Well he’s finally here! In fact, our baby boy arrived two weeks ago - but I haven’t had the chance to let you all know until now. Being a mum is hard work!

Callum Pip Ernest White arrived 16th August 2011 at 3:30pm weighing 3.36kg/7lb 4oz and measuring 53cm. Thanks to Dr Christine Yap of Women’s Health and Fertility Clinic and the exceptional delivery suite nurses at Mount Elizabeth Hospital, we had a great - although long - birth. It took 31.5 hours! Master Pip had no intention of making it into the world on his own so an induction was required and that took some time. But in the end he made his way, the birth was manageable and we welcomed him into the world exactly how we wanted. Minus the stitches - ouch, they’re something I could have done without!

Being a mum is full on, in every way - emotionally, physically and mentally. But it’s an absolute gift and one I’m truly grateful for. My folks and sister are in town at present so between them and this beautiful (well I think so) boy there isn’t a lot of time for posting blog entries, but I will be back in force soon.

This pic of the Pipster showcases a favoured expression. I don’t know about you, but I think he’s definitely a keeper

Last night I was on the edge of my seat throughout the performance of The Imperial Ice stars: Swan Lake on Ice at Marina Bay Sands. With Tchaikovsky’s glorious music, exhilarating new choreography and dazzling costumes, this innovative portrayal of the classic love story will take your breath away. What an experience! The show was rehearsed on an Olympic sized rink before being reduced to almost a quarter of the size to allow for travelling. You only need to imagine the excitement of the audience in the front few rows. The performances were extraordinary. Many non-standard executions never before attempted by skaters on such a small area thrilled the full house. This is a must see. The applause went on for quite some time after the curtain fell. Excellent production. Highly recommended.

STEVE DOUGLAS advises on the importance and relevance of lodging an Aussie income tax return.

If you are lodging your own tax return and received Australian sourced income in the year prior to June 30, you must declare the income and claim expenses by October 31 this year. If you engage a Tax Agent you’ll be granted a lodgement extension until April 2012. If you didn’t receive Australian income to June 30 2011, but lodged an Australian tax return in the past, it’s important to advise the ATO so you don’t get penalised. A fine of up to A$550 may be imposed if you do not alert the ATO.

IMC’s Dr Michael Rodger educates and recommends inoculation against deadly infections for safe and healthy holiday travel.  

In 1796 Gloucestershire doctor Edward Jenner noticed those who contracted cowpox – the cow’s equivalent of smallpox – rarely caught the deadly human version. To test his theory, Jenner deliberately infected an eight year-old boy with the pus from a cowpox sore. The boy became ill but recovered. He then infected him with smallpox and as suspected, the previous cowpox infection protected the boy from smallpox. This gave birth to modern vaccinations.

Dr Michael Rodger MBChB MRCGP (UK)

Lawyer-mediator RAJAN CHETTIAR advises on the importance of a healthy client-lawyer relationship.  

After specialising in family law for over eight years, I’m constantly reminded of the vital role a lawyer plays in a client’s divorce proceedings. You and your family lawyer quickly build rapport and establish a personal relationship and this is why it’s important to choose a knowledgeable, competent and compassionate lawyer who understands you and your case. A typical professional relationship should take into account the following:

 
Rajan Chettiar
Commissioner for Oaths, Mediator LLB (Honours), Barrister-at-law (Middle Temple), UK

Dr Myles Holt of SMILEFOCUS gives an in-depth explanation of oral cancer and ways to detect and help prevent the disease.

It’s common knowledge regular visits to your dentist are important in maintaining good oral health. However, did you know part of a routine dental examination involves your dentist screening for signs of oral cancer? 

Dr Myles Holt

I just had to share this extraordinary experience with you. SALTA Argentine Parrilla + Grocer serves up premium Argentine beef - free range grass-fed and imported directly from Argentina. Sounds expensive, no not at all. The rib eye I enjoyed today was prepared in the five-metre long charcoal fired grill called a Parrilla. This is a hot find for Singapore especially if you are a meat eater. My lunch guest enjoyed Tasmanian Atlantic Salmon so its clear, all can enjoy no matter your flavour.

SALTA is located in Icon Village, 12 Gopeng Street, #01-56

For a big guy like me it may seem a little odd but I have to admit, I don’t mind a cupcake now and again. And to my delight I’ve discovered House of Mini in Singapore. You can customise your own cupcake requirements so your limited only by your own imagination. Try the Micro Cupcakes. They are about the size of a 50 cent Singapore coin. Go the Chocoholic or alternatively Mango Tango. A real treat for the kid at heart. What’s your weakness?

After working full-time for 21 years I must say I was filled with trepidation about commencing my 12 months maternity leave six weeks before my due date. What would I do with myself? Would I sloth about on the sofa watching Oprah all day long? Would I get bored? How would I find the motivation to complete all the things I had to do before my baby’s arrival? Turns out I needn’t have worried and six weeks was the perfect amount of time to adjust. With two weeks to go – and a funny feeling our baby will arrive sooner rather than later – here’s how my first four weeks have panned out:

WEEK 1 Overcome with the excitement of being “off” work I schedule something in my diary for every single day and become completely exhausted. Who knew ladies lunches could be so demanding?! Feeling like I’m on holiday, haven’t thought about work AT ALL!
LESSON Schedule no more than two to three external appointments per week so you have enough time to chill out at home. With enough “relaxation” time, the motivation to do the tasks you need to complete at home starts to emerge.

WEEK 2 Try to get out of bed before 10am and just. can’t. do. it. Would rather sloth about and surf Facebook all morning long posting inane updates than do anything remotely productive. Husband has passed me the responsibility of bills – seeing as I now have ample time on my hands. Realise I quite like being in control of the household finances and start e-banking and filing in earnest. Suddenly I’m struck with the urge to clear clutter and shred everything in sight. 16 hours and 8 bags of recycling later – hubby and I celebrate with cheese on toast. My new domestic goddess status is in question…
LESSON A little sloth time leads to greater productivity when you do get motivated.

WEEK 3 Meltdown time. I hear it hits all “parents-to-be” at some stage. For us it was a scary birthing class with way too much detail on forceps and episiotomies followed by a stressful scan where due to our son’s increasing size it’s getting harder to locate certain body parts for accurate measurements. The result? Trying to survive on 2 to 4 hours of sleep each night leads to a tearful phonecall to my mother, who assures me I will be a good mum and yes of course my son will love me – most of the time. A visit from my oldest friend who I’ve known since I was five ­– and can send me into fits of giggles with a look – also lightens my mood.
LESSON Help is there if you ask for it and a phonecall is sometimes just as good as a hug. Having friends and family all over the world means someone is always awake for advice or a reassuring chat.

WEEK 4 I am truly hitting my groove. Hospital bag is half-packed and each day brings another domestic challenge to soothe my Type A personality. Who knew scrubbing kitchen cupboards could be so satisfying?! Host a coffee morning where everyone comes to me! And each person brings something to eat! One friend even brought the coffee filters! Realise this is definitely the way forward rather than running around having loads of lunches etc. We all bring books to swap/give away and some of us end up with more than we started with… Leftovers are being donated to the New2U Thrift Shop at SCWO. So pleased we can share our love of the written word with other women and hopefully generate some funding in the process.
           Hire three men to help shift furniture throughout the house (contact Nigel: 9270 9182). Baby’s room starts to take shape and hubby finishes Pip’s cradle, which we then set up in our room (toys will be removed upon occupance). With somewhere for him to sleep, milk (hopefully) and love on tap – we’re ready and waiting…
LESSON Hiring help is worth it! What would have taken my husband and four of his mates hours of grumbling about, three guys moved in one hour with smiles on their faces. They didn’t even complain when I said, "Actually, I’ve changed my mind - I want ‘it’ there." Rising early and getting busy in the mornings leaves me time to relax in the afternoons: read, watch what I really want to see on TV (thanks to Starhub’s HubStation – fab invention) and fall asleep to a hypnobirthing CD.

Now if I only I could sleep through the birth…oh yes, that could be why drugs are an option!