August 15
My period was four days late, I was hoping for good news but I was also half expecting that I’m just delayed. We’ve been trying for a few months so I’m a bit used to being disappointed each month. Still I wanted to make sure so I bought a pregnancy test at the pharmacy and thinking I could use it the next morning. Of course when I reached home that night I couldn’t resist so I tested. Again I went in half hoping but half expecting it would be negative but what do you know….it showed two lines! I keeping saying “Oh my God!” as the second line slowly appeared. What is this really true?! I knew it was because when I got pregnant the first time the second line of the test was also faint. So I then told my husband about it but part of me wanted to be really really sure before we tell anyone else.

Of course I told a few friends about it the same night but I also told them I won’t really believe it until my OB confirm that I’m indeed pregnant. Anyway I let a few days past and Wednesday morning I tested again, the second line was definitely more visible this time. Thursday I called the clinic to schedule an appointment so we went tonight.

And guess what?! We’re expecting baby #2!!!!

Here’s our first glimpse….

Almost 6 weeks!

We are scheduled to come back in a month for another checkup, hopefully hear the heartbeat by then. I hope we won’t need to come back earlier.

At first I was reluctant to share the good news to everyone but I figured more positive vibes and prayers coming our way won’t hurt.

Technorati Tags: Baby #2, Pregnancy chronicles

I do not like smokers, I stay away from them if I could especially when my little girl is with me. I don’t like the smell and or course for health reasons as well. I do know it’s hard to quit when you’re a smoker so I’m thankful my husband doesn’t smoke. I know some mean indulge in one or two arturo fuente cigars from time to time so I guess that’s better than huffing and puffing a pack of cigarettes a day. But still I would stay away from anyone who is holding a cigar, that’s just me. I’d rather breathe fresh air thank you very much.

Technorati Tags: Writing

My husband recently got a new insurance for our home, we received a letter about it a few days later. It is a comprehensive coverage with a reasonable payment scheme so we’re happy about it. We don’t need any motorhome insurance but I know it is important that this humble abode of ours is secured, afterall we love our home a lot and I can see us staying here for a long time. The decision to get another insurance is something we thought is the best option for us. I feel at ease knowing that when the need arises we have an insurance to turn to.

Technorati Tags: Home insurance, Writing

by Channel News Asia

Pre—school teaching staff of kindergartens run by the PAP Community Foundation (PCF) can look forward to higher pay.

It is part of efforts to raise teaching standards.

Staff can expect an increase of up to 22 per cent in pay.

This applies to those who do not have the proper qualification but have undergone training to meet the grade.

About 1,500 out of PCF’s 2,000—strong staff will be affected.

Singapore’s largest pre—school operator hopes that by 2013, 95 per cent of teachers would have at least a professional diploma; while at least one out of four would have university degrees.

PCF will fork out some S$930,000 a year to sponsor scholarships and upgrading courses.

“The (pay) increases will be met by the sponsorships and grants. And the fees will be according to how far we can withhold or contain the fee increases. So fees (hike) generally will be the last resort,” said Minister for Prime Minister’s Office, Lim Hwee Hua. She is also the PCF Treasurer. — CNA /ls

–This is great news. Preschool education lays an important foundation to how well a children can cope when they enter primary school. Higher standards would mean better qualified form teachers for our kids. It is also nice that qualified candidates would get a pay increase, they will be more motivated to improved themselves and be better educators for the young ones.

Technorati Tags: Articles, Preschool

I’m blessed that my little girl doesn’t fall sick often, and when she gets sick she recovers quite quickly and goes back to her usual happy self again. Thanks to my perseverance to give her breastmilk exclusively for the first 18 months of her life her immune system is quite strong. Still I’m glad our family have a good health insurance for when we need it (I hope we won’t). I’ve read several health insurance reviews including bcbsnc and found that ours is comparable to the best in the US. That gives me some peace of mind, now if only my little girl learns how to like food but that’s another story I guess….

Technorati Tags: Writing

With school about to start next month in the US some of my favorite online stores are having sales. There’s lots of great bargains and huge discounts on clothing and school related items, perfect for getting those back to school must haves.

Just check out this ad I saw at Crazy 8

I already found a few tees I like, really cute and just right for my little girl. I did promise myself I won’t buy any clothing for her until her birthday in October since I shopped a lot last month during our vacation. Still I like window shopping

Now

Technorati Tags: Crazy 8

I love that my little girl are being taught about independence at school. One of the first feedbacks I got from her form teacher during the early months of school was that my daughter is very independent, I guess all those times I’ve encouraged her to do things on her own with me right beside her to guide her (and give some pep talk) reflects on how she is at school. I’ve seen first hand that students do things on their own during certain parts of the class/lessons. They even let the kids go to the toilet by themselves. At first I was concerned about this but I saw that they have kiddie toilets and Elkay sinks so kids can do it themselves with ease. I’m glad my daughter is learning to do things on her own. As much as I want to hold her hand and be by her side all time, in the real world she has to learn to take care of herself too.

Technorati Tags: Preschool Diaries, Writing

I was thinking that eventhough my daughter enjoyed her day at the beach it would still be better if she goes swimming in a pool next time. I felt bad that she came down with slight fever when we got home from our day at the beach. She didn’t go for more than thirty minutes but I guess having pool heaters is still better for her. This was her first time swimming in a beach but I wasn’t expecting her to get sick since she’s gone swimming before (but in a pool). She did have lots of fun though, she wasn’t scared of the sand nor the waves so I didn’t feel so guilty that she got sick afterwards.

Technorati Tags: Writing

A few days after we returned from vacation and Iyah got back to school I found out that they will have their racial harmony day at school. Have I known about this while we were in Manila I would have gotten her a fancy filipino traditional costume. Instead a friend from school gave us her daughter’s chinese dress for Iyah to wear. She looks adorable of course but I would have loved for her to wear a kimona and saya next time. I would be more prepared next year I promise

Technorati Tags: Preschool Diaries, Racial Harmony Day 2010

I know I should be doing more important things like maybe perusing the copy of the life insurance quotes comparison my mom asked me to read for her I don’t feel like doing anything today. I have this terrible cough it’s not getting better, I ‘m tired from coughing too much that all I want to do is lie down. Well I’m reading an e-book right now but still that’s the only thing I want to do at the moment. It’s a good thing the little girl is happily playing by herself right now, I can have a few minutes to myself before she insist I play with her.

Technorati Tags: Writing