Tuesday, August 2, 2011

Start of another Journey

As some of my closest family and friends might know. I recently graduated with a
Diploma in Children Services.
It has been a long 2 years and i am grateful to God for his faithfulness!
We made it!

i thank God that i have been given this opportunity to study and be a mother to Ella, spending every minute she's not in daycare with her, spending every chance we get as a family to go fishing! Best moments ever. Just focusing on creating a life I've always dreamed of.

A few months back My Family came up to Perth and Bless us with a trip to
Margaret River for
Baby Ella's 2nd Birthday!
We had such a beautiful time there :) so blessed!
While we are in the process of getting our permanent residency, we are also looking forwards for the Lers to join us in Perth with a trip up to Margaret River, Dunsborough and of course Darling's most eager to fish at Busselton Jetty these coming weeks!

We have been so incredibly blessed!
thank you JC



Saturday, March 5, 2011

2011

I wonder How you are my friend, I wonder if you know. I'm fine thank You Hello! Hello! Hello!

My dear friends, i have not forgotten this blog of mine, it's just that i have been very busy trying to keep it all together and believe it or not, things have been so rough, sometimes there were days i wasn't quite sure i would survive the day much less the week.

In August last year, Ella came back after a few months recuperating in singapore, tbh i wasn't living at all while she was gone, and of course this blog is dedicated to her, for her to look back and see that she was loved, and while she was gone, i really did not feel like blogging or doing anything much for that matter.

In order to keep Ella by myside, we took on a 1 year lease for a ground floor studio Apt near the city, near work for me and Allan. We bought a Cheap 17 Year old Daihatsu Charade which i named Charlie*. Grandma stayed with us for a while, and finally she returned to Singapore in early Jan. I got a Job at the YMCA, at the end of School term last year, slightly better Pay, benefits and alot more exposure. With so Much Happening you can probably understand why i haven't been talking much.

Well, today is a start and hopefully i will get back to the swing of updating this blog of mine.

oh! 3 more months and my studies will finally be over! Ella is pretty much a toddler Now. She has started DayCare 2 Weeks ago and Loves it, will tell you more . . .

take care.

Wednesday, August 4, 2010

Coming Back

Wowee! long time, almost seems like i abandon this humble blog of mine.
For the wonderful friends that must be wondering whats been happening with us.
We were planning to return to Sunny Singapore, but than things took a different direction that sent us on a whirlwind.
It all started when i decided to just test the job market here, after completing my cert IV in children services, i sent in my resume to a OSHC at St Charles Gardnier's Hospital aka Charlies.
There was no chance i could have gotten the job much less a reply, after experiencing a year of unfair opportunities here, but i guess the heavens must have opened because within 3 days i was asked to come in for an interview and within a week, i started the job and love it!
The Husband got a pay rise at work, so we decided that we would stay... to finish my Diploma.

However things started to get really bad for Ella, a month of runny noses, cough and fevers, visit to 4 doctors and standard instruction of Panadol only. Ella started losing alot of weight and she almost stopped eating, that was went alarm bells went off, and my mum decided it was the best thing to fly her home for treatment.

I was slapped with a $400.00 bill, i asked myself how i let it get so out of hand, Severe Bronchitis.
I can tell you leaving her in singapore for the last 2 months with my family while i came back to perth and work was the hardest thing i had to go through, and i tell myself i would never put myself and ella through that again.

tomorrow i will finally see my baby, as she is flying in. Will she remember me? Will she reject me? Dying thoughts...

I do not know how things are going to work out, as daycare here is probably going to kill our income but i guess i would do anything as long as the family stays together...

- In the School libary - supposed to be doing research haha! -
Friends if you don't hear from me, just know you guys are often in my thoughts!

Friday, May 21, 2010

Transition

Change is the only constant someone once said to me.
I always wonder why my life is full of challenges.
Recently it's been a real struggle with everything mostly because the husband is always away at work, So i have to be sort handle everything at home.

From adjusting Ella to Daycare, to breaking our lease on our previous townhouse, to finding a new house, and co-ordinating my move to randomly asking a bunch of brickies that i didn't know if they had a Ute and would loan me so i could clear what remnants of furniture from the townhouse. It has been really trying, but finally i can breathe. I know God is definately watching over me and he is definitely coming through for me. I really thank the friends that have helped me through this hectic period.

We have moved from gosnells to canning vale till we relocate back to Singapore in October.

I love our new place, wish i downsized earlier, life is really that much simpler.
Mum has gone back to Singapore, and in a way i miss her, her food etc, but am loving the new found independence, just spending time at my friends with Ella., doing my assignments not worrying about what time i have to go home.
I love it. Ella really enjoys spending that time with me as well.
She is at this stage where she kisses me a lot, whenever she feels like it, first thing in the morning. It just tells me my baby angel loves me and i her.

Ella is walking!! this thrills me to no end, because finally i can maybe stop piggy backing her in a sarong while i do house chores. oh well, i will enjoy it while it lasts. My baby girl is growing to be the most charming toddler...

I have to blog more but unfortunately.. i am cramming to complete my cert IV and i promise you folks i will definitely catch up where i left off for sure.

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Garage Sale

Hello People
Sorry that i haven't been on to blog.. we have been busy :(
We have decided to come back to Singapore in October!
I know some of you are happy we have finally decided to come back.. yes we can't wait..

Today was a gorgeous day! We had an absolutely fun garage sale day... we managed to sell everything, it wasn't for a lot of money but we cleared 80% of our things!

I will not be able to blog as frequently because we are down to this one laptop till we get back to Singapore. Ella is growing to be so beautiful and starting to learn how to walk, it's just been the most amazing experience being her mother, 1 year and counting and i still thank the Lord everyday for this wonderful miracle he has given me.

Just some quick updates.. Someone tried to come into our house again for the third time in the year we have been here in perth and yesterday our neighbour's house was broken into! Bad neighbourhood... Do i feel unsafe? Everyday! Are Angels watching over us? Absolutely!

Anyways back to happier thoughts, Ella will be starting Daycare on Tuesday!
More Updates Coming your way!!

It's Ella's Bedtime! Gd nite Folks have a great week ahead!

Friday, April 16, 2010

Clicks at Midnight!

Life is funny... before you get a baby you tend to have pictures of you and the husband... after the baby comes it's all about her haha! Which is great.. i love these shots taken a few nights ago, when her routine was off and she slept about 6pm.. 2 hours early. She got up at midnight and refuse to go back to sleep. So Cheeky.. So playful! Enjoy the pictures...
 

Thursday, April 15, 2010

"Ella's Puree"


The introduction to solid foods for Ella has been somewhat a slow progression. Maybe because she was premature, i remembered i started the introduction around 4 - 6 months, it was only at 7 months, did she get better at swallowing. Now even at 13mths, She manages snipped noodles, bits of soft foods like : cheese, meat, bread and soft fruit alright, but she still prefers the good old puree! She gets so fussy if food is chunkier than usual, she won't eat it. She is a classic nibbler.

Thanks to my trusty ol' hand blender, it's so easy to whip up purees for her. I find it is so easy to cook a batch up and freeze them in 75ml portion containers ready to microwave and serve! When i do have the time, i try to make the puree fresh for the day, she has no problem eating the same thing twice a day, whatever leftovers... if there is any will be freeze for another day, thus ending up with a few flavors for the hungry baby!

I know every baby's taste is individual but I would love to share her all time favourite recipe!
This is a really simple recipe, but it tastes so yummy! Ella is absolutely crazy with spinach and loves the taste of beef, so most of my recipes will have these 2 key ingredients in them.

Ingredients:
3-4 tablespoons of mince beef
1/2 a carrot
1 medium size potato
6-7 pieces of pasta
1 teaspoon of mince garlic, you can use fresh if you like, i just love the convenience of the bottled version.
Olive oil for the Pan, you can use garlic flavored Olive oil.
Soya Sauce for taste.


Method:
I dice the potato, carrot into tiny dices and boil them in a saucepan along with the pasta, till soft and cooked.
I drain and retain some of the liquid. Sometimes i boil this in milk, but not for this puree.
I than use the same saucepan, drizzle it with oil and add a dash of mince garlic for flavor, i add the beef mince and once it's almost cooked i add the spinach and the rest of the ingredients and stir till combine. I add a teeny bit of soya sauce for taste.

This is how it looks when its cooked. Simple?
After that just with my hand blender i puree the mixture to the consistency i want. Today, i use my bullet because i love how easy it is to just cap on the container and store the remainder of the puree in the fridge for later.

You can experiment and find something your baby loves or... try out recipes!
There are quite a few good books in the market by Annabel Karmel. From Baby Purees, Finger food for toddlers to delicious recipes for children.Check out this Top 100 Baby Purees: 100 Quick and Easy Meals for a Healthy and Happy Baby
And if you child is having problem with veggies, i totally recommend 2 brilliant books : Deceptively Delicious by Jessica Seinfeld. and also the Sneaky Chef  .

Happy Cooking!

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Seasons are Changing! Are you prepared for winter?

We have really experience all four seasons here in Perth!
From the Burning 39degree summer to the Chilly winter. I really am amazed at how beautifully erratic the weather can be. 
Sometime back Perth had a freak storm, not sure if you guys read about it or experienced it? Thankfully we were safe in our little townhouse. It just looked like any normal rainy day. We did not experience the fish ball size hail stones, nor the fierce winds that tore patios, the lighting bolts that strike down trees...The only thing we experience was the flickering of lights and the next thing, we experience was a black out. I thought black out right, power will be back soon!
WRONG! power didn't come back to almost the next day. There we were me and mum sitting in the living room disconnected from the world, there and then i exclaimed: " Wow this must be how end of the world feels like!" We are just that much dependant on Power for lights, internet, TV etc.

I am really happy cooler weather is here to stay, because of the changing weather., baby developed Croup. This is the 3rd time she has fallen ill since her birth, the first 2 times were just a very mild cold, that she naturally got over quite quickly with Vicks and Baby Panadol! This 3rd one was bad...

What is Croup?
Croup is a condition that causes an inflammation of the upper airways — the voice box (larynx) and windpipe (trachea). It often leads to a barking cough or hoarseness, especially when a child cries.
Most cases of croup are caused by viruses. Croup is most common — and symptoms are most severe — in children 6 months to 3 years old, but can affect older kids, too. Croup is common in winter months.

Baby is much much better today, she looks like she is finally in the clear. The signs that told me she needed to be seen by the doctor was when she had real trouble breathing one night, thankfully i am now having holidays and there is a good clinic across from where we stay. The doctor prescribe a form of steroid for only a period of 3 days to clear the laryngitis and recommended i buy a vaporizer!
I like his professionalism. After the check-up i went to the nearest pharmacy - where i buy Ella's formula/diapers etc and gave the prescription to the pharmacist. Here the doctor's don't stock medication!! you have to go to any pharmacy to buy, also it is encouraged to dispose of your old/expired medication at any pharmacy... Interesting? I also bought the Vick's Vaporizer... Poor baby had no appetite for that week, but i knew that would happen doctor told me, in most cases baby would only want fluids.

She now absolutely hates it when we try to give her medicine, wipe or suction her nose... she fights to the end, with bukets of tears. Poor baby, but thankfully we got through it!
So i guess it's time to pack away summer outfits to make way for warmer clothing's, boots and woolly feet warmers, thicker blankets, put on the heater and make sure you bring your stroller rain cover when you go outdoors!


I try to have the following in the house at all times!
From Left: Desitin Diaper Cream, Clotrimazole anti-fungal cream *she has a slight fungal infection on her arm - very effective fungus cleared up quite quickly*, Bonjela teething gel *Her top two teeth have started to appear*,Panadol & Nurofen infant drops for fever, Dropper/syringe for administration, thermometer, Chinese oil *Getting Rid of wind, Good for chills*, Vicks baby to soothe nasal and chest congestion

So people winter is coming, Wrap up, Warm up with a hot cup of chocolate and enjoy the season!


Sunday, April 11, 2010

Intruder!

Sorry that it has taken me forever to update, there was just so much that have been going on!

Something happened Thursday morning, on the 8th, as i recount the event i can feel goosebumps all over again. The un-thinkable has happened. We have always knew that we live in a pretty dramatic neighborhood, but would we never have thought that this could happen to us!

I remember lying in bed with Ella asleep next to me, me and the husband *on a really rare night* spent time talking and laughing before I eventually doze off as usual and the hubby stayed up till 1 am.

At 1.45am, i was suddenly woken from my sleep, i am not sure what had stirred me up, was in my innate instinct? or the bad dream that had startled me. In a dreamy state i had opened my eyes and somehow looked out towards the balcony of our room. I thought i heard the blinds shift as i opened my eyes, i saw a crawling motion and sound of something on the balcony and being shortsighted all i saw were shadows and i somehow heard a thud to the ground below us. I jumped straight out of bed with my arms outstretched and Yelled " Baby Dropping!!" it was amazing how fast i reacted.

My brain must have told me that something is wrong, and naturally it was the fear of the baby wandering past the insect screen and crawling out to the balcony when we are asleep. See, we don't have a lock on the fly-screen, most houses come with a grille and lock on it ours was just a sliding screen, the thought of us being on the 2nd floor, it would be quite impossible for anyone to make a climb without any noise.
The husband who at that time despite having ear plugs on, also made a yell after he heard me and switch on the lights. My heart was racing and as i glance to where my baby was sleeping, there she was, sound asleep like an angel.

I started to rationalize what had just happened! i noticed our fly screen was opened all the way and no wind in WA could have done that. I immediately check for my wallet which i have left on my bookshelf near our en suite. It was gone. WTF! I was sure, in my heart someone had been into our room, a haven of rest from the madness of everyday life.

The husband did not believe me! He ran downstairs to search for my wallet, what took like maybe 5-8 minutes i ran out to the balcony and i saw my neighbor's lights on, apparently he had heard my scream and i saw a tall shadow walking past our compound, it was pitch dark and i couldn't see the intruder! I immediately went downstairs to check if anything was missing, and sure enough L's (our housemate) laptop was missing, all the wires were still on the table but the laptop GONE! i just knew for sure, we have had an intruder! i went calmly back upstairs and knocked on L's door and check if he had brought his laptop up. In my heart i already knew what his answer was. I also informed mum about what had happened.

I called '000' , and this, is the first time in my life that i have had to dial an emergency number.
I informed the police of what had happened, they took down my statement on the phone and gave me a case no.
By the time the police had arrived, it was 2am and they scouted the area with dogs, and a few others drove around the neighborhood to check for suspicious people.The night was still, no activity, no one.

I had to put on something decent, while the hubby and mum talked to the police outside our door. The police were using torch-lights and scanning the area where the intruder have jumped off and i tell you it is quite a jump, unless he was extremely dexterous, i have no idea how he managed to climb up and jump down!

Omg! guess what?!
The Police found my wallet and L's web cam on the grass, my only conclusion was that he must have dropped the items on impact.

I have to thank the lord, that he had protected my property, my finances and my family from harm. Truly it was God's Grace. How could that idiot of a thief, gone through to all that trouble only to drop my wallet? It was divine protection and favour of the lord!

I feel bad that because we had to open our balcony sliding door L's laptop is now gone, but it wasn't our fault, that sliding door was our only means of ventilation, L's laptop cannot be switch on without power cable *stupid thief did not have the brains to take it, it's password locked! and it's 3 years old. L was already intending to replace it anyways. Still!
Stupid stupid thief!, i was just glad no one in the household was harmed. Imagine if my wallet was gone, the amount of inconvenience i had to go through to report every card and call every bank in Australia and Singapore. Phew!! Thank God.
We promised L to get very cheap state-of -the art computer parts in singapore, the husband can easily put it together for him, i mean it is probably a blessing in disguise. the new would never come, if the old never goes lol.

Oh and Yes. . .
Forensics came the next day and found nothing. . . was really hoping there were prints!
To the thief that came and robbed us of our peace. i have one thing to say to you! "You will not get away! you will make a mistake one day and they will catch you!", i still cannot fathom how we could sleep with an intruder in the house? Did my Carpeted floors insulate the noise?

I think it's really sad that a beautiful country like Australia, has such a high crime rate! It is because of the lenient laws here? I read somewhere Perth has the highest statistics of burglaries!

The police commented that the current situation is very bad, and on the night of the incident, there were 5 other break-ins in gosnells, our suburb. The forensics officer says: " Situation is bad, we are flat-out!, it's just out of hand at the moment."Crime is on a Rampage. It is sad that people cannot feel safe living here, shops everywhere have to declare " no cash on premise" , there are constant bag checks- everyone feels like a criminal.
You avoid going out once it gets dark. sigh. Why must people live like that?

Do i want Ella to grow up in such a country? *thinks*
majority of children here grow up with no basic respect for people and their property, children have early awareness of sex and drugs.
Will constant guidance, love and watchfulness over her, influence her differently? I am not sure. It's a question i ask myself all the time Don't get me wrong, i love it here, despite the crime and racism. Having been brought up in Singapore, i really take safety for granted.

We chose to rent from a neighbor hood that is notorious for crime and dramas, but it is so convenient with the train station just across the road. For the last 10 mths life has been very peaceful and we must have somehow gotten complacent.

I can tell you i am not the same after the incident has happened, imagine, i have allowed someone to come into my home by leaving my balcony sliding door opened. I have allowed that bastard to watch us sleep, to open my bedroom door, go down the steps , snoop around my house! while we were all in our beds, such an invasion of privacy! I have never felt so vulnerable.

I admit i have been paranoid the last few days, i find myself checking the doors and balcony, but i don't want to live like that. I know there are angels constantly watching over us, i know i will get over this in time. Whether we will stay in this country or go back to Singapore, Only God knows.

Please be safe.

Saturday, April 3, 2010

Ezraella's First Birthday Bash


It’s a Celebration!



We celebrated our baby girl's first birthday! We threw a party for our love ones and friends that are residing in Perth. Wish with all my heart that family and friends back in Singapore, could have been with us! Ezraella is such a joy and our heart's delight, for truly when we asked for a daughter, we were given a princess!

It didn't really take me long to decide what sort of party i wanted. I previously written a post about my 2 week prep for the party. You can read all about it here!
I love all things whimsical. Butterflies! It just seems really meaningful, especially as Ella is entering into a new phase of her life.


Baby: I wish you Jesus! i wish you a beautiful life, one full of love, wonders and simple surprises.

Dear lord, Thank you for an amazing year, a year of such providence. I can never thank you enough for your amazing grace! I pray that you will teach me to be the best mum i could ever be to her. I pray a blessing of protection on her, that you will watch over her every day and that you will be with her. I pray that Ella , will grow up strong and healthy with an undying love for you. I ask that you will give her wisdom and understanding even at her age. Thank you for giving me this precious miracle. Amen.

It was a lot of hard work, thank god for the people in my life, the people that dote on Ella, we really worked hard preparing for the party, and we just dance right through the party. Finally the chance has come for me to make cupcakes for Ella. I use to make cupcakes for friends and family and always wondered when a day will come that i can make it for her.
The Chocolate butterfly wings were suppose to be white, but the night before the white chocolate just wouldn't melt properly, anyways...the cupcakes still look pretty lovely... what do you think?

The family that i would be ever so grateful for, thank you guys for working so hard and for all the blessings that you have given to Ella! Mum thank you for preparing your legendary laksa and preparing the sandwich fillings and making sure all the bits and bobs were in place. thank you yee yee for your love and generosity each time, you never fail to amaze me with your cooking, thank you for the beautiful nonya kueh and the crispy chicken wings. Thank you Hannah for the ever so dainty wantons and your delicious honey dew sago dessert. Thank you Limo for creating such decadent desserts and the crispy spring rolls! And last but not least thank you darling, for helping out whenever you can, cleaning up the house and sponsoring the entire event!


The party guests! Thank you all for coming!

Ella had such a wonderful time playing with her friends. It was such a joy seeing her happy and enjoying the day!
These were the party favours for the party!Thank you Hannah for helping me and just being with me throughout the party!
I couldn't have done it without you!

The night ended, with my cousins coming over and we opening up Ella's presents. She had such wonderful gifts from fisher price toys, a pretty growth chart, beautiful clothing from esprit & "cotton on" to a few Birkenstock sandals... wow baby you are so bless!

Who knows maybe next year we may celebrate Ella's 2nd Birthday in Singapore!

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