End of Maternity Leave

I've come to the end of my maternity leave.
I didn't know what or how it will be, until the day comes, and I wouldn't know how I will cope until I start working.

Today, supposedly my first day to work, I was very tired from the busy weekend and still had to wake up for Kian in the middle of the night, twice and the 3rd time Matt took charge but I was awake too.
Despite of the tiredness, I was very sad in the morning, to leave Kian-chan.
So I asked permission from my boss to start from Dec 1, which is tomorrow.

And so I went shopping for new clothes, shoes and a bag.
It's the only way for me to feel happy to go to work....

Whatever makes her happy on a Saturday Night

I invited 8 of my girl friends (and all Singaporean!) for dinner & drinks to home.
Some people knew some people but not all.
But it turned out a great night, and the girls seemed to enjoy themselves.
I cooked lasagna, renkon salad, egg and tuna sushi rolls.
All dishes went well, although Ling and Peggy couldn't eat the lasagna because they don't eat beef!
And I was worried about pork!
Next time I should prepare something without beef...
And except Ling, we all had wine to drink and emptied 8 bottles! (okay, maybe I drank more than some girls...)

At one point, everyone was talking at once, wanting to be heard! That was loud!

WAGS and Babies

Saturday afternoon I went to watch the rugby match with Kian.

It's a good place to meet the WAGS (wives and girlfriends).
They are very good with babies that I can safely have beer or wine and enjoy myself too.

I never noticed how many babies/toddlers there were, until I got my own.
And surprised to know even the girls who doesn't have babies are very good in handling babies.
Matt was warned by his fellow players that bringing a baby (probably as cute as Kian) is giving ideas to their girlfriends... oops!

Dennis, my ex-colleague came down to see Kian.

He has 4 children of his own. Recently, the 4 children and the mother went back to Philippines because they think it's the best thing to do for their children's education and well being.

He is misses his children so much...
I can't imagine being apart from Matt and Kian, but I guess they did what is the best for the family.

Oh, but of course, we haven't forgotten the main purpose, to cheer our beloved husband or boyfriend play hard and rough under the scorching hot sun followed by rain... tough!

Jim Thompson - A Thai Restaurant

Went here for late lunch.

I really like the entrance to the interior.

The building used to be a Chapel, so the ceiling was very high.

The table we sat was a sofa on one side, with plush cushions.

Beautiful decorations and good service (except for some of the young staff at the toilet who had no idea about helping us find a place for changing baby diaper).

And food was good. (La Na Thai does it better).

It's been a while since I was impressed with the decoration of a restaurant (not that I go out a lot...)

Kian's first Video debut.

new hair cut

I cut and gave highlights to my hair. It's supposed to have more waves and lighter in color but I couldn't do it. Maybe next time.
For now, the new length and color is refreshing to me, on top of newly becoming a mother.

First outing with Kian

Okay, forgive me it's all about Kian-chan now... but of course! He's just 2 weeks old!

We took Kian-chan to Vivo city.
It was a test and experiment to take him out while Mum is still around (so she can give advise).
He was very quiet (sleeping all the time). Never awake.
He woke up once for milk but I think he was unconscious. So I guess that was a success.

That night, without him, we went to eat the Pepper Crab and Durian in front of our house.

As usual, people were queuing for the Pepper Crab.

But it will be the last time we dine there. Forget atmosphere.
Mom & I was dumb founded when a women behind us farted so loud! NO MORE! (only take away from now!)

Mother's club?

As I said in early posting, it feels like everyone around are either pregnant or just gave birth...

In Singapore, there's the 'good Naomi' and the 'bad Naomi', known to some of my friends. Well, duh, of course I'm the 'bad Naomi'... The 'good Naomi' is Otsuka Naomi-chan, who's now married and is renamed to Tanno Naomi-chan. About a year ago, we found out that we are working for the same company. And recently we found that we were both pregnant! She's expecting in December so mine came earlier.

She visited to see Kian-chan with a friend. And that friend turned out to be Kyoko-chan, whom I used to hang out for a while before she went back to Japan for good, about 2-3 years ago. Ironically, Kyoko-chan met a Singaporean guy in Japan and married him and she's now living and working in Singapore with a daughter!

So here is a little Mother's club that just happened.
Not some kind of existing Mother's club that I am forcing to join.
It just happened among the circle of my friends in Singapore.

Now that's really telling the stages of my age? doesn't it?

Matt & Kian

Kian looks a lot like his dad!

He sleeps a lot. (I mean Kian)
And doesn't cry much.
He is such an easy baby so far...












Here, Matt set up the 'Jungle' for Kian but looks like Dad's enjoying it more.

Kian O'Leary was Born!!

October 13 (Thurs) 2009
7am - First contraction began with tiny bloody show
9am - Jacque visits to give more support and advice
12pm - Walked to "Margarita's" with Matt for Burrito lunch

5:30pm - Water broke in the bathroom and painful contraction began



6pm - Matt drove to East Shore Hospital and checked into the labor preparation room

7:30pm? - Moved to delivery room

7:50pm - Kian O'Leary was born, 2565g, 49cm




What an ordeal!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/planet_oleary/sets/72157622452344019/

Coming of Age

Recently I'm surrounded with news of friends/friend's friends being pregnant or giving birth. So much so it feel like a Baby Boomer time.
But I know, it's just our age.

It's just like how life and friends used to evolve around clubbing once, it's now evolving around babies.
I know it is a natural phenomena but it still feels a bit weird to know I'm on this side.

I don't miss the clubbing/night life and very much looking forward to the new chapter, but there's a tinge of feeling of guilt for slipping apart with the friends who has nothing to do with babies... I guess that's life?

Sunday Roast

Matt (O'Leary) and I were invited to a dinner at Matt (Roberts) and Michelle's for dinner on Sunday night.

Matt Robert is Matt O'Leary's Rugby friend.
He and Michelle has a 7 month old happy smiley daughter Bronwyn.












We were treated with nice (Sunday) roast beef with all the side dishes that we love! mmm...


Matt Roberts is from Zimbabwe and Michelle is from LA.
They live in an old, huge and cool flat. The living area is like a guest house in Africa and the bathroom and other side of the house has a Californian beach house feel to it. Nice balance of the two! Here's a photo of Matt Roberts (I forgot to take his photo yesterday!)

Surprise Baby Shower!!

What a surprise it was... Everyone kept it very well under control and even played up to make me believe that I'm going to have a dinner with the usual gang...
Matt took me to Gyu-Kaku restaurant and it turned out, all my girl friends were there. My local/old school friends, the WAGs, and the Indo & Jap party friends, all in 1 place!

It is a very humbling experience to know that they all took their time to buy presents and came down to spend their time and money at the restaurant to be there for the me, and Matt, and the unborn baby. It is truly a blessed feeling.

After Gyu-Kaku, I and my usual party girl friends went to KaraOK@ Cable Car Saloon!
We sang many girlie songs.... Material Girl, Dancing Queen, Straight Up...

37 weeks....

Started my Maternity Leave this week.
Feel a bit guilty for this easy relaxing life... So I take this chance to make a point to walk or go for swim.

Yayoi-san gave birth on Sept 26 to Issa at 4kg. Heard about her 27hours labor ordeal so I'm mentally preparing for the worst...
Yayoi-san's advise is not to have the baby too big... So I should stay active. I know I should be more active, but at the same time, I just wanna chilax...


Jacque came around today and took this photo and compared it to hers when she was 37weeks pregnant with Riley. She had him around this time (3 weeks early) and he was born 3.4kg... Hm...
Mistery, mistery....

Maternity Photoshoot Preview!

I didn't think I will like taking my bump so much but I did!


I think it's fascinating for me to see my body shape change, like something alien happening to me.


It's strange and interesting.
And it only gets better as it gets bigger!







I guess it's what's inside, the anticipation that makes it all so dear...

The Adams Family

Went for brunch@ PS Cafe (again, because we found this place to be very baby friendly)
with Matt, Karen and baby Oliver who turns 8 months~!











Oliver was very smiley, sleepy, well behaved despite teething and was very adorable.

Matt's Mystery Birthday Drinks!

The day after Matt's actual birthday, I secretly organized Matt's birthday drinks, inviting his friends and my girlfriends who know him.



It was not very 'secret' because Matt knew I was throwing him a party, but he didn't know where and exactly who were coming.














I chose No.5@Emerald Hill because it is Central enough for many people to come on Wednesday night.
And boy! did they turn up!

Many people came and stayed til late! I think it was a success!!

Matt's 32nd Birthday!

September 1 is Matt's birthday!
So we went to have Pepper Crab & Durian for dinner!!

Conveniently, there is one of the best Chili & Pepper Crab place in front of our house, and next to it is a Durian/Fruit shop.











Very Singapore and very yummy!