Eleven July 2009

V-day specials!

2012-02-13T08:19:00.000-08:00

Took the day off to celebrate V-day - in advance! Hate the crowded posh restaurants, lack-lustre food served on the actual Feb 14th and not to mention exorbitant price tag.

Went to Itacho Sushi @ ION ORCHARD which already had a queue at noon...

Salmon Spring Roll...

My chirashi don...

Followed by sipping Morning Earl Grey tea at my fav TWG!!!

Brothers club tea.. so exclusive...

We were tucked at a lil' nice corner... Away from the tai-tai wannabes munching on their sandwiches...

Me, posing at a weird angle to position away my broken upper lip...

Green tea pattiserie... I love my stuff in green and GREEN TEA everything!!!

Yay! Nice couple dayout! Super love! We came to a consensus that this def beats going to some atascaderos restaurant!

Ashley's daily ride

2012-02-09T19:42:00.001-08:00

Ashley loves riding in nanny's bicycle. Some days, nanny brings the other toddler to child care in her bicycle n en route back home, she wld swing by to pick ashley up from my doorstep! So nice...

She loves the feeling of the wind in her hair!!!

Broken lip

2012-02-08T18:25:00.001-08:00

Got headbutted by Ashley this morning, resulting in a broken upper lip...

In between grabbing tissue to stop the bleeding, I pretended to cry... And guess what she did?
She offered me her pacifier... Twice!!! -_-!!!

Indeed she's growing up to slowly understand emotions and different facial expressions.

On the way to doc now.. I've fallen sick for the 3rd time in 6 months. Sighs... I used to be really good in health and fell sick once in a year. But recently i've been sickly and weak. What's going on?!!! :(

This time last year...

2012-02-07T08:20:00.000-08:00

This time last year, I was still preggers and had 2 great friends did a maternity photoshoot for me... I could still rem it felt a little weird coz typically I'm the one behind the camera telling preggers how to pose, smile and stick out their tummies for the lens!

Anyways I realised that I did not blog abt my maternity shoot so just wanna back-blog these photos for memory-sake... (Also a reference for second bb down the road... hehe)

Maternity shoot done by Eu Lee @ 8 months preggers...

Yea, u guessed it. I brought along all my usual props that I wld use for my clients... Hehe

I'm still figuring out how Ashley managed to hide in there!

Same exact time last year - here's me at 9 months preggers... My friend Darren (the photographer) kept laughing at how hard I was trying to stick my belly out and look pregnant...

I still can't believe a whirlwind year has gone by! Time to get back to planning for Ashley's ONE year old birthday!!!!

Our latest muse!

2012-01-31T08:25:00.000-08:00

We bought an Xbox kinect more than a year ago but have not managed to make good fun of it... Coz I was preggers at that time and it was boring for Randy to play it alone... So we pretty much left it sitting on the TV console...

UNTIL...... A few weekends ago when I was shopping with my sis, we saw 2 young boys playing Dance Central on the Kinect at the mall like a pro. The Xbox marketing team were smart, they got 2 kids to dance like it was easy peasy and got parents to open up their wallets to buy the game console.

It really wasn't the Ah lian in me that wanted to play Dance Central. It was Ashley's amusement with it that prompted me to get daddy to buy it... Heh... ;)

So here's Dance Central & Rabbids -> joining our family of Xbox Kinect games...

I would title the following clip -> Baby laughs at dancing William Hung... ENJOY!

CNY 2012 - Part 2

2012-01-31T08:18:00.000-08:00

Day 2 of CNY: We visited the Chia's and had another kids playgroup time!
Mummy Ade is superwoman, she cooked dinner for the adults and yummy porridge for the babies! So blessed by their friendship... <3

Super duper mummy and the 3 kids

The TWINS again! Love love love to see them in a shot! Cute TTM!

Secret to getting a shot like this? Dangling snacks above the camera!

There were a few funny moments where the 2 girls caught us offguard! Ashley started to scream and while the adults pacified her, in a split sec, the other bunny quickly crawled into the room and poof out of our sight! I think it's a conspiracy.

Pictured left: Raeanne saying to Ashley: "Hey Ashley, while you scream, I will go for the chocolates..."

Pictured right: Mission accomplished. Let's share the loot.

Not to miss out Reyes...

Look at Ashley's hair? Crazy messy from having too much fun!

Left pic) Ashley: Raeanne, lemme give u a hugggg....

Right pic) Raeanne: Noooo!!! Daddy save me!!!!

Let's play head bangers!

Raeanne posing sweetly for the shot, while Ashley poses with her flying kick!

The adults were roaring with laughter while trying to get a good pic...!
So wonderful to have friends like them... :)

CNY 2012 - part 1

2012-01-25T08:34:00.000-08:00

So glad that I managed to buy my BLACK GOLD PINEAPPLE TARTS for CNY!!!

Jimmy & Ade have just moved into their cosy abode and we brought the baby to visit their new home 2 days before CNY... They have a nice and spacious living hall for the kids to play...!

Gor gor Reyes showing Ashley his toys.. Such a sweet boy...

The "twins"... So cute.. I love seeing them together!!!

3 kiddos, 1 playmat, endless fun..

IF I had TWINS... Here's how I wld look...

Daddy Randy having a go at carrying twins...

Daddy Jimmy trying on the weights... Great arm training...

As CNY eve fell on a sunday, we woke up bright and early for church! Ash enjoying her couchy seat.. heh...

Me and sis at reunion dinner... We made a smart choice to go for Labrador seafood and avoid mummy's cooking (oops)...

CNY visitation for Ashley... a FIRST!!! Decked in the pink Qi pao that daddy bought from Beijing...

Looking chinois in pink!

Belle, gugu Cindy, Ash and Laura...

Me with Alyssa, sis with Ash...

The girls are 6 months apart! Can't u tell?

Mummy Michele feeds Alyssa well... And me? Not enough, considering Ashley's size... :(

All the crazy visitation left the baby really tired out! Once we got home, she planked onto my pillow immediately. We are very amused...

So we posed beside her for photos like she's some kinda zoo animal...

"Look daddy, I'm planking!"

I think due to the fact that we're moving soon, we are trying to make an effort to attend gathering with friends and our schedule's like crazy. Dinner appointments are booked daily. But we are happy coz we really wanna meet people before we leave for the next 3 years...

More visitations to go!!!! Part 2 coming up!

9 days without papa

2012-01-25T07:48:00.000-08:00

Daddy went to China for 9 days in early Jan. Thankfully yee yee stayed over a couple of nights to help out!

Me and yee yee..

Off to Plaza Sg, while yee yee goes fir her saxophone classes, me and mummy goes shopping.... weeee!!!!

I'm 10 months by now and I've learnt what it means to play peek-a-boo!

When mummy went to check out some stuff for a while, here's what yee yee did to entertain me (or rather herself)....

And when mummy came back in a few mins, yee yee showed her these photos (which got mummy trying to guess what exactly did yee yee give baby to play with):

1) Baby wielding a light sabre!!!

2) Haiyaakkk!!! *Check out my serious face*

3) Magic's greatest secret revealed... Weapon = dolphin balloon

We kept laughing looking at the photos. Super hilarious! Thankful for my sis who endured sleeping in my living room for nights with a barking dog in the background... I think Ashley is happy when yee yee goes out with her coz she gets new toys!!! Love love u, yee yee...

And since Randy was away (no government), I took the chance to buy the pair of $159 pumps that I've been eyeing for a long time! I tried asking but he wouldn't let me buy them.. So since he's not around, I decided to incentivise myself with this comfy pair of soles... Heeheehee...

To HongKong & Back (ALIVE!)

2012-01-01T09:56:00.000-08:00

I had been deliberating abt blogging about the Hong Kong trip with Ashley, coz I just didn't where to start. Her nanny thought I was mad to attempt this death-defying stunt of bringing Ashley alone to Hong Kong (Daddy was flying in separately from elsewhere and was gonna rendezvous with us there). I think I was MAD. Otherwise I wouldn't have booked the tickets pretty last minute and head off for a trip like this. The concept sounded easy - just pick the baby up and bring along on a holiday! But in actual practice it's must crazier.

All I can say is I think I can really do ANYTHING after going through this trip. Like SUPERHUMAN.

Ang pow given by nanny - "good luck" for baby's first time flying

Woke up at 4am to prep everything - make sure lights and electricity supply off etc. Arrive at airport at 6am. Thankfully her godpa drove us to airport. Otherwise I couldn't have managed all the luggage on my own.

Ashley's half awake face makes me wanna laugh!

I had a huge bagful of toys, snacks, iPad but halfway through, Ashley lost interest and was bored. Thank God I had a very kind Norwegian man sat beside me. He helped to carry and play with Ashley so I can have my plane-meal and go to the washroom. Ashley enjoyed playing with him and it helped "shorten" the flying time. I think he's a Godsent.

Here's how a bassinet on flight looks like.

We finally arrived, met Daddy at HK airport, checked into the hotel room and by then it was late and almost time for dinner.

Ashley's sweet smile (left pic)

Daddy brain-freezing baby with Xu Liu Shan! (right pic)

Mostly we moved around with the baby in their carrier, mode of transport - MTR. The Hongkongers are so unlike Singaporeans. They would play with Ashley, touch her hands and "Ho tak yee" her. I've been taking the LRT quite frequently recently and Singaporeans usually mind their own business and seldom do I get people in the train playing with her. We observed that there are very few kids and infants in HK, maybe that explains why a baby in the train is "Ho tak yee" coz it's not commodity.

Once I arrived, I hunted down Ashley's meal. It was really hard to find! Not that I die-die have to feed her organic (though I have a preference for so), but even the normal commercial babyfood versions are not so common. And by the way, they cost about 20-30% higher in HK.

Here's where the stroller comes in handy. For the next few days, I basically push her about the hotel room in the stroller - when I brush up, I park her stroller right outside the toilet... I feed her in the stroller...

We stayed at the LANGHAM Hotel along the glitzy streets in Tsim Sha Tsui.

Basically throughout the day, Ashley's mode of transport is a black parachute, strapped to my chest.. Hahahhaha...

The hotel dropped nice chocolates and daily inspiration notes (pictured left)

The humorous housekeeper who arranged Ashley's sleep toy (Suzie bunny) neatly in the middle of the bed wearing Ashley's wool cap.

There was a H&M right near our hotel. Bought Ashley this very cute white wool cap to keep warm.

Periodically, I would snap her face on my iphone to see if she had dozed off (couldn't see from my angle with the cap covering her)... And once she has, YAY for me coz I can stop and check out stuff! (When she's awake she let's me know that I'm not allowed to linger too long looking at something - i think she must have been briefed by daddy to stop me from shopping!!!)

In the nights when daddy is free, we hang out together....

and go for MEALS!

The craziest thing is all the restaurants (even the ex ones) did not have a baby chair! We had to carry Ashley in our arms throughout the meal. Super child unfriendly! BOO!
One of the nights, we walked by this shop selling crabs. The following night we couldn't resist but went back there and order some. Don't ask us how we ate crabs and having to carry baby in hand (without baby chair). We just did and we enjoyed every bite... :P

This is what I mean. I have to carry Ashley in my right hand and use my left hand to eat. In every restaurant/cafe/eatery in HK.

Not to mention that the many of the toilets do not come with diaper changing stations. The nursing rooms are a rare find.

How do the Hongkongers with children survive around town?!?!?!? I am really curious!

How I prepared for a holiday with an infant

2012-01-01T08:38:00.000-08:00

I'm typically well-prepared whenever I go overseas - research best spot (according to my budget to stay in), places to visit, where to shop, what to eat etc. But travelling with a baby makes me very nervous! I make sure and double make sure I had everything covered! (Especially since I was going to travel up with Ashley alone! I cannot leave any stone unturned!)

About 1+ week before the trip, I started to plan extensively.

1) How to bring the baby to walk ard on my own (since Hong Kong is super child unfriendly)

Checked with mummy Limiin... She shared tt the last time they went there, they brought just a baby carrier and her hubby carried bb in it most part. But I was gonna be alone most part. I would break my back carrying her for 4 whole days!

Bring my own stroller? I'm flying up on my own and gotta carry baby, bring luggage, baby's food + milk + diaper bag... I dun have a spare hand to lug an additional stroller there!

Solution: I checked with the hotel and they are able to loan me one during my stay. Problem solved!

2) what to do with the baby during her playtime... I toyed with the idea of bringing her swimming in the hotel's pool...

Went to check out swimming diapers...

At the same time, I checked out infant swim float too...

Eventually abandoned this idea coz it was gonna require additional packing & I decided to stick to the "expose baby to the swimming pool after 12 mths" resolve. So i guess the only thing we can do is do walk around and go shopping... Which has become one of Ashley's fav past time by now. :P

2) How to bathe baby

I read mummy Sharon's blog about how she used this bathing float for bb Aaron while traveling in Paris. I would have almost missed this out! She was kind to loan her float to me... :)

3) Bags & carrier - comfort issues
Bought a Hellolulu bag with many wonderful compartments hidden within! It is the PERFECT bag for the diaper, wet wipes, food containers, ur wallet, separate compartment for iPad!

Tested out BACK-carrying the baby with our trusty Infantio carrier... Honestly, I feel more comfortable FRONT-carrying (think the same goes for baby... since the back-carry position only allows her to see my back)...

Bought a pair of flats for the endless walking + 7kg weight on my shoulders.

It was the start of the winter in Hong Kong and that means more bulky clothes to pack into the luggage.

Half my luggage was packed with Ashley's diapers. The other half was packed with my breast pump (abt 3 kg), baby food preparation items, thermal flask etc.

Hmmmm... Where should I find space for my clothes and toiletries?!!!!

2011 X'mas-ing (Part 2)

2011-12-29T08:31:00.000-08:00

On X'mas day actual, we finally managed to catch up with Jimmy and his family! Me and Ade have been talking about a playdate for months and finally it has materialised!

Here's us, "photo-boothing" while waiting for them to arrive...

Cookie had tried to camouflage himself with the sofa the night before...

Ashley found out and tried to strangle him...

A week shy from turning 10 months, Ashley is able to stand with a lil' support...

The 2 girls' first meet up!!! They were born a day apart in the same hospital...

"Twins"... Hehe... The two bunny girls!

Raeanne & Ashley (White chicks!)

Raeanne, Reyes & Ashley... 3 "Ash-ians" in position...
*Ash-ians: Defined in Randy Chan's dictionary as babies/kids with very light-coloured hair. Like colour of ash. (All 3 kiddos qualify)

(I just noticed that Reyes didn't dare put his arms ard Ash! Hahahahah! Shy or what?!)

Mr Edward Cullen & Ms Tin Tin..

Ash: "Return me my X'mas presents!"

So cute... The Chia children know how to strike a pose at a young age!

When we were busy eating and talking, I spotted Reyes playing with Ashley and teaching her how to play with the toy. Such a nice big brother... Raeanne will be well protected by her gor gor...

Our victory shot! Survived 4 hours with 3 kiddos!!! (Randy as photographer)

Playdate cum dinner - successful! We'll do that again, hopefully soon!

The next day, we had post-X'mas dinner at Ben & Lydia's place... And I managed to catch a few shots of their princess, Luanne and Ash. It was quite funny, like some sort of alien encounter experience for them.

Ashley, trying to catch hold of Luanne's cute bottle...

I think Luanne was just a lil' fazed with a younger kid and didn't know what to do...So she didn't dare sit too close... Haaaa...

In spite of that awkward picture moment, Luanne was very sweet. She was very gentle in handling Ashley and touched Ash's hand lightly to tell us that she knows Ashley is still a baby.

Can't believe this year just went by and X'mas came and gone!!!!

2011 X'mas-ing (Part 1)

2011-12-29T02:20:00.000-08:00

We started our X'mas feasting on the 23rd... :)

Prep-ed a simple meal for Carlos and Agata...

My "diva" puff hair - due to the cooking and baby-minding, I forgot to fix it... Haaa

It's cool nowadays coz we can eat and Ashley can dandle her legs in the high chair...

It was nice exchanging stories with them and enjoying some early X'mas food!
And on the 24th, it was X'mas partay at Matt's - which has now became a tradition...

Even Ashley knows it's time to celebrate with some booze...

Ashley and her Mama(s)... I like this photo... The 3 of us look great!

We didn't get a X'mas tree so I decided to dress Ashley up looking like one!

Blogspot's giving me a little trouble uploading pictures so I've gotta break this post into 2 parts... Part 2 of our feasting in my next post!

Diddy' birthday (part 1)

2011-12-19T07:53:00.000-08:00

I love birthday surprises! So in spite of my crazy busy-ness I made it a point to give Diddy a nice birthday surprise... We haven't been bonding as much with our friends as we used to so I thought it would be nice to get our friends to camp at the roof garden below our home to spring a surprise on him!

The decor that I bought, hid in the home for days without being caught... heehee

Of course, our dear friend Ebel helped to coordinate the entire partay and got the girls to come earlier to put all these up!

The guys having a drink while waiting to spring the attack

The girls squatting with pom poms

SURPRISE!!!

I almost blew my cover and foiled the surprise... Good thing I made a decoy and tricked the bd boy to go upstairs to get his bd pressie...

The half-suspecting birthday boy...

& Ashley half-asleep... haa

Jake: Do the limbo rock or u can't pass!

Randy: Let me go or I'll unzip!!!!

Ash

Ashley still looking clueless...

Great team behind the fun party... :)

Happy birthday hub... Hope u had a blast...******

Diddy's birthday (part 2)

2011-12-19T07:16:00.000-08:00

Diddy's exact birthday fell on a Saturday. He wasn't into fancy dining unlike me and I knew he would have really wanted to dig into some crabs! But it was Saturday and nanny's off on weekends but it's hard to eat crabs with Ashley (how to?!!!)...

Thankfully I've pre-arranged with nanny and she was kind enough to help babysit for 3 hours while we rushed out for a nice bd dinner.... I think God sent an angel nanny to us... :) And of coz the bd boy didn't expect that! SURPRISE!!! He thought Ashley was coming along... heehee....

Here we are driving to a secret place... *wink*

Labrador Seafood - as recommended by my sista!

Hidden find!

I like the place, reminds me of the alfresco dining in Bali...

Wooden benches, garden seats, potted plants, dining under huge beach umbrellas...! So nice and breezzyyy... I had initially contemplated to bring the bd boy to a chinese restaurant for crabs but decided that it's gonna be form over function (ambience over taste...)

Kang kong... The prices were as average as a normal cze char stall... Thumbs up to that!!!

Grilled sting ray... Smells very good but tasted so-so...

They have a barbeque area where the cook continually dishes out fresh BBQ-ed seafood...

Salted egg crab!!!! This is our favourite way of cooking the crab... YUMMERS!

And Black Pepper Crab!!!! 2 kg worth of crabs in total... Both tasted awesome!

Enjoyed eating crabs under the stars.... It's nice to have some romantic time without the baby... :)

Thank God for friends

2011-12-09T01:54:00.000-08:00

It is always nice to have friends come over to keep company when Diddy is away on long travel trips! Before Ashley came along, we used to hang out for dinners on fri night (our now defunct: Friday Night Club)... But it's been a big challenge to manage bringing Ashley out (especially late) on my own... So the girls came over to Cosy Bay to hang out over popcorn and gossips!!!

We chatted about crushes (for the unmarried girls), hot news etc and got updated about each other's lives. So fun...

Then someone started looking like she has heart-shaped eyes while telling her story... *Love is in the air* So instantaneously we followed suit (pictured below)->

Fluttering legs and dreamy eyes

Here's Godpa - the hero who carries Ashley on Sundays when daddy is away...

We visited Cohen a few sundays ago... And here's uncle Desmond with Ash... And Ash showing off her flying kick...!!!

The good part about having friends is they help take turns to relieve your achy arms... But the downside is, they toss your baby like a toy!

Still.... Thank God for them!

Ashley's home videos...

2011-12-09T01:32:00.000-08:00

Here are some home videos I took of Ashley on my iphone...

1) In her bumbo seat, tapping to a beat... Not sure if she really knows rhythm...

2) Laughing heartily at daddy... Seems like dad's cheap trick to make her laugh... ;)

3) Looking warm in her winter cap and waving - she's been randomly waving at strangers! Gonna start teaching her not to be too friendly! Hehe..

Updates on Ashley - She's 9 months already!

2011-12-09T01:16:00.000-08:00

I've been super duper busy!!! Haven't been touching my blog for almost a month!

Ashley has turned 9 months old a few days back! I think she's still quite a tweenie... When strangers see her, they would ask me if she's just turned 6 months.... -_-|||

My cousin's baby, Alyssa has just turned 4 months and all my relatives are talking about how Ash and Alyssa are about the same size... I think Ash takes after my size while Alyssa take after my cousin, who is tall...

Here's Ash looking boyish in a cap....

Girly in the hairclip...

In her PJs...

I hope Ashley you see this photo when u grow up! Look what daddy did to u while u were sleeping!!!

Some photos we took at Zeph's one year old bash... Didn't manage to catch any pics with the bd boy coz he was too popular... :(

Ethan (s/o Melvin & Wendy) - turning blue!!!

My current iphone display pic of me and Ash Ash.... Love love...

In 3 more months she'll be turning one soon, just like Gor gor Zeph... :))

We didn't have much time to plan her 1st month celebration coz we were too busy shifting house at that time... So for her one year old birthday I'm gonna plan well and give her a nice party... That's my latest project for now... So exciting!!!!

New tricks at 7 - 8 months!

2011-11-08T02:27:00.000-08:00

Ashley has been up to many different tricks and her antics entertain us much...!

At 7 months old, she knew how to wash her hands. It's really amusing coz whenever I bring her with me to the bathroom to wash my feet, she would automatically raise her hand towards the running water.

And at 7.5 months, super nanny had trained her to wave goodbye! I didn't manage to catch it on tape till last week...

During the weekends, I drove her alone to Vivo city to meet up with my sis for lunch. While driving I called my sis and I ended the call saying "yea I'll call you when I reach the carpark. Bye bye". The next thing I knew, the little funny bone was waving "bye".
She has certainly learnt how to wave bye but has yet figured out when it's said to her... Haaa....

Pouting octopus!!!

2011-10-25T09:09:00.000-07:00

It's really true that it gets easier and better to take care of the baby as you move along. It's been alot of joy playing with Ashley coz she can respond well now. It's no longer a one-way communication!

There was a period whereby she was into this crunching craze. Right now the latest trend is "pouting". We dunno why, but she just started making pouting faces out of the blue!

Hahaha... I think she's hilarious! Let's see what other tricks she has up her sleeves!

Bottlefeeding battle

2011-10-25T08:49:00.000-07:00

We've been fighting a long and hard battle with bottle-feeding the baby. It had been a tiring + stressful + traumatising experience for both baby and us. Up till now (almost 8 months coming) she's still screaming and crying hard whenever the bottle teat touches her mouth - imagine a baby struggling like we're feeding her poison, that's the exact scene u get. So much so that we've grown evasive about ever mentioning or talking attempting bottlefeeds.

But I'm pleased to announce that on 22nd Oct (sat) we've finally gained VICTORY! We stayed home all day to "starve" the baby. And eventually, at 3pm, she caved in to hunger and decided to snack a little from the bottle. She drank about 50ml. But that was good enough.

It was such a breakthrough, I feel such a sense of relief! From then on, she was able to accept that bottlefeeding doesn't only come from the nanny!

Ashley vs. Wookie

2011-10-19T05:08:00.000-07:00

Last year during X'mas, we received a very cute gift:

A clone soft toy of our dog, Cookie!

Ashley is an animal lover and loves dogs. She really enjoys looking at Cookie and likes to watch doggie Niko at nanny's house.

Or that's what we thought till I caught her on tape!

Ashley lovin' her mush

2011-10-19T03:08:00.000-07:00

We started Ashley on solid foods when she was about 5 months old - right when she started looking longingly at us eating, drooling, hungry before next feeds.

We didn't have much difficulty weaning her, in fact she took to food like a fish to water. She's nearing her 8th month now and still looks forward to her meal times to explore more different tastes and textures!

Initially, there were many different views and methods to start the weaning process... I didn't know how to begin! I decided to start with diluted baby rice during the first 2 weeks...

Thereafter, thickening the feeds and I also prepared my own veggie purees to mix into the baby rice... Which was easy if you had a fantastic steamer-blender!

One of my good friend was raving about this gadget saying that it's very simple to prepare. Just place your chopped food into the gadget to steam, once it's done, flip it over and blend! It's so fun and simple that I enjoy planning what to cook for Ash every week!

Last week I started to introduce the oatmeal version. Nanny says she LOVES it. Much more than rice. Nanny cooked a very yummy bowl of our usual chinese white rice porridge for her and faced rejection. Ash doesn't like it at all. Guess I just have to stick to the same cereal for her...

So far for the veggies she's tried :
1) Carrots
2) Broccoli
3) Sweet potato
4) Potatoes

Glad to say she likes them! (That's of course mixing them into the cereal + breastmilk... Eating them alone will still take some time getting used to)

I made some apple and pear puree, which were yummy sweet! And guess what?! She started gagging and made loud vomiting sounds like I was feeding her poison. I seriously don't understand what's so yucky about fruits when you can accept smelly veggies like broccoli. She definitely doesn't have a sweet tooth, unlike me.

Great Wall of China

2011-09-29T07:40:00.000-07:00

Yay... I'm so relieved that it's the end of my 9 days "marathon" today! Diddy was away in China for a super long biz trip... I dunno how I survived 9 crazy days of shuffling a baby to nanny, rush to work, rush home, clean dog, rush to pick baby, having only 5 hrs of very interrupted daily sleep....

The drama started early. I brought Cookie to the groomer, dog went loose, I chased him and had a fall on a rough pavement.

This is just about a great way to start my "marathon"... *roll eyes* To make it worse, Ashley was kicking and poking my wounds in the night and squatting up and down to clean doggie was painful... Frustrated at myself to the max... :(

Thankfully my sis kept us company over the Sat & Sun weekend and that really helped to ease the burden... We went to NEX on one day and ION Orchard on another...

We did a nice trip to NEX on Sat. The linkbridge between the carpark above the bus interchange and NEX is ready, which makes it's easier to bring a stroller. I never wanted to bring a baby prior to this coz the parking in NEX itself is a living nightmare.

It's definitely easier to keep a baby entertained by walking around the mall (it's not an excuse for me to go window shopping!) That instantly burn 3 hours on a full baby-sitting day... :)

On Sunday, I single-handedly brought Ashley to church. It was a bit of a mayhem and I got to church late. Her diaper leaked and she pee-ed all over the bed when I was in the service yard cleaning the dog. When I removed her diaper to clean her up, she pee-ed again, this time all over the floor. Mental breakdown! It was so tough I felt like crying. But I told myself it's okay, I can do it. And I did.

Thankful for friends like Ebel and Li-En who lent me their arms during service. A friend in need is a friend indeed. It's nice to have helpful friends. :)

Burned the afternoon walking around ION. Ashley had a chance at Atascaderos retail therapy. See, she even bought macaroons from TWG!

The initial few days was tiring coz Cookie was constantly miscue-peeing, which made cleaning him up a nightmare. Drama unfolds on a daily basis... This morning, as I make a quick dash for a pee before I prepared for work, Ashley was on my bed watching her morning entertainment... I heard a loud thud and 2 secs later a loud shrieking wail...

Poor humpty dumpty fell off the wall, rolled right off the bed and onto the floor. I panicked and rushed to hug her. But she was really hurting and I just kept walking her around the house, singing and comforting her.

So now, I am more wary of leaving her alone on the bed. Here's how the Great Wall of China is built:

... through fear and bad experiences...

To say the truth, I am still thankful to God throughout this episode. I had very little sleep these 9 days but surprisingly I did not get sleepy spells during the day.

Indeed...
I can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens me

Thank u papa for strengthening me when I am weak.

Our determination... To EAT!

2011-09-17T08:34:00.000-07:00

Nothing can stand in the way between us and food... Not even an infant! Hah, if only that was true...

Throughout these 6.5 months, we've discovered that many of our favourite eat-outs are sadly not Ashley's favourite (no space for stroller, too hot etc etc) hence that propelled us to hunt down "child-friendly" eateries and hangouts. We had always thought that even with a baby, our lives wouldn't change by much. How wrong we were! The truth is no matter how much we can try to keep to our previous lifestyle, some things gotta give to accommodate an infant.

I hope I'm not too presumptuous to say that the following considerations run through every parents' mind:

1) Is it gonna be easy access for the stroller? (Lift landing, car park etc)

2) Can the stroller fit in the restaurant? Or do they have baby seats?

3) Is it too hot & sweaty or noisy that may cause extreme discomfort for a baby?

4) (applicable for breastfeeding mums) Is there a nursing room nearby for feedings?

5) The food has to be easy to swallow (parents with infants & toddlers do not eat, they simply swallow) - no hot soups, steamboats etc...

I've learned empathy coz it takes a person to become a parent to understand another parent. Now I don't furrow my brows at crazy crying babies coz I have one of my own and I have special respect for parents who attempt to eat out with 2 kids and more.

Nowadays, when we find a good "child-friendly" place to eat, we keep going back!

Here's Ashley looking happy at our choice of eat-out!

Sushi is a good bet coz you don't have to worry that they turn cold since they ARE served cold... ;)

Eating out is getting better for us since Ashley is able to sit in the baby chair... It buys us enough time to finish up appetizers till she gets bored and wanna bail out of the seat...

Gonna continue to figure out more strategies to get more food down the throat!!!!

Mooncake festival

2011-09-17T07:19:00.000-07:00

This year's mooncake festival was a little lonelier than usual... Did not manage to melt some candles at the park or stroll around with a burning paper lantern coz Diddy was on business trip to Shanghai and I was alone with the baby on the day itself.

By now, I know better than to bring a sleepy baby to a badly-lited park on a warm night and mess with her bedtime. This I learn through many crazy attempts staying out way too long outside or too late into the night. I guess I had to give up my chances of being a kid and wait till my baby grows up into a kid herself. By then we can both be kids and burn down lanterns to our heart's delight! YAY!

So here's me making the most joy of whatever's available at home... Eating PLAY DOH!!!!!

The snowskin mooncakes from TCC are surprisingly delish!!! The snowskin is chewy and thin...

Left to right: Alluring Bailey's D'Truffle and Enchanted Berries D'Truffle

Mooncake in focus: Sheraton's Snowskin Mooncake with Champagne Truffle

Japanese Crepes - green tea with sweet potato, purple sweet potato crepe and chestnut with sweet potato crepe

The happy part was I got to enjoy all these sweets with my sis who came over for a little while to share in the babysitting duties... Actually I think she was happier, she got to eat up all the mooncakes while I was putting the baby to bed!

I dread days alone with the kiddo while daddy is away... It makes me wonder how single mums raise up kids on their own. Must be a crazy challenge.

10 years dating anniversary!

2011-09-09T08:40:00.000-07:00

11 Sep 2011
We will be celebrating our 10th year of being a couple this Sunday!

This day, 10 years ago, just past midnight, Diddy asked me to be his girlfriend on ICQ (back then it was the most happening "oh oh" chat). We were 18 yrs old, kept letters that we wrote to each other in tins and archived every sms and email from one another. We also celebrated our dating anniversaries with gifts, surprises, dates and dinners.

A decade on, we no longer wrote to each other since we share the same bed now. But what we've tried to do is to still celebrate every September Eleven.

Here's some photos dating back a decade down memory lane (please don't laugh too hard. We were not the most fashionable or good looking people around...)

Blast fr the past - Yr 2001

We met in church and fell in love like a fat china pumpkin meeting a doodoo bird that badly needed a haircut

Blast fr the past - Yr 2002

The year where Randy started his hamster obsession

Blast fr the past - Yr 2003

I graduated from school...

Blast fr the past - Yr 2004

We celebrated our 21st birthdays

This was the year that Randy got enlisted in to the Army...

Our first trip overseas to Bangkok (where else?!)... Us on a boat along Chao Phraya River...

Blast fr the past - Yr 2005

Our fav past time back then was going to the beach

Yea... u can't imagine us making poses like this now...

Blast fr the past - Yr 2006

Check out our weirdly messy hair!

Grandpa Randy & Granny Kara... My makeup skills are not too bad eh?

Yr 2007

At Bollywood Veggie... Randy posing silly at my request....

Pictured right: At some point he got really irritated at me trying to make him look dumb

Yr 2008

The big proposal on Sept Eleven 3 years ago...

Yr 2009

The year we got wedded!

At the Zoo... After so many years, Randy didn't have to wait for me to pose him anymore but jump right onto the turtle and into looking silly in a photo...

Yr 2010

I got pregnant!

Just realised that I didn't blog about the maternity photoshoot previously!

Yr 2011

Ashley arrived into our lives..!!!

As we celebrate our decade together, we remember all the sunny days as well as stormy tides that God had seen us through.
To many more milestones ahead of us!!!

Sabai Dee BANGKOK!

2011-08-29T10:07:00.000-07:00

Just made my yearly pilgrimage to Bangkok again! This time with new travel kakis!

We took a super early flight and as it was still too early for check-in, we headed for a massage to kick start our trip. From the recommendation of a thai friend, decided to try a new SPA place...

Asian Herb Association at Sukhumvit Soi 24

Very nice decor... Just like my old fav, Healthland SPA

What's new though was Asian Herb Association has a guest card that we have to fill up to state our preference for hard/standard/soft and where we would like the massage to be focused on... :)

Here's the massage room... Much nicer than Healthland's...

We tried the herb ball massage... I would say it feels "healthy"! And after all that cracking and backbreaking, I feel revitalised... Though at some point the massage was a lil' too hard (I selected "standard", pls remind me to tick "SOFT" next time!!!)

One of the key agenda of the trip was to make a green suit for our groom-to-be, PPK. So we found a tailor at MBK Center. Check out the text of their standee outside the shop:

GOD MADE U A MAN, WE MAKE U A GENTLEMAN!

We headed back to the hotel to check in. I decided to forsake Baiyoke Boutique this round for a newer hotel that's closer to Platinum.

BUDACCO The Living Place

Oriental Room (abt S$60/night)

I would say it's a nice & comfortable stay for that budget!

We headed to Patpong - the "Ping Pong" area (where the transvestite shows and stripclubs congregate)

These were the food we tried from some recommendations I read on Bryan Wong's blog entry

Eating noodles right beside a bustling road completes the entire Bangkok jam experience!

Kway Chap - Thai style! Very peppery, my fav kind of soup!

Didn't know if this was the chicken rice that Bryan Wong blogged about, but it was the only one we found. Not very yummy... :(

Sunday is Chatuchat Day!!!

Mad human traffic at the super popular weekend market

Of cos, another agenda for this trip was to celebrate Ping Pong King's birthday (without him knowing!) Here we are, all dressed up for his surprise dinner!

Toc toc toc - everyone has to make a Ping Pong face for the birthday boy

Highly recommended by my thai friend (and also Dining & Entertainment magazine for 10 consecutive years), we dined at the very royal Baan Khanitha (South Sathorn branch)

Upon reaching there, I realised that me and Diddy have been there before! During our trip 2 years ago in 2008.

The happy burst day cake make up of crepe cake, cheesecake, tiramisu and toffee cake! So special!

The birthday boy

Success!!! To the wonderful surprise planned by his fiancee!!! Part two, we strolled to Vertigo (which was just a stone throw away)

The very nice view from the 61st floor... I felt a little light headed at such high altitude that I thought the building was moving even though I only had a mocktail... Hahaha

As usual, I now have an entire wardrobe of a year's supply of clothings!

Hip hip hurray to shopping in BKK!!!!

More gymnast moves!!!

2011-08-27T08:12:00.000-07:00

Just when I thought we had a perfect shot of Ashley doing a U-shaped crunch, here's more photos of her crunching and crunching to a beat! Gotta check out her super serious facial expressions... Super funny!

Legs tighten, arms clenched, CRUNCH!

One more, arms straightened!!! Power crunch!!!

Here's how she crunched and crunched with a cheerleading squad in the background!

Initially I had thought that every baby goes through this "crunching stage", just like crawling -> walking -> talking... After chatting to a few mums, I realised that not every baby enjoys training for a 6-pack in the gym. Ashley, u are indeed a funny girl.

Here's another funny pic i snapped of her... She fell asleep in this pose - grabbing her right foot!

It's getting more and more fun to play with her... :) Now that she's 6 months old, she's crying much less, becoming more sociable and smiles sweetly at me when I drive her around...

Gymnast in the making!!!

2011-08-12T10:22:00.000-07:00

Ashley's fast becoming agile!

It's quite amazing how they grow. One day they're lying on the bed with their arms glued to their sides and the next day the arms can suddenly wave.

At week 24, Ashley can:

1) roll from her back to lying on her tummy

2) grab both her feet with her hands (and tries to chew em')

3) do crunches

4) recognise mama by sight!

Few days back, Daddy had her on his lap, bouncing... I walked across the room and right past her without chirping a "hello"... Her eyes followed and when I was out of sight, she cried with a look on her face that read "mama, what about me?!" And once I carried her she stopped... She's indeed grown up...

Caught on cam: While dad was waiting for his "dabao" dinner, Ash decides to do a banana split

Pearlyn caught this photo of Ash doing crunches... It was super funny, we sat there and watched her crunching to a beat, over and over again...

This was the pic where she heaved a loud sigh after that excruciating crunch... Super funny...!

I'm so excited coz tomorrow we're gonna start her on solids!!! I wonder how she'll react?

Staring at my food and looking longingly at daddy's drink... She's ready!!!

Yesterday night, I allowed her to lick off my freshly cut mango cube. She looked like she really liked it... Let's hope she'll not be a fussy eater and be a garbage eater like me!

Bunny babies!!!

2011-08-06T09:21:00.000-07:00

The year 2009 that we got married, it was wedding boom... At least 5 couples we knew got married that year. And in 2011, when we were expecting Ashley's arrival, it was baby boom year.

Just when I thought that there wasn't many 2011 mummies to share my experience with, I find out that there are more and more friends expecting (all due by the "bunny year")...! So here are the bunny babies that may likely cross path with Ashley in children church, kindergarten/primary/secondary school.... :)

In chronological order:

1) Raeanne Chia

(My godbrother Jimmy & his wife Ade's precious princess)
03 March 2011

2) Ashley Chan

(Our little caterpillar)

04 March 2011

3) Rebecca Tay

(ex classmate Brandon's princess - he & wife attended the same prenatal class as us)

24 May 2011

4) Branson

(My ex-colleague Joey's bundle of joy)
03 July 2011

5) Nathanael Leung

(Andrew & Kelly's handsome prince)

07 July 2011

6) Aaron Lee

(James & Sharon's little cutie)

21 July 2011

7) Jamie Zheng

(James & Germaine rosy princess)

28 July 2011

8) Alyssa

(Cousin Michele's addition to our noisy family)

29 July 2011

More to come (really soon!):

9) Nelson & Rebecca's - Aug

10) Kennie's (my colleague) - Aug (boy)

11) Isaac & Mabel's - Nov/Dec (boy)

12) Cynthia & Matt's - Dec (boy)

13) Cousin Erik & wife Serina - Dec

13 bunnies and counting!!!! I think it'll be super interesting if Ashley really cross paths with any of the non-church babies mentioned above and realise that her mummy actually know their dad/mom!

Turning 28 (Part II)

2011-08-06T03:17:00.000-07:00

Me and my sis have been sharing a birthday cake all our lives coz our birthdays are just 3 days apart. I think it's our parent's ploy to save on buying 2 separate cakes...

Took a day off and we headed to Au Petit Salut at Harding Road for their talk-of-the-town lunch (this time round I remembered to make a reservation)...

Bread basket

(sources say these carbs hail from the Delifrance oven as their own can't meet the overwhelming demand)

Yyn's Entrées

Half dozen baked Burgundy snails with tomato and garlic butter

Kara's Entrées

Niçoise salad; Seared tuna, tomatoes, French beans, hard -boiled eggs, olives and basil dressing

Kara's Mains

Oven baked thread fin with green vegetables, parsley coulis and tomato vinaigrette

Yyn's Mains

Red wine braised beef cheeks, carrots, mushrooms and parsley potatoes

I do think me and sis look alike in some aspect!!!

Desserts

(Left) Choux bun filled with vanilla ice cream in warm chocolate sauce, sliced almond {Profiteroles}

(Right) Homemade pear tart tatin served with vanilla ice cream

We enjoyed ourselves, chatting and talking crap as usual...

It was a very nice meal and at $32++ per person for a 3 course, it's good value... :)

Turning 28 (Part I)

2011-08-04T09:38:00.000-07:00

I celebrated my 28th year old birthday a few days back... Dee & I always get into big arguments (I'm exaggerating) over what we did and gave each other for anniversaries/birthday. Thankfully the recent years that I've been blogging, there is now EVIDENCE.

Starting on birthday presents... I've been quite happy with my outdated Nokia phone though the whole world have already been "iphone-ified"... I know I don't look like it but I'm actually quite content to live with simple things... But Dee, tech-savvy as he is, decided that I need to be upgraded.

So here's my latest techno... The iPhone... I can now be on Facebook more often... HEHEHE... :)

Thanks for the present, love love... :)

As my bd fell on a Sunday this year, I had the pleasure of celebrating it with a few friends after church... We lunched at District 10 at the defunct Monk's Hill Secondary School.

As Ashley was out since early morning, the combination of no-sleep plus trapped gas created a very unhappy infant. Hence the photos started from desserts as I was too stressed up to eat, much less to take photos of the earlier courses...

Dear friends, thanks for the naicce surprise... :)

The evil me wished that I had re-wound the clock and didn't have a baby so I could enjoy a birthday meal. But a part of me would have wanted to celebrate my birthday with Ashley irregardless of whether my parma ham pizza was swallowed or chewed - because she is precious to me and I really wanna celebrate this special day with the people I love.

That's the motherly side of myself that I've discovered that day.

Also to Daddy Randy... Though we didn't manage to go for dinner that night as you've planned, you are still a great hubby. Your pasta was all cold by the time you came back from trying to put her to sleep, just so I could enjoy my birthday lunch.. That gesture was far greater than any swanky meal..

And to the wonderful friends I have... Thanks for attempting to calm a crying baby... You guys had to take turns to play parents...

Here comes the fun part.. Sharing SWEETS!!!

White Chocolate & Passion Fruit Cheese Cake
Served with wild berry compote

Homemade Obama Pancakes
Served with maple syrup and fresh fruits

Homemade Profiteroles
Served with vanilla ice cream and chocolate sauce

Warm Apple Tart
Served with butterscotch, panacota and vanilla ice cream

District 10 Chocolate Sundae
With roasted nuts

A friend wrote on my FB wall: Happy bday! for hence forth your children will be choosing your cakes. :0)

I had wanted to have my 1st kid before my 28th... And I did..This may likely be the last candle I may be blowing out before Ashley takes over the cakes!

Toys... toys... and more toys

2011-07-22T09:20:00.000-07:00

Another OJT (On-job-training) post

Sometimes we learn through the hard (and costly) way... I have concluded that one of the hardest part of taking care of an infant is trying to keep her entertained. In our quest to keep Ashley entertained, we have purchased many different toys and gadgets - many of which cost quite a bit but was not put to much use...

It started with "bear bear"... This was a Fisher Price toy meant from birth+... We bought it coz it looked fun and came with built-in sounds... It cost us $120... Not sure if she's finally starting to like this toy since I left it with the nanny.

Then it was a cot mobile that cost $80... Looked beautiful but did not entertain much as the mobile and lullaby had to be manually winded... It has now become just a decor piece to her cot...

Next it was a Fisher Price rainforest swing... Daddy Randy remembered himself enjoying swing rides at the playground when he was young and imagined Ashley would get a kick out of this too... Paid $180 for this... Thankfully she's beginning to enjoy the "Viking rides" much more in the recent weeks...

Then there was the Lamaze Tummy Time mat... Cost: $60... She didn't like this... Could only last 3 mins before she makes her displeasure known. Eventually I realised that not all babies enjoy being on their tummies... I know baby Zeph loves to, apparently Ashley prefers to sit upright in a TV-watching position.

This mat's quite cool actually... Has a mirror to aid baby in self-discovery... Too bad it's a wasted purchase for us...

Lastly (hopefully I'm not speaking too fast), I bought a baby play gym last week as most of the toys are with nanny and I find myself crippled without any toys during the weekends... $42 for this pastel-coloured play gym...

I would say this is a relatively good buy... She's quite happy staring @ the stuff toy elephants and giraffes... :)

Another lesson learned for me: Not to impulse-buy a toy (especially bulky ones... :P ) For one, she may not like it... For two, she would likely outgrow it real soon...

By far, the most effective entertainment is walking her around the supermarket across our home... Both myself and the nanny make sure she gets her walks a few times a day... I asked other mums on what they do and apparently Lydia's 2 kids are supermarket goers too... Thank God for the 24 hrs NTUC across the road!

Milk storage solutions

2011-07-21T07:06:00.000-07:00

I'm gonna add another tag in this blog called "on-job-training"... When I first started my new role as a mummy, there were so many things that I crashed-n-learned... I figured it might be useful to share some of my learning so mummies-to-be can use as a reference point...

Point 1 - If u intend to breastfeed, u need a huge freezer. Period.
A friend of mine gave me a glimpse of his freezer (packed with his wife's supply) and coupled with many people who told us about lack of milk storage space, we made the wise decision to purchase a HUGE fridge when we shifted into the new cosy.
Be prepared not to cook or indulge in ice-cream binges coz your freezer would be dedicated to your kiddo's food supply (pic below).

Point 2 - Don't bother asking the hospital for glass bottles

You will find that the bottles are not sufficient for storage as your supply will outgrow them. And because you pay $2 per bottle lid, it's more economical to explore other storage options. Also, the glass bottles are not suitable for warming up directly in a bottle warmer and the narrow bottle neck makes it harder to clean -both of which are minus points to this form of storage.

Point 3 - Avent's VIA cup, best option by far

The VIA cup storage has been working well for me. The cups can be warmed up directly in the warmer which is better than using disposable milk storage bag (looks like mini ziplock bags). And because they are re-usable, they are more economical. Costs about $3/cup... And if you are using Avent's pump, you can pump directly into the VIA cups, cover with the lids and store... Simple... :)

I hate to say this but contrary to common belief, breastfeeding may not be that cheap an option as opposed to formula-feeding. Look at it this way, there are many investments (not to mention sacrifices) that comes with making the decision to breastfeed. First, you need to invest in a really good dual-pump which can cost between $500-$900, milk storage containers (my total investment: $300), breastpads ($30/monthly, if you breastfeed for a yr, it'll set u back about $360)...

However, breastfeeding is definitely more beneficial for the baby and more convenient... I'm thankful that I have been able to breastfeed till date but working and expressing milk has been very challenging. Feel like giving up sometimes but Diddy has been spurring me on!!! And watching little caterpillar grow and grow has also encouraged me that it is rewarding. :)

Back to the good old me...

2011-07-17T02:58:00.000-07:00

Disclaimer upfront. This is a narcissistic post about myself. hahaah. Don't puke.

I have FINALLY gone back to my short hairdo!!! So glad... I had kept my hair long for way too long.. 1 yr prior to our wedding so I could hide my face when I walked down the aisle, and 2 years after (coz I got pregnant and I became too much of a procrastinator to go to the salon...)

I rem someone mentioned that whenever a person makes a drastic haircut, it usually comes with a big change in their lives. For me, it's motherhood and the practicality of having more manageable short hair.

When I came home with this new cut that day, Diddy's first reaction was, "Wah cut hair. Trying to look like your poly days when I first dated you izzit?" Haaaa....

Us, in our younger days - a few years ago (when Diddy was significantly slimmer)...

My short hair in 2006...

While digging out photos of my old hairstyles, I found these cool photos... So fun, I love looking thru old pics...!!!

Took these photos on a company incentive trip to Korea.. It was memorable coz all the photos were wiped out on the flight back home when the SD card crashed. I managed to "steal" some of the memories from my colleague's SD card.

YMCA!!!

At LSBC's family day - year 2005

Happy with my good ol' short hair!!!! :)

Mini who???

2011-07-13T07:30:00.000-07:00

Randy gets laughed at alot for looking like "mini me" when he was an infant. And many people have been commenting that Ashley looks alot like dad... With karma at play, it seems like my cruel joke is biting back at me... Coz now my daughter looks like "mini me"... :(

BUT............!!! Guess what I found?!!

If it's of any saving grace, I now have proof to believe that Ashley looks more like mummy than daddy!!!! Mini whoooo again...?! MUAHAHAHAHA

Except for the eyes... I think dear Ash is actually my clone.... *Yippeeee!!!*

Eleven July 2011

2011-07-12T04:00:00.000-07:00

We celebrated our wedding anniversary yesterday on the 11th July. We are officially married for 2 years!

We had wanted to dine french at Au Petit Salut without a reservation (yea yea, laugh out loud... We were silly enough to think that we could get a table by walking in...) We were turned away of coz and decided to head to Pontini for italian instead.

Previously we always have nice romantic dinners on special occasions... As we need to pick the little caterpillar from the nanny's at night (romantic dinners and strollers in restaurants don't associate), this time we changed from our usual and did our celebratory meal over lunch instead.

Which was good coz there were set lunches offered at a cheaper deal...

Bread basket

Kara's 1st course: Spelt Soup

Diddy's 1st course: Mushroom soup

Kara's main: Braised beef with risotto

( Beef was tender & so yumz... Risotto was nice & creamy)

Diddy's main: King prawn pasta

It was a nice quiet lunch we enjoyed before rushing back to work again.......

Kara's dessert: Warm Apple Cake
(with vanilla bean ice cream)

Pontini wasn't as yummilicious as how I had it previously. :(

But I guess it was the company that mattered... 2 years from our wedding day, we are still as sure as ever that we are each other's for keeps... Though we may disagree, may fight, may be upset... But we will always stay together to work through all the hurdles and stress that may come our way. Give and take - Cha cha style!

Next celebration, I will aim to go for Au Petit Salut, but with a reservation!!!!!

Red alert

2011-07-08T08:24:00.000-07:00

We thank God that Ashley has turned 18 weeks (4.5 months) old now and has braved cohabiting with her daddy who fell sick after his long trip and a few other "scare" moments (see below)...

Scare 1: Reflux problems
When she was 2 months old, her reflux got really bad. Almost after every feed, she would throw up. We shrugged it away till one night she threw up milk with blood streaks all over my shirt. We brought her to the pediatrician the following morning. With some medication to strengthen the esophagus, the baby caterpillar was back in action. :)

Scare 2: Red bum bum

2 weeks ago, at her 4th month mark, She started developing really red rash on her bum. It didn't get better even with the constant application of Desitin bum cream. I brought her to the pediatrician (Randy wasn't back from Paris yet) and doc said it was fungal infection. Prescribed anti-fungal cream. Now her bum is still healing but no more bright red. Thank God.

Ashley... You are a brave caterpillar. Daddy thinks you will turn out to be a strong butterfly someday.

Ashley & the Wan brothers

2011-07-06T03:39:00.000-07:00

I have officially return to work (my 4 months maternity leave has expired) and boy I'm thankful I'm still alive. Having to wake up 2 hrs earlier than what I was previously used to, send Ashley to nanny's, lug a heavy breast pump to work, expressing every few hours and storing EBM for transporting home later on, pick the lil' caterpillar back from nanny's.... It's all VERY VERY tiring!!!

The fri before I returned to work, I brought Ashley to Limiin's place to hang out with her boys. Her hubby is outstationed for business and Diddy was still in Paris. So the 2 mums decided to combine power.

Baby Wan & Kiddo Wan

So cute... Zeph is such a happy, content infant!

Then we attempted the impossible. Getting all 3 of them in one photo...

Zeph wanted to play with Ashley but she felt violated and burst into tears... Hahahah

At 3.5 months apart, Zeph is her new friend who is closest to her age (till the rest of the 2011 bunny babies arrive...)

Ashley: Hmppppttt!!!
Zeph: Ashley, don't be angry anymore kay?

This time, the mummies managed to get about half an hour to chew our food while the kiddos sleep. When I look at Limiin, I think she's super SAHM. Caring for 1 hyperactive kid plus an infant is no joke. Imagine the mayhem. Hurray to POWER MUMMIES!

Naughty naughty

2011-06-15T08:24:00.000-07:00

Cookie, cookie, cookie... Do u know how much Mama loves you?

Even though u are always so naughty and barks at the sound of the doorbell... Even though you enjoy tearing up newspapers and chewing up everything in sight.

Now that Ashley is with nanny in the afternoons, mama gets to walk u in the park! Passerbys are amused are how you can sit at one spot while I walk far far away and run at the speed of a fat pug when I shout "go".

Remember how you love to sleep with us before baby came? Sticking your blackhead under my pillow and waking me up many times in the night?

And snuggling under the sheets with mama and papa?

And sleeping in daddy's armpit....?

Till you snore and wake him up too?!

Poor Cookie... You are now homed in the service yard till Ashley is ready to fight u!

Or maybe she'll become your protector?

Love, love, love you... You will always be mama's little puppy...

Meltdowns

2011-06-14T21:10:00.000-07:00

My emotions have been seriously tested. I think I've cried more in the past few months than the past 10 years combined. These are the times where I would tell someone who had experienced parents to help them out with their babies how blessed they are. We have been guessing and second guessing how to take care of Ashley. It was a crazy process that took many trial-n-errors. And through that process, I found myself breaking down.

Some of the craziest meltdowns I had so far:

1) Sundown Marathon
Daddy joined the sundown half-marathon and I was tasked with a simple duty to chauffeur him to and fro. Sounds like a very simple task. But guess what, add a crying baby in the front seat next to the driver and u get an equation of CHAOS. Randy estimated that he would finish in less than 3 hrs so I could drop him off, head home and drive back then.

Getting dad to the marathon: Stuck in a one hour traffic with a starving infant screaming for milk.I couldn't feed her as I was on the wheel. *tears hair*

Getting out: Took another 1.5 hours to get out of the one way traffic. Other drivers were also getting impatient and were coming out of their cars to see how long more ahead the road was. Getting stuck in a never ending jam itself is very frustrating but hearing infants screaming in an enclosed car can be mind blowing. At one point, I was holding the steering wheel with Ashley in my lap, hugging her to make her feel comforted.

By the time I got to the end of the jam, it was time to head right back into the jam again. *Cues tears falling down my cheeks*

Getting back: Jam, as predicted. I prayed and prayed and cried for baby to stop crying (enclosed space disturbs Ashley a great deal, as I've discovered)

While dad completed his half-marathon, I just did my very own iron (wo)man after I survived this crazy crying marathon.

2) Bottlefeeding Day
Ashley's still hating every bit of the bottle... :(
2 Sundays ago, we had to dedicate a full day to be at home to train her on the bottle as she was going to be sent to the babysitter's the next day... We had to starve her till she was willing to drink from the bottle. We started from 7am and she started crying from 7am. She couldn't stop crying at all - her hunger kept her awake, she cries and becomes tired and cries more. The cycle was vicious.
The war was finally lost and at 5pm I raised the white flag and I latched her on. My mind was vexed and tired from hearing her cry.

3) 2nd night of Daddy away in France
Another meltdown. I didn't know why but she just couldn't be pacified. Nothing I did could help the poor little caterpillar feel better. I felt alone, I cried and prayed for strength. After 2 hours of painful screaming, she succumbed to the ZZZz monster with the help of the dummy.

How I wish you can sleep peacefully like this... These are the moments I enjoy just watching u...

I told myself to renew my mind and think of the happier times where I managed well with her while Randy was away in Beijing 2 weeks back. So here goes:

Me and Ashley - doing a lil' shopping while waiting for my sis for dinner

Her usual 10 secs of skirmish-ness before adjusting to "life in the baby carrier"

It's almost impossible to eat out nowadays. But I believe, when there's a will, there's a way (to prevent food from dropping on the baby)...

I spoke to a few mums and one of them said during her son's 1st birthday she broke down and cried coz the one year of bringing him up was no easy feat. Another mum told me her baby cried till she felt like throwing him away.
It helps to know that I'm not the only one going through this. I can do this!!!

ZZzz time with Daddy

2011-06-02T08:45:00.000-07:00

I snapped this pic of Daddy and Ashley some months ago.
Daddy was supposed to change baby's diapers and put her back in the cot.
When I came out of my bath, here's what I saw:
Daddy downloading the ZZzz bug to Ashley.

Both of them were in such deep sleep, I see some similarity there.

I wanted to blog abt it so Ashley can poke fun at daddy when she grows up and read this. Heehee...

Sleeping with daddy @ week 1

Another sleeping moment with daddy last Sat. Ashley's allowed on our bed only for her sleep time from 7am-10.30am (coz we're too lazy to put her into her cot after her morning feed)... :P

It's not fair. Dad gets all the nice shots with her. I need to get myself more photos with Ashley.

Daddy will be home really soon... We miss him much!

Home alone...

2011-05-31T23:40:00.000-07:00

I'm home alone this few days as Hubby's away for business trip this week.

Yesterday my friend Limiin came over with 7 months old Zeph. It was quite funny actually. There we were, 2 hungry mums who haven't had lunch, with 2 crying infants who couldn't make themselves comfortable. We gulped our packet lunches and tried to pacify them in between trying to chat. Life of mums, only another mum would understand...

Photo taken by Limiin... I thought they looked so funny like that...!

And Zeph's such a cutie, he could hold his own milk bottle and doesn't cry much! I hope Ashley will be like that too...

I'm thankful for my sis, she volunteered to stayover at my place to offer an extra pair of hands to help around. It was good relief to have someone carry the baby while you get some other stuff done. My sis and I are like best friends though we are 4 yrs apart. That's why I hope that next time, Ashley will also have a younger sibling to bully, make him/her run errands and use as a scapegoat for any punishment. HAHAHAHA...

Pics of me and my little sista:

Obviously she didn't dig my singing. But I'm glad Ashley does (for now)... Hehehe. :)

On the other side of things, when Randy touched down in Beijing and checked into the hotel, he emailed me the following:

1) Dinner

2) Hotel room

3) Hotel Toilet

I emailed him this reply:
"Your room is disgusting!!! I've nv seen an uglier and dirtier hotel room than that!!!"

Hehehe... ;)

Week 12 and she's finally 3 months old!

2011-05-31T23:05:00.000-07:00

Ashley's finally turning 3 months old tmr! Which also means that my 3 months transition period is up.

I rem someone ever said that in every important life transitions (be it career shift, marriage, new school, new environment) the initial 3 months would be the toughest. Hence I gave myself 3 months to transist into the role of a mother and to adjust to a newborn. Some of my mummy friends have also encouraged me that babies start to cry lesser and settle faster when they hit the biggie 3. I don't think that has "magically" came true but I do see many improvements that have taken place.

The BEST thing Ashley has blessed us with is a good night's rest. She has been sleeping through the night since she was week 7. We are thankful that God gives this restless caterpillar good snooze time in the nights. Although 2 days back she started to wake at 4am (which startled & worried the both of us!) but thankfully last night she swung right back into her sleep routine. PHEW!

Baby Monitor - Our form of communication

I've been trying to apply all the parenting concepts daily. But it's so hard!

Haha, and guess what? Just when I've slowly adjusted to a 24/7 round-the-clock mothering job, it'll be expiry time for my maternity leave in a month. I'm really not complaining about that though, coz I think staying at home isn't really my cuppa tea. I am excited to put on those heels and head back to work!

Ashley & I love shopping!

2011-05-06T03:19:00.000-07:00

There's been a couple of public holidays recently (Good Friday, Labour day) so we took the opportunity to bring Ashley shopping - it's not an excuse for me wanting to leave the house for a breather (hehehe).. We really needed to buy some stuff for her...

On Good Friday:
We brought her out to Vivocity as we wanted to check out the various solutions available to entertain and pacify her in the day. She's spending more time being awake and when she's awake, she gets bored and starts to cry. I needed to see if I could buy a pair of strong arms from Mothercare to rock her.

Left: Sleepyhead catching a nap in the car seat before hitting the mall.

Right: My rare few photos taken with her...

After checking out Toys'r us and Mothercare, we decided to buy her a cot mobile and an automatic swing. We figured that the swing would do the trick since nobody was willing to sell us their arms.

Left: Rainforest swing with rainforest ambient music and hanging toys

Right: Swing has 5 speeds. With speed 1 being for fainthearted infants and Speed 5 is the equivalent of the Viking ship... Hehehehe...

The hanging mobile with a lullaby tune. Quite effective on keeping her distracted.

And on Labour Day, we headed out again. This time to shop for a baby carrier coz Ashley's getting a lil' heavy for my shoulders in the baby sling.

Here's dad, testing out Ashley in the carrier...

And of course, a trip to Honeymoon Dessert... We had this in Hongkong during our last trip and I personally LOVE LOVE LOVE their desserts!!!

Kara's order: mixed fruits in toufu pudding & mango sauce

Randy's order: Mango Sago

To share: Mango mochi

I'm quite happy to say that it tastes pretty close to the ones in Hongkong! Even the spoons and bowls are same as the ones there... This is my new FAV!

Lovin' our New Cosy

2011-05-05T09:13:00.000-07:00

We've officially stayed in our new Cosy Bay for abt 1 month now. It's been a long 3 over yrs of anticipation and finally we've a place we can call home.

Wanna remember this happy phase in our lives with these photos of the various corners of the New Cosy. Especially when we have a new addition that moved in together with us as a family... :)

It's my great pleasure to show u around our lil' cosy bay...

This was the dining area design I had in mind for the longest time... Table leaned against a turquoise wall with white frames. And now I can finally dine in it..

The sofa that we were afraid was gonna be too humongous for our living room. Thankfully it fits.

Brand loyalty - Philips TV & Soundbar

Built-in shoe cabinet cum storage space on the left...

Leading to our white kitchen

Bathroom (Master bedroom's)

Study/work area in our bedroom

Our bedroom

Walk-in wardrobe

Ashley's nursery room

Movin' into this new Cosy, I told Randy that I never wanna move house ever again. Packing and unpacking boxes and shifting them here & there is a nightmare. Just wanna enjoy my time in this place for as long as I can...

8 weeks coming

2011-04-27T01:50:00.000-07:00

It seems like time flies… Looking at Ashley, my colleagues think that she's only a month old when she's already coming to 8 weeks old now. Maybe it didn't feel like I've been too long away from my desk!

In fact, I can honestly say that these 7+ weeks were one of the toughest days in my life! I had a rough 1st month - breastfeeding was a big painful challenge, not to mention tiring. The lack of proper sleep at night was tipping both me and Diddy's temper over, and to add to the already very stressful situation, we attempted to pack, clean, unpack for our big move to the New Cosy. My confinement nanny was a little bothered by me bending & squatting to pack our stuff for the move.

It was crazy, I had many meltdowns and I thought I was going nuts. Thankfully it's all over and we've finally settled into our new home. Ashley has certainly grown much bigger since the first time we held her in our arms!

@ 2 days old (2.45 kg)

@ 2 weeks

@ week 5

@ week 6

Last weigh-in at the pediatrician @ week 7+: Ashley is 4.5 kg
I've finally mustered enough courage to trim her nails! Seriously, I never thought bathing a baby or trimming their calcium un-enriched nails could be so difficult!

When my friend told me how her memory got lousier after giving birth, I thought she meant it as a joke. But when I repeatedly forget to bring the towel to the washroom to bathe Ashley, I'm starting to think there's some truth in what she said. :(

Before Ashley came, me & Diddy always thought we could handle a baby well. How hard could parenting be? How different can it be from dog-training?

We were seriously humbled. Especially when we run out of means to stop a crying baby (u see, dogs dun cry incessantly. They stop when u whip out a doggie snack)... There was so much to learn about caring for an infant!

Things like how to carry your baby in a baby sling... (photo taken by my friend Carlos)

Changing their diapers at superhuman speed before the next poo poo shoots out and soil your tee shirt...

Currently we're working on re-training Ashley (un-learning all the bad habits she's picked up the past few weeks) and putting her into a "flexible schedule"... I'm so excited coz I see things turning out well. She's been sleeping 6-7 hrs in the night! Thank God for that... Gonna continue the training regime this week...

Wish us all the best!!!

Ugly duckling

2011-03-23T05:55:00.000-07:00

"Behind every beautiful swan, there's an ugly duckling"

Those are the exact words that Diddy would say to me whenever we go to our new Cosy to check on reno progress and see the entire place in a state of renovation mess…

I'm pleased to announce that we will be completing reno works by tomorrow and furnitures + electrical goods are slated to be delivered next week!

It's tradition for a woman not to leave the home during her confinement period, but the rules can be broken for a confining woman who has to buy stuff in time for the contractors to mount them. So we made a couple of quick trips to Ikea the last 2 weeks (in between Ashley's feeding time) to buy everything else we need before the contractors pack up and handover the New Cosy to us.

The "cosmetic items" to beautify the swan… Attempting to squeeze them into the car...

We're really happy with the contractor we're using (recommended by a friend). He's very on-the-ball! After discussing some ideas with him, within the next 2 days, his workers showed up on-site and got the reno work cracking! He would also recommend ideas for us to keep the place aesthetic-looking yet not bursting our wallets and gave us many contacts for us to buy stuff directly to save cost. It's been a pleasant experience using his services.

Here's some sneak peek of how the ugly duckling has progressed up till last week!!! Not gonna reveal this week's photos of the swan yet… :P

The cabinet that we've built - for shoes, uncle installing the glass door leading to the kitchen

The dining area in the living room

How the kitchen looked like last week… This week, the solid top is done and it's ready to welcome the chef! (Will not reveal the end pdt yet!)

Left: Ashley's room (The false ceiling with LED lights installed - thanks to my buddy who got us a good deal for the lights….)

Right: Our bathroom cabinet - halfway done last week, now complete!

Bay window area - with timbre seating installed

As the reno nears completion, our bank account nears depletion… We were just saying we've never felt this broke before. With Ashley's arrival this month, our expenses are stretched to the max!

Just gonna trust in God's providence but on my part will try to not spend on unneccessaries for this period!

Ashley - Proclaiming His Love

2011-03-07T20:38:00.000-08:00

We've just entered a new chapter in our lives on the 4th March 2011 at 10.20am - as proud parents of Ashley Chan Xuan Ai. :)

Why the name

Ashley = variation of Ash tree (from wikipedia)

Ash tree - The wood is hard, tough and very strong but elastic, extensively used for making bows, tool handles and other uses demanding high strength and resilience. It is also often used as material for electric guitar bodies and, less commonly, for acoustic guitar bodies, known for its bright, cutting tone and sustaining quality.

- High strength and resilience (person who doesn't crumble easily) but elastic (flexible to ideas)… That's what I hope her character will be...

Chan = surname

Xuan Ai = english translation: Proclaim Love… We decided on this chinese name for her as we envision her to be one who proclaims Christ's Love for her in all aspects of her life.

I am going to blog about the history of events, so Ashley can read all about it when she grows up!

At week 37, I was 3cm dilated the week before Ashley came, and gynae's verdict was "anytime now"… So on the 3rd March (week 38) I went back to the doc and after checking she thinks that it'll be a good time to deliver Ashley since my waterbag level was borderline and baby was estimated at 2.7kg.

Doc told me to admit myself to the hospital on the same night and they would induce me for delivery the next day. I left the clinic at about 10am in the morning, swung downstairs to say hi to my godbrother's wife who just gave birth the same morning…

I drove off to Novena Square to buy some stuff for packing my hospital bag, went back to the office to settle all my work, got home, cleaned up the kitchen for the confinement nanny, had dinner, did more last min shopping for pots and pans and arrived at the hospital at 11pm.

12pm - Paperwork at the hospital done. I was finally settled into the ward and was given a tablet to start the ball rollin'. It would take till the next morning to feel contractions coming. I slept through the night.

7am - Hospital's breakfast + extra McDonald's bought by Diddy. Getting ready to head to labour room

8am - Lying in observatory room in the labour ward, contractions are starting but slowly

took a snapshot in between contractions

9.20am - Doc arrives to burst waterbag and said she'll come back in the afternoon. Dilated 4cm. Contractions intensifies.

9.50am - Pain was crazy. I was thinking I couldn't last past noon if this persists. I thought about epidural and decided to give up my resolve to give birth "chemical free". I told Randy to get nurse to give me the epidural. I was shivering in pain and signed the papers for it.

10am - A few mins after the nurse left to call for the anaesthetist, a sudden urge came and I felt my sides pushing the baby out. Randy thought I was kidding but I told him to call the nurse. Nurses came, and found that I was 10cm dilated and ready to deliver. I went from 4cm to 10cm in less than an hour and shocked the heck out of them coz none of them expected it to be this soon, moreover a first-timer.

(FYI - most people dilate 1-2cm per hour)

Nurse: Wah! How come so fast!!! Quickly call the doctor!!! And cancel the epidural!

Me: Oh no, the thing keeps wanting to push!!

Nurse: No! You don't push!!! You hold!

In a whirlwind of movements, I was pushed from the observatory ward to the delivery suite.

10.10am - A line of cheerleaders stood facing my ehhhemmm, with full view of my morning glory. PUSH!!! HARDER!!! Breathe and BLOW BLOW BLOW!!! I was pushing with the guts of me.

10.20am - And then we heard a loud cry… Ashley was born in 2 hours total labour time.

The super experienced midwife tying up Ashley's umbilical cord.

The best cheerleading award goes to Daddy! He was the best birth companion you can ever find. Throughout he keep telling me to breathe, not to fight the pain and to relax… Even when he saw that I was in pain, he did not tell me to go for epidural as he wanted to support my decision to go chemical free.

Measuring her weight - 2.455 Kg

Circumference of her head

Back in the hospital ward.. The nurses were kind and supportive.

God's love was there with us throughout the entire journey. Firstly, I had a very smooth pregnancy.

He knew what I had wished for my ideal birthplan - Short labour, no epidural, no episotomy (epistomy -> to avoid tearing, usually the doc would cut a slit to allow the baby to exit)

My labour lasted only 2 hours, I didn't require the epidural, and doc didn't cut me there but I had just a slight tear which was stitched up.

God was really good to me and answered everything I had wished for. We want to proclaim His love for our family. :)

Cookie turns 1!!!

2011-02-28T07:58:00.000-08:00

Cookie is a big boy now!!! Our doggie turned ONE on 23rd Feb (SEVEN years old in doggie years)…

After work, I rushed to NEX Mall to buy him a doggie birthday cake…

Papa and Cookie with his silly party hat

Cookie looking kooky

"Chocolate" cake… Yumz...

At the speed he was licking up the cake, we were seriously worried he might choke!

It was fun to watch him with all that cream on his whiskers! Like a kid with an ice-cream… :)

His present - a new feeding bowl!

After the celebration, we brought him to East Coast Park for a walk… He was so happy and excited!

We're quite sure that it was the HAPPIEST DAY OF HIS LIFE - more-than-usual snacks, an entire cake to himself, plus late night walk at the park and countless kisses from mama…

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MY DARLING COOKIE!

Week 37… Almost due!

2011-02-25T07:41:00.000-08:00

I'm week 37 into the pregnancy… This is the last leg of the race and I'm almost reaching the end line. Should I say time flies? Gynae visits are once a week now and this week at the doc, I had to do a bacterial test… Which involved the doc checking the blackhole and resulting in her announcing this:

"You are 3cm dilated. It could be ANYTIME."

Me: (unprepared to the max…) Huh?! Oh no, should I take leave tommorrow?!!!

Gynae: No, you can probably start your leave a week before your due date…

For a whirlwind of conflicting thoughts at that moment, it left me a lil' confused about being 3cm dilated but still having 2 weeks more to go. I did a lil' research (as what I did to verify any old-wife tale or any unfounded tradition with my "googling"), it could happen anytime from now till 2-3 weeks later. Being 3cm dilated doesn't mean I have to go straight into the labour room. *PHEW!*

Here's Ashley… The left-side view of her face… Can you see her eyes, nose and juicy lips? Her lil' fingers are under her chin…

At the time of this scan, she's weighing in at 2.4kg, doc says she's too light-weight and I need to eat more… I'm trying! My stomach is so compressed now, I can't digest well… But I guess I gotta think like a liver pate and FORCE-FEED myself!!!!

Anyways she needs to go up to a min. of 2.5kg during delivery… Shouldn't be too hard!

This is the front view… Her eyes are closed… The key is to use your imagination to figure the scan out… hehe...

THIS WEEK @ PRE-NATAL CLASS

We signed up for pre-natal classes too late and the lady told me that we may not be able to finish through the 6-session course.

We went through 3 classes of exercising, massage, nutrition and diet… We're into the 4th class this week and the course teacher (Wong Boi Boh) covered how to care for baby. It was cool coz each couple had a fake baby to play with. The fake baby we had was a boy so I decided to name him McVicker.

Daddy Randy feeding McVicker a sip of bubble tea…

Baby McVicker - Miami-inked with a tattoo

Me and my karate kid…

Learnt: How to burp baby, Holding baby correctly, Diapers changing, bathing baby, swaddling…

Classes are very beneficial!!!

New Cosy - key collection day

2011-02-20T07:26:00.000-08:00

This is our new Cosy Bay!

After 3.5 years of waiting, our block is done and we're finally able to breathe in a breath of construction dust from the lobby level… (Pictured right: View of the still-under-construction garden from the top view)

We were dying of excitement, so much so that we arrived 2 hrs ahead of our scheduled appointment, hoping to get hold of the keys ASAP!

Bunches and bunches of keys in an ugly leather clutch

Grand opening ceremony!!!

The new gates have got the blocked-out area at the bottom. Perfecto! Now my doggie can't attempt to go to work with Daddy by squeezing through the gap… Hehehe….

Living Room

Living Room (Window Bay)

Master Bedroom

Ashley's Room

Walk-in Wardrobe

Up side: Can't wait for reno to get cracking and start BUILDING our dream home!!!
Down side: After doing some cost simulation, we realised that we're going to be REALLY REALLY dead broke by the time everything is up. :(

Gotta trim down the frills and whatever unnecessaries to keep to the budget… Plus the arrival of Ashley, just praying that everything will suffice! No traveling and shopping for 2011!

CNY- Super lovin' Steamboat!

2011-02-14T08:51:00.000-08:00

Happy Bunny Year to everyone!!!

(yea, i know it's way into the new year but the Lunar New Year festivity is not over yet!)

Just back-blogging what we did for LNY…

1) We started with an awesome steamboat dinner at Matt's… It's so nice to have "reunion dinner" with the entire cell coz it's eating with our 2nd family…!!!

Some special appearances @ dinner: Carlos & Agata

Shian Wen

Lo Hei!

Our crackers-covered Yu Sheng...

Roasted Suckling Pig (complimentary of Douglas)

Had a great time as usual… It's interesting how we've spent almost a decade doing stuff like these together!!!

2) This year's Lunar New Year was a great time of rest for the both of us… My in-laws went away for a winter holiday in Japan so we didn't have to shuffle 8 visitations a day for once!!! Though we weren't doing any heavy-duty visitations, the family reunion dinner is still a MUST for the rest of us who are still in Singapore….

I'm such a supermarket Queen (with a 9 months foetus in the tummy or not)… I conquered shuffling through a crazy pre-CNY eve crowd @ NTUC and shopping for the food by my own with the help of the trusty supermarket trolley… I was super tired from that shopping but still ALIVE!!!

I spent some time preparing the ingredients for the steamboat - which wasn't much since everyone's responsible for their own cooking…

From left to right: Carlos, Agata, Cindy (Randy's sis), Randy, Mum, uncle Thomas, Yyn (Me and Ashley behind the camera)...

We had so much fun bonding with the 2 dogs and spending quality time playing with them and grooming them… Cookie slept with us throughout the 4 days of CNY… (He wasn't allowed on the bed previously)

The little bugger enjoyed rolling under the comforter, digging him way under the pillows from one end of the bed to the other, sleeping under Randy's left armpits, snoring loudly beside my ears and hiding under the comforter when the aircon got too cold in the nights…

And in the morning, I find him sleeping on my pillow and myself being shoved off it… -_-|||

We SUPER LOVE him… :)