Nathan's 1st Bday

Nathan's one.

We celebrated with family and friends at Pasir Ris bungalow, one of the URA Villas. We were blessed with a big house, double storey with 3 bed rooms, one large karoke room and a huge living room for our guests.

Well, there are certainly many things to give thanks for the day. First, for the weather. It was hot and sunny, the rain only came much later. Many friends came all the way down east to see our boy and celebrate with us. Their presence made the whole deal! It was a joyful sight to see my dear friends, some with their kids. Our friendships date back 10 over yrs. I was just telling Chong that this would be the same group of friends whom I know will be there for my funeral one day.

We might be at different junctures of our lives, but when there's a call, we'll be there for each other. That's what friendship means to me. We do have many acquaintances, but there are a few of them whom you want to keep close by for a long long time, because they are worth the while. They are whom we share not only the good news, also the bad ones. To come alongside to encourage and give our utmost moral support whenever needed. Friends are important to me.

Nathan was fairly well that day, except that he was irritated by the lack of sleep and heat of the day. He managed to steal half an hour of nap after the candle was blown. He received many lovely presents, some more practical guests gave red packets instead, which we didn't mind at all. I think i shall only introduce the toys one at a time, else he would get bored with them altogether.

The party was a success, in our humble opinion. There was only one regret, quite a crucial one, the caterer was a flop, not tasty at all. We should have scouted for a better one. Our apologies to our guests. The cake was nice and yummy. We like the place too, except that Nathan's got two kisses from some nasty mozi.

We are grateful to God for blessing our lives with Nathan. the past one yr was indeed wonderful. There were difficult days but many sweet moments too. We pray that God gives us wisdom and strength to be godly parents, and nurture him in the way of the Lord, and trusting him that Nathan will one day find salvation at his door and receives Jesus gladly.

Counting down

Yes, I'm counting down to his birthday party, his very first candle to be blown in just 4 days' time. hipee hooray!

We couldn't celebrate on his actual day, 24th, brought fwd 3 days for the convenience of our guests. We were glad we managed to book the URA bungalow to hold his party. Ecard was sent, all guests notified and cake ordered. The most difficult decision was the caterer. As we would have a small party, it was tough scouting for one that does it for 20 or fewer crowds, and if they do, the price's too steep. We had to remind ourselves, it's only a birthday bash, not an ROM. We don't want it too fanciful or elaborate, just something nice and fun for everyone.

Well, some parents do without 1 yr old birthdays altogether. True enough, it wouldn't make any difference to the birthday boy or girl, the party is really for the dad and mum, to show off their pride and joy! And also, a time to celebrate with friends, the one yr old mark is important, as the child outgrows 'babyhood' and becomes a toddler, no longer yielding the same kind of magnetic attraction and attention from every passerby.

As they grow even older, they have to endure much comparisons and criticism, like, 'how tall are you," and 'what's your grades' and so on and so forth. So, while they're still ignorant of the cruetly of the 'real' world outside the comfortable zone - their cozy home, let's make it meaningful for them. This is one thing I truely fear - the unprotected society out there! One day I have to face it. This is so much I can do for him, the rest is up to him. Yet I know, my heavenly father watches us all, and I can trust him, so can Nathan, as HE directs his footsteps.

Shop shop shop

Last Sunday, I was at Plaza Sing shopping alone with Nathan! I'm so proud of myself.

It was terribly crowded as carefour was having a wharehouse sale, and people were just everywhere. I stayed away from the main sq, went down basement 1 and 2 to spend the time. What I was glad about the whole shopping trip was Nathan stayed in the pram the whole time. Usually, he would fuss and wants us to carry him. I brought the carrier along, just in case and I was so relieved that I didn't have to use it at all, cos carrying him to shop is not much fun, with that weight on you, you can hardly enjoy.

I must say I was rather disciplined, didn't buy any clothes or shoes or bags, just treated myself to some accessories and managed to buy some groceries from carefour too. But I was happy enough. After slightly more than an hour, Chong came to pick us up. He saw two smiley people waving at him from a distance.

Fun with daddie

Last weekend was fun bonding time between Nathan and daddie.

Mummie went out to have her pedicure while Nat stays home with dad. And boy, did they have a jolly good time! It's quite easy with him these days. From day 1, he plays independently. The baby sitter usually sits around and makes sure he'e kept out of danger. I have to take the initative if I want him to play with me. But he would rather explore on his own, cos he probably knows mums always wants him to acquire some kind of skills during play. And, he loves watching the cartoon, 'wheels on the bus'. His eyes would be glued to the tv for a good 1/2 hr or more if I hadn't restricted him. TV is good company when I need to cook or do housework.


It was also the first time Chong bathed Nathan. It was quite an adventure for him. It's getting more fun to bathe him as he becomes more active, splashing water about, tries to stand on his feet in the tub and doing little somersauts, turning in the water. I'm sure he will have even more fun in a larger tub.

Nathan managed to finally use the walker effectively. He was walking in and about for a long time. He is excited that he is able to walk 'on his own' without hand holding any one of us. He looked so cute with his head drenched with seat from the walking. I don't know where I can contain him when he really starts to walk, or even run. Bishan park all day long?

One of the greatest joys from staying home is to watch him grow and change, acquire new skills, get things done and simply, just watch him play with his toys, the ways he handles them, picks them up, throws them about, crawls after the rolling bottle or ball. He entertains me the entire day. How blessed am I!

Shopping @ Holland V

I was on shopping spree last Friday afternoon. Chong had taken the noon off for a follow up with the dentist who's located near Holland V, so we stopped by to have a look at the mall.

You would think you have been translated to Bangkok, with several massage kioks and grooming services one after another. There were a few shops selling thai silk and look alike products as well. I wasn't interested in any of those cos the shere deco of the stall gave it away, I knew those things would have been far overpriced, and only for the eyes of the
'ah moh' who haven't been to BK.

Nevertheless, there were other shops that caught my attention and where I lingered for more than an hour or so. I bought some laces and ribbons for Nathan's scrap book at one place. At the third storey, we found 'Gap' factory outlet, selling pj for $18 nett. There were many nice jackets for girls, none for boys. We nearly bought one set that says' I love papa', but got another 'truck and cars' design instead. There was one other swim wear shop that sold bright and colourful wet suits and trunks, I would come again to get one when Nathan outwear his.

The last stop was cold storage. Some mums at playground recommended me an alternative brand of yogurt for Nathan, told me that yoplait has too much sugar in them. The brand is from France, "elle and vile", I bought a few bottles plain flavoured ones. They do look different, more watery, less sweet smelling, and probably easier to digest too cos Nathan had really smooth bowel movements right after his feeds past two days.

So, that was the day at Holland V, not crowded and interesting, a good alternative not far from town.

Nathan's playground

Our living room has been turned into Nathan's playground.

The routine every morning has been, wake, play in the cot, wipe and change to day clothes, then breakfast and watch 'wheels on the bus'. The rest of the day, he would be on the floor, most of the time in the living room, haven't quite got an interest in the other rooms, well, thankfully. Unless i'm in the kitchen cooking, or preparing the water in the bathroom, he would crawl up to me, quite a cute sight, little Nathan on all fours, coming to look for mummie ...

I've grown lazy trying to pack and keep his toys away at the end of the day. He would also throw his toys about, and I don't want to go reaching out for those under the sofa and tables. Talk about kids losing interest in toys. He very much prefers to chew on his books or rock the table and fan, try pulling himself up to stand using all kinds of furnishings, than play with what can be played - his toys. Sometimes I feel like keeping all his toys away for a week, then bring them out again the following to see if he misses any of his toys anyway. Hmm, what's it with babies and toys? Have I gotten him the wrong ones, or he is simply bored stiff with them?

I started inventing household toys, like plastic utensils, mircowave containers tissue boxes. Improvise and make it a toy!! Wala. I read somewhere which says, anything that is not dangerous is a toy, no sharp edges, chipped off, or large not to be swallowed etc. You know what I mean, mums out there.

So, stop spending and start thinking, which else do I have at home and can be used as a 'new' toy for the kido? How about yogurt cups, heh heh heh, I got it again. They're great, cos Nathan loves squeezing them and making them crack crack crack. Anything with loud noises are great for him. I've stopped saying 'no', and try something new instead.

Old friends' gathering

It was another well meaning saturday with some good old friends.

Looking at the pics, checking back how time waits for no man. Sara's turning 2 this May, and Aiden's 1 this Oct, and my dear Nathan boy, in one month's time, he'll be 1.

We ordered pizza for lunch, some drank wine, others hot tea and packet drinks. It wasn't the food, it was the fellowship that was great. We didn't have much agenda planned, we just said we would come together for lunch and 'farewell blessing' for James, as Tina put it.

The nice thing about that afternoon was, we didn't have any plans at all. So we sat and chatted, about what you ask me, I can't quite recall now, probably about kids. That's what old friends can do. There were just too many fond memories to recount, if we were to sit down and talk about them, there would have been no end, and not forgetting, bountiful laughters about one another's idiosyncrasies.

We missed certain individuals like Gerald, Joel, Grace, and Joelle Lim, of course, whom we look forward to having by the end of the yr.

Some of us work with companies, others 'slaves' for the government, and still others, stay home like me, or gone full time like grace. Different paths, different lives, yet same mind of christ, or so, we pray.

I hope for the best for our friendship, perhaps more changes coming along our way, separating us further away from each other, yet we will always remember the good times we shared, and in our own chamber rooms, say a short prayer for everyone.

Nathan@11mths

Nathan turned 11 months old last Sat. How time flies, in a month's time, he'll be one yr old. It's quite hard to imagine how I managed the past one yr, home with him all by myself, but surely I know that the souverign Lord has been my help day and night. There were many rough patches every now and then, God has shown himself faithful in all his ways, and his loving eyes continuelly assuring me that he watches over our coming in and going out.

What has he been able to accomplish thus far? Well, there hasn't been much change or progress in terms of speech, just 'na' and 'ma', and physically, he enjoys walking, with his hands clinging tightly to one of my fingers.

We bought him a bag of plastic 'fruits', he likes throwing them out and about. Talking abouy tv addict? He's able to sit in his high chair and finish one episode of 'wheels on the bus'. he loves it. I limit him once a day in the morning during breakfast. Still couldn't quite get him to sit down with me to finish a book. Got him a pack of flash cards, but hadn't used it effectively with him yet, he just won't look.

I'm hoping that he starts walking when he turns 1.

Fun in the sun

Last Sat, Tina invited us to her place for Jap curry dinner. We went earlier to have a bath in the sun. Sara joined us. Chong stayed dry to shoot some fantastic shots of us in the water. Nathan's still very cautious, not thoroughly enjoying himself as much as 2 yr old Sara, who looked so adorable in her 'jedi' bath robe and colourful swim wear. She's a doll. Great to have pals like her to play with once in a while.