Happy Family, Children Optional

I get asked a lot lately about having kids. The wedding is a few months' away plus I'm not your average 24 year-old bride hence the 'appropriate' question of child-bearing from well meaning friends and relatives. I don't reckon men get asked much - my man hasn't need to receive, ponder and reply to the said question.

Ask the men if they are ready to have kids.

I can afford my own handbags, thank you very much. I can buy jewellery, have a car go on holidays and get my first apartment with my savings - I was never without a job since I started working in the year1998. I can go out, do things I like, without having to worry about babysitting except for my cat, if I go on a holiday. 

I adore children and would love to have a couple. I'd be happy to give up my job (which I love by the way), and take up the challenge to be a stay-home mom/wife - often described as "much worse than going out to work". Because I can imagine seeing the fruits of labour, labour of love. I want to cook for my husband, read to my children, feed and clean them. I want to be friends with them and watch them grow into responsible adults.

But I can't do all that and live in a tiny flat, and not having my nails done occassionally.

With children I would give up my lifestyle, my career, and yes - my freedom. I don't need to live in a big house, have fancy rides and everyday gourmet dinners. But I'd appreciate air-conditioning in that heat without getting into an arguement; once a week time off to myself or with my friends while the husband, grandparents or a nanny take over; at least once-a year family vacation, plus a few more conditions within reasons.

Of course some may say it's unfair - can we reverse the roles? Tough, since having a child starts with pregnancy. And as if you'd choose to, you won't be pregnant, breastfeeding, be away from work for months.

So there, "am I planning to have kids?" - you tell me. Sorry if this is hurting, or putting pressure on your macho minds - but the next time your girlfriend/wife gets asked that question, do your own thinking. Don't pretend fatherhood is just a natural progression - it doesn't validate your manhood if your wife or your kids have to suffer. And if you can't afford to have your wife not work and support her emotionally+financially, don't even bother saying whether you like a boy or a girl.

Afterall, what makes a happy family?
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Read also: Raising Singapore Kids

Good Ol' Wind Up Mouse

Speaking of Hearts...

Just helping, as usual.



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Some Fattening Angles

Is she sitting on the floor?



She's on a stool! Can't see from top view.



...her 'heart' behind seems to have gotten bigger?

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Flop Twist Stretch Roll (Not A Bread Dough)

The Welcome-Home Fur Rug

Let Go

thewheatfield by Katie Daisy on Etsy

Whiskas - Let It Snow 2008

Whiskas - "Let It Snow" 2010 Advert

The Kitty Has Spoken

Lady of The Ring

Everything has beauty,
but not everyone sees it.

Confucius

Happy Jesslyn To You

4th October - the day this little girl has been waiting for all year. The grandness of the day fills her with such joy, she came back from school (where she indulged in the spotlight of being a Birthday Girl all day among her friends), literally jumped in the presence of all who were there for the celebration.

I can't remember what it must've felt like - will it be equivalent to winning the lottery? Or getting a queue number <10 when you apply for HDB flat?

See pictured dresser box her dad gave her, which she delightfully painted and decorated "from 9am to about 2pm in between only stopping for lunch" (as quoted when asked). She got a puzzle, some stickers and a Mighty World's florist shop from me. She gets to eat the cream of her cake with fingers and no one would scold her.

But the best part was seeing her breaming with pride when everyone sings her the birthday song :)

Aretha

She's got good voice. Her debut album 'Seasons Of My Soul' will be released on 1st November.

Recycling for Fun

We made a toy house for Saffi and she instantly knew what to do with it - wriggles through, sticks her head out of places, reaches her little paws out to play catch. She would soon snooze in it, too.

It was the box of a Kenwood Steamer my mom gave me.

The Elusive Red Dot

So cute.



Poor Saffi... never could catch the dot.



Oh maybe we shouldn't let her play with The Dot so much. 20 minutes after the chase, she's still looking for it! I read somewhere that it could be frustrating for cats when they're unable to catch their prey - in this case a toy - so using a conventional mouse/fish tease could be better?

1-Altitude

Oh look, Andy's almost in the clouds!

A Cat and a Tissue Box

Wonder if she knows, she makes me laugh :)

Coffee, Anyone?

There's been some coffee brewing at home since the acquisition of a Nespresso machine. The machine came with a set of 16 capsules to sample, and I've decided on some favourites: Strong and spicy Indriya; Arpeggio, Cappricio, Volluto and Cosi from the Espresso range; Fortissio for the Lungo; the 3 decafs are good enough to stock up too, for an after dinner treat.

Apart from the fact that this small, quiet gadget makes good coffee, it's cost efficient at 5x cuppa to 1x Starbucks (machine aside). Maintenance is easy, you need only to fill its water tank like you would to make coffee - hit a button and run water through without a capsule in.

I'm also pleased with drinking more milk now that I enjoy these lattes and cappucinos. Still trying to make a prettier cappuccino. Pictured here is the Magimix Citiz & Milk White. See the Citiz range here.

The Fox In The Snow

Fox in the snow, where do you go

To find something you can eat?

Cause the word out on the street is you are starving

Don't let yourself grow hungry now

Don't let yourself grow cold

Fox in the snow

Girl in the snow, where will you go

To find someone that will do?

To tell someone all the truth before it kills you

They listen to your crazy laugh

Before you hang a right

And disappear from sight

What do they know anyway?

You'll read it in a book

What do they know anyway?

You'll read it in a book tonight

Boy on the bike, what are you like

As you cycle round the town?

You're going up, you're going down

You're going nowhere

It's not as if they're paying you

It's not as if it's fun

At least not anymore

When your legs are black and blue

It's time to take a break

When your legs are black and blue

It's time to take a holiday

Kid in the snow, way to go

It only happens once a year

It only happens once a lifetime

Make the most of it

Second just to being born

Second to dying to

What else could you do? 

Fox in the snow...

 I'm going to Phuket again. Crazy happy thrilled. 

The Cat's Big Move

We've moved from Loyang. After all week stressed up over packing and moving the final task was to bring the cat over. After an enjoyable car ride, Saffi officially became one of the new residents at Lavender, 3am on 1st July. She went all hiding at first, as predicted. Occasionally sticking her head out to see what we're doing. By next day, curiosity got the better of her and she explored the place in short intervals. Come day two, she's quite happy walking and lounging about with her tail high.

Without the company of Elliot and Oscar, Saffi sticks with us - an escort in and out of rooms, sitting by while we have tea, do the laundry, work at the desk, watch tv, etc. She's also started the habit of waking people up in the morning. Talks a lot too.

She's cautious of the neighbours but she'd now peer out. And as usual, she comes to the door like a puppy when the key jiggles at our door.