Javier's First Christmas

We had a blast last night! There were so much joy, love, fun and laughter in our humble adobe. We had two special guests. Aunt and Uncle from Sabah were in Singapore visiting their daughter and family. So we invited them to our house for Christmas dinner. We also had a very very special last minute guest - The Santa Claus (aka the hubby). The kiddos were so tickled when Santa Claus made his appearance!

I'm grateful to have our family and dear friends celebrating Christmas with us. And I'm thankful for having an extra little person in our household this Christmas. My little precious, mommy knows you enjoyed yourself last night. You were showered with so much love, hugs, kisses and gifts from everyone. You're truly one blessed baby!

5 Months 25 Days!

Yes! My baby can finally rolled over on his own! Yay!
And yes, mommy is anticipating more exciting times ahead!

Javier's First Haircut

After 5 months and 1 week, I finally agreed to shave away JJ's hair. According to the Chinese tradition, we have to shave away baby's hair on the day he turns one month old. I didn't as I couldn't bear to let go of his au naturel spiky hair. But soon after JJ turned 4 months old, his hair started to fall. The hubby and I could see visible thinning of hair at his sides. So yesterday, we brought him to United Square and had his first haircut at the Junior League Hair Services.

JJ was very well behaved except towards the end when he started to fuss. I guess he didn't like having hair on his face and he couldn't turn his head as and when he liked. But overall, he was cooperative. Good job, JJ!

Anyway, the hubby and I took a good look at our son after the haircut. We couldn't stop laughing. He looked just like a shaolin monk! The hubby kept commenting how cute his son was. Well, that is how much the hubby loves his son. For me, I couldn't get used to having a monk as my son. I looked JJ in the eyes and asked him several times, "Are you my son?"

What a cute little monk!

My Little Precious

Meet my son, Javier Ong Hao Zhe. Born on 14 June 2010, 1753hr, at Mount Alvernia Hospital.

I was hoping that my son would be a July baby like me. But he decided to arrive sooner than expected. In fact, he was a premature baby, delivered at 36 weeks and 4 days. I was in labour for about 5 hours and gave birth to my son without the use of epidural. I will write more about the day Javier arrived in another post. For now, take a good look at my son. Isn't he the most handsome-est baby on earth?

My son at 5 months 4 days old.

Capturing Life's Treasured Moment

At 32 weeks pregnant, the hubby and I went for our maternity photo shoot at The Studio Loft. I was quite uncomfortable posing in front of the camera initially because mommy just couldn't smile naturally and looked so stiff. The photographer had to delete all the photos she took as she exclaimed, "Aiya! All not nice." Luckily, the situation improved when the hubby made me smile and laugh uncontrollably with all his funny faces and remarks. After the shoot, we got to chose the photos we wanted. They were really well taken and I couldn't help admiring them over and over again. I can't wait to show these pics to JJ when he's a little older and tell him, "Look! That's you in mommy's tummy!"

These are some of our favourite shots.

...more favourite shots...and there're more.

6 Years

...and I count my blessings every single day.

It's amazing how you make me fall in love with you over and over again. Thank you for being my friend, my lover and my husband. I know there will be more blissful years ahead.

Breakfast made with love. Priceless.

Happy Wedding Anniversary. I love you.

Simply Lovely

JJ, mommy brought you to dinner with a special group of people last night. They were once terrorized and tortured by my undying love. Look how much they have blossomed. Don't they just look great?

BB Ong @ 27 weeks

I stared intently at my tummy while lying on the bed, anticipating miniature waves surging across my tummy. Repeatedly, the tides rose and fell. Then it came to a complete calm. I waited for the next round of upsurge to begin. But I was getting impatient. So I poked at my tummy. The little fella stirred and sent waves across it. I poked again. He stirred again. I poked yet again and he did it again.

JJ, are you playing with mommy?

Nostalgia

Going where the hills are green

And the cars are few and far

Days are full of splendor

At night you can see the stars

Life's been moving oh-so-fast

I think we should take it slow

Rest our heads upon the grass

And listen to it grow

(Lyrics taken from Splendor in the Grass by Pink Martini)

Inflation

No. I'm not referring to the rate at which prices of goods and services is rising. I'm referring to the new accessory I've acquired - my bump.

When I look down, I'm amazed by how much my bump has inflated. It hasn't become a hindrance yet in the sense that I could still go on with my exercise routine, walk normally and not waddle, bend down to tie my shoelaces, sit on the floor and get up in a dignified manner and cut my toenails. I wonder when my toes would become invisible while I'm standing up. I guess by then, inflation would have hit its peak.

For posterity, I must record down in pictorial form, the rate at which my bump has inflated.

(From left to right)

11wk 3d.

13wk 1d.

(From left to right)
17wk 1d.
19wk 3d.

22wk 2d.
These are my fav pics so far.

And the lastest...26wk 3d.

Babymoon in Phuket

This post is long overdue. But for JJ, I must document it down so that when he grows up, he knows that daddy and mommy brought him to Phuket when he was just 21 weeks and 2 days in my womb.

Our 4 days 3 nights babymoon in Phuket was pure indulgence. We stayed in a private pool pavilion at Indigo Pearl, a 5-star boutique luxury resort, located at Nai Yang beach. The room was lavishly decorated in a modern contemporary style where rich wood and stone interplayed. Just outside our room, there was an outdoor bathtub where one could simply relax while soaking in it, taking in the sight and sound of nature in the open air. We even had our own salt water private pool in the courtyard complete with double sun lounger and a comfy daybed.

The hubby and I spent all day swimming and lazing by the pool. When we got tired, we retreated to our room and took our naps. We read to JJ, listened to music and watched DVD at night. And of course we stuffed ourselves silly with so much scrumptious food that when I returned back to Singapore, my sis and bro-in-law were shocked to see a much bigger me.

We even attended a Thai cooking class during our stay at the resort. There were 6 of us in the class. Two were from Belgium and the other two, who just got married, were from England. They were such fun loving people and we enjoyed every minute of their company while cooking up a storm in the kitchen.

Everything we needed could be found at the resort or at Nai Yang Beach. So we didn't venture out of the resort very much. The only time we went out was during our 2nd night in Phuket. We got a cab from the hotel and went to a Thai restaurant highly recommended by a hotel staff in Phuket Town. It turned out to be a huge disappointment. Fortunately, I spotted a signboard of MK steamboat while we past by Central Festival shopping mall. So to satisfy our cravings for good food, we decided to have our second dinner at MK which was great!

Our stay at the resort was such a fantabulous experience and I hope it could be longer. I told the hubby we should bring JJ back when he's old enough. Perhaps when he turns one. I think that would make a wonderful birthday gift for him.

On a separate note, as I'm blogging this, I have a sudden itch to fly again. So Darling, do we have the time to do another babymoon? *wink wink*

JJ at 21 wks. 2 days before babymoon at Phuket.

Pic taken during the FA scan.

JJ was so cooperative during the scan. He acceded to mommy's requests to turn to proper positions so that the scan could be done once and for all and at the shortest time possible. Good job, baby!

(from top left: Clockwise) Indigo Pearl Resort Lobby.

Beautiful chandelier suspended from the ceiling at the lobby.

Babymoon essential: PSP for daddy. Magazines for mommy. DVDs for daddy and mommy. Music CDs and storybooks for JJ.

Our room at Indigo Pearl.

Spacious bathroom with indoor shower.

Daybed and outdoor bathtub at courtyard.

Double sun lounger with sun umbrella at the courtyard.

Salt water pool at the courtyard.

Private beach club for guests at the Nai Yang Beach.

At Nai Yang Beach.

Food glorious food!

(From top left: Clockwise) We dined in twice for dinner at our own pavilion.

Very good spread for buffet breakfast at the Tin Mine. We could do without lunch after a heavy breakfast!

MK steamboat! Love the green noodles.

Thai cooking class conducted at Moo's kitchen.

We had such a great time learning and cooking with Teacher Su and our friends from Belgium and England.

We can cook and so can you!

Tadah! Presenting our masterpieces!

Papaya salad, Phuket seafood fried noodles, green curry and fried bananas sprinkled with sugar and cinnamon.

We are officially experts in Thai cooking! Yay!

Bringing home the apron from Moo's Kitchen as a souvenir.

Last pic in our pavilion before heading to the airport.

Goodbye Phuket! We'll be back...with JJ!

More Books for JJ!

Darling, I think we need to get more book shelves when we move back to our nest.

BB Ong @ 25 weeks

My baby is exactly 25 weeks today! Sis accompanied me to the gynae for my routine check. We didn't get to see JJ's face. He was facing inward and didn't want to turn around. But we saw him shaking his head. How cute! I love you, baby.

Because of JJ's position, the gynae couldn't get a nice pic of him for Daddy. This pic shows the back view of JJ. And btw, JJ now weighs 759g.

This is for you, my Darling.

We said we'd walk together baby come what may
That come the twilight should we lose our way
If as we're walking a hand should slip free
I'll wait for you
And should I fall behind
Wait for me

We swore we'd travel darling side by side
We'd help each other stay in stride
But each lover's steps fall so differently
But I'll wait for you
And if I should fall behind
Wait for me

Now everyone dreams of a love lasting and true
But you and I know what this world can do
So let's make our steps clear that the other may see
And I'll wait for you
If I should fall behind
Wait for me

Now there's a beautiful river in the valley ahead
There 'neath the oaks bough soon we will be wed
Should we lose each other in the shadow of the evening trees
I'll wait for you
And should I fall behind
Wait for me
Darling I'll wait for you
Should I fall behind
Wait for me

(Lyrics from "Should I Fall Behind" by Bruce Springsteen)

Of Books and Music

The previous post reveals how active my baby is. But my baby has a quiet side too. He is absolutely calm and peaceful when I read to him and when he's listening to music.

I started reading to baby JJ when he was just a teeny weeny peanut in my womb. As I had morning sickness and felt tired most of the time during my first trimester, I didn't read to him as regularly as I do now. Our first book was The Ersatz Elevator from A Series of Unfortunate Events. Then the hubby bought a set of storybooks by Roald Dahl from the bookstore at T2 before we boarded the plane for our babymoon. We are almost done with them except one particular book which is meant for daddy and son bonding time. I plan to buy the rest of the books from A Series of Unfortunate Events and other books by Roald Dahl simply because I enjoy the stories (and I think JJ does too).

JJ listens to music too, mostly classical. Sometimes, he would be exposed to other genres. Depending on mommy's mood, it could be jazz, latin or even pop music. Every afternoon, I would just let the CD play while I lounge on the couch with eyes closed and rubbing my tummy, feeling totally relax.

The reason why I expose JJ to books and music is not because I'm a kiasu parent who can't wait to cultivate a love for reading and music in my child. I'm doing this because both are great ways to bond with my baby. I want JJ to recognise my voice (and the hubby's) even before he's born. I want him to feel close to us. I want him to know mommy and daddy love him very much. And THAT is the most important reason of all.

For my baby JJ.

--------------------------------------------------------------------

This is for Daddy.

JJ says, "Daddy. When are you coming home? JJ wants Daddy to read "The Magic Finger". JJ misses Daddy's voice. I love you."

JJ's waiting eagerly...

I Like to Move It, Move It!

"...She likes to move it, move it. He likes to move it, move it. You like to MOVE IT!"

That would be a very apt song for my baby. This little fella is always moving or kicking or punching in my tummy. I first felt him move when he was exactly 18 weeks. It was past midnight and I was lying on the bed, trying hard to fall asleep. And it was then I felt that first momentous sensation of life. Some preggers have described fetal movements as flutters. For me, it felt like bubbles bursting in my tummy. It was an amazing feeling. And I felt so blessed to have the privilege to carry a new life inside me.

Since that night, my baby's movements have become more regular and obvious. I've also noticed a pattern in his movements. He moves when I eat. He moves when I'm in the middle of pilates class. He moves when I go to bed. He moves the moment I wake up in the morning. So you can see he is such an active little fella! And I haven't even taken into account other erratic moments when he just feels like moving.

My gynae has assured me that an active baby is a healthy baby. He once told me during one of my routine checks. "Good! Move more! Good!". Well, I guess it's true. As long as my baby JJ is healthy, I'm happy.

FB Scandal

The Jack Neo scandal has triggered some great imagination in me.

While I was 'stalking' some folks on FB, I discovered that the hubby actually created a FB account some time back. I could tell it was a dormant account. There was no profile picture and hardly any activities listed on it. There were only two friends on the friend list. (How pathetic!) And one of them was a common friend of ours. The other one was a lady by the name of V Ong. Her profile picture showed her carrying a chubby cute little boy. And it was then my imagination started to run wild. Very wild. Insanely wild.

The hubby called from Algeria last night and an interesting conversation began.

Me: Darling. I wanna ask you something. Tell me honestly. Do you have a woman outside? And you even have a son with her?

The hubby: Huh?!? No! Don't have!

Me: Then who is this V Ong on your FB account. Besides M (our common friend), she's the only friend on your friend list. And she is a woman!

The hubby: Oooh...V Ong is my primary school friend.

Me: Don't bluff! She is your mistress right?! She even has a son with you right?! That's why she called herself V ONG right?! As in Mrs ONG right?!

The hubby: (Begins to laugh uncontrollably) HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!

Me: When did you create this FB account? How come I don't know about it?

The hubby: I also don't know when I created it. I think some time back lah. I forgot already.

Me: You're lying. That V ONG is your mistress right?

The hubby: (Begins laughing again) HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHA!!! Aiya! You add her and ask her who she is lah. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHA!!!

So you can see, this nutty wifey had actually made the hubby very happy that night. Thank you, Jack Neo!

Lunar New Year & Valentine's Day

Lunar New Year 2010 is a special one for several reasons.

1. For reunion lunch, it is a first for me to have so many people crowding around a dining table. My bro-in-law's family came along and the kids had a separate table for themselves. The only person missing was the hubby. He called from overseas while we were enjoying our food and wished everyone a Happy Lunar New Year. I'm sure he misses home.

2. I ate for two instead of one.

3. Valentine's Day falls on the first day of Lunar New Year. I received a lovely surprise from the hubby - a bouquet of purple tulips and Singtel cash vouchers. The kids were deliriously happy too because the hubby did not forget about them. He bought them toys.

What a sumptuous spread for reunion lunch!

The hubby sent me a beautiful bouquet of purple tulips on the eve of Lunar New Year .

And Singtel cash vouchers!

The kids love their toys too!

Us on the second day of Lunar New Year!

The Guessing Game

The guessing game began on the day when I first experienced morning sickness. Because I was puking and couldn't eat meat, my mother-in-law was pretty sure that I was expecting a baby girl. She claimed that she was exactly like me when she was expecting my two sis-in-laws. When she had the hubby and my bro-in-law, she had no morning sickness at all. Thus, she concluded that baby must be a girl.

The hubby too predicted that I was having a baby girl. I asked him why during one of our overseas phone calls. He said it was just a gut feeling. I was thinking perhaps I was having very 'gu niang' symptoms such as puking, no appetite, picky about food, always craving for sour stuff that led him to make that prediction. The hubby had been referring to our baby as 'she/her' ever since then. We even had a name for her. It was such a beautiful name I couldn't wait to call her Baby Jxxxx.

On the other hand, my doting Sis was pretty sure that I was expecting a baby boy. I asked her why. Without explaining herself, she gave me a very serious look and insisted that baby must be a boy. Looking at how confident my sis was, I thought perhaps my mum-in-law and the hubby were wrong.

So it was 2 against 1. And what prediction did I make? Seriously, I had no idea. Sometimes, I thought it may be a boy. Other times, I thought otherwise. Frankly, it doesn't matter whether baby is a boy or a girl. All I want is a healthy, happy and normal baby.

Anyway, I had my routine check at my gynae's 2 weeks ago. That visit put an end to the guessing game. Right or wrong, everyone's happy with the results. But I guess my Sis was especially happy. Yup. She hit the jackpot!

Farewell

It was a painful decision.

You were ill. We brought you to the vet several times and tried to nurse you back to health. For a while, you were better. Then there was no escape from sufferings.

Please forgive us, Roxie baby. Believe me, it isn't easy for us to let you go. But we know we have to. We have to save you from misery.

There's no news of Peppy till today. We guess she must have gone to a better place. You will meet her there. Take care of each other and we know both of you will be happy together.

Rest in peace, mes bebes. We love you.

Roxie baby at the beach.

Peppy and Roxie.
Thank you for bringing us so much joy. You will never be forgotten.

This is for Dou Dou!

The hubby returned home for two weeks and we didn't have time to do two important things.

1. To visit our god daughter, Sumana aka Dou Dou (little beanie).

2. To visit our other daughter, Mika, our doggie.

So before he left, we made a video of the hubby with his two sidekicks, Gwendolyn and Glenn. No need for rehearsals. All I did was a briefing before the recording began. And we made a cute video with just one attempt! Here's the link to the video http://www.flickr.com/photos/janjoey/4290390692/

As for item no. 2, we'll have to wait till Feb when the hubby returns home. Sorry, Mika. We're bad mommy n daddy.

There's A Muffin Baking in the Oven!

Yes! We're having a baby! It's going to be an exciting 2010! We are absolutely looking forward to the arrival of our little muffin in July!

Happy New Year to all! May 2010 bring you joy, happiness and good health!

BB Ong @ 12 Weeks 6 Days

I had my OSCAR Test yesterday at NUH. It involves a NT (Nuchal Translucency) and a blood test. Results are good and I am extremely happy. I slept really well that night, knowing that my baby is growing well in my tummy. I didn't even wake up to go to the loo - not even once - which I always do three or four times during the night.

I guess it's time for the little fella to make his debut.

BB Ong @ 12wks 6d.

Doesn't my baby look more like a little human now? His nose is now visible and the hubby loves the shape of his head.