How baby changed my life

I normally tune in to Mix FM while driving and the topic of discussion this morning certainly captured my interest. Richard and Shaz were discussing on how a baby changes one's lives. I thought this is a really interesting topic and decided to write about it here.

I am certainly more patient person now. Dealing with such a tiny creature who constantly needs your attention and care, patience just suddenly becomes second nature. I'm also more forgiving of people who behave badly on the wheels. I'm not sure if that's a direct consequence of being more patient, or I've simply mellowed down.

Spontaneity is out of the window too. Hubby and I arrange our schedules around Yiu Yiu's schedule. Going out on a weekend is much more than just getting ready and get out the door. We will make sure she's had her porridge, bathe and dress her, etc before getting ready ourselves. Just when we are all set to step out the door, Yiu Yiu decides to nap and we'll just have to wait till she wakes up coz I'm one who do not like to disturb a baby's sleep. Also, no more spontaneous trips back to hometown whenever we feel like it coz now everything needs to be planned with precision.

I've also become good at doing everything single handedly, literally speaking. I'll eat my noodles with chopsticks, tap on the keyboard, get her bath ready, choose clothes from a pile that is on sales, etc while holding her in one hand. Talk about multitasking!

And above all, it is how Yiu Yiu changed my perspective and priority in life. Work is not longer at the very top of my priority list and I'm no longer concerned about achieving, or trying to achieve, perfection in everything I do. As Stephen Covey would approve, I know what my big rocks in life are and I don't sweat the small pebbles anymore. And to me, that's the most important change in my life.

Otitis media

Last Sunday, I started feeling some pain in my left ear. It started as only mild pain and I didn't pay much attention to as it didn't bother me all that much. Later during the night, the pain became rather unbearable; it felt like my ear drum is being poked. I suspected that it's otitis media (infection of the middle ear) and quickly looked up some facts on it. The literature states that acute otitis media results from infection by viruses or bacteria, often as a complication of the common cold or of allergies and that it's more common in children than in adults. Hmmm, strange as I had no flu symptoms at all! Little Yiu Yiu has cough and runny nose so I suspected that I could have gotten the bug from her. That, or I hurt it during cleaning!Needless to say, I didn’t get much sleep that night as the pain was keeping me awake.

The next morning, I consulted my company's panel doctor who confirmed the diagnosis of otitis media. She was quite perplexed too as I didn't have the flu so she asked if anyone in the family is sick. I told her that Yiu Yiu is and she confirmed that one can get otitis media from someone else flu bug. I was given a 5-day course of Augmentin (which is safe for nursing mothers) and paracetamol for pain. The doctor said that the pain will gradually subside once the antibiotic takes effect to clear the infection. I was thinking to myself, "Gosh! How am I gonna live through another 5 days of such pain!" Quite frankly, the paracetamol didn't do much to relieve the pain.

Today is the 3rd day I'm on Augmentin and the pain seemed to have abated slightly. At least I'm functioning compared to the last 2 days! I also read that otitis media is common in children between 3 months and 3 years of age. I just cannot imagine how a small child can live with such pain. An adult like me is already crying for mercy, what more a helpless little child. I just pray that Yiu Yiu will never have to go through this experience. And now that the pain is slightly less, I hope I can catch up on some zzzZZZZ tonight.