Executive Decisions

XH and myself were joking over tea about how we have to constantly make several "executive decisions" on a daily basis these days... more so than when we were working :)

Examples of such tough calls:

"Let me see... should it be 60ml or 90ml this time?"

"Now that the baby falls asleep at the breast, should I burp him now and risk waking him up to another round of non-stop screaming or leave him as he is?"

"Not again! Here comes the stinky poo... should I change his diaper now or hold on for a while more in case he is not done yet?"

"Mmm... he looks so sound asleep... should I wake him up for an overdue feed or allow myself a few more moments of peace and quiet?"

"Aiyo... making noise again! Should I go carry and pacify him or let him learn how to soothe by himself?"

And no matter what we decide on today, it might just turn out differently tomorrow...

Thanks anyway :(

How do you know for sure that you haven't lost all those pregnancy fats?

Simple. When someone offers you a seat in the MRT!
Yes, that was what happened to me a few hours ago.

I stared blankly with a puzzled look when her gestured at the empty seat.

Kind ang mo lady: Opps sorry... I wasn't sure and I couldn't tell.

Me (smiling outside, cursing inside) : It is okay, actually I have just given birth.

Kind ang mo lady: Oh I see, maybe you should still sit then.

Me (laughing): In fact, all the more I should stand to burn away those fats! Thanks anyway :)

And boy was I glad that the next stop was mine.

Who should survive?

Yes, we are both suckers of "end-of-the world" sort of hollywood blockbusters. So, 2012 was a movie which we wouldn't miss.

Like the countless other doomsday epic movies, America once again saved the world from total destruction and devoted father (usually divorced) emerged as the hero who saved the day. The plot sounds all too familiar to us movie buffs right?

If you have not watched this movie and intend to, perhaps you should stop reading here in case the rest of this entry turn out to be a spoiler for you :P

This movie got me thinking if the real world does react and operate in the same manner if we are really faced with such threats of a total wipe out. What if in order to ensure continuity of the human species and civilization, we can only select and save 400,000 in this world due to limited resources and time? And not to forget our dear animal friends and important historical relics of mankind (in the movie, we did see giraffes and elepahants being hauled and The Mona Lisa being preserved).

If so, then how can you and I, who have close to zero chance of being saved, increase our odds of being selected to live?

Here is what I have learnt from the movie:

- Be a billionaire and pay 1 billion euro to buy yourself a seat
- If you see no hope of becoming a billionaire no matter how much Toto you have bought in your entire life, then you have better be some famous scientist or doctor. Not just a mediocre one but someone who makes alarming discoveries and contributes to mankind.
- If that is still too tough, then marry one. I mean the billionaire.
- Alternnatively, work for the white house.
- But not the US president. You might have to make a sacrificial decision of staying behind with your fellow citizens to proof that you are a good leader.
- Learn how to fly a plane and get a license. And just because you proof to be more useful in situations like that, you will live slightly longer than the rest of us. Afterall, both pilots in the movie did not survive eventually.
- Be a citizen of one of the G8 countries. I did not think any Singaporean was part of the 400,000. (though I believe one of the actor is a Singaporean)

Nonsense aside, which is a better way to select the survivors if you are the one to decide?
A) Select the elites from every field/arena who can best contribute to the continuity of human race
or
B) Draw lots so that every human being is given a fair chance of survival.

Well, maybe an ark is well on its way of being built as we sit pondering over this question :)

Good Night No More

It is now 4:35 am.

While my heavy eyelids are telling me to get some sleep, the rest of my body simply refuse to co-operate, with the main culprit being the brain.

Other than that, the rest of tonight has been progressing quite typically so far.

Typical is briefly defined as follows ever since the grand arrival of Junior.

Needless to say, the 2 to 3 hourly feeding is enough to drive any sleep-deprived mother insane. On top of that, I am usually treated to the "Tang Symphony No.9" with Junior whining or wailing on my left and The Man snoring on my right. Not sure if it is in D minor or C major but it does vary a little from time to time. I must say they do a pretty good job synchronising without a conductor.

The feeding can sometimes be tranquil with both Junior and myself dozing and nodding off to dreamland unconsciously for a few seconds only to realise we have unfinished business on hand.

At other times, feeding can get into an intense physical and verbal battle with Junior's knees and elbows all over my bruised body while I struggle to adjust myself to yet another awkward position which I would later regret.

As if that is not enough, there is also the occasional pooping event. Junior somehow prefers to do his mega poop during the night before, during or after his feed. In fact, "prefers" is an understatement because I believe to a certain extent it is some sort of conspiracy especially when it is followed by pee or even more poop while a new diaper is still being put on. Trust me, the sight of his whole bum smeared with **** and watching the live action of more **** flowing out like a fountain is definitely not for the faint-hearted.

So these days when The Man and I wish each other Good Night at bedtime, it no longer holds the same meaning as before. I think a more appropriate thing to say would be Good Luck.

It is now almost 5am.

By now, my brain is finally convinced that some sleep, however little, is required before Part II begins... let me see... in about an hour's time maybe.

My Three Motherhood Helplines

Forget about those 1800 numbers or those never ending lists of motherhood web forums. Who needs them anyway when I have 3 great friends who are just a phone call or sms away for real-time advice and references.

Firstly there is Justin's Godma. Having three kids of her own, she is able to share with me her valuable experiences and perspectives to what works for the different situations encountered, which brands are better, what are the more essential items to prepare in larger quantities and what are the items that might just end up as white elephants. Beyond that, I also look upon her as a source of motivation, whose energy level I can draw upon. If she can juggle three young kids with a demanding job, I should have no excuse with just one, especially given the kind of help I have around me.

Of course there is my good old friend XH, whose baby Claire is just 2 weeks older than baby Justin (who also suffered in the same labour ward and rested just a few maternity ward away). Never did we imagine eighteen years back when we were seated in the same classroom that we would go through pregnancy and motherhood together! As our juniors are just 2 weeks apart, it always feels reassuring to seek reference and compare notes with each other throughout our pregnancy days and now, our baby's development and our "confinement woes".

Then there is BC, the walking encyclopaedia. It is truly amazing how much she knows and she is like this huge knowledge database that can be tapped on for anything from A to Z. Being an extremely warm and helpful person as she is, I have been at the beneficial end of receiving all sorts of tips, "do"s and "don't"s as well as useful advices since the start of pregnancy till now.

I would have been running around like a headless chicken without all the precious lessons learnt from these three amazing young mommies.

I Loved You Before I Met You

The overwhelming euphoria was indescribable.

At that moment, nothing else mattered.

Welcome to this world, my dear Justin!

I just want to let you know...

Thank you for being such great companionship for the past 10 months.

Thank you for struggling together with me throughout the 42 hours of labour pain.

And most of all... I loved you even before I met you.

MINI Road Show

Happened to come across a MINI roadshow while roaming half-aimlessly along Orchard Rd and couldn't resist joining one of the many others snapping away.... I mean how can I :)

The Man and I always have this silly habit of going "MINI!" at a few pitches higher than our usual voice whenever either one of us spots a MINI on the road while driving. What follows usually is a "Where?" from the other person. This will then usually turn into a conversation about how did the driver look like, was that a cool or lousy choice of colour, will I re-spray mine to that colour, any special touches done to that MINI etc... ya I know it sounds totally "bo liao" but come on... what more meaningful conversations can you have in the car :P

Anyway, coming back to the road show... here are some shots:

Just look at how gigantic I looked beside this classic! It is like me in Tiny Toons Land! Btw, there was a cute Mr Bean bear hanging inside the car.

Opening the Clubman's door felt like opening up a fridge...

Wish I own these cool looking posters...