1st week without Daddy

To prevent Mei Mei from potentially forgetting how Daddy might look, we came up with a brilliant idea to put together a short home video of Daddy. Inspired by "Star Wars", Daddy decided to transform Mei Mei's favorite toy (our remote control) into the light sabre in this context. It's really funny I must say (which unfortunately we can't share at this point in time as it's exclusive to Mei Mei), at least whenever Mei Mei is cranky (esp during the challenging dinner time), it's the sure-laugh antidote that Mummy can rely on.

I also plastered the house with posters of Daddy, so that Mei Mei can see them constantly and be reminded of Daddy whenever she are. It seems to o work. cos we often see Mei Mei gazing and pawing at his pictures, and sometimes uttering "Ba Ba".

Daddy..are you locked inside? Come out pls..this is not funny

The first tooth of Mei Mei has emerged a couple of days back. But her teething woes continue as the 2nd teeth is battling through the ridges. This long weekend seems particularly long, cos it's the first time I had to manage Mei Mei all by myself. It doesn't help that Mei Mei is going through teething, and can be very "schizophrenia".

At one time she can be as sweet as an angel..

















...the next moment she will be a cranky monster if I leave her sight for more than 0.0001 seconds.























I was determined to bring her out today, so that I can take some attention away from this fussy princess. But unfortunately IT HAD TO RAIN BIG TIME!!!


















I want to go out..rain rain go away

We end up stranded in the house cos it was impossible to go anywhere with this weather. I was entertaining her with "peek-a-boo" most of the times (cos this never fails to amuse her, even when she is cranky).





















10, 9, 8 ,7,...Mummy I'm going to catch u soon ya..

She also seems to find great joy in shredding my magazines.

I'm going to be on the cover some day..

Counting down to Daddy's return...3 more weeks to go!!!

Bye bye Daddy..

Daddy had to going away for work for the next 1 month. It's the first time since Mei Mei is born, that Daddy is going to be away for such a long time.

Mei Mei getting all chirpy & excited - probably she thought that she is also going to get on the plane too!

Mei mei getting teary knowing Daddy is leaving (without her) - awwwww.. Daddy heart pain pain!

This time round, it felt different for me, thou it's not the first time Edwin is going away for an overseas stint.Surprisingly, I missed him a lot more that I thought. Perhaps it's times like this that hit me that I may have taken his presence for granted. As someone once said, "Marriage is not a game of scoring", I find this particularly meaningful, cos it's such a simple theory but yet most couples do not appreciate this basic essence of matrimony. Especially when we enter into parenthood - the wife will always be lamenting that the husband is never doing enough. When mothers congregate, we start to compare how we are always the party making the most sacrifices. I think it's because we are so consumed by the additional responsibilities as a mother that we often feel victimised (esp at night, when our husband's snoring is in orchestra with the baby's crying).

I suddenly realised that I probably spend too much time grumbling about how he could have been done more. Yet, I can't even remember when is the last time that I''ve sincerely told him that I appreciated the things that he has done for our family.

Edwin always offer to change and feed Mei Mei, vs a lot of other fathers I know who are still stuck in the conservative mindset that parenting is a women's righful duty. Despite being a "social butterfly", he even sacrificed a large part of his social life so that he can be always there when we needed him (and did not even put up a word of protest when I'm out to catch up with my girlfriends). Did I mention that no matter how challenging it was for him to feed Mei Mei, yet he never once throw his temper? All this may sound like very simple feats that any father can accomplish. But if you have known Edwin long enough, you will agree with me that he's quite a changed man now.

I'm not trying to glorify my husband; but I think everyone should take some time to think of what your partner have done to contribute to the relationship.

Do spare a brief moment today to give him a tight hug and tell him how much he means to you .

Daddy - we will miss you deep deep!

Wedding Anniversary (Day 2)

4th Oct is a special day, not only is it Daddy & Mummy's wedding anniversary, it happens to be Mummy's birthday as well. By now, Mei Mei must be thinking," Oh My Gosh! Daddy is so cheapo! Everything try to combine, so no need to spend extra $$ to celebrate and buy presents" Mei Mei should had guessed it earlier, since Daddy was quite a cheapo to get a Hotel stay in Conrad in the first place. Well, all Daddy could say is that, "If Mei Mei no want a boyfriend like Daddy, bring him home for dinner with Daddy." Mei Mei will then know if the boy is cheapo or not, cos only a real cheapo can identify with another cheapo!

Anyway, enough with Daddy's nonsense. It's time for Mei Mei to show everyone around in our new found home for 2 nights only.

Here's the bed, its a King size, so there's plenty of room for the 3 of us. No more flying kicks to Mummy's face, I promise!

Well, guess what? Daddy thought the bed was too high and was worried that Mei Mei might fall off the bed, so I got to sleep in the cot instead. Hmmm, I wonder if that's the real reason? I thought I saw Daddy drinking milk in bed last night?

Yeah! This TV is even bigger than the one at home, a full 46" LCD TV with full entertainment theatre system. Wow, before you knew it, it's night time, here's a great shot from our room during the night.

I was throwing tantrums throughout the day, so Daddy decided to stay in the room for dinner instead. Poor Daddy gotta buy take away from Carl's Jnr. But I'm an attention seeker, there's no way I'm gonna let Daddy & Mummy spend a quiet dinner together. Besides, I wanna celebrate Mummy's birthday.

I never knew talking this much was gonna make me so hungry, let's see what the hotel chef can come up with.

Yesterday's congee was quite nice and cheap, cost only $2. Daddy is cheapo, so this sounds like a good deal. I shall have the same congee tonight. Maybe I'll add a little more flavour into the congee, chicken sounds nice.

Yesterday's plain congee was $2. Today with some chicken in the congee, a stalk of flower, a plate of soy sauce, a bowl of flour fritters and a glass of ice water, it cost Daddy $25. When Daddy told Mummy about this, she almost blew her head off.

Actually, Mummy wanted to blow the waiter's head off instead. Cos Mummy was the one who wanted the chicken in the congee. I tried to calm Mummy down by offering a cheque.

Well, at least I tried.....

Health Tips from Ong En Xi for the day.

A pear a day, keeps my Daddy & Mummy happy everyday

Wedding Anniversary (Day 1)

Daddy & Mummy has been married for 4 years now & to celebrate Daddy & Mummy's wedding anniversary, Daddy decided to plan for a weekend getaway. Choices were somewhat limited as Mei Mei is too young for a flight out of S'pore. So Daddy opted for a stay at Conrad Centennial Hotel instead. Swimming for Mei Mei and Spa facilities for Daddy & Mummy. Perfect!

How wrong it turned out to be! The pool was under renovation and guests have to take a hike to Ritz Carlton for the swim instead. Wow Lau Eh! So troublesome! Fortunately, Mummy found out about this when she was enquiring on Spa packages, 4 days before the weekend stay. When Mummy broke the news to Daddy, his face started to cramp up and turn green. Mei Mei could hear the tearing of fabric in the background while she was playing.

Anyway, we had the choice to cancel our reservations & look elsewhere, but decided to save on the hassle & be cheapo instead. Where else can you find a 2 night stay in Marina Bay for a little more than $200 per night? Besides, you don't get to swim in a 6 star hotel pool that often right? So, off we go!

Sexy Mei Mei must be wondering why we are taking a cab for a swim. This might sound ridiculous, but this was the arrangment by the Hotel staff.

Daddy wonders if Mei Mei or Mummy is enjoying the swim more?

Mei Mei gets knocked out after a 30 lap practise. You think Tao Li is good? Wait till 16 years later, watch out for Ong En Xi. Daddy thought that he could spend some quality time with Mummy while Mei Mei is asleep. Maybe catch some movies in the room or just plain talking. But the moment Daddy puts Mei Mei down in her cot, she stands up and gives you a look like this...

Heh Heh... Daddy! Mummy! Play with me!

Our room is on the 18th floor, overlooking Pan Pacific, here's a day shot from our room.

Another day shot across Suntec City Mall.

Health Tips from Ong En Xi for the day.

An apple a day, keeps the doctor away.

Teething pains

Clingy..weepy..cranky, that's what you get when teething meets separation anxiety.

With En Xi moving on to a 9-mth old toddler, and adjusting quite well to fomula, my intention was to wean her off from nursing. I was deliberating since that's the only time that I can enjoy my bonding with En Xi. However, with my supply dwindling by the day, it's a choice that needs to be make in time to come. Everything was going well with Edwin helping out with the night feedings (to break the association of mummy = feeding).

Just right after our anniverary weekend - suddenly our little princess starts to "transforms" into a night terror, refusing all attempts to bottle feed her during the night wakings. Her wailing will persist till finally Mummy gives in and nurse her. And trust me, I bet the decibel of her wailing must have woke up neighbours even from the opposite block.

The tooth terror!!

We were getting worried and wondering what triggered the sudden change in behaviour. That's when we realise that the culprit was the pain from her emerging first incisors that is cutting through her gum! Now all the symptoms make sense - from the swollen gums, runny nose, biting and gnawing...our dear princess is putting up a tough fight with one of the major milestones of her growing up!

She has also been increasingly attached to me, and just want to nurse and nurse the moment she wakes up. My mother-in-law even had to pull her away so that I can leave for work. For the first time, she actually starts to get whiny the moment I stepped out of the house. I remembered reading about babies around 7 months will start to demonstrate such behaviour known as separation anxiety . This means that your baby formed a loving attachment to you, associating pleasure, comfort, and security with your presence. Put it another way: It’s evidence that the bond you’ve worked so hard to create is holding, which means Mummy (me! me!) is officially En Xi's favourite person (one point for mummy)! Now - who dares to contest that a mother is the most rewarding profession in the world?

I love mummy!

First toy from Mummy & Daddy

During a recent visit to Edwin's bro, En Xi was getting all excited with the surroundings. From the masak masak cooker to the cutsy toy jewelleries from Cousin Charlene, it occurred to us that our little girl is probably getting bored at home. Who can blame a 8-month old tyke who is increasingly acute at her mobile skills & exploratory senses. Not forgetting the fact that she has been playing with the same old piano toy from Uncle Kurt for the past 8 months, and toggling with the usual few teethers till there are no more new corners to bite.

Aint I pretty?

Inspired by the huge discounts from Tangs recent sale, we finally decided on her first new toy - a walker cum car from Fisher Price. Thou we ultimately realise that she is still a bit too young to maneuver the toy, but it still amuses us (and her) to see her exploring her new gadget at all smiles.

The making of Project Lionel - the name we gave to her toy

See me ride!

I can walk!!

I also had my first trial of toy rental from www.rent-that-toy.com, a site strongly recommended by my colleague. The price is rather affordable for 1-month rental, since kids outgrow their interest for their toys at a lightning speed. It's definitely a more cost effective way to keep our kids entertained without burning a hole in our pockets. The Fisher Price Learning Home I rented turned out to be surprisingly new, and En Xi was definitely kept busy with all the sounds and lights coming out from the different interactive buttons.

Welcome to my new house!