Some updates on Jono:

1) He now has an imaginary friend called 'Chop Chop'. According to Jono's description, Chop Chop is very tiny and is a boy. It's so interesting to see him interacting with Chop Chop but I did tell him that Chop Chop is not real.

2) He enjoys playing with playdough, lego duplos, and little people. He can play with those toys for at least 1 hour by himself. He is particularly good at making things that really look like the actual things. Dane said he must take notice of the details of things he sees.

Jono's Lego Duplo Crocodile

Postman's Bed

3) Jono started to play better with Esther. He would be really gentle and look after her when she's around.

4) He has grown taller!!! Yes, his long pants/jeans now look like 3/4 pants. :D Guess it's time to get him new pants.

5) He also tries to have an adult conversation at the dinner table. His favourite line: "Daddy, how's your work today?" Sooo cute

6) At least once a day Jono would come to me and say 'Mummy I love you' and give me a hug. How sweet!

I'm missing my Malaysia home especially my family. I love this song by Michael Buble. Sometimes when I'm missing home I would listen to it over and over again on my ipod and shed a few tears...

Wondering if I would listen to it more often when Dane left for his training. When I feel alone... However I know I can find comfort in my LORD whom I trust! I KNOW our loving GOD is with me wherever I go and He is watching over my loved ones!

40weeks 1 day pregnant, waiting to be induced on 12th August 2006

Here you go mummies - it's all about your first born!

1. WAS YOUR FIRST PREGNANCY PLANNED? Yes

2. WHAT WERE YOUR REACTIONS? Very Excited

3. HOW OLD WERE YOU? 25 when pregnant baby was born when I was 26.

4. HOW DID YOU FIND OUT YOU WERE PREGNANT? From the doctor's test

5. WHO DID YOU TELL FIRST? My hubby was with me and we told my mum and his parents

6. DID YOU FIND OUT THE SEX? Yes at 18 weeks morphology scan

7. DUE DATE? 11th August 2006

8. DID YOU HAVE MORNING SICKNESS? Yes for the first 3 months

9. WHAT DID YOU CRAVE? BBQ Pork Rice :P

10. WHO/WHAT IRRITATED YOU THE MOST? Raw meat and heat

11. WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST CHILD'S SEX? Male

12. DID YOU WISH YOU HAD THE OPPOSITE SEX OF WHAT YOU WERE GETTING? Hahaha I really wanted a girl.

13. HOW MANY KGS DID YOU GAIN THROUGHOUT THE PREGNANCY? 11kgs

14. DID YOU HAVE A BABY SHOWER? Yes but it was after the baby was born

15. WAS IT A SURPRISE OR DID YOU KNOW? I knew about it

16. DID YOU HAVE ANY COMPLICATIONS DURING YOUR PREGNANCY? No

17. WHERE DID YOU GIVE BIRTH? Mater Mothers' Private Hospital

18. HOW MANY HOURS WERE YOU IN LABOR? 10 hours

19. WHO DROVE YOU TO THE HOSPITAL? My hubby Dane

20. WHO WAS PRESENT WHEN YOU GAVE BIRTH? Dane, Midwife Belinda and my Obstetrician Steve

21. WAS IT NATURAL OR C-SECTION? Natural

22. DID YOU TAKE DRUG TO EASE THE PAIN? Yes, I had an epidural

23. HOW MUCH DID YOUR CHILD WEIGH? 7lb 11 oz (3470g)

24. WHEN WAS YOUR CHILD ACTUALLY BORN? 13th August 2006

25. WHAT DID YOU NAME HIM/HER? Jonathan

26. HOW OLD IS YOUR FIRST BORN TODAY? 3 years old

Thank God our little girl is 6 months old today! Oh I can't believe my baby is growing up so fast.

Some of her progress so far:
-Started eating solid food this month and is doing well.

-Can sit for about 5 seconds without support.

-Recongises her name and people.

-Loves playing with her big brother Jono.

-Loves rolling around and has great hand-eye coordination.

Being parents is a really tough job!!! I literally spend every minute of my awaking time being with my kids and being the 'Mummy'. The kids usually wake up at about 7am each morning and I tell you I would sleep for another minute if they let me. This marks the beginning of my day with the kids. Believe me, it's a really long day especially Jono now has dropped his afternoon nap and Esther only has 2 naps. ME, I have no nap....

I try to take the kids out every morning except Monday (which is our rest day) according to my weekly plan I devised a while ago. It really helps me to relax and make the time more manageable. However, we still have lots of time left in the day before they go to sleep for good at 7pm each night. I was thinking today that working is actually so much easier compare to what I do at home - a full-on 12 hour shift. I at least get morning tea, lunch, and non-contact time at work. At home, I get 'mummy, play with me'!, 'changing dirty nappy', 'mummy, I want this/that' time. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy being a mummy but just like everyone else, I do feel physically exhausted and emotionally drained at the end of the day. Honestly speaking I can't wait for 7pm when the kids go to bed then I can have my much needed rest time. After careful consideration, we decided to up Jono's childcare day from 1 day to 2 days a week. He used to go 2 days a week when I was working but we dropped it to 1 day as I wanted to spend more time with him while I'm staying at home full-time. Now, I really needed the extra day a week to recuperate and get some needed peace and quiet. Having 2 'Jono free days' allow me to have 1 day rest, and 1 day to catch up with housework and run errands. I tried not to feel guilty for needing that extra day because I'm convinced that my kids/hubby deserve a happier mum/wife.

Lord, please help me to be patience and give me strength each day to fulfill the many roles that I play. Philippians 4:13 'I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.'

Our little boy has just turned 3. He had a simple but wonderful birthday party with the family. He received lot of presents and he could not be happier. I still can't believe my little boy is 3 years old. He has grown into a handsome boy (a very biased opinion I know :-)).

We thanked God for giving us this wonderful boy 3 years ago. I vividly remember the excitement when we found out we're expecting, the amazing nine months long pregnancy, the beautiful birth and all the precious memories Jono has created and is still creating. At the same time, I have also been a mum for 3 years and really enjoying it. Undoubtedly, there's time when I asked 'what have I got myself into? (when Jono is really naughty and demanding). However, my love for him is deeper everyday and I cherish the time with him as he grows up so quickly.

My poem for Jono:

We longed for you
As in the tummy you grew
With joy and excitement
Your birth's a precious moment


We thank God for you
A wonderful gift we value
You are so special
Our precious little angel


We pray for you
And we love you too
Be a man of God
As life pathway you trod

Winnie the Pooh Birthday Cake

I was really tired on Tuesday, so much so I couldn't bother to cook dinner (was thinking to have some Indians take away). However, I have a wonderful husband who decided to cook dinner and he made us some yummy chicken stir-fry.

While Dane was cooking in the kitchen, I had an interesting conversation with Jono:

Jono: Mummy, what's daddy doing?

Me: Cooking dinner. Do you think you can help daddy?

Jono: Noooo, I can't.

Me: Why?

Jono: I'm only little, I can't reach. I'm SHORT like you!

Me: Hahahahahaha, short like ME???????

Admittedly my son got it right. I know I'm short and will be the shortest in this family when Jono and Esther eventually grow up one day. BUT the most important thing is not your physical appearance it's what's in your heart! "For the LORD does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart." 1 Samuel 16:7

"Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life." Proverbs 4:23

I cut my hair short a day before my wedding anniversary. I wanted to have a new hairstyle and to put an end to my drastic hair loss after the birth of Esther (it's normal to experience hair loss after giving birth). So I went and had my hair cut. I now feel younger and more vibrant with shorter hair. I love it so much I think I'll keep it short from now on. :-)

Can't believe my little baby girl is already 5 months old. She is a very cheerful and sociable baby. She has started to play with her feet a lot and her hands would grab anything that comes to sight. She is nearly sitting up by herself and loves playing with her big brother Jonathan. We pray that Esther will continue to grow happily each day!