Toddler Nat!

Happy happy little girl!

One on One, Anyone?

We did it!

Yes, both Nat and I have done it. I have officially weaned her off bfing...so my bfing career has ended, after 14 months.

Oh how I miss it but I'll do anything for No.2. How can I stop when my No. 1 is so adorable? Will keeps saying, let's have more! And YES, I agree hands down.

The month of Jan was a trying one because Nat and I were both basically addicted to bfing. I found it hard to let go and needless to say, she struggled too. It was truly a cold turkey period. I persisted on resisting to give in to her wants and wails when she wanted IT! She would pull my neckline down to show me how MUCH she wanted IT. Cheryl and Will will give me THE look if I gave in to Nat. See, they want so much for another little one and always makes me guilty for delaying it because of bfing.

My gynae advised me to stop bfing completely if I wanted to try for a second child. I am not as fortunate as those who could get a bull's eye even while bfing I guess. Nevertheless, God will give me another child and even more in HIS time. Like what my friend told me, God knows I love kids so he will give. 'Seek and you shall find.' God, I'm seeking...

Here are the pictures!

One big family. Friends from NIE, Class of 2001. The family has many additions since then. The oldest is 6 this year and the youngest is 4 months old. Truly a group of friends to love and treasure.











Maternal Grandparents


Kong Kong and Mama- Sheng Yi Xing Long, Shen Ti Jian Kang









Paternal Grandparents
Ye Ye and Ma Ma- Shen Ti Jian Kang, Wan Shi Ru Yi












Gong Xi Fa Cai Everyone!
Mummy- Tian Ding Fa Cai, Zao Sheng Gui Zi
Daddy- Shen Ti Jian Kang, Gong Zhuo Shun Li



















Oh no, caught in action! I thought papa says no climbing onto the couch?












Notice the leg! Tsk Tsk! BIG BOSS ah?











The girl who loves nature and enjoys running in the park.

All the practice!

Nat had undergone a month of intensive training of holding her hands together to do the 'gong xi gong xi' shake for Chinese New Year. It was smooth and she was a fast learner. With 'gong xi gong xi' came 'AMEN' which is like the previous one but without the shake and she raised her arms up when she hears 'Praise GOD'. The last one was picked up very fast, she did it within a day.

So the big day finally arrived, the test day came, it was chu1 yi1, the first day of the Lunar New Year and it was performance time. Did she do it? ....... NO! She was normal, like other kids, she didn't like to work under pressure and to be put to the test. When we said or sang 'Gong xi gong xi gong xi ni', she didn't put her hands together and totally ignored the cue. We gave up 'testing' her and sang her her favourite song, 'Happy Birthday' instead, she clapped and we went straight to 'Gong xi', SHE DID IT! Ha! We lured her into doing the all awaited, practiced very hard 'Gong xi' shake.

Natacia Joy has been growing well. Her paternal grandma could not manage carrying her longer than a minute cos she was a little heavy for her. Hee! She was such a cutie pie, everyone loved her and we were told by different people that she looks like papa or she looks like mama. I guess she has quite a 'blended' look or it is just that Will and I have the 'fu qi xiang'.

Glory to GOD for Nat's well-being. Here's the list:

She has been quite a stunts girl. She stands and rocks on her rocking giraffe, HANDSFREE!
She climbs up the couch and comes down from it with much ease. She is pretty much fearless.
She loves her new tricycle but prefers to exercise her mobility and freedom through running.
She climbs onto the 2 step platform in her room, takes her drumsticks and plays on the drum like a pro.
She enjoys going into the kitchen to empty the drawers, especially to look for her straws which are her favourite teething items.
She draws happily on her Crayola whiteboard (gift from Auntie Janah) with her markers.
She has started on Scotts Emulsion Cod Liver Oil, the orange flavour one.
She flips her book and probably knows what she is reading (or so I hope)!
She picks up the phone and says 'Bye' after I say it.
She enjoys getting into the forward roll position (even before she went for the My Gym trial).
She pats me when I carry her (the feeling is warm and sweet).
She loves her Dora Explorer Water Bottle and holds it by herself.
She enjoys playing with her toy camera and knows how to hold it and press onto the button to 'take' a picture.
SHE IS SO CUTE!
I love her to bits and so does everyone else.

More pictures of Nat's wonderful party

Happy Birthday Girl
















Yummy ribbon?











Friends dressed in Blue for the Blue's Clues theme party!
Thanks FRIENDS!!!























Family shot with the cakes!

















Sweet sweet birthday gal!




















Balloons and streamers... What a Party!

Baby Girl to Natacia

For months, I called my darling girl 'Baby Girl' but now she responds to her name 'Natacia'. She is a gem. She has grown into a beautiful toddler with small slit eyes when she smiles and laughs but with big round eyes when she is in awe.

Like I had mentioned before, she never fails to surprise me each and every day. From rolling over to crawling to walking and now she is running and climbing on the couch. There is no need for a barrier to restrict her space because she simply climbs over them.

Oh boy, she is a pretty active girl and needs to be watched 99% of the time. However, I should say and my family agrees that she is a smart girl. She knows how to climb up and down from the couch safely but still I think she is pretty much a fearless girl. Nothing will deter her from her wants.

Block her way with chairs and she crawls under them. Block her way with modular stools and she climbs over them. Put your leg up to prevent her from crossing, she climbs over your leg. Nothing is impossible for her! And should there be anything impossible, she SCREAMS ... like a spoilt brat!

But scolding her much won't do, cos she is simply not 'sensible' yet. Giving her the killer stares make her laugh, cos of the big eyes and flaring nostrils. Beating her hands three times sometimes works but the ultimate moving her away from 'danger' works better, though she keeps trying to do the 'No no Girl' stuff again. It is trying but I am sure I will be able to find a way to discipline her better.

No matter how mischievous she is, she is still my darling girl. I will do my best to ensure that she is brought up with the right values and build her to be a God-fearing, patient, loving, confident but humble individual.

Let the Credits roll!

It was a great party! Relatives raved about it. Friends enjoyed it. Natacia enjoyed herself too. She knows, papa knows and mummy knows how loved and blessed she is to have so many people taking time off from their usual Christmas parties to attend her 1st birthday party. Thank you everyone for joining us on this joyous event!

Here's the credits in no particular order:

Thank you Papa for painstakingly putting up the decoration.

Thanks to Mak Yi for the lovely cake, banner and thank you cards.

Thanks to Sook Sook and Hao Yi for managing the event- very professional and meticulous.

Thanks to Gu Gu who helped serve ice cream.

Thanks to Mama and Kong Kong for going to the shop early and getting things ready.


Thanks to Ji Lau Em and Ji Lau Pek for sponsoring the venue and preparing the yummy ice cream, especially the limited edition flavour 'JOY BLUE'.






(See Blue in the empty tub, it was the most popular flavour cos it was specially made for Natacia Joy- limited edition!)







Thanks to Gu Gu Charles for taking the deco down and Ee Ee Grace for sending the balloons home.
















Thank you EVERYONE for your gifts and presence. Merry Christmas 2007!
Nat @ home with the pressies and deco.














Thanks too to Uncle Xianrong for being a patient photographer and Balloon Sculptor Uncle Terence!
Stay tuned for more pictures when Uncle Xianrong passes mummy the soft copies.
http://www.xrphotography.com/share/kimmy/ -> highlights of the party

Oi Oi Oi Aussie Aussie here the Leongs come!

Yes, the trip was good. Not as happening as I thought it would be but it was good!

The flight there was pretty smooth sailing cos Nat was such a good girl. In fact, she is a pretty good traveller I would say, cos she slept when we slept and ate while we ate. Not fussy and easy to take care. Even the papa was convinced that babies can travel and with Nat behaving so well, he pretty much appreciated her presence during the trip. Ooh, how his heart melted several times when he saw Nat smiling at him with her MegaWatt Smiles.

Here's our diary:

Fri- departed Sg on the evening flight.

Sat- arrived at Syd early, had Mc which was opp Holiday Inn Darling Harbour, Walked to Paddington Market, around Darling Harbour and visited Paddy's Market.

Sun- walked to QVB, took CityRail from Town Hall to Sydney Opera House + Harbour Bridge

Mon- took a train from Central to Bondi Junction (had to shop at Target)

Tues- checked out from Holiday Inn, left for Melbourne, arrived at Mel and shopped in the City Centre.

Wed- Bought My Neverfull GM from Crown Hotel. Ha! Will wanted to go to the casino but ended up paying S$1123 for my LV instead. Phillip Island- GREAT! Saw the wildlife of Aus, kangaroos, Koalas and Penguins and Will said that Nat walks like them! Hee!

Thurs- Great Ocean Road Drive- beautiful sceneries but the winding roads made me giddy. Nat was either suckling or sleeping. Flat chested by the end of the day.

Fri- Hung around in the hotel after last min shopping and Nat threw up in the lobby. GOSH! She had a fever. On the flight, her fever escalated to 39.9. Adminstered the suppository. Fever subsided when we touched down.

Well, what can I say, my hubby took my daughter and me to Syd and Mel. Finally. His reason for doing so, so that I will stop ahm chamming him! Hee!
The trip was fun and fulfilling but tiring!

Well, a picture says a thousand words. So here goes...

As busy as a BEE!

HFM! This time it was for real. 2 spots on the chest. 1 biggy on the right thigh. That was it. Fever was at 39.2 on Friday morning, 30th Nov 2007. Threw up after paracetemol was given. We panicked big time. Papa took leave. Sent her to Dr. Was told that she has bad ulcers in her throat. Came home, fever went up to 40.3. Papa left for function. Mum alone. Mum's family came and sent her to KKH. Confirmed HFM with the ulcers and spots. Sponged her cos Dr took her temp and it was 40.7. Too high. Adminstered Paracetemol again and after 1 hr of sponging. Fever dropped to 38.7. Went home. Fever went up and down.

Mum collected suppository from Pd cos fever was too high. Didn't adminster it in the end cos fever remained at 38+. Was given another med, antiviral one for HFM. Poor thing, she cried while being fed med, refused water, food and any other liquid (tried Pedialyte). Took only mum's milk directly. Pushed bottles.

The big spot on the thigh looked burnt, mum and papa suspect Chic pox. Went to GP. Was relieved when told it was not Chic pox. Tried giving Haagen Daaz Ice Cream to ease the pain caused by the ulcer. Refused too.

Fever still around. Mum wanted assurance from Pd, went to see Pd. Got chided for not persisting in giving Nat water. If Nat still refuses, she will have to be admitted cos of dehydration. WHAT! Mum panicked. Got 10ml syringe and force fed her 30 ml of water after feeding med. Poor Nat! Struggled like there was no tmr. Mum prayed and prayed. Mum decided to cancel the Aussie trip.

Took letter from Pd to certify Nat to be unfit to travel so that the flight can be cancelled. Eh, Nat's fever subsided. The wonders of H2O. But spots were more visible. How? Relax, just give more water, it will go. To go to Aussie or not to go on Fri? Sigh!

Tues passed with dark spots. Wed passed with lighter spots. She drank water using her straw and ate some watery porridge barley. Yipee! Eh, Thurs passed with not so visible spots. Nat was recovering. Praise GOD! Went to the Pd to clear her for travel and YES, she has recovered. spots have disappeared and she seemed to want to drink and eat. GREAT! Time to pack and go!

Mum has been as busy as a bee. Glory to GOD for healing Nat and restoring her health and appetite! God is GOOD! Who would have thought that Nat would recover just in time for the trip! Well, only ABBA Father has the answer!

Oops, We Did It Again!

The second round was better cos we had Mama and Mak Yi to help change Nat and that sped up the whole process. In that hour, a hundred and forty good pictures were taken. However, Nat's mood swing was more erratic than the local weather. We had to do lots to get her to smile after half an hour of spontaneous smiling. We used handphones and soft toys, sang to her and played her favourite music. Nevertheless, we thank Uncle David for his patience, Mama and Mak Yi for changing the super star and packing her things while Papa and Mummy kept her entertained as the photos were taken. Here are some of the heartwarming and 'Oh so cute!' shots.

Natacia's First Photoshoot!

Mucus. Runny nose. Mucus. Runny nose....

First Nat fell ill on Thursday, then on Friday evening, the flu bug caught up with Mama Kimmy and Papa Will. The three of us, albeit with a runny nose, got up early in the morning feeling excited about the long awaited photoshoot. Props and clothes were packed and Mama and Papa dropped Nat at Grandma's house so that they could get Auntie Anne to style their hair.

Reached the studio promptly at 12pm and Mama got her makeup done. Nat had a great time with Papa and Photographer Uncle David. Oh, Papa was busy wiping his nose and Nat's nose. Uncle David had the flu too...

By the time Mama was ready, Nat changed into the Santa suit. But after that, she got tired and refused to smile. Nothing tickled her anymore. So we decided to do the naked shot with the angel's wings and halo, she stripped to her birthday suit, and she stood up and smiled for a couple of frames and suddenly, something below her caught her attention. OH NO! NAT PEEed on the backdrop and props!

Then we stopped the filming, cos Nat suddenly became a GROUCH! Oh, that clean gal, like her Mama, the Dettol supporter!