major purchases

Da and I met our friends (NN and SF together with their toddler, IL) for lunch at Marina Square today. We decided to eat at Imperial Treasure Restaurant, which specialises in xiao long bao.

The car park at Marina Square was crowded when we arrived. After circling the car park for quite some time, we managed to secure a car park lot nearer to the cinema.

As we were not certain of the location of the restaurant, I called NN for directions. When we arrived, SF and IL were already seated. Gosh, IL grows prettier with each passing day.

After a delicious lunch, the five of us proceeded to Kiddy Palace. From that moment on, SF took control the situation as Da and I had no experience in buying such items. I take my hat off to SF! Without referring to any checklist, she informed the staff at Kiddy Palace what to obtain for Da and me. Prior to today, I had (based on tips that NN gave me and what I gathered from a Mothercare booklet) tried to draw up as comprehensive a shopping list as possible. When NN and SF excused themselves to make a purchase at another shop, I took out my list and I was amazed that other than items (on the list) that NN/SF would be giving us (which IL had used previously) or items that are not available at Kiddy Palace, whatever SF had instructed the staff at Kiddy Palace was ticked off the rest of my list!

It would not be possible to list all the items that Da and I brought home today. Here are some examples.

NN and SF will be giving us a second-hand baby cot. As such, Da and I bought a mattress (for the cot) from Kiddy Palace. We also bought a pillow, a Winnie-The-Pooh (naturally!) fitted bedsheet and a matching Winnie-The-Pooh pillow case.

Here is a close up photograph of the pillow. There is a depressed in the pillow where the baby's head can rest.

NN and SF had also given us three large bagfuls of clothes that IL had previously used. SF had thoughtfully separated the clothes into three categories:-
(a) 3 to 6 months
(b) 6 to 9 months
(c) 9 to 12 months

It is common nowadays to buy a bumper to be placed in the cot, to protect the baby from hitting her head against the railing of the cot. We bought a pink bumper with the design of a bear. I would have liked to buy a Winnie-The-Pooh bumper but Kiddy Palace did not sell the Winnie-The-Pooh bumper on its own. It was sold as a set together with other items, some of which we did not require.

As for diapers, on the advice of NN and SF, we bought Pigeon brand diapers. The advantage of this brand of diapers is that there is an indicator on the diapers that alerts you when the diaper is wet (that is, the yellow strip will turn blue).

We also bought Pigeon wet wipes, baby powder (with powder puff), Desitin nappy cream, a type of Chinese oil which is used to warm the baby's tummy, cotton wool, etc.

This is the Maxi-Cosi bassinet that NN and SF lent us. Princess should be able to use the bassinet until she is about one year of age. NN informed us that IL used the bassinet till she was 13 months of age.

Yesterday, we bought an old fashioned rocker from the Parkway Parade outlet of Kiddy Palace. The rocket has adjustable height and even a "seat belt".

As for the bath tub and wash basin, we went to a shop at Marine Parade Central to make the purchase. The lady boss of the shop was amused when I tried to buy everything in pink colour.

Princess will be joining us tomorrow. I cannot wait for tomorrow. I doubt that I will be able to sleep much tonight.

My darling Princess, we love you and we are a forever family. I pray for the Lord's favour over you in every aspect of your life.