We will remember you...

Our first baby, Jodie, left us at about 4.20am this morning. It'll be a night we'll remember for a long time.

I apologise that my first post of the year is starting on such a dismal note... this has been the mood in the house for the last 2 weeks since we first noticed that she was looking lethargic, and very weak. It came to a point 2 weeks ago when she was limping so badly, we had to take her to the vet, and admit her. She was anaemic, and found to have the tick-borne bacteria ehrlichia in her blood. After the first night hospitalised, the vet decided she needed a blood transfusion. Thanks to Buddy, his blood matched hers, and a transfusion was done. This gave Jodie 1 more good week, before we noticed that she started to weaken again. At the next blood test, her blood cells had reduced to lower-than-ever levels. Dr H concluded that she might have had the infection for a long time, since we had noticed some of the symptoms about a year ago, but was not picked up at the visits then. She thought that the chronic infection had destroyed the bone marrow, and thus Jodie was not producing her own blood cells. We could have done more blood transfusions, but that would just prolong her poor health... so we took the last option, which was to let her live the rest of her days as she pleased.

Jodie's health deteriorated at such a rapid speed. Within 1 day, she was weak, unable to walk, and just struggling... We knew last night would be her last. We decided to spend the night as a family beside her, staying up with her as much as possible.

At 3am, Jodie started taking long, laboured breaths. K decided that it was time to put her down, as he didn't want to see her suffer longer. We drove to the 24hr animal clinic. Along the way, with the windows down, Jodie wanted to feel the wind blowing in her face. The sight of her with the wind blowing her ears, was so heartwarming! She looked so happy again, it even seemed like her breathing had calmed down slightly. She even looked like she was flying! (if only I could have taken a pic of her) When we got to the clinic, we felt that she still had a few hours to go, and wanted to spend the rest of the time with her, so we brought her home again. She seemed to insist on being left alone, as she kept walking to the corner away from us, but we just wanted to be near her, and watch her. Eventually, she took her last walk into the house, went to sniff at K1, daddy K carried her to K2, and then laid her down on her bed in the house. She struggled slightly, let out a low-pitched moan, and breathed her last...

We cried over her body, mourning her loss, but were really happy that she went peacefully, on her own.

Many things we'll remember about Jodie...

we'll remember her sad eyes and endearing look at the window of the pet shop that stole our hearts, only to realise that she was a good actress when we brought her home. Super hyper, playful, yet very loving. The time spent toilet training, obedience training; the frustrations and moments of anger when she messed the house, the sofa, scratched or bit any of us, or showed her jealousy and lack of attention when the children arrived; her irritating barking every time someone said 'bye' and wanted to leave the house (apparently she didn't like people to leave). She left token memorabilia on the hands of some of the guests at our house. We will miss the beach swims, the long runs and walks, the ball games... We will miss having to constantly watch out for the little scavenger under the table, waiting to pounce on our unattended food. We will miss the cuddles we shared in bed; she was our little foot warmer and electric blanket all rolled into a furry bear-like perfect companion.

K1 put it very aptly: The house will not be the same again, right?

Rest in peace, Jodie, we love you...

That time of the year...

Yes! It's the most wonderful time of the year... My favourite... you can smell and feel the magic of christmas all around. More people smiling, especially shop owners, more walking with that spring in their step... lights abound, trees aglow, the holiday mood is starting to be felt! yippee! it's the 1st of December.

Wow, time has really flown by. This year more so than others, perhaps? The last months have been very eventful for me. Little D is now 8 months old, he has sprung his first tooth, and his second is just cutting through. He is now crawling properly, and loves to stand. He'll pull himself up to stand as soon as he grabs on to something he can pull on. Believe it or not, the first 'word' he says constantly now is "che che che" wonder what that refers to. Occasionally you can decipher a "da da", but so far nothing starting with 'm'. He's been such a joy to watch, to see him develop through his milestones. I've kinda forgotten what it was like with the girls. Perhaps him being the last, I'm treasuring this much more. His temperament so far seems to be of a gentle nature, especially when you watch him play next to his rough and tough sisters... I pray that this will continue to nurture, and stay with him. He has also sort of weaned himself off the breast, only drinking at night. He lost interest in drinking directly, and would only drink the EBM. That has made my supply deplete on top of my laziness in expressing milk. I feel a little sad, knowing that this will be the last one I'll breastfeed, but at the same time, I feel quite 'liberated' to know that life can go on! Having said that, I actually feel that I'm also losing my 'link-line' to D. I've been so busy with work and entertaining the older 2, and I really think he is much neglected, always being left behind. I must make a greater effort not to allow a good helper to be my excuse to leaving him at home all the time :P

standing

with the god-sisters

The last weekend was the point at which half a year of practices culminated when we sang at the centenary celebration service of the Diocese of Singapore, which is the anglican church in Singapore. 5 months ago, the singer volunteers met for the first time at SJSM as total strangers from different parishes, not knowing what to expect. Some not knowing much about music, or even how to pitch, but all just coming with a heart to serve and to worship the Lord. Through the patient instruction and several sectional practices, everyone got better each time. The age range was vast from 5-50 I think, but we all managed to forge new friendships, and new links across the various congregations we come from, but still within the body of Christ. It was an unforgettable experience, especially at the rehearsal and service it self when all the parts were put together over the weekend. All Glory to God. It was a spectacular sight! The band, and the singers alone would have been just plain... it was in combining with the dancers that made it all so much more colourful! The energy that came from having a hall filled with 10,000 people was even more breathtaking! I feel truly honoured to be able to serve as part of the team for the service to gather so many people together to worship the Lord. I don't think I'll ever experience anything like this again.

Next up for the last month of this year will be the practices for the SYC concert on the 13th of December. A few months ago, they were looking for some alumni to boost up the voices for a piece which will be sung with a band, and they asked me. Something which I've been wanting to do... to sing in a choir again... I thought this will fill up this yearning for awhile :) I'm really looking forward to the full day practices. Brings me back in time...

Well, since the school holidays have started a week ago, my running has taken a back seat. With 3 kids in the house, it's almost impossible for me to get my run in without feeling guilty, and wanting to come home straight away. So as long as I maintain my weight for now, I'll have to wait till I can get more me-time to further advance my weight loss regime...sigh...:(

3 down... 7 to go!

Yes... that's the progress of my weight loss programme! Woots!

I'm now very motivated to carry on now that I'm seeing the results. However, I think I'll still need to slow down my running programme, do more weights/toning classes to enhance the weight loss, and also to save my knees. I've decided not to train for any more long races for now, till i get my knee figured out. Tennis at the moment is also not great for the knees... sigh. Really starting to feel the effects of being over 30, and the effects of 5 years of childbearing :( Body feels to have aged about 10 years between the 3 kids. Time to get my body back in shape, hopefully my body will feel as youthful as people say I look... *blush*

Anyway, we're 5 days away from the grand move! It feels like such a long process, but we're all so excited about it. The progress of the reno has been rather satisfactory, we're pretty pleased with it.

Still the mixed feelings I have about leaving our first home still exists... I will miss it.

The next step...

So we're 1 and a half weeks into getting the keys to our new place! We are so excited about it. Having spent 5k+ at the OM warehouse sale, getting furniture at ridiculously low prices (display pieces of course), sussing out countless number of places that sell outdoor furniture at obscene prices, working out how much it'll cost us to do minor reno works etc etc... the workers have finally started work on the house! We are so pleased with it... oh wait... not after having had an almost heartbreaking first day looking at the living room area, and realising that the L-shaped sofa we bought might not fit right where we wanted it... seeing the actual condition of the house sans furniture and cover-ups... wow... we really thought that there would be so much to do! This being a rather old house (circa 1970s) there's probably several problems hidden under layers of paint. Problems that we would not encounter in buying a new house, or even an apartment. Nevertheless, we're pretty glad that we can get the problems straightened out, to do the things we want with the house within our budget.

Now, we have to start packing up our current house! It'll still be another month before we can officially move in, but i think packing a little at a time is better than having to do it all at a go.

Little D is also growing up fast. He just passed his 6th month this past week, and I think he is ahead of his milestones. He is starting to crawl on his belly, reach for everything within reach, communicating with sounds, and eating his solids like a good little man. He has learned that he'd rather be carried when he eats, but when I insist that he sits to be fed, he just bawls, but at the same time swallows all the food fed to him! Initially I thought he didn't like the food, and was just eating cos he was too hungry... but now I know that he just wants to be carried.... spoilt from the word go!!!

At his check up yesterday, he weighed in at 7.6kg, and 64cm. Still short and fat by weight-height ratio standards! oh well... he'll be my gentle giant... maybe he'll make a good rugby player :)

Dylan n my new niece Lindsay

I made it!

4 and a half months post-partum... this mama has completed a half marathon! With a rather respectable time that is... much slower than my target... but what could I expect of myself?

2:46H. I'm quite impressed. That includes a toilet stop at the ladies toilet at Fort rd with a queue! I actually felt better in the last 4 km this time than the last 2 times I'd done this distance over 5 years ago. Although my best timing was 2:07 then, but I think I can be pretty proud of my current timing, considering these legs are carrying over 10kg more weight than before. I started feeling the legs (esp the ITB) at about 14km. But I pressed on and stretched through every water station. In the last 4km, I just kept going, not stopping for the drinks. This would have been the point at which, on my last 2 halves, I was cramping, and practically walk/jogged... It was torture... It was then that I swore never to do another half.... but here I am... yearning for more!

Too bad I didn't get any pics of the occasion, even though I wore the Physio Solution shirt! maybe i'll just make it up :P
runpix.com says that we started 10 minutes late! how hilarious. A friend of mine told me that the organisers may have flagged off 5 minutes early. No wonder we didn't hear anything strolling up to the start line. We didn't even realise that the race had started!
Also, according to runpix, I ran an almost constant speed of 7.7kph for the whole race. Thanks to V for running with me, pacing with me, and keeping me company throughout! I didn't even need my ipod! The highlight of the run for me would definitely be the run down the F1 track. That was awesome. I was just imagining the noise, the crowd, and tried to put myself in an F1 car going by the stands... (but of course I'd almost look like I was standing still next to an F1 car!)

Woo hoo! here's to more running!

Big boy!!!

Baby D at 4+ months is 6.98kg, and 62cm long! that makes him 50%ile weight for age, 25%ile height for age, but 90%ile weight for height!!!

that makes him short and fat!!! Haha!

Makes one think

A friend of mine posted this taxi-driver's blog on FB. He has a Phd from stanford, recently lost his job as a scientist researcher, and couldn't find another job... He finally had to turn to driving a taxi to make ends meet.

Reading it makes one think, and reflect on how sheltered I have been. The people that we do not meet, the blessed life we've had compared to some others... How humbling is must be for him to lower himself to such a low level, experiencing for himself how it feels to be treated like the 'lowest life-form'. I do indeed feel that that is how some people treat cabbies, maids, cleaners etc like... like they are not worth anything... little do they know what their family background is like... don't belittle the next cabbie u meet. He may be better educated than you!!!
http://taxidiary.blogspot.com/