Good Friend

Lil Shauna thinks that she is the best of friend with Nono.
However, Nono appears to think otherwise. Hohoho.

Poor Nono.
Should somebody call the SPCA?
Nono receives less attention from the adults after the babies come along. However, he is gaining popularity with the same human babies who took away his attention. How ironical life is...
Mummy Lim

Genius Baby?

We brought Lil Shauna to Nainai's place on Saturday night instead of the usual Sundays. That is bcos Daddy Lim has started on night shift and he will be on it for the entire month! The start of my nightmare. Haiz. I can foresee myself staying over at my mum's place for the entire month. In fact, I already started on Sunday and last night.

Anyway, we were busy trying to keep the baby busy, entertained and happy. We even allowed her to jump and crawl and monkey on Xiao Su's bed. While on the soft-toy filled bed, Nainai was telling her about her nose and also pointed to one of the soft toy's nose. Almost instantly, Lil Shauna pointed to her nose and said "nose". Then Daddy Lim went on to say "ear" and pointed to his ear. Lil Shauna cant pronounce "ear" but pointed to her own. You can imagine how surprise we all are and started praising her about how clever she is. We tot she must be a genius baby to pick up new words so instantly. But then again, we have no such luck with eyes and mouth.

I was with my mum on Sunday afternoon and asked my mum if Lil Shauna was taught "nose & ear". The answer is confirmed "yes" lah. Apparently, she learnt it from some video that she watched at my mum's house. Not only does she knows "nose & mouth", she even knows "eyes" lor. She will close her eye and put her finger on her eye and she apparently forgotten about "eyes" when we asked her at Nainai's place. -.o" She did demonstrate to me on Sunday afternoon though.

Chey!I still tot I got genius baby when in fact my baby maybe quite forgetful and have forgotten about her "eyes" just one day ago. Hehe. But it is such joy to see her learning new things everyday and it is such surprises for us to find out what she has learnt every now and then. :)

Mummy Lim

Steamboat Buffet @ Crystal Jade

Daddy Lim & I met up with a colleague and an ex-colleague for dinner last night at Holland Village (HV). We were to meet at 8.30pm. I hesitated about bringing Lil Shauna. It was hard to eat and catch up with a baby. I hesitated even more knowing that we are going for steamboat buffet. Buffet leh. The ex-colleague even smsed us at 9am to serve as a friendly reminder on the dinner date and also told us to stop all food intake after 9am to reserve our tummy for the buffet. However, having not spent much time with Lil Shauna this week, I convinced myself and Daddy Lim that Lil Shauna should tag along.

This is Lil Shauna's first trip to HV and she was very fascinated by the many people, music, noises, laughter even at almost 9pm. She was totally an angel when we were at the restaurant. She was given her own bowl and cutlery, which totally thrilled her. Before the food was served, she was happily entertaining herself with the bowl and cutlery. When the food was served, it was equally easy to keep her happy with "mum, mum". This is Lil Shauna's 1st buffet and 1st steamboat wor. Both my colleagues complement her on her good behaviour. :)The food is nice. It reminds me of Coca steamboat. We chose the combination soup base. The chili one is basically just suicidal. Look at the no. of chilies in the soup! I dun see how that can be edible, but the guys were pretty daring.

Well, we survived other than the occasional accidents, ranging from choking on spicy soup and getting spicy soup into eyeball by squirting fishball.

The spread was quite alright too.

Other than the usual steamboat spread, they served their famous Xiao Long Bao. The 1st 3 baskets came and were gone very quickly. By then, Lil Shauna was getting restless and she was no longer keen on the food or the bowl. I strapped her in the MIM and brought her for a little walk in HV while the guys ordered round 2 of food. I saw them asking for another 5 baskets of Xiao Long Bao. -________-"

A short walk and Lil Shauna was almost into dreamland. She rejected her last milk feed and was soon fast asleep while I joined the guys to "clean up" whatever that were left in the soup. I was so uber surprised to find the additional 5 baskets of Xiao Long Bao almost gone when I came back. I was gone for less than 15 mins. -.o"

Daddy Lim and I left the restaurant at about 10pm while the guys continued with their mission. Super full man. I was surprised that we can still walk and didnt have to roll out of the restaurant.
I was so glad that Lil Shauna was so well behave yday. It makes me happy that I actually brought her along. My colleagues commented that she is such an easy baby. Well, she has her bad days but just decided to showcase her best to deceive the uncles yday. Well, still thumb up for her and another thumb up for the buffet. Hehe.

I think we will go back again for the buffet. I heard it is the only Crystal Jade in Singapore that serves buffet. It is forever crowded and opens until 1am daily (still very crowded by then!). Reservation is a must. Even with that, waiting is inevitable. It is not too expensive, about $20 per person and definitely worth it when I go with 3 big men, all big eaters with one who really starved himself since 9am. Haha. The aircon helps too. It is wonderful to eat hot steamboat in a nice aircon restaurant. We had a seat at a corner yday and had lots of privacy.

My mum was keen too and said that maybe we should go one day with my bro's family. Siao ah??!! Lil Shauna was so angelic yday and we can thus enjoy the dinner. I dun see how we can enjoy the buffet with 3 kids and what if they all decided to be bad babies that day? Hmmm... more suicidal than the spicy soup.

Mummy Lim

Kiddy Palace

Kiddy Palace has a way with kids. Daddy Lim was so surprised that Lil Shauna will actually walk into the store herself when we walked past. Or should I say that kids are getting smarter? When Yingxi was much younger, she would insist on going into Kiddy Palace whenever she caught sight of it. She can even see the store from 10m away. If she's stopped, she will throw tantrum. You know, the "sit on the floor and cry" style. We always reprimand my mum for condoning her and I promise myself not to allow Lil Shauna to do so.

But... haiz...

Lil Shauna fusses to go into Kiddy Palace too whenever we walk past and we just couldnt bear to say "no".. She has this thing with the Care Bears.

Dun ask me why she does that. She just finds joy in it. Initially, Daddy Lim and I tot that she loves Care Bear and even bought her one. The moment we bought the bear and gave to her, she threw the bear away. She never once hug it. -.o" Now, it is sitting in on the floor. Poor bear.
During the same trip, she was getting sleepy and she actually pat the Care Bear to sleep. So sweet. Hehe.

Mummy Lim

Flu Bug

Daddy Lim is sick, down with flu. He tahan for a few days until it became flu-blown and he even got a day of MC. I bet H1N1 helps too. With the virus still lurking around, doctors tend to be more generous with flu cases. Apparently, the medicine given is super potent. He totally knocked out the entire afternoon after the medication.

Yingxi is also down with flu. She was banned from school a few days ago. The maid got the flu bugs too. My mum made her wear a mask as she has close contact with the babies. It must be super uncomfortable. We had to put on the mask too while visiting Dadz in the hospital. It was super uncomfy for that short while, let alone having to wear the mask for the entire day. You probably stink yourself to death if you have bad breath.

As expected, Lil Shauna got the bugs too. She was sneezing yday. Her nose started running today. -.o" Haiz. My mum just reminded me that we are going on cruise next week and added that hopefully history will not replay itself (the Genting trip). Choiy, choy, choy!

Pls pray for speedy recovery.

Oh ya, today is Day 11 and Daddy Lim is doing well. Woo hoo! He said that we are booking the new car this Sunday. Yes, I know that car prices are crazy now but he couldnt care more.

Mummy Lim

No Photo

My recent posts have been so lor soh and no pix. Boring right? Miss Lil Shauna right?
Nah...

So cute, she must have gotten my good genes. Hoho.

Mummy Lim

All Saints

We collected Dadz' remains today and placed him at All Saints in Hougang. All Saints is located amidst landed housing, thus very quiet and peaceful. By God's grace, we got Dadz a place "2 doors" away from Ah Mah. The "2 doors" were taken up by a church member that Dadz knew too. I was telling Daddy Lim that Dadz will now chat with Ah Mah and his friend at the new place + in heaven. :)

It had finally come to an end. When Dadz was very sick in the hospice, I was worried that I cannot handle his death. God is kind. I bet He knows my fear and what I can handle and thus somehow prevented my confrontation with death at Dadz' last moment. Seriously, I dun think I know how to handle if I was there.

Thru'out the wake, I was very encouraged. There is pain, but also hope and joy. When we were at All Saints, choosing a place for Dadz, I saw so many brothers and sisters in Christ who were gone before us, all of them having hope that it is not the end. I just felt encouraged. I even told Daddy Lim that we will buy "a place" for us so that we can be together next time until the Lord comes and call us home. We couldnt decide on a verse to put on Dadz' plaque and had to scout around to copycat a little. We eventually chose Psalms 23:1 "The Lord is my shepherd and I will not be in want." Daddy Lim asked me to choose a nice verse for him next time, I told him that we shall discuss more before either one of us die next time. Haha. Death doesnt seem so scary this time. I know it is bcos I have hope in the Lord.

I also had a fantastic time away from work and the baby. Work had been oppressing and never ending. I was uber upset when the Genting plans flopped last month and was disappointed that my "break" never materialised but God had other plans. I barely worked last week with the PH. Although we had little sleep and was constantly busy thru'out these few days, it was a really good break from work. My mind seldom strayed to work and there was minimal disturbance from considerate colleagues. My mum took great care of Lil Shauna. I felt more recharged and I was really glad to have these few days with Daddy Lim without the baby. It just feel different, like old times. I know we should spent time as a couple, but bcos I have so little time, whatever that I have, I gave to the baby. I bet Daddy Lim felt left out at times. Sob. Hmm.. looks like we should be more selfish and start planning for our overseas trip without the baby. Hohoho.

We went to collect the ashes without the baby today. After sending her to my mum's place, we actually have a slow and long Mac breakfast, reading newspaper over coffee, something that Daddy Lim & I had wanted to do for the longest time. Haiz, the simple joys in life. We even went for G.I Joes in the afternoon (our last movie was on my birthday) and a quick nap before we finally pick baby up.

But Lil Shauna is not some kind angel. As if to revenge, she developed some angry nappy rash and was constantly cranky. I know, it is not her fault. It is our wrong for not taking care of her properly. The rash was so bad that she hurts whenever she poo poo and pee pee. Wiping her clean was out of the question and we attempted to spray clean her with water. She will scream and cry like a piglet to be slaughtered. Poor baby and poor us. Then she will poo poo when we finally clean her, dry her, applied the nappy cream and put on diapers. This happened for 2x lor. Haiz. She finally fell asleep and I hope that the rash will go away tomorrow.

Oh, today is Day 9. We are so near to the end. Daddy Lim had been away from work, away from temptations since Day 1. Today will be the big challenge when he stepped back into the shipyard. Pls pray that he will withstand temptation and flee from the devil. :)

Mummy Lim

Updates

We left Lil Shauna at my mum's place for the past few days while we busied ourselves with the funeral arrangement. We tot it would be difficult to try to take care of Lil Shauna and play our part during the funeral. Bcos JW and Yishun is so far away, we basically didnt get to see Lil Shauna for the past few day. Oh boy, how we missed her.

We just "collected" her this evening and we really missed her to bits. We couldnt stop hugging and kissing her. :) She was in a good mood and was babbling and dancing and running - basically, just happy. She was "talking" so much. She said "gorgor, bye, walkx2" and even waved bye, bye to the gorgor in the lift without us prompting her. Orrhhh.. she seems to have grown up so much within a few days. Well, at least we will get to enjoy her the whole day tomorrow. ;p But then again, she was bawling and throwing tantrum just before bed when we refused to let her play with the light switches. -.o"

Today is Day 7. Daddy Lim has actually managed to stay off cigarettes for 7 days! I am so proud of him. He didnt fall into temptation even when his friends were smoking in front of him during the wake. But of course he had his nicotine inhaler with him to help ease the urge abit. From what I see so far, the temptations and urges seem less intense now. Hehe, looks that a new car is not too far away.

I love the new him without the smoking. Now, we dun have to find an open air space after meals and I dun have a missing hb midway when I have a crying baby or when I needed an extra pair of hands.

I hope Daddy Lim doesnt fall back to smoking after these 2 weeks. He will probably takes a while to kick the nicotine inhaler but at least it doesnt come with the other poisons that the cigarette has. Daddy Lim is the "best". He said that I should continue with the reward system. He even quoted examples of what would entice him. Like a new exhaust if he stays off cigarette for a month after quitting and new sports rims if he stays off for another month. He said that a new guitar helps too. -____________-" I am HR leh. After the reward systems, I must also try the penalisation system mah. The new car will go once he picks up smoking again, even if that means we will make a loss. Full-stop. Hohoho. I am evil.

Mummy Lim

Dadz' Passing On

Dadz (my FIL) was very sick and went home to the Lord on 12th Aug 09. He was diagnosed with liver cancer about a year ago. He can only undergo chemotherapy as he had liver cirrhosis and was deemed unsuitable for surgery. Thank God that the cancer reacted to the treatment and the cancer went into remission.

Bcos of the liver condition, he had problem with water retention. His legs would be swollen and he started feeling tired and breathless. A few months back, his feet and calves became swollen and painful and he was rushed to the hospital. He had an infection and was given antibiotics. Further checks revealed that the cancer had came back and the doctor informed that he might not have much time left.

Dadz was given tons of medication. Basically, his liver was unable to remove the toxin in the body. When that happened, the toxin got to his head and he got confused and memory lapses. He was also prone to infection when the toxin built up.

About 2 weeks ago, Dadz developed a high fever and couldnt wake up after falling into a deep sleep. We called for an ambulance to rush him to the hospital. He had developed an infection. The doctors also informed that the liver situation didnt seem too optimistic. After several family conference with the doctors, we were told that treatments may not be beneficial. The doctors suggested making the remaining of his time as comfortable as possible.

It was impossible for Dadz to take care of himself after he was discharged. We tot of day care centers but the doctors tot that he was too weak. Amazingly, Dadz agreed to go to a hospice, the Dover Park Hospice, where my own Dad went to and passed away. He would be allowed to go home during the weekends if his condition permits.

He was discharged last Sunday and he asked to go home. He was home from Sunday to Wednesday morning. On Wednesday morning, he went to the hospice. We brought Lil Shauna to visit Yeye on both Sunday & Monday (PH). He appeared well on both days and I think he enjoyed Lil Shauna's company. Baby is such a gem, she basically brightens up all our days. :)

The pain came on Tuesday. On Wednesday, the pain was really bad. He was given increasing dosage of morphine in the hospice but the drug appeared not to curb the pain. He also vomited blood, suggesting that there was internal bleeding. Daddy Lim and my MIL were with Dadz at the hospice. He wasstill well when they left at 7pm.

However, at 9pm, the hospice called to say that Dadz was in a critical condition. We all rushed down, even the sleeping Lil Shauna. We didnt get to see his last. We heard that some church members were with him when he breathed his last and he went home to the Lord peacefully.

The funeral had finally came to an end this afternoon. There was a service last night. Strangely, I felt really different this time. I believe it is bcos of the hope that there is eternal life after death. I have always fear death and I still do, even when I know that I have victory over death bcos I believe in the Lord Jesus, for he had died on the cross for me and was resurrected. Death no longer has a stronghold on me. Still, I fear death.

Last night's service just reinforces the fact that death is not the end but the beginning. I felt so encouraged to be in the midst of so many believers, listening to God's word and being affirmed that He is the real God and that my hope is in Him.

Amazingly, God even provided opportunities for us to share with Daddy Lim's family. My MIL asked Daddy Lim if he had "joined Gugu and become a Christian". It sounded so funny when the words came out from my MIL's mouth when she tried to separate the believers and the non-believers. I cant put into words, but it reminded me of how we used to say who we "friend" and not while we were kids. Anyway, Daddy Lim tried to explain that he knew the Lord when he was little but his faith was renewed in recent years. The my MIL recalled that Daddy Lim used to attend church when he was young. We shared that Christianity is about having a hope that there is eternal life after death and death is not a permanent separation. We also talked about having a personal relationship with God and most importantly how we felt God in our lives. We shared about how God had been real in our lives during our struggle to conceive and God's protection during the pregnancy. The pregnancy was a toughy and it was so obvious that God's hand was in it. They could related to our pregnancy experiences too since they were with us when we went thru' that difficult part. Soemhow, I dun think they ar rejecting God, but dun see the need for a religion now.

I hope that God will touch their lives and they get to experience God. No matter how much we say, it cannot be compared to personal experiences. Oh, I feel so encouraged to look for a church. Bcos Daddy Lim has to work on most Sundays, we are looking for a church with night services. Many gave suggestions and I think we will try to check the churches out. It had been a while that I felt God so close. I feel as if I am a secondary school kid again. I feel the same kind of uplift that I get after attending one of those Navteens' camp when I was young. However, I know that the enthusiasm will be short-lived and I better do something about it. Do pray for us to find a good church where we will be able to grow. Amen!

Mummy Lim

Sick

Daddy Lim is really sick. He is still running a fever and puked big time in the morning. Poor Daddy Lim. I became busier too, running around for his medicine, water and stuff. He is the other big baby that I have. Haha. At least he talks and I know what he wants rather than "eh, eh, eh".

I hope he gets an MC. Our Company doctor can be very stingy at times over MC. Then, he can rest at home, get well soon and also be away from the smoking temptations. He needed the rest too. He didnt sleep well last night bcos he offered to sleep in the living room to not spread the virus to me & Lil Shauna. Yes pls, I do not want to handle a sick baby and pls dun pass the virus back to me. Hohoho.

He must get well too to run his "shift" on Wed to look after his Dad. Dad's immunity is really low now. Passing the gastric flu virus to him is a no, no.

Oh, it is Day 3. Daddy Lim says that he still feels bad this morning but also bcos of the gastric flu. But the urge to smoke his 1st stick seems to have tone down a little! Jia you!

Mummy Lim