Sick, again?

Countdown: 4 days

Kids look like they are falling sick :( I'm like, so used to it already.

AN has been coughing today and her nose started leaking after her nap. ER is also having runny nose now. No cough yet, hopefully not at all.

It's been a month since ER got well, probably a little more. I'm thankful enough, although I'd prefer them to be well more often than they had been this year.

I pray this one will not hit them too bad. please, just touch and go, ok?

The Sleepy Boy Who Wouldn't Sleep

I'm trying to coax him to sleep but sleepy as he may be, he's still giggling and playing.

Good Night

Love to watch them sleep....

Just dance

No wonder she misses her daddy. :)

Christmas Gift Shopping

Countdown: 5 days

Bought lots of toys today but that's only 20% of what's on our list.

The hardest part about gift shopping is, having the little one telling you she likes everything that you bought and whining that she's getting none of those gifts that she likes.

I told her she'll get gifts during Christmas from other aunties and uncles but she said she only wanted what I bought.

Good illustration of how children this age live only for the present (= gift, = now) huh?

And I bought tonnes of bubbles for her classmates but I have a feeling I need tonnes more. Running out of ideas what to get. Couldn't bring them back all on my own while carrying the little boy. Will wait for Mr Liow to come back before shopping for the remaining gifts.

Oh no...there's going to be truckload of things to bring home this weekend. I better stop buying anything from tomorrow!

(Relatively) Peaceful Day

Monday (28th November)
Countdown: 6 days

Not much struggle with AN today. In fact, we got to enjoy a couple of activities together. Mum got her a stencilling set on Saturday and she had been enjoying herself, drawing with the stencils since. This morning before she left for school, she asked that I draw some pictures with them so that she knows how else to use the stencils.

When she came back, she started exploring ideas from my drawing and is learning to shade (to give some dimensions to the otherwise flat and boring pictures).

We managed to facetime with Mr Liow after AN got home from school. She didn't cry, didn't plead that he come back immediately, didn't behave abnormal. She had lunch while chatting with him and ended the call willingly. Guess she's getting used to his absence.

ER was cranky by 2pm but AN's hair was still damp after shower. She agreed when I said I'd bring ER in for his nap first while she waited for her hair to dry. On bad days, she would kick a fuss and insist I wait for her. She was so cooperative today.

After her nap, we spent some time revising some words her teacher informed me that she needed some revision on. Again, no struggle and she concentrated. On some days, she get easily distracted.

We had dinner, few disagreements, did some art and school work together. If only everyday is this peaceful.

AN is asleep now. She requested for 2 stories for bedtime tonight with a very reasonable excuse: "Mummy, I'm asking for 2 stories because I miss daddy but I don't want to keep crying. That's why I need to listen to stories."

It appears to work: she enjoyed predicting what was going to happen (those were 2 of her favourite), spent the rest of the before-sleep hour playing with ER, kissing and rolling around with him. She could only sleep after ER fell asleep. He kept crawling towards her to snuggle up beside her and she gladly entertained that.

She didn't cry for daddy tonight.

One week shouldn't take too long to pass. I remember Mr Liow being away for a month when we were in Tucson and I was home alone with AN.

This time isn't really that bad. I just miss him still.

First Day Without Daddy

Sunday (27th November)
Countdown: 7 days

Mum brought AN out for her music class yesterday. Something different. I stayed home with ER, but I really prefer going with AN like every other Sunday. Didn't have much choice coz mum has little confidence with my sticky boy.

Thank God Andy was home whole day. He drove ER and I to Thomson Plaza and we met up with mum and AN for lunch.

Nothing much happened after that. Kids came back, had a nap, then dinner. I wanted to make a quick trip to Compasspoint with ER to get yoghurt and cheese but mum suggested getting it the next day. I was bored and by gg out, I'm actually relieving some boredom, besides getting those stuff.

My kind brother offered to send me there and mum, together with AN, came along to look-see too.

When it was time to sleep, AN started asking to video call Mr Liow. We couldn't, because he hadn't reached. She started crying and insisting, to the extent I felt upset because I can do nothing and she didn't really understand.

She started 'talking' to him, saying: "Daddy, I love u. Can you come back?", then turning to me: "Mummy, I really miss daddy.."

Poor thing.

Hopefully tonight, we get to see each other either on facetime or tango.

Mr Liow has several trips in the first half of next year alone....guess AN just has to get used to it....

Busy day Part 1

Long account of a long day...

Mr Liow will be going away tonight and be back only next Sunday. We have shifted some stuff (lots of stuff, from clothes to toys to milk to pillows) to my parents' place coz we'll be staying there during the weekdays. I can't drive well enough, not with a baby who's not on good terms with his car seat. It's going to be easier for AN to go to school from here.

Early this morning, Mr Liow attended Shekinah's PTM (PARENT-TEACHER MEETING). Had reviews over how AN fared in school for second half of the year.

According to all 3 teachers, AN does her work fast. Too fast. She had completed page 17 when teacher only wanted them to complete up to page 4. She was asked to erase them off and keep to teachers' speed (they want to be sure she hasn't been guessing answers). Teachers were amazed that she got the answers right though, even before the class were taught those. It was in the case of maths (addition) and english. I did teach her at home, probably extra stuff that happened to be on her future curriculum, but those were what I believed most kids younger than her have already learnt, based on what I hear from mums in the forum. Is her school slow?

Anyway, glad to know she has no problems with schoolwork. She also has no problems relating to adults and children in school. Teachers note that she loves to take care of the n1 and playgroup kids especially. We can tell from how she goes around playing with the little ones whenever she gets to go to playground, sometimes even holding the really young ones and leading them. We hv to observe to see if some of their parents mind that.

Miss Sue suggests we leave AN there full day when she gets to K2. Teachers will go intensive to prepare them for Primary One and programs get spread over the 9 hours or so, so that the little ones do not get overloaded in 4 hours for students on half day.

I thought if that's necessary, I'll get a full time job since she will not be home most of each day. ER will be in N1 by then. Will stay home again once she gets into P1. That's just a rough thought. See how it goes.

To be continued...

Busy day part 2

After the PTM, we rushed through lunch coz I had an assignment at noon in Commonwealth. Quite a distance, so we had to eat fast and leave home earlier.

What a long session it was! I was worried Mr Liow wouldn't be able to handle ER!

I expected the session to end by 3pm but I was done only at 4.15pm. From 2 makeup and 3 hairstyling, to 3 makeup and 5 hairstyling. And drama in between.

The drama: young kids were playing and jumping on bed. One of them (probably 24 months or slightly older) fell back and hit his head. We thought it was just a knock but realised the back of his head was bleeding badly! My heart ached....omgoodness... That was such a deep gnash! And blood kept oozing out!

The back of his shirt was soaked in blood. The towel they used to put pressure in the wound was soaked too. I'd have cried if it was AN or ER in such a situation! The poor tot kept screaming "mama help me!" and "pa pa" (meaning: frightened, in chinese). So defenceless....so heart shattering..

I suggested they bring the boy to a clinic. The cut looked like it needed a stitch or 2. Mum went, so I had to wait for her to return.

It wasn't a makeover friendly place today. The arrangement was such that the makeover be done at hotel but was changed at last minute. Kids were running and meddling with my hot rollers. I felt like I was home with my own. Hehe.

A bit of waiting here, some drama there, kids in the way...what a day! It was tiring, but I enjoyed myself. :)

Busy Day Part 3

We went to Tampines Mall after I was done. Apparently, Mr Liow had no problem taking care of ER in my absence. He even fed ER the lunch I prepared early this morning.

I got my Jose Eber curling iron. The one I had for years had gone missing. All the better, giving me a good reason to upgrade! This Jose Eber one has titanium barrel, emits negative ions and is fat with a waistline of 25mm. Costly though (twice the price of my old iron!). Hope it's a worthy investment.

Rushed back home after a quick dinner, packed and washed around because home will be home alone for a week. I wanted to make sure there are no wet spots for mosquitoes to breed, dishes unwashed etc.

Once done, we came over to my parents' place. Mr Liow spent his last few hours with us and then he had to leave to get his luggage before my bro sent him to airport.

This time, AN started crying. She kept crying for him and said she didn't want him to go as he left. This is the first time she cried for him because he was going overseas. In the past, she felt nothing. Only excitement when he came home, but nothing when he left. December last year, Mr Liow also had to go overseas. AN counted down to his return along with me but no tears too. This time, she made it even harder for him to leave without worries.

End of recount. It'll be AN's music lesson tomorrow and mum will be coming with us. hope time pass fast this week. Missing Mr Liow already.....

Lord, please grant him a safe and easy flight without his back giving him any problem. Also, please watch over him as he drives around. Lord, please protect over him everywhere he goes. In his name, amen.

Flipper

I have a boy flipper. He flips sooooo much in his sleep that I often wake up to find him not where he is supposed to be sleeping, but at the far end of their bed, almost falling off. We have 2 super single mattresses placed together, meaning to say he flips 6 feet away while sleeping. He has flipped across big pillows that are supposed to block him from falling off their mattresses whenever AN is not sleeping beside him.

-____-"

If AN is home, she breaks his momentum. He's showing signs of flipping over her and probably, soon.

And both of them will still be asleep...

Standing without support

I took the little boy walking for a bit and let go where there was nothing for him to lean against. HE STOOD, by himself. We praised him excitedly and he did it.over and again, smiling proudly.

When AN was 14 months, we did this with her and she started walking from that day on. Guess ER just isn't ready yet.

Last night, he stood up by himself from squatting position and stood without support too.

One more step to walking on his own.

Reading

My little girl is learning to read better. It's exciting when I hear her reading to herself! More importantly, she asks when she is unsure about some of those words.

That day at a Grolier roadshow, the sales lady said most Singaporean kids can read by 4 years old. I would have panicked if it was last year but by now, I'm learning not to force others' standard onto AN. I did, and she suffered under my unfair expectation.

My duty is to teach, not force her to learn. Just like I am to provide food, not force her to eat. This has always been my struggle.

We'll take it slow. Life in Singapore is always a rush. I have to remember that she has the right to enjoy life as a four year old. Benefits of a child do not last forever.

*Nods to myself* Must remember.

Another interesting conversation

AN: "I have one popo and one nainai (her maternal and paternal grandmas), and one gong gong (my dad). Then where is daddy's daddy?"

Me: "That will be your yeye. He has passed on."

AN: "How did he die?"

Me: "He was sick."

AN: "He didn't take medicine?"

Me: "Not every sickness can be cured by medicines."

AN: "Yup. And you can't take too much medicines. Michael Jackson took too much medicine and died, right?"

Mr Liow and I started laughing (not at Michael Jackson's demise but at AN's comment). How on earth did she know?? She did listen in when we discussed about the trial of MJ's doctor. We just didn't expect her to understand and remember.

It was good opportunity to remind her that overdosing on medicine can kill.

Match making

A friend posted on that he got approached by a match making company but he rejected the offer. The 'matchmaker' persisted and he revealed that he didn't need their help because he's married. What he got as a reply was shocking: "It's ok. There are ladies who like guys like you." (paraphrased coz I can't remember his actual words).

Then another friend by chance noticed her hubby has an account with a match making service online as well. He doesn't seem to be one who fools around but this online account is bothering her.

It's things like these that break up a marriage. They plant doubt. If a husband can firmly reject an offer and proudly exclaim that he's married, I'm sure the wife can be assured that the hubby is less likely to stray. As for the second case, I wonder....

If this post makes u feel guilty or uneasy, I may really be talking about you.

And cases like these make me wonder if Mr Liow keeps things from me...

Shedding

At this rate my hair's falling, I'll be bald by end of 2012.... :(

Silverfish Sighting

It's only recently that I've noticed silverfish bugs in the house. Cockroaches are gone (i think), because there haven't been cockroach poop around, especially in the kitchen cabinets (that's a telltale sign).

But silverfish bugs thrive in moist, dark places. How is it that we find them around the coffeetable?? That's where ER's toys are, all around our coffeetable :(

I'm less worried when my search about these bugs agree that they do no harm to human and pets. They feed on hair, dandruff, dander etc.

In my years living here, I've never encountered much bugs. Now that Baileys and Maen are no longer in the house, all these pests happily appear. We now know why our home had always been pests-free, except for the occasional lizards (which we had only seen ONCE since last year). These lizards were safe, as long as they remained on the walls. Baileys can jump high, but he can't scale walls. Lucky lizards.

Next up on my list of pest-to-massacre will be YOU, SILVERFISHES!

P.s. Actually it's not such a bad idea to have these bugs in the house. Since they are harmless and feed on allergens (dandruff and dander), are they not like living vacuum cleaners?

Hmm....

Backdated pictures - Gerald and Ai Hua's Wedding

12 Nov 2011



We didn't have much pictures taken, because camera wasn't charged and camera phone was deeeeeep inside that exploding diaper bag.

No, wait!

We had no pictures in our devices! But they had photographers who happen to shoot instant photos and we got 2 taken a keepsake.

Family Photo

Nightmare!!

Oh my goodness!!!

I went back to nap a little after sending AN off at the gate..and had a dream.

I dreamt I went walking around AN's school and saw BM's pet groomer's shop round the corner. I went in to reminisce and had a little chat with their groomer. Then I saw Serene who happen to be there to help out in an adoption drive. She told me that Maen's new owners are splitting up and she's with the owner's new boyfriend now.

I started to wonder how she's doing!! I wonder if the owner's new boyfriend is treating her well. I had this strong gut-feel that she's being mistreated (for being a nuisance when all she wants is to snuggle up and keep close to her humans)...

:(

I asked Serene in my dreams if I can bring Maen home if they are not able to care for her anymore...

Then ER tossed and woke me up. THANK GOD IT WAS A DREAM!

I better go check on Maen soon :(

Mr Liow will be away on an overseas trip from 27th Nov to 5th Dec. I hope to meet the furkids before Christmas... :( Can I just have a day to spend to visit them please???

Happy Feet 2

Since Mr Liow was on leave today (Monday), he decided we bring the kids for a show. AN had movies in the theatre before (Toy Story 3 last year before ER came) and the Mickey Music Festival, with ER. Both kids enjoyed the second (not a show but a concert), so we thought we could try it again today.

AN enjoyed every bit of the movie today but not the little boy. He was captivated for the first hour but was cranky later on because he was tired. I had to bring him out for a (long) breather, go in and see if he would allow me to continue watching, which happens to be a clear 'no'. So we loitered around the outside of theatre 4 :(

Shortly after we came out the second time, a caucasian lady came out too with her son. She sighed: "It's not working." Her boy too, refused to sit throughout the show. She thought he would enjoy this one because he enjoyed the last one.

Mine has only managed a record of an hour or so. It's good enough for me. I'd rather not have him glued to the any shows for any longer than that. hehe

This marks ER's first movie in a theatre. hehe

Finally HITCHED

My brother is officially married today! He's finally taken the love of his life as wife and we're so so happy for him!

It's been a long and tiring day though. I woke up early to do my own makeup and hopefully have time to just curl my hair. ER kept waking up randomly so I had to stop working on myself constantly to try ensure he goes back to bed.

Was finally done with myself and did ah girl's makeup and hair. She's happy with her 'makeover' (given that she hardly puts makeup on and is eyeshadowphobic) and I'm very happy because she's happy. Hehe.

After dolling ah girl up, I went to heat up ER's food that I prepared yesterday for his lunch today. Thank God Mr Liow helped with making milk for AN and feeding ER his cheese.

Once done, we rushed to my parents' place to do mum's makeup. It was chaotic with ER screaming for my attention as I was dolling mum. AN ran out at some point, slipped and fell. Double the chaos -___-".

Again, thank God the kids were cooperative enough, so I was able to achieve most of those that I planned to carry out this morning, except curl my hair. Hehe.

Here comes....pictures, LOTS OF PICTURES!

The new big family

The good looking couple

Mum and Ah Girl

Grandma and the Little Worm (after the ceremony)

Daddy and the little worm

The bump after the fall

Handsome or what?

Mr and Mrs Tan

The Liows

Once upon a time, she (on the left) was a little girl...

Convenent

Blue roses, the bride's favourite

Our new big family (only the adults)

My handsome boys

The very anxious groom

Sealed with a kiss

Adel and I. The last time we met, AN was only 1 year old!! Had a good time catching up!

Pardon me. It's been a long time since I took pictures of myself. hehe.

"Popo, can I go down now?"

Taken by AN. Cool little photographer went around 'shooting' without warning and walk away without informing that she's done -_____-"

A typical wedding kissy-pose minus the gown and suit but taken from the angle of the little one and capturing the 'main' photographer at the same time.

Was a hectic day but happy. My mum fell (because there were lots of steps and she didn't notice) but she said it didn't hurt because she was really happy. hehe. Good lah, everyone happy, I also happy!

Dizzy

Everything around me is spinning now. It started since last night each time I woke up to settle ER. I thought I could sleep it away but I'm still dizzy.

It shouldn't be that I didn't have enough sleep. I had 7 hours of rest. Interrupted, no doubt, but I've had less than 3 hrs of interrupted sleep when kids were sick and I got up fine the next morning.

Mr Liow is helping with the kids now (change both into day clothes), brush their teeth, prepare AN's milk and ER's breakfast (got to be just cheese for now).

duh....the room is still spinning at this point. I'll try rest a little more. Please, dizziness, go away soon...

Our Little Princess

Got her a dress for Andy's solemnisation this Sunday. She's bent on stealing the limelight from the new Mrs Tan!

Ru Hua

To my little sister, please look at this. This is Ru Hua, and what makes you think you look like her? :p

Fun Time Around the World 2011

Finally uploaded pictures and a couple of videos of the concert that happened last Saturday. There are too many pictures, so I won't be posting much (if any) here, until or unless I have the time to be on the computer. Otherwise, friends who have me on their facebook, I've done the uploading there instead.

2 videos to share here :) (Am still uploading the other....will embed here after it's done. Quite a large file...been waiting for 2 hours and I think there seems to be another 2 more hours to go, with the snail-slow speed at 3am in the morning...the network must be sleepy too.)



Added @ 8am:

Me

At 32 years old, this is how I look. Been a while since I did makeup on myself. I'm no longer as game for colours as I used to. Can't tell I have much on my face huh?

Chinese poem

AN reciting a short (or part of a ) chinese poem she learnt in school about swans

Concert

AN had her much awaited concert this evening.

She.was.gorgeous! These are photos taken during full dress rehearsal up for ordering.

Havent uploaded pictures of the concert yet Meanwhile, I'm posting some taken with my S2.




(pardon my 'proud mummy' moment)

There was a wedding lunch so she had very little to eat and literally no nap. Poor girl was so tired I was afraid she wouldn't be cooperative for her dance.

We dropped her at Grassroots Club before wedding lunch even ended (it started late) because these little performers had to get styled up.

When it was time, we went back for the concert and had a good time. The little ones were simply adorable. Our mums wondered how the very young toddlers at age 2 and below would be able to follow instructions. Not only did they dance right (not all the playgroup tods but most did), they did so well shaking to the music.

The K2 students were the highlight because it was a graduation concert for them. Watching them give a short speech individually on the stage in a theatre full of audiences got me so emotional...Any parent would be so proud of that and in 2 years' time, there AN will be. I will surely cry. Without a doubt, I will. No use trying not to.

At the end of the concert while the kids were singing the last song, we were trying to get AN's attention from the audience stand and I finally did! I signed "i love you" and she signed back. This moment was precious....my baby...

Be Careful

We were chatting with the auntie cleaning our estate while waiting for Mr Liow this morning when auntie caught sight of a cute little girl and enthusiastically waved hi to her. The little girl looked about 2 years old, turned and smiled at the auntie while her mum tugged at her, dragging her and telling her to speed up.

Auntie attempted to strike up a conversation with the little one but the rude mum continued to ignore auntie. She could be in a rush but she could at least turn back and give a smile like her little girl did, no? Giving her some benefit of doubt, she probably didn't realize auntie is talking to her even though they were just next to each other at some point.

Subsequently, Mr Liow came. He had to reverse his way out after we got on the car and looked back and about to make sure he didn't bump into anything or anyone. He got shocked and braked suddenly.

Guess what? That mum wasn't in sight while he was reversing (it was quite a while since we saw them and we were sure they had gone off) but suddenly appeared IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD behind his car! She was probably bending over with her little girl by her side and totally out of sight ON THE ROAD. If she hadn't stood up in time or if Mr Liow went any faster, the worst thing would have happened.....

My heart is still racing as I'm typing this...so scary..

Why would she be bending down in the middle of the road? Didn't she know where she was standing, or in this case, squatting/bending? Mr Liow's car has reverse sensor. Didn't she realise a car was reversing dangerously close towards them?

We're thankful the Lord kept the 2 of them safe! But this mum needs to learn to keep off the road and teach her daughter to do likewise. The road is for pedestrians to cross at the right time. Moreover, there is reason why school used to teach us to reach our arms up high as we cross the road when we were little. Little children may and too short for drivers to notice. And parents/grandparents/guardians, we should be tall enough. This is the least we can do to protect our tiny ones on the road: by standing up so cars know not to bang into us.

Tigers Behave As Tigers Should?

ER is starting to bite occasionally. Hopefully with correction, it doesn't become a habit. And he scratches with those sharp nails of his that I can never fix. Mr Liow gets scratched so much he has to have a top on when carrying the boy. He has scars on his chest and belly to show he does help with carrying him.

And ER, besides blowing into my belly, also enjoys catching a layer of my fats between his teeth and clamps down on them. That hurts, baby boy!  AN, being the elder sister, will discipline him firmly with "No Ethan! You cannot bite mummy!"

He's the only 'biter' in the family. Baileys and AN have NEVER EVER bitten me or anyone else. Maen does 'mouth' whenever she was excited but she too, has never clamped her teeth onto anyone.

He's a natural predator.

Whatman

Mr Liow gets mistaken for a policeman very often when he's in uniform. But his uniform doesn't resemble that of our policeman at all.

It happened again this morning when AN's kindergarten seniors were waiting to move to the next classroom.

Kids whispering among themselves: "look, policeman!"

Funny Mr Liow responded, smiling brightly: "No. Superman!"

Little Peacock

AN collected her costume for the concert this Sat.

Andy and I

This is one rare photo of me with my bro. The last time we had a photo together, just the 2 of us, it was when we were in preschool, I think.

Do we look alike?

Milk milk milk

With a baby in the house, we just can't stop having a relationship with milk, can we?

Once upon a time, I struggled with nursing AN, then with weaning her (which never succeeded. She's just asking for it less now because she knows it's for ER more than it is for her now), then having to give her Pediasure, then making a change to formula milk after we came back to Sgp, which is not a necessity now that she's almost 5 years old. I don't know why but I just do not feel at ease till I know my kids are getting enough calcium and protein, along with other good stuff in the formula milk more than from fresh milk. AN has to have Milo mixed in her milk, so effectively, she hasn't had milk like it should be, yet.

I'm not longer worried about her anymore. I have a new one with ER, exactly what I used to struggle with AN.

Been reading about mummies who also struggle with this milk thing, one with bottle training (which I failed too, with ER) and another in giving formula to baby.

I, together with my little tiger and AN failed with milk bottle. AN had expressed breastmilk from bottle only when I was away but could no longer drink from one since we went to Tucson. I tried offering her Pediasure from bottle but she didn't like it.

I tried giving ER water from a milk bottle one day few months ago but he hated the bottle too. He would rather drink from a straw. He would sip from a sippy cup but wouldn't drink as much as he would from a straw.

Once we got the right 'tool', I tried making him formula milk which he enthusiastically sipped from his mag mag but spit out upon realizing that wasn't water -______-"

He watched me drink my low fat fresh milk and wanted some, so I gave him sone to try. He appeared interested, so I started buying full cream ones to share with him. Low fat is not enough for babies. Then he decided he didn't like milk anymore, so I had been drinking full fat milk. I'm only complaining because I'm drinking all these fattening stuff instead of the baby who needs it more....

Sabotaged.

But I enjoy milk. I enjoy cheese, yogurt, anything and everything dairy.

And both of my kids love yogurt too.

I guess I really need not worry so much about their milk intake, mainly ER's now. He still nurses, loves and gets his daily 'dose' of cheese and yogurt.

Still, it will be good if he starts drinking formula milk soon. He's not a keen eater. I'm hoping the formula milk can fill in some of what he lacks nutritionally.

Sigh....

I want to wean him but can't bear to at the same time. I have jobs coming in already (hurray!) but I'm never going to stop worrying if he will miss me, if he's going to eat when I'm out, if he will still be alive when I come back, or half dead from crying for hours.

Because most babies find comfort in drinking milk, if ER finds a new form of comfort, it's probably going to be easier for him when I'm not around?

Does that make any sense? I think I'm sleepy...

sigh.... We'll cross the bridge when we come to it.

Stronger!

AN started sniffing last Thursday, much to my worst horror! Soon after, her nose started leaking. I'm sure we all remember, ER had barely recovered from his pneumonia.

She didn't appear too unwell except for the runny nose....till Sunday night. I couldn't sleep because I somehow expected AN to suddenly have a fever. The hunch was so strong I kept feeling her temperature (was lazy to reach for thermometer) throughout and she got increasingly warm.

Sigh....

True enough, the thermometer showed 37.5°c when she woke up. But thank God it didn't continue rising. She was about 37.3°c on average. Not very high. Wert were really really thankful.

The low fever went away by evening without medicating and hasn't returned. Her runny nose left almost the same time the fever left as well.

This is the second time AN 'won' the battle with a virus, bacteria or whatever it might have been. The first time was before ER caught it from her (I suppose) when she showed signs of falling sick but got well very soon after.

Is she stronger now after all these episodes of falling sick since she started school? She hasn't been as sick as she was months back, so bad that she had to stay away from school then.

Now that ER is nursing lesser than he used to, he's less protected and more likely to fall sick. I pray that like AN, each of these incidences will only make his body stronger against the same bad viruses and experienced enough to fight off new ones.

Morning Stroll

I'm trying to make use of any opportunity I can find to spend some 'alone' time with AN. ER had been taking away so much of me from her and it hasn't been healthy that most times now, when my attention is finally on her, it's sometimes negative (reproach for a bad behavior or something she shouldn't have done).

AN woke up early on Saturday morning as usual, and she woke me with her "mummy, it's morning!". I asked if she wanted to go for a walk and she was keen, so I took her for a long and slow stroll around our neighborhood. It was early, cool and windy without any signs of impending shower. Just perfecT!

It was so nice! We walked hand in hand, just the two of us. No rush, no struggles, no disagreements, no other distractions. I took her through the carpark, past the bus stop along Yio Chu Kang Rd, showed her which bus brings us where, told her where I used to work and how I got there, how that road is also commonly uSed by daddy when he brings us to Nex, past the next stop at a big, empty piece of land, past The Hiding Place, past the nursery, along the big field where there was a group of dog trainers at work. We chatted about crushed snails, dead insects, fAllen leaves, touched those on trees that we could reach etc.

And then we noticed this sign that indicated the plot of land beside us is up for sale. So, picture time for us (especially AN). There's going to be an executive condominium in future.

AN walked all the way. This girl doesn't really enjoy walking but did it for the 45mins stroll without asking to be carried.

We should do this more often.

Another conversation with AN

AN doesn't always share with ER and she's less patient with him now, compared to months earlier. Whenever she behaves sweet towards him, I'll have to point it out and give her the credit for behaving like a responsible and loving elder sister.

Me: "That was so sweet Adrielle! How come you don't share with Ethan like this anymore? You don't love him anymore?"

AN: "I love him but I have to scold him because sometimes he makes me angry. Like sometimes I make daddy angry, and sometimes daddy makes you angry and sometimes you make Ethan angry. And then the whole house will be so noisy!"

That doesn't answer my question, but is funny. Hehe

Full Dressed Rehearsal Makeup

AN had her first full dressed rehearsal last Thursday and she came back with makeup that she couldn't bear to remove.

Love that shimmery peacock green eyeshadow!

"What else have I NOT done?"

Whatever goes through the mind of a year old baby, it has to be something....inspiring.

Scary Girl Ghost Prank

Meant to post this quite sometime ago. This is funny. wahahahaha!

7th teeth

http://littleflowertwointow.blogspot.com/2011/10/more-teeth-on-way.html

That tooth has pushed through his gums, making it his 7th. He slept much better last night too.

Hurray!

AN's first bicycle

AN gets her first bicycle from popo, my mum. Such a sweeeeeeet color! mum said AN had her eyes on this bike the moment they got to the shop. I'd have choose this too. Hehe.

Magic

Mr Liow was performing some magic tricks before the kids tuck in and both were so engrossed.

AN tried very hard to figure out where those stuff disappeared to and suddenly, her little lightbulb-full-of-ideas brightened up again. She suggested: "Daddy, can you make Ethan disappear?"

-______-"

Thrill ride @ home

A Rare Outing

This was about 2 months ago...

Mum and I arranged to go to the NTUC at NEX. She had been wanting to get a new dining table coz the one they have is falling apart. When she asked if dad wanted to join us, he said ok.

He had been very against us making this trip there just the day before. He suggested going with mum on Friday because AN will have no school and will not be going to their place. As usual, he didn't want me to bring baby everywhere.

Surprisingly, he was 'participative' the whole time there, giving comments (which didn't go well with mum. His comments hardly ever did and hardly ever will go well with mum. They can NOT see eye to eye). And he helped to check out groceries. I thought he would be bored and grumpy but he wasn't a least bit.

But he started walking very slowly. His legs ached and walking was a chore. My dad is old :( He could walk really fast when we were kids. We would arrange to meet at Parkway Parade (from our old home at Marine Terrace), him to travel by foot and us by bus, and he would arrive earlier than we would.

He would not have allowed me to hold grocery bags (very stubborn father I have, but silently caring) but yesterday, after I insisted, he let me hold some. The rest were on ER's stroller, pushed by mum. His legs must have hurt bad because he's superb at tolerating pain and would not have allowed me to do anything he thinks he should be doing but he relented after I firmly took those bags from him.

It wasn't a long outing, but a fruitful one. The last time I went out with both of my parents (besides the time when they came to stay with us in Tucson) was before I got into Secondary school, if I didn't recall wrongly.

Now I understand better why he's sitting most of the day and doesn't want to go out much (other than for lunch). And I appreciate him more knowing that he's more than willing to get me much despite his legs aching after too much walking.

Love my parents...

Failed MUA

See what AN turned me into?