So much for no eggs

Today is Natalie's first month and I have been thwarted in my efforts to not make a big deal out of it! The MIL just came over bearing a tray of red eggs and a 1st month cake from Polar. At least it's just for our own consumption and she didn't order for the whole world. She even bought Nat new clothes to wear. Oh well...

We're off to KK in a bit for Natalie to re-take her hearing test, her left ear was a borderline pass when she was a day old. Could have been due to waterlogged ears or she just couldn't be bothered to react. But KK are being cautious hence the rescreening. If her hearing is really affected, it could impact her speech development later on, but I am optimistic that she's fine because she seems to react to sounds when she's at home.

After KK, I plan to pop by the John Little cardmember's preview sale. Eyeing the Philips baby monitor that's on offer.

On Sunday, Natalie entertained more visitors starting with Eugene, Sylvia and Cato. Cato is the little boy my MIL babysat for a while, and he's over 3 years old now. He's grown so much! Sylvia is pregnant with a second child, a girl and due next month. In the afternoon, the Babes and the Dopes came over. Siva and Kevin kept carrying her, Kevin even threatened to kidnap her...that besotted he is! I can't wait till he becomes a father!

Cato in 2005

Cato in 2008

It's our anniversary...

Today was mine and Nick's 5th wedding anniversary and I spent it with...Swana. Yup, sadly Nickypoo had to work today, it's the NATAS fair weekend and he's stuck at Singapore Expo. I had made plans with Swana to head to town to run some errands though, nevermind that I still have a couple of days of confinement left. What difference would 2 days make?

Ben, Wendy and the MIL popped by for a visit in the morning first though, and then Ben kindly offered to send me and Swana to Orchard en route to AMK. We alighted at the Royal Plaza on Scotts hotel and made a pitstop at Mango. It was WONDERFUL to be out of the house and shopping in town, the gloomy weather didn't dampen my mood. Bought a silk blouse at Mango, am really pleased with it. It was a brown and pink floral thing. Swana wanted to get it too, but all the 4 outlets we went to didn't have her size.

Anyways, we jalan-jalaned to Isetan Scotts and Paragon, where Swana bought a new phone at M1. At the same time, we picked up a phone for Mummy. We'll finally be able to track her down after all these years of her refusing to be contactable! After that it was over to Ngee Ann City, where I bought Bobbi Brown foundation and Nick's anniversary pressie (Timberland boat shoes) while Swana got a Kate Spade bag. She only got it cos' the initials KS were on the flap...'KS' geddit? Kevin and Suvarna?

Last stop was Tangs, where we met Adrienne at the MAC counter to pass her the movie ticket for Kite Runner that I helped buy online in the morning. We also purchased an assortment of glasses for Ajen and Vim's housewarming tonight, which I can't attend unfortunately. Our hands were full after that, so off we headed for home, where I have been cooped up since.

Alicia and Kieran are in town at the moment and they dropped by yesterday. Swana and Kevin also came over and we just chilled in the living room. They kindly brought me 3 bottles of the yummy Brown Brothers Riesling I love and we opened one last night. I had a few sips, hope none of it gets to Natalie in her boobie milk! It might help her sleep better though, ha ha!

Nick should be home soon, left his present and card on the bed, hope the shoes fit...I wonder what he got me? Knowing him, he's been too busy to even think about a card, let alone a present. Darn it!

She's a popular girl!

Nutty had more visitors yesterday, starting with Vig, Puni and little Nikesh in the afternoon. Puni had seen Natalie when she was about 4 or 5 days old with Chris, but Vig had not met her at all. Unfortunately, my sleepyhead daughter was oblivious to their presence, choosing to nap throughout their visit. Vig was anxiously waiting for her to open her eyes but she only woke up 30 mins after they left!

In the evening, my niece Anjali popped by. Yes, niece...am 2nd cousins with her dad, though she's only a few years younger than me. Nat was pretty comfortable in her arms and Swana and Kevin swung by too. We all had dinner here, Swana had requested porridge from Ma...she can't stomach much these days because she gets queasy easily. And why does she get queasy you ask? Because she's preggers!!! Yes, my darling sister is with child and I should have a nephew or niece by September. It's still early days yet, but she seems to be having a harder time than me...wonder if that's a sign it's a boy? Anybody want to place bets on the sex?

No to eggs and ang ku kuehs

A lot of people have been asking whether we are celebrating Natalie's 1st month...and the answer is 'No'. She's 23 days old today and will be a month next Tuesday. I know to the Chinese, the first month celebration is a big deal and I read somewhere that the custom started a long time ago in China when infant mortality rates used to be really high, hence when a baby crossed the 1st month, they had a higher chance of survival and that was cause for celebration.

Me and Nick are not so traditional and we really can't see ourselves as the eggs and ang ku kueh types. But we know we have to do something, especially to appease the older folks so we'll figure out something else to distribute to them. Plus as Nat is due for baptism real soon, we thought we would celebrate that instead of having a 1 month party. Chances are she'll be baptised at St Teresa's on Easter Sunday and we'll have brunch either at the church or our place after that.

This Saturday happens to be me and Nick's 5th wedding anniversary but with the NATAS fair taking place this weekend and me still confined, it looks like it's gonna be a non-event. Yesterday I watched snippets of our wedding video, gosh, we looked so young and I was probably 10kgs lighter. Some of Nick's SHATEC classmates who put up the skit at our wedding dinner were over on Sunday night, everyone's put on weight since!

I loved my evening gown but I don't think I'll ever be able to fit into it again, will save it for Nutty, provided it doesn't discolour in the years to come. She can wear it when she takes part in Ms Universe 2028, ha ha! It'll probably be too short for her though, everyone says she's gonna be tall since she appears to have long limbs and fingers...

The many faces of Nat

Adrienne and Adrian popped by on Monday evening to visit Nutty and they got to see the house at the same time. I think Adrian enjoyed the view, it reminded him of their old house at Bedok. Meanwhile Adrienne tried some of this fruit I had, have no idea what it's called...anybody can help? I remember eating it in childhood and whenever I see it now, I will buy some. Looks like a mini mango, but tastes like a cross between a mango and a peach. Yums!

Mummy is infatuated with her grand-daughter and has been happily snapping away. Here are some of the many faces of Nat, taken yesterday...

Aunty Lee Eng's 50th

Last Sunday was Aunty Lee Eng's 50th birthday and though I was still technically confined, I went for the lunch my uncle organised anyway...it's not everyday I get to attend an aunt's 50th birthday party!

Nya Nya had booked a private room at a restaurant called Yan Palace at Hong Lim Complex, so Nick kindly offered to stay home with Nat while I pigged out. We didn't want to bring her along cos' she's still a bit fragile and lunch was a karaoke affair, the music would have been too loud for her. Everyone was asking where the baby was though!

I think I did all the confinement taboos that day...didn't cover myself up, drank a cold orange juice, ate prawns and had 2 slices of ice cream cake! Thank god Mummy didn't make a fuss, the ice cream and juice tasted soooooo good after all the longan tea I've been drinking!

Found out that day that Aunty Lee Eng had appendicitis two weeks prior and was actually hospitalised and had her appendix removed, her Changi Hospital experience didn't sound so good though. Lucky we live near SGH!

Chopped liver

Have been jokingly telling Nick and Swana that now that Natalie is around, I've become 'chopped liver'. What's that you say?

According to The Phrase Finder, chopped liver is actually a traditional Jewish dish, cooked chicken livers chopped or ground and seasoned, sometimes used as a sandwich filling. "What am I, chopped liver?" means "Don't dismiss me as if I were insignificant." Chopped liver is apparently always served as a side dish, never as a main dish. It therefore makes a good metaphor for someone who's being treated as unimportant or dispensable.

When you're pregnant, everyone fusses over you. Nick used to follow me to every gynae visit but today I went alone for a post-natal check-up but I kinda expected it. Mothers being ignored have been cited as a potential post-natal blues trigger, but I think I'm self-assured enough to not go down that route.

During my check-up, I was also jokingly telling the gynae about being chopped liver these days and two minutes later, my claim was justified! This was our exchange:

Dr Siow: What's the weight now?
Me: 56 kg
Dr Siow: No, not you! The baby!

Me: See what I mean about chopped liver!

I thought the check-up was all about me but he proceeded to find out more about Natalie's growth, ha ha! Chopped liver indeed.

Anyway, I went on to meet Nick for lunch after KK and he passed me a box of bak kwa from Fragrance, woo-hoo! In the afternoon, Aunty Saro popped by for a visit and she brought along booties and blankets which she had made for Natalie, so sweet. I can even thread ribbons through one of the booties and match the ribbon colours to her outfits. Here's some pictures of the booties and Aunty Saro with Natalie.