Nian Nian Gao Sheng!

First day of Chinese Lunar New Year. I am hopeless at baking and forget about even sewing any new clothes for the boys. But I made sure we had some 'nian gou' (signifying every year we reach a higher level) and fried some 'lo bak gou' (white turnip cake with eggs) for breakfast. The boys received their 'Ang Pow' from us first thing in the morning too.

Welcoming the Year of the Ox

We spent Chinese New Year Eve with some close family friends whom we first met when I was still working at the airport here in Vancouver more than 6 years ago. Traditionally, Chinese New Year Eve dinner (also known as the Reunion Dinner) is spent with family as we get together to eat foods which signify all things good and to usher in the New Year.

Chinese New Year always reminds me of my homeland and of family. I have such fond and vivid memories of Chinese New Year as a kid. The new clothes my mom will sew, the new set of pyjamas we will all put on on New Year's eve, the goodies my mom will bake (pineapple tarts, peanut cookies and even 'love letters' over charcoal), the reunion feast of chicken, fish, prawns and fatt choy (all with their special meanings signifying goodness) and of course going round collecting our ang pows (red packets) as little children and stuffing my little handbag with as many candies as I can.

Whilst the festivities is not like what we have back in Singapore, we are very blessed and priviledged to be surrounded by good friends.

Oregon-Portland-Seattle

It was a spur-of-the-moment trip. Winter is probably the worst time to visit the Oregon Coast unless you want the beach all to yourselves. Nevertheless, it was still a stunning sight to be on Cannon Beach facing the Pacific Ocean, watching the sea birds and listening to the pounding sound of the surf. It was very therapeutic.

This is our first road trip with both the boys and we love it! The boys were very cooperative and did very well, considering Lucas was still harbouring a slight cold when we left and Linus caught the cold as well on the 3rd day.

I was a little worried about the sleeping department but it turned out better than expected. Linus is quite a light sleeper, so we couldn't put the boys in the room together and ended up having Lucas sleep with us on the bed instead of the sleeper-sofa.

I took tons of photos but mostly garbage since I had only one hand free most of the time and it was a point and shoot = blur photos. And I was the only one excited about the camera and taking pictures every 10 seconds.

Some things I love about road trips:
1. We get to cuddle in bed with Lucas which is a privilege since he has always slept on his own in his crib/bed since birth.
2. We get to stop and visit anywhere along our route for as long or as short as we like.
3. I don't have to think of what I am cooking tomorrow.
4. I don't have to make the bed, wash the dishes or mop the floor.
5. I love hotel beds. I am in the process of getting approval to buy cushier bed linens.
6. It is easier to pack since I don't have to worry about baggage weight limitations and I can bring that box of diapers instead of counting how many I possibly will need.

Next stop: A warmer destination. SFO Bay Area, Vegas.

Jack turned 2!

Lucas' buddy turned 2 earlier this month. What a great idea to have the party outside of home in a large function room where the kids can run freely and release all the energy!

Dear Jack,
You are such an awesome little toddler. We are so happy to be able to watch you grow and share in all your little discoveries and adventures!

Backtrack

[photo by Elisa]

It has been hectic.

I lost the momentum to blog.

We caught the cold, one by one.

I dislike my work station at home.

I need a revamped work space pronto. (Hello? Mr Contractor Husband, are you there?)

For the amount of time I spend working at my desk (and projected increase worktime for 2009), I deserve a better work space. At least one where I don't feel like I need to wear my jacket and gloves to type!

Anyhow, pictures above were taken at a spontaneous hike to Buntzen Lake in the middle of Winter. We wanted to see if the lake was frozen. It was not. But we were. The hike lasted 10 minutes. We hiked our freezing butts back to the car and headed to Copa Cafe for some hot food in the middle of the afternoon.

Waking up to the majestic view of the Pacific Ocean

We are at the Oregon Coast right now. On a spontaneous road trip down south. The boys have been really good, both during the drive down and getting to bed. Will be back to update on our first road trip with the boys!

Playdate at Elly & Simon's

We missed Elly & family over Christmas due to the freaky weather. Elly organised a playdate in the new year and we are so happy to see everyone! Thank you for the great food and company!

Hello World. Meet my drool.

Linus is teething. Linus is cranky. Linus needs a bib.

It takes a kid to amuse a kid (baby).

The photos do no justice to what I want to say but these were the best I managed to capture.

Lucas knows exactly how to make Linus laugh. As much as I try, I cannot do as good a job as Lucas does in tickling Linus and making him laugh. And it could last for a while. I guess because playing peek-a-boo ten times over does not bore Lucas as much as it would bore me and Lucas jumping up and down is probably more eye appealing than someone 100 pounds heavier trying to perform the same stunt.

Linus @ 6 months of age

Weight: 18lbs 7oz

Height: 66cm

Head size: Big

Favourite pastime: Kicking
Favourite food: Milk

Linus is heavier, taller and has a bigger head circumference than Lucas at 6 months of age. Other than his cradle cap and dry skin, he is making good progress in his growth and development. He is sitting up well without support and I have started him on his first foods. He dislikes those packaged rice cereal (smart kid) and prefers ground rice with pureed carrots or sweet potatoes.

He is sleeping well although not as well as Lucas did at this age but good enough for me. The same strategies just do not work now with 2 kids in the house. I pick him up sooner than I would like since I do not want to wake Lucas up in the middle of the night. I also have a softer spot for him because of his dry and itchy skin. For fear of him scratching himself when his skin itches, I go to his "rescue" quicker than I probably would have liked.

In a capsule

[Photo taken by Elisa]
Some days I feel like I am boxed up. In a world where accountability is making sure kids are fed and reasonably educated through the day, and cooking and cleaning is the secondary function of my existence. How sad is that. I think all this snow (too much) is slowly eroding my spirits. I haven't driven out on my own in weeks. I firmly believe this lack of control and lost of freedom is detrimental to my being. I feel tired even though I have been staying home for the most part.

As I go about my primary function of feeding my baby, a voice woke me up from the doldrums.
"Feet down, Mommy!" I had raised my legs onto the "coffee table" aka "train table" to brace Linus up as I feed him and this little bossy toddler of mine is teaching me some manners. How nice.

A great way to say goodbye to 2008

With a full rack of fatty ribs with apple butter sauce. I was transported to Heaven. It tasted better than it looked. All you can eat. But all I can eat was just one rack. Darn.
Nothing was going to stop me from licking them fatty ribs off my fingers. Not even 2 kids squirming in their seats from the long wait.
We spent the day with our dear friends at the Vancouver Aquarium. Lucas and Viola were regular visitors at the Aquarium since they were little. The place was packed but still lots of fun for the kids.

Goodbye 2008!Hello 2009! You bet "I will try to work out" will be on my list of resolutions after downing that rack of fatty meat. The key to these resolutions is "I will try". Maybe for a week.

The turning point

Since Lucas started sleeping in the toddler bed about a month ago, it seems like a whole new chapter has been opened in his little toddlerhood days.

I tell myself I cannot take it for granted because just a short while ago, Lucas was still the little baby we have had to carry into his crib each night and pick him up when he wakes up in the mornings.

My heart is filled with joy and pride as I watch Lucas exercise his independence and explore his new found freedom. We decided to do away with putting a gate up at his door and I am so glad we chose this route.

These days, he would march right into bed on his own after his usual bedtime routine and after bidding goodnight to all his trains, Abby, (and sometimes the moon), and after kissing me goodnight. In the mornings, he would come right into our room and ask to go "pee pee".

Nap-times are a little tricky. Some days he would still be playing in his room after I shut the door behind. And some days, I would peer in and find him sleeping in his tent. But all is good because I know he will eventually go to bed when he is tired. And by deciding when he wants to go to bed, and when he is done with his naps and sleep, my little boy is inching his way into greater independence as a big kid.

A part of me feels sad that my little boy is growing up so fast. The irony is we do all we can to bring up our kids with the ultimate goal of helping them achieve independence to survive on their own and yet it makes me sad and sometimes wish we can halt the process.

More food. More company. More Christmas cheer

The weather this past week made us shuffle our plans over Christmas. We didn't see everyone we wanted to over Christmas as planned but we still had some friends over for a small party over the weekend. Thank you everyone for coming despite the horrendous weather and thank you for all the treats and goodies!

I am so behind in my updates. It is already 2009 and I am still writing about Christmas last year! I will be back to update on the boys and my New Year resolutions.

Some of my favourite photos this Christmas

Thank you Elisa & Desmon for capturing these beautiful moments!

Christmas Day

We had originally planned for a party on Christmas day. But due to the snow storm, we had to postpone the party. The Tansumas and Carolyn & Jack were able to join us since they live closeby and were able to walk over. I love having our friends as neighbours! Thank you for bringing good cheer to us on Christmas day!

Christmas morning

The case of the missing husband

Found : Inside his son's play tent. Asleep. Unshaven. Oblivious to the blocks planted around him by a little toddler amused by this giant of a visitor in his play tent.

And I thought Lucas was the only one I would catch sleeping in his tent. This story I would save for another day when I update on Lucas' sleeping habits these days.

Car ain't going nowhere. We walked.

We were snowed in on Christmas eve and we spent the day lazing around, drinking hot tea, and playing with the boys. In the afternoon, we decided to walk over to the Tansumas for Lucas to play with Viola out on the snow. The sky grew dark really quickly and we stayed for hotpot dinner with the Tansumas. What a great way to spend a cold winter night!

Now you see it. And then you don't.

We had so much snow in the last week that the BBQ, and all our backyard furniture were barely visible under the snow. This photo was taken before another almost 30cm of snow fell.
This is the first time we have seen so much snow here in Vancouver. Our neighbour tells us it is the most he has seen in his 20 years living in Port Moody.