So i’ve slowed down on my writing recently - due to unforeseen circumstances - but that’s alright coz’ i can do more stuff with Chloe and look for pet beds for my best g/f from home. You see buying it back home is pretty ex and they probably don’t have the same stuff.. so i am buying them for her here.. and then bringing it home with me.. next year.. when i go home for a visit. Anyhow, i also have more time to do more catch up on my reading .. and plan for more activities for Chloe, so the unforeseen event turned out to be a blessing in disguise. I’ve always believed in making the best outta any situation .. and staying positive at all cost is my motto, afterall, Chloe is my only daughter.. and i need to do what is best for her.. and the rest are secondary right..?

So i read that the Vitamin D can do a lifetime of health benefits for our kids..?? Chloe is already taking a vitamin E supplement because she doesn’t take a lot of vegies. So what does Vitamin D do..?? and how much do they need to build strong bones and help prevent serious health problems in the future..?? It looks like the vitamin D can deliver a wide range of benefits. It is said that vitamin D plays a role in the prevention of seious chronic illnesses .. such as type 1 and type 2 diabetes.. and multiple scleriosis, cancer, heart disease and mental health problems like depression .. and schizophrenia. And since i have diabetes.. and rumor has it.. that it will run in the family.. i have no choice.. but to keep abreast on stuff like that right..?? So yes..! i’m heading out to the pharmacy .. and getting some for Chloe. But i’m gonna check with the pharmacist and see how much a kid can take.. becuase i read that one shouldn’t take more than 1,000IU of it a day - plus don’t forget to tell the pharmacist what you kid’s diet is already.. this will help determine how much your kid is able to take. Overdosing your kid with vitamin D is not advisable .. because it can make your kid feel nausea and long period of overdosing can lead to kidney stones and damage to the heart, lungs and blood vessels.

So the flu shots are supposedly to be here soon .. and with the HN1N thing going around, we too wonder if we should take the needle, for those in the US, i think they are covered by short term health insurance NC. But of course, there are so many speculation and theory .. and so much to read online, you’ve gotta wonder right ..?? to take or not to take. With the babysitter having mono and stuff going around, it’s a good thing - the brat didn’t catch mono from her. Luckily, I had also curb and forbid Chloe to kiss the babysitter for the longest time.. actually since she started school. But she knows better not to kiss anyone on the lips.. yes - she sometimes does try with the babysitter.. moreso, to defy us.. and to irritate her. So we thank our lucky star - that she didn’t catch mono from the babysitter - when we heard 3 weeks ago, she caught it.

Which brings us back to - should we take the flu needle or the HN1N needle..?? so a call to the public nurse told us that she didn’t have as much info as she wants to yet - since the vaccine has not arrived. She feels that even if we did get HN1N .. she didn’t think that it would render life - threatening to be admitted to the hospital. But since PB has asthma, he will be eligible for it.. and so will the entire family. She wants us to check back in a week about the vaccine. As for the babysitter having mono, we don’t know where she might have caught it .. and even though she is out of the contagious stage, a check with our family doctor - he had said that she was gonna be quite tired for now, therefore, we had told the babysitter not to come in .. till later, in order not to stress her out or to strain her immune system - because chloe can be quite handful too at times. For those who have taken the flu shots or the HN1N vaccine, please let me know how it went.

We were invited by the Zhu’s for their son’s one month celebration tonite. We left at 7.30pm from the store.. and already there were a few ppl there. The Zhu’s are very popular ppl eh.. and we are indeed blessed to have them as friends. Jasmine on the far left.. is another friend’s daughter - she is definitely getting prettier each time i see her. It’s too bad we don’t see her as often. And Jessica - of course is so sweet.

I was so excited .. i forgot all about taking pictures of the food and my diet pill reviews .. hahahha!! to engross talking with everyone.. and watching the 3 gals play.

There is Mrs Zhu - Yen - and a friend/customer.. and Mrs Zhu looking very radiant. I salute this woman.. because she worked in the restaurant till the day .. she had her baby .. and all thru’ her labour.. she didn’t make a noise. Very tough lady!

Regular customer - Mike and his wife turned friends were also in the party of course. This couple is very sporting.. and very, very kind.

We had a feast..! got lobsters too..!!!! and roasted pork ribs.. and vegies with mushrooms.. noodles.. rice.. chicken, duck .. and other things too. It was pretty good.. but i already had dinner.. so i took a lil’ of everything. The dinner ended at 10pm.. but chloe was very happy .. running around with the other children.. and thankful for good friends, good food .. and good company.

So we went bowling on Sunday .. but that’s only because we had a birthday party to attend at the bowling alley. I missed the bowling alley near the Miami beach hotels. where the bowling balls are of normal sizes. The bowling balls here are mini sizes. I had wanted to get Chloe her own pink bowling balls.. but they are like $200+ dollars.. so nah.. not gonna happen.. hahahah!! PB was sore from bowling .. because he hasn’t bowled in such a long time.. hahha!!! See that torn up jeans..?? yes..! torn.. and guess what he said.. when i asked him.. “you going out with your town up jeans..??” In which he replied.. “yes..! it’s sunday.. and i’m gonna wear what i wanna wear”. *slap forehead*.

Of course, chloe loves bowling too.. as you can see. Even though the rest of the kids were eating chips.. and running around.. she was bowling earnestly.

I’ve had a busy week, from Chloe being sick.. and recovering.. and then getting sick again.. and afterwhich, I had to help with a friend’s delivery. So welcome.. Baby X - because his parents haven’t named him yet. Baby was delivered on the 17th Sept 2009 @ 1951hrs. I was all the way with his parents.. when he was being delivered. So there is gonna be another classroom furniture for him.. when he is older.. just like his sister.

Seeing his mother go into labour.. for more than 24hrs.. and then had to have a C- section.. after trying so hard.. reminded me of my own birth story.. but mine wasn’t as traumatic as his mother. His mother, Yen was truly a super - trooper .. and didn’t make one sound.. all thru’ those contractions. But baby was delivered healthy.. and he is such a handsome looking boy. Baby and mom was discharged today.. and i had to do some pharmacy run for them.. and finally they are home. Thank God..!! for a safe delivery.

Chloe had gotten sick again .. this morning.. so we kept her home. I was torn in between going to be with Yen .. in the hospital.. to help her with her new born baby .. or to stay with Chloe. I stayed with Chloe most time.. till Kate came.. and then went to the hospital to visit Yen.

Guess who we found in the hospital with poor Yen ?? Jessica..!!!! oh boy..!!! she was left in the hospital .. with Yen.. and she just had her C- Section. So we brought Jessica back to the store with us.. and babysat her for a bit.. with Kate’s help of course.. and then Kate went over to the chinese restaurant .. and babysat Jessica there.. while i went home with Chloe. Poor Jessica.. and poor PB ..!! having to run up and down.. helping me .. with Chloe.. and Yen. But Jessica was a doll..!

She slept good last nite.. and woke up good.. and we even snuggled a bit on my bed.. before we got up to go to Macdonalds for breakfast.. but half way thru’ her pancakes.. she came down with a fever. Strange and worrisome - yes.. PB was sick since Tuesday.. but he is pretty much over it.. but hacking a lot.. and he stayed away from Chloe as much as possible. So this sudden outbreak of high fever.. really .. have me all worried now.

So we headed up to the emergency .. since the family doctor isn’t working today.. and the kid didn’t wanna go onto the exam table at the emergency room. We cajoled .. we teased.. we did everything.. to help her onto the exam table. Finally, we managed to persuade her onto the table.. and the doc took a quite look at her.. and send us home with some tylenol. Would be nice if they made some specially for kids .. the exam table I mean .. with toys and gadgets on the sides eh.. Maybe, some day someone would .. one can always hope.

As cute as she may be .. and as much as we love her .. the kid wouldn’t sleep at nite .. and most times.. we would end up getting really frustrated… as if she was testing our patience .. and pushing us to our limit.

She is extremely smart.. and extremely sensible in a lot of things.. but the kid wouldn’t sleep. She is aware of the consequences.. if she doesn’t get enough rest.. and that we would not let her go swimming the next day if she doesn’t get enough rest .. yet she refuses to sleep at a reasonable time.

We are not even asking the brat to sleep at 7.30pm.. like the neighbour’s kids .. nor at 8.30pm.. or even 9.30pm since we only get home at 9.30pm most days. 10.30pm is reasonable.. it gives us enough time.. to read to her.. watch a little show with her.. and then she sleeps..so that we can get some housework done .. or cook for her lunch for the next day - since she is such a fussy eater. But nope.. the kid wouldn’t sleep.

So at 11.30pm .. i’ll be looking like that.. yes.. i kid you not. But nevermind.. i tell myself.. we asked her to go pee again.. and give her more water.. and carry her from the bathroom to the tv room again.. and cajole her to bed again … but nope.. the kid wouldn’t sleep.

So by 12.30am.. she thinks she is cute.. we think she is not.. and ready to blow up.. and ready to start screaming at her.. but hate to do it.. because that is not good parenting right..?? so we reason with her.. and tell her that we are not letting Kate come babysit her the next day.. and all hell breaks lose because she starts wailing her lungs out. So i put on my sweater.. and tell her.. i’m leaving .. and more wailing.. and then she promises to sleep.. and she cleans up her tears.. and talk a little more.. and wants more hugs and kisses.. and then she falls asleep at 1.45am. So yes.. as much as we loved the brat .. with all our heart and ever breathe we take.. the kid wouldn’t sleep. Pray tell what can we do… and if you think we haven’t tried everything.. than you are wrong.. we’ve been trying for 5.5yrs.. and she just wouldn’t sleep at nite.. when we are around.

So we are back from our vacation, a short one .. but that was all the time we could afford. We didn’t go very far.. but we did a lot .. more than we had for the last 5 yrs. With your own businesses and a child.. and years of ex-employees that had the “me first” attitude.. there was just no way to go anywheres. This year, we had Katelynn who double up as a part time employee at the store.. and looked after the store.. while we were gone. Yes, she followed instructions to the tee .. and we had no problems with her manning the store.. for she is trustworthy. On top of it.. we had our good friend, Gary come see look.. and help Kate when it was busy - during the days we were gone. Grateful for good friends.. and finally a good employee - we are going for another short break in August before the summer ends. So while PB bought some golf training aids for himself, he bought me this handmade necklace. Love it..!! and he insisted on paying for it.. so i’m happy.

So the kid had a bad throat that frightened me but she was good nature .. and was still alert and all with no fever. The family doctor didn’t wanna give her any medication.. but come Wednesday.. she was running a temperature and complained that her throat really hurt.

All thru’ the ordeal, she was good nature.. and behaved well.. and took her medication like a trooper. I know of some kids who would scream blue murder when taking medication .. so we pretty much luck in on this area .. and she always didn’t give us much trouble with oral medication. If she was really sick, she would be listless and not wanting to eat much - and that’s about it. She doesn’t really fuss much.. but i get very worried.. and would lose everything .. and start to fumble. Luckily, PB is pretty calm in these situation.. so it balances out.

We all know that parenting is not just about telling you kid from right and wrong.. and feeding her with some milk everytime she cries right..?? Nope..!! when you have a 5.5 yrs old.. and an active one at that.. you have to get active.

We keep a ball in our car all the time.. so that she can have fun with it.. and even just throwing the ball and catching it is fun for her. We get hours of fun with just that - in fact in doors.. in the winter.. with her grammie. In the summer, you can go for treasure hunt for feathers, snails and flowers.. and in my brat’s case.. she goes hunt for blueberries.. and strawberries. We also let her ride her bike and scooter around the neighborhood stores or to Frost park. And we let her dance and sing alot even when i am doing my dishes. She loves the dancing.. and the putting on the piano. Andd of course .. swimming just started with her babysitter .. every saturday.. and we try not to disappoint her.

For those who are not aware of this.. yes.. ! i’m diagnosed as having Hypertension. In another words, high blood pressure lah. And i blamed it on the lack of the kind of food i cannot get here. Back home, i cannot remember eating so much instant noodles.. nor burgers .. but here in Canada.. you kinda wanna eat really fast.. and get it over with. Nope .. i don’t need a Mesothelioma lawyers like those who has Mesothelioma of course.. but having said that .. i just want everyone to know.. that migrating is not as fun as everyone thinks. Not only the food is different.. i haven’t ate steam fish for years now - because i cannot find “ang kor li” here.. only fish i can find here are salmons .. and cod fish .. and they are mighty expensive here.. the fresh ones.

As parents we want to give the best to our kids, not only in material things.. but in health and socially. And holding her back in her swimming lessons.. and others.. was the hardest we had to make.. but we know that we want what is best for her. Chloe is so excited about her swim.. she was trying out her swimming cap with Keegan her babysitter. We did luck in on Keegan.. because she does a lot of things with Chloe.. but after 4.5 yrs.. in a small town .. there really isn’t much they can do.. especially if the weather is bad.

Chloe went for her first swim today.. and she loved it.. can’t wait till next week to go again - she said. I loved that she is so adorable..and yet knows that mama is upset with some peanut brains of this town. Yes.. ! that one.. i’m sure you all know who i’m talking about. But luckily, I have Chloe and supportive family and friends.. and all my blogging friends and fan.

We never let Chloe go swimming till this year because we felt that she was too young.. before now. She had a swimming costume before from her grammie.. but it is too small now.. so we had to get her a new one. She chose the pink one of course..!!! and cannot wait to try it out.. show off. She was so hyped up about going swimming the next day.. it was cute..! Did she have fun..??? check out the next post eh.

What a cutie pie right..??

The much dreaded yearly dental visit is here again. A year ago, about this time.. Chloe had her caps done in the hospital. They had to put her to sleep .. because she was so scared even to be sitting on the dentist chair. The same thing this year.. but it didn’t take as long this time.. since we did visit the dentist like a few months ago.. because a cap had fallen out.

She had some cleaning done.. and the dentist checked to see if that fallen cap was causing any trouble.. because they didn’t do anything about it the last time. But as you can see .. the dentist office quite the stylo-malo.. everything quite high tech .. for a small town like here. I bet he has a cell towers at home.. muahahhaha!!! In Canada .. dental care is taken care of by the government but only once a year, anything more.. you kinda have to pay on your own.. or get some kind of supplementary health care program.. like Blue Cross. So yes.. !! i bet Dr Leblanc is making lotsssss of money.. muahahahahha!!!

Going for walks with Chloe beats going on the treadmill , that’s for sure. I just wished the weather warm up quicker, so that we can do it more often. Having said that, most importantly, these walks tire the lil’ brat out, so that she will go to bed .. at about 10.30pm.. without too much fussing. If she coops up in the store the whole day because of bad weather.. she doesn’t get to do much, and therefore don’t get to spend her energy anywheres. And yes, that’s me an chloe ..

I’m sick, Chloe is just getting over her cold. PB bathed her .. because i’m too sick to bathe her. After her bath, I asked her why she washed her hair. She said.. daddy washed it. Then the conversation took a turn into a different story.

Brat : Daddy’s bleeding.
Me : Really? Why?
Brat : I think he has a pimples and he was bleeeeeding.
Me : Ohhhh..!! lets call the cops.
Brat : No mom..!! no one broke into our house! we have to call the ambulance .. not the cops..!!
Me : <0-0>

The lil’ brat started having the sniffles yesterday, and of course like any parent, we are on the red alert . .hoping she won’t get any temperature with her sniffles. The teacher in school was very encouraging and had said that with all the germs she is getting, she won’t have to fight it next fall, when she goes back to school. One can always hope eh..?? With Chloe sick so often .. since she started school, like any parents.. I don’t need to use weight loss pills to lose weight, worrying about her is enough to make me skip a meal or two.

Spring break is here.. and that means no school for the brat for a week. Not a bad thing in my opinion.. for i do love having her around us all the time. Of course, the only reason for sending her to school is to educate and prepare her for school in the fall. Keegan had started to bring her to the library everyday.. and she just loves it.. and had been borrowing books. Next week, we hope to start her on her dancing classes.. and also go for a swim at YMCA. Yes.. lots of plans.. hopefully we will be able to do some stuff.. instead of her hanging around the store the whole time. Weight loss products are great. but with such a busy schedule.. my g/fs asked why i need it… hahahahah!!!