More Chinese lessons??

Today I did not go to work. I have been awarded the EXSA-Silver Award for Executives. Yeah! As what the course instructor said, this is a national award. It feels great! Thus, all awardees need to attend this course before we are able to receive the award - compulsory.

Finished the course early at about 4.50pm. Mr Kho came to pick me up from Redhill MRT station. Proceeded to West Coast to pick up Yitian and Sri. When we arrived at West Coast, Mata said that she was going down to the RC to bring Stefanie home from her Chinese tuition class. Mr Kho volunteered to go and at the same time to extend his parking coupon.

Stefanie came home with homework and Mr Kho sat down with her to go through. Shannon and Yitian both were intrigued by the homework and crowded round the two of them. Soon, my dears, it will be your turn also... Endless homework....

Ms Little Fix-It

Like her father, Yitian loves to be able to fix things. For instance this booster seat.

However, she must first fix up her health first..

Guess what now!!

Throughout the day, I called Mr Kho and asked how's everything at home..

He had brought Yitian to the polyclinic to see a doctor. She no longer has a fever but still has running nose. Was prescribed medicine for it. Mr Kho said that Yitian seems to take to Sri now by allowing her to bring her from the bedroom down to the living room. That is already one big improvement from the preious days' of screaming. She also allowed Sri to bathe her, but still have problem letting Sri wash her hair. Mr Kho feels that Yitian is just bullying Sri..Yah, Yitian really does know who she can bully at times. I know that very well.

Mr Kho asked if I could apply leave tomorrow. How could I? I have already told him that all leave are frozen. He said, then what is staff welfare, at least ask and see what happens. Mr Kho, please try to understand...

During lunch, I felt that my left eye was a bit uncomfortable. It was not red but then you get the feeling that it's a bit sore. After lunch, my left eye started to have discharge. The discharge was yucky greenish yellow. My duties this week is the main cashier, I would have to stay until the last patient leaves the clinic and do the closing settlement. My colleague, Thana, says "Eh, you better go to the staff clinic now before they close at 4.30pm". I tried to ask Helen, my clinic manager but she and all the staff nurses were engaged in a serious meeting which I cannot disturb. Thana managed to grab hold of Shanna when she came out of the room to get something. Then after about 20mins, my team leader, ST, came out and asked what's wrong. She saw my eye and said, "Ok, you go and see a doctor now."

Managed to see the doctor at 3.30pm. Doctor asked do you need MC for today. I was looking at the time and said no. He gave me eye drops and said ok, then 2 days MC from tomorrow. While waiting outside, I read the eye drop notes. It says that not tested before on pregnant women and one of the ingredient used may penetrate the placenta! Also, I was thinking if I go back to the clinic now, I can't use my claim time to go off early..Thus, went back in to see the doctor, he gave another eye drop. Gave me MC to cover me today....AARGH..now it's almost 4pm!!! There's no such thing as 1/2 day MC! The doctor says it's all administrative details. Thus, at 4.30pm, left the clinic..3 days MC!!! Mr Kho came to pick me up.

We agreed that Yitian cannot be around me. We can't risk her having red eyes now. Mr Kho again said that he wants to send Yitian to his parents' place. Not that I'm trying to find excuses, but his parents have never look after Yitian (who is still unwell) and with Yitian still adjusting to Sri, I cannot find it within me to agree. We finally reached a compromise. My parents insisted that Yitian go to Sembawang, my younger sis, Amy's, place for the time being. I told Mr Kho, in future we will spend some weekends at his parents' place. Another case closed..(for the time being)...

Running nose and fever

Yitian caught a cold from Mr Kho...

She was sneezing and having a running nose. Shannon was also not feeling well, thus did not go to school on Monday.

However, Yitian was her usual active self. It was only at night she started to be a bit grumpy. I felt that she was having a fever, but then as I always have slightly cold hands, I asked Mr Kho to feel. Mr Kho kept saying "No lah, don't worry, no fever". I was a bit concerned and asked him how he tested the temperature. By using his lips! Aargh...

At night, Yitian woke up crying. I thought she was trying to be difficult and not go back to sleep. I was worried as Mr Kho and I still have to go to work the very next day and I don't want him to feel that having Yitian at home during the weekdays will disrupt our lives. Luckily Mr Kho now has the sense to use a real thermometer to take her temperature. It was 38degC! Mr Kho quickly went to the fridge and pull out the panadol syrup. As I was patting Yitian to sleep, I was very worried..What to do...Even though I'm entitled to Family Care leave, I can't take leave now as the hospital is having the ISO audit these few days.. I asked if Mr Kho can take leave. Straightaway, he called his colleague and was cleared to take Child Sick leave. Thank you!!

We were in the study room and Yitian fell asleep with me carrying her. Not that I'm happy that Yitian is sick but I'm finally able to care for her as a mother..That feeling was incredible! I told Mr Kho to switched off the air-con in our bedroom so that Yitian's nose will not be congested. After taking the panadol syrup, she settled down to sleep for the rest of the night..

Enjoying her orange

First Sunday night at home..

Sri cut up some oranges and Mr Kho brought it up to me. Yitian saw the oranges and said, "I also want leh.."

"Nice"

Sri settling in/ not settling in ??

Maybe my expectations are a bit high, for I expected that after two weeks at my mum's place, Sri would at least have an idea how to handle Yitian. It could be that Yitian is also a bit difficult to handle.

Yitian would scream when Sri wants to bathe her or feed her. For me, I would reassure Sri that it's because Mr Kho and I are at home, which is why Yitian would prefer us over her. But I cannot help but worry that what would really happen if Sri was to be left alone with Yitian...

Mr Kho and I discussed over this..I called my elder sis, Aileen for help. I asked if we could put Yitian and Sri at her house when we went to work and then pick her up after work. Thank goodness she said no problem. I was thinking that at least Yitian will have Stefanie and Shannon to play with and Mata, my sis' maid, is also on hand to help Sri should she have problem with Yitian.

Mr Kho is upset that I do not want to put Yitian and Sri at his parents' place. I explained to him that I want to be able to see Yitian everyday. That was one reason why we wanted to employ a maid. I have spent almost two years as a weekend mum and I do not want to go through that again. You only get to see your kid on the weekends!! I told him that it's basically the same as putting Yitian at a day-care centre. She would still have to wake up early and only after our work can we go and pick her up. The only difference now, is instead of a real day care centre, Yitian will be at my sis' place!

Thus, current problem at hand settled....

Passing on of my Aunie Ah Hee

It is with great sadness to post this blog as I had received news that my aunt had passed away.

Though she had battled with diabetes for a while, you cannot imagine that your loved ones are gone.

I was working when I felt my mobile phone vibrate. (As I'm working front-line, I cannnot answer my phone immediately.) I quickly went to the clerical office and realised that it was my elder sis calling from her office. My sis asked me what time I'll be knocking off and I replied that I would have to wait till the last patient to leave the clinic as I'm the main cashier this week. She went on to tell me to pick up Yitian from her house in West Coast and that my mum would be there too. I asked why..She said..Huh, you don't know yet..Gugu just passed away..

It took a while for the news to sink in. I know that she has been sick for a while, but like I said you never think that someone close to you will be gone forever.

My mum and my sisters all advised me not to attend the funeral wake as I'm pregnant. My heart is heavy as Gugu is family..and to be not able to see her one last time...

However, my thoughts are with you, Gugu. Please rest in peace. My deepest condolences to my uncle and my cousins for the great loss.