The missions of the KL trip were - to relax, and to have fun with the kids.
Rather than shopping-oriented like past years, this year we attended gymboree classes with the kids, in KL, every morning for the past 1 week. We sang, danced, ran, played slides, climbed, kicked balls, rolled balls, together, Daddy and Mommy and Bevan and Berton, at $48 per lesson, Ringgit.
And because no matter what, shopping was still important, we maximised our shopping with GPS, no time was wasted. Vroom Pavilion, Vroom One Utama, Vroom KLCC, Vroom Mid Valley. We attended friend's wedding banquet and visited work-related offices. We got 3 months supply of diapers, 6 months supply of milk powder, 1 year supply of contact lens, 2 years supply of kids clothes from Gap outlet. Things would be different if we own a truck.
It was so much fun so meaningful for everyone. We came back closer and happier.
Sunday - We held a house-warming with my in-laws. Bevan and Berton lovingly shared muffins with their cousins.
Thursday - Their cousins, Kieren and Kayden, were diagnosed with HFM.
Friday - Bevan had fever.
Saturday – Berton’s turn.
It was first fever, followed by ulcers in the mouths, then spots on their little hands and little feet, and then my heart sunk and my chin dropped. My kids!
We met up with doctors. I gathered that HFM itself is not as scary as how the news put it, our most important mission was to keep them hydrated, which was really tough with their mouths full of ulcers. They shouted “pain! pain!” before any drop of water could touch their mouths.
So for one full day, Bevan had no water no food. When he woke up the next day, he looked pale and dehydrated. I was really shivering inside and I thought of a make-him-eat-plan out of desperation, and it worked!
During meal time, I did the following step-by-step 1. Feed paracetomol using a syringe. This is a pain-killer. 2. Feed ice water/ ice ribena, again using a syringe. This is to numb the ulcers. 3. I have 30 minutes to feed them. With the pain-killer at work and mouth numbed. 4. After 30 minutes, they start shouting “pain!” again. Stop. 5. In between meals, inject ice water/ice ribena into their mouth.
The best HFM foods, A. Any creamy soup, mushroom or chicken, must be really shredded. B. Ice cream, vanilla flavour, its cold and it has calcium! Plus it makes them happy. C. Porridge water, with clear chicken soup, with a bit of salt. I believe that the salt can kill germs. D. Ice water/ice ribena. I believe they numb the ulcers. E. Paracetomol is a star.
I told Bevan that the Bad-Ulcer-Germs are scared of cold water, and they can’t swim. And I imitated the Germs’ shouting for help “Help! Help!” whenever he refused to let me feed him with water.
They fully recovered in 3 days, no more fever, no more ulcers, no more spots! I am glad I survived.
Supernanny says let the children choose their own outfits. They are expressing their creativity and their fashion sense. And so I did.
Bevan has insisted to go out like this (see picture) for one entire week. Which include -- a Chicky Mask, a Bee Bolster Sword, a pair of Crocs, with white socks. He said he is "The Transformer". I have no idea who is The Transformer.
Buying a property is not just about paying the money; there were so many documents to sign. Though we truly only understood our names (even the property address and the purchase amount were confusing), we got through the signing of document which the lawyer defined as "the standard contracts".
Then comes the waiting time, which were 2 months, but it seemed longer than 2 years. The travelling to and fro our old house suddenly became so unbearable. Talk about being un-sentimental.
So when the key was finally ready for collection... I had to take a photo!
It’s 3 min drive from my Orchard office, walking distance to shopping mall, with full condominium facilities, freehold, within 1km of popular schools, lots of greenery, newly TOP. It was the only small unit left for the development, which is a show unit with all brandnew ID done-up. It's small but luxurious and convenient, it's Manhattan living.
2. One has a garden, we call it the Holiday Home.
It’s a courtyard, freehold, with our own little garden, and 2 different club houses. I can plant my chilli-padi and mango tree in my little garden. The kids can play badminton at the car pouch. They have 2 storeys to run. 15 min away from Tuas with Gukhas guards. The facilities at club houses include golf course, horse-riding field, rabbit farm, swimming pool beside the river. It's faraway but spaceous, it's Resort living.
We get both convenience and space. Paid lesser than buying a spaceous home in the City. It’s really a dream come true. I told Bevan that Daddy and Mommy work hard to give them the best. Parents always say that, because we always mean it.
Maybe there are too many things happening in our lives now.
Moving house - which includes choosing furniture, choosing the wrong furniture, and the actual shifting logistics. Kids on holidays - shouting and fighting for Mommy whenever I'm not invisible. And you know I am usually visible.
Peak seasons at work - I push myself over the limit to accept most appointments and orders now. Especially with the current negative market sentiment, I am counting, with migrains, busy schedules as great blessings.
I am exhausted. I am having a lot more migraines, feeling sad more easily, and I need lots of interesting activities to compensate for the hectic life. It’s a bad cycle, when I am too tired working I wish to go home, when I am at home the kids want me all the time I can’t rest anyway I wish I could work. My most convenient target - my hubby, gets lots of innocent blames.
Bevan and Berton like to be carried by me at the same time, and they kick each other when I am carrying both of them. You should look at us, we are like circus performance. To stop the endless attention-fighting, we have started 1-on-1 day.
On a Saturday night which is Mommy-and-Bevan's-Day (and Daddy-and-Berton's-Day), Bevan and I walked from Shaw Centre to Takashimaya. We walked along the streets and there was alot of cars and shoppers, I told him I was going to carry him. He was so happy.
"Why are you carrying me Mommy? Your back not pain already?" "Because there's too many people here." "I loooove to spend time with Mommy." "I loooove to spend time with Bevan too." "It's so sweet. It feels like eating tang (sweet in mandarin)."
We walked around the toy and cutlery departments. We were both very happy, it's long lost harmony found.
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