Diary of a Working Mum

Little Fishies...

2007-03-30T08:50:00.000-07:00

Check out the little fishies! Emma and Taila are about to have their first proper swimming lesson. Ok, us mummies got desperate when we realised our 4 yr olds still can't swim. At $50 for 20 min (EACH!) - the coaches better return our girls to us mermaids!

Cate in School!

2007-03-28T00:52:00.000-07:00

Cate is happily playing house with her classmates in the school playground. She is the little china doll in her class.

Here is Cate drawing on the school wall.... just make sure it is clear to the little graffiti monster that this is only allowed on the school wall and not at home!!!

Mummies in training,.... toddler class being trained to make sandwiches! Look at what a baby Cate looks like next to her friend! Awww......
Eww.... looks like your sandwich didn't turn out tasting too good Cate!

Thailand! - StarHub Team Leads Retreat

2007-01-30T19:15:00.000-08:00

We had a Team Leads retreat to BANGKOK! Ok, as you can see, Emma is in the picture and she wasn't really a Team Lead although sometimes she behaves like she is!

On the 1st day, we went to the Bangkok ACN office to do some knowledge sharing which was very fruitful! While we were there, I called on my long time friend / room mate / pal from boarding school Por to take Emma! Emma had never met Por or her cute little girls (Pyn & Punn) but she happily went with Por! Pyn & Punn didn't speak a lot of English and Emma didn't speak any Thai but Emma had such a ball all the same. I guess all they need to do is PLAY!

We also had a trip to Hua Hin where some of us had a little golf marathon. I only played once at The Majestic Creek Country Club and it was SO GOOD! I hadn't really played in ages, but I have to say I am INTO golf again now!

We also managed to meet up with Cate's Kai Ma whom we spent the day with. Got to meet her handsome Thai boyfriend - Art that day too. Too bad Cate wasn't there with us to spend the day with her ever absent God ma!

Chew's @ Goldcoast - Sanctuary Cove

2006-12-25T06:55:00.000-08:00

Paul is always complaining that as the resident photographer, he never appears in any photos. Well, he has managed to overcome that ... Here's us driving around in our buggy between our house at Sanctuary Cove and the Marina.

Goldcoast with the Tay's

2006-12-23T06:49:00.000-08:00

Here are Mark (My brother Meng's Mini-Me) and Emma up to no good as usual. I think Mark is a Power Ranger here although by the end of the trip after Movie World, he morphed into BatMan. Emma is just Cute-sie Cheesey Japanese girl as usual...

Best Friends 4-Ever...

2006-12-17T06:42:00.000-08:00

Emma & Cate sitting at Esplanade watching a little band performing Christmas Carols. Awwww.... how cute is that!

Salon Perfection....

2006-12-08T06:31:00.000-08:00

After giving Emma home haircuts and taking her to crappy "children's" hairdressers all of her life, I decided enough was enough and decided to take Emma to a proper hairdressers. ...Yes.... I turned to Leslie (@ Mosche). She got THE MOST PERFECT haircut ever. If I had longer (and straighter) hair, I would totally have that exact same hair style. Check it out!

In fact many of my adult girlfriends are considering switching to Leslie after being so impressed with Emma's do!

See if you notice some highlights too ;) While waiting for Aunty Wei Wei to finish her haircut, Aunty Lily (who is the highlighting guru at Mosche) persuaded me to let Emma highlight a few strands of her hair. It actually looks great! Although she is a bit too young... Hope I don't regret getting her started so young!

But just look at that cut,.... it's Salon Perfection....

H-O-T cuties

2006-12-02T08:08:00.000-08:00

Hey check out the Barbie shades!!! Aren't they the cutest. It says that they have UV protection etc, but I am wondering if letting them wear these plasticy sunglasses for any length of time is doing any harm! I guess it isn't like for hours....

Sorry about Cate's Dora do, but this is what happens when she doesn't let you tie her hair. She got all sweaty and gross all the time so I just gave up and chopped it. I think she looks cute.

Sorry for the lack of postings in such a long time, but have been pretty busy and also lazy with taking and downloading pics.

Promise to be a little more dedicated from now.....

Cate-tastrophe....

2006-11-30T06:32:00.000-08:00

That's what happens during Cate's meal times. She goes through phases and one of them was to want to feed herself with no help from anyone. This is what one needs in order to equip yourself for such a task:

1. Line the floor with Newspaper
2. Plastic bowls/ plates (Non-breakable. Melanine is still breakable)
3. Shower Cap - Let's face it, she is going to use her hands, and those same greasy hands are going to be running through her lovely locks if you don't stop her.
4. Plastic Bib with little pouch that catches food

Have fun!

Emma's 1st Mini Ballet Recital

2006-11-24T11:41:00.000-08:00

Emma - 3rd from the left for those who don't already know her (shame on you!)

She only attended 3 lessons at this ballet school but did beautifully! There were hops and skips and pointy toes....

Taila (Adeline's sweetie) is on the far right. She did really good too! Could work on her skipping though. :P - I can say this cos Taila knows that we all adore her.

A Truly Exceptional Lady

2006-11-14T11:30:00.000-08:00

14th November was the saddest day of my life when my dear Ah Mah passed away at 11:15am.

She was a truly exceptional woman who always selflessly looked out for her family. The entire extended Tay family have her to thank for each of us being where we are today.

In memory of her, we must remember that the family will always stay togther although she is no longer physically with us.

Ah Mah, I miss you so much. I wish I could just hug you hard and smell you 1 last time.... I will never forget you.

Halloween Costume - And the Winner Is.....

2006-11-01T20:01:00.000-08:00

Emma Tay Chew Ning !!!!
Yes, yes, .... Emma was the overall winner for Nursery 2. She was a "Princess Witch". Let me tell you that no 4 year old wants to be a Witch, but a Princess Witch is well cool.... When I told her fellow 3 and 4 yr old classmates that Emma was no ordinary witch but a PRINCESS Witch, they just stared at her in awe like she was the luckiest girl in the whole world! It's all about marketing I suppose.

I don't mean to brag or anything (actually I do mean to...), but I made her costume with my bare hands. The hat is made from scratch (out of a shower curtain). The cape is made from scratch.... I spent the entire Saturday making her costume! If I might say so myself, it was rather well made. Such that I was worried the "judges" may think it were bought off the shelf. I'm really normally not such a braggart,... but don't forget, I AM A WORKING MOM! So some credit is warranted. :D

Way to go Emma the PRINCESS Witch!

Sentooooooooooo-sa!!!!!

2006-10-28T01:24:00.000-07:00

"I'm H-A-P-P-Y!"
Just look at that face! Have you seen anyone THAT happy?
This was a family outing to Sentosa via Cable Car!!! Bet none of you have been on a cable car to Sentosa in ages! We actually took the cable car from Mt Faber and to be honest it was quite a hassle cos we had to park practically at the bottom of the hill and walk up to get on the cable car. Well, look at that face... guess it was worth it.

Princesses on 1110

2006-10-11T23:35:00.000-07:00

Princess Emma & Princess Cate before they attended Emma's Royal Birthday function.

Not much to say, but just needed to blog this cute pic.

Well, thanks to all those who came for the party. Thanks for the lovely pressies also, although I did say "no presents please!" :)

Ems @ GG5

2006-09-19T17:41:00.000-07:00

Isn't that such an adorable dress! It is actually a top from GG5. They had a dress version of it which I could wear so we could be twins! (Yes, I am naff like that) BUT,... as it turned out, the top and dress are silk and cost around $200 each.

As a result, Emma and I just pranced around the changing room in matching dresses, with the sales girls cooing at how cute Emma looked (Perhaps if they had said how cute I looked, I might've bought the dresses!)

Thanks for the fun GG5! Next time make these cute dresses in something cheaper and lower maintenance than silk!

A Truly Talented Family...

2006-09-16T11:37:00.000-07:00

I think some of you who do not know Paul and I too well, may not realise that we are in fact professional dancers. Recently we participated in a disco dancing competition and came in TOP TEN . We thank our supporters during the competition. For those who weren't present but would like to catch a highlight of our performance, please go to the following link: http://www.dancesisterdance.com/myvid/index.php?v=2d9c21925b59

Forunately, our dancing genes were also passed on to Emma and Cate. They don't quite have the same level of sophistication as us, but they are still young and will get there with more practice. A clipette of their dancing can be found at the following link: http://www.dancesisterdance.com/myvid/index.php?v=e4f21e335cf3

**Note: The clips take a while to load, so just be patient. It's worth the wait!.... ;)

I LOVE ISLAND CREAMERY!!!!!!

2006-09-14T23:07:00.000-07:00

In case anyone hasn't been introduced to our very own home grown ice cream parlour - I present "Island Creamery"! It started off as a tiny little counter at the corner of Serene Centre. (I mean, who even goes to Serene Centre...) It was so popular that it is now a big ice-cream place there. Serene Centre is now the place to be!!! (well,... ok not quite, but there has definitely been an improvement) It is packed everyday regardless of whether it is a weekend or a weekday.

Some Features:

Great name! - Island Creamery (The Island indicates Singapore in case you don't get it)
Local flavours such as Bandung, Red Bean, Teh-Tarek. My favourite is Nutella. Paul's favourite is Banana something or other.
For those with kiddos, it is a really child-friendly place. There is a little area for kids to colour and read. (See pic of Ems enjoying herself) They also have free pocky sticks for kids. Ems isn't really allowed ice-cream so she gets a candy-coated cone.
Little photo printing station where you can take a pic of yourself and friends and post on the wall. (Ink and photo paper provided of course).
The take away ice cream tubs come in good clear white containers which are good enough quality for you to reuse as tupperware at home.

My one complaint about this place is that when you order a Banana Split, you can't choose your own flavours! Even if you offer to pay extra. Sometimes they would make an exception but lately not. So if you want to have a Banana Split, it has to be with "Very Berry", "Reverso" and "Cookies & Cream". Those are good flavours but I can't really leave there without having my Nutella. It is gooooooooooood.......

Oh, another complaint - it shuts too early! 10pm... I need more ice cream time!

We'll miss you Steve...

2006-09-04T17:14:00.000-07:00

I was saddened to hear of the Croc Hunter's fatal accident yesterday. Steve Irwin is really the only person who is allowed to say "Crikey..." (in low whisper)

You'll be greatly missed....mate.

The Face of Pride....

2006-09-04T16:56:00.000-07:00

Emma Chew: ""My snake is long, it is sticky, it is not real. It is longer than me!"
Above picture taken at her school's show and tell on "Creepy Crawlies". Thanks to gor-gor Matt for lending Em's his impressive snake!

When Paul saw the picture, he asked me in total seriousness"Was the snake real?"
I wonder what he is thinking sometimes...

Miniature Clothes

2006-09-03T07:53:00.000-07:00

Don't you love miniature clothes... They are just irresistable. Check out Cate's cut-off jeans. The entire length is about the length of just my upper arm.

The Victim

2006-08-30T09:47:00.000-07:00

Cate looking very "poor-ting" after a sleep training session. With that look, it is just heartbreaking, but don't be fooled...

This is high fashion...

2006-08-30T06:00:00.000-07:00

This is what happens to your hair after taking care of the kids!!! Actually Cate literally made a 180 deg turn to run away from me when she saw me sporting Scary Spice Hair...

I shall quote Leslie my trusted hair stylist, "Peng, Peng.... this ... is .... high fashion". Can I ever trust him again????

After Paul having been away for almost a month, I told him he will be coming home to a new wife. I think he thought I was going to work out or something...

Shucks... I hope he'll still fancy me...

THE MISSION

2006-08-29T08:48:00.000-07:00

MISSION STATEMENT: Sleep fast fast, long long
TRAINEE: Monster Cate
TRAINER: Now Mother of 1 cutie pie and 1 monster

Yes, I am refering to Sleep Training.

What the hec is this?
For those singles out there or parents with angelic kids who never required any such militant tecniques,... sleep training is where you train your baby to sleep without fuss (e.g. no rocking, no cuddling to sleep) and also train your baby to sleep through the night.

Before anyone thinks that I am a meanie.... I have to furnish you with some...

BACKGROUND:
Cate is 15 months old and she needs to be rocked to sleep in SPECIFICALLY the right angle, position, temperature, lighting (ambience) that she desires. Subsequently, she will wake every 1-2 hrs.

Cate wakes at the slightest noise E.g. I am sitting on the rocking chair and if my knee clicks when I stand up, Cate will scream her head off. I am not talking about a "tsk", I am talking about 0-100 in 1 second type of scream. This means I have to do stretches before putting Cate to sleep to ensure that all bones are loose and body is supple.

Basically,... she is taking the piss.

PREPARATION:

Read a Sleep Solutions book.
Loitered round Sleep Training section in BORDERS - Melbourne and chatted up fellow troubled mothers for tips
Created a Sleep Chart to track sleeping patterns (hanging outside Cate's room)
Ear plugs for Emma who sleeps next door

Cate, I'm ready... are you?

Let the fun begin.... will keep you all posted...

The Ooi's

2006-08-20T09:08:00.000-07:00

Introducing my old friend Emily Diong Kee Ching whom I used to share a room with in Primary school.

We met up while I was in Melbourne for work. She's with her hubby Marcus (he told me to tell everyone that he normally looks much better than this photo, ... which he does ... Really!), and the adorable Caitlin and Kristen. There's another little one on the way!

We had a yummy Vietnamese dinner followed by Max Brenner Hot Chocolate!

I will definitely be back with Emma and Cate, and the girls will have so much fun together!

29!

2006-08-07T08:28:00.000-07:00

My lovely birthday dinner with the whole family (Ah Mah, Mum, Dad, Elaine, Tim, Meng, Jasmine, Mark) at the New Majestic Hotel. That's me with handsome husband and crazy daughter who has no idea how to pose for a picture.

Sugar & Spice & All Things Nice...

2006-07-29T09:37:00.000-07:00

Here's Emma with her buddy Taila.
What more need I say... just look at how adorable they are!

For starters...

2006-01-29T09:14:00.000-08:00

In my attempt to post to a blog I couldn't "Continue" without creating a blog myself... so here it is.

Anyway, for those whom I haven't been in touch with in a while, I have two babes. (Emma and Cate). On the job front, nothing much has changed as I am still working at the same place... Oh husband also the same.

Let's see what our first topic should be on... using handicap toilets in Singapore? (kidding!)

Someone start...