Holiday programme

Ash has started her school holiday since last week. We have four weeks to get into each other's nerves around the house. I planned a few activities that she could do during these four weeks to entertain herself.

In the first week, I bought some buttons so that she could make two buttons frames for her friends. She enjoyed that activity and I should say that the photo frames did turned out quite well.

Then for this week, we signed her up for cartoon sketching classes at the nearby community club. The course runs for 4 days. So in the mornings, Supering would send us to the community club before heading to work. Once Ash is safely in the class, I would head to Compass Point on the other side of the road with Aver. It was fun seeing Aver sitting in her pram and then without me noticing, she fell asleep.

Once at Compass Point, I would head for Burger King or MacDonald's for a drink and fries. Will sit there for almost an hour reading my book (will talk about this book later). Then once the time is up, I would head back across the road to pick Ash up for lunch then we head home. It was fun but also tiring. By Tuesday night, I was all worn out and ended up sleeping on the sofa while watching DVD with Superpig. By Wednesday, I was totally beaten. And on Thursday, I was all ready to salute those mums who sent their children to all the enrichment classes one after another.

As for Ash, she totally enjoyed the lessons. So I am also very pleased even though it tired me out. From another mum, I found out that there is usually this class during the holidays. So I would like to enrol her the next time.

Then today, was cupcakes day! I thought it would be a good challenge to bake some cupcakes and decorate it (which seems to be the in thing now). So after breakfast, off we went to the supermarket to buy all the necessary things. Late in the afternoon we started to work on the cupcakes.

The cupcakes looks okay but the icing melted too easily. I found out that the amount of butter played a part in how the icing turned out. So will go find out more and try the next time again.

While out buying the ingredients for the cupcakes, I was thinking how should I surprise Superpig. He already expected the cupcakes as his Father's Day gift. However, there is no fun with just that. So we went to buy the new Transformer Toy - Optimus ...something. It was on sale and I used the vouchers that I redeemed the other time so the whole thing was about 50% off the original price.

Superpig was sure surprised with the gift! Should see how happy he was with his toy. I was glad that I made that effort. Oh, it was also his birthday gift too.

Okay, now I move on to the book that I mentioned earlier. I decided that I want to try to read Chinese novel to relive those days that in secondary school whereby I did read those Taiwanese novels to improve my Chinese. So I borrowed one from the library, a story adapted from a Japanese drama. I am surprised that I understood almost 70% of what had been read and actually quite enjoyed it.

28 May 2007, Monday - Out on our own

Ash developed an unknown rash that does not itch the day before. She was not feverish too. That was the problem... a rash that we had no idea what it is. So off we went to the doctor's in a cab with Superpig. He was dropped off at his work place and then we were on our own.



The doctor could not determine what the rash was too. There was no fever and since her high fever was two weeks ago it could not be related. However, he can confirm that it was not a dengue rash so not to worry too much. Was told to sit and wait it out. Prescribed some medication and off we went.


Out of the clinic, then I realised that I need to go to the washroom. However, there was no way I could go with little Aver in my arms. So we went to the nursing room, I asked Ash to help me look after Aver lying on the changing table. However, knowing Ash has her moods, I thought it was not very safe. Saw a lady with her toddler in the room and asked her to help me look over them (a bit scared that she may grab the two and run away... but I prayed that the lady is not a crook) and then ran to relieve myself and ran back immediately. So from this experience, I realised the importance of the pram (which I have yet to learn how to use). However, if its only me and the two girls, I need to travel light, a pram will not allow me to take public transport easily unless it is the taxi (which is very expensive).

After the washroom excitement, it was to MacDonald's for brunch...yes...in the rush to get to the doctor's we did not eat anything. So it was time to fill up the tummy.

With our tummy filled it was shopping time! Bought two hand-knitted shrugs of the two girls. Had always wanted to knit for them but somehow knitting is not something that I managed to master... one day, I promise myself I will pick it up. Since I cannot knit then I had to pay to get what I want.

Once we were done at United Square, took a ride on the MRT to Newton to Ministry of Environment to find Mah Mah. Had a rest there before moving on to the next destination.

Next, hopped onto the MRT to Plaza Singapura. Needed to go to Spotlight to buy some buttons for Ash to do some holiday crafts. By the time, we finished at Spotlight, both Ash and myself were very tired. As for Aver, don't think she was much bothered as long as she had her milk and her sling snuggle in, she should be quite satisfied.

Since we were all tired, I thought we should go on straight home. However, dinner would be a problem as I was too tired to cook. Called Superpig and we arranged to meet at Compass Point for dinner. So off we went onto the MRT and to Sengkang we went.

We had a good dinner at Sakae Sushi... a good reward for myself as I managed to bring the two girls out on my own. A good reward for Ash as she behaved herself and helped me carry our goodies .

I succeeded!

in sewing a quilt for Averlyn.

It is not a perfect one because not every piece is sewed together accurately but still I managed to complete it!

I am so proud of myself.

What's up?

Life is really a challenge everyday.

As Ashlyn grows older she has a mind of her own and so there is this power struggle almost everyday. Till now it is still within my ability to handle. However, there were also days that I was already very tired and my abilty to handle her power struggles is not very good.

Hence, there were days that I shouted and did more to get her to listen to me. I hate myself for being like that. I really do. So now I am telling myself that when I feel myself losing control I have to move away, take a break or simply ask her to stop what she is doing and move away from me for a little while. In so doing, I can cool down and I will not be further irritated by her.

Then there is Averlyn. I guess she must be teething as she has been drooling non-stop and munching her fingers away. She also started to bite when she nursed and that truly hurt a lot. So, I think she could be feeling rather uncomfortable and hence she is not sleeping well in the day and also in the night. In other words, I get no sleep too.

So to prevent another bout of depression, I really have to let go of the idea that I am a superwoman. We decided to engage a part-time cleaner to help with the housework... my part of the housework.

Yippeee... we found one and the first session was two days ago. I am impressed with her ability to clean the common bathroom... I never thought that my bathroom can be so clean. In order to get it that clean, she spent quite some time cleaning it. So the master bedroom's bathroom have to wait till next week. Well, then there is the dusting...okay lah... she did wipe off the massive amount of dust collected on every surface...she did miss some spot but hey, it was her first time here. Overall, I am glad that I can put my feet down on my floor and walk!

Superpig is a ...

	Cheer Bear You're the Care Bear cheerleader! Your spunky personality and optimisim lifts everyone's spirit. Though you want everyone to be happy, you stand your ground on issues you feel strongly about and this can bring disunity among your friends. Despite this, you are a true believer in working together.
Take the Which Care Bear Are You? Quiz!

My Projects

Last week I managed to complete two projects. It is really hard to find time to do my crafts ... haiz....

Here's the two scrapbook projects I completed.
Look at those chubby cheeks... and don't you think Averlyn looks just like her sister, excpet not as chubby?









Then I did this bib late Saturday night (21 April 2007).


Wishing for more time to get more done.

Averlyn's first swim

15 April 2007, Sunday... it was the first swim for Averlyn. Sadly, I was not able to join in as I was having my menses. So she was in the pool with Daddy, Ashlyn, cousins,,uncle (tua gu) and aunt (kim kim).

Averlyn cried quite a bit and refused to be carried by Superpig but was rather happy to be in the arms of kim kim. Superpig was kind of upset but I think it was because Averlyn did not really like his carpet chest.

Since I cannot join in, I took a lot of pictures of them playing in the pool.

I cannot wait for the next trip to the pool. I want to be swimming with my girls.

Interesting Character DNA

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First day of work - 21 March 2007, Wednesday

Went back to work two days ago.

Was very nervous as I had to ensure that I had enough expressed breast milk for Averlyn. So was trying very hard to express my milk on Tuesday and managed to expressed a total of 7.5 oz. Based on the calculation on a website, Averlyn would need about 2.5 oz to 3 oz each feed. So considering that I would be away for four hours, Averlyn should have enough. If she really doesn't, there was the frozen stash. Still, I was nervous. In the end, I was scolded by my mum and Superpig.

The conversation that transpired between the three of us:
"You still have the frozen milk! Why you worry so much?" said Superpig.
"It is better to have the one that was expressed 24 hour before than the frozen ones." I tried to explain.
Mum sat there, shaking her head.
"Then got so many frozen bags for what?" a rather impatient Superpig said.
Not wanting to lose in the battle, I retorted,"To make breast milk ice-cream for you to eat!"
"She wants to make ice-creams for you, so let her continue to freeze lah!" my cannot take it anymore Mum said.
Superpig gave up the battle...
So I won.

Anyway, I realised that those full time working mothers are really superwomen. The number of milk bottles I had to wash and also to sterilise before I set off to work was no fun. Although, I only had to prepare 4 bottles and a pair of pump, I still find that that was a lot of work. Then, I had to squeeze my pump machine, the pump, bottles, cooler bag and ice block into my bag. In the end, my bag was bulging and unable to be zipped up.

So off I went to work along with Superpig and Ashlyn, leaving Averlyn in the care of my mum. At least, she did no cry when she saw me left.

In my absence, Averlyn did cry a little and it was because she was tired. She managed to catch a little nap but was awoken by my phone call home. She had no problem drinking the expressed milk from the milk bottle. She drank 2.5 oz with a little coaxing from my mum. She drank and drifted off to sleep so my mum said it was not too bad afterall. At around 4p.m., she took another 2.5 0z and drifted off to sleep. She woke up not long after when we (Superpig and myself) came home. She woke up and started looking for me, her eyes following wherever I went.

So the day went quite well in Averlyn's area. However, in my owm area it was not too well. I was already having a little flu but by evening, my flu got very bad. So I had to request for a day of MC from Superpig the next day. Yes, stay-at-home-mum also need medical leave...

Thank you Superpig for staying home to work so that I had ample rest.

My projects for this year

Okay, to ensure that I do not forget the many things that I want to embark on doing, I better pen it down here. So if you are eading this, try to ask me once in a while how my projects are coming along...okay?

1) Scrapbook Ashlyn's growth since birth
2) Scrapbook Averlyn's growth since births
3) Scrapbook special events that happened
4) Scrapbook monthly about our lives and activities
5) Continue with my cross-stitching
6) Making of tissue holders
7) Blogging for Ashlyn
8) Blogging for Averlyn
9) Blogging for myself
10) Work (BLAH!)

My digital scrapbooking challenge

Yes... I finally decided to do a challenge and see how I fare. Of course, compared with those advance scrapbookers, there is still a lot of catching up to do. But, if I don't give it a try I would not know how to improve on my scrapbooking projects right?



So here is the project for the sketch challenge.



So how does it look? My own comments? I love it. Thank goodness I have two girls so I can use all the pink and purple that I like. :)

Today's project

Thought I should make a digital scrapbook album for Ashlyn showing her growth since her birth. Then it can go well with her blog.

Here's the first page:

Averlyn's blog

Okay, today I decided to start a blog for Averlyn. In this blog it will be all about Averlyn and her antics. Sad to say, I do not have that much time to create a website for her like I had done for Ashlyn so the next best thing is a blog.

And as for Ashlyn's website, think it is time for me to transfer everything to her own blog too. The website is encountering some problems and due to lack of time, I was not able to create more pages after she turned 3 years old.

I know I am not a superb mother but hey... I am not superwoman too.

The next step... Ashlyn's blog!

Today's project

Yes, I finally managed to find a little time to do this scrapbooking project. Has been itching to do it but got no time.

Earthquakes in Sumatra

Yesterday was the first time in my life that I encounter tremors at my house. I had always heard people around me saying that they had experienced tremors when there were earthquakes in Indonesia and had always wondered what it felt like.

So I felt it twice yesterday at home. The first time was at 1155 a.m. while I picked Averlyn out of her playpen as she wanted to be carried. At that time her playpen was shaking and the glass doors of the display cabinet were shaking too. I thought it was because I was shaking the playpen and hence it knocked against the glass doors. I quickly took a step away and the playpen and glass doors were still shaking. I took a look at the lundry rack and saw that it was also swaying. At that same time, I ws feeling giddy. Fearing that I may faint and drop Averlyn from my arms, I made my way to the sofa. Then it occurred to me that it could be due to an earthquake.

I was in a forum chat and spotted a topic which highlighted that they also felt the tremors. Then I realised that I was right and that was how it felt to be swaying in a high-rise flat, all the way up on sixteenth floor. Sure was giddy.

Considering that Averlyn's playpen was right beside the display cabinet, I decided that I would let her sleep on the sofa beside me. So for the rest of the time, I sat on the sofa working on my laptop with Averlyn beside me.

After two hours or so I felt giddy again. Saw that the sofa I was sitting on seemed to be swaying. Took a look out of the window and realised that the flat was really swaying. Then Averlyn woke up crying. Immediately called Kenny and reported to him about the second tremor. His reply," Aiyah! Not there to experience it. What a waste." .... duh! I am scared out of my wits and that was his reply.

Then after that I have this nagging giddiness that didn't seemed to go away. There was also this nagging fear of another tremor.

My Valentine's Day

Boring! Yes... that is because my dearest husband was away on reservist. Although he came back as early as 3p.m. but he was dead tired. So for the rest of the day I was facing a rather grouchy man. So much for Valentine's Day.



At least we did not stay home and get into each other's nerves. Ashlyn had art lesson so that gave us an excuse to get out of the house. So Valentine's Day dinner was... MacDonalds.



Due to budget, there was no gift for each other. No flowers too. However, I managed to do this for him and for the two princesses.

A Bad Fall

On Saturady morninng (3 Feb 07), Ashlyn tripped over her own shoes and fell. It was a very bad fall.

She fell right beside me and at the moment I wanted to help her up and consoled her but I could not. I was helpless. In my arms was Averlyn and hence there was no way I could pick Ashlyn up at all. My heart hurt everytime I think of it. I realised that it is not easy to be a parent to more than one kid. I miss the time I had with Ashlyn only. I missed the closeness that we had. Now, she will look for her Daddy more than me.

I cannot blame her. Averlyn is a very sticky baby and she sticks to me. Everytime Ashlyn looks at me, Averlyn will be in my arms. I can feel her lost too.

Despite this, Ashlyn has been a great sister to Averlyn. She will help me watch over her while I get some stuff done around the house. She enjoys giving her little sister hugs and kisses. It warms me everytime she does that.

On top of all these, Ashlyn will comfort me when I breakdown after a long and tiring time with Averlyn. She will always say," Mummy, babies are like that. You cannot get angry. Don't cry, okay? I call Daddy?"

My life for the past week

I managed to survive the week alone with my two darlings. I must say that it can be rather hectic around the house.

Every morning, I have to wake up as early as 6.30, right after Averlyn's last feed, to have a quick shower and prepare the raw food needed for lunch and dinner. Once that is done, it will be getting Ashlyn out of bed so that I can give her a shower. Don't think it will be a good idea for Kenny to shower her anymore. After that, it is bathing time for Averlyn.

Before I give Averlyn her bath, I must first get Ashlyn's breakfast ready. After the bath, it will be feeding time for Averlyn while Ashlyn do her work.

Where is Kenny all this while? Sometimes, I allow him to sleep a little later. Sometimes, I get him to do the bathing for Averlyn while I give Ashlyn a shower.

The good thing is that I do not have to send Ashlyn to school. Kenny does that for me at 11 a.m. so that is one burden off my shoulders. During the 3 hours that Ashlyn is in school, I will be at home with Averlyn but she is one tough baby. She doesn't like to sleep in her playpen but preferred to be carried. So I will carry her in one arm while the other hand is typing away on my computer. No... I am not surfing the net, I am working at the same time.

At 2.15 p.m., I will pack Averlyn into the sling and make our way to Ashlyn's school to pick her up. Once home, we will have lunch and off Ashlyn goes to have a nap. This is the time where I will continue working and also continue carrying Averlyn.

My other digital scrapbooking projects

Here are the others that I had done.

I am still around

Have not beem blogginf for a long long time. That is because I had been quite caught up in my work, my pregnacy and my daughter.

Now, I have already given birth to my second daughter, Averlyn. She will be turning 4 weeks old tomorrow. Life with a newborn and a very active 5 year old can be quite hectic at home. I can only say that I am thankful that my mother is here for me while I am in confinement. However, on 16 Jan 2007, the day that marks the end of my confinement, it also marks the end of my mother's help. She will not be her 6 days 24 hours but has other plans. Of course, I cannot selfishly make her remain here to help me. She is a woman who needs to go out and work and roam around. Confining her to the house can reallt drive her nuts.

So from next week onwards, I have to learn to adapt and schedule everything to ensure that the household runs properly. I am not asking for perfection, which it almost impossible, but only wish that things get done and all.

At this very moment, I picked up another new hobby...Scrapbooking. I had always loved the way people had scrapbooked and had wanted to give it a try but looking at the massive equipments and the things needed, I really thought twice... actually many times. Anyway, Kenny had also commented that he will not support this hobby as the expenses will be high and the storeroom is overwhelmed by my craft things. So I just looked and admired other people's work.

Until I chanced upon a website, which was introduced be a mother on a forum. It brought me to the world of digital scrapbooking. Hey... the catch here is that it is digital and I do not have to buy anything to store up at home. Everything is stored in my computer. Since, I have got a new system for myself in the last few months, I can use it effectively for digital scrapbooking.

So I started on 10 Jan 2007 and I am totally hooked on it. I have done two layouts so far and I must say... they may not be fabulous but they still look nice enough. Take a look and see for yourself.