I’ve heard many stories from my mum but not this one.  This, is a secret my mum has kept from the family throughout the years and this is the first time I’m hearing it.  The story of the swallowed safety pin.

My mum was about 19 years old when she got married and not long after, my eldest brother was conceived.  Being young and inexperienced, my mum obviously had lots to learn about child rearing.  She didn’t have the benefit of reading books nor anyone for advice.  Moreover, being a SAHM at that time meant she had to take care of all the household chores too.

So the story was that she found out one day too late that a safety pin was missing.  Safety pins, as you may know, come in various sizes and the missing one had to be the largest.  To her horror, my brother, who was less than one year old at that time, had apparently swallowed it.  And horrors of horrors, the safety pin was left open before it was swallowed!  Can you imagine the panic my mum felt then? 

Out of fear, my mum didn’t even dare breathe a word to anyone and kept the anxiety all to herself, not knowing what to do.  She was all antsy, worried that the safety pin would cause permanent damage to my brother and that anxiety lasted a good 24 hours until the safety pin was passed out together with his poop.  My brother survived unscathed and my mum was finally able to heave a sigh of relief!

Till today, she hadn’t told my brother the story but she swears it was the worst time in terms of her parenting years.   I can certainly understand how she felt because I had a similar experience, which I won’t be sharing as yet though. 

So what about you?  Have you encountered any scare in performing your duties as a parent?

Our maid Ana did return last Friday.  We had a slight scare but it was all worked out eventually.  Otherwise, a domestic battle would have erupted considering our frayed tempers during these three weeks.

The man was happiest because he had to endure quite a bit of hardship during the past three weeks and was deprived of his daily dose of blended juice and nicely ironed shirts.  So now, we are all back to our usual routines and I’m going to stay away from laundry and dish washing for a long while for sure!

As for the boy, he was super elated when receiving his auntie at the airport.  In fact, I don’t even recall him being so joyous whenever his dad returns.  Once back home, he’s been tagging after her non-stop and insisting that she does everything for him!  And strangely, he’s starting to pass motion again on a daily basis after all the constipation.

So we survived during those three maidless weeks but life without a maid was tough.   I’ve always had one to help me maintain my sanity for the past 15 years or so.  The drudgery of domestic work is killing and my hands are so darn rough from all the cleaning, washing and scrubbing.   But I swear.  My cup of morning tea definitely taste sweeter than before now.

The best eateries aren’t always well known and the well known aren’t always the best.  Those were my thoughts after trying the pork ribs soup at the famous Ng Ah Sio Pork Ribs Soup Eating House at Rangoon Road.

Seriously, I don’t understand the hype and if it wasn’t because my FIL wanted to eat there, I probably would have given the place a miss.  Afterall, I’m no fan of pork ribs soup and if we wanted any, it’s always homemade or the Tiong Bee Bah Kuk Teh at Balestier.

The peppery soup was too thick and spicy and the pork ribs were too tough.  I also didn’t like the smell of the braised pig trotters.  But food aside, I was pretty impressed that the traditional looking eating house is all computerized with orders taken through PDAs by grumpy looking waiters and waitresses.  And while we didn’t expect great service but we were pleasantly surprised that it was all very efficient and our food came fast and furious.  Another plus was, the place is spacious and clean with plenty of seats!

Sitting outside was probably a better choice since it happened to be a breezy morning.  But still, that didn’t stop both my boys from being soaked in perspiration after the meal.

(Ng Ah Sio Pork Ribs Soup Eating House is located at No. 208 Rangoon Road.  Head there before 2pm unless you want to be snubbed like Donald Tsang.)

Bedside conversation 1

Boy snuggled close up to mummy.  Mummy asked, “Why do you like to sleep so close to me?” Boy answered,”Because I love mummy.  Mummy is so beautiful, so wonderful, so cute!” 

Daddy who was standing at the bedside chipped in and asked, “What about daddy?”  Boy answered, without a moment of hesistation, “Daddy is not beautiful!”

Daddy’s face fell to the floor.

Bedside conversation 2

Mummy was lamenting that the boy is too skinny.  “You must eat more.  You need to grow fatter.”  Boy answered, “No lah, I don’t want to grow fatter.”  Mummy tries from another angle.  “You can become stronger, like daddy.”  Boy immediately protested.  “Noooo.  I don’t want to become like daddy.  I don’t want to have chin (double chin) like daddy!”

Daddy, who was listening to this conversation all the while decided to break his silence.  “Okay, then don’t get daddy to bathe for you.  Mummy should be bathing for you instead!” 

Mummy’s turn to cry now.

I like to munch a lot.  Nothing delights me more than food. Even if I’m depressed, the mention of food will get my eyes all brightened up.  

The man, since starting his exercise routine, has cut down on his intake of food and hence, is always going tsk tsk about my munching.

Just the other day, at my in-law’s, he shook his head when he saw me eating again, right after we already had lunch.  So he said, “at the rate you’re eating, you’re going to get fat for sure.”  Then I turned around with a mouth still full of food and looked at him strangely.

“But I’ve been eating like that for the longest time and I haven’t grown very fat what!”

And to that truth, we both burst out laughing.

(Okay, hate me but I’m still vouching for those yummy cheese party cubes!)