We live in a flat

NOTE: This post is originally published April 11, 2020. It is updated Sep 10, 2021.

UPDATED: What masks to wear and how to wear them in the current Delta-variant outbreak

We collected our free masks that Temasek Foundation is giving away recently – a box of regular surgical masks and a box of N95 masks.

Photo of a box of surgical masks and a box of N95 masks. N95 masks (right) collected from one of the Fairprice outlets. — N95 masks (right) collected from one of the Fairprice outlets.

There were only 25 masks in the N95 box. Apparently it’s not for everyday use, but if we were unlucky to contract Covid 19 and self-tested positive, we should don on the N95 masks to prevent spreading to others. Then we should go see the doctor and wait to be transported to the hospital or whatever other facility the government deems we should go to. So yah, at least we know what to do when that time comes. Hah!

With the delta variant being more transmissible, the current advice out there would be to use disposable surgical masks above BFE >95% to be properly protected every time you go out.

Probiotic Gel for Pet Dogs (and Cats!)

By weliveinaflat

On April 1, 2020

In Health, Shopping

Some pet parents prefer specific brands of pet probiotic gel. I researched and found that different yogurt brands can have different sets of life cultures. So I wondered if this may be the same case for pet probiotic gel. Here’s what I found out from two different tubes of probiotic gel for pets that I got from the vet. Both dogs and cats can use these probiotic gel.

DIY Newborn Photography – Throwback to the Newborn Little P

By weliveinaflat

On January 11, 2020

In Pre-walking stage

SO… newborn photography. With so many expenses before and after baby arrived, not gonna lie but paying for professional newborn photography was the furthest from my mind.

That didn’t however, prevent me from reading about it in my idle, very pregnant moments. I learnt how most of the stunts you see on social media, required much photo-editing. Because a newborn baby has a very weak neck that needs to be supported.

It all sounded quite precarious to attempt on my own. But somewhere in the recommended first 7-10 days for a newborn to be photographed, I mustered up some deeply hidden energy to get out of bed for a spot of DIY newborn photography with little P. Hah!

Baby Teether Review – 11 different brands and types

By weliveinaflat

On November 16, 2019

In Baby, Baby Toys

Thanks for dropping by! Time and effort goes into writing posts like this. And I’m always happy when somebody reads and find it useful. And if you do shop on Amazon, just remember that this post includes affiliate links to Amazon which will give me some coffee money when you click and buy, without extra cost to you. :)

I might have gone a little overboard with the baby teether shopping once Little P started to want to chew. I blame it on my prior experience with my dog Donna (haha) because I firmly believe in providing plentiful chewing options. Because it is better the dog chew her own chews than chew the furniture.

But you know what? Donna never did chew furniture but the baby did.

Despite his plentiful chews.

When I wasn’t around to supervise. * sigh *

Teeth marks on cot. This baby needs to be redirected to his teethers! — We just moved the baby to a Montessori floor bed at 10 months old so finally we can say goodbye to this beatup cot!

Anyway, for a little baby with only two going onto four teeth at that point, I think 12 sure is a sizeable collection of teethers. Even if I do say so myself.

So if you’re in the market for teethers, here’s a quick rundown of all our teethers for your quick review!

Are photo magnets good gifts for dog lovers?

By weliveinaflat

On October 26, 2019

In Shopping

A long time ago, I ordered photo magnets for Christmas from a company called Sticky9. It was so long ago in fact, that Sticky9 the company is no longer in existence! Hah!

That aside, the company lets you order custom square photo magnets in groups of 9. Hence the name Sitcky9.

The square magnets were convenient because they allowed you to print Instagram photos onto these magnets. Which also means you can conveniently ignore copyright restrictions to print other people’s Instagram photos on magnets for your personal use. Oops!

Baby’s First Visit to a Dog Run

By weliveinaflat

On October 21, 2019

In Explore

It’s been quite a long time since we last took Donna to the dog run.

Left: Cannon Ball Tree at Sembawang Park.
Right: Donna dog resting her chin on my thigh in the car.

This time Little P gets to join her on this outing!

This tedious breastfeeding journey & how to make it better

By weliveinaflat

On October 12, 2019

In General Health, Self Care for Moms

Breastfeeding is a journey, an exhausting one with some spilled milk and quite a bit of tears. It is a journey for mothers whose high needs baby needs to nurse constantly. It is also a journey for mothers w hose babies just can’t or refuse to latch, so that exclusive pumping becomes an unavoidable option.

I didn’t intend to belabour the topic, but my fingers ran away with me over a few sessions writing this. I haven’t finished but I can see this turning out to be a long article that likely will only be of interest to a very, very small group of people. But oh well. Moving on…

Object lesson #1 Have a clear, executable idea of how to breastfeed and what to do if baby fails to latch, don’t assume it just happens

I love the intimacy of the experience when the baby latches and then falls sleep, a tiny, warm bundle in your arms. But the tedious pumping part of the journey I abhorred. And so I had always planned to just exclusively latch if I could, and do without the pumping.

But it was not to be.

casetify custom design phone case review

Customised handphone cases – Casetify review

By weliveinaflat

On September 28, 2019

In Shopping

I’m writing this post now because it’s time to part with our old beat up Casetify cases that Mr P and I have been using with our previous mobile phones. So what better time to do a Casetify review? :P

Casetify is not a new brand. It’s been around about 8 years it seems. And it’s one of the brands I like because it lets me customise my handphone case with Donna’s photo.

We’ve used these cases for at least 2 years, maybe more. (Can’t really remember.) Take a look at how chipped the original printed design has become!

Casetify review - custom design Casetify handphone mobile case — Casetify mobile phone case for Samsung (left) and Casetify handphone case for iPhone (right)

Push Walker by Plan Toys for Babies Learning to Pull-up, Stand and Walk

By weliveinaflat

On September 21, 2019

In Baby, Baby Toys, Pre-walking stage

If you came to this page, you might have been like me. I was browsing around for a long time trying to decide if I wanted to get a Push Walker for Little P. And if I do, when to get one and which one to get. If you are unsure, a Push Walker is also called a Learning Walker or a Walking Wagon.

Baby learning to pull up on a walker wagon and push to walk

Not a baby walker that you plonk the infant into, but a self-service piece of equipment that gives babies opportunities to work on pulling themselves up, standing and walking by themselves.