Seconds after impact

It's been over a month since the accident. I still think about it. It's hard not to, as I walk with my crutches and do the physiotherapy exercises every day to get my right leg back to normal.

I'm thankful for being alive, for being able to hug my family, DaddySay, my kids, and everyone close to me. 

I can still remember that night clearly. Seconds after impact, immediately after I discovered I was on the floor, when I was just standing the split second before, everything was very surreal, as though a dream. I wished it was a dream. I looked down at my thigh and saw this really big lump. I tried to move my right leg, but I couldn't. My first reaction was 'uh oh... That's a funny lump', and then 'oh d***!'. 

My first thoughts were of DaddySay, EV and AA. I wanted to hold them so much. I wanted DaddySay to tell me, it's all a dream. Either that, I wanted him to tell me, that big lump was just a little bruise, nothing too serious, that I'll be home soon to hold and hug them all. 

But somehow, I knew it was not possible. My thigh moved funnily. I needed to stay composed because of them. Deep breaths. People around me were asking me if I was ok, I could only reply softly because I had to focus on breathing in and out, to stay calm so that I don't faint or anything like that, or to aggravate my injury any further. No, I needed to remain on the floor, in that funny position, focus on breathing, focus my thoughts on my family, and wait for the ambulance to come. Oh, how I wished the ambulance would hurry up. After the shock, the pain was increasing, and it was harder to keep focused. Breathe in, breathe out, I had to keep calm. 

I managed to call DaddySay, and I remember his first words: 'Are you ok?' I could hear the panic in his voice, his love, his care. Later, when I finally saw him as I lay on the hospital bed, my heart was feeling so joyful, so thankful, I cried. I finally broke down. I could finally feel him, hold him. I held on to his hand tightly.

I didn't see EV and AA until a week later, because we didn't want to alarm them. I was staying at my mum's place and they came over to bring me home. The moment I set eyes on them, tears just poured. I had missed them so very much. For the first time since the accident, I could hold them, hug them, kiss them. It was truly a blessed moment.

When the four of us finally sat together for the first time in one week, it was extremely emotional for me. It was such a freaky accident, yet I am thankful. Thankful to be alive, to be able to hug and hold my most loved ones, my most precious babies.

The journey to recovery is a long one. I'm glad to have my family walking beside me, as I toddle slowly on my crutches.

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Gift Guide: 5 kids' dresses for the festive season

With the festive season just around the corner, kids need the right dresses to get in the mood.

Here are five kids' dresses from Sunshine Kids, which specializes in designer dresses for girls aged up to 7 years old to attend parties and special occasions.

Photo: Sunshine Kids

Princess Auora Dress in Ivory with Gold Crowns
Understated and stylishly designed, this flowing organza gives a young lady a cute elegance that's irresistible. We like the gold crowned waist band.

Photo: Sunshine Kids

Audrey White Dress with Bunnies

We love the bunny prints on this white dress. It's unique yet simple and transforms the little lady into a young fashionista.

Photo: Sunshine Kids

Monroe Burgundy Flower Girl Dress

Why not go bold with the rich burgundy colour of this dress? This will definitely make the kid stand out from the crowd.

Photo: Sunshine Kids

Blair Princess Dress

This sleeveless dress features a chiffon overlay over soft satin, with gorgeous light pink ruffled chiffon at the bodice. Simple cool elegance for a outdoor event.

Photo: Sunshine Kids

Holly Rose Flower Girl Dress in Pink

Such a sweet dress, with ruffled flower petals on the bodice. This is a good choice not only for Christmas, but also for kids celebrating Chinese New Year.

These five dresses for girls between 3 to 7 years of age are just those that caught our eye. There are lots more choices on Sunshine Kids. So do check it out, because this month, there's a 15% discount just for you!! What’s more, as Sunshine Kids is a partner store of Agape Babies, which is dedicated to baby essentials such as diapers, milk, skincare, organic food, toys and books. You can not only shop for your kids’ dresses but also their necessities, checking out in one shopping cart. Very convenient.

Discount!!

Specially for ToddlyMummy readers, Sunshine Kids is offering a 15% discount on dresses, excluding sale items. Simply enter the code 'toddlymummy15%' upon check out. Offer ends 2 January 2015.

Happy shopping!!

Disclaimer: We received a Princess Auora Dress in Ivory with Gold Crowns dress for the purpose of this gift guide. No compensation was received. 

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Remember, remember the 5th of December

5th December is a very special day, a special day of remembrance.

9 years ago in 2005, my dearest grandmother, my 阿婆 (pronounced 'ah bu' in Shanghainese) passed away suddenly, within 24 hours of fainting.

It was so sudden, very few in my family could accept it. No one expected her to leave so soon. She was the matron of my mum’s side of the family. She looked out us, she’s the one who always cooked our favourite Shanghainese foods, the reason why the family came together for weekly dim sum sessions.

阿婆 used to stay in Hong Kong, and when I used to stay there for the whole of the December holidays, we would do things together. She brought me for ice skating lessons, to the playground and the Peak Cafe at the Peak (long before the current shopping mall existed). She brought me to eat my favourite chestnut cake, even to her office or to my grqndfather's office where I would chase after the resident cat or spend the afternoon cutting pieces of silk cloth. I went everywhere with her. On the way home, I would often fall asleep on her shoulder, as the bus moved through the busy streets. 

When I started working, I spent less time with her. But because she had moved to Singapore, I made it a point to have dinner with her, and to be with her. I'm glad that I made a trip to Shanghai with her to attend her grand niece's wedding. It was definitely time well spent with her.

But her passing was too sudden. On that fateful day, I was taking my Japanese language test. I didn't pass. Since then, I have stopped taking Japanese. It was too painful, and brought back memories. Perhaps one day, I may take it up again.

One of her greatest wish was to see me get married, and have great grandchildren. Sadly, that was not to be. If she was still around today, I think she will be extremely tickled by EV and AA.

I wish she was still around. There are still so many things I want to share with her. Mostly, my kids. I look at them and I wonder how things would be if she was still around. Perhaps we can even take our overdue trip to Beijing together.

I miss her, a lot. I guess in many ways, I'm still grieving, still wishing she was still around, still wanting to hold her hand as we chat. This year, I will buy her favourite yellow flowers again to visit her. It's something I've been doing every year since I said goodbye, a painful goodbye I will never forget.

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Review + Giveaway: Mummy-daughter fashion by Glitter Glam & Mary Had A Little Lamb

Two weekends ago, I dressed up for the first time in one month since the accident. Well, as much as I could. It was to attend a cousin-in-law's wedding. I had to look nice, yet, the dress must be easy enough for me to wear, given my injured leg.

So I wore a pink dress from Glitter Glam. What made it even more special was dressing up in matching clothes with my little mini-me. She wore the kids' version from Mary Had A Little Lamb.

It was so special, we couldn't resist taking a few snaps at home. AA joined in the fun as he was in pink too.

Made of polyester, this dress is extremely simple. There aren't any fancy prints or other embellishments, just folds at the neckline. However, this well fit dress emits a simple elegance, and for little kids, a classy cuteness that is irresistable.

In fact, we kind of shared the limelight with the wedding couple. All the relatives loved our mother-daughter look, and wanted to take pictures of us. EV was beaming from all the compliments she received.

Here's our favourite photo from the wedding.

There are lots more matchy-matchy dresses that mums can wear with their little 'mini-me's at Glitter Glam. And just for ToddlyMummy readers, there's a 20% discount off regular-priced items till end December. So what are you waiting for? Happy shopping!!

Discount!!

Get 20% off all regular-priced items. Enter this code ‘WINNIETM20' upon checkout. Valid till 31 December 2014.

Giveaway!!!!

Here's a chance for you to win one of TWO S$50 cash vouchers from Glitter Glam (only applicable on the regular-priced dresses by Glitter Glam, either 'Mother' dresses or women workwear). Just follow the Rafflecopter instructions below. Good luck!!

Terms and conditions:
- Entries that do not fulfill the requirements stated will be disqualified without notice.
- This giveaway is open to Singapore residents only.
- This giveaway starts on 3 December and ends on 14 December (inclusive) at midnight.
- The winner(s) will be chosen from a random draw of entries received in accordance with these Terms and conditions.
- The winner(s) will be announced on this post by 17 December.
- The winner(s) will be notified directly via email by the sponsor regarding collection of the prize(s).
- Toddly Mummy's responsibility will end once the winner's details are passed to the sponsor.
- Only one winner per household is allowed.
- The organisers accept no responsibility for entries that are lost, delayed, incomplete or cannot be delivered or entered for any technical or other reason.
- Entrants into the giveaway shall be deemed to have accepted these Terms and Conditions.
- Terms and conditions are subject to change without notice, at the organisers' sole discretion.
- This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook.
- Participants are providing information to Toddly Mummy and the sponsor(s) of this giveaway and not to Facebook.

a Rafflecopter giveaway About Glitter Glam & Mary Had A Little Lamb
So who are the people behind the beautiful dresses we wore? Glitter Glam is a home-grown brand specializing in dresses and work wear that are comfortable and tasteful yet edgy.

Mary Had A Little Lamb was conceived on Mothers’ Day 2013 to celebrate motherhood and the extraordinary connection between a mummy and her child. The idea was to create mini-me versions of a mummy's wardrobe, while remaining unique and modern.

Disclaimer:  We were provided with a mother-child dress set, a VIP membership and two S$50 cash vouchers for the purpose of this review and giveaway. No monetary compensation was received. All opinions and images are my own.

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Thank you for reading. If you like this post, please do connect with me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, so I can share our fun adventures, thoughts and exploits with you.