Presenting Miss Dramatic

Sera, sitting on a chair, fiddling with the Rubiks Cube and reading at the same time. Hmm, quite the talent and so well behaved ...


"What ... you call that talent?"


"Wait ... I'll show you what's talent ..."

"Presenting Miss Smelly Feet ... "


"And look I can bite my toes ... hah, I bet this just knocked you over huh."

"Ok, show's over"

"I said it's OVER ... O-V-E-R!!!"

Homecoming

Our flight back home was actually quite ok despite Sera and I being squashed into a window seat, beside a hefty guy who was sin the end quite sweet because he didn't mind or actually notice (he slept most of the flight only to wake, though I'm not sure why, to not so delectable meals) Sera poking or pinching him. Early into the flight, I had looked in vain for an empty seat, thinking I could plead with that lone passenger to swap seats with me but alas the flight was packed full. Nonetheless, we (the airline attendants and the passengers that were awake) managed to keep Sera occupied for the 4 out of 7.5 hours that she didn't sleep.

And our arrival would have been 'oh so sweet' if my dear husband was actually there to welcome us. Tsk, tsk! So with no money on me or credits on my phone, our 'run into each other arms' homecoming
was sadly squashed and delayed for an hour. No worries, he did get an earful from me ... but of course. However, the father-daughter reunion was a 'melt your heart' kind of moment. Upon seeing Johan, Sera's face litted up and she ran into his arms and burrowed her face into the crook of his shoulders. Awww ... even I was very stunned at her spontaneity. She was literally plastered on him for a good 20 minutes, not wanting to leave him or his sight. Here are some photos for evidence!

A blurred photo but you can't mistake the two of them gazing at each other ...


Cradled in his arms, stroking his hands ...

Not letting him go ...

Time to go back home

A big thank you to one and all, especially my dearest mama, for making our stay in Singapore an enjoyable one. Sera and I had a good time despite several hiccups along the way. I'm so sorry for not meeting up with some of you (Kim, we must meet up when I'm down at year end!) or not spending enough time with everyone. TIME ... I need more time!

I didn't get a chance to post the photos from our successful zoo trip (even the slight drizzle didn't deter us) with Evan, Chloe, Simon and Sue-Lyn, so here are some of the photos. We had a great time. Sera did for sure. She soaked up everything, didn't want to miss a thing. She and Chloe were determined to stay awake throughout the zoo visit thus forgoing their afternoon nap. Thanks Sue for accompanying us, always nice to have a personal guide.

So till sometime in November ... goodbye!

This photo was taken earlier in the trip, the one and only time Sera went for a swim. Not sure what my aunties and cousins were doing but looks like you guys were having fun

Our zoo 'kakis'

Grandma was in charge of pushing Sera around in her stroller but actually Sera insisted on walking most of the time

Sera and the not so attractive pot-bellied pig

Sera didn't get too excited when she was watching the sea lions in the show, but these cast iron ones somehow got her attention. She was talking and gently stroking them ... ???

Checking out the orang utans hanging out high above


A very tired (and considering the stroller) but contented friend of the zoo

And finally a bursting with happiness Sera, thanking grandma for all the love and attention she received

Slowing down before we leave

I really had a few things planned for Sera to do while here in Singapore. Fun things, like going to the pool (well, that is striked off the list for a while till her skin improves), going to the beach, going to the zoo, bird park ... well, if all goes well, we will successful go to the zoo tomorrow morning with some friends.

But she's been a good sport all these weeks, finding amusement in all the activities that have kept us occupied - meeting with contractors, shopping for furniture, a car breakdown among other things. So yesterday, I kind of told myself that it'll be the last day of shopping for the apartment. Really. So here are some photos of Sera helping me choose furniture.

Sera was more than happy to test out the chairs. Ok, I wasn't thinking of getting this one at all. She was attracted to this chair so we helped her into it

And the fuschia one ...

And the 'papasan chair' ... can you guess which one we settled for?

Sera goofing around with grandma's sunnies ... they're big!

But nothing can beat mama's sunnies!

When it rains, it pours!

Can you tell Sera is fed up? There's a story behind this photo, so if you can bear it, read on ...

It was going to be a relaxing day for both Sera and myself. The plan was to drop her off at auntie Iris' place for a few hours of babysitting, while I have tea with Lena. I mean, it was that simple. What could possibly go wrong? EVERYTHING!

A downpour started just before we stepped out of the house. No problem, I could surely juggle Sera, he baby-bag, my handbag, and the umbrella. A bit of a struggle trying to strap Sera into her car seat while at the same time, holding the umbrella, but I succeeded with only getting a little soaked. Since I was like two hours early till Sera's drop off time, I decided to run a few errands and most importantly, I wanted to get some fever medication for Sera. She was much better today but it was a 'just in case' stock up. I drove to Siglap (near auntie Iris' place) but there was a long line of cars waiting to enter the car park. I wasn't going to park outdoors and attempt a juggling act again. So, I drove to Parkway Parade. The usual 10 minutes drive took a painful 30 minutes due to the heavy rain. But since Sera was fast asleep at the back, I didn't mind at all.

The stress only started when I was in the multi-storey car park. There wasn't a single vacant lot. Unbelievable! NOTHING stops Singaporeans going to the mall, come hail or high water. I gave up trying to find a vacant lot so I was inching my way to the exit when my car (this is the replacement car we are using till the original rental car is fixed) stalled while I was driving down a slope to the next level. This was NOT happening ... and Sera was waking up! Panic, yup, I sure did. Please, please let there be a vacant lot so that I can just slowly slide my car in. Pleaseeeee .... ok, I know I'm coming across as being a tad dramatic but I was with Sera who basically DOES NOT LIKE to be strapped into the car seat, UNLESS she is sleepy or the journey is less than 10 minutes. She was waking up so that meant she was wide awake and wanting out of the car seat. And everybody knows this little girl who has been blessed with a pair of big and clear lungs can SCREAM.

The amazing thing is there was a vacant lot just as I came off the slope. Miracle! The relief I felt then was indescribable. Once in the lot, I tried to start the car and after three attempts, the car started. Hmm, I wasn't convinced that it was going to hold up so I took Sera out, stroller and all and decided to do what I was supposed to in the first place, which was to get her fever medicine. While I braved the the bursting crowd in the mall, mama and kor kor stopped by to check the car out. Hmm, not sure what they were planning or could do, but they test drove it around the car park. The verdict was that 'Yes, there was an unfamiliar, loose and rattling sound but it was ok to drive to my next destination.' Okay ....

Anyway, Lena came over to meet us at Parkway and we drove off. I don't know, I think I was having one of my unrealistically optimistic moments when I knowingly decided to drive off in the terribly sick car. Logically, I should have just left the car in the car park and arranged for it to be towed away by the rental company. Anyway, I guess we all know what happened next. Yup, the car stalled, not once but three more times in a distance of about 400 metres ... and at very 'sure to annoy other motorists' strategic spots - in the middle of a round about, before a bus-stop and after the bus stop.

P-A-N-I-C!!!!!!!!!!!

Shall I fast forward this story a bit?

So we didn't have much choice but to park the car by the road side, on double yellow lines. We unloaded the car, switched the hazard lights on and crossed the road to a neighbourhood church, where we took refuge for a few minutes. How nice ... and even welcoming! So that photo above was taken at the church. Sera was entertaining herself while Lena and I decided our next course of action, which was to simply call a cab (it was still raining), load it up with our gazillion things and head to auntie Iris' place. Once there, we left Sera knowing she'll be in good hands and we walked to a nearby cafe (huddled under an umbrella ... yes, it was STILL raining) to FINALLY have lunch or was it tea?

Hmmm ... in hindsight, this incident would have been totally stressful in major proportions if Sera had been all whiny and complaining but she wasn't, not once. She was wonderfully easy and on her best-est behaviour ever. For sure, you'd want her around if ever your car breaks down.

Staying in

Today, even mother nature is insisting that we just stay home and relax. It's raining, very heavily. The kind of rain where you'll still get soaked even with a big umbrella. Anyway, it's just as well because little Sera is sick, with fever.

Since we've arrived in Singapore, she's been a real trooper, joining us as we criss-crossed the island to run errands for the apartment. But I think yesterday was the final straw. In the morning, she accompanied me as I supervised a group of electricians, plumbers and air-conditioning service men as they carried our works in our apartment. She's usually very good at entertaining herself and yesterday was no different. She played with the empty cardboxes and styrofoam fillers, curiously observed the guys while they worked, and only ran to me when the power drill went off. She only started to complain at the last minutes, because she was getting tired standing around for nearly 3 hours. And of course, it didn't help that our rented car gave way just when we were ready to set off for lunch. So the next hour was a flurry of waiting for the tow truck, flagging a cab while lugging a irritable baby, a car seat and a gazillion other things, and finally waiting cluelessly at the car garage for what felt like eternity.

No wonder Sera fell sick.

Gulp. And now, I really feel like a terrible mother.

Sera is resting now, snuggled in the comfort of her bed, not in her car-seat or a shopping cart. I pray she'll recover soon and be her usual Duracell Bunny self. I miss my active little sprite ...

Sera having her morning bottle with a makeshift cardboard mattress, while the Ikea guys were busy assembling the pieces

Her eyes are a dead give-away that she's unwell, but playing with her over-sized crocs cheered her up a little

She ripped off this fever patch right after I took the photo. Aside from receiving kisses on her face, she has an aversion for anything else on her face

Eczema, it is

Remember Sera's peanut butter allergy that was not? Well, since that last incident or rather post, her skin rash on her back turned into a patchy white pigmentation that doctors (a total of three) have diagnosed as eczema, and then the immediate prescription of a steroid cream which we have refused to use. Yes, Johan and I can be pretty particular about some things and this is one of them. Instead we have been applying a very moisturising emolient on her skin. It seemed to have worked, just that the white pigmentation has stubbornly refused to tan like the rest of her body. Hmm, strange?

Anyway, since Sera and I have been in Singapore. The hot topic has been her skin problem. Sigh. A different diagnosis from this side of the world. Ha ha. Roughly translated, my family and even a Chinese physician, it has been diagnosed as 'white spots'. Basically, it is a kind of fungal infection caused by sweat on the skin. Even I was convinced it was 'white spots' and watched with much hope as my mom rubbed blue ginger onto Sera's back. This went on for a few days until the Chinese physician said that it wouldn't work and prescribed some herbal concoction for her to drink. Apparently, the herbal brew was meant to detoxify her little body. But alas, Sera refused to drink the herbal brew despite the sugar added. I think other than the slightly bitter taste, the smell was a major turn off. So anyway, just a few days ago, we were back to square one - no proper treatment and actually, still unsure what was the problem???

This morning, we had a little emergency with a nappy rash that went terribly wrong.So off to the doctor's. The paediatrician prescribed an antibiotic cream for her nappy rash and then she noticed the rash on her skin.

Doctor:"She has ECZEMA." (Oh no, here we go AGAIN!)

Me:"So, it's not white spots?" (I had to counter ALL speculations)

Doctor:"No, it's not a fungal infection."

Me:"Ok, but I don't want to use any steroid cream."

Doctor:"No I won't advise steroid cream but a good moisturiser." (Great, another super-duper moisturiser)

Me:"Oh cool ... "

Doctor:"Does she go into the pool a lot." (Err ... this crazy mama takes her to the pool everyday!)

Me:"Yah ... quite often."

Doctor:"Avoid the pool, and she can dip for only 15 minutes."

Gulp. You call that swimming? Sera would think I was teasing her by dipping her and taking her out. Of course, I kept my mouth shout. But I was finally at peace to this nagging skin problem of hers. I mean, I actually believed and accepted this doctor's diagnosis only because she seem to have read my mind and answered the doubts I had.

So now, I have added yet another so-called wonder moisturising cream to the exisiting collection. I hope this one will work. But to more important matters. No swimming for Sera? That is seriously a tragedy because that is one of her great loves. I can't possibly take that away from her! After the doctor's visit, I quickly messaged Johan to discuss this pressing issue. No problem. It has been decided and agreed. We'll be heading to the non-chlorinated but salty beaches when we're back home!

This afternoon, we attended Izzac's first birthday party

Sera was more than eager to help Izzac open his presents ...

She took over the 'whole operation' and Izzac decided to leave her to her own devices

Happy Birthday Singapore!

Today my sunny little island is 42 years old. For the vast majority of the islanders, it is a public holiday, which also means to just stay indoors and avoid the crowds. But do I even listen to my wise inner voice? Nah, not at all. In fact, we went to possibly, one of the most crowded places - Ikea. But in my defense, I'm here in Singapore to decorate our new apartment so I have an excuse. For the rest of the Singaporeans I met at Ikea, hmmm ... I suspect they were there for the free parking, super value hotdog meals and free Ikea babysiting service. Ha ha.

Despite the unbelieveable crush of people at Ikea, the three of us (mama, myself and Sera) managed to manouvre the crowd without a hitch. The service received was commendable. No long lines at check-out, and though we had to wait a good thirty minutes for delivery arrangements to be made, we very easily grabbed one of the super value meals and ate it while in line. I must say, Ikea has thought of everything ... even I'm impressed! And what better way to celebrate National Day with probably a good proportion of the nation rubbing shoulders at Ikea, buying the same furniture and chowing down the same food. Now, that is what I call homogeneous!

The little Ikea friends were treated to cool Singapore flag tattoos

Sera was looking very patriotic, donning the nation's colours

At the check out, with our potential furniture nicely packed in boxes. No worries baby, you don't have to assemble a single piece. It's all been arranged

We are owners!

We finally got the keys to our apartment. Yes, we now officially own an apartment. I know Johan is probably rolling his eyes, saying "Duh, took you quite a while to realise that." Yes I know, I was floating about when all the serious stuff had to be arranged for the purchase of the apartment. Maybe I wasn't 100% useful but I was there supporting, in mind and spirit. Yah, baby? But I think, for me, it really sunk in when I physically opened the door to our apartment and walked into it. It was a strange feeling, made me feel all adult and all. Ha ha. I was nervous and at the same, elated ... if that makes any sense at all. Sera was, as usual, very curious and went ahead to enthusiastically explore the apartment.

I really like the apartment. I mean, there's some work to do but nothing too drastic. Walking through the house, I was visualising how the apartment was going to look, decorated. There are even two balconies! How nice is that? Mama kept stressing that we are 'balcony people'. Ha ha. I think I know what she means. But yes, it will be nice to sit out on the balcony once in a while to gaze at our neighbours from across, or over the very outstanding pool below. Hmmm, it's all good.

So before I roll out some photos, I MUST thank a few very important people. Our love and heartfelt thanks to Johan's parents, to my mom and auntie Iris for their generosity, precious time and support.


I'm not sure why she was leaning on the wall, looking so pensive but I think she was just taking it all in

If you have to know, she inspected and stuck her finger into every wall socket


We went to Ikea immediately after the first viewing. It's just across the highway. Like 5 minutes away! We got a bit carried away so Sera took her bottle in the trolley

And fell asleep in it.

We went to the aprtment this morning to run some errands. Sera was feeling very at home, drinking her packet milk

And this photo, totally unrelated, of Sera stuck in her current bath tub, having a wonderful time.

Can't think of a title ...

... because it's wayyyyyyyy pass midnight now. Everyone is fast asleep and I really should be in bed too. Ha ha. But I promised my dear someone I would post something tonight so ... how about some nice photos?

This floating drum set is mean for her bath time entertainment but since there isn't a bath-tub here, she settled for the kitchen floor. Thanks auntie Sue for the gift. Cool!

At Sentosa Cove, waiting to meet auntie Rosalind and family. One of the rare occasions I actually have a decent photograph taken with Sera.

And of course, grandma must have a photo with Sera.

We adjourned to the playroom before dinner. Sera and Zoe meet for the second time, after 10 months!

This photo was extremely difficult to capture because she refused to wear the hard-hat. But I had to insist, because I knew Johan would be pleased and amused to see her in the gear he wore at work.

Here in Singapore

It's been 3 days since Sera and I arrived in Singapore, and it's been busy as usual. Well, actually I think it is a pyschological thing I'm experiencing, something to do with stepping back into the hectic rhythm of living in Singapore. Anyway, everything was going well until yesterday night, when I had food poisoning. Yes, this vegetarian here actually got poisoned by eating vegetables. Ha ha. Well, it wasn't so funny yesterday night because immediately after dinner, I experienced vertigo. I am not kidding. I felt I was spinning and I couldn't do much but lie down on the floor while Sera curiously watched and then, crawled over me. And it didn't help that Sera wasn't well yesterday. She was begging this mama to carry her but I was still 'spinning' and feeling very weak. Where is Johan when I need him? I'm having a little problem with Sera at the moment - she needs her papa to put her to bed at night. So bed time has been a little trying.

Anyway, I'm feeling better now, a little weak but Sera hasn't improved from yesterday. She is fighting a bout of flu, valiantly. I think the travelling, change in temperature, jet lag and too much playing have played a toil on our little sprite.

But aside from this downtime we currently having, we had a good day with Evan and Chloe yesterday. We had lunch at the Green Room, a really nice vegetarian restaurant at Bishan Park. We over-ordered, as usual, but managed to wipe off every plate on the table, with the help of our daughters, of course. Sera had a close encounter with a pond of fish and was pointing and saying 'tish, tish' excitedly. I had to hold her back a few times or she would have eagerly walked into the pond. You see, it's been a few days since we went swimming. Anyway, our next play date will be at the swimming pool.

Sera's first experience of hanging out at the gate of grandma and grandpa's flat. Whenever the door is open, she'll walk to the gate to check out the view

Sera and grandma at our new apartment at Pasir Ris

This is Sera after seeing the pool ... overjoyed!

Sera and Chloe lunching with their mamas

'tish, tish ... '

Sera, Chloe and Evan playing

After a hard day of play ... Sera enjoying a Yakult. (Baby, this is THE HandySitt ... a pricey but wise investment! She loves it and sits through a meal, no complains)