KAPUT!

My laptop died on me 3 weeks ago..sob sob! I've got no one to blame but myself for being so careless in handling it. I left my laptop charging and it was placed on the sofa's arm. I knocked it off the sofa's arm while trying to attend to Kate who was crying and there goes the story. An IT friend of mine helped to check the problem said the power connector has been detached from the motherboard. It probably need a soldering work. Will just leave it aside for the moment and consider what to do next. So, the lesson to learn..put the laptop on a flat surface!

I am using my hubby's laptop now. My hardisk will be put into a casing. At least I still have access to all my files. I guess that is more important because all my kids photos are in it.

Last week, my Olympus camera decided to die too. I could not turn it on any more. The shutter is not able to close. Arghhhh!!! So, I am using my hubby's camera now.

What 'sheer' luck!!! Give me a break puhhhhhhlleassseeee!!

Almost abandon..

Oh dear..it has indeed been a long time since I logged on to my blog. The moment I logged in, the layout of the main menu seems unfamiliar. Oh no..it has changed? Since when? What do I need to click so I can start a new blog, change the blog layout etc. I guess I'll figure it out.

Another month has passed. Kate is 4 months old today. Matt is going to be 19 months old soon. Where did all the time go? This question is not uncommon for us to ask every now and then.

The best thing at this stage is seeing them grow and spending quality time with them which is definitely something that Darren and I would not be able to do if we are in Malaysia. We would likely be working hard and long hours. Some friends were asking me recently if I do miss working and my response to them was not really. The only part is probably the financial independence.

Here's a couple of recent photos of Kate and Matt..

I hope to find some time to update my blog. One post a month should be "reasonable" I reckon? Hehe! If you have been visiting, thank you very much and I hope you have enjoy reading it so far. Till then..

A good hour

If only I have a good hour during the day, it's a bliss! I can hardly sit down properly to eat my meal, let alone going to the toilet.

Life is tough with no assistance to take care of the kiddos. With Matt getting so active (and I mean really active!), I practically have my eyes darting on him all day long. You just don't know what he will do next from climbing the chairs to the coffee table, couch and bed. He's a 'dangerous' and also an annoying toddler at the same time!

Nevertheless, he can be quite a darling at times. He would plant me a kiss on the cheek when I ask him to and he would throw me a flying kiss out of a sudden (trying to be cheeky) to waving goodbye when he thought he is going to go out.

It has been exceptionally a fruitful journey growing up with him full time.

This is Matthias at 17 months old..isn't he a charm?

First Mother's Day card

This is Matthias' first hand made Mother's Day card to me..

Front of the card

Card content

Sweet huh? He did this with the help from the carers at his nursery. It's the effort that matters..

Thank you my dear son. Mummy loves the card =)

Note: In the UK, Mother's Day is celebrated on the fourth Sunday of Lent, not the third Sunday in May.

Greetings from Katherine Louise Koh

With God's grace, Darren and I have been blessed with a gorgeous baby girl, Katherine Louise Koh Xin Yi on the 18th March at 0030 GMT. Weighing at 3.42kg, Katherine arrived 12 days earlier than the expected due date. Delivery was a lot quicker with labour time of 2 hours 5 mins. I had a water birth this time which I didn't manage to do so with Matthias. I also did not accept any other form of pain relief as previously. Strong mummy heh?

It is a month ago since I delivered and Katherine is one month old today. Happy full moon my little princess, Katherine.

The D-month!

March is upon us! Gosh! Where did the time go? I could still remember clearly the dreary cold month of November and December. Oh, how I hated it! And now, it's already March..spring is around the corner and the daylight is getting longer.

March is also the D-month (delivery month)! Today marks the 36th week of my pregnancy. I had a checkup with my midwife today and she told me that my little princess (yes, it's a girl  =)  ) is engaged and nicely positioned. She thinks I will be ready to pop anytime soon given my past record (Matthias was 12 days early than the EDD).

Everything is ready to welcome the arrival of the little girl. All I need to do now is to lead my daily life as normal and wait...  =)

I've also decided to go through the labour without any pain relief (ie.epidural) again. Am I insane or trying to be a strong mummy?

Will keep everyone posted on the little girl's arrival. Wish me luck!

I am going home!

I can't wait to go home! We are flying off tomorrow evening. I have not been home ever since I came 2 years ago. I couldn't be home last year for CNY as I just delivered. This year will also be the first time Matt return to Malaysia and meet my parents.

We will only be back for 2.5 weeks..and there is so many people to meet and EAT of course! I don't know if I am able to possibly meet everyone but I will try my best. It will be great to meet everyone.

Speaking of food, oh..how I just miss Malaysian food. I have been quite lazy to cook the last couple of weeks. The thought of just sitting and waiting for food to served on the table..ah...bliss!! No need to think of menu for the day..tsk tsk! 

I may not be able to update my blog for the next 3 weeks..with that, hereby wishing all my Chinese friends who are celebrating Chinese New Year in advance..GONG XI FA CHAI and HAPPY NEW YEAR! 

May the year of hop hop Rabbit brings lot of prosperity, good health and joy to everyone! 

Need a ride?

I've passed my UK driving test on the 10th December after going through 22 hours of driving lessons. YES!! You heard me right. I took 22 hours of lessons when I myself is an experienced driver with more than 12 years of experience! I only took 15 hours of lessons when I first learned to drive at 17 and whatsmore, I passed the first time.

I guess I should have started with the right driving school and made it real clear to the instructor that I know how to drive. All you need to do is teach me the UK way of driving so that I can pass the driving test. Nevertheless, the first driving instructor failed to understand my need. He taught me like I am a newbie on the road. After 12 hours of lessons with him, my hubby decided that we need to change to a more reputable driving school and ensure that the instructor understand my needs this time and not waste anymore time as well as money.

I am glad we did the switch and the instructor really helps a lot. Not only he taught me how to drive the UK way to pass the test, he also taught me some new things which I never realised as an experienced driver. Driving in the UK is slightly different especially the manouver techniques.

I am glad I passed the test the first time. I was really nervous and worried as I only have one chance to pass. Otherwise, I would have to wait quite a long time before I can retake the test as the waiting list to take the test is quite a long wait. I've waited for 2.5 months actually.

More importantly is no more walking in the cold to pick Matt up from nursery. November and December's weather was horrendous that it was freezing cold. I was having a teribble cold for an entire month and the weather was not helping much for speedy recovery. I was also worried that Matt will be cold too.

Right..anyone needs a ride?

SAHM - The typical daily routine

A friend recently posted a comment on my Facebook status with this acronym, SAHM. I didn't know what it means initially and came to know that it means Stay At Home Mum (after googling it).

It has been a year now that I am a full time mum or should I say SAHM  =). When I was still working in the corporate world, I did not understand why full time mums always complained that there are so much to do at home. Take care of the children, do house chores and cook. What is so hard?!

You may think it's a simple job too but now that I am SAHM, I can attest that it is hard word!! It's a 24x7x365 job. There is no such thing as sick leave, annual leave, public holiday etc.

So, what is my typical routine as a SAHM?

Note: The timing may vary but generally, the scope of job is the same.

Morning:-
7 - 8 am : Milk time & changing time for baby
8 - 9 am : Breakfast time for baby and mum. Mum will check her emails.
               On Mon & Tues, send baby to nursery.
9 - 11 am : Free and easy for baby. He will play around but mum spend most of the time stopping him from playing things he is not suppose to.
11 am - 12 pm : Prepare & cook lunch for baby

Afternoon:-
12 - 1 pm : Lunch time for baby and mum
1 - 2 pm : Nap time for baby. Some 'me' time for mum.
2 - 3 pm : Play time for baby & milk time
3 - 4 pm : Tea time for baby and mum
4 - 5 pm : Play time for baby. Mum still have to keep an eye on baby.
5 - 6 pm : Prepare dinner for dad and mum.
               On Mon & Tues, pick baby from nursery.
6 - 7 pm : Dinner time for baby. Cook dinner for dad and mum.

Evening:-
7 - 8 pm : Shower time for baby. Dinner time for dad and mum. If dad is           home early, will help to shower baby.
8 - 9 pm : Put baby to bed
9 pm : Relaxation time for mum and dad too  =)
10.30 pm : Mum will be in bed by this time. All tired out for the day.

Looks like a simple routine huh? I can honestly tell you it is not! It's more tiring than going to work daily. Most mums would agree they would rather go to work than being a full time mum..LOL! There will be more work if you have more than one child. I can imagine! Whatsmore when kids start to fight among each other for toys or wanting your attention all the time.

So, have you got any typical routine as a SAHM to share? =)

1.1.11 - Happy New Year!

HAPPY NEW YEAR! Guess it is still not too late to wish everyone. May the year ahead brings loads of joy, love and happiness.

We ushered into the new year counting down in our sleep  =). I guess it's the best thing to do with the lil man going to bed earlier than us. And I don't think we like the idea of being squashed in the crowd.

We didn't do much on New Year's day either. We were at home for the day watching TV, surfing the internet and taking care of the lil man.

So, how did you usher into the New Year and what did you do on New Year's Day?