Rachel 14 Months Old

Each time Rachel does something interesting that is worth noting, I will record either in my iphone or scribble on the study room whiteboard, so that I can blog about it later (usually much much later).

At this moment, I am looking at my whiteboard but alas, I am not able to figure out the fading and untidy scribbles. Sigh. Guess I will just skip those. Since I cant recall, it means they arent really worth noting after all? :(

6 Dec: std ind out + 2 stops (dont ask me, I simply copy from the whiteboard)
9 Dec: Climb onto her car seat automatically
11 Dec: Spotted her upper first molars. Suspect that the left tooth (I) grow before the right tooth (B) from the size
15 Dec: She knows how to nod, and appropriately (I almost cant read this scribble as well)

She got onto the car seat herself after daddy got in the car

Rachel 13 Months Old

I was not around to witness some Rachel's 'firsts' in her 13th month as I was not in town but sweet hubby constantly updated me with Rachel's pictures and videos. I recalled my first phone call back home when Rachel cried upon hearing my voice. Felt so heavy-hearted and guilty then. But it got better very soon, in fact, the 2nd night I called, she just pushed away the phone after some 'ah's and 'ooh's (as described by hubby).

And here are some of Rachel's development milestones for recording sake. :)
11th Nov - Excited when she see soft toys and snuggles them tightly to her neck
13th Nov - Points to any bird when asked 'where are the birds?'
18th Nov - Knows how to 'sayang' when asked
19th Nov - Points to the high-chair when she is hungry

Above: Rachel got a bruise under her right eye after she dropped her milk bottle onto her face. It didnt subside until few weeks later. Sob. Shawn intent to keep it from me so as not to make me worry and he thought I wont be able to tell from the MMS he sent me (incl. the one above) but it is obvious isnt it? Maybe because I look at the picture too many times a day (miss her too much), thats why I noticed it.

She kidnapped our helper's soft toy and refused to let go!

Best friends in the making: Rachel 'sayang' bessie

While Rachel accumulates her development milestones, I also accumlate mine... travel milestones to be precise. :)

Grand Canyon: Fantastic weather when I got there but it got freezing cold nearing to sunset

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