Happy Anniversary 2023 ❤️

 26.10.23 This is our 10th wedding anniversary and 16 years together. I can't help but reflect on the incredible journey we've been on together. Over the past decade, we've faced joys and challenges, and I am deeply grateful for the love and companionship you've brought into my life.

For the past months, we have been planning what to get for each other. We wanted something special and memorable since it’s our 1st decade in marriage.

And this is what we got for each other. 

And we renewed our vows.

Our vows 

We promise to continue loving and cherishing each other, even more than we did on our wedding day. We promise to be each other’s unwavering support through all the highs and lows that life brings our way. We vow to be partners in all of our adventures, big and small, and to never stop exploring and discovering the world together.

We pledge to keep the flame of passion burning in our relationship, to always be open and honest in our communication, and to be patient and understanding when times get tough. We promise to laugh together, cry together, and grow old together, creating countless beautiful memories together.

In sickness and in health, in joy and in sorrow, through all the years to come, we promise to be faithful, loving, and devoted partner. 

I look forward to spending the rest of my life by your side, building a future filled with love, laughter, and endless happiness.

And the witness for this special occasion?

Our 2 boys! 

 

It’s a good day. 

Till our next anniversary. 

With love,

Evelyn

Happy 34 to myself

*throwback to a post written on my 34th birthday 🎂 

Happy 34 to myself 🥰

34,

when I prefer simple celebration.

When I know what I truly like and dislike. 

When I can send floral website link to my hubby and request for flower within a budget so that he don’t anyhow buy. 

When I stop trying to do everything but focus on things that matters. 

When I enjoy and treasure time with my loved ones. 

When I can talk about uncomfortable things comfortably.

When I only invite beautiful things into my life and nothing less. 

When other’s opinions become noise and I listen to my inner voice.

When I realised while my hubby and children are important, I am also as important.

When I learn to listen to my body and mind.

Thanks Tan Zheng Wen for celebrating 34 with me and thanks for baby carrying Didi while taking this flattering photo of me. Didi napped thru our brunch and we managed to have a very peaceful meal.

It’s nice to put away those mommy’s outfit 

and dressed up on my birthday. 😊

Happy Anniversary 2020

Finally took the time to write this. 

It has been more than 3 weeks since we celebrated our Anniversary on 26th October. 

Life is good without blogging. Peaceful.

This year Anniversary is a special one. 

We are flipping into a new chapter in life, expecting our Number 2. ♥️

You are the best gift in life. 

Till next anniversary. 

Love, 

Eve 

My reflection before the end of 2018

Reflecting before the end of 2018...

Typing when Daddy and Aedan are both sound asleep. 

We have been back Singapore for a year.

Thinking back, 2018 has passed fast. 

A lot of energy is spent in setting a routine for Aedan since his start of half day school.

It was a struggle mentally and physically.

On Aedan’s 1st day of school, I was so emotional that I cried alone after leaving him crying and shouting for me. For many months, I struggled to carry a crying boy to school and had to explain to him over and over again in many different ways so that he can understand why he needs to go to school and there’s no room for negotiation. It was mentally and physically tiring. Definitely a test of my patience and physical strength with his ever increasing weight. 

This phase has passed and I am so glad that he does not resist going to school now and I enjoy listening to his stories in school. 

For long, we have been struggling with his very late sleeping cycle. Sleeping late and waking up late. We took really long, almost a year to finally adjust it to what we deem ideal. He now sleeps around 8pm and wakes up between 5-6am. It’s difficult because that means we have to wake up super early too (mainly Daddy 🤣 cos most of the time Aedan wakes Daddy first and I wake up around 7) and no late night out.

But it’s all worth it as Aedan is more energetic in the day and I have “me-time” on my phone when he sleeps ✌🏻

I also converted an unused room into his playroom which I am really happy with how it turned out. A very functional playroom which I didn’t spend a bomb to transform.

Aedan told me many times how much he likes his playroom and we spent a lot of time playing and learning in the room. 

2018 has been a year in which Aedan has grown more independent, with him adapting to school life, trying to do more things on his own, many ideas of how he wants to do things, he experienced his first school excursion and his first performance on stage which I am very proud of.

Hopefully, with better routine set in 2018, I’ll be able to focus more energy in making the home, my business, read more books and meet up with friends... maybe another baby if god bless me one. 

Truly happy with how things turn out. 

It was not easy but it’s all worth it. 

- Mommy Eve 

30 Year Old me writing to remind myself

Yesterday, I celebrated my 30th Birthday. 

Went to a brunch date with hub while Aedan was in school. Fetched him at noon and we went on a shopping spree. Blew the candles with family at night. 

It was a simple and good one. 

After Aedan fell asleep, I read all the birthday messages and wishes from friends and they filled my heart. 

I love the age 30. 

It has been a good thirty years of memories. 

Many changes had happened in the past few years...pregnancy, child birth, quit my job, moved to a foreign land and now back. 

While I was living in Israel, my mind was free so I thought a lot, reflected on my past while searching the future. 

When I was a child, I used to fear many things and the world does not seem like a good place to be in. 

As I grow up, I learnt to overcome my fear and see fear as weakness for progress and greater thing. 

I got to realise that life is tough at a young age, I worked hard to make improvement to my life. Education is the key to change one’s life and so I studied hard. 

I was lucky, as my hard work paid off. Not all people work hard and get what they want but I always get what I want when I work really hard for it. 

I continue to work hard in my twenties and I always thought I will work like this forever. 

But life gave me an opportunity to change my direction in life. To see life more than just work and achievements. To discover that there are so much more in life than chasing accolades.

I think I am really a blessed one. 

When life was difficult, there was hope. 

When life was stressed, there was love.

When I got lost in chasing the illusion, life brought me to see the real. 

Life is unpredictable but there’s always something to learn along the way. 

From chasing grades to chasing KPI, it was always about the results. I used to think that result is the important but now I think process is much more important than result. 

I used to care more about self achievement. Now I hope to make a difference in other’s life. 

I used to place work above family. 

Now my family is the most important. 

At some point in life, I used most of my time to buy money. And at some point, I realised that money can’t buy back time. 

Time is our limited resources. 

While money can buy us many things, there are also many things in life which money can’t buy. 

With the limited time we have, love our family, spend time, be kind, serve one another. 

Make no room for regrets.

Tomorrow is not promised and today is short.

Back to this fast-paced society, it’s easy to forget what’s truly important. 

This 30 year-old me writing to remind myself. 

With love, 

Evelyn

 

A decade of love. Happy 4 years of Marriage

Yesterday, we celebrated Twentysixoctober. ❤️

10 years in relationship and 4 years of happy marriage. It has been a good 10 years. 

It doesn’t feel like we have been together for a decade... you still feel new yet familiar.

I still like to ask you why do you like me (still going to ask you as and when I like). 

I still like to receive flowers from you. 

I still like surprises from you.

I still like to hear sweet words from you. 

I still wonder how can you be so perfect for me.

I like that you are consistent, righteous and always have a clear line between what you deem right and wrong.

I like the way you like me like I am the most perfect person in the world (even though I know I’m not).

Thanks for everything.

Let us continue to love like this till forever. 

Happy Anniversary ❤️

Mom confessions: Postnatal Depression

It's not easy to start this post. Recently, I chanced upon a post about a mother who jumped off the 12th storey of her HDB block with her newborn baby girl in her arms. I feel sad every time I hear news like this. I hope to share my story to bring awareness to Postnatal Depression (PND) which has always been a subject that is close to my heart. For those who follow may have read that I came from a single parent family but not many know the cause of my mother's death. She died from PND when my brother was little and I was only two years old. When I was really young, no one told me about her cause of death and I only got to find out when I was older. 

When I first discovered the truth, I felt sad that she chose to left us. 

I was curious about PND and read more about depression. After learning more about PND, 

I believe it's not her decision to end her life. She was lost and she's not in the right frame of mind. 

My dad told me before my mom died, she kept hallucinating that people talked bad about her. My dad thought she's just imagining things and it's nothing serious. At that time, depression was not a well known medical condition and not many people talk about it. If the people around her had known more about depression and if she managed to seek help, tragedy may not have happened. 

Ever since I became pregnant, my family paid extra attention to my emotional well-being. They were worried that I'll follow my mom's footsteps. Even I was worried. Because I have read so much about depression. I knew that anyone can be a victim of PND and the consequences of depression can be severe. In mild cases, a mother develops negative feeling and lack of motivation to connect. But in severe cases, a mother can hear things, see stuff and do things which are not within her control. 

And when people fall into that black hole, it's hard to get out by themselves, they need someone to pull them out.  

After my pregnancy, I tried to be vocal about my thoughts and emotions. I would share my thoughts with my hubby because I know it's important for me to share so that my close ones could help. It's a way for myself to help myself. 

Motherhood is not easy. When a woman becomes a mother, it can seem like everything in her world has changed. Our body stretches to accommodate another human being, our body produces so much hormones that make us hard to control our emotions. And during this changing process, we may feel that we are losing ourselves, we can no longer think, behave and make decisions like what we used to. 

And while these changes take place in our body, we struggle to strive in our new role as the caregiver to our babies who hardly know anything but only to cry when they need us. 

Any mothers can develop PND if they do not get the support they need. Mothers who need help may be scared to share their problems as they do not want to be judged or seen as less capable.

To all mothers out there, it's okay to seek help. We seek help because we care for our babies and we want to be a good mother. 

It's not a sign of weakness to seek help, it's a sign of growth which will make us into a stronger and wiser person. 

It's essential for friends and family to NOT judge or try to fault a mother, because you DON'T know what's best for her baby. Instead, be the audience and listen to her. When a mother grumbles, sometimes she just needs someone to assure her that she's not alone in this journey.  

Every sacrifice will be so worth it when we see the smile on our little ones. A mother needs to be well to be there to guide their little ones' growth. 

Mother's Day is right around the corner. I hope Mother's Day will not just be a day to celebrate with mothers. But a day for us to bring awareness to PND so that we can be more caring to all new mothers. We all can play our part to prevent PND. 

Happy Mother's Day. 

- Mommy eve 

Life in the past 4 months.

It's has been more than 4 months since I last posted.

It was really really cold during winter and early spring in Haifa and I have been in hibernation mode... kept my heater on and spent all day at home playing with Aedan (running around the house like a crazy woman). 

Life has been simple. I work on my business (TSOBaby) when Aedan naps and of course cook meals. On alternate days, I bring him out to play at the playground so that he get to socialize with other kids.. Most of the time he'll just play with me or Daddy. 

Weather is getting warmer and I'm back to my active mode....just realized that I have not been active blogging and the last post was on Christmas Day. 

For those who are interested to know what happened in the past 4 months, here's the summary.

1. We moved to a bigger apartment 

In the beginning of this year, we moved to a bigger apartment next door. We used to stay in an one bedroom, one living room cum kitchen cum everything else apartment. It is like living in tiny house. 

 

The all purpose room was Aedan's play area, dining  place, our kitchen and also living room. 

Aedan has grown up and he loves to run around... Simply running around with him in circle made him super happy. The previous place was just too small for him. He's happier after we moved to the bigger place. It has separate living room and kitchen and 2 extra bedrooms which we turned one of them into Aedan's playroom!! 

 

As you can see we didn't decorate the room.. Cos we didn't want to spend on furnishing since there's only less than a year to the end of our stay in Israel. Time flies..

It's so comfortable in the new place that we stayed indoor most of the time during winter. 

2. We finally visited Southern Israel to celebrate my Birthday!

It's the best birthday present from Daddy!

We took a road trip from Haifa to the southern desert Israel and spent 4 days 3 nights there. 

We visited the famous Ramon Crater, done star gazing in the desert, went to Eilat to find Dory, hiked at the Red Canyon, visited the Dead Sea and floated on the shallow salty water, last but not least took a ride to legendary Masada before we headed back. 

Ramon Crator 

 

 

The most memorable hike at Red Canyon 

Baby wearing Aedan to climb those stairs was super shag!

 

The view of the desert from Masada 

 

It was an awesome trip! Best birthday present and best trip in Israel! 

Posing with my heart shaped birthday cake from Daddy

I took many photos especially when we visited the aquarium in Eilat and also the Dead Sea but sadly they were all gone :(

I guessed this whole trip was too good so something bad have to happen to buffer the exploding happiness.

During my trip at Dead Sea, some salty water got into my phone so I lost most of the photos (except for those in Daddy's phone)!! I was really sad for losing the digital memories of this trip! 

3. Aedan has grown up fast! 

He's currently in his 20th month and I feel that these period will be his most adorable stage in life (before the terrible 2 starts.. I can sense it coming). I really have so much fun with him since he has grown from being a baby to a little man. 

He loves to follow my actions and it's fun to teach him things. He has learned many vocab so he can express himself pretty well now and he'll tell us what he wants...it's fun to figure out what he wants too. 😜

Through his words and actions, we gradually discover his character and personality which is an interesting process. He's very shy in front of unfamiliar faces but is super talkative when he's with us only. There are so much so much joy by just being with him. 

 

 There were days when I miss those days in banking when I will get adrenaline rush every time I close a deal. The truth is being a stay at home mom, it's not as exciting and glamorous as working in corporate banking.  However, I never regret quitting my job. This whole new life is so much more meaningful and peaceful as I get to do things for my loved ones and the best part is to be rewarded with their smiles. 

I am truly happy each and every day. 

"Happiness is when you found something which you can love unconditionally"

Feeling blessed

- Mommy eve 

Till next time. 

Mommy diary: Aedan against Roseola

It has been sometime since my last post on our day trip to Tel Aviv. Many things had happened over the past weeks. Both "Good" and "Bad". 

From the title of this post, the bad news - Aedan was down with fever and rashes. It had been a tough week. He was soooo uncomfortable that he couldn't sleep well at night and he woke up frequently for nursing and comfort. He was uncomfortable through the day too and we had to carry him almost all the time. Just when his fever subsided, he developed rashes all over his body. Luckily, it did not itch. 

We went to see the doctor twice and he was diagnosed with Roseola which is a viral illness that commonly infect children between 6 months to 3 years old. The symptoms include sudden high fever which typically lasts for 3 -7 days and rashes right after the fever. The only good thing about getting this virus is that he'll most probably develop a lifelong immunity to it. #tryingtobepositive

Roseola is a self-recovered illness and there is nothing much we could do except to wait for Aedan's immune system to fight the virus. “加油加油”

The only thing we could do was to reduce his discomfort by nursing him and carrying him.. 

Our hearts ached so much when we watched him suffer as he fought the illness. This was the FIRST time he had fever. He did not develop fever from all his previous vaccinations. I never knew that handling a baby with fever could be so hard both mentally and physically. 

Kudos to all parents who had dealed with it!

We brought Aedan to a hair cut during his rash episode... cause we were worried that his hair (which had touched his eyes) will irritate his rashes. So Aedan has a new look!

He still has a little rash on him when I took this photo. 

Okay.. now it's the good news .. Twentysixoctober is planning for a month visit back to Singapore in Sept during Daddy's school break! 

What's better?! 

Before flying to Singapore, we will be visiting Greece and Italy and will document the whole travel journey. I'm so looking forward to this trip! Will share more about our travel planning and other stuff in another post. 

That is it for today. 

Bye! 

Mommy eve

#Mommydiary

Happy Anniversary!

Marriage

It has been a year since we signed on the dotted line to be legally bound to each other.

For the past 6 years before our marriage, my husband and I were almost glued to each other and have never been apart for more than a month.

This time round, we have been separated for more than 3 months.

During this period, I have reflected on our marriage. Maybe the fact that we have been always together made marriage the natural next step in life. We have been through disputes, taken steps back to accommodate and finally find a balance in our relationship. Hence, marriage has seemed to be an inevitable next step.

However, during the recent 3 months, when my husband went overseas to work, it makes me understand and discover many things and to reflect once again on our relationship.

When two become one, what is it about?

Is it about losing part of ourselves to take in another one?

Without him, many decisions in life will be made differently. A simple thing like how I will spend my weekend is  a lot different with and without him.

Why should we get married?

After much reflection, I have listed the following.

1. Lifetime Companion

We as human beings have the desire to find companionship be it friends, family or partner. It’s a natural instinct that we do not like being alone and yearn to have a sense of belonging in a group.

Moreover, it is true that opposite genders have natural attraction to each other, though most of the time, it’s physical. The union of a man and woman is almost purely a human desire to feel complete.

Of course, not all people will find their half. Especially in current society where people are more independent and woman being less dependent. For such cases, we seek alternatives or find comfort from friends and family.

So it seems like there’s no need to be married if there’re other sources of companionship.

But ideally, marriage is a desired source since friends and family may not be able to be with you all the time.

2. Procreation and Building of Family

I personally think that it’s almost a MUST for all married couple to try to have babies. This may be one of the ultimate goals in marriage. Without the needs to procreate and to provide children with a complete normal family, it may not even be necessary to be married.

3. Emotion and Financial Support

We seek emotion and financial support through companionship. In difficult times, we all seek support. A husband and wife structure, in my opinion, is the best source of constant support. I guessed that’s why before we sign on the paper, we have to swear to love and care for each other through sickness and difficult times.

Human beings have strong adaptability since we have evolved through centuries to become the most intelligent animal on planet.  Husband and wife relationship may seem to be less important as people adapt and forge alternative relationships for support. 
However, I do believe marriage can help two people who complement each other to become better. 

Marriage is not to consume individuality. 
Without each other, we should still be able to stand on our own with our own source of support and social circle. I am glad that my husband has gone overseas during this period; it makes me understand the importance of my other parts of life such as friends and career. Friends for emotional support and career to be financially sound.

I used to think that when two persons get married, they should be glued to each other.  This is not true.

When two persons get married, it supposed to be more than one. We should be able to love and develop ourselves more and provide freedom to each other.  Of course, to love each other more each day.

Happy Anniversary, my dearest half.

You have made me complete and provide me with the security to be the best of me.
I love you.

Our 7 Years Journey..................

Married you and be with you....

Travel the world with you.....

                                                  Bangkok                  

                                               Vietnam

Taiwan

Hong Kong

 Korea

Those were the days...

During university time.
Thanks for following me and being by my side even when I pushed you away

Celebrations of the date when you are born. 

Black and White Romance.
I never thought we will really be married when we took this set of photos for my friend project



Thanks for being in this journey with me and
let's write more stories.
Forever and ever after

With Love,
TwentySixOctober

Introducing Studio Sands!

Want to get fit? 

Want to feel sexy?

Being a woman, I always believe that it's important for us to keep fit and to feel good about ourselves.

"世界上没有丑女人，只有懒女人" 

Wish for a good and fun way to do it.

How about Pole Dancing? 

In the past, people often associate pole dancing with night life and sleazy activities. 

However, in our society today, more and more people has accepted pole dancing as a healthy and interesting activity to train our fitness and body control.

Pole dancing has evolved to become a popular sport for women from all age groups.

To learn pole dancing, I'll like to introduce you Studio Sands!

A new pole dance studio conveniently located near Outram MRT. 

23A Kampong Bahru Road

#02-02

Singapore 169 349

(Outram MRT exit G)

Check out the website for direction: http://studiosands.com.sg/pages/find-us

A cozy and romantic studio with one-way window which allows you to have a good view while maintaining privacy

If you are not sure of what type of outfits to wear, Studio Sands has pole dancing outfit for sales

With Instructor Sandra

Studio Sands is a new pole dance studio opened by my beloved friend. 

To show my support, I have signed up for her Kpop classes.  

Prior to joining Studio Sands, I have no pole dancing experience (except for one time during my hen's party organized by my girlfriends). 

I had this perception that my arms are weak and I can't imagine myself supporting my whole body weight on a pole. 

After attending the 1st lesson, I realized that my worries were unnecessary.  

I've learnt a few moves from her class and discovered that pole dancing is not just about strength, it's also about having the momentum and skills. 

After one lesson, I am surprised that I can actually do it! 

Besides learning to look sexy, pole dancing also gives women CONFIDENT when we attained the strength to control our body.

So let's join Studio Sands. 

Don't worry if you have no experience, because every women have the ability to control our body and to look sexy. 

Check out for the classes now: 

Studio Sands is having an opening promotion!

You may sign up with your friend to enjoy S$20 discount off your bill. 

Click on to the following link to book a course NOW!

http://studiosands.com.sg/pages/new-book-a-course

XOXO, 

TwentySixOctober