Jeriel's Wound Is Healing Perfectly Well

After about a month of the constructive surgery, Jeriel's wound is healing faster than expected. There's only a fine red line above the right lip. The stitches need not be removed as they were done beneath the skin where the torn tissues were stitched up.

Today Jeriel and I were back to the hospital for follow-up checkup. His surgeon was very pleased to see that what left on the cheek was just a fine line.

Nonetheless, he still has to have the bandage on for about a month to protect the delicate area. But I would say so far so good. We are all indeed very thankful that Jeriel is again a happy and handsome little fellow in town!

Happy 4th Birthday To Jeriel

Finally, today is Jeriel's birthday. Why did I say 'finally'? Well, that's because Jeriel has been asking us endlessly, "is today my birthday?", "how many days to my birthday?", "is it my birthday now?", "why is my birthday not here yet?"...

And as I wished Jeriel happy birthday this morning, he smiled broadly, asking, "today is my birthday?" Yes, my little darling, today is your BIG day!

Jeriel likes crowds and he reminded me to invite all those who came for Adriel's birthday party. We had the birthday celebration at home, and yes, with all guests that came for Adriel's birthday, and our neighbor as well!

Jeriel told his daddy, "Daddy, you don't have to give me any present as Sa Go (his third aunty) has given me my birthday present." Oh, he's such a lovely boy. He was delighted as dear hubby and I gave him a pen each. Why pen? Well, pen is simply his favorite stationery!

Jeriel indeed had a wonderful birthday. Besides, as a 4-year-old, he can now have 2 multi-vitamins tablets instead of just 1 daily!

Adriel's Report Card Day

Today is Report Card Day in Adriel's school. Parents are asked to meet with the teacher to discuss their kids' learning progress over the year and to collect the report cards.

At about 4pm, I was at Adriel's school, queuing up behind other parents in front of his class to meet with his class teacher...Teacher Wong. The kids were excited to see so many parents around and best of all...no lessons!!

Comments from Teacher Wong was that Adriel is very talkative in class, his writings are 'horrible', but then his behavior is by far...good. And his results...

Well, his overall results are considered good...89/100. I'm quite pleased. However, he could do
better. He's still quite weak in reading and spelling at his age.

Jeriel Had A Cut On His Cheek!

We just came back from the hospital not long ago. It's almost 2am now. I've trouble to fall asleep as I'm still very disturbed by what had happened in the evening right before dinner just now.

I wanted to comb Jeriel's hair after showering him. But this little guy refused. After I finally persuaded to comb his hair, I gave him a light pat at the buttock before returning to the dressing table to put back the comb.

As what we always play, he ran towards me wanted to give me a pat as well. Unfortunately, upon reaching the dressing table, he knocked against the sharp edge of the table and had a deep cut on his right cheek slightly above his lip.

Blood was gushing out like tap water after that. We immediately sent him to the Emergency department in a nearby hospital. Upon consultation with the medical officer, we decided that Jeriel to have his wound stitched up right away.

But this required him to be put under general anesthetic. I accompanied Jeriel to the OT. He cried out loud and refused to lie on the bed. He was slowly unconscious as we forced him down and put the gas mask over his nose.

At this moment, as his mama, I couldn't contain myself anymore. I burst into tears. I asked God to bless my little baby and to forgive me for causing my baby to suffer such agony. The nurse accompanied me out of the OT before the surgery began.

Thank God the operation was not long and it was a success. I couldn't see how the results of the stitches but the surgeon assured me that Jeriel would be a happy kid again by the next morning. I prayed that he's right.

To all papas and mamas, child safety at home is indeed important. We should not take for granted that our kids will be safe at home with our close supervision. Do take extra steps to ensure that our homes are childproof. You won't regret it.

Happy Deepavali and Selamat Hari Raya Aidil Fitri!

It's festive seasons again in Malaysia. This year, Deepavali and Hari Raya are just 3 days apart, one on Saturday and the other on Tuesday. Malaysian again will have their long holidays and long journey home.

For us, we already planned to visit the kids' grandparents in Kuantan. We started our journey to Kuantan in the evening to avoid the traffic jam. It's a norm all roads in Malaysia are jammed during festive seasons. One must know when to travel!

Upon reaching Kuantan, Jeriel was the happiest kid in town...as he missed his grandparents, especially his grandma very much. He even wanted to sleep together with them.

We will spend 3 nights in Kuantan for the festive seasons.

Swimming Lesson

Adriel started his swimming lesson today. I told him a week earlier to prepare him for the lesson. He's not happy about it as he's afraid of water. Nonetheless, he obediently followed me to the swimming pool where he takes his lesson.

I was quite worried if Adriel would go into the 1.2-meter-deep pool. He likes to play with the water but only in the baby pool, not even the children pool. Nobody could persuade him to step into the adult pool.

Fortunately, my worries vanished as he again obediently followed the instructor's instruction to slide into the pool. Ehm...that's my boy!!

Adriel was doing amazingly well. There were another 2 boys learning together with him. They were all having fun. All the 3 mamas at the pool side were having great time seeing their boys enjoying themselves.

I would like to see one day Adriel and Jeriel can swim in different styles in the pool. However, this is not the most important objective of the swimming lesson. What I would really like them to achieve is that they have no fear of water, and that they have basic swimming skill to survive in water.

Final Exams

Today is the start of the 5-day final exams for Adriel. A month before the exams, Adriel and I (and sometimes papa) had sat at the desk to review all the relevant subjects and topics to be tested in the exams.

There were 4 exams over the year. Every time when the exam approached nearer and nearer, our nerves would also get more and more tied and twisted. I didn't quite remember how I felt during exam time when I was in primary one...but as far as I could recall, it was never that bad.

Also, I couldn't remember if my mom or dad had ever sat down with me to review my lessons. My mom told me that she'd never had to worry too much as we would take the initiative to study on our own.

But kids nowadays are much more dependent. Adriel's exam is also my exam as I have to learn together with him...to guide him as well as to stay up late with him. Having said that, today's kids are indeed more stressful than us previously. They're expected to excel in almost everything!

As for me, I hope Adriel would do his best.

Jeriel Hospitalized

Jeriel was very sick on Friday morning. He briefly woke up and what he did was only crying for me. He's been sick (again diarrhea and vomit) for the past 2 days, but that day was terrible. And he's not been eating much since.

I was a bit concerned. He's an active kid and this was definitely not his own self. I took him to his pediatrician. She advised me to give him a lot of liquid and watch for sign of dehydration. She recommended yogurt drink and candy if Jeriel refused to take any other food. He vomited again on the way home.

Jeriel took 1 bottle of Vitagen and 2 Mentos (his favorite sweets), and continued to sleep. I sensed that I couldn't wait anymore. He's badly dehydrated. In no time, I took him to the hospital again. He needed to be on drip to be hydrated again.

It was an ordeal to watch Jeriel cried while his pediatrician inserting the needle to his tiny hand. He should have been cheerfully singing and playing with his toys at home. But...this was what he had to go through.

Altogether Jeriel had 4½ packets of sodium solution (what's the medical term for it?). It was a great relief to see he's alert again after the first night in the hospital. By the second night, he's discharged since he's well hydrated. (He's discharged at night because he asked his doc to allow him to!!)

I was thankful that God was with us throughout and Jeirel's back to normal again.

My Turn, And Jeriel's, Too?

Oh, what's wrong with all these viruses? After Adriel's getting better, it's my turn to get sick.

Vomited 2 times. And fortunately after an early rest in bed, I was fine again.

Jeriel's been purging 3 times today. He's very alert and nothing seems wrong so far. I hope he's just having normal purging. Sometimes he does have an upset stomach.

I really do hope that the viruses are not terrorizing our home!

It's Diarrhea Now, What Next?

For the whole of last night until this morning, Adriel had been to the toilet 3 times. After vomiting for the past 2 days, and he's having diarrhea now.

Although he had no more vomiting and his diarrhea had stopped, we let him rest at home for fear that he may vomit and purge at school.

Adriel's already a skinny boy and this 3-day illness has made him even skinnier. What next after vomiting and diarrhea? I hope nothing!

Thank God by night time he's alert again.

Happy 7th Birthday To Adriel

Adriel's birthday is actually on the 25th of September. We planned to have the birthday celebration earlier for him because Saturday is a more relaxing day than Monday.

I prepared jelly and green bean soup while his grandmother prepared the yellow rice and chicken curry. We invited only close relatives as we wanted to have only a small birthday celebration this year.

Adriel was supposed to attend school today as today was the replacement school day for the Hari Raya holiday on the 25th of October. But because of his health condition, we allowed him to rest at home.

During the birthday celebration at night, everything seemed fine and Adriel was happy with the presents and the atmosphere. But the happiest person should be Jeriel as he kept himself busy serving others and showing off his toys.

Adriel was feeling much better than yesterday...or this was at least what I thought. However, I was wrong. Towards the end of the celebration, he vomited again, and purging, too. This time, we delayed no more to take him to the hospital.

Fortunately, the doctor said he suffered food poisoning and nothing serious. After taking the vomit suppository, we sent Adriel home and at least he could have a good sleep.

Adriel Vomited Badly

At about 4pm, Adriel's teacher called saying that Adriel had been vomiting 3 times in school, and that I'd better take him back from school. He vomited again after coming back home and altogether he had vomited about 6 to 7 times before he went to bed.

Could it be the food that he consumed during lunch was bad for his stomach? But all of us took the same food and even Jeriel was not a bit sick.

We didn't take Adriel to see doctor as we thought a good rest and plenty of liquid were what he needed most. We'll see if his condition improves tomorrow.

Calling Of God

For the first time ever, I attended a home fellowship right next to my house. My neighbor invited me and the kids over to attend such meaningful function.

There were about 6 six couples and 8 kids. The adults were sitting in the living room to share our daily life with God, to discuss the Bible verses, to sing, and to understand more the teaching of God. While we were talking among ourselves, the kids were busy playing in the playroom.

I would think that what I (or rather my family) lack in life is the absence of God. I believe that God is with us all the time...the sad thing is that we have been ignoring Him all this while. I pray that God will be the central of our family once more.

The calling of God for us to be back to Him is clear. Even before my neighbor called us to attend the home fellowship in the evening, another stranger had come to my house to share with me the message of God. She is my sister-in-law's friend and we just met. So I think God is really there signaling us to be back to Him.

Going Back To Church

For the first time after almost 4 years, we were back to church on this beautiful Sunday morning. We have been dormant for such a long while. God must have been knocking our hearts for quite sometime and telling us to be back to Him once more.

I took Jeriel to the Sunday School class for 4-year-olds. He was extremely polite to the teachers there and behaving good although he needed me to be with him for the whole session. It's a big milestone for him as this is his first time to attend such class with lots of children and teachers. He hasn't even started kindergarten yet.

As for Adriel, both dear hubby and I were a little disappointed as he refused to enter his class of 7-8-year-olds. Out of no choice, dear hubby later took Adriel with him to the main hall to attend the Sunday service. We hope we will finally guide him back to the Lord's loving world.

We pledge to continue going to church every Sunday and invite our Lord back to our family life.

Setting Up Playroom For Kids

Parents-in-law have been back from Kuantan since Monday. It's a temporary relief for me as she'll be doing the cooking ;) Her presence also spare me some time to do some other things.

First is the setting up of the playroom for the kids. We used the back room downstairs to convert it from semi-storeroom-cum-studyroom-cum-bedroom to a playroom-cum-bedroom. It's 90% done. The kids just love it. And I love it, too. At least the living room can be more tidy now.

Spanking!

Something was really wrong with me today. My head was hot and my heart was pounding fast. I could almost feel that smoke would burst out from my eyes, nose and ears! I was extremely frustrated and angry with my 2 kids so much so that I spanked both of them in 2 occasions today!

After having done much of the housework and prepared lunch for the kids, I was up in the room for awhile. This was when Jeriel noticed me not in the living room nor the kitchen downstairs. He shouted for me and then cried out loud. It didn't matter how soon I answered him and notified him where I was, he kept crying and shouting. That's when I couldn't control my anger and spanked him twice at his backside.

He stopped immediately and looked at me pitifully. I knew what I had done was wrong but at that time what I needed was a quiet and peaceful time. This first spanking left me with bad mood after that, although Jeriel was pretty much himself again.

By 3pm, I thought of getting the kids to do some reading and coloring. I gave a coloring book for Jeriel to color and taught Adriel the Sukukata. Adriel's BM is very weak and he has difficulties to read even the basic Sukukata.

At first Adriel was quite ok, but he turned defiant after awhile. He refused to read anymore, and our reading session lasted not even for 10 minutes. That's when my patience ran thin. I gave him a good spank and sent him to the back room.

I was upset with all the kid's misbehaviors, and I was exhausted. I regretted to spank my 2 kids and my heart ache after doing so. I went to the back room to check on Adriel later and asked him to read on his own instead of me teaching him. He promptly obeyed.

In the evening I took them to the park, and everything was back to normal. Adriel and Jeriel played happily in the playground. I was relieved that they were laughing again. As mama, I love them very much and promised to myself not to repeat my silly act again.

Merdeka

As I'm writing this post, Adriel is beside me at the window watching the fireworks played from a nearby shopping mall. It's just past midnight, and today, 31st August 2006, it's our 49th Merdeka Day (National Day)!

Jeriel had been in bed an hour ago. He's behaved well in his music class today (should be yesterday as it's now already past midnight). Not to say he's naughty or disturbing others in the class, he's just very shy and not paying too much attention. But in the class just now, he was very attentive and participative.

Checked out 2 kindies for Jeriel...Tadika Peter And Jane and Tadika Penyayang Kanak-kanak. Boy, I'm speechless to find how P & J could cost me if I were to send Jeriel there. I'm going to check out more kindies, but I know the fees are more or less the same.

Sigh...the cost of 1 year in kindy is even more expensive than 6 years in government primary school. What should we poor parents do to secure a place for our little loved ones in those prestigious kindies??

Blogging Again

It's been quite a while since my last blog on Adriel's first day of school. Finally continue blogging.

It's long past midnight now. I can only do this kind of thing (to have a little spare time for my own) after my 2 very active boys, Adriel (a 7-year-old) and Jeriel (a 4-year-old) have fallen asleep. Do I have my hands full? You bet!

Ever since I've resigned from my full-time job of 11.5 years a month ago, I've been staying home with my 2 boys, spending quality time with them. Of course, cleaning and cooking are also part of my daily routine now.

And I must admit that being a full-time domestic manager is even more challenging than being a full-time manager of software development (my previous job position). But boy...am I not glad that I'm my own boss now!!

Everything Is Fine With Adriel

After the first day, there were no problems at all for the subsequent 3 days in school. I took the lunch break off to send him to school, and left the office a little early to pick him up in the evening.

What has he learnt for the past 4 days? I think the most significant one is to be independent. He has to line up before going in to the classroom, walk to the canteen to eat on his own, help himself in the toilet...all without his parents and teachers' help.

I've been worrying about him, but I think I can now heave a sigh of relief...

First Day Of School...continue...

Finally the students were asked to walk into their respective classrooms. Upon reaching Adriel's classroom, I kept my fingers crossed how Adriel would act if we were to leave him alone in the classroom.

I talked to him gently that I would leave the classroom. He asked me to stay but I reasoned to him that parents were not allowed to be in the class. As I walked out, he burst into tears. Hmm...why my boy???

I knew that the longer I stayed beside him, the harder for him to let me go. As the teacher came over to pacify him, I walked out without looking back. Was I doing the right thing? I wondered.

Half an hour later, I peeped into the class, he's still crying. An hour later, he's still crying...when would he be going to stop?

My heart was melting at that moment. What sort of mama I am to leave him alone in somewhere he's not familiar with? You hope that he can get along well with the teacher, the rest of the kids and that he likes his class and school...but hey, it's his first day in school!

I walked into the classroom to sit beside him. He was relieved to see me and stopped crying immediately (yup, immediately). I don't care what other parents would think of me, I just want my boy to feel safe, to know that I'm there when he needs me most.

And The First Day of School is supposed to be fun!

I'm glad what I did. He then paid attention to the teacher and seemed settled immediately (yup, again, immediately). We went to the canteen to have our tea break soon after. I rewarded him for being good by getting him his favorite grape drinks.

The rest of the day was just unbelievable...Adriel's was remarkably good in the class without me beside him. He even approached the teacher to talk to her something.

Even those parents who shook their heads earlier on seeing him cry and me in the class again shook their heads...they said my hero had finally in extremely good mood after almost 2 hours of crying!

Yup, my hero has finally overcome his fear of being alone in a new environment without his dearest ones around. Am I proud that he has finally stepped out his first step without me holding his hands...

Adriel's First Day In Primary School

After almost 2 months' rest, Adriel's finally back to school again. And today is the first day for him to start his formal schooling.

Yes...today, the 3rd of January 2006, is Adriel's first day in primary school. He's in primary one now (a new and very important chapter in life for Adriel, papa and mama).

On this special day, dear hubby and I purposely took leave from work to attend this big event with Adriel. We're proud that our eldest son is finally attending primary one.

Adriel also seems happy about going to school. We'd talked about it for the past 2 weeks or so before the school starts to orientate him about his new school. He seems prepared for it.

Yes, it's a big day...at least for me and for him. He seemed quite excited about going to the new school and I was pleased to assist him to dress up in his smart school uniform and brand new white shoes.

His class is in the afternoon session from 1pm to 6:35pm. And at about 12:45pm, off we went to the new school. (this school is about 5 minutes drive from our home)

Everything was fine until the moment he was supposed to sit at his desk...he wouldn't let me go...