On our Christmas tree

 I don't know if you'll agree that the christmas tree does take a little bit of an effort putting up. We have a tall 2m one and it's one of those that u need to stick the branches in and then fluff up the pine leaves. Without decorations, I gather it took me about 45 minutes alone just setting up the tree. To make up for all that effort put into it, I try to put my tree up as soon as the malls do.

 Our new Christmas wreath bought at the post Christmas Day sale last year. I don't remember how much, but I do remember it was about 70% off! I love the colours. I have a thing for pastels for my Christmas decors. Instead of hanging it on a plasticky 3M hook I decided to string a ribbon through it and hang it over the door. I feel like it needs a butterfly bow on the top of it, it looks abit bare at the moment. But we'll see.

 I love the look of a tree flickering its lights at the front window or through a glass entryway at a home. But our side panel window next to our door is frosted, like the little strip windows on our door. So it will be abit of a waste putting the tree there. I've decided it will sit in front of one of our windows in the lounge. But the view from/to outside isn't spectacular.(Lawn's being laid soon! Yay!)  But its a great spot next to our wall of family photos. I think the tree will feel quite homely there.

 

The bestie and me exchange Christmas ornaments for the tree every year. We used to prowl Orchard Road in Singapore when the streets are fully adorned with all the lights, taking photos of all the pretty decorations. Back then it was a yearly ritual for us.  We hope that eventually our trees will look similar. We live in 2 different countries, and by doing so we hope we carry abit of each other throughout the Christmas season. It carries for me that significance and nostalgia of yesteryears.

Glass baubles and ornaments like this one are hung way out of reach of baby boy's prying fingers. While I was putting up the decorations he dug into my Christmas box and dropped one of my glass baubles. He wasn't hurt. He even pointed out to me that it broke. *Tear*

I got these bears from work almost 5 years ago. They were doing a Christmas clean up and were throwing out bags and bags of these cute teddies. I got a decent haul. I was waiting for the time where I have a baby in our family to appropriately have them sitting on the branches of our tree.

The Tree. In all of its glory. It will be even better when the lights go on it, I think. On a lookout for a skirt to put under the tree, without breaking the budget. And maybe a better bow for the star. That was just scrap ribbon I found in my craft box. The string of pretty lights are still sitting in their box. Waiting for the time where it will be safe for me to put them on without sticky hands trying to 'help' me.

Do you decorate your home for the holiday season? Have you started yet?

Let the Christmas decorating BEGIN!

Note that he is holding onto a purple crayon. 

He wants to help Mommy colour the christmas bears on our tree!

Perfect..... almost.

That was one perfect sunset evening. Just perfect.

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Except for oily fingers touching my camera lense!

Once that's fixed up, I might do these up into a canvas print! What do you think?

Absence makes the heart fonder

We're still here in Singapore. Enjoying the company of family and friends around us. But I am missing my hubby terribly. I'm sure Kayden is too. Despite skyping at least once a day, I find Kayden taking glimpses at the laptop, going Da Da! Da Da! He wriggles onto my lap excitedly, whenever he realises we're connecting a video call.

Hubby's got a stopover in June. JUNE! I thought it was a great idea for an extended trip for us (while K's not in school yet), reunite and then return home to Melbourne together. But right now, June feels so far away.

I miss griping about the cold, haha! In fact, I'm yearning to feel the cold air on my cheeks while on our tranquil walks in the local park back home.

Mostly, I can't wait until we're our little family is reunited again. (and the completion of the new house too)

Looking like a bespectacled old grandfather

Since we've arrived in sunny Singapore, K has truly adapted really well. I really can't complain about him much. (I don't count the teething grumpyness - molars, my poor baby, Ouch!) The only thing he is having trouble adapting to, is no doubt the hot humid weather.

I remember how ages ago when he was alot younger, I read somewhere that babies release heat through their little heads. But I really wasn't expecting an extremely damp pillow and beaded sweat trickling down the sides of his face as he sleeps. In a cooled 22 degree room!

As such, he's been living in thin jersey singlets for most of his time here. And then, usually accompanied by these very Terminator like sunnies.

And on this particular day, he had on these very stylish outfit to go with them. But only to be let down by this sight of him peering over his sunnies instead of looking through them!

Nostalgia

So, it's time to come clean.  I am actually not in Melbourne. For almost the past 2 months, I have been back at my other home - Singapore!

We have been a little more busy than usual since we arrived. Sights to see, people to meet, places to go and things to do. And most importantly, rest to be had. Hence my very sporadic posts of late. I try to keep my posts short so I have more time to catch up on all the things I have missed out on doing over here since my last visit.

Kayden has adapted surprisingly well. From the second day we arrived, his meal and bedtimes are according to routine, despite the 3 hour time difference (Melbourne is 3 hours ahead).

He loves that there are so many buses, cars and trains to see. So much so, sometimes when I am calling out to him on our walks, I am totally ignored! The boy is a little afraid of the dark, especially when we are outdoors back home in Melbourne. When it gets dark, he whines to be picked up from his pram. But over here, in this vibrant city, he is loving every bit of the hustle and bustle, day and night!

And so am I.

It has been a long while since I have returned to my home country for a long stay like this. I love going through my old photo albums and laughing at my own nerdy self years ago.

But what really touches a heart string (I think a lot more for K's grandma than myself), is watching my very own son splashing around in the very same bath tub I used to use when I was a baby!

My little lift boy

Photos 1: Only Goong Goong gives me free rein of the lift buttons. Mummy only lets me press them once.

Photo 2: When we reached the lobby, most of us got out. Kayden peeked out and waved us all goodbye and ducked back inside! I had to physically try to pull him out of the lift. In the end I carried the boy out!

Holiday snaps

I swear blogging has been at the back of my mind, but Mrs Relaxation took over! I have been away on holidays and LOVING it. So all this while, I've been collecting all these photos so I can show you all here.

Hubby and I went on a tropical escape without the boy. It was relaxing, but we both realised we have been missing him! Over a year of incessant attention from the baby meant we had both gotten used to having him constantly budgering us. And the time away without him felt a little weird for us both! The irony!

Nonetheless, it was a trip not to be forgotten. Sipping king coconuts (young coconut with its flesh scooped out and blended with coconut cream and ice. The best drink on earth to date!) by the pool, sunbathing and napping the afternoon under the canopy of trees while swinging in the hammock. Ah the life!

Happy Chinese New Year to all who are celebrating it, and Happy Valentine's Day!

Venus Bay

Over the Christmas break, we went away on a day trip to the beautiful beach at Venus Bay. It was a glorious 32 degree day. Our quick thinking cousin remembered to grab a beach tent. Yay!  We got there, set up the tent and sat down in it for a picnic before we went out to dip our toes in the cool clear waters.

Well, I thought that was how I was going to spend my afternoon at the beach. Kayden, however thought otherwise. Somebody turned into a real sook! I held that certain somebody in my arms and slowly inched my way towards the splashing waves. The closer I got to the edge of the water, the higher he climbed up my body. By the time my feet were actually in the water, that certain somebody was clinging onto me for dear life, with a hilariously fearful look in his eyes. Yes I did say hilarious and fearful in the same sentence. That somebody didn't think it was funny at all though.

So I bent down and held him out to dip his toes in the water. And what do you know? That somebody clamoured right up onto my shoulder, tears and all. Despite his pretty boy looks, that baby is LOUD. Even out in the open.

So, with a sigh, we went back onto our tent where hugs and kisses were offered.  Kayden thinks the best vantage view point of the beach was from inside our tent. So with a nectarine in hand, he stood under the shade and waved goodbye at me. I was STILL in the tent. I broke out in hysterics because I found it so funny he was implying for me to go ahead without him!

Oh my, Kayden, that is a beach day not to be forgotten. When you get to your 21st birthday, maybe one of your friends will find this blog post about that certain somebody's day at the beach.

A New Year

Happy New Year everyone! I hope you have enjoyed the festive season as much as I have! Spending time with ones you love make life so much sweeter.

Summer, I am happy to announce is finally here! Yippee! We've spent countless days over the holiday season outdoors enjoying the sunshine. We are heading out for a day trip tomorrow, and I can't wait to share some pics of that later on! 

1.2. Kayden doesn't like his feet touching the grass much at all, but on this occasion at the botanic gardens where we had the most glorious and restful time picnicking on the grounds, he was happy to explore on all fours.

3. He had a field (haha literally) day finger feeding himself blueberries and fresh mangoes. Recently, he's also taken a liking to eating nectarines, Yum!

4. Love his little backpack his little friend gave him for his birthday, WE finally got to use it! It surprisingly packs heaps in it!

5.6 We had a cozy christmas with the family. Food, feast and more homemade yummys! Poor bubba was exhausted when it was finally time to open the pressies. After the first box, he pushed all rest away! Santa(s) if you're reading, he loved all his pressies, thank you!

Happy New Year 2010

Greeting from hot and sunny Melbourne! It has been hot most of this week! My favourite way to start the new year! Whatever you are doing, I hope you are doing something nice with your loved ones!

Eat, drink and be merry! Happy new year 2010, from my family to yours!

Merry Christmas 2009!

Merry Christmas 2009 everyone! Best wishes for a joyous and feastful season.


My exhausted santa's little helper was exhausted after LOL!