Ups and downs

16th October 16, 2007
Time Check : 2245hrs

Aricia’s fast asleep and I’m awake. I dare not sleep coz’ of my guilt, of my guilt that I took her life for granted this morning.
She may be still a baby, but it's a life you're talking about - my baby's precious life. I can’t imagine the worse happening.
Choy! God will watch and bless my baby.

At the observation ward I kept sponging her (and carrying her) nonstop. One hour later her fever wore off. She woke up rather her stomach woke her up. She knew it was lunch time. Hubby bought porridge so she had some. I had a little of it, no appetite at all.

Aricia was brought into her ward at 1435hrs, not wheeled in but we prefer to carry her. She’s in a single room. Good! I can have time to do my things, but no wireless here (quite sad) so I can’t blog; I can’t surf but I still can type. Type into Word and transfer it over when I have access to internet. Can say I’m hoping to have internet to keep me awake, so that I won’t sleep.

When we first came into the room, they tagged her and then she started playing with her tag, thinking it's a toy. It was only after 20 minutes she got tired of not being able to do anything with it that she forgot all about it.

I didn't like to put on hospital clothes so let her wear her own rompers, so don't look like a patient at all.

So far her fever has been on a roller coaster ride, going from 37.4 (normal) to 38.something, it has never reached 39 except for that occasion taken in the clinic and at the triage. Probably the suppository did the trick.
Doctor told us her fits probably started with the fever fluctuating, the brain can’t take it so.. They rule out the EEG tests, to see her brain waves or whatever nots. Goash! I was consoling myself and let out a chuckle when he said that, thinking “yah Shichida children’s brain waves are moving too fast. Probably that’s why she had fits.”

Before I left the hospital at 4+ for home, they came by to get her nose swabbed and stick a bag over her private part to get the urine. Hubby thought that’s interesting, while that reminded me on the ocassion when I was suppose to get her to urine for her test for Dr Tan and resulting in many accidents outside the bag. He mentioned that “wow! This is interesting, last time we had to make funny noise just to get Athena to pee.”
At home, I took a shower and had a change of clothes. Packed my bag, ripped some of Aricia’s CD inside the computer. Hubby showered and got some office work done, while I was reading the news and blogging (obviously only posted now) a little.
Left the house at 6+, the sky turned dark.
At CTE it was raining heavily. God must have sent the rain to wash away my fears and tears.

Came back to see a livelier girl. She’s back to her usual chirpy noisy self. Next time I’m going to stop myself from complaining that she’s too noisy and active coz’ that’s just her. When she was drowsy after the fits and when she was sleeping, I wanted to hear her sharp voice badly.
Mom said that the doctor came by to see her during my absence. The doctor liked her hair – her coconut hair. And she called one doctor, mama (grandma). I feel very pek chek, though the doctors assure that this is common for children between 6 months to 6 years. Hubby said I’m overtly kan-cheong while I quickly surf for more information on this at home. “Doctor say this is common… why are you so worried?” I can’t imagine him saying this!! That heartless man! Darn! I can’t let anything happen to my child. Plus the fact that he was not there to witness the scary event, he took it so lightly. I snapped back “of course they say it’s common what! They see a lot of things be it on life or death day in day out, it’s a different thing when it’s happening to your child.”
The doctor also did ask "did any of your family have this?" It made me worry that this can be heriditary.

Bumped into another mummy outside, her daughter is 16 months old and she also had fits. In the hospital, her fever kept staying between 38 – 39.something, so I should say that Aricia’s not as bad as compared to her. But then all mummies are worried about their children.

17th October, 2007
Time check : 0010hrs
In 2 days time Aricia will be 1 year, 1 month old and we had to mark it by admitting her to hospital – what an event! She’s asleep, she didn’t need much coaxing from me. All she wanted was a hug from mummy; carried her and then she didn’t cry when I put her down in the cot.

Time check : 0025hrs
Temperature reads 37.8 Fever came back.
This time round she wants to be carried to sleep. Honestly speaking, I feel like carrying her and sit down to sleep. But I’m afraid that I’ll be too sleepy and drop her. I may say I’m a light sleeper but when I’m tired; I’m deaf to all sounds – which explained why I didn’t hear KZ calling us at 6am. If I sleep in the daybed, it’s too low…… nevertheless the cot is still the safest place to sleep in.

Time check : 1125hrs
Since the last time check, her fever subsided then it came back at 4+ am with a 39.6. On the whole I didn’t really have a good sleep, woke up intermittently to check on her (worried she had fits) and plus the nurses were coming in every 2 hours to check on her temperature.
Did sponging on her but this time round she insisted on sleeping on me and face-in not cradle carried. It makes sponging difficult, I was wet but that's still secondary. What frustrates me is that I had spent that half hour of consistent sponging and wondering if it's effective.

Nurses came in in the morning and said “she’s the talk of the ward. We like her orchid hair.” Haha! It looks more like a morning glory to me.

Time check : 1150hrs
My poor girl, while I was typing the above entry the nurses brought her for a blood test / culture.
She was happy when she was brought out of the room but she came back sobbing. She had been crying non-stop. What happened ? Look at her hand lor, even if she don’t feel the pain my heart also feel the pain.

No wonder they didn’t want me to go there. Probably knew I’d go berserk and threaten to kill the nurses with the empty syringes. Ha!
Anyway, the moment she came back she wanted mummy to carry her. After some time she started banging things around her with her right hand and laughing.

I dunno how to spend my time. Either I’m 100% caring for her or I’m typing this. I haven’t had time to read my book. But I want to finish this so that I get it posted out soon once I have access to internet.(can say that I'm hooked on blogging)

No choice, nurse asked us to dress her up in hospital clothes coz' it's cooler.
Here's some photos of my little darling, and she did look tall wearing pants. Poor thing! Hospital clothes but still the same baby - playful

18th October
Time check : 1046hrs
Haven’t had the time to write since the last entry. I had been confused with her fluctuating temperatures just as her body is fighting hard (and tired out) the virus.
Cousin Ping, who’s the legal adviser in KKH, came by to see her.
At 12+ noon yesterday, her temperature went to a high of 39.something. And it has been around 39 and above. She’s been clingy too! Wanting me to carry her all the time. Was busy sponging her down but at 2+pm, I noticed patches on her skin. Turned out despite the fact that I was still sponging her, it shoot up to 40.
The senior doctor, Dr Lee came by to see her, slowly I noticed the colour fading off and back to her normal fair colour. She didn’t have much appetite to eat for lunch onwards, but did well for her milk and fluid intake. Whenever she’s awake, I try to give her small feeds to keep her already small frame stay as it is (dowan her to slim down further)
The only time she was back to her normal active self is when her temperature is at 38. I was happy that her temperature read normal in the middle of the night. So it was jubilation for me. However, she manja-ed and wanted me to carry her to sleep.
I was aching from carrying her the night before that I went to buy Salon Pas to stick on my back (like an old lady like that). No choice I still had to carry her to sleep from 2am onwards. I need help!!!! I'm really exhausted!
Told hubby to bring KZ over to help me out in the, so that I can rest and work during the night.
My jubilation was short-lived, at 7+am her fever came back to 38.5
KZ came at close to 10am, saw the poor girl with her right hand with the IV needle.. felt sad for her.

Earlier on chatted with that mummy, she came by to our room to see Aricia. Everytime I see her, the girl is wet. The mummy kept telling me to sponge her through the night, I told her I'm tired out and alone. It's okay.. just sponge her. Wah piang eh... then she said "oh we have 3 adults in the room taking care of her." Ai yoh, how to compare? I told her "you have 3 adults to 1 child, surely you all can take turns. I'm alone with her the whole day, how?" I feel like telling her she was so clingy that I couldn't even pang-sai. Tummy very uncomfortable siah... The mummy then told me “you should bring your girl to shower to bring down temperature. It’s okay, she will only get flu. Most importantly is to get the fever down.” Ai yoh…..how can she say that?? And she told me to shower Aricia at 7+ in the morning?? OMG! Afterwards kena ‘kum’.
I bathe Aricia at close to 11, her usual timing. So happened she came into the Bath Room to wash her girl’s buttocks. She even told me not to dry her hair, let it be wet and it will cool down. OMG! In aircon room leh…. Afterwards ‘tou feng’ how?? Although I know this is the very angmoh method doing it. The only thing I feel comfortable doing is sponging, and do a quick bath but make sure she’s thoroughly dried. But brother did say this is how they work in hospital.. so she's not wrong. Nah! I dowan to take risks.

Time check : 2301hrs
yay! Finally got the wireless working!!
Aricia’s fever had been on the 38.something track the whole time. Only about 15 minutes ago it’s back to normal temperature. Could it be coz’ she’s resting so temperature down??

It’s comforting and reassuring to know that so many people cared for Aricia. Mummies from Athena’s YJC called to check. Apparently what I heard from Susanna (Jachelle’s mummy) that mom was narrating the whole story and how I got all my cookies baked and ready for the playdate.(ahem, I wonder how much of Peggy's time she took to explain to them. Ai yoh my mother so drama.)
Aricia’s rather playful with Dr Ang. She’d give her high5 readily, laughing and kicking her legs in playfulness. “well, she’s not suppose to be here. She’s very alert. Go home okay Aricia?” Seems like Aricia understands what she was saying, she wave to Dr Ang goodbye & gave her fly kiss. Haha!

I needed a break from child-caring. Went downstairs to buy food and at the same time pop by at shops. Stopped by at Mothercare to buy her a toy, was tempted to get her a helium blown balloon but sure kena scolding for wasting $$ so I asked for one in Mcs since I went to ta-pao lunch there.

Mom called and started with her preaching and what the auntie in Athena's school told us "go in brain; affect brain; will come back again etc...." you know those ah-soh one sided stories that scare the shit out of everybody kind? I got a little information from the web so didn't fully believe her story

MIL came by to see her in the late afternoon, and I just woke up from my 100 years of sleep. Feel refreshed!
In the evening, cousin Ping came by to see Aricia again, this time with another cousin, Yong (her older sister) and my aunty & uncle. I remembered and asked her about the wireless places. “the wards here are wireless what?” You mean you cannot receive?” Having said so, as she left she instructed the nurses to check on it as it’s probably turned off. I only managed to see the wireless utility prompting me now. It's the first time I'm logging on another server, I hope I know how to get it back when I'm back home. Cousin Yong is more of the jovial kind, laughed at me. I told her "like I'm some kind of big business woman like that. Actually surfing the net and blogging."

Brother brought Athena along, SIL came too. I was only told that mom will bring Athena back home this morning, so I made the decision to have KZ staying overnight with me to take turns, I get myself so exhausted I also cannot take it leh... I let her sleep first since I need to get this posted out and also I normally don't sleep so early.. works out well for me. Anyway when they were here, noticed Aricia had some rashes on her body. SIL was saying it's probably mock measles. The doctor came by asked us to take note if it'll get worse and it's probably due to the fever which was still running at 38.something. Brother then commented "ai yah..of only the handphone camera can take nice photos, should take one to compare later just in case." Then I spilled the beans that I had my camera with me. "why you bring camera?" Hee! Take photo of my girl lah! Not that this is a proud milestone or achievement or what but I snap pics at every little thing what?!
Forced the leng yang shui with syringe into Aricia's mouth. She dun like that drink, even if we mix it with her milk she'll decline it. But it's good that she's taking alot of water. Alot of pee and poo lets her clear her heatiness. But I'm relying on it to bring down her fever.
***************************************************************************************************
I dunno what triggers off the sudden onset of fits? The 1st one was sudden, I was just thinking to myself if the 2nd one could have been prevented. Was Aricia suddenly being warmed up when KZ decided to turn off the fan and cover her?? She being from Myanmar also have the same thinking that when you have a fever; you're suppose to sweat it out. I wouldn't want to try that on a young child. I dunno why she did that despite the countless instructions since she worked for us that I don't want to use that method for children.
Read this :
Management of the child with fever
Home Treatment of Fever
These are the things I shall take note of from now on :
1) she never sleeps alone until she's 6 or 7yrs old.So our next helper will not get to sleep in the spare room, she will sleep in.
2) see whether I should set up the baby monitor again
2) gotta treat every fever and monitor her closely. Should do up a chart for her whenever she has a fever.
3) get a good and reliable and lasting thermometer
2) it can come back again, so the above must be cautiously enforced

Totally out of the topic :
1)Yeeeks! I swear I hate the squeaky chairs, as it is I have a girl who wakes up at the slightest noise. Sian.. hubby flying off on Sunday so I'm solo again!! Hope she's discharged soon.
2) They have the length measurement on those heater bed next to the bath basin, I did a measurement and she's 73-75cm, not that 68.5cm. So she's the 50%tile not 3%tile.

From what I found out about fits. There's the febrile fits which is common & normally caused by fever. In more severe cases and repeated seizures it's epilepsy. So the doctor explained if it's continuous to log in and then she suggested an lumbar puncture or EEG. The aunty in Athena's school apprently jumped to conclusion that all fits are epilepsy and said it's beyond cure and cause brain damage. So therefore the paranoid mom believed her and looked so worried; sounded kan cheong. I can't blame her can I? She's only like this coz' she loved us.

Read from somewhere that epilepsy occurs to those smart people. So it's a sin to be smart?? One nurse commented "all preemies are very smart, you see Aricia's forehead."So is there any link here?
Other links :
Seizures & Epilepsy
Valuable Information

The Day That Was To Be....

full of fun for the kids, noise and mess in the house turned out to be a day of frenzy for us. And in a quiet way too! Although the cookies have been laid on the table (packed individually) waiting for the children to fill in colours, other things prepared, food & drinks bought, fridge and freezer 100% full. All we had was an empty house...
Unfortunately, I had to cancel the playdate at last minute (11+am) and called up Angeline and Jasmine to inform them. I couldn't contact Hiroe coz' I could have stored in the wrong number in my phone.
Perhaps God had been hinting to me that this time round wasn't a suitable time? Last Tuesday when I fell sick, I told Wilma that I had to get myself well soon so that it will go on. And day by day I'm glad when I got better and better. I told her "it'll be a 'spoil mood' if I, the organiser, had to cancel it. I know I can "dong" the time but I wouldn't want to spread to the kids if I was infectious, know what I mean?

Then yesterday (15th), prior to leaving house to pick Athena up from school. Aricia felt hot. And it was like a sudden thing, she didn't have any diarrhoea or what. So I thought it was teething. Nevertheless, I gave her Paracetamol before leaving the house with her. She was back to normal, so I thought "okay, false alarm." Playing and dancing about then at 9+pm, the fever came back. This time round I gave her Ibrufen (** tips : If a child's fever is above 38 deg celcius, it's best to rotate between Paracetamol & Ibrufen) and did a little of sponging on her. I thought if her fever persist the next day, I will either have to cancel it or go ahead with it but will isolate her in the room with KZ.

At 4+am, KZ woke us up describing to us "stomach pop one sound then she hand hard." At that time, it didn't dawn upon me. I thought she looked normal and stayed on to sponge her a little. I told her I'll bring her back to my room to sleep with us but KZ assured me that she can take care of her. I went back to bed, but jumping out again in 20 minutes time to see her. This time round I was surprised to see her covered with a blanket and worst still - the fan turned off. KZ's reason was "Aricia was shivering", I turned back on the fan. I touched her, she felt warm and she had given her Paracetamol at 3+am, so it'll take some time for the temperature to go down. Told myself to wake up to be the first patient (8.30am) in Dr Lee.

But was too tired and Zzzzz. Apparently I woke up at 8+ and KZ told me there was another episode at 6am. She didn't knock our door but called out to us but we were fast asleep. I left the house at 9.10am, she felt warm and I didn't want to take any chances with my little girl. Somehow in my mind, I'm thinking if it's an unwarranted visit since it'll be the same medications given but perhaps God was hinting to me " Go with your heart". Instead of Dr Lee, which will take ages to see her (Dr Tan will take century)I decided to go to the normal GP-Dr Tan- at Punggol Plaza. I waited for almost an hour just to see him. Had to wait but still better than waiting at the other 2 clinics.
During the wait, I decided to buy the fever pad to paste on her head, it feels hotter. And also I fed Aricia some bread, it was then I noticed she didn't have much strength on her legs. Normally on the kiddy ride, she'll stand up but this time round she didn't want and when I
stood her up, she was shivering.
At the clinic, I was describing to Dr Tan what KZ had told me, I had a blurry idea of what KZ what telling me. But when he asked me about her temperatures, my answer was : "I did use the thermometer to measure her but it always came up to 37.8, 37.6. Never once reading 38 so I thought if there's something wrong with the thermometer. So, since 4+am I had been using my hands to feel. Based on experience and intuition, it tells me that her fever is higher or lower. Well, I can't blame if my stupid CADI thermometer decided to malfunction at this time. Anyway he told me it's not good getting a forehead and ear thermometer all-in-one, not reliable.
He took her temperature and it was at a skyrock high of 39. OMG! I asked if he's going to give her suppository to bring down the fever and he was taking it from his box. Just then, I was carrying her and she started shivering. I started calling out Aricia and the doctor turned around to me.
Goash! What I next saw was the most terrifying thing a mother can see happening to her own flesh and blood. Aricia was having fits, just then it dawned upon me that Aricia had been having fits at home twice! "Thanks" to KZ's English which left me puzzled!! At that time what she described to me was "hand hard, I call her she never respond, leg hard." She had left out the part about her "eyes looking up or salivating"
And I was relieved that she was okay after 2 fits at home.I mean how dangerous can that be? Irresponsible mummy! In all, 3 fits in a span of 8 hours! It freaked me out, it made me sad to see my girl suddenly not responding to me, I was terrified seeing her turning pink to blue. How can this thing happen to a tiny baby??

Had to immediately go to KKH, I had to make quick calls to Jasmine and Angeline and did it in an abrupt way (hope I didn't sound rude) coz' this morning I noticed my battery was low, needed to conserve as much battery since I dunno how long I will be in KKH The rests of it will be posted in the next entry. Now I am back home to pack my clothes to stay with my baby. Hubby needed to clear some work also, which leaves me time to rip a few of her music albums into my laptop and post this down.

Something for your read :
Febrile Fits
If your child's temperature suddenly soars — for example, from 102 to 105 degrees F (38.88 to 40.5 degrees C), he may have a seizure.
In most cases, these "febrile seizures," as doctors call them, are harmless, but that doesn't make it any less terrifying for you while he's having one. There most common in children under 5. If your child has such a seizure — breathing heavily, drooling, turning blue, rolling back his eyes, or shaking his arms and legs uncontrollably — quickly place him on his back or side, away from hard objects.
Turn his head gently to one side so vomit or saliva can drain easily. Make sure he doesn't have anything in his mouth, and don't put anything in his mouth while the seizure lasts.
After it's over, you can carefully wipe away any vomit with a washcloth. Try to remember to note how long the seizure lasts — it's likely to be between 10 seconds and three or four minutes. When the seizure subsides, make your child more comfortable — and, possibly, prevent another attack — by trying to lower his temperature. Remove his clothing and sponge him with lukewarm water. If he's able to keep it down, give him some water, a children's electrolyte solution, or juice. An appropriate dose of acetaminophen or ibuprofen may help, too. Even if the seizure was mild or lasted only a matter of seconds, make an immediate appointment with your doctor to rule out conditions such as meningitis. If your child started turning blue during the seizure, had convulsions that lasted for more than a few minutes, has trouble breathing after the seizure has passed, or is still drowsy or lethargic an hour later, call 911 or go to an emergency facility.
From KKH
From NHS Direct

This is really interesting

I was watching the video, produced by Dr Makota Shichida, that Hiroe lent me. She had brought it from Japan years ago for her children.

There are 4 videos she lent me, and today was watching the first video.
and was pleasantly glad that they teach the hiragana inside in a relatively fun way. It made me pay attention to it and learn.. my childrens' eyes glued to TV, Aricia dancing at some segments, hubby sat down to watch and kept asking Athena "you can understand Japanese meh??" She'll proudly say "yes, I know A-I-U-E-O" then she starts singing the AIUEO song wrongly...(of course the daddy dunno)

Can't wait to watch the remaining 3

Went into the Pony Canyon website hoping to see what else they have, I don't see any of the videos that she lent me in their page. ??? Probably quite some time already or... only available in Japan?? Anyway, I only found these in their website, it didn't look like I needed to get those. So siao meh? These kind of topics can get in Singapore in English (er..that is if I have the time to find) or if not online lor... I'm sure there's something spoken in english.

Buay tahan

I tak boleh tahan my girl, she's a girl but yet she don't behave like one. Jeric and Javier were so obedient during class, whereas Aricia is figety.

I dunno what's wrong, it can't be the same excuse sensei mentioned " I think it's the break she had, give her time to adjust." She's been attending 3 consecutive lessons after our trip, isn't that sufficient?? She's too hyper. Thought she could be tired so over-stimulated. Today, she slept very well before the lesson but she behaved the same way as she did last and the previous week. Very sian leh.......when you have one kid who keeps flinging the cards off, more interested in velcro, wants to play peek-a-boo. I told sensei to ignore her today but she continued playing with a "bah" "bah"

I have not done the 5 minute suggestion for a long long time... so it's really weird for me to do that tonight. I dunno if I sounded sincere in the first place. Either that or I need someone to hypnotise her..

Photos of her taken today :

Prior to class

Sensei Sheryl

After class

Baby Jeric, Baby Aricia, Baby Javier

Sorting??

It took me a while to realize that my baby knew the concept of sorting.

The other day she was playing with the diapers in the side table drawer - throwing them out on the floor. Funny thing is, on that day she decided not to fling the diapers over her head but stuff it under our sofa. I was observing her until I noticed she paused to look at one diaper, and threw that behind her and continued putting the rests under the sofa.

Yesterday, she messed up the house with her blocks. And she did the nicest thing by putting it back in the box. The blocks consisted of 4 colours. And she was looking for the same colour to put them in by crawling from one place to another. It was suppose to be a 4 x 4, but being a baby, she can't slot in 4 in each row, so she took only 3 of each colour to put in. End result? The blocks inside topsy-turvy inside looks messy but .... she was sorting out the colours.Amazing isn't it??

The whole lot to talk about

Venue
How? How? One more month and we still haven't decided if we should get a chalet, just for the party or have it in our 110sq m home - technically smaller since it's only the living and dining area.

But hubby went "kena bitten by mosquitoes again??" To which I thought to myself, "yah only me and Athena got bitten by mosquitoes, not you nor Aricia!"

We aren't rich to have any clubs to use their function room.

I think at the rate we're going... might as well do it in our home. And then no choice have the food placed outside (have to borrow space) from Mrs Bay - near the main chute. Eeeks!! If not for my 2 doors away neighbours' plants, it would have been possible to put it just outside our main door, all the way extending a little to their space.

Timing
Need to collect my cards from the ulu place - Pioneer Rd sometime next week (after the playdate) and print out the rests of the Shichida's Everyday Life Sentences and return it to Angeline asap. Try to paste the words behind (could have done the writing but my handwriting very ugly) etc... I think it should be it. See whether I have time to print out a few topics of the flashcards. I have alot of things in my laptop pending, and taking up memory space. Need to delete them asap. I tell you, I'll cry if my laptop crash on me.

Targetted to end this : 31st October and leave the rests till later date

Birthday planning
I have some things done a couple of months back when preparing for Aricia's party. So it's finishing the final touches, doing the birthday invitation cards, decorations etc.. ordering of food. Plan start date : 1st November
Birthday party : I think it should be one day before her actual birthday - 24th November (Saturday) so everybody including myself can rest well the next day

Small table
Anyone have a small table for kiddos to sit down to lend?? If not, have to ask my handy father if he can help with something for me.

Finance check
Copyland called to inform that the stuffs are ready for collection. Guess what's the damage?? $596.60. Why so much?? Had alot of worksheets for normal photocopying + some flashcards which is 11" by 11" and I have to use A3 paper coz' we tried to shrink it to A4, quite impossible coz' we haven't really gone through the rests of the stacks of flashcards, some words might not be printed out. And then the font size might be too small to read. So it was A3 + lamination, coz' I don't have the time to DIY on hard paper etc...
Could I have saved the possibly $400+ to DIY on my own. Yes I could but I don't have enough time. As it is, I have too many cards to print and have to do it slowly. Yet.. slow but still not enough time spent with Aricia in the daytime.
$596+ gone, I still have to spend some more for her party. Sigh........anyone needs a part-timer???

How to rest??
Moo Han told me at the rate I'm going I'll die. Well, she isn't the first one to tell me. Wilma told me to slow down, mom tells me to. As you can see, it's one thing after another I'm always kept busy. Perhaps over zealous in giving the headstart to my children. Perhaps geh-kiang, want to bao-gar-liao everything. Perhaps suay that my children's birthdays are 2 months apart.
I'm always giving myself a target time to start and end doing things so that I can do it slowly. Slowly it seems but I'm always asking for more than 24 hours in a day still! Besides preparing whatever I have to prepare, I still have to go through the daily grinding with my girls. Honestly speaking, I should thank KZ for being such a great helper. Most of the time now, I have to leave alot of child-caring job(Aricia) to her while I try to finish what I have to in the day.
The only time I rested?? Yesterday! When I'm down and sick, I finally have the chance to delegate jobs and make everyone else busy. You see lah! 1 down, 3 other people busy. So am I really useful or not?? Am I indispensible or not?? Hubby fetched Athena to school and the blur him had to leave the music bag in the car. She didn't do well in class, mom dunno what's going on. Today she comes back, I'm going to grind her further into powder. She stayed overnight so it means I have time to relax and recuperate a little. (which also explains the entries in all 3 blogs posted) Hey! Blogging is part of my hobby liao leh!
Honestly it felt good that I'm doing nothing even with Aricia. It's like I'm a confined at home tai-tai. I was so relaxed; woke up to have KZ asking me what I want for breakfast. The only time I was with Aricia is to bathe her and give her lessons and play with her. Isn't this good life?? No Athena to make me angry.

Time check : it's now close to 12pm. Gotta post this out; bathe Ari; study; drop cheque; pick Athena and everything is back to normal. I hope! But I'm still so tired. No choice, I guess gotta relax a little now. I can 't possible fall sick on playdate, cancel also very spoil mood. Must get well now, must get well now.............

So かわい!!

I think I've been deprived during my childhood. I always liked cute-sy stuffs but never to the extent that I've grown so 'soft' by the sight of it, until now.... Well, who says being a mother has a setback? I have the excuse of going googoo-gaga over the cute things.

Hello Kitty is cute, yes no doubt. But I didn't understand why Athena was so happy with the shirt she has and was gleefully smiling/happy that she vomitted once outside (daddy had to buy her a shirt outside) and it was Hello Kitty. Since then she kept insisting on wearing the Hello Kitty shirt, even when we tell her it's in the wash she insists on wearing it.
I mean.. yes it's cute but it's mouthless!!
Then came the MacDonald collections. I played with it too. Heehee!

Seeing how much she likes Hello Kitty, I promised her a Hello Kitty birthday theme for her school celebration, but ours has to be kept at - yes! that Hispanic girl Dora theme. Coz' I've already bought all the favors and cake ordered from Anna. And then I went on to buy Hello Kitty things for the goodie bags for her school children. Sigh..........$$$ wasted!

PS. For those who are reading this and invited to the party. Abit thick-skinned here lah.... but no Dora toys for her okay? She's got alot of Dora toys

Found!

Found on my mobile phone some photos taken in HKG. I am still uploading the photos into my Ofoto album, so be patient.

These are taken on 5th September - 3rd day of my lil' baby falling sick. She's lost weight hor??
And then she needed the cuddle from mummy. At that time, I realised how vulnerable she is

In the night

In Macau restaurant

Service rendered by SIA

Hubby never asked me questions about my ex-company even when I was flying so I was surprised when he asked me a question.

On Sunday he asked "is this the way SQ compensates the passengers??" I didn't know what he was driving at but being confident of my ex-company, I said "yes, they go beyond what other airlines do. That's why SIA comes in tops every year."

And he did seem pleased with the way the staff handled the delay, (well I think they're used to it with Taipei facing typhoon quite often during the season) besides the part about the good cabin service he gets all the time. (well he better say good things since his wife is ex-crew. And at least he don't get muddle-headed stewardess like me who addressed my pax - Richard - wrongly. Not only muddle-headed but deaf too - after the repeated corrections from Richard.)

Me : However not all passengers are understanding, some of them will make a big boohoo of the delay.

Hub : But in this case, the whole airport is non functional. Want to fly out also cannot.

Me : Some people are too demanding in my years of flying that they think we are God, can go through any kind of weather, any kind of technical fault

Hub : Many ang moh passengers are complimenting SQ on the way they handle it. All the passengers are happy about it. Tang deoh what?? Somemore they put us up in a not-bad hotel.

Me : Of course lah! You see other airlines, got flight delay they just leave the passengers in the airport, where got give accomodation? Somemore SQ will give complimentary gifts.

Hub : Somemore got free dinner and breakfast leh! Nobody's complaining.

Me : It all depends, they are passengers who are on transit. They make noise, people like you who are coming back home have nothing to lose. Stay another day also don't affect anything, just no need to go back office lor! Those who connect elsewhere, curse like crazy. Then the poor people to get the brunt of everything will be the stewards/stewardesses. Some passengers don't understand that it's beyond us.

Hub: Actually quite true, those angmoh passengers say their airlines just give vouchers and they all stay in the airport. In this case, SIA didn't have to compensate since it's not their fault what!

Me : That's why they are tops. Very humble lot, apologetic for every single thing even if it's not their fault.

Hip hip hooray for SIA!!
Ps. SIA should hire me to be in their Public Affairs Department.
To my dear sister : Your sister is better than being a mamasan okay??
Uncle BT I know you're reading this...

One step closer to my grave

If having one big kid is not bad enough, I'm tasked with another naughty kid. Why? Why? Why? What was I in my previous life?
Athena whines "I cannot do it, I dunno etc.." whenever she's needed to do her work or revise music lessons.

Today, I'm faced with a younger girl who plays and flings things about. Early this week, Aricia was able to recognise the letters A & B, she'd point out the cards to me; give it to me or give me the magnets. All correct! And I'm talking about consecutive testing over a few days, I don't count it when I notice she has preference for certain hand be it the correct or wrong answer. Today, she decided to protest. She threw the cards away; threw my magnets away (sim tia over the magnets coz' they are the LeapFrog Phonics letters, afraid will spoil it.) Put it in simpler words, she refused to do anything except to play.

What have I done to get 2 kids who refuse to co-operate with me? See lah! One step closer to my grave!!

Recall : Baby Einstein

Kids II Recalls Baby Einstein Color Blocks Due to Violation of Lead Paint Standard

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: Baby Einstein Discover & Play Color Blocks

Units: About 35,000

Distributor: Kids II Inc., of Alpharetta, Ga.

Hazard: Surface paint on the blue block contains excessive levels of lead, violating the federal lead paint standard.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported.

Description: The recall involves the blue block included with the Baby Einstein Discover & Play Color Blocks, Model 30726 and Model 30881. The blocks are made of soft textures and come in different colors. Only date codes of GE7, GF7, and GG7 are included in this recall. The model number and date code are printed on the labels affixed to the green-colored block.

Sold at: Various retailers and specialty stores nationwide from June 2007 through September 2007 for between $10 and $13.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should take the recalled blue block away from children immediately and contact Kids II to receive a free replacement of the affected block.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Kids II toll-free at (866) 203-6788 between 7:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.kidsii.com

The Day

The start to this day was very early, Athena has her Junior Picasso Class, which starts at 9am. *yawn yawn* Extremely tired. Never rested even after I put her in class, went to NTUC to do some shopping for the upcoming kiddos gathering. I was tired and hungry and I turned grouchy. Munching bread as I was walking down the aisle - looking like a frumpy-looking ah-soh gulping down bread.
Glad I still had that 30 mins to rest while waiting for her, tired - took 40 winks in a bloody hot Yamaha school. (they just turned on aircon so...) did I open my mouth while I...??
Went back home after that.

Mom, brother and SIL came by. At first I thought they were here to visit Athena but the real purpose was to celebrate my birthday. *yay!* I thanked my mother for giving birth to me on this day, and she gave me a reply then.... did I see her tear?? Dunno leh, she's very emotional one. They even bought a cake - my favourite chocolate cake. Got the children with me, since Iggy is going to be 8 months tomorrow we shall sing for him too! But he's not paying attention leh.... he's more interested in looking at the cameras. Sigh... (look like my brother hor??)

Initially they had wanted to treat me to Fortunate Restaurant in Toa Payoh, but I told them I can't go too far coz' hubby will be back at 4+, so we had to settle for somewhere closeby.
Somehow the whole day I was confused, the flight arrives at 6+, then hubby told me brought forward -arr 4+, then it is late, then delay again..... ding ding dong dong until I go ding dong.
In the end we went to the first restaurant.

Lunch was so-so, most important is the company and the thoughts that count. The effort they put in to ask me out

The kiddos took 3x or was it 4x kiddy rides. Aricia enjoyed the first 2 rides with che-che, kept laughing. Iggy then joined in (didn't cry but was told he cries when he's alone. I suspect Aricia's the same) he did seem to enjoy the ride and when it stopped; he wailed out loud. So funny! Anyway, we really cheapskate. 20 cents ride and we put 3 kids in.

Thanks for the treat! Thanks for the thoughts in celebrating my birthday. Wah... I must be a VIP hor? They actually came all the way down to my home leh! Not like they need to pick me up. But next time I shall ask for a limousine service.

Came back to open the pressie and read the card they gave me.

I like this drawing my brother did, and the most decent photo of my sister - finally!

Dunno who's present is this? Athena insisted on opening it for me, and posing for the photo too!

It's a handphone or stationery holder. And a rabbit - yup! That's me!! I'm going to use it as a handphone holder since most of the time I'm like looking for my phone at home. Thank you! Thank you!

Rested awhile at home, then left to pick hubby up. Two flights coming in, two different belts at extreme end. Wah piang eh! I told hubby his flight is SQ871D, he said no "he's going on SQ871" I wonder if they really tell their passengers this information. I wanted to head straight to the later arrival plane SQ871D but decided I should just try my luck in the first arrived flight just in case.. he always walk out real fast. If I missed him, then it's a wasted trip. So, I was right!!

As usual the kids will be happy when their daddy comes back home. And better still, wait for daddy to open up his luggage to see what he bought for them. Aricia seem to be happy at everything including his clothes. Huh? Then he passed me my present. Wah! I got present also leh. After some time I decided to open up my pressie and my heart almost dropped!! It's a ....

Omega watch with diamonds. Wah............I waited so long for a good watch, though he promised me a Rolex watch on my wedding day, I didn't smell it. 2 children 6 years later.. a Swiss watch finally! No Rolex got Omega don't complain liao lah! But I'm somehow taken aback coz' my hubby, the very practical guy, wouldn't spend so much on a gift. Cheating on me? Or no choice, got stranded at airport so needed to shop. So gotta thank the typhoon for coming by Taipei huh? Haha! Maybe he was hinting to me at HK airport the other time.

I'm so happy today. My family celebrated for me, I've got a watch. Sure made my otherwise suay week a heng week.

Aricia's class

It's the start of the new term, a new classroom but the same old behaviour from my girl.

There are only left with the 3 of us in the class now. Initially there were 6 of them but was told one is on/off coz' she's from KL. When she happens to be in Singapore, then she'll come by. Jun Xi withdrew. Darius changed timing.

Somehow I'm really considering if I should also changed the timing. Coz' the timing it seems is neither here nor there.
This is normally what happens on a Friday :
8+ or latest 9am : drop Athena in school (depending on whether she wants to eat in school or outside)
9+ close to 10am : feed her milk (on usual days it's usually 10+am), then shower, then try to put her to sleep.
But she will not sleep. I need to leave the house latest at 11.30am though her class starts at 12.15pm (drive; parking; eat her lunch in school; relax in class before class starts). So most of the time, I have to leave the house much earlier, so that the car movement will make her sleep in the car. She sleeps... but then not enough sleep when I carry her out of the car.
12pm : feed her lunch in school. Depending on her, sometimes I can finish feeding her; sometimes cannot.

So when class starts, she's like never had enough sleep or have a half-filled stomach. When class about to end, she's extremely hungry; over stimulated. She don't sit still in class. She's paying attention and then she's not. The only time she sits still is during the flashcards and music starts.

Yesterday's class, she didn't get the telepathy right. Darn! No telepathy between her and me. Not my daughter? Brought wrong baby home??
I was a little better myself, in mentality-wise. I tried to think positive so that it'll affect her mood. Too positive liao! So much so that she preferred to play in class. Wah piang eh.........pay so much for her to play peek-a-boo in class??

Before the lesson ends, sensei said they have homework. I bursts out laughing "they do or...morel likely is we do it." Anyway, it's to teach them the letter A and B. Coincidently I was teaching her early the week these 2 letters.

I think I should try the 5 minute suggestion. Either that or give one more term to see, if this timing is not suitable; then I should change to one where it'll permit her sufficient rest.

Athena

The parrot
She was overheard saying to KZ "how come you dunno? " "You everything dunno, you learn so much for what, what do you know? You everything dunno......." Who was that? Is she possessed??? I hear myself speaking!!

When I told Athena about typhoon in Taiwan yesterday. She asked me the most commonly asked question "what is typhoon?"
"It's very strong wind"
"Oh! Singapore also got strong wind."
"No, this is stronger wind and it twirls."
"Oh!.... what is twirl?"
"round and round"

This morning she messed up the coffee table area with her worksheets, books, stationeries on the floor. I asked her why is it so messy. "no..mummy. I put on the sofa just now, then the wind blow then everything on the floor." "you mean there was typhoon in our house?" smiles at me
*slap head*

Earlier on, she asked why daddy is not coming back today, I told her becoz' it's raining in Taiwan. She smiled at me and answered "oh.........why papa never bring umbrella??"

Bo geh
We saw a big lollipop in a candy store and I told her as a matter of fact that "you eat this, your teeth will all drop out."
"then mummy, we give the lion eat this lor.."
"why?"

" so that the teeth all drop out, he cannot bite people already."

Things that she say to remind me that she's still a kid, a kid which I thought she would be matured and sensible and blah blah blah... but she's still a kid

Aricia

Kept forgetting to put these down.

Loving
Two Fridays ago (28 Sep) Aricia was acting so loving towards her cousin. She bend forward and put her forehead to his nose slowly as if trying to sayang him. Then we remembered his nose was still recovering from his nose injury. KZ told Aricia to sayang his forehead and then pointed it out to her. My dear girl used her hand to slap Iggy's forehead. Gasp!

Standing??
We thought she's learning how to stand, perhaps she is! But she never attempted it again, so was she? She stood for less than 2 seconds once in her cot before falling sidewards

She loves money $$$??
Aricia always like to reach for my wallet and open up the coin pouch area and play with the coins. (You know what they say about what people look at tells so much about a person)
Athena - digs for sweets in my bag
Aricia - digs for waller in my bag
Hubby - looks at food in supermarket
Me - goes to cleaning aids, baking and snacks aisle in supermarket

It's nice that.........
It's really nice to see her talking, but it does get scary somehow. Though I keep saying Athena is faster in her mei-mei in every way, Aricia is faster in talking and it looks like she isn't stopping.
In her teeny weeny brain, she's absorbing things around her in a manner that the mummy gets so bloody scared. Why scared? I should be happy right? I mean, my girl babbling in a somewhat sound-like-that word to you and I think I gotta keep all my #$% words out, really out. Even words like 'shit' shouldn't be there. For sure, she won't say it's "fish it", like what Athena said but she'll get the correct word out.
Words she's been babbling in the week :
1) merk (milk)
2) pom pom (shower) *then she mimicks the action of washing by moving her hands around her body*
3) poo poo (once she did tell us she poo-poo. Only that one time)
4) ma ma (grandma)
5) dang (sweets in mandarin)
6) pig (she meant big, after sensei was teaching them big and small. Sensei looked at her in amazement)
7) I waah......(I want)

She points
She can only point to navel for me, other parts of her body - can't!

The very suay week

I've got too many drafts in my blog; in the childrens' blogs - still undone.

Busy busy week. Will do a short one here now.

Aricia developed flu-like symptoms on Wednesday, a little later than usual but perhaps she's getting her body immuned to it already?? Since like this is her 3rd and last vaccination.
Sians! Everytime like this!! Hubby not in Singapore, they have to fall sick. And then Athena had a little of flu, which I got it under control. I'm a freak! Small sniffling sound from her and I panicked. But she was still well to go to school... send her off and was busy.
Last week, Angeline passed me what I've been eyeing on - Shichida Everyday Life Sentences Cards. Woah! Had to dropped whatever I had to do, and quickly do a set. I am so pleased with the outcome of the printing, just like the original. FYI, Shichida sells that for $200++. Since I had my cards, I had to scan copy it and print it out asap. Then suay, my cards running low.
Made a call to Lay Choo to order my cards but she's on leave, tried to place order with her colleague only to be told off by her, "you go and calculate how many cards you need and then you call me back." What the $#@%??
"How do I know how to calculate?" "It's easy... I teach you." What kind of service is this?!?! You are suppose to do everything for me!
Infact throughout the phonecall, I heard her reciting the numbers to me, I didn't understand her. She kept mumbling XXX times XXX times. or i use XXcm paper times XXX. So I gave her the number of A4 I need and then ask her to work out how many A5 she can give me, she started her mumbling again. And then she like never hear what I say, give me a totally different quantity of A4 - way off the quantity. I got so mad and told her off. Suay! Wanted to call Lay Choo later the week coz' she'll be back but then...........Friday come and my phone battery flat - suay! Now have to call her on Monday.
Although Angeline is not in a rush to use the cards, afterall Aleciabeth is still so young... but I wouldn't want to hold on to it too long. So I sent another big bag of worksheets and cards to the copier. No time and it's really impossible coz the Shichida worksheets she passed me were for 2 - 7 yrs old. Since they use normal 80gsm paper, had to laminate the cards. As it is I guess I'll have to fork out something like $400++ for whatever I've sent to them. No $$$ liao!

Hubby called on Thursday night to say "the news say that there's going to be typhoon tomorrow." In all his years of travelling I've never worried about any natural calamity, but somehow this time round I'm so worried. And so I kept my fingers crossed that he'll be back this evening. Then the sms-ed came "flight cancelled. SIA putting us up in a hotel. Unsure when coming back." Darn! Now I know the feeling of the aggitated passengers whenever there were flight delays. Whereas (as crew) would hope "good, stay as long as possible. We can nightstop longer, got more allowance. No need to do all the turnarounds /shit! I'm going to miss my SQ12."
Of course it's better to be safe and I tell him in the sms, but in my heart I'm sad.. I'm going to be lonely on my birthday. (not that he got something planned for me, but I just want my loved ones with me) Oh well, he tried to cheer me up "see whether can come back tomorrow."
Suay! Gotta sprinkle promegranate water!!
ps. will post the blog entries later

Love Bonds

Athena has the HK serial fever now. She loves this show and would start singing (in a horrible way) to the song in Cantonese.

插曲「心裡話」
作曲: 鄧智偉 ~~ 作詞: 鄭櫻倫
主唱: 陶大宇、郭可盈、陳豪、廖碧兒

陶:相信一個她　心愛一個她　不需要害怕
　 世事變萬化　信是個辦法　對嗎
　 天氣雖再差　聽你心裡話　離開陰天的落霞
　 如心花放　漫天開都開滿花

郭:知道需要他　知道心愛她　偏偏太害怕
　 愛又似霧散　暗地裡自覺　笑話
　 經過風與沙　飄過冬與夏　晴空中千色煙霞
　 從心”堪”覺悟愛是何驚訝

合:星與月　何年何月變卦　真愛不偏差
　 不再孤單終極一煞　無顧慮與分隔
　 心裡面無窮無盡說話嗎　一句真的愛他
　 釋放心花不用掙紮　無悔沒有早答　快樂嗎

廖:心愛心愛嗎　心掛心掛他
　 偏偏笑著掛　笑話說盡嗎
　 愛便愛應不(我唔肯定)　You Cry ~

陳:不愛風雨嗎　真摯的對話
　 無須一刻總調查　從今天以後永伴隨好嗎

合: 星與月　何年何月變卦　真愛不偏差
　　 不再孤單終極一煞　無顧慮與分隔
　　 心裡面無窮無盡說話嗎　一句真的愛他
　　 釋放心花不用掙紮　忘卻自我抑壓

郭:心愛他　

陶:常牽掛

合:求心花放願一生快樂嗎

Mumblings

Eyelid

Sob..sobs.... Aricia's right side double eyelid's not there anymore. Wonder how long it'll take for it to appear again. I know you must be thinking what's the big deal about having double eyelids. Well, number 1 - coz she's a girl. It's nice for a girl to have double eyelids. Number 2 - she has one and if it doesn't appear, it's impossible to have a balanced 'under the knife' eyelid on the other side.

PITAs

These are examples of PITA - Pain In The Ass phonecalls.

1) "I'm XXX from XYZ Co, do you intend to sell your house? Or rent it out? Or you know anyone wants to sell their house?"

2) From credit card companies, which I'll normally tell them off "I'm not working, do you still want to give me free credit cards." Only to have them thanking me and hanging up th phones. Wanna get them off your back? Try this method

3) From banks asking if you want to take up a loan. I was frustrated with these phonecalls (or call it bad luck on that guy that day) that one fine day I told "no thank you, I don't need any loans." Guess what the guy asked "does your husband need to take up loan?" "No, we don't need any loans at all, we are debt-free."

Don't you find them irritating?

Why men don't look at me
I have thought why men don't look at me now :
1) of course lah! I'm fat after having 2 kids. Only blind man will turn to look at me
2) even so I'm not married, I'm not as pretty as all my friends
3) who would want to look at a messy mother who eats with one hand; gobble down the food with mouth opened wide??

Why men will look at me
1) who's this mad mother who just screamed at her kid
2) who's this mad mother who didn't put her lipstick properly
3) who's the cute girls' mother? And then they never cast a second look after that


Whenever this is played...............
it reminds me of our graduation. Batch 421 graduation! Madonna's Vogue and Take A Bow. Vogue was a dance by a few girls and 3 guys. And I must really salute Kenneth for being so capable to cheorograph the steps. The latter was a solo done by me. The dress that mom had to sew for me last minute made me look more like a getai singer - somemore mom made it glittery for me - as if I cannot be seen. But at least at that time, my batch mates were being diplomatic and didn't say anything though they may think it looks yucks!
So, where are they now? I dunno how many of the girls are still flying, coz' usually girls stay shorter. As for guys, all are still flying.
Moo Han, are you in contact with any of them??

1st October (long entry)

What a day to remember! It's Aricia's 3rd pneumo vaccination. Hubby had to comment "poor thing, go for injection on Children's Day."

Last night I kept thinking of places where I can bring them to to celebrate Children's Day (what's the big deal anyway??) Options were : discovery centre; vivocity; explorerkid; Go Go Bambini or the FOC - Ikea.
This morning, I decided I shall bring the children to check out Go Go Bambini and will ask Moo Han if she wants to go along. Afterall she said I was backdated.. (about the pouch) so prove to her I'm no longer backdated. (haha! actually got to hear of the place from her blog. Oi! Ah-soh very busy leh!) Thought will sms her later at the clinic.

As I was getting the kiddos ready. I noticed something different about Aricia. Look! You see it??
I saw double eyelid in her right eye. Hope it's the "real thing". *dancing around*

The clinic is crowded, goash! Waited 1 hours plus even though I made appointment. Reached out for handphone - OMG! I left it at home. How to sms Moo Han?? Thought I'll drive back home later to pick up phone.

Consultation with Dr Tan
Dr Tan mentioned she has tripled her birth weight at 1 year old, good for her progression and she's developing well. Below 3%tile but coz' she's born small, height wise they used a different measurement (Aricia gotta stand against the wall) and it's difficult to get the measurement. Dunno if it's accurate or not, but it shows she's at 3%tile?? Shrunk?
At one point, Dr Tan was asking me a question and before I could answer her, Aricia turned to her and said something. Dr Tan with her already big eyes stared at me in shock and asked "did she just answer me 'yes'?" I didn't hear anything but she said she heard her saying something sounding like yes to me, and it was to her question. (when I told KZ this, she said she heard her saying yes before, not the 'yes yes' but something like 'yeh'. Honestly, I haven't heard her saying that to me, much as I want to believe what they said is true.. but I don't think my girl superbly smart. Come on, saying 'yes' at this age? Then what? Graduate from Uni at 8?) Dr Tan then asked if Aricia is speaking, and she didn't seem surprised coz' she was mumbling alot in the room. Even when Dr Tan put the stethoscope to listen to her, she continued and was about to shrill loud, I distracted her - just in case Dr Tan goes deaf. (It reminded me of naughty Athena too! Dr Ng was telling her "don't talk.." next moment that girl opened her mouth; gave me a smile and then went "ahh...." quite softly)
But she did say her BCG mark is quite low, it should be higher. In my mind, I thought"yah, next time go for Miss Singapore competition sure lose in swimming costume round." I told her about Iggy's BCG on the arm, she did mention "private hospitals inject at buttocks; government at arms." Speaking of which, how come all her vaccinations are at the buttocks?? Does it mean private clinics do that too?? I can't recall where was Athena poked last time. Different PDs but all private. Ai yah, doesn't matter where they poke, it's still the same.

Then it's pokey pokey time. The girl sensed it, the moment Dr Tan tried to take off her diapers she started wailing out loud and held on to me so tightly. "my dear I haven't done anything yet," said Dr Tan. I found it funny and was laughing instead of comforting her. Bad mummy!

Had our lunch in McDonalds again! Never had so much in a span of 2 weeks just becoz' Athena wanted the Hello Kitty collection. One more to go!

Ai yoh! My dear Aricia fell asleep in the sling, even when I clumsily put her in the carseat, she was not roused from her sleep. Poor gal.... she must be really tired, and she slept with her mouth opened big! How to go back home? Had to carry her out and into the car. So in the end, decided that I shall just go without my handphone. Anyway, it's quite last minute dunno if Moo Han can make it in time. So decided that since I'm already backdated, so be it and gave Athena a choice of ExplorerKid or Ikea. She chose the former as she likes the place better.

Bumped into Teni there. Actually she approached me first, then I remembered seeing her at the zoo. Ahh.........met her little kiddos, sweet Johannah. The name sounds familiar, read in Moo Han's blog. Then I remembered the sweet girl in a black dress, so finally get to meet her in person - she looks different maybe coz' she was very tai-tai looking in that picture. Don't mind Teni ah........ (ps. that's why Moo Han's afraid of me)

Athena, Aricia and Johanna

Athena asked to sit on the expensive kiddy ride. Normally I'll say no, but today's her day I give in to her. So end up entertaining Aricia or rather, myself by taking photos again

Bumped into Jenny and the 2 kids outside Macs, had a short chat. Jenny commented "wah.. I really peifu you, can handle 2 kids alone." Ai yoh, I feel like telling her Teni's handling all 4 by herself, isn't that more capable?

Athena complaining hungry. After all the running about.... I wouldn't be surprised that she's all hungry again.
In the food court, I was carrying the ever clingy girl and one lady (she meant well, think she wanted to help me but the way she asked her question was quite tactless) said :
"you alone with a kid? How can?? No one come with you??" Feel like telling her I'm a single mother leh!

Lunch over, made our way back home. Needless to say, Athena fell fast asleep even before I reach TPE

All tired out!

Back at home, didn't want to stress the kids out. But still gave Aricia her session. Then... in the night it's time for this. Initially I had wanted to make something else but no cake pan so forget it. Instead I baked cookies. I cut out the crown from paper tracing. Quite messy huh? All these were done the night before. Athena helped (played) the Disney ones; breaking Piglet's and Mickey's ears off. Sigh..... Final end product of a simple crown cookies for the 2 princesses.

And so we sang a song for them.

Almost!

Read this article from The New Paper : -

S'PORE MEN TARGETED IN FAKE DRAW SCAM
October 01, 2007

YOU may have heard of the Nigerian funds transfer scam. But what about the Chinese lottery scam?

Singaporeans have lost more than $1.5 million to overseas lottery cheats, and almost 300 reports have been made about this since the start of this year, police said.
Among the 122 victims, one lost $353,000.
Typically, they got calls or SMS messages claiming to be from overseas companies, saying they had won cash prizes.

To claim the prizes, they were asked to pay administrative fees via remittance companies to China.

The New Paper on Sunday spoke to two Singapore men who got such calls recently.

Both received calls from women who spoke in Mandarin. One woman used the name of a famous Hong Kong TV station, while the other claimed to be associated with a horse-racing group there.

Mr Joel Kong, 22, a full-time national serviceman, was told last month that he had won $20,000 and a pair of air tickets to China.

Mr Kong said the caller claimed to represent Hong Kong Television Broadcasts Limited or TVB, known for its artistes like Carol Cheng and Lisa Wang.

He said: 'I was told to transfer $5,000 to them as a guarantee that I would fly to China to claim my prize. Once I arrived at the airport, the money would be returned to me.'

But he did not believe it and did not do so. Two weeks later, Mr Kong got another call from the same woman.

He said: 'She was really patient to have waited two weeks before calling me.

'I gave her a fake address when she asked for mine. I told her I lived in Jurong Batok Road and she believedme.

'Even after I told her that there was no such road, she insisted there was.

'She was interested to find out if I was a government official and if I lived in the western or central part of Singapore.'

SURVEY

TVB has not replied to our queries.

Mr Kong said he did not make a police report as he did not lose any money.

In a separate case, Mr Steven Yong, 37, a trader in electrical panels, got a call, purportedly from a company called Hua Xing in Hong Kong.

At first, the woman said the company was conducting a survey on electronic products, such as handphones and MP3 players.

A few days later, she called again to congratulate him on winning $200,000.

Mr Yong said: 'I was given a user name and password to log onto its website to check what prize I've won.

'After I logged in, I saw my name next to the second prize of $200,000. There were two other winners.

'The website said the prize was sponsored by the Hong Kong Horse Racing Union. It looked convincing.'

But he had to wire $4,900 to the company first.

Mr Yong said: 'I didn't think I would be so lucky to win so much money just like that. It seemed like it just came from nowhere.'

The New Paper on Sunday couldn't find a telephone listing or website for the Hong Kong Horse Racing Union.

The New Paper on Sunday contacted the Hong Kong Jockey Club to find out if the Hong Kong Horse Racing Union existed, or if it knew of Hua Xing.

The jockey club, founded in 1884, became a professional organisation in 1971.

Its spokesman said the club was 'not aware of any organisations named 'Hong Kong Horse Racing Union' and 'Hua Xing', nor does it have any relationship or business association with these organisations'.

The spokesman added that it was 'not normal' for the club to 'ask winners for any deposits for prize redemption purposes'.

A visit to Hua Xing's website showed that it provided reviews for electronic gadgets, such as handphones and digital cameras.

The website said the company was based in Kowloon but provided no street address.

The number of victims in Singapore and the total amount lost in such scams has shot up.

Last year 12 Singaporeans were cheated of a total of $676,400, police said.

In 2005, the figure was $327,000 and the year before, it was just $78,400.

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Then I recalled, I received two calls on Sunday. One was in the late morning as I just walked out of the lift to the car. The caller was a lady speaking in Mandarin, she mumbled dunno what 'dian si tai' and wanted to ask me some questions about my handphone. I was frus that the phonecall came at the wrong time & worst - make me struggle with my poor mandarin.
I asked if she could speak English, she obviously didn't understand me coz' she mumbled her self-introduction again. I suspected the phonecall is not local, coz' Singaporeans will speak in English no matter what, if not will do after prompting. Then I hung up the phone abruptly thinking if it could be charged to me.
I did not think about this phonecall until a few hours later, the same lady called. I told her off immediately I was not interested in anything and hung up again. I then complaint to hubby about the nuisance phonecalls, until I read about this today I spoke to him about it.

Obviously I was not conned, otherwise I'll add to the statistics. Infact, phonecalls of any sort - I will not believe them. Nothing is free in this world. So beware my dear readers, it almost happened to me it can happen to you too!