Bringing Baby Sister Home

27th December was a special day for all of us. The morning call to Dr Tanaka confirmed that our baby could finally come home after being in ICU for 35 days. Her nursery had been ready for some time and the two boys were eager to meet their sister. After more than a month of daily visits to Aiiku Hospital to see my baby, I gave a sigh of relief and smile when I reached the front door of the hospital. This is the day the I have been waiting for.

Dr Tanaka and the nurses have been great. They were very friendly and helpful whenever we visited the ICU. The nurses would write little notes about her progress everyday and paste them on the Miffy notebook which we provided. Her first bath, weight gain, amount of milk drank, daily activities, photos, etc.

First night at neonatal ICU

In the incubator

Day 14 at the hospital

Born 34 weeks old (7 weeks premature), she had a low birth weight and had to be monitored for respiratory disorder, hypothermia (being born at home and then transported to the hospital in the middle of winter) and polycythemia (the umbilical cord was only clamped when the medics arrived 15 minutes later, thus more of mummy's red blood cells were transferred to the baby than usual). Nonetheless, she was well taken care of at the ICU.

We have named our baby girl, Cheryl (pronounced Sheh-rill), from a French origin. Her Chinese name was decided by Papa during the pregnancy. We are very blessed that she is doing well.

Excited Justin

The boys with baby sister

Season's Greetings

Merry Christmas &

a Happy New Year!!

Jon's class performance and Christmas party

Jonathan sitting on the bench (3rd from the right)

Jonathan's class performed during assembly today with a medley of Christmas songs and a short play. He was an angel / narrator and had to say "Look! It's starting to snow!". He did great! His voice was loud enough to be heard from the back and he spoke with calmness.

With my angel after assembly

Christmas Wonderland

After the show, each class took turns to go to the Christmas Wonderland. There were games like Pin Rudolph's Tail, throwing bean bags, lucky dip, face painting and craft. Nursery class returned to the classrooms for their Christmas lunch. Santa came and gave out many presents. Thereafter a dance party was held in the classroom. Jonathan won a set of colour pens for being the best dancer.

Papa was there to help out at the Nursery stall. Justin was super hyperactive that day, running around and repeatedly queuing up to play the games at all the stations. There was a disco party at the gym and he was happily dancing to the rhythm of Michael Jackson's "Beat It", S Club 7's "Don't Stop Moving", and other party music.

Egypt Day at School

The annual Egypt Day was held on Friday where the children took part in various activities to learn more about Egyptians in their history curriculum. The kids also learned to write their names in hieroglyphics. Everyone had to come dressed in an ancient Egyptian style costume. Some kids where dressed as egyptian queens, pharaohs, King Tuts, King Ramses and mummies.

The ancient Eygptian style lunch banquet were food eaten during Egypt days, including meat stew with pita bread as the main meal, hummus, couscous, vegetables, figs and grapes.

It was an eventful day for Justin. He enjoyed his Egyptian feast and was happy to win the best dressed costume for his class. Some of his friends' costumes were more elaborate than his but the teachers probably saw the effort of making a costume instead of purchasing from a store. Thanks to Papa, we managed to get the costume done even with the baby arriving four days before. Papa had to finish up the headband, Egyptian collar and stitch the cloth with Justin.

Trying on his costume

The bracelets he was trying were made from used toilet rolls. The Egyptian patterns were found from the web and coloured in gold.

Justin in his costume

His prize for the best dressed costume was "The World Almanac for Kids 2011".

We had an fun time learning about Egypt together. A good resource is the Magic Tree House's research guide on "Mummies and Pyramids" which gave many interesting facts together with photos and illustrations.

Arrival of Baby Sister

Our baby girl arrived unexpectedly at 34 weeks, one and a half month earlier than her due date. She was proudly delivered by Papa at our home in Japan. It has been an overwhelming week for all of us. Firstly, I didn't expect her to be here so early. Secondly, the idea of having an unplanned / unassisted home birth wasn't exactly what I had in mind. My previous two labours went extremely fast, took about 40mins and 20mins. I knew this was going to be a quick one again but not quite the birth plan I had in mind.

I was admitted to the hospital for bleeding and contractions two days before her birth. The doctor put me on medication to stop the contractions and an injection to mature the baby's lungs. An extra day the baby stayed in the womb, the better the chance that the baby will have a healthy start. The medication would take two days to achieve its full effect. Meanwhile, I had to stay in the hospital on bedrest.

On Monday evening, I was allowed to go back home to continue my bedrest. However I started to feel painful cramps during dinner. Papa helped me to the bed to rest. The contractions started coming fast, each one lasted for a minute in every 5 to 10 minutes interval. After 20 minutes, I knew we had to head for the hospital which was half an hour's drive away. I had a sudden urge to go to the toilet. My water bag burst when I sat down. The next second, I felt her head crowning. I couldn't believe what happened. I still remember telling Papa, "I need to get to the hospital, NO WAY am I going to have the baby here! I need a doctor! Help!" But it was too late. Baby's head was out, Papa said I had to push. "OMG!!!" He grabbed all the towels he could get his hands on. In a few minutes, the baby was out. Papa described how she "shot out like an eel" into his arms. He wrapped her in a towel to keep her warm and put her on my chest. I put my finger to open her mouth to make sure her air passage was clear. She cried a little and I was relieved.

The ambulance came in ten minutes, paramedics clamped and cut the baby's umbilical cord. I am truely amazed by the efficiency of the emergency service in Japan. One fire engine and two ambulances were parked outside, almost blocking the road. Eight men in uniforms suddenly coming into the house. My two boys were a little confused. They knew that their baby sister had arrived, but teared when they saw the paramedics carry me and the baby away. "Where is mummy going?" Papa explained to the boys later.

Carol rushed over and accompanied me to the hospital . (Thank you so much!) It's difficult with the language barrier and both of us felt safer with someone who can speak Japanese.

Cheryl is in neonatal ICU because she was born premature. She expected to stay in the hospital for about a month. She is feeding well and gaining weight each day. All of us are looking forward to the day she can come home. Will update more.

Jonathan's Drawing

Family photo

Jonathan's drawing of his family from school. Papa, Justin and him playing soccer while mummy watches with an umbrella!

In Remembrance of Great Grandma

Ah Zhor (the boys' great grandmother) passed away peacefully Saturday morning at the age of 83. She was a strong and fiesty lady who single-handedly took care of her 6 children after my grandpa passed away when I was in kindergarten. She worked hard but still took time to travel around the world. She loved the idea of being on the move, going out almost everyday, sometimes driving from the West to the East of Singapore. She never liked the idea of staying at home doing nothing. Every weekday, she would leave before sunrise and drive to her Taichi lessons at the Botanic Gardens. And to keep her mind sharp and active she enjoyed playing mahjong.

Ah Zhor doted Justin and Jonathan a lot. Everytime she went on business trips to Malaysia there would always be something for the kids, be it diapers, clothes, toys or food. I remember once Justin had so many toys he wanted to carry, that in desperation I gave him a big black trash bag to put his toys temporarily. He dragged the whole bag along with him down the stairs, making so much noise that Ah Zhor came to see what was going on. "Eh, Karung guni!" (rag and bone man) she smiled and laughed. If it were someone else making that noise, it would have been a different story.

However, three years ago she suddenly became unconscious, lost her balance and fell to the floor hitting her head. MRI scan showed that she had a tumour in her brain which affected her normal functions. Her health began to deteriorate. I tried to spend more time with her, postponing the time to join Papa in Taiwan for another half year. She loved the cool breeze and walks at East Coast Park, while enjoying her favourite ice cream. She also loved to hear the voices of her great grandchildren. When the kids call her, her eyes would open wide and she would smile and nod her head with joy.

Ah Mah (as I call her) had a great influence on my life without which I would not be who I am today. She will always be in our hearts.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I would also like to give gratitude to my mum who was the main care giver for the past three years. My mum has done the best job, being the eldest daughter, taking care of Ah Mah's needs, sending her to the hospital for checkups, etc. She was under constant physical and mental stress. It was not easy seeing Ah Mah grow weaker each day, yet she still continued to give the best care at home.

Thank you, Mum.

Sports Day at Work

Soccer Match

Papa's office held a Sports Day event with families at the Toyosu Dome, an indoor stadium next to Lalaport Odaiba. The games included basketball, soocer for adults and dodgeball for the kids. Papa played the parents/kids games with the boys before his soccer game. The boys were good and watched the match at the side while papa was playing.

Taking a break


Before the game


Half time

Jon kicking the ball

After the match ended, everyone proceeded to the nearby cafe for lunch. The entertainment area had a 3D television. The future of television in the living rooms of all households, I suppose.

Watching 3D show


Wearing 3D glasses


Am I cute?

The last photo made me smile.

Happy Birthday, Jonathan!

Jonathan's birthday was during the school term break. Hooray! Papa took a day off to bring the kids to Kodomo-no-Kuni (Children's Kingdom) at Yokohama. Kodomo-no-Kuni is huge park which gives kids and adults plenty of opportunity to roam around. Besides having the feeling of being in the countryside, there are also many play areas where the kids can challenge themselves.

The kids played at the playground before heading for the mini train ride. How can they miss that? After the train ride, they headed for a 110m rolling slide followed by paddling in a Swan boat at the pond. It was pretty hard work for them to paddle the boat for 30 minutes. Good exercise, fresh air, beautiful cool autumn weather.

The kids had fun at the children's zoo where they touched bunnies and guinea pigs. Justin had a ride on a pony while Jon and Papa rode a horse around the field. After that, they went to MooMoo Dome where the kids jumped and bounced on a dome shaped structure.

This is a place definitely worth a visit. Other attractions which the kids didn't go to included the green house, swimming pool (converts to a skating ring in winter), hanging bridge, milk plant and a cycling course. There is also a BBQ site and a camping area, or you can bring your own food and have a picnic at the park.

Whilst the kids were at Yokohama, mummy was at home baking a cake for Jonathan's birthday - Thomas black forest (sans liquer) cherry chocolate fudge cake. I asked him whether he wanted Thomas, Percy or Harold and he chose the first.

Delighted Jon

Last but not least, his ang paos and presents all the way from Singapore. Thank you very much!!

Bedtime Reading

Conversation before bedtime:

Mom: Justin, time to read your school reader book before you go to bed. Jonathan, you too.

Justin: Mommy, I want to read my own books tonight.

Mom: Okay, go and choose your books then.

After a short while, both boys come in with about 20 books in their hands. The books were all beginner ones for Jon.

Mom: Justin, these books are for Jon. Where are yours?

Justin: I want to read to Jon tonight.

Mommy pauses awhile. What a sweet thought to read to his younger brother. Should I let him? He doesn't offer to read to him often and I was quite tired then. So I decided to let him have a go.

Reading "Cheeko and the Green Cap"

The boys had some bonding time together while mommy rested beside them. Justin asked Jon which book he wanted each time and gladly read to him. They enjoyed and laughed together reading "Cheeko and the Green Cap". It was about a monkey who wanted the green cap that a man was wearing, and started throwing stones at him and making funny faces. Justin acted out the part of the monkey which made Jonathan laugh.

Giggling and laughing while sharing a book together

Chinese Steamed Cake

I made some Chinese steamed cake for the kids' afternoon snack, topped with their favourite raisins. Jonathan couldn't wait. He grabbed two of the cakes and put them on his plate. The boys preferred the cocoa flavoured ones.

A day at the beach - Yuigahama, Kamakura

We went to to Yuigahama (由比ヶ浜海岸), a beach near Kamakura, in September. Directions to the beach here . Summer is really hot in Tokyo with temperatures going up to 37 degrees celcius this year. The kids had fun in the water, especially Justin who was busy the whole time trying to cover himself in sand. It was very refreshing to be in the cool water on a hot day.

After the swim, we went for lunch at Grand Blue Ochiai by the marina. The company was great, food was delicious with a beautiful scenery overlooking the Pacific Ocean. After lunch we spent some time walking around before heading for onsen. We were so relaxed after the onsen. Justin came out, lay down at the rest area almost going to z-land. A quick dinner at the onsen and we headed back home.

Rolled Sandwich Bento

I was in the mood for preparing something kawaii for the kid's bento lunch instead of the normal bread sandwich. It took me 40 minutes to prepare the two lunch boxes. Definitely requires more time and effort instead of putting 2 slices of bread with ham, cheese, egg and lettuce.

It's quite easy to prepare though. Lay a sheet of plastic wrap over the bread. Flatten a little using a rolling pin, depending on the thickness of the bread. Add butter, place a slice of ham over it and roll it up. Close the sides of the plastic wrap and cut into smaller pieces. The plastic wrap keeps the filling in place and the bread moist.

Today's filling included ham, nori (seaweed), cheese, strawberry jam and Bee Cheng Hiang's fish floss. Sides consisted of skewered quail eggs, cucumber with cherry tomatoes, and juicy sweet honeydew. I absolutely love the the honeydew and rockmelons in Japan. They are far sweeter and juicier than those back home. I think I can possibly finish half the melon at one go.

Expecting Baby No. 3

This explains the long silence to the blog.

We are elated to know that I am pregnant again. Two is good but three is even better. The boys have been very receptive to the idea of having another sibling in the family. Jonathan is ever so excited and always talks to the baby, "Baby, this is your brother", gently patting my tummy.

Fun time with Irene GuGu

We are back in Singapore for summer holidays. I had the privilege of having some free time to myself while Irene GuGu brought the kids out over the weekends. The lucky boys enjoyed themselves thoroughly. They went to the Botanic Gardens, had breakfast at MacDonalds, watched Toy Story 3, went to Ian's house for a playdate and visited Seletar farm.

Singapore Botanic Gardens

The kids were given some coloured paper nicely binded by Irene GuGu, to collect fallen leaves and write the names and species of trees that they saw at the garden.

Justin observing the patterns on the leaves

Looking at the photos they took

Walk through Evolution Garden

Replica of ancient Lepidodendron at the Evolution Garden

Playdate with Ian & Visit to Seletar Farm

Irene Gugu brought the boys to Auntie Caryn's place. They had lunch there and played with Ian. Ian is such an adorable and friendly boy. Jon and Ian are born just 2 months apart and Irene Gugu said that both of them get along very well.

After that, they visited Seletar Farm Resort's pet farm, where the kids had a chance to pat the residents there.

Justin's Eye Operation

Justin went for an eye operation to remove a stye in his left eye today. It started 3 weeks ago with redness in his eye, 2 days later his eyes began to swell and the doctor prescribed him some eye drops and antibiotic cream. The swell and redness subsided but the lump on his upper eye lid was still there. After a second around of antibiotic treatment, the doctor set a date to surgically remove the stye.

Removing a stye for an adult would be easily done at the doctor's clinic using local anesthesia, but because he was a kid, general anesthesia was required. The procedure consists of making a small incision on the inner eyelid and draining the pus out of the gland using a curette. The doctor recommended a thorough check on both eyes since he was on GA.

Waiting for the nurse

We were at Mt Alvernia Hospital 6:45am for registration. There were already many people in line for surgery that day.

Walking to the operation theatre

Outside the theatre

I had to change to hospital clothes to accompany him into the theatre. Notice the two white masking tape above his eye brows? That indicates that both his eyes are going to be operated on. Was he scared? He said he was, yet he was still in a jovial mood. Maybe because mummy was there with him.

At 8:20am, we went into the operating room with the opthalmogist and anesthetist. Justin was carried up to bed, the anesthetist reassured him, and put the gas on. A bit of struggle when the anesthetic gas was taking effect but after 25 seconds he was knocked out. I left the room to wait outside the surgery ward.

At 8:35am, he was pushed out. He was already conscious and the nurse told me to hold his hands to prevent him from touching his eyes. Justin was tearing and saying that it was very itchy and painful. We went back to the bed rest area.

My poor darling. His left eye was patched but I could see blotches of newly dried blood on the cotton pad. His right eye was also swollen, and tearing a lot. I had to constantly tell him not to touch his eyes. "Itchy, ...... painful ......" . The only thing I could do was to dab his tears and assure him that everything would be alright after awhile. He was in pain for about half an hour.

In pain

After 15 mins, the second patient was pushed in. The 3 year old girl who underwent a similar operation was screaming and crying her lungs out. It must be very painful for the kids after the anesthesia wears out. She cried non-stop for half an hour, refused everything that her parents did. My brave boy had stopped tearing by then.

Drinking some water

He felt much better after drinking water and started to respond to my jokes. A sigh of relief.

Back to himself

He was so hungry after fasting for the surgery that he finished the whole bowl of porridge very quickly. After resting for awhile, he requested for more food and I gave him some raisin bread.

No porridge left

Resting

Hungry

The doctor came to check on him at 10:45am and Justin was discharged. He is resting at home now. Hopefully, he will feel better tomorrow.