Friday, September 4, 2009

Ashley, in my footsteps

Last Saturday, 29th August 2008, Ashley woke up asking to get her ears pierced. This is the second attempt. Last December, I took her to Poh Kong in Seremban and had her ears pierced. She had been asking for earrings because she was always fascinated with the dangling earrings that I put on for church or outings. (I LOVE earrings and I collect them as my hobby). She was happy with her star shaped earrings but clever mummy here took them out for washing after 1 month. Since then she refused to let me put them back and needless to say, the piercing sealed back.

I thought of giving her some time before trying to get her ears pierced again. Next Chinese New Year was my target. But last Saturday, she just asked to get her ears pierced! Since she asked for it, I was only too happy to fulfill her request. She was all calm and steady when we reached the salon. She was swirling in her chair and picked her pink earrings all by herself. Then, the ladies took out the piercing guns. She started to well up but still didn't make a sound. I distracted her by asking her to tell me stories about her crocodiles. Btw, Ashley LOVES her crocodiles and she has an extensive collection of crocodile toys. Then "pop" and her ears were pierced. She cried out and was crying non-stop for a good 10 minutes. We tried to soothe her by bribing her with chocolate, and took her to "kedai 2 ringgit" to look for another toy crocodile. After 10 minutes, she stopped crying and told us that it doesn't hurt anymore and that she doesn't need another toy crocodile! So, I guess it must have been real tears and pain there for a good 10 minutes.

We did buy her more crocodile toys. She is very pleased with her earrings this round and she asked my mum to buy her a teddy bear shaped earring when I called home to tell them the "news". So, for Christmas, Ashley is getting herself a pair of pooh bear earrings from Poh Kong. She was so brave through the ordeal and so matured in her response to the whole thing. Once again, I am very proud of my baby who is turning into a little lady day by day.

I am missing those girlie nights.

This week in particular, I am missing my girlie nights very much. I remember those days before Ashley came into the picture, I would normally hang out with my girlfriends once or twice a week. We will have dinner together, window shop (always ended up buying something of course), exercised or jogged together, went for movies or just "lepak" in one of our houses and chat until late at night. It was so fun and refreshing because one gets to live out the "girlish-ness" though we were all full grown young adults and married.

I am not indicating that I regretted having Ashley or that she is a burden to me. It is just one of those honest desires I have at this particular time. I don't really have anyone to hang out with for girlie nights now. Perhaps because of my current phase of being a stay home mum to a young child, most of my friends are in similar stage. I understand that it is hard to leave one's child with someone else, or even missing out spending time with one's hubby, or there are still 1001 chores to get done. Living in the suburb and having all the shops closing at 6pm don't really help too. Of course the church organizes ladies' night out, tea parties, craft nights etc., but those aren't the girlie nights I was hoping for. The crazy and fun side of me is just waiting to come out!

I am a little frustrated and missing Malaysia (where I still have single and "happening" friends to hang out with) a teeny weeny bit right now. Hopefully, I will get some girlie pampering tomorrow and it might cure my "sickness". If not, I shall have to wait for a couple more years when my girl will be "old" enough to have a girlie outing with her "still hot" mamma!

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Ashley's reached another milestone

Ashley had always been a clingy baby. Perhaps I was too protective of her or perhaps because I am a stay home mum, she is so used to have me with her all the time. I remember the first trip when we flew to Australia. I was literally carrying her in my arms throughout the entire 8 hours flight. A lovely air stewardess looked at me kindly and commented, "This must be your first child". Thinking back, she must have thought what an ignorant mum I was.

I do enjoy staying home with my girl. I get to watch her growth and mold her character (whatever that was not already inborn), discipline her and loving her. However, the downside of being a stay home new mum was that Ashley became too clingy to me. She was not playing well with other kids in the playgroup for the first 6 months, always wanting to play with me. She couldn't stay in the creche (Sunday school) by herself and either hubby or I have to forgo the sermon to be with her in the creche. I was getting frustrated and worried if she will ever be independent enough when the 2nd baby comes or even when it is time for her to start pre-school. A friend suggested to send Ashley to childcare, to help her be more independent before the baby comes. I was a little distressed thinking about her crying and wailing at the childcare. I don't want her to be traumatized by the experience of going to childcare, which might "scar" her future attempts to be independent at school, work etc.

Last weekend, our church organized an Indian Food Festival as a way to connect with the community. I was very busy helping out Sylvia with the cooking and preparation. Bec, my wonderful friend suggested to me to drop Ashley off at her place for a couple of hours so I can concentrate on helping Sylvia. I did and I was surprised Ashley stayed at Bec's for the entire 3 hours! She even refused to come home with me at the end of it. Bec told me she never cry one bit and was perfectly well behaved. I was so proud of my girl. Watching her playing with Harry, I suddenly realised that my girl is growing up to another level. Today at Bible Study, I asked her if she would like to play with her friends at the creche. She said yes and stayed down at the hall for 2 hours. This is the first time I could concentrate 100% on the Bible study with no distraction. It was such a feat, every mother in the BS was "celebrating" the moment.

Ashley still has got a couple of things to learn in the near future. Toilet training is one of my top priority. Yes, I might be anxious for her to reach the next milestone, but I have learned from this experience that a child learns at his or her own pace. There is no need to rush them, just gentle coaxing and they will get there in their own time.

Looking at her now, sitting next to me and eating her nuggets, I am filled with a surge of pride. My girl is growing up, and what a fine girl she is.....;-)

Thursday, July 23, 2009

Details on my Swine Flu drama

I had the biggest drama with this swine flu episode. Well, technically I am not tested for swine flu so I am only a suspected swine flu victim. I made some mistakes which could get very serious and deathly but praise God, He looked after me. I want to just blog down my experience, hoping to educate others and as a reminder to myself.

Day 1- It was Friday and after watching the news about swine flu and pregnant women the day earlier, I decided to get myself checked for swine flu. I have been having runny nose for 5 days and have recently developed a cough. I was given the clear. By night, I was running a fever of 38 degrees.

Day 2- I went to the doctor and was given Tamiflu. He gave me a prescription for half the normal dose of antibiotics but told me to take it if my phlegm is not clear. Since I hardly cough out any phlegm, I decided to not take the antibiotic. I called my obstetrician and he told me to take some Panadol Sinus for my fever and blocked nose.

Day 3- I was feeling better when I woke up in the morning. But I was feeling unwell again by afternoon. I was coughing more and so I bought myself some chesty cough syrup. The pharmacist didn't ask me about other medication that I was taking. I took Panadol sinus for the 2nd time and I slept well.

Day 4- I was feeling well in the morning but I notice some fluid coming out of my lungs when I was coughing. There was some blood stain in my phlegm too. I decided to go see Ashley's doctor. She said my left lung was filled with phlegm and could lead to pneumonia. She gave me a prescription for full dosage of antibiotic. I casually told her about my other medication, Panadol Sinus and Chesty cough syrup. I was shocked when she told me that Panadol sinus is a no-no for pregnant women since it contains an active ingredient which increases the baby's heart rate. The cough syrup actually builds up phlegm in my chest to help me cough it out. So I have been taking counter active medication for the past 2 days. I am glad and thankful that I was prompted to go see the doctor today. I could have ended up having pneumonia, get hospitalized and maybe my life would be in grave danger!

Day 5- I was feeling better.

Day 6- I can't wait to get out of the house.

Day 7- I got out of the house!

I have not fully recovered yet but I am feeling much better than I have in days. I truly thank God that through all the mistakes that I have made, He preserved me. I could look back and regret all the "what if", and complain but I decided to thank Him for His timely intervention. This pregnancy is indeed a roller coaster ride, but God truly is Amazing. Jesus, Thank You.

A Beautiful Friendship

TWO FRIENDS WERE WALKING
THROUGH THE DESERT .
DURING SOME POINT OF THE
JOURNEY, THEY HAD AN
ARGUMENT; AND ONE FRIEND
SLAPPED THE OTHER ONE
IN THE FACE


THE ONE WHO GOT SLAPPED
WAS HURT, BUT WITHOUT
SAYING ANYTHING,
WROTE IN THE SAND ,

TODAY MY BEST FRIEND
SLAPPED ME IN THE FACE ..

THEY KEPT ON WALKING,
UNTIL THEY FOUND AN OASIS,
WHERE THEY DECIDED
TO TAKE A BATH .

THE ONE WHO HAD BEEN
SLAPPED GOT STUCK IN THE
MIRE AND STARTED DROWNING,
BUT THE FRIEND SAVED HIM.

AFTER HE RECOVERED FROM
THE NEAR DROWNING,
HE WROTE ON A STONE:

"TODAY MY BEST FRIEND
SAVED MY LIFE"

THE FRIEND WHO HAD SLAPPED
AND SAVED HIS BEST FRIEND
ASKED HIM, "AFTER I HURT YOU,
YOU WROTE IN THE SAND AND NOW,
YOU WRITE ON A STONE, WHY?"

THE FRIEND REPLIED
"WHEN SOMEONE HURTS US
WE SHOULD WRITE IT DOWN
IN SAND, WHERE WINDS OF
FORGIVENESS CAN ERASE IT AWAY.

BUT, WHEN SOMEONE DOES
SOMETHING GOOD FOR US,
WE MUST ENGRAVE IT IN STONE
WHERE NO WIND
CAN EVER ERASE IT"

LEARN TO WRITE
YOUR HURTS IN
THE SAND AND TO
CARVE YOUR
BENEFITS IN STONE.

Monday, July 20, 2009

Thank God for good doctor

Boo...hooo....Ashley is sick. I guess there is no escaping when 2 out of 3 in the family is sick. My little angel started coughing on Sunday night and by Monday mid-morning, she had a temperature of 38 degrees. I called hubby back from office so he could take her to the doctors.

But BAD news. Ashley's favourite doctor had left the practice and there is no way of knowing where she has gone to. Praise God Tex managed to google her on the internet and managed to get hold of her house number, which led us to her new office. It was the most pleasurable visit ever. This doctor was warm and intelligent, confident and sure, gentle and friendly. When we left the clinic, Ashley told Tex:"Daddy, Ashley likes doctor. Doctor always smile". For a 2 year old to say that, the doctor must have been pretty amazing huh?

Ashley is feeling better. Her temperature seems to have settled although she still looks tired, perhaps from fighting off the virus.

Lord, I pray for healing and protection for my family. Keep us healthy and strong. Amen.

Sunday, July 19, 2009

I am in the swine flu statistic!

Last Friday hubby and I went to the doctor hoping to get tested for swine flu. We got the clear in the initial screening and all was well, or so I thought. By night time, I was down with fever. My temperature soared between 37.7 to 38 degrees. I tried to delay taking panadol since the temperature will be important for the doctor to diagnose me properly. By 2a.m., I was struggling so hard and I popped in one panadol and went to sleep.

Saturday morning came slow and dreary. I had to wait for almost 1 1/2 hour to see the doctor. I was feeling so sick and I must have looked really bad because I think I did scare away a few potential patients. I was dressed in my pajama and had a blanket wrapped around. When I am not in too much discomfort, I tried to keep my face mask on. This time round I was diagnosed to be a suspected swine flu victim. I was given Tamiflu tablets and panadol for the fever. It is hard to be sick when one is pregnant because one can't simply take any medication so the recovery process is a little longer than normal healthy people. I called up my obstetrician to be extra sure that the medication is alright for the baby. I truly praise God for a good obstetrician who always pick up my calls and ever so assuring.

The Tamiflu really works fast. I was feeling much better after a day and the fever seemed to have settled. I can't wait to get really well again because being this sick just doesn't suit me. I am of course quarantined for a week, so that is another big challenge for a "kaki jalan" like me. I want to thank the many people and friends who prayed and cared for me during this time of illness.

I thank God for Sylvia who prepared delicious and warm meals for us, Rebecca for her minestrone soup, friends and family who prayed and sent me get well wishes. A special thank you to my hubby for his love and care. I know I have been so difficult and demanding these past few days. Thank you for being patient and loving though I know you are tired and in need of a break yourself. I love you. A big hug to my little angel Ashley. You are mummy's best medicine. Thank you for being so understanding and behaving so well for daddy. Thank you for the kisses and flowers (though daddy forgot to pick them up for you). Mummy love you and will give you a big kiss once mummy is well ok? Finally a big thank you God, for Your healing power. Continue to protect the family and all my loved ones from this flu outbreak. Thank You for health. Amen.