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One thing I realized is that we never stop being mothers. Yes, we did not sign up for something temporary. As we move on to the next stage of our children’s lives, new challenges come in. From breastfeeding woes to toddler tantrums and teenage rebellion – we never stop worrying for our kids. In fact, the last person I talked to before I gave birth was my mother. She was constantly checking on me and my baby, how my labour was progressing, and if we were both okay.

Surprise, this is me – currently in a whirlwind of life transitions and emotions, but feeling absolutely blessed nonetheless.

I welcomed 2020 with high hopes for this humble business. I was so excited to launch more colours, designs, and a whole new lineup of products. Sadly, however, COVID-19 happened. All my plans had to take a backseat. I decided to wait it out until things got better. Months passed and I was ready to dive back in. But just as I was starting to pick up momentum, my body refused to cooperate. Two sticks was all it needed to tell myself that once again, I had to slow down.

It has been quite a journey, since we found out about our little blessing last year. I suffered from Hyperemesis Gravidarum (HG) during my first pregnancy. To put it simply, HG is a condition characterized by morning sickness going mayhem. As for me, it was an all-day sickness with countless trips to the toilet, having an extremely heightened sense of smell coupled with food aversion, nausea, dehydration, fatigue, and feeling totally demotivated and non-functional for months on end (way beyond my first trimester). For this pregnancy, my HG was far worse. I am not actually sure if it was also due to the stress of handling a toddler or my hormones were just really unkind this time around. I was still breastfeeding my daughter during my first trimester. It was challenging to strike a balance between nourishing your firstborn and making sure I was passing on at least something to the growing fetus inside me, when I had absolutely no appetite while throwing up non-stop throughout the day. With my husband back in the office, no helper and relatives around, I was also left alone at home to manage everything. All those things they say that you cannot do during pregnancy like doing laundry, heavy lifting, bending down, standing for long periods, sleeping late or not getting enough rest – I did while often wondering how I’d ever make it to the other side.

I also had several episodes of spotting, but being on bed rest was near to impossible with a toddler around. Instead of lying down during the greater part of the day, I found myself standing up every 10 minutes or so chasing her, doing activities and all sorts of things to keep her entertained. When my body desperately needed to rest and she was not in the mood for independent play, I would regrettably give in to some screen time. Oftentimes, mum guilt would take over me for not being there for my firstborn the way I wanted it to be. But what can I do? I knew that I had to set realistic expectations for myself, else I would end up getting lost in all the chaos and be a much worse parent to two precious souls. It was overwhelming to say the least, but I knew that God wouldn’t give me anything I can’t handle.

Fast forward to today, here I am in one piece and ready to pop in a few days or weeks. I made it after all.

Indeed, being pregnant during the pandemic has its added challenges. Gone are the days when you are able to share this exciting milestone with others, not even your husband. COVID-19 restrictions meant going to check-ups alone – yes, hearing the baby’s heartbeat or finding out about the sex for the first time without anyone by your side. Being in isolation with fluctuating hormones and emotions hasn’t been easy as well. There are days when you feel the need to reach out to your family or closest friends, but just end up sending videos of the scans. You want to get rid of the nausea by breathing in some fresh air, only to realize that wearing a face mask will just aggravate it. Then comes a bored and restless toddler, who’s begging to go to the playground with you, but the anxiety of catching the virus outside also creeps up.

It’s been tough, but I thank God for bringing me into this whirlwind. Why? Maybe because He believed in my strength or He wanted to give me an opportunity to grow.

I learned to be kind to myself – that is, to let go, celebrate small wins, and simply take pride in the fact that I gave it my all. And amidst all the negativity of this pandemic, God made me feel that I was one lucky wife and mum. My husband, who usually worked until the wee hours of the morning, would cook even at 2 AM just to make sure that I wouldn’t have to worry about lunch the next day. He was my rock and we were a team, no matter what. It was also such a joy to see our then 2 year-old easily take on the role of a big sister. She would always check up on me, kiss and caress my tummy, and make sure that “mummy and baby are okay”. She would get things for me and ask how else she could help. The best part, she loved doing chores with me – from laundry to cooking and washing the dishes.

Whew, this has been such a long post. Apologies if I rambled way too much. But I guess I just wanted to share these things to anyone who is in a place of stress and anxiety right now. Everyday, we come across people who fight their battles in silence, muster up the courage to survive, heal, and still show up with a smile.

If you are trying your best to win battles we never realized you had, this is for you.

If you feel stuck in an endless cycle of exhaustion and worry, fighting the same demons everyday by yourself, this is for you.

Whatever you are going through right now, know that God wouldn’t give you any burden you cannot bear. He, too, believes in your strength and capability to overcome it.

You may be silent, but we see you and we hear you. You are not alone in this battle. Sending you love and light

Featured in the photos: Ivory Crochet Lace

My toddler’s hands around summer of this year. It feels like I just took this photo yesterday. But no. These are way bigger now, several milestones have passed, and 2020 is about to end in a few days. Where did the time go? Inarguably, life has never been more surreal since the pandemic began. This is the year when we told ourselves to “slow down”, yet time keeps flying by in the blink of an eye. It’s bizarre how the hours feel fast and slow at the same time. We wake up thinking we’re still in the same day – in limbo, just like how it was a week ago. Celebrations cancelled, travel plans postponed, less commute to work – life hasn’t been that complicated lately. But why do we feel drained and overwhelmed, as if we’ve had too much to handle just for one day? It’s hard to keep pace with all of the changes taking place this year. It’s so easy to get distracted, which also adds up to our mental and emotional overload. So, where did the time go? Why is it December all of a sudden?

Today as I turn a year older, I’m sharing this photo as I reminder to pause and reflect once again. This year, I’ve watched these hands grow by the day. I held these during the times when she wanted to step outside but couldn’t, when she cried and asked me when she’ll be able to see the playground again, or when she happily annoyed her work-from-home Dada. These hands remind me that despite all the negativity this year, I am blessed beyond measure. Everyday, I wake up with a purpose – to hold these hands tightly through the brightest and darkest moments. Today, I choose to look back and cherish both the good and the bad days. I am grateful for what this year has taught us. Yes, we can never get back all the things that we missed in 2020. But for sure, we’ll end it stronger and wiser than ever. Thank you dear Lord for another year. Praying that we all get to bounce back soon.

Featured in the photo: Watermelon Chevron (left); White and Rainbow Dots (right)

This year is all about keeping our loved ones close, no matter the distance, and embracing the simplest things with pure joy, gratitude, and appreciation. These personalized sets have kept us busy and I must say, it has been rather uplifting lately. These names represent meaningful connections – friendship, sisterhood, and love that transcend these dark times. Thank you for giving us the opportunity to reach out to your dear ones, even in our own little way. We hope that these spark as much happiness and positivity as it did for us. May we all have a blessed holiday season!

Remember the days when you’d always run late or make up excuses to stay in and skip meetups with your friends? Fast forward to 2020 and you’d give anything to just have one of those late nights and long conversations again. Nostalgia really hit us hard this year. But thanks to technology, we’ve found ways to cope and feel less isolated. Have you checked in on your friends and family lately? Sometimes with our busy schedules, we tend to forget this and safely assume that everyone’s “just okay”. I, too, am guilty of this. But even the ones who seem to have it all figured out may not really be in that position right now. Same goes for us – we forget ourselves. We let the days pass without seeing how we’re really doing. Stress and anxiety will always kick in. We cannot deny that. So if you’re also feeling a bit low, don’t be afraid to reach out. There’s always someone to talk to. One message goes a long way these days. For now, while we wait, all we can do is to stay connected and trust that our loved ones (whether near or far) will see us through this pandemic. Sending you all love and light

Featured in this photo: Pastel and Flamingo set

Be like a flower in this season of waiting. Follow the sun. Grow even during the darkest of days. Keep steady and still when the wind shakes you. Dance in the rain. Bloom when your time comes.

A reminder to breathe and let things unfold in their own time

Featured in the photo: Sweater Girl set

It’s World Breastfeeding Week and we’re sending hugs to all the tough mamas out there!

Breastfeeding is beautiful and empowering, but there are so many layers to it. lt also takes you to an in-between state, where there is a constant emotional tug of war – you push and you pull, say yes and say no, and seesaw between raw vulnerability and pure magic. From the minute you give birth, time is continuous. The pain and exhaustion are real, but there is a tiny human being waiting to be nurtured. They say it’s “natural”, but it’s more of giving it all you’ve got. You latch for the first time and then again and again, until your nipples get sore and ducts get clogged. You don’t stop and carry on. Practice makes perfect. Soon, there is magic. Your little one settles in the crook of your arm and suddenly, you find yourselves in a bubble of peace and calm. Time stands still. You bond in such a special way and realize that only the present matters. You’re tired and you’ve second guessed yourself many times. Your body is consumed down to the core, but your soul is filled to the brim. Nothing makes you feel more powerful than this.

It’s been 30 months since I started my breastfeeding journey. I remember praying to God to let my milk last even for just 6 months and now I’m starting to wonder when it will be over. Some have asked if I’ve already started weaning my toddler. Yes I’ve tried many times, but she’s not yet ready. So for now, I’ll just savour each moment in our special bubble and thank God for this precious gift.

Starting breastfeeding is hard; sustaining it is harder. It takes a lot of patience and commitment. But what works for one, may not work for others. There shouldn’t be any pressure to succeed. If you realized somewhere along the way that it’s not for you, it’s okay. You should be proud of yourself for choosing the best way to nourish your child. In the end, all we want is a happy mama who can build a safe place for her little one. To do that, I know you need a safe place for yourself too – be it at home or in the workplace. The world needs to support you. But mama, take it easy too.

This week, no mama gets left behind. You are all amazing!

I was going through some old photos yesterday, then I came across this one. Such a timely reminder during this unprecedented season. Missed milestones and cancelled celebrations – that’s the price that we have to pay to keep our loved ones safe this this year. We all know how challenging it is to plan for a wedding, let alone make changes to things that you thought were already set in stone. To all the couples who feel disheartened and confused right now, may you find comfort in this message. Just keep the faith and surely, things will soon fall into place. Sending you love and light

The past few months have been fraught with so much uncertainty. And this admittedly, makes it all too easy to give in to fear, anxiety, panic, and all kinds of negativity. It feels as if we’ve suddenly lost control and are practically left at the mercy of this massive threat the whole world is currently facing. But then, I see this little hand – the one that reaches out to me everyday, in moments of dire need or simply pure joy. And somehow, this redirects me to what is certain. What we know is we are accountable to at least one person in this world and that our actions and decisions during this critical period will, in one way or another, make an impact on others and society at large. Let this little hand be a reminder to find balance, focus on what matters now, keep moving forward and in the right direction. There can never be a perfect solution at this time, but we can do our best to establish some sense of order and still stay on top of things. Let this little hand too, be a beacon of positivity and hope. At the end of it all, this little hand is worth all the sacrifice. We pray for all our loved ones, frontliners, and world leaders. Let this uncertainty unite us and make us stronger as ONE. Stay safe and be well, everyone!