Tuesday, 30 August 2011

Between Us

Before marriage, no parties between meals. As little girl came along, between our chairs was one high chair, and as little boy joined, between our chairs are two high chairs! So you see how the man and woman are drifting when kids come along?!!! 
 
Mum and Dad at each side


And see what I meant when Jare is eating anything and everything:

The table!

My fingers!

Finally, I'm 'eating' his juicy arm

I'm sure they'll outgrow the high chairs some day and we can then sit them away from us!

Jare crawling

Jare is starting to get mobile. He's mastering his crawl, slowly but not too steady yet. He's beginning to disturb his sister during play sessions. He would 'snatch' her toys and cry if you get it back. His hands would reach for anything and everything, after which goes to his month. He gets lonely when u go out of sight and a tough boy when it comes to meals. I foresee a little rascal in him. Another one in the making. 
 
On all fours

Moving towards his destination

He's about six and a half months now. Growth is getting more exciting for him!

Sunday, 21 August 2011

One night with MBS

My dad got a room at MBS for us to celebrate my mum's birthday. It was an awesome stay for all of us. I brought the kids along, but wasn't sure about staying a night until we saw the huge room with 2 beds - One king and one sofa bed. Jazz slept between my parents on the king and Jare between us on the sofa bed.

The moment we stepped in, our jaws dropped. The room was really huge with two divisions, the bedroom and the living room. We were all busy exploring the room, and so was Jazz. I should have video-ed her expression, she went round exploring with a very surprised and curious face. She must be wondering who owns this 'house.'

The sofa bed that transforms

Two basins toilet

Bath tub which we didn't really make use

Busy Jazz walking around
 
After settling our excitement over the room, we wasted no time in wanting to dip into the sky pool. Hearing and seeing much raves about it, we've not been there till yesterday. The moment the lift door opened on the 57th level, where the sky park and pool are, I was sold! The view captivated me and I went speechless. I was so tempted to leave the kids with the man, just so that I can swim in the adult pool in solitude. But being nice, I soaked with the kids in the toddler pool.
 
Therapeutic view!
 
Jazz loves water fun and Jare is expressionless most times....

Woah... don't fall. But it's very safe... no fear.

After water fun, the Js slept and I lazed around the room. My mum and myself were hooked on the in-room coffee maker, which we made doses of espressos. Glad that it didn't keep our night awake.

After the Js woke up, we went shopping in the mall and bought 2 boxes of clay for Jazz to play. We got both green and purple clay in hope to make Barney, but we failed big time, we are bad at it. This clay is mess free, it's like play doh, just that it can't be re-used after leaving to dry. Texture wise, I prefer clay to doh, it's grease free and easier to tidy. At least we had some indoor activity for Jazz. 
 
Non-messy clay session

Our funny looking figurines and fruits
 
The night approached and we explored the sky park again. City lights made the night view magnificent, a moment when you could view the whole of Singapore in one glance. It was also when I realized I have serious height phobia. I was terrified to be near the edge even though it was safely fenced up. Jazz was the brave one who kept asking me to bring her over. The thought of it is still making me shiver.

Beautiful city we have

Next day, we had another dip in the pool before handing the room over. After that, I did some shopping while Jazz and the man did a sampan ride. The ride was at $10 per pax. When Jazz got out of the sampan, she told me, "I didn't see any crocodile." Her row boat song has a crocodile mentioned, so I guess she was looking for one.

Row row row your boat, gently down MBS

It really was more than a fruitful weekend, but sometimes, we just can't get away from the hectic roles of a Mum and Dad with the little ones along. Well, I've come to terms with them being part of my fun everywhere and anywhere.

Wednesday, 17 August 2011

First Food

Jare started his first meal of cereal last Saturday. I've no idea what was it that I've ate or done during pregnancy that gave him those 'octopus hands'. He was a rather difficult to feed because his hands kept reaching for my spoon and bowl. I was constantly trying to balance his bowl of cereal and getting the spoon into his mouth. Sweat!

I fed him at his freshest and well rested moment - After his nap and when he's not over hungry.
 
A clean bib and a happy baby to begin with

Dripping messily
 
He likes his cereal - gave me an 'I want more' look when he finished. But it was a test run, so just that little cereal will do. Jazz was pretty excited when I was feeding Jare, I allowed her to try, but those octopus hands together with her poor balancing skill resulted in mess. When I fed Jare this evening, I allowed her to try again with water. Practice got her perfect, she's doing it better now.

And she shaped her mouth when she feeds, "Ahh...'
 
Starting on semi-solids is a very remarkable milestone for Jare and myself. He slept through the next few days, except for one day. I'm hoping this is my light after the tunnel. Please please... let it be. I'm not liking disrupted sleeps.

Thursday, 11 August 2011

Farms again

The man brought us and my mum to farms... again! This time, goat farm, vegetable farm and frog farm. The day was hot, extremely hot. I packed everything we needed except our hats, my sunglass and sunblock, how could I have missed them out. I have sun phobia.  Our first stop was the goat farm - Hay Dairies Pte Ltd.
 
Goats were fenced at a distance from humans
  
When we arrived at the place, we were welcomed by the very pungent smell of the goats. Children and adults were pinching their nose, so did Jazz. Because of some AVA regulations, we couldn't feed the goats. A little disappointment for Jazz, but that's alright, she fed goats at farm mart the other time. 
 
With Jare and a goat posing at the background
 
Chocolate goat milk
 
I got the man to get chocolate milk, hoping that the smell isn't that bad. When I tried, I almost puke! It stinks and it's yucks! But know what, Jazz seems to love it, she finished about a third of it. I wonder why... Next stop was some farm, I don't know what it was, just beside the goat farm. We went in for a brisk walk and Jazz fed the kois in the pond.
 
I asked Jazz to put her fingers into the pond and the kois will swim to her. I knew they were harmless, they'll just suck and go. Jazz put her fingers in and the suction was rather strong, I saw her tugged forward a little. Then she turned to me (time for revenge, I guess), and asked me to put my fingers in. Frankly, I didn't dare! How could I have asked her to do something which I didn't dare. I saw the koi's huge mouth and I backed out. Even the man wasn't keen to take up the challenge. I felt kind of bad to have 'cheated' her. 
 
Fish food for them
 
See their huge mouths!

Our third destination was the frog farm - Jurong Frog Farm. It was all about frogs, many of them! And bullfrogs are really not quite good looking.   

Nope, I didn't pick the frog. We're all fearful.

Jare has no idea who he's facing!

We were all tired after three stops, but not forgoing the last stop, vegetable farm - Kok Fah Technology Farm. The greens are beautifully grown and sold here, even greener than those in the supermarkets. But there's just as much as we can buy, these greens are perishable within days.

Harvesting the bittergourd

With that, we ended our long and perspiring farms trip. When home, it was shower for everyone except the mummy. I headed to the kitchen to prepare dinner, and these were the dishes: 

'Gong Bao' Frog leg and potato leaves from the farms

The plates were polished clean with all food in our tummies. Yums! Well, we have enough of farms, I guess. At least for the time being.

Tuesday, 9 August 2011

Caterpillar Jare

Little Jare moves like a caterpillar now. He has yet to master the skill of crawling, so he wriggles his way through to get what he wants. My man threw his lens cover, and Jare tried all might to get it. I didn't know my man video-ed him. When I was watching it, I asked if Jare eventually retrieved it.



Glad that he didn't give up on his goal. 

Monday, 8 August 2011

Animal Restaurant

Are we running out of places to go? I've been staying around my area for near five years and it's the first time we strolled down the streets on a Sunday evening!!! My home is in the middle of Little India and my Sunday evenings are usually swarmed by foreign workers. By foot or by car, they are really massive beings who gather in groups at any corner and cross the roads like nobody's business. I wonder why jay walkers are never fined here.

Our mission that day was to get Indian food. My dad has been craving for nan and so we made a trip to satisfy that carving of his. I've no idea why a Sunday of all days. Together with my parents, my elder brother and his girlfriend, we walked to the place. 
 
My dad joined the crowd to shop!

"The jungle tandoor"

While waiting for the food be be served, Jazz went round taking pictures:

Monkey above them
 
Little boy is hungry, 'munching' his daddy's arm

Being occupied by diaper bag, while I managed to eat in peace
 
Great dishes and yummy nans

Their food is yummy and it's not too bad dining here. Only thing is their very heavy wooden bench that makes sitting uncomfortable. There are many great Indian food around my area to be explored. It's not difficult to love Indian food. Remember to explore them on any days, other than Sundays, unless you want to have a taste of truly India.

Tuesday, 2 August 2011

Artworks done

Finally completed what I've been procrastinating to do, or rather, waiting for a day with no disturbance from the kids. I finished my creations for Jare's plain rompers. Phew, still in time before he outgrows.

Completed six

I'm very certain of my lack in creativity and talent, but at least I completed them. Iron on labels made it easier for me. They'll all be ready for wear after a gentle wash.