CNY Gathering @ Evan's

Gathering @ Evan's place. It was wonderful to have gathering with our friends this CNY. Evan & Angeline have been a great hosts, with lots of drinks and fun. They even prepared yusheng,without salmon but with abalone! Wow! Not many pics coz I was busied chatting with the rest and munching. Now you know why I am gaining so much weight!

It used to be only the adults yrs back but now, 3 of us are preggie mommies and most of us have kids. Right now, we have 8 kids total (2 were not there) and soon there will be 3 more joining the group! I wonder how are we gonna go out for dinner in the future? Hehehe... LZdaddy and I were pretty relaxed while the rest were busied taking care of their kids. LZ were very well behaved. My babies! Hmmm... We better enjoy this moment coz next year, we would be busy looking after little Beanie.

Needless to say, we have gambling session. L joined in, with Uncle Lawrence as the sponsor. We told her she can only join during CNY. Anyway, she doesn't know what was going on. Z didn't join in as the other day, he played it with LZdaddy and me (and I won and Beanie too).

L definitely enjoyed the company of the younger ones, especially their godsister, Chyene. She spent most of the time playing with her, keeping her company. Godma, I'm gonna start charging you soon! Hahaha... I am very lucky to have such a wonderful daughter who loves and takes good care of the younger ones. Z was busied munching on the snacks and his gameboy. That doesn't mean he didn't enjoy the company of the younger ones. He played with jiejie and Javier most of the time and he loves Uncle Evan's indoor pond. He kept asking if he can feed the fishes.

We are looking forward to next week gathering! I think it is gonna be chaos with 2 more kids, Annie and kids will be back from Malaysia! So Beanie, at least let mommy enjoy another week ok?

Beanie @ 36 Weeks

Another 2 weeks passed by and it was time to go for my checkup. Beanie is already 36+ weeks!

Actually, nothing much to update at this time. The checkup was pretty fast, nothing that my doc need to tell me since this is already my 3rd one and I just seen her 2 weeks ago. 2 weeks and I have already put on another 2 kg (almost)! Hmmm.... Blame it on all the CNY goodies. Told her I had some white discharge but nothing to worry about coz the amt is very little. Doc commented that LZ were there almost every checkup and she can tell both are very excited.

Doc did the scan for Beanie. At this stage, we can't really see much as he is getting bigger. We were excited when we caught a glimpse of his ear! He was moving so much that even my doc had a hard time trying to scan his body parts. Hehehe.... His estimated weight right now is about 3 kg but again, that may not be accurate.

Doc asked LZ if they want a Valentine's Day didi. Hmmm... Sounds good! But I told Doc I rather Beanie be in me till due date. Doc finds it weird coz she said most mommies at this time would prefer baby out sooner the better. Not me, I told her I am not ready. I am feeling very heavy at this time but I am not ready. Too many things on my mind and plus I need time to train the helper and let her settle in. Plus I am not sure when is my helper coming in?!

Finally received my hospital admission letter. Gosh! When I see the letter, I sort of panic! It means anytime I will be delivering right?

Bento #115

Top tier: Mini pear, grapes & dino shaped nuggets. Bottom: fried beehoon.

Made a simple bento for L to bring to school. I was glad that I kept some of the beehoon (uncooked) so that I can fry it this morning for her as well as for breakfast for myself. Mommy still in CNY mood and have to really drag myself out of bed to prepare this for her.

The mini pears are sweet and 'cute' and it fits well into the bento box. If you are at Cold Storage, do get a box to try it. My kids, especially L likes it so hope your kids will.

2nd Day Of CNY

Forgot to mentioned that our mini reunion lunch for ourselves was at Swensen. Weird isn't it? We wanted to have it at a Chinese restaurant but as it was a last mins decision, all the restaurant we went to was either fully booked or long queue. Just didn't want to cook on that day since my kitchen was so cleaned.

Visiting continued today... We went to my SIL & BIL's place and spent some time there. One of my SIL is such a good cook! And the other one can bake so well! Thereafter, we went over to LZ's godparents place. No pic taken at these places coz I have my butt 'stuck' to the sofas.. Hahaha! LZ were obsessed with the wii in godparents place and LZdaddy was busied playing cards game. This year, I noticed my boy looked for computer everywhere he went and my girl was busied playing with small kids. They are so different!

Supposed to head off to more places today but were too tired, besides, LZ have school the next day.

These few pics are my favourites!My 2 vain pots are pretty good in posing nowadays.

1st Day Of CNY

Gong Xi Fa Cai to all my blogging friends! Thank you all for leaving messages and I am sorry if I have not been dropping by your blog. I can't sit too long in front of the computer nowadays and my back is aching.

Noticed what Z was wearing? His favourite green clothes and shoes! He told me that's what he wants to wear for the first day of CNY. My girl as usual, the pinky clothes and pinky shoes. I am very HAPPY with what we bought for them to wear this year. It was fun choosing clothes with them.

Pics of LZ with us, my parents and their little cousins. We have a 'tough' time trying to take pics of the little ones together.

It was the same every year, busied visiting. Visiting siblings alone already took up most of the time. I'm not complaining. Hehehe... This year I still can relax and chat with everyone but next year it will be different. Beanie will be joining in the fun and I will have to spend time keeping an eye on him.

This year we also visited my Auntie's family on the 1st day since my Dad would be there instead of being at home. We got the permission from the hospital to let him come out for the afternoon so that he can join in the celebration. He was all smile when he saw my LZ especially L. She is the only granddaughter.

Tomorrow will be another day of visiting and we are looking forward to it!

Before CNY

This year, I think we did quite a sloppy job for the spring cleaning. If without LZdaddy's help, it could be worst. This is also the 1st time he did so much! I had to stop like every 10 mins after cleaning. It was frustrating!

I have thank LZdaddy for doing most of the cleaning. Poor man... Just came back from overseas and he had to slog like mad to clean up the house. My babies tried to help especially my princess. Poor babies also.... This year they helped me so much too. How I wished our helper could come in earlier.... But we didn't realise that we need to take an online course as a new employer!

By the time it was CNY eve, we did most of the cleaning. All LZdaddy did after we came home from my MIL's place was to mop the floor again and hang up the decorations. Talk about decorations.... I told LZdaddy to get it the day before CNY eve coz the pasa malam near our place would end before the eve. He rather believe the uncle selling noodles than me. Haiz... In the end, we had to grab some from Giant and it was not worth it.

Reunion dinner was very different for us this year. We do not have to go back to my parents place for dinner. I missed my dad cooking... We went over to my MIL's place for dinner and it was great to see everyone there. We feel so blessed that LZ have so many uncles, aunties & cousins who love them. As soon as we arrived, they make spaces for them to have their dinner first and prepared their favourite food.

After dinner, LZdaddy and I planned to visit my dad at the hospital but due to some very personal reasons, we didn't get to see my dad at all.. Haiz... I thought I could spend some time with him on the eve. Anyway, it's over.... I don't wish to talk about it.

Bento #114

In the box: Strawberries, grapes, 3 pcs of homemade sausage pastry rolls, bear shaped ham & cheese.

LZdaddy is not in town, I don't have to time to prepare other stuffs for L's bento. So yesterday, I bought the pastry puffs and sausages, rolled it and baked it in the night. At least I don''t have too many things to do in the morning. Find it a little too plain, so I added the bear face, hoping it will look better.

What Was He Reading?

Recorded on 19th Jan 2009

This was recorded while jiejie had her swimming lesson. Actually Z was reading this book on the way to the pool. I asked him to read it again when we arrived coz I wanted to record it for LZdaddy. He knew I like it when he read it so he doesn't mind reading it again and again for me so I can laugh. Remember? He said that when I laugh, it means that didi is laughing too. Well done my boy!

We always have books in the car so they can read while I am driving or waiting. L left this book in the car few days ago after school (she is to be bring Chinese storybooks on Thurs & Fri). After reading, he didn't understand what was the story about and jiejie explained to him. Hmmmm.. Looks like I have to start teaching him汉语拼音 since now he has the interest to read Chinese storybooks. I am so happy that Z takes the initiative to read it! It is a book on 西 游记, one of my BIL gave the whole series to us. Honestly, I never thought they would be interested to read it.

Z does not know all the words so he uses 'hanyupinyin' (his phonics knowledge) to sound out the words. Below is what he read:

牛魔王赴宴回来， 来到芭蕉洞， 得知悟空抢了扇子， 大怒， 赶紧去追。
牛魔王看见孙悟空扛着大扇子得意洋洋地走在前面，准备来个以牙还牙。

Bento #113

In the box: Chicken teriyaki with cucumber & buttom mushroom on sticks, steamed corn, flower shaped apples & kiwis, rice rolls with carrots on top.

My girl asked for chicken and button mushroom, so decided to make teriyaki chicken skewers for her since it has been a long time since I made that. Better not Z let sees this or he will want it too coz he loves satay and this looks like one.

One of the things about making bento for L is that she tends to be more 'adventurous' when comes to food nowadays. She used to dislikes corn but now, she loves it! It also gives me more options when comes to preparing bento for her.

L asked if she can keep this till lunch but I worried that the food may turns bad after so many hours, so she had this for her 1st recess. Wished that I could prepare another bento and send it to school but I am too tired. Besides, at that time, I will be preparing dinner and another bento for Z for dinner.

Busy Weekend

After Beanie's checkup and a quick lunch, we went to the agency to select our helper. Yes, we have finally decided that we need a helper. We have been preparing LZ mentally that we would soon be having a helper at home. Both were excited! I think they must be happy that they don't have to help me so much when she arrives. Hahaha... Throughout, Z has been asking when are we going to choose the helper, "mommy, when are we going to buy the helper?" *slap forehead*

I certainly do not wish to neglect my 2 older kids. With a helper, I believe I can leave the household chores to her and concentrate in taking care of them, be it their personal needs or academics. Also, I plan to breastfeed Beanie as long as I can.

Upon telling the agent what were our expectations, she gave us a few bio-datas to look at. When we have finalize the 3 helpers, our agent let us interview them through Skype. As this is our first time hiring a helper, we have no idea what to ask so the agent helped us. L told me she likes the first auntie we interviewed and Z was more interested in his gameboy (since the excitement is over after the whole morning wait).

After discussion, we have sought of decided to get this helper who has experience in children and is able to cook. I wish to get one without experience at all but time is not on my side and I need the helper to be able to work independently. I do not have the time to 'train' her nor do I have the time to let her takes too long to settle in.

My concern was she has many years experience, 6 years in Singapore. She has only worked with 2 families for the 6 yrs she was in Singapore and I think she must be good so the previous employer has extended her contract. As i have no experience in handling helper, I was concern if she will 'climb over my head'. LZdaddy wanted to confirm then but I told him I would like to think about it. The agent was very nice to 'book' her for us till Sunday.

After going to this agency, I told LZdaddy why not have a look at others too. So off we went to other agencies. We saw a few and talked to them but the truth is none was to our expectation. I think we have more or less decided on the first one we saw.

By this time, Z was very hungry and again we had a quick meal before we head off to Ikea. We purchased some stuffs for Beanie (cot & changing table etc) and also other things. Just as we thought we are done after everything at 11 pm, the staffs told us they didn't capture the items on the computer and they had to go thru it. Then the mattress for the cot was wrong and they have to search for it and do exchange for us. By the time it ended, it was already midnight! All because the staff who told us that the mattress was the right one! Arrgghhh! Now you know why we were out for 14 hours!

Sunday

Today was another busy day! L needed a haircut, Z needed a pair of new shoes for CNY, I need to get some ready made curtains for the house and we had to go down to the agency to pay deposit for the helper. I was so pleased that we have all this done within the day.
ps: we have already placed a deposit and have confirmed her as our helper. The agent spoke to her again after we left and she claimed that she is willing to work for us.

Sorry Mommies if I have not been visiting your blogs. Have been very busy and only managed to have time to update the blog.

Beanie @ 34 Weeks

Yesterday was a busssssy day! Can't believe that we were out for 14 hrs! Feeling so tired and later we'll be out again. Haiz....

In the morning, went for my checkup, Beanie is already 34 weeks! Wish I can't slow down the time... Checked on Beanie's heartbeats before I get to see doc. Gosh! He is active! I have to keep shifting the thing to get his heartbeat. LZ & LZdaddy were in the room with me. L & LZdaddy had to let me know whenever the machine can't capture his heartbeat and Z was busy with his gameboy.

First thing my doc commented when she saw me was "Wa! Your baby very active!" Based on the measurement of his tummy, Beanie is now about 2.5 kg. Everything is well for us! I think this time I am more paranoid than the past 2 pregnancies. I kept having this thought that I will deliver early and I have to ask Doc for assurance. I think that's because I have been feeling stress and too many things to do and so little time.

I also mentioned to doc that I have pain at my lower abdominal at times. She told that was fake contractions which I totally forgot how it feels! She said when I am due, I will definitely remember it.

My next appt will be in 2 weeks time! Uh-oh! So fast! Please, Beanie, don't come out too soon ok? Mommy is not ready at all! And next week LZdaddy will be away for 2 days! I NEED HELP!

Bubble Fun - Z

It is a joy looking at him enjoying himself.

Bento #112

Big container: Stir fried udon with star shaped fishcakes & veggie. Small container: Grapes.

My girl wanted something else for her bento but I couldn't get the cheese so she had to have this till I get the cheese.

This 2 weeks gonna be busy weeks! So many things to do and so little time. How can I pack the house when I can't stand on the chair? How am I gonna clean some of the cabinets?

Bento #110 & #111 - LZ's Bento

L's Bento

Top tier: Golden kiwi, cereal bites. Bottom tier: Flower shaped rice, broccoli, carrots and fish patties.

I think I did a sloppy job for both the bentos but glad that they finished up everything so presentation not so important lah. Hehehe... L asked for shaped rice with furikake but I totally forgot about the furikake till she left the house. Anyway for the rice today, I think it looks better without it.

Z's bento

In the box: Rice with Goofy seaweed and veal stew.

Just a simple dinner for Z and I don't have the time to dress up his meal at all. I also packed some fruits for him in another container. Had to pack it fast and rushed for L's training today. Was contemplating to post this or not but in the end, decided to post it for the record. Otherwise he may thinks that I didn't prepare any bento for him.

I used the thermal pot that i bought recently from OG's offer to cook the stew and I was glad I bought it! Save electricity and I don't have to be around to cook that. Thanks Godma for your recommendation.

The seaweed was from Teni. I know I have to use the Goofy one cos that is his favourite character in Mickey & Friends. He was so happy when he saw it and he ate that last coz he always like to save the best for last.

His Thoughtfulness

At the mall while on the way to the toilet, Z was walking ahead of me. He suddenly turned back and walked towards me. (this incident happened a month back)

Z: Mommy, the floor is slippery and I must hold your hand. I must take care of you.

He saw the cleaner lady was mopping the floor and he turned back so that he can hold on to me! So sweet isn't he? I praised him for remembering what we have taught him, that is to take care of me now that I am pregnant.

The other day, he asked me

Z: Mommy, can I stay with you when I grown up?
Me: Of coz! Why?
Z: I mean when I get married? Can I stay with you? I want to be with you and take care of you.

I know these are just kid's talk... Things will be different when they grow up. He may think differently when he grows up or his wife doesn't want to stay with us. Errr... Why am I thinking so far? Hahaha... Whatever it is, at least I know he did think about this when he is young.

Z has been wonderful... I can't describe how proud he made me! Be it waiting patiently with me for 2 hours when jiejie goes for her swim or he apologizes when he knows he is at fault (without me telling him). All my friends, relatives or even strangers are always full of praises for my this little boy. Sorry if it sounds like I'm bragging

One thing that he loves to do is running into our room and scream "Yeah...... Mommy! I want you to sleep with me!" Sometimes, I am just next to him and yet he loves to say that. LZdaddy loves to tease him, he will say the opposite and my dear boy would 'punch' him.

Lately, he has been asking for more attention, I think it is due to my pregnancy. He started coming to our room to sleep with us in the middle of the night (it stopped for awhile). He refused to go to bed when it was bedtime and stayed with us. In order to stay in my room, he massage me and chats with us! Hahaha... It took some threats to get him back to his room or LZdaddy will have to goes to his room with him.

A soon to-be middle child, we do worry about what others called it as a middle child syndrome. We do not want to see that happen to him. We will try our best to spend time equally among our kids. So far, he is taking it very positively, I mean his brother. He has been talking alot to him and showing him funny faces. You should see what he did! It was so funny! I told him before didi will not see his funny face but he still continues to do it. He says when he does that, it makes me laugh and that also means didi is laughing with me. He also loves to feel the kicks and the movements of his little bro.

My dear little boy, stay cheerful as always ok and never stops saying you love me. Mommy loves you!

Bento #109

In the Box: Baked chicken drumstick, edamame, flower shaped carrots, quail eggs with crabsticks, onigiri with seaweeds.

Just received the Mickey & friends seaweeds from Teni. Thank you so much Teni! My kids love it and they can't wait for me to use it for their bento! It is so sweet of you to buy that for us from Japan. First reaction from L when she saw the bento was "Mommy! You finally use the seaweed for my bento!". I will have to make a bento with the seaweed for Z too before he knows.

We had the baked chicken drumsticks for lunch yesterday and LZ wanted more of that! Unfortunately, I have only 1 left so I used it for L's bento. Z wants me to get more drumsticks from the market today but I told him mommy not cooking on weekends. Seems like I have to get more for next week. Fresh chicken taste so much better than those I bought from Cold Storage and LZ know that too.

Bento #108

Top tier: Princess pasta with prawns and asparagus. Bottom: Strawberries & chocolates.

Yesterday I didn't prepare any bento for my girl and she asked for one today... I try my best to prepare it as often as I can before I pop! She also knows that when Beanie is born, I will have less or no time to prepare for her. I have been preparing bento for Z too but was too lazy to post it. When jiejie goes for her competitive training, I would prepare dinner for Z so he can have it there. That is also upon his request, I ask him if he wants to have dinner at home or a bento by the pool. How can I ignore his request right?

Bought the princess pasta months back and finally get to use it today. My girl loves it! I think she loves the pasta shapes more than the taste of it. Haha! It has the carriage, castle & princess shaped in it.

I watched the Chinese cooking programme last night and decided to do the prawns the same way, that is to slit on hole and tuck in the tail with the asparagus in between.

Award!

Thank you Angeline for giving me this 1st award for the year! It is so sweet of you to cheer me up and sorry it took me so long to post it.

As part of this award I must now list 5 addictions and then pass onto 5 more fabulous blogs!

So here are mine:

1. Kiss & hug my babies
   
2. Chocolate
3. PSP
   
4. Computer
5. Japanese food
   

And I’m passing this award to:

BlurBlur
Astee
Jan
Janice
Angie

So Ladies, what are you addictions?

Back To School - Z

How time flies! This will be Z's last year in the kindy. It is only the first day of school and he is already looking forward to next year to go P1. Hahaha... My boy... Coz I promised him another bakugan when he starts P1 and I was 'forced' to promise that. Unlike his jiejie, he doesn't look forward to school, he said he wants to spend more time with me and didi.A sweet talker!

LZdaddy sent him to school and I was there half hour later to check if he was ok. I think what I worried was uncalled for again.. He was comfortable coz about half of the classmates was from his K1 class. He was too comfortable, so much so that he was yawning countless of time. HaizLZdaddy didn't know which classroom he was supposed to go to and my boy told him. He remembered that used to be jiejie's classroom and I told him that is his classroom too.

This time round, I was able to see how he was doing from the gate, his classroom was facing it and he was sitting right in front. Z was comfortable with the teacher too, Mrs Leong. She has been there for a long time and she used to be L's teacher too.

1 1/2 hr later when school ended, I asked him if he wants to go back to school. This time, he said yes!

Bento #107

In the box: Orange, crabsticks rolled with eggs, blanched caixin, home-made chicken patties, heart shaped rice and grapes.

I am happy with what I have prepared for L today and she is too, especially when she sees her favourite veggie in the box. Today's bento was a little too much for her, she left with 1 chicken patty and 3/4 of the orange. At least she didn't spend any money during the first recess.

Today is also the first time she had to stay in school till 3pm. I wanted to prepare lunch and bring it to her school but my sweet little girl told me she will buy lunch from canteen so as to save me to hassle of sending food to school. When she called me during lunch, she ate prata only for lunch and I told her if time permits, she should get some more food coz this was her lunch break. So as soon as we hung up, she ordered fish ball noodle soup. Gosh! She is a BIG eater!

Bronze

Finally today we collected L's Bronze certificate from her coach after months of waiting! Well done Sweetie!

Beanie In "Action"!

1st video of 2009!

Recorded this yesterday while waiting for LZdaddy. As I was sitting in the car, so there wasn't much space for me so the video is not very clear. Tried to record his movement many times but I think Beanie is camera shy.

Now you know how active he is!

1st Day Of School & Bento #106

Now that L is in P2, the anxiety is not that bad, unlike last year. LZdaddy sent her to school and I happily go back to bed since Z will not start school till next Monday. I missed being in her school to help out and to see her mixing around with her friends.

I wanted LZdaddy to send her all the way in to the school coz I was worried she will be lost and I also wanted to know how she handled it on first day but the carpark was full. My sweet little girl told LZdaddy it was alright.

She has been looking forward to go back to school! To see her friends and teachers! This year, she told me she wants to be a better student, that is to talk less in class. Hahaha... We shall see...

This year, we didn't get any new school bag or new uniform for her. I washed her old school bag and it was as good as new. For her uniforms, I sent her skirts for alteration. I explained to her that it is not a must to get a new school bag since it is still in good condition and we must spend money wisely. Of coz, not everything was old. I bought her a new water bottle, pencil case and some stationary. I think my girl is more matured now... She understands and told me it is alright and we should spend money on getting Beanie's things.

As she has the same classmates (except 1 new student), same form teacher and same classroom, she has no problem looking for her classmates and she was able to tell me what's goes on in school. Looked like what I worried was uncalled for. On the first day, the teacher already asked them to do some MCQ (multiple choice questions) questions! Wow! Work do come early! The teacher probably tries to find out if the her students have been working hard during holidays and she came home with colouring homework.

Bento #106

In the box: Pooh shaped ham sandwich, sliced cucumber, shaped sausages, mini apricots and grapes.

Just a simple bento to start school. I think the school holiday break is too long that I lost touched with preparing bento. And last night we were out till very late and didn't have time to do any marketing.

I thought what I prepared for her will be enough for her during recess but I was wrong! She told me after finishing her bento, she went to buy biscuits. Looks like I can't use all the small bento boxes.

My Thought

This morning we woke up early and sent LZ to my BIL's place again so I can visit my Dad. Dad was supposed to change to rehab ward but there was no bed available so he went the regular one. He was so much better! He has been doing the exercise for his mouth, tongue, hands & legs. Today is also the first day that he is able to take proper food, no more tube feeding.

Thereafter, we met up with my friend to do shopping for Beanie and myself. There's so many things need to be done and so little time. I have been feeling very heavy and I can't walk or stand for long.... The other day I went to the market with LZ and half hour later, I told them I can't take it (tired) and we have to be back home.

Though we didn't spend much time with LZ on the first day, they had a great time with BIL's family. Sorry babies, mommy has lots of things to do... Last year, so many things has happened, good & bad... I hope 2009 will be a better year for LZfamily... There is definitely something for us to look forward to, that is Beanie's arrival!

May it be a wonderful year for Everyone! Happy New Year to All!