We're off...Down Under!

We took our longest flight yet of 5 hours to Perth this November where we had a week of bliss holidaying. We got to see all the Australian animals (that had been hyped up prior to the trip) like Kangaroos, Wombats, Koalas and Kookaburras. Not to mention, loads of farms animals like sheep & lambs, cows, horses, chickens, and rabbits.

Here is a summary of our journey in pictures!
Perth --> Mandurah --> Margaret River --> Perth

Perth - Wildlife Sanctuary





Mandurah - Chillin by the Pool


Margaret River

- Yummy eats at Berry Farm!


- Having fun at Berry Farm's children playground



- At the Chocolate Factory


- At Xanadu Winery


- At Cape Lavender





- We survived Mammoth Cave!

Strike a pose!

Evan has been steadily increasing his repertoire of poses in line with his gross motor milestones. Here is a pictorial summary of his achievements:

1) Flipping and Turning
- I got this down to pat at 4 and a half months.



2) Legs in the air
- Not a major milestone but my favourite position by far! Did I mention how yummy my toes are?


3) Sitting unsupported
- I was able to sit unsupported at 5 months. Mummy and Daddy suspect this achievement is due to the steady base I have (in the form of my killer thighs and sexy bum bum)



4) Standing with support
- I love to stand because there is so much more to see when you're standing. Somehow, the world seems different from way up there. This stunt is not for the faint-hearted, all you younger babies out there, don't (and I repeat, don't try this at home.)


One last bonus pose for all my admiring fans out there --> the towkay pose...recall my Kor Kor also fancied this pose back in 2008.
Ethan








Evan

Fun times...by the beach

Ethan has been down with a lingering cold and cough of late so enclosed air-conditioned spaces and playscapes were out of the question. Where did we go? Back to the sunny outdoors by the beach! We spent the past 2 weekends at East Coast...and it was a blast!

On the second occasion, we remembered to bring along Ethan's tricycle and his sand toys. He had such a blast cycling along and building sandcastles that he didn't want to go home. As an added bonus, they were giving away free frisbees that day and we even had a short game of frisbee.

As for Evan - he had a blast just chillin by the sea and stomping along the beach. Such are the simple pleasures in life! =)

成长,成长...我以成长 (Growing up, Growing up...I'm growing up)

Haha...I couldn't think of a more apt title for this post to describe the growth we have witnessed in Evan over these past 5 months. Here is a summary of 弟弟's milestones:

At birth
Weight: 2.93kg
Height: 54cm

2nd month
Weight: 6.3kg
Height: 58cm

3rd month
Weight: 7.365kg
Height: 62cm

4th month
Weight: 8.36
Height: 63.5cm

5th month
Weight: 9kg
Height: ??

Evan is a really jolly fellow and is ever ready to offer a smile to those whom he finds familiar. He has started to recognize people now and gets really excited when he sees his favourite toys like his Winnie the Pooh Mobile. (He loves to pull Eeyore down and chuckle heartily afterwards like its the funniest thing he has seen. Don't ask us why.)

He is showing signs of keen observation, just like his 哥哥, where even the slightest sights and sounds capture his attention. (eg: moving leaves, water, TV/Computer images.) He only cries for 3 reasons when he's i) hungry, ii)dirty or iii) sleepy and goes to sleep really quick too.

Evan darling, you are such a joy in our lives and we can't even imagine our family without you.

A beautiful mind

Its Mummy's turn to write from her perspective today. This past month has indeed been a challenging month - grappling with the demands of work, managing Ethan's tantrums and this irrational cloud of jealousy that clouds his good nature. Hence, in order to reassure him of our love, we have decided to set aside more alone time for him and have even instituted a countdown method to help him transition out of his crying tantrums. Its worked well for us so far. *fingers crossed*.

His grasp of mandarin has improved tremendously and now, he can even speak to us a few sentences in Chinese. I will never forget his first sentence as I was rubbing my nose, he asked me "妈妈, 你的鼻子怎么了?"

But most of all, Ethan never fails to amaze me with the most thought provoking questions that you would never think could be uttered by a 2 and a half year old. Just earlier this week, we were walking around the wading pool outside our home and we had this conversation:

Ethan: Mummy, why does the water come out of the pool?

Mummy: There is someone splashing about you see so they pushed the water out.

Ethan: Oh...then why isn't the level of the water coming down?

The next day, he asked me another question after observing the pool:

Ethan: Mummy, why are the waves going in the opposite directions?

Mummy: Well, because the water didn't get pushed out of the pool, it had enough energy to change directions. (Doesn't this sound alot like Physics to you?)

Its amazing how his mind works...I'm looking forward to more conversations with my boy already. Here is my latest favourite shot of him looking all suave and handsome. Love you loads my darling.

One last hurrah

Who would have guessed that 16 weeks would fly by so quickly? Thus, it was with a heavy heart that mummy returned to work on the last day of June. But before she did, here is what we were up to:

1) Brunch at Takumi Tokyo



This was the first time we have EVER set foot in Keppel Bay. Yeah, we're a little suaku. But everyone had a blast! Ally, Evan and I marvelled at the yachts docked at the marina and Mummy & Daddy enjoyed their Ala Carte Buffet at Takumi Tokyo. The food was overpriced to be honest but we may consider returning for the brunch at Prive Cafe one of these days.

2) MPH Book Fair

It has been a long while since we visited a book fair and Mummy & Daddy decided to take advantage of Mummy's last day of leave to check out the Robinson Expo Sale and MPH Bookfair. We managed to get some books for everyone but it couldn't beat the borders warehouse sale...wonder when that will be.

3) Cheesecake

Mummy has decided to stick to simple recipes and fool proof cookie making till she gets a proper oven as there is no fan in our current oven to help bake her goodies evenly. So here is the first of her efforts - a No-Bake Cheesecake! Yum Yum!!!

Ingredients:

75g butter melted

8-10 Digestive Biscuits

2 blocks Philly Cream Cheese

400 ml Whipping Cream

Juice from 1 lemon

65g white sugar

1. Pound biscuits and mix with butter. Press to form base in springform pan.

2. Mix Cream Cheese and Whipping Cream till smooth in consistency.

3. Add lemon juice and white sugar.

4. Pour into pan and refridgerate overnight.

Mummy received good feedback from this one.

Here is a collection of my treasured moments with my boys...love you all!

Mummy is going to miss you...

Today is my last day of maternity leave. Where have the past 16 weeks gone? It seems only like yesterday that we returned home from the hospital. And yet, it has been a wonderful time for me to spend more time with my boys (2 small, 1 big).




I will always cherish these past weeks we have shared together...

Look how we have grown!

Its been awhile since Mummy last updated on our developmental milestones so she thought she would do a quick summary before she goes back to work...(Yes! This is her last week of maternity leave.)

Lets start with Ethan! Here are my achievements at 31 months.

• Potty Training

I've graduated from my small blue potty to my bear toilet seat adaptor on the "big potty". So now, I'm diaper free from pee pees and poo poos. And I've stopped wetting my bed at night! My diaper used to overflow but now I'm able to wake up to a dry bed. Mummy is hoping I'll be able to wake up to a dry diaper soon but hey, that's physiological so she will let nature take its course

Here I am looking delighted that Mummy & Daddy decided to buy a new Polliwogs card for me.

• Tricycle

I'm now very confident on my Tricycle and have been brave enough to try out the various undulating slopes near home. Mummy thinks its so cute when I press an imaginary button and declare "I put it to P" before getting off. Just like the gears in the car.

• Cars

I've developed this fascination with cars and love to sit in the driver's seat of Daddy's, Grand-dad's and MaMa's car. I even know what the letters P, R, D and N are for and make special requests to drive the car whilst it is at D instead of P. Oh and don't try to pull a fast one over me when it comes to the car brands of BMW, Honda and Toyoyta cos I know the difference!

• Music & Rhythm

I pick up songs so fast that once I hear it, I'm able to hum the tune. Of course it helps if its catchy and has a cool beat. My favourite group of the moment is the Wiggles!!! Did I also say that I absolutely adore my Guitar? The keyboard and drums come in a joint second of course. Mummy is seriously considering which music class to sign me up for. But for now, she is teaching me anything that interest me. The other day, she taught me her "SemiTone" song which actually consists of the scales she used to sing back in her choir days and I remembered it!

Here are Evan's milestones at 3 months:

Gross Motor

I'm able to hold my weight on my feet and I love to stand up. I can sit rather well in my Prince Lionheart chair as well and it helps me to learn how to sit. I can also reach out for things put in front or above me like my Winnie the Pooh and friends mobile. Mummy thinks I'm going to flip really soon as I'm already moving all around the bed in my dreams. I've also nearly got my head control down to pat.

Social

I love to go into babble mode especially when you look me in the eye and we can go on forever having a meaningful conversation. Well, at least that is what I like to believe. =)

At 3 months, I weigh 7.365kg and am 62cm tall. Watch this space for more vital statistics when I go for my 4 month check-up!

Evan's Baptism

My Baptism was held on the 23rd of May at the Church of St Vincent De Paul. (*Disclaimer: This post is a little outdated as we were waiting for photos from Uncle Daryn. Many thanks!)

Needless to say, everyone was all excited to see me decked out in white, all ready to receive my first Sacrament. I must say that I was very well behaved throughout all the proceedings. Ok, except when Father Michael splashed Holy Water in my eyes. Here I am with Granny who was calming me down after that incident.

First things first, we started off with the readings (where Uncle Derek did a great job with the First Reading).

Once we were ready for the Baptism rite, I was first anointed with Holy Chrism.

Thereafter, I was also anointed by my Godfather, John-Paul that God may always be in my mind and my heart.

I also received my white garmet from him to symbolize purity.

And received light from the Easter Candle to symbolize rebirth

My funky godparents Uncle John Paul and Aunty Magdalene.

Finally, it was time for baptism by water - In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit -

AMEN! I'm the newest member of the Catholic Church.

A big thank you to all our family and friends for gracing this occasion, for sharing our joy and for all your kind wishes and gifts!