Last day of feasting

Chap Goh Mei (the fifteenth night) of CNY was spent at Simon's uncle's place. The aunty cooked 9 dishes (7meats, one veg and one soup) for the spread. Whoa! I drooled over the Rendang dish and the deer meat cooked with snow peas.

One of the tables with Bryan, Ah Poh, Ah Gong, FIL, Stanley and Uncle.

Great grandma commented that Jon and Jill have changed from just before CNY till now. Jon's head is bigger (?) and Jill's sturdier and her head doesn't flop all over.

After dinner, Jon played with cousin Megan. Remind me to take a photo where he is in the background...coz otherwise he looks way bigger compared to petite Megan!Then the fireworks started again. The kids oohed and aahed from inside the house till we decided to bring them out for a better view. Then the neighbour next door came out with her daughter who's the same age as Jon. Jon went to say hello (of course edged by me) and the girl asked her mom to go back in to get some sparklers. They nicely shared with Jon and he had a ball of a time with grandpa.

This marks the end of CNY and all the feasting. Or does it...coz there're still CNY goodies at our place!

CNY in Singapore

Sorry for this late post of our trip back to Singapore. After coming back last Sun, we took time to re-adjust to life here. Jon even woke up late for school on Mon coz he slept for so long in the afternoon that he went to bed later on Sun night.

On the second day of CNY, we woke the kids up and just washed them up instead of bathing them coz we had to be at the airport at 7.45am to catch the 9am flight. Turned out the Air Asia direct flight to Singapore was delayed by 2hrs (note: we received rm300 voucher each for the delay!). So we brought the kids home, bathed them and then went back to the airport.

Jon knocked out a couple of minutes after the plane was in the air. As Simon flipped through a magazine with him, I saw his eyes slowly closing and he drifted off to slumber land. As for Jill, I fed her milk and she too knocked out once we were in the air. Good! No issue of cabin pressure!

The CNY week in Singapore was great coz Jillian saw many people for the first time including my parents, bro and family. We took it easier this time, letting her nap in the mornings before we went out to meet friends and family. Then in the afternoon, we also brought her back to YMCA, where we stayed, to nap. In the evenings, we also made sure we didn't stay out too late. We remembered Christmas in 2008 where we rushed to many places with Jon in the hot weather and he fell sick, going out in the hot sun and then entering cold air-conditioned shopping centres.

Here're some photos of the trip, but most are in my Facebook account.

Mon, 15 Feb 2010
After we arrived in Singapore, I realised I didn't bring the hot water flask, duh! Thankfully there's still an NTUC outlet at Terminal One, and we bought a cheap flask there, 555 brand!

Then it was off to check in at YMCA, lunch and then nap time for the kids. We went went to my parents' place for dinner. Jon played with cousin Winnie and my bro, while Jillian entertained my mom and sis-in-law. Dad was happy to see the little one. Although he didn't talk much, he spent half an hour with her on the mattress, amused by her smiles and giggles.

Tue, 16 Feb 2010

The first outing was to Wendy Kwek's place where we caught up with my pals from MGS. Jillian fell asleep just when we're about to reach. We placed 4mth young Andrea next to Jill who's 6mths. Doesn't she look mature compared to baby Andrea, almost like a little girl?Jon spent the morning playing with Ryan, who's slightly older than a year. They had fun with the wheels, especially those at the car porch. Megan, who's the oldest, would shout yi, er, shan and the boys will run from one end of the porch to the other! See how red they were in the face.

Here're a couple more photos of us and our little ones.

Wendy Kwek and Wendy Tan, almost inseparable. (I just love Jill's smile here)

After lunch, it was time to return to YMCA for a cat nap, before we went to Wendy Anne (yes, another Wen) and Uncle Guan Liang's new place at Moulmein Rise. Can you believe I forgot to take photos? I even made sure my hair was in place. Then when I stepped out of the bathroom, I had to go after Jon for some reason. anyways, I met Elaine Teo, finally! and I didn't have a photo to show!!! She gave me such a wonderfully generous RAK, that I didn't even want to go to Made With Love. With about 50sheets of papers and stickers, and more than 10 sheets of rub-ons, and other embellies, I felt guilty if I were to shop for more SB supplies.

In the evening, we went to Aaron's new home for steamboat. Jill fell asleep in the pram and Jon had a riot of a time with Albert's two boys. They would make Jon do funny actions, and Jon had fun mimicking them. I am so happy that Jon is old enough to play and enjoy playing with kids around his age, esp if they're boys. Not enough male playdates in Miri lah.

Before we commenced the Loh Hei

Wed, 17 Feb 2010

We went to the Immigration Dept to get Jillian's citizenship certificate. Thankfully, ICA had all these online applications, and we had applied successfully online last year, so there was no need to queue to be interviewed. ICA was super crowded. My parents went there too, to get my Dad's passport. He had to wait almost 100 places in the queue, but with about 20 counters opened, it took slightly over an hour. Luckily, my bro also arranged his application in advance.

We then went to visit Simon's godparents. and lunch was at Geylang Lor 32 Ban Mian. Jon loves loves noodles!

Soon, it was back to nap and Aunty Suifang (my cousin) came over to meet us. When Simon dropped us off at United Square, both kids fell asleep. We found Bakerz Inn where Jon slept in the pram and Jill on the sofa. So Suifang and I had a good time catching up with each other, before proceeding to shop for clothes for the kids when they woke up.

Thu, 18 Feb 2010
We met Pastor Daniel and his wife Denisa for lunch. We can always count on Pastor Daniel to introduce good food to us. I mean, why waste all the stomach space and gain calories or cholesterol from bad food, right? We had yummy dim sum at Yum Cha at Serangoon Country Club. Denisa works nearby so she joined us together with her PIC Pastor Dianna Khoo. Pastor Ivan from Wesley also joined us. We never had the privilege of dining with so many pastors before.Afternoon's appointment was at Cecilia and Bryan's place at Seletar. They were back from Shanghai with 3 boys in tow. So, meeting at home was a good idea. How can we handle 4 kids and a baby outside? Jon had fun playing and watching TV with the boys. The 3 boys also enjoyed posing with Jill!Fri, 19 Feb 2010
Playdate at Tsui's place with all the girls from small group and our miracle babies. Pity Kye Jae had the sniffles and mom Sock thought it was better to stay away since there're so many little ones.

Why are the kids miracle babies? We all married quite late and when we wanted to have kids, all of us (except for Trisha) had fertility issues. After many scans, blood tests, Chinese traditional and Western meds, operations and fertility treatments, two miscarriages, sweat and tears and wondering when God will answer our prayers, we all delivered healthy babies in 2009 (I had Jon first in Aug 2007 and then Jill in 2009)!

God's precision timing was for us to all deliver in 2009. Tsui was the first one with baby Even on 20 Feb. Sock followed with baby Kai Jae in May, I had Jillian on 15 Aug, and Li Yen had baby Samantha (Ying) in Sep! Although we were in different continents, we all rejoiced with the birth of each baby. And it was a joyous occasion to finally meet up with all our babies, after having compared notes via email, sms and phone calls.

I didnt' take many photos coz I was busy catching up. I am waiting for Tsui and Li yen to send me their photos so I can post them up.

Here's Trish with Jill. She's such a wonderful person. Ever so organised, she was the one who organised for gifts for all the babies (even for Evan's birthday the next day)!I managed to go to ION in the afternoon, since Jill napped for two hours at Tsui's place. Grabbed a pair of shoes and some stuff from Muji. I didn't even bother to see the shops on the ground level and upwards...too expensive!

Dinner was with Simon's pal from college, Joe. He's a father to two boys and gave us every good advice on how to love and discipline our kids, esp Jon, being the super active boy and the first child. We had yummy Black Pig Ramen at Tampopo at Liang Court! Then I went to my fave supermarket, Meidi-Ya, to buy my Meji chocolates and Jap chilli flakes. Sat, 20 Feb 2010
We went to Gleneagles to visit Chwee Wei who had given birth to baby Daniel on Fri. He's five weeks early! Must be coz he wanted to see us! When I gave birth to Jon in 2009, Chwee and family were in Miri to go to the Mulu Caves, and I gave birth two weeks early. Jon must have wanted to see the Yeo's too! But guess what? After visiting Chwee in her room, in our hurry to go for a real burger and then for Evan's birthday party, we forgot to make a detour to the nursery! Doh!
With my best pal from college, Roy. We were having Carl's Junior burger (pity the standards dropped, this one was at Plaza Singapura). Hmm, last year when I met her, we had Burger King coz I was craving for it! Jon was so taken by Roy that he held her hand, called her to accompany him to see things and had a good time with her and Balloon Lady at Evan's birthday party. When Roy left, and someone else took Jon's hand, he thought it was Roy till he looked up. He quickly let go of Aunty Wynnie's hand and went back to inside the restaurant to look for Roy!

At Evan's birthday at Bakerz Inn at UE Square at River Valley. Jon liked the birthday cake and wanted to shake Even's hand.Our Singapore small group! And it was Trish's birthday too!Li Yen and I with our babies, Ying and Jillian. One of our family, thanks Wynnie!

By 3pm, we're all tired and went back to YMCA. Jill knocked out from 3.15pm to 5pm, while Jon knocked out till 6pm! We were late for BBQ dinner at my cousin's place. It was great coz my parents, bro and his family were there too. But my cousin was so busy entertaining and feeding her guests that I didn't have time to chat with her. Good that we had to go up to her place to get the ang paos for the kids, as we caught up a little.

Sun, 21 Feb 2010
All too soon, 6 days flew by and it was time to go back to our home in Miri. I am happy that Jon enjoyed this trip. He's older, and can listen to instructions, and enjoyed playing with his cousins and new friends. Jill was a happy camper and a joy to look after. And both kids were well (this is with my constant nagging at Jon to drink plenty of fluids!)

Saying bye to Singapore and one last photo before we left....the iconic Changi Airport Tower!

Happy Chinese New Year

Wishing you all a Happy and Prosperous Chinese New Year!

We had a busy first day of Chinese New Year. Went to church (although late coz we overslept from staying up late to watch fireworks). Thank goodness all of the relatives came over for lunch, otherwise we have to visit so many places. And coz we're leaving tomorrow to go back to Singapore, it's good to see everyone before we go back (at least the relatives side)! And Darien, Ee Chiew and their 5mth of son Oscar is back today too! can't wait to take a photo of the 3 cousins born in 2009.

We'll not be blogging while in Singapore, coz so many relatives and friends to catch up with in 5.5days! So, eat, drink and be merry...watch out for all those heaty foods, remember to drink cooling drinks!

This is the way he brushes

Finally after months of trying to get Jonathan to brush his teeth, he voluntarily wanted to brush his teeth yesterday morning.

So, what changed his mind?

It was because he watched a cartoon, Special Agent Oso, where the bear taught a kid how to brush his teeth. The episode was shown last week and yesterday morning. When Simon brought Jon downstairs, Jon had taken his toothbrush with him after following Simon to the toilet.

After watching the cartoon, grandpa saw Jon with the toothbrush and said, "Wow, you brushed your teeth, huh?" and did the brushing motion. Then Jonathan came up to me and said, "Shua ya." (Brush teeth in Mandarin).

I was sure he was pulling a fast one and didn't want to climb all the way upstairs to our bathroom, so I told him he could brush his teeth in the bathroom downstairs. Boy, was he persistent! So, off we went upstairs. He made him put toothpaste on the toothbrush, but he still didn't brush. So I taught him to rinse his mouth with water from a cup.

Then when I sang the tune from Special Agent Oso "Three special steps, that's all you need. Three special steps. Step one, put the toothpaste on the toothbrush. Step two, brush top and bottom. Step three, rinse your mouth", Jon actually brushed his teeth! (actually I forgot the words, but made them up and sang them in the same tune.)

So, a cartoon did what I couldn't do! haha....

Let's not forget the teeth at the top

He even wanted to brush my teeth!

Drama like his mama...

PS: Wen Anne, he is really into his Spiderman and Superman PJs! and he hasn't even watched the cartoons yet.

A year older (part 2)

Yesterday went well for me. I spent time with Jillian in the morning while Jon was at nursery. Jon came back and MIL helped put Jillian down for her nap. I had a yummy lunch, while they both napped. I had thought of scrapping in the afternoon, but Jillian woke up for two hours. So I decided to play with her and she rewarded me with smiles and singing.

Simon came back after work and went to wash the car. I made Jillian nap while I watched a tape with Jon. Then when Jill woke up, I bathed and fed her, then did the same with Jon.

We cut the cake before dinner coz Jillian was going to bed. Poor girl was awake for two hours (all the bathing and feeding, mommy had to shower too). But she smiled big time for the camera! She's such a smiley baby, but whenever I whip out the camera, she will stare at the camera instead of smiling at me!

I didn't really planned for the photo, like make sure the background was clear and the cakes properly display (so we had "things" growing from the back of our heads, and cakes on cake boxes). But I was happy that my sis-in-law Catherine was there to help me take photos of me and my family. You know how it's difficult to cut a cake with kids and it's even harder to get a photo a complete family (it's usually Simon or me taking the photos). So, danguberrimuch Catherine!

I had two birthday cakes, thanks to Simon and Catherine. Jon was all excited about the cake that instead of persuading to bathe so we can have cake, he wanted to have the cake first! And he found out what a matchstick was....oh no! Thankfully, he was attracted by the cake too. He used his fingers to get some cake and licked them clean.

After cutting up the cakes, and packing some for Catherine and Stanley, I put Jillian into the sarong. Then Simon brought me and Jon out for dinner.

Jon was on his best behaviour. He didn't want to hold our hands though and walked excitedly through a shopping centre on the way to a western restaurant in a local hotel. Simon had his salad and rib eye steak. It's been so long that he had one that he forgot to indicate how he wanted it done. I had oxtail soup and lamb chops. yums! and Jon had fries.

Jon explored the restaurant a little and settled down (good that the restaurant had a singing trio). The friendly waitress cleared the his cutlery and even the vase, pepper and salt holders upon seeing how we kept moving them away from Jon. He sat down to have his fries and drew a little on the feedback form. I think colouring at nursery helped and he is exploring colouring.

I passed Jon a side dish of tomato ketchup and that engaged him further. He doesn't know the difference between tomato and chilli sauce and kept dipping his fries in it and feeding me. After a while, I switched to chilli sauce, couldn't take the sweetness of the ketchup!

He was on his best behaviour and sat down long enough for us to finish our meal. He was also engaged by the singing band, and clapped along! What bliss, no tantrums and Simon and I even managed to have a decent conversation! Must be thanks to another sis-in-law's birthday wish that my kids will be guai. haha.

And the sweetest thing was Jon's kisses! He kissed me on my cheeks and then landed a big one on my lips. He had the same pout when my gynae scanned him in my womb!

This was a lovely birthday for me! I have my husband (others have husbands who travel lots or who are based overseas) and two happy and healthy children, and two cakes. It was a simple day, but what matters was that it was celebrated, and spent with my loved ones.

A year older

Thanks to everyone's wishes, I will have a smashing, wonderful, fantabulous, enjoyable, happy , special and blessed birthday! I feel so loved. can't wait to eat the small choc cake hubs got from Marriott for me.

I ordered a couple of books from Amazon.com as my birthday pressie from Simon to me. Yes, when a husband is busy at work and we're tied up with two kids, it's choose-and-buy-my-own-persent. Works well for me. I get my gift and it's what I want. No wastage or disappointment, haha!

I arranged for my gift of 52 More Scrapbooking Challenges by Elizabath Kartchner (Creating Keepsakes)
and A Card A Day (Paper Crafts), sent to my mom's address in Singapore (sometimes un-registered mail will get lost/knicked here in Malaysia). And I will get them when I go back for CNY hols. I am a patient woman....

Today, it's play with Jillian in the morning till Jon comes back from nursery. Think I will scrap a little in the afternoon and tonight, Simon will bring me and Jon out for dinner. Jillian will be home as it's her sleeping time from 6-9pm.