Medical Knowledge Chapter 1

The first doc we saw at KKCH - Lydia Cheong, told us that children of women who have asthma will usually get it. If Dad has it but not Mom, then the likelihood is lower. So I, who still have asthma to this day, must not have any more children d:) (Ok this last part is my own, not the doctor's.)

I also learnt that:

1. Steroids eg. Prednisolone can help to suppress inflammation, but a side effect is that they also suppress your immune system.

2. Salbutamol (aka Ventolin) MDI (metered dose inhaler) cannot be addictive, although a lot of people, especially old folks, seem to believe so, and also that, once you start using that, you're done for and will be totally reliant on it. Instead, it is the steroids which are addictive.

3. The Chamber is definitely better than the Nebuliser when it comes to children, simply because a dose of the Neb will take at least 10-15 min, whereas the Chamber will only need less than 5. And when you have a Hercules who refuses to have anything put to his face, it makes all the difference. We would still be in trouble if KKCH did not use the Chamber.

4. Promethazine, amongst its other uses, is most commonly used as a cough suppressant, but this can only be given for dry cough. If the child has phlegm, suppressing the cough is a no-no.

5. Mucosol dissolves the phlegm and also works as an expectorant, so some people actually cough more after taking this.

6. Fluimucil dissolves the phlegm totally away, so it is more ideal for children (and perhaps adults too). We had to pay for this at the Emergency Pharmacy, so it is definitely outside the range of standard drugs. We didn't have to pay for the Salbutamol (MDI and syrup), Pred, Promethazine, or nose drops.

Yi - The Hospital Hours

On Monday, Ray was audibly wheezing and very breathless (lips pale), so we brought her to KKCH for emergency treatment. She was treated and fine from then on, except for the occasional cough and residual runny nose.

Then yesterday (Tuesday), Ruvie, who had been coughing and sniffling quite a bit the day before, suddenly seemed to be breathing very hard, so I fetched my stethoscope and, to my horror, heard wheezing in his lungs! After making a few calls to my family clinic and a family friend because HL was not reachable, I decided to pick the girls up early, send Faith home and head for CGH A&E. Thankfully, their teacher offered to send Faith home so I hauled Ray away. HL, who by this time had managed to get to his mobile, called and said he would try to get leave.

However, when we got to CGH, Ruvie simply refused to put on the nebuliser mask. But we managed, with a lot of fuss and crying as well as with the help of the orderly, to get him to take the prednisolone orally. Then the doctor decided she would pass our case to KKCH, so HL, who had arrived, drove us there.

It took a total of four adults to administer the Ventolin in the chamber. HL held his legs, I cradled him and held onto his arms, a nurse held his head firmly and another nurse held and administered the drug. He was so strong, and his face turned red from screaming and kicking. There was such a fuss that when we came back for the second cycle 20 min later, another group of nurses who were at the station knew that we would need reinforcements.

But it was worth going through the trauma (both Ruvie's and ours), because he was obviously very well after that. We were discharged with instructions to puff him and oral meds (more rounds to fight, not looking forward to it).

But later, shortly after the next puff at home, he was breathing very rapidly again, and after a bout of coughing, I detected wheezing, so we packed our bags, expecting to be admitted, and headed for KKCH AGAIN on this day. Now what was most UNexpected, was that Ruvie was totally fine by the time we got there. The senior doc decided we could go back, but gave us Prednisolone for the next few days, something which the earlier doc did not give, because she felt he didn't respond to the CGH dose, but instead was very receptive to Ventolin.

And since he fell asleep in the car on the way back, we decided not to wake him up and go through all the trauma of giving him the pred. He's been fine all night long.

So now it's time to wake him up and have round 5 or so of The Chamber.

Don't throw away your old books

I am currently re-reading this book I received as a child, which I vaguely recollect came as a book prize in one of my primary school years.

Each time I re-read a story book, I find a fresh perspective, a whole-new image in my mind depicting the scene and the progress of the story, in a way that was never that before. It does not matter how many times I've read it before as a child or as a teenager, or even that I already know the ending and most of the plot - the story always seems new. And most of the time I can empathise more with the characters than previously, because I have gone through more myself.

For this, I am very grateful to my mother, who has kept almost every single book from my childhood, in rather good condition too, from Ladybird Well-loved Tales to Enid Blyton's fairy tales and Malory Towers, to Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew and Agatha Christie, to lots of abridged versions of classics such as Jules Vernes' Twenty Thousand Leagues Under The Sea. Truly, this is a wonderful collection worth keeping, I see now. Other than saving me LOADS of moolah on buying new books for my own kids, these books have also brought me renewed outlooks on life.

I am, of course, adding to the "Library", as we call the bookcases in my mom's house, although the shelves are nearly bursting with books. I can hardly refrain from spending money at 2nd hand book sales, and some rental bookstores (I always get the ones which have been lent out a few times so their sale price is lower, but still in great condition; in any case, I doubt brand new books will maintain their brandnew-ness for long in the hands of my children). Plus we didn't have any Dr Seuss' titles, nor any of the TV shows tie-ins (or is it tie-ups?) such as Postman Pat, The Wombles and El Nombre. And if it's 2nd hand, it's usually a good investment.

Most importantly, if I am purchasing a title or series that came out recently, such as the Artemis Fowl books, I always inform my sister so she doesn't go and buy the same thing.

The haze seems to be clearing...

...I hope. It was 40+ yesterday and currently (at about 2pm Singapore time) it's about 30+. And we are left with cool breezes and light showers, not bad at all. I totally dread the hot, hot sun which heats up my bedroom and the house, but on those days I am also thankful that my laundry gets some natural disinfectant. Ahh... to breathe the fresh, sweet-smelling air... in Singapore? Well, perhaps not SO fresh, but at least in Changi where I am, it's not as badly polluted.

What have I been doing? Watching the Korean drama Princess Hours on Youtube, then completing the Magicians of Love which I used to follow on E City. Yes, I am a fan of idol dramas, and proud of it. I LURVE eye candy. Wish I could fulfil my desire to act and sing. "Duh." I can hear you say.

I've been MIA for so long because...

... I've caught a cold bug (not so serious) and the reading bug (very serious). First I started reading up my old ballet series (Drina books, either you know or you don't). And that had eleven books, so although on average I finished one per day (skimming only), it still took quite some time. I'm of the type that cannot put down a book once I've started.

Along the way I was waylaid by my old Enid Blyton Mystery series, in which you find the Five Findouters and Dog. I started out with 2 books when I was a kid, but in the last few years I've bought more as I saw them, mainly at 2nd hand book sales. And last Friday at the MPH distributors sale at Downtown East, $50 went on 2 of these as well as other classics such as A Treasury of Narnia (left). I'd only just completed reading the Chronicles of Narnia a few months back and it has become one of my favourites. A Treasury of Narnia sheds light on the author, C. S. Lewis' background, besides other interesting stuff such as why he wrote the stories in a certain order, and how they reflect his own life. Well worth the $12 I paid, especially as it is a hardcover and is of great quality.

And I'm proud to say that we've now got the complete Winnie the Pooh collection - by A. A. Milne - a lovely box of 2 hardcover books. I foresee that I will have to read it out to the kids sometime in the future, as it is not what you would call a picture book. I was very tempted to get a very pictorial Winnie the Pooh book, but it had only a few stories in it.

And I do believe that the next series I'm going to start on is Lemony Snickets' A Series of Unfortunate Events. As far as I know there are thirteen books plus a few other extras. Ack! Each hardcover book cost $8 at the fair, so I think I'll wait till the complete omnibus comes out in paperback.

I'm now on the hunt for the last book in the Enid Blyton Mystery series to complete my collection - The Mystery of the Secret Room. Haven't seen it at any of the 2nd hand book stores, nor at MPH!

Homestyle Nabeyaki Udon

Before pouring the soup:

Soup's in, with mushrooms:Oishii, ne? How much would you pay for this?

Bedok Interchange Food Centre - Xue Hua Fei dessert stall

My family loves their watermelon bowl (Bing Dong Xi Gua). They've got 2 types of watermelon dessert I think, not sure what the difference is, but one's got corn the other hasn't. I like the one with corn. And also their chendul is (currently) the best I've tasted in Singapore, not that I've tasted that many of course.

The stall proprietor is very friendly (can't say the same for that of another dessert stall in the same food centre), very accommodating to all my "want this, don't want that". Only thing is they don't have hot desserts, at least I don't think so, but this is not a problem for me because I hardly eat hot ones from Bedok.

Thank God for the Sling

There are times when the breast just isn't what he wants, like when he's overtired and wakes shortly after falling asleep, or when he's ill (tonight, flu). Cries and cries and doesn't want to nurse, or cannot nurse, but just wants to be carried.

Out comes my trusty old sling (whichever of the 4 I have that is nearest to me), in goes the baby, I sing his fav lullabies (Twinkle Twinkle Little Star and Barney's I Love You), and within a minute he's fast asleep.

The closeness, the comfort, Mommy's smell, the rocking motion are all what he's used to ever since he was born (I started using my sling even at the hospital, never leave home without it, remember?). And there's hardly any build up of lactic acid in my arms, except perhaps from holding the camera far out till I get the best angle.

This was my very first sling from Moms In Mind, colour rather faded but I still love it best, because of the print on the rails. And I AM glad that he's not 13kg.

Want to buy a sling? Mummysmilk.com having 20% off on Maya Pouches this month! d:)

Goodbye Steve Irwin

I could hardly believe my eyes and ears when I watched the evening news last night. Steve Irwin, dead?? Killed by a stingray of all things??? But it couldn't be a joke if it was on Channel 5 news.

And then the shock hit me, the grief. I felt like crying and couldn't stop thinking about the Crocodile Hunter all night. HL and I discussed it, we talked about his family, their Australia Zoo, and how his young son (turning 3 in December) will never have his father to bring him up and teach him with his love of all creatures big and small. He will only be able to hear others tell him how great his father was. Their daughter Bindi Sue is older, 8 (and was once filmed on camera saying, "I'll run this zoo someday"). Read more about his family and how he grew up here.

It seems his demise was caught on video, as he was filming in a coral reef when the stingray he was swimming over attacked him and stung him right in the heart. His poor wife will have to watch the entire thing (evidence for coroner's inquest). Don't even want to imagine what it will be like for her, on top of making arrangements for the funeral, telling the kids, running the zoo etc.

Farewell Steve Irwin. Thank you for making documentaries so much more fun and educational to watch for me and my children. We have enjoyed your jokes, your catchphrases (Crikey!), your sharing of knowledge, and have been infected with your smiles, your sunny disposition, your fearless attitude even though it was all through the TV. And from someone who graduated in Animal Biology, thank you for all your efforts towards wildlife preservation. I will pray for your family, and that you may rest in peace, in the kingdom of our Maker, where no animal will be endangered or treated cruelly. Goodnight.

Happy Teacher's Day

This is the card Ray made for her K1 teacher.


This is the outside. Words are supposed to be
"Happy Teachers Day"
(Er, Storm kindly obliged when asked to be a paperweight.)

Spot the errors?











This is the inside. Words supposed to be
"Dear Teacher Jen I like you very much
Love Rayzel"


I guess we really need to work on her writing.

The Chin Terrace Fall 2006 Footwear Fashion Show

And the first pair to come up is a pair of sandals with 2 inch high heels, dark brown soles and white crisscrossing straps. I could go on with details but I'm sure you wouldn't be interested. We are of course, all more interested in the model, who seems to be many sizes too small for the shoes!

He also seems to have put them on wrong, but ah-ha! Do not be misled. This is actually the RIGHT way to wear these lovely sandals! You can see from the confident smile on the model's face, as well as his stylish pose that the sandals are perfectly made for him. At least, so he believes.

It is unfortunate that with such a chic pair of sandals the model has decided to match them with such ugly clothes. Where is the matching Mickey & Friends T shirt to its shorts? That, also unfortunately, is something which the model's own mother does not know, although she has been searching high and low for it.

And now, to prevent him from falling and hurting himself (since he is not insured for this show), we shall ask him to take his precious chubby feet out of the sandals and put his Grandma's sandals back in the corner behind the front door.

Beauty Tips Chapter 1

For almost a year, I'd been having these red eczema-like patches on my face, on my forehead too. No amount of steroid cream could help, and my asthma doctor also said that IHO, it didn't look like the eczema normally related to asthmatic conditions. I didn't want to go to the National Skin Centre (no money, no time).

So I stopped using the Elomet, Cetaphil, moisturisers, and decided to seek some alternative method in the hope of finding a cure somewhere. The answer, surprisingly, was so fundamental that if I didn't see it on some Taiwanese variety show, I wouldn't have believed it.

I wash my face with only cold water. And I avoid washing it more than I can help it. If I have to freshen up in the mornings, it is only with cold water, and no facial foam.

And I also stopped using J&J's Clean and Clear, learning from my family physician that anti-acne facial foams tend to be more acidic in nature (and hence more drying on the skin). Both HL and I are now sharing this Shokobutsu facial foam with dunno-what-gel for sensitive skin. So far so good.

And while we're at this, the same goes for my hair. Shower in water no hotter than 38C. The higher the temperature of the water, the more natural oils you lose from your skin and hair, leaving it dry and lifeless. I usually try to adjust the mixer till the water's cool to the touch. Same goes for the kids, want to keep their skin and hair nice, soft and shiny. As a result we tend to shower earlier these days (otherwise it gets too cold for cool water), and we probably save more on electricity.

If I come across anymore tips, I'll be sure to let you know.

Watch out for the bugs!

1. The flu bug
We've been hit 3 rounds in the past 2 months. The first was most serious where everyone had high temps for at least 3-4 days each. The later 2 were not so bad, slight fevers but a long bout of runny noses and sore throats. And it's not over yet.

So drink lots of water and get lots of rest, all ye people.

2. The mossies
During the day it must be at least 40C, we're all just melting even by sitting under the ceiling fans. Everyone is sweating bucketfuls. Eczema alert! I dread to imagine how much worse it must be for HL who is in his aircon-less hall, in that thick thick, DARK-coloured uniform.

The bloodsuckers are out, attacking the kids especially, and ME. Everyone except my parents, who have gone to cool, cool Genting for another casino trip. Oooh... I am SOOOO envious. Wish I can go back to Penang for another round of pigging out.

Landed property tends to be better feeding grounds for mosquitoes, since fogging is less conscientiously carried out by the equivalent of "town council", and being nearer to the ground, easier for 'em suckers to reach.

And I seem to have lost my packet of anti-mossie patches. BUGGER!!!

Here is the Winnie the Pooh cake

Looks like this photo, no?

A good ex-neighbour of ours tried some of it yesterday and was blown away by the taste.

"Where did you get such nice cake? As good as Creative Bake's!" She always orders Creative Bake cakes for her kids' birthdays. Her almost 3yo son, especially, loves Baby Bop, and at his 2yo birthday I saw a 3kg Baby Bop cake. It was yummy too, but I couldn't afford (nor can we finish) a 3kg cake!

So I guess for her son's next birthday at the end of the year, it'll be Prima Deli who has Barney cakes. Mine is from Bengawan Solo.

Happy Birthday Ruvie

Who is now sitting on my study floor saying, "Eh mamamam... Eh mamama..." to himself. He woke up this morning to Happy Birthday songs from Winnie the Pooh, Eeyore and Barney, and he loved them. We will be going for his birthday dinner at Crystal Jade Shanghai La Mian XiaoLongBao later this evening.

And we'll be collecting his Winnie the Pooh cake later from Bengawan Solo. When trying to decide what design to order earlier this month, I had been considering a Barney cake (official ones can be found at Prima Deli with a marzipan Barney pic, 10% off for UOB and HSBC card holders ). Turned out the little one prefers Pooh after all, because we bought him a Barney soft toy (granted it wasn't very soft), but he still prefers his Pooh bolster when he wants to nan-nan.

On a totally different note, Ruvie has lost loads of weight in the last year. All of my friends and relatives will remember how chubby he was when he was a baby (13kg at 10 months!) and now at 2yo, he is about 10.6kg, somewhere around his sister's weight when she was this age. So there you have it, breastfed babies will lose their puppy fat! And maybe, just MAYBE, he will be able to fit into the XL BrightBots which he outgrew at 6mo.

Now I need to go find something to satisfy my hunger since I know my family will never be able to "achieve" an early dinner.

Complain complain, life is so mundane

Update: The cake turned out rather eggy, and, somehow, not cheesy nor sour enough. I think I'll chuck this recipe out. Nothing beats Chantal's New York Cheesecake. But I also liked some other No Bake Cheesecake from the same site.

I am feeling rather bothered that I am bothered by the nitty gritty things of life. While some are talking about getting nominated for awards, others are discussing political issues and other more IMPORTANT subjects, like losing a loved one.

But here I am, stressed out because the kids are both sticky to me at the same time, my husband is in one of his Idon'tcareyousaidyouwouldhandleallthekidsissues moods, and the elder one is sick and I can't attend to her because I need to nurse the younger one to sleep and HE's refusing to let me go, and I HAVEN'T DONE MY LAUNDRY!! So MUNDANE... my worries seem.

I received an email from an old acquaintance yesterday, asking me how I am. I am so tempted to type all these words again, complaining about how I have so many little problems. After all, when people ask you "How are you?", they are really sincere and want to know how you really are, right? I've always felt obliged to tell the truth, in detail.

Thinking back, I've been pouring out sob stories to customers (closer ones), mailing lists and friends recently. In defence, I HAVE been ill the last 3 weeks, so bad I hardly even used the computer except for perhaps max 1-2hrs a day (now THAT's really little, ok). But again, it all seems so MUNDANE.

On second thought, what's wrong with being mundane? I am a stay-home mom turned work-at-home mom. My life centres around my family, my children. It was only because of my family that I developed the passion for all these parenting methods, which now are the backbone for my business. Breastfeeding, babywearing, EC, co-sleeping, all these came about because of my family. How else could I have the confidence to take over the store?

And routines are comforting (albeit my routines are not so fixed). Knowing the laundry is done, nobody is hungry, the kids are learning and growing everyday, everybody is healthy and strong... what more could make a mother satisfied? Surely anything else is only the icing on the cake?

I think I know where I stand now. I can do more to enhance my life, it is nowhere perfect, but at least I know that if I can at least fulfil the needs of my family, I know I have done my part as a mother. And from there, just like a child who knows his parent is always nearby to protect him and support him if necessary, I can go further.

And I have found a new recipe for lowfat cheesecake! Got all the ingredients, just need to find some spare time to make it! I LOVE baking!! Even my son can't wait to try it!

The Puppy learns to Bite

Sooner or later they all get to this stage, when they discover that their teeth have "killing power".

I've been nibbled on a couple of times the past few days, but only gently, whereas Daddy was actually ferociously bitten on the hand. Ruvie had gotten his hands on some safety pins and Daddy was trying to take them away, when he turned his head and chomped down on Daddy's offending hand.

Gosh... It was deep enough to bleed...

Why I Chose to Breastfeed my Kids beyond the First Year

My son is now almost 21 months old and when people without my circle of friends and relatives find out that I'm "still breastfeeding him", they invariably ask, "When do you intend to stop?"

My reply, also invariably, is "My daughter was nursed till she was 4 years 2 months old." And that, most invariably, leaves them open-mouthed and speechless.

Before I proceed, please be informed that Full Term Breastfeeding refers to breastfeeding a baby beyond the first year. Do not call it "extended" breastfeeding, because that would imply that breastfeeding beyond the first year is abnormal, and that is certainly not true.

Look, you tell me, we know breastfeeding is best for babies and all that, but surely 6 months, or at the longest, a year is way more than enough?

Not nearly enough for me. And I will tell you why.

1. Full Term Breastfeeding gives my child better health

As long as my child is drinking my milk, he receives antibodies, immune factors, and other scientifically as-yet-undetermined beneficial substances from me that helps him to battle viruses and bacteria so that he falls sick less often, and also to bounce back faster if and when he does fall ill. Don't believe ANYONE who tells you that breastmilk loses its health benefits after 3 months or 6 months, or whatever number of months they cook up. They display their ignorance of science by saying that.

2. Full Term Breastfeeding continues to promote bonding between me and my child

I am a busy WAHM (work at home mom) of 2 kids with no helper, no parents or in-laws to help me with childcare. With so many chores to do every day, I find it hard to fit much so-called quality time with my kids into my schedule. Breastfeeding my older child ensures I sit down at least a few times a day to have some close, body-to-body contact with him, and allows me to cherish his babyhood before time flies all too quickly away. During these quiet periods, my child and I enjoy the close proximity and love that we share.

3. Breastmilk never ceases to be the most complete food

Although children over a year old are usually already taking solids, my milk will always make sure that they get practically every nutrient they need. Especially when they reach that picky stage where they will eat nothing but french fries, or when they fall ill and have little appetite for table food.

4. Breastfeeding is still the most convenient

I am able to satisfy my child's hunger, thirst, and need for comfort and love, no matter where we are (ok, except when we are walking around a busy market).

5. Breastfeeding helps to calm my child in times of stress

Makes the toddler years easier. Hey, I need all the help I can get!

6. Nursing helps to put my child to bed

Bedtime struggles - sayonara!

7. Breastfeeding helps me to slim down

I'm still burning loads of calories through nursing my child each day. Again, I need all the help I can get!

8. Breastfeeding delays the return of my menstrual cycles

My cycles first returned when my daughter was 7.5 months old. With my 2nd, I stayed period-free till he was 19 months old. Besides having less mess, PMS and discomfort to deal with, I know that this is healthier for my body, as with fewer menstrual cycles, my system is exposed to less of the harmful effects of oestrogen. And this in turn lowers my risk of developing breast cancer. The longer I breastfeed, the lower my risk.

If you are breastfeeding a baby younger than 1 year of age and enjoy your nursing relationship with your child, but have been "advised" by people around you to stop, do think carefully before you supplement with formula or other milks. There is nothing harmful to you or your baby about Full Term Breastfeeding, and if you stop now and regret later, you may never be able to return to the past.

If you would like to ask me more about Full Term Breastfeeding, email me.

EC update: 20 months

Of late, and by that I mean the last couple weeks, Ruvie's been verbally communicating to us that he needs to pee. He usually stands with his feet slightly apart, and has an odd expression on his face (this is different from for poo). If we see it, we catch on and ask," Do you want to sheeshee?" Whereupon which he says "Ng-ng" (which actually means poo but yeah, he needs to go).

So off we go to the bathroom and he pees on cue, the little darling. Our pee miss count is down to one or two per day, including when he's with his Daddy.

Poo, though, must be CAUGHT by us. Just this morning, I was in the toilet myself, to be informed by Rayzel that "Ruvie ng-ng on the floor!" Ah well, that he can't really hold, except when he's outside, and he will try to inform me by looking very harried.

Are we looking at graduation phase 3 soon?

Live in the right country and nobody will nag you

I have often heard people on one of my mailing lists (it's called the big EC list) talking about how they received raised eyebrows and "Are you crazy?" looks whenever they mentioned that they have been gently potty training their babies. Some have even been rudely told off and ordered to shut-up.

In Singapore, if you talk about this, you will most likely get surprise, along the lines of, "Oh, is it possible? My mom told me she did this for me but I didn't really believe this can be done."

Part of this has to do with culture. Singapore (and other countries in this region) have a lot of Chinese, Malays and other ethnic minorities. People of generations past didn't have (much) access to disposables and probably couldn't afford to pay for them anyway. And they were smart. They didn't want to wash so many cloth diapers. They'd figured out that the best way is just to bring the baby to somewhere to do their business, after that clean up and move on.

What I am shocked about is why "mainstream" people in the West would go so far as to really be so negative about something they don't know about.