Thursday, January 29, 2009

Sarah's away with Yeh-Yeh & Nai-Nai...

This time, both hubby & I are here, while Sarah's in Perak with Yeh-Yeh & Nai-Nai to visit some relatives there... Hubby & I had to work on Wed & Thurs so Yeh-Yeh & Nai-Nai had to bring our little one along with them. She followed them since Tuesday afternoon. At first she didn't shed a tear but not long later, as she saw me from inside the car, I guess she must have wondered... "Why is mummy outside? Why isn't mummy in the car?" She started crying and said... "Ah Maaaaa...." (Yeah, that's how she calls me... she hasnt learnt to call me "Mummy" yet... even after much persuasion from me! :p)

Upon hearing her cry, I quickly got into the house so that she won't see me. It is easier that way for MIL too. After awhile, she seemed alright. She'll be there until Friday afternoon. So that would mean 3 days of being away from us. I heard that she is doing well in Perak. Well, as long as Yeh-Yeh & Nai-Nai are there, she's alright... :)

It's been 2 weeks....

... and I've finally finished it! :)

I'm so happy that even though I didn't manage to complete it before CNY, but at least I've completed it the day after the CNY hols. Hehehe... Another project yet to complete but I'm giving myself next week as the deadline.

Thanks to Caleb for helping out in the project for the past one whole week and yesterday (sacrificing his CNY break too!). Else, I dont think I'm able to complete the work on time. Yey! And with that in mind, I can go back to Melaka this Friday-Saturday with an ease in my mind. Hehehe... Go berjolly-jolly all the way. Hehehe.... :D

Ok..ok.. so here's wishing everyone a Blessed Moo-moo Chinese New Year! God bless!

p/s - gotta catch up in blogging + photos posting... seems like an unending process! :-s

Thursday, January 15, 2009

Busy as a bee....

I'm in the midst of a totally busy month for me at work... first deadline is next weekend (before CNY) - i hope to reach the target of this deadline so that I'll have a more relaxing week during CNY but the presentation would be on 1st Feb (the deadliest line)... so that would mean, I might have to go through a busy week during the CNY week as well... Really rushing off some work and "The Project"... Thus, you'll see less of me blogging... (yes, that also meant no updates of photos since Christmas too...) but i just gotta say this so that those of you who wanna "kepo" about me will know what's going on with me... :)

Another thing to share... thank God that the PC that was in "hospital" (read story here) came back at the right time so that I can continue my work with better flow... that also means working with 3-4 computers at the same time:- 2 macs, 2PCs. And... thank God for sending "angels" to my aid too! Hehehe... God is so good! :D

So my week these couple of weeks would be a week of scanning, script writing (err... actually... transcribing), recording, shooting, editing, editing, editing, etc etc... busy, busy, busy... So... no time to clean the house, buy cookies, prepare ang pow, etc for CNY... (hahaha... just joking!)

So, guys... have a great week! Keep on blogging! And... last but not least, to my dear Sarah... Blessed 10 month old to you today! No matter how busy mummy is, mummy will make time for you... and dear hubby, for you too! :)

Little Sarah's Milestone: 6 to 9 months

At Month 6:
She pulls herself up to stand.
She stands without support for a few seconds.
She cuts her first tooth... well, actually her 2 bottom front teeth! They grew at the same time! :)
She starts taking "ownership" of the things around her. Well, yes, she did snatch things from her cheh-cheh and kor-kor too!

At Month 7:
She climbs up the stairs... (but no, we don't encourage that for now)
She stands without support for a longer period (didn't count the seconds but long enough to capture the moment.! :))
She learns to look at the "fan" on the ceiling when we ask her "Where's the fan cold-cold?"
She searches for hidden objects (& human)
She experience separation anxiety
She learns gravity... that everything that goes up, must come down! Hehehe....
She stands up and squats down, stands up and squats down... (building her knee muscles i think... :p)
She walks with support (still a lil clumsy at times)
New words - "mamam" which means eat, "yeh-yeh" means paternal grandpa & "nai-nai" means paternal grandma (no, not mama or dada unfortunately... :p)

At Month 8:
She "race" around with her walker
She learns to clap her hands
She walks without support
3rd & 4th tooth (top) appeared!
New words - "mama" & "dada"

At Month 9:
She waves goodbye
She puts object into container - first being a rubber duckie into a cup! (She was imitating me actually!) :)
She takes a toy phone and puts it near her ear and says "Eh?" (Again, she was imitating me, except that I said "Hello" not "Eh?" :p)
She starts sucking from a straw
5th & 6th tooth (top) appeared! Haha... a sudden discovery for me! :)
New words - "daddy"... but not sure if she meant "daddy"... :p, "ahm!"... when she sees food, "unn!", "ah chiak!"... when playing peek-a-boo!

Check out Little Sarah's milestone: 1 to 6 months

Monday, January 12, 2009

Psalm 100

A Psalm of Thanksgiving.
1 Make a joyful shout to the LORD, all you lands!
2 Serve the LORD with gladness;
Come before His presence with singing.
3 Know that the LORD, He is God;
It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves;
We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.

4 Enter into His gates with thanksgiving,
And into His courts with praise.
Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.
5 For the LORD is good;
His mercy is everlasting,
And His truth endures to all generations.


I received this word from a sister today... reminding me that He is God... It is He who made me, not myself... I am His... and the sheep of His pasture.

Thank You, Lord for You are good and Your mercy is everlasting.

Friday, January 9, 2009

Sarah has grown much slimmer now...

I think Sarah has really slimmed down a lot! And I meant... A LOT! Last night when I was changing her into her pyjamas, I realised how thin she has become... no more "tummy" already...

I felt a little sad when I saw her... she used to be so chubby, but like what some people says... the baby fats will eventually go. When she was 3-5 months old, I was afraid that she might be an obese as she grows up... :p but this time, seeing her baby fat actually decreasing more and more, I felt so sad...

When she got sick earlier last month, it kinda affected her weight a little. We cut her milk down from 6oz to 5oz as doctor says that should help to reduce the phlegm that she was having. We recently started her back on 6oz. Besides that, seeing her so active day and night, I guess that was her daily exercise routine that totally caused her to reduce more weight as the days past. (She totally beat me in my diet plan... *sigh*...)

My baby Sarah, you've totally grown to be a little girl... no more that chubby chubby little baby anymore... I pray that you will grow healthily all the days of your life. God bless you, my child. Grow to be the person you are to be! In Jesus' name I pray - Amen!

This week at work...

This week has been hectic at work.... why?
Main reason ---> Main working PC crashed! During the weekend, it showed signs of possible problems. Somehow, it was still working on Monday where I managed to get all the Monday work done (Really thank God for that!) BUT... come Tuesday morning, it totally gave way as I had to restart it many times + unable to access the 2nd HD which has some important data in there... I had to send it to the "hospital" for a checkup. The "doctor" diagnosed that the motherboard died, and the graphic card burnt! I was like... "What?!!! I could still on it this morning! And how could the graphic card be burnt when I had no problem viewing what's on the monitor??" I needed a 2nd opinion (like always...), so I left it there and called my technician friend to have a look at it the following day.

Well, still no news about it yet... I got another PC working as a spare but it was a heart-ache & head-ache "spare" that cant really help me much.

Truly a hectic week for me... so many things to do, yet so many things need to be delayed as well. Pray that this problem will be solved soon.... really need to get things work out and plan out soon...

Thursday, January 8, 2009

Sarah's 1st haircut!

Last night, we saw Sarah in her new hairstyle! Hehehe... She looked soooo "handsome"! LOL!
When I carried her, I almost felt that I was carrying someone else! :p

I do miss her "messy" hair though... especially her front top which was very long. Well, will wait for her hair to grow long... and let mummy here make her look pretty! Hehehe...

Mega Sale in hubby's "shop"

Hey guys,

Interested to get a 2nd-hand DSLR of your own that is affordable? My hubby is intending to sell his Nikon D40x. Do check it out in his blog here.

It's a really good buy, so why don't you give yourself a good new year's gift this year!

Oh... and by the way, most of my lovely pictures are taken with this camera! Chun leh??! :)

Wednesday, January 7, 2009

Where do i get those looks from?! LOL!

While i was in Melaka, i looked through some collections of old pictures - both my mum's and dad's. Check out photos of both my parents' in their younger days! They both were so cool back then, weren't they?! That's how they got cool children like us too! Hahaha... :D


Mummy & Daddy




Young daddy - i think this was taken during his college days... :)


Check out mummy's hot hairstyle & sunglasses! Hehehe... cool eh?! :)


Daddy & Uncle Kok Seng - they played doubles in tennis during their schooldays. :)

[+video] And into the container it go...

Last weekend, while giving a bath to our little girl, I decided to show her a little trick... putting a small rubber duckie into a cup (haha... a simple trick - yet it kinda amused her for awhile!). Immediately after that, she did the same to whatever thing she sees or gets her hand onto, for eg. putting a ball/small toys into the cup/container.

I read about baby milestones, and I think she is achieving another one! Thank You Lord for little Sarah's day-to-day development! :)

[+video] "Daddy..."

TQ CK for the video clip... :)

[+video] Drinking from the straw...

Our little Sarah had just learned to drink from the straw. She wasn't sure how to do it at first - thinking that the straw is just another teething toy :) After a few tries, she decided to suck it and discovered that she could actually drink water from it... thus causing her to choke a lil in that process. Sometimes, the water would spill out as I guess she hasn't learn to control the water intake as yet... so, keep it up, Sarah! :)

Hmm... Is this a toy, mummy? How to use it leh?


Ahhh... Suck! Suck! Suck... Fun leh.... :)

Watch & Pray...

Last night I had a dream about a dear friend. It wasn't a whole story or even an episode of a story but just a scene of him lying on a bed with a broken limb and his whole body was being wrapped up like a mummy. I could only see his face that had signs of injury and he said he met with a terrible accident.

When I woke up in the morning I quickly said a prayer to God for His divine protection.
"Lord Jesus, I pray for Your hands of protection upon my dear friend. I pray for angels to surround him. Cover him with Your blood. Protect him against all sorts of accidents and take away every harm and danger that is near him and his family. Grant him mercy journeys on the roads and wherever he goes, in Jesus' precious name I pray - AMEN!"

I believe we should always watch and pray in this season. Never take for granted our lives... let us continue to uphold one another in prayer - that God will continue to shower His blessings of good health & protection upon us all. God bless!

Monday, January 5, 2009

Fenugreek for breastfeeding mum...

Fenugreek seed is widely used as a galactagogue (milk producing agent) by nursing mothers to increase inadequate breast milk supply. Studies have shown that fenugreek is a potent stimulator of breastmilk production and its use was associated with increases in milk production of as much as 900%. It can be found in capsule form in many health food stores....

More details in wikipedia

I just learned that consumption of this seed is very effective for breastfeeding mums who would like to increase their milk supply. Cool eh?! (Sigh...) I wish I knew this earlier... but anyways, it's for mummies out there who would like to know how to increase their milk supply... this is good to get! I heard that it doesn't smell quite good, but it surely works! Hehehe... You can purchase it from any supermarkets like Tesco/Giant/Carrefour/any other supermarkets. They sell it in the spice section.

How to consume it?
You can grind the seeds into powder form, make a drink, or like what my friend does - she swallow them just as it is! One teaspoon a day (So, yeah... you don't need to buy so much). Try it out for 2 days... and see if your milk supply increases! :)

Depending on individual, some says that it boosts the milk supply to a very great degree that the flow is way too fast for the little one... (poor baby!), but not to worry... start pumping if your supply gets too much! Hehe... ;o)

Have a blessed breastfeeding moment! :D

p/s - thank you Jeslyn for this information. I learned a lot from here too! :)

A Total Reflection of My Baby

I was looking at her as she sleeps soundly on my chest. Many times when I did that, I felt joy beyond words.

Yes... on the way home from supper on 1st January 2009, this memory became fresh in my mind....

Somewhere on January 2007.... I thought I was pregnant.... we did the pregnancy test at home.... and the doctor later confirmed it! WOW! How exciting! How happy we all were!! I was 4 1/2 weeks pregnant, and at that time, I couldn't wait to tell the whole world about this good news! I started reading more about being pregnant and yes, I was only 4 1/2 weeks pregnant and I was excited all over!

About 1 1/2 weeks later, I started getting signs of bleeding... I got worried. I read about spotting and prayed that it would only be that. A day later, the bleeding became heavier and I knew at that time, something was really wrong. Hubby and I prayed so hard that God will save the baby. My in-laws came over to our house and everyone started praying... I remembered so vividly of how sorrowful it felt then and we prayed to God for a miracle to happen. At that time I told the Lord, I don't mind the suffering... I don't mind if I had to go through any pain.... yes, any pain at all... and all I hoped for in return was just save my baby. That was all that matters then. Though it was just the beginning stage of pregnancy, I already felt so close to my baby. It was a life that I was carrying, and to take it away from me would kill a part of me.... Yes, I experienced a little of what a mother's love was like... The following day, we went to see the gynae, and he said that I just had a miscarriage. Our hearts dropped when we heard that.... We wanted a second opinion and we went to see another gynae, and he said the same thing... Hubby and I went home feeling helpless. We cried but that was all we could do then. I was given 2 weeks off by my good boss to rest at home so that I would recover my health fully. I know that my life is in God's hands and that I must learn to surrender my life and my all to Him. It was just within a few days that I started regaining back my strength and confidence. Hubby and I believed God has taken control. Hubby told me that we will start it right the next round. Let us commit everything into His hands. We started praying more together in preparation to be new parents. God did wonders in our situation. He turned things around... from a bitter situation to something so sweet. We took it positively and looked upon God for a new life coming our way. Pastor Dexter sent me a message when I got the miscarriage: "God gives the best!" Upon seeing that SMS, hubby and I claimed that Word and believed that God will give us only the best. Amen!

It wasn't easy to share this at all... it was harder back then - that whenever I face anyone who was expecting or carrying a baby - I would cry in my heart and asked God, "Why?" A few months after the incident, there was Mother's Day celebration at church. It seemed like the toughest day of my life! I'm sharing this today because I know some of us may experience moments of mournings, moments of sorrows, but as we turn our hearts to Jesus, He will bless us with joy in abundance! Let this new year be a year of "turning our mourning into dancing"... :)

~Psalm 30:11-12~
You have turned for me my mourning into dancing;
You have put off my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness,
To the end that my glory may sing praise to You and not be silent.
O LORD my God, I will give thanks to You forever.

Today, when I look at Sarah, my heart whispers, "You are all that matter now... God has given daddy and mummy His best...."

Thank You, Lord, for giving us this precious gift of life.

Saturday, January 3, 2009

Welcome to the world, Priscilla Anna Yeo!

This morning I got a call from my bro about the good news! Everyone was waiting anxiously for the birth of Priscilla and finally, she's out! :)

Sarah's a cheh-cheh now! Hehehe....

Baby Priscilla Anna Yeo Xuan Ai born on 3rd January 2009 @ 9am
Weight: 3.13kg
Height: 53cm
Head Circumference: 33cm

Bro says... there's a "3" in everything! How cool is that?! :)

Thank You, Lord for a safe and smooth delivery of baby Priscilla. Both mummy & baby are in the pinkest of health! Praise God!

(pix taken from bro's blog at http://damianslyeo.blogspot.com/2009/01/let-us-welcome-baby-priscilla.html without permission. kekekeke...)

Friday, January 2, 2009

A Mummy's Life

It was never promised that life's a bed of roses after becoming a mum. In fact, it's a bed full of thorns maybe (Haha!) - thorns of tiredness, weariness, anxieties, roles & responsibilities (that aren't easy... and they are everlasting...) etc etc etc... and there is no end to it. That's why many young ladies don't want to be a mummy... You're talking about "throwing away your freedom"! Oh well... no matter what people say, I know as I venture into motherhood, it's something I am proud of. I'm not a perfect mum, but I know I can learn to be one, as I'm learning new things everyday, and I am enjoying every part of it (though, I have to admit that sometimes, it's really challenging to maintain the patience and the long-suffering :p). Well, I thank God for giving me a heart of a mother.... Yes, to God be the glory! :)

2008 - A Reflection of His Amazing Grace

On the first day of the new year 2009, I reflected back how gracious the Lord Jesus is to me in all my life endeavors. This time, I specifically remembered how the Lord walked with me in this new venture in life called motherhood.

This phase in life is so special to me that I will never forget how the Lord brought people into my life at specific times of need and also how He made sure that things are indeed in His hands... and they are in good hands. He's telling me time and again, "Daughter, do not be afraid... We will go through this... TOGETHER". How lovely is my Lord... :)

On 31st December 2008, during watch night celebration service in church, when Ps Dexter invited members of the church to share testimonies, I was prompted in my spirit to share my experience of having my prayers answered, especially in dealing with my fear of labor pains (when expecting baby Sarah then). There was just so much to share, but when I was on stage, I suddenly "trembled". My words were kinda jumbled up and what I shared didn't really turn out the way my heart's been hoping to say... oh well... the usual thing that happen when I'm on stage - just not used to it (yet) :p

A little of what I shared that night...
I thank the Lord for answering my prayer. When I was expecting Sarah and having heard real-life stories of how painful it is to be in labor, I was totally fearful of being unable to bear the pains that were awaiting me... in the labor room! The fear became stronger as the due date approaches. I prayed so very much that God will grant me a painless labor (how possible is that?!), and true enough... things happened way too fast for me to remember any pain at all during the time. I knew God was behind this. He gave me a smooth delivery and a fast one too. Praise the Lord! Sarah was a miracle in our lives. She's truly the apple of our eyes and we couldn't imagine life without her... She's a healthy, active 9 1/2 months old girl. Hubby and I prayed a lot for the baby and yes, God answered each and every of our prayers. Thank You, Jesus! (No, I didn't really share all these... well, like I said - my words were all jumbled up! :p)

But what I did not say and would like to continue my sharing here is....
The Lord sent me an angel who bore the pain for me so that I am free from labor pains. Aunt Sri Ann had been carrying my pain upon her shoulder so that my prayer is answered and that is an amazing experience that I know only God can do. When I was admitted to the labor ward (as my water-bag burst during shopping), I didn't even know I had contraction as I thought the baby was only moving happily inside me (until the midwife told me that THAT was contraction, then only I knew! Hehe...) In the labor room, I was busy SMS-ing friends and relatives and even talking on the phone with my sister! During the whole period, I was also getting SMS-es from people around me saying that they've been praying and Aunt Sri Ann even shared that she's bearing the pain for me, and that I don't need to worry. I was so encouraged by that and not knowing what to expect, I continued praying and asked the Lord to be in control. WOW! In reflection of this amazing grace.... it reminded me of Jesus, dying on the cross for me - bearing all the pain and taking my sins away so that I can have everlasting life... as said in John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life"

Well, intense pain happened only at the final hour but that lasted only for a little while, that I cant remember much of it. His grace is truly amazing. God is so so good to me indeed. (More stories here... :))

I am so grateful for the people around me who loves me so much and God loves me soooooooo very much to bring soooooooo many people who loves me into my life. Words could not express how precious I felt I am in God's eyes. :)

Lord..... thank U.... thank U.... thank U.... for Your amazing grace.
Hugs & Kisses from Your precious one - Rachel :)

It was 4.45am... and I was still at IT! :)

On 1st January 2009, after coming back from watchnight service in church + yumcha with CK & family & Daniel the Lion, it was already 2+am. Little Sarah was already sleeping soundly in my arms and thank God she did not wake up at all during the supper and when we put her to bed at home.

At that time, I was totally awake... my mind was still fresh - actually, I was reflecting God's goodness for me in the year 2008 all the while... hehehe... I couldn't resist opening up my laptop and write my journal, which I will be posting in my blog. Hahaha... A blogger IS a blogger huh?!

So, in short.... what have I become in 2008? I became a blogger... an MB (Thanks to DanLion for creating the MB title! Haha!)... ie a Mummy Blogger! :)

Here's wishing all my readers a Blessed 2009!