The Singapore Flyer

I think I forgot mention that I went to SIngapore Flyer last Friday. It was a trip funded by the school for all teachers to attend. The observation wheel stands high at a stunning 165 metres - exceeding the London Eye by 43 metres. Which ones nicer? The eye of london has 32 capsules which can hold 25 people in it. It can also be used to host corporate meetings and other conventions. The SIngapore flyer capsule can accomodate to 28 people and there are altogether 28 capsules. There is sure something about the number 28 isn't it...
Although lack of originality, I have to say it is sure to become an iconic visitors attraction. The surrounding area is as captivating as the wheel itself. The man-made Asian rainforest sits at the foot of the flyer and the waterfront dining promenade is really beautiful at night.
But what caught my attention the most was - the mechanism driving the capsule and the structure. Hahah.. yes, engineering students.
Anyway, So Olin, how's my phototaking techniques? Now, will you take me in as your apprentice.
By the way, we also went to the Hort Park - near Alexandra. I have not uploaded the pics. Shall do it soon. An interesting place. Some place you might want to bring you children too for some outdoor learning activites. But pls DO NOT go noon time. Don't say I didn't warn you. You will get fried.

Post Natal Blues

I was back early from work today. Nothing much left for me at work since it's exam period now. Once back, my mum, who is also Izzul's nanny, took the opportunity to take time off from taking care of him. So it was just me and Izzul at my mum's place.
Being home alone with Izzul brought me back to a couple of months back - My confinement days.

A lil' tip about confinement
In many Asian societies, new mothers observe traditional confinement period and practices which have been handed down through generations.

Chinese women observe a 30 - day confinement period, while confinement period for Indian mothers is generally 40 days. Malay women would also go through 40 days of confinement, although not all would observe this strictly. I am not sure if it is practised in other places of the world, but from where I come from, our parents swear by it.

There is something that I really would like to share which I would never have admitted to anyone back then. How do I put this... hmm, I was a little scared being "alone" with Izzul. Yes, I was. I was worried that I won't be able to nurse him. I was worried that he will not stop crying. I was worried that I will scold him for not going back to sleep when I am already so beat. Basically, I was worried that he will realise what a horrible mother I am.
Maybe I was paranoid. Being a first time mother is definitely not easy for me. I do remember one night I cried to myself with Izzul in my arms because he wouldn't go to sleep. I had a hard time breastfeeding him and my nipples were already sore. I kept singing to him but he refuses to sleep. I think he finally dozed off after 2 hours in my arms.
There were also other things then that bothered me. I was feeling rather low (although everyone else is jumping for joy for the new addition). I remembered telling a friend of mine how jealous I was because my hubby was showing more love and care for the baby than for me. During pregnancy, my hubby was super sweet as he always puts me first before anything or anyone else. But I felt isolated the moment Izzul was born. Also, I was feeling tired all the time - it didn't help that we were told to sleep at an angle for 40 days for some blood circulation reasons.... and our tummy were wound up in cloth for 24 hours for 40 days. Imagine the suffocation. (of coz I cheated all the time.. who can bear that especially with Singapore's weather)

So how did I cope with it? Read stories about other first time mothers experiences, also I got back to work, which helps too - and also, learn more about post-natal blues. Knowing that it is perfectly normal really help you to get you back on your feet.

Here are some things I learn about post-natal blues.
Feeling out of control
Extreme loneliness
Pressure to feel instant love for their baby
Tiredness like they have never known it before
Frustration and anger
Detached from their previous lifestyle and friends.

These feeling are often particularly strong over the first few days and weeks. Every one of these reactions and many more are perfectly normal ways of responding to having a baby. As your body recovers and you have some sleep, albeit brief, most women gradually feel more normal and find themselves adjusting to their new role as mothers over a period of time.

Now I treasure the moments I have with him alone.

A Seiko watch from Takashimaya, please!

My dad-in-law b'day is just around the corner. It's going to be a simple occasion of just going out for dinner and presenting him a gift. Nah, it won't be a surprise kind of event because he is the one suggesting the restaurant to have our dinner at and he had also dropped a BIG hint for his present.
It can be so easy getting presents for people who are more than willing to announce what they would like to have for a present isn't it. Definitely not my style. Maybe because I can never decide on what I want.. and I am shy *sheepish*. Really. I would rather get the "wants" myself so that if I grow to hate it, I have no one else to blame. Does that happen to you at times? You buy something from a store, then you bring it home, it sits for a while and you decide that it is not as nice as you thought. You wish you could have gotten something else with that money.
Sometimes, the opposite happens. Some things grow on me. Usually like bags, clothes and especially shoes.
Anyway, May 11 is Mother's Day isn't it? Have you thought of anything for your mum yet?

Teacher's biggest dread

To be teaching a class of hyper-active teenagers who channels their energy to other things than studying. There were only 17 students in the class and yet, they are infamous. For the first time, I was actually worried.
I was allocated to THE class to relief a teacher who was hospitalized. Yes, the teacher was hospitalized. Who wouldn't be worried?!!??
When I told this to my husband, he said, "Long ago, it was the teachers that the students fear of, now, teachers are even scared to get into the class." He makes it sound as if I am being thrown into a dungeon. But quite close to how I was feeling at that time. I had been warned earlier by the head of Mathematics that this is a class to watch out for. So I really don't know what to expect.
When I came in the class, which by the way, the only class which has only one door unlike the other classes (to make it a little harder for them to run away from class in the middle of the lesson, i believe) , there was only 1 student. He was reading. 5 minutes later, a girl turn up. A while later, the school OM came to inspect. I think the head of Maths could have told him to back me up. Yes, I needed back up. Slowly the class make up to the supposed 17 students. As punishment for coming in late, they had to do detention. Too light a punishment for them maybe. Because they just looked bored.
SO after everything settled, I just continued to guide through an exercise I just gave out. They are not as bad as their reputation spells. They are just a group of students who have weak bladder, who has an attention span of a lightning bolt, whose mouth would start to itch if they do not irritate their classmates, the only ones who have an answer to rhetorical questions and the only ones who can ask the Head of Department to stop his nagging because he is exhausting their lesson time. I take my hats off for the last one. Something I have not seen a teacher done with their HOD. Expressing their thoughts :)

And shall I add - a new stroller too!!

Yes, we love bright colours and he loves his new ride

When will be a good time for a walker?

Exams are just around the corner. Previously, I didn't even notice if it is the school holidays already. Now, I can even tell you when is Earth day, international Friendship day, Racial harmony day, and what-not. Things are getting a little busy but still manageable.
Anyway, Izzul is doing fine. Have I told you that we bought a walker for him. I wanted to buy something for my hubby with my first paycheck as a teacher, but he was really sweet and we ended up buying a walker for Izzul instead.
I know, he can't even sit up and we have bought him a walker. But you'll be surprised at how fast he can move with that thing. Personally, there is really no right and wrong when it comes to your child's development. You are the best person to make the call. Once you feel your child is ready to move on to the next stage, by all means. My baby is not crawling yet but I believe he will one day. Or maybe he has plans to go straight to walking, we will never know. Each child is special and development rate is also different.
The only thing is, he can move really quick - backwards. He has problems moving forward. Hehe... He looks so funny when he tries to move forward furiously but ended up getting further and further.
It comes as no surprise that it had become habit for him to listen to our bedtime stories before going to bed now. What surprised me was that he had also become my biggest fan for singing lullabies. Seriously, if I were to put him to sleep without singing to him, he will hum to himself. Or I can call that mumble. With his pacifier in his mouth, he will hum a tune to himself. hehe....
Anyway, pics of him? On his walker of coz.

A beautiful story.... Get ready your tissue box

I was going to talk about calming and soothing babies when I suddenly rememberd this story. Have you heard of a premature baby who survived because of a cuddle. Here I'll share with you this beautiful story:



It was to be the one and only cuddle Carolyn Isbister would have with her tiny, premature daughter.

Rachael had been born minutes before - weighing a mere 20oz - and had only minutes to live. Her heart was beating once every ten seconds and she was not breathing. As doctors gave up, Miss Isbister lifted her baby out of her hospital blanket and placed her on her chest.

She said: "I didn't want her to die being cold. So I lifted her out of her blanket and put her against my skin to warm her up. Her feet were so cold.

"It was the only cuddle I was going to have with her, so I wanted to remember the moment." Then something remarkable happened. The warmth of her mother's skin kickstarted Rachael's heart into beating properly, which allowed her to take little breaths of her own.

Miss Isbister said: "We couldn't believe it - and neither could the doctors. She let out a tiny cry.

"The doctors came in and said there was still no hope - but I wasn't letting go of her. We had her blessed by the hospital chaplain, and waited for her to slip away.

"But she still hung on. And then amazingly the pink colour began to return to her cheeks.

"She literally was turning from grey to pink before our eyes, and she began to warm up too."

Four months later, Rachael was allowed home weighing 8lb - the same as a newborn baby - and she has a healthy appetite.

Miss Isbister, a 36-year- old chemist from West Lothian , said: "Rachael has been such a little fighter - it is a miracle that she is here at all. When she was born the doctors told us that she would die within 20 minutes. But that one precious cuddle saved her life. I'll never forget it."

Miss Isbister and her partner David Elliott, 35, an electronics engineer, were thrilled when she became pregnant.

At the 20-week scan at the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, doctors told them she was carrying a girl and they decided to name her Rachael.

But at 24 weeks a womb infection led to premature labour.

Miss Isbister, who also has two children Samuel, 10, and Kirsten, eight, from a previous marriage, said: "We were terrified we were going to lose her. I had suffered three miscarriages before, so we didn't think there was much hope." When Rachael was born she was grey and lifeless.

"The doctor just took one look at her and said no," said Miss Isbister.

"They didn't even try to help her with her breathing as they said it would just prolong her dying. Everyone just gave up on her."

Ian Laing, a consultant neonatologist at the hospital, said: "All the signs were that the little one was not going to make it and we took the decision to let mum have a cuddle as it was all we could do.

"Two hours later the wee thing was crying. This is indeed a miracle baby and I have seen nothing like it in my 27 years of practice. I have not the slightest doubt that mother's love saved her daughter."

Rachael was moved on to a ventilator where she continued to make steady progress.

Miss Isbister said: "The doctors said that she had proved she was a fighter and that she now deserved some intensive care as there was some hope.

"She had done it all on her own - without any medical intervention or drugs.

"She had clung on to life - and it was all because of that cuddle. It had warmed up her body enough for her to start fighting." Because Rachel had suffered from a lack of oxygen doctors said there was a high risk of damage to her brain. But a scan showed no evidence of any problems.

As the days passed, Rachael began to gain in strength and put on weight. She had laser treatment to save her sight because the blood vessels had not had a chance to develop properly in the womb. And she also had six blood transfusions.

"We couldn't believe that she was doing so well," her mother said.

"Her heart rate and breathing would suddenly sometimes drop without warning, but she just got stronger and stronger."

After five weeks she was taken off a ventilator and Miss Isbister was able to breastfeed her.

Then, after four months, the couple were allowed to take her home - a day they thought they would never see.

Miss Isbister said: "She is doing so well. When we finally brought her home, the doctors told us that she was a remarkable little girl.

"And most of all, she just loves her cuddles. She will sleep for hours, just curled into my chest.

"It was that first cuddle which saved her life - and I'm just so glad I trusted my instinct and picked her up when I did.

"Otherwise she wouldn't be here today.."

Izzul Haq and his GOD!-"aunties??"

Efficient Aunty Olin has already uploaded the pics from last Saturday. I just realized, she took all the pics and she is not in any of the pictures. Anyway, thanks Olin for the lovely pics. They don't look half as bad as you say. Our dear friend here has taken photography to another level and really enjoying it. As friends, what we can do for her is to give her the support, sit back, look pretty and smile for the camera.

A day of a few wrongs

Last Saturday was an eventful day for me. I started off the day uploading photoshop software to my laptop - which I faced a lot of problems because I am just hopeless at fiddling with uploading and downloading of things. It can be as easy as just clicking on next button - yet something can almost always go wrong. SO, yes, the day didn't start out good. I got on with the marking of my sec3 class work. Which was quite ok.
Izzul wasn't around that morning as he has left with his grandparents to accompany them for breakfast. Once he reached home, he looked he was ready to sleep. And he did. Unfortunately only for a while because I already promised my friends that I will be meeting them for lunch - and I'm bringing Izzul along. So my poor little baby was dragged off his bed and to the pram.
I haven't gotten the photos from my friends yet but it was a fun afternoon. It's been a while since we last met. And it had been ages for me and Ija.I hope I get to see the pic soon. Olin, please upload them as soon as you have finished your exams yah?
Izzul was ok that afternoon, but you will never believe how he was that night.
After meeting my friends, we went down to meet Ez's parents at parkway. Ez's sister wanted to eat at the coffeeshop nearby Parkway, however, deep down, I was a little reluctant. The time was close to 7pm. And I have my worries when Izzul is out around this timing. So I asked Ez if we could have something indoor. I was torn. Lin probably wanted to eat at the coffeeshop so much as she hardly suggests any place unless she really feels like it. But I had no choice. Anyway, even indoors, I can already sense Izzul getting really restless. I bet he can't wait to get home and relax. Trust me, babies like to be carried around but if they have been "man-handled" for several hours, they do get tired.
So that night, he didn't sleep well. He was crying out loud - practically screaming. I have never seen him cry like that before. And it wasn't easy pacifying him like other times. It took longer that usual but he did calm down a bit and fell asleep. A while later, he woke up again crying in the same manner. Everyone was worried, if he was bloated or because he had blocked nose. I wasn't sure.
So on Sunday, we brought him to the doctor but he said he was nothing. So my guess is, he was just tired. Moreover, earlier in the day, he enjoyed himself too much, laughing and shrieking at the top of his voice.
Yesterday night, he did cry a little loud but way better that the day before. I am no expert at this. But I have read somewhere, once your baby cries, try to pacify him quickly so that he will not get carried away with the crying. Once he gets carried away with it once, it will be like a habit to him to cry that way each time.
On the other, as he grows slightly older, he gets cheeky and cries because he wants you to carry him up. DO this only once in a while. Other times, try distracting him with his toys or just playing with him but don't pick him up. Otherwise, he will know that by crying, he'll get his way. I can't stress this more - I am just a first-time mum who's just sharing her observation. You are welcome to share your experience and views as well :)

An apple a day keeps the doctor away

Many who has carried Izzul can imagine why I am suffering from back aches. To date, he is 7.8 kg. Quite a handful at 4 months and 3 weeks. But I am glad he is growing well and healthily. I think those nutritional tablet and the tins of milk I drank during my pregnancy paid off.
Izzul also started to drink juice as early as 2 months old. Initially, Izzul was not passing motion like normal babies. At least once a day, so we bought for him white grape juice and he loved it. Then we started buying different flavours for him. I'm no nutritionist but I think it has also helped provide the necessary vitamins for Izzul. His skin recovers fast each time he scratches himself.
However you need to be careful when buying these juices, there are age restrictions imposed on certain brands. I would recommend Gerber. I will update the pic when I'm back on my personal laptop.

Disposable diapers

Tonight we are going to Punggol again. I'm so glad Izzul is all well again. Anyway, there is something I wish to share for all the first-time mums and even mums-to-be. Well, I have not tried all different brand of diapers available in the market but have tried a couple which is good enough to summarise the good diapers to use. For myself, I have tried pampers, drypers, pureen, huggies and a few others. I can't remember at the moment. Usually when identifying the best disposable diapers, many factors come into play: absorbency, fastener quality, fit, affordability and resistance to leaks.

However, my criteria for diapers is much simpler - it needs to absorb well, not too stiff, able to stick on and re-stick the tabs well. I think diapers nowadays there's hardly any that leaks. With so much competition in the market, there is no place for bad quality products. Over time, I believe the quality and cost rockets side by side to each other. Reportedly, Pampers Custom Fit Cruisers, Pampers Baby Dry and Huggies Supreme, are some of the most expensive of the name-brand diapers on the market.
1- But my favourite will be Huggies Ultra. It is definitely the best so far. Although I did not change the diapers for 8 hours, Izzul's bum remain dry.
2- Falling a bit short is the new Pureen Dry. Quite absorbent and the cloth-like material on the outside makes it comfortable for Izzul (I don't know - that's what I heard from people).
3- Thirdly, I use drypers on short occasions. I would change his diapers regularly when he is using drypers. Drypers are popular with parents here because it's absorbent level is not that bad and it is at an affordable price.

Flu bug

Yes, Izzul finaly caught on with the flu bug. Don't get me wrong. Of course, I never wish him to fall ill, but the flu bug has been going around for weeks. Although we have been very cautious, we can't exactly avoid him totally. Especially when he coerce you to talk to him, giggling and act all cute around you. He's sound asleep now. He didn't have a good sleep last night. And I have no idea he was catching a cold. I felt so bad when my mum called me at work this morning to inform me of his condition. He woke up a couple of times last night. I checked his temperature, it was nothing. Checked his tummy. Nothing too. I was really so shacked that I asked my hubby to put him to sleep when Izzul woke up crying again at 3am. It didn't even cross me that he might have a block nose. I was feeling so bad but a good friend of mine turn it around for me. Her words of wisdom made it all better :) Thanks Ros. I will better second time around.

I feel so lethargic and it is only tuesday. Or maybe because it is only tuesday that I feel so down and tired. We just came back from Changi Hospital - the hospital located on the eastern side of Singapore. It is quite a distant from where we are staying - the west. Anyway, geography aside, we actually went to visit my hubby's cousin who just underwent a procedure known as a tonsillectomy. I think that was what it was called. A common procedure to have the tonsils removed. A symptom she had was persistant sore throat and recurring fever. Yaya is usually the life of the party - always there to inject humour out of any occasion. Now that she is the one infected, the ward seems empty. Just the normal quiet whisperings can be heard. I hope you get well soon Yaya! And resume your post as the family MC.

By the way, we had our dinner at Carousel yesterday - complimentary of Faizal and Yati. Thank you so much for the lovely time. It was Izzul's first time to a dinner buffet. He was enchanted by the candles outside the restaurant. Well, he can't sit by himself yet but he can balanced on his Huggies diapers for a few seconds - long enough for us to capture for a pic.