Transformers - 28 Jun 09

Our initial plan was that daddy would bring Damien to the show while botak and mummy went shopping; then we decided to go as a family. While booking the ticket a day before the show, we realised that it lasted a good two and a half hours! It would be too challenging to bring the little one along. Thus, I checked with mum to see if she was free to babysit botak for a few hours. Mum gladly agreed and we booked the tickets for three.

On Sunday, we went straight to mum's place after Damien's enrichment class. After settling botak (he wanted to follow us initially, but was quickly distracted by the food mum was having!) we headed to the cinema to collect our tickets.

It was like 'pre-botak' days...Daddy, Mummy and Damien. Only difference is that our boy has really grown up alot, he no longer needs us to fuss about him.

Throughout the show, he asked (many times) :" what is didi doing now?" "Will didi miss us?" This boy, when the brother is around, he likes to disturb him and fight for attention; but now, I can tell that he really missed his little brother. :)

We had dinner after the show, and do some quick shopping for a pair of jeans for Damien, as he needs it for his school performance.

When we reached mum's place, the two brothers were really happy to see each other again! I think this is what they meant by 'absence makes the hearts fonder'.. :P

On Father's Day

No, I did not plan a 'revenge' on the man for not celebrating Mother's Day for me; nor did I tell him: "Hmm...wives don't celebrate Father's Day for husbands one."

Not only did he received a card and a wallet from his dear wife, the boys got him a card too! And I taught them to wish him "Happy Father's Day"! See, he is such a lucky daddy! :P

The card from the boys...I helped to choose it! :P
See what Damien has written on the left side of the card? He said he's going to buy all these for the daddy... :)

Rest and Relax - Phuket 19 to 22 Jun 2009

Day 1 – 19 Jun 2009

We woke up bright and early, and was all excited for our trip. :) Except Botak, who was still clueless right to the moment we board the plane. :)
Unlike Damein who was as cool as a cucumber during his first flight two years ago, botak was fidgety and whiny throughout most part of the journey. One moment he wanted to sit on my lap, the next he insisted on sitting on his own; and finally fell asleep after I breastfed him.

The clearance at Phuket airport took us more than an hour. By the time we reached our hotel, it was closed to 4pm.
After settling down, we went out for dinner at The Palm. Food was nice but I think the ambience is more suitable for dating couples than a married couple with two noisy kids…haha! :P

Had a stroll along the streets after dinner. Oh, we saw the hotel we stayed in when we were in Phuket 10 years ago, and quickly took a picture of it...for old time's sake... :)

Damien couldn’t wait to take his bubble bath in the bathtub, so we returned to the hotel early to fulfill his dream. While the gor gor had a whale of time soaking and playing with the bubbles, botak was terrified and cried so hard! Poor chap!

Day 2 – 20 Jun 2009

As our package does not include breakfast, we went to Macdonald’s for our breakfast. Their choices were limited – it’s either Big Breakfast or McMuffin. Damien was disappointed that they don’t sell Hotcakes!

We decided to go for a dip at the swimming pool after our breakfast. The boys had great fun! Especially botak, he enjoyed being ‘pushed’ around the pool. Despite being very well geared, Damien was a little hesitant about getting into the water. After much encouragement from daddy, he finally relented; and refused to leave the water when we told him it’s time to go back to the hotel room. :)

Managed to catch a nap with botak while hubby went out to buy lunch. He returned with my favourite – Subway Sandwich! :) Both boys preferred the cookies that come with the meal though. Went for a walk along the beach, but the sun was too glaring…so we didn’t stayed long.

We went for a walk and since the weather is so hot, we decided to have some ice cream at Haagen-Dazs...yummy! :)


We had dinner at Savoey Restaurant. Love the clean and neat setting of the restaurant. Food and service was good and the price was reasonable too!


Day 3 – 21 Jun 2009

We decided to venture out of the hotel. :) Took the free shuttle service provided by the hotel.

We thought it would send us directly to the shopping complex. But to our astonishment, they ‘abandoned’ us in the middle of nowhere (ok it was actually somewhere but I don’t know where lah) and suddenly there were a number of ‘tu tu’ drivers who started approaching us. I guessed the other hotel guests were as shocked as us…but we have to go to somewhere, so we took the ‘tu tu’ to our destination ~ Central Festival – one of the biggest shopping center in Phuket City.

Had our lunch at Fuji Japanese Restaurant. Walk around the mall, bought some merchandise from their Adidas outlet. Wanted to buy something for the kids, but didn’t see anything suitable.

Reached the hotel around 4pm, and off we went to the swimming pool again! :)

Hubby loved the food at Savoey Restaurant, and since it was Father’s Day, he got his wish granted. :) I don’t mind having the same food, as it was really tasty. :) After dinner, we took a walk at their streets and stop by for cakes and drinks at Starbucks coffee.

Day 4 – 22 Jun 2009

Our last day in Phuket. Went to Macdonald’s for breakfast again since the boys requested for it. Did some last minute shopping and managed to buy few pieces of shorts for the boys. Took our lunch at the hotel’s Italian Restaurant before checking out at 2.30pm. When I asked Damien what he likes best about Phuket, he answered: “The bubble bath!!” Haha…



All in all, it was a relaxing holiday for us.. There was no need to rush to anywhere and best of all, I no need to cook for the boys and clear up the mess they created!! :P How I wish I had a ‘Make The Room’ button at home too!

I really look forward to our next holiday, and am already thinking of the destination… Club Med? Sydney Australia? Hong Kong Disneyland? :)

Packer for the Trip

We're flying off tomorrow, and I am still packing. I have been assigned the task of 'packer' for this trip. Besides packing for myself, I have to pack for my dear husband and my two boys. Much as I enjoy packing (though I am not very organised), it's really a tough job, no joke.

My 'to-bring' list has new items everyday; and I make a trip to the mall twice this week just to purchase more things for the trip(see, I am Really not very organised). I think I have packed more than enough for our 4D3N stay, but I always believe it's better to packed more than less...haha! :)

Every night as I lay on my bed, my mind will still be working; thinking of what should I add for the list and whether I have missed out anything. But frankly speaking, it's a joy packing for my loved ones...keke...I can't imagine the unpacking though. :P

Damien is of course very excited over the trip, whereas botak is still clueless. When we told him we're going to take aeroplane tomorrow, he went into his room and brought out an aeroplane: "There, take aeroplane." Hehe...I hope he will not give me any problem on board the plane.

I am looking forward to a fun-filled holiday already! :) Be back on Monday night and will try to update my trip next week!

Till then, have a nice weekend, folks :)

The MIA Tooth

The 6th baby tooth came off on 10 June, and went missing after that.

We were at mum's place yesterday. For the whole afternoon, he has been shaking and pulling the loose tooth. Then he decided to have some bee hoon. Halfway through, he ran towards me: "Mummy, mummy, drop already!", I asked for the tooth, and he went: "But I don't know where it is!" HUH?

My first thought was the plate of bee hoon! But it was not in there. Then I searched around the floor, no sign of it either. And then mum whispered to me: "Maybe he swallowed it??" Double HUH??? But the boy was quite adamant that he did not swallow it, so where could it be??

Hmm..I am thinking if I should check his poo when he does his big business...

First week of School Holidays

I looked so haggard here...haha... :P

What have we done for the first week of the school holidays? Not much I would say... in fact, nothing. :P

Besides the daily 'playground visits', the boys had been cooped at home with the lazy mummy. They played, watched DVD, do some reading and coloring, fight with one another...

However, I'm I managed to spend some time with Damien on Friday. Deposit Botak at mum's place and brought Damien to the Library. I can see that he truly enjoyed spending time alone with me, and he told me: "Mummy, next week you bring me out alone again ok?" :)

We have spoken to his PD about his teacher's comment, and he had recommended a child physcologist to us. We'll look around before decide on what is the best assessment for him. Having said that, I really want to thank all who left such encouraging comments with regards to this. Thank you so much! :)

Darius is 2!!

My little botak turns two today! :) Yes, I know he is no longer a botak, but I still love calling him botak..haha.. :P

This little sunshine never fails to light up our daily lives with his cheeky smiles and funny doings...

Happy Birthday, my love. May you be healthy and happy always! Mummy loves you! :)

We Can Do It!!

Attended the Parent Teacher Conference for Damien last Friday, 29 May. Nothing prepared me for what I was about to hear.

"I think Damien might have some learning difficulties. He can't seem to understand instructions." That was the exact words from his form teacher, Mr Chan. My mind went blank...

I know Damien is very quiet in class; does not ask questions and needs lots of prompting to speak up. But "Learning Difficulties" (he is so inquisitive.) "Can't understand instructions" (he has no problem doing the assessments I gave him)...Is that my son he is talking about?? What should I do now??

Mr Chan did emphasize that this is merely based on his observation, and he is not certain that might be the case. It could also be his lack in confidence and needs one-to-one attention. However, he still suggested sending him for an assessment with the school's Learning Support Group. And if they are not able to ascertain, then we might need to seek professional help.

My mind was in a whirl after the session. What is wrong with my son?? Is he really having some ‘learning difficulties’? I hate to label a child, what more my own child. I called hubby and was surprised that I sounded so calm…but nearly broke down when I spoke to my elder sis about this later that day…

Then I start to put the blame on myself. I did not spent enough time with him; did not encourage him; was not there with him when he needed me in his growing years…this has to be my fault!! Who could he turn to when even his own mother is not giving him her time and effort?

I am glad hubby is ever so understanding and he actually chided me bearing such thoughts. After a lengthy discussion that night, we decided to go ahead with the assessment, but we don’t think we would let Damien know what the assessment is about. We do not want to burden him. He is supposed to enjoy his school holidays.

Having said that, I ought to take this opportunity to observe and pay more attention on my boy, really need to spend more time with him.

I believe with love and patience, we can conquer any learning obstacles my dear son might face.

Happy 9th Anniversary

9 years ago, we spent a day going thru our customary wedding...

9 years on, we would be spending this day like any other day - he'll be busy in the office, while I will be home fussing over the boys...

But I know our hearts still beat as one... :)

Happy 9th Anniversary, Dear Dear! Many more 9 years to come! :)

Don't Tell Lies

I was savouring my hot dumpling when botak came into the kitchen and asked for some.

I tried to 'chase' him away by saying: "This is spicy, not for you Ok?"

Damien, who's in the kitchen with me, cast me an almost disgusted look and began 'lecturing' me: "Mummy, why did you bluff didi? It's no good to tell lies you know? Don't always bluff him ok? Just tell him he can't eat because...whatever reason it is lah, but don't bluff him ok? If not next time he also bluff you, then you'll be very sad."

Boo hoo hoo...So ashamed of myself...to think I'm being 'told off' by my 7-year-old... :P

Whom do you love more?

A friend mentioned that I seem to favour botak over Damien. I suppose she made such comment as I always relate to her how botak showered me with his kisses and hugs, but often complain how Damien gets on my nerves.

Truth is, my heart always has a soft spot for Damien. The fact that I spent lesser time with him since he was born does not mean I love him less; neither does taking care of botak full time makes me loves him more. I love them all the same, but in different ways.

However, I do agree that botak is far more affectionate than Damien; he can easily win me over whenever I am angry with him; whereas Damien is more stubborn and likes to test our patience on certain issues.

I often see myself in Damien and botak. How can I say I love one more than the other when both of them have so much of me in them?

As a mother, I have never asked myself this question ~ whom do you love more? I am thankful Damien has never asked me this question either… To me, they are both my heart and soul, and are equally important. :)

Should We?

1. Celebrate botak’s 2nd birthday?
2. Go ahead with our short trip in June despite the outbreak of H1N1?

I’ve been mulling over this two questions for the past few days…haha, guess I am just too bored. :P

Frankly speaking, I really have got no energy to organize even a simple party within families for botak’s 2nd birthday. Last year, I was the one who arranged everything (from the buffet to the cake to the goodie bags to the RSVP) Though I enjoyed the process but it was tiring. Hubby thought it was a good idea for both sides of the families to gather and catch up on their lives…I beg to differ though. Anyways, I shall leave the final decision to hubby, since he is the one paying. Haha.. :P

Then there is the trip. I know Damien has been looking forward to ‘take aeroplane’ during the June holidays. He has been counting down to this day since January. I really do not want to disappoint him. But looking at the current situation, with the H1N1 scare everywhere, it’s hardly safe to travel.

Perhaps we should just make do with a 2D1N stay at Sentosa Isand...hmm...wonder how the little one would react? :)

Our Evenings...

The boys were always rather bored in the evening. That is the time where Damien had completed his revision and Botak had taken his dinner. They would either slouched on the sofa while watching their favourite disc, or fought with one another over a toy.

I thought maybe I should resume my routine of bringing them to the park/playground. So on Tuesday, I brought them down for some bubble fun! :)
Damien enjoyed blowing the bubbles, but botak was rather bored being confined to his stroller. I thought it was easier to push him around, than chasing him all over the place, lazy me. :P

And for the past two evenings, we met up with our neighbour, who is also a SAHM, and off we went to the playground. The boys had so much fun chasing after one another; climbing up and down the slides and doing all kinds of stunts (which nearly cause heart attacks to the mummies:P)

Nothing beats seeing the happy smiles on my boys' faces! Really brighten up my day! :)

I guess the little ‘work out’ before dinner does help to boost Damien’s appetite. He eats more and he no longer ‘count his grain’… :P

As for me, I get to chat with another mummy and time passes by faster when there is company! :)

My Mother's Day

..was just like any other day...there was no card, no flowers, no gifts...

Damien's reaction when I told him it's Mother's Day on Sunday was: “Oh, but I still need to go for my enrichment class right? It’s not a public holiday right?” See, his only concern is whether if it’s a public holiday, this boy…

What about hubby? Well, I had to remind him to remind Damien to wish me “Happy Mother’s Day”…How pathetic huh? And he had the cheek to tell me: “Husbands don’t celebrate Mother’s Day for wives. You’re my wife, not my mum!” Nevertheless, we went out for a simple dinner and when I joked about my Mother’s Day gift, he said: “But I’ve bought many gifts for you from US right?” See, how to out talk him?? :P

Anyways, I am not here to complain lah, just to share with some of you who had the same ‘fate’ as me…haha…you are not alone ya! ;) But I think so long as our kids grow up to be sensible and healthy; that will be our best Mother’s Day gift!!

Number 5

Damien lost his 5th milk teeth on Sunday, 10 May 2009...hey, it's Mother's Day..hehe.. :)

This boy is not afraid of pain at all! He has been shaking it diligently since don't know when. I even saw blood oozing out on a few occasions. Told him to stop shaking but he replied: "Mummy, it's okay, not painful at all. You don't have to worry." really tough...

He was happy when it finally came off and requested for a picture to be taken immediately! Vain pot...haha.. :)

Then and Now..

My little botak is turning two in less than a month time! :) Actually he's no longer a botak, but I really miss his 'botak' look! So round and chubby then! :)
These days, he likes to 'act cool' with his gorgor's sunglasses. He'll said: "Sunshine is coming! Sunglass! Sunglass!"
See how much he has grown! I told him he's no longer a baby but a big boy now, and he said: "Big boy! No baby!" how I wished time could slow down, he is growing up way to fast!! I don't like it at all! :(