Witnessed by me once and by his Dad several times (I wonder what faces he makes to his baby that would entice that skeptical look), Jack can raise one eyebrow. I've yet to get photographic evidence of this but it was so cute when I saw it. Undoubtedly there will be more to come.

He seems to have settled into a 3 hour schedule at night, although when daytime comes, all bets are off. His Dad and I are glad he doesn't cry at night and falls asleep by himself in his cot. I'm still trying to get him to nap in the day without boob and carrying.

This morning after his 7am feed, I put him beside his Dad and I and he fell asleep instantly like he did yesterday. He slept another 3 hours and played happily by himself while I did his laundry and fed the kids.

Boy isn't eating his full serving - I'm concerned. But when I bring his unfinished dish to him in the study, he does finish it. I suspect he leaves half his meal unfinished to avoid hassle with the greedy naughties that come sniff around after they're done with theirs. I'll feed him separately and observe. He enjoyed a good pet while lying in the living room but resisted being carried. Need to trim his claws soon.

I've been exposing Jack to all kinds of music. He seems to love Vivaldi and Mozart, Allan Sherman, and my own compilation of pop. He's quite happily listening to Dido now, cooing. His father is convinced he'll grow up to be a musical genius. :D

Last night I was thoroughly exhausted with 2-3 hour feeds. My arms have started to ache terribly and if not for koyok I don't think I could have carried him anymore. At the 7am feed, he giggled and laughed when I stroked his forehead. Every ounce of exhaustion I felt then was worth it.

Finally, I put him between his Dad's and my pillow. He kept looking at his sleeping father with great affection, and then dozed off. His Dad got up for work not long after, kissed us bye and said, "I love you Supermom." That just made my morning and we slept till almost 11.

Impulsively we decided to catch Superman Returns last night. Mom agreed to babysit so we bundled baby and his stuff to her place while we caught the 6.10pm movie.

It was brilliant, beautiful, and powerful. Probably the best movie this year. It's what X-Men III should have been if Bryan Singer made it instead of Supe.

Post-movie, Mom told us Jack didn't like drinking from the bottle anymore. He drank 50ml and spat out some and refused to drink anymore. And then she got him to sleep! That's Supermom.

Unfortunately he didn't do a repeat of the night before and was up every 2 hours to feed. I was exhausted by eight and at nine-thirty, his Dad got up and carried him next to me for a zombie-like feed. All was rewarded by a series of smiles, ranging from grin to laugh.

I was feeling better by 10.30am, got up, fed him, changed his diaper, and played Mozart for him. He was quite happy looking at the light so I did the laundry, folded his clothes, and sorted out what clothes I could fit in. Happily, 2 pairs of jeans and 3 black pants.

He fussed some and I put on Allan Sherman, carried him and danced and sang to him. He was quite amused. :)

Jack slept from 0030h to 0430h last night. I was shocked and felt really well-rested. It was too much to ask for him to sleep another 4 hours. He woke again at 0600h for another feed and then again at 0930h.

Jack quirk: he loves to stretch (cat inheritance?). One arm (see pic on right) or two arms over his head, sometimes with a little grunt. Hehe...

* He first smiled in his second week.
* He hated being swaddled since his second week.
* He loves Vivaldi.
* He has his grandpop's wavy hair.
* He has an astonishing range of facial expressions.
* He grunts and snorts in his sleep (sometimes).
* He is growing eyebrows now!
* He stops and concentrates when he poops.
* He looks at me and sticks out his tongue when he wants to nurse.

He's been napping happily listening to my Vivaldi CD. :B

1. You will feel an overwhelming love for your baby

And this will escalate over time.

2. You won't feel the episiotomy cut

They inject you even if you have an epidural (just to be safe). If you see the scissors like I did, close your eyes and just push.

3. You will forget the pain of childbirth and labour

The sleepless nights that follow are responsible for that, and also the joy of nurturing your child.

4. Your body needs to heal

Get help during your first month, preferably Mom or a confinement lady (so you won't feel guilt about Mom taking the night shift all the time).

5. You will feel some pain below

Take them painkillers and sit on a doughnut cushion.

6. Breastfeeding will be a tough nut to crack

But persevere. I dreamt each day of weaning but told myself one day at a time. Now, it's cakewalk.

7. You will get used to the night feeds

Good grief. I used to love sleeping in, sleeping 8-10 hours everyday especially on weekends. How I have thrived on broken sleep of 1-3 hours each time is beyond me. But I coped within the first week of trying, which is this week.

8. Throw out the superstitions

I ate soya sauce with relish, watched horror movies and Animal Planet, bathed daily, washed my hair, and we're all fine. Do check which things you are supposed to avoid from your doctor.

9. Take pain relief when you need it

Whether it is in the labour ward or post-delivery, take the pain relief that is offered you. Technology is there for a reason. Keep your options open. Plus, for me it was easier to concentrate on pushing with an epidural while watching the chart, rather than racked with agonising pain.

10. Breastfeeding does help you lose weight

I gained 20kg during my pregnancy. Lost 6 kg post-delivery. Looked 5 months pregnant when I left the hospital. Pumped milk every three hours for my jaundiced baby from the get-go. Breastfed as much as I could while supplementing with formula. After 5 weeks I have lost 13kg and breastfeeding exclusively. I look like my old self, more or less. Tummy isn't quite flat but getting there. 7 more kg to go.

11. Your back will hurt like hell

From breastfeeding, carrying baby, and just being plain old tired. Buy the MyBrestFriend back support cushion (for when your tum is gone), stock up on koyok, book your massage lady, take pilates, get a Baby Bjorn baby carrier.

12. You will never be the same again

It's like Jean Grey rising from the lake. Dumbledore's phoenix rising from the ashes. Neo taking the blue pill (or was it red?). There's no turning back. Your life has irrevocably changed. You're now a mom and are responsible for that little one in your arms. Welcome to parenthood!

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