I've been wanting to pen this down because, you know - scare mummy's brain and I totally regret not doing a blog post for my No.1 as I was super overwhelmed with motherhood then and the challenges of breastfeeding but that's another story for another day. This time round, I would say that Im alittle more well-equipped. In the sense that I guess I kinda know what to expect with a newborn and also taking it much easier this time round with breastfeeding since I have prior experience in *ahem* this department. I think its really true when people say that the state of mind does affect milk output. I remember crying about my lack of milk in those early days with Elroy coz I was so damn stressed about 'numbers' (amount of milk) and timings (every xx hour must feed and check diaper output) - But hor with didi now... the motto is simply, "Do your best la". 

I just need to keep him alive everyday. 😎 #Truestory

Welcoming Baby No.2 - Elric's Birth Story

Once again auntie me forever digressing and grandmother grandfather story about everything else under the sun so without further ado, lemme recount my birth story with baby no.2 : Elric Lim

To be honest I was expecting didi to come out sooner but it seems tat he was too comfortable in my tummy coz even at Week 39 +, I wasnt engaged or even dilated even though he was facing down for what seemed to be the longest time. So we decided to check into the hospital on EDD (Estimated Due Date) if there is no sound no picture by then. People ask me Why? Why dun wait? I tell you la, 40 Weeks enough for me liao. Heavy siol!

Hubby tabao-ed my favorite vegetarian bee hoon for breakfast when he sent the older one to school and then off we went to the hospital! Very, very 2927x glad that I can wash my hair before giving birth. You dunno how pain in the ass not washing hair is.

Got my hospital bags ready and doing paper work at the hospital! Someone walked past me and said "Hey you don't look like someone who is about to give birth!" - Xie xie ni .. I also think so too. 😅Coz ah, right outside the delivery ward I still thinking where to take picture first. ROFL~ I remember telling my husband "Please take a nice picture because this is the last time you will see me with this bump of Didi tank yew bery much." To which the hub simply replied "Orh." 

Took off my favorite Jumpeatcry Dual Function Jean Empire Dress (sooo comfy! and now Im wearing it post-birth coz I can nurse easily!) to change into the hospital gown and it felt like deja vu ~ coming into the delivery ward and doing this all over again. But this time sans contractions. (World of a difference please.)

I felt strangely calm. Its like Ok, lets do this. Maybe coz no contraction yet - so very tranquil feeling. LOL. The first thing in my birth plan is EPIDURAL. Got one wise man say - "做人 kiang diu ho, mai geh kiang." So I better dun geh kiang coz I cannot take it one, epidural is the way to go thanks. 

I love my anesthesiologist! She's soooo funny and bubbly, I almost didnt feel any stress or pain. It helps that I refuse to look at the needle la. I mean for wat. Scare myself only.

As I got my epidural and got induced, its purely a waiting game at this time of point to see if the contractions come. In the meantime, they ordered me to have some food (it was around almost lunch by then) so I was grateful to eat something before giving birth la. Later bo lat (no strength) push, cham ley. (Terrible ley)

Lying on the hospital bed - I felt so EMO! My inlaws had to help pick the toddler from school coz my hub was with me in the delivery ward and when they took a picture of him I could feel tears welling up my eyes. My baby.. looking all so grown up here. I wonder he knows he was going to have a new baby brother on the same day.

Selfie coz erm waiting 

Suddenly I ran a slight fever , maybe its due to the epidural IDK? The nurse took my temp and it was like a low-grade fever which explains to why I kept saying I felt hot. Then my hub was like, Where got hot? Kns really. Coz I ish fever omg no wonder *facepalm* Now I say I hot he faster adjust air con for me muahahahhaha

Since my gynae came in and broke my waterbag before heading off - I could feel the contractions building up slowly but surely. It was around 4-5 hours into waiting and boy was I feeling restless. Most importantly I hoped everything would turn out ok, becoz prolonged labour induction is not ideal too.

Sent a message to my pastor who helped us pray and we prayed together as well.

Tell you, dun believe also cannot ya - 5 minutes in my contractions started becoming really bad despite the epidural. Like CALL NURSE NOW bad

The midwife came and announced like how MRT announce delay liddat. "Ok you are at 5cm already. I go call doctor." Kthxbye. The end. Then I said PLEASE UP THE EPIDURAL!!!!!! Then she laughed and say ok ok I up max now ok? Then she taught me to push, like 1,2,3 push. Hold ur leg and push. Then I PUSHHHHH. The epidural was kicking in well - great. No pain. Just numbness and push. Suddenly the midwife said - OK DUN PUSH LE, I CAN SEE HEAD. 

OMG REALLY MA! 💢So anyways soon my gynae walked in, took a peek and laughed. He looked up at the clock (it was 4pm) and said one sentence that sounded like music to my ears. 

"I think later you can get to eat dinner." Hallelujah.  

Presenting Baby Elric Lim 

All 3.48kg of him ~ Praise the Lord.

Tired but elated.

Soon after, they wheeled me to my room and baby is in the nursery doing tests and all.

The firstborn came to look for me and we got his present 'from Didi' ready.

Had dinner together while waiting to see Didi for the first time

Grandparents were here too

Awww so small 

Elroy went home happy but my hub said he cried coz it was the first time I was away from him at night. After crying he managed to fall asleep and my heart felt abit better as my hub sent this picture.. else I also want to cry! He was never away from my side since the day he was born.. but now I guess we have no choice so he has to adapt la. 

The next day ...

Breakfast 

The hub sent the son to school and popped by to visit me his son

Once again Lilo unleashes her photography powers, and the rest of the ladies are here to see me! 

Thanks for coming my dearies!!!! Heart hugsss 👄

Tabao-ed 

Haha Ang so cute!

Oh my sleeping child 😁

Aunty Lainey is here!

Thanks for coming by! xo

And Aunty Deb! Thanks for chionging down 💪

All my pretty yi-yis 

Thank you all for your generous gifts 👐

The toddler claimed ownership of the balloons thksss

Lastly - pictures from Lilo and here they are! Thank you so much my dear friend! 💕 #InlawForever

Heart this so much

"Twinkle twinkle little star, do you know how loved you are?"

#BrothersForLife

Motherhood - "I may not be perfect, but when I look at my children I know I did something perfectly right." 👪

Thanks for looking guys! xo 

Hi! Sorry for being away ... I went to have a baby actually! 😇 Thank you all for the kind wishes and prayers on my FB and IG social media channels ~ Im sorry if I dun have the time to reply comments but believee me, I've read it all and its in my 💓 - so a big THANK YOU! To commemorate and thank everyone, there will be a Alobaby Giveaway so do read on for details! 

Alobaby Outdoor Spray and Milk Lotion Review + GIVEAWAY

Alobaby - Organic and made-in-Japan, “ALO” is a Latin word that means “Nurture”. They believe that building a close-knit relationship with your baby is essential for your baby’s growth. 

・Made from 99% natural ingredients・Ensure security and safety for babies

・Designed for both babies and mothers・Natural oil has a fragrance that promotes relaxation

ALOBABY products are developed based on the opinions of experienced mothers who have used organic skin-care products during pregnancy. They aim to deliver reliable products with premium quality to both you and your babies. 

Alobaby Outdoor Mist

Made-in-Japan organic Outdoor Spray repels insects with natural derived aroma. 

It is made from Orange Fruit Water, Lemongrass Oil and Rosemary Oil.

Ideal DEET-free formula protects baby's skin gently.

This Outdoor Mist is one of Alobaby's top sellers and I can easily tell why. The bottle is a convenient size, and its DEET-Free - which is safe for our little ones. The scent is soothing lemongrass, and the spray function is both convenient and economical. I spray freely on the toddler's skin and clothes.

This Outdoor Mist is also safe for pregnant mummies, so I wasn't afraid to get any on myself. Infact I share this with the toddler if we are heading out. Contains Orange Fruit Water, Lemongrass Oil and Rosemary Oil that creates a refreshing aroma and protects skin from insects gently. 

Alobaby Milk Lotion

Made-in-Japan organic Milky Lotion is ALOBABY's signature item. 

It provides high moisturizing effect and is certified by the world-known ECOCERT. 

Contains natural moisturizing ingredients, such as Jojoba Oil and Shea Butter.

Contains Jojoba Oil and Shea Butter. Suitable for use for pregnant women and mothers, also directly after giving birth. So this product is also for both mothers and baby. I used this before giving birth, whenver my skin feels dry and also on the toddler. A little goes a long way!

Comes in a convenient pump bottle

There is no stickiness after application and the fragrance is a light, shea butter scent.

Elroy uses it daily before heading to school!

Two really handy products but most importantly, the natural ingredients and high quality assurance that everything is additive-free, coloring-free and synthetic-perfume free makes me feel safe to use it at home, during my pregnancy, but most importantly, on my kids.

*GIVEAWAY*

Alobaby has kindly offered to give 2 Winners one product each, as seen in my review above - the Alobaby Milky Lotion and Alobaby Outdoor Spray 

Simply head to my Instagram for more details -

(CLICK HERE) https://www.instagram.com/p/BaBNtORhAsp/?taken-by=sugar73

Alobaby Milky Lotion retails at $30 (150ml) and Outdoor Spray $25 (110ml) and is available at leading department stores like Takashimaya and online.

For more info, please head to :

Alobaby Website : http://www.alo-organic.com/

Alobaby Facebook Page : https://www.facebook.com/pg/ALOBABYsg

Philosophy's tagline - "The best is yet to come" resonates with me because being the eternal optimist, that's what I firmly believe in too. Likewise with skincare, we will always be trying out new skin regimes, new products, new ingredients that promises improved skintone, clarity and radiance. I'm no exception so I was excited to receive Philosophy's newest overnight skin treatment :

Philosophy Ultimate Miracle Worker Multi-Rejuvenating Retinol + Superfood Oil And Pads 

*Psst ~ Details on Giveaway below*

A formula combining pure retinol with nourishing superfood oils for a clearer, smoother, healthier-looking complexion. 

This night-time solution is specifically formulated to help combat key signs of aging including lines, wrinkles and discoloration. The duo consists of a bottle and a tub of pads. The magic lies in the little bottle which combines 4 natural retinol-like complex powered by alfalfa extract and nourishing superfood oils for an efficacious formula designed to comfort the skin.

What it does:

The retinol technology helps strengthen skin’s natural renewal processes, while superfood oils including pomegranate, olive, argan, and Amazonian sacha inchi oils help counteract the typical irritation and dryness of retinol. Skin will be left more radiant and smoother with faded imperfections.

Ingredients :

Retinol, 4 Natural "Superfood" Oils: Pomegranate Oil, Argan Oil, Olive Oil And Amazonian Sacha Inchi Oil Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Caprylic/capric Glycerides, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Bisabolol, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Squalane, Plukenetia Volubilis Seed Oil, Retinol, Bht, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Medicago Sativa (Alfalfa) Extract, Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil, Carthamus Tinctorius (Safflower) Seed Oil, Orchis Mascula Flower Extract, Punica Granatum Seed Oil, Farnesol, Tocopherol.

Pads

Instructions are simple, simply open bottle and pour over pads.

Empty entire bottle of solution over the pads and discard bottle. Every night after cleansing, wipe one pad all over face, neck, and hands. This solution is safe for normal, dry, oily, and combination skin, including sensitive skin. However with all skincare, if irritation occurs, please apply every other day instead. 

Use only at night, after cleansed skin and wear sunblock when heading out the next day. 

Philosophy Ultimate Miracle Worker Multi-Rejuvenating Retinol + Superfood Oil And Pads (60ml + 60 pads) is currently available online and in all Sephora stores retailing at $109. 

*Giveaway by WOM_SGPR* 

If you would like to try the Philosophy Ultimate Miracle Worker Multi-Rejuvenating Retinol + Superfood Oil And Pads for yourself and a friend, head to :

(Click here) https://www.instagram.com/p/BZsNxisn4bj/?taken-by=wom_sgpr to take part! 

Contest ends on 3rd Oct. 

Have fun and good luck! 💝

I reckon if my toddler has his way he will be eating biscuits and cookies all day err day. Its just one of those things that even adults get really addicted to, and before you know it - the cookie jar is empty. Growing up, one of my favorite characters on Sesame Street was undoubtedly Cookie Monster! 

Nestlé Gerber® Graduates Cinnamon Graham Animal Cookies and Arrowroot Cookies Review 

Nestlé Gerber® recommends 'First Cookies" for all toddlers and crawlers, these Gerber Graduates Cinnamon Graham Animal Cookies are flavored with a dash of fragrant cinnamon, while the Arrowroot Cookies contain arrowroot flour that gives it a unique taste. In addition, parents will be glad to know that the Nestlé Gerber® New Bakery Snacks do not contain any artificial flavours, colours or artificial sweeteners.

Both cookies are loaded with essential nutrients like Vitamin E, Zinc and Calcium but what I like most is that the handy size makes it easy for my toddler to bite into it easily. These biscuits are the perfect size for the little ones to hold on to it and encourage self-feeding at the same time. The pack also doubles up as a resealable bag, which makes it a breeze for storage. I don't have to look for a cookie jar this time round! My toddler loves the Arrowroot cookies so much that he keeps bugging me for more! The Animal shaped ones are really cute and he names the animals before he eats them ~ Haha! 😁 In fact it was amusing playing with the animal puppets that Gerber sent over in this press kit! Thanks Gerber for the fun! #GerberFirstMoments #ItsGerber

Nestlé Gerber® Graduates Cinnamon Graham Animal Cookies (170g) and Arrowroot Cookies(155g) will be available at all leading supermarkets at $8.90 and $7.90 respectively. 

For more info, please head to :

Nestlé Facebook Page Singapore : https://www.facebook.com/Nestle.Singapore

*This product should only be offered to seated, supervised children who are accustomed to chewing solid foods