Happy Birthday Ah Mah!

Ah Mah's lunar birthday falls on the last day of Chinese New Year （元宵节）, while her birthday is on 28 February.

We held a mini celebrations for her on her lunar birthday. I led Mommy, Yeye and Dylan to sing the birthday song in English and Chinese for Ah Mah.

Mommy bought Ah Mah a yummy chocolate brownie cake!

Happy birthday, my dearest most beloved Ah Mah!

Home Flashcard Practice

Daddy has been doing home flashcard practice very faithfully with Tessa and Dylan. Both of them enjoy such sessions with Daddy every night.

Kite flying

Daddy has been in love with kite-flying lately. But too bad, we have not taken any photos of our kite-flying attempts.

Mom only managed to capture this - a giant kite made up of 3 big teddy bears! They rule the skies!

I must remind Mommy to take photos the next time we go kite-flying.

Celebrating Alistair's birthday in school

Recently, Tessa has been coming home with goodie bags. The most recent one is from Alistair.

She told me they celebrated Alistair's birthday in school and Alistair gave them cupcakes. Today I finally "saw" the cupcake that she ate. It sure looked yummy.

After the last time she told me about Nigel's birthday celebration in school, I have been thinking about Tessa's birthday. Being a lazy mommy, I initially had no intention whatsoever to celebrate Tessa's birthday in school. Last year, we simply just declared April 21 a holiday and Tessa was spared from going to school.

But this year, I think it is time for me to buck up and plan something for my little girl. I have already started to think of the stuff to put into the goodie bags.... hmm.. what's next?

Don't worry Mom!

When I tried to hold her hand to help her trace the outline of a circle, Tessa looked up at me and said, "Don't worry, I can do it by myself." I was mildly shocked.

Then quite skilfully, she traced the outline of the circle and announced to me, "Look! I did it!"

Surely, I have underestimated what my little girl is capable of these days.

Teething problems

When Dylan started to gnaw and gum down almost everything and anything that he could get into his mouth - you name it, chances are he has done it, which includes his hands, his feet, toys, towels, pillows, blankets, milk teat etc - we know that he will soon enter yet another of his developmental milestones - teething. But since last month, he has become more irritable, grouchy and cranky. He has been on milk strikes - pushing the milk bottle away and putting up a big fight when we tried to feed him. He also has problem sleeping some nights, tossing and turning all over the bed.

Finally, we saw one little white fella peeks out from his bottom gum and another followed quite soon later. Now he has two little bottom toothlings and he likes to explore them using his tongue. But the poor little boy has also developed cold symptoms - coughing and runny nose. I found out that all these can be related to teething. Tessa breezed through the teething process and before we knew it, she has had her full set of baby teeth. Dylan seems to have it harder. I can only hope that it will get better and easier for him.

Happy 6 months old to Dylan-boy!

Time really flies! Our little Dylan-boy turns 6-month-old today!

Out of curiosity, I decided to compare how Tessa and Dylan have grown during the first 6 months of their lives.

Tessa & Dylan - Newborn

Tessa & Dylan - 1-month-old

Tessa & Dylan - 2-month-old

Tessa & Dylan - 3-month-old

Tessa & Dylan - 4-month-old

Tessa & Dylan - 5-month-old

Tessa & Dylan - 6-month-old

新加坡福建会馆豆豆班

爸爸一直很担心雨桐的中文学习进展。他担心没能为女儿打好华文基础。因此，自1月9日起，雨桐就开始在新加坡福建会馆上华文豆豆班。

刚开始，雨桐好像对课程一点兴趣都没有。老师叫她坐，她站。老师叫她站起来，她坐下。老师在念儿歌，她在地上打滚。搞得妈妈啼笑皆非。唯一令她感兴趣的就是课堂上老师会教小朋友做各种各样的手工。妈妈把雨桐的杰作贴在房间的墙上供大家欣赏，搞不好哪一天我们还能办个小小展示会呢！

可是过了几个星期，妈妈发现到雨桐原来有在吸收课堂上所学的。她会随性地念起在课堂上学到的儿歌。虽然咬字和押韵仍然有错，但已经算精神可嘉，可喜可贺。

Happy Valentine's Day

Tessa was very anxious and very eager to show me the card she has specially made for Daddy and me when I picked her up from school today.

When she showed to Daddy at night, Daddy was beaming from ear to ear. I can sense his pride, love and happiness. Daddy kept telling me that this is the first card we've received from our little girl. No wonder they say father and daughter are lovers in their past lives.

After dinner, we took Tessa to NTUC to buy her diapers. After that, the little girl requested for strawberry ice-cream. So we went to McDonald's where she and her Dad shared a strawberry sundae.

Daddy then suggested bringing Tessa to the playground, we finally found one between blocks 428 and 429. I was having fun playing with Tessa and sliding down the slides. As I lie on the slide and looked up into the sky, I was amazed that the sky was so clear that we could see the stars so very clearly!! The orion constellation was very bright and clear.

It has been a long while since I gazed at the stars. Tonight, it was such a dreamy experience lying down and gazing at the starry skies amidst Tessa's laughters.

This is the third Valentine's Day that we are spending with Tessa. Although there were no flowers, no presents and no candlelight dinner, I am glad to have some great and entertaining company under the starry skies.

Thank you my valentines.

Fun at Smaland IKEA

Mommy needed to go to IKEA to buy something, so she and Daddy asked if I am interested to go to the playground there. But the thing is, I have to be on my own as Mommy and Daddy and Dylan are not allowed to go in. Hearing this, I am not too keen.

But when we arrived at IKEA and I saw Smaland, I can't wait to jump into the pool of colourful balls! Daddy took a queue number as I watched anxiously at the other children playing inside.

Finally it was my turn. The auntie at the counter had Daddy filled up a form, then I was given a number apron to put on. After removing my shoes and disinfecting my hands, I was allowed to go into the play area! I waved bye bye to Daddy & Mommy and told them that they can go shopping now.

About an hour later, Mommy and Daddy are done with their shopping. Daddy came to Smaland to pick me up. After that, we had yummy hot dogs, coke and ice cream before heading home!

 

|Mommy's notes: This is yet another evidence that our little girl has grown up. She can now be left alone to play by herself at Smaland. She now puts on and takes off her own shirt, pants, diaper, shoes and socks. She feeds herself effortlessly without help. She will take tissue paper to wipe the floor after she spills water on it. She chooses her own clothes, food, drinks, etc. She reads stories to Dylan. Isn't all that just amazing?|

A Day at the National Museum

Mommy was going through the photos today and found that she has missed out on this outing. Daddy, Mommy, Tessa and Dylan had a fun day out at the National Museum on 17 December 2010.

We also went to the Marina Bay Sands for the first time! And we got Yeye and Ah Mah their Christmas presents at Marina Square - both of them got new watches!

Missing in Action

Yes, I know, we have gone missing for quite a while because Mommy has been lazy. Sorry folks. Will work harder. Erm... soon.

Daddy's complaining that we (meaning 'I') did not take enough photos and videos of Dylan, documenting his growth and developmental milestones. OK, noted.

Siao Mommy and Siao Daddy-to-be are requesting for updates and photos of CNY. OK, noted.

Watch this space for new updates coming your way... ;)

大年初二

We are going to the zoo zoo zoo!!!

Today Daddy & Mommy are going to bring Dylan, Yeye, Ah Mah and me to the zoo! I have been excited since yesterday! I want to say hello to the zebras, elephants, giraffes, tigers, pigs, lions, monkeys, gorillas, kangaroos, hippos, rhinos....

Mommy said I can play at the water playground too! Yippee!!!

After a long series of wet weather, we finally had some sunny weather fit for a zoo trip!

We are the Fu Lu Shou!

Going wet and wild at the water playground!!! It's sooooo much fun!

OK, the bunny rabbit is going home now. Bye bye animals!

大年初一

On the first day of the Lunar New Year, we woke up to the nice aroma of something cooking in the kitchen! Mommy has cooked us yummy breakfast! Too bad, we did not take any photos to showcase Mommy's master piece. But nonetheless, we thoroughly enjoyed the sumptuous breakfast. Thank you Mommy!

After we are all dressed up, we headed to Clementi to wish Yeye and Ah Mah happy new year!

Look at Dylan, he was such a happy boy! He has so many facial expressions!

We then went to Lao Ma's house for dinner; and once again, Dylan is experimenting with his many funny expressions.

As usual, I had alot of fun playing with Shihan.

Haha, look at Dylan! He's wondering what he can do with his ang baos!

Dylan: "OK, Mom, what did you say these are? Ang baos? What can I do with them?"

"OK... I still can't figure it out... Whatever!"

Reunion Dinner!

Today, we are all going to Lao Ma's house for reunion dinner. George yeye bought big big prawns for me!! Yeah yeah!! Yummy!

Daddy went to Lao Ma's place to collect food after work because we need to pray to our ancestors at Clementi.

After the prayers, Mommy dressed me and Dylan up in our new CNY "costumes" and off we head to Lao Ma's place!

Shihan meimei is also dressed in similar CNY costumes. Don't we all look adorable?

We had so much fun eating, drinking and playing together.

Ohh... does Dylan look pretty in my hairband?