It's 1 in the morning, and I'm having trouble sleeping. No - it's not your fault (tho' you are shifting around quite a bit inside me, and forcing multiple trips to the loo), but I took a nap in the arvo, and am feeling rather awake after a day spent puttering around the house awaiting your arrival.
It was the 4th day of maternity leave, and now the beginning of the 5th. Today will be exciting - officially 38 weeks, and going in for our next checkup. Perhaps the midwife will tell me your head's engaged (which could explain the pressure on the pelvic/pubic bone), and you'll be arriving anytime soon. I hope my blood test results show that my iron levels have passed muster, so I can eliminate another pill from my daily routine.
Mostly, I've been rather excited anticipating your arrival. What you'll look like. How to nurse you. How to bathe you. And spending money on what you'll wear! The sheets are washed and waiting to be ironed, some of your tiny baby clothes are already pressed and packed in the drawer, the next batch awaiting the same attention. I just purchased a 3-pc ensemble on sale at Baby's Got Style (green! cute! aliens!), and it should be arriving on Monday. Gagh...
You're really going to throw my life into a tizzy! I can't wait - well, half anxiously half excitedly though. I'm not thoroughly sure I'll know what to do when you're here. What if you just plain like screaming your head off? What if you don't like to scream at all? Will I get tired being around you? Will I ever get back into shape? Will I throttle your grandma with my bare hands when she stays with us for your first month and interferes annoyingly? (And if so, should I bury her in the backyard or out front?) Questions, questions, QUESTIONS!
I pray that as you grow, you'll learn the best from me and your dad (and leave the worst behind). I hope we know to steward you well - to teach you what we know (to the best of our knowledge!) To teach you to love and fear your Creator, who's knitted you together in my womb, who's formed your innermost being. That you'll learn to treat others with respect and decency, and exude the confidence from knowing you, yourself, are respected and decent. May you be bold, adventurous, curious, and kind. May you be warm and patient with those who can't be, may you extend love to those who are often un-lovely. And may you, eventually, become a Man, who will teach his own son these things.
Soh let it be.
Friday, August 24, 2007
Monday, August 20, 2007
At the cusp
All right...37 weeks and counting, and today's the first day of maternity leave. Woohoo!
I have grand plans for today: pack my hospital bag, the nursery, maybe do a little baby reading, my SOAP devotions, and prepare for the core team meeting later, when the girls come over for dinner to talk about Thursday's house church gathering.
So far, and I've been awake for 4 hours, I've accomplished....NONE of the above. Except maybe decide what to cook tonight.
Yes! I woke up at 8.30am, had brekkie, watched Sunrise and the Morning Show on Channel 7 (which introduced the Raising Children website & DVD, a comprehensive initiative from the Australian govt.), felt a bit sleepy from my full breakfast, headed upstairs and curled up in bed again from 11am-noon. Hey - I'm finally on leave, I get to sleep in if I wanna ok?! ;-)
But I'd better get up and about. No sense in wasting the sunny day!
Hehe.
I have grand plans for today: pack my hospital bag, the nursery, maybe do a little baby reading, my SOAP devotions, and prepare for the core team meeting later, when the girls come over for dinner to talk about Thursday's house church gathering.
So far, and I've been awake for 4 hours, I've accomplished....NONE of the above. Except maybe decide what to cook tonight.
Yes! I woke up at 8.30am, had brekkie, watched Sunrise and the Morning Show on Channel 7 (which introduced the Raising Children website & DVD, a comprehensive initiative from the Australian govt.), felt a bit sleepy from my full breakfast, headed upstairs and curled up in bed again from 11am-noon. Hey - I'm finally on leave, I get to sleep in if I wanna ok?! ;-)
But I'd better get up and about. No sense in wasting the sunny day!
Hehe.
Thursday, August 9, 2007
Growing Baby Strong
Just some thoughts about growing strong and spiritual disciplines in this year ahead, especially with Baby on Board. I guess after a year of Living Free in FHL, it's time for us children to start maturing. Me and EG are gonna be parents in about 4 weeks after all!
Anyhoo! Just some trigger thots. Having yet another insomnious night last night, I headed downstairs to grab a bite to eat and turned on the telly. Erwin McManus was on Life Today with James Robison, and it was pretty interesting - he spoke about the broken-ness in our world, and our responses. (Erwin, if you recall, heads up Mosaic church in L.A., and visited with Expedition sometime in 2005.)
One thing he said that struck me was the word Gratefulness - he said how no matter how much you keep doing things for people, how you keep loving and supporting them, they will never appreciate it, or benefit and receive from it, until their hearts are Grateful. They will only keep expecting more and more.
It got me thinking, especially with the advent of the baby - loving presents itself in 2 ways - unconditional love (I suppose, feminised, a "mother's love"), and the discipline/tough love ("a father's love").
How many of us receive with such certainty, Love, and yet are so un-Grateful for it? Regardless of the toil and heartache and prayers we hold for someone we care about as a brother or sister-in-Christ, it will never reach an un-Grateful heart. And an un-Grateful heart will never be able to receive sound discipline - love that shapes and grows us and forces us to mature - because it is selfish and immature.
Do we want to Grow Strong? Maybe we should all aim towards a Grateful heart - position ourselves in spaces where a Grateful heart may develop and grow. And that in itself, positioning oneself for growth, is already a sign of maturity.
Anyhoo! Just some trigger thots. Having yet another insomnious night last night, I headed downstairs to grab a bite to eat and turned on the telly. Erwin McManus was on Life Today with James Robison, and it was pretty interesting - he spoke about the broken-ness in our world, and our responses. (Erwin, if you recall, heads up Mosaic church in L.A., and visited with Expedition sometime in 2005.)
One thing he said that struck me was the word Gratefulness - he said how no matter how much you keep doing things for people, how you keep loving and supporting them, they will never appreciate it, or benefit and receive from it, until their hearts are Grateful. They will only keep expecting more and more.
It got me thinking, especially with the advent of the baby - loving presents itself in 2 ways - unconditional love (I suppose, feminised, a "mother's love"), and the discipline/tough love ("a father's love").
How many of us receive with such certainty, Love, and yet are so un-Grateful for it? Regardless of the toil and heartache and prayers we hold for someone we care about as a brother or sister-in-Christ, it will never reach an un-Grateful heart. And an un-Grateful heart will never be able to receive sound discipline - love that shapes and grows us and forces us to mature - because it is selfish and immature.
Do we want to Grow Strong? Maybe we should all aim towards a Grateful heart - position ourselves in spaces where a Grateful heart may develop and grow. And that in itself, positioning oneself for growth, is already a sign of maturity.
Monday, July 23, 2007
We'll be going for our first hospital baby class later and from what I hear, it's pretty gory. I think that the hospital is obliged to tell you all that can go wrong during the childbrith and it has apparently freaked some of our friends out. Will definitely give the review of the class when we get home later.
Thanks to Euge and May, we've been priviledged to be part of this baby course by Gary Azzo that the Quahs are running. Very useful and practical stuff, definitely helps in getting us prepare for the journey ahead. Stuff like feeding routines, Godly principles, sleeping routines, etc.
Saz and I still sometimes catch ourselves in awe of this whole process of becoming parents. Soon enough he'll be able to walk then run then date and get married, how freaky is that? But seriously, we can't wait to meet this little guy.
Couple more weeks now...
Thanks to Euge and May, we've been priviledged to be part of this baby course by Gary Azzo that the Quahs are running. Very useful and practical stuff, definitely helps in getting us prepare for the journey ahead. Stuff like feeding routines, Godly principles, sleeping routines, etc.
Saz and I still sometimes catch ourselves in awe of this whole process of becoming parents. Soon enough he'll be able to walk then run then date and get married, how freaky is that? But seriously, we can't wait to meet this little guy.
Couple more weeks now...
Saturday, July 21, 2007
Doodeedoodeedooo...
I've been hounding EG to blog, but guess faithful readers, it's still me again!
It's been a pretty wild week - lots been stirring and happening. And more sleepness nights - either 'coz the baby's kicking, or I'm just, Awake! Or a little hungry... heh.
It's crazy to think that the baby's due in just 7 weeks time. Or as soon as 4 weeks, since they can arrive between Week 37 & 42 of the pregnancy. I hope he comes on time though - even though I can't wait to meet him already! Very excited, but also pretty anxious.
Last night, been thinking about our future, with baby, as a new family (not that we aren't a family already!), and the ramifications. Like finances, routines... our lives will change irrevocably. Each day is a new step of Faith for us.
Having our office team prayer time, and memorising Ps. 121 y'day was pretty revealing. The Psalmist wrote it on his pilgramage in the wilderness (from what I recall), so it's pretty ironic to believe that "The Lord will keep you from harm" even when he's going through deep suffering. Just as J did bearing the Cross alone (where angels are standing by but can't intervene in a journey that can only be forged by one man laying down his life) for us, a journey into wilderness is a revelation of where our own faith and spirituality, and Christianity lies. Do we possess the courage, as Frodo did, to advance towards Mordor, and relinquish the pressure to lay our lives for others? As we give and others receive, as we mature as Christians, persevere, producing character and releasing Hope, we realise the journey is often borne alone. Though others can cheer us from afar, only God can be our strength, our keeper from harm (though not necessarily suffering), whom we can blame because the land is cursed and wild and arid, and there is no one around - even Samwise Gamgee has to stay behind, before the final leg. But there is Hope. There is always glorious Hope.
And so I learn, we learn, to lay our lives down for our brothers and sisters in our Father's creation. Everything is connected, and the God who neither sleeps nor slumbers, is always intervening. And each step we take, represents a Faith that believes.
It's been a pretty wild week - lots been stirring and happening. And more sleepness nights - either 'coz the baby's kicking, or I'm just, Awake! Or a little hungry... heh.
It's crazy to think that the baby's due in just 7 weeks time. Or as soon as 4 weeks, since they can arrive between Week 37 & 42 of the pregnancy. I hope he comes on time though - even though I can't wait to meet him already! Very excited, but also pretty anxious.
Last night, been thinking about our future, with baby, as a new family (not that we aren't a family already!), and the ramifications. Like finances, routines... our lives will change irrevocably. Each day is a new step of Faith for us.
Having our office team prayer time, and memorising Ps. 121 y'day was pretty revealing. The Psalmist wrote it on his pilgramage in the wilderness (from what I recall), so it's pretty ironic to believe that "The Lord will keep you from harm" even when he's going through deep suffering. Just as J did bearing the Cross alone (where angels are standing by but can't intervene in a journey that can only be forged by one man laying down his life) for us, a journey into wilderness is a revelation of where our own faith and spirituality, and Christianity lies. Do we possess the courage, as Frodo did, to advance towards Mordor, and relinquish the pressure to lay our lives for others? As we give and others receive, as we mature as Christians, persevere, producing character and releasing Hope, we realise the journey is often borne alone. Though others can cheer us from afar, only God can be our strength, our keeper from harm (though not necessarily suffering), whom we can blame because the land is cursed and wild and arid, and there is no one around - even Samwise Gamgee has to stay behind, before the final leg. But there is Hope. There is always glorious Hope.
And so I learn, we learn, to lay our lives down for our brothers and sisters in our Father's creation. Everything is connected, and the God who neither sleeps nor slumbers, is always intervening. And each step we take, represents a Faith that believes.
Saturday, July 7, 2007
Emotional Crutch
Yesterday could really rival the Baudelaire children in terms of a series of unfortunate events. Even as I write this, I am barely able to type...
It all started the night before with a really vivid dream of E, *gasp* having an affair! We were uni students, queuing in to the exam hall, and he was ahead of the queue, *gasp* holding another girl close as he would me. Naturally I looked confused and puzzled - he glanced up, saw me, looked guilty, and shifted attention back down again to the girl (who was a secondary-school mate of mine), leaving me more confused than ever. The girl - C - looked pretty puzzled as well, even though she didn't look uncomfortable in his arms. At this point, she looked up at him, then at me, then did a surprising thing - she pulled him out of the queue, pulled me out, and told him that he should be with me, that he was doing the wrong thing, and she didn't want to have anything to do with an "affair". All this in front of the entire student assembly!
I was surprised, and couldn't be stuffed with the exam, and decided to request for special consideration. However I was denied by the examining panel, to which a huge protest was mounted by the student body! It was a huge ruckus, lots of shouting and banners, everyone saying I should have the right for special consideration based on emotional trauma, and how they were all witnesses etc. And we WON! And everyone celebrated and partied their victory (instead of sitting for their own exams, which was rather strange, but anyhoo...)
As I packed my stuff and headed away from the darkened hall (it was night-time already), I saw EG in a distance walking away with his books. And I turned and saw C, and I gave her a fierce hug and whispered, "Thank you. You did an honourable thing today, and I really appreciate it." I had tears in my eyes... and then the dream melded into another one...
WELL! Couldn't sleep for the rest of the night could I?!! Grrr.... that plus heaviness of Baby. They do say you get weird dreams when you're preggers...
After waking up the next morning in absolute fatigue, I started making my way towards the train station using my new crutch. YES PEOPLE! The physio recommended I use a crutch to ease the pressure off my SIJ. So Day 2 of getting used to a crutch that felt uncomfortable since (a) I seem to lean all weight on my left side, esp. my crutch hand in order to balance myself, and (b) it slowed me down considerably, and then I see my train zooming past me (half thought of throwing the crutch aside and making a break for it). Sigh. So I decide to get a hot chocolate, then realise I don't have cash, and the next 3 cafes don't take EFTPOS, or need a minimum of $10. So I trudge towards the ATM, and it starts to rain on me!!
I took it all in with a sigh of resignation, and determined that it wouldn't ruin my day. And it didn't - the rest of the day passed without event, and I actually felt invigorated after spending a 2-hr session with Prof. De Raadt and learning from him. And looking forward to dinner with the Yarravillers and E.
Which leads me to why I type with less dexterity today. As we got into the car, eased into my seat the way I now have to - which is to hang onto the car roof, ease into the seat, then swing both my legs in - which helps with the SIJ pain. Except this time, the pain felt more intense, and waitaminit! It ain't coming from my hips, but this searing bone-crushing pressure was coming from my left hand. Yup, you got it folks - as E got into her seat behind me, she closed the car door on my left index finger and thumb. YIKES. Looks like I won't be needing the left-hand crutch for awhile!
Thankfully, it could've been much worse. No broken bones, just a bad bruise. What a great way to end the day!!
It all started the night before with a really vivid dream of E, *gasp* having an affair! We were uni students, queuing in to the exam hall, and he was ahead of the queue, *gasp* holding another girl close as he would me. Naturally I looked confused and puzzled - he glanced up, saw me, looked guilty, and shifted attention back down again to the girl (who was a secondary-school mate of mine), leaving me more confused than ever. The girl - C - looked pretty puzzled as well, even though she didn't look uncomfortable in his arms. At this point, she looked up at him, then at me, then did a surprising thing - she pulled him out of the queue, pulled me out, and told him that he should be with me, that he was doing the wrong thing, and she didn't want to have anything to do with an "affair". All this in front of the entire student assembly!
I was surprised, and couldn't be stuffed with the exam, and decided to request for special consideration. However I was denied by the examining panel, to which a huge protest was mounted by the student body! It was a huge ruckus, lots of shouting and banners, everyone saying I should have the right for special consideration based on emotional trauma, and how they were all witnesses etc. And we WON! And everyone celebrated and partied their victory (instead of sitting for their own exams, which was rather strange, but anyhoo...)
As I packed my stuff and headed away from the darkened hall (it was night-time already), I saw EG in a distance walking away with his books. And I turned and saw C, and I gave her a fierce hug and whispered, "Thank you. You did an honourable thing today, and I really appreciate it." I had tears in my eyes... and then the dream melded into another one...
WELL! Couldn't sleep for the rest of the night could I?!! Grrr.... that plus heaviness of Baby. They do say you get weird dreams when you're preggers...
After waking up the next morning in absolute fatigue, I started making my way towards the train station using my new crutch. YES PEOPLE! The physio recommended I use a crutch to ease the pressure off my SIJ. So Day 2 of getting used to a crutch that felt uncomfortable since (a) I seem to lean all weight on my left side, esp. my crutch hand in order to balance myself, and (b) it slowed me down considerably, and then I see my train zooming past me (half thought of throwing the crutch aside and making a break for it). Sigh. So I decide to get a hot chocolate, then realise I don't have cash, and the next 3 cafes don't take EFTPOS, or need a minimum of $10. So I trudge towards the ATM, and it starts to rain on me!!
I took it all in with a sigh of resignation, and determined that it wouldn't ruin my day. And it didn't - the rest of the day passed without event, and I actually felt invigorated after spending a 2-hr session with Prof. De Raadt and learning from him. And looking forward to dinner with the Yarravillers and E.
Which leads me to why I type with less dexterity today. As we got into the car, eased into my seat the way I now have to - which is to hang onto the car roof, ease into the seat, then swing both my legs in - which helps with the SIJ pain. Except this time, the pain felt more intense, and waitaminit! It ain't coming from my hips, but this searing bone-crushing pressure was coming from my left hand. Yup, you got it folks - as E got into her seat behind me, she closed the car door on my left index finger and thumb. YIKES. Looks like I won't be needing the left-hand crutch for awhile!
Thankfully, it could've been much worse. No broken bones, just a bad bruise. What a great way to end the day!!
Thursday, July 5, 2007
Of aches and pains...
Well! it's been awhile I've blogged I must admit! (sorry Soph!!)
What's new? Well the Perth trip was awesome, being able to connect with family, and having my Uncle Y. all protective about me. Heehee... and getting all these baby stuff!
Since then I've grown bigger (lots of people have said that I'm HUGE! - you can judge for yourself), and the joints and aches are returning :-( So having seen my physio last Thurs she suggested ice-ing the area, and hiring a crutch to relieve pressure off my right SIJ, while also doing exercises and stuff the strengthen the muscles around it. Plus tonight, I've finally decided to put those bathers I bought months ago to good use, and go swimming!
The previous night was pretty torturous though, I shouldn't have eaten before bed, 'coz I spent the whole night tossing and turning and downright feeling uncomfortable. The discomfort followed right through to the next day (yesterday), so it was just as well that it was my day off. Which I spent miserably on the couch trying to get my mind off it.
But last night we also started our first Parenting class ("Along the Infant Way", formerly Growing Kids God's Way - the same company also did the Baby Wise series) with Euge and May who were facilitating. Yuli & Chris were there, as well as Ed (Lynn was home with baby Ben), and newcomers Anita & Bobby. We're all due within the first half of September, so that's pretty exciting!! And the course has been great so far - Lesson 1: The Husband-Wife relationship should dominate (providing security for the child), and we shouldn't get trapped in child-centred parenting. And there's homework - which I'm looking forward to doing with EG.
Anyhoo, here're some pics from me last week! (Excuse the daggy-ness, it was taken before bed-time). And for some reason the photo isn't rotated when I post on Blogger...
What's new? Well the Perth trip was awesome, being able to connect with family, and having my Uncle Y. all protective about me. Heehee... and getting all these baby stuff!
Since then I've grown bigger (lots of people have said that I'm HUGE! - you can judge for yourself), and the joints and aches are returning :-( So having seen my physio last Thurs she suggested ice-ing the area, and hiring a crutch to relieve pressure off my right SIJ, while also doing exercises and stuff the strengthen the muscles around it. Plus tonight, I've finally decided to put those bathers I bought months ago to good use, and go swimming!
The previous night was pretty torturous though, I shouldn't have eaten before bed, 'coz I spent the whole night tossing and turning and downright feeling uncomfortable. The discomfort followed right through to the next day (yesterday), so it was just as well that it was my day off. Which I spent miserably on the couch trying to get my mind off it.
But last night we also started our first Parenting class ("Along the Infant Way", formerly Growing Kids God's Way - the same company also did the Baby Wise series) with Euge and May who were facilitating. Yuli & Chris were there, as well as Ed (Lynn was home with baby Ben), and newcomers Anita & Bobby. We're all due within the first half of September, so that's pretty exciting!! And the course has been great so far - Lesson 1: The Husband-Wife relationship should dominate (providing security for the child), and we shouldn't get trapped in child-centred parenting. And there's homework - which I'm looking forward to doing with EG.
Anyhoo, here're some pics from me last week! (Excuse the daggy-ness, it was taken before bed-time). And for some reason the photo isn't rotated when I post on Blogger...
Friday, June 15, 2007
Baby's first plane ride
Aloha from the land...er, West-ward!
I'm here in Perth, having landed about an hour 1/2 ago, to spend some raucous time with my aunts and uncle and my parents. Woohoo! Have left poor hubby behind, missing him dearly though...
So far the 4 hour ride's been ok, and the bubs wasn't kicking much of a fuss (although he was still kicking me). Had to get up and stretch frequently so I wouldn't wear out my back, and we had in-flight Foxtel for FREE 'coz the system wasn't working properly mid-flight so they reset it so everyone could watch - poor suckers that paid $10. Baby and I were pretty happy... ;-)
Perth's much warmer than Melbie, so that's been good for us. My mum teared when she saw me and the growing bump - her first grandchild - and she quickly acknowledged that it brought back memories when she was pregnant with me. Sniff! How time flies eh? Meanwhile, Dad was looking sharp and savvy, with his new black-frame glasses - kinda like mine. Like Father like Daughter!
The Ding-Dong Aunties (and Uncle) were adorable as usual, cooking up a storm (yum! beehoon & gingko nut porridge), swarming over the Krispy Kremes I brought (nearly "confiscated" by a drooling customs official at the airport scanner), and plying me with heaps (and I mean HEAPS) of baby clothing. All blue! Only Aunty E was nice enough to remember the mum in this situation - hehe, she bought me a necklace. Oh and the nice angpow from Uncle S.
But mum also brought a music chime that I had when I was a baby, and I still remember it! She tied it with the ribbon from my wedding invite 2 years ago - how sentimental! Plus she also passed on a family heirloom - a gold anklet handed to me by my grandma, now for my son. Wow. Firstborn to firstborn... I love the idea of leaving a legacy, to pass on tradition, mementos, moments caught in time, in some meaningful way to the next generation.
Feeling very pampered, which is always nice! Tonight it's off to Fremantle with the Cousins and dinner at the Japanese restaurant Uncle K's friends have opened (whom I knew back in GMC days). Then it's down the coast touring and sight-seeing over the next few days, and also seeing Uncle Y!
Really wish EG is here to share this! (Don't be jealous! You have your PS2 & God-of-War...)
I'm here in Perth, having landed about an hour 1/2 ago, to spend some raucous time with my aunts and uncle and my parents. Woohoo! Have left poor hubby behind, missing him dearly though...
So far the 4 hour ride's been ok, and the bubs wasn't kicking much of a fuss (although he was still kicking me). Had to get up and stretch frequently so I wouldn't wear out my back, and we had in-flight Foxtel for FREE 'coz the system wasn't working properly mid-flight so they reset it so everyone could watch - poor suckers that paid $10. Baby and I were pretty happy... ;-)
Perth's much warmer than Melbie, so that's been good for us. My mum teared when she saw me and the growing bump - her first grandchild - and she quickly acknowledged that it brought back memories when she was pregnant with me. Sniff! How time flies eh? Meanwhile, Dad was looking sharp and savvy, with his new black-frame glasses - kinda like mine. Like Father like Daughter!
The Ding-Dong Aunties (and Uncle) were adorable as usual, cooking up a storm (yum! beehoon & gingko nut porridge), swarming over the Krispy Kremes I brought (nearly "confiscated" by a drooling customs official at the airport scanner), and plying me with heaps (and I mean HEAPS) of baby clothing. All blue! Only Aunty E was nice enough to remember the mum in this situation - hehe, she bought me a necklace. Oh and the nice angpow from Uncle S.
But mum also brought a music chime that I had when I was a baby, and I still remember it! She tied it with the ribbon from my wedding invite 2 years ago - how sentimental! Plus she also passed on a family heirloom - a gold anklet handed to me by my grandma, now for my son. Wow. Firstborn to firstborn... I love the idea of leaving a legacy, to pass on tradition, mementos, moments caught in time, in some meaningful way to the next generation.
Feeling very pampered, which is always nice! Tonight it's off to Fremantle with the Cousins and dinner at the Japanese restaurant Uncle K's friends have opened (whom I knew back in GMC days). Then it's down the coast touring and sight-seeing over the next few days, and also seeing Uncle Y!
Really wish EG is here to share this! (Don't be jealous! You have your PS2 & God-of-War...)
Thursday, June 14, 2007
Baby's first musical
We brought the bubba for his first musical yesterday...so what if he could only "hear" it through the muffled membranes of my tummy? He was still present! ;-)
It was magical, and I've found that EG has a secret fondness of musicals, or rather, as he puts it "well-performed stage productions". Ahem. He does not think that Cameron Mackintosh's Miss Saigon holds a candle to Andrew Lloyd Webber's production of Les Miz tho'. Quite the connoisseur he is, wouldn't you think?
That aside, it was such a tremendous performance - there's nothing like being captured by a story being played out - LIVE! - in front of you. Beautiful sets and costumes, constant melodrama, tremulous voices that crescendo - how engaging! We were pleasantly surprised to see the appearance of a (slightly greyed) RJ Rosales on-stage, claiming him as "ours", ('coz 1. he was quite the reputable thespian in SG theatre circles - Chang & Eng remember?!! - even if he wasn't formed from our ranks , and 2. I last saw him in Rent, so, like, I really know him alright?)
But having watched certain scenes replayed ad nauseum on screen - the helicopter (they replaced the mechanical one for a video depiction!) or Kim & Chris singing as they fall in love, I was quite unprepared for the actual storyline, which really really touched a chord with me. Maybe it's to do with having a child soon (yay, 28 weeks tomorrow, 12 weeks to go), or the scene where Kim hugs Tam knowing he will have a better life in America without her; it all sent me in a tizzy and tears started falling. There's just something about separation, sacrifice and love, that I believe only mothers (& fathers I guess!) will understand.
My nose did not run though, thankfully, 'coz I didn't listen to N's advice and bring tissues! (There I was, thinking I was going to be all stalwart and stoic, 'coz no schmaltzy musical was gonna make me cry!)
And the kid that played Tam was SO ADORABLE! He looked about 4 or 5, such a cute precocious chap. I even loved the way he bowed at the end. Sigh... I hope my baby grows up in showbiz being adorable like that... (can anyone say Stage-mum-zilla?)
It was magical, and I've found that EG has a secret fondness of musicals, or rather, as he puts it "well-performed stage productions". Ahem. He does not think that Cameron Mackintosh's Miss Saigon holds a candle to Andrew Lloyd Webber's production of Les Miz tho'. Quite the connoisseur he is, wouldn't you think?
That aside, it was such a tremendous performance - there's nothing like being captured by a story being played out - LIVE! - in front of you. Beautiful sets and costumes, constant melodrama, tremulous voices that crescendo - how engaging! We were pleasantly surprised to see the appearance of a (slightly greyed) RJ Rosales on-stage, claiming him as "ours", ('coz 1. he was quite the reputable thespian in SG theatre circles - Chang & Eng remember?!! - even if he wasn't formed from our ranks , and 2. I last saw him in Rent, so, like, I really know him alright?)
But having watched certain scenes replayed ad nauseum on screen - the helicopter (they replaced the mechanical one for a video depiction!) or Kim & Chris singing as they fall in love, I was quite unprepared for the actual storyline, which really really touched a chord with me. Maybe it's to do with having a child soon (yay, 28 weeks tomorrow, 12 weeks to go), or the scene where Kim hugs Tam knowing he will have a better life in America without her; it all sent me in a tizzy and tears started falling. There's just something about separation, sacrifice and love, that I believe only mothers (& fathers I guess!) will understand.
My nose did not run though, thankfully, 'coz I didn't listen to N's advice and bring tissues! (There I was, thinking I was going to be all stalwart and stoic, 'coz no schmaltzy musical was gonna make me cry!)
And the kid that played Tam was SO ADORABLE! He looked about 4 or 5, such a cute precocious chap. I even loved the way he bowed at the end. Sigh... I hope my baby grows up in showbiz being adorable like that... (can anyone say Stage-mum-zilla?)
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
Bellybra
Oh yes!
I'm currently wearing the Bellybra I purchased, and it's helping quite a bit with posture and holding the tummy up. It's meant to be a little snug, for support, but after wearing it for a whole day on Saturday, I find the edge of the shoulder straps really bite into your flesh (sits right near the armpit). I think they could do with cutting the straps a little thinner, although I'm not sure if that'll affect the support element of the garment.
Hmm...maybe I should feedback to the manufacturer...
PS. Er, that's NOT me in the picture...
I do...
I just bought 2 new ballet flats from the Country Road sale...and they're so gorgeous! One's cream with black trim, the other's red with red trim. Love them to death, especially now that I can't really totter around in heels, or wear my birkies 'coz it's winter.
HOWEVER...
I have failed to account for the swiftness of pregnancy change. Thought my feet fit nicely into those size 7/size 38 shoes last week, this week is another matter altogether.
My feet, sad to admit (and I still won't admit this to EG) have swollen a little with my expanding girth (27 weeks and counting!) resulting in a proportionate stretch to the shoe leather.
My poor new flats are beginning to bite back! The delicious black trim has developed barely-perceptible incisors that fang into my bulbous toes, while the beautiful round top-edge of the shoe has conspired to wedge my aching feet under my groaning weight.
I DO feel like a giant, waddling, walrus.
HOWEVER...
I have failed to account for the swiftness of pregnancy change. Thought my feet fit nicely into those size 7/size 38 shoes last week, this week is another matter altogether.
My feet, sad to admit (and I still won't admit this to EG) have swollen a little with my expanding girth (27 weeks and counting!) resulting in a proportionate stretch to the shoe leather.
My poor new flats are beginning to bite back! The delicious black trim has developed barely-perceptible incisors that fang into my bulbous toes, while the beautiful round top-edge of the shoe has conspired to wedge my aching feet under my groaning weight.
I DO feel like a giant, waddling, walrus.
Tuesday, June 5, 2007
Nursery pics
We've uploaded some photos to our Flickr account... check it all here:
Our bubba's nursery-in-progress
:-)
Our bubba's nursery-in-progress
:-)
Monday, June 4, 2007
Setting up the nursery
It's been a while since the father of A made a post. But here I am.
We finally bought our first big ticket item for A and it's a cot from Baby Buntings. Went there on Sunday with a few other expecting mothers for the sale and spent pretty much the whole afternoon trying to figure out how the Bugaboo works. Well, many sore thumbs and fingers later I think C, J and M kinda figured it out. So anyone still wants to buy the Bugaboo?
Man, figuring out which pram to get is hard, then there's also which car seat/baby capsule as well. So many decisions and they don't come cheap as well. Expect to pay up to about $600-$700 for a pram, and another $300-$400 for a car seat. This baby industry is definitely booming. We had to make a special trip to Coles today because Huggies diapers were on sale, so being the typical Singaporeans that we are, we bought 4 boxes (each with 108 diapers)
Wasn't it soo much easier during our parent's time. They were all carried around in baskets or slung to their mothers with a piece of cloth.
Anyway, on to the nursery. Sarah will probably be putting up some photos soon. We finally cleared the room or the clutter and set up the cot that we bought. It's looking good, a little plain at the moment but we plan to put some colours on the walls by way of a few simple paintings that we plan to do ourselves. Rearranged the spare bed in the room to accomodate a "feeding chair" as well as the cot and "tadah" a nursery is born. Now all we need is a baby.
So as we continue to fill the room with more baby stuff, the date draws closer to when A will be born. How exciting! We can't wait to meet you little man.
We finally bought our first big ticket item for A and it's a cot from Baby Buntings. Went there on Sunday with a few other expecting mothers for the sale and spent pretty much the whole afternoon trying to figure out how the Bugaboo works. Well, many sore thumbs and fingers later I think C, J and M kinda figured it out. So anyone still wants to buy the Bugaboo?
Man, figuring out which pram to get is hard, then there's also which car seat/baby capsule as well. So many decisions and they don't come cheap as well. Expect to pay up to about $600-$700 for a pram, and another $300-$400 for a car seat. This baby industry is definitely booming. We had to make a special trip to Coles today because Huggies diapers were on sale, so being the typical Singaporeans that we are, we bought 4 boxes (each with 108 diapers)
Wasn't it soo much easier during our parent's time. They were all carried around in baskets or slung to their mothers with a piece of cloth.
Anyway, on to the nursery. Sarah will probably be putting up some photos soon. We finally cleared the room or the clutter and set up the cot that we bought. It's looking good, a little plain at the moment but we plan to put some colours on the walls by way of a few simple paintings that we plan to do ourselves. Rearranged the spare bed in the room to accomodate a "feeding chair" as well as the cot and "tadah" a nursery is born. Now all we need is a baby.
So as we continue to fill the room with more baby stuff, the date draws closer to when A will be born. How exciting! We can't wait to meet you little man.
Saturday, June 2, 2007
Mobility again
SO!
I had my back cracked by Chiro T on Thursday, and Friday morning ('coz Thurs's L5 spinal crack initiated Sat's pain again...the twinges and sharp stabs) but Friday's crack provided much relief - and my joints felt free-er. :-)
I still hurt now and again - almost a reminder to take care of my body - so I've to be careful. Am planning to get the bellybra - which'll provide some relief I hope! It's a huge cossack that lifts my belly and keeps my torso in the right posture, so that should be good news for me. It's apparently clinically proven, so fingers crossed!
Now it's back to waking up in the middle of the night (or early morning, should I say), not 'coz of pain, but 'coz of hunger again! Sheessshh... will it never end!
Can't wait till the bubs is born! 15 weeks to go and counting...
I had my back cracked by Chiro T on Thursday, and Friday morning ('coz Thurs's L5 spinal crack initiated Sat's pain again...the twinges and sharp stabs) but Friday's crack provided much relief - and my joints felt free-er. :-)
I still hurt now and again - almost a reminder to take care of my body - so I've to be careful. Am planning to get the bellybra - which'll provide some relief I hope! It's a huge cossack that lifts my belly and keeps my torso in the right posture, so that should be good news for me. It's apparently clinically proven, so fingers crossed!
Now it's back to waking up in the middle of the night (or early morning, should I say), not 'coz of pain, but 'coz of hunger again! Sheessshh... will it never end!
Can't wait till the bubs is born! 15 weeks to go and counting...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
