Lantern Festival

When Daen goes to sleep, it's Vera time. We brought her to join in the merry-making in the park. Once a year in mid-autumn when the moon is at its roundest, parents traditionally buy lanterns for their kids to carry around the neighborhood. You can see her tapping on the lantern below.

Proper Shoes

After searching loads of shops we finally found a pair of shoes that works for Vera. Once again, thanks to Auntie L.

It is high cut (to stabilise her ankle), has a soft but firm sole, and is velcroed (oh so easy to wear and take off). It is not bulky and heavy so Vera doesn't feel like she's lifting a brick while taking a step.

She wears them each time she stands (dances) now. I call them her 'dancing shoes'.

Reflux Bed Gift

Kay, my university friend and her group of scrapbooking mommy friends bought the Reflux Bed as a gift for Vera. It is such a nice gesture, and humbling to know that people who don't personally know Vera actually care about her.

Auntie Kay has been following Vera's blog faithfully. Although she is a mother of 3, she still finds the time and energy for her online nursingwear shop and various charitable causes.

Vera is settling into her new bed. We can tell she is more comfortable in it than in the makeshift one below.


She arches and turns less. Probably because it is softer.

We did a Barium study and X-rays found that Vera does indeed have reflux. Milk goes back up her oeseophagus during feeding. The drastic measure will be surgery (a repeat fundoplication to tighten up the stomach opening) or management of the reflux through positioning - hence the usefulness of the bed.

Now we are able to safely tubefeed her lying down (which has become more often) when she is tired and cranky. And we can let her rest (or let us rest rather) instead of holding her for up to an hour after feeds till the milk digests.


Thank you Auntie Kay and your kind mommy friends!

P.S. Another benefit of the bed...she seems to find it easier to pass motion when lying in it!

At Her Best

This is Vera at her best.

After coming into 2010 dealing with bouts of respiratory illness and then constipation, diarrhea, button issues...we approach the end of the year (oh so quickly) with Vera enjoying a period of relative 'wellness'. She is less tired, happier and er, chubbier. Executing turns with panache. Clapping her hands with glee. Dancing in our arms with joy. This is the Vera I want to remember forever.

Big Girl Now

She's a baby no more. With this hairstyle especially. She's grown tall too.

It's just so amazing to look back and see that she once looked so different.

I miss the 'little' Vera!

Baby Steps

Shoes. Check.
Rolly therapy stool. Check.
Pictures on the wall. Check.

We're all set to let Vera experience walking.

Besides standing, she's recently shown an inclination to put one foot in front of the other. So mommy quickly sourced for a therapy stool (thanks, Teacher May for the supplier) and got one custom made pronto.

She's gone on her first 'sightseeing tour' around the house. She's started looking at the pictures on the wall along the walkway.

It's such a great tool. It allows us to wheel her around, sitting in our lap. It's easier to move her from chair to mat and back as well.