"Hmmmm,.. this is my ma-geek-one"!, as she contemplates how to bash Letitia with it. Happy and Safe Christmas, everyone!!!
Tuesday, December 13, 2005
Sheeps ready for performance!
I am the proud designer and maker of these sheep outfits. These girls are Letitia's bunch of mates and they performed as "Sheep gone astray" in their Thanksgiving Graduation night (Just before Letitia had to rush to her other dance concert). Can anyone see a 2 yo amidst the 4-5 year olds?
Mathena has a Tu-tu too!
Mathena loves all the dancing that Letitia does and is very happy to be instructed in the "moves". She plotters along with Letitia as the steps are dreamed up and created by Letitia. They dance around for up to 30mins a day everyday day.
School Uniform and Hair in a Bun
Letitia's Star had was up like this with a silver crown and a stat standing from her bun. This took tons of hairgel to achieve but she looked such a dancer. We are as proud as punch.
Star Awards
The end of year madness ended very well and to our surprise, Letitia was awarded Best Dancer in her baby group for the year. She did well indeed and not only because we are the proud parents.... cameras were not allowed and we are awaiting the "formal" pictures to see her in action. This is Letitia in her "Star" tu-tu without the sequines, sparkles and hair done. Mathena had to have her own as well...
Saturday, December 03, 2005
Christ is the reason for Christmas!
....and we have to be reminded of it constantly!!
For those disillusioned by this silly season, here's a new Christmas CD that speaks of biblical Christmas, "King of Christmas!" (kids version but very true still).
December rolled in with tinsels and busyness. To my dismay, only half of what I have set out to achieved is done and there's more piling up as we speak. The girls are well but BUSY! Even little Mathena is into the swing of things and is asking to go for "car-rides" and "shopping" a lot. She loves looking at the "de-ca-ra-sions" and "teng-teng" (lights) in the shops.
Letitia will be all geared up for the next few weeks. Her BIG (big to us!) role as a "star" in the Peter Pan concert is due for opening on the 8th Thursday night. On the very same day, her school has a end of year thanksgiving evening for the little ones and she is also a little "sheep" in a presentation. Because of this, we have (1) a school rehearsal from 9-11am then (2) another from 11.30-2pm for Peter Pan, home for a rest and then off again to (3) the Schools thanksgiving at 4.30pm-7pm and finally, scurry to the (4) performing arts complex by 7.30pm for the Dance concert. All you moms who thinks that I am out of my mind are right, I am!! This will be the first and the last. I REALLY did not bargain for this and am not aware of the drama involved. Do think of us...
After that, we can just wind down for "make up" swimming classes and expect weekends after weekends of social and family get togethers.
We are happy to say that the CHUAs from Brissy will be joining us for a few days this year, and with that, my dad will be coming along. I am looking forward to having him at home with us and giving me a bit of free time while we later venture further away more...for sightseeing. That's the other bit,....we enjoy the family outings with the grandparents here and the girls will love waking their "ah kong" and "ah mah"(due in February) up!....while we get a sleep in???
It's just going to "zoom by" this year....so before I miss the chance, hope all of you, my world-wide family and friends, have a nice year end and remember that, if all falls apart, we have been redeemed by our Lord Jesus Christ. When we set our eyes and standards on HIM, His glory, His rewards and His kingdom, all will only pale in comparison. This is WHY we celebrate the birth of our Jesus Christ. God Bless you all and thanks for all the care, phone calls, prayers and emails.
The Chan Gang
For those disillusioned by this silly season, here's a new Christmas CD that speaks of biblical Christmas, "King of Christmas!" (kids version but very true still).
December rolled in with tinsels and busyness. To my dismay, only half of what I have set out to achieved is done and there's more piling up as we speak. The girls are well but BUSY! Even little Mathena is into the swing of things and is asking to go for "car-rides" and "shopping" a lot. She loves looking at the "de-ca-ra-sions" and "teng-teng" (lights) in the shops.
Letitia will be all geared up for the next few weeks. Her BIG (big to us!) role as a "star" in the Peter Pan concert is due for opening on the 8th Thursday night. On the very same day, her school has a end of year thanksgiving evening for the little ones and she is also a little "sheep" in a presentation. Because of this, we have (1) a school rehearsal from 9-11am then (2) another from 11.30-2pm for Peter Pan, home for a rest and then off again to (3) the Schools thanksgiving at 4.30pm-7pm and finally, scurry to the (4) performing arts complex by 7.30pm for the Dance concert. All you moms who thinks that I am out of my mind are right, I am!! This will be the first and the last. I REALLY did not bargain for this and am not aware of the drama involved. Do think of us...
After that, we can just wind down for "make up" swimming classes and expect weekends after weekends of social and family get togethers.
We are happy to say that the CHUAs from Brissy will be joining us for a few days this year, and with that, my dad will be coming along. I am looking forward to having him at home with us and giving me a bit of free time while we later venture further away more...for sightseeing. That's the other bit,....we enjoy the family outings with the grandparents here and the girls will love waking their "ah kong" and "ah mah"(due in February) up!....while we get a sleep in???
It's just going to "zoom by" this year....so before I miss the chance, hope all of you, my world-wide family and friends, have a nice year end and remember that, if all falls apart, we have been redeemed by our Lord Jesus Christ. When we set our eyes and standards on HIM, His glory, His rewards and His kingdom, all will only pale in comparison. This is WHY we celebrate the birth of our Jesus Christ. God Bless you all and thanks for all the care, phone calls, prayers and emails.
The Chan Gang
Saturday, November 19, 2005
Chans in the Sun!
I love this photo solely for the "texture" of the timber stairs.
A hot and sunny day but heaps of fun! Enjoy!
A hot and sunny day but heaps of fun! Enjoy!
Wednesday, November 16, 2005
One of the many reasons we are BUSY!
Letitia's bunch of dancing "stars". Excuse the fly dots on the faces. These girls will be little stars in a year end production of Peter Pan in the IPAC on the 8th, 9th December 2005.
It's for a whole 5 minutes which requires up to 2 hours practice a week.
It's for a whole 5 minutes which requires up to 2 hours practice a week.
Tuesday, November 15, 2005
November Dash!
I really do not know why but this month seems to be loaded with "stuff" to do and places to go. I have an inkling that it has all to do with the silly season and nothing to do with my lack of organisation skills.
With Mathena in tow, we travel here there, for dance practice, for extra swimming classes, to buy this (for dancing), to buy that (for someone's birthday) and there's so many decisions to make along the way. Life is a HUGE blurr at the moment.
On Sunday, we took time just to "hang out". We did this in celebration of Alex's birthday and took time from the normal routine to just be a family. I had arranged for a friend who's Alex's ex colleague to help us capture these rare moments on film. Thank you Darren
(Darren's Many Skills) for your excellent photography and also thanks to you, Megan for sharing your precious weekend/& husband with us. We enjoyed the time with your sweet precious girls and we all had a blast, enjoy the fresh air, played and laughed a lot.
Such moments take a lot of effort. We had to turn down and "not show up" to a few normal events but it was all worth the while. There'll be pics on the above entries.
I saw Letitia enjoying the world around her as a 4.5 yo. She seemed relaxed and carefree. She soaked up all the wind, sun and pollen. She minded only the flies buzzing around her. This is my No 1 who now knows to keep one eye on her little sister, who also knows how to do fancy tricks while "selling fish and chips" on the kid's playground and who knows that, when we are at the beach, we are suppose to get wet (we DID NOT hence we had "dramas"). How Letitia shone in beauty and innocence. Every bit of her lovely and sweet. I thank GOD for her.
While juggling Mathena and running after her to stop her from crashing into things and climbing of risky places.... I saw my baby, growing up before my eyes. I was sure it was only yesterday that I had her in a bouncer, being rocked to sleep (to extend her sleep cycle). I remember her giggles when we played with her tummy times. I even remember how she kept wanting to take off on her wobbly legs but couldn't. I still see vividly in my mind her scrambling upwards on our stairs while my heart stopped ticking in anxiety. Mathena now tells us what she wants and not want. She now tells us off with a "mack-mack, naughty". She will tell us "wee-wee toilet" in her loudest voice to set us scrambling to the nearest toilet. She will insist to use the soap, "fing-fing" her hands in the sink, and wipe her hands as the "washing hand"process. She now asks for "teee-vee" with the cutest look and battered eyelids (while slightly tilting her head!). God Bless this package of life, energy and loveliness.
My deep thoughts.... how I miss those.
With Mathena in tow, we travel here there, for dance practice, for extra swimming classes, to buy this (for dancing), to buy that (for someone's birthday) and there's so many decisions to make along the way. Life is a HUGE blurr at the moment.
On Sunday, we took time just to "hang out". We did this in celebration of Alex's birthday and took time from the normal routine to just be a family. I had arranged for a friend who's Alex's ex colleague to help us capture these rare moments on film. Thank you Darren
(Darren's Many Skills) for your excellent photography and also thanks to you, Megan for sharing your precious weekend/& husband with us. We enjoyed the time with your sweet precious girls and we all had a blast, enjoy the fresh air, played and laughed a lot.
Such moments take a lot of effort. We had to turn down and "not show up" to a few normal events but it was all worth the while. There'll be pics on the above entries.
I saw Letitia enjoying the world around her as a 4.5 yo. She seemed relaxed and carefree. She soaked up all the wind, sun and pollen. She minded only the flies buzzing around her. This is my No 1 who now knows to keep one eye on her little sister, who also knows how to do fancy tricks while "selling fish and chips" on the kid's playground and who knows that, when we are at the beach, we are suppose to get wet (we DID NOT hence we had "dramas"). How Letitia shone in beauty and innocence. Every bit of her lovely and sweet. I thank GOD for her.
While juggling Mathena and running after her to stop her from crashing into things and climbing of risky places.... I saw my baby, growing up before my eyes. I was sure it was only yesterday that I had her in a bouncer, being rocked to sleep (to extend her sleep cycle). I remember her giggles when we played with her tummy times. I even remember how she kept wanting to take off on her wobbly legs but couldn't. I still see vividly in my mind her scrambling upwards on our stairs while my heart stopped ticking in anxiety. Mathena now tells us what she wants and not want. She now tells us off with a "mack-mack, naughty". She will tell us "wee-wee toilet" in her loudest voice to set us scrambling to the nearest toilet. She will insist to use the soap, "fing-fing" her hands in the sink, and wipe her hands as the "washing hand"process. She now asks for "teee-vee" with the cutest look and battered eyelids (while slightly tilting her head!). God Bless this package of life, energy and loveliness.
My deep thoughts.... how I miss those.
Wednesday, November 09, 2005
Lace Anniversary
We made it another year!
Our biggest thanks goes to our GOD whom we believe brought us together in the first place. HE helped us through 2-3 years of a loooong distance relationship before we got married. Now 2 beautiful girls later, we are still learning about each other and thankful for our moments together.
Happy Anniversary, Alex! You fulfill me and love me to what I have become today. I thank GOD for you and your undying patience for me.
Our biggest thanks goes to our GOD whom we believe brought us together in the first place. HE helped us through 2-3 years of a loooong distance relationship before we got married. Now 2 beautiful girls later, we are still learning about each other and thankful for our moments together.
Happy Anniversary, Alex! You fulfill me and love me to what I have become today. I thank GOD for you and your undying patience for me.
Wednesday, November 02, 2005
Toilet Training
Okay, the big T task has officially started for my two yo. Mathena's been showing signs of recognising her movements and water works. We are the ones prolonging the process. If Mathena's our first born, we'll be pushing the issue even before she turns 18 months. I even have friends from Asia who's had their babies potty trained at the age of 6 months.
Yes, we are far behind the scheme of things and unfortunately Mathena's the "No 2". Having the previous vivid experience of wet floors and lots of cleaning/laundry, I have opted to wait for the warmer weather and when I am "mentally" ready.
As nature would have it, Mathena is ready. Yep, wet floors, lots of undies, lots of mopping and of course, stopping Letitia from bossing Mathena around. (Are any of you facing the same issues? I have a 4.5 yo turning into 45 as she is convince that her role in life is to boss, scold and "teach" her little sister.)
Sigh! More "turtle toilet" to go..... will be fun!
Yes, we are far behind the scheme of things and unfortunately Mathena's the "No 2". Having the previous vivid experience of wet floors and lots of cleaning/laundry, I have opted to wait for the warmer weather and when I am "mentally" ready.
As nature would have it, Mathena is ready. Yep, wet floors, lots of undies, lots of mopping and of course, stopping Letitia from bossing Mathena around. (Are any of you facing the same issues? I have a 4.5 yo turning into 45 as she is convince that her role in life is to boss, scold and "teach" her little sister.)
Sigh! More "turtle toilet" to go..... will be fun!
House/Train Trained!
It has been a few weeks now with Alex off commuting in North Sydney. My job is to man the house for the 13-14hrs that he is not here.
In reality it's just like Alex working overtime all the time. The biggest difference is we do not have dinner together and the kids only see him just before they go to bed. Mathena misses him the most. She wakes up and now knows to say "Daddy, work?" when she discovers daddy's not around. Letitia came up with a conclusion that "Mommy, you do the most for us at home!". When asked why she thinks so she replied that "you cook for us, you fix our activities, you bath us etc". Wow! After reassuring her that her daddy has as BIG a role in the house as well, though he's not here, I am somewhat proud of her observation skills.
It's tough for Alex to get up at 5.30am to get ready for work. He's day is sooo much longer. I am awake too but at least I have the option to "not get out of bed". I remember my commuting days to Town Hall. It was not fun at all, especially when you are prone for train-sickness!! I am very proud to have such a husband.
In reality it's just like Alex working overtime all the time. The biggest difference is we do not have dinner together and the kids only see him just before they go to bed. Mathena misses him the most. She wakes up and now knows to say "Daddy, work?" when she discovers daddy's not around. Letitia came up with a conclusion that "Mommy, you do the most for us at home!". When asked why she thinks so she replied that "you cook for us, you fix our activities, you bath us etc". Wow! After reassuring her that her daddy has as BIG a role in the house as well, though he's not here, I am somewhat proud of her observation skills.
It's tough for Alex to get up at 5.30am to get ready for work. He's day is sooo much longer. I am awake too but at least I have the option to "not get out of bed". I remember my commuting days to Town Hall. It was not fun at all, especially when you are prone for train-sickness!! I am very proud to have such a husband.
Tuesday, October 18, 2005
Chan Family Reunion
All the CHANs. Back row: Chans by birth, all the wives in front with the grandkids. Newest addition is young Alicia 6mos (pink) in the middle.
Alicia@Sizzlers
Our first meeting of our new niece. The 5th grandchild in the CHAN family.
Looking real contented and very happy. Great to have finally met you! Enjoy the first year of your life!
Looking real contented and very happy. Great to have finally met you! Enjoy the first year of your life!
Flick's B'day
Our dear Sis-in-law had her birthday with all the kids. This is a rare picture of all the CHUA grandkids under one roof.
We all had a ball and the girls now know what STAR WARS is....it has nothing much to do with stars!
We all had a ball and the girls now know what STAR WARS is....it has nothing much to do with stars!
Bridal Party and us!
The bride has been a close friend and "God-daughter" to us. We knew her since she was a teenager. She's now a beautiful grown lady, sigh!! She wanted her "little sister", Letitia to be her flower girl and we were all there for the wonderful event.
Our prayers and love is with the newly married couple. Remember that we are only a phonecall away. You are both in our hearts and minds always.
Again, thanks for the honor to be there for the special occasion.
Our prayers and love is with the newly married couple. Remember that we are only a phonecall away. You are both in our hearts and minds always.
Again, thanks for the honor to be there for the special occasion.
Flower Girl Letitia
Our main purpose to Brisbane was for Letitia to act out her role as a flower girl.
Our heartiest Congratulations to Cherie and Johnnie on their recent marriage which was very moving and glorious.
Letitia was a joy to see and be with. As proud parents, we were happy to see her fulfilled in her role and even entertained a few people.
Our heartiest Congratulations to Cherie and Johnnie on their recent marriage which was very moving and glorious.
Letitia was a joy to see and be with. As proud parents, we were happy to see her fulfilled in her role and even entertained a few people.
Wednesday, September 28, 2005
School Holidays
Somebody up there obviously loves us...
I really thank GOD for the school holidays. With Alex commuting and up in the wee hours of the morning to get ready for work, I had to "pick up" on all the tasks he usually helps with at home- mostly the driving of Letitia to school in the mornings and getting her ready etc.
We have had an easy week this week to wind down from the aftermath of Alex's first week back to work. When he wakes at 5.30am...my entire chanclan wakes. Good for a farmer's wife but really damaging for me especially when my girls expects breakfast on the table by 6.30am. So far, we've kept it real "quiet" and they've slept in to their normal 7am.
We'll be off to Brisbane in a few days to attend a wedding as well as have family time with...family and friends. HUGE car trip but hope the girls can cope with it as they are bigger. This is their **th trip in the last 4 years and we have the logistics down to a routine. We need the car when we are up there so the drive is a must.
I really thank GOD for the school holidays. With Alex commuting and up in the wee hours of the morning to get ready for work, I had to "pick up" on all the tasks he usually helps with at home- mostly the driving of Letitia to school in the mornings and getting her ready etc.
We have had an easy week this week to wind down from the aftermath of Alex's first week back to work. When he wakes at 5.30am...my entire chanclan wakes. Good for a farmer's wife but really damaging for me especially when my girls expects breakfast on the table by 6.30am. So far, we've kept it real "quiet" and they've slept in to their normal 7am.
We'll be off to Brisbane in a few days to attend a wedding as well as have family time with...family and friends. HUGE car trip but hope the girls can cope with it as they are bigger. This is their **th trip in the last 4 years and we have the logistics down to a routine. We need the car when we are up there so the drive is a must.
Thursday, September 22, 2005
3rd Swim Lesson
"I am happier in my lessons now!" I still cannot manage to keep my bum from floating away. All the tide from the kids keeps me shifting on my seat. I am happy to go to my teacher, Kerrie for a session of "kicks".
We think she is the sweetest looking thing in togs. Taken on her 2nd Birthday.
We think she is the sweetest looking thing in togs. Taken on her 2nd Birthday.
Happy 2nd Birthday Mathena
Into "Doperty" of Wiggles, loves dressing up and very confident. Our baby is now two. Sigh!
Wearing a dress made by her grannies.
Wearing a dress made by her grannies.
Thursday, September 15, 2005
Mathena's First Swim Lesson
My 23 month old is swimming....
Here's little Mathena before she had a little "dip" accident. Poor thing! Trauma on her first day at swim school.
Her swim-nappy kept her bum up and head down...we all nearly had a heart attack ourselves.
Here's little Mathena before she had a little "dip" accident. Poor thing! Trauma on her first day at swim school.
Her swim-nappy kept her bum up and head down...we all nearly had a heart attack ourselves.
Farewell Ee-ee Audrey
It's been a great 2 weeks having another person to enjoy my kids with. Dear Ling2, you are indeed a God sent and we truly appreciate your love and care for our family. We only hope that this has been the holiday you wanted and set out for... and we apologise for the "terrors" my little ones graciously shared with you.
Have a safe trip and thanks again.
Ivy, it was nice to have met you too!
Have a safe trip and thanks again.
Ivy, it was nice to have met you too!
The Search is OVER!
Alas! Alex has made final "details" with a North Sydney company. He'll be due to report to work on Monday (19th) and I will be downgraded to a 5 day/week single parent for the next few months.
It's been a WILD ride to say the least. Alex has been blessed with a 100% interview response for all his "expressed" interests and towards the last 2 weeks, have had a few choices to compare and decide on. Again, I am only awed with his level of detail and dignity throughout the process. Recently, doors have been opening and the phone has been ringing to get Alex signed up. The recruiters are all very keen to have him on speed dial (which is annoying for us as we ended up having near nothing time at home with him).
We (the girls and I) will miss him heaps. Mathena will have noone to climb on and I will be hitting the road a lot more with being "James". I thank GOD that we came up ok and have not suffered too much trauma throughout. Alex is more than ready to jump into work. I am foreseeing pretty tired nights/weeks/months ahead...
Thanks for your well wishes and love...
My cousin is leaving tomorrow night with about 37kgs worth of goodies from our beautiful land of down under (chocolates and household stuff mostly). I wish I can squeeze into her bags.
It's been a WILD ride to say the least. Alex has been blessed with a 100% interview response for all his "expressed" interests and towards the last 2 weeks, have had a few choices to compare and decide on. Again, I am only awed with his level of detail and dignity throughout the process. Recently, doors have been opening and the phone has been ringing to get Alex signed up. The recruiters are all very keen to have him on speed dial (which is annoying for us as we ended up having near nothing time at home with him).
We (the girls and I) will miss him heaps. Mathena will have noone to climb on and I will be hitting the road a lot more with being "James". I thank GOD that we came up ok and have not suffered too much trauma throughout. Alex is more than ready to jump into work. I am foreseeing pretty tired nights/weeks/months ahead...
Thanks for your well wishes and love...
My cousin is leaving tomorrow night with about 37kgs worth of goodies from our beautiful land of down under (chocolates and household stuff mostly). I wish I can squeeze into her bags.
Friday, September 02, 2005
Busy Week Ahead
You wanna know how our days will be like ahead?
Saturday 3rd:
Alex away whole day on a Men's thing at church. I get to drive Letitia to her dance with Mathena on board. My cousin arrives at about 8pm in Sydney, Yippee!
Sunday:
Father's Day here. Have huge breakfast planned. Pancakes and Strawberries, bacon, eggs etc. Cooking for next door "parents" as well. Then Church and lunch by Belmore Basin with fish and chips.
Monday:
Letitia has presentation...which I haven't prepared. To talk about Watoto African Children's Choir. Classes at night for the parents.
Tuesday 6th:
Alex heads to Brisbane for interview. Letitia has a playgroup meeting in preparation for just in case we have to put her to public school next year. After that we send her back to school.
Wednesday:
Alex returns in afternoon but have another interview in Sydney on arrival. Mathena's make-up class for Gymbaroo at 10am and Letitia's make up dance class at 2.30pm. Planned to go out for dinner with friends while cousin baby sits.
Thursday:
The girls are back swimming. Mathena's first EVER lesson (photoes to follow).
Friday:
We plan to make a trip to Canberra to visit some relatives and stay overnight.
Saturday 10th:
Stayed another night in Canberra...had a nice catch up time instead. Hope to arrive home before dinner. All kids activities reshuffled.
Sunday:
Got home by 1pm and had lunch out. Church or sleep in?
Monday:
Letitia's class and school photoes day. Classes at night for the adults.
Tuesday:
Letitia school and we veg out...to Sydney maybe?
Wednesday:
Touristy stuff...we haven't really done much have we?
Thursday:
Kids at swim school.
Friday:
My cousin leaves... Sniff!
Saturday 3rd:
Alex away whole day on a Men's thing at church. I get to drive Letitia to her dance with Mathena on board. My cousin arrives at about 8pm in Sydney, Yippee!
Sunday:
Father's Day here. Have huge breakfast planned. Pancakes and Strawberries, bacon, eggs etc. Cooking for next door "parents" as well. Then Church and lunch by Belmore Basin with fish and chips.
Monday:
Letitia has presentation...which I haven't prepared. To talk about Watoto African Children's Choir. Classes at night for the parents.
Tuesday 6th:
Alex heads to Brisbane for interview. Letitia has a playgroup meeting in preparation for just in case we have to put her to public school next year. After that we send her back to school.
Wednesday:
Alex returns in afternoon but have another interview in Sydney on arrival. Mathena's make-up class for Gymbaroo at 10am and Letitia's make up dance class at 2.30pm. Planned to go out for dinner with friends while cousin baby sits.
Thursday:
The girls are back swimming. Mathena's first EVER lesson (photoes to follow).
Friday:
We plan to make a trip to Canberra to visit some relatives and stay overnight.
Saturday 10th:
Stayed another night in Canberra...had a nice catch up time instead. Hope to arrive home before dinner. All kids activities reshuffled.
Sunday:
Got home by 1pm and had lunch out. Church or sleep in?
Monday:
Letitia's class and school photoes day. Classes at night for the adults.
Tuesday:
Letitia school and we veg out...to Sydney maybe?
Wednesday:
Touristy stuff...we haven't really done much have we?
Thursday:
Kids at swim school.
Friday:
My cousin leaves... Sniff!
Tuesday, August 30, 2005
Blah...!
Life's been pretty hectic and time flies too quickly. The days seems to role into one big blurr and every evening I plonk into bed "feeling my age and my aching bones".
The kids are no less innovative in their view of life and their responses to it. Mathena has now 80% success rate in the POO category of toilet training (for those interested to know!!) while her language repertoire is vastly increasing day by day. Am waiting for hotter days to launch into the full swing of toilet training for Mathena. Letitia on the other hand is really showing a lot of self control of late when handling her little sister. We can truly see her "softer" character when we watch the two of them play. It's amazing how much "surrending" the 4.5yo decidely does but we are seriously thinking of teaching them "conflict resolution" skills (too early?).
I tried to prop them in front of the tv after dinner tonight so that we can have a peaceful dinner but sadly by 6.15pm (Mon & Tues are the most tiring days for the two of them!) Mathena said "Night-night, TV!!" and promptly pursued her milk bottle. They were both ready for bed and by 7pm the zzzzzs have landed.
We'll be attending the concert of Watoto Children's Choir (African orphans who sang for world leaders) tomorrow. Will be good. Went last year and was impressed. My girls have been jamming and dancing to their music since then...so looking forward to it! Letitia might do her "show and tell" on them....for next week!
The kids are no less innovative in their view of life and their responses to it. Mathena has now 80% success rate in the POO category of toilet training (for those interested to know!!) while her language repertoire is vastly increasing day by day. Am waiting for hotter days to launch into the full swing of toilet training for Mathena. Letitia on the other hand is really showing a lot of self control of late when handling her little sister. We can truly see her "softer" character when we watch the two of them play. It's amazing how much "surrending" the 4.5yo decidely does but we are seriously thinking of teaching them "conflict resolution" skills (too early?).
I tried to prop them in front of the tv after dinner tonight so that we can have a peaceful dinner but sadly by 6.15pm (Mon & Tues are the most tiring days for the two of them!) Mathena said "Night-night, TV!!" and promptly pursued her milk bottle. They were both ready for bed and by 7pm the zzzzzs have landed.
We'll be attending the concert of Watoto Children's Choir (African orphans who sang for world leaders) tomorrow. Will be good. Went last year and was impressed. My girls have been jamming and dancing to their music since then...so looking forward to it! Letitia might do her "show and tell" on them....for next week!
Sunday, August 21, 2005
Sunday, August 14, 2005
Have you seen my mom?
I aim to be physically attached to my mother's hips. Can't seem to let her get out of my sight for the moment... must be a stage (apparently lasting for 2 years?) that I am going through.
Tuesday, August 09, 2005
House Husband!
I should be blogging more now that Alex is at home.
I know it's been in everyone's mind how our lives are over the past few weeks with MHA (My Husband Alex) at home. I just haven't found the inspiration to write an episode, but alas!
It's been nearly one month. All in all, Alex has been physically AT HOME for about 2.5 weeks of that time. The others are blurred moments of our Snow Holidays, hiding behind computer, job interviews and hiding in bedroom preparing for interviews/phone calls. The repercussions are:
Mathena is convinced that MHA is the mom of the house. She wakes up and when I go and get her, calls for "daddy?" as a question. I then reply, "not daddy, hello to mommy". Mathena being Mathena prompts further by asking "work??". She assumes that the only reason that MHA is not at her beckon call is because he's at work. Mathena has also for the past month increased in heighten "stress" over separation anxiety. She will not let me leave her, she will not allow me out of her sight, she will not stop crying/wailing until she sees me again!...quite traumatic, ....for me!
Letitia is wondering why daddy is picking her up from school more often and on the days that she is not at school, our Saturdays and Sundays rolled in so quickly. She is so use to having MHA only on weekends and now her weekends are VERY extended. She does not complain though MHA is not coping well with the day-to-day drama at home.
We've recently had a friend visiting and transiting at our home for a week. I took the sort- after-chance to escape for a few hours of baby free time before picking up Letitia from her school one day. I came home to a VERY flustered and STERN husband. He could not even voice out his irritation and annoyance when he saw me come home with a few bags of shopping!! (apparently not a wise thing to do when your husband is recently unemployed!!) I later heard that, "Do you know how hard is it to cook, look after a baby, have a friend talking to you and then the phone rings...they all seem to happen all at once!"
A bit of sad news, Alex found his first rejection in his job hunt. The hurt seems real as it is "the one" he aimed for. We now have to REALLY live by faith and "churn out" more letters to companies out there. Not that there isn't work but the packages are very bleak. I was offended that ANYONE would turn down my wonderful and intelligent husband. I came quite close to writing hate mail just to let off steam....but I resorted to just giving Alex a cuddle.
Continue to think and pray for us.....as the days drag out, I can see the "zeal" and fervour smoldering as well. We need more "ooomph!" Anyone with some nice words of encouragement? Do comment below or send him an email.
I know it's been in everyone's mind how our lives are over the past few weeks with MHA (My Husband Alex) at home. I just haven't found the inspiration to write an episode, but alas!
It's been nearly one month. All in all, Alex has been physically AT HOME for about 2.5 weeks of that time. The others are blurred moments of our Snow Holidays, hiding behind computer, job interviews and hiding in bedroom preparing for interviews/phone calls. The repercussions are:
Mathena is convinced that MHA is the mom of the house. She wakes up and when I go and get her, calls for "daddy?" as a question. I then reply, "not daddy, hello to mommy". Mathena being Mathena prompts further by asking "work??". She assumes that the only reason that MHA is not at her beckon call is because he's at work. Mathena has also for the past month increased in heighten "stress" over separation anxiety. She will not let me leave her, she will not allow me out of her sight, she will not stop crying/wailing until she sees me again!...quite traumatic, ....for me!
Letitia is wondering why daddy is picking her up from school more often and on the days that she is not at school, our Saturdays and Sundays rolled in so quickly. She is so use to having MHA only on weekends and now her weekends are VERY extended. She does not complain though MHA is not coping well with the day-to-day drama at home.
We've recently had a friend visiting and transiting at our home for a week. I took the sort- after-chance to escape for a few hours of baby free time before picking up Letitia from her school one day. I came home to a VERY flustered and STERN husband. He could not even voice out his irritation and annoyance when he saw me come home with a few bags of shopping!! (apparently not a wise thing to do when your husband is recently unemployed!!) I later heard that, "Do you know how hard is it to cook, look after a baby, have a friend talking to you and then the phone rings...they all seem to happen all at once!"
A bit of sad news, Alex found his first rejection in his job hunt. The hurt seems real as it is "the one" he aimed for. We now have to REALLY live by faith and "churn out" more letters to companies out there. Not that there isn't work but the packages are very bleak. I was offended that ANYONE would turn down my wonderful and intelligent husband. I came quite close to writing hate mail just to let off steam....but I resorted to just giving Alex a cuddle.
Continue to think and pray for us.....as the days drag out, I can see the "zeal" and fervour smoldering as well. We need more "ooomph!" Anyone with some nice words of encouragement? Do comment below or send him an email.
Monday, August 01, 2005
Mathena's Snow Outfit
All rugged up but avoided the snows. The weather was pretty wet and miserable the 2 days there. Mathena could not keep her mittens on therefore felt the cold to the point of "Owie!". BUT, she looked pretty cute in the outfit!
Mathena and the Snows
The half hour that Mathena was outside in the snows....It got too cold for her so most times were spend inside.
I look the PART
This little girl loved every bit of the SNOW. This was a classic pose that I could not resist posting. Taken on the odd hour of clear day at Mt Selwyn.
Tuesday, July 26, 2005
We are going to the SNOWs!!
First time for the girls and first time for us driving down. Was touch and go for a while as Mathena was sickly but it is now the start of the throat "Owies" for Letitia. We are going anyways...
Will update with pictures soon...pray for our safety, harmony and health! I am just happy that the meals are all included. We'll be around Mount. Selwyn, known for the family orientedness and less "traffic" of serious skiers. Be back saturday night, 30th July.
We'll be staying at ProvidenceLodge
Will update with pictures soon...pray for our safety, harmony and health! I am just happy that the meals are all included. We'll be around Mount. Selwyn, known for the family orientedness and less "traffic" of serious skiers. Be back saturday night, 30th July.
We'll be staying at ProvidenceLodge
Saturday, July 23, 2005
What can we do NEXT?
We've just survived a HUGE week. I hosted and babysat 5 kids (3 preteens and our own) and a busy/edgy husband under one roof. This was how it went:
Monday: The kids had other plans. We had a quiet day. Mathena started sniffling and coughing. Alex did heaps of running around.
Tuesday: We had a walk to the nearby park. The day was sunny and the kids were good. We later came home for some drawing time after lunch. Cooked dinner for 2 families. Mathena's temps. rose.
Wednesday: After another playground/park morning, came "we're bored...aunty Sarah, what can we do?" I whipped up some craft packs and they went straight into it (except for the only boy in the group who called for helped every 2 minutes with his timber model). My girls loved the interaction and fun...and starting to be quite wild in their behaviors. I am running out of ideas to cook...so I took out leftover spagetti which was promptly ignored!!!!!
Thursday: The kids stayed overnight last night...and it was BUSY! Everything had to be done last minute as the mom was "not well".
Friday: Went to the beach with the kids for nearly 2 hours. The days are feeling kinda long as my creative juices have stopped flowing with ideas due to lack of sleep and exhaustion (Mathena's feverish nights). We bribed them with yogurt to finish their soups for dinner. Mathena's still not eating well and spewing food everywhere. The laundry is piling up fast. Thank goodness the mother arrived 30 mins earlier to help out.
We basically fed, entertained, fed, played, fed, bath, fed and "disciplined" 5 kids under our roof. Kids CAN eat (everything except what's given)!! After this experience, I am very happy to stay with just having 2 girls and NO MORE! Noone can convince me to have more kids!!
The guests children (a set of twin girls age 10 and an 8 year old boy) were pretty normal for their age and background but it sure was an insight to the "family-life" of others. It was a huge lesson on stretching our openness as well as our gratitude for what we have. My girls had a ball!!! Alex showed "strictness" a few occasions and I had to "practice my breathing technique" a few times too. If things are fair, I should have lost some weight too!
On the job front, Alex was offered a job locally but unfortunately many reasons kept us from excepting it. He's now at level 2 of 6 of his other job "interest" and awaiting for stuff/ or a respond.
Pray for quiet times, plenty of rest and recovery for young Mathena who's quickly shrinking in size due to lack of food.
Have a good weekend! I'll be doing loads of laundry.
Monday: The kids had other plans. We had a quiet day. Mathena started sniffling and coughing. Alex did heaps of running around.
Tuesday: We had a walk to the nearby park. The day was sunny and the kids were good. We later came home for some drawing time after lunch. Cooked dinner for 2 families. Mathena's temps. rose.
Wednesday: After another playground/park morning, came "we're bored...aunty Sarah, what can we do?" I whipped up some craft packs and they went straight into it (except for the only boy in the group who called for helped every 2 minutes with his timber model). My girls loved the interaction and fun...and starting to be quite wild in their behaviors. I am running out of ideas to cook...so I took out leftover spagetti which was promptly ignored!!!!!
Thursday: The kids stayed overnight last night...and it was BUSY! Everything had to be done last minute as the mom was "not well".
Friday: Went to the beach with the kids for nearly 2 hours. The days are feeling kinda long as my creative juices have stopped flowing with ideas due to lack of sleep and exhaustion (Mathena's feverish nights). We bribed them with yogurt to finish their soups for dinner. Mathena's still not eating well and spewing food everywhere. The laundry is piling up fast. Thank goodness the mother arrived 30 mins earlier to help out.
We basically fed, entertained, fed, played, fed, bath, fed and "disciplined" 5 kids under our roof. Kids CAN eat (everything except what's given)!! After this experience, I am very happy to stay with just having 2 girls and NO MORE! Noone can convince me to have more kids!!
The guests children (a set of twin girls age 10 and an 8 year old boy) were pretty normal for their age and background but it sure was an insight to the "family-life" of others. It was a huge lesson on stretching our openness as well as our gratitude for what we have. My girls had a ball!!! Alex showed "strictness" a few occasions and I had to "practice my breathing technique" a few times too. If things are fair, I should have lost some weight too!
On the job front, Alex was offered a job locally but unfortunately many reasons kept us from excepting it. He's now at level 2 of 6 of his other job "interest" and awaiting for stuff/ or a respond.
Pray for quiet times, plenty of rest and recovery for young Mathena who's quickly shrinking in size due to lack of food.
Have a good weekend! I'll be doing loads of laundry.
Friday, July 15, 2005
Looking...looking...looking!
Alas! The shackles are off and we(Alex) are set free. Free to wander the world of unknown job opportunities and interviews.
Do keep us in your prayer as the entire "phenomenon" of job seeking is now VERY indepth and creative. I can see the work and thought put into preparing for it, and I can only be thankful that this is not happening to ME. I would have just "fluked" most of it. He's keeping his spirits up and aiming for a few companies. Have had a couple of "chats" with future employers and is lining up some more.
Had 2 days of Alex at home.... not sure whether there is any difference as I am more tired than ever!!! We've been tripping everywhere with him and doing MORE stuff! Phew! Can I apply for my LEAVE now?
Do keep us in your prayer as the entire "phenomenon" of job seeking is now VERY indepth and creative. I can see the work and thought put into preparing for it, and I can only be thankful that this is not happening to ME. I would have just "fluked" most of it. He's keeping his spirits up and aiming for a few companies. Have had a couple of "chats" with future employers and is lining up some more.
Had 2 days of Alex at home.... not sure whether there is any difference as I am more tired than ever!!! We've been tripping everywhere with him and doing MORE stuff! Phew! Can I apply for my LEAVE now?
Tuesday, July 12, 2005
Big Sister looking over Mathena
Today for the first time in our family record, they both sat happily chatting away with their activities and I was NOT there to referee. Letitia took the role as a facilitator with Mathena's "work" while I just sat from afar and folded my three baskets full of laundry.
This lasted for 20 mins.
Alex's news: On Friday last week, just as Alex was READY to pack-up, he was asked to stay another week... till this Friday (15th).
This lasted for 20 mins.
Alex's news: On Friday last week, just as Alex was READY to pack-up, he was asked to stay another week... till this Friday (15th).
All Dressed up and NOWHERE to go!
The girls are STILL asking for dresses to wear in the cold of winter. Now little Mathena is following suit in this pleasure, except she still frog-jumps in her dresses!!
Alex's job front: Will this week be the last week? We'll see...
Alex's job front: Will this week be the last week? We'll see...
Wednesday, July 06, 2005
How cheeky can a 22 month child get?
This is Mathena when she wants to make us laugh.
She recently figured out that her facial expressions
can make us roll laughing on the floors. And so, she
does it over and over again..
She added the wet cloth for effect as well as the
ear-diggin bit.
Sigh! Our resident Clown in the making...
She recently figured out that her facial expressions
can make us roll laughing on the floors. And so, she
does it over and over again..
She added the wet cloth for effect as well as the
ear-diggin bit.
Sigh! Our resident Clown in the making...
Sunday, July 03, 2005
"MINE!!"
We had an easy weekend and went to Church (Figtree Anglican)
While still "training" Mathena to be independant in the creche (Under 5's) facilities, I went in with her and helped her settle.
While there, M encountered a little "monster" of a toddler boy who went to everyone and took (shouting "Mine!") any toy out of their little hands as well as push them away from whatever activity they were doing. M watched in horror and I observed her "stepped back" a few occasions to come away from that kid. I was not impressed but thought hard at my own parenting skills as well as about my own girls.
Mathena came home and certainly learnt from the above. Immediately she showed her new found WORD and repeated "mine! mine! mine!" to Letitia (and us!). Shocked but not mistaken, I could not decide whether to cry or to laugh. We are trying to discourage that now but one will never know....
In the work front, Alex has received his notice last Tuesday but was told to stay back till the end of next week (8th) as back-up for the project. The company moral over the "end times" were not too positive making it quite difficult to enjoy work. He's doing ok at the moment and is preparing for an interview on Monday.
Do pray for us when you think about us. Our paths are slightly blurred at the moment. We seem to have opened up a lot of choices but none without it's responsibilities and tough decisions. All roads seem bumpy whichever way we choose. Our heart strings are pulling us to stay at this lovely coastal city (though not much job opportunities), not to forget the past years of network, relationships as well as church life. Pray that this will be a time of "growing", trusting and moving forward.
It's been a while since my last post. We've been REAL busy and the holidays are here (Starting 4th July) till the end of July (3 weeks). Looking forward to having Letitia at home more and eventually having family time with Alex as well. Take Care!
While still "training" Mathena to be independant in the creche (Under 5's) facilities, I went in with her and helped her settle.
While there, M encountered a little "monster" of a toddler boy who went to everyone and took (shouting "Mine!") any toy out of their little hands as well as push them away from whatever activity they were doing. M watched in horror and I observed her "stepped back" a few occasions to come away from that kid. I was not impressed but thought hard at my own parenting skills as well as about my own girls.
Mathena came home and certainly learnt from the above. Immediately she showed her new found WORD and repeated "mine! mine! mine!" to Letitia (and us!). Shocked but not mistaken, I could not decide whether to cry or to laugh. We are trying to discourage that now but one will never know....
In the work front, Alex has received his notice last Tuesday but was told to stay back till the end of next week (8th) as back-up for the project. The company moral over the "end times" were not too positive making it quite difficult to enjoy work. He's doing ok at the moment and is preparing for an interview on Monday.
Do pray for us when you think about us. Our paths are slightly blurred at the moment. We seem to have opened up a lot of choices but none without it's responsibilities and tough decisions. All roads seem bumpy whichever way we choose. Our heart strings are pulling us to stay at this lovely coastal city (though not much job opportunities), not to forget the past years of network, relationships as well as church life. Pray that this will be a time of "growing", trusting and moving forward.
It's been a while since my last post. We've been REAL busy and the holidays are here (Starting 4th July) till the end of July (3 weeks). Looking forward to having Letitia at home more and eventually having family time with Alex as well. Take Care!
Friday, June 10, 2005
Pink-ed Out!
Okay, don't shoot for the pink overload. It's not my fault that we keep getting pink stuff and every which way I look, pink IS in!!
Just enjoy their smiles!
Just enjoy their smiles!
Let's Play "Wheels on the Bus"
Recently Mathena is able to say "Wow-nd and wow-nd" to the tune. Today, they played the bus trip.
...the Babies on the Bus are...
...out of there!
To Letitia's dismay, keeping Mathena as a passenger is a whole new challenge in itself. She was more interested in my camera taking.
To Letitia's dismay, keeping Mathena as a passenger is a whole new challenge in itself. She was more interested in my camera taking.
"Okay, I am Back!"
"Mathena, you have to stay seated!,Please!"
...and she's off again.
Life is never a standstill for this 20 month old toddler
and it is also quite frustrating for the sibling/playmate.
...and she's off again.
Life is never a standstill for this 20 month old toddler
and it is also quite frustrating for the sibling/playmate.
Tuesday, June 07, 2005
Running to show "Ah Kong"
Dear "Kor-kong"
Dub-dub, la-la-lelah! I can "or-ooh" well and also "mum-mumm" my fruits well.
Here I am running. Wait till you come and visit us, will be quite eventful as I am full of beans!
Your little one,
"kiss-kiss"...(and she gives you her cheek)
Mathena
Dub-dub, la-la-lelah! I can "or-ooh" well and also "mum-mumm" my fruits well.
Here I am running. Wait till you come and visit us, will be quite eventful as I am full of beans!
Your little one,
"kiss-kiss"...(and she gives you her cheek)
Mathena
Happy "AH-KONG" Day
Dear Kong-kong,
We've been thinking of you and hoping that your days in Kuching is filled with yummy food and good sunny weather for tennis.
I miss you and have been asking mommy to take me back to Kuching. She told me that it costs a lot of money and I told her that my papa has to work harder!! Meanwhile, I will have to wait till I get bigger to earn money for everyone!
Can you see how much I have grown in the picture? I am now 4.25 years old!
Take care my Kong-kong
x x o o
Letitia
We've been thinking of you and hoping that your days in Kuching is filled with yummy food and good sunny weather for tennis.
I miss you and have been asking mommy to take me back to Kuching. She told me that it costs a lot of money and I told her that my papa has to work harder!! Meanwhile, I will have to wait till I get bigger to earn money for everyone!
Can you see how much I have grown in the picture? I am now 4.25 years old!
Take care my Kong-kong
x x o o
Letitia
JUNE: WINTER IS HERE!
We are all rugged up for the cold weather. All's well and the bugs (have skipped me and) left the house (phew!).The trick now is to keep everyone healthy and warm (while not over-dresssing!!) and pray hard for no more "Owwies".
The big people are still in the "wait" for Alex's notice and we are feeling the pressure mounting. We are prepared for the "axe" to drop by the middle of this month and is quite tired of the uncertainty. We are ready to move on and DO something! There are more work around, just not enough locally. We really have to "Keep the Faith" so, continue to hold us in your prayers.
Enjoy your GAWAI celebrations and also, stay safe!
p/s Did you guys know that my mom (GeckHiang) is in the UK?
The big people are still in the "wait" for Alex's notice and we are feeling the pressure mounting. We are prepared for the "axe" to drop by the middle of this month and is quite tired of the uncertainty. We are ready to move on and DO something! There are more work around, just not enough locally. We really have to "Keep the Faith" so, continue to hold us in your prayers.
Enjoy your GAWAI celebrations and also, stay safe!
p/s Did you guys know that my mom (GeckHiang) is in the UK?
Row, row, row your boat!
One of Mathena's favourite activity is to "row, row" her way with us. She knows the "roarrrr" when we see the LION and she also knows the "snap-snap" when we meet the crocodile.
Gently down the Stream...
We can now play quite well together 50% of the time. Mathena enjoys the rough and tumble and Letitia loves taking the lead.
Wednesday, May 25, 2005
Happy and Well!
It's amazing how quickly she forgets the trauma she went through...
Letitia was playing "Doctor" with Mathena tonight and M was happily being the patient. She got probbed, jabbed and push around...kinda like real hospital-life, really!
Both kids doing well and back to enjoying our messy house.
Letitia was playing "Doctor" with Mathena tonight and M was happily being the patient. She got probbed, jabbed and push around...kinda like real hospital-life, really!
Both kids doing well and back to enjoying our messy house.
Tuesday, May 24, 2005
Monday, May 23, 2005
We survived a "valley"
Just wanted to let you know what's happening with us.
Sunday (22nd) afternoon around 1.40pm, Mathena woke up with a seizure due to a high temperature (Febrile convulsion) see:
http://www.chw.edu.au/parents/factsheets/febrilej.htm
and
http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/diseases/facts/febrileconvulsion.htm
and was rushed off to hospital. We were quite scared by the event and called for an ambulance. The Drs carried out various tests on her (blood, CT scan, and even a lumbar puncture). We were in hospital till 10pm when it all finished.
Little Mathena is such a strong little fighter that doing the tests proved to be quite a challenge. Even a couple of doses of sedatives plus the most experience of Drs couldn't subdue her. The most difficult of all was the lumbar puncture - 2 different Drs had a total of 4 failed attempts because Mathena was such a "(strong) wriggly worm". The purpose of the test was to rule out the possibility of meningitis (About Meningitis). However, we found out that due to the bruising caused by the struggles, the sample contained some blood and could not be used.
Having said that, the head pediatrician was quite confident that the risks of Mathena having meningitis were very, very low. She woke up Monday morning happy as Larry and showed no signs of being "sicker". Apart from that all other tests came back favourable.
By late Sunday night and after all the ordeal of tests and pain and tears, we were admitted into the children's ward at 10.30pm and I was offered a recliner chair by Mathena's cot. As you can imagine, not much sleep was possible for sensitive grown-ups but exhausted Mathena fell asleep from about 10pm onwards and did not wake till 6am the next day with a gentle and soft "ma-ma". She did stirred several times during the night and climbed to look for me then stumble back to her sleep position with all the wires and drips tangling. I was up every hour to check on her drip, her temperature as well as the "strings attached".
She looked pretty "heartbreaking"...as her little body was put through some painful and rigorous necessary tests. She had to be sedated for a CT scan yet she played and moved about drowsily for her brain scan. She had not eaten since 12 noon that day. Having her right arm all bandaged/braced up in preparation for more blood test/medications made her very irritated with it and of course looked quite pitiful.
Mathena is a strong and gutsy little kid. I do have to admit I fell to smitherins the entire process and could not hold my composure even with Alex there. Even subconsciously, she was happy just for me to hold her and her crying/whimpering will stop. She was not well...had took a little too long to recover from her seizure after all the "jerky movements" stopped, her own system did not kick into action till about two hours later. Hence the Drs took NO RISK and did all they could to make sure that there were no further damage.
Since then, we are safely back at home and Mathena is mostly back to her normal self. We had the OK to go home (Monday 5.30pm) by the Drs after a day of observation at the hospital. Mathena was pretty much her cheeky self.
We found nice and excellent staff during the entire A & E/Pediatric hospital process and even met a few asian Doctors. We needed help(neighbours to babysit Letitia) and support(people who offered a shoulder and a warm meal) and they all came at the right time etc.
All the test returned well...M is now safely asleep on her own bed after a whole day of struggling (will not be left in the hospital cot on her own and wanted to be carried), I am happy that she was more than willing to quickly settle into her cot! My back would not have lasted another night.
Thanks for all your prayers and kindness and support and offers...for those who knew. For those who didn't we are sorry that we could not contact you as we've been flat out juggling the kids, waiting for test results and procedures...on top of the ban of using mobile phones in hospitals etc.
Keep praying for us, M is to be kept in close observation...I will have to monitor her and her temperature very closely. The next is an EEG to check the electronic pulses are doing well in her brains in a couple of weeks. But we hold strong and loves M to bits. I have never been soooo blessed to have Mathena in my arms. I thank GOD for helping us through all this...
May Ai/ Sarah
Again, we have a few appointments to hold to, and we want to get the 2 girls back to normality at home...so, please refrain from calling as it'll mean that I have have to put aside Mathena (she's prone to be extra clingy). Feel free to email and especially to pray for us. Life is very precious,....we've learnt it especially NOW!
I just hope for an easier week minus the sagas (eg. racial crank calls, sick kids, make up classes for sick kids, hospital emergency etc)
Sunday (22nd) afternoon around 1.40pm, Mathena woke up with a seizure due to a high temperature (Febrile convulsion) see:
http://www.chw.edu.au/parents/factsheets/febrilej.htm
and
http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/diseases/facts/febrileconvulsion.htm
and was rushed off to hospital. We were quite scared by the event and called for an ambulance. The Drs carried out various tests on her (blood, CT scan, and even a lumbar puncture). We were in hospital till 10pm when it all finished.
Little Mathena is such a strong little fighter that doing the tests proved to be quite a challenge. Even a couple of doses of sedatives plus the most experience of Drs couldn't subdue her. The most difficult of all was the lumbar puncture - 2 different Drs had a total of 4 failed attempts because Mathena was such a "(strong) wriggly worm". The purpose of the test was to rule out the possibility of meningitis (About Meningitis). However, we found out that due to the bruising caused by the struggles, the sample contained some blood and could not be used.
Having said that, the head pediatrician was quite confident that the risks of Mathena having meningitis were very, very low. She woke up Monday morning happy as Larry and showed no signs of being "sicker". Apart from that all other tests came back favourable.
By late Sunday night and after all the ordeal of tests and pain and tears, we were admitted into the children's ward at 10.30pm and I was offered a recliner chair by Mathena's cot. As you can imagine, not much sleep was possible for sensitive grown-ups but exhausted Mathena fell asleep from about 10pm onwards and did not wake till 6am the next day with a gentle and soft "ma-ma". She did stirred several times during the night and climbed to look for me then stumble back to her sleep position with all the wires and drips tangling. I was up every hour to check on her drip, her temperature as well as the "strings attached".
She looked pretty "heartbreaking"...as her little body was put through some painful and rigorous necessary tests. She had to be sedated for a CT scan yet she played and moved about drowsily for her brain scan. She had not eaten since 12 noon that day. Having her right arm all bandaged/braced up in preparation for more blood test/medications made her very irritated with it and of course looked quite pitiful.
Mathena is a strong and gutsy little kid. I do have to admit I fell to smitherins the entire process and could not hold my composure even with Alex there. Even subconsciously, she was happy just for me to hold her and her crying/whimpering will stop. She was not well...had took a little too long to recover from her seizure after all the "jerky movements" stopped, her own system did not kick into action till about two hours later. Hence the Drs took NO RISK and did all they could to make sure that there were no further damage.
Since then, we are safely back at home and Mathena is mostly back to her normal self. We had the OK to go home (Monday 5.30pm) by the Drs after a day of observation at the hospital. Mathena was pretty much her cheeky self.
We found nice and excellent staff during the entire A & E/Pediatric hospital process and even met a few asian Doctors. We needed help(neighbours to babysit Letitia) and support(people who offered a shoulder and a warm meal) and they all came at the right time etc.
All the test returned well...M is now safely asleep on her own bed after a whole day of struggling (will not be left in the hospital cot on her own and wanted to be carried), I am happy that she was more than willing to quickly settle into her cot! My back would not have lasted another night.
Thanks for all your prayers and kindness and support and offers...for those who knew. For those who didn't we are sorry that we could not contact you as we've been flat out juggling the kids, waiting for test results and procedures...on top of the ban of using mobile phones in hospitals etc.
Keep praying for us, M is to be kept in close observation...I will have to monitor her and her temperature very closely. The next is an EEG to check the electronic pulses are doing well in her brains in a couple of weeks. But we hold strong and loves M to bits. I have never been soooo blessed to have Mathena in my arms. I thank GOD for helping us through all this...
May Ai/ Sarah
Again, we have a few appointments to hold to, and we want to get the 2 girls back to normality at home...so, please refrain from calling as it'll mean that I have have to put aside Mathena (she's prone to be extra clingy). Feel free to email and especially to pray for us. Life is very precious,....we've learnt it especially NOW!
I just hope for an easier week minus the sagas (eg. racial crank calls, sick kids, make up classes for sick kids, hospital emergency etc)
Tuesday, May 17, 2005
Thirty Somethings
Okay, okay....I am now officially "thirty-sumthing"!
Not an interesting number in all shape and form but
another milestone...
At this very point, I have two little girls adoring me
no matter how dirty or grumpy I am. A point to make,
one of them still loves me after 4 years and the other
might not know any better. I know for sure that I have
several family members that thinks of me and loves me
enough to call and wish me "HB" and I also know that
my husband has a HUGE headache around this time every
year trying to please me in the most economical way
possible.
This year, I felt the guilt...I had the flowers, the
gourmet cake, the handmade and heartgiven card, the
overseas call, the cheap but meaningful gift (a pact
we made to save $$ and to encourage each other to be
romantic etc), the decorated house with streamers, the
pictures, the favourite food (KFC Hot and Spicy) as
well as the kisses and the hugs. I was reminded that
birthdays are when people appreciate you and when you
practice to be graceful. I had many "offers" to go out
for a romantic night out and babysitting etc BUT,
I might repeat this birthday again next year. My 12-hour
of waking day just wasn't enough. It was filled with
people and conversations that took over. Lesson 1,
people do not stop hurting on your birthday. Lesson 2,
car accidents happen to people care for and might even
happen to me. Lesson 3, maybe the greatest gift I
got was a chance to "pray" humbly for others,
Lesson 4, my daughter (L) expects me to be nice to her
daddy EVEN on my birthday, Lesson 5, the same daughter
expects to give me kisses and open all my presents,
and blow out all my candles each year, Lesson 6, the
true desire of having a "nothing-day" CAN NEVER BE
FULFILLED!!!
I love my life, my moments, my days and especially the
reason I am alive. I have more reason to be alive
now that I am thirty..., than when I was 16. God made
it all happen. He gave me this life, this path and
this future. I am indeed nothing if not for HIM.
I miss you all, yes, esp on my birthday...but I am
happy and contented!
P/s Alex, thank you for doing sooo much to make me
feel special. It got very close to the point of
embarrassment but thank you most of all for teaching
the little ones to love me by your example. I will try
to be a better wife, next year??
My day
6.15am Mathena decided to wake everyone
7 We all got up and dressed and headed downstairs
7.10am I was still trying to make breakfast with
Mathena physically attached to me
7.30am "Can I open your presents mom?"
Breakfast, bye-byes, rush...
8.45am Sigh, still in Pjs but who cares, it's my
birthday!!
8.46 Knock on Door (GREAT! Still in Pjs), Friend delivers
BDay cake
9am Mathena sleeps....I go, wash up, shower, do
laundry etc
9.30-
12noon ON THE PHONE with 6 different people
(Happy, sad, teary, distressed etc) while missing
my dad's call about 4 times
Noon Visit friend (had car crash)
Lunch Alex bought home KFC and enjoyed with M
1.45-
2.30pm M slept, I cleaned up, tidy and laundry
(part IIX??)
2.40pm Off to pick up L at school...
4pm Cancel Dinner plans, fried Rice instead for kids
then....
6-7pm Normal stuff with CAKE and pictures
Note By this point, all the CHAN girls were in
their bed-best (eg Pjs) so this it the TRUE me!
Hope you guys had a good day...Happy everyday to you
too!
Thursday, May 05, 2005
May 2005
Life resumes. Letitia is back into the swing of things for term 2 and in her winter uniform. Mathena is loosing more and more of her morning sleep but enjoying life to the fullest. Winter is definately around the corner and we are still with Nortel.
Wouldn't be for long anyway.... Alex is pretty sure that by the end of May, he'll get a tap on his shoulder. He's survived one interview and has clocked it as experience. It made us open our eyes to how hard it is to get work. There were online test to find out how smart (or not!) you are, interviews with technical people, interviews involving "quick problem solving skills", then another 2 more levels of interviews etc. The hardest thing is to have proof of how "inadequate" one is. How I would like to help Alex but alas am not able!
Do keep thinking of us and continue to pray that we find favour in GOD's eyes.
Till the next update. Our best thoughts and love always!
The CHANs
Wouldn't be for long anyway.... Alex is pretty sure that by the end of May, he'll get a tap on his shoulder. He's survived one interview and has clocked it as experience. It made us open our eyes to how hard it is to get work. There were online test to find out how smart (or not!) you are, interviews with technical people, interviews involving "quick problem solving skills", then another 2 more levels of interviews etc. The hardest thing is to have proof of how "inadequate" one is. How I would like to help Alex but alas am not able!
Do keep thinking of us and continue to pray that we find favour in GOD's eyes.
Till the next update. Our best thoughts and love always!
The CHANs
Wednesday, April 27, 2005
Giraffe and Mathena
We took Saturday and Sunday to visit the Taronga Zoo. Stayed overnite at Chatswood and also caught up with a couple of friends. We ate "Non-Wollongong" yummy food and enjoyed the exhausting and fulfilling experience. We even snuck to the new huge IKEA at the Olympic park for a sticky beak! We should holiday as a family more often....after I recover, maybe?
Tortoise Experience
Good chance for us to explain the difference to our dear Letitia. Boy! Were they lazy and comfortable!
Elephant and CHANs
Our Zoo experience was great! The girls both had a lovely time but was exhausted. We managed to keep the zoo visit under covers till an hour before arriving and it STILL was "too long a car-ride!".
We had one dissapointment of not finding Letitia's "in-kid-na" (Echidna: a porcupine looking animal) but most of the grounds available were covered (we have the sore muscles to prove). As adults, we were happy to see the animals all healthy and happy. It'll be a while till we next go .... so, we feel real blessed!
We had one dissapointment of not finding Letitia's "in-kid-na" (Echidna: a porcupine looking animal) but most of the grounds available were covered (we have the sore muscles to prove). As adults, we were happy to see the animals all healthy and happy. It'll be a while till we next go .... so, we feel real blessed!
Wednesday, April 13, 2005
Holidays
Thank Goodness for holidays. I am sure that the breaks are designed as much for the moms as they are for the kids. All that hustle and bustle...it's amazing how time just slips by and we all get caught up with doing the everyday things.
Alex is still at Nortel though we've been told that his clock is ticking....
We are enjoying what we have with the kids at every single moment. Letitia is happy to be home and I am happy to be not running around like a headless-chook. We are having holiday activities as much as the weather can allow us and Mathena is also happy to have more of her "cheh-cheh". Little M is doing leaps and bounds (literally) in Gymbaroo and loves the music. She is developing so quickly and communicates so well we often give in to her....just for the sole reason that she tries so hard!! We hope to get to the zoo by the weekend of the 23-24th April. Will be nice!
Till then, continue to think and pray for us!
Alex is still at Nortel though we've been told that his clock is ticking....
We are enjoying what we have with the kids at every single moment. Letitia is happy to be home and I am happy to be not running around like a headless-chook. We are having holiday activities as much as the weather can allow us and Mathena is also happy to have more of her "cheh-cheh". Little M is doing leaps and bounds (literally) in Gymbaroo and loves the music. She is developing so quickly and communicates so well we often give in to her....just for the sole reason that she tries so hard!! We hope to get to the zoo by the weekend of the 23-24th April. Will be nice!
Till then, continue to think and pray for us!
Wednesday, March 16, 2005
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