Singapore Playdates

Dewi and I have started getting out to meet mommies and babies in the area. Fortunately we found a mommies and babies meetup group close to us in the west coast area. Our outings have generally been a short bus ride away. In Singapore, it is required that parents take their babies out of the "pram", fold the pram, and keep it folded during the ride. That's a lot of work when you have a baby and at least one bag to carry. When we go on outings as a family, taking Dewi out of the stroller before we get on the bus is no problem. I have found that when it's just me and Dewi, strapping her into the Ergo is much easier for our outings. Since Dewi is getting bigger by the day, lugging a 20+ lb. baby all day is quite a workout. Both of us usually have blobs of sweat on our shirts by the time we get to our destination.

So far we have had a couple of outings/playdates at nearby West Coast Park, which is this amazing space right on the water. It is a huge park with several playgrounds that are sure to give Dewi hours of entertainment when she is older. Right now she is happy enough chilling on our picnic blanket (a parting gift from a Boat People SOS banquet many years ago), running her fingers through the sand in the playground area, and watching the bigger kids play on the playground. Right by the playground is the nicest McDonald's that I have ever seen. It has an outside patio area with chairs, tables, ponds, and ceiling fans that remind me of restaurants in Bali. Compared to the 5th Street McDonald's in DC that Derek and I often passed on the way to Derek's work or when I had to go to court, it is such a difference.

Dewi and I have also gotten together with a new friend and her baby at their condo, an MRT ride away. We attempted to hang out in the pool with the babes, but as always, the unexpected (rather, "expected", since it happens nearly everyday) Singaporean afternoon shower shortened our pool time. We still had a lot of fun, chatting and watching the babies play with each other. Even though Singaporean afternoons can be hot and humid, after hearing of the recent DC snowstorms and unfortunate power outages to friends' homes, I am grateful for our tropical weather. Especially since the NUS pool is just a short internal shuttle ride away.