More Teeth on The Way

ER is well now, totally recovered from the near-pneumonia episode. Thank God we got him treated in time. Thank God for the internet where information is so easily available, and thank God for pointing me towards his breathlessness in time. If he wasn't treated early, he'd have to be admitted and suffer the blood tests and drips! Elijah was one example and Pam was surprised how quick pneumonia hits a young child!

But he's still waking up in the night, crying in discomfort. Once in a while each night, he starts screaming as if in pain.



Mr Liow suspected he's teething again and touched his gum. True enough, the moment he touched ER's lower gum where his left lateral incisor will be, the little one started screaming. Is it THAT painful? He didn't appear too bothered by the cutting through of his first 6 teeth except for slight crankiness. When the molars come, it's going to be worse!

Thank God too, that He prompted me to get the teething gel before we came back. AN never needed teething gel or displayed much of those signs when she was teething. The eruption of her molars made her cry but not as much as ER, if my memory didn't fail me. I didn't even know why I may need the gel. To me, if AN didn't need it, what are the odds that my 2nd child will?

But he does. The Lord knows better.

After dabbing the gel on ER, he calmed down. Thank God for the reminder to get it! And for bringing it out for us right before we needed it!

This part is amazing:

The teething gel was stashed somewhere and forgotten but last week while I was randomly going through a box that we haven't touched since a year ago, I caught sight of the teething gel! And this week, we NEED it.

While I'm lamenting over the lack of sleep for weeks (since AN fell sick even before ER did), the Lord reminded me that He's watching over us by pointing me to practical needs that He has already taken care of. He got me to buy teething even before ER was born and reminded me about it just before we needed it. Amazing?

ER's appetite dipped and he has lost lots of baby fats :(. That's not that most important. I'm worried he'll be undernourished.

Lord, please sustain him as he starts to eat better once he feels better. Thank you Father for protecting the kids. I make one lousy mum who's increasingly overwhelmed by getting no sleep but You who never sleep, never takes Your eyes off the kids. Thank you Lord for your love.

Blow Wind Blow

Blow the sleeping children...

Smells like a Baby

AN came out of their room after her nap and gave us a hug..

Daddy: "How come you smell like a baby?"

AN gave an evil laugh and while walking away from us, replied: "because I just touched Ethan." (ER was sleeping and she wasn't supposed to touch him in case she woke him.)

Cheeky jie jie.

Better Days?

In AN's life this far, there had been 2 periods where I am only looking forward to better days: her between 18-24 months, and her at 4 years old.

Then, she would want things but wasn't able to verbalise. Now, she wants things and will not take no for an answer.

She gets apologetic when she realises being THAT stubborn turns me off. I try not to dwell on an issue after she apologises but it seems she's taking that for granted and increasingly refuses to listen, because she can always say sorry and get away with it after that.

What's the right thing to do? Get a cane? Lock her outside the house?

Dirty Windows?

Nope. It's Baileys and Maen.

These saliva stains can't go. It's been warm lately. Wonder if they are shedding...

New Teeth

ER's 6th teeth has emerged! It's the upper lateral incisor (no.2) on his right.

Can't take a decent picture of the forever-moving baby but these are within view. Still cute, nonetheless. Hehe.

My little Angels

Never forget to pray for our kids...

Update on the Sick(ening) Bug

ER's fever kept going up on Sunday night but he slept well, so I didn't wake Mr Liow up to bring ER to hospital. Didn't feed him his medicines too, because he was finally resting well. I couldn't sleep though. His temperature was on its way up when I took it every 2 hours.

Finally it was morning. He woke up as I was preparing AN for school. I gave him Bifen at 7am. Mr Liow stayed home in case his temperature was out of control. We made an appointment with The Kids Clinic and they would call us when our turn came. By noon when they called, ER's temperature was under control at below 37°c.

Mr Liow went back to work since ER appeared fine. Thank God for Mr Liow. Work load is heavy but he didn't hesitate to be on standby for ER.

ER's fever left and hasn't been back since. As I'm writing this, I notice only 30% left of the cough and runny nose before he recovers. Thank God! He was fidgety during sleep last night (monday) so I hardly got any sleep again.

As for me, I lost my voice yesterday but it's coming back today. My voice still breaks when I speak now but at least the kids can hear me. Like what AN says: "I don't like mummy to speak to so softly."

By evening a while ago, I had a terrible headache! Mr Liow rushed back while my dad stayed on to help me watch the stove (ER needs dinner whether mummy's well or not). Then bro helped send AN home from mum's place and mum came with him to deliver ingredients she bought for ER's lunch. Thank God for all the help!

I got some rest once Mr Liow reached home. The headache was bad and it's been a long time since I had such bad headache.

The one hour of shut-eye was good.

I'm still tired. Been a week and 2 days of little sleep. Pray ER will rest well tonight so that I can rest a little more. I cannot fall sick.

AN Loves

She loves to put on dresses and this is one of her favourite.

While Keeping Watch

More pictures as we wait out our decision whether or not to bring ER to the 'ER' department of the hospital.

AN and I


AN insisted Mr Liow join her in class in the afternoon yesterday but Mr Liow wasn't keen to. He was worried he wouldn't be able to guide her and felt awkward but gave in to her request anyway.

The first problem: he didn't know how to switch the electone on and cheeky AN sabotaged him further by loudly suggesting: "daddy, ask my teacher la!". She knows how to operate the electone, by the way.

Fever so high!

It hit 39.9°c and he threw up after having Bifen coz of the phlegm. We are on the fence about bringing him to hospital at this point because we have all the medications necessary and wonder if there's anything new besides the fever. Dr Allyson said to bring him if he's breathless, not necessarily only in the case of fever. But the high fever worries us, and it's already a week since the cold/flu symptoms. Also, we've completed the antibiotics. Shouldn't there be some recovery instead of a fever recurrence?

:(

Mt. A now, or wait a little?

AN Time

At the foodcourt last evening...

AN: "Daddy, the little boy behind you keeps throwing tantrums. 3 times already."

Daddy: "Eat your food. It's not your problem."

AN: That's why! It's HIS problem!"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

AN trying to fix a flapping cover to stop it from flapping but refusing my offer to help.

AN: "Daddy, help me roll this (piece of adhesive tape)"

Daddy did as asked and AN stuck it between flap and backing before opening admiring her own intelligence: "Wow! So smart!"

Fever Spiked

ER's fever went down by last Wednesday although we still have the phlegm and stuffy airway to deal with.

For some reasons, the fever came back last night :(  This time the fever was even higher at 38.9°c! He's still giggling and playing with AN although a little sluggish.

What's happening again?

Charmaine is now free....

http://ourfeistyprincess.blogspot.com/2011/10/char-is-flying-free.html

She had been a strong warrior and fought bravely for almost 3 years.

The last few weeks of her life was something a little girl should never have to go through.

May the Lord hold the family up through this difficult time.

http://ourfeistyprincess.blogspot.com/2011/10/char-is-flying-free.html

Enjoying the morning sun

This cat had a pillow on the window sill which he sits on to enjoy the nice morning sun...

BUT

.....it's so dangerous.

Sure hope he doesn't fall or jump off when he sees something interesting on the ground

:(

Daddy and His Girl

Mr Liow and his girl taking pictures behind my back. Hehe.

ER looks like Mr Liow for sure, but I get mixed comments regarding who AN looks like. I think she, too, looks like Mr Liow. Probably not a carbon copy of her daddy like the little tiger is, but ....

See what I mean?

Attempting His First Step

He tried it once in the morning yesterday but I was too far from my phone to capture anything. I reached for my phone anyway, just in case. True enough, he tried again. Hehe.

Good attempts! He didn't really walk but he took a step away both times before realising he wasn't holding anything.

A step nearer to independence!

Panting

ER wasn't breathing properly since last night. Brought him to Dr Allyson and was told his airway was quite badly blocked. He was nebulised and breathed a little better after. He also started to suckle and drank what appears to be his first proper 'meal' today, at 3.30pm.

His mucus is now green: infection, again.

Since he had been throwing up his medications everytime we fed him last night, dr decided we use the nebuliser instead. Every 4 hours for 15-20 mins.



And antibiotics for the infection.

She didn't think his heavy breathing warrants an immediate admission to the hospital at this point, but if he still pants after nebulising tonight or if we aren't sure, we're to admit him.

He's not been drinking enough today. He doesn't sip his water, doesn't even suckle though he latches himself to sleep. Now we know why: his airway is blocked. I'm engorged by now and I haven't had that since his birth.

We hope there'll be no need to admit him.  We'll see her again tomorrow to review his condition.

He's asleep now, latched on but not suckling again... :(

Poor baby. What an eventful 1st year as compared to AN, but we give thanks they have each, a healthy body that's capable of putting up a fight against those illnesses even though they need help at times.

Thank God for health, and thank you Lord, for healing!

Baby Gets It Worse

ER threw up 4 times by now. And what came up were sticky mucus that caused him to choke. He sounded less uncomfortable after each puke but the mucus built up in no time.

He's also having fever by now, as expected. He had been very very grouchy and restless the whole night, flipping and unable to sleep. I pray for this to be the peak of his flu/cold.

I'm very sleepy now. He's finally able to fall asleep without much flipping (I hope). Am going to refuel myself as well!

AN was so sweet! She didn't insist that I help her with her morning washup routine because Mr Liow told her ER wasn't well and he needed me. In fact, she didn't even come to the room to bid goodbye. I was hoping she would.

Both of them had left for work and school.

Ta-da! sick AGAIN!

AN started coughing and had runny nose some time mid last week but she seemed better today. Recovering, I hope.

ER caught the bug and started coughing today. He had runny nose since yesterday. :(

Feeding him was hard because he would either sneeze or cough food out. We used to buy tissue boxes (pack of 5 boxes) twice a year at most. This year by now, we're running out of our 4th/5th batch. Both kids take turns to leak from their little noses and sneeze food out. ER especially.

We had, like about 2 weeks of good, sick-free days since ER recovered before 'it' is back again.

ER just coughed so hard he threw up a little on his pillow. I carried him up to get a blanket to protect the pillow from further damage and he coughed again. This time, he was like merlion. The puke showered down into the mattress and the floormat surrounding it. Oh, and my back as well. Huge mess...

They have each hit their quota of 8-10 colds/flu this year. In fact, I think they have exceeded the quota. If what doesn't kill them, strengthens them, I pray they will not be that vulnerable next year.

*sob* I haven't even hung the clothes in the washer up to dry yet and already there are more puked-on laundry to be washed. Thank God Mr Liow helped to clean up the room and has already rinsed the soiled laundry of puke.

Dear Lord, please grant the kids a peaceful rest tonight. Thank You for protecting them from the less common illnesses. Lord, we remember strong Charmaine too. Please take what doesn't belong in her body, away.

Edited: AN is coughing too, still...please, please, please do not also throw up :(

Girlfriends

Girls need friends!

We were at baby Is' birthday party yesterday and both kids woke up too early for their own good (like they did this morning too...history is going to repeat). By lunch, AN wasn't really keen to eat and only wanted to play. I let her be (if she's hungry, she will eat. I believe in this now because she will ask for food if she's hungry, NOT IN THE PAST WHEN FEEDING HER WAS NIGHTMARE. SHE WAS NEVER HUNGRY THEN...). ER woke up after napping pin the car. He, on the contrary, had some fish and yolk. Not much but beats having nothing.

The birthday boy took a nap and woke up looking fresh and very delicious. Mummylim says he doesn't smile but his eyes sparkle ok? He just lets his eyes do the electrifying.

Wanted to take pictures but couldn't find my phone after digging into the diaper bag for minutes.

Got to try to remember to keep my phone near me all the time so I don't miss significant moments! I missed another one when Booboo and AN were talking, and boo had on a such a sweeeeeeet smile. What do you think they were talking about?

AN took a while to warm up, more when we went out for a stroll. By the end of the party, she and Booboo were holding hands!

Girls really must have girlfriends!

English Tea Party

AN went out with her classmates for an English Tea Party last Thursday (6th Oct) at Botanical Gardens. She had great fun enjoying life, sipping tea from the english looking teacup with a saucer (pictured above) and having yummy treats. She had 禄茶 (green tea) which she loves! Lucky girl.

Only problem was, yours truly, the not-very-worthy mummy, forgot to pack a raincoat, a cap and a strapped bottle for her to bring along for the outing. She came back looking burnt, and hugging her big bottle in her hands. Thank God her teachers helped her with the bottle that she otherwise had to hug throughout the whole picnic, and thank God it didn't rain. All the other kids came back, protected under their little caps and all other barangs stored in their little haversacks.

Mental note to self:

MUST PACK AN OUTDOOR BAG FOR AN SO THAT SHE GETS PROTECTED THE NEXT TIME SHE GOES FOR AN OUTDOOR EXCURSION.

Lazy afternoon with my little tiger

Pardon the voice. Was singing to get the tiger's attention. Hehe.

Déjà vu

Had a picture like this with AN once upon a time.

(this was taken when ER was about 4mths old)

My every heartbeat

A friend's hubby had an operation this morning to remove cancerous cells from his head/brain. Thank God he's awake and safe now!

Charmaine the little fighter, is getting weaker but not giving up yet. Every second of their time together is so precious.

I pray the Lord will not put me to test...

Please continue to pray for Charmaine as the Spirit leads.....

Hybrid

Interesting equation

Silly Book

I overhead Mr Liow telling AN as she was opening up a gift, that it was a CD book (CD organiser). AN was so excited and came running to me exclaiming: "Mummy look! I got a SILLY BOOK!"

Bleeding

ER tripped over her leg that stuck out while she was watching TV (and supposedly watching over him at the same time). I watched helplessly as she moved that leg, shifted his arm and him going faced down onto the floor as a result. I thought he knocked his head, which was bad enough, maybe his nose too because he fell forward, then I noticed bloody saliva as he cried and drooled.

He was still bleeding after an hour. She suggested it was blood from his lips. I checked and saw blood on his gums too... She's really not very concerned, is she? But she did apologise for tripping him. I suppose that should take away some of his pain.

Now, both kids bled under her care. How coincidental that both of them, when they fall and bleed in their mouth for the first time, it was when she was supposed to watch over them. But both times, she was day dreaming.

She asks for time with them. As upset as I was previously when ER fell backwards coz she wasn't watching over him (she was literally IN the TV and not with us in the real world), I couldn't reject when she asked me to do my things and she would watch over the little one coz she missed him. She's grandma afterall...but why can't she concentrate when she says she will watch over him. The first was an accident. This time, she actually caused it.

How can any grandmother be so engrossed in a show when she's responsible for a baby?

How many times must the kids get hurt, and how bad? Must I really decide to tell her I don't trust her?

So cute...

ER is understanding more each day.

After I wash his hands each time, he'll give me a cheeky smile and splash water from his wet hands at me before I get to dry them.

Just a while ago, for the first time, he reached out for something behind my head and grabbed a tee shirt. With that same cheeky smile, he wiped my face with it, then crunched it clumsily with both hands as if he's drying his hands.

AN has 3 'cell phones', 2 of which are real ones that no longer work, and 1, a toy. ER has learnt to put them to his ears and he blabbers into the phone. That makes me shriek in adoration! Very cute.

He likes to feed me too. From a lego block to a toy man, to a toy spoon, a cup, a whatever-resembles-palm-sized- food thing, he'll smile widely as he forces them into my mouth.

He likes to snatch my glasses, just so that he can put them back on me.

He has learnt to erase the magnetic drawing board and irritatingly shifts the knob left and right, just to watch AN's drawing disappear while his sister grumbles.

I like how he spots me from a distance and crawls towards me at top speed, giggling excitedly.

He's imitating us a lot. For one, he has started to blow into my belly for that same 'fart' sound his sister had been forcing on me lately. Now, I'm their before-sleep entertainment: they take turns to blow and laugh. I love watching them laugh with and at each other.

Oh, he sways his body to all sorts of music, even to our singing!

When I frown at him or speak firmly to him, he understands the mood change and hurriedly approaches for a hug, clings on and refuses to let go.

Can't remember what I left out, but I'm so enjoying him now. I read how AN used to behave at this age and I also loved the interaction.

Conclusion is, I wish they never grow up...

So cute la!

Answering back

Mum: "为什么把刀放这里？" (why leave the knife here?)

Me: "孩子哭了 我顺手放在卓上." (bb is crying so I left it on the table in a rush)

Mum: "这样危险 不回会哪去厨房吗?" (that's so dangerous. Can't you bring it back to the kitchen?"

Me: "孩子哭 我来不及" (he's crying so bad I had no time to go back to kitchen.) I thought he fell off the bed.

Mum feeling pissed: "我问一句 你薡一句..." (you talk back to me with each question I ask...)

She's been asking me questions but thinks I'm rude when I respond. What logic does that make?

Thought about it a little more, I think she's just grumbling and prefers no response.

Alike

ER, in his daddy's likeness

Capsicum

Such small ones mum got from market. Cute.

Please please pray

http://ourfeistyprincess.blogspot.com/2011/10/saying-goodbye.html

Please continue to pray for Charmaine and her family.

Her mum had been so admirable in the way she fights with and for her. My heart aches to read what the family is preparing for. Please do not take Charmaine away from her mum, Lord! I'm sure Heaven is a lovely place but may we ask that You give them more time with each other?

Please Lord, please...

Nighty Night

Usually after the kids sleep, I'll leave their sides to spend time with Mr Liow. And usually, it'll be ER who wakes up crying for me in my absence while AN sleeps on. Either that or both sleeps peacefully till it's late enough to turn in and I'll go back into their room.

Tonight, AN keeps waking. She came out looking for me at the study and I thought she'd fall into a deep sleep after I laid down with her for a while. After she had fallen asleep, I went out to make coffee for Mr Liow but thought I heard their door open soon after I stepped back into the study. True enough, she walked by dreamily, turned and smiled at us through the glass wall of our study.

I brought her back and told her I needed to brush my teeth. When I came back, she wa still awake.

Not sleepy? It's very late now, but since my baby is still half awake, let's take a picture to end this day.

Sleeping Kids

I enjoy taking pictures of the kids when they sleep because that moment marks the end of a day, sometimes one of struggle and sometimes one with lots of funny memories. This started with Baileys and Maen when they were young. I loved to watch them sleep.

............

The human kids remind me so much of them. But pictures I have now are of the 2 legged instead of 4.

Babies, if you can hear my thoughts, sweet dreams and sleep tight. I send an air hug your way, if you will receive it. I missed you. Very much.

Daddy Farted

AN hurriedly walking to me and complained: "I was sitting there and daddy's butt was facing me, then he farted into my face!"

Mr Liow didn't do it on purpose but that was funny. Hehe.

Watchful Eyes

Was with AN at Singkids Play System at Changi Airport a while ago and she had good fun. There were some kids rougher than others and some toddlers whom AN loved to play with.

She was riding on a cart in a track when there was a traffic jam. The little boy in front didn't know how to get the cart going, so the other little boy stopped behind to wait for him to go and AN too, stopped to wait.

This little girl who probably looked only a year older than AN, dashed into AN hard. Thank God that AN's handle acted as a bumper and she wasn't hurt. I wasn't expecting an apology (most little kids forget themselves when they play too hard) but you'll be shocked to hear her shout out at AN in frustration: "Hurry up! What the hell!"

I didn't hear wrongly. She was loud and clear. Instinctively, I went to drag AN away from the little girl while scanning the playground for her parents. Was very curious how they will respond to such words from their young daughter. No parents sighted. I glared at her and she glared back defiantly. Not a hint of fear at being glared at.

AN wondered why I took her away, so I told her there was a little girl who wasn't ready to play nicely. As I led AN away, I looked back and there the girl was, still glaring back at me. AN saw and then commented that she will not play with naughty children, to which the girl responded while pointing at AN saying that she too will not play with her.

Where are her parents??

Finally, I caught sight of her guardian. It was her domestic helper. The helper obviously dared not discipline such a little miss. I was still looking for her parents. Mr Liow too, after he noticed other parents leading their kids away from this little tyrannical young lady after a while of watching us play. I didn't let AN play with her either (AN wasn't interested to anyway).

We then realised her parents were peacefully having dinner outside the playground. Even when the girl needed to visit the toilet, all the dad did was rudely instruct the helper: "bring her to the toilet. Go go go." Throughout the more than an hour, the parents didn't once come check on her and that time she needed the loo, the parents didn't even talk to her.

We may be wrong though. They probably weren't her parents.

Kiddy tantrums are common. But it's disturbing to see such bad behaviour not being corrected. My mum tells me kids start to behave as they grow older. I don't suppose the girl sees anything wrong with such behaviour (behaving tyrannical) when no one corrects her. How will she grow out of something she doesn't know is wrong?

And I'm uncomfortable with kids who speaks unkind words at such a young age (or at any age). "WTH" from the mouth of such a little girl and such defiance....I can't figure out how any parents will let that go unchecked.

Parents have to be really watchful for the sake of the little ones. We can't turn back time.

Friends Are More Important? Warning: Negative Post

We were about to leave for AN's music class when she called, saying she will join us because there wont be full attendance for her bible study and she didn't want to stay for it too.

But she had a cake that she wanted to bring back to our place to keep in the fridge and we had to wait for her to come back. AN would be late for classes if we waited, so I suggested I'll bring AN there in a cab first. I was frustrated and wondered if Empress really gets what she wants all the time. With a phonecall each time, our plans usually have to be shelved to convenient her.

Fortunately Mr Liow decided that we would go fetch her and continue with our original plan. Just bring along the cake instead of leaving it in the car and the cake wouldn't spoil.

Once in the car, she asked that we make next Saturday free because HER friend will be holding a "Thanksgiving" and Empress WANTS us to be there. She didn't explain what "Thanksgiving" it was till Mr Liow probed further, to which she got frustrated and said she booked us weeks ago. No she did not. But she insisted she did.

We'll be having bible study and may not be in time. She got very upset and said we stand her up all the time, accused us of putting friends above family and said she will never entertain our invitation again in return. Oh, and she wonders why we have BS next Sat.

1. When did she ever participate in things we do? We had to plead with her to help when all 4 of us were sick. Subsequently, even when she knew we weren't well, she didn't bother to help and went on out with her friends too. We wouldn't bother pleading with her again, just to watch how reluctant she can be.

1a. During our ministry Christmas party last year, she was in the room throughout, playing bejewelled. Call that participation?

2. ER's 1st month bash, she went to church, was late and ordered Mr Liow to leave behind all the last min preparations just to go fetch her highness.

3. ER's birthday this year, she was absent because she had concert that was more important.

4. AN's birthday this year, she got upset with us over something that we had no control over (the broken toilet at my SIL's place) and didn't appear to want to be present for the party till the last minute and my parents had to accommodate a new arrangement just an hour before we set out.

there are toooooooo much to list out here.

So what did she mean when she said we placed friends above family? See points 1, 2 and 3. Moreover this "Thanksgiving" thing was a memorial service for her friend's hubby who had passed on way way way before she even knew this friend. We had only seen this friend of hers less than 5 times. Why did she have to force us to go?? So who's placing friend above family? Her friend more important than our activities, so important that we have to be there for something that doesn't concern us????

When had she ever entertained our invitation? See point 1a. She was here because she had nowhere else to be at. So she hid in the room to play games. And even her grandson's birthday was nothing worth celebrating cmp to the concert. Need we say more?

She wonders why we seem to be home on Saturdays (while she was out) but this time there will be bible study (seems to hint that we are giving excuses to not be at the "Thanksgiving" memorial). She didn't realise that the kids had been sick a lot and we had to stay home? And we have BS only once a month, and fellowship a week apart. BS gets postponed if majority couldn't make it. She just didn't care about us, till now, because of her friend.

She has her freedom and wants to decide ours as well.

So, forget it. We're not going. Period.

And about her selfishness, it's innate. She commented that she wouldn't let some distant relatives stay at her place ever again because she doesn't benefit from it.

Mr Liow asked if they gave her an ang pao the last time they stayed. She got upset and said she didn't take it. They invited her for dinner at JB the next weekend and Mr Liow, in his attempt to make peace, suggested that it's a treat to thank her since she didn't accept their token of appreciation.

She agitatedly exclaimed: "It's too late."

She's rejecting all forms of thanks, just to justify her selfishness.

How to respect her?