Our Favourite Hangout Place

Today we were supposed to have coffee with Auntie Bernice at the airport. So I decided to go earlier so that you have time to roam around. This has always been my favourite hang out place with you. It is so spacious and not pack with crowds. And this place is fill with generally happy people going for vacations! You can feel the excitement in the air. I love sitting down with my starbucks and do my bit of people watching. But it is getting tougher to do that now with you in tow!

Hurry Up, mum.. I cannot be late for this---

My first Pit Stop Challenge!

See? I am responsible for the left tire.

I have to get it changed in 4.5 seconds.

I love this place! So much space for me to boogie!

ANd more boogie!

What? We are going home so soon?

My first skytrain ride.

I am definately coming back for more!

Cousin Vanness's Birthday (1)

21st September 2009 Monday

Your cousin Vannass turned 5 today and we all turned up to celebrate. Aunt Carol bought some party stuff for you kids and look how happy you were! All gear up to have a party!

Hey check out my new look- Ms Party!

The Three Masketeers!

And our beloved popo!

Happy Birthday, Cousin Vannass!

Cousin Vanness's Birthday (2)

A visit to your cousins' place is never complete without playing the piano. This time you played a duat with Cousin Valerie.
See how good I am?

Encore?

My little toddler is growing up too fast. Now busy playing with your cousin Val's kitchen set.

Hotdogs, anyone?

Cool! Can I have my own kitchen cart please?

Cool Gals Read

If I have to name a sacrifice I had made for you since you came to this world, it would be the time I have for reading has reduced significantly. I love to read and I miss those long afternoons spent at Harrods or Times. I used to never forget to lug around a book just like I will not forget your diapers these days.

We used to spend many hours lounging at the airport during your first year. You would have your milk and take afternoon naps while I sip my starbucks and have a good read. But we stopped going there for a while due to the H1N1 issue. Now we are back again. I brought you to the major bookstores and most of the Expo Book Sales. And library is next on my list.

I believe kids who grow up surrounded by books will more likely than not read earlier than children whose experiences with books are less significant. So I am trying to make books a daily part of your life so as to bring about an enthusiasm for reading and listening to stories. I really hope that in today's technology dependent world, you will inherit your Dad and my love for books which I feel is important not only for your literacy development but reading will open new doors for you to other parts of the world, new ideas, new concepts, new innovations.

There are a plentiful of beautiful children's books at the bookstore. I had started 'Keri's Library of treasures' and hoping to grow the collection. I bought those durable board books specifically for babies and also books with vibrant illustrations and flaps with characters underneath them. You also inherited from your cousins a number of books that enable you to explore your sense of touch by feeling a woolly sheep. (Will elaborate on the books we had read later)

There are so many books to choose from and sometimes I am at a lost. But perhaps the single most valuable book I can count on to help me to promote the love of reading in you is the book titled Babies Need Books by Dorothy Butler (Heninemann,1998 ed). The author, a new zealand literacy specialist is an advocate of reading to children from birth. This book provides a comprehensive list of suggested titles from birth til you turn six.

So my dear Marsh, let's embark on this reading journey together! I sure hope I am able to raise a reader. Happy reading for life!

My Marshmellow checking out her inherited book.

Wow. This is cool!

I am busy reading, mum!

Cool Gals Read!

Ok.... This book is interesting.

I have to finish the book first, mum! I can't put it down!

They say that readers are the leaders that others follow. I better start reading!

Healing Baby

I am not feeling well, mum.`Can we take pics another day?

Ok.. Just One smile.

I am feeling giddy with all your flashlights!

Ok. That's it. I am off to dreamland.

When your baby is ill, it is the worst time in your life. I believe all mothers in this world can comprehend my feelings right now. You wish you are the one who is attacked by whatever virus. Come to me fever and leave my baby ALONE!

Last Thursday night, you started running a fever out of the blue and broke out in hives. I was worried sick and all the memories of you being sick when you were a newborn poured back.

I remembered I would cry when they pricked you numerous times for the jaundice test.

I remembered my tears rolled uncontrollably when Dr Terence Tan told me that you had Bronchitis or pneumonia when you were three weeks old.

I remembered I would cry because you had to be admitted to the hospital.

I remembered I would cry while rocking you for many many lonesome hours in my arms on the hospital bed.

I remembered I would cry so hard when they inserted the suction tube down your nostrils to clear your nasal passage.

I remembered I would cry because I was also feeling sickly weak, exhausted and lonely. There was no help out there.

I remembered I would cry because I was guilty of not having enough breast milk for you thus causing you to fall ill.

I remembered I would cry because I wasnt going to be able to protect you from this horrible world. Fear gnawed at me until at times I felt an aching emptiness in my belly.

Anyway, your fever this time brought back the feeling of nakedness and vulnerability I had felt as a new mother, a cold, hungry fear I thought I'd forgotten.

So happy you recovered steadily after a few doses of medication and is fine now. Except for some fading marks left by the hives. Both experiences have reinforce my belief in the importance of building a strong immune system through your daily diet and psychological well being. I believe a healthy baby is also a happy baby and vice versa.

My secret formula for a sick baby (other than medication) besides giving her plenty of total loving care is to keep the child happy. Do whatever makes her happy. For your case, I play a lot of your favourite music and tv programmes. I let you watch your current favourite- High 5! and sing and dance along with them..And I am glad that you are responding really well to my formula!

Get well, child. Mummy loves you infinitely.

Cousin Andy

20th Sept 2009 Sunday

This was the long weekend due to Hari Raya and turned out to be a busy one for us. We attended two birthday parties and one wedding celebration. To kick off, we attended your cousin Andy's 25th birthday gathering at the Goldist chalet along East Coast Beach. Yes. He is 25 and married with a 4year old daughter.

Your cousin Andy is the celebrity in our family. He was/is an actor/ entertainer/MC/ DJ and has done many things in his 23 year of age. But to me, he will always be the cute little boy with big round eyes who always stayed over at our place.

Your cousin Andy and you. 25 years gap.

My favourite pic of you and Daddy.

Daddy brought you for a walk

Happy Feet

Trying on your new pair of shoes. Baby Steps, baby shoes.

I have started shopping for your shoes only after you turned officially one. I wasnt even looking or thinking about them before that. My mom told me that babies are not allowed to wear shoes before they are One or they will have a hard life. And infact Uncle Fong told me some time ago that babies who start to walk later will enjoy better life than those who started earlier. I have never been the kind to believe in all these beliefs. But your existence have kicked my ambivalence into oblivion and I would spare no rock unturned. Like the saying goes: Money can makes the world goes round. But I believe all mummies can go to the end of the world just to protect our little ones' well being.

Anyway, this is the collection your daddy and I managed so far since you turned one. 1 pair of Weestep from Canada. 2 pairs of Bobux from New Zealand, 1 pair of Little Feet, 1 pair of GapBaby, 2 pairs of Crocs, 1 pair of Sanrio (gift from Aunt Carol) and 1 pair of Puma... and still counting.

17th September 2009 Thursday

We went to the Isetan Private Sale after your class with Daddy. We planned to look for a pair of shoes for your daily wear and ended up with your most extravagant pair of shoes to date.


Latest addition to your shoes collection-a pair of black shiny Step2Wo London from Club21 kids. I chose this because they remind me of a pair of black shoes that I used to own when I was about 7 years old.

Shoes aside, we also succumbed to temptation and bought you the above retro DKNY blouse and a DKNY cap which you look so good in.

Cheer For Me Potty!

I was browsing the Fisher Price's website one of the days many months ago and chanced upon this Fisher Price- Cheer For Me Potty and find it incredibly awesome. But I could not locate this cute little potty in Singapore so your Daddy decided to import your first toilet ware all the way from California.

Anyway, I have decided to potty train you when you turned One. So this is the time. I hope the songs and sound effects will make potty training fun for both you and me. And because it looks similar to the real toilet, I hope it will encourage you to make the transition to the real one easier when the time comes!
There is a fun clicking sound when you push down the handle. There is even a toilet paper holder.

No peeping when I am on my potty, please!

Let me check it out!

Ooops.. I am stuck!

Whew! I managed to get my butt out Finally.

Harvest Festival

Mid-Autumn Festival is also known as “Harvest Festival”, which is one of the most well known CHinese Festival other than the "Moon Festival"

Since Mid Autumn Festival is around the corner so Daddy bought you your very first lantern to celebrate the Festival. And it is a Hello Kitty Lantern. You were so amazed by the lights and sound coming out from it. Check out the way you were exploring it!


A kid's curiousity can kill alot of cats!

Fusion of East meets West. Celebrating with a Christmas Hat and a Lantern!

Where is the fire, Daddy?

Check out my latest gadget- A no fire Hello Kitty lantern with music!

I am done exploring for the day..................

FriendsGather Again

Today we went for the English High Tea at Goodwood Park Hotel again. This time Uncle Andrew brought along Kor Kor Brayden to play with you. And I think you kids had fun together. MAybe next time we can all go Genting together.

All dressed up and waiting.....

What? High Tea Again?

Cakes and scones again? How about some famous durian mooncakes?

A picture with Kor Kor Brayden