Fun times are made of these

Perfect start to the weekend

With a warm scone, peppermint tea, magazines

Being a mother, being a wife

Tonight is one of those nights where I performed my motherly & wifely duties very well, if I may say so.

I went to meet my drunk husband and sent him home safely. I also boiled water so that he may cook his cup noodles.

I did laundry.

I had to put up with my fiesty and active daughter (who was awakened by the husband) who refused to go to sleep for 1.5 hours.

All of the above happened past 11pm.

Ahh, gotta love being a family woman.

Sleep-talking

So the little one dreams quite a lot. And we know this because she'd suddenly make a noise, sometimes a whimper, sometimes a grunt. She'd also roll around - though this may be because she's feeling warm and has to shift her head away from the damp-spot beneath it.

On two occasions, I have heard her sleep-talk.

Both times, it was "mama".

Hee. Hee. Hee.

Dear Kate

Dear Kate,

It has been a superb 2 weeks that we've spent together daily. If I used to enjoy my leave, I surpass enjoyment now as I get to spend most of my time with you. I know that time spent together is precious and I'm reaping the benefits of all the care and time showered upon you, because we have become closer than ever now. You call for me nearly all the time, and I'm your favourite person on earth! When you get scared by loud/sudden noises, you race towards me. You give me hugs and kisses when I ask for them. You call for me when I'm right there with you, as if to let me know that you're within the area; and you cry for me when I'm out of your sight. You prefer to do everything with me whether it is feeding, showering, changing, reading or playing - and I really love to do all of those (and more) with you. I've said this before and I say it again, I love being a mother and you make the job so much sweeter by being you.

This two weeks with you has also shown me your terribly naughty side - you throw tantrums, you cry for attention or when you don't get your way, you are very stubborn and display this streak through your actions (doing what we tell you not to/ ignoring us when we tell you to do something right) - and I'm very glad that I'm here to witness this growth. I know that such behaviour is part and parcel of growth and I'm glad that I can be here to discipline you. I want you to know that though I love you with all my heart, I will not tolerate bad behaviour.

I still wish that I can be a stay-at-home mom, but I know that you are in great hands with ah ma; and so I embrace my duo-role as a working mom, recognising that it is important for me to stay abreast with what's happening out there in the big (bad) world so that I do not lose track of myself, so that I can join forces with papa and offer you the best we can.

It may take a while for both of us to adjust to me going back to work again, but I know that we'll both do well (hopefully soon). I want you to know that I love you with all my heart, and though I am not with you physically, I am always with you. I will attack my new role with gust, knowing that I have your support, as well as Papa's.

Wish me well in my new role, my darling; Mommy's going to go kickass!

Love always, Mommy

I did it!

To those who know me, I'm very undomesticated. I may clean and map and wash and wipe, but I cannot cook. Ok, I can and I have before, but I'm not very good and I don't like it and I'm a lucky girl who has many who will cook for me - the husband, the mother, the mil...

I'm thus quite ashamed to say that I have only ever cooked for Kate thrice before; which works out to be three times in 9.5months (counting from month 6 when she started on semi-solids). The first occasion was when the mil was away on a short holiday and I took leave to be home with Kate. It was potato and carrot puree - which I destroyed on my first attempt because I burnt the potatoes and carrots (not enough water) - I know, tragic and embarrassing, but true. The house filled with a burning smell and I was stupefied for some moments before dashing to the kitchen to find to my greatest dismay that I'd burnt the food. Tragic, very.

The second time was at my mom's place and she happened to be out - I attempted to cook porridge for Kate. I thought it tasted pretty yuck - I couldn't boil the rice properly and kept adding water to ensure that the rice didn't burn - thus spoiling the porridge; it definitely isn't going to be congee that's for sure. The husband was so impressed (and amazed, or maybe, shocked) that he snapped a picture of it.

Porridge for Kate - Mama's first attempt at cooking porridge (chopped fish and veg)

Yesterday, something came over me (I don't know what!) and I asked the mil to teach me how to prepare Kate's food. She gave me a live tutorial and it was actually rather easy. This morning, I took the initiative to prepare the porridge and I'm so very proud to say that I DID IT! The porridge was as yums as what the mil typically prepares - I can cook for my daughter!

I'm a happy and proud mom. The husband gave a (semi) praise "that's good".

I told him "now we know that we can all eat baby porridge if I'm cooking!"

Coffee with Ah gong and Ah ma

From as young as 4 months, Kate's been a regular at the coffeeshop below the block. Ah gong and Ah ma will bring her down with them when they go for their breakfast. It's become their regular morning routine, where they spend time with Kate and proudly show her off to their friends. Kate's become such a popular regular at the coffeeshop that Ah gong has exclaimed before "she has more friends than I do" - and that is a huge statement!

Sometimes, when the husband and I carry her to walkabout in the hood, we'll encounter random strangers - who apparently are strangers only to us. They will greet Kate very happily and she, in turn will give her signature cheeky smile with a hello wave thrown in. The husband and I are pretty used to it by now, and we are well aware where we stand on the popularity charts (nowhere, apparently).

Ah gong, Ah ma walking home from the coffeeshop (Pic taken from the bedroom window)