A New Look

Did you notice the difference? Hohoho.
I had been wanting to amend the distorted lily pie chart (that tracks Lil Shauna's age) for the longest time but had been either busy or lazy. ;p To satisfy my ego, I had also wanted to install a counter for the longest time, so as to find out if anybody reads our blog. So thank you to the 20 people who came by since the counter was up. You just satisfied my ego. :)

As for the pix, it was Daddy Lim's idea. I was shocked at the size of it. Lil Shauna looks half awake. But so long as I look Ok, can liao. Hohoho. Like I say, Lil Shauna will look good even in her most unglam photo. ;p

Thank you, Bb.

Mummy Lim

To Get a Maid - Soon or Later?

As I have mentioned in one of my earlier post, the maid issue will surface soon and I am so right. We are thinking about getting a maid again.

My bro's maid has left for about 2 months. She left soon after my bro left for business trip. Then, it was a nightmare to bring the kids out. At the end of the outings, the adults were more than often left feeling tired and frustrated. Each outing was lined with crying babies and multiple episodes of tantrum-throwing (both by the adults and kids!). It was just plain bad. I was so glad when my bro came back.

Then, Daddy Lim went on night shift and my mum has to help bring Lil Shauna home when I work late, which is pretty often. Then I came down with chicken pox and my mum has to help with my meals and Lil Shauna after sending the nieces to CC and rushed back after settling my dinner. It jiust made me realised that we are short of manpower.

I already foresee that it would be very tiring on the adults when the maid left. With both nieces enrolling into CC, I also guessed that my bro will not be employing another maid. I was also right that without a maid, my mum would suffer. She had to take on more and there was literally no rest for her. Now, she's even reluctant to take a holiday with us, worrying that my SIL cannot handle the kids. She cant leave Lil Shauna with me and go on holidays with my bro's family too. She is already starting to complain and I dun see the end of the tunnel.

All these happenings just convinced me that we need an additional pair of hands. Otherwise, we all cannot fall sick or attend to emergencies. If my bro is not getting a maid, then we will have to get one. Right now, we are so stretched, if any of the adults fall sick, we are bad. I also cant stop feeling guilty when I have to ask my mum to help babysit Lil Shauna (other tahn office hours) when I need to get my things done or get some rest. Opportunity cost, if I get the rest, my mum doesnt. Haiz.

We have always said that we will get a maid when no. 2 comes along, but no. 2 is nowhere in sight and we are all feeling the toll. So, it is a question of whether we should get a maid soon. But that would mean that we will be financially stretched. With the new, super thirsty Tiguan, we are just nice (financially) currently.

Decisions, decisions, decisions. I think Daddy Lim and I will do an IQC project on this after he comes back from night shift. We will do a good decision matrix, a fish-bone analysis and draw before and after Pareto chart to see if there's really improvement with a maid. ;p My feel? I think we will get a maid soon, just a matter of how soon. We cannot wait for no. 2 liao. ;p Hopefully, we can all slow down a little with that additional help. In Daddy Lim's words, he has nothing but loads of $$ and if $$ can solve the problem, then it is not a problem. Strange, how come I am so broke and Daddy Lim is $$ loaded? Hmmm....

Mummy Lim

Christmas with Chicken Pox

Our Christmas was such a disappointment bcos of chicken pox. -_______-"

Bcos I can go to only very limited places (e.g. to the park downstairs), Lil Shauna spent most of her time watching TV.

When there's really nothing much to do, I even took out her old bathtub to let her play. She now showers standing up and no longer uses the bathtub but she still love her bathtub and can soak until her skin crumbled, entertaining herself by pouring water from container to container.

On Christmas morning, I suggested for Daddy Lim to bring us to West Coast Park for Mac breakfast and some running around in the park. We ended up having breakfast at Fong Seng Nasi Lemak. Daddy Lim wanted very much to eat there but ended up feeling disappointed. The side dishes were cold. We then made our way to WCP and Lil Shauna gets to dig some sand, climb and run around a little.

After WCP, we went grocery shopping and handed Lil Shauna to my mum at Centris. I bet Lil Shauna missed playing with the jiejies bcos she was very cooperative and wave "bye bye" without fussing when we left. I had asked to let her stay with my mum and hope that they could bring Lil Shauna out. It is bad to spend Christmas at home. Lil Shauna deserves more fun on Christmas Day!

We went home and Daddy Lim took his afternoon nap in preparation for work at night while I watch the Korean drama. I watched 9 episodes in one breathe. Nobody was around and I didnt speak to anyone for at least 5 hours. I felt as if I was back to the time before Lil Shauna comes along and realised that I missed those days where I just stayed at home during weekends and just whacked DVD after DVD. Ahhhh... Lil Shauna came home after a day out and was happie.

There was not much Christmasy mood this time. There was no Christmas party but we did receive some Christmas gifts, mainly for Lil Shauna. She is one lucky girl. At least 80% of the gifts are for her lor.

As for me, Daddy Lim bought me my Christmas gift on Sunday. Hohoho.

We went shopping at Orchard. I had wanted a Coach bag and asked Daddy Lim on his budget. My jaw dropped when he told me $3k! I was tempted to buy a LV bag instead but cannot make myself do it. $3k can do alot of things leh. So we ended up with this at $566.10.

Pappy, the remaining of the $3k can credit? Hohohoho, I am one happie mummy. I couldnt stop smiling after we got the bag.

Mummy Lim

Back in Action

My MC lasted until Christmas Day. I was told to come back to the yard clinic for follow-up. I was pretty torn. On one hand, I had wanted to come back to work. The 1 week at home further proves that I am not cut to be a full-time home maker (less the maid). Lil Shauna drives me crazy. Things are made worse when I am mostly confined to the house with her. Of course the situation gets much better when my mum is around lah.

And so, the doctor examined me and said that I am recovering (I know). I asked if I can come back to work on Monday. He said that the those fat lesions may still contain the chicken pox virus and I might still spread the virus to others (if those are broken). Otherwise, I am quite fine. Other than a more powerful gel to cure those fat lesions, I am given the OK to come back to work le. Hohoho. But, I am still advised to "siam" pregnant ladies, just in case.

So, this ends my torture with Lil Shauna. I am well, I can go roam the malls with Lil Shauna again! I can go shopping for my Coach bag! My belated Christmas prezzie. The only backset? I had tot about going to Mambo on coming Wednesday if I am given another week's of MC. Well, Mambo has to wait, until such the time that Daddy Lim and I can both take leave on some Thursday. In the meantime,I will go and master my Mambo moves "Oooohhhh..Square room.... I want nobody, nobody, but you.. clap, clap". Hohoho.

Mummy Lim

Staying at Home

Staying at home is no fun. I actually envy Lil Shauna when Popo brings her out for walks. That heartless girl. She dun want me the moment Popo gets ready to bring her out. Once out of the door, she will even volunteer to close the gate (with me still in the house) and loudly + happily bid me "bye bye". When the lift comes, she will walk ahead of my mum into the lift. My mum said that she totally forgets about me and enjoys herself when she is outside. -________-" Win already lor. My baby is so "nice" and "cares so much" about me. Sob.

It is actually quite boring to stay at home. Maybe bcos Lil Shauna is here with me, I also felt guilty when my mum brings her out. I mean, what can they do outside but aimless roaming? And they can roam for an hour to 2 each time. I know that my mum brings her out to give me some rest. Aww... mummy is still the best. As compared to Lil Shauna, I think I got more heart. At least I show my appreciation to my mum.

Seriously, it feels really wonderful to have family around when one is sick. My mum has been showering me with love and care and concern in her ways since I was down with chicken pox. She has been helping me with the baby, cooking my meals, buying me herbal drinks, helping me to sweep and mop the floor, despite me telling her not to. She said that she cannot tahan how dirty and dusty our place is. Hohoho. I am so thankful for her.

To conclude, I cannot be a housewife. I cannot survive not talking to people the whole day. So, I must get Daddy Lim to employ me a maid before I become a housewife. I think I can talk to the maid. Hohoho.

Mummy Lim

Mummy Lim is Sick!

Yes, yes, Mummy Lim is sick. I am down with... chicken pox.

Strangely, I got it at 30 years old. -.o" I rem that I played rough with my bro when he was down with chicken pox and I turned out fine. I rem that I slept and shared food with my sis when she was down with chicken pox and I turned out fine too. There is nobody around me who got chicken pox, so who passed me the virus!!?? This time somemore. As a result, I have to miss D's wedding, Felicia's bday party and also Christmas! Boohoo!

I was feeling funny on Friday. I was plagued by never-felt-before tiredness. Then I felt stress and tension on my neck and I was down with fever-headache in the afternoon. I left office at 5.30pm and started developing a mild fever. The fever went away with Panadol. I suspect that I was down with chicken pox cos I saw a water-filled lump on my tummy and tot I burst one on my back and ear earlier in the day. But no new bumps appeared leh.

Fever came again in the night and I was well in the morning with the help of Mr Panadol. I decided to go to the Company's doctor and was confirmed as having chicken pox. Sianz... I was given 7 days MC and asked to return for follow-up. Strange hor. How to return with all the pox to see doctor leh? Or the doctor really expect me to recover in 7 days?

I read on the internet that adults (above 15 YO) get it worse than children. That is bcos the natural immunity to fight against the chicken pox virus is gone. There is also a higher chance to develop complications. I think the article is so right bcos I am so chicken pox filled. I have chicken pox everywhere and so many of them on my face. I think I look like somebody who had a bad acne breakout now. It makes me pity those people who constantly suffer from acne problem.

I was initially happie that I got a week's MC. Can sit around and watch my favourite Korean drama leh. But I was so wrong. I spent the 1st 2 days having fever on and off. Then, I get ugly spots all over me. I already start scratching but it is still bearable. I heard that the worse is coming. Sob!

Then Lil Shauna is home with me. -______-" My SIL hasnt gotten chicken pox too and we cannot afford to pass the virus to her. Lil Shauna has gotten one jab of chicken pox vaccination. Her lazy parents had been procrastinating and hasnt given her the booster jab. I had wanted to give her the jab this coming Saturday. Who knows I was down with chicken pox last Friday. Haiz. I just hope that she already has some immunity from the 1st jab to fight the virus. So Lil Shauna has to stay with me to prevent her from passing any virus to my SIL.

It is no fun at all to stay at home with a baby. I have been watching the most baby TV in my entire life. I can even sing the songs in the High5 show. -.o" I am so glad that my mum comes and help and bring Lil Shauna out for walks in the late morning and evening. Otherwise, we will all go crazy in this house.

Hmm.. I hope the chicken pox go away soon. I hope the crazy itchiness wun attack me. I hope Lil Shauna wun kena chicken pox. Plllleeeeeeaaasssseee..

Mummy Lim

CupCakes 2

I completed the cupcakes for D's wedding on Sat. This is the 1st time that I made so many cupcakes and were surprised that dressing them up is the easiest and fastest. Hohoho.

D had specially asked for chocolate cupcakes and yellow theme. So I improvised what I made the other time and came out with these.

Yellow wedding bands on white fondant. Got precious stones somemore!

Simple shimmery hearts on yellow fondant and...

A whole box of babies! I hope they get what I mean. Hehe. The babies were the most difficult to mould. We spent a long time thinking how to make each one different.

To bad I wasnt able to attend the wedding and have no idea how the cupcakes look like when they were put together. Will post them if I managed to get the pix. But I heard from J and D that the cupcakes were "selling" well. Finished before the banquet. Hohoho.

I also bake some cupcakes for Felicia's 2 YO bday party. The request came a little late and they had already ordered a cake so I only made some to add on to the decoration.

Due to the lack of time, I baked cupcakes with garden theme bcos I tried moulding all these figures before. I was actually quite pleased with the results.

So, still nobody who would exchange cupcakes for babysitting services? I had wanted to bake cupcakes for Christmas but cannot liao. The next time, I will bake for Torres' full-month bash, if Mummy C allows me. Hohoho.

Aside to J, with these cute cupcakes, I must be AN's favorite auntie. Hohoho.

Mummy Lim

CupCakes

D has asked me to bake cupcakes for her solemnisation this coming Saturday. She had specially asked for chocolate cupcakes when the only ones that I have tried baking are vanilla with yogurts ones. Win lor. So I search the web for recipe and found an easy one. I tot about the design for a long time and tried them out. The results werent too satisfying.

The buttercream is still too messy. Unless, I applied a thick layer of buttercream, otherwise I am unable to cover the chocolate cupcake properly. Then again, it is an outdoor event and I still am unable to prevent the buttercream from melting. It is just very messy. The cupcakes were OK. The girls tested and agreed. Personally, I found the cake a little too dry and not sweet enuff.

Eventually, I substituted the base with fondant instead. Some of the girls came and helped with the fondant modeling last Sunday. Lil Shauna was with popo while I "played" with fondant. We managed to complete all the modeling. Hurray!

Today, I came back early to bake the cupcakes. My mum helped me with Lil Shauna. I dun really fancy baking chocolate cupcakes bcos is it so messy! The kitchen was in such a mess after I was done with the baking (with my sis' help). I had a hard time cleaning up.

The results?

I know they dun look fantastic now but they will look much prettier after they are dressed up tomorrow. :) And I was more generous with the sugar and milk this time. I think the cakes taste much better this time.

OK, all my hard work. Maybe this will be the start of my 2nd career? Hohoho. I think too much liao.

Mummy Lim

Christmas Prezzie

I was so surprised to find Christmas round the corner. One year has almost passed. Time is flying by. I am still not done with my Christmas shopping. No time lah. Last year, my family got together for dinner + gift exchange. This year, the timing is not good. Daddy Lim is on night shift and my sis is going overseas during Christmas. I do hope that we can get together to exchange gifts again. It was quite fun.

Daddy Lim has got his bday and Christmas prezzie already. His HP went hay wired and I got him a Sony Ericcson Aino for his bday.

He got the black one bcos he said that white is too gay. -.o" Semi touch screen with 8.1 mega pixel camera wor. Daddy Lim is quite please with the prezzie.

It was meant to be both his bday & Christmas prezzie, but my colleagues were talking about the OSIM Upapa the other day and were discussing about how good it is. Daddy Lim is always aching everywhere. Old man already and I tot that the Upapa might be good for his aching bones.

Eventually, we got this instead. Powertap from OTO. It is almost identical to the Upapa. We tried both and found this one better. Somehow, the tapping/ pounding is more rhythmic and comfortable.Daddy Lim had been asking me for the longest time about what I wanted for Christmas. I couldnt think of anything that I really want. If I needed something, I would have bought it already and not wait until Christmas to have somebody buy it for me mah. I had initially not wanted to ask for anything. But after seeing all the "loots" that Daddy Lim got, I have decided that I want a Coach bag. Hohoho.

I have never owned a branded bag before wor. I just dun see the need. My most expensive bag is my Toscano handbag that cost $200+ niah. Coach bags are not too expensive, way cheaper than LV. And I noe that Daddy Lim will buy for me if I wanted something from LV. I just bu she de lah. With the $$ spent on LV, I can buy many more things. I am keen to get one of the bags that look like this. Hohoho. I am happie. Must whack Daddy Lim back. ;p

Mummy Lim

1st Week of Night Shift

Daddy Lim's 1st week of night shift had been easy. Why? Bcos he was sick and was given MC for 2 days. Flu niah and the doctor gave him 2 days MC wor. When I brought that Aussie flu virus back to Singapore, I didnt even see doctor. It took me an entire bottle of the Woods cough syrup to get rid of that persistent cough.

On top of that, Daddy Lim will be taking leave on coming Sun. My bro & SIL are throwing a bday party for Felicia cum housewarming on coming Sunday. My mum kept hinting that she will not be able to help with Lil Shauna especially in the night. Being a clean freak, she foresee a whole mountain of chores and cleaning to do after the guests left. So poor Daddy Lim had to take leave to stand in.

While Daddy Lim is working, like today, I have the computer after Lil Shauna sleeps. In fact, I can do anything that I want. Hohoho. I am glad to have my sister to watch TV together. So cool.

As for Lil Shauan, she's glad to share the bed with Mummy and enjoys having the whole bed to herself before Mummy joins her.

Mummy Lim

Racist

Every morning, I will hand Lil Shauna to my mum at Centris' lobby. Recently, Lil Shauna had been sticky and will refuse and cry when she's handed over to popo. These few days had been a little better. There is no tears but she didnt fail to put up a struggle.

Today is no better. While waiting for Popo in the car, Lil Shauna was having a good time playing with Daddy Lim. When Popo came, she refused to get down from the car and of course refused to go over to popo.

Just than, a large group of foreign workers were heading to Centris to carry out some renovation work. In an attempt to coax Lil Shauna to behave, Popo exclaimed "a-bu-neh-neh come already!", right when the foreign workers are walking past. -___________-" Win liao.

In the car, I was relating the incident to Daddy Lim. He asked me to tell my mum not to teach Lil Shauna to be racist. How to? I also grow up under the impression that Policeman and a-bu-neh-neh will catch me when I misbehave. Hohoho.

Mummy Lim

Mambo

Last post and a short one. Hoho. Too long never blog lah. Too many things to talk about. ;p

That day, while Daddy Lim drove me and my sis to Tanglin Mall to set up a stall at the flea market, we were suddenly talking about Mambo. Hohoho. Daddy Lim used to siao Mambo in his teens and 20s while I was never really a Mambo kid. It happened that my sis frequents Mambo now.

Mambo was hot during our time with all the retro songs and the typical action-dance moves. To go to Mambo, one must start queuing at 8pm wor and Mambo is uber crowded. Apparently, it is now Ladies night on Mambo nights and not much of a Q, though Mambo nights are still crowded.

We got more and more excited as we talked about it. It had been a long time since Daddy Lim and/ or I clubbed. With a baby, it is very tough lah. We were glad to hear that Mambo has both a very young and old crowd. We wun feel so bad then if we are to go to Mambo now. Hoho.

So, we have dated my sis to go Mambo after Daddy Lim has done his night shift. But it will need lots of planning cos we have to take leave to rest the next day wor. Haha. Old liao. ;p

Mummy Lim

Daddy Lim is on Night Shift

Daddy Lim is rotated to go on night shift again. Sob. There are lesser people to go on night shift now and he is thus scheduled to go on night night more frequently. Blehhhh....

The last night shift, the maid was still around and my bro's family was still staying at their old place. So my mum will bring the maid and walk all the kids to my place. I will then head back from work and my mum will stay until I settle down, which is also almost Lil Shauna's bedtime. It was much easier on me the last night shift.

This time, the maid is gone. Sob! It will be really tiring if I have to go and fetch Lil Shauna home every night. But I dun want to stay at my bro's place. Not only is their place smaller than before, the 2 nieces do not sleep until close or past midnight. Then Lil Shauna will be tempted to sleep late, which I do not condone. It will be very difficult to get Lil Shauna to sleep when it is her bedtime bcos she will hear the 2 jiejies playing outside and will want to join too. I still think little children should develop and maintain good sleeping habits.

My mum did offer to send Lil Shauna back so that it will be easier on me. But I am worried that it will be too taxing on my mum. Haiz. How leh? Then, there is the transport problem. I will either have to take the SBS bus or taxis, which will cost a bomb. I hate it when Daddy Lim goes on night shift.

The only comfort? Nobody will fight with me over the computer and I can sleep on the big bed with Lil Shauna. Better than nothing lor. And oh, I am glad that my sister is with me now. At least she can help watch over the baby when I need to go to the toilet or something and I wun be so lonely too. Start counting down.

Mummy Lim

Happie Bday Daddy Lim!

Daddy Lim is finally 32 years old. Happie brthday! He is a Dec baby and I always have to wait forever before his bday comes along. Actually, I am quite envy him. Ever since I was in my teens, I had always wanted to be a year-end baby. Then I can grow old slower than the rest of the people. Hohoho.

This year, Daddy Lim, myself and Lil Shauna had a quiet bday celebration. Strangely, it seems more like the princess'than Daddy Lim's bday. All the attention was on her. Daddy Lim even had to help chase after the princess while she act like a spoilt brat (or is she?? Hmmm...).

We got a room at Rasa Sentosa. The last time we were there with Lil Shauna was in Apr 09 to celebrate my bday and our wedding anniversary. She was only 11 months then. This time, she had a lot more fun.

Early morning, Lil Shauna was all prepared to have a fun-filled day. She even practised while in the lift. -.o"

The ride to Sentosa was a breeze bcos Lil Shauna took her nap. Hehe. Checking-in was at 3pm, but our room was ready and we got to go to our room upon arrival at 1+pm. It was a nice big room facing the swimming pool, similar to what we had the last time.

We visited the Underwater World the last time and was wondering what other attractions would be interesting to Lil Shauna. Sentosa has added many new attractions, such as the wave park and the 3D rides, but Lil Shauna is far too young to enjoy them and they are really, really, really expensive. I was joking with Daddy Lim about how Sentosa is really a tourist attraction. Maybe in the near future, bcos Sentosa is too expensive for low and average-income Singaporeans.

We decided to visit the Butterfly park and to see the Songs of the Sea in the evening. Yes, I didnt type wrongly. We went to the butterfly park even though I have unexplainable fear (read: phobia) for the butterflies. But it is for the baby. She has learnt how to say "butterfly" and hasnt really seen butterflies at close range. See, how big a sacrifice.

There was an opened park and we have to walk thru' it to continue with the tour. I was so glad that Lil Shauna allowed Daddy Lim to carry her in the park bcos I was going crazy and was busy hiding behind Daddy Lim. If I was carrying the baby, I think I might drop her. Hoho. There were guides in the park and one of the lady guides was so "helpful". She caught one of the butterflies and wanted to show it to me and even to put it on my arm! Faint! She kept reassuring me that the butterflies wun bite. Yes, I know! Keep the stupid butterflies away from me! Arrgghhhhh... I was so glad to make it out alive while Daddy Lim went back to the park with Lil Shauna. I was happie to wait outside for them. Hohoho. Lil Shauna was a bit puzzled at why Mummy went crazy in the park and kept screaming at the beautiful butterflies. She enjoyed herself so much more when she was alone with Pappy. She even attempted to beat the butterfly. Hohoho.

We left the park in 30 mins time. Lil Shauna then get to play and wet herself at the fountain outside of the park and she totally enjoyed herself. This baby just love water. We then went swimming at the hotel's big swimming pool.

We also had a mini celebration for Daddy Lim. We all enjoyed the cake.



Then, it was dinner and we totally forgot about the Songs of the Sea. -.o" When we remembered, we were still in time for the 2nd show but were too lazy to travel and rush for it. So we ended the night early and went back to our hotel to snooze. Bo bian leh, we old already, need lots of sleep.

The next morning, we woke up to a good breakfast. The spread was so much better than what we had in Australia. Look at Daddy Lim's plate. Lil Shauna was happily feeding herself too.

Then, we went to the beach to play sand. Lil Shauna was in her sexy 2-piece swimsuit that we bought in Australia. Dun play, play, halter neck wor.

It was actually her 1st time to the beach. She played sand before and enjoyed digging and filling up pails. She was very captivated by the waves until she fell and drank some sea water. -.o"

We brought her back to the swimming pool, where we tot she will be safer with her float and was at the pool until it almost time to check out.


The trip back home was peaceful too bcos the princess was tired out by all the activities and slept all the way back home. Hohoho.

See, more like the princess' bday hor. Haiz, I guessed this is how life is when the children come into the picture. Hohoho. But Daddy Lim did enjoy himself too. As for me, I need more holidays to look forward too!

Mummy Lim

Princess Treatment

Lil Shauna is treated like a princess whenever she's at nainai's place. Naiani will always bring out her favourite toy. Then Lil Shauna will choose her favourite songs to sing and dance to. At climax, everybody will stop what they are doing to sing along with her. At the end of every "performance", we will ll applause. No wonder Lil Shauna really think that she's a princess.

Mummy Lim

Australia Trip - Part II

Day 3

We woke up at about 7.30am. The other family experienced picking freshly laid eggs while the Lim Family slept thru' that. ;p We had cereal for breakfast. Us, being Singaporeans were super shy. Only Daddy Lim asked for bacon and eggs when Tim offered and I asked for toast. The rest said that they will just have cereal but ate my toast when Susannah served. -.o"

We then spend some time roaming around, took some pix and got ready to take the car back to the meet-up point. Again, Lil Shauna wasnt too cooperative during the car ride, but was better bcos I took lots of biscuits from Tim's cookie jar. Hohoho. Clever mummy. Actually, Lil Shauna prefers the wagon to the car seat 100x. Too bad, babies are meant to be in car seat.

It was another long ride from the meet-up point to some animal park where we get to meet the kangaroos, koala bears, Tasmania devil and wombat. I was so surprised to see kangaroos roaming in the park and was even more surprised to learn that kangaroos are very gentle animals. They are vegetarians and they do not bite. The kangaroos behave like dogs when you give them a good rub and they are exactly like Australians. They basically lie in the sun and relax. Hohoho. But bcos the kangaroos roam freely, there were kangaroos' shit everywhere and there were so much of them everywhere.

We fed the kangaroos. Lil Shauna tried too but ended up spilling most of the feeds onto the floor. Their feeds are a mixed of corn nibbles and dunno-what and are pebble hard. Lil Shauna loves the kangaroos. She's not at all afraid of them but the contrary is true. At one point, she tried to sayang a kangaroo who was lazing around and she disturbed the kangaroo so much that the kangaroo had to escape and hop away. Poor kangaroo.

Lil Shauna wasnt at all well-behaved at the animal park. She was very much fascinated by the kangaroos and refused to move on. She kept insisting to feed the kangaroos and struggled so much when we had to drag her off. Then, she was leaking green mucus non-stop and refused to let us wipe away her mucus. On top of that, she attempted to pick up the kangaroo shit. -.o" So, it was throwing tantrums, crying and throwing tantrum. Bad, bad, bad. I only got too see the kangaroos and nothing else. Oh, and the lazy koala bears too. We only took 2 pix with the bear and had to go entertain Lil Shauna and stopped her from whacking the kangaroos. Boohoo.

We headed to the hotel to put our bags but left for Philip Island shortly to see the tiny penguins returning home from sea. It was a 2 hours' bus ride and I was so glad that Lil Shauna fell asleep on the way. We went to see seals before the penguins but we caught sight of none, just many, many sea gulls. The entire slope was filled with them (they are the little white specks in the right pix below). I was surprised again to find that sea gulls are really fierce birds. They were fighting most of the time.

Then, it was to see the penguins. This particular species is the smallest in the world. They will go out to the sea to hunt for food in the day and only return to their barrow on land after sunset to avoid predators. They actually walked across the beach to their barrows on land. We sit at some platform to watch the penguins and it was really cold, maybe about 12 degrees?

Penguins are very timid and they travel in groups. It takes a brave soul to exit the water and the rest will follow. The moment one of them decides to turn back, the whole lot will follow and they will all flip flop back into the sea. The attempt to go home will then start again. Bcos it is the penguins' natural habitat, no photography was allowed for fear of disturbing the penguins. Photography was only allowed at the exhibition center and Daddy Lim got this pic of a baby penguin. Baby penguins are grey and furry. They are the same or bigger size than the adults. They basically sleep and wait for their parents to bring back the food. Good life.

By the time we were done with penguin watching, it was already 9.30pm and we took another 2 hour ride to get back to the hotel. Lil Shauna fell asleep soon after we boarded and bus. Heng ah. After reaching the hotel and putting the sleeping baby to bed, Daddy Lim and I went for supper at MacDonalds. It was our 1st quiet moment since the trip.

Day 4

We went to the Strawberry park to pick strawberries. We were each given a container. Nainai was thrilled and she was so busy picking strawberries. The strawberries picked can also be eaten immediately too. Daddy Lim and I were more busy trying to run after the baby and to stop her from playing with the soil. But we all enjoyed eating the just-picked strawberries. They were very sweet and juicy.

Nainai had wanted to bring the strawberries home but they spoil really easily. Moreover, we have no space in our luggages left and had to leave the strawberries behind. We actually had 2 whole boxes left wor. So wasted.

Then, it was to some flower park to have lunch + look at flowers. The park actually come with a maze. We all tried the maze and it was very interesting. The walkway in the maze was super narrow, definitely not for fat people. Lil Shauna was needing her nap badly and fussed non-stop. She finally buay tahan and fell asleep and was still asleep when we were at the maze. I slinged her and she woke up shortly bcos the twigs kept brushing her legs. The walkway was that narrow... or maybe bcos I am fat. -_____-"

After the flower park, it was to some grape vine for wine tasting. We didnt spend much time there and the kids were all super bored. Hohoho. Daddy Lim was one happy man bcos he tasted quite a few cups of wine.
Finally, it was back to the hotel. It was only 6pm and we headed to the Chinatown for dinner. Chinatown was about 15 mins walk from our hotel and there was many, many shops on the way and in Chinatown itself. We picked and finally chose some Chinese restuarat to have our dinner. We expected the servings to be small but ended up getting shock at the portion. We wasted so much food. -.o"

Then, it was more shopping before heading back for bed. Again, after the baby slept, we went to take a little walk. Stupid me tot too highly of myself and ventured out in my jacket and shorts. It was freezing cold when the wind blows that I had to hide. It was so bad that we didnt venture far and had to turn back.

Day 5It was a free & easy day. We didnt really do our homework on where to go. I heard S saying that there are some factory outlets and I had wanted to go. But it was pretty far away and Daddy lim wasnt keen. He tried to persuade me by telling me that the tour guide said that it is a small outlet, so dun bother. Since it wun be easy to shop with a baby, I agreed lor.

We ended up at the Queen Victoria market in the morning. It is like our wet market in Singapore but a very big one. The meat and fish and seafood looked so fresh. Other than that, the market sells all sort of cheese, vegetables & fruits and Australian food stuff. We took a tram to the market.
Right behind the market are stalls similar to our pasar malam. Nainai had a good time shopping at the stalls. The stalls sell souvenirs to clothes to toys and even chickens. Interesting.
Then, we returned to our hotel and it was shopping and more shopping at the vicinity. We didnt ventured far after that but kept walking the same places and not spending much time at each shop bcos of the baby. Whenever one person shops, the other 2 had to look after the baby. The arrangement worked out quite alright.

At night, after tucking the baby to bed, I had wanted to visit the casino nearby with Daddy Lim but we were too lazy and dropped the idea. Again, we went for a walk but headed back shortly. Bcos it was Friday night, the streets were busy even late at night. I actually felt that it was dangerous walking on the streets. Daddy Lim felt the same way too. Singapore is still the best. Hehe.

Day 6It was finally time to go home. We had a good breakfast. Lil Shauna had been feeding herself most of the meals during the trip and she grew quite good at it. Of course, food will still fly everywhere. When she's too gan cheong and couldnt get the food, her hand will go into her bowl or the entire bowl will end up on her face while she attempted to pour the food into her mouth.

We did some last minute packing and had to check out at 10am, unlike Singapore's hotels. Then, it was again aimless walking, last minute shopping before we head off to the airport at 2pm.

As usual, we arrived at the airport 2 hours before the departure time and spent the hours chasing the baby inside the airport. Fortunately, the airport was very spacous and Lil Shauna had alot of space to run, which made her happy. We had decided to delay boarding so as to minimise the time that we had to "contain" Lil Shauna to the seat. So we continued to run around the airport while a long human snake formed at the gate for boarding.

We are well-trained Singaporeans and Singaporeans must queue. Both Daddy Lim and I agreed that it was terrible to see everybody queuing but just not us. We felt so insecure, as if the plane will fly off without us bcos we didnt queue with the rest of the people. Nainai was anxious too. Several times, we see her carrying the bags and walking about. We had to ask her to wait repeatedly.

We joined the queue when we could no longer contain the butterfly in our tummy and boarded the plane. Daddy Lim sat with me but nainai had to sit alone agaian. We had prepared lots of toys for Lil Shauna but she was still not very happie and was fussing badly. Maybe she was tired but I was trying to delay her from sleeping bcos Singapore is 3 hours behind Melbourne. The last thing that we want is to have a baby waking up at 2am Singapore time and demand play. But she was fussing too much and I finally gave in. The princess slept and there was peace. :)

She woke up 2+hrs later and was an angel, probably bcos she was half awake. She spent the remaining flight behaving like an angel too. Thank God. We touched down Singapore at 9.30pm (Singapore time) and Lil Shauna fell asleep again in the cab, on the way home. She totally didnt suffer from jet lag but I did. I was so tired on Sunday when the baby was full of energy. Hohoho.

ConclusionThe trip was of course not as wonderful as I expected. But it is good enuff on the consideration that we have a 18 months old baby. For some reasons, Lil Shauna was super sticky to me during the trip. She refused to let Daddy Lim or nainai carry her. They cannot even hold her hand when she walks. Daddy Lim tried but wasnt of the most help. Nainai is not used to taking care of Lil Shauna too and is at a loss when Lil Shauna throws tantrums. Nainai finally gets to see Lil Shauna's true color.

At certain point when the baby is not cooperative and my paitence runs thin, I had to control myself from snapping at nainai who adds on to the irritation at times. Hohoho. It is not that she's bad. She's just like any mother who sometimes makes inapproprate remarks or nags a little too much. Just that if she is my mum, I would have snapped long ago but had to contain myself in nainai's presence when I am already almost driven crazy by the baby.

Both Daddy Lim and I agreed that we will probably not go for another trip with nainai unless Daddy Lim's bro and gf come along. No, no. It is not bcos we are angry with her but I tot that it will be better for her too. Our attention is mostly on the baby and we do not have the extra time or enegry to spend on her or explain things to her. If Daddy Lim's bro & gf come along the next trip, then she will have more company while we focus on the baby.

Well, we did enjoy ourselves and we spent a lot of time with the baby. Daddy Lim is put off by the flight though. He said that we will not go overseas again until Lil Shauna is 5 years old. -.o" Where got like that one? Hmm... where should we go next? Hohoho.

Mummy Lim