Troy and the rugrat

Was on leave last Friday and Premila came over with Troy in the morning. Us ladies had to go to MOM to finalise the transfer of Arlyn, so Troy hung out with Natalie. He was really good with her, I think with 2 younger and very hyper brothers, playing with Nat was a welcome change.

After MOM, we went to pick up Marc and Luke and tapau-ed lunch to my place. Swana was on MC and Kevin was on leave too so the ladies hanged, while Kevin entertained the 3 boys.

Maybe we can still persuade Premmie to try for no.4 and keep fingers and toes crossed she gets a girl, but I understand the factory is closed...unless a girl is guaranteed! Any suggestions?

Natalie has started to sleep on her side now that she has the hang of turning. Everytime we lay her on her back, she will flip to her side at some point. But in the last few days, she has decided she likes sleeping on her tummy more which makes us a little paranoid, having to check on her every now and then to make sure she doesn't smother herself.

Nick claims he's 'rescued' her twice after finding her burrowing her face on the mattress...but I think he walked in just when she's trying to find a comfortable spot to rest her cheek, she's clever enough to raise her head if she can't breathe. Another couple of weeks and she'll be 5 months, gosh how time flies.

Strawberries on steroids

Had the biggest strawberries ever last night, they were the size of apples! Just had to take a picture!

Yesterday was a good day. Was on leave because Nutty had a jab at the polyclinic in the morning so me, Ma and Arlyn all went to SGH. The munchkin protested at being poked as expected, but she wasn't like inconsolable or anything, in fact she could smile at the nurse after like 5 seconds.

Silly me, I opted for a 5-in-1 jab thinking that she only needed the one jab for 5 ailments, but it still comes in several doses and she will be 'stabbed' a couple more times, on top of jabs for other diseases. Jeez, poor baby. This morning she seemed to be developing a fever, but appears to be in good spirits still. Frowning, pouting and smiling all at once! Hope she doesn't get too sick.

Spent the afternoon at Plaza Singapore, browsing more materials at Spotlight, bought 3 more pieces of cloth and had lunch at Gelare.

Managed to nap from 4 - 7pm and Swana and Kevin came over for dinner. Later on, me and Nick watched Kung Fu Panda at ViVo with them...the movie was pretty funny, and we adjourned the Cafe Gomez after that. The Babes came home shortly after, it was their wedding anniversary yesterday, along with Pinky and Kumar's. Yesterday was also Baba and Marc's birthdays. June 10 is so eventful!

Another Witch walks down the aisle...

...and I missed half of it! Vig! Why did you have to hold your wedding on a weekday morning at 9 am???

Yes, I was very late for Vig's wedding to Mohan this morning. I had full intentions of getting there at 9 am, but Nat woke up at 5.30 am so when the alarm finally rang at 7.45 am I clicked on snooze as I was a little zombified. I only jumped out of bed at 8.22 am when Ma called me on the mobile!

However I must state I was ready by 9 am, despite having to put on a sari...it was Nick who was slow in getting ready. In the end, we left Nat at home because Nick knew he would end up babysitting her while I kaypoh-ed on stage.

When we reached Perumal temple, the individual rituals were already over and the bride was about to come out for part 2. I managed to say hi to her in the dressing room, before finding a spot on the wedding dais. Vig's bridal sari was really elaborate and she looked gorgeous! She and Mohan went through the motions and before you know it, he was tying the thali and we were throwing rice and the ceremony is over!

I don't know if it's me or what, but weddings these days seem to be getting shorter...but being late didn't help. By 10.30 am it was all done. Saw some mutual acquaintances, Nick even bumped into Rai of Jack and Rai / EIC fame. Apparently he's a family friend from the groom's side.

Brunch was catered from Komala's, food was good. But we didn't stay long as Nick had a meeting at 12.30 pm, so we said our goodbyes and left quietly. I wish I could have tagged along for the post-wedding bits but alas, duty called and I had to go home and relieve Ma from babysitting because today is also the day Aunty Sarda moves in to Papa's house and she was needed there.

In fact, am headed there now with the Dopes....talk later.

Mind the Sari

Yesterday I did something I never thought I would do - take the MRT in a sari!

It was Vig's engagement cum bangle ceremony, but my dear friend lives all the way in the middle of nowhere. Jurong West to be precise! The cab fare would have cost a bomb considering the rush hour traffic, and I was worried about being caught in a jam.

Since I managed to get ready early enough, I took a cab to Redhill MRT and hopped onto the train, making it in good time to meet Puni at Bukit Gombak to complete the rest of the journey in the comfort of her Renault.

Before she arrived, I had time to snack on some Thai springrolls and chicken nuggets bought at the MRT station. Good thing too, because dinner started pretty late! But it wasn't a glam sight, imagine me all dolled up in my sari and pearls, sitting at a dusty bus-stop and stuffing my face!

The house was pretty cramped by the time we got there, and the engagement bit was over. Still, me, Chris and Puni (and Nik!) managed to plant ourselves near Vig and observe the bangle ceremony from the front row. Vig looked lovely as usual, wearing a cream and orangey sari but she appeared a little stressed, only relaxing when everything was over.

Me and Puni got to put the bangles on her being married women, and after that we had the vegetarian food catered from Komala's. I whacked 2 gulab jamuns! How to lose weight at this rate???

By the way, it is Nicole and Nicholas' 12th birthday today...Happy Birthday you two! Love, Mita Jie Jie and Nick Kor Kor and your niece Natalie!

She drives me crazy (Part 2)

Had dinner with the in-laws yesterday and as usual Mildred was fussing over Nat. I think she hadn't seen Nat in almost two weeks so you can imagine how anxious she was, inspecting and observing her precious grandchild.

She was her usual paranoid self, alarmed when Nat choked on the milk while being fed by her (Nat hardly ever chokes on her milk these days, I think it was the way Mildred was carrying her), commenting I shouldn't carry her upright (even though Nat's head was lying on my arm), and just because my daughter was not so chatty last night, she thinks something must be wrong (FYI, Nat was noisily yakking away to Ben in the room AND at night is quiet time).

This morning she sent me a string of SMSes, starting with the first one at 6.58 am. The early hour didn't help, I was looking forward to sleeping for at least another hour since Ma did the night shift yesterday but I was not left in peace. Mildred probably couldn't sleep last night, getting her knickers in a knot over what she thinks are dire situations which need a doctor's immediate attention! These are the messages she sent, original form (does she not believe in punctuation?):

6.58 AM

"Gd morn Mita n Nick i got 2 bring 2 ur attention tat Nat is not as alert n growin much fm d last i saw her also droolin is not normal 4 now put her upright only when burpin d way she's stretchin n kick with so much force i pray tat i'm wrong take her 2 c doc asap. Sori i cannot help not worryin about Nat may God bless her n protect her. Amen"

Just when I was about to fall asleep, I got another message from the dark side:

7.08 AM

"Sori one more area u need to watch out 4 i rub her head and felt her 4head is out of proportion tks"

When I arrived at work, another message came in:

9.30 AM

"Hi Mita d way Nat drinks her milk n if chokin often is another area 2 look into tks"

I haven't replied as yet. Am still miffed at being woken up at 7 am. But this is probably what I would say in defence:

1) Not alert: It was past 9pm, my daughter is tired and sleepy.

2) Not grown: She has definitely gained weight.

3) Drooling: All babies drool! Nat's drooling is not as excessive as some babies I know!

4) Sitting upright: It's never for longer than 10 seconds, if not her head will be resting on something. She likes to be pulled upright these days and indicates with her stomach crunches.

5) Stretching & kicking: She doesn't have full control over her limbs yet, plus she was probably uncomfortable in the position Mildred was carrying her.

6) Forehead: It looks symmetrical to me! Out of proportion compared to what? Baby heads are bigger than their bodies when younger and makes up 1/3 of body.

7) Choking: She never chokes when me, Nick or Ma feed her, it was the way she was being carried or Mildred moved while feeding her.

I know she is concerned, but sometimes her comments leave me questioning my abilities as a mother, it's like she doesn't trust me to know when something is wrong with my daughter or that I don't know what I'm doing.

I know I am a first time mum, but I don't think I'm doing a lousy job. Nat is happy and content from what I can see, and her development is making good progress and on track with what babies at this age should be doing. Inadvertently, she is also implying that my mum is not doing a good enough job, since she is the main caregiver when we are at work.

Mildred's concerns are duly noted, but I am not rushing out to visit any doctors as yet. Nat has a jab next Tuesday, I will use that opportunity to enquire about certain things...although deep down I know there's nothing wrong for now. But if Mildred doesn't get assurance from a source other than me, my books or the Internet, she won't let it rest.

She can turn!

Nutty has finally got the hang of turning on her own without anyone helping. She mastered it yesterday and hasn't stopped turning since!

Cannot leave her unattended on a sofa or bed now for even a second. The moment I put her down, she will turn onto her tummy and grin at you! She does it in the cot too and then stares at the cot bumper, which is too close to her face for my comfort, shall have to figure something out. But if I don't put that, she will get a limb stuck in between the cot frame.

Yesterday she also laughed. Previously she would smile, gurgle and squeal if something amused her but yesterday she giggled! Geram!

Delirious Divas delivers

Jason, Joanne's brother came back yesterday and I couldn't wait to see my tailoring order so I went to collect from him last night. As anticipated, everything fit perfectly and I am so pleased with all my new clothes! I have 3 new dresses, 3 new tops and 2 dresses for Nutty which match mine!

All 3 dresses turned out well but I like the blue satin and pink rose ones best. Another blue rose one was fine, but my original material was a little thick so not so suited for the smocked dress pattern I copied. Shall bear that in mind next time, the tailor did warn me though.

Of the tops were a blue satin smocked tube, a babydoll chiffon blouse and a mandarin-collar organza coat. The mandarin collar one is really nice, I had been keeping this material for so long and didn't know what to do with it and was last minute inspired to make a coat out of it since I have a singlet in a matching yellow.

I made 2 floral smocked dresses for Nutty out of my balance material and the pink rose one was so pretty! Needless to say I shall be placing more orders with Delirious Divas!