I've been feeling kinda moody lately. Not sure how I should start describing but here goes...
You see, when I first became a SAHM I thought I could live a simple and contented life in the sense no designer bags for sure, limited traveling and basically no luxurious items / lifestyle. Having said that I still thank my lucky stars that I can spend all the time in the world with my son while others have no choice but to contribute to the household income.
After coming to 2 years of being a SAHM and when the $$$ in the bank account is close to nothing and suddenly you have credit card debts AGAIN reality hits and it hit hard. Don't get me wrong, I do get paid but obviously it won't be as much as when I was working. I've been spending more than what I earned for the past 2 years and recently because I've spent nearly every single penny that I saved during my working days and realising that I can only spend X amount of money per month and suddenly I had to hold back on my spending it's pretty depressing I must admit. It's not like I am a shopaholic but I do enjoy finest things in life and I also want the same for my son.
When times like this I will think maybe I should return to work and just close my eyes and send my son to a daycare. Well, as you can tell if I could just close my eyes and do it I won't be in such sulky mood. Arrghh! I guess there really isn't such thing as best of both worlds whereby you get to spend time with you child and earn more $$. The problem is I do enjoy being a SAHM the only thing I do not enjoy is the financial restriction.
In conclusion, the opportunity cost of a SAHM is money. Well, to me anyway!
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
Sunday, November 4, 2012
Just an Update......
Wow....it's been 3 months since my last post. Time does fly by so quickly! I can't imagine the year is ending soon and Aston will be 2 in 4 months time! Someone told me that it gets easier once they are 2. A girlfriend of mine also just told me yesterday that they are very different when they are 2. Well, all I can say is I will cherish every moment I have with my son because you never know when they will stop bugging you and decided to close the door right at your face! I know... I'm think way ahead but I can't help it because when I was a teen I was well pretty much in my typical teen years. You know the lock yourself in your room, blast the music and read some magazines.
Anyway, the reason why I was away blogging is because I just couldn't find time during the day. Well, technically I do have time just that I prefer lying in bed watching some old sitcoms like Seinfeld! Got to have some silly sitcoms to brighten up the day! It's not all rosy and nice being at home with a 19 month old who still refuse to communicate in english even though he can utter a few words like hi, daddy, mama, yehyeh (grand father), dog (his favourite word) and duck but yet manage to give you instructions by pointing and pushing you around! Kids are amazing!!
Well, actually there's so much that I would like to blog about but I just don't know where to begin. Let's see, I have some issues with my face now. Yes.... ever since my beautician left the centre that I usually go my face went down the hill. I've been having really dry skin, break outs and redness all over! The condition just got worst and because I still had a few more sessions to complete so I sucked it up and just went for it. Now, I am back with my beautician and I had to go through a major makeover as in full on dig everything out from beneath and just wait patiently till everything heals. So, basically, I can't go out without any makeup. Yes, it's that bad...if you know me well, a zit here and there don't stop me from going out with a naked face but THIS...oh No...THIS is a totally different story all together. I looked like I had measles! Needless to say the amount of money I spent for a whole new set of make up, and a whole new line of skin care...I don't even dare to think about my next month's credit card statement!
As for Aston, well he just recovered from not 1 but 2 virus one after another! It started off with a sudden fever which comes and go for 3 days and then it just stopped and out came the rashes all over his face, body and back. Just when the rashes subsided he somehow caught another virus and had fever again but this time after the fever subsided he was down with a flu, cough and very thick phlegm.
Other than that, I am still planning for a holiday where I can bring Aston and that he will enjoy himself and not make a big fuss and ruin everyone's mood. I am envious of parents who can just pack up and bring their babies along to anywhere in the world for a holiday. Maybe I'm just being fussy and over protective.
As usual, I will end with a few of Aston's latest photos...
Anyway, the reason why I was away blogging is because I just couldn't find time during the day. Well, technically I do have time just that I prefer lying in bed watching some old sitcoms like Seinfeld! Got to have some silly sitcoms to brighten up the day! It's not all rosy and nice being at home with a 19 month old who still refuse to communicate in english even though he can utter a few words like hi, daddy, mama, yehyeh (grand father), dog (his favourite word) and duck but yet manage to give you instructions by pointing and pushing you around! Kids are amazing!!
Well, actually there's so much that I would like to blog about but I just don't know where to begin. Let's see, I have some issues with my face now. Yes.... ever since my beautician left the centre that I usually go my face went down the hill. I've been having really dry skin, break outs and redness all over! The condition just got worst and because I still had a few more sessions to complete so I sucked it up and just went for it. Now, I am back with my beautician and I had to go through a major makeover as in full on dig everything out from beneath and just wait patiently till everything heals. So, basically, I can't go out without any makeup. Yes, it's that bad...if you know me well, a zit here and there don't stop me from going out with a naked face but THIS...oh No...THIS is a totally different story all together. I looked like I had measles! Needless to say the amount of money I spent for a whole new set of make up, and a whole new line of skin care...I don't even dare to think about my next month's credit card statement!
As for Aston, well he just recovered from not 1 but 2 virus one after another! It started off with a sudden fever which comes and go for 3 days and then it just stopped and out came the rashes all over his face, body and back. Just when the rashes subsided he somehow caught another virus and had fever again but this time after the fever subsided he was down with a flu, cough and very thick phlegm.
Other than that, I am still planning for a holiday where I can bring Aston and that he will enjoy himself and not make a big fuss and ruin everyone's mood. I am envious of parents who can just pack up and bring their babies along to anywhere in the world for a holiday. Maybe I'm just being fussy and over protective.
As usual, I will end with a few of Aston's latest photos...
Friday, July 20, 2012
Wakey! Wakey! Mummy...it's 3AM....
We had a little commotion this morning. It all started by Aston waking me up by standing at the crib rail. Usually, when this happens I will just give Aston a hug and he will fall right back asleep. However, this time I noticed that his body was really hot. I quickly take out the digital thermometer, switched on the night light and check Aston's temperature. The thermometer read 39.7 degrees! I was shocked and was completely awake even though I had a drowsy cough syrup before I slept.
I quickly took out the suppository and lay him down on my bed thinking I should quickly insert it before the temperature goes up any higher. So, I changed his diaper first and then I tried to open the suppository but couldn't tear open the packaging with my hands. Desperate moment calls for desperate measures so I called daddy who was sleeping in the next room on his phone to bring in a pair of scissors. Daddy was shocked why at 3am I called him for a pair of scissors. I told him that Aston was having high fever so he quickly brought in the scissors.
Somehow, when I see daddy I started to calm down a little and thought do I really need to go to that extend as in to administer the suppository without even trying to give him some oral medication to bring down the temperature. So I asked daddy to check his temperature again and it was 39.1 degrees. It was a slight relief that his temperature came down a little so I decided to forgo the suppository and administer him nurofen instead. Daddy helped to cool Aston's temperature by wiping his forehead and neck with cloth soaked in ice water. After all that, we checked his temperature again and it was 38.7 degrees. Phew! I was relieved that his temperature reducing slowly. However, with all that commotion Aston became wide awake and started climbing up and down of my bed as if it's morning!
I tried to calm him down by switching off all the lights and it took him about an hour before falling asleep again. I checked his temperature again and it was 37.5 degrees. I finally fall asleep only to be woken up by my cough! At 6.30am I checked his temperature again and it was 36.8 degrees and so I moved him back into his crib so that we both can rest well.
Aston woke up at 9am this morning and his temperature went up again to 37.8 degrees. I fed him his milk and I freshen up myself. After feeding him breakfast, I checked his temperature again and it was 38 degrees. I gave him another dosage of Nurofen. This time, Aston had another problem. He was having constipation! He was trying really hard to push his stools out that he even cried! I can tell that he was very relieved after the stool was out and went back to his usual self. His temperature remain at 37.1-37.5 degrees through out the day.
Just before dinner, he let out a mega explosion of soft stools and daddy said Aston has recovered because he looked much more contented after the poo. Well, I certainly hope so too! What triggers this 3Am commotion I really have no idea!
I quickly took out the suppository and lay him down on my bed thinking I should quickly insert it before the temperature goes up any higher. So, I changed his diaper first and then I tried to open the suppository but couldn't tear open the packaging with my hands. Desperate moment calls for desperate measures so I called daddy who was sleeping in the next room on his phone to bring in a pair of scissors. Daddy was shocked why at 3am I called him for a pair of scissors. I told him that Aston was having high fever so he quickly brought in the scissors.
Somehow, when I see daddy I started to calm down a little and thought do I really need to go to that extend as in to administer the suppository without even trying to give him some oral medication to bring down the temperature. So I asked daddy to check his temperature again and it was 39.1 degrees. It was a slight relief that his temperature came down a little so I decided to forgo the suppository and administer him nurofen instead. Daddy helped to cool Aston's temperature by wiping his forehead and neck with cloth soaked in ice water. After all that, we checked his temperature again and it was 38.7 degrees. Phew! I was relieved that his temperature reducing slowly. However, with all that commotion Aston became wide awake and started climbing up and down of my bed as if it's morning!
I tried to calm him down by switching off all the lights and it took him about an hour before falling asleep again. I checked his temperature again and it was 37.5 degrees. I finally fall asleep only to be woken up by my cough! At 6.30am I checked his temperature again and it was 36.8 degrees and so I moved him back into his crib so that we both can rest well.
Aston woke up at 9am this morning and his temperature went up again to 37.8 degrees. I fed him his milk and I freshen up myself. After feeding him breakfast, I checked his temperature again and it was 38 degrees. I gave him another dosage of Nurofen. This time, Aston had another problem. He was having constipation! He was trying really hard to push his stools out that he even cried! I can tell that he was very relieved after the stool was out and went back to his usual self. His temperature remain at 37.1-37.5 degrees through out the day.
Just before dinner, he let out a mega explosion of soft stools and daddy said Aston has recovered because he looked much more contented after the poo. Well, I certainly hope so too! What triggers this 3Am commotion I really have no idea!
Thursday, July 5, 2012
Aston's Progress @ 15months
My little baby has grown so much. He can understand most of the things that we asked him to do. He definitely knows what 'NO' means but choose to ignore it. We are still waiting for him to utter his first words. He still babbles a lot but none of us understand what he is trying to say. He can walk really well and recently he even walk backwards. Sometimes he gets so excited that he try to run but usually we will ask him to slow down because he had too many little accidents at home!
One of the major changes I noticed in him is that he is slowly outgrowing his separation anxiety. *Touchwood* Hopefully, I don't jinx myself by saying this. He does make noise when I try to leave him alone for a moment but after I explain to him that I will be back really quickly he will continue with whatever he was doing. Nevertheless, he do still feel insecure when there's visitors around and that includes relatives. Some relatives will say that he's too protective by me and that I don't expose him enough but for me I'm OK with it. I rather he is more cautious when there's someone he is not familiar around him.
I can tell that he really enjoys Gymboree both the playclasses and music classes. Although, I must admit he much prefer to be in the play classes because he gets to roam around freely while the music class his movements are being restricted.
Physically, he looks like he has lost a lot of weight. I suspect that he looks thinner because he has grown taller. Well, either he has grown taller or his pyjamas shrunk! He usually wear one piece sleepsuits to sleep and I intentionally bought it one size bigger so he will always have extra space at the foot but recently the sleepsuits fit him perfect with no extra room!
Let me end this post by sharing a few photos of Aston.
One of the major changes I noticed in him is that he is slowly outgrowing his separation anxiety. *Touchwood* Hopefully, I don't jinx myself by saying this. He does make noise when I try to leave him alone for a moment but after I explain to him that I will be back really quickly he will continue with whatever he was doing. Nevertheless, he do still feel insecure when there's visitors around and that includes relatives. Some relatives will say that he's too protective by me and that I don't expose him enough but for me I'm OK with it. I rather he is more cautious when there's someone he is not familiar around him.
I can tell that he really enjoys Gymboree both the playclasses and music classes. Although, I must admit he much prefer to be in the play classes because he gets to roam around freely while the music class his movements are being restricted.
Physically, he looks like he has lost a lot of weight. I suspect that he looks thinner because he has grown taller. Well, either he has grown taller or his pyjamas shrunk! He usually wear one piece sleepsuits to sleep and I intentionally bought it one size bigger so he will always have extra space at the foot but recently the sleepsuits fit him perfect with no extra room!
Let me end this post by sharing a few photos of Aston.
Monday, June 25, 2012
Chicken and Sweet Corn Soup
Last week I cooked chicken and sweet corn soup with pasta for Aston for his lunch. Not to be boastful but it was so tasty! I would say I was about 90% closed to restaurant standard. The only thing that was missing was the cornstarch to thicken the soup which I omit since my intention was to cook it for Aston. I was so surprised how easy it was to make it. Initially, I thought of just a simple chicken soup because Aston was down with flu and I used the sweet corn just to make it more "sweet". I didn't expect it to taste so similar to those I had in chinese restaurants.
Anyway, below is my own version of Chicken and Sweet Corn Soup:
Ingredients:
2 pieces of skinless chicken breast cut into cubes
1/2 cup of frozen sweet corn
500ml water (estimate because I never measure)
1 Egg
Salt to taste
Pepper to taste ( No pepper for Aston)
Cooking Instructions:
Cooked in Slow Cooker
1. Put in slow cooker the chicken breast, sweet corn and water
2. Cooked for 4 hours under "Auto" function
3. Transfer to normal pot to continue cooking using stove
Cooked using Gas Stove
1. Bring the soup to a boil
2. Break the egg into a bowl (no whisking is required)
3. Pour the egg into the soup as slow as possible while stirring the soup. This will create a "egg flower" effect in the soup.
4. Salt and pepper to taste
5. Serve while hot.
I put some shell pasta into the soup for Aston and he loved it. Unfortunately, I did not manage to take any photos because it never came across my mind until I finished it.
Anyway, below is my own version of Chicken and Sweet Corn Soup:
Ingredients:
2 pieces of skinless chicken breast cut into cubes
1/2 cup of frozen sweet corn
500ml water (estimate because I never measure)
1 Egg
Salt to taste
Pepper to taste ( No pepper for Aston)
Cooking Instructions:
Cooked in Slow Cooker
1. Put in slow cooker the chicken breast, sweet corn and water
2. Cooked for 4 hours under "Auto" function
3. Transfer to normal pot to continue cooking using stove
Cooked using Gas Stove
1. Bring the soup to a boil
2. Break the egg into a bowl (no whisking is required)
3. Pour the egg into the soup as slow as possible while stirring the soup. This will create a "egg flower" effect in the soup.
4. Salt and pepper to taste
5. Serve while hot.
I put some shell pasta into the soup for Aston and he loved it. Unfortunately, I did not manage to take any photos because it never came across my mind until I finished it.
Friday, June 22, 2012
Feeding Too Much Healthy Food?
As I mentioned in my previous post, doctor mentioned that I have to cut back on feeding Aston vitamin A because Aston is turning yellow. Eeek! Immediately, my mind was like Oh Gosh... no more butternut pumpkin and sweet potato...what else is there to feed?
Immediately when I had the time I quickly did my research on what food that I should avoid and oh my practically my whole week's menu! Below is a list of food that is high in Vitamin A that I usually feed Aston (not in any particular order)
1. Carrots
2. Spinach
3. Rockmelon
4. Papaya
5. Sweet potato
6. Butternut squash / pumpkin
7. Broccoli
8. Salmon
So now I have to re-think my weekly menu for Aston. I really have no idea what to cook for him because he definitely do not fancy porridge anymore but food that has slightly more texture he doesn't like it either. Ever since last week, I've been feeding him just rice/pasta/noodle with soup and occasionally add in steam vegie which I find the diet is not balance at all!
Immediately when I had the time I quickly did my research on what food that I should avoid and oh my practically my whole week's menu! Below is a list of food that is high in Vitamin A that I usually feed Aston (not in any particular order)
1. Carrots
2. Spinach
3. Rockmelon
4. Papaya
5. Sweet potato
6. Butternut squash / pumpkin
7. Broccoli
8. Salmon
So now I have to re-think my weekly menu for Aston. I really have no idea what to cook for him because he definitely do not fancy porridge anymore but food that has slightly more texture he doesn't like it either. Ever since last week, I've been feeding him just rice/pasta/noodle with soup and occasionally add in steam vegie which I find the diet is not balance at all!
The Sick Bug Is In The House........
Aston and I have been sick for a week now. I started of by having sore throat follow by cough while Aston have flu and swollen tonsils. I would say I am 98% recovered while Aston doesn't seem to make any improvement. Well, also because I was on antibiotics and cough medicine while Aston was left to defend for himself.
When we went to the doctor's last week the moment the doctor look at Aston, he told me I have to cut down on feeding him Vitamin A. Aston is a bit yellow. He was showing me the nose and the cheeks but I just couldn't see it. Anyway, immediately I knew I've been feeding him too much yellow vegetables. The butternut squash and the sweet potato.... There goes my staple vegetables for Aston!
The doctor also mentioned that Aston's throat is a bit sensitive just like his daddy. At his age, his tonsils shouldn't be swollen. Doctor advised no french fries ( No problem we have not introduce to him), no chocolate (Also not a problem because mummy is not a fan of chocolate) basically no fried food and when I mentioned Durian it was a big NO NO. All this will have to wait till he is much older. There goes yeh yeh's dream of feeding Aston durians at such young age. Yeah....yeh yeh have this thinking that if he trains Aston early eating durian, he will love it when he is older and then Aston can accompany yeh yeh eat durian. I obviously do not understand the logic behind this because no 1 durian is a fruit that either you like it or not. I mean my whole family can indulge in durian but not my brother. How do we explain that? No 2 yeh yeh is diabetic. He himself mention that he cannot have durian. Basically, he will only eat one seed in the morning. That's all. So I do not see the significant whether Aston MUST eat durian or not.
Aston's flu is viral so there's no point having antibiotics. Doctor did prescribed flu medication and also fever medication for standby only. Well, mummy couldn't take it any longer because it has been a week and Aston's flu doesn't seem to be going anywhere so today I decided to give him his flu medication. Hopefully, recovery is on the way because looking at Aston couldn't breath properly especially when he wants to sleep just breaks my heart.
When we went to the doctor's last week the moment the doctor look at Aston, he told me I have to cut down on feeding him Vitamin A. Aston is a bit yellow. He was showing me the nose and the cheeks but I just couldn't see it. Anyway, immediately I knew I've been feeding him too much yellow vegetables. The butternut squash and the sweet potato.... There goes my staple vegetables for Aston!
The doctor also mentioned that Aston's throat is a bit sensitive just like his daddy. At his age, his tonsils shouldn't be swollen. Doctor advised no french fries ( No problem we have not introduce to him), no chocolate (Also not a problem because mummy is not a fan of chocolate) basically no fried food and when I mentioned Durian it was a big NO NO. All this will have to wait till he is much older. There goes yeh yeh's dream of feeding Aston durians at such young age. Yeah....yeh yeh have this thinking that if he trains Aston early eating durian, he will love it when he is older and then Aston can accompany yeh yeh eat durian. I obviously do not understand the logic behind this because no 1 durian is a fruit that either you like it or not. I mean my whole family can indulge in durian but not my brother. How do we explain that? No 2 yeh yeh is diabetic. He himself mention that he cannot have durian. Basically, he will only eat one seed in the morning. That's all. So I do not see the significant whether Aston MUST eat durian or not.
Aston's flu is viral so there's no point having antibiotics. Doctor did prescribed flu medication and also fever medication for standby only. Well, mummy couldn't take it any longer because it has been a week and Aston's flu doesn't seem to be going anywhere so today I decided to give him his flu medication. Hopefully, recovery is on the way because looking at Aston couldn't breath properly especially when he wants to sleep just breaks my heart.
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