Three weeks old.

Luca screams at the top of his voice when he is hungry and very much an impatient chap.

It takes two persons to bathe him and at night, two persons to attend to him. One for diaper change and the other to prepare milk for him.

An infant faces no worries but Luca frowns at times and mostly smiles - thankfully if not he'll look like his dad. Ha ha.

His hair a little brown and we suspect he might have visited the salon before he arrived.

He continues to wheeze even though we purchased a humidifier and very often finds himself in a pool of poo when he wakes up perhaps due to the wrong size of diaper he is wearing. (Just a guess as we are still figuring out).

He burps pretty loudly when ge feels like it if not he won't even burp after half an hour of patting his back. If only he could do what his mum is best at - burp. Loudly.

This little rascal is a worth our time and attention as we enjoy every moment of parenthood.

When he cries ..

I feel helpless and it pains me to see him suffer for reasons I cannot explain.

Perhaps he is hungry, perhaps he is cold. I still don't understand his gestures even after 3 weeks.

Maybe I need another couple of weeks because I am a slow learner.









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Sleepless...

I can't wait for Luca's next milestone. I know it is exaggerating but that's what parents are. Exaggerated love.

Since his umblical cord dropped off couple of days back, I now look forward to his developed tear ducts release of those first tears.

Well. Not that I am evil but having tears would mean he is growing well.

Just yesterday Sandy told me hid navel had trickles of blood. Ok. Exaggerated. Just a tiny drop and that sent me looking in the direction of google. To find out what's normal and what's not.

The anxiety of parents.

He slept well on our bed last night and woke up after three hours of sleep. For milk and a change of diaper.

As usual, mother would be the first to react while I try to turn a deaf ear to him wanting further attention but after awhile, I just had to wake up and make sure Luca is fine.

Our sleeping pattern has changed drastically and Sandy complains that I snore rather loud these days. I guess because I am tired. Physically that is.

I try to turn in as early as 10pm or whenever Luca manages to fall asleep into the night. You know why don't you? Because you never know when the sleep will be disrupted thus sleep is now a top priority.

I hope he grows up to be a gentleman and importantly a healthy and fit chap.

Not like his father who now looks as if fatigue has prevailed. ; )

Yes. I look terribly sleepy all the time but I am enjoying every bit of this journey - parenthood.








12 days old.... hideKraM on the go ....

Luca's Thoughts ...

 

I can't believe this world is stranger than I thought.

It is not wet but I feel cold at times.

From where I came from, I lived in a wet environment but I never shivered. 

 

I hardly made any noise in my wet world except for my usual hiccups

Now, I wail at the top of my voice because I feel uncomfortable.

And a strange hand will lift me up without seeking my persmission.

 

The sounds I hear no longer beat in rhythm like before

It is what I now call noise. 

Voices of different pitch and some can be really loud.

 

Once awhile I get a treat to return to the water

But it never lasts longer than three minutes

And I always wonder why not

 

Now I cry when I get hungry and I'll be fed milk

It never was like that and the mouth will need to open to stay full

If only I could taste lasagne soon again 

 

 

 

 

10 days old ..

Time flies and Luca is now 10 days old .... Or rather this picture was taken when he was 7 days old.




It is a lot of joy learning to read his cries, his actions and best of all, his facial expression. They amuse me all the time.

Despite keeping Sandy and I awake all night, I guess Luca's presence is more than bliss. Just watching his every move when he suckles from the bottle brings me to reality that feeding a child is no easy task.

They struggle when they are hungry and they struggle again when they are filled. Worst is when you try hard to burp him and nothing comes out except for processed milk - vomit.

It smells but it doesn't annoy me.

His poo smells (a little) and surely looks disgusting but I still won't get annoyed and would proceed to help him get changed.

This is the joy of parenting.

I used to wonder how my parents tolerated my bad behaviour when I was younger but now I know.

It is love ....




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A happy family.

In my prayers, I wish not for wealth but for health and most importantly happiness in the family.

As most of you are aware, my boy is a week old now. Healthy and at times naughty. Cries at night like all babies but the bad side for us is that we have yet to learn the signs of what he wants and needs from us.

We are perhaps slow learners but happy to learn.

Anyway, the family had a big dispute over the weekend and it is about the caring of both mother and child. It seems like a very common issue faced by families all around me. Cousins and even friends have shared but I thought I would be spared the agony of such a squabble.

Just like the wails of a baby, the squabble seems inevitable but at no point of time did I intend to hurt any parties involved but I guess I did.

I might have hurt two persons whom are very close to me - the baby's great grandma and grandma whom have every intention to do good for both Sandy and Luca.

And we appreciate all their efforts and help but due to some reasons, I have no choice but to make a difficult decision. I shall write no more but just hope that that they understand my intentions for them are not bad too.

And for sure I will make them my role model and care for my kid the way they cared for me but perhaps only in a different manner but still with good intentions, love, warmth and most importantly maintain a happy family.

Whatever it is, we are a big happy family and my prayers will not be left unanswered.


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Finally ... The arrival of My Little Prince

It didn't take too long for Sandy to push Luca through the gates of the birth canal, sending him into the arms of Dr Heng at Parkway East. Surely a day to remember.

We expected a longer battle of 'breathe in & out' but a miracle just happened and in three quick pushes and mere 3 minutes or less, Luca's head popped out from his hideout followed by his entire self.

I thank our guardian angels for the blessings and for giving Sandy minimal pain throughout pregnancy and delivery. Thank you also to all the prayers and wishes you have given us to enable a smooth delivery.








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The Song For Luca

No other song rings in my ear except for this original song I composed for my little Prince while I wait for his grand appearance.

----
We heard the news
You were coming

We embraced
As we knew for sure

That your eyes will look
Like ours

And that smile
Will melt all hearts

I couldn’t really believe it
That soon I will be a father

But the news kept me awake all night
Because I was all excited

I know that when you grow up
You will look like me

But it’ll be better to look like mummy
Because she’s all so pretty pretty …

We’ll travel the world
We’ll climb all mountains
We’ll sing this song
And let it live on
As we’ll grow in age together

We’ll teach our Luca to sing this song
We’ll want him to sing and write us another song
So our songs can be forever


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Location:Telok Kurau Rd,,Singapore

Luca's on his way...

Seated along the corridor of Eastshore Hospital, I am waiting for the doctors and nurses to gear up Sandy for the final lap - Luca's delivery.

At 0115am when Sandy shouted the code to inform me that Luca is about to make his entrance while taking a pee, I got all excited but we didn't panic. She even took a shower while I chose what was most suitable clothes to welcome my little Prince Luca.

It has been a long wait for today and finally I am waiting outside the delivery ward for the nurses to allow me in to be the cheerleader of the mother-son team.

A delayed mother's day gift I suppose from Luca.

Sandy is now doing her epidural and I hope she isn't in much pain as she receives the jab and won't be in too much pain later too as she delivers Luca.

I am sure all will turn out well for both mother and son as Sandy and I start our journey of parenthood.

Will update all again later once he is delivered.

Location:Telok Kurau Rd,,Singapore

In two weeks...

.. Or maybe within a week, Luca will charge his way out from Sandy's 'you-know-what' and greet us all with a hearty cry. A cry of joy from being released from the dark and wet environment he has been living in for nine odd months.

As the time gets nearer and whenever Sandy calls me, I'll ask if she is in labour. If you know her well enough, you can guess her answer. Yes. That's right!




Still eating lots despite the doctor's advice, I wonder if she will slim down from the numerous weight and fats she gained from pregnancy. I sure hope she can if not it is going to be hard on me. Ha ha.

Last night I completed the hundred-page book, The Little Prince and gave Luca the permission to make his way out of the birth canal but maybe he just wasn't paying enough attention as he was thinking about the story of The Little Prince with golden hair.

Perhaps the time is ripe for my little prince to say hello. So Luca boy, work hard to find your way out. We hope to be able to see you soon and don't forget to bring us the light and joy because we'll do the same for you.

Luca's Engagement ...

Don't read it wrongly. It is not about Luca's marriage. We haven't found him a partner yet. : )

 

Luca's engagement refers to the stage whereby his head has descended into Sandy's pelvic cavity and in other words, we are closer to receiving Luca from his wet and dark little hideout and delivering him into this world where everything is beautiful, warm and full of light.

 

It can be anytime soon as he is ready to charge into our arms. Or rather, the doctor's. I can just imagine myself cry out with tears of joy as I wrap my hands around my little prince and giving him a peck on his forehead. It will be the moment of my life. A life changing experience.

 

I have on numerous occassions 'practiced' the route I would need to take from home to the hospital just in case Sandy's water bag burst while I am fast asleep but I have yet to practice the route from Sandy's office to Eastshore. I guess I'll be very cool when Sandy shows signs of labour.

 

We have prepared Luca's clothes for him to wear when he heads home after being discharged and guess what is the color? You guessed it right!! Red! My favourite color. : )

 

Lots of visuals enter my mind as I imagine Sandy being wheeled into the delivery theatre with lots of nurses around to cheer her on. Breathe in .. Breathe out ... Breathe in ... while my hands are being squeezed blue by Sandy while she screams out in pain. Yes, it can be a painful process. No kidding.

 

The only thing I can do is to be with her during that time and making my presence known that I am with her and Luca throughout the delivery.

 

Counting down .. to endless joy .. endless love .. endless fun .. and very much endless sleep too.

 

 

第一次

请允许我用中文字来表达意见好吗？

其实我的华语已经还给老师了可是因为有了iphone之后我可用汉语拼音来输入中文字了。

昨晚庆祝了妈妈和表妹的生日。吃了西餐，真的不错。有的喝酒又有的看足球。真的好棒哈。只是打台球，输了。 没面子了。

好了，就让我祝妈妈身体健康，每天开心， 生日快乐。







.... hideKraM on the go ....

Killer ...

Just two nights ago while using the bathroom at home, I noticed a black lizard on the corner of the ceiling. My. I have never seen such a tanned, big and fat lizard.

 

I quickly called out to Sandy for help in gathering the equipment required to rid off the friendly pest. Yes, I know lizards are supposedly to be friendly but not one that lingers around my en-suite. Too close to my bedroom thus no way!

 

It took me twenty minutes before I got rid of the lizard but during the process, it was a cat and mouse chase. The tail dropped off while in defence mode and the sight of the wriggling tail still haunts me even till now.

 

I guess I am feeling very guilty about having to vacuum the poor fella and taking its life. I had no choice because if Sandy were to be the one in the toilet and having a close encounter with the lizard, she'll scream and freak out. That won't be good for Luca. It'll scare him.

 

Being a father isn't easy. This is just the beginning. I have to protect my home and my loved ones. For the sake of them, some things need to be sacrificed.

In less than 30 days ...

 ... Luca Chong will join the family and like his name, he'll bring more than light to us.

 

It has been a very exciting time from the day we learnt about Sandy's pregnancy to buying all the baby products we need. I guess we are very much prepared for Junior Mark to pop anytime but of course, the later the better as Luca will need lots of nutrition through mummy.

 

I really wonder who he'll look like but I hope he will have a pleasant personality. But I believe in his younger days, he'll be a rebel just like I was when I was a kid. I guess it is going to be pay back time for when I was younger, I often talked back at my parents and never really allowed things done their way because my way was the best. Haha.

 

Let's face it. We don't know what kind of parents we'll be too. Who knows I might just spare the rod and spoil the child or perhaps spoil the rod and spare the child. ; )

 

It doesn't matter how we'll bring Luca up because we will do what we can to provide him the best childhood and the best learning experiences in life.

 

We will give him all we can and make sure he is comfortable.

 

Luca, we look forward to meeting you soon but I am sure it won't be that soon because I aren't going to complete reading the Little Prince just yet so stay in your wet hideout and wait till the book is complete. : )  

Remember me...

I had a casual conversation with one of my girlfriends and we stumbled into a taboo topic. Death.

Quite a morbid thought but it happens to everyone anyway so why fear the taboo? Let's not go into details but perhaps you want to ask yourself - how do you want to be remembered?

For me, perhaps I want to be remembered by songs. My own compositions as well as some other songs I so often croon.

Yes. X-Japan and Leslie Cheung is sure a must to remember me.

So after one passes on, how long would it take for that person to be forgotten? I asked myself if I think about relatives and friends who passed away and yes, I do.

What this girlfriend of mine said is true. It will be remembered forever as long as the memory remains functional.

So when it is my turn to go, will you remember me for the good and bad things I left impressions on you?

Importantly, please remember me and my favourite songs.




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Happy Birthday Po Po.

I had an enjoyable evening with family, relatives and especially cousins.

Well, it is Grandma's birthday and by counting the candles on the cake, you sure can tell she is old but still very healthy and alert.








Besides the celebratory cake cutting, the other highlight of the night was the karaoke machine made available in the dining room.

It was the first time Gregory and I sang together after so many years. Ok. Karaoke wasn't popular in our younger days but the songs we picked sure were top hits that we grew up with.

We grew up listening to pretty similar songs and we even sang the song 'Friends' by Michael Smith. Gregory reminded me that the song was from the CD Mega Hits, a popular compilation of hit songs of the billboard charts.or was it cassette?

Frankly, the last song we sang together sure brought me lots of memories from our childhood. Beside the once in a blue moon fights, we had lots of fun together playing what kids played. Toys. Lego and Transformers.




Alicia and Jean joined in the karaoke session too. It was pure fun and they too are part of the family as they sang Anak.




After dinner, i brought my two brothers to Long Bar for a drink and my, they gulped their alcohol real quickly but as soon as they reached home, they went straight to bed. Was it the alcohol or were they just tired?



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Pregnant versus Aged

Just yesterday while at dinner with a couple of friends, we discussed about the giving up of seats on public transport.

 

See. We have two pregnant ladies amongst us and they both have received the honor of having someone give up their seat for them while on a train or a bus.

 

Who says our society is lacking in courtesy and kindness that requires expensive campaigns? Well, I am not actually going to talk about the campaigns and how it managed to help our society by turning it into a gracious community in Singapore.

 

Let me ask you a question.

 

Assuming you are seated comfortably on the train and a pregnant lady walks through the doors of the train with her hands on her hips. Behind her is a frail man aged 70 thereabouts who looks weak enough to fall off when the train departs its station.

 

Given such a scenario, who will you give up your seat to? It is an open argument.

 

One friend said that he'll give it up for the pregnant lady because it'll benefit two lives rather than one. Another friend made a funny remark saying that it'll only benefit the mother because it didn't matter to the unborn child whether or not he was seated.

 

As for me, I think I would give up the seat for the old man. I don't know why but I thought it'll be better for the old man to sit. Don't ask me for the reason because if I said it, I am sure many people will start shooting at me.

 

So what's your take? If at all possible, turn to the next person and ask him or her to also give up the seat so that both the old and the pregnant can have their priority seats. : )

A year on ... it's getting better.

My life took a drastic turn last year this time but thankfully, I managed to pull together and emerge victorious.

 

For those closer, they know what I am talking about but for those who aren't that close but are concerned, I can only tell you I am better now. Much better. : )

 

Time flies and with a blink of an eye, I will be a father in 38 days thereabouts. Earlier or later, we leave it to Luca to decide because noone else can decide his entrance into the Chong family.

 

Most items are ready for Luca except for clothes, toiletries, maternity bag and a lot of washing to be done. I guess like all first time fathers, I am very excited. Very.

 

What's it going to be like a month from now? : ) Just can't wait!

 

 

 

 

If ...

If it wasn't you, who could it be?

 

If it wasn't your smile, could it be someone elses?

 

If our story wasn't written, who would have read?

 

If my songs don't play, would you have heard?

 

If I hadn't fallen for you, would his name be Luca?

 

 

In life, there seem to be so many questions on the equation 'what if?'

 

Questions after questions, the answers can never end but what is important is that I treasure 'now' as I forget the 'what ifs' because life treats me right -  like always.

 

 

 

 

In my dreams.

Do you at times find yourself crying in your dreams and when you awake, your eyes are wet with tears and the pillow you sleep on is soaked?

I often do. I wonder why. Is it because I'm overly emotional or purely just sick in the head turning psycho. I guess I got to do a google search on this topic.

But relax. I also laugh loudly too. The emotional strings play either way. Well, the person sleeping beside me will have to get used to all these weird sounds that might just startle them in the middle of their sleep.

Hmm. Who else can it be beside me in bed right? Ever since marriage it has to be Sandy but maybe not. We'll see. ; )

I asked around recently on whether others have the same experience in their sleep but many said they never encountered such except for one.

Does that make me a weird and abnormal person? I don't know but I sure know I have a very sensitive emotional system which breaks down easily so be gentle on me and think before raising your voice at me because it could cause me to cry in my sleep. Ha ha.


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