Cartoon kids

Someone recently remarked that Verity looked like Cabbage Patch kids. Yea so true! Doeful eyes, button nose, small mouth, chubby cheeks.

Many commented that Cavan looked like Jack Jack when he was a baby.

Why do our kids all resemble cartoon characters?

Return of the Working Mama

Tomorrow, I will return to the rat race. Admittedly, I've been looking forward to this day. However, as the day draws nearer, I'm beginning to have mixed feelings. Half of me wants to stay home.

Think I enjoyed this maternity leave more than the previous, though more exhausting. Reason being I had a conversation partner- Cavan. During my 1st maternity leave, there was only baby Cavan. I didn't have a decent adult conversation the whole day. Only monologue. And the replies came in "Wahhhhh!", "Eh eh eh", "Gurgle, gurgle." As you can see, I'm a social being. I need to talk!

Well, the things I'll miss when I return to work:

* enjoying private mornings with Cavan, dunking our wheat crackers in milo kosong

* hearing him yell, "Mommy, I'm home already!" as he returns from PG before letting loose on the happenings at PG

* feeling the warmth of Verity's tiny body while rocking her on my shoulder, and having her sleep on my chest

* watching Verity's satisfied face after nursing her

* seeing my 2 kids interact with each other

* watching my 2 kids asleep in the mornings and savouring every moment gazing at their serene, cherubic faces

Maid in Singapore

We have sucuumbed to the inevitable - getting a domestic helper.

But no, she's not going to stay with us. I'm engaging her to help my parents.

Given my mom's medical condition, I worry about taxing her too much with the care of our 2 young children once I return to work. My mom has never mentioned that she needed help. On the contrary, she insisted that she could cope. My dad is around to help out, but he can't handle babies and he's been complaining of numbness in his face, and a strained knee. Moreover, mom has hospital appointments twice a week so it would be great to have a helper at home. This would ease the load off my parents a lot.

Looking through the bio-data, I still can't imagine having the stranger enter our lives. I seriously don't know what to look out for. Filipina, Indonesian? Single, married, with kids? We can interview the maid over the phone but, what am I going to ask?

I'm absolutely clueless.

God, I pray for wisdom in getting a good helper. Please guide us in our choice and help us to adapt to this change in our lives. I pray that we will get along with the new helper and my parents will be happy with the selection. Amen.

Resuming Sunday

After a month-long hiatus, we're back to a fully-packed Sunday!

Cavan was so glad to be back at Children's Church where his daddy teaches, joining the big kor-kors and jie-jies. Plus playing with daddy & mummy's friends, especially Uncle Victor & Auntie Yvonne!

After CC and church service, we, as usual, lunched with Kym, TC and their 2 bubbies at our fav Sunday lunch haunt - Crystal Cafe for porridge buffet!

This is our fav place cos the place is not too crowded; Our 2 toddlers have the space to move around; We don't feel pressured to eat quickly and give up our table; The toddlers eat for free! Considering the adult portion that Cavan eats, it is soooo worth it!

We usually spent almost the whole of our Sunday afternoons here if we come here for lunch and joked that we can settle lunch and dinner here (since it closes at 10pm). The waiters and waitresses probably recognised us, since we were the longest staying customers! The last time we came, Kym and I were heavily pregnant and we stayed as long! This time, we were still unstoppable despite having our newborns. Worse-still, the 2 todds were "unsupervised" since we were busy tending to the babies!

Baby Verity had been sleeping throughout. From her feed at 8.45am till 2pm, she was soundly asleep amid the loud noises and music in church! I was desperate for her to wake up so I could feed her (I was "bursting") but nothing can rouse her. Finally managed to feed her before our lunch so I could eat in peace. Alas, after that she refused to sleep so Clem had to hold her and have his lunch interrupted.

At 4+, we parted our ways and I wanted to shop at Vivocity. Desperately tried to make Cavan nap as he was up almost the whole day (napping only for 30 min during service) and having only slept 7.5 hours the night before.

I was so happy I managed to do some shopping. Have been buying stuff for the kids. Finally something for myself! Oops we forgot the time - it was close to 8pm - and we headed to my in-laws' for dinner.

It was great as there's always someone tending to the baby. Cavan had his uncles to entertain him. My hands were free while I had dinner! It's always great to be with family.

I was recharged. Now, to face another week ahead!

Maternity Clothes? No way!

I am sure glad that I didn't need to buy maternity clothes at all durring my pregnancy! (also didn't buy any when expecting Cavan.) They are expensive, mostly frumpy and, what am I going to do with them after birth?

Friends ask me where I get my clothes from so I share a few tips with them. Actually during this pregnancy, the boho style were in, so I did not have to worry. Loose clothings, flare tops were common, so almost every retail shop carried something I could wear. My normal size some more!

I could also always count on dear Mango, which carries a range of stretchy tops and bottoms with elastic bands.

Now I can still wear them, in my post-natal-neither-here-nor-there kind of size and figure. Some people still have to resort to wear maternity clothes post-birth cos they still can't fit into their normal clothes. So buy smart, and save money!

*Ahem*! Fashion Show below:

20 wks preg.
Top: Esprit, Skirt: New Balance

22 wks

Gold top: Mango, Flare pants: Pasar Malam

23 wks
Top: Esprit, Hipster denim skirt ($10): Factory outlet

24 wks
Top: Esprit, Flare pants: Pasar Malam

25 wks
White top: Giorgano, Jacket: Padini, 3/4 hipster pants: Billabong, Belt: Esprit

31 wks

Top: Pull and Bear, Skirt: Mango

33 wks

Black camisole: Mango, Linen skirt: Mango, Knitted wear: No brand

33 wks
Top: Baleno, Skirt: Pasar Malam

34 wks
Top: Giordano, Long skirt: Fox

39 wks
Top: Ebase, Skirt: Mango

See, Mango is every preggie's best friend!

peace

The baby's sleeping. The brother is at PG. The house is cleaned.

Peace. Bliss.

I had my hair-tearing moments the day Clem returned to work. And the baby decided to bully her mommy. Wide-eyed and cried unconsolably for the whole day.

Oh dear, colic. I thought and expected this to last a few days.

Thankfully, it didn't.

While the baby slept, I was able to clean up the house, washed the clothes, eat lunch, snack, surf the net and update my blog!

Ahhh... the simple pleasures of housewifery.

the 2-hour window

Breastfeeding has made planners of most (if not all) moms. Especially those who can't stick around at home, like me. I slipped out many times during my confinement. My feet were itching to get out.

Verity demands to be fed every 2 hours and I have yet to introduce the bottle. So I had to plan my excursions, or rather escapades, on 2-hour windows:

Step 1: While travelling, feed. Identify a nursing location at the shopping destination.
Step 2: 2-hour Window. Shop.
Step 3: Feed.
Step 4: 2-hour Window. Shop/ have meal. Identify a nursing location at the next shopping destination.
Step 5: Feed

Repeat the steps till we decide we should head home. Then the next feed would be in the car.

I must thank the support group for advocating breastfeeding in public places. People are more aware and less judgmental of mothers who nurse in public places. (And of course, we should be more discreet and not expose flesh.) I'm not sure whether it's due to increased acceptance, or I've become thick-skinned, but I'm less conscious than during Cavan's time.

So I've breastfed in libraries, food courts and while enjoying my meal. Nothing can stop a mom who can't stay home!