'Twas the night before Christmas' for Moms

Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the abode
Only one creature was stirring, and she was cleaning the commode.
The children were finally sleeping all snug in their beds,
while visions of Nintendo and Barbie flipped through their heads.

The dad was snoring in front of the TV,
With a half-constructed bicycle propped on his knee.
So only Mom heard the reindeer hooves clatter,
Which made her sigh, "Now what is the matter?"

With the toilet bowl brush still clutched in her hand,
She descended the stairs and saw the old man.
He was covered with ashes and soot, which fell with a shrug,
"Oh, great," muttered Mom, "now I have to clean the rug."

"Ho Ho Ho!" cried Santa, "I'm glad you're awake,
your gift was especially difficult to make."
"Thanks, Santa, but all I want is time alone."
"Exactly!" he chuckled, "So, I've made you a clone."

"A clone?" she muttered, "What good is that?"
"Run along, Santa, I've no time for chit chat."
Then out walked the clone - The Mother's twin;
Same hair, same eyes, same double chin.

"She'll cook, she'll dust, she'll mop every mess.
You'll relax, take it easy, watch The Young and The Restless."
"Fantastic!" the Mom cheered. "My dream has come true!"
"I'll shop, I'll read, I'll sleep a night through!"

From the room above, the youngest did fret.
"Mommy? Come quickly, I'm scared and I'm wet."
The clone replied, "I'm coming, sweetheart."
"Hey," the Mom smiled, "she sure knows her part."

The clone changed the small one and hummed her a tune,
as she bundled the child in a blanket cocoon.
"You're the best mommy ever. I really love you."
The clone smiled and sighed, "And I love you, too."

The Mom frowned and said, "Sorry, Santa, no deal.
That's my child's love she is trying to steal."
Smiling wisely, Santa said, "To me it is clear,
Only one loving Mother is needed here."

The Mom kissed her child and tucked her in bed.
"Thank you, Santa, for clearing my head.
I sometimes forget, it won't be very long,
when they'll be too old for my cradle and song."

The clock on the mantle began to chime.
Santa whispered to the clone, "It works every time."
With the clone by his side, Santa said, "Good night.
Merry Christmas, dear Mom, you will be all right."

~ Author Unknown ~

Baby Steps

What I've learnt so far ...

1) When she wants her milk ... she means she wants it NOW!

Before and After

2) If she sleeps for 3 hours in a stretch, she is giving you a breather. Don't be surprise if she's up in half that time.

3) Babies do break wind, sometimes more often than I do. And don't be surprise at the amount of 'fecal matter' can come out of that tiny frame.

4) Angel, Textbook, Miss Sensitive or Grouchy ? ... well, that depends on whether her needs are met.

Homecoming

The past week and a half has been a blur of happenings and changes. The important thing is that both baby and mummy are healthy and well.

As for the house, it has become kind of unrecognisable, turning into a war-room like place for project BABY-01. My mum and the confinement nanny has cleaned and dusted every nook and cranny, revamped the kitchen and all its contents, stocked up the fridge to the brim and hung nappies on every space that catches a glimpse of the elusive sun beam. Our time has also been tuned to the sleeping pattern of our little girl, the one who eat-sleeps-and-poo.

Welcome home Cheyenne!

Awaiting the stork

My friend once told me that planning for a wedding was a 'stroll in the park' compared to the sweat and tears that accompanies the coming of the baby. The emotion runs much deeper, the preparation never stops even after the stork arrives, and the dent it leaves on your pockets might need a 'rescue package' to tide over. Okay, I exaggerate, he did not quite put it in the same exact terms but he was quite serious when he asked me to enjoy the 'honeymoon' while it last.

Well our preparation journey is almost coming to an end now. We have listened to advice from many a mothers, enrolled in 'Baby-101' class, and bought up a room full of baby stuff. The anxiety and excitement has not really set in yet, but it will crank up in the next few weeks as the day approaches.

Two more months to go