Couplehood

Sleepy and Recovering

Originally uploaded by Rob!

Back to Life; Back to Preparing
The wife and I are just coming out of a tough week recovering from her infection episode, and it looks like we were not alone. About 1/8 of the people at Church were down for the count by the weekend (for various reasons). There was even some worries of the dreaded Hand-Foot-Mouth-Knees-Elbows Disease. We're praying everyone gets better soon, 'specially Sis. Rosalyn.

Stretching Out
The lady satisfied a long time craving for seafood (actually, more a perpetual one) at a nice seafood place called "Mellben Seafood". The giant mutant crabs we ordered were deliciously chilli-ed, butter-ed, and claypot-ed. The pincers had to be handled with two hands - and I'm talking about a messy two-handed operation involving fingers, palms and all. Nice.

On my wife's cravings: I wonder if the sense of satisfaction eating the food one craves for is increased for her, compared to say, a man who really loves crabs (who I am). I guess I'll never know for sure.

About The Boy
It's a high probability it's a boy, but as with all instrumentation, there's a margin of error. That's why we're stopping ourselves from buying dark blue basketball sneakers and beef jerky T-shirts (not that girls can't wear those things, you know - but I would love to see my daughter wear pretty things). I'm not even settling on a name yet, though the wife and I are partial to David. Porridge is a girl's name, after all.

Money Minding
I thank God for the blessings of bonuses to the wife and I, it'll help loads as we face bigger bills in the coming months. We've decided on a confinement lady for the wife in the first month, who will be staying with us and taking care of Angela and the baby. We've met her, and she seems like a nice lady, but you can understand the anxiety I have with strangers taking care of the people who are absolutely important to me. Frankly, I would love to stay home and cook and look after the missus and baby if I had the chance. I cook a mean meat pasta and an awesome french onion soup. Oh, and tonic for the lady too.

Wedding Album, Finally.

Our Wedding Album (Click to see!)

I've been sifting through my wedding photos, and I realise that I've probably only shown 2 persons our absolutely amazing wedding photos.  So now, feeling completely guilty, I've uploaded the whole thing (sans the weird photos)in an album at Picasa's web albums. Took me a whole night, mind you.

I really do wish I could catch up with some of you at our place to show you the actual album (it's prettily bounded in a matte black photo album). But until things simmer down, I'll have to settle for next best. Which this online web photo album is.

(p.s. the order's somewhat jumbled up, because of the original file's naming covention. You'll know what I mean when you see it. Oh yes, it's best viewed with PicLens. Picasa's cool, man.) 

I Told You So

I Foresee A Love For Beef

The Conversation

"So are you hoping for a boy or a girl?" Dr. Sim said.

"No preference; we're hoping a healthy baby," I instantly and honestly reply.

"Yeah. Well, it's a boy."

"Is he a healthy boy?"

"I should think so."

I beam, grinning.

Unwellness (Yet Another Quick Post)

Originally uploaded by miffy_carrotblog

The weekend's been rough. Two of the family's preggers were pretty badly hit by infirmities; my sister's in the hospital for early contractions (bad) and Angela's been fighting a fever and a very stuffy nose since Thursday (also bad).

The good news only came at the end of today. For my sister, she's finally getting enough rest (she's been overworked at her job over at Singapore General Hospital at the O&G clinic - the irony!). As a result, her contractions are letting up, and she's looking better everytime I drop by to see her.

On our end, we finally found out that the cause for the fever was not the flu, but an infection that's rather common to pregnant ladies. Still, it was good that we discovered it before it blew up into something worse. I'm breathing easier now.

I'm glad I got that digital thermometer dear. Certainly made it easier to check on you and Porridge; Hope you finally get good rest for the night.

Mondays Are The Hardest

Originally uploaded by yeowatzup

Approaching The End
I sip my cup of piping hot Milo, grinding down the chocolate-y bits of undissolved chocolate that defied vigorous stirring. It's one of the best drinks to have while taking a break from typing and planning. Especially so, since today's a cold day at the office.

Right now, the Missus Koh is making her way back home after a tiring day at school. I'm hoping she'll call any moment to break the monotony of my less than exciting day at work. Under hushed voices (that's on my end) we quickly share our day and giggle over things that happened over the course of the day, like her swelling feet and her ever-growing belly (that's on her end).

We tell each other we can't wait to see the other back home, and I tell her, same as always, "I'll be back as soon as I can".

And that's how we beat the blues.

(Thinking About) Making Priorities

Originally uploaded by itzick

 

Achy Shoulders From Burden Carrying
It's been a loaded week(end), and I've been lacking proper sleep.

I've got plenty of choices to make. In the next few weeks, there will be financial choices that will have major impact in the next few months. Though I hesitate to say it, I'm pretty much much caught deciding between the proverbial devil and the deep blue sea. I needed some advice.

Pensive Dads Say, "My Wife's A Supermom"
I figured that no one tells it like Dads, so I've been talking to boatloads of fathers. It was interesting seeing how each waxed philosophical about the ideals of parenthood. It was more interesting how many of them admitted how that their wives had sacrificed the most for the young'uns. It could be a streak of humility, or it could be guilt. I wonder what the wives would say.

Anyway. Apparently, if I'm to be a good dad, it comes down to more time, not money, for the kids.

Homemade Porridge Stirs
The most exciting thing that came up over the weekend was the baby's (we nicknamed our baby Porridge - long story) first "feel-able" kicks. To the Missus, it felt like a flurry. It was more like a buzzing for me. Nevertheless, it was an emotional moment for these two first timers.

I can't wait to meet you, Porridge.

As Promised

Looks Like A Boy To Me!

Doctors say they can't tell for sure. Obviously, they don't have my expertise.

A Really Cute Gift, Made By Buddies

"I Love You! Erm, That's About It. But It's Plenty-o-Love!"

I hardly talk about nice little trinkets, but this really lit up my day.

You speak into it, and it plays back 10 seconds of well-reproduced speech for anyone you intend it for (hopefully, lovingly so). Apart from flowers, hampers, baskets, and other pretty arrangements, I can imagine the wife using this to drop reminders to me just as I leave the house ("Remember to press the In.Voice before you leave the house, 'kay?").

I guess I like it even more that some of the sweetest people I know are behind it.

Check out the  Advanteus Enterprise website for more, and/or drop by Andy's and Yuling's blogs (they're the ones behind it, yep)!

Baby Advice For The Uninitiated

I thought it was helpful.

A Time to Mourn

End Of His Days
My grandpa passed away last week. It was a peaceful passing, though he did have some discomfort toward the end, he was hardly in much distress. A rare blessing, especially in the days we live in.

The Missus Is Doing Good; Practices Merlion Impressions
The Missus has had to juggle school and her newly-acquired duties as granddaughter-in-law over the past few days. She's been rather tired lately, and has had to endure cycles of hunger, bloaty-ness, nausea and throwing up every meal time. All that, and still maintain a cheery disposition. A rare blessing, especially in the days we live in.

Social Glue Ingredients: Sadness, Tragedy, Misery, And A Dash Of Vinegar
In my relatively short time alive, I've lost an uncomfortably high number of my loved ones and friends. Through it all, I think gained some insight on the human condition through these sad events. It's a little tough to say, but I'll just be bold and say it (tell me if I'm on to something): Tragedy brings human beings closer, more so than times of happiness, or any other time for that matter.

I think that's because sadness and misery are the only things all human beings truly have in common.