Gareth At 7 Months

Gareth started waving goodbye and clapping his hands vigorously when he was 6 months 1 week old. When he was 6.5 months, his first word was "Ma Ma". It's a pity Mum isn't around. Otherwise she would be so delighted to be the first person Gareth calls. Greg used to call Papa first before Mama. Some people say that if the baby says Papa first, then it's likely that he/ she would be closer to the father than mother when he/ she grows up. Hmm... not too sure if there's any truth to such logic or not.

Right now, Gareth has also begun making attempts to crawl. He tends to go backwards or if not make a huge lurge forward. Unlike Greg, Gareth has been having bad constipation. I have tried so hard to increase his vegetables, water and fruits intake, but somehow he would only clear his bowels at best every two days. He can get so badly constipated that his faeces are often "stuck". Sigh.. hence I have decided to really go very slow on his solids intake.

I would be starting work in July. It's definitely something that I have been looking forward to but at the same time, I am somewhat worried. I guess it's the similar kind of anxiety any student experiences before their school reopens after a long vacation. Kekeke... I hope all goes well...and ahem, July marks the end of my "taitai" lifestyle liau.

To My Dearest Daddy

Dear Pa

You left me so unexpectedly

My world crumbled down instantly.

I lost you on a day so near Fathers' Day

A confidante you had always been to me, come what may.

I had never known myself as someone so fortunate

Until you suddenly vanished from our planet.

How I cherish those times we were together

I can only now hold them as memories in my mind forever.

How I miss those mornings you pampered me with good food

I am sorry for the times I was rude.

Thanks Pa, for seeing me through my Masters

As a Father, you had certainly been the greatest.

Happy Fathers' Day.. I really miss you so. How nice if I can see, or hear, or touch you one more time..

Love

Na..

Why Chinese Shouldn't Have Christian Names?

Something funny to share with you.. on why Chinese people shouldn't have Christian names..

Faye Chen (Mandarin) - Dust
Carl Cheng (Hokkien) - Buttock
Lucy Leow (Hokkien) - You are dead
Jane Tan (Mandarin) - Fry eggs
Henry Mah (Mandarin) - Hate your mum
Corrine Tai (Hokkien) - Poor Fella
Paul Chan (Mandarin) - Bankrupt
Nelson Tan (Mandarin) - Bird lays eggs
Lynn Tan (Mandarin) - Zero
Walter Mah (Mandarin) - My mum
Leslie Tong (Mandarin) - Rubbish bin
Connie Mah (Cantonese) - Call your mum
Danny See (Hokkien) - Squeeze you to death
Rosie Teng (Hokkien) - Screws and nails
Pete Tsai (Hokkien) - Nose droppings
Charles Sun (Hokkien) - Stale

The list really tickled me. Hope it will brighten up your day just as it did to mine. =)

Blackout!

It rained suddenly last night at 10+pm, when I was watching Mr. Bean vcd with Greg and Gareth was asleep in the room with KengYong. We saw lightning and heard a loud thunder roar, and our television went "pop" - off! Greg had a scare and he hopped onto my lap. The whole house was in darkness, and my first thought was "oh! blackout." I looked across our block and saw the households with lights on still, so my next thought was "blackout in my just my entire block". I opened the house door and saw my neighbour's lights still on, my subsequent thought was "I must check my house's switch box". Because Greg was holding onto me like a koala bear, I got KengYong to check on the switch box. He went but we didn't know what happened and thought maybe we would get things checked the next day since it's already quite late at night.

Originally, I only knew the lights and electricity went out but what didn't come across my mind was that our fridge would also not be functioning. I was horrified only this morning when I opened the fridge... boohoo... my expressed breastmilk is in the fridge!! Neither did we sleep well last night, with the windows closed due to the heavy rain. The boys were used to sleeping in aircon room or at least with the fan on. Last night, Gareth woke up at 2am with sweaty hair and refusing to return to sleep till 4+am. Greg also woke up several times to tell me he's afraid of the thunder and lightning. Aiyo. I couldn't use my electric pump to express my milk either because there wasn't any electricity in my house. The worse thing was the Gareth didn't want any milk this morning when I latched him on.My breasts were so engorged and I was also concerned about a drop in my supply.

Called PUB this morning and they said it's not their problem and they advised me to get an electrician instead. Called for an electrician, and he said he would be at my house at 10am. I quickly sent Gareth to nanny with my ebm and then rushed home to wait for the electrician, whereas KengYong drove Greg to childcare. 10am came but the electrician wasn't here. Fortunately, my neighbour is on leave and she said she could help me with this problem. Wow! We finally found the root of the power trip problem, and halellujah! lights and electricity returned! I was so happy. I managed to reach the electrician, and guess what?he wasn't even on his way to my place yet! Anyway, I am glad that my problem has finally been solved and grateful to my helpful neighbour. As the saying goes, "Yuan3 Qing1 Bu4 Ru2 Jing4 Ling2".

Greg's First Movie

Greg has been looking forward to watch his first movie and I thought I shall bring him go watch the KungFu Panda this morning. We were early when we arrived at Plaza Singapura so we went for breakfast at McCafe. Greg ordered a chocolate brownie but didn't want to eat, so ended up I had to finish the two cakes.Next he wanted to try popcorn. I still remember Edwin kept himself busy with the popcorn the first time he went to watch movie, and I thought if the movie didn't turn out to be interesting for Greg, at least the popcorn could keep him company. Kekeke.

Greg needs a ticket if his height is above 90cm. Well, his height is still hovering around there, I didn't get him a ticket, and also he insisted that he would sit on my lap during the show. Greg was very excited about the show at the beginning, and as usual he would ask lots of questions about the content of the movie. About an hour passed, he started to get tired and he asked, "Mummy, I think I want to switch off this big TV already. I am so tired. The show is so long..". Kekeke... well, he was patient enough to sit still till the movie ended. After that, we went to the food court for lunch, and he lamented again, "Mummy, the movie not nice..next time we don't go for such long movie ok?"kekeke... however, I do enjoy the show somewhat. Afterall, I have not watched a movie for a few years already! =)

Fish Tank

Got my maid to wash my fishtank the first time, and I was horrified to see them all dead the next day. However, to my surprise, there were plenty of baby fishes swimming around. I didn't know my fishes were pregnant. I doubt all three were pregnant but I had absolutely no idea how they died. I thought the mummy fish could have died after giving birth to so many baby fishes (bled to death?). As for the other two adult fishes, I thought perhaps one tried to eat the babies, whereas the other attempted to protect them,hence they had a fight and both died as a result?


There were about 50 baby fishes altogether. My neighbour's son dropped by my house and was excited when he saw the fishes. I gave him about 15 baby fishes, another 10+ fishes to Greg's teacher, 9 to Raymond and I kept the rest. This is the first time I start rearing fish from the infant stage. Kekeke... hope these fishes are hardy enough to continue growing... and yes I may need to change my tank to a bigger one soon. =)

Gareth Goes to Nanny

Gareth has just started going to a nanny this week. Greg seems to be the happiest person.Well, Greg hasn't been very happy about Gareth staying at home with me while he goes to school. There was once he questioned me...
GREG: Mummy, why do I have to go to school?
ME: You go school to learn new things and to play with your friends. You love your teachers and friends right?
GREG (shook his head): No. I don't want to go school. Why Didi doesn't have to go school?
ME: Didi is still a baby..
GREG: But when I was a baby, I go school also you know.. Why Didi can stay at home with you now? Mummy, you are not working now so maybe I stay at home with you and Didi can?
ME: No. Didi is going Teacher Mabel there and Mummy will start work soon..
GREG: Oh...

Well, Teacher Mabel has been great with Gareth so far, and Greg upon seeing his brother didn't cry when we left him there, he didn't wail for the whole week when I left him at school! Hope Gareth adjust fine at his nanny there, and as for Greg, I do know he has been comparing almost everything (e.g., treatment we give him and his brother) and when there's any perceived unfairness, he will question us nonstop! Aiyo!

On the first day we went to pick Gareth up from the nanny's place,
GREG: Mummy, are we going Teacher Mabel's house now?
ME: Yup. We have to pick Didi up.
GREG: Why Mummy? Why do we have to pick Didi up? I think it'd be better we pick Gareth up only when he grows bigger at Teacher Mabel's house...
ME:???
I still thought he'd have missed his little brother. Apparently, Greg's readily to give his brother to anyone who wants him.Sigh.I have to be extra careful with my behaviours, actions and speech towards my two boys because Greg's extremely sensitive and he could get jealous very easily. Sigh!