We entered Madison and Annika in a baby competition!
Actually, it was Chris' idea to do so, if it were me, I'd be too lazy to do anything. He heard about the Gap Casting Call from a friend, and turned out that it was happening over the past weekend. We had to spend $80 per child in baby Gap to qualify for a photoshoot.
It was lucky I was free this Saturday. We drove over to Gap at Wisma Atria and there were parents there shopping already at 11am. After checking with the sales people that the competition was actually on, we went berserk trying to quickly find $160 worth of Gap clothes to buy for the 2 girls. Then I had to join the queue to pay. It was annoying that the check out register took quite a while.
Of course, by this time Annika was getting cranky because she was getting hungry and it was close to nap time. But bless the little girl, she behaved really well, didn't even cry or complain that much.
After we finally registered the 2 girls, we had to join ANOTHER queue to wait our turn to take the photos. By which time, it was definitely Annika's feeding and napping time. Still, she did brilliantly, allowing the photographer to take her pictures without any fuss. It was a pity she wasn't at her best but it was the best we could do at that time.
Madison was up next after Annika. She suddenly became so shy; she was unable to smile or pose for the camera. Chris asked her to smile and she tried her best...
When the photos were finally done, it was a mad rush to feed Annika then Madison. The Gap staff was really nice, when I asked her if there was a nursing room somewhere in Wisma Atria, she said there wasn't one, and offered a dressing room for me to use. I managed to give Annika a quick feed before people started knocking at the door( rude! I never knock at the dressing room door to hurry other people up!) We ended up at the Marriot Singapore for lunch.
Hopefully the girls get some votes, but I'm not holding my breath about us winning this competition...it was just something different to do and good exposure for Madison. Some of the other kids were quite natural in front of the camera. And they definitely have aggressive parents marketing their photos for votes.
BTW, voting is through Facebook on the Gap Singapore site!
Monday, December 6, 2010
Friday, December 3, 2010
More gastro!
This is unbelievable!
The gastro bug that Elizabeth has and Madison HAD WILL NOT GO AWAY!
Elizabeth has been having diarrhoea from Monday till today, Madison vomitted Sunday but has been well till today, when she succumbed to diarrhoea too. ARGH.
I am praying Annika doesn't get the bug. I really don't want to see her sick and admitted to hospital. This diarrhoea bug must either be a rotavirus or an adenovirus. It's quite bad.
Today I was so pissed off that Madison started having diarrhoea that when I drove the kids over to the Novena house I got the helpers to strip the play area down and wash just about everything. I've got this germ phobia too, and I'm convinced the play area must be swarming with bugs of all sorts. I stripped down Annika's car seat and playthings that the 2 older girls like to get into and got them washed too.
It's days like that I feel absolutely crap. Surviving on disrupted sleep night on night, then having to deal with toddlers who fight, whine and scream all day is seriously exhausting. I'm glad that I do work though, so at least I have an outlet and time out everyday. And I get to interact with people other than the kids and the helpers everyday.
But for now, WILL THE GASTRO BUG PLEASE LEAVE US ALONE???!!!
The gastro bug that Elizabeth has and Madison HAD WILL NOT GO AWAY!
Elizabeth has been having diarrhoea from Monday till today, Madison vomitted Sunday but has been well till today, when she succumbed to diarrhoea too. ARGH.
I am praying Annika doesn't get the bug. I really don't want to see her sick and admitted to hospital. This diarrhoea bug must either be a rotavirus or an adenovirus. It's quite bad.
Today I was so pissed off that Madison started having diarrhoea that when I drove the kids over to the Novena house I got the helpers to strip the play area down and wash just about everything. I've got this germ phobia too, and I'm convinced the play area must be swarming with bugs of all sorts. I stripped down Annika's car seat and playthings that the 2 older girls like to get into and got them washed too.
It's days like that I feel absolutely crap. Surviving on disrupted sleep night on night, then having to deal with toddlers who fight, whine and scream all day is seriously exhausting. I'm glad that I do work though, so at least I have an outlet and time out everyday. And I get to interact with people other than the kids and the helpers everyday.
But for now, WILL THE GASTRO BUG PLEASE LEAVE US ALONE???!!!
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Gastroenteritis..! Blowing bubbles...
Madison came down with a bad case of the stomach flu over the weekend. Just in time for Chris' arrival back from Japan.
I think she must have caught it after going swimming at the NUSS club with Elizabeth, Geok and Munhon on Saturday. She was well Sunday morning, but then all of a sudden started crying, fussing and saying she wanted to poo. Then, without warning, she projectile puked onto Warni and then several times thereafter. Needless to say we were all shocked.
Poor thing, she wouldn't stop throwing up, so I ended up giving her a shot and a suppository to stop the retching. Drove out to get some Freezer pops for her as well. She spent most of the afternoon sleeping on the couch in front of the television with Chris.
Thank goodness, by the evening, she seemed to suddenly improve and could tolerate ICE CREAM. Unfortunately she started running a fever. I was waiting for explosive diarrhea to start, but thankfully it didn't.
I was super paranoid that one of us would catch her bug too, and especially worried for Annika. Bleach was my best friend that day. I'm sorry to admit that I have a bit of vomit phobia; gastroenteritis is my greatest fear. I honestly tried very hard to be there and comfort Madison, but am thankful that Chris had already come home. He did an excellent job keeping Madison company.
Elizabeth started having diarrhea on Monday, so it's confirmed that the pool must have been contaminated with someone's poo.
On the Annika front, she's staying awake for longer periods now, and like Madison, is starting to refuse feeds when wide awake. She tries to sit up, squeal, and blows bubbles when either Warni tries to bottle feed or I try to breastfeed her! It's kind of cute ( although somewhat annoying as well ) when she is blowing bubbles at 5 am instead of going back to sleep after a feed. Her nights are still somewhat variable, which is tiring too. I am still hoping we don't have to do CIO with her eventually.
We finally have some progress with Warni. Her contract is up next March and I've been asking if she wants to continue working with us. Up till now she has not been forthcoming with her reply, but when I paid her over the weekend she finally gave me her reply.
Initially I was surprised that she would bargain on her terms of employment. I was hesitant to renew her contract, but after discussion with the family and thinking it through, I decided to negotiate with her and have an honest discussion with her. I am glad we came to a happy settlement, so at this point of time she will be continuing to work with us. She will go home for a 2 week vacation then return to us. I am quite happy with the decision and am thinking of bettering her employment terms if she does perform well over the next year. In fact, if she could DRIVE a car and chauffeur the kids around, she'd get paid VERY WELL.
Chris' birthday is coming up in 2 weeks! I think I might get him an Agnes B Voyage lap top bag? I was thinking a new laptop, but I did ask him and he declined. A nice watch would be good too, but they are too EXPENSIVE. Clothes a little too cliched. Maybe a nice suit? ( expensive too ) Maybe I should just get him some running stuff. And get him into running? ( doubt he'd like that! )
I think she must have caught it after going swimming at the NUSS club with Elizabeth, Geok and Munhon on Saturday. She was well Sunday morning, but then all of a sudden started crying, fussing and saying she wanted to poo. Then, without warning, she projectile puked onto Warni and then several times thereafter. Needless to say we were all shocked.
Poor thing, she wouldn't stop throwing up, so I ended up giving her a shot and a suppository to stop the retching. Drove out to get some Freezer pops for her as well. She spent most of the afternoon sleeping on the couch in front of the television with Chris.
Thank goodness, by the evening, she seemed to suddenly improve and could tolerate ICE CREAM. Unfortunately she started running a fever. I was waiting for explosive diarrhea to start, but thankfully it didn't.
I was super paranoid that one of us would catch her bug too, and especially worried for Annika. Bleach was my best friend that day. I'm sorry to admit that I have a bit of vomit phobia; gastroenteritis is my greatest fear. I honestly tried very hard to be there and comfort Madison, but am thankful that Chris had already come home. He did an excellent job keeping Madison company.
Elizabeth started having diarrhea on Monday, so it's confirmed that the pool must have been contaminated with someone's poo.
On the Annika front, she's staying awake for longer periods now, and like Madison, is starting to refuse feeds when wide awake. She tries to sit up, squeal, and blows bubbles when either Warni tries to bottle feed or I try to breastfeed her! It's kind of cute ( although somewhat annoying as well ) when she is blowing bubbles at 5 am instead of going back to sleep after a feed. Her nights are still somewhat variable, which is tiring too. I am still hoping we don't have to do CIO with her eventually.
We finally have some progress with Warni. Her contract is up next March and I've been asking if she wants to continue working with us. Up till now she has not been forthcoming with her reply, but when I paid her over the weekend she finally gave me her reply.
Initially I was surprised that she would bargain on her terms of employment. I was hesitant to renew her contract, but after discussion with the family and thinking it through, I decided to negotiate with her and have an honest discussion with her. I am glad we came to a happy settlement, so at this point of time she will be continuing to work with us. She will go home for a 2 week vacation then return to us. I am quite happy with the decision and am thinking of bettering her employment terms if she does perform well over the next year. In fact, if she could DRIVE a car and chauffeur the kids around, she'd get paid VERY WELL.
Chris' birthday is coming up in 2 weeks! I think I might get him an Agnes B Voyage lap top bag? I was thinking a new laptop, but I did ask him and he declined. A nice watch would be good too, but they are too EXPENSIVE. Clothes a little too cliched. Maybe a nice suit? ( expensive too ) Maybe I should just get him some running stuff. And get him into running? ( doubt he'd like that! )
Friday, November 26, 2010
Vaccinations, holidays
I can't believe it's almost December already! How time flies! Just a year ago Annika was not born yet and Madison was such a little toddler.
Yesterday Annika had her 4 month shots. Managed to time it so that we headed down to the clinic just after she woke from her afternoon nap. I wasn't planning to take Madison along but it so happened that all of them awoke from their respective naps AT THE SAME TIME.
So both Madison and Elizabeth came along. Munhon was off work and Elizabeth ended up getting her shots too. (18 month ones). Madison was worrying throughout that she'd end up getting some too.
At her weigh in Annika was 7.8kg and 65.6cm tall. She's lighter than Madison at the same age but taller. Madison was 8.1Kg and 64cm at 4 months. I think that was the heaviest for height Madison ever was. She's now plateaued at 13+kg for the past year.
Annika was such a champ! She was so bubbly and cheerful the entire time, cooing and smiling at the paediatrician, and only cried for a little while during the needle. It was easy to pacify her afterwards and then she was off entertaining the parents outside! It was really funny. We were waiting for Elizabeth to finish her time with the paediatrician and Annika was cooing endlessly to the parents waiting outside!
I just found out that Warni has been feeding Annika with the bottle teat facing the WRONG direction. The NUK teat is specially designed to resemble the nipple so it looks a little strange. I realised this when I was feeding Annika myself at the clinic using the NUK teat yesterday. When I asked Warni which direction she pointed the teat she showed me the WRONG way. Not sure if that's the cause of her not being able to finish her milk at 3 PM. She takes only 60 to 70mls of expressed milk each time and I'm pretty sure that's hardly enough for her at this stage. We'll see.
On another note... holidays.
Chris is AWAY for a blissful holiday/conference in Tokyo for 4 days. He left on Wednesday afternoon and will be back Sunday morning. LUCKY guy. Would I LOVE to go on a spa holiday right now. I love going to Japan. We've been 3 times, skiing, shopping and eating. Niseko twice and Nagano once. It's the BEST for powder snow. Our skis must be rusty by now. I think I deserve new boots by the time we can take the kids skiiing!
We are trying to plan for a major family getaway in January, but as far no one can decide where to go. I'm a little half hearted because
1. taking 2 kids on holiday ISN'T really a holiday ( although Madison is quite good these days)
2. Madison will miss the FIRST day of her new music class ( not good! they don't repeat it and it's EXPENSIVE!)
3. Chris has to attend a course on the Friday of that weekend.. making HIS holiday really short and he'd have to travel separately from us. Blah. I'd have to take the 2 kids by myself without him.
Anyway... I'm NOT going to be the one planning OR organising this trip so I'll wait and see what my parents/Munhon/Geok can come up with. I'm sick of being the one who always has to organise/sort/plan things out. I've got 2 kids.. that's enough planning for one person!
Yesterday Annika had her 4 month shots. Managed to time it so that we headed down to the clinic just after she woke from her afternoon nap. I wasn't planning to take Madison along but it so happened that all of them awoke from their respective naps AT THE SAME TIME.
So both Madison and Elizabeth came along. Munhon was off work and Elizabeth ended up getting her shots too. (18 month ones). Madison was worrying throughout that she'd end up getting some too.
At her weigh in Annika was 7.8kg and 65.6cm tall. She's lighter than Madison at the same age but taller. Madison was 8.1Kg and 64cm at 4 months. I think that was the heaviest for height Madison ever was. She's now plateaued at 13+kg for the past year.
Annika was such a champ! She was so bubbly and cheerful the entire time, cooing and smiling at the paediatrician, and only cried for a little while during the needle. It was easy to pacify her afterwards and then she was off entertaining the parents outside! It was really funny. We were waiting for Elizabeth to finish her time with the paediatrician and Annika was cooing endlessly to the parents waiting outside!
I just found out that Warni has been feeding Annika with the bottle teat facing the WRONG direction. The NUK teat is specially designed to resemble the nipple so it looks a little strange. I realised this when I was feeding Annika myself at the clinic using the NUK teat yesterday. When I asked Warni which direction she pointed the teat she showed me the WRONG way. Not sure if that's the cause of her not being able to finish her milk at 3 PM. She takes only 60 to 70mls of expressed milk each time and I'm pretty sure that's hardly enough for her at this stage. We'll see.
On another note... holidays.
Chris is AWAY for a blissful holiday/conference in Tokyo for 4 days. He left on Wednesday afternoon and will be back Sunday morning. LUCKY guy. Would I LOVE to go on a spa holiday right now. I love going to Japan. We've been 3 times, skiing, shopping and eating. Niseko twice and Nagano once. It's the BEST for powder snow. Our skis must be rusty by now. I think I deserve new boots by the time we can take the kids skiiing!
We are trying to plan for a major family getaway in January, but as far no one can decide where to go. I'm a little half hearted because
1. taking 2 kids on holiday ISN'T really a holiday ( although Madison is quite good these days)
2. Madison will miss the FIRST day of her new music class ( not good! they don't repeat it and it's EXPENSIVE!)
3. Chris has to attend a course on the Friday of that weekend.. making HIS holiday really short and he'd have to travel separately from us. Blah. I'd have to take the 2 kids by myself without him.
Anyway... I'm NOT going to be the one planning OR organising this trip so I'll wait and see what my parents/Munhon/Geok can come up with. I'm sick of being the one who always has to organise/sort/plan things out. I've got 2 kids.. that's enough planning for one person!
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Regression, TIRED!
Argh... what is with potty training?
Finally we have resolved Madison's fear of no 2 ( pooing ) only to have her regress back to using diapers full time!
We changed her back to diapers because she had such psychological difficulty with doing no 2 in the potty and then ended up constipated. Took over 2 weeks for her to resolve her thing with pooing. She is better now, but for some reason 'lost' her ability to use the potty for pee! I think she will be able to do it consistently if we lost the diapers and used normal underwear, but then how would we solve the pooing issue?
Anyway... I thought maybe I should give the reward system a go. So today I drew up some columns on a piece of paper and prepared some shiny star stickers. I also offered her M & Ms for every star that she got. Let's see if it works.
As for Annika, I think that sleep that I got a few weeks ago was a fluke. She's back to 2 night wakings regularly, and even 3 wakings, but I only feed her at the first 2. I tried NOT feeding her but she created such a fuss it was easier to just feed her. And boy, did she seem hungry!But am I TIRED...
Otherwise, she's a happy baby, all squeals and conversation recently. She's got the cutest smile and the most expressive face ever! Add on the baby curls piled on top of her head, she is a magnet for attention. People keep asking if she's Korean or Japanese. So far no one has mistaken her for a boy.
Where does all the time go? It's already mid November! Before long Christmas will be upon us. We are expecting some visitors come December. Chai is back for his holidays on the 4th of December, and then Chris' mum will visit for a month starting Christmas eve. Should be fun....
Finally we have resolved Madison's fear of no 2 ( pooing ) only to have her regress back to using diapers full time!
We changed her back to diapers because she had such psychological difficulty with doing no 2 in the potty and then ended up constipated. Took over 2 weeks for her to resolve her thing with pooing. She is better now, but for some reason 'lost' her ability to use the potty for pee! I think she will be able to do it consistently if we lost the diapers and used normal underwear, but then how would we solve the pooing issue?
Anyway... I thought maybe I should give the reward system a go. So today I drew up some columns on a piece of paper and prepared some shiny star stickers. I also offered her M & Ms for every star that she got. Let's see if it works.
As for Annika, I think that sleep that I got a few weeks ago was a fluke. She's back to 2 night wakings regularly, and even 3 wakings, but I only feed her at the first 2. I tried NOT feeding her but she created such a fuss it was easier to just feed her. And boy, did she seem hungry!But am I TIRED...
Otherwise, she's a happy baby, all squeals and conversation recently. She's got the cutest smile and the most expressive face ever! Add on the baby curls piled on top of her head, she is a magnet for attention. People keep asking if she's Korean or Japanese. So far no one has mistaken her for a boy.
Where does all the time go? It's already mid November! Before long Christmas will be upon us. We are expecting some visitors come December. Chai is back for his holidays on the 4th of December, and then Chris' mum will visit for a month starting Christmas eve. Should be fun....
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Night wakings
I think I am less patient with night wakings with Annika than I was with Madison.
I guess in a way, I'm looking forward to being able to sleep uninterrupted again... but then she's only 3.5 months now...
It's just that a few weeks ago she seemed to be able to consistently make it to close to 3 am before requiring a feed, but recently it seems to have regressed. Last night she didn't even make it to midnight before she started fussing. I tried not to feed her but she would have none of that. We persisted in trying to settle her without a feed but she refused to settle. In the end I caved in and boy! Was she hungry!
I'm cracking my brains over this. Is it something wrong that I'm doing so she isn't getting enough? Although, I must say that she seems to be eating less in the day now. She completely refuses to feed even though I offer. Can't force her since she'd protest. I'm thinking maybe that's why she needs more at night recently. It's driving me mad. Not sure if I can really do anything about it either.
That aside, Annika is becoming more of a little person now. It's amusing how she gets obsessed with checking her right hand to see if it's still there. She is really into sucking both her fists now, and sometimes( quite frequently!) tries to suck them WHILE feeding! She also seems to be more attached to me than Madison was, and protests if I don't carry her when she wants. She's also quite taken with her sister and cousin. I have a short video of Madison playing with Annika.
I know this baby stage doesn't last very long, so I'm trying to relax and enjoy her as much as possible. When I look at Madison now, I cannot imagine how quickly she's grown. Some time between Annika's birth and now she suddenly became a little girl. It's a bittersweet feeling.
I guess in a way, I'm looking forward to being able to sleep uninterrupted again... but then she's only 3.5 months now...
It's just that a few weeks ago she seemed to be able to consistently make it to close to 3 am before requiring a feed, but recently it seems to have regressed. Last night she didn't even make it to midnight before she started fussing. I tried not to feed her but she would have none of that. We persisted in trying to settle her without a feed but she refused to settle. In the end I caved in and boy! Was she hungry!
I'm cracking my brains over this. Is it something wrong that I'm doing so she isn't getting enough? Although, I must say that she seems to be eating less in the day now. She completely refuses to feed even though I offer. Can't force her since she'd protest. I'm thinking maybe that's why she needs more at night recently. It's driving me mad. Not sure if I can really do anything about it either.
That aside, Annika is becoming more of a little person now. It's amusing how she gets obsessed with checking her right hand to see if it's still there. She is really into sucking both her fists now, and sometimes( quite frequently!) tries to suck them WHILE feeding! She also seems to be more attached to me than Madison was, and protests if I don't carry her when she wants. She's also quite taken with her sister and cousin. I have a short video of Madison playing with Annika.
I know this baby stage doesn't last very long, so I'm trying to relax and enjoy her as much as possible. When I look at Madison now, I cannot imagine how quickly she's grown. Some time between Annika's birth and now she suddenly became a little girl. It's a bittersweet feeling.
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Men are from Mars??
I just had lunch with my parents, and this came up in a conversation.
My sister is away in Bali for a business trip (lucky gal!!! would I LOVE to be in a spa in Bali right now!!) so her daughter is bunking in with my parents for 2 nights.
Apparently she was up a few times last night, and my dad got up to pat her back to sleep, and eventually she ended up sleeping with him. Dad fell asleep immediately as soon as she settled. Mum was a different story. She just could not go back to sleep after each waking!
Which brings me to my point.
What is it with men? Chris is the same. When he has to get up for any reason (eg Madison crying ) he can deal with it and plonk back down to sleep in no time. Even better, the baby could be crying and he could sleep right through it!
My theory is that with the first kid, the husband would TRY and wake for the first month. For the second, that would last all of 2 weeks. By the third kid, he probably would sleep through the entire crying session right from the start! I found it really amazing ( not to mention ANNOYING ) that he could do that, but I have come to realize that apparently it's a talent of ALL men!
I think many mums would have the same complaint. WHY,oh WHY... is it up to the mother to attend to ALL the night wakings of a newborn/infant!!! And then why is it the husband that looks worse off in the daytime??
Multitasking.. another gift that women seem to possess and men seem to sorely lack. Why?
Of course it is NEVER any use actually trying to tell the husband any of this. First it inevitably ends up in an argument. Second, NOTHING changes. Third, the woman ends up PISSED off and remains so for a VERY LONG TIME. ARGH.
My sister is away in Bali for a business trip (lucky gal!!! would I LOVE to be in a spa in Bali right now!!) so her daughter is bunking in with my parents for 2 nights.
Apparently she was up a few times last night, and my dad got up to pat her back to sleep, and eventually she ended up sleeping with him. Dad fell asleep immediately as soon as she settled. Mum was a different story. She just could not go back to sleep after each waking!
Which brings me to my point.
What is it with men? Chris is the same. When he has to get up for any reason (eg Madison crying ) he can deal with it and plonk back down to sleep in no time. Even better, the baby could be crying and he could sleep right through it!
My theory is that with the first kid, the husband would TRY and wake for the first month. For the second, that would last all of 2 weeks. By the third kid, he probably would sleep through the entire crying session right from the start! I found it really amazing ( not to mention ANNOYING ) that he could do that, but I have come to realize that apparently it's a talent of ALL men!
I think many mums would have the same complaint. WHY,oh WHY... is it up to the mother to attend to ALL the night wakings of a newborn/infant!!! And then why is it the husband that looks worse off in the daytime??
Multitasking.. another gift that women seem to possess and men seem to sorely lack. Why?
Of course it is NEVER any use actually trying to tell the husband any of this. First it inevitably ends up in an argument. Second, NOTHING changes. Third, the woman ends up PISSED off and remains so for a VERY LONG TIME. ARGH.
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