Happiness in a different form...

I am very sick today with chills and aches running down my body... Returned home to find that I was running a high temperature... 

After bringing #1 and #3 to the doctor's with me, we came home for some "fun". Birthday cakes and candles always brings smiles to the children faces. And nothing beats the excitement (though I wish I could be as excited as they were with the fever). 

The candles were lighted (one per kid), the birthday song rehearsed, the candles blown a few times... And the whole cake was gobbled up by the kids (too heaty for me, guess its really good since #1 had 3 pieces!)...

 

快乐就那么简单。

The best June holidays...

Having my maternity leave through the June holidays is perhaps the best thing that ever happen... Hubby is home most days and we get to go out together (thankfully L latches so going out is considered a breeze). The June holidays is ending and how I wish it will not end!

I see lots of friends bringing their kids to museums but (ooops) I bring mine to shopping centre (bleah). 

Late evening Mac dinner at Ridout Gardens - good thing is both kids already had their dinner so they didnt need to eat junk. Then I took a nice shot of hubby and the kids (back).

Anyway today, we had an enjoyable day out at Singapore's most suay shopping mall - JEM - yup the one plaugued with calamities even before it open. We survived the trip without any fire, water sprinkler going off or ceiling falling off. For a mall so fraught with "negative news", it was pretty busy and the car park was full lor! 

Our main objective was actually to go to Robinsons which is a major anchor tenant- occupying level 1 to 4. The baby/kid section is still smaller (sharing floor space with kitchen and electrical appliance) than the one that closed at Centrepoint (which had one floor on its own). 

After making our purchases, L fussed for milk. Saw diaper changing rooms on almost ever floor at two corners of the mall. It was really nice actually - a family toilet of sorts - with diaper changing station, toodler baby chair, child sized toilet bowls and sink! Importantly, the toilet is big enough for a baby pram. They have a seperate toilet for the hanicap shoppers. ;) 

The parent room on Level 5 was really nice n spacious! 3 seperate breastfeeding rooms with doors that you can lock (comes with electrical points and can fit your pram), one family toilet (like the one above). The parent room also has three open diaper changing station and hot water dispenser! Totally love the clean and cool enviornment (i have been to stuffy nursing rooms!)

Hubby brought the kids to play while I fed L. The kids play area was also on level 5 with the food court.

Eventually, we had dinner at the food court which is part of the Koufu chain with Food Republic prices! Food was not exceptional - was ok only. Hubby was shocked the drinks stall did not offer coke or pepsi. Hubby rejected the "Sarsi" proposal... 

So off we went for ice cream - a promise I made to N if she was good to share a Jap bento (she wanted Pastamania initially) with M and finish her share. She finished half a bowl of rice with fish and almost the whole cup of steamed egg (all by herself!). 

Sometimes the best in life is not about going to expensive places, it is about savouring the company and the little things in life.

The little BIG sister...

The question "how is ur #1 with the arrival of #2?" tops my list after M was born.

N's reaction towards the arrival of her little sis was better than I had expected. Is it because she is already 4YO when M arrived? Other than the always wanting attention from papa and nainai (to the extend of 撒娇 all the way), she has been a gem!

And for memory sake, I shall list them down:

She is my handy helper: if i forget something, I can count on her to help me... So far she has helped me fetch M's towel when I am already bathing M (yes I forgot), auto top up diapers in the basket, tell me when M cries (she says mei mei wants to drink milk) and counted diapers to put into the diaper bag while I latch M before an outing.

She loves M to the extend that she will run to my room to see M first thing she comes home from school, sayang M by stroking her head or jus standing by the cot and watching M sleep. When I told her to help me watch M, she sat next to the rocker and pulled the rattle for the music a few times. Then to entertain M further, she took a few photos to do "show and tell".

She likes to see me bathe and change M's diapers. And if she has the opportunity, she will hand over a clean diaper for me to wear it for M.

Deep down, I am thankful for the level of maturity and love/attitude she has displayed towards M.

The darkest moments are times when she throws her tantrums and insisting on getting her way. Everytime I react, i land up blaming myself for being too harsh on her. Because in the back of my mind, she seems mature and well behaved for her age...

With a new born to compare my not-too-long-ago baby N, N seem to have blossomed overnight to become an independent girl. She can wear her own uniform and button up, brush her own teeth, wear socks n school shoes all by herself. When I was 4, my aunt and grandma were helping me wear uniform and socks!

With this post, I hope I can be reminded to be less harsh and praise her a lot more for her "good" then frowning too much at her "bad".

Ending this with a photo of my two girls. N was particularly enthusiastic and excited to be able to sleep next to M on the same bed... ;)