Tuesday, March 25, 2008

My baby understands!

After crying for about 30minutes, I came to her and whispered "how important it is for the three of us, Daniel, Charlene and me, to have her be an independent girl. She needs to learn to go to bed on her own instead of having me or other caregivers to hold her 'till she goes to sleep."

She understands!

Monday, March 24, 2008

A new car

After saving our money for years, thanks GOD! we are finally able to buy our own car. Of course, with the blessings of the Lord ;)

It's a used car but still decent

Discipline

I had to brave myself to see and listen to her cry. As today, the discipline worked out well. Charlene went to sleep finally after crying for about 30 minutes.
(Gotta go now.. change nappy)

Tuesday, March 18, 2008

Kung n Bo break the agreement

This morning Dada n Mom-mom went out for breakfast and home visit. Just before we left, Charlene was about to sleep but she peeked when mom was taking her blue jeans.
She immediately figured it out that mom was about to leave. She began cranky and asked for accompany. Though she had drunk enough, she wanted some more - wishing to keep me longer with her. Interestingly, she tried her best not to close her eyes since she knew I would leave her as soon as she closed her eyes :p What a clever little girl ;)

As we went back home, Charlene was on Bobo's embrace. Kung proudly told Mom that Charlene had been sleeping on her lap but as Bo held her, she was awake.
ARGggghhh...NO! Charlene was not supposed to be held in the morning during her sleep time.
As a result, Kung and Bo are not allowed to hold Charlene this evening (sort of punishment, I should say).
I should also be consistent with what me and my husband had agreed on ;)

Anyway, Charlene wanted to drink more, but after a few minutes, she threw the milk up.
I had to wipe her - all over her body - and finally changed her clothes, powdered her body and warmed her with the "minyak telon".
On my embrace, having me telling her that "Mom is here with you. Mom is not leaving you", within seconds, she slept ;)

Sunday, March 16, 2008

Day 46

Today Mom is really in the mood of speaking English :p
Anyway, last night when Charlene went to bed, Dada n Mom-mom were having a serious discussion about how to discipline Charlene.
Lately, Mom had been really exhausted taking care of Charlene and Mom even rarely enjoyed her own time. Taking an enjoyable showering has been a privilege. Napping has ceased.
It almost seems and sounds that Mom's liberty has been robbed by Charlene :(
I know this isn't true. My liberty has NOT been robbed by my own child.

After reflecting and discussing this issue with my husband, we begin to realize that MAYBE so far I has *volunteered* giving my liberty to my own baby without realizing it. When she wants me to hold her, I answer her need by holding her 'till she goes to bed. In the middle of her sleeping, if she wakes up and demands another holding, I gives what she wants! OH boy!!!
This ends up of having me not having my own time.

We figured out that I need to be brave and strong enough to let her CRY as she doesn't get what she wants (me holding her, in this case).
I know it will be hard because deep inside my heart, it's heart-breaking to hear her crying so loud that my parents start to pity her. Usually, to evade hearing their granddaughter's cry, they go to the traditional market and/or sleep.

Anyway, today Charlene actually had slept for 30 minutes starting from 8.30 in the morning after taking a bath. However, at 9 she woke up and demanded me holding her. I refused and gave her pinky instead. Of course, consequently she cried out loud. She continued crying even after I changed her diapers, wiped her sweat. She even cried when my dad chatted with her and tried to sooth her by rocking her tiny little body. My mom finally couldn't hold herself of not holding her up. I warned her not to do that. She ended of holding Charlene for about 5 - 10 seconds, but then with the pinky inside her mouth, Charlene went to bed.