The last few things- one of them my balcony

It is said that being just days away from delivery, I should do whatever I need to do before all my attention becomes fixed on one little baby.

Checklist:
1. Done up the balcony with potted flowers =) (been staring at the empty balcony for far too long)
2. Cooked a decent meal for Simon - quite yummy too!
3. Gave Simon a footspa - thanks to my newly acquired Watson's bubble footspa
4. Watched a couple of movies
5. Sterilised the breast-pump equipment
6. Washed all Lisa's baby clothes, mittens and booties
7. Read the Bible- this has to go on after delivery, I hope
8. Met up with a couple of good friends or caught up with them over the phone. =)

I've been getting more and more uncomfortable at night, sometimes with what seems like contractions, but it resolves during the day. I wonder if Lisa will come on Easter day? Then she'll be an Easter Mouse.

Seasons

Another exerpt from "Treasures of a Mother's Heart"- this is really very touching.

CHANGING WITH THE SEASONS
~~~~~~~

Spring begins with the birth of the first child and lasts until the youngest starts school.

Summer runs through the children's grade-school years and fades into fall when your children hit their teens.

Winter comes when the nest is empty. It begins when your youngest child leaves home.

In Spring, moms will do well to direct most of their energies toward their growing children. Many of the mothers who experience feelings of isolation and disillusionment about motherhood are those who give up everything for the sake of rearing their children. Although some sacrifice is essential, especially during the baby's first year, being a mother doesn't supercede who you are. Even during phase one, you can plan some activities. I would simply encourage you to grow as your children grow. Being a mom offers a perfect environment for personal growth.

In the Summer, while children are in school, you may want to indulge in an extracurricular activity, perhaps take a class or two, work part-time, do volunteer work. This will give you a new frontier, offer a challenge, and still give you the freedom to be home when the kids are. Summer isn't a time when the kids will need you less- on the contrary, in many ways they'll need you more. But there are more blocks of free time when the kids are in school or playing.

In Fall, it is important that you are there as a mom. You might think that if you had more time when the kids were in grade school, you can count on even more free time during their teen years. Not so. Perhaps more than any of the seasons, it's a time for understanding and unconditional love. Even though your teenagers will often seem too busy to even notice whether or not your're gone, believe me, they'll notice. This isn't the time to take on too much extra work. Yet there is still time, during school and when they're gone, to pursue your other interests.

Then there's Winter. Then kids are gone and you can move into whatever gear you want; full-time work, part-time, hobbies, volunteer work. But whatever you do, if you've prepared the way, you'll find the empty nest won't hurt so much or fell quite so empty. This is a season for you to come into full bloom. Winter isn't the end- it's just the beginning.

Motherhood never ends, it just turns with the seasons.

The Treasures of a Mother's Heart

An exerpt from "The Treasures of a Mother's Heart" by Patricia H. Rushford

The world is full of riches, but
none of them can compare
with the treasures that lie
within a mother's heart.

A joyful heart can overcome nearly all obstacles. Few people in this world have ever found the key to happiness. It is such a simple thing really. We receive hints from people who encourage us to "stop and smell the roses". Sometimes in fleeting moments, we think we ahve found it, only to have the joy squashed out of us by the crushing realities of life.

Many try to uncover happiness by surrounding themselves with treasures such as newer cars, bigger houses, furs and jewellery, or by changing the people around them. "If only I had a maid...if only I had an obedient child...if only I had a job..if only I could stay home and raise my kids instead of working...then I would be happy."

The key is a simple one. It's given to everyone. Your happiness depends on whether you decide to use the key to unlock a treasure house of joy or leave it hidden under the mat.

What is the key? Simply this: When life hands you lemons...make lemonade.

In Proverbs, wise King Solomon tells us, "Laughter is good medicine, but a broken spirit dries up the bones." (Prov 17:22).

Some new-fangled pregnancy terms

I was reading my favourite magazine on motherhood "Mother & Baby" and came across this column which quizzes one on their knowledge of terms associated with pregnancy. Could not help but laugh out loud at the alternatives suggested for each term:

What is linea nigra?
A new kind of Italian car.

What are forceps?
A group of muscles in the arm.

What are Braxton Hicks?
A country and western band.

What's a pelvic floor?
A trendy kind of carpet.

Mothers will probably know the real meaning of each term. All others, pls refer to mummies....=)

Daddy Foo's new tattoo

SIMPLY LOVIN' IT!

Valentine's Day '08

We managed to still celebrate Valentine's Day this year on 19 Feb 08- so as to escape the crowd and crazy inflated prices.

Dinner was at this cool hang-out cum bar at Upper East Coast called Blooie's RoadHouse (www.blooie.com) apparently, Simon found out about the place when he went for Vincent's stagnight. That's apparently where the Harley bikers hang out! It is this very discreet shophouse in the middle of some private housing estate situated in the middle of a market. The discovery was made by John! Can you believe it? John never fails to amaze us everyday.
The food was good, if you like western style cuisine. Menu included burgers, steak, racks of lamb, spaghetti etc. Note: I did not see any bikers though. perhaps they ride in later in the night. Dinner followed by a slow stroll along East Coast Parkway. I even got a lovely red rose!

Life as a diabetic mum is not too bad after all, on that Friday, I went to IKEA to eat meatballs too. Ah...life is good! When there is food!

Lisa says "Thank you Aunties!"

Blessed little Lisa says "Thank you!" to gifts by aunties below....Aunty Yvonne for the tow-gay husk pillow and pillow-case - it's going to be my "smelly pillow" in future. haha!
Aunty Nikki for the milk bottles and mummy equipment, and dozens of baby clothes, caps and shoes!
Aunty Pauline for the lovely gift-set and craft card...oooh, can't wait to come out into the world to see it!
Aunty Avril for the Disneyland bips from HK, Aunty Tania for the baby suits sent over all the way from UK and Aunty Angelyn for the baby bath towel set!
Mummy and Daddy also went on a shopping spree at metro to get all my other necessities- wow!

Coffee break- a luxury

Our prayer meeting was held at TCC -Plaza Sing a few sundays ago. It was such a luxurious experience to just recline and enjoy tea and have a heart-to-heart talk with close friends. One of the finer luxuries of life to enjoy before Lisa arrives...or maybe not? Lisa could come along in future too - taitai training for her starts young. =)