When I was young-but-not-that-young, I fell off a bike and one of my tooth forever parted ways with me in that incident. (That explains why I still freak out about cycling.) To compensate the loss of the tooth, I had a dental bridge installed about ten years ago.
In late 2007, upon inspection, my dentist advised me to do a gum surgery and get a new bridge, so the old bridge was removed and a temporary one was installed.
Before the new bridge was installed, I discovered I was pregnant. I mentioned it to my dentist, and she advised me to delay the installation of the new bridge until a few months after my baby's birth--the medication used during installation might affect baby through breastmilk. The temporary bridge would have to stay put.
It has been over a year since the temporary bridge was installed. Since Isaac didn't take bottles, I had further delayed the installation of the new bridge.
Unfortunately, the plastic the temporary bridge was made of wasn't designed to last this long. The temporary bridge became very brittle and broke almost every other week since the start of 2009. Finally, when the temporary bridge broke yet again last week, my dentist and I agreed to make a new temporary bridge instead of patching up the old one.
Now that Isaac has started solids, I've decided it is time to get the permanent bridge done once and for all. However, some paperwork is still required--after all, the insurance companies are footing (most of) the bill. Once the insurance companies agreed to pay up, I will finally have a new bridge!
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Teeth!
After a few very cranky days (weeks!), Isaac's first tooth finally came out last week! Then, to my surprise, I found his second tooth has cut through his gum two days ago!!
Prior to the grand appearance of his pearly whites, I had been letting Isaac chew on my fingers for teething relief, because he didn't like any of the teething toys I bought him. However, I learned quickly and painfully that my fingers are no longer an option for him (for my own sake) because his teeth are SHARP!
Even though his first two teeth has appeared, we are suspecting more are coming very soon because today he has been cranky, chewing/sucking his own fingers (since we didn't let him have ours any more), tucking his ears... all the telltale teething signs.
Luckily, I have discovered a new "teething toy" for him--a sippy cup. I bought Isaac a sippy cup and started giving him the cup, filled with water. He didn't quite seem to know how to drink from the cup yet, but he liked to suck/chew on the sippy, as it seem to give him teething relief. I let him hold onto the sippy cup and suck/chew on it when I take him for a walk in his stroller. Everyone, especially his grandparents, was surprised to find him able to hold onto the full sippy cup steadily!
Prior to the grand appearance of his pearly whites, I had been letting Isaac chew on my fingers for teething relief, because he didn't like any of the teething toys I bought him. However, I learned quickly and painfully that my fingers are no longer an option for him (for my own sake) because his teeth are SHARP!
Even though his first two teeth has appeared, we are suspecting more are coming very soon because today he has been cranky, chewing/sucking his own fingers (since we didn't let him have ours any more), tucking his ears... all the telltale teething signs.
Luckily, I have discovered a new "teething toy" for him--a sippy cup. I bought Isaac a sippy cup and started giving him the cup, filled with water. He didn't quite seem to know how to drink from the cup yet, but he liked to suck/chew on the sippy, as it seem to give him teething relief. I let him hold onto the sippy cup and suck/chew on it when I take him for a walk in his stroller. Everyone, especially his grandparents, was surprised to find him able to hold onto the full sippy cup steadily!
Solid Time
During the 6-month check-up, Isaac's paediatrician suggested us to start Isaac on solids. We told the doctor we have been feeding him congee, but the doctor said congee doesn't provide much nutrients--especially iron--needed by Isaac. Instead, he suggested iron-fortified baby rice cereal.
Initially, I worried that Isaac wouldn't like the richer taste and the thicker texture of rice cereal. Fortunately, Isaac loved it. In fact, he preferred us to make thicker rice cereal for him.
After a week of rice cereal, I wanted to start him on vegetables. I tried carrots first (organic, obviously, and steamed). To my disappointment, Isaac didn't like carrots!! How can the son of a self-proclaimed "carrot queen" not like carrots???
As a sort-of desperation act, I blended the carrots into his rice cereal. Good thing Isaac didn't object to the carrot-flavoured rice cereal. So, for the second week, his breakfast consisted of pure rice cereal, and his afternoon meal was rice cereal mixed with carrots.
Next week, I'm going to start him on another vegetables. I'm leaning towards zucchini, although everyone else seems to prefer pumpkin or some other winter squash. Let's see whose choice will prevail!
Initially, I worried that Isaac wouldn't like the richer taste and the thicker texture of rice cereal. Fortunately, Isaac loved it. In fact, he preferred us to make thicker rice cereal for him.
After a week of rice cereal, I wanted to start him on vegetables. I tried carrots first (organic, obviously, and steamed). To my disappointment, Isaac didn't like carrots!! How can the son of a self-proclaimed "carrot queen" not like carrots???
As a sort-of desperation act, I blended the carrots into his rice cereal. Good thing Isaac didn't object to the carrot-flavoured rice cereal. So, for the second week, his breakfast consisted of pure rice cereal, and his afternoon meal was rice cereal mixed with carrots.
Next week, I'm going to start him on another vegetables. I'm leaning towards zucchini, although everyone else seems to prefer pumpkin or some other winter squash. Let's see whose choice will prevail!
Sitting
Over the past few weeks, Isaac has managed to go from "barely sitting, propped up with arms" to "sitting without support, almost". This development means he can now play with toys meant for sitting babies (usually the ones marked "for 6 months and up"). Although honestly, I didn't have to buy him any--both of his grandmothers love to buy him toys 3 months ahead of his age.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
First Haircut
Unlike many babies, Isaac had a head full of hair since birth. His hair has grown so long that he has occasionally been mistaken for a girl. Also, for whatever reason, his hair spiked up, which always got in our faces when we held him.
We have been talking about giving him a haircut for weeks, but everyone was reluctant to do it--after all, nobody was brave enough to mix scissors/razors with baby!
Today, after even our paediatrician commented on his long hair, I suddenly had this urge to just cut it, without even consulting Daniel. (I felt bad about the latter afterward, but had I actually talked to him about it, I might put it off yet again.)
We have an electric hair clipper sitting around, which we bought when Daniel decided to go for a crew cut two summers ago. I always thought it was the best tool for the job, but Daniel thought it was easy to hurt Isaac with it. (Instead, he was leaning towards having his dad--who has the steadest hands and best patience in the world--do it with a razor blade. Go figure.)
At first, I started cutting Isaac's hair with him sitting in his throne. He was predictably attracted by the noise, so I put a Baby Einstein DVD on TV, letting him watch while I cut his hair. That worked quite well with the front, top, and sides, but my mom needed to hold him in order for me to cut the back. He only fussed minimally, mostly bothered by the hair which has fallen onto face. We had to wipe his face a few times to keep him happy. My mom immediately gave Isaac a bath afterwards.
I didn't tell Daniel about the haircut until it was done. When I sent him the pictures, he was shocked--"it was too short!" "he doesn't look cute any more!"--signs of a protective father. :) However, Daniel made peace with Isaac's new haircut after seeing it in person.
The new 'do made Isaac look that much more boyish, and to our surprise, bigger. In fact, with his new hair style, even his body looks that much chubbier.
Now I have confidence to cut Isaac's hair the next time!
We have been talking about giving him a haircut for weeks, but everyone was reluctant to do it--after all, nobody was brave enough to mix scissors/razors with baby!
Today, after even our paediatrician commented on his long hair, I suddenly had this urge to just cut it, without even consulting Daniel. (I felt bad about the latter afterward, but had I actually talked to him about it, I might put it off yet again.)
We have an electric hair clipper sitting around, which we bought when Daniel decided to go for a crew cut two summers ago. I always thought it was the best tool for the job, but Daniel thought it was easy to hurt Isaac with it. (Instead, he was leaning towards having his dad--who has the steadest hands and best patience in the world--do it with a razor blade. Go figure.)
At first, I started cutting Isaac's hair with him sitting in his throne. He was predictably attracted by the noise, so I put a Baby Einstein DVD on TV, letting him watch while I cut his hair. That worked quite well with the front, top, and sides, but my mom needed to hold him in order for me to cut the back. He only fussed minimally, mostly bothered by the hair which has fallen onto face. We had to wipe his face a few times to keep him happy. My mom immediately gave Isaac a bath afterwards.
I didn't tell Daniel about the haircut until it was done. When I sent him the pictures, he was shocked--"it was too short!" "he doesn't look cute any more!"--signs of a protective father. :) However, Daniel made peace with Isaac's new haircut after seeing it in person.
The new 'do made Isaac look that much more boyish, and to our surprise, bigger. In fact, with his new hair style, even his body looks that much chubbier.
Now I have confidence to cut Isaac's hair the next time!
6 Months Old!
Technically, Isaac's 6-month-old birthday was last week. The celebration? I made yet another set of footprints! :)
In the past week, we noticed he has grown considerably: Physically, he has gained some height and weight--today's doctor appointment showed he already weighs 8.4kg (18.5lbs) and is 70cm (17 3/4") tall. According to WHO growth charts, both are above average.
Additionally, his first tooth has cut through his gum! I could feel it with my finger (which he likes to bite/chew on, instead of his teething ring). He had been cranky for the past week or two, and I'm glad it finally came out.
Perhaps more importantly, he has improved significantly developmentally. Two weeks ago, he was contend to sit (propped up by us, of course). Now, his curiosity is so much stronger that he doesn't even want to sit still--instead, he wants to move around! That's a baby who still isn't sitting up properly by himself! His desire to be mobile even sparked his interest to roll onto his tummy--did I say he hates to be on his tummy?--from his back!
Isaac has also shown interest in his toys. Although he is not demanding them yet, Isaac has clearly demonstrated his desire to have certain toys whenever he sees them.
Despite having the "Fay Bear" (shown in this photo, taken while he was about a week old, still in hospital) in his crib since birth, he never paid any attention to it.
Until last week.
While I was changing him in his crib, I left him alone in his crib briefly to wash my hands. When I went back, he had already grabbed Fay Bear from the corner of his crib into his hand. I decided, then and there, to introduce Fay Bear as his lovey/sleep buddy. Even though it was only a short time, Fay Bear has worked relatively well--Isaac has quickly become his second favourite, only after the baseball rattle. And since he only gets Fay Bear at nap/sleep time and the baseball rattle at play time, he (hopefully) wouldn't become confused.
(Earlier last week, I tried to introduce a Tigger teething blanket as his lovey, but it didn't work very well, and because the fleece wasn't very soft, I didn't like it against his eczema-prone face.)
We have also tried to have Isaac practice "standing" (with us holding him firmly under his arms, of course). He seems to like that as well. At this rate, with him hating on his tummy so much, he might even walk before he crawl!
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Bought and Sold!
I haven't blogged for quite some time again, thanks to no computer & no time... here's why:
We've bought a new house and sold our condo!
Buying
It had been a month since our previous serious attempt to buy a house. We had been constantly looking, but we hadn't found anything really interested us. Actually, there were a few which were potentially interesting, but the market has picked up soooo fast that they were sold we often didn't have a chance to see it.
A specific house triggered us to put in an offer for the previous house (let's call it House A) again: there was a new house (let's call it House B) in the neighbourhood we were looking at which was listed early in the week, listed at a price 10% higher than what a similar house (House C) was sold at a month ago. We asked our agent to schedule an appointment on Saturday, along with 6 other houses. Come Saturday, our agent told us 4 out of the 7 houses were conditionally sold. Particularly, House B had 4 offers, and was already having an inspection done on that day. Knowing House A was still on the market, we decided to immediately put in an offer at the final price the sellers wanted (which was $3k higher than what we last offered them). Time was not on our side: we wanted to make sure the sellers accept our offer before the actual price of House B--which we estimated would be at least $25k higher than House C--was listed on MLS. (The sellers of House A based the final price they asked for on the selling price of House C.)
We were lucky: we signed the offer on Saturday night, and the sellers accepted it on Monday. We scheduled the home inspection on the past Saturday, and have waived all conditions.
Selling
Also on that same Saturday night, we signed the paperwork to start selling our condo. Daniel wanted to make sure we sell our condo before we move in to the new house. (Back then, I thought we would sell our place in days, so there was no point to rush. Daniel thought we would sell it in weeks, so he was more pressing.) The listing would become active on Monday, but we were still way behind on tidying up our place for showing--it's not easy to show our condo when it was filled with stuff, especially the baby stuff. We had been slowly moving some of our belongings to our parents' places, but the work was still far from done.
On Monday, I received 3 requests to see our condo. Naturally, I rejected all. :D In fact, when we saw a memo on our condo's notice board stating they'd clean the carpets in the common area on Tuesday and Wednesday, we decided to delay all showings until Thursday. Also, since it was (and still is) nearly impossible to plan Isaac's nap times and meal times, I decided to stay at my parents' place for Thursday and Friday nights, along with Isaac of course. Daniel would stay behind because my parents live too far away from work. We figured we'd be going out on Saturday and Sunday anyway, so there was no need for Isaac and I to stay at my parents' place.
I left with Isaac on Wednesday afternoon. My mom stayed behind and helped me with the finishing touches. When Daniel got home on Wednesday evening, he was amazed at how clean and tidy our place looked: "this is my home?!?! It looks like hotel!!!"
Well, the first visitors of our hotel-like home arrived earlier than the requested--Daniel was still brushing his teeth when they came in (the key was in a lockbox)! He told them to wait 10 minutes for him to get ready. That was the first of 5 appointments on Thursday.
By Thursday afternoon, we already received our first offer! The price offered was our target price, so we were ecstatic. Before we responded with a counter-offer on Thursday night, a second offer came in at an even better price! Our agent also told us a third offer would come in the next day.
Our agent asked us how did we want to handle the situation. We decided to have a deadline on Saturday evening and decide then. (Daniel: "We've spent so much time preparing, let's at least show it for one day of the weekend!") There were 4 or 5 more appointments on each of Friday and Saturday. With only 3 days of showing, we received a total of 4 offers and sold at (a what we thought as an aggressive) asking price. (One more offer was supposed to come in, but the buyer probably backed out after knowing there were so many.)
We've bought a new house and sold our condo!
Buying
It had been a month since our previous serious attempt to buy a house. We had been constantly looking, but we hadn't found anything really interested us. Actually, there were a few which were potentially interesting, but the market has picked up soooo fast that they were sold we often didn't have a chance to see it.
A specific house triggered us to put in an offer for the previous house (let's call it House A) again: there was a new house (let's call it House B) in the neighbourhood we were looking at which was listed early in the week, listed at a price 10% higher than what a similar house (House C) was sold at a month ago. We asked our agent to schedule an appointment on Saturday, along with 6 other houses. Come Saturday, our agent told us 4 out of the 7 houses were conditionally sold. Particularly, House B had 4 offers, and was already having an inspection done on that day. Knowing House A was still on the market, we decided to immediately put in an offer at the final price the sellers wanted (which was $3k higher than what we last offered them). Time was not on our side: we wanted to make sure the sellers accept our offer before the actual price of House B--which we estimated would be at least $25k higher than House C--was listed on MLS. (The sellers of House A based the final price they asked for on the selling price of House C.)
We were lucky: we signed the offer on Saturday night, and the sellers accepted it on Monday. We scheduled the home inspection on the past Saturday, and have waived all conditions.
Selling
Also on that same Saturday night, we signed the paperwork to start selling our condo. Daniel wanted to make sure we sell our condo before we move in to the new house. (Back then, I thought we would sell our place in days, so there was no point to rush. Daniel thought we would sell it in weeks, so he was more pressing.) The listing would become active on Monday, but we were still way behind on tidying up our place for showing--it's not easy to show our condo when it was filled with stuff, especially the baby stuff. We had been slowly moving some of our belongings to our parents' places, but the work was still far from done.
On Monday, I received 3 requests to see our condo. Naturally, I rejected all. :D In fact, when we saw a memo on our condo's notice board stating they'd clean the carpets in the common area on Tuesday and Wednesday, we decided to delay all showings until Thursday. Also, since it was (and still is) nearly impossible to plan Isaac's nap times and meal times, I decided to stay at my parents' place for Thursday and Friday nights, along with Isaac of course. Daniel would stay behind because my parents live too far away from work. We figured we'd be going out on Saturday and Sunday anyway, so there was no need for Isaac and I to stay at my parents' place.
I left with Isaac on Wednesday afternoon. My mom stayed behind and helped me with the finishing touches. When Daniel got home on Wednesday evening, he was amazed at how clean and tidy our place looked: "this is my home?!?! It looks like hotel!!!"
Well, the first visitors of our hotel-like home arrived earlier than the requested--Daniel was still brushing his teeth when they came in (the key was in a lockbox)! He told them to wait 10 minutes for him to get ready. That was the first of 5 appointments on Thursday.
By Thursday afternoon, we already received our first offer! The price offered was our target price, so we were ecstatic. Before we responded with a counter-offer on Thursday night, a second offer came in at an even better price! Our agent also told us a third offer would come in the next day.
Our agent asked us how did we want to handle the situation. We decided to have a deadline on Saturday evening and decide then. (Daniel: "We've spent so much time preparing, let's at least show it for one day of the weekend!") There were 4 or 5 more appointments on each of Friday and Saturday. With only 3 days of showing, we received a total of 4 offers and sold at (a what we thought as an aggressive) asking price. (One more offer was supposed to come in, but the buyer probably backed out after knowing there were so many.)
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