A year older

Friday was my birthday! My wonderful parents sent me this beautiful bunch of flowers, I was moved to tears! Felt so loved, so touched! Thank u mom and dad!

It was a quiet event, plus the fact my husband has almost forgotten, we had Japanese at night, and the restaurant forgotten my order...

We came home, to blow candles, and JD was more interested in wanting to eat the cake...

I did it!

My husband has some big budget stuff to hand in this week at work. So, in times like this, my man can be a bit stressed out and perhaps erring a bit on the edgy side. He insisted on working from home but it's gonna be hard with a 3yo who constantly wants daddy to play and run round with him.

Solution: I take both kids out and leave the husband with some peace n quiet.

Well, no choice loh as I lamented in my mind. So, I packed a bag, of nappies enough for a 10 wks old, wipes, hat, suncream, set of spare clothes for both kids, camera, a lunchbox full of finger food and snacks...packed the 2 kids in, and instructed the hubby to make full use of his time before driving off to kill a good 5 hours.



It turned out to be a nice day out for all of us. We went to the foreshore, JD playing in the playground, making friends with other kids (mainly girls), chasing the seagulls, making a mess of sand n water, bumped into a friend I haven't seen for almost 3 yrs. Then there was a special KFC treat for JD where he got all excited with the drive thru and sat quietly at his seat munching every pieces of nuggets n chips.

With a full tummy, he fell asleep while I did bored laps around some of the leafy suburbs, admiring the beautiful houses before parking the car under a big shady tree n took some very silly pics of myself.

It was fun. In total, we went to 3 different parks in that 5 hours, whilst my 1o weeks old happily napped in the car and in the sling. Not even a peep from her. But the challenging part was still helping the 3 yo looking for a loo to do his big business whilst carrying a baby in the sling. Talk about multi-task.

On the way home, we stopped by at Gelare to have a chocolate ice cream.

Interestingly, I found lots of people looking at me. Maybe it's odd for a mum to bring a young baby in her sling and her 3 yo out at the same time. Maybe they think I am crazy. Some smiled sweetly at me. Some stared at me. Some looked at me with puzzles.

But deep down...

I was so proud to take both kids out all by Myself for the very 1st time. No tantrums. No tears. But a rewarding "I have lots of fun, mommy!" from my 3yo.

Happy Birthday

Today is my dad's birthday! Happy birthday dad!

And here's both your grandchildren saying "Happy Birthday Wai Gong"

Lots of hugs n kisses 2 you!

A nothing much week so far

Nothing much to report on so far this week. Things are all over the place, my mind not quite altogether, feeling like going slow this week. So I have been staying in the house reading, playing with the lil queen when she's happy n awake, watching ABC Kids on the tv with JD, snacking on rice crackers n cheese with him, drinking green tea, eating strawberries, indulge early in some mooncake, playing around with the latest version of ACD Photo Slate and going through some of JD's baby photos.

Now, I can tell they both come from the same family : )

Have been craving for some delicious hor fun in egg sauce and fried chicken wings all week. I might just go out and get some tonight...see if I dragged me lazy bum out the house.

All Smiles

At 2 months, Chloe is becoming a cute lil pumpkin. Her cheeks are getting so chubby that I feel like pinching it. She is getting happier during the day and we are settling into a nice little routine. Finally after 2 months of her morning grumpiness, I worked it out that it was because she wants to sleep! Uh huh! During her nap time, I will be playing with my 3yo, fixing morning tea, preparing lunch and dinner, have my shower, do the laundry, blogging, call a friend, pay the bills online, do my tax and sometimes I nap too!

Best of all, we are getting lots of smiles from her.

Smiles of all kinds.

The "Full tummy and I am happy" smile to "Mommy you are looking very silly" and those "See teeth (gum) and no eyes" kind of smiles

Best of all the "I am just too cute" kind of smiles. One that would even melt a big man's heart - i.e. her daddy!

Me time

Last night, I went out for a bit of a Me time. Massage. It was good. I left both kids at home with their dad, whilst I closed my eyes for 90 mins, under the good hands of a "to-die-for" masseur.

I felt each knot in my neck, shoulders, back, legs, down to my hands and toes being loosened.

I felt like a new woman as I left the masseur's place, my skin felt smooth, my eyes felt rejuvenated, my body felt loose, my mind felt relaxed...

And I didn't get any calls from the husband

Till I got home.

The house looked like a tornado had been through.

Men.

You leave them with the kids for 90 mins, and they felt like it was for Eternity.

Almost like a punishment from hell.

I love my tucker!

JD telling us about his tucker.

Morning breakie - Baked beans on toast is No.1 according to him!

Next, he showed off his lunch - Chicken Mushroom Pie and Kiwi, Strawberries and Apple

Tucking in...

"All finished!", he said

For your amusement

I finally bought a Phil & Teds pram since the expansion of my little troops! I need a pram to take 2 kids together when I go for my daily walk. It is cool, it is light in weight, great to push, and I get to choose one in Red. I am loving it. But while packing the boxes away this morning, I also noticed something funny!

It says "Baby NOT included". Haha, imagine buying a new pram and a baby comes with it! That would be kinda cool, not need to look like a rolly polly for 9 months...nah!

And then whilst reading an article from New Idea this morning, I came across this little piece:

"A happy marriage makes women look almost two years younger than their true age and makes men look one year younger, according to the Danish study."

Hubby and I looked at each other and agree! Muahaha, maybe we are in denial of our true age.

"Men can look one year younger if they have a stable partner, and become even more of a Peter Pan if they have between one and three children - the children will take another year off his appearance."

Wah, serious? That was my first reaction. I turned around to look at my husband next to me...and his response was cool - let's have a dozen! Brrrrrr...

Unfortunately, having kids don't show any ageing benefits for women."

Waaaaaa, tears pouring! Of course lah, with all the stretch marks, jelly belly, sleep deprivation and not mentioning the sagging boobs...how could we possibly look younger. Just wait, that's when one day we decide to visit Dr. Nip Tuck! Hee!

I love ...

I love a fresh cut lawn.

Feels so fresh, so green, such a nice feeling when I look out from my kitchen window.

I love its prickiness.

Running around with my son, playing chasing, hitting a ball on a beautiful day.

While my 8 weeks old happily look on.

A bit of TLC

Chloe woke up from her sleep in the early evening, brother JD couldn't wait to see if she's ok by taking a check on her BP!

He declared "She's allright!"

Chloe - 8 weeks old

Chloe is a very different baby compared to her brother. When she was first born, I noticed she loves to be cuddled a lot and was also a very alert baby. Unlike her brother whom kept sleeping for the first few days, she kept her eyes opened in the first few hours after her birh, looking at our faces, checking out the surroundings around her.

Being a bit more aware of her surroundings also means she was a bit harder to please. Sometimes I tried to sneak away to make a quick cuppa only to have grumble and grizzle in the background. She loves it when I am around her, singing, cooking, typing, sweeping, vacumming, taking a shower, doing the dishes, playing with a her older brother, chatting on the phone...sometimes with her in my sling, sometimes she would be quite happy just sitting there.

I thought she was demanding. A typical woman some laughs. Hard to please. Not happy. Too hot. Too cold. Too bright. Too dark. Cries when car stops. Happy when car moves. Loves to snuggle. And quietly I thought maybe this one is gonna be difficult.

But then come those moments when she flashes her little smiles at me. And I thought it ain't that bad afterall.

Actually, is not her that's difficult because she is a different baby to her brother.

Is because I was silly enough to think that one style fits all.

If she loves to be cuddled, she gets it. If she doesn't mind my out of tune singing, at least I know I have got a faithful "fan". If she loves to be around me when I cook is because she loves the aroma of a home cooked meal. And she is just like any normal baby... She needs her mom. Now does thay make me feel good or what!?

Honestly I finally came to grip with it over the weekend. Go with the flow, whatever works.

She has her own inborn character and temperament. I shouldn't expect her to be like her older brother. She is a girl afterall, remember? Haha. Now that I am more at ease with the whole different baby business, I feel more positive about doing whatever that works for this baby.

And I got myself a sling to use at home over the weekend as it's easier on my back. She loves it. And because of that, I love it even more.

Growth spurt?

Lately I think JD has been growing through a growth spurt again. Or rather he goes through a growth spurt every week? The double chin tells it all, hee hee!

And a serious looking Chloe after her morning bath.

And together

Blue sky..oh blue sky

Seriously, this is how BLUE the sky is today. Not a single cloud on the sky, zero, nil, none... a perfect, beautiful day for Father's Day.

My beautiful day in blue

Me enjoying the sun under the clear blue sky

Watching my son at the local fair

JD showing off his Croc imitation

His favourite friend is Cookie Monster

Being a mom again...

The last number of weeks have been great, with my big sista W and my mom around from M'sia to give me a hand. This week I am pretty much on my own again, juggling the 2 little munchkins by myself most days. The morning was once again a challenge, getting 2 kids in the car, getting to places on time, completing tasks each day... I laughed at myself of how my goals have changed again. Where previously beating the morning traffic to work was usual, completing projects to timeline was my priority, beating the evening traffic to pick up kiddo #1 was like competing in The Amazing Race.

Since kiddo #2 came along, my goal has been making sure I send JD to daycare on time, getting the dinner sorted in advance, settling a crying baby in the midst of playing hide n seek with a 3 yo toddler, nursing a hungry baby during JD's craft and painting sessions, rocking a sleepy baby to the tune of "Toot toot chugga chugga big red car....", stuffing my face with some quick meals, have a 2 secs shower, bathing the toddler whilst entertaining the lil one with funny faces, and at the same time also mastered the one-hand typing act, and using my feet to pick up stuff while holding a sleeping kid in my arm...how my priorities changed again.

Today I am just knackered! Back to reality again. Somehow trying to be positive was like kidding myself. I just let it be. Positive thinking. Another day.

Nevermind a house that is messy, where little trains, cars, building blocks scattered through the hallway...piles of dishes in the sink...laundry to be washed...at least I am keeping my sanity, the giggling laughter of a beautiful 3 yo toddler and the sweet smell of a sound asleep baby!

Bobbing along...

Today was a funny day. First day of Spring but it was rainy, kinda chilly! We didn't want to go out but I needed to entertain JD. He loves to run around but I need to get Chloe to sleep. So I put Chloe in my life-saving baby carrier, while JD and I jogged around the house singing to the tune of Baa Baa Black Sheep, Twinkle Twinkle Little Stars, Mary had a little lamb, Jelly on the plates, ABC, Incy Wincy Spiders, Wheels on the bus...

It was fun. JD was kept busy and entertained. Best thing was all the bobbing along sent Chloe to sleep like an angel!

And you know what, I came from not knowing a single nursery rhymes 3 yrs ago to being a walking nursery singing machine, haha.