And so it is Christmas and what have I done… nothing! A lot! Had a baby! Yikes, I must apologise for my absence - being a mum keeps me busier than I thought it would 

Let’s just saying I’m loving parenthood - what a magical experience. And now the fog of the first four months is lifting I promise I will be posting updates in the New Year - it’s my New Year’s resolution. That and a few others…

After two weeks in the UK introducing Callum to his English rellies we’re now jetting off to Australia for three weeks. No rest for the wicked! And as Callum is becoming a seasoned traveller - and we are becoming the seasoned "traveller" parents - I’ll have loads of tips for travelling with a bub. Until then all I can suggest is Glad ziplock bags for keeping everything in easy reach on the plane and not having to take a big diaper bag into those squishy loos. And opt for the disabled toilet if you can - more room!

So for now, wishing you and your families all the very best for Christmas - whether you’re opting for a relaxed celebration in Singapore, or jetting off to be reunited with loved ones overseas.  May your holiday season be filled with much joy and laughter and 2012 bring you all you wish for!

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

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!

Summer is here and the heat is on! At eight months pregnant I’m not sure if it’s because I’ve got a little person inside me raising my body temperature, or if it really is hotter out there, but I’m certainly feeling the heat. Some mornings, when I leave the house for my walk, it’s so muggy I worry I won’t be able to get back up the hill to make it home. My husband has finally convinced me to wear my iPhone strapped to my upper arm, so I can call him if it all proves too hard. Add my iPod with its Nike pace-counter and I’m a walking, talking techno-geek ripe for a sponsorship deal.

Sunday June 19 is Father’s Day. And this is something I should know, because we wrote about it in the June issue of The Finder. However, in my 7-month-pregnant-baby-brain-haze (well that’s my excuse) I presented my hubby with a card from our soon-to-be-born son and breakfast in bed LAST Sunday. Needless to say he was chuffed and wouldn’t have known I’d got the date wrong if I hadn’t told him. And I only realised, when I announced my good deed on Facebook - much to the panic and then ridicule of my friends. I also rang my Aunty a day early for her birthday, so I’m obviously experiencing baby brain issues!

To celebrate THIS weekend we’ve uncovered some great family dining options, fun gift ideas - including cute cufflinks, sporting memorabilia and matching son/daughter and daddy t-shirts - and also asked several dads how fatherhood had forever changed them.

So here’s to all dads - HAPPY FATHER’S DAY!

I am sooooo over Singapore radio. Of a morning, I used to listen to CLASS 95. The three DJs have great banter between them, often play good music and aren’t afraid to push the boundaries on the odd occasion - a rarity in Singapore. I also find Glenn Ong’s voice strangely sexy - Lord help me.

Unfortunately my drive time is 8:30am until 9am and this is when this particular radio station tends to promote things I couldn’t give a toss about - like probiotic milk, insurance and cars. But a few days ago they started going on about a hair replacement therapy. They went on and on and kept going on…

Some mornings when they are waxing lyrical about their advertisers it’s pure drivel for 30 minutes with one, yes ONE, song aired. Hey, if I wanted an infomercial I’d watch the home shopping channel. For my morning drive I want great tunes, a few laughs and some news - that’s it.

So now I listen to my iPod or CDs, or I turn the dial to GOLD 90FM. I know it’s for oldies. Maybe at 38 I AM an oldie. But Maggie and Hossan are entertaining and at least they play LOTS of music. I’ve tried other stations but all the other DJs annoy me…

What do you think about Singapore radio and who do you listen to in the car?

On my drive to work this morning I witnessed yet another parent driving along with their child – who must have been no more than three years of age – seated in the front passenger seat without a safety belt, car seat or booster seat. The mother had even thoughtfully attached a fluffy toy to the dashboard for the child’s entertainment. This meant the little girl was either bouncing up and down all over the place, standing on the seat to play with the toy, or leaning her head against the dashboard to look at it.

Australian mother Susie Lawson, a former resident of Singapore, was strapping her newborn child into a baby capsule to travel home from Thomson Medical Centre, when she noticed many other new parents waiting in the taxi queue with their newborn babies in their arms - and no baby capsule in sight. When she queried this with one grandmother, she was assured holding onto the baby was much safer – didn’t she know this?

So how do we move forward? How do we create change? How do we save lives? I’d love to hear your ideas - please share. In the meantime, I’ll be taking note of every registration number of every car of every parent who puts their child’s life at risk. And I’ll be writing regular letters to the Singapore Traffic Polic of my own. I’m not sure if it will do any good, but if even one parent receives a warning letter and it causes them to stop and think, it’ll be worth it.

This weekend you can shop ‘til you drop for pre-loved bargains, or display your sporting prowess - the choice is yours…

TwinsPlus Spring Garage Sale
WHEN: Saturday May 21, 10am-2pm
WHAT: Gently-used items for babies and adults. Cash and carry.
WHERE: Canadian International School, Elementary Campus, Open Gym, 5 Toh Tuck Road.
INFO: www.facebook.com and search Twins Plus Singapore

Netherlands Chairty Association Garage Sale
WHEN: Sunday May 22, 9am-12pm
WHAT: Find pre-loved clothing, household goods, books and toys for sale. All proceeds donated to charity. Want to clear some clutter yourself? You have until May 21 to call 8189 5868 (Magalie) to donate your unwanted items.
WHERE: Hollandse Club, 22 Camden Park.

Bintan Triathlon
WHEN: Saturday & Sunday May 21 & 22
WHAT: Experience an exhilarating weekend of challenges, athleticism and camaraderie with races and activities for all – parents and kids, fit and unfit, young and the not-so-young. Show your support!
WHERE: Bintan Island, Indonesia.
INFO: www.bintantriathlon.com

Originals has a new location, recently moving from Gillman Village to Bukit Timah. This fabulous interiors store specialises in recycled teak in modern, clean lines from Indonesia, plus stunning, original cabinets from India in vibrant hues of blue, green and a simple - yet effective - whitewash. You’ll also find modern canvas artworks, comfy sofas and stylish chairs, collectibles and home decor accessories, plus luxurious Bemboka linen and blankets from Australia.

Click here for more information, or become a fan of our Facebook page to view images from the opening party, plus behind the scenes shots of The Finder May covershoot featuring the team from this inspiring store. Interested in opening a similar business or revamping your interior? Owner Geri Murphy reveals how she got started and shares some tips for savvy furniture shopping.

At six months pregnant I’m not sure I officially qualify for being pampered this Mother’s Day. But what the heck - if I can advantage of the situation in advance, why not?!

We’ve uncovered some great dining deals, plus E Food & Wine is offering one free entree for mums dining in for breakfast, lunch or dinner on both Saturday and Sunday May 7 and 8.

Once you’ve had your fill, let the treat linger by a week and visit the Legacy of Style exhibition from May 13 to 26 at Tiffany & Co, Takashimaya.

A day off kitchen duty, Tiffany baubles - what more could a girl want? Possibly a lie-in, massage, facial and a movie - hint, hint…