Jake the sick

You know how I was lamenting about what a rough week it had been last week? It'e because instead of actually going off on what I labelled part 4 of Jake's birthday celebrations, which was a holiday to Hong Kong, it turned out to be us staying out of home for 3 nights, for a very different reason.

 

It all started with a temperature  (as it typically does) on Sunday. We did what we usually do - see the doc to get meds (Monday) monitor the temperature, administer medication as needed (paracetamol for regular fever and brufen for anything higher than 39.5degrees) with no panic. I held the sister off from checking in for us on Tuesday, the eve of our intended holiday as his temperature was still not going down, and just as well that we did that, because his fever did persist. J's body temperature typically goes pretty high (based on past ill patterns) so while we were concerned, there didn't seem a need to worry - yet. On Tuesday evening last week, the husband made a call that we should bring J to the doctor again because despite the medication, fever did not abate.

  

Snoozing - it was late, he was so tired and burning

At the slightly crowded clinic, the doctor assessed him and because of the persistent fever, recommended that we admit him for further tests. Unfortunately, Thomson Medical Clinic did not have any beds available in the padaetric wards. He suggested that we head to the nearest hospital - and after spending 2+hours there, we headed to Mount Alvernia with the letter from this first doctor.

 

The A&E department at Mount A was even busier than Thomson Medical and I was so bummed out. I had to awaken the boy up several occasions because we were on the move and I felt so tired for him. Thankfully, a kind nurse saw me trying to make him comfortable on the chairs in the waiting room (expected waiting time was 1-2 hours), directed me to a room that had a bed.

 

Still waiting - snoozing at the room a kind nurse got us

Very fortunately too, there was a padaetric doctor who was already at the hospital reviewing another case, and so our wait got bumped up speedily as this doctor attended to us after she was done. After waiting a while more, we were directed to a room and the husband accompied the boy while I proceeded to settle the admission administrations. Can I just say that the administration is such a pain. It took me 3/4 of an hour to sit there, and try not to fall asleep to pay attention as the administrator laboured over the details of ward prices, medicine prices, prices not inclusive of a-b-cs, and after signing 3,847 forms, I was done. By then, I was entering a zombie zone because I had awakened at 5am like any regular school day, and after a full day of work and going home to try to pack for our intended holiday, to bringing the son to not one, but two hospitals (it could have been worse I guess. We could have had to visit a 3rd hospital if this hospital was full too, I guess) to have our child taken care of... I had officially been awake for 18 hours.

Finally asleep in his bed for the night

Despite being dog tired, I was hungry so when the husband suggested we grab a bite, I agreed. After a quick supper and sending him back to the hospital then driving myself home and after taking a very quick shower, I laid down at 3am. I had been awake for 22 hours in total.

The thing about having one child in hospital, when you have two children, is that one child is leading a regular routine... so at 5.30am which is 2 hours after I knocked out, the daughter was up to go to school. I'm so thankful that the MIL was over last week, because she pretty much kept the girl on her routine as normally as possible as the husband and I partnered each other to look after the boy.

I awoke properly - with a start - at 9am, with the sun in my face. I had a quick breakfast (coffee), and headed to the hospital.

Received this pic from the husband as I was making my way to the hospital

The husband had an uncomfortable night with the boy. In the double-bedder ward, he had a creaky reclining chair to sleep in, throw in the nurses who come in every few hours to take temperatures/observe the patients, and the other patient in the ward - let's just say he's had better sleep in alternative spaces. Thankfully, we had already put in our request to switch wards if any single ones became available and our prayers were answered when we were told we could switch rooms.

 

J looked in good spirits, if not slightly puffy-eyed. He was still running a fever. Thankfully, he still had some appetite and I fed him the lunch provided by the hospital and then shifted rooms after he had his meal.

First meal @ the hospital

New ward

 

Thank goodness that the single ward had become available! The space, the privacy, the comfort (within reasonable limits of a hospital) was an amazing difference and truly made the stay way better.

 

Though we had a new sofa, he was still bored.

 

Treat of phone use

 

KO

After napping (where I crashed too), we all awoke to feeling slightly rested. The boy had a shower and we willed the time away by drawing and talking and whatnots and we all cheered when the husband came back to relieve the night duty. Being cooped up with one person is pretty trying.

I went home quite early this second night, and was in bed by midnight.

Breakfast: day 3

The husband left to go on an errand while I stayed with J. We went for a walk.



Wall of pride - see the paper pegged to the bottom right corner? That's his!

Happy with a balloon that I got to humour him

Cookie monster

We played snakes and ladders

Because I'd be out till late that night (the husband had class), I decided to pick the girl and spend some time with her. Also, we thought it'd be nice of her to visit because J had been out of home for 2 whole days by then and wasn't to be discharged that day.

 

Visitor - having lunch

 

Life goes on

 

After K cleared her homework, the husband took her home and I was left with the boy. Thankfully, he was tired and we both managed to snooze. 

 



Rest makes him better!



 

We had dinner (we had gotten used to the hospital spread by then) and the TV programmes (bleagh. With no cable, OKTO was his favourite channel) and I was thankful for some reprieve when Godpa visited to play with him.

 

Evening visitor

After Godpa left, the husband arrived. We put J to sleep then headed out for supper again. Imagine that, twice in 2 days! The odd connection about this particular supper place (Founders Bak Kut Teh at Balestier Road) is that the husband and I had gone there for a meal when I was in labour. J was in my tummy and we'd done a pit-stop that was near to the hospital of delivery. How odd the connection that this time round, also in the night time, that we were out because of J and yet, this time he was "not there" either.

Anyhow, after the meal, I sent the husband back to J and headed home.

For the 3rd morning in a row, I awoke with the sun shining into my face. It's really an anomoly because I hate sleeping in the light and for the sun to be up for hours and shining into my face and for me to continue sleeping... I was tired!

After breakfast and some chats with the MIL, I made my way to the hospital. On the way, I received the best news from the husband - J could be discharged! I did not even have to park - merely picked them up from the pick-up point and headed home.

Yay we get to go home!

That afternoon, everyone was home. I went to pick K from school and had lunch with her then sent the MIL home. The husband was home and it felt so nice to be normal. After 3 nights out, it sure felt nice that the whole family was together again. The doctor agreed to discharge him on the account that he no longer had fever. The damn fever lasted for a whole week.

So that ended our 4D/3N escapade to the hospital with our sick child. Truly, it wasn't the same sort of bonding time I had in mind when I wanted to spend time with him when I booked our holiday, but let's not lament on what flavoured milk had been spilt. Instead, here are 3 things I'm thankful for, to finish this off on a nice note.

1) I'm thankful that he has recovered from the flu and that the sister had caught just a bit of the cough but otherwise, is fine. Hooray.

2) I'm thankful of the partnership between the husband and I - we worked well together. A by-product is that we both had time to be with each other, a rarity given the busy schedule of the husband (I may be busy but I'm busy around the office or the home or the children's activities - I'm busy around perimeters). Thank you to the husband for our amazing partnership. We were so attuned to each other by the end of these days together that we started parroting each other on several occasions after!

3) I'm thankful for the time with my boy
True, it's not the same as Disneyland, but it was still precious time to not be at work and to be by the side of my baby. Sometimes, it's tough to find time as life gets in the way so I'm thankful for the time that we spent together. It was, sometimes, at the expense of time with my girl, but it is situational and I'm not going to beat myself up over that. In an ideal world, I'll love to be able to have one-to-one time with each child, as dedicating attention to one and receiving the full attention is amazing.

And so, with these thanks, I end this post that this damn viral fever be gone!

Earning $13.90

Two weeks ago, the kids and I were at the supermarket. I used to join these Sunday breakfast-cum-supermarket-runs more often, then I felt that the time was better spent if I didn't go. It's a win-win (to me anyway) because (1) the children get full attention of their grandparents and (2) I get anything I want done in this precious window period of up to 2 hours. Anyway, I digress. So on this particular Sunday, I went because I needed to run some errands.

 

The children were being themselves, making themselves a semi-permanent fixture in the toys section and the very familiar whines "I want to buy xxxxx" was soon heard - no surprise there. I do not typically buy toys for the children. They have enough as is, and I do prefer to reserve toys and shopping for special occasions, making the occasions, well, special. So when they pleaded to buy a toy, I naturally rejected their plea. I knew the grandmother may cave, so after thinking it through, I decided to let them buy it - on my terms.

 

I decided that they could pay for it in forms of (1) errands, (2) savings that K has from the daily pocket money. I startted by drawing up a chart outlining tasks that the kids could easily accomplish. Each task would earn them 20cents. The guitar that they truly wanted was a guitar (well, more a plastic ukelele) that cost $13.90.

 

 Daily, I will ask the helper and the MIL what the children accomplished. I'd tabulate the points earned and note down how much they earned in monetary sense.

 

Accounting for $13.90

As Kate did not spend too much money this particular week, she had a lot of savings she could contribute to the purchase of the guitar. Within 2 weeks, the sale was complete.

 

The guitar, the savings, the tabulation sheet

 

I was pleased with this exercise. I'm not sure how much J understood of it - probably not entirely, because he still asked me on 2 random occasions where his money was and I tried to tell him that the money was given to me and he was earning the money through accomplishing tasks. K was more aware of what was going on, and she actively told me she had "a lot of savings" as she didn't spend any.

 

This exercise motivated them to achieve their daily tasks, and they would practically declare their achivements - this demonstrates that motivation truly works. I rather enjoyed implementing it - I think in some way, it must teach them some form of patience, earning their stripes and hopefully, treasure. Or at the very least, know that not everything comes to them just because they want it.

 

What a good lesson learnt (for both the children and I), and some thoughts on this exercise:

1) I need to follow through if I want to start the task - some days, I forgot to tabulate the errands but I think I did more good than not. But a worthwhile reminder to self nonetheless.

 

2) Need to explain the concept of earning through errands more - I think K gets it, but I think there's definitely room for better understanding with the younger boy

 

3) Team work - I have said it to them but I'm not sure how much they got, that they both earned the guitar together as a team. Both of them contributed - whether it was in terms of money (from K) or errands (both).

 

4) There is potential to teach the children more of this. I shall find ways that I can educate them the same value of earning/things don't come easy through other forms.

What a week

It's been a long, long week and I couldn't have asked for a better end to the week. Not just because I have this whole tart to myself. But that deserves another entry altogether. For now, I will go back to watching mindless TV and savouring this tart. 

Family portrait

From L-R: Jake, Mommy, Papa and Kate

Anecdotes:

1) J had trouble writing the letter "S"

2) He had to re-write Daddy's name over until he got it right (on his own accord)

3) Those squiggles by the side of the head are ears

4) Mommy's hair is long! (Not messy) 

5) Cheche also has long hair 

Love notes

This year, I have travelled twice already. First to Korea, then to Denmark. To celebrate March, I'm off for a trip with my parents, the sister and my son. This little girl is feeling slightly blue being left behind, and to appease her slightly, I'm keeping up with my love notes to her.

 

It started out as I scribbled notes for her daily when I was away... and if it keeps her happy, why not?

Love, Mommy

Meeting the Queen, Madonna

About 4 years ago, I drafted up a bucket list. The bucket list has since shrank - one of them things I did (cut my hair pixie short), one of them I deleted (no, I think I do not want to run a marathon, afterall. No thank you). One of the items on this list reads "Watch Madonna live".

 

Some months back, I already heard of Madonna coming to Singapore. I pretty much decided that I had to watch her. Besides ticking off the bucket list, I do think that she is one of the best entertainers in history, ever! True, I do not know all her songs; true, I do not listen to her very much especially in recent years; true, I probably have a very dated vision of her in my mind (favourites of all times include American Pie, Rain... which are all kinda many years ago). But! She is still the Queen and I remember watching her as a femme fatale through the years... and to know that at 57 (FIFTY SEVEN!) she can still groove the way she does... honestly I don't even need to justify why I paid $688 (this is excluding tax!) to watch Madonna live. Simply, because I wanted to.

 

Come concert day, I was actually too busy (and tired) to get too excited. I tried to nap for a burst of energy but was unsuccessful. The good thing, however, was that through the night, I managed to hang out and catch up with 3 different sets of friends - I was the official third wheel all night long!

 

First, I met an ex-schoolmate with his wife. They came to pick me up and we had a light dinner and drinks, standing at a bar counter. At 630pm, when the skies were still bright, I'd thought we were still early for an 8pm concert (which wouldn't start punctually anyway). But oh boy. The restaurants were crowded, the tables were packed, the buzz was energetic and so we had to make do with a corner of the bar counter. Light bites and 1 pint later, I bade farewell to Bryan and Lili and made my way to meet the double-Ms.

 

Walking to the National Stadium, it was electrifying! People were streaming in and there were all sorts! I belonged in the regular type, then there were all our gay sisters who were strutting around proudly, and there were also those who totally dressed up in fishnet stockings and whatnots - loved it!

 

After getting a drink, we headed to locate our seats.

 

Rebel Heart, baby!

 

No, our seats were not that close. We'd just done a trot to take a very nice picture stage-front. Heh. Our seats were more to the side, but still very close. At 9pm, the concert started. By then, I was on my feet and the very moment I saw Madonna I was screaaaammminnngggggg. It was very exciting!

 

With Lili, Mike and Bryan

The only pic I took of the stage that night

 

I didn't take any videos, or more pictures, because I wanted to watch the concert. I was standing on the chair for 3/4 of the concert, because I couldn't see properly and no one comes to Madonna to sit down anyway!

 

I sang along to what I knew, especially the few times she launched into the retro songs, but otherwise, I was thrilled to just know that she was within 30metres of me. Madonna, live, in front of me. True, I had to look at the screens to be able to see her properly, but hey. It's a concert - not a dinner date.

 

On a high right after the lights came on

I bade farewell to Marilyn, and hitched a ride home with Cherie. On the way to the carpark, we bumped into a series of fun people!

Not because there was a policewoman. Not because there was a drag.
But because the nun is pregnant. Ha!

That man with the studded banana, is our Singaporean Unapologetic Bitch!

 

So this man, did us Singaporeans so proud! From the audience, one person gets picked up to groove with Madonna and receive this award of the Unapologetic Bitch (in line with her song as titled) and this sister did so good! He sashayed, he danced, he twerked, he split and was wearing the most outrageously appropriate concert wear - he was wearing a Madonna tee, hot pants and thigh-high heeled-boots. Haha love it! (I think if you try googling you can probably find his video somewhere.I'm not bothering because I have it in my head and I love it!) We were all thrilled to see him and take this wefie with him. Oh, the fun.

It then took us another hour before we made our way out from the carpark (there must have been technical issues or something) and in the car, my friends and I made a play out of singing KTV and random topics of nothing at all...

I arrived home past midnight - way past my regular bedtime on a school night.. I was buzzing still from the alcohol I had consumed (5 beers - that's a nice limit) and it was nice to see the husband awake so I wasn't alone then.

I heard/read mixed reviews of the show, from a variety of people. Sure, some of them were probably valid due to the poor sound acoustics (said a colleague who sat at the back), or some others who felt she had compromised her integrity and whatnots. To me, it's truly an experience and while concerts can be a pain sometimes (the logistics, the expensive tickets...) but at the end of the way, it's the experience and it's what you make of it. To Madonna I went, I had a great time and so, it was amazing!! I'll never ever watch her live again (truly doubt another chance will present itself) so I am one happy girl!

Jake turns 4! - a 4-part celebration

Jake's birthday celebration spread over not one, not two, but three days. It happened by chance.

 

After announcing every morning (since Monday last week) that "today is a normal day", this little boy was thrilled when Friday finally came. He knew it was "my birthday!" and was ready to celebrate!

 

Birthday celebration part 1 - celebrations at school and the trampoline park

Because this was in school, we did it on a school-day. We got him dressed - in his 4yo t-shirt (thanks favourite yiyi) and sent him to school. In the car, he was literally bouncing up and down with excitement. At drop off, he proclaimed, "I'll see you later Mommy! You go take the cake right?" and headed off happily. He also announced to anyone he saw while walking to class "today is my birthday!" The husband and I proceeded to have yummy noodles for breakfast (burp) and picked his cake up before heading back to school for the mini celebration. 

 

SUPERHEROS

 

There was another birthday in his class the same day, so there were two kids dressed in their party clothes (because they are special).

Little children.

After singing a birthday song and distributing the cake then eating it, we brought Jake out from school. He'd requested to go to the trampoline park, and we obliged.

Walking to play

 

I'd arranged for some friends to join us and it was quite a sweaty, bouncy hour spent as 4 of us bounced away. It was fun and I was so sweaty and I think I twanged my back from the vigorous activity =_=

The boys and I

My adorable 4 year-old

After the trampoline park, we all headed to have Japanese for lunch. The afternoon was spent napping. Then we headed out for dinner at the club.

Birthday celebration part 2 - J's actual birthday - no classes and movie night
I had cancelled his class for that day, so that he could play all day. So that morning, we all headed out to accompany K for her class. (He used to come out with us to the mall always, until he started chinese class. Though his class is in the afternoon, I stopped bringing him out with me in the day so that he can clock a nap and feel recharged before class in the afternoon. Otherwise, he gets cranky and I don't think he'd learn well in class.)

So, this day, since it was his birthday, he got to come out and we spent the morning  having breakfast, and playing. I also bought him a toy he picked for himself - a fooseball table.

 

After lunch, we headed home for a nap. And for dinner, birthday boy got what he wanted - Maccas.

Birthday dinner request fulfilled

A bonus affair happened, when a friend bought him a surprise gift! (Surprise to him, and to us too *insert gasp face)

GASP

 

Mini professionals

Being his actual birthday, he had to have a cake.

4

 

Making a wish



Poooofftt

Cutting cake is serious business

Family

Movie night - Toy Story 2

The children were tired and we didn't finish the movie, but it was still a nice and easy day spent altogether. Sometimes, simple celebrations are best.

 

Birthday celebrations part 3 - the bowling party

My day was rudely started by someone poking my eyes (thankfully they were closed. Because I WAS SLEEPING). Did I mention that it was 6.30am?!

 

"Mommy, what time the bowling open?" - honestly, in my hazy state, I had thought it was K's face, but of course once my brain registered the question, I knew it was the excited boy.

 

Playing with his new toy

I spent the morning fulfilling errands, and unfortunately discovered that J was running a temperature. That really bummed us out, but after some meds and a nap, he seemed fine. We went ahead with our plans, though we were late (ugh, again).

SWAT - that's his birthday gift

Little friends

 

Happy birthday, baby boy

The afternoon was well-spent hanging with close friends and family, eating and bowling. I did not bowl, but the husband was apparently a hustler and won the match among my siblings and their plus-ones. It was a nice way to spend the weekend together!

Family - the closest group of people who truly matter

Through this series of preparations, I realise that no matter how 'low maintenance' a Mother I am, I still do try. And while the preparations are not difficult, every bit of help makes it easier. I'm thankful for family - who just turn up with no questions asked, who spoil my children because they care. I'm thankful for friends who just help because they can, and turn up to join in the fun. I'm thankful for my children, who drive me to be a better person. I'm thankful for my husband because no matter how elusive he is, he is still there. I'm thankful that the people who matter most are around, because sometimes, the other stuff like expectations, or work, or whatever, are part of life, but not all of it.

I'm also thankful at the lessons I learn through this little boy who is so thankful - his sheer joy at receiving gifts he fancies, his sheer elation at being able to spend time with us because we took him out from school, his happiness in being able to play bowling because he loves it so, his innocence and pride at being the centre of everyone's attention and being able to celebrate his birthday in all the joy and glory from the eyes of a four-year-old.

It was a great weekend. Happy birthday, baby Jake. Mommy loves you to the moon and back.

PS: Part 4 of his extended birthday celebrations continues this week, when we bring him on a holiday! More on that, soon! *glee