CELESTIAL HAPPINESS

A long and lengthy update about Karyn Jie Jie

2010-01-25T11:01:00.004+08:00

It's been 3 weeks since Kayla was born and Karyn has been a loving big sister to Kayla.

I suppose we've done a good job with the early psycho-education during my pregnancy. I also attribute it to the fact that she had witnessed my SIL's pregnancy and arrival of her baby boy Kayden (her 9-month old cousin whom she adores and plays with every weekend at Ye Ye's house) that she was able to understand the concept of pregnancy and birth.

Although she did stump me one time when I was about 7 month pregnant, by asking me, "Mummy, how come Mei Mei can be inside the stomach?" GULP. I was stumped. Don't tell me it's time to begin sexuality education at age 3???

Luckily, I remember my "super Dad-friend-cum-ex-colleague Uncle" James who has a 5-year-old and a 18-month-old, both girls too. When we were working at the previous workplace, we had often traded stories of our kids and parenting techniques.

At his sound advice, I explained to Karyn that because Mummy and Daddy love each other, so we got married; and then have baby inside stomach. No need to talk about the birds and the bees, she's too young to comprehend. I thought, "you mean that's it, so simple?" Whew! Luckily Karyn was able to accept the answer and didn't ask further.

Okok, I have sidetracked once again. Back to Karyn's recent updates. But before that, let me put down on record her reaction to Mei Mei when we first came back from hospital.

During the first few days, we had difficulties with her sleep and behaviour. She couldn't understand why she had to stop sleeping in our room. Although my mum has been here to stay with us and sleeps with her in her own room, she had a lot of difficulties staying in her room and falling asleep. I think she made like 8 rounds back and forth, to my room and back to hers before she managed to sleep. And it was unrestful sleep somemore.

Behaviour-wise, it was quite tough for everyone in the first week. Karyn got shouted at and scolded for things like playing with Mei Mei's sterilised bottles, messing my bed up, refusing to keep her toys and stuff, refusing to finish dinner, etc. The list went on. I suppose we were all adjusting to a new member in the family and to the new dynamics. Personally, I think I was pretty high strung in the first week, maybe my hormones at fault too. Anyway, I'm glad everything fell nicely into place from the 2nd week onwards as we gradually adapted to our new way of life.

Actually I started this entry wanting to share about the technological advances that Karyn has made in the past few weeks.

First, she started with MS Word. She always asks to type on our computer and we had rejected her before. So she had to live with typing on her toy laptop. Then one fine day, I relented and let her type on MS Word. She first started typing in the default black Arial font 12. Within days, her documents became as colourful as the rainbow! She had learnt how to change font, change colour and type smiley faces. I taught her the first two and her daddy taught her the smiley faces. And amazingly, with just one round of demo and one round of hands-on trial, she could do it independently already! Do I have a whiz kid or what??? But of course, one entire document is one colour and another document another colour. We haven't taught her to highlight portions and change yet.

Before long, I discovered that apart from MS Word, she had learnt from observation, how to open the Picassa software and view photos on her own. All because she had seen her daddy do it (she always pesters him to show her her old photos and videos) umpteen times.

On top of MS Word, she also loves to play games and print colouring pages on the Internet. After her daddy went through the games with her once or twice and we had helped her bookmark her favourite sites, she is able to start the games and play independently. Her favourites are Sesame Street (on PBS Kids), Bob the Builder, "Ladybird game" (of which I don't know the URL) and some random Barbie/Princess/Dora/Hello Kitty colouring pages which her daddy will source for her.

My "alien baby"

2010-01-09T21:43:00.000+08:00

On the day that we discharged from hospital, Kayla did a blood test for jaundice and the results were too high for her to be discharged - 10.8.

Luckily, I had seen from Yvonne's Facebook that there's a phototherapy machine that can be rented home to use on the baby. So we immediately made arrangements at the PD's clinic to rent the machine home. It cost $430+ for 3 days' 2 nights' rental. I thought it made good sense as the baby's hospitalisation bill would even be higher than that.

It was quite a distressing experience for both baby and I. Once we put Kayla in, she would wail at the top of her voice. Firstly, she doesn't fancy being unswaddled. On top of that, we had to remove her clothes. We were told by the staff that babies would definitely cry when placed inside and we just had to turn a blind eye and deaf ear to it. Anyway, if they had been in the hospital nursery, they would also be crying, just that we wouldn't be there to hear and see it. I kept psychoing myself with that thought but it still is heartbreaking to hear the little one in such distress.

After the second day, we learnt that she could sleep long and well after a good meal. So we made sure that she was fed some formula (to supplement while waiting for my milk to come in) and was full and fast asleep before we placed her inside the "capsule".

We also made a startling discovery about Kayla when we placed her on her tummy. She could actually lift up her head and turn to the opposite side. And she was only 4 days old then! On day 6, she was propping her butt up in the air and trying to shuffle her body forward! Way to go, gal!

By the way, don't you think Kayla looks like an "alien baby" when she's wearing the eye mask? Haha.

It wasn't until Day 7 (after 2 visits to the PD and 2 blood tests) that Kayla's jaundice level was declared safe to be taken off the phototherapy.

Kayla's birth story

2010-01-02T22:15:00.000+08:00

Didn't blog about Karyn's birth story in 2006 as it was quite a traumatic experience. Kayla's too was traumatic at a certain point during the labour but the sweet ending was too memorable, so decided to put it down in record before my memory fails me.

Sat (02/01/2010) morning

woke up at 8.30.

went to brush teeth and felt a sudden gush of water flowing out. but not continuous. so quickly put on a pad and went out to announce that it's time!

then waited for hubby to pack his bag. called the labour ward in the car to tell them to we're on our way.

reached hospital at close to 930

strapped on CTG. given enema. told to hold it in for 10 min if possible. could't, went to poop after 4 min.

went to lie down. nurse did VE, already 4 cm dilated. was very surprised that i couldn't feel any contractions at all.

during karyn's time, was alr bending over in pain at 3cm.

then nurse asked if i wanted epidural now. i said ok, since anaesthetist will take time to come and contractions will intensify.

by the time anaesthetist came, alr started feeling the contractions, felt like menstrual cramps.

anaesthetist gave epidural, told me tat he wun give too high dosage, just numb me a little.

few hours after epi, contractions felt stronger and more painful. until cannot bear anymore and started moaning louder and louder uncontrollably and squeezed hubby's hand tight and tighter. deep breathing also didnt help. told the nurse to get doc to cut me up and take baby out. nurse called the anaesthetist to come back.

he was quite surprised as he increased the dosage but i didnt feel any effect of the epi. said something about it being a rare case. most people would be totally numb by now.

so we decided to redo the epidural. that time was alr 7cm dilated. and i was screaming uncontrollably in pain as the contractions came fast and furious at every min or so. pretty much like Karyn's time. kept feeling the urge to push. and (WARNING: graphic details follows hereafter, skip to next bulleted point if you're (1) a visual person, (2) not ready to read about the ugly side of the labour process) a lot of poop kept coming out as the anaesthetist redid the epi.

apparently the enema didn't help clear the bowels. so it was like, enema AND epi didnt work. GOSH!!!

anaesthetist told hubby that probably during the first injection, he didnt find the exact spot. i rem him telling me when he first injected me that if I were to have a 3rd child, i will need to control the weight gain. otherwise, will have problem injecting the epidural. something about the needle being too short to reach the right spot.

when he did the epi the 2nd time round, i felt my legs jerk suddenly and cried out in pain. dr said good, epi working. then gradually legs became numb.

by then was about 4+ p.m. alr. or was it 3 plus? cant rem.

anyway, it was blissful after that... couldnt feel the contractions anymore.

nurse did VE and said 8 cm but baby still very high up. so we waited and waited for baby to descend.

next VE, 9cm, baby still high. nurse said big babies will take some time to move down... so more waiting..

finally at about close to 5pm, was finally 10cm dilated. nurse said can call gynae alr...

when she came back, she started practising pushing with me.

we did it abt 3 rounds and she said i was doing a great job, passed with flying colours! baby's head was crowning alr, can stop practising and wait for doc to come. all the constipation that i used to have seemed to come into good use during labour - i though aloud.

when doc came at 5.18p.m., we went for it. pushed and pushed.

huffed and puffed 6 times and Kayla slipped out. i could even feel her slipping out from inside of me, quite a pleasant and memorable sensation.

immediately, Kayla was put onto my chest.

slight tear at perineum, so doc gave me a few stitches.

started breastfeeding once Kayla was brought back into the labour room after having her measurements taken - weight: 3.84 kg, head circumference: 36cm, length: 50cm.

"Os be to"

2009-11-27T10:04:00.003+08:00

It's been a REALLY long time since I updated this blog. Have been busy with work and (ok, I admit) lazy to blog.

Anyway, a new development of Karyn's prompted me to chronicle it before my memory fails me.

Her vocabulary bank has expanded by leaps and bounds in the past year that I stopped blogging. Recently, we heard her use a weird-sounding term.

She would say, "Ye Ye's house os be to 13th floor, but we take the lift to 14th floor."

Or just the other day when we were eating watermelon, she said, "These two pieces os be to together. But auntie cut."

After some head scratching, we realised that she meant "supposed to". But somehow, she got used to pronouncing it as "os be to" for some reason or another. So I asked her if she meant "supposed to" which she said yes.

So I decided to correct her once and for all, not wanting her to continue using a nonsensical term which nobody understands. Gently, I told her that there is no such word as "os be to" and taught her the proper pronounciation. She actually broke into laughter. Maybe she realised her own silliness. After some coaching, she managed to get the pronounciation correct and repeated the phrase several times as if to lock it in her head.

Kids, they are such a joy.

Aspiring teacher?

2008-08-16T22:19:00.004+08:00

Ever since Karyn turned two and had a better grasp of her speech and communication skills, her favourite role-playing game is "lesson time" in which she transforms herself into a teacher and us into her students.

Instead of mimicking what her peers are doing in school, her role models are the teachers, especially her form teacher, Teacher Ang! I think other than absorbing the content of the lessons, she also takes in the processes as well, i.e. observing and imitating her teachers.

Why do I say so? At home, she'd have schooling episodes in which she'll tell us stories or teach us lessons. She's so good at it that when holding up a book, the book faces us instead of her. And surprisingly, she really can "read" and "teach" from the teachers' perspective!

Notice how she holds the book

She loves teaching (or is it revising?) her Chinese, Mathematics and Phonics worksheets, in that order of preference. We usually have to put up with at least 30 mins of "lessons" every night. Oh, did I mention that when she speaks Mandarin, she sounds like an "ang moh", with the "ang moh" accent to boot! It's so funny that her Gong Gong calls her a "banana" (Chinese who can't speak Mandarin properly). Oh well, hopefully she'll continue to enjoy learning Chinese and not find it as challenging as other kids who come from English speaking families.

Okay, I have sidetracked. Back to her role plays...

Sometimes, when we refuse to play along with her by reading after her or answering her questions, she'd say "Naughty girl/boy" to me or her daddy respectively, with a pout and an annoyed expression. In fact, sometimes she'd even say things like "sit down, everybody, sit down", "keep quiet and fold your arms"... We figured that must be how the teachers instruct the children in school.

Typical expression when we don't play along with her

Unbelievable right? Sometimes I wonder, having a mum who's an ex-teacher, could she possibly have teaching in her blood too???

Baking with Karyn

2008-08-03T22:43:00.001+08:00

Have always dreamt of baking cookies with my kid(s?) since I was pregnant - mummy and kids baking together in the kitchen, sifting flour, beating eggs, rolling dough... What a warm and cosy image. So, one can imagine my delight when I finally tried baking with Karyn. Though it gets rather messy at times, it was great fun!

Beating the eggs with such concentration

Having fun

Using hand to mix the butter, are you sure, Mummy?

I still prefer using a fork, don't want to dirty my hands

Greasing the baking pan

Dropping the mixture into the pan

So sticky...

Almost done

Oops, some on fingers

Mummy, can we put it into the oven yet?

Cleaning up the mixing bowl

Not forgetting the other utensils too

How did the cookies turn out to be muffins!?!?!

Who cares as long as they taste good!

I'm Mummy's fine assistant!

I'm very tired, I need to rest

What a "小姐" she is

2008-06-08T22:07:00.001+08:00

Half a morning at the beach made me realise the kind of girl I have... I guess it's a case of like mother like daughter. Heh...

The weather has been quite cool and not scorching hot these days. So we decided to bring Karyn to the beach. It was the very first time we brought her to the beach. Early in the morning, we quickly packed the stuff - beach toys and headed out. We couldn't find a beach mat and so made do with an old bath towel.

We had a nice and long breakfast at East Coast Park MacDonald's. It was so crowded on a Sunday morning! Then we strolled to the beach, carefully avoiding the bladers and cyclists. What a different world it is to us; it's amazing there're so many people at the beach in the morning. We hardly go to East Coast Park, like not even once a year?

When we reached the beach, Karyn refused to walk on the sand. So I had to carry her. And after we laid out the towel, she refused to sit down on her own. So I had to sit beside her. I think it was a totally new experience for her, and thus need some getting used to.

After some demo and coaxing, she seemed to be quite settled in and started to play on her own, scooping sand into the pail and sand moulds. Is that the term for those beach toys people use to create figurines in the sand? No idea, I shall call them sand moulds for now. Like jelly moulds, haha!

Playing with sand for the first time

Happy!

So engrossed

Karyn was quite happy scooping the sand until some dropped on her hands and feet. And she went, "Eeeeee!" and froze in time.

I quickly brushed the sand off her and assured her that it was ok. We could brush the sand off. And then when some sand landed on the towel near her legs (her estimation and aiming skills are still not too accurate yet, sometimes she scoops too much sand or she didn't pour it accurately into the mould), she would shuffle her butt and move herself backwards on the towel. She just can't stand sand too near her body. Eventually she ended up at the north/top of the towel when she started off being at the south/bottom.

Notice how carefully she avoids the sand on the towel?

Finally comfortable with sand on her legs

Not forgetting the hat that she insisted on bringing out but forgot to wear.

Karyn's birthday party in school

2008-06-04T21:26:00.001+08:00

Celebrated Karyn's birthday in school today. Had to do it one day before her actual day as I couldn't take leave on the 5th.

As I mentioned in one of my previous posts, I had ordered the Elmo party novelties from Birthday Direct. As they weren't the ready packed ones, I spent the evening before packing the items into the Elmo bags. The cake was ordered from Polar Cakes. It tasted better than I had expected.

Teacher Ang and Karyn's classmates

No idea why but the birthday girl was a little sulky. Seems like she doesn't quite like birthday celebrations.

Cake cutting was slightly more interesting for the little girl

Looking on as Mummy cuts and distributes the cake

She must be hungry...

All the children tucking in

The birthday girl distributing the party bags

All the children together with Teacher Ang and Zhou Lao Shi

Happy 2nd birthday, Karyn!

2008-06-01T23:48:00.002+08:00

We went early to the function lounge to set up the place and put up the party decorations. Luckily, had the help of Grace (my cousin) and my PILs who helped to blow the balloons. In no time at all, the lounge was exuberating with the party atmosphere.

Winnie the Pooh door curtain

The birthday banner with the name that I recycled from her 1st birthday

The birthday girl wanted to help too

Waiting with a life-sized walking Winnie for the rest of the guests

Waiting at the door for the guests to arrive

Presents galore
(the Winnie-themed party novelty bags are on the upper left hand corner, which the birthday girl distributed to all the still-young guests at the end of the party)

Another life-sized Pooh plush given by Lao Gou

I wanted a picture with Pooh too; never had such a huge soft toy in my life till I met the Daddy in my twenties.

Be careful, Pooh! You're crushing me!

Be good, sit here while I get my food...

Yummy food!

The cake that everyone went ga ga over

Posing with the cake

Karyn's maternal family

Karyn's paternal family

Karyn with Gong Gong and Ma Ma

One with all the Ah Yis and Gu Gus

Another one with Lao Ma and all the Lao Gous

A solo one with Mummy & Pooh

Time to blow the candles. The little girl was more enchanted by the camera than the cake...

Cutting the cake. Little girl is certainly attentive to this one. Maybe she knows she can taste it soon. Haha.

And of course, the cake was super yummy and highly recommended! Triple layer chocolate from Pine Garden. No more pictures after this one as everyone's busy eating the cake...

Planning for Karyn's 2nd birthday celebrations

2008-05-31T23:26:00.004+08:00

After much consideration, we decided to hold a bigger birthday bash for Karyn this year. We figured she's more grown up and and should be able to enjoy her second birthday more than her first one. And also mostly 'cos the Mummy likes to plan and organise events lah.

And so, weeks ago, I'd started surfing the online party supplies sites to shop for party novelties for Karyn's birthday. It was such a coincidence that Hubby was going to US for a business trip. Great timing as I was able to save on the shipping charges of those items I was gonna buy from Birthday Direct.

Great! Hence, I decided on the Winnie the Pooh theme for the family party and the Elmo theme for Karyn's school party. With the theme in mind, I placed my orders for the party novelties. For the Winnie theme, I ordered the pre-packed novelty bags. With the Elmo theme, I picked out the goodie bag, stickers and Elmo figurine individually, which when they arrived, I had to pack them myself.

The date (1st June, which was the Sunday before her actual birthday) and venue was set. Asked my uncle (i.e. Karyn's granduncle) to help book the function lounge at his condo for the family do. Went shopping for Winnie the Pooh figurines to be placed on the customised birthday cake from Pine Garden. It was hard getting all the characters (Pooh, Tigger, Piglet and Eeyore) at one store. Went to a few stores (a couple of Mini Toons outlets and other gift shops) before we rounded up all of them.

Chose the food menu from YSL catering, the one with the yummy black sauce pork bun that we had for Karyn's first month celebration in 2006. Went down to Pine Garden to place order for the 3 kg cake. Specifically chose a nice sky plus flowers design and asked them to place the Pooh figurines on it.

Check out the pictures in the next post.

Pole dancing

2008-05-24T22:18:00.000+08:00

Karyn decided to pick up pole dancing. She certainly needs more work on the facial expression though.

Cheeky

Yakky

Last day in BKK

2008-05-19T22:40:00.000+08:00

Not much time to do on the last day except have breakfast, check out of hotel and head to the airport.

Posing with Ma Ma

With Ma Ma and Gong Gong

And last but not least, Daddy and Mummy

Day 3 at BKK

2008-05-18T22:27:00.001+08:00

I was in my parents' room (that was interconnecting ours), slurping up the juicy rambutans and mangosteens that my parents bought when Hubby took these pictures of Karyn in our own room.

Looking forlorn

You don't wanna mess with me

Let me think about that...

I think it's a great idea!

Alright, let's go!

Are you coming with me?

Day 2 at BKK

2008-05-17T22:13:00.002+08:00

Having breakfast at the hotel coffeehouse before setting off for the day

Paying respects to Buddha at the shrine.

At Chatuchak Market
My dad came up with this ingenious way of pushing the stroller (that couldn't recline) just so that Karyn could continue sleeping. It was so clever that we took turns doing it. And Karyn slept like a baby, for more than an hour...

My vainpot posing in the hat that Ma Ma bought from the store in the background

Karyn's 1st BKK trip

2008-05-16T21:58:00.001+08:00

Brought Karyn, her Ma Ma and Gong Gong (my mum and dad) to BKK for a short getaway. The first thing we did after checking into the hotel was to get out immediately to go... shopping! Our favourite hotel, Arnoma is conveniently situated across the road from Central World, which was where we headed straightaway.

Was window shopping at the Bata shop when Karyn spotted a haversack in her favourite colour. So all by herself, she hauled the humongous bag off the (low) shelf and tried to carry it. See how she struggled with the gigantic bag that was almost as big as her.

Hmm... how should I do it?

With a huff...

And a puff...

And there she goes!

Nah! Of course she had some help from Gong Gong. She couldn't possibly do it all on her own... But one can certainly tell she's quite ambitious to venture it all on her own. That's my girl!

The many faces of Karyn

2008-05-03T22:22:00.000+08:00

The many faces of Karyn's

Slurping-up-own-saliva face

I'm-not-gonna-share-my-biscuit face

That's-so-funny face

Which-sticker-should-I-take face

Talking-on-the-phone face

Dinner at Minori Japanese Restaurant

2008-04-19T23:12:00.000+08:00

We went to Minori for a Japanese feast.
Their buffet has been one of my favourites
as there's free flow sashimi!

Guarding her chawanmushi - her
favourite Japanese dish

Chomping on chawanmushi

I've finished dinner, can we go yet?

Gosh, who taught her to pose like that?!?!

2008-04-19T22:09:00.001+08:00

Gosh, who taught her to pose like this?!?!
None of us did actually.
I wonder where she learnt it from...

Karyn's first hospital trip

2008-04-06T22:42:00.005+08:00

Poor Karyn had been having a fever that subsided and came back, on and off, for a couple of days. Subsequently, when we thought it had finally subsided, she started having diarrhoea. That got us very worried as she hadn't been eating much and had been slightly less active than usual.

Thus, at about 9 o'clock in the morning, we decided to bring her to KK Children's and Women's Hospital.

We didn't have to wait long before it was our turn at the triage. The nurse took Karyn's temperature, asked us some questions and gave Karyn fever medicine as her temperature was high again. Then she ordered a blood test for Karyn before we were asked to go to the cashier to make payment.

After that was done, we sat and waited for our turn for the blood test. I started to prep Karyn mentally for it. Told her that there'll be an injection and it'd be a bit painful but she'd be okay.

I think that mental prep talk really helped as the blood retrieval process was a breeze. When the nurse jabbed Karyn's finger and did some squeezing to get the blood into a test tube, all Karyn did was a wince and a gasp. And it was over and done with. All within 2 min. As she put a plaster on Karyn's tiny finger, the nurse praised her for being such a brave little girl and gave her a sweet. Not that she needed it.

She did kick up a little fuss and wanted to remove the plaster. However, I managed to convince her to leave it on or her finger would be bleeding. Actually the trick was me telling her to keep it on and show her Ah Ma that evening. Somehow, that prospect seemed to interest her a lot and so, she stopped asking to have it removed.

When we saw the doctor, he examined Karyn and asked some questions. He said that it was probably a viral infection with two options: admit Karyn for observation or we go back with the electrolytes and monitor the situation.

We decided on the latter as we figured none of us, and especially Karyn would be comfortable at the hospital. We could feed her the electrolytes at home and if her diarrhoea subsides, she'd be okay. If it didn't, then we'd have to send her back again.

Back at home, we fed Karyn the electrolytes religiously. It was quite a tedious process, she had to drink 30 ml every 15 min, followed by 30 min and then 45 min. As it is, Karyn's not the kind who likes drinking water. And to get her to drink that much at one go was quite a challenge. But for some reason that day, it was a breeze! Perhaps the electrolytes taste better than plain water.

Over a couple of hours, the electrolytes seemed to have taken effect. Karyn was back to her usual active self again. By late afternoon, her diarrhoea and fever really did subside. We even managed to bring her out for dinner.

See, I have a plaster!

Who cares?

Act cute pose

Water fun at Vivo

2008-03-16T22:32:00.004+08:00

Read some mummies' blogs about them bringing their
kiddos to the various water playgrounds in the major
shopping malls. And hence, decided to bring Karyn to
try out the one at Vivocity.

Improvised the container that was originally
used to hold her snacks into her water toy.

See the glee on her face

Tokyo Part 3 - Disneyland, here we come!

2008-02-22T22:21:00.004+08:00

Waiting for the train to Disneyland

Mickey on every carriage!

Mickey on the handrails!

The maddening crowd of hundreds waiting for
Disneyland to open

People literally running in when the gates opened

Karyn dozing off after spending much time queuing to get in

Poor Karyn really does need some sleep

Stage performance which we waited almost half an hour for, in order to have a seat.

Karyn bobbing to the music

Up close with the dwarfs

The finale with all the Disney characters

Toon Town - the most toddler friendly town in Disneyland

The Baby Centre in Toon Town - where there are staff
to help you dispose of diapers after you've changed them!

A most unreluctant model

The 1st ride that we went on - "It's A Small World"

The 2nd ride that we went on

Mickey leading the parade

Fascinated...

Peter Pan

Not easy getting a shot of Karyn with the parade
in the background

Midway through, Karyn wanted to be the
photographer

Princess Aurora from Sleeping Beauty

Princess Belle from Beauty & The Beast

And of course, Cinderella

Minnie Mouse on the last float of the parade

Not "taking in" the parade as she
was busy "taking photos"

Can you believe she finished the entire
cup of fries all by herself?

Chip or Dale?

Daisy Duck

Donald Duck

Minnie Mouse

Act cute

Tokyo Part 2 - Chiba (in which Disneyland's located)

2008-02-21T21:56:00.002+08:00

(Post-dated)

This was the view from our Hyatt Regency Hotel bedroom - Mount Fuji.

Karyn woke up rather early.
She must have known we were heading to Disneyland that day.

Tucking into a sumptuous lunch upon reaching
Sunroute Plaza Hotel, one of the official Disneyland hotels.

As we had missed the early morning coach service from Hyatt Regency,
we had to take a cab that cost us a bomb - more than S$200!

Check out Karyn's rosy cheeks!

Slurping up the yummy pasta

It's delicious, want some?

Posing for the camera after a filling lunch

Outside the Disney store at the hotel

Playing at the hotel playground whilst waiting for our room

Where are you heading, my dear?

View from our hotel room

Zooming in on the Cinderella castle

At Ikspiari, the shopping centre next to Disneyland

It seems more like Paris than Tokyo, doesn't it?

What's with the flowers?

The super yummy sushi place at Ikspiari

This was what we had. Better than Singapore's!

Chawanmushi - Karyn's staple food in Tokyo.
Other than her Wang Wang milk balls and pasta, chawanmushi is all she ate.

Tokyo Part 1 - Shinjuku

2008-02-19T12:34:00.004+08:00

(Post-dated)

Bic Camera store

Just as I expected, not that I'm complaining, I wasn't able to shop much in the infamous shopping area of Shinjuku as I'd brought Karyn along. But what I didn't expect was the infinite amount of carrying and traipsing that I had to do.

Weighing in at a full 10 kg without the 4 layers of clothes (thermal wear, long-sleeved top and trousers, a short-sleeved top and a winter jacket), I had been weight-training for 3 whole days as I carried her and walked up and down East and West Shinjuku aimlessly, "shopping". The thing is, the malls there are pretty much the same as what we have in SG - Isetan, Takashimaya, smaller Far East Plaza-like places. The only difference is the exorbitant prices!

Hence, I was just "experiencing" Shinjuku as I trawled the malls and carrying Karyn pretty much everywhere I went. 'Cos I was afraid if I were to let her venture walking on her own, it'd have been a nightmare for me to chase after her. Imagine a big and clumsy (thanks to the winter wear that we had to don) mother lunging after a small bulky shrieking toddler. Not a pretty sight.

So since I already had my hands full (Karyn in one and a huge diaper bag in the other), all the pictures we took were taken at night, after Hubby knocked off from work.

Layering up before heading out

Less than 10 degrees Celsius at night

Dinner at the real Azabu Sabo
It wasn't a smoke-free restaurant, we realised, after seated at our table. Quickly ate and left.

The famous LV store
Nope, didn't buy anything from there, in case you were wondering.
Didn't even step into the store. Me ain't into that kinda brands.
Too atas for me.

Munching on Muji rice crackers at midnight
Yup, her entire routine and diet went bonkers the week we were there.
She survived on Want Want milk balls and chawanmushi.
That was mostly all she wanted to eat.
Not that we didn't feed her anything else.

Flying with Karyn

2008-02-19T11:59:00.000+08:00

(Post-dated)

Hubby had to go on a 4-day Tokyo business trip and so, I decided to crash in with Karyn. Used his Krisflyer miles to redeem an Economy return ticket on SIA and paid for an infant ticket for Karyn. However, it wasn't for the same flight out (of SG) as Hubby as that flight had been fully booked. Thus, Karyn and I had to take the next morning's flight at 9.25 a.m.

Many "firsts" that we experienced... It was Karyn's very first overseas trip and it was my first, alone with Karyn. I had been super anxious a week before the flight. Karyn had recently gone into the infamous "Terrible Twos" stage, throwing tantrums every other day. So I started reading up articles on the Internet about flying with children. I had to equip myself with all that I needed to know to handle any possible scenario that could happen during the 7-hour journey from SG to Tokyo.

Surprisingly, Karyn was so well behaved that when we landed, the gentleman seated next to me and the lady two seats away commented that Karyn is such a good girl!

I attribute it to two reasons:

(1) It was the anti-nausea/giddiness medicine that I gave her just before we boarded the plane that knocked her out almost half the journey time. She was sleeping like a baby.

(2) It was her first flight and everything was so unfamiliar to her. Hence, she was too busy taking in the experience to have the time to act up.

Something else that helped was the "bag of tricks" that I had brought along - stickers/colouring book, crayons - that kept her occupied during the times she was not sleeping. So she pretty much stayed on my lap, belted in.

But lo and behold, the flight back was such a contrast!

Hubby, though on the same flight, was not with us as his was a Business Class ticket (thanks to his company policy). Fortunately, there was an empty seat beside me and the gentleman one seat away is a grandfather of a 3-year-old boy who didn't mind playing with Karyn and helped me occupy her while I ate my in-flight meal.

Perhaps the earlier flight had brazened her, she was such a terror during the return flight! Refused to be belted in, getting up and down from my lap so many times till I lost count, venturing down and across the aisle to other passengers, trespassing into the Raffles Class cabin that was a curtain away... Even the sticker book and her favourite Want Want milk balls weren't sufficient to entertain her this time.

I was so exhausted trying to keep up with her antics that I must have lost at least 1 kg during that flight.

The only consolation is that the next time we fly long distance again, she's definitely getting her own seat. She'd be more than 2 years old by then.

Yummy nachos

2008-02-16T23:01:00.000+08:00

The most yummy nachos has got to be the ones at Hogs' Breathe Cafe at Vivocity. There are 5 different dips - salsa, sour cream, cheese, bean and avocado. Of course, the favourite was avocado. And unlike other places, Hogs' Breathe is so generous with the avocado that there was still some of it left at the end after we finished all the chips.

It was so scrumptious that we kept on eating and didn't take any photo of the nachos. Except for this one.

Karyn endorsing the nachos

Mummy, Karyn & Daddy

Karyn's paternal family

3rd day of CNY

2008-02-09T23:50:00.000+08:00

My grandma (i.e. Karyn's great grandma) treated the entire clan to dinner at Hung Kang Teochew Restaurant. And we had the most yummylicious "yu sheng" (in my opinion) ever.

Karyn had some bread to eat before we left
as our dinner reservation was the second sitting at 8 p.m.

Relax a while before we set off for the late dinner

Karyn's first taste of shark's fin soup. And she loves it!

Family portrait

1st day of CNY

2008-02-07T22:44:00.000+08:00

Didn't take as many photos on the 1st day of Chinese New Year as we were busy visiting, giving and (Karyn) receiving ang paos. These are the only pictures that were taken as Hubby entertained Karyn while I showered and got dressed.

My hair's wet 'cos Mummy just gave me a shower

You wanted to see my entire outfit?
This is the closest 'cos Daddy didn't take the full body shot.

CNY eve

2008-02-06T23:25:00.000+08:00

Took time-off today to rush to the hair salon for a very rushed colour job. Had wanted to do it over the weekend but Karyn had been ultra clingy, ever since she went to child care. So no choice, had to do it while she's at school.

When I arrived at the school to fetch Karyn, she was standing by the sliding door. To my surprise, her hair was tied up in 2 super cute pony tails. Upon asking, I found out that Teacher Jane was the one who had tied Karyn's hair up.

"But she never let us tie her hair!" I exclaimed.

"Told her hot hot... (then she let me tie)," Teacher Jane said.

After we got back home, she wasn't hungry as she already had some lunch in school. Hence, she played on the slide that we rented from Rent-A-Toy.

She looks good with pony tails, doesn't she?

Strike a pose

Teacher Jane had passed me a bag when I fetched Karyn from school. It contained her worksheets for January. I was caught by surprise. So the school returns the children's work on a monthly basis. I see.

Front of bag

Back of bag, with Karyn's name

Contents of bag - 7 sets of worksheets
(from top left: language enrichment, mathematics enrichment, language, cultural subjects, art work)
(from bottom left, pre-writing skills, mathematics, chinese, art works)

Inside of worksheets

Art - leaf printing

Art - put the stripes on the zebra

Art - colour the pumpkin

Art - colour and paste the lion's hair

Art - carrot (and it's a puffy one!)

Karyn's 1st school project

2008-02-05T00:01:00.000+08:00

Today, Karyn brought her 1st project home from school - beansprouts.

I couldn't help it but kept gushing "So cute!" The beansprouts, the way she held them, the thought of it being her first school project, the thought of her being "grown up already" to be doing school projects and bringing them home.

Playgroup at Montessori @ Graceland

2008-01-31T23:41:00.000+08:00

Ah Ma suddenly had a severe pain in her left leg that wouldn't go away despite 2 visits to the GP and one to the A&E. The doctors suspected a slipped disc and gave her painkillers while she waited to see the specialist.

Prematurely, we had to start Karyn on the full day play group programme instead of the half day one that she was due to start on the 2nd week of January. I took leave from work to accompany her during the first 3 days so that she could slowly settle in.

The first day we were there, she went around the classroom taking the materials and playing with them, occasionally handing them out to the other children. She couldn't sit still for more than a minute and getting her to eat her meals were challenging.

Outdoor play time

She cried and struggled during shower time and I had to stay by her side as the Auntie showered her quickly while trying to soothe her with her soft, gentle voice. But she still cried throughout while getting dressed.

On the 2nd day, I figured I should try to slowly make myself scarce, just to see if she would be ok on her own. She was quick to discover my absence and started bawling again. It was heartbreaking to see and hear her cry so pitifully. So I appeared again, much to the exasperation of Teacher Jane who was carrying her. "It's like that, it's normal. She'll calm down in a while, you shouldn't have appeared so quickly." I had to learn to let go. I stayed with her pretty much that day, accompanying her to the shower, got her dressed and so on, all the way till evening.

On the 3rd day, I disappeared mid-way through breakfast. For a long time. Went back to check on her during her nap time and she was sleeping. Teacher Ang said she did cry on and off. But it was ok. She managed to calm down after the teachers carried her.

The "early birds" in school

For 3 weeks after that, Karyn would cry every morning when I leave her at the school. I think she has a love-hate relationship with school. She loves to play with the "Gor Gor" and "Jie Jie" but she hates to be left there on her own. Every morning even before she reaches school, she would keep saying "Gor Gor", "Jie Jie" in the car. And usually she's the first to arrive. Hence, she would cry and Teacher Yong Yong will carry, talk to and distract her while waiting for the rest of the children to arrive. Only then would she stop crying.

I guess it's a matter of time before she settles in. And before that, I just have to continue hardening my heart and shutting my ears as I hand her over to Teacher Yong Yong every morning and head off to work.

A picnic at Botanic Gardens to start the new year

2008-01-01T22:01:00.000+08:00

Don't ask me why, I just had the sudden brilliant idea of going for a picnic on the weekend. I suppose it had something to do with the cool weather these days... So we went hunting for a picnic mat, or something that we could use as a picnic mat which is cheap and reuseable. Found this green plastic table lining at the ABC store. The night before, I prepared the food for our picnic - mini sandwiches, snacks, chilled the drinks and packed the picnic basket (which was actually a X'mas hamper from Hubby's company that really looks and acts like a real picnic basket).

The sky threatened to pour in the morning when we woke up. Luckily, by the time we finished our showers, the sun was out bright and cheery again. And so we headed to Botanic Gardens, stopping enroute at the confectionery to buy some sliced bread for feeding the swans and turtles at the lake.

Can we start eating, Mummy?

Let me show you 3 steps of eating a prawn cracker

First, you bite off a small piece

Then you take it out from your mouth and chew the piece inside

After that, you put the rest of it into your mouth

If you really like the taste, take a 2nd helping!

I like to walk up and down this groove at the side of the pavement

And run around in the open space

Observe the nature around me

And posing for pictures for Daddy

Calling out to the swans

Floating idyllically in the lake

Looking at other children feeding the swan and turtles

A final picture at the man-made waterfall before we leave

One of the best pictures ever!

2007-12-31T22:51:00.000+08:00

The melancholic ones first...

Faraway

Penny for your thoughts

Still in contemplation

Looking

Followed by the cute, cheeky ones...

Can I have that?

Little Miss Piggy

Good enough for product endorsement?

Sushi Tei, slides and more at Paragon

2007-12-29T23:28:00.000+08:00

Is the salad really that tasty, Mummy?

Colleague (MC) recommended the Sushi Tei seafood salad which I found rather yummy after tasting it during a dinner with an ex-classmate (XZ). Hence, when we were at Paragon during the weekend, it became a natural option (esp. since I was on a no-carbs diet).

Playing the "stack the bowls" games while waiting for the food to arrive

You there!

Dancing to the rhythm inside of her

As usual, Karyn ate the rice mixed with chawanmushi which is her typical meal at a Japanese restaurant. After dinner, we went window shopping at the children's stores. That is, until Karyn spotted one of her favourite play activity...

Mummy, slide!

Climbing up on her own

Stabilising herself

Getting ready

Off we go!

Does she have model potential? Part 2

2007-12-22T22:15:00.000+08:00

More pictures of the potential model... posted by the immodest mummy...

Shampoo commercial (2nd cut)

Earnest

Anticipation

Unsure

Determined

Yummy Minori

2007-12-21T23:46:00.000+08:00

After colleague (MC)'s high recommendations of the yummylicious Japanese buffet at Minori, hubby and I took a day off work to lunch there. With Karyn, of course.

But if you're expecting to see the photos of the food here, you'll be disappointed. 'Cos this blog is (mostly) about Karyn and more of Karyn and none other than Karyn, so all you'll see are Karyn's photos! Hahaha....

Mummy just ordered fried rice for me!

Mummy said I can't eat the sashimi. *sulk*

Patience, Mummy... Let me finish my food first. My mouth's still full.

I want some of those!

The penguin walk

I wonder if the water's clean...

Look, such a big splash!

Ooh... the water's cold!

Might as well wash my hands since the toilet's so far away

Lunch at Imperial Treasure Restaurant

2007-12-20T22:55:00.000+08:00

The paternal family went to Imperial Treasure at Great World City for lunch. Karyn's Gu Gu and Gu Zhang had just come back from their Japan holiday. And they bought us white chocolate biscuits that are simply yummylicious!

Anyway, at the restaurant, Karyn was quite cheeky. Whenever her Ye Ye who was seated on her left came close to her wanting to take pictures with her, she would lean towards me (I was seated on her right), grabbed my neck, plonk her face right next to mine and end up wanting to take pictures with me instead. This persisted throughout lunch. I can imagine how disappointed Ye Ye must be to be rejected so many times. Just don't understand why she's so persistent about me being in every picture with her... Don't have the pictures here 'cos they were taken with Gu Zhang's camera.

We managed to get a nice family portrait at the end of lunch.

Does she have model potential?

2007-12-16T21:49:00.000+08:00

Inquisitive

70's retro cutie pie pose

The signature shrug

Shampoo commercial

Lost in transition

Day out at Suntec City

2007-12-15T22:31:00.000+08:00

Hubby captured this photo of Karyn while I was in the shower. Doesn't she look like she has a toothache AND tummyache? Hehe... so cute...

Karyn's favourite sitting position - aka coffee shop Ah Pek position

Posing with Ye Ye and Nai Nai after lunch at Siam Kitchen

Taking her afternoon "tea" in Carrefour

Come nearer, I show you what Nai Nai's going to buy for me

Check out my Christmas present from Nai Nai - 170 pieces supermarket trolley set!

Karyn's first Christmas photos

2007-12-08T23:13:00.000+08:00

Went to Orchard armed with Daddy's newly bought Canon Powershot G9. Hoped to capture some nice shots with the new camera.

Inside Paragon

Outside Paragon

Along the street

It was pretty late by the time we finished dinner at Swensen's and taking a few photos inside and outside Paragon. Karyn was quite tired by then. So we headed back into the mall to go to the car park. Inside the mall, probably as her legs were very tired by then, Karyn just settled comfortably on the ground, without a care for her "image" and "reputation"...

Let me take a break first

Need to stretch this legs of mine

We're going home! Race you to the car park!

Dinner at Swensen's

2007-12-08T21:54:00.000+08:00

There's actually quite a restriction on what we can have for our meals since we have to consider Karyn's preferences and her ability to take certain foods. For example, currently her favourite is fishballs and noodles. Hence, I'd say generally she fancies spaghetti. But definitely not the one from the Western food stall in Kopitiam, Bukit Panjang Plaza. 'Cos the cook there undercooks the pasta, hence, it's always too hard.

Even when it's spaghetti, Karyn is selective about the sauce. She doesn't like the beef bolognaise. I think it's too rich and "beefy" for her. She doesn't mind chicken though. We've been going to Swensen's pretty often since the chicken spaghetti there has been tried and tested.

Our usual pastime while waiting for the food to be served - taking photos

Chomping on red bean pancake

Intoxicated by red bean paste

This is "how the lion eats" - we use this trick to coax her to eat more when we feed her

Check out that tall ice cream tower!

Why's the waiter taking so long to bring the bill?

No choice, just grin and bear it

Yay, Daddy's foot the bill, let's go!

To Parkway Parade we go

2007-11-24T22:35:00.000+08:00

Brought Karyn to Parkway Parade Shopping Centre today. Went to Ichiban Sushi (or was it Boshi?) for lunch. I've been wanting to collect sufficient stamps to redeem a $20 voucher. And the card expires on 31 Jan 2008. Hence, I've got about 2 months to complete it. That explains why we've been eating Jap food every other week. If I could have my way, I'd eat it EVERY week! Hehe...

Let's see what's on the menu

Cheeky

I'm on Barney's ride!

Are Barney's eyes or mine bigger?

Check out my pink balloon from the newly opened Borders

Hey, it can double up as an umbra* when it rains

*Karyn can't pronounce the word accurately; she says "umbra" for "umbrella"

Mummy's birthday

2007-11-19T22:04:00.000+08:00

Hi everyone! Today's my mummy's birthday!

But she didn't have a major celebration like my 1st birthday. I think we celebrated last weekend already, when we had dinner at a Japanese restaurant, Mummy's favourite. Can't remember the name though...

Anyway, Mummy went to work as usual today and fetched me home after work. Then Mummy said since she still had her make-up on, we should take pictures!

The birthday girl
(Whew! For once, the camera focus is not on me!)

My daddy and mummy

Well well, the camera focus is back on me again, just as I expected.

Let me flash you my radiant smile!

Wooo!

2007-11-11T16:22:00.000+08:00

Karyn loves to play on the slide.

So far, Hubby and I have brought her down to the playground downstairs a few times (can count on 1 hand). Ah Ma has brought her several times. Her Ye Ye and Nai Nai will bring her to the playground every Sunday afternoon when we visit them. Hence, she's very familiar with and adores the slide.

Every morning when we walk past the playground to go to the car park, she'll go, "Woooo!" That's the sound we make when we assist her down the slide (she still can't control her own speed yet).

Daddy's giving me a hand on this

How do you like this pose?

Lao Ma's birthday

2007-11-10T23:33:00.000+08:00

It was Lao Ma's (Mummy's grandma which means my great grandma's) birthday and we celebrated at yet another Tung Lok restaurant at Paramount Hotel.

Yeah, Mummy said we've been going to Tung Lok's Noble House near Shenton Way for the past couple of years to celebrate Lao Ma's birthday, ever since I was in Mummy's tummy. Can't remember how old she is now... at least 8o, I think. There were so many candles on the cake that I lost count.

Lazing at home before the dinner

Yes, I'm ready to start feasting

Why must I eat this pasta again, Mummy? I want 10 course meal!

Mummy said I'm SO clever and adorable that I made everyone at our table laugh till we almost bent over. Want to know what I did? Read on...

Lao Tionh (Gong Gong's younger brother) asked me if he could carry me to look for Gong Gong who had left his seat to talk to somebody else at the other table. So I shook my head, no. I'm quite comfy in my seat and I'm not THAT familiar with you lor... The next thing I knew, I saw you rise from your seat and coming closer and closer to mine. Just as you bent down next to me, wanting to carry me up, I instantaneously zoomed into what was left of my dinner. Then, everyone else at the table laughed so heartily. It worked! You left me alone! Yay!

Mummy said I was so scheming to have thought of this trick to prevent Lao Tionh from carrying me. Of course! But I had to sacrifice leh... I was already full and had stopped eating. In order to carry out this trick, I had to make myself swallow another mouthful of I-can't-even-remember-what food it was.

After that, all I could remember was taking photos and more photos, and more photos...

Don't we look like we're dancing?

Stand closer, Daddy!

Oops, don't tell anyone I farted...

Another picture, when are we going home?

Ok, one last photo with Yi Yi. I'm dozing off...

Huh? Look where? I'm zonking out soon...

My little terror - Part 1

2007-11-09T20:42:00.000+08:00

Trying out the kiddie laptop

Searching for her own choice of toys

And I don't mean the 5-year-old boy sweeping the toy cars off the shelves...

Believe it or not, I'm talking about Karyn. In fact, it's not the first time she had "terrorised" other children. Let me narrate one of the incidents.

Today, we were shopping at John Little Marina Square. I was shopping for a sling bag. While we were at the bags section, the husband was carrying Karyn. He had come to me and complained about her throwing a tantrum when the handbag that she was carrying was taken away from her. So I coolly told him to "handle" her; I wasn't ready to let my shopping be interrupted.

A while later, he had to go to the Gents hence, I had to keep an eye on the little one while I shopped. I took this bag that I fancied and was examining it when Karyn asked to hold it. So I passed it to her. After that, she refused to let go of the bag. Happily, she put the strap over her shoulder and marched towards the direction of the store exit (which was just a few steps away)! I promptly ran after her, scooped her into my arms and went back further into the store. I hadn't paid yet!

Wanting to continue shopping further plus Karyn was fidgeting endlessly, wanting to get down and walk on her own, I let her down. The second I did that, she made a beeline for the store exit. AGAIN! And I ran after her, AGAIN! Luckily, I managed to catch hold of her before she stepped out and before the store alarm sounded for exit of unpaid merchandise. I can't remember if there was the sensor, would have been quite embarrassing if that happened.

After I foiled her attempt to escape with her bag the second time, Karyn was rather upset. She struggled non-stop in my arms and screamed to be let down. I had to forcefully restrain her and at the same time, coax her to stop struggling. It took quite a few minutes and more than a few bag distractions before she was satisfied with exploring further inside the store. Gosh! Is this the start of the "Terrible Twos"?

By the time we reached the toys department, the daddy came back. Whew! I was more than happy to hand the task of supervising the little terror back to him. I could continue with my shopping, this time I was looking for bibs. Before long, I heard a kiddie voice screaming. It sounded as if he/she was running and having fun. I looked over to the direction of the toys department and I saw this boy, about 5 years old, running away from somebody. But he was not the one screaming. The scream came from behind him. And what did I see? Karyn chasing him from behind!

Wahaha!!! What can be funnier than that?!?!?! I broke into a hearty laugh. Imagine a boy, more than twice her age, running away from her. She must have caused much harassment to the boy.

That's the problem with my girl. She's so super friendly that when she sees other kids around (no matter what age they are), she will go near them, tap them on their arm or chest and try to befriend them. And more often than not, the other kids will feel threatened or overwhelmed by her friendliness that they run away... Haha!

She's growing up fast!

2007-11-09T20:19:00.000+08:00

Her signature cheeky grin

Sweet and demure

Time seems to zoom past faster than the blink of an eye. In less than 1 month's time, Karyn will be 18 months old, 1 and a half years old. That's like so grown up! She will be officially qualified for playgroup by then.

Actually we've started to scout around for a suitable playgroup for her. Went to visit the Ten Mile Junction branch of Montessori Pre-school some time back in Sep. She didn't really take to the place. I found the school quite cold (not the physical temperature even though it's air-conditioned but the ambience) and commercialised. I wonder if it's got to do with it being sited inside a commercial building.

Anyway, an ex-colleague mentioned she sends her girl to the Montessori at Graceland as she prefers the non air-conditioned environment. Yeah, it's said that kids are less likely to catch any sickness (cold or other viruses) from the other kids in a non air-conditioned school environment. Will take note of that and also go take a look at the school one of these days.

This restless girl of mine

2007-11-08T22:31:00.000+08:00

Brought Karyn out for dinner at Bukit Panjang Plaza. Went to Hong Kong Streetz Restaurant. Wasn't our first time there; think it's the 2nd time.

The first time we were there, we learnt a major lesson about Karyn - she won't settle down to eat unless she's seated in her high chair. As all the high chairs were in use (actually we only saw 2, which is unreasonably insufficient for a cafe/restaurant. We spent so much time coaxing her to eat her dinner and she adamantly refused, preferring to play with the chopsticks while standing up next to me on the couch seat. It wasn't until we were finally given a high chair, at least 20 - 30 mins after we ordered our food, that she started to eat.

Anyway, this time, we didn't have to wait too long for the high chair. But Karyn was getting quite restless before the food even arrived. So we had to take photos to occupy her time and attention.

I want to see my picture!

Hmm, that looks like a yummy dish!

Why's my food taking so long?

Take a nice picture with Mummy!

Cheeky pose with Mummy

Daddy, the food's here. I want to eat!

Yup, Karyn can eat the same food as us now, just that we have to cut into small bite-sized pieces for her. In fact, she knows how to feed herself already!

Yeah, I love kiddy rides!

"We're going to the zoo, zoo, zoo... what about you, you, you?"

2007-10-28T22:34:00.000+08:00

"You can come too, too, too... We're going to the ZOO!"

That's a song that I can recall and sang to Karyn on the morning of the zoo trip. Not sure where I heard it though... Anyway, it sounds nice and just SO appropriate!

My colleague, JC, managed to successfully ballot for the company corporate Friends of the Zoo card (that entitles the holder to 4 free entry) over the weekend. He went on Saturday morning after which we met up to get the card from him for our Sunday visit.

And so, we brought Karyn together with Gong Gong and Ma Ma to the zoo. It was Karyn's 1st trip there!

Disclaimer: We couldn't bring Ye Ye and Nai Nai 'cos they were in San Francisco for a tour. Next time, ok?

Huh? That polar bear is SO heavy!

Wooh! Down the slide at Children's World Play Land

The Animal Friends Show just ended by the time we finished lunch and headed to Children's World Animal Land. But luckily, Karyn got to pat the doggie before it went back to its enclosure.

Feeding the goat

Quick, quick! Let's go see the giraffes!

Time for afternoon tea - SMOO milk!

Karyn with Gong Gong and Ma Ma

Karyn with Mummy and Daddy

Some afterthoughts...

(1) Karyn's more interested looking at other people's cameras and the images on their screen rather than watch the polar bear show. Well, well, what can I say about my "gadget baby"???

(2) At 16 months, it's still too early for Karyn to really enjoy the zoo trip. She's still a bit too young to understand what the zoo is about. Plus, her attention span is too short to sustain much animal viewing... Maybe we'll bring her again in another year's time...

(3) It might be better to take the tram (what with elderly parents and toddler in tow, with whom we have to adjust our walking pace), esp. when we need to rush from one show or feeding time to another.

(4) Can consider packing food for picnic. The restaurants are expensive and after spending the morning walking under the hot sun, no one's in the mood to enjoy a $20+++ buffet lunch. There are several shaded spots and pavilions for people to sit and rest - just nice for a picnic.

(5) Bring your own water, chilled if possible. The mineral water at the Cheers convenience store cost $2, double the price outside.

Yup, that's all I can think of now...

Trip to Ikea

2007-10-13T21:20:00.000+08:00

Since Karyn's birth till now, her room has been "abused" - treated like a storage room than a little girl's room. Was at a Disney children's furniture store in United Square the other day and promptly fell in love with the Princess range. However, the prices are really too steeped. Must keep reminding myself that the prices must have been jacked up partly due to the royalty fee of the Disney trademark.

Hence, hubby and I decided to make a trip to Ikea to suss out their children's furniture and see if there's anything suitable and affordable that we can buy to make-over Karyn's room.

Mummy, what do you think of this bed?

Let me try it first...

My pasta dinner. YUM!!!

(Oh yeah, Karyn has learnt to feed herself since a few weeks ago...)

Watch me drive!

Turn the steering to go right...

Ain't I good at this?

Mummy & Daddy on leave

2007-09-28T21:34:00.000+08:00

We took a week's leave and "escaped" to Bangkok for a shopping, feasting and spa spree. Left Karyn at Ah Ma's house for 4 nights, during which Karyn had absolutely no issues with (Ah Ma has been taking care of her since she was born). Occasionally though, when Ah Ma asks her where are Mummy and Daddy, she would wander into the different rooms and come out with her palms spread out, saying, "boh" (meaning "no Mummy and Daddy").

After a good break (from work and child caring), we came back to Singapore feeling refreshed and rejuvenated, albeit tired and fat from all the shopping and feasting. Haha. However, the feast didn't end in Bangkok. The Friday we came back, we brought Ah Ma and Karyn out to VivoCity, specifically, Hog's Breath Cafe for lunch. It was a treat for Ah Ma to thank her for taking care of Karyn 4 nights in a row without breaks.

Mum mum, I want to eat too!

Why is that TV so high up there?

Welcome to Page One bookstore.
It's one of Daddy's favourite place at Vivo.

Ah Ma, ask Mummy to buy this book for me puhleeessse...

Bubble fun

2007-09-15T20:20:00.000+08:00

Strike a pose!

Had been wanting to buy some bubble fun pack (with soapy water and "wand") since months ago. I thought that since Karyn has been walking steadily for the past 4 months, she'll definitely enjoy playing with bubbles.

First time seeing bubbles in the air. Stunned...

Chasing bubbles

Bursting bubbles

Hi5 Circus Stage Show

2007-09-09T22:14:00.000+08:00

Finally the day has come! We went to the Hi 5 show at Singapore Expo, much to Karyn's (and Mummy's) delight!

Posing in front of the stage before the show

Still warming up for the show

Pretending to be circus clowns

Fully warmed up by interval time

Exploring the place during interval

A picture with Daddy

Check out videos of Karyn at the show...

Exploring the grounds during interval

Dancing queen

Munchy breakfast

2007-08-26T22:48:00.000+08:00

Can't really remember since when Karyn has started to feed herself... think it's been at least a month or so...

Anyway, it has been quite difficult to get her to eat her breakfast. She refuses milk (takes only a few sips), nibbles on a few mouthfuls of biscuits or bread and refuses to eat anything else.

We tried giving her so many different types of food hoping that she'll at least finish a substantial portion to fill her tummy until lunch - biscuits (at least 3 different types), bread, cheese, swiss rolls, etc. The only thing she loves is soya bean milk!

Finally, today she settled on eating cheese bun from the confectionery...

This is how Mummy feeds me... now I'll feed myself!

Hmm... yum yum...

Slurp! My favourite drink!

slurp... finishing... slurp slurp...

Karyn has learnt to say "down" when she wants to get down from her dining chair...

Down, down!

She's a supermarket auntie

2007-08-25T22:53:00.000+08:00

Didn't really believe it when Ah Gong said that Karyn was touching and poking the packets of pork and chicken at the chilled section of NTUC Fairprice when he brought her there previously... just like any other aunties shopping for their weekly produce.

I can only say, seeing is believing...

Can I eat it now?

Let's see what's the price of this...

Think I'll get a can drink...

Maybe I should get a whole 6-pack

All those drinks will give me bloated tummy...

Shopping & fireworks at Marina Square

2007-08-18T22:30:00.000+08:00

Wanted to watch the fireworks display hence headed to Marina Square early in the evening... The car park was already full by the time we got there at 5 plus. Had to park at Millenia Walk.

After a quick dinner at Coffee Club where Karyn happily lapped up the lobster linguini, there was still some time for shopping. Went to Kiddy Palace to look for a little bag for Karyn. She has recently taken to carrying a small Lock & Lock bag whenever we bring her home from Ah Ma's place. And she holds it like a lady - toting it in her hands or over the shoulder!

Check out some of the cute pics of her shopping...

Let's go to the fitting room...

Or is it a... bathroom???

Which size for me?

About 45 mins before the fireworks display, we went to the outdoor area at Level 2 (outside the restaurants to stake out our space. The floor was wet as there was a heavy downpour earlier in the day. Nevertheless, we stood our ground. Luckily, I had brought along the IS magazine from Coffee Club and laid them on the ground so we could sit down as we waited for the show to start.

Karyn was quite cooperative, I must say. She only started to get a bit restless and wanted to roam around after about 20 mins. So we occupied her by giving her biscuits to munch on. That sort of settled her until the show began.

The display wasn't as spectacular as we expected. Nonetheless, we enjoyed it. Especially Karyn, as it was her first time watching fireworks. She was actually quite sleepy by then but kept herself awake till the show was over.

Heading back to the car after the show

International Buffet Dinner at Tiffany's Cafe

2007-08-12T22:52:00.000+08:00

Went for buffet dinner with in-laws at Furama Hotel. Very affordable price, I must say. But quality's really not there. I still prefer my old favourite - Ellenborough Market Cafe at Merchant Court Hotel.

Posing demurely with Ye Ye

Cheeky grin

Posing with Nai Nai

Another cheeky grin

'Painfully' affectionate hug

Smile at the camera, Karyn!

Play time at void deck

2007-08-12T22:42:00.000+08:00

Monkey see monkey do

Deep in concentration

Oops, I think it's the wrong letter box!

Engrossed in another 'task'

Take time to smell the flower

Sunday lunch at home

2007-08-12T22:31:00.000+08:00

Tired of buying lunch from the food courts in the area. So, decided on microwaving some convenience food - CP honey chicken wings and some crinkle cut fries. Karyn obviously wants a share too.

Chomp chomp... on home-baked fries

Savouring the taste

What's that red slimy stuff?

Daddy's not looking. Quick, grab that fork!

First swim

2007-08-10T22:23:00.000+08:00

Despite having bought Karyn her swimsuit when she was barely six months old, we had never brought her to the pool under today. Bought a Tweety Bird float from Toys'r'Rus some time ago too. However, as we were afraid of getting the camera wet at the pool, we only took this one and only one photo at the car park of Choa Chu Kang Sports Complex, before we went in.

Double birthday celebrations

2007-08-05T21:23:00.000+08:00

Before you read this entry further, do scroll down for some backdated (mid July) entries so you don't miss out on Karyn's pictures and updates!

Celebrated both parent-in-laws' birthdays today at Hua Ting restaurant in Orchard Hotel. Their birthdays are actually 5 days apart. In fact, FIL shares the same birthday as the nation. Anyway, the food was scrumptious... superb... splendid! Especially the roast duck which for some unknown reason, isn't on the menu. You'll have to ask the staff for it. It's so tender and juicy, best roast duck in SG!

Exquisite longevity peach bun dish!

(Only the buns lying on the plate can be eaten, the rest are solely for aesthetic appeal)

Posing with the longevity peach bun

The whole family

Karyn making a wish?

We're going to the Hi-5 Circus Stage Show!

2007-07-29T16:28:00.000+08:00

We're going to the Hi-5 Circus Stage Show! YEAH!!!

Did I mention that Karyn's a Hi-5 addict? She MUST watch Hi-5 every day, esp. during her meal times. There was once she woke up at 6 a.m. and pointed to the living room, bopping up and down in her cot. That's the sign for wanting to watch Hi-5...

Hi-5 is actually the second children's programme that we bought for Karyn. The first one was Baby Genius. But she didn't enjoy it. Hence, we bought Hi-5 for her as she had then displayed a liking for music. She'd dance whenever the radio was on. I figured she'll enjoy Hi-5. Actually, I'm the one who enjoys it too. Haha.

Ever since that Action Heros VCD, she'd not looked back. Even though we exposed her to other DVDs like Barney and Leapfrog (we imported this 5-DVD box set from Amazon for her 1st birthday present), her favourite is stii Hi-5. She gives Barney inconsistent attention (i.e. only when the song she likes is on) and she barely glances at Leapfrog. Butwhen it comes to Hi-5, her eyes are perpetually glued to the goggle box. So now we have an entire Hi-5 DVD series at home, some at my parents' place and others at my in-laws' place. We're now considering whether to get the new series now that we saw them at this particular video shop.

Anyway, back to the Circus Stage show...

Actually we discovered this Circus Stage Show by chance while we switching off the Hi-5 DVD this morning after Karyn finished her breakfast (we switched to TV mode before turning off the set). There was an advertisement on TV. But we thought the tickets were expensive - $88, $68, $48 & $38.

But then again, I had an ingenious idea... Perhaps Karyn can enter FOC! So whilst at in-laws' place in the afternoon, I went to Sistic website to check if we needed to get tickets for Karyn. I thought it would probably be free for kids below 3 years old. I was right! Only children 2 years old and above need to get tickets. Yeah!!!! $88 tickets were for the moshpit (floor seats). That'll be really fun!

After getting the green light from Hubby, I went ahead searching for two good seats. All the Cat 1 tickets were almost sold out except for the very last show on 9 Sep, 4 p.m. And so, I quickly placed a booking for the seats Blk AA2, Row D, Seats 5 & 6.

BUT... horror of horrors, I realised I'd been cheated!

After I checked out, I went back in, wanting to capture the image of the seating plan for this blog entry, the system offered me 2 seats that were 1 row in front of the ones I had booked - Blk AA2, Row C, Seats 4 & 5!

Arghhhh! How could Sistic do this to me?!?!?!? The difference was the seats were 1 seat to the side. Nevertheless, they were still 1 row IN FRONT!!!! I'm so infuriated!!!! Must call Sistic to complain! Humph!

2007-07-28T14:51:00.001+08:00

The Five Love Languages

My primary love language is probably
Physical Touch
with a secondary love language being
Words of Affirmation.

Complete set of results

Physical Touch:		12
Words of Affirmation:		7
Quality Time:		4
Receiving Gifts:		4
Acts of Service:		3

Information

Unhappiness in relationships, according to Dr. Gary Chapman, is often due to the fact that we speak different love languages. Sometimes we don't understand our partner's requirements, or even our own. We all have a "love tank" that needs to be filled in order for us to express love to others, but there are different means by which our tank can be filled, and there are different ways that we can express love to others.

Take the quiz

Pictures on a lazy Saturday afternoon

2007-07-21T23:04:00.000+08:00

Jubilant smile

Contented smile

All wrapped up

How do I fold this?

Grab the two corners, yeah!

Whatever, just smile for the camera!

Artist at work?

2007-07-14T22:29:00.000+08:00

Bought some non-toxic crayons (Faber Castell brand) and a drawing block for Karyn from Popular Bookstore. I thought it's about time to engage her in "more constructive" activities since she's more grown up now.

I removed all the crayons from the original packaging and placed them in a plastic container which in my opinion seem to more durable and resistant to a toddler's "destruction". Once I had done that, I started doodling and drawing some simple shapes on the drawing block, even writing her name on it.

Exploring the new crayon box

More interested in playing with the crayons than drawing

Attempting to draw

Deep in concentration

This colour seems nicer

Masterpiece painted by Karyn & Mummy

Of course only the lines are drawn by Karyn, the other objects which you can decipher is certainly not by her but moi... Not bad for the 1st art session...

Ah Gong's birthday lunch

2007-07-01T23:21:00.000+08:00

Went to celebrate Ah Gong's 57th birthday at Lee Gui Teochew Seafood Restaurant. Ordered lots of Teochew specialty dishes such as cold crabs, pork jelly, fried yam ring, yam paste dessert, etc. Best of all was the Tivara cake from Bakerzin - absolutely yummy!

Karyn the "light bulb"

Quick, Ah Gong, I want to eat the cake!

Posing with Ah Yi

Posing with Daddy & Mummy

Brought Karyn to Junior League at Suntec for a hair cut. Waited almost an hour and a half for our turn. In the meantime, Karyn busied herself exploring the place and the toys there. She's like "animal gone wild", running about, inside and esp. outside the salon.

Poor Mummy and Daddy had to chase her and keep a close eye on her in case she fell. Which she really did. Fell and blood trickled out of her mouth. She must have bit her lip accidentally. But Karyn's a brave girl; she didn't cry much, just a bit of whimpering as I wiped the blood off her mouth. Minutes later, she was back on the floor running around. Again.

Hmm... let me see what's inside the toy box

Face to face with a balloon

Going on a joy ride?

An exhausted Karyn, after the hair cut.

Dinner at Thai Express

2007-06-30T23:47:00.000+08:00

Went for dinner at Thai Express. Had to queue for quite some time before we got a table. After feeding Karyn her home cooked porridge, we gave her some prawn toast - supposed to be the favourite of little prince and princesses in ancient Thailand, according to the menu - we tore the triangular toast into small bite-sized bits and placed them on a napkin in front of her.

Well, apparently Karyn loves it too! She finished one whole slice despite having finished her porridge earlier!

Yummy!

Sitting like a coffee shop Ah Pek

Hmm... that was satisfying...

Need some water to wash down the grease

After a hearty meal... Yup, I'm ready to go!

Karyn having fun

2007-06-19T22:54:00.001+08:00

Fun with ponytails

2007-06-16T23:09:00.000+08:00

Was surfing another mummy's blog with Karyn on my lap when we saw pictures of Baby Joey with her hair tied into two ponytails.

Decided to try it out on Karyn. Check out her new hairstyle... and her new tooth. Oh yes, she has started to really POSE for the camera and smile when we ask her to while we snap away...

Whilst tying her hair *yawn*

Pose #1: Reserved smile

Pose #2: Happy smile

Pose #3: Toothy smile

Pose #4: Toothy grin

Later that evening, we went shopping at Paragon. And our dear Shopping Princess (mummy being Shopping Queen) went roaming on her own. She simply refuses to let us hold her hand. Well, at least she usually listens when I tell her to follow Mummy or follow Daddy.

But once in a while, she will wander off in the opposite direction. And she pitter patters at such an amazing speed that I have to chase her and redirect her to wherever we are supposed to be heading. Looks like she does have a mind of her own, despite her tender age!

Don't hold my hand, I wanna walk on my own!

That looks interesting. Mummy, I'm going that way!

Happy 1st birthday, Karyn! (Part 2)

2007-06-16T10:40:00.000+08:00

Here's the 2nd instalment to Karyn's 1st birthday party on 3 June...

Stayed up till 1 a.m. the night before to put up the party decorations.

Did the name and flower myself... So pretty, aren't they?

Food glorious food... Mini buffet from Neo Garden. Highly recommended!

The men tucking in... can you spot Karyn?

Ah Gong, Karyn and Ah Ma (don't ask me how Karyn's hand ended up there, I'm clueless too!)

The entire paternal family

Disney Princess photo cake from Sweet Secrets
(not recommended, the cake crumbled as it was being cut and made quite a mess)

Daddy, Mummy, Karyn, Ah Gong and Ah Ma

Solo picture

Getting ready to blow the candle

Birthday presents!

Karyn's 2nd set of wheels - with compliments from Ah Gong and Ah Ma

Happy 1st Birthday, Karyn! (Part 1)

2007-06-03T16:52:00.000+08:00

Karyn had 2 celebrations for her 1st birthday. The first one was held on 31st May at her maternal grandaunt's place and the second one at home today (2 days before her actual birthday).

Here are the photos from the first celebration.

Customised 2-tiered Disney Princesses cake from Pine Garden

Home made Tweety Bird agar agar from Mrs Chan

Mummy, Karyn and Daddy

Karyn hasn't mastered the art of blowing candle

Karyn with Daddy, Mummy, Ah Ma, Ah Gong and Ah Yi

Karyn with Mummy, Ah Yi, aunts and uncles

The oh-so-pretty cake has to be cut ultimately

The 2nd-tiered number 1

What's left of the delicious cake

Stay tuned for the pictures of the second celebration...

W.A.L.K.

2007-05-28T22:46:00.000+08:00

Karyn has made such fantastic progress in a matter of days!

Early last week, she started to walk while we held her by both hands.

Two days later, she managed to do so while we held her by one hand. In fact, she was almost running we could barely catch up with her pace.

Another two days later, she was walking all on her own! Though she managed about 5 steps each time, it was a major achievement to me. My girl can finally walk!

Now she has progressed from 5 steps, to 8 steps to we-lost-count-how-many steps. She's enjoying it so much that she tries to walk everywhere instead of crawl. When she's tired, she will aim for tables, chairs, walls, etc to hold on to for a few steps before letting go and walk on her own again.

It's so funny to watch her. Her arms will be raised in the air as she balances herself and wobbles away.

Will try to take a video sometime soon and post it up. Actually I've taken quite a few since the last time I posted one (which was like months ago), but haven't managed to upload them yet. Don't know why but my laptop always hangs in the middle of my upload to YouTube. Maybe one of you readers can enlighten me.

Final (week) days of leisure

2007-05-09T22:22:00.000+08:00

It's my last few days of leisure before I commence my new job next Monday. So, all the more I cherish this last bits of weekday mornings with Karyn. And as usual, out comes my camera snapping away. Decided to bring Karyn and Ah Ma to Goodwood Park hotel for their famous durian desserts this afternoon.

We're going for durian cakes today?

Hehehe... I better eat less for lunch. Save some space for durian cakes later!

Playing my piano while eating lunch

I'm such a good girl, finished my lunch in record time!

I'm sleepy, can I take a nap first, Mummy?

Nah, I'm all ready to go!

We settled down comfortably at the coffee lounge at Goodwood Park Hotel, ready to begin our durian feast. Like a seasoned diner, Karyn started looking at the menu as soon as we sat her down.

Let's see what they have on the menu

Waiter, I'd like to have this... this... this... and this...

Errr... you mean durians taste like this???

We're going shopping after this, yay!

It seemed Karyn doesn't really appreciate durian. Aww... such a pity. Daddy will be so happy since he's never liked durian. In fact, whenever I eat durian at home (which is very rare, by the way), he always tells me to spray the air freshener after I finish. Humph!

After the satisfying feast of durian cakes, crepe, wafer, etc etc, we made a trip to the rest room before heading for our shopping trip. Check out Karyn's antics in there.

Who's that girl?

How come she's wearing the same dress as me?

Let me show you some tricks

Trying to balance on the curved and slippery changing table
and dancing at the same time

Ain't I clever? *clap clap*

Oh so pretty cakes!

2007-05-05T16:04:00.000+08:00

It's one month to Karyn's 1st birthday. I've decided to change from the Hello Kitty theme to Disney Princess since Karyn loves the Princesses so much. She has the Disney Princess cup, bowl and even the Tea Party Board Books Set.

For the past weeks, I've been surfing the Internet and oohing and aahing at so many pictures of the princess-themed 3D cakes. 3D cakes are the "in" thing now and many mummies on the forum are getting them for their kids. It seems to me that hardly anyone buys the regular normal round or rectangular cake anymore. Here are some P R E T T Y ones that I've been eyeing... In fact, with the exception of the first one, the rest are all "foreign made", i.e. from US or UK web sites. In any case, I can always get a bakery to customise for me, isn't it? Heehee...

Disney Princess sheet cake

Castle cake

Another castle cake

Disney Princess castle cake

Another Disney Princess castle cake

Tiered castle cake

Tiered cake

Another tiered cake

Tiered Strawberry Shortcake cake

Disney Princess Tiara cake

Another Disney Princess Tiara cake

Gosh, aren't they all sweet and pretty? Just like Karyn!

Well, the thing is... these cakes are a minimum of 2 kg and cost more than a hundred bucks! And since FIL has offered to sponsor Karyn's birthday buffet albeit keeping it small (i.e. immediate family only, i.e. 10 people only), a 2 kg cake will be too much.

What to do??? Don't tell me I have to settle for Sweet Secrets Disney Princess photocake? That's so... B L A H, compared to these!

Shopping for Karyn's birthday outfit

2007-05-03T22:41:00.000+08:00

Went shopping with Karyn and Ah Ma today to buy Karyn's birthday outfit. Actually I already had half my mind set on a organza frock that I saw at Kiddy Palace Marina Square. It's a halter neck design in white and a pink organza overlay.

I thought it would be a perfect dress since I have two wedding invitations in the later half of this year. So after her birthday, Karyn can still wear the dress to the weddings. However, I was quite concerned that since it was a halter neck, it means Karyn would have to bare her shoulders and back (ooh, sexy! haha!). Wouldn't she freeze in the air-conditioned wedding venues? Oh my!

Hence, I had been trying to search for another less revealing dress that could keep her warm. Nevertheless, all my effort had been in vain. All the other dresses couldn't match up to the halter neck's standard.

Our first stop was OG Orchard Point. There, I spotted a cardigan that matches the halter neck dress perfectly. But the smallest size was size 4, which was still way too big for Karyn. We let her try it on and she literally disappeared under it. I was so disappointed! There was no way I could find another formal looking cardigan that could match.

With half a mind ready to settle for less, we headed to Marina Square to buy the dress. Enroute to Kiddy Palace, I saw Mothercare. Thinking I should just check it out in case they carry something nice, I went in feeling slightly hopeful. True enough, the sales assistant recommended a pink cardigan with butterfly embroidery. But it cost $39.90! Same price as the dress!

I decided to KIV and proceeded to Kiddy Palace. There, we tried THE dress on Karyn once more and I was determined that it was THE dress. But there were no matching cardigans. At the back of my mind, I was all ready to fork out the same amount of money for the Mothercare cardigan. So we bought THE dress, a pair of white tights and a matching pair of Max-Kool white pumps at Kiddy Palace. My Kiddy Palace membership card slashed 10% off the original price, so I paid around $65 instead of $70+.

Finally, we went into Mothercare again. I took out THE dress and put it together with the pink cardigan that I had seen earlier. It was a perfect match! I must get this cardigan!

And so, we went home happily with the complete outfit ready for Karyn's 1st birthday!

Errr.... not exactly complete because I haven't bought this tiara hair clip that I saw at the PINK push cart at IMM... Haha!

(No pictures for this post as Karyn's outfit will only be revealed during her birthday party. TADA!)

Problem solving

2007-04-24T12:44:00.000+08:00

How to put this back into the box?

Oops! Dropped.

Let me try again...

Is there something wrong with the box?!

Ask and you will get

2007-04-24T12:39:00.000+08:00

Hmm... something smells nice.

I want whatever food that is up there!

Mummy, can you help me please?

Lazy morning

2007-04-24T12:30:00.000+08:00

Yawn... huh, no need to go to work?

Good, I can laze around

Play also half-hearted

What? We are going shopping again? Yeah!

Cross examination

2007-04-24T12:23:00.000+08:00

Is it clean? Let me see.

Is there water inside?

I want to drink water!

Take picture

2007-04-24T12:14:00.000+08:00

Shall we take a picture?

Smile at the camera, doggy

Good doggy

Chewy sippy cup

2007-04-09T11:18:00.000+08:00

Drink some water, Karyn

Bought a Pigeon Mag Mag sippy cup for Karyn a couple of months ago. She has found a new function to it other than drinking. She uses it to soothe her itchy gums by gnawing on it. Sometimes, she will bite the rubber spout so hard whilst pulling the cup out from her mouth.

And inevitably, the water spills out with such rough treatment. In any case, I'm hoping she gets to drink at least a wee bit of water given that she doesn't drink much plain water throughout the day.

Chew chew chew

Watered face

Hee hee

Karyn is 10 months old!

2007-04-05T22:17:00.000+08:00

Karyn has grown so much and learnt so many things over the past 10 months.

Some of her recent achievements include

(1) signing "twinkle twinkle little star"
(2) clapping hands forcefully when told to "clap loudly",
(3) gesturing "bao bao" (full) after a meal,
(4) waving hello and goodbye
(5) distinguishing the real hand phone from her toy hand phone
(6) saying "mum mum", "ma ma" and "da da"
(in that chronological order; goes to show how gluttony she is)
(7) feeding herself biscuits (using the pincer grip to pick up Gerbers Graduates star puffs and Wan Wan milk balls)
(8) tapping her head in jest
(9) pointing to and touching my teeth when I say "Where's Mummy's teeth?"
(10) scrunch up her nose and waving her hand when we say "poo poo smelly"
(11) gesturing "no more"
(12) taking things out from a bowl and putting them back
(13) imitating Mummy putting on make up (compact powder) by smacking her face
(14) "feeding" people with her spoon when asked to

Gerber Graduates Biter Biscuits, melts in your mouth, not in your hands

What a headache!

She has mastered the skill of crawling and scoots around everywhere in the house like a little puppy. And recently, ever since she learnt to walk by holding on to the sofa and coffee table, she has been cruising around much to her own delight, and trying to grab things that are within her reach. She has also learnt to point at things that has caught her attention.

Another talent she has is that of dancing, whenever she hears dance music, she will start dancing to the beat. So cute! I should take a video of her dancing and post it here as soon as I get the chance. Lately, she has even learnt to switch on and off the TV using the remote control!

Oh, and did I mention she has two front teeth now? Actually they emerged in March.

Let me show you my teeth

Can't see them? Look closer!

More photographs taken at Marina Square...

Japanese green tea with red beans ice cream. Yummy!

Cheeky

Looking pretty

Digital scrapbooking

2007-04-03T00:19:00.000+08:00

After dabbling in scrapbooking for some time, I've decided to give digital scrapbooking a go. It's also my first attempt at using Adobe Photoshop CS. Stayed up till 12 plus a.m. to finish it.

Considering it's a first attempt, it's quite a masterpiece, isn't it?

Shopping at IMM

2007-03-31T22:41:00.000+08:00

We're going to IMM today!

Vain Mummy wants to take some photos first.

Haha, you must be joking!

What's that stuck on my gum?

Hmm... maybe I can flick it out...

Why is it so hard to reach?

Mummy, are we done with the shopping yet?

I'm so sleepy with all that shopping...

Whatever... I'll catch up on some beauty sleep first.

Ruff!

2007-03-31T22:27:00.000+08:00

Karyn's born in the year of the Dog.

Now you know...

Don't ask me how

2007-03-25T23:51:00.000+08:00

Found my shorts hanging from Karyn's neck after I came out from the shower
(I had hung it over the railing of her cot).

She put the shorts on by herself, no joke!

Aren't you just so proud of me, Mummy?

The brain wants to sleep but the body won't follow

2007-03-24T23:29:00.000+08:00

Karyns absolutely L O V E S shopping and nothing can get in her way.

At Parkway Parade today, she was already so exhausted having had shopped at The Concourse (I was window shopping for party supplies in preparation for Karyn's 1st birthday in June) before adjourning to P.P.

During our dinner at the food court, while Hubby went to buy us food, Karyn went to sleep. Or rather, her brain went to sleep. Her body was still shopping; she always sits upright so that she gets the best view from her stroller while we push her around the shopping malls of Singapore.

We tried lowering her stroller seat at least thrice yet every time, she struggles to resume her upright position. So we finally gave up and let her sleep upright. Passers-by must be wondering how these parents could torture their baby this way...

Dozed off in the middle of shopping

Steadying herself, refusing to recline when I tried to lower her seat.

Slowly dozing off again. But STILL sitting upright!

The body is willing but the mind is weak

Karyn drinks Yu Yee Oil

2007-03-18T22:57:00.000+08:00

Accidentally of course...

Recently, Karyn loves to reach out and grab things that are (nearly) within her reach. And she has developed a liking for the bottle of Yu Yee Oil (a Chinese traditional ointment that's applied on her tummy to reduce wind and ease tummy aches) that stands beside her changing mat.

One time last week, she managed to put the tip of the bottle into her mouth before I could stop her. Immediately, her face turned tomato red and she stretched her open wide open out of both shock and stinging pain. Amazingly, she didn't cry, just seemed VERY tormented.

I quickly switched on my resourceful mode and in my mind, evaluated and decided on a remedial action. Feeding Karyn water was not going to help remove the sting. So I quickly asked Hubby to get a slice of bread for me to feed her. After eating 2 small pieces of bread, the redness on Karyn's face seemed to subside. Whew! Perhaps the bread really did help to absorb the "hot oil"... How resourceful was I! Haha.

Well, one episode was certainly not sufficient a lesson for Karyn, despite my repeated warnings whenever I put her down on the changing mat after that one incident.

Just look at what happened today... again...

Look closely and you can see tears rolling down her cheeks. Poor thing...

Chewing on bread. See the spot of strawberry jam on her chin? Some sweetness to replace the "spicyness"...

Sugar & spice & everything nice
That's what little girls are made of

What a mess the little girl made!

2007-03-04T14:29:00.000+08:00

Karyn has a new pastime - tearing out magazines and strew them all over the floor. Just look at the mess she has created in the living room...

Caught in the act

Trying to escape

Not before I pose for a picture

Now I'd better get out of here!

Celebrating Daddy's birthday

2007-02-12T14:17:00.000+08:00

Ye Ye treated us to a dinner at a Chinese restaurant at Novena Ville to celebrate Daddy's birthday. Mummy bought us the cake from Angie The Choice at Square 2, the new shopping mall beside Daddy's office building.

Karyn posing with Daddy

Mummy, Karyn & Daddy

Fish & Co @ Changi Airport

2007-02-03T14:08:00.000+08:00

These pictures were taken when we went to fetch Daddy at the Changi Airport. He'd just returned from his business trip.

Take 1 - baby's not looking at camera

Take 2 - Perfect!

Ah Ma & Karyn
(she could hardly contain her laughter)

Karyn reads her favourite Minnie Mouse's counting book

2007-02-01T13:50:00.000+08:00

It's actually a very old and tattered book which Ah Ma bought for one of the babies she used to babysit. And it's been kept till today... Check out how Karyn reads the book and what happens to her at the end...

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Hahahahaahahahahahah

My 1st nude photo

2007-01-28T13:46:00.000+08:00

Look what I can do with my hands!

2007-01-27T23:59:00.000+08:00

Recently, we've started to teach Karyn simple tricks like clapping hands and "gong xi gong xi" for the Chinese New Year. Oh boy, what a fast learner she is! She managed to pick up the skills in less than a week. And she started clapping first by pushing her left palm onto her right before mastering the proper clap (i.e. both hands travelling the same distance to meet).

Let me show you what I've learnt

Watch me clap!

Another one for the record

How's that for Singapore (Baby) Idol?

2007-01-27T14:41:00.000+08:00

Daddy's going on business trip?

2007-01-27T13:18:00.000+08:00

Daddy's going on a two-week business trip, first to Guangzhou then followed by Geneva. We're sure gonna miss him lots!

Where are you going, Daddy?

When will you be back?

That sounds like a long time...

You'll get me a present?

Yay!!!

There's a time to play and there's a time to sleep

2006-12-31T22:33:00.000+08:00

At 6 months, Karyn loves to do her pull-ups on the railing of her cot. Eventually, she got more and more daring, starting to let go of her hands. And as expected, she'd lose her balance and plop onto her backside. However, that does not deter her from executing the feat again. So every day, she gets to strengthen her arms and legs by doing such exercises. No wonder she is not as chubby as other babies. I think the energy she expends is more than that she consumes...

Exercising away while waiting for Mummy and Daddy to get ready to go out. So energetic.

I feel like sleeping now (Jap restaurant @ Millenia Walk).