The world is getting more interesting to me, I love looking out the car window and pointing at buses, trucks, cows, aeroplanes, lights, etc.
Mummy found the websites and books correct about toddlers developing fears, nowadays I am scared of the vacuum cleaner and candles on fire (Mummy says I need practise before my next birthday). I am still shy around unfamiliar people who approach me, but big kids and uncles I like! Since I was 'quarantined' for 3 weeks after my hospital stay, I was so happy to see other kids and Daddy's friend when D&M brought me out for dinner yesterday.
At 21 months old, I have already travelled round the world - Taiwan (@8months), US (@18months) & Australia (@20 months). Everywhere I have been, my potty has too :)
I am fully potty trained during day, even outside the house. So far no accidents for the past 3 weeks. I can 'tell' D&M when I need to go, so they don't have to keep putting me on the potty any more. I like it better this way :)
I love action songs and Mickey Mouse. Once a week, D&M lets me watch the action songs or Mickey Mouse DVD and I will squeal happily. I can do the actions for Deep & Wide, This Little Light of Mine, Father Abraham, Kumbayah, Row Row Row Your Boat, and bits and pieces of other songs. I also can follow Mickey Mouse and say 'miska, muska... Mickey Mouse!!', 'uh ohh...' and I laugh and laugh every I hear 'oh gosshh!!'.
I love going to the playground and can climb up and go down the big slide by myself. My favourite toys are balls, racquet (and ball), play kitchen, and trike/car. My Ah Mah says most toys boy boys like I like too. I'm such a water baby that I don't like getting out of my bath... usually it's the only time I fuss during the day. I still love my books.
I can count up to 7 or 8 by pointing, but cannot say the words well yet. I will try to say anything when asked to, sometimes it doesn't sound right but I'm happy and I clap my hands and say 'yay'. I know all the colors in my crayon box. I am also learning to color inside the line.
Everytime Mummy collects the clothes in from hanging outside, I will help her bring the clothes from the door to the sofa. Mummy says I'm a very helpful little girl, and I like it because I'm like Peter & Jane who help their daddy and mummy (in the book). D&M are amazed that I know to whom each article of clothing belongs to, everything down to the underwear ;-)... I will point and say 'Da-da!', 'Ma-ma' or 'Na-na'! D&M thinks I recognise by size of the clothing, even though they never taught me to.
When I got back from the hospital, everyone kissed my poor hands where the needle puncture holes were. Since then, whenever I get a mosquito bite, I will ask people to kiss it. I will also kiss Mummy's mosquito bites (Daddy doesn't get any bites that leave marks).
In 3 more months, Mummy will need to teach me to tell people I'm 2 years old.
~ Shanna LYY
Shanna
Ian
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Our Special Day
Five years ago on December 3rd 2005 we vowed to 'love and to cherish each other, for better and for worse, in sickness and in health' before God, family and friends.
How fast those five years have passed.
Though the ups and downs, by God's grace, we have arrived at now. The blessing of family life with our precious little girl.
Little special messages from you made normal days special.
So I hope you like this special message today,
Love,
How fast those five years have passed.
Though the ups and downs, by God's grace, we have arrived at now. The blessing of family life with our precious little girl.
Little special messages from you made normal days special.
So I hope you like this special message today,
Happy Anniversary, dear hubby :)
Love,
Audrey
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Good Overseas Warranty
In the recent trip to US, we got real satisfaction from the customer service there
Case#1
We had brought along a big Samsonite luggage which I bought from US on one of my previous trips there (at a reasonable price of ~ USD80). This luggage had lost a wheel in one of our travels. Since this luggage had a 10 year warranty, we asked about fixing the wheel at a Malaysian Samsonite store in Penang, but we were told the cost was Rm75 minimally and the lead time around 3 months. Plus, they needed a receipt to show date of purchase, which I did not keep. So Tim fixed on a wheel we got from a local hardware store, didn't look too pretty but it worked.
So, it crossed our minds that perhaps we could get the luggage fixed while we were in the US instead. And true enough, the process was so much easier, cheaper and faster. We brought the luggage in to the store, paid USD15 for handling and in 2 weeks' time, the luggage was fixed and shipped directly back to our hotel. They didn't even need our warranty card, as just by looking at the luggage they could tell the model was from within the last 10 years.
Case#2
Before Shanna was born, I purchased a thermoscan ear thermometer from B Braun on ebay US as it was cheaper there than to buy in Malaysia. This thermometer served us faithfully, until we brought it out when we were in US. It had conked out, couldn't even power up (and no, it wasn't out of batteries, we checked). I called the US customer service and they asked me to ship it to their service centre. 3 weeks later, I got a brand new thermometer replacement. No questions asked.
So what is the bottomline here?
->One should bring all the broken stuff to US to get fixed :)
~ Audrey
Case#1
We had brought along a big Samsonite luggage which I bought from US on one of my previous trips there (at a reasonable price of ~ USD80). This luggage had lost a wheel in one of our travels. Since this luggage had a 10 year warranty, we asked about fixing the wheel at a Malaysian Samsonite store in Penang, but we were told the cost was Rm75 minimally and the lead time around 3 months. Plus, they needed a receipt to show date of purchase, which I did not keep. So Tim fixed on a wheel we got from a local hardware store, didn't look too pretty but it worked.
So, it crossed our minds that perhaps we could get the luggage fixed while we were in the US instead. And true enough, the process was so much easier, cheaper and faster. We brought the luggage in to the store, paid USD15 for handling and in 2 weeks' time, the luggage was fixed and shipped directly back to our hotel. They didn't even need our warranty card, as just by looking at the luggage they could tell the model was from within the last 10 years.
Case#2
Before Shanna was born, I purchased a thermoscan ear thermometer from B Braun on ebay US as it was cheaper there than to buy in Malaysia. This thermometer served us faithfully, until we brought it out when we were in US. It had conked out, couldn't even power up (and no, it wasn't out of batteries, we checked). I called the US customer service and they asked me to ship it to their service centre. 3 weeks later, I got a brand new thermometer replacement. No questions asked.
So what is the bottomline here?
->One should bring all the broken stuff to US to get fixed :)
~ Audrey
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Turn For The Better
Last night, we noticed a faint rash appearing on Shanna's stomach area and this morning the rash spread to her whole body, including face, feet and hands.
First question to doctor was is this dengue rash? Doctor said in some rare cases dengue rash could appear in this manner, though usually in the case of dengue the red spots start from hands and feet.
*Drum roll* Good news came in the form of today's blood test results. Shanna's platelet count and white blood cells had increased! This eliminates the suspect of dengue. Thank God!
Finally we have a diagnosis for Shanna's condition - Roseala or the medical term Exanthema Subitum. This is the description from Wikipedia: "Typically the disease affects a child between six months and two years of age, and begins with a sudden high fever (39–40 °C). This can cause, in rare cases, febrile convulsions (also known as febrile seizures or "fever fits") due to the sudden rise in body temperature, but in many cases the child appears normal. After a few days the fever subsides, and just as the child appears to be recovering, a red rash appears. This usually begins on the trunk, spreading to the legs and neck. The rash is not itchy and may last 1 to 2 days." This was coupled with infection of the tonsils.
Doctor says if there is no more high fever, tomorrow Shanna may be discharged :) Finally, the IV can be removed and we can all go home. Grandma is coming up tomorrow just to see the little girl.
We're really grateful to the doctor (who by the way is going away for his planned vacation tomorrow onwards) and to the staff of Pantai Hospital for their excellent care.
What are some things we've learnt through this stay in the hospital?
1. Hospital gowns are the clothing of choice for a baby with fever, makes sponging much easier.
2. There is such a thing as a water mat the baby can lie so the back can get cooled and sponging is only needed for the front. We were told this was created by a nurse in Singapore and was sold out when it first launched in Singapore. The hospital is letting us bring back one.
3. Agilent's medical allowance is better than Intel's.
4. Don't expect to get any sleep as the hospital as everyone - nurses, cleaners, caterer, etc etc keep popping into the room even after requests made not to. They are just doing their jobs I know.
Some pictures of our little 'Jedi' girl (so called by her Daddy) in the children ward's play area today (in much better spirits).
~ Audrey
First question to doctor was is this dengue rash? Doctor said in some rare cases dengue rash could appear in this manner, though usually in the case of dengue the red spots start from hands and feet.
*Drum roll* Good news came in the form of today's blood test results. Shanna's platelet count and white blood cells had increased! This eliminates the suspect of dengue. Thank God!
Finally we have a diagnosis for Shanna's condition - Roseala or the medical term Exanthema Subitum. This is the description from Wikipedia: "Typically the disease affects a child between six months and two years of age, and begins with a sudden high fever (39–40 °C). This can cause, in rare cases, febrile convulsions (also known as febrile seizures or "fever fits") due to the sudden rise in body temperature, but in many cases the child appears normal. After a few days the fever subsides, and just as the child appears to be recovering, a red rash appears. This usually begins on the trunk, spreading to the legs and neck. The rash is not itchy and may last 1 to 2 days." This was coupled with infection of the tonsils.
Doctor says if there is no more high fever, tomorrow Shanna may be discharged :) Finally, the IV can be removed and we can all go home. Grandma is coming up tomorrow just to see the little girl.
We're really grateful to the doctor (who by the way is going away for his planned vacation tomorrow onwards) and to the staff of Pantai Hospital for their excellent care.
What are some things we've learnt through this stay in the hospital?
1. Hospital gowns are the clothing of choice for a baby with fever, makes sponging much easier.
2. There is such a thing as a water mat the baby can lie so the back can get cooled and sponging is only needed for the front. We were told this was created by a nurse in Singapore and was sold out when it first launched in Singapore. The hospital is letting us bring back one.
3. Agilent's medical allowance is better than Intel's.
4. Don't expect to get any sleep as the hospital as everyone - nurses, cleaners, caterer, etc etc keep popping into the room even after requests made not to. They are just doing their jobs I know.
Some pictures of our little 'Jedi' girl (so called by her Daddy) in the children ward's play area today (in much better spirits).
~ Audrey
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Shanna's Worst Time Yet
Tuesday morning I panicked and broke down. Shanna's temperature had reached 40.2degC and none of the sponging worked to lower the temperature for even 5mins.
Since Shanna's fever started on Sunday, it went directly to the 39.5degC range, and paracetemol had no effect at all. There had been no warning signs of flu at all.
After sponging her round the clock on Sunday night, keeping her temperature around 38.5degC, we brought her to the paed on Monday morning. Nothing was apparently wrong except for red infected tonsils. We brought her home armed with antibiotics and paracetemol and Brufen-type of fever medicine that we could use only once in 8 hours.
Monday night her condition worsen, and only Brufen worked. She would sweat profusely and her hands and feet got really cold. However the effect only lasted for about 4 hours, then her fever went right back to 39degC++ and that was with sponging every 10 mins. Poor Shanna didn't get any sleep with all the sponging...
Hubby rushed back from work on Tuesday and we admitted Shanna to the hospital. She was brought to the ER and draped with ice cold towels. Poor girl was crying so much from all the suffering.
Hair all wet after her 'ice bath'. Eyes all swollen with crying.
Despite that, still trying to smile for the camera :)
We have been in the hospital now for 2 days and nights. Poor Shanna has been through the worst time. She was strapped down for taking blood every day and IV insertion, and kept crying begging to be carried and kept signing 'no more, no more'.... We haven't had much sleep with all the doctor and nurses visits. Shanna hasn't been wanting to eat or drink much either, I guess infected tonsils do that to a person. Thanks to all the prayers, Shanna's temperature was lower today and controllable with paracetemol. This was really a miracle as the paracetemol wasn't working at first, then 2 hours after consuming it, her temperature came down on own accord.
Sleeping fitfully
Poor little hand tied up to a 'plank' for IV antibiotics.
Her blood test results came back with a 'surprise'. Her platelet count is low, though not low enough yet to be dengue. We are praying it's not dengue. Dr said she's not allowed anymore Brufen now that she's suspected of dengue. She needs to stay longer at the hospital now and take blood tests everyday.
Thanks for all the concerns and prayers. We're stronger because of that and we know God hears.
~ Audrey
Since Shanna's fever started on Sunday, it went directly to the 39.5degC range, and paracetemol had no effect at all. There had been no warning signs of flu at all.
After sponging her round the clock on Sunday night, keeping her temperature around 38.5degC, we brought her to the paed on Monday morning. Nothing was apparently wrong except for red infected tonsils. We brought her home armed with antibiotics and paracetemol and Brufen-type of fever medicine that we could use only once in 8 hours.
Monday night her condition worsen, and only Brufen worked. She would sweat profusely and her hands and feet got really cold. However the effect only lasted for about 4 hours, then her fever went right back to 39degC++ and that was with sponging every 10 mins. Poor Shanna didn't get any sleep with all the sponging...
Hubby rushed back from work on Tuesday and we admitted Shanna to the hospital. She was brought to the ER and draped with ice cold towels. Poor girl was crying so much from all the suffering.
Hair all wet after her 'ice bath'. Eyes all swollen with crying.
Despite that, still trying to smile for the camera :)
We have been in the hospital now for 2 days and nights. Poor Shanna has been through the worst time. She was strapped down for taking blood every day and IV insertion, and kept crying begging to be carried and kept signing 'no more, no more'.... We haven't had much sleep with all the doctor and nurses visits. Shanna hasn't been wanting to eat or drink much either, I guess infected tonsils do that to a person. Thanks to all the prayers, Shanna's temperature was lower today and controllable with paracetemol. This was really a miracle as the paracetemol wasn't working at first, then 2 hours after consuming it, her temperature came down on own accord.
Sleeping fitfully
Poor little hand tied up to a 'plank' for IV antibiotics.
Her blood test results came back with a 'surprise'. Her platelet count is low, though not low enough yet to be dengue. We are praying it's not dengue. Dr said she's not allowed anymore Brufen now that she's suspected of dengue. She needs to stay longer at the hospital now and take blood tests everyday.
Thanks for all the concerns and prayers. We're stronger because of that and we know God hears.
~ Audrey
Saturday, November 13, 2010
Down Under
Hardly 2 weeks after we got back from US, we were off again to Australia! This was the planned holiday while the US trip was unplanned. But since we had booked the lowest tier flight tickets, it did not allow us to make any changes to flying times.
Thanks to the Siu family who opened up their lovely home to us whilst our stay in Melbourne. It was good to meet up with them again. This was the first time Shanna spent so much time with another toddler her age and she took some time to learn how to share stuff, not take Esrene's friendly advances as threats.... while Esrene was thrilled to have 'Na-na' around to play with, follow around, touch & hold hands with. They were so cute together!
We had lots of nice food at Melbourne, including the biggest and sweetest strawberries we ever had, great pizza at the Italian quarters, and very yummy Japanese food. The weather was mostly good when we were there so we went outdoors quite a bit, to the Royal Botanical Gardens, National Rhododendrum Gardens, Collingwood Children's Farm, Frankston beach and Mornington Strawberry Farm. Spring is a good time to visit, with pretty flowers in bloom everywhere and... spring fashion on sale at the stores! This was a nice change from US where we found most fall & winter fashions in stores. We got Shanna some nice (and very reasonably priced) shoes, socks and clothes from OZ.
We also spent 4 days at Tasmania, staying at a small rented cottage with views overlooking Lindisfarne Bay. Tasmania was beautiful, but cold! Our favorite place out of those that we visited was Bruny Island, a naturally beautiful place. We had to take a ferry to get there. It is an island the size of Singapore, but with only 620 permanant residents. One of the scenic routes we took was on 18km of bumpy gravel road (Shanna sleeping all the way).
I had the best fresh oysters of my life at Tasmania. Even though I got diarrhea from eating past my limit, it was so good that I had it again the next day! Slight gluttony there. Tasmanian local ice cream was good too. Yes, we ate yoghurt ice cream despite the cold, including Shanna.
It would take too many posts to go into details, so we'll let the pictures do most of the talking :)
We had a nice time altogether, but we are also very glad to be back in Penang, and back to our normal routine. Glad to put away all the luggage bags. Shanna was glad to be back at her babysitter's, and she finally got her injection which was supposed to be taken when she was 18 months old.
Home sweet home...
~ Audrey
Thanks to the Siu family who opened up their lovely home to us whilst our stay in Melbourne. It was good to meet up with them again. This was the first time Shanna spent so much time with another toddler her age and she took some time to learn how to share stuff, not take Esrene's friendly advances as threats.... while Esrene was thrilled to have 'Na-na' around to play with, follow around, touch & hold hands with. They were so cute together!
We had lots of nice food at Melbourne, including the biggest and sweetest strawberries we ever had, great pizza at the Italian quarters, and very yummy Japanese food. The weather was mostly good when we were there so we went outdoors quite a bit, to the Royal Botanical Gardens, National Rhododendrum Gardens, Collingwood Children's Farm, Frankston beach and Mornington Strawberry Farm. Spring is a good time to visit, with pretty flowers in bloom everywhere and... spring fashion on sale at the stores! This was a nice change from US where we found most fall & winter fashions in stores. We got Shanna some nice (and very reasonably priced) shoes, socks and clothes from OZ.
We also spent 4 days at Tasmania, staying at a small rented cottage with views overlooking Lindisfarne Bay. Tasmania was beautiful, but cold! Our favorite place out of those that we visited was Bruny Island, a naturally beautiful place. We had to take a ferry to get there. It is an island the size of Singapore, but with only 620 permanant residents. One of the scenic routes we took was on 18km of bumpy gravel road (Shanna sleeping all the way).
I had the best fresh oysters of my life at Tasmania. Even though I got diarrhea from eating past my limit, it was so good that I had it again the next day! Slight gluttony there. Tasmanian local ice cream was good too. Yes, we ate yoghurt ice cream despite the cold, including Shanna.
It would take too many posts to go into details, so we'll let the pictures do most of the talking :)
We had a nice time altogether, but we are also very glad to be back in Penang, and back to our normal routine. Glad to put away all the luggage bags. Shanna was glad to be back at her babysitter's, and she finally got her injection which was supposed to be taken when she was 18 months old.
Home sweet home...
~ Audrey
Friday, November 12, 2010
Melbourne Photos -- Part 02
still at the royal botanical garden
she's actually crying to get out from that chair...
tourist bird....
running after the pigeon happily....
running down the slope.....
"where is mummy going?"
Penang Fried Rice for Siu's family... :D
puching hard to move herself
trying to sit ...
:)
tim
more coming....
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