NMSG Meeting

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Brandon in his favorite spot - the couch

He enjoys eating crackers, playing with his new IKEA toy, and looking out the window - "Let me out of here!" :)

This morning, Brandon and I walked to the Camden Medical Center for a New Moms Support Group of Singapore function. There was a speaker at the hospital who talked about vaccinations for children. I was interested in hearing about additional vaccinations Brandon might need based on other Asia travel we might do while we are here.

This was my first NMSG event, and I really enjoyed it! The meeting was in a large room, so there was plenty of room for Brandon to run around. And, I mean, literally, "run around". There were also toys. And, I met some more great people at the group. One lady I recognized and realized that I had met her last weekend at the Forum playground.

After the group, I went to lunch with some moms. Everyone is so inviting and welcoming!

This evening, Brandon and I walked to the Somerset MRT station. I wanted to go to this clothing store that sells only cotton clothes. It is soooo hot here, and I needed a couple more cotton skirts. We also made a trip to the grocery. Yesterday, I spent about an hour doing online grocery shopping. I was going to have the groceries delivered since it is hard to do the shopping here without a car. I can walk to the grocery, but I can only carry so much back. So, I got all of these groceries in my online shopping cart, and then I waited for Steven to get home before placing the order. I wanted to find out if there was anything he wanted that I missed. When I went to place the order, my shopping cart was empty! I guess that I was idle for so long, the site automatically emptied my cart. I was so frustrated, and today I just didn't have the patience for online shopping.

I found out that they sell Brandon's favorite crackers here. At home, they are called Mum Mums. Here, they are called Baby Bites. Same package, but a different name. I've noticed a few things like this. I wonder why??? Would Baby Bites not sell as well in America, even though the packages look the exact same?

My dad told me the other day that my blog makes it sounds like I am living in Disney World. In a way, I am. It is so clean, and the moms I have met seem to be living a vacation life. Lots of fun activities and helpers... So many things that people have taken care of for them... So, I learned today that Singapore is actually called "Disneyland with the death penalty". Funny.

One mom told me today that she likes living in Singapore because she can be a stay-at-home mom here. She said that if they moved back to the UK, then she would have to work. I wonder if this is a reason that so many moms love living here. They have more options and a better life than they would if they lived in their home countries. I found out that Singapore is one of the few countries (city-states) where helpers are "allowed". Hong Kong is another city. It is easy for women from other countries to get work passes to come to Singapore to be helpers. Many of the helpers are from the Phillipines and Vietnam. I met one helper who left her two boys back in Vietnam to come here for work. I guess that she can make more money here and, therefore, provide a better life for her children back home.

In the last few days, I have met a couple of women without helpers. However, the majority of people I have met do have them.

Still hoping to explore another part of the city soon, but it is hard for me to do by myself. Brandon can only handle so much of the heat and the stroller. Exploring means that we have to be out walking in the heat for a while, and it's hard to be out for that many hours without an extra set of hands to help with Brandon.

Brandon is catching on to more every day! Today I asked him if he wanted to talk to Grandma. He went straight for the computer! He is getting the hang of Skype! :) Also, if you ask him to wave, he will wave. This is cool to me because I don't have to wave to show him. If I say the word "wave", he understands. Such a neat stage! I am impressed every time I see that Brandon is learning! He loves attention too. At lunch today, Brandon grabbed my metal fork. I took it from him, and then I saw him staring me straight in the eyes with this ear to ear grin. Suspicious. Then, I noticed that his hand was hovering over another fork and knife next to him. Little stinker! What was funny to me was that he didn't just grab the fork and knife. He was just looking for a reaction from Mommy! He got it. I quickly moved the other silverware away... Oh, Brandon. You crack me up!!! :)

City Hall MRT - The Cathedral of the Good Shepherd

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Fun at the pool!

Our day definitely started with some excitement. Within about a minute of being up, Brandon had thrown one of Mommy's shirts in the toilet. Yuck! I guess it was laundry time...

We decided to try a different church this morning. We took the MRT to the City Hall stop. From there, it was about a ten minute walk to the Cathedral of the Good Shepherd. This church is the oldest Roman Catholic church in Singapore. The chapel was built in 1832, and the church was completed fifteen years later.

When we got to the church, it was so full that we had to stand outside and listen from there. It was a very hot morning, but there was a breeze. Actually, it was probably cooler outside. There was no air conditioning inside the church, just some fans to cool the large crowd.

Even though the cathedral was restored just over ten years ago, it still looked very old - much older than the Catholic churches we are use to seeing in America.

After mass, we went back to the MRT station. Since the station was located in another mall, we found a restaurant and enjoyed a nice lunch together before parting ways. Steven took the train one stop to his work, and Brandon and I took the train two stops in the other direction to home.

Brandon was in great mood this afternoon, and he was very content playing with his toys at our apartment. We decided to stay in and lounge this afternoon. It's not always that Brandon is entertained at home for so many hours.

When Steven got home from work, we went down to the pool for a bit. It was the first time that Steven has had the chance to swim since we got here.

Brandon is getting crazier around the pool. The first couple of times we went to swim, he was content to hang out in the baby pool. Then, he learned that he could climb out of the pool on his own. Since then, he just wants to walk around and around the pools. He chases his balls and gets very close to just jumping in the water. Toys-R-Us here we come! We need a life vest asap! Even though we follow Brandon the whole time, he is fast. I think he was actually close to running today.

Steven learned today that when we go down to the pool while he's at work, it's not for a lazy, relaxing swim... :)

We met a nice older couple at the pool this evening. They are from the UK, and one of their sons and his family live in New Zealand. Because it is such a long flight from the UK to Aukland, they decided to meet each other in Singapore. I think this was the second time they have done this. They don't get to see their son and his family very often. They were here for twelve days. Today, their son's family went home, and tomorrow they go home. They seemed sad. Their son is in New Zealand permanently. The older man made some comment about how the distance breaks the family. So sad...

Tomorrow starts our third week in Singapore.

The Weekend

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Brandon playing at the playground in the Forum mall

Brandon phoning home to his two grandmas

I was hoping to explore a new area of the city today, but it didn't work out. It rained really hard for a while this morning, and Steven was home. By the time it quit raining, it was about lunch time, so we all just went to a nice lunch together before Steven headed to work.

Brandon didn't wake up from his nap until late afternoon, so I just decided to head to the Forum to let him play for a while.

It was a nice relaxing day, and it was wonderful to have Steven home for the first part of it.

This evening I took Brandon down to the pool. I love having a pool here. If I have an itchy hour of the day, then we can take the elevator right down to the pool. Brandon loves the water. I can tell that he loves it more and more each time we swim. He is starting to kick his feet more and splash the water with his arms. He doesn't seem to mind as much as he use to when water gets in his face. Only two problems are that 1) Brandon wants to drink the pool water and 2) Brandon will try to just walk into the pool with no fear. I need to get him a life vest. The arm floaties that I bought him are way too big for his little arms...

Brandon is picking up on so many new things! Yesterday, I sang the Indiana University fight song, and he went and got his IU board book! He did it again today. So cool! His little mind actually works!!! :)

Steven and I are so thankful to be able to talk to people at home everyday on Skype. We really appreciate the effort that friends and family are making to talk to us. Talking to people back home so frequently and so easily really makes it feel like we are closer to home and not on the other side of the planet.

While it feels like we haven't been in Chicago for ages, it also feels like our first two weeks here have gone by quickly. Singapore has been welcoming and warm (literally) so far...

Playdates

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Dragon fruit, Brandon wasn't quite sure what to think of it

Royal Thai Embassy on Orchard Road

This morning, after we walked Steven to the train (of course), Brandon and I took a stroll down Orchard Road. We had some time to kill before catching a cab to our playdate, so I let Brandon get out of the stroller and run around in front of the Orchard Ion (mall). He loves to run wild and be chased!

I didn't know anyone going to the playdate today. The woman that I went to the botanic garden with on Tuesday invited me to the playgroup, but she wasn't able to go at the last minute. It was a little intimidating showing up at some random person's house, but I am so glad that I went! There were about seven other moms and babies. They were all so welcoming. A couple of them don't live far from us, so we are definitely planning on getting together again. It's also nice because we can share cabs when we need to in the future. I've already connected with a couple of these moms on Facebook. I looovvvveeee Facebook and Skype!!!

This afternoon, Brandon and I tried a dragon fruit for the first time. It had the texture of a kiwi, but I didn't think it was as flavorful. I will definitely buy another one so we can try it again. Maybe the one we bought wasn't a good one. Brandon wasn't too crazy about this new food...

Brandon and I had another playdate this afternoon with the woman I met in Borders last week. Her apartment is about a 20-25 minute walk from us. It rained this afternoon, and I thought that the rain would cool things off. However, it seemed to make the heat much, much worse. It was so humid, and I really couldn't feel any breeze. I felt so gross by the time I arrived at my friend's house.

The last couple of days have been noticeably hotter here. I actually had a craving today for some fall weather and a Sam Adam's Octoberfest beer. (For those of you back home who are longing for a few months of warm weather, I'm sorry for even saying that. However, I feel like I skipped several months and ended up in the worst part of August.) They have a place here called "Snow City". It's an indoor place where you can snowboard or ski, and they have a children's area where you can build snowmen and see an igloo. They maintain the temperature at 23 degrees Fahrenheit. When I get a little hot or homesick, maybe I should just go there to hang out. :)

Looking forward to the weekend. Not sure what we have planned or how much Steven will be at home and work, but I'm thinking that maybe we'll have to explore something new here in Singapore.

AWA Playgroup

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Downtown near Steven's office, Singapore River and Marina Bay

Brandon running from Mommy in front of the Ngee Ann City mall on Orchard Road

This morning was my first playgroup with some moms from the American Women's Association. The playgroup met at the Paragon mall playground.

I met three other moms at the group today. I have enjoyed meeting people from different countries since I've been in Singapore, but it was really nice to meet with some American women today. I just needed a little feeling of "home". One of the women has been living in Singapore for two years, but before she moved here she lived in Malaysia for five years. She is originally from Texas. She brought her two boys with her today. One of them is almost two, and the other is about 8 months. She and her family are in the process of adopting the younger boy.

The other two women were also from Texas. One has been here for almost two years. She has a 15 month old son. The other woman has been here for 9 months, and her child was almost two years old.

After letting the kids run around at the playgroud for a while, we went to lunch together. Great conversation. It is helpful to talk to people who have been here for a while. They have so much helpful information for me.

This afternoon, Brandon and I went to the Ngee Ann City mall. I wanted to look for a cell phone to use while I'm here. I didn't end up getting one yet, but I think I'm going to get a phone that I can add money/minutes to as we go. It will be nice to have a phone to use while I'm out and about. Just in case. Also, it will be nice for people to have a way to get a hold of me in case any playgroup or other plans get changed.

Brandon and I took the MRT downtown again tonight to meet Steven for dinner. We walked over to the Singpore River and Marina Bay and ate at a restaurant where we could sit outside right on the river. It wasn't too hot out. There was a nice breeze that helped this evening. It was also so beautiful along the river. Lots of restaurants with outdoor seating. The awnings were so colorful and made the area an even prettier sight to see. Something about this area reminded me of the Grand Canal in Venice...

Right now, I am very thankful for channel 18! The last couple of days, it has aired American Idol! Finally, a little bit of tv from home!!! It would have been nice to vote, but I'm not complaining. :)

Singapore Botanic Garden

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Brandon and his friend Cheng Hoon

Jasmine, Cheng Hoon, Brittany, and Brandon at the Singapore Botanic Garden

This morning, Brandon and I took a cab to the Singapore Botanic Garden to meet Jasmine, Cheng Hoon, and her helper. I met Jasmine on an internet forum for expats.

The botanic garden was amazing! So beautiful and so peaceful. Brandon loved feeding and watching the fish, and he seemed to enjoy just looking around as we strolled through the garden. My favorite part of the garden was seeing all of the different types of ginger. There was an entire area of the garden just devoted to ginger. We are definitely going to have to go back to the garden a few more times. There was just too much to see. We missed the orchid exhibit this time, and I'm sure that is a must see.

It was nice getting to know Jasmine and watching Brandon play with Cheng Hoon. Jasmine has two older boys, one is eighteen and one is fourteen. Cheng Hoon was a bit of a surprise. Jasmine has lived in Singapore for a long time (I think ten years), but her husband lives in Taiwan for work. He comes here on a regular basis to see the family.

Jasmine gave me a ride home from the garden. It is so strange riding in a car with Brandon without his car seat. I put the seatbelt tight around both of us, and I hold on to him tightly, but it is really weird...

This afternoon, Brandon and I spent some time at the pool. Little Brandon wants to be a big boy so badly. There were some older boys playing with balls in the pool. Brandon wanted to play ball with them. He stared at them and tried to push me away. I guess I should get use to that.

:(

Brandon spent an hour walking around the pool chasing balls. The Japanese woman that I met last week was also down at the pool. She said that Brandon is a ball addict. She is so right!!!

Brandon is starting to run. He loves to be chased, so when he sees me coming, he takes off in the other direction very quickly. He keeps me busy!

This evening Brandon and I went to Borders for a bit, and then to dinner at Food Republic (food court) and the grocery. I was so excited to find Nestle 3-in-1 coffee packets at the grocery tonight! I loved these when I was in Romania, and you can't find them in the States. I can't wait to enjoy one tomorrow morning!

I was feeling a bit lonely, and I was missing home a little today. But, I talked to my mom, my mother-in-law, and a friend from home on Skype today and that helped.

I have another playdate with some women from the American Women's Association tomorrow. I am very thankful that it has been easy to meet up with people here. I really want Brandon to have other children to play with. He is so social, and he gets bored hanging out at home with just Mommy all day.

I hope that tonight is a better sleep night for us. Last night, Brandon cut another molar, and it was pretty rough. Poor, poor baby! Those teeth hurt!!!

Hiring Help

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Brandon and his new friend Giles.

I was really looking forward to our first playdate today! After dropping Steven off at the MRT and grabbing some breakfast, Brandon and I caught a cab and headed to our friends' house.

Elizabeth is from Sydney, Australia, but she and her family haven't lived there in a while. They left Australia a few years ago and moved to London. Her husband's family was there. After leaving London, they moved to Hong Kong and now they are here in Singapore.

We had such a nice time hanging out with Elizabeth and Giles. Brandon had a great time playing, and it was beneficial for me to talk to Elizabeth. She was able to give me so much helpful information for living here!

It was also nice to see Elizabeth's home. They live in an apartment complex that's in a more residential area, and it was beautiful! Since Elizabeth and her family have been in Singapore for a while and will be here for the forseeable future, they have an apartment that they have furnished themselves. It definitely felt like a home.

Later this afternoon, Brandon and I went back to the playground at the Forum (mall). So happy that I found this place yesterday! There were lots of other children playing there, and I met another very nice woman from Australia. I think that Brandon and I will use this playground often!

Best part of the day - Brandon and I took the MRT to meet Steven for a quick dinner. It was so nice to see him!!!

After talking to several people over the last week, I have learned that most expats here with children have hired help - (maybe all expats, even those without children). I have had four people in the last two days ask me when I'm getting my hired help. At first, I wasn't exactly sure about what this was. Basically, it is really cheap here to have a live-in nanny. Children call them "aunties". The helper does the laundry, the cleaning, the cooking, some/all of the childcare/babysitting, and whatever else you ask them to do. Our apartment has a small room in the back behind the kitchen. This room has a bathroom and the washer and dryer. I think that this room is intended to be where our hired help would live.

Not sure we could even get hired help if we wanted it. Most of the time the nannies want two year contracts. They need long term work.

This idea of hired help is so new to me, but it is just what people do here. Wild! I'm so use to taking care of everything myself, but it sure would be nice to have someone take care of all of the household chores for us... Speaking of which, I have some dishes to wash... :)