I am a funny person you know. I put up as many Irfan's pictures, and I looked at it so many times on my computer when Irfan's is asleep. Seriously, I miss Irfan when he is asleep. Babies get tired much easily so after 2 hours of being awake and playing, they only want to be fed and put to sleep again. Irfan is sleeping about 15 hours a day so when he is asleep, I wish he is awake. At times, when he is awake, he needs attention, then I wish he goes back to sleep. Hehe.

Umar, since you always wear pink and wishes to see Irfan in one, this is the best I can do. Irfan in his pink bunny wrap. I don't have outfits in girlie colors ok! But to me, doesn't really matter what colors he wears. Except, pink and blue clearly differentiate boy and girl. So later on, when my daughter comes along, and both their clothes of various colors, it could be difficult telling which is who's.
My son now poo once in 2 days. According to the doctor, that is normal and healthy. We still have quite a load of nappies of pee still. Irfan sleeps with me every night, and it's comforting to see him snuggle up next to me. Very cute, and now I think I finally get the point in my head, and I am a mother. And that, my son is here by my side. He is growing up so fast, and everyone on the street loves looking and asking about him. Makes me a proud mom, as always.My husband is cooking tonight as the chef is serving his last week at work. I got one other staff on duty as I doubt it will be busy tonight. Like I mentioned before, it's winter. Like everyone, I too rather stay home. I am supposed to list the furniture and car for sale on the website and Ebay which is not done. Been rather slack today. I need to get them done tomorrow for sure. Also, need to clean and vacuum the house, and I did some printing jobs to promote the new Winter Menu. We still got 2 months here, so I was hoping to collect as much money within next 2 months to bring back more to Singapore on top of the money we get from the business sale. We have 6 bank accounts here in Australia inclusive of 2 business accounts, 2 credit cards and 2 personal ones. I need to close these accounts by next month. What else? Hmmm, need to arrange to send the coffee table & dishwasher to the farm for Mother Rae and Dad Desmond. Theirs was not working well, and since our dishwasher is still in excellent condition, we'll send it to them. Question is: How to go back farm after we sell our car? Maybe borrow Sandi's car I guess!

I am waiting on July to check once more with the ICA Singapore with regards to Paul's Singapore Permanent Resident Application status because I want him to get a job as a JC Maths Lecturer/Teacher with MOE as soon as we arrived in Singapore. I need Paul's CPF to start up and running in order for me to apply for HDB. CPF, in other words called Superannuation here, can be transferred from Australia to Singapore. That would even make things better because we can use his Superannuation as part of the deposit for our Singapore HDB which means less liquid cash.

Ok enough blabbering tonight. I got so many clothes to fold. My husband has been doing the washing - wash after wash and I am very far behind him in keeping up with the pile of clothes to fold. Irfan just went to bed, I should be doing so too. Still got much errands and paperwork to do. I am a housewife, but still working at home! Singapore, we'll be back soon....

The business is sold. When my husband left the engineering field last year, we decided to start some business of our own and we bought a restaurant. There were ups & downs to handling business, not to mention staff and paperwork. But we are glad that the last one year, we worked for ourselves, worked so much less too. It's great especially now that bub is here, so everyday of our lives since he was born, is spent mostly with him. We didn't miss his first smile, or first laugh and we enjoy every moment he is here.

My chef once mentioned to me that he knew a couple of F&B business for sale yet after many years, still not sold. We were worried at first if ours weren't going to. But after 10 days of listing it, we sold it. We were lucky I would say, but at the same time, I was once after all a sales & marketing professional before marriage, so it seems I haven't lose that magical touch of selling. We got it sold at a price we wanted and with that profit, we can start anything we want in Singapore as well as making the deposits of our new home.

The restaurant was taken over by an Asian lady who will be making security deposit next week as we sign over the legal papers of changeover, and full settlement of the balance 90% is due in 60 days from July 1st. We are left with 2 months to trade before we officially hand over the keys to the business and apartment to its new owner. After that 2 months is complete, hopefully my husband's PR will too. Then we be busy booking our one way ticket and set off to go.

In the meantime, the annual tax return is due soon this month. The changeover of all licenses and utilities, the packing up, selling the car and the furniture & making our last trip to the farm to meet our in-laws. I knew they will be missing us greatly but the one thing good about them, they are always very supportive. They have confidence Singapore is a very educated place for bub in future, and as grandparents, they want the best for Irfan which we do too. But I'll definitely be missing them. Paul & I commit ourselves to return to visit them at least twice a year, Easter & Christmas. Last 2 years, we always gather for Christmas and open up the presents by the Xmas tree. Every year I make sure we will. And now that Irfan is here, we are excited to see what are the presents for him for his first Christmas!

Of course, be missing our beloved sister, Sandi Parker. She has been visiting us every fortnight to catch up with the development of Irfan. As family, she is one of the most important people in Irfan's life and he has got to know her as he grows up.I hated this country - for many reasonable reasons.The weather sucks. Now that we are stuck in winter for the next 3 months, today's recorded temperature is 10 degrees day and 5 degrees at night, accompanied with rain. It has been raining since yesterday night till tonight as I typed this entry and we have not seen the sun at all. Winter can be depressing you know. Business tonight was quiet as well - and I understand due to this kind of weather, wet and cold, I too would rather stay home. Another reason is the cleanliness. There is vandalism and graffiti everywhere. This seem to be an unsolvable problem here and it is getting out of control. Most buildings, tracks, path are vandalised badly. So prominent that it looks so ugly. And roadsides, footpaths are not as clean as Singapore. Litter is everywhere here. I never come across a road-sweeper before here. We, in Singapore, should start appreciating the existence of these humble workers for the things they do that make our environment a pleasant place to live in. You may think that don't affect you, but trust me, cleanliness outside your own home, does matter! Next comes the poor public transport. The trains comes every 15 minutes, and when it does, all cars on the road had to stop in its path. The buses comes every 1 hour and stops at 7 pm. However, there was this one I waited for a bus from 5 pm and until 7 pm, it still didn't arrive. From then on, I hated the bus service. Also would like to add, people here kept committing suicide by jumping on train tracks, and this causes delay or the train service for that line to be suspended the whole day - causing inconvenience to other commuters. The taxi rides, not to mention, are so expensive. A half an hour ride to the airport from our house cost A$80. No thanks!

I can seriously go on and on about the things that put me off, especially malls and shops close at 5 pm on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays & Sundays. So save your money to shop on the rest of the week. So knowing I can finally come back home to Singapore - it makes me over the moon. If you hate Singapore, I have no comment to add. Now that I have lived in a foreign country, it makes me more appreciate of home. Real Home.

Yes I know I owe my readers and friends pictures of Irfan. Good news is I found the charger and now my camera is back to work. I have been taking some pictures earlier and hope you like his pictures. I would say he look so much different now, and most of you will agree with me.

Based on his last check up, my handsome baby boy is now 4.8 kilos and 57.5 cm long. As usual, healthy and strong. He loves opening his eyes much wider now, always curious to see his surroundings, wants to play more and sleep less, and talks a lot. Seriously a lot. I was told he can see us vividly now, so... forgive Irfan if he cries in your cuddle. He only has his parents to hang out with each day, so other people are complete strangers to him. Here are some of his pictures. And if you would like to print them, and place them under your pillow as you sleep, you may. :) ** Kidding **
Tomorrow is mid week. Time flies fast. Daniel Irfan is now 8 weeks old. See... time flies really fast doesn't it, and I am trying my best to keep up with it. I will be sleeping all smiles tonight, with Irfan by my side, as I imagined what a wonderful life it will be in Singapore for my beloved husband, myself and my miracle - my son.

PS: The "buai-buai" given by someone for Irfan last week - well, sorry let's just say it didn't work out with Irfan. But I appreciate it anyway. Shall keep for my next bub !

Just to warn others, this entry is without any pictures. Not that we are tired of snapping our beloved ehem ehem, but my battery for my digital camera has gone low and silly of me, not remembering where I misplaced the charger for that. *still looking* I promised more pictures now that Irfan is 7 weeks 3 days old today.

We went to see my GP today. I first met Dr Kathryn Degaris from Brighton Clinic the night I lost Elman at the Sandringham Hospital. And that day, as she realised how devastated I was, she looked me in the eye and said, please let me be your GP for your next pregnancy and I will ensure this won't happen. I trusted her then, and I am glad I did.

She overlooks my general health from that point on, and ensuring that I am recovering well physically and emotionally after Elman and preparing my body for the next pregnancy. And, I hit bull's eye, when I got Irfan. And she was so protective over his pregnancy so were all her other staff. We went for lots of check up with her, and she arranged for a lot of scan and monitor them well. She made sure everything is going in order and when we realised Irfan was getting big than normal babies, she recommended Caesarean and I agreed with her. And when I had Irfan, she came to the hospital and checked me at my ward. And then on, we met her several times again as she monitors my health recovering from Caesarean and Irfan's health & development. Undeniably, she is the perfect doctor - and I am so lucky I got her.

Today as we met her, for the last time, since we due to migrate soon, I can tell how happy she was for what I have achieved. A healthy baby and my dreams once shattered, she has relived them. I owe her too many thanks for assisting us in being blessed with Irfan and I hope, God will always protect her. Her bubbly and friendly approach will always be missed. Though she wished us the best and bid us farewell, I wished someday I see her again.

Thank you, Dr Kathryn. You gave us hope and you made it happened. You are special in our hearts, especially in mine. And her other staff, was going goo-goo-gaa-gaa over Irfan and insisted that he is a gorgeous baby. And as we told them our plans to leave for Singapore, they were a little sad not seeing this lil guy anymore and last I heard they say, "Daniel, we knew you before you were born. Way before"... well.. yes u did.

And Daniel Irfan Parker is a healthy baby as claimed by Dr. Kathryn Degaris. I am healthy too... except I have a slight problems, I lost appetite for 3 weeks before when I had fever and I lost weight drastically. 5 kilos to be exact and I should start being a glutton to gain weight again. Because loss of weight can affect my breastmilk production and it wouldn't be fair on Irfan, would it?

I went up to the farm last weekend. For those who wouldn't know, the farm is where my in-laws resided with their 400 cows (they are dairy farmers) and located far out in the countryside. As usual, fantastic hospitality. As soon as we arrived on their porch, we have them coming over to give us an extremely huge hug and kisses. That's my in laws. Funny, how sometimes strangers treat you like family and family treat you like strangers. Anyways, Mother Rae was meant to take me out shopping to Echuca town but she fell sick the next day. And 2 days after that which is today, she has undergone a major surgery and is now recovering well in the hospital. We have got to see her before we leave.

Leave for where, you might wonder! Good news is insyaallah, we are migrating back to Singapore by August this year which is only 2 months from now. Hopefully, as confirmation comes next week, a Mauritian lady will be taking over the business sometime end month and as settlement completed, we are packing our bags and set to go. Go HOME.
But there is many things to get done before migration. A long list indeed and I give myself a month to have that settled.

Irfan, my lovely baby boy is now 7 weeks 3 days old. How time flies! It feels as if it was yesterday when I am still pregnant with him. And today he is in front of my eyes 24/7. He talks so much more now, like nagging sometimes with the baby language. And many times I have told him to keep his saliva in his mouth, yet he insists to make bubbles with them. And he smiles at me now and winks at strangers (cheeky boy!) Overall, he is healthy and tomorrow is his regular fortnightly check up with the Maternity Healthy Nurse and we will know how much heavier and taller my son has grown since 2 weeks ago. He sleeps so well, and Paul & I only get up once a night to change his nappy. And speaking of nappies, it is much lesser in quantity and he only poo once a day (normal, not too worry). I am counting the days when he gets to 3 months and we can play will him all day.

Also, a nice lady (waitress) from an Asian restaurant we frequently dine, gave us a gift. It is the "buai-buai" that our grandmothers and mothers use to dodoi us to sleep. The one that is hanged from the ceiling and a baby is placed in the cloth. (i'll put up a pic of it when its ready and when I find that battery charger!) So traditional and I would love to see if Irfan likes it.

It's June 30th soon and over here, we need to submit tax return ourselves. So I am preparing so much documents for the business, Paul's and mine tax return to submit to our accountant. And next year, I can finally not have to do this anymore cos it is hassle.

I'll have to mess up this house or clean it if I have to - to find back that charger. Cos it is only fair, I put Irfan growing pictures. Tell me, you wouldn't want to miss his 7th week pictures would you? I know huh, I am such a Kiasu & Kanchiong Mother!

My growing baby boy changes every day. His features became more distinctive and permanent. And he certainly look different that how we first brought him home. His hair has start to fall off, to give way to his permanent hair of permanent color to start growing. His eyes have start to lose its blueness and now very much just grey. He start talking more, becoming more alert, and interactive. I am not sure if he can already see faces or just shadows - but very soon, he should be able to see colours and more importantly, recognise his parents. Me and Paul ! Maybe by the time he can recognize his parents, he might not like to be carried by strangers.
The restaurant if up for sale. (Any interested buyers may contact me) ;) ... Hopefully we clinched a buyer in a month's time, and settlement usually take 60 days after. Once that is confirmed, then we can give out a fixed date of our permanent migration into Singapore. Though we are still awaiting results for Paul's PR application status. It is said to take about as fast as 1 month to 3 months. So by next month, hopefully we'll know the results and Paul can then apply with MOE to obtain the teaching job, and we can go ahead with selecting our HDB Apartment.

I will definitely miss this restaurant and the country (regardless how much I hate this place) but I am looking forward to Singapore. Life will be great then, our own place, maybe a small family car, living my days with my beloved son and husband, where family is near, and where my career and husband's can flourished. A perfect dream come true. And once we got all that settled down, I was hoping for another offspring in early 2009. Preferably a girl.

Tomorrow, I will be visiting my ex-colleagues at an office I used to work at during 6 months of my pregnancy - Pets Paradise. I used to be the Asst Manager there under Purchasing Department, and when I left 5 weeks before Irfan come along, they gave presents, wished me the best and was hoping to see Irfan soon. And since we were so busy travelling during first month ( to Singapore and to the country to see in-laws ) finally they are seeing him. They told me before about joining them as part time first and full time when I am ready. Initially I thought I might work again cos I love working. But since Irfan come along, it's not worth. Cos I want to see my son grow and change each day without missing his first smile, his laugh, etc etc and at the same time, I am breastfeeding so my son needs me to grow.Daniel Irfan turns 6 weeks old today. He also start playing with his saliva. Hehe. Another 6 weeks time, he will be 3 months, smilling and playing with us. I can't wait for that. And who knows, by 6 months, my son will be crawling around the house. And once he start crawling, Paul said we have to place him in a cot so he doesn't wander around at night and disappears if he sleeps on the bed.

Business has been good last week and hopefully as good this week. Next 3 months will be hectic to prepare for migration. I can already tell.

A baby is a blessing. With Daniel Irfan in our lives, we feel most blessed. He is everything we wanted. If there are so many people in love with Irfan, no one loves him more than his parents, no one care for him more than Paul and me. Especially me - who carried him in my own tummy for 9 months, through those morning sickness and painful joint aches, and eventually even cut through myself to have him out safe and sound. I fed him the healthiest food which made him big and healthy. It's not considered as a trouble, but pregnancy isn't that easy especially since that takes up 3/4 of a year. So if you are a parent, going through exactly what I've been through - would it every cross your mind to ever hurt your own child, your own flesh and blood, your own offspring? If I am such a mother, I don't deserve Irfan, I don't deserve to live.
Many times I have mentioned, my husband is my life and my son is my beating heart and without them, life would be pointless. No one else in this world matters to me more than them, my very own family which I've built. My love for them is unconditional, and irreplaceable. And whatever is within my power, I only intend to provide and give them the best in life.I know many people would love Irfan, especially my extended family, but that does not mean that you can get your hands into my family affairs and decide to control the way Irfan is brought up to the way you want. I feel like I am a adult, I chose to get married, choose to bear a child and choose to start my own family. Due to this, I feel, regardless whom you are, I appreciate you no longer make decisions for me.

Our holidays in Singapore was partly pleasurable, and mostly unpleasant. The good news, Irfan citizenship is on the way to Melbourne, then we can apply HLE and come back maybe in August to select a HDB on our own. Paul and I are already enthusiastic about decor and furniture for our new place. And thank god, we don't have differences in that respective.

They say the people who can hurt you the most isn't your worst enemy, but the one closest to you.

** Due to some complains, this paragraph is deleted. :) **

On a different note, Irfan went for his usual check-up this week. He actually have to go every week or fortnight to see his Maternity Health Nurse who keep track of his growth. If you guys didn't realize yet, my son has start to talk - the baby language. He made those noises as if talking to communicate. We don't understand but we love hearing how happy Irfan is. His last check up was before we went Singapore exactly 3 weeks ago - today he has grown 540 grams heavier to be 4.425 kg, has grown 2 cm longer to be 55.5 cm, and his head circumference is growing 2 cm bigger to be 38 cm. They checked his strength - my son can hold up his head whilst he sit down. stand up and when he is on his tummy. They check if he reacts to sound - by using a bell- and he passed that one. And of course, the nurse too realized he has started to talk.

Healthy and happy Irfan - makes us happy parents. That's all that matters, my family.

1st June 2007 is the day when my most beloved, Daniel Irfan turned 1 month old. Time flies before we realized and my son is now a big boy. Happy 1st Birthday Irfan - Mommy & Daddy loves you to bits.

I had small gatherings at my house and I appreciate those who came on Saturday evening and Sunday, family, friends and classmates. It was small gatherings but you are selective special people I would like to show my son to. And thank you so much for the presents (which was unnecessary), the time and for saying Irfan is cute! Hehehe...

And here are our guests. Thank you for coming. Truly appreciate it. Next time Irfan have a party is when he turned 1 year old. Though I was planning for his cukur rambut and sunat end of this year. See how that goes.

She is Wati, a friend I met through friendster, she and her boyfriend came to see Irfan on Saturday evening. They were among the first to come and I hope Wati, you have had a great time with Irfan. And hope you enjoy the food. :)

And my beloved ex-classmates and ex-schoolmates came too. Thank you. Fadziah, cute kan anak aku macam mak dia? And Jaja, though you were sleepy as we called to say hi. That's alright. As promised, I'll get Irfan to call u when he can speak. Hehehe.

More family came too.

Another beautiful girl I've met thru Friendster came on Sunday to see Irfan - she has always admitted to be Ifan's stalker and thanks love for those gifts you got him. I hope you fall in love more now that you've seen Mr. Heartbreaker. We hope to see you again soon, Aunt Nadya!

On Monday, met up with my aunties and more cousins at Seoul Garden, Tampines Mall. They bought even more presents and we spent a good 3 hours at Seoul Garden eating. Hey kata buffet, bayar sekali, makan banyak kali. Hehe. Thank you for everything!
And now Paul, myself and Irfan are back in Australia. We arrived home at 3 am yesterday morning. It was a great flight as Irfan always sleeps on long journey. See how good a baby he has been? So tired, luggage still unpacked and this house is in a mess. I need to organise many stuff tomorrow once I am done with blog.

Thank you to those who send us off at the airport. :)

Till we see all of you again in October, when Irfan will be 5 months old.
Lots of Love, Halim, Leza & Irfan