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Again, toying with my iPhone after rebooting and restoring to factory's settings.
Been doing my nails and using these rollers to pinch my face while WhatsApping. Multitasking still can have such nice picture, not bad huh?

Okay, good night & sweet dreams.

爱与恨

iphone has lots of apps or operating software that is driving me crazy.
My phone auto shuts, can't save new photos unless rebooted and prompted me to restore factory setting twice!
Stranded halfway whatapping my sis. Totally no access to my mobile, when it dies, it doesn't give a damn. Imagine there's an emergency. Gosh i can't hate my phone cos its too cool but ya, it's driving me crazy! I'm gonna get it exchanged again!!!!
So please make sure your service centre is nearby before you get an iphone or pray that you get a flawless working unit and i hope you don't experience what I'm having now. Goodnight!

Peek-a-boo

Who's that?

When I was a kid, I don't eat the edges of the bread too. Because they are hard and dry.
Sometimes I managed to sneak them into my school uniform's pockets without my godma noticing, and I would discard them along the way to school. (we walk to school). Sometimes, I forgot to discard them and had a earful when my godma washed my clothes; soggy bread crumbs can you imagine. Ha Ha. My sis has different technique, she threw hers out of the window. Imagine her earful when my aunt discovered the slice of bread at the bottom, flung from 9th storey. Don't force children to eat hard and dry bread lah ya? Ha Ha.

Donuts

Donuts & Menu

I wasn't surprised when I saw this bunch of donuts neatly arranged on its menu as I know Kiki is quite neat with packing or sorting. She could stick 20 pieces of stickers neatly in a row, and so I was just like "oh, nice. neat." and that's all. But upon closer inspection, I was shocked. Well, I was the only one who was shocked. Both Bren & Maricar knew it long ago except me. You see, under the donuts is the menu and each donut matched the desgin on its menu! I couldn't believe it. I lifted each donut to check the design underneath and they all matched. I mean,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, I think this matching skill is attained by slightly older kids? Or am I just excited. I've taught a class of three-year-olds and I don't remember they could match designs. Some could match colours like put a blue block into a blue box etc, but this,,,, I'm not sure. Maybe kids these days are just cleverer than before. They say it's the milk.

This set of donuts was bought on that day when Kiki visited Colin at the hospital and couldn't stop crying. The daddy brought her to Toys R'us and got her this. Thereafter, they have been playing with this but not as in having tea-party-donut-eating play but match-the-donut-to-the-menu play. (why didn't i think of that) So both Maricar and Brendan knew long ago that Kiki was able to match them and thought that I was over-reacting on my discovery. -_-"

iKann

Colin cries quite often. Most of the time it is because he has "air" in his tummy and needs to burp or let out gas or sometimes a bit of milk would purge. Last night, we made a change and let him sleep on Bren's bed in the living room, as the fan was on high speed, we huddle him with Bren's blanket which made him look like a big woollen ball.

(testing out the Apps on my new phone)

One costume jewellwey for my sis, an "apple leaf" design.

I've finally got an iPhone and I am the only person I know who has multiple Apple products except the iPhone. I mean, I have the iPod nano eons ago, a Mac laptop eons ago, the iPod few years back, but protested on having the iPhone. Mainly because tens of thousands of non-savvy people carry it and depreciated its savviness if there's such a word. Secondly, whatever Apps I want I have it on my iPod so I don't need a duplicate device. Lastly, the battery drains out as quickly as 100 WhatsApp messages and I would hate the idea of being batt-flat. (Already I chronically have nightmares about me trying in dire need to make an emergency phone call and either I kept dialing the wrong number or even if I've dialled correctly it would still be the wrong or the line engaged or line dead. very stressful dreams I used to have and still do sometimes) So anyway, back to the iPhone. I relented and got myself an iPhone last week. Mainly because of the dozens of endless, creative, Photo Apps. Just by viewing other people's Instagram photos took the breath out from me, let alone many other Apps I have not explored. I am a visual sucker so yes, I GAVE IN to my OWN PROTEST. If there's anything sillier than this please let me know. Ha Ha. Oh ya, so now I call myself iKann.

I went for my follow-up check up this afternoon. My case must have stood out in my doctor's memory, he recapped and told me how the team doctor called him to inform that she has to proceed with the operation immediately. My doc asked- did you check again? (referring to the detection of fetus heartbeat) Team doc- yes, many times we checked. don't have! My doc- ok, cut her up! Save the baby. and so they gas-ed me to sleep immediately.

My doc said - We can't tell the patient nothing will happen, or nothing will go wrong (in the process of pregnancy), what we do is we respond with treatment when it arises. Our job is saved when the baby is brought into the world safely.

Colin's Full Month Celebration, 25th Sept 2011

Thanks for the gifts, Ang Bows and blessings; we appreciate all your well wishes.

26th Sept 2011, Monday.

wouw, big eyes too.

Side profile.

Colin's Full Month Celebration, 25th Sept 2011

Lifted this picture from my sis.
We were so busy with the guests, I forgot to take a family picture with Bren, Kiki, Colin & I together. Well, next time.

Colin's Full Month Celebration, 25th Sept 2011

We "coerced" the bakery to customise these cakes for us, I gave them a sketch of how we wanted the cakes to be like.
The lady boss protested initially, as they have never made any customised designs or small pieces of cakes with wordings. But like I said, we "coerced" her and she relented and churned out some festive-looking, cheerful-looking pieces of cakes. Nice.

Marilyn & Chrystel.
(both ignored my repeated request to look into the camera. so, i said - give me a smile so that i can put this on your facebook.) And they gave me their mega-watt smiles, one toothless front.

Aunt Serene simply loves babies.

I've come to realise that there are just two general types of people when it comes to babies.

Type 1 - those that loves babies, are eager to carry the baby, can't stop gushing about babies.

Type 2- normal people who are just okay with babies. (well, perhaps except their own)

Colin's Full Month Celebration, 25th Sept 2011

Guests all over the place.

Yi Hui, Liang & Jenny.

Aunt Lee Choo & cousin Joo Yann (who has agreed to take the role of being Colin's Godma too)

Colin's Full Month Celebration, 25th Sept 2011

My Godma & my mom.

Pam & Aunt Peiling

My MIL, aunt Merlyn, cousin Jane, aunt Shirley & Bren's Godma; Rosita.

My family.

My Gong Gong.

Adjustments

Kiki is adjusting to having a sibling. Some nights, she is very cranky, refuses to sleep, cries for prolonged periods. It is quite trying but we always try our best to give her the understanding.

Baby Flash Cards

I gave up buying online at Amazon, after shopping for over 30 minutes, 90% of the items are not to be shipped to this part of the world. They should have put a disclaimer upfront.
Hence, I've decided I'll do my own "Red, Black, White" cards / posters.
Babies are unable to differentiate shades but are able to see high contrast colours (and they like looking at our faces too). The physio-therapist at the hospital encouraged us to get "red, black & white" flashcards for Colin or simply scribble something with those coloured markers. This will help the eyes to focus she said. Today, I've made two sets. I would probably just make two more the next round. If you're making these, remember to have a "negative image" set as well. (means-- image in white, background in black)

Ham & Cheese

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cSaWf2KRIvs

She clearly likes ham & cheese sandwich.

She made up her own jinggle- "Ham & Cheese, Hu Hu Hu, Ham & Cheese Ya Ya Ya"

but when i video-ed her, she missed the Hu Hu Hu parts.

Invitation

Time for a quick invitation to all my relatives for Colin's full month celebration this Sunday.

Complete with these cute little bunnies. (this is year of rabbit)

Our Regular Day

This picture above was taken while we were at the hospital.
The rest are just taken a moment ago at home.
He always wants to be carried.

Sweet Sleep

I slept so much i forgot to call the radio station.

Colin is back.

Colin is back home and we are doing great.
He likes to be carried and gets hungry in two-and-half hour interval.
The confinememt nanny is here and i will be getting a good night's sleep tonight and hopefully hereafter.
Thank you every one for the prayers and positive thoughts, all is well.

I wanna win ten thousand dollars!

An improvised "video"
(this is actually a voice clip but i couldn't upload it, so i've just video-ed it to upload)




or try here --
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gUqAgKoZLCo

Of late, because of the plently of "wait-time" I have at the hospital, in-between carrying baby Colin, in-between my snack time, in-between my falling-asleep-on-the-nursery-room-couch- time, I began tuning in to the radio. First it was via my mobile phone. Then i realised the batteries run out fast and so I went to get myself a FM receiver. Gosh, i missed those days when i had the ear phones plugged onto my ears 12 hours a day they are almost a part of my body's anatomy. And so I stumbled onto FM 91.3 where they are giving away ten thousand dollars (in one bill). They make it "fun" in such a way that it is Rod's Bonus that you'll be winning (Rod is one of the DJs). And so this morning, I dialed to the station. And I got through the phone but I didn't guess the correct number (ranging from zero to nine) what a bummer, I thought I would have nailed it.

Nevertheless, it was fun poking fun at them and well, they had more fun poking fun at me.

Rod is "pleading" to keep his bonus because his wife needs to go to the dentist and he has a baby to feed. And so they asked why do i wanna win his bonus, i said because i have one baby more than him. (you know, when you're on radio or tv on a fun contest like this, they like you when you're light and humourous). blah blah blah. K, have fun.

Baby Colin is drinking well and we hope to have him back really soon!

Day seventeen

The nurse says if Colin drinks his milk consistently and independently for two days, he can come home with me. We're waiting. For now, i feed him and carry him, and let him practise on the pacifier. The therapist says that sucking on the pacifier helps strengthen the muscles at the cheeks and throat, aiding with swallowing. Also it generates enzyme that help with digestion. You may take for granted that evey baby is born with the instinct to drink milk but baby Colin had skipped the stage when he was supposed to be sucking on his thumb while in my tummy. Therapist says that due to the missed phase, Colin is learning to suckle and we must be encouraging and patient.

We brought Kiki to see Colin yesterday, which was a bad idea.
She was traumatised. I think she thought that both Colin and i were captured and detained by aliens or something terrifying. Initially, she was okay viewing from outside the room, from the glass window. After five minutes, she became withdrawn. Thereafter she brawled. Tears streamed down her face and she dragged her daddy by the hand to the door at the ICU. Open! Open! Open the door! -- she screamed. She wanted either to join us or for us to join her, both options were not possible. She is too young to understand and it pained me seeing her screaming, crying, struggling to get out of the daddy's arms. We shouldn't have brought her there, what were we thinking!
She cried till her voice became hoarse. In the end, the daddy brought her along to his office, had dinner with her, bought toys from Toys'R us and let her play at the playground at the shopping mall. This little girl needs lots of assurance at this tender time. We hope she will soon forget this episode. (guilty parents).

Okay, i'm off to.....bathe? Ha. Herbal bath is a luxury i'd tell ya, everyone should try it sometimes.

Arrival of Colin 28th August 2011, Sunday

Colin came early on 28th August, two Sundays ago.
He was 34.6 weeks when I had some complications and rushed to the hospital just in time for a "crash" operation. It was nerve wracking as it didn't looked good and the nurses, midwife and doctor were paled. Their hands trembled and they shouted: "Crash! Crash! We have to crash now! Now!" waterbag broke and gush of blood. I shall spare the details but the medical team worked at top speed, everything happened in a flash.

After the drama, baby Colin was delivered successfully but he had chest infection and had to be on antibiotics for one week at the NICU.

For now he is at the HD ward (high dependency ward) and is generally fine except that he sleeps so much and is not taking much milk. He suckles for 10 mins and falls asleep. He has to drink independently at least 45ml every three hours before the doctors will let him come home. For now, he drinks just 10, 15, 20ml and falls asleep. (why is he so sleepy? premeeies are like this, at least that is what I've read so far) The rest of the milk is being tube fed to him. I can't rush him but I really do wish his appetite will pick up soon.

Thank you, every one of my friends and family members, for the support, moral encouragement, prayers and positivity. We shall patiently wait for Colin to pick up speed and continue our journey with one addition to our family. I am excited with this and I'm raring to go, but for now, we wait!

"Don't Make Milk!"

In case you can't view from above clip, you can

click here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T8CzcEh3abA

No afternoon nap plus one outing equals a cranky Kiki.

Nevertheless, I couldn't help laughing. Good rolling, thanks to the gym?

Photo Session 28th August 2011, Sunday.

The loving pair.

She really does love her Yiyi.

Whatever her Yiyi brings for her (even if those are my old toys) she claims that those are hers because -- "Yiyi Bought for Rachael"- she says, and she refuses to let me borrow them. -_-"

Photo Session 28th August 2011, Sunday.

I particularly like this picture.

She was doing Yoga and couldn't help laughing. (?)

Photo Session 28th August 2011, Sunday.

Poised.

Hiiyak!! Chop!