Gareth's Developmental Milestone

Gareth turns 6months old today, weighing 8.2kg and his height is 70cm. Physically he's developing fine. Just like any normal 6month old babies, he could flip from back to tummy and vice versa. When he's lying on his tummy and if he sees a toy in front of him and beyond his reach, he would move his buttocks up (like a worm) and lunge forward to grab the toy! Gareth does seem like a very determined boy.

Language wise, he's into baby talk. However, I notice that he could somewhat understand what I talked about. For instance, I taught him where his toy beetle is in the midst of playing with him. His toy beetle is hung just right above his cot, behind where he's sitting. Then I asked for his toy beetle about half an hour later and he could turn to look at it! Amazing isn't it? This goes to show that babies have very good learning capacity... so never underestimate babies' ability to understand our language! I couldn't upload the video which I played and taught him where beetle was because the file was way too huge. I could only put up the video which I asked for the toy half an hour later. See Below.

Maid is Here!

My replacement maid has finally arrived. Life has been more comfortable for me such that I have to do housework no more. I am also glad that she's quite ok with my boys so far. Hmmm... or perhaps it's still too early to assess her. But well, so far so good! =)

Greg has become a lot more independent since those days we went maidless. Not only could he feed himself independently ( no more spoonfeeding by anyone, he also started bathing on his own (with supervision of course) and keeping toys after he plays them. Ahem, so that was good training for Greg when we didn't have a maid. Lately, I have also noticed that he has become more artistic. For instance, he'd pick up a marker and start drawing on the balloons. No more stick figures for his drawing of man now. They have proper bodies now (See picture below)! Kekeke. I thought he drew himself and Gareth on the balloon pretty well. Well done, Greg!

I have a simple recipe to share. Quite easy to cook, and just dump all the ingredients into the slow cooker. An easy dish to do when I was maidless.
boneless chicken pieces
button mushrooms
carrots
ginger (4 slices)
sugar (1tbsp)
oyster sauce (4tbsp)
light soya sauce (0.5tbsp-optional)
sesame oil (optional)
pepper (to own taste)

Put all into the slow cooker and best if leave on high heat for 4 hours. Or if you are cooking it in the morning and want to have it for dinner at night, you can try leave it on at auto. It's quite a yummy dish and it definitely goes very well with rice. Try it!*Yum Yum*

Mother's Day

Dear Ma,

It's Mothers' Day again
This day brings me lots of memories and pain
Remember our surprises that brought you close to tears?
Losing you had been one of my greatest fears.

Last year this time we sprung you another surprise
I wonder if you know but so loud were our cries
Time simply flies so fast
I still find it hard to let go of the past.

I didn't understand your frustrations when I was little
I didn't know life as a mother without help can be so bitter
Now I know being a mother isn't easy
Thanks for having given me a home so warm and cozy.

I have been feeling so lost since you were gone
For your presence has always been longed
Mum, you had been my greatest hero
I really regret that I had not told you so.

Lots of Love

Na..

Mothers' Day is never the same for me, now that Mum is gone. I feel very sad when I see the Vesak Day decorations in the temple near my home. It brings me many sad memories and rekindles my fear of losing my loved one. When Dad died suddenly, I rushed down to NUH in a cab. When Mum died, I drove down quickly to SGH in the middle of the night. Both require me to travel down the tunnels. I hate the tunnels. I dislike going through it. It took me quite sometime to be able to use those two tunnels without tears. Time flies. One year has passed. Just wanna say to Mum, "I really miss you. I am sorry that I have upsetted you so many times throughout my 34 years with you. "

My Two Boys

Greg told me Gareth is his best friend but he would only share with Gareth the toy he didn't want to play. I have been trying to strengthen the bond between the two boys by sometimes buying Greg things and said it's from Gareth. Greg once asked, "Mummy, Gareth is my best friend. He buys me toys and tic tac. But why Didi has money and I don't?". I went "Oops!".

Life can be very hectic with the two boys, especially when I have to manage them on my own. Once I brought them to have dinner at Fish and Company because Greg had cravings for fish and chips. In the midst of the meal, Greg told me he wanted to pass motion! The toilet cubicles at Novena are squeezy and dirty, and I couldn't imagine bringing two boys into one cubicle to pass motion. Luckily I brought a pull-up along, for such emergencies. Poor Greg had to pass motion into the pull up at the restaurant though he didn't like the idea and I had to clean him right on the spot, whilst Gareth is sitting in his high chair.

There was one night when KengYong had to work late and Gareth was extremely cranky. I was trying to nurse him to sleep at about 10+pm when Greg suddenly said, "Oh Mummy! I want to pass motion". Me: "Aiya! Why do you always pass motion at the wrong time?" (I know I shouldn't have said all these but I was indeed pretty flustered and frustrated then.). Greg: "Mummy, you look angry.. are you angry? .. but I have to tell you when I want to pass motion right?". Well, his words did jolt me up and yes, what he said was true. I wasn't angry, really.

There was one morning when Greg refused school. He didn't want KengYong to put on his uniform for him. I had a talk with him and he didn't think it's fair that he has to go to school and Gareth needn't. Anyway, he finally agreed to only go to school if I put his uniform onto Gareth once. Gareth was also happy to wear his GorGor's clothes. We all had a good laugh and Greg was then happy to change into his uniform to go school.

Life with my two boys is indeed challenging, especially on those days I have to manage them alone. Thinking back, it can be fun at times too. =)

Weekend Trip to Sentosa

Greg loves staying in a hotel where he gets to sleep in between KengYong and I. He kept pestering us to bring him for another hotel stay. I thought it'd be nice to have a break and small getaway too. Anyway, KengYong booked a room at Siloso Resort in Sentosa and we spent our weekend there. The hotel room has a queen size bed and a cot. It's slightly better than a chalet but it doesn't match even a three star hotel room. Our room wasn't sound proof and I could hear lots of noises outside even at night. Also, the rooms in this resort aren't any cheaper than any simple hotel room in Singapore. I think I wouldn't return to Siloso resort for a stay next time unless I don't have any other choices.

Well, on Saturday afternoon, Greg and KengYong went for a dip at the resort's pool once after we checked in. I couldn't join them because Gareth wanted to nap. We went to watch Songs of the Sea in the evening and some of the scenes were spectacular. Greg didn't enjoy it because of many unexpected loud scenes with balls of fire and fireworks but I give my thumbs up for the show. Gareth napped through the whole show and only woke up when we were about to leave. I didn't sleep much in the night because Gareth refused to sleep in the cot alone that night.He insisted to squeeze onto the small bed with the three of us! Omigosh!Greg played Luge a couple of times with KengYong during the trip and he didn't seem to get tired of it.

Though it's a two-day-one-night trip to Sentosa, we had to bring two suitcases! I cannot imagine the number of suitcases we have to carry if we embark on a trip longer than this. Well, it's a very tiring weekend for me... I dislike it especially when I saw the huge pile of laundry I have to do after the trip. But well, I guess at least Greg has enjoyed his hotel stay!

A Small Adventure!

I had a shock when I saw a little bird in my kitchen this morning! It stood there motionless for some time, so did I! LOL! At first I thought it's injured or dead, but when I used a "teck goh" (bamboo stick) to touch the bird, it flew around my kitchen. I had a fright! At that point of time, I didn't know what to do because Gareth was crying away (he's sleepy) and I couldn't chase the bird out. Neither could I use insecticide, and if I were to call KengYong, I doubt he'd return home immediately to help me. It flew round the kitchen till I couldn't locate it at all. So in the end, I decided to put Gareth to sleep first. I knew the bird is still somewhere around the kitchen because I could hear it chirping away. After Gareth napped, I armed myself with two "teck gohs" this time and tiptoed into the kitchen. Eventually I found the bird on my stove hood. When it realized that I knew its whereabouts, it slipped down from the hood and finally, with my "er mei strokes with the two teck gohs", the bird made its way out of the kitchen window. I felt so proud that it left my house with no injuries. But sigh, it has poo-ed on some of my utensils! =(