Random..

"transformer holding a sword"

"you must take from here also, Mommy"

So, I took from all 4 angles

I don't remember what he said... :-(

Copying Kinder Surprise

Skinny "spiderman" - all from his memory

Skinny "captain America" - referred to cousin's iPhone

Ninja Turtle - all from his memory

Put this piece in my wardrobe to give me a surprise
"A man looking for Easter Eggs"
Noticed the man looking side way? It's intentional

Random updates over the weekendI

Dr Tan polishing and scaling his teeth
Super co-operative!

Strawberry Cheesecake, anyone!

The first title I could read ever since I took up Guzheng for real

Free performance by BHSO
I saw a Lute today!

How about modern guitar in Baroque music?
Thumbs up!

Project BESAR (Vesak Day Distribution)

It has been a  year since I started volunteering with Teck Chen Choling Temple. How time flies. I'm thankful I'm still able to volunteer, still find it in my heart to continue giving. I'm thankful IZ could join me too.

Date: 10th May'15 - Housecall

I went for the housecall with YJ and my cousin, V. I hoped to show V the other side of Singapore. For her to know that there are people in needs in Singapore too. It's not just about being a nice city and all glamorous.

Again, I managed to talk to the Cantonese speaking Aunty. This time round, I chatted a bit more.

For each work I carry out in the name of volunteering, I stay grounded, deeply humbled and grateful for what I have. And my heart goes all out to people who are in the receiving ends. It's not easy to survive, but they are hanging on.

Even then, they did not take advantage of kindness. One particular door we knocked on, we saw this. The message simply says do not waste the food, do not hang food on their door. And they ended with thank you.

Date: 17th May'15 - Packing

IZ and I joined later after violin class. Managed to help just the last bit of the packing.

He was perspiring, but he was happy to be able to help.

IZ helped to put 2 toilet rolls in each bag

Swimming update..

IZ started swimming lesson right after he turned 4.

The first few months was predictable, given his timid character. He took a step forward.. two steps backward.. half step forward, a step backward.. back and forth.. until.. right after our Melbourne trip.

Not that we went swimming in Melbourne, he just some, like a light bulb suddenly lit up. He has never looked back since.

He's been progressing, albeit slowly.. Teacher Victor is working on water safe stage.. get them accustomed to the water, able to float, able to paddle..

Last weekend:

Mustered courage to jump into the 1m pool

Learnt to float

Walking in the water

Really proud of him!

Drawing Lessons

"Transfomer"

"Angry birds with egg and clock"
HUH?!

"Rapunzel"

"Kings men"

I watched him like an eagle..

IZ gets to play at the playground in KKH whenever there's speech therapy.

Few weeks ago, we did the same.

As usual, IZ would be ecstatic. He likes to play with other children. At the playground. At the rehabilitation center. At the taxi stand. Basically, everywhere. Something I'm really grateful of, at the same time, feeling guilty for not having another baby so he can have playdate perpetually all the time.

So, that day, we arrived at the playground. There were a few girls playing chasing. He tried to join immediately, but the girls ignored him. Naturally, as they each have their own siblings to play with.

I felt like an eagle while I was watching. Looking out, feeling sad when his effort to mix with the girls went futile. So I called him over, and offered him to go to the rehabilitation center earlier.

He refused. He said he wanted to play there.

Within 5 minutes later, he was playing chasing with the girls.

I heaved a sigh of relief from far.

I reflected, and reminded myself there's no need to be overly protective. 

He'll find his way. He can do it.

IZ earned a credit..

A friend shared on delayed gratification related article on FB and it reminded me of an incident last night. It's not completely delayed gratification, but I think IZ earned a credit yesterday.

He was having mini Cornetto for dessert after dinner. Hubby asked him to be seated so that the ice cream will not melt and drip everywhere.

But IZ being IZ, has nails on his butts, can never sit still. He came to the room to look for us, and started talking.

Meanwhile, the barely eaten ice cream dropped on the floor.

Hubby asked him to clean up the mess and throw the ice cream away.

IZ left the room.

I told hubby to keep an eye on IZ, as he probably would have felt sad to throw the ice cream away, and probably eating it secretly. (I know, I'm negative... haiz)

To our surprise, when we walked into the hall, we saw IZ sitting on the sofa. All teary and upset, but was not throwing tantrum.

My heart pained seeing him. So pitiful.

For being able to take instructions so well and held it all up, I gave him a new cone.

I told him I really liked the way he listened to daddy's instruction to throw it away, yet not fuss over or throw tantrum over the ice cream, which was originally his fault anyway.

PS: on top of this, I reflected on my part, that I was skeptical of IZ's character. Bad mom.

Work-Life Balance

We watched a cartoon video on work-life balance yesterday morning.

The main character, was a man who is an employee. Initially, he knocked off on time, had time with baby and wife after work. Then, he knocked off later, when baby was asleep and wife got angry. Later on, he knocked off past midnight, when both baby and wife were asleep.

At night, we saw PM Lee on the news.

Me: Look at the PM, such a busy man
Hubby: he's THE PM, you know
Me: would you want to be a Prime Minister, IZ?
IZ: I want to be a policeman, remember?
Me: not a Prime Minister?
IZ: become Prime Minister later go home baby sleep already!

That's what he knows work-life balance..

Not that he has never complained when the dad had to work at home.

IZ: why daddy like to bring work home?

"Not that we want to, darling!"

IZ: but I want daddy to sleep with me..


PS: Actually I tried to psycho him to join army instead. If possible, as medical officer, so that he can join in rescue operations all over the world, not just contributing to Singapore society. (Inspired by the rescue team to Nepal to help earthquake victims.) I have strong desire for him to grow up a useful person, contribute back to the society, not forgetting his ground whatever he's doing, however high he can fly. Hmm.. a plastic surgeon who helps to reconstruct the poor people that need helps maybe?

"How was your day?"

While we were having dinner last night, hubby and I were busy catching up on each other's day. IZ was seated in-between.

IZ: why you like to talk to daddy and not me?
Me: hmm.. I enjoy talking to my husband about my day (where the whole no talking during mealtimes gone to, Mommy?!)
IZ: then what about me?
Me: all you'll reply when I ask how's your day is "good".. nothing to talk about right?

And so, this morning after we parted our ways, he suddenly came back running to the car..

IZ: I forgot to ask how was your work yesterday
Hubby: good!
Me: good! (then I had second thought about the monosyllable reply.. I added..) Not always good, but yesterday was good
IZ: not always good?
Me: yes not everyday a good day
IZ: oh, sometimes good?
Me: yes, let's talk about it tonight
IZ: enjoy your work, Daddy, Mommy!

Oh wait, how old is he again?

"What do you always think about?"

Yesterday, while we were out, IZ asked a question.

IZ: Mama, what do you always think about?
Me: (hmmmmm....) YOU!
IZ: Papa, what do you always think about?
Me: (Being cheeky) MONEY!
Dad: (Tried to be diplmatic) Ya, I always think about how to save more money
Me: What about IZ? What do you always think about?
IZ: I always think about all the cars are TRANSFORMERS!

Random drawings..

Transformers

"Insects that cuts ants/mosquitoes/anything that likes to bite you"
(I believe he was annoyed bitten by mosquitoes lately)

"Here is transformer"
"here is Humpty Dumpty playing jumping up and down"

"Biaoyi"

"superhero eggs!"

"car"

"rapunzel"

Random update..

I was just saying last month, that I didn't care if he couldn't read music...

A few songs later, I slap myself for saying that too soon.

So, I've signed us up for individual lessons in Edvox. Class will start in May.

**looking forward**

"Let's go ice-skating!"

Close to dawn this morning, I heard IZ shouting:

IZ: I dreamed I went ice-skating, alone!

Me: wow.. (sleep again)

When I woke him up, I asked if he could remember.

IZ: yes, I went ice-skating, alone.. 2 rounds you know?

Me: wow, was it fun?

IZ: yes!

Me: was it slippery? (thinking back to the nightmare I went into the rink for the first time in my life in Melbourne)

IZ: not it was not.. it was up the hill..

Me: up the hill??

IZ: yes, can you bring me to ice skating?

Me: huh? no.. we are going USS this week, remember?

IZ: I don't want to go USS, I want to go ice-skating..

Me: you want to go ice-skating?

IZ: yes! let's go ice-skating in MELBOURNE!

Me: ok, I got to go to work and earn more money!

Lego

IZ: come and play with me, Mommy

Me: I don't know how to play Lego (thinking about my lack of thinking out of the box skills)

IZ: you don't know? you can make ANYTHING with Lego, you know?

His creation - Rapunzel
(really anything huh)

"Why should I?"

"Why should I?" X 1000 times a day..

Sometimes, it's really tempting to tell him "coz I said so"...

A step towards independence..

During our vacation lately, he insisted on brushing his own teeth, using the toilet himself, feeding himself.. all thanks to my friend's daughters. They were great inspirations..

So, suddenly starting last week, he could put on his socks and shoes on his own for school.

Yeay!

My big boy

Random drawings...

Mermaid

Superheroes

Copying

Music lernen-reise..

It has been 3 months since he started attending violin lessons. He still can't read music.. not that I care.. he can play some simple songs and many times, he wanted to make some noise music himself. Good enough.

Completely reliant on my mouth and his ears, he can play most of Rondosaurus now.

Learning violin is seriously not easy. You'll have to watch your posture while you STAND, correct way of holding the bow with your right hand making sure the pinkie finger is touching the end of the bow (to ensure the bow is straight), pressing the right place at the string using your fingers on your left hand, making sure there's no double string played, making sure you do not pull the bow when you're changing fingerings.. the list goes on.

All this, while remembering the music and playing at the right tempo.

ALL TOGETHER AT THE SAME TIME!

It was really difficult for him in the beginning. I think he's progressing well.

He would hum the song he learn when he's doing nothing.

Lately, he wrote them down too (albeit not really music notes)!

Random drawings..

Princesses (with long hair)

This is Ron, he's fierce.

This is Roy, he attacks with fire.

Not just about a pencil case..

Last week, IZ tried very hard to stuff the big box of stationery into his school bag. I told him it was not possible. He didn't say why. I didn't ask why.

The next day, he made a fuss in the school. He refused to step into the class as he did not have a pencil case.

He wanted to bring pencil case to school coz 2 of his friends bring their own.

That night, I learnt a lesson. It was not just about a pencil case..

There's reason behind every little thing he does.

Me 3!

Whenever he has anything to second.. instead of saying "me too!", he'll shout "me 3!" :-D

Scattered brain? Where?

Telling hubby my brain seemed scattered..

IZ: what's scattered?
Me: means everywhere
IZ: but I didn't see your brain anywhere?

Tongue Tie Release

It was stressful to keep track of the time and made IZ had his last meal (a pineapple tart), last milk (at 2.30am) and last water (at 6.50am) on the day of surgery.

We arrived at 9.30am sharp.

Registration at 9.30am

We went into the Day Surgery department after registration. Weight and height measured. Numbing cream "plastered".

And he had to take off everything except his underwear..

And change into the hospital "gown"

The sexiest patient I've ever seen

Added tag

 Then we were brought to Level 2 to wait for the surgery.

In the waiting room..

Enjoyed himself while waiting..

I guess he was nervous

After waited what seemed forever.. hmm it was really forever.. the surgery was "supposedly scheduled" at 10.30am.. we were not called for the OT until close to 11.30am.. I started to feel hungry, I could imagine IZ too, but he didn't complain. Felt heart pain seeing his dry lips. I dared not ask him if he was feeling hungry or thirsty.

He's got cold feet while we were headed to OT11, for few steps he took forward, he took one backward. Once he stepped into the OT, he wanted to leave. It was scary.. there were 6-7 staffs in OT attire, although they were all very friendly.

So he refused to blow the balloon (the breathing mask). He chose to be poked, but it took them forever, and he started crying in pain while I held him tight. It didn't occur to me then, why he felt pain when he had numbing cream on both his hands? They didn't manage to poke him even after IZ keeping still for a while.

Apparently the numbing cream didn't spread under the plaster, so the vein area they supposed to poke was not numb. And so he could feel the pain. Duhz!

After another what seemed forever of bubbles blowing and many distractions by the nurses, I decided to bring out my weapon (the tobot smart key), in the hope he would be too distracted to resist anything.

He still refused to use the mask. So they gave us syrup to make him giddy. He refused to drink at first, but finished it eventually, with cup, with syringe, with cup. Estimated time to be giddy, 10mins.

15mins past.. nothing happened, he was not even close to giddy.

Tried to ask him to blow the balloon again, he refused..

By then I was perspiring, desperately trying to keep calm and patient..

The consultant finally said (after 30/45 mins?!) if still cannot put him to sleep, we have to reschedule the surgery.

I finally asked IZ once more "do you want your friends to be able to hear you speak properly?"

He said "yes".

"Ok, so, do as said. You just need to count to 20"

They made him lie down on the bed..

And so he counted .. up to 19.. and he said "20 already what" and struggled to sit up..

Seeing he was still very awake, they held on him, head, hands, legs and "knock him out" - he struggled while losing consciousness (the hardest moments in my parenting life thus far)

I was near to tears when the staffs thanked me, and I thanked them instead. And packed and left the OT. If I was left alone, I would have cried.

I waited outside as asked, I was trembling.

After a while (10mins later), the young doc came out and announced that the tongue tie was released. It was over in 1 minute. He's prescribed some numbing gel and panadol for the wound. We were to go back for post-surgery review the week after. He said the staffs will let me know when I can go in to see IZ.

My bro and hubby then came up to join me.

Another 20mins later, I was asked to go in and look at IZ in the Recovery Room. There was ONE nurse attached to EACH kid. He was still unconcious. They told me usually the kids will regain consciousness after half hour.

1.5 hours passed.. but he didn't show any sign of waking up - despite attempts to wake him. At one point, he sat up, then he knocked out again.

Consultant then came, and pressed the back of his ears to wake him. He woke up with an "OUCH!" and knocked out again. They agreed he was ok to be released to Day Surgery.

He continued sleeping when we transferred him to Day Surgery. And was still sleeping after I finished my lunch.

The nurse told hubby we had to wake him so that he wouldn't get gastric from empty stomach.

Slowly he managed to be awake, although we could see he was still feeling giddy.

We were discharged at 4pm..

I was then stressed about the pain he would probably feel after the surgery. It wasn't until 3 hours later, he crunched and held his jaw in pain. But he didn't cry and didn't complain. Asked if he was feeling painful, he said Yes.

He went about as usual, except for the occasional pause to breathe in when he felt painful. I was really amazed by his pain tolerance. A strong boy I have.

For his bravery....

Spiderman balloon and Captain America from JiuJiu
Tobot Smart Key from daddy and mommy
A bravery award from the hospital

I was really impressed by KKH service:
1) the flow was really smooth - from one point to another
2) the staffs were really friendly and patient - they treat your precious like their very own
3) the hospital is really children friendly - it's really not called a Children's hospital for nothing!
4) one nurse to one child in the recovery room - taking note of their pulses every interval
5) they called me on the 2nd working day after the surgery to check on IZ's condition

Some minor stuffs:
1) numbing cream do not spread under the plaster.. err..
2) pharmacist went for late lunch, thus not able to deliver medicine - luckily hubby was with us, so we could fetch the medicine ourselves
3) I didn't even know which was the doctor which was the nurse!
4) for sure, there were the same SOP questions asked throughout the flow.. when was the last food, when was the last water, any metals in/on the body etc.. Was there a need for some many rounds? The timing wouldn't change, would they?

Now, I'm looking forward to what doc has to say at the post-surgery review.

Well done, IZ!

Tomorrow is THE DAY..

We rescheduled his surgery from 5th Feb'15 to 12th Feb'15 as his cough and runny nose did not recover within the 10 days time frame. Since rescheduled, he was on the way to recovery and recovered completely well over the 10 days time frame.

But this time frame was the longest ever. I am paranoia, over possibility he'll catch bug and fall sick again. Any sneeze he made, sent a jolt to my heart, maybe like an AED. "not again" I would think. Really stressed to keep up.

Thank goodness, all is well. We avoided crowded places, although he continued going to school and classes.

KKH sent a sms on 9th Feb'15 to call them if he has fever/cough/cold.

Tomorrow is THE DAY.

KKH called me a while ago to give me the fasting instructions (asking again if he has fever/cough/cold for the past 2 weeks):

No food after 12am (milo/milk is ok)
Only water after 3am
No food/drink after 7am

Registration at 9.30am, surgery is estimated to be at 10.30am.

(Gosh, I really don't know how he can fast this long.. will he cry coz he's hungry?)

I have mixed feelings.

Anxious, I pray for his smooth recovery and least pain possible. My heart is aching whenever I think of him crying in pain.

Anticipating, the day has finally come for him to overcome his speech problem (and maybe swallowing problem too).

Worried, that he doesn't improve even after surgery and speech therapies. What should we do?

I've prepared the Tobot Smart Key as a gift. Hopefully that can distract him a little off the pain he may experience.

I pray for a smooth and speedy recovery.

Let's have a feast!

IZ: mommy, let's have a feast
Me: huh (hungry at this hour? another growth spurt?)
IZ: let's have a feast
Me: what do you mean? (pineapple tarts? nutella bread again?)
IZ: it means let's have a talk
Me: ah.. talk..

I wonder why feast = talk...

Guess what he wanted to talk about?

IZ: why the grandfather's clock has chain?

Music lernen-reise..

I'm not one born with music talent. I remember dreading piano practices as my mom nagged and "forced" me to practice. I don't remember why I took up piano, but I vaguely remember started my journey in a music school and then changed to a private teacher.

In the beginning, I didn't have a piano. I had to practice in the music school. I guess that's why I didn't do well the first 2 years. Understandable now (but not then), my progress was quite stagnant in the music school that my mom got pissed and engaged a private teacher instead. By now, you could guess my "talent level".. almost non-existence I guess.

I went to the teacher's house, half hour of playing and the remaining on theories. Gosh, I remember dreading the theory part too. I couldn't go home if I did not answer all correctly, and I had to do, re-do and re-do until I got them right. Especially bad when preparing for exams, I always felt like crying.

I quit piano when I was in Form 6 (JC1 equivalent) at the age of 18, when I was preparing Grade 7. I quoted I couldn't cope, I needed to prepare for STMP (A level equivalent). What a bullshit.

Hearing piano sound now, makes my fingers itchy. But tell you what, I couldn't play for my life (not without pieces anyway). I was trained to play classicals, I was not adventurous, I have never ventured anything more than Richard Clayderman's pieces. Other than that, give me a piano, I have to figure how to play Happy Birthday song. Now you can confirm I have no talent at all.

But I love music. I love hearing music sound. I love hearing different instruments.

It is in my wish, to let IZ explore music. It is really good for emotion expression. I remember banging on my piano when I was angry, when I was sad, when I was happy. There was a channel to vent.

While watching Cantabile Tomorrow (a Korean show about orchestra, instruments, talented musicians), I was mesmerized by the sound of a cello. It's so melancholic.

So I hope IZ could take up cello. Unfortunately, he's too young. The only instruments he could play at the age of 4 is either piano (or keyboard) or violin.

As Kinderland has keyboard lesson in the music class, I decided we should go for violin. Afterall, if he can play a violin, he shouldn't have problem playing a cello, wouldn't he?

IZ obviously has different opinions. His list would go: trumpet, ukulele, guitar..

I told IZ he will learn violin till he turns 5, and then he can choose an instrument that he likes then. Actually at 5 years old, he probably can choose ukulele and guitar, for trumpet probably close to 6 or 7 years old.

It's not that I want to groom him as a violinist or musician whatsoever. It's the whole package. The joy of playing music on an instrument, using both hands for brain stimulation, the discipline to practice diligently, and also if possible taking up cello if he likes it? Hahaha...

To cut story short, he is we are now attending class on Sunday by MusArt Edu Hut who is run by Kids Philharmonic founder, Mr Lee.

More on the violin lernen-reise in future post..

His 1/10 and my full size