Getting ready for Christmas!

2009. It's Christmas time. This year, I was involved in the setting up of the Christmas tree. Which means, things are getting better for me. It's been years since I really felt Christmas. With my beautiful wife, kids, and family. I am contented. So what are you waiting for? Go set up your trees!

Its Christmas!

Its Christmas time. Here's Mau along with her friends; Jean and Audrey.

More visitors

Matilda is about 2 weeks old. We have auntie Serena and uncle Samuel; as well as friends, Nielson, Dawn, and Nigel, visting us. That's Nigel playing with Elijah. They are both only months apart.

Milk.. yum yum..

Matilda and us.

First VIP visitors

Honors go to auntie Joanna. :) Of course the VIP list also include Denada, and my uncle and auntie.

More of Matilda

Here's more pictures of Matilda.

Day 3: And she is looking lovely..

Maureen has now recovered and got off the bed; started eating too. More pictures of Matilda!

Mau's and Matilda's first meet

Maureen cannot wait to see her daughter. She was anxiously looking at the photos we took and when i wheeled Matilda from the nursery, you can see why the mother and daughter bond is so strong.

Maureen back from the operation

It was past 4pm, and Maureen is bak in the room. Defnitely looks more groggy than the last 2 birth ops. Don't know why. But she looks fine and that's the important part. Also, she's asking to see Matilda, so that's good too.

The moments before...

OK. So why opt for C-section GA? Well, a couple of reasons. 1. It is cheaper than a C-section Epidural. 2. Honestly, we feel this is more an operation than a birth. The doc puts Mau to sleep; do their operation, and out comes our precious kids. There is really no stuggle, no feel. 3. I can't tahan blood. heehee..

But I was there all the way for Mau and my baby. From being with her right until to the operation room; and the moment she comes out of the operation.

OK what do I do during the operation? Typically takes 45mins before they wheel out the baby and 2 hours before I see Mau again. To tell you the truth; I felt apprehension. Of course there are risks. I worry. I pace outside the operation room. I feel edgy. Ask Yvonne and James.

But I try to relax too. Coz I know, once the baby is out; that's the start of sleepless nights, changing diapers, etc etc..

The Big day! inside the suite

Tips for would-be parents: This being our 3rd, here's some tips for those that want to know, what to do before the op:

1. book the time with the doc. It is important, if you are going for a C-section, that you therefore have the luxury of booking what time you want the operation done. In this case, since most patients checkout after 12noon, we planned for an afternoon operation.

2. go early: really. going early means you are in front of the queue, in case there are limited choice rooms. Going early allows you to be more relax, not so kan-chong. This is the same Singaporean kiasuism. Heehee..

3. Make sure you know if they hae wi-fi. Imagine 3 solid days inside the hospital. OK. I'll be spending a lot of time with the baby and taking care of Mau; but believe me, fathers-to-be will have plenty time to do things. Wi-fi allows us to send out emails to inform our friends, post pictures online, surf the web, etc. Of course make sure you bring all your computer equipment.

4. Bring a sweater or long sleeve shirts and a couple of very comfortable clothes. It is COLD!! especially in the mornings, and sleeping on the couch is not really very comfortable.

5. Bring all your documents, Remember, you will need your ROM cert, ICs, and bank account info. Having decided what you want to name your baby is good, so don't kanchong. Also, if you have time on the 2nd day, then do the registration; don't wait until the last day.

6. Try to relax. Really it is an important day for all. I still remember most of the moments. I take time to recap and print it out. We certainly enjoyed our new arrivals.

7. Don't be paiseh. See our luggage? Haha. you will have lots of things to bring along. Importantly is that you are trying to make the hospital your home for those 3 days. Obviously you need stuff. Go ahead. Bring. Better to bring more than you have to rush home for something or waste $$ and buy. We threw everything into 1 luggage; easy to pack when you go home. Don't forget, friends will give you gift, you need some extra luggage space as well.

The Day has come!!!

So the day is finally here! All systems go. We are so looking forward to this day. We've done it 2 times. So the 3rd time is a breeze right? Wrong!

We were early, and I had breakfast (Mau can't heehee).

We came in to MAH and this time, they did not have a 1 roomer for us. We checked into a 6-roomer; and after 2 hours, I asked if there were suites available. Remember, perserverance pays. I think I asked and bugged the nurses more and we were given a suite (no 1 roomers available for the day). It costs a bit more but at least we start the day relax and ready.

Trip to Johore (part 2)

Checkout this place at JB Jusco Tebrau City; a Japanese restaurant called Kinsahi (www.kinsahi.com.my). While you can get excellent Jap food in Singapore; its expensive! For less than 1/2 the price, we get reasonable Japanese food that can not only fill your stomach, its fresh sashimi and sushi looks good and taste excellent.

We ordered the catch of the week; can't remember what fish it was, but it was very fresh and not expensive. The ambience is reasonable; called it bad luck; but the restaurant was facing some clogged pipes and the place was slighted flooded. Luckily, we finished out food just when the water was heading towards our table.

Anway, Jusco is a nice shopping place. Check it out!

If you're wondering where is Ethan, he is fast asleep beside Mau.