Albany's Full Month

20 Comments
Albany, 5.0 kg at first month
The traditional Chinese Baby Shower, also known as 滿月 has an origin that most of us do not know today.

Back in olden days, the mortality rate of babies was very high because of the lack of medical technology and knowledge. Thus Chinese gathered to celebrate if a baby survived for a first month. Many of us follow the tradition without understanding the true meaning behind a practice. With this understanding in us, we are not upset without being able to hold one for Albany.

We are not able throw a baby shower party for Albany today because we do not have our own house so it is not 'convenient', so to speak. It's alright, so long as all are healthy and well and everyone's happy. Besides we are busy with the usual weekly grocery shopping and packing mother-in-law's stuff as she will be moving to Jen's sister's home today.

She made the decision because that will save us A$100/week for rental in this arrangement. At the same time, Jen's confinement period is officially over. She was the best performer during this month. Other than not having a single shower in the searing heat of the Great Australian Summer, she managed to feed Albany almost entirely on breast milk. All these while juggling the tension between her husband and mother.

Mother-in-law will be happy as she will have a decent space of her own. She had it hard for the past 2 months too. Jen will be happy as she can bathe as she wants and probably eat some nice things moderately finally. I'm happy because Albany is well and healthy for the past month. Everyone's happy.

We'll learn to cope. When humans are forced to the wall, they'll always perform to survive. That's the secret innate strength of humans that many of us didn't have to harness because life treats us to be honest, pretty well in Singapore. Many mums these days have maids to assist them for a start or their mothers or in-laws living within reasonable traveling distance to lend a helping hand when required. We'll be alone again after tonight. 

Jen. Albany. Me.

20 comments:

  1. Anonymous18 February 2012 at 17:32

    good good...most important all are healthy and happy.

    Ah pooh

    ReplyDelete
  2. Pat18 February 2012 at 17:59

    Another milestone. Congratulations. Albany's looking good :) Don't forget you also have us here, always ready to support.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. asingaporeanson19 February 2012 at 10:57

      Thanks Pat, we are lucky to have u as friend here.

      Delete
  3. ~mEm0RiEs~19 February 2012 at 00:54

    Awww~ Albany is so cute~ Erm~ By the way, Albany is now officially named as Albany? o.O??

    ReplyDelete
  4. Ah Pooh19 February 2012 at 09:54

    Jen must be very busy liao...seldom sees her onlnie

    ReplyDelete
  5. aku19 February 2012 at 11:07

    ah pooh : he nv read your blog you wrote for him wahaha...sad right lolx

    ReplyDelete
  6. Alan Heah19 February 2012 at 12:52

    Happy first month, Albany!
    Now on to the next destination — first birthday! :-D

    ReplyDelete
  7. X23 February 2012 at 20:46

    Albany is so cute! Good to see that all is well =)

    ReplyDelete
  8. Anonymous24 February 2012 at 10:49

    Happy Happy~~!! =D

    -Julia

    ReplyDelete
  9. Anonymous7 March 2012 at 01:03

    Hi, congrats on having such a beautiful daughter.
    I'm curious, did u claim Singapore baby bonus since Albany is a Singapore citizen?

    Cheers
    Val

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. asingaporeanson7 March 2012 at 02:47

      i have not registered her birth yet due to procrastination so the answer would be no i'm afraid.

      Delete
    2. Alan Heah7 March 2012 at 07:28

      I find this strange.
      A child born to an Australian citizen in Australia becomes Australian too.
      Why the need to revert to Singaporean citizenship for Singaporean baby bonus, when there are superior benefits elsewhere?

      Delete
    3. Anonymous7 March 2012 at 23:11

      Hmm procrastination as in? Come on, we paid years of taxes, surely we can be entitled to baby bonus in SIN.

      I did a little research as I might be migrating to Perth in a couple of years (my boyfriend's living in Australia). If our child's a boy, he will have to serve ns if I register him as a SIN citizen. He is a SIN citizen by descent as I'm a Singapore but also a Aus citizen as his dad is a citizen. He can then decide which country he wants to be a citizen by age of 21 but might have to serve NS. But if our child's a girl, less complications then as no need to serve NS.

      Val

      Delete
    4. asingaporeanson8 March 2012 at 02:44

      There is a cut off date for NS. If you apply to renounce the boy's citizenship before the cut off age, he'll not be required to do NS. To avoid complication, it's better to leave it as it is, as an Australian Citizen which he will be if you deliver the baby in Australia.

      Good luck Val.

      Delete
    5. Alan Heah9 March 2012 at 05:41

      For those with Singaporean boys like we do, the current exit permit requirements for them concern us much, and can be found at:
      http://iprep.ns.sg/exit-permit.html

      Delete
    6. Anonymous9 March 2012 at 21:33

      Hi, been reading your blog and loving it! My MIL was nagging us about this issue too, she wanted hubby and I to apply for Singaporean citizenship for our kids (23 month old and 2 week old) to collect the baby bonus even though they are born in Australia and are Australian by birth. I am Australian and hubby is Singaporean. What's the point exactly?? I flat out refused.

      Delete
    7. asingaporeanson10 March 2012 at 01:18

      Hi Anonymous:

      They say "got money, just take"
      Hmm... i dunno. If I wanna apply sg citizenship for her it's definitely not for this reason

      Delete
  10. asingaporeanson9 March 2012 at 11:35

    Thanks Alan! That's cool!

    ReplyDelete