coughing Ethan.

Remember I blogged about looking for a daycare centre for Ethan.

For a start, I am thinking of putting him at the daycare centre for half a day so that he can make some friends and grow up to learn to share. I don't mean he is self-centred, but afterall, he's the only child for now and is in the age of seeking attention. After attending his enrichment classes, I realised he does throw tantrum whenever the teacher is attending to other kids in the classes.

And why half a day? Simply because I feel he's too young for a full day class.

Yeah, so we did a site visit on one centre last Thursday, with baby E, my sister and mom. It's located somewhere behind Sembawang Shopping Centre, in the private estates.

I like that it has its own play yard/area for the kids, webcam services for the parents to log into internet to monitor what their own child (and perhaps other people's children) have been doing and the fact that the centre has zero (or perhaps almost nil) records for HFMD so far (according to the principal).

However, it has some shortcomings as well.
First, the location. Well, it has got school bus service but I don't quite like the idea of a 18month old taking the school bus.
Secondly, I realised the toys in the assembly hall are quite dusty. It must mean something; either they have not been doing regular cleaning or the kids have not played with those for a long time.
Thirdly and the most important factor. Language used. I saw about 3 teachers and one auntie helper and another doing the bathing (I supposed she is a teacher as well so probably a total of 4 teachers). And it so happens that 2 of the teachers I saw are native Chinese and they speak to children in mandarin as well. I voiced my concern to the principal and I could sensed that there was some awkwardness/uneasiness in her. She regained her composure and replied that if the children are led by the EL teachers, they will have to speak English in the class and likewise for the CL teachers. I didn't bring it a little further because I don't want to sound like I'm discriminating; yet I'm not convinced by the answers. It seems that the Chinese teachers are leading the toddlers class most of the time.

Anyway, my concern is, most of the time, Ethan will be exposed to more mandarin (my parents and in-laws) most of the time since only my siblings, myself and perhaps hubby will probably speak English to him. I need a place for him to speak/pick up more English than Mandarin.

Conclusion, still not my best choice.

After the visit, we had lunch at the nearby mall. In the restaurant where we dine, there is free flow of drinks and ice-cream, so I let baby E tried some ice-cream. I think I over-did it. End result, phlegm and cough. I guess he is as weak as his mommy.

Brought him to the PD yesterday and he frowned the moment he saw doctor Tan.
Doctor Tan commented he's a big boy now. I could not help but echo the same sentiments. Yes he is indeed a big boy now. When told that Baby E is already 13month old, Doctor Tan further commented that it's already a year and time flies. Yes, we have been seeing him for a year plus already! I cannot believe it. :x

Apart from the coughing, he's still as active. Occasional high body temperature which I attribute to the teething process he's going through again. Yes, he's teething again. This time is the either the upper canine or first molar (oops, I lost count). He is so uneasy with the teething that he will grind his teeth or chew on whatever he has, when he's feeling the itch.

Oh, I bet I haven't updated on his panda eyes. While I was preparing to bring him home last Friday, he caught me off guard, slipped and fell. The stool hit his eye bag area and got swollen. Now it has become blue-black bruise. But he is a big brave boy. He only cried for less than a minute. He's truly a brave one! My big boy. :)

Some updates on his progress at 13months.
He understands our instructions but to follow or not, it's really entirely up to his mood.
He has been on fours for quite some time, no longer leopard-crawling around.
He is able to stand without support for a short while, still no confidence or strength to hold on a little longer. And he doesn't do it all the time.

He's able to clap, roll and rub his hands... following me when I sing the finger-play song. Able to sit on his own on the little chair in his enrichment class, provided he's attentive.
He likes to move around with his walker-pusher.
As usual, he likes to move his body (as if he's dancing) when you play songs and sing along with him.
If he knows where he wants to go, he will point to that direction and lean his body towards that direction, signalling you to move.
He knows how to pull open the drawer and close it with care, without catching his fingers. Still, I think it's dangerous for him cos of the movable drawers.
He's weighing at ~9.7kg at 13months+, as of 30-Jul-12.

heart problems or maybe not...

Invited the good pals over for a game of MJ on Wednesday evening. Towards the end of the game, I felt some stinging pain around my heart area but I dismissed it. Maybe it will go away after a while. Or I thought so.

I was wrong. I woke up on Thursday morning, still feeling a little painful. I went ahead to work with the pain, still thinking it will get better soon. But the pain intensified. Couldn't take it anymore, called it a day at work.

Visited the doctor after baby E's potential childcare centre visit (that's another story for the day).

It's not heart problems, it's just some infection. Too painful to remember what he was saying. Took the medication and went home to rest.

Too busy over the weekend, forgotten to take the medicine and now, the pain is back. :(

Bad internet connection at home too. Sorts of explains why the lack in blog entries.

getting on track...

I'm happy with how things are progressing at the moment.

Last Saturday, I managed to bring baby E for his morning walk. (Actually, it's more for him to practise walking and hopefully garner enough confidence to let go of the walker to walk on his own.) On good days, he's able to stand on his own. Other times, I'm not sure if he's too excited or lazy or simply don't wish to do so...

Then on Sunday, despite sleeping at 5am in the morning, due to the overnight MJ marathon, I woke around 8plus to tent to our little prince. Managed to bath him and get him to nap.

Sometimes I am amazed at myself. Despite Hubby saying he's not hungry and he went back to bed with Ethan, I went ahead to prepare a simple lunch. Okay, it's mostly canned food or dishes that does not require much preparation, in view of the fact, I didn't have much time in between before accompanying baby E to his classes.

Then in the Evening, dad&mom came over to fetch us. Stayed around Bukit Batok Central for a while before them sending me home. The evening ended with hubby and me stocking up at the nearby NTUC again.

Then I cooked a simple dinner with the help of my MIL's helper. :)

What I'm lacking is the baking tools. I need to buy a mixer, . Am aiming at KitchenAid but it cost more than half a thousand. I don't foresee myself baking everyday so no point getting such a good one. Would probably scout for another model.

Making a mental list of the baking tools I need:
1. Mixer
2. Measuring cup
3. Mixing bowls
4. *Baking pan sets (round & rectangular)
5. Rubber Spatulas
6. Cooling racks
7. Oven Mittens
8. Weighing scale
9. Sifter or strainer
10. Cookie cutters
11. Cupcake corer set. (http://www.deal.com.sg/deals/singapore/Cuisipro-Cupcake-Corer-Set-with-Delivery-via-Local-Postage) Bought! :)

*Note: need to measure the size of my microwave oven to make sure the baking pans fit.

Another note, I shall start a new tag for my kitchen adventures. Hmm... how shall I name it... Let me think about it. Let me know if you have any suggestions. :p

past 2 weeks.

In the past 2 weeks from moving in leading up till 16th July, I was practically

- unpacking and sorting out my stuff
- from time to time organizing the place
- getting things fixed (i.e. internet, fixed line, etc)
- buying stuff to get make sure I have the necessities/tools to make my life easier

With that said, I am done with the above tasks except for getting my baking tools. :p

Life practically becomes 洗衣、晒衣、烫衣. Now with everything getting on track, I'm easing myself a little. Will be doing the laundries every alternate days (I'm thankful for the sun into our service yard every evening except on rainy days) and ironing at most twice a week. :)

Looking at both our work schedules, I aim to cook on Sundays and/or off days evenings if we are at home. Reason being, I get home really late during weekdays and it's not really practical to cook on those days and with all the 'functions' coming up on Saturdays, I think it's kinda hard to get the opportunity to cook.

As for baking, as soon as I requisite the necessary tools, I will start. :)

So other than the 零零碎碎 stuff that needs me to tidy up in my free time, everything pretty much sums up for us now. :) And with that, I shall concentrate on getting my PMP certification (work-wise) and more shopping, be it online or 'offline'!!! (now that I got my own place to store my stuff) :) and you shall see me updating this space more often. :)

Oops, and my house-warming. Coming up in August before the Lunar 7th month. So guys (and girls), stay tuned. :)

backdated to 23-29th June.

June is basically a very busy month for me.

Starting from where I left off...

Brought Baby E for his jabs on the 23rd June. He's really a brave boy cos he didn't cry for long. Though he did experience mild fever after the jabs, he generally as lively as before.

One thing I didn't quite understand even up till now, (need to ask the PD on our next visit in September) is that baby E should be given his MMRV at 12months (which is also my intended visit). However, he was given his final dose of Prevenar and 1st of Hepatitis and his MMRV is scheduled in Sept.

And over that weekend, we went to Ikea and IMM to get the rest of our stuff...

Then I went on leave in preparation for moving in. Basically went back home to pack my stuff to be moved over by the movers.

On the 27th, it's the furniture deliveries.
Most of the furniture came in on that day itself. Some minor touch-ups by the contractor's guys.

We had arranged for the movers to come in on the 29th. Because we only arranged for the movers one or two weeks before, the only slot for 29th is in the afternoon and we took it. Coincidentally, the movers' company is opened by a relative of Hubby's cousin-in-law's, so we got some discount. Not significant but better than nothing.

On the movers, they were generally okay people. Just a bit 不小心 cos the bed frame caught the main door and scratched some paint off.

After we were done with the movers, my in-laws and her helper came over to help while we unpacked out stuff. Eventually decided to stay over at our new place though we haven't officially move in.

Saturday was spent unpacking and Sunday is MOVING IN DAY! *hurray, skips around*

Further updates in my next post. :)

back.

It's been a long time since my last entry here.

Will do some backdated updates on my current life. Soon, I promise.

More or less settled into my current place. Will share & pick up my new lifestyle soon. :)

Moving In.

We have moved in on 1st July 2012 (Sunday) officially, together with baby E.

:)