Much has caught up with me apart from the pregnancy these past months. I really wish I had the spare time to do things like this on the side, but end of the day, it’s consoling to know I had my priorities set straight.
I have just sat for a qualifying exam. Actually, ‘re-sit’ is the word, as I didn’t quite make it the first time a few months back. Hopefully, I had done better this time around, as it would not only bring me back on track with my career, but also help our family with our growing financial needs. Now that that’s out of the way, we could revert our attention again to preparing for the advent of parenthood. 
The baby preparation had been going slow at the start since I wanted to be more focused with the review and all. But just as I was fearing I was running out of time to get everything I think we need before the bub’s arrival, hand-me-down clothes, furniture, and accessories started pouring in. Receiving all these has now actually put in more time in our hands for a stress-free (or less stress?) wait. How lucky!
My family overseas have been ranting about the lack of evidential photos of my pregnancy. Hehehe. I had envisioned before that with all the excitement of this first bub, I’d be wrapped up in all those fetishes about immortalising the moments on an obsessive-compulsive kind of way. Sadly, laziness had been part of the cravings, emotional rollercoasters, restlessness, and what-have-you’s of pregnancy. But now, with the exam finally behind us, I think I had better start making up for all the missed chances.
Catch you soon.
With the impending arrival of our bub, hubby and I had been on a look out for a bigger place. Not that this current flat is not big enough for the first addition to our family, but with its increasing rent as well, we thought we’d find a place that’s worth its rental price.
Some weeks ago, we finally found one place which seemed to have suited all our criteria– a 3rd bedroom, piece of backyard, carport, laundry facilities, walking distance to my work (as I don’t drive), affordability (cheap actually for this area and the house features too), not carpeted althroughout, close to transport, ducted heating, etc. Upon submitting our application forms with the other required documents, we were asked by the receptionist if we had already filed our 28 days’ notice to the our current rental agency. (While we thought this was quite an odd question (mostly from her position), we realised that this real estate agency was a sister (or a spin-off?) company of the agency we’re currently under.)
The same question was thrown to of us by the property manager anyway. So, this time I was able to return a query. Unknowing one’s chances of certainly getting a place, what would happen if he/she has already given his/her 28 days’ notice and eventually not get approved for the property applied for? Can the notice be cancelled? The property manager said that 1-week extensions can be requested. But get this: only certain number of extensions can be given.
So, then again, what will happen if, after so many extensions, one couldn’t find a place to move in to? No answer. So maybe, only God knows.
The property manager explained further that without filing a 28 days’ notice, we ”understand” that we would be paying rent for this current flat and the other property should our application for it be approved. While that’s obviously an inevitable risk for us, we just wondered whether this would have been an issue or not, if it were a totally different– and unattached– company.
But really, given how increasingly competitive applications of this kind have become lately, when would be the best time for us to give 28 days’ notice? And out of practicality, shouldn’t we be doing so unless we’re sure of having a new roof above our heads?
So here’s that weekend with a third day to it. Woohoo! I’ll be keeping watch tomorrow though as our flat’s getting a fresh coat. I think the owner has finally doing justice to all that rent increase (and another one coming up next month!).
By the way, big thanks to all fellow Nooksters for their well wishes!
To answer a few questions posted before, our bub’s due end of October. This is child No.1 for us, but hmm, I had already been forewarned by hubby that there’s more to come. (*sympathetic pat on Lam’s back*) As for the gender, we’ll see how long we can keep it a secret. Hehehe.
And yes, name suggestions are very much welcome.
So this explains all that kicking inside. Hehehe. 
Hubby and I went for our first ultrasound yesterday in the city. It was quite a wait behind four other mums in line, but it sure was worth every minute of it. The anticipation and excitement for our turn was growing with every mum leaving the clinic. During our turn, watching our bub was nothing short of overwhelming. Neither of us could properly catch our breath throughout the show, and just as when we were recovering from seeming hyperventilation, the bill took our breath away again. 
Oh well. No one said parenthood came without a price.
Yey! Big thanks to everyone for the welcome. Now our nook is warming up.
It seems I might have confused readers with my name. Although I’d say “Iam” is cute, it’s actually “Lam” with the ‘L’ written in the lower case. Some friends have kidded me with Lam-chop and stuff like that, and taking on that line of amusement, I thought, hey, why not “Lam’s take”? (lamb steak… gets? hehehe.)
Anyway, today was nothing out of the ordinary– laundry, marketing, hang around with neighbours for a bit, and watch the boys drown in their grog as the sun went down. It did feel like a lot was accomplished, but hmm, I just wish there was a third day to this weekend.
How was your weekend, guys?
Been a while since I last (and first!) posted. I am surprised at how others here have actually been that active, and also for those who have taken notice of my first and one-liner post. Thanks for those who have dropped in to welcome us.
Like kateinhighett, I think I’m still struggling getting around this site, but it sure looks fun to learn what’s in store for us. It is indeed a great idea getting the community involved in cyberspace, as we already are in actuality.
Cheers to all of us!
Just getting into posting the first one. More to come.
