Estroy is 1 Month Old

At 1 month old, his vital statistics are as follows:

Height : 54cm

Weight : 5 kg

Head Circumference : 38cm (at time of birth it was 36cm)

A quick comparison shows that he has grown quite a fair bit. :-)

He drinks 150ml at this point in time. A big eater compared to his Kor Kor and Cheh Cheh who only drank 120ml at 1 month old.

A Quick Photo Update

Estroy looking happy.

The forceps marks on his foreheadand left eyelid are taking very long to clear.

Eston loves his little brother.

He is forever kissing him!

My 2 boys.

Can see that he enjoys being around him and entertaining him.

Eston striking a funny pose.

I love this photo. Eston tells his sister to keep quiet coz didi is sleeping.

Presents

On the eve of Estroy's birthday, I got the kids to wrap Estroy's present. Earlier on, I had gotten them to choose a present for their baby brother. We got him a new pair of mittens and booties.

Estroy also "prepared" presents for the Cheh Cheh and Kor Kor.


Their presents are coloured pens. Eston's was in Doraemon design while Estelle's was in Strawberry Shortcake design.

I hope they all like their presents!

Baby Estroy

As scheduled, I have given birth to baby Estroy.



Here are his statistics:



DOB : 2 July 2009
TOB : 7.56am
Weight : 3.56kg
Length : 50cm



It was a caeserian delivery and yet doctor had to use forceps to "kiap" him out. So you can imagine. The last 1.5 months carrying him was really challenging for me.



Here are some pictures of him taken these 2 days.

The red amrks on his cheeks are caused by the forceps.

He's got plenty of hair.

My darling!

My Baby Knows Karate

I'm convinced that the one inside me knows karate.

He will chop chop here and kick kick there, and even do triple somersaults in that small confined space.

Isn't he talented?

As I'm typing this, he is doing the karate chop again.

Watching my tummy jerk has become a new hobby for me.

With all that training, when he is born, he will be good enough to go for black belt assessment right away.

Pregnancy Blues

I've lost count. I'm due on 13 Jul, and today is 19 Apr, so that means I'm 7 months and 1 week into my pregnancy. So around 29 weeks la.

All of a sudden, my tummy has ballooned into a big ball.

For the first time, I'm blogging about the discomfort that I'm facing, although some of these symptoms are not new. I just feel like whining today to gain sympathy votes.

HEAT

Anyone living in Singapore would agree with me that the weather in Singapore is getting TOO HOT TO HANDLE. Come on, 35 degrees for a preggie is no joke ok! Moreover, I work in a classroom, and hellujah, the classrooms are not air-conditioned alright? Best part is, my classroom is located on the 4th floor, and my office is located on the ground floor. Each day, I have English, Math, Health Ed, before recess, after recess, after school, split periods. You do your sums. I literally climb up and down the stairs several times a day. By the time I huff and puff my way up, my engine is all worked up, and then when I start teaching, gosh, it remains a mystery how I manage not to melt into a pool of perspiration and evaporate the next minute.

To counter my problems, these are some of the strategies I take:
- I put a table fan in my classroom that specifically blows at me.
- I mark in the classroom (with the fan full blast at me of course) as far as possible to mimimise carting up and down books. I make use of those in-between 1 period breaks so that I cut down on walking up and down)
- I place a desk beside my classroom for marking (coz sometimes my in-between 1 period breaks are other lessons that my class is having and I can't mark in the classroom)
- I mark in the computer lab on the 4th floor (but I did it only once and gave up; the air con in the com lab is super CMI)
- I go down 1 floor to the library to mark (the air con there is much much cooler) - at least only move up and down 1 floor
- I "bathe" my arms and neck whenever I have free time; meaning I use shower cream to wash my arms and neck and wipe myself dry. Then I powder myself. It cools me down and makes me feel good coz I smell good.
- I shower if i can afford the time.
- Worse comes to worse, when I don;t have time, I just powder myself. Better than nothing la!
- I have another small fan at my workstation. Air con is not good enough. Anyway, the air con in the HOD Room super CMI. As good as don't have.


BACKACHE, and all other ACHES

Because of the walking and the standing, I get backaches all the time. Recently, I even get leg cramps.

- I have a high chair (bar chair hor, not baby chair; DUH) in the classroom for me to sit on when I deliver simple segments like spelling or class test or going through of corrections so that I get to rest and stand lesser.
- I get my hubby to massage my back and legs.
- I tried to go for foot reflexology, but my regular reflexologist refuse to do it for me. Say coz I pregnant. (I'm exasperated; I've done it before and my gynae also said its ok)
- I tried to buy the Osim UPapa. They refuse to sell it to me. Haiyo. Same reason. Cannot tahan.
- I'm trying to source for prenatal massage.
- My facial therapist does a good shoulder massage for me. That is my only indulgence.
- I sleep on my back. I know the book says to sleep on the side, but that makes my back ache even more. I need my back fully supported, so I sleep on my back. It works best for me, all 3 pregnancies.


Lower Abdominal PAIN


For the first time in my 3 pregnancies, I experienced this scary pain on Saturday, 18 April 2009.

All of a sudden in the evening, I felt this sharp pain at the lower part of my abdomen. It's the area just above my bladder and below the baby. Felt like the baby's weight was too much; it was as though the baby was stepping on my bladder. Anyway, it was really painful. I couldn't stand nor walk. Even certain sitting positions could trigger the pain. The only comfortable position was lying down.


Fortunately, I woke up on Sunday feeling better. You cannot imagine my happiness when I realise that I could move around and walk! It struck me that I cannot take my mobility for granted! Those people who have to have CRIB, really, it is tough. Now I understand. Because I was feeling ok, I managed to have a fun-filled day taking my kids out on 2 outings today.


End of grouses.


So you see, 世上只有妈妈好，有妈的孩子像个宝... ...

My Pretty Girl

Went to the JL sale yesterday at Expo and bought this sweet pink cocktail dress as well as a couple of books for my kids (from the Books Warehouse Sale).

She loves the dress. She's now into princess stuff.


This morning, she woke up and first thing she wanted was to put on this dress. Mummy happily put some light pink blusher and eyeshadow on her, and made her a star necklace to complete the look! Of course I had to tie her hair up and wear the mini tiara on her head. I then snapped and snapped and snapped .....


Here're a few prettier ones. The rest are in my facebook.

Simple Pleasures

Last Friday evening, my hubby had to stay late in school because of Meet-Parents-Session. The agreement was that he would come back on his own and dabao his own dinner. He had to take the bus as the car was with me.

Decided to give him a surprise, so I got the kids showered and smelling good, I showered too, and off we went to pick him up from school. Kids were so happy to see Papa, and we went to AMK hub food court for (his) dinner. He got a big plate of hokkien mee, and it looked so good that I had to pinch some. Kids shared ice-jelly cocktail, I had ice-kacang, my maid had a drink. After the food, we just walked around for a short while, bought a princess mat for the kids' room, and then went home.

It was a simple evening, without any big bang or fanfare. So where's the pleasure?

The joy of seeing joy on my family's faces. Kids were happy to see Papa, I was happy to deliver a surprise, my kids had a chance to go kai kai, the joyful process of preparing to go out, waiting in the car and seeing my dear walking out of school, saving him the process of having to buy his own food and taking the bus home, spending quality time together as a family, eating simple yet delicious food, buying something for the kids and making them so excited, allowing the kids to make a decision (they chose the design of the mat), holding hands together as a family.

It's the simple things in life that are so enjoyable and memorable, and these priceless little episodes add so much value to life. At least for me.

I count my blessings and treasure what I have. I'm contented and happy.

Superstar Virgo Cruise 18-20 Mar 2009

We have just come back from a short getaway on Superstar Virgo cruise to Malacca and KL. We didn't get off, just stayed onboard to eat, drink, relax, talk, listen to music, sleep, read, feel the ocean, hear the waves, gamble a bit, and spend time with family. It was a nice and short break. Away from the hustle and bustle of our daily routine, away from all those bothersome problems.


XIn Xin qiao pi gu.

Teng Teng and me.

Xin Xin and me.

One moment happy...

Another moment throwing tantrums... And this tantrum spree lasted for at least 20 min.... gosh.

One of the lovely sister-and-brother photos that I love.

My son and I.

My husband and son.

Teng Teng on the daytona.

Xin Xin on the daytona as well.

Papa and the kiddos. Pretty sight!

A lovely cloud hanging against a backdrop of sky blue.

My handsome boys.

Early in the morning at the balconyof our cabin.

Sunrise.

Coach Signature Stripe Floral Shoulder Bag - It's mine!

I seldom fancy bags from Coach but this is love at first sight!

(Picture from internet)



This is their signature jacquard fabric with fabric stripe detail, leather or metallic leather trim and the beautiful leather floral appliqué! There are 2 gorgeous chrysanthemum motifs in white and rich yellow gold appearing on the front of the bag, which are extremely pretty!

A shoulder bag in brass/khaki/gold, this beauty comes with a ziptop piece with cellphone/multifunction pockets, a ring to clip an accessory or keyfob plus an additional inside zip pocket and dogleash closure.


This is a 2008 limited edition which I believe is no longer on the shelves in Coach boutiques. I chanced upon it at a second hand designer bag store at Thomson Plaza, and boy it was really love at first sight. I wasn't sure if Coach really has this model - so I went back to google on it and yes, this is a real limited edition. Today I went back to buy it - at a nice price of $470. It would have cost at least double when it was first launched. The bag is really in very good condition and I couldn't miss this chance to own it!




(My very own!)

Aww, I simply love it!

Mish Mash of Events and Thoughts

Realised I have not blogged for some time.

Same old excuse - BUSY AT WORK. (roll eyes)

Been going through a lot of unpleasant things at work. The only thing making me go on is teaching my class. The rest of the things are all going wrong. Politically incorrect to swear and make open my grievances in cyberspace, so .... zip. If you read between the lines, you may get a few hints here and there.

On a happier note. Recently I picked up card-making again using scrapbooking techniques. So far made 4 cards, quite happy with myself. My art has not deteriorated despite a (gasp!) 5-year-gap from being a Subject Head Art and Craft.

I also hand-made a car made from cardboard for my daughter.

And, I have finally started my facebook. I know super late and behind times la, but better late than never mah! Found some old time frens on FB, so I'm really happy.

a good friend of mine has returned to Singapore after being away for 1 and a half years. That calls for celebration.

Tmr is the last day of IT Show. I'm planning to buy a new laptop for myself, and I'm quite excited about it!

Finally, the last and most looked forward event - The cruise this coming Wed! We booked the cabin with balcony - aw, the though of standing at the balcony facing the massive open-ness of the sea - I can't wait to cleanse my mind and soul. My kids, my hubby, my helper, and my MIL with my Bro-in-law's family will all go. So many people, should be fun.

Someone said this to me - sometimes in life, we meet irritating/stupid/bimbo/fake/unreasonable and all-the-lousy-adjectives-you-can-think-of people, and they cause us a lot of headache and heartache. Well, these people are purposely planted in our lives to make us learn, and they stay in our paths until we learn.

Wow. What a perspective. If you think this way, life is easier, although the pain still stays there.

Recently I have been unfairly treated - BIG TIME - but I have learnt to cope with my emotions and actions, and I will always be the winner because I will manage and be on top of things.

I've Been Thinking ... ...

I have a million things to do before Monday comes, but let me just put them down and blog this entry.

As I watch my 2 little ones growing up by the day, and watch my tummy growing (which means another littlest one is coming), I suddenly find myself standing at a big crossroad juntion.

Where do I go from here?

Pre-kids days were my heydays at work, where I could put in my 101% of energy and time on my career. I always pride myself for being a super career woman, and even after the first kid came, I refuse to shortchange the quality of work that I put in. I am a head of department, sitting at the executive committee, supervising 8 to 9 teachers, running programmes and making managerial decisions. Second kid came, I struggled a lot, but really thank goodness for my parents and a good helper, I still managed and remained sane.

Recently, especially since the beginning of this year, I realised that my children are more grown up and hence they know how to cling onto me when I'm going to work, I suddenly feel very, very sad to leave them. There is this strong tug at my heart for me to stay at home, especially now that Estelle has started going to "school" (2 hour playgroup thing), I long to be able to send her to school hand in hand, and pick her up after school and chat with her on what she has learnt. These precious moments are lost when I go to work, and when I come back in the evening, she has forgotten everything that happened in school. (Children this age have no concept of time) Eston will be attending this playgroup next year, and Estelle will attend nursery, and again if I am at work, I would have lost a lot of the quality time that I could have with them.

I ask myself, what is important to me? A high flying career or my family? I think the answer is obvious. My priorities, at this point in time, are my children and my husband.

So, I think I shall work till my baby comes in July, and thereafter take no pay leave after my maternity leave to take care of my kids. They all need me, and guess what, I need them too. No matter what a super-career-woman I am, I'm still a mummy and I can put off my work till later. Right now I need to be with them, and I can put my talents to good use on my children's education. I also need time for myself - I need to read, paint, do beading, bake, swim, write, and do all sorts of my own girlie stuff, to make myself happy.

Sounds like a fantastic arrangement. I can't wait.

It's ESTROY, not ESTREA

So I'm wrong.

All along I had thought that it'd be a girl.

Until sometime last week, I stared at my tummy and thought to myself,

"Gosh, it's pointed leh! Just like when it had Eston inside."

I rushed to tell my hubby. He laughed and said, perhaps it's really a boy.

Gynae confirmed that it's a boy.

Actually, a boy is a pleasant surprise. I'm equally happy. (Just that I cannot pass down all the pretty dresses and hairclips and bags and shoes that Estelle has) The folks, especially my in-laws, are over the moon. My hubby's side has too many girls and too few boys.

Now we are busy cracking our brain for his chinese name. "Estroy" is more or less fixed la. :-)

Last night I looked at Xin Xin sleeping in her papa's arms and I told him, it's good that it's another boy, because I think no other girl can match up with Xin Xin. She's too outstanding.

Gosh. Just listen to this proud mummy.

Xin Xin Turns 3 !

Look at me, me, me
I'm 3, 3, 3
I'm as happy as can be, be, be
Can you tell
Can you see
I'm a very, very, very happy me!

Xin Xin is now as old as Baby Bop!

We threw a BBQ-&-Grill party right at home, and it was really wonderful!
The kids went crazy with the helium balloons that we specially ordered for Xin Xin.

Xin Xin chose this cake design herself.

It cost me $90. $40 per kg, x2 kg, and I added $10 of blueberry filling.

You can get it from Bengawan Solo.

It was pretty and yummy.

The boy was more eager to blow out the candles than the birthday girl. ;-)

Yeah! Whole happy family!

Xin Xin trying on one of her birthday presents, a CNY suit, and carrying the Minnie that I bought for her. Doesn't she look absolutely sweet, just like me?

After the party, the children bathed and continued with party part 2 - balloon party!