A musical experience amidst the renovations

They say that music is beneficial for a baby's development. As I have no music background, I didn't know what to play for him. A friend, also named Jonathan, said there is a Mozart for Baby CD. He wanted to buy and send it us in Miri, but couldn't find it. So he nicely bought a classical music CD for Jon. When I went back to Singapore, I couldn't find it either...

Then like an answered prayer, Margaret's presents from HK contained the whole Baby Einstein series of music, language, etc DVDs. We didn't realise they are DVDs, not CDs, haha!

My cousin Jenny gave J Dr Miriam Stoppard's Baby Talking. It has a book to teach you how to read to your baby and a Sing-along CD containing nursery rhymes, classical music, music to wake up to, hush music and music to sleep to. In the mornings, I will play the wake-up music, then the classicals. Jon likes the 1920s jazz pieces and will kick his legs energetically to the music. In the afternoons, we will listen to the nursery rhymes and songs. Then at night, I will play the soothing pieces.

Jon likes the music, which is good the home has been undergoing extension work and renovations for the last 3 months. And for the past month, Jon and I have been in our bedroom (reminds me of confinement month!).

Extensions to the living room and master bedroom (upstairs), and a new perimeter wall & fence

A new extrance

A patio...yay, we can have breezy breakfasts or lunches outside in future!

Siamese Secrets - round 2

Simon and I ate at Siamese Secrets again on Sat night. The restaurant was almost full and we decided to sit outside. Hmm, wrong move, we forgot about the mozzies. Luckily, it wasn't that bad and we managed to enjoy our dinner.

Simon ordered the lamb cutlets (RM18), which was what I wanted too. The dish came with two medium pieces of cutlets accompanied by veg. The cutlets were tender and juicy and done just right. I ordered the Chilli Corne Dog (RM15), coz I knew Simon likes hot dogs and can take from me. The bread was toasted, but I didn't like the texture. But the sausage was quite yummy with the Chilli and onions. It came with fries and coleslaw. Turned out Simon didn't pick at my food...coz I am usually the one who picks at our foods, haha!We also shared Nachos (RM15). Silly me, I forgot the topping for the dog was the same as Nachos...sigh, should have ordered something else hor? I prefer the one served at Hard Rock Cafe, this version is sweeter compared to HRC's, which is more savoury. It was a huge portion too. Next time, we will only order it if there are more people to share.

Surprise from Hong Kong

(So frustrating as Internet access had been very slow this week that I couldn't upload photos!)

Two weeks back, after we got back from our Singapore trip, the post office called to inform me that I have a package. The mail system here is very slow. Post would be sent to KL before being forwarded to Miri. It could take up to 3 weeks to get a letter and like 2 months to get a package!

To our surprise, it was not a package but four boxes (two medium and two small)! They were from Hong Kong. Margaret had called last year to ask if I mind her sending clothes, toys and books for Jon. Her sons have outgrown them and they are still in good condition. Of course I don't mind. She had sent the boxes out in mid-Oct and they reached Miri on 4 Jan, but they only got cleared on 12 Jan. There was also a post mark to say they reached KL in late Nov!

When I opened the boxes, it was like Christmas was still around! Here's a pic of most of the stuff, except for some toy trucks and trains which I kept in the box until Jon is older and can play with them. And guess what? There's the Baby Einstein series of DVDs that I have been meaning to get for Jon! A BIG thank you, Margaret!

Found a new eating place

There is only one Thai restaurant here in Miri and i It's called Siamese Secrets. When we got there last Thu, 17 Jan, we realised not only did it serve Thai cuisine, the menu also included Western, Local, Italian, Mexican. What's more, they had a special menu for this month - dishes from Philippines!

We ordered Green Curry Chicken, Long Beans fried with Shrimp Paste and Chillies, and Calamari. They ran out of Crispy Fish with Mango Salad and so we decided to order a dish from the Filipino menu - Dinendeng - broiled milk fish topped with cooked veg (soup dish). It turned out to be a most delightful choice. The soup was so rich with flavours as they took some time to cook it! I didn't take a photo coz it was the last dish to arrive and we gobbled it down quickly. Milkfish, or “bangus” is the national dish of the Philippines. This fish is one of the many staple diets of Filipinos although it is enjoyed across Southeast Asia

I am very happy to find a place that serves sedap and juicy Calamari. We'll be back for sure! Let's see, I miss Nachos and Lamb Shank...

Babbling and teething

Previously cooing and gurglng, Jon is now clearly babbling away...guess he was exposed to a lot of speech from me since I am a stay-home mom. He is physically exploring what his mouth and lips can do, like blowing bubbles. The other day, MIL made clucking noises and J imitated her with his lips, but without the noises. He also smiles and laughs when he sees us and hears our chirpy and happy voices. Listening to the wind chime outside our bedroom window

J started teehing when he was 4months old. He likes to suck his fingers or the washcloth, until we remembered we could give him teething rings...haha

Rubbing my hands with glee

Woohoo, I am so happy with my trip back to Singapore! Apart from clothes and pressies for Jon, I also got my scrapbooking stash! You many wonder how I got them since I didn't even step into my fav shop Made with Love at Plaza Singapura?

I ordered online from Two Peas in a Bucket and got free shipment within the States, so I got them mailed to Ade who stays in SF. Ade came back to Singapore for Christmas so I tompang her. And I had asked Chwee to buy me some stuff from MWL in Nov, coz I know by the time I got back end Dec, the stuff I wanted would have sold out. Thanks, Ade and Chwee.

I happened to go to Prints at Raffles City and ribbons were on 30% sale, so I bought some ribbons, run-ons, brads and a pair of craft scissors.


My stash included acryllic stamps from Sassafras Las (sweet!), Love Elsie's chipboard alpha and rub-ons (oh man!), soft charms from KI Memories (so colourful!), chipboard and ghost flowers from Hedi Swapp (pretty!), rub ons and brads from KCK Craft. Maya Road's sheer office memos, whimsical frame stamps from Autumn Leaves (hot, hot, hot!), narratives paper from Creative Imaginations, paper from Making Memories, HediGrace, Scenic Routes, American Crafts and Sassafras Las.
For Christmas pressies, Wens T bought me a compilation of Scrapbooking Family Heritage from Creating Keepsakes and Wens Anne gave me scrapbooking materials (including fabrics). To top it of, Wens K got me three mags from UK. Thanks, Wendys!!!

So you can see I'll be busy with the photos I took during this trip and with all the stash I got.

PS: Regina, I will do a scrapbook pressie for your wedding now that I have the materials!

All flat out

It's grueling for Jon, a 4.5months old baby, to go through the last two weeks. When he first arrived in Singapore, he drank up to 10 feeds a day, up from the usual 6-7 feeds. Then as the days went by, he got so tired that he slept longer even without the sarong. We let him sleep and didn't wake him up, so sometimes we were an hour late for our appointments (sorry, people!). Here's Jon all flat out at various times of the day.

Time with family

We stayed at my parents' place in Yishun. It was quite a squeeze with 6 adults, 2 kids and 1 baby, but it was easier to catch up with each other and for my parents to have little moments with Jonathan. Like when he wakes up, naps, bathes, and feeds. Otherwise, we would have to fit my parents into our hectic schedule, which means they'll spend less time with Jon.

Here're some snapshots....SORRY mom, I forgot to take photo of you and Jon amidst all the rush!

Jon and Grandpa

Jon with Gordon & Deng Min

Jon and cousin Winnie

Jon with Winnie, Deng Min and Eason

Christmas with cousins

We met at John and Jenny's place for a sumptuous dinner and had a good time catching up with them and their gals Izzy and Sophia, and cousins Sam, Suifang, Thomas and Catherine. It was also my nephew Eason's first Christmas in Singapore. What more can we ask for, a good time spent with loved ones and delicious home cooked meal whipped up by the Boladian's new help, Brenda.

Steamed fish Fried mixed veges with prawns Spicy steamed fish Beef cheeks cooked in curry - so tender it melts in your mouth

Pity Thomas and Cat had to entertained some friends from overseas, coz we would have love to chat with them more. Anyways, more photos of the gathering.My cousins Jenny & Suifang. They are from my mom's side of the family, so they're tall and slim.Uncle John BoladianWith my cousin SuifangJon & cousin IzzyCousins Izzy and Winnie

And so it was Christmas

Have you tried to find the perfect gift for your loved one? Do you remember saving up your coins left from your pocket money to buy a gift for your parents? It was incredibly long before I could save up my pocket money to buy a gift.

The source of all good gifts (James 1:17) is our Heavenly Father and those gifts are an expression of His love for us. But out of all those gifts, one rises above the rest - the gift of His Son, Jesus. It deserves closer attention, calls for greater thanksgiving and demanded the highest cost imaginable from God. The gift of Jesus speaks of God's love for us. This is what makes Christmas a joyous time - for we celebrate God's greatest gift to us. (except from the Foreword of "The Perfect Gift" by RBC Ministries)

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son" John 3:16. Wishing you all a Blessed Christmas!

Small Garoupers Christmas gathering

The small group Christmas gathering was held at Yee Ling and Kwee Peng's home at The Pearl, Mount Faber. Here are the lovely hosts.

Dinner comprised crackers, vegs with dips (by Lydia), Kwee Peng's mom's curry chicken, fried sausages by Yee Ling, lemonade and copious amounts of wine.
And we had four desserts made by Lydia. I was quite full, but left room enough for cheesecake and choc fudge cake.Jon took a while to warm up to the environment before he happily let people carry him. In between feeding ourselves and Jon and putting him to bed, Simon and I tried our best to catch up with our friends. Not quite possible with a young baby in tow, and so many friends. Our apologies to all of you. I think we need a whole day so we can chat with everyone!

Catching up with friends

Our schedule was so tight with a wedding to attend, many friends and relatives to meet up and errands to run. Our apologies to many whom we did not manage to call or meet up. Here're some pics we took whenever we remember to take out the camera.

As it's the first time travelling with Jon, it took us a while to adjust to his schedule too. Usually in Miri, we will reach our destinations within 10-15mins and we will be out for 2-3hrs max. This time, commuting took at least half hour and we were usually out for like half a day to even 8 hours! And with the increase in cab fares, it made sense for us to stay out and for Jon to nap in his pram or at someone's home rather than take a cab back to my mom's place in Yishun. As a result, Jon was usually flat out when we go home at the end of the day.

Meeting up with the Chens

We had dinner with Wendy Anne and Guan Liang, and their adorable 3yr old Jonathan. Wens knows how much we missed Jap food and promptly ordered sushi from Sushi Teh. Check out our dinner before we gobbled them up. Yumylicious sushi and lots of unagi! I wanted to buy the bumble chair for Jon so that we can train him to sit and feed when he's up to it. However, after trying kor kor Jon's chair, it's a bit of a tight fit at the thighs (which according to Wilson, are lamb shanks).

We also went through bags of Jonathan's clothes for clothes that our J can wear. He's wearing baby clothes meant for 12months old and above, hee hee! Eventually, we took one large bag of clothes for Jon...thanks kor kor Jon!