Life in Monterey USA

Time flies and we’ve already left home for 1 year plus. Our greatest achievement would be having the opportunity to travel around West Coast USA and Canada, and fulfilling our lifetime wish to see the northern lights. 

It has been a nice experience for us staying here and to understand the importance of a family sticking together. Can’t wait to be back home in 6 months! 

Titus love for Kyrus

When Titus came home from school yesterday and realised Kyrus is not in his room, he came running to me and asked where is Kyrus. I lied that I have given him away to other Uncle cuz Titus always say dun love Kyrus. Then he ran to the door and asked 'where?' 

I said far far away...

He turned to the door and looked out then started dropping tears. Not the wailing kind he usually do. It's a expression I never saw on him, trying to put on a brave front but actually very sad inside. I pulled him over and asked him why. He started wailing and said he wants daddy. 

When I probe him further, he admitted he miss Kyrus. I melted at that. A 4 year old can have so much love for his baby Brother who always snatch and destroy his toys. Mummy really wish both of u will remember this love even when we are not around next time ok.

Sweet Memories

Just want to record down these sweet memories so that I can read back in future and smile. 

Titus came home with a Pom Pom flower from school one day (many days after Mother's Day), ran up to me the moment he came home and say 'mummy nah...for u.' That is the Mother's Day flower I jokingly asked him for days ago. On it wrote the words 'I love mummy because she let me watch robocar poli.' Lol. 

Whenever I have a cut/scratch on my hands or legs, Titus would be the first to notice (even before hubby does) and ask, 'mummy wat happened?' then he will proceed to sayang my wound and say 'be careful mummy.' Melts my heart whenever he does that. 

He will never fail to run over and cuddle me first thing in the morning. Sometimes I ignore him cuz still sleepy but he will make sure to return again when I am awake. 

Great little helper when I am busy taking care of Kyrus. 

Nice little brother who will help to entertain Kyrus whenever he cries. 

Not forgetting his silly dance moves and songs and his mister kiasu eyes when he laugh. 

Sweet moments from Kyrus, he will sometimes walk up to me and cuddle. 

When he hit my face and I pretend to cry, he will lie down on my shoulders and hug me. 

Used to pat my back whenever I carry him first thing in the morning. 

His first word is 'bird bird'. Yes, he is referring to a real bird parrot which lives opposite block and is super noisy, I always joke we can recognize its our son whenever we hear this word. 

Love his big round eyes, chubby cheeks and hamburger face. 

I love these two boys so very much. Thank God for each day I get to hug and kiss them. Pray that I will get to hold them as long as I live. 

2016 Happy New Year!

Happy babies with their Christmas presents. Our greatest gift for 2015 is definitely cute Kyrus. This little bundle of 'joy' has brought us much laughter and sleepless nights. 

Cameron Trip 7.08 - 10.08.2015

Kyrus 8 month milestones

Be Strong

My heart goes out to the parents featured on the recent channel U programme "Because I Love You".

The show talks about children/babies with rare diseases and how their parents cope with it. Every time I watched this, I can't help feeling grateful to God for my healthy and cute babies. And learnt that having a normal child is not for granted. Parents in this show have to deal with their child going through major surgeries, suffering from injections and even death anytime soon. Yet they remain strong for the sake of their precious ones. 

I put myself in their shoes, I am not even sure if I can be prepared for the thought of losing any of my baby one day...even the thought that I will die before them saddens me. Every baby is a precious gift from God and those that are sick are here for a purpose. To remind the rest that how fortunate we are and to count our blessings. Not that those parents are cursed, but they are just the chosen ones who are stronger than the rest of us. If ever I were to meet a parent with a sick child, I hope to be able to go up to them and give them a pat on their shoulder to say 加油! 

Bye Baby-J, Hi Baby-V

To meet the needs of our growing family, we have no choice but to upgrade our car. Came across a good deal for this PI model,  meets our dream for a SUV at an affordable price.

Fast & Easy Butter Cookies

These are so easy to bake using only 3 ingredients.  But yet taste so yummy and buttery. Going to try with Planta and see if taste is the same.

Rainbow Cake

I tried this cake with so many different recipes and methods. Till the extent hubby and maid got scared of eating cakes.

But still its my dream to achieve that nice array of colors which not only looks good but taste good as well. Will be baking this for T's 3 year old birthday in childcare.  The children will be so happy to see this colorful cake.

No Butter Brownies

Love recipes which doesnt need butter. Not only is it more healthy, it is much easier to clean the tools after baking.Tried this recipe for the 1st time.  It uses almond meal to achieve that chewy texture. But guess I overbaked and it tasted a bit dry. Will try this again to achieve that moist chewy taste.

Hokkaido Cupcakes

Happy to succeed at achieving a soft and fluffy chiffon cake at 1st attempt. Tasted this in T school baked by another mummy. Thought its 鸡蛋糕, but turns out its actually Hokkaido Cake.

Baby Kyrus Milestones @ 6 months

- Able to flip without difficulty
- Able to sit without support for a short moment
- Started tiny portions of Apple puree and rice cereal
- Laughs when being tickled
- Turns when called his name
- Smiles when we smile at him

You are a cute smiley baby who never fails to brighten our day with your toothless grin. We love you so much Little One! Continue to grow well and healthy ok.

Mother's Day Celebration

Mini-Me Titus

Kyrus @ 5 months

Little Angel's Wings

When God asked if you would like to become my son, you must have looked Him in His eyes and asked, 'will this person love me as much as You do?'

God's reply, 'This person will love you more than anything else in the world. She will give up her life so that you can live. She will kiss away your tears, cry with you when you are sad, feed you when you are hungry, be with you when you are lonely, give up her sleep when you don't sleep, suffer more pain when you are in pain, miss you when you are away and smile when you are happy.'

'Is there really someone like that? Is she an Angel?' you asked.

'No, you'll call this person your Mother.' God said.

'Is she worth everything for me to give up my angel wings?' you asked.

God's reply, 'Of course.'

That's the day you were born as my son. No words can express the joy the moment we met and the happiness i have to have this little angel in my arms. Thank you Titus & Kyrus for giving up your wings to become our little Angel. We LOVE you!

Disappointed

Was told that we shouldn't cry during confinement but I broke down twice during this week. The lack of sleep and lack of support from the other half finally crushed me.

1st case happened when Titus had to stay home due to hfmd case in his preschool. Hubs is the one that wanted him to stay home. When I told him I cant handle 2 baby at home, he reluctantly agree to let T stay home on fri and still go school on thurs. But T is a handful on fri, refusing to take his nap till 5pm. I did not sleep much that day so was hoping for a nap while the babies r sleeping. But its a long tiring day taking care of 2..only ate my lunch at 3+. T only fell asleep close to 5pm. I broke down while patting him to sleep. No calls or sms from hub the entire day to ask how am I doing. 7.30pm, saw him online in the game chat but no calls or sms still. I was still naively hoping he will rush home immd after work to help out...but nope...he only came home close to 8pm.

Sat I broke down again...went out shopping to cheer myself up and a small incident happened when T fell at the escalator.  Hub shouted at me to move away while i was helping to get T up. I snapped at him. Dinner was close to 10pm. I was tired and hungry. When baby K cried at 1am, I asked hub to help take a look at him...but he took his own sweet time and even took his phone to text. I finally couldnt take it and told him off. Shouldn't the son be priority rather then your phone?? We quarrelled. I decided I will not rely on him to help. Will handle everything myself.  Broke down and cried while feeding k. I felt sorry for myself.

I never expect a perfect hubby but all I need from him is care and concern. Something I never felt from him. He never cares whether me and babies r hungry...never made the effort to ensure we hv our meals on time.  Since coming home from hospital, the only thing he has done is delegate tasks to the maid..from bathing T to feeding and now even for K, he will wake up to ask maid to change diaper rather than do it himself.  I don't need a husband that only delegate. I need a husband that will take responsibility and look after this family, look after us.

I have so much disappointment that is too long to write down. I dunno when I am able to forgive...let's see. But for now, this is not the husband I wan.

Birth Story - Kyrus

Has been a long while since i posted anything here. But this is something which i must record down for memory sake. We managed to conceive via SO-IUI in April 2014 (Praise God!) during our 1st attempt. My original due date was 24th Dec 2014, what a nice date. But gynae decided to move it forward to 20th Dec after the detailed scan. 

I heard many stories about early labor for 2nd child, hence i started my maternity leave 1 week before the due date and was expecting to go into labour anytime soon. But 19th Dec came, still nothing. The last doc appt, Dr. Han was saying i might be overdue by a couple of days. I was quite disappointed at hearing that as i was hoping to be home for Christmas. 

On the night of 19th Dec, i was sleeping halfway when i heard Titus crying..so i went downstairs to check on him and found hubby punishing him as he was throwing some tantrums. Feeling sorry for him and also its late at night, i carried him upstairs and placed him on our bed. Shortly after, i felt some cramps at the stomach area. Stood up and tried to walk around to see if it gets better. It didn't. A short while later, i tried to lie down on the bed and i felt a 'pop' below. Then a gush of water followed. Instinct tells me its the waterbag. Woke the hubby up immediately and i stood up to change and got ready. We were in the car in 5mins. The maxi-pad i had could not hold the water..i was leaking all the way to KKH. My dress and the car seat is soaked through. Thank God ours is leather seat. 

I had to walk to the lift as it was about 4am and nobody was around to help with wheelchair. I am checked into the delivery suite immediately..no need for observation room this time. 

Changed into the gown and got settled down on the bed. Was still leaking water...hubby said i left a long trail of water from the lift all the way to the delivery suite =p.

Contractions came fast and furious. From 3-5 mins in the car, to almost every 2mins. Each contraction became more and more painful. This is something new as previously with Titus, i am either too sick to feel the pain or my epi jab came early. Anyways, i requested for epi the moment i stepped into the room. And the nurse said she will arrange for me. But after about 1.5hrs wait, tons of screaming, crying and biting on hubby's hand, the epidural doctor finally came. She is a nice lady and apologized for taking so long. Apparently her previous patient had some complications. I had requested for the laughing gas while waiting for her..but it did not help much, so am i glad when she finally came. 

After epi, i was able to smile and chit chat with her...realized she is a Christian too. Really thank God for her. She explained i might be dilating very fast, which is true. By 5am, i am already at 6cm. 

Managed to catch some sleep while waiting. Another interesting surprise was, the same midwife who helped deliver Titus 2.5 years ago came to attend to me during the morning shift. And this time, she is pregnant herself. Perhaps because we are a 'returning' patient, she is more friendly this time round. But i really appreciate her as she seems confident in what she is doing. By 9.50am, i have already reached full dilation, but can't push yet as have to wait for Dr. Han to arrive. I said jokingly, there goes my chance for baby to be born at 10am. 

Anyway, he arrived shortly after and by 10.10am, Baby Kyrus is born!!! Never did i imagine that he will be a baby at 4.1kg, much bigger than his brother. No wonder i am having such terrible backaches. This delivery is much smoother than previously as i am not sick and did not have any epi side effects. Was recovering quite well in hospital too, able to walk and pee the next day. 

What a scare

Based on doctor's prediction, my edd will be on 25th Dec 2014! Christmas gift from God! 

Did my 2nd beta HCG on Friday evening and was waiting for Dr Han to call me for the entire day. Tried to call the TPS and 24hr O&G but nobody answered. Thank God the nurse at AMK finally picked up my call. Left the message for Dr Han to call me back, but he only returned call around 5pm. 

He informed me that my HCG levels more than doubled in these few days, it was 2900+ on Wed, and it increased to 10,000+ on Fri! Wow, God really impressed me, I had prayed for double results. Anyway, Dr said that he suspect this might be twins, We were shocked by this news, I even made sure he din say triplets. Lol. Hubby got the shock of his life. For me, I am just happy that this means the pregnancy is healthy. I am scheduled for another scan on Mon evening, can't wait to see my baby(s), and must remember to get a pic from Dr. 

I do have some concerns if it's twins as we are not prepared for it. Hence, still praying to God that it is just one...but if it's meant to be twins, we will love them all the same. Just keep them safe and healthy.