Jules Memoir

Kiddy Rides

2009-01-13T13:09:00.010+08:00

"Hi Garfield, let me drive you home."

"Can't wait to drive the real thing!"

Natalie with Barney & friends

"Hey Bob, how's my driving?"

Father And Mother, I Love You (FAMILY)

2009-01-12T22:18:00.003+08:00

Found this very meaningful poem from one of my old emails:

I ran into a stranger as he passed by,
"Oh excuse me please" was my reply.

He said, "Please excuse me too;
I wasn't watching for you."

We were very polite, this stranger and I.
We went on our way and we said goodbye.

But at home a different story is told,
How we treat our loved ones, young and old.

Later that day, cooking the evening meal,
My son stood beside me very still.

When I turned, I nearly knocked him down.
"Move out of the way," I said with a frown.

He walked away, his little heart broken.
I didn't realize how harshly I'd spoken.

While I lay awake in bed,
God's still small voice came to me and said,

"While dealing with a stranger,
common courtesy you use,
but the family you love, you seem to abuse.

Go and look on the kitchen floor,
You'll find some flowers there by the door.

Those are the flowers he brought for you.
He picked them himself: pink, yellow and blue.

He stood very quietly not to spoil the surprise,
you never saw the tears that filled his little eyes."

By this time, I felt very small,
And now my tears began to fall.

I quietly went and knelt by his bed;
"Wake up, little one, wake up," I said.

"Are these the flowers you picked for me?"
He smiled, "I found 'em, out by the tree.

I picked 'em because they're pretty like you.
I knew you'd like 'em, especially the blue."

I said, "Son, I'm very sorry for the way I acted today;
I shouldn't have yelled at you that way."
He said, "Oh, Mom, that's okay.
I love you anyway."

I said, "Son, I love you too,
and I do like the flowers, especially the blue."

Baby in My Heart Always

2008-12-03T23:17:00.004+08:00

One of the greatest fulfillment of being a stay-at-home mom is to be able to watch my baby grow from an infant to a little toddler. She'll always be my baby. I remember the day I was still carrying Natalie in my arms, breast-feeding her at the hospital. Today, she's able to hold a bottle by herself during her milk feeds.

I'm happy to see Natalie through her little milestones. 2 weeks after she turned 12 months, she was able to walk unassisted on her own. A few days ago, she could get stand up on her own without holding on to anything. I'm happy with her progress and I remind myself that I should let her to learn things at her own pace. An child therapist on TV said early and more teaching of a toddler doesn't necessarily mean good as it can cause undue emotional stress.

I never regret having you. It doesn't matter if others don't love you as much, just remember that Mommy holds you dearest in her heart.

A New Baby, Busy Like a Bee

2008-10-02T16:06:00.005+08:00

Two 2 things have kept me very busy for the past few weeks, so much that I haven't even posted an entry for a long time. Natalie is one of them. For a while, she's been learning to walk and crawl all over the house and I feel it's my utmost duty to keep the place clean and neat. Everything and anything within her reach will go into her mouth almost immediately. How tiring! But at the same time, it's fulfilling to see her take baby steps.

At the same time, I'm also preparing for her first birthday party. With a very limited budget, I'm doing all I can to make it a memorable one for her. I've decided to go on a "flower & butterfly" theme but then again, I personally like Hello Kitty very much. Is this my party or hers? Sigh... I miss my childhood.

I've also chosen a #1 cake from eCreative and I'm likely to use their catering service since it's convenient and reasonable. I'm also planning to make some party favors for friends. Another one of my proud achievement of being able to source for a practical yet economical gift. I'll post up a photo once it's done.

The other thing that's kept me busy is my business. Yes, my new business. Seeing all the hair clips that my sister bought Natalie, I never thought that it'll be one of my other passionate hobby. Thanks also to my girlfriend who gave me instructions. Shopping for ribbons has made me gone crazy several times! So here's my new baby. I hope this will sustain me for a while.

If you're reading this entry, please help me spread the word around to mommies who have baby girls - julesbowtique.blogspot.com. Thank you!

Give Thanks in All Circumstances

2008-08-25T14:13:00.005+08:00

Today, God has again reminded me to be humble in spirit and grateful at all times, giving thanks in all circumstances. Just a while ago, my sister texted me on my mobile and asked me to read a heart-wrenching blog by mother who shared about her loss.

This blog has reminded me to love and give selflessly. And it doesn't matter if we're not rich enough, our house or car are not big enough, our position at work is not high enough, we're not smart enough or the things we use are not branded enough. They are immaterial in God's eyes. Are my words, thoughts and deeds pleasing to Him enough?

My New Hobby - Making Clips

2008-08-21T13:41:00.007+08:00

It all started out as a shopping craze on the motherhood forum when my sister bought Natalie some little clips from a work-at-home mom. Seeing how pretty those clips were, my hobby-buddy girlfriend found and sent me the instructions for making them. And so it fired up my passion to want to make these clips.

Unfortunately (or fortunately, so I can't spend any money), I couldn't find the alligator clips at those craft shops I frequent in Singapore. And so my hobby-buddy girlfriend got her mommy to buy them in Indonesia and sent them to her. This is the result of it! And definitely more to come...

Living Daily by God's Grace

2008-08-20T18:19:00.012+08:00

When I look back and reflected at how much I struggled and seeing myself today, I must give all praise and glory to God for He has been faithful and steadfast. He has seen me through my many ups and downs and He's been with me when I was weak and tired. He reminds me encouragingly and gently picks me up each time I fall. When I stray, He draws me back closer to Him. He teaches me to be humble in spirit. Without Him, I am nothing.

Many people look at the nicer side of being a stay-at-home mom. But managing alone has not all been a bed of roses and many a times, a lot of sacrifices have to be made. Having said that, I lack nothing. I agree that having the privilege to spend every moment with my little girl, watching her grow each day, and seeing her achieving different milestones every time is more than what a mother can ever ask for. I'm truly blessed to have her. This second-time motherhood has moulded my character. It has torn and also patched my strengths and weaknesses.

Matthew 11:28 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

My Little Niece Kyria, Kai Lin

2008-08-14T23:31:00.006+08:00

We've been waiting for this day. Today, my sister delivered her firstborn baby girl by cesarean. They are now proud parents of Kyria!

Seeing her brings back fond memories of the day I delivered Natalie. How sweet they are when you cradle them in your arms!

Ups & Downs of Motherhood

2008-07-28T15:13:00.003+08:00

I have problems getting to sleep again lately, just after school re-opened in June. Although my body is physically tired, my mind is so active and wanders off to all the never ending house chores and daily activities whenever I lay to sleep at night. The more I want to rest my body, the more active my mind becomes. Is this a different kind of stress from work? Motherhood stress? Or stay-at-home mom kind of stress?

So, what's so fulfilling about motherhood and being a stay-at-home mom? I sometimes ask myself. There are no monetary rewards or financial satisfaction. Well at least you get paid for your stress in a job. But motherhood is almost a thankless job with few appreciations because it's what's expected of you. There's guaranteed to be lots of physical toil, mental stress and frustrations. There'll be more downs than ups, although sometimes the joy can overcome all others.

And besides being a good mom, a good wife, a good housekeeper, you're also expected to be a good daughter-in-law. I realized the only difference between a daughter and daughter-in-law is the blood and layer of skin. What a daughter doesn't do, a daughter-in-law cannot not do. What a daughter does, a daughter-in-law cannot follow. And no matter how hard you try to bond, the closeness just isn't there. Your child suddenly becomes a stranger when their daughters have kids. I wonder if I'll be the same when my son and daughter have kids of their own some day.

Post Birthday Celebration

2008-07-17T16:08:00.003+08:00

Today, 3 of my dearer girlfriends and ex-colleagues from MediaCorp Press bought me post-birthday lunch at Coca Restaurant at Ngee Ann City. It brings back memories as I had my farewell lunch in this same place when I left MediaCorp Press in October 2006. Oh how I miss those days! We were such a good bunch of people to work with.

Natalie with aunty Michelle...

aunty Jesslyn...

and aunty Suzana.

Photo Shoot at the Studio

2008-07-08T15:14:00.010+08:00

We brought the kids for a photo shoot at the studio yesterday. We wanted to capture this precious moment on print and be able to look back at it someday.

The session lasted for about an hour and I must say I was very pleased with the results although I didn't quite like myself in the photos. I suppose I need to lose a little more weight.

Photographer, David Lim from Foto-U, is very experienced with babies and young children. He managed to capture Nate and Natalie in their spontaneity.

Natalie Can Sit Up on Her Own

2008-07-04T15:29:00.003+08:00

I witnessed yet another of Natalie's milestone this morning. She have managed to sit up on her own. To do this, she rolled over from her back to her tummy and with her head, she pushed herself up to a sitting position. I now truly understand the meaning of joy!

A Year Older & Hopefully Wiser

2008-07-01T22:49:00.006+08:00

Today is my birthday. Celebrations get simpler as we grow older but I have the most wonderful time spending it with family. My mom, sister and brother made a big deal out of the day by taking me out to lunch at Kushin-bo. They had all taken leave from their work to spend the afternoon with me. I'm so privileged to be loved by them.

Japanese food is the all-time favorite cuisine of my family, except Matt, who's a typical Chinese man who loves his mom's cooking! Even Nathanael has adopted a love for Japanese food and has taken a liking to sashimi. Surprisingly, it's my first experience dining at Kushin-bo. Everything the restaurant served was good! They had a good spread of dessert and teas too. As my mom always says 'we live to eat and not eat to live'. That's how much we love food!

Later that evening, Matt brought the kids and I to 周庄 for dinner. He ordered a chocolate truffle cake from Swiss Bake. We walked around Anchorpoint for a while and went home.

I thank God for my family and those special friends, who remembered my birthday and sent me their well wishes.

Showers of Blessings!

2008-06-18T17:32:00.017+08:00

Mommy is very blessed to have friends giving her hand-me-down baby clothes. you aunty Amanda, aunty Sumarni and aunty Lisa!

I'm wearing this Guess T-shirt (left) from aunty Amanda. Aunty Amanda's Megan is a September 2007 baby.

Château de Sable is one label Mommy loves but find it too dear to buy. This little pink dress from baby Megan still fits well. Isn't it sweet?

This is also another Guess T-shirt from Aunty Sumarni, who's baby - Natasya was born August 2007.

Thank You Ah Yee!

2008-06-18T16:29:00.008+08:00

Thank you, ah yee for these pretty little clips. I like them very much!

Now I look more like a girl girl and I don't think people will come up to Mommy or Daddy and ask if I'm a boy or girl.

Celebrating 爺爺 's Birthday

2008-06-12T20:24:00.005+08:00

Today we celebrated the birthday of 爺爺 at Dragon Phoenix with Daddy's family. Everyone was there, including Aunty Nicole with uncle Bryan and my cousin, Shauna as well as 大姑姑 and uncle Walter! It was so fun & exciting. I played with my cousin. Mommy & Daddy had yummy food while I ate the porridge Mommy prepared. Gosh! Can't wait to grow up so I can eat grown up's food too.

That's me and my kor kor and cousin, Shauna together with 爺爺 and 奶奶.

That's 大姑姑 and uncle Walter, who's also cousin Shauna's godmother and godfather.

Natalie & Friends

2008-06-10T17:01:00.001+08:00

Natalie & Natasya at Fish & Co. (Tampines Mall)

Natalie & cousin, Shauna at Dragon Phoenix (Liang Court)

Natalie with Isaac Wong and Valerie Chan at Carl's Junior, Marina Square. What are you doing, Natalie?!

10th Wedding Anniversary

2008-05-29T13:42:00.010+08:00

We celebrated our decade-long wedding anniversary last Friday. Gosh! Seems like ages but we're still pretty much young-at-heart. Matt knows I love seafood so he brought us to No Signboard at Vivo City. We had Thai-style abalone, broccoli with scallops and my favorite white-pepper crab. We also ordered coffee pork ribs and butter fried chicken. Dinner was yummy-licious! Our dear little princess, Natalie was asleep the whole time we ate and woke just before we were about to leave.

Photo (above) taken by Nathanael

To celebrate our anniversary, we also brought the kids for a 2 night stay at Nirwana Gardens in Bintan. My mom, brother, sister and brother-in-law came along too. It's been such a long while since we last went overseas as a family.

It was Natalie's first overseas trip too! We brought along her sterilizer and food warmer as well as bottles of distilled water just to be careful after our terrible experience with Nathanael in Medan. It was also Natalie's first swimming experience. Boy! She loves the water.

Big brother, Nathanael can swim pretty well and thread water confidently now, after taking swimming lessons as CCA. Kor kor loves water too and even went on the jet ski with Daddy in Bintan.

Mistakes & Grief

2008-05-16T15:27:00.006+08:00

Yesterday, Nathanael made 3 mistakes, which resulted in getting him caned by me. Before caning him, I asked why he did what he did and was told that he wanted the book badly. I caned 2 strokes on his right palm and another 2 strokes on his buttocks. Also, he had to throw the book away as a form of punishment. It pained me so much to cane him so hard because I wanted him to remember that what he did wasn't right. After that, I saw him stood by the window and cried.

This incident reminded me of us. How it must have grieved God so much when we choose to disobey Him. As I stood by the kitchen sink and cried, I know God's heart must have also ached whenever He has to punish us. Just as our children are dear so us, how much more are we dearer to God.

Dedicated to all Mothers...

2008-05-09T15:42:00.005+08:00

Before I was a Mom,
I never tripped over toys
or forgot words to a lullaby.
I didn't worry whether or not
my plants were poisonous.
I never thought about immunizations.

Before I was a Mom,
I had never been puked on.
Pooped on.
Chewed on.
Peed on.
I had complete control of my mind
and my thoughts.
I slept all night.

Before I was a Mom,
I never held down a screaming child
so doctors could do tests.
Or give shots.
I never looked into teary eyes and cried.
I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin.
I never sat up late hours at night
watching a baby sleep.

Before I was a Mom,
I never held a sleeping baby just because
I didn't want to put her down.
I never felt my heart break into a million pieces
when I couldn't stop the hurt.
I never knew that something so small
could affect my life so much.
I never knew that I could love someone so much.
I never knew I would love being a Mom.

Before I was a Mom,
I didn't know the feeling of
having my heart outside my body.
I didn't know how special it could feel
to feed a hungry baby.
I didn't know that bond
between a mother and her child.
I didn't know that something so small
could make me feel so important and happy.

Before I was a Mom,
I had never gotten up in the middle of the night
every 10 minutes to make sure all was okay.
I had never known the warmth,
the joy,
the love,
the heartache,
the wonderment
or the satisfaction of being a Mom.
I didn't know I was capable of feeling so much,
before I was a Mom.

~ Author Unknown

This beautiful poem was sent to me by a very dear friend, Sharon Ong

Natalie's Daily Schedule

2008-05-08T10:35:00.013+08:00

Mommy says my schedule changes as I grow. Dr Yip recommended that Mommy feed me solids meals daily when I turn 6 months. So Mommy had to change my weekday routine slightly.

5:45 Mommy wakes up to prepare kor kor for school & sees him off to the school bus.

7:00 Rise & shine, Daddy wakes up with me. I'll be watching Channel NewsAsia with Daddy while he feeds me milk #1. Usually I'll struggle a bit so Daddy has no choice but to break the feed 2 or 3 times.

8:20 Mommy wakes up again so that Daddy can go off to work.

9:00 Power nap time! Meanwhile, Mommy will take her breakfast, cook my meal and 'magic clean' the house. Sometimes Mommy will make mashed sweet potatoes or potatoes with Heinz pumpkin, potato & beef puree. Other times, Mommy will make porridge. If I mess up Mommy's schedule, then Mommy will make simpler meals like rice cereal with Heinz parsnip, carrot & sweet potato puree. Yummy!

10:00 Bath-time! I love my bath-time because I've got toys to play while taking my bath. Before my bath, Mommy will clean my mouth, my face & ears. Sometimes, she'll clean my nose too which I dislike most so I'll kick in protest with all my strength. Let me tell you a secret - I love to pee on Mommy while she washes my hair, just before she puts me into the bath tub ;D Splash, splosh, splash, splosh...

10:30 Mum mum time! Mommy will feed me the first solid meal of the day. Yummy! It's time to get messy!

11:00 I love watching Hi-5 on Kids Central. I like Tim. Seeing him sing and dance makes my day.

11:30 After Hi-5, Mommy will let me play for a while. She usually put me on my 'Hello Kitty' bumper mat so I can sit or roll around. By the way, I can roll on my tummy and back again now! I also love putting toys in my mouth. Sometimes, Mommy will read me my favorite book 'We're Going on a Bear Hunt' by Michael Rosen. It's a winner of the Smarties Book Prize, you know.

12:00 It's nap-time again. Mommy feeds me milk #2 and then she puts me to bed so she can clear up the mess and take her lunch. Some days, she'll also hang up the laundry she has put to wash in the morning. Mommy will also catch up on the motherhood forum. Boy! My Mommy loves shopping online! So many things to buy. My Mommy hopes I'll love to shop like her. Well, I'm not too sure about that yet. We shall wait & see...

15:00 I'm up and I want to play! This is the longer play-time of the day. Again, Mommy will put me on the bumper mat again so I can play my toys.

16:30 I'm getting grouchy and I want my power nap again. Mommy will make me milk #3 and put me to sleep. While I'm sleeping, Mommy will cook porridge for my dinner so she can bring it to ye ye nai nai's house and feed me there.

17:30 I'm up again. This time, Mommy needs to take her bath so she'll put me on the high chair she bought from Ikea. I'll sit outside the bathroom while Mommy showers.

18:00 We're going out! To pick Daddy from office, of course. If Daddy works late, Mommy will walk me around Centrepoint. I love to be carried in the Baby Bjorn because I can see everything.

19:00 Mommy feeds me dinner at ye ye nai nai's house. My cousin, Shauna, will be there too. Shauna is 5 and a half months older than me. Daddy & kor kor will take their dinner first. Mommy will eat after HRH (that's me!) finishes her porridge.

20:30 Back to home sweet home. Getting ready for bedtime. If the weather is hot, Daddy will move my cot to the bedroom so we can all sleep together. I love sleeping in air-conditioned room. I'll have my night milk #4 feed before I sleep. Sometimes Daddy or kor kor will play with me. Mommy says I can't play too rough because I'll get nightmares. Boring...

My Security Blanket Made by Mommy

2008-05-06T17:47:00.009+08:00

My Mommy has many hobbies and one of her hobby is quilting. So Mommy made me this security blanket as I love to play with the tag on my bolster. Don't you think it's nice? I love the color and the ribbons. So sweet! Just like me...

My Mommy also gave one to my cousin (my gu gu's baby), Shauna and my ah yee's baby (who's due in August 2008).

I'm wearing kor kor's Mickey Mouse romper, which my Mommy kept nicely for 7 years!

Hi 5!

2008-05-05T14:17:00.000+08:00

Hi! That's me on the Ikea high chair. I was watching Hi 5 on Kids Central when my Mommy took this picture.

Love at First Bite!

2008-05-03T14:14:00.001+08:00

Aunty Nicole gave me my first taste of Baby Bites. Let me taste & see...

Hey, it's actually quite yummy! I like it!

I want more....

And more... I'm loving it!

Little Milestones

2008-04-13T16:25:00.015+08:00

Although I face certain challenge each time, I'm glad to be there for Natalie's milestones. It's something I couldn't do for Nathanael as I was working then. Nathanael has been a great brother, always making his sister laugh with chuckle. I thank God for my beautiful children.

Philippians 4:13 - I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. This verse serves as a constant reminder to me as I go through each day.

Dear Father, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can and wisdom to know the difference.

Left - Natalie at 5 months, 2 weeks

At the Parks

2008-04-13T16:00:00.026+08:00

One of the things we enjoy doing with the kids every Sunday evening is taking walks at the park. We usually go to either the Botanic Gardens or Labrador Park. Daddy and Nathanael will take a jog while Mommy strolls with Natalie.

Left - Mommy & Natalie at Labrador Park; Right - Nate & Natalie at the Botanic Gardens

Natalie and Aunty Michelle

2008-04-11T20:17:00.013+08:00

This is mommy's good friend, aunty Michelle with Natalie. Mommy hasn't seen aunty Michelle for quite a while so we met for dinner at Pepper Lunch at Ngee Ann City today.

P.S. Aunty Michelle bought me this red jacket from Topshop. Don't I look hip? Thank you, aunty Michelle!

At 4 Months, 3 Weeks

2008-03-20T15:02:00.012+08:00

Natalie weighs 7.6 kg and can...
1. Roll over her tummy unassisted
2. Support head and upper body when on her tummy
3. Sit up for 5 seconds
4. Recognise mommy, daddy, 'kor kor' and doggie sticker in the bathroom
5. Reach out to grab and hold her favourite toy
6. Explore objects with hands and mouth
7. Laugh when being played with
8. Smile at familiar faces
9. Enjoy playing with other people
10. Babble consonants (koi, koi, koi, koi)

Little One

2008-03-18T14:13:00.002+08:00

Today is the second anniversary of the day I lost you. I was so happy when I know I have you in my tummy. During early weeks of check up, the doctor couldn't see you in my womb.

Weeks later, we saw you but couldn't detect a heart-beat. On 9 March, we finally saw your heart thumping. Mommy was so happy. When Mommy went back to the clinic a week later, the heart beat was gone and the doctor told Mommy that you were gone. I know you've gone to heaven first. Mommy doesn't know if you're a boy or girl. But one thing Mommy knows is that she'll meet you in heaven one day.

Nate @ the Singapore Flyer

2008-03-15T14:31:00.006+08:00

Nate, it was your 8th birthday. We have always passed the Singapore Flyer while travelling on the ECP. So when the Flyer was ready and open to the public on 1 March, Mommy decided to bring you up on the Singapore Flyer as a birthday present. You were so excited that day, not afraid of heights at all. It was sunny that day. You kept looking out to the beautiful view and saw the construction of Marina Sands Casino and blue-green waters of the sea.

Nathanael's Birthday

2008-03-09T14:55:00.008+08:00

4 years old

5 years old

6 years old

7 years old - Fish & Co. @ Park Mall

8 years old - Fish & Co. @ Centrepoint

Sibling Similarities & Differences

2008-03-06T22:54:00.008+08:00

1. Both were born on Thursday
2. Both were delivered via C-section by Dr Peter Chew at Gleneagles Hospital

3. Nathanael has 2 dimples, Natalie has 1 on her right

4. Nathanael's pediatrician is Dr Ngiam Thye Eng; Natalie sees Dr YY Yip

First Solids

2008-03-06T16:46:00.006+08:00

Natalie is 4 months and 6 days old today. She had her first solids today. Dr YY Yip said it was fine to introduce 1 solid meal a day so Mommy bought Heinz rice cereal.

When Mommy first put the spoon into Natalie's mouth, her face was all wrinkled up. After the first mouth, she got excited and started kicking her legs. She also were holding held on to Mommy's hands so tightly, wanting to put the spoon into her mouth herself. The rice cereal was all over the face. It was then that Mommy realized she has forgotten to wear a bib. Now we need to get a proper chair to sit Natalie during her 'mum mum' time.

New Hairdo

2008-03-04T17:15:00.012+08:00

Natalie before (left) and after her shave (right) at 4 months

Many times, people come up to me and ask if Natalie was a boy or girl even when she's wearing pink! My mother-in-law wanted to cut her hair herself but I felt it'd be better if she got a shave instead. So we brought her to shave her hair today. And now, she looks even more like a boy. I call her 'little monk'. That's her new nick-name ; )

Feeling Blue

2008-03-02T23:04:00.006+08:00

Matt will be going to Sydney on business for 4 nights the week after. Although Nate is having his one week school break, which means I don't have to wake at 5:45 every morning to see him off to the school bus, still I worry about not being able to cope alone with the children. Natalie still wakes up occasionally in the middle of night.

Today, I lost my patience with Natalie. I felt so terrible and broke down again. Dear Lord, may I never run out of love and patience for my children. May You fill me with much more love than yesterday, a little less than tomorrow.

Encouraged

2008-02-28T14:02:00.001+08:00

S and I met for lunch today. How time flies! Baby 'Sayang' is now almost 7 months and is so chubby! S is also a stay-at-home-mom and is still breast-feeding despite having no one to help her at all as her parents live in Perth. I'm truly happy that S is coping well and found enouragement in her.

When I told S about my disappointment, S tells me that her mom also spent more attention on her baby when she was back in January. How true the saying - mothers and daughters are closest when daughters become mothers.

We went shopping at Bedok Interchange after lunch . Natalie took her first MRT train ride today. Weather was warm. Mommy bought Natalie a Carter's sunsuit, an Old Navy skirt, a Gap & a OshKosh shirt. Got so excited that mommy sent the clothes for laundry immediately so Natalie could wear them to church on Sunday.

Natalie on Tummy

2008-02-21T15:25:00.002+08:00

Natalie started learning to flip over almost 2 weeks ago so Mommy decided to invest in a bumper mat. It's a big investment because Mommy is not working.

At 3 Months & 3 Weeks

2008-02-19T15:49:00.000+08:00

Natalie weighs 6.9 kg and can...
1. Roll over assisted
2. Support head and upper body when on stomach
3. Stretch out legs and kick when on stomach or back
4. Open and shut hands
5. Bring hands to mouth
6. Push down legs when on a flat surface
7. Follow moving objects
8. Make cooing sounds
9. Smile at familiar faces
10. Enjoy playing with other people

Natalie's One Month Old Celebration

2007-12-13T19:39:00.001+08:00

To celebrate Natalie's one month old, Daddy threw a dinner at Soup Restaurant for ye ye, nai nai and his family. Daddy has just returned from his business trip to Switzerland. Mommy has slight post-natal depression and is still trying to breast-feed. It was a big an adjustment for both Mommy & Daddy since they had kor kor 7 years ago.

Natalie's Philosophy in Life

2007-12-07T13:13:00.004+08:00

Hear no evil

See no evil.

Speak no evil.

Dinner @ Olio Demsey

2007-12-05T19:10:00.004+08:00

This is our very first family "outing", which we took just after Natalie turned a month old. Although it was all smiles on the front, silently I was going through almost the worst period of my life, just starting to have slight post-natal depression.

During this period, I was greatly affected by how Natalie and I were being treated. I felt the unfairness and unequal treatment and attention towards my daughter, feeling so much like a stranger "there". At the same time, I was very torn between going back to work or becoming a stay-at-home-mom. I had no support if I choose to look after Natalie at home. It was the beginning of the many dilemmas and decision makings to come.

And just a few days back, I had a bad fall in the kitchen in the middle of the night, which resulted in bruises on both knees and chin (that's why I'm covering my chin with my hand).

While sleeping...

2007-12-03T14:03:00.002+08:00

Natalie steals a smile...

and a frown...

and then she's soundly asleep.

My 2 Beautiful Children

2007-11-08T12:49:00.001+08:00

Natalie's first week at home with her brother, Nathanael. I'm blessed to have these 2 wonderful kids as my children. Though there are ups and downs nurturing these lives, they are God's precious gift to us.

A Gift of Life

2007-11-02T01:34:00.002+08:00

I'm a mother again and it fills me with great joy seeing this new life grow inside me and now she's out into this world. I thank God for His loving grace and mercy, and for watching over me through my pregnancy and delivery.

Her name is Natalie \n(a)-ta-lie\ is pronounced NAT-a-lee. Latin origin, and its meaning is "birthday". Refers to the birthday of Christ, or Christmas.

Photos taken with Nokia 6233