Wednesday, July 30, 2008

Parenthood

Nice growingkids.org article we received from Lynette.

QUESTION 1: What can you do, as a young mother, to reduce the pressure and enjoy your family more?

First, recognize that the joy of motherhood comes in moments. There will be hard times and frustrating times. But amid the challenges, there are shining moments of joy and satisfaction. Author Anna Quindlen reminds us not to rush past the fleeting moments. She said: “The biggest mistake I made [as a parent] is the one that most of us make. . . . I did not live in the moment enough. This is particularly clear now that the moment is gone, captured only in photographs. There is one picture of [my three children] sitting in the grass on a quilt in the shadow of the swing set on a summer day, ages six, four, and one. And I wish I could remember what we ate, and what we talked about, and how they sounded, and how they looked when they slept that night. I wish I had not been in such a hurry to get on to the next thing: dinner, bath, book, bed. I wish I had treasured the doing a little more and the getting it done a little less”(Loud and Clear [2004], 10–11).

Second, don’t overschedule yourselves or your children. We live in a world that is filled with options. If we are not careful, we will find every minute jammed with social events, classes, exercise time, book clubs, scrapbooking, Church callings, music, sports, the Internet, and our favorite TV shows. One mother told me of a time that her children had 29 scheduled commitments every week: music lessons, Scouts, dance, Little League, day camps, soccer, art, and so forth. She felt like a taxi driver. Finally, she called a family meeting and announced, “Something has to go; we have no time to ourselves and no time for each other.” Families need unstructured time when relationships can deepen and real parenting can take place. Take time to listen, to laugh, and to play together.

Third, even as you try to cut out the extra commitments, sisters, find some time for yourself to cultivate your gifts and interests. Pick one or two things that you would like to learn or do that will enrich your life, and make time for them. Water cannot be drawn from an empty well, and if you are not setting aside a little time for what replenishes you, you will have less and less to give to others, even to your children. Avoid any kind of substance abuse, mistakenly thinking that it will help you accomplish more. And don’t allow yourself to be caught up in the time-wasting, mind-numbing things like television soap operas or surfing the Internet. Turn to the Lord in faith, and you will know what to do and how to do it.

Fourth, pray, study, and teach the gospel. Pray deeply about your children and about your role as a mother. Parents can offer a unique and wonderful kind of prayer because they are praying to the Eternal Parent of us all. There is great power in a prayer that essentially says, “We are steward-parents over Thy children, Father; please help us to raise them as Thou wouldst want them raised.”


QUESTION 2: What more can a husband do to support his wife, the mother of their children?

First, show extra appreciation and give more validation for what your wife does every day. Notice things and say thank you—often. Schedule some evenings together, just the two of you.

Second, have a regular time to talk with your wife about each child’s needs and what you can do to help.
Third, give your wife a “day away” now and then. Just take over the household and give your wife a break from her daily responsibilities. Taking over for a while will greatly enhance your appreciation of what your wife does.

Fourth, come home from work and take an active role with your family. Don’t put work, friends, or sports ahead of listening to, playing with, and teaching your children.

Friday, July 25, 2008

Isabelle is back home!!

In the cab (car seat)















Home sweet home...


Do you think she looks like Dad or mum?

Wednesday, July 23, 2008

99 Balloons

Eliot was born with an undeveloped lung, a heart with a hole in it....

Saturday, July 19, 2008

Feeding Time!

Just came back from hospital's ICU to feed Isabelle. She's doing well! Daddy & mummy manage to feed & burp her.






Quick summary: she's feeding well (now about 65ml per feed, every 3hourly), so SG & Karen are going down twice a day to feed her. Lost a bit of weight (about 200g). And she has about 3 more days of antibiotics left. Then another blood test. If the bacteria/virus is gone, then she can come home!! Praying, praying, praying..

Friday, July 18, 2008

Isabelle: Hello World!!

Thank you for all the prayers.

A short chronicles/update.

15 July
Karen gave birth to Isabelle at 1225am. Our first bundle of joy!!

Isabelle got stuff in her lungs & can't cry. Also infection (as she got fever 38oC). Immediate ICU with enrich oxgyen supply & antibiotics.

16 July
Karen is recovering well. Can walk a bit after a good sleep.

Isabelle's fever is gone. Cry for first time. Doc says may discharge from ICU next day. Our hopes are up!

Beside parents/family, SG's colleagues came. Best, at night, Karen's good friend Pamela & Aaron came to pray.
17 July
Karen continues to recover rapidly. Wounds healing very well.

Doc drops bomb shell. Isabelle has Group B Streptococcus. May affect brain! Hence, needs to poke a needle into her spine to conduct some tests!

Our hearts sank....

Karen's colleagues visit us...
18 July
First sample shows Isabelle's brain is not infected. Thank God. Now, need another 10 days of antibiotics, which means another 8-10 days ICU stay =(

Our CG & Jon-Anne came to pray for us.

19 July
Karen is discharged. Baby starts to be able to drink more breast milk. We hope it will help her to find the infection.


We just want to thank everyone for their well wishes, esp those who call/SMS encouragement/bible verses. Too many to list all of you here. Thank you.

You know, when you see the tubes coming out of a little life, your heart will cry. There is one thing SG holds on through this period.....

http://breadsite.org/midi/jesus_loves_me.mid






Saturday, July 12, 2008

Dinner

Over lunch one day, SG managed to get our church 'famous' cook to come & cook dinner.

So Lynette, Mingfeng & Thye Bao came one Wed night to cook. Simple meal. But learned a few tricks from Thye Bao. Also, it was great to have some quality time to catch up & chat with friends. Once baby Isabelle arrives, times like these will be rare as gems ....



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Thursday, July 10, 2008