National Week, ahem Day..

On Nationaly Day night, a terrible thing happened!

Brayden had a fall, from the bed! I was totally freaked out.. I didn't know what to do.. and I see that he was crying very badly and in pain... I felt guilty.. If only I had grabbed him tighter.. Immediately, we rubbed the ointment on his bump, when we took a closer look, there was a red line on the side of his forehead.. We also fed some medication to calm his nerves..

Everyone burst into our room to check him out... prayed for his safety... only PaPa is carrying you.. my hands were still shivering when I was making milk. My mind was going thru the emotional turmoil. I couldn't cry. It makes situation worst when Brayden is already the loud one..

Let's just face it.

Parenting is really tiring. I do not know if I am saying this because I didn't see any progress from my child? No progress, is this caused by my laziness?

Talking on the progress, he still does not know how to stack blocks, wave good bye, clapping of hands, not to mention about greeting all of us... It makes me feel lousy... a lousy and worried parent.

I do not know if it's due to my laziness, coz it's really no joke to rush home, and rush thru dinner, shower and attend to a kid, playing nursery DVD, I didn't persist in teaching or rather repeating everything..
Even if I tried, he only pay attention for awhile, and then he gets hooked into his favorite.

Besides, the child plays a part too.. he wasn't interested in anything except for wheels or things that can be spun.. he loves that...

On the other hand, compared to another parent whose child absorbs everything that they teach, will that parent be very much happier? That their "effort" paid off? And they will look forward to meeting their child everyday after work?

Of course, there are other circumstances as well, such as the family, the environment... they are players too..

A Father's Message

I read an online article about dying father of 2 children. He didn't spend time pitying himself.. instead, he spend the last few months recording message to his children in DVDs, buying presents for them, arranging his funeral, monetary arrangements, getting his friends to stay bonded with his family..

All and all for his family and especially his children.. Very educating... If only all parents can educate their children like that.. I think it's important..

A FATHER'S RULES FOR FINDING FULFILLMENT

"Be courteous, be punctual, always say please and thank you, and be sure to hold your knife and fork properly. Others take their cue on how to treat you from your manners.

Be kind, considerate and compassionate when others are in trouble, even if you have problems of your own. Others will admire your selflessness and will help you in due course.

Show moral courage. Do what is right, even if that makes you unpopular. I always thought it important to be able to look at myself in the shaving mirror every morning and not feel guilt or remorse. I depart this world with a pretty clear conscience.

Show humility. Stand your ground but pause to reflect on what the other side are saying, and back off when you know you are wrong. Never worry about losing face. That only happens when you are pig-headed.
Learn from your mistakes. You will make plenty so use them as a learning tool. If you keep making the same mistake or run into a problem, you’re doing something wrong.

Avoid disparaging someone to a third party; it is only you who will look bad. If you have a problem with someone, tell them face to face.

Hold fire! If someone crosses you, don’t react immediately. Once you say something it can never be taken back, and most people deserve a second chance.

Have fun. If this involves taking risks, so be it. If you get caught, hold your hands up.

Give to charity and help those who are less fortunate than yourselves: it’s easy and so rewarding.

Always look on the upside! The glass is half full, never half empty. Every adversity has a silver lining if you seek it out.

Make it your instinct always to say ‘yes’. Look for reasons to do something, not reasons to say no. Your friends will cherish you for that.

Be canny: you will get more of what you want if you can give someone more of what they desire. Compromise can be king.

Always accept a party invitation. You may not want to go, but they want you there. Show them courtesy and respect.

Never ever let a friend down. I would bury bodies for my friends, if they asked me to . . . which is why I have chosen them carefully.

Always tip for good service. It shows respect. But never reward poor service. Poor service is insulting.

Always treat those you meet as your social equal, whether they are above or below your station in life. For those above you, show due deference, but don’t be a sycophant.

Always respect age, as age equals wisdom.

Be prepared to put the interests of your sibling first.

Be proud of who you are and where you come from, but open your mind to other cultures and languages. When you begin to travel (as I hope you will), you’ll learn that your place in the world is both vital and insignificant. Don’t get too big for your breeches.

Be ambitious, but not nakedly so. Be prepared to back your assertions with craftsmanship and hard work.

Live every day to its full: do something that makes you smile or laugh, and avoid procrastination.

Give of your best at school. Some teachers forget that pupils need incentives. So if your teacher doesn’t give you one, devise your own.

Always pay the most you can afford. Never skimp on hotels, clothing, shoes, make-up or jewellery. But always look for a deal. You get what you pay for.

Never give up! My two little soldiers have no dad, but you are brave, big-hearted, fit and strong. You are also loved by an immensely kind and supportive team of family and friends. You make your own good fortune, my children, so battle on.

Never feel sorry for yourself, or at least don’t do it for long. Crying doesn’t make things better.

Look after your body and it will look after you.

Learn a language, or at least try. Never engage a person abroad in conversation without first greeting them in their own language; by all means ask if they speak English!

And finally, cherish your mother, and take very good care of her.

I love you both with all my heart.
Daddy x"

Frustrated

I can really get upset meeting people who are "not categorized" as nice in my dictionary.

Particularly those who are somehow related. It makes me feel like as though we are outsiders.

Yes, it's me complaining about "you-know-who" (you'll find out when you read more la~)

I think it's coz we start comparing people, and could not keep that sanity in our minds? We kept thinking that why so and so can be like that and he/she can't?

I think I just have to tell myself that it's coz they are different... But it especially hurts to come into terms like that when we thought that they would show some unconditional love?~ Is that a "high" expectation? Maybe unconditional is too a strong word.. maybe "sayang" would be better.. (or simply some love.. don't have to be over-whelming)

Well, sometimes I wish that I have my own house. But thinking of my finance status now? I rather not think about it..

And with all these crazy things above, it makes me feel thankful to have nice people in my family.. and from there I swallow it~

Slow down

I have many expectations in you.. I guess I just hope that you can learn more and explore more.. Like clapping hands, waving bye bye.. greeting mommy and daddy.. etc..

I am trying to understand you, so I play with you... I want to guide you.. showing you where are your eyes, nose, mouth and ears..

I hope as that when you grow you can fly as high as you can in the area of interest that you are good at..

I don't want to be over protected, because I do not want to restrict you.. I hope you will /can judge and protect yourself and us.

I hope you won't be put down by comments of others as you should always be confident and proud of yourself.. of who you are.

You are special to mommy and daddy..

We love you Brayden!~

14

in a blink of an eye.. it's been 14 months since I last gave birth..

U had a bad rash after 1yr old party.. started recognising people.. aware of your surroundings.. learn how to come down from the bed.. these little surprises... mummy wish to keep in my heart.. :)

every morning I see a small butt stuck up in the air... my darling crouching asleep.. that moment .. made me dun wanna go work.. whahaa..

motherhood is "shocking" for me.. and I will strive to be a better mum for my darlings...

tomorrow, is another injection for him.. hope that you'll stay calm.. coz.. you already recognise the clinic once we stepped in and is screaming to get out.. not to mention the doc ~

everyday mummy come home to play stackos with you... but you swipe them away everytime i stack them up.... mummy is clueless... maybe you wanna hear the sound of the fallen stackos.. but mummy will keep staking to show you.. :D U throw everything out of the babycot.. and see how the toy spins on the floor..

U cried with tears popping out when you couldn't find me and went crawling to a dark room... Mummy was preparing water for your bathe... U started with 3 steps into your crawling stage.. mummy wish i can film it down... I'll try tonight... 20-May-2011 :D

mummy bought a "instructions manual" to understand toddlers.. but had not finish reading.. I got so tired after work, which also means that I won't spend time playing with you... I wish I can understand you more and guide you / mold you so that you can excel in your attributes.. - I am still figuring out..

Oh boy oh boy!!!

It's been 2 months plus since my last post...

Many things happened!!! from organising brayden's FIRST birthday party, Fall, and Bad body rash to Mom's knee operation...

Brayden's Party was a success everyone enjoyed themselves.. Just that oh.. catering food was quickly sweeped off the table from our guests. Well, I guess it must have tasted quite good. It's from Katong Catering... Both Daniel and I didn't tried it.. but I guess we will give a go for the next party.. :D

Oh, and beautiful pictures were taken... Auntie Iris suggest that Mummy should make a compile album of Brayden's First Year for keepsake.. ah, that's an idea mummy will consider...

After brayden's first birthday, he had a fall from the sofa.. but I think the bump is quite ok.. just slight redness.. The worst would be the rash that he suffered... it started from the back, and it spread to the rest of his body.. really bad ... Auntie Doreen suggested to go to Chinese medical clinic located at Kembangan... and after about 10 bathes of herbal medication, Brayden's baby skin is back....

Till today, I am not sure what causes the rash as many things happened at the same time:
- His birthday cake?
- His cough?
- His new environment?
- His new milk?
- Over application of RU YI oil?

Oh dear, what a bad parent I've been... I can't even tell what caused the rash.. But mummy learn that for every new thing given to you, it has to be one at a time. Or just to the minimum.. :D

And guess what? Brayden, U started to recognise strangers and wails and cries really loud when they try to carry you! Both Daddy and I are startled and didn't know what to do to calm you down... but to distract you, so that you don't get too mindful of the people around you... We hope that this would improve so that Uncle and Aunties can carry you like they use to on your FIRST birthday!

Next would be my dear mummy (grandma) undergone a bilateral knee operation.. Visiting her during lunch breaks at SGH was quite time chasing.. But I am glad that when I am there, I can exercise with her, bring her soup and massage for her.. I wish I can stay longer with her... But anyway, after she discharged, she was quite weak.. Daddy had to hug her up, to that she can stand.. Mummy even joked that he is shifting a fridge.. :)

Seeing her progress and got better made me happy. And brought her to Airport for short walks.. but she gets tired easily.. And legs gets achy too.. I hope she recovers better soon!

I love you Brayden!

Hopping into the year of Rabbit 2011

Happy Labbit Year!!!

Ha~ welcome to the Rabbit Year 2011.

It's another year and yes, I am another year closer to collecting our new flat! :)
Thinking about it makes me thrilled! I can't wait to stand in my own kitchen baking things that I like, experimenting food that can let hubby try.. bake cakes for brayden to eat.. blah blah blah.. And yes, those recipes that I've stuffed in the cabinet can breakfree~~

CNY is great for gathering.. but it also just reminds me that we are older now.. Giving out Angpows are such chores.. Next year, I am not going to put different denominations. I'll just standardise.. better this way.. If not, need to keep in mind too much stuff..

Back to gatherings.. I love crowds.. I love squeezing with my family members.. I just love their presence.. Played poker and lost about $100 over bucks! Hurts! coz that means 1.5cans of milk powder lost.. :D
Oh well, it's just once a year.. RRirrrrite??

then I finally made my first trip to my grandma's house after about 2 years of MIA? And I am glad that I went. Even though I may appeared nervous however, there ARE still some kind souls around.. And I really enjoyed it. Phew, really tired!

Food, love the food.. didn't manage to take pictures about them, but.. they are a real YUM!
Every year to Ah Ma's place will have braised duck, Abalone and Mushroom soup, sambal prawns, curry chicken, Chap Chai.. Back at mummy's place, scallop broccoli, fish maw soup, sambal prawns, fried nyoh hiong.. and countless new year cookies..

This year as usual went over to Beng's place to bake pineapple tarts.. thankfully they liked it.. and I am very glad that they welcomed me over to bake too..

Brayden is such a dear.. he didn't fuss over different relatives carrying him.. (or is it he didn't know?) me and my nonsense.. well.. relatives crowd around him commenting on him.. "So cute.. So handsome.. So big eyes.." picture taking etc..

And the clothes that we prepared for him.. hee hee hee..
1st day: Father and Son shirt
2nd day: Father and Son Polo
3rd day: Chinese costume

I am glad it's a smooth sailing time and will definately be for the rest of the year for you and me too! :D