Our friends; Mao, Audrey n Milie came to visit us and Charlene.
They celebrated my birthday with delicious cupcakes (as birthday cake) and pizzas. Charlene also received her belated birthday presents; a talking soft toy doggy and a light n music projector (which she likes!)
Afterwhich Mao gave us a ride to Seletar Air Base to eat jalapeno wings. But we were too late and they have already closed (and the venue will be closed for good). So sad cos the place is so rustic and scenic. We proceeded to Jalan Kayu for the famous Selegie soy beancurd. Dez and I haven't smell the night air and soaked in the night atmosphere since Charlene was born. We are really happy for this time.
We thank God for friends who care for us.
Sunday, November 27, 2011
Friday, November 25, 2011
25 Nov 2011
When Daddy came back, I told Charlene to say 'Hi' to Daddy. After waiting for 2 mins, Charlene raised her hand (as her way of saying Hi) and Daddy was very pleased. :) You can see that it took her a lot of effort to raise her hands, bec her face showed some straining and her fingers twitched one before she raised her hands.
I thank God for His grace through another busy week. Though I was tired and my backside was aching till yesterday, I thank God that He taught me how to use different pockets of time to complete my chores without compromising on time with Charlene.
I also thank God for His Healing. I woke up this morning and found my backside no longer stiff and aching.
I also thank God for my newfound friends. They gave me advice on physiotherapy and what not. It was good support and a good channel to let out steam, share joy and sorrows.
I also thank God for showing me His grace and healing through others. Do watch "I See You - A CareGiver's Story" on Channel 5, Thur 730pm. The first episode touched me. The couple knew that the unborn baby will have defect but still kept him. The boy Emmanuel was born with organs outside his body and he also has heart problem. God sustained him and blessed him as he went through various operations and arduous physiotherapy. He is now 6 years old and can talk, can walk, can eat through mouth. I also read 2 other blogs on 2 other special children. It is amazing to see how these little children are so strong and overcome their obstacles and surpass doctors' 'death sentence'. I am also encouraged by the love and perserverance of their parents!
I thank God for His grace through another busy week. Though I was tired and my backside was aching till yesterday, I thank God that He taught me how to use different pockets of time to complete my chores without compromising on time with Charlene.
I also thank God for His Healing. I woke up this morning and found my backside no longer stiff and aching.
I also thank God for my newfound friends. They gave me advice on physiotherapy and what not. It was good support and a good channel to let out steam, share joy and sorrows.
I also thank God for showing me His grace and healing through others. Do watch "I See You - A CareGiver's Story" on Channel 5, Thur 730pm. The first episode touched me. The couple knew that the unborn baby will have defect but still kept him. The boy Emmanuel was born with organs outside his body and he also has heart problem. God sustained him and blessed him as he went through various operations and arduous physiotherapy. He is now 6 years old and can talk, can walk, can eat through mouth. I also read 2 other blogs on 2 other special children. It is amazing to see how these little children are so strong and overcome their obstacles and surpass doctors' 'death sentence'. I am also encouraged by the love and perserverance of their parents!
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
22 Nov 2011
Today, Charlene continues to be a good girl and makes her mummy happy.
Charlene sat in the pram with the balloon tied to her wrist. She seems like she is tracking a little as the fan blew the balloon away. She still can't turn her head but her eyes were tracking...
Thanks to Sally. I started using the sesame street website. Found songs that goes "Raise your hand", "Clap your hand". So I did them with Charlene and she was smiling happily.
I also played Elmo song and C for Cookie song. While I was taking my lunch, I played Elmo song. When the song ended (only 3 mins+), Charlene went 'eh'. So I played the second time. When it ended, she went 'eh' again. Only after the 3rd time, she did not say anything. I think she likes the Elmo song more than the husky voice of Cookie Monster. Anyway, I am really glad to have the website.
Cos Rose told me to try picture cards, I showed Charlene 2 cards; one cat and the other dog. I showed her the picture with dog and made barking sounds plus a song. Same with the cat. Then I left the dog card below her right hand and the cat card below her left hand. I told her to choose one and that I will wait no matter how long she takes. After a minute, Charlene let out a 'sigh' and lifted her left hand abruptly. Almost immediately, she then started throwing tantrums by kicking her legs wildly. I picked her up from her pram immediately and rocked her in the air, praising her and she stopped. So clever.
Charlene sat in the pram with the balloon tied to her wrist. She seems like she is tracking a little as the fan blew the balloon away. She still can't turn her head but her eyes were tracking...
Thanks to Sally. I started using the sesame street website. Found songs that goes "Raise your hand", "Clap your hand". So I did them with Charlene and she was smiling happily.
I also played Elmo song and C for Cookie song. While I was taking my lunch, I played Elmo song. When the song ended (only 3 mins+), Charlene went 'eh'. So I played the second time. When it ended, she went 'eh' again. Only after the 3rd time, she did not say anything. I think she likes the Elmo song more than the husky voice of Cookie Monster. Anyway, I am really glad to have the website.
Cos Rose told me to try picture cards, I showed Charlene 2 cards; one cat and the other dog. I showed her the picture with dog and made barking sounds plus a song. Same with the cat. Then I left the dog card below her right hand and the cat card below her left hand. I told her to choose one and that I will wait no matter how long she takes. After a minute, Charlene let out a 'sigh' and lifted her left hand abruptly. Almost immediately, she then started throwing tantrums by kicking her legs wildly. I picked her up from her pram immediately and rocked her in the air, praising her and she stopped. So clever.
Monday, November 21, 2011
21 Nov 2011
I am very happy today. Charlene is such a good girl today.
I told Charlene it is Auntie Milie's birthday today and I need her to smile so that I can take a nice picture and wat app to Auntie Milie. She smiled immediately. But cos later I decided to tie her Happy Birthday balloon to her wrist for the picture, she didnt really smile.
In the morning, I rolled a spiky ball across her arm and palm and she got irritated. So I asked her to hit the ball away (stretched arm forward). I took her hand and demonstrated once. The second time I irritate her again, she stretched her arm and hit the ball away. So clever.
Cos my backside pain (due to prolonged sitting and probably Charlene's heavy weight on me), I decided to make Charlene sit on the taxi seat leaning on me and my hands supporting her head. She gave me the 'what's happening to me' look. Think she quite like the bumpy ride. But a bit dangerous - the reckless driver jammed the brake and she almost flew out.
She was still quiet and good. But shortly after we entered the neurologist room, she started whining. Maybe she realised where she was. Anyway, when we were about to leave, I told her to say bye and before I could hold her hand up to do a flying kiss (which is a routine), she raised her right hand herself. I think the doctor was a bit taken aback and praised Charlene for being a good girl.
I also met up with my newfound friends. And when I asked Charlene to say Hi to Auntie Rose, she raised her right hand. Charlene was smiling happily as she met Mummy's new friends and Issac didi.
One of my newfound friends Sally wrote a song to encourage Charlene. Tune of the song 'Sixteen' from the Sound of Music.
"U are two now, going on three
Baby, u're such a plum
Growing stronger, smiling with glee
Charlene, u're such a charm
Raising your hand to say hello
All by yourself
Surprising everyone you know
But not your dear old self
You can do it
Little by little
All u need is time
Slow and steady
Wins the race
Your mummy is very proud"
I told Charlene it is Auntie Milie's birthday today and I need her to smile so that I can take a nice picture and wat app to Auntie Milie. She smiled immediately. But cos later I decided to tie her Happy Birthday balloon to her wrist for the picture, she didnt really smile.
In the morning, I rolled a spiky ball across her arm and palm and she got irritated. So I asked her to hit the ball away (stretched arm forward). I took her hand and demonstrated once. The second time I irritate her again, she stretched her arm and hit the ball away. So clever.
Cos my backside pain (due to prolonged sitting and probably Charlene's heavy weight on me), I decided to make Charlene sit on the taxi seat leaning on me and my hands supporting her head. She gave me the 'what's happening to me' look. Think she quite like the bumpy ride. But a bit dangerous - the reckless driver jammed the brake and she almost flew out.
She was still quiet and good. But shortly after we entered the neurologist room, she started whining. Maybe she realised where she was. Anyway, when we were about to leave, I told her to say bye and before I could hold her hand up to do a flying kiss (which is a routine), she raised her right hand herself. I think the doctor was a bit taken aback and praised Charlene for being a good girl.
I also met up with my newfound friends. And when I asked Charlene to say Hi to Auntie Rose, she raised her right hand. Charlene was smiling happily as she met Mummy's new friends and Issac didi.
One of my newfound friends Sally wrote a song to encourage Charlene. Tune of the song 'Sixteen' from the Sound of Music.
"U are two now, going on three
Baby, u're such a plum
Growing stronger, smiling with glee
Charlene, u're such a charm
Raising your hand to say hello
All by yourself
Surprising everyone you know
But not your dear old self
You can do it
Little by little
All u need is time
Slow and steady
Wins the race
Your mummy is very proud"
Sunday, November 20, 2011
20 Nov 2011
Charlene was awake at 3am. So the both of us also woke up to play with her.
When we reached church, fellow brothers and sisters came to greet us, Charlene smiled happily at them all and everyone was delighted to see how happy she is.
She continued to smile happily throughout worship and didn't fuss during sermon.
At the end of service, after I cam out of the toilet, I found Charlene surrounded by many uncles and aunties. So popular, like pop-star. Anyway, Daddy went to talk to Reverend Erick and Charlene started to be upset (maybe hungry). Amazingly, after she heard Auntie Shanti (Charlene absolutely loved Auntie Shanti cos she held her hand throughout cell and carried her) talking to Reverend Niam, she stopped fussing. Auntie Wendy is amused with what she saw too. When Auntie Shanti spoke to Charlene, she was obviously responding to her by flaying her arms. Charlene really like Auntie Shanti. Perhaps, Charlene can sense the sincerity of the person and who truly cares for her....
When we reached church, fellow brothers and sisters came to greet us, Charlene smiled happily at them all and everyone was delighted to see how happy she is.
She continued to smile happily throughout worship and didn't fuss during sermon.
At the end of service, after I cam out of the toilet, I found Charlene surrounded by many uncles and aunties. So popular, like pop-star. Anyway, Daddy went to talk to Reverend Erick and Charlene started to be upset (maybe hungry). Amazingly, after she heard Auntie Shanti (Charlene absolutely loved Auntie Shanti cos she held her hand throughout cell and carried her) talking to Reverend Niam, she stopped fussing. Auntie Wendy is amused with what she saw too. When Auntie Shanti spoke to Charlene, she was obviously responding to her by flaying her arms. Charlene really like Auntie Shanti. Perhaps, Charlene can sense the sincerity of the person and who truly cares for her....
Friday, November 4, 2011
Charlene's first overseas trip
29 Oct 2011 - 4 Nov 2011
We thank God for providing the opportunity for our family to go on a holiday together! As Dez is there for work, the allowance helps us to cover part of our hotel's expenses. Charlene's and my air ticket cost around $600 and we put aside $500 to spend.
Charlene is probably too excited the night before we set off and she couldn't get to sleep. That resulted in her biological clock being inverted again. She slept through the flight to Bali and only woke up at the night during our stay in Bali. Or perhaps, she wanted to let us enjoy ourselves...
The hotel we stayed in (Santika Premiere Beach Resort, Bali) was fantastic! The entire hotel atmosphere is rustic and peaceful. The staff is friendly and greet us at all times of the day. Outside our room is the swimming pool. When Dez was away working and Charlene was sleeping, I went swimming in the afternoons and would just lie on the chair, looked at the clouds in the sky, read my Daily Bread and appreciate God's creation. Dez and I also had an opportunity to drink cocktails (50% off during happy hours) while swimming in the pool. A pool-side bar experience is something that we probably will never do again...
The buffet breakfast in the hotel was good! There was different food (indonesian food, pastries, fruits) each day and the quality of the food was good. I ate so much that I can skip lunch and just have dinner. Kunyit restaurant in our hotel serves authentic Balinese food. We are glad we tried their signature dish fried duck on the last day - crispy on the outside and succulent on the inside.
Besides Kunyit, we had dinners at some other places. Febri restaurant just opposite our hotel is value for money. The food is good too. We had nasi goreng and gado gado. We also had Greek and Mediterrean food at quite reasonable prices. The pita dip and kerbab were savoury too. Dez liked the waygu beef burger he had in a Japanese restaurant.
We are not really people who shop. There are many street shops in Bali selling singlets, T-shirts, bags and souvenirs We are lousy in haggling and very often kena cheated big time. Beware of these street stall owners, they will raise their prices by at least 4 times! So even after they give you a 50% discount, the prices were still much more expensive than the shopping malls. There are 2 shopping malls - Discovery Shopping Mall and Kuta Square. If u are not good in haggling, Bamboo souvenir bazaar in Discovery Shopping Mall and Matahari in Kuta Square may be a better idea. The water in Bali is not drinkable and we had to buy plenty. One mini mart (Dewatra) near our hotel sells water the cheapest.
We didn't go to the beach much as we didn't want Charlene to be sun-burn or catch a cold as the sea breeze can be quite cold. I thank God that on the evening I pushed her there in her pram, not only did I manage to catch the beautiful sunset, I was also able to witness a wedding on the beach!
Overall, we are really happy to be able to create new memories with Charlene. Never would we imagine that we can travel overseas with Charlene. Indeed, as written in Mark 10:27, “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.”
We thank God for providing the opportunity for our family to go on a holiday together! As Dez is there for work, the allowance helps us to cover part of our hotel's expenses. Charlene's and my air ticket cost around $600 and we put aside $500 to spend.
Charlene is probably too excited the night before we set off and she couldn't get to sleep. That resulted in her biological clock being inverted again. She slept through the flight to Bali and only woke up at the night during our stay in Bali. Or perhaps, she wanted to let us enjoy ourselves...
The hotel we stayed in (Santika Premiere Beach Resort, Bali) was fantastic! The entire hotel atmosphere is rustic and peaceful. The staff is friendly and greet us at all times of the day. Outside our room is the swimming pool. When Dez was away working and Charlene was sleeping, I went swimming in the afternoons and would just lie on the chair, looked at the clouds in the sky, read my Daily Bread and appreciate God's creation. Dez and I also had an opportunity to drink cocktails (50% off during happy hours) while swimming in the pool. A pool-side bar experience is something that we probably will never do again...
The buffet breakfast in the hotel was good! There was different food (indonesian food, pastries, fruits) each day and the quality of the food was good. I ate so much that I can skip lunch and just have dinner. Kunyit restaurant in our hotel serves authentic Balinese food. We are glad we tried their signature dish fried duck on the last day - crispy on the outside and succulent on the inside.
Besides Kunyit, we had dinners at some other places. Febri restaurant just opposite our hotel is value for money. The food is good too. We had nasi goreng and gado gado. We also had Greek and Mediterrean food at quite reasonable prices. The pita dip and kerbab were savoury too. Dez liked the waygu beef burger he had in a Japanese restaurant.
We are not really people who shop. There are many street shops in Bali selling singlets, T-shirts, bags and souvenirs We are lousy in haggling and very often kena cheated big time. Beware of these street stall owners, they will raise their prices by at least 4 times! So even after they give you a 50% discount, the prices were still much more expensive than the shopping malls. There are 2 shopping malls - Discovery Shopping Mall and Kuta Square. If u are not good in haggling, Bamboo souvenir bazaar in Discovery Shopping Mall and Matahari in Kuta Square may be a better idea. The water in Bali is not drinkable and we had to buy plenty. One mini mart (Dewatra) near our hotel sells water the cheapest.
We didn't go to the beach much as we didn't want Charlene to be sun-burn or catch a cold as the sea breeze can be quite cold. I thank God that on the evening I pushed her there in her pram, not only did I manage to catch the beautiful sunset, I was also able to witness a wedding on the beach!
Overall, we are really happy to be able to create new memories with Charlene. Never would we imagine that we can travel overseas with Charlene. Indeed, as written in Mark 10:27, “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.”
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