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Hi, my name is Summer. I was born on a sunny island called Singapore where the sun shines generously all year round and I have also spent a good five years of my life in Sweden, a place where you can freeze your Coke on the balcony when winter comes.

I grew up in a HDB 3-room flat, which basically is a type of high-rise housing in Singapore where people stack over one another like Jenga. Yes, I wasn't born with a silver spoon in my mouth but I had a wonderful childhood because my mum taught me how to always be contented with life.

In school, I was blessed by lady luck for all my 16 years of education, acing my PSLE, GCE 'O' Levels, 'A' Levels before I finally obtained my Bachelor degree with second upper honours at the School of Communication and Information and a minor degree in Chinese.

Just when I was thinking I had an IQ of over 160, I probably suffered a head blow somewhere because I gave up my life and my career when I made an apprehensive decision to move to Sweden. I switched from a low-paying media job to a no-pay job as a wife. From drawing up complicated excel charts, churning out fanciful powerpoints and attending glam media events, my daily routine had a 360-degree makeover and the new one consists of cleaning, cooking, washing, and more cleaning, more cooking, and more washing. When I say more, I actually mean endless. Oh yeah, I officially have the most prestigious job in the world - a housewife.

In love, I married the man of my dreams. He's the guy who would give up his seat to any old lady on the MRT, help every stranger to lift their luggage up the stairs, give his last bit of savings to any friend in need. He's the one person who will always be there for me and even if the world comes tumbling down, he will find a way to make it the right way up again.

It was also because of my love for him that I decided to follow him to Sweden when he was posted there for military training. I've grown, spent a good portion of my life and earned countless happy memories in Europe.

Guess what? The best thing is, I'm been promoted from a housewife to a mother. Oh yeah, please add changing diapers, cleaning poo and boogers, bathing babies and singing lullabies to my to-do list. The most amazing thing is that somewhere deep down in me, I know this is the job that I've always wanted. No more chasing after the rainbow, for now thanks to my babies, I have one in my heart that for rain or shine, it is here to stay.

My dream is to be able to take care of my kids and pursue my passion in life. After going through pregnancy, childbirth and living in a foreign land, I have come to realise that I do not want to leave my kids in exchange for a boring office job that sacrifices my priceless family time. Kids are only young once, if you miss out on that, that's it, you know? That is why I started this blog. To be a stay-at-home-mum and yet be able to write and do DIY stuff. Well, for all my degrees and certs, they never taught me how to breastfeed or that methylmercury can harm a foetus.
 
So there if you have it. My life summarized in one single page. I'm now a jobless woman back in Singapore but ironically, I have the best job in the world. I do mean, the best of the best. I'm a M-U-M. And a very happy one indeed.


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Meet Angel, Ariel, Asher and Ansel - the gems of my life.

Angel was born in November 2009 in Karlskrona, Sweden and is so called a "winter baby". She boasts an impressively long list of places she's visited in Europe, which includes over 20 beautiful countries like Switzerland, Czech and Iceland. She is the neatest and organised person in the house with a flair and passion for hand calligraphy. An avid animal lover, she is fascinated by anything that has fur, that crawls or has more than two legs.

Ariel came along in December 2012 and this girl brightens up my day with her infectious laughter. She has a big heart and is kind to everyone she knows and even strangers too. With a love for dance and swimming, she is the sporty little one who picks up new skills fast, likes to go outdoor and is a lively, boisterous girl who brings cheer wherever she goes.

Asher joined our family in December 2015 and as our first boy, he changed the family dynamics in the house. For one, we the parents are suddenly outnumbered by the kids and my two hands are not enough to hold them when we go out. Like what his name means, this boy is a happy little one who smiles a hundred times a day and reminds me on just why motherhood is such a rewarding journey.

Ansel arrived in this world in February 2021 and is the only preemie baby of the four. He kicked his way out at 35 weeks but he was a trooper who braved through severe jaundice and did a surgical cut at two weeks old for his tongue tie. He is deeply loved and doted upon by his older siblings who take turns to look after him and he makes our lives better in every possible way.

Although having four kids to look after makes me exhausted as a stay-at-home mum, I am also now quadruply blessed. Yes, having a bigger family might mean less time, less money and less sleep, but it also means more love, more bliss and more joy. I wouldn't change my life for anything else because the way I see it now, it's perfect.

No matter what, the four of them will always be the angels of my life, the ones guiding me and giving me hope, the ones I want to protect, to hold and to love with every beat of my heart.

41 comments:

  1. I totally hear you here. :) Like you, I gave up a well-paying job, cut our household income by half and flew with my husband to the states when he went over for post-doc. In that time, I got promoted to a mommy! Though we're back, I am still in a SAHM mode cos I haven't found anyone who can provide a better, or as-good-as care to my girl than her own mommy. Like you say, "Kids are only young once." If not now, then when? :)

    If you have time, come check me and my girl out too @ http://blog.mybabyfootsteps.com :) Hope you have a great year at Sälen.

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  2. Hi Ming! Thanks for the sweet comment. Yes, guess we are in the same boat. I am returning to sg this year but I bet I will be in the SAHM mode too because nothing in this world will make me leave my girl in the care of someone else after being attached to her 24hrs for so long. =) Though salary is cut by half, but I guess the reward of being a mummy more than doubles. Will check your blog very soon! Thanks and may 2012 be a great one for you too!

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  3. You are and your daughter are BOTH beautiful! Nice to meet you!

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  4. Thanks Jessica, that just brightened up my day. =) Nice to meet you too!

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  5. Hi Summer, I just found your blog and have enjoyed reading it, especially the posts on Europe. I love Europe!

    My husband was also given an opportunity to go to Sweden with the military but gave it up as he decided on a career switch. So I'm kind of living the "what if I went to Sweden life" through you as I read about your European travels and life in Sweden :)

    Being a mum in a foreign land sure sounds exciting but I'm sure it has its challenges too. Thanks for sharing about your life overseas. Will be popping by your blog again!

    http://sliceofadventure.blogspot.com/

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  6. Hi Joce,

    THanks much for dropping by! Yeah maybe we would have been friends and met here if you had come! It's really a vast difference from staying in singapore but I'm cherishing every moment here because of my girl. Will check out your blog too and let's stay in touch!! It's great to share! Cheers!

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  7. Summer,
    I just came across your blog because I am putting together a Minnie Mouse theme party for my soon-to-be 1 year old and saw your homemade Minnie invites. Your blog is great! I loved reading your story-you write well-and I love the black and white pics of you and your daughter:) How did you make her picture fade in the background in photoshop?
    Deana
    Florida, USA

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  8. Hi Deana,

    Thanks for dropping by and great to know someone enjoys reading what I write. Are you referring to this B&W portrait pic above? A friend took it for us in their house, it was against a white wall. Not really sure if they made anything fade in PS, it could have been just the focus. Let me know if there's anything I can help you with!

    Cheers,
    Summer

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  9. what a lovely story, so full of adventure.

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    1. Thanks! =) I guess my life is exciting but yet still simple in a way. =) Just how I like it.

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  10. Hello!
    Found out about your blog thru Sg mom bloggers FB page and enjoyed reading your posts :)
    Am going to be a first-time mom soon, so will definitely need lots of tips/advice along the way.

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    1. Hi Nat! Glad to know you liked reading what I write. Congratulations on your upcoming baby and I'm sure it's a very exciting time for you! Don't hesitate to email me if there's anything I can help with or you just need someone to talk to!

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  11. Hiya! Just dropped by from the Singapore blog awards! Interesting story u have here and will drop by again! :)

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    1. Thanks Edmund, appreciate it! Great to make more new friends! =)

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  12. Hello :) I enjoy reading your adventures and thoughts, especially on love! Indeed, so rare to find married couples still so deeply in love. It is the basis of a happy home, isn't it? And also what makes us happy mums to our children :)

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    1. Thanks Cindy! Glad you like reading what I write. You think so, that married couples ain't so deeply in love anymore? That's sad! Yes I do think it is the foundation for a happy home and well, no wonder I'm so happy most of the time because I'm so loved!

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  13. Hi! Thanks for visiting my blog Path to Wellness :) I'm your new blog follower and loved reading some of your posts. Your daughter is adorable!!

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    1. Thanks Connie! She'll be thrilled to hear that! =)

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  14. Hello! Dropping by via the SMB group. I love your many happy and lovely photos. Yes, your little girl sure does boast a very impressive list of countries - think more than mine. LOL. Hope to see you back on our sunny island soon!

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    1. Hi Sarah! Thanks for popping by! Hee I'm pretty sure we'll meet up soon and I'm so looking forward to that! =) SMB rox!

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  15. Hi Summer, here for the first time, through your latest post at SMB. I feel your deep love for Angel and I can see how proud you are of your husband :) I feel happy reading your blog :) And it's lovely to know someone called Summer, I always loved that name. If I ever give birth to quadrapulets girls I will call them spring, summer, autumn, winter :) If my hb agrees :)

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    1. Thanks for popping by! =) Great to know it brings you joy through reading. Oh I'm loving that quadruplets idea but I'm sure my hubby will find it too tacky. =p Hope to stay in touch!

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  16. I completely understand! I left my career in investment management to stay at home and raise my three little ones. I realized that their growing up years are a blip on the radar of my life, and I do not want to miss a moment. I tried going back 2 years ago to an office job, and just did not feel inspired at all to continue, knowing how much I was missing with my little ones. Tears flowed down my cheeks every morning when I dropped my littlest off at day care. I had to reapply my mascara every morning in the downstairs restroom before walking into the office! Now, my littlest is in pre-K which is finally 5 days a week. Maybe in a year, when he is in full day school, I can start something part time. For now, I love writing, and my blog has inspired me to write every day. Found you through Bloggy Moms Blog Hop.

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    1. Hi Melinda, yes it flies by too fast! I love writing too and I am glad blogging allows me to keep my passion going while having the time in the world to spend with my kids. =) I can imagine how tough it was to have to say goodbye to the kids every morning and that is well I am not going that route for now. =)

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  17. Hi Summer

    I read your article in The New Paper online and decided to visit yr blog. I couldnt agree more with what you said about children being only young once and if we miss their childhood we miss it for good.

    Im currently a working mother in Tokyo and everyday is a mad rush for me - drop my daughter at nursery, run to catch train to work, deal with demanding clients, rush to pick my daughter on time, rush to cook, rush to bathe and feed her, rush to put her to sleep by 9 pm. I hardly have any quantity time with my daughter, lack alone quantity time. I feel sad knowing I chose to work for money over spending time with her. I have decided to quit at end of this year and focus on being a SAHM. Im super excited and cant wait to play games, do DIY crafts, go to the park etc with her.

    Will definitely keep visiting your blog for ideas. I love your entertaining style of writing and reading about your activities. Thank you for inspiring me further to be a SAHM :)

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    1. Hihi! Thanks for visiting my blog! Not that I am biased, but I actually feel happy that you are going to stay at home with your girl. =) Cut away all that rush you have and just enjoy having moments with her. It will definitely be a change, and a good one! She will be so happy to have Mummy with her every day and I wish you all the best as a SAHM! Let me know if you have any stories to share and if I visit Tokyo one day, I will let you know!

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    2. Hi Anonymous..

      I am going to be working in Tokyo starting from April for one year..with 2 kids on board ..are you still there? are there alot of singaporean moms in Tokyo?
      wish there was a singapore moms in tokyo facebook page! then wont feel so alone... :(

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  18. Hi Summer! Found your blog by accident. Apparently your second girl is born on the day I got married. I, too, inspire to be a SAHM when I am finally blessed with a child - if that ever happens. Tiring 7months of trying but no results yet. Do drop by my blog too - www.njunaidah.blogspot.com

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    1. Hi jun, nice to hear from you. I hope u will succeed in conceiving soon! Being a SAHM is like a dream come true for me!

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  19. Hihi! I have started following your blog. Realized that I have been reading so many foreign blogs and forgot to read more on local blogs. Now, I need not read your new post through facebook which I do not check as frequently as email. And I wondered why didn't I subscribe earlier. Anyway, you are the only Singapore blog that I follow for now. Will do so for more. Happy to see you are a successful Singapore blogger mum! Cheers!

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    1. Hi Simple Mum, woah it's my honour that you like reading my blog and even follow it! Thanks so much! Can't say I am a successful blogger but definitely a happy and passionate one!

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  20. Hello! I chanced upon your blog while searching pregnancy blogs, im curious as to how come your husband has been posted to sweden for 5 years? Because i always thought the maximum duration of a stay is 4 years before you're forced to go back to sg for a year before going back XD?

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    1. Hihi, you are well informed! The hubby was supposed to stay for a year initially but at the end of the year he switched crew so we stayed for another four year. A good part of our lives, don't you think so? Fond memories for life!

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  21. Hello again :D! You're really lucky and i envy you a lot! My hubby was given a chance to go on a 2 years deployment to USA but he didn't want to go because he said that it would ruin his career and he doesn't want to end up extending his bond causing him to stay in Rsaf for life. ): Even though it's my life long dream to stay abroad for a few years to experience life I figured its selfish of me to force him to go for the sake of my dreams at the expense of his career! Not many people are as lucky as you, Summer :/

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  22. Thanks much, I do know that I am a lucky girl and a lucky mum. It was absolutely worth giving up my career to move abroad and I have never regretted it a bit because I am in love with my new job - a stay at home mum. I have to tell you living in a foreign land and grappling with my new role as a housewife and as mum wasn't easy on most days, but it was rewarding, satisfying and most of all, happy. I sure hope you get a chance in future to live abroad for a couple of years too!

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  23. Hi Summer,
    Glad for your comment on my blog post on wwww.pastureliving.blogspot.com now I found you! I love meeting other mommy bloggers in Singapore. Really enjoy reading your journey!
    Vicky

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  24. Hi Summer,
    Glad for your comment on my blog post on wwww.pastureliving.blogspot.com now I found you! I love meeting other mommy bloggers in Singapore. Really enjoy reading your journey!
    Vicky

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  25. You write sooo sooo well! Admire admire. How did you write so well? Who taught you? What books did you read growing up?!

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    1. Haha don't you think my words and sentences kept very simple? English was never my strongest subject in school! I think the only reason I can connect with people is because I put my heart and soul into every of my posts! Thanks for the compliment, dada! =)

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  26. I agree with the previous comment from 'dada'. You really do write very well. Have enjoyed popping by your blog. Will be back again to read more posts. :)

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    1. Aww that's very kind of you! I hope you will enjoy reading and can drop me a note from time to time too! I love getting to know more people out there! =)

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Yoohoo, thanks so much for reading my blog and leaving your comment! I am feeling the love! (^.^)