More Bento Pressies

I've been getting pressies after pressies these few weeks and I really feel so loved and blessed!  Thank you all, my dear friends and family!

Julie gave me a bagful of Bath & Bodyworks products - hand sanitisers of all sorts and handcream! Wow!  And my neighbour Karen, bought these for me during her recent trip home to Ipoh.

Round cutters and super cute and small Thomas Snack box - I love it! Great for 2 small sealed sammies? :)

Bento tools that Karen Hoh helped me to buy

What a SURPRISE!!

The Cover

So many tips and steps and cute bentos too!

Firstly, I just want to say "THANK YOU, Lia for blessing me with this wonderful book!"

I was screaming with joy literally when a good friend and bento-mama sms me and told me I had won the  book which Lia had organised.  I was shocked for a while and couldn't remember what it was.  Then it hit me! I couldn't believe it!! Me? Winning the book? I've never had such 'luck' with draws and what nots.

I could only say it was, "All Glory to Jesus!".  Cos I remembered as I entered in the give-away, I told Jesus that I really liked that book.  I had never expected that I would be Blessed.  How loving our Abba Father is?  He not only blesses us with big things but listens to our hearts and can't wait to show His love to us.  What a Loving and Mighty God we serve!

We have been looking at the book from cover to cover and Kimi has been telling me he wants this and that.  Really, the designs are so intricate, I'm not sure iff I can replicate it! 

Once again, Thank you Lia for this wonderful book! 

My Doting Hubby & Bento Tools

My hubby is someone we would call 'wood'.  He is the strong, silent type.  He don't really talk much and mostly his actions speak more.

Over the years that he has been flying, he never once complained whenever I ask him to buy something for me.  Big things, small things, personal things.  The things I've asked him, you would never believe it!  Many many years ago, I only prefered a certain washing detergent from the UK.  So, my poor hb would lug them back in boxes for me.  I've long grown out of that brand.

Many times, he has to walk, hike and hunt for my stuff but he never complains.  He just do it.  Yes, just like NIKE - Just Do it.  If he can't find it in 1 place, he would try in another.  Yes, that was what happened when he couldn't find my FitFlops during his last trip - he had to scour a few places.

It didn't occur to me that it was anything usual until a very close friend pointed this out to me.  She revealed not many would do the same.  Well, I would do the same too for hb or good friends. :)  Perhaps that's why we are married - we are of the same kind. :) 

This time, I gave him a list and made him take the MTR to New Territories, walk the industrial roads to find my bento tools and here are my latest loot!! 

I've been eyeing this mini sandwich sealer for so long but have been putting it off as it was rather costly.  But, it is more affordable at this shop so I jumped right in! No regrets!! Picks and mini cutters

Kimi chose the Anpanman bento box, Frog sandwich cutter and imprint, tulip sausage cutter and rice moulds.  See the elephant in yellow? Kimi loves elephant and I thought it was easier to use a mould to get an elephant shape than to mould by hand

Having said all these, I still find it hard to give up and I simply love to use Fairy dishwashing detergent and I am into my last bottle. So hon, next trip to London, you know what to do ya? :)  Thank you Papa for buying all these stuff for me over the years!

When the going gets tough ...

When the going gets tough, only God can nourish, enrich and fill you.

If you have a few minutes, I want to share this beautiful song with you, Desert by Hillsong Church.  Such meaningful lyrics!

This is also Kimi's favourite now and he can sing bits and pieces of it.  In fact, after listening to it for the first time, he asked me if the name of the song was Desert.  I was rather taken aback but I believe Kimi was led by the Holy Spirit and anything that is done by the Lord, it is always beautiful and perfect.

Hold My Hand

Since Oct or Nov last year (2009) Kimi would ask me to hold his hand whenever he slept. To me, it was the sweetest request. Why? That showed that I was his security blanket... how nice can that be? :)

I've always put Kimi to bed and I would carry him in my arms till he slept and this was from the day he was born. But I 'trained' him such that I shall not be rocking him like a 'yao-lan' or walked around the house endlessly. I KNEW that 1 day he will be more than 10kg and that would be back-breaking! So I planned right from the start that it meant sitting down comfortably and with rhythmically patting only.

It worked. And that was how he slept, night after night in my arms. I loved the feeling! But as Kimi grew, he became heavier and my arm was giving way and so we progressed to a pillow propped on the bed and he sleeping on my thighs. Nice too. :)

Then came last year when he said he wanted to sleep on his own, in his own cot. Frankly I was devastated! So I let him, feeling so sad everyday. Then one day out of the blue, he said that he wanted to hold my hands and I was SOOOOO happy!

Last week's article on Mind Your Body was interesting. While all of us are guilty of subscribing to some Parenting Gurus on how to bring up our kids, the writer was so right when she said that the best parenting was 'gut feel'. And I agree. I never really bothered about what most books or Gurus would say reagrding when a child needs to be toilet-trained, sleep on his own, etc, etc. I always believed that 'when a child is ready, he will be ready' and that will make everything so much easier.

Kimi toilet-trained himself when we were in Hong Kong last year. One day at the hotel, he told me that he didn't want to wear his diaper so I said as long as you tell me or papa when you needed to go. And that was it. Of course there were a few accidents but it was far and few. Kimi is currently not toilet-trained for naps and bedtime. Again, when he is ready, he will be ready and I also do not bother to push him.

I know many parents are eager to let their child sleep on their own. For me, it's the other way round, I really have no hurry. Again, my theory was proven. When they are ready, they will be ready. Kimi is starting to display such independence and I am not in the least bit frantic that he still needs to hold my hand now to sleep.

In fact, I wished he would want to hold my hand till I'm 80! Such closeness with our children sadly to say diminshes as the child grows. It is a fact and we can't deny it. It will come a day when we will take a back-seat in their lives.

So, enjoy and savour the moment we can with our little ones cos they REALLY grow up too fast. Everything else can wait, the laundry, dirty dishes, your beauty mask and even sleep! Cos there will be a day when they may not even want you in their rooms!

Diary of A Stomach Flu

I am recording this down for my own reference cos my memory is failing me rather badly and of course to share. I pray in Jesus' name that no one reading my blog would need to use the following information, Amen!

All of us were down with this horrible bug, Kimi first, hubby then me. I am able to detail these cos we first see the symptoms in Kimi then hb experienced it and I was prepared for it. Initially, we weren't sure what to make out of Kimi's complains. We didn't know it was real or imaginative cos Kimi can be such a drama fella these days! So we took all his complaints with a pinch of salt till it came to hb. Everyday was a different experience. Terrible is the word.

Day 1

• Nauseous
• Vommitting/wretching
• Overall unwell/'sick' feel
• May start some diarrohea
• Joint and muscle aches
• Tongue starts to feel 'chemical', no taste and the Chinese called it 'siap'

What you can do -

• Kids - Best to rest the gut. Children can go without food for 2 days but you must hydrate the child frequently. Good to use Pedialyte and serve small amounts like 30ml every 15mins.
• Signs to look out for are dehydration and fever. Dry lips is 1 indication of dehydration.
• Most kids will whine for milk cos they are hungry yet they can't keep food down. Really if possible no dairy but sometimes when they cry so badly,we give in. I suggest 50% dilution and small amounts like 30-50ml. If child is willing you can serve soy based milk or Pediasure.
• Always standby a basin and teach child to vomit into it or into a plastic bag.
• If you can recognise the signs early, bring child to Dr for a jab immediately. For us, we knew that Kimi will not vomit in a space of 45mins (merlion style) so we brought him the the hospital after his second vomit.
• Adults - I downed many cups of green tea, it really helps!

Day 2

• Fever starts (for young children)
• General weak feeling all over body
• More vomitting
• Cannot keep food down. Completely no appetite. You don't even feel hungry

What you can do -

• Adults - try to drink small amounts of fluid like Htwo or 100Plus. Try to eat 1 or 2 pc of crackers if you can. Eating in small amounts help. Very running porridge is good too.
• For young children - Continue to rest the gut hydrate with Pedialyte. If they can or willing can give runny porridge, just plain with a sprinkle of salt. If not, can eat cracker or plain toast too. Kimi refused everything! :(
• Kimi can't even stomach Yakult. Wierd right? This was what he wanted to drink but threw up after each drink.
• You will need to give child paracetamol and monitor fever. Can also give med to prevent vomit.

Day 3

• Headache starts and it is located at the back of the head, radiating to neck and upper shoulders
• Still general unwell feel
• Throat feels rather warm and feels like there is a thick lining from the tongue to throat. You also sometimes feel like you have phelgm.
• Show some signs of recovery, vomitting lessens. Able to keep some fluid/food down.
• At Day 3, I felt the immense urge to drink Orangina and jelly. It gave me such satisfaction. At this point, it is best to serve drinks that are a little chilled as it made drinking easier and satiating. I feel it is good to give child jelly as it provided nice, cool comfort and a good way to open appetite and get him interested in food. Its also light and easy for the gut to absorb.

What you can do -

• Give paracetamol if child starts to roll all over the floor cos he may be having a headache. As Kimi can speak, he can tell us where and what pain he had.
• For younger ones, you will have to use your discretion to help ease their pain. It is really very painful cos I took 2 Extra Strong Panadol and it did not go away.
• Kimi also was very whiny and we observed that when he had stomach cramps or this headache, he will roll all over the floor.

Day 4

• Just when you thought it is over, the cramps hit you today!
• It leads to some vomit and watery stools/diarrohea. Kimi started vomitting and wretching again.
• Appetite may improve but we can only take in 20% of our usual portion.
• Tend to pass out alot of wind too

What you can do -

• Kids - Continue to rest gut and do not over-stimulate with whole meals. Snack frequently and hydrate with Pedialyte.
• Start to rub Ru-yi oil or Eucalyptus oil to purge out the winds. You can also give child Colimix to ease cramps and help to relive wind.

Day 5

• Appetite improves and can keep food down. Start wanting to eat all kinds of food but can't stomach and probably only can eat 20%. Tend to get hungry very quickly and feel faint easily.
• Kimi kept saying he is going to fall down.

What you can do -

• As we would have douse our child with so much medication on an empty stomach, it is good to give child some Yakult/yogurt/pre or pro-biotics tablets (fr Dr) if he can stomach it.

Day 6-10

• Continue to feel hungry quickly and feel faint.
• My body felt erratic but cos my stomach is stronger, I recovered faster. But it was funny cos I can feel so well 1 minute and the next I felt feverish and an hour later, I was well again.
• Frankly, all the porridges I made, mostly were in the bin. This bug is so wierd. All of us wanted to eat foods that were considered 'no-nos'. Like fried chicken, fried rice, hor fun, cheesy fries, etc.
• Kimi took his first meal at Day 8. He was completely well with no more vomitting and passed poo at Day 10.

What you can do -

• Continue to monitor intake of food or give child whatever he wants to eat. Cos at this point it is really not how nutritious each meal is BUT what you can keep in his stomach and not let his stomach go empty.
• Hydrate child well. If child like ice-cream, you can freeze some ribena lollies and let him suck on them.

Stomach Flu

Upset, frustrated and exhausted.

Upset cos Kimi caught the bug as I needed to let him go to school on Thursday. He has not been attending school since last week, averaging once a week. Kimi started throwing up on Friday at 10.10pm. When he threw up the 2nd time at 11.20pm, we whisked him to the hospital.

Frustrated cos the school did not do any sort of clean-up, whatsoever even when one (as far as I know cos I only have this parent's contact) of Kimi's classmate and subsequently teacher had the bug!

Exhausted ... 'nuff said.

Now even hubby has caught the bug. I'm the last man standing ...

"Father God, please keep me strong so I can care for them both!"

Be back soon.

Post Updates

These are posts which I've to blog for my record purposes. Pls read if you like, else skip on to the latest for a dose of yummy soup! More updates to come later and oh ya, holiday pix!! Keke!

1) Fire Station Visit

2) Farms and All Things F

3) A Bad Fall

4) Budding Architect

5) Playmobil

6) 28th Month Old Adult?

7) Cutting of 17th & 18th Teeth

8) Kimi Speaks

9) Cutting of 19th & 20th Teeth

Enzo Boy

Our pix with Enzo before we sent him to Brother Charlie's place - oh dear, look at my swollen eyes!

Remember, some time back I said I was very troubled about a decision? But was not ready to share cos my emotions were all over the place?

Well, I feel more at peace now although frankly, I don't think I can be FULLY at peace. Of course, I've learnt to let go more now.

Due to some circumstances, we had to let our Golden Retriever go. Enzo has been with us since he was 12 weeks old and he will turn 6 years old in May. So, can you imagine the heartache that I have to go through? The decision is not mine but I know it's been made for the best.

Kimi and myself are always suffering during the end and early quarter of the year where Enzo sheds the most. It's also not helping with the fluctuations of temperature/weather during this period.

This year, my sinus had been the worst. I hadn't been able to taste food for more than 2 months. Hb was concerned that it will worsen my asthma. Kimi was also constantly allergic to the home envirnonment and hb didn't want it to develop into asthma.

Sigh.

Of cos, hb feels I've been overworked taking care of such a large dog and a rambunctious kid. And Enzo is also not getting the best of attention, naturally.

To cut a long story short, my heart still bleeds for Enzo who has brought us tremendous joy before we had Kimi. To me, I felt I have let him down ENTIRELY! I did not fulfil my promise to him to take care of him till the end. Even, Kimi was asking for Enzo the first few mornings when he woke. Saying sadly, "Enzo go!"

Heartache beyond words.

The week after Enzo left, I was like a zombie... just no mood to do anything around the house. Everytime I prepared dinner, I thought of him cos he's always waiting there patiently for some food to drop. Everywhere I went, reminded me of him. I even automatically, tie up a plastic bag and threw on the dining table, ready to be brought outside for Enzo's poo. But the moment I flicked the bag, my heart dropped and I told myself, I don't need to do that anymore ...

But I know the Lord is GREAT! HE has Godly plans. HE helped us find a very, very nice couple to adopt Enzo. Brother Charlie and his wife, Sister Christy are church friends and they love Enzo as much as us. What surprises me more is that Sister Christy has the SAME practice/beliefs re feeding/cooking for the dogs (they have 2 shihtzus).

We are so blessed that Enzo is in GREAT hands and we can visit him anytime. This is my comfort. I cannot thank GOD enough for finding such good people to adopt Enzo. GOD is good all the time, He knows our needs, He plans for us, comforts us and loves us.

I was so surprised at my calmness when I brought Enzo to Brother Charlie's place on 8 Feb 2009 while explaining all the feeding and intricacies of Enzo. I thought I would be a nervous wreck. I'm sure I would have been if GOD had not held my hand that day.

My heart still aches but seeing him soooo loved by his new family and Enzo being so adjusted and happy, that's what really matters ultimately! And although I once told my hb this,

1 broken promise, 2 heartaches, 3 changed lives

After these few weeks, I can now look at this more positively,

1 happy dog, 2 new friends, 3 changed lives

Sick :(

I'm down and out. Will be back soon. :(

I Miss You!

Happy Boy! Kimi playing with Serene's cap!

Today, Charmaine and I continued with our girl's day out after lunch as hb made his way home. We stayed till almost dinner time so hb picked Kimi and fed him dinner.

According to hb, he was asking for me in school, in the car and upon reaching home, ran into the bedroom to look for me, calling out "ma-ma, ma-ma". So, hb told him that I was taking the train home and he settled down after that.

When I reached home, he gave me this beaming big smile and called out "ma-ma"! My heart almost burst out with happiness. After throwing my shopping bags on the dining table, I made my way quickly to the loo and Kimi ran looking for me after 2 mins and gave me a big hug and said, "I miss you!" I was stunned beyond words. Not just by his vocab but also by his swwetness! My heart felt sooo warm literally. This is the best day for me in months, years? Thank you, Lord! And I know Lord, You have more good things planned for us in the coming future!

Update Post 2/2

Finally, the last update post of the things we did. Frankly, there are more but too tired to do all. Hope you enjoy the snippets of our lives, pix & videos!

1. Bento #3 - Pineapple & Gems


2. Bento #4 - Gingerbread Santas


3. Kimi says, Two!


4. Bento #5 - Roar Like A Lion


5. Bento #6 - Bunny & Bear


6. Cliffhanger?


7. Bento #7 - Beary Surprise!


8. Model Cyclist


9. Jim Jam Jammer!


10. Bento #8 - Panda Bread


11. Bento #9 - Octopus Buddies

Backdated Posts #1

Finally, I can do some updating. Here's my backdated posts. For easy reading, you can click on the title below :-

1. Letter D - Durian mache


2. Kimi on Nebuliser


3. Bento #1 - Teriyaki Salmon Lunch


4. Happy Birthday To Me Again ...


5. Merry X'mas 2008


6. Sarah is 8!


7. Jesus, Our Saviour!


8. Bento #2 - Breakfast @ Home

Thank you!

Thank you all my dear blog readers who have been sms-ing and leaving me messages. We are better! :)

Well, it had been a tough month for both Kimi and myself. He was sick the whole month, hopping from 1 illness to another. I, too, caught his bug and also never really recovered - guess due to zero rest?

Kimi finally was well enough to go back to school on Monday and I felt my energy picking up again... but well, guess God has more plans for me (I think He wanted me to rest MORE!).

I scratched my cornea on Tues and was totally out of action relying solely on hb for everything from Wed (Thank God, hb was home on Wed). I'm now in the midst of recovering. Only managed to see/read better today.

Well, there were quite a bit of changes in the past weeks and I promise to update here soonest when my eye feels more comfortable.

Thanks again, everyone! I'm so touched by all your concern! :)

Btw, Happy 2009!!

Happy Birthday to Me Again!

Didn't do anything special cos we are both not too well and hb is out of town.

Hb got me a new Nokia N85 for my 3-in-1 gift - Xmas, anniversary, birthday. Oh well, better something that none?

And hey, no wild ideas ok? This lovely bunch is from Cat and not hb. Although I did not get it on my exact birthday, it mattered NOT cos I love it to bits. So what does 3 roses represent? I love you? Nah... it's.... Best Friends Forever!! Thanks Cat! You made my day yet again and I love the present(s) you gave me!

Cycle of Life

Almost every evening I will see this family of 2 daughters and 1 son pushing their mom on a wheelchair on the opposite side of the road.

Whenever we approach each other, I can't help but feel how life moves in circles. Here, I was pushing Kimi in his stroller and there she was this old lady sitting in her wheelchair with her filial children pushing her for an evening walk and explaining things along the way. It is exactly what we do for our kids. Pushing them around in their strollers, talking, explaining the things we see as we pass a tree, a bird or a car.

But, alas, how many would bring their aged parents out for leisurely walks even if they become invalid? I hardly think so. It is indeed sad.

Now, this once frail old lady that could only sit in her wheelchair last year, can now walk with the aid of her 3 children for almost 100m. It is really a feat!

Well, some food for thoughts for you!

Regrettable Construction

Dear readers, you would probably see some changes to my blog. And I really hate myself for being so no-brainer! I had been wanting to give my blog a new look and sweet Cat offered to help me tweak it.

I forgot to save the template and after changing, I realised that I can't really use it and didn't really like it. I'm such an itchy backside! Anyway, am so sad most of my widgets are gone.

So, pls bear with me as I re-construct my site or until I find another template which I like... pls get used to tis for now. Sorry!

Of Cakes & Deeds

Since we had been going out 2 days in a roll, the birthday boy decided that he wanted to stay in on his birthday today. So, in we stayed.

Last night, Charmaine & Daric bought a cake for hb, it was so sweet of them, Tks!! But, think hb a bit shy cos before I could even whip out the camera to take a pix, he already cut the cake and we haven't even finishing singing the birthday song!??

Here's part of the cake ...

Coincidentally, today is also Vesak's Day so it is a Public Holiday here. Hb brought Kimi to the pool for a dip as it is soooo hot. And, he also saved a life - a little girl almost drowned and hb managed to scoop her up.

Sometimes, I can't understand how people can get so rapt in their conversations that they forget to watch over a child. This was the big pool and not the wading pool. How can these people be so nonchanlant about water safety especially when the child is not a confident swimmer? At 1+ metres of water, most child under 10 years can't reach the floor safely. Sigh, some people just simply 'bo chap' (can't be bothered).

When hb handed the child to the minder, she did not even realise the gravity of the situation but asked the crying child what had happened. It was even more disgusting that she did not even bat an eyelid or utter a word of thanks to hb ... how predictable. That's our fellow Singaporeans, sadly to say.

Well, doing a good deed on your birthday which happens to be Vesak Day, I'd say, "Papa, well done for being selfless!"

And he reminded me to sign Kimi up for his swim lessons which I had been delaying. So without further delay, Kimi is starting his swim lessons next Tues with Marsden. So exciting!

Senior Citizen

Alright, this is for you girls! (my chums from the forum). Sometime back, I was complaining to my forum friends how could someone be categorised as senior citizen at 45 years old???

I came across this ridiculous notice while walking Kimi and the dog at Punggol.

I finally managed to take a pix. I shudder to think how I would be a senior citizen in some years! Well, still I do not agree, at 45?? No way! Think I should call the town council to remove this.

Working Yet Again...

Kimi is feeling it more now that hb is working more intensely... my boy is growing up fast.

Huh??!! Papa, you going off again? So soon? Hmmphh!

Can you bring me with you? I promise I will keep very still and quiet in the bag ok? Can? Please???!!! This bottle can keep me company ma...