Auntie-less

It has been more than 2 weeks that we went without auntie and we are all adapting and surviving well. To begin with, I do not feel much of the impact. The kids choose to stick to us during weekends. On weekdays, the kids are already our responsibility in the night. Auntie is barely in the picture. Popo and Daddy Lim are also helping alot with the kids.

The kids took things well too. Other than the occasional exclamation by Lil Isaac that auntie has gone home in the initial days, nobody looked or asked for her subsequently. The kids are learning to be more independent too. They are asked and are helping to put back toys after play, putting their shoes into the cabinet, taking whatever that they want, etc. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesnt. When Lil Shauna is in her good mood, she even helped to look after Lil Isaac.

Popo probably felt the most impact. She now has to look after the kids before and after their school on her own and also handle the housework. She claimed that she's doing fine. I am supposed to look for a part time helper to come tackle the heavy weight housework like toilet washing. Popo didn't appear quite welcoming the idea and refused to tell me when the helper should come. I am lazy and don't want to do housework. Moreover, Popo's SOP for housework is too thick and I cannot be bothered to study the SOP.

Right after auntie left, I also got an opportunity to handle both kids on my own for an hour before school. Yes, I am a lousy mummy. Lil Isaac is almost 3 and i have never been with them on my own!

The kids were really cooperative and they weren't as tough to handle as I thought it would be. Lil isaac was crying though, not wanting to take the school bus to school but I shoved the crying boy up the bus. Lol.

Two Sundays ago, Lil Shauna also helped Daddy Lim vacuumed the car and earned herself $5. She had asked for $100 originally. Lol.

In conclusion, we are doing well. If for whatever reason and Popo can't handle, the kids are going to the ChildCare. But I guess we will be fine, we still look fine. Lol.

Mummy Lim

Dentist Round 3

Maybe I have become well trained. Maybe I was distracted as I was chatting on watsapps and also writing a blog post. Maybe bcos I had been a good girl, diligently brushing my teeth with both the normal and miniature toothbrush twice daily and I thought the bleeding had reduced. I was early but didn't pee in my pants while waiting. It could have been much better if I didn't have to wait. Yday was dentist round 3 and I am supposed to have a more thorough cleaning for my bottom gum and to fill up a small cavity at the bottom right molar next to the wisdom tooth.

The treatment went well. It was uncomfortable but bearable and the dentist said that I tolerated it well. Hmmm.. this is probably nothing compared to child birth without epidural. Still, I was so tensed during the treatment. I was clenching my iPhone so tightly that I thought maybe it would disintegrate. It was such a relief when the treatment was finally over.

The dentist said that my upper gum appeared much better, less infected as compared to the last time that I saw him. He therefore concluded that my lower gum should be much better after the treatment and I need not see a specialist. Hooray! I then reminded him that I have a cavity to fill. He further inspected and found 3 mini cavity, not one. The cavity fillings were a breeze as compared to the gum treatment. I wonder why am I so afraid of cavity filling in the past. Total damage - almost $600 for all 3 visits. Well, if I had faithfully done my half yearly visits to the dentist since I was preggy with Lil Isaac, I think it would add up to about the same too. Yes, I am self-comforting.

What is left now is the removal of the 2 wisdom tooth. The left one is in a more dire situation. The surgery will probably take about 20 to 30mins. The dentist made it sound very easy, that there will be minimal pain after the administration of the jab. I will only feel the drilling and tugging. Boo. This is a horror story or what?

I have to get them done. Probably both this year. I am so brave, so proud of myself.

Mummy Lim

Lil Isaac's First Night Terror

It started suddenly past midnight. He was whining in his sleep, tossing and turning too. His eyes were closed. I tried to comfort him but it didn't help. Then he escalated to crying quickly. All these time, his eyes were closed. More tossing and turning followed.

Popo came over and offered to make him a milk. I took the offer and continue to assure him that I am around. Then it ended suddenly, as sudden as how it started, even before Popo could come back with the milk. Lol.

But he did take the bottle when I offered it to him, still asleep. Now, he seems comfortably back in lala land. All is peaceful. So funny.

Mummy Lim

Zoo Again!

We went to the Zoo AGAIN on Sunday! Two days in a row. Hehehe. Auntie SY dated us for a playdate and we suggested the Zoo since we didn't have time for the water playground on Saturday. Moreover, we wanted to fully utilise our annual pass. Hehehe.

Daddy Lim managed to knock off at 1.30pm and we were in the Zoo at about 3pm. We headed to the children playground and the kids had 2 hours of great fun. Lil Shauna and Booboo rode the horse too. Lil Isaac was too scare. He didn't even dare go close to the horse when he was so excited right before that bcos the jiejies were excited. Lol.

We spent the last hour walking around the Zoo and saw animals that we just saw the day before. Lol. Somehow, I think the animals look more awake on Sunday. The kids were tired by then and simply sat motionlessly in their strollers. The parents again had a good workout with the strollers.

We left at 6pm, when the Zoo closes. Then the kids pestered to go to Auntie SY's house. You wonder where they find their energy from. Their parents were half dead. We did spent another 2 hours at Auntie SY's place. The only consolation is that the kids all slept early. Lol.

At this rate, we will breakeven for the Zoo pass very soon. Lol.

Mummy Lim

Holiday in Sight

We have booked our Genting trip! I am so excited. My eyes are fixed on the trip during the March school holidays. I feel alive, even if it is only a 4D3N trip to our good old neighbouring country. It doesn't matter where, it is a break, a break from all the hard work, the life routine, the demands and expectations from life and work.

The kids are excited too. I told them
last night and Lil Shauna kept asking when will March comes. It is tomorrow? Three days later? How long is 1 month? Is it tomorrow? Equal to 3 days? She's funny.

We are without helper this time, but we will manage well. We did well in Korea too. I guessed we may be messier and maybe slower but that's fine. We will enjoy the kids better too now that they are older. Lil Shauna is already talking about going on the roller coaster. She loves that.

Woohoo! Genting!

Mummy Lim

To the Zoo

We finally bought our Zoo annual pass. We had wanted to get it since our Bird Park pass expired in December but it was either bad weather or no time.

We went to the Zoo after Daddy Lim knocked off at 2.30pm. It was almost 4pm when we were done with the administration and got into the Zoo. It wasn't too hot but most of the animals seem to be having their afternoon nap. Lol. We see plenty of sleeping animals. No wonder the Zoo closes at 6pm. I think these animals need plenty of snooze.

The kids were really smart and asked to bring 2 strollers. In the hot weather, nobody wanted to walk. They happily munched on potato chips and looked at the animals while Daddy Lim and I huffed and puffed as we pushed the strollers along. The 2 hours walk was a good workout for Daddy Lim and me.

There wasn't time for waterplay, even though the kids had asked for it.Lil was disappointed that she couldn't go to the water playground but perked up for the elephant ride. It was really expensive, it cost $8 per pax. Lil Isaac is free but he was too scare to ride on the elephant. Chey. Popo was commenting that the elephant rides ate really expensive, but come to think of it, the animals in the zoo eat a lot and money has to come from somewhere, right?

We left after the elephant ride and had dinner at the KFC. It was a tiring day. The kids were all knocked out by 10pm. Hehe.

Now that we have the Zoo pass, pls give us good weather on weekends ya. Amen.

Mummy Lim

Dentist Round 2

I went to the dentist again last Monday. I had to wait for my turn and my heart was in my throat while I sat in the clinic waiting. I wonder if anybody ever faint from panic while waiting or I will make history.

The dentist said that there is still excess bleeding in my gum, which isn’t a good sign. I had more intense cleaning to remove my tar and the treatment was more irritating and painful than the last visit. I don’t know if the dentist was running out of time, trying to cheat me of more $$ or simply too kind. He only cleaned the upper teeth and asked me to come back a third time for the cleaning of the lower gum. Can faint. Meanwhile, I am to brush my teeth twice a day, which I am already doing and also to clean my gum in between my teeth using a super miniature brush. This will rid the food and bacteria that are stuck in between the teeth and improved the condition. He said that if my gum condition does not improve when I go back next week, he would need to refer me to a specialist who will give me a jab so as to proceed with an even thorough cleaning. Apparently, there is no way to tolerate more in-depth cleaning (than what my dentist has already done) without the jab to ease the pain and discomfort. Sob. I got my wakeup call. I had still initially wanted to skive on the miniature toothbrushing.

Last Monday’s visit was much worse as compared to the last one. This is bcos the treatment was more uncomfortable. What was worse was that the dentist was discussing about my wisdom tooth X-ray before the treatment, telling me how the left bottom wisdom tooth is pushing against the molar next to it and the wisdom tooth has to be cut into half before it can be removed. Then how the molar may then become looser without the support from the wisdom tooth and I may end up losing the molar. Yet if I don’t remove my wisdom tooth, it is a matter of time that the molar gets infected and becomes decay. Both way die. Sob.

Furthermore, from the x-ray, there seems to be a cavity on the molar next to the right bottom wisdom tooth. I have to remove the right bottom wisdom tooth before we can see how bad the cavity is. I was like listening to a horror story while the dentist went on and on. I wonder if he saw how the color dropped from my face.

So, I am due to go back to the dentist, not one more time but at least 3. Sob… I am a good girl now, brushing my teeth and gum diligently with both the normal and miniature toothbrush. I don’t want to be pre-matured bo geh.

Mummy Lim

Sending Auntie Off

We sent auntie back yday. It was very emotional. Lil Shauna was in her Chinese class. I came home from work to Popo, auntie and Lil Isaac. Auntie had her bags packed. I spoke briefly with her, telling her that it will be good for all of us. It isn't healthy for Popo to keep losing her temper. It is not for her too to keep getting scolded. She seems to want to ask for another chance to stay on but that wasn't an option.

Daddy Lim was still working and we had to take the mrt to the agency at JE. I felt bad towards her and spent most of the journey with my back facing her.

At the door of the agency, auntie said goodbye to Lil Isaac and asked for permission to kiss him. She did and Popo brought him away. Lil Isaac didn't quite know what went on. I settled all the administration work. I thanked auntie for helping to look after the kids and apologized that we had to end the contract. I was holding back my tears. She isn't that bad and she had afterall spent 10 months sleeping, eating and living with us.

My brother sent Lil Shauna to us after her Chinese class. She arrived shortly after I sent auntie back. I felt bad that they didn't get to say goodbye and brought Lil Shauna to the agency to bid farewell to auntie.

Auntie rushed out of the agency when she saw Lil Shauna at the door. She hugged and kissed repeatedly and started tearing. Lil Shauna was a little taken aback at her outflow of emotions. I started tearing too. The scene was too emotional. I had to tell auntie that she's scaring Lil Shauna and she slowly let go. We thanked each other again and went off.

The day went fine. We went to Auntie J's house and then to Auntie D's mummy's place. Popo was with us and helped to look after the kids. Lil Isaac did look for auntie. Lil Shauna knows well that auntie has left but thought that we will be getting a new auntie just like that past 3 years.

I have been reminding the kids that we have no more auntie and they have to help mummy. I am trying to remember to put things back to their places too. Having a maid had indeed made me lazy. Popo has been a great help wrt the housework and looking after the kids. This morning, she looked after Lil Isaac while I do homework with Lil Shauna. We will adapt and survive. No more maids.

Mummy Lim

Really Going Maidless

I am going maidless really soon, like today.

We have been toying with the idea for a while. The kids are older and away in school for almost 5 hours a day. Popo said that she can manage them without help. Ever since we explored the idea, Popo seems to lose her patience more and more with auntie. Every little thing that auntie does that is not according to the SOP, Popo flares and goes into her non-stop nagging, scolding mode. I pity auntie. Then again, auntie seems to have slackened as well, putting herself constantly in situations to warrant Popo’s scolding. The whole situation is just not healthy and I hate to be stuck in between them. I hate it when I am made to confront auntie in front of Popo. HATE it, HATE it, HATE it.

Recently, there just seems to be so many incidents that trigger Popo’s wrath. The auntie-threatens-by-packing-bag incidents, the auntie-is-stubborn-and-disobeyed incidents, the auntie-is-trying-to-siam incidents. The most recent ones took place during CNY when Popo claimed that auntie went around shaking all my relatives’ hands when we stepped foot into my maternal grandma’s house, way before we did, even with people whom we do not know (my maternal grandma’s friends and relatives). Popo insisted that it was bcos auntie was after their ang baos. Popo said that auntie is shameless and disgraces our family. I didn’t see any of those as I was busy minding my kids. Popo was so pissed that she couldn’t stop scolding auntie after we left. That night, after she returned from RWS past midnight, she woke auntie up and continued scolding. It was that bad. It was then decided that we will send auntie back to the agency this coming Friday, when she has completed her 10th month with us. I was still waiting to see if Popo would change her mind during this time. Popo is very concerned about how much ang bao $$ auntie received, something that I cannot understand. What is the big deal if people give her ang baos? So what if people want to give her big ang baos?

Unfortunately, I don’t know what happened again yday. It was 10ish in the night and Popo insisted that I confront auntie. I don’t quite understand what happened or what Popo was trying to tell me about what happened but I HATE such CONFRONTATIONS! I do not understand why I still need to do such confrontations when auntie is already going off. So I walked away and told Popo that we will send her back to the agency today. There is NO need for the confrontation.

I am sending auntie back this afternoon. I actually feel bad towards her. She wanted to continue working (for another family) and asked to be sent back to the agency instead of going back to Indonesia. The agency will likely slap her with additional loan as a penalty. She has just finished paying off the 1st one with me. I didn’t have time and don’t want the hassle to find her another family (on my own) to transfer her. I think the kids will miss her too. I tried to hint Lil Shauna about auntie going back and Lil Shauna actually mentioned that she would like auntie to stay so that there is somebody to play with her. T.T But I supposed kids are very adaptable. Lil Shauna will be in her Chinese enrichment class when I send auntie away. She wouldn’t have the chance to say good bye to her. So sad.

I don’t know how I am feeling. It has been more than 3 years since we hired a live-in maid. Auntie is our 6th maid with some staying as short as 1 day. Life will be very different. I can no longer afford to be lazy and have to run after the kids. The thought of it isn’t very comforting. Then again, I have times that I do feel that auntie is infringing into our lives and have been looking forward to the time that I can be maidless. I hope the kids wouldn’t kill me. Lol. We will be engaging a part-time helper to come on a weekly basis to help Popo with the big items cleaning. We will survive somehow. It is unlikely that we will get another maid for a long time to come. If Popo cannot handle the kids, they will be heading to the ChildCare.

Mummy Lim

Inline Skating

We bought a pair of pink rollerblades for Lil Shauna a number of months back. After several practices, which usually lasted less than 10 mins each, she could shuffle in them. It wasn't really fun to shuffle. It is slow and hard work. No wonder Lil Shauna didn't like it and abandon her blades.

Such motor skills probably comes with age. Lil Shauna didn't seem to be able to scoot very well previously. We bought her a better scoot about 3 months back and she suddenly took to it like a pro. She could go really fast and there is little risk of falling. As a result, her rollerblades got tucked even further in the shoe cabinet.

Yday, we were home after Boo's bday party and had some time to kill before their dental appointments. Lil Isaac was napping and I suggested to go rollerblading, which Lil Shauna agreed. This time, she went on and on, shuffling from one end of the void deck to the other. Then, we went to the playground and saw an older girl and a younger boy rollerblading too and they are good. The girl was really friendly and wanted to teach Lil Shauna how to glide. But Lil Shauna was somehow intimadated and didn't want to learn from her.

So, mummy's old breaking down rollerblades made it onto her feet. It seems like Lil Shauna needed to imitate how to move her feet to glide and she needed to see somebody do it. I was right and she started gliding after a while. I am a super proud mummy. Now, she can rollerblade on top of her scooting and peddling on her 4-wheel bicycle. Hohoho. Daddy Lim says that we can go blading in one of the big parks already.

Did I blog about Lil Isaac being really good in scooting too? I think he is fantastic for his age. He is still struggling with braking and falls occasionally but gliding around really fast and fearless. When he goes on his scooter, you can see that I am beaming. I am super proud of him. Lol. I am waiting for Lil Isaac to grow up a little more and he could learn to rollerblade too. Then we would all go rollerblading as a family. Hohoho.

Mummy Lim

Ended

It is confirmed. I have informed Yahama that we are stopping Lil Shauna's Yahama Junior Course (YJC). We have paid for the term fees for February and March but are intending to stop her classes immediately.

Lil Shauna seems glad. When Popo asked if she would want to go for her music class last Wednesday since the fees are already paid for, Lil Shauna told Popo that Mummy said that she no longer need to go for music classes.

Mummy is breathing much better too. There is only school homework and phonics homework to handle now and Lil Shauna enjoys those better than practicing on the keyboard. She gets down to doing them with minimal coaxing.

As predicted, I am on a look out for other enrichment classes now. There is no hurry though. I have been asking Lil Shauna if she would want to pick up dancing or gymnastic. Whatever the case, she must enjoy the enrichment classes and we must not have to do homework after the class. Haha. I am actually fine too if she doesn't want to pick up anything, save my pocket. I wonder if she would pick up music again in the future. Daddy Lim's uncle said that all Lims have good music genes wor. Hmmm.. What went wrong? Lol.

Mummy Lim

Lil Shauna's Drawing

I am really impressed. I don't think I draw so well when I was 5 YO.

I am a proud mummy.

We have a bird, Lil Isaac, cat, dog, butterfly, monkey, caterpillar and a rabbit.

Mummy Lim

Happy CNY

Huat ah! Happy CNY!
We had reunion lunch at my brö's place. It was Popo's signature buffet style steamboat. We started eating at noon and were still at it when Daddy Lim came and join us at 2pm! The spread was really nice, I kept eating and eating and eating and couldn't stop even when I was so full. It was so nice to indulge in an once-a-year steamboat.

Round 2 was at Daddy Lim's auntie place for reunion dinner. It was again steamboat. Yeah! There were these really fresh salmon and I again couldn't stop.

CNY is not my best friend. I worry for my already very wide waistline. Huat ah!

Mummy Lim

Redwing Shoes

Daddy Lim has been persistent about getting his "chicken wing" shoes. He has compromised by waiting for our bonus. In the meanwhile, he had been diligently doing his research.

We especially made a trip to Suntec on Sunday for him to try the shoes and he was so disappointed when they didn't have his size. It is no surprise when he drove to Queensway yday just to get his chicken wing shoes. Isn't it interesting to see how enthusiastic and persistent he can be when it comes to new toys? Muahaha.

He finally bought the very expensive chicken wings shoes. He likes them so much that he starts wearing them today. I hope it will tame him for awhile. Men cannot have $$ in their pockets. Hmmm, I think I should put his $$ in my pocket to help curb his spending. Lol.

Mummy Lim

Finally Giving Up

I read with envy about AN showing so much enthusiasm in practising music and "pleading" to do "homework". I have to beg, coax, scold, threaten and even turned into a monster sometimes to make Lil Shauna do her homework, learn her spelling and practice on the keyboard. And it didn't help that we only have weekends and that pathetic one hour in the evening on every weekdays.

Since the start of the new year, I have been struggling, juggling with work and home. I think work life balance is a fairy tale. Well, we only have that many waking hours in a day. If all the waking hours make up 100% and have to be distributed between work and family, it is either to put in more for work and sacrifice family or vice versa. Alternatively, to "balance" and put in 50% for both and ended up with minimum time and achievements for both. T.T

I am tired of struggling with Lil Shauna and have finally decided to drop music after discussing with Daddy Lim. We all know that Lil Shauna is not musically inclined. She doesn't show much interest too. She is already bogged down with so much homework so why add on enrichments that required so much more effort and pain? She should be enjoying her non-academic enrichments, like her swimming classes that she looks forward to every week.

I admit that I am selfish. Lil Shauna has told me several times that she doesn't want to continue with her music class. I conveniently ignore her opinion and override her views. Now that I am feeling exhausted from the balancing act, I chose to drop her music class, but I could tell that she is more than happy or I chose to think that she is happier lah. Hohoho. We ended skipping class yday for Mac Donalds.

Popo scolded me. She thinks that we gave up pre-maturely and are wasting $$. And she confidently said that I will look for other enrichment for Lil Shauna after dropping music. Yes, she is right. Lol. I am now looking out for gym class for her. Maybe she is athletically inclined! Whatever the next class will be, it must not come with homework and practices to be done at home after the lesson. Lol.

Mummy Lim

To the Dentist

One of my new year resolutions is to visit the dentist. No, it is not a joke. A trip to the dentist requires a huge amount of courage on my part. I think I was probably less tense taking an examination than to go to the dentist. No kidding.

I was highly stressed on the dentist chair. I was tugging at my jacket and I think my knuckles were turning white. Even the nurse realised and touched my hands to comfort me. Lol. I must have been a disgrace. My kids performed better at the dentist.

The dentist found a small cavity and commented that I have 1st degree gum disease, which is curable by scrapping off the tar and virus on the teeth. This has to be done on 2 separate occasions. Round 1 done last night was general cleaning and round 2, booked 2 weeks later will be more thorough and intense.

It was a torturous 30 mins. They should have installed a screen to play videos (Korean drama preferred) to distract the patient lah, just those kiddy clinic. I thought I might die of heart failure midway but I survived! Hehe. It wasn't exactly painful. There was some discomfort at some point but it was probably the self-inflicted fear that freaked me out - the spinning tools working in my mouth. I started imagining what would happen if I suddenly sneezed or go into a coughing spasm.

I couldn't be more glad when the session was over. I would worry about the next one when it is here. Oh, the doctor also commented that I should remove my 2 lower wisdom tooth. They aren't growing straight, something that I already know. I have already extracted the top 2 a few years back and they were like the scariest thing to do. The thought of extracting the lower 2 wisdom tooth is awful enough. I dont event need to go through the actual procedure to feel the pain. However, the bottom left one has already a cavity and it will soon spread to its neighbour if I don't do anything soon. The dentist was very kind to remind that I will be given 5 days of MC each. Errr.. I am not hungry for MC lor.

So, I have another appointment to treat my gum and fill up the cavity. I will have to go back again for a surgery to remove the lower left wisdom tooth. That is supposed to take about 20 mins, depending on how difficult the tooth is. I will leave the right bottom to next year. My heart can only take that many dentist visits in a year and I need some new year resolutions for next year too. Hohoho.

Mummy Lim

New Sneakers

Daddy Lim is feeling very rich. On Saturday, he bought Lil Isaac a pair of Adidas sneakers for CNY. He has been wanting to do so for a long time but stingy me always jam brake. The kids grow up so quickly, it is not worth to buy Adidas for them but I relent since it is CNY.

On Sunday, Daddy Lim bought another pair of Adidas for Lil Shauna. Well, we have to be fair, don't we?

Lil Shauna has many pairs of shoes but this is get first ever pair of sneakers. She likes her shoes with bling and in pink. Sneakers are not her style. But she did eventually find a pair of red Adidas and is enjoying wearing them to school. I bet they must be comfortable.

Hmmm.. I should be next, right? I think I deserve more than just shoes. Hohoho. Bb, love u dip dip. Muaks.

Mummy Lim

Garden by the Bay

*Post written last Saturday

I went to the Gardens by the Bay yday evening for a Company function. It was my first time there. What is amazing is not the garden but the fact that I brought Lil Isaac along. I am a good mummy.

I have brought Lil Shauna for events and functions on my own on several occasions. She is so easy to handle now and I have no qualms about bringing her. I had wanted to do the same yday but jiejie has phonics class. I thought long and hard about bringing Lil Isaac instead and was really hesitant. I have brought Lil Isaac out on my own before but largely for medical and essential matters. I have never brought him out alone for play. I was worried that he would run amok in the garden and pluck the flowers but he did none of both. In fact he was very cooperative. I am so proud of him.

My colleague was really nice to detour to Centris to pick didi up. He obediently sat in the carseat. There was plenty of space to run around at the Satay at the Bay – our dinner place. He didn’t eat much but self entertained with the twigs and dried leaves. He was very friendly too and interacted and hi-5 with my colleagues. He is so very unlike jiejie who was hiding behind my legs at his age and clamped up at the sight of strangers.

One of my colleagues brought her girl too. Chloe is 1 year older than Lil Isaac and they hit it off very well and started running and climbing and posing for pictures together shortly. I supposed it was bcos they were the only kids around. Lil Isaac was very cute to want to take picture whenever he sees Chloe's picture being taken. Chloe is well trained and smiled very nicely for every single shot. Lil Isaac gave my colleague a hard time. He could handle stand still for a decent shot, let alone smile for the camera. Poor Chloe had to keep smiling while we tried to get Lil Isaac to look at the camera.

We visited the 2 domes and they were air-conditioned. Nice.
I do not have green fingers and the flowers and plants all look about the same to me after a while. I did enjoy strolling in the 2 domes though. Nice and cool.

Lil Isaac walked a lot and didn’t at all complain. We left at almost 9pm, hitched a ride to the Tiong Bahru MRT station to grab a cab home. The tiger was very tired when we reached home. Tucking him into bed was so easy last night. Lol. Jiejie didn’t fuss when she didn’t see us. Popo told her that Lil Isaac went to the doctor. -.o”

I am really glad that I brought Lil Isaac along. I really did enjoy the time that I had with him. I am very proud of him too. He has such a carefree spirit. But I will still think twice about bringing him the next time. Lol.

Mummy Lim

Almost Maidless

*Post written last Friday

We almost ended up with no maid on Thursday. It was quite a drama.

When we fetched the kids from Centris on Thursday, Popo complained that auntie threatened to leave for the agency by packing her bags in the morning and this is apparently the 2nd time that it had happened. Popo didn’t tell me on the first occasion. She also didn’t share what happened to lead to auntie wanting to pack her bag. Well, I didn’t bother to ask too. I think I can roughly guess. I have also learnt to understand that whatever comes out from Popo’s mouth must be taken with a huge pinch of salt, so no point finding out. Popo got my SIL to ask auntie if she is genuinely about quitting and auntie said “no”. There was no reason given as to why she threatened by packing her bag too. Popo wanted me to warn auntie, which I did. However, I also did my homework first. I double confirmed with Popo that she can handle the kids without the maid. Just in case, the maid really does want to quit and left.

When we were home, I told auntie sternly that she isn’t doing as much now that the 2 kids are in school for 5 hours a day. I pointed out that Popo helped a lot with the housework and the kids are solely under Daddy Lim and my care after we reached home. Basically, I told her as a matter of fact that we are not as dependent on her now and even without a maid, we will still survive very well. I reminded her that she is without a loan now and if she really wants to quit, I can send her back to the agency anytime. She is not to threaten. If she does it one more time, we will send her back even if she is not genuine about quitting. Period.

Popo was beside me all these time while I was lecturing auntie. I hate it when this happens and she will make me repeat (read: nag) myself to auntie despite the fact that I have already said what I needed to. I cant do it without Popo too, who will then suspect that I did not lecture auntie as instructed by her. Popo just wants to have the upper hand. She wants auntie to realize how important she is. However, with her limited English, she often misinterprets what I told auntie. This was exactly what happened on Thursday and she blew. It was then her turn to threaten auntie that we will be sending her back the next day. I hate to be caught in between the 2 of them. I couldn’t be bothered. I could tell Popo wasn’t genuine about sending the maid back.

So, I played my tricks as well. I brought the kids back to the room for shower and simply told Popo that I will send the maid back, but on Saturday, I am not free on Friday. I played the same game and assumed that the maid will go back to the agent on Saturday whenever I got out of the room and saw Popo. This was until Popo made auntie come later in the night to apologize to me and tell me that she wants to stay on. I reminded auntie to ignore Popo’s scolding – just listen, don’t retaliate and the importance of making Popo happy. Thereafter, Popo came to me and told me that auntie asked her for another chance. I acknowledge with a straight face and went ahead to tuck the kids to bed.

It is very tiring to have to play “games” at home after a hard day at work. I think I better be prepared. It will be a matter of time that auntie is serious about quitting, especially when the stash in her pocket gets thick enough. Popo too. One day, when auntie angers her too much, auntie will really have to go. I think we will survive without a maid. I told Daddy Lim that we will not get another maid if auntie leaves. If Popo cannot handle, the kids are going to the childcare.

Mummy Lim