Josh @ 10.5 months

This is one of the typical night whereby Josh would still be active and crawling around at 10pm (Kids here sleep at 730pm!).

Enjoying a good cuddle. . . while Papa takes a break from studying.

Countdown: 1.5 weeks more to go

Anna's ballet

Last week we had a glimpse of the dance routine put up by the girls. It is meant for the year-end performance for the Pre-primary class.

Anna is the third girl from the right, probably the youngest in the class. Its lovely to see that she is enjoying ballet and learning the jargons eg. plie, pirouette, arabesque, mermiad dance, pointe work etc etc.

Our Kids

On the wall in the lounge:-

A live-size cut-out of Anna (done at school), flying a kite (made for mid-term break 3).

Baby Josh crawling (not sure if its the right size but Frank drew it while Josh was crawling). Anna has the privilege of drawing in his eyes, mouth and hairs.

What will he be next time?

Well, my prediction for Josh is that either he will be a vegetable-seller or an environmentalist (cos he always play and mess up the bag containing the plastic bags).

As I spend quite a fair bit of time in the kitchen, Josh has discovered some fun things to do at the same time:

1. The box of ginger, garlic & onions - he would take and toss the items out of the box, sometimes he will have a taste especially the onion skin, which he don't quite fancy.

2.The paper bag holding the plastic bags for trash.

3. He would dig his finger into the gap of the oven. Once, the finger came out bloody. So we had to tape it up. Still, he never give up, been trying to dig through the masking tape.

4. The box containing flour ie. rice flour, tapoica flour, sweet potato flour (all for making my Kueh) - again toss them like toys and the other night, he managed to bite through and had flour all over his face and clothes and onto the floor. I think we took a pic of it (will blog later).

5. The box containing Frank's exam burnt mid-night oil supper/snack ie. Indo-mee, Korean noodles, instant pasta, Vita-Wheat.

Well, you think all these can keep him occupy?

New Paintings

Anna is proud to be the artist of the 3 paintings that she did with Papa. They had some inspiration from a painting book that I borrowed from the library.

She actually wanted to do a forth painting but Frank was too tired and asked to take a break!

Do we look alike?

The Threesome whom I cook, feed, clean, wash.

Most importantly, whom I love.

Lanterns!

What is Mid-Autumn Festival celebration without lanterns! These lanterns were brought back all the way form Kuching.

The kids thorougly enjoyed themselves. At some point, they were setting up fire. . .

Mid-Autumn Festival Celebration

We had a celebration of mooncake and pot-bless at one of our cell member's new house.

After a very yummy dinner, mooncakes and tea, we had a wonderful time of worship. Notice that our cell's children consists mostly of girls. Nonetheless, they always enjoy each other's company.

Found!

As I was looking through the pics, I stumbled upon this folder that Frank created. Apparently, it contains pics from his camera. This picture was probably taken in Jul/Aug, when it was still cold.

That was the last time we had a picnic at King's Park. Have not been there for a while. I wonder what have we been doing?

Josh @ 9.5 months

It was about this time that Josh started to stand without support. Initially for a few seconds, but now he is much better at it.

He has yet to take his first steps. He will always stand in front of us, pause - will he take his first step?? - NO - and start crawling towards us.

He is quite into crawling. . . when he sets his eyes on something, he will crawl with very much determination ie. with head down (as tho' running in a race). Its quite a sight!

Dinner. . .

What do we do during dinner? Dinner is usually at half past five and often we would be at the table for a good one hour.

1. Frank will feed Josh while I get Anna's food ready ie. cut the meat and vegetables into smaller pieces.

2. I will start having dinner first with Anna.

3. Once Josh is done, Frank will join.

During this time, Josh will remain in the highchair and he would be munching away some cereal/biscuit/anything that he sets his eyes on.

4. I will finish dinner and start cutting up fruits for Anna and Josh.

5. Anna and Josh will be enjoying the cut fruits. They both love pear and kiwi at the moment.

6. Frank will finish dinner.
We used to have dessert after dinner, but trying to cut that down. I also used to have a cup of tea after dinner, especially good during the colder months.

The next thing that usually happen is Josh will poo-poo and Frank will wash him up. Often, Josh will return to his chair and I will give him yoghurt to finish up his meal.

So you see, by the time we clear that table and get everything wash up, its almost 1.5hr!

Hair-cut No. 2

Josh's hair was getting long and Mr Tay-Barber can't wait to practise his skills, afterall its his second boy's cut.

Its a pity I did not take any photos of the first hair-cut. F just did it while bathing Josh. Apparently Josh was moving quite a fair bit and got his ear cut! Poor baby. . . altho' he did not cry, I was rather taken back by the amount of blood produced by the small cut.

This second try was much better and the barber was also a lot more careful! HA!

My Scone!

Just baked some sultanas scones with Anna. Who can resist nicely baked scones? Even Josh loves them! See what's in his hand? That's his second scone. Yummy!

Here comes the train!

Took a break at the train station. Anna was drinking her favourite drink - Yeo's lycee. Frank said its a perfect pic for Yeo's advertisement. Even kids like their drinks.

Whiteman Park

During the term break, we brought Anna and Josh to Whiteman Park. We had a good time taking the steam engine train, apparently they use coal as fuel.

This was one of the stops we alighted and took a walk.

Just babes

Look at them! Just hanging out together. . .

Both enjoyed a corn cracker and somes leaves.

Btw, they are almost the same age.

Picnic

On the last day of Term, Anna with friends and teachers and parents had a picnic in school. While Anna was busy playing and running around (kite-flying at times), Josh and I were happily enjoying our picnic food.

The weather turned sunny from overcast, so I conviently used Anna's hat for Josh to shield out the sun. It was rather big for him! Not a clear pic but he looked so cute and happy!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY PAPA!

Went to our usual place for celebration. Had Baskin Robin for dessert, so no cake. Instead, we used the jelly as substitute. Was just as yummy! And they looked good too - jelly with strawberry and kiwi.

Josh @ 9 Months

Josh is about 9 months:

1. 2 lower front teeth + 4 upper front teeth.
They are almost popping out at the same time. The other day, he fell in the bath tub and hit onto the edge, front right tooth had a small chip, lots of blood.

2. Pulling himself up very often, standing with support, switching hands to support himself, sometimes almost standing (just a few sec) by himself, squatting at times.

3. Meals/Snacks - enjoying finger foods (eg. Cruskits, Baby Bite, toasts, rice/corn crackers, cooked peas, broccoli, apples, pears, baby rusks(cylinderical and round ones) (which he never finish), bread sticks, cheese sticks (but break too easily)

Josh loves anything with cheese, like F.

4. He does not sleep very much in the day. At night still wakes up 2-3 times to feed. But when he is teething and lots of discomfort, he would wake up every 2-3 hours at night to feed.

Our Second Flower

Frank and Anna planted some bulbs some time ago during winter. Once the weather got warmer, the shoots started appearing and one fine day, viola! What a pretty flower!

'ANNA'

Anna wrote her name. We were very proud of her. There is also a stick-man drawing on the right (that's how she draws a smiley face with body/legs).

On the very old carousel

This carousel is apparently historical, can't remember how old it is, but very old. Quite a ride for the two of them.

Messy very Messy!

Was taking a break at the elephant enclosure. Gave Josh a Weet-Bix and there was crumbs everywhere! Well, never try it at home unless you are free to clean up the mess.

Best Pals

They are really great together, sometimes can go out of hand as well.

So brave of her. . .

Z and Anna went to Perth Zoo together. This is one place that Z will surely visit, its his favourite, Reptile. So off Anna went with him (not a favourite place of mine tho').

It was petting the snake time. . . (Y****)(not my thing again) but she happily went ahead with Z. See so brave!

Jason (Z's father) was carrying Josh while I took the pic and he asked if Josh would like to touch the snake as well. Immediately I said 'NO', I won't carry him if he did. So much for a Zoologist!

Pic taken after the concert

Looks who's behind?

He who fell off the wall?

Josh had fun too

During the concert, Josh was thrilled over the sight and sound of the place, people and performance. He was crawling and exploring the surrounding, even attempting to climb steps (which he almost did).

Play School Concert

Anna is crazy over Play School, an ABC children programme that she watches almost every afternoon when she comes home from school.

So we decided to bring her to the Play School Concert when they came to Perth. Had to drive all the way up north to Joondalup but it was a well-paid-off trip. Met up with her friends, Kaylee and Rachael, had loads of fun watching the performance! It was an enjoyable day.

Assam Fish

Not too bad a try for the first time. Can't say that I cooked it from scratch. Ha, sauce came from the bottle and just have to add onions, tomatoes and fish sauce. Was yummy with rice!

Zzzz. . .

As I needed to prepare food to cook in the evening, I put Josh in the high-chair so that he would not come crawling in the kitchen looking for me and clinging onto my pants. I offered him some Baby-bite and for a while he was enjoying the food.

In no time, this was what happened.

So cute, right?

It's Spring again!

As the weather became warmer, Anna started to ask to play in the inflatable pool. So, F finally blew up the float (without using a pump) and the kids had a fantastic time playing in the heated water (F had to boil water to add to the very cool water from the tap). Moreover, it was rather windy.

Josh had a good time plucking off the grass and putting them into his mouth (YUM - nice texture, tasty chlorophyll).

Happy Father's Day

I dun know why but the Aussie celebrate Father's Day on the 2 Sept. Yes I know, this pic is long overdue.

We were at one of our favourite eating place: Makan Makan at Vic Park.

Josh @ 7 months

At 7m1w - Josh suddenly learned the art of crawling forward, and there is no stopping him. Initially, he was much slower in covering the area in the house. But within a week, he is crawling so much faster.

The other day while I was cooking, he crawled from his room to the toilet, played with the toilet brush, got bored, crawled into the bathroom, played with the heater, dustbin and potty. He continued his jouney towards the kitchen when he heard me calling, stopped by the laundry area, played with the magic-mop b4 finally crawling towards me!
At 7m2w - I discovered 2 lower front teeth appearing. Poor fellow, now I understand why he was sucking so much in the night for the past few nights. Other than that, he is absolutely happy!

Sometime ago we noticed the use of pincer grip, recently it had gotten better cos he is able to pinch F's neck and my arm. This pic shows the holding of the tit using thumb and pointer.

To the Fair

Although it just rained, the Fair still attracted many people like us.

Walking Outing

We went for a 4km walk up north at Chidlow to Sawyer Valley. There was a Fair at the end of the check-point.

This pic was taken at the half way point where we took a break and the kids were playing with the instruments made by the locals.

Father & Son II

No, I am brushing your teeth! - Josh

Father & Son I

See, I am brushing my teeth! - Frank

Time to say Good-Bye

It was nice catching up.

It was almost time to depart for Perth.

Good-bye Singapore.

Good-Day Mate!

It was sad-but we have to-to continue this chapter of our lives-may the grace of God be with us, always.

'I want to cut my hair!'

We were at Suntec City after lunch at Sakae Sushi (btw Anna loves sushi), we passed by this kids hairdresser and out of the blue, Anna said she wanted a hair-cut. It cost $16 but with a personalised movie while you get your hair cut, a balloon and stickers when you are done! I want too!

Anna was so captivated by the cartoon she was watching that she was so cooperative and sat on the chair almost motionless while he snapped happily away - AMAZING!

Happy Family

Finally had our LJS @ Lido. It was yummy-licious. F said as good as the fish & chips @ Freo.

Anna loves Simpsons like F, I just cannot understand the why they like it?!?!

Pool of Balls

What a pretty sight! If I were a kid, I would love the place.

I am Trying

We were at the KidsGym at Pasir Ris NTUC . Josh was trying to crawl forward, probably just one or two steps at the most. But it was a start. . .

Josh @ about 6+ months

During our stay in Singapore, Josh managed to sit upright without support. He had a lot of fun on the foam-mat with Anna, Sarah and Isaac. Nai Nai and Ye Ye also came along to play with him.

It was also during this time that Josh learned how to go onto all fours and rocked his body to and fro (a step towards crawling). Finally within a few days, he was trying to crawl but always moving backwards. Well, at least he is going places!!

More Fun @ Vivo

What can I say. . . we all love the water, especially on a warm sunny afternoon!

Still at Vivo (Starbucks)

What's more enjoyable was a sausage bun after all the activity. Anna used to just eat the sausage and give us the bun. Now, she finished the bun followed by the sausage ie. saving the best for last and enjoying every bit of it. This trip we saw her eating such bun every 2-3 days. This is one of her favourite food.

ViVo City

Everybody is talking about this happening shopping mall, so we must go check it out as well. What we enjoyed most about this place was being able to have a cup of coffee and having Anna occupied. See, she went riding on a horsey.

Here we go!

Josh and I had great fun at the slide too! It got rather wet at some parts of the slide, and water kept getting into our eyes. . . but he was all game for it. Ha, I guess he didn't had a choice since he was carried by me using a baby harness.

Tsunami Waves

In this section of WWW, the man-made waves are amazingly strong and violent. Anna had fun with the float and stayed at the shallower end, while I went towards the deeper pool. At one point, I ditched the float and wanted to swim along with the waves. . .wow, I almost like 'drowned' cos the waves went over my head and water went into my nose. HAHA, so much for a swim!

Wild Wild Wet

It was indeed very wild. So much so that Anna loved the rides so much that she kept going and going and going with Jie Jie Sarah and Isaac.

Till this day, she kept reminding me that she would like to go again.

Our Favourite Hang-out Place

One of our favourite place is ECP. I used to bring Anna to the playground at Mac, usually have breakfast there too. Not forgetting Kenny Roger's chicken and Gelare Vanilla bean ice-cream and waffle.

Now we have found a new place - the Fun-Fair, where they have the fairy-wheel, choo-choo train, viking, merry-go-round . . . well, Anna is old enough to ask to ride on them and of course enjoy them as well.