Playdate with Gabby and Alexa

It was a long-awaited playdate. One that the girlfriend and I had planned for-ever. From the time she had her second-born, to the time that I had my second-born. It's the first time I met sweet, cheeky Alexa and she turns two in 3 months! Gee.

Treat of the day: to watch the girls play (and squabble) with one another, to be able to see how much they have all developed and grown from our last meeting, to have the company and love of great friends - that's what life's all about. I'm so lucky to have this girlfriend, who is always open to hear my random rambles on anything and everything. *hugs my girlfriend!

And while it's only one segment of the day, I must let it be known that one of the highlights of the afternoon had to be the durian. YUM.

Jake's first taste of the king of fruits

He loves it!

Kate enjoying it as much as everyone

The girls playing together

The little ones playing together. I love Alexa. She's terribly sweet yet cheeky and gurgles with no restrain. Love this shot of this little chilli padi giving Jake a sayang.

Jake and a toy car (I feel guilty that he has lack of boy toys in the house *oops)

I hope the girls will have more opportunities to play together, so that their Mommies can too!

Thanks for the lovely time, HM. We will do this again!

Play-date with Evan and Q

Yesterday, I brought the kids out for a playdate with their friends. Cherie's an ex-school mate and she has two boys. Quentin is 6 months younger than Kate, and Evan is a week older than Jake. It was terribly fun that both kids had friends their own age-group to play with. Totally love it.

Baby and the cot

This is Jake, at 7.5months old. He's definitely growing well and this is him occupying the cot very comfortably (nearly a squeeze already). He's beginning to pull himself up to stand and we have to figure out a safety precaution so that he doesn't fall off. Right now, if he crawls towards the bed where I am, I'll catch him so that he doesn't veer off the bed. However, if he turns to the other side when I'm asleep and should anything happen... *shudder. So yes. We need to have a plan. Pronto.

Last weekend

Last week, I took a day off and managed to score no work on Thursday and Friday. It was exceptional to be home with the family!

I found this pic in my album. Photo credits: the husband.

This was Kate acting all adult-y on the travellator. We had accompanied my Mom for a doctor's visit and we 3 headed off for a leisurely afternoon.

We ate.

Enjoying her sushi

Skewering the chicken

We also shopped! Kate tried on this pretty set which, unfortunately, didn't come in the right size.

We headed home and while Kate took a nap, Jake played his afternoon away.

We brought them to the supermarket. It was tough when we ended up buying half the supermarket (note to self: never again!)

Friday morning.

Mucking around

Heading out

Kate jumped her way down

We took a bus!

Kate saw the bubble lifts and insisted on riding it. I obliged.

Brunch with the girlfriend. Meeting Jake for the first time.

I met up with the sister who babysat Kate for a bit while I caught up with another friend. This was them playing the fool with Halloween props.

HAHA love this!

I had to take a pic of Jake in his gorgeously cute top. I think he looks very handsome!

I then brought Kate out that night for a wedding dinner. Again, she meets her friend, Janelle.

Kate, looking as pretty, as the bouquet of flowers.

Fun Friday

Two Fridays ago, I brought Jake and Kate out on a playdate. It happened to be Children's Day, terribly apt for the kids to be out and about!

They were treated to a trio-fun-ride.

Jake, Kate and Janelle. Janelle and Kate are a week apart (Kate's older) and they get along great with each other

Hehe so cute right!

Both kids were fussing mid-afternoon (about 4ish) and I had to take them away from the crowds to escape. I brought them to the nursing room where I fed Jake and he dozed off, while Kate felt better (she was tired) being in the quiet room than out in the noisy environment. Even I felt calmer in the enclosed, quiet room. Talk about overstimulation.

After both kids became more settled, I brought them back to the main atrium where there was a kids fashion show taking place. Here, both girls are enraptured.

After the show, the two of them ran amok on the stage.

Cheeky monkeys

We ended off the day with dinner where Kate was treated to a pirates' hat by the staff.

I love that she managed to sit still for all of 5 minutes to do some doodling.

Precious moments

While Kate may be grumpy when she awakes, she always has this bit of patience reserved for her little brother. She allows him to climb over her, pull her hair, drool on her and paw her all over. It's incredibly beautiful to watch and my heart skips a beat to watch their love for each other grow.

The professional

Kate, despite her tomboy tendencies, is quite the girly girl. By that, I mean that she loves everything pink, anything with ruffles, tutus, dresses... and brides. Her latest dress-up game is to wrap herself up with a long blanket/towel and she calls herself "bride".

A conversation can go like this:

Me: Kate, come and (insert action).
Kate: I AM BRIDE!
Me: Bride, come and (insert action).
Kate: ok

Haha, funny right. This girl, I tell you, really tickles my innards with her antics sometimes.

So anyway, back to her being the professional. Professional what? Professional yum-seng-er. Just look at her in these pictures:

One year ago

3 days ago

It's an absolute joy bringing her out at this cute, independent stage. And she really enjoys herself at wedding dinners too, always wanting to see the bride though when she actually meets the bride, she clams up and acts all coy.

I love my daughter, have I said so lately?

Dear Kate,

You are such a big girl now and it's so fun being able to do so much stuff with you. You are chatty and sociable and your naughty antics, though unbearable at times, demonstrate that you're after all, no matter how independent and mature (for your age), still a child. You've been quite needy lately and I really want you to know that I love you with all my heart and there's no need to fret that I'll not be there for you. I love you  my dear baby, I love you.

Mommy