Goodbye 2007, welcome 2008...

I'm now at my parents place in my bedroom enjoying the aircondition while rie is sleeping. She woke up since 1pm and havent had the chance for her afternoon nap as we brought her to NTUC TPY to shop shop today.

Let me reflect on the year 2007.

It has been a very busy and fruitful year for us family. I've had a smooth pregnancy and delivery (fast and furious one), welcomed our bundle of joy, entered a new chapter of motherhood (a very busy and tiring one) and now a SAHM.

My motherhood wasnt a very smooth sailing one though. It started off with terrible night duties and I was almost calling it quit. Plus hb expected me to handle the household chores as well and I didnt have time to rest. No helpers, yes right. You've heard me. I dealt with my confinement alone with no helpers to help me. Mum did drop by daily to shower for Rie, and some days I learnt to shower her. Dad brought me lunch and dinner daily.

Well well, 10 months have past and our little rie has grown up so fast and is now 10 months old. 2 more months and she will be a year old. How time flies right??? Now that I'm looking back, awww...I do miss her little finger and feet when she was just born....and how she will smile at me the first time.

Will I be expecting a 2nd one coming along???? Not so fast. We are planning for a year 2009 one, but then plans may just change you know. Like for example I would decide to be contented with Rie alone, or we might jolly well wait till the year of the rabbit instead? Then we will have 2 rabbits, 1 goat and 1 piglet in our family.

For the new year, I wish my hb would be more focused in his career and not day dream, and that may money grow more more in his wallet and that we would continue to strike 4d many many. Aiyah, talking abt 4d, I forgot to buy today!!! Darn, tomorrow dont know open or not, otherwise have to go on wed....xiao liao lah....

Help needed..

I'm seriously in need of helpers man. I'm dead tired....past 2 days, we try our best not to let rie have her nap past 8pm, so that she will KO at 1230am and sleep thru the night. It worked.

She slept only for 1 hr in the day from 5-6pm and was dead tired by 12midnight and we all went to bed by 1am. BUT, she got up real early instead at 730am on Friday and this morning, she woke up at 830 and refuse to get to bed again. I had to wake up as well lah, play with her till she got sleepy again and slept from 11 to 1pm.

We brought the pram out yesterday afternoon for the first time to take a bus, then the MRT and to the shopping centre! It wasnt that bad afterall leh, the places were quite pram friendly, except going up the bus lah. The pram weights 7kg already and plus diaper bag, the mini fan, our water bottle. sigh...But with the pram, my back can now rest. I'm glad rie will sit still in her pram, looking around. We thought she would fall asleep in the pram, but there were too many distractions around.

End up, we head to Bugis nursing room (I love that nursing room) and I bf rie to sleep. We had 1 hour of peace...ahhh...luxury. Then we headed to Grand Plaza hotel for our buffet. I love the teppanyaki and the ebi tempura and of course salmon..yummy....Managed to catch up with mum and she told us little stories about dad during their genting trip.

It was a wonderful night and I wish we can have more of such nights....

P/S: I'm looking for those part time helpers where they charge say $10 per hour to come by your house and do housework. Anyone know of any lobang?

Christmas was here, and is gone...

"All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth, yeah my two front teeth.."


Rie didnt get her christmas wish from Santa, I guess the tooth fairy forgot all about her... She still hasnt spot a single white tip peeing out. Nothing at all. However, this doesnt deter her from trying all sorts of goodies.


Christmas eve was spent at my bro's place. Got the chance to sit in his new mazda 7 seater, shiok man! Rie got to sit on the baby carseat the very first time and I'm so glad she sat still! Taken with my nephew Jereal. I love the spaciousness of the car leh. Dad was quite interested in getting this car as well, but seems like he has postpone his plan to get a new car leh...hhmmmm

We made a last minute dash to Kiddy palace to get pressies for my nieces and nephew. Bought for Jodi a beads making set, Jadyne a cooking set and a racing car for Jereal. I've received a handphone charm, hubby a tee and riesia a fisher price tortise that would pop its head out once u hit all the shapes on the hump. She was more interested in the little hammer that came with it and kept swinging infront of her face. I was so afraid she would just knock her own face with it.

Rie woke up at 7pm and she didnt go to bed till 130am. She was dead tired, I was too! We stayed till past 12 midnight so that the kids would get to open up their pressies to play with. Uncle was to send us home, but ended up bro sent us back. Why? Uncle parked his car at the hospital and the gate was locked up past 12 midnight! Save money on carpark coupon? I dont know, he claim there were no parking space. But he could have parked opposite to Macdonalds right? No pressie for guessing the right answer.

We slept till 12noon the next day, so shag out leh. See Rie still tired....She was lying on her pillow to watch Barney....Christmas day, nothing special. Rushed for Rie's lunch then to mum's place to help her do up the laundry.

Walking to mum's place with Rie in pram. I have no energy to carry her in the sling anymore! Having severe backache man. hence we try to push the pram where possible. See Rie's hair? I can tie a tiny ponytail on top for her now. The clip just doesnt do the trick anymore, coz it kept falling off. So I used a rubber band instead and it stays on neatly.Lazy bro just wouldnt do any housework! And he is already coming to 24!!! That's what I cannot stand him. Lazy bum. I was expecting mum and dad to return on 26th instead, so we went there, did the household chores, wash up the laundry, cooked for Rie and then walked back at about 915pm.

Got a surprise call from mum at 10pm! They have arrived liao...Aiyah, then we sld have stayed on longer then we would get to meet them.

I'm arranging for a buffet at Grand Plaza hotel this sat with them. I love the salmon leh. You know, I never take raw things before and dont know why I just tried a small piece(not my first time) of the salmon and took a liking to it. Since that day, I've been hitting on salmon ever since. Once I even had a great craving for salmon in the middle of the night that the next day, I headed to NTUC and bought the salmon sushi to satisfy my cravings. It was that bad.

Why have I not learnt how to eat this much much earlier? Darn....Now it makes me look forward to the japanese buffet...yum yum.

Poor hubby

Hubby has landed himself in the hospital for the weekend.
Friday was supposed to be his D&D, but he gave it a miss to see his GP again regarding his knee infection. It's been a week and he was suffering.

His GP referred him to A&E and he admitted himself at Alexandra Hospital on Friday night. I was having buffet with my parents at Grand Plaza Hotel when he called. Haiz, I thought to myself so serious meh?

And I felt rather angry, coz he is a person who always makes a huge mountain out of a small hill. So anyhow, fine lor, he said the dr has to do a minor op to remove the pus as it has infected quite a large part of his leg liao.

So this evening I went to visit him after entrusting Rie with my parents. Mum even stayed at home to cook up a delicious dinner for me. She had wanted to head back to office to do her work before they head to genting tomorrow morning.

So i took a cab down to visit hubby. The place wasnt as run down as I thought so. But then, I didnt like the atmosphere of the men's ward. Before I go on, I need to rant off something. This hubby gave me wrong information that the toilet along their level at the end is a COMMON toilet. So I happily went in and there wasnt any sign of men or ladies and there wasnt any door either. Plus, there were no urinals also mah. So I went in, did my stuff and came out. Then this matron missy walked towards and asked me " My dear, what were you doing in the men's toilet?" I was shocked and went like har, i didnt know. My hubby said it was a common toilet. And then she went on a 3minute long rattle rattle that that is the men's ward and there is only 1 men toilet. For the ladies ward, there is only the ladies toilet. Hence they encourage the public to use the toilet at the ground level. And then I smiled and said I didnt know and apologize. She said she was just worried for my safety and that I'm lucky there wasnt any male patients in there, coz some may just do their business and come out naked and scare me. She didnt put it in a very nice way, so I just said okay and walked off.

Went back to hb's ward with a very black face. What common toilet is that man! And how inconvenient is that for ladies to actually have to go down to level 1 to use the toilet? I had to go down thrice to relieve myself leh. So ma fan.

Anyway, the ward that hubby chose was Class C, he said cheap. Is a 6 bedder and costs $60 per day. For air con, it's $160. He had wanted to choose the 10 bedder open space one that costs just $30. I was like come on lah, dun be so silly. He should have got the air con one leh.

The air was stuffy and mostly is all elderly men. Hubby was the only younger patient. The place was dim, not exactly very clean, but okay. I didnt dare to move about much, coz the items were rather worn out and old. I doubt they sanitize the place man.

Lucky for the heavy downpour, there was a slight breeze of cool fresh air into the ward. I felt cold at a point and went walking around.

Poor hubby had the op at 6am and it was done in 10mins, but he was put to sleep for an hour. His hand is tied to the needle for the drip of anti biotics. He complained it was pain and I told him to tell the nurse. He said the nurse said it was normal, but later on, another nurse came and checked and notice his hand was swollen. Wah liao, of course not done correctly lah, arbo why will pain right?

So she removed it and then pricked his right hand, twice and didnt managed to get the needle in. So the dr will come by at 7pm to do the job. Hubby was very tense and was in pain when the needle went in. I bet it mus be damnpainful! Mum cried as well when they put her on the drip. I didnt cry when I was on drip, coz by then my labour pain was far worst and I was like go ahead and prick me lah, I dont care. haha.

I stayed till past 8pm before leaving with SIL. She came less than 10mins to pass hb his comb and said she wanted to go home and rest. I dont know how and why is their family like that. Perhaps they are old and hubby didnt want them to come to the hospital to catch any germs. But so lonely leh, no telly u know. There was this common area with just 1 telly to watch and there were just 6 seats. Hubby came out to watch telly after we left. I wonder how he pass his time there.

There was this elderly man just across hb. He has only 1 leg left and the other left is close to being rot. He couldnt put his leg up on the bed, so he has to leave the oher leg on the floor and slept in a very awkward manner. Hb said he has diabetes. He was not supposed to eat orange but he ate it and then his sugar level shot up to 17.5 and was scolded by the nurse. He also drank alot alot of water and the nurse told him he cant drink so much. I dontknow the reason.

Then just before we left, another guy was admitted. He has his right toe amputated and there was this huge bandage over it. I dont know what's the reason, but so poor thing lor. Given a choice, I wouldnt want to stay there for long. I wonder how hb survive.

Tomorrow he will be discharged. Dr said will prob give him a week's MC to rest. I will die liao lor, all the housework I have to do again and then I have to go to market to get my vegs for my rabbits. Sigh....Mum & dad arent ard to help me, so sad. I sure appreciate their help now.

Riesia's first haircut at salon

Mum has been bugging me to bring Rie for a haircut, so yesterday, we brought her down to Auntie Jennifer's shop at my mum's place. It costs us $5 to trim her fringe and back of her hair.

It was all done within 5 mins at most and we were so glad Rie sat down still while Aunt Jen did her snip. Compared to me, I needed 20mins to trim Rie's hair man, coz she just wouldnt sit still!

And the finished product....see above. I think I need time to get over her short fringe. Didnt quite like it. I still prefer her old hairstyle.

I headed to Bugis thereafter for my indulgence - mani/pedi. It was an enjoyable 3 hours. I get to watch the movie " The chronicles of Narnia" and get to enjoy on the massage chair. (ooohh, my back needs it so much). I'm already starting to plan for my next trip down...

Still need to get my brows trimmed, a hair cut cum treatment in Jan(before my points expires) and a facial to go.

To NTUC to ntuc...

Just brought Rie to NTUC to buy some grocery. Thought can buy 4D as well, but the Q was so long and I Q-ed for 5 mins and gave up. Rie just cannot sit still in the sarong. Tsk tsk.

It was raining and weather was cooling as well. Rie fell asleep on the way back home...

Lady luck pls shine dwn on me...

Last night at 1130pm, I picked up my hp from my bag and there were 3 messages. I looked at the 4D results and my heart skipped a beat.

First prize : 5913.

I missed by 1 digit leh!!! I bang on Rie's passport number and missed. Damn. Why didnt I think 3 of us went to collect passport, so I should add a 3 at the back of the number? Haiz....so sad, arbo I would have a fat $2K in my pocket for my usage leh....

Yesterday wasnt a good start. Woke up feeling okay to wash up rabbit's cage, prepare's rie's lunch then head to MIL house and be back at 630 to watch the star awards. Who knows, hubby was throwing temper early morning and that spoilt my whole day. Was feeling grumpy all the way to MIL place. And worst, Rie miss her afternoon nap at 3pm and was feeling so grouchy. I had a hard time coaxing her to bed and FIL kept saying she didnt want to sleep. They know her time table meh? Rie always have her afternoon nap at 3-30pm. So end up I gave up and bf her, hoping she will fall asleep and it worked. She slept peacefully till 530.

Then when she was up, MIL was having her dinner and then she decided to feed her! Despite me saying that rie had a heavy lunch, she still insisted on her 2 tablespoon porridge only. Yeah right, the 2 tablespoon turned out to be duno how many tablespoonful.

I was reading newspapers and just held it really high up so that I cant see what she feeding her. Hb was sleeping in the room and I was yielding for him to get up and ask MIL not to feed liao. Rie is schedule to have her dinner at 7-730 and she was feeding her at 6pm! Later go home how to eat?

Then hb came out, and commented MIL feeding plain porridge with the "da you ba sauce". He asked her to add in some tau gua. K lor, I got nothing to say but to just let MIL feed her. Rie didnt want anymore and she asked SIL to carry rie outside so that she can feed. Faint leh.

I was already very black black face liao and told hb I'm leaving at 630pm sharp. When we stepped out, Rie started to yell, she didnt want to go. I told hb "GO" and we left.

Reached home at 7pm and rushed rushed rushed. Prepared our dinner, prepared rie's dinner and then finally at 830, I could settle down to watch my star awards....sigh. what a day.

So many to update...

I've been trying to update, but simply had no time!


Okay, flashback.


Sunday 9th Dec

Hb's bro's friend went overseas and hence left his beloved toyota rush to him till Thursday, ie today. So bro came to fetch us to MIL house. It was a hell ride man. I was holding onto Rie real tight.


Then hubby suggested we all head to ECP Little Red house restaurant for dinner. And that meant a big rush for me to cook rie's porridge, rush back to our home to get the pram and then rush down to ECP. We finally got there at 8pm and Rie was already hungry on the way there and kept on fussing in the car. Plus, there were 4 adults and 1 child being squeezed behind leh, how comfortable can it be? And bro doesnt seem to understand what is a "hump". He just sped off 1 and rie had a big fright and cried for me. SIL and hb had to keep reminding him hump on the way in to ECP. Each time we see a hump approaching, we go "hump hump". Faint leh.


MIL was worried for Rie, coz she was hungry and MIL kept nagging all the way. I was hungry okay, and I cannot start having my dinner until Rie has finished hers. So while all the hot dishes were being served infront of me, I cannot see, cannot eat. Must keep feeding Rie. The place we got wasnt very cooling and it was hot hot hot. Rie was sweating, so was I. When she was done, I finally got a chance to eat my dinner and it was already 9pm. Hungry me....


Anyhow, hubby was very happy about the outing, but I'm not. Who suffer? Rie and me lor. Xian right? And Rie had to poo and then I have to wash her up and all. Haiz.....Anyway, that's it. I think the next outing is gonna be long long way...


Then Monday and Tuesday were reserved to relax. We went for our massage on Monday at Thomson Road. Wah, shiok leh. I enjoyed my massage this time round. Relaxing.


HUbby started work on Wed. His first day at work. Seems everything is okay. I hope. he said they are having D&D next Friday and I thought spouse are invited. Isnt this the norm? And nope, I'm not invited. Boo Hoo...


So well...will probably head to my parents place instead lor.


Next on rie's development. She has learnt 2 new words - Star and Car. She can pronounce star accurately despite being toothless still. Hee hee. Mum asked her, why is she hiding her tooth..and that she has missed out many good food.


She understands the word clap clap as well. When we say "clap clap" she would clap her hands together and smile. And everytime she is happy, she would clap clap as well to show that she is happy. She loves being praised and smiles happily when praised.


When I sing twinkle twinkle little star, she would clasp her fingers together, open and closed, like how stars shine. At least all my effort didnt go down the drain as this is the song that I kept singing to her since she as young and showing her how the hand action of stars are like.


And one cute thing about her is...when I ask her how do you make your eyes? She will squeeze her eyes tight and open widely. It's amazing that she understands me.


One night, late at night at 3am, we were just sitting infront of the telly and she took the hanky with both hands, and covered her face and then pulled it down. She was playing peek a boo with me. It was a very funny sight. I thought to myself, how I am so happy to be able to see how my little Rie is growing up day by day. (Although there were days where she really pissed me off)

Today..

Today marks the last day at KK for hubby liao. I hope he will start work at Co. C next monday. And at least we will get refunded for the liquidated damages paid to the agency if he goes back to Co. C to work.

It's back to square one

Gonna keep this short.

Hb decides that he will resign no matter what. Called up Co. C and they are very happy that he wants to join them and asked when will he be able to start work.

I'm disapointed, sad, but then at least they are still open to take him back.

No mood to update much.

Just took video clips of rie this afternoon...


Riesia blowing strawberry kisses..

Updates

Taken during Rie's lunch time yesterday noon. We found the ikea chair good, but then the feet has no place to rest on and is dangling in the air. So we placed a ikea stool chair beneath it so that Rie's feet can rest on them

Pls pardon the huge mess at the background. NO time lah!

Watching barney with mother goose in deep thoughts....Hubby and me are getting sick of the VCD. My mind kept spinning the nursery rhythms non stop! "london bridge is falling down....mary had a little lamb...." wah biangz...I need a break. But Rie doesnt gets bored! She will nod her head to the music.
Watch a video clip of her here :





Taken during Rie's dinner time. She abit steam steam, coz just woke up from her sleep.
Last night hor, I buay tahan leh. I put rie to bed at 1030, she slept soundly, but woke up on and off every 30 mins until 1am and I was so dead tired liao. I just lay there and let her cry. Hubby had to work and was tired and he wasnt of any great help either. End up, I got fed up, brought her out to kitchen and made some kaya bread myself to munch. Rie was hungry so we shared the bread. Then off to master bedroom, switch on the telly and sat dwn to watch with her. Heng got telly to keep her quiet. She watched together with me and at times, she just sat really still while I tell her what's going on.

The clock went by hour after hour and she finally yawn and wanted to get to bed. By then, it was 4am in the morning! My opposite block all lights were off, I thought to myself, only my unit's light is on at this hour man...I went to bed tired.

Was woken up by hubby at 730am. He had things to tell me. He said he dont like his new job scope and thoughts of calling up co. C is back. As probation is 6 mths, notice to resign is just 1 week. I'm disappointed and sad lor, plus shocked. IN all, I try to encourage him lor. In my heart, I am abit regretful that he took up this job. Coz since day 1 (today is 3rd day), he has been coming home at 740pm. I'm tired and each time my eyes would see the clock when it strikes 530 and 6pm. Wondering when will he be home to help me look after Rie.

Anyway, here's another video of Rie before her shower in the bathroom playing water...

Busy busy week..

Just as I am about to write my blog, I heard cries of help from across my blk. It's the same neighbour leaving on the 7th floor. I think the parent is hitting the child again. Every now and then, I hear the child crying so pitifully and it is always around 12 midnight or so. So sad. I think they are a very troubled family. Often the elder child is being chased out of home. I asked hubby if we should call the police. He said no need. I kept watched at the window. I saw few neighbours coming out of their house trying to see which unit the cries were coming from, but they walked back to their home less than 5 mins.

Sigh..I wish i can help.
==========================================
It has been a very busy week for us. Nearly everyday we are out of our house! Just to highlight some events...

On wed, I agreed unwillingly to hb to bring rie to visit this old friend of MIL at chinatown. She raised 2 requests to bring rie to see this monk and to a church to see the nuns at Holland Road. I really wasnt keen, and voiced out to hubby. I said that if they are Rie's great grand parents or some distant relatives, I wont mind. But they arent related to her, so why must we trouble ourselves just to please MIL? As usual, he said she is old lah, they are her old friends, blah blah. Fine.

We took a cab to MIL place to pick her up and then to chinatown. The fare came up to $12. Upon reaching there, we went in, sat in the kitchen, view around and in all, it was less than 20 mins. No chatting was done, just mere asking if you have taken your lunch blah blah. All were focused on Rie. Rie wasnt in a good mood that day and was fussing away. And she didnt want hb and kept sticky to me and I have no choice but to tolerate her nonsense and try to coax her. The sky was dark and it began to drizzle. MIL then said we should get going and it was raining heavily that we were stucked at Chinatown. Hence we hung around CK dept store while waiting for the rain to stop. Rie was tired and is not easy to get her to sleep nowadays. I had a hard time before she finally doze off tired. There wasnt any seats for me and I had to carry her walking round and round. I think we waited more than an hour for the rain to slight drizzle and my back was aching like mad! I wasnt very happy. They dont understand the trouble, they think it is so easy to handle Rie.

To make things worst, we wont able to catch a cab and had to take the train to mum's office. I couldnt tolerate much and just blah it out to hubby my anger.

Anyway, story done.

Next up, there was the robinsons sale that day and we headed down after dinner. Surprisingly it wasnt crowded! Wah, shiok to shop at an only members allowed event leh. But the Q was terrible lor, had to Q long and those aunties har, dont know how to zhi dong one leh! So DL with them. They took in 4-5 pieces of clothings and the SA told her by right only 3 pcs. You know what the lady say back? She said, the other lady told me unlimited what. I wanted to tell her, if it is unlimited, then everybody can just take 10 pcs and try for 45 mins lah. Inconsiderate.

The SA told her nicely if there isnt any Q, she can try 4 or 5. but if there is a long Q, then they have to restrict to only 3. Fine. Then both of them went in, I waited for 15mins leh. One tried and then asked the other to come out and show her, this and that, then she still passed hers to the other lady to try leh. WTH. I had only 1 piece of shorts and I had to wait for 30mins just to try. Got a scolding from hubby after that lor. Damn.

I want to the nursury and was pleased to know babysafe had 20% off and I bought the babycot mattress and fitted sheet for Rie. I'm trying to train her back to sleeping in the babycot. Right now, we are all sleeping on the mattress on the floor in the other bedroom. So I was thinking of trying to switch her back to the babycot to sleep, so that we can sleep on our simmon bed again.

Yesterday was the first day. It wasnt easy. Put her to bed at 1130 and she woke up nightmare at 12 and I had to coax her. She finally slept soundly at 1am till 830 in the morning.

Just now I put her to bed at 1030pm. She woke up crying at 11pm. And then again at 12midnight. I started to regret putting her there to sleep again. She hardly cry any when she slept with us on the mattress leh. Weird right? I think is the smell of the new bed and environment that makes her uneasy...Sigh...

Hubby's starting his new job tomorrow at KK. Tomorrow I'm on my own already with Rie. I wonder if I can cope with her or not. Just read my gf's blog and she was writing out her day. Doesnt seem easy with 2 kids. Me with 1 already can die..sigh...anyway just to share my day goes like this :

7-8am : Rie wakes up for feeding. BF her and she goes back to sleep.
10am : I wake up (if I can)
11-1130am : Rie wakes up. Place her in the bbchair to watch Barney while I prepare her lunch.
Dump rice into the pot to cook, steam the carrots/pumpkins, thaw the fish, take a quick shower. Carrots/pumpkins done, chop up the spinach and dump into the pot.
12 am : Bath for Rie and back to barney time.
Chop up the fish and dump into the pot.
1230 am - 130 pm: Lunch time for Rie. Once she is done, then is my lunch time.
130 pm - 3pm : Play time with Rie
3pm : Rie naps while I clear the dishes, wash clothes if any, surf net, iron shirts, fold clothes, wash up rabbit's cage.

If rie is tired, she would sleep for an hour or so. If she is taking power naps, she may just be up in 15mins or 30 mins.

430-5pm : BF rie, play time.
6 pm : Prepare her dinner.
630 pm : Bath for her.
7-8pm : Dinner time
8-12 midnight : Play time with daddy while I surf net, do any chores if needed. BF Rie to sleep at around 1030 to 12 midnight.
End of day....and it all starts again.

We just bought a high chair for Rie yesterday from Ikea. Glad that she can really sit in there quietly while I feed her man. Was worried if she would fuss and gets out of it. I guess that barney vcd just do the trick. She only keeps glued to the TV on that one and only barney mother goose rhythm vcd. Other than that, she just fidget here and there. And IF you block her view, she gets really mad and bangs her highchair table. Hubby gena from her that day. hahahahahahahahha.