Hokkaido & Tokyo 15-23 Sep 2010

After 1 month back from our family trip to Japan, I finally found time to blog about it!

So how was my first long trip with a baby in tow? Hmmm... the answer I would give when I just got back and now is different.

It was not easy to manage Rachel, especially when she was cranky and appetite-less due to cough & sore throat developed 2nd day of the trip. Luckily, we opt for free and easy self-drive tour that makes it more manageable but I was still pretty drained after the trip. I didn't feel that I enjoyed myself in Japan. However, back home, after days of resting and looking at the trip pics, I recollected the nice cool weather, the excellent food, the breathtaking sights and best of all... bonding with my wonderful companions (my parents, shawn & rachel!!).

And our darling Rachel experience her first flight after her first ferry to Bintan and first coach ride to KL. She also experienced her first train ride in Tokyo. :) And if she is thinking of rocket already, she just got to wait... (long long)

To cut the story short... here are some pictures (out of 2700++ pics) to highlight our 8D7N trip. :)

p/s: I did a 17min video montage on the trip as well but its a little big to be uploaded. If you are interested to watch, let me know. *wink*

Singapore to Noboribetsu (Hot Spring/ Onsen), Hokkaido

Noboribetsu > Onuma Quasi National Park (cruise) > Hakodate (crab)

Hakodate > Lake Toya > Sobetsu Fruit Farm > Rusutsu Resort (horse riding)

Rusutsu Resort to Otaru: Farm > Otaru Music Box Museum and workshop > Mt Tengu

Otaru to Sapporo

Sapporo to Tokyo: Tokyo Tower @ Night

Meiji Jingu Shrine > Imperial Palace Park > Shopping @ Ginza > Shinjuku

Rachel turns 1

The last 12 months were probably the best months I ever had to have Rachel in my life and witnessing her being swaddled, sitting up, doing push ups, crawling, standing and making 2 steps independently. In the midst of such joys, there were of course pain, hair loss, tears, frustration, bordem, sleepless nights and countless other discomforts.

Despite slow in weight gain, she is a healthy and chatty toddler. With unfamiliar people or environment, she tend to be quieter though, which is what she portrayed as in her 1st birthday party on 10-10-10.

So excited with all the balloons high in the ceiling and doting grandma carrying her, no crowd yet.

Rachel's birthday cupcakes from The Patissier!


The cheering team making Rachel smile for the photos

With Daddy & Mummy

With Godpa Sebastian and Godma Shan Shan

With Godmi Pingnee

Family shot on Rachel's actual Birthday 20 Oct 10

Mummy posing with birthday girl while she tries to scrub her back with a toothbrush (she learnt it from video 'Baby Signing Time')

Can't wait to open the presents

(Toy) Car from Daddy & Mummy

Private birthday lunch with Godmi on 23 Oct 10 - Hot Tomato @ 313

Drooling & biting & more teeth coming...

Yes, 7th and 8th tooth are found forcing their way out of Rachel's gum today, which explains the constant drooling and biting (us) recently *ouch*. They are tooth N and Q respectively.

Summarizing her tooth development so far:

Based on her progress, she should be having her next tooth, which is the first molar, in another 2 months +. Think it will hurt big time. Oh no. Is she in trouble or us? *roll eyes*

Rachel 11 Months Old

We were in Hokkaido, Sapporo when our little baby turned 11 months old. And it was then when we discovered her 5th & 6th tooth (teeth G & D aka the dracula teeth), which were already halfway out. It must have sliced out on the first day of our Japan trip on 15 Sep.

It seems like I have just gone through delivery not long ago and now she is already 11 months old with 6 healthy teeth to flash in every smile. It's amazing how babies learn so fast and do so much. Rachel now understands simple words and reacts to them. When we say Bye, she waves and give flying kisses. When there's music, she dances and claps. When there's food, she just lean over to try to have her share. And sometimes before she goes to sleep, she will initiate small talk with me. The little things that she had amazed us are countless...

These 11 months have been sweet and it just get sweeter with every step she takes, every smile she makes and every hug we get.

Life has never been the same ever since we have her and I love this way of life and our Baby Rachel. MUACK!

Video taken on 2 Oct. She gladly showed me her 6 teeth when I asked her to.