B is 4 months old

B can lift up her head while on her tummy! She can also flip to her side now! Every early morning, she was found off her pillow, 90º clockwise from her initial sleeping position! She's progressing well and could reach out for things in her sight already! I took off her mittens in the day starting her 3rd month and only wear it during the night when she's sleeping.

She's quite smiley. It is easy to make her smile, just make some funny face to her and she'll return back with a happy face and kicked her legs about. So adorable!

However, she also has a not-so-adorable side... when she don't feel like drinking milk, she'll cry out just when you are about to sit down to feed (somehow, she knows that you are going to feed her and would reject)!

She's drinking 120ml of mixed milk every 3 hrly with 60ml of ebm in between. Since the last update, we've changed her milk powder from S26 to Enfalac, Marmex and Friso! We stuck to Friso for a while but still not satisfied with the poop frequency and quantity. Just decided that it's still back to Similac!

We started sending B to a nanny near our place during the day and fetch her back at night, after work. It's already 2 weeks and I see that B is well taken care of by the nanny. :)

She has done her 3rd month assessment and had her vaccination. All's well. :)

Her 4th month was also her auntie's birthday and the birth of her little cousin Enya. I wanted to observe the 4th month tradition for B to taste the drumstick during her aunt's birthday celebration but couldn't because the moment she was in the restaurant, she started wailing non-stop. Only when we brought her out, then she calmed down. For the next 2 days, she develop fever as high as 38.3ºC...


Related Posts:
B is 3 months old
B is 2 months old
B is 1 month old

CIF, The All Purpose Cleaner

When we got home today, DC told me that our maid seems to be having serious rashes on her face.

I told him I saw her put on Thanaka yesterday. It was a face powder that was commonly applied onto the face by Myanmese. So, I wasn't too bothered until I saw her face!

The sides of her cheeks had turned black (huge contrast to the inner cheeks which was white from the frequent application of the face powder) and it looked burnt!

We asked her what happened to her face. She said it was very painful and kept scratching her face. I was shocked when I found out that she, wanting to reduce the dark spots on her face, used CIF, the all-purpose kitchen cleaner to apply on her face!!! OMG! And, she applied it for the past 2 days!


I didn't really get close to examine the condition, I know it was quite bad. I will get her a bottle of cooling Hazeline cream to ease her pain and hopefully it will reduce the blackness...


Related Posts:
Colour it up
Face spa
The Glow of Aesthetic Medicine

Another windfall ... 3rd in a month

Won iBet for 4D 3rd prize, 2068. Netted $200. Of course, there is still the bet cost but profit there is definitely :D

Related Posts:
Exactly One Month
Car In 4D

A is 33 months old

My boy is getting cheekier and cheekier by the day! Here's a picture of my boy dragging me to the playground.



He is very mobile now and keep telling people what to do... When we refused to do what he says, e.g. wearing his Polos to sleep and to school, he would try the "crying" tactic to see if he could get his way and that always made us don't know whether to be angry or laugh at it!

He was able to recognize between his and his sister's diaper, an observant boy! He is now tall enough to lock and unlock the main door all by himself! Sometimes he would attempt to open the door but the fire-proof door was too heavy for him. His favorite toy for the month would be the double stroller that my friend gave. He likes to push it around and when he bumped onto something or had difficulty passing through, he would say "Bigggggg!" (the stroller is too big!). His favorite word of the month is "comein" and he signals us to go to him. hmm... he used to say "come". I wonder who taught him "coming"? or, was it "come here"?

DC just bought his car key covers and A got really interested in them! He loves opening the key and keeping it! He cried out loud if they are taken away from him!

Some of the times, after morning feed, DC would allow him to look down from the windows in his room and identify daddy's car in the car park. He loves cars at this stage and loves this little morning game! I think he has much better sense of direction (and memory) than mummy cos he is able to tell where the car is parked, where his grandparents place is, where his mei mei's nanny lives and which way to his favorite pearl (bubble tea)! :)

As his baby sister started going to her nanny, I was available for one week and spent quality time with him! I attended his school outing to the Botanical Gardens' children garden and also sat in some of his classes. One of his teachers updated me that he was less afraid of the waters and is now able to play with water, same comments as his daddy who showers him everyday! :) I hope we could bring him out to more outings or waterplay now that he enjoys them so much. Maybe we'll find one weekday to bring him there?

DC got grandpa to buy a cane and so far he had used it twice on him and many times to scare him! While I objected violently to the use of canes, it does have some effects on A! I hope DC will not overuse it!

Last month, he went to a musical and the children's garden, both school outings. We celebrated his cousin Ah Boy's 11th birthday at Sakura@YCK, DC's 4D winning treat at Beng Hiang Restaurant and we brought him to Ikea (He ate a lot of meatballs and potatoes then!). On his 33rd month today, his auntie Yi Yi's celebrates her birthday and his little cousin Enya was born today and it's his sister's 4th month!


Related Posts:
A is 32 months old
A is 31 months old
A is 30 months old

A fulfilling week

I was on annual leave this week and I did a lot of things that I couldn't have done during my maternity leave!

1. Have my ME time
With A in childcare and B with nanny, there are lots of time on hand. :) I had lots of rest and did some packing at home!

2. Spend time with A
I brought A to school every day and attended the school outing with him. I'm happy to spend the quality time with him.

3. Shop all I want!
I went in and out of the house freely and when I'm outside, I work hard to shop, hee hee. :P


Related Posts:
Pampering myself in progress
Sleeping Queen

BEARS Sleep Screening Algorithm

Is your child having any sleep problem?

Enough sleep is the amount of sleep required for the child to feel well rested and function normally. Insufficient sleep is inadequate sleep relative to sleep need. Some signs of insufficient sleep in children include excessive daytime sleepiness, mood disturbances, behavioural problems, poor concentration and learning problems.

There could be if you've answered yes to the questions below...

B= Bedtime problems

Any problems going to bed, falling asleep at bedtime?

E= Excessive daytime sleepiness

Any sleepiness / tiredness during the day? In school? Any naps?

A= Awakenings during the night

Any awakenings at night? Any sleepwalking or nightmares? Any trouble getting back to sleep?

R=Regularity and duration of sleep

Any regular bedtime and wake time? What are they on school nights? weekends? How much sleep? Is it enough?

S= Sleep-disordered breathing.

Any snoring or difficulty breathing at night?


Related Posts:
Sleepy Baby
Useful Reference Table for Mummies
Lack of sleep could get you fat

Battleship

Battleship

CAST: Taylor Kitsch, Liam Neeson, Alexander Skarsgård, Brooklyn Decker & Rihanna
DIRECTOR: Peter Berg
LANGUAGE: English with Chinese subtitles
OPENING: 12 Apr 2012
RUNTIME: 131 mins
RATING: PG13 - Battle Sequences

Peter Berg (Hancock) produces and directs Battleship, an epic-scaled action-adventure that unfolds across the seas, in the skies and over land as our planet fights for survival against a superior force. Inspired by Hasbros classic naval combat game, Battleship stars Taylor Kitsch as Lt. Alex Hopper, a Naval officer assigned to the USS John Paul Jones; Brooklyn Decker as Sam Shane, a physical therapist and Hoppers fiance; Alexander Skarsgrd as Hoppers older brother, Stone, Commanding Officer of the USS Sampson; Rihanna as Petty Officer Raikes, Hoppers crewmate and a weapons specialist on the USS John Paul Jones; and international superstar Liam Neeson as Hopper and Stones superior (and Sams father), Admiral Shane.

==============================================================================

Quite a nice one! There's a good mix of characters: loser with great potential, serious, silly, sexy and extraterrestrial that made the movie interesting. It was also packed with great actions and unimaginable happenings along the way. I like that the ending is good but somehow felt that the fight ended a little too abrupt and that the bro died.

Actually, this movie reminded me of the project that I was involved years ago, for the navy. As DC was explaining the terms to me (he was into naval ships when he was young), the names of the equipment started flowing back to me!

School outing to the Jacob Ballas Children's Garden

It's A's 2nd trip to the children's garden and his school is bringing him there today. I tagged along. :)

A loves the tree house (it was closed for maintenance the last time we were there), maze (he remembered the maze from the last visit!) and playground (we skipped this the last time as it was very crowded) that he kept asking for "one more time" at these places when it's time to go! I love it when he enjoyed himself so much! ;)

A fully exploited me when I was with him! He wanted me to carry him at the garden (until the playground), feed him porridge and milk at his childcare centre and pat him to sleep when he can do all these by himself!! I'm happy to do all these, it's been such a long time since we spend quality time together!

Seeing how he enjoys the outing today, I feel like bringing him there again! Maybe when B is older, we could organise a family trip to there and walk over to the botanic garden for a picnic? I think that would be nice!

A photo of A at the entrance.


CP and A.


CP and A taking a photo while taking a break at the Tree House. Tired Mummy!


A wanting more of the slide!


A at the maze. He loves this!


We saw swans and ducklings there!



Snack time!


Cheeky A before boarding the bus, he led his little friends into doing the same with him!


Good trip, says A! :)


What CP hated most from the trip - mosquitoes! And I think I got the most bites even though I had the insect repellent sprayed! A also got them on the places I couldn't spray - his forehead and left ear! Arghhhh...



Related Posts:
Jacob Ballas Children's Garden

Another great shopping day

Yet another great day spent on shopping! :P

I did some packing in the morning and kept away my maternity clothes.


I told my maid to bring down A's baby clothes and put them on the floor. Guess what she did?

She took A's clothes out of the cabinet and placed them on the bed!!! *faintz*

Next, I met DC for lunch at Crystal Jade, Suntec.


Then, it's shopping time! :) I went to my favorite stores in Suntec and Marina Sq and bought a whopping S$477 of apparels (1 pair of shoes, 3 top, 3 dress, 1 skirt)! :P


When I was done in Suntec and walking towards Marina Sq, I texted this to DC:

I've gone crazy shopping!

When he saw the message, he replied:

What did u buy?!!

Haha, he must have regretted meeting me for lunch, giving me the excuse to shop! :P I also quite regretted spending too much time at the malls. My initial plan was to be home at 3pm but I took an hour longer and had to sacrifice my nap time! By the time I was home, washed up, expressed milk, it was almost time to pick up Baby B!


Related Tweet:
18 Apr 2012, 10:59PM, DC: I always get a shock when I let CP shop alone ...


Related Posts:
The start of my holiday

The start of my holiday

DC went back to work, A was in school and B was at her nanny's. I was alone at home on leave (aka holiday) and I had great plans for the day! :) What else except shopping and spending?

1. Lunch with parents at the favorite duck stall (FOC, on parents):


2. Took a bus to AMK Hub ($.73) and went for a cuppa favorite Bubble tea ($2.40):


3. Shopping at AMK Hub (spent $197.44, saved $50):


4. Took cab ($4.30) to register for driving lessons ($308.16):


5. Took MRT home ($.83).

Total spending today: $513.86. It's been months since I last spent, and I had a good nap when I was at home! :) I'm loving it!


Related Posts:
Pampering myself in progress...

Peaceful 4 days of togetherness

DC's left foot was throbbing with pain on Sat night. On Sun, he had throbbing headache that made his leg pain worse. So, he rested at home for the next two days. His headache became worse on Mon and fever broke out, high fever of 39.2ºC! He had to stay at home for two more days. It's usually for him to be at home for so many working days. He's such a workaholic! It must have been very painful for him to stay at home not working! Inside, I was actually smiling. It's been sooo looong since we were alone without the kids! :) A went to his childcare centre and B started going to her nanny's this week.

Things really changed a lot since B was born. DC took over all my roles and responsibilities in taking care of A. On weekdays, he had to shuttle A to and from childcare centre, bathe him, coax him to sleep and help me buy the baby necessities whenever I needed them. On weekends, he (used to be the both of us) had to bring A to his classes. He slept late every night and wake up earlier than everyone at home. While I could still take a nap in the afternoon when B is sleeping, DC couldn't. This period must have been very tiring for him! That's why his body is sending him a message - to have full rest - via his body aches and fever! Good for him (to have rest).

It's a good news for me too (not gloating over his misery!) as both of us were really very busy with caring for the little ones (separately) to have a decent talk! This became a good opportunity for us to get in touch and make up for the lost times. We ate together, we communicated lots, we settled our maid replacement issue and we almost wanted to go on movies together, all without having to fuss over the children. I found back my boyfriend of the past, these 4 days were worthily spent! :)


Related Posts:
Down with flu

Are you a foodie: Part 2

The telltale signs of a foodie, by Food & Wine Mag:

1. It takes more time to decide where to dine than to have dinner.

2. You know the names of meat distributors other than Pat LaFrieda.

3. You ask the waitress to be specific about the kind of kale in the salad.

4. You've paid to eat dinner at a stranger's apartment.

5. You've joined a line with more than five people in it, for a sandwich, from a truck.

6. Your entrée choice hinges more on where it was raised than on what it is.

7. You tweet your meals before dessert.

8. Your coffee has a proper name.

9. You've tasted single udder butter.

10. You've made your own sausage. After meeting the pig.

11. Your closets are being used as cheese caves or beer cellars.

12. Queens is a culinary destination.

13. Your pick-up line asks "What's your favorite restaurant."

14. You've spent more than $10 on a cocktail outside of a club.

15. You roll your eyes at molten chocolate cake.


Related Posts:
Are you a foodie?

The search is now on

We allowed our maid to call home once every 2 months. Two weeks ago, she called home and found out that her 73 years old mother was hospitalized. She teared at night and told me what happened. Being soft-hearted, I told her that I will get Sir (DC) to get her another calling card so that she could call back home to check on her mother's condition.

A few days later, about a day or two after her second call home, she told DC that she wants to go back to her country to look after her mother. Her mother suffered a stroke that caused her to be paralyzed at one side and couldn't speak now but was already discharged and at home. Her children are currently looked after by her mother and I guess it's now by her brother who occasionally visit. We had no choice but to let her go, her home needs her more than ours. It's such a pity she couldn't work until her contract is up. She is a rather good housekeeper.

So now, our search for a new maid is on! The current maid will leave end May (exactly her one year), we just have to get one after she leaves!


Related Posts:
Domestic Help Arrives
Maid - To have or not to have?
Weekly Off days for maids

B's Photo Selection

We went to select B's photos after going for lunch at NYNY n to Fox@AMK Hub to exchange the ill-fitting pants that we bought for A for a pair of shorts for him and a bodysuit for B (top up $2.90).

Reached the studio before the rain started pouring. We easily made our choices of 6 photos as there were few nice ones... However, we still bought the whole set of photos back. This is the one we chose for the photo frame:


When we were at home, DC took a detailed look at the photos purchased and found that many (if not, all) of the photos were out of focus or focus on the wrong spot! Our family photos were terribly taken: no composition, lighting, adjustments were done and the colours were not what we wanted. B was wearing a bright blue/grey dress and the photos were edited and looked like b/w! In other words, we think that the photos were not professionally taken at all. Feeling shortchanged, DC filed a comment with the studio...

[Edited on 12 Apr 2012: The studio called DC back and offered suggestions e.g. sharpening the images, re-taking the family shoots, etc. They will get the director to call us back when he returned. ]

[Edited on 14 Apr 2012: The director called to understand his concern and told DC he will get back to him after he went through all the original photos.]

[Edited on 18 Apr 2012: The director called and informed that he has processed and selected 20+ photos that are sharp and will send them to DC. We hope those could make it!]


Related Posts:
Baby B's Photo Shoot Preview
A's Baby Photo Shoot
Baby Photos collected

More ways to wear a scarf

The contest has ended and here's more ways to use the scarf to accent the outfit.



And, this is the cutest! I like! :)



Related Posts:
Scarf Play
Magic Scarf

B's first day at the Nanny's

The day finally came for us to bring B to her nanny.

The nanny was staying at the other end of the park, not really a stone's throw away from us! Luckily we have a car, if not, it would be a 10 mins walk everyday to her house!

As it was the first day today, I stayed in the nanny's place the whole morning until B's afternoon nap at 12noon. Brought all the stuff that the nanny might need (clothes, nappies, nappy covers, diapers, milk bottles, breastmilk, etc). It was a good idea having an experienced nanny to look after B. I do not need to brief much, she knows what to expect. And, she has quite a lot of leftover baby clothes, baby lotions and even a baby bathtub at her home! :)

There is probably only one thing that I have issue of and that is the drinking of water. Along with all the old folks, she felt that water should be given. However, she did respect and listen to us and did not force her way but tried to do it our way. She improvised and gave breast milk instead, which is what I needed!

I'm sure B would enjoy herself at the nanny's house. The house is spacious and airy and the auntie is very friendly and loves babies. I've nothing to worry about!

Now that B is at her nanny's, I suddenly felt very free and misses her a lot! :(


Related Posts:
Signs of a bad caregiver
Nanny for B?

Are you a foodie?

There is a food challenge circulating around these 2 days. It's an app with a list of 100 foods, from US staples like barbecue ribs and pastrami on rye through brunch classic eggs benedict to Chinese delicacy bird’s nest soup, smelly fruit durian and even kangaroo and squirrel!? Why no turtle? Anyways, it is thought that most people tried only less than 20 of these foods. If you have tried more than 20, then you are a foodie!

Here’s the list in full: (How many have you tried?)

1. Abalone
   
2. Absinthe
   
3. Alligator
   
4. Baba Ghanoush
   
5. Bagel and Lox
   
6. Baklava
   
7. Barbecue ribs
   
8. Bellini
   
9. Bird’s Nest Soup
   
10. Biscuits and Gravy
    
11. Black Pudding
    
12. Black Truffle
    
13. Borscht
    
14. Calamari
    
15. Carp
    
16. Caviar
    
17. Cheese Fondue
    
18. Chicken and Waffles
    
19. Chicken Tikka Masala
    
20. Chile Relleno
    
21. Chitlins
    
22. Churros
    
23. Clam Chowder
    
24. Cognac
    
25. Crab Cakes
    
26. Crickets
    
27. Currywurst
    
28. Dandelion Wine
    
29. Dulce de Leche
    
30. Durian
    
31. Eel
    
32. Eggs Benedict
    
33. Fish Tacos
    
34. Foie Gras
    
35. Fresh Spring Rolls
    
36. Fried Catfish
    
37. Fried Green Tomatoes
    
38. Fried Plantain
    
39. Frito Pie
    
40. Frog’s legs
    
41. Fugu
    
42. Funnel Cake
    
43. Gazpacho
    
44. Goat
    
45. Goat’s Milk
    
46. Goulash
    
47. Gumbo
    
48. Haggis
    
49. Head Cheese
    
50. Heirloom Tomatoes
    
51. Honeycomb
    
52. Hostess Fruit Pie
    
53. Huevos Rancheros
    
54. Jerk Chicken
    
55. Kangaroo
    
56. Key Lime Pie
    
57. Kobe Beef
    
58. Lassi
    
59. Lobster
    
60. Mimosa
    
61. MoonPie
    
62. Morel Mushrooms
    
63. Nettle Tea
    
64. Octopus
    
65. Oxtail Soup
    
66. Paella
    
67. Paneer
    
68. Pastrami on Rye
    
69. Pavlova
    
70. Phaal
    
71. Philly Cheese Steak
    
72. Pho
    
73. Pineapple and Cottage Cheese
    
74. Pistachio Ice Cream
    
75. Po’Boy
    
76. Pocky
    
77. Polenta
    
78. Prickly Pear
    
79. Rabbit Stew
    
80. Raw Oysters
    
81. Root Beer Float
    
82. S’mores
    
83. Sauerkraut
    
84. Sea Urchin
    
85. Shark
    
86. Snail
    
87. Snake
    
88. Soft Shell Crab
    
89. Som Tam
    
90. Spaetzle
    
91. Spam
    
92. Squirrel
    
93. Steak Tartare
    
94. Sweet Potato Fries
    
95. Sweetbreads
    
96. Tom Yum
    
97. Umeboshi
    
98. Venison
    
99. Wasabi Peas
    
100. Zucchini Flowers

I think that this is dependent on the places that you've travelled too. Some of the foods are no way available to you unless you have been to the place that offered those specialty!


Related Posts:
Singapore's Fine Dining

Down with flu

The flu virus advances quickly, from fever in the afternoon to cough at night ...


Related Tweet:
12 Apr 2012, 11:00 AM, DC: It must have been yrs since I had fever, sore throat, cough n the like but not fever :(


Related Posts:
Ways to fight off flu
Mercury Rising
Viral Attack

Lunch Out

We brought B out for lunch. ;)

First, we went to AMK Hub's Ah Mei Cafe for biryani, prata and Teh Tarik.



Next, we went to Mums and Babes to buy 6 Medela bottles. There is discount of $4 if you trade in old bottles. I brought along my old Medela bottles. We also bought some toys, visual simulation book and some clothes for A and B there.


We also went NTUC to get A his prune juice and B her new milk powder (yes, we are changing to a new one again!).


Then it rained. We fed B in the car and decided to go J8 for more shopping and a cuppa bubble tea. B slept a little while in the stroller...


It was a relaxed afternoon. Love!


Related Posts:
Lunch Date Fulfilled
Milk Powder Woes
等了又等

Dressing Up B's Hair

I have a new pastime and that is dressing up B's hair!

Both A and B inherited my standing hair. While it is still acceptable for A, a boy to have his hair standing up, it's not so for B, a girl.

Just nice, we received cute hairbands from friend and relative for christmas and first month's celebration. To keep B's flyaway hair at bay, I started off using beanies, then the bands, and slowly ventured into ribbons. I've expanded her hair accessories by buying more. Now, I'm considering diy clips for future use! :)

B and her cuties on her head:









Related Posts:
Fun Things To Do During Shower

Winning Lunch

A treat to family for the $1,500 winnings. Traditional Hokkien/ Teochew fare.

It was raining very heavily on the way there but we managed to get there on time and dry. Our maid went with us too and finally, the VW Touran gets to put all seats to use. :)









Related Posts:
Exactly One Month

B's 3rd Month Assessment

B had her 3rd month assessment and vaccination today. DC had to work, so I got my maid to go to the clinic with me.



Her progress was better than I thought. My GP proved to me that she was able to hold her head up, even steady when she's put on sitting position and she even had strength to stand up on her feet! :)



She got her pneumoccocal and rotavirus oral vaccination. We got my maid to shake the rattle while I held on to her when the GP administered the jab onto her right thigh. The rattle was not loud enough. B felt the pain and cried out loud non-stop unlike the first time she had her vaccination! She did recover after a while...

We lost one pair of her mittens in the clinic. Couldn't find no matter where we looked. It's so strange cos the room was so small! Anyway, I told them to keep it when they see it again. It's funny to note that one of her matching booties was also lost during my dad's birthday celebration. Now the mitten!



In late afternoon, DC brought B and me to J8. We went Kiddy Palace, Aussino and Giordano to shop. I got myself some casual tees. :) Too bad, there was no time to get a cup of bubble tea as DC had to fetch A back from his grandparent's place, otherwise A would have loved to eat the pearl!


Related Posts:
B's 1st Vaccination