Days to Chinese New Year

Its been a week since I last update here and tomorrow will be Chinese New Year. JJ were just infant barely a year ago and today they are such a joy to our family. I thank God for all these blessings over the past 1 year.

On 28th Jan, I went on a one day reservist for Army shooting and took a picture early in the morning with the boys and they were already wide awake. Its their first time seeing me in Army Uniform. I'm going for another 5 days In Camp Training later this month.

On the 30th, we went back Malaysia for Felin's Niece first month baby shower. We also had our Yu Sheng there. We insisted on the Yu Sheng with fresh carrots and radish type. Its pretty tiring taking care of the boys in Malaysia because the house was not baby proof and there wasn't an enclosed place for us to play with them. We also brought along only 1 baby seat for eating as there wasn't space for another one.  Anyway, we enjoyed it a lot and Joshua learned to walk a few more steps there as there was more space for him to walk.

Its followed by another busy work week before we set off to buy some new year stuffs at Bugis Village and Bugis Junction. Its their first time visiting my office and sit on my desk too.

The boys are getting funnier everyday. They talk to each other using "Baby" language and I have no idea what they are talking. Joshua like to make funny noise and face to make us laugh and Josiah is always so smiley that he will melt our heart. The only trouble with them is "Very noisy, keep shouting and demand attention." Super tired nowadays...

I'd just put an Ang Bao under their pillow and they will sleep with it till tomorrow morning. Tomorrow will be a challenge because they may have difficulty sleeping during house visiting hours. Hope all will be fine tomorrow...

Joshua first steps - 12m14d

I always feel that its easier to take care of the babies outside than to at home because they tends to be satisfied sitting in Stroller or Baby Chair while outside because there are so many things to see around them. Whereas at home, they just want to crawl and pull the whole house down. They also expect attention from us the whole day long. Its more tiring at home. Hence on Saturday, we went Changi Airport for a walk. While having dinner in BK, my dear Josiah was so friendly that he kept smiling and wave good-bye at everyone who passed by him. These passer-bys were so happy that they will start waving at him. Josiah tends to be more smiley outside than Joshua and people find him loveable.

 

On Sunday, Ann was on Sunday off and we brought them to one of my client's baby shower. The place was so crowded and we were really sweating. As both of us were carrying the babies, we have problem eating the buffet lunch. Both of us only have one hand each and hence I carry the plate and Felin scoop the food for me. We then put the food and stool as we try to stretch our body to eat while babies are struggling in our hands. Quite tiring just to eat.

 

In the evening, its Mum's 70th birthday celebration. She looks so young to me always and been such a loving mother. The boys wasn't too patient throughout the dinner and kept seeking attention. Ended up, we rotated carrying them around and outside the Restuarant while the rest have dinner.

Mum told me today that Joshua is able to walk about 3-4 steps already and he like to show off his new found ability by smiling happily after his walk. I'll take that his official first steps to be 12m14d. I am looking forward to video down those "Show Off" proud face of Joshua. He must have been so adorable. As for Josiah, he may take slightly longer time as he is less stable in his learning to walk journey still.

Empathy

Ever since I have kids, I realised that I gained closer connection with my clients who also have children. When they tell me that their children are sick with flu, cough or fever, I can better empathise how hard it must have been for them. In the past, I may just think that its just a flu or cough... When they tell me that they are really busy with the kids especially in the night, I can better understand too because after a hard day at work, all we look forward is to spend more time with the kids, to talk to them and make them laugh. Many things become unimportant when we have opportunity to make our children smile. When they sigh to me that its a long way to go, I can better understand too because the reason we work so hard is very linked to our children. I can feel the type of love they have for their own kids and how they desire to see them grow and be useful people. I can now understand why it is such a heartache when we see people whose children became rebellious, wayward and refuse to acknowledge their own parents. All these empathy never came so deeply for me when I meet my clients in the past.

Last weekend, I invited Mum and Grandma for dinner as an early celebration for Mum's birthday. Its actually the first time in my life that I bring both of them for a meal.  I felt the connection so much with my parents better now as compared to the past. How happy my mum will be if I am to be a useful person and fillial to them till their ripe old age. I had invited Grandma too because she will be happy when her grandchildren are doing well too. Grandma is already 93 years old, I seriously do not know how many good years more she will enjoy and I feel that I must let Joshua and Josiah interact with her and make her smile. Of course to take more pictures for the kids to see when they gets older.
Why do I think my Mum and Grandma will be happy? Its my gut feel and empathy that because my Grandma loves my Mum and my mum loves me and I loves the children. It is this family love that bond all of us together...

The kids had made me aware of many things and certainly a better person. I just have to continue set good example and to teach them correctly in future. Its a challenge but because of this love for them, I will have to take it on. I am sure, this is the same objective for many many other fathers and mothers as well. This is the journey of parenthood...

Babies first week after Birthday

One week after the Babies Birthday, Felin and I started to discuss on whether to send them for Toddler Day Care from next year onwards. Felin am worried that the kids will fall sick easily at 24th months and whether its necessary to spend the money as we currently have caregiver assistances at home. As for me, I thought that its good to expose them early to people so that they can accelerate their learning by looking at other children and having a structured learning environment. Nevertheless we checked out a few centres around our house to understand more and some are already in the waiting list. I then asked Felin to check out if there are any enrichment class for them suitable from 18th months onwards.

We were also discussing about the Children's likely character and we feel that Joshua is a rather humourous boy, has a bit of 小聪明 and pick up new skills quite fast but he can be impatient and seek the easier way when obstacle comes. As for Josiah, he is more of an introvert, like to play by himself and do not usually seek help from others until he failed to accomplish some task. He could likely be a hardworking boy.

As for their physical developement, Joshua is now able to stand without support and walk one or two steps before crawling again. He likes to imitate others such as pretending to cough when others are doing it. He even learned to pound on his chest when he is pretending to cough. When he wants to sleep, he tap on his own buttock to tell us its bed time because we tap his buttock whenever we pacify him to sleep. He bites on the ball and raise up his head with the ball in his mouth like a merlion. He never cease to make us laugh. As for Josiah, he enjoys going under the playmat and hide himself. He can hide so well that the mat seems flat and someone can just step on him if not careful. He also likes to exhibit his sweet smile for us and look deep into our eyes as he appreciates that we are around him.

I think that the next 1 year will be more challenging as they start walking or even running whereas Felin feels that it will get more interesting as they start communicating with us. No matter what, we will look forward a lot of surprises coming ahead.

Josiah and Joshua's First Birthday Party

We had an slightly early birthday celebration for the babies on the 10th January evening. Its a pretty last mintue preparation as Felin and I was so busy prior the date. We thought there will be about 30 pax initially but gradually increased to about 60. Fortunately there was enough food catered and yet little wastage. The party started at 5:30pm and ends at 8:00pm.

Btw, we played the selecting item to guage future occupation game. I'd put a cheque book to indicate businessman, calculator to indicate accountant, measuring tape to indicate Architect, Recorder to indicate musician, Ball to indicate sportsman, self inking stamp to indicate Civil Servant, Pen to indicate writer, stethoscope to indicate doctor or dentist and a mouse to indicate computer whiz.

When I let both boys into the play area, they straight went for the balls and throw it. Everyone said that the ball is too striking compared to the rest as its bright yellow in colour and hence we took the balls out and both boys now chose the doctor's stethoscope. I take it that the ball is indeed too striking and my both boys will be doctors one day. Haha...

We were so tired after the party and I fell asleep shortly after coming back home and some packing up. I decided to take a picture of some of the presents that they received and they were busy playing with the balloons in the morning.

A simple and happy night

I reached back home at 10pm today only to see Joshua crying. Felin was frustrated because she hasn't been sleeping well for nights and Joshua threw tantrum at such time when he was supposed to be asleep. Felin said, "You take over! I'm really tired!"

I carried Joshua, gave him a good hug, kissed his forehead and asked "How are you, Joshua? What happened to you?" He quietened down seemingly understood what I said.

I brought him to the balcony and started talking to him. He kept looking straight towards the pool and the flashing lights on the trees below. I told him about the importance of brotherhood and both he and Josiah must always remember that they are from the same blood and flesh. They must always stay close to each other regardless what happen in future. Most important to love and fear God.

I then sang tune of 2 mandarin songs and also Eiderwiss. I told him about the beautiful flowers in the Swiss alps and how it strives in cold weather. I told Joshua that in life, we will face challenges and we can still strive when conditions are bad. That's the reason for his name " 予恒" which is to persevere.

I then put him back to bed and he slept soundly. I know he don't understand what I'm saying today but this blog will tell him about a simple night like this in future.

Thanks Joshua, you reminded me about perseverance today...

Daddy's New Year Message for the Babies

Dear Babies,

It has been a fulfilling year with the presence of two of you in the family. Mummy and Daddy had spent about 7 years together as a couple and we are just happy without children where we can focus on our career and go for one or two holidays a year. When we knew that both of you were conceived in May 14, we were excited and nervous as we were unsure how our lives will be changed. Daddy loves to work so much that I reach home as late as 1am daily when mummy is sleeping. I thought my career will hit a roadblock with both your presence because I will have lesser time to work.

Even before both of you came into this world, both of us were constantly worried about your health and your heartbeats heard at the Gynae's clinic always gave us comfort. Mummy really had a tough time carrying both of you at the same time and thats why you must treat her well in future. Fortunately, you were so patient that arrived only on 38th Week 2nd days, beyond what we expected.

When both of you finally arrived on 12th January, we were excited to see your faces and knew that our status had changed to Parenthood. There are no way we can look back now and have to accept whatever challenges that both of you gives. Daddy had never touch babies in my entire life and I had learnt to carry you, feed you, soothe you to sleep, clean your poo and shower you, etc... I may do it only once in my life because I don't think I will ever carry or bath other people's babies except yours maybe in future.

Mummy and Daddy had many headaches at work because of insufficient sleep. You wake up as early as 5:30am to 6am demanding us to start playing with you everyday. We had many quarrels because Daddy always want both of you to fall and get knocked whereas mummy always want to protect you. Daddy wants you to feel the world by touching the leaves, flowers, grass and breathe the fresh air in the open but mummy always fear the mosquitoes and possible bacteria. Daddy wants you to not fear people and be exposed to crowd but mummy always fear the virus that can spread to you. Daddy wants you to start swimming early but mummy fear that both of you will catch a cold. Daddy don't like you to see Doctor but Mummy always afraid that your fever or rash will get worse. Each of you visited the doctors at least 4 times this year.
Daddy give in to Mummy most of the time because I respect and love her. However, we still managed to strike some balance most of the time and our quarrels stopped. I will just wait longer before exposing you to the nature. Daddy can't wait for both of you to grow up and go jogging and relaxing in the park together.

We were stressed at work because both of you are still so young and we have many more years that you need us. Our expenditure increased by double and our monthly surplus are greatly reduced compared to before your arrival. Our dream of getting a residential property to collect rental are somehow delayed till an unknown date. If I am to run 25 round the stadium, I felt that I had just completed merely a round and have 24 more to go. By percentage, its only 5% done. I sometimes feel that its so long and I am so unsure of the many years ahead. But I know that for the love for both of you, I have to continue to run.

Both of you brought tremendous joy to us despite the insufficient sleep, the quarrels, the stress at work, etc... Mummy and Daddy love looking at your peaceful face every night when you sleep and all our stress and uncompleted work in office are amazingly forgotten. We were excited when you are able to call PaPa and MaMa. We were proud when you are able to point the Star on the wall when we asked you "Where the Star is". We were joyful when you learnt to clap your hands and wave good bye to others. Everyday is a surprise and everyday is a new joy though everyday are challenges. Remember that we are kissing you almost non stop everyday for your first year because both of you looks so adorable and we love you so so much...

As of today, we are still worried about both your weights which are below the 10th Percentile of normal babies when both of you still refuse to eat, especially Josiah. We tried all ways to feed you and cook all sort of food that you may like but we were very disappointed that you refuse to open your mouth to eat anything. We couldn't understand why you don't feel hungry when you eat so little.

Today, I just want to say Thank You to both of you because you started our parenting journey. This journey will continue to teach us to be patient. You also teach Daddy not just to be a better father but also to be a better son to Ye Ye and Nai Nai. I must set a good example for both of you to understand what is respect and love for my own parents. They will be weak and frail one day and I will be one day too. I must learn to take care of them when the day comes. I just pray that both of you remain happy and healthy for the whole 2016. This year, we shall see you running around in the house and having better communications with us.