I Have Milk!

Nursing this time round seems a lot easier because:-
1) The amt of time spent on each round of expressing is significantly shorter (20min Vs 45min. Kudos to the double pump!)
2) I have a larger supply and hence the absence of anxiety
3) I am motivated

I am really thankful to have enough not only for Ashlynn but also Adri. Both girls are on total breastmilk. Yes, Adri too!
Adri doesn't mind forgoing her formula milk in exchange for mummy's milk (known to her as the "good milk") and she drinks a good 300ml twice a day, once in school and another before she turns in for the day. The transition didnt happen overnight. Like what all other mummies would have done, it was done gradually, with an increasing amount of mummy's milk replacing the formula milk each day.

Breastfeeding undenibly takes a toll on my physical self but as parents, aren't we always sacrificing? I'm motivated because this time round, I am working hard for both my precious!
I aim to nurse for a year. Do you think i'll have the perserverance?

This is one-third of my excess supply.

Top view

Frontview

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Factsheets of my Princesses

~Adri's details @ birth~

~Ashlynn's details @ birth~

Ashlynn is the tinier (lighter, shorter) one.
But, she has a slightly larger head! =)

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Adri Meets Ashlynn

Sibling Rivalry.

Much has been read on and heard about the above topic and I was quite jittery as to how Adri would respond to Ashlynn. Adri was absolutely sweet to the still-in-mummy's-tummy Ashlynn but that might not be indicative of her response to the actual babe.

Mart and I decided that Jie Jie Adri would be the first family member to meet Ashlynn and that she would meet Ashlynn without the presence of other family members.

Why?

We didnt want noise.

We didnt want Adri to be influenced by the adults.

We wanted Adri to feel free to express herself, to be genuine with her response.

We wanted to be the ones to observe and guide Adri in receiving her lil' sister.

We wanted to be the ones to affirm Adri should she feel insecure.

We wanted to be the ones whom she would talk to should she want to talk about her lil' sister.

We were aware that the first experience was very important.

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As advised by friends and books, we bought Adri a present on the behalf of her sister.

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So how did Adri respond to Ashlynn?

I thought the first meet-up was a great start!

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Adri knew that Ashlynn was a little baby and was very softspoken the whole time she was at the hopsital. She put her fingers to her lips and went "shssh".

She waved and said hello to Ashlynn in an extremely angelic tone and kept looking at her lil' sister.

She was undenibly less chatty and excited than usual and that's probably cos she didnt know what to say to this new "friend" who wasn't quite responding to her (Ashlynn was sound asleep).

Just as Adri got a little bored of looking at Ashlynn (who wasn't moving), we handed Adri the present we had bought on behalf of Ashlynn. Adri got all excited and was instantly back to her loud nature. She couldnt wait to open the present!

The moment she opened her gift, Ashlynn became out of sight and out of mind.

Adri busied herself with her new play doh set which she loved dearly.

So that was it, no crying nor wailing on Adri's part.
Adri accepted her lil' sister (it seemed).

Why the parenthesis?
Much to our dismay, the two months that followed were really hair-tearing.
Adri became a real rascal and was very trying.
To cut it short, Adri got jealous of her lil' sister and was constantly fighting for our attention.

Adri whined and cried unnecessarily and no amount of explanation or coaxing or treats (sweets, chocs and lil' presents including) worked. The Adri who took explanation well and who willingly communicated her needs verbally turned into a lil' nightmare overnight. It got so bad that there were many times where she rolled on the ground of shopping malls and refused to get up.

Adri refused to let Mart carry Ashlynn. Daddy clearly belonged to her. Daddy was not allowed to carry mei mei and when Daddy had to, Adri wailed BIG time and was inconsolable.

Adri threw tantrums every night. Unlike before, it was impossible for both of us to put her to bed together and that really upsetted her. In the earlier days, she insisted on waiting for us and ranted "I want Mummy/Daddy" non-stop, only to find herself drifting into dreamland. Poor Adri cried herself to sleep.

Adri also became very rude in her exchanges with us and that didnt help in the communication process. As much as we were tired and getting impatient, Adri got demanding and refused to listen to us. There were several times where she threw herself to the ground even before we could explain ourselves.

Mart and I were helpless. We had our fair share of fatigue in caring for the newborn and our elder one wasn't quite cooperative. Our patience drew thin and eventually reached the limit. While we persisted in assuring Adri that we still loved her just as much but had to take care of Ashlynn who needed more help in many things cos she was a lil' baby who knew almost nought, we were mindful in not allowing Adri to go overboard. Yes, it was understandable that Adri felt insecure and hence reacted negatively but Mart and I felt that Adri was taking the opportunity to misbehave and was blowing things out of proportion at times. It was really difficult to strike a balance between being soft-spoken to her and sending her to the Naughty Corner and/or serving her the cane. Each time we disciplined Adri, it pained our hearts and we had to be very careful for we didn't want to give her the misconcpetion that we loved Ashlynn more than we loved her or that Ashlynn was more important than her.

By God's grace, our efforts paid off. I really have no idea how Mart and I managed. Adri was only a terror for two months. By the third, Adri grew to accept and love her lil' sister and took the initiative to care for her lil' sister daily.

Many a times, Adri was found standing on her lil' kiddy chair and playing with Ashlynn, waving some rattlers to her and/or talking to her while Ashlynn lay on her cot.

Adri also offered to hand us the diaper whenever Ashlynn was due for a diaper change.

When Ashlynn cried, Adri would scuttle off to inform either one of us.

Adri wanted to feed, carry and pat Ashlynn.

Just days ago, she wanted to help bathe Ashlynn and was extremely careful in not hurting Ashlynn's eyes when she helped to wash soap suds off Ashlynn's head.

Two days ago, Adri held Ashlynn's hands while they were seated on the sofa (mummy was supporting Ashlynn) and played "London Bridge" with Ashlynn in one of the softest and sweetest tone.
*and the list continues*

Mummy is extremely thankful that Adri is back to being a well-behaved and doting elder sister to Ashlynn. I am even more thankful that Adri's "terrible two" syndrome was merely a passing phase and didn't last that long. =)

My pair of lovely girls who get along well.

Adri loves her lil' sis and Ashlynn smiles at the sight of Adri! =D

Adri: I want to hold mei mei's hand.

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~Ashlynn's Arrival~190410~

After consulting Dr Chen, Mart and I decided to have Ashlynn induced at Week 37+. This time round, it wasn't becuz we were eager to meet Ashlynn. I would have loved to have Ashlynn in my tummy for another week or so for the womb would definitely have been a better nursing place for the lil' one. My cheeky princess, however, seemed really eager to meet us. The spotting episode at Week 33 aside, I was experiencing rather intense contractions throughout the three weeks i was put on hospitalisation leave, despite having taken the prescirbed medication that served to control the contractions.

According to Dr Chen, that was threatened labour. The uncertainty was really nerve-wrecking. I defintely didn't want to deliver Ashlynn at home and be caught in a "Oh my gosh!" situation. There were so many times where the contractions were so intense, frequent and regular that i was close to checking myself in to Mt A! However, I refused to and turned to medication simply because BB was only 34/35/36 weeks. I had wanted her to stay in my womb longer, yes, longer and longer, for as long as i could "tarhan". My aim was to keep her in me til at least Week 37. Anything before that seemed way too early for me.

Like all other doctors, Dr Chen gave us the option and Mart and I decided to receive Ashlynn on 19 April 2010, at 37 weeks and 2 days. I just had this hunch that if i hadn't, she might just pop before i could check myself into Mt A one fine day.

Unlike my experience with Adri, i was better prepared this time round. I knew what to expect and i aimed to catch a good rest prior to checking into Mt A and even at the delivery suite. Ashlynn, however, didn't allow me to rest. This time round, i experienced intense contractions rather early, at ard 3am although i was given the pill slightly past midnight. The water bag was burst at around 9am and Ashlynn arrived at 1507h, weighing 2.65kg.

When i first cast my eyes on Ashlynn, I was dumbfounded. Here's why...

Did u feel the "ouch"? Just imagine how this tired mummy felt.

Ashlynn arrived all bruised and had lacerations that covered the top of her head. My heart really broke. What happened to my baby?!! Instead of focusing on her features and hair etc (like wat all mummies would hv done), i was "drawn" to her bruises and her wounds.

It was sheer heartache.

Dr Chen and Dr Tan (the PD) were very professional. While they assured me, they explained that Ashlynn was in the wrong position, the OP position. On top of that, instead of looking down, Ashlynn had her head tilted up and that greater circumference due to the tilt caused her to be stuck at the birth canal for quite some time.
Dr Chen had sensed that something wasn't right, that the crowning process was taking way too long even though i had gotten the position right and was pushing well. Instinctively, she decided to use the vacuum.

I had similar assistance for Adri too. Back then, I didnt quite know how to push. Adri only needed one suction. Ashlynn, however, needed more tries. It took 4 suctions before we were all relieved. The increased circumference due to the tilt proved to be a challenge. The lacerations was the result of the suctions.

I couldnt help wonder if Ashlynn was "blue" but Dr Tan assured me that she was just "bruised" and the bruises would clear within a week. There and then, i was extremely thankful that there weren't complications and that the injuires were superficial. I just wanted to cuddle this precious newborn. I was just extremely thankful that despite all odds (the 2 falls i had [yes, i had another fall, at week 36 =p], the threatened labour and the unexpected hiccup during delivery), Ashlynn was S.A.F.E.

How could I not be thankful?
This pregnancy and delivery had been so eventful.

...More pics of Ashlynn in my upcoming posts...

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~Adri's School Story~

This is a long overdue entry. I wanted to put up this entry in Jan but well, the spirit was willing but the flesh was weak... =p

At 28 months of age, Adri has been at school for 3 months.
How is she coping?
She loves school!
She loves her teachers and friends so much that she prays for them every night before she turns in and she even asked to go to school on weekends!

Mummy & Daddy are delighted that Adri's taking school so well. Initially, we were worried that she might not get used to the long hours.
Adri is now attending a full-day childcare programme at Shekinah Montessori @ Old Punggol Road.

~Adri Setting off for School~

How did Mart and I decide on where to enrol Adri?

It wasn't an easy process.

We started way back in June 2009 because we didn't want our decision to be a rash and rushed one and we didn't want to be late, to be left without a placing when we were ready with a decision on where to enrol Adri.

Brand was definitely not one of our priorities.
When we first started scouting, we were very prepared to put Adri at the childcare centre located at one of the blocks of flats just across the road from my parents' place so that Mum could pick Adri home after a few hours or as and when necessary. Proximity and convenience were all we wanted. We did not want to put Adri in a full-day programme; we had planned for a half-day programme just to let her have some fun learning and interacting with friends.

Knowing how it was like in schools, the teacher in me decided to "gatecrash" instead of calling up to fix an appointment to check out the particular childcare.

What greeted me was way below what I had expected.

Right at the gate, I heard teachers screaming at the kids, "You sit down! You sit down quietly and play! Right now!"

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I certainly didn't expect the teachers to be addressing the kids with such a harsh tone. Discipline was inevitable; it was alright to be firm with the little ones but I didn't think it was necessary to be yelling at them.
My view was blocked by the gate and the partitions and I secretly hoped that that teacher would not be the teacher in-charge of Adri's age group!
But alas, when I entered the childcare, I learnt that the very teacher who had screamed was the teacher in-charge of the little ones close to Adri in age.

"Nevermind, such is a common scene, isn't it? Esp when kids get naughty." I tried to be objective.

When the teacher noticed that there was a visitor, she immediately quietened down and ordered the kids around in a quieter fashion.
The kids were each given a (yes, only one) building block.
The teacher-aide was there, but seated quietly and watching the kids.
Both teachers ordered the kids to play but did not engage them in any way. The poor 18 month olds did not even know how to play; they stared blankly at the ONLY block that they had been given and did not know what to do with it!

Perhaps, the teachers had previously exposed them to that toy but I firmly believed that if the teachers had wanted to, the kids could have taken away something different from each play session even though the toy used were to be the same!

That carried on the whole time I was there.

"I think my helper can do a better job at engaging the kids," I thought.

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You see, Adri had a whole bag of blocks back at home and she played with them daily, talking about the colours and forming different objects and structures with them. How creative could the kids possibly get when there wasn't any guidance from the teachers and when they were only given one miserable block?

Other than how the kids were "engaged", I was also disappointed with the space that the kids were assigned to.
There were 12 kids in all (that made the teacher-student ratio to be 1:6) and the kids were confined to a rather small area where they ate, slept and played.
Most importantly, the kids did not have the "spark" in their eyes and they looked rather bored to me.
The whole learning environment did not look very appealing to me.

The conversation that I had next with the centre director was the major deciding factor.
Through the short 10min conversation I had with her, I learnt that the centre did not have a structured curriculum and the teachers were free to teach whatever they wanted.
When asked if the parents would be kept informed of the kids' learning and progress on a regular basis, the answer was a balant "no".

The centre director was rather casual when she spoke with me and appeared to be in a rush.

I later learnt the reason - there was no need for my deal. If I was interested to put Adri at her centre, I would have to wait for a good 4 months!

I didn't like the idea that I would possibly be paying something close to $400 for what seemed like a baby-sitting service that might possibly kill my child's inquisitive nature and hence her love for learning.
If I were to compare the two, I seriously thought my helper might have been a better play-mate.

When I left the centre, I was quite resolute that that would not be Adri's school.

We wanted a place where Adri would be in good hands, where she would be loved and encouraged to learn, where she would feel psychologically safe and where she would grow with confidence instead of an environment where she would be put-down.

I wanted Adri to be H-A-P-P-Y.

Mart and I then decided to explore the stretch of schools along Old Punggol Road.
One of the most outstanding along that stretch was the Modern Montessori (MMI) and we decided to check it out.
We loved the structured curriculum based on Multiple-intelligences (MI) theory they had in place and the huge physical space. The pupils learnt in their own classroom (liken to that in a primary school) and there was even a swimming pool within the school premise. The 4 year olds actually get to learn how to swim right within the school!
Other than the curriculum and the facilities, the SOP they had in place when it came to children who were ill totally impressed us.
The teacher whom we spoke to didn't fail to win us over within a short twenty minutes but Mart and I didn't enrol Adri immediately.

Two reasons:
1) That was our first stop. We had yet to check out the other schools.
2) Adri's school fees would be $890 per month (after the working mother subsidy)!

We couldnt afford to be rash although we were very tempted to stretch ourselves just to provide a good learning environment for Adri.

Mart and I were so impressed by the Montessori curriculum that we went on to explore two other Montessories and some other schools along the same road.
We did what we had done - we didn't call up and we gate-crashed.

While we did not manage to watch how the kids at MMI learnt (because the information counter was far from the classrooms), we witnessed how lively the learning environment at Shekinah Montessori was.
Throughout the one hour we were there, we observed how caring and yet firm the teachers were and that while the kids buzzed around, there was discipline. The kids were confident and spoke well. They clearly loved their teachers and they were bold when they approached the teachers. A few kids even came over to peer at what the centre director was showing us and came to hug the centre director.

Contrary to the negative experience we had, the kids at Shekinah were lively and bubbly, constantly exuding energy and lots of joy.
On top of all that, Shekinah had something that we were looking for - Shekinah was a Christian-based school and hence inevitably, they do impart certain Christian values.
The space the kids learnt in wasn't really huge but reasonable. While it was common for most childcare centres to have the kids eat, sleep and play at the same area, the kids at Shekinah ate at a separate area, the dining area. They also had a computer lab area for their ICT lessons.

All that tied in to wat we wanted - a learning environment that would edify and encourage our little Adri.

Of course, we did not forget to check on the SOP Shekinah had wrt children who were ill.

Shekinah passed the test with flying colours even though I pretended that at times, we really might not have alternative childcare arrangement because of our busy work schedule.
The teacher-student ratio was good, 1:4, and Shekinah had trained teachers instead of a mix of teachers and teacher-assistants.

By the time we left Shekinah, we were 98% pleased.
The remaining 2%?
Shekinah wasn't as big as MMI.
Price?
A lot more affordable.
Fees would be $650 per month after subsidy.

Mart and I didn't enrol Adri on the spot. We didn't want to be rash and clouded by what we had seen. We needed time to discuss and consider factors such as:
1)Duration of school
Would we want to enrol Adri in a full- or half-day programme?

2)Distance from Mum's home
Either Mum or Help would be the one to send Adri to and fetch Adri from school daily. Shekinah is rather far from Mum's place. How would Mum be able to pick Adri home? It would also be quite a walk for Adri. Our helper was quite a "sotong". Would she be able to ferry and fetch Adri daily safely? That would be a good 20min walk to and another 20min walk from school daily.

After much deliberation and working out the details, Mart and I returned to Shekinah a week after, sometime in June 2009, to place a deposit to secure a place for Adri for Year 2010.

We left our decision as it was and did not explore any other schools til somewhere in October.

Why so?

After a good "browsing" and "shopping" for than 1.5 years, Mart and I eventually settled on our new place. Things happened pretty fast and the whole process of browsing and sealing the decision to purchase our new place took a mere slightly more than a month, from mid May to July, and that was when we realised perhaps, we ought to review our decision of putting Adri way at Old Punggol Road (which was near our Sengkang flat) when we would be residing at Upper Paya Road.

We had two main considerations:
1) I had planned to go on no-pay leave til end of 2010 after my Maternity Leave and ferrying Adri to and fro might be a toil. Somewhere closer to our new place might be a better choice in terms of proximity.

2) Our helper got into series of trouble with us and we decided to let her go for good in Aug and we were serious about not having another and hence, it would have to be Mum who would be sending Adri to and fetching Adri from school on a daily basis in the long run if we were to put Adri at Shekinah. I am not too sure if Mum would be able to take the long walk.

That started our "school shopping" process again.
We surfed the net and there weren't many childcare centres within 1km and 1.5km from our new place.

The few we identified, we visited.
Mart and I repeated the process and focused on three key areas when we visited the childcare centres:
1)Learning environment - quality of learning & engagement
2)Physical space and facilities within the school premise
3)SOP wrt children who were ill

Only one met our requirement.
We were pleased. I still preferred the Montessori curriculum but this particular childcare had a structured thematic approach. When I enquired, the teacher whom I interacted with was even able to fish out one thick file that consisted of the whole year's lesson plans and learning sheets and talk to me about the different ways in which they engaged the kids. Further probing revealed that she was likely to be Adri's teacher! She was full and energy and she was able to engage me.

Although i still preferred the Montessori Curriculum, we thought the thematic approach had its advantages too. Infact, as long as the learning was structured instead of the incidental ones that relied largely on the teacher's whims and fancies, Mart and I were alright. To add, this particular childcare was only 5 mins from home and that meant that sending Adri to and fetching her from school would be a breeze. I certainly didn't mind the idea of added bonding time from those daily walks.

Mart and I did not take long to decide.
We enrolled Adri within the week and paid the deposit, the school and miscellaneous fees. Mart and I were rather pleased with our decision; enrolling Adri in this school brought abt a saving of $150 as compared to Shekinah Montessori!

~ January 2010 - Day 1 ~

Mummy didn't accompany Adri to school simply because as a teacher, Mummy herself had a new class to handle. Mart took leave and accompanied Adri to school for the first two days.

At the end of Day 1:

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Me: How was it? How was Adri at school? Did she enjoy school?

Mart: Ok...they had activities lined up for the kids. Adri cried a little but soon settled down and joined the kids.

Me: How was the class size and how were the teachers?

Mart: There were two teachers to 7 pupils. Teacher G (the centre director) was there too.

I went on to ask a couple of questions. Mart's responses seemed alright but i knew something was amiss..

Mart: I am wondering if we had made the right choice. I think Adri deserves something better than this...

Me: Why?

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Mart couldn't quite pinpoint what was wrong. He just didn't feel that that was the ideal learning environment for Adri. After a short discussion, we decided to hang on for at least a week before we made further decisions.

Mart continued to be with Adri on the second day. Despite Adri's positive response, that she was participating in the activities and that she did not reject school, Mart still felt that something was amiss. However, he was quick to dismiss it as him being too critical and again we decided to wait for the end of the week.

The 3rd day was the test. Adri was to attend school alone.

Mummy was anxious. Although I was in school, I couldn't help wonder about Adri being alone in school all the time. I had trains of questions and my anxiety was lessened when i received an unexpected SMS from G, the centre director. She informed that Adri was doing fine and was interacting well with her friends. She did, however, cried just a little.

I felt relieved upon hearing that and i couldn't wait to pick my little darling from school.

That day, i made it a point to end work early so that i could take Adri home at the earliest possible time. I couldn't bear the thought of leaving her all alone (without Daddy) in school for a whole day! I wondered if she felt frightened or worse, lost.

I didn't tell G when I was going to pick Adri.

I arrived at the school gate.

Boy, i was pretty taken aback by the person who greeted me!

A typical ah-lian look-a-like welcomed me.

This lady was clad in low-cut spagetti strap tank top and a very short mini skirt! I didn't think that that code of dressing was suitable for school!

Appearance aside, she literally spoke like an ah-lian!

"A teacher-aide?" I thought.

When she introduced herself, I couldn't believe what i heard.

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"Eh, hello, Julia! Ya, I am G," she said with zest.

I "fainted".

This is the centre director???!!!

It was obviously a GREAT mismatch from the image of a typical centre director i had in my mind.

We chatted for a while before G took me to Adri.

Instead of offering more on Adri's progress, G actually initiated topics on my hp, my bag and my car!

*Faint!*

I didn't think that was what she should be talking to me about, esp when that was the first time we met. Perhaps she was trying to get to know me but i seriously thought she missed the whole point; i was obviously more concerned about my child. That was the first day Adri attended school on her own and i wished she had offered me more information on Adri's progress!

Throughout the whole conversation, she had a lot of pragmatic items in her speech and i am not joking, she really spoke like a typical ah-lian. She had such a desposition too.

After our superficial conversation, I finally got to see Adri.

We sneaked up the stairs and stood outside Adri's classroom for quite a while. Both the teacher and the class didn't notice us.

I totally didn't like what i saw.

Instead of the promised two teachers at all times, i saw a very old (lifeless) grandma seated with the kids. The kids were drinking water from their water bottles. Nothing wrong right? The whole time that went on, there was zero interaction between the teacher and the kids.

To the layman, it might have seemed like the teacher managed the class well, that there weren't kids running around. I was, however, looking beyond that. To me, to be able to manage the class well was a given, it was a must so that was not even a concern; it was an expectation every teacher must meet.

What disturbed me was, there was zero interaction between the teacher and the kids and even amongst the kids. The whole environment was "dead" and lifeless.

The teacher looked really tired and was obviously resting.

She looked like a retired grandma who had little energy left for the job. When we interacted, she sounded equally lifeless.

Checked with G and i soon realised that yes, the grandma was Adri's teacher. I was hoping that she would be a substitute teacher for the day or even the teacher assistant.

Mart had taken pics and videos the day before and the two teachers in the pics and videos were lots younger and a lot more energetic.

Dun get me wrong, i am not discriminating teachers who are senior in age but i felt really strongly that perhaps these little energetic toddlers should be put under the care of slightly younger and energetic teachers who would be able to sustain and infuse in the kids, a love for learning.

Instead of the promised two teachers at any one point of time, the teacher-student ratio became 1:7. I totally didn't like the idea of Adri being in such a "dead" environment. I thought there was something wrong with the deployment of teachers.

When I left the centre, I was still deeply disturbed.

I thought I was being too critical.

Spoke with Mart and I realised that Mart had picked up such signs thoughout the two days he was with Adri and thought that was all "normal". To me, such was probably common, but definitely not normal.

A quick check with Mart revealed that the centre director's code of dressing was similar for the past two days - too low and too short.

We didn't take long.

You guessed it.

I came up with an excuse and withdrew Adri from that childcare centre.

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Our main reasons:

1) If such was the standard the centre director had set for herself, it would be rather impossible to expect quality stemming from her teachers. The followers model after the leader!

2) I did not want Adri to model after G's code of conduct (disposition) and speech. We all know how important the formative years of a child are.

3) I felt that the centre director had over-promised and under-delivered in many aspects.

4) I did not think i should be paying $500 per month for such a service; I was paying probably more for the "brand" than for the quality of service.

Immediately after I had withdrawn Adri, I called up Shekinah and enquired if they still had a place for Adri. They did and since Day 4, Adri has been with Shekinah.

In retrospect, I have to admit that a sudden change of environment wasn't a very wise thing to do. Perhaps, I should have given Adri a few days' break before putting her in a new school. I thought since Adri was already used to the school routine, I might as well not break it.

Thankfully, Adri coped with the change well.

Mart was with her for half a day on Day 4 and he noticed that she was kept engaged all the time and she took great interest in most of the activities. The only problem we had to grapple with was that Adri was asking for the teachers and friends from her first school and it took us a few days to ingrain in her that she would not be returning to that school and would not be seeing those teachers again; she would be making new friends and would be learning from new teachers.

~Snippets of what Adri did on Day 1 @ Shekinah~

Given that Mart was only with her for a mere 3 hours, i was rather pleased with the amount of learning and fun Adri had at Shekinah.

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Strangely, but Mart and I felt a lot more at peace after we had transferred Adri to Shekinah. We felt that she was, in many aspects, in safer hands.

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Adri has been on her own since Day 5 and she's been good.

She didn't cry much and the teachers at Shekinah just had their ways of handling her.

There was weekly progress report and the teachers deemed Adri to be a girl with few words and refused to believe us when we mentioned that Adri could actually speak in complete sentences and would chatter non-stop the moment she was back home with us. One teacher was so intrigued with the idea that she casually asked us to tape Adri's chatty nature down!

For two whole months, Adri refused to speak with her teachers and friends but communicated with her body language and facial expression. She was funny in her own ways. Recall the Cabrury advertisement where the two kids shifted and furrowed their eyebrows in accordance to the rhythm of the music? Adri did just that! She communicated with her eyes and eyebrow! =p

There were also several occassions where she would observe from a distance instead of participating in the mass activities. When it came to individual learning through play however, the teachers commented that she was alright. She was even observed to be mumbling to herself.

I was concerned when I heard that feedback.

I knew all along that Adri was shy and would prefer to keep quiet in front of a crowd but to remain quiet for a good two months appeared a little too long.

I expressed my concern to a colleague and she mentioned that her daughter also exhibited a similar behaviour when she first attended school and infact, her daughter took a longer time to warm up. Her daughter is now pass 4 and is able to read, speak and write well.

That soothed my nerves a great deal.
I learnt to accept that perhaps, Adri was one who learnt through observation.

Thankfully, I did not have to worry for long. Shortly after two months, Adri started spouting non-stop in school and she amused the teachers in school.

Just last week, one teacher commented that Adri could speak clearly and loudly!

I am just so relieved that Adri coped with the change well and she is enjoying school. She never fails to be excited at the mention of school, friends and teachers!

As parents, Mart and I wanted a learning environment that would infuse joy in learning.

Mart and I wanted Adri's school experience to be positive and safe.

We just wanted her to be HAPPY.

And we are glad she is. =)

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~Adri's 2nd Year~

To be put on leave is a blessing afterall!
I took the opportunity while i was ordered to rest to catch up on a few things that i had wanted to (but sorta forgot) to do.
I managed to create a 2nd yearbook for Adri with Smilebox and send it for publishing! =D


~The First Six Months~




~The Next Six Months~




I can't wait to receive the hardcopies! =D

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34 Weeks n Warded at Mt Alvernia

I am bored stiff and decided to create an entry with my iPhone.
I seriously don't know how much of an entry I can manage with all these finger-typing but I shall try...

Am now resting in the Labour Ward of Mt Alvernia n I simply couldn't sleep. I tried to turn in at 11pm last night but ended up waking up every hour n have been wide awake since 3plus in the morning.

Don't get me wrong, I am not going into labour but I've been put under observation.
How did all this start?
Realized I had v mild spotting while I was with Daph early ytd afternoon. I didn't panic or freak out simply becus the same thing happened once when I was carrying Adri. Infact, the spotting I had then was slightly more significant. Back then, I panicked n spoke with Dr Chen n after hearing from me, she assured that it was alright n I had nothing to worry about n the episode was brought to a close. Hence naturally, I associated this to my previous experience n thought there wasn't a need to be overly-concerned since Dr was that assuring the last round. on top of that, my subsequent checks showed that the spotting had stopped n affirmed my belief that there wasn't a cause for worry.
I didn't call Dr Chen then n left it as it was.

Shared with Mart during dinner n after a quick discussion, we decided that it was better to 'play safe' n hence I ended up dailling the emergency line for Dr Chen but contrary to my belief (that it there was no need for fuss since spotting was extremely faint n had ceased), Dr Chen ordered that I check myself into Mt A immediately for checks.

Reason?
Surprises may come our way with pregancies after the first; you'll never know what to expect.

Reached the Labour Ward.
Dr assessed me n told me I had to stay overnight for observation. I was actually having regular contractions every 12 minutes n I didn't even know cos I simply didn't feel a thing. Thankfully, baby's heartbeat was normal n my cervix had not dilated. Doc then instructed the nurses to give me:

1. This jab that will speed up the maturity of baby's lungs.
Baby is only 34 weeks. Doc's main aim was to try to ensure that BB's respiratory system would function well, esp should BB decide to be real adventurous n want to see the world anytime soon.

2. Tablets to reduce/stop contraction.
Baby is too young. Doc wanted to keep her in my womb for as long as she possibly could. Doc mentioned that at least til Week 35, the safe zone.

How's Mummy?
I shall not deny that I was v worried. As much as I am eager to meet Ashlynn, I know fully well that Week 34 is way too early.
Colleagues n friends advised that I should think positive n not think abt work. Oh, Dr Chen mentioned that she wanted me to rest so I will not be going to work for the whole of next week. Thereafter? It'll depend on her assessment.
I don't deny I was thinking abt work cos all these came too sudden n I was nt ready with the handover; I thought I had at least another 3 weeks! Well, for now, work IS secondary.

Worried, esp after told I had to be warded.
Wat next?
I was reminded of the verse that I had read earlier in the week - the very number of hairs on your head is numbered (Matt 10:30) n the timing of your arrival is planned
Prayed was wat I did n i am feeling a lot more at peace now.

I m just hoping that I will be discharged soon.
I miss Adri n nothing beats being at Hm.

Ok, hp critically low batt...
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My Two Princesses

This is rather embarrassing but I am home. I didn't attend my weekly church services cos i played wii with Mart til 3am yesterday and i couldnt wake up in time. Talking about good role modelling for Adri? But hee, Adri and Mart went ahead. Of course, I didn't explain myself to Adri. I only managed to drag myself out of bed to help her get dressed and taught her to put on a pair of matching shoes.

Matching shoes? Yes, you heard me right, I actually started Adri on "grooming tips". I have no idea why and when I started that. I just changed her shoe size and she now has 6 pairs of sized 8/9 crocs. I actually do talk to her abt the pair she should be putting on each day and I talk to her about the pair of sandals/shoes I should be putting on each day as well! In the process, my girl has learnt to be more choosy about her dressing; getting her out of home isn't that easy anymore! Just prior to leaving for service, she was choosing the colour of her panties! Cute, eh? =O

I am enjoying Adri more and more each day. She's quite intellectual and I enjoy reasoning things out with her. I find reasoning really helpful. Very seldom do i have to yell at her for throwing tantrums. I suppose all kids whine to a certain extent but Mart and I realised she is one who takes reasoning well; just explain to her the rationale behind why she shouldnt be doing certain things and she'll be fine. Cause and effect reasoning? Ha, it's the teacher in me at work again!

As I am typing, the washer is spinning away.
I was sharing with Daph days back that I think i am going through a weird phase psychologically. I have been really diligent of late - I wash clothes every day (at times thrice a day) til i have nothing much to wash; when i was a lot more mobile months earlier, I made it a point to use the osim icology regularly and made sure I steam-cleaned my home til it was spick and span; just last week, i cleared 30 pieces of compositions in a day (i could barely manage 5 in a day even though I was not expecting); instead of grabbing every minute I could grab to rest and sleep, i made it a point to have some time to myself at some nearby shopping malls although the walks could get rather back-breaking.

My guess - I am trying to leave life to the fullest.

My memory of how life was like when I was stuck at home during Adri's first three months really made me shudder. Adri was a real crying babe and I couldnt even leave her for a minute during both day and night. In the nights, Adri called non-stop from 12 midnight to 6am and in the day, she remained just as difficult. I recall feeling rather upset about being stuck at home all day, skipping lunches, having real late showers, being handicapped at household chores and watching the cat fur accumulate and worse, deprived of phone conversations! I felt absoutely lousy abt myself; abt being so handicapped at almost everything. I couldnt wait to run back to work and I actually felt a lot more balanced when I eventually curtailed my no-pay leave.

Perhaps, I am trying to do all that I can just in case Ashlynn turns out to be like Adri.
I am really praying that Ashlynn will be different from her sister in that aspect.
I am praying that she'll have a gentle temperament and maintain an eat-play-sleep routine. That will free me some time for myself.

Although Adri was a tough baby to take care of, she had her strengths.
Undenibly difficult for the first 3 months, she was one baby who slept through the night by the time was she 10-11 weeks old. Thank God for that!
That is something i hope Ashlynn will pick up. I shall try to be disciplined and practise parental-directed feeding again!

Yep, we are going to name Baby #2 "Ashlynn Wong Ke (3rd tone) Qi (2nd tone)".
We had a few names in mind but we introduced the above to Adri several months back and the moment we did, my smart little one picked the names up fast and got so used to calling her little sister "Ashlynn Wong Ke Qi" such that we couldn't change it anymore.
We tried introducing "Ainsley Wong Qi En" but Adri persisted in praying for baby Ashlynn Wang Ke Qi every night.
Well, I am most proud to share with Ashlynn that her sister had a part to play in deciding her name! =D

Meanings of Baby's names:
Ashlynn - Dreams and Visions
Ke Qi - absolute miracle of God

Other than how the names sounded, Mart and I placed much emphasis on meanings behind names when we picked names for our little ones. Can you imagine being ignorant and ending up calling your child "a loser" or "a cheater" every day? That said, there are names with such meanings! We would rather remind Adri that she's God's flock and God's grace to us and reinforcing that Ashlynn is one with dreams and visions and a miracle of God.

=)

Ashlynn is now 33 weeks, weighing approx 2.25kg. Prob another 4-5 weeks to her arrival.
Mummy is a still a little apprehensive about life at home but at the same time, I am looking forward to meeting my little endearing princess. =)
2.5 years apart, I should have gotten lots wiser and matured and should be able to cope with life at home lots better.

How's Adri taking it?
I didn't used to be worried about sibling rivalry but of late, Adri repsonds promptly with "No, i don't want!" when asked the question if she would like Baby Ashlynn to come out and play with her. Months earlier, she would yelp "Yes!" with much enthusiasm to the same question.

I hope the first experience will be so positive that Adri will prove to be the doting sister that I've always deemed her to be.
Some instances of Adri's thoughtfulness:
When Adri first learnt that i was pregnant, she took great care to sit on my lap instead of on my bulge whenever i had to carry her; she was very mindful about the new life in me.
Adri nodded to affirm me that she understood that I could not carry her because of the extra weight that was adding a strain on my back.
Adri prayed for baby every night.
Adri offered to share food with Ashlynn but not with Daddy or Mummy!

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I am really looking forward to observe how the two sisters will interact and play with each other. =)

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Unbelievable Thursday (28 Jan 2010)

I'm now calm and collected and am trying to manage a quick entry before Adri returns home from school. Oh yes, have I mentioned that Adri has started school since the beginning of Jan? I've got quite a fair bit to blog about that but i simply lack the energy. By the time i put Adri to bed (my little indian chief demands that both Daddy and Mummy go to bed with her), I am usually deadbeat. Ha, blame it on my pregnancy? =p

I was telling Mart that both our little ones have had some real shuddering "near" experiences. I do recall blogging about the "close shave" Adri had during my first trip out with her when she was one month old; about how her poorly fastened baby carseat overturned when i did a U-turn along PIE.

Well, I hate to admit it but i had yet another shuddering experience. This time, it was with Baby #2.

What was it?

I fell last Thursday, when i was 6.5 months pregnant!

Yes, you heard me right.
It was quite a stupid fall and I really felt like slapping myself for that. Not that i had been careless, running or climbing but i thought i had been a little complacent and taken things for granted. It was like, "Well, this is my second pregnancy. I've been through it once, I know what to look out for. What can possibly go wrong?"

Pride obviously taught me a lesson.

Well, like i said, i hadn't been running. Neither was i walking way too fast. And I wasn't walking on a slippery surface.

I fell in my classroom! =(

I was trying to put up a poster on the front noticeboard while my pupils were engaged in their group writing activity and there i tripped over the wires which were lying LOW on the ground when i retreated after I had completed my task.

Where did the wires come from?
Those were the ones that connected the visualiser to the PC.

Honestly, that was one of the last few places i thought one would ever trip and fall.
Blame it on my complacency?

Why didn't i get my pupils to put up the posters?
I didn't think it was necessary. The height wasn't something that i couldn't reach; I didn't have to stretch and besides, my pupils would probably have to climb on a chair if i were to get them to pin up the posters.

Thank God i fell on my back.
Gynae said the impact could have been a lot worse if i had fallen on my tummy.

How did i react?
For a few seconds, i lay on the ground and couldn't move. The pain on my back was unbearable. Once i was more collected, i began to worry. Obviously, i was wondering if baby was hurt. I got up slowly with the help of my pupils. Checked myself. No bleeding or water leakage or whatsoever. I gave some quick instructions to my class and went to the washroom for yet another check.

Nothing.
"Good news," i thought, "let me finish this lesson."

And yes, i actually carried on the two-period lesson as if nothing had happened.
I have no idea why but at that instant, i just didn't want to blow things out of proportion - I didn't my girls who had screamed to panic and neither did i want to entertain the boys who had laughed.

(Yes, you heard me right. Unfortunately, the 10 going 11-year-old boys who were insensitive laughed when i fell! I didn't blame them; they were prob too young to know the consequences of the fall.)

The "adult" in me then probably didn't want to cause a commotion?
Don't know. Til today, I'm still puzzled about my response.

Right after the two-period lesson was my break. Enroute to the staffroom, I was unsure of what i should do.

"Should I tell Mart? He would be worried. Who should i speak to? Is baby really alright? Should i make a trip to the gynae's? Will there be any internal bleeding? Am i really fine?"
I was oblivious to the pain on my back by then. Thoughts such as the above were streaming in and out of my mind.

I had really wanted to talk to someone about the experience.
There wasn't anyone in the staffroom! The aisles were totally quiet. For once, i did not quite appreciate that amount of silence.

No one.

I decided to head for breakfast.
Still collected i was.
I began to text Martin and poor Mart got really worried.
He wanted me to speak to someone and ask for permission to leave the school.
I think it was then that anxiety slipped in.

You prob thought i would have packed off and left that very moment?
Nope, i didn't. I wondered if i could hold for another 5 periods, til the end of the day. Afterall, i wasn't bleeding and neither did the waterbag break.
How silly, right?

Just as i was counting the cost, my principal walked past. She had, so timely, gone to the canteen to pack food.
I decided to ask.
Boy, i didn't not realise that i was actually that worried.
The moment i mentioned the words "I fell...", tears started streaming down my cheeks. I couldn't control it. I guess i must have been really worried although i appeared to be calm and was enjoying my food.
Hmm, that said, my P must have wondered how on earth did i still have the mood to eat?
Well, i had to. I was supposed to go through another 5 periods in a row after the break on a usual Thursday and would have starved if i had not grabbed a bite during my break.

My ever-assuring P decided that i should go and that was it.
Given the greenlight, I packed up, settled the little admin i had to do and waited for Mart to pick me up.

So how was Baby?
Baby was fine.
I was really thankful that the nurses managed to squeeze me in the packed schedule and that i did not have to wait beyond some 5 minutes.

Dr Chen checked my back and did an ultrasound scan.
Baby seemed well. She was even moving (as usual) during the scan.
The water level was ok and there wasn't sign of internal bleeding.
Nonetheless, Dr Chen "ordered" me to rest and monitor the impact of the fall.
She forewarned that i would be (which i did) experiencing greater pain due to muscle strains. She explained that the muscles would have reacted and pulled to protect the ......... (uterus? baby? Can't rem!)
She ended the session with "Go cheer up! Have some happy food!" Mart said i looked really pale and it was obvious that although i wasn't tearing, i was obviously not myself.

Dr Chen is forever that assuring.
Hmm, i really wonder if i had tried to be like Dr Chen in front of my pupils, the "lesser".
Just imagined how i, "the lesser", would have reacted if Dr Chen had panicked and made a big fuss.
How would my pupils (the "lesser") have reacted if i had freaked out during the fall?
Traumatised?
I'm not sure. I guess the teacher in me was really "functioning".

I left Dr Chen with her assuring words ringing in my ears.
I was glad i made a trip there. If i had not, i think doubts would have swarmed me continuously and that would not have been wise.

How's Baby thus far?
Still active and kicking. A good sign.

How's Mummy?
Still having backaches! But that's secondary; my baby's well-being is of utmost importance.

Lesson learnt - Never take things for granted; Rid that complacency!
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P.S. Friends, thank you all for your care and concern. I really felt that the fall was stupid but i really appreciated your love.

P.P.S. Other than my sis, nobody else in the family knew that i fell so SSHSSSH, k? I don't want to get "skinned". =p
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