Nowadays I make it a point to call Calvin on nights that he's on duty so that Gabby can have a chat with him. Here's part of tonight's chat...

...
Daddy: *Muack!
Gabby: Cannot....
Daddy: Why??
Gabby: Daddy come back... and kiss me...

Awwwww... how can that not melt anyone's heart?

We've been teaching Gabby our names.. And this was the conversation we had after dinner last night.

Me: Gabby, what is Daddy's name?
G: Cal-vin
M: What is Po Po's name?
G: Yo Yo (that's what the family calls her)
M: What is Mommy's name?
G: Mei (I actually taught her Huimin, but she hears my parents call me Mei everyday..)
M: What is Gong Gong's name?
G: Bless you..
M: *scratch head.. why bless you?
Calvin: because his name is "Ah Chew" mah..

OMG! My daughter is showing signs of lameness!! And no, Calvin didn't teach her that.. we only taught her to say "bless you" when someone sneezes! Only her lame Daddy can understand her...

Burping Alexa turns out to be rather enjoyable... I never liked having to burp babies. Most of the time, it takes forever to burp them. Sometimes, they regurgitate on you.

But lately, I'm beginning to treasure the time that I hold Alexa in my arms, over my shoulder burping her. I would slide her down and let her rest on my chest if she's fallen asleep. And that is one precious moment I'd love to keep. Sometimes I'd whisper how much I love her into her ears. Sometimes I'd lay my hand on her head and pray over her. Sometimes I'd just hug her tightly and simply enjoy our private quiet time.

Calvin and I have decided that we're stopping at two, unless God thinks otherwise. So I'm treasuring ever moment I have with my little precious infant. I'd probably not have another chance to hold a 1.5 month old baby so closely, smell her like I'm a pervert, kiss her all over and watch her as she quietly breathes in her sweet slumber.

As much as she tires me out and drains me dry, I know I'm gonna miss this stage of her life as she rapidly grows... Alexa, Mommy loves you so much! Thank God for blessing us with such a beautiful bundle of joy.

It was raining when Calvin went to pick Gabby up today. They had this conversation on their way home with Gabby in Calvin's arms.

Daddy: Gabby, can you come down and walk on your own please?
Gabby: No...
Daddy: Why?
Gabby: The floor wet wet...
Daddy: ....

I had my Hep B booster jab at Dr Ho's clinic earlier today and have a plaster on my right upper arm. When we went to pick Gabster up, she saw the plaster and said with a frown on her face, "Mommy pain pain.." And as we walked back, she wanted me to carry her bag for her. I extended my right arm to take the bag from her and she immediately exclaimed, "The other hand, the other hand..." with a very concerned look on her face.. She was worried that my right hand would be in pain if I carried her bag with it. Such a darling!!!

And as I was getting her to sleep, she wanted me to quickly take off the plaster because to her, that would mean that I'd no longer be in pain..

Awwww.. such simple thoughts but they warm my heart! My precious baby loves me so...

Happy Valentine's Day! (^__^)

One of our friends Dave started a new venture, a soup restaurant and the whole gang decided to meet for dinner at his restaurant a couple of weekends ago to support him. Audrey and Teri's parents and my parents went along as well.

After dinner, as we were chatting, Teri's mom decided to take Gabby for a walk around the foodcourt. Gabby has ALWAYS been a big fan of Auntie and Uncle. She has an incredible affinity with the both of them since she's a baby.

Today, I found out about this conversation through a FB post by Teri.

This is the 2nd weekend of my confinement, which means Gabby hasn't gone out for 2 weekends (other than school). Her wonderful Daddy decided to bring her out for breakfast at McDonald's (alone! *applause) and also to the playground in the late afternoon. And of course our little darling had a blast!

On their way back home from the playground, the duo had a conversation while Calvin was carrying Gabby.

Daddy: Gabby, can you come down and walk on your own please? Daddy's very tired.
Gabby: No...
Daddy: Why?
Gabby: (after thinking for 3seconds) Gabby's tired..
Daddy: (laughing) ......

Mommy is sorry...
that we have to send you to another school;
that we have to take you away from so many teachers who love you so much;
that you have to miss your friends and teachers in LV;
that you have to start adapting to a new environment all over again...

The teachers in LV bought you a huge present today.
They are so gonna miss you...
They love it when you say "hello"...
They love it when you say "bye bye, see you"...
They love it when you participate cheerfully in all sing and dance sessions...
They love it when you wake up from your nap and do your rounds saying hi to all the teachers...
They love it when you get excited during mealtimes...
They love it when you embrace learning...
They love you being you...

We pray that you will have teachers who love you as much, or even more in your new school.
We pray that you will find great friends in your new classmates.
We pray that you will enjoy your new school environment and continue to enjoy learning.
We pray that you will like your new teachers as much as your previous ones.
We pray that God will bestow the same great favour that He has so blessed you with over the last 21 months in LV.

We want you to know how blessed and loved you have been in LV Grassroots Club.
We want you to know that no matter where you are, you are highly favoured, greatly blessed and deeply loved.
We want you to know that Daddy and Mommy love you very very much and we only want the best for you and we want you to be happy.
We want you to know that God loves you more than anything else in this world.

Hide me now under Your wings
Cover me within Your mighty hand

When the oceans rise and thunders roar
I will soar with You above the storm
Father, You are King over the flood
I will be still and know You are God

Find rest my soul in Christ alone
Know His power in quietness and trust

When the oceans rise and thunders roar
I will soar with You above the storm
Father, You are King over the flood
I will be still and know You are God

~ ~ ~

I was so touched and impressed by my precious little girl this evening. I got home after work just after Gabby's dinner. My dad had prepared dinner for my mom and I before he went out to work, and Calvin's on duty tonight. As expected, Gabby refused to let me go shower and insisted that I sit down with her. Even after I tried to distract her and lure her away so I can go take a shower, she insisted that I stay within her sight. Then I decided to use another tactic.

Me: Gabby, Po Po's hand pain pain. You go to the kitchen and help her take the bowls ok? If not, her hand pain cannot do it herself you know... You go and help her ok?
Gabby: *suddenly stopped insisting that I sit down with her, looked at Po Po, went over to hug Po Po and pointed to the kitchen.

Both my mom and I were dumbfounded... I can tell how pleased my mom was... she carried Gabby and walked towards to kitchen. Before they got to the kitchen, my mom turned around and told me in Mandarin, "she loves (dotes on) me..."

It was just a simple yet heartwarming gesture from a 20 month old. I'm so proud to be Gabby's Mommy!

This morning when Gabby and I reached school, we took the lift with these 2 boys and their mom. The older one is probably 5-6 years old and the younger one is probably 3-4.

The older boy walked into the lift and exclaimed, "Baby! Mommy, this is the baby...". Then he signalled to his younger brother and asked him to say hi and play with Gabby. Then the mom asked the younger boy, "So this is the baby that you told me about?"

And the mom turned to me and told me, "My son told me that there's a very cute girl in school that he likes to play with..." All this while, the younger boy looked at Gabby shyly... and the older boy kept trying to encourage his brother...

So cute!!! My little girl has a little admirer!!!

We've just arrived in Malmo, Sweden and we finally have free wifi to stay in touch in the online world.. as if we've been deprived from some basic necessities.. both Calvin and I are buried in our netbook and iPhone respectively..

Everything here is tagged with sky high prices.. we thought Copenhagen was expensive when we were there the last 3 days.. Malmo is equally expensive. We had lunch at Burger King at the train station before we headed for the hotel. Calvin's Angus Bacon and Cheese burger meal (similar to our BBQ bacon burger) costs an exorbitant S$16 and my Whopper Junior (just the burger) costs a whopping S$8!! Gosh...

Oh ya.. taking a pee in the public toilet in the train station costs S$2!!!!

But other than the price tags, we totally enjoy soaking in each other's company... teasing each other, acting silly, exploring the streets of the Scandinavian cities, imitating Gabby's actions, watching videos of her and missing her..

Now, it's time we stop giving attention to our little machines and get our butt out of the hotel to explore the city of Malmo!

Getting ready to blog on the go... 

I've been wanting to let Gabby scribble and doodle for quite a while. But we're usually out on weekends, or sometimes the lazy bug got the better of me.

Today, I decided to let Gabby do just that. I brought out some rough paper, and then realised I may not have suitable pens/ markers for her to use. I ended up finding some really old markers... so I lined the table with newspaper (if Gabby draws on the table accidentally with the markers, I'm so gonna get it from her Daddy... haha) and told Gabby excitedly that we're going to do some drawing!!

She couldn't wait as I lined the table...

I wonder what's on her mind....

She asked for a different colour... and when there's no more space on the paper, she said "excuse me.." Hilarious!!!

I need to go buy some child-friendly water soluble markers for my baby!

I decided that I should be telling Gabby that Daddy and Mommy will be going away for a while. Calvin's on duty tonight and as I was lying in bed with Gabby getting her to sleep, I started telling her about our trip.

Me: Gabby... Daddy and Mommy will be going to another country to work and then for holidays. We won't be at home for 10 days, you know?

Gabby: *looking at me, puzzled (I was thinking she doesn't understand what I was saying, but I continued anyway)

M: So, when Daddy and Mommy are away, you sleep with Po Po at night and then Gong Gong will bring you to school in the morning ok?

Gabby: *nod her head (I think she understands this..)

M: You be a good girl, listen to Gong Gong and Po Po ok?

Gabby: *nod her head again, with a very sensible look

A few seconds later, she turned her whole body towards me and hugged me tightly. Tears welled up... I think she understood me the whole time!

I AM SO GONNA MISS YOU GABBY!!!

As much as we're excited and longed for this trip, our hearts ached to know that we'd be separated from Gabby for 10 days... ached even more to think that she'd be thinking of us, missing us.

Gabby, Daddy and Mommy love you very very much and we'd miss you more than you'd ever understand.

Recently we've started reading consistently to Gabby. It took her a while to learn how to sit down patiently while we read the books to her.

This afternoon, I was reading "Thank You God" to her before her naptime. We came to this page that reads "Thank You for feeding me, day after day. And thank You for leading me along the right way." And I described the pictures to her. There were 5 children, 4 of whom had a slice of watermelon in their hands. There's a little girl who didn't have any. The next page shows one of the boys sharing his watermelon with the girl. So I took the chance to teach her about sharing... Sharing with Jie Jie and Gor Gor, and of course, with her soon-to-arrive Mei Mei...

After her nap, she was sitting on the floor with her book, while I was surfing the net... I caught her flipping to this page and heard her softly saying "share... share..." Boy, was I impressed!! I'm so happy she remembered what we talked about earlier. But everytime I ask her, "Who do you share with?" Her reply would be "Mommy!" ^_*

It's been 5 months! So many things happened in those 5 months... I moved on to another company and got really busy with work... And the biggest thing that happened... we planned for No. 2 and God blessed us almost immediately with No. 2.

So having to cope with new job, new environment, new colleagues and the usual first trimester giddiness, nausea, tiredness, etc... I neglected this space.

I realised how I shouldn't have, as this space brings back lots of fond memories for me. Especially fond memories and special moments of Gabby's growth.

She's grown so much so fast... I'm glad I had some of these moments captured in photos. I also slacked quite a bit when it comes to taking photos of her during my first trimester... :( Now, I wanna blog again for myself and for Gabby.

Gabby had her first haircut 15.5 months after she's born... eerm... yes, she didn't have to cut or trim her hair at all for 15.5 months! :p

Gabby must be wondering where she is... what's that auntie holding in her hands...

"So, what are we doing here?"

"Why did they make Daddy put on this "robe"? And now I need to put it on too?"

"What is this auntie doing? Why is she combing my hair?"

"Hmmmm... interesting..."

"Oh no.. she's cutting my hair! I don't want..."

"Daddy... can you get this thing off me?"

Even the pacifier didn't quite pacify her...

Finally someone managed to distract her... can't remember how..

Done!

Gabby's school organised a Mother's Day celebration on Friday and invited all the mommies for moving. Even though the infant class had little participation, I still wanted to join in, I wanted to spend time with my precious little baby, and I wanted her to experience the celebration... so we went and we had fun!

The older kids performed an item for the mommies present. There were booths set up around the school for various activities. Gabby walked into a classroom and played with her "ex-classmates"... I wonder if she really remembers them... haha

A big "I love you Mommy" poster... Nice job teachers!!

Gabby's teachers traced her hand on paper, cut them out and made them into flowers for the mommies. Gabby handed it to me when we went into the infant class after the celebration. *melt....

I'm a happy Mommy!

Happy Mommy's Day!

A few of weeks ago, Calvin got a call when we were chilling out at home and he sheepishly walked away to take the call. I overheard him say something about making reservations on 6 May. He was making reservations for my birthday dinner a month ahead! I was like, what's this place man? Need to make reservations so early??? He refused to reveal much about his conversation and his plans... and I decided I shouldn't spoil my own surprise... He read about it almost 6 months ago and he knew he wanted to bring me there on my birthday, and he kept mum about it for that long.

So today, on my birthday, we went to "this place" that he thoughtfully planned to me bring for a beautiful romantic dinner. "This place" is Private Affairs, a modern European fine dining restaurant tucked away from the city at Joo Chiat Place.

Private Affairs has got an interesting concept. You decide if you'd like to have a 4-couse, 6-course, 8-course or any number of courses for dinner. We went for a 5-course one. After deciding on that, we went through its menu and picked what we wanted for the 5 courses. We had 3 starters, 1 main and 1 dessert. You would normally associate fine dining with small portions of food beautifully presented on a big classy plate. Well, Private Affairs sort of does that too... except that those seemingly small portions fill your stomach and pamper your tastebuds beyond your imagination.

Chef Paul takes great care of his guests and almost immediately made us feel at home when he personally served Calvin's first course when the staff got his order wrong. I thought that was nice.

An unexpected classy restaurant along Joo Chiat Place.

Classy touch to an already classy ambience.

A little common chandelier, but still very nice.

An interesting way to serve the balsamic vinegar.

Their mini bread is served warm very regularly, whenever you want it, you have it.

Don't know if it's just me, or is the butter really tastier than the usual.

My first course: Duck Carpaccio. Gosh, as I'm typing, I'm missing it already....

Calvin's first course: Ocean Trout. This is VERY good!! Calvin's favourite of the night.

Our 2nd course: Hokkaido Scallops served under a bed of corn and corn noodles. Nothing too unpredicatable, but very fresh and yummy. The corn noodle... melts in your mouth!!

Our 3rd course: White Lobster Bisque. The green-white-black roll, is wrapped with yummy salmon and lobster! They served it without the bisque and the bisque is drizzled onto your plate right before your eyes.

Calvin's 4th course (main course): Wagyu Beef Cheek. It's braised for 12 long hours! Marvelicious!!!

My 4th course (main course): Pomfret. Very beautifully presented and very fresh!

Calvin's 5th course (dessert): Vanilla Bean Panna Cotta. VERY YUMMY!!!!! The raspberry marshmallow is superb too! I love this dessert!

My 5th course (dessert): Pistachio Cheese Sandwich. Chef Paul specially arranged for my dessert to be served with all lights off in the restaurant and with everyone singing me a birthday song. Sweet! The other little surprise is found within the cheesecake. As you nibble the yummy cheesy cake, you would discover a very refreshing passion fruit coulis right in the middle.

6th course, or what they call "thank you" course. Complimentary to all guests, I believe they serve something different everyday. You have Apple Cake (from the concept of carrot cake) and Chocolate with Nutella, and this is so super yummy! Bitter chocolate sweetened with nostalgic Nutella! Calvin's eyes literally brightened up the second the Choc got into his mouth.

The best part of the evening... it still has to be the quality time spent with this man. Thank you for the nice surprise... I love it!

PS: I wanna go back to Private Affairs again for their Sunday Brunch! Yum yum!!

Gabby's classmate and one of her best playmate, Alyssa had her birthday party in school today! The kids had yummy cakes for breakfast and tea. And Alyssa's parents also brought along some party favours!

Calvin got a mms from Teacher Tess today... Look at our Gabby! hahaha... Doesn't she make you wanna laugh?? hahahaha..

I LOVE YOU MY LITTLE PARTY BABE!!

Gabby started going to infant care when she's about 3.5 months old. Then, my dad was still working and he would send us to the infant care centre (ICC) when he's not on morning shift. Other days, I would have to lug my bag and Gabby's bag and carry her in the sling and walk to the ICC. Now thinking about it, I really enjoy those walks, with her so close to me. I would sing to her, talk to her and pray over her along the way.

Some months back, my dad quit his job and became his princesses' chauffeur. I was so blessed with his daily ferrying. He would send us to ICC every morning and I never had to perspire early in the morning again. And he would wait patiently at the carpark while I settle Gabby in school. And then he would drive us to Bendemeer hawker centre to have the BEST fried bee hoon in the world for breakfast. And then he will send me to school. I was so pampered... Thank you Sok Sok!

Just a week ago, my dad sold off his car. And now, I'm back to the days of walking Gabby to school. Now that she's older (and bigger and heavier), we would put her in the daytripper instead of the sling. And we'd leave the daytripper in school so my parents can use it when they bring her home in the evening. I'm beginning to enjoy these walks again, although I do miss being ferried to work every morning and being able to knock out on the way to work...

Gabby's mommy enjoying the walk with her precious daughter.