DL: Baby, it is very warm, let me switch on the fan first.
LS: Pappy, what is "warm" in chinese?
DL: "Re".
LS: OK
ML: Baby, are you a Chinese or an English.
LS: English.
ML: But Pappy and Mummy are chinese, why are you an English?
LS: Bcos I cant remember chinese.
DL & ML: ....
Mummy Lim
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Sunday, December 11, 2011
Zoo
I deserved a pat on my back. On Tuesday morning, I drove the car back from yard after Daddy Lim drove to work. Then, I brought the 3 girls and Lil Isaac to the zoo! Of course I wasn't alone, I am not that powerful. Popo and the 2 maids came along. But I actually drove from yard to home then to Centris and finally to the zoo. The ride was pretty smooth, no hiccups and I didn't lose my way. Hohoho. I did pray hard for journey mercy the night before though.
We hadn't been to the zoo for a long time. Lil Isaac has never been to the zoo as he couldn't tolerate hot weather bcos of his eczema and we used to exclude him from such outdoor excursions or avoid them altogether. We are so glad that his eczema is so much better now.
We brought along 3 strollers. Bless Tiguan for her big boot space. Popo though I was crazy but the strollers were fully utilized. Lil Isaac sat in one of them throughout the trip and even took a 2hrs nap in it! Lil Isaac has never been a fan of stroller, but I suppose he will be more comfortable in the stroller than be slinged or carried in the hot weather. Maybe it was peer pressure (the other 2 jiejies were also in the stroller) or he was constantly distracted by the animals or the constant supply of tidbits that Popo strove into his mouth. Yes, we were all very surprised that Lil Isaac can "see" the animals. The very first time we brought jiejie to the Jurong Bird Park, she can only see the water ripples, plants and monorail. So, we were excited that Lil Isaac was excited by the animals.
The weather was really good. It was breezey and cool.
We caught 2 shows and spent some time getting to the Kids' World. The Zoo map is really hard to read lor. The kids went crazy at the water playground. Lil Isaac was knocked out and was still asleep when we left the Zoo.
On the way back, Lil Shauna rode on the pony.
We also rode on the elphant, which Felicia didnt enjoy and declared that it was not fun while we were on the elephant's back. We left the zoo at 2pm, which by then was really hot. Fione has started complaining about being tired (from walking) and we were all hot and sticky. I couldnt be more grateful for Tiguan's aircon then.
The car ride back was a little more challenging as the kids were tired and thus cranky. However, they took the threat of being left behind in the zoo pretty well and we made it home safe and sound. Lil Isaac slept all the way home.
The zoo trip really tires us out. Lil Shauna, who no longer takes afternoon nap was knocked out for a good hour.
And the nap didnt really affect bedtime. Lil Isaac fell asleep in the evening despite a 3-hour afternoon nap. We had to wake him up after 20 mins and he too had an early night.
Yes, it was tiring but we had a good time. Jurong Bird Pard next?
Mummy Lim
We hadn't been to the zoo for a long time. Lil Isaac has never been to the zoo as he couldn't tolerate hot weather bcos of his eczema and we used to exclude him from such outdoor excursions or avoid them altogether. We are so glad that his eczema is so much better now.
We brought along 3 strollers. Bless Tiguan for her big boot space. Popo though I was crazy but the strollers were fully utilized. Lil Isaac sat in one of them throughout the trip and even took a 2hrs nap in it! Lil Isaac has never been a fan of stroller, but I suppose he will be more comfortable in the stroller than be slinged or carried in the hot weather. Maybe it was peer pressure (the other 2 jiejies were also in the stroller) or he was constantly distracted by the animals or the constant supply of tidbits that Popo strove into his mouth. Yes, we were all very surprised that Lil Isaac can "see" the animals. The very first time we brought jiejie to the Jurong Bird Park, she can only see the water ripples, plants and monorail. So, we were excited that Lil Isaac was excited by the animals.
The weather was really good. It was breezey and cool.
We caught 2 shows and spent some time getting to the Kids' World. The Zoo map is really hard to read lor. The kids went crazy at the water playground. Lil Isaac was knocked out and was still asleep when we left the Zoo.
On the way back, Lil Shauna rode on the pony.
We also rode on the elphant, which Felicia didnt enjoy and declared that it was not fun while we were on the elephant's back. We left the zoo at 2pm, which by then was really hot. Fione has started complaining about being tired (from walking) and we were all hot and sticky. I couldnt be more grateful for Tiguan's aircon then.
The car ride back was a little more challenging as the kids were tired and thus cranky. However, they took the threat of being left behind in the zoo pretty well and we made it home safe and sound. Lil Isaac slept all the way home.
The zoo trip really tires us out. Lil Shauna, who no longer takes afternoon nap was knocked out for a good hour.
And the nap didnt really affect bedtime. Lil Isaac fell asleep in the evening despite a 3-hour afternoon nap. We had to wake him up after 20 mins and he too had an early night.
Yes, it was tiring but we had a good time. Jurong Bird Pard next?
Mummy Lim
Happy Bday, Pappy
Happy 34th bday, Pappy.
How long have it been? 7 years coming to 8. Yes, we have known each other for so long. Thank you for standing by me all these years and agreeing to have 2 beautiful kids with me. I remembered your weak attempts to persuade me to stop at one. See, Lil Isaac isn't that bad, right.
Let's continue to work on our monthly couple time and look forward to our first overseas trip without kids, away from the kids!
I bought you a present and I hope you like it.
Oh Lil Shauna decided to get you a toy car too.
And she wanted to get you a bday cake and to help you blow the candles.
We love you very much. Muaks.
Mummy Lim
How long have it been? 7 years coming to 8. Yes, we have known each other for so long. Thank you for standing by me all these years and agreeing to have 2 beautiful kids with me. I remembered your weak attempts to persuade me to stop at one. See, Lil Isaac isn't that bad, right.
Let's continue to work on our monthly couple time and look forward to our first overseas trip without kids, away from the kids!
I bought you a present and I hope you like it.
Oh Lil Shauna decided to get you a toy car too.
And she wanted to get you a bday cake and to help you blow the candles.
We love you very much. Muaks.
Mummy Lim
Bad Post
My last post must have been pretty grim. So much so that Mummy H called to ask if I am ok and invited us to her place for playdate if I needed refuge.
Dont worry, I am very fine. The post was written yday but posted this morning. I had a rough Saturday morning at work, which explains the foul mood and negativity. Popo decided to abort the Sentosa idea upon hearing that Daddy Lim has to work late. See, she does have something up her sleeve but loves me enuff to rescue me to abandon her "take a break" plan. With her around, everything and everyone was safe and sound. We spent Saturday catching 2 performances. I am a sucker for free performances.
Now, we are taking refuge in Centris. Daddy Lim is knocking off soon. Everything is fine.
Mummy Lim
Dont worry, I am very fine. The post was written yday but posted this morning. I had a rough Saturday morning at work, which explains the foul mood and negativity. Popo decided to abort the Sentosa idea upon hearing that Daddy Lim has to work late. See, she does have something up her sleeve but loves me enuff to rescue me to abandon her "take a break" plan. With her around, everything and everyone was safe and sound. We spent Saturday catching 2 performances. I am a sucker for free performances.
Now, we are taking refuge in Centris. Daddy Lim is knocking off soon. Everything is fine.
Mummy Lim
Haircut
I am finally getting a proper haircut at one of those no frills tiny hair salon while Lil Shauna is in class. I can't remember when was the last time I cut my hair, that is the good thing about having long hair. Not that I mind the price, I simply have no time to sit hours at the salon.
I had actually hope for a hair wash and a good head massage but those decent salons are packed and I don't have all day. Well, at least I won't look like lion king for awhile and I hope the hairdresser can fix my fringe, which I have worked on myself in a hurry a few weeks ago. I should have known better to try to trim my fringe right before I need to rush for an appointment. It is ok, I didn't die from crazy bangs, they are mere reminders of my sacrifices for the kids. My mummy's medal.
Mummy Lim
I had actually hope for a hair wash and a good head massage but those decent salons are packed and I don't have all day. Well, at least I won't look like lion king for awhile and I hope the hairdresser can fix my fringe, which I have worked on myself in a hurry a few weeks ago. I should have known better to try to trim my fringe right before I need to rush for an appointment. It is ok, I didn't die from crazy bangs, they are mere reminders of my sacrifices for the kids. My mummy's medal.
Mummy Lim
Bad, Bad, Bad
NRT is still with us. I have more or less decided that I will change her, especially when she irritates me by adding more frustration than help when I needed another pair of hands or when I hear Popo yells at her in frustration thus disturbing my peace or when Popo complains or grumbles about the stupidest thing that she did. Oh, she does stupid things everyday, so that is always plenty for Popo to grumbles about. The urge is of course less strong when things go well or when I see her really trying hard. The down side is that despite the efforts that she puts in, her improvement is pathetic. The kids still take every chance to run away from her. Housework still not up to mark and she still lacks initiative. I think it is an issue with capabilities and how to teach initiatives?
She is still on instructional mode. Give instructions and she moves. If she is unable to proceed with any part of the instruction, she pauses or tries until it is possible. She is apparently not clever enuff to work around the situation or takes initiatives to do things beyond the instructions. She follows the instruction like a SOP, word for word. Faint.
I took 3 CVs from the agencies last Sunday and only 2 of them can be contacted. One of the 2 was chosen and the remaining one did not look after kids during her 2-year stint in Sgp. The family that she was with had 2 grown up kids so I supposed she mainly deal with household chores. Once bitten, twice shy and I am reluctant to take this maid despite her having a 3 YO kid. NRT has 2 young kids herself but it seriously didn’t help things. The agent shared that there are no more CVs until beginning January bcos the agency is trying to clear up whatever CVs they are left with to start the year afresh. In other words, what they have now may be the leftovers of what others have chosen. She then suggested that we wait until the new CVs come in since we are still live-able with NRT and there is no real need to change her immediately. If we only chose the new maid in January, she will only come join us after CNY.
So we are in a catch 22 situation. No good maids to change now and we have to wait until after CNY. If we can survive so long with NRT, I think we can continue to live with her lor. Then there is Popo, who continue to complain about NRT yet refused to change her! My guess is that she doesn’t want to (a) be the bad guy (b) get the blame if the next one is worse than this one. So we are in this vicious cycle of her complaining, I threaten to change maid which she refuses (or at least says that she hasn’t decided and wants to monitor somemore) but at least stop complaining until the next thing that NRT does irk her. This cycle can repeat itself almost EVERYDAY. It happened again this morning. -______-“ Why am I in this shit?
After Popo’s first call to complain about NRT this morning, she called again to say that she wants to bring the kids to Sentosa, no swimming but to only play sand at the beach and the 3Fs are not going. Strange. She said that she wanted a break. Double strange. I suspect that she will throw the kids at me when I meet them in Sentosa after work and she will go for her RWS. She’s feeling a little rich recently. *Dread* What can we do in Sentosa with the possible wet weather or terrible heat? Haiz. If my guess is correct, she will probably not come home today to make her RWS entrance fees worth. Then she will be super cranky tomorrow due to lack of sleep and will jump at the slightest mistakes that NRT makes tomorrow, which will be plenty. I better plan my escape routes especially when Daddy Lim has to work late both days. Arrggghhhhh, what a weekend. I need help!
Mummy Lim
She is still on instructional mode. Give instructions and she moves. If she is unable to proceed with any part of the instruction, she pauses or tries until it is possible. She is apparently not clever enuff to work around the situation or takes initiatives to do things beyond the instructions. She follows the instruction like a SOP, word for word. Faint.
I took 3 CVs from the agencies last Sunday and only 2 of them can be contacted. One of the 2 was chosen and the remaining one did not look after kids during her 2-year stint in Sgp. The family that she was with had 2 grown up kids so I supposed she mainly deal with household chores. Once bitten, twice shy and I am reluctant to take this maid despite her having a 3 YO kid. NRT has 2 young kids herself but it seriously didn’t help things. The agent shared that there are no more CVs until beginning January bcos the agency is trying to clear up whatever CVs they are left with to start the year afresh. In other words, what they have now may be the leftovers of what others have chosen. She then suggested that we wait until the new CVs come in since we are still live-able with NRT and there is no real need to change her immediately. If we only chose the new maid in January, she will only come join us after CNY.
So we are in a catch 22 situation. No good maids to change now and we have to wait until after CNY. If we can survive so long with NRT, I think we can continue to live with her lor. Then there is Popo, who continue to complain about NRT yet refused to change her! My guess is that she doesn’t want to (a) be the bad guy (b) get the blame if the next one is worse than this one. So we are in this vicious cycle of her complaining, I threaten to change maid which she refuses (or at least says that she hasn’t decided and wants to monitor somemore) but at least stop complaining until the next thing that NRT does irk her. This cycle can repeat itself almost EVERYDAY. It happened again this morning. -______-“ Why am I in this shit?
After Popo’s first call to complain about NRT this morning, she called again to say that she wants to bring the kids to Sentosa, no swimming but to only play sand at the beach and the 3Fs are not going. Strange. She said that she wanted a break. Double strange. I suspect that she will throw the kids at me when I meet them in Sentosa after work and she will go for her RWS. She’s feeling a little rich recently. *Dread* What can we do in Sentosa with the possible wet weather or terrible heat? Haiz. If my guess is correct, she will probably not come home today to make her RWS entrance fees worth. Then she will be super cranky tomorrow due to lack of sleep and will jump at the slightest mistakes that NRT makes tomorrow, which will be plenty. I better plan my escape routes especially when Daddy Lim has to work late both days. Arrggghhhhh, what a weekend. I need help!
Mummy Lim
Monday, December 5, 2011
Christmas is Here Soon
How do I know?
1. Bcos I am busy shopping for Christmas prezzie and I am barely half-way there. Time is running out and I don’t have much time to physically shop around for prezzies. I am letting my finger doing the shopping through online websites and bulk purchases. I bet many of the other mummies are like me.
2. Bcos there are so many performances at the shopping malls!
We caught Garfield at JP on Saturday evening. Jiejie tried to mimic the dance moves. Although she wasn’t very good at it, she appeared to enjoy the show. Jiejie loves storytelling and I bet she fancies such performances as well.
Yday, we were at Millennia Walk watching Hi5 perform. Jiejie prefers Hi5 to Garfield. Lil Isaac was with us too and I was so glad that jiejie is now independent (enuff) to watch such shows on her own and doesn’t stick to me. This mummy is a sucker for such free performances and will be running around trying to catch the different performances in the various shopping malls this festive season.
3. Bcos the kids attempted to create snow through styroform and had a good half an hour of fun. However, the little balls got caught in between the planks and we had a hard time cleaning up using the vacuum cleaner and toothpicks to dig the little balls out. We spent at least an hour doing so. Surprisingly, Lil Shauna found the picking little balls good fun and was very much entertained by the cleaning up process.
Mummy Lim
1. Bcos I am busy shopping for Christmas prezzie and I am barely half-way there. Time is running out and I don’t have much time to physically shop around for prezzies. I am letting my finger doing the shopping through online websites and bulk purchases. I bet many of the other mummies are like me.
2. Bcos there are so many performances at the shopping malls!
We caught Garfield at JP on Saturday evening. Jiejie tried to mimic the dance moves. Although she wasn’t very good at it, she appeared to enjoy the show. Jiejie loves storytelling and I bet she fancies such performances as well.
Yday, we were at Millennia Walk watching Hi5 perform. Jiejie prefers Hi5 to Garfield. Lil Isaac was with us too and I was so glad that jiejie is now independent (enuff) to watch such shows on her own and doesn’t stick to me. This mummy is a sucker for such free performances and will be running around trying to catch the different performances in the various shopping malls this festive season.
3. Bcos the kids attempted to create snow through styroform and had a good half an hour of fun. However, the little balls got caught in between the planks and we had a hard time cleaning up using the vacuum cleaner and toothpicks to dig the little balls out. We spent at least an hour doing so. Surprisingly, Lil Shauna found the picking little balls good fun and was very much entertained by the cleaning up process.
Mummy Lim
Pain
The lower back pain is still there. According to the internet, I might have chronic backpain and is urged to get medical attention if the pain doesn’t go away. The dull ache is still there despite an alternate application of ko-yoke plaster and yoko yoko rub.
I finally went for the Chinese tu nai massage yday. There is one just right next to Lil Shauna’s phonics school and I went for an half hour rub after sending her for class.
A China lady attended to me and began to give me a hard rub on my neck and my entire back focusing on my shoulder, shoulder blade and also my lower back. From time to time, she will exclaim that I have a huge chunk here and there and worked on kneading that chunk away. Accordingly to her, the muscle or nerve (or whatever) was tensed up and she was helping to “loosen” it. I didn’t really hear much of what she said bcos it was really painful when she worked on those areas. I was either trying to endure the pain or reminding myself to breathe. Yes, it was that bad. I think I even perspired trying to endure those pains.
The lower back ache did go away after the massage but I think that was bcos my entire back was sore. I started feeling the dull ache coming back a couple of hours later. Then again, the ache seems less intense. I am supposed to feel loosen up after the massage but now my shoulders are tense again leh. The lady warned me that I will get a sore back today and it is so true. My whole back is sore and those areas that she worked exceptionally hard are bad. I feel as if my whole back is full of blue-blacks. Well, if that works to cure the lower back ache, I don’t mind.
Once again, I am reminded of how old I am. And it doesn’t help that we are moving into year 2012. Sh!t, I am turning 33.
Mummy Lim
I finally went for the Chinese tu nai massage yday. There is one just right next to Lil Shauna’s phonics school and I went for an half hour rub after sending her for class.
A China lady attended to me and began to give me a hard rub on my neck and my entire back focusing on my shoulder, shoulder blade and also my lower back. From time to time, she will exclaim that I have a huge chunk here and there and worked on kneading that chunk away. Accordingly to her, the muscle or nerve (or whatever) was tensed up and she was helping to “loosen” it. I didn’t really hear much of what she said bcos it was really painful when she worked on those areas. I was either trying to endure the pain or reminding myself to breathe. Yes, it was that bad. I think I even perspired trying to endure those pains.
The lower back ache did go away after the massage but I think that was bcos my entire back was sore. I started feeling the dull ache coming back a couple of hours later. Then again, the ache seems less intense. I am supposed to feel loosen up after the massage but now my shoulders are tense again leh. The lady warned me that I will get a sore back today and it is so true. My whole back is sore and those areas that she worked exceptionally hard are bad. I feel as if my whole back is full of blue-blacks. Well, if that works to cure the lower back ache, I don’t mind.
Once again, I am reminded of how old I am. And it doesn’t help that we are moving into year 2012. Sh!t, I am turning 33.
Mummy Lim
Growing Up Too Quickly
He is still not walking and his vocabulary is still limited to "ah-tah" (peekaboo) and "mum-mum" (food) but he is definitely growing up too quickly for us.
Every now and then, he will show us new tricks that he has learnt. The latest - taking tissue from the tissue box to wipe his mouth (even if his mouth is clean) or to blow his nose like what flu-plagued ah yee did. I like the latter bcos that may mean that we will have an easier time when he is really down with running nose the next time.
Lil Isaac inherited many of jiejie's toys. One of which is the activity table. I remember seeing jiejie growing up and progressing with the different activities, starting from pressing buttons to eventually turning knobs. However, for the little man, when i finally spot him at the table, he seems to immediately dive into the toughest activity. In fact, that activity table seems too easy for him.
I am constantly in this dilemma. On one hand, I wanted him to slow down and be our baby forever. I love his chubby little arms and thighs. Jiejie lost her baby fats already. Then again, I can't wait for him to grow up so that he can start walking and tell me what he wants.
Mummy Lim
Every now and then, he will show us new tricks that he has learnt. The latest - taking tissue from the tissue box to wipe his mouth (even if his mouth is clean) or to blow his nose like what flu-plagued ah yee did. I like the latter bcos that may mean that we will have an easier time when he is really down with running nose the next time.
Lil Isaac inherited many of jiejie's toys. One of which is the activity table. I remember seeing jiejie growing up and progressing with the different activities, starting from pressing buttons to eventually turning knobs. However, for the little man, when i finally spot him at the table, he seems to immediately dive into the toughest activity. In fact, that activity table seems too easy for him.
I am constantly in this dilemma. On one hand, I wanted him to slow down and be our baby forever. I love his chubby little arms and thighs. Jiejie lost her baby fats already. Then again, I can't wait for him to grow up so that he can start walking and tell me what he wants.
Mummy Lim
Sunday, December 4, 2011
Really The End
Jiejie skipped her ballet class again. For the past week, she will always tell me that she will go for her ballet class whenever I asked her. In fact, she too said that she will go when I asked her last night and this morning when she woke up. However, she backed out when it was time to change. Again she said that she was tired.
I didn't force her. Popo thinks that I gave in too easily. To me, I rather channel the funds to some other avenues where she will better enjoy herself. Of course I had hoped that she will stay on and be really good in it but maybe her interest is not in ballet? And ballet is afterall an ECA to me. I wouldn't let her go this easily if it is something academically focused.
As for her phonics class, she seems to be still enjoying it. Teacher Rebecca said that the Launchpad that she's going for is less "playful". I hope Lil Shauna continues to enjoy her phonics.
NRT always drove my crazy this morning. We had been contemplating to change her. She still doesn't win the kids' favor. She's slow with the housework and ended up being so busy with housework or trying to pacify the howling Lil Isaac who is constantly trying to escape her. In the end, she doesn't have much time with jiejie. In Centris, she's too slow for the girls. When she's at the housework, Popo keeps insisting that she cannot do a good job and ended up spending time hawking over her.
This morning, she took forever at the housework and I had to entertain the 2 kids who were fighting for my attention. Things got a little crazy when Popo went to hawk over auntie. Then I realized that she hasn't been sweeping and mopping the area underneath the sofa, table and tv console. I saw a layer of dust and lots of toys. After she cleaned the toilet, I saw that the wall was not scrubbed and the mould were mocking at me. I was so angry when I saw that Lil Isaac's bowl wasn't clean properly. Food was stuck at a tiny groove on the external of the bowl and mould was growing! NRT explained that the usual sponge cannot reach that groove. Arrrggghhhh, no brush in the house meh? Why didn't she bother to ask? I was mad that she isn't good with the kids, spent so much time with housework yet I have a dirty house.
These are just the tip of the iceberg. We see many of these everyday. So, I went to the agency when jiejie was in her phonics class today and got 3 new resumes. Yes, it is very cruel to her if we send her back. But we are cruel to ourselves if we continue to keep her and she doesn't improve. I will give her another week. She better buck up.
Mummy Lim
I didn't force her. Popo thinks that I gave in too easily. To me, I rather channel the funds to some other avenues where she will better enjoy herself. Of course I had hoped that she will stay on and be really good in it but maybe her interest is not in ballet? And ballet is afterall an ECA to me. I wouldn't let her go this easily if it is something academically focused.
As for her phonics class, she seems to be still enjoying it. Teacher Rebecca said that the Launchpad that she's going for is less "playful". I hope Lil Shauna continues to enjoy her phonics.
NRT always drove my crazy this morning. We had been contemplating to change her. She still doesn't win the kids' favor. She's slow with the housework and ended up being so busy with housework or trying to pacify the howling Lil Isaac who is constantly trying to escape her. In the end, she doesn't have much time with jiejie. In Centris, she's too slow for the girls. When she's at the housework, Popo keeps insisting that she cannot do a good job and ended up spending time hawking over her.
This morning, she took forever at the housework and I had to entertain the 2 kids who were fighting for my attention. Things got a little crazy when Popo went to hawk over auntie. Then I realized that she hasn't been sweeping and mopping the area underneath the sofa, table and tv console. I saw a layer of dust and lots of toys. After she cleaned the toilet, I saw that the wall was not scrubbed and the mould were mocking at me. I was so angry when I saw that Lil Isaac's bowl wasn't clean properly. Food was stuck at a tiny groove on the external of the bowl and mould was growing! NRT explained that the usual sponge cannot reach that groove. Arrrggghhhh, no brush in the house meh? Why didn't she bother to ask? I was mad that she isn't good with the kids, spent so much time with housework yet I have a dirty house.
These are just the tip of the iceberg. We see many of these everyday. So, I went to the agency when jiejie was in her phonics class today and got 3 new resumes. Yes, it is very cruel to her if we send her back. But we are cruel to ourselves if we continue to keep her and she doesn't improve. I will give her another week. She better buck up.
Mummy Lim
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