Pregnancy at 28 is different from pregnancy at 39!

1st pregnancy is different from 7th pregnancy.

The nausea (non-existent in my 1st pregnancy) has gotten worse with each subsequent pregnancy. The backache (non-existent in my 1st pregnancy) has gotten worse with each pregnancy.

The energy I had with my 1st pregnancy is non-existent with my 7th pregnancy.

But one good thing has come out of all this - I have been forced to slow down and to take better care of myself. I have no choice or I'll feel worse than I already do.

The things that I thought mattered have to be re-thought. Do I really need to do ....(fill in the blanks) ... or can it wait? Or can it - gasp!- not be done at all?

A friend mentioned that I am very relaxed. I told her that if I have not learnt how to take things slow and easy by now, I wouldn't be here! I was a task-oriented, Type A personality - or so I thought. Then I had all these children! If I don't change, I'd go crazy.

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Articles for the Christian SAHM can be found at :

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You know I am stressed when I start blogging A LOT - like I have the past few days.

But every time I feel like wallowing in my misery, I get sent an article, a video, or s story that in effect tells me - "Snap out of it! Stop having a pity party!" These stories provide a different perspective on life - that no matter what a bad day it has been, there are many out there who are truly suffering and that I should just focus on the positive things that are happening and deal with the negatives in a positive way.

Today, I read this post from Rocks In My Dryer, Living With A Chronic Illness. It made me cry. Her life is hard but she isn't letting it hold her back or hold her down.

If you are like me, grumbling and complaining about how hard life is, perhaps this story give you a different perspective on life. That we should stop complaining about our lot and start being thankful for our children (and the mess they create!), our health, our dhs, the home we have....truly learn to count our blessings.

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Articles for the Christian SAHM can be found at :

www.BuildingUpMoms.com

Hmm...am now thinking if I should have a post partum massage and binding done after I birth this baby - God willing, of course!

I have never had it done. Why? In the 1st place, there's the stress of dealing with a crying baby in the middle of a massage session. You know how they always need to feed when you are busy with something, in the newborn stage? Or they need to nurse every hour or so? I guess I could pump but I seriously doubt I'd be so hardworking! Plus I have thrown away my breastpump since I don't know when.

Then there's the smell and stickiness of the oils. And mostly, as I understand it, for the massage and binding to be effective in restoring one's figure, one needs to be bound tightly for a certain minimum number of hours.

My mom warned me that it would be very hot and itchy. A check with most friends agreed that this was true. One even scratched till her skin broke! Hmm...since I have a tendency to eczema, I think I'll definitely suffer from the itch!

Then there's the modesty issue - yikes! I have to be almost naked when the massage is done!

So why the change of mind? Well, I can feel that my ligaments are much looser this time round and I sure don't want it to over stretch and then end up with everything hanging out, kwim?

So I am torn - to massage and bind or not to?!

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Articles for the Christian SAHM can be found at :

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I know this is so politically incorrect to say and post, but it is lovely to have fresh air again!

Bring tired and nauseous and having to breathe in incense-filled air is just not comfortable! Yes, I am thankful that the Hungry Ghost Month is over!

My immediate neighbour is very devout in celebrating all these festivals so they'll start burning their joss sticks and incense paper on the eve of the festival, often causing us to scramble in double quick time to shut all of the windows and turn on the airconditioning!

It is really suffocating if we do not do that. And to make matters worse, it was recently reported in Straits Times that the smoke-filled air is carcinogenic!!!

It is interesting that this block that I live at in Bishan seems to be a hive of activity whenever these festivals roll around. You should see the edges of the grass verge the morning after these "big days" are celebrated. (Poor cleaners!) One would think everywhere would be the same. But as I thought back of the places I had lived in - Toa Payoh, Ang Mo Kio, Keng Lee Road - none had such zealous believers.

I used to live on a 4th floor flat so I would definitely know if the neighbours burned incense paper and joss sticks but nope, the occassions they burnt their joss sticks and incense papers were few and far between.

But over here, on top of these festivals, there's also burning on the 1st and 15th of every Lunar month! And the daily lighting of joss sticks!

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Articles for the Christian SAHM can be found at :

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This is not a new concept. I don't know if it exists in the Western countries or not but I believe it is not unusual in Asian countries. Not common but not unusual either.

But it is something that really bugs me!

Here is how it usually plays out : Baby is born, mother and child go through the traditional confinement month and thereafter, the baby is handed over to a nanny (could be a stranger or a relative) and the mom returns to work. The nanny takes over all care of the baby 5 to 6 days per week - day and night. The new parents only see the baby after work - if at all - and takes the baby home only for the weekends.

I am sure we all know of someone here in Singapore who does that. I personally know of 4 couples!

I feel sad for the baby. Sure, there must be some circumstances that forces one to do this, right?! Is it really true, that one is forced to do this? Or is it a case of wanting everything but not wanting to give up anything?

Can a child ever be close to his parents when this happens? Maybe. You can never underestimate the grace of God, especially in those truly desperate situations. But, in these cases that I know of, none are desperate cases.  It is all a matter of convenience - for the parents, of course.

Does anyone ever asks the child how he feels? Will the child end up always having a sense of rejection and inferiority? Yes, the nanny may love the child very much and care for him as her own but the fact remains that she is not his mother.

There are of course other repercussions - discipline is one big major issue. Does the nanny discipline the child the way you want her to? And if she doesn't, what do you do?

What about the values of the nanny? Are they the same as yours or only similar? We are often told - values are caught, not taught. This simply means that the child will pick up the values of the person he spends the most time with. And we all know how impressionable children are. How much time do these parents spend with the child compared with the nanny? And even then, the time the parents spend with the child is not even in one's own home but the nanny's home.

And for those who farm out their child to the grandparents - grandparents should be able to be grandparents, not parents.

Yes, I am very disturbed by this. Especially since the cases I know of are the result of the mom not wanting to give up their careers or veer off the career path they have planned. Like it or not, parenting causes lifestyle changes. To expect it to progress as though life is the same sans children is childish and selfish - there! I have said it. I have made my judgement even as I told myself not to!  

I am sorry - but why have a child if you are not going to be there for the child? Is one's career so important? Can it not be slowed down, put aside, temporarily, for the sake of one's own child?

Do not tell me that one has to work. There are lots of working moms out there who do not farm out their child in this manner. There are also couples out there who scaled down their financial commitments in order for mom to stay home and be there for the child. We sold off our old home at a loss in order to be debt free. How important is your child's welfare to you?

How can one farm out their child in this manner? A child is not a pet - there for you when you need it and to be put aside when you are busy and tired. Yes, parenting is tiring. And it is a long term commitment.

But what about quality time you may ask - is there such a thing??? It is somethng drummed up by the "experts" to make the working mom feel less guilty. A young child doesn't understand the concept of quality time. But the child understands how it feels to want to tell something to mom and mom is not there.

And to play the emotional card - how does it feel when your child runs to the nanny when he wants comfort instead of to you?

I say again, sure, there may be cases where the situation is dire and mom really cannot handle looking after the children and working and needs to use this arrangement - perhaps being widowed? But by and large the people who choose this option are not in this situation.

And yet I suppose I shouldn't be shocked if more people take up this option. Afterall, we have wombs for rental, why not moms for rent too, eh?  Sigh....

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Articles for the Christian SAHMs can be found at :

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Ever since I signed up for FaceBook, I got re-acquainted with some friends from long ago. It was fun to catch up and see what we are now doing with our lives. But it got me thinking and musing since most of these friends are now working moms, living a life totally different from mine.

They are living the life I lived before I got married and had kids. For them it was as if it made no difference that they are now moms. Life is still full of partying, shopping, power meals with fellow hip and happening people and looking fabulous.

Don't get me wrong, I am not complaining about my life but I am marvelling at how different our lives have turned out. There's no way my life could be described as full of partying, shopping, power meals and looking fabulous, kwim?  I guess when you compare this way, then no wonder women are hesistant to have more children or to even start having children.

On bad days, I'd ask my close friends - why did I become a mom? And a SAHM at that??? But then I am reminded of my own post, Why I Choose To Stay Home.

Do I really want a life that my friends have? Sometimes, when I feel down and the kids are just plain annoying challenging. Afterall, the grass is always greeener on the other side. But more often than not, the answer is "no". That is their life and this is my life. Is one better than the other? Who's to say?

And what is my antidote to those down moments? Focus on the eternal!

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Articles for the Christian SAHM can be found at :

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Ever since I wrote about the robots in Get A Maid and of course the mention of them in the Sunday Times article (sorry the link no longer works), many people have been asking us if the robots are that great.

Well, first off, we do not get a commission for any of this review, ok?

And here are the pros and cons of the 2 robots - the Roomba and the Scooba.

Roomba Pros (model 415)

1. It really does pick up the dust and dirt really well. After it has done its round in the room, you can walk barefeet and feel the difference! Really. Not exaggerating. And when you empty out the dust holder (is that it's called?!) you can see the amount of dust collected.
2. Corners are attacked with a small "hand" that sticks out of the Roomba's round body. It comes with 2 box-like things called a virtual wall for you to demarcate the area you want Roomba to clean so that it doens't wander all over the house.
3. It is easy to use. And easy to clean.

Roomba Cons

1. It is noisy! Unless you get the latest model which also comes with a timer.
2. Because it does not clean the way I would clean, it takes longer for it to clean a room than if I were to vacuum the room myself.
3. The one I have (apparently it varies from robot to robot) likes to stall in the middle of the room. I have no idea why it does it since there is nothing blocking it nor is there anything stuck in its rollers. So I have to go over and re-start it.
4. Short battery life. The battery lasts about 45 minutes. And takes 2 - 3 hrs to re-charge.
5. It has no dust bag.

How I use it

In order to make full use of the 45 minute life span of the battery, I allow the Roomba about 10-15min per bedroom. Then I put it into the next room. I have 3 bedrooms and 1 stair landing. The master bedroom gets 15min while the rest of the room gets 10min each, adding up to 45min.

This means each room may not be as thoroughly cleaned compared to if I just let it run the whole 45 min in one. But I figured that since I use it everyday, it shouldn't matter.

Then I re-charge it and do the lower level in another session, usually after dinner.

Scooba Pros

1. It has separate clean and dirty water tanks. This means that the floor is always cleaned with clean water. Unlike when you mop with a mop and pail. This results in even more squeaky clean floors! This is extremely helpful when you have a toddler who's learning to feed herself.
2. It removes even the oily spots and stains caused by careless children spilling soups and dropping food.
3. It is easy to operate and clean. Just rinse the parts under water and you are done.
4. There is no need to use any detergent! You can choose to use vinegar but it cleans just as well with plain water. No more chemicals!
5. It also comes with 2 sets of virtual walls.

Scooba Cons

1. Like the Roomba, it likes to suddenly stall in the middle of the cleaning cycle. Again, I have no idea why.
2.  The water tank runs out of clean water faster than the battery! So I have to top it up halfway through the cycle.
3. The battery life of this latest model Scooba lasts about an hour. And again, re-charging takes about 2-3hrs.
4. It does not clean the corners due to its round shape.

How I use it

I use it immediately after I use the Roomba. Generally the bedrooms get Scooba-ed 2x/week while the dining and kichen is done everyday.

Again, I do not let the Scooba run its full 1hr in one room only. I only let it take 15min per room and then I switch it to the next room/area. I bought a second battery so I can actually Scooba the entire house in one session but so far I have not managed to do this coz one thing or another interrupts me!

Conclusion

All in all, despite its cons, I love them both! And I am so getting used to squeaky clean floors! I don't ever remember having floors so clean in my life! Lol! It is nice to just set them going and then have clean floors in 45 min time.

The best was when I had some friends and their children over. Of course the children made a mess during dinner. But unlike before where I had to vacuum and mop after they left, I simply turn the Roomba on, followed by the Scooba and everything was clean once again! With little effort from me.

They have been a great help especially in this period. During the last pregnancy, I had to employ a team of part timer to help with the chores as I was really exhausted in the 1st trimester, with a bad back ache. It helped only slightly since they do not iron and they were only here once a week. So the house returned to its messiness pretty soon after they left!

With the robots, I can get my floors cleaned as often as I like, which is pretty often considering the messes little people can create! Now if only someone can invent a toilet washing robot and a dusting robot!

* One thing to note - The local distributor does not look kindly upon those who bought the robots direct from the US. It guards its territory fiercely. If you need to buy spare parts from them or even a battery, you'll be charge an extra fee on top of the cost of the part/battery.

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Articles for the Christian SAHM can be found at :

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In case you are wondering how far along I am, I hit Week 13 today! I have installed a pregnancy ticker at the sidebar. It looks like this :

So anytime you feel like asking me how far along I am? Just check it out, ok?  EDD is supposd to be 5th March but I have gone past my EDD the last 3 births so I really wouldn't be holding my breath for the baby to pop on or before its EDD.

Since my oldest has been praying for a baby boy 2 babies ago, he seems convinced that this will be the baby boy he's prayed for. Well, we'll see. And yes, I must find out the gender of my babies. It is stressful enough to come up with a name, especially their Chinese name. Can't imagine having to come up with two names!

And...if you are wondering how I am feeling? The polite answer is, "not good".  You don't really want to know what I think!

And no, please do not tell me to try this and that remedy, ok? Thank you but I have probably tried them all and NOTHING, I mean NOTHING works. It used to be that something would work - at least a day or two. But this time around, ZERO stuff works.

I am just glad that I do not actually throw up. I just feel like throwing up. And you know this cheecky baby of mine? She imitates me when when I make that retching sound and grins! Lol!

I am still nursing her though we are down to 2x/day. Whew! I don't know how other moms do it but I absolutely dislike nursing through a pregnancy. And in case you are wondering, the last 5 babies were conceived while exclusively nursing.

I generally still don't feel like doing anything. But having no choice sorta gets things going. Lol!

Cooking would rate as the worst thing to do. Looking at the raw food and then smelling the cooking fumes! Woah! But the alternative is MSG-laden catered food or MacDonald's. Yucks! Truly stuck between a rock and a hard place. So I cook. At least the kids will eat what I cook. They won't eat catered food.

And like what I shared in my article, Being Frugal - Groceries on Building Up Moms, at this stage, I have given up on Menu Planning. I cook what I think I can stomach but even then, sometimes I can't bear to eat what I have cooked.

But the kids are so thrilled about the baby.  Especially my oldest. He has been diligently praying for a baby since I don't know when. And when I told him he had to help around the house more than he already does, he rose to the challenge. Let's see if this keeps up!

I know having 6 children and being pregnant with the seventh is not at all common and yet I am so thrilled to know 3 other MOMYS who are exactly where I am! Hi Misti, Shyla and Angie! It is nice to be able to complain er.. share our discomforts.

Next up will be my review of my 2 robots!

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And yes, we are expecting our 7th child.

In case you missed the article, it is at the moment still available online at :

http://www.straitstimes.com/News/Home/Story/STIStory_271316.html

I am not sure how long this link is for though.

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Just to let you know that my dh, Henson is conducting a 2-day session on Building a Household of Faith at Wesley Methodist Church on 27th & 28th August, 2008.

A synopsis of the session is found below. If you would like to attend, please contact Evangeline Leong at 6837-8610.

Building a Household of Faith

The prophetic word has been given that families will come under even more tremendous pressure and attack in these last days. What are our roles as Christian parents in these final days? Amidst the stresses and pressures of work and life, how do we stay focused to the task and not give up? Is it just parenting skills we need, or a clear and concise understanding of God's word and His mandate for parents as they seek to build a household of faith? This course examines the state of the family today, and the pressures it is exposed to. Against this backdrop, it also highlights the urgency for Christian households to get back to God's Word and His design for their families to live victoriously in these trying times.

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Articles for the Christian SAHM can be found at :

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Just a quick one coz I keep getting SMS-es and emails congratulating me/us about benefitting from the revised, revamped and supposedly very generous Marriage and Pregnancy Package.

• ALL Tax reliefs - nope. It only applies to people who earn a certain income level.
• Childcare subsidies - of no use. We do not send our children to childcare or infant care.
• Baby Bonus - nope. Only for babies born in 2009,.

Unless there are further modifications, we do not get a cent out from the government. And the only child that benefitted was #3. Yes, only ONE out of our 6 children received the Baby Bonus.

But it's ok. After all it is Jehovah Jireh, not the government, eh?

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Articles for the Christian SAHM can be found at :

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I just came across this post at Rocks in My Dryer who has a What I'd Like You To Know series going on. This posting is from a mom of 12 with children ranging in age from 3mths to 21 yrs.

I so, so agree with all that she wrote. Larger than normal families have it tough in a society that hates children.

Anyhow, here is an excerpt of what she posted.

First, and perhaps most obviously, many people with larger families encounter negative attitudes almost daily. Snide comments from strangers, nosy questions about their private lives, or unsupportive extended family all combine to make the members of a big family feel more like a circus side-show than legitimate members of society.

The announcement of a new pregnancy is very often not met with joy, but with condemnation (if you are on the receiving end of such an announcement, be the exception and offer a simple congratulations).  I could compile quite a list of all the obnoxious things that have been said to those of us with a passel of young’uns, but I'd rather not go off on that tangent. You'll just have to take my word for it that for many people, there does not appear to be any sort of regulatory gizmo betwixt their brains and their mouths. Yet I persist in believing that it's really not that difficult to be kind, or at the very least, silent!

Along those same lines, it often seems that families with lots of children are viewed with a more critical eye than those with the standard two. If a child acts up, it is of course because they come from such a large family and obviously don’t get enough attention.

If their clothing is threadbare, it is because the parents must be financially strapped. If the baby has a dirty face, it is apparent that no one cares enough to clean it. Whereas  a smaller family might be given the benefit of the doubt (all children throw tantrums at times, like to wear one item of clothing until it consists of three strands, and smear food upon their faces), for the larger family it becomes an opportunity to criticize.

A mother pregnant with her second child is offered sympathy as she struggles with morning sickness and fatigue, but ask a mother pregnant with her fifth if she was offered any. This makes it difficult, even in a church setting, for those parents to share any difficulties they are having.

I personally struggle with painful varicose veins that are aggravated during pregnancy. However, asking for prayer has sometimes been met with the attitude that such are my “just desserts” and so why would God heal me? I suspect the same attitude crops up when rebellious children, or money woes, are the issue.

Parents of large families are not out to prove anything. We’re not vying for your admiration, we aren’t trying to win any awards, we don’t view childbearing as some sort of contest (someone asked my husband during our last pregnancy if we were trying to “beat the Duggars”), and we don’t think you’re less spiritual than we are if you have fewer than we do. We aren’t asking anyone for special treatment, but it doesn’t seem too much to ask for common courtesy. Resist the urge to count out loud as you see us go by.......

For the full article visit : http://rocksinmydryer.typepad.com/shannon/2008/07/what-id-like--3.html

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Articles for the Christian SAHM can be found at :

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Sigh....In the past 10 years as a SAHM I have had countless number of people telling me that I need a maid*. When I had 1 child then and now when I have 6 children. This refrain is repeated ad nauseum! Sigh.

Does it annoy me?

YES!!!

Why do people do that?! And I have noticed that it is people who have a maid who'll tell me to get one! Then in the same breath they would complain about their maid.

I was thinking and thinking about this after a very recent suggestion that I get a maid (like this morning!) and I think I have got it figured out! Haha!

The answer could be this very telling reply I had from a fellow SAHM who has a maid : You need a maid because since I can't handle the children and the household without one, how can you?Meaning : if I, with less children need one, you with a lot more children and younger ones at that, definitely need one.

Hmm...

So is it a case of maidless SAHMs making SAHMs with maids feel bad/inadequate that they need a maid? Would they feel better if we finally get a maid? I hope not coz I am sure that is not the intention of maidless SAHMs.

Would I like to have a maid? Yes and no.

On bad days when the house is in a mess and I am so, so physically tired, Yes! So that I do not have to do the housework and other stuff that I don't like to do - dusting, changing of bedsheets, cleaning the fans, the toilets.....And perhaps the occasional need to run some errands/dr's appointments without 6 small bodies tailing along. An extra pair of hands is definitely helpful. And how nice to just open my mouth and get things done without me having to get off my butt!

But generally, no, coz I really cherish the privacy we have right now. Plus the need to watch out for, manage and care for another person will probably stress me. Even if she is a good helper. But mostly, I like not having to look over my shoulder all the time, being able to leave money and other valuables around. Even having my parents or ils over at my place when I want to rest makes me feel awkward. Can't imagine having a stranger in the house all the time!

Will I never get a maid? Well, I have learnt to never say never! We may have to one day. Like if I ever get blessed with twins  or have elderly or sick parents/parents-in-laws stay with us.

But I tell you what I am planning to get to ease the workload (besides training the children to be helpers in the home), I am getting the....Roomba and the Scooba from iRobot!!!   Now these can be my maids and I don't have to bother about them intruding my privacy!  I told dh that if they work out, they would be better value for money than a once-a-week part timer cleaner since they can be used daily! Ok - so I still have to dust and wash the toilets but hey! that'll be a fraction of what I do around here!

And do you know what I would really like? A cook! Yes! A live-in personal cook would be my idea of bliss! Imagine just turning up at the meal times and having healthy, yummy meals all prepared for you. Every meal, every day. Heaven!!!

Edited : No, I made a mistake, I don't want a live-in cook either! Lol! I just want a personal chef that'll come, whip up delicious meals and leave - 3x a day!

* maids - This for you US and Australian moms In Singapore (like the other SE Asian countries), a live-in maid is relatively cheap. And so, it has become very common to have a maid in the home. When one doesn't have one, one is looked upon with either admiration or as if you have 3 heads on you.  It is as though one's household cannot function without a live-in maid. But there are households without maids even WOHM households.

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What's up?

1. On the home front

Can you tell that I have been busy decluttering?  All those For Sale posts did give you a clue, right?  Whatever I am not able to sell are in a box now waiting to be donated to the orphanage at Canossa Convent (I am an old girl at the primary school!) According to my mom (who was also an old girl), they will try to sell them off and raise funds for the orphanage.

All that decluttering and re-organising was caused by our decision to finally get a carpenter to come in to construct a built-in wardrobe for the girls' room - after 3 years of living with make-shift wardrobes and shelves. We also fixed doors to our numerous bookshelves- 7! So the reason for my lack of blogging here and over at Building Up Moms website was all these activities! And yes, it took me all of July to get them done.

But the girls' room is so much neater now and our bookshelves are much less dustier than before! The amount of dust here!!!

2. School

We finished our school year in June - yay! and was on a 1 month break. 

Then I had to do school planning for the upcoming school year. I had already gotten almost everything ready and all I had to do was to divide it up by the months we were doing school. But then, I forgot that I had a really inquisitive toddler who's into everything! Everything then took three times as long to complete! Argh!

It took me days and nights of planning and keying into the computer to get them all done! I am so cross-eyed by now! And then of course, I had to do up their individual planners so that they can be responsible for their own work.

But...

It is ALL done for now! Whew!  i certainly pray and hope that all that work was worth it as we start school tomorrow!

3. Family

As mentioned, the toddler (14mths already!) is into climbing! She climbs anything and everything in sight that her little legs can get round to! The triumphant look on her face when she's successful is priceless though!

But it means all of us are kept busy making sure she doesn't climb on anything too wobbly. Thankfully, I have 5 extra pairs of eyes now!

We are also in the midst of training the older ones to take on more household chores. Now that is an exercise in itself - for me!

As you can see, we have been busy! And since we start school tomorrow, I doubt I'll have time to blog regularly. So if you don't want to keep checking here and finding nothing new to read  remember to sign up for UPDATES at the left hand bar.  

4. Economics and Politics

Oh, before I end this, just wanted to say - do you realise that everything in this world is coloured by politics or economics?

I watched the Beijing Olympics Opening ceremony on Friday night and found it really amazing. I am sure the Chinese people were very proud of themselves. It made me proud to be Chinese!  

But I just read in today's Sunday Times that the though the praises came loud and clear from Asia, the West was not so effusive. But not coz the ceremony was lousy but rather coz they had to make references to China's communist past and "bad" human rights track record, etc... Why couldn't they just enjoyed the show and give credit where credit is due?

Then there is the economics factor. It was World Breastfeeding Week last week. But there was so little publicity that I doubt any non-breastfeeding mom knew about it! Actually, I wonder if all breastfeeding moms knew about it!

It is just an uphill task breastfeeding advocates face against the mainstream tide of formula milk companies and their huge arsenal of advertising and marketing gimmicks. Breastfeeding will never be top priority in any government initiative since it doesn't bring in any big money! Just like SAHMs will never be acknowledged save for some lip service since we don't bring in the big money either!

Oh well, we do what we do, not cause of clever marketing or monetary push. We do what we do coz we believe it is right and best for our families. Right?

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Articles for the Christian SAHm can be found at :

www.BuildingUpMoms.com

TRULY AMAZING...BEYOND HUMAN WORDS

A son asked his father, 'Dad, will you take part in a marathon with me?' The father who, despite having a heart condition, says 'Yes'. They went on to complete the marathon together.

Father and son went on to join other marathons, the father always saying 'Yes' to his son's request of going through the race together.

One day, the son asked his father, 'Dad, let's join the Ironman together.' To which, his father said 'Yes' to. For those who didn't know, Ironman is the toughest triathlon ever. The race encompasses three endurance events of a 2.4 mile (3.86 kilometer) ocean swim, followed by a 112 mile (180.2 kilometer) bike ride, and ending with a 26.2 mile (42.195 kilometer) marathon along the coast of the Big Island.

Father and son went on to complete the race together. View this...

{Updated and edited to reflect status of books 2 Aug 08}

After more de-cluttering (how did we accumulate so much stuff anyway?!)

I have more books to clear that some of you may be interested in. Prices do NOT include postage and handling. All sale on a first-come-first-served basis. No reservations unless full payment is made. If interested, please email to buildingupmoms@gmail.com. Thanks for looking!

Adults :

How to pamper your pregnant wife by Rob and Sam Shultz $1.00

PB. GC.

Feeding Your Allergic Child by Elisa Meyer $3.00

PB. Fair. Creases on front cover. Slight yellowing

Eat Well, Lose Weight  While Breastfeeding by Eileen Behan $3.00

PB. GC.

The Chinese Pregnancy and Confinement CookBook by Ng Siong Mui $15.00 (was $26.75). PB. Almost New.

The Complete Wok and Stir Fry Cookbook $5.00

200 step-by-step recipes with over 1000 photographs. PB. Fair. Slight creasing on covers.

Children :

Jay Jay the Jet Plane - Lot of 7 for $3.00

PB. Fair. Two books has been mended.

Gotta Have God - Cool Devotions for Boys $15.00

PB. Spiral Bound. Almost new.

Escape from the Slave Traders – David Livingstone by Dave & Neta Jackson (Trailblazer Books) $7.00

PB. Brand New.

Lot of toddler books $1.50

Includes : Moses and the very special basket by Sunny Griffin. (HC), Tommy Teddy meets the Farm Animals (HC), Incy Wincy Spider and other nursery rhymes Ladybird (HC) and Alligator Baby by Robert Munsch (PB).

A Child’s Book of Art $5.00

Great Pictures First Words selected by Lucy Micklethwait (used in Sonlight’s Pre-K)

Hard Cover

Readers :

GINN Reading Programme readers. $25.00

Includes:

The GINN Reading Programme – New Reading 360

Level 2 Little Books Set 3

Somewhere to Play

Watch That Cat!

Jil’s baby brother

Level 3 Little Books Set 3

The babysitter

Noah’s ark

Sparky’s dragon

Where’s Little Ted?

Dolly’s Magic Brolly

Tom looks for a home

Reading 360 The GINN Reading Programme Level 2 Books 1 – 12 (3 & 4 missing)

Reading 360 The GINN Reading Programme Level 3 Books 1 – 12 (5 & 6 missing)

Previous Titles Still unsold :

God Peels An Onion by Maureen Onions $1.00

PB. VGC. Much is being said about the Toronto Blessing and there are many who long to experience a touch from God. Questions frequently asked are : Will this experience and its  effects last? Are prophetic words given really an indication of God’s plans?

Carnal Christians and other words that don’t go together by Rich Wilkerson ($0.50)

PB. Fair with yellowing of pages

Basic Christianity by John RW Stott $0.50

PB. Fair with yellowing of pages

One I Love by Joy Jacobs & Ruth Dourte $3.00

PB. GC. A devotional for couples, includes study guide

Prayer Strategy Resource Book by Ruth Shinness $3.00

(Unlock the Heaven through praying Scriptures) PB. Spiral Bound. GC

What Happens When God Answers by Evelyn Christenson $1.00

PB. Fair. Yellowing of pages

Great Joy a 31-Day Devotional by J I Packer $1.00

PB., Fair. Yellowing and some highlighting

Great Grace a 31- Day Devotional by J I Packer $1.00

PB. Fair. Some yellowing.

{Buy both for $1.50}

In Search of Spiritual Excellence by Andrew Murray  $0.50

PB. Fair. Some yellowing.

Life? Any questions? Findng spiritual meaning on the fast track by Greg Laurie $1.00

Is That Your Money or His? By George Wan $1.00

I am clearing out our bookshelves AGAIN

We no longer require these books. Would anyone be interested in taking them off my hands? They are all priced mostly at $1.00 with the most expensive at $5.00.

Please note the terms and condtions :

1.       1^st-come-1^st-served.

2.       Prices do NOT include postage/handling.

3.       No reservation unless fully paid up.

4.       Payment via internet/ATM transfer.

5.       NO prior viewing and selection.

6.       Priority given to those who make bulk purchases

7.       Email me at buildingupmoms@gmail

Ok here is the listing of the books :

God Peels An Onion by Maureen Onions $1.00

PB. VGC.

Much is being said about the Toronto Blessing and there are many who long to experience a touch from God. Questions frequently asked are : Will this experience and its  effects last? Are prophetic words given really an indication of God’s plans?

God Grows An Onion by Maureen Onions $1.00

PB. VGC.

How do you hear from God? Does God speak to ordinary people today? Can you know the will of God in your life?

Carnal Christians and other words that don’t go together by Rich Wilkerson

PB. Fair with yellowing of pages.

Basic Christianity by John RW Stott $0.50

PB. Fair with yellowing of pages

One I Love by Joy Jacobs & Ruth Dourte $3.00

PB. GC

A devotional for couples, includes study guide

Becoming Soul Mates by Les and Leslie Parrott $1.00

Cultivating Spiritual Intimacy in the early years of marriage

PB. Fair. Yellowing of pages.

Prayer Strategy Resource Book by Ruth Shinness $3.00

Unlock the Heaven through praying Scriptures

PB. Spiral Bound. GC

What Happens When God Answers by Evelyn Christenson $1.00

PB. Fair. Yellowing of pages

Great Joy a 31-day Devotional by J I Packer $1.00

PB. Fair. Yellowing and some highlighting

Great Grace a 31- Day Devotional by J I Packer $1.00

PB. Fair. Some yellowing.

~~~Buy both for $1.50~~~

In Search of Spiritual Excellence by Andrew Murray  $0.50

PB. Fair. Some yellowing.

Life? Any questions? by Greg Laurie $1.00

PB. Fair. Yellowing

Bible IQ by Rayburn Ray $1.00

1000 questions to rate your scriptural savvy

PB. Fair. Some yellowing of pages.

New American Standard Bible $3.00

Brand new. VGC. With tabs and maps

Family Altar by Rev Francis Ngoi Ngie Huat $1.00

Guide for sharing of spiritual food

In Chinese and English

PB. VGC

Using Your Money Wisely by Larry Buckett $3.00

Biblical Principles under scrutiny

PB. Fair. Some highlighting and yellowing.

The Heart of Success by Rob Parsons $3.00

Making it in business without losing in life

PB. GC. Slight yellowing on edge of book.

Planning your financial life by BJ Ooi & Andy Ong $3.00

Your guide of financial success in Singapore during good and bad times

PB. VGC.

Ten Golden Rules for Financial Success by Gary Moore $3.00

Riches I have gathered form legendary mutual fund manager Sir John M. Templeton

PB. GC. Some highlighting.

Is That Your Money or His by George Wan Tian Soo $3.00

PB. Brand New.

How to raise a family on less than two incomes by Denise Topolnicki $5.00

PB. Fair. Some highlighting and yellowing.

More Brain Maths by Tan Thoo Liang (EPB) $1.00

Using puzzles and teasers More Brain Maths promises many hours of mental enjoyment.

PB. GC.

IQ MAths Two

Contains interesting puzzles and quizzes to challenge lower primary students

PB. GC.

Thanks for looking!

Yet another rant...

Why do people ask for advise but refuse to take them?!

I'll let it pass once, twice, maybe even three times, but consistently so??? I get annoyed. If you don't trust my judgement and advice, then why ask me???

I am not saying I know everything or I am always right, but really, if you don't like what I say, disagree with my philosophy of life, then why ask?

Strange.

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Articles for Christian SAHMs can be found at :

www.BuildingUpMoms.com

Praise God!

Another lady who attended our Experiencing God In Pregnancy talk gave birth early this month and she had an awesome birth!

No pain!

I am just beaming with joy for her and awed by the awesome-ness of our God. Check out her birth story on her blog at Precious Memories.

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Articles for Christian SAHMs can be found at :

www.BuildingUpMoms.com

Recently there was a spate of articles in the Straits Times about parents spending huge amounts of money to make sure their child/ren are kept ahead of the pack. I already wrote briefly about this on Of Babies and Tuition.

In case it wasn't clear in that post, let me state again - I certainly do not believe in hothousing our children.

BUT

I believe in encouraging them to do the best they can and will not hold them back if I can help it;.

Why do I say that? My oldest read very early. He read "milk" to me at the grocery store one day when he was barely 21 months old. And most of our children are able to hold a pencil and write simple letters by the time they are 2.

Does that mean I was/am hothousing them??? NOPE! They learnt what they learnt through our daily life and through their playing with each other.

When I mentioned that most could hold a pencil and make lines that became letters  the person I was speaking to was shocked. And when I said, "No, I am not hothousing them", the person replied, "You're not?" sceptically.

Oh please! I have 6 children, 10 and under. I need to cook, homeschool the older ones, keep the younger ones out of trouble and clean the house. Do you think I have time to hothouse them even if I wanted to???

I don't hold back the children. This is what I'll say. If they show interest in reading, and I am able to give them simple 10 minute lessons on phonics, I do it. If they are interested in counting and matching numbers to the things they count, I buy them simple number matching "workbooks" from Popular and let them play with it.

If they get it wrong, they get it wrong. If they get it right, good for them. They have progressed with no stress on either them or me. But this is not hothousing lah!

There - I have gotten this outoff of my chest!

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Articles for the Christian SAHMs can be found at :

www.BuildingUpMoms.com