Celebrating at Marina Bay Sand

At just two weeks shy of turning two years old, you have clearly left your babyhood in the dust.

Gone is the marshy mellow that would lay in my chest and sleep for hours. No longer can I keep you in the stroller or highchair for more than 15 minutes. nor can I make you eat all the wholesome and nutrious meals that I planned. You have definately come into your own. Facing out. Ready to take on the world.

But I am not ready to eat your birthday cake this fall and not remember how awesome these two years were. I want to file away these magical moments. I want to remember the sweet smell of milk on her breath and the lavender scent of your lotion I used after your bath.

Today marks the kick off of the string of celebrations we are going to have for your big day.
Your grandma popo kick start by checking us in to the Marina Bay Sands for a night together with your cousins!

A grandmother's love

My happy Marshy! This is the Pooh Bear cake you had requested for.

Since we are not celebrating your birthday in Singapore this year, we brought forward this celebration so as to make up for any cousin and Marshy loss time and to make sure you can blow out the candles together with your beloved cousins!

Amazing cousins.

Giving cousin Vanness a kiss!

Marshy really enjoyed her cake and herself that day. Thank you, popo and Yeema and cousin Val and Vanness for the wonderful celebration!

Overnight Celebration

To celebrate Daddy's birthday this year, we checked into the Swissotel Hotel over the weekend. We couldn't squeeze in a holiday as Daddy is always so busy. But... anyway.

After checking in at the lobby, we headed up to our room on the 37th floor. When I opened the door for you, you peeped in suspiciously before following Daddy into the room. After walking up and down surveying the bathroom and the magnificent view we had from our window, you made yourself very at home on the king sized bed.

After lazing in the room for some time, we went made it out of the door and wandered around. Shopping is a must and getting new toys for you (Again!) before heading to dinner. It felt good to be able to take our own sweet time and not worry about schedules.

We had dinner at Fruit Paradise Cafe because Daddy wants his favourite Fried Ebi curry rice and the tarts on display looked too good to give them a miss. So we had Japanese rice and Marshy had ramen and we shared a yummy chocolate banana tart for dessert.

Then we headed back to the hotel to laze. You were so mesmerised by the night view from our balcony that you just stood there and stare at all the cars, lights and the Ferry wheel. And the next morning, you insisted in having your breakfast next to the window.

Surprisingly, you went to bed earlier than I expected. I guess my darling Marshy wanted to give this exhausted mummy a break and some time to relax and enjoy myself too. Or perhaps you knew we were going swimming the next morning!

The two days passed quickly. We had fun. It was as awesome as holiday can get without leaving the country. It was really a welcome break. And I am actually looking forward to our upcoming real holiday.

Marshy was wondering when is this lift ride going to end.

Posing on the comfy big bed.

Ummm. Room service. What shall I order for brunch?

Marshy and her new Lego sets to keep herself entertained.

Marshy couldn't stop staring at the spectacular night view from our balcony.

Mummy, come check out the lights!

Marshy in her favourite spot enjoying her breakfast and taking in the morning sunshine

And making funny faces for the camera.

Playing with her own shadow.

Me and Mickey Mouse going shopping!

Having lunch at the KopiTiam at the Swissotel after our swim.

Happy Birthday, Daddy!

This is the second time you are celebrating Daddy's birthday. And it seems we are going to be stuck with Barney cake for some time. Everytime I ask you : What cake shall we get for, baby? The answer is always: Barney Cake! Barney Cake!


So we got a Barney cake for Daddy and Daddy's precious. You cant wait till I got the cake out for you to blow out the candles together with Daddy. You share a special bond with daddy. A really special one. You are really a daddy's girl, alright.

1 Year Older,1 Year Wiser

28th November 2009
Another outstanding post sitting in the Draft coluum since last month.............

Today is my birthday, Marsh. This is the second time I am celebrating my birthday as a mother and each time it feels really surreal because you are celebrating my birthday with me. I do not know how many more times are there in store for us but I am counting my blessings and I am grateful for all of them.

This year I decided to give myself a new haircut for my birthday. I had been procrastinating for too long to do that. I wanted to go even shorter but my stylist insisted no. After the haircut, i felt I was born again- Rebirth.

Rebirth can takes many forms. It is a sort of rekindling of relationships, a type of faith renaissance, a kind of renewed existence, or simply just a change of attitude. This was how I felt when I had you. A new me.

And now on my birthday, I am still praying silently for a miracle rebirth.

Sorry Marsh, if I sound too cynical on my day.

Anyway, I had given some thoughts about how to enjoy my day. Though it is my birthday but I am only happy if you are. So I decided to bring you for your make up class at Kindermusik (you are always having so much fun in class) and then head down to the Airport where you can have guaranteed space for you to run off your energy! You are always happy running around at our favourite hangout place.

Since you came along, life isn't just me or my birthday anymore. Priorities have changed. It's you. That matters now. Maybe finally I have grown up.

Oh yes! Thank you Daddy for the ice cream cake!

Before my haircut.

A new hairdo, a new me?

My best birthday gift- My baby!

Mum, I can feed myself....

See? Not too bad, huh?

Let me try again, mum!

Yummy!

Marsh and me celebrated with a Zucchini and chicken baked rice for dinner. I have never really started training you on self feeding. I know books encourage this skill but I just never get around doing that. But you have been wanting to self feed and you can do it very well on your own. You are not very messy and you do get food into your mouth. Good job, Marsh!

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?

Happy Birthday, Marsh!

20August Thursday / First of Seventh Month (Lunar Calendar)

Happy Lunar Birthday, Marsh! Today you turned ONE under the Chinese calender. Yeah, your lunar birthday falls on the first of the seventh month.

No big celebrations today. We went for your kindermusik class and then rushed home to prepare dinner. Uncle Fong came and joined us for mee sua dinner. I made you your very first bowl of mee sua and red eggs! Have been wanting to make you mee sua for the longest time but decided to wait till this special day. I am so happy that you love it and finished up one big bowl.

Ingredients for your mee sua-

Meat bone/Leek stock

Meesua

Egg Yolk

KaiLan leaves

Thread fin Fish

There are some meanings to having noodles on your birthday, Marsh. I think the long mee sua symbolises longevity and eggs mean ehhh? (will check it out).

As I watched you finishing up the noodles, I made a silent promise that I shall make you your meesua soup on your every lunar birthday till the day you dont want to eat it anymore.

Moon and Stars

Life's cupcakes- You 'll never know what you going to get. Sunshine, rainbow or starry nights.

Sensational One!

Your Birthday reminds me of how much you mean to me and candles are milestones on the journey to wisdom.. And I m looking forward to be always by your side when every additional candle is added each year.

I had long decided on the theme of your party-the Wonderment of the Moon and the Stars for my Magical Baby. I had designed and customised your cake and the cupcakes to the theme. I hope you like it. I love it. Many people asked me why did I choose this theme? Three good reasons, Marsh.

Reason 1. Your Favourite Baby Estein DVD - The Galaxy. You love the show and can watch this disc over and over again. You always look so enchanted by the sun, planets and especially the moon and the stars. You even know how to open and close your ten little fingers when the song Twinkle Twinkle Little star is played.

Reason 2. While celebrating you, I wish to remember my grandmother , your great grandmother who passed away 2 months ago. Her chinese name means the moon or the lady from the moon. That was why I have the moon topper on the Cake. The moon resembles her. I want her to know that she is not forgotten but greatly missed.

Reason 3. Last but not least, my wish for you is always be happy and be over the moon! And I hope I can inspire and encourage you to find and follow your own star in your life. You will then see how different the world can be.

SO when everyone was singing the birthday song and the single candle was lit on the birthday cake, I was hoping you will one day understand the hidden meaning of it all . I was also secretly celebrating my own year of enchantment as your mother.

Happy First Birthday, Marsh.

Mummy Loves you more than the Sun, the Moon and the Stars.

My Marshmellow is ONE!!!

1st August 2009

HAPPY 1st BIRTHDAY, Marsh!

Today marked the moment you have been traipsing on this earth for a good 12 months. I have been trying to deal with the mixed emotions with you turning one for the last few days. I was looking forward to this day but at the same time trying to hold on to the last few moments while you are still my little baby.

I had organized a small cozy party for you. I used to wonder what is the big fuss over birthdays and snorted at the idea of big celebrations for kids. But now as time passes, being with you for the last 12 months open me to the beauty of life and the promise of the future in a way i never imagined. I start to celebrate the seasons and the cycles of nature. Most importantly, the desire to celebrate you is so strong. To celebrate this year of journey we shared. and the bond we have built. And i look forward to sharing this happiness with the people who cares for you.

As the day come to an end, I had a pang of sadness. It is over already? I have really enjoy this baby phase. I get abit weepy and precious whenever I think that this will be the last time I get to cuddle a baby because you are going to be the only baby in my life. How on earth am I going to find something to top that? It hasnt been easy but we have come a long way. And I would choose to do it all over again.

But in the same second, I’m looking forward to the beach and star gazing trips with you in the future. Ah, such bittersweet moments.

Happy Birthday again, my precious!

First Birthday Bash!

Seems like many mommies around me are busy making plans for the big first birthdays parties. Sorry Marsh, I had decided not to have a big bash for you this time round. Moreover with the passing on of your great grandma recently, it doesnt seems too appropriate to have any big celebrations now.

In fact I was really pressurised when I learnt that most mommies are making big celebration plans. I do not want to deprive you of anything. And it really means alot to me for you to turn one. Therefore, I am not writing off this celebration. But instead I want to celebrate this in a very meaningful way.

I am going to hold a small and cosy celebration at home. Only inviting our close family members. This is going to be a gathering of the people who love and care for you.

I want to celebrate your birthday in the memory of your great grandma. I am sure she is going to be very happy to see the whole family gather together again.

I want to give you a memorable birthday, Marsh.