Moo!

I pumped 11oz of milk at one sitting tonight!

That's a whooping 330ml of pure breast milk.

Sweet Love

The nicest one I could find of Shalom. Not blurry, and looking ready to charm! :)


Love this happy photo. :) Photo is grainy coz didn't use flash. Think using flash would have resulted in a 'flat' picture' with a harsh flash. :(


Love her eyes and eyelashes. The Stride to Ride Walker hates to be necked by Barney the purple thing.


A 3-generational photo! :D My mother, the survivor! :D


I love the way he nuzzles his whole face into Ben's shoulder. And I love the way Ben carries his babies. Absolutely heartmelting.

Exam Stress

I'm in the midst of my exams. And I'm beginning to hate exams. Not that I loved it, but it didn't bother me. Now it's beginning to. Why? Because I'm unexposed. To my text. To my notes. To the subject. Oh well. One more semester to go. More immediately, one more paper to go.

Missed someone very much recently. Almost close to tears. I'd never thought I'd feel this way. Prayed for her. Wished she was around. Somehow. It'll be great if things were different. Well, it's in God's hands. I pray that everything goes well and God's name be glorified. :)

Had a great lunch today with Joyce. It was an interesting afternoon, catching up on stuff and just chatting. :) Somehow it felt really good. :) I haven't had air for a long time. Praise God. :)

Joyce and Abby played like girlfriends today. Giggling non-stop. Doing silly stuff. More giggling. Till faces were red. Then more giggling. It was such a cute sight. My lil' girl is growing up.

My boy is growing up too. Drinking non-stop. Still drinking non-stop. Don't tell me I'm not producing enough milk. You should see the freezer downstairs. And my middle name is not Magnolia nor Marigold.

Next paper on next Wed. It's my brother's big day this Thursday. God be with him. God is with him. :)

Distress & Comfort

Last night, Abby woke up crying. Asking for Mummy. Mummy went over to comfort her. Still sobbing in mummy's arms. Then the Ah-Ma comes upstairs (close to 1am) because she heard the loud cries. Then Abby saw Ah-Ma, yelled even louder, calling, "Ah Mah!" and Ah Mah quickly swept Abby from Mummy's arms and Abby calmed down immediately. Inside Mummy's head was screaming, "USELESS MOTHER! YOU CAN'T EVEN COMFORT YOUR OWN CHILD!" while the Ah-Ma carried Abby. Mummy felt soooooo invisible. Later, Abby started crying again, asking for Daddy who wasn't feeling well to take her to the balcony to see stars. She calmed down pretty well, with her Ah-Ma monitoring the whole situation and asking Daddy not to overstimulated her, lest she is too awake to sleep.

She dozed off after Ah-Ma put her to bed (invisible Mummy took the chance to disappear to the loo) but woke up again. So Mummy carried her to the big bed, where the family of four squeezed. Mummy felt very comforted in between the two angels, Shalom on the right nursing, Abby on the left (she takes the middle of the bed between the two big pillows).

Later in the night, it got too squeezy as Abby was flipping all over the place, so Mummy took her 'thumbdrive' a.k.a. Shalom and moved to Abby's bed. When Abby woke up this morning, she was asking, "MUMMY,... WHERE? MUMMY,... WHERE?"

So cute. It was a wonderful feeling.

She even asked - her exact words, "Hey, Mummy. Kai Hi-Faiz?" (Hey mummy, switch on (Mandarin-Kai) Hi-5?) Woah. Still got 'Hey' somemore. :D

These hormones can really screw Mummy up sometimes. Roller-coaster rides.

Counting My Blessings...

In another season of a deep dark period of my life, I praise God that He has kept my eyes looking up and staring at the Son. He has also provided many blessings and is training me not to focus on my surroundings as I literally walk through the valley of the shadow of death. A wise teacher once said, "As we walk through the valley of the shadow of death, we need not fear because if there's a shadow, that means God is near because He is Light." I praise God for the loved ones who have been very concerned and checking up on me once in a while to make sure I'm alright. Thank you. You know who you are. :)

I know I do not have to fear, for He is here to keep me safe from harm. Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus, just to take Him at His word. Just to rest upon His promise. Just to know, 'Thus saith the Lord'.

I've learnt to love my family in a new way. I used to be (and still is) pretty strict with my brother. But his near death has brought on a new perspective: Now I know what my mother really means when she says, "You've only got one brother." I almost lost him. Likewise, within the same week, I also could have almost lost my mother. When the doctor removed the lump, it was 2.5cm - during the examination before the operation, it was 2cm. It grew 0.5cm within 2-3months. If between 3-5cm, it's becomes cancerous. More than 5cm and it's considered advanced. By God's grace everything is under control. All glory to His name!

From Isa 51:12-16...
12"I, even I, am the one who comforts you. So why are you afraid of mere humans, who wither like the grass and disappear? 13Yet you have forgotten the LORD, your Creator, the one who put the stars in the sky and established the earth. Will you remain in constant dread of human oppression? Will you continue to fear the anger of your enemies from morning till night? 14Soon all you captives will be released! Imprisonment, starvation, and death will not be your fate! 15For I am the LORD your God, who stirs up the sea, causing its waves to roar. My name is the LORD Almighty. 16And I have put my words in your mouth and hidden you safely within my hand. I set all the stars in space and established the earth. I am the one who says to Israel, `You are mine!' "

Bear Bear at 6weeks

Shalom went for his vaccination today and had his measurements taken. He's 5.566kg now (at 90th percentile) and is 57.5cm long! :D His weight is about a 3-4month old baby! :) Got an injection and yelped abit, then he was alright. My brave boy! :D We were so tickled by his weight - 5566! :D Love this photo, looks like he's dancing! :) I'll try my best to put up more eye candy of the two little angels! :D

Our Clever Girl

I know I've been raving about her, but I just can't help it! :D Maybe sub/consciously I'm trying to make up time with her because she's not the only kid now, but I think I ought to indulge in that! :)

Anyway I received my e-bulletin from Babycenter, and this one is regarding milestones for 19-24 month old toddlers. And I am so proud of her! :)




At 20 months 2 weeks 2 days, Abby:
*can use a spoon and fork
*can run
*can throw a ball underhand
*half of her speech is recognisable
*can recognise when something is wrong (she does it intentionally and giggles after that!)
*can wash and dry hands and brush teeth with help
*can point to picture of animals when I say the word
*will pretend to feed a doll (and check for poo as well and drip eye drops)
*will throw dirty diapers and other trash into trashbin (even at other people's place)
*learns many words a day (not sure at a rate of how many)
*can walk up the stairs unassisted (but down assisted with handle)
*can search for hidden objects (and asks loudly, "WHERE?" while searching)
*can name several body parts (many I think)
*enjoys helping around the house
*can set simple goals (like switch around "If you're happy and you know it" with "How much is that doggie" INTENTIONALLY!)
*can stack pails (those small to big ones) unassisted and knock all 10 of them down
*can name many animals when shown picture
*can make short sentences (Mummy eat, Daddy eat, Ah Ma eat, Ye Ye eat, Che Che eat, two books, daddy car, mummy shoe, one two twee star!, Didi cry, read book)
*can do simple puzzles
*has moved on to big bed (to make way for Shalom!)
*can make a tower of 10 pails
*can identify the whole picture book! (it wasn't her book, and did it the first time she saw her uncle ryan's book!)
*can use more than 180 single words
*can sing simple tunes (Chinese nursery rhymes though - the pulling carrot song and Ni Wawa)
*can play with other kids
*asks why when Shalom cries (but I don't think she's looking for a reason though I do provide one)
*can name at least six body parts on a doll
*understands WAIT. :D

Also, I just completed the wordlist for the NUS research study, and she has a vocabulary of more than 180 words! :) (and that's only according to the wordlist they gave which we need to tick if she can understand and say, and I realised there are some other words she can understand and say but are not listed.)

I'm thrilled. And I just thank God for the many angels He has placed in my life who are alive everyday. =D

A Sweet Day

I've been rushing an assignment that was due last wednesday. Finally, it's done and emailed to my lecturer. But today, during one of my breaks, I got my darling girl to come upstairs and play with mummy. Before that, MIL took her to the doc coz of an eye infection, and I had to drip the eyedrops for her. So I explained to her the procedure. "Remember you went to the doctor just now? This (the bottle of eyedrop) is for your eyes. Where are your eyes? (Points to her eyes.) Mummy needs you to lie down and mummy will drip this first into your right eye, then into your left eye." Abby then lay on my lap and I dripped the first drop into her right eye. She squirmed a little, got up and then lay down again! Then I dripped the second drop and all was done! :D We were so impressed by her! :D

Later in the evening, when it was near bedtime, we had quite a fun time playing. She stacked her pails up, and silently asking us for permission by looking at Ben, she knocked the tower down and squealed in delight! :D Also, she's got a shape sorter which she's been playing for quite a while - after she took out all the pieces, she decided the easiest way to play with the toy is to put it back the way she took it out. So clever. :) She knows her shape sorting, I think she just didn't want to go through the hassle then! :)

Before she slipped into lalaland, we were lying down together and she was sucking her thumb. Then she put her arms around my neck, looked straight into my eyes and gave me a lovely kiss. She smiled sweetly, popped her thumb back and promptly went to sleep... *heart melt*

Good? or Bad?

The Bad: Jesus Christ was killed on the cross.

The Good: He was resurrected 3 days later.

The Bad: Mum had to go for surgery on Tuesday (11 Apr) for SIX lumps in her neck.

The Good: Doctors found that the lumps are benign, i.e. non-cancerous, so she didn't have to undergo ANOTHER surgery to remove the rest of her thyroid gland. (She didn't know that she had to undergo a separate operation; she thought it'll be done there and then, first remove part of the growth, examine it, then remove the rest all around the same time.)

The Bad: Mum's (rather) new car (about 6 months old) took a nosedive into the HUGE monsoon drain at Newton Circus.

The Good: My brother and his 3 passengers survived the crash. The car didn't.




See the gap? That's where the car flew through. It's *just sufficient* for the car. If a little to the left, it would have crashed into the bridge, a little to the right, and it would have hit the meter(?). Bro was coming out from Newton Road and slowed down before proceeding into the roundabout. The car wouldn't steer; it locked and kept going straight while the rev went up to 6000. He was jamming the brakes when it just kept revving. By God's grace they are still alive.


The Driver and The Damage.

Thank God that...

* there were no jaywalkers
* there was no one contemplating on the bridge/railing whether to commit suicide
* there were no errant 'fishermen' fishing in the longkang
* no one in the car took alcohol
* all of them wore seat belts
* there was water in the monsoon drain that cushioned the impact
* there was no damage to government property
* there was no one injured or even killed
* we had enough money to pay the tow-truck fellas whose jaws dropped when they saw where the car was (they couldn't find the car initially when they arrived)
* my brother is still alive
* my mum isn't too mad

It is really by God's grace that ALL ARE *STILL* ALIVE. I am still shaking from the shock. Too much adrenaline in everyone.

Thank God for Ben

This email came from a friend in Ben's class:

Hi Ben

How've you been? It's a pity that we didn't get a chance to exchange our cards in class. But like I said, we can still do it in the email... :> My first impression of you was you were a steady and non-critical person and should be comfortable to be with. When it was our turn to co-facilitate, it confirmed my sentiments. Besides good at summarising and paraphrasing, I also found you to be good at drawing out the members too. Actually besides G. and L., I also thought that you have that quality voice & gestures that put people at ease. I should have included you when I mentioned this quality in our support group.

As a support group member, I felt that you were open and were very willing to share. You have displayed the kind of honesty and sincerity that few people have.

I have learnt a lot from you and I really appreciate having the opportunity to work with you for not once but twice! Last but not least, I want to thank you (heehee, can never say enough...) for being who you are and doing the things you did. All the best to you in whatever you venture into in future and, don't go changing, just stay the way you are... : )

See you again in the next semester!

Cheers
C.

My bear-bear

Here's the shot I promised.

Shalom's Full Month Celebration

That's my paternal granny with Shalom. A second-time great-grandma gushing over him. :) He's her new hottie.

Shalom turned one month on 9 April 2006. Ben & I thought we might have a small celebration (close friends and relatives - after learning from Abby's full month where about 200 people turned up), but later we realised we wouldn't have the time to organise one. So we thought we probably wouldn't have any.

Then, MIL suggested having a dinner. At some Katong shopping centre off Joo Chiat Road. Invite a few relatives and have a sit down dinner. I remembered the restaurant - we had a CNY dinner there about 2 years ago and almost everyone was complaining about the food, the selection. The place was also quite ulu. FIL didn't want that place either. So they decided to hold it at Noble House. 12 tables of relatives; FIL's treat.

Then it turned political. In all ways possible. On both sides of the family.

But anywayz. I'm just glad Shalom's healthy and very 'hamsome'. Haha. Relatives think he's got carpet hair - my father especially. But the way he said it, it almost sounded offensive. Well.

Anyway people came, had dinner, thanked the host and left. I hope not too many toes were treaded. Bro commented that Shalom's 'stuck' to my MIL. She was carrying him the whole night. Well.

We, as a family, celebrated his full month in our own special way. We went to our new place (almost ready!) and chilled out there in the afternoon! :) Now we can start making the place nice and cozy, and turn it from a weekend getaway to a fullfledged accommodation when the upgrading's almost over! :)

Here's a nice shot of my two precious. :) They melt my heart... :) Taken by the biggest darling. :D

ABCs and I23s

Abby is growing up so fast! She much more independent now, can create her own games, mimic my mother's invented games, teases people, tells her daddy she loves him (early in the morning) as she climbs into bed with us, blows her own nose with the tissue paper and can throw into the bin (she can both pretend to do the whole routine - take tissue, pat nose, crumple tissue into ball and then walk over to the bin to throw it, as well as really blow her nose when we need to clean her runny nose. Next, we'll teach her how to diaper Shalom! Heh.) She's also checking the poo of her dolls, playing with Barbie (sigh) and combing her hair, playing with Barbie dollhouses (I thought she'll only play with that when she's much older) and pretending to put on make up *mummy shakes head*. She's very ready for toilet training, but we're not (actually it's really way too busy, so we're putting it on hold but she's leading the way anyway). She can identify most of the numerals (except the number 7 coz she can't say it so she won't say it) and some letters of the alphabet! I got her to say my name, and I almost melted. She's named one of the smaller Barbie girls 'Abigail'. She keeps holding on to it and then calling, "EH-bic-gale". She can shape sort, stack her pots, and take no for an answer. Hehe. I think that's one of the most awesome things - besides taking 'wait' for an answer too. She can count and put the noun after that - the other night she woke up coz she wasn't feeling too well, so was crying. We took her to the balcony to pacify her and then she started counting stars - "Wam... Too... Twee... Tars!" There were only three stars in the sky that night! Then the next night, Ben brought her to the balcony again. "Wam, Too, Twee Tars... WHERE???" The night was cloudy, and her 'WHERE???" was so loud! She couldn't find the stars! :D I tried taking videos of her, but it's always in the bedroom, at night. Boring shots. I also took some of Shalom - my Bearbear - where his double chin is for the world to see! But haven't uploaded them yet coz I HAVE TO STUDY FOR MY PRAGMATICS TEST TOMORROW! Sigh.

Infant Language Research

I saw this on NIE Portal:

This announcement came from a researcher at NUS. I (Dr Silver) am not involved in the project and I don't know the professor/researcher. However, the details and contact information are given below. If you are interested in having your infant child participate (or if you have friend that might be interested), feel free to contact the researcher: Dr Tan Seok Hui, who is with the Psychology Department, NUS.

**************************************************************

What words does your baby understand and say?

If you have a baby who is between 8 and 30 months of age, and you'd like to help our research on infant language, please do email us! Our studies involve filling in one or two questionnaires about your baby's vocabulary and language background. It may involve a short visit to the university. We can reimburse your travel expenses.

Please call us at 6516 8768 (leave message after hours) or email psytsh@nus.edu.sg for details! You can also write to us at The Infant Language Study, Department of Psychology, NUS, 11 Law Link, AS6/03-15, Singapore 117570. More information available here.

Many thanks for your time!

Guzzling Gurgler

My body *still* can't produce enough milk for Shalom. NOT because my body is not working in any order, BUT my little prince is guzzling down SO MUCH! He drinks about every 2.5 to 3hrs, and each time, it's a minimum of 4oz (120ml) PLUS from the breast PLUS top up coz after the feed he's still looking for food! (Formula tin recommends 1.5oz for newborn.) So yesterday, after he emptied both my breasts, he was STILL hungry (that's already about min 3-4oz coz I can pump that much at one go), I gave him a 4oz bottle (Expressed Breast Milk-EBM) and he finished it! Last night, gave him a 4 oz EBM bottle and after that, he still wanted some more, so we gave a 2oz bottle (formula this time), he finished it and was contented. No spit ups, no fuss, great burps! But he's really drinking alot. He doesn't seem to be uncomfortable after the feed; in fact he looks really contented. I did check with the PD if that's normal, and he said different babies have different needs, feed on demand and that he's probably eating so much coz he's a big baby!

And he's not even one-month old yet. I really hope this is just a growth spurt. It's just amazing to see how much he drinks and poops. I don't feed him directly from the breasts coz he takes forever to drink (it can last up to 3 hrs) and it's much faster pumping, then someone else can feed. Otherwise I'll be babywearing the whole day!

Past, Present, Future

Slap me if I'm ever an ass to my son or daughter-in-law next time.