Truth is, my bookshelf is already bursting with books I’ve had since I was a teenager and then subsequently an adult. I am a voracious reader. I have read my favourite books between 20 to 50 times. And reading is my number one hobby. Always been, always will be.

So since I had the kids, I entered the world of ebooks. They cost considerably less, take up virtually (excuse the pun) no space, and are very very portable, thanks to the iPhone. Incredibly, I carry my entire library around (okay, not every single book as they are not all available in ebook, but definitely my favourite books which I have bought ecopies of).

I have to say this though, the reading experience is totally different. I find I have a much shorter attention span and get agitated more often. The book has to be exponentially more engaging to keep me reading. It’s something to do with the backlighting and the glare that causes this, but since my favourite activity of lying in bed reading is no longer an option, ebooks has been the way and will probably be for a long time coming.

Some of my friends are recommending I get a Kindle. I have to confess to be extremely annoyed at the geographic restrictions on many new ebooks when the print book is readily available in hardcover in Kinokuniya. Since I can’t read print anymore (for now, because of my motherly obligations – I’ll explain the logistics another time but suffice to say, it is about space and comfort), I have to patiently wait for an ebook to be released to the international audience about a year later. This doesn’t make sense. So publishers, if you are reading this, please think of the poor readers stuck with ereaders waiting patiently to read a book which is not available to them, just because it is digital content.

Still the cost of ebooks is a great lure. You can save on kindle fire books and other ebooks by signing up for ebook store newsletters where they routinely send you coupons, or just Google the store name plus coupon. I’ve print and digital copies of all my favourite books now. It feels great to carry them around (although my eyesight is seriously going!).

The kids have begun swim class, which they both love immensely. Their coach is wonderful with kids and so very funny and relaxed. I am so grateful we found this place.

I also try to make sure they have plenty of time with the grandparents. I always wish I had known my grandparents better before they passed. It is a beautiful relationship and I have my happiest moments watching my folks have a bonding moment with my kids, usually a smile or a hug or sharing a joke.

The years fly by too fast. Although I often wish I have more time to myself, I remind myself I will have plenty of that when they enter their teen years and adulthood. This precious decade I spend close to them and nurturing their relationship with their grandparents is but a blink in all our lives. I try hard to make sure we all cherish it.

Going to go hug them now.

It’s been 2 kids and half a dozen baby carriers. Overall, I have to say that the Ergo Organic still is the best one for me. It is incredibly soft and cool (in this hot humid weather we have here) and is the most comfy for me, probably because of the material. We also have the original canvas Ergo but find it hotter and rougher on the shoulders.

For my husband who loves to back carry the 5 year old when he is tired, he swears by the Boba (1st gen). It has better back and hip support due to its thick and stiff waist band. The Boba is my go-to second and while it is hard for me to nurse it, it does support my back better and sits the little one higher. When he carries the little one, he does also prefer the Ergo Organic.

Bottom line is though, everyone’s body is different and their needs are different too. Ideally we should all try our carriers before buying (I didn’t). For my nomadic lifestyle where the kids go wherever I do on public transport, on my thin 5″8 frame, the Ergo Organic works best.

One thing for sure is, I have loved every minute of cuddling my little ones in our carriers and weaving through shops and supermarkets with ease. (Wish my back was as grateful though…)

I know I know. I’d been fairly MIA all of 2011. You see, my weekly housekeeper quit to look after her sick mom back in December 2010 and we decided not to hire anyone new to replace her. So I’ve been doing the cleaning and laundry too, which after a year I am still doing rather poorly (but we get by). Plus when you’re so exhausted any blogging ideas kind of dissipate and disappear before they hit paper (or the iPhone).

The kids have been great. 5 and 2 have been a lovely age for each kid so far. Both are helpful with housework – they love hanging out and keeping laundry, folding and keeping clothes, and pick up their toys and keep them. When I need to do housework, they have a choice of helping or entertaining themselves. They’ve become very good at the latter!

So I have to say full-time housework has been a win-win for this family. The kids have learnt to play on their own without my having to be there but am within shouting distance in the same house. I get a bit of quiet time washing dishes and doing laundry.

The only downside for me is I need to rest a lot more during the day because it isn’t second nature for me to do housework but I trudge on because I want it to be easy for my kids, second nature, no sweat for them to do housework, not like the chore it is for me. After all, isn’t parenthood is about arming our kids with life skills? This is one skill I want my kids to have. I truly feel that life would be so much easier for them if they embrace it.

Here are some things that work for me most of the time:

1. Make them sleep in with you!

Use black out curtains to make them think it is still night and they will go on sleeping. Plus more sleep is good for their brains.

2. Put out breakfast for them.

Sometimes they wake up before me especially after a long night of countless nightwakings. I always leave out a large tray, which they are used to eating with their mouth over it, and rice cakes and dried fruit in a ziploc bag and a bottle of water.

Rice cakes are the only food I have found that is not crumbly, tasteless enough for the ants and roaches NOT to come crawling after, and yummy and filling enough for them to consume till you are coherent enough to make another meal.

Still, keep one of those tiny brooms handy just in case.

3. Put entertainment and surprises nearby.

There’s nothing that moves a child faster than “look on the table, I have a surprise for you!” and the beauty is that they love simple things like an I love you card to a drawing or a paper plane. Preferably something that they can play for a while as you rouse yourself from slumber.

4. Brew tea and put it on ice in a stainless steel container.

Keep this next to your head so you can reach for it even when zombie-brained. Nothing starts a day like a nice cup of tea.

5. Sniff some aromatherapy.

This helps for me. I have an Aura Cacia Lavender stick which wakes and relaxes me when I sniff it in the morning. Kept under the pillow.

6. Have them kiss you awake

There’s nothing sweeter than waking up to your baby’s sweet smiling face just inches from yours and being showered with kisses. A cuddle after seals the deal.

Hope this helps!