Kristen has arrived

Kristen arrived on the 25th of August. After what seemed like a long wait (she was due on Aug 28 but Caitlin was 2 weeks early so I thought this little one would come out earlier) and one false alarm (was in the hospital a week before that with contractions coming every 10mins for about 8 hours before they decided to come every one hour).

Our 3rd little girl. And what a darling she is. Mostly sleeping and feeding and keeping us up at night! I'd almost forgot what is feels having a new born at home again. Having to wake up to feed, clean up her poo. Last night was a good night. She only woke up twice. But the 1st night home was rough. She was feeding hourly until she decided to sleep for a 2 hour stretch (phew!) at about 4am in the morning.

Ellie and Caitlin have been wonderful big sisters. They pretty much keep themselves busy for most of the day. Of course Caitlin's been really sticky to KM, but I haven't seen much of the jealousy that Ellie had when Caitlin was born. Ellie's all grown up now and loves her new little sister to bits. The transition with the new addition to our household has been smooth to say the least. Definitely an answered prayer.

And now something about Kristen's rather dramatic arrival. We arrived at the hospital about 9:15pm on the 24th with the contractions about 7mins apart. Real ones this time because they really hurt. The doctor-on-duty advised waiting for another 4 hours before bursting the water bag (which would then set everything in motion). At about 2:15am in the morning the doctor-on-duty came by to check on everything. I wasn't fully dilated so we still had a while to wait. Of course I was on epidural-thank God for pain relief! So I decided to try to get some sleep. Then around 4:30am I thought I felt some pain in my left. So the epidural wasn't working that well. The nurse helped turn me to the side so the epidural drug could flow in that direction. Tried to sleep again, but by I started feeling pain down below. And this time it felt like something was pushing its way out. KM was asleep and I woke him up to checking. Nothing he said, and went back to his armchair. Check again I told him. Then something splashed out, and the next minute Kristen literally leapt out onto the bed. The baby is here! KM ran to get the nurses and I beeped then with the control. That is the story of Kristen's entry into our world. 3.39kg. 51cm long.

One year older

One year older. Past the mid thirty mark. Scary isn't it. The thing is I don't that much older. It is only when the aches (of a 38 week pregnancy) set in, and I have to hoist myself up in bed that I realise that I am my energy level is not as it was before.

KM took the day off and made dinner (pork ribs, roast beef, chicken peach roast, couscous and pepper salad, miso salad) for the immediate family and bought ice-cream cake from my favourite ice-cream shop. The thing about KM's cooking is that he has really raised the bar- when we go out to your regular al fresco cafe or sandwich-grille type of place, the food isn't wow! anymore. It is something that we could really have done at home and better, for that matter.

Meanwhile I am waiting to pop! Kristen (that's her name for now) seems to be taking her time. I thought she could have been a birthday present but she has decided to let us wait it out.

Kartell Lou Lou Ghost Chair

We invested in a few designer chairs and lamps when we first moved into our home about five years ago. And since then everything else has been basic paired down stuff from places like Ikea. Partly because we didn't have space for any thing else and largely because when the girls came we decided that our next designer purchase would probably be when everyone grew up a little and learnt not to jump on the sofa or get crayons on our Eames and Stark dining chairs.

So it was a real treat for both us and girls when Aunty Mel and Uncle Tim had us over for tea yesterday and presented the Kartell Lou Lou Barbie Ghost Chair. They had ordered it a few weeks ago and kept it as a surprise for the girls. We didn't know what the surprise was. Only that it was from Space- so it had to be something designer and kiddie. Both girls were thrilled to have something pink and Barbie (Ellie especially) and KM and I were very pleased have something add another tasteful and collector worthy piece to our home. Finally, something "Barbie" that appealed to both Ellie and her parents. Of course came the issue of sharing this princess chair, Ellie being of the opinion that she is the princess and Caitlin the king (that has to sit on the Ikea wicker chair) or be the puppy by her side. Poor Caitlin. Another lesson in sharing trying to get the girls to take turns to sit on the Lou Lou.

"Milestones" at school

Caitlin went to school without her pull up pants today and came back with a dry panty. Hurray! A first- she's one the way to being potty trained.

I am not sure what Caitlin actually does at school.
Me: What did you do at school today?
Cait: Ate food
Me: Anything else?
Cait: Drank water...

Hmmm surely they do a lot more than that!?

Caitlin goes to school

 My little girl has grown up. It's been two days now, and so far, Caitlin just loves school. There are so many things in school to keep her busy she doesn't even turn round to say bye when I leave. I stayed for half and hour on the first day and just 15 minutes with her today to "settle her in", although after five minutes into school Caitlin really seemed so "settled", that it was really worry on my part about her not wanting to let go. Ellie took two weeks, but with her big sister with her, Caitlin is totally at ease in her new environment. She cried a little yesterday when the children crowded round to check out this new girl on the block and asked for me a couple of times, ("I cry-ded" said Caitlin) but by today, Miss Liz (the principal) said that she was "on her own". According to Ellie and Caitlin, Caitlin showed her "smelly cloth" for show-and-tell on monday and tried to get her new friends to smell it. Of course I don't think anyone did.

I am enjoying the 3 hours I get on my own. Catching up on sleep. Packing the house. Just having some quiet to do my own thing. Things that sound pretty mundane but are pure luxury when you have to deal with two active preschoolers for the rest of the day.

Caitlin on her first day at school.

The Enchanted Garden

The Enchanted Garden children's season at the Singapore Art Museum is such a great idea, it is a pity it is only running for 2 months. If I were living in a space this big this is what I would design for the girls. Concept driven play spaces, that a two and four year old can enjoy for hours. Even KM said he was inspired after the outing.

We travel light these days and hardly bring our SLR. These were taken with my iphone. The problem with using the iphone as a camera is that you just can't get enough light or enough speed to capture 2 girls going gaga over the spaces at the museum. These are two of the spaces.

All you need is some turf, green bean bags, space and lots of imagination. Ellie and Cait making themselves feel at home at Walter the Rabbit's garden.

Caitlin falling asleep in the Enchanted Garden.

June Hols

The school holidays went by so quickly! Didn't really anything big this time round. Too tired to plan huge play dates or any really long days out. We went for church camp the first weekend. Then outings to the supermarket, the playgym, library, beach, Spotlight, the Science Centre and Sentosa with Papa. A picnic by our own pool, swimming, baking (pretty tasteless chocolate cupcakes), lots of drawing, painting sessions with grandma. Chilling out at home with toys. Somehow the 4 weeks just zipped by, and Caitlin will start school on Monday!

I can't believe Caitlin's going to school. Ellie is really excited to have her little sister go to school. She can't wait! Part of me is happy because I get three hours to myself (so precious) for 2 months (or maybe less) before the baby comes, but part of me will miss spending mummy time (the three hours when Ellie is usually at school) with Caitlin alone.

Here are some pictures of the girls at home. We just don't bring our camera out with us enough these days.

Ellie with her butterfly costume. I got the skirt and tee for $10 each! Unbelievable! They were on sale at  CottonOn Kids.

Caitlin with one of her favourite tees. I bought Caitlin a butterfly tee-shirt but she just wasn't as thrilled to wear it as her big sister was. Caitlin loves tees with animal pictures. Did I blog about what Caitlin says she wants to be when she grows up? She wants to be "An Elephant".

The two sisters goofing around.