The Reign of the Klutz

Hang in there!

2010-01-05T17:17:00.004+08:00

I am almost tired of walking around like a fat penguin. Shall endure for a few more weeks... Having mixed feelings. On one hand, I can't wait to see No. 2 but that also marks the end of my 'care-free' life.

Oh well, I'll just have to hang in there for a few weeks more. I'm only 1 more month to my EDD.

Potato Junkie

2009-11-30T11:14:00.004+08:00

This guy is Gab's best friend...

The food served at his restaurants are his favourite, just like his mummy's.
Like mother, like son. Need I say more?

Gab's first

2009-11-30T11:04:00.002+08:00

Gab is one very fortunate boy. He has NEVER been on the public transport (other than the taxi, that is) since birth. All this time, he is being zipped around in our car. Yesterday was his first on the MRT. My little mountain tortoise had such a blast even though the ride was just for one station, from the Expo to Changi Airport.

Next on Project Public Transport, Gab will get to ride on the SBS bus! Still figuring how I'll get the logistics worked out but I hope he doesn't have to wait long.

Hiberation

2009-11-25T16:10:00.003+08:00

The sleepy monster is awake now. Been too tired to post stuff in the blog. Life is pretty much the same.... some random stuff...

1) Gab turned 2 last week

He's more articulate now and is able to string short sentences like 'Meemee buy milk', 'Gabriel eat mum mum'.
Food wise, he's still very much a vegetarian. Not very adventurous when it comes to trying new food. Still operating on his 'I eat when I like it' mode.
Got a place at our No.1 childcare hauntdown. Will be starting in March 2010
Tried to start him on toilet training but to no avail.
Showing some signs and symptoms of 'terrible 2s'. I feel its quite manageable still but his Dad thinks otherwise. So for now, the wooden ladle is Gab's best friend... (We use that as a cane to hit his hand when he is beyond us)

2) Number 2 has turned 29 weeks

Went to visit my gynae today and he tried to prepare me for labour... quite a frightening thought even though I've been through it once
Already thought of a name for this one
It's time to start to prepare the logistics for No. 2 now that I'm more free

3) School holiday is ONE day away!! Yey!!

I'm telling everyone in school I'm going for my maternity leave soon, which is not really the case. I still have 2-3 weeks more of work when the new year starts but then again... my gynae said he can cover me if I feel too 'heavy' to go to work. Double yey!
Nothing much planned for the holiday itself but I hope to catch up on some reading during this R&R period.
Will update the blog more often as well (I hope)

2009-08-31T16:21:00.001+08:00

I dunno what's happened to the old Blogger site. What on earth happened to the little icons to add pictures and videos?

Anyone help?!

Quirky Boy

2009-07-23T18:04:00.005+08:00

My son's idea of fashion is to wear his shorts over his PJs! This boy REFUSED to remove any of the 2 pants and insisted on wearing this to his visit to the PD yesterday. The PD must have thought that his parents were mad...

Too much, too fast

2009-07-02T17:15:00.002+08:00

I am putting on too much weight too quickly! The weighing scale has been tipping more and more to the right.

I think I must do something about it. Cut down on my carb intake (think reduce intake of potatoes, bread, pasta etc!!) and not snack for the sake of snacking.

Sleepy Head

2009-06-22T16:05:00.002+08:00

New Bed

2009-06-22T15:03:00.004+08:00

Gab has a new bed...

It's his Dad's guitar case! Fits him quite well eh...

Childcare

2009-06-11T02:25:00.002+08:00

We've decided on the possibility of sending Gab to childcare next week and so I've been rather busy these few days searching for somewhere suitable.

Well, the search was fine actually. All I had to do was to go to the MCYS website and by some magical click, a whole list of childcare around my area would be generated. It's the getting into the childcare that is the most difficult part.

You see, kiasu-ism not just starts from Primary 1. It starts all the way from childcare! All the centres I visited already had a waiting list for next Jan's intake! OMG! It's worse than Primary 1 registration (which hasn't even started officially btw). None of the centre could promise me a vacancy. It's all subjected to the graduating class and the number on the wait list apparently.

It just doesn't make sense to me cos it seems that a handful of the kiddies who are already in the childcare don't need them at all! I've seen kiddos who get sent to the centres by maids and grandparents. Why can't these children with extra help stay at home, attend regular school and leave the precious spaces for genuine cases like me?

There's still some hope though. I visited a centre who could gurantee me a space immediately only if I made a $50 deposit. Though that centre is not my preferred choice, I guess I'll better be KS and chope a seat first. In the meantime, I shall put my name on the wait lists of all other childcares.

Sigh. I'm not really KS by nature but situation has forced me to be the ugly Singaporean.

Random Pictures

2009-05-25T12:19:00.007+08:00

Kiddy friends...

from church.

The junkie.

His passion.

Sacony Run

2009-05-25T12:13:00.004+08:00

Before...

Went for the Sacony Run yesterday. I was a bit more conservative this time round and only signed up for the 5km fun run. Relatively speaking, this run was more manageable for me than the 10km 'walk' I did at the GE Run last year.

It was more fun too cos Gab joined in the run as well. This little man enjoyed himself thoroughly during the run and did not whine in his seat at all. Perhaps I can join more of such races in future.

After the run.

Hot Soup

2009-05-21T17:12:00.002+08:00

It's been a long time since I last cooked dinner. Before I had Gab, I would cook a simple dinner on most weekdays.

These days, I am simply too tired to cook anything. Plus it just doesn't seem much economic sense to cook for 2 people. The Hubs and I eat like little kittens and we can always never finish 2 person's portions. Hence, the only decent home cooked food I have now are the fornightly dinners at my MIL's.

Things will change from today (I hope!). I bought a soup recipe book on impulse today and I'm so resolved to cook some decent soup for us on a regular basis but first, I need to buy a mini crock pot. The one I have at home is too big for 2 people...

All about him

2009-05-14T16:48:00.005+08:00

I realised that all my blogs seemed to be Gabriel.

Oh well, my life just seems to be so predictable perhaps. Either that or I'm too tired to log on the Net to bitch about my day.

So it's back to him again. Some recent pictures of Mr Naughty captured during Zachary's birthday party last Saturday...

Posing for the camera

STILL posing for the camera with his favourtie balls

Sharing the balls with Kayden

My most favourtie shot of all =)

Oops!

2009-04-27T15:14:00.004+08:00

I like this picture. It's so candid and seems like these 2 are up to some mischief.

Future Bill Gates

2009-04-18T09:46:00.001+08:00

This is the way...

2009-03-23T15:47:00.003+08:00

to mess up the house and make mommy mad!
Gab shows you how to sweep the floor.

Sun day

2009-03-18T16:14:00.007+08:00

Gab loves to swim. In fact, he is so confident in water now that he doesn't really want the float and wants to walk around in the water! Mummy was so anxious at the pool side, while Daddy the risk taker actually condoned to this?! Another difference between moms and dads....

My super helper

2009-03-18T16:00:00.004+08:00

Gab has suddenly become my super domestic helper. Everytime he manages to get pass the kitchen gate, he would zoom in straight for the magic clean wiper thingy. Being the typical mummy, I would always snatch it back from him (cos that thing is so dirty) and shoo him out of the kitchen. Poor boy... his kind efforts are not appreciated.

Perhaps I should give him a chance to prove himself useful in the kitchen one of these days....

2009-03-07T16:21:00.005+08:00

Gab and his new friend, Teddy...

which, according to Kwaychup can make guys look so gayish.

I suppose bears only make men look gayish. It doesn't apply to
boys. I mean, does Gab look gayish here?

Gab can now pose

and clap for the camera too.

New Vocab

2009-03-07T16:17:00.003+08:00

Gab's vocab has increased over the pst few weeks. Previously, he could only say 'ball'. Now he can say more complicated words like 'jie jie', 'uncle', 'aunty', 'apple' and even 'teddy'!

However, there is still no sight of familar words like 'mama', 'mummy', 'dada', or even 'daddy', which sounds soo close to teddy, which he can already say.

I'll be waiting... in the meantime, I'm gonna flood him with 'mama' by saying it to him all the time.

Rainbow Connection

2009-03-02T16:29:00.001+08:00

Why are there so many
Songs about rainbows
And what's on the other side
Rainbow's are visions
They're only illusions
And rainbows have nothing to hide
So we've been told and some chose to
Believe it
But I know they're wrong wait and see

Someday we'll find it
The Rainbow Connection
The lovers, the dreamers and me

Who said that every wish
Would be heard and answered
When wished on the morning star
Somebody thought of that
And someone believed it
And look what it's done so far
What's so amazing
That keeps us star gazing
What so we think we might see

Someday we'll find it
That Rainbow Connection
The lovers the dreamers and me

Have you been half asleep
And have you heard voices
I've heard them calling my name
Are these the sweet sounds that called
The young sailors
I think they're one and the same
I've heard it too many times to ignore it
There's something that I'm supposed to be

Someday we'll find it
The Rainbow Connection
The lovers, the dreamers and me

Results out

2009-02-27T11:51:00.004+08:00

My blood test results are out. All parameters are ok except again for the fact that my haemoglobin is still lower than norm (but higher compared to the 1st blood test) and that I am anemic!

Then there is also this reading that indicates that one of the markers in my pancreas are just slightly higher than norm. I have to go to SGH in 2 weeks to get the specialist to hunt down the problem. Keep me in your prayers!

I certainly hope there's a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow
and the health checks would turn out well

Surprise!

2009-02-27T11:35:00.005+08:00

I had a "surprise" party last weekend. "Suprise" because I already knew that 2 of my friends were planning a party for me at my house. Haha.... We couldn't really get a venue outdoors cos of Gabriel, hence the decision was made for the party to be held at my place. I was supposed to leave the house at a certain time so that they could do the preparations.

Alas, it was raining at that said time and I was excused from going excusing myself. Hitches aside, I must say the organsiers did an excellent job. I had thought that only my sec school mates would be coming but no ....they managed to hook up with my mummy friends too!

Thank you Kwaychap and CFS for a job well done and all those who came. You gals made my day =)

Posing with Gabriel

who thinks that its his birthday

The big 3 0 !

2009-02-27T11:21:00.004+08:00

I'm 30! Gosh am I old... Am glad that I had a good 30 years and hope that He will continue to enrich me and bless me with many more 30 years to come.

Gab thinks that its his birthday again

Singing and clapping

Fascinated by the lighted candles

New Addition

2009-02-23T16:41:00.002+08:00

My mummy friends are having their second rounds.

3 of them are now preggies with No. 2!! And they'll all give birth this year! How exciting! I seriously doubt we'll be able to have any outdoor outings in future. We already can't seem to manage 5 now, what's with another 3 more?

Bad week

2009-02-16T15:36:00.002+08:00

Last week was bad for me.

I collected my blood test result from the GP and apparently its not that good a report. The doctor can't pinpoint why my haemoglobin and red cell counts are so low and thus I'll have to go for more tests this week to try to find out what's wrong inside me. I just hope I'll turn out well. Sigh.

Then, the upper management had to inform me that they're going to observe my lesson. I'm fine with it, but of all days, its gotta be on next Wed! Next wed's my big day and now I've got an observation to fuss over. Double sigh...

CNY

2009-01-28T17:39:00.005+08:00

Gab in his 'ang gong gong' ching chiong chang traditional costume and new shoes which we realised were getting kinda tight even before its opening ceremony!

His new clothes upclose... an aspiring model in the making...

Gab and his mummy in her equally red clothes. CNY's all about red!

Reunion Lunch

2009-01-28T17:30:00.003+08:00

CNY this year has been a busy affair for me, even right before the actual days. This picture was taken at a reunion lunch with my school mates. Being the only kiddy in that group, Gab was obviously the star there. Alas, he didn't really warm up to those aunties and kept sticking to me during the lunch. I think Gab needs more exposure next time...

2009-01-13T18:06:00.004+08:00

Is it artistic or what? Had wanted to take this picture cos Gab was (stuck) under the table trying to grab his balls but I guess he was too fast for me. He managed to find his way out before I could even snap.

Chinese New Year

2009-01-13T17:42:00.002+08:00

CNY's round the corner and I'm getting excited. Of all the festivals, I love CNY the most. Just think about the goodies, the smell of the gas from the steamboat, the new clothes and loud-but-mood-uplifting CNY songs!

Eversince I got married, I realised that CNY is not such a simple affair anymore. First there are gifts to buy for the families, then there are goodies that I'll have to stock up at home. I've also got to make sure everyone in the family gets some new clothes.. I'm pretty fine with that cos I get an excuse to shop =)

While I'm at shopping, I also purchase some new curtains, sheets or whatever I can get my hands on to add to the festive vibe. Oh! There's the compulsory packing of ang baos too (I like the smell of new notes).

I don't understand why some people my age hate CNY. It's a time to revisit my roots and strengthen our bonds with our families and friends. It's tiring no doubt but I won't exchange all these even for an all expense paid trip overseas.

Gab's new hobby

2009-01-06T16:22:00.001+08:00

Gabriel learns to walk

2009-01-06T15:55:00.003+08:00

Gabriel is finally able to take some steps now... It's the start of my headaches!

2009... Here we come!

2008-12-31T13:01:00.002+08:00

A few more hours to the new year... it's time to set some new year resolutions...

1) Eat more fruits
2) Exercise regularly
3) Pray more
4) Teach with more love and patience

Sounds simple enough. Hope I'll be able to achieve them, esp #4.

Bintan Trip

2008-12-18T22:10:00.008+08:00

I'm back from Bintan! Finally a decent trip out of the country since my pregnancy =)
My darling son was even more excited. I'm sure he had a very good time but I wonder if I should include him in my future trips. Somehow I seemed like the 'Maria' the whole time I was there...

Views from my room balcony

A not-so-perfect family picture... The timer went off before we could position ourselves! And Gabriel was struggling to break free and crawl forward to grab the camera!

Almost like Christmas already

And this is how I've got to get Gab to nap when I was there. I had to become his human 'sarong', walk around the hotel lobby till his eyes get droopy, then find somewhere to sit down, hum to him and pat his backside till he finally sleeps! This is so not fun!

Merry Christmas from Gabriel

2008-12-18T22:04:00.001+08:00

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Chilly December

2008-12-09T14:39:00.003+08:00

Eversince Gab went on formula milk, his immunity seemed to have dropped too. He's often sniffing or coughing every 3-4 weeks and medication has formed a certain percentage of his diet. It doesn't help that December is extra chilly and most places have their aircons on at full blast. Now I'm seriously contemplating some vitamins for him to build up his resistance. Not sure if it'll help but I guess its worth a try...

Birthday

2008-11-21T23:42:00.005+08:00

Gab's birthday came and went. Thank God that he was fully recovered by Thurday and we could enjoy a nice dinner out. Brought him to Vivo City to enjoy the Christmas lightings as well.

Am grateful for the year that just passed. Gabriel has brought much joy (and agony) into my life. Now I'm charged up and look forward to more challenges from now till the next birthday.

A birthday card from his pediatrician!

Seems to know that it's his birthday and smiling so happily.

His latest act cute pose

Fever, fever

2008-11-19T09:51:00.004+08:00

babies, night, high fever, thermometer, medicine

What's the relation among the words? Gab's fever has yet to subside. It went off and came on again all through last night till now. What's wrong? I've got a blood test planned for him if it still refuses to go away by tomorrow.

It's getting hot!

2008-11-18T16:34:00.002+08:00

Monday was a terrible day for me. Gab suddenly developed a fever that simply would not go away. By the afternoon, he was about 38.8 deg C. Fortunately it went down slightly to something more manageable by the night. Or so I thought....

He started to hit 38.8 dec C again at about 9/10 plus and his whole body was really really warm. I heard stories about how dangerous high fevers could be to infants and was bascially a 'gan cheong' spider the whole time. One minute I was trying to sponge him, the other I was sticking the thermometers into his ears and pits. I'm not quite sure how accurate the readings were but I just did not get a consistent reading the whole time. (This added further stress to the situation) Sigh. And all The Husband could say was, "We'll monitor the sitation."

What's this thing with men? Am I over reacting?

Finally at 2am, his temperature rose to 39.5 deg C. Again I didn't know how accurate it was but somehow Gab's body just felt even warmer that before. I finally frightened The Husband enough for him to decide that we HAD to do something. So we sped off to KKH in the wee hours of the night.

The thing about hospitals is that it must have a scary effect on everyone. The moment we reached there, Gab's temp went down to 37.6 deg C and he was pretty much his usual self. Finally the Dr concluded it was some viral fever and after all the scare and 'adventure', Gab's current temperature is back to normal again. And all he was given was the paracetamol which I had been feeding him!

I just had to spend that $80 to buy that piece of mind.

Almost 1

2008-11-16T22:11:00.007+08:00

Gabriel is almost 1 year old. In just 4 more days, my son will become a BIG boy. Celebrated his birthday this weekend with batches of people... cell members, his family, my family... Tiring but I think Gab enjoyed himself. He seemed to be enjoying all the attention.

THE cake with 1 candle

Another one for the family album

Huffing and puffing but still can't blow out that lone candle

Needing some help from Grace and Isaac to blow it out finally

Under the weather

2008-11-15T09:08:00.002+08:00

The weather lately has gone bonkers. The sun would be blazing one minute and raining the next! All those hot and cold has somewhat caused my system to go all haywire too. Still trying to nurse a flu and now am having some body aches. I can almost feel a fever coming in soon... Sigh.

More Baby Friends

2008-11-12T17:45:00.002+08:00

Isaac, Gabriel, Joy and Grace

These are the other baby friends that Gab hangs out with practically every week in church.

Baby Friends

2008-11-01T13:08:00.003+08:00

It has been a long time since all the boys last met. It's been very tough trying to fit everyone's busy schedule. Something hit us yesterday and we all agreed to go for a morning walk at the Botanics this morning. Very rare occurance I must say, cos the plan was only conceptualised last evening.

Anyway, it certainly must have been a rare occurance cos it started to rain at 5+ in the morning and it just wouldn't stop! So much for talking a walk in the park!

The boys then congregated at Kayden's place. Quite an interesting sigh for those observing them... Zachary was busying himself with the platform, Mikel was trying to moisturise Uncle Eugene's shirt and the speakers, Gabriel was busy throwing balls, Kayden was busying himself with whatever toys there were. Only Ernest was the most obedient... sitting there watching the zoo...

I can't imagine the sight the next time we meet. The boys are just getting more and more mobile! Plus the 2 more pakages coming in April and May... The forecast so far hasn't been good. More of the male species coming up! It's really gonna be even more chaotic then!

My virgin 10km run

2008-10-27T10:50:00.003+08:00

What an opt title. I dun think I've ever ventured beyond 4 km. I never trained and 'garang-ly' went for the GE Woman's Run yesterday.

It was quite an experience though. Think my biggest enemy was myself cos I just don't have the will power. I'll tell myself, "I'll run to that tree/building then take a rest" but I ALWAYS end start my break earlier! Thus, I ended up brisk walking 1/2 the route. Tsk tsk.

Oh well, I still managed to complete the race in 1 piece and could make it home and resume my role as the slave to my son the moment I stepped into the house. For that, I think I've done well.

As for future races, I might have to think twice.

Photogenic Contest

2008-10-21T14:04:00.006+08:00

I'm going to let Gabriel take part in a baby photogenic contest. It's not a contest per se. The requirement is to just send in a photo and I'll stand a chance to win a free studio photography shot.

Have always been wanting to bring Gab for some professional photography session but its kinda expensive. Hence to increse Gab's chance of realising my dreams, I've shortlisted some photos.

My dear friends out there... please take a vote as to which picture I should send it. Thanks!

Allo, anyone there?

Swimming in the pool

Mikel's Party

Peek a Boo!

Quick! I need to submit the photo by the end of this month!

Mr Busy

2008-10-17T18:14:00.002+08:00

This is what Gab has been up to recently...

2008-10-17T18:00:00.005+08:00

Brough Gab for his 2nd professional hair cut this week. The 1st time wasn't really counted as he was shaved bald then. The other hair cuts he had in between were managed by yours truely. Anyway, I decided to bring him to the barber to see what miracles they could do to his 'gong ji tou'. (Gab only has that few strands in the middle!)

I must say Gab was really well behaved there. He sat on his own and didn't kick up a fuss like most kids would. Most of the times, he was just looking around at the unfamilar surroundings, turning his head left and right. Because of that, he needed extra help in keeping still.

Judging from the end product, I think I can do as good a job as the barber. I've decided to continue trimming my little Ken's hair in future and save the money for other stuff. Perhaps I need to invest in one of those hair shavers soon =)

Looking around curiously at the shop

then at this funny green piece of cloth around him.

Some assistance to keep still

Cheese!

2008-10-10T17:41:00.004+08:00

Realised I don't have much shots of Gabriel and I together so decided to take some before he grows up and decides to take it with other girls instead! Was quite hard preventing him from crawling forward to grab the camera though... but I managed. Doesn't he look like me?!

A new bike

2008-10-10T17:30:00.003+08:00

Tomorrow is Joy's 1st birthday (Joy is Gab's another gf...) and the whole group of us had decided to buy her a tricycle. Went tricycle hunting at Kiddy Palace then the neighbourhood shop at AMK but couldn't find a decent pink one. Only saw loads of blue one and ended up buying one for Gab. He must be the lucky one cos he 'zhuan dao' one tricycle for nothing! And poor Joy, the birthday girl, is still tricycle-less! I need to buy one for her fast!

A new but extremely noisy tricycle!

Sunshine boy

2008-10-01T22:40:00.005+08:00

Brought Gabriel for an outing to East Coast Park today. Been there quite a few times but decided to try out cycling today. It was quite enjoyable on the whole, save for the many inexperienced roller bladers who seemed to hog the lanes... Gab enjoyed himself too... Only started whinning some time later... must be his bum bum getting sore from the ride!

Are we there yet?

Waiting patiently while I take a rest...

and his silly Daddy to finish his ice-cream!

听妈妈的话

2008-10-01T00:23:00.002+08:00

How appropriate... will play this song for Gab when he is old enough. Hopefully he'll be brainwashed and be an obedient boy... Haha!

小朋友　你是否有很多問號　為什麼

Little children, do you have a lot of questions, why

別人在那看漫畫　我卻在學畫畫　對著鋼琴說話
When other kids are reading manga, I am learning to draw and learning to communicate with the piano

別人在玩遊戲　我卻靠在牆壁背我的ABC
When other kids are playing games, I am leaning on the wall memorizing my ABCs

我說我要一台大大的飛機　我卻得到一台舊舊錄音機
I said that I wanted a large airplane, but I got an old recorder

為什麼　要聽媽媽的話　長大後你就會開始懂得這種話
Why should I listen to mother's words? When you grow up you will understand what I am saying

長大後我開始明白　為什麼我跑的比別人快　飛的比別人高
After I got older I started to realize why I run faster than others and fly further than other people

將來大家看的都是我畫的漫畫　大家唱的都是　我寫的歌
In the future, people will be reading my mangas and all the songs they sing will be written by me

媽媽的辛苦　不讓你看見　溫暖的食譜在她心裡面
Mother's hard work isn't seen by others. She knows the warm recipe by heart

有空就多多握握她的手　把手牽著一起夢遊
When you have time, hold her hand and sleep dream together

聽媽媽的話　別讓她受傷　想快快長大　才能保護她
Listen to mother's words, don't let her get hurt. You want to grow up quickly so you can take care of her

美麗的白髮　幸福中發芽　天使的魔法　溫暖中慈祥
Beautiful white hair, growing inside happiness. Angel's magic benevolence within (her) gentleness

在你的未來　音樂是你的王牌　拿王牌談個戀愛
In your future, music is your key to success, use it to get into a relationship

唉　我不想把你教壞　還是聽媽媽的話吧　晚點在戀愛吧
Sigh, I don't want to teach you to be a bad kid. Why don't you listen to what your mother says and get in a relationship later

我知道你未來的路　當媽比我更清楚
I know your future path, but your mother knows it even better

你會開始學其他同學在書包寫東寫西
You will start imitating friends and write things on your backpack

但我建議你最好寫　媽媽我會用功讀書
But I suggest you better write: Mom I will put in my best effort to learn

用功讀書　怎麼會從我嘴巴說出
I will study hard, how does that come from my mouth?

不想你輸所以要教你　用功讀書
I need to teach you because I don't want you to lose. Study hard

媽媽織給你的毛衣　你要好好收著
The sweater mother gave you, you have to keep it safe

因為母親節到時我要告訴她　我還留著
Because on Mother's Day, I want to tell her, I still have it

對了　我會遇到了周潤發
Oh yea, I will meet Zhou Run Fa*

所以你可以跟同學炫耀　賭神未來是你爸爸
So you can show off to your friends, "The God of Gambling will be your father"

我找不到童年寫的情書　你寫完不要送人
I can't find the childhood love letter. Don't give it away after you write it

因為過兩天你會在操場上撿到
Because you will find it on the playground two days later

你會開始喜歡上流行歌　因為張學友開始準備唱吻別
You will start to like pop music because Jacky Cheung is about to sing Kiss Goodbye*

聽媽媽的話　別讓她受傷　想快快長大　才能保護她
Listen to mother's words, don't let her get hurt. You want to grow up quickly so you can take care of her and protect her

Mikel's Birthday Party

2008-09-14T23:12:00.004+08:00

It's not Gabriel's birthday yet but I guess there's harm getting him rehearsed and geared up for his own big day with the party hat, balloon (floating above him on the string tie to his shirt) and all... Only big problem is that Gab's parents are not really keen on a birthday party for him this year. So boy, you've got to pretend its your birthday k! We'll save it for your 21st!

For memory sake

2008-09-14T22:58:00.007+08:00

In case you start having wild thoughts, the answer is NO. I'm not pregnant... I'm just scanning these ultrasound pictures of Gabriel before it fades away. (Yes, mummies.. they do fade away after some time)

Gab at 6 weeks

Gab at 10 weeks

Gab at 13 weeks

Gab at about 17 weeks

Gab at about the early 20s week

These are all I have of Gab. Just 5 shots. Somehow my gynae didn't take anymore as I grew bigger. I guess Gab couldn't fit into 1 shot, that's why. I also don't have any 3D scans of Gab cos he is camera shy and would was always be in the wrong position.

DIET!

2008-09-02T08:33:00.003+08:00

I've decided to go on a diet! Yes! D-I-E-T!

Almost fell backwards when I saw the weighing scales yesterday. Oh man! How come the number has increased (exponentially) ?! Hopefully with the 2 more wedding dinners and 1 planned buffet coming up, I can still shed some pounds. Haha!

I also need to start running again. It kinda died a natural death after my sudden burst of vigor the other time... I've got 1.5 mths to train for the GE run. Kinda regret signing up for the 10k run now. Shld have started slow with 5k instead. At least I am sure I can complete that in 1 piece with a decent timing. With the 10k one, I am not sure how long I'll take and in how many pieces I would return in at the end line.

Mega sigh!!

Operation Cookie - Abolished

2008-09-02T08:27:00.003+08:00

Went shopping (not exactly shopping.. It's difficult to shop when you have a baby and husband in tow) yesterday and saw the Cookie Monster shoe up close. Looks good =)

Unfortunately, the smallest size seems 1.5 times too big for Gab and I think I would have to keep it for some years before he can finally wear it. Perhaps by then, parts of the shoe would peel etc. Sigh...

Hence, I've come to a difficult and painful decision to abolish operation cookie. Thanks Aunty Kwaychup and CFS for wanting to buy it. You gals better not buy it now. It's gonna be a bad decision. =)

I finally done it!

2008-08-26T12:57:00.001+08:00

I've finally pumped the air into my car tyres!

Yes yes, call me an idiot but other than driving my little car around, there's really nothing else I know about it. Even when I go to the petrol kiosk, I just get the attendant to fill the petrol up for me. I mean what's so difficult about saying 'Uncle, 95 full tank' ?

So I finally decided that I will not depend on The Husband on the tyres anymore and I did it on my own just now. So proud of myself (Pats self on the back!) Well done!

Now, I've got to learn to pump in the petrol next =)

Almost 9 months

2008-08-19T22:10:00.004+08:00

Gab's one day short of being 9 months old. Time flies and I found myself smiling as I recollect on his growth. I'm just amazed with the things he has learnt these few months.

- I can safely say he can recognise me and will flash his mega-watt smile when I pick him up from the nanny's every evening.
- He is starting to make noises and is trying to engage in a conversation at times.
- He doesn't really like to be left alone and would want company all the time.
- He is a junkie and seems to enjoy his biscuits lots.
- He is getting harder to feed and needs some 'entertainment' (either from me or the TV) during his meal times.
- He is starting to be a challenge to put into bed at night. He is always resisting his tiredness and will be having a mini gym work-out session (struggling with me) on the bed each night.
- He is learning to stand on his own feet now.
- He likes music and seems to be able to tap his feet according to the rhythm.

I can't wait for him to learn to call me Mummy and be able to walk! Then I can finally bring him to the zoo...

C is for cookie

2008-08-17T22:44:00.003+08:00

(Picture courtesy of http://www.nbwebexpress.com/detail.asp?style=KJ574COI)

I've been beo-ing this pair of shoes for a few weeks now. Sesame street shoes by New Balance. It's sooooooo cute!! Only thing is that it's kinda expensive and I know I won't spend that kind of money on a pair of shoes which Gab would probably outgrow in a matter of months.

Alas, I'm still thinking about the pair of shoes... Hee hee.. Aunty Kwaychup and gang, Gab's birthday and Christmas is coming up in the next few months! I'll prepare a 'Gabriel Mummy's Wishlist' soon!

Perhaps, I'll find joy in tearing of gift wrappers again =)

Torticollis

2008-08-14T12:01:00.007+08:00

Torticollis = tilted neck... Gab has been tilting his neck to one side for a looong time now. (Study accompanying photograph). We had dismissed it as a passing stage thing but he seems to be more and more tilted now. The PD could take it no more and commanded us to bring him to a physio for some 'correction' to be made.

Don't think Gab will be in for any fun as according to my PD, the physio will twist and turn his neck by force (ouch!) and babies will surely cry. I can already imagine myself cringing at that sight.

Sigh.. No pain no gain. I wouldn't want Gab to be tilted to one side forever. Hope the treatment will work.

Baby Tamagotchi

2008-08-09T10:50:00.003+08:00

The more Gab grows, the more I feel like I'm handling a Tamagotchi... one that demands to be fed and played with ALL the time. Also one to be cleaned up after each pooh.

My boy is growing to be a mischievous one. Even the babysitter complains about how naughty he can be.. and this boy is only 8 mths +. Sigh sigh. After every weekend, I feel like I'm zapped of all my energy. I can't even do any work on weekends now!!

To quote my mom, Gab HAS to have his baby TV when he eats and his baby music when he is in the car. He is truely a Tamagotchi King.

Play barber

2008-08-02T10:18:00.002+08:00

When I was a child, I used to play hairdresser to my Barbie dolls. I'll wash their long hair and then cut them. Of course I was never good at it cos I was only a child and my hands weren't steady enough. So Barbie's just got shorter and shorter as I tried to balance the cut on both sides.

Fastforward twenty years later... now I've progressed to be a barber cutting my little Ken's hair. Though this Ken has got rather little hair, it still grows, especially at the sides. I had a rather fun time last week cutting his hair. Unlike most other children, little Ken was glued to the TV and allowed me to churn out whatever styles I wanted on him.

His fate however, was somewhat similar to Barbie. His hair just got shorter and shorter as I tried my darnest best to level it up. Haha. It's not that glamourous looking now but I guess I'll get better after more practise.

Public display of affection

2008-07-24T13:36:00.002+08:00

I was terribly shocked as I pushed Gab for a walk around the neighbourhood yesterday. A little girl, aged about 2, came running forward, screaming “Baby!” Before I could even react, she was already touching and hugging my boy! And she was almost about to kiss Gab when her mother pulled her away. Tsk tsk… Girls these days… aren’t they a little too warm?

Alas, my son seemed to enjoy all the sudden affection and he was cooing away happily!!

Swimming

2008-07-13T18:54:00.003+08:00

After talking about it for sooo long, I finally brought Gabriel to the pool today. This little man enjoyed himself so much that I think swimming will be a regular affair from now. (I hope so...)

Humpty Dumpty

2008-07-04T09:14:00.002+08:00

Gabriel had his first fall yesterday... from the bed. Those who had seen my recent bed purchase would know that my bed is very high!!

I thought that he was alseep and sneaked off for a shower. As I was about done, I heard a loud thud. Wah I tell you, my heart was in my mouth that minute. I rushed out and saw my little Humpty Dumpty on the floor. The poor boy wailed his lungs out and I just feel so so bad for leaving him alone. Sigh!

Lesson learnt: Never leave a child unattended on the bed, whether he is alseep or not. Now I've got to monitor him closely over the next few days for signs of trauma.

Not taking SHAPE

2008-06-28T10:04:00.002+08:00

School's started and I'm back to my wormy state. Feeling so tired everyday that I fall alseep with Gabriel at 9 plus on most nights. I really have to overcome the sloth in me and start to buck up!! Because of that, I've been too tired to run...

Anyway, I read from somewhere that the vacancies for the SHAPE run has all been taken up.. so that plan has got to be put on hold ladies...

How about the Nike Run instead?

Fat and Fit

2008-06-16T22:16:00.002+08:00

The difference between fat and fit is just one letter...

The Husband is an avid runner and had recently completed a marathon. His running bug must have caught on me. I've decided to do something about my life and taken his challenge to take part in a 10km run in October!! Yes yes! 10 km... doesn't sound like that much a distance (not 21 or 42 km!) but still... it has been a long long time since I ran. Since pregnancy to be precise.

So, I put on my dusty running shoes today and ran and ran like a professional runner / Forrest Gump. Took me about 40 minutes before I was satisified with my accomplishment only to be told by The Husband that my route was only 1km ++ !!!!

How can it be?! It's a big big loop around the empty fields at my place. I think one round must have been at least 2 km. And I ran 1.5 times of that! Now I feel so short-changed. I'm gonna use my car to estimate the distance tomorrow!!

Anyway, anyone interested to run the Great Eastern women's run with me? Running alone is lonely...

Girlfriend

2008-06-12T22:01:00.004+08:00

Having mixed too much with the boys, I decided to introduce Gabriel to a girlfriend today.

Strangers at first... You sit at your side, I'll sit at mine!

Getting warmed up...Both of them inching closer to each other.

Gab totally head over heels in love with Megan! Haha!

If you don't know, you've to learn!

2008-06-12T21:44:00.003+08:00

That's sort of sums up the gist of what my MIL told me last Sunday when I visited.

I was telling her that the reason why Gabriel is taking brown rice is because I didn't know how to cook baby porridge. Haaa. You must be there to see the disapproving look on her face. Tsk tsk. Then she went on about how 'heaty' brown rice is and how it must have attributed to his hard stools recently (It's not that hard actually, it's just harder than what it used to be!)

When it was meal time, I gladly offered my son to her for feeding (thought she might want some bonding time... my mom simply loves to feed messy little man). Then my big mouth said how I hated to feed him cos he ends up being so dirty blah blah. Then again, the look on her face appeared again! Hahaha!

So, it order not to appear like an incompetent mother, I decided to cook baby porridge for Gab today. Tadaaaa!!!

It doesn't look and taste too bad! Most importantly, Gab enjoyed it!!! Now I'm gonna make sure I cook something like that and show it to her the next time I go over to my MIL's.

Disclaimer: My MIL is a nice lady and I get along perfectly fine with her. She's probably too anxious over her grandson more than picking on me =)

I'm a tai tai wanna-be

2008-06-07T23:48:00.003+08:00

I just love the holidays... That's when I can live and behave like a tai tai wanna-be (but only between 10am to 6pm).

You see, that's when Gab is at the babysitter's and I am free to do anything I want. The past week had been good. Had a massage, hair cut, shopping and drinking! Next week's going to be good too... my schedule's already rather packed. So many things to do / people to meet but so little time! ~Hai~

Needless to say, the $$ is also being spent like water during this period of time. But heck it! I only have 1.5 weeks more of being a fake tai tai before school starts again!

Feeding updates

2008-06-02T16:03:00.004+08:00

Gab's graduated from rice cereals to brown rice. Had wanted to cook white porridge initially but his mummy doesn't really how know to cook porridge to the mushy extent, so decided to cook brown rice powder instead. I think he's taking it quite well though I think he much prefers cold porridge.

However, Gab hates apples! I've wasted all my time with the apple puree and all he does is to spit it out or give a very 'tong ku' face when I attempt to feed him.. Hai!

Gonna try papaya later. Hope he takes a liking to it.

2008-06-02T16:02:00.002+08:00

Forcing it in even though he's quite had enough. Don't waste all my efforts!

2008-06-02T16:00:00.002+08:00

See how messy Gab has become?

2008-06-02T15:58:00.002+08:00

Gab's sweetest smile for the camera

New toy

2008-05-26T20:21:00.000+08:00

What do we do on a lazy Sunday afternoon? We take lots of photos of Gabriel in his new toy! Haha...

2008-05-26T20:20:00.002+08:00

Who says I'm a little boy?

2008-05-26T20:19:00.002+08:00

Now I'm big! I can do magic!!

2008-05-26T20:18:00.002+08:00

Dreaming about ???

2008-05-26T20:16:00.003+08:00

Totally bored

2008-05-26T20:14:00.002+08:00

Reaching out to grab my camera

A cranky baby is an angry baby

2008-05-22T21:51:00.003+08:00

Had another mummies and babies day out today. Gabriel was very well-behaved till we were in the car on the way home. 5 minutes into our journey, he starting fussing and it soon developed into loud angry cries.

It was 15 minutes past feeding time. 15 minutes only. I thought I could last all the way home. But the cries just got louder. I had no choice but to exit at AMK from the expressway and hit the nearest carpark to hit the hungry baby his dinner.

It didn't stop there. The moment I put him back into his car seat after his feed, he started to cry again! Hmm. I thought I must have been too quick to leave him for the driver's seat... so I comforted him and played with him in the car for a while till he was happy before I tried again, this time with the pacifier dumped into his mouth.

Nah! It didn't last long either. The moment my car turned out from the car park, he started to cry again. And cry did he all the way from AMK to Woodlands. My poor baby was really crying and not just seeking attention as he usually did.

And guess what? All this %&!)$ cars just had to travel at 80km/h on the first lane! Such inconsiderate pigs! I was sooo frustrated with the crying and the drivers that I did something I wouldn't normally do... I high-beamed them! Haha!

Ai yo... Gabriel's cries just got worse by the minute that I didn't even bother parking at the car park. I did an illegal park and dashed to the back seat to soothe him. Seeing him cry like that made me feel sooo bad!

Lesson learnt: It's better to be home in time for bed. It's not fun handling a cranky baby while you're driving!

Real food

2008-05-18T11:32:00.003+08:00

Gabriel's graduated from just drinking milk. He was recently started on rice cereal and have since been giving him carrots. More of such food coming up on my menu... potatoes, peas, pumpkin. Am also going to let him have some banana later to aid his bowel. It has been harder since going on semi-solids. Haha...

The only flip side is that he can get really messy with the feeding. He will use his hands to rub his mouth, eyes and face! I've never seen a more dirty boy than him!

What is a Friend?

2008-05-18T11:19:00.001+08:00

40 years down the road

2008-05-15T16:15:00.002+08:00

As I was walking at the void deck just now, I saw 2 ah peks sitting at those stone benches looking so frail and lonely. It set me thinking about my own fate 40 years down the road. I wonder if I'll be like them too. I think I'm kinda frightening myself too much.

I've got great plans to be as independent as I can be after I retire. Maybe I'll travel extensively? Maybe I'll stay home to look after my grandkids? Maybe I'll do some volunteer work? Of course, these are all subjected to being financially sound and most importantly being healthy enough. Sigh.

Only time will tell what lies ahead. In the meantime, let tomorrow worry about itself.

Sarong baby

2008-05-12T16:50:00.004+08:00

Gabriel looks so peaceful here in his sarong carrier... He was asleep for the whole 2 hrs that we went shopping yesterday. My shoulder almost broke from lugging him around!

2008-05-12T16:46:00.002+08:00

Bears are for girls...

2008-05-12T16:43:00.005+08:00

Gabriel decides that Winnie is not manly enough for him and decides to eat him up!

Brudder-hood

2008-05-08T17:45:00.002+08:00

Got the following pictures from Amelia's facebook... The boys are just so adorable that I must share them with the others. Now all 5 boys are in, waiting for the princess to be born.

2008-05-08T17:43:00.001+08:00

Mikel and Gabriel... no prize for guessing who is the heavier one...

2008-05-08T17:41:00.000+08:00

Zachary and Mikel bullying Gabriel and caught in the act! Naughty boys!

2008-05-08T17:39:00.001+08:00

Presenting the boys... Zachary (11 mths ++), Kayden (4 mths +), Mikel (7 mths +), Gabriel (5 mths +) and Ernest (0 mth+)

Deal or no deal?

2008-05-03T10:40:00.003+08:00

I'm feeling extremely grouchy and upset now. Was supposed to go out for some personal time last night but The Husband beat me to it and informed via sms that he already had dinner plans with his friends. Nevermind, I thought. There is still Saturday.

Then, he sms-ed me again informing that his dinner date has been postponed to Saturday and will be playing mahjong at home instead. There goes all my plans for the weekend lah!

It's not that I do not enjoy Gab's company but I think it's quite a necessity to chill out with my friends once in a while. Work this week has been madness and so far, the only relaxing time I have is 15 minutes daily when I'm in the bathe.

Do I really have to wait till Gabriel is more mobile before I can have my treasured personal time?

Holiday no more

2008-04-29T18:32:00.003+08:00

My short get-away during the coming June holidays has been washed down the lokang. The budget air called to inform that their flight no longer fly to my destination!!! First it was the Mauritius trip last June and now this trip... I wonder when I'll eventually get a 'chop' on my passport. It must be growing mould in the drawer!

Sigh sigh... might as well since there is no suitable candidate to babysit Gab if we're gone.

What a sacrifice!

Stranger danger

2008-04-20T16:11:00.003+08:00

Gab is starting to recognise faces. We were out yesterday and he just started crying out of the blue. Didn't happen once but twice.

And when we go to my in-laws' place, he'll cry when he sees his aunts and uncles too. Sigh sigh.

I'm going for a short trip without Gab in June and this is going to pose such a big problem if I leave him with his grandmother's. I think I need to bring him out more often. More importantly, I need to get him more acquainted with his Granny.

5th month

2008-04-19T23:46:00.004+08:00

It's always the same kind of shoots so I decided to try something different by adding some 'props'.

Gabriel looks so 'mian qiang' here... trying to humour me by letting me snap some photos of him and Winnie.

Can he or can he not flip?

2008-04-14T15:45:00.003+08:00

According to the babysitter, Gabriel can flip over. However, after observing for several days, he doesn't seem to be able to flip on his own.

Provided he is in the mood and has enough energy to overcome his heavy bottom, Gab can flip over --> on condition that I give him the initial push. Otherwise, he's very much happy sucking his thumbs.

I think I've got a lazy son...

There is no time!

2008-04-14T15:39:00.002+08:00

I've been sick lately... been to the Doc's 3x in 2 weeks due to this thing called the 'respiratory tract infection' -- > sounds cheem but its basically a swollen throat, then a loss of voice and now a terribily itchy throat which leads to a lot of coughing.

The worst part of my illness was the loss of voice part. I sounded so bad that The Husband referred me as the Big Bad Wolf in front of Gabriel. How mean can he get?!

Anyway, I just looked at my calendar... just 2 more weeks to exams.. Still soooooooo many things to teach and complete. I can't afford to be on medical leave anymore. I must get well soon!!

Oh man! This is stressful! I'm gonna drop more hair!

Botak Mummy

2008-04-06T12:42:00.002+08:00

I shedding hair!! Not just dropping but it just seems more serious than that. Shed's the word.

Every morning, there is just so many strands of it on the bed. And when I run my fingers through my head, more comes out.

It's even worse when I wash it. The whole drainage cover just seems to be blocked by strands and strands of hair.

I wonder if I'll look like my botak boy soon...

I'm famous!

2008-04-06T12:33:00.002+08:00

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He looks like me!

2008-03-21T16:13:00.005+08:00

This is a picture of Gabriel....

This is a picture of me...

Who says Gabriel looks like The Husband?! I think he looks like me when I was little... Haha...