Merdeka Day: First admission

Today is our country's independence day. Victoria had slight flu on Friday which disappeared after I gave her a dose of piriton on Saturday morning, before our trip out to 1 Utama. Of course, the side effect makes her drowsy and she ended up sleeping in the stroller while bb brother sleeps in Kakak's arm during my lunch with a good friend. She purged twice in the shopping mall.

Back home in the evening she was feverish. I gave her a dose of paracetamol which she immediately vomitted. A couple of hours later, I tried again with a different color paracetamol (I keep a few of these at home which were prescribed by her paed) and I think the taste is better. Her purging continued, twice during dinner and another time near midnight.

This morning I touched her head and it was very warm. I sponged her, and even in her sleepy state, she made a mild attempt to resist me. At one point, I placed the damp towel on her forehead and covered her ear, which she then immediately said, "Hey, don't sponge my ear." That was quite hilarious, considering that she was feverish and tired.

Hubby had classes the whole day, and an important presentation in the afternoon. However, he managed to talk to the lecturer for a few hours off to bring her to the hospital, after I updated him on Victoria's condition. She purged at least 6 more times in the span of 2 hours, at times uncontrolled. Before daddy came home, we opened her new paint colours and brushes and painted some pictures.

I stayed home with the baby and maid, while hubby brought Victoria to the emergency ward. At noon, I was informed that she was to be admitted for observation as her body seemed dehydrated. Victoria's first admission to the hospital.

Admist the rain, I bundled the maid and baby into the car, "tapau-ed" our lunches, and drove to the hospital.

We arrived just in time to walk in with Victoria, who was wheeled to the children's ward. Her room is a nice single room, C528 and the view is her daddy's tall office building.

Her right hand was bandaged, inserted with the needle to be fitted to the drips later. We later found out that she must have ate something wrong, and had bacteria in her gastro and intestine. This normally last 5 days, and since her symptoms started 2 days ago, the doctor expect her to be fully recovered by Tuesday. That means a 3 days 2 nights stay.

Fortunately, I brought Heh Heh, her favourite doll to accompany her. Hubby cut his class short, thanks to an understanding lecturer, and packed more essential things for her in the afternoon, including her favourite story books. Mama and Yeh Yeh drove up to visit her in the afternoon, and stayed on till evening to help housesit. Popo took a train up to take care of Victoria overnight in the hospital.

I put Victoria back on diapers to keep her stool as requested by the doctor and also prevent her from accidentally soiling her pants. She wasn't used to it. She was also not used to being pampered when feeding, but I told her, "When you're in hospital, dear, mummy feed you and do everything for you. When you're well and back at home, you can feed yourself and do things yourself." So she understood and the very next moment, she was asking me to give her water, take out her socks, wear back her clean socks, close the curtains, feed her her muffin. Hhmm... she's definitely enjoying the attention, but I'm happy to just be with her. She even jokingly told me that the hospital blanket "kucik" (tickle) her because she didn't want to be covered. : )

The whole day, Victoria has been braved and put on a cheerful front albeit some crying when in pain. She showed maturity beyond her age, and I am proud of her.

When I got home in the evening to care for William, I can immediately feel the emptiness in the house. The house is quiet, and tears well up in my eyes. I miss her. As I eat my dinner alone while hubby remains in the hospital with Victoria till later tonight, her absence swell inside me.

No "Eat your food, Victoria"... no little girl's singing or laughing. No one to say to, "Sit down and eat, quickly!" or "Quickly eat" or "Come on, hurry up". No little girl running around, saying, "See mummy..." and no little girl's chattering.

No Victoria in the house. It's not the same. Even Kakak commented the same. I smiled, and kept quiet.

I will miss putting her to sleep tonight and all the nightly rituals we go through.

Victoria, get well soon, and come home. Mummy and Daddy miss you. So does baby brother William.

William's baby dedication at Agape Gospel Assembly

Pastor Benjamin Yeoh obliged us when we asked if he could bless our baby boy and dedicate him to God, just as he did for Victoria. So we set August 24th, 2008 as the designated date.

William was calm, and as we walked up the aisle as a family to the stage where Pastor would pray for him, I thank God for this family. We are a young family and we are inexperienced parents. But we lift up our children to God, praying and hoping that we will guide them the right way, teach them good values and habits, and impart with them our knowledge. I want to give them a loving family environment, the same way as I was brought up in, but each time I lose myself when my patience is tested, I quietly ask them to forgive Mummy.

Dear God, bless my two children that they will walk in faith in You. And if I shall stumble in bringing them up, please guide me that they will see Your love through us.

Most importantly, bless them with good health, and the love and company of good friends and loved ones.

Backwards: Daddy I wanna see lion dance!

This year Victoria saw her first lion dance. A real lion dance. She's been asking to see one, so daddy took her to Cycle & Carriage's showroom to watch a real lion dance. We pre-empted her on what to expect... the loud drums, the men wearing the lion dance and in the lion suit, the oranges, etc so she would not be afraid.

She was truly excited before the show. Here are some pictures taken during the dance, which she braved through without any fear (unlike Mummy when she was a toddler!). One of the lions even offered her an orange!

These are the lions she saw...

A few days later we brought her to a buffet dinner organized by Sunrise at Plaza Mont Kiara, where she watched her second lion dance.

Once in awhile now, she will tell me that she wants to see lion dance. Well, I hope next year she gets to see some interesting ones, this time together with baby brother William!

Junk food... it's my favourite

I had cravings for McDonald's fillet-o-fish burger for some weeks now but never got the chance to eat one. But last night, hubby surprised me by coming home early for dinner at 7pm, then we spent some family time together, while planning to go out for supper later.

The weather was wet, y'know, the kind of rain that never stops but just drag on. But I loved it (reminds me of a late autumn day in UK).

We have never brought Victoria to McD's before, and I don't intend to introduce fast food or junk food to her until age 5 if I can help it. The closest she got to fast food is A&W's waffle and onion rings, and yes, KFC twice (becoz her kindy had it). So whatever we were planning to eat, Victoria wanted too, so we offered french fries to her.

On the trip out, hubby and Victoria dropped by Petronas to withdraw some moolah ($$) and bought a packet of Mamee too, while I stayed in the car with William. I dunno who wanted the Mamee more ;) but in the car Victoria said it's for me and quickly asked me to open it to share it with her.

No thanks, I said. Hhmm... no way and no amount of pestering, I thought, am I gonna let her eat that.

Why, she asked.

I explained that it's junk food. And that these kinda food is not good for her.

Back at home, while digging into our supper, hubby asked for the Mamee packet. So now I know he wants to eat it too.

Victoria told me, after we agreed to let her eat just a liltttttleee bit of Mamee (without the seasoning), that "I loveeeee junk food, mummy. This is my faavvvvoouuurritteee." She had to emphasized on those words. Of course, I hear only la.

Apparently she's tasted Mamee before because a girl in kindy offered it to her. Sigh, so much for my efforts to abstain her from junk food.

Mummy makes me smile when at the traffic light

William normally has his nap in the morning and wakes just in time for a feed, or to pick his sister up from kindy.

Here's some pictures taken this week while on the way to pick Victoria up from kindy.




Hope you enjoy the pics just as I enjoy taking them.

He sleeps by himself

William, is such a cheerful baby. So far, he's been relatively easy to care for, and I also thank God also for a capable maid. I think he's more independent and doesn't insist to be carried all the time.

A few times, close to five, since he was born, he has fallen asleep by himself. I think that's what most mummys would envy. But I won't say too soon... coz babys change and so does their habits, and after going thru one, I'm very "pantang" on this one.

So don't say this in front of him. : )

Shi Shi

Two days ago on Monday, Victoria gave Heh Heh a bath with Kakak. Heh Heh dried in time to sleep with Victoria at night, and as usual, Victoria dressed her doll up in her baby brother's smaller clothes and rocked her to sleep.

Sometime during the night, Victoria woke me and told me that her pants are wet. Hhm.. another accident. She hasn't peed in her pants during the night for a long time now, but no sweat, I've already got the mattress protector, and all I needed to do was to change her pants. I can leave the bedsheet for the maid in the morning, and just move Victoria up my bed.

But when I changed her, I noticed that the bedsheet was not drenched in urine. Then I saw Heh Heh. I picked her up, and yucks... poor Heh Heh, who was just cleaned earlier that day, was now soaked in urine, together with all the clothings she was wrapped in.

In the morning, Victoria apologized to Heh Heh, and I told the maid to give the doll another bath. However the weather wasn't good the whole day, and today Heh Heh is still out sunbathing (thank God for good sunshine this morning).

As for last night, Victoria woke up at 5am, and asked me to sleep with her. I agreed, but said Mummy need to go toilet first and asked her if she wanted to come along. I didn't bother with her reply, and as I was sitting on the "throne" with my eyes closed (coz I was sleepy, why else!), suddenly I opened my eyes and saw her standing in front of me.

After Victoria answered nature's call, we went to sleep together. She's not been wearing her diapers for some months now, and so far thank God, it's not been that challenging or frustrating coz she cooperates by going to pee before she sleeps, and rarely have any "accidents" during her sleep.

Heh Heh

Here's an introduction to a little doll called Hailey, which was a Christmas gift from a friend to Victoria in 2005. Victoria, when learning how to talk, calls this doll, Heh Heh, which we all now affectionately call too.

Heh Heh was pink. Now, after many baths she is a light shade of pink, with hints of her original colour on some less exposed parts of her. Heh Heh is a good listener to Victoria, a source of comfort to her when she cries and feels insecure, a punching bag when she lets out her frustration, an encourager and even a helper to Mummy and Daddy. Heh Heh helps us to brush Victoria teeth when she was learning, wears her diapers at times, and Victoria even requested for Heh Heh to put her to sleep and feed her. Heh Heh even apologizes on behalf of Victoria sometimes.

Of course, to the little girl of only 2 years old (then), Heh Heh means the world to her.

At 3 yrs plus now, Heh Heh is still the world to her. However, after cousin sister Grace arrived last September, and baby brother William this March, Heh Heh has "retired" to become the pampered one now. She is now Victoria's baby... and I mean that. Victoria dresses her up with clothings from Grace and William which are too small for them, complete with diapers, mittens, booties and blanket and face flannel. Mind you, Victoria is very selective when it comes to Heh Heh's garments and she chooses the best, and also wears them for Heh Heh with such love and gentleness, as if Heh Heh is so real.

Heh Heh has her own stroller which we bought from Toys R Us, a mini toy one. She's also been "fed" by Victoria and sat in real strollers, baby chairs and car seats. In short, almost anything that her baby brother or cousin sister touches, her Heh Heh will have a share in it too. : )

Oh, and Heh Heh travels wherever Victoria goes. Victoria loves to bring her doll out for car rides too, and has numerous times insisted that I allow Heh Heh to follow us to shopping malls. Of course, that's a no, coz Heh Heh sleeps with her and we don't want Heh Heh to accidentally drop on the floor. Then again, there's always once or twice special occassions when I give in.

At this time now, Heh Heh doesn't do the stuff she used to, eg brush Victoria's teeth, wear diapers for her (Victoria does not wear diapers anymore) and her job is simply to follow Mummy in the car to pick Victoria from school. Before Victoria sleeps, she'll make sure that her doll sleeps first and mimics the way we carry and "oioi" the babies.

Here's a picture of her darling Heh Heh, which Victoria has obliged to this picture because she wants me to put it up on the wall along hers and William's pictures.

By the way, we did buy her a similar Hailey doll a few years back as we watched Heh Heh deteriorate and age, just in case she (touch wood) loses Heh Heh one day, or if the Hailey doll goes out of stock. But guess what, nothing can replace the original Hailey doll. The new Hailey doll has been constantly rejected by Victoria.

Ikano! My favourite place at this moment

This place, called the Kidz Play Zone or something, located on the 2nd floor of Ikano right next to the Pet Safari, was discovered by Daddy. He brought Victoria there once just the two of them, and she loved it. Then we went there again as a family the second time, and as part of the menu for her school holidays, I brought the kids there last Saturday for a whole day out. Of course, after that, I squeezed in my own shopping, hehe.

Can you see Victoria in the picture?

Baby brother is not qualified yet... but enjoys seeing all the action.

And guess who's sexy bum is this... hehe... (ok seriously, I was jumping up and down with Victoria, and they didn't scold me)

A weekend swimming

We brought Victoria for swimming last Sunday late morning after many many months of not bringing her for swimming, due to lack of opportunity and time. She missed her swimming very much, and so when she tried on her swimming suit again, she was very excited. It still fits!

Here are some pictures taken of her (she doesn't really swim, actually. Her idea of "swimming" is to play with water around and outside the kiddy pool, and give daddy a hair wash)



While baby brother William takes his milk by the pool side.

And after swimming, it was the playground. This is Victoria enjoying herself with Kakak.

Guess who did this?

The picture shows a chewed up, spitted out, rejected piece of what-looks-like a chicken and nicely placed on the top of a food cover.

Guess who's art work is it?

(Not me, says William)

William's first scar

This is William's first scar. I spotted a small red dot on his forehead a few mornings ago (13th Aug), and figured he accidentally scratched himself during the night.

That morning, when I wiped his face during bath time, I must have pulled the skin down a little causing him to squirm a little in pain, (no crying, he's a brave boy!) and later I realised the dot has become a 4mm abrasion. This marks his nearing to being a macho boy. ; )

Here's how it looks like.

If you're happy and you know it...

William, Victoria and I were on the bed getting ready to sleep. As I was playing with William, I sang this song, "If you're happy, and you know it, clap your hands..." and then I looked up and saw Victoria digging her nose. I stopped singing. Yucks. I made a face at her and indicated that she shouldn't do that.

Then she continued my song, "If you're happy and you know it, dig your nose..."

Eeuuu. But that was unexpected and funny.

And she improvise the song further, "If you're happy and you know it, kick your leg (with action)..." and "If you're happy and you know it, pull your hair..."

It's nice to hear little children sing their own version of their songs.

What does the bird eat?

Last night Victoria was playing with me on the bed. Out of a sudden, (as she sometimes does) she told me what happened in school.

"Mummy, today teacher Ming Choo tell story."

To encourage her, I said, "Wow, really. What story did she tell?"

"Teacher Ming Choo tell how the bird eat grass. The bird go peck peck peck (with action) then if not enough to eat, eat biscuit, dog, bread, bearbear, pampers, roti. After eating, go to sleep."

The later part, of course she added in.

2nd visit to the therapist

Yesterday morning I brought William to the hospital for a follow up visit on his crooked neck. The medical term, I found out, is called torticollis, which should mean a condition where his head is tilted to the right. No pointing fingers, but how we came to this stage, my guess is just carelessness on the part of the maid and maybe myself for not properly supporting his neck during his first 3 mths. And also the confinement lady has to be blamed for everything... haha... and also William's constant urge to turn right.

Anyway, I was looking forward to yesterday's visit because I can see huge improvement and his neck has straighten and he is able to turn left and right on his own, and respond to sounds on his left. I thought to myself that yesterday's visit was to be the last. But no...

The therapist, Fizi checked him, and was happy with his progress too. She played with William, taught me a few more tricks to exercise his neck, eg:

1. Lie him down, and gently push his head towards the left to stretch the neck muscle.
2. Carry him upright and hold his back, not his head, to strengthen back muscle.
3. Lie him on his tummy, AT LEAST half hour after his feed, and let him practice pushing himself up and turning his head left to right, right to left. This is tone up his arm also. : )

On top of that, we should continue:
1. Putting all the interesting colourful toys on his left, to encourage him to turn to that direction.
2. When sleeping, let him sleep on his left MORE, than his right. Let's not overdo the left side, lest... GOD FORBID, we should have to rectify the left.
3. Hold him on his side, on my knee, with his head unsupported for gravity to pull his head towards the left. Put a toy in front of baby for distraction.

There you go. Now you can pay me RM200 for free tips. : )

Good visit yesterday, but you know how private hospitals work lar... one more visit and hopefully the last, will be on 2nd September.

How to carry?

Victoria loves to carry her baby brother. Almost everyday she will ask me for permission, and negotiate for "a short while only" when I say no. She enjoys carrying her "biau mei" aka cousin sister Grace too, and also her favourite doll, Heh Heh. I think she will make a good mother when it's her turn in the future.

Yesterday when I got news that my sister in law was already in the delivery room and about to deliver anytime, I informed Victoria of her new cousin brother. With a cheeky smile, she replied, "Oh dear! So many babies, how am I going to carry?" I burst out laughing.

Then when I let her carry William, I "spoke" for William and asked her if she loved her new cousin brother more, or him. She said William. : ) Then William "asked" if she loved her Heh Heh more, or him. Mind you, this is the ultimate question as her Heh Heh doll is very important to her, and she treats her as if her own baby, which really in fact I think she is. If you even wear Heh Heh's mitten the wrong way, Victoria will not be too forgiving. '

So what was her answer? Victoria answered, "I love you more, William."

Wow.

Just to be sure, William "asked" her again, "Jie jie, am I no.1 or is Heh Heh no.1?"
Victoria answered, "You are no.1 and Heh Heh no.2"

I'm so proud of her. I hope this sibiling love will continue to grow. My prayer is always for both of them to love, support and protect each other... but don't gang up and bully your mummy. ; )

See how William has grown

You are my sunshine...

With my sister who insist on carrying me everyday

Happy.

And this is my favourite past time... chewing on my fingers, yummy!

Happy again...

I can't resist the camera... ok... here's another great smile.

On my daddy's strong shoulders (and I like to dirty it too with my burp)

Mummy, where does Santa Claus stay?

In the car yesterday, Victoria asked me. Mummy next time we all wear the Santa Claus hat, and the shirt, and the pants. Then I say, OK, don't forget the sack too, with lotsa presents inside to give to good little children (with the intention to motivate her to be good). Then she asked me, Mummy where does Santa Claus stay?

Aiyoo. Tough question. I was hoping that she didn't ask me that. Do I tell her the truth? Or do I tell her a little white lie and break it to her when she's older, or let her find it out herself then blame Mummy for being a liar?

So I answered, "Santa Claus stay in the North Pole. That's very very far away, and you have to take many aeroplanes there." Wow, many aeroplanes, ahh... she said.

Then she told me she wanna see Santa. And why issit that Santa only comes out during Christmas. Then out of guilt, I told her the truth la. Actually, there are many Santa Claus. Anybody can wear a Santa Claus suit, put on a beard and carry a sack of presents and be Santa Claus.

There! Mummy would never lie to the kids... : )

Me very tired...

Yesterday was a full day. I was out almost the whole day. In the morning, to pick Victoria up from kindy as usual. Then in the afternoon, to the hospital. Then dinner at 1Utama and also to collect my ring at De Gem. Btw, everytime we walk into a jewellery shop, we bring Victoria along to show her all the pretty little glittering stuff!

I wanted to do my pedicure at Sothy's but they were fully booked, thanks to me for not making a booking prior to that. Hmpk, next day then. After dinner, we rewarded her with gelato ice cream just as she's asked for before dinner. She picked her own flavour, the one with lotsa chocolate chips! After all the running around, she was extremely tired in the car.

Just after we left the carpark, she asked me if I can sit behind with her. I said no, because the car is moving. Then she said, "Find a parking. Then sit with me". Smart. But no lar, we were all tired and we just wanna go home and prepare for bed.

Shortly after, she told me, "Me very tired, i dun wanna brush teeth tonite." I said, we see how. Just make sure you wash your feet and hands, and go shishi (coz trust me, it's no fun having to change bedsheets in the middle of the night). Not long after, she said, "Me go and sleep first. Daddy later you carry me and put me on mummy's bed." : )

Yes, my little girl still wants to sleep with me. Sometimes she asked me, why you don't wanna sleep with me, Mummy? Aiyooo. How to explain? I say, it's not that I don't wanna sleep with you, it's because you're a big girl now, and you need more space, and also because when I sleep on your bed, I get backache. I thought of all sorts of reasons but deep down, I told myself, "You're such an idiot, Irene... why not just let her sleep with you?"

So OK. I give in. I can't resist her, and smelling her just before I sleep... that gives a wonderful feeling.

So when Daddy carried her tired body up, I washed her legs at the sink, and dried her legs on my bathing towel... for the record!

We all slept soundly. Even baby William.

A great weekend with loved ones... and lotsa outings!

Last weekend, Popo and Gong gong, together with little cousin sister Grace aka Ling (who is 10 months old) came to PJ for a visit. Victoria has been looking forward to this the whole week eversince we told her. She's asked permission from me to sleep with her grandparents which I agreed to provided she did make an effort to sleep and not "lau gai".

On Saturday, Victoria waited anxiously and kept looking out the garden if Gong gong's car arrived. Finally, they did... at 1230pm, and we had homecooked lunch. In the evening, we went to IKEA, Victoria's old time favourite hangout and had dinner and her favourite Daim Cake at the IKEA cafeteria.

After the shopping, we were queuing to buy some curry puffs, and she was holding my hand. She looked up at me, and asked if she could have some ice cream. It was 10pm, and normally I'd said no, but how can I resist her now since she asked so politely. OK, I said. She wanted chocolate ice cream. I took a look at the ice cream machine behind the cashier and noticed there was only 1 flavour. Then I asked her, if there is no chocolate, will she settle for vanilla instead? She said OK.

So I taught her how to ask the Cashier aunty for her chocolate ice cream. When it was our turn, Victoria asked the Cashier politely as she was taught, albeit with small confidence. "Aunty, do you have chocolate ice cream?" The cashier was solemned face. No. "Then can I have err... vanilla ice..." before Victoria can finished, the cashier turned around to prepare her ice cream in a cone. Hmpk, so much for customer friendliness! But to little Victoria, she doesn't care if the cashier was rude or polite, she just wanted her ice cream!

On the way back, Victoria entertained us all in the car with songs she learnt in school and a malay song from the maid. Even the maid was shocked she grasped on so fast. The song goes like this,

"Cicak cicak di dinding,
Diam diam merayau,
Datang seekor nyamuk,
Hap! Lalu ditangkap."

After a few songs, she fell asleep exhausted.

On Sunday, I brought everyone to 1Utama, also to meet up with my friends. When entering the mall, we as usual asked Victoria to pray for a parking. Sometimes she'd obliged and sometimes she doesn't have the mood. Sometimes she'd pray for a naughty parking (opposite of good parking) but that day, she prayed for a parking and soon after we found one. She said, thank you God, and then said, "God say You're Welcome"... : )

A visit to the paed.... and physiotherapist!

We noticed for a little while now that William's neck is always tilted to the right side, and last weekend an Aunt paid a visit and after I casually mentioned my observation to her, she insisted that I bring my son to the therapist. I believed she meant well with her persistent coaxing but I sure didn't appreciate the nasty remarks about the consequences if I didn't.

Anyway, Hubby took time off and we brought him to the paed yesterday afternoon for an opinion. I amde an appointment at 3pm, but we only arrived 345pm, just in time to catch the doctor before he leaves for an emergency. Dr Eric gave us a referral to the hospital's therapist although he didn't think it was a major problem.

While waiting for the bill, William made friends with the nurses at the reception area. The nurses carried him, and played with him, and even teased Victoria jie jie (who went along to encourage little brother) that they will bring her baby brother home. Of course Victoria at her age, didn't find it funny.

William had his first therapy yesterday. He was awake and calm throughout the whole hospital visit, and did not cry. The therapy session was short, and the therapist Fizi was gentle with him. There was no pain, just mild discomfort with the position. I was taught how to handle him and exercise his neck at home, so looks like I have daily homework now till our next visit on Tuesday.

Hopefully his neck heals. This morning I put him in one of the recommended positions and he was very patient. Phew... thank God for no wailing baby so far!

Pause

Can we pause time? How I wish I can. At least just for a moment. As I lie on the bed resting this morning, I think as usual... of the errands that needs to be done, decide on the menu for tonite, wondering if Hubby will be home early or late (that's not a hint, and I am TOTALLY understanding that he has tonnes of work to do), and inevitably my thoughts turn to my two kids... and I think back on how much they've grown and changed (as I most often do).

I love the way they are now. Yet, I wish I can turn back the clock and relived those wonderful old times, for example... when Victoria was 1.5yrs old, and learning to call me. She started by calling both Hubby and I "Te Te" with a different intonation to each. And then how she awed us on a Saturday afternoon at Popo Gong Gong's home with her "first" walk from the livingroom to the kitchen. Our jaws almost dropped!

And then I think of my little sleeping baby. From a newborn, to 3 months old now, and his healthy weight gain (because I breastfeed him lar), and his cheerful nature.

Again, I thank God. I am blessed.

I can see the rainbow...

This is Victoria's new song, which she learnt in school. She sang it to me last nite as we were on the bed, getting ready to sleep.

Red and orange,
Yellow and green,
Blue and purple too,

I can see the rainbow,
See the rainbow...
See the rainbow too.

Her voice and childlike tune to this melody is simply perfect. I told her this is my favourite song, and I love it and when mummy is sad, she can sing it for me, I will definitely smile.