Suburban Thursday

The day started with Kate and I travelling to the other end of the island to fetch the husband from work. After 3 nights away from us, he was finally back. The drive there - though very long - was peaceful; I didn't have to get up to my usual antics of making faces/singing loudly/finding ways & means to distract her. Kate must have been sleepy because she barely fussed and seemed to be enjoying the ride - amazing!

We had a short wait before the husband arrived, and I thought it was very nice carrying Kate and watching the ocean - the clever little one pointed out to the sea and said "oat" (boat). I really love being by the sea and I only wished I could have taken a picture of her by the waters.

In the afternoon, we had a date with Kate's little uncle and auntie.

Taking the bus

First stop - food court for lunch

After the food stop, we headed to the library which served as a playing-cum-reading field for the kids. I'm thankful I had my aunt to help out - 3 kids altogether is quite a feat! (even though the 4 & 6 year-old were old enough to obey instructions) I cannot believe how big they are already - the husband and I used to bring the boy out very often and it seemed only yesterday that he was as little as Kate.

Hanging out with family is fun

They were entertained in this fire engine for a good 15minutes

Kate had a good time with the kids and I enjoyed meeting up with everyone too. Family time is always great and I'm glad that the kids will always have fond memories growing up with one another.

Polliwogs with Eva

Today's special was an outing to meet Eva, lovely daughter of my ex-colleague, Jo.

It was a nice session - I was treated to a tour of her beautiful home, and it was the first time the girls were meeting each other. They got on like fire immediately! It was totally adorable to see them playing together with each other - taking toys out, throwing balls around (and not at each other), one leading and another following around the house - it was totally fun and extremely cute. They are only about 6weeks apart in age and truly, very similar in build and development. Though I gotta say Eva is alot steadier on her feet and more advanced than Kate in the physio-moto department. Kate's more talkative and much greedier.

Kate and Eva by the playpen

They headed to Eva's bedroom

Eva shows off her toys

We headed to Polliwogs after the home-tour and that was when the kids ran amok and we adults were going to end up with backaches tomorrow. The place was nice and though slightly crowded, it was still fine and besides some unhappiness over a bouncy ball and (funnily) a Friso milk powder container, the afternoon was fantastic and great fun.

Rainbow-coloured balls

Here you go, Mom

Jo with the girls

Crawling

The girls and I

In between running after the kids, we adults managed to talk and catch-up and well, relieve each other of our complaints, worries and minds. It was pouring when we were in Polliwogs, but it stopped when we were ready to leave and Jo's suggested a walk and that was really lovely! The air was cool, there was no crowd and I felt happy! It was such a beautiful moment hanging out with my daughter, my friend and her daughter. I wish I'd snapped a pic of Kate at East Coast Park, but as I'm sure I want to go there with the husband soon, I'll have to fulfill that desire then!

It's mid-week already and I know I will miss Kate so much when I go to work next week (sigh); but today was a good day. Here's to good friends, good company and good times.

Meeting Eden and Finn

Yesterday, I finally brought Kate for her 13-month vaccination. Yes, it's more than a month late because she was ill then and like I said, I finally brought her for it. It went well and I was a proud mother when the pediatrician said "clever girl". I guess she probably says it to many of her patients, but I'm happy and proud nonetheless!

After the needle poke, Kate and I headed to meet up with some friends.

Kate with Eden (and her Mommy standing in the background)

Kate with Finn

I love seeing how Kate interacts with other children - she loves kids and knows no fear and is very sociable (sometimes, too sociable; the older kids who are more aware shun away from her!)

Busy weekend

We started the 2nd day of our staycation bright and early - Kate woke up at 8am and before we got up and about, I managed to capture a beautiful shot of the husband and Kate.

My loves

We headed to have breakfast - Kate helps herself to cereal

Sharing food - a most difficult feat

Let's go! I want to hit the pool already!

Play time at the pool

Couldn't get enough, so we allowed her more in the bath-tub

We dressed her up and headed shopping

That ended our staycation and it was enjoyable. The husband lamented woefully how tiring it is to have a child all-day long and I agree - but as most parents will also agree, it is also extremely fulfilling because you only get to spend that much time with them. And Kate has so much antics that we are always amused and amazed; frustrated or angered - whichever way the emotions swing, one thing's for sure - we love her so much and I'm happy that we have her to share our adventures now.

Saturday night, the husband and I took some time-out from Kate and headed out for some adult time. We went to Resorts World Singapore and caught the live performance - it was our first time there and the atmosphere was very carnival-like and buzzy (very much like Genting Highlands). The husband and I agreed that it is a possible idea to have a staycation at RWS - maybe next time!

Sunday, we headed for my girlfriend's animal-themed birthday party.

Tigger K with her daddy

I am Tigger K, hear me roar!

Outfit even comes with a tail - soo cute

The husband with a giraffe and tigger

We all had a good time and it was most fun that Kate has playmates. Giraffe Charlotte's 7 months now and she's beginning to be very responsive. Very soon, she'll be walking and the two girls can then play with each other already - looking forward to the day.

After this birthday luncheon, we had a wedding dinner to attend. Kate was a hit at the dinner - all her grandaunts and granduncles, aunties, uncles and cousins were taken with her antics and she was very independent, preferring to walk around and explore on her own. I think the night was fun as Kate peppered it with clapping along when people did, and she even randomly did a 'yum seng', pronouncing it a little off-key and lifting an arm while doing so! Haha, she's at an imitation phase now and most of the time, she'd imitate what she sees or hears, and it is terribly endearing - and amusing!

There was a photo-booth at the dinner, and the family had a silly time playing dress-up with the props provided. I'm impressed and delighted that the in-laws were game enough to join in too! That was the end of our super-busy and eventful weekend and here are some haha pictures to complete this entry.

Silly shots

We love you very much, baby Kate!

And off he goes (again)

For the too-manyth time in a month, the husband is off for work. Only 3 days, but which can seem soo looong. Through the years we've been together, I'm pretty much used to his work travels by now. However, I don't have to like them. And last night, as we both moved around the room in quiet stealth (as Kate was sleeping), I said to him "I increasingly do not like you going away."

As much as I am the world's most supportive wife (you may verify this with the husband, thank you very much), I do miss him when he goes away and now that we have Kate, it's even more difficult to have him go away. Yes, I miss him as my husband, yes I miss the extra pair of hands that is so good-to-have when you have a little child, yes I miss someone I can poke fun of at any/all time, yes I miss talking to him, but with Kate, there's been a slight shift and the separation is more tough.

I know many people everywhere in the world endure separation, and some of these are for truly long periods of times away from their loved ones. So I'm trying to stay thankful that the husband's away trips are bearably short.

We miss you.

Running like clockwork

Time allows people to sync with each other well. Love adds that dash of smooth when working together, complementing each other so much that you barely notice the running; you just move alongside each other.

Long weekend begins with staycation!

The husband had an off-day on Friday and that marked the start of our long weekend together - YAY! First stop, dim-sum for brunch. Then came the event of our day - an overnight stay at a hotel.

Sometime back, the husband and I wanted to go on a short holiday with Kate. Due to his hectic work schedule and a mishmash of different reasons, this holiday didn't happen. So the husband planned for this staycation and I gotta say, it is totally lux to have somewhere different to sleep in for the night. Helps that we don't have to make the beds and that the shops are just below the block - a very ideal alternative to our holiday, really.

Someone got comfy rather quickly

Kate and I dressed alike by chance - white with red-stripes

One had a shower, one went for a run & one did nothing!

Balcony view

It's really late now but I wanted to capture our Family Friday. I'm pleased that we spent all day together, and even more pleased that we have tomorrow and Sunday to go! It's so comfortable to have all of us sleeping on the same bed on this large-sized bed. Really ought to convince the husband to upgrade our mattress at home.

Today, I'm thankful that my baby wants me - she's a little more clingy to me lately, it seems. I also appreciate the husband acting as my personal shopper. And as I look to my left and see my 2 most favourite people in the world beside me, I cannot help but feel blessed.