Summer

Have six months passed since Summer’s arrival?

Wanna hear about her birth?

In the early hours of 9 June (about 12am plus), I started to feel rather intense Braxton Hicks contractions. I’ve been having them more than with Sean, so I thought maybe this time, it was just, well, more intense. I happily went to make myself a cup of Nissin Cup Noodles (Laksa flavor), and shared happily with Steve, all the while, having the mild contractions. When I realized that it didn’t go away even at 2am, I thought, yes, so this is it then…

The contractions got more intense and spaced in regular intervals, each lasting up to 30 seconds. Quite painful actually, thinking back now..Steve and I was so worried that the baby may arrive anytime soon, as what they say, the second one’s contractions will come swift and fast and before you know it, baby can be here! So we explored the various options:
1) To wake Sean up and drop him off at my mum’s place then head to hospital?
2) To wake Sean up and go to hospital together?
3) To wait it out till 7am when we can drop Sean at school and head to hospital.

Bizarrely, we chose option number 3! Risk-taking parents we are.

As the hours passed, the contractions started to get unbearable. It was worse when I was standing up. The minutes ticked by, I kept telling baby to stay put first, give us a few more hours to settle her gor-gor. 6am came and I quickly went to take a bath. Gathering all the stuff, we swiftly woke Sean up and carried him to the car, with him still in his pajamas and all.

I must say I am so so grateful for Sean to be so cooperative that morning. He was woken up abruptly at 6am plus and we just told him that “Mei-mei is coming out soon”. And he woke up with such a big smile and he even uttered a lazy “Yeah!” He didn’t demand for me to carry him, which was what he would have done on any normal day if we wake him up forcibly. He drank his milk in the car, didn’t give us any troubles whatsoever along the way. We reached his school and told his teachers about my impending labour and asked them to change him into his uniform. It was at this time that Sean turned abit teary, cos all along, he thought he will be coming along with us to the hospital to see Mei-mei! We told him Daddy will bring him to see her later after school. Sean was very sensible and didn’t kick up a fuss. We left him in the hands of his trusty teachers (who were excited too about the situation!).

But the more bizarre thing is, we actually stopped by Ya Kun in the same building to have breakfast. Yes, I had breakfast, bread and coffee, with contractions setting in every 5 minutes or so. Weren’t I afraid of going into labour in public? What the heck was I thinking of then? Shouldn’t I head to the hospital quickly? And my hubby was my partner in madness. Siao one right.

So we checked in NUH at about 8am and I was wheeled to the delivery suite. In the toilet, I realized that there was show. I think it was only then that the fact dawned upon me that: this is it, baby will be coming out today!

I was checked and was only about 1-2cm dilated. This reminds me of my labour with Sean, which was the same as in I was checked-in with only very minimal dilation, and that the progress to full dilation took a long time. The nurse told me to walk about to quicken dilation. And it did, but the contractions were so painful. This time round, I was allowed to eat, unlike with Sean’s, I wasn’t allowed even a morsel of food. But it was really irritating when you are in the middle of contractions and the nurse actually came up and asked what style (Chinese/Western) of lunch/dinner I want for the day. At that moment, I really want to shoo them off, but guess they are just doing their job.

When the nurse checked again at about 2pm, I was disappointed to find that despite the pain, I was still only about 2-3cm dilated. I was told that they will break my water bag to quicken the process. It was really amazing – I could literally feel a gush of water flowing out when the gynae poked me with her fingers.

The contractions heightened at about 3pm, and it was too unbearable for me that I told them it’s time for them to administer epidural on me. The anesthetist came styled with a funky bandana. And I was prepped for the poke. I was told to curl up by my side, and to stay still as much as I could, as any slight movement when the needle goes into the spine could risk paralysis. Tough chore, because I was really in much pain from the contractions and I really wondered if I can tolerate it all and minimize any wincing in pain. To make matters worse, I was still stricken with a very bad and itchy cough which has been with me for already a month. So you can imagine my worries about staying still...

When the needle was poked in, the anesthetist said “Ok, this is going to feel abit uncomfortable, I’m going to administer the epidural now..” OMFG! Split seconds later, I can feel a shot of tingling sensation going down the left side of my body. The best way I can describe the sensation is, it’s almost like an electric shot – which you can literally trace its movement snaking down from the hips to the toes. I tried my best to stifle a violent reaction by reflex, so I blurted “Leg, pain!”. The anesthetist comforted me and said it would be better soon.

I was told to give some time for the epidural to work. In the meantime, the contractions were coming swift and fast, and very, very intense. But soon, I gradually felt that the right side of my lower body is feeling numb, but not so for the left. Strange…I told this to the anesthetist when he came in to check on me, and he said that it’s common that the epidural would take longer to work on certain nerves. He said maybe he will increase the dosage. By then, I was quite petrified at the thought of potentially feeling the full scale of pain on the left side. But after the dosage was increased, I eventually lost sensation of my lower body. Everything seemed so surreal because I couldn’t feel anything at all, yet I can imagine all the changes happening in my body then.

At this point of time, it was already about 5.45pm. When the nurse checked, I was already fully dilated and that I am ready to push and baby can arrive ANYTIME now. But the thing is, Sean is still in school. We have not made any arrangements for anyone else to pick him up. *NOTE: My MIL is in Malaysia. My parents are sick at home (father just recovered from stomach flu, and mother’s turn to kena the bug, read previous post). We explored the option of asking Steve’s brother to help pick Sean up, but were concerned that Sean would fuss and not cooperate at not seeing Steve instead. So I told Steve to faster go pick Sean up, I will tell Mei-mei to wait for gor-gor to arrive first. At the same time, I told Steve to get his younger brother to come to NUH to take over Sean when he’s here so that Steve could be with me for the final push.

While Steve was away, I was really concerned that I would suddenly feel the urge to push and that Steve would not be able to witness the birth of Mei-mei. I stroked my bump (which is no longer at the same position but had moved much lower down) and told Mei-mei to wait for Daddy and Gor-gor…

The minutes ticked by. The kind midwife was very understanding about my situation and comforted me, telling me to not worry and that Steve would definitely reach here in time.

And indeed, before I knew it, Steve opened the door and told me that Sean and his brother and sis-in-law are outside, waiting. I then told the midwife to get my gynae here, as I’m ready to push now.

My gynae arrived in minutes. Everything was in place. I remembered watching my gynae wash her hands with the brownish-eeky soap thingy. She came over soon and observed. The nurses put up my legs on the straddle and I was told to practice pushing. I sucked in all my breath and gave a big push. Gosh! I can feel the pressure of “something” coming out, but no pain at all! “Good job!” my gynae and nurses encouraged. After a while, I was then told that it’s time for the real thing and I was again told to push with all my might. I remembered pushing like my life depended on it….and the gynae said the baby’s crowning! I was told to push again, and again, and again…I remembered pushing more times than I did for Sean, and my face by then was all tomato red. “She’s coming out…! Good good! She’s coming already!” was what I heard. And with one last little push, I feel something sliding out and then cheers! Baby Summer is here!

She was placed straight away onto my chest…and there and then, at that moment, all worries and concerns about me not being able to love her as much as my Sean, about her abdominal circumference being on the 5th percentile, about her not gaining enough weight...they all seems so insignificant, because Summer is just so perfect.

And now, close to 6 months has gone by in a blink of an eye. Summer is growing well (on 100% breastmilk, but of course :)) and is ready to go onto semi-solids. Sean just had his year-end concert and he danced so well as a penguin, even walking off stage after the performance in “penguin steps”. He’s amazing my boy!

Time passes by too fast, isn’t it? So quick that just when I want to stop by and take a breath, it’s time for yet another milestone to reach.

We are still coping, the four of us little family, without a maid. Things can get pretty tough sometimes, but with some understanding and patience, they do progress like a well-oiled machine.

I told Steve recently that I want to have another kid.

“3!” I said.

3 would be perfect.

But till then, I have my hands full, and my heart ever so full with love for my two kids.

Sean and Summer.

A post for my dad, mum and brother

It's been a long time since I've blogged, and I had never expected that the first post in 6 months would be a bitter and angry one.

For an update, yes, I'm still pregnant. Baby girl has another 5 more days till her EDD, and I hope she cooperates and stays happy in me till next week, after things had settled down. Cos things are quite in a mess now.

What things?

Sigh, where shall I start?

For the uninitiated. Steve and I have been operating solo all the while. Ever since Sean arrived 3 years ago, except for the 1st month where we had the help of the confinement lady, it has always just been me and Steve taking care of Sean and everything else.

We did not employ a domestic helper, because I just couldn't get used to the idea of having another person living under the same roof. I prefer my privacy, and freedom, to sometimes run around naked and scare my neighbours. Just kidding, I do walk around in the buff sometimes, but away from windows of course.

My elderly parents, were seldom around to help, cos they were busy with taking care of my brother's only kid then. The only times when they can come by and help, will be weekends, where Steve and I can sneak away late at night after Sean turns in. And that in itself, is a rare treat. It had only happened 3 times.

It was tough taking on everything ourselves. Steve had admitted that he didn't like coming back home after a hard day's work, cos most of the time, I would be screaming my lungs out, grumbling and complaining about things that day, venting my frustrations for whatever "hardships" that I have to take on taking care of Sean all alone.

It was tough. We fought, we quarrelled. We talked about divorce. We hit out at each other.

But we survived. Cos we didn't lose sight.

Things got better when I got a job, and Sean was sent to the childcare centre. Things are stable now. I am blessed that we still can cope financially.

In March this year, we brought my parents along with us for a trip to Taipei. It was the first time in their 70 years that my parents travelled overseas, their first time taking an airplane, and I feel proud of ourselves for being able to give them a treat like this. Of course, I wouldn't deny that it was also a good opportunity for Steve and I to have some couple time shopping and eating at Shih Lin late into the nights after Sean has fell asleep, when my mum can pop over to the hotel room to look after him.

Well, the thing is now, I am feeling some unhappiness, and so much more of frustration for my parents, and brother.

Ok, let's backtrack to the Chinese New Year period this year.

My dad actually fainted on the first day of CNY, at home. Due to over-exhausation. Over-exhaustion from what?

You see, my brother had a daughter, now about 3.5 years old. She's attending fullday childcare very near her house till about 5pm everyday. She has a little brother, about 1 year 3 months now, whom my mum is taking care of, full time.

Full time meaning, my brother would fetch my parents from their home over to his home at about 7am every day, and send them home at about 9pm every night.

My dad has to fetch the elder daughter to and fro the childcare everyday.

That sounds pretty common, right?

Right.

Except that on Chinese New Year eve, because my mum has to prepare for the reunion dinner for us all (which mum wouldn't right?), she has to stay at her home. Thus, my brother has to be at his own home to take care of the little one. My dad would then have to ferry the elder daughter to and fro the childcare centre. But because my mum is all alone preparing at home, she definitely needs help right? So my dad has to shuffle between his own home, the market, and then to rush to pick up the elder daughter from the childcare centre when her half day ends. He walks between these places, as his home and my brother's home are within about 15-20 minutes walking distance.

So what's the big deal? Have you spotted any missing piece?

Yes, the mother of the kids.

Where is she all this while?

Well, according to her, on Chinese New Year eve, she has to work till earliest 2pm. She absolutely couldn't come back earlier to help pick up her child or look after them. So my poor dad has to do the job lah!

My dad, being at an age of 72 this year, weighing only about 52kg, having to rush around under the hot sun, without much food and water in him (you know, some elderly hardly eats, my dad being one of them), fainted in the toilet the next morning, first day of CNY.

And so throughout the 1st few days of CNY where every family is happily celebrating togetherness, my dad has to rest on the bed for most of the time.

Ok, such things happen sometimes, no choice. We just have to take better care of ourselves, and move on, right?

Ok, fast forward to a few months later this month. At the optician, my dad was found to be suffering from cataract. So he wanted to go to the polyclinic to get a referral letter to go to SGH for a thorough checkup.

But the thing is, he is unable to do so during the weekdays, why? You got it. Because he has to be around to help take care of the kids. My mum wouldn't really want him to go alone to the polyclinic cos, according to her, my dad can be quite incoherent when it comes to communicating his health status to the doctor, of which I agree with too. My dad has aged trememdously over the past one year or so, and sadly, he's not that strong or able both mentally and physically anymore.

But the most frustrating thing is, for the past few weeks, my parents can only go back home from my brother's home at about 10plus at night everyday.

Why?

Because my sis-in-law has to work overtime till about 9pm. Then my brother will go and pick her up.

What happens after she got home?

She takes her bath, does some chores (putting the laundry into the washing machine), takes her dinner.

After everything, only then would she take over taking care of the little one over from my mum.

Never once did she offer straight away after she got home, "Mother, father, let me take over now. You two faster go home and rest now. Thanks."

Never once.

And so, by the time my parents got home, cleans up and rest on the bed, it would be about earliest 11pm.

My 70 plus old parents, with old cracking bones and bad rheumatism problems, have to take their bathes only at about 10+pm everynight.

And, never once did she offer to take a one day's leave and offer to my dad for him and my mum to go to the polyclinic for his eye checkup. So the checkup just kept getting postponed and delayed.

Last week, the elder daughter got stomach flu. Quite a bad one. Diarrheoa, vomitting.

My dad, being weak, contracted it too.

And he fainited on Sunday morning. It was a bad one this time my mum said. He was found slouching on the floor in the toilet, and my mum had to spend some time shouting at him for him to regain consciousness.

My mum has to drag my dad to the sofa in the living room, a trying task because my mum's knees are giving way, and the moment my dad got to the sofa, he threw up.

An ambulance was called straightaway, and my brother came over.

Never mind my sis-in-law, she was never in the picture during weekends. She would bring the kids over to her mum's place to stay over for the weekend, since DAY ONE, leaving my brother alone at home to do the household chores.

My dad was admitted for dehyrdation, and stomach flu.

The virus was super contagious. Soon, the little brother contracted it too. Same symptoms. Saw the doctor a few times at KKH.

And me, I started my maternity leave this week, waiting at home for any signs of labour to begin anytime. It would be ok if it happens during the day while Sean is away in childcare, Steve and I can rush to the hospital and hopefully, baby girl would be out before Steve goes to pick Sean up.

The problem is, what if it happens at night?

It would be quite a challenge for us to have to wake Sean up from his slumber, pacify him to get into the car with us to the hospital.

So our initial plan was to have my parents come over and stay over with us for the week until baby girl arrives. So that at least, if labour starts at night, my mum can help to look after Sean without us having to wake him up, and Steve and I will rush to the hospital.

But looking at things now, we just have to cope alone, with whatever we have.

My dad was discharged yesterday, doctor had said the stomach flu is gone, but he is still ever so weak. Having not ate anything much over the past few days, of course he would be weak right?

So the best thing for him to do now is to recuperate and recover well at home.

At home.

But no, he's not given the luxury to do so. Why?

Because he and my mum has to go over to my brother's place to look after the kids.

My poor father, who was discharged only yesterday afternoon, has to find himself sleeping on the sofa in my brother's home first thing in the morning today.

Why? Because my brother can no longer take anymore leave (he has been doing so for the past few days, he himself contracted the virus too, but has recovered).

And my sis-in-law?

"No, I cannot take leave. Not possible. Got too many things to do at work."

To F*** with that lah!

Unless you want to be awarded with the Best Employee in the World who doesn't take leave even when her kids are very sick (her little son is still down, vomitted last night too) and that the award comes with a million dollars price,  then maybe, just maybe I will be a little pacified.

But you just simply refused to take any leave. Not even childcare leave to give my dad a chance to recuperate at home.

You refuse to give my mum the chance to cook some good food to nurse him back to health. You have zilch cooking ware at your place, only a pot for cooking porridge for your kids. My mum couldn't even cook a simple home-cooked dish at your place for my dad. They can only stick to eating foodcourt food and bread, which is the very reason that caused my dad's health to deteriorate.

I don't know the reason why you simply cannot take some days' of leave off, to cope with the situation at home.

If it's your company policies that's preventing from you doing so, then please tell me what stupid company you are working for, so that I can help you complain to MOM or whatever stat boards that are responsible. I can go the whole mile for you, talk to your minister, write letters, engage a lawyer, whatever!

I'm talking about you looking after your OWN SON, not my dad!

Your son has barely recovered, he was still vomitting last night. Your own husband was down with the virus over the last couple of days and had just recovered. And you only took that one pathetic day of leave on Monday, of which you spent at your own mum's place.

And you didn't bother to take some leave to look after him, expecting my parents to come over to your place to look after him?!

Aren't you afraid that the virus will just get passed around between my dad and your son? There will be no end to this!

I'm not feeling happy because what you are doing to my parents is totally ridiculous. Who is going to take responsibility if my dad fainted in your house? Or what if something worse to him happened? Can you take the responsibility? CAN YOU?

I remembered a few months ago, you asked me why don't we consider getting a maid. The nerve of you to come up with that idea.

Oh you would have hoped that we would get one right. So that I wouldn't snatch my parents away from helping you.

After all, my parents are paid way cheaper than a maid. Yes, you heard me right. My parents are basically working for only about $2 per hour, including all allowances for bills and etc.

Such cheap rates, where to find right! You got yourself a good bargain! WOOHOOO!!

The nerve of you to ask me why don't I get a maid. Well, I bit my lips to shoot you back the same question, cos I am too nice a person to be so brazen and make such an insensitive and irresponsible statement.

Frankly speaking, even if my parents are available to help to look after my baby, I would give it a serious thought, because at an old age of 70 already, and my mum can hardly keep her knees straight, she even has problems standing up from a sitting down position, is it fair to expect them to look after my baby?

And oh! Before I forgot, another ridiculous fact.

My mum had always wanted to get a playpen for the little brother. After all, he's crawling all around now and learning to walk. My mum wanted to buy one out of her own expenses and put it at my brother's house. For safety, and also, for convenience sake. So that she can put the little brother in the playpen and go to the toilet for a while, or do her own stuff for a while.

Cos at the moment, at any one time, one pair of eyes got to be on the little boy, so if my mother goes to the toilet or anywhere else away from the boy, my dad has to take over, bending over and holding on to him.

BUT YOU KNOW WHAT? SHE DISAGREED WITH GETTING A PLAYPEN.

"He doesn't even want to sit in the stroller, what makes you think he will want to be in the playpen?"

Yes, there is no playpen, no highchair at my brother's place. Only a stroller (which my mum bought using her own money, and without telling my brother beforehand), of which she will put the boy in and feed his meals.

I don't understand why such stupid thoughts can exist in a person's mind.

You want my parents to look after your kids. YOU PROVIDE THE MEANS FOR THEM TO DO SO COMFORTABLY.

YOU DON'T GO EXPLOITING THEM, JUST BECAUSE THEY ARE NICE AND DON'T WANT TO KICK UP A FUSS BECAUSE THEY WANT TO SAVE TROUBLE FOR MY BROTHER.

YOU DEMANDED THEM TO GO BACK TO YOUR HOUSE TO CLEAR THE AIR ONE NIGHT, AFTER YOU QUARRELLED WITH MY BROTHJER AND WHERE I AND MY PARENTS WITNESSED IT. MY PARENTS HAD JUST STEPPED IN THEIR HOME FOR ABOUT 10 MINUTES, AND YOU DEMANDED MY BROTHER TO FETCH THEM BACK TO YOUR PLACE SO THAT YOU CAN TELL THEM THAT MY BROTHER QUARRELLED WITH YOU BECAUSE OF WHAT NONSENSE.

I KNOW THEY ARE NOT YOUR PARENTS, BUT YOU WOULDN'T DO THAT IF HAVE A SINGLE STRAND OF HUMANITY AND FILIAL PIETY IN YOURSELF.

I AM JUST SO ANGRY AND FEEL SO MUCH INJUSTICE FOR MY PARENTS AND BROTHER.

I DON'T KNOW IF YOU READ MY BLOG, OR WHAT WILL HAPPEN IF YOU DO SO.

BUT YOU ARE BULLYING MY PARENTS, MY FAMILY, AND I DON'T FEEL GOOD ABOUT IT AT ALL.

That night when I dropped by with Sean, your daughter fed a piece of magnet to Sean, telling him that it's chocolate. Sean, being gullible, took it into his mouth and bite it. If I hadn't noticed him biting away, he might have already swallowed it. You weren't around then.

But when my mum told you about it later, you didn't even bother to chid your daughter for doing so. NOT A WORD FROM YOU. NOT EVEN A GLANCE OF DISAPPROVAL TO YOUR DAUGHTER. YOU JUST KEPT QUIET, SILENTLY ENDORSING HER ACTIONS.

And that's not the first incident. Earlier, Sean was holding on to a piece of toy, and sitting on an adult's stool. Your daughter saw that Sean was holding it, and immediately barged forwards to snatch it back. Because of force, Sean was pulled down and landed on floor right on his forehead, resulting in a bump. You came in and realised what happened. But again, not a word from you, your daughter even said, "Sean took my toy first!". And you just kept quiet.

You know the saying, 上梁不正，下梁歪？

But your daughter didn't used to be like that before. The change in her bears too much resemblance to your own character.

Now I know, I would never really want to bring Sean to your place again. It's just nasty.

This is a lengthy post of anger, injustice and frustration.

I pray for my dad's quick recovery back to good health, and for less selfishness and more respect that is long overdue.

Dad, Mum, Brother, I love you and you don't deserve such treatment.

I know it's for the better that my parents don't want to blow things up. But really, I couldn't stand it anymore.

You want the kids, you bear them.

If you cannot cope, YOU FIND A WAY.

It's not fair to expect others to make way for you.

And more so, NOT RIGHT, to expect someone already so elderly and weak to go out of the way to help you just because you can't be bothered to help.

And lastly, if you feel any grievances reading this, direct them at me. I wrote this because I want to, not because someone else instigated me to do so.

I wrote this because I love my family.

So if you want to shoot, shoot me. Don't you dare make stupid demands on my brother or parents.

3 + 1!!

How is everyone??

I wonder if anyone still read my blog...well, it's my fault. I've been really really busy (or should I say, too lazy) to write anything.

Loads of changed since the last post.

I'm writing this from my office desk now. Yes, I'm gainfully employed and working as a Research Fellow in some research institute. Work's great so far, people's fine, and everything's under control.

Sean has been enrolled into a childcare centre, which is located perfectly in the same building as where I'm working in. So he attends a full-day programme now, and life goes on mundanely...

Except....

We are expecting an addition to the family come June 2011!

Yes! I'm expecting, in fact, 3 months 2 weeks now, and baby's EDD is 13 June 2011, which is just 2 days after Sean's birthday!

I should put in a baby ticker here some day, for me to keep track of baby's growth too.

And Sean's birthday countdown ticker too...

I want to do so much - my heart is willing, but my body is not.

I get tired so easily now. This pregnancy has taken its toll on me.

For a start, the morning sickness is so so much worse this time! I can still keep food down, but it seems I feel repulsive at so many things all I want to do is to stay at home and cuddle up in bed.

I cannot stand the sight of food when they are presented in a big quantity. I couldn't tolerate the smell in the foodcourt! There was once I went downstairs to get breakfast and I was queing up to buy food. And halfway through, I just started seeing stars and started blacking out. I had to squat down and recover. Then I crossed the road to get home, only to feel faint again and I had to squat down again to hyperventilate.

It's always worse the second time, they say.

Well, I hope the worst is over, now that the 1st trimester is over. But I still get the occasional bouts of nausea and migraines (very frequent now, could be due to work..).

Despite all this discomfort, I hope baby is growing well inside.

About Sean now...

He is growing so well I'm so proud of him. He had no problems whatsoever settling down in the childcare centre. No tears, no fuss at all, can you imagine that? I was all prepared for horror stories like him not wanting to stay there, or not wanting to sleep, or eat...but Sean has proved to be such a capable and independant boy.

He talks more now, which is a big relief to us. Sometimes he will break into a tune all of a sudden. Like last night, he sang out 'Ke Ren Lai' in such a funny way it made both Steve and I break into stifled laughter. He is a very very adorable boy, and I am really very lucky to have him.

And Steve, he has been the most accomodating husband ever. Due to my pregnancy and work, I sleep very early now at about 10pm, without doing any housework. Steve then has to be the one to wash the bottles, and get ready Sean's bag for the next day, wash the laundry, dry them etc. Tell me what state would I be in without his help?

I'm a lucky girl after all.

Christmas is just 3 days away. And I'm glad that I'm working now cos that means I can finally buy something from my own pocket as presents to give away to my loved ones.

I have bought tickets to the Ai Concert for my parents and big aunties.

I have bought something that Steve really wants for his birthday and have gotten ready something else for him for Christmas.

I can finally buy something on my own for Sean.

All these will be placed under the big Christmas tree at home, and they will have such a good time unwrapping them.

I'm loving life now, seriously.

Changes

There are a few big changes taking place in our lives now.

I have slacked so much in blogging for the past few months that I've missed out on noting down the major milestones and experiences of Sean's.

We also had a fantastic stay at Marina Mandarin during the F1 weekend and experienced the adrenaline of the race. Memorably, we also witnessed the drivers' parade, AND....Alonso waved back at us! There is video proof! Hahaha!

About Sean's updates, for a start, ever since we returned from Edinburgh in August (gosh, I didn't blog about the Edinburgh trip too!), Sean started attending a daily 2-hour playgroup together with his cousin Zining. My brilliant boy coped very well and settled in without tears by day 3. Well done Sean!

And during those 2 hours when I get to spend some time alone, I managed to land myself a job.

So now as I'm typing this post, Sean is already in a new childcare centre, which is located in the same building as where I'll be working. And I am feeling so lonely and lost without Sean that I cried so much just now. Sigh.

More about the childcare centre and my job in later posts, which I hope I will not procrastinate about again.

First up, here are photos of my boy, not so little anymore. But he remains my little darling boy whom I love very very much.