Decision That is Not Easy to Make

Though a little reluctant and guilty to make such a decision, I have decided to gradually stop feeding my little monster breast milk.


Boss was asking if I am ready socially to take on new tasks to expand my portfolio and goes international. Of course I am more than glad, but that also means travelling and increase in workload.


The reason why I do not reject is because I hope to do something for myself. I know I am no super mommy who can juggle that well; but since I can have Mom's support for now, why not? But I lay my cards; no extensive travelling for me.

He agreed and passed me 2 very nice place for business trips.

Anyways, this is not about my trip, but the decision for me to stop breastfeeding.

I am reluctant to stop now, but my shoulders are aching from lugging the almost 4kg bag to and fro. Also, due to the busy schedule, it is inconvenient for me as well.

However, tried feeding Brayden FM, he had allergic reactions. He had hives after drinking Enfa. He doesn't want to drink Friso, and also refused Similac (at least he drinks a bit w/o allergic reactions) today. So how to stop feeding?

I will still try my best for him. In the meantime, will gradually let him get used to FM. Tough decision, but still...my supply has really dwindled so much because of work stress and lack of sleep. When can he sleep through the nights?

From Scribbling to Writing

This is written by Ethyl under my supervision.

Her school has started to give the kids homework to do over the weekends. I was not really supportive to the idea, but later on thought it was a good idea as it helps her get used to doing homework and prepare her for the primary school.

The inital assignments were just to reinforce the writing of the 26-alphabets, it has evolved into writing the days and now, in short sentences.

I didn't hold her hand anymore, what I did was to sit beside her and tell her "No, not nice, erase and re-write", "Hmm...don't you think this can be written more beautifully?", "Do you think you can do better than this?, "Write the same words closer, next word with one finger spacing please." etc.

Here I am, proud to announce that her work looks great to me for a 4yo kid.

And here she is, always out of her own initiative picks up a paper and a pen/pencil and starts writng words she knows. She can now spell Monday!

Her birthday request is also simple, books for her, no toys. This is my girl. I hope her passion in learning never stops.

Her Birthday Request

Ethyl's birthday is coming in less than a month's time. It is really a journey that is both joyful and enriching for us. This year, she made her own decisions on what she wants to have and what she wants to do for her own birthday.

Her birthday is going to be a beach party. She wants little of her friends, and requested that I invite my friends instead. She enjoys the attention she gets with all the adults around her.

The weather plays a major role in an outdoor party. We fixed it at Sentosa, however I am having qualms about celebrating there. Will the weather be good for us? How about the food and cake?

Having said that, it is her little request that is not too difficult to give the nod. I need to work out something soon...in case the weather is not at it's best, at least we will not spoil the fun.

As for the cake, I have been trying to find a nice bakery to customise a soccer theme cake for her. Yes, she requested to have a "Ole ole" cake. I managed to persuade her to go with a beach theme instead.

Just yesterday, as I was updating missy on the problems I faced while trying to find a bakery that does quality and creative design for her cake, she blurted, "Mom, why don't you bake me a strawberry shortcake? Your cake is also very nice." I was smiling deep in my heart!

On a side note, she didn't want a celebration in school. She didn't tell me the reason when I asked her though. I thought she would love to have one with her friends in school, thus I also went around looking for a cake that she would love to share with her friends.

However, when her Xiao Yi asked her, she said she didn't want to celebrate in school because we are doing so for her in Sentosa, and that is sufficient. I am appalled by her sensibility! I respect her, thus no celebrations for her in school this year.

Now, can I bake for her? My hands are pretty full with Brayden actually. Maybe I will get Mom to help me with him so that I can fulfill her not-so-difficult request.

She's turning 4yo! How soon time flies!

Fall In Love

Falling in love with them is really easy. Just a look on their cutie face makes my day!

Love taking pix of them when I am at home. Since Hubby is working over the weekends (what's new?), I bonded with my babes at the comfort of our home.

On a side note, little Bray is now on porridge and I have to start preparing his meals for him. How exciting!



The pix below really tickles.


Helpful Ethyl is trying to get bray to look at the cam, but he looks squashed! Haha...



This is more like it :)

Made in China?

Stepped into Moms house and was greeted by my lovely...

Saw her enjoying her ice-cream, I asked "Baby, is this ice-cream made in china?"

"No Mommy, from NTUC. Gong Gong buy for me, it's from NTUC."

We all burst out laughing!

Jacob Ballas Children's Garden

This is an impromptu trip. I planned to go Playground @ Big Splash, but Hubby was pretty reluctant to go. So I suggested going to the Garden sinceI had been wanting to bring Ethyl there.

Weather was scorching and Hubby was pretty grumpy. However, the kids enjoyed the short trip.


Our handsome dude


Our pretty girl


"Help! The sun rays are too strong for my eyes!



Having her well-deserved fun




She likes to be photographed


Little boy seeks shelter with Hubby in the tree house



On our way to the suspension bridge



Oh...I love this picture...



She actually fears standing on the suspension bridge just like me!


I love this picture and the ones below too!




We spent less than 30 minutes there. Hubby was complaining of the heat and thus we went back, intended to go swimming. In the end, the sky was overcast and we aborted the idea.

Spent the evening at Ann's place to play with my piggy nephew. Oh...I miss his humongous mouth!

He Hugs Her

I couldn't help but kept replaying the scene of Brayden hugging and comforting his whiny sister this morning really warms my heart.

Ethyl woke up a little whiny today (she always has her mood), the little brother, upon looking at the sister whiny and tearing, he leaned forward to hug her and kissed her. Quite an amazing sight in fact.

Upon having the brother's comfort, Ethyl smiled. In contrast, Brayden is a happy and joyful baby in the morning. He would always be flashing his grin across his face and greets mom and I with his charming mega-watt toothless grin. I love him in the mornings.

Seeing the siblings getting along really well is a great comfort. I hope as time goes, they will remain as loving.

She is different!

This is a good change, and quite a significant one. In fact, it is good to see such a change in my precious girl. She is more open to conversations with people she met and probably this is due to the recent outings/gatherings I had with friends and colleagues.

From what I have observed, she is more readily to voice out her thoughts. She is always doing so, and lately, she’ll actually think before telling you her thoughts and explain why she is thinking this way. It’s always great to have her share her piece as it is easier for me to understand her feelings and find ways to communicate with her more effectively.

As usual, she is proactive in her learning. She’ll pick up her poetry books and flip to those poems that she already knew and would recite them over and over again. She’ll take pieces of paper, or stand in front of her easel, write and doodle or draw. She never fails to amaze me with her new learning.

She is always hungry for knowledge which I am facing a problem catching up. On weekends when I do not have to work, there are tonnes of housework and a demanding baby to look after that I’ll just throw her a book for her to practice her writing, counting or even reading. At times, she’ll say that she is tired of those materials and wanted new books. I tried to find, but I can’t really find books suitable for her.

Just yesterday, I bought a K1 Math book for her. Simple addition and subtraction, she has a brief concept when I tested her on the spot to assess if that book is too difficult for her. She impressed me.

When I have no time for Brayden boy, she’ll help read alphabets and teach Brayden phonics sounds. Her dancing, singing and even jumping would let her brother smile and react with excitement. I can see how much this little boy adores his sister.

Though she is sensible, she is still very much a child. There are times of misbehaves and tantrums, however we are learning to give and take. Her memory is awesome, she remembers why she was punished and will try to avoid having the same unpleasant incident from recurring.

I have set a goal for myself. This objective is to guide Ethyl and groom her the way she ought to be groomed. With her interests in mind, I hope to work out with Hubby something that will benefit her in the long run, and hope that we’ll be able to teach her to show empathy to people who are less fortunate. Since baby sis is on voluntary work, I will try and bring Ethyl along and let her contribute to the society.

There are so many things I can do to help my kids. Other than achieving and focusing on academic excellence, I want them to be show humanity to people around us. For optimal results, we, as their walking examples should also practice what we preach.

It's a Choice

It is very much a choice when it comes to breastfeeding. I dread lugging the almost 4kg bag to work daily which consists of the pump, and cooler bag. It is so unglam to lug that huge bag along and walking down Orchard road.

It is a choice I made. Recently, I have been contemplating if I should just forget about breastfeeding as my stress level is rocketing and I need my sleep badly. The struggle within myself is not that great, because deep down inside, the benefits of Brayden downing the precious Mommy's milk is more important to me.

The fact of him not liking formula, on top of which, Mom's reluctance to let him have formula are the 2 push factors that keeps me going.

I have been wanting to go for my gym workouts. Since I am located at the heart of the shopping belt of Orchard, I have many choices of fitness clubs within reach, and I really want to look fit and fab.

I guess there are times for fun and play. Brayden is only a baby once, and giving him food the Nature's way is not such a bad thing afterall. I'd just have to bear with the weight of my "milking" bag and get Hubby to massage my aching shoulders every night.

Since he is turning 6mo this month, my first target is met, I will set the next target at his 9th month.

Singing K!

After the last gathering, we met up again (in a smaller group) for a K session. I merely left a message saying that I wanted to sing, and friends left comments and made the arrangements! I am lucky to have such friends don’t I? Tell me about it!

The company was great!

Ethyl was with me, and I left Brayden with Mom. He is still too young to join for such things; I’ll tow him along when he is older. Nonetheless, my little girl had a whale of time with the Aunties who wanted to be called jiejie.

I’ll let the pictures do the talking.

So Many Has Happened...

Not sure how and where to start, my modem died, and I am handicapped without my connection. Am currently borrowing the connection from my sis to update before I forget everything.

Our 10th Anniversary




This two pix were taken outside of Marriot before heading to Mezza 9 for dinner.







She enjoyed the meal and of course, her chocolate banana milkshake.

She enjoyed being the "light-bulb" of the evening. I am so glad she misses Brayden just like me!

Children's Day



Karen's little girl...The first time I saw her was when she was a baby in her confinement!


my best pal, Rachele



Ethyl with Sok Tee


Ethyl with Reis


Brayden with May Ling


Ethyl's playing with Faustina


Brayden carried by Sok Tee


Brayden carried by Pamela jiejie...she is my friend's sister.


Most of them were here for the gathering...it is good to get together after almost 10 years.


My boys!


supposedly to be a family pix...

This gathering is a success! Not all are in the pictures as I was too busy with Brayden and catching up! Oh, I miss taking some pictures of a new blogging friend, Ericia with her boy who is also the missus of an "old' friend.

We are planning for a K session tomorrow for the girls!