So something major happened this week. I brought the baby out to a public place for the first time! I finally thought: okay how difficult could it be to bring a little baby out? Other people do it. I've seen little babies out and about. So I packed the diapers, a bottle of ready made formula and all 3 of us (incl. the maid) took a cab to Thomson Plaza. This was major because up till this week, we were dropping the baby and the maid off at Kelvin's mother's place if we needed to go out. While we were there, a bunch of aunties came up behind me and started cooing over Caitlin, "so cute!"
When I told Kelvin about my brave little trip, he raised an eyebrow. However, I think it gave him confidence as well. Today he suggested bringing the baby out shopping.
Actually, crowded spaces have a very calming effect on the baby. She seems to be lulled by the buzz of the outside world. Plus, she's comfortable in air-con spaces. All we have to do is make sure we bring her out right after one feed and bring her back before the next feed after her bottle. That gives us at least 4 hours.
The other major thing that happened was that I went to the dentist for the first time in almost a decade. I know, I know...how negligent of me. Seriously though, I've been using an electric toothbrush all this while and I THOUGHT my teeth were clean. It turns out that the teeth were clean but there are spaces that even an electric cannot reach and the gums are vunerable. I finally went to see the dentist because my gums were inflamed and the dentist told me that my gum had receded due the the build up of plaque pushing down between the gums and the teeth. Sigh. I also have to remove a wisdom tooth which is rotten. Honestly, this has taught me a lesson to take better care of my teeth. I told Kelvin that all this just makes me feel old like parts of me are breaking down due to wear and tear. Thankfully, I no longer have to nag Kelvin to go see a dentist. After what happened to me, he's realized that he'd better visit the dentist too.
Updates on Caitlin:
She's definitely communicating. Last night Kelvin and I left the baby at Mum's and we went on the first of our fortnightly date nights. Poor Caitlin, when we got back at around 10pm, she'd been fussing because she's not used to Grandma's house at night and she couldn't fall asleep. When I finally held her in my arms, she stopped fussing and looked at me. Then as I told her that she had to get used to Grandma's and that she shouldn't be so upset, she coo-ed back in answer after every sentence then she grinned. I think Mum was both concerned and amused at the same time. She immediately told Dad what had happened. When Kelvin held her as well, he held her really tightly as if he didn't want to let go. It's tough because Kelvin and I want to stay committed to building our relationship as a couple but at the same time, leaving the baby for more than a couple of hours makes me feel guilty.
I think I'm going to feel so guilty when I go back to work. The plan now is to spend more time at Mum's place so that Caitlin can ease into spending more time there. I think I have to learn to let go. Caitlin's not going to evaporate if I leave her alone for a couple of hours. Plus, thinking back on my own childhood, I became fiercely independent precisely because my parents left me alone for the most part. I spent the first 2 years of my life with my Po Po on weekdays and only spent the weekends at home. So as long as Catilin has loving adults around her (ie Kelvin's parents and the maids) she should be fine.
Okay, some new photos:
Caitlin's such a tiny thing. Here she is on our king size bed.
Up on Daddy's shoulder
Daddy's bright hairstyling idea.
