Monday, May 31, 2010

Cutest Pic

Call me a sadist but Baby Aaron looks so cute when he's crying here. He's definitely angry and not in a mood to take photos. Babies ... never in my life did I know that babies have tempers too :D




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Saturday, May 29, 2010

What kind of parent do you want to be?

What kind of parent do you want to be? What kind of child(ren) do you want to have?

I hope my child(ren) will be independent but still rely on me.
I hope my child(ren) will be respectful but not afraid of me.
I hope my child(ren) will be happy but not overly contented.
I hope my child(ren) will be confident but not arrogant.
I hope my child(ren) will be disciplined but not restrained.
I hope my child(ren) will be resourceful, helpful and the list goes on...

I believe in making the extra effort to create the right environment for your child(ren). Nurturing takes lots of love and patience and whether you want to do it really depends on what you want your little ones to be like when they grow up. Just imagine what the child will grow up to be when the parents are always raising voices at each other! Angry, Grumpy and Grunchy! Although different people have different expectations on their child(ren) and different ways of nurturing, we must admit that life as parents is not an easy journey - it is routine, stressful and requires sacrifices.

I'm still learning how to be a fitting parent. I hope I could be a competent one (at least to my Baby)! :)


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Friday, May 28, 2010

Weekend Stay at Pan Pacific

To celebrate our 5th ROM anniversary, we decided to check in to Pan Pacific hotel at Marina. It's also a good break after my reservist duties and make up the time lost with Baby A :)

We had almost tried all the hotels in the Marina area, like Fairmont, Swissotel, Oriental and Ritz Carlton. Pan Pacific sounds like a logical choice as we wanted to stay in this area and it has high floors, which hopefully offer a scenic view.

Did manage to bring my tripod along this time. The landscape kept changing over the years. This year, the Marina Bay Resorts came into operation.

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As usual, after check-in, it's off to Marvelous Cream at Citylink Mall. Baby finally get to see what Mum and Dad are crazy about :)

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We didn't like the food at Global Kitchen in Pan Pacific so we decided to hop over to Oscar's at Conrad Centennial next door. We had quite a good experience last time we went there.

Again, the food didn't disappoint. Managed to snap a few shots before I were stopped by one of the staff.

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I realised that it's never easy to take photos with babies. They never look towards the camera. Hehe, only Mum and Dad were smiling.

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Couldn't pass up the opportunity for a night show from the room.

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Baby A seemed to enjoy himself as usual.

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He didn't get left out. He had a nice porridge with freshly mashed banana for breakfast.

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Well, although we did enjoy the time together, we couldn't really say the same for the room and service at Pan Pacific itself. The door to the bathroom is lourved, so the noise from the shower disturbed Baby's sleep. We asked for a baby high chair but it never came. There's no shaving kit for me ... Room is smaller than Ritz, Fairmont and Swissotel. Calls to the Service Desk are not picked up immediately but placed on hold. Guess we won't be going back in the future ...


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Sunday, May 23, 2010

How Acidic is your body - A talk by Jacelyn Tay

Went for this lunch time talk by Jacelyn Tay organised by my company. Hehe, I signed up not entirely because I want to see her in person... but also because I'm also interested in the topic - "Eat Well, Live Well".

She proved to be different from the aloof tv celebrity that she appeared on screen. Instead, the impression she left on me was someone who was very warm, real and sincere (not acting). She was quite a witty presenter and very very skinny! Although the presentation was a little too technical, it was overall a beneficial one (and lunch was free! :P).



Some pointers from this talk:
- All the foods we eat have either an alkalizing or acidifying effect on our body. Excess acidity builds up in our body when we eat too much protein, sugar, fat, processed, cooked food and not enough fresh fruits and vegetables. Our modern way of life, lack of exercise and oxygenation, pollution, stress, negative mental or emotional patterns also contribute to build up acidity in our body. Most of us suffer from acid-alkaline imbalance without even knowing it.
- Our body will go to great lengths to maintain its delicate pH balance. In case of overacidity, our body reacts to come back to balance in two ways. Some acids are eliminated through the bowels, the kidneys, the lungs and the skin. Whatever excess acids are left, they must be buffered or neutralized by borrowing alkaline substances like calcium, potassium, magnesium and iron from our vital organs, bones and teeth.
- Our body is slightly alkaline (pH 7.2-7.4) and if it becomes acidic, the body cannot function and we'll die.
- The stomach and reproductive organs are the only acidic parts in the body, the rest are all alkaline.
- Chew the food slowly and well before swallowing for better nutrients absorption and health
- Teas are alkaline, cocoa and coffee are acidic but please note that black teas are acidifying
- Breast milk is the most alkaline milk around! Soy milk and formula comes after. The rest of the milk are acidic.
- Peanuts and Walnuts are extremely acidifying food. Almonds on the other hand are alkalizing food

More examples of Acidifying Foods:
Acidifying foods are rich in proteins, carbohydrates and fat. They usually do not have a sour taste but they produce acidifying substances during the digestion and assimilation process.
▪ meat, poultry, fish, seafood
▪ egg’s white
▪ cheese
▪ pasteurized, sterilized or cooked milk
▪ animal fat (except butter)
▪ vegetal fat, margarine and refined oils
▪ grains: wheat, oat, barley, rice...
▪ bread, pasta, pizza...
▪ legumes: lentils, beans, chickpeas
▪ white sugar
▪ syrups, cakes, chocolate, jam
▪ nuts: walnuts, hazelnuts, pumpkin seeds, pistachios, cashews
(except almonds and Brazil nuts)
▪ soft drinks: coca cola, fanta, sprite…
▪ coffee, tea, cacao, wine

Note: Acid fruits like oranges, lemons, grapefruits or sour apples are acidifying when they are eaten together with grains and carbohydrates. Fruits should be eaten before or long after a meal. No orange juice with bread or oats for breakfast!

Alkalizing Foods:
Alkaline foods are alkalizing for our body, they do not produce acidifying substances during the digestion and assimilation process.
▪ vegetables: lettuce, cabbage, broccoli, carrots, green beans,
red beets, peas, zucchini… (except tomatoes, spinach, sorrel)
▪ sprouts
▪ potatoes
▪ egg yolk
▪ unprocessed fresh milk, cream, butter
▪ banana
▪ raw almonds and brazil nuts
▪ chestnuts
▪ dried fruits: date, raisin, fig and brown apricot
▪ black olives in oil
▪ avocado
▪ unrefined cold-pressed oils
▪ wholesome sugar

After the talk, I did become more conscious of what I eat. I hope I can stay firm on eating the right choices of food and reduce the chances of acidifying my body! :P


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Friday, May 21, 2010

Baby is 10 months old

He was cranky this month! We were told that he had phlegm in his throat that caused him some difficulty breathing, he also had slight fever and was very sticky and would cry every time I left his sight!

This month, I started him on taking 3 meals and he has no problem even with one or two snacks in between the meals. Good appetite he has for solids but not so for milk, sigh! He now rejects milk totally except for his first feed. Fortunately, during my 2 weeks leave I figured out the best times to feed him and managed to coax him into gulping milk into his throat. He really did injustice to the milk that I've painstakingly expressed for him!

The only comforting part was that he now have no problem taking naps. In fact, his nap hours are long. Amazingly, he always knows that it's nap time when we bring him to his bedroom and will fall sleep automatically. When he wakes up, he doesn't cry for comfort and will play on his own until someone comes to him. Did I mention this before? He has been sleeping on his tummy for the past few months and when he wakes up, he was always found at the other end of the bed. So cute!

He prefers to sit up and to stand up rather than to lie down and to crawl. His grasps improved as his thumbs "open up". He shows that he understands the meaning of 抱抱 and 风扇 (of all things, ha) and some other functional baby lingo. He can bang, clap and wave bye bye now. We were all so excited when he waved bye bye to my sisters and Ah Boy when they came to visit him! :D

Daddy was away for his reservist for 2 weeks, grandparents was away on holiday for 8 days and I was with him for almost half of this month. I'm glad I took the leave to spend invaluable time with him this month. :)


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Thursday, May 20, 2010

5th ROM Anniversary

We were so busy that we nearly forgot about this special occassion. When DC remembered it, it was already bedtime. The next morning he came to find me at my work place and we went for our lunch celebration at Hediard. It happened to be his off day from in-camp training too, lucky me! :)

We always wanted to try this little exquisite cafe, tucked away at Tudor Court along Tanglin Road. The menu selection is limited but at the end of it, we weren't disappointed.

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I had duck liver coupled with a cheese sandwich. DC had the oh-la-la foie gras. Yeah, we do think it's cruel to feast on foie gras but it seems this cafe specialises in this delicacy.

Special Hediard (duck liver)
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Foie Gras
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Dessert was the best molten choc cake we ever had. Served in the right portion, evenly warmed, molten chocolate oozing out when picked apart, it's simply heavenly. We always order this dessert whenever it's available on the menu but none come close to this!

Moelleux chocolate
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Tuesday, May 18, 2010

A's birthday preparation

I got a shock when I found out that the cake shop raised the price of the birthday cake yesterday and the increase was a steep $50. Fortunately, our cake order was confirmed 10 days ago, before the price hike... otherwise i'll probably go crazy at the thought of being hijacked. :P

Two months more to Baby's 1st birthday. We've ordered his cake, picked on the theme, selected a date, sourced for venues, evaluated and we've finalised the venue.

Next, we will have to get decorations, compile guests list, invite the guests, confirm attendees and arrange for food catering and of course, we'll be looking out for Baby's clothes and present too. :) I'm getting all excited already! :P


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Monday, May 17, 2010

Life as a full-time mummy

I've been a full-time mummy for the past 11 days. It was such an experience, I don't know whether I should call it pleasant or painful...

It's a joy to see him wake up lazing in his cot, to see him wriggle his body, to play with him, to carry him in my arms and to have him smiling back at me. On the other hand, it's sad and untimely that during this short period, his weight dropped slightly as he fell sick and he struggled to refuse his milk like never before (suspected sore throat or teething).

Despite that, I am still proud to prove that I can do what is expected of a SAHM. I could do the chores (prepare Baby's food, bathe the baby, wash clothes, etc), take care of the baby, bring him out (for sun, check up, lunch, tui na, etc), ensure that he has enough nap each day and still find time to express milk! All single-handedly! Of course, DC helped out a lot on the days he was excused from his ICT.

My hectic schedule (varies each day depending on Baby's nap time):
07:00 (Express Milk, Cook Porridge)
07:30 Feed Milk
09:00 Feed Cereal
09:30 Playtime
10:00 Nap (Express Milk, Eat Breakfast, Boil water for Baby's bath and Nap)
12:00 Bathe Baby
12:30 Feed Milk
13:00 Feed Porridge
14:00 Playtime, Snack time
16:00 Nap (Express Milk, Bathe and Nap)
18:00 Feed Milk
19:00 Feed Porridge
20:00 Bathe Baby
21:00 Sleep (Express Milk, Wash/Hang Baby's clothes, Housework)
00:00 Mummy gets to sleep!

Although I failed in making him improve his milk intake (he deliberately rejected his bottle), I achieved my other aim to start him on 3 meals. :)

Of course, there are certain areas that I could improve on before I can really become a real SAHM e.g. to take better care of myself (I've often neglected myself and missing my meals... oops), to train Baby to be more independent (he is now way too clingy and refused to be alone) and get someone to help out with the housework! Before all these, I think I'm still better off working. :P

My in-laws have returned from Taiwan (on 13 May) and resumed their duties today. I had also gone back to office to handle the IT audit which starts today and the after-launch system issues... DC is still serving the country...

I've learnt through the 11 days of training that it's a hard and tiring work being a full-time mummy and it's a challenge to upkeep a good environment and to maintain a happy baby... I'm definitely more appreciative of my in-laws' efforts and is truly grateful to my parents for taking such good care of me and my siblings (even till today!) *smuack* Thanks Mummy, you're the best! :)


Related Tweets:
6 May 2010, 11:34 PM, CP: Trying out the life of a SAHM
8 May 2010, 12:00 PM, DC: Furiously downloading songs, videos to my new iPod Touch. I'm think I'm ready to go back to the army ...
14 May 2010, 6:30 AM, DC: Watching the planes take off and land ... Burnt rubber ... Watching the sunrise at Changi ...


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Monday, May 10, 2010

MySingapore

My Singapore is on my hand, what about YourSingapore? :P



Irritating mosquitoes! How to get rid of them? Baby is already a victim, now me. I hate mozzies!

[Updated on 28 May 2010: My PIL came back from Taiwan with lemongrass insect oil. We've tried it for a couple days, so far so good except that the smell is a little too strong. :) Then, I saw from TV that placing a bowl of detergent will help stop the breeding of mosquitoes. I haven't tried that, maybe you could and let me know if it works! ]



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Sunday, May 09, 2010

My first Mothers' Day

... was so normal that it could have slipped by without anyone realising that it was a special day esp for me... It's my first Mothers' Day! :D

I had a nice steamboat lunch at my mum's on the actual day and had dinner the day before at somewhere near my place.


Baby is too young to give me anything (not even kisses) and Daddy didn't have any surprise for me. But it still felt warm just to spend time with them at home. :)

Hurray, Happy 1st Mothers' Day to me! :D


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Friday, May 07, 2010

iPod Touch for NS

Yes, it's back to national service once again. This time, I decided to get the iPod Touch 32GB to keep myself occupied. No camera phones are allowed, which rules out my trusty iPhone. With the Joikuspot software on my Nokia E51, the iPod can surf the Internet through the Nokia E51 easily. Let's hope time passes quickly during the in-camp.



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Monday, May 03, 2010

Messy Haircut

We plan to bring Baby out for a hair trim and a swim yesterday but thanks to him, the plan was ruined...



He cried the moment he felt the scissors (non-stop crying!) and then, he coughed a few times followed by puking (on me!)...

His hair was halfway done and we had to stop the process to clean Baby and me up.

His hair was all over. I wonder why the cover didn't help? We had a hard time getting rid of all the hairs from his face and his shirt and from me too!

His swimming session was halted too cos his mood was too affected by the hair cut to swim. Talking about the swimming session, I was appalled by the fact that the staff could turn the tap on with baby in it to attempt to bring down the temperature of the water after I commented that the water is too hot for him!!! Apparently, some training needs to be done! That's it, we are determined not to return to the place, anyway the sessions we signed were all used up.

And, I had to go home for a clothe change before we could proceed to my mum's place for lunch. This has got to be the messiest day out with Baby! Well, it was actually not the dirtiest. The dirtiest happened at home one day during my maternity leave where I had his shit smeared all over my shirt! :P


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Saturday, May 01, 2010

Durian Puffs

Happened to saw Goodwood Park Hotel selling durian pastries at J8 after our movie... How could we not grab the durians? :)

We bought 3 boxes of durian puffs:-
Box of 20 for in-laws and us
Box of 20 for my parents and siblings
Box of 6 for my bro



We were blessed to have bumped into this durian fiesta promotion! Hmm, is their durian buffet coming soon? It seemed like just a few months ago that I asked for DC to bring me there for the durian buffet... I was still a preggie then, and now, Baby is already 9 months old! Wow, time flies! I must demand him to take me there this time, hee!


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Iron Man 2

Managed to watch this movie, all thanks to my in-laws for helping to take care of baby today! :)



An nice and exciting movie but I feel the first is still the best. I'm not a Marvel Comics fan like DC, I don't particularly like the movie (I think it's violent!) but the funny thing is I find myself remembering most of the details of the first installment! This is definitely not my usual forgetful self, I don't know why it left such an imprint on me! :P

This time, I think I might not even remember part 2 tomorrow! In fact, I wasn't really paying much attention throughout, rather I found myself drifting off to sleep (hehe, again!)... just couldn't help it but luckily it was only a short while. I managed to catch up with the story after that. :P

As I was writing this, I discovered something very interesting... we watched Iron Man exactly this day 2 years ago! Such a coincidence!

And, oh ya, do remember to stay on to watch a very very short trailer after the long credits if you are a Marvel fan. You won't get it if you are not one (I understand only after DC explained.)


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