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

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 ❤️

Merry Christmas 2016

Merry Christmas everyone!

It has been really long since my last post. 

Too many overdue travel memories to blog .. I have stopped blogging for awhile as these days I have been really occupied with taking care of my little one and my business. I have started a new TSOBaby Facebook page and introduced more items for little ones. This is like my other baby gradually growing. Do hop over to Like TSOBaby Facebook page and check out on pretty things for little ones.

Being a SAHM, I have learnt to do things with an attention seeker being physically around me. It's a happy distraction. 

I have learnt to work with "intermission". Meaning to work when my little one is happy, stop when he needs me and resume when he's back to sleep.. it may sound easy but it's really not. I work when he sleeps. 

This Christmas I am really thankful for all the happiness in life. Thankful to be with my loved ones and being able to do the things I like. 

Thank you to those who have supported my dream.

I have all I wanted for Christmas. 

"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you."

I wish everyone a Happy Christmas. 

With Love, 

Mommy Eve

An open letter to my baby: Happy one year!

Aedan, you have turned one year old!! 

Happy Birthday to you!! 🎂

It has been such a journey! I have to say my life has changed so much (for the better) because of you. 

I still remember the feeling of you living in me, especially when you kicked me so hard during the last trimester that it seemed like you couldn't wait to come out. I was so afraid that you were going to destroy your home (my womb).

I remember the day when you were born. When I waited 17 hours after my water bag broke and pushed for more than an hour to finally see your face. That day was miraculous. It was tiring but all worth it when I saw your face and hear your cry. You cried so loud. 

I remember the many moments we had when I breastfed you. The first time was indescribable. You looked into my eyes as you suckle like you were trying to tell me "thank you mommy for feeding me". I'll never forget the look. The feeling that I'm able to provide for you. No words can describe this feeling. Also the painful first month when we both were still learning. Now we are both good at it. It has been one year.. Every day and night, we have so many moments together.

Life is such an adventure with you. You've shown me your new tricks everyday and it's fascinating to see how you have grown so fast. Many times when I look at you (especially when you were sleeping peacefully at night), I thank God (or whoever is there watching) for giving me such an angel. Life is so much more complete with you. 

There were so much precious memories although it has only been one year. Many more years of adventures with you. I hope I can remember all the memories forever.. Even if not, I hope my blog will help me remember all these beautiful days and moments with you. 

I love you so much! 

Thank you for coming into my life. ❤️

Though you certainly will not understand this letter now.. But I hope you will read it many years later.

- Mommy eve

My Pregnancy Diary 7: False Contractions, Checklist for Maternity Bag & Maternity Photo Shoot

Hi All,

I'm in my 36th week today!
According to the doctor it's safe for me to deliver anytime after today! 

Sharing photos of Aedan at his 35th week. 

His eyes look big in the photo here ;)

Many things happened in the past few weeks!

On the night of 3rd July 15, I experienced mild contractions from 3 am till morning. I wasn't sure if it was true labor contractions or Braxton Hicks. Through the night, I had difficulty sleeping. However, since it was not very painful, I decided to wait till morning before visiting my gynae. 
I called the clinic when they were opened and explained the situation to the staff. She said I may visit the gynae but have to wait for my turn since there were other patients on that day. The funny thing was that my contractions stopped when I was preparing to visit the clinic. 
But since I had already informed my boss that I'm taking urgent leave, I decided to visit my gynae to understand the cause of the contractions. When I arrived at the clinic, she put me on CTG monitoring for about 15 mins and then I was asked to wait for my turn. 
When it was finally my turn, the doctor said that the CTG result showed that I had started my contractions! However, I was only in my 35th week and it was considered premature for delivery. She inserted her finger into my vagina to check whether my cervix had opened. Luckily, it was not so she prescribed medication to relax my uterus and asked me to be take them when contractions happened again before my baby turns 36 weeks. 
Anytime after the 36th week, if consistent contractions happened again, the baby will be safe for delivery. 

Although it was a false alarm, this incident kind of served as a wake up call for me to settle the things required before his arrival. 
One of my to-do list was to cut my hair short so that it would be easier to maintain. On that very day, I went to a random salon in Novena and just "chopped" off my hair. I was so scared that it would turn out to be a disaster and in my mind, I had already planned to purchase a wig if it turns out too ugly. 
Fortunately, I kind of like my new look and now it's so much easier when it comes to washing and drying my hair. 

So here's my new look.

My EDD is on 8th Aug so many people said I should communicate with little Aedan and ask him to arrive on 9 Aug to be a National Day baby so that he can enjoy free goodies! 
I think I shall take things as it comes since I am opting for natural birth, I cannot really control when he wanna come out. 

Since Aedan may arrive anytime from now, I have started to pack my Maternity Bag. It's advised to start packing maternity bag 4 weeks before EDD. 

So what are the things to be packed for the big day?

I have prepared my own checklist. It's not in any order but I think it is useful in making sure that all the essentials are included in my maternity bag.

No	Items to brings	Check
1	Doctor's Admission Letter
2	Previous Medical Health Reports
3	Prepare a list of medications which you are currently taking
4	Pyjamas with front opening to facilitate breastfeeding
5	Non-slip slippers
6	Personal Toiletries
7	Original marriage certificate for registration of baby's birth certificate
8	Sweater as delivery suite may be cold
9	2 pair of mittens for baby
10	A set of baby clothing to be worn during discharge
11	Baby wrapper or blanket
12	Pre-natal consultation receipts for claiming of S$450 from medisave
13	Chicken essence to provide energy during delivery
14	Download some movies to be watched while waiting for delivery or bring anything that can help you to relax
15	Disposable underwear
16	Snacks (biscuits) for hubby while waiting for delivery
17	Camera/ video camera to capture the memorable moment
18	Chargers for handphones
19	Contact lens solution and container if you wear contact lens
20	Spectacles
21	Socks as feet can get cold during labour
22	Nursing bra
23	Breast pad
24	Nipple Cream. To be applied immediately after you started breast feeding to avoid cracks
25	Bio-Oil or lotion if you will like to apply massage during labour. Or to be used after labour to prevent stretch marks
26	Baby wipes
27	Extra plastic bag to put the used clothes
28	Body Binder
29	Maternity Pad as there will be bleeding after giving birth
30	A set of changing clothes for hubby if he is staying overnight

Before I end my post, I'm also going to share photos taken during my maternity shoot. 
I have always found that maternity shoots are something good to have but not a necessity.
Since it has become so popular for parents-to-be to take maternity shoot, the price of this service has been increasing.. 
In order to avoid this unnecessary costs and yet keep photos memory of my baby belly, we have decided to do it ourselves. And glad to say the result turns out well! 

Photos are credited to my hubby and myself :)

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Bye ~~~

TwentySixOctober