Sunday, October 14, 2012

Jacob Ballas Children's Garden

We brought both kids for a little adventure today.

Where: Jacob Ballas Children's Garden (near Botanic Gardens).
Fees: Entrance is free for everyone of all ages.
Parking: Gantry EPS parking with ample lots.





At the Treetop slides


At the water playground


Hubby told me to capture the Butt cleavage!




 
Sleepy baby, without a care in the world. 

I was quite disappointed with the Water playground which is nothing compared to Changi City Point's, but hey, kids are rather imaginative and Adam had fun pretending to put out fires and battle monsters.
Two hours later, the skies were overcast so we adjourned to the cafe for a late lunch.
They serve pretty decent food here. Fast and doesn't taste too bad for the price.




Mummy's little date insists that we sit at the kiddy table & chair.

Right after Andy took this photo, Adam turned to me and scolded "Mummy, you didn't open your mouth!" I swear my son has got my insane genes. Sorry Adam, I spoilt your photo!






It started raining by the time we finished lunch, so it was time to go home for our much-needed naps.
Good bye and see you next time!

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

Life with two.

Recently, an ex-school mate of mine who is expecting her second child SMSed me asking how's life with two kids.
My reply to her was, "It's crazy. I don't even have time to pluck my armpit hair".
It's true - I can't make this shit up.

I'm slightly irritated at this point of my life.
Having two kids under the age of four has totally thrown my life out of whack.
Every night, I dread having to put both kids to sleep.

You see, Adam is rowdy and keeps the baby awake. Yet, he cannot sleep without me because I'm the only person in his whole wide world who can put him to bed.
The baby cannot stop sucking on my boobs. Left breast, dozes off. Put baby down in crib. Starts fidgeting. Escalates to crying. Right breast. Baby dozes off. Put him back into crib.
Meanwhile, I tell Adam to go back to his room and sleep, only about 700 times. But we all know it too well - he walks in and out of my room about 750 times. And because of this, the noise is keeping the baby awake.

Who exchanged the Adam who could sleep through the night alone with this needy kid??

When the baby finally sleeps, I drag Adam back to his room & we fall asleep together on his bed because I am too bloody mother-fucking exhausted.
The next time I wake up is about 3-4hours later, to the cries of the baby in crib in my room. I also have my contact lens/ glasses and hair band still on because I was too bloody mother-fucking exhausted to remove them. Night after night after night.
If there's one thing motherhood has made me do, it's swearing. I find myself swearing a lot after children entered my life.
I hardly sleep anymore, fuckit, but life still goes on. My bladder is full, goddammit, but the baby can't break away from my boobs. I smell of stale cheese and have spit-ups on my T-shirt, the same one I wore since yesterday. Shit.
What did I swear about in the past anyway? A broken nail?

Another 3-4 hours later I wake up again for another feeding, and then it's almost daybreak and soon I have to wake Adam up for school, and get on with my day's activities functioning on so little sleep.
By mid-day, my hair is in such a mess that my keys could get lost in them.

I now have two needy children despite the fact that I have a husband, a mother-in-law and a helper.
Weekends are no better. The entire household is hyped up about not having to school/ work and everyone but me seems to be happy with lesser sleep.
Never in my life did I imagine myself to pray for Mondays. Once Adam is out the door on his way to school, I do cartwheels.
I am grouchy and disheveled.
I wish this is only a passing phase and I can get my own life back. Soon.

By the way, here are my two slightly irritating children:

Opa Gangnam style at 9:30pm on a Tuesday night.
Yes, it's a school night and I let my child dance on the table-top.
Minus 300 parenting points.
Buddha baby with double chin.
A romper which says "I want Mummy's boobs" would be more apt.

Goodness, I do love my children. I'm just saying, being a mother is such a tough job!

Tuesday, October 9, 2012

Babywearing: Bjorn Synergy

I did a review on Baby Bjorn Active carrier last week.
Just an update: I love babywearing so much that I bought another carrier!
Meet the Baby Bjorn Synergy in white mesh:



It's a successor of the Bjorn Active model, which is shown here:

The difference between the Active and Synergy is that Active is made of thick padded fabric material, which can get a little hot for both Mum and Baby in Singapore's humid weather.
The Synergy is made of breathable mesh material, and is therefore lighter weight and more airy compared to Active.

Both Active and Synergy have lumbar supports.

Advantages of baby-wearing:
- Hands-free and hassle-free outing with baby
- No more blocking of supermarket aisles as a stroller would
- Do not have to worry about folding / opening stroller, especially when you are out alone with baby.
- Keeps baby snuggled close to you.


For Mummies thinking of buying Baby Bjorn carriers but not sure which model to buy, it is recommended that you go to your nearest Mothercare to test out the different models.

Verdict: I'm using my Synergy daily and love it to bits. Gonna use it to death to justify the price tag!

Monday, October 8, 2012

Privé: Dinner date with Hubby.

Saturday was date night with my man. It was also the first time we went on a date without the kids ever since forever and I was actually nervous as hell. Will my MIL and helper be able to handle both kids at one time? Will Adam be naughty and give them trouble? Will Ashton cry for my boobs?

I actually bothered to put on some makeup and bun up my hair. No more frumpy housewife (yay). We, however, received a call in the middle of our date to be asked "How do I open the pram?" (not so yay). I told my Bro-in-law to search "Peg Perego Si" on Youtube and the problem was quickly solved :P

Complimentary gift from Privé: "A sweet end to your night,
or a sweet start to your morning"








Dress: Momoteapots (see link below)
Shoes: Christian Louboutin
Purse: Hermes Dogon clutch-wallet in Blue Jean
Accessory: Hermes Clic Clac extra-wide in Blue Electric
Momoteapots Sputnik shift dress - Avail in Black and White. $30.50 mailed.



I wore a white shift dress from MOMOTEAPOTS and I'm really impressed with the quality of the dress as well as MMTP's excellent service. This dress is easy on the figure and can bring you from work to dinner.
As you might already know, life as a Mum of two is rather crazy. I do not have the luxury to go for shopping trips on a whim, and therefore need to source for my clothes online. Shopping online comes with its risks such as lousy service or unreliable item descriptions. Thankfully, MMTP is none of that.
Thank you MMTP for giving me a pleasant shopping experience!

Tuesday, October 2, 2012

Ashton's Full Month shower

The past week was hell. With the passing of my Sheltie Alice and Ashton being hospitalised, it was really quite overwhelming for me. I thought I had to cancel on my friends and Ashton would have to miss his own party. Horror of horrors!
Luckily on Sunday, the party went on in full swing as planned.



My neighbours Peifen and Ivan with their daughter Lyndsey.
Peifen is due in December, a baby boy!

My Buddha baby with his pot belly, oblivious to
the hoo-ha surrounding him.

Andy's cousin's baby, Sebastian, who is 1.5 mths older than Ashton.



My dearest Meena arrived with Vetrin. Such a big boy now.

My very unglam Aunt LY in green. My favourite person in the world!

The bouncy castle was a hit with the kids! See my cheeky monkey Adam.








With my Meena. Aunties forever!


My babes. 16 years of friendship!
Siew Wei is preggy with her No.3 - another BOY. OMG we need girls pleaseeeeee.

My ex-colleague, Joey. Her baby Naythan is 2 months older than Ashton.

Adam was a real gem at the event. He helped me distribute the gift favours to our guests and he didn't for once whine or throw a tantrum. He just entertained himself on the Bouncy and went about his own activities and I didn't have to worry about him at all.
Adam, you make Mama proud. You are Mummy's shining star.

I love my kids and Hubby dearly!

Monday, October 1, 2012

Saturday: My scariest day yet.

On Saturday, just a day before Ashton's Full month shower, he was admitted to the hospital.
He had a fever, and we had initially wanted to bring him to a PD near our place, but because the wait was too long, I suggested that we brought him to KKH A&E since I'm a staff and thought that could speed things up.


However when we got there, though we were attended to immediately, we were also advised to admit him for observation. I thought we would be sent home with just Panadol and an order to monitor his temperature. I didn't expect for my baby to be hospitalised! I swear I nearly shit in my pants!


Ashton in Ward 56, KKH.


When we reached the ward, the doctors and nurses came to check on Ashton, and later on we were told that because he was only 5 weeks old, they would do "symptomatic treatment", which is to do tepid sponging and monitor his temperature and not do anything invasive unless absolutely necessary.
Every hour, the nurses came to check his temperature. His highest was 38.3deg.
He wasn't even on any medication at all.

Our entire Saturday was burnt, shuttling to and from home, getting his stuff, taking turns to look after Adam, etc etc.
By evening, I still hadn't had lunch, was too worried to rest, and thought I was going to pass out.
Thankfully I did not.
When Aunt LY came to visit at about 6.30pm, I decided I had enough of the hospital and demanded that we be discharged there and then!
The nurses and doctor came to talk to me but I was determined to get my baby out. "I'm a staff nurse and I can do the monitoring at home" I barked. I was a crazy Mummy like that!
In the end, after another few hours of monitoring and Ashton had 2 subequent afebrile readings, the doctors relented and let us go home, but not without first signing the "Discharge against hospital advise" indemnity forms.

My baby's party is tomorrow! I had to get him home by hook or by crook!
It was melodramatic but we eventually got him discharged and we finally reached home at 11pm.
I monitored his temperature every hour and I did tepid sponging just in case his temperature rised agin. Thank God the highest was 38.3deg at the hospital and thereafter it was just afebrile.

P.S. I never had to deal with sickness with Adam up till he was about a year old therefore this experience is new to me.

P.P.S. Subsequent children are more susceptable to illness especially when older children are sick because they can pass on from drool/ touching things/ sneezing and coughing without covering their orifices. I shall always keep this in mind.

Anyway this boils down as the scariest day of my life. I certainly hope it stays that way.

Thursday, September 27, 2012

My first baby

I thought about this the entire day and I just didn't know how to put it in words. Tonight, I lay in bed weeping until my hair is wet from my tears and thought I have to write this eulogy.

I used to have a Shetland Sheepdog named Alice.
I say "used to" because I rehomed her. This post wouldn't be completely understood without you reading these:
1) Why I had to rehome her.
2) Her rehoming story: who she was rehomed to.




Years before kids entered my life, Alice was my first baby and the centre of my universe. My world simply revolved around her. My days started and ended with walks with her, and weekends meant trips to petshops and dog runs.

On the afternoon where she leaned on my bump and I made a promise to her.

When I was pregnant with Adam, I remembered hugging her one afternoon and promising her that things will never change. However, from the moment Adam was born, everything for Alice has changed. Her pecking order was demoted, I sometimes forgot to fill her bowl, walks became far less often and she peed on the floor from being unable to control her bladder. Weekends were then spent bringing the human baby out. She was clearly neglected, but she had never blamed me. She greeted me every time I came home with the same enthusiasm as before.

One fateful day, Adam went to see the doctor for a chesty cough that wouldn't go away. The doctor diagnosed it as bronchitis and suggested that we give Alice away. You see, Alice had severe skin problems that required medical attention often. For a large part of her life, she needed steroids and anti-inflammatory drugs to control her skin problems, which would never be cured. She shedded a lot of fur and dandruff, and Adam, who just started being mobile, was going to ingest all of those.
Left with no choice, I rehomed Alice to my ex, Alan, whom I adopted Alice with.
The promise I made to Alice that afternoon became my biggest lie to her.

Yesterday , I received a text from Alan. He said Alice has been admitted to hospital for vomiting and was later diagnosed as having pancreatitis.
We were prepared for the worst, she was 11.
The inevitable topic of euthanesia came up and Alan & I both agreed we wouldn't play God, and that his family would take care of her if needed.
I discussed with Andy and he said I could bring her home to nurse her if I wanted, but later my gfs Charmaine & Meena knocked sense into me and said I simply didn't have the capacity to take care of a newborn, a toddler, and a sick dog. My girls were right. I thank them for their honesty.
The next thing I know, Alan informed me this morning that Alice has passed away in the hospital .

Alice always had a sweet temperament. I believe perhaps she chose to leave on her own and spare us the painful prospect of having to put her to sleep or watch her suffer.
It was too sudden and I didn't get to say Goodbye. I begged Alan to send me her last photo but he refused, and reasoned that he has to respect her even in death and he did not want to take a photo of her in that way. I respected his decision.
He then sent me some photos of her in the past year that he adopted her.
Here, she has clearly put on weight and her fur grew so thick.
So different from that day she had to go to her new home.




Suntanning was her favourite past-time and she got to do it daily in the backyard.
She was definitely living the life at Alan's place
.


I am thankful that Alan let me "be with him" every step of the way in Alice's last journey since I was not physically there with her.
He Whatsapped me photo after photo of Alice when she was alive, and he updated me what he was doing - he mentioned about saying Goodbye to Alice on my behalf, about asking me to pray that she would go to Heaven, about making payment to the hospital, about filling in a blue form with choices on what to do with the body - he ticked on the box which says to have her ashes back.
An hour later, he told me he was still there with Alice's lifeless body because he couldn't bear to leave her. He said she just looked like she was sleeping.
After that, another Whatsapp came in, he told me they had brought her to the cold room.

I know it must have been harder for Alan than it was hard enough for me.

We have made arrangements with the hospital for her to be cremated and have her ashes collected.
We do not know what we are going to do with her ashes yet but she hated water and baths so we would likely not sprinkle them into the sea.
Good bye my baby girl, and thank you for not letting us having to make the painful decision for you. You are my first baby and will always live in my memory.
12 July 2001 - 26 Sept 2012.

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Review: Baby carrier

Hi Rac, thanks for reading my blog. Here is the Baby carrier review you wanted, I hope it is helpful to you!
 


For my first child, I did not use a baby carrier. In fact, buying a baby carrier for Adam has never ever crossed my mind because mainly I am very petite (read: short & skinny) hence I did not think I could handle all that weight on my shoulders and back. Also, I drove everywhere if I needed to get out with Adam and I had a lightweight one-hand-fold stroller (Combi Miracle Turn) in my car boot at all times.

For Ashton however, the logistic situation in our household is a little different now.
With 2 kids under the age of four, I need hands-free and hassle-free when getting out and about.

I consulted Hubby's cousin for her opinion on baby carriers - she has a baby one month older than Ashton - and she said it was a great purchase because it is so convenient.
She is using Manduca carrier, which is made of organic cotton.
Speaking of baby carriers, there are just so many in the market, many of which I have never even heard of! Ergo, Manduca, Beco, Combi nina-nana, you name it.

I popped by the nearest Kiddy Palace to take a look at their carriers, and they only had Combi and Baby Bjorn, and some other lesser-known brands. I ended up getting a Baby Bjorn Active.
Just Baby Bjorn brand alone has several models, I found a Baby Bjorn buying guide here detailing the differences of each model.

Purchasing the right baby carrier is a very personal choice - in my Google searches on "Baby carrier reviews", so many results turned up, including topics like "Baby Bjorn vs Ergo", "Baby Bjorn Active vs Synergy" etc etc. The more I read, the more confused I became!

Bottomline: There is no right or wrong carrier, you have to find one which fits you.
I chose Baby Bjorn because it is an established and trusted brand and I see many parents using it.

Personally, I have only used this one and only Baby Bjorn Active, so my opinions would be biased, but I find it a good enough carrier. It can be used for baby up to 13kg as stated, though I am not really inclined to carry a 13kg anything on me for that long.
I used my Baby Bjorn yesterday and today to go from my home to my in-law's, and it is quite a dream.
Hands-free!


Here's a Youtube video on Baby Bjorn usage instructions (embedding was disabled).

I strongly recommend you to get one with lumbar support as the basic requirment, so that you wont have the weight of baby bearing down on your shoulders and back.
You may also want to check out Motherhood forums and eBay as there are many pre-loved ones in good condition selling for a fraction of the retail price, and you can always sell it again once you are done with it.

Happy babywearing!

Monday, September 24, 2012

Errands day

Spent my morning running errands. Being confined at home for the past month, I had lots of backlogged stuff to mail out / collect.
Picked up my haul - 2 pairs of skinny jeggings from New Future at $25/ea
and royal blue dress from
Tracyeinny. Dress here.
SGD$30 only.
Outfit: Cream sequin blouse from MNG
Red shorts from MNG
Red watch from Fendi
Beige bag: Chanel GST
Beige flats: Ferragamo

And finally!





I finally went to campus to pick up my Degree. Entering the familiar grounds and meeting my administrator, it was an emotional time for me. While all my cohort classmates have already attended their graduation, I had to give it a miss because of my pregnancy.
The delay has been almost a year.

Holding my hard-earned Degree, I feel the greatest pride and sense of achievement.
Thank you my dearest Husband and my beloved family, for all your help and support, for being with me in this journey.
From the time Adam was a wee infant to when he was two years old, that was how long my Part-time studies took.
I worked Full-time and studied Part-time. I rushed from work to evening classes and survived on sandwiches in the lecture halls. When classes ended, I rushed home from Clementi campus all the way back to Tampines to be with my precious baby.
Some nights when I came home, he was already asleep, when I left for work in the mornings he was not awake yet.
There were days where he didn't get to see me even though we lived under the same roof. It was hard.

Being a wife, a full-time working Mom, and a student was very tough, but it was my goal and I was determined to achieve it. And I did.

Today, I finally get to hold and caress it in my arms like a baby. Thank you once more Hubby, Adam and my family. Without you all, it wouldn't have been possible.

Planning Ashton's Full Month shower

** Edit to add: Photos from Ashton's Full month party HERE :)

I spent a good part of my confinement month planning Ashton's Full Month shower.
Armed with only my laptop and i-Banking token, I sourced, paid and arranged everything while being cooped up at home. The wonders of technology!
This blog post will include the bits and pieces of the Party planning process, along with vendors' websites/contacts for your easy reference.

Invite:
This is the invite which I created using Photoshop for all our invitees.
Pretty invitations can be received by your guests by just an MMS or Whatsapp away.
** The full version has the venue printed.
*** credits to Baby shower authority and Photocard chef for the graphics.




Banner:
I ordered this banner from Rachel who runs an online craft shop MY BEANSPROUTS. Website here. Her email is: mybeansprouts@yahoo.com.sg
Go take a look at what she has to offer. Rachel's very gifted with her hands. From DIY personalised banners to Cupcake toppers, you should find your party needs there.
She charges $2.50 per panel (of banner), so it's really not very expensive.



Gift favours:Favours! My favourite! I try to make sure no guest leaves my children's parties empty handed.
I found these gift favours at BACHELORETTE PARTY SUPPLIES. Website here.
If you are looking for affordable and unique favours for your guests, Rachel (a different Rachel from mybeansprouts) has them for weddings and baby showers.


I ordered 120 pcs of favours for all our guests in a mix of Rocking Horse candle and Rubber Ducky handsoap.
Due to the short notice, Rachel did not have the quantity I wanted, so she had to place an order with her supplier and thankfully the favours arrived on time and she personally delivered them to my doorstep. Talk about excellent service!

Our favours delivered!


Bouncy Castle rental:
We rented a bouncy to contain our guests' mini-me's otherwise their parents won't be able to eat and chat in peace!
There are many Toy Rental companies in Singapore with a wide range in terms of shapes, sizes and price. We chose Singapore Toy Club for the price and size (we wanted one which wasn't too big to be set up at a corner of our function place but still large enough to fit up to 10 kids).

Buffet Caterer:www.ecreative.com.sg
They have a Buffet menu specially for Full Month parties here.
They also have tables & chairs for rental if you intend to hold your parties at function rooms.
.
.
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Hope you find the list useful for planning your own parties.
Ashton's baby shower will be held this weekend. Excited!