Love public holidays - Sito is around! :)
The day started wonderfully with ZK's cheerful coo-ing waking me just before 7 am. We didn't manage to have a little family lunch - more of an extended family lunch instead - but we had a little family nap and some couple time with takeaway from downstairs after the little one was tucked into bed.
I didn't realise beforehand that having a little one means expanding the family not by one but by n, hoho! So recently, we fix Sunday to have lunch with the extended family so that everyone can spend some time with the little precious (and the big one too!), which is similar to what I had as a child - we used to visit the two sets of grandparents on alternate Sundays. Just as well since Mum cooks on Sundays - we thought it's nice to remove the stress of traveling on Sundays. (For those who don't know, my in-laws live right across the road from us - do I hear gasps of shock or glimpse nods of approval? Haha!) That's why the clan is celebrating Sito's birthday at Jumbo this Saturday instead of Sunday, the actual day.
As for dinner, well, we had pizza and McDelivery (on separate occasions!) a few Sundays ago. Those were very nice couple times, just sitting in front of the TV with our food and each other's company :) So we've decided to stay in for dinner on Sundays to get more rest before work the next day - can try all the food delivery options haha! Must find something nice this Sunday - the wife is celebrating the husband's birthday! :)
So we're slowly getting into some family routine. Weekdays are usually mama and son time as Sito is often overseas. If he's not, he's back only after ZK has gone to bed and spends more time with his laptop than with his wife, bleah!
Saturdays are best for our little family lunch, and if we feel up to it, dinner outside or with the extended family for special occasions. And we tend to schedule the occasional meet-ups with friends on Saturdays.
Seems like we often have to steal time for some 二人世界 but I'm already very grateful that it's been possible at all, amid his work, baby demands and family obligations. And now that we think about it, Evanston was a great time for the two of us. Else, how to have time and privacy to make ZK? :p (which brings to question how we are going to make the next little one... Let's think about that next year...)
But of course we don't hiam little ZK in our life! He's a wonderful addition and turns this married couple into a little family. Now he's still tiny and can't really interact much with us but when he's bigger, we can have some nice 三人世界 before the next little one comes along :)
Sito has a few days of enforced leave at the end of the year. We were thinking of going somewhere. Wouldn't it be nice to bring ZK overseas for the first time? I was pretty excited by the prospect of a little family holiday. But ZK would be settling into infant care at that time, just before I start work. It could be a nightmare if we disrupt his routine then!! So, oh well, no ringfenced 三人世界 then.. We'll bring ZK out another time when he's more settled. But we're making plans for 二人世界 while ZK is in infant care during his enforced leave! Lunch dates, movie dates, shopping trips, and even a trip to the dentist! Life is good :)
Tuesday, 13 November 2012
Wednesday, 7 November 2012
返朴归真
Had too much junk today. Don't know why, can't stop eating. Maybe my mouth is trying to compensate itself for the past couple of weeks of ulcer misfortune.. I'm now thinking about the Sara Lee chocolate cake in the freezer but I shouldn't as I've had a chocolate cupcake from Delifrance this afternoon, among others...
Bought the Sara Lee a few weeks ago after lusting after it for some months. It used to be a great treat in childhood even though it didn't (and still doesn't) have cream like birthday cakes. But now, 20 plus years later, Sara Lee failed to bring that "great treat" feeling.
It used to be so easy to be over the moon - ice kacang, rojak, the flat white floury cake/bread, some 猫猫 brand ice cream. A simple pandan chiffon cake could also be a birthday cake. Sara Lee was actually a very upmarket treat, the kind that made all of us kids gather around Mother, waiting anxiously for that one slice of heaven.
Now, access to better options has robbed me of that simple joy. I always choose super rich chocolate gateau over the good old sponge cake. I always prefer B&J or equivalent to Paddle Pop or King's. I no longer eat cheap chocolate. And kids of today may scream the house down if they don't get a fancy birthday cake in the shape of some purple dino.
But this Sara Lee thing is a call for me to 返朴归真, to rediscover the simple joys in life. Even though the first bite did not bring the expected euphoria, the excitement when buying it and the anticipation when cutting it were worth remembering for some time to come..
And maybe, it's time for me to go search for simple foods that made me happy as a child... Who needs 山珍海味?
(But no, I will still not eat cheap chocolate - don't get fat for nothing!)
Bought the Sara Lee a few weeks ago after lusting after it for some months. It used to be a great treat in childhood even though it didn't (and still doesn't) have cream like birthday cakes. But now, 20 plus years later, Sara Lee failed to bring that "great treat" feeling.
It used to be so easy to be over the moon - ice kacang, rojak, the flat white floury cake/bread, some 猫猫 brand ice cream. A simple pandan chiffon cake could also be a birthday cake. Sara Lee was actually a very upmarket treat, the kind that made all of us kids gather around Mother, waiting anxiously for that one slice of heaven.
Now, access to better options has robbed me of that simple joy. I always choose super rich chocolate gateau over the good old sponge cake. I always prefer B&J or equivalent to Paddle Pop or King's. I no longer eat cheap chocolate. And kids of today may scream the house down if they don't get a fancy birthday cake in the shape of some purple dino.
But this Sara Lee thing is a call for me to 返朴归真, to rediscover the simple joys in life. Even though the first bite did not bring the expected euphoria, the excitement when buying it and the anticipation when cutting it were worth remembering for some time to come..
And maybe, it's time for me to go search for simple foods that made me happy as a child... Who needs 山珍海味?
(But no, I will still not eat cheap chocolate - don't get fat for nothing!)
Tuesday, 6 November 2012
Like papa and mama, like son
His Royal Chubbiness is 6.97kg today! I must be getting stronger..I hope? :)
Was at the PD's today. Saw a different one as our usual had an emergency case. Second dose of the same vaccines a month ago. This time, he was asleep in my sling when the doc fed him the oral vaccine. He woke and cried as expected. The cries got louder with the two injections on his chubby thighs.
Asked the doc lots of questions as usual. When I mentioned that ZK makes chomping motions with his mouth whenever he watches me eat, he said I could introduce solids at five months if I wish, given his size *.* The best response yet was when I asked about ZK swiping his head and ears etc - babies have weird behaviour at this age! I like this doc :)
Very fast, ZK turns four months next week. But he doesn't look his age with his serious face and the mob of hair, both of which have invited comments - huh, only three months, so much hair, so big, so much hair!
I was telling XY who hasn't met ZK yet that he looks more like a toddler than a baby - chao lao! Then she said he must be like Sito who looked like 30 when he was 25! (But who has continued to look like 30 :p)
Now that I think about it, I was also chao lao - I have been looking like this since five!! *.* (But Sito says I still look like 25 hoho! 真会说话 :))
So well, dear ZK, you just won't look very baby-ish in your baby photos! Rest assured that you're still super cute :)
Was at the PD's today. Saw a different one as our usual had an emergency case. Second dose of the same vaccines a month ago. This time, he was asleep in my sling when the doc fed him the oral vaccine. He woke and cried as expected. The cries got louder with the two injections on his chubby thighs.
Asked the doc lots of questions as usual. When I mentioned that ZK makes chomping motions with his mouth whenever he watches me eat, he said I could introduce solids at five months if I wish, given his size *.* The best response yet was when I asked about ZK swiping his head and ears etc - babies have weird behaviour at this age! I like this doc :)
Very fast, ZK turns four months next week. But he doesn't look his age with his serious face and the mob of hair, both of which have invited comments - huh, only three months, so much hair, so big, so much hair!
I was telling XY who hasn't met ZK yet that he looks more like a toddler than a baby - chao lao! Then she said he must be like Sito who looked like 30 when he was 25! (But who has continued to look like 30 :p)
Now that I think about it, I was also chao lao - I have been looking like this since five!! *.* (But Sito says I still look like 25 hoho! 真会说话 :))
So well, dear ZK, you just won't look very baby-ish in your baby photos! Rest assured that you're still super cute :)
Monday, 5 November 2012
No shower today!
Cos our bathroom and toilet were just flooded with waterproofing chemical this morning... Just wiped myself down like a newborn *.* Lucky Sito is in JB this week..
Apparently, we have been leaking down to our neighbour's ceiling since early last year. They complained to HDB which sent technicians to check things out. The issue went quiet all of a sudden and we thought it was resolved but HDB contacted us again mid this year.
So they rectified some external seepage but required us to fix our floors too. The officer in charge came over in September to look see. I asked for a letter informing us formally of the issue, what to do, the costs involved, what happens if it doesn't get resolved etc.
The letter arrived more than a month later! With very little details! I tried many times to reach the guy for clarifications without success so I sent him a letter, which was lucky for me cos he had resigned! The new officer came to look see again, and clarified things.
Essentially, I could use their goodwill repair assistance scheme where HDB will pay 50% and both floors will pay 25% each. But that covers only the basics, meaning that all our fixtures like toilet bowl and vanity cabinet etc will be hacked off without replacement and the new tiles will be HDB tiles! I estimated some $3k in losses and replacement on top of "basics".
Another option is for me to engage my contractor to do the same - hacking - and settle with the neighbour privately about copayment. But surely downstairs wouldn't want to pay more than under the HDB scheme!
The last option is for me to use other methods. I managed to get a contact from HDB staff for chemical waterproofing, under repeated reminders that other methods were not endorsed by HDB. (HDB lets us decide so long as we fix the problem.) The work cost $650 with a one-year warranty. I googled and figured out that 25% under HDB would be about $300-$400.
So I asked my neighbour who agreed to copay - apparently HDB told them it would be about $300 - but if it leaks again after the warranty period, we have to refund and go with HDB. Fair enough. He said he preferred HDB contractor cos they would paint his ceiling - of course la but who is going to foot my additional bills?! Not like i wanted this to happen. I even offered to paint his ceiling myself when he said it wasn't fair to ask his maid to paint. But guess what, today, the maid told me she painted their whole house by herself! Um, that's fair??
Anyway so now we monitor. The top infusion method is supposed to be better than chemical injection at the lower floor. If all is good, I'll see if they still want me to paint. Just want to settle this before starting work..
Oh, but thankfully the toilet can be used! I was thinking of hiding out at Mum's place for the afternoon otherwise, which is tough for me on two counts.
First, Mum is overseas so I have no idea where the mesh cradle is, which means there's no safe place to put ZK down except the floor - not keen since the floor hasn't been cleaned since Mum left a week ago! It would also be more difficult to settle ZK for naps as I have been lying next to him to settle him and I would feel very imposing if I were to lie on another person's bed.
The other difficulty is that, I feel like I would be trespassing, even with permission! Yes, Mum gave us a key but I've always let Sito use it. We talked about this before - Sito said maybe it's more ok for him as it's like going home like last time. Then I told him that Mother let me keep my old keys when I wanted to return it after moving out, but I never use it; I still knock when I go over even though I lived there for almost 30 years. So no, I just feel weird letting myself in somewhere I don't or no longer live in.
Anyway, long story is over. Now I should sleep before ZK wakes for a feed again.. I just fed him before writing this - he woke less than two hours after I settled him for the night. I told Sito that his son likes to bully me; he slept so well over the weekend when papa was home!!
Update 25 Oct 2016
It's been some years and so far, no complaints from my neighbours :) I've replied to earlier comments via email as I only have the guy's mobile number so I'm hesitant to post publicly. BUT! I just found the company website - here you go: winborne.com.sg. You're most welcome :)
Apparently, we have been leaking down to our neighbour's ceiling since early last year. They complained to HDB which sent technicians to check things out. The issue went quiet all of a sudden and we thought it was resolved but HDB contacted us again mid this year.
So they rectified some external seepage but required us to fix our floors too. The officer in charge came over in September to look see. I asked for a letter informing us formally of the issue, what to do, the costs involved, what happens if it doesn't get resolved etc.
The letter arrived more than a month later! With very little details! I tried many times to reach the guy for clarifications without success so I sent him a letter, which was lucky for me cos he had resigned! The new officer came to look see again, and clarified things.
Essentially, I could use their goodwill repair assistance scheme where HDB will pay 50% and both floors will pay 25% each. But that covers only the basics, meaning that all our fixtures like toilet bowl and vanity cabinet etc will be hacked off without replacement and the new tiles will be HDB tiles! I estimated some $3k in losses and replacement on top of "basics".
Another option is for me to engage my contractor to do the same - hacking - and settle with the neighbour privately about copayment. But surely downstairs wouldn't want to pay more than under the HDB scheme!
The last option is for me to use other methods. I managed to get a contact from HDB staff for chemical waterproofing, under repeated reminders that other methods were not endorsed by HDB. (HDB lets us decide so long as we fix the problem.) The work cost $650 with a one-year warranty. I googled and figured out that 25% under HDB would be about $300-$400.
So I asked my neighbour who agreed to copay - apparently HDB told them it would be about $300 - but if it leaks again after the warranty period, we have to refund and go with HDB. Fair enough. He said he preferred HDB contractor cos they would paint his ceiling - of course la but who is going to foot my additional bills?! Not like i wanted this to happen. I even offered to paint his ceiling myself when he said it wasn't fair to ask his maid to paint. But guess what, today, the maid told me she painted their whole house by herself! Um, that's fair??
Anyway so now we monitor. The top infusion method is supposed to be better than chemical injection at the lower floor. If all is good, I'll see if they still want me to paint. Just want to settle this before starting work..
Oh, but thankfully the toilet can be used! I was thinking of hiding out at Mum's place for the afternoon otherwise, which is tough for me on two counts.
First, Mum is overseas so I have no idea where the mesh cradle is, which means there's no safe place to put ZK down except the floor - not keen since the floor hasn't been cleaned since Mum left a week ago! It would also be more difficult to settle ZK for naps as I have been lying next to him to settle him and I would feel very imposing if I were to lie on another person's bed.
The other difficulty is that, I feel like I would be trespassing, even with permission! Yes, Mum gave us a key but I've always let Sito use it. We talked about this before - Sito said maybe it's more ok for him as it's like going home like last time. Then I told him that Mother let me keep my old keys when I wanted to return it after moving out, but I never use it; I still knock when I go over even though I lived there for almost 30 years. So no, I just feel weird letting myself in somewhere I don't or no longer live in.
Anyway, long story is over. Now I should sleep before ZK wakes for a feed again.. I just fed him before writing this - he woke less than two hours after I settled him for the night. I told Sito that his son likes to bully me; he slept so well over the weekend when papa was home!!
Update 25 Oct 2016
It's been some years and so far, no complaints from my neighbours :) I've replied to earlier comments via email as I only have the guy's mobile number so I'm hesitant to post publicly. BUT! I just found the company website - here you go: winborne.com.sg. You're most welcome :)
Saturday, 3 November 2012
Sleeping ZK
So here we are again, with our own gadgets on each side of the bed after a hot pot of instant noodles in front of the TV this cool rainy evening. What did we used to do before all these iP*** came about??
miso: Each other? ^.^
mf: *.*
We had two consecutive bad nights - ZK was more or less sleepless for four hours in the past two nights. He didn't fall asleep after nursing, he couldn't stay asleep. Tried to let him cry it out, but I ended up sleeping in bursts of five minutes cos I kept going to check that he wasn't going to struggle to the edge of his bed. Last night, he was staring at me with big serious eyes for quite a while - rather eerie with the nightlight on!
But today has been interesting. He fell asleep on his own - ok, I helped him along by shhh-ing; he's not so powerful like V-jiejie who dozed off just sitting next to her parents at lunch today! - five times! First in his bed soon after he woke for the day, second on our bed, third in the sling which was no surprise, fourth on our bed with us and finally in his bed for the night!
NO CRYING!!! NO NURSING TO SLEEP!!!
Asleep with his pacifier and my old PJs.. "Don't disturb me.."
But let me not be too happy yet.. Let's see how many times he'll wake tonight.. Fingers crossed...
Update the next morning...
He woke only twice :) First time at 2.30 am, just after I suddenly woke wet and engorged (my boobs spilt out of my bra on all sides!!), he drank and got drunk. Second time, I left him awake and when I checked on him later, he had fallen asleep, yay! But he woke in a pool of his own poop this morning *.*
miso: Each other? ^.^
mf: *.*
We had two consecutive bad nights - ZK was more or less sleepless for four hours in the past two nights. He didn't fall asleep after nursing, he couldn't stay asleep. Tried to let him cry it out, but I ended up sleeping in bursts of five minutes cos I kept going to check that he wasn't going to struggle to the edge of his bed. Last night, he was staring at me with big serious eyes for quite a while - rather eerie with the nightlight on!
But today has been interesting. He fell asleep on his own - ok, I helped him along by shhh-ing; he's not so powerful like V-jiejie who dozed off just sitting next to her parents at lunch today! - five times! First in his bed soon after he woke for the day, second on our bed, third in the sling which was no surprise, fourth on our bed with us and finally in his bed for the night!
NO CRYING!!! NO NURSING TO SLEEP!!!
Asleep with his pacifier and my old PJs.. "Don't disturb me.."
But let me not be too happy yet.. Let's see how many times he'll wake tonight.. Fingers crossed...
Update the next morning...
He woke only twice :) First time at 2.30 am, just after I suddenly woke wet and engorged (my boobs spilt out of my bra on all sides!!), he drank and got drunk. Second time, I left him awake and when I checked on him later, he had fallen asleep, yay! But he woke in a pool of his own poop this morning *.*
Friday, 2 November 2012
Utilities
These few nights have been very cool - like aircon without the bills!
Actually our utility bills are not high, averaging $80-$90 despite at least 12 hours of aircon a day, the washing machine, the dryer and a husband who can shower up to three times a day :p
But now that I've started cooking dinner, I don't know if our bills will be affected... Washing dishes takes a lot of water! I think if I (or hired help?) were to cook more for a bigger family, it's better to get a dishwasher. Contrary to popular belief and general perception, such gadgets are meant not only for convenience but also to save energy and water - just google it. Of course, don't run the machine with only two plates la!
It's amazing what perceptions can do. Mother has a washing machine for more than 20 years. But she has never ever used it to wash - just rinse and spin! Poor machine - it never fulfills its destiny because its owner wants to save water. Question is, does hand washing really save water?? The only way she truly saves water is that the rinsing water doesn't go down the pipe - she would run the hose into the bathroom, sometimes into a pail to scrub the floor or something. I hated it cos the door would be pushed open in the middle of a poop or a shower!
Same with aircon. Until today, that house has no aircon. Or the lights. Switching off and on again uses more electricity than leaving it on for a short while - where the hell did that come from?? Or credit cards. She berated me for getting my first cards - ya, of course I would go bankrupt for using credit cards! *roll eyes*
Anyway, I didn't mean to go into the last two paragraphs but I can't help recalling those incidents whenever I think about utilities. (The credit cards are a b-t-w mention.) Should go enjoy the breeze now :)
PS: FFFFF! The smoker is at it again!! :(
Actually our utility bills are not high, averaging $80-$90 despite at least 12 hours of aircon a day, the washing machine, the dryer and a husband who can shower up to three times a day :p
But now that I've started cooking dinner, I don't know if our bills will be affected... Washing dishes takes a lot of water! I think if I (or hired help?) were to cook more for a bigger family, it's better to get a dishwasher. Contrary to popular belief and general perception, such gadgets are meant not only for convenience but also to save energy and water - just google it. Of course, don't run the machine with only two plates la!
It's amazing what perceptions can do. Mother has a washing machine for more than 20 years. But she has never ever used it to wash - just rinse and spin! Poor machine - it never fulfills its destiny because its owner wants to save water. Question is, does hand washing really save water?? The only way she truly saves water is that the rinsing water doesn't go down the pipe - she would run the hose into the bathroom, sometimes into a pail to scrub the floor or something. I hated it cos the door would be pushed open in the middle of a poop or a shower!
Same with aircon. Until today, that house has no aircon. Or the lights. Switching off and on again uses more electricity than leaving it on for a short while - where the hell did that come from?? Or credit cards. She berated me for getting my first cards - ya, of course I would go bankrupt for using credit cards! *roll eyes*
Anyway, I didn't mean to go into the last two paragraphs but I can't help recalling those incidents whenever I think about utilities. (The credit cards are a b-t-w mention.) Should go enjoy the breeze now :)
PS: FFFFF! The smoker is at it again!! :(
Thursday, 1 November 2012
Simple happiness :)
I checked out this mum of two sitting across from me at the coffee shop where I had lunch. Her older boy looks about two or three and she was carrying her baby girl in her arms - she must be just older than ZK. I'm sure she checked me out too :p I mean, we're both mums on our own! But she's more 厉害 - she has two kids!
It's hard to cook when ZK is awake as I never know when he needs attention. That's why I cook only dinner after he has fallen asleep. So I went to the supermarket again after lunch to stock up on ingredients. ZK whined a little at the queue for the till, and two aunties in front of us let us go first! Happy :)
We also went to the post office to collect a missed delivery - my diaper bag organisers are here! Bought one to transform my big roomy bag into a diaper bag and one, well, just in case *.* Very auntie mentality :p But I'm thinking of using that for the second changing station in our bedroom when we transit him to the bigger bath tub. So organised, me! Happy :)
That was part of my first purchase from Gmarket last Friday. I suspect it's the first of many.. Also got my bib clip in the mail - actually I ordered wrongly; wanted pacifier clip *.* Just waiting for nappy rash cream now. I've added more stuff to the shopping cart for consideration. Gmarket is so evil but I love it, ha! Happy :)
This afternoon, I wasn't very successful at helping ZK nap. But I took a nap :p When I woke 30 min later, he was still kicking about! And a few kicks after I woke, he made a three-quarter flip - the second I've seen!(Pictures later - blogging on the iPad now..) And he was generally happy despite being ignored by a sleepy mama for that long. Happy :)
He kind of stopped there; could have turned all the way! Next time :)
Anyway, I helped and flipped him for some tummy time. Hello, DD!
I've done almost nothing this week except playing with ZK. I did everything by his schedule so far this week. There were two days when I was in PJs the whole day except during lunch. Lounging with him is very comfortable, so much that I contemplated bringing him to our bed next week when Sito will be in JB! But slippery slope, better not... These days when I kiss his cheeks, he will give me a smile most of the time; he used to only give a wth-did-you-just-do-to-me look! Happy :)
Sito is in Singapore for the past two weeks :) But he works long hours and continues back home :( Although he'll be in JB next week, he'll work better hours. We may even be able to chat more! So, happy? :)
I hope to still be awake when he comes home tonight. Want to see his face when he sees the fruits today - got the juicy pear he likes for the first time! It's nice to be able to do something as simple as cutting fruits for him when I'm less able to meet my old - high - standard of the stay-at-home wife like in Evanston since becoming a stay-at-home mum. I'm hopeful that I can still cut fruits for him as a full-time working mum next year. Happy :)
I love being happy. I realise that when I'm happy, I'm grounded in the present, which is good. I remember being very very unhappy after I graduated and had to return to no privacy and no independence and just about no everything - I kept thinking about my life in Oxford!! It's one thing to reminisce and another to live in the past.
And nothing beats the happiness of the simplicity that we have. I'm looking forward to having a family nap or two again this weekend. I'm pretty sure Sito and Sito Junior are too :)
It's hard to cook when ZK is awake as I never know when he needs attention. That's why I cook only dinner after he has fallen asleep. So I went to the supermarket again after lunch to stock up on ingredients. ZK whined a little at the queue for the till, and two aunties in front of us let us go first! Happy :)
We also went to the post office to collect a missed delivery - my diaper bag organisers are here! Bought one to transform my big roomy bag into a diaper bag and one, well, just in case *.* Very auntie mentality :p But I'm thinking of using that for the second changing station in our bedroom when we transit him to the bigger bath tub. So organised, me! Happy :)
That was part of my first purchase from Gmarket last Friday. I suspect it's the first of many.. Also got my bib clip in the mail - actually I ordered wrongly; wanted pacifier clip *.* Just waiting for nappy rash cream now. I've added more stuff to the shopping cart for consideration. Gmarket is so evil but I love it, ha! Happy :)
This afternoon, I wasn't very successful at helping ZK nap. But I took a nap :p When I woke 30 min later, he was still kicking about! And a few kicks after I woke, he made a three-quarter flip - the second I've seen!
He kind of stopped there; could have turned all the way! Next time :)
Anyway, I helped and flipped him for some tummy time. Hello, DD!
I've done almost nothing this week except playing with ZK. I did everything by his schedule so far this week. There were two days when I was in PJs the whole day except during lunch. Lounging with him is very comfortable, so much that I contemplated bringing him to our bed next week when Sito will be in JB! But slippery slope, better not... These days when I kiss his cheeks, he will give me a smile most of the time; he used to only give a wth-did-you-just-do-to-me look! Happy :)
Sito is in Singapore for the past two weeks :) But he works long hours and continues back home :( Although he'll be in JB next week, he'll work better hours. We may even be able to chat more! So, happy? :)
I hope to still be awake when he comes home tonight. Want to see his face when he sees the fruits today - got the juicy pear he likes for the first time! It's nice to be able to do something as simple as cutting fruits for him when I'm less able to meet my old - high - standard of the stay-at-home wife like in Evanston since becoming a stay-at-home mum. I'm hopeful that I can still cut fruits for him as a full-time working mum next year. Happy :)
I love being happy. I realise that when I'm happy, I'm grounded in the present, which is good. I remember being very very unhappy after I graduated and had to return to no privacy and no independence and just about no everything - I kept thinking about my life in Oxford!! It's one thing to reminisce and another to live in the past.
And nothing beats the happiness of the simplicity that we have. I'm looking forward to having a family nap or two again this weekend. I'm pretty sure Sito and Sito Junior are too :)
Sunday, 28 October 2012
临睡遐想
小孩篇
（即妈妈幻想篇）
我还小，很小，醒着的时间不能太长，要不我太困了，很难入眠。可是醒着的时间老是不够我又喝又拉又学习又玩耍。这个世界有好多东西等着我去摸索，单是小房间里的玩具书本已令我流连忘返，还有最熟悉的你，我再累有时也舍不得睡。就算困了想睡，我一个人也还不会一躺下就睡着。现在的我只能完全依赖你⋯⋯
不过你放心，我会慢慢成长，慢慢学习，有一天我会独立的。在那一天到来之前，妈妈，辛苦你了！
妈妈篇
白天哄他睡，而他又闹又不肯睡时，我会觉得这小孩怎么这么烦，明明都累了却不睡。可是到了晚上他睡了，象现在他已经睡了两个小时，我就会很想很想他，临睡前一定要轻轻推开房门，躲在房门的一角偷看他是否睡得香甜。有时半夜醒来，发现都几点了，怎么他还没把我叫醒，尽管庆幸他睡得很熟，却又忍不住要去查看查看。
曾几何时，他只是我身体里的一块肉。现在他是他自己了，喜欢就睡，不喜欢就也拿他没办法。其实想想，当初他也是不按牌理，喜欢就睡，喜欢就踢。原来，小孩从一开始就是他自己的，付与生命者也不可能一辈子牵着这双好奇的小手。我也不能忽略承诺＂执子之手，与子偕老＂的另一个他⋯⋯
可是我心爱的小孩还只是个小孩，对我是百分百的依赖。所以啊小孩，妈妈会一直陪着你，和你一起学习，直到你不需要我时时刻刻在你身边，直到你可以一个人展翅高飞去。
晚安了。
（即妈妈幻想篇）
我还小，很小，醒着的时间不能太长，要不我太困了，很难入眠。可是醒着的时间老是不够我又喝又拉又学习又玩耍。这个世界有好多东西等着我去摸索，单是小房间里的玩具书本已令我流连忘返，还有最熟悉的你，我再累有时也舍不得睡。就算困了想睡，我一个人也还不会一躺下就睡着。现在的我只能完全依赖你⋯⋯
不过你放心，我会慢慢成长，慢慢学习，有一天我会独立的。在那一天到来之前，妈妈，辛苦你了！
妈妈篇
白天哄他睡，而他又闹又不肯睡时，我会觉得这小孩怎么这么烦，明明都累了却不睡。可是到了晚上他睡了，象现在他已经睡了两个小时，我就会很想很想他，临睡前一定要轻轻推开房门，躲在房门的一角偷看他是否睡得香甜。有时半夜醒来，发现都几点了，怎么他还没把我叫醒，尽管庆幸他睡得很熟，却又忍不住要去查看查看。
曾几何时，他只是我身体里的一块肉。现在他是他自己了，喜欢就睡，不喜欢就也拿他没办法。其实想想，当初他也是不按牌理，喜欢就睡，喜欢就踢。原来，小孩从一开始就是他自己的，付与生命者也不可能一辈子牵着这双好奇的小手。我也不能忽略承诺＂执子之手，与子偕老＂的另一个他⋯⋯
可是我心爱的小孩还只是个小孩，对我是百分百的依赖。所以啊小孩，妈妈会一直陪着你，和你一起学习，直到你不需要我时时刻刻在你身边，直到你可以一个人展翅高飞去。
晚安了。
Lovely long weekend :)
Sito spends three full days at home :))
On Friday, we went to Expo for a baby fair, bought small stuff like bottles and wet wipes. The greatest take-away was ZK's looks in the car seat:
He was quiet and looking out of the window..
Then he fell asleep!
On the way home, he seemed so happy :)
But he started crying halfway back *.*
And yesterday, we crossed the 14-hour mark! Woohoo! He napped a record of four hours in three naps since being weaned from the sling. In the past week, I have found that two particular sets of PJs are very good at putting him to sleep - he tugs and pulls at them until he nods off or turns really sleepy. Yesterday, I stuffed the pacifier into his mouth when he was very sleepy. He grabbed on to it and dozed off :)
And when I left his side, he went spread eagle - no space for mama! Grrr!
Baby spa that day was good - we were the first to arrive and by the time we left, the usual crying babies weren't even there yet! But ZK wasn't happy that day; had to have his pacifier..
Turned out that he was sleepy - he dozed off on the way to lunch at Clementi Mall. And when he woke and nursed, Sito took him into his arms. ZK started babbling to Papa :)
The father-and-son bonding carried on at home. Sito read a bit of the preface to Iliad to ZK. Um, great choice of literature??
After good naps the whole day, he slept really well last night! He woke after almost nine hours to feed, and didn't cry until he woke. And even then, he was only making baby sounds while exploring his hands. Love it when he wakes so peacefully. A few days ago, I was trying to sneak in to sweep his room but found him wide awake, exploring his little hands - super cute :) And whenever he wakes peacefully, he will smile and coo when I greet him :)
So I mentioned earlier that ZK can turn onto his left. Finally captured it :) And yesterday, he also turned onto his right!
Went out for lunch with Stef on Thursday and she took some pictures of us. Thought ZK looked fat here! :p
Ending off with a video of ZK taking his afternoon nap yesterday - the pacifier had dropped but the sucking continued!! :p
Now he's scolding his mobiles as usual. Gonna get him before he gets angry... Today will be a stay-at-home day, just relaxing on a Sunday to recharge for the next week :)
Update 4 Nov 2012
We had McDelivery yay! :)
On Friday, we went to Expo for a baby fair, bought small stuff like bottles and wet wipes. The greatest take-away was ZK's looks in the car seat:
He was quiet and looking out of the window..
Then he fell asleep!
On the way home, he seemed so happy :)
But he started crying halfway back *.*
And yesterday, we crossed the 14-hour mark! Woohoo! He napped a record of four hours in three naps since being weaned from the sling. In the past week, I have found that two particular sets of PJs are very good at putting him to sleep - he tugs and pulls at them until he nods off or turns really sleepy. Yesterday, I stuffed the pacifier into his mouth when he was very sleepy. He grabbed on to it and dozed off :)
And when I left his side, he went spread eagle - no space for mama! Grrr!
Baby spa that day was good - we were the first to arrive and by the time we left, the usual crying babies weren't even there yet! But ZK wasn't happy that day; had to have his pacifier..
Turned out that he was sleepy - he dozed off on the way to lunch at Clementi Mall. And when he woke and nursed, Sito took him into his arms. ZK started babbling to Papa :)
The father-and-son bonding carried on at home. Sito read a bit of the preface to Iliad to ZK. Um, great choice of literature??
After good naps the whole day, he slept really well last night! He woke after almost nine hours to feed, and didn't cry until he woke. And even then, he was only making baby sounds while exploring his hands. Love it when he wakes so peacefully. A few days ago, I was trying to sneak in to sweep his room but found him wide awake, exploring his little hands - super cute :) And whenever he wakes peacefully, he will smile and coo when I greet him :)
So I mentioned earlier that ZK can turn onto his left. Finally captured it :) And yesterday, he also turned onto his right!
Went out for lunch with Stef on Thursday and she took some pictures of us. Thought ZK looked fat here! :p
Ending off with a video of ZK taking his afternoon nap yesterday - the pacifier had dropped but the sucking continued!! :p
Now he's scolding his mobiles as usual. Gonna get him before he gets angry... Today will be a stay-at-home day, just relaxing on a Sunday to recharge for the next week :)
Update 4 Nov 2012
We had McDelivery yay! :)
Wednesday, 24 October 2012
No more hungry boy?
Hmmm, ZK's last feed was at 4 am. When he woke at 8.45 am, I thought he would be ravenous. But no, he took a nice little poop - no blowout woohoo! - and let me clean him up. And now, he is just playing on his baby gym, showing no sign of hunger... So I was right to just let him cry at 6 am!
I highly suspect his sometimes-hourly feeds in the day are more because he needs comfort from lack of naps than hunger. Poor boy... Let's see if we can improve his naps today...
So funny, he's talking to the bell mobile, seemingly berating it for not yielding to him. Pull harder, little one! :) And now, turn more if you want to see yourself in the mirror! :)
Enjoying the morning :)
I highly suspect his sometimes-hourly feeds in the day are more because he needs comfort from lack of naps than hunger. Poor boy... Let's see if we can improve his naps today...
So funny, he's talking to the bell mobile, seemingly berating it for not yielding to him. Pull harder, little one! :) And now, turn more if you want to see yourself in the mirror! :)
Enjoying the morning :)
Tuesday, 23 October 2012
mf the time stealer
Yes, I'm a time stealer, stealing time when ZK naps or plays on his own!
Just finished cutting kiwis :) This morning, I managed some laundry.. And now this, sharing photos..
He has become rather taken with DD - kept looking and sometimes babbling at it :)
And the car seat base finally arrived after almost two months - thanks to Yan! :) Now he can sit more comfortably in his car seat without the seat belt going across his chubby thighs.
He woke up happy on Sunday! With DD next to him :) I've removed XX and HH as he's very into grabbing things now - don't want him to put them over his face..
"I'm not wearing a dress; it's my sleep sack!"
Had a family dinner at the new Xin Wang HK Cafe downstairs - can see Sito in the mirror taking this pic :p
And he was so good during his bath time :)
"My body is the size of two palms."
But he didn't sleep too well that night. He slept at 8+, woke at 4.30 am to feed and then at 5 am to fuss until day break! He didn't go back to sleep; I just changed him and fed him, hoping he would sleep. He did - for 5 min *.* But at 10 plus, when I wasn't feeding him and was so tired that I was drifting in and out of sleep with him playing with my clothes next to me, he fell asleep on his own with barely a sound!
My dear little boy, can you do that more often and earlier please?? :)
ZK was such a happy baby that afternoon though - of course la, had to give him his FOURTH shirt of the day due to poop and pee! - that I thought we could go out for a walk :) We walked to HSBC to sort out my ATM card - no park within walking distance for a real stroll.. On the way back, passing by Starbucks, I couldn't help it anymore - I had a decaf java chip light! Soooo good! Really reminded me of 3Q 2008..
ZK fell asleep in Starbucks - must be the fragrance :)
Then we went to the shopping centre. I wanted to get some vitamins and just walked a little more to finish up the drink as I was going to Cold Storage later. In the end, I bought nothing :p
ZK woke in Cold Storage - blame the loud music and renovation works going on! But he had a good 30 min nap by then.
Decided to wash his hair when we got back so that he could have a more relaxing bath time later. And true enough, he cried during the shampoo *.* Here are some funny photos of him when I was rubbing his scalp with olive oil - his cradle cap returned!
He would go from this...
... And this while I rubbed his scalp...
Ok, last one!
... to a wide smile with a "hehhh"!
Not the widest as it was so hard to capture.. Anyway, I was busy smiling back at him :) Much rather see with my own eyes and interact with him. That's why we have very few photos of him smiling.. Nvm, more opportunities in future :)
Just finished cutting kiwis :) This morning, I managed some laundry.. And now this, sharing photos..
He has become rather taken with DD - kept looking and sometimes babbling at it :)
And the car seat base finally arrived after almost two months - thanks to Yan! :) Now he can sit more comfortably in his car seat without the seat belt going across his chubby thighs.
He woke up happy on Sunday! With DD next to him :) I've removed XX and HH as he's very into grabbing things now - don't want him to put them over his face..
"I'm not wearing a dress; it's my sleep sack!"
Had a family dinner at the new Xin Wang HK Cafe downstairs - can see Sito in the mirror taking this pic :p
And he was so good during his bath time :)
"My body is the size of two palms."
But he didn't sleep too well that night. He slept at 8+, woke at 4.30 am to feed and then at 5 am to fuss until day break! He didn't go back to sleep; I just changed him and fed him, hoping he would sleep. He did - for 5 min *.* But at 10 plus, when I wasn't feeding him and was so tired that I was drifting in and out of sleep with him playing with my clothes next to me, he fell asleep on his own with barely a sound!
My dear little boy, can you do that more often and earlier please?? :)
ZK was such a happy baby that afternoon though - of course la, had to give him his FOURTH shirt of the day due to poop and pee! - that I thought we could go out for a walk :) We walked to HSBC to sort out my ATM card - no park within walking distance for a real stroll.. On the way back, passing by Starbucks, I couldn't help it anymore - I had a decaf java chip light! Soooo good! Really reminded me of 3Q 2008..
ZK fell asleep in Starbucks - must be the fragrance :)
Then we went to the shopping centre. I wanted to get some vitamins and just walked a little more to finish up the drink as I was going to Cold Storage later. In the end, I bought nothing :p
ZK woke in Cold Storage - blame the loud music and renovation works going on! But he had a good 30 min nap by then.
Decided to wash his hair when we got back so that he could have a more relaxing bath time later. And true enough, he cried during the shampoo *.* Here are some funny photos of him when I was rubbing his scalp with olive oil - his cradle cap returned!
He would go from this...
... And this while I rubbed his scalp...
Ok, last one!
... to a wide smile with a "hehhh"!
Not the widest as it was so hard to capture.. Anyway, I was busy smiling back at him :) Much rather see with my own eyes and interact with him. That's why we have very few photos of him smiling.. Nvm, more opportunities in future :)
Saturday, 20 October 2012
Simple Saturday :)
ZK woke very hungry! But no choice - I had to change his 12-hour-old diaper! After nursing in bed, he started his usual straining... But no poop yet... Then, well, I farted ^.^
mf: Oooh, that was mama... How about ZK?
And what do you know, he lifted his legs and let rip a similar tiny fart! Hoho! Ya, I'm sure that was only coincidental but it was hilarious then!
Had a little accident just before his nap time - he fell off his floor bed onto the baby gym!! I got to him a split second late :( Felt so bad :( Held him and cuddled him for a while. The brave boy stopped crying soon - think he was more scared than in pain. It was a timely reminder to keep a close watch at all times, especially since he would be turning over any time - today, he actually turned onto his left and then rolled back!
Taken a few minutes before he got to the edge..
Had lunch with LS and Jon after baby spa before adjoining to dessert when SX joined us. ZK struggled a little so I let him out of the sling and set him on the table. And he pooped! Loudly! It was pretty funny and embarrassing at the same time. Bade farewell to the group - nice catching up, especially the Oxford stuff and um, Jon's 冲凉歌! - and went in search of a baby room.
My lunch!
Came home to some play time in his room. It's so nice to be with him like that - simply lying on the mat and waving XX and HH in front of him was enough to make him happy for quite a while. And after a couple of weeks of not babbling much to me, he was fighting to speak today! :)
Sito reached home at 7-ish just as ZK was falling asleep. Time for me to spend time with my other boy!
As it was raining, we cooked! He made instant noodles in a gigantic pot - we don't remember that pot being so big haha! I made a big omelette for myself and had that with two slices of bread. Then he ate in front of the TV while I ate at the dinning table!! But it was strangely nice - like Evanston, I suppose, when he was often the one having instant noodles for supper.
And now, he's playing games on his phone while I blog right next to him! Um, maybe we should have some ice cream - together :)
mf: Oooh, that was mama... How about ZK?
And what do you know, he lifted his legs and let rip a similar tiny fart! Hoho! Ya, I'm sure that was only coincidental but it was hilarious then!
Had a little accident just before his nap time - he fell off his floor bed onto the baby gym!! I got to him a split second late :( Felt so bad :( Held him and cuddled him for a while. The brave boy stopped crying soon - think he was more scared than in pain. It was a timely reminder to keep a close watch at all times, especially since he would be turning over any time - today, he actually turned onto his left and then rolled back!
Taken a few minutes before he got to the edge..
Had lunch with LS and Jon after baby spa before adjoining to dessert when SX joined us. ZK struggled a little so I let him out of the sling and set him on the table. And he pooped! Loudly! It was pretty funny and embarrassing at the same time. Bade farewell to the group - nice catching up, especially the Oxford stuff and um, Jon's 冲凉歌! - and went in search of a baby room.
My lunch!
Came home to some play time in his room. It's so nice to be with him like that - simply lying on the mat and waving XX and HH in front of him was enough to make him happy for quite a while. And after a couple of weeks of not babbling much to me, he was fighting to speak today! :)
Sito reached home at 7-ish just as ZK was falling asleep. Time for me to spend time with my other boy!
As it was raining, we cooked! He made instant noodles in a gigantic pot - we don't remember that pot being so big haha! I made a big omelette for myself and had that with two slices of bread. Then he ate in front of the TV while I ate at the dinning table!! But it was strangely nice - like Evanston, I suppose, when he was often the one having instant noodles for supper.
And now, he's playing games on his phone while I blog right next to him! Um, maybe we should have some ice cream - together :)
Wednesday, 17 October 2012
The good and the bad of bringing ZK out
The good:
1) Feed and satisfy ZK's growing curiosity about the world.
2) Expose him to people and varied environments.
3) Show off my cute baby!
4) See the kindness in people who offer me seats on public transport
The bad:
And that's what really prompted this post.
I was very VERY pissed with the woman at the baby spa today. Don't put in infant care so young, will fall ill, better to let grandmother take care a few more months, don't breastfeed in infant care, wean from four months blah blah blah...
I was already polite enough to give short replies in an attempt to end her comments but she kept harping!! What I really wanted toscream say was:
WHAT I DECIDE TO DO WITH MY KID HAS ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TO DO WITH YOU! YOU THINK I WILL LET HIM SUFFER MEH? MEH?? MEH??!
Compared to the above, random sales persons and service staff touching ZK's head and talking around me and disrupting my shopping and meals seem rather trivial!
And I must really defend infant care or institutional care in general; this is part of what I worked on for two years some years back.
These days, with both parents working, caring for young children typically fall on grandparents, nannies, maids and childcare centres. Good, reliable nannies and maids are simply hard to find. Good childcare can be expensive. Parents tend to be more comfortable handing their kids over to the grandparents.
But people are getting married and having kids later. This means that grandparents today are older than grandparents of yesteryears. It is one thing to play with grandkids a few hours a week or babysit on an ad hoc manner, and another to take care of them the whole time. Beyond the physical, modern grandparents also have their own life or are still working. I know for sure that I won't want to care for my grandkids full-time - I'll be too old, I may have different parenting approach from the parents, and I want grandparenthood, i.e. play with the grandkids (and return to the parents when they cry hoho!), and not a second parenthood!
More importantly, institutional care offers an educational component and the chance for kids to interact with other kids besides basic care. For me, this alone beats all other forms of non-parental care arrangements. I believe that this sector can only grow in quality and importance given our social trends. The problem is escalating costs associated with better quality, and the question is how to pay for it.
1) Feed and satisfy ZK's growing curiosity about the world.
2) Expose him to people and varied environments.
3) Show off my cute baby!
4) See the kindness in people who offer me seats on public transport
The bad:
And that's what really prompted this post.
I was very VERY pissed with the woman at the baby spa today. Don't put in infant care so young, will fall ill, better to let grandmother take care a few more months, don't breastfeed in infant care, wean from four months blah blah blah...
I was already polite enough to give short replies in an attempt to end her comments but she kept harping!! What I really wanted to
WHAT I DECIDE TO DO WITH MY KID HAS ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TO DO WITH YOU! YOU THINK I WILL LET HIM SUFFER MEH? MEH?? MEH??!
Compared to the above, random sales persons and service staff touching ZK's head and talking around me and disrupting my shopping and meals seem rather trivial!
And I must really defend infant care or institutional care in general; this is part of what I worked on for two years some years back.
These days, with both parents working, caring for young children typically fall on grandparents, nannies, maids and childcare centres. Good, reliable nannies and maids are simply hard to find. Good childcare can be expensive. Parents tend to be more comfortable handing their kids over to the grandparents.
But people are getting married and having kids later. This means that grandparents today are older than grandparents of yesteryears. It is one thing to play with grandkids a few hours a week or babysit on an ad hoc manner, and another to take care of them the whole time. Beyond the physical, modern grandparents also have their own life or are still working. I know for sure that I won't want to care for my grandkids full-time - I'll be too old, I may have different parenting approach from the parents, and I want grandparenthood, i.e. play with the grandkids (and return to the parents when they cry hoho!), and not a second parenthood!
More importantly, institutional care offers an educational component and the chance for kids to interact with other kids besides basic care. For me, this alone beats all other forms of non-parental care arrangements. I believe that this sector can only grow in quality and importance given our social trends. The problem is escalating costs associated with better quality, and the question is how to pay for it.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)