Perth 2011

Memorable bits from our trip:-

• S was SUPER sticky to me that the only time I was on ‘holiday’ was when she slept…
• A$120 parking fine – over a few cups of coffee and not-so-nice pastries.
• Our nightly moneyless Gin Rummy game where mom led the pack, of course. She’s professional!
• Fantastic and spacious beach house at Regency Beach House, Dunsborough – wished more family members were there.
• Accidental beautiful sunset at Scarborough – on our way to pick up M’s lost blackberry from a not-so-nice holiday house.
• “Ah Cone” is how S calls my dad.

Father-daughter time

Dad left for Penang this afternoon and M was sharp to observe my reluctance to go to work in the morning. I always make sure we spend some last-minute father-daughter time before we part (either back to Penang or Singapore). Dad would repeat tirelessly his usual advice and I would listen to him intently, hoping to catch some nuggets of wisdom.

- Do more exercise
- Find time for yourself
- Go for a swim
- Health is wealth
- Meditate everyday
- Drink less coffee
- Be more polite to your husband. Watch your tone. Control your explosive temper
- Talk sweetly to your in-laws (??? This is new). Win their hearts (have I not already???)

I will pa. I will try.

Easter break

Hooray! 1 more day before we scoot off to our holiday in Perth for a week! This will be our third visit in seven years. Perth is a special place for our family; it's a place where 1) M did his degree; 2) he proposed to me and 3) we went for our short-getaway after wedding. Cheesy to go back again? Absolutely not! This is the best option if you're travelling with a 16 month-old running around yearning for attention 90% of the time and an elderly couple who are not up for long-distance walking or adventures. Good weather and familiarity are two things we need.

The games children play

Do all children grow up playing the same things? 

I believe so…

This is Mister Shawn @ 13 months in 2008…

SAHM

My dear friend, WL has gone on to the ‘bright’ side of being a SAHM (Stay At Home Mom). I’m sharing her happiness as she woke up at 10am and went to the market at 11am on her first day!

To certain extent, I will miss her because she has always been "there" (online) over the past 10 years, since we discovered ICQ. Even though we didn’t chat on a daily basis, knowing that she’s ‘online’ made a difference. It’s like I knew that I was not alone (read: melancholic-sentimental talk).

This is one of the best decisions of her life. WL, so don’t let someone else's jaded views on SAHM affect your self-esteem. Be proud of your stay-at-home mom days. It can be a thankless job but it is definitely a rewarding experience. On days that you feel lousy or bored or gasp for kid-free time, know that there’s more than one person out there who would trade your position.

Quality time

What can you do in 2 hours? A lot.

6.30pm: Mommy arrived home

6.45pm: Mother and daughter took a walk to the nearest playground. Daughter ran around happily…

7.00pm: Both strolled home

7.10pm: Mommy slowly enjoyed her dinner while toddler played with the helper

7.30pm: Let’s play stacking the cups

7.35pm: Let’s do some reading

7.45pm: Called home and have a chat with Ah Boh (my sis)

7.55pm: Let’s do some massage (Baby lied on her tummy, mommy pretended to massage baby’s body)

8.00pm: Let’s play baby gym (Mommy lifted baby up and down like a dumbbell)

8.05pm : Butt wash

8.15pm: Bible story time

8.30pm: … and baby went into dreamland…

Hmmm….My ideal mother & daughter time.