What? We are not moving this year?

From Mountain Edge

To Alpine Place

It feels strange. We are not packing and unpacking this time of the year. One year ago today we moved down the hill from Heritage Mountain to the Mountain Meadows neighbourhood 5 minutes away. From a 2-year-old townhome to a 26-year-old single family home (it took me a while to understand the real estate lingo for this which just means a single standing house like a bungalow). One year prior we had moved from a tiny apartment downtown to the townhome here in Port Moody.

I was convinced by my contractor other half that buying an old house is THE thing to do for us since he will be able to renovate and transform the house and flip it back into the market. It was a difficult separation for me and our townhome after it being freshly painted and redone the way I like it. Edwin had redone the fireplace, floors and ceiling lights and I was able to enjoy it for probably a month.

I like the smell of new homes, new floors, new paint, new bathrooms. These old houses scare me and I can't believe I have been here for a year. It was even more stressful for me because Lucas was on the way and I was paranoid about how he is going to move around on this dodgy red carpet of our current place.

One year and Edwin has redone the bedrooms (whew!) with new carpets, expanded walk-in closet, fresh paint and new doors. Gutted the ensuite bathroom and it's probably 90% completed. Looking at his work schedule for the next year, it looks like we are not going anywhere for the next couple of years.

I love this neighbourhood and we have great neighbours. We have a good school across the street, and we are in a quiet Cul-de-sac. We just need a new house on this lot. We have a large backyard/garden, too big for my not so green hands. I think it will take at least 3 years for all work to be completed in this house. Meanwhile, I am trying not to think about what is under my feet.

On a totally separate note, this is also a very significant day for me. The day my life changed. 17 years ago. Time really flies. I miss you Daddy.

And up he goes

YAY! My lil munchkin is standing on his own now! (er..not hands-free yet but it sure is exciting to watch him play in a new position)

We had a busy day today at the wading pool in Rocky Point Park. Went there with the gals and babes and spent the afternoon there. Will upload some photos later...am feeling the onset of a nasty gastric pain.

Kuay Chap @ Larry's

Kuay Chap? 5 mins away? SURE!

Even tho I knew we will creep into Lucas' sleeping time, it's Kuay Chap!!

I love this and missed it so much especially when I was preggie. Can't find it here in Vancouver, but finally had a taste of it homemade @ Larry's today. Thank you Larry!! YUMMY!

We ended dinner with his version of Singapore Sling. Hmmmm...

Serious player

My lil monkey is looking quite serious these days. He is getting pretty intense with his toys. I used to dangle those rattles to get his attention/interest and wonder when he would ever learn to play with them. He still sucks and gums on his toys but he will spend a longer time checking them out, punching the buttons and turning all the knobs these days. And he loves the animal train Grandpa bought for him :)

About 2 months back, we would put him in the jolly jumper and he would hardly move. He is loving the jumper right now, oh yah, jump and scream my lil monkey.

A knot no longer

Released. Relieved. Finally. This must make record time.
Speak. It's good for your heart & soul.

Kissable toes

Sit&Reach champion.

How much mess can you tolerate?

Feeding has become a new adventure for me & Lucas. He has decided he is going to feed himself. Took the spoon off his table whilst I was not looking and started poking everywhere with it, sticking it in his mouth and smearing food all over.

For someone who cringes at the sight of mess and disorder, this was actually very funny to me. He has got food in his ears and hair as well...AND he does not like to be cleaned. This boy seems to enjoy being dirty. oh boy.

That small, really?

I was visiting a friend with a 7-week-old baby yesterday. She is so small and precious! Lucas' eyes were fixated on me when I carried her. It felt different, strangely unfamiliar. So delicate. No rough & tumble like I am with Lucas. After carrying 19lbs around these days, 9lbs sure felt little. Was he ever so small? I forget.

Lucas is beginning to show signs (or maybe I only begin to recognise it now) of socialising. He has progressed from sucking on heads as a greeting to reaching out to touch their faces and now he peers intently into the faces and watches. He looked really concerned when baby Nathalie started to cry yesterday.

He is also beginning to climb over me, over things, do butt lifts. But no crawling. He doesn't seem interested to be on his tummy to begin with and is more eager to stand and bounce.

I have started him on porridge and chicken. I made a chicken, peach, carrots combo for him the other day. It was quite good I ate some of it. Fortunately I do like mushy stuff myself and these pureed things are quite my thing. Peas are also his new thing these days.

He is doing well on his potty with no. 2. Some days I miss it but generally mornings are a good time for the catch.
Am I sounding alien here? I think I am writing to myself (in my own baby mush language) and making sure I don't forget months or years down the road.

I am a momma and this is what I do

I was thinking to myself the other day how motherhood has changed me/my lifestyle..

1. I multi-task because I HAVE to.
[I must add that alot more can be done in 30 minutes than I ever imagined]
2. Nursery rhymes and mothergoose is what I sing and play all day.
3. I subconsciously speak baby language (even if I don't want to).
4. There are random toys around the house. On the window ledge, next to my bed, in the bathroom, on the computer desk, on the couch.
5. I discovered new muscles.
6. I no longer need petite handbags.
7. I hold my breath and sometimes tip-toe around the house.
8. The TV volume is too loud all the time.
9. I am losing my hair (from the tugging and maybe hormones)
10. I head straight to the children's department in the mall.
11. I stand for long periods of time in my presently uninspiring kitchen to make baby food.
12. Dinner dates are a thing of the past these days. (until I find a possible sitter to be home whilst Lucas sleeps at night)
13. Car rides have become therapeutic.
14. I learn to dress to go out in under 5 minutes.
15. Me-time feels extra special.
16. I examine poop.

Life after Seven

Our first BBQ @ home this summer. It's great that Lucas is asleep by 7pm, we have the whole night to ourselves. We hardly used the Weber since Edwin bought it. I am not fond of these big machine of a BBQ, I would have been happy with a small grill. Food was great last evening. I tried a new salad recipe - spinach+strawberries+blueberries with balsamic vinegar etc dressing topped with toasted almonds....sedap! Finished the evening off with my mango pudding and sinful triple chocolate cake (courtesy of Pinchbeck). We have to do this more often since it gives me a peace of mind to know that Lucas is not disrupted from his sleep and we can enjoy the evening.

Just goofing around

Lucas is becoming quite an independent player and I am really happy with that. I am sensing a stronger bond between us now as I am reading his cues much better now and him, mine.

He looks around for me at bedtime for his milk before I say goodnight to him and put him in his crib with his teddy blankie (who doesn't have a name and we conveniently named blankie). It's really sweet to know that he is looking around for me. I am so grateful I am able to work from home and not have to think about switching to bottles because I really do want to nurse him for as long as possible. 7 months ago I was biting my lips and kicking myself from the pain and infections which accompanied me whilst he nursed, but I am so glad I persevered. Breastfeeding can be painless, now I know. And very rewarding indeed. The feeling is amazing.

My fortune cookie said that "A personal relationship is going to be more fulfilling". How true.

Yes, I am addicted to those fortune cookies now haha.

Lucas has a great sense of humour too. It isn't hard to make my little bubba laugh these days and really loud too. A loud chuckle makes my day.

I need to stay cool

It has been really warm these days. Temperature reached record high of 36degreesC inland yesterday. Fans were sold out at the stores today and we camped out in the unfinished basement last night. It took me a while to coax Lucas to nap in the basement facing the unfamiliar ceiling and surrounded by our boxes. The best place to be these days seem to be my car with the air-con blasting. Lucas fell asleep when I took him with me to see some of my clients today and run some errands. For the first time, I decided to keep driving since it's too hot to go back indoors and poor Lucas has not been able to nap well in the heat. It's amazing I even bother to cook these days. All I feel like is a salad and ice-cream all day.

E+S = Lucas

I was just thinking to myself the other day how I used to wonder how our kids will look like. So this is it. Edwin+me in one little body. I was looking at my baby photos recently and I think Lucas really resembles me when I was young. I need to go put our photos together.

Lucas is now 7 months old. It's so much fun to play with him now but a part of me wish he didn't grow so fast. How confusing. But it is scary when I have to think hard to remember when he was younger. I am so glad I am keeping this blog to help me remember how I used to be so thrilled by one roll-over or how concerned I was with a no-poop day.

Lucas is getting more active these days as he discovers more of his muscles. He is doing bum lifts now and is able to stand on his own by supporting his weight on something. He is also doing the toy-bang action now and loves to look/play with the dogs.

I am very happy with his progress and whilst there may be some odd rough days, he is generally an easy-going baby. I am so glad he is sleeping well through the night from 7pm-6am as long as we don't disrupt his routine. Being the paranoid momma I was, I was determined to make this happen. Some people say babies change all the time. Maybe he will decide to change some months down the road, who knows.

In the world of baby food, I have decided to make his food and stay away from the bottles as much as possible. These days I am exploring new food that he can try. This morning he tried papaya but he didn't really fancy it..I think. Next, I am going to start him on some meat (organic chicken breast - man, the breast is so expensive here compared to Asia..) He has already been on rice cereal, puree vegetables and fruits for a month now.

Going about his business like a big boy

Yay! Lucas made it! (at 7 months) We bought a potty trainer seat today and within minutes of getting home, Lucas decided to make use of his new potty.

It's funny how mommas talk about our babies' poop or no poop. I am now one of them. I am even looking at the contents haha.

We woke up early today and decided to head down to Richmond for some morning dimsum fix. I am glad we did cos we met up with Tim&Kim whom we have not met in a while. They were the first to see Lucas when he was born @ RCH and the first whom Lucas "showered" his pee with when the inexperienced parents tried to change his diapers @ the hospital.

Lucas loves to eat

Our baby loves to eat.

Loves carrots+apples, sweet potatoes+squash, bananas, not crazy about avocadoes.

It's a whole new world with baby food.

Hello, my name is Lucas. Can I suck your head please?

There are toys but Lucas will grab anything other than his toys. And of course they will be in his mouth. Sucking and licking is his way of greeting anything new, including a baby's head. (which is what he did today)

We have been going down to Rocky point park to chill out these days. With the water park, outdoor pool and trails, it is almost always packed with people, kids and dogs. Parking is insane today. Everyone is out enjoying the sun.

Catch of the day

Decided I should blog this before I forget. Lucas has been keeping me busy with his new tricks and changes and I am finding less time to write! Erm. Maybe I am just going out too often and cleaning too much. It's been too hot to stay indoors these days. It's actually much nicer to stay outdoors and enjoy the breeze and sun. The only setback is that Lucas is so accustomed to his napping routine @ home and he is too distracted when he is out.

Back to the juice of the day. (warning: do not proceed to read if you have not had breakfast)

I had an eventful morning. Lucas has started to make little grunts and faces when he is doing his number 2 or going about his business, some say. It's quite a sight and instead of watching him and chuckling off, I sprung into action today. Picked him up, took off his diapers and held him over the throne. Within seconds, he was grunting again and turning red. Within seconds, there it was, there they were. Wow, what a catch. How would all that fit in his tiny diaper and get squashed up on his tiny bum.

Does this mean I can start potty-training. I think I will. It beats trying to clean up the stuff on his bum.

Two Dogs, a Wannabe Dog & a Baby

Edwin is a Dog Wannabe. I shouldn't go into details how Wannabe he gets somedays.

We are pooch-sitting. I am going bonkers cleaning up after the dogs. Jersey is our neighbour's spaniel. A friendly, handsome dog but super-needy and hyper. I have been spoiled with Abby being so easy to look after. Our spaniel buddy ate Abby's food (from the box) this morning and helped himself to some toilet water after. EEEEEEK!

More photos from Bopomo

We pay to get our photos taken because
1. Grandpa & Grandma were in town and we wanted a nice family portrait.
2. Edwin needs to be nudged (many times) to take our photos.
3. It takes considerable efforts to capture a restless 6month old in a good mood for a photo to be taken.
(Lucas did not last too long through the process, you could see his "I just cried" face in some of the photos)
4. We have heard good reviews about Bopomo and wanted to give it a try.
5. With digital cameras, we hardly have any printed photos anymore..

I am just going to suck my fingers

This is what Lucas does when he is sleepy, hungry or bored. Here, I suspect he is bored. (with the adults behaving like monkeys; making silly faces and sounds to make him smile for the camera)

I am going to eat you

I don't normally eat the fortune cookies @ Chinese restaurants. Don't ask me why. I am not sure too.

Maybe because by the time I sight these cookies I would have already stuffed myself silly with greasy Chinese food and cannot take in anything else.

Maybe because a part of me believes they stock up so much of these cookies they may have expired their edible life.

Anyhow, it being my birthday yesterday where I turn a significant age, ahem, I decided to open the cookie and read my fortune.

"The time is suitable for long range plans and goals."

At least it was legible.

Happy Birthday to me

I love big boxes. Especially if it is my present. The anticipation of opening a big box makes me feel like a kid again.

YEH! Lounging robe and PJs. It's so soft! Dreamland here I come!

This is my best present yet.

Cake, cake & more cake

I am a cake-lover.

But this is too much. I have been eating cake all weekend.

Edwin doesn't fancy cake. Lucas is not eating any cake. Abby is not allowed cake. Looks like I am eating all the leftovers.

It's S-E-R-E-N-E by the way.

Don't tease me, Daddy

My favourite photo at the moment.

Lucas @ 6 months, 2 weeks:
Height: 67CM
Weight: 17lbs 10oz

Completed 6-month vaccination yesterday.

My sweet pea

I am in a blogging frenzy. So many things has happened in the last couple of weeks and lest I forget here are some of Lucas' new tricks.

1. He has turned from his back to his tummy and peeping out from his crib. It scares me how he is moving around in his crib these days.

2. He is chewing on his toes.

3. Sitting up really well now unsuppported.

4. Don't fancy his pacifier anymore. Prefers his two fingers (index and middle).

5. Loves his voice at the moment (I am glad his screaming has stopped or paused)

6. Calls Abby "Ah-Bu" and he probably doesn't know who he is calling but calls "Mama" frequently.

7. Chomps down his rice cereal really fast.

8. Eats with his two fingers in his mouth.

9. Blowing bubbles is his latest fave.

My sweet pea has also started sleeping longer in the night going from 7:30pm to 7a.m. YAY!

A special day

Lucas was baptised on 16 June at All Saints Parish.

To Grandpa & Grandma with love

I am finally settling back into our regular routine. Back to reality.

It has been a blissful 3 weeks past when Edwin's folks were in town. It makes a great difference to have people in the house to play and interact with Lucas. I never thought I would feel this way but I was heartbroken to see them leave. It was moving just to watch Lucas play with Grandpa and Grandma singing to Lucas. I am born a sentimentalist but it must be my maternal hormones going wacko that got me really emotional this time. Lucas clearly had no clue he will not be seeing Grandma's face first thing in the morning or Grandpa's face first thing the car door opens.

I hope we would be able to make a trip back to Singapore to visit family & friends soon. This could be the best months yet for Lucas, he is really a joy to play with now, we have got him down to a pretty decent routine and he is not scooting around YET. I am thinking about travelling with Lucas alone but Daddy will miss his boy so much.

Snap snap wake up!

Me: My birthday is coming up, dear.
Edwin: Happy Anniversary.

How did I forget? For once, I had nothing to say in return. I was stunned.
I need to get out of the 'live, breathe, dream baby' mode.

The days when a paperbag can be so amusing

Funny faces, silly giggles and jumping up and down like a monkey. But it is a paperbag that made Lucas laugh till he almost cried. Guess what Mommy did? Wave the paperbag in the air over and over again...

Cruise to Alaska

We took Lucas on his first Cruise to Alaska in June when Grandpa & Grandma were in town for a visit. Lucas was great and travelled well. In fact, he probably slept better while cruising! We got him all dressed up hoping for his first dip in the pool but it was too cold. This getaway is making me think about new holiday destinations with Lucas!

Back from Alaska!

We are back from Alaska! Lucas was the youngest cruising passenger on board the Royal Carribean Serenade of the Seas. It was a R-E-L-A-Xing vacation with the highlight being what are we going to eat next...but it was a great get-away with Grandpa & Grandma spending good time with Lucas.

Lucas made so much developments in the last 2 weeks! I seem to think it has something to do with the increased interaction, cuddling and playtime with Grandpa & Grandma. Lucas is definitely going to miss his Grandparents when they leave for Singapore..

More updates and photos soon on our Alaskan adventure!