Flowers

Decorating the house with some flowers.

The Buddha Altar

We had a very small Altar for the Buddha at our old flat. It wasn't an altar actually, it was a drawer cabinate. We would like to have a proper altar, not that Buddha would mind but we feel that a proper space is necessary, hence when we moved here, we custom made one.

I am honestly not religious, I only strive to be a better person while I'm here. To do good, to spread love, to inspire, to give hope, to demonstrate strength, to touch lives, to learn. I think for those who really know me will already know this. Life is about trials & errors, about love & loss, about growth and joy, about making mistakes, about being egoistic and being selfless and more importantly, about living it.

That Funny Look

Kiki likes to make this funny look, it always makes me snigger.

28th May

Interactive Toys

I reconsidered several times at the shop before deciding to get these toys.

You know,,,,,,, got to be prudent with money and these toys are not cheap.

I do not wish to be unduly worried about money but there is an underlining worry nonetheless. This is because the downturn of economy and the acute drop in export, plus halt in oil exploration is a worrying trend to our jobs. Nevertheless, I have to think positive and be optimistic. So anyway, after considering the lifespan and benefits that could be derived from these interactive toys, I bought them and I am glad I did. Kiki's eyes lighted up with the Bird character and she could trail it as I move it from side to side. I read that babies see best in colours- red, white & black as they see in high contrast. Also, hold the item 8 to 12 inches away. Too near or far, they can't focus. I've also bought 2 Mandarin sing-along discs, there's a 20% discount at Isetan for the Great Singapore Sale.

Sun Protection

Bought this shades for Kiki as I presume we'll be heading to the beach rather often.

We must always bear in mind to take extra care for babies when there's sun cos I remember once when my sis was 4, my uncle brought her to the beach and she had sunburn, very heartache to see a child suffer so we must be more careful.

Steamer

Aunt Elsie gave us this two-tier steamer some time ago.

I used to only cook rice with it but now I experiment with steaming chicken & veggies also. As Wasi does not eat pork, we have eliminated that meat from our home dishes as a respect of her culture. Last evening, I cooked rice with tomatoe pasta sauce, with mixed peas & chicken. Not bad for a start.

27th May

She looks very much a boy.

Hands-up

I sleep hands-up and Kiki also sleeps in the same manner. I think most babies sleep like this.

Messy

When both Brendan & I were doing the night feed, we normally wake up to a Tornado-swept bed. Pillows, napkins, torchlight, pacifier, pampers would be lying around and Kiki's clothings would also be all crumbled up.

Help Came

Help came.

Gave Wasi a super crash course last evening. She is fine. She's rather bored and asked if she could do more work like mopping the floor and folding my clothes. She got so bored she started to browse a brochure lying on the coffee table. I've assigned her more chores since but I guess there is still too much time in her hands. I've told her I'll go to the library to borrow some Bahasa Indonesian / Malay books since she doesn't read nor speak much English. Maybe there are children books in Malay. I can read English and Mandarin to Kiki and Wasi can read Bahasa. She's beginning to be awake for a longer time hence I ought to make use of these moments at least before I return to work.

We also plan to have evening strolls next week. I don't think I can roller-blade / in-line skate yet (in case I fall and the inside of the uterus is not healed yet) so I guess if I can pull myself together, I can do the much dreaded thing called Jog. I was thinking about it this morning since I now wake up at six in the morning I might as well try.

Some Light Cooking

Life has improved!
I even have time to do some light cooking.

As the laundry-drying area is within the kitchen and it is just next to the stove, I've told Wasi (our domestic helper) not to fry anything, at least not for the time being. We will work out something later as I feel that eventually there surely will be a need to fry; at least stir fry.

At this moment, every dish is boiled or steamed.

Week Eight

We are halfway through my maternity leave! Why does time fly even when you're not having fun. Kidding lah. But seriously, I am thankful I've got the much needed leave. Just imagine the pressure of returning to work while leaving a crying baby at home. An infant needs a lot of care and attention, and it takes lots of energy to do all the stuff. Incessant crying drives me crazy, many times I lost my cool not because I was angry but because I was helpless. A good back-up support team of grannies, nannies & aunties is much needed. I wonder if I'm a failure with domestical stuff cos I think many other women out there manage well with or without support. The forbidden word - colic (wind) might be the culprit that results in the extended whining at night but then I read a book that says that in other culture where the baby is being carried around the whole day (like in a sarong strapped to the mother / grandmother), there are no reports on problems with colic. The baby cries a whole lot less. Again there is conflicting theory about whether to carry the baby or to let the baby self-sooth (cry till blue??) The book says that we should go pick up the baby and sooth him, it says this is not spoiling him. Whatever. I think whatever that can stop the baby from crying will work. I really hope that I'm not spoiling Kiki cos I do carry her when she cries. Most of the time, it is because she has pooped or purged milk or is gonna purge milk. That must be uncomfortable for her. Recently, she is more alert and awake. She seems to be wanting to socialize and would whine for attention. I feel guilty if I'm caught up with wanting to do the laundry and leaving her alone when she is awake. Anyway, I am always striving to be a better mom and I'll get my chance for sure. The maid is coming tomorrow! Hurray. So I'll just train her to do the chores while I can then spend more time playing with Kiki. As well as getting a balanced life. Like go get a massage. Ha Ha. Kiki is drinking more milk now. 3.5 to 4 oz. My neighbour got a shock that she was drinking so little. She told me to increase the volume. Aunt Serene also said the same thing. Well, ok we will monitor and will give her more gradually. The weather is super hot and humid we had the air con on last night. The Chinese sin seh told me not to let Kiki sleep in air con room on a long term basis and I don't intend to but last night was really a killer. I think we also need the air con tonight.

Weekend

Every day passes so quickly or routinely I can't recall if we're week 7 or 8 now. Should be 7.
Did the major unpacking of six bags of my clothes. Used up like 5 dozen hangers and made a note to myself to either wear everything or give, give them away. Too much holding on to old clothes.

Okay, Kiki baby.

Kiki baby is fine, had the first round of 6-in-1 jab, two more to go and two other types of vaccines the next visit 6 weeks later. My life is running on a 3-hour schedule. Feed her, she sleeps in the morning, quick get some breakfast for myself, then get ready to bathe her. After that she normally won't sleep. Entertain her while clearing the bath water. Feed her again. This time she may sleep. If she does, then I can do her laundry and bathe myself. Then it's lunchtime. Sun her clothes etc etc, do some packing / unpacking / stuff. Then it's feeding again. Before you know it, it is sundown. Then it's the night freshening for her followed by my own bathtime again. You know, you can't imagine how sweaty I've become. Then it's feeding her again. Good thing nowadays Brendan takes the shift from about 8pm to 2am. At least I catch some sleep before the 3 plus / 4 plus / 5 plus feed. Then it goes all over again. Like that. Doesn't sound interesting at all because it isn't.

Many people came over this week. Aunt Elsie, Lily, my sis came for several days. Good thing she stayed late. I could get more things done and don't feel too frustrated with a crying baby. Iresh & Cathy & their kids came. Aunt Shirley came. Colin & son St. John came. And my mom and her China neighbour also came. In between all visitors, Brendan went showing our old flat to prospector buyers. So, it's really very busy for us.

Okay, gearing up for next weekend's buffett. Gosh, like 90 guests? I don't know. All staggared arrival and I hope all will have an enjoyable time. I guess I'm just being too anxious about the event cos I still have loads of unpacked mess lying around. Well, it's one event everyone's looking forward to. And oh ya, we're getting a maid / foreign domestic worker FDW, they call it by a fancy term. A mouthful. Trust that all will work out great for us. I am so looking forward to having a more enjoyable time. Like playing with Kiki. Well, this is nature and I ought to treasure every moment eventhough it is really very tiring. Okay, that's all for now. Will tell you more the next round. Cheers!

Morning Outing

Thanks to Iresh & YC for the car seat, we are able to travel in style. No lah, I mean travel safely. The car seat takes up one whole seat, hence besides me, we probably could have one more passenger only.

18th May, Monday

Oh, today is Kiki-daddy's birthday.

So happens he is off today.

Bathed Kiki at 830am and she has just finished her milk. We are going out soon. Updates later.

Mother's Day Party

Ryan & Kiki

We had a party last night at aunty Lee Choo's place. It is very nice of my cousins & aunt to organize it. This is the first time Kiki went for a party. All was well. I became a little tired after 930 hence we left early. Last night, she didn't have a good sleep, drank milk 3 times and toward 6 plus was cranky (colic upset I suppose) and I became very agitated as I was really tired.

At the Saloon

16th May, Saturday

Saturday, 16th May

Stuff

Cannot resist buying them! Oh so stylish! (Fox Baby)
The sales girl asked if I have twins cos I was buying both male & female clothings.
I feel that girls can also wear boy's clothes, that will make them even more stylish!
I don't like the "princess" theme thingy that some of my friends do. You know,,, call their daughters Princesses. No offence please. Just that I feel that it is over-done and I am personally more rugged so I don't expect Kiki to be overly dainty too.

Kiddy Palace is like my new found playground, so many lovely stuff I could buy the whole store.

Nowadays, everything is done chop-chop, done in a flash. Went to get stamps and envelopes for sending of invitation cards for the buffet that is scheduled for end of May. Will have to do the list this weekend and start inviting our relatives. Relatives alone is about 80 pax, so I guess for friends, it will be done in small groups seperately.

Out for a walk

Two hand-me-down strollers. Hurray!

Bouncer

Finally, the bouncer arrived. She can be left inclined after feed and I can get some coffee...

After-shave

Getting the lazy bum ready for morning bath.

Afterwards....

$20 a pop, specialty kids hair saloon at PP (Parkway Parade).

Kiki got her hair shaved off and is now botak!

note: shaving is for a more even hair growth later on.

10th May 2009

On the morning of 10th May, I said goodbye to our old flat and shed many tears. The flat meant a lot to me, it had been the springboard for me but I have to learn to move on and grow as my life progresses.

My godma, cousins and uncle meng came by the new place that morning. Really appreciate their warmth and support.

Our new flat is great. I finally feel we have a full fledge home, given the bigger size. Though our bedroom is super compact, the kitchen is spacious, so I guess in life I gotta give-and-take.

The Last Leg

We are moving! I've got loads of things to pack now. In between 24-hour care for Kiki, I got to pack and also go to the dentist to do the root canal thingy, the inflamed nerve is almost killing me. I was quite tire-out doing the graveyard shift at night- feeding, changing diapers and coaxing her. I was so tired I felt as if I was halucinating. Thank goodness last night was better. I hope to catch more pockets of sleep in the nights because I am really unable to sleep during the day, no matter how tired I am. As for now, this is the last leg here, we are moving on Sunday morning and we will begin our next chapters of our lives. Love to all of you; see you at our new place.

Week 5 of 16 ~ On our Own

The confinement aunty left today. I almost shed a tear. I guess when there's some form of bonding, there surely will be feelings. I told aunty that if she comes to Singapore for a holiday or needs a room to bunk in, to feel free to call me and just stay with us. Gave her my number again and she also jotted down my mom's number.

Kiki had her BCG jab at birth and now the bum is showing on her left arm. Aunty said to watch out for it and to dab the area dry after bath. Said she might be crankier than usual and also to look out for slight fever if any. Said all the symptoms will go off in 3 days. Already Kiki was crying so much just now that I relented and let her have her milk before the 3 hours' up. The night is specially hard to handle. She cries in discomfort though we have fed her and also checked that the diaper was not soiled. I'm not sure if the BCG is the cause or is it the colic wind that I read about which will go off as the baby grows. I guess this is part and parcel of parenthood and I do hope that we have the skills, patience and stamina for this process. We are juggling with the amount of milk to give her, she used to be doing 2.5 oz per 3 hour but as her apetite increased, we gave her 3 oz, but now that the spilling of milk is happening more often, we reduced the amount back to 2.5 oz. Aunty said that at night, we cannot prolong the feed and should give her 2 oz just to let her have her fill and sleep for a longer period. I am getting a little confused here, whatever the case, during the day I will just stick to schedule or else I'll be busy feeding, burping, holding her inclined, and then shortly after,,, feed again! No, no. Got to train her to stick to 3-hour interval so that I can at least do my own stuff, not forgetting the full time duty of bathing, washing her clothes and swaddle napkins, plus taking care of my own diet and rest.

The Haircut

Okay, so this is me today. Finally had the chance to go out of the house and first thing was to get my hair done. Was a little dizzy after sitting at the hair saloon for 3 hours. I did have my breakfast but I was hungry by 2.30. I forgot that my dentist is off on Sundays so I couldn't get my pearls done. Might as well, cos my heart was wondering how's Kiki doing at home. So I quickly headed home after using the ATM, topping up my ezlink card as well as get a loaf of bread for the week.

3rd May

Today is Kiki's actual full month day. I snipped a little of her hair as well as trimmed her tiny nails. I was advised to remove her mittens some 2 weeks later so that she can learn to feel with her hands and learn to grip. Also, the aunty said that normally people don't swaddle the baby so much. She said that let them wear pants and not to swaddle. There are always different schools of thoughts and I guess I will just pick up what works for us as we go along.

Huat Rice

Because we eat so little rice each day, the aunty steam a cup of rice instead of the traditional way of using the rice cooker. This is so that the rice wouldn't be burnt at the bottom of the cooker. It looks like the Huat Kuey but it's Huat Rice.

Full Month 满月

Early in the morning 7 o'clock
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My Godma with Kiki

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Brendan with Baby Ryan- Oh, he's so cute and handsome!

(Baby Ryan is cousin Anna's boy, aka my nephew)

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Brendan feeding Kiki (at my mom's place)

This morining, we went to the temple for prayers & blessings for Kiki's 满月

My Godma, cousins & aunt Lee Choo came specially to boost the atmosphere and add more joy and blessings to the ocassion.

The highlight was also baby Ryan was there, all the old aunties at the temple couldn't be happier to see two tiny babies at the temple and they all came crowding around to ask whose babies are those. Then my aunt started to explain how cousin Joo Yann & I are born 10 months apart, cousin Anna & my sis are 4 months apart and now baby Ryan & Kiki are born 1 month apart. What a joy, everyone was happy.

Mini Bag Pack

Checklist for half a day out of the house.

• Milk Powder + Spare Milk Powder
• Hot water (in thermal flask)
• Room temperature water
• Milk bottles
• Diapers
• Tissue paper
• Wet tissue swipes
• Hand Sanitizer & soap
• Extra plastic bag for disposal of soiled nappy
• Tiny napkin
• Extra swaddle towel
• One change of clothing