Mommy Shinteia, ZQ and ZK's blog

Quan & Kai - June 2010

2010-06-05T03:52:00.002+08:00

Quan recently went for an art trial and he was put to a 30 mins test. First the teacher asked him to draw an orange and color it. he tried and colored it without coloring out of the boundary too much. Looking at it I was quite proud that he is doing fine ... cos he seldom color properly at home. Then next I saw the teacher asking him to color another orange and drew some strokes for him to guide him. A while later I came back into the room and saw a vv nice orange with different shades. I was vv impressed and Quan said he did it without much help.

The next assessment was to let him follow whatever the teacher drew on the whiteboard and Quan managed to follow it reallly well. i was super duper impressed with the output too. Perhaps the kids will listen to teachers better than mommy. It was one of the best art piece that I had seen ..... i was almost on the verge of framing it up.

I hope to send him in for the classes soon.

As for Kai ....
He's able to follow our words quite well ...
Things he normally says
1. Can you help me? *in a vv gentle and sweet voice
2. Messy .. then he will turn to help pack up the mess
3. can you read?

He's able to sing some songs
1. Clean up Clean up
2. His favourite is Humpty Dumpty
3. Twinkle twinkle little star
4. a chinese song called Tai Yang Gong Gong
5, rain rain go away

He's quite a dear. During bedtime he'd like to "disturb" ger ger when he goes back to sleep .,.. he'd sayang ger ger, kiss him ..... and vice versa.

My #1 and #2

2010-05-30T05:30:00.002+08:00

My #1 and #2 are rather different. One is vv cheerful, active, fun-loving, more attention seeking, dun like to draw/write, calls me Mama and the other is more focus, attentive, independent, loves to draw/write and calls me Mummy. The interesting part is, #1 dun like to eat bread's skin and #2 prefers it, he'd give the bread "meat" to his GerGer.

I asked #2, u call mama as Mummy then what do u call Papa? Pappy?#1 replied, didi calls papa "Dad" ...

Things my clever son said

2010-05-30T05:23:00.003+08:00

Daddy : Why are u sleeping on my bed? aren't you supposed to be going back to your room?
Quan : Papa, I am only here to ACCOMPANY you ....

Me : Quan, why do you like to take mommy's change from the taxi driver all the time?
Quan : cos i wan to keep the coins for the poor children in China
*I din know how to react except to let him keep the coins

Me : Quan, I though you want to keep the coins for the poor children in China, why are you wanting to put it in the kiddy ride?
Quan : Oh mama, I was just joking about putting the money in.
*I can't possibly scold him cos he did not do anything wrong

My colleague : Quan, are you still drinking from the bottle?
Quan : I dun want to tell you
*I though most kids his age would tell the truth but he chose to divert away from answering the question

#1 told me on the way home that his throat is vv pain. He was vv drama n started crying so I told him to drink more water, it helps. He says "But it won't work!" and kept on crying. I thought it must be serious. Next min, with his eyes brightened up he says "But sweets can work ... mama, can I have some sweets?" *faintz

Stuff about Quan

2010-05-30T05:15:00.002+08:00

Quan is doing well at this stage.
He had mastered the art of reading. He can read all by himself quite alot of books and most of the time I'd let him read by himself and only assist him on more difficult words. However, he still wants my interaction. he'll request me to read one page and he reads one page. This is also a great way of participating in what he is doing.

My current task is to get him to read more Chinese books. He can read simple chinese words but not too many.

In terms of language ability, he can speak well and in fact rationalise with you to an extent that you cannot fault him or punish him. It can get challenging at times. He is also vv creative and is capable of making people happy, say nice things to adults.

In terms of height, he's now standing at 1.05cm and 20kg for a 4yo. Very much taller than his peers (at least half a head) and definitely looking much older than them.

Recently, we brought him to Hong Kong for his 4th birthday and he had a great time with Gigi, my best friend's daughter who is of the same age. He cannot stop talking about her and Auntie Dawn and about going back to Hong Kong.

Then he came along to a short trip to Tioman and survived the long bus ride to Malaysia before taking a long ferry ride to Tioman island. I wonder if Kai could make it without fussing too much - we left SG at 7am and reach tioman at 3pm.

Quan is growing up well except that he still dun quite eat vegetables and he can get quite lazy when it comes to writing & coloring. Something I have to put in more efforts on.

My poor Kai

2010-05-29T23:53:00.003+08:00

Kai had been hospitalised twice in a span of few weeks.

Once in April when he fell at the MRT station. Though he did not fall on his head but he started vomitting shortly. Within 2 hours, he vomitted 6 times. Then we sent him to KKH and he got admitted for a day.

In May, he had fever for 2 days on top of his flu and cough since he started childcare, I decided to send him to Polyclinic for a checkup and get medicine. Who knows, he got xrayed and found his lung to be infected. Later at nite, I got him admitted to Mt Alvernia. His stay was for 2 days and the bill came up to be almost $2.5K. good thing he had insurance coverage and all these are claimable, otherwise, it'd be such a hole in my pocket. especially , after that there are still followups to go to. Can't emphasis the importance of hospitalisation plan for the kid, esp to buy and cover the deductible.

Through the experience, I found that sometimes hospital might not have the bed type you prefer ... nonetheless, a small kid still need to be in a single room as they may disturb or get disturbed by others if they share a room.

Kai actually got admitted to a 2 bedder but his neighbour was coughing very badly, I was so terrified that I asked to get him transferred to a single room .... ended up I had to upgrade to a deluxe room. The good part of it was they gave me a suite instead - but well, din get to utilise it much as my helper stayed over as I have to work the next day.

Kai is now almost well and I am glad.

He's quite poor thing as he had alot of "accidents" - He fell down on his forehead as I was bringing him home, had a big BALUKU. He fell down at home in the bathroom and chipped his teeth. Afterwhich, he had 2 hospital stay ... poor boy.

Kai seems to be speaking more and more each day

2010-02-11T01:36:00.003+08:00

Kai is learning to speak better each day.
Now he knows how to sing some songs too ...
one of which is the "Row row row your boat" .... he can say row row ... boat.
another of his favourite words now is the Humpty Dumpty ....
He also can repeat words after we tell him what it is. Quite happy with his progress even though he might seemed slow (according to Celyn's PD for YZ).
Well, who cares so long he is healthy and is continuing to grow and progressing.

However, as he starts to be able to articulate his words, he'd also whine more to get what he wants. He'd always say Go ... and then point to the direction he wants to go towards. Other words he'd say are play, eat, milk milk and another word is Scared. Sometimes he watches some children programme with Quan and some of which he finds it scary and he'll say scared. Hope he'd get over this stage soon though.

Not entirely sure if he can speak 20-30 words and at least 10-20 double syllabus words but well ... slower to talk does not mean he can't talk. Who knows he might be the most talkative kid in town next time. Though he might seem a little more quieter than Quan.

East Coast Jan 2010

2010-02-09T18:24:00.011+08:00

Went to East Coast Park over the weekend and the kids love the sea.

Quan used to be the scady cad but has improved since Kai has set good example of being brave for him. Since Didi can do it, so can he! good influence. *Hmm, wonder who'd be the leader in future? Yet to know.

Kai is more adventurous it seems. At least at this juncture. He is quite daring. He'd want to walk into the sea without anyone holding him ..... have to watch him closely of course. As for Quan he'd go to a safe distance and stop. He's good at taking care of Kai too .... sometimes when he feels it's dangerous, he'd pull Kai back to stop him from going into further danger. Not sure if it's a good thing to teach him the D word (dangerous) cos Quan always think that it's dangerous this and tat ... so hubby says it's becos of me that he's not so adventurous. Whereas, Kai is more like hubby cos hubby vv Fan Xin .... even sometimes lets Kai fall into the pool then he pulls him up .... when I watch from a distance i'd have the shutters. Am I too protective?

Some pple say I am ... and I also dote on them too much ... but for me? I dun feel so. Maybe I am blinded by my own actions. I hope not to do them injustice by being too protective and over doting. Somebody tell me if I am - I'd accept that and try to change and be a better mommy for their good.

ARMPIT
*********

Kai has started to babble 2 syllabus words - see you ... and at the moment i can't think of any. He can imitate you when u speak ... so I think quite quickly he'd start saying more words. I think his mandarin is quite good too .... he can say Bird - Niao ... Cat - Mao .. and some others. I thought I heard him say Da Bian once (quite clearly) -- both my hubby and I. Not a great word but necesary word? haha.

Recently his favourite is Aumm-tit ... something like tat. We were wondering what is he trying to say ...... My maid says it sounded like ARMPIT ... but it's weird that he is picking such a word when we dun normally use such a word rite?

So yesterday I was thinking hard .... i asked him if he is trying to say Auntie? (my maid) .... then he kept saying Aum-Tit .... Aum-Tit ... then i realised that he might be trying to say Humpty as in Humpty Dumpty. I sing that to him quite often.

Then I asked is it Humpty Dumpty ... and he smiled and said AumTy .... slowly then he said "Dumpty"...... isn't he cute?

Begnning of the new year 2010

2010-01-05T14:21:00.005+08:00

Been 2 months. I've not really been bloggin .. more doing facebook nowadays. Uploading pics, posting status .....

Kai is now 13.5kg @ 16 months, growing to be 80+cm. I am glad he is growing well and big but that means I might have to pay for his MRT rides too soon --- barely 2 years old. I think they should go by age as well as height! Not fair to the tall kids.

Kai has learnt to babble quite a fair bit now. Dun know what he is talking but he is making conversations. sounds quite pleasant to the ears. Soon he'll start talking proper words and yes, fight for my attention - which he is now already starting to.

Quan is now 20kg @ 3yr10mths .... he's speaking very well and reading well(i think). Alot of people mistaken him to be 5 years old cos he speaks well. I am glad that I dun have to put in too much efforts in this area .... of course there are other areas like writing, drawing, coloring which he is not been exposed too much with.

He's grown to be sticky to me ... weird .. he's such a big boy now and more sticky to me than Kai. He drinks alot of milk still .... he drank 2 bottles(300ml & 240ml) when he woke briefly cos he heard me coming home frmo my movie "Avatar". This morning drank again when he woke up and one bottle before he slept last nite. 4 bottles in a nite , siong.

The other day, I wanted to sleep early and told maid that. Quan as usual wanted me to read his bedtime stories and came knocking at my door. Maid then told him that papa, mama already sleeping but he still came to my door and said sweetly "Mama ... mama ..... can u read story book for me? ... mama ... mama ..... ". Maid repeat to him that we're asleep but he said "No, mama, you are not sleeping ..... I can hear you coughing .....". Hubby and I burst out laughing. Made me felt guilty to want to have my little time to sleep early. My heart melted and I still went over to read him his books. He slept a happy boy.

Quan's witty responses and tricks

2009-10-27T11:52:00.003+08:00

Quan is getting more and more witty nowadays.

The EYES vs the MOUTH on TV
*****************************
Quan : Mama, I want to watch TV ...
Me : Have you finished your dinner?
Quan : No Mama but I want to watch now ...
Me : No Quan, you finish your dinner first.
Quan : Mama .... it's not me but my EYES want to watch ()

So it's not him .. it's the eyes har - Faintz. At this junction, I had to think really hard cos this answer is something really new to me.

Me : ok darling, you ask your MOUTH to tell your EYES that the MOUTH needs to eat first then after dinner, the EYES can watch TV.
Quan : ok mama.

Drinking Milo after dinner
***********************
Quan : Mama, I want to drink the packet Milo now ....
Me : Ok but not now, later when I come home
Quan : Mama, I want to drink now! *starts whining and crying
Me : Quan, you just had your dinner, you need to let your tummy rest.
Quan : But mama, I want to drink now! Mama, u say yes? *continues whine and cry.
Me : ok, Quan, what is the time now? you can only drink at 8pm.
Quan : Mama, it's now 8 o'clock.
Me : it's only 7+ , I know the time, is the clock with u? look carefully.
Quan : but Mama, it's really 8 now ... my clock is already 8.

* Thinking really hard how to convince him that it is 7+ only and suddenly it dawn on me that his clock might really be showing 8 and he is not lying cos he learnt to turn the clock to the correct time instead.

Me : Quan, did you do something to the clock?
Quan : Yes mama.
Me : Err, did you turn the clock to 8?
Quan : Yes and it's 8 now.
Me : (*double faint) ... ok, Quan, now look behind and see who's home?

* managed to get home in time with all the delaying tactics so that he dun drink immediately after dinner. Want him to learn on how to wait instead of wanting things instantly.

Kai @ 1 year old

2009-09-08T15:58:00.005+08:00

Kai had celebrated his 1st birthday few weeks ago. Time flies and can't imagine he is now one years old.
Thing that he can do now.
1) Persons he can call papa, mama, yeye, nainai --> and he knows exactly who he is calling, not just calling ramdomly.

2) His favourite words :-

Eat. He'll point to every kind of food and always say "Eat" "Eat" .... sometimes when he is hungry or wants to eat it, he'll also say it. However, he is still eating vv little as a 1 year old. He hardly takes more than 5 spoonful of rice. Very little for a toddler who is now standing at 11kg(or more).
Eeeee - He'll see some dirt on the floor and says "Eeeee" cos my #1 says that too.
Flower - He can say "Ah-wer" ... cos he cannot pronounce the "F" yet ....
Duck, Lion - He likes one of the potrait of animals I hang in his room which one of them is a duck and another lion. He can't really pronounce Lion yet but it has a certain sound that makes it sound like lion when we point to it sometimes.
Bear, Ball

3) He can now walk 5-10 steps on his own unassisted.
4) He can attempt to get the ball from below the bed, chair by using his hands, sometimes if he cannot reach, he'll turn around and use his feet to try to kick it out. This is also imitating my #1 who does that
5) He can push open the door and then crawl inside and push close the door.
6) He knows where things are and will try to put it back to where it is suppose to be sometimes. Good memory.
7) He loves to swim and bathe. He loves water basically.
8) He is not afraid of bathing, esp when washing his hair cos I told my maid to let water flow down his face when washing his hair. Learnt this cos my #1 learnt to tilt his head backwards when washing his hair and now is very paranoid when water flows into his eyes. Kai will not have that problem.
10) He's now 11kg @77cm (or more). He feels heavier oredi but haven't measure.
11) Kai has oredi 8 teethh
12) He can nod his head and shake his head if he does not want anymore.
13) Control the ball well, he can throw the ball to the person playing with him
14) Point to the bread on the table and say Eat
15) Likes Trees and flowers
16) He can put things back into the container or into the shape sorter (in the bigger hole).

These are some of the milestones for Kai and he has indeed grown alot since birth. He's a bigger size boy than ZQ. ZQ is a happy go lucky child, very easy to manage and gets over on things very fast. As for Kai, he is slightly more stubborn. Things that he wants, he'd eh eh eh or cry until he gets his way but of course I try not to give in. He's more observant that ZQ and quieter. However, I feel he is more steady and learns before he attempts it and makes mistakes. For ZQ, he's more quick to try things and of course makes lots of mistakes but he learns as well, in a different way.

Birthday Poster I made for Kai.

2009-09-08T15:58:00.001+08:00

August Baby Bash

2009-08-07T11:28:00.002+08:00

Pic taken by Mommy Kat during the Aug Baby Bash. I did not take any as my camera is spoilt ... videos are uploaded in fb. love this pic, Kai eyes looks so big.

Baby group pic

2009-08-07T11:17:00.003+08:00

This is the group pic taken for a baby group photo session. It was quite a fun experience. The only thing is that the other 2 pics are still being processed. Will post up once I get it.

Quan@almost 3.5 yrs old and Kai @ 11+months

2009-08-07T11:17:00.002+08:00

Quan is vv cute. Recently Kai is only learning to stand without holding on to things and Quan, being a vv encouraging brother will rush to tell me that little brother is standing vv well.
Once, when I returned home, Quan came to me and said excitedly "Mama, didi can stand very well, hurray!"and he'll say "Well done didi" "Good job Didi".

Then the other day, I was trying to bring a box down from above the wardrobe and I had to climb on my bed to reach it. When I took it down, Quan came to me and paste a sticker on my t-shirt and said "Well done Mama". I wondered why and he said "Because you can stand very well." It's so cute of him. I really like the part that he is a very positive and encouraging kid.

He is now standing 102cm tall and weighing a 17.8kg. A big boy he is. As for Kai, he'll catch up in no time. Kai is already 77cm(or more) at 11kg @ 11 months. A much bigger baby than Quan at his age. Kai is darker, has more hair and is the sunshine beach boy look. Quan is more of the goodie boy next door look.

Regardless of how they look or are, they are still my beloved boys! It's really fun to see them growing up. Enjoy every moment of it.

One of the lastest stunts for Kai is , he'll put his fingers in front of his mouth cos we told him to "Shhhh " ... as he is vv noisy when he wants to get things he likes. He has also learnt to pass things over to Quan - which I feel is a good training for him to learn to share his toys. He's really cute to hand over pieces of toys to the elder brother and he will even say "Nah ...." .... Singlish but well, we get the idea. I told him to say "Here" - hope he catches that.

Kai's reaching his 1 yr mark and I've just realised how time flies. Ahhhh ......

Standing on paper

2009-07-16T03:28:00.003+08:00

I had adopted a new method to punish ZQ when he misbehaves. Instead of physical punishment I had tried out to make him stand on a piece of paper. I learnt this from a friend who saw her friend who did that to his son and the son was so scared that he immediately behaves.

ZQ oso dislikes to be punished that way. Sometimes when we have to do it, he's still quite obedient to stand on the paper while still whining or sobbing away. It kinda work with him. Sometimes I'd threaten to make him stand on paper if he misbehaves and he'll tend to behave a little better. It's a good method as there is no physical punishment and a good way to get the idea across to him. Furthermore, I can always bring out the piece of paper anytime anywhere!

One joke I wanna pen down is that one of the days, I was chiding my #2, Kai that he cannot do certain things like putting certain object into his mouth but Kai as a baby, still continue to do it. Next I heard ZQ telling me jokingly, "Mama, I think Kai Kai wants to stand on paper". I thought it was quite funny. He really understood that standing on paper is a kind of punishment.

On the other hand, he is also able to comprehend that if he does not do the right things, he'd get the punishment.

I am happy cos he will not learn that physical punishment is metted out whenever one misbehaves. At least now there are other methods - standing on paper(taking away freedom) and other times I'd tell him he will not get his bedtime stories which he treasures alot.

Actually I love to read to him as well. It's a time for bonding and small talks - sharing of Qiao Qiao Hua. It's really nice and as he grows, his thoughts are changing as well. I hope I am there throughout his growing stages and not miss any of that. It's a really wonderful experience.

As for Kai, I must admit that he does not enjoy so much of my time as ZQ is demanding most of my waking moments. I have to attend to him most of the time when I am home until he sleeps and by then, Kai would have slept too.

I guess when Kai grows up a little more, he'd be able to demand my attention more. In the meantime, I am still trying to give him the little time I have left.
I always thought that my hubby will have favourtism towards ZQ but it seems that through action, I seem to be giving him more time. That does not mean favourtism but it's because he demands the attention all the time and it's hard to ignore cos he is really persistent and quite cute in his own ways that I don't mind either. Poor Kai is still small and unable to articulate his needs except to make noises to get my attention.

Kai will be so excited and happy to see me - as if he had not seen me for ages. It makes me feel a little guilty at times and glad that he still likes to see me alot.

Both kids are a joy to the family and I must say we've enjoyed them very very much. It's a wonderful thing to have kids .. really. If it's guaranteed that I'd have a girl for my next pregnancy, I'd go for it but well, this is something that no one knows. So well, for now, I am happy with 2 boys.

A frightening experience on extended stay at Bali

2009-07-12T00:30:00.003+08:00

After we got settled down at the hotel, we went for a walk at the beach. It was low tide then and we could literally walk on the seabed. the sea level was about ankle length and we saw alot of adventurous people walking out to the seabed towards the sea which was KMs far away.

We started walking, it was not easy as it's not flat, it has slopes and we had to find ground which are not so deep to walk on. We walked and walked for a long time until we were so far away from the shore. Soon, I realised that we were the only 2 tourists, apart from 2 locals who were harvesting some sea urchins. I wanted to get back but hubby says that he wants to go further as he can see dry ground further but I was tired and i felt unsafe since most locals were already off the beach and sun was setting. So i got mad and refused to walk further, but being him, he carried on. Shortly, he returned and i told him that the tide is coming in, I could see that the sea level was rising.

Suddenly I panicked and I was wondering if we could make it in time back to the shore. I am not a good swimmer and the last thing I want to do is die in a sea mishap. We couldn't swim back as there are alot of sea weed on the sea bed and if it rises to the level which enables us to swim. it means the waves would be too strong. Hubby was still calm (or at least appears) ... and i said, let's get back as fast as possible.

We were still trying to walk sideways, finding shallow grounds but I found that the tide was rising quite quickly, I decided just to bash through directly inward towards the shore. Although the sea behind us was still far away but I saw that the water level in front of us was higher than behind us .... which means that it was filling in from the sides and not behind. I was almost suffering a panick attack and told hubby "Let's get in there ASAP" and I did not wait for him and just bashed through towards the shore myself. AFterall, he is much taller than me and a much better swimmer.

It took us quite some time before we reached the shore and I was really so relieved that I made it. At that point the sea level was already half way toward my knee (i think). If it had reached my knee, it'd be vv hard to walk back. I had to raise my leg each step and i was wearing sandals. Not to mention that there were lots of starfish and some sea urchins , etc.

When we reached shore, I spoke to hubby for a minute or two and at the end of the speech and video session, the dry ground we stood on the beach oredi rose to my ankle. It was really fast.

Thank God that we are both safe and sound and one thing I learnt - Trust your own feelings cos we know when we feel danger approaching.

Also, what we see is may not be what it really is. We saw alot of "dry" ground but later we concluded that it is not dry ground but due to the reflection of the sun as it was setting, it created that illusion. Furthermore, it looks safe cos the waves are really far behind us BUT little did we know that the water level is rising higher nearer the beach than further away from the beach.

With this experience, it makes me even more paranoid about sea activities really. But well, as the saying goes, " When we grow older, we become more Kia Si" .. which i totally agree cos i know why. Perhaps it's smarted to be more cautious? rather than taking uncalculated or ignorant risks right?

My recent Bali trip

2009-07-11T23:36:00.005+08:00

I had gone for a romantic two of us trip with my hubby in June to one of the famous places call Bali. hhaa. to Singaporeans Bali is so ... so ... so ....... conmmon. To us, yes it is but to people from the other side of the globe, it's a heavenly place. So hubby planned and booked for everything.

Few days before the trip, I had developed high fever and I tried to call up the agent who arrange our trip to check if we could postpone it to a few days later. Afterall H1N1 is getting more serious and I was afraid that I may not pass through the temperature scanning machine and denied to go on board the airplane.

Was feeling a little better and we set off on the planned date.

To our horror, the hotel said that my agent cancelled the booking and we had to start scrambling for another hotel - Continental Hotel at Jimbaran. which we did and paid alot more but I must say it is a really nice hotel. Family friendly, etc .

Then we wanted to book a driver to drive us around for the few days in Bali but the contact I had was not free to take the job ..... nonetheless, i still called him to ask if he has any lobang to recommend. And he sent his cousin who is a vv down to earth nice chap.

Went to quite alot of sight seeing places and enjoyed ourselves alot. Even contemplated to extend another day but due to the admin, missing the kids, we decided to return as planned.

As for this trip, the most memorable experiece (not a vv plesant one) was when we had the extended day and when we tried to walk out to the sea bed cos the tide was so low that we could walk KMs away from the shore!

On our scheduled return date, we reached the airport, bid my nice driver pal Gede goodbye and was about to check in, we were slipped a note to say that the airline had been overbooked. We can choose to return on the next day should we choose to take up an offer to provide free accomodation in a 5 star hotel, be given USD50 each and fly business class home ...

To us, it was like a dream come true ... and still be given shopping $$. Not bad. About missing the kid? suddenly it was not in the decision equation at all. So we took the offer to fly business class and extend our extra day -which we planned to enjoy chilling out at the 5 star hotel since we had been travelling for sightseeing for our entire trip.

Wild Wild Wet

2009-07-11T23:24:00.003+08:00

We went to wild wild wet today ie Kai's first time. The last time we visited was months ago and ZQ had been bugging me to bring him there. He always tell me he wants to go Wild Wild Wet but I'd say, "Let mama go get the tickets first ok?" .... and since i am not vv ON .... I never manage to book the weekend slots in time.

This time I am vv lucky again. My collegue could not make it for hers and she had changed the date to the following month and mentioned to me that she cancelled her booking and told me to go book if I am interested. I only booked it 2 days after she told me and it was strangly still available.

So .... we went to Wild Wild wet today.

Kai was put on a float and he seemed to have enjoyed himself very very much!
He was making attempts to swim and smiling alot and he is also not scared of the water going into his eyes or onto his face.

last measured KAI, he was 10.5kg@74cm..... he's still of good weight though he still refuses solid food (ie cereal, porridge) ... so we're thinking of giving him on solid rice grains instead. He also likes bread.

ZQ. He's afraid of water running onto his eyes and on his face. This is due to the fact that my ex-maid bathes him asking him to look up into the ceiling while she tries to wash his head (full of shampoo).

For Kai, i ask my current maid to let water tricle down Kai's face while bathing him.

Kai @ 10 months

2009-07-08T11:47:00.007+08:00

Kai is now 10 months old and going 1 yr old in 2 months' time. He is now more responsive and he seems to understand things quite well and trying to respond, react to it.

1. We'd read books for him and when he sees the fish in the book, he'd tutrn to the fish tank.
2. He'd "return" the cordless phone to where it belongs. Once, he took the cordless phone from another room and then crawl quickly to my bedroom and attempt to put it back to it's original position, which he can't yet. But the fact that he remembers where it is supposed to be is amazing.
3. He'd get vv excited when I bring him in front of the animal series of paintings which we bought back from Bali.
4. He loves to swim, bathe .... water basically. After bathing, he'd refused to be carried out of the bath room and always struggle and scream when it ends. When we bring him to swim, he is also very excited and likes to splash the water. So unlike ZQ who absolutely hates to have water running over his face and quite scared of it.
5. He is generally the more quiet type as compared to ZQ. But I told hubby that it is becos he cannot really speak as yet. We'll wait and see.

I told papa that Kai is a beachboy sort.

Been 4 months ...

2009-07-08T11:47:00.003+08:00

Oh my, time flies and I am oredi feeling older.

Since my maid(L) left for her home country, 4 months had passed and lots happened. She has since came back in Apr and now my life is much better.

In the interim, we employed a new maid but she just could not adapt to us and she cannot fit into our lifestyle. We've learnt to appreciate the old maid(L) more and in fact, we give her alot more off days than agreed. She is happy and so are we. It might be more troublesome on her off days but we've learnt to be self-sufficient during her absence.

ZQ
*****
Now about ZQ. He's now in N1 and has grown alot. He's a really sweet boy and is protective towards my #2, Kai. Once, ZQ was sleeping and we found it hard to get him to wake up. THe moment he heard Kai crying, he immediately jumped off his bed and said "Mama, didi's crying" and was vv uneasy and disturbed. Shows that he cares about his didi's well being, which is a nice thing.

ZQ has now learnt my hp number (almost), he just misses out 1 number. Good thing or not, he will call me after he returns from school and say "mama, which station are u?" "Mama, don't come back to late ok?". Imagine he is telling me not to come back too late from work and in years to come, I will be telling him "Son, please don't come back too late after school" - Irony isn't. haha.

We're trying to speak more mandarin with him so he can learn it better. Afterall, in school, they speak English all the time and it's hard not to master it. We had also stopped letting him watch TV cos he gets hooked and all you see is a little boy staring at the TV and even if u wave your hands in front of him, he is oblivious. To do him good, we told him that the TV is spoilt (it really was) .... and after it was fixed, we did not inform him.

Recently we did turn it on to watch our own home made videos but he did not seem to want to watch TV anymore. It's a good thing cos he now spends more time with his little brother and also he gets to sleep early.

The newest thing we've done is to get him to go to bed at 8pm. It works wonderfully cos if he gets to sleep by 830-9pm, I get all the time free to myself after that. Comparing to previous when he sleeps 10-11pm, I would be a walking zombie after that.

ZQ has also started to eat more vege and once, he even told my maid to give him more vege cos mama told him to eat more vege for nice "Da Bian".

Brushing teeth. He now has mastered how to brush his own teeth.
Diaper. He is still on diaper for the nite and cos he drinks loads of milk before he sleeps, I dare not try to toilet train him for the nite at the moement.
Milk. He is still drinking a big bottle before sleep and sometimes in the middle of the nite and another feed in the morning when he wakes up.

His current favourite song is Faye Wong's "Ming Yue Ji Shi You" and since his memory is good, sometimes i sing the wrong lyrics, he'd correct me "Mama ...... no .... it's wrong ..... ".

Maidless for 2 weeks oredi

2009-02-25T15:25:00.003+08:00

It's been 2 weeks since our maid went back home. Good news is that she is coming back. I contacted her and asked if she is coming back, etc ... and yes, she is. This is good news cos it's tough to get a new maid and all the familarisation again, building trust ...e tc, it's alot of time and efforts.

During these 2 weeks, hubby and I had our ups and downs, fair share of WW3 but so far, we managed without any external help. I am on leave for 2 weeks to take care of #2 as I have my extended maternity leave to clear, which I have to clear it by Aug. Knowing that I am unable to find the time anymore to clear it, this is a great opportunity and afterall I do need the leave. It's a blessing that I delivered after the cut off date of 17 Aug to qualify for the new baby bonus scheme. It's a real blessing as I had initially wanted to go for my c-sect on 08082008.

Still trying to get my rest and hopefully when maid comes back, I can have more sleep. Work is getting heavier as well and there are alot of new learning opportunities, which I really like.

Maid had left for home ...

2009-02-11T06:12:00.002+08:00

Yesterday, we sent my maid to the airport as she requested to go home due to her husband's illness. It was rather sad cos I have to take over that role, yet we are going to wait for her for 1 week to inform us if she is coming back at all.

In the initial days since last week, after she informed us that she needs to go back, she changed her tune from not sure if she is coming back to "Yes Sir, I will come back". She even checked with us what is ZQ's birthday so she can be back in time to celebrate with him.

Have not heard from her yet but by now, she should have reached her home.
Hope to hear from her soon .... at least an sms.

For me, I had been busy since we returned from the airport.
Wash up the kids, fed them and put them to sleep, expressing milk, washing bottles, pump, shower, dinner, shower #1, fed #2, pump again, put #1 to sleep , fed #2 again. busy all the until almost 2am.

By 4am, #1 asked for milk. At 5am, #2 cried for milk. At 6am, expressing BM.

Wonder how long this kind of lifestyle gonna last.

ZQ and his ways of expression

2009-02-10T07:31:00.002+08:00

Last evening, ZQ was playing alot on his bed and refusing to sleep.
At one point, he told me "Mama, I think i have too much grapes" so i had to ask him if he is having a tummy ache and if he wants to Da Bian. He then said he does.
Instead of just telling me direct that he wants to pass motion, he will use such phrases and hoping we can understand him.

During times when he wants to vomit, he'll say "Mama., I think I have too much milk." so we'll to guess what does too much milk mean.

Since our maid is going home today, i had been training and telling ZQ that auntie is going back to see his children. ZQ also knows that she is going home to see her "YeYe, Nai Nai, GuGu, Ge Ge, Di Di" ... cos that's the list he knows about family.

I told him "Auntie is going home to see her children" so mama will be the one to bathe you when he was asking me to bathe him .. next he said "Auntie, you go home ok?" cos he wants me to bathe him instead. Good thing he is not too sticky to the maid else i'd have a hard time. I hope he settles well with the idea of maid not being around.

Maidless days coming, too soon to be true

2009-02-09T07:06:00.004+08:00

Last week, I noticed that maid looked abit distressed, unhappy, abnormal so I asked her what happened. She then told me that her husband had a stroke and now is unconscious in the hospital, in other words, in a coma.

Next, she said she wanted to go back home. So I woke hubby up and told him. Hubby then suggested to quickly send her home and get a temporary replacement maid until she comes back. However, there is no such thing as replacement maid for a month or two.

That was the start of processing her return and thinking of how to manage without her. Worst, is the finding of a new maid. It's a torturous process.

We asked my maid if she can confirm when she is returning back so we can get her a 2 way ticket and she can go back to settle her family. She said she is not sure as the in laws side might not release her and had demanded that she returns to take care of her husband.

We offered her a few solutions ... cos if she were to go back this time. Coming back to SG without any employer means she has to pay off another 6 months of salary to the agency. Or even if we reprocess her with a new contract, the costs would be $1000+.

She did consider and her final decision was to go home as she said that her SIL would be vv angry and not let her see her family if she does not go home ... and she says if she no longer have a family, what's the point of her working so hard in Singapore. Well, she's got a valid concern there. Also, she said if she were to take a 2 way ticket and she is unable to come back, then it's unfair to us. She really sounds so considerate and genuine.

However, after i spoke to her agent, I did doubt if her story is true as many maids had come up with unbelievable stories which often turns out to be untrue. This saddens singapore employers and sometimes questions the authencity of the story. Of course there is also the story from the agent which I hope not to be true - hopefully this is not a self deceiving thought. Afterall, we had been so good to her and do not see any reason of her not wainting to work for us. Furthermore, with her current situation, she would need employment to feed her family.

Hubby says that perhaps the agent make up a story to say that my maid is not coming back so she can earn the comission from us for introducing another maid. perhaps.

Nontheless for now, we just have to based on trust that she is indeed coming back if she can.

Had given her a week to reply to us once she is back before I process a new maid if she is not coming back. SO in the meantime, I had taken leave and gonna assume the role of a maid ... only that mine is temporary and i can choose not to do certain things and take short cuts.

Hope i will do fine.

Brought ZQ to school today myself

2009-01-31T00:02:00.002+08:00

Been a long time since I brought ZQ to school cos i put him on school van since I delivered. It's been 5 months. ZQ is easily adaptable .. and so far he has coped well with being in a school van.

Today, the auntie's not picking ZQ up and I have to send him to childcare myself. I kinda miss those times. While i was pregnant, I had to bring ZQ to and fro from childcare and back. It was tough as I was pregnant and ZQ is an active toddler but the time spent with him is very worthwhile.

When i entered the childcare, i see the familiar faces of the teachers which made me feel very warm and welcomed. It's been months since i stepped in ..... think i should try to go more often to visit.

The Chinese teacher also commented that ZQ is vv cute and adorable. She said that he goes around to wish everyone he sees "Gong Xi Fa Cai, Xin Nian Kuai Le" ...

ZQ really knows how to please adults. He's really funny and fun to be with. Can imagine how's he like when he grows older - sure he's gonna charm alot of gals.

Few days ago when we had quite alot of frens at my place and it was already time for ZQ to sleep, he'd come out of the room and say "Papa, I wan to kiss you goodnite". Then he kissed hubby, then came to me and did the same thing. Not just that, he'd go to everyone (all our guests) and kiss everyone on the cheek. AFterwhich , he went inside and not long later, he came out again.

This time, he came with new idea that he wants to "hug papa goodnite" and hugs papa, myself and all the guests got a hug from him as well. It was quite nice to see him so friendly and hugging and kissing everyone .... papa was so proud.

However, knowing this son of mine, I think he must be thinking of how to stay in the living room longer ... cos if he hugs just hubby and myself, he'd have to get back to his room vv fast. So by hugging everyone, he gets more time to stay in the living room.

Other time he'd say "Oh, i forgot!" ... that he'd forget this and that and he must do this and that.
He ah, is such a GENG king .. like my hubby.

First attempt to start Kai on FM - failed

2009-01-30T23:53:00.003+08:00

Realised yesterday that I had only 2 packets of FBM left .... and it's an emergency call to start Kai on FM since my daily production of BM is not really meeting his needs anymore.

He is currently drinking 180ml*7 feeds (sometimes 8 feeds). That would mean I have to produce 1.26 litres - 1.44 litres of breastmilk daily. My per pump is about 300-400 ml and I pump 4 times per day - 6+am, 12+pm, 8+pm and 12+am ... that means only about 1-1.2 litres per day.

Today I instructed my maid to give Kai 150ml of breastmilk and 30ml of FM. Later she called me and told me that Kai threw up 1 hour after he had taken the milk. Then by 7+, it was feed time again, she fed him and in the middle of the feed, he threw up again.

Being an anxious mother, i quickly rush down the his PD at Rivervale Mall to take a queue number. She told me the waiting time is 1-2 hours. I bought some stuff at NTUC and checked again and she said , "another hour". So i went home with ZQ.

Kai woke up from his sleep and appeared with more energy and can even smile. So in the end I did not bring him to the PD but I have to monitor him at nite. So far, he had taken his last feed at 11pm and has now fallen asleep. Hopefully he doesn't throw up anymore.

Tomorrow i am gonna try the milk again and see if he throws up .... if he does, he's prob not suitable for it and i have to switch formula.

Things ZQ says and his progress

2009-01-24T12:09:00.003+08:00

Whenever I want to punish ZQ for not listening to my instructions, he'll say
"Mama, don't beat too hard ok?"
"Mama, don't beat my hand, beat my backside ok?"
When I tried to pull down his pants to beat his backside, he says "Mama, cannot pull down the pants". cos he knows it's not too painful to beat the buttock.

Other constant words he says
"Mama, don't eat everything" or "Mama, you eat everything!"
"Mama, don't turn off my computer"
"Mama, i haven't listen to the Thomas the train music yet"
"Mama, i've off the TV, too much TV for me"

I think he's good memory. He can sing quite a few of the Thomas the train song and he knows and remembers the lyrics ie. 2468 song, the brave one, gone fishing and Hip hip Hurray. Even for myself I cannot memorise the lyrics, he can and he'll even teach me how to sing the song. His ability to handle tunes is vv good.

For reading of story books, he seems to remember the story and normally i'll start with a few words and he will continue the story. It's quite fun to hear him read the story. I don't think he knows how to read the words but it's just route learning which he mastered himself.

Sometimes we'd skip a page and read on but he'll tell me, "Mama, not this page ..... , it's wrong!"

He's talking alot now and it's fun having him around. He's vv creative and imaginitive.
I must say that he really knows how to please the adults.
He's also helpful and want to help in everything - perhaps it's fun for him to do the adult thing ie When i am pumping milk, he'd want to help me fix up the pump. Basically i think he's vv keen to learn alot of things which is a good trait.

I hope to learn to guide him in the right way so he'll be a good person in future. Being vv creative, he can really get his way around and even negotiating with us. I have to be careful not to let him develop in the wrong direction. One thing which I don;t like is that he likes to whine and even go into tears alot to get his way.

He's now 34 months and going 3 in march. Weighing @ 16kg @ 97cm(i think).

Greeting CNY

2009-01-24T11:58:00.004+08:00

Sun is CNY and we'll be off work until next Wed ... a good 4 days break, not exactly long though.
For myself, I am still nursing the cough. Meds dun seem to be working but I can't take any meds unless it's safe for breastfeeding. Kai has also caught the bug from either ZQ or myself and he's developed phelgm too. Hope he recovers soon.

Kai is now 5 months @ a heafty 9 kg @ 70cm. Alot of people says that their babies are only hitting 10kg at almost a year old. I wonder how big Kai will grow to .. but he's indeed a big baby. He's vv tall and relatively easy to manage baby. He drinks vv well 180ml @ 7-8 feeds a day and is a vv happy baby. He can KO and sleep within 1-2 minutes and don't fuss too much. Thank God that he's as easy as ZQ - i am glad.

Comparing to ZQ, Kai is much taller, bigger and darker. I call him TALL, DARK and HANDSOME ... while ZQ is FAIR, more of the guai guai look, though he's rather cheeky. One sunny boy and the other, a BAI MA WANG ZI. kekekke.

ALot of people says Kai looks more like me which I do agree. Slightly more than ZQ.
ZQ is a duplicate of hubby while Kai has bigger eyes, more hair but not as deep dimples as ZQ. They're both good looking in their own ways .... haha, beauty in the eyes of the beholder. Of course, they both look fantastic in my eyes.

We tend to feel those who look similar to ourselves as more beautiful, that's why sometimes people find their partners who look like themselves (self love) ... and end up people says FU QI XIANG. No wonder hubby thinks ZQ is better looking than Kai though more people thinks Kai is more good looking .. kekkeke. I think Kai is more good looking cos he's more of my genes! Nonetheless, he looks vv much like ZQ when he was a baby. Hope not another duplicate of hubby ..... at least have some of my good genes rite?

Almost everyone in the family is down

2009-01-19T23:10:00.003+08:00

ZQ had just recovered from his flu and I caught it from him, now passed on to Kai and my helper.

I had been coughing for almost 2 weeks and it does not seem to get any better. Seen the doctor for 3 times already and given MC to rest at home.

Now Kai has also started coughing and having a runny nose .... good thing he is still ok and able to drink and sleep , though he naps relatively short.

CNY is just round the corner and if I don't get well, it means I don't get to eat all the goodies :(
With this cough, I had also lost my voice .... hopefully it will get better soon. All of us.

ZQ has progressed to new heights ....

2009-01-19T23:01:00.002+08:00

ZQ had progressed to new heights .... *sigh ... not the good stuff.

Yesterday, ZQ told me that he's a good boy and finished his rice. Normally he'd not come tell me cos he'd never finish it so I was rather surprised, pleasantly surprised that he did. He even showed me his rice bowl. As i looked into his bowl, it was clean and in fact too clean to be true. It had been washed! I was wondering why would anyone wash his bowl? I didn't , my hubby will not and why would my maid wash it and pass it back to him?

So I suspected that he threw away the remaining portions of his rice into the sink in the living room toilet. I then complained to daddy and asked him to discipline his son ..... Hubby, heard how "clever" his son is in avoiding punishment cos he told ZQ that if ZQ does not finish his rice, he's get the ruler punishment. Being afraid of punishment, ZQ had come up with a lie to avoid this punishment which is wrong of course.

Hubby, was rather amused by the fact that his son can be so creative to pour away the rice and even washed the bowl. He felt that his son had inherited this "creative" genes from him and refused to punish him.

I am not sure if this is good or bad but definitely, I have to discipline ZQ, otherwise, he might think it's ok to do this again in future. Have not confirmed which is the best method but for now, still have to discipline.

ZQ almost drowned

2009-01-13T15:30:00.002+08:00

Brought Kai and Quan for the swim and as I was the only one in the water, I can only handle Kai .. leaving Quan to play by himself in the baby pool. Since the baby pool is vv shallow, it's ok. Of course I was keeping a lookout for him.

When Kai was done, I took him out to shower and told Quan not to move to the centre of the baby pool as no one was there to look after him except my helper who was at the side of the pool.

While inside showering Kai and changing him. I heard Quan outside crying so I thought he might have fell or perhaps wanted something but did not get it.

Got outside and mommy Kat told me that my helper jumped into the baby pool to save Quan cos he almost drowned. Later I found out that Quan was playing in the pool and as he was walking to the centre of the pool, he slipped and fell facedown in the pool. My maid then jumped in and tried to pull him up but unable so she squad down and carry him up. It was quite a scare for Quan and maid was drenched. I hope Quan will not be afraid to go for swimming in future.

Cannot imagine if he had really drowned ... i would be so sad and would not be able to forgive myself if an accident happens to him due to my negligence but sad or distress will be an understatement. I think i'd go bonkers. thinking back about it, i cried ... just imagining losing him is such a tough thought.

Even recently he was admitted to the hospital and at one point, they had to suck out the phelgm from his lungs .... i cried the moment the nurse told me. I cannot imagine having to watch him suffer ... so during the process, they banned me from going in as they said I prob cannot take it and be a hinderance. It was a fast process but it still pains my heart.

Must make sure that eyes are always on him 100% when I bring him to swim in future ... and if there's no one to watch in close proximity, then we'll have to get him out of the water.

Kai's first swim

2009-01-13T15:22:00.002+08:00

Brought Kai for his first swim at a public pool at 4mth+. Invited baby Adel along too.

I bought him a swim diaper(non disposable) and becos it was on sale from an overseas site, the green color i wanted to order was out of stock, i took the purple color one instead. Kinda too girly but well, he's only a baby, shld be ok ba.

Also bought the neck float which cost me $20+ ....

The first attempt was rather unsuccessful. Firstly, my chubby 8.5kg Kai's neck (or no neck since it was already merging with his shoulder n chin) ... it was vv difficult to put the float on ... it seems to be suffocating him. Finally after much struggle, we managed to do it. Then i slowly lower him into the water .... he did not quite like it as the water was quite cold. It was not too sunny at that time. He did make some fuss and cry for quite a fair bit. I guess he was scared.

I put him close to me and he kinda stopped but my #1 was spraying water with the pump for the float into Kai's face! of course he was frightened.

Tried for a while later and finally gave up and took him out of water. It was difficult to shower him in the bathroom though. The floor was slippery and they do not have a tub to shower him.
Managed to shower him but I I did not bring in the shower gels .... so just wash him with water.

So I must say the first attempt is not successful. Perhaps I should bring him to HwaXia first to experience it and let the professionals show and teach me how to put the float and see his reaction if he is willing to swim at that time. Don'twant him to be scared of swimming in the future.

Quan @ 34 mths

2009-01-10T10:45:00.000+08:00

Happy family

2009-01-10T09:52:00.001+08:00

Kai Kai - 4.5 months

2009-01-10T09:42:00.004+08:00

I am experimenting a new software from Epson as I bought Epson printer .. it's called Photomix . Quite easy to use and it's rather flexible. Another interesting option to the one I am currently using. Cool.

Family is sick

2009-01-10T04:25:00.002+08:00

ZQ, hubby and myself are all down with flu except ZK and our helper.

In the middle of the nite, hubby suddenly felt that there are too much virus in the room and decided to move ZK out of the room to avoid him catching the virus from us. As ZQ is sleeping with the helper, there's no other room with adults that are free from virus. Hubby decided that the living room is the best place to place his dear little baby.

Sensing the commotion, I woke up and told him that the living room is so cold! The windows were all open and the space is big, it's not as cosy as a room .. and ZK could potentially be more susceptible to fall sick. ZK oso woke up at this juncture as there were much movements.

Hubby then went into the study room as I told him since he's more sick then better to be away from ZK and there he goes, back to sleep. However, what he had done is causing the entire family to wake up.

As ZK makes noise, ZQ is woken up and he starts asking for milk, the helper wakes up .... then ZK will be hungry, i've got to make milk, feed him .... then with me waking up, my milk supply flows and it's time to pump milk. It's all a big chain effect. So sometimes i really prefer him to do nothing about it, at least i get to enjoy some beauty sleep .... his intention is good but well, he had not woken up enough to think clearly. See the impact of his 1 action? and we suffer.

Well, by now, the milk pumping session had ended and ZQ, ZK are back to sleep. Leaving me more awake than ever to update this blog which I have no time for.

ZK is now sleeping peacefully in his cot in my room, with me, smiling in his sleep n lying sideways. So cute and adorable.

Imaginative play

2009-01-10T04:13:00.002+08:00

2 nites ago, ZQ came into the room and told me, "Mama, it's your birthday" ... paused .. then said "Come on out, I've got a celebration for u". SO i went .... "Oh ... it's mama's birthday? .... ok ...... what celebration have you got for me?"

I went to the living room and he set up some toys, and said there's a cake for me. He put on the candles, then i taught him to light the match and we sing birthday song, blew the candles and cut the cake. He then cut a piece to offer me .... i ate it, then he offered another, and another. It was fun. I told him "Not too much cos mommy's gonna get a tummy ache".

Am quite amazed at how imaginative these little kids are and it's a good thing that he is. I'd rather this than having him become a couch potatoe. Although he does watch a reasonable amt of TV - cos sometimes really too busy to keep this active toddler occupied.

Sometimes he'd say something and i had to ask him if it's real or he's just playing pretend.

He also went to tell Papa that it's his birthday and guess papa's response?
No, it's not my birthday. Then ZQ said "It's your birthday" ... cos he wanted to show papa the celebration he had prepared so it has to be papa's birthday for the celebration right?
Papa again said "it's not my birthday" ... sometimes i'd rather he play along and jus say "Ok, let's play pretend" .... ZQ understands that it is not real, just imaginative play. He's pretty good at identifying reality with fake play, which is good cos some children would grow up with imaginative frens who don't go away in extreme cases.

In short, imaginative play should be encouraged and passive input ie from the TV should be reduced. He learnt alot from the TV programme - Disney Channel as well but it should not be his every waking hour.

I must comment that at his age (turning 3 in 2 months' time) .. he's pretty mature. He'd know that his TV time is up when we ask him "Are you done with your TV?" "Please switch off the TV" ..... he'd request for another "5 minutes" then he'd go turn off the TV.
He even says "Too much TV is bad for the eye" ...coming from his, it sounds quite cute.

One of the programme which i find that it's educational is called "Word World" ... it would have words that springs up live and becomes the item/object itself. E.g. BOOK will appear in the shape of a book while retaining the characters and we still can see that it spells as Book. It's good for them to learn alphabets and also identify them.

ZQ down with flu n fever .... again

2009-01-10T04:06:00.002+08:00

ZQ is more sustible to cough than any one of us in the family. He started having fever, runny nose, cough since Monday. Tue, fever went off but it seems that he is down with a flu, hence i brought him to see the PD at the mall.

PD prescribed him medication and neubiliser. Something ZQ is familiar with. Now he can even hold the neubiliser himself. Sometimes when he coughs, he'd ask, where's the neubiliser. Perhaps it does provide some relief to him that he's asking for it.

He's been out of school since Tue .... his CC teacher emailed and said the other children were asking for him and like to know when he is returning to school. I said, Next week prob. Prefers to keep him at home to rest and get better rather than risk him to catch other viruses and oso to spread his virus to the other children.

He's been coughing more badly at nite .... not sure if the medication from the PD is not suitable. Told the PD abt it when he went back for review last evening. She changed the medication for him n advised that he can go to school next week.

Asked hubby to get a letter from the PD to request the teachers to administer the medication on behalf .. but the letter is nowhere to be found. Wonder what daddy is doing? hmmm.

Quan is really so endearing

2009-01-06T01:22:00.002+08:00

Earlier, hubby wanted to bring Kai down for a walk but the weather is so cold so i said better not. Who knows before I could even react, he had already gone downstairs.
I told ZQ that he cannot go since he's sick. Then he went to the window to call out aloud for papa.
He even said good nite to papa when he was told it's time for him to sleep. Some time later, he ran to the window and shouted "Papa, it's late and it's too cold for didi".

Another time, I was upset with hubby and we had slight argument, ZQ come over to mediate and said "Don't shout, talk ok?"..... i can't believe that it came from my little 2 yr+ boy. He's really a peace lover. Had he not been a boy, i would send him to the Miss Universe Pagent so he can say "World Peace" ... hahhaa.

He's do wrong things and whenever i scold him, he'd come hug me and say "Sorry, mama".
He seems to know what are the politically correct answers to make adults happy.
He'd come tell me that he had finished the program when he could continue to watch it.
He'd kiss and hug Kai all over, including his diaper and then come tell me "Mama, didi's diaper is wet, need to change.
He'd say "Mama, don't eat everything" if he wans some of the food ... and if he comes back and finds it missing he'd say "Mama, u eat everything!"
He'd come to play with my computer and see the happy face on the forum and say "Don't touch my computer!"
He'd say "I need to work oso" when i give him excuse that i am working .....
He loves Thomas the train and is able to sing the 2468.. song. He now loves the other one called "The brave one" ... or Brave one.
He loves to eat vitamin gummies
He does not eat vegetables and meat
He's a good natured boy who loves ...... world peace! hehe.
He's tall for his age and weights about 16.5kg.

He's such an enjoyable and fun kid to be with and he's vv imaginitive too.
Really love spending time with him.

Slow in updating my blog

2009-01-06T01:16:00.002+08:00

Yes, it's been another few weeks since i last visited this blog. Been wanting to pen down some things but never get to do it.

Now ZQ is down with fever again, plus runny nose, he's irritable during his sleep - he'll scream for a few seconds then tone down and goes back to sleep again.

As for Kai, he's doing vv fine. He's a whopping 9kg @ 4month 1 week ... there about. He's missed his 2nd jab and I am supposed to bring him tomorrow.

I must really say that having 2 boys really keep me occupied. They are both like Orchestra, taking turns to demand my attention.

Quan will always find me for everything. His favourite is currently the vitamin gummies which he calls "Vitamin sweet". He woulda ask for 4 each time - not sure if i am over giving.
He is oso good at negotiating for more ... he had some in the morning, and wanted more at nite but i said he oredi ate his vitamin sweets. He'd keep saying no, i did not eat. Finally, i gave him option of 1 sweet or none. Finally he relented.

Aug babies gathering

2008-12-16T11:19:00.007+08:00

Some pics at the gathering.

Went for a gathering on Sun with babies who were born in the same month as Kai.
It was rather crowded initially - we've had 45 adults and 20+ babies, and quite a number of toddlers. Brought both my darlings along and ZQ had a great time playing with the kitchen set and of course he found a thomas the train - his favourite.

Later, the host's little gal took it back and he was upset, trying to throw a tantrum and got a scolding from me. THen without me realising it, he took the toy from the girl and she ended up throwing a tantrum and threw down all the toys in her hand. She then started crying and I had to ask ZQ to return it to back to her and apologise. ZQ was quite ok to do that and shortly he did , and even apologised to the girl. That's what I really love about him, he's not too stubborn and selfish about sharing. He wants to play with it cos he loves Thomas the train but he understands that he has to share and he's alright to share. Glad that he is managable in this aspect.

Before we went out, I had made him wear this pants which is vv nice but he does not like to wear nice clothes, perhaps it's hot. He loves cheapo clothes which are thin. Then cleverly, before we came out, he told me he urinated on his pants (not that he cannot control but he wanted to change out of the pants). He came to me and said "mama, i urined. my pants are wet, pls change a new one" and i knew he was up to his tricks. Since it was not too wet, i asked my maid to air it and later before we went out to put on back again.

Just when we went downstairs, he told us he urinated on his pants again. However, later at my friend's house, he can tell me that he wants to urinate before he did. So I gathered that he really can GENG ..... haahha.

Family picture time

2008-12-16T11:19:00.003+08:00

EBM

2008-12-14T07:53:00.003+08:00

After the fever, the supply dip quite abit. I was proud to say I can manage a 300-400ml per session but now it's only 200+ to 300+. So sad ....... (as my little drama ZQ would say).

ZK started drinking EBM due to my fever which i did not wan to give the milk.
He seems to complain and struggle with it sometimes when he is drinking.

EBM is definitely not as tasty as BM, ir has a metallic taste.
Good thing is that he's helping to clear them from freezer ... i had 30+ packets andn now dip till 20+ ..... more space for new supply! hurray!! heheh.

Looking forward to the Aug Babies gathering

2008-12-14T07:47:00.003+08:00

It's been a month since i posted.

Today we'll be going to a Aug Babies gathering, there's about 30+ adults and babies who's gonna be there. I bet the friend's house must be huge! At Tiong Bahru some more. hehe.

Looking forward for it ... am also bringing Quan along as there are some toddlers there. He can make some new friends.

Update. Went to the Mattel sale on Thu and had another bout of fever on my way home. The right side felt really engorged and painful, then after i drain it out at friend's office, I started shivering , trembling ..... it was quite a scary experience.

In fact, this is the 2nd time that it happened. Once i had it while with my hubby on a Fri then after i finished draining it, the same symptoms were there and i ended up at TMC who gave me paracetomal and then rested there, pump it out and then were advised to go home. This time, i am more informed and I went home instead of hospital.

makeover

2008-11-11T20:35:00.001+08:00

ZQ's innovative

2008-11-11T16:15:00.003+08:00

I've got a pump to pump balloon and few days ago, ZQ brought it out to play. During bath time today, I saw him taking a pail of water and he took a few pumps of the shower bath (maid was in the kitchen) and then he mixed it with the water. Next, he use the pump and pump into the water to make bubbles. It's so creative of him, haha. I wouldn't think of doing that. When i was monitoring him, i thought he wanted to use it as a water gun but instead he made bubbles with it.

Maid said that yesterday he already started doing that. Sometimes before he goes into the bath, he will say "Oh, i forget" ... then goes to look for some toys he wans to bring into the bathroom to play.

He's also vv loving towards his little brother. He will always kiss the baby from head to toe. Earlier, he kissed Didi's hands, tummy, legs and at one point, he kissed the diaper and he said "Mama, diaper is full" ... so funny.

ZQ knows how to get what he wants diplomatically

2008-11-11T15:59:00.004+08:00

Today ZQ wanted to drink the YEO's packet chrysanthynam drink and the following conversation happened.

ZQ : Mama, can i drink this?
Me : No, darling, you are having a cough
ZQ : Me not coughing
Me : But doctor said u are coughing
ZQ : Mama, u drink this *He offered it to me instead ... so sweet rite?
Me : *reluctnatly --- Ok ....
ZQ : *Seeing me opening the packet drink, he said Mama, share with you
Me : Mama can share but are coughing?
ZQ : No
Me : So can you drink?
Me : No
ZQ : Mama, better to share
Me : Quan quan, u are coughing
ZQ : Mama, Little bit
*Pour little bit into the cup
ZQ : Mama, don't drink everything, save some for me.

This kid really finds ways to get his drink and he knows how to get what he wants. Eventually, he go a little bit of the drink.

ZQ "bullies" me

2008-11-11T06:45:00.002+08:00

After ZQ's return from the hospital .... he seems to be more sticky to me. I guess he learnt that i'd give him the attention and want to continue having that attention even after he had come home.

While in hospital, since it was just him and me most of the time, i can entertain him all day long. He also watched alot of TV there as there's nothing much to do. Doc advised not to let him loiter around as he might catch other viruses since his immune system is weak at that point.

I never realise that Cartoon Network is such crappy channel. It has cartoons like Tom and Jerry, Pink panter which has scenes of them hitting each other and not getting hurt but for a 2.5 yr old, they'd prob learnt that it is ok to poke fun and "hurt" each other. Had to explain while in hospital to ZQ that this is bad behaviour. *sigh.

ZQ just woke up and first words he says "I wan to watch TV" - faintz. I said no, and he said "Little bit". Now he even knows how to negotiate.

My maid was telling me that whenever I am at home, ZQ would ask me to read him stories, play toys with him, watch TV with him, everything. But when i am not around, he behaves much better and is quite understanding when she has to look after the baby. He even eats his own meals at times without much problem.

ZK had grown to be so big and he laughs at his own fart

2008-11-11T06:38:00.003+08:00

Met a friend at Giant the day before and he has 2 lovely daughters. They saw ZK and commented that he looks big and when he found out that he is already 7kg @ almost 3rd month only, he turned to tell his daughter, why u so small and light? U're only 8kg+ at 1 yr old. Hhahaa .... i din realised that ZK is that BIG.

He's a lovely boy - just like his brother ZQ. He's smile with his eyes closed when he hears me, prob smell me. I am glad that he is quite a managable baby, just like ZQ.

He's so funny too. Once, he farted and he was alarmed, frightened by his fart that he started crying. We all had a good laugh cos it was so funny. Then when i told him not to be frightened by his own "PI" .... he smiled. Another time, he also farted and he gave a loud laugh ... sounds quite adult ... it was vv funny too.

So my little King of PI smiles and laughs at his own fart.

Fever

2008-11-11T06:28:00.001+08:00

Took ZQ out of CC last Fri as they were having a Halloween party in CC. I dun quite like the idea of him learning to "Trick or Treat" as I do not agree to the origin of Halloween either. Despite doing that, he had already learnt the word "Trick or Treat" ... cos he said that once when he was home over the weekend.

During the weekend, he caught fever up to 41 degress. Sent him to see a GP, KKH emergency outpatiend and finally on Tue, he was admitted to TMC for 2 days. It's a good thing I had bought insurance on hospitalisation for him and I can claim. Cost me a bomb for that 2 nites stay plus the few outpatient and followup.

Last evening, it was my turn. ZQ had since recovered after he got admitted but had phelgm due to his cough. As I am returning to work on Wed, I decided to go for a nite's out with hubby.
Sad thing is while waiting for hubby, my breast got engorged and it was painful despite me having pumped at 6pm and again at around 7pm. After i pumped at 7pm, i started feeling cold and trembled, shaking quite badly. In the end, we ended up at TMC again.

They administered panadol and I oso rented a pump to empty the milk - took 2 hours there pumping but it seemed stuck. Fever eventually went down and I was given antibiotics to continue at home.

Fever still persisted until this morning. Now i wonder if I can go out after work if I dun fullly empty the milk .... will this episode happen again? it was quite a scary experience.

Family pics in Sept

2008-11-02T12:10:00.000+08:00

Comparison between #1-ZQ Vs #2-ZK

2008-11-02T12:08:00.002+08:00

ZQ - deeper dimples though both have and bigger eyes

ZK - more hair and curly and more chubby!

Makeover on my birthday

2008-11-02T11:58:00.004+08:00

Went for a makeover recently - my first makeover in fact ..... so sua ku rite?
I guess when one gets older, you want to look younger and nicer? to keep the good memories of how u used to look like. Well, I am on maternity leave and since I have the time, I have a free makeover voucher and I am meeting hubby for my birthday dinner that day, why not? It turned out pretty good :)

These are all the shots I chose .... they are good at getting you to buy the pics. Heng i only like not too many of them ;)

ZK's DPT jab

2008-10-25T18:51:00.004+08:00

Brought ZK for the Hep B + DPT first jab yesterday. He was happily sleeping and only woke up when it was his turn, literally. So we had to give him milk, thank goodness he was on bottle feeding, else how to bf and have the PD check him rite?

The PD is vv gentle and rather through, spoke quite a bit with her. She even gave him the jab while he was drinking his milk. The brave baby only gave a loud wail and stopped once it's done. He also did not develop any fever. Thank God.

This morning i developed a slight flu n was sneezing away. Din end up going for Karen son's birthday ..... rather disappointed cos was looking forward to bring zQ there. Slept most part of the day except waking to pump - din even take my lunch.
Ate biscuits (Hup SEng) - hope they are not affected by the melamine milk scare ..... to date, Julie biscuits which i was eating prior to this is now in the list.

ZQ also drank Dutch lady packet milk and vomitted yesterday ..... not sure if it's related but the milk is surely not good anymore though it's way ahead of the expiry date. We ordered them through the CC, gotta feedback to them as i remmeber he also vomitted recently when he drank another packet - though not serious but it caused him to vomit, bad enough.

ZK at 2 months old

2008-10-22T08:36:00.002+08:00

Don't you think he looks handsome? *ahem, all babies looks most adorable to their parents. He surely looks skinnier than lying down. He's now at 6kg @ 8-9 weeks. Pretty long by now, my own measurement was about 60cm ... dunno accurate not. Be bringing him for the Hep B + DPT jab at the PD.

PDs are so exp but then polyclinics had increased their price and it's not really that much difference, prob another $100+ for the 3 jabs. Furthermore, the queue is really long, the doc seeing him will be an MO (pretty inexperience ones sometimes).... might as well let him see a more professional one for now till he is at least 6 months' old, after his 3rd DPT jab.

Spending more $$ on ZK than ZQ ..... why? cos i have a more stable job this time. Feels bad that he has to inherit big brother's clothes, things so I buy more of other luxurious items which are not necessity - eg toys, music CDs ...

ZK's SMILE

2008-10-15T18:22:00.001+08:00

ZK is now 8 weeks and he is now 6kg. Heavy and chubby. See his double chin?

Swimming pool @ Seng Kang Sports Complex

2008-10-15T04:35:00.002+08:00

Brought ZQ to the new swimming pool on my own. Since ZQ's birth, I had not brought him out on my own too many times since we have a helper and often, she would come along. SOmewhat I found it tiring to bring him out myself cos he is so energetic! Can't catch up with him sometimes.

Hubby had gone earlier to swim first and then would join us after he is done with his own swimming. It was a good strategy to go later to meet him. Hence, i brought ZQ there to find hubby. THe place was buzzing with laughters from children, talking from adults ... and it looks like a mini Wild Wild Wet .... furthermore the entry is only $2. It's wonderful for a public pool - first of its kind in Singapore. ZQ had so much fun there and yes, we'd bring him there again next week.

He's kinda scared of water, swimming now. i find him not too adventurous in terms of exploring the water sports and also in his experimenting of food. He's better with learning languages, remembering stories, etc.

At his stage now, he's really fun. Every other day, there'll be something new and interesting about him - no wonder, hubby is "favouring" him more than the new born ZK. As he said in his own words that ZQ is exciting as he is different every stage and it's refreshing. As for ZK, it's something that he had seen before, hence not as interesting. Furthermore, now ZK is not exactly responding much as yet, so it takes patience to wait and see him smiling. Hubby talks to him but before he starts to smile, hubby walks away to do something else - no wonder he has not gotten much chance to see his #2 smiling. I hope he does not develop obvious favourtism for his ZQ but I can see that he loves ZQ very much and I am glad that he is appreciating and enjoying his son so much.

ZQ will say things like
1. "I can manage" when we try to help him on certain things.
2. When asked about something he does not want, he'll say "No, thank you" and he'll politely say "Thank you mama".
3. Sometimes when he sees me in pain, whether caused by him or not, he'll say "Sorry .... mama .... " and comes over to sayang me.
4. When baby cries, he'll get excited and shout "Baby crying .... mama, baby crying .... ".
5. When he returns from school, he'll asks "Where's my baby?" and he always wan to "See my baby". when we carry baby up, he will say " I wan my baby" ....
6. He loves to sayang DiDi. He'll hug him, kiss him on his lips! *i faintz cos he has cough sometimes.
7. When he is gonna cough, he'll turn away and walk to a corner and then cough before he comes back near the baby.

On the -ve side, he had learnt the word "Stupid" .... asked him who taught tat, he said "One grandma" .... so funny.

At this stage, he loves to listen to "Clifford" stories. He can even memorise the story. SOmetimes i wonder if he can read but i think it's becos he memorised the story. When mymaid tries to take short cut and skip a page, he'll know and tell her "No, it's wrong ....."

He's really an adorable and understanding kid .... love him lots! especially he is such a darling and takes care of his little brother, not demanding too much of my attention and this makes it easier.

Baby favours

2008-10-15T03:47:00.003+08:00

Went back to office to distribute baby favours on Monday. Decided to give something different from the normal cakes, Ang Gu Kue and eggs. Some of my colleagues simply loves it! It is vv nice as it comes with a bear, an one serving hot chocolate and a mini pretzel together with a personalised card .... i had done my own design and then got them to use my design instead of theirs and it turned out really nice. Had ordered another package of it, mainly foodstuff but did not keep one for myself.

Spent the entire day (almost) in office, going around to catch up with colleagues and sending out the baby favours. ZK enjoyed himself so much when 3 lady collegues from the Admin dept carried him and played with him. He laughed so heartily that I was surprised. He kept smiling and giving mega big smiles to them when they spoke to him, play with him. Made me realised that I haven't been doing that much myself and he's grown to actually respond. I only know that he smiles when I speak to him or talk about him with my helper. Now he is more alert and can see you eye to eye and moves along when u move away.

They kept praising him that he is vv clever and that he is able to respond so well, despite being only a 7 weeks old. My roommate also commented the same thing. Dunch know if it's becos he is drinking breastmilk? better development. hehee. So far, I am proud to say that he is still on total breast milk. So different from ZQ who only had so little of it. Now I am trying to make up for it by giving him some of it if he wants to drink cos ZQ recognises the different taste - sometimes he protests against it.

ZQ knows which floor we stay in

2008-10-15T03:41:00.002+08:00

ZQ has a good memory.

He can remember stories I read to him before he sleeps and when he was younger, he can remember songs very well too. Had even taught him Faye Wong's "MING YUE JI SHI YOU, BA JIU WEN QING TIAN .... " one of the famous poems.

Once, i wanted to test if kids at their age has good memory and I taught him to count from 1-10 in Malay ... "Satu, Dua, Tiga .." and after only a couple of times within a span of 2 days, he remembers it. It's quite amazing but yes, they do learn and absorb vv fast at this age.

Yesterday, i was out and I told the van driver to call my house phone when they reached so my helper can go down to pick him up. The home phone did not work as it was not placed properly. Then she brought my son to the lift and asked which floor he lives in. ZQ managed to tell her which floor and she brought him up ..... now we are also trying to teach him our hp nos so that he can get someone to call us when he gets lost. Of course i am not teaching him to use the phone to dial as yet. hahhaa.

Baby thank you e-card

2008-10-12T10:26:00.003+08:00

ZK first month celebration

2008-10-12T10:08:00.004+08:00

Been busy celebrating ZK's first month and my birthday. Have not gotten time to post any pics as yet.

ZK's first month celebration was rather successful. I had invited 50 over guests to my place as half of my initial guests could not make it ... combined my 2 days celebration into one. Hubby was asking, "How do u squeeze 50 guests in this place of ours?". Well, we managed. As guests do not come all at one time, it was ok in the end. Hee, can do such gatherings in future ... then again, what other occassions do we invite so many people? Another baby? hahaa ... not for now.

Made an e-card invite for the celebration and I thought it's quite nice. Shall post it up ;)

I ordered from NEO Gardens and had good comments from the guests. The most memorable part of the celebration was before we cut the cake, hubby wanted to take a picture for baby with the cake. Guess what he did? He placed baby on the hard glass table top next to the cake and baby started crying! Terrible.

Ordered some favours for ZK's first month and will be distributing to frens and colleagues as a token of appreciation for their joining in our celebration of ZK's birth. It should be nicer than the traditional Ang Ku Kue, egg and cake. It has personalised announcement card (I sent in my own design and requested them to produce it accordingly) and has it printed on the bottle, etc. QUite cool isn't? Have not seen the real thing as it will be delivered tomorrow. Hope it's a nice little token.

More pics of ZK

2008-09-28T06:41:00.011+08:00

Family pic time!

Joy of "breastfeeding"

2008-09-28T06:05:00.003+08:00

Little did I know about the joy of breastfeeding, rather, sound of pumping.

The sound of the milk that drips into the bottle, as it increases, the sound of it spraying into the bottles ..... it gives such sense of achievement. As I watch the bottles gets filled up, it feels good that finally I am producing milk .... milk that gives antibodies and nutrients to my baby. For the excess milk, I can even give it to #1, ZQ who had missed out on it last round. ZQ was mainly on formula milk (FM) and I had produced so little breastmilk (BM) that every drop of milk was like a drop of blood .... so precious.

As I had failed in breastfeeding with my #1, I did not bear much hope of succeeding this round but I tried to find all other avenues to help improved my breastfeeding efforts. I bought a nursing pillow so that it helps in positioning the baby for breastfeeding (I feel that this is one of the greatest challenge) ... afterwhich is getting the baby to suckle (this will depend greatly on the baby). I had also invested in a good pump - Ameda, a dual electric pump, which is important because a dual pump will cut the time spent in emptying the excess milk by half!

Having done all that, I had also bought Milk producing herbs tea and a kind of herb called Fenugreek which helps lactating mothers to produce more milk - well, I am proud to say that to date, I had not open my bottle of fenugreek as yet.

Most importantly I had prepared myself mentally that I WANT TO PRODUCE MORE MILK! Hence, during my final stage of pregnancy, colostrum already started to produce. Even on the 2nd day at the hospital, I managed to squeeze out 50ml of milk which I even took a picture of - haha, so proud u know.

Til this morning, I had produced a record high of 260ml in a pumping session. What do I do with so much milk when ZK is only consuming 100ml per feed.

Sadly, I must say that I've enjoyed pumping more than direct latching the baby cos he still drinks 100ml regardless of how long I had latched him on! Latching on - he fusses, cries, struggles and now having gotten used to the bottle - he feels the slow flow on direct latching and becomes impatient. Hence, I had decided I'll do exclusive pumping and let someone else do the bottle feeding.

I hope that without the latching and with exclusive pumping, the milk supply will not dip. Now I must say that it is too late to get back to direct latching as ZK had already learnt that he can get milk without having to suckle too hard ... and compared to direct latching, he does not need to put in so much efforts.

It does not matter so long he gets the breastmilk and that I am comfortable in what I am doing - relax ... so I can produce suffient milk.

First outing with ZQ after my delivery

2008-09-26T02:58:00.003+08:00

Went to Pasir Park with hubby and ZQ. ZQ really enjoyed himself alot and was laughing when I showed him the pictures and videos of him playing Pasir Ris Park. Now he knows how to request to go there again.

ZQ knows how to please

2008-09-21T14:05:00.003+08:00

ZQ really knows how to please his daddy.
He drew some lines on the paper and ran over to tell daddy "I drew something special for you". Asked him what it is, he said it's the train .. it goes Choo choo choo ...
Daddy then asked him to add some more colors and he replie "No, thank you".
His other favourite phrase is "Stop it Papa" "Stop it Mama" "Stop it Auntie" .. he learnt that in his CC and now he uses it with us when we tried to stop him from misbehaving and he will say "So sad ..... " when we really discipline him. Next second, he'll be jumping with joy and I wonder if he is good at acting. *Sigh.

He's quite funny. The way he answers sounds vv much like an adult but then it could be all 2.5 yr olds are answering in this manner.

Sometimes he will say "I tell u something" .....
Other times he will pull your head near to him and say "Spell my name.."
Now he knows his daddy and mommy's name and i am teaching him to remember my mobile number. Hope it's a good thing .. not sure if it will backfire and he might end up calling me often next time. Let's see.

ZK one month old pictures

2008-09-21T05:12:00.001+08:00

Make a Smilebox photobook

ZK is 1 month old

2008-09-20T14:30:00.003+08:00

ZK is 1 month old today. Was planning for a dinner session with some relatives but becos my FIL cannot make it, we had to postpone it. Dunno when but hubby is arranging it.

From birth of 3.65kg, ZK had now grown to be about 5 kg. I was surprised cos i always thought he was only 4 kg. It was calculation mistake. Now he drinks 100-120ml every 2-2.5hours, that's alot for a baby only 4 weeks. Furthermore, it's vv SIONG to wake up every 2 hours to feed him. Each time it will take at least 1 hour and if my #1 is at home eg. Weekends, then we really don't have time. Though confinement is ending soon but i don't see myself going out alot .. i still need alot of rest.

ZQ is getting abit more unmanagable cos he sees me home alot and i give him more time since the maid has to take care of ZK at times, hence i have to come in to take over certain things. Maid finds that she cannot manage him. She will give in to him when he cries and makes a din ... so she will give him biscuits(chocolate kind), etc which I myself do not give to ZQ cos he develops cough easily. He had been coughing for a while and on and off, it comes back for few weeks. having gone through so long to have his cough recovered, of course i am upset that she gives him rubbish food and he might develop cough again.

Scrape Book Trial

2008-09-17T00:28:00.000+08:00

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

My Baby ZK

2008-09-16T11:05:00.001+08:00

Update on ZK - week 3

2008-09-15T17:47:00.005+08:00

Just gotten this collage done up and I tot I'd post it here :)

He's so cute .. i was taking pictures for him and told him .... "Darling, smile ..." and he actually did .. a couple of times.

He's quite a "clean" boy .... always like his diaper dry and clean. Even when there's one pee, he feels it, he'd cry until we change him. Diaper ... a rather costly thing.

He's drinking 90ml for every 2-2.5 hourly .... it's quite a lot for his age but then he's born quite a big size boy ... so perhaps he needs more. Thank God that this time round my supply is able to meet his demand and even have excess that I can give to my #1, ZQ.

Initially, ZQ was enjoying it until he decided that he dun wan the "special" milk and want the normal milk (Formula) ... hence, now we can only give it to him in the wee hours when he is still sleepy. Well, firstly it can help me save $$ and hopefully if it's not the frozen breast milk, then it has the antibodies that comes with it. Hopefully it can also help to boost ZQ's immune system.

Don't you love his million dollar smile?

ZQ is the sweetest boy and a good brother

2008-09-12T11:31:00.003+08:00

This morning, i was still half asleep when ZQ came into my room to tell me he is going to school. Next, he hugged me and gave me a goodbye kiss and seeing that I am still sleeping, he said "Mama, don't go down" to tell me that I do not need to accompany him down to the school bus. He's such a sweet boy.

Last nite when I put him to sleep, I told him firmly that once he finishes his milk, he MUST sleep and really, within 5 mins, he fell asleep. Quite glad that he din insist on more milk -which he usually do. He is drinking alot of milk esp at nite and esp for a toddler of his age. I thought they should be cutting down on milk feeds? But he is not eating properly for his dinner and still vv choosy .... don;'t want meat, vege, fish .. in fact , everything except white rice. Faintz.

ZQ is also coping well with his new didi, ZK. He will say softly "Baby ..... so cute .... " while touching baby's legs, toes. I feel he will be a very caring GorGor to his little brother.

For little ZK, he seems to like to be carried and cries when we put him down. So now, i told maid not to rock him if possible. However, ZK is still managable cos once he "falls asleep", we will put him down.

Update on ZQ - 2.5 years old

2008-09-11T15:45:00.002+08:00

ZQ is now 2.5 years old and he is about 16kg @ 90+ cm .. din measure his height but alot of people commented that he looks like a 3 or 4 yr old kid. Well, his mature looks I must credit to his father ... haha.

He has made great improvements in terms of his speech and ability to communicate. Some of his favourite phrases are :-

"That's a good story" - whenever I finish reading a book, he used to say "The End" ... now he will say "That's a good story". It's interesting to hear cos I never teach him that and I gather it's prob the childcare.

"I'm so sad" - ZQ is a sensitive boy and when we scold him or punish him, he will run to me or to my domestic helper and say "I'm so sad .....". We'd then ask him what happened and he tries to articulate that papa or mama is not happy with him and angry with him.

"Angry" - He learnt that from CC and he will say "Angry" with his arms folded. So funny.

Since he returned from my mother in law's place (due to his chicken pox) , I felt that he had grown up suddenly. Not just in terms of his weight, size but his speech, mannerism and alot more. No wonder there's a song that say "One night grow up" (translated from the mandarin song from Fish Leong).

He's been quite understanding and will look at baby and say "Baby .. so cute" "Baby crying". Since he is having a cough now, I told him to stay away from baby and to turn away or walk away when he is going to cough and to cover his mouth. He understood and will walk away whenever he is going to cough. Such a dear and I must say that he is rather mature and understanding for his age. He has a vv good nature and I believe that they are born with it.

I hope to give him more time once baby's routines are more established.

ZK's jaundice is on the downward trend

2008-09-11T15:42:00.002+08:00

Hurray! ZK's jaundice is on the downward trend. Yesterday's checkup, his level went down to 183 ... a drop of 20 points is quite good. Need to go back for another review and if it falls further, then ZK can be "discharged" from going back for blood test.

Now I have to start working on his first month celebration. I did not do it for #1 - ZQ cos i was not coping well with the first time round and hence, no time and energy to do it. This time, I am managing better and with help from my domestic helper, things are much better now.

Gotta start sourcing for caterer and decide on who to invite , etc. Alot of work to be done!

ZK's jaundice level had improved

2008-08-29T14:45:00.002+08:00

Brought ZK for blood test today and his level is now 218. Converting to TMC's level, it is to divide by 17, hence it is a level of 12.8 Doc had verified that ZK's jaundice level is ok but still requires monitoring and have to go back in 2 days' time for another blood test and 4 days' time for another detailed blood test. Here's goes another confinement when i am never confined at home - always busy running around to bring the boy for blood test, review checkups.

For ZQ, when we discover his jaundice, it was at level 400 and shot up to 420 when he was admitted to KKH 2 years ago. That would mean TMC's level of 24-25! It was a terrible experience, hence, anytime I'd prefer ZK to admit hospital or do home theraphy than to leave it to chance for jaundice to drop naturally. When we discovered that, ZQ was already above the danger level and the doc told me to rush him to KKH and dun even think of going home to pack the bag .. he then quickly called KKH to prepare the maximum lights available to shine ZQ. I was there during the 3 days and I could not stay over, it was a toturous experience. ZQ had to be put on drip and totally naked (not even the diapers) ... it was a painful sight and rather traumatising for a first time mother.

This time round I am more prepared for it and can handle it better. When I heard that ZK has to be admitted, I was rather glad they discover it earlier .... but when i went to the PD, when he told me it shot up from 9.3 to 16.9, i fear that history repeats itself ... felt like fainting for a second and wasn;t thinking straight. Anwyay, i rented the machine home and did a 3 day photo therapy for him and though i did not have much rest, it did not matter.

I just pray that it continue to go down. Really, I am not sure if it's linked to ginger. Last round I did not eat much ginger and ZQ had it bad .... this time round, i did eat a little (perhaps some dishes unknown to me) cos hubby in his goodwill, told my maid to cook dishes with ginger to help me pass out the wind but he forgot that it might cause jaundice to go up. Though I kept telling him i cannot eat ginger but i still find them in the food cos he did not tell my maid to stop putting ginger. Anyway, gynae also does not believe that ginger plays a part in breastmilk jaundice.

So much for today .... already vv tired after coming home from the blood test. Think I'd better watch what i eat these few days/weeks.

Comparison between ZQ & ZK

2008-08-29T00:47:00.003+08:00

Managed to dig out ZQ's birth pics ..... somewhat i feel that ZK looks very much like GorGor. Here goes ...... the left pics are ZQ and the right pics are ZK.

Both of them are delivered on the 39th week but their weight differs by almost 700grams. Can tell that ZK is a little chubbier and more reddish. ZQ does look a little yellow already. However, ZQ was discharged without phototheraphy ... but ZK's level was 11.9, so he stayed a day more in hospital. Few days later, went to PD and the level shot up to 16.3 or 16.9, hence had to do home theraphy.

ZQ has lesser hair than ZK and ZK has nicer lips. Their eeyes are quite the same and both have 2 dimples - thank goodness, otherwise ZK will be wondering why mama is so unfair : ) Apart from ZK's nice hair, he has relatively long fingers and legs, toes, feet. Can learn to play piano in the future .

ZK's jaundice had gone up

2008-08-28T12:48:00.004+08:00

Brought ZQ to PD review on day 7 and it had gone up to 16.9 ... my heart sank when i heard it. Yes, I do think he is kinda yellow but din expect it to be that high. It's not dangerous yet (like ZQ's) but the thought of having jaundice and had to either admit him or DIY home photo theraphy was really not what i was expecting.

After PD appt, I went to see my gynae to take out my stitches. It was a smooth process ... in fact, he just snipped on both sides and next he said, "It's done". Wow ... did not expect to be so fast cos last gynae used black string and he had to "pull" it out ... felt some discomfort .. but this time it was painless. New gynae - Dr Adrian Tan from TMC even took out a fybroid of 3.5cm from me =-- that alone would have costed me thousands of dollar to do a fybroid operation and now he did it as part of the operation- he said he oso dunno how to charge, the most it's only a few hundred. Thanks to Dr Adrian Tan. He really made my delivery C-section process smooth. I even chatted with him and the anasthetist (spelling?) throughout the operation.

Now i hope that his jaundice will go down to a safe level by tomorrow.

My #2 - ZK's pic

2008-08-25T23:52:00.003+08:00

Delivered ZK on 20/08/2008 and he weights a good 3.655kg @ 51cm. Relatively heavy and long boy. The c-section operation went well and now I am already moving quite well and not much pain ... ZK got discharged one day later than me as he had jaundice level of 11.9 ... not too high but good to go under the photolight.

The Big Day welcoming birth of my #2

2008-08-20T04:36:00.002+08:00

Today's the BIG day! Gonna go to hospital to deliver my #2 via C-section. Feeling excited i guess.

Finally the day has arrived after much changes. Initial date was 18/08/08, then changed to 08/08/08 then finally 20/08/08. Hhaa, seldom people change their scheduled C-section date so often but well, we've got to be comfortable with the arrangements rite? I've changed my gynae last minute too cos i felt he was rather unprofessional and $$ faced. Glad to have gone to another gynae who had given me a MUCH MUCH better user experience - never know till I switched like 1.5 months ago.

Now I wonder ....
- How will the op go?
- Will I have side effects of Epi?
- Will baby be healthy and easy to manage?
- Will baby look more like me or hubby?
- How much will my tummy shrink from current 44 inches (yes! it's a record high of 44 inches)

Now i can only pray that God will bless us with a healthy, cute, easy to take care baby and for myself, that I'll recover fast and well from the operation. Also, on how ZQ gonna react to his new brother - pray all things go well.

It's a start of a new motherhood journey and gonna adapt to a new life once again.

ZQ at Wild Wild Wet in June

2008-08-14T06:08:00.008+08:00

These pics were taken 2 months back and as I had no time to do up the collage, it's been delayed till now. I guess this is to compensate ZQ before arrival of #2 and he gets lesser time with me.

ZQ loves to play with his "gugu" and since she is still a "little kid" herself, they get along really fine ;)

Don't you simply love his smile? He has these 2 lovely dimples which he inherited from hubby and me. Since we both have dimples, I cannot claim credit that that's my trait. ZQ looks very much like daddy but as I had always said "More handsome cos he has my genes too". Now I wonder how #2 will look like? more like me or hubby again? My guess - more like hubby since his family line has vv strong genes ..... one look and u can tell that they are from the same family. My family genes? vv weak - cos my sister's kid looks like her hubby, my brother's kids look like his wife. I hope that good genes other than looks will go to my sons.

Some thoughts

2008-08-14T05:41:00.003+08:00

A friend called and said another friend had been warded into ICU and perhaps we want to pay our last visit, in case she goes home with the Lord as her situation does not look positive. In normal circumstance, I would rush down immediately to visit but this time, I hesitated. As I am going to deliver next week, I am not too sure if I can cope with seeing this friend in her current state of health cos I heard that she had lost alot of weight and the sight of her might affect me emotionally.

I must admit that I had been quite emotional during this last stage of pregnancy and with recent ZQ getting chicken pox, imagining the possible risk to baby should he get chicken pox. My recent "minor" car accident where a taxi bang into my colleague's car and I had a rude shock out of it. Worst, I realised how "unprofessional" my gynae was (he was on holiday and when i called him upon advise by his nurse, first words he said "I'm on holiday, can you call my nurse" .... but it was the nurse who told me to call him) .... anyway, that's another story and bottomline : I changed gynae at this last stage of my pregnancy and getting the new gynae to deliver me.

Other things aside, I still have not decided if I'd visit her .... I don't know what to say ... will I start crying? Seems that she had lost alot of weight and she is skinny to start with. Sometimes just thinking of things would make me cry and even movies too ... I don't know.

Sometimes I'd tell my hubby that if anything happens to me during my childbirth, I had already made all the preparations for the family. People say why say such things cos we tend to believe that we'd live to hundred and one .... but we never know when the time comes for us to go. It's better to make the preparations so that the family is ready (not for the loss) but other aspects. This will help to reduce their stress of having to cope with the pain of the loss of a loved one and to handle so many other admin issues. It's called planning.

Planning is good but things will go out of hand too as it's never as planned. I planned so much to prepare ZQ for the arrival for #2 and things seems to go well - who'd know that he caught chicken pox? I wonder, of all times, why now? Now he's gonna miss the arrival of his didi and by the time he comes back, how'd he react with having to share mommy's love and time with another little baby? I planned for him to say "Welcome baby" to his brother, to make balloons for him, to buy a little cake for him .... but now? it has to all delay. Nonetheless, most importantly is the good health of the baby.

Life changes so fast, we have to be quick to adapt, to make decisions to change quickly to cope with the situations. Sometimes it's tiring - what's the best decision? which is the best option? Can we take the best option? sometimes not due to circumstance we're in.

So much for my rattling .... gotta start thinking about +ve things .... baby's gonna be out soon and yes, there are lots of reading up and planning to do ... breastfeeding, handling baby, growth of baby, etc, etc. Being a mother is a 24 hour job! Cheers to all mothers.

ZQ's CC made him a card

2008-08-12T15:21:00.002+08:00

Went down to ZQ's CC to pay school fees and chat with the teacher and update approximately when ZQ can start going school. She then passed me a card the classmates made for him. Oh, it's so sweet of them.

ZQ is still on the "Mama, bye bye" mode and i get to speak to him for less than 10 seconds. Other mommies told me that this is the stage of their life that they have vv short span and don't really talk too much on the phone.

Have another week to go before my scheduled C-sect and now trying to enjoy my freedom (without ZQ) and also to rest before baby #2 comes. Been feeling quite tired this week .... though I had taken days to rest and over the National Day. Probably due to the last stage of pregnancy i guess. Shall not waste this opportunity which I've not had since ZQ came into this world. Hubby and I are also trying to enjoy these moments together - quite a rare opportunity.

With #2 coming out, it'll be a while before we can leave the 2 boys at in law's place and have our nites' out.

Losing touch with ZQ

2008-08-11T20:10:00.003+08:00

Been only 5 days since I have not seen ZQ personally due to his chicken pox but it seems like a long time. He seems quite happy staying at MIL place but I feel I am losing touch with him.

For the initial days when I call, he will excitedly come to the phone and say "mama ..., mama .... " in a vv sweet and nice tone. Now he has gotten accustomed to staying there without any rules and regulations, he is happy with that no control.
These 2 days, he will pick the phone and say a few words then hang up. Today it was ultimate, he will pick up the phone (which he loves to) and then utter "Bye bye" and hang up the phone. I am upset - just want to talk to him a little and hear his voice that's all.

I had heard in the background in the early few days telling him to say "Bye bye" and now it seems that he has gotten that message. So mean of that person and I know who it is.

We tried once to use the webcam with my SIL to see each other which I think it's a wonderful technology ..... so tried to do it again but my SIL had messed up his laptop (again) and now the video does not work on their side. ZQ can see us but I cannot see him. U know how agonising it is not to see your son??????

On top of that, he is now not even really interested to talk to me on the phone. Each time I call, my MIL will say that he is sleeping, bathing, watching TV, playing toys ..... and I don't get to talk to him.

Had to tell my maid to call me every few hours so I can hear him but she forgets. She told me ZQ was sleeping that time .... but, she is not clever to call me and put him on the phone when he wakes up? Upset with her too.

I really feel I am out of control here. The good habits and routines I had trained my son in and he listens, he understands and knows .... now will all be history.

At my MIL place, he watches alot of TV and sleeps vv late. They will say "Your son ah ... likes to watch so much TV" ... but they did not be firm with him and they don't know how. I hope that these 2-3 weeks at her place will not cause long term damage to his good habits ... but I have no choice here.

Just hope for the best.

The family potraits - part 2

2008-08-10T09:47:00.013+08:00

It's tough to get ZQ to stand in front of the pillar as he prefers to be the photographer, so we can only try to capture him as best possible.

See how he struggles ......

ZQ is such an adorable boy. He's a cheerful and active boy and generally quite ok to manage. Of course, a toddler has their own whimes and fancies but he's quite a mature and understanding kid - for a 2 yr old+.

So sweet of him to come and give mama a big love hug.
Missing him quite abit since he is now at MIL place and I cannot hug him and kiss him ... have to wait till he has fully recovered from his chicken poxie.

Simply love the great charming smile of his. His 2 lovely dimples makes my day and the way he calls "Mama". No wonder they say a kid can cause a parent's heart to melt. I truly understand that.

The family potraits - part 1

2008-08-10T08:16:00.026+08:00

It's been a long while since we took some nice pics together. It ususally is ZQ and hubby or me and ZQ - Hubby and me? who's gonna be our photographer. Guess where we took these pics? It's down at the void-deck. The government has recently repainted the estate and I asked hubby to use the nicely painted wall as backdrop. It looks quite nice, doesn't it?

Few more pics with my dear hubby. Almost like studio shots but of course not as professional but well, good enough for my standards. Afterall, these are ways to save $$ in such economy, isn't?

My pregnant belly .... so huge. Only at week 37+, I am already 43 inches .... wonder how many more inches to go before I deliver after week 38. Initially planned to deliver on 080808 but cos it's only 37w and few days, it was not a good idea. Had to give up that slot and book another date 2 weeks later.

Now that ZQ is down with chicken pox, on hindsight, it is a better idea. Had already segregated him to MIL place and heard that he is now starting to recover and of course, the most infectious period.

Cannot visit him lest hubby gets infected and bad for #2. Hence, we use the high tech webcam to see him. Comes with limitation of course, cos MIL struggles to turn it on and SIL is out most of the time. Try to make do with whatever resources we have.

Mommy and ZQ

2008-08-08T07:49:00.005+08:00

Don't normally get a good pic with ZQ cos I am the better photographer ... haaa.
Don't get a good family pic either cos ZQ now wants to the photographer instead of the model.
Don't mean not to put hubby's pic cos not many nice ones as I've always ended up taking ZQ's pic and hubby is not exactly keen to take pics .. though I think he looks nice, rather i take nice pics of him ... but well, not vice versa.
Here one pic I really like ...

My tummy - 43 inches

2008-08-08T07:24:00.007+08:00

Almost delivering .... last round I've achieved only 40 inch of waist ... and now it's 43 inches. Guess the tummy is stretched and lose. For a petite me, alot of pple had asked if I am delivering twins .... furthermore, my #2 is not that big .. but will be as compared to ZQ.

It seems there are alot of water inside .... like round 1, my tummy was like 5 months pregnant after i delivered. Frens who came visit wondered if I had delivered. I had to point to my son's cot and say, "that's my son, this is my tummy" .. haha

Balloons for my dear ZQ during his poxie days

2008-08-08T06:34:00.001+08:00

Just learnt a new hobby - Balloon sculpting. It's a 1.5 hours session and we managed to sculpt quite a few balloons shapes - dog, girraffe, heart shapre, flower, bee, etc ... it's fun!

I guess this comes in timely cos ZQ is now away and I can make balloons for him since I cannot be there to care for him. Had already asked hubby to send him 3 first and tomorrow I'll bring down a few more .. else he becomes bored with it. He likes balloons.

Here's what I've made.

I hope he'll enjoy it. Never know how much I can miss my son. This is the first time he is gonna be away from me. No choice as he's infectious and I cannot afford to take any remote chance of me getting chicken pox (again - if my antibody is not sufficient) and passing it to my unborn child - arriving in another 1.5 weeks' time. Seeing so much (cannot count liaoz) chicken poxes on his face, body and back makes me so sad .... oredi cried a few times. Thought I had already given him the jab but I actually overlooked it. Due to my ignorance, I did not realise that it was an additional jab - or I did think he had taken that jab.

ZQ - mama loves you and sorry that I had overlooked your chicken pox jab ... i thought it was part of the package for immunisation.

ZQ is down with Chicken Pox

2008-08-06T18:44:00.002+08:00

Found out last evening that ZQ had been down with ChickenPox, confirmed by the doc.

Stressed. #2 is coming out in 2 weeks' time and ZQ is down, he'll be at his recovery stage and it's the most crucial and contagious.

I had just sent my #1 to my MIL place and already missing him. Called him and he is so cute over the phone .... My MIL say dun talk to him lest he misses me ... so upset. I told her that he's ok and will not kick a fuss so i spoke to him for a while - dunno what she trying to do. Then next, I heard her wanting to give him raisins but he has a cough and she kept asking him to put down the phone ... so irritating.

I keep telling ZQ to pass the phone to her but he dun quite understand and keeps talking to me in his toddler language. I dunno if i can tahan not to see him for 2 weeks under my MIL's care and maybe longer cos baby gonna be out and #1 is at his recovering stage. Feeling sad that he's gonna miss the most special moment which I had prepared him for ... even taught him to say "Welcome baby", make balloons, buy a cake to welcome his didi. The house feels so empty without him .... and it's only 2 hours he's away. Guess I have to pretend he is in school.

Never knew how important ZQ had become in my life cos he's always around. But yes, every single about him worries me .... it's just being a mother. I'd jump up at nite at the slightest noise he makes and check on him .. fren said I am high-strung and need to unwind before #2 arrives.

On the other hand, my hubby's so happy ... immediately suggested bringing me out for nice dinner tonite he says, since baby not at home. He's glad cos son had become first priority to me and maybe he feels neglected. *Oops. Shall have a good time out tonite - relieve the stress and give him some attention before #2 comes out and he gets lesser.

Planned Delivery date for #2

2008-08-02T09:08:00.006+08:00

My EDD is supposed to be on 26 Aug and I am now into my 36th week and baby is 2.8kg. First planned C-sect date was 18 Aug

2nd planned C-sect date is 080808, 8pm - Beijing Olympics Opening Ceremony. Week 37+. Due to term ends, wanted to go earlier cos can go back earlier for work as they are shorthanded.

3rd planned C-sect date is 200808. It's 39th week and it's safer and better for the baby's lung development.

Now it's another 3 weeks before due and mytummy is already 43 inches .... so far weight gain is only 9 kg (minus 2).

ZQ's a mature and sweet boy

2008-08-02T08:55:00.002+08:00

Been busy with my pregnancy n not posted .... shall do a short one here.

Din realised how ZQ had grown. He's a sensible and mature boy.
Things that he does :-
1. He massages me (tap me on my back cos I'm having backache from my pregnancy)
2. He pours a cup of warm water for me from the thermoflask I put in my room and one for his papa too.
3. He will come into the room and sees us sleeping and he will quietly wlak out of the room and closes the door. So understanding.
4. When I am in pain, he will come and sayang me.

There are many more things which is so sweet about him and he's really fun too.
Will post more as I find time and remembers them.

Back aches starts .....

2008-07-05T01:48:00.002+08:00

To date, I am into my 32 weeks of pregnancy and I had gained only a total of 7.5kg (including 2 kg I had lost).
Current weight = Previous weight - 2kg(lost during 1st trimester) + 5.5kg.

This 2nd pregnancy I had not gained much but my tummy is growing vv big. I was at 42 inches when I delivered ZQ but now, I have another 1.5 months more to go before my scheduled delivery date and my waist is already 42 inches.

Back pain sets in and I've to wake up couple of times each nite. Feeling guilty that I may not have time for ZQ, I try my best to do what I can for him now - knowing that the attention will be split with #2 in August. However, this may not be the best option cos if he is used to having more attention from me, then come August, he might feel more strained without it. Worst, it has made me so alert that I wake at every sound that comes from him and will go check on him. Not getting enough sleep though. Guess I have to learn to let go more and leave things to my helper and hubby.

Almost another 2 months from my EDD

2008-07-05T01:30:00.007+08:00

I cannot imagine that in 2 months' time, I am gonna be a 2nd time mother. It's a blessing from God that I've gotten preggie again quite quickly and now am expecting another little mickey this year. ZQ is already now 28 months. A relative big size boy for his age as he is often mistaken as a 3 year old and above. He is still a little baby to me - always my baby. :) He is now in a phase whereby he absorbs things really fast. He can learn Rhymes, Chinese Ryhmes(Er Ger) in matter of days. He has relatively good memory and can remember songs well and even sings to the correct tune. I guess children at his age are really capable of that. This morning I managed to get a relatively good pic with him. Nowadays, he wants to control alot of things ... always saying "I wan". When I attempt to take pictures of him, he will say, "I wan see, I wan see" and makes it extremely challenging to take pics for him. He also likes to make funny cheeky face when we take pictures. Here's proof.

Day at the zoo - May08

2008-05-15T16:34:00.005+08:00

Family went to the zoo. ZQ's third visit to the zoo and he is happy playing at the children playground and getting himself wet. Brought our new domestic helper and it's her first time there despite being in Singapore for 3 yrs. Her ex-employer does not bring her nor their own kids out to such places. She enjoyed herself too and also taken quite a few photos for her.

ZQ loves this swing at the zoo. His first try and he can swing by himself but we told him to hold on tight. A few times he tried the stunt to come down and almost fell - quite dangerous. Below also has him making faces - cheeky face. An enjoyable outing. ZQ slept for a short while during the penguin show .... by the time the show ended, he woke up! haha. Missing the most impt part of it.

Haircut @ the professional

2008-05-15T13:34:00.007+08:00

This is ZQ's first haircut @ the professional. Previous disastrous haircuts were either by MIL or ex-maid. I am glad I finally did it. Just look at the difference. His old haircut does not make him look boyish at all. In fact, alot of people mistaken him as a girl, calling him meimei and I had to correct them. Now, I think it's hard to mistake him as a girl right? Of course the hair looks better after mommy's trimming.

Brought him for a professional cut. He has had his share of crying and wailing and we had to use alot of sweets to calm him down to get this decent haircut. Both hubby and I think it looks a bit too BENGISH for him so I had to do abit of trimming.

Final product - after going through mommy's magic hands. I think he looks much better after the slight trimming. So boyish now .... no longer can be mistaken as a girl anymore.

A happy mom.

ZQ's 2 year old birthday

2008-05-15T12:30:00.005+08:00

It's been 2 months since his birthday and I am only finding time now to update his pic. See how he is enjoying his piece of cake, sitting on the birthday seat : )

New updates on ZQ - 2 yrs and 2 months

2008-05-05T12:19:00.002+08:00

Songs
******
ZQ has slowly mastered a few songs which he can sing and it's rather impressive - to me at least. I guess children nowadays are really very clever.

One of the songs he can sing is the chinese song "Ma Ma Hao". It melts my heart when he always sing it .... Another favourite is the chinese song "Huo Che Kuai Pao" - train running fast. He will sing this song day in day out ... sometimes he will even substitute the "Huo Che" with some other words. hehe quite ingenious.

Another one he used to sing is the "Ming Yue Ji Shi You" ..... which I taught him cos I had this poem written on my bedroom wall and he loves to have me sing it to him. He also picked up the first 4 phrases. There are quite a number of songs which he knows how to sing and sometimes even those I don't he will sing it to me. As I had been teaching him same songs, I think it's time to find new songs to teach him else he'd be like a broken recorder, always repeating the same things.

Playing Bubbles
**************
ZQ's new playtime fun is to play with bubbles. We bought 2 machine operated bubble blowing machines but it seems they are not working too well. Sometimes it does not work as well as we'd like it to be.

ZQ even learnt this "Tomorrow play bubble" .... and sometimes he will just tell me that after he has had his bubble session that day. So cute.

Whining & saying Bu Yao
***********************
He has picked up this habit of whinning when he does not get his way. As I do not normally give in to him, he has learnt to turn to the new maid. As she is new, she gives in to him and I had to instruct her to be more firm.

ZQ seems to like her alot - perhaps she is vv slack with him? giving him whatever he wants?
I have to monitor as it's bad for someone to sing a different tune with me if I want to train and discipline ZQ. Once, he even turned to her cos I said No and insist that he cannot do it. He did not even want me to carrry him afterward and only asking for "auntie".

Kids are really smart to know who they can "bully".

Help arrived and life is much better now

2008-05-05T12:09:00.002+08:00

Having extra help is a wonderful thing for a preggie. I finally managed to get my new domestic helper. It was by chance as I walked into a different agency which I meant to go and interviewed 2 domestic helpers which I found one rather suitable. It was within few days that she came on board to work for me.

She is so wonderful in comparison to my previous one. Not having another to compare we'd never know what we're missing out. It was a good thing that I stood by my decision not to renew my old maid as she was planning to go to Canada and was using us as her stepping stone. During her last few months, her performance deteoriated and her attitude was bad. Lots of arguments and excuses to go out of the house to do her personal things. Work was sloppy and badly done and causing me lots of stress and unhappiness.

When she left, I managed to do what she does in the entire day after my full day work and in fact I felt I did better! My house was not well cleaned and often she left my clothes unironed but to think I managed to do it myself though I am working full time - can imagine how slag she was. She talks more on her hp than anyone I ever know. The time she is not talking is prob when she is bathing.

Nonetheless, I have now a new helper whom I am rather satisfied to date. I hope that she will not turn out to be like the old one. She did all the work (cleaning the house, packing up stuff, ironed all the clothes - even my bedsheets, etc ) within 1 week of coming to my house. My hubby was vv impressed -- haha, of course now knowing what my old helper had not done.

My place is kept cleaned most of the time and she does not keep awake till midnite, yet she completes all her work. She even took initiative to pack my drawers, etc. Good work and hope she keeps it up.

The only thing she needs to improve is probably her cooking.

Knee pain, back aches

2008-04-07T13:46:00.001+08:00

Coping without maid? Apparently not. There are so much household chores to be done. Hubby felt that we both can cope without a maid for now since we have not really manage to find a suitable one. I beg to differ.

Day starts with ZQ waking up for milk at ard 5ish-6 (instead of his normal 3-4ish). Wake up ard 7am to prepare for work and dress ZQ for school. Day in office. Upon returning home, I have to prepare dinner(depending on if hubby is doing it or we dao bao), feed ZQ, clean up, bathe him, play with him, get him to sleep. After ZQ sleeps, I have to do the laundry, hang them and then iron the clothes. On alternate days, I still have to handwash ZQ's clothes which are stained.

This will get me busy till almost midnite. This is no easy life for a working mother. Desperately need home help but no sign of suitable maid as yet. I hope this "suffering" will end soon.

Just the weekend, I had to dismantle ZQ's cot and fix it up in my room. It's a nice change to have him sleep in our room, makes me feel much closer to him. He is also happier to sleep having me around and waking up to find me smiling at him. So far, he had been sleeping well and not waking much at nite. This is something really nice for more bonding with my dear son.

I've made it almost through a week without maid and MIL

2008-04-04T12:31:00.003+08:00

Since last Sun, we returned home to my own place after my maid left on Sat. No MIL to help as she is at her own place. It was to my horror that there are so much things to be done. Of course, thanks to the mess my maid left behind too. She is not the tip top clean kind of maid you know and now, we have to clear the dirt.

The initial 2 days was a nightmare. I had to worry about dinner cos I dun cook and it's too much work. Furthermore I am in the middle of my 2nd pregnancy and what I need is rest. Just the other work on bring ZQ to and fro from school, feeding him, cleaning up, bathing, playing and putting him to sleep can already take up most of my waking time. In addition, I still have to wash his clothes (some handwash due to stains), wash his bottles, prepare his school bag and not forgetting my own laundry. Not just that, ZQ also has a habit of waking in the middis of the nite between 3-5 to ask for milk. I was so tired out after 2 days and my back is already aching. Guess now I appreciate the amount the work that needs to be done .

I am trying hard to get him to kick the middle of the nite feed if possible and thank God, for the last 2 days he did not wake up. Haha, perhaps my psychoing works. Let's hope.

My knee is also hurting and I have to wear a knee guard. It has been 2 weeks and only last 2 days there is improvement. Let's hope this will improve soon.

So now, a few things on my agenda. Get a parttime maid, get a full time maid, get my knee pain problem fixed and one of the biggest headache, selling my own place as my hubby is intending to do so. Pray things will go well and right.

Lao dear

2008-04-02T09:56:00.003+08:00

I call my hubby "Lao dear" ... cos many people calls their partner "Dear" "Dear dear" and when we walk on the street, we really don't know who is calling for their dear. Hence, I invented this Lao dear .... don't think anyone else is using it .. afterall who wants to admit they are old? haha. By the way, my hubby is not old at all.

So recently, ZQ is pretty good at picking up words from us and he learnt the word "Lao dear" and started calling my hubby Lao dear. He will wake up and first word he says is "Lao dear" .... so funny. He will say it even in public lifts are the shopping malls .... and people will turn their head and wonder who is this kid calling "Lao dear". hhaha.