Tessa at the Farm!

Today, Daddy brought me, Mommy and Ah Mah to Hays Dairies Farm to see the goats.

Oh yes, I look a little "blur blur" because I just woke up from my nap. You see, I slept on the journey here.

The weather is very very warm. But the goats are so cute! There are big goats and small goats. I blew kisses at them.

Mommy, I can't open my eyes. The sun is in my face!

Ahhh... it's much better here. I also get to go closer to the goats. Hello hello, meh meh meh.

No, I didn't drink goat milk at the farm as Mommy is not sure if it's suitable for me. I had Ribena instead. Yummy!!

Our little poo-poo girl

Our poor little Tessa has been having diarrhoea for the past week! The upset tummy has disrupted her sleep and ours too of course.

It is probably due to her new milk formula. Doctor prescribed medicine for her diarrhoea and tummy wind and advised us to refrain from giving her any oily food, just plain porridge or bread will do. Even her milk has to be extremely diluted.

In the end, we have to resort to taking turns for dinner, so that we can take her away from the dining table. Otherwise, she will be yelling "mum mum" at the top of her voice, causing much distress and embarrassment. Last night, we were at the coffeeshop. She insisted that Grandma has to bring her to the next table because she wanted the strangers' drinks. I wonder who she inherited the gluttony trait from.

《天冷就回来》

那天，和老公难得偷得半日闲，把宝宝寄放在妈妈家，两人一同去看了实践剧场的音乐剧《天冷就回来》。

其实，2007年首度公演时，就很想去看但错过了。为了什么原因，现在也记不得了。但就是错过了。想看，是因为梁文福。剧中的歌曲都是梁文福的作品。因为梁文福，所以我想看《天》。

这部剧也的确因为梁文福的歌曲而精彩。因为梁文福，而让我眼睛湿湿的。它让我回想起从前、回想起读书时代、回想起年少轻狂。它让我怀念当年玩音乐、爱新谣。它让我回味当年玩戏剧、爱舞台。

过后，老公给我买了梁文福的《绕梁一世》做母亲节礼物。嘻~~~

我想很多人都和我一样，看《天》是为了他的歌，更多人看了演出后而认识他的歌。

说《天》是梁文福的“个人创作发表会”实不为过，因为他的创作是演出的真正“主角”，其音乐才华淋漓尽致地展现在舞台上。

听着许多熟悉的旋律如《戒情人》《从你回眸那天开始》《最后还是会》，你才恍然惊讶原来这是梁文福的歌曲。看着演出投影的歌词字幕，你也发现原来梁文福歌词文采斐然，绝对不在林夕或方文山之下。

更重要的是，这些歌曲都牵起许多人心中的深处记忆。

《天冷就回来》是实践剧场继《老九》后的最新音乐剧。与《老九》创作方式不同，《天冷就回来》是先有梁文福的歌曲，才有杜国威的剧本。换句话说，《天冷就回来》是用梁文福的歌曲所创作的一部音乐剧。这类音乐剧创作方式虽然罕见，但非首创，一些西方音乐剧如“Mamma Mia”“We Will Rock You”等就是其中几个例子。但这也意味着《天冷就回来》更考究杜国威的编写能力，如何将梁文福歌曲串联成一部音乐剧，歌曲／词的意涵与剧情、角色发展能巧妙交叠。

杜国威向来以“写情”著称，作品总有着浓浓的人情味和隽永情境。在《天冷就回来》中，他以梁文福的情歌，编成许多感人的故事情境，改编精准巧妙。例如他将《陪你看日出》改编成男女主角三人的对唱，以歌曲表达三人之间的感情纠葛。他也将《天冷就回来》改编成一个漂泊游子的吟唱，叙说他对家乡的思念。

看过、听过之后，果然应验了梁文福的：“绕梁三日”仍不够，一生一世情悠悠。

Happy Mother's Day ~ A Day at the Reservoir!

Daddy & Mommy brought me to the Upper Seletar Reservoir today for a nice stroll. The weather's good and the scenery is excellent.

We had a leisure stroll by the reservoir. After that I played see-saw at the playground with Daddy & Mommy! It was so fun!



Today is Mother's Day. It is also Ah Gong's birthday. So tonight we are going out for a feast to celebrate the 2 important occasions. Daddy bought Mommy this CD set for Mother's Day and they started playing the songs in the car. I don't know any of the songs.

Can I have my baby CD please??

Meeting Meimei for the first time

I just met mei-mei for the first time! My mei-mei's name is Ong Shi Han. Mommy said it's just as poetic as mine.

She is small and sleepy. She's sleeping under this light. Mommy said it's because mei-mei has jaundice and needs to be placed under the bililight. She said when I was as small as mei-mei, I was also placed under this light. Well, I can't remember a thing about that.

Daddy allowed me to sayang mei-mei lightly. Woo, I feel so grown-up.

I tried to wake her up by calling out to her, but was scolded instead for being noisy. Mommy, why doesn't mei-mei wake up and play with me?

I'm A Jie-jie Now!

Mommy told me that I'm now a jie-jie. My little mei-mei (who's actually my cousin) has arrived this evening.

I can't wait to how mei-mei looks like. Mommy, when can I go and play with mei-mei?

Photo: Shi Han, born on 29 April 2009.

小白兔

Ever since we saw this series of TVCs, we are all determined to teach our little one to speak Mandarin.

This is our usual routine now whenever this TVC comes on.
妈妈：小白兔……
Tessa：白白……
妈妈：小白兔白又白
Tessa：白白

Tessa's First Digital Scrapbook

Our Little Taurus

"Why are you clenching your little fists and holding your arms so stiff? Let go, like a good little baby. Please, let go ...please!"

If you have a Taurus infant, no doubt those hands are still clenched and that mouth still glued shut despite your gentle attempts to spoon the yogurt through his tightly pursed lips.

No use in forcing their chubby little bodies into doing or wearing anything they don't want to do or wear. You're fighting an uphill battle. These youngsters can wear out even the most concentrated adult. And should you try to force them, they will let out a wail that will have you think twice next time.

WARNING: To avoid being worn out by your Taurus child - do not push him.

Aside from being just plain stubborn, your Taurus tot will be a delight to raise. Taurus babies will sit contentedly in their bouncy seats, wide awake and quiet as a mouse. Mom might be a bit worse for the wear but nothing strengthens a parent's inner resolve like a Taurus child.

Taurus kids are well-behaved and will be affable with company. Unless of course you demand, humiliate, tease or pressure your Taurus unnecessarily. Otherwise they are fairly mature for their ages.

They love bedtime stories and they're cuddly and loving. Like their astrological neighbor Aries, they'll squeeze the breath out of you with one of their bear hugs and they need that affection returned often.

There may be lots of little struggles over bath-time, bedtime, what to wear and eat or when to play but if you can pick and choose your battles, you'll both be happier in the long run. Avoid power-struggles with your Taurus toddler - they'll outlast you every time.

These kids are normally the most emotionally balanced of all the signs. They are not inclined towards bouts of depression, tantrums or showy attitudes. However, they react strongly to colors and noise. Discordant sights, sounds and smells will affect their emotional stability. So use soft colors in a Taurus baby's bedroom and fill the house with music and calm, soothing sounds like wind chimes.

The blaze of Taurus temper may rear its ugly head now and again. But remember, they don't respond well to excessive pressure or authoritarian parenting. In fact, this approach will only encourage belligerence. Give them lots of transition time and warnings. Schedules work well. Taurus kids like to know what's going to happen next.

Slow and predictable are the key words here. Pushing these children is dangerous to the development of their emotional health and personality. They can grow into silent, moody, cruel adults if yelled at or handled harshly. The answer to all your Taurus child anguish is love, not force.

Both boys and girls will be healthy, strong and athletically inclined. They will be hearty eaters and look for a cow-lick or curls atop the head of a Taurus babe. Rough and tumble type kids, their bodies are strong and sturdy. They'll wear out shoes quickly and be rough with your furniture.

The girls will usually be all-female, playing with their dolls and tending to the house. If you have a tomboy, she'll be outside climbing trees or playing ball with the neighborhood boys. But she'll still be a Daddy's girl and do her fair share of flirting to get what she wants. The boys are endearingly sweet with Mom but can be little terrors so be sure to guide their energy into creative outlets.

Taurus children tend to be slightly more competitive than other kids but it is not out of a need to show-off. These kids are surprisingly even-tempered (when you don't push them) and their dispositions are usually calm and pleasant and they can sometimes be timid. They are not easily panicked or disturbed and usually quite predictable.

His common sense, good judgment and sense of fair play make the Taurus child a natural choice among peers and teachers for leadership roles. Bad moments come with their stubbornness but overall these kids are well-behaved and very responsible. They won't steal dad's car or skip their curfew.

Be gentle to them with regards to their grades/studies. Your Taurus teen may not be the whiz kid but he'll prepare carefully and usually do well in school. The Taurus mind absorbs slowly and it is best to remember to work with that fact.

Unless there is an afflicting planet, they are industrious with excellent powers of concentration and learn their lessons methodically. They might also occasionally insult a teacher who gets his facts wrong. But don't ask him to apologize, especially if he's technically right or you'll be waiting a long time.

You should introduce a musical instruments or voice lessons early. Most have low melodious voices and often, considerable musical talent. But please don't ask them to perform in the living room for company. They are especially creative and should be given lots of opportunities to draw and paint and color as a way of expression.

Use lots of loving affection with your Taurus child. They can resist strict discipline and harsh words longer than they can a loving squeeze. They respond to common sense and practical requests. If it sounds reasonable, your Taurus tot is more likely to go along. "Because I said so." does not work with these children.

Babies/Toddlers
- stubborn with a capital S-T-U-B-B-O-R-N
- loving
- flirty
- daddy's little girl and momma's boy
- sweet
- charming
- well-behaved
- shy (they don't want or expect to be the center of attention)
- artistic and musical

Adolescents
- strong and athletic
- competent
- emotionally stable
- negative/stubborn
- normally calm and pleasant
- predictable
- mature/use common sense/good judgment
- reasonable and practical
- sensual
- studious

Parenting tips to best handle your Taurus tot or teen.
- never tease
- use love not force
- work with his natural rhythm
- create a loving, cozy home
- fill his eyes and ears with beauty

These children display a maturity beyond their years and can resist discipline and orders until after the sun sets and rises again but their single-mindedness is no match for a big bear hug or a friendly kiss. Use kind logic and appeal to their sense of responsibility. Fill your home with cozy comforts, a full refrigerator and pleasing sounds. Let your little bull graze at his own pace and you'll enjoy a smooth, cheerful and quite predictable journey through childhood.

First Shichida Lesson

I attended my first Shichida lesson today at the HDB Hub.

It wasn't exactly a lot of fun but at least I get to meet new friends. They are Ruby, Jesslyn, Ashley, Chloe and this other boy whom I can't remember his name.

Teacher Nurul is nice, but she kept handing out interesting new stuff for me to play only to take them back again soon! I am so angry with her!

Mommy scolded me for being a little disgrace when I shouted at Teacher Nurul when she said I've to return her those little activity cards. Mommy also said that I should learn to sit still and behave myself. But it was fun crawling around the classroom, exploring the wall posters and saying hi to my new friends. I don't understand why I should be sitting still.

Daddy said I should have paid attention in class, but I can't understand a thing. Teacher Nurul made us sing some silly songs in some foreign languages which I don't understand. I am definitely more interested in crawling around the room and playing with my new friends.

Haiz. Mommy said she hope I'll perform better next week. I can't believe we are going to do this again!

Tessa shows off her standing skills at home before leaving for Shichida lesson.

Bye bye virus!

Our little princess had a great night's sleep on Saturday and woke up the next day feeling refreshed and more cheerful.

She was in the mood to wave hi and bye to the nurses and doctors. She even gave Dr Jacqueline a kiss, after Doctor announced that she is well enough to go home.

While waiting for the nurses to prepare for her discharge, Daddy brought Tessa to the playground.

At around 3.30pm, we were all ready to go home!

Bye bye for good, we won't be back again!

Boohoohoo!!!

I have never seen my precious one cried so much since birth. This nasty viral fever must have caused so much discomfort to her. She is cranky and almost non-consolable.

As a result, Mommy & Grandma became panda bears.

On Saturday early morning around 2am, the doctor on duty decided to put the little one on drip because she was truly dehydrated.

Her poor little right hand was all bandaged up so that she won't hurt herself when she moved around.

The drip actually did do her good. Her fever subsided and she was able to sleep better.

Our little princess woke up feeling more refreshed, energized and cheerful.

Down with Viral Fever

Our little girl was hit by the nasty virus!!!!

The nasty virus caused high fever that hoovered around 37 and 39.6 degrees. Her fever started last Thursday morning. In the afternoon, Gongong and Mah-mah brought her to the doctor who prescribed fever medicine. But the medicine didn't help.

Late night, we received a call that she was burning hot and we rushed down to send her to NUH Children Emergency. Her temperature was 39.3. The doctor wanted to rule out urine infection but we failed to make her pee enough to do the urine dipstick test. Therefore, the doctor decided to send us back home, and for her to return in the afternoon to the specialist clinic to be followed up.

Tessa with her KoolAid at Children's Emergency

We returned to NUH Clinic A on Friday afternoon. Her fever was 39.4 and she was obviously dehydrated as a result of the fever. She has not drunk any milk the whole day. The doctor advised us to get her admitted so that they can put her on a drip if necessary.

So, we checked into NUH Ward 46 Room 5 at around 4pm.

Long time no hear

It's been quite a while since I last post updates on the little one.

She is really growing up fast. Now she can stand on her own really well. Not sure when she'll take her first step.

She has also learnt to wave bye-bye and will give you a smooch (or smooches when she's in a good mood) when you ask. It's been a delight to wake up in the morning to her smooching away at me.

She has also learnt to dance in her own amusing style. Very entertaining. I will find a chance to video it down.

I promise I will try to find time to upload new photos soon.