School Reopens

p.s - A post that I have drafted 1 week back bit not posted bcos the computer was down.

School reopens today. The 3 girls gave their caregivers nightmare for the past month. With school, they at least have a few hours of peace during weekdays, until the next school holiday comes along.

Lil Shauna was rejecting school before the school holidays. The last few days were horrible. Her reasons switched from disliking her school uniform, to pa pa the school bus driver, to pa pa Mrs Teo, who I supposed is a little stern. Then, she has to cry buckets and Popo had to alternate between coaxing and forcing. Plain bad.

We are worried that she will continue to reject school this term. I have switched her to the afternoon class, hoping that going to school with Felicia will help. We had been trying to prepare her for school, reminding her that school reopens today and she get to go to school with Felicia. We also made Felicia agreed to taking care of Lil Shauna, which Felicia readily agreed. Still, I can't help worrying, especially when she has to make friends all over again.

To prepare for the worse, I had explored EccoKids and Ichiban, which are walking distance away. I was also tempted to switch Lil Shauna to a more academically driven pre-school even if Lil Shauna can adapt to the afternoon session. However, after praying about it, I decided to keep her with the church school if she can adapt. I heard God saying that moral education is more important than academic now.

I was anxious the whole morning, as if I was the one who was supposed to start school. I called my mum a few times to check. Just before school, my mum called to say that the girls were getting ready for school and Lil Shauna was excited. She even happily donned her uniform! When it was time to board the bus, she happily did and wave goodbye to my mum. No signs of school refusal at all.

My SIL went to the school to peep at the girls. She shared that Lil Shauna was happily chatting with Felicia. At certain point, there was a crying kid and she spoke to the kid, as if trying to comfort her. :)

Lil Shauna came home with a file containing all her work from the 1st semester.


The file was very nicely organized, with pictures of her, her English teacher's assessment, her Chinese teacher's assessment and some of the nicer craft work that she has done.


The teachers generally have nice things to say about her.



I was actually a little upset for missing the last teacher-parent meet-up bcos of the cruise. Now seeing the file, I felt comforted that the school at least tried to inform the parents of what had happened in school.

I hope her good feeling about school will continue for the many more months and years to come. Amen.

Mummy Lim

Milk Milk

It is getting more and more difficult to latch Lil Isaac now, especially if we are outside. He will be distracted and often goes on milk strike.

He hates to be under cover now and either attempts to pull away the cover and exposed mummy or cry bloody murder. Either way, we fail. Thus, we now had to run for nursing room before I can nurse him. The moment we enter the nursing room, he gets distracted by the new environment and refused to nurse. He must be given time to get familiar with the nursing room before he will latch. Sometimes, we make multiple trips to the nursing room before we get a successful attempt. Most of the time, I have to coax him into a half asleep mode before I can latch him. Oh, he is still bitting me when he doesn't want to latch. It is just getting more and more taxing.

Things get more complicated now with Lil Isaac preferring my left breast over my right. -.o" I don't know if it is bcos of the angle or the flow or what but he refused to nurse on the right for long. I ended up getting a full right breast and an empty left one. Haiz. Sometimes I feel like giving up. Coupled with the depleting FBM, I think my full breastfeeding career may be coming to an end too.

I am not exactly worried. I am not intending to stop yet and will try to give him BM for as long as I can. In the event that I don't have enough for him, I will top up with FM. I have started sourcing for suitable FM and decided on NAN HA and Mamex Gold, Hypoallergenic formula. Both are recommended for babies with eczema or with allergies. I am more inclined towards NAN HA as it is more commonly available and cheaper. However, jiejie tried NAN previously and ended up with constipation. I have emailed the manufacturers for free sample, which they usually gladly supplied. This guni hun business is very attractive. Imagine the profits that they made from all the guni hun needed to feed the baby to toddler.

Strangely, both NAN and Mamex haven't been the most forthcoming with my request for guni hun sample. I emailed, called Nestle (NAN) and left my contact number but no sample. I managed to speak to somebody and was given a number to call, but it must be a phantom person at the other end bcos I never manage to reach her. It was frustrating. I made a final attempt. I called up Nestle and insisted that I do not want to call the phantom person anymore. I don't care if the person that I am speaking to then was the right person, just don't make me call the phantom person! I also threatened to go to Mamex if I still do not hear from Nestle (actually, I already did). That does the trick. I got a call from Nestle the very next day, asking for my address to send me their welcome pack. Kekeke. Bcos there was nobody home, I asked for the pack to be sent to Centris and asked to call her back when I get Centris address. It was a Saturday morning and I forgot to call back. I received a follow-up call on Monday, asking for Centris address and the welcome pack consisting of a cooler bag, 900g NAN HA 2 and cereal samples were sent promptly to Centris on the same day. I haven't decide when to start Lil Isaac on FM but it does feel comforting to know that the FM is sitting there and patiently waiting for us if we need it.

Haiz, why must make me threaten leh? I am definitely one of those difficult customers when I want to get things done and I do give people hell at times. Coincidentally, Daddy Lim went for a course on Handling Difficult Customers yday and today. Hohoho. But seriously, giving people hell does get things done, no use being nice when things don't turn out as expected. Apparently, most people perform under pressure. Hohoho. It is time to do the same to Mamex if NAN HA is not suitable for Lil Isaac.

Mummy Lim

Zoophonics

It is disappointing. I am not sure if the syllabus is good but the administrator failed badly and we didn't even attend the first lesson.

We were 15 mins early and were told that waiting must be done outside of the aircon premise. I don't know what is the rationale of that rule. Lil Isaac needed aircon and I managed to earn some time by asking about the enrollment rules. She also showed us the classroom that Lil Shauna will be using. I was surprised that the classroom was occupied when she opened the door. The kids in the class were clearly distracted by us.

She then explained that the weekly lessons cost $100 per month and each lesson is 60 mins. 0n top of the lesson fees, we have to pay $120 non-refundable deposits, $30 registration and $20 material fee. There will strictly be no parental companion and strictly no trial lesson. To attend even 1 lesson, the deposits and whatever fee must be paid.

I asked what happens if the kid is unable to cope being independent? The administrator insisted that the parent should let the kid cries it out and assured that the teacher will try her best to calm the kid by carrying the kid. She related that most kids cry on their initial lessons and most take a few lessons to get used. There were also cases where new kids cry through the entire lesson on their first attempt! I shudder at the thought. The way that she related the crying incidents was like a matter of fact, not sympathetic at all.

We were told that in the event that Lil Shauna really cannot adapt, there will be no refund of the deposits but we can use it to offset the lesson fees. What? How to make her go for classes to offset the deposits if the reason for withdrawing is bcos she cannot adapt? Another senseless rule.

I suspected that Lil Shauna will cry buckets. But I thought that it is time that Lil Shauna starts some enrichment classes related to academic learning and I thus pushed ahead. I was told to fill up the registration form and pay the fees before we could start.

Just when I was done with the form, the kids were allowed into the classroom. I know we were supposed to pay the fees first but worried that it would be money down the drain and so brought Lil Shauna into the room before paying. I think the administrator was busy with some other parents.

Lil Shauna's panic alarm went off the moment we entered the classroom and she started whimpering. Then she started crying and calling for me when I was still in the classroom. She was clingy. Another girl was infected and started crying too. -.o" Another boy was clingy too and the teacher was busy trying to settle the other kids. It obviously looked like she didn't have much attention left for the crying Lil Shauna. Oh, the teacher is a Filipino - minus marks.

I knew I shouldn't be in the class and asked the teacher what I should do. The teacher said that she would usually carry the crying kid but Lil Shauna refused to go to her. So, the teacher suggested that she starts the lesson first with the "Hello" song.

She started singing and Lil Shauna quieten down a little bit but still clingy. Then the teacher forgot the name of the boy, who just joined the class last week. The teacher was clearly embarrassed and tried to explain to me that the boy was new. Minus marks again. And she didn't include Lil Shauna in the Hello song. I was very surprised. In all other enrichment classes that we attended previously, the teachers will include all students, regardless of whether they are ready to participate. If they weren't, they won't be forced to participate but definitely not excluded from whatever activities. Minus marks for the 3rd time. I started wondering how conducive the class would be if some of the kids continue crying or for the entire lesson as what the administrator had related.

Just then, the door opened and the administrator stood at the doorway and reminded me that I haven't pay and we shouldn't be attending the class. The class was interrupted. I was pissed and told her that I can't go to settle the fees bcos Lil Shauna was still clinging on to me and the teacher wasn't able to take her away. The administrator then tried to remind me that I have to let Lil Shauna cry it out. I was even more irritated and told her that it is not that I didn't want to but the teacher made no attempt to take Lil Shauna away.

The administrator then asked the teacher to do so. The teacher came to us and tried to coax Lil Shauna to go to her, which she of course failed. The administrator simply stood at the doorway and made no attempt to help the poor teacher and I blew.

I picked up Lil Shauna who was still crying and left the class, half yelling at the administrator to not blame me for not paying the fees when she has an incapable teacher who is unable to free me from Lil Shauna. It is not about the money. I can well afford the fees. &&;;$@"&'+#}?¥•%

The administrator did not retaliate. Otherwise, I would really quarrel with her and I don't think I will lose. Looking at her non reaction towards my yelling, I can quite safely assumed that this is not the first time that her stuck up attitude pissed some parents badly who ended up yelling at her.

So, I failed Zoophonics. Before this, I had read mixed reviews about them in forums but still thought that we try. Now, it is confirmed that they lost a potential customer who would otherwise be sending both her kids there. As educators, isn't their focus to groom and help kids? I agreed that they have to be profit driven but it is not like the parents are not paying. And I cannot understand why such established schools would hire such sub-standard front line staff. I wonder how many potential customers walked away bcos of her poor services. It made me realized the importance of customer service. No wonder our Government pushes so hard for good customer services. I even contemplated sending a bad feedback email to the school.

I will be exploring other phonics school. In fact, i have another in mind but they will only take kids who are at least 3.5 years old. Maybe it is good that I send Lil Shauna for the class when she's older. I hope that she will be ready by then. Haiz, when will she be receptive to attend classes on her own? I had wanted to enroll her for many classes, swimming, music, phonics, abacus, etc. Haiz.

Mummy Lim

Sick

Lil Isaac is sick. I heard phlegm last night and asked Popo of he is coughing. Popo said that he wasn't. I heard it again in the night when I was latching him.

This morning, Popo called me to say that he sounded funny - phlegm. We had wanted to bring him to the doctor on the evening but I had scare Popo into thinking that Lil Isaac might be asthmatic. :p I really did read somewhere that people who have eczema may also be asthmatic lor. I am also worried that Lil Isaac is indeed allergic to dust and his airways are sensitive to dust or something of the effect. Anyway, enuff to drive Popo to bring all the kids to the clinic in the afternoon for the doctor to look at Lil Isaac.

The doctor assured that he is not asthmatic. Asthma tales time to build up. He has phlegm and his throat looks a little sore. He was given 3 types of medicine and we have to bring him back if he develops fever. I wonder where did he get the virus from. None of the jiejie's are sick. And sore throat?!!! Cereal is heaty? We are very stringy with his biscuits.

Popo says that Lil Isaac enjoyed his medicine and was easy to feed him medicine in the afternoon. The medicine also gave him a good afternoon nap. But I had a hard time giving the medicine just now. He was clamping his mouth and turning his head away. He ended up with medicine all over him. -.o" And he woke up at the same time for his first night feed. Isn't the medicine supposed to knock him out? I hope he will sleep until morning.

By the way, we bought new quilt. The old pee stained one is too smelly and I can't stand it anymore. I told jiejie to not wet the bed or I will spank her backside. Lol.

Mummy Lim

Allergy???

Bcos Popo was so busy recently, she has been putting off cooking porridge for Lil Isaac. I didn’t wanted to stress Popo and I am horrible in cooking. I don’t know what meat to use for the broth to make the porridge, don’t know what special rice to use and I don’t even know how much water to put in. So, I bought baby pasta instead. I can make pasta soup and had made macroni soup that for Lil Shauna on several occasions. Popo did eventually take my hint and made porridge for Lil Isaac when he was 7.5 month and I heard he really enjoys the porridge.

Yday, bcos we were grounded and Popo didn’t cook porridge for Lil Isaac since we were supposed ti ho nainai's house, I thought I can cook baby pasta for him. Bcos the idea was impromptu, there wasn’t enough time to thaw the meat and I thought I could use anchovies instead. I threw a handful into the pot and a good smelling pot of broth was ready in no time. I threw in another few slices of carrot to add flavor to the little bit of baby pasta. I guessed I added a little too many anchovies and the pasta turned out with salty taste. But I guessed it should be fine since it is natural and Lil Isaac liked his dinner. He ate quite a fair bit and everything seems fine.

This afternoon, my mum called me to say that Lil Isaac seems to develop hives on his body, a common allergy reaction. Since anchovies are the newest food that had been introduced, it was the main suspect of the reactive. I got an earful from my mum and they had to help me bring him to the doctor. He was given the anchovies broth almost 24 hours ago. I thought allergic reaction happened almost instantly?

Luckily, it was nearing lunch time and I rushed down to JP to help out. The doctor suspected that it is allergic reaction and blamed the anchovies too. Lil Isaac was given some cream containing steroid and some oral medication (drowsy formula). Poor Lil Isaac was red and patchy and itchy and was scratching away.

For some strange reasons, the hives went away shortly without the steroid cream or the medication. It left as fast and suddenly as it had come. We were left puzzled but are grateful that things are turning for the better. We still gave Lil Isaac the steroid cream but do away with the oral medication. I think the cream will also help with his eczema.

So, Lil Isaac will be put off fishes and seafood for a long while. I think I better stay off seafood and peanuts too. Hmmmm.. Is it really the anchovies? Well, better to be safe than sorry.

Mummy Lim

Grounded

We got grounded again yday afternoon bcos jiejie threw tantrum. Well, to be fair to her, she just woke up from her nap and we were about to drive to nainai's house. She was asked to either sit behind with Auntie and Lil Isaac or in front with Pappy. She wanted to sit with Mummy but wasn't given that option and she threw a tantrum.

She was threatened that she will stay home with mummy if she doesn't keep to the choices. So, we ended up all staying home. I think Daddy Lim didn't want to risk bringing out Lil Isaac on his own with Auntie, just in case Lil Isaac is difficult.

When Lil Shauna was finally 'awake', she came to me and tell me that she's ready to behave and will not throw tantrum. She was so lovable and sweet at the moment but too bad, we weren't ready to give her the carrot.

Nainai came instead with dinner. It was really nice of her. She was bored at home and welcome the kids' companionship too. Lil Shauna was indeed well behaved and we brought her down to the playground in the evening and she had a wonderful time playing.

I hope she understands soon that bad behaviour leads to punishment and she will remember to behave when she's asked to. This grounding thing is really disruptive to our schedule but Lil Shauna must be taught to understand that we meant our threats. Hmmm.. I wonder how many times we will be grounded when didi join the tantrum throwing league.

Mummy Lim

Barney

Lil Shauna used to love Barney. She's into Strawberry Shortcake and Princesses now. Still, she 'entertained' Barney once in a while. There are usually performances at big shopping centers during the school holidays.

Jurong Point is showing Thomas the Train. The girls caught that a few times already. Dora is at Forum but we didn't have the time to travel there. I got to know that Barney will be at Marina Square and we brought the girls to catch Barney.


Barney is popular and the queue started forming an hour before the show. I made Daddy Lim joined the queue 30 mins before the show, which he unwillingly oblige. By then, the queue has already snaked to behind the stage.

MA accompanied Lil Shauna and the 2 Fs to the designated sitting area while we waited outside the barricade. I didn't accompany Lil Shauna to be with Lil Isaac, just in case he needs to latch.


They waited for a while more before the show started and the girls really did enjoy themselves hopping and clapping and dancing to the popular Barney songs. Lil Shauna knows every one of them. Seeing her enjoying the show was priceless. It makes the 30mins queuing for the 15 mins show totally worth it. Then again, Barney frightens Lil Isaac. He starting growling and scratching me and panic when the purple dinosaur appeared on the stage. He only quieten down when we went away from the stage. It was quite funny. Lol. I guessed that it is only a matter of time that he grows to love Barney too.

Mummy Lim

Milestone

Lil Isaac still can’t crawl. A while ago, he tries to flip to his destination and often ended up miles away from his destination. Recently, he adds slithering on top of flipping and increases his accuracy. He can sit but requires close supervision or risk banging his head. That is bcos he sometimes topples but most of the time pounces off from the sitting to tummy position in his attempt to be mobile.

He can stand supported, but hasn’t master balancing and tends to fall sideway. We have seen him trying to sit up from a lying down position but he wasn’t been successful until these few days.

He tried to sit up from a lying down position and actually pulled himself up using the cot rail. After several attempts, he perfected it and can actually sit up on his own without the rail. Then of course he wasn’t successful every time. We are already worried that he will topple over the cot after seeing him sitting up on his own. He wasn’t satisfied. Yday, after sitting up, he grabbed the cot rail and attempted to stand. -____________-“

Ok, young man, you are growing well, achieving another of your development milestone but please don’t give your mother a heart attack. And it is no fun falling off your bed to the floor. The floor is hard, you know? Don’t say that I never warn you hor.

I must remember to pull up the cot rail after tucking him to bed and it is time to take out the upper layer of the play pen. It is getting too dangerous.

Oh, did I tell you that he has 6 teeth now? He has 4 on top and 2 at the bottom. He is feeding well and has started on porridge this week. Popo always tells me about how he greedily devours his porridge. But I still miss his toothless grin bcos it is not at all fun when he sinks his teeth on my breasts. Ouch!

Mummy Lim

Bad Nights

Lil Isaac’s eczema acted up on Sunday. We don’t know what the cause is. It is unlikely to be the food that I eat as I had experiment refraining from certain food in the past and his flare-ups are not consistent with what I eat but more due to the weather and environment. The last that we saw a GP for his flu, we were reminded that kids with eczema are likely to be sensitive/ allergic to dust, mould, dirt and fur. Thus, my mum had been diligent in keeping the house clean. My mum is a clean freak anyway. Lol.

Lil Isaac started on porridge on Monday, but I don’t think it is an allergic reaction since his condition has improved despite having porridge daily since Monday. My mum has also washed all his mattress cover as a precaution. I suspect that it could be bcos of my MIL’s place. I have to highlight that her place is not particularly dirty but since there are no kids and babies living in her house for the longest time, it is definitely dustier than our place. Maybe Lil Isaac is too pampered and cannot take the environment. We have requested for her to wash the mattress cover too just to play safe.

The consequences? Lil Isaac has been waking up 2x every night since Sunday night! The only comfort that I have is that he doesn’t scream and fuss after latching like he used too when the itch wakes him. He goes back to lala land after latching but the poor mummy here becomes zombified the next day. And jiejie has to join in the fun. She has been wetting the bed so recently these last few nights.

I don’t know why she is wetting her bed. My room has a strong pee smell now and you can imagine how bad the bed and quilt are. It doesn’t help that Lil Shauna loves to sleep on the quilt. We have long contemplated to change the quilt but at this rate that she wets the bed, a new quilt wont help. Interestingly, she can still wet the bed after we made her go to the toilet before she sleeps. The only thing that I can think of is the recent change in routine bcos it is the school holidays and she gets to go to Centris to play with the 2Fs everyday. Based on experience, I know how crazy the play time can be and of course the fighting and bickering. She has been skipping her nap too. I keep telling myself that it is good training ground for she as she will need to skip her nap too when she’s in the afternoon class in July. But skipping her nap means that she will get very cranky in the evening. I am not saying that the skipping of nap is making her wet her bed cos she can take her nap yet wet the bed that very night. I suspect that it is the changing of routine in general.

So, other then to wake up 2x to latch Lil Isaac, jiejie adds on the party and disturbs my sleep. In the past few nights, I just keep waking up and up and up. Arrgggghhhh….

Mummy Lim

Heels

Lil Shauna is constantly testing our patience and she gets it from us sometimes, especially from me, when my fuse is short. Unfortunately for her, my fuse is always short now.

She has been difficult when it comes to dressing. Despite the drawers of clothes, she always insists on that few pieces. And when she has her mind on a particular piece, it is very tough to put something else on her. Changing is often a nightmare, including shoes.

She had been wanting to buy shoes with heels. Recently, in the market, there is a series in princess print and she is crazy about them. However, I wasn't able to find a pair in her size and thus hasn't got her any. Yes, I do know that heels aren't good for her little back at 3. But they are seriously cute and I thought she wouldn't wear them so often even if I buy them.

Recently, Fione got a pair of those heels and Lil Shauna insisted on a pair too. She managed to get Popo to buy her a pair of heels with Ariel print. The heels are about 2.5cm high and way too big. She can walk in them but of course had trouble walking fast, jumping, running, climbing up and down the stairs, all the things that she loves to do. It is probably tiring and painful to walk in them too and she kept asking to be carried when she goes out in them.

The problem? She loves them so much and wanted to go everywhere in them! Popo often let her have her way and brought her out in her heels. We then suffer the consequences when we meet them up bcos she can't walk and wants to be carried. -.o" whenever this happened, Popo will lament and regret buying her the heels are allowing her to wear them. But the same scenario repeats themselves again and again. Haiz.

This morning, i told her that we are going to the church. We were all ready to go and I told her that she cannot wear her heels. We were going out alone and the last that I need is a 15kg Lil Shauna who refused to walk. She threw a tantrum and insisted on her heels. I blew.

Her tantrum cost her to be grounded and her heels. I threw her heels into the rubbish bin right in front of her. She cried and pleaded pitifully for me to get back her heels, which I did not oblige. She is getting out of hand and must be disciplined. Then I asked Popo to clear the rubbish bin. Her heels are kept in the storeroom but we will all maintain that I have thrown them away. Maybe she can have them when she's older but definitely not now. They are too much of a hazard and hassle.

So, we missed church again and didn't go out until Daddy Lim came home from work at 3+pm to bring us to nainai's place. Remember that I mentioned that Lil Shauna isn't afraid of us? She definitely is of me now when I blew my top at her bcos she knows that I will discipline her. Hohoho. She needs to taught who is the boss.

Mummy Lim