Bintan Agro Resort

I've been up to my neck (it might have gone to the brain alr) eversince I went back to work. It's been a real challenge (the more accurate word would be "struggle") straddling between family and work. I have learnt not to take things too hard, so I'm still generally coping fine. I have got very strong home support from parents and a wonderful hubby.

We decided to squeeze in a 2D1N trip to the above resort over the National Day long weekend. Only took Estelle along. Eston, Mummy will take you when you are older ok?

Here are some photos to share.


Estelle with Mummy in the ferry


The restaurant on an island


People kite-surfing


Estelle running around on the beach


Just woken up ...


Getting ready for the day


Bonding with Papa

Estelle Playing At Giordano, Takashimaya

I was at ORCHARD ROAD

Yesterday, I attended the briefing for Middle Managers on the 360 Degrees Feedback Exercise at Teachers' Network. The briefing was indeed brief - Started at close to 4pm and ended at 4.40pm! Wow.

Tompang Greg's car and went to the Bistro at Borders for a quick bite with Simon. I had to shut that lion in my stomach - it was roaring non-stop. I had mushroom soup and garlic bread, plus my all-time favourite beverage - strawberry milkshake. Aww. Makes me hungry just reminiscing about it.

Anyway, after a nice makan and chat, I walked straight to Wisma to my favourite boutique - Southhaven. After all, I only had 30 min to shop and I didn't want to waste time. Southhaven is a shop that I never leave empty-handed. Their designs are nice and classy. Clutching my new purchase, I headed for the MRT to go home.

I told Simon I had to blog about this. I was in Orchard Road on a Thursday afternoon. Cannot remember when my last visit to Orchard Rd was...

It's 3.30am now. I better finish up my banking stuff and go to sleep before that little one cries for feed. :)

Eston is 2 months old!

Eston turned 2 months old today - 11 July 2007. He weighs 5.6kg and that is a pretty healthy weight for a 2-month old. Estelle was a bit smaller at 2 months.

We went to this little cozy restaurant called Madam Q Steakhouse off Thomson Road. Ironically, we didn't bring Eston along because he has not recovered from his Ezecma and we do not want to expose him to the harsh conditions of Singapore weather. Estelle was pretty well-behaved, the restaurant owner was really friendly and hospitable, the restaurant was nice and comfy with a good ambience, and I had enjoyed the food. It was a lovely dinner.

We felt bad for leaving Eston behind at AMK with my MIL (mother-in-law), so we bought a little chocolate cake and sang a birthday song for him. I planted a kiss on his cheek while Pei Shi played the birthday tune on her violin. I could watch my Channel 8 drama (the 9pm one) in peace while Estelle ran around and played with Pei Shi. Pei Shi really dotes on my girl girl.

Eston's face is much better today. The redness has gone down and he smiled more today.

Husband volunteered to sleep with boy boy tonight. Today I feel much better.

I'm going to join Estelle in bed now. I look forward to a good sleep tonight.

Nite Nite.

Heart Pain, Body Tired, Soul Frustrated

Heart Pain...
Eston has been having some rashes on his face, but this week it became more serious. His face is all red and his skin is extremely dry. I've been putting olive oil on his cradle cap, but improvement has been rather slow. I started applying this QV cream on his face. No doubt the dryness improved slightly, but his whole face became so red that I became worried. Finally took him to the PD and he concluded that this is a case of Ezecma. Gave us steroid (in cream form) which is also an antibiotic, and some moisturizer to apply on his skin. I applied it on him earlier and he is now sleeping. I hope he improves tomorrow.

Body Tired...
I do tons of housework every day. I have a backlog of (school) work to clear but I cannot even cope with clearing emails, let alone do work. It is 1.45am right now and I can only blog at such unearthly hours. On days that I don't blog, this is the time when I do mopping, washing toilet and everything else that needs to be washed. I am too tired to even start a list of the things that I do at home. At night, Eston wakes up for feeds. As I breastfeed, I'm usually the one sleeping with him. Husband and daughter sleep in the master room and they both only open their eyes at daybreak. I try to catch up on my sleep in the day, but it means I have lesser time to do housework (meaning I have to do it at night). And, no matter how ypu nap in the day, it's different from having a good night's sleep.

Soul Frustrated...
Because of a lack of proper rest, my milk supply has gone down a fair bit.

The other day in the car, husband asked me, "My brother asked us why we don't want to get a maid." I said, "Having a maid will give us other problems. Besides, we don't want to fork out the extra cost." Inside my heart, a little voice was screaming, "We can cope IF YOU HELP OUT."

And I'll be less frustrated if YOU can take care of yourself.

The Oasis

The Oasis will be stepping into history soon.

Since today is a school holiday (Youth Day), we went to the 海京楼台湾粥 Restaurant for lunch.

The food was quite yummy, but we went there more so for the scenery and experience.

My dad and mum with Estelle.

Me with Estelle.

The restaurant against the gorgeous backdrop.

Bigger picture of the backdrop.

Eston sleeping soundly in his pram, totally oblivious to the place.

My Ex-Pupils

(From left) Wee Kheng, Pei Sheng, Chee Chean, Cerella, Ting Xian, Shu Yuan, Me and Eston (on my lap) and Estelle (on the floor).

Some of my pupils from Class 5/6A5 2001/2002 came over to visit me on 30 June 2007, Saturday. Some of them are sitting for their O levels this year, and some have graduated from secondary school.

It's nice to see them being so grown up and doing well. I'm happy.

Do we look alike?

Estelle at birth...
Eston at birth...

Estelle at a week old...

Eston at 2 weeks old...

Estelle drowsy...

Eston sleeping...

Estelle smiling...

Eston also happy...

Estelle at 26 days old...

Eston at 31 days old...

Eston and Estelle

(Sing to the tune of "This Old Man")

I love you
You love me
We're both darlings of daddy mummy
With a wide big grin
I give my love to you
Won't you say you love me too

Sibling Love

Hey, guchee guchee....

Cheh Cheh sayang you ...

MmmmmUAK!

I love my Cheh Cheh!

Wailing Spells

Papa's Birthday

23rd June 2007.

We contemplated going for a picnic, and spend an afternoon on a mat near the waters. Estelle could play on the sand, with Papa chasing after her, while Mummy could listen to some music and snap pictures, and Eston would be providng some company to Mummy as he lays by her side.

Lovely.

Alas. We considered many factors, like the unreasonable hot weather recently, the return of dengue scare, and Eston may not be ready for such an outing, and Estelle may not have overcome her fear of sand (yes, she is afraid of the sand), and frankly, it is indeed a CHALLENGING outing for Papa and Mummy, considering all the major logistics.

In the end, we decided that it would be safer to stay indoors.

Though we had a typical weekend outing trip to Ikea Tampines, we kindda spiced it up with a throw-in detour to the airport. Estelle could see the planes and Mummy could feed Eston comfortably. It wasn't about what you do, it's about the whole family spending some quality time together.

We had a great time. Simplicity can be blissful.

Happy Birthday, Dear. Love you always.

Our Shopping!

Today is 17 June 2007, Fathers' Day.

We had a celebration lunch with my dad and mum, sister and her 2 boys, of course with my hubby and kids as well. Went to Genki Sushi at Marina Square. After the makan, we shopped around for a cardigan and a pair of dress shoes for Estelle. Ended up at Kiddy Palace and Estelle had a whale of a time playing there!




My darling.

Xin Xin and Gong Gong

Today, Gong Gong was very happy to have these 2 shots with his bao bei ... Check'em out.

Eston at a Month old...

Hands up for those of you who think that Eston (still) looks like me after a month.....

One thing remains, he still throws you the DUH look...

Eston turns a Month old

My boy has turned a month old! We celebrated his 1 month birthday with a small party involving only immediate families, and thanked our friends and relatives with cakes and fruit tarts. Eston has opened his eyes a bit more since birth. He looks pretty different now!

This is a shot of Eston "praying" to the deity with his paternal Grandma. He was actually sleeping!

All the children together! WOW! What a brood!

Eston is comfortably tucked in the arms of my Grandma, who is his Great Grandma. She is in her 80s but still going strong and looking absolutely good.

Close-up on Eston.

Grandparents and Kiddos

Gong Gong, Ma Ma, Big Baby and Small Baby. HAPPY!

Drinking Milo

Sayang Di Di

Estelle and Nathaniel

Nat Nat is my nephew. He is a bit shy, but definitely a gentleman.

Estelle and Grandpa

This was taken (a week before Eston was born) at a restaurant. The whole family was there for lunch to celebrate my mum's birthday. Look at Estelle's cheeky expression -- holding onto a toy car somemore! My dad looks very natural and relaxed. I love this picture. (Matthew is in the background)

Papa and the Kiddos

This picture is taken today on 2 June 2007. Estelle has recovered from her illness and is happy again. What a lovely sight! Mummy can't help but snap a photograph!

Eston with Grandma and Grandpa

These are my parents.

Eversince Estelle came, my parents have been coming over on weekdays to help me look after her while I work. They would arrive at my place early in the morning, even before the first ray of the morning sun hits the earth, and they would stay all the way till after dinner, wash up the dinner plates, dispose the rubbish before calling it a day. For this month, they come even on weekends as my mum insists that I eat properly.

I cannot be more grateful for such wonderful parents. I don't know if I can do the same when my kids grow up, but I vow to try my very best to be the most perfect parent to my kids.

Thanks, Mummy and Pa. You are the greatest!