Update

Just a quick update and a heartful of thanks for all the well wishes.

I am now in Changi waiting for my flight back to KL, having spent 3 days in Singapore for work. I still have the cough and also a runny nose. I'd managed to get some pregnancy-safe drug from Singapore so I'm feeling better though it is a very slow process.

Got to go - I have 15mins to chug down my sandwich from O'Briens. See you back in KL!

This Sucks!

Just as Bryan has started to sleep through the night, well more-or-less, it's now me who is unable to sleep.

First, there is insomnia, which I heard occurs in at least 75% of pregnant women. Well, that's me contributing to the statistics now. I did not face this problem when I was preggers with Bryan. Now it takes me up to 2 hours just to get back to sleep whenever I wake up for a midnight leak.

Then, there is this chesty cough that I'd developed a week back. It started with sore throat and then developed into a dry cough, and now a chesty one. It got so bad that I'd lost my voice over the weekend. Over-the-counter cough syrups are usually Category C meaning they have not been tested on pregnant women hence effect is unkown. So I have been suffering, only able to drink hot water with honey and some soups.

To make matter worse, rest is elusive as my PILs went for a holiday and VT is busy at work. So I've been SAHM for the past 5 days. Thank goodness for my parents as I have been over at their place to kill boredom.

Come think of it, this is probably the latest time I've ever blogged. The thought of lying down in bed, tired but enable to sleep because I'm coughing my lungs out, is terribly depressing.

Bloggers Gathering Anyone?

Who is keen for a bloggers' gathering? I thought this would be a good idea since Angeleyes is in town. My suggestions:

(1) Somewhere in KL/PJ - I would offer my place but it's a townhouse so can fit only about 5 families comfortably. Any volunteers?
(2) If eating out, it's got to be child-friendly naturally, with a large supply of baby chairs
(3) Saturday lunchtime?

Let me know of your thoughts please, and who would be keen :)

Why Must We Go Home?

We have never faced difficulties in taking Bryan home after our dinner at my PILs. It's a routine that after we change his diapers, he will take his nen-nen and then he will wave good-bye to his Ah Ma and Kong Kong, with a flying kiss added in.

Last night was a change. After his milk, Bryan got off the couch and ran around the house like a madman. Even when I pretended to leave without him, Bryan continued on his merry way - playing this and that. I'd then asked my maid to take all his toys into his room but no, he found the 2 Ikea stools highly amusing. This went on for 45 minutes before my FIL offered him a straw with an enpty cup, caught hold of him and strapped him into the carseat. Phew! What a struggle it was.

When we got home, Bryan usually obediently climbs up the stairs to the room. This time, he ran over to the coffee table where his crayons are, and started drawing on the art block. I tak boleh tahan already since it was past 10pm, so I took the crayons away from him and as expected, he sat down on the floor to wail. I ignored him and walked towards the stairs. He then quickly followed without a sound. Bryan promptly hit LaLa Land after just 15mins of rolling about in bed as opposed to his usual 45mins of settling time. Must had be all tired out LOL :)

I hope this does not repeat itself tonight. Perhaps it's only a phase. Anyone else who faces similar issues?

Another Meeting with Mummy Blogger

Since I was on leave today, I took the opportunity to meet up with another mummy blogger whom I've : talked to over the phone, SMS-ed, blogged on; but never met in person before.

This pretty mummy is even prettier in real life! We met at Champs at Centrepoint BU for lunch. Before that, the both of us kena "conned" by signing up for a monthly contribution to MAKNA. Never mindlah, at least doing some charitable work in this new political era.

We met at noon and the next 2 1/2 hours just flew by! We chatted and laughed as if we've known each other for years. I felt so comfortable with her that we didn't notice the clock ticking away. I had prawn mee, whose bowl was larger than its taste while Wen has a bowl of pork noodles. Good thing the ice lemon tea came with free refills. We each had at least 3 glasses each - talked and laughed too much!

It was great meeting you, Wen. I hope you finally managed to put Ian & Iris down for their naps. Hopefully you'll be able to join us when this cupcake mummy is in KL.

Bryan's New Antics

Ever since Bryan recovered from the viral infection, he unleased a couple of new antics.
Bryan now:

(1) Spits water and/or porridge out, and then laughs
(2) Marches very well with both legs straightened out ahead of him. Previously, he could only muster one leg
(3) Pronounces his first 2-syllable word - "Tur-tle"; and quite accurately too
(4) Sleeps through the night (fingers & toes crossed on this one that it continues!)
(5) Pours his cup of water over his head, and then laughs
(6) Spoons water out from the cup to drink
(7) Acts all melo-dramatic when he doesn't get his way. If we're outside, he will squat and cry pitifully. At home, he would run and throw himself at the couch while crying. Latest meltdown was at 1-Utama last weekend, but both Mama & Papa only laughed. He stopped after 5 mins.
(8) Says"Kong Kong" very clearly, much to my FIL's delight

The fever must have acted as a trigger!

Red, Merah, Ong, Hong

I love this colour as opposed to VT, who thinks that it screams, "Look at me please!!". I suppose I am more of an attention-seeking person that hubs :)

GiddyTigress made me look through my archive of photos to find an "ong ong" photo. So being the vainpot that I am, I'm posting a photo of myself taken when I was about 7-8 years old.


START COPY HERE

Here are the rules:
1. Post YOUR photo wearing red, may it be a red top, bottom, the least would be red accessories if you hate wearing red… If you can’t find one, you still have an option. Either post your Significant Other’s photo or your child’s photo, if you have one. Of course, they should be wearing red.
2. Let us know the reason why you were wearing red that particular day. Was it your birthday? Is red your fave color or was it the shirt that you first saw in your closet that day?
3. Tag 3 people close to your heart. By the way, they have to be in your blogroll. No cheating heart pleaseeeeeeee!
4. Once you’re tagged, could we please keep it going - just for this month?
END HERE.

With that, I'm tagging:
1) Wen
2) Mummy to Chumsy
3) Slavemom

A Present

Wen sent this gift to me - thanks!!!!
It is sure nice to know that you're being thought about.

Tag: Dominos

I'd received this tag from this lovely mummy, Slavemom.

Rule: Copy the entire list and add your name at the bottom. A
nd tag at least 5 friends. (But you can tag as many as you like.)

Thea is {bloggerhappy.com}, Childstar, Mike, My Scrappy side, AbieAggie, Alpha, Apple, Apols, Jacqui. Jane, Jody, Joy,Kelly, Mich, Peachy, Jenny, Nyumix, Rose, Agnes, Hazel, Lovelymummy, Slavemom, Bryan's Mama

I'm defying the rule by not tagging anyone because I think most have done this.

He Answered My Prayers!

Hooray!! Bryan's fever broke yesterday as MIL told me that he was sweating a lot after he woke up from his morning nap. Plus he let go a big poo and then asked for more food during lunch so that was definitely a great sign! We were initially worried that the fever would return at night but our fears were unfounded as he slept through the night like a baby. Bryan must had been exhausted since he has never slept through the night previously. Looks like it was indeed a viral attack, albeit the most virulent which I've seen.

Thank you all for dropping by my blog to offer your kind words of advice and your words of encouragement. They meant so much to me. Also one mummy even sms-ed me to ask about Bryan. Thanks ALL for your much appreciated concern!!!

After this episode, I am re-learning how to enjoy Bryan all over again. I must admit that sometimes I get so frustrated taking care of him especially when he doesn't want to nap, and I myself am exhausted. But this has demonstrated just how fragile life in itself is. I recall staying up two nights ago just to watch Bryan sleep and make sure that he doesn't stop breathing. That was how petrified I was. I can't imagine life with this little boy.

Worry, Worry, Worry

Another traumatic night for all 3 of us - VT, Bryan and myself. Bryan was still nursing a fever (about 37.5 degrees) when we returned home last night. I gave him a dose of paracetomal and stuck a slab of Kool Fever aid on his forehead when he was fast asleep.

He was tossing and turning the whole night, letting out little wails here and there. I suspect that it could be due to him teething as well because he has been salivating more than usual and had been thrusting 3-4 fingers into his mouth during the day. I applied some baby Orajel and Bryan managed to sleep a bit.

Then at around 4am, I could feel his body shiver and tremble. Surely that can't be a good sign! VT took his temperature and it registered 39.2 degress Celcius! We couldn't believe our eyes!! Took it again and same thing. We immediately packed him into the car (despite him protesting because he was rudely awoken) and sped to Damansara Specialist Hospital. The doc on-duty gave him a Voltren suppository to help bring down the temperature quickly. As usual, Bryan cried when the doc tried to listen to his heartbeat and examine his ears & mouth. Some conclusion as Bryan's paed - no signs of other symptoms.

We are getting more worried by the day that this could be dengue as there are usually no other symptoms as well. The rashes do not typically appear until Day 4-5 and today is Day 2. If his fever persists into Day 3, we will have to do a blood test for platet count.

Dear God, I pray to You that You will lay your healing hands on Bryan and that this is merely a viral infection which will clear itself soon. Please do not let harm befall on my baby boy. Amen.

Running on Pure Adrenaline

Wow, I'd just realised that it has been two weeks since I last updated my blog. This is possibly the first time when I managed to sit down and reflect on the not-too-long-ago past.

To start off with, VT was in the Lion City for one week for a course, which extended past a weekend as well. I packed our bags and set up camp at my parents in the interest of safety and also company. My cousin who was visiting came over for a chat as well so the weekend went by pretty quickly although Bryan was very clingy and didn't want my parents to carry.

Then there was the usual work including a couple of "surprise" assignments which I had to get done in a jiffy. But work's work, so let's not talk about it here.

The contractors were called to our home to fix a leaky roof and to re-do the water-proofing in the toilets, both of which were causing watermarks to appear on our living room walls. That took up Saturday afternoon, and even then they will be back this weekend to paint the walls.

Last night, we attended our first wedding dinner with Bryan (together with my in-laws). It was held at Westin KL. I can't tell you whether it was a nice affair or not because I was hanging out with Bryan at the foyer 90% of the time. He was over-whelmed by the number of people and just didn't want to settle. Bryan was much happier roaming about the circular-shaped foyer and I managed to find a pen and paper to keep him occupied for a while. Then he wanted to touch the ice scupltures and pick up the rose petals that were strewn on the floor. No more weddings with Bryan until he is 7 years old, VT and I agreed!

In the middle of the night last night, I felt Bryan's body getting warm. I monitored for a while and the temperature kept rising despite being in an air-conditioned room. At 4am, I woke VT up to get the Paracetomal and we gave him a dose. His body was burning! Poor Bryan was tossing and turning the whole night and unable to sleep. An hour later, I sponged him down with tepid water and again, waited. This time, I could feel the temperature coming off slightly but made up our minds that if he wasn't asleep by 6am we will take him to the A&E. Bryan then fell into a slumber just before 6am, and so did I.

When he woke up at around 7:30am, his body still felt warm though he was able to take his breakfast and was his usual active self. VT & I still brought him to Dr Kwan for a once-over just to be safe. Dr Kwan couldn't find anything wrong so we're keeping our fingers (and toes!) crossed that it isn't dengue or anything more serious than a simple viral infection. My last call to check with my MIL was that Bryan's temperature was down to 37 degrees Celcius.

I decided to take a day off work to get some sleep, having not slept much last night. Our #2 was already protesting by kicking a lot so I managed to get a lie-down for 2 hours after returning from the paed's. Then I was off to Cold Storage to buy some simple meat and veg so that Bryan would have some "ching" (clear) meals this week till he fully recovers. And after writing this post, I'm back to my in-laws.

So sorry if I haven't been to your site lately. I'll do so soon, before my adrenaline runs out!

Meeting Another Blogger Mummy

This is a backdated post (read the next post to find out why!)

I was thrilled to hear just before CNY that Angeleyes will be in KL with her son, Darrius. Since we missed Darrius turning 2yrs last November, I made it a point to meet up with them. We decided to meet up on a weekday night since Alice's hotel was only a stone-throw away from where I work.

I picked them up at the hotel lobby slightly after 6:30pm. I managed to clock off work early that day though it also meant that I couldn't bring Bryan along with me. If there is one thing that I must say, it would be this: Darrius is such a cutie pie!! He is one of the most well-behaved toddler I know and Alice, well, your bubblyness is simply contagious!

I brought them to "Sao Nam", a restaurant at Tengkat Bukit Bintang for some Vietnamese cuisine. We chatted until past 9:30pm. It is amazing just how comfortable we were with each other despite not having met before! Darrius was a perfect little gentleman, sitting in the high chair throughout the entire dinner, entertaining himself most of the time. Bryan wouldn't be able to do that because his Mummy is such a lousy disciplinarian! The waiters & waitresses were totally amused & captivated by Darrius as well. I don't blame them - I still look the his photo which I took with my phone from time to time :)

Alice is only the 2nd blogger I've met. I hope to meet many more soon!