47th week of motherhood

25jul - 31jul

- was feeling a little tired after taking care of TK all by ourselves since 9jul (16 nights)
- Dardy has OT and I've asked Ma to tag along to fetch TK
- went to dine out and met Aunt and family
- TK sat in the baby chair outside infant care for the first time (he erg erg initially, but I tried again, and finally Ma had to give him a small saucer to keep him occupied I almost finished my food)
-

- had to reach office by 10a
-

- had phototaking for our department at noon after 1030a meeting
- had fried rice, mashed potato and plain waffle w colleague (2nd time I'm having food in the canteen this month and there're 3 other occasions I had take-away)
-

- had fried rice before meeting a 'client'
- rushed to meet hubby & TK for dinner before Dharma class but there's a train fault towards Pasir Ris
- stopped for almost 6 times from the station after Queenstown station to the next station
- hubby's journey was extended by about 20 minutes and very much a 'sardined' journey experience
- at one point a Chinese lady even helped herself to pushing TK's baby stroller away so she can alight without first asking or politely say 'Excuse me'
- many people were using the gate for wheelchairs to exit the SMRT station and hubby had no choice but to 'cut queue' and saying 'If you don't mind' and tapping the EZ-link card without waiting for any reply
- had dinner at 悦意轩Yes Natural at Aljunied
- went smoothly throughout the class as TK is contented after fed while listening to the class by Ven YW for the first time
- sleepy while topping up the water and TK's milk, cereals & puffs
-
- went to bed at 1a
- woke up at TK's cries at 548a
-

47th week Dearest Bb TK

26jul - 1aug'11

323 days' old, you went to 'school' early with Marmy as Dardy is busy with his IT course;
324 days' old, you toppled a big white paper bag placed on the floor when you crawled out of the 'number' foam mat;
325 days' old, you received lots of cereals and milk powder from Uncle R and Aunt W who came to visit you after dinner; Grandma came to visit you;
326 days' old, you were pushed away in the baby stroller when you're on a crowded SMRT train w Dardy; are gg to Yes Natural for dinner for the first time; you stared at a family of 3 nearby, and was elated when the little gorgor came over to say 'hello'; went to the Dharma centre for the 2nd time to attend the Dharma class for the first time conducted by Ven YW for the last time; made many different sounds during the class and even laughed at some points after Ven paused;
327 days' old, you poo at 615a;
328 days' old, you celebrated the first 7th lunar month; went Sunday banking w Dardy;
329 days' old, you wave bye bye to Marmy when Aunt L carried you at infant care; you went 'aargh-aargh' on the way home;

46th week of motherhood

18jul - 24jul

- sent TK to infant care and made the bed while TK is seated in the Activity area with Tr T feeding Lil' C
- had to reach office by 11a
- fetch TK after work as hubby OT (passed TK to me at SMRT station at 640p)
-

- stayed home after hubby left home to send TK to 'school' to do some chores
-

- meeting my boss again for appraisal but when I reached there 15 minutes after the appointment time (was doing amendment to the document as the statistics were required since last year when I was on leave), boss was not there (called mobile phone but no answer)
-

- met hubby at the centre for Dharma class as it was getting late
- hubby had bought me the glutinous cake to eat with dinner
- I sneaked out at around 830p when Venerable paused after a classmate went up to collect her notes
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- went for Yoga for Stress Management Workshop while hubby babysat TK
- was feeling more stressed getting ready to leave when I had to get the necessities ready for hubby to babysit
- bought lunch home for hubby after the Workshop ended
- we learnt how to do some yoga poses such as the Child's pose, Cat's pose, Rabbit's pose, and the Lion roar (palms and knees on the floor, face front, cross eyed, open wide mouth, stick out tongue and roar)
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- went for Sunday banking
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45th week of motherhood

11jul - 17jul

- had to reach office by 11a
- had to fetch TK as hubby OT
- mum came to visit us with my dinner
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- had to reach office by 10a
- hubby went to buy me lunch while I sent TK into the infant care centre
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46th week Dearest Bb TK

19jul - 25jul'11

316 days' old, you poo at 7a; had 2.5oz of milk at 1045p;
317 days' old, you had 2.5oz of cereals at 1045p;
318 days' old, you
319 days' old, you sit up while lying in the cot; Aunt Ee gave you a box of organic Baby Meal (Brown rice porridge with pumpkin); went to bed at 9p
320 days' old, you woke up at 650a; kneel then sit up while lying face down in the cot at 10m 2w 2d old; had raisin bread at 3p + 1.75oz of milk;
321 days' old, you woke up at 655a; poo at 550p; nap at 145p
322 days' old, you woke up at 655a;

45th week Dearest Bb TK

12jul - 18jul'11

309 days' old, you poo at 1115a; 
310 days' old, you poo at 7a;
311 days' old, you poo at 745a; fell at infant care and eyebrow was still red when you left;
312 days' old, you poo at 655a;
313 days' old, you poo at 905a;
314 days' old, you poo at 7a, 9a & 1025a;
315 days' old, you poo at 650a;

Using Realpayer to trim Video

It's become so easy and convenient to be a movie-video maker these days. Go to
realplayer video-editing to have a look yourself. Try it!

A New Start Day 37 to 48 (TK PAPA LAM)

Another 2 weeks have passed and wow... we have accomplished so many things that Dardy cant even recall all of them.

1. Completed TK's 2nd dose of Pneumococo vaccine.
2. TK has learnt to crawl suddenly (chasing after Marmy and eyes on the floor wipe stick) and trying to stand up.
3. Mummy has done her med review.
4. Dardy has passed VCP exam.
5. We have been cooking and making delicious healthy food 6-8 meals a week.
6. Biz development stage 1 has started. Though a bit slow with limited resources and time, its great baby steps.
7. TK is 10 months+ old. We are coming out with simple ideas to celebrate TK's 1st birthday with the objective of leaving in him some great values.
8. House is cleaned and we are still making it neater.
9. "Bow Wow" as TK likes to say. great weeks! And "wow wow" nice windy air.
10. And we have taken our meditation exam at SBF too.
11. Time to relax and enjoy the 'NOW'.

3 Great Chinese Fables shared by Emily from the book given by Sis Huiling and etransported by Dardy

1. Making the best out of what you have now.

要懂得放下一切沮丧、虚妄的欲望、烦恼，看看自己现在拥有的。生活是一种最丰厚的投资，只要你把现有的能力加以发挥，它就会产生无限的利润。



2. Focus and achieve by baby steps.
生命中的目标因某些原因无法实现时，是放弃还是换种方式将它实现呢？放弃是对自己能力的否定，也是失败的代言词;与其如此，不如在自己力所能及的范围内，再设定一个接近的目标并将之实现。


3. Story similar to the 90 degree effects.


<老翁挑水>

年轻人跋山涉水去寻找生活的真正意义，他总觉得自己的付出得不到回报，把大好的青春都浪费了。

他来到一座山下，看见一位老翁往山上挑水，并且他还发现老翁的两个水桶漏水，虽然漏得不多，但一路上滴滴答答也要失去半桶。

年轻人不解地问道：“老翁，你的桶为什么不修理一下？这样漏水多浪费啊！”

“你放心，所有的热情都不会浪费，更何况我洒的是珍贵的水。”

老翁微笑着说。

半年后，当年轻人身心疲惫地返回，又走在村庄的路上时，他的眼睛一亮。原来，老翁走过的地方开满了鲜花。

[事实就是这样的，只要我们付出了，就一定会有收获。当然，收获的不全是成功的果实，也有挫折的痛苦。不管相信与否，我们就是在成与败的经历中逐渐成长起来的。]

生命的精髓

人生的长度，就是一呼一吸。只有这样认识生命，才是真正体证了生命的精髓。应该把握生命的每一分钟、每一时刻，勤奋不己，勇猛精进！

Be Wise or Face the consequences at ordering at Tze Char Stall

Stall A (Coffee shop at Lor 4 Toa Payoh):
Vegetables dishes are sold at $6 (S) and $9 (M)
Claypot Tofu dishes are sold at $8 (S) and $12 (M)
Meat dishes are sold at $8 (S) and $12 (M)
Fish dishes are sold at $8 (S) and $12 (M)
Vegetable Luo Han Zai at $7 (S) and $9 (M)

Stall B (Coffee shop at Toa Payoh Central):
Vegetables dishes are sold at $7 (S) and $9 (M)
Claypot Tofu dishes are sold at $12 (S) and $16 (M)
Meat dishes are sold at $8 (S) and $12 (M)
Fish dishes are sold at $9 (S) and $14 (M)
Vegetable Luo Han Zai at $8 (S) and $10 (M)

Dinner for 4pax (non-vegetarian) + 1pax (vegetarian):
Dishes: Claypot tofu, Kailan, Fish and Luo Han Zai

Menu 1: order all 4 Small dishes instead of Medium dishes at Stall A saves you $14

Menu 2: order all 4 Medium dishes
Result: 1 dish untouched and 0.25 dish unfinished

Be A Bully or Be bullied

If you suspect that the dishes are not what you've ordered, ask to have it changed before you finish the food or  settle the bill.

If you're dissatisfied with the dishes ordered at Tze Char Stall, you may leave without paying for it.

If you're dissatisfied with the dishes, you may choose not to frequent the stall in future.

Now that the food has been eaten, payment made, there's nothing to say even when there was something wrong about the order. 

The above advice is provided by the tow-kay at the Tze Char at Blk 9* Lor 4 Toa Payoh.

44th week of motherhood

4jul - 10jul

- fetching TK from infant care as hubby has OT
- received a call from the clinic to bring forward the appointment time (almost slipped my mind that it's tomorrow)
- did work appraisal at 5pm, swept the floor using Magic Clean Wipes at 6.08pm, put on bedsheet for TK's play mattress and left the house at 6.20pm
- reached the centre to fetch TK by 6.43pm and still chatted with the teacher Z who explained to me again about the porridge incident (asked teacher if they mashed the porridge before feeding TK and Teacher T had replied my call in the morning)
- placed TK on our bed while keeping him occupied w some new 'toy', i took my shower in the bedroom washroom, swayed his body from side to side w both palms on the mattress
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- went for doc review and successfully requested to get more than 3m supply of medication
- doc allowed only 15 wks of med max (for reasons due to shortage supply aka restriction)
- had lunch at Novena Lingzhi Vegetarian Restaurant (take-away lunch is $4 only)
- bought some cakes @$3.50 each, tu-tu kueh, a fried spring roll, 3 tea eggs (was very salty) and a free ride for only $19.50
- checked emails, update blog, and do some chores before it's 5.20pm now (must find some time to take short nap before making dinner and ready by 7pm)
- had planned to go to the shop to make some claim and was given some advice from the Tow-kay of the Tze Char stall in the presence of the patrons
- reached home in time to warm up food before hubby came home
- sound from the concert below was so overwhelming we had to close all windows and doors (had to switch on the fan and eventually the air-conditioner after hubby sprayed it with cleansing solution)
- Pa came to visit TK after dinner (had not seen TK for about 3 weeks)
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- sending TK to KKH for doc review with hubby
- reached Novena Sq at 1.40pm and waited for hubby who's having lunch at L3
- took free shuttle bus at Square2 to KKH
- Mum came to meet us at the clinic w TK's milk powder
- doc is happy with TK's condition and arrange to see TK in 3m
- Bro D came to fetch us after we snacked at Kopitiam
- Ma came to visit TK w Aunt H just when we're about to leave home
- took TK for pneumoccol injection w Dardy and TK yelled when doc gave the jab (must be very very painful)

- TK turns 10m and is crawling more
- needs to clean the floor and wash his hands and feet more frequently
- met Tr w hubby to discuss any concern about TK and his progress

44th week Dearest Bb TK

5jul - 11jul'11

302 days' old, you wished Grandma happy birthday when you called her; stopped infant trs feeding you fruits till your poo is more solid; crawled in the new 'Caterpillar' in 15min; Uncle R bought you some milk powder and cereals;
303 days' old, you went for doc review and doc is happy w your op wound; another review in 3m; wished Grandma happy belated birthday when she visited you; went for pneumoccol jab after dinner and yelled loudly; weighed 7.8kg
304 days' old, you turn 10m;
305 days' old, you are gg to Granddad's to stay;
306 days' old, you
307 days' old, you stayed at Grannies while Dardy and Marmy went for 1-Day Dharma Retreat; Uncle D's birthday; came home w Dardy and Marmy after dinner at Grannies;
308 days' old, you finally 'show' your upper left front tooth after 10days ;

Say Goodbye to my pink slippers

Remember the time when I wanted to get out of the bed in the hospital ward to go to the washroom (in the presence of my boss and colleague), my hubby went to get me a new pair, and finally found one suitable for me and the right size too..in the right colour (my favourite colour for most of my belongings after getting married). That was somewhere in April-May last year.

More than 1 month ago, there's a lot of stepping on my slippers especially the right one, and true enough, the strap came off yesterday and I'm still feeling sore about it. Yes, it's the right one.
And the other one any time..maybe another 1-2 months' time.

It's not the price that I'm feeling sad about. It's the value. It's the first gift from my hubby after my AVM.
I'm keeping it..the memories in my heart..even though I may not be wearing them everyday in future.

How to handle a situation when a stranger suddenly came up to your infant and 'boo!'

The best thing is to stop that person and asked him/her looking into his/her eyes why he/she had done that to your child. How does that feel if he/she is the infant sitting in the stroller or the parent pushing the stroller instead?
Does that act bring him/her joy or happiness?

The thing is, you may not have done anything if you had walked away in the opposition direction feeling stunned and not knowing how to react.
That was what happened to me and my baby TK a few days ago.

In the end, I had to tell TK that there's nothing to be alarmed and he was very brave then. Dardy and Marmy loves you, so many so many people loves you. You are such a wonderful baby with great compassion and listening ability.

Organising the first birthday party

Your baby’s birthday is a very special occasion. It’s more of an event for mum and dad than it is for baby (as baby probably didn't understand yet). No matter how big or small your celebration, it helps to think about it early. There is much less stress involved with some pre-planning.

There are a few things you need to decide on:

• Invitations (relatives, friends, colleagues etc depending on how 'large scale' you want it to be)
• Venue (depend on your budget and the availability and accessibility of the place)
• Food, drinks and the all important cake (have kids' meals provided but exclude the sandwiches as they may be too occupied with all the fun to take the staple food)
• Decorations (balloons are the all time favourite)
• Party games and activities for all your guests (if there're other 'young guests' you might want to cater to their needs such as having a baby gym room where they can be kept occupied playing and having fun)
• Others (fun pack for the 'young guests' to take home and photographer or videographer to capture the memorable moments)

Some of the Tropical Crops you find at the Zoo

We had alot of fun finding out how some of the leaves or plants of the some of the tropical crops we consume look like.

Here at the Singapore Zoo, there's this place called the Tropical Crops

and below are some of them:

It is rich in vitamin C. British sailors were given this when at sea to prevent scurvy, a Vitamin C deficiency disease.

It is lime.

This is Sweet Basil, Daun Selasih.

This is what the plant of the Sweet Basil looks like.

Snake Gourd or Petola Ular,

also known as

Trichosanthes anguina is a tropical or subtropical

vine, raised for its strikingly long fruit, used as a vegetable, medicine, and, a lesser known use, crafting didgeridoos.

This is how Snake Gourd plant looks like.

Basella alba, or Malabar spinach 

(also Phooi leaf, Red vine spinach, Creeping spinach, Climbing spinach)

is a perennial vine found in the tropics

where it is widely used

as a leaf vegetable.

Basella alba is a fast-growing, soft-stemmed vine, reaching 10 m in length.

Its thick, semi-succulent, heart-shaped leaves have a mild flavour and mucilaginous texture.

The stem of the cultivar Basella alba 'Rubra' is reddish-purple.

This is how the Ceylon Spinach plant looks like.

Do you know that

Ceylon Spinach or Malabar Greens

is an easily grown vine

from tropical Asia and Africa.

It grows as a warm season annual in most parts of Australia.

In summer,

when regular spinach turn bitter, Ceylon Spinach is at its best.

The leaves and shoots

taste similar to ordinary spinach and

they can be harvested regularly

to be eaten raw or cooked.

 This is asparagus.

Only the tender tips of young stalks are eaten.

White asparagus is produced by growing the plant without light

to inhibit the development of chlorophyll.

It is very tender and highly priced.

 This is how the leaves look like.

Do you know that

Asparagus is a useful companion plant for tomatoes.
The tomato plant repels the asparagus beetle,
as do several other common companion plants of tomatoes.

Meanwhile, asparagus may repel some harmful root nematodes
that affect tomato plants.

 This is brinjal and also known as eggplant.

 This is tapioca.
Do you know that
Tapioca root can also be used to manufacture biodegradable plastic bags.
A polymer resin produced from the plant
is a viable plastic substitute that is not only biodegradable, but is also
compostable, renewable, and recyclable.
The resulting product biodegrades in less than 1 year, as opposed to thousands of years for traditional plastics.

 This is tumeric. An underground stem (rhizome) is used to make curry powder.

It is also used as a yellow fabric dye and colouring for ceremonies.

The leaves are used for flavouring meat dishes.

Do you know that

Turmeric
is considered highly auspicious in India and

has been used extensively in various Indian ceremonies for millennia.
Even today it is used

in every part of India during wedding ceremonies and religious ceremonies.

This is laksa leaf.

Do you know that

There are two basic types of laksa: curry laksa and asam laksa.
Curry laksa is a coconut curry soup with noodles, while asam laksa is a sour fish soup with noodles.

Laksa is simply referred to or ordered at a restaurant as laksa (curry laksa) or asam laksa.
By default,
laksa means the standard curry laksa while asam laksa refers to the standard Penang version.

 Guess what tree is this?

 You should have seen this before.

 Aloe belongs to the lily family.

The gel in the leaves is applied to wounds and burns to help the healing process.

It is also added to skin and hair products.

Aloe pulp is used in drinks and desserts.

 Pandan is often referred to as the 'Vanilla of the East'.
It is used for flavouring dishes, desserts and also as a green food colouring agent.

 This is cocoa.
It originated in the Amazon and
the tree is today found growing wild in the low foothills of the Andes in the Amazon and orinoco river basins.
The name 'Theobroma' in Greek simply means 'food of the gods'.
Its seeds are used to make cocoa powder and chocolate.

This is rubber tree.
Before rubber trees were cultivated in South East Asia,
the demand for rubber was met by tapping
wild trees in Brazil.

Most of the trees in Singapore and Malaysia originate from the 22 rubber saplings sent over
from Kew Gardens, England in 1876.

Do you know?
Bees harvest nectar from the leaf stalks to make honey.

How to choose the right Safety Gate and some Tips

How to choose the right safety gate?

Some Features To consider

• One-hand release allows you to open and lock a gate with one hand especially when you are carrying a baby (and that is sure to be often)
• Dual-direction swinging allows you to open the safety gate in either direction (non-stair applications only)
• Expandable safety gates can fit doorways and openings of different sizes
• See-through safety gates allow you full vision of baby
• Installation kits help in mounting safety gates on various surfaces
• Extension kits allow gates to expand to fit openings larger than standard-size doorways and windows
• Safety gates come in various materials that complement any décor--wooden, plastic-coated steel, and soft mesh

Must know Safety Tips

• DO NOT install pressure-mounted safety gates at the top of stairways, as they cannot withstand as much pressure as wall-mounted safety gates
• DO NOT purchase baby safety gates constructed with wide mesh screens patterns larger than 1 square inch.
• DO NOT purchase accordian - style child safety gates as they pose finger pinching hazards as well as a climbing ladder in the closed position
• Discontinue using safety gates when your child is 36 inches tall or is 2 years old. A safety gate should never be less than three quarters of your child's height
• Always install pressure gates with the lock release on the opposite side you are protecting

Choose the right Safety Gate for your infant

At Kiddy Palace, you find the following safety gates:

1. Safety 1st Quick Close pressure fit gate
Nett $59.90 UP$79.90


2. Lindam safety gate
Nett $69 UP$98 with auto swing back
Nett $59 UP$85.90 without auto swing back
Dimensions: 75-82cm (W)

Extension charges:
7cm / 14cm / 28cm
Nett $13.90 / $16.90 / $24 respectively


*3. Lucky Baby
2 ways swing back gate with optional extension panels
Nett $79.90 UP$99

Dimensions: 73-136cm (W)
Extension charges:
9cm / 18cm / 27cm
*Black Nett $15 / $20.40 / $30.60

12cm / 18cm / 27cm
White Nett $15 / $20 / $30

*My Choice