A lady who was behind us on the travellator yesterday, suggested that we should bring Rianne to participate in a baby contest that's happening in June.
Although I would occasionally dream of being a superstar mum, I hardly think that Rianne is a high potential in baby competitions.. maybe due to the lack of skillsets, especially motor skills which I deem would be the top judging criteria. Therefore, I thought why don't I look at other areas which Rianne may be good in, and perhaps groom her in that direction?
Without a doubt, Rianne has got the looks at a tender age. After viewing some amazing pictures of her cousin, Molly, on Facebook, I was so inspired to have Rianne's beauty captured on fillm too. I went surfing the net for professional baby photographers, and many of them have done some really great work.. however those were at really high cost as well.
Finally, this one photographer caught my eye with her "oh-so-adorable" baby pictures and to my surprise, her charges ain't expensive at all! (All you mamas should check out the site : http://www.helenbabyphoto.com/) Needless to say, Rianne was very soon booked for her photography session on the coming Vesak Day holiday!
The location for the photoshoot was at the Grandeur 8 condo at Ang Mo Kio, home to photographer, Helen Chai & her family. We were greeted at the door with a warm Taiwanese welcome by Helen & her husband, and at that point, all the uncertainity and doubts that I once harboured, were almost non-existent at that very instant!
The photography package that I took up, meant to last for only 1 hour. But Helen was so loving her little model that the whole session ended almost 2 hours later! It felt a little like getting ready for a fashion runway show, as Rianne was practically changing clothes every 15 - 20 minutes! Me & Rianne's granny were having so much fun dressing her up, and our little angel was basking in the joy of posing for the camera! We, too had a taste of modelling with a few shots taken together with Rianne..
We were promised the photographs from the session 5 days later. But before they were sent to me, I was again dreaming of my pretty princess one day being on the runway.. as a Victoria's Secret model. Hah yes, Victoria's Secret.. ;p my baby girl, the angelic face with the bod that every girl would yearn to have, and be VS worthy! See the 2010 VS Runway Show here if you missed it on TV last week.
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Monday, May 24, 2010
A woman's worth
I am never the sort of girl who resigns herself to fate, and believe that everyone else in her life, usually husband & child, would be the most important people, and they would only be her top priorities.
No, I am not a female chauvinist. But I strongly believe that everyone deserve to have their own happiness, even a wife or a mother. A woman is not born to serve anyone, and she should not be talked into believing that her husband, children & in-laws are the superior beings and that she has to slog her guts out for them. Get a maid if they need someone like that!!
Although I have no husband nor in-laws, I am very much deprived of my happiness at this point of time. For Rianne, I must be prepared that there is no possibility of getting my happiness from a guy, unless this person is able to accept my princess, who is just like a part of me. Well, I don't necessarily mean happiness from a marriage, not my kind of thing. However, this happiness can simply be like companionship.. like someone whom I can go for dinner with, talk on the phone with, go to the movies with, and laugh together with.
I don't think a single mum yearning for these means she's a promiscious woman. She's not betraying anybody here, nor is it morally wrong of her to be seen together with a guy, who's equally unmarried..
It has been 3 years since I last knew a guy and had feelings. Honestly, it isn't really a big deal. But when the opportunity comes knocking at my door, should I jump and grab my potential happiness, or should I just let it go coz I would never be able to convince people that I deserve happiness too??
No, I am not a female chauvinist. But I strongly believe that everyone deserve to have their own happiness, even a wife or a mother. A woman is not born to serve anyone, and she should not be talked into believing that her husband, children & in-laws are the superior beings and that she has to slog her guts out for them. Get a maid if they need someone like that!!
Although I have no husband nor in-laws, I am very much deprived of my happiness at this point of time. For Rianne, I must be prepared that there is no possibility of getting my happiness from a guy, unless this person is able to accept my princess, who is just like a part of me. Well, I don't necessarily mean happiness from a marriage, not my kind of thing. However, this happiness can simply be like companionship.. like someone whom I can go for dinner with, talk on the phone with, go to the movies with, and laugh together with.
I don't think a single mum yearning for these means she's a promiscious woman. She's not betraying anybody here, nor is it morally wrong of her to be seen together with a guy, who's equally unmarried..
It has been 3 years since I last knew a guy and had feelings. Honestly, it isn't really a big deal. But when the opportunity comes knocking at my door, should I jump and grab my potential happiness, or should I just let it go coz I would never be able to convince people that I deserve happiness too??
Monday, May 10, 2010
Time after time..
Pls don't take this little hearted title to be something retro-delic, or something funny. I so much hope this is all a joke, but unfortunately it isn't. The truth's gonna hit us - my family, again, on Friday.
All of us would have heard of the saying "once bitten, twice shy", and fully understand the interpretion of it means one would never repeat a same course of actions, if the person had experienced the consequence (usually very bad) from it the very first time.
I just can't fathom why my brother isn't a believer of this saying! He jolly well knows what the consequences are, if he breaks the law again and he simply chose to take that action, time after time again.. Barely out from the prison 6 months, and he is on his way back inside again!
Honestly, I don't have much empathy for this brother of mine; although everyone who knows me is aware of how much I dote on the youngest in my family. I guess I am more disappointed than upset at this point of time. I just hate to think of how heart-broken my mum will be (she always will be), how pitiful Joaquin will become, and how much trouble it will all mean for me. Don't tell me these thoughts have never ever crossed my brother's mind? Well, if they didn't, maybe some time inside a confined area will help clear his mind and he might eventually recall those consequences?
Not sure if the judge's going to show any leniency towards a repeated offender. But I suggest, don't pin too much hopes. Maybe some people need to learn through the hard way, or maybe some never will...
All of us would have heard of the saying "once bitten, twice shy", and fully understand the interpretion of it means one would never repeat a same course of actions, if the person had experienced the consequence (usually very bad) from it the very first time.
I just can't fathom why my brother isn't a believer of this saying! He jolly well knows what the consequences are, if he breaks the law again and he simply chose to take that action, time after time again.. Barely out from the prison 6 months, and he is on his way back inside again!
Honestly, I don't have much empathy for this brother of mine; although everyone who knows me is aware of how much I dote on the youngest in my family. I guess I am more disappointed than upset at this point of time. I just hate to think of how heart-broken my mum will be (she always will be), how pitiful Joaquin will become, and how much trouble it will all mean for me. Don't tell me these thoughts have never ever crossed my brother's mind? Well, if they didn't, maybe some time inside a confined area will help clear his mind and he might eventually recall those consequences?
Not sure if the judge's going to show any leniency towards a repeated offender. But I suggest, don't pin too much hopes. Maybe some people need to learn through the hard way, or maybe some never will...
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Those sick-ening days..
What do you get with a sick caregiver, and an equally sick and whinny baby? A super distressed single mum, who's about to lose her mind any minute now!!!
Rianne has had a cough for the longest time ever. We brought her thrice to the doctor, 2 different doctors in fact. I actually wanted to send Rianne to the hospital directly, but my mum was influencing me with tales of the heart-wrecking treatment methods the hospital was likely to administer.
The last time Rianne had a high fever, we went through the same process of consulting several GPs; and fed her with so many types of medicine; but eventually the hospital's treatment worked.
It was very painful watching the unwell Rianne in misery. She would cough and cough, get so breathless and her phlegm would never be able to come out from her little throat. Annie Mummy would pat continuously on Rianne's chest when she starts coughing, and she would even turn her upside down so that her phlegm would fall out easier. However, all these were the largest discomfort to Rianne, and she would be wailing her guts out instead of getting the phlegm out.
Being the only well person among us means that I am supposed physically stronger, and able to carry out more duties, like fetching Rianne's medicine & syringe, getting ready the vomit bucket in case Rianne threw up. No one truly understand how stressful it was for me, helplessly watching my daughter in pain..
Things got worse when I have to fulfill my job responsibility at the same time. I wasn't able to be at home for both Rianne & my mum, and that sucks! I hated myself for being an useless mum, one who can't even give up work for my child. I knew that if something were to happen to Rianne, I would never forgive myself.
With my work (payroll processing) finally done, I took a few days leave to care for the most important people in my life - my mum & Rianne.
Rianne has had a cough for the longest time ever. We brought her thrice to the doctor, 2 different doctors in fact. I actually wanted to send Rianne to the hospital directly, but my mum was influencing me with tales of the heart-wrecking treatment methods the hospital was likely to administer.
The last time Rianne had a high fever, we went through the same process of consulting several GPs; and fed her with so many types of medicine; but eventually the hospital's treatment worked.
It was very painful watching the unwell Rianne in misery. She would cough and cough, get so breathless and her phlegm would never be able to come out from her little throat. Annie Mummy would pat continuously on Rianne's chest when she starts coughing, and she would even turn her upside down so that her phlegm would fall out easier. However, all these were the largest discomfort to Rianne, and she would be wailing her guts out instead of getting the phlegm out.
Being the only well person among us means that I am supposed physically stronger, and able to carry out more duties, like fetching Rianne's medicine & syringe, getting ready the vomit bucket in case Rianne threw up. No one truly understand how stressful it was for me, helplessly watching my daughter in pain..
Things got worse when I have to fulfill my job responsibility at the same time. I wasn't able to be at home for both Rianne & my mum, and that sucks! I hated myself for being an useless mum, one who can't even give up work for my child. I knew that if something were to happen to Rianne, I would never forgive myself.
With my work (payroll processing) finally done, I took a few days leave to care for the most important people in my life - my mum & Rianne.
Monday, March 22, 2010
Baby steps
~Rianne's walking diary~
Feb 2010, at the hospital for the bi-annually checkup with the genetic specialist -
Dr Lai was the least impressed by Rianne's slow motor skills development when she found out Rianne has not even stood up for the very first time. Her comment was that she will have to refer Rianne to a therapist if she have not started walking by 18 months old.
Days before 16 Feb 2010,
We were trying some of the clothes on Rianne which Aunty Pooja had bought for her birthday. We made her stand up while checking herself through the dressing table mirror in my bedroom. She barely stood for a few minutes and her knees weakened..
End Feb to first week of March 2010,
Rianne's been standing everyday after her baths, when Granny finished dressing her. She would stand still, put her hands together and giggled smugly at her reflection from the mirror.
2nd week of March 2010,
My brother's friend got Rianne a toy ride, and she was so into it all day and night! She would keep bugging us to put her on the ride, and when she's on it, she'l hit the button where the sound of a train would come "toot, toot, toot.." Started to move herself all over the floor, by swaying her bottom left to right, right to left on the floor.
Week of 13 March 2010,
Rianne's baby cousin, Joelle came over to stay with her mummy as my brother-in-law was away on a business trip for 2 weeks. Both babies were fighting over everything, toys, attention and competing to stand. With my mum supporting her arms, Rianne was taking small steps in the living room.
3rd week of March 2010,
Rianne could now walk with someone supporting her arms, from the bedroom entrance to the living room! She was particularly happy to walk when I stood at a distance from her, and urged her to come to me. She would giggle and walk at the same time; especially when she knows that all eyes are on her at the shopping mall. Walking was like a breeze for Rianne in all the comfy shoes she own.
26 March 2010, at Kidz World in the Zoological Gardens - Rianne was just like all the other kids, playing at the water playground. She stood in the water and enjoyed having her feet soaked! The highlight came when she went down a slide gushing with water, FUN!
31 March 2010 and onwards, anticipating the day when we no longer need to hold Rianne's arms and she would walk like a big kid!! Till then, ciao!!
Feb 2010, at the hospital for the bi-annually checkup with the genetic specialist -
Dr Lai was the least impressed by Rianne's slow motor skills development when she found out Rianne has not even stood up for the very first time. Her comment was that she will have to refer Rianne to a therapist if she have not started walking by 18 months old.
Days before 16 Feb 2010,
We were trying some of the clothes on Rianne which Aunty Pooja had bought for her birthday. We made her stand up while checking herself through the dressing table mirror in my bedroom. She barely stood for a few minutes and her knees weakened..
End Feb to first week of March 2010,
Rianne's been standing everyday after her baths, when Granny finished dressing her. She would stand still, put her hands together and giggled smugly at her reflection from the mirror.
2nd week of March 2010,
My brother's friend got Rianne a toy ride, and she was so into it all day and night! She would keep bugging us to put her on the ride, and when she's on it, she'l hit the button where the sound of a train would come "toot, toot, toot.." Started to move herself all over the floor, by swaying her bottom left to right, right to left on the floor.
Week of 13 March 2010,
Rianne's baby cousin, Joelle came over to stay with her mummy as my brother-in-law was away on a business trip for 2 weeks. Both babies were fighting over everything, toys, attention and competing to stand. With my mum supporting her arms, Rianne was taking small steps in the living room.
3rd week of March 2010,
Rianne could now walk with someone supporting her arms, from the bedroom entrance to the living room! She was particularly happy to walk when I stood at a distance from her, and urged her to come to me. She would giggle and walk at the same time; especially when she knows that all eyes are on her at the shopping mall. Walking was like a breeze for Rianne in all the comfy shoes she own.
26 March 2010, at Kidz World in the Zoological Gardens - Rianne was just like all the other kids, playing at the water playground. She stood in the water and enjoyed having her feet soaked! The highlight came when she went down a slide gushing with water, FUN!
31 March 2010 and onwards, anticipating the day when we no longer need to hold Rianne's arms and she would walk like a big kid!! Till then, ciao!!
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Reflections
My mum always say Rianne takes after my bad temper. I thought , "hell'ya, you're right!"
It is not surprising if you see a mini-you in the form of your kids, as we adults tend to be most at ease and many a times let ourselves loose in front of the people we are closest with; and these small guys tend to pick up things in less than a finger snap!
I wonder if anyone remember the incident where a father actually bashed his biological daughter to death when the little girl picked up his cigarettes and put that into her mouth. Tell me, isn't that an impersonation of what she see everyday? And from someone of that seniority and familiarity, it only made sense to the 2 year old toddler that "if daddy is doing that, then there is nothing wrong with me following his actions."
Out of late, I see many parents smoking in front of their little ones without the least consideration about the harmful effects the 2nd-hand smoke could bring to their children, let alone be conscious about how their offspring could actually pick up this unhealthy habit from them. Now, I am certain that the generation of smokers would go on and on, regardless of how agressive the smoking bans are with irresponsible parents.
I saw this Muslim family of 5 kids, all boys if I remember correctly, with their parents at the market on a Sunday morning. The father and mother were gakking to each other with their hands, they are earing impaired I so assume. It immediately struck me as to how irresponsible the parents by having such a big family, when their disability could very likely deviate them from being able caregivers! That's not just it. The father were smoking while pushing the baby pram with 2 of the boys in it. I was totally disgusted.
I don't know how can anybody be so irresponsible, and bring misery to the innocent lives if you yourself have also been brought into this world by parents who spare no thoughts of the consequences of your existence. I am not afraid to admit that I harbour lots of guilt towards Rianne, as I had gave her a chance to live, but at the same time brought her misery with the genetic disease (NF 1) which she inherited from Papa D.
Rianne has the disease, and if her future husband also has NF; they are bound to pass down the disease to their children genetically. But if Rianne marry a 100% healthy guy, the chance of my future grandchildren having NF will be 50% instead. This means that the children Rianne were to bear, will have a likelihood of being like their mummy, getting a genetic disorder without a choice.
Whose fault is that? Whose responsiblity is that to prevent such a tragedy from happening? The adults.. the so-called parents.. the man & woman whose actions were led by their bodies, and not by the brains.
Shame on them, shame on me.. :(
It is not surprising if you see a mini-you in the form of your kids, as we adults tend to be most at ease and many a times let ourselves loose in front of the people we are closest with; and these small guys tend to pick up things in less than a finger snap!
I wonder if anyone remember the incident where a father actually bashed his biological daughter to death when the little girl picked up his cigarettes and put that into her mouth. Tell me, isn't that an impersonation of what she see everyday? And from someone of that seniority and familiarity, it only made sense to the 2 year old toddler that "if daddy is doing that, then there is nothing wrong with me following his actions."
Out of late, I see many parents smoking in front of their little ones without the least consideration about the harmful effects the 2nd-hand smoke could bring to their children, let alone be conscious about how their offspring could actually pick up this unhealthy habit from them. Now, I am certain that the generation of smokers would go on and on, regardless of how agressive the smoking bans are with irresponsible parents.
I saw this Muslim family of 5 kids, all boys if I remember correctly, with their parents at the market on a Sunday morning. The father and mother were gakking to each other with their hands, they are earing impaired I so assume. It immediately struck me as to how irresponsible the parents by having such a big family, when their disability could very likely deviate them from being able caregivers! That's not just it. The father were smoking while pushing the baby pram with 2 of the boys in it. I was totally disgusted.
I don't know how can anybody be so irresponsible, and bring misery to the innocent lives if you yourself have also been brought into this world by parents who spare no thoughts of the consequences of your existence. I am not afraid to admit that I harbour lots of guilt towards Rianne, as I had gave her a chance to live, but at the same time brought her misery with the genetic disease (NF 1) which she inherited from Papa D.
Rianne has the disease, and if her future husband also has NF; they are bound to pass down the disease to their children genetically. But if Rianne marry a 100% healthy guy, the chance of my future grandchildren having NF will be 50% instead. This means that the children Rianne were to bear, will have a likelihood of being like their mummy, getting a genetic disorder without a choice.
Whose fault is that? Whose responsiblity is that to prevent such a tragedy from happening? The adults.. the so-called parents.. the man & woman whose actions were led by their bodies, and not by the brains.
Shame on them, shame on me.. :(
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Rianne turns 1!
I felt so guilty for only planning Rianne's birthday celebration a few weeks before. It was my princess's first birthday, and I was ever so swamped with work!!
Initially I was rather hesitant about getting a chalet and holding the celebration there. Rianne's birthday was on the 3rd day of the Lunar New Year this year, and that means the chalet rates are going to be sky high. The cheapest available were charging per night $288!!
I reckon it is silly to spend a bomb on some place to hold a birthday celebration for a tiny toddler, whom I'm pretty damn sure will not remember a single thing post the party. Well, maybe take lots of pictures and show them to Rianne when she's a tad older; and try to imprint the impression of a fantastic 1st birthday she had into her mind.
Hopefully these will do the job..
Special thanks to my dearest family, who helped make this birthday party possible! And not forgetting my kind friends for their presence and generous gifts to baby Rianne..
Happy Birthday Rianne darling!!
Love, Mummy..
Initially I was rather hesitant about getting a chalet and holding the celebration there. Rianne's birthday was on the 3rd day of the Lunar New Year this year, and that means the chalet rates are going to be sky high. The cheapest available were charging per night $288!!
I reckon it is silly to spend a bomb on some place to hold a birthday celebration for a tiny toddler, whom I'm pretty damn sure will not remember a single thing post the party. Well, maybe take lots of pictures and show them to Rianne when she's a tad older; and try to imprint the impression of a fantastic 1st birthday she had into her mind.
Hopefully these will do the job..
Special thanks to my dearest family, who helped make this birthday party possible! And not forgetting my kind friends for their presence and generous gifts to baby Rianne..
Happy Birthday Rianne darling!!
Love, Mummy..
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