Excitement? Not so.... but worries....

Nanny or Maid? Some question that I am still asking myself? Haiz.... i hate the feeling of asking ard and getting many scary stories abt nanny and maid....

There is so many "IF ONLY" ideas in mind:

• "IF ONLY" i dun hv to work and can take care of Lucas
• "IF ONLY" my mum can help
• "IF ONLY" bei's mum can help
• "IF ONLY" baby dont cry and i can bring him to work
• "IF ONLY" Lucas is pocket size I can pack him in pocket anywhere i go
• "IF ONLY" there is no worries.....

Days are getting closer and I hv no single idea what is like when Lucas is born and if I can manage Lucas and after maternity how and who can help to look after lucas....
Excited or not? Guess I am more worried than excited now.... GOD, take away all my worries and send me guardian angel to help out all my worries....
I was chatting with Bei few days back and was saying.... must save more money, when is still just 2 of us only.. no money can still anyhow eat and stay home dun spend money.... BUT when Lucas comes along.... he hungry means must drink and eat and "IF" he is unwell means must see doctor and the PD is more expensive than adult doctor... the more i think of it the more worries I have now....

How I wish I have a GROWING MONEY PLANT AT HOME!

Nanny or maid?

Interesting write up from "first time mama and papa blog"


Nanny
We all know that it will be great if our baby can be taken care either by ourselves, or someone who we can trust. Such as our parents and etc...

However at times, due to certain circumstances, we have no choice but to pass our baby to someone whom we don't know at all. So, if you are passing your baby to a nanny, here are some questions that you may want to ask before accepting the nanny.

You have to understand that some nannies are very picky, just like you as a parents. You may have your own sets of thinking and the nanny may think otherwise.


I think here are the top 10 questions to ask nanny:

Religion. Many nannies are Taoist. They will have figures at home or they will offer incense sticks and etc. in the morning. Can you accept that? If you can, do you allow your child to see them in action? If not, how?

Food. Have you started your child on solid food? If not, does the nanny agree with you? Many modern parents are into breast feeding or, feeding breast milk to their babies as long as possible. Some of us will wait for the baby to give us signal. Many nannies are under-informed in this area. Is she open minded enough to learn from you?
Weaning: When you start weaning your baby, what kind of food will the nanny prepare? Or once your baby has started on solid food, what kind of food will she prepare?

Vaccination: Have you vaccinated your baby? If not, does the nanny accept that? If she does, how is she going to ensure that your baby does not get infected by others? How about the nanny? Has vaccinated herself against some common diseases? Can you accept that? Also, after vaccination, what is she going to do to ensure your baby is well taken care of if your baby has fever? Some nannies prefer to give panadol first before the baby has fever. Either for prevention sake or, for convenient sake.

Breast feeding: If you fully breast feed baby, does the nanny is willing accept that? Especially if you are going to pass it to her before you break the routine? Some nanny recognize the toughness of taking care a fully breast feed baby.
Family: Who are the members who is going to help her to take care your baby? Her kids? Her hubby? What are the kids' age? If the kids are small and your baby has not get his or her vaccination, your baby will get sick easily. Any smoker in the house? Any elderly in the house? What is the state of health of the elderly?
Equipments: Does the nanny has the necessary equipments to sterilize your bottles? Or, what method do they use to clean your baby stuffs? Boiling water?
Education: Are you going to give the nanny the some dvds/vcds for your baby to watch? Is she or her willing to play the dvds/vcds according to your schedule?
Your family members: Does she allow your family members to visit your baby at her place? Some nannies do not like it. And some family members love to sit at the nanny's house to watch them.

Fees: While, if everything is agreed upon, here's another important question. If you found your nanny through agent, you have to ask the agent upfront. What's the agent fee? Before you get the agent to start searching for you. Let's say he found it, ask him what's the nanny fee? How about solid food? How much does she charge? Also, how much does she charge if you need her to take care of your baby during off duty hours? For example, weekends?

Maid (Indo or Fil)?
Do you need a maid?
When the little one arrives, sometimes it is good to have an extra helping hand. However, do you really need one? This is the advice from a friend of mine. Her name is Emily Quek and she wrote this for everybody in a forum. So all credits go to her.

------------------------------------------------

Fil or Indon - depends on your needs & preference. Then again, it's about generalisation only... does not necessarily mean 1 nationality better (or worse) than the other. Some pointers (bare in mind some are generalisations):

Indon:
1. Lower salary
2. More hardworking
3. Can take hardship
4. Keen learners (will pick up languages & learn new things)
5. Less likely to 'ask' for things or bargain
6. More willing to accept rules & regulations
7. Better cooks (cos Indon cooking methods more Asian than Fil)
8. Not as prideful & can accept reprimands
9. Not as alert or smart (keen to learn not = to fast learner)
10. Not as clean

Fil:
1. Higher salary
2. Will eat snake when they can (or if u prefer, work 'smart')
3. Not as able to take hardship (turn in early, wake up late, etc)
4. Think highly of themselves (hence, not as receptive to new things, may try to act smart)
5. Know their 'rights' & WILL ask for things or bargain
6. Tend to agree to rules & regulations on the surface, if they do not like it, may not follow lol then got lots to argue later on.
7. More used to using low fire to cook, so not as good a chef as Indons
8. Full of pride & may not take well to being told off (even if they are in the wrong!)
9. More alert & smart (sometimes too smart, so dare to argue, bargain, or DEMAND for things)
10. Supposedly cleaner.

These are just some generalisations. I'm sure there'll be people who can tell you that their Indon maid is very clean or their Fil maid cooks very well.

Then the diff between a brand new (raw) gal & an experienced one are:
1. BN mouldable, not 'infected' by bad habits (though need not mean they dun have any to start with).
2. BN must train from scratch (very tedious).
3. Exp ones can probably start work from day 1, just need to adjust to your preference... but some may be stubborn & stick to old ways too
4. Exp ones know what to expect, so may compare & bargain.
5. BN usually mean have to deal with a certain period of homesickness, esp Fil. Almost guranteed one. If they appear fine, something is definitely WRONG... hahaha..
6. Of course exp ones more expensive than BN ones

Agencies have different packages for girls of different nationalities, whether exp or BN & whether from home country or transfer.

From home country usually means they have existing loans which you probably have to pay up in advance for them (higher start up cost, but eventually deduct from their pay). Transfer should mean less or no more loan to shoulder, could mean just pay agent fee & bring girl home.

I think most important is to get a reliable & trustworthy agent. Bio data for girls are shared & passed around, so does not mean a pricey agency gets the best girls. More important to get a fair agent who understands your needs, so that they can find you the best match... & in times of need, they can counsel your maid for you.

But I always tell my friends (my agent tells me the same thing): think carefully whether you truely need a maid. If not, dun go through the hassle & trouble... if you do, you need to be aware of the possible pitfalls & know how to handle whatever might come out of it...

Just for Laugh....

Saw this from my friend's blog... think is really FUNNY... hehehe

If your father is a poor man,
it is your fate but,
if your father-in-law is a poor man,
it’s your stupidity.

Practice makes perfect…..
But nobody’s perfect……
so why practice?

The more you learn, the more you know,
The more you know, the more you forget
The more you forget, the less you know
So.. why learn.

A bus station is where a bus stops.
A train station is where a train stops.
On my desk, I have a work station….
what more can I say……..

Flying With Baby – Minus The Tears

YES, we are going to PERTH again coming May 2010 BUT it will be without Lucas :O(
and i Wondered if I can stay apart from Lucas for 10 full days.... I miss holiday badly... feeling alittle guilty about booking flights even before the arrival of Lucas....Daddy says u will be ok alone in Singapore with ah ma... keeping my finger cross as we hv not told bei's mum about it yet...

Saw read up about flying with baby.... is interesting...

You don’t have to stop travelling once baby arrives. The keys to enjoying smooth air travel? Proper planning and staying calm.

What’s the best age for air travel?

Baby is never too young to travel, except for his first seven days. In fact, the younger baby is, the more low-maintenance he is.


What medication/immunisations does baby need?

Before international trips, allow four to six weeks to meet with your child’s doctor for advice about medications and immunisations. Keep a copy of your child’s vaccination records on your trip. Avoid giving baby sedatives on long flights as it can have the reverse effect. Sucking on a preferred drink can have the same soothing effect.

Plan-ahead strategies

1.When reserving your flight, say you’re travelling with an infant. Ask for a flight that’s not fully booked and get a front-row seat (for more leg room). Often, these seats are also near the toilets, so you can change baby’s diapers urgently.
2.Book a bassinette for baby to sleep in during the flight.
3.Arrive at the airport early to check in before the queue starts forming.
4.Look for flights that won’t upset your baby’s routine, like night flights or those that coincide with baby’s naptime.
5.If you’re changing planes, ask for a courtesy cart between gates.
What should I take in my hand-carry luggage?

Pack at least two weeks ahead and keep your list in a prominent spot. Choose a bag with a waterproof lining and wide shoulder straps. Keep baby happy onboard with these:
Bibs
Bottles
Bottle of water. Many parents take 1.5 litres of bottled water.
Pre-measured servings of infant formula. Most planes have formula onboard, but supply and brands are limited, so bring your own. Take more than you’ll need on the flight in case of delays.
Bottled baby food or boxed cereal
Feeding spoon
Face cloths (three)
Changing pack comprising five to eight disposable diapers (depending on flight duration), wet wipes, diaper changing cream, tissue, cotton wool and three zip-lock bags (for soiled clothes). This way, you don’t have to take your entire knapsack and baby into the tiny loo.
Two changes of shirt and pants (cotton separates is best for easy changing), in case of spills etc. They also help baby “layer up” if it gets too cold.
Baby wrap, for comfort, to keep warm or to swaddle smaller babies.
Pacifiers, to help soothe an upset baby.
A bag of treats like biscuits, toys or books to distract her. Recommended: anything shiny, mirrors, rattles, light-up musical toys and soft cuddlies.
Baby sling, for smaller babies. It also leaves your hands free for luggage.
A lightweight stroller.
Medicines, especially infant paracetamol for pain and fever relief. Also consider a colic treatment, saline nose drops for stuffy noses and teething gel.
Extra shirt or cardigan for yourself.
A muesli bar and some packed nuts. You may not get the chance to eat your airline meal.
A camera, so you can capture memorable travel moments with baby, especially if it’s her first flight.

In-flight tips

A baby is allowed to sit on your lap until she’s two years old. For long-haul flights, however, book a separate seat so you’ll both be more comfortable.
During landing and take-off, encourage her to have a drink or suck on a pacifier; swallowing relieves ear pressure at high altitudes.
If your baby gets upset, cuddle her and walk along the aisles – it will be less of a problem for baby and you, and other passengers.
If there are rows of spare seats on the flight, asked to be moved.

Which airlines are baby-friendly?
Families travelling with young children are usually invited to board the plane before other passengers, so you have easier access through the plane and time to settle your children in their seats. In general most airlines offer the following to help make travelling with baby easier:

Sky cots. These bassinets are for infants aged up to 12 months and weighing less than 10 kg to 14 kg (check with your airline) not occupying a seat. Available on request, these are fitted after take-off.
Changing table. Most aircrafts have toilets with a pull-down changing table.
Baby items like diapers, creams, powders, wipes, bibs, baby formula and food are available on request, but stock is limited.
If your infant has a separate seat, bring a car seat for her to sit in. But it must have its own built-in restraint system and be approved for use in motor vehicles.
Amenities kits. Many airlines give out kits containing things like talcum powder, wet wipes, bib and toy.
Baby stroller service. You can borrow one free-of -charge from the airport so you won’t have to carry a 10-kg baby and a hand-carry bag all over. Most airports offer this service, but supply is limited.
Twin travel. Inform the airline if you’re travelling alone with two infants, as special arrangements are required, like a child seat.

Miki is getting OLD

My dog Miki is getting so OLD.... she start to scratch herself and cause her skin to bleed so much... end up i have to cone her this way.... poor Miki has to wear the cone for now...

(above is not Miki...)

Haiz, feeling so sad for both Snowball and Miki... i hardly hv the energy to play with them anymore.... sitting down playing with Snowball is not easy especially when he turns violent and starts to jump on me...

Snowball and Miki often gets beaten up by ah bei too for not pee-ing at the wrong spot and barking too much.... at times snowball fur will be wet in the morning cos bei use the mop to hit him....

haiz, think snowball is poor thing and bei also is poor thing now... cos bei needs to help me to clean my dog's poo poo and i know he hates it.... just becos i am so pregnant and cant bend now.. he is un"willing" to help out....

Bei recently ask me.... "can give ur dogs away? I really hate them.... "

I love dogs since young and I am now torned apart btw my dogs and bei.... and i foresee next time bei will use Lucas to send my dogs away... "keeping my finger cross and hope that wont happen"....

People always start giving away their dogs after the baby comes and that goes to my sister too... she gave miki to me after she had her baby.... I dont want that to happen to Snowball or Miki.... I still dun believe that if i have baby I cant have dogs.... i know Lucas will love Miki and Snowball just like i do.... so pls dun take snowball and miki away from me... snowball and miki will stay as long as they are still alive... and I pray that Miki and Snowball will live a strong and healthy life...

See, snowball is so adorable since young.... he is hugging my favourite teddy bear "pepper" to bed.... see his paws is so pinky....


Still remember.... during wedding, i made bei agree that "if he loves me, he must love my dogs" and he did agree with that.... bei, can u keep ur promise pls? Dont take my snowball and miki away pls....

This was taken during a church outing... if i am not wrong is at Wendy's place....

29 days to seeing Lucas

I can hardly walk much :O(


Hands and feet swelling so badly.....


my feet now is so round and can hard stand longer than 5 mins....

My hands are too swell as well... joints are so painful... can hardly hold my toothbrush well.....

I am so HIPPO looking now.... clumpsy but hopefully still sexy in bei's eyes.... Hehehe

32Days to Lucas Arrival

WAH..... Gain SO much weight.... I am 57.6kg!!! (used to be 44kg)

Total weight gain 13.6kg... wonder if i can go back to my original weight ever after birth.... Never felt so fat before... never felt my tights rubbing to each other when walking.... never felt so breathless walking up the stairs before.... Legs and hands swelling badly.... never felt so painful before... For Lucas anything will be bearable....

Lucas is only 2.1kg!!! at last he hit 2kg and above... was so worried if he will be too small... coming 32days I pray that Lucas will grow stronger and bigger :O) Mummy and Daddy cant wait to see u.... SO curious and excited waiting for ur arrival....

36 Days to seeing LUCAS

Cannot IMAGINE that we are going to be daddy and mummy in 36days...

I am enjoying Lucas in me since 18 March 2009. When the 1st time i felt Lucas kicking it was like a butterfly inside me. Is weird hving something kicking inside my tummy but "I am so loving it now"

Thanked GOD that we both are fertile and can bear LUCAS!

Having the tots that I will be operated on my tummy, makes my hair stand and scare.... never been operated since after age 5... haiz, for Lucas sake I will endure and be HAPPY cos i know ah bei will be very happy to see Lucas :O)

but the little me is still very very scared :O( "Help me GOD"

My feet and hands started swelling so much that i can hardly hold even my own toothbrush and can hardly stand to iron more than 3 ah bei shirt...

I feel so FAT and SWOLLEN... boo hoo hoo... i have turn ugly ! *Huang Lian Po me*

Was talking to Lucas yday:

Moi: Lucas ah, can help mummy to drink away all my water? Mummy's hands and leg very painful and swollen u must drink more of what mummy drink ok if not mummy will have water retention leh.... mummy very xinku leh...

Lucas: Kicking (means he understand)

Moi: Bei, can help me to rub my legs and hands... so painful leh....

Bei: Okie, at night i rub for u before u sleep okie...

Moi: B, i am so FAT now... am i still sexy in ur eyes?

Bei: U are always my sexy wife ***Eyes rolling***

Moi: :O(

'Dear God,

Please make all women uglier than me in Andy's eyes... pls help me to be always pretty & sexy in ah bei's eyes.... I pray that Lucas will be tall and handsome and happy and smart and good boy and lovable and easy to teach and healthy and adorable and charming and so so much more of great things that you have want him to be.... Dear God, pls teach me and bei to be a great parent and always have good example for Lucas to look up to.... Pls let us be great parent to Lucas and let us be great lover even after Lucas has arrive....

Thank you GOD for making sandies possible.... love u so much from me, Sally :O)

Amen'

Fought for 2 years

Haiz.... bei 'lost' his bike accident case....

PEOPLE LIED to WIN CASES??

We stand firm and told the truth, people made false statements to win cases!!! After 2 years of lawsuit and end up we still have to pay for bikey 80% repair cost... is so not FAIR...

Daddy's retirement

My daddy (Richard Tiger Ong) has finally retired from MAS after almost working there for 40years, he had his golden hand shake and had his entire life in MAS.... everyone calls him Tiger Ong

4th day after his retirement dad called me
Dad: I am going mad, dont noe wat to do everyday after i wake up from bed... so bored
Me: Huh.... like that how? Will become senile leh.... like miki she is getting old and she always forgot she has eaten and she eats and eats.... Think u better find something to do la...
Dad: can i come stay at ur house 2 days then Ling house 2 days?
Me: SURE! why not... come stay 1 week also can.... hehehe but no birds pls... ur birds very noisy and smelly....
Dad: 2 birds can?
Me: No birds la... u come can liao...
Dad: Throw away ur dogs I give u 1 parrot that will scold vulgarity...
Me: Siao ah, my dog can show vulgarity too leh.... every morning snowball will greet u with his shit and pee.... how abt that?
Haiz, we go out for dinner this weekend okie....
Dad: ya, we go out i am so bored.... u take care okie... papa buy DOM for u...

My poor daddy :O( wonder how will old age be for me...