RIP Mr S R Nathan

Last night 948pm, our former President Mr SR Nathan passed away peacefully at the age of 92.

Rest in peace, Sir.
Thank you for all your have done for our people.

Throwback to Evans's National Day Party 08 Aug

Long overdue posting because I was too busy and Evans contracted HFMD just after the party. Nonetheless just want to recap what happened at the party, for memories sake.

Evans seemed to have fun and MP Desmond Choo spoke to him a couple of times. But towards the end, could tell Evans was a lil tired. Despite that, he was still very intrigued by the development plan of Tampines, spotted in the CC. He just has a thing for maps and MRT station and directory.

A Tale of A Relatively New Mother of 2

It's close to 3pm. Finally some peace and quiet while the kids are asleep. I know it will not be for long but thought of taking this time to jot down my thoughts/grievances or whatever, so that when I read back in a few months or years, I can "reminisce" what it is like. (Oops thunder.... hopefully the kids can continue snoozing).

I just read an article which a mother shared her experience as a mother of 2. I feel so much for her, juggling her role as a working mom. It was ironically funny when she said sometimes she would just leave what she has dropped, on the floor because she was just too tired to pick it up. (Interrupted cos Evans was crying for me to accompany him for nap.)

Thunder is still roaring quite gently now but let me describe what I am doing now. One hand rocking Eden in the sarong, one hand patting Evans. On and off trying to type this post. Both are still in zzz mode.

My boys are lovely and cute. I love them but at the same time I hope I can get away from them at times. Actually more of away from Eden cos I really miss doing things with Evans. But my energy level may not be able to sustain entertaining Evans for long. When I am busy with the baby, somehow Evans will like to throw me 101 questions or share with me things he knows. Sometimes when I am stressed, I will brush him aside "Not now...". See what a nasty mommy I am. Undeniably I feel bad after that but I just can't be as zen as I wanna be. I can't help but to show the stress and impatience on my face. I just hope Evans will be understanding, which he is (most times) as he has displayed it in many instances. As for myself, perhaps to go less hard on me and take it easy. Easier said, of course. I didn't know I dread baby cries this much especially when it seems to be no solution to his cries. I guess I need to remind me that being a 2nd time mom doesn't necessarily mean I should know a lot more. What's more, it has been 5 years! Just tell myself every day is a lesson. I will learn something new about my kids and I will know them better each day.

It is normal to feel tired all the time and perhaps after a while, the body will be conditioned to handle such life. (This time, thunder woke Eden... so keep rocking!)

I feel really sweaty and oily now. Time has not come for me to take a bath. I need to feed Eden first, by right around 4pm, 45 min to go. And have to wait until my mama is free to watch the kids before I can enjoy the bath time. Goodness, can't wait to wash my hair! This is why I am not comfortable to entertain any guests at this point.

Before returning to work, I will probably get a refreshing haircut and maybe mani to get back my oldself. I believe when I feel good about myself, everything else will seem easier. This is so true when I return home from my me time, I am more patient with the kiddos. My spirit feels lighter as well.

Like the author, there are moments I miss like when I am without kids or when I have only Evans. Things were much easier. This is human, right? So I shouldn't feel guilty about it.

"Dear boys, mama just misses my own life too much but I appreciate you in my life k. Just give me more time when things get easier and we are more free to go places... we will have fun together."

Ok another thunder... maybe I should stop whining and standby for action.

Taking Care of Baby Eden

So far being a 2nd time mom is not as easy as I thought. No doubt this should be nothing new and the efforts should be "less painful" since I have done this (taking care of a baby) before. But I think the learning is never ending cos' every baby is different. Don't believe when people tell you there's not much difference in having 1 and 2 kids. It is very different lor.

With Baby Eden, I am mainly the caregiver to feed him, make him sleep, clean after his poo and bathe him everyday. At my parents' place, my focus will be on Eden while my mama focused on Evans and the rest of the household chores like cooking and laundry. Needless to say, we feel tired almost everyday. My mama will help me with Eden when I take my bath or have my meals.

There are good days when I wake up with some sparkle but those are really really rare. My eyes circles now are at the darkest ever. LOL! There are moments when I really just feel like sleeping through but there is no way because it's either Eden has waken up; time for me to pump before I feel really painful or it's time to feed. While we went through the routine everyday, the days pass by really fast. Before I know it, it's already evening when my papa and bro come home, followed by hubby who usually reaches after 9pm. Hubby helps by staying over every other night with the feedings though sometimes I wish he could take over the "shift" from evening. I know, greedy me.

Baby Eden is now 72 days old, just passed his 2 months milestone. He is starting to coo and smile more. It is funny to see him "talking" as though he is really talking sense. I love to see him smile but looking forward to the time when he can chuckle and do a lot more things rather than sleep and drink. Of course, less tantrums please. I know I am greedy and ambitious but I really wish that he could skip after mid-night feeding soon! Hubby said he is quite thankful now that he woke up once in the odd hours (3 to 4am) for feed. But I just look forward to a more normal routine, even though I may still need to wake up for pumps. 

Currently Eden is on 3 hourly milk feed and he is pretty punctual, Evans was also a punctual baby then. Evans started off with 2 hourly feed (I forgot how we survived), then as he drank more, we managed to stretch his feeds to 3 hourly. For Eden, we also started off as 2 hourly feed with each feed of about 90ml. Then we stretched him to 3 hours, now with 130ml per feed, full breast milk. With that, as a mom, I need to stay on schedule and keep milking so that he has enough to drink. There is no more formula milk to standby. Haha! But I am getting lazier, always overslept.

Looking at Eden, I can see myself in him. He looks just like me as a baby, Stunned looking eyes and standing hair. But at times I can also see Evans in him, like when he is sleeping.

Eden Boy, please be good and kind to mama. Smile more and cry less, k?

XXOXOXOXOOOXXXOOOXOXOXX

  

Singapore's Pride

History was made on 13 Aug, Singapore Time 9.12am!

Joseph Schooling, won the Gold medal in 100m Mens' Butterfly 50m race. It's not just winning, it's also setting the Olympics Record of 50:39s. It's not just breaking the OR but also winning his idol, super legend Michael Phelps. And Joseph Schooling won with 3 others at the Silver position. How cool is that, with Singapore flag on top of 3 other flags. And it was surreal when we heard the National Anthem "Majulah Singapura" played at the Victory Ceremony. All Singaporeans feel really proud, you can tell from all the Facebook feeds, they kept coming and one could easily feel the great pride and joy.

Mr Schooling received numerous congrats and also a warm welcome when he was back Singapore just this morning at 5plus am. It was so warm to see the welcome he received once the plane landed. From the water canon to so many "live" Facebook postings, he is so loved. Haha!

Happy Birthday Hubby

While it is hubby's birthday, he took half day leave just so I could take a break from the baby duties. I could go out to meet my colleagues and run some errands. Very thankful for what he did and I always look forward to my alone time, to do my own things, to meet my friends. Helps to keep my sanity and I will not show too much temper when caring for the fussy baby at times. I felt bad scolding the 2 months old but there were moments I really felt like letting it out. :(

Anyway, I treasures the time given and went to office to meet some colleagues. Had a good catch-up with Bo and he was very kind to buy me my Coke and Sandwiches! :) Great pal. Then I also went back to office to distribute the cake vouchers to those who have shown their love for Eden. Perhaps next time when I am more confident, I should bring the little baby to office to see them. 

I also went to shop for a birthday cake for hubby. Not quite satisfied seeing what they had at Bengawan, Four Leaves and Bread Talk. Luckily there is a Rive Gauche at Tampines One. Managed to get this Fruit Charlotte cake for him! I had this for my birthday at office, and it was delicious. So this time, I got it for hubby. The rest of the family enjoyed the cake too. It was refreshing with the generous fruits topping and not-too-sweet fluffy cake. 

Happy Birthday, hubby and thanks for doing this for me!!! First birthday with Baby Eden!

Good to see Evans being so cheeky and active,
recovering well from HFMD

HFMD, Finally

What?!!! Evans has HFMD?! I was utterly shocked and disappointed to hear this news from my mom on 10 Aug after she brought him to our GP.

Started off with a mild fever that subsided within a day, I thought it was nothing serious. It was just after his school's national day celebration at Tampines Changkat CC, I thought he looked unwell in the late afternoon. Then he complained of sore throat too, refusing to drink his milk. HFMD never came to my mind. I thought he just had a relapse of his previous flu/cough.

Why I felt disappointed because bro and I had planned to bring him out since it was his post national day holiday. Bro took time off but in the end, what a waste! And friends advised that I should quarantine myself and the baby from Evans. It was rather sad that I had to keep a distance away from Evans. I also forbade him to enter our room where didi usually sleeps. For a 5 year old, I must say Evans has been quite sensible. He does keep away from our room but he still can't help but to play around us, especially my brother. Once my bro is home, he will follow him like a leech, then sit with/on him. This is how much Evans likes him.

Other than the 2 blisters on his elbow and 1 blister on his buttock, the ulcers in the throat seem to have gone away as he could eat better. I wish he can recover soon because I haven't been able to give him a proper hug and kiss. I just felt bad to always remind him to stay away from didi. Hope he doesn't feel unloved but I really wanna minimise the probability of anyone else getting this HFMD.

Other than 10 aug morning, I think Evans regained his energy pretty fast. He is still active and chatty at home. Today is his Day 2 MC. Seems like a perfectly healthy boy too but blisters are still there. So looks like this lil boy needs to stay indoors for a few more days.