Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Ok.. there are too many serious issues recently about my pregnancy, parenting, etc.. time to take a break and have a laugh.
See this:
http://goldenbirdking.blogspot.com/2008/04/safe-baby-pregnancy-tips.htmlTomorrow is labour day! Happy Happy Joy Joy. Hope you had a good week and a good long weekend ahead! I'm working on Friday though.. =/
Labels: Pregnancy
Sunday, April 27, 2008
See
Part 1Things here are getting more and more expensive to live. With the current GST hike, the property prices and the rice crisis, we are opting for alternatives for food and eating at places where they dont require "service charge at 10%". Sometimes a dinner for $45.00 may sound reasonable, but after adding 17% (GST and service charge), you end up paying above $50.00.
Anyway I digressed. We've racked our brains on how to try to keep our baby here while both of us are working and came up with these solutions together with what we think of the pro and cons:
1. Infant care centrePros:They have qualified nurses on station and qualified caregivers. They have all the facilities and they located near the CBD area so you can pop by during lunch to see your baby. In an effort to encourage babies, the Government gives subsidies for parents who put their baby is approved infant care centre. The full subsidies are however restricted to Singaporean citizens. PRs get half of the subsidy and with effect from year 2009, there will be no more subsidies given to PRs
Cons:Bloody expensive and restricted hours 7am-7pm only. Lots of viruses can spread as the caregiver to babies ratio is 1:4. I've heard cases where the baby below 5 months old has been hospitalised 5 times. So in addition to the cost of the infant care, you would have to save for hospitalisation bills. Note the
HFMD is spreading like wildfire now in all infant care centres. Some infant care centers are closed because of this and parents are left in a limbo where to place their child. Some had to take leave to put their child at home. Do you still dare?
2. Maid
Pros:
Cheaper. Does housework too. Sometimes they would love the baby as their own.
Cons:
Who knows what they will do when you are away? You would need to take time off to ensure that they settle to a routine that they should be doing and supervise them. Some of them are relatively young and may not know how to take care of a baby.
3. Nannies
Pros:
Cheaper than infant care centre. Caregiver may not be "qualified". But they certainly are experienced in taking care of babies as they are mostly housewives. In addition to taking care of your baby, they do take care of their own school-going children which may make your baby more sociable.
Cons:
Have to find someone who is recomended and capable + nearby your area. That combination can be quite hard to find.
You can find nannies in Singapore through these websites:
There are many others available, not listed in the above website. You could ask around for recomendations. But as a start, you could surf the above website to see what are the prevailing charges, and see if your recomended babysitter is charging for the same services.
In all cases, you would need to provide all the babies needs such as diapers, toys, food, clothes etc. You would want your baby to be comfortable even though they do provide these things. Sometimes your baby only wants certain food/items/toys.
I have not even covered the educational aspect of this.... obviously the infant care centre would provide better in this aspect. The rest of the options would probably plonk your baby infront of the tv and let the tv educate them (I am quite adverse to this concept.. looking how Hubby Yap turned out to be a TV addict). Most probably we would consider a nanny when she is younger and move her on to a childcare centre (fingers crossed, no more HFMD anymore) so that she can interact with the others and hopefully learn.
Unless Hubby Yap is able to find a better job which pays well, I will still be working full time. We would be able to scrape by if I were to quit for awhile, but we have to think about saving for her future. ^_^
Any suggestions?
Labels: Baby Yap, Parenting
Saturday, April 26, 2008
I ate 5 times a day (they provided 6 meals a day.. I didnt take supper cos it was too late). If I ate anymore, I would sink the ship!
I have not been on a cruise ship before, so it was an experience. Every restaurant in the cruise enables you to "eat by the sea". Literally. If you are lucky. We were lucky most of the time to get seats by the window with a sea view. The first few times was a novelty. We were like "wheeeeee". The third or the fourth time or so, we were practically yawning and didnt mind if we sat somewhere else.
The sea IS the SEA you know. There werent any dolphins or super fantastic islands around for viewing. If it werent subsidised by my company, $250 per head is quite pricy to go on a cruise to nowhere, although they had free food (which isnt really that good anyway..). The rooms are pretty small and it was a quad sharing basis (ie around $1k per room)
Here's my take on the cruise:
I got bored even if there was concerts, shows, activities and movies on the cruise so you wont get bored. Reason being is I hate the shows (too chinesey opera like), concerts (I had to pay???), activities (I'm an antisocial) and movies (they werent showing any that weekend). So I just ate, slept and enjoyed the company of my colleagues.
My colleagues organised a group department activity. All I know is that they played scavenger hunt and it was held under a hot sun. I was asleep in my air conditioned room while it happened. Ahh.. the joy of pregnancy. But I did wake up in time to join my colleagues for afternoon tea! Its the only group activities that I participated. Eating!
Basically the whole trip was a non-stressful trip except for exiting the cruise ship. There was a major clog at the Singapore cruise centre immigration. I think they could do better. I think I was exhausted because of the LOOONG lines AND lack of airconditioning. There was loads of people bustling and waiting impatiently to go out. I believe they should expand their immigration center to accomodate the capacity of people taking the cruise.
Labels: Cruise
Thursday, April 24, 2008
I've been longing to sell some of my handmade stuff. Then came
craftymamamia who commented on my site and I visited her site and found this
post on tips of make a sale of your handmade stuff on the
Etsy. The best part is,
Etsy is like a support community where loads and loads of quality and unique handmade items are on sale. They do not allow resale of other items (unlike ebay). All along I thought
Etsy was some girls website who made her own stuff. Really, I didnt know it was a community for people to sell their handmade stuff.
They even let you buy stuff based on geographical location. Like, lets say I want to buy stuff from sellers from Malaysia or Singapore to save on shipping fees. They do have a function for you to search just that! I was so impressed by the number of people who already set up shop from Malaysia and Singapore. Man, I feel so left out.
I've been wanting to sell my items on ebay, but then again, the lack of niche on ebay just discouraged me. Since then, I've been abit slack on my knitting and crocheting as well as beading due to lack of time and different commitments now, but seeing that post and website kinda made me want to go ahead and start up my own
Etsy website.
I gotta pick up! So stay tuned!
Labels: Etsy, handmade
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Someone commented today that I looked like I was carrying twins. ARGH!
Labels: Pregnancy
For a moment when I read
this on
www.tomorrow.sg website, I went *woohoo*! NO WORK!
But then I realised its held on a Saturday.
My laziness aside, I think its a good time to evaluate how dependant are we on computers and internet. I am VERY reliant on internet as they serve an outlet for me to communicate with my friends and families back home. I search for answers, find solutions and entertain myself on the internet. Without the internet, my laptop is lifeless even with a fully charged battery. I get listless if my internet connection is kooky. I need the internet to be on "standby" so I can go on it as and when the need arises.
Whenever I'm back home at Hubby Yap's place, there is NO internet. I used to survive on "stealing" internet from his neighbours, but they are never as reliable as your own. Sometimes I get so desperate, I use my mobile. Hubby Yap can live without internet but I cant. So, when it comes to going back to give birth (I will be going back 3 weeks before my due date), I NEED internet to save my sanity. Since we do not want to go through hassles such as installation of the telephone line and what-nots, we (rather I) decided that he should at least get me the wireless broadband offered by
www.u.com.my.
So, I've applied for it already. But they have yet to come back with a response. I just hope I get it quick.
I really think shutdown day should extend to other electrical items with a screen like PSP, TV, Video games, etc rather than just focusing on PCs. Or are they already? The last I skimmed through (at work mah) they just said PCs.
Friday, April 18, 2008
We are born and bred in Malaysia but decided to seek "greener" pastures here in Singapore. Why did we choose Singapore? Its near to home and we still could go back at least once a month. We dont lose touch with people back home, and its easier to adapt (weather and people wise). Where there is only 2 adults, things are easier to settle (accomodation, food, transport, etc). When a baby comes, things get more complicated.
As first time parents and away from our own close relatives geographically, we are at a loss sometimes for tips and ideas on how to bring up our newborn here in Singapore. Many a time Hubby Yap wanted argued that it was better put the baby in KL instead of handling it on our own here in Singapore as we dont have much relatives here that will be able to help us take care of the baby while we worked.
Have I thought about quitting? Yes. But with the ever rising rent increase in Singapore, its tough.
Have we thought about going back to Malaysia? Yes. It would be tougher money wise.
We have to find a new place to stay as our landlady decided to sell the house. We cant afford to buy over the house because of the cash over valuation on resale flats. Sometimes we are at a loss what to do.
(to be continued)
Labels: Baby Yap, Parenting
Thursday, April 17, 2008
"Can you stop and breathe before you start eating something else... CAN YOU NOT BE SO SCARY?!?!?!"
~ on eating constantly and non-stop lately (Lunch 12pm. Snack 2pm. Mid-snack 4pm. Dinner 6pm. Fruits right after dinner)
Labels: Random
It's not perfect and it took me about 6 months to do it. I'm no pro at knitting considering I just learnt how to knit 6 months ago!
I got the pattern from:
http://www.michaels.com/art/online/projectsheet?pid=25345Go try it!
Labels: Fashion cable knit bag, knitting
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Singapore MRTI got pushed and squashed today. The MRT was jerking as there was a congestion/train fault/wharever. I almost fell when it came to a screeching halt. If not for Hubby Yap, I would be sprawled on the MRT floor. I cried. Still noone offered me a seat until much later when one left to another station. Why people are so mean? The train that arrived can only fit a max of 5 more people in that carriage, but 10 more people insist on pushing themselves in. And when they cant get in, they push a poor pregnant lady (me) and her tummy squashed against some other people's bag. IF that is not enough, they complain (tsking and sighing). I mean?!! If you want to complain that the train is so full, do not board the train. Please use the next train! Dont punish other people on the train just because you woke up late and you need to rush to work. You are using the public transport. Give some leeway for delays and train faults. If you are already late, you are already late. There is no point in rushing. Time wont turn back for you if you continue to harrass other people on the train/bus/road just because YOU are late. GAWD.
Spam emails.Thank goodness for gmail. I was curious when I read this blog:
http://debt-fighter.blogspot.com/. I signed up for about one or two paid to click programs and within 3 days, my spam mail increased from the normal 50 a day to 400. So much for the "your details are confidential". So far its interesting. But I doubt you could make BIG money out of it unless you go about asking people to sign up under their referral program. You would earn more if you referred people. Otherwise you'll just go bored out of your skulls clicking on adverts and waiting 30 seconds before your account is credited 0.01 (you could always leave it in the background while you surf other interesting sites, or chatting). You cant click on another advert until it finishes and you cant click on the advert twice. Unless you sign up for 100 paid to click programs and diligently log on to them everyday and click, I guess you could at least earn a few bucks extra. But who would do that anyway?
Singapore publicWhy do people walk so fast? Some have disabilities, old or pregnant where they have to walk slowly. Does the public walk way states that no pregnant, old or disabled people are allowed on public walkways? If not, why does the general Singapore public admonish people who walk slower than they are? They tsk sigh and even SCOLD people who walk slow ("WHY WALK SO SLOW???"). It's ok, I dont want to walk faster to my grave. Please go ahead and cut my lane and walk faster to your grave, but do not scold me for wanting to take my time to walk.
I'm more sensitive than usual now. Maybe it's because of the hormones and my baby girl. I'll recover from today's MRT incident. But I doubt the people's mentality will ever change.
Labels: paid to click ads, Singapore MRT, Singapore public
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
I've ballooned to 50kg in just 4 weeks from my previous 46kg.
In total I've gained 6kg so far. It could be due to my constant eating. One thing about being pregnant and puzzles me is that you are constantly hungry even after eating 2 bowls of rice, 4 dishes, a cup of milk, fruits AND some dessert. Shocking isnt it? Even after that I bug Hubby Yap to go to the bakery to get me some bread.
The other day I wasnt feeling too well so I didnt have the energy to go buy food, I ate the whole loaf of bread that was meant to last a week.
ME.
A WHOLE LOAF OF BREAD.
At this rate, I'm going to be 60kg by the end of the term.
Labels: Pregnancy
Monday, April 14, 2008
Your bladder could seriously play dirty tricks on you. Its the same as asking a child whether he/she wants to go to a toilet
Case in point:
Before I boarded a 5 hour bus journey back to SG (non-stop). EVERYONE kindly asked me at every point (before we left home, at the bus counter, before we board the bus, and again, before we stepped onto the bus platform) in time whether I NEED TO GO TO THE TOILET.
"Nooooo I dont need toooooooooooooo"
And when we finally found our seat and sat down and waited for the bus to depart (it was a good 20 minutes before), I STILL DIDNT NEED TO GO TO THE TOILET, THANK YOU.
But when the bus moved 100 meters preparing for its journey back to SG. I desperately need to go to the toilet.
GDAMNIT!
What to do.. have to wait 3 hours before the bus stop for its 10 minutes toilet break before I could make a quick dask to the toilet.
It was only a trickle of pee.. ARGH!
Labels: Pregnancy
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Bloated. Boo hoo. Feeling very much like a whale with thin fins. Honestly, has anyone seen a stick thin hands attached to a body with a big tummy? Ok. bad joke. I've seen a few in pictures and its in Ethopia. Bad joke indeed.
Anyhoo, Hubby Yap's pretty paranoid about anything and everything and making sure that Baby Yap stays in my tubby tummy for a full 9 months and comes out fat and healthy. Only (his) approved food goes in me and sometimes an occassional treat like non-caffinated rootbeer (lukewarm, not cold) and a cheeseburger.
Given my way my dinner would be ice cream, cookies, chips (sour cream!), burgers, cheese, milk and loads of yucky unhealthy stuff.
Update from my latest detailed scan:
1. Baby's doing fine. Just slightly larger than normal *yikes* We scanned to identify things like the presence of the bone structure, baby's brain growth, the 4 chambers of the heart, the spine, the lips intacted, etcetc. Just to see if there are any structural and physical defects.
2. Due to the placenta level is situated slightly lower than normal, I might have complications such as not being able to give birth naturally. Since I have no occurance of "spotting" or bleeding, it should be okay.
3. Did you know that they even measure the tension between the two sides of your ovaries (or what you call them) to see if you could have a risk of high blood pressure and pre-term labour during your later stage of pregnancy? If one side has more tension than the other, you would have a risk. That was me.
Of course, the doctor assured me that this was just a calculation of "risk" that might happen. Who knows, once the third trimester starts, everything will adjust back to normal. Meanwhile, I'll be under observation to see if there are any progress of these things happening. So dont stress and relax!
Now I shall go enjoy my cruise this weekend and eat and eat and eat!
Labels: Pregnancy
Friday, April 11, 2008
Baby Yap is 85% a GIRL!
Why 85%? Because the doctor couldnt really tell yet. There is nothing 'obvious' in between the legs. Actually since this is our first child, we really dont mind what gender. ;) As you can see, she is upside down. Funny girl.
My appetite is getting better and I am at my heaviest so far, 46kg. I know I'm going to gain MORE weight. Then I'll reach my ideal weight (w/o pregnancy, heh). Yes, I've always been underweight. Its so funny now, my lips keep smacking and I really want alot of food. Even Hubby Yap is surprised. After a full meal (means: 1 bowl of rice and assorted dishes) I still look for desserts (cake? sweets? ice-cream?). Gah.
Labels: Baby Yap
