Ideas for new home

We've just gotten the drawings from the architect and Simon's been talking to a couple of contractors to get their quotation. While waiting for the approvals from the relevant government agencies, we hope to identify a contractor that we like and negotiate on the fees. With any luck, we can get a bank loan by CNY and start building after CNY? haha...at the rate things are going...I am keeping my fingers crossed that we can start by the 2nd quarter of 2010.

Simon said he does't like a showhouse/showroom and asked how do we make our home cozy? I said with with colours, plants, knick knacks that we collect (or rather I collect) from our travels or from trawling the Internet, posters, framed photos, rugs, cushions, DIY projects...OK, I have many ideas.

I love to have this in Jillian's room or at my scrapbooking area....pom poms! Yes, pom poms hanging in clusters and in shades of colours. They add such a punch to the room, yes? Or maybe I will chose a few poms poms in the colours I like and make my own cluster/arrangement. Anyhows, do check out PomLove's shop at Etsy.

And it was Christmas

What did we do over the Christmas week?

I suggested a family gathering to celebrate Christmas early for the family...I thought it would be a first for us in Miri. But it turned out to be one to celebrate the Winter Solstice, and also before Grace's mom went back to JB. It's OK, lah. I like family gatherings no matter what the reason.

18 adults, two toddlers, one baby and two infants at a buffet dinner. Food was unremarkable. FIL invited his older sister. MIL invited grandparents and her bro and his family (another bro was out of town). Then there was Simon, me and our two Js; Stanley, Grace and Qi Qi, Catherine, Bryan and their two Ms.

Here's Dad and his sister. They look like two peas in a pod.

Simon's grandparents.

Jon wasn't interested in the dinner at all, and kept wanting to go to see the Christmas tree in the lobby. Simon and I took turns to eat and accompanied him outside. He was in a world of his own.
Jon saw this huge desk that duty managers would sit and he decided he wanted to sit there. Until "Suit" came and told Simon that the desk is meant for management and told him to sit at the other seats (where I was). "Suit" was actually wearing a vest, but I wasn't going to bother since I was feeding Jill. I so dislike people to use the word "management". So impersonal and as if it's meant to scare. Why couldn't he just say, "I am sorry sir, but this is meant for the duty manager. Would you like to sit at the comfortable sofas over there?"
Managed to take photos of Jon and cousin Megan by the tree. Then Megan and Jonathan decided to play around the Christmas tree and got close to check out the shiny balls and Christmas trims. "Suit" turned up again and said loudly, "Excuse me!" But the kids weren't even touching the decor. Why didn't he cordon off the tree? Sigh...uptight "Suit".

Christmas Eve
On Christmas Eve, we had a simple meal at home and then Catherine and her family came over. Grandpa gave out the presents and the kids had a great time with their pressies. Jillian was asleep and oblivious to it all. Well, wait till she's older. Stanley, Grace and 2-month young Qi Qi didn't join us. They had their own quiet dinner at their new home. Also Qi Qi is still so young. Also missing Darien, Ee Chiew and baby Oscar who are in Singapore and JB.
After playing with his Thomas the Train set, I brought Jonathan over to the Baptist Church opposite our house. They had a carnival, complete with stalls, Christmas play and even a buffet dinner. But I just wheeled him in his tricycle and let him check out the crowds. He even got down to see the older kids have their tries at the game stall. Then it drizzled a little and we came back.

The church had fireworks that night. I was upstairs getting the cot ready when I heard the countdown. I flew downstairs to Jillian and covered her ears. Simon was half asleep on the couch and Jon woke up from the fireworks! Simon tried to make him sleep, but hello...fireworks leh. So Simon brought Jon to the window to check out the short fireworks session.

Christmas Day
On Christmas Day we went to church and after the service, there was catered buffet lunch. But there were too many people and we just hung out in the cry room with the other families with young kids. We brought Jillian and Jonathan back for their lunch and nap and then went out with a couple of lunch at the Taiwan cafe. Had my fave beef noodles soup!

At night, we had a Pot Bless at our Small Group. Haven't joined them for 4months since the birth of Jillian. The last time we joined them was to celebrate Jimmy's birthday. It was nice to catch up with them. Grandma took care of Jill coz she said Jon would be a handful already. But he watched video in the TV room and was well behaved. Jimmy's drums kept him occupied. Doesn't he look like a pro (even though he held the sticks the wrong way around)?
This is the group of friends I have in Miri. I like the small group, the members give us prayer support and the ladies are always ready to offer a listening ear and advice.

Scraping therapy

I was stressed for a couple of weeks with Jon going through the terrible 2s. Hitting me back, answering back with loud "NOs" when he didn't want some things...blah, blah, blah. I find myself hitting him quite quickly out of anger and frustration rather than to tell him where he was wrong and why I was disciplining him.

I prayed...and I scrapped. And now I feel better. And I use the cane as if I am a shepherd to ask Jon to go take his bath, or get out of the bath tub or to go to the study so that he will not disturb Jillian who's sleeping in the sarong in the living room...not so much to smack him with it.

For those of you with kids, especially boys, how did you teach and discipline them?

Anyways, here's a layout I did of a photo of Jon taken at his first birthday last Aug, when he was carried by his grandpa. Love the reds in the photo and grandpa's smile. This is the 3rd LO of his first birthday...there's still one more of Simon, Jon and me. Well, it was a special occasion, so can scrap a few LOs lah....

And here're some simple Christmas cards and tag that I did. Nothing complicated...coz I only have an hour while they nap in the afternoon (the other hour is spent to prepare and eat a simple lunch, quick shower, quick read of newspapers)I will send out the cards next Mon, not sure if they will reach the recipents in time.

I am looking forward to tomorrow's buffet dinner at a hotel restaurant to celebrate Christmas for the first time with the family in Miri. My idea...heehee! 18 adults, 1 teenager, 2 toddlers, 1 infant and 2 babies! Could have four more, but they are away...

Wishing you all a Blessed Christmas in advance!

My love for you grows and grows

Jillian is now 65cm long, an increase of 10cm from birth. She was wearing size M diapers for Huggies and Mama Poko brands. But the Huggies seem to be getting short...so we bought her large size diapers for the next batch! The waist of the M size diapers still fit, but it's the length!

I wish to take more photos of Jill. But in between taking care of her and Jon, and her sleeping so much, we managed to take these few photos when she was three months old.

Super active on the play mat. Sometimes she kicks so hard, I wonder if her heels hurt when they hit the mat! So I put a thick towel underneath the mat!Jonathan wanted to play with the mat too. Sometimes he wouldn't let her on it, and once he even pushed Jillian away...sigh.Here, Jonathan is showing Jillian some love. Wish for more of these moments.

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O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree

I set up the Christmas tree last Sat and Jonathan was so excited to have a "tree" in the house. He kept saying, "Tree! Tree!" Then on Sunday, I put up the decorations while he was taking his afternoon nap. When he woke up, he was even more excited to see lights and balls on the tree.

He kept going to the tree every few minutes and repeating, "Christmas tree...Christmas tree." Then he would take the decorations from the lower branches and re-arranged them. So happy to see him so delighted.

The next morning, after taking his milk in the bedroom, he quickly followed Simon down, and kept saying "Christmas tree." I stayed in the bedroom to wait for Jillian to wake up for her milk. I found out later that Jon was so excited while going down the stairs that he missed the last step and fell down! Poor boy felt pain in his heel but still went to play at the Christmas tree.

He also loves the two reindeers I placed at the bottom of the tree. He even hugged them and took them for walks in the living room! Poor reindeers are cuddled, carried, and knocked down by Jon in his excitement. He just can't contain his love for the tree and reindeers (one of them lost the pine nuts on its ribbon).

But we're not going to start exchange gifts this year as Simon's family doesn't have a habit of celebrating Christmas. Well, at least the tree is up. And I did buy just a gift for Jillian the other day at a sale at the local toy store. While I wanted to buy Scoop, the digger in the Bob the Builder cartoon, Simon said Jon already has a lot of toys. Sometimes he just throws them around, so we shouldn't get him a gift. But I said all the toys are hand me downs. Guess I better not spoil Jon. Maybe next year when he can understand the meaning of Christmas.

This year, I made cards for the four children that we sponsor under the World Vision programme. And we shopped for clothes for them last weekend. Why clothes? coz they can be packed flat and sent easily to the kids. No toys or expensive stuff, just things that they need. Hope the presents reach them in time.

Three in a row

Three in a row, ready to go.

I just printed a few of Jillian's photos, not caring that they are not perfect and need to be cropped or edited. And I scrapped. It was therapeutic!

I used mainly October Afternoon's Cherry Hill and journaling cards, and Cosmo Cricket's papers. Old stuff, but nice stuff that I have been hoarding. And I chose the simple route, otherwise I will have to spend a few half hours over a few days.
This is about Jillian's arrival. Although she's my #2, her arrival is still surreal and this time round, I had no words to describe how I felt. Only knew I wanted to love her, and hug her.
The second one was of Jonathan and Jillian and how he was confused initially coz there were two babies in the house. But after playing with her a few times, he knew Jillian was his mei mei.
And lastly, this fav photo was taken in the morning when Jillian is the happiest. It's about how alert and responsive she was at a young age of two and a half months. Inspired by Jennifer Johner's work.

48hrs in Singapore (& 2 Lamborghinnis)

What a whirlwind trip last weekend. We were back in Singapore over the Hari Raya Haji weekend for all of 48hrs. Simon attended a dinner and Jonathan and I tagged along. We stayed at the Swisshotel Westin, courtesy of Simon's ex-ex-company (thanks Freddy!).

Woke Jon up early on Fri, 27 Nov and got him ready. He knew something was going on coz Simon and I were changed and there was that huge Samsonite luggage. He couldn't keep still when grandma bathed him. At the airport, he was so excited to see the planes parked at the tarmac. Then he wanted to go beyond the gates to the long corridoor and kicked up a fuss when I refused. Had to bring him to the other side to see all the cars in the car park and gave him some Oreo wafer snacks. Once we got on the plane, Jon knocked out! Must be coz we woke him up early.

When we reached Singapore, the efficient airport services meant that our luggage were already on the conveyor belt by the time we passed customs. At the taxi queue, we were greeted by an elderly gentlemen who guided us to the next available taxi. He was so polite...I think it's a good thing to hire nice and friendly retirees who are so cheery in greeting people. I felt really welcomed. It was a short trip down the East Coast Park...going by the beach, I found I really missed cycling there and having Mac Donalds breakkie or a meal at the East Coast Hawker Centre. Must bring our kids there when they're older and when we stay longer.
Reached the hotel just before 12pm and they allowed us to check in. After a quick inspection by Jon and putting Jon's bedmates down, we headed down to top up our phone cards.Then we met the Liang's for lunch at the Japanese styled Marche...oops forgot the name. Simon and I ordered Western food, and Jon had some of our fries. Oops no rice nor noodles for him.

Megan is the eldest, but she's still so cute, esp her impersonation of a monster. And Ryan can walk and run, much to Megan's delight. Baby Andrea was asleep....and cute too! I caught up a little with Wendy, and collected the Wii set that we left with her since last year. It was a gift from one of my best friend, Christina.
After lunch, we said bye to the Liangs, and brought Jon up for his nap or at least a rest. Didn't want his fever to flare up again. Simon went off to meet his friends, while I changed Jon and tried to make him nap. In the end, I let him run all over the room, switching the lights on and off...till he got tired and climbed into bed with me. Then when Simon got back, we woke Jon up and brought him to my parents place.

Dad kept asking me how long I was in town for and when we were going back. Mom and bro kept repeating the same answers over and over again. Well, at least he was talking. Jon was not used to them and kept a distance. until he warmed up and played with some toys. While he didn't let them carry, him, he didn't shy away or hide behind his arms.

All of a sudden, Jon's fever returned around 8pm. As the temp was above 38.5 degree Celsius, we gave him suppositories. Then we brought him to the pharmacy to buy some fever patches before heading back to the hotel. Thankfully when we reached back at the hotel, his temp went down again. We showered him. Jon was hungry and asked for some crackers. Then he saw the cup noodles and asked for some. I had only the curry and laksa flavours. So I cooked the curry one and washed away with hot water to remove the curry flavour. Jon was so hungry he finished most of the noodles! Then the same process went on again...played around in the room till he was tired. Simon went off to meet some friends for supper.

The next day, Jo woke up and wanted cup noodles again. As Simon was still asleep, I gave him the noodles, this time without using the flavouring, just added hot water. He loved it. Finally Simon woke up and we went for buffet breakfast. Found out there were noodles at the buffet! Too bad. Gave Jon some cereals and a muffin (but he played with it since he was quite full).

Quickly did some shopping at Robinsons for toys and clothes (such a small clothes collection, heard the one at Centrepoint was larger). Anyhows, managed to get him a set of PJs, T-shirt and pants, and a Mickey T for CNY. Also bought a bright yellow luggage for the Wii. So bright we'll surely not be able to miss it at the luggage belt!

Then mom and my bro came by and joined us while we complete out shopping. As Simon brought the luggage back to the room, Jon had separation anxiety and threw a hissy fit. Luckily my bro was there and helped me with his pram. Jon stopped and was quiet coz he was a little fearful of this uncle. That allowed me to pick up some clothes for Jillian and the three cousins back in Miri.

We were full but followed my mom and bro for lunch at Din Tai Fung. But Jon could still eat and had some of my mom's mushroom noodles! Before they left, we spotted this Lamborghini at the hotel's entrance and took a quick photo.

This time, it was SImon's turn to make Jon nap, while I went to meet Yin, a friend I made from the MWL forum. It was so good to finally meet up with her. I would love to have met up with Pooi too. But with such a tight schedule and with Jon's fever, I dare not make too many plans. Then Wendy Anne came and we caught up over a quick drink and she passed me more clothes for Jon. My Jon, who's 2yrs and 3months is already 18kg (19.5kg before the fever)...and Wen's Jon who's 4+yrs is also the same weight. Maybe in a couple of years time, it'll be my Jon who'll pass his clothes to kor kor Jonathan! Ooops!

I was super quick, and controlled according to Yin when we shopped at PaperMarket. I guess I have so much SB stuff that I feel guilty if I were to buy more. Better use up more stash first. Went back to the hotel room at 3.1pm. and Jon wasn't asleep, but Simon sure looked like he was about to sleep. Chatted with Wen till she left at 4pm.

Simon's dinner was that night. I told Simon we have to bring Jon down to shop a little otherwise he would be cranky in the hotel room after being in it for almost the whole afternoon. So we went out and managed to pick up a couple of tops for Simon and I. Then we brought noodles back to the room, while Simon went off for his dinner.

This time, I caught up with my college friend Royati. We three had noodles and I allowed Jon to feed himself, making a mess in the process. Luckily I had spread some newspapers on the desk! Then I quickly packed while Jon played with the truck that I bought him in the afternoon.

Time passes quickly when we're having a good time. All too quickly it was almost 10pm. Roy left so I could make Jon sleep. Did he? Nope!!! Simon even brought a couple of his ex-colleagues to the room after the dinner. Their children found Jon cute and wanted to play with him, giving him their balloons and goody bags!

They left at nearly midnight and we soon fell asleep. Then the next morning, we had a tough time waking Jon up since he slept so late. Simon had a brilliant plan to wake up Jon up by wiping his face with a wet towel. I was so hungry after we checked out that we went for a quick bite before leaving for the airport. Before we got on our cab, we saw another Lamborghini...this time an orange one. I like!

We got to the airport just and found a long line at the check-in. There was only one counter opened for our flight back to Miri. We joined the queue, which got longer and longer after us. The people all couldn't believe it when they came to the queue, and we asked them to go to the end of the queue which almost reached the departure gates. Luckily as the other counters cleared the passengers for the Penang and KL flights, they opened 2 more ocunters for the Miri flight,. Otherwise we will never be able to make it for out flight. We managed to catch up with Ee Guan, Sockie and darling KJ. Wilson came by too, but as we spent most of our time in the queue to check in, we didn't even manage a decent conversation!

Got on the plane and Jon promptly fell asleep. And off we were back to Miri.