New beginnings.

Finally managed to log in to post something.
I've started on my new job for a week and can you believe it I'm coming home late!
Haha, yeap!
Well, it's not their culture to bring work home which I fully appreciate since the birth of Kylie.
It's another way of having work life balance I guess.
I quite like the company.
The people there are really nice!

Anyway, I was reading a friend's blog prior to this and she recently gave birth!
Congrats to her!
Looking at the photos reminded me of Kylie half a year back and the struggles I had.
I was just telling Mr Look yesterday that I'm wondering if I want to go through it again.
I guess I will sometime down the road.
Off to get ready for work.
More posts to come!

Reflections...

Yes, I know it's not the end of the year as yet but these last few weeks I've been contemplating writing this post.

Reason why I've been contemplating is because this post is relatively personal especially with this blog being an open blog.

I seriously thank God every single day recently for the past 6 months I've had.
It was a pretty rocky start and although I tried to put up a strong front, it hasn't been easy on me and probably those around me as well.
Basically, it all started before Kylie came along.
My company announced a major restructure just as I was about to go deliver my darling daughter.
On top of that fear of losing my job, I had gone into a slight post natal depression as you'd probably noticed in my blog posts.
It wasn't Kylie, she was relatively easy baby and I had great help (just that I was too blinded by my personal expectations at that point of time).
As a first time mum, it's always easy to say that I'm going to take it easy but when the circumstances hit you, it's not EASY at all!
All the breastfeeding, the sleepless nights, the working husband, the in-laws and especially the EXPECTATIONS! It all amounts up to a mountain of issues!
Add on the need to find a new job fast!
It was seriously horrible!

But like I said, I do thank God for all these 'issues'.
Looking on the super bright side, I managed to spend the first 6 months of Kylie's infancy with her at home.
Best thing, I'm earning a salary too.
The other thing is that I also managed to keep her on breastmilk for a full 6 months.
Whatever more months that she's going to be on breastmilk is an added bonus to me.
My initial plan was to only feed her breast milk for 6 months although when the issue of not spending time with her occurred, I had plan to shorten it to 4 months.
I also managed to feed her her first food.
I've got great help at home despite of the occasional 'issues' that occurs but nonetheless I know I can go to work without needing to really worry about Kylie as she's in great hands.
I also keep reminding myself of my great hands-on husband who really deserve to go on his guy's holiday soon.
Great support from a close confidante of mine whose always there to listen when I need her to.

In life, there's many great things that happen to each and every one of us.
Some times we are just too blinded by the bad/sad things that happen to us that we do not appreciate the finer things.
Having loved ones by our sides and having the time to spend with these loved ones (we need to make the time!).
I do agree it's easier said than done to appreciate the good that we have and not harp on the bad that happen.
But every time something good happen don't we always take it for granted?
Yes, I'm typing out this post to remind myself to be grateful and to give thanks.
If you happen to stumble and read this do remind yourself to give thanks today.

I'm starting on a new job soon and I'll need to prepare Kylie to get used to not having mummy around that often. But knowing she has both her grandparents around her 24/7 (almost there) I'm comforted to know that she'll be fine!

RWS weekend stay!

This was probably Kylie's first 'night-out' with us.

All I can say is she slept pretty well in the middle of the King sized bed.

The day however did not start out well with multiple hiccups which I shall try not to recall.

Let's say it's a lesson learnt.

Back to the hotel stay at Festive Hotel.

Check-in was pretty fuss free since it was the super long weekend.

The room we took was the family room and it was pretty huge.

1 King bed, 1 queen pull out sofa bed (on the floor) and 1 single 'up-the-ladder bed'.

Room was pretty spacious but no bath tub in the toilet.

Only qualm is that they only gave us 2 sets of everything and I had to call for more towels and toothbrushes.

Not that big a problem as the housekeeping was pretty prompt despite the big crowd in the hotel.

Alrighty, some photos from that day.

After check-in, Kylie tested out the bed first!

 

Ok, bed inspection passed.

Kylie was pretty happy.

 

Mummy joined in the fun!

 

Mr Look preferred the sofa instead.

After the photos, it was time for Kylie to take her evening shower.

Yea, all the events seem to revolve around Kylie's timing.

 

Enjoying her 'tubbing' experience.

She totally enjoyed it every single time!

Sad to say, we are letting the tub go due to the 'water' cost!

Hahahah...

After her milk, we headed down for dinner at Imperial Treasure La Mian Xiao Long Bao.

 

Grandma.

 

3 men in white.

 

Kylie got pretty cranky in the middle of the dinner as it was her zzzz time!

My FIL and Mr Look had to take turns to carry her and eventually during dessert she gave up and fell asleep.

Overall, it was an enjoyable experience with the entire family albeit some disappointment in the beginning.

Looking forward to going to USS after December!

TWG family gathering.

Now that Kylie's a little bigger and her timings are easier to catch, we obviously had a little more gatherings.

This TWG hi-tea was with my mum and sisters.

Basically just to catch up after the last meetup at Christine's birthday.

We didn't do much that day since Kylie was cranky too.

Kylie wore her RL polo dress.

Bunny follows her almost everywhere she goes.

Mummy was wearing a LB toga dress top with black leggings from CottonOn.

Minimal makeup as well.

Why is it Kylie looks reluctant for photos?

Cranky and want to sleep.

Ami and Kylie. 

The teapots! 

See Kylie's rufflebutts?

This is her when she's cranky and want to sleep!

Cheerful mummy!

Mummy's favorite scones. 

After the fussing, Kylie fell asleep for 45minutes or so allowing us to do some catchup chat.

Thank you Kylie and everyone else for making the effort to meetup!

Kylie's Haircut.

Another post on Kylie.

Her 2nd haircut!

I actually missed her first one because we went out to grab some stuff.
Anyway, so here goes!~

Smile for the camera darling!

Me trying to distract her with her teething toy.

Mum hold her and Yong's auntie cutting (she's a pro by the way).

All done!

By the time this post is up, her hair's messy again.

Will need to cut before CNY comes around in Jan.



SMH May Mummies Gathering.

Yes, another gathering of sorts.

Well, it's been a great support group for me and very informative.

SingaporeMotherhoodForum May mummies gathering where babies born or due in May 2011 and their daddy and mummy meet each other.

We discuss loads of topics from maid to baby issues.

Some of the gathering I attended.

TWG gathering to bid farewell to one mummy heading with her family to US due to work.

This was my first gathering with Kylie.

She was sleeping in her stroller so not in the photo.

Halloween party!

I'm there and Kylie's there too but she's sleeping too!

This photo does not include all the mummies as some couldn't make it.

Was really fun seeing all the babies!!!



Christine's Birthday!

After mummies birthday, it was Christine's turn!

We arrived kinda late as we headed off to visit Amos's ExpressivelyJoho booth at the outdoor wedding event.

Kylie was super cranky due to lack of sleep that day but we managed to survive!

This photo sums it up!

Happy Birthday Darling!!



Caryn's Birthday Party.

Super eventful Sept and Oct for Mr Look, myself and Kylie.

Another event was my colleague's youngest daughter's birthday.

Unfortunately, she and her brother came down with HFMD near her birthday and this got postponed.

Nonetheless, we went for it!

Had to leave early as Mr Look had a wedding dinner to attend that same evening.

My big girl!

LOTD!

Hair band from sinma, hairclip from forum, dress from carters, socks from forum and bib was from grandma!

Daddy and drooling Kylie.

Mummy and Kylie.

My romper was from mPhosis when it was on sale.

Easy to wear but Kylie keeps un-tying me!

Mummies Birthday Celebration.

Once a year in September, we celebrate 2 mummies birthday - my mum and my aunt.

Their birthdays are just a day apart!

What better way to get together.

Well, we are pretty close with my cousins since we literally grew up together and now that we have our own families we hardly see each other.

I hope Kylie will be as close to her cousins as I've been with mine.

Family matters~

Me trying to make Kylie sleep (I think).

My 'elusive' sister's boyfriend carrying my youngest niece - Celest.

She seems pretty happy that he's carrying her.

Another attempt at trying to capture family portraits.

The 3 babies!

Ami and Celest.

Look at her smile!

Kylie, Kylie and more Kylie.

Christine and Christine.

The 2 birthday girls!

Yes, 1 candle.

My Family =)

Looking forward to this being a yearly event!

*hint hint*

I think next year's back at my house already huh??