Our Angels

Getting back to blogging and outdated posts

2011-12-04T02:02:00.001-08:00

I am close to abandoning my blog, it seems - last post was a rare appearance by Daddy in September, and a proper one from me in July! And the one before July was March! It is easy to read others' post than to write one myself. And each time I am on my laptop, updating the blog is one of my list of things to do apart from paying the bills. But alas.. it never happens.

It is tough, very tough, juggling busy work, 2 kids, not so competent maid, exercise routine, paying bills etc etc. And my days are consumed by the first 2 things.

Weekdays are for work and if I am lucky, a gym session or 2. When I get home early, the kids will just cling on to me and refuse to let go - while I am eating dinner, bathing (yes, they will be banging on the door when I am in the bathroom), sleeping etc. Kaelyn is a night owl - she sleeps around 10 plus - 11pm and insists that I sleep with her. Most times, I fall asleep before she does. And when she is asleep, I will wake up again to do my own stuff like paying bills, catching up on news, watching some TV, so that will be well into the middle of the night. Sherryn sleeps earlier - around 8.30 - 9 - so most times when I am home, she is already asleep. But she is an early riser and will be my alarm clock at 7am.

Weekends are the same - 2 kids clinging on to me if I am around. As I am writing this, Sherryn is crying for me.

So on average I sleep less than 7 hours a day, work more than 10 hours a day, house is in a big mess, and I have been unsuccessful in losing weight after giving birth as no time to go for a proper workout - cycling trips and swimming with kids are not considered excercise.

I really want to keep this blog going so I can look back years later on their growing up years. Perhaps will just try to keep short updates, and live without any photos. Now I am looking at how I am going to post all those outdated posts like our KL/Genting trip in March, Desaru trip in August, Spain trip in Nov, Christmas shopping, kids development etc. Will somehow find some time.

"pa pa" and "da di"

2011-09-02T16:28:00.000-07:00

Sherryn is able to call out "mah mah", "jie jie" and "nai nai" at 18months. She is able to point to the pictures or the person and call out their name.

When I ask her where is "ba ba"? She will look at me and smile.. :)

But when we ask her to call me, she will say "mah mah". We noticed that she can't pronounced "pa" or "ba ba"...

What is amazing is that she is able to call out more complicated words like "jie jie" and "nai nai"!

Suddenly on 20th August(Friday late evening) - she suddenly know how to call "da di" on our bed - yes she refused to sleep on her cord but on our bed. I was surprised..

What is more surprising is that on 21 August - Sat morning, she is able to call "ba ba".

She is equally excited as me and call "ba ba" very happily and then raised her hand and want me to carry her!!

KL and Genting Trip - March 2011

2011-07-31T08:52:00.000-07:00

Another long overdue post - KL and Genting family trip in March 2011, started writing in July 2011, and actually posted in Feb 2012!! Talk about procrastination..

This is Sherryn's second trip overseas via plane. As Sherryn's still small, we didnt want to go through 7 hours bus trip from Singapore to Genting, so we opted for a possibly more kids friendly way - fly to KL (1 hour), spend 3 days / 2 nights there, and then take a taxi up to Genting.

Day 1 - Reached KL, Petronas Twin Tower

Day 2 - KL Tower and Aquaria

The Aquaria was quite impressive - I think on par with Singapore Underwater World

Day 3 - Travel from KL to Genting by Taxi. It took close to 2 hours. The roads up to Genting are much wider than I expected.

Day 4 - Genting Theme Park

At night, we went to watch a peformance. Quite interesting, a mixture of acrobatics, singing and dancing. Kaelyn enjoyed herself very much.

Day 5 - Took a bus down to the pagoda / buddha, and cable car down to some shops

Day 6 - Home Sweet Home..

Hectic week - an overdue post from July

2011-07-25T07:56:00.001-07:00

This has been sitting in my draft for several months - since July but only officially posted in Nov / Dec.

It has been a super duper hectic week for me. I am on 2 weeks leave because my helper of 4 years is leaving us, and I have a new helper in. My parents and mother in law are on holiday, and David is studying for an exam. That leaves only me to settle all maid matters, ferry Kaelyn to and from school, play with Sherryn, prepare for Kaelyn's birthday celebration (which is coming up soon)... I am bushed!

Among the hustle and bustle, I had a minor accident - I knocked my right side mirror into the back of a truck. Had to spend the entire morning getting it fixed, while having Sherryn with me and in the midst of settling new helper documents and old helper's leaving papers..

Then on the day our old helper is to leave for Philippines, Kaelyn and I sent her to the airport. We said our goodbyes at the departure gate. But the maid took a long while to clear customs and eventually was accompanied out by an Immigration officer to look for me. The lady was very stern when questioning whether I was her employer and was almost interrogating me on why I hadnt informed MOM on my maid's departure etc. My maid had asked for a transfer to another household (as she initially didnt want to look after kids and wanted everyweek off etc) and we got an agent to arrange for the transfer. Had her work permit extended for another month to bridge the new maid's arrival as well. But didnt know we had to inform MOM if we were to send her back within the one month extension period.

Hence had to ferry the maid back home, to the amazement of David and the new maid, quarrel with the agency and asked then to compensate for the air tickets etc. But eventually she managed to go back home for 2 weeks after starting 1 week at the new employer's place.

For the next few weeks / months, we will have to start from scratch again training the new maid - who doesnt look as bright as the previous one. But we will see.

An update in Nov - Kids took to previous maid's departure very well and are very comfortable with the new maid already. At least one concern out of the way. But as I mentioned, new maid is not as bright and doesnt think out of the box. But at least she is generally good to the kids.

Sherryn at 19 months

2011-07-24T11:02:00.000-07:00

Sherryn at 19 months.

1) She is aggressive!
Sherryn is no pushover. Whenever Kaelyn snatches her toy / book from her, she makes a big fuss and will come complaining to us. She would push her big sister and even hit her!

2) She is starting to speak
But only limited words. She says is able to call out Mama, Papa, Yeye, Nainai, Jiejie, Popo very well. Gong gong is 'ho ho', and Ah yee (my sis) is 'Yayee'. 'Mmmmouse' for Mickey / Minnie mouse, 'Duck' for Donald / Daisy and other real ducks, as well as for everything else. She can say 'Where?' (with a gesture as well) if looking for something or someone. And 'There' when the thing is found.

3) She likes to play peek a boo
She will hide behind a wall, a blanket, a book, the curtains or anything she finds and expects us to look for her. And when we do, she squeals aloud in delight.

4) She loves to go for a walk outside
Many a times she will point to the shoe cabinet and ask us to open the cabinet so she can get her shoes to wear outside. And she will stand at the gate and shout for someone to bring her out.

5) She starts to have an interest in books
When she was younger, she had no interest in books at all. But starting from a few months back, she will bring us books and points to the pictures and words and expects us to read to her.

6) She recognises the family members
She is able to point to family members when we ask.

7) She understands instructions and what we tell her
Although she doesnt speak much, she fully understands most of the things we tell her. The word that she is most afraid of now is 'Sleep'!

8) She can complete an animal puzzle by herself, and wear her own shoe.

9) She is still mainly on porridge but is able to eat other solid foods like bread, rice.

Pictures will follow and be updated at a later stage..

Kaelyn at 3 years 11 months 25 days

2011-07-24T10:03:00.001-07:00

After such a long hiatus, a few things prompted me to write again - changes / developments happening in the kids, as well as a slew of unlucky / unfortunate events that hit me this week..

First will be about the kids - starting with Kaelyn.

Kaelyn's 5 days shy of her 4th birthday. She has been growing and changing so much that sometimes I am really surprised by what I see and hear from her.

1) She can write!
She can write all the alphabets both capital and small letters.
She can spell and write her own name, as well as 'Mama'.

2) She can read Mandarin books!
Her school taught them to read a series of Chinese books about a brother and sister and their family. I thought it was quite difficult for a 4 year old. There are words like 'read books', 'eat rice', parts of the bodies, family relations etc. But she managed to read all those words (or rather memorised them)! Amazed at what they learn in childcare!

3) She can draw (rather well)!
I am surprised by her creativity in drawing. She is a left hander - so it makes her a more creative person perhaps? I dont know where she learnt how to draw from, but I definitely did not have this ability when I was 4!

A caterpillar in ballet costume

4) She tells me about her dreams
She is at this age where she could articulate what she dreams about at night. It is always surrounding me and David, or other family members and the helper.

5) She still likes to pose for photos
Dont know where she learnt these poses from. Dont think I need to say more about what I think of them...

6) She still loves to dance
We bought X-box Kinect with the Michael Jackson dance DVD, and she loves to play that with us. She can follow the moves 40 - 50% of the time!

This is the monkey dancing in Harvey Norman

7) She is able to articulate her thoughts and sometimes talks like an adult
My helper of 4 years is leaving us and we were prepping her up for a long time, as she has grown very attached to her. She knows that by her birthday, Aunty Venus will not be with us anymore. And one day, she was telling me that she doesnt want her birthday to come 'because Aunty Venus will be going home'. So poor thing, to be linking her birthday to an unhappy event for her...

Another time I was telling her that she used to have a dimple on one of her cheeks but it seems to have disappeared. She replied 'its because I drink a lot of water.'

Very recently, she was reminded by our helper leaving, and we had this conversation in the car.
Me: Kaelyn, Mama is going to fetch a new aunty to our house today ok?
Kaelyn: No, I want Aunty Venus.
Me: But Aunty Venus has to go back to Philippines to see her family and her baby. Her baby misses her you know?
Kaelyn (after thinking for a while): Ok, Aunty Venus can go back to Philippines. She can bring her baby back her to our house. See, I think of one idea already!
Me: Haha... You are very smart, thought of such a great idea (I was really amused). You go back and tell Aunty Venus about this idea ok?
Kaelyn: I already told you about my idea already, I dont want to say again.
Me: ?!?!

Sherryn's first swimming experience

2011-03-24T08:54:00.001-07:00

Sherryn had her first swimming experience at 13.5 months at the Anchorvale CC swimming pool near our place. We did not take any pictures that time.

But the subsequent swimming session was at Changi Beach Club and we managed to capture a few shots. Kaelyn had her first swim when she was 9 months old at Sentosa, so Sherryn had a late start...

HK Trip November 2010 - Day 1 to 4

2011-03-13T08:06:00.001-07:00

A long long overdue blog - our trip to HK in November 2010. Just David, Kaelyn and I. Sherryn was only 10 months, and we didnt think we can manage both of them by ourselves without help. Sherryn obviously didnt make a fuss about being left out. In fact she had a happy time with Ye ye, Nai nai, Gong gong and Po po..

We spent a total of 8 days in HK (both departure and arrival days inclusive). It was a good trip overall, visited HK Disneyland, caught up with HK colleagues, saw Pandas etc.

Day 1 - Arrival at Disneyland hotel

Its end November so the Christmas spirit is in the air already. Makes the holiday even more enjoyable.

Day 2 & 3 - Disneyland (Lantau Island)

We were 'pre-warned' that HK Disneyland is very small, and not to get our expectations too high etc. My colleague even hinted to me that 2 days 3 nights is a little too excessive to spend in HK Disneyland. But after the 2nd day in Disneyland, we realised that even 2 days is not enough for us!

The park is smaller than the one in US and Japan, but with Kaelyn around, we cant pack too many activities. Moreover, we spent time on meals (she takes more than an hour to finish each meal!), frequent visits to the toilets, nap times, handling her when she threw tantrums etc..

Breakfast in Enchanted Gardens in the Hotel with the characters

David queued for more than an hour for this photo! I wouldnt have done that if it was just the 2 of us, but Kaelyn insisted on taking photos with her favourite characters...

The drama queen having fun

The shops are so full of toys, characters, souvenirs, colours.

Teacups - she insisted on taking the pink teacup with purple designs. Gosh, I had to keep track of where the teacup ends up while queueing so that we can make a dash for it when its our turn!

Day 4 - Ngong Ping 360 and Big Buddha (Lantau Island)

Before we left Disneyland, we went to Mickey's maze for some fun and took pictures with the princesses. Kaelyn suddenly turned shy when the princesses spoke to her.

We left our baggages at Disneyland before leaving for the Big Buddha via MTR. The cable car ride (called Ngong Ping 360) to the Big Buddha was really enjoyable. It is a 15 - 20 mins ride and the scenery was great. We took a glass bottom cable car so could see the trees beneath us as well.

At the Big Buddha, David carried Kaelyn up 200 over steps! And the girl walked all the way down on her own.

HK Trip November 2010 - Day 5 to 8

2011-03-13T07:35:00.000-07:00

Day 5 - Ocean Park (HK Island)

My impression of Ocean Park before we went was not very good - old, nothing much to see etc. But how wrong I was. In fact I think it can be even more enjoyable than Disneyland (for me at least). There are animals to see (the best thing for us is being able to catch the Pandas), children's amusment park, and thrill rides for older kids and adults. The park is so big we were unable to cover the whole place.

This ride goes vertically up, with sudden drops. It was even scary for me initially, but Kaelyn enjoyed it so much she went on it 3 times.

On the ferris wheel

While Kaelyn was taking her nap in the stroller, David and I took turns to go on the minetrain roller coaster. Thrilling! Fun! Havent been on a roller coaster for ages that I went on it 3 times!

Day 6 - Avenue of the Stars / Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade / Meet up with colleagues (Kowloon), Victoria Peak (HK Island)

We stayed at the YMCA Hotel in Kowloon. This hotel is in a very good location but yet the prices are very reasonable. I would recommend this hotel to anyone going to HK.

In the morning, we went to the Avenue of the stars at the Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade, which is 15 mins walk from our hotel. Then we went for lunch with my HK colleagues.

In the later afternoon, we took an open top bus to the base of Victoria Peak. We wanted to take the tram up the Peak, but it was extremely crowded we decided to take a taxi up the mountain. It was freezing cold up there, with very strong winds.

On our way down, we took a mini bus. The driver drove so fast down the hill that Kaelyn threw up all her dinner!

Day 7 - Macau

We didnt have much time for Macau, just a day trip. So our initial target was to visit the St Paul's ruins, the Portuguese style town and Macau tower. We managed to do the first 2, as we spent some time on shopping for almond biscuits and egg tarts. Yum...

HK night scene on our last night there

Day 8 - Home Sweet Home

MRT observations

2011-02-28T07:45:00.000-08:00

I take the MRT to work everyday. Just wanted to record some observations while travelling..

Observation 1
At peak hours, when many people alight at busy stations, some people refuse to step out to allow people inside from getting out. I always wonder why these people are so ungracious, causing a human jam at the doors where there is only a small gap for people to alight. I think I found out why...

Once, I was at Farrer Park when a large group of people behind me wanted to alight. So I graciously stepped out of the train to allow them to alight. As there were many of them, the last one alighted just when the train beeped to indicate the doors were closing. Before I could get back onto the train, the doors slammed shut in front of me and left! So much for being gracious!

Observation 2
Quite frequently on my morning train trip to work, I chance upon a Chinese (as in mainland China) family of 3 (parents and 1 approx 6 year old daughter). Once, the mother was supervising the child in some mental abacus calculation exercise. The mum was timing her while she was working through the questions. When the girl took longer than 2 minutes to come up with the answer, she incurred the wrath of her mum, who was telling her how she was not concentrating, how angry she was, and that she might as well dont start with that exercise. The girl was very apologetic and said sorry to the mother and started to work on those again. This time, she took less than 15 seconds for each question, and earned an approving nod from the mum.

There was another time the girl was reading a Chinese story book and writing down the new words she comes across. I bet you there are words in that book that I did not know as well, even though my Chinese standard is considered not bad!

The most recent time I 'met' them, the parents were discussing which primary school to send their daughter to, and which phase they are qualified for. And names like Ai Tong Primary came up.

I really cant imagine my daughters having to compete with such children of 'foreign talents'!

Sherryn can walk

2011-02-28T07:44:00.000-08:00

Record of another milestone - Sherryn can walk without support from 13 months!

At East Coast Park

At the newly opened Punggol 'nature reserve'(?) (got to find out the actual name)

Happy Chinese New Year! - Day 4

2011-02-08T07:54:00.000-08:00

On Sunday, we went to the Sentosa Flower festival. It was a nice trip. We parked our car at Vivo City and took the train to Imbiah Station. Pretty flowers there. Thereafter, we walked down to RWS, had dinner at Hard Rock Cafe, and went on the newly opened boardwalk across to Vivocity. Along the way, we managed to catch the Crane Dance performance (impressive!) and fireworks (nice!!).

Happy Chinese New Year! - Day 3

2011-02-07T09:02:00.002-08:00

Visiting continued. Today we went to my auntie's house, and thereafter went down to River Ang Bao at Marina floating platform. We went down in the late afternoon, lighting not as nice as the night scene.

Happy Chinese New Year - Day 2

2011-02-04T07:26:00.000-08:00

The festivities continue on Day 2...

Happy Chinese New Year! - Eve and Day 1

2011-02-03T08:20:00.000-08:00

I am so glad that I am able to celebrate Chinese New Year this year! Last year this time, I had just given birth to Sherryn and was still in confinement. Was feeling really miserable then.. But how quickly a year has passed. And just a month ago the 2 kids were down with Influenza A, and Kaelyn had pneumonia as well and was hospitalised.

I was so afraid it would morph into something even more serious (not saying that pneumonia wasnt serious enough..), but good thing they both recovered from that. And they got to enjoy CNY this year, especially Kaelyn, who has begun to appreciate the loud CNY songs, receiving ang pows, eating the goodies etc..

The visiting is tiring, and the kids were sleeping later these few days. But well it is the festive season, so I dont want to be too strict with the routine at this time!

Early reunion dinner at my parents place the weekend before CNY

CNY eve - before heading out to in-laws place

CNY day 1

Sherryn turns ONE!

2011-01-30T07:52:00.001-08:00

Although this entry was created in January, it is now written in July! A very backdated post, but on a very important event - Sherryn's first birthday.

Sherryn's first birthday celebration was not too grand an affair - family and a few close friends. Here are some of the photos - pictures say a thousand words.. She is wearing the Minnie mouse dress that Gong Gong and Po Po bought for her. Kaelyn also has a similar matching dress.

Playing with little friends

Presents!

My birthday cake

Cutting the cake with Papa, Mama and Jie Jie

My first taste of cake - Yummy!

With Ye ye and Nai nai

Kids' first major illness

2011-01-30T07:51:00.000-08:00

Yet another belated post. Some of the dates and sequence of events may not be that accurate but I believe should be quite close.

After we came back from HK back in November, Kaelyn began developing a mild cold and cough. It went away after a few days. But after a week or so, so had high fever that hovered around 39+ degrees for several days. She started with cough and sore throat on 26 Dec and we brought her to the GP. On 28 Dec, she was down with fever, and we brought her to the PD who put her on a course of antibiotics. Sent her to the KK Hospital A&E on either 30 or 31 Dec (cant recall exact date) and was sent home after some blood tests. For that few days, the poor gal had very poor appetite. She could only take a few bites of bread or porridge for the whole day and cant even finish half of her usual milk intake. She's also very lethargic. We were really very very afraid she is down with something serious.

When her fever was still very high on the night of 3 Jan 2011 (7th day of persistent high fever), we sent her to KKH again. This time, they advised us to admit her to hospital, as she was in danger of dehydration due to low fluid and food intake. For the 2 nights that she was warded, the nurses would come in every few hours to take her temperature and feed her paracetemol and brufen. There was one evening when she was coughing rather badly and we asked for the doctor. The doctor did not appear even on the next morning. We lodged a complaint that morning itself. How could they not send a doctor for 12 hours when we requested for one, and we are in the hospital! This is simply unacceptable.

We were told she had Influenza A Respiratory Tract Infection. X ray showed patchy streaks in her lungs which warranted a follow up in 3 months. She was discharged on the 3rd day.

Meanwhile, while Kaelyn was in hospital, Sherryn also developed fever around 38+ degrees. When I heard that, I could feel my head spinning - not 2 at the same time! The worse was not over - the day Kaelyn was discharged from hospital, her fever came back again. We called KKH and they actually asked us to visit the GP if the fever came back (shouldnt we go back to KKH for follow up?). Anyway, we didnt have much confidence in KKH after our stay there. We went back to the PD and PD after looking at the reports, said Kaelyn had pneumonia! I cant believe KKH did not tell us about it! PD put her on a course of antibiotics and Singular to strengthen her lungs. She recovered 3 days after - finally!!

During those few days, David and the helper were also both down with flu. Helper's was quite serious as her fever went up to 39 degrees. At one point, I was the only one standing, with 4 people down with flu at the same time, with 2 serious cases. That was one of the most tiring and trying times in my life.

But I am really glad that all this is over. A few lessons learnt:
1) Put on really warm clothings for kids if visiting cold countries. Not sure if this was the reason Kaelyn caught the Influenza but I believed it was partly the cause.
2) Get yourself and kids on flu vaccine. Was told Kaelyn's case may not be that serious if she had taken the flu shot.
3) I'll visit Thomson Medical centre next time instead of KKH (hopefully we'll never have to).

Updates

2010-12-26T08:00:00.000-08:00

It's been a while. We (David, Kaelyn and I) just came back from a trip to Hong Kong few weeks back. Will write about the trip in my next blog. For now, some updates over the last 2 months...

KAELYN

Kaelyn's toilet training has been really successful. She is now diaperless (except for nap/sleeping times), which I think is a really great achievement. I never thought this day would come. I'll take it slow on the final lap of being totally diaper-free. And she is finally off the pacifier (yeah!). Yup, its really taking too long..

Kaelyn's still the natural entertainer - she loves to sing and dance, make poses for the camera even in public. She also loves to draw, paint, colour, write. Oh, and since the HK trip, she has been requesting to use our iphone camera function to take photos for us or of anything / everything around her. I have just deleted 30 over photos that she took without my knowledge..

She knows her alphabets (caps and small letters) very well, a credit to her teachers in school. And she's able to write some of those letters too, and spell her own name. I dont remember being able to do that when I was 3 years old.

SHERRYN

Our dear Sherryn is coming to 1 year old soon (in 1 month's time). Where has the past year gone? She has been crawling all over the place since 8.5 months, and has been holding on to furniture and cruising since around the same time too. She had her first tooth close to 9 months and since has 2 teeth on the lower gum and 1 on the upper gum.

As she grows, we can see her personality and character coming through - she is one stubborn and demanding girl. One really frustrating thing for us is that she refuses to drink water, not a drop at all. She would use her might to push, kick, scream, wail when we try to feed her water.. I dont understand at all why she has such violent objections to water! She still loves to play with and be around her elder sis. And doesnt like to read, unlike her sis. She's getting really naughty now, shouting and screaming to get her way.

I think she can call Mama and Papa(or at least something that resemble these words).

Sherryn at 8 months

2010-09-29T09:21:00.001-07:00

Sherryn has been developing new skills without me realising. She turned 8 months yesterday. She is able to sit without support since 6 months, move from lying down position to a sitting position by around 7 months, and pull herself to standing position close to 8 months. I think she is going to crawl over the place in no time. She's been adopting a crawling position but has yet to be able to move too much.

Her routine is now:
- Wakes up around 7am to play.
- Drinks milk (180ml) around 8am. Then bathes, plays.
- Sleeps at around 9.30 to 10am for about an hour.
- Lunch at 12pm - she is now having either porridge or brown rice cereal with cod fish and broccoli / pumpkin.
- Milk (160ml) at close to 2pm before she zzzz again for 2 hours.
- Dinner at 5.30pm - also having either porridge or cereal with fruit puree.
- Milk at 6.30 - 7pm (150ml).
- She knocks out before 7pm every night.
- Then wakes up for a drink of milk at around 10 - 11pm (160ml).

She knows how to call for attention and stretch her arms out for people to carry her. She likes to laugh, and makes sounds when people are talking to her. We havent been able to spend as much time as we would like to with her. But she has been a pretty good girl so far, except that sometimes she can be quite demanding when asking for attention.

Oh ya, she can hold her own bottle to drink her milk too! What a clever little girl!

Youth Olympic Games Singapore 2010

2010-09-29T08:56:00.001-07:00

During the games period, Kaelyn was crazy over this:

She first got to know this character while we were at United Square, and the mascots were parading around. We managed to snap 2 photos of her with Merly and Lyo before they disappeared into the changing room. And Kaelyn ran after them and stationed outside the room asking for them to come out.

Few weeks after that, we thought she had forgotten about them, but I was wrong! We went to the Orchard Road stores to look at the YOG merchandise. And Kaelyn said 'Eh, Merly. I always like Merly...' So we bought a soft toy for her and she now hugs it to sleep every night.

We also went to the Marina Promenade to have a look, and we managed to catch the mascots again. And wow, Kaelyn was really head over heels when she saw them, especially Merly, shouting 'Merly, I like you! I love you! Merly! Merly! ha ha....' THis time, she got to hug it, touch it, follow it..

And she would pose in front of every Merly poster for her Dad to take a photo of her. Check out her cheeky poses!

David and I even went all the way down to the floating platform to take photos of the flame the day before the closing ceremony. Afterall, this is practically going to be once in a lifetime scene.

During this period, I was watching the Olympic channel almost everyday after work. And Kaelyn was learnt that YOG stands for Youth Olympic Games. As the Hockey matches were played at the Sengkang Hockey stadium which is near my place and can be seen from my living room, Kaelyn calls that stadium 'YOG' as well.

Toilet training

2010-09-29T08:33:00.001-07:00

We finally made progress on Kaelyn's toilet training routine. She is diaper free at home since early August, but still needs teachers to remind her to go toilet in school. She also feels more comfortable pooing into the diaper than in the toilet bowl. Well at least we've made some good progress! And can save some money on diapers... finally! It's been a long journey...

Think i will start training Sherryn much earlier.

Kaelyn's 3rd birthday

2010-09-29T08:09:00.000-07:00

Kaelyn celebrated her third birthday twice this year. Once at home, and once in school with her friends and teachers.

She chose her own cakes as well, specifically picking the one for home and one for school. When we persuaded her against the one she had chosen for home, she was insistent that she had to have that! We gave in in the end. That was a cake with Mickey going on vacation - David said that it symbolises her running away from home!!

There is no decent photos of Kaelyn's birthday at home as she was just so energetic and jumpy.

The celebrity in school..

New routine

2010-09-29T07:58:00.000-07:00

Work has consumed me for the past 2 months ever since I started going back. After 6 months at home, I struggled to get back into the swing of things at work. During the first few weeks, I took my time to get used to looking at the computer for 8 hours. I felt so tired at the end of each day.

I found that my memory has deteriorated. I cant remember much of the details at work - this is bad, because I need to advise people on technical accounting matters. I need to wake up early in the morning to pump, say hello to my gals before leaving for work. During working hours, I need to disappear 2 times to pump. Very good thing that my office has a very decent nursing room complete with a mini fridge, sofa and wash basin. And then at night I had to pump again before retiring for the night. I was so tired that it aggravated my ability to work efficiently at work. On top of that, I had to get used to the working style of a new boss.

Good thing I managed to work out working from home every Wednesdays to give myself more time with baby and save on transportation time.

The new arrangement while I am at work is:
- Mondays and Tuesdays, mother in law comes over to take care of them. Kaelyn will be at child care for full day on MOnday and half day on Tuesday.
- Wednesday, I work from home and Kaelyn goes to child care for full day
- Thursdays and Fridays, my parents bring Sherryn to their home. Kaelyn is on half day on Thursday and full day on Friday. My dad will fetch her to their home after school.

So far, this arrangement has been working fine as I am not involved in the ferrying. I just need to concentrate on producing milk for Sherryn, and going to work on time.

Back to work tomorrow

2010-07-19T03:09:00.001-07:00

I start work tomorrow! Arrgh... after 6 months at home, I really am apprehensive about going back. By right, I should be starting today but an untimely fever forced me to stay home another day. See, even my own body doesnt want me to start work.

I'll need to wake up much earlier to express milk, dress up and take the MRT to work, lugging my pump and handbag. No more late nights for me, no more watching endless VV dramas on SCV, no more playing the piano for Sherryn, no more ferrying Kaelyn to and from school, no more making trips to Compass Point on weekdays, no more facials on weekdays.. and the list goes on..

So I probably will disappear from blogging for some time while I try to settle back at work and get used to the old routine.

Yesterday, when I visited the doctor for my fever and throat infection, the doctor encouraged me to quit my job and work from home via the internet. She even gave me a website to explore and recommended me a book to read. She said my recurring illness (throat infections, fever) is a result of lowered immunity due to lack of sleep. And going to work and being away from my children will add stress and aggravate my condition. And that there will be higher risk of cancer etc. She made it sound so serious! Anyway, I will visit the website to explore alternatives. But for now, its back to work for me.

I am Sherryn

2010-07-13T21:28:00.000-07:00

Yeah, I finally have a say in this blog. I have been waiting for a long long time! All thanks to Mama's friend who allowed her babies to speak on her blog also. And Mama got the inspiration to let me talk too. Thanks to Auntie Eliza!

Mama is going back to work next week and I can tell that she is soooo reluctant. She started taking out all her work clothes and shoes just last week and tried them on in front of me and kept asking me whether she looks fat in this and that. Actually I do think she looks kinda plump and flabby but good thing I still cant talk or else I would really hurt her lots. She said its jie jie and I who caused her to look so fat. But I think its a pretty unfair statement cos I noticed she ate lots of ice cream, and cakes and biscuits and was raiding the fridge like 3 - 4 times a day for things to eat!

Anyway, I love mama to be around in the house, although she drives me nuts sometimes.
When I am hot and sweaty, she thinks I have pooed. When I have pooed, she thinks I am hungry. When I am really hungry, she thinks I am tired. How can she still get it so wrong after being on the job for 5 months? And I thought she was a graduate?!

As for my jie jie, auntie says she is a Vuvuzela. Although I dont really know what that is, I guess it must be something very loud cos jie jie loves to scream and shout. Jie jie always says I cant do the things she does and play with her toys cos I am still 'small'. I want to drink more milk to grow bigger so I can do all the things jie jie does. Then sometimes I hear Papa and Mama saying that because I am still small, I am excused for crying loudly, hitting my arms around, spilling milk. So it's actually better to be small then? I am so confused.

I seldom see my Papa as he is out working. But he will try to play with me when he's back from work and when I am not asleep. He loves to take photos of me with his DSLR camera and when I am in the mood to laugh or smile, I hear the camera click like a thousand times.

Ok, I think I have bored you enough with my view of my family. Although I seem to be complaining, I actually do love them all!

Conversations with Kaelyn

2010-07-13T09:03:00.000-07:00

Kaelyn came back from school one day and volunteered updates from her school.

Update 1

"Mama, teacher Jay is not around today. Teacher Joanna says Teacher Jay is pregnant. She has a baby. She went home to rest. Her friends look after her."

Update 2 (she spoke in Mandarin for this)

Kaelyn: Mama we have a new lao shi (teacher) today.
Me: Oh is it? What is her name?
Kaelyn: I dont know..
Me: Is it Chen lao shi? Or Li lao shi? (just randomly throwing some names in the air)
Kaelyn: No. It's lao hu (tiger) lao shi. Ha ha ha...
I thought the teacher must be very fierce to earn this title. Half an hour later,
Kaelyn: Ah I know. The teacher is Hu lao shi! I remember!
So Hu lao shi is lao hu lao shi and hu li (fox) lao shi.. Children are so creative.

I love these updates she is giving me. I hope we will continue having such conversations as she grows up.

Sisterly love

2010-07-06T02:23:00.000-07:00

I love to see Kaelyn and Sherryn interact.

Mama, Sherryn is very heavy!

Sherryn is my 'hao peng you' (good friend)

Sherryn, let's dance!

Come Sherryn, I read to you

Kaelyn's childcare update July 2010

2010-07-06T02:14:00.000-07:00

We seem to be making some headway in Kaelyn's food intake in school. She now finishes the small portion that the teachers giver her and is able to eat on her own. Before, she would refuse to touch the food even when the teachers feed her. She just didnt like to eat.

We havent been making much progress on the napping and toilet training routine though. Guess I really have to take one step at a time. Because she sometimes skips are naps in school, we are now putting her on half days on Tues and Thurs so she can rest properly in between the school week.

I have also restarted intensive toilet training. I think she understands that she has to tell us when she needs to pee and poo but not sure why she doesnt do that. I now accept that she is a slow developer in this area...Think she still cant really tell whether she needs to go until she has let go. Within 3 hours, we can change as many as 5 - 6 training pants and bring her to the toilet 3 times. Really tiring but will try to persevere! Hope she is able to go to toilet on her own in school soon.

However in terms of other developments, her teachers say she is a fast learner like recognising patterns / sequencing, sorting balls / coins based on attributes etc. I guess you cant have it both ways!

Touring Singapore Attractions

2010-07-05T08:36:00.000-07:00

I realise that Singapore is not that boring afterall, especially with the opening of the Flyer, RWS in Sentosa, MBS in recent years. Since it is not convenient to go on long overseas tours with the 2 kids, we have embarked on touring attractions around Singapore. Below are the places we have been to recently.

(1) The Singapore Zoo
We've been to the Zoo many times with Kaelyn, though we have not brought Sherryn there yet. Personally, the highlight for me is to bring her to the Rainforest Kidz World right at the other end of the zoo. I am not a huge fan of animals so I was always looking for the shortest route to the kids woeld. But at least we did point out to her the tigers, monkeys, otters, zebras, kangaroos, giraffes etc etc along the way.

Pictures from the Dec 09 trip

(2) Sentosa

I like going to Sentosa. There are various things to see and do there. We stayed a few nights at the Shangri la Rasa Sentosa when Kaelyn was a baby, and went to some of the attractions (see http://our-angel.blogspot.com/2007/12/our-first-holiday-after-kaelyns-arrival.html). We also went to the beaches several times with the 2 kids.

Recently, we brought Kaelyn to the Universal studio (see http://our-angel.blogspot.com/2010/05/universal-studios-singapore.html).

I would like to go back to Sentosa again for the Luge ride and go up the Merlion.

(3) Duck tours and Singapore Flyer

I had always wanted to go on the duck tours whenever I see one of those plying the streets. We finally got to do that sometime in May. I got free tickets to the Flyer too, so we did that on the same day. It was a great outing, although the kids were grouchy on the Flyer.

(4) Helix bridge

This newly opened bridge connects the Marina floating platform to the Marina Bay Sands Integrated Resort. There is a nice little garden next to the floating platform.

(5) Marina Bay Sands Integrated Resort

David and I had some time to ourselves last week and we sneaked to the newly opened IR for a peek. I wasnt too impressed with the look of the interior. It looks like another shopping centre to me but selling more high end stuff. There is a 'river' in the centre and they had boats on it. If this was to replicate Venice, then they would have failed terribly. But I later saw a sign that says those were some king of Samsui boat. Ok, then that makes sense.. but really it wasnt a pretty sight.

There were also staff in red uniforms stationed at each escalator and also walking around. We had no idea what they were doing. There wasnt a lot of people in the mall and they were just standing around, which was quite strange. But we made use of them to ask for directions to the hotel side.

We had a peek at the casino, and I was surprised that it looked quite packed inside. There really are many gamblers around.

At the hotel side, we managed to get tickets to go up to the sky park for 360 degrees view of Singapore. At S$20 per pax, it was really worth the money. View was superb. Again, at the sky park, there were also a number of staff walking around and one even voluntarily offered to help us take a picture. Talk about job creation by the IRs! There is also a beautiful infinity pool on top.

There are lots of other places to go like the Jurong Bird Park, Botanical Gardens, Merion Park, Hort Park, Alexandra / Henderson Wave, Science Centre, East Coast Park etc all of which we have brought Kaelyn to when she was small. We will be bringing the kids back to these places again in the near future.

Random conversation

2010-07-05T00:20:00.001-07:00

I brought Sherryn for her 5 month old jab when I had this conversation with one of the patients at the clinic (an 'auntie').

Auntie: So cute, is it a boy or girl?
Me: She's a girl.
Auntie: Looks like a boy. How old?
Me: 5 months. Ya, many people say she has the boy look.
Auntie: First one or second?
Me: Second. My first one is coming to 3 years.
Auntie: Oh, boy or girl?
Me: I have 2 girls. (I know full well where this conversation is heading..)
Auntie: Oh, never mind, try for a boy the next time.

My helper was chuckling beside me cos she knows that I have one too many of such conversations.

What's wrong with having 2 girls? I dont see the need for any consolation for not having a boy... Also, even if I do try for a 3rd child, there is no guarantee that it will be a boy. And what would people say then if I have 3 girls? Try for a 4th?

The next time people ask, I am planning to say I have a boy and a girl and see what people's reactions are.. ha ha..

Sherryn is 5 months old!

2010-07-02T00:30:00.000-07:00

Our dear Sherryn turned 5 months old a week back and weighs ard 7 plus kgs. She's growing fast, now drinking 180ml per feed 4 times a day. Whatever her jie jie could do at 5 months, she is able to too. Refer to Kaelyn's blog at 5 months.

At the PD's advice, we have started giving Sherryn apple and pear juice at 4 months, as she only as she only poos once a week, or even once in 10 days. Sometimes, we even have to resort to using suppository to help her out. I've started giving her pear puree as well but so far still dont see much improvements.. Have also let her try a little organic brown rice cereal twice just to 'test waters'.

Sherryn is still the happy, cheerful baby. My sis commented that she has never heard her cry (well thats partly because she seldom sees her. ha ha). But it's rather true that she laughs (really loudly) much more than she cries. So lucky to have such a baby! = ) I think shes getting smarter too. She knows when to call out to you and ask to be carried. She'll give you the wide-eyed 'oh I am such a poor thing' look, like the puss in boots in Shrek. Really, that always does it.

I have put her on some sort of 'programme' myself. After her milk and bath in the mornings, she will have music lessons where I play the piano and she sings along. In the afternoon after her 'lunch' and rest, we will have gym lessons where she will practise her rolling, play in her playgym and strengthen her leg muscles where I prop her up in the standing position for her to push with both legs. Then in the evening, I will read a book, or some flash cards to her. If I dont think of something deliverate like that to do, I guess I will be just chucking her into the rocker while I surf the net and do my own things. What else can you do with a baby so young?

First family trip to Phuket 2010

2010-06-23T08:20:00.000-07:00

We did a 4D 3N trip to Phuket in June with the 2 little ones and David's family. It was a first overseas family trip for us and the packing before that took days! We booked a 2 bedroom resort at the Marriott Vacation Club Mai Khao Beach at special promotional price and I was really looking forward to it.

The trip turned out to be disappointing for me. Firstly, we made a mistake by not bringing along our helper so we ended up having to wash bottles change nappies, wash children clothes etc all by ourselves, when I dont even do this at home! Then I had to juggle my time between feeding baby, pumping, playing with Kaelyn.. Talk about going for a holiday... Secondly, the resort that we were booked in was very inaccessible, very very far from town and the nearest beach was not great at all. Then, Kaelyn came down with a fever the second night, and there goes the rest of our 'holiday'. We spent most of the time in the room itself or just take short walks around the resort, which doesnt have much to see anyway. But the consolation was that our room was big and spacious with full kitchen, 3 plasma TVs, large bathtubs, coffee / tea / water provided, fridge and freezer etc.

Phuket, here we come!

Kids enjoying themselves at the arcade and watching Playhouse Disney together

Sherryn and Kaelyn having a good time in the luxurious bathtub

Our day trip to the Phuket town - Having seafood, Big Buddha and Wat Chalong

I love the soft and big bed!

The beach - nothing to shout about..

The swimming pool - the kids had a great time there on the first day

Outdoor table tennis

Kids club in the resort, where the kids spend quite some time in

Home sweet home - Sherryn in the bassinet

Some takeaways from this trip:

(1) Bring your maid along if you do not want to spend most of your time focussing on a young kid and a baby. There is no time to relax at all! I feel so exhausted when I came back that I took 3 days to recover. Serious!

(2) Bring along all types of medicine for your kids. You never know when you will need them. We called the local doctor in to see Kaelyn in the wee hours of the morning. Good thing we are able to claim from travel insurance.

(3) Book somewhere accessible if you do not want to be stuck in the resort all the time.

(4) Keep the group small. It is sometimes quite difficult to move with a big group as there was a lot of waiting time, mostly contributed by us! Kids needing a change of clothes / diapers, needing to feed, I need to pump etc etc. So I feel quite guilty for holding the group back.

(5) Do planning in advance. We had no idea what to do and see there and in the end really ended up in the resort most of the time. But it was also partly because of the kids and Kaelyn being sick that prevented us from venturing out.

(6) Keep a bottle of water or pacifier or your breasts handy in the plane when the plane takes off and land. This will minimise wailing from the kids due to the pressure in their ears.

Well at least, the kids experienced their very first ride on an aeroplane!

Reflections..

2010-06-18T07:25:00.000-07:00

When I was younger, I have always thought that I am a kids lover, those kind who really love kids (whether their own or not) to bits. You see, my personality is of the milder temperament, and with a great deal of patience. I was in Girl Guides (think of community work, campfires, singing songs, doing good deeds etc), and had a short stint as a relief teacher. Even when playing those silly horoscope games, I am always 'most suited' to be a childcare teacher, social worker, counsellor etc. If I were to look into a crystal ball then, I should be seeing a kind and patient mother, perhaps doing some part-time work in a nursery / childcare for the sake of her children, very adept with babies and children, always smiling and patiently teaching them....

Fast forward to today, I am now a mother of 2 (and I hope to stop here!), tired out by an active, temperamental 2.5 year old and a 4 month old infant. I cant seem to work out my time and love between the 2, and my schedule is often in a mess. My patience has been tested countless times, and I find myself screaming at my elder daughter at least once a day, mainly over mealtimes and when she throws tantrums (which is quite often). I fluctuate between the patient mother and an evil stepmother when that patience limit has been breached. I have frequent mood swings that sometimes will spiral into some kind of 'blues' (not depression yet, thankfully). I sometimes am guilty of wishing I was back at the good old childless days.

Having said the above, dont get me wrong, I love my children and enjoy being with them as can be seen in my previous postings. I love it when they rely on me on the smallest things which means I am a world to them. I love it when we say silly things, play silly games together etc. But the reality is that child rearing is an extremely demanding and energy-sapping affair. And 2 is really more than enough for me for now, thank you very much..

Sherryn at 4 months old

2010-05-25T19:01:00.001-07:00

Oh dear, has it been 4 months already? Where has all that time gone to?

I cant help but keep comparing Sherryn to Kaelyn every now and then. I just want to see if Sherryn is developing / progressing faster or slower than her sister. After 4 months, it is quite clear where their similarities and differences lie.

- Physically, Sherryn is bigger and heavier than Kaelyn at 4 months. Sherryn was 6.5kg at 3 months and 3 weeks while Kaelyn was 6.1kg at 4 months.

- Sherryn still cant roll from back to tummy while Kaelyn was already an 'expert' at this age. Perhaps this is due to Sherryn being heavier?

Sherryn

Kaelyn

- Both like to be propped up or carried around to view the world from an upright position.

Sherryn

Kaelyn

- Both are easily distracted at this age and do not drink much at my breast as all they face is me! However, Sherryn is able to drink more using bottle compared to Kaelyn. Sherryn is much easier to feed and finishes her milk of 160ml without much fuss.

- Sherryn has a better temperament. She does not scream or shout to get what she wants, much easier to look after. When she's hungry, tired or asked to be carried, she will let out some cries but nothing close to the angry howls of protests Kaelyn let out.

- Both are cheerful and 'talkative' babies who will laugh and babble when you play with them.

- Both like to watch TV!

- Both are able to amuse themselves by playing with their own fingers and toes and scratching their ears, and trying to hit at toys in front of them.

I can tell that these 2 girls will grow up to have different personalities. Both will be cheerful but Kaelyn will be the more impatient and quick tempered one just like her dad. And Sherryn make take after me to be more patient with a milder temperament.

I feel quite guilty towards Sherryn, as I have been spending less time talking, reading, singing to her as I did with Kaelyn. Perhaps due to attention having to be split between 2 kids, and also me taking advantage of Sherryn's nicer temper, as she does not 'demand' much attention from me. I have about 7 weeks before I go to work, so will use this time to 'make amends' by paying more attention to Sherryn..

Talkative Kaelyn

2010-05-25T07:54:00.000-07:00

Kaelyn is now 2 years 10 months old. She is considered a very talkative girl. She would yak and sing non stop in the car, at home, in her bed before she sleeps, when eating etc. But this happens only when she is around people she is familiar with. When in front of not too familiar people, she becomes 'dumb'.

She would yak about her teacher, her friends, the songs she sing in school and what she likes to do with her 'mei mei when she is big'. She is creative with song lyrics and would replace those lyrics with her own.

It is always very entertaining to hear her talk and sing. She really makes my day sometimes, although she drives me up the wall rather often.

I recall one conversation I had with her at her school's playground while she was sitting in the mini car.
Kaelyn: Mama, after I come out (of the car), its your turn to sit ok?
Me: The car is too small for me. It is for children like you.
Kaelyn: And mei mei and my friends?
Me: Yes
Kaelyn: Then tomorrow you eat slow slow, then become smaller then you can sit already.

It really left me in stitches. Kids' thinking is really very simplistic. We always tell Kaelyn to eat more, eat faster so she can grow bigger to do things that 'big people' can do. And she used this logic to apply to the reverse situation. How I wish sometimes I can become smaller to do things that only kids can do!

On several other occasions, she would say she would buy things for us 'tomorrow'
Me: Kaelyn, mama doesnt have this toy. Can you give it to me please?
Kaelyn: No. It's mine. Tomorrow I buy for you ok?
Me: Oh, do you have money to buy?
Kaelyn: Yes! In my wallet (which is a piece of scrap paper folded into something that looks like a wallet)
Me: Who gave you the moeny?
Kaelyn: Mama! Tomorrow I buy for you ok? You share with me first.

How sweet!

Kaelyn's childcare update

2010-05-25T07:33:00.001-07:00

As mentioned in previous post, we sent Kaelyn to half day child care since beginning of the year. We didnt want to start her on full day cos firstly, there is someone at home looking after her (I am still on maternity leave), and secondly, we didnt think she can cope with full day childcare, sleeping in a foreign environment and not sure if she will eat anything there.

But last Friday, we had planned to let take her bath and have her milk there before we bring her home slightly later. When I reached the school, the teacher said that she's already asleep! I was surprised! This is a very good sign that she might be ready for full day childcare since I will be returning to work in 2 months time and we need to prepare her for it. So these 2 days we left her at the centre till around 5pm. She didnt fare very well though. She hasnt been taking her naps, and the teachers commented that the 2 challenges they face with Kaelyn were to make sure she takes her nap, and to feed her her lunch. She needs lots of encouragement / rewards dangled in front of her before she is willing to open her mouth to eat. But other than these, she seems happy there and enjoys the activities very much. She loves her teacher and friends and often mentions them when she's at home.

Hope she is able to settle in by the time I go back to work.

Happy Mothers Day

2010-05-25T06:20:00.001-07:00

An outdated post, but I have to put it down.

We celebrated Mothers Day this year. We got a cake (more for Kaelyn to sing 'Happy Mothers Day' to the tune of 'Happy Birthday' and blow out the candle), had dinner at Zhou's kitchen, and I received flowers from hubs and 2 cards from Kaelyn. I wasnt quite expecting the flowers, and hubs said he got it because he overheard Kaelyn telling me that she would buy me flowers on Mothers Day. Ha ha... thanks, Kaelyn! Kaelyn made 2 cards in school, 1 by herself and 1 with daddy. The daddies took an hour or 2 from work to make the card with the kids. How nice. But I have not received any notice for mummies to work on a card with the kids for Fathers Day! Its coming soon right?

Anyway, here are some pics:

Universal Studios Singapore

2010-05-05T00:37:00.000-07:00

This is an exciting time for Singapore. Within a span of a few years, the landscape in Singapore has changed. We are always looking for new places to bring the family to, and with the opening of the IRs, there are now more things to see and do.

We brought Kaelyn to Universal Studios at the Resorts World Singapore at Sentosa last week. We also had a walk on the Helix Bridge (will touch on this in subsequent post) last weekend.

Having been to the Universal Studios in Osaka Japan, I would say that the Singapore version is much smaller, and does not have as many exciting characters (my personal view). I was looking forward to Sesame street characters and merchandise but found out to my dismay that Singapore does not have these characters. After all, I grew up with Sesame Street! and also managed to influence Kaelyn into liking it as well, ha ha.. But nonetheless we had a great time at the park despite the scorching heat and limited rides we can take because of Kaelyn.

The park is divided into 7 sections. Madagascar, Far far away, The Lost world, Ancient Egypt and Sci-fi city have rides suitable for kids like Kaelyn. Hollywood and New York are mainly for watching performances. Amongst Kaelyn's favourites are the Party-go-round in Madagascar (which she took 4 rounds), Dino-Soarin in The Lost World (which she took 5 times) and Accelerator in Sci-fi city (which she absolutely loves but sat only twice because the accompanying mum and dad have become dizzy after 2 rounds.. haha). The Treasure Hunters in Ancient Egypt is also suitable for kids. There are a few other rides which Kaelyn managed to qualify as she is just slightly taller than the 92cm requirement. However, we did not go on those because we feel she is still not ready as they are roller coaster rides, and also the queue times are at least 30 mins. The Shrek 4D show at Far far away was good, only that Kaelyn was frightened by the life like dragon when it suddenly popped out at her..

As you can see, this is not a raving review on the park. But it is still a good one day fun for the family.

Start of the exciting day at the entrance

Pol from Kungfu panda (Kaelyn's afraid of the panda!)

Popcorn cart

Party-go-round at Madagascar

A picture with the cute penguins

Donkey Live Show at Far Far Away

Dino Soarin at The Lost World

Treasure Hunters at Ancient Egypt

The gal is still so energetic when we left the park, we cant even capture a proper photo of her.

Sherryn at 3 months old

2010-05-05T00:15:00.000-07:00

Sherryn turned 3 months old last week. This blog is to note down her developments at 3 months and to upload some photos of the growing gal.

1) She is 6.2kg and 62cm long (bigger than Kaelyn at 3 months)
2) Sleeps for longer periods at night, but still occasionally wakes up in the middle of the night for a feed. My dark eye rings are still there and there is no sign of them fading away anytime soon.
3) Survives on 5 feeds a day on average. Just these few days, she has not been able to drink much at one feeding and hence I seem to be feeding her more than 5 times. Think its the ultra hot weather playing a part!
4) Loves to laugh out loud when we play with her. I love it when she chuckles! She can also make some sounds like 'eh' 'oh', 'ah'.
5) Loves watching TV!
6) Swings her hands at a toy randomly and hit it.
7) Starts sucking on her fingers and hand.
8) Starts to roll from her back to her tummy (sometimes only) and lifts her head 90 degrees.

Looking back at these developments for Kaelyn at 3 months, they look very similar. So I guess they are developing at the same pace.

A struggling mum of 2

2010-04-11T01:31:00.000-07:00

I am struggling... rather hard.. to be a mum of 2 (yea, its only 2, not 4 or 5!). I am struggling with potty training, sleep training, playing with/teaching my kids.

Kaelyn's already 2 years 8 months, and she is not potty trained. We have tried several times to put her on the potty, and also taught her to inform us when we wants to wee or poo. But what we only get out of it is, sometimes after she had pooed, she'll say 'I want to pass motion'. There was once while laying on her bed at night, she suddenly turned to me and said: 'Mama, tomorrow if I want to pass urine or pass motion in school, i will tell teacher Joanna that I want to go toilet'! I am not sure if I am causing her stress such that she's even thinking about it at night!

Kaelyn is a night owl, she refuses to sleep before 10pm every night. I have tried very hard to put her to bed earlier only to meet with bawls and protests from her. Sometimes she will be yakking non stop in her bed till 1130pm before she finally drifts off! I'm really at my wits ends sometimes because she has to go to school the following day and I want her to have at least 9 hours of sleep at night! And it's also very tiring having to coax / negotiate with her every single night.

As for Sherryn, she is in the danger of following her sister's footsteps. Tried to put her in bed at 7 plus pm at night but have not had much success. She'll be wide awake till about 9 - 10 sometimes 11 before she succumbs. And the girl does not sleep much in the day either! What have I been eating?

With the arrival of Sherryn, 24 hours is really not enough for me. I am perpetually tired, often shouting at Kaelyn as she throws her toys ard, refuses to sleep, bullies mei mei... Having only 4 - 5 hours sleep at night, I usually will sleep in later in the morning, while Kaelyn's away at child care. By the time I have rested enough, it is noon and Kaelyn will be back from school soon. Kaelyn will sometimes ask me to play with her before her nap. When she naps, I am most likely feeding Sherryn and trying to make her sleep. Soon after, Kaelyn wakes up from her nap and its time to split my attention again.

There's really not much time for proper potty training, teaching Kaelyn, and sleep training them. Every day just passes like that in a flash. Hope things will get better when the little one sleeps through the night and I can better manage my night pumping sessions...

I really hope to get some success in the potty training and sleep training bits for Kaelyn before my maternity leave ends. Oh, and also to clear those dark eye rings and bags, and slim down by then as well.

Conversations with Kaelyn

2010-03-31T07:36:00.000-07:00

Many people have asked me whether Kaelyn likes her sister, whether she is jealous etc. Well, answer to both questions is yes. She acknowledges and understands that there is now a new member in the family, and mummy has to spend more time with mei mei. But at the same time, she sometimes will demand my attention and that I play with her, asking me to put mei mei on the bed.

Some conversations with Kaelyn

At Yeye/nai nai's house one day (conversation was in mandarin)
Kaelyn: I want to bring this Winnie the Pooh home ok?
Ye ye: But you already have Winnie the Pooh at home already. Leave this one here ok?
Kaelyn (after thinking for a while): I am bringing this home for mei mei. Mei mei doesnt have one at home.
Ye ye: Erm... ok!
Next day....
Ye ye: So did you give the Winnie the Pooh to mei mei?
Kaelyn: No
Ye ye: Why?
Kaelyn: Because mei mei is still small, she doesnt know how to play yet.
Very clever to use mei mei to get what she wants!

David bought a medical kit for her so one day, she was pretending to be doctor, and I the patient.
Using the thermometer on me, Me: Do I have a fever?
Kaelyn: No
Measuring my blood pressure: Me: Is my blood pressure ok?
Kaelyn: Ok
Using the stethoscope on me: Me: Am I ok?
Kaelyn: Yes, ok
Me: OK, so I can leave now?
Kaelyn: Wait mama, we forget this. (and she proceeded to feed me medicine).
I think its time for a lesson on not needing to eat medicine when you are not sick or unwell.

I think we over exposed Kaelyn to Christmas songs last Christmas. Ever since that time, whenever we ask her questions involving 'Why' ie 'Why did you do this?' 'Why are you not eating?' etc, and when she cant think of a proper answer, she will always cheekily say: 'Because it's christmas day!' (sung to the tune of a christmas song, which I dont know the name).
It goes like this: Hark thee hear the angel sing, a king was born today. And man will live forever more, because of christmas day!

Kaelyn pretending to breastfeed Mickey Mouse on my breastfeeding pillow

Kaelyn posing cheekily

Sherryn is 2 months old

2010-03-31T07:17:00.001-07:00

Oh my, the days just flew by without me realising. I took a good look at Sherryn today, and realised that:
1) she is now too long for my breastfeeding pillow
2) her face has changed into a more 'mature' baby - her eyes are wide open for longer periods, and the red spots on her face are gone.
3) she is more responsive to people and things around her. She's starting to 'talk' to people and the Mickey mouse posters in her room. I think she will grow up to be another talkative girl, just like her sister.
4) she's beginning to chuckle and laugh
5) finger / hand sucking begins
6) she's 5.3kg at 7 weeks

Keeping Kaelyn occupied

2010-03-12T00:26:00.000-08:00

We sent Kaelyn back to childcare for the mornings after CNY, as the chicken pox cycle would have been broken by then. That really gave me a much needed breather. I can concentrate more on Sherryn and recovering from the previous night's lack of sleep.

Kaelyn would have her lunch and nap in the early afternoon - so another free slot for me. It's only after around 4.30pm that I needed to entertain her. Actually I dont quite know what to do with her, so most of the time, I will take her lead and play her toys together with her (e.g. duplo, megablocks, doctor's kit, kitchen set etc). I am not a creative person when it comes to children's activities.

I recently got to know that her school just started a website where they post their activities, events, photos, song lyrics and various updates. I think it's really cool and good for updating parents like me who have no idea what they do and learn in school. I now know they do painting (on unwanted clothes), cut different shapes from paper, make photo frame, make toy pull-car etc.

Kaelyn painting on unwanted clothes - downloaded from her school's website:

Yesterday, I tried to do some art and craft with her - make a card. See the process and output.

First, draw the shapes and colour them with crayon

Then, cut and paste the shapes on the card

Finally, put on the finishing touches

Updates at 4 weeks

2010-02-24T21:46:00.000-08:00

Havent been writing much over the past 2 weeks because I have been entertaining the little one's hourly request for milk! Yes, somewhere around the third week, she suddenly decided to drink a lot more and somehow no matter how often I feed her, she doesnt seem to be full. So I have been perpetually feeding her, and the other times I am not, I will be taking care of my own basic needs, and catching up on sleep.

But today, I had to write something here, because Sherryn just turned 4 weeks old an hour ago. I had just fed her before she dozed off at my breast (again, and many times, to wake up half an hour later to demand for her milk which she did not finish before she slept)..

At 4 weeks, Sherryn is :
- much more awake an alert
- moves her arms and legs more
- fascinated by the music mobile above her
- likes to be carried around to look at things around the house

Comparing Sherryn to Kaelyn, Sherryn is a much easier baby to look after. I remember Kaelyn likes to scream and yell at every slightest thing, and often had blocked nose such that she found difficulty in breathing. We had to bring her to the doctor a couple of times because of that. Sherryn, on the other hand, is milder. When she is hungry, she will just let out a soft cry, and will wait patiently for her milk. So far there was no need to bring her to the doctor for anything. Only problem she has is that her feet are bent inwards due to the position she was in my womb. We are doing physio for her to correct that. So far, although there is improvement, I think we can do more to correct it fully.

My confinement lady is leaving tomorrow, but I dont feel too sad. Mainly because she isnt a competent confinement lady in the first place. My first confinement lady during Kaelyn's time was 10 times better. Will write in a separate post. Luckily I have a good helper with me, so I think we should be able to cope, together with occasional help from parents and in-laws.

Post delivery - The first week

2010-02-07T01:12:00.000-08:00

Time seems to be crawling.. It's only been a week and 3 days since I gave birth to Sherryn. Still have about 3 weeks to go before I regain my freedom. The thing I dislike most post delivery is the confinement period (and I think I mentioned this after I gave birth to Kaelyn as well).

- No proper showers (have to bathe in some boiled medicinal water)
- Restricted diet (have to eat the same old boring food meal after meal, day after day)
- Sweating buckets (it's amazing how I sweat over the past week!)
- Being confined at home (i am going mad! that's why you see that my postings frequency has increased ever since I gave birth. Never used to put status updates in FB before but now I do due to boredom. But that's only when Kaelyn's not at home, and I am not feeling tired)
- Perpetually feeling tired due to night time feeds (Sherryn drinks every 2 hours at night. Although I dont wake up for every feed, it's enough to affect my entire day).

On the whole, what I have been doing for the past week is just feed baby, sleep, eat, bathe and the cycle repeats. Dont have much time for Kaelyn, which is something I feel really really bad about. Hope things will get better and I will have more time for Kaelyn.

Surprisingly, this time round the episiotomy pain is rather manageable. And also, although breastfeeding is still challenging this time round, there was no bleeding of the nipple like the last time round.

Spending CNY at home

2010-02-07T01:03:00.000-08:00

While everyone's busy spring cleaning, putting up CNY decorations, shopping for CNY goodies, clothes, shoes etc, I am cooped up at home. I have always enjoyed celebrating CNY - the shopping, preparing ang pows, new year's eve reunion dinner, visiting... So it's really difficult for me not to be able to celebrate CNY properly this year.

Initially, hubby was thinking of brining Kaelyn and our helper to in laws place for reunion dinner, while I have my confinement food alone at home (with the CL and Sherryn of course). I was so upset when I thought about it - spending eve alone?! (well not exactly alone but with a stranger and a 2 week old baby, it's really as good as being alone). Good thing hubby changed his mind and said we would have early steamboat dinner at home, and then he will bring Kaelyn to my in laws place. That's more acceptable!

But I guess I will still have to spend the rest of CNY alone while David brings Kaelyn around visiting. Well, I guess I'll just have to bear with it this year.

Arrival of Sherryn Gan - The PAINFUL process

2010-02-03T22:29:00.000-08:00

In the wee hours of 28 Jan 2010, as I was lying in bed, I felt sharp pains on both sides of my abdomen. Dismissing them to be one of the 'fake contractions' I continued to toss around in bed (i couldnt really sleep at all). When morning came, the pain was still there, but was still bearable. Hubby suggested I call the hospital to 'report' and ask for advice. They told me to go straight to hospital for a checkup given that I was already in Week 40. Even at that time, I wasnt too sure whether I was in labour.

Dilly-dallied for half an hour or so before hubby drove me to Thomson Medical Centre. As usual, along the way the great CTE jam was there to greet us. Luckily I wasnt really in great pain.

Timings are estimated
9.45am - Reached TMC and then the usual procedures began - change into the hospital garb, given enema to clear rectum, strapped onto those contraction monitoring devices etc. Ok, now it dawned on me that I could be in labour!

10.30am - Gynae came up to check and broke my water bag. Was 3cm dilated at that time, and there was contraction every 3 minutes. It certainly didnt felt so. Gynae instructed that I should ask for pain relief - the gas mask and injection - if I need it.

Me: What about the epidural? (i had to ask for this, as I am really afraid of pain!)
Gynae: Do you really need it? This is your second pregnancy, so will be much faster than the first. Why dont you try the gas mask and injection first?
Me: But the gas mask didnt work at all for my first pregnancy (I was getting nervous)
Gynae: But did you try it with the injection?
Me: No, but...
Gynae: Try gas mask with injection, it should work.
Me: Ermm.... (very doubtful)

Anyway I didnt have much time to think too much.

11am - I felt the first wave of the strong contractions. Immediately I pressed the button and ask for pain relief. Was whisked off into the labour ward and someone shoved the gas mask onto my face, which as expected did not relieve my pain at all, but instead made me really giddy.

11.10am - Nurse also gave me the so called pain relief injection on my thigh.

11.10am to 11.50am - As the contractions became more and more frequent and intense, I could hear myself shouting and screaming that the pain relief methods didnt work at all. Asked for the epidural but nurse said it was too late - I was 8 cm dilated at that time. That was quick! Only in a matter of about half an hour, I went from 3 cm to 8 cm.

With each contraction, I felt the urge to push the baby out. Believe me, it was THE MOST PAINFUL experience in my entire life. No matter how hard I dug into hubby's arms, shouted, squirmed, changed position etc, nothing I did relieve the pain at all. And the pain just kept coming like every 15 seconds or so. I really have my doubts on the effectiveness of the gas mask and the injection.

11.50am - Gynae appeared, put on her hospital garb and getting ready to help deliver. By this time, I think I was already in a semi conscious state.

11.50am to 12.08pm - With each contraction, I heard people (the gynae, 2 nurses and my hubby) shouting for me to do some things. 'Use the pain to push!' 'Dont waste your energy screaming, push instead!' Nothing made sense to me then, I was already in a daze and felt my energy being zapped up by the pain. But I think subconsciously, I did manage a few big pushes.

12.08pm - Sherryn Gan was finally out of my womb. I did it without epidural! By now, I was already so exhausted that I just laid slumped on the bed while the gynae finished up the job.

Baby Sherryn's statistics:
Weight - 3.85kg
Length - 52cm
Head circumference - 33cm

I have told Hubby that I will NEVER EVER go through this again!! Ever! David - are you reading this?

Kaelyn and her sister Sherryn

Week 40 - Waiting...

2010-01-26T18:29:00.000-08:00

It's Week 40 now. And nothing is happening... no contractions, no water bag bursting. Only a throbbing migraine, increasing sleepless nights due to to the weight of the baby and frequent need to visit the toilet etc.

Last check at the gynae on Monday indicated that the baby is estimated to be close to 3.7kg already! Cant imagine if the baby refuses to come out till the actual EDD of 2 Feb, she will be 4kg?? Actually, I'm rather worried that the baby will be too big to come out naturally but the gynae seems to be rather relaxed about it. She said I can manage up till 3.8kg (but it's already 3.7kg now!) and that above 4kg will be more difficult (but I am close to it already!).

So it's now waiting waiting at home everyday for the signs... hoping that it will be soon. It's getting too tiring, both physically and mentally. And we have stopped sending Kaelyn to childcare since yesterday because of a chicken pox outbreak at the centre. So I need to spend more energy playing with her in the mornings...

Baby baby, (by the way, her name is most likely to be Sherryn), when are you going to come out of the comforts of Mama's womb?

Week 39 - At home

2010-01-19T01:07:00.000-08:00

Last Friday was my last day at work before I commence by long 6 months break from work. On Friday itself, while I was busy clearing the remaining of my work and handing over, and packing up, I felt some pains at my lower abdominal area. It was something that I have not felt in the last 8+ months of pregnancy. I asked myself 'is this it?' Also told my colleague not to be surprised if I suddenly diasappeared to deliver. But it was a false alarm.

I managed to survive through an early reunion dinner on Saturday with my family (as I will most likely be in confinement during CNY), and a birthday high tea on Sunday with in laws. I dont know why I kept thinking the day is not too far away, so much so that David even brought his camera to our gynae visit yesterday in case I was warded right away... ha ha...

But alas, the gynae hinted that there was still some time to go, the baby has 'dropped' but the cervix was not ready. So, probably will pop only nearer to the EDD of 2 Feb, or at most 1 week earlier like Kaelyn's case. Last check yesterday, baby's weight was 3.38kg. At this rate she is growing, I am afraid she will be too big to come out naturally!

So, what's it like to be not working and staying at home? Well, I simply cant get used to it, and I feel more tired than while at work. Yes, all because of the princess at home demanding attention, throwing tantrums etc all the time. And my easily tired brain and body cant do too much to control her anymore....

But I told myself I should cherish the time with her before her mei mei comes out.

Notes from the teacher

2010-01-12T03:54:00.001-08:00

'Dear parents,
Today Kaelyn was better. She joined in the class activities like singing along, listening to story and playing parachute in the music room.
She also spoke to me about her 'Nai nai' and a few other things. As Kaelyn is warming up, I can see that she is rather active. She turns the stools in the class upside down and pushes them around. In the music room, she also pushes the stools around!
Today, she did not eat the lunch served (kway tiao). When I fed her, she spit it out (into her bowl). Importantly, she did not cry or look for grandma. However whenever she saw grandma, she would smile at grandma and resume what she was doing.'

So what do i think of the above?
- I'm glad that she is finally joining her class in the class activities.
- She's stop acting dumb in class
- She's stop crying finally!
- She's starting to show her true colours! - the hyperactive, defiant, disobedient girl..
- Not surprising that she spit out her food - she's very very fussy over food. I heard that she told the teacher she doesnt want to eat the kway tiao and wanted to eat the bread that we packed for her instead. At least she knows how to communicate this to the teacher..
- Overall, a good beginning.

Kaelyn goes to Child care - Part 2

2010-01-11T06:47:00.000-08:00

As the week went by, the concept of being left in a strange place without her Papa and Mama seems too scary for Kaelyn. So much so that she started crying at home when we changed her into her school jumper. She would also cling on to me and asked me not to go to work. Usually, she would happily bid us goodbye as we leave for work.

At the centre, as David leaves for work after dropping her there, she started wailing again. The teachers took turns to carry her around to pacify her. If I were there, I probably will be crying with her as well! The poor thing. Hope she doesnt grow to hate school after this 'traumatic' experience.

Kaelyn goes to Child care - Part 1

2010-01-10T06:42:00.000-08:00

When I first started nursery many many years back, I was one of those kids who screamed and cried non stop for the first few weeks of school. I remember my mum told me that the principal had to carry me around to pacify me, but I just kept kicking and screaming. And the principal was actually pregnant at that time! I dont remember all these myself but I can imagine the pains that the principal, teachers, my grandma and parents went through trying to settle me in nursery.

Now, almost thirty years later, it's my turn to experience placing my daughter through child care for the first time. We had enrolled her for full day but only starting her on half day only to slowly settle her in. I took leave on the first day to accompany her. As usual, she didnt join the other kids in the activities and either wandered around the compounds on her own, or stayed by my side. There was once when she actually joined them for an activity, and I thought 'ok, that's a good start'. She didnt cry at all on the first day since I am there the whole time with her. But I realise that most of the kids in her class are much more independent and 'easier' to look after than our princess Kaelyn.

For 1, she is a very very slow and fussy eater. Breakfast was cereal and milk. While the other kids fed themselves and finished rather quickly, she was still slowly picking out the 'honey stars' one by one. I could actually count the number of honey stars she ate, and she refused to eat the cornflakes. Lunch was bee hoon soup, with some chicken, carrot, vege and fishcake. Most of the kids fed themselves and finished their food rather quickly, while the rest needed help from the teacher to help them finish their portion. One girl even asked for seconds. Our dear Kaelyn was scooping her bee hoon and eating them almost strand by strand. Even with my help, she barely finished half of the portion, and that took twice as long as the rest!

Secondly, she's not toilet trained. We tried at home but she just refused to use the toilet or potty. Some of the other kids could just inform the teacher that they needed the toilet and just went off on their own. I'm impressed!

Well, I guess each child is different. Hope she picks up all the good things from school!

An addition to the family

2009-12-25T23:12:00.001-08:00

I remember I started this blog when I was pregnant with Kaelyn. I was at 31 weeks then. Each gynae visit was documented, together with my weight gain as well as the foetus' weight. At 35 weeks now with Kaelyn's sister, I have yet to introduce her in this blog.

So now, officially introducing Kaelyn's little sister....
- No name yet as Daddy and Mummy cant decide yet
- Currently at 35 weeks, still comfortably relaxing in her mummy's womb
- Last weight check 2 weeks ago was 2kg
- A very active baby, constantly kicking around, sometimes so hard that it woke mummy from sleep at night
- Have been introduced to Daddy, Mummy and her elder sister Kaelyn. Kaelyn speaks to her once every few days - 'Hello, mei mei, I am Yixuan (Kaelyn's chinese name) jie jie. When you come out, I will play with you..'
- Official estimated birthdate is 2 Febraury 2010 (will be in confinement over CNY... sigh...)

Since we are having a girl again, there wasnt much that we needed to buy / prepare - almost everything can be recycled from her elder sis. We didnt seem to put as much effort or attention to this pregnancy - no singing / reading to the baby (she gets to pick those up when we sing/read to Kaelyn); no playing classical music at night before going to bed (we can do that when she gets out, meanwhile, too busy putting Kaelyn to bed every night); no shopping endlessly for clothes, toiletries, stroller, bed etc etc (she can inherit from Kaelyn most of these things).....

I actually feel a little guilty for 'neglecting' the little one. She doesnt even have a name yet! But I think this will all change when she gets out. All attention will be on her, and Kaelyn will be the one who will feel more 'left out' when we fuss over her little sister. Hope we are able to cope with this 'sibling jealousy' thing when the time comes!

Family cruise trip back in August

2009-10-30T22:34:00.000-07:00

Helper went back on home leave for 2 weeks back in August (yes, this is a long overdue entry). I also took 2 weeks leave to help take care of the little angel. But not alone, with lots of help from parents and in-laws.

Over 1 of the weekends over this 2 week period, went on a cruise on Superstar Virgo with my parents. Kaelyn enjoyed herself very much but over this period, she didnt eat much as we just gave her whatever was on our plates. She didnt fancy any of the food at all - she's a fussy eater. Nevertheless, it was a good trip and I hope to be able to bring her on short trips like this in future, together with her little sister (more about this next time).

Photos of our happy weekend trip:

Kaelyn turns 2

2009-08-18T09:08:00.000-07:00

We celebrated Kaelyn's second birthday a few weeks back. It was a simple affair just within our immediate families. Just to sum where she is at 2 years old:
- she is talkative and a busybody at home, always asking people what they are doing, why are they doing what they are doing, passing comments on what she observes like 'Papa hui lai le' (papa's home), 'Mama bu jian le' (mama's missing), 'Gonggong qu mai mian bao' (gongong's gone to buy bread) etc.
- outside, she is shy and afraid of crowds. She takes some time to warm up to people she seldom meets.
- she knows and can identify all 26 of the alphabets (capital letters), and that P is for papa, M is for mama, G is for gonggong, K is for Kaelyn etc.
- she is conversant in both Mandarin and English
- sometimes she talks like an adult. When asked if she is full after her dinner one day, instead of replying a simple yes or no, she said 'hai ke yi' (just about right).
- she likes music, and likes to dance to certain songs especially the songs from Mickey Mouse Clubhouse.
- she tends to use her left hand more often, so she could be a left hander.
- she likes to draw and will describe to us what her artistic piece is about, sometimes it's an apple, or a butterfly, or a letter. At other times, we dont quite understand what she is saying.
- she is generally a cheerful girl, happy and smiling most of the time. But she has a short temper and gets angry easily if she is unhappy.

Here are some photos of her birthday celebration

Practising for her 2nd birthday

2009-08-18T08:52:00.000-07:00

Since a few months before Kaelyn's second birthday, we started teaching her to flash the victory sign so she could do it on her second birthday. So at every photo taking opportunity, we'll ask her to show us the number 2.

Did I get it right?

Posing with Mama
Practising even while drinking juice
Am I getting better?
And yet on the BIG day, her 2nd birthday - this was the best she could manage.....

The defiant gal

2009-07-05T02:51:00.000-07:00

Wow, has it been 2 months since I blogged already? It certainly doesnt seem that long, especially when you have to pander to the every need of a rebellious gal in her terrible twos. Well, Kaelyn is 1 month short of her 2-year birthday but she's already showing signs of the defiant age, since a few months back.

We are all so exhausted by her - from Gong gong to Popo to Nai nai to Papa to Mama all the way to our helper. When mild, she'll just say 'I dont want' or run away from you if you try to make her sleep, eat or change her diapers. At times, she will be screaming, crying and kicking and grabbing everything in her way to hurl them as far as she can. 'I dont want pacifier! I dont want Ernie! (her fav toy) I dont want this! I dont want that!...... And the house is like a war zone after her display.

We've tried both the 'hard' and 'soft' approach with her. The 'hard' approach doesnt seem to work as well. e.g. scolding her or hitting her hand. Distracting her with something else usually seems to do the trick, but not before lots of struggling, coaxing, carrying etc before that.

Happy Mother's Day

2009-05-09T20:20:00.000-07:00

To all mums, my own mum too, Happy Mother's Day!

Kaelyn wished me a Happy Mother's Day this morning and gave me a hand made card, with lots and lots of help from her Dad of course. I think it's more like Dad drew the card and she helped to put some colouring. And Dad's drawing is like a kid's! Will post a pic up the next time. Nevertheless, it's really cute and sweet.

The girl also knows how to sing the Chinese nursery rhyme 'Ke Ren Lai' (When the guests come).

Original version:
Ke ren lai, kan Papa (The guest came to visit papa)
Papa bu zai jia (But Papa is not at home)
Wo qing ke ren xian zuo xia (I invited the guest to have a seat)
Zai jing yi bei cha (And served him tea)

Kaelyn's version:
Ke ren lai, kan Papa bu zai jia
Wo qing ke'en xian zuo xia
Airplane cha!

It's 80% accurate! I am impressed! Although i dont think she really knows the meaning. Note how the Yi bei cha became Airplane cha. We've filmed her on viewcam, will post it up next time.

My wish for Kaelyn is to be able to bite her food and vomit less! More of this in another post, it's a big issue for us now.

Meanwhile, enjoy the rest of Mother's Day with your mums/ kids.

NB: No photos these few blogs as David's hard disk got wiped out with all the photos too. So we are now in the 'desperately salvaging data' stage. Hence no photos / videos etc for now..

By the way, I used David's account thinking it's mine. So, no daddy is not wishing himself a Happy Mother's Day although he's quite sore about Mother's Day being more celebrated than Father's Day...

Mama mama mama........

2009-05-05T07:36:00.000-07:00

Just a year ago, I was very earnestly teaching Kaelyn how to say 'Mama', repeating 'Mama' to her like 30 times a day to drum it into her head. Hoping that one day she would finally be able to call out to me. And when she did utter the first 'Mama', I was over the moon.

Today, one year later, she calls out to me like a broken recorder. Within a span of 5 mins, I think she can say 'Mama' like 20 times! And it is not as if I was ignoring her.

While having breakfast / lunch / dinner..
Kaelyn: Mama
Me: Yes, darling?
Kaelyn: Mama, come
Me: Mama's eating. I'll come and play with you after I finish ok?
Kaelyn: Mama, mama, mama, mama, mama..................!

While just walking around the house / reading newspapers etc
Kaelyn: Mama
Me: Yes, what do you want?
Kaelyn: Mama, mama
Me: Yes, mama is listening, why?
Kaelyn: Mama, mama, mama, mama..................................!
Me: ??!!!?!?!

Even when I am at work, this doesnt stop
Kaelyn: Mama, where?
Nai nai: Mama's at work
Kaelyn: Mama, where?! (even louder).
And she will go searching round the house for her Mama, and repeating Mama, mama, mama............!

Sometimes it gets really annoying, but other times it's music to my ears..

Kaelyn loves to draw, write and read books

2009-03-28T21:20:00.000-07:00

Kaelyn enjoys reading when she was very young.

As early as 1-2 months old, Hann Sze and me has already started reading out to her flash cards on numbers, "ABC"s and objects/things.

She is very keen whenever we read to her, and will sit quietly listening when we are reading to her.

She will also point and ask for "book", and will flip through the book (some mama's books with mainly words) as if she is reading..

Kaelyn at my sis place.. reading Koko Gaven's book!

She would expect us to read to her in car, whenever we are around. When we come home after work/or during weekend, she will take a book, hold our hand and say "come", then she will sit on the floor and expect us to read to her.

See Ma ma reading to her..

She also likes to draw. we taught her to the outline of our hands only once. Then she always like to draw outline of her hands and even legs!

Kaelyn drawing outline of mama's hand!

Kaelyn drawing in deep concentration at nai nai/ye ye's house

I wish that she will continue to be interested to read and write for the rest of her lives!!

In fact, we just bought her a new set of table and chair from IKEA for her to read and write yesterday!

English or Mandarin

2009-03-28T20:03:00.000-07:00

English or Mandarin? This has been something which David and I had been struggling with since Kaelyn was born.

I grew up speaking Mandarin at home and David mainly Hokkien and some Mandarin. English, although I wouldnt say was a huge struggle, is something I wished I could master better. After all, all subjects through my entire school life was thought in English (except for Chinese of course). You have to do well in PSLE English, GCE 'O' level English and GCE 'A' level General Paper before you can progress to a good school. And as I am working in a British Bank working with many 'ang mohs', it is all the more important for me to express myself well in English. Whereas for Chinese, the subject never really counted as a core subject in school. You are still able to get into a good school even if you do badly in this area. And I thought Mandarin was only useful with the 'uncles' and 'aunties' in the market / supermarket / coffeeshop / hawker centre etc.

With all the odds stacked against Mandarin and so much pros going for English, of course English was the way to go! We decided that we wanted our dear gal to have a headstart so we began to only converse with her in English since the day she was born. The idea is for her grandparents to speak to her in Mandarin and everything will just fall in place.

So 19 months on from that day this decision was made, how have we fared?

Kaelyn's language report card 1 month back:

English - A

Responds very well to her English name, Kaelyn.
She understands English instructions very well.
She is able to express herself with simple English terms. e.g. Mama hand walk walk (means asking me to hold her hand to walk); Papa leg pain pain; Aunty eat; Mama hand draw; Come, sit etc etc.

Mandarin - C

Takes a while to register her Chinese name, Yixuan.
She understands instructions in Mandarin sometimes, but still not very well.
Usually doesnt use Mandarin to express herself other than 'Bu yao, bu yao'.I think she understands quite a number of words as her grandparents have been speaking to her, but she doesnt naturally use them. A ball will always be 'ball' instead of 'qiu'; and bird is never 'niao' to her although we have been repeating these words to her. It is only when we ask her where is 'qiu' then she will point to the ball.

I made a U-turn a few weeks back after looking at this not too great report card. And also it was timely that MM Lee also spoke about speaking to our children in Mandarin at home. To some extent, I do agree with him that it is easier to pick up English than Mandarin. Kaelyn doesnt have much problems repeating English words after me, but I cant say the same for Mandarin. She sounded like a non-Chinese trying to pick up Mandarin for the first time! Also, I realise in my job, I was required to pick up some Business Chinese to speak to some Taiwanese clients. I had to put in quite a bit of time to prepare for that 20 min call. I also want Yixuan to be able to converse with her paternal grandparents and great grandma in Mandarin, as they dont speak English.

The tide has turned...

I just hope the poor gal doesnt get confused with Ye ye and Nai nai speaking to her in Mandarin, Aunty (our helper) speaking to her in English, and Papa, Mama, Gong gong, Popo speaking to her in a mix of both....

Lady Kaelyn

2009-03-28T19:54:00.001-07:00

Our Kaelyn is a typical girly girl.

- She loves it when we comb and clip her hair and tells her 'mei mei' (pretty) after its done. So she'll keep very still while we are at work.

- She loves her soft toys... from Ernie...
... to Pooh bear....
.....to Minnie mouse..... to Bert, Cookie monster, angel bear, care bear, bean toy etc etc... which we didnt have a chance to take a photo of all of them. Maybe we should.

- She loves shopping for shoes (high heel ones...) Yikes, hope she doesnt grow up to own hundreds of pairs of them!

- She loves to cook for us and her soft toys and feed all of us, behaving like a Mother hen at times.

- And last but not least, she 'nags' ! Yes, no kidding. If you dont keep your shoes away when you come home, she'll pick up the shoes and asks you to keep them. And when David carries my handbag for me sometimes, she'll show her disapproval and says that that's 'Mama's bag' and so has to be carried by Mama...

From Bs to Ws...

2009-03-03T06:32:00.000-08:00

Kaelyn has progressed in her range of vocabulary.

Several months back when she first started to talk, her vocab was restricted to words beginning with Bs.

Bird, Ball, Baby, Back (means to put things back), Bao bao (to carry her), and of course her all time favourite even till now - Bu Yao Bu Yao (dont want)

Now she seems to take a liking for all things W..

Wet wet - used when she spilled (or rather intentionally poured) water on the floor, or when she wets herself sometimes.

Why - used when we asked her to do something or do something for her which she doesnt like. E.g. 'Kaelyn wear your socks, we are going out'. Refuses to wear her socks and screams 'WHYYYYY'!

Walk walk - used when she wants to go out. She will pull your arms / clothes etc and point to her shoes and door. Sometines also used in pretend play. E.g. she carries a basket in her arms and when we ask her where she is going, she replies 'walk walk'.

Wum (means I want) - used to indicate her preferences and demands. e.g. 'Kaelyn do you want to eat bread?' To which she replies 'I wum.'

Wait - used by us when we asks her to wait while we get her food / water / toys etc. Most of the time she will obey and repeats what we told her. 'Wait!' with the hand action.

What - used randomly, sometimes when she is angry or throwing tantrums.

I wonder what alphabet will be next..

Kaelyn goes to school

2009-02-07T07:37:00.000-08:00

'It's our time, let's sing together
It's our time, let's sing together
It's our time, let's sing together
Sing hello hello....'

This is the opening song at her weekly Kindermusik class at Tanglin Mall, which we have been bringing her to for several weeks now.

She's the youngest in the class, so she cant really catch everything the teacher says or follow closely. She is also one of the more 'disobedient' ones, always running around the room when the teacher is conducting an activity.

But I think she does pick up some things from attending the class. At least at home when we sing the song to her, she responds by swaying side to side. And she learnt how to hug people and keep her toys after use.

Greeting teacher 'Caelin' (ya, same name but different spelling) for the first time

Where's papa? (who's outside the class taking this photo)Let me perform somersault for you! (actually i dont know what she's trying to do)Kaelyn's favourite time - playing with balls! Not sure why she is so fascinated with balls.Time to keep the balls away..

I dont know whether I should continue to send her here after this series of sessions end in 2 weeks. It's quite ex, and very far from our place...

Festive season

2009-01-29T00:28:00.001-08:00

Christmas

With the Christmas lightings all around the island and Christmas songs playing repetitively round the clock, it is hard not to soak in the festive mood. We dont really celebrate Christmas but it is one of my favourite times of the year (apart from Chinese New Year). Everyone just looks so happy, and many people go on leave, which means much quieter in the office as well.

Papa, all I want for Christmas is the BIG teddy bear!

Christmas tree at Vivo City
A pose for the cameraCandy house at Changi Airport - grab as much as you can fit into the small containerIn front of the candy house
Hi, I'm a little bunny and I want the carrots over there

Chinese New Year
Ahh... another favourite time of the year. This time with decorations all over the house, clothes hunting, inserting crisp new notes into red packets, attempting to clean up the house (but not very successful). Although no one's visiting our humble little abode, I like to create the CNY atmosphere at home.

I put up the decorations 2 weekends ago while Kaelyn was asleep. When she woke up, she immediately noticed there were many new red objects hanging around the house. She excitedly pointed to them and made many comments (which unfortunately none of us could figure out what she was saying).

To me, every year's CNY is the same. On the first day of new year, we would visit both sets of parents and grandmothers. And on the second day, we would visit David's uncle and stay for dinner. Same as the year before and the year before last ..... I always look forward to CNY not because of the visitings or giving out red packets. But more of the festive mood and new year food and goodies which I indulge in only once a year. It is only during this period I get to eat my grandma's home made fried glutinous rice and 'kong ba pao' - Hokkien dishes that I love for as long as I could remember. There would also be my mum-in-law's home made specialties like 'ngoh hiang' and 'popiah'. My mum will also whip up my favourite 'chap chye'. Not forgetting abalone and yu sheng are a must as well.

Although I was nursing a bad throat infection hence missed out on the yummy goodies, and had to rush a bit of work over the CNY period, it still didnt dampen my spirits too much. I will still look forward to next year's CNY (a little too early, you think?).

Reunion dinner with my family on eve of CNY eve - lao yu sheng followed by steamboat

On the first day of CNY - getting ready to start a day of visiting with the cheeky gal

Tradition to have a family picture taken on first day of CNYMy grandma, Kaelyn's 'ah zu'

Kaelyn's 'ah zu' and 'gu po' (my aunt)

'ah yi' (my sis) and 'gu ma' (my sis-in-law) found Kaelyn too cute to resist, especially in her new Japanese outfit with bells, which we bought from Hokkaido.

Kaelyn with her other great-grandma (David's grandmother)
Second round of lao yu sheng at in-laws on first day of CNY

Kaelyn with cousin Gaven at their ye ye / nai nai's house

Kaelyn's outfit for second day of CNY - another one we bought from HokkaidoPosing for camera A grouchy Kaelyn with her 'biao gu' (David's cousins)
She refused to be carried by them so we had to plonk her on the sofa between them

Jurong Bird Park and Zoo outings in December

2009-01-28T22:07:00.000-08:00

I realise my last post was more than a month ago. Surely it cant be that long.. it seems like just a week or 2 ago when I last blogged.. Anyway I must have been busy reading other people's blogs that I'm beginning to neglect mine..

We visited the Jurong Bird Park and Zoo in December, using David's corporate pass to enter for free.

Jurong Bird Park
The last time I've been to the Bird Park was more than 15 years ago. If it werent for the free passes and bringing Kaelyn to see her favourite animal (or so we think) - birds, I wouldnt have thought of going to the Bird Park.

Honestly, it wasnt that fantastic (maybe cos I am not a bird lover). Also, when we arrived it was drizzling and we had to walk aound holding umbrellas. But we managed to catch a few interesting species of birds.

The Zoo
Compared to the Bird Park, the Zoo is much better, due to the wider variety of animals. After they revamped the zoo, it's easier to navigate around. There's also a Rainforest Kidz World, which consists of a large water play area and some ponies and rabbits enclosures. Kaelyn enjoyed herself thoroughly. Not an exciting task for me to chase after her and ensure she doesnt go to the deep areas.

Rebellious Kaelyn

2008-12-24T07:38:00.000-08:00

Kaelyn has become more and more rebellious as she goes into the Terrible Twos..

Her favourite word - 'bu yao' ('dont want' in Chinese)

Us: Kaelyn, drink your milk / water.
Kaelyn: Bu yao bu yao (and pushes the bottle away)

Us: Kaelyn, finish your porridge
Kaelyn: Bu yao bu yao (and turns away from the feeding spoon)

Us: Kaelyn, go sayang and kiss Ye ye / Nai nai..
Kaelyn: Bu yao bu yao (and scoots off)

Actually i dont know where she picked up this phrase from. We've always said 'No' or 'Bu ke yi' to her, and very seldom tell her 'bu yao'. She could have heard it from someone somewhere and found it to be a very useful phrase!

To get what she wants - Scream, cry, wail, sit on the floor

She doesnt let anyone hold her hand while walking. And would very much prefer to venture around on her own, even when there are many people around. When we try holding her hands fearing she may get lost in the crowd or near the roads, she struggle really hard to break free. Of course not fogetting to scream her lungs out and plonk herself on the floor in protest. Sigh...

I hope this will all go away as she grows older...

Kaelyn's first overseas trip - Bintan

2008-12-13T07:51:00.001-08:00

6 - 8 December 2008 : Kaelyn went on her very first overseas trip - Bintan, Indonesia. Even though it was only an hour ferry ride away, it was still a trip that required a stamp on her passport.

We chose Bintan for our trip because we are a little bored with Sentosa already. We've stayed at the Rasa Sentosa twice within 6 months, and made several trips there on weekends. The other alternative location was Genting (which was first on David's list), but got thrown out after considering the fact that it was a 6 hour bus ride away! No way is our hyperactive girl going to sit in her seat for the 6 hours (not even for half of that time). It proved that we made the right choice when she couldnt even sit still for a 15 min bus trip from the Bintan ferry terminal to the Angsana resort!

We all had a great time, both Kaelyn and us. Kaelyn had so much fun interacting with other kids and playing with the other guests - she's not afraid of strangers and is really friendly. She also had 2 swim sessions, played on the beach and with toys in the kids room.

As for David and I, we had the opportunity to go for a spa session, and also just to lie on the deck chairs beside the pool with a good book in hand, fall asleep, wake up for a swim, and come back to the deck chair and fall asleep again..... Ahhh, I never know this can be so enjoyable too. I used to wonder why some people's idea of a holiday is to just sit by the pool and read. Now I know.... But if we were in New Zealand or somewhere in Europe, I wouldnt spend my time like that!

On our way back, I had a bad bout of seasickness. Kaelyn too. She was screaming in discomfort as the ferry bobbed up and down in the sea. Poor little baby... but she fell asleep not long after so it wasnt that bad.

Comparing this trip to Sentosa,
- Sentosa's Rasa Sentosa is better in every aspect
- Beach in Bintan is much better than Sentosa. Natural is better than man made!
- More mosquitoes in Bintan than Sentosa
- More attractions / activities in Sentosa than Bintan

Here are the pics:

On the ferry - on the way to Bintan

Kaelyn getting all excited weaving in and out of the rows of chairs in the reception room, playing hide and seek with us and other guests at the Angsana Resorts and Spa.

Ahh, the comfortable bed in the room

Toys galore in the kids room

Having a whale of a time on the beach building sandcastles

She's a water baby, happily splashing around in the pool. Doesnt matter if the water lands on her face - she'll gladly slurp it in!

Having some time of our own while the tired gal's sleeping..

A parting shot before heading back to Singpapore

A very good friend's wedding

2008-12-13T07:10:00.000-08:00

I attended a very good friend's wedding 2 weeks ago. I've known her for about 13 years now, being in the same JC, university and first job. I'm really happy for her to have found such a great husband. I dont know him well, having met him only once before the wedding. But from the brief conversations, the church ceremony etc, I know he's going to be great husband.

I remember my own wedding more than 5 years ago (OMG, has it been that long already?!), she took a day off work to help us out during our wedding shot for the wedding album. She was also my 'personal assistant' on my actual wedding day itself, and helped me a lot on the preparations. I'll never forget that..

Yet, on her wedding 5 years after, I was not able to reciprocate the gesture. What I can give her is my sincere blessings and share in her joy. I did not even have the chance to get her a decent wedding gift, or tell her truly how happy I was for her. She being stationed overseas and me being tied up with my family and work here were the main reasons.. Now thinking back, I think I was really terrible as a friend.

But I know she will not put this to heart, definitely not. That's the best thing about good old friends. You may not see or speak to each other for a long time, but when you do, you are never at a loss for words. And you still know how each other thinks or feels.

So, I attended the wedding just like any other guest. It was a slightly different wedding from the others I have attended, not just because she was a good friend. But I remember being touched several times by the pastor's and the groom's speeches. There were a few moments when I felt tears welling up in my eyes, and memories of my own wedding and images of my small family of 3 flashed across my mind. I dont know why I have suddenly become so emotional, given that I did not even feel this way on my own wedding! Must be due to child birth (at least that's what I attribute to all the changes I went through over the past year...).

Congratulations once again. All the best, and we will still continue to be in touch..

Our weekend outings in November

2008-12-09T19:59:00.000-08:00

8 November - East Coast and Marina Barrage

When we reached East Coast that day, the skies started to darken and it looked like it was going to rain. We've arrived with Kaelyn's beach toys and were prepared to have some fun in the sand, so I refused to believe the rain was here to stay. But just in case we really were so unlucky, David decided to put his 2 man tent into good use. It was a great idea! The rain didnt come and we had great fun in the tent and on the sand!

After our East Coast trip, we had a rest at Ye ye & Nai nai's house, where Kaelyn posed for the camera with her cheeky look

In the late afternoon, we left for the Marina Barrage for a walk. Quite a nice scenic place except that it was crowded with families and the restaurants were not opened yet. But Kaelyn had a great time there, running around on the grass and playing ball with other kids. She's one sociable baby, always looking for children to play with.

Kaelyn: 'I see people playing ball! I want to play too!'

Yay, I got the bal!

Mama asked me to return to Kor korKor kor, next time we play again together, ok?A shot with Mama

15 November - Singapore Flyer (surroundings only)

I have been wanting to go to the Singapore Flyer ever since its opening but didnt have a chance to. But today, we finally are able to make a stop there. Didnt go up on the flyer itself - David says wait till the IR is ready or else we will just be looking at all the ongoing construction sites. Well, which is quite true. So we decided to just roam around. Kaelyn enjoyed herself thoroughly at this stuff toy making shop, running, pointing to the toys, hugging the bears etc. There was nothing really much there other than the flyer. A couple of restaurants, some shops and a small 'rainforest walk'.

Where's the Singapore flyer?

Look at the dog - woof woof!

All I want for Christmas is this cuddly bear!

16 November 2008 - Popo's birthday

Today's my mum's (Kaelyn's popo's) birthday, and we celebrated over dinner at the Straits Kitchen at Hyatt hotel. Pre-dinner, we walked around the hotel lobby. Kaelyn was running and prancing around, chuckling happily at the same time. Must be the large area available for her to explore. The dinner was good, with a wide spread of food. But I still think that The Line at Shangrila is better.

Eh, what is that?

Happy birthday, Popo!A kiss for Gong gong. Oh, what a darling!Peek-a-......Boo! Ha ha, I see you!

Hokkaido - August 2008 (Day 5 - 8)

2008-11-09T06:42:00.000-08:00

Day 5 - Otaru (5 Aug 08)

Went on a day trip to Otaru, a small town near Sapporo. Highlights were the famous Otaru canal, musical box factory, and lots of small authentic Japanese shops selling food, souvenirs and crafts.

As we walked along the streets, we couldnt stop ourselves from indulging in the snacks and BBQ seafood. It's a nice little place but was very very hot!

Famous Otaru canal

BBQ crab for lunch

Delicious Hokkaido melon (sells for S$80 - S$100 in Singapore)

Yummy BBQ scallops

Outside the musical box factory

Day 6 - Noboribetsu (6 Aug 08)

This day we embarked on a 2 day 1 night trip to Noboribetsu. Of the entire trip, the hotel accomodation in Noboribetsu (Dai ichi Takimoto kan) is the most expensive of all. There's an indoor swimming pool, and separate hot spring areas (both indoor and outdoor) for men and women. We also had buffet dinner in this hotel. I could just stay in the hotel for the entire week to enjoy the hot springs, swimming pool and food!

In the female hot springs area, there are around 9 hot spring pools with temperature ranging from 39 degrees to 42 degrees. As you soak in the bath, you are able to enjoy the beautiful scenery as well. Sometimes I wonder how they were able to build outdoor spring baths but at the same time hidden from outsiders... For those who are not familiar with Japanese hot spring baths, you are not allowed to wear any clothes (yes nothing at all) into the bath, only a small piece of towel to wash yourself. Apart from the initial awkwardness, once I begin to soak in the warmth of the hot spring water, and moving from one pool to the other, I feel I could just stay in there forever!

Apart from the baths and food, we also managed to trek around 'Hell valley', an area with hot bubbling underground spring waters and high sulphur concentration.

Hell's valley

Enjoying a hot spring for the feet along the hike

Day 7 - Shiraoi village, Sapporo (7 Aug 08)

On our way back to Sapporo, we made a little detour to the Shiraoi village. This place was recommended in the guide books and we thought it would be an easy place to find but how wrong we were! We took a train to one of the Shiraoi train station and walked for almost 20 mins in the hot blazing sun before we found the place. It was very out of the way and in there we watch a short performance by the Ainu people (couldnt understand a single word) and walked around the museum which showcased the history and ways of life of the Ainu people. We also saw a few large bears in cages. We realised that this is only catered for tourists who disappeared as quickly as they appeared. The only great thing about this place is the beautiful scenery.

In the evening, we went back to Sapporo to soak in its night life.

Sapporo with TV tower at the background

Day 8 - Sapporo (8 Aug 08)

We spent the last day of our trip walking all around Sapporo. We went up the Sapporo TV tower, the Tokei dai wooden clock tower, a big garden in the centre of Sapporo (cant recall the name now), shopping malls etc. Basically just taking our time relaxing and soaking up the culture...

Sunflowers in Sapporo

Fountain in Sapporo gardenI cant get enough of the Hokkaido melon!
Day 9 - Sapporo - Singapore

End of our trip - Home sweet home. Kaelyn, here we come! Papa and Mama miss you!

Hokkaido - August 2008 (Day 1 - Day 4)

2008-11-02T01:49:00.000-07:00

I finally got down to writing about our Hokkaido trip. It was a trip as a couple after we had Kaelyn. We had contemplated bringing her along but after thinking about the logistics, we decided against it. In terms of the timing, we planned it such that it was after her first birthday celebration, and coincided with the time I could take my mandatory block leave of 2 weeks. So first week will be for the trip and 2nd week to come back and spend time with Kaelyn in case she forgets me after our 8 day absence.

Here are some photos and what we were up to during the 8 days, enjoying our little break from our daughter.

Day 1 - Chitose, Furano (1 Aug 08)
We flew from Singapore into Chitose airport and from there, took a train all the way to Furano (land of flowers). At Furano station, we collected our rented car and proceeded to look for our accomodation near the Furano ski area. Till now I still didnt quite remember why i booked a place near the ski area (which is out of the way) when it's summer... We still had some time before the sun set for a short visit to Farm Tomita, followed by the famous Gengkhis Khan BBQ dinner. I still can remember how the lamb, chicken, pork liver etcy tasted.. yummy!!!

Day 2 - Around Furano, Asahikawa (2 Aug 08)
The weather on the 2nd day wasnt very good, so we postponed a second visit to Farm Tomita (we had only visited part of the farm the day before). So we drove round visiting cheese and wine factories in Furano before deciding to head to Asahikawa, the second biggest city in Hokkaido (after Sapporo). Along the way to Asahikawa, we made 2 fantastic discoveries - a lovely field of lavendars (although starting to dry up) and another flower farm, Kami Furano farm.

Field of Lavendar and scenic background
Kami Furano flower farm

GPS - the greatest invention for all drivers (or rather drivers like me with no sense of direction!)

With the GPS, no need for maps, no need for a navigator while the other drives, no need to worry about getting lost in a foreign land!

Some photos at the Asahiyama zoo. Here, we could get real close to the animals!

Day 3 - Furano, Sounkyo (3 Aug 08)
On the third day, the weather was slightly better, and we went back to Farm Tomita before setting out for Sounkyo (a place with natural waterfalls and gorges). Along the way, we stopped by the 3D Trick Museum. We reached Sounkyo in the evening and enjoyed our first hot spring bath in this trip at our accomodation. It was so relaxing and heavenly!

Farm Tomita

3D Trick museum - David's actually standing in front of a painting

And I am sitting on a small stool in front of a painting of the armchair - not actually sitting on the chair...

Day 4 - Sounkyo, Sapporo (4 Aug 08)
I like Sounkyo best in this trip - lovely scenery (waterfalls, mountains etc). This is also the place where David dropped his SLR camera and damaged his lens = ( He was so upset the whole day that we decided to go hunt around Sapporo that evening for a repair shop or to by a standby lens. We eventually bought a simple lens at Bic Camera in Sapporo. By the time we had dinner, it was already almost 10pm...

Beautiful scenery at Sounkyo

Tired after spending 2 - 3 hours looking for camera lens

About Kaelyn

2008-09-14T03:47:00.000-07:00

Realised I have been really behind in my postings. There are so many things that I want to blog on - our Hokkaido trip,Kaelyn's first major illness, Kaelyn's developments since 10 months, our various outings etc. But now I am in the mood to write about Kaelyn's developments, her 'wits' and her antics.

Her first words
Her very first words when she was about 10 months old sounded very much like Papa'. We kept hearing 'papa papa papa....' all the time, but with different tones and pitches. David was obviously very happy that our daughter has started calling him first before 'Mama'.

Subsequently, she learnt to say 'ber' (bird), 'bor' (ball) 'ba ber ber' (butterfly) etc. Notice all the b-consonents? And of course she did learn to say 'mama' and I think sometimes it is overused. Not only does she calls be 'mama' all photos she sees are 'mama' as well. And sometimes, when she sees something new, that will become 'mama' too. It's like a joker card that can replace any item!

Now she is babbling non stop. Sometimes she really sounds like she's engaged in some serious conversation with you except that it is in a foreign language that no one could understand.

Her first steps
Kaelyn started to walk unsupported about 2 weeks after she turned 1, and right after she recovered from an entire week of virus infection (more about this in subsequent blogs). She is now waddling (yes, just like a duck with her butt sticking out and swaying side to side when she walks!) all over the place.

She's now good enough to climb up and down the stairs in my parents' place, and can climb off our bed by herself. My mum has taught her how to do it safely, by lying on her front and slowly moving backwards till her feet touch the ground. I thought that was rather smart.

Her wits and antics

(1) Catching attention

We were travelling in a car one day and Kaelyn suddenly pointed towards the warmer bag and babbled something. When I didnt really pay attention to her, she hit my arm and shouted louder. Realising she may be thirsty, I reached for the water in the bag and offered to her. But she pushed it away and continued pointing to the bag. This time I took out the milk bottle for her and she happily grabbed it and started drinking her milk. I really was impressed then that she could convey what she wants using her own way.

My Dad was pointing out to Kaelyn that the picture she had on her blouse one day was a Rabbit. And I think that was the first time she ever looked at the designs on her blouses so she was really quite fascinated. She walked to me and tried calling to me. When I didnt respond, she took my hand and placed it on the Rabbit picture on her blouse and said something which sounded like 'you see'. Then I realised that she was showing off her Rabbit blouse to me. She did the same thing to my Mum and when she too didnt respond, she almost cried! It was when she touched the rabbit then she gave a satisfied smile and walked off.

2) The 'little helper' around the house

Kids are really sharp. They are able to spot the tiniest speck of dust on the floor. Kaelyn likes to pick up any piece of tissue, paper, dirt, insect, whatever she thinks shouldnt be on the floor and offer them to us. Sometimes she will just stand by that spot and point and babble, as if she's asking someone to clean the floor. My helper says Kaelyn's her supervisor, checking on whether she has done her job properly!

I was going through a stack of unopened letters one day and asked Kaelyn to play by my side so I could watch over her. After I have opened a few letters, a small hand offered me my next letter to be opened.

(3) Mimicking

Kids love to mimic too. David and I brought Kaelyn to the supermarket today, and we sat her on the seat in front of the trolley. With the shopping list in my hand, we zoomed around to hunt for our purchase. At one point, David had to call our helper to check if we were running out of a certain foodstuff. Before I realised it, Kaelyn grabbed the shopping list from my hand and put it to her ear and said 'ah o ah o'. It took me a while to realise she was mimicking David making a phone call!

Her personality

Her personality didnt change from when we first assessed her in her first month. She's still one independent, stubborn and happy baby.

Independent - she likes to do things herself if she can. She doesnt like anyone to hold her while she was learning to walking, preferring to fall over and stand up on her own again. When we show her which button to push on her toy for the music to come on, she will push our hands away and explore on her own.

Stubborn - she wants everything HER way. If you tell her not to go to a particular area, or ask her to drink her milk or go for her nap when she doesnt want to, she'll really scream, wriggle, push, cry and even attempt to distract you so she can get her way.

Happy - she's always smiling, laughing, babbling happily, except when she's being forced to do something against her will. Then she'll go into the stubborn mode. But generally, I think she's very cheerful and smiles easily. She's on good terms with anyone who plays with her, offering them entertainment and drawing comments like 'she's soo cute', 'she's so happy' etc.

Kaelyn turns ONE!

2008-08-12T07:46:00.000-07:00

It's been a long time since I blogged.. Too busy, too many things happening these 2 months. We were busy preparing for Kaelyn's first birthday celebration and our trip to Hokkaido. Now that these 2 events have passed, and I am clearing my block leave, I am able to come back here again amidst unpacking and watching the Olympics!

We celebrated Kaelyn's first birthday on 27 July (her actual birthday was on 30 July), before David and I went on our 2nd honeymoon = P.. It wasnt a big bash type of celebration, just close family and some friends.

As Kaelyn turns 1, I think back (again) on our journey over the past year. It's just passed by in a flash. I really cant describe how happy, relieved, consoled etc that I am watching my girl grow..

Anyway, here are some of the shots taken that day. Kaelyn looks grouchy in front of her cake because we dragged her out from her nap so we can all sing Happy Birthday for her. She's a little overwhelmed..

Lunch before guests arrive - very patriotically waving the Singapore flag at the same time

Princess making her appearance

The guests

The cake
The proud parents
The presents!

Breastfeeding revived

2008-06-26T23:32:00.000-07:00

I remember my first few posts after delivering Kaelyn have been revolving around 1 topic - breastfeeding. Kaelyn's going to turn 1 in another month's time. And I am very very proud to say that I am still breastfeeding her, although she started on formula for the afternoon feed at around 9+ months. I intend to stop breastfeeding altogether right after she turns 1, as I intend to go for a 1 week trip with David then... without Kaelyn.. More about this another time.

So when I look back at my breastfeeding journey over the past 11 months, I think I am going to 'miss' expressing milk for Kaelyn.

I will remember:

- how in the first month I struggled to get breastfeeding started - dealing with bleeding nipple, extreme pain, low volume, waking up every 2 - 3 hours in the night to feed, getting Kaelyn in the correct feeding position, having to rely on some formula to keep up with her demands...

- how I got the hang of it after 2 - 3 months and could latch her on every 3 hourly and stop formula altogether.

- when she turned 4 months, she refused to latch on. I had to pump every 3 hours to keep the supply going and bottle feed her the breast milk. From then on, she will just latch on only when she's in the mood and soon after, I stopped latching her on altogether.

- this posed a problem because each time we bring Kaelyn out, we would have to bring the pump machine, mini freezer to store the milk, hot water to defrost and heat the frozen milk, and milk bottles... actually I dont know of any mother who does this and I am proud of myself for persevering even when my baby refused to latch on..

- My supply started to build up in the fridge at first, as I was expressing more than she required. Then the bottles got 'promoted' up into the freezer.

- Then Kaelyn went through a difficult teething period at 6months that she was drinking very very little. At that point, the milk inventory in the freezer grew so rapidly that I soon ran out of space and had to cut down on the frozen meat we buy. At the peak, I had over 100 bottles in the freezer.

- David had to keep going back to TMC to 'beg' for more bottles to store the milk in. Thanks hubby! Luckily Kaelyn recovered soon after and started to drink more so we didnt have to buy an extra freezer.

- My pumping sessions stretched from 3 hourly to 4, 5 and then 6 hourly when I first went back to work. All the time I spent on expressing was also spent on watching VV dramas. The SCV box accompanied me through my milk expressing moments.

- At work, there was no nursing room or a suitable room for me to express milk. I had to do it in the handicapped toilet. I really really hated the idea, plus I didnt have time to keep up with the 6 hourly routine. So soon I was expressing every 8 hours, and then 12 hours (once in the morning and when I go back).

- When Kaelyn was around 8 months, I had severe food poisoning and had to be on antbiotics. My milk supply dropped to an all time low and never really picked up thereafter. The milk which I expressed then would also have to be discarded. This freed up space in the freezer.

- Now I am still on the 12 hourly routine, still spending the time in front of my beloved TV watching VV dramas. Thanks to David again for subscribing to it during my maternity. I have watched more series in these 11 months than I have over the past 30 years!

- And now, I dont carry the freezer, pump machine and expressed milk around anymore. We just bring the formula powder when we go out and feed her breast milk in the morning and before she goes to bed.

Having read the above, I think it is enough to scare any mother-to-be away from breastfeeding. But surprisingly, I have never once seriously thought of stopping breastfeeding when I was going through that stage. I did complain and thought it was troublesome and joked about stopping but in my heart I wanted to carry on for my baby.

Just 2 weeks ago, I bought my very first tin of formula for Kaelyn and I realise that baby milk is VERY EXPENSIVE! We have been using free samples before this. Another motivation to carry on breastfeeding for as long as possible.. !

'I want Mama'

2008-06-21T21:01:00.000-07:00

For the first time yesterday, I felt that Kaelyn really knows that I am her Mama. Usually, when David and I leave for work and we wave goodbye to her, she will just give us a quick glance and turn back to her toys, oblivious to the fact that she is not going to see us for another 10 hours or so. I thought she just doesnt know who we are and can be ok with anyone who's friendly with her..

Yesterday, during dinner, the girl is making a big fuss again, not wanting to finish her pasta. So David carried her out from the high chair. She refused to be appeased... until she saw me. The moment I walked towards her, she leaned towards me with outstretched arms and cried 'mama...mama...'! That was such a sweet and heartwarming moment. Of course I immediately took her from David's arms and she stopped whining and crying!! Awwww......

Photos

2008-06-08T07:32:00.000-07:00

David's a photo taking fanatic. He has 3 cameras to date, and the latest addition (which we got more than a year back) is a digital SLR. It's bulky, it's heavy, it's troublesome to lug around... but all these do not bother him at all. He never fails to bring this camera wherever he goes with baby. He wants snap every precious moment of Kaelyn growing up. Looking back at our photo folder, I realise we have taken more than 1500 photos of Kaelyn to date - and she's only 10 months old.

I am actually glad that David has such an interest. The photos we took of Kaelyn really show how she has grown over the months, from a tiny wailing newborn, to an active mischievous and still wailing big baby.

The many faces of Kaelyn:

Wailing KaelynMischievous Kaelyn

Cheeky Kaelyn

Happy Kaelyn

Active Kaelyn

KPO Kaelyn (digging into my handbag..)

It's never easy to take photos of an active, moving baby. Needless to say, it's almost impossible to take a decent shot of 2 babies together..

Hello, look here at the camera!

Cousin Gaven: I want to take the photo alone, not with Kaelyn mei mei.
Kaelyn: Hey dont push me or I'll bite you!

Kaelyn: Hey, that's my garfield.
Cousin Gavn: I dont care, I want it!Kaelyn: Keep your hands off my garfield.
Cousin Gaven: Hey.

Finally they resolve their differences...

ET's finger

2008-06-08T07:14:00.000-07:00

Since a month back, I realise Kaelyn's favourite action is to stick her left index finger out in the air. She's not exactly pointing to anything most of the time. It's just an action that she picked up from I dont know where. Although it may look really cute now, we're kind of worried this would stick with her when she grows up. At that time, I wouldnt label that as 'cute' anymore.

By the way, I call this action of hers - ET's finger.

A pose for the camera.

Errmmmm, let me think...

Hey, look there!

Dont you mess with me!

Happy Mother's Day

2008-05-11T00:53:00.000-07:00

Today's my first Mother's Day as a mother!

How are we celebrating it? Ermmm.... we are not having any celebrations, only went out for dinner at Spaggedies last night. But it's just like any other dinner out.

Do I feel special? Ermm... I dont feel anything different or special. It's just like any other Sunday, playing with Kaelyn, going to Supermarket, checking emails etc.

It's just a day to remind myself that I am a mother of a 9 month old already (as if I have ever forgotten), and to be proud of myself for giving birth to her and caring for her. I hope my 2nd Mother's Day will be more memorable in that she is able to call me 'Mama' and plant a real kiss on my cheek instead of trying to bite me as if I am one of her toys.

To my Mother and all mothers out there: Happy Mother's Day.

Thoughts...

2008-05-03T22:58:00.000-07:00

I've been really busy for the past 3 weeks at work, and didnt have much time with Kaelyn. I think she only sees me for about 15 - 20 mins a day. And that also explains why Daddy has been the one updating the blogs. Good for you, Daddy.

I digress... Yes, and so every morning, it will be 'hi Kaelyn, good morning' and 'bye bye Kaelyn' within a span of 10 mins. And when I came home in the evenings at about 9+pm, she's already asleep. I can only look at her sleeping soundly in her cot. When she wakes up in the middle of the night hungry or just needing some comfort, I want to be there for her. But most of the time I am too tired to do that.

That's so sad... It's always at these times that I start thinking about not working and staying at home for her... but i know that it is not possible as we need the $$$$! sigh....

That's why I try to spend all my time with her during weekends - bathe her, feed her, prepare her food, play with her. Of course with some help from David and my helper.

Kaelyn development!

2008-04-29T06:48:00.000-07:00

Baby's development is so miraculously fast! I almost can feel that she grows every day because I find that she is slightly different everyday.

Two weeks ago, we borrowed a exerciser from Theresa. Our gal was so excited with the exerciser that she can play for very long on her own without complaining (as compared to a playpen)

See Kaelyn in the exerciser!

I was on leave then and my daily routine schedule is to drive K's mama to MRT every morning. After which, I will bathe her, change her and then play with her for a while before drinking milk..

On one of days (think 16th April), just after I bath her and change her to the new clothes, I realized that I forgot to switch off the TV in the living room. So I left her in the COT and go to switch of the TV. On my return, I was so SHOCK to see Kaelyn standing on her own playing with the music mobile!!!

I scream for the maid to take a look at her before taking a snap shot of her standing....

I quickly call K's mama. She is equally excited about it and requested me to send her a photo of it!
see the photo of her standing for the first time:

After that I realized that it is no longer safe for her to stay in the current height & decided to remove the music mobile and lower the COT level..

It is really amazing.. just two days of training on the exerciser and she can stand up( err.. with support of course) Thanks Theresa...:)

Kaelyn become very excited about her new found freedom and would try to stand (almost every waking moment of her time).

When she wakes up, the first thing is a loud whine(ok la, it is a loud cry) follow by climbing up the COT to stand..

She will climb at every opportunities given and would climb up the sofa to stand (on her own), TV console, climb up on you (when you leave her in a seating position on your lap)..

After a 1-2 days, she even starts to climb up the play pen.. Then she starts to release one hand.. and then release both hands.. she will then fall back onto the COT/playpen mattress...

See her climbing up the playpen in video..

After almost two weeks of trying, she is now able to sit back down on her own (without falling)- though, she still fall occasionally. Now she can move slowly around the sides of the COT/play pen with whatever support (with her hands supporting) with ease.

I realize our Life is NEVER THE SAME since she starts to climb and stand!!
We have to be very careful and would need a lot of energy during her waking hours as we have to be next to her every moment..so that she does fall. Nevertheless, her dexterity is so good that she out-move/climb us, and manage to fall a few times -- ai yo.. some blue black at her cheek and forehead.

Look ma/daddy only one hand supporting..

Actually, I start noticing that she learns to sit up on her own (from crawling position) only after she starts to climb up.. Cos previously she cannot really sit up on her own (But she sit very well when we put her to siting position) and is very wobbly most of the time when she tries to sit on her own (usually fail).
See Kaelyn siting on her own at Popo & Gong gong's place.

I also realize that she is responding to tickling today (my mum told me) and when I tickle her.. she is giggling away...

Kaelyn can start climbing to standing position at 8.5 months old!
Her physical growth is indeed FAST!! What do you think?

Week on leave to play with our Angel

2008-04-16T22:03:00.000-07:00

Daddy and mama took leave last week to play with me!! Daddy suggested to bring me to swimming for the first time! But wait, I don't have a swimming costume yet!

Mama chose a pink swimming costume with thermal protection - It looks so cool. Daddy chose a swimming float for me and a body float so that I can play safely in the water. Gong Gong and po po together with daddy and mama brought me to Raffles town club for my first swim.

It was a wonderful experience. I got to move around freely on my own (with float of course) in the swimming pool. Daddy realized the body float is too big for me. Neber mind, I can still use it when I grow up..

I simply love swimming daddy, mama!! I can float around the pool... Next time must teach me swimming ok?

Daddy even let me try floating on my back.. and I can with support on my neck only!!
See how we enjoy ourself very much!

In fact we enjoy so much that mama and daddy decided to bring me to Rasa Sentosa Resort Shangri-la to stay one night so that I can swim there.

Wow the bed on Rasa Sentosa is so comfortable.. err.. I mean ma and pa's bed. Mine is not bad too.

From the balcony, It has very stunning view too! Ha ha, I could see the sea view from the bed!

I also got to chase around the ball on the cool bed while daddy and mama enjoys the sea view...

It was so comfortable and I fall asleep not long after that.. (actually it is auntie venus who make me sleep..)

Heh, while I was sleeping Daddy and mama slip out and visit the Siloso beach and Fort Siloso WITHOUT ME!!

Heh ma and daddy, I want to go when I grow up ok?

I was not able to go swimming when I woke up as it was raining..

Ma told me that the rain will go away tomorrow and then we can go swimming then. She then sing..
" Rain rain go away, little Kaelyn wants to play...little Kaelyn, little Kaelyn wants to play.."

Hence, we go Vivo city to have our dinner at Marche..

When I woke up on the second day, daddy say that the weather is very gloomy and may rain anytime soon..

Fortunately, we still go for a swim as the rain did not come. See my second swimming lesson..
This time, only mama can join me as poor daddy's finger was cut and bleed profusely on the day when we are about to leave for Sentosa. Poor daddy..

So as usual he took many pretty pictures of me while i enjoy the pool with mama.

This time round, I got a Rubble Ducky to play with .. And I got to chase after the Rubble Ducky in the pool..

Wait for me don't swim so fast..

Ah ha... I finally got to go to the beach to picnic after all... It is a cloudy day.. and so very glaring day too.

I got to eat by the beach while ma and daddy enjoy their bottle of Orange Rum cooler..

As usual, daddy take nice picture of me..

I look drowsy hor.. did I??

Next Daddy, mama and auntie have their lunch at Taste of Singapore. This is my turn to sit back and watch them eat..

Yum yum.. Chicken rice..

Then we visited the Merlion (..err.. from the outside only..)

Wow what A big book! I wanna read too.

Ma and daddy also watch the 3D movie while I was having my noon nap..It is Not fair!

It was a wonderful holiday at Sentosa!! I love Sentosa..
Daddy, ma let's go Sentosa more often ok? Maybe weekly?? hee hee

Baby Kaelyn knows how to crawl!!!

2008-04-02T07:33:00.000-07:00

Today, just when I step out of the lift outside my home after work, I heard Mama told baby Kaelyn that "papa is back!"

Wow, they can even know I am coming back by the sound of my keys and footsteps! Guess I have to learn some ninja skills next time to give them a surprise.

The excited mama then quickly went on to elaborate on how Kaelyn actually can crawl on her own in the afternoon. She can crawl across the "Winnie the Pooh" mat with ease. Previously, Kaelyn can only push with her hands to move backwards or turn around the mat. She can only stretch out to the object she is after but somehow just couldn't reach it. Today, she can crawl forwards.

When I put the her down to the mat, she excitedly crawl very fast to the edge of the mat. I have to pull her back to the starting point before she starts crawling away again and reach the floor before I sprung into action to pull her back again....

See her crawling..

She was so happy to crawl that laugh and scream excitedly... And she get to crawl towards me and hold onto my leg and look up at me seeming to tell me... "Look papa I can crawl. Aren't you proud of me?"

I then tell her "Smart gal, now you can join the crawling competition already and I am sure you can out crawl the rest!!!" Kaelyn seems to be very excited of her new found freedom.

Previously when Kaelyn learns how to sit, I just need to sit behind her to be a stationary goal keeper. Now I guess I have to learn some diving skills as a goal keeper (in case she fell off the edge). Think I have to be a sweeper soon once she starts to walk/crawl really fast.

(PS: For those who not familiar with soccer - A sweeper is a defensive player who sweeps up" the ball if the opponent manages to breach the defensive line)

Remember that she likes to move to the edge of the Baby Cot to peak out to look for us to play when she is alone in the room? I managed to capture some shots today.

She also likes to play "peek a boo" games and will pull down the cot protector to look for me. If she sees me or I just jump out, she will laugh non stop... and she really enjoys this game very much.

Daddy's first blog!!

2008-03-30T09:03:00.000-07:00

Hi hi baby Kaelyn and her mama.. this is my first entry to this blog.. after mama's repeated nagging that i din contribute to this blog at all..

The past 8 months have passes by so quickly... Kaelyn is now 8 month old!!!

She has grown from a small fragile tiny gal who cry (err.. scream loudly) when she is hungry, wake up or dunno wat ever reason to one that is cheeky, cheerful, playful gal who (still scream loudly occasionally when she woke up, can't fall asleep.. hungry..).

Baby Kaelyn - the moment after she is born!

She has grown to be a very cheeky, cheerful and happy gal overall (you can see from past blog that she is laughing most of the time..)

Her cheeky look is so cute and adorable..
She is so adorable that I can play whole day with her (err actually spend a lot of time looking after her).

Anyway, if you ask me what we do nowadays..
The daily routine will be to feed her in the morning (sometimes as early as 4am -- luckily she sleep with us only on weekends only (cos she sleep with Venus -our domestic helper on weekdays), bathe her, then feed her and make her sleep, play with her, go out occasionally (supermarkets, shopping centres, parks etc).

By just playing with her and looking at her cheerful, laughing face.. the time just flies.. until you suddenly remember that you have forgotten to do your own stuffs for quite a while.. like paying credit card bills, swimming, Roller blading, badminton, playing computer games, board games...

A cheeky picture taken at Shangrila hotel

Photos taken at Sentosa last Thursday 27 March 08!

Last Thursday, Hansi and I took leave together and decided to go to Bugis junction follow by going to Sentosa for a picnic.

We had planned to go to Sentosa at the later part of the day - around 3 plus and bought some finger food and bread for picnic in the beach there.

Unfortunately, it started to rain around 2 plus.. and hence we decided to wait till the rain goes away.

Finally, we reached Sentosa close to 5pm after the rain stopped. The weather was excellent and we had a fun time over there. This is the first time Kaelyn gets to see sand and the sea waves. She was so excited with the sea waves when we brought her near the sea side that she was always looking at the water and waves (while we tried to take photos with her and she kept looking behind into the sea). I guess she will be a sea side lover when she grows up!
We even get to see a beautiful sun set..

It was such a wonderful picnic!

However, the second day, I realized that I have lost my phone!
After searching high and low (at home, car and even resort to going back to Sentosa on Sat to find), sigh sigh.. I finally have to accept that I have lost my phone, my contacts, and some photos..

Now I have the excuse to buy a new phone after all! :p

Our recent trip to Sentosa beach is really a memorable one indeed.