Back to Reality

We are back. Sob, the 6 days flew past and we are really back. Pretty sad to be back actually and I quite dread the work that is awaiting me. Hmm... I guessed it is payback time again.

The trip was petty OK. Well, I expected more but most of my attention was spent on the princess and she hasnt been the most cooperative baby. I guessed this is probably the best when traveling with a 18 month baby. I suspect that she is entering the terrible twos. She threw so many tantrums while in Melbourne that we had to spank her at times. The flight was terrible. Haiz, in details later.

Oh, we all took turns to fall sick. Only Daddy Lim is still standing strong. Lil Shauna took so long to fix her leaking nose. Just when her nose stopped leaking, her left eye starting tearing and is clouded with discharge. I cant remember if it is the same eye with the blocked eye duct. Daddy Lim says that it is wor. -____-" We are also not sure if it is an eye infection or the eye duct is blocked again. Sob, sob. Her eye seems better when we are back in Singapore and we are monitoring her a little before deciding to bring her to the doctor.

Nainai and myself are both down with flu. This is Australia flu virus wor. Hohoho.
Ok, got to go.

Mummy Lim

Melbourne!

I am so excited. We are leaving for Melbourne tonight! I even lost sleep last night. It brings me back to the time when I was young, like how I will lose sleep bcos I was going on a Zoo excursion the next day. Hehehe.

Bags are packed. I have worked hard to clear my work. I hope today goes smoothly.
Oh, we are all recovering. Lil Shauna's is still leaking mucus and coughing,but much better. Daddy Lim has seen a doctor last night who finally diagnosed him as having gastric flu and has given him the appropriate medicine. Aiyo, like that I also can be doctor le. So, nothing can stop us now.

Pls pray for journey mercy. Pray that Lil Shauna will be cooperative during the trip and that nobody will fall sick from now until the end of the trip. I am actually worried about the 7 hours flight back from Melbourne on Sat and how time difference will affect Lil Shauna then. Aiyah, heck lah. I must enjoy my trip. I hope I wun be disappointed. I hope Melbourne meets up to my expectations. Hohoho.

Mummy Lim

All Sick!

Strange ah, everytime we are going for a trip by plane, somebody must fall sick. We had to miss the 1st Genting trip bcos Lil Shauna caught a throat infection and was running a dangerously high fever. The 2nd Genting trip was no better. Fione was having a fever on the last day and the other 2 kids also fell sick after we came back. This time, we all fell sick.

Lil Shauna caught the flu bug and is leaking mucus. -.o" As per the usual case, she caught it from her cousins. Haiz. Fione was down 1st and she passed it to Felicia, who in turn passed it to Lil Shauna. My mum was trying to comfort me that at least Lil Shauna still has time to recover and not only fall sick on the day that we are to fly. Like that also can. What to do. Whenever one of them fall sick, it is basically a waiting game and Lil Shauna will eventually catch the bug.

Daddy Lim LS on Wednesday and was given MC on Thursday. I guessed that he kena-ed gastric flu but the doctor says that he has food poisoning. He is still running to toilets and is nursing a fever a while ago. I think the doctor is wrong lah. Must be gastric flu lah. Why? Bcos he passed it to me. -_________-"

I have been having tummy ache for the past 2 days. It is not the usual "want-to-go-toilet" tummy ache but those super unbearable kind that makes you want to hold your breath and curl into a ball when it hits. The pain comes in waves and comes and goes. I only get that kind of pain when I get gastric flu leh. It actually reminds me of contractor pain just that the position is different and the contraction pain is duller. Anyway, spare you all the details. Hohoho.

So, pls, pls, pls pray for speedy recovery for all of us and journey mercy ya. We have been looking forward to this trip for the longest time. I can feel that my neck grow longer already.

Mummy Lim

We Are Going to Melbourne!

Sorry for the lack of posts recently. I have been working hard to "earn" my holidays. The days right before and after the holidays are always nightmare. Especially when I am taking leave in December, which is supposed to be my peak period. ;p So, for the past 2 weeks, I had been working late and it is just so untimely that today is a PH. Otherwise, I will have one more day to clear work. -________-"

We are flying off to Melbourne on Monday evening and we will all be working on Monday. That is to say, I must knock off on time or risk getting stuck on the expressway + missing my SQ A380. Choy, choy, choy! I can already imagine what kind of mad rush at work Monday will be. Our bags are half pack. I only get to pack them when Lil Shauna is in bed and so I had been putting clothes and stuff into the luggage, a little at a day, such that I am losing track. Die. Never mind, all I have to make sure is that our passports, money and Lil Shauna's milk bottles and powder are in place. The rest, no problem. The most buy in Melbourne lor. Hohoho.

Lil Shauna's passport is ready. Daddy Lim brought Lil Shauna to ICA (with my mum's help of course) on Monday to collect it. My mum nagged at me for the last minutes decision. ICA was super pack and they had to wait up to an hour even when we made an e-appointment. I guessed it must be bcos of the school holidays.
And our visas are approved too! I was so worried that the visas wun be in time or disapproved and we will have to miss the trip.
Oh, the trip also mark the homecoming of my bro. He has been away in USA for about 4 weeks and we have been suffering for that long without a maid. I could see that it is starting to take a toll on my mum. She isnt getting any younger. Weekdays are still pretty alright but every weekend is a nightmare. Fione + Felicia = 2012. I always think that Lil Shauna is a difficult baby when I compared her to Baby C and Baby G. But in comparison to the double F, I think Lil Shauna is so, so, so much easier. Phew! But I dun think they will get a maid, especially when Felicia is starting CC in December. What to do, not for me to interfere. Haiz. I will just be happy that we are going for our break soon. Melbourne, here we come!

Mummy Lim

Lil Shauna is a Naughty Girl

We had a busy weekend.

On Sat, we brought Lil Shauna to Orchard for the gathering. This is probably the 2nd time that Lil Shauna is in Orchard. The last time was during the last Christmas. I dislike bringing her to Orchard. There are too many people and little entertainment for Lil Shauna. We had to either restrain her to her stroller or carry her. On the other hand, she is always struggling to be let down to roam. -.o" Cannot lah, she's so small. I duno where to find her of she gets lost.

We were in luck. There was some dance performance and there were reindeer dancing around.

Lil Shauna was pretty much captivated.There were so many pretty decorations hanging on the trees. Lil Shauna even took a pix with the Takashimaya iconic Christmas tree.

We had Chinese food at Din Tai Feng. Lil Shauna was shy to beginning with, sticking to me like glue. She had been unusually sticky and grouchy recently, throwing tantrum at the slightest things that doesnt go away. I hope it is not separation anxiety + terrible twos!

But of course, she quickly warmed up especially when she has her own high chair and cutlery. She was happy with the food too. We attempted to let her feed herself just like C jiejie but it was a flop. Lil Shauna used one hand to pick up the food from the bowl while holding the spoon in the other hand. At one point, she couldnt get the noodles out of the bowl using her spoon/ hand and attempted to "pour" the noodle from the bowl into her mouth. She basically ahd the whole bowl on her face. As expected, she had noodles everywhere, on the table, on the floor, on her face and even on her hair. -_____-" The waitresses must have hated us for making such a mess.

On Sun, she went swimming early in the morning. Then we brought her to Daddy Lim's poly mate's baby boy's full month bash at Sengkang. She took her nap in the car and I was so thrilled to have some peace and eye-shut.

Again, she was everywhere at the bash. Haiz, I wonder why many other babies can sit down and behave. At one point, she was struggling so much while Daddy Lim was trying to hold her and she hit her face at the table. She suffered a small bruise to the cheek under her right eye but still she was squirming non-stop.

We then left for nainai's place. On the way to nainai's way, Lil Shauna was happily climbing in the car and fussing about. Daddy Lim suggested that I made her some milk. While I was trying to do so with a standing and back facing Lil Shauna, Daddy Lim stepped hard on the brake bcos of the traffic condition and Lil Shauna went tumbling down. -.o" She cried like anything. Sob. I must so make her sit in the car seat. But after her milk, she was back to her usually crawly self.

In the evening, we headed to Daddy Lim's army mate's wedding dinner. This is Lil Shauna's 1st wedding dinner wor. We dressed her up in the pretty floral dress that nainai bought for her bday and realised that she has grown so much taller. The dress is so short now. Hoho.

The dinner was bad bcos Lil Shauna was not cooperative. Right before the couple enters the ballroom, Lil Shauna decided that she doesnt want to sit in her high chair anymore. To pacify her, I let her out and she started exploring and walking. She wanted so much to climb onto the stage. The ballroom was very narrow and there wasnt much space to roam. I had a hard time keeping her out of trouble. Bcos she refuses to cooperate, we have to leave the ballroom and missed the couple's grand entrance. Chey! We only went back in when they serve the first dish.

Afetr the 2nd dish, Lil Shauna decided that she's sleepy and wanted milk. I attempted to make her some and had Daddy Lim carry her out 1st to prevent her creating a scene. But she refused to let Daddy Lim carried her and struggled so much that she knocked her head (softly) on the partition. -.o" She even kicked off one shoe. Aiyo!

She finally fell asleep after her milk and we had some peace. We left shortly after the 4th dish. I was too tired.

Errr... I duno how to survive another wedding dinner with her. Maybe it will be better if there are other kids? D's wedding is coming up. I hope Lil Shauna will be more cooperative then. Oh, by the way, although she had 3 accidents in one day, she's totally fine and as active and naughty as ever. -.o"

Mummy Lim

Separation Anxiety?

Maybe Lil Shauna is displaying separation anxiety. This morning, as usual, we brought her to popo's place. She had just woke up from her sleep and was a grouchy baby. When I handed her over to popo, she started crying and screaming for "mummy". As I was still talking to popo, I took her back and carried her. She rested her head on my shoulder and even needed comforting before quieting down.

Then, I really have to go and I handed her to popo again. She burst into tears immediately and chanted "mummy, mummy, mummy" miserably. She sounded as if she was questioning why I am forsaking her. Sob! Luckily, my mum has a way with her and soon distracted her with the dog who was taking his stroll.

Baby, mummy has to work. I promise to work hard and come home earlier today, OK?
Heng, Daddy Lim took leave so as to pick up her passport today. He will see Lil Shauna on my behalf later in the morning. But Daddy Lim said that Lil Shauna dun love him. Hohoho.

Mummy Lim

Sob! My Baby is Growing Up!

Yday, my mum brought Lil Shauna to visit a pre-nursery class (aka dou dou class) a few blocks away from Centris. My mum has mentioned to me a few times that Lil Shauna will be very lonely after Felicia starts CC in coming December. Before she visited the pre-nursery class, she asked if I am OK to let Lil Shauna go for one of those dou dou classes for 2 hours a day, from 9am to 11am. I tot no harm lor and my mum sprung into action.

They called me from the class and said that the location is good (walking distance), the class is only for 2 hours and it is not too expensive. Lil Shauna was feeling at home too and joined the kids for their activity. With Lil Shauna away at class for 2 hours a day, time will pass faster for Lil Shauna and my mum can also have a little free time and so I agreed.

We haven sign up and pay, but I think we are going to do so soon. There is probably no need to visit the class since my intention is to enroll her for only a short period, probably 6 months. Then I will switch her to half day CC. Come to think of it, this 2 hours class can also help her to adapt to the CC in the future. :) Her term will start on 4 Jan 10. I will be taking leave to accompany her in the beginning.

I am quite sad that Lil Shauna is going to start "school". It somehow magnified the fact that she's growing up already. Sob! I am not mentally prepared that she's going to school in January next year. Boohoo. Lousy Mummy.

Mummy Lim

What's with the ICA Website?

Arrrgggghhhhh, what is wrong with the ICA website?

Yes, I deserve it. We are flying off to Melbourne in 2 weeks' time and I have finally decided that I should change Lil Shauna's passport bcos her pic was taken when she's 5 months old and it looks nothing like her now. There is no way to add in an updated photo now bcos of that micro-chip thingy embedded in the passport. The only way is to apply for a new passport at $70! Then again, we have not apply for our visa, which will take 1 to 2 days. If we are to apply for a new passport for Lil Shauna, we can only submit the passport details for visa application after her new passport is ready as there will be a new passport no.

A while ago, I was feeling stingy and refused to spend that $70. Afterall, we have been to cruise so many time with her outdated photo and she cleared the immigration everytime. Then her passport is still so new. Only 4 stamps so far when she enter and exit Malaysia on 2 occasions.

However, S advised us to change the photo just in case we got stopped at Australia Immigration. I called ICA to try my luck and see if they allow photo updating. As expected, we are required to make a new passport. They also advised that the Australis Immigration will decide if they would allow us to clear the immigration.

I sprung into action immediately. It was too much risk to take. I dun want to be turn away at the Australia Immigration! So, I called my SIL who kindly helped to take a pix of Lil Shauna against white background. They had a hard time doing so bcos Lil Shauna has just learned a new pose and I had been encouraging her to strike the pose whenever I take her pix. -.o"

Either her hands were in the way or that she cant sit still. It was after many attempts that they got this shot.Then I had to re-size the pix to the right file size. Actually not me, I had to ask Daddy Lim and also my boss to help. I am such a computer idiot. Hoho.

I was happy to submit online for her. I tot that it will be faster (less the postage time) and I will be able to track the status online. I submitted the photo and was doing work while the system runs. When I returned to the web page, it was blank and I happily assumed that it was done. I was happy and I continued working.

While in the car to fetch Lil Shauna, I suddenly realised that the online application did not ask me to pay online wor. I started scratching head. Daddy Lim joked that maybe there is a promotion and ICA is making passports for free for this limited period. -______-" I made a mental note to check when I am home.

True enough, the application was incomplete bcos the system prompted me for the reference no., which I have none. So I tried to apply again but the system keep hanging after making me wait for the longest time. Arrgghh, I almost pull hair. When it finally worked, I tried to submit the pix that Daddy Lim has re-sized and found that he has accidentally cropped off Lil Shauna's chin. -.o" Like that wun pass lor. The application will end up taking longer than usual and we will have to bring a new pix on the collection day and to wait up to an hour while they add the photo into the new passport on the collection day. We do not have that luxury of time.

I tried cropping the pix but it was bad. I dun even noe which tools to use. So I have to wake Daddy Lim up, who was already happily in dreamland. He was an unhappy man who refused to get up but still crawl out of the bed bcos he knew that I was terribly upset and frustrated over the submission.

Finally, we managed to submit online. Hohoho.
Lil Shauna has such a nice pix this time. Ahhh.. I feel like kissing her already.

I do hope that her new passport will be ready soon. Then Daddy Lim will have to take leave and collect the passport on Lil Shauna's behalf. They say that the passport applicant has to be present too. How about her case? I better call and ask.

By the way, do you wonder why I know so well of the consequences of improper photo submitted? Cos we did just that during the 1st application. We posted a filled-up form to ICA but forgot to paste her pix. *palm-face* Hohoho, Lil Shauna has gu-gu parents.

Bb, thank you for waking up to crop the size. The application almost killed me. Hohoho. Muaks.

Mummy Lim

The ChildCare Quest

As kiasu parents, we are in search of suitable childcare for our baby. The intention is to enroll her when she turns 24 mths so that she will have more interaction with the other children. With Felicia enrolling in CC in Dec 09, Lil Shauna will have no playmate. My mum seems more worried than I am. It is actually quite hard to entertain a baby. So, if Lil Shauna is ready, I might enroll her earlier on half day CC.

I took leave 2 weeks ago to recce the few CCs that I have shortlisted with Lil Shauna. I ended up visiting 2 more that I saw along the way. Of the 5 that I saw, I was interested in 2 of them. Last Saturday, I visited the last one and found it good as well. So, I have to make a decision out of the 3 and I think I am inclined to put Lil Shauna into Ichiban Montessori CC.

It is located opposite our block. With the CC services starting at 7am, we can drop her before we head for work. But if we are to enrol her for half day CC, then she will have to take the school bus to popo's place in the afternoon. The price is reasonable too at about $350 per month. It is a new branch and thus the premise is clean and new. I also like the idea that the CC is in a private housing, where there's lots of open space for the children to run about & aircon during the hot days. Bcos it is new, they actually have space now. We would have secured a place if we are to pay a deposit soon. Hehe.

As she grows older, I am thinking of enrolling her in one of the churches' kindergarten in the Jurong area. I think it will be so nice to grow up in a Christian environment. Hohoho. Thinking about kindergarten liao, kiasu-ism on the rise.

Try and spot Lil Shauna. She's amid the jie jies and hor gors. She happily joined in the dance when we visited the 1st CC. Hehehe.

Mummy Lim

Neuro Tree Trials

We have completed the trials, ending the last of the 3 lessons in Japanese. The Japanese teacher is so cute, a typical Japanese lady. I missed hearing people speak in Japanese and it also made me realised that I have forgotten so much about the language. When the teacher is speaking in Japanese, I totally catch no ball.. Hoho. Lil Shauna was alright in the beginning but 3/4 into the class, she was on strike, refusing to sit, drinking water and walking at the back of the class with another jie jie. -_____________-" The Japanese teacher (and last week's English teacher) are more OK about mishaving babies. It takes some stress off the parents too. :)

I had wanted to sign Lil Shauna up but the admin was attending to another client and I was worried that I was testing Lil Shauna's patience, that she will burst out in crankiness anytime. So we left but I will call. We should start class in the new year.

They have weird policy. After signing up, we are to attend class every week. There is no such thing as make-up class or refund, even if a PH falls on the day of class and the class is cancelled. Similarly if the baby (or the parent) is sick and have to skip the class. So, parents are to open their eyes big, big, do their calculation properly before signing on the dotted line. Actually, it is quite daunting to try to control Lil Shauna and try to make her sit down for that one hour every week.

Oh, we have visited the last CC that I had in mind on Sat. I am gg to sit down (one day) to do my decision matrix and making the all important decision. Lil Shauna is going to school soon. :)

Mummy Lim