Early birthday present from Valerie to her daddy

Mid-Autumn Lantern Festival @ Chinese Garden

Went to the Lantern Festival 2008 @ Chinese Garden with our friends Akiko and Chris. Met Akiko when i was studying in Arizona State in 1999. She is in Singapore for 3mths for training and Chris, her hubby is here for a holiday.

First time going to the Lantern Festival and it's quite pretty. The lights and the big lanterns and most of all, i think the theme played a part. Cutey Sanrio cartoons, Hello Kitty, My Melody, Badz Maru and Keropi.

These are Japanese Cartoons that I grew up with. I remember being obsessed with buying their pencils, notebooks, hankies and etc in Primary school and this obsession actually continued on in my early 20s. There is this Sanrio store in Arizona Mills mall (phoenix) that is constantly on sale!!! You would definitely catch me there atleast once a month to check out the sale items and also lugging my purchases home. Was so tempted to buy the hello kitty radio, luggage bags, telephone and even a toast maker!!!

I still like these cartoons very much but have grown out of buying them. Good to admire but a waste of money to buy them. With 3 kids now, got to save for their future and I'm sure the kids will definitely have the chance to use my collection of Sanrio stationeries.

This is a first family outing for us since I delivered. Miss having such outings and hope that we'll have more to come. Although I wish that we could have brought the twins along but i guess it'll be more stressful than fun. Can't wait till they grow a little older so that we can enjoy outings as a "whiole" family.

Spare the rod and spoil the child?

Was taking my morning nap and was awaken by cries and screams of a boy from another household nearby. He was screaming, "mummy, mummy, I don't want" repeatedly. I was wondering why is he screaming & crying so loudly. Then the little boy continues with "mummy, i don't want bit. I want to study" Then I realise that his mom is probably punishing him (caning/smacking) for not studying.

I started to tear when i heard all that screaming and crying.

I pray and hope that my neigbours will never hear my girls cry and scream that way. It is quite heart wrenching to hear the boy's cries & screams even though i know that he's probably been naughty. Yet i started to feel that if the parents had instill a sense of learning since young, would the child be lazy or not wanting to study? And is there a need to resort to spanking?

I know i'll be faced with such a situation when Valerie starts school.... and to think that Valerie will probably get more disciplining than the twins since she's the eldest and as inexperienced parents, there will be many trial and errors when it comes to parenting and disciplining.

I still remember I have never been spanked by my parents. But funnily, always spanked by my tuition teacher. In my days, it is very common to use the cane in tuition centres. But we were told very specifically why and when were are being spanked. For example, we're given 20words for spelling. And for every word that we misspelt, we'll be caned once. So all of that seems very "diplomatic". And we even get to choose the thickness of the cane and the location of where we preferred to be caned, palm, buttocks or legs.

I hope that I will be able to instill good values/discipline in my children that I will not need to ever use the cane.

I am free to be .....

It's been a month... time really flies doesn't it? Valerie's already 2.5yrs old... and twins are growing bigger everyday... 1 mth (37weeks).

Got my first hairwash today, phew! And my first shower! It's been a very uncomfortable month. So different from when I did my confinement in Phoenix.

Twin's full month celebration

It's a Chinese tradition to have a big celebration when a baby turns 1 month old. Due to health concerns, we decided not to have a big party but just a small family gathering at home. As the twins are only 37weeks and we had a namelist of about 80-100 people, we were worried that their little bodies may not be able to handle any germs/bacterias out there. Therefore we'll just skip the full month party and have a bigger 1year old party next year.

Had the usual Red eggs and Ang Ku kueh, and a cake to celebrate. We also had the infamous "Heng hua" noodle - where it is always cooked at any family gathering or major celebrations for this dialect group. Both grandmas, paternal great grandma, Uncle Derrick, Aunty Janice and Aunty Cynthia were there to help celebrate this auspicious day.

I guess not having the party is also a blessing in disguise. I'm super tired and have no energy to plan and organize such an event. Me being the usual me, I always make sure that my parties are extraordinary and special. But I am definitely not in the mood or the mental state to do a good job. So, look out for an invitation next year!!

Everyday life with the twins

More of the little twin stars....

Both twins are back at home since Friday. Vernette came home first on Thu, 7 Aug followed by Vernise on Fri, 8 Aug. So far so good... they are feeding well and sleeping well. Going to the pediatrician this Friday for a check up, and it'll be the twins first outing since coming home from the hospital.

Can you recognise who is who? I can't.... ahahahahha...neither can Paul!!

Took the photo and forgot to write down who's on the left and who's on the right.... hehehehee....but my guess is Vernette is on the left and Vernise is on the right.

We do not know "scientifically" if they are fraternal(non-identical) or identical twins. During ultrasound before the twins were born, the doctor said they are fraternal. During surgery, my gynae couldn't decipher from the placenta. The pediatrician feels that they are identical. But, without an actual lab test, we'll never know until they get older and when they do look alike, they are identical.

Anyways, confinement here in Singapore is horrendous!! How i miss the cooling and dry days in Phoenix. No buckets of perspiration and uncomfortness. But this time around... there is no pain to the wound... thank God. Didn't see many stretch marks so far... but will never know till later.

Can't wait for the confinement period to end and i can start putting on my magic oil.... to prevent the marks ever appearing!!

Back in Singapore - after almost a year

Well.... lots of changes in this 1 year. Was pregnant and have given birth to twins. Valerie has become a big sister, nw with 2 younger siblings, Vernette & Vernise. Paul's now a proud father of 3 daughters.... He's also been transfered to Changi Airbase (an hours' drive one way from home, the westend of Singapore to the eastend)

Here are some pictures taken during this one year back home in Singapore.

First haircut with Uncle Andy. Could see that she's having a lovely time. No problems at all with her sitting still.

Learning how to sweep the floor from NaiNai (paul's mom).

With Snowy, at Jasmine's house. Loves dogs but the dogs are all so afraid of her!!! Hahahaha


Just came up from the pool, Valerie's favourite activity - being thrown in to the pool!!!

Proudly presenting the newborn twins!!

Here are some pics of Vernette and Vernise. Can you spot the difference?? Hee hee...
We can't differentiate them yet too.. lol


Pic 1 - New arrivals


Pic 2 - Vernette @ T+30 mins in NICU (Newborn Intensive Care Unit)


Pic 3 - Vernise @ T+30 mins in NICU


Pic 4 & 5- Vernette (above) and Vernise 1 day old