Lil Shauna can...

In a few days' time, Lil Shauna will be 11 months old.

According to Baby Expert, at 10 months, babies are able to:

1. Using ‘mama' or ‘dada' and becomes fully aware of what the label means.
2. Manage to crawl upstairs for the first time this month. Studies show that she can understand the concept of depth by now and is unlikely to attempt to go downstairs; at least not head first!
3. More confident on her feet, and can now sit from a standing position. She's able to control her movement much more finely than even a week or two ago.
4. Still prefers humans to toys. She'll imitate gestures and facial expressions.

Now, lets see what Lil Shauna can do. She can:
1. Sit steadily (in fact, she's super yaya and pushes the hand away if we try to steady her);
2. Stand steadily and stand from a sitting position;
3. Crawl steadily and up and down our platform;
4. Cruise;
5. Climb up the sofa/ chair/ table;
6. Clap;
7. Say "mum mum" and babytalks (which doesnt make sense to us);
8. Walk using the walker;
9. Throw the ball;
10. Wave bye bye (see mood);
11. Do high 5 (again see mood);
12. Imitate us like sticking out her tongue and move it from left to right (oops, wat are we teaching her? Haha).

What Lil Shauna cant do:
1. Recognise depths! She is still crawling blindly and attempting to climb off our bed, head 1st!
2. Hold her own bottle.

Our baby is growing up. :)

Mummy Lim

Prayers Needed

Remembered that I managed to convince my mum to go for a full body check-up? Three abnormalities flagged up. 1stly, it was the high sodium, which could be eliminated with drinking more water and taking less salt. Then, it was the abnormal (not cancerous) cells detected via the pap smear. The doctor actually recommended a repeated pap smear in 6 to 9 months time as to the usual 1 year. Lastly, it was the high platelet count. Platelet is basically what we need for blood to clot. A high platelet count might indicate a higher risk of blood clot, thus the greater risk of stroke, heart attack, etc.

The high platelet count was detected in the 1st test and both subsequent repeated tests. The doctor suggested to refer my mum to a specialist. In the referral letter, the doctor mentioned Myelodysplastic Syndromes, which is a pre-leukaemia stage. Yes, it does sound serious and depressing.

I googled about it and found that blood is made by our bone marrow (in layman terms). When the bone marrow becomes "faulty", "faulty" blood is produced, such as abnormal platelet count, low red blood cell, high white blood cell, etc. There is basically no cure except for bone marrow transplant. Otherwise, it is basically delaying the onset of leukaemia and eventually the relieve of symptoms.

Then again, I remembered asking the doctor about the possibility of cancer (or leukaemia) when the results first show the high platelet count and the doctor mentioned that the possibility is small. -.o" Anyway, a letter was given to refer my mum to a polyclinic, then to a hospital.

It took us much difficulty to calm my mum and to get her to agree to go to the polyclinic for the referral. At the polyclinic, the doctor actually wanted to refer my mum for both an ultrasound and blood test for both the abnormalities detected. We tot might as well.

Today, NUH called to say that they have available slot for the ultrasound next week (bcos somebody cancelled her appointment) and the blood test in May. My mum was quite freaked out that the ultrasound was scheduled so quickly cos normally hospitals will give more attention to serious cases. -.o" So, she started finding funny excuses, wanting to change her ultrasound appointment.

I know she's scared and worried that the results turned out bad. In fact, I am worried too. I was actually pretty depressed when I found out the doctor's request to check for Myelodysplastic Syndromes. Haiz.

Please help to pray that:
1. Either one of us will be free to accompany my mum when she needs to go for her medical check-up. She needs lots of support and comforting now.
2. My mum will not back out and not go for the medical appointment.
3. No cancer will be detected from both the tests.

Mummy Lim

Hair

During one of the detail scan nearing my EDD, the specialist who did my ultrasound commented that she can see Lil Shauna's hair. As such, I always picture her as a baby with lots of hair. This is also in line with the fact that Daddy Lim and I have pretty much hair.

However, Lil Shauna was born with little hair.Yes, this is her. Dun doubt.
She was plagued badly by cradle cap and was "shedding" hair badly when she was about 4 months old. At certain point of time, she was almost bald. We often joked about the need to bring her to Yunan. Hoho.

We fussed about her "hairless" head. We wonder if we should have shaved her botak when she's one month and 4 months' old. Dun ask me why, apparently some old wives' tales about shaving promoting thick hair growth. But I am just one stubborn mummy. I read that babies' 1st head of hair are not the real hair. They shed their "hair" and grow their real hair when they are about 6 months' old. Thus, I insisted on sparing the razor on Lil Shauna's head despite little or no hair. Whatever hair that Lil Shauna has was so smooth and fine, I just couldnt shaved them away. Moreover, she's our baby, if she can get or fat genes, I bet she should get our hair genes too mah. ;p

Her hair finally starting spouting when she was about 6 months. For awhile, bcos of the Armani hairstyle that she carries, she was mistaken for a boy.

But God bless and her hair grew and grew.

Recently, we noticed that her hair has grown a little too long, especially at the back, her ears and her fringe. I was actually quite worried that her fringe is going to poke her eyes.

We knew that a visit to the barber was necessary but was too stingy to spend the money for the barber to cut that little bit of hair for Lil Shauna. I often joke with Daddy Lim that he will hold Lil Shauna's head while I cut her hair or vice versa. However, Daddy Lim wasnt game. He was worried that Lil Shauna will end up with only one ear or one eye. -.o" So, we procrastinated and procrastinated.

We visited grandaunt on Saturday. She too notice Lil Shauna's hair and we were just mentioning about cutting her hair and grandaunt was full of enthu. She whipped out her scissor and was all ready to cut Lil Shauna's hair while she was drinking milk. I tot no harm since it is still a month from her bday and hair does grow. This is the 1st time that we ever cut Lil Shauna's hair. I went "gugu, little bit, not too much... too much.. little bit" while grandaunt was trying to do the cut.

Poor Lil Shauna was at our mercy. Hohoho. The result?? Well, I think it is not too bad! Grandaunt was pretty pleased too. She commented that she cut Daddy Lim's hair 30 years ago too. Hohoho.

Daddy Lim says that Lil Shauna resembles Dr Spock now. Got meh?
Mummy Lim

All about ME!!!!

I am Lil Shauna and I am 10 months old.

My mummy is complaining that I am getting too active for her and often call me a naughty girl. However, I know that I am too cute to resist. A little pout and I know that I will get instant redemption.But of course, I do not resort to that often bcos I am actually not as naughty as Mummy says I am. I am such a sweet, sweet baby. In fact, I am angelic. How bad can an angel like me be?

Regardless, I am the princess.

And Pappy and Mummy love me to bits. They just cant stop kissing me. Dun blame them, who can resist me? Oh, just be careful with the saliva, I dun want pimples on my pretty little face yet.

Pappy, Mummy, I love you too.

But I think I love Pappy more bcos I can bully him. He will sure give in to me.

All I need is a smile and I know I will have him around my little finger.

Awwwhhhh.. I know I am just too cute.

With lots of love and saliva,

Lil Shauna

Lil Shauna 1st Criminal Record

Sadly, Lil Shauna has committed her 1st criminal offence - stealing. -.o" My mum, I, the maid, Fione & Lil Shauna were shopping at the Robinson kids' corner while waiting for my bro to pick us up. Lil Shauna has been really active recently. She refuses to sit in the stroller and will struggle badly when carried, eager to go to the floor to start crawling. I bet she loves her mobility and tot that her new-found mobility = independence. Halow, young lady, you still have 21 more years to go!

To keep her in the stroller, I took a tube of chocolate off the shelf and passed it to her to entertain her and keep her busy. She enjoys exploring new "toys" now. However, that only lasted until she gets bored and she will start playing that notorious I-throw-you-pick-and-I-throw-again game, until whoever is picking the thing up is pissed enuff to stop the game. In this case, I, the maid & Fione were taking turns picking up the thrown chocolate. Finally, she got on my nerves and I asked the maid to stop giving her the chocolate. So, the chocolate "disappeared" from my sight.

Soon, my bro called to say that he was reaching and we quickly paid for the stuff that we wanted, namely a pack of chips, a box of baby biscuit and a tube of chocolate biscuit for Fione. Lil Shauna was screaming when I was paying for the stuff, so I gave her the baby biscuit to play with and Fione wanted her chocolate biscuit and she had that too. As such, there was no need for a bag.

We left the department stall and was waiting for my bro. He soon arrived and we were busy carrying bags, folding stroller, loading the kids into the car, etc. Right after he folded the stroller and threw it into the boot, he handed me the tube of chocolate - the one that Lil Shauna was playing with, that we have no intention to buy and we didnt pay for. Yes, it was found in Lil Shauna's stroller and we pushed her out of the departmental stall in that stroller, with that unpaid tube of chocolate.

Meiji wor, branded chocolate wor.

Maybe the only comforting thing is that everybody else (except for the 2 babies) ate the chocolate. Hohoho.
Digressing. I am really serious about cake baking wor. Look at all these stuff that Daddy Lim bought for me to start my cake baking passion. More to come. Hehe.

I shall introduce them in details when I have the time.
Lastly, reminders to Daddy Lim.
Bb, your to-do list:
1. Bring Jazzie for servicing
2. Change the store room and living room lights
3. Adjust baby's car seat belt.
I cant do all of the above. You are the man. Yeah!
Mummy Lim

My Dad

I saw this picture in my office computer while I was trying to play the MP3. With Ching Ming round the corner, I tot I refreshed my memory about him.It has been 3+ years since Dad passed away. Bone cancer was eating him then and he was constantly in pain. I read that there is no cure for bone cancer. He was too weak for chemotherapy then and radiotherapy was too slow for the disease, which was spreading like wild fire. I remembered that when his blood pressure dropped really low one time and the doctors asked us to standby, I begged God for extra time, enuff for me to bring him a pastor to share Christ. God was gracious and answered my prayer. Amazingly, my parents were opened to my suggestion then. I am not sure if he had accepted Christ, but he was soon influenced by his siblings and turned to Buddhism instead.

Daddy Lim and I had also decided to get married when my dad was very ill, hoping that the good news would help. However, he didnt get a chance to see us tied the knot. But he knew that we were making plans and I bet that pleased him. I used to tell him about my marriage plans when I visoted him at the hospital.


My dad was a hard man and had a hard life. With little education, he started off as a metal worker. I remembered that life was hard on us too. With the miserable money that he brought back, we have little luxury. Then my parents became hawkers and started their chay kway teow and yong tau foo stall. They worked long hours to feed the family. We grew up with little parental guidance. Although they never expected us to be genius, the 3 of us graduated from NUS and my dad was really proud of that.

I used to be really angry with my dad. He was an alcoholic and chain smoker. For as far as remembered, he would drink himself silly every night. I do admit that I am ashamed of him when I was growing up. I was angry that he couldnt hold a decent conversation with us when night falls and that he couldnt provide for us to live comfortably. I was also angry with him for showing favouritism. He doted most on my sis and he openly admitted it. It was only when I was older that I knew that life turned much better when my sis came along, thus his special love for her. They shared a special bond too. She took after him, not so much in appearance but in characteristic. I used to pray that God would helped me to forgive him and it took a long time for me to do so.

Ever since I received Christ, I had been praying that God would made my dad quit smoking and drinking. I once shared with my sis that my dad would only quit smoking when he experienced a near death experience and I was right. God did answer my pray but my dad contracted cancer, probably due to the many years of smoking and drinking.

He underwent a major operation and recovered well. Since that, he quited smoking and drinking totally. It was that time that I felt that I had a father. Such near death experiences do wonders sometimes. After he recovered, he was very active and even went on tours with my mum. Sadly, two years later, he was hit by stroke, which left his right side paralysis. It was really sad seeing him immobile. He tried hard and was eventually able to walk with a limp and even enjoyed rounds of mahjong at times! Tragedy strike again 2 years later and the cancer relapsed, attacking his brain and bones.

I remembered that he was still very optimistic initially, willing to go for operation, if need be. However, no surgery could be done and the disease eventually took him. He was gone within 3 months from his diagnosis. We were all at his bedside when he was gone. I hoped that brought him some comfort.

Even until today, my mum often lamented that life was hard on my dad. Sometimes, she even commented that we should not have proceeded with the operation in the very beginning since the end result is the same - death. Halowz, everybody dies lor. To me, I really think that my dad had found life once again after he contracted cancer. He loved us and felt our love. He spent wonderful times with my mum and had a good bonding with Fione. All these would not be possible otherwise.

I still miss him and will often wonder where he is now. I wonder too if I will see him in heaven one day. That reminds me, I better treasure my mum. She would be around forever.

Mummy Lim

Pappy miss you guys..

So here I am again on night shift.. Went to visit Shauna today (and also to packet dinner from MIL hehe), she was so happy to see me! She probaly thought I was gonna bring her home.
Only carried her for like 5 mins, then had to take my dinner and go off. She refused to let my MIL carry her lol She's such a sweetie! My heart melted and I brought her outside for a short walk on the 16th floor. She looked at me as though "hmm.. are you Pappy? You look different.." *Sigh* this night shift does wonders for father-daughter relationships.
So time passed really quickly and i had to leave for work. Poor Shauna started crying when she realised she was back in Popo's arms and I was'nt gonna bring her anywhere near home. *Sob* Poor girl! One more week of this night shift and hopefully all will be back to normal.. for another 5 months at least.. Grrr..
Mummy Lim is'nt doing much better. She's up to her nose with work.. almost cannot breathe liao.. Looks like she's gonna spend this Sunday at work, i think, in order to have more time for Shauna.. Gosh.. I'm missing the two of you badly!!

The Little Climber

I have thrown in the white towel. Lil Shauna is staying over at popo's house tonight. Not that I am too tired (I am tired, no doubt), but bcos I worked late. Instead of working until 8pm tonight, then rushed to my mum's place to spend that precious 15 mins with Lil Shauna before she's captured by the Zzz monster, I have decided to work till 9m tonight in hope of leaving office at 6.30pm tomorrow to spend more time with Lil Shauna. :) The weekend is finally here. I have not looked forward to the weekend as much as I do now since long time ago. I missed my baby and I missed Daddy Lim who is still on night shift. Sob!

Oh, back to my topic. I managed to leave office on time yday and caught a simple dinner with Daddy Lim. I was at popo's home really early and had great fun with Lil Shauna. She's really a handful now. She basically crawls everywhere. She's a pretty steady crawler. I dun see her hands giving way and "koking" her head but there is always the danger of her koking her head due to her directionless crawling. Coupled with the just-learnt-to-walk and thus walking-everywhere cousin, they form the unbeatable duo. My mum and the maid are literally hot on their heels, catching them and bringing them back to the play mat every now and then. I pity my mum and the maid. I was tired out after that few hours of "looking" after Lil Shauna, so I can imagine their hard work. Phew, maybe working is still better afterall. Hohoho.

Other than crawling, Lil Shauna has started climbing. She tries to climb the sofa, the table, the bed, the chair... everything that can be climbed. Usually, when I place her on our bed, she will attempt to climb the head board. If one of us happens to lie near the head board, she will attempt to use us as a step to climb "over" the head board. -.o" Yday, I witnessed Lil Shauna climbing up the kid chair unassisted. But of course my mum was holding onto her while she attempted her stunt. When she managed to climb up the chair, she attempted to stand on the chair and started bouncing. I was quite surprised of her success but had to suppress from praising her. I dun think it is right to encourage her in her dangerous feat. She was soon removed from the chair and when she was restricted from doing it again, she actually threw tantrum. -.o" To self-comfort, I think she's altheletic.

Ever since Daddy Lim is on night shift, we haven much chance to have her at home. I think we will be in for big surprises at what she can do. Lil Shauna is no longer a baby. She is a big girl now. :)

Mummy Lim

Contactless

Ok, it is not that bad, I still have the internet, msn and the email. However, I only have that few contacts on the msn and none of them are online. -.o" I left my hp at my mum's place and I am home with Lil Shauna now. My mum walked me home today. I wanted to come home for a few reasons. 1st of all, I managed to knock off early today and Lil Shauna would be awake enuff for me to bring her home. 2ndly, I think my mum deserves a good nite rest. Lil Shauna was flipping everywhere last nite. Her tired mummy was dead asleep and so her popo has to grab her and tried to pat her to deep sleep for several times last night. Lastly, Daddy Lim hasnt seen Lil Shauna for 2 days.

When I stay over at my mum's place, Daddy Lim dun get to see Lil Shauna. I stayed over on both Sun & Mon nite. Daddy Lim tried to visit Lil Shauna before he left for work earlier this evening. However, Lil Shauna was having her nap. My bro's room door knob was spoilt and my SIL & the little niece was trapped inside the room. Lil Shauna slept thru' the knocking and banging + nono barking + elder nice screaming and shouting. She didnt even stir when Daddy Lim touch her. But accordingly to my mum, she woke up almost instantly after Daddy Lim left and closed the door. Lil Shauna seems bent to play hide-and-seek with her Pappy. ;p

I realised that my hp was not with me after my mum left our house. I have never felt so alone. I felt so cut-off from the world. To prevent Daddy Lim from getting worried when he cant contact me, I tried to email him with Lil Shauna happily banging on the keyboard. I kept thinking what should I do if I need help. I think I am paranoid.

Ok, we will be fine and I think I will hug my hp like an old trusted friend in the future.

Oh ya, I took the sbs bus home from the yard for the 1st time in my 5 years with K. Yes, I am pampered. I had been travelling from home to yard (& vice versa) on my trusted bike for a long time. After that, I was ferried by Daddy Lim. Otherwise, there is always the cab or I always managed to find somebody to ferry me. When Daddy Lim was going on night shift, I was worried about getting home. It is after 2+ weeks (Daddy Lim on night shift) that I finally have to resort to public bus. Yeah, yeah, Daddy Lim's night shift is gg to be over soon!

Mummy Lim

Cupcakes!

I had been looking forward to my cupcake making class. I almost turned into a giraffe and was uber excited when the day is finally here. I left Lil Shauna with my mum and went for a worry-free afternoon, meddling with flour, eggs, butter and sugar.

I bet I would still have enjoyed the class if I have gone alone, but was glad that I had LL's company. Her company was even more appreciated when she agreed to share cab with me after much tempting. I was too lazy to take the MRT, but most importantly, I was too eager to bring my pretty cupcakes home to show off. Hehe.

LL looking like an expert. Forgive the plastic apron. Digressing, the plastic apron reminds me of when Lil Shauna was a newborn. We were given the same kind of plastic apron before we were allowed to feed her in the NICU. I shared that with LL and she asked me why, is it bcos we were worried that the baby will soil our clothes. -___________-" We were more worried about passing our germs to the baby lor.

Anyway, the class was great fun. We tried our hands at cupcake making. All the blend the butter, whipped it until light and fluffy, whisked not until stiff peak, etc. Actually, the blended pile all looked about the same to me. Aha, experience... I bet I will be about to differentiate the light and fluffy from the smooth and creamy after 289 tries. Hohoho. The semi done product.

The trainers demo the icing making while we copied notes like school kids. The way they whisked and blend makes the whole thing looks so simple. In just a short while, we have butter cream, whipped cream and some chocolate stuff to ice the cupcakes. Then we tried fondant making, which feels like playing with play doh - edible, sweet play doh. I love the fondant making part. Finally, we get to ice the cupcakes and decorate them. I simply love it. My finished products!

Pretty right? According to Daddy Lim, they taste good too. Hehe. The flowers are made from fondant. Cool right? I love especially to play with the whipped cream. Whipped cream ones are the white ones. The chocolate ones are watery and gets really messy. The chocolate leaks and I have to wipe the leakage with my fingers and lick the chocolate off my fingers. Very fattening. ;p

I think I am really into making this mid-life passion comes true. Maybe it will really be my 2nd career one day. Hoho. Practice makes perfect and I am already coming out with my list of stuff to buy to start my cupcake practising. There is the oven, the electric whisk, the electric weighing machine, the oven thermometer... bah, bah, bah.. Daddy Lim says that he will sponsor me. He hasnt got my excitement yet. Oh, Daddy Lim is joining me for a fondant making class in mid April. I think we will be 2 excited kids after the class and he will definitely catch my excitement then.

I planned to continue my passion. I need equipment, large space and most importantly, time. Cupcake making is really time consuming and the mess created is horrible. I bet the cleaning up takes awfully long too. Anybody wants to exchange baby sitting services for my beautiful cupcakes? Hehe.

Mummy Lim