More videos

Will add more when I've the time... :)

Moments and Misery

Abby's beginning to take to her grandaunt Mich. She'll keep calling 'Ah-Mah!' (for Gu-Ma - easier than Grandauntie Michelle) and ask her to go 'kai-kai'. :) Abby's becoming more independent. In fact, after dinner today, she played with the older kids (3 and 4yr old Mattie and Whitney resp) while the adults were at the dinner table. When I went to peep at her, she was getting in and out of the buggy by herself! And that's no mean feat, considering there's a barier at the feet. She's becoming really independent, simply because there's no 'ah-ma' protecting her and no lina-che-che to make sure she dussen cry and get her into trouble.

Abby saw Whitney go for a swim in the pool today (it was tremendously hot weather!)and screamed her lungs out when she thought I wasn't gonna let her into the pool when in fact I took her upstairs to change into her gear as well as mine. She enjoyed herself very much in the pool and even wanted me to let her go... erhm. I not that garang. :P



In the evening, the kids and aunt Mich played ball in the front porch. Abby had a whale of a time kicking the ball! :) She was chuckling so loudly (according to my aunt - I didn't hear coz I was preoccupied)! She's learning how to put on and take off her shoes by herself - I'm amazed and impressed by her desire for independence. Really wondering what will happen when we return to Singapore - she insists on feeding herself (at least feel the food) during each meal time. I think there'll be some struggling. But awhile more, and it's freedom @ Paradise! :D

On a sadder note, I've been really upset with the local airlines. We flew here on the generosity of my aunt and uncle - and we actually entered Abby as one of the nominees for the Frequent Flyer Miles award redemption. BUT. Even infants are considered as adult fare deduction and STILL have to pay airport tax (which goes to their pockets anyway) so we decided against it. Now we wanna fly Ben over, BUT! we can't delete Abby's name till SIX MONTHS LATER because of POLICY. (We've maxed out 5 nominees.) ARGH. We've written an appeal letter to see if they're able to do anything abt it. We're really not abusing the system because Abby did not enjoy any benefit at all so it's as good as not being nominated. BUT. They aren't very nice about it. Argh. Very upsetting. God. Please fly Ben over. We miss him so much. Abby keeps nodding when I ask her if she wants Daddy to come. I really pray that he'll be able to come over. Last resort - fly back to Singapore for Christmas with Ben. BUT not keen on abandoning freedom (from agony) so quickly. Sigh. Really dread going back to that house. It's black face day in day out, and 'storms' threatening ever so often. Really sick and tired of her. Better get out before I blow big time. (She's claimed that I yelled at her, which is pure nonsense - coz I didn't stand by her side when she rebuked the maid but sort to clarify the issue instead. Argh. Unreasonable. If I had really yelled at her, we'd be out of the house already.)

K, I won't spoil my holiday by having her in my mind. Life is too precious to have it filled with misery.

Back to the lighter note, here are some self-feeding moments. :)

Abby in Sydney

Abby's been having so much fun here! :) She's running around all the time, eating lotsa different foods and just picking up lotsa words and actions! :) She's managed to say 'Bumblebee' (as Bababee!), her own version of giraffe, zebra, yoghurt (Go-GERT!), rabbit (RehBIT!), Amen (Eh-MING!) after we give thanks before food, berries (eh-REES), elbow, and some other words (can't think of all. :P)



She also self-regulates - says No! whenever she sees the antennae plugged to the wall (coz she kept touching it initially) goes Wooh! if she almost has a fall. Sometimes when she falls, she'll say that as well, then pick herself up and move on. :)

She keeps going Mum-mum the whole day - eating and drinking lots! :) Very happy to see her enjoying her food. Ben is right - cannot exasperate her regarding food, otherwise she won't eat. She's feeding herself also and enjoys it tremendously.

She's also learning to brush her own teeth (after Mummy brushes for her, of course!). Matthew, my godson, has been an angel with her, and even when she snaps at him, he's still very gentle with her and smooches her ever so often! :)

She's a real tease with Grandaunt michelle (her grandaunt) - always giving the cheeky proud look whenever and then chuckling to herself! She's learnt to flap her arms like a butterfly and say Fly! - Grandaunt michelle taught her. :)

The places here are really baby/child friendly. They've got Parents' room - a special loo - like the disable toilet but equipped with a baby changer as well as a small potty next to the regular potty. Also, the restaurants are pretty kid friendly. We went to Fair Play Cafe today and Abby had so much fun running around the whole place and within the toddler play area. Matt was all over the bigger kids area. Really fun to see them have so much fun. :)

As much as she's exploring so much now, I wonder what 'repercussions' there'll be when she returns to the sterile environment in Singapore. E.g. she's quite used to feeding herself - so if she's not allowed to touch her food (back home), I can pretty much guess she'll kick up a fuss. :P But I dun really care. Someday she needs to learn to feed herself - and I can't afford to let her be spoonfed when she's in older. True it's 'faster', but it's very disabling for the kid.

Anyway, Abby's come up with this new look - The Puzzled Face!



She'll walk around with this look and then laugh like mad coz she knows it's hilarious! :) Grandaunt Michelle keeps teasing her with that too! :) Too cute! :)

Back in Australia

Have been wanting to post but haven't had sufficient comp time. It's been full time mothering and I've been loving every single moment of it! :) Right from the flight all the way to this moment, it's been utterly enjoyable. Abby's such a delight.

When we were on board the plane, an angel came and sat down beside us (who'd want to sit with a flying toddler?) and took care of Abby all the way! :) Has got 2 daughters himself (17 and 13 yo) and is on a trip round the world. It's been 6 months since he's seen his girls, and he show me the album they made for him! :)

After touching down, we met up with my aunt's family after a while. The weather and everything - wooh. I really really miss Australia. Strangely, I miss the smell of the Eucalyptus tress, the pine trees (I think they are pine trees), the smell of the groceries in the grocery store, and even the scent of the aussie home. Just wished Ben were here with us.

Abby's been having a whale of a time! :) She's exploring all kinds of foods and just digigng her fingers into all kinds of edibles! :) She's toddling around the house the whole day and harassing my 3.5yo godson, who's been an angel with her. He's been real gentlemanly, even with me. He's sharing all his toys with abby and doesn't get offended when Abby's defensive (boy is she defensive at times!) She's really cheeky with my aunt too! :) Always teasing her... very cute! :)

At nights, before I put her to bed, she'll ask for daddy. Then we'll play the video we recorded just before departure. The first night when we watched it, I cried and cried. Very touching yet with a touch of ridiculosity as my MIL's voice was in the background of the sweet video saying, "Hiyah, why you all do this kinda thing?" in Mandarin. Quite a spoiler lah. But still it never fails to put a smile on Abby. :)

Ben's busy with work and the new place - and he's really putting in alot of effort to make it our dream home. :) Very touched by his commitment and drive to do it well. :) I praise God for my family! :)

P.S. Will post photos up when I get the chance again! :D

Departure and Arrival

We'll be on the plane in about 10 hours' time. Yesterday, a good friend and I went shopping for 'ammunition' - devices to keep Abby happy on board. If all else fails, then I'll have to use the final resort. ;) Sydney's about 2hrs ahead of Singapore; hopefully Abby will be able to adjust to the time change. Aunt Michelle & Mattie will be there at the airport to pick us up, not sure if Uncle Mike will be there coz it's a working weekday. They went through so much hassle just to fly us over; really appreciate them for it.

Right now, they've points set aside for my bro to fly over; but it seems my bro has other plans. Well.

Spent the last few days with a new friend. It has been awesome. :) She is *SO* different from how she is described! Gosh. Although she's going through a tough time because of a reckless ex; nevertheless, she's soaking up in God's faithfulness and love. We're both definite that God will surely bless her with a totally God-fearing husband that will lead her and the household! :) Mum also loves her to bits and has been really worried about her. Yet God's been good. She's finally been delivered from repeated abuse and I just pray that she won't return to Egypt (not literally). Her heart is just full of love despite what's been done to her. She's amazing. I just pray that God will keep Abby safe from the path of fools as she grows up. At least now her focus is set on the future God has in store for her! :)

Going off with Abby to meet a girlfriend visiting from UK - a friend from poly whom I haven't met in a long time! Like about 8 years? :) Thereafter most likely will meet up with Ben - he's taken the half day off. I haven't left yet, but I miss him terribly already! :'( He's also already missing us and have been spending the last few days just appreciating one another. Let's hope that the weather (@ home) is cleared for take off this evening. :)

Let's see whether I'll have the chance to blog when I'm over there. With Abby entirely in my arms, it can be a challenge. But I don't mind! :D Praise the Lord! :D

*M*I*R*A*C*L*E*

I cannot believe it. Still can hardly believe it. Aunt Michelle called last night and offered to fly Abby & I over to SYDNEY!!! At first when she asked if we were going over, I told her we couldn't because the renovation was happily munching off big chunks of our savings... but later she said that she had discussed with Uncle Mike and would like to fly us over! :D I really really can't wait to go. Initially I also thought that I wouldn't be able to make the trip because I heard that I can't fly (not literally) after 28 weeks. SIA's regulations is up to 35th week of pregnancy (for single and uncomplicated pregnancy). It's 32nd week of pregnancy for multiple or complicated pregnancy otherwise. It's gonna be challenging - toddler and expectant mother on board. But I really don't care - because I know we're gonna enjoy ourselves and get away from it all. People *will* dissuade us from the trip as the kiasee syndrome will be at work definitely; thanks but no thanks.

The only regret is - Ben can't come with us. :'( Otherwise there'll really be no food on the table. Also, I really pray that my princesses will be well taken care of and they'll be in the pink of health when we return. ;) Also, that we'll be able to settle down in our new place as soon as possible! :D

Six Years Anniversary

We celebrated our sixth year anniversary yesterday (05.12.2005). We've been together for six years. Ben didn't go to work yesterday coz he worked on Saturday, so we had the whole of yesterday together. We ran our errands, bought some furniture and felt totally awesome. We even went to a nice pub and grill place to commemorate our six years together. Had steak, abit of wine, great conversation, encouraging each other and just basically enjoying each other.

When we came home, we had a blast of a time. Literally. Ben's mum's fuse was off and she was a hot firecracker. I was one of her target boards. Ben took her head on. I left halfway (though I remained silent throughout while she continued shooting) and was in bed with Abby. Ben came in telling me it ended well, not that he won, but that his mum felt heard. Which was good. I was terrified.

Went to bed and had a strange dream. Dreamt that my mum rented some place and i had a share in it. I was alone. And that place had no roof, kinda like a swimming pool in the middle, but i had to live there, without a roof. Give birth then let my lil' one live there with me. Just the two of us. Natural air, no air con (someone in the dream said so). No Ben. No Abby. Full of heartaches. Just my son and myself. No family either. No lights. No friends. Totally abandoned.

Woke up totally shaken. Even thought about leaving here so that the family would be more peaceful. Matyr attitude at work again. Ben saw that I was so shaken (not by the dream, but by the confrontation) and he took the day off to make sure I was alright. Though he ran errands, he still made sure that I was fine throughout the day.

If I could, I'd still be hiding under the bed right now.

I am so trapped. Can't go out, can't stay at home. But I still need to live. For my husband and my children, I will survive.

Contractions

Have been experiencing Braxton Hicks contractions today. Belly tightening on and off, rather irregularly.

Thank God for MORE pillows... it's been quite difficult staying asleep especially with a creaking hip. :S

Drugs & Speed

I've never seen xlx not slamming anyone (not that I read his blog often), but this really captured my attention. Especially the part about youths succumbing to ecstasy, not knowing the potential lure/shit they'll get themselves into.

There was a 24hr drug raid yesterday, and a 22 year old man got arrested. That's about my brother's age. That's scary. And his life is just gone. Just because he thinks he can get away with it. Another fella, a 47 year old man also got arrested, at a different location. That's about my father's age as well. These may just be ages over the airwaves, but that's TWO families destroyed. (I don't know which is worse - them coming from the same family and just plunging the whole family into despair, or two separate families where more people are devastated).

Why do they foolishly think that they can get away with it just because they've gotten away with it before? That's just pure dumbness. And when regret kicks in, it's really too late.

The other day when I was going for my exams, I saw two metal rods attached together to form a cross, with a cracked black car no. plate - SBN 1717L stuck across the horizontal bar. It was sticking out in the middle of PIE towards Bukit Timah exit - at the deadly curve. My heart just ached. That's the spot where someone died. That's the spot where the family or friend of the deceased stuck the cross to mark the spot of the deadly accident. This person might have just lost control of the car. He or she might have been a victim of another car. He or she might have been drinking. Or he or she might have been a victim of a drunk driver. The possibilities are endless - yet one thing remains true - death.

In the light of this - trivial things fade away, and important issues are foregrounded. Will we play russian roulette with our own lives? Or are we gonna seize the day and make important differences in other people's lives instead of taking them for granted, thinking they'll always be around? They might just leave us suddenly.