Bintan Nirwana 27-29 Dec 2010

Bintan is our regular handout island outside Singapore. We frequent this island before we had Rachel and even so after she arrived. We love the fact that its only 45mins ferry ride away, has spas, pools and away from familiar faces! As for the food, its not worth mentioning.

This is our family's 2nd trip to Bintan and we wanted a place other than Angsana (which we stayed during our 1st trip). A suite or villa was our preferred choice as we wanted kitchen facility to cook porridge for our princess (though we have travel cooker). Due to Christmas season, the rate for Bintan lagoon villa was high but surprisingly, there was no price increase for Nirwana Banyu Biru, so Banyu Biru we stayed.

The surrounding of our villa was great except that it doesn't come with a buggy (unlike Bintan lagoon). It was too far to walk to the main resort building so either we had to rent a buggy ($100 a day so we didn't!) or buzz for complimentary buggy service. Villa was spacious but not those dark toilets. Still prefer Bintan lagoon villa on a whole.

As our villa was not ready when we arrived, we decided to go for massage. It was hmmm.. so-so. Nothing can beat Angsana hot stone massage.

Dinner was at the Kelong despite having experienced disappointment during our last trip. We were hoping for an improvement but that night's dinner was no exception. It was then that we decided to boot Kelong out from our dinner choices. Dinner for our 2nd night was at a newly opened food court and their dinner set was surprisingly tasty and economical. Lucky us.

Our well behaved girl during our dinner time, all thanks to iPad! :P

It was raining the next morning and we stayed indoor till almost 10plus am. As soon as the rain stopped, we headed to the pool, followed by sandcastle building! Actually, Shawn was the one building the castle and Rachel demolishing it.

Gigantic chess set outside our breakfast place. Spotted the King and the Queen?

Daddy Shawn built a castle with fortress

Baby boat ride/ buggy ride/ pink giraffe ride

Rachel loves dancing and she can even do there in high chair. Looked like she was demonstrating kungfu in these pics though.

Our 3D2N ended with a ride home in 'Business' class. They call it Emerald class and there were crew to serve drinks. We wanted to travel by our usual economy class but the only seats left for our departure date were those in Emerald class. However, the experience was worth the extra dollars. With a kid in tow and motion sickness, Emerald class is the new way to go! :)

Its Christmas

The title should in fact be 'It was Christmas'! :P

2010 Christmas was Rachel's 2nd but this time round, she (at 14 mths) was more appreciative of the festive mood & goodies, especially the Christmas Tibits Tree that her grandma created. Rachel had a great time tearing all the snacks down from the wall. Poor helper has to stick back all the packets that she took down.

The oranges are her fruits of the day. She was not preparing for Lunar New Year, if you thought so.

(Below) I dressed her in her Christmas PJ (that I got from US) for the house party on 26 Dec. It was so pretty that I thought it would be a waste just to wear it to bed. So why not for a party first? :)

Guess she just anxious with why the guests have not arrived so she was just calling to check...

She enjoyed herself very much that day as her little cousins were there as well. A pity I was not there due to work commitments. :( But daddy had great bonding time with the little one. Grandma too! I especially love the shot below. Precious granddaughter cosying up to Grandma.

We had 2 other Christmas parties which I made it.
Christmas party on 19 Dec was at Ben & Lena's lovely new place. Food was great, annual gift snatching game was fun and the usual teasing (of some) was inevitable. And the party was merrier with addition of many kids! Rachel really enjoyed the company of the little ones. Hope this will be the same when she goes toddler class.

Party on 25 Dec was at my mum's place. Didn't take any pictures. Hmmm... guess I was too busy taking care of Rachel. Anyway, her dear uncle Aloy got her a rocking moose, which was her fave gift! Video below captured her rocking the wooden moose (taken some time after Christmas).

My Birthday 2010!

Yes, age is a secret... I like to think that Im still young but come to think about it, Im really still young! And some even say Im a trendy young mum! Ha. Thanks to those with sweet words. :)

Birthday to me now = a simple relax day with my hubby and little princess. And thats how we spent my birthday this year.

3rd Oct 2010

Church in the morning (happened to be St. Francis Feast Day)
Lunch at Pierside @ One Fullerton
Surprise cake & dinner treat at my place

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.