Survival skill: First swimming lesson

I've been waiting for the right time to bring Shaura to the swimming pool.
After all, it's important that I start early to teach her to be at ease with water,
especially after the flash flood incident that hit Singapore last July.

It affected my family. Shaura was barely 2 months old then.

I knew right from the beginning that I should teach her

the most important survival skill in life - to swim!

Here's the tricky part - I know Shaura loves bathing time but that doesn't mean she loves water activities.

Just like if you love to eat, that doesn't mean you love to eat e-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g. 

I'm sure you'll be selective when it comes to food, right?

The same theory applies.

I've done a checklist to ensure Shaura is comfortable for her first swimming lesson. 

I want her to have FUN, and at the same time, keep the activity within budget!

I'm glad the first lesson went really well.

Shaura simply loves being in the pool, doing splish-splashing and getting curious

by touching her tree-looking buoy. We sure look forward to the next water activity!

Here's a very happy Shaura Marissa...

Her first swimming lesson in a summary :)

Do note: Never leave your baby alone during water play. 

Young children have been known to drown in small amounts of water. 

I see colours in you

If there ever comes a day when we can’t be together, 

keep me in your heart, I’ll stay there forever.

Wedding Invitation @ Seremban

Understanding Shaura through her cries.

Sometimes it doesn't take us long to decode - she just want to sleep.

My mother is a poem I'll never be able to write, though everything I write is a poem to my mother.

Dear Shaura Marissa,

When a child is born,

A mother is born.

The woman existed, but the mother, never,

Until you came along.

In understanding fact and fiction,

We hope you know the difference.

You can digest both but you can't eat them.

Haven't you heard? GE is coming!

You can make a difference.

You have the POWER to vote. 

How to?

Simply follow these steps:

Step 1 >>	Like GAP Singapore fanpage at:http://apps.facebook.com/gapcastingcall/?country=3
Step 2 >>	Click "S" (Page 2)
Step 3 >>	Click "Shaura Marissa" to vote

VOTING ENDS 7 JANUARY 2011 - that's just 24 days away!

The ball's in your court!



Beginning to look more like Daddy

By the way, this kid is lucky to have an iPad!

Shaura, be contented with what you have, ok? :)

Keep on voting!

Hi Lovelies,

It only takes 5 minutes of your time to vote!

Simply follow these steps:

Step 1 >>	Like GAP Singapore fanpage at:http://apps.facebook.com/gapcastingcall/?country=3
Step 2 >>	Click "S" (Page 2)
Step 3 >>	Click "Shaura Marissa" to vote

Voting is FREE.

VOTING ENDS 7 JANUARY 2011 - that's just 25 days away!

Thank you for your support!



GAP Casting Call 2010: Vote for Shaura Marissa

Setting up a FB fanpage for Shaura Marissa is our last resort in the hope to increase her votes for GAP Baby contest. Her current votes (30 as of today) are way too minimal to even qualify her to the next round as the other kids are already getting hundreds of votes.

We don't know how the other parents do it (they must have aced their marketing class!) but it makes us believe that it's not impossible to achieve the same results. We just need a lil' push, effort and be more thick-skinned to ask our dear friends and family members to support.

Your vote is important to us as this is how the score is tabulated:

TOTAL SCORE = VOTING 60% + PROFESSIONAL JUDGING 40%

To vote for our lil' Shaura Marissa: 
1) Like GAP Singapore fanpage at http://apps.facebook.com/gapcastingcall/?country=3
2) Search under "S" (Page 2)
3) Click "Shaura Marissa" to vote

VOTING ENDS 7 JANUARY 2011 - that's just 26 days away!

You know you can make a difference by just clicking "vote". It doesn't matter where you're from. You can be from Singapore, Malaysia, Australia, India, USA etc - as long as you're a Facebook user, you're able to vote. Afterall, voting is FREE :)

Thank you for your time to read this post.
Do vote and help spread the word, will ya? ;)

Thanks again for your support.

Discover Twitter's new interface & create a time-lapse video

How cool to see embedded photos and videos directly on Twitter.

Twitter rocks!

And don't you think creating a time-lapse video for your loved ones, is a brilliant idea?
I'm doing one for Shaura - guess this will be my lifetime project as it takes years to complete :)

Natalie time-lapse video: From birth to 10 years old @ Yahoo! Video

Love is...

Imagine being away from your newborn for work and school - only to meet her at night when she's asleep. I wouldn't say it's a smooth sailing journey but it's worth every effort.

I'm glad I've made it this far despite the ups and downs, the stress level that I thought I couldn't cope and the thoughts to just give up and quit.

Thank you everyone, friends and family members, for your support and encouraging words.

It means a lot to me.

So what's graduation without a proper photoshoot, right?

Below are the sneak-peek shots taken after the graduation ceremony last week.

To Nana (the wonderful photographer & my senior back in TK) - thank you for your warm service and understanding throughout the entire photoshoot. Knowing Shaura was asleep and cranky when we had to force her to be awake, you extended the time without charging us more. We simply can't wait for the entire album to be up for us to select the final photos!

For those who're interested to know more about the photography services by Nana, you can visit  http://pinkelephantlabs.com/. You can also find Pink Elephant Labs on Facebook.

For now, here are my priceless keepsakes :)

Of hopes and dreams

Have faith.

Turn right when everyone goes left.

Never be afraid to go against the flow.

Like this:

You know you can, when you believe.

:)

Project Hope 2010

A second MediaCorp effort, Project Hope is a humanitarian special to raise funds for the victims of the Mentawai tsunami and the Mount Merapi volcanic eruption. Hosted by Khairudin Saharom and Otelli Edwards, this year's special features performers from Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia.

Lines are open till Sunday 28 November 2010 midnight for the following donation amounts*:

1900-112 5010 for $10 donation
1900-112 5050 for $50 donation
1900-112 5100 for $100 donation

*Administrative fee of $ 0.21 (inclusive of GST) chargeable for each call. Callers below 18 years old must seek parental consent.

All donations will be channelled to Singapore Red Cross and Mercy Relief.

Performers:

Malaysia
Ayu, winner, ,One In A Million
Tomok, winner, One In A Million

Indonesia
Petra Sihombing
Angel, Idol Cilik
Kerenina Sunny Halim, Miss Indonesia 2009

Singapore
Khairudin Saharom
Otelli Edwards
Taufik Batisah
Sylvia Ratonel
Robert Fernando & Gabrielle Ferdinands

Play the video below to view actual Project Hope show.

Red Indian is angry

I'm having fun, archiving Shaura's pictures and videos.
7 more months and she'll turn ONE.

Red Indian

Turning 5 months

From Badoque, With Love

Family Day @ Work

Look Ibu, I can hold my bottle!

At 4 months 1 week

Come back soon, Tok Sam! We miss you.

Every kid's dream

Donning a fab baju kurung sewn by my Mum.

Party time!

No space

We seriously need a new shelf for Shaura.

And this is only the first tier...

Okay, the other half is mine.

Her books are everywhere.

It's time to consolidate!

Happy birthday Izked, Netty & Raudaa!