Out of action

My little guy has been out of action for a week. From a mild cough it progressed to one with loads of phlegm and ended up with mycroplasma pneumonivae. We were hospitalised for 2 nights and poor guy was subjected to a series of tests, they drew blood, phlegm and mucus. The worst was the IV drip on his left hand. The nurses politely insisted that I go out of the room when they were drawing the samples and inserted the drip but how can I? He was so scared with all these strangers around him, pinning him down, how can I leave him alone to suffer? I was smiling and singing to him all the time but sobbing deep in my heart.

There was also the physiotheraphy session which the theraphist lay him over a pillow and smack his back to loosen the phelgm, another heartache session. All the time, there was only one line in my head 'It's for your own good, makes you better sooner.'

And the one line that makes me froze when we went back for review from the PD, 'Raphael got a very fierce bug. MRSA.' I was like 'What's the hell is that?!' PD played it down saying the antibotics he's on got it under control.

Raphael back home after 2 nights in the hospital on the nubilizer. My little tough cookie.

We love to play!

This exersaucer is Raphael's 'Toy of the Month'. He loves how he can stand on his own and spin around, fiddling with the different toys.

Trying to reach for the lion teether, both of them love this orange teether.

Chloe looking hot and sweaty whipping up a meal and a birthday cake. That piece of blue play-doh is the birthday cake she made for Elmo and I have sang 'Happy Birthday' till the song is still ringing in my ears.

She has a glob of white between her palms, rolling and pinching it. Guess what is she making? Sunny. And she was carrying him around after this, 'walking' him.

What's life without them?

There were times in moment of weakness that I wished I had my old life back, when I could just put on my running gear and pound the road, be in a world of my own or just while my day away reading a book by the pool. When Chloe is throwing one of her tantrums, from hopping around to flinging her body on the floor, painting place with her tears, saliva and mucus and Raphael joining in the 'fun' demanding attention at the same time, I feel like tearing my hair out and wished I had a panic room in the house. You get the picture? 2 little beings very capable of driving me up the wall onto the ceiling...breathe, breathe....

But these are fleeting moments and when peace reigned again, I punched myself for having such cowardly thoughts. See, tantrums and tears are part of the package along with big laughs and silly antics. They light up my days, everyday.

Raphael at 5 months old, attempting to sit up on his own. Good try champion, almost there. This guy is on the express way, speeding ahead of Chloe during her time.

Their very chummy moments, watching 'Little Einsteins' together.

Smiling so happily into the camera, Chloe requested for a picture cos she loves carrying her brother. She is very loving and caring towards Raphael, sharing everything with him including her smelly fingers. Yes, I caught her putting her stinky fingers into his mouth sneakily.

Raphael is forever curious about what Chloe is up to, crawling after her and her toys. If she's reading a book, he will crawled to her, grabbed and chewed the book. We are looking forward to day Raphael starts walking.... the real fun begins.

Yuan Xiao Jie

Yuan Xiao Jie marks the end of the Chinese New Year holidays and we had the last bash at Vanessa's place. Big crowd with lots of kiddos, yummy peng cai, fiery curry and loads of goodies.

Chloe wedged between Ewan and buddy, very engrossed watching their WII game, snacking on corn chips.

The last yu sheng till 2010

Chloe with her own pair of chopsticks trying to reach for the yusheng.

The ladies ready to tuck into the tossed yusheng