Twins?

Comparing the baby photos of both my sons... Don't they look almost identical? I wonder how much alike they'll look when they get older. Gabriel is almost like Bryan. He's quite a happy baby, just like Bryan. But there are slight differences. Gabriel doesn't take as much as Bryan used to. And he's slightly fussier. Now, he'll only use the NUK teats. Even then, he doesn't like drinking from it much. He much prefers Mommy.

Meanwhile, Mommy is managing fine so far. Somehow, I'm not as tired as I remembered I used to be with Bryan. And I'm not so worried/anxious as before. But I feel like I'm not loosing as much weight as I'd like to. I want to eat less now but I'm feeling hungry a lot of the time. Sigh...

Brothers

So far, Bryan seems to be taking to Gabriel quite well. He is interested when Baby Gabriel fusses and doesn't mind me tending to the Gabriel. And he likes being called a Big Brother or 'Kor Kor'. Also I've been trying to spend time with Bryan too when Gabriel is asleep. Which is why I'm quite tired out myself. And Bryan has been getting lots of presents and new toys from us too. Daddy's also been very good keeping him occupied with toys and new games so Bryan doesn't feel left out. I hope they grow up to be close friends. And I can't wait for the two of them to be able to play together.

Busyness

Thanks to everyone who came to visit us. And a big thank you for all the presents too. I've been really busy this week. With a new born and a three year old. If I'm not attending to Gabriel, I'll try to play with Bryan. Unless he is in school or asleep. But it's still very hard to find time to do much on my own. I'll try to find time to put up more photos. :)

Gabriel

I managed to take it with my point and shoot cybershot camera. *priceless*

Deja Vu

It's POD 1. And already I remember how to hold a baby and breastfeed. Then there is the itching from all the hospital plasticky linens. And yet how fun it is to play with the bed controls and how uncomfortable hospital beds can be.

Kudos to my gynae who remained calm during my operation. My anaesthetist who got everything right the first go, my plug, my spinal. Everything was practically painless. And I learnt that synflex is waayy better than ponstan and panadol combined. And piriton and morphine will make me really really drowsy.

Welcoming Gabriel Tan

Say hi to Gabriel Tan Kwang Joo.
Born: 9 October 2008
Time: 10:37am
Weight: 3.255kg
Length: 49cm

And Happy Birthday to my father-in-law who turns 69 today!

Ready To Go

It's almost time. I will be checking in to the hospital in a couple of days. I think I've got everything prepared. From the baby's clothes to my nursing stuff. I've dug things out from three years ago and gotten them cleaned. I've even gotten medication for standby in case baby falls sick. And a haircut! The last time was almost half a year ago. I've also bought a brand new Medela electric breast pump. I'm determined to breastfeed for a longer period this time so a new pump is a good incentive.

Meanwhile, Hubbie's taking about a week's leave and Bryan will be missing preschool for a couple of days. My own dad will be down from Malaysia for a few days to see his new grandson. And my mother-in-law will be around to help as well. Everyone's quite excited over the new arrival.

Hopefully, I can get my Wi-fi connected and update everyone. So watch this space!

Budding Artist

This is my little boy's drawing of his daddy. I think it's pretty good for a 3 year old. There is the eyes, nose and mouth. Heh. Isn't it cute? In addition to drawing, he can write his ABCs and 123s. His favourite letter is B (for Bryan). He doodles that all the time.

A New Chapter

Things are going to change for us in a couple of days. It's going to be a while before I can settle down and work out a routine. We will have to get used to a baby and a cot in the room again (at least for a few months). And Bryan will have to get used to less attention. I'm not sure how much time I'd have for myself and hubbie. Although I'm quite determined to work something out. Two children is certainly going to be busier compared to just one. Both my and hubbie will have to look after one child each during our free time instead of taking turns. It's great that my parents-in-law are around to help though.

Recently there's been news of not only the electricity fee hike but news of the economy not doing so well. And hubbie's quite upset over recent credit card bills so he's cutting down my spending. Well, I'll be busy over baby Gabriel over the next few months so I wouldn't have time to go shopping. I have made sure I have most of the things I need over the next few months as well. Meanwhile, I have to make myself stick to the essentials for the next few months. It's not going to be easy since shopping is probably the only way I have to relax and have time to myself for now. I can't wait until I can find the time to go to the gym. That's another way I love to relax. Oh and another way is through scrapbooking. But that I have to wait until I get enough photos, lots and lots of baby photos.

I realised that hubbie's been actually great through these past months. He's been there for all the important moments. Even though I've been pre-occupied with other stuff, hormones and all, he's been really understanding. I think even with all those changes coming up, we still need to find the time for each other. I need to make sure that no matter how busy things are, that I still find the time to sit and share stuff with him.

Meanwhile, I'm hoping for a smooth month ahead. No post-natal blues and the energy to keep on going. The first month is the worst, then it gets better... It's worth it in the end. Having children is a joy everyone should share in.

Fire Station Visit

Did you know that you could go down to any fire station in Singapore for a tour? Their open house is every Saturday from 9am to 11am. Their aim is to educate the public on what they do. It's a great place to take the kids if you haven't been there before. You get to see and climb up into the fire vehicles. And try out the fire hose. And even if you want to, you can try out sliding down the fire poles. It really looked like fun. Bryan got a fireman's hat as a souvenir which he was really excited to have. Now, when he plays with his Playmobile fireman, he knows what to do with all the equipment.

Answered Prayers

I recently was studying a booklet published by the St Andrew's Church about Prayer. And there was a chapter in it about prayer requests. The writer was trying to make his point about how God answers prayers.

Then it struck me that in a way, God our Father, actually works a bit like one.

He has His reasons for not giving us something we want. Or delaying answering our prayers. Or in the end giving us something else totally different. It took being a mother to understand.

For example, if Bryan were to ask me if he could have a sweet, I'd say No, because it's bad for him. I'd give him an apple. Or I'd say 'Only after dinner' because it would ruin his appetite. And if he wanted to play with his toy at night, I'd say 'Tomorrow' because he has school the next day and he needs his rest. And I'd put his 'ang pow' money into his bank instead of letting him spend it because he needs to have some savings. Bryan also wouldn't understand my reasons at the time because he is so focussed on what he wants.

Looking back, I realised that there was probably a reason why it took us 6 months or so to conceive our second child. The timing was perfect. I happened to get a new job which needed me to work for 6 months before taking maternity leave. And the government just announced 4 months maternity leave plus increased childcare benefits. If I had conceived even a month earlier, I would have missed out.

I guess only God knows what's best for us and He knows what we really need. And we just have to trust him. If we don't get the job/promotion we want, there maybe another reason/opportunity ahead. Or if we are put in uncomfortable situations, there maybe something He wants us to learn from it. Maybe His ways aren't so mysterious after all.

More Scrapbooking

I'm on leave at the moment, resting and getting ready for baby so it's a good time to finish up my scrapbook. It's a olive green 8" by 8" scrapbook. I'm down to the last few pages of that one. The 8" one is small and rather easy to fill up. But I think I still prefer the big 12" one. I can put more photos on one page and lots of bigger embellishments.

Meanwhile, it's down to the last week before my scheduled C section. Been there before, so it's nothing new. Of course it's still exciting to bring a new life into the world. I find it very fulfilling actually, to have children. But I think this is going to be it. Two is going to be a handful already. And with me and hubbie with full-time jobs, there wouldn't be enough time for more than two. With education being so expensive nowadays, I don't think we can afford to have so many children either.

I think I've made peace with not having a daughter. It's really ok that I wouldn't have someone to pass my beauty and fashion secrets on to. Or that I can't buy all those lovely pink dresses to dress her up in. :) Now I focus on making sure my sons get good daughter-in-laws...

Singapore (Public) Cord Blood Bank

I just met up with one of the nurse coordinators for the Singapore Cord Blood Bank. I'll be arranging to donate baby's cord blood to the bank. Cord blood is kept because the stem cells can potentially be used currently for bone marrow transplants if a match can be found. There maybe further uses for it in the future as well.

Why the public bank? Well, the chances that we'll need it for either Bryan or baby is very very slim given that none of our relatives have a history of leukaemias/lymphomas/anaemias. So it's a wasted resource if we keep it in a private bank for our own use. At least there is a chance that it will be a match for some other child. Also the American Association of Paediatrics (AAP) also recommends public cord blood banking rather than private.

Anyway, the nurse coordinator is really nice. There isn't much hassle because the SCBB staff will arrange to meet up with you to sign the consent forms at your convenience. This service is free. There will be no charge at all. The actual collection will be done during the delivery itself in whichever hospital you choose and the cord blood stored in the bank at KKH. Quite professionally done.

I hope every expectant mother will consider the SCBB. You never know, you may save a life. For more information or to make a donation, please call +65 6394 5011.

Lilli Putt

Discover Funtastic Singapore in 18 holes.

It's actually quite well set up and in typical mini golf style with mini MRT trains, elevators, cable cars. Quite fun really. And it took us through almost all of Singapore, from Changi Airport, Esplanade, Bird Park, Zoo, Haw Par Villa, to Mount Faber and Sentosa.

It's also Bryan's first time handling a golf club. He was given the shortest one which suited him fine. He enjoyed himself but ended up putting the ball at tunnel entrances, and the edge of the cup so that he could putt the ball in. I think all of us should try it out at least once.