Madison's first holiday season is coming to an end!
This year is the first of many to come of presents, trees and gift giving for our little girl ( she's hardly a baby anymore! )
Madison has been rather taken by the Christmas trees that dot our path wherever we go for the past month. The ones with the most shiny baubles and lights draw her attention the most and she definitely recognises the word " Christmas tree ".
We've never had a tree in our little apartment, mostly because of space constraints, but in view of our little girl I especially went out to Taka to get one, decorated it with the help of Maria and Nancy. The effort seems well worth it, it's been priceless seeing her face light up whenever we turn on the Christmas lights! She seems to favour the shiny silver baubles and would pick them off the lowest branches of the tree.
Of course Madison received her share of presents this year from various people. Pa gave her a mini pink laptop, complete with a mouse! She got Nike sandals from Chris and me, fake Chanel ballet slippers courtesy of Uncle Chai and his frequent visits to Han Ting! Geok and Munhon bought her a shiny Neoprene swimming suit. Chris' mum bought her a belated pressie from Gap-- a new wardrobe for the new year!
We stayed over at the Novena house on Christmas eve so that we could have a long sit down dinner. There was home made turkey, salad, scallops and prawns. For dessert Pa tried to make chocolate souffle but that didn't turn out so well. There was B & J's ice cream courtesy of Ma and marbled banana cake courtesy of Mummy ( chris' mum ).
Prof Foo Chee Liam and his wife, as well as uncle Poh Seong joined in the dinner as well, so you can imagine the crowd at our dinner table... it was tight but really cosy and we all had fun that night.
The only downside to the entire event was the night.. Chris and I spent it at the Novena house but since Chai and his mum were occupying the other spare rooms, Madison took the last remaining one and we crashed on the floor in the study.Did we wake with a sore back and stiff neck the next day!
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Crazy days..
I can't believe the year is almost done... I started it thinking about nothing but the baby, the pregnancy and delivery, and now that seems eons away... like a lifetime ago. Life before Madison is becoming a distant memory now, and every day it seems more normal to share my life with her... so cliched!
Updates...
Madison can now crawl too well and she's all over the place. Although I must add that she seems pretty smart for her little pants, and tends to choose the surfaces that she will crawl on quite often. I suppose the cold granite floor is a little uncomfortable to be crawling on for prolonged periods. She also has preferences for the usual places: kitchen, living room, any area COVERED in hazardous things such as electrical wires and white goods! When she comes to a step, our smarty pants of a girl has figured out how to maneouvre it by going leg first then hands!
She can also pull to stand really well now and uses that to her advantage to pull things off shelves and any flat surfaces. Today she was holding a plastic light bulb cover and forgot to hold on, so she actually managed to stand unaided for a split second!
Madison is quite developed in her social domains, and has been able to wave bye bye for awhile now, as well as mimic the twinkle little star act. She of course enjoys peek a boo and laughs at silly things that we do to her.
Fortunately for the past few nights she has been settling well at night so I finally get some well deserved rest at night. Her day time naps are down to 3 as well, morning one at around 9Am, an afternoon one at 130PM and a late one at around 430 0r 5PM so that she would last past dinner. I tried to eliminate that one but it was disastrous... she was so exhausted by dinner and fell asleep before bedtime!
Just when I thought things were settling down for the good... Chris develops optic neuritis...
It occured about a week or two ago right out of the blue. He suddenly started complaining of eye pain, although there was nothing much to see externally. After a week I told him to get it seen by the eye doctors, so he did, and they did not come up with a diagnosis. Saturday, 6th December he started getting fuzzy vision, which did not improve over the weekend.
Monday was a public holiday, so we left it alone but I told him to get a opthalmologist to see it on Tuesday at work. Finally the diagnosis of optic neuritis was made and he had to get urgent tests done that night. The MRI of brain and orbit were done and seemed ok but the opthalmologist seemed to think the optic nerves looked inflamed on the scans. Chris was admitted that night for further blood tests and to start intravenous methylprednisolone to arrest the visual loss.
Wednesday was a really stressful day for me. Initially I had to go to the clinic to review my patient that I intended to SEND to the hospital ANYWAY, but in the end there was a communication error and the message was that she'd already gone, so I didn't go there but headed to SGH in the morning. Then while I was there Jolene called to say that she hadn't gone but had come to the clinic instead! I had to tell her to call the family to send her to the hospital to get checked.
By 11 am Chris still had not seen the neurologist and was still waiting to do some visual testing. I took Madison home for her lunch and afternoon nap. As soon as she fell asleep I packed up some lunch and soup for Chris and headed back to the hospital. Fortunately Zhou Hong was around SGH that day for a lecture so we went down to Delifrance for drinks.
It is good to have friends in different specialities in the medical faculty. Zhou Hong and Melvin helped us look at the MRI scans, while Wan Xian's hubby, who is a neurologist spoke to me more about optic neuritis and multiple sclerosis. In the end while the information wasn't new it still helped to kn0w that there were people out there who cared enough to respond.
Pa and Ma also returned from the annual Hainan mission trip that I missed this year. Ma called me as soon as she landed in Singapore... and terrible me... all I said was... you guys are late! She didn't berate me but just asked how Chris was... Of course I felt really bad afterwards.. it wasn't her fault the plane was late!
All I really want this Christmas is for Chris to be healthy and live LONGER than me! I think I can cope with most things otherwise...
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Crawling
Madison finally crawled for real... forwards and more than 2 steps!
She's been practicing for the longest time and for awhile we were doubting that she would crawl, betting instead that she would just walk rather than crawl. Then suddenly 2 days ago , roughly on the 23rd November she suddenly started to crawl for real! We were quite thrilled, although we realise that we have to watch her constantly now.
She's still not terribly too quick at it yet, unlike her rolling around the bed/sofa skill.... but I'm sure it'll get there quite soon!
She's been practicing for the longest time and for awhile we were doubting that she would crawl, betting instead that she would just walk rather than crawl. Then suddenly 2 days ago , roughly on the 23rd November she suddenly started to crawl for real! We were quite thrilled, although we realise that we have to watch her constantly now.
She's still not terribly too quick at it yet, unlike her rolling around the bed/sofa skill.... but I'm sure it'll get there quite soon!
Sunday, November 23, 2008
A new car!
Today we finally did the deed. Bought a new car...
Chris and I had been putting the purchase of a bigger car off since the birth of Madison... until she grew bigger the current Subaru Impreza that we bought on the 20th March 2003 had been sufficient...
Other factors that made us keep the car was that we had bought it at a time when the price was significantly higher at over $82 000 and the car loan was substantial. To redeem the loan would have meant we were out of pocket. Hence we stuck with it, although some days we were struggling for space as her car seat took up half the back seat and her stroller would take up the entire boot space!
However, with the current economic crisis and downturn, COEs had dropped to an all time low and the current car prices are some of the lowest around. We'd been shopping online and at the showrooms for awhile and the only car we'd vaguely liked till now was the Subaru Tribeca. However the rear view mirrors were HUGE and unpleasant to the eye, and the cost was beyond our means at the moment. We were quoted $115K for the car and it was to be discontinued too.
For some strange stroke of fate, one of my patient's friends smsed me today regarding the Tribeca having fallen $10k, to see if we were interested. That prompted us to start thinking about getting a bigger car again...
Chris brought up the Honda Stream, which is a midsized 7 seater MPV and was less than $80K. A little hesitant, we went to the showroom to have a look. Dean looked after us at the showroom and showed us the different variations in the Stream... after looking around and discussing, it was decided that the Stream was the most suitable size and price wise. The CR-V looked nicer, but had less space and would guzzle petrol, and the sedans were all too small. The Odessey was similarly too big and costly.
Dean took us for a short test drive and after that I was more convinced that the car was easy to drive and not too difficult to manouvre. Then we had to decide between: 1. 2008 or 2009 models; 2. colour; 3. standard or RSZ model. The difference? The top end 2009 RSZ model had the works, sport rims with 17 inch alloys, fog lights, halogen lamps and sporty front panel. The interior was a nicer black instead of standard beige. Sunroof was also standard in the RSZ, as well as paddle shifts. Chris was sold on the RSZ but I needed more convincing to spend the extra $7k.
In the end we settled on the 09 RSZ, and sat down to work out the numbers. The Subaru was worth $25k, which was FINALLY more than the bank loan of $14k, so we were able to do a trade in and exchange the loan. Funny thing was that with the new car, our effective loan repayments per month was lower !
We signed the papers and charged the $5k deposit to the credit card. Metal silver was the colour of choice. Dean advised us that the car would be available Dec/ Jan. We kinda left thinking.. OMG what the heck??? We just got ourselves a new car~! Just like that...
Chris and I had been putting the purchase of a bigger car off since the birth of Madison... until she grew bigger the current Subaru Impreza that we bought on the 20th March 2003 had been sufficient...
Other factors that made us keep the car was that we had bought it at a time when the price was significantly higher at over $82 000 and the car loan was substantial. To redeem the loan would have meant we were out of pocket. Hence we stuck with it, although some days we were struggling for space as her car seat took up half the back seat and her stroller would take up the entire boot space!
However, with the current economic crisis and downturn, COEs had dropped to an all time low and the current car prices are some of the lowest around. We'd been shopping online and at the showrooms for awhile and the only car we'd vaguely liked till now was the Subaru Tribeca. However the rear view mirrors were HUGE and unpleasant to the eye, and the cost was beyond our means at the moment. We were quoted $115K for the car and it was to be discontinued too.
For some strange stroke of fate, one of my patient's friends smsed me today regarding the Tribeca having fallen $10k, to see if we were interested. That prompted us to start thinking about getting a bigger car again...
Chris brought up the Honda Stream, which is a midsized 7 seater MPV and was less than $80K. A little hesitant, we went to the showroom to have a look. Dean looked after us at the showroom and showed us the different variations in the Stream... after looking around and discussing, it was decided that the Stream was the most suitable size and price wise. The CR-V looked nicer, but had less space and would guzzle petrol, and the sedans were all too small. The Odessey was similarly too big and costly.
Dean took us for a short test drive and after that I was more convinced that the car was easy to drive and not too difficult to manouvre. Then we had to decide between: 1. 2008 or 2009 models; 2. colour; 3. standard or RSZ model. The difference? The top end 2009 RSZ model had the works, sport rims with 17 inch alloys, fog lights, halogen lamps and sporty front panel. The interior was a nicer black instead of standard beige. Sunroof was also standard in the RSZ, as well as paddle shifts. Chris was sold on the RSZ but I needed more convincing to spend the extra $7k.
In the end we settled on the 09 RSZ, and sat down to work out the numbers. The Subaru was worth $25k, which was FINALLY more than the bank loan of $14k, so we were able to do a trade in and exchange the loan. Funny thing was that with the new car, our effective loan repayments per month was lower !
We signed the papers and charged the $5k deposit to the credit card. Metal silver was the colour of choice. Dean advised us that the car would be available Dec/ Jan. We kinda left thinking.. OMG what the heck??? We just got ourselves a new car~! Just like that...
Friday, November 21, 2008
Phil and Ted's Vibe stroller!
Pa and Ma are finally back from their trip to Kyushu in Japan!
Chai coincidentally came back from Melbourne/Australia for his summer holidays too, and he bore with him our newest acquisition! The 3 wheeler jogger that cost us over $1000...we ordered it online about a month ago on Babies Galore.com.
I must say... I was really skeptical and hesitant to buy it initially as it seemed SO BIG and bulky on the internet... but Chris was sold on it and he liked it the best out of all the joggers that he had been looking up. So we did the deed and spent the $$$ ( as usual ! )
And now I am really excited about taking it out for a spin! My only worry is whether she will stay in it long enough for me to actually jog in it?
Chai coincidentally came back from Melbourne/Australia for his summer holidays too, and he bore with him our newest acquisition! The 3 wheeler jogger that cost us over $1000...we ordered it online about a month ago on Babies Galore.com.
I must say... I was really skeptical and hesitant to buy it initially as it seemed SO BIG and bulky on the internet... but Chris was sold on it and he liked it the best out of all the joggers that he had been looking up. So we did the deed and spent the $$$ ( as usual ! )
And now I am really excited about taking it out for a spin! My only worry is whether she will stay in it long enough for me to actually jog in it?
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Madison's first Zoo trip!
Since I've been feeling pretty fed up with the nights, I decided we should try and do something fun during the day to make up for it...
We spend way too much time at the malls so finally I decided to bite the bullet and take her to the ZOO.....
It's a good 30minute car ride away and so we left immediately after her afternoon nap. It was just Madison, Nancy, Maria and myself. When we got there I signed up for the Friends of the Zoo membership via a magazine subscription since the membership came free with it. I chose to get Newsweek and Discovery channel magazine. The entire deal came up to $289 ... the FOZ membership was already going to cost me $180.
I think the adults were more excited at finally being at the zoo and we were perusing the map enthusiastically. Madison seemed interested in the zoo but I am not sure if she really knew what was going on... she got excited looking at the animals but got tired and needed a nap after about an hour. I suppose it was pretty warm out too although the sun wasn't out. Oh ... and were we lucky! The white Tiger exhibit had just reopened after the human mauling episode that occurred last week! They were majestic creatures, though I must say, their paws did look awfully BIG and DANGEROUS...
One comment I really should make about the zoo... its prominent lack of nursing facilities and child diapering areas! Considering it's supposed to be a child and family friendly place. I did email them about it but they suggested using a function / activity room somewhere in the zoo....how on earth are nursing women supposed to look for it in the middle of the zoo trip??
I was hunting up and down screening for a decent place to feed Madison, but in the end just did it in public near the restaurants in the middle of the zoo. Thankfully she wasn't too naughty and
I managed to feed her quite discreetly with the sarong! I was so glad she fell asleep quite easily too. And then we went to the cafe to cool down with a scoop of Ben and Jerry's each. She was zonked out so I even got to put her down in the stroller to sleep!
After Madison woke I decided to call it a day and take her home... she was supposed to have dinner soon... which is another saga in its own... sigh... trying to get her to take her solids have become increasingly difficult, which is strange as she took to them easily at the start!
We spend way too much time at the malls so finally I decided to bite the bullet and take her to the ZOO.....
It's a good 30minute car ride away and so we left immediately after her afternoon nap. It was just Madison, Nancy, Maria and myself. When we got there I signed up for the Friends of the Zoo membership via a magazine subscription since the membership came free with it. I chose to get Newsweek and Discovery channel magazine. The entire deal came up to $289 ... the FOZ membership was already going to cost me $180.
I think the adults were more excited at finally being at the zoo and we were perusing the map enthusiastically. Madison seemed interested in the zoo but I am not sure if she really knew what was going on... she got excited looking at the animals but got tired and needed a nap after about an hour. I suppose it was pretty warm out too although the sun wasn't out. Oh ... and were we lucky! The white Tiger exhibit had just reopened after the human mauling episode that occurred last week! They were majestic creatures, though I must say, their paws did look awfully BIG and DANGEROUS...
One comment I really should make about the zoo... its prominent lack of nursing facilities and child diapering areas! Considering it's supposed to be a child and family friendly place. I did email them about it but they suggested using a function / activity room somewhere in the zoo....how on earth are nursing women supposed to look for it in the middle of the zoo trip??
I was hunting up and down screening for a decent place to feed Madison, but in the end just did it in public near the restaurants in the middle of the zoo. Thankfully she wasn't too naughty and
I managed to feed her quite discreetly with the sarong! I was so glad she fell asleep quite easily too. And then we went to the cafe to cool down with a scoop of Ben and Jerry's each. She was zonked out so I even got to put her down in the stroller to sleep!
After Madison woke I decided to call it a day and take her home... she was supposed to have dinner soon... which is another saga in its own... sigh... trying to get her to take her solids have become increasingly difficult, which is strange as she took to them easily at the start!
Sleepless in Singapore....
Argh... I have to complain once again!! MADISON IS A TERRIBLE SLEEPER!
During her early days, Madison was a terror when it came to the nights.. she would fall asleep, then wake repeatedly and refuse to go back in her cot... we tried so many ways to make her stay, but in the end none of us were getting sleep so she got to bunk in with us for awhile...
Then for some really strange reason she started sleeping stretches in her own cot and for a few months the nights were becoming blissful.. to a point where I was starting to think that sleep at night was not far away.... how wrong was I!
For the past week, since she recovered from her viral fever, she has been terribly unsettled and waking frequently looking for me at night. The days are good, she is cheerful and napping well, but come nightfall and the nightmare begins. She falls asleep easily but would then suddenly wake and scream to no end until I rock her back to sleep. This can go on for awhile until she completely falls asleep till a few hours later! Same thing repeats later at night after a feed at whatever time she chooses to wake ... one night it was 12midnight, another night 1 AM, another night 3 or 4 AM!
Chris and I have been trying desperately to find the cause of this: temperature wrong? I got the airconditioner technician to service the units. Bed too hard? We bought her new cot quilt to make it softer and slightly warmer. Leg getting stuck in cot rail? We got a new cot bumper that is taller, since we moved her cot lower down. Sleepsack too warm? We tried to put her in long legged PJs and just a blanket but she soon kicked them off and then woke too! Teething??? None seen yet after 1 week of this !
I am getting really discouraged and frustrated with this turn of events... she was so good before her illness and something has changed since then! Just wish she came with a troubleshooting manual so we could fix the problem!
During her early days, Madison was a terror when it came to the nights.. she would fall asleep, then wake repeatedly and refuse to go back in her cot... we tried so many ways to make her stay, but in the end none of us were getting sleep so she got to bunk in with us for awhile...
Then for some really strange reason she started sleeping stretches in her own cot and for a few months the nights were becoming blissful.. to a point where I was starting to think that sleep at night was not far away.... how wrong was I!
For the past week, since she recovered from her viral fever, she has been terribly unsettled and waking frequently looking for me at night. The days are good, she is cheerful and napping well, but come nightfall and the nightmare begins. She falls asleep easily but would then suddenly wake and scream to no end until I rock her back to sleep. This can go on for awhile until she completely falls asleep till a few hours later! Same thing repeats later at night after a feed at whatever time she chooses to wake ... one night it was 12midnight, another night 1 AM, another night 3 or 4 AM!
Chris and I have been trying desperately to find the cause of this: temperature wrong? I got the airconditioner technician to service the units. Bed too hard? We bought her new cot quilt to make it softer and slightly warmer. Leg getting stuck in cot rail? We got a new cot bumper that is taller, since we moved her cot lower down. Sleepsack too warm? We tried to put her in long legged PJs and just a blanket but she soon kicked them off and then woke too! Teething??? None seen yet after 1 week of this !
I am getting really discouraged and frustrated with this turn of events... she was so good before her illness and something has changed since then! Just wish she came with a troubleshooting manual so we could fix the problem!
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