Pretty Yitian

Some shots of Yitian which I like very much

At Vivocity

Today, Mr Kho is on duty. Thus arranged to meet up with my sis and her family at IMM.

However, upon reaching there and after having a MacDonald's lunch, realised that there was nothing much to do. Adjourned to Vivocity...

Hey, a balloon shaping session..at Best Denki


Yitian patiently waiting for her turn..

After all that, Hi-tea at a Chinese restaurant

Children's Day Party

Yitian was invited to a Children's Day Party organised by my elder sis' RC zone.

All her three cousins were there as well. We arrived early to have the best seats in the house.

Manfred korkor is scared of the "snake" man. Don't worry, Korkor, I'll protect you..

Stefanie Jiejie was called upon to participate in a contest and she was the solo winner! Yeah!! She had to balance a potato chip on her forehead and make it roll down into her mouth without the help of her hands, just by using facial muscles! Incredibly fantastic, jiejie!

A MacDonald's breakfast outing with my Jiejies...

Woke up early today and decided to call my sis and asked if she wanted to bring her 2 girls to West Coast Park MacDonalds for breakfast.

Then & Now..

We realised that Yitian was wearing the exact same dress when she was about a year old and we decided to take the same shot again to have a comparison...
Then...24/09/07
Now...13/9/08

On my off day..

As I'm working in a 5-day work job, we are being compensated one day off in lieu of National Day. Thus, I planned today as my off day.

Having seen that today is the start of Comex, and it being Thursday, I thought there would not be too many people. Boy was i wrong...It was still as crowded. How come all these don't have to work??

I arranged with my in-laws (I know my father-in-law is crazy over computer thingys), my mother to meet at Suntec. As my dad and I were going out of the house, it was drizzling a bit and Yitian saw us carrying our umbrellas and she,too, wanted to bring hers along..

No more domestic help!

We are back to having no domestic help. Sri did not like looking after children. She says she does not know how to handle Yitian. Even with us putting her and Yitian at my sister's place and with Mata helping. She says she prefers looking after old men, I presume elderly folks. It's defintely easier as you don't have to run around them, they don't have that high level of energy!

Well, Mr Kho and I were glad that we discovered it now rather than when our second one is born. The maid agency was quite efficient in handling the administrative part of it. Sri has officially been transferred and we have gotten our refund back.

Not to worry, I can manage. When Mr kho and I sat down and talked about it, we realised that at this point in time, we may not be suitable to have a maid. We prefer to do things ourselves. And like I mentioned before, it's a weird feeling to have someone who you totally don't know staying with you. So i guess, this chapther in our lives is closed, At least we did try out.

Shopping with Mickey & Minnie Mouse!

Went to Giant Parkway Parade for some grocery shopping.

Yitian was getting a bit restless, thus enlisted the help of Mickey & Minnie to help keep her entertained. It worked!

Calling Ah Ma

"Ah Ma, What are you doing??"

"I'm watching TV.."

Having fun with her Jiejies

On a normal day...

Stefanie Jiejie trying her hair styling on Yitian

Teaching Yitian the hula-hoop

Stefanie, Shannon and Yitian

Throwing tantrum days..

Yitian's 2!

My little girl is 2!

Preparing for the party

Let me play first.

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.

Sri has arrived!

We had fetched our domestic helper, Sri, from the agency yesterday evening.

On first impression, she seems to be very polite. However, her understanding of the English language is not so good. Our spoken Malay language is just as bad. I think we would have to rely on my father's help for the time being. Without my father around, we just have to rely on a lot of hand gestures to get by first.

It is really a lot of getting used to. Not sure how to give instructions to Sri. Will have to surf the forum for a sample routine.

Maybe for the time being, I will use this which I found on the "ExpatSingapore" forum - "A Maid's Day"...by Comments.. Any comments??

MONDAY

• Launder bed linen.

• Clean all showers/bathtubs

• Clean all bathroom sinks

• Clean all toilets

• Clean bathroom mirrors

• Empty trashcans

• Mop kitchen floor

TUESDAY

• Dust all surfaces in house including picture frames & ornaments.

• Remove and vacuum all sofa cushions on the sofa.

• Vacuum and mop all floors throughout household.

• Change and launder towels in bathrooms

WEDNESDAY

• Clean stove and oven – not just wipe down

• Thoroughly clean fridge – not just wipe spills.

• Clean all windows

• Mop kitchen floor

• Hose and mop downstairs patio

THURSDAY

• Dust all surfaces in house including picture frames and ornaments

• Clean all showers/bathtubs

• Clean all bathroom sinks

• Clean all toilets

• Clean bathroom mirrors

• Empty trashcans

• Mop kitchen floor

FRIDAY

• Vacuum and mop all floors throughout household

• Remove and vacuum all sofa cushions on the sofa.

• Change and launder towels in bathrooms

SATURDAY

• Miscellaneous chores as needed

• Hose and mop outside patio

DAILY

• Make beds
• Laundry as needed
• Clean kitchen after meal
• Wipe all counters
• Wash, dry and put away dishes
• Pick up toys, tidy up childrens room

MONTHLY

• Deweed downstairs patio

• Clean ceiling fans

• Wipe down insides of kitchen cabinets

Domestic help on the way...

The maid agency called up Mr Kho and informed us that the domestic helper, who we had selected, had passed her English entrance exam. Christine, the lady from LabourExpress, also informed Mr Kho that we'll be able to pick her up from the agency on Friday.

Mixed feelings...

1) Someone, other than family, will now be staying with us..strange..

2) We'll have to entrust the little one(s) to her...

3) People always say that employing a domestic helper is based on luck. If your luck is good, you end up with good help..If your luck is bad..well, you get the idea..

I have already discussed with Mr Kho. As Yitian has always been looked after by my mother, she and the maid will stay at my mum's place for two weeks. Firstly, it will allow Yitian to warm up to the maid. Secondly, the maid will be able to learn how to handle Yitian and what to cook for her.. (Everyone knows what a lousy cook I am..Ha ha..)

Hopefully, with good help, the Khos' will have more quality family time together.