Olla! I'm Still Alive!

Despite the rather ominous tone of my last post, I'm still here! Thanks for hanging on and coming back to this post after so many months!!!

Quick updates....

1. My baby has finally outgrown the 'baby' stage and is now fast on his way to becoming a full blown 'toddler' which keeps me on my toes, and very often; at my wits!
2. Good news, I've lost all my baby weight and then some *hiphiphooray*
3. I'm busy with another blog... yeah, crazy ex-workaholic marketeer and busy new-mother has suddenly fallen heads over heels in love with the world of paper crafting, scrapbooking and card-making. I know this is not every ones cup of tea so I shall not elaborate here, but if your curiosity gets the better of your rationality, like it did mine, do hop on over to MyScrapspiration :)
4. Also, I've started a brand new venture, a little online card shoppe to liquidate some excess cards, check out my creations here; Manjarina Art. I need this so that I can clear some storage as I accumulate more scrapping stuff. Sometimes when the mojo hits me I make cards in a frenzy; making more than I can give out!
5. Yeah I know by linking these sites through Shortcake Tales, I'm giving up my anonymity hahahaha, but I guess that's ok since (a) I'm not in the corporate world anymore and (b) I wonder who reads this anyway and (c) seriously who gives a s*** LOL!

Here are some recent pics of my dear boy ....

Angel asleep in mummy's arms

Mini boss in his big boss high chair at a restaurant

Taken during his FIRST birthday party in September

That's it for now, thanks for dropping by! XOXO :)

Mortality Check

Warning: you may find this quite morbid but I hope it's helpful in some ways.

I'm saddened and shocked to learn about the sudden demise of an old friend's husband over the weekend. He died of a sudden heart attack leaving a wife and three young children. I cannot even begin to imagine what is going through the minds and hearts of these poor souls. On a separate incident, just last year we lost a very dear friend too, she died in her sleep with no obvious causes. She was only thirty one and recently engaged.

Death is inevitable and it's something we do not like to think about. Nobody likes to talk about death, especially in our Asian culture it's very 'pantang' (superstitious, bad omen) to talk about such things. Hence we have a tendency to be ill prepared when it happens. Anyway the recent occurrences, coupled with the multiple catastrophes happening worldwide (earthquakes, floods, fires) raised some crucial yet uncomfortable questions in my mind which I need to look into as well.

Here's what I'd like to call the mortality checklist, things to have ready and assured because really, death is inevitable. You may be young and have the best medical report in town and yet all it takes is a drunk bus driver or an aircraft engine malfunction to land you in front of the pearly gates.

1. No, the first thing on my list is not an insurance-plan, but an afterlife-plan. I'm not here to propagate any particular religious faith but if you're unsure or you're wavering on the fence, choose a side and stick by it. If you really believe there is no after-life, fine but it won't hurt to think harder, I've heard so many stories of people at the brink of death calling out to a God but then they are not sure which one. It's kinda like knowing you need to call the helpline but you're not sure what's the number. And once you have a faith and are serious about it, let your family know who to contact to conduct the funeral in the manner you desire e.g. the number of your church elders or temple officials whatever.
2. Here's where the insurance plan comes in. This is crucial especially if you have dependants on you, e.g. your family or your elderly parents etc. Ensure your next of kin knows who's your insurance agent and where your policies are kept.
3. Ensure your EPF (retirement fund) nominations are up to date. The last you need are for the government to hang unto your money unnecessarily when there is great need for it.
4. Audit and settle your debts while you can. Again, especially if you have dependants on you e.g. children etc so they will not be burden. Consider to insure your debts or any outstanding loans (car loans, house loans etc). Let your next of kin know where your documents are kept so they can make the necessary arrangements or liquidate your assets.
5. Make a list of all your banking account passwords and pin numbers for your next of kin so in the event shit happens and they need money urgently or they need to manage standing orders, they are not left helpless and encumbered by troublesome paperwork. It's bad enough to deal with grief alone so why add on irksome formalities of official paperwork etc.
6. Have a will done up, especially if you have alot of properties etc. Well, even if you don't have very much to bequeath and see no point to engage a will-writer (I'm not an expert in this subject, it's something I need to explore too), I guess it won't hurt to have a written instruction on how you want your affairs to be managed.
7. Leave a legacy of good memories with your loved ones. It has been said many times that no one remembers all your career and worldly achievements but let those who matter remember you for the loving mother, father, son or daughter that you are. Spend quality time, take photos, send cards and write notes and letters on and off. When you are no longer around physically these are all that's left to be treasured by your loved ones. I'm considering investing in nice photo albums and scrapbooks.
8. Decide to be an organ donor (or not, it's up to you). Have a written consent or give permission to your next of kin of your intention to donate your organs. You're not gonna need them anymore so why not give someone else a second chance.
9. Audit your worldly possessions and junk periodically and donate away old clothes, books, toys, etc regularly. This way when shit happens your family won't have the arduous tasks of going through a mountain of junk and it allows you to be charitable yet prevent you from accumulating and hoarding nonsense. Also, please discard old hole-y and yucky undergarments; that's not how you want your spouse to remember you by (hahaha). You may also want to get rid of embarrassing diaries or mementos from your school years (double hahaha)
10. Do your virtual presence audit. Let your spouse or next of kin know how you wish them to manage your Facebook, blogs, twitter etc. To close and terminate or otherwise. Let them have a copy of the passwords. Meanwhile close and delete any unnecessary online accounts (which reminds I need to delete my archaic and obsolete Friendster account).
11. Consider a bereavement brief; our dear friend who passed on last year did something very impressive, she wrote a detailed instruction for her friends and family on how to manage her funeral if she passes on before them, right down to the funeral song, minister to preach and type of flowers and even where she wants her ashes to go. It may sound pretty morbid, but it's not a bad idea at all. So when the time comes, families don't have to fight and dispute on the nitty gritty decisions at such a crucial moment. I'm seriously considering this, there's something very poignant, poetic yet eerily beautiful about this. After all, it makes people around you feel good that they are able to fulfill and contribute to your last wishes to the letter. It's more for their sake that for the deceased.
12. Meanwhile, do not wait for that special occasion to wear that gorgeous dress, precious necklace, expensive perfume etc ... that day may never come.
13. And lastly, never forget to say I LOVE YOU always to people you care about. Say it always and throw in hugs and kisses with it.

Let me know if I left out anything. And live and let live! God bless.

Makan Time!

I've started experimenting solid food with Lucas when he was four-months plus, that's almost a month back. I started out with the basic rice cereal just to test if he's got the ability to take in a tiny spoonful and swallow and if his digestive system is mature enough for this.

After several weeks of experimenting, we conclude that Lucas tolerates rice cereal and he seems to prefer Ninolac over Nestle Cerelac brand. I personally think Ninolac taste and smell better (yeah I tried it myself!) and it's also smoother, but unfortunately it comes in a box and not a convenient can like Cerelac. On the flip side, Cerelac requires you to add in a bit of milk (formula) so it's one extra step and somehow I find it harder to mix and blend .

Ninolac taste better (sweeter) versus Cerelac (weird smell, no taste).

We've tried feeding him some apple and banana puree (organic, store bought) but he makes a yuckky face like it's way too sour or something. So I ended up downing the whole thing myself. Tastes abit like the applesauce that accompanies the roasted suckling pig at Leonardo's .. yummms.

To our surprise he likes VEGETABLES, given that most children don't. He finished the first jar of garden vegetables puree and now we're onto a second jar of veg; peas (yucks) and zucchini (yums). Guess what? He loves it! I really hope this means I won't eventually need to coerce and bribe him to finish his veg when he's much older.

Lucas likes the BabyNat Organic veg (left, available at Village Grocer's organic section) but caution; somehow the puree causes some stains so I will think twice before I get it again. I think he likes the Heinz Peas and Zucchini (right) more anyway. Anyway I plan to try and test a few more brands, I'm just so darn curious!

It's so tempting to just feed him the veg as he laps it up more willingly than the rice cereal, plus it's much easier to clean the vegetables versus sticky rice cereal, but it doesn't sound like a balanced diet, which is a lofty thought anyway since theoretically, he's getting enough nutrition from the breastmilk. Anyway today I experimented with a rice + veg combo. He finished them all! I'll monitor how his digestive system takes it.  

Rice and veg combo today!

Once he starts consuming a substantial amount of puree seriously, I will consider making the puree myself or if I turn out to be too lazy, I guess I'll be ordering homemade puree from Baby Ambrosia, they seem to know what they are doing but their prices looks a bit on the high side.

Here is a snapshot of a very reluctant diner during the earlier days his solid food ordeal. He's more receptive now but still can behave unpredictably; sometimes he just refuse food point blank and just wants to nurse.

Our Water Baby

Now that Lucas is almost 6 months  old, it's time to get him accustom to water before we start any serious swimmimng lessons. So we got us a pair of swim nappy (from Mothercare, really ingenious; helps prevent 'spillage' yet keeps baby looking stylo-mylo!). Daddy could not resist the kodak moments ....

I know he looks like he's on his own here but actually my hands are underneath his torso, supporting him!

He's a little grumpy as he's not used to the cold water.  

I love this shot lots. Cute baby toes and a turtle-infested swim-nappy.

Ahhh ... out of the water! Sweet warm comfort of the towel!

Our Bunny Baby

It's been a crazy hectic Chinese New Year for Shortcake and her little family of three! Since it's Lucas first celebration, we had to make many visits to ensure all the relatives get to see Lucas, most for the first time. It's quite challenging trying to remember what Lucas is supposed to address each and every relative in traditional Cantonese titles ... I think I will draw up a family tree chart in PowerPoint for future reference! Here's a snapshot of our 5-month old bunny-fied baby! Hope everyone had a lovely hoppity celebration!