Abigail's First Birthday Celebration

Abby with her lovely surprised look which she's doing so often!

The day started with Abby's 2nd baby show. Her granny took her there while Ben & I did up the place with balloons and some birthday decor. The party was supposed to start at 4pm but there was a huge booboo. Ben told me yesterday that the caterer said they'd be here *early* because of some cook's schedule or something. So they were supposed to set up around 2pm. Eve & Vincent were the first to arrive and the food hadn't arrived yet. That was around 3plus, coming 4.

More relatives came. Still no caterer in sight. It was quite embarrassing, hungry guests with no food to humour them. Maybe they'll take Abby's presents home with them? They arrive past 4pm and quickly set up. Comments from guests were that the food wasn't fantastic and I was worried that it was barely sufficient. The standard has definitely dropped.

Well, another booboo happened. Ben's mum called him earlier during the week to ask him if he wanted her to order the cake. He said ok. But then after that, there was no further confirmation or enquiry. Usually she'd ask him what design, flavour, etc. But there wasn't any news, so on Friday, I went to order the birthday cake. I had no idea that she was ordering at all. I thought it was traditionally the parents' job, so I ordered lah. No big deal.

Well, so I thought.

When Ben's mum came home with Abby after the baby show and commented that she tried to collect the cake but was only ready at 3pm, I was quite surprised. You mean you know where I ordered the cake from? I thought. I dismissed it and thought about the cake which I ordered which was supposedly ready at 2pm.

So Ben went out for a haircut around 1. I msged him and got him to collect the cake, which he did. When he arrived home, he came upstairs, looking really tensed. That was when I realised that there were two cakes. And his mum wasn't happy about it.


Daddy & Mummy's Cake


Granny's Cake

So we decided that we'd sing birthday song first for the earlier guests and then repeat again for the later guests. So we did. (Except we didn't sing again coz granny said we'd sang already.)


From left: Claire, Ben's relatives, Ryan (behind) with Uncle Tuan, Eve, Vic, Abby the Birthday Girl, Mummy, Jiamin the little girl who wanted to be in all the photos, Ben, and some more relatives.


My side of the family
From left: Choo E.E., Claire, Ryan, Uncle Rupert, Paternal Granny, Abby the Birthday Girl, Mummy, Ben's relative, Ben, Maternal Granny and Jiamin the little girl who wanted to be in all the photos.

The best gift I think was my bro's involvement. I've never seen him so involved before. He even took leave to attend the celebration! Then he said coz it's his niece's birthday! Pity he was behind the camera during the birthday shots!


Abby with Uncle Randy

Transition

Haven't been blogging for a while. There's just too much to say, so I usually end up not saying anything. Yup, for those really observant ones, Abby's gonna have a sibling soon! :) Have been feeling strong and good, which is a great thing. I felt more nauseous during my last pregnancy. I really hope I control my sugar and salt level this time round though.

We're finally moving out. I have been homeless for the longest time. Eversince I returned from Perth. Because of my family's break up, my mum and brother moved from a 5rm to a 3rm when I was away. My bro & I took turns to sleep in the other room while the other one slept with my mum. But we felt that it wasn't right for my bro to do so coz he's grown up, so I ended up sleeping in the same room as my mum. As my stuff was unpacked all over the place (some in bro's room, mum's room, storeroom, kitchen!, living room) stuff from my former room was just all over the place, hidden. That was a tough time settling back in Singapore. I wanted to move out. But my mum thought, since I was going to get married soon, might as well get a 3rm since I'll be gone anyway. (That was in 1999 and I was with a rather strange guy who refused to break up, but that's another story altogether. Thank God for Ben.)

So after getting married in 2003, I moved into his family and had abby soon after. It's been a really trying time as I am unable to state my stand and 'live harmoniously'. Post-pregnancy confinement was a total pain. And I CANNOT LIVE THROUGH ANOTHER ONE. I had hallucinations of my MIL walking around the room in the middle of the night, and she was just butting into all areas of my life. I don't consider that place my home, just a temporary abode.

I have been homeless, and I need a place I can call my own. It doesn't have to be designer pretty and all that money burning notions; it just needs to be a place to put the bubble which Ben & I (now with Abby & Blessing) exist in.

I drove around, rather aimlessly yesterday. I had some time before a dinner appointment, and I wanted to spend time with Abby. Yet, I couldn't go back home. My heart was at home, in the hands of an emotional someone, yet, I couldn't go back home. I really missed Abby. But I couldn't go home. I don't know how much longer I can take this. I know breakthrough is coming. And I know I will not have the next baby there. It's been too much, too long. Enough is enough.

A Mother's Worry

Courtesy of Unlocking Autism

Apparently there's a link between mercury and autism. The culprit - thimerosal - found in flu vaccines. It's worrying. Abby's due for her *second* flu vaccine jab soon.

GKGW

We withdrew from the GKGW class. Went for two sessions out of the 17, and we don't think we'll get out money back (it's alot of money!!!). I felt totally discouraged during those two sessions and even our sixth-time-mummy-instructor mentioned that. And the confrontation at home arose partly from this ang moh method. Well, we're back to trusting our instincts instead of what we SHOULD do.

Last nite I thought, WHERE ON EARTH DOES THE BIBLE SAY WE SHOULD NOT CO-SLEEP? Anyway, Abby hates the crib now and we enjoy co-sleeping. We'll see how things go. At least the guilt is out of the window. :S

Exodus & Genesis

Every closure will lead to a new beginning. It's almost the end of my term break and I'm quite glad to start school again. The long-awaited timetable is finally out, and by God's grace, I HAVE THURSDAYS free! Taking seven modules this semester, so I thought I'll be fully loaded everyday. It is definitely God's grace.

My timetable's turning out somewhat the way I like it (and I like strange things). So here it goes:
Mondays 0830 to 1730 - a solid day of work with a four hour break to get my work and week in order. I must get to school before 830 or else i won't get there till about after lunch, which pretty much wastes the morning away.

Tuesdays 0830 to 1730 - another solid day with 2 1 hour breaks - great to have lunch and prepare for the tutorials.

Wednesdays 1130-1430 - have to be disciplined or the morning will be wasted. Not a good idea especially when sloth creeps in.

Thursdays - don't have to go to school for contact hours, so most likely get work done at home or get out of the house.

Fridays - 0930 to 1730 with a 2hr break in between.

The breaks are nicely allocated although I don't foresee much time enjoying the library. I really do love the library. The's the best place for me to get myself organised and study because there's little distraction. The worst would be at home - too many distractions and discomforts.

I rally hope that I'll enjoy this semester like how I've enjoyed my diploma semesters. Last term wasn't exactly fantastic because I was a new mum and totally reluctant to leave abby (as i had to relinquish motherhood- sad).

Well, somehow this term, it's going to be different because things are changing.

Looking back:
In my first diploma semester, I was getting ready for the wedding;
In my second diploma semester, I was getting even readier for the wedding (plus a horrible upheaval which God settled nicely);
In my third diploma semester, I was adjusting to married life - leaving my own family and getting adjusted to a different family and different culture altogether;
In my fourth diploma semester, I was pregnant and waddling around excited (Pregnancy is no joke!);
In my fifth semester, newly adjusted in the degree (which is a DIFFERENT ball game from diploma), I couldn't really concentrate - when I was at home, my mind was at work. When I was in school, my mind was with Abby. I was at two places at once. I didn't even prepare myself mentally for school. All I wanted to was to get out of the program and stay in my hole with Ben & Abby.

It's been a tough ride. And it's not going to get easier. Yet, I know that all through this time, God has been with me faithfully, as He gently reminds me that He is in control and I am humbled yet honoured. There have been so many times I have cried out for His deliverance, and He has been faithful each time. And He has proven to be faithful once again.

A couple of days ago, a confrontation took place within the family which could have turned horribly sour. Ties could have been severed. Yet, God in His mercy, provided the calm and peace which led to the subsequent events. Although an ultimatum was issued, yet the wise receiver did not succumb to it in spite. As a result, what could have been a battle of pride is now going to become a departure of blessing (by faith). Prior to that event, I was remind of Jacob and Laban, how he departed from his wives' father. With that, I learnt that it is important to leave with blessings of the family.

The ultimatum: We now have three months to *decide* whether to move out. If not, we would have to stay and abide by the laws of the head of the household.

After that confrontation, everyone was on talking terms the next day. How cool is that? :) Definitely God's grace! :D

Upheaval

We're in for a whole lot of changes. Exciting times. :) Stay tuned! :D

Chasing Aeroplanes

Finally caught a video of her signing aeroplane. We went round the island hoping to thrill her with plenty of aeroplanes, then we realise that these air crafts fly over our place at about one a minute. We should've stay at home instead. :S

Saturday Outing

I turned 11 months old on Saturday! To celebrate, Daddy and Mummy brought me to West Coast Park to play! We wanted to go Jurong Bird Park but it looked like it was going to rain (Daddy said so) so we went to West Coast Park (another park) instead.

Daddy fed me lunch while I told him what a good girl I have been. I'm always the first one to tell Ah-Ma, Mummy or Lina Jie Jie that an aeroplane is coming because I have sharp ears! See, I show you how an aeroplane flies! Can you tell from my hand? Also, when I hear dogs bark, I'll go Wooh Wooh also! I have very sharp ears! Mummy says so!

We sat on the seesaw but after a while I wanted to see aeroplanes. So Daddy drove to East Coast Park! Mummy says that West Coast Park is very far from East Coast Park. But they sound the same to me! I saw a few aeroplanes while we waited. But actually, (I don't dare to tell Daddy) I hear more planes flying when I am at home! Mummy says that's because we're quite near Paya Lebar Airport, so it's a different types of planes that fly past our place, not like those we saw at the East Coast Park. I'm quite sharp actually! I am usually the one who tells them that an aeroplane is flying pass!

It was a good 11th month celebration! I wonder how the next one would be like!

Scattered Thoughts

Happy Birthday Karen! :D *wave*

Enrolled for next semester's modules today. I just found out one of the modules I was supposed to take is not offered this semester. *panic* But it's all sorted out now, well & good. :)

I'm really quite eager to start school, and I actually feel this adrenaline rush whenever I think about it. Strange thing also - whenever I see a school I get excited! Strange right? But I like it! :D

GKGW course is starting tonight, and I'm not really looking forward to it. Just may reveal that I'm a horrible mother. But then again, this course has helped ben & i sleep through the night after abby was born. Maybe there's some good in it after all... We're late again, as usual *sigh*. We just spent the whole day getting a project done. Thank God it's completed.

Hmm... just thinking about food... glorious... food... :)

Must meet up with Elise and Michelle before Abby goes off to uni! :P

K, gotta run! :) Have fun!

Decadent Lifestyle

Oyster Shooters are the best... need I say more?