Why Ching Ern (婧恩)?

Even since we got to know Ern is a baby girl, I already wanted to name her as "X Ern" or "Ern X". Why? For 1 simple reason, we want her to be "appreciative" (感恩).

I actually got a good friend of mine to recommend some good Chinese names. Also, both KK and myself also have several names we think can go well with "Ern":

1) Jing Ern (靖恩）
2）Ching Ern (婧恩)
3) Ern Tong (恩彤）
4) Zhi Ern (祉恩）
5) Yu Ern (予恩）

My first choice is actually # 4 as I like the Chinese meaning of "祉". 2nd choice is # 1 as "靖" means peaceful. I want the child to be peaceful and appreciative. After "family voting", obviously most votes went to # 2. Well, I have no problem with that as it's a beautiful name anyway. :-)

Other than the meaning, I intentionally choose "Ern" as it can turn into an English name as well - Ernie. Well, this is what i can tell her when she grows up. However,if she wants other English name like Suzie, Rebecca,etc, I am ok with it. After all, it's just a name. LOL!

Why Compare???

Let's accept the fact there are some parents like to "compare" their child with our child. Well, I am sure of all us as parents are proud of them (of cause we SHOULD)! But hey, even if we want to compare, also need to be sensitive and tactful mah. :-)

2 weeks ago, I brought Ern to the latest shopping mall, Queensbay Mall as her weekend outing activity. Other than to introduce the beautiful world to her, i am also taking the opportunity to let Ern meet people. Need to expose Ern more as she started to show her "uncomfort" whenever friends/relative carry her. To me, this is unhealthy! Hopefully by doing this, it will change her. Well, I am keeping my finger cross. :-)

Back to the topic. I was using the Baby Room at Jusco to feed Ern. I sat on the sofa as the rooms are meant for nursing mothers (I never nurse Ern in public as I find it uncomfort to both of us).Few minutes later, a mother came in with her daughter and her mother. She sat next to me while her mother preparing the milk for her grandaugther. I smiled to both of them as a friendly gesture. Then, the Grandma started a conversation.

GRANDMA: How old is your baby already?

ME: She is 5 months old

GRANDMA: Oh, our baby seems to be bigger size even she is only 6 months old (she was actually talking to her daughter)

DAUGHTER: Ya, mum.

ME: Keep quiet but deep inside, I was like "why want to comment,women!!??"

DAUGHTER: Oh ya, i breastfeed my baby since birth and only introduce formula like last week. That's why she doesn't drink that much. (her daughter only drank 2oz)

ME: Smile back but didn't comment anything.Inside already #$$@


Obviously, the daughter is proud of herself as she breastfed her daughter till 6 month old. So am I as Ern is still a "breast milk exclusive" baby till now! But hey, what is there is "show off" lah! It's individual mother's preference and choice!!

Well, every child has their own development progress and it's absolutely ok if your child is slower/smaller size than other baby similar to his/her age. As long as your paediatrician said ok, then ok lah! Why compare???

Sleep Through

Ern started to sleep through when she was around 2+ month old. Ok..ok, my definition of "sleep through" means I don't need to get up between 12am - 5am. Some mummies would comment this:"Wow, how lucky you are!". Well, even the paediatrician also commented the same thing as breastfed babies normally don't sleep through at this age.

Well, well, let me tell you this. Ern is able to sleep through at night because she hardly sleep during the day!!! Guess what, her nap can be as short as 15mins per session and she only nap twice in the afternoon. Morning session, she sleeps a bit longer, like 1+ hour and it's 1 session only. So, obviously she will be exhausted after a long active day. Pity my mum who babysits her, need to be with her most of the time.

I have to admit i am lucky. Getting up middle of night to breastfeed a baby is TIRING as it takes easily 30-45mins. If a baby gets up twice middle of the night, a mum gets to sleep like 4-5 hours only.

For the past 2 weeks, Ern started to take longer nap, from 15-30mins to 1-2 hours, depending how exhausted is she. Normally, she sleeps longer on Mondays or the next day after a holiday. That's because we are taking Ern out and she missed her nap.

Ern is a night person. Why I said so?? Since small, she only goes to sleep like 10pm. Generally, baby sleeps like 8-9pm. Even I have tried to pull in her sleeping time, she still wakes up after a short nap and sleep like 10+pm. Lately, Ern's sleeping hour changed again. She only goes to bed like 11-11.30pm and sleeps till 9am. My mum said she "inherit" from her dad and "mah mah" (KK's Mum) as both of them are night person. LOL

Though I don't need to nurse Ern, I still get up 2-3 times middle of the night to "check" on her. I guess it's "mother ins tint" kua!!

At times, Ern still makes noises with her eyes close and I will normally do this:
1) Pat her back/chest
2) Cuddle
3) Get her to sleep next to me
4) Give her pacifier
5) Give her warm water to drink(4-5 sips only)
6) Nurse her (last option after I have tried the above)

Counting the Blessing

Ern has a birth mark on her left lower cheek, which is getting darker and bigger spot as she grows up. While her paediatrician told me not to worry as the mark can be removed via a laser touch up.

Also, Ern has a sensitive skin as I noticed it took her a while to heal from a wound. In addition, a mosquito bite can easily leave a scare on her skin. :-(

Well, after going through so much during pregnancy, what matters to us is a healthy development. Instead of asking for more, we are counting the blessing. :-)

I Want to Eat As Well

Ern is able to see and follow an object when she was 3 months old. Right now, not only she sees and follows but STARES at you. See below and you know what I mean.Ern was sitting on my lap while I was drinking coffee.



From top down view:


What is she trying to tell me??? I think it's this - "I Want to Eat As Well,Mummy!!"