby brother.

I was expecting to go home by Day 3 on 11 May 2018 but I was told that 3 days as CS patients means 3 days post-op, so the operating day is not included in the 3 days. Plus they need to give me my last Clexane injection on 12 May. Gosh, the Clexane injection which is for prevention of Deep Venous Thrombosis was injected in my abdomen and it is the most painful thing I ever felt. And to think I have high tolerance to pain but it was really bad. I didn’t like it at all.

By 12 May 2018 Saturday, after clearance from Dr. Kazila and the paediatrician, we are ready to go home by lunch time. But I get to enjoy their Mother’s Day lunch special  before  we go off. It was a Hawaiian Chicken with mashed potatoes and a tart with a Happy Mother’s Day greeting plus a flower with a note. So nice!

We asked how we will settle payment and the nurse told us that the bill will be mailed to us in 2 weeks. We can pay in any AXS kiosk. We were surprised that we can just leave the hospital without payment from us.

Overall, my experience in giving birth in Singapore was a positive one. I am happy with the service I have received in KK Hospital. I am also happy that prayers for me and baby has came through that I had a smooth delivery and baby Zeke had no complications.

Delivering Baby in Singapore

Thank you everyone for those who were praying for us and for those who wishes us well… Signing off now because I am going to breast-feed my little one.

P.S. In case you are wondering how much bill we incurred, we still haven’t got the bill, hehe

Filed Under: Inspirations Tagged With: breastfeeding, caesarean section, CS, Delivery, KKH, motherhood, pregnancy, Singapore, Zeke

DEAR FYNN: LETTER TO MY SECOND-BORN SON

May 17, 2016 by Little Miss Honey 166 Comments

secondborn

secondborn

Dear Fynn,

You surprised me and your dad. The day we found out we were having you, we were laughing with joy because we didn’t expect it. It is one of those kind of nice surprises in life where you receive a wonderful gift when you least expect it. Like a bouquet of flowers in a regular day, a dinner treat after a rough day at work, a smile from an unexpected person, a letter from a long-long friend. I remember the day perfectly. It was a Sunday. I got a magical wand that checks mommys if they are pregnant. And that magical wand turned bright pink with a symbol of a cross which means ‘Mommy is pregnant!’ Your dad asked me what the magical wand say. I hid the magic wand behind my back and I was laughing uncontrollably. Your dad, like a wise prophet, knew the answer. And he joined me in my laughter. We may not have planned it but we wanted you and we overjoyed knowing you will be a part of our family. We went out for dinner to celebrate.

My first three months being pregnant with you was slightly different from your Manong. I had nausea a bit more but I had a bit more energy. I maybe sleepy at home but thankful, I wasn’t sleepy at work. Then after 14 weeks of being pregnant with you, all the bad nauseous feeling when away. It was such a breeze being pregnant with you after that. You love how you wiggle often in my belly that I don’t need to be anxious how you are doing there. It is like you are saying, “I am okay here, Mommy.” When I passes my 1st trimester, I would often craze for 1 iced coffee and beef pao. I often would have that for lunch. I also make sure I dont have more than 1 glass of coffee because I don’t want any bad side-effects to you inside.

I tried to make it a point during my pregnancy with you that I would keep a happy disposition and a healthy diet. I can tell it has made an impact in you. A few weeks before I have to give birth to you, we have to fly back to your dad’s and my hometown in the Philippines. I am so happy Nana and Lolo are there to take care of me and you.

Do you know that we chose the date of your birthday? We are glad we can prepare for your coming. We chose March 9 because your dad is born on January 19 and your big brother is born on June 29. You see, you all got the 9s in your birthday. Isn’t that cool?

The night before I have to give birth to you, I was scared. During the time I give birth to your big brother, it was a blur of events and nothing went as planned. I was sleeping when Manong Naj arrived.  But now with you, we know when you will arrive and how you will be delivered. I have never delivered a baby awake so I am a bit scared that the painkiller will not work and something wrong will happen. I was praying and crying the night before. But God assured me that you will be ok, that we will both be ok. And I slept peacefully.

The day of your birth, they wheeled me in the operation room at 6:30AM. They started to prepare for your arrival at 8:00 AM. At 8:45 AM, there you are. I was a bit groggy from the medicine but I saw you. You are such a handsome boy. I kissed you in the cheek. If only you can stay with mommy a little longer but they have to clean you up already.

second-born son

I was resting in the recovery room. I feel like I want to vomit, maybe because of the medicine but all I wanted is to go back to my room and they bring you with me. I asked the kind nurse if possible they can put you beside me so I can breastfeed you. Ah, I am so filled overjoyed when they placed you in the crook of my arm. You dont know how to latch yet but thats ok. You are an expert now. In just few days, we went home.

Thank you for not making it hard on mommy. You are not a fussy baby and only cries when you are hungry. (Though it seems like you are hungry all the time, haha.) I love taking care of you. I love bathing you, changing your clothes, cuddling you to sleep.  Thank you for giving me another try in taking care of a baby while I am simultaneously honing my skills in taking care of a toddler. I apologize if now you have to share my attention with your big brother. I would like to say sorry if at times I have to rush to your Manong when he cries  when he falls down and I have to put you in the crib. I am sorry if I have to hand you to Dad when Manong is not feeling well and mommy have to care for him. I am sorry if I have to leave you & Manong in the morning because I have to work. Mommy is overwhelmed a bit that I get to take care of two handsome boys but don’t worry, I learn fast. Mommy will soon be a pro in taking care of both of you. Thank you for being understanding at mommy’s shortcomings and being a good baby for mommy to take care. I am trying my very best to take care of both of you. I love you both equally without any conditions, no ifs or buts. I love you two so much that I feel like my heart would burst.

You have filled my heart so much love and happiness. I love hugging you when we sleep at night. I love carrying you in my cloth carriers. I like kissing your cute lips and lightly pinching your adorable chubby cheeks. I love feeling your cold cute nose. I love your morning smiles and even your funny grunts at dawn. I am honored to able to see you grow up and be a man that your dad and I will be proud. I love you Howell Fynn, my unexpected beautiful gift from God.

Always,

your Mommy

Filed Under: Inspirations Tagged With: Howell Fynn, mommy diaries, motherhood, pregnancy, second born, sons

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Hi I'm Honey! I am a Filipina who has studied & lived in Saudi Arabia for a few years, worked in Singapore and is currently based in Oman with my husband & our three little boys. I am a medical doctor, a lifestyle blogger, travel junkie, a foodie and a bookworm. I hope I can drizzle a bit of sunshine and inspirations whenever you drop by my blog. Thanks for dropping by! See ya soon.. :)
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