Water Play @ Home

I have always been wanting to get a inflatable pool for the kids to play-whether as a ball pit, or water play, but such inflatable pool takes up space, plus it is not only expensive, I don't seems to find the right size too. Then one day, I finally spot the right one at Giant Supermarket. It cost less than $13, and the size is just ideal! I bought it without much hesitation. Ashley was with me and she was real excited. She can't wait to have water play. I choose a blue colour pool with the dolphins design-look more like in the ocean, though Ashley keeps persuading me that the pink is more beautiful. Haha! (Ashley is a 'pink" girl) Since this purchase, there has not been any chance for the kids to play. Well, firstly coz there's no sun (didn't want the kids to catch a cold) and secondly, I get lazy thinking on the process of 'blowing' up the pool. Ashley had reminded twice why they hadn't got the chance to play with it. She got real good memory... I like her question to me, it's always goes like this "Mummy, long long time ago we didn't play in the pool we buy". Haha! She likes to use the phrase"long long time ago"... She post this question to me on Sun-27July. I explained again that there wasn't any sun. She has a disappointed expression on her face.... then her face lighted up again and suggested that they can play with clothes on so they won't catch a cold. She certainly can come up with 'innovative' ideas! Didn't want to disappoint her, I told to wait in the afternoon, if there will be sun. After lunch, while strolling back home, I noticed the sky was warmer. Though not sunny sun, but warm enough for a session of outdoor water play. It was a blessing that I have bought a pump during sales, and I managed to blow up the pool easily. Cieran was still seated on the stroller, with a very curious face watching me doing the pumping job. Ashley was at his side, laughing and getting excited. She tried to help in stepping on the pump, but instead of pumping the air, she kept laughing and the hose came out. In the end, I did the job myself... but it was a fun time with Ashley's silly laughter filling the air. Cieran has a blur look when I placed him seated in the pool. He's probably still wondering what is happening...Ashley on other hand, got herself all ready for water play. When I opened the tap and fill up the pool, Cieran started to get excited. He and his busy hands clapping... while Ashley is laughing away happily. Again, Jeremy missed the happy scene of the kids having fun. I rushed in the house and grabbed my camera. How can I missed taking photos of the happy kids playing? I am a busy mum, amusing the kids with bubbles (blowing bubbles, while Ashley catch them), toys... Cieran was busy pulling and snapping the turtle. It's fun watch the kids at play. Can be busy (setting up and clearing), but it's all worth it. :-)

1st family outing with Cieran - Barney Let's Imagine-Live!

8 June'08, marked the day where we have a family outing with baby Cieran. We went to Suntec Convention for Barney-Let's Imagine Live show. Though Jeremy feels a pinch on the ticket price (which can be costly as a family-almost $100 for 3 tickets), he readily brings the whole family for this show. Ashley is the most excited one among us......... while baby Cieran doesn't even knows what's happening, and why was he dress in Barney suit. Nevertheless, watching over his Jie Jie Ashley happily smiling away, this little brother gets excited too. It was a busy schedule for this day. Besides the usual ballet and swim class on a Sun which ends at 5.30pm, we need to make sure we arrived on time at 7.30pm for the show. Lucky we got a parking lot easily and even got time to sit around for dinner before the show.
You can see many happy kids at Suntec Convention. Many with hands holding on their favourite characters of Barney, BJ and Baby Bob. Some wearing shirt and dress with Barney pictures on. For us, Baby Cieran wears Barney too...haha! It's a wonderful scene to see audience dressed to suit the performance. It's a 1hr 30mins show with a 10mins break. Cieran looks blur when the show started.. it takes a while for him to probably realised it's a performance. He didn't cry or gets cranky (like some older kids who cry...), but sits quietly with daddy. Babies don't have long time span, Cieran gets tired and doze off after watching about 45mins of the show. On the other hand, Ashley got 'glued' on the show and asked if the show ended when it was break time. Kids being kids... the question asked is so innocent... she asked 'has the show end? Why Barney and BJ didn't come out?...' Overall, I think the children enjoyed the show, and we had a enjoyable time together. You know how precious such 'family' outing are... :-)

Cieran turns 6moths, I am back to work..what's more changes?

Time flies when you witness the development of your child. Cieran is 6 months already. Great changes in the family during this month. With just one decision to get back to workforce, the whole family needs to reschedule our routine. First, a consideration who's going to look after Cieran when I am at work. I remember the numerous discussions had with Jeremy, my parents and in laws. It's tremendous stress trying to find the best arrangement for Cieran. We even explored the idea of getting a maid in the house. Despite my reluctant, I give in to explore this option after much persuasion from Jeremy, especially since I can't find any good alternatives. We visited several maid agencies, finding out what's the procedure, fees in hiring a maid. I am surprised that I need to attend a online course and passed the test (with at least 80%) before I am eligible to employ a maid. Nevertheless, this is not difficult task, what worries me is "Must I really employ a maid in the house?'. Several days, I ponder on this issue-Do I need a maid..is maid a solution for us... maid in the house-what adjustments I have to make in the house for this additional member, what rules to set, how to prepare my children to accept this change..etc. For many days, I have sleepless nights. Being a mother, you have more worries and think more than any other man. Jeremy wonders why I am so stressed over this matter and feels that I think too much on the negative side in getting a maid, but how can I not to? It's always easier for a man in making a decision-they are rational and practical. Women are always more emotional thus worry more. That's the difference between a man and a woman. Probably that's why it makes a couple, to compliment each other since each has it's own strengths and weakness.

Nevertheless, I am glad that we have solved the problem and found the best arrangements for Cieran. After much discussions with my parents, it was agreed that mum will quit her job for good and look after my children. In return, I cover her an salary in addition to the monthly allowance for parents. Cieran will be full time care under mum, and Ashley's school bus will route to her place as well so that someone is around to pick her and attend to her dinner needs. After my work, I will proceed to mum place for dinner and bring Ashley home. Cieran being young age will stays overnight at mum till he's older, before I brings him home every night. No point I bring him home now where all I can do with him is to pat him to bed. Instead, I utilised the time (which is a real short time of about an hour) with Ashley to do some activity learning and read stories before sending her to bed.

As for the maid that we have earlier booked, we cancelled the service with a penalty charge of $100. Though a price to pay for nothing ($100 penalty, $30 for online course and test), I am glad that all fits in well now. For this matter, I am very happy that Jeremy gave me his full support on the ultimate decision we made. He may be practical, but ultimately he care most for this family-which I can feel it.

Hey... I scored 98/100 for the demestic test! Not bad right?? Haha!

Cieran @ 4 months

Cieran weighs 8.23kg during his 4 month check up. Hummm...Ashley got this weight only when she is around 6 months. I suppose, this is a difference between a girl and a boy. Anyway, Cieran is a happy baby. He is much easier to look after in comparison to Ashley, in terms of demands and cleanliness. Eg, when Ashley wet/poo, she demands immediate attention. She will cry with her lungs out till we have complete all cleaning, diapering and carries her up. As for Cieran, he is much easy going, he doesn't cry at all, simply allowing you to take time to clean him up. It is much less stressful attending to his needs. Well... as parents, I have been worrying why Cieran hasn't learn how to turn over. Even how hard I lure him with his many toys (well, in fact-toys that was passed over from Ashley :-p), he just couldn't be bothered to try making a turn. He just left me behaving like a 'fool' shaking his toy, trying hard to attract him over.... My efforts of helping him to turn over never see any results! Sigh..... :-( But! On 22April...a surprised came... I witness together with Ashley (at around 6.45am), Cieran makes his 1st turn flipped over on his left by himself. It was quite a easy and fast turn which was least expected. I was trilled to see such sight. I turn him back lying flat on the mat, and hope he'll make another turn again, to ensure myself that what I am seeing is not in my dreams. I lure him with his favourite toy...and YES! He did it again. :-) I am really HAPPY. The next day, I brought him over to my parents' house and both gong gong and po po gets very excited over Cieran's achievements. Well.. they have been disturbing Cieran, naming him "dai lump baou' meaning 'fatty' due to his weight, and his showing no interest in turning. They laughed and cheered when they see Cieran actively turning and flipping over again and again... Achievement at 4 months-turn over on left side.

Cieran Full Month Celebration-22 Dec 2007

The day has come! I have finally endured my 'confinement sufferings' and it's coming to an end. Well, somehow I don't enjoy confinement like many others. Cieran's full month celebration was fixed on 22 Dec, in order to have it on a weekends. As the date was closed to Christmas, getting catering was a challenge. Many caterers only offer Christmas menu and the price was higher than any normal days. Fortunately I found a catering leaflets in the mummy bag that hospital gave...somethings such ads in the mummy bags does have it's advantage. :-) Melrose was a caterer that specialized in full month menu. Price is reasonable with menu that include red eggs and ang ku kueh. It saved the hassle of getting these on my own. The day was busy in the morning. As per custom, I have to cut Cieran's hair, gave him a nice shower with pamelo leaves and changed him into a set of new clothing. This is the 1st time I cut a baby's hair. During Ashley time, mum did that for me as I don't have the experience in handling an infant. After dressing up, we drove to my in laws and perform the praying session. We visited guan yin temple before headed back home to get ready in receiving friends and relatives for the full month celebration. It's Cieran's 1st meet ups with so many people. He's happily in his dreamland without any fuss. The day end with laughter and joy, though we are all tired.... :-)

Baby Cieran is out on 26 Nov 2007 to see the world...

25 Nov 2007, 2.30am...I realised water dripping and wet my panty. What happened? Why can't I control my own urine?... I was wondering. Is this what people say, water bag burst? I have no idea.. though this is my 2nd pregnancy, I have never experience any contraction, any natural symptoms before. Ashley was under selective ceasarean. I called the emergency line in my gynae appointment card to clear my doubts. The nurse advise me to monitor if there will be any show or contractions and I should go to the hospital immediately if I feel something amiss. I was in a mess. Ashley is asleep, Jeremy is out-stationed...I am alone. Cieran's EDD was suppose to be on 19Dec, isn't this too early? Nevertheless, I packed my hospital bag hurriedly, and called mum for help. I have to put Ashley at her place before I can proceed to the hospital. Given no choice as Jeremy is not around, Marcus drive me to Mount Elizabeth. My panty remains wet... this is really ironical! Instantly I became famous in the hospital (my sister in A&E) while I was wheeled to delivery suite. Night shift nurses knew 'our story'.

At the delivery suite, the nurse was surprised that I am alone without hubby with me. What to do? I have to be brave at this point in time. It was 3.40am then.. and I slowly can feel the contractions coming. My god! It's really uncomfy. I made the decision to have epidural and the nurse went to make the arrangements in contacting the respective doctors. Should I call and wake Jeremy? No... what can he do? He wont be able to be back anyway to help me. I have to face this delivery myself. I pray to the Buddha to give me strength.

Waited till around 4.40am, I took the epidural and the contraction pains slowly eased. However , my two legs started to feel numb and discomfort. Every 2 hours, the nurse need to help me turn my body for the medication to flow. I wonder how long do I have to wait... gosh! my cervix only open 2cm. Dr Kowa (my gynae) visit me at 10am.. bet he knows I won't be delivering so soon. He checked and my cervix is still at 2cm. He instructed to induce me to speed up the opening process since my water bag had burst, I have to deliver. Again, I waited for the time Cieran will be out... what a long wait alone in the room. Almost doze off...when 3 murses and my gynae appear again. Without my expectation and preparation, my gynae say it's time! Wah Lau... !!! I have mixed feelings. In my heart, I am happy that I need not have to wait any longer and I get to see Cieran soon.. but yet there is another fear feeling in me. I don't know what to expect in a natural birth. Everything was so fast! I saw the nurse preparing Dr Kowa, getting the neccessary equipments. Dr Kowa was indeed a very jourvial doctor, he crack jokes with nurses. They are like 'performing' an ordinary play while I curiously watched. Dr Kowa told me, '...we will make it for natural, proved to your hubby you can do it....'All takes about 10mins.... and there! I was holding baby Cieran in my arms. I can't explained that moment of joy. It was so touching that I am in tears-tears of joy. I am really glad that I finally experience a natural birth with own child in my hands the moment baby is out. The nurse asked if there's a camera to take a photo for rememberance... A pity I don't have one. I didn't prepare any...well, I was already in a mess, unprepared for such 'SURPRISE'. 3.30pm Cieran is out to see the world. He didn't cry, nor open his eyes... he's fast asleep in my arms . Till the nurse took him away for cleaning, he cries. Probably coz being disturbed from sleep..haha! In the warmer, he opens both his eyes looking around... what a cute baby. I took a photo of him peeping with my mobile, still lying on my bed in the delivery suite. That's the only 1st photo I have. I have to stay in the room longer than anyone else, under observation. According to Dr Kowa, there's many small veins near my vagina area and he would prefer a longer observation time. There, I started calling mum about the news..and of course to Jeremy too. By 6pm, I can finally pushed to normal ward. I am happy that I have fulfill 2 wishes. 1) Natutal Birth 2) got single-bed ward. To you, I may be silly... but to me, the 2 wishes meant a lot. ;-) Cieran weighs 3.28kg and was born on 26 Nov 2007, 15.40hrs. Bed no 4428.

Family Gathering @ Costa Sand Pasir Ris Chalet

1-3 Nov, a day that we have been looking forward to... after all I have booked this chalet since May under the HSBC credit card promotion (50% discount). Finally the day has come after long months of counting down... We have lots of food prepared for the BBQ... there are pork & mutton satay, salad, chicken wings, prawns, chicken curry, sweet corns, sweet potatoes, pork chops, beef slice, fish, quail eggs and fish balls for the kids etc. Wow! So many food... we are all going to gain several kilos within a day! Never mind, so long as we all have fun, who cares about weight now? It's an opportunity for family to gather together to enjoy and relax. The kids are definitely having lots of fun together. They amused themselves in their own games while the adults have their privacy chat. It is very coincidence that there are 4 family members whose birthdays fall in November. We never realised it.. till mum (who never forgets anyone's birthday) distributed us the red packets she prepared for us. How can we missed taking a photo as memento? The next day, Ashley and mummy was the earliest to wake up. While the rest are still piggy-ing, we went out for a walk at the Pasir Ris Park and explore the facilities in chalet. I took several photos of Ashley who has lots of poses. Looking at her, I feel that time really flies! When Vernon wakes up, I arranged the 'little couple' to have breakfast outside the chalet. They both have cornflakes and yogurt drink for breakfast. After some rest, we bought the kids to the swimming pool for water fun. The kids are excited to put on their new swimming costume. The weather was good-not so sunny, plus the pool is empty with no crowd. I suppose the majority could still be in bed.

Back to chalet, after washing up, it's card games! The fun never ends! As we have some raw food left last night, we decide we will BBQ the leftovers again for dinner. The 'satay man' seems professional, but wonder if his satay taste good? Looking at his satays... it sure seems yummy!

Next morning, we drove to Downtown East and had McDonalds for breakfast. The kids' favourite! Afterwhich, we walk around the premises. Downtown East had put on some Christmas decoration. The theme seems to be fairy tales. I can see there's Jack and the bean stalk, Rumbestilskin....Before we proceed to check out, the kids have their last fun riding the electronic vehicles.