Sleepless and Sick

The girls are down with high fever (again!) and the cause is, as usual, unknown. Xuan kick start the whole "fever episode" running a temperature last Friday night, followed by En on Sunday. En hit a record high of 40.3°C while Xuan was burning at 40°C. The God-sent ear thermoscan is a great invention. Can't imagine what I'll do without it. But monitoring the munchkins every 30 minutes and administering medication 4 hourly really took a toll on me.

Previously when the munchkins fell ill, Ya Ya and I could still manage without additional help. Its amazing how we could "operate" in the day despite sleep deprivation over a few nights. On some nights, I think I only had maximum 2 hours of undisturbed sleep. Once the thermoscan reads 38.5°C or above, my mind will subconsciously stay awake even though my eyelids are down.

This time, I had to ask Gong Gong (my dad) to come over to help babysit the girls during the day, just so Ya Ya and I could take a break or catch some sleep. The entire household is down with cold, cough and body ache! Poor Di couldn't even take a day off because he is involved in the preparation of the first ever F1 Night Race held in town starting this coming Friday. He had to complete urgent tasks and be "on site standby" till 2 am during the race. He can't even "afford" to be sick. Can you beat that???

At home, Ya Ya and I are very grateful to Gong Gong for helping to "entertain" the 2 sick girls. He also bought us yummy meals (and herbal drinks too) so we don't have to worry about cooking or grocery shopping. Many thanks to Gong Gong!!! *Hugz*

I'm so looking forward to complete recovery for my family. Until then, please keep us in your prayers. Gracias!

8th Wedding Anniversary

Exactly 8 years ago, Di and I wilfully got married with nothing planned for our future, except our honeymoon destination. Some of our friends thought we were out of our minds. But then again, who cares??? We were very comfortable with our decision (which is literally no decisions made) and had never look back since. If we could do it all over again, I won't change a single thing, except, perhaps, our honeymoon destination. Hahaha... Nevertheless, I could at least proudly proclaim that for once (in fact, more than once) in my life time, I have MY LIFE, MY WAY. Sounds like a TV commercial? Kekeke...

With the 2 munchkins now, I guess we will have to think thrice before engaging ourselves in any audacious acts. But the most predictable thing about life is its unpredictability, so it's tough to have to think twice, let alone thrice. Once you start thinking, you may have already missed the boat!!!

Oh God, there I go again... Please keep me firmly grounded, I pray. Give me wisdom, patience and self-control. Amen.

P/S: Before I forget, happy anniversary, Di. I'm not very hopeful that we'll get to dine together tonight, but I'm praying... kekeke...

“Living a life of faith means never knowing where you are being led. But it does mean loving and knowing the One who is leading. It is literally a life of faith, not of understanding and reason – a life of knowing him who calls us to go.” - Oswald Chambers.

Baby #3

I opened my front door this morning and was greeted by a question from my neighbour “You've got another baby? For the past few days, we kept hearing an infant crying and it seemed to be coming from your home.”

Well, yes, we've got an infant at home. But, no, it NOT ours. Curious (or rather nosey) neighbours must be “shocked” to find me carrying a 3-month old infant around the estate. Well, it’s not baby #3 for us despite the attractive baby bonus package announced by the government last month. But I must admit there were times when Di and I thought “How nice if she’s ours”. And she… is Natasha, my niece.
Note: We will be babysitting Natasha for 2 weeks because my sister (suffering from post natal depression) has no helper.

Am I having second thoughts about having another child? No, I don’t think so. I would, if my next child comes with a "100% Sweetie Pie Guarantee". Hahaha… Personally, I find it hard to imagine going through the entire cycle of raising an infant to toddler again, especially with the munchkins into their terrible twos phase now. Plus, there are tonnes of things I‘d like to do and I’m only a few months away from “getting a life” (when the munchkins go to school). I've too much to risk, agree?

Still counting down…
765 days had gone by since I was gainfully employed.
113 more days before I regain my freedom.
A couple more months before I start life “afresh”.
Baby #3? Err… maybe, perhaps, we’ll see…

Funeral

Di’s granny is 104 this year. He’s been the apple of her eyes since he was a little boy. Yesterday, we bid her farewell as she ends her life journey peacefully in the comfort of her home. As some of the family members went ahead to arrange for her funeral, others sat around reminiscing. Di even sobbed when he called me last night. I wish granny was around to witness that or hear those lovely words everyone said about her.

I’ve always thought it makes more sense to hold a funeral service when one is alive (or rather, when one is about to die). Why bother to play my chosen songs, read my favourite scriptures and share how you feel about me… when I’m lying in a stiff, cold casket. Then again, I doubt anyone would support my “Pre-Funeral” idea, and my dad would probably think I’m crazy. So I guess I’d probably try my luck again in my golden years. Kekeke…

Reminder to Di, En & Xuan
In the event I had to return home to the Lord unexpectedly, please read my favourite scripture Psalm 27 and play the following songs at my funeral.

1. Amazing Grace (sang by Hayley Westenra in the album “Pure”)
2. Pokarekare Ana (sang by Hayley Westenra in the album “Pure”)
3. 牽我的手 (by Pastor 林义忠)

Thanks!

Job Satisfaction

I supposed most people will agree that a mommy's greatest job satisfaction comes from witnessing her children's many "first" (eg. first coo, first rollover, first steps, first words, etc.) and ensuring her kids attain their various milestones. Even if one is a full time working mom, I'm sure these "big" achievements by your little ones means a great deal. But beyond all these, how else can a mommy obtain job satisfaction, especially if one is a full time mommy?

I was pleasantly surprised yesterday by how fulfilled I was when I managed to "housekeep" the munchkins' few toy chests. Firstly, having cleared up the "mess" satisfies the slight OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder) in me to have a neat and tidy home. Secondly, the excess toys were either worn out (to be disposed, of course) or no longer age appropriate. And what we normally do is pass on the ones in good condition to younger kids of family or friends, or send the loot to The Salvation Army. That again, satisfies my self actualisation needs because it means I am able and willing to give.

Lastly, and also the most important point is, my kids are developing and growing so well, they no longer need their kiddy toys. Outgrowing these toys means they've moved on to other toys which requires higher level of intellectual and motor skills (eg. colouring books, puzzles, play dough, etc.). And that's job satisfaction for a mommy too! At the very least, it satisfies a self-centred mommy like me who simply can't wait for the kids to grow up. :)