Our Papa ~ Ivan Vincent

This post is written as an appreciation from me to my husband, Ivan, and also papa to both my daughters. Though Father's Day is long to come, I like to record this to let both my daughters know their papa's love to them.

My darling has been a good papa to Annabelle since the day I conceived. For the past one year even before Abigail was conceived, Papa has been playing an important role in helping me in taking care of Annabelle. When Abigail is still in my womb, that was a time where Annabelle is so attached to me for attention; Ivan has been there for me in spending time with her from running freely outside the porch, washing fish tank together, "temaning" her in the playland, wrestling with her and many more. During my confinement, he took over my job of bathing and dressing Annabelle up. He did great!


Father and Daughter cleaning the fish tank

Papa & daughter on the boat

"Papa hold me properly..."

Daughter sleeping on papa's shoulder




Papa taking the role of mummy to bath Annabelle
during mummy's confinement month

It is important to know how to carry both daughters
at the same time
 

Since the birth of Abigail, papa's role becoming more important, he has make a BIG decision in temporarily stop serving/teaching the catechism classes on Sunday morning. This is so that he can give me a helping hand on Sunday after church when I am alone in the house.
Papa making sure that he spend most of his time with his daughter, even when he is laying down resting on the weekend; he will help to oversee Abigail. Abigail like to be talk to, she will look into the papa's eye and give the sweetest smile and will also look into his eye and give the most pitiful look so that papa will carry her. On the other hand, Annabelle will treat the papa's stomach as a "slide" she will climb on it and slide down and laugh. He has become a playmate to Annabelle.

I thank God for giving Ivan to me and to this family. Ivan has been very supportive in building this family. I just like to say: "Papa, thank you so much. We love you! Muaks!!!"

Toilet/ Potty Training

Annabelle is 19 months old now. I had discussed with my daycare auntie, Auntie Letchumy that we are going to toilet train her after CNY.

9 March 2013 morning , Annabelle done her "big" business on the potty. I am extremely happy :). (you will not understand the feeling unless/ until you are a mother/ parents!)

This is another milestone for Annabelle. Good attempt! Keep it up!

Full Moon (滿月) Celebration

Abigail was born on 3 January and now she is one month old. These are some of her photos from birth.

We celebrated Abigail full moon (one month) celebration on the 3 February 2013.We did not have a big celebration or gathering as we are planning to have it on her baptism which is schedule in April 2013.

On the 4 February 2013 morning, we were out from the house at about 11am to give out the full moon gift pack to some of our friends and relatives. Talking about the full moon gift pack, I read about these traditional treats and was surprised that many things I do not know about.

Ang Ku Kueh/ Cakes & Dyed Red Eggs: To symbolise luck and blessings, are given or sent to relatives and friends. Eggs are chosen as they represent fertility and their shape symbolises harmony.

Kunyit with Curry Chicken: Is the delicacy and have symbolic meaning that been past down by ancestor to celebrate a meaningful day of baby's full moon

It was a tiring process for us especially to Ivan as he needed to drive some one place to another. Thank God both of my babies did not give much trouble along the journey.

As this day marked the end day of my confinement period too. I had my hair washed, my room bedsheet changed and also I had normal food instead of confinement food. I drank room temperature water instead of red dates & "dong sum" water. Recalling back some of the food cooked by my mother in law and my mother, I really thank them for taking good care of me during my confinement month.

Some snapshots of my confinement food

Some Back-dated Updates About Her

Before my memory faded with more things around me, I need to update this blog with the precious moments about Annabelle.

Annabelle has grown up so much that ...
... She becoming more active and energetic in her activities and movements. For example, she do not need to be assisted when jumping into the mini play-gym pool in the house. "1..2..3..." she is already into it.
... She also has acquired more vocabulary of words even when the door bell ring, she will answered: "Coming...", "Go Down", "Don't Want", "No.. No.."
... She is cheeky with all the funny faces and expression she made
... Almost all her teeth fully emerged except for the two molars set at the back.


Some Updates (Month of October 2012)



See how she enjoyed her rides...

Rides with "Banana in Pyjamas" on
Papa & Mummy Anniversary

We celebrated our 4th years wedding anniversary with Annabelle on 4 October 2012. (Hint: To see how the couples celebrated: http://www.mywedding.com/ivanandshirley/stories.html) We had good time together at Setia City Mall where Annabelle has some kids rides. Annabelle enjoyed the rides so much that she can go on it for twice and we had to stop her for 3rd and 4th times. There goes all our coins... :p

Some Updates (Month of November 2012)



Eating rice with a fork?! Can?!

Annabelle learning how to use fork and spoon. We let her had her first hand onto it with the actual cutlery instead of baby fork and baby spoon. She is pretty good at it and in fact we were worried at first that she can't managed fork well but she is good at it.

Yes! The messiness started and this means more work for me, but it is okay. This is the right time for her to explore on fork and spoon.

Some Updates (Month of December 2012)

Delicious! Yummy!

Handy Little Helpers

Woo.. Woo.. My Christmas gift from papa & mummy




Family Picture







Hoo... Hoo.. Hoo... Santa is coming to town!!! This year, we didn't bring Annabelle to the mall like last year to snap photos though I heard from friends that some places had nice decorations. It is because I am "heavily" pregnant and just in case baby decided to arrive early. But this does not stop us from putting up the Christmas tree at home. This year, Annabelle was helping me in putting up the ornaments while recalled last year she was only 5 months old. How time flies!!!

On the Christmas eve, we had a good lunch at home followed by gift exchange. Gosh! You should see the amount of presents she receives and the excitement of her face.

Some Updates (Month of January 2013)

The long awaited January has arrived. Abigail has arrived! Annabelle has been promoted to "jie jie" ~ sister on the 3rd January 2013. I had followed some advice from articles and books that to buy some gift for Annabelle as the gift is giving by the sister to her. Friends and relatives ask me, "How is Annabelle with the sister?" I guess this is a good answer to all, "Annabelle is learning how to become "jie jie"~sister, she is doing fine!"

Annabelle's First Few Words, Sing Along...

Annabelle has started speaking and talking more frequent lately. She is able to speak few words that I can clearly identify what are they such as "Amma", "Akka", "Mummy", "Papa", "DogDog", "Sit", "Car Car...", "Baby (but she pronounced it as ba-bi)... :P (these are some that I can recall)

Sometime, out of a sudden, she will utter some words that are really out of our expectation. She will also imitate what we says...

I remembered last two weeks ago, after my departmental training at the hotel, Ivan brought Annabelle to the hotel to fetch me home. Ivan had complained to me (in front of Annabelle) that she was a little naughty, refused to drink the milk that was prepared. Annabelle looked at me, put her moving index finger up and say "NO... NO"... We both burst out laughing when we heard that. That was really a good moment to refresh!

Besides speaking, she loves to sing along some nursery rhythm that we put in the car. The all time favourite "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" was one of those she loves to sing especially follow the last word or sound of the song. She will also sing and dance along when she watch her Disney Cartoon, Mickey Mouse. She will also waive "bye bye" and kiss "flying" kisses to say goodbye...

It is such as joy to see her grow. Mummy and papa are so proud that you learnt well.. Keep it up!  Annabelle girl, another milestones achieved..!!! Hooray!!!

Sick & Misfortune

I am down with cough and flu for the past one week. Today, I saw one of my medicine that I took from the clinic, the last I fall sick was not too long ago which is 3 Aug. This year, I have been sick for many times. I don't know if my immune are lower because I am carrying or I am getting older?!!

Just told Ivan yesterday, last time (before having kids); when I fall sick, I do take it very lightly. Now, time is different; when I am sick, the next thing in my mind is I need to be well so that my germ or virus does not pass onto Annabelle. I think this is normal for every mother to think as such. This round, I had officially pass on my cough to Annabelle and she has passed her flu to me. Everyone in the house is not well. Many things to be blame... weather, ignorance, not taking good care of ourself, it is a norm to be sick... :> But anyway, hope all are fine... Annabelle, get well soon!

Oh, my misfortune... my working laptop was stolen from my cubicle over the weekend of 6/10 -7/10. All my works, files and everything are gone with it. I was very very shocked to know it on Monday morning, the Kensington Lock that locked on the laptop was cut. The whole set of laptop just disappeared from my desk. Backup!!??? I always teach my students to do frequent backup but I did not do it frequent enough, some of my files can be recover but some are completely gone! I am very upset and disturbed over it, but I told myself I need to get over it as nothing can be done as it has happened. For the next few months, I am going to be busy preparing my lecture notes, tutorial answers and others again.

Yes, the last week was not too pleasant, hope the weeks to come will be better...

Bangun Pagi, Gosok Gigi, Pergi Sekolah...

Been a busy month of September, didn't have much time to drop by to note for our princess.

For a 13 months old baby, Annabelle has cut many of her teeth. So, 3 weeks ago we decided to buy her toothbrush and toothpaste to start the "gosok gigi" process. We went shopping for toothbrush and toothpaste on that weekend. Papa found a rattle toothbrush and mummy found a traditional toothbrush. Guess what we have decided for Annabelle? We bought both! :) The rattle apple green color toothbrush is used in the house during the weekend and the normal toothbrush is sent to daycare for her daily use. The next day, we started the brushing teeth.

Annabelle was excited to hold the rattle toothbrush, I showed her how to brush her teeth. She imitated the steps. But she has difficulty spitting out the toothpaste and water but swallowed them. Thank God the toothpaste is safe for baby.

Overall, she is happy with this process. Everytime stepping into the bathroom, she will point towards the direction where the toothpaste, toothbrush and her mug was kept. :)  "Annabelle baby, Good start, keep it up!"

Our princess has grown so much!. Papa also bought her a bag recently. One day, she took the bag; I put it onto her back; there you go, she is ready to go to school. "Annabelle, wait k.. your time to go to school will be coming... but not now"