ZK, a little more grown

And looking more like Mama? The sales assistant at Island Creamy said he looked like me just now. I'm happy :) Everyone has been saying how much ZK looks like Sito for the longest time, not that either of us could tell very much though. But it's a good thing to look like the father first - cos the mother always know it's her kid but not nec the father hoho!

We had a parent-teacher conference this morning. There was delay so I waited outside for a while. Then ZK came out cos he saw me from inside. He had some fun on a "mini car" before it was our turn.

So, how's ZK been in school? Quite good! He can feed himself, drink from a cup, peel a banana; he is quite bilingual and has a positive effect on his good friend's Mandarin; he listens to instructions (at the beginning at least), shares things with other children, feeds them things he doesn't like until their whole mouth is full *.* But he's impatient and always wants to be the first to get things like milk. Yesterday, he tried to get into the water before he was changed into swim diaper cos he couldn't wait. So the teachers let him cry and told him to go to them when he was ready.

ZK was sitting on my lap during this and said and did cute things. I was given a little file on ZK, full of pictures and description of his progress in various developmental areas. It was a great read for Sito and me :)

When it was time to go, I couldn't leave ZK behind cos he wouldn't let me! No choice but to bring him back and have Y take care of him for a few hours while Sito and I went to my second uncle's wake - he had a heart attack during a game of badminton and passed away on Thursday night. It was such a shock cos he seemed so healthy. Exercise alone, it seems, is not enough. Genes and diet play a big part as well. And, we're really moving into the age where the generation just before us is starting to go, sighs...

Anyway.. here are some photos from the past few weekends..

Funny sleeping pose - with only the head on his bed!



Brought him to the hawker centre for breakfast - he didn't want glutinous rice or carrot cake so I bought fried beehoon. Strangely, he woudn't have any too! I ended up having two portions of breakfast *.* Then I got some pandan cake for him and plonked him onto the supermarket trolley - so happy!



I told him to smile. And he always smiles like this cos he learnt from a 招财猫 with such a smile! I always ask him 猫猫怎么笑？^.^

That evening, we went to Star Vista for dinner and saw big animals on the way out. He loved them! Sayang...



Last weekend - my boys with their gadgets *.*



Last weekend, we also had a staycation at W at Sentosa and we got a nice suite! Best part? It was all free :)

Having biscuits while waiting for check-in.



And then while waiting for our room to be ready, we walked around the hotel and found ourselves in unfamiliar territory... It reminded us of Bahamas!



Also checked out the quayside area - food not really to our liking. Just gave ZK some Milo while roaming the supermarket, which was anything but super...

Finally, we got to our room! And it was very nice, with a guest toilet at the doorway, a huge living room, a spacious bedroom and a mega bathroom. ZK was happily running about the room exploring things. Very soon, Sito hid all the glass ornaments. I didn't manage to stop him before he squeezed some shower gel on the fluffy floor mat at the basins. And later I found that he barely missed a glass jar of bath salts! Put that away immediately...

Then suddenly, ZK stopped in the middle of the bedroom. And his face turned red. Fantastic... We thought it was safest to change him on the sofa but guess what? He did his baby thing and peed just as we went about to put on a new diaper! Ok, off to the bath!

On a "colourful bus"!



ZK fell asleep on the bus on our way to RWS for dinner..



We walked a little and he woke! And of course he must sit in every car *.* But check out the sign behind him :p



Dinner was at Coca - so good so full and so rushed cos ZK wanted to sit on the display car outside, and a boy had a bring a bear to the car, which excited him even more!

Showering was a tricky business. He wouldn't let me disappear so I let him into the shower with me. He thought my naked body was funny *.* He slipped a few times while I was washing myself but nothing serious. There was ample space in the shower for him to hang around until it was his turn.

It took a while to put him in bed. I dozed off and Sito was snoring away. I thought it was early - about 9 pm - but well, we could also do with more sleep! Then Sito woke. So we ended up with chocolate waffles from room service and TVB drama on the television in the living room so we didn't disturb ZK.

The night was quite alright. ZK didn't wake very much though he sat up a couple of times and moved around as usual. He eventually woke at a very decent hour past 6 am.

And he watched his fave excavator video while Sito was in the shower!



Platinum guests got to choose a welcome gift - 500 points, breakfast or one other thing. Of course we took breakfast - the area was quite 鸟不生蛋 and there was no platinum lounge for free food :p

ZK had a lot of food - oatmeal biscuits, almost a whole chocolate muffin and more than a slice of bread!



We returned to the room where he pooped again. This time, he refused to lie down so I wiped him standing. Time for him to learn that!! And then we washed him down and sent him into the bathtub with Sito before I climbed in too - family bath! It was quite fun, especially since ZK likes water play so much. But I guess the tub was quite different from the usual water play, and it was hot water. He wanted out shortly.

Anyway, he was tired so we stayed in bed watching TV while Papa continued to relax in the bath, watching the same show in the bathroom TV. Yes, three TVs in all but all smaller than ours! Soon after Sito joined us, ZK fell asleep..

We watched TV for a bit more before Sito settled check-out during his nap so that we could up and go once he woke as we were meeting Mum they all for lunch at Vivocity. Took the W shuttle to Vivocity - grey, not colourful, but it was a bus and ZK was happy :)

ZK is really more grown-up now. This staycation wasn't all easy but it was so much easier than in India - in terms of eating and sleeping. But I think we still won't attempt another week-long holiday with him for a while...

Other signs of our baby growing up... He's talking a lot more. Sito used a very apt term to discuss his talking - 头头是道! ZK looks like he knows what he's saying, and we have no doubt he does, but we don't understand much *.* This week, he started saying 早安 to me in the morning in bed, and 晚安 when I left the room. His 早安 is especially enthusiastic! And yesterday, on the way to school, he went something like "doe a deer".. I started the song, and he finished the first line with something like "a female deer"! So fun! He could sing the last word of a few more lines :) Oh, and at Sentosa, we discovered that his "pineapple" was actually 拔萝卜!

He is also starting to choose his clothes. He has been aware of the airplanes on his pyjamas tonight for a while. He also knows the one with the giraffe and the one with a bear. Last night, Y took out the one with the bear. I no longer want him to wear that as pyjamas as that has short sleeves and he's sleeping on the floor all the time. But too bad, he saw it and wouldn't have anything else. Luckily he's a very warm boy - when he's sleeping next to me, I'll be cold if the blanket is off but otherwise, I'll sweat lor!

I think I need to change the title of my note that captures his everyday things for me to record here later. It now says "Baby ZK" but he's really not a baby anymore. He's starting to be more and more like a 小孩子 or a 大 baby.. Our son, he's grown so much and so fast :)

Bedtime conversation with ZK :)

We were sitting on the floor next to his bed.

Mama: 长颈鹿在哪里？
ZK: 长颈鹿高高！*both hands up!*
Mama: 对啊，长颈鹿高高！*copy ZK*
ZK: Monkey!
Mama: Monkey 抓着树枝摇啊摇... *gestures wildly*
ZK: 吃...
Mama: Monkey 吃什么？
ZK: *stares at me*
Mama: Monkey 吃菜，羊也吃菜..
ZK: *stares at me*
Mama: ZK 摸羊，记得吗？叔叔给你菜让你喂羊可是你没有，那叔叔自己喂羊，ZK 记得吗？
ZK: *keeps staring*
Mama: 羊的口还亲亲 ZK 的小手？
ZK: Water lay! (nop, no typo here!)
Mama: 还有 water play! ZK 跟谁一起 water play 啊？
ZK: Papa!
Mama: ZK 要 water play 啊？
ZK: 要...
Mama: 等爸爸没有上班，我们一起去 water play 好吗？
ZK: 要...

Happy evening :)

Five

We - Sito and mf - are five :)

This equation pretty much summarises our little family:

3/6/9 + 5 = 3 + 1

And taking stock, I realised we've spent only two out of five anniversaries together!

Year 1: Sito had an evening event.
Year 2: Together in Evanston :)
Year 3: I was in Singapore but Sito was still in Evanston.
Year 4: Together in Singapore :)
Year 5: Sito is 350 km away in KL now...

I shall look forward to spending more future anniversaries together than apart :)

To the zoo!

Finally we got to go to the zoo last Sunday! :)

"What's happening??!"



The look of wonder on his face - not the one above but when he saw this little monkey on a tree - made the long and hot trip all worth it. And that was only in the first 10 min :)

Passed by the otters and he happily sat on a fake one after going around touching every one.



Our target was to get to the kids zone and we chose the primate route to get there. The orang utans were swinging freely above us as usual, and ZK was just looking up with that same look of wonder :) Also passed by the cat zone and the Africa zone. While we were at the giraffes, the lions opposite started roaring for some reason, and the giraffes stopped moving! Instinct at work!

Finally, we got to the kids zone!

ZK kept going "some more some more" and went down the fence to touch one goat after another. But Sito was so worried about the goats chewing off his little fingers!! :p



A nice young man with his girlfriend offered ZK a piece of vegetable to feed a goat but ZK was totally blur :p But he stared in amazement when he saw how the goat ate the thing.

At one point, a goat put his mouth on ZK's hand and ZK withdrew his hand with a smile :) That was cute but the next thing was gross - he got kissed by a goat! And he didn't even flinch! *.*

I wiped him down of course and sent the boys off to water play!!



He was already very patient to sit with me instead of running to the water while we waited for Papa to get changed. I tried to keep him still by s l o w l y changing him out into his swim diaper.

But he was scared of water flowing down! I saw him hugging Papa tight quite a few times when they got near flowing water.



Think he just doesn't like water in his eyes. He hates this part of his showers...

有得玩不认娘了 - he couldn't be bothered when Papa pointed out Mama to him *.*



They took a quick rinse at the shower area and got changed for a snack! We brought a small packet of Milo for him :) He didn't want any of the food but he was quite happy feeding us.



It started raining while we were snacking. He was already tired and ready to sleep, but it was just difficult with all the distractions - rain (he'll sing!), my umbrella, the zoo trams, kids running about. So we stopped by the penguins anyway to show him real 企鹅 :)



We called for a cab and while waiting for it, my boys had fun! :)



ZK fell asleep on the cab while watching his fave excavator video. So cute :)

Interestingly, our cab ride home was about the same price as that from Bishan to the zoo; we went to Bishan for lunch. Kel said it was cos we took different routes. So let me make a note here - take BKE + Sixth Avenue next time instead of Thomson + Mandai, shorter!

And, we think the zoo trip was so much better than the aquarium trip. ZK seemed more interested and was definitely more engaged. Even today, he still remembers the monkeys and 长颈鹿高高 :) He even suddenly mentioned water play one day and linked that to Papa. Made me regret being lazy all this while and only going to the standard malls. I started thinking about nice excursions like this cos he's bigger now and cos very soon, he won't be the only centre of attention. Let's see where else we can go within the next few weeks :)

Logistics logistics logistics!

I find myself pretty uninterested in reading about baby sleep and feed etc. Perhaps I think that I can handle it since this won't be my first time.

Instead, I'm more interested in how to handle a toddler and a newborn - how to nap, how to sleep, how to go out, how to engage both etc. But it's hard to find relevant information - often, articles are more relevant for stay-at-home mums. My concern is more of what happens when I return to work.

Nowadays, ZK gets out of bed at about 6.30 am to have his morning milk. I may lie down on the sofa with him and wash up when he's up playing, or go wash up while he drinks. If he wakes before that, I'll stall for time in bed. If he wakes later, I'll get ready for work first. We usually leave the house between 7.15 am and 7.30 am to get him to playgroup.

ZK usually wants to walk out of the house. I would let him walk the whole way to school but (a) he likes to wander and it's not safe cos of the cars and the huge drains, and (b) he usually wants me to carry at some point and it's damn siong for me now. So I like to coax him into the stroller just past the junction. Usually, we managed to reach school with him in the stroller. A hug and a kiss later, he forgets about me amid breakfast while I leave straight for work. If it's late, I'll say byebye to him at the junction and let Y push him to school.

In the evening, I'll leave office at 6 pm and reach home by 6.45 pm. That gives me just enough time to put his dinner together - everything is cooked but I'll chop up the fried egg, cut up the vegetables and pull apart some meat to mix into his rice. Then he comes home with Y, washes his hands and feet - or rather, has his hands and feet washed! - and gets settled into his high chair.

But with 小马哥, I'll have to nurse and pump in the morning. Either I spend less time with ZK to do that or I spend more time on that and risk an increasingly impatient ZK. Also, it was difficult to prepare for work when ZK was an infant so I usually sent him to school first and returned to prepare. I don't know how it would be like with 小马哥 but it's ok - at most I go to work without makeup or leave my makeup in office.

With 小马哥, ZK can still have the stroller - better to strap down the mobile one! - while I sling his brother. But I have my doubts he will guai guai sit in the stroller - he'll probably want me to carry him instead/too! So the other option is to put 小马哥 into the stroller and walk ZK - he'll be old enough to walk all the way! I only hope he won't be jealous over the stroller! Else I have the umbrella stroller but that will be for ZK only as 小马哥 will still be too fragile for that rocky frame.

And in the evening, I can't have Y pick up two kids on her own, which means that I'll have to reach the school before 7 pm - it can be a rush if I leave work at 6 pm. My hours are 8.30 am to 6 pm, which are already not enough hours to finish up work. I can't usually reach office by 8 am so if I leave work before 6 pm, I'll have to bring laptop home every day! I'm already contemplating digging out the old Samsonite laptop bag for this purpose - it can also hold my pumping essentials. But I remember I was usually quite tired after settling ZK.. And this time, I'll have to settle two kids!

And settling two kids after work! Another challenge! Now I have dinner with ZK, which is really nice. I may have to nurse 小马哥 while ZK eats. Maybe I can feed myself too before he starts solids - see how; if not, dinner will be closer to 9 pm. I can probably send 小马哥 to bed right after nursing. Maybe I'll leave Y to shower ZK while I do that. 小马哥 will get a bath in school in mid afternoon so I won't bother bathing him in the evening for quite a while - I mean, even ZK is not getting an evening shower on weekdays yet, unless he's terribly dirty, like today. But I think he will need a pre-bed shower every day when he turns two and gets even dirtier and sweatier with the hot July weather!

All done, I can finally shower and get down to some work. Will probably need to pump before I turn in. What a long day! Just thinking about the routine and logistical challenges makes my head swell *.*

And I haven't go to the weekends when I'll have both on my hands! On weekends, ZK naps once at about 1 pm or sometimes twice at about 10 am and 4 pm. At the beginning, 小马哥 will just nap whenever but soon, I'll train him to nap twice a day at 10 am and 2 pm. It's best if ZK can nap once at 1 pm so that we can go out after 小马哥 wakes. But it may be difficult keeping him awake when I'm putting his brother down for his morning nap.. Maybe we won't be going out much *.*

And when we go out, we'll probably use public transport - one parent to each kid. We thought of bringing Y out with us. But I just heard from TO that she and her husband never brought her helper out on weekends so that they could spend family time with their FOUR kids, or even when they had only two. Surely we can rise to the challenge? Just messy at meal time. Mum's car won't be able to take Y along anyway. In fact, with 小马哥, I'll probably sling him and strap myself down cos there probably isn't space for a second car seat!

Now unless we get a car ourselves.. But (a) it's so expensive, and (b) Sito doesn't like to drive and I'm a road hazard *.* It's a very tempting thought though, especially if we decide to go for another kid. I always see this father at school, handling three kids on his own. He let the older two out first to wait for him beside the car or at the gate while he picks up the infant - fuss free. But wait, his older two are GIRLS, not boys, not ZK *.*

Finally, night sleep! ZK slept alone at five weeks. But I don't think I can put 小马哥 in his bed in the same room as ZK at five weeks. First of all, they will probably wake each other up in the middle of the night. Second, ZK does like to sayang young babies but he may not be aware of his relative strength, which could be dangerous for my littler one! So we'll probably keep 小马哥 in the bassinet a little longer. I just hope that wouldn't pose a problem when we eventually transit him to the other room..

So, yes, all my logistical challenges in one long post! Hope to get things settled out and rehearsed during my maternity leave... And then, after a while, we can decide if a third kid will complete or kill us!

Update at 34w2d

Went to see the doc again today. I gained 1.5 kg in three weeks, of which 0.5 kg went to baby. Baby is now 2.3 kg, with less than six weeks to go. Also did pre-admissions today. Came home with some antibiotics cos I had strep B the last time. So I was told to the meds from 36 weeks.

Decided to take sick leave today to rest - had gastric from about 4 pm yesterday. And last night, the older boy started banging on his door when he heard Sito at about 11 pm. We went in and he wanted to join us in our room: "一起", he said. And when I told him he gotta sleep on his own, he started crying. So poor thing, how to reject him further? So we brought him into our bed. When Sito went out to do work, he asked for him - he's so used to us flanking him now!

ZK fell asleep by midnight but it wasn't until at least 1 am that I dozed off - (a) space was scarce, and (b) little baby was having a great time dancing inside! And when I woke at 3 am to turn my poor body aching from trying to accommodate ZK, his brother started dancing again! I think he likes having ZK around?

The one inside has been super active since yesterday. I could feel my belly stretched in funny ways the entire day, even when I was on the move. I think that could have accounted for his umbilical cord going round the back of his neck now. The doc didn't seem concerned; he just said we would monitor. Anyway, little baby is still having fun now. Will be back to see the doc in two weeks.

Oh, I was saying I'm on sick leave today. But I took a little tour around Orchard to get some toiletries. And I did foot reflexology on the way home :) I like this auntie's massage style but she couldn't stop talking. Although at one point, I was glad to hear that 我保养得好 - my face is not swollen, neither are my feet! I remember the last time with ZK, I had balloons for feet by now..

Made myself some mee sua soup for lunch and had to step out again to go to M1 to recontract our fibre broadband cos I called the company after lunch to ask about a bill item and found that I would be billed for some stuff after contract ends next month - and the current promo ends tmr! Argh! Lost two hours work-wise; thought I could work on some stuff at home without any disturbance..

Anyway, better get started on work. Want to take a shower before ZK comes home so that I can send him to bed tonight :)

Update the next day

Was cutting my nails and remembered something - with ZK inside, my nails grew super fast; with 小马哥 inside, my nails are super white, as in I've got french manicure less the shine!

And, I'm feeling kind of paranoid about my belly button - it feels as if it's going to leap off me anytime *.*

Update the 30 min later

I'm trying to work but this little baby is such a cute distraction - my belly is being contorted into various shapes. And when I respond by pushing my belly, he pushes back! I'm so looking forward to him :) And I'm thinking of extending my leave - just found that I miscalculated earlier and could afford to take three more weeks of leave!

ZK at over 22 months

The past couple of months have been hectic. Yesterday, I finally finished my last (hopefully!) presentation before I go off to be a cow later next month. Finally I have some time to upload photos and give some update on my ever-growing ZK.

25 April

ZK opened his mouth for the toothbrushes! Yes, two toothbrushes! One was a training toothbrush whose bristles had been bitten off here and there, and the other was a rubber one that should go on my finger but ended up over his training toothbrush, if that makes any sense at all...

Perfect chance to examine his gums through all that giggling. And I did find his right lateral incisor and right bottom molar peeking through his bottom gums!

My baby is so much more smiley now compared to his early days :) And what a lovely smile he has! :)

26 April

Put up a koi streamer for ZK :) It's so much better than the homemade one last year - and it's only $2. No prize for guessing where I got it from :p



Sito lined the blocks horizontally and caught ZK's interest. He lined them up and pushed them around like trains - boys!



We ended up at Waraku@Vivocity for dinner. ZK had curry udon! I tried to cut up my chicken cutlet for him but he pointed to it and went "big" *.* So I gave him a chunk to hold in his hand - he ate it!

He entertained himself with Sito's wallet and cards while waiting for food. He was being very OCD about aligning the cards and pushing them off into my hands *.*



He was fussing at the end of dinner and the staff gave him a pack of six airplanes! He was happy! I gave him one to play with and he swiftly broke a wing *.*

There was some dance thing just outside the restaurant and we stopped to watch a bit. Then, ZK started dancing in Papa's arms! He has been dancing to the radio at home too. And with good rhythm ok!

Looking grouchy here...



28 April

Cockroach in the house early in the morning :( This was the second one already! The first was tiny but this one was bigger! I told ZK to stay on the sofa with me while Y got rid of the pest. ZK said "cockroach... 要!" *.*

The reno upstairs must be driving the pests everywhere :( But just this Monday morning, I woke to find a cockroach in the bedroom - that was probably due to the downpour at dawn. ZK also 要...

30 April

My poor baby was looking down at my old phone and walked into the edge of the door frame :( The spot bulged up almost immediately. I felt so 心痛! Y said the swelling would go down the next day - and it did. But that night, I had a big scare when I was googling about bumps to the head. ZK suddenly had a running nose after the bump. I read how brain juice fluid could leak due to a head injury! But thankfully, it was once-off and ZK did have some running nose for a few days after, with yellow snot, yucks..

1 May

He messed up the meesua box! I can't remember whether he started throwing them away or I told him to *.*



And on this day, I saw him eat his own boogers *.* We were on the train to Kel's place. He was quite well-behaved despite the long journey. He even sang the whole "twinkle twinkle little star"! And then, he dug something out and ate it! He dug out another bit but I caught it in time and wiped it off him. He said 要 *.*

I was a little sad that he could manage twinkle but not the Mandarin version - after all the Mandarin I spoke in almost two years, he seems better at English after being in playgroup for a few months!

He snacked a lot at Kel's place - OCK curry puff, yam cake, spring roll, chiffon cake, brownies. And he didn't nap until we got on the cab - by then he was awake for some eight hours! Record! He woke some time after we met the rest of the family at Serangoon Gardens to celebrate Dad's birthday.

What's going on??



Caught this at the end of a smile as the candle was blown - he was starting to enjoy it when it ended!



But wait, there's still the yummy chocolate cake! The staff were very nice - gave him first and a big piece at that!



On this day, he said his first four-letter word: 还没有到 :) It sounded more like 还谬到 for 还没到!

Later I realised he said bear bear biscuit before but well, that has a repeated word :p

3 May

We had a good dinner at the new ramen place downstairs. Good as in ZK ate very well! :) Then he went dancing in Cold Storage to some latin tunes. I think he likes Spanish - the next day, he was dancing to the ABC song in Spanish. Was it because I was learning Spanish in early pregnancy?? :)

Sang twinkle to him in Mandarin and realised he knew the Mandarin version too! Just not the whole thing, but still, phew!

6 May

This morning, we let him sleep on our bed after he woke and started banging on his door, refusing to go back to sleep. And he slept until 7.30 am!

He woke well rested and happy, and became happier when he saw a door at our lift landing and another downstairs!

This day, the school invite Queenstown NPC to teach the kids about the police! Teacher D sent me a picture of ZK wearing a police cap - no wonder he has been quite keen to wear his cap these days! I saw more pictures in school - the older kids got to sit in the policy car! So fun :)


Source: Teacher D

7 May

I was teaching him about tails - Penguin has a tail, DD has a tail, MM has a tail; does ZK have a tail? He would touch his backside ^.^ This evening, I asked him if the giraffe on his wall decal had a tail, and he pointed to its tail!

10 May

Sorted out his work from school this morning while he was in school. My fave:



The other day, he suddenly said what sounded like "doctor" - be my guest! Haha!

Spent some time at home colouring - love it when he says "colour paper" :)



He started singing the complete ABC song - in tune but with funny pronunciations and oh so cute! It would have been even cuter if he had sung it during normal waking time, not when he was supposed to nap!

We had dinner at JPot and he was very very happy after that, running around in Vivocity and screaming happy little screams!



Of course he was happy - he ate almost all the pho that came with the set! We had to go out for some carbs after settling him in bed. But before that, we gave him a disastrous haircut with a new hair shaver that just arrived this morning :(

13 May

Vesak Day! Went to AhYee's place for Gramps' death anniversary rites. Managed to catch up with the cousins cos ZK took a nice little nap! And when he woke, he impressed everyone by feeding himself *proud mama*

We went home to rest and play. ZK brought back a second Hello Kitty toy from Macs so we gave it to ZK - it was just nice for him as it was a monkey! I'm keeping My Melody :p I stuffed the kitty into ZK's shirt :p



Then it was time for Mum's birthday dinner. By now, I have taught ZK the happy birthday song and having to blow the candle out so he enjoyed himself a lot!



19 May

Found the bottom left lateral incisor and molar :)

This week

He's still sleeping on the floor *.* Usually, he goes down...



Then, he moves...



I ask him every evening where he should sleep at night - he would point to the door or the floor :( And two Sundays ago, he decided that he wanted to nap on our floor too!



And also on his...



Besides sleeping on the floor, he has also taken to coming over into our bed in the morning. I really wonder how he knows it's near morning already and refused to go back to sleep! Cos in the middle of the night, he always gets up, quietly brings all his toys to the door and sleeps there! I saw him do that once. And then I also saw him wake up, bring everything back to his bed, and start banging at the door *.*

Here's a shot of him with his kitty, I think...



Sito left for Hong Kong on Monday. Tuesday morning, when he came onto our bed, I told him to stay still and wait for me while I went to shhh shhh. He went "怕怕" so I comforted him that it was ok but then he stared at Sito's spot and repeated himself. Then I realised he was saying Papa! Told him Papa was away and went to the toilet. Needless to say, he followed.. And he stood at the toilet - I had to keep the door open so he wouldn't cry, yup... This morning, he told me to go shhh shhh the moment we left his room *.*

Ah well, we are quite fine with him coming into our bed in the morning. It's quite nice to have him with us - when he isn't abusing either or both of us! It's particularly good if it buys him more sleep. And with 小马哥 on the way, letting him lie with us in the morning may help quench any fear of being relinquished of his baby position. He's still our baby, our big baby :)

Under the sea!

We were going to bring our monkey to see monkeys on Sunday but it decided to pour so crazily that we had a last-minute change of plans to go to the SEA Aquarium!

Left for lunch downstairs after his morning nap and took one of the most pleasant MRT trips ever, with ZK happily watching AN EXCAVATOR EXCAVATING SAND *.* AGAIN AND AGAIN *.* *.*



Boy... *Mama rolls eyes*

The one he was watching wasn't his fave. His fave is this, which he can dance to:



Yup... So, anyway... :)

It was ZK's first trip to Sentosa, woohoo! Get happier, little one, just one stop away on this little train!



Passed by that gigantic candy store. Doesn't he look like a little man here? "You, go there!"



High five!



We bought our tickets - at $38 per pax! - at Vivocity and skipped the long queues at the aquarium. But we still had to queue a little to go in.

There was an exhibition on Zheng He before we reached the aqaurium proper, and ZK seemed to have been scared by the big head on the junk, complete with blinking red eyes and moving mouth. He became a koala bear from there. Awww...



We managed to coax him down when we got to the fish though!



Fish galore! And most of them were quite ugly...

Our only family shot! ZK remained grouchy..



Dolphins seemed to make him happier! But he kept missing them... Hey, look to your right la! *.*



And then there was no turning back - he was running all over the place! Sometimes, we managed to get hold of him, like here with the sea urchin.



But most of the time, he was running free and happy. Unfortunately, those times are so difficult to capture on camera, argh!

There was some drama at the gift shop cos ZK adores fluffy toys. Yes, in addition to excavators! And he didn't want to leave! We had to remove him physically, and very soon, he forgot all the toys - to think that I almost wanted to get him a dolphin!

We spent only some 90 minutes at the aquarium. By the time we came out, the rain had stopped. We went in search of the Malaysian Food Street to grab a snack - fried Hokkien mee and chendol! ZK had some chendol, with some mess of course.

Then, it was back to Vivocity, where he fell asleep rather quickly - the poor boy was no less tired than us!



Roamed the mall for a while. Sito got a present for ZK's second birthday! Under $10! And combined with my $1.20 present, I think we would have won some most thrifty parent award or something!

We woke him up near dinner time at Waraku - our second time at this outlet, and ZK had curry there again! It was a very easy dinner  for two reasons - (a) nothing to complain about curry rice and fried pork cutlet! And (b) EXCAVATOR video!!!

We were out for only half a day but we were so stoned! The parents gave the phone to the kid and stoned the entire journey home. And when we got back, even ZK was tired; he wasn't rowdy at bed time and just rolled quietly until he fell asleep.

Monday morning past 5 am, he came into our room as usual (more on that later) and fell asleep past 6 am. Unfortunately, he woke up shortly cos of a cockroach commotion - I woke to find a roach near the door :( Must be due to the early morning downpour.. Overdid the insecticide but at least the scary thing died. ZK just went "cockroach"... So cute.. Next time, you help me catch ok? :)

Flood of emotions

Kel's father passed away on Friday. Sito and I went to the wake on Saturday. I took some time off to go to the funeral service today, and thought of some things on the way back to office after that.

I realised that parents are the least talked about among friends, except when we're complaining. Or at least, that's the case for me. I like to meet my friends' parents - perhaps because I'm always envious of people's relationships with their parents and my closer friends have such nice parents.

Growing up, I saw CY's parents a lot. Such doting parents with gentle voices. Back in those days when people still called the common landline instead of the mobile, I had a long chat - mostly about goldfish - with her father when I called looking for her but she wasn't in. And I'll never forget how auntie convinced Mother to let me go to the class outing after PSLE. We used to visit each other's parents at LNY until ZK came along and it became logistically challenging.

I met Kel's parents in Cambridge when I camped over for his graduation - kind and pleasant folks who fussed over a son who bullied them. I remember chiding him for that. A few years ago, his mother gave me useful advice on preparing for our customary wedding. The last time I saw them together was a few months ago in Vivocity foodcourt, so sweet, out pak tor-ing. Auntie was so warm to us and especially ZK. Uncle was the quieter one but no less smiley.

Sito said the first thing that came to mind when he heard was that we really should spend more time with family. True, we never know when things can change drastically. Kel and I were still chatting rubbish over Whatsapp the day before and the next day, his world suddenly became different.

Weren't we just starting to attend weddings and kids' first month and birthday celebrations? Suddenly, we're also attending another rite of passage - the final one.

Actually, I have not been to a funeral for years, partly because I tend to avoid them especially when I don't know the deceased. But mainly, it was because I missed the funeral of a very important person. And this thought haunts me every now and then, and especially when I know of a funeral. Today, I couldn't stop tearing on the bus back to office cos Grams was in my mind. I saw how Kel's father was sent on his final journey in this world, and thought that Grams must have been sent off with a lot of love as well.

Just told Sito about it over Skype - he's in Hong Kong this week - and started crying again. I realise that I always get emo when I think of my dear Ahmah or talk about her, even if it was just about how kind she was...

mf-ism leh?

CY commented that my blog is all about ZK now. It's true. All those random postings of yore seldom make their appearance now. Perhaps I'm to pre-occupied with ZK and work to remember random thoughts, which do still pop into my mind here and there. In fact, I have collected a whole lot of random pictures but I haven't had time for prioritised writing about them.

And today is not the day to write about my random pictures. My thumbdrive is waiting to be read :( It's been a really busy time at work. And just when I thought I could do certain things, other things keep popping up. And I'm a ticking time bomb where you only hear the ticking but see no clock!

Anyway.. So I'm here just for a quick one - cos I noticed fewer blackheads on my nose after using Hazeline snow cream for some weeks! May they never come back!

(And may mf-ism return soon!)

Happy ZK, happy Mama

I made up a little song for ZK in his first week with us, on a night he kept crying and couldn't sleep. It sounded a little sad cos I was a little sad then. I continued to sing that to him often to lull him to sleep for a few months after, but I haven't sung it for quite a while until just now.

The first time I sang it, he sat up and listened. Then he fell back now on his pillow and listened. And suddenly, he burst out crying! It was only a couple of seconds but he was crying! I sayang-ed his little head and he told me to lie back down and continue singing - "some more", "again". And again and again I went. Eventually, I told him no more, he should sleep. And he did.

I wondered why he cried. But I guess I'll never know..

He has been very happy these two days, especially after dinner. Yesterday, he ate a lot at JPOT and then ran around Vivocity with a wrapped candy in his hand and happy little screams. Today, he was quite content to watch Mother Goose Club while we finished up our dinner.

I'm not one to celebrate Mother's Day etc in a big way, but I must say this has been a happy Mother's Day weekend :)

I took morning leave on Friday to attend the celebration in school, despite having a presentation at an important meeting in the afternoon. I decided that I wouldn't let my son be the only kid whose mum wasn't present. But my worries were kind of unfounded - fewer than half the mums showed up.

But I didn't regret going. I purposely kept ZK at home until 9 am so we could go to school together, and I was the first mum to arrive. A few kids came over to me curiously and smiled at me. Two of them were ZK's classmates since infant care time so I believe they recognise me. A third kid was happily hanging around us until his own mum arrived - he was absolutely elated when he saw her! A couple of kids were crying when their mums left. Even though ZK wasn't his usual self in school ("he sings to the kids!") and was on me almost the whole time, he appeared quite happy :)

We played games!

ZK's blur look - he didn't want to leave until he too had a shower cap on his head!



He was supposed to catch some bubbles but he just looked on, blur blur. Anyway, I only managed one pathetic bubble cos the solution was running out *.*



We were over-achievers - made two flower crowns instead of one!



There was another activity before painting - the teachers had us throw brown sugar cubes into little cupcake cups and when that happened, they poured tea into the cups for the kids to serve tea to their mummies. ZK threw everything too hard as usual so I didn't get any tea haha!

So happy during snack time! He had at least two biscuits and two sandwiches.



We had our very own photo! He chose that sign ok, not me! :)



Then we tried to take a group photo. But with some 12-15 kids, the sheer logistics were simply daunting. Must really give it to the two teachers. ZK took a while to leave me and join them.



He was running about here and there, and even wandered into an adjoining room where a young baby was sleeping - it was his classmate's brother. I liked that he was curious and sweet to the sleep baby :) But I was so scared he would be too rough so I chased him out to join his friends.

Eventually, he settled into a seat, phew!



But when a tray of biscuits arrived, all the kids got off their seat to flock to the tray!

At the end of the celebration, some kids went home with their mums. So it got a little less crowded. And guess what the little boy did? He happily went to grab a sandwich and sat down happily munching away!



Lunch was next - quite immediately! And he still seemed hungry *.* It was yummy chicken rice! He said it was hot so I told him to blow at his rice to cool it a bit..



That was when I said byebye - I knew he would be ok with me leaving when there was food *.*

It was the first time I stayed in school with him for so long. I saw how the teachers handled so many kids at the same time; I saw how the chef and the cleaning lady both like him a lot; I saw him interacting (somewhat) with his classmates; I saw how angmoh kids could say his name; I saw how he bullied Aisaac whose only crime was to be near me;. A was so cute actually - he kept inviting ZK to go sit down with him and go jumping with him, but my kid just wanted to be with his mama that day. Poor A! And H was so sweet too - she would smile at me shyly and walk away.

It was so fun! It was also very tiring to be in the company of so many kids at the same time! I'm already looking forward to the next school celebration - Halloween, I think?

Update at 31w3d

Yesterday, after much apprehension, I found that I gained only 2kg in five weeks - yeah!

Doc: Good, so no more holiday hur? No more unhealthy food..

Yes, sir, I cut back on fried beehoon too! I'm very proud of myself :)

And best, baby measured 1.8 kg - that's almost a full kilo heavier than the last visit five weeks ago! Means only 1 kg came to me, heh heh :p

Still, I have busted the 70-kg mark - 70.1 kg now! I'm hoping that I won't go beyond 75 kg.. Please, let me not be heavier than Sito!!

But I was so happy about the tiny weight gain that I over-indulged that very day.. I got myself a low-fat, decaf cappuccino from McCafe on the way to office. Then, even though I was spared having to attend a brown bag lunch event as I was busy with other stuff, they kindly brought me a sandwich set. I didn't realise it but I must have been craving for that cos I felt soooo good after that! It was relatively healthy - ciabatta with turkey ham and cheese, with salad. What wasn't so healthy was that I had another sandwich cos my colleague was detoxing - I didn't eat all the bread though cos some parts were too crusty. And after a long afternoon meeting, I returned to my desk to find another sandwich leftover from lunch! I had most of it *.*

Today, I wanted to eat better but failed - had fried beehoon for breakfast cos I was very hungry *.* And now, as I'm typing, I'm hungry!!

Anyway, back to baby.. Baby measured one week ahead so the doc told me to be prepared in case he decides to greet me earlier. Well, we shall see. ZK measured ahead as well and he was only two days early - and because I was induced. Hope this one is on time..

I thought baby doesn't look very much like ZK. He seems fiercer :p Sito said ZK looked fierce too. ZK is now quite smiley :) Then Sito was trying to figure out an ultrasound scan and when he heard it was the nose, he said baby has triangular nostrils! But of course! He's your son, Dear! :p Same thing with ZK when he was born - I noticed his nostrils very early. But I haven't taken a look lately - not at the shape anyway, just see snot *.*

Was trying to upload some ultrasound scans when I realised that the doc had given me some funny ultrasound file that requires Windows and a special programme to read it! Argh, ask him to give me again three weeks later..

Does he look like his brother? :)



Also asked the doc about the pain in my left upper thigh. He said baby's head is probably pressing on something, and told me to fidget more at work. Still so painful sometimes, though it's not crippling like two weeks ago..

I've been having Braxton Hicks like crazy. And it's mighty uncomfy. Baby has been bullying me as well though I enjoy his movements. Doc said he's head down, facing left with his butt high up. I notice that he moves a lot when ZK is near! He wants to play too! Haha! :)

Adding a video of little baby moving! :)

天冷就回来

Sito and I caught a Chinese musical on 20 April! It's called 天冷就回来 and full of familiar 新谣 tunes. It's the first time that I know most of the songs in a musical when watching it! And Sito enjoyed it even though he knew few songs! Overall a great experience!



I grew up listening to many of these songs: 一步一步来，让夜轻轻落下，恋之憩，如果你不小心想起我，从你回眸那天起, and many others not in the show. There were newer songs too, all composed by 梁文福 and sung by artistes local and otherwise.

But it was the older ones that really tugged at my heartstrings. I didn't think too much about them growing up, but when these songs faded out of the radio, replaced by the pop songs of the day, I pretty much forgot about most of them until Oxford, when somehow I got reacquainted with them through, um, mp3s. Just how many hours have I spent listening to these in the solitude of my room, until I could sing so many of them from memory.

Since the early 2000s, there have been various resurgences of 新谣 and I never really caught them until now, being rather slow to catch on until my single source of news aka Facebook alerted me to this one in time for me to get tickets!

And watching it really brought back memories of CLDDS, some of the best though tiring memories of JC life.

Got into the CLDDS singing team by serendipity. I didn't even understand what I was getting myself into! But what ensued were days and nights of rehearsing for our annual variety night 叶串之声 in which I sang 你的倒影 with I think six others. We had "foreign talent" from across the road who helped with guitar accompaniment - this chap is now my colleague!

We had two great nights of nerve wrecking performances. We were the only singing team; the rest included 相声 and plays - I don't remember the details cos I was too focused on my part!

The following year, 叶串 was no longer a variety show but focused on plays. I wasn't really involved until I was roped in to co-direct a play where an actress needed help with a singing scene. I went on to do more than the singing scene; I still feel my greatest contribution was at the last scene. Oh and the voice-over announcement for ticket sales during assembly one morning.

Found an old photo from second year:



After I graduated, as I was a relief teacher at NJ, I went to help out a little at the 叶串 that year. I think I watched it too. But the feeling was of course very different.

I was trying to remember the 叶串 song but couldn't remember everything, sighs.. Think it goes something like this:

想用歌声交换你的心
想用音符牵动你的情
？？？？？？？？？
想用？？声声打动你
我们要燃起每一天
我们要随着心情飞舞
我们要向世界欢呼
我们要？？？？？
我们要继续这个信念
我们要？？？？？

But I found this picture of our CLDDS tee, with the lyrics of a song from my second year!



I didn't think of it during the musical but now I suddenly remember a music camp I went to at the end of Sec 3 - 第四届全国新乐营. There were four of us from Anderson - Jo and me from our batch, and two from the Sec two batch. I can't remember the girl's voice but the guy had a really good voice!

We spent a few days holed up in Hwa Chong campus learning about composing, Mando pop scene and even copyrights. The final project was for each of the 10 teams to either change the lyrics or the tune of 恰似你的温柔. My team, the over-achiever, did both :p We were also the youngest team, with many of us in JC or uni; Jo and I were the youngest members.

I think I presented the version with the changed lyrics but I got confused at one point and sang wrongly *.* Nevermind, re-did that part. My first time in front of some 100 people! Of course I looked down ALL the time!



And I still remember the comment by one of the judges - that I sang like Faye Wong cos of my stuffed nose. Huh?! You think I want stuffed nose?!

It was sponsored by my school so we had to submit individual reports of the experience. I still have my report with me, along with some notes from the camp :)