Jan's 30th birthday

Yet another wonderful birthday celebration :) I love September :) And I'm thankful for the family that God has blessed me with...

Unfortunately Annette couldn't be in the photo as she was sleeping... which I'm thankful for too :)

Dramatic adjustments...

With the help of Sen's parents, Sammie stayed over at their place (her 3rd time in her life and didn't miss us too much) while Sen stayed with me at the hospital for 2 nights. Sammie visited us at the hospital the 2nd day and showed great excitement over mei mei's arrival, kissing and hugging her. (I was so glad to see this that I thought she wouldn't have problems adjusting to her little sister! Silly me...)

Upon our return home, it was helpful that Sam had lots of birthday presents to open so baby's didn't bother her.

But... (silly me for not thinking about the expected)... when mei mei cried at night for feeds, Sam woke up crying for me because she wanted me by her side (unfortunately I was so tired out the past 3 months at work and forgot to prepare her for this - Sam was so used to sleeping in our bed and as long as I was by her side, she would fall back easily to sleep whenever she awoke at night) She also didn't want me to feed baby. Poor girl ended up crying lots on the night of her birthday.... and that was the start of our sleep deprivation... We tried our utmost best to explain to her, ask her to sleep with papa, wait for mummy etc till we all finally slept only to be woken up again for the next feeding cycle.... (imagine all of us shuttling back and forth both bedrooms with all the crying and talking/shouting)

Fortunately Sen had paternity leave so we could still catch up on sleep the next day. We decided to try out me sleeping with both kids in the same room while Carlsen slept in the other room so that he could get his sleep but that didn't work out. (still the crying and talking/shouting but less shuttling)

Thankfully Aunty Jo's suggestion of getting Sam her own bed worked! (we had thought about it before Annette's arrival and even went to IKEA for Sam to choose a bed but it didn't seem like the best solution at that time with the space constraint in our 2 little bedrooms). So now Carlsen can put Sam to bed while I sleep with Ann :) We're still working on reducing the number of times and the duration of Sam's middle-of-the-night wakings but we're thankful she loves sleeping in her own bed now! :)

Short getaway

We stayed at the Orchid Country Club for a quick 2D1N getaway before we'd have to contend with a newborn added to our family. It was a really nice surprise as the room was rather spacious compared to usual hotel rooms.

There was an additional single bed for Sammie which we were hoping she would sleep in on her own and she seemed rather excited about it but in the end, she still ended up sleeping with us. Think we'll come again next time :)

A breathing moment

I've finally found time to blog today! (A break from CA2 common marking so I could come home early today while Sam's at my in-laws') I've been so busy since I went back to teach. All the time spent in school (especially my 'free' periods) are spent on marking and chasing students for their work. So I try not to bring home any work because I'm so tired by the time I come home that I crash the same time Sam goes to bed. :)

Very thankful that God has sustained us thus far. Despite Sen's 7-day medical leave and Sam's persistent dry cough, I didn't fall ill (which is good for the baby). And a few weeks ago, I stayed overnight in the hospital for observation because we were worried that my water bag was leaking but thankfully that wasn't the case. So I had a good 2-days of bed rest which helped tremendously because I slept through those 2 days! Think I was very tired out from all the walking in school because my current school does not have lifts so it can be rather tiring walking 10-15 flights of steps everyday. Glad baby won't be due till full-term! :)

Thankfully the pregnancy has been smooth thus far with no swollen ankles and I've endured more than 8 weeks of teaching with just slightly more than a week left! Looking forward to staying home to spend more time with family because I think it's really so difficult to 'balance' work and family life. As it is, we aren't as prepared as we were for Sam. My maternity bag hasn't been packed yet, the nursery hasn't been prepared yet etc etc.... haha... we're definitely more relaxed about our 2nd daughter... need to speed up the pace cos it's just a matter of 2-4 weeks more!

Here's one of my favourite photos of Sam which I look at in my phone when I miss her when I'm at work. Though she's settling into the routine of being looked after by her grandparents (very thankful to both grandmas), it's been rather obvious that she would be much more settled with me staying at home to look after her. We didn't really go through a 'terrible-twos' stage but it seems that since I went back to work, she's had more tantrums. So hopefully that will come to pass in a few weeks and not get worse when mei-mei comes along!! (So far, Sam loves to talk to mei-mei and is excited about mei-mei's movements. Hope she'll be a kind and loving jie-jie!)

The only way is UP... :)

We decided to go on a family movie outing today and wanted to watch the much talked about UP by Pixar. We all truly enjoyed the movie a lot, with Sam mostly glued to the screen except when the action got heated up. It was a heartwarming show with many deep underlying issues of life - love, marriage, children, dreams, hopes, aspirations to be a Wilderness Explorer, lack of parental love, holding onto memories, selfishness, selflessness... Glad that Sammie's first movie at the cinema was this one.

Go to the link to read another touching story of a girl stricken with cancer and was unable to go to the movies to watch UP. And how a friend called Pixar to help and they duly delivered a personal movie showing for her before she passed on.

http://www.ocregister.com/articles/pixar-up-movie-2468059-home-show

Life is truly so fragile for we will all meet that junction one day. Question is how am I living now and what will happen after my life is over?

As I reflect on it, I truly thank Christ that He has answered the second part of my question. Now, it is for me to answer the first portion of it.

love in action not just words

My dearest husband recently bought some footcare products from Body Shop for me because I have really bad cracked heels (and it's a really nice gift for mothers' day too!). And of course since my tummy gets in the way, he also lovingly provides the service of scrubbing and moisturising my feet! :)

When I was expecting Sammie, he would massage my legs every night (especially since walking so much around in school would make my legs very tired). Now I don't walk so much, but I still get pampered! :)

Of course he's not just a lovely husband only when I'm pregnant :) but he also shows his love in many ways every day like clearing the rubbish, washing the dishes etc. :) I'm so thankful for him :)

Time to relax...

So now that Sam's back in school, I have more time to relax and do my own stuff (like blogging) :) and catch up with the housework that needs to be done...

I'm thankful that Sam's adjusting well to school. Though yesterday was her first day back in school, she only cried when I went off and then she settled quickly. She told me excitedly about what she ate for lunch (carrots are her favourite!) This morning, she also woke up rather eager to go to school! :) And happily said, "And mummy will pick me up later!" She speaks rather fondly of her 2 teachers so I'm really happy for her! :)

Pregnancy updates

Though I expected my evening sickness to be worse than what I had experienced with Sammie, I wasn't really prepared that it ended up being so much worse this time round. Hence I haven't been writing much because I just want to lie down most of the time and not do anything. Yet when I go out, the evening sickness doesn't kick in so much, but then I get very tired. Thankfully I didn't puke everyday but it's been so much more difficult since I puked only once when I had Sammie compared to countless number of days of puking the past 2 months. So I've had trouble digesting my food and even having an appetite, and as well as much difficulty sleeping. Thus I've only put on 100g each time for the past 2 visits to the gynae.

But I'm glad it has more or less gone off, so my appetite has improved, though I still occasionally feel like puking when I smell certain smells coming through the windows from the neighbours... Still thank God for seeing the four of us through these past 3 months.

The scans have been showing that baby's growing well and fine. The exception is that my blood test results since the last visit revealed that I have a CMV infection. This might harm the baby's development like the brain. The 'good' thing is that it is a recurrent infection so I probably have antibodies for it (though we don't know when I got it because it was a negative test when I had Sammie). So now we just have to keep praying that baby won't get infected by it or even if baby is infected, that the effects will be minimised.

It was a shock to hear about it as my doctor explained what it was and the considerations. I've always been very particular about hygiene so we're not sure how I caught it. There would be a risk of miscarriage if we were to have a cord blood sample to test whether baby is infected. And ultimately, if baby is infected, the only other course of action is abortion, which is definitely not what we would choose as the baby is God's gift of creation and only God has the right to take it away. So we can only just pray for the best to happen, and should the worst happen, that we'll still stand strong in Christ and bring up the baby with godliness.

I'm learning how to trust in these words of the Lord from Philippians chapter 4 verses 6 and 7. The peace of God - not some sense of inner tranquility - but a real hope and assurance that Jesus has already saved us from sin and we are no longer enemies of God but are at peace and reconciled to God. Whatever happens, may we stand firm in the Lord.

(Philippians 4:6-7) Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

2nd time round

The past month has been particularly tiring for me since the evening sickness for our 2nd is much worse than what I thought I remembered experiencing for our 1st. It sets in by around 4 pm and drags all the way into the night. Can't really stomach dinners most of the time and can't sleep well. But thankfully I don't have puking which tastes awful!

But I'm so thankful for my loving hubby who despite a long day at work and should just come home to rest but yet has to end up taking over my duties at home that I used to do (like feeding Sammie, bathing her etc), still does them understandingly and tries to let me rest as much as possible... And he bought bah kwa which has been such a nice snack which eliminates much discomfort! And I simply adore it when Sammie asks 'where's baby?' and points to my tummy and says 'that's Sammie's baby' and gives a hug and kiss... she's going to be such a sweet sister I hope! :) [This from just a few weeks ago when we first found out from the test kit, Sammie kept real quiet!]

There's always a silver lining in every cloud!

We need a new blog address! Help!

Serious backlog

It's been 4 months since I last posted an entry! Have been way too much of a procrastinator when it comes to writing but yet I don't want to forget the memories that I wish to pen down. Not a good combination to be slow at writing down my thoughts too and being a perfectionist to choose my words carefully... Sigh... but so many things have been happening in the past 4 months and I have so many drafts that I have yet to publish that I thought I really should get down to it before I starting forgetting what I want to write!

Of course this coincides with the time since I stopped tutoring (right after the PSLE since all my students were P6). Thought I'd have more time but it ends up that I have less time and more things to do at home! The irony of it all.... Now I realise how having my in-laws over for a short while to play with Sammie can become a lot of time for me to do things like blogging etc. Too bad I don't have that privilege anymore since they're busy looking after another grandchild. Not that I mind not really having much time for myself because I really do enjoy just spending time with Sammie (and trying to find time to spend time with Sen) but it's nice to do other things once in a while.

Even more celebrations!

This time it was my birthday! Didn't plan on having another big celebration... we were still recuperating from Sammie's! So just had a little family outing to Hort Park. Our first time there and we went in the late afternoon so it wasn't hot (most call it the 'hot park') and it wasn't crowded (went on a weekday). We were very glad Carlsen made it home earlier after school.

We found it such a pleasant place! It has nice cosy outdoor areas to sit around in, like gazebos etc. And there are quite a few play areas (1 much smaller than the others). More photos in our Family Album.

The only place we could have dinner at was the Thai restaurant. Didn't expect it to be fine dining but thankfully we brought dinner along for Sammie in case the food was too spicy for her. Wonder if they'll have more eating places there in future... or perhaps we'll have a picnic there... before nightfall...

Had such a nice time out spending my birthday with my little family. How I'm so thankful to the Lord for my darlings and the time I can spend home! :) Please pray for me that I'll make more effort to read God's Word on a daily basis, grow in godliness and demonstrate what it means to trust in Jesus as my everything and depend fully on Him.

Moving out of Farrer Court

Thankfully this week is the September holidays so Carlsen can spend more time with us! :) It's also the week that his parents move out of Farrer Court... quite nostalgic for Carlsen to help pack their things as his childhood was spent there. Took some photos also for Sammie to remember how her grandparent's place used to be. More photos can be seen in our Family Album.

Tuition woes...

Didn't write much this past month because I've been busy preparing for Sammie's birthday... Can't divulge too much or else it won't be much of a surprise... Heh...

Have been busy with tuition too as the PSLE is drawing real near and unfortunately, my students still don't seem to be studying harder! Sigh... This part of tuition is harder than teaching in school. I couldn't really do much to make the weaker students in school work harder except to inform their parents and ask them to get private tuition! And now I realise that private tuition isn't the solution either! I only get to see the students 1 hour a week for each subject (I teach Primary English, Math and Science). So if they are not self-motivated to study, and do not have any adult to supervise them during the non-tuition/school hours, then they would forget all that they learnt during tuition! Bottom line - students either need to be self-motivated to study or they need their parents to push them. Tutors or school teachers can only do that much.

I'm stopping tuition after the PSLE as all my students are P6 and I don't think I'll be able to extend my no-pay leave after Sammie turns 3 so I don't wish to take new students, only to 'play them out' in the middle of school term when I have to go back to school. So it'll be lots of time spent with Sammie at home! Looking forward to more learning and cooking! Still haven't decided when to extend my leave up to because I'd need to work at least 2 school terms (=6 months) if I want paid maternity leave for our 2nd kid. Not that I want to be calculative, but just think it would be wise to maximise my time at home (which is my priority) while still being a faithful employee.

Clearing our 2nd room

We finally managed to sell the electric car! Carlsen was hoping the bidders would bid higher but in the end we only sold it at our minimum price.

We're in the midst of clearing our 2nd room (which used to be Sammie's room, but later became my brother's room when he moved in to stay with us for half a year, and later became our storeroom so that Sammie wouldn't have easy access to the vacuum cleaner etc.) for Sammie's birthday party so that the kiddies can play in the room. So it's great that the car has been sold! Much more space now!

Couple time together

Managed to watch a movie after quite a long while as a birthday gift for Carlsen - Indiana Jones and the Lost Skull. Wanted to pamper ourselves a bit to the Golden Village Gold Class Cinema (since we hardly have time to go out alone as a couple cos we don't want to trouble the grandparents too much to look after Sammie or to disrupt Sammie's routine too much) but had to settle for the usual type because we couldn't find a suitable timing that didn't clash with Sammie's routine.

Had an enjoyable time watching Indie do all the stunts even at his age but the alien theme was rather uninteresting. But nonetheless we had a nice time together while Sammie played at her Ye Ye and Nai Nai's place (whom we're very thankful to God for their help whenever needed). Also invited Carlsen's primary school friends, together with our extended family, to lunch at our place (whom we're also very thankful to God for maintaining the friendships till now).

Though birthdays can seem rather uneventful the older we get, but we're still thankful for the life that God has given and continues to give, till we meet Christ face-to-face.

2nd wedding anniversary

This time round, we decided to spend an afternoon just chilling out at Holland Village Haagen Daz while Carlsen's mum looked after Sammie (cos nights are more difficult to go out as Sammie will wake up if Jan's not around). Had a nice, relaxing time together as a couple, reading and thinking through the passage we used for our wedding (Colossians 3), talking and listening to each other, sharing and praying with each other. It was a good break from our daily routine at home and we've got lots to thank God for - how he's seen us through these 2 years of marriage, helping us to learn to be more loving in serving and forgiving each other even as we bring up Sammie, and for supportive parents.


May God's Word continue to fill our minds and hearts everyday!

The end of 2006 and the start of 2007

Our camera was thankfully repaired by Corrine (Carlsen's sis) when she used a screwdriver to flick part of it back in place so we don't have to spend money to get a new camera! :) We could've written in our blog earlier but didn't manage to find the time to...

Dec 06 was a busy period for Carlsen as he had to attend an army course for 3 weeks and also had the MEET (Missions Exposure and Education Training) camp. Wasn't much of a school holiday... Now Carlsen's back in NIE, awaiting his posting to a secondary school for practicum, and playing Inter-class games once again...

Jan, as usual, has been busy looking after Sam. Sam has been enjoying her tummy time. She tries to arch her back, put her hands together and move her leg across but her arm usually gets in the way so she still can't lie flat on her tummy on her own.

It has also been a great time of catching up with friends and family. Here's a photo taken with Tai Tee with Sam smiling so sweetly directly at the camera! Not an easy take at all but Hang Seng did a great job at capturing that moment! This was taken at the home of Peiqi and Yap. Their daughter, Jaime, is Sam's youngest friend so far! There should be more photos of them playing together in future... heh..

Reflecting on the year that has past and looking forward to the year ahead, we've been reminded of the goodness of God. We didn't specially write anything about Sam's first Christmas or New Year as it's like any typical day. May we spend everyday celebrating the birth of Jesus who came to be our Saviour and King, and celebrate the new life found in Christ, growing in godliness as each day passes... We pray that Sam will grow up learning this...

Just a little wee bit tired...

Well, the past few nights have not been too good. Actually it has been like that since Samantha's first month celebrations. Seems like her clock has gone a little bit haywire... At night and especially in the early mornings, it has been tough as she cries a lot and both of us are so tired particularly during those times. Well, do hope that she gets better: feeding and resting. If you can, please pray for us to continue to draw strength from God to be good parents to her. On a side note, it's been great seeing her grow... she has grown like 8 cm since birth (she's about 7 weeks now) and is now about 4kg (from 2.7 kg)!! :)

Challenges of parenting...

Breastfeeding has been a long, difficult and painful experience. But really thank God that Carlsen was lovingly encouraging Jan and helping out as much as he could. If not, Jan wouldn't be able to press on in giving Sam breastmilk. Sleeping hasn't been as tough but unfortunately we haven't been able to follow the ideal sleeping habits.

To get our sleep, we'd wait for her to be in deep sleep, then put her down in her cot (after quite a while! so even Carlsen fell asleep!) or sleep with her on the sofa. Or else we would be kept awake by a crying baby every few minutes to an hour. This way, she only wakes up once a night for her feed and she's a happier baby in the day too (since she can get her naps)!

Any good parenting advice out there? We seem to have tried everything from swaddling, letting her cry it out, patting her instead of picking her up etc (she's been fed, burped etc already). So please pray for us that we can still bring her up in a godly way, without her being spoilt too.

At Mauritius

Quite a good deal for 8 days in Mauritius, inclusive of airfare, breakfast, dinner, unlimited sea sports, a free day tour to see an extinct volcano and shop, and even butlers! during our stay in a six-star hotel (the Residence) for just SGD2000 per pax.

Breakfast in our room and rose baths are free services that the butlers offer!

The sea view is simply amazing! The water is crystal clear and the sand is super fine! We decided to explore other parts of Mauritius instead of just staying in the resort (of course had to pay quite a bit for the daily tours).



We dived 30m deep in a submarine (amazing that our clothes actually change colour according to the sea depth!)




and walked on the seabed about 15m deep, with the fishes swimming right up to us. Unfortunately the corals were mostly dead.




Rode a quad bike on dirt tracks up the mountains. The scenery was breathtaking. We also tried traditional archery.




Cruised a sailing vessel built in 1852, with the crew playing Mauritian music and singing to us. It was certainly relaxing with the strong sea breeze and the invisible UV rays causing our tan.


Spectacular views and cool weather.. But do watch out for the Sun's powerful rays and the taxi rides may be quite costly (should try to find out the price beforehand). Lunch was pricey too. But a wonderful place to relax.