Picture contributed by Ms teo. http://www.jesuslovesmeyesiknow.blogspot.com/Caden’s arrival has brought us lots of joy. The most joyous people are none other than his grandparents. To us, the joy of meeting our son was soon superseded by frustrations of having to wake up late at night to change his diapers and feeding.
My heart aches when I see my tired wife, still recovering from a Cesarean operation, struggling with breast-feeding and post-natal blues. Oh yes, it’s all the husband’s fault. Anything that husband can help? Very little.
Changing nappies? Yes, I can.
Preparing instant formula? Yes, I can.
Carrying Caden? Yes, yes. Right hand out to support his neck first, then lift his buttock with my left hand and ta da da … he is in my arms.
Bathing Caden? Err… I can try not to break his bones. How much hot water to be added ah?
Breast-feeding? Aren’t you asking the obvious? No doubt, Caden turns his head towards my nipple when he feels hungry in my arms. But sorry, not the right one, Caden. The left one also cannot.
Oh yes, we are so lucky to have my wife’s mum to help us with the confinement. According to Chinese tradition (more like her tradition, I think. :-p), my wife is
Not suppose to bathe for 1 month!
Not suppose to go out visiting!
Not suppose to eat food that is considered ‘cooling’,
Suppose to eat lots of ginger … and sweat the ‘wind in the body’ away…
Oh my dear mum-in-law, eating food garnished with ginger for one or two days is alright, but for 1 month? And if my wife is not supposed to bathe for 1 month, can you imagine how stinky her hair will be? And I am sharing bed with her, you know?
Sometimes, communicating with mother-in-law is more stressful than taking care of Caden. It is not just about looking after a baby. It’s about how you ‘should be’ looking after the baby as detailed out by our overly friendly third-uncle, fourth-untie, second-brother, first sister and not-so-distant neighbours.
However, Caden’s smile will magically ward off all our stress and frustration. As if we are under some sort of spell, forgetting and forgiving those who may have unintentionally offended us with their remarks. We all have only one and good intention: to take care of Caden the best we can.
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2 comments:
Yo Kapitan, 1 month no mandi means save water ma. Malaysia no need to sell so much to Singkapo ma. And if the stinks gets unbearable, pasang Bel-Air lo....
Cheers mate and if you ever wanted to do some kind of boob job to balance the right and the left to be bouncy and succulent, then please contact Dr. Ivan in Sheffield.
my MIL suggested placing a broom and a pan full of water under the bed when the imps were newborn and cried instead of sleeping...
I actually stopped winking and nodding at her suggestions when she became the only person in the house that could get the little ones to sleep!
Cannot help you much on the bathing issue. Have you thought of using perfume?
Good Luck!
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