She turns 2!
Posted by: smalldreams on: January 12, 2012
Our little princess turns 2 years old on 28 Dec!
I attempted to bake a healthy cake but i ended up baking some red velvet cupcakes too.
We had a small celebration for her at my mom’s. She is 2 but still quite petite. But she’s one little cupcake herself, sweet & warms the heart of those close to her.
Hello 2012
Posted by: smalldreams on: January 12, 2012
It’s a new year all over again. Gone is the holiday mood & endless fun & play for the kids.
Adam is back in school and surprise surprise ! Aifah is joining him too. For some reason, both kids will be going into daycare on some days.
Aifah looked quite ready when I brought her along to register her for school. She placed her dora backpack in an empty cabinet slot and went to join her brother’s K1 class. Let’s see if she will be as cheerful during her first day.
Spot a little girl?
I was embarrassed that she was distracting the class while Adam was busy telling his sister to keep quiet & stay still. I also saw him in action in school. I am not sure if it’s a boy thing but he absolutely hates writing and his attention span isn’t that good either. His teacher said he sometimes was told to write Monday but would only write Mon before he drifts somewhere else.
Here is Adam with probably 30% attention span left.
And the little girl eager to join K1 when she’s not even enrolled in N1 yet.
Adam is also attending a weekend madrasah & I was glad he didn’t cry. Aifah was very excited too. These days she carries her tiny haversack everywhere she goes.
My wish for this year is for better health, increased iman, better times with the kids & for the kids to behave themselves. Wishful thinking?
Happycall vs oven-baked
Posted by: smalldreams on: December 19, 2011
I believe in baking using the traditional method of using a convection oven (okay the one at home is actually a microwave oven) so I was quite amused at women raving about baking using the happycall.
It rained all day today and I felt like having some chocolate chip cookies so Adam and I got to baking some.
I placed a batch in the happycall to experiment & gee, now I know why those women were so amazed. Happycall does bake well. Taste wise it was comparable but texture wise, i was impressed by the Happycall-baked ones.
One of the many shows
Posted by: smalldreams on: December 18, 2011
So many free shows to catch in malls in December. I planned to bring the kids to united square on the last Monday we could catch Thomas the train & other characters but given the frequency of the train disruptions over the last week I asked for hubby to drive us today instead.
Both the kids enjoyed the show & Aifah was waving her tiny hands at the characters.
December beginnings
Posted by: smalldreams on: December 6, 2011
There are songs with some months as titles – Wake Me Up when September comes. By Greenday,ions of my favorite bands! Then there’s Tragedi October by Awie (heh, switch to Malay mode for a while). Of course there’s the classic November Rain by another of my favorite bands. And now I just realized there’s a song about December – Back to December by Taylor Swift. December, the last month of the year. A month of joy, sadness, celebrations…you choose how you want to have it.
Since my leave plan in Nov was wrecked by my recent hospitalization (I mhad a lot to catch up at work, bahh!), my leave was truncated from 6 days to 2 days. But I feel rested because I was away on Friday, then the Monday that followed. Plus, I switched the work phone off.
On Friday we didn’t really go anywhere. I went to Adam’s school for a brief PTC and paid fees for the new term in 2012. It still hasn’t really sunk in me that my son’s going to K1 this next year! He still can’t read tho he can recognize letters, count till 20 (still crawling through to 30) but I tell myself not to worry and to trust he’ll do ok when the time comes. Importantly I think he does have the social skills. He loves to play and Ustazah says he learns a lot thru it & can complete his work although he gets a bit gancheong when his friends are done with class work & he hasn’t (read : wasted playing opportunity!). Sometimes I feel guilty to not really drill him in counting or writing or reading. I hope I am not short changing him in anything.
On Saturday, I went to Bedok Ria for a walk-in sale & there was this playground I’d been wanting to bring the kids to. It had a swing, a rarity in Singapore playgrounds these days.
Adam on a swing. He had so much fun!
Aifah had a go too, until she found walking on sand equally interesting.
kinda hot at 1 pm. Yes I was crazy enough to let them play at 1 pm.
On Sunday we took the kids to the kids Kampong farm in Pasir Ris. It was Aifah’s 1st time & I think she really enjoyed it.
The siblings going Boo! at the fish. Don’t ask me.
Today, Monday, we went to T3 for fun and of course who’d not take the chance on the bouncy castle! Actually Aifah wouldnt. She preferred watching her brother bounce at the side.
Posing with Mr Merlion
Having too much fun, this boy.
In the line for a 2nd time before we headed home
We survived the MRT ride to and fro airport. Actually Aifah is getting quite mischievous of late, esp on trains. She’d say, “Sit!” and point to the seats, pleading with me to let her out of the stroller and onto the seat. When declined, she’d cry. loudly. But ive learnt how to ignore the stares. I mean, seriously would you rather I let her cry or have her run around amok at the train platform or in the train?
While Adam is a bit better these days he thinks the pole in the trains are like those in the fire stations – to be climbed & slided on. Sigh. But he’s generally quite cooperative.
Lets see what December has in store for us 
Dino-town
Posted by: smalldreams on: November 29, 2011
I borrowed a book on dinosaurs a while ago & the kids loved the book. It was about a dinosaur who used its roar to save his family from a dragon’s attack. The fun part was having the kids make the dinosaur’s roar & they had loads of fun doing that. As for me, I’d rather not since I just didn’t like what roaring does to my throat.
Since they kinda enjoyed the story, I thought why not bring them to the Dinosaurs Live! exhibition at the Science Centre? It has been ages since we went to the Science Centre anyway.
We caught the Tesla Coil show. Adam was quite alarmed at the loud sounds & other effects. I covered Aifah’s ears to protect her tiny eardrums.
Watching tiny chicks with Ayah
Checking out some boyish stuff as usual
Ayah had a go at a science challenge too while someone looked on
Real-looking dinos don’t ya think?
Can you imagine living in a time when dinosaurs roamed on earth?
My petites at the park
Posted by: smalldreams on: November 28, 2011
And so there’s a new mall in town. As if there aren’t enough already in densely populated Singapore. But it’s Ibu’s off day & it’ll be a waste if we stayed at home especially since it’ll start raining around 2 pm these days in November. So kids had an early lunch & we were out to Changi Point mall by noon.
I’d actually wanted to do some gift shopping but I wasn’t too familiar with the place & the other objective was to let the kids have fun. We wandered around and found The Petite Park, an indoor playground for those below a certain height. It was having a promo of $8 for unlimited play since it was newly opened. Else price is $16 On weekdays for unlimited play.
The place was nicely set up. Adam dived in straight Into play, exploring what the place had to offer while Aifah took her time to get going.
Checking out the toy blocks
What’s an indoor playground without wooden train tracks?
Adam swinging around like a mini monkey.
Apparently this thing is pretty fun! Too bad Aifah wasn’t really interested to give it a go
The pink ballpit which was a hit with both the girls & ….
The boys!
Toddlers’ euphoria
Surprised Adam actually stopped to play with the foam blocks.
Cos I thought he’d prefer the balloon area. And I was surprised she wasn’t afraid of this section
Bouncy slides. Don’t they ever get tired? Yes, I meant the kids.
Tumbling over like Jack
Her turn on the bouncy slides
She made some friends. The little one in green turned 2 in Nov 2011
Pretend play. Nothing like this at home still
Another kitchen playset.
Last pit stop at the trains. Just being a boy.
We had a snack then I spoilt them a bit by getting Adam a Henry train at Tampines’ ToysRUs. Aifah got to take home the doll in the luggage that she was pulling along the whole time. She cried really badly at the check out counter cos she wished to walk around while I was standing in line. I had to do what I needed to do. I let her cry although the other shoppers were probably cursing and swearing at the noise. Sorry folks but I’d rather you stare than I lose my tiny one in Tampines Mall.
We survived the day on public transport! Couldn’t bear to spend on cabs since I spent a lot already. The sling saved the day. Aifah napped in it so Adam got to rest in the stroller all the way till we got home. Alhamdulillah, great day with the kids despite the rain & all.
My 3 day ordeal
Posted by: smalldreams on: November 20, 2011
Blogging these days must be done on mobile, most of the time interrupted too. I meant to continue the previous entry but it was getting too long anyway.
And so, I was warded. At 1 am. I saw a sign saying their wards were full & was hoping they’d ask me to return the next day but apparently they had a bed for me. One by the window. I was strangely not creeped out. The patient in front of me was on a nebuliser. I wondered if I had to put up with that every night. But hey this is a hospital after all right? What did I expect?! I went to sleep after changing into the hospital garb, my sleep intermittently disrupted by nursed checking my blood pressure & body temperature.
The next day, doctors came, a few groups actually. I was told I had to go for an ultrasound scan, not an antenatal one though, but one to determine if I had gallstones in the urm, gallbladder. I couldn’t eat or drink at all. All I had was an intravenous drip to keep me hydrated. I didn’t feel that hungry but I felt rather weak. And I felt envious of the other patients who could eat, including my 88-year old neighbour on the next bed! I was just thankful I was used to fasting, so I just persevered.
I had stones alright. Gallstones. When I googled on it, I realized the symptoms I had were spot on! And all the while I thought I had stress-induced reflux.
So what was next? I had to go through an ERCP. Essentially it was a scope placed through your mouth. The doctor will then attempt to fish the stone out, or flush it downwards. This procedure was scheduled for late morning the following day so that meant no food till then. Sigh. But actually I was so worried about the procedure! All I could do was pray for strength. They said I’d feel sleepy so I hoped that’d help.
11 am came & I was sent down for the 30 min procedure. I felt sleepy but I was awake throughout the whole thing. Was spluttering like crazy when the scope was inserted. I felt it going through my gut. The stone had liquified so doc pushed the sludge down. He explained a bit after the procedure and that was when I started getting sleepy. When I reached the ward I told hubby I was sleepy & I also told the surgeon the same thing when he came for a visit. Then I must’ve slept till near magrib.
And when I woke up, I had my first meal! It was just soup & some jelly but those had gotta be one of the best meals of my life after “fasting” for almost 48 hours. Adam came later & he said the soup was nice. (??!)
By the next day my blood test results had become better, alhamdulillah. Showed my liver was returning to normal.
I also had my first proper food in 2 days. Been having clear feeds as they wanted to see how my tummy could take the scope.
I was told I could go home & rest if my blood test results continued to get better.
I prayed hard and by late morning, I was told I could be discharged since the liver test was getting better. So thankful! I felt like a kid who had just been given permission to go to the playground. I knew then how chaotic it was to gain access to the visitors cards at the entrance of the lift to wards! Collected my medicine, my dad & Adam came to fetch me. I was going home!
November adventures
Posted by: smalldreams on: November 18, 2011
- In: Family Matters | Travel
- 2 Comments
November, a month of events.
Firstly there was that disappointing news that the hubby’s visa for Hajj wasn’t approved by the Saudis. But I was glad hubby took it quite well. It’s important to put your trust in Him & that everything happens for a reason.
So life went on as per normal. We even took our first trip to Batam, Indonesia because it had been originally planned by my mom since hubby was supposed to go for Hajj initially. In the end, all of us went. I didn’t go to the mosque for the Eid prayers but my everyone else did. I saw the kurban rites taking place in the Batam mosques we drove by though.
Batam is quite an interesting place. It’s almost like organized chaos. Things were cheap & people were polite. Their level of courtesy puts Singaporeans to shame (if the Singaporeans would even realize that at all). I bought a few tops & Adam bought lots of toys (rolls eyes).
It was just a 2-day 1 night stay there & I was glad to be home. H parked the car at Harbourfront as he wished to drive himself home. We did alright, after a $40+ parking fee!
The next day was actually quite an exciting one. The kids’ fave paternal aunt invited us over to celebrate her son’s 2nd birthday at MBS. I mean, how often do we get to step into a room there right? I was feeling a bit quesy, something like a reflux / heartburn attack but I didn’t want the kids to miss the MBS trip for anything.
So we went! The place is really made of nothing but worldly pleasures. Gorgeous rooms, splendid views, even a butler at your disposal! As they say, money makes the world go round.
The staycation suite for the day. Don’t ask me how much it costs.
The bedroom & plush bath area
The kids enjoying their view. Adam, who has a heightened sense of danger of heights was horrified when Aifah happily leaned over for a look. He kept holding her back and saying, “Aifah! Don’t! If you jatuh (fall), how?”
But of course that didn’t stop her from leaning forward while our legs wobbled slightly.
And what’s a visit to MBS without a dip in the infinity pool? The view was great! It was a bit cold though as the winds were strong & it was almost maghrib (dusk) when we were there.
Perfect way to end the Hari Raya Haji Public holiday wasn’t it? Well it would’ve been perfect but then the pains I had in the abdomen kinda stayed & hubby noticed my eyes were turning rather yellowish. So we dropped the kids off at my mom’s then we went off to A&E.
My blood test results weren’t good at all. My liver wasn’t doing so well and they suspected I had Hepatitis (God forbid! It turned out that it wasnt this, whew). So the intake doc said the test results were bad enough for them to ward me :/ My first ever hospitalization besides for childbirth.
Peer pressure begins early
Posted by: smalldreams on: October 24, 2011
In my line of work, I always hear clients attributing their involvement in undesirable activities to peer pressure. Peer pressure is such a real thing. It hits teenagers, adults, and of course, pre-schoolers too.
Last weekend we had a gathering at my in laws & Adam was having a ball of a time playing with his cousins (aged from 4 to about 11 years old). I watched him rather closely as I knew what my 4 year old was capable of doing. When it came to dinner time, I caught him wanting to bring a drink into the room (where the children were). I held his arm to stop him and said, “Adam, leave the drink outside. No bringing drinks into the room.”
His response, “Ibu, let go of my hand and let me be with my friends! See, all my friends also bring (sic) drinks into the room!” He pointed to his older cousins who, yes, almost all were holding drinks in their hands.
I let him go, not wanting to spill the drink. And just warned him to be very careful NOT to spill the drink. But in my heart, oh my goodness. Peer pressure does start early. It’s a challenge for parents to combat this.
How?
