Baobao First Christmas

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

This will be baobao first Christmas ;)

So we got this Precious Moments for her to celebrate her first Christmas :)
Isn't it cute!




Welcome Xiong baobao

Let's welcome Xiong baobao to this world :)

Finally after 10 months of pregnancy, Xiong mama deliver Xiong baobao at Mount Alvernia today. Looking at Xiong baobao, nothing can describe the joy and feeling :D


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Xiong baobao - full term

Today is the full term of pregnancy and seems like Xiong baobao is very comfortable inside mama tummy.


The gynace said that will wait for a few more days before induced. So by Sunday, if Xiong baobao still happily sleeping inside mummy tummy, then Xiong mama will need to check in to the hospital at midnight.

Xiong papa and Xiong mama are looking forward to welcome Xiong baobao to this world.

Xiong baobao - 6 more days...

Today we went to the gynane for the weekly checkup. The doctor said that still got 6 more days before full term.

Any time Xiong baobao would pop out to this world :)

Maybe Xiong baobao is waiting for Xiong papa & mama to complete the signing for their new flat at HDB ;)

Will provide an update on our flat at pinnacle@duxton at next post ;)

Xiong baobao - 37 weeks

Today Xiong mama went to the gynane for weekly checkup. Now the consultation is weekly as towards delivery. Everything is ok and baobao is growing fine :)


After the checkup, Xiong papa and Xiong mama went to the Tiong Bahru plaza for shop shop... At the Tom & Stefaine, there was an offer for baby clothes. Upon seeing a cute baby clothes, Xiong papa immediately decided to buy :D

The picture is so cute. How can Xiong papa don't buy for Xiong baobao...


And of course, got to buy one on Xiong mama. So Xiong mama choose and bought another one for Xiong baobao. The design is as follow :D





Xiong baobao - 36 week

Just went to the gynane last Saturday and Xiong mama is at the 36 week of pregnancy. The gynane has written the admin letter for the hospital and it is time to pack the bag to get ready ;)

And it is also time to start shopping the sutffs for Xiong baobao. Last few days, Xiong papa and Xiong mama went on shopping spree to buy the things required.

First stop - a wholesale shop at bugis.
- clothes & pants
- napkins
- mits and socks
- towels

Second stop - OG bugis
- pigeon steriliser
- Avent brush to wash the bottle
- Cotton bud
- Safetly pin

Third stop - Paragon mothercare
- bodysuits
- medela bottle

Fourth stop - Taka shopping centre
- Rocio 4-in-1 baby cot

It was very tiring especially for Xiong mama, but Xiong mama and Xiong papa were very happy after looking at those cute little items for Xiong baobao. Luckily Monday is a public holiday and Xiong mama can rest at home before working on Tuesday.

Most of the items required are purchase. The rest will be buying as and when required. As advised, the baby will grown very fast and not necessary to buy all the clothes at one shot. Xiong mama and Xiong papa will continue to shop and choose the best for Xiong baobao :)

We have "moved"...

We have "moved" our URL from scnph.blogspot.com to XiongJia.blogspot.com.


XiongJia is the meaning of Xiong Family. We would like to use XiongFamily.blogspot.com, but it is taken :( So we use XiongJia. And Jia is the chinese for family ie ;)

Xiong mama thought of this and asked Xiong papa to change the URL. We feel it is nicer to use XiongJia. With Xiong papa, Xiong mama and Xiong baobao, it will form a family or a Jia :)

This is also what Xiong papa and Xiong mama are working hard to achieve. To overcome the obstacles and get a roof above our head (ie our new flat) while at the same time preparing for the arrival of Xiong babao :D

Our Wedding Turns 1

One year ago on this day is where Xiong papa and Xiong mama become legally married! That is on 080908, they had their solemnisation at ROM. And today 080909 is their 1st anniversary :)

Xiong mama has promised to give Xiong papa the iPhone as present. And Xiong papa prepare a special "iPhone", one and only one in the world for Xiong mama.

The special "iPhone" is a card made of iphone but with a twist... Above is the picture inside the card. Does the wording sounds familar? (Hint: Take a look at Apple App store ;) or this link)

Below is the front of the card.

And the back of the card. There is a hidden message in the microsoft tag. Sorry, the message is specially for Xiong mama and only Xiong mama can decode the message :P
Both Xiong papa and Xiong mama took leave today and spent a good time together :)

Xiong baobao kicking...

Tonight, Xiong mama was sitting on the chair resting while Xiong papa was unpacking after reached home. Suddenly Xiong mama called to Xiong papa, "Xiong papa, come quick!". Not knowing anything, Xiong papa rushed to Xiong mama and she asked, "Are you hands clean?" Then Xiong mama asked Xiong papa to put his hand on her stomach...

Xiong papa did as told and he can feel Xiong baobao kicking... :D and Xiong papa can feel many times ;) Don't know how to describle the kicking.. err.. maybe said like "heart beat" :P

Thanks to Xiong mama, at least Xiong papa know what is baobao kicking in the stomach is like now ;)

Microsoft Tag

Xiong papa came across a new color barcode by Microsoft. The barcode code generated below is actually the url of this blog :) So if you got the application in your mobile to scan the picture, it will launch you to this blog directly.. Try it and let me know :P

For more info on Microsoft Tag, go to www.microsoft.com/tag. Have fun!

Xiong BaoBao - 33 weeks

Now is beginning of September and Xiong mama is already in the 33 weeks of pregnancy. Supposed to visit the gynane last week but the gynana got a medical conference oversea on last minutes and the appointment is changed to next week.

How time flies... Xiong papa has been busy for past months and the project is almost coming to an end.. Below is a picture of Xiong papa workplace for the project which was taken in the evening after OT... A nice environment but Xiong Papa is not in the mood to enjoy then..



And Xiong mama recently got a new toy to pamper herself... a new mobile phone, iphone 3GS :)
Her old phone is about 2 years old and was given to her by Xiong papa as her birthday present then...

Xiong mama promised to get one for Xiong papa also, but as the iphone is very popular in Singapore and got to queue for it. Hence Xiong papa is not able to have it yet ;_(

Xiong BaoBao - 28 weeks

It has been a while since the last post, because Xiong papa is currently very busy with work and got to OT most of the time :(


Anyway, today is the usual appointment with the gynae and Xiong mama is in the 28 weeks of pregnancy. It is the end of 2nd trimester and beginning of the 3rd trimester. Everything is ok and fine as the gynae said :)

The gynae did a scan for Xiong BaoBao and did a measurement of the weight of Xiong BaoBao. Yes, he can measure the weight by just using the ultrascan and measuring the circumference of the baby! And the machine will calculate the weight of the baby. Amazing of the technology but don't know whether it is accurate or not :P Most important is that Xiong BaoBao is at the normal weight and growing fine ;)


Cord Blood

Umbilical Cord Blood is blood from the newborn baby and there are cord blood blank to store the cord blood for future use.

In Singapore, there are 3 option if you decide to store the cord blood:
1. Singapore Cord Blood Bank, or SCBB. This is a public cord blood which is a national resource for collecting and storing the cord blood from donation. No cost involved and the cord blood can be used by anyone in need.

2. CordLife. A private cord blood bank where the cord blood is stored for own child's use. The cost is about $1400 for upfront fee and $250 per year for storage.

3. StemCord. Another private cord blood bank. The upfront fee is about $1280 and $250 per annual for storage

So which option to choose for Xiong baobao?

Xiong papa - Personality Style

A perfectionist, Xiong papa is very willing to expend the effort to achieve high quality results. Because he works so carefully, he tends to be sensitive to criticism. Xiong papa tends to gather a great deal of information before making choices. He believes that if everyone would process information in the same way as he does, a better level of quality would be maintained.

Xiong papa values close, personal relationships, and he will often put the needs and desires of those who are loyal friends ahead of his own needs. He is an even-paced individual who thrives in a peaceful, harmonious environment. Xiong papa will work to avoid conflict and sudden changes in his lifestyle and finds joy in keeping tradition.

Xiong papa usually avoids being the center of attention. He tends to pick his friends carefully and is usually cautious and not overly "open" to strangers. Xiong papa may sometimes come across as being skeptical of what others tell him they will do, but once a person has proven their reliability, Xiong papa is willing to invest more time and trust in the relationship.

Xiong papa would prefer things stay the same, rather than to risk a new venture (unless it is proven and true). He is typically peaceful and low key, and is usually seen by those around him as a good friend and listener. He tends to adopt a "wait and see" attitude about things, rather than taking charge of a situation, usually preferring to let others take the lead.
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Xiong mama feels that the personality test is very accurate for Xiong papa. What do you think?
You can get a free account to try out the personality test at PersonalityStyle.com ;)

Xiao baobao - Second trimester

Things get much better after first trimester and into the second trimester... Xiong mama is better and fit to go back to work. The morning sickness is gone and the craving for pandan cake is not so strong anymore ;)

However Xiong mama starts to like to eat chicken and meat, especially fried chicken :P She insisted that is because of Xiong papa as the Xiong baobao resembles Xiong papa who like to eat chicken and meat...(Xiong papa fault again!!!)

Beside fried chicken, Xiong mama also like to eat the fat french fries and the ice lemon tea from MOS burger. She prefer the ice lemon tea at MOS burger to KFC. Other food includes McDonald pancake in the morning, Cheesy BBQ Meltz, lao mee, steam chicken and pork leg by Xiong papa's mother, etc...

And not forgetting the Xiong papa's massage for Xiong mama every night before she sleep.

Towards the end of second trimester on the 20 weeks, Xiong mama will be going for a detail scan at TMC, as mentioned in previous post. The scan will check for the organs of the baby, like the head, heart, liver, hands, legs, etc... The scanning machine is so advance that it can even measure the blood flow to the baby!!!

The baby is very active according to the doctor doing the scan. When they tried to measure the head or face, she will raise both her hands to cover and prevent accurate scanning. And when wanted to measure the hands or feets, she will try to 'hide'. Hence the scanning took quite a while before the doctor can complete all the scanning and measure.

And of course, one part of the scanning is to determine the gender of the baby. So have you make a guess? Xiong boyboy or Xiong galgal ;)

Xiong baobao - boy or girl?

Xiong mama is in the second trimester now... One of the common question people very curious about is whether boy or girl???


We do not know yet but Xiong mama will be going for a detail scan on Wednesday, and by then we would know boy or girl ;)

so make your guess :) boy or girl...

Xiong baobao - First trimester

As the story of Xiong papa and Xiong mama continue...


The 'unexpected' Xiong baobao create a suddent twist to the life of Xiong family. It force and take over the full attention away from the HDB issue.

The first trimester of the pregnancy is a 'great' experience to the couple. Xiong mama starts to feel weak and can't really go to work and had to stay at home to rest for most of the time. She had very bad evening sickness and will vomit in the evening, especially when Xiong papa came home around 7pm. And she had very sensitive nose whereby cannot stand the smell of Xiong papa and even the shower gel that Xiong papa used. poor thing, Xiong papa :(

As for craving of food, Xiong mama would only eat pandan cake from Bengawan Solo everyday... So everyday after work, Xiong papa got to rush to buy pandan cake from the Bengawan Solo before it closed. And every small piece of pandan cake cost about 80 cents and Xiong mama will eat about 3 pieces each day...

Hence it was very tough for Xiong mama during the first trimester.. Towards the end of first trimester, Xiong mama went for OSCAR scan at TMC.

During the scan, the doctor need to measure the thickness of the baby's neck but the baby is sleeping and not in the correct position. The doctor tried to wake up the baby and ask Xiong mama to turn here and there to try to change the position of the baby but in vain. Finally the doctor ask Xiong mama to go toilet and it will wake up the baby. Upon return from toilet, a surprise waiting for them...

The baby really wake up and the scan shows that the baby is sucking his thumb :D So cute!!! upon seeing that, Xiong mama's heart melt and the suffering for the first trimester is all worthwhile..


Skygarden at Fusionopolis

Beside the skygarden at Pinnacle@Duxton, there is also a skygarden at Fusionopolis. Xiong papa is currently working at fusionopolis and got the opportunity to go up to take some pictures ;) And guess what, you can even see Pinnacle@Duxton from Fusionopolis!!! Enjoy the pictures :) 


View from the skygarden... 



Are you able to spot Pinnacle@Duxton?


February - month of love

February is a month of love, Valentine, rose, chocolate, etc..

For a newly wed couple, what could the first valentine be like? How would we celebrate? Most people would expect the first valentine as husband and wife would be wonderful. Even Xiong mama's colleagues is very curious to know how a 'romantic' Xiong papa will pamper his wife on this day.. ;)

Sad to say, Valentine went by without any celebration. Firstly, Xiong papa is super busy with his work and has been working day and night for the past months. Secondly, with the obstacles surrounding the flat, there is no mood to think of any celebration. Thirdly, Xiong mama has not been feeling well at that time. She keeps vomitting, no appetite and tired... All these symptoms... hmm :D

Guess everyone would have think Xiong mama is pregnant like on most TV show... but Xiong mama don't think so. Xiong papa brings Xiong mama to see the doctor and the doctor immediately ask Xiong mama to go for urine test upon hearing the symptom. And the good new is that Xiong papa and Xiong mama are going to have a Xiong baobao in the family! :D

Cute Picture


This is one cute picture that always cheer up Xiong papa and Xiong mama. So upload here to share :)
hmm... why there is no animation? Can blog post supports animated gif?

More obstacles...


Just when we got the solution to our first obstacle (HLE), more obstacles came along... and these obstacles are much much harder to solve.

Obstacle 2 - Xiong papa side
Xiong papa is currently co-owner of the current flat with his mother and paying using his CPF. Under the HDB ruling, each person can only own a flat, which mean that Xiong papa got to withdraw his name from the current flat. However, upon withdrawn of his name, the money that is used from his CPF need to pay back. So now the obstacle is where to find the huge amount of money to pay back the CPF!!!

Obstacle 3 - Xiong mama side
Xiong mama side is facing the same problem as Xiong papa side. She is also currently co-owner of the current flat with her parents... hence the same problem :(

so how?? *headache*

Obstacle 1 - HLE

Just when we happily selected the flat that we want, we met our first obstacle (a minor one, with more to come)... HLE or Housing Loan Eligiblity! Under the HDB ruling, before getting the concession loan from HDB, you would need to submit the HLE application to assest your eligiblity for the loan and the amount that HDB will loan to you for the flat. One of the condition is that the household income must be less than $8k. 

It so happen that our combined income is more than $8k and we are not qualify to even apply for HLE :( and hence we got to look for bank loan. Beside having higher interest rate, there is a different in the 10% downpayment for the flat. If getting bank loan, we would need to pay 5% of the downpayment in cash and 5% CPF whereas if getting HDB loan, we can use CPF for the 10%. And the main concern is the other 2 obstacles that is coming which would required substantial amount of cash.

So how???
Solution - write appeal letter to HDB! 

19th January 2009


This date is the day that we went to HDB early in the morning to select our flat.

And this the queue number ticket that we got ;)

We were very excited and anxious, that the flat we selected might be booked by someone before us. But luckily when it is our turn, we managed to select the flat that we want :)

After we booked the flat, we paid a deposit of $2000 before the officer passed us the documents and letter to indicate that we booked the flat. 

However, the $2K that we paid is only for the "option to purchase" which mean that the flat is not ours yet. There will be another appointment to sign the lease agreeement and whereby we have to pay 10% downpayment of the flat price then. HDB will inform us to come down to sign the agreement before the "option to purchase" expired in 3 months time.

Of course, before that we still got other things to settle, like the loan, etc...
Before that, share some picture of the model of the Pinnalce@Duxton taken at HDB.. enjoy :)



     

Introduction

We are a newly wed couple and like every typical singaporean couple, we are hoping to get a new flat for our house. We went through numerous balloting before we finally get a chance to select a flat at HDB for Pinnalce@Duxton...


The blog is created initially to write about the joy of getting our new flat. However things take a twist and many things happen unexpectedly and till today, we have not sign the agreeement for the flat...

What happen!!!

Well, the story will continue to tell what happen during the last few months..
Stay tune ;)

1st post..

The very 1st post...

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