Craft Day

Since Mei-mei was having a nap today and we were too lazy to walk to the nearby playground,  we looked at the craft books we had at home and decided on doing some origami.
I had loads of coloured papers.  Only problem was the instructions were in Chinese.  So with some guess works, we managed to come out with these doggies.
Obviously the blue one is yours while mine is the pink doggy in a skirt.  I love yours which is wearing shorts and a cape. Daddy suggested an underwear but you laughed and opted for the modest shorts instead.

Grampy's Birthday Celebration

We planned to have a Chinese New Year dinner with the Yeoh's on the 3rd day of CNY but cancelled because Grampy went fishing/camping with his friends.  So we postponed it to yesterday.  Too bad Alex Ku-ku and Ah Kim had already left for KL by then.
In the end we had a CNY and birthday celebration.  Of course, we had seh jit mee (birthday noodles) followed by cake.
It was layer cake which was requested by Grampy.

Here's Ko-ko helping Grampy to blow off the candle: 

And here Ee-ee's trying to help Mei-mei blow off the candle. You tried several times but in the end needed Ko-ko's help:

Dumpling Feast

Last Saturday,  8th Poh-Tou was at Uncle Sin Jeow's house to cook up a feast for the family.  This was a special do by the couple most times when they come back to Malaysia.
We originally could not make it for dinner.  So when we stopped by after going to the market, Poh Tou offered me first taste of the dumplings. I also got to see them in action.  This time, Tou-tou was also in action to make the shui kau.
It sure was yummy.  Also I got to have a second round as we ended up at their house for dinner that evening.

Happy Chinese New Year 2014

"Gong Xi Fa Cai" from us all in Ipoh:

2014 Chinese New Year Eve

We headed back to Ipoh on the eve of Chinese New Year. As with last year we went back in 2 cars. We left Penang first as Ah Ma had to go to the temple to pray for Tou-tou as coincidentally it was the 100th day of this death.

The car was fully loaded and the traffic to Ipoh was heavy but not crawling. We just had to slow down at certain parts of the highway especially where there was a slope and some cars had to slow down.

We arrived in Ipoh just on time for lunch. It was Penang Hokkien Mee. Yummy..

Later more of the family began to arrive and it was a lovely gathering. It's been quite a while since we've been back to the Ipoh house.

Ah Kong and Ah Ma arrived soon. Rooms had to be sorted out and then it was soon dinner time. Dinner was pohpiah. It sure was a lot of hard work. Daddy and Jack Chek-chek were the assistant chef that day as they helped to stir thoroughly the ingredients.

Look at the yummy pohpiah..

School CNY Celebration

Today is the last day before you break for Chinese New Year.  As with last year, there was no lessons.  Instead there were singing and performances for the Pesta Ang Pow. Children were told to come in their home clothing, or better yet CNY costume.
You initially wanted to wear home clothes but then decided to wear your Chinese costume which Ee-ee had bought for you from China.
I'm glad we got to pick you up from school as I didn't get to see you in the costume before school. I was wondering how I'd be able to spot you among the children in their colorful clothing.  But luckily, you were waiting at the gate so you spotted me first.
Here's a shot of my handsome man:

Evan Helps Evelyn

To undress so that you can play in the garden before you have a shower

Evelyn's 1st Visit to the Market

Today was the replacement class for Ko-ko. As I was already awake and daddu had a very late night, I decided to follow Ah Ma to the market.  It's a very good time to visit the market because it's the final weekend before Chinese New Year.  So the market was crowded with many people selling things.
You were very interested in the colorful things being sold. Then we followed Ah Ma to buy fish. Took this picture of you watching the man remove the fish scales:

We went to many places to run some errands and so you fell asleep by the time we got home.

Kisses and Hugs Makes My Day

I'm so glad that you are still at the age where you don't mind giving me kisses and hugs still. Of course, if I'm dressed up for work which means I've got lipstick on you won't allow me to kiss you for fear of having a lipstick mark on your cheek. Then again, naughty you will always wipe your cheek after receiving a juicy kiss.
Evelyn on the other hand still doesn't know how to give kisses.  Sometimes when she's in the mood, she'll put her mouth over my nose and say "muahh". Just like how she gives her "flying kisses". For now I'm contented with the big hugs and smiles I get from her.
MUAHHH to my two precious "RotiBans".

Evelyn's Pearly Whites

Tried really hard to get you to smile.  You were ok before I took out my phone to take a picture.  But once I whip out my phone... you refuse to cooperate!!

Evan Cooks

Mummy and daddy are on leave today so no lunch today. So I had to cook my own lunch...

... just kidding. Mummy and daddy are both standing around watching me like a hawk!!

Hurricane Evelyn

This is what I do when mummy and daddy are not looking...

That's for not paying any attention to me!!

Snack Monster

One of your current favourite word is "mummum". So we'll give you a bowl with snacks and you'll sit on the staircase to enjoy your snacks.
When you're done you'll look for Kakak to give her your bowl after we ask you to.
But tonight, you decided that we didn't give you enough.  You kept asking for more "mummum". After one too many rounds, Kakak had to take the bowl  away from you. Of course, you screamed and cried when she took the bowl.. then forgot about the bowl 5 seconds later.��

Late to Pick Up Evan

We've been busy at work the past 2 days so we left work rather late and were late to pick you up. I'm proud to say that you are ok with us being late.  The first day you stood at the usual spot waiting for me. Poor thing, you were all sweaty and carrying your heave school bag. In the car you asked for permission to wait at the benches instead of near the gates.
So yesterday when we were late again, I found you waiting for me at the benches (not carrying your bag) and happily chatting with your friends.
My have you grown up. I remember clearly when we were late for the first time last year I found you sobbing and all sweaty while waiting for me. And we were only 5 minutes late then. The school had more kids waiting for their ride home then than there were yesterday. 

Evelyn Makes Everyone's Day

On our way home from dinner tonight you were playing peek-a-boo with daddy when he asked you to call him and you repeated what he asked you to say: Da-da.
Next Ko-ko asked you to repeat after him:
Evan: Say "Ma-ma"
Evelyn: Ma-ma
*big grin on my face*

Evan: Say "Ah Ma"
Evelyn: Ma

Evan: Say "Ah Kong"
Evelyn: Kong Kong

Evan: Say "Ko-ko"
Evelyn: Ko ko ko ko ko

So everyone's happy as you decided to call us all. Ko-ko is especially happy. He says you called him so many times which means you love him the most.

Hello KL

It's holiday season for mummy and daddy. Time to head to KL. But early this morning daddy checked his car's coolant level first (and a good thing too). It was low and daddy had to bring his car in to the workshop before we began our journey.
When he finally got back we ate a quick lunch of instant noodles, loaded the car and headed off... but not before settling some last minute errands. We'd kept Evelyn up in hopes that she'd sleep in the car. Instead, she took a 30 minute power nap and was up even before we got onto the Penang bridge!
She was ok throughout the drive and even took an hour's nap.
We were famished when we reached Ashley Kor-kor's house at around 6pm. Thank goodness they had bought a duck which we enjoyed. Soon it was time to get ready for Uncle Wai Yin's wedding. Getting ready was done a super fast. Then we all bundled into Ah Kong's car and headed off to the Setia Convention Centre.
We were seated with daddy's uni mates while Ah Kong and Ah Ma with their friends. As you didn't have enough sleep still you got really cranky toward the middle and end of the dinner. So daddy and I had to take turns to bring you out of the dinner hall for a walk.. or to lie down on the floor. Yup.. we were walking and the next thing I knew, you decided to check out the floor! Gosh.. thank goodness it was clean.. I hope..
The moment we got into the car, you fell asleep and I carried you up to the room and you continued to sleep till the next morning (in your dinner dress because I was afraid you might wake up if I changed you)

Playing Hide and Seek

.. hmmm.. I don't think Ko-ko could fit into that bag...

Evelyn's First Haircut

Your hair has finally grown longer. Not very much, but it was getting uneven. So today since we were free (Ko-ko had no music classes) we went to Uncle Austin's shop for all of you to have a haircut.

As we wondered how you would react to the haircut, we decided to let daddy and Ko-ko have their hair cut first.Showed you how it was fun and no pain to have your haircut.

While waiting for your turns you and Ko-ko had a lot of fun playing around the shop. Then it was your turn. You sat on the high stool which Uncle Austin kept. He tried to put the cover on you but you did not like it. So you had your haircut and it all stuck to your shirt. It was all over quickly but I had to give you my phone and turn on some kiddy songs on You Tube so that you'd look down and Uncle Austin could trim you hair properly.It was over so quickly that I'd not even gotten a chance to take a picture or video of you having your first haircut. 

What A Scare

Daddy, you and I were all down with the fever, flu, cough.. you name it we've got it. Good thing Ko-ko was fine. He was ever so helpful.  We'd sent him to sleep with Ah Kong and Ah Ma so that he'd not he'd infected.
Giving you paracetamol didn't seem to help with the fever. So we had to go in to see Dr. Mary. When the nurse checked your temperature, it was 39 degrees.  You had to be given a suppository.
When it was finally our turn to see Dr. Mary after a check she said that you seemed to have the influenza symptoms.  She needed to take a swab to confirm.  If yes then we'd need to give you the Tamiflu medication. We were shocked and worried as daddy pointed out that it was medicine for H1N1 flu.
Anyhow later tonight the nurse called to say the results was negative.  We were so relieved.

Helpful Evan

Love this.... Ko-ko trying to put shoes for his wormy mei-mei..

Evelyn Tries on EvanPJs

I was trying to get you to dress up but you seemed more interested in Ko-ko's PJs. So in the end I let you "wear" it so that you were satisfied and would let me finish dressing you up.

True Blue Penang Kia

That's the best way to describe you when your other favourite food (other than Char Kuey Tiau which is ranked as #1) is curry mee.
Ordered this for you yesterday and you ate everything, proclaiming that it wasn't spicy although your lips were red and you especially enjoyed the "tau pok":

A Missing Tooth and A Letter

I got home late as I had exercise at the office on Tuesday. When I reached home, the first thing you said to me was "My tooth dropped in school today". So my next question was "Where's the tooth?". Before you could answer daddy told me not to ask anymore. You had lost your tooth in school.
I got you to tell me what had happened. Daddy also said that he helped you search your schoolbag but could not find it. You were so sad as no tooth = no money from the tooth fairy. So in the end I suggested that you wrote a letter to the tooth fairy and tell her what had happened.
By the time you had dinner and tooth a bath, you were feeling more cheerful. Here you even posed for me to take a close up of your gap:

After I finally got Evelyn to sleep, we went to your room to write your message. You were not sure of what you should write, so I made a few suggestions. Here's what you came up with in the end:

We folded the letter to the tooth fairy and put it in the little pouch we always use to put your tooth in for the fairy. The next morning, the tooth fairy took your letter and still gave you the RM2. Lucky you.

In fact, I "heard" that she had actually found your tooth.. Nope.. it wasn't lost in school (although your map was very detailed on where you sat in your classroom...). It was in another compartment in your schoolbag, not where you thought (and daddy searched).

Evelyn Loves To Go Kai-Kai

It was Deepavali today but daddy still rushed back from golf to bring you out. Why? Because there were several days in this week when you decided you wanted to go out with us when we were getting ready to go to work. You'd pick up your shoes and ask kakak to put them on for you. Then you'd want to follow us out.
When kakak tells you "no" you'd kick a big fuss. Poor little girl.
So we rushed to Gurney hoping to be able to get in. But when we reached the carpark, the signboard indicated that there were only 10 parking lots left! So in the end, there was only 1 place to go which would most likely to have ample parking lots: Island Plaza.
Off we went and yup.. parking lots in abundance *grin*. We parked and left the stroller in the car. We decided to let you sit on the trolley. Walked around and picked up some foodstuff and you were happy.Such an easy way to please our little "hau kia" baby.

Mosquito Bite

Spent some time at home with you last week in between going to Uncle Sin Jeow's house for the funeral.  You decided that it was really funny to take a nip at me (or maybe you missed me?)
Oooowwww... you've only got 4 teeth but it sure hurts when you bite!

Useful Little Assistant

We stayed at the condo 2 weekends ago and were planning on having a barbecue at the barbecue pit, but it rained  cats and dogs that evening. So chef daddy cooked the steaks over the fire.
After a sumptuous dinner the maids had to clean up as Kakak Wati was not there. There were dishes to wash, table to wipe and floor to mop.
Here's one of the maid of the day in action (I'm proud of your keenness to help out):

Goodbye Tou-tou

Ah Ma had gone to see Tou-tou last Monday as usual. That evening as we were having dinner, Bo-bo Poh called to say he was having gastric pains. But since they had medicine, Ah Ma would not stop by the pharmacy to buy the medicine for him. But when Ah Ma went to visit him, he was not feeling well and after some shocks, they sent him to the hospital.

Before midnight, Ah Ma called Ah Kong to tell him that Tou-tou was not doing well. Daddy quickly changed and left to go to the hospital with Ah Kong. Sadly before daddy could arrive at Adventist Hospital, Tou-tou had left us.

The next morning and the 2 days after that was a blur of activities. Tou-tou's funeral was only held for 3 days in Uncle Sin Jeow's house. You spent most of the days in the house, playing with your cousins who also missed school on Wednesday and Thursday (you missed all 3 days) while mummy and daddy dropped by in the evenings while leaving Evelyn with Kakak. We all went to the house in the nights. Daddy stayed over to keep watch both nights and only got back the next morning on Wednesday and on Thursday, he stayed until the funeral was over and he had helped to move the furniture back for Uncle Sin Jeow.

Tou-tou was 95 when he left us. He lived to a ripe old age having seen all his great-grandchildren being born before he left us. You and mei-mei may not have known him very well, but at least you got to meet him while he was still alive. We'll all miss him loads.

Here's a picture taken during Tou-tou and Tou-tou Poh's birthday last December:

And here's one of the last pictures I have of Tou-tou during our Chinese New Year reunion dinner with the Phuah's:

 

Halloween Party

Aunty Wooi Sin invited us to her house for a Halloween party last weekend. As it was to be a pot luck mummy planned to make pizza for dinner.  I baked the base that morning then we waited for daddy to come home from golf before heading to Gurney Plaza.

We planned to buy ingredients for the pizza sauce and topping. But before that, we went to pick up a costume for you. After much deliberation we opted on the Batman costume. 

We had enough time for us to test out the costume and even for me to hem the arms and legs which were too long for you.

Soon it was time to assemble the pizza toppings. While doing so, I pre-heated the oven again and that was when we smelt something weird. Oh no.. something was burning but there wasn't anything inside the oven yet. Made a call to Aunty Wooi Sin to "book a space" in her oven. So I assembled everything and wrapped them in cling wrap to be transported to her house.

After we showered, we headed to her house. Evelyn was still sleeping so we left her at home with daddy who came over with her later that evening.

Shortly after we arrived, you found a new friend: Captain America. You did not know each other before this, but were happily playing with each other.. mainly also because the girls in the party greatly outnumbered the boys.

After dinner was eaten, it was time for fun. Aunty Wooi Sin has amazing party games: telematch, craft and even bob the apple

Here you are trying to bob the apple.

We left soon as Evelyn was getting tired. Aunty Wooi Sin promised to call us when the party was over. But we waited and waited and yet no call. In the end, we headed over to her house and just on time. Party was almost over and you were not too keen to go home. Captain America had gone home, but you still continued to play with Ching Sean. Anyhow everyone was also going home by then. So party time was over. Glad that Ching Ern invited you to such a fun party.

Evan's Haircut

Brought you in to have a haircut right after school. You asked daddy if you could have you hair styled like what daddy called "chicken head". Obviously that would be a problem in school.  But since school will be over in 1 month's time, Uncle Austin gave you a cut which would eventually look like what you request for when it grows longer. Let's see how it goes.

Cheeky Evelyn at 12 Months

Ok, yes.. my 12 month milestone is VERY late, but hey better late than never *grin*.
~ weight: 9.64 kg when you went in for your injection at 12 months + 2 weeks
~ height: 74cm
~ teeth: 4 which you love to chomp on. Everyone have been bitten by the "Pink Mosquito"
~ not calling anyone yet. But your favourite word is "Ohh... OOoohhh". It depends on why you use it to tell the person carrying you that you want to go somewhere so it's "oohhhh" + pointing. If in pain, you'll hold the place where you hurt yourself, show that you are in pain and say "Oooh" and calling someone also "Ooohhhh"
~ another favourite word which I think is your first word is "Mum mum". Yup.. not "mama" or "dada", it's "Mum mum". You'll tell anyone who walks past you when you're eating "Mum mum" to ensure they know you are eating
~ at 12 months you could only stand and take 1 or 2 steps before falling on your bum. Now you are walking, taking many steps before falling and then proceeding to crawl to your destination at top speed
~ you love music. You'll wiggle and swing your arms around when you hear music or when we ask you to dance
~ you would wave bye bye and give flying kisses. You are getting even more willing to give flying kisses nowdays, going "ammmmm.. muahhhh. ammmmm... muahhhhh"
~ loves your Ko-ko so much. You'll always call him and smile whenever you see him, especially when he comes home from school

This is what I can think of for now. Sigh.. from this little thing which we needed to carry to be this little mosquito which can move around with ease. Hugs and cuddles for our precious.

More Teeth

Last week as I was cleaning your gums, I felt your little teeth on your bottom gums. Yup, your lower inscissors are growing. All of a sudden my little boh geh is sprouting teeth so quickly.
It's a little scary to feed you as I can feel your teeth as you feed. You've nipped me a couple of times but thankfully it wasn't too painful... but that won't stop me from continuing the breastfeeding journey.

First Shoes for Evelyn

As you seem to start to walk already we decided to buy you a pair of shoes. We'd gone to Queensbay Mall for dinner and were heading to Harvey Norman to meet Ah Kong and Ah Ma when we remembered about getting you a pair of shoes.
It was easier to pick one with you around as we'd get the correct size. So in we went and picked a cute little pair or shoes.  After that,daddy held your hands to walk and you were very happy to walk un your new shoes. Awwww.... our little girl grows up so quickly....

Evan Can Cycle

It's amazing that after practicing a few rimes with Ah Kong, you can now ride the bicycle on two wheels. Before this Ah Kong had tried to teach you but you were afraid and could not do it. Then a few months later, you could just do it.
And with this newly acquired skill you wanted to go cycling all the time. We're very lucky to have such a big field across the road from our house.
One day daddy took you cycling and you took the corner too quickly and fell down. Daddy said you yelled "OWWWWWW!!!" really loudly as you fell but got up and continued cycling. The fall even damaged you bicycle bell!
And so this is the bungalow you got from the fall:

A Day With Evelyn

Ah Ma was sick yesterday.  So I took the day off to take over. After you and Ko-ko had a bath, we played around while waiting for his lau shi to come.
After she arrived we went up so that you could nap. You only napped for a very short time. 
Lunch for you and Ko-ko was prepared by Kakak and Ah Kong bought me lunch. Then Ko-ko went off to school.
You on the other hand was so energetic.  In the end, I had to catch you and we hid in the room downstairs.  Easier for me to manage you as it was a smaller space for you to crawl and explore.
In the end, you Ko-ed. Well actually, we both KO-ed. At last I had some time to relax.
You napped for almost 2.5 hours.  Then you woke up to have some bananas.  Soon it was Hurricane Evelyn...

Finally daddy came back with Ko-ko.

Phew.. taking care of you was really tiring. Chasing after you the whole day and picking up after you is so exhausting.
It's amazing that Ah Ma and Kakak has the energy to chase after you the whole day. We're very lucky that they take such good care of you and Ko-ko.

Evelyn's First Steps

Ah Ma had mentioned a few times that you have started to take a few steps this week.  We've never had the opportunity to see you in action.
But today,you decided to show us what you can do. Daddy was eating breakfast and you were playing with Kakak. Then he turned as Kakak called out to see you take a few steps.
Then later as you played with Ko-ko's train set and mummy was arm wrestling with Ko-ko,  I saw you stand up and take a few steps.
One thing about you is that you are not interested to show off your new skill. So we try to encourage you to walk but you wouldn't.  You'll walk only when you want to... otherwise, you will crawl everywhere at top speed.

Evelyn Goes Swimming

As we were going to stay in the condo over the weekend and Ko-ko is finally cleared to go swimming,  we decided to let you try out the pool too.
As daddy was very afraid that you might.. er... have an 'accident' in the pool, we went to Mothercare to pick up some swimwear along with some swim diapers. And also some swimming trunks for Ko-ko as his were too tight. Then we bought you a float too.
Did a little shopping and it was time to head to the condo. Ah Kong and Ah Ma has arrived earlier and had already cleaned up the place.
Shortly after that we all got ready to go swimming.  Floats were inflated and ready. Went to the pool and realised that I forgot Ko-ko's mew water gun. So I headed back to pick it up.  Went back to the pool to find Ko-ko's new float was too small. Had to make another trip back to pick up the giant turtle float.
By the time I reached the pool for the 3rd time. Daddy had already put you in the pool and you weren't too happy about it. You didn't like the float and quickly cling to me the moment I got into the water.
After a while you did not stick so closely to me and even happily splashed water. You even kicked a little as I held you. Daddy blowed bubbles under you, but you didn't seem impressed.
Soon it was time for you to go back. While Ko-ko continued and even had fun in the jacuzzi you had your bath then took a nap.
Here's a picture of you all dressed for your swimming session:

Evelyn's First Birthday Party

After all that planning, the day of your birthday party has finally arrived. Too bad the Ipoh and KL folks could not make it. But it was still fun. We'd ordered all the food for the party. So daddy and I were quite free through the day.

In the afternoon, mummy took out the pictures I had prepared as decorations and put them up.

Here you are taking a peek at me as I put up the pictures and decorative items:

Needed to enlist daddy's help to put up the birthday buntings.

You seemed to know there was something exciting coming up. You refused to sleep. At long last, you took your nap just as it was time for us to go pick up the food. We left you at home with Ah Ma while we went to pick up the food we had pre-ordered.

We reached home just before 7, but surprisingly no one had arrived yet! Usually Ee-ee and all would have arrived. For a moment, I thought that I had put the incorrect date on the invitation card!

Anyhow, soon our guests arrived and it was time to makan. Before that, we took some pictures with the birthday girl:

The food served was yummy... We had laksa, choon peah (fried pohpiah), fried rice, roast pork, belachan chicken and also salmon sashimi.

We even had a surprise visitor. It was the Poh Poh which took care of us when I was in confinement. She came bearing gifts.. for us to makan *grin*. She brought a big container of kuih and also acar.

After a relaxing meal, it was time for the birthday cake. Everyone was so excited. Before the song, we tried to take a picture of you with the cake. Since the cake was too big, I removed you from your highchair and sat you on the table. Before daddy could take a nice shot of you, you gave the cake a kick. Tried to kill the Piglet!!

Next was the birthday song. Sweet... you were so happy smiling and dancing as we sang:

We had to chase away your cousins to finally get a family picture taken:

As everyone was so full from dinner, the giant cake was barely touched! Thank goodness some guests took most of the cake home. Else it would have been a waste to throw it away.

Soon the party came to an end. It was really late and we were too tired to open the presents. After you were changed, you KO-ed. End of your birthday party. Muaksss...

Evelyn's Birthday Cake

We're now in the shop waiting to pick up your birthday cake.  Unfortunately they had made it in blue, following the original design.  So they tried to make the pattern more 'girly'.
It looks ok. They added more flowers.  Will take some pictures later on.

Evelyn's 1st Birthday Party Invitation

Party Time Tomorrow

I cannot believe it. Tomorrow, we'll be celebrating your 1st birthday.  We've planned a simple party in the house to celebrate with family.  Too bad some relatives cannot make it, but I'm sure we'll still have a great time.
Food has been ordered.  We'll just have to pick up when the time comes.  Cake was selected quite a while back.
We almost forgot the all important thing: the birthday present, but has been settled today.  We took the afternoon off to pick a present. Ko-ko came along as he also wanted to pick one for you too.
Looks like we're all set. Hope everything goes as planned tomorrow.

The Rain.... According to Evan

It was raining heavily one evening when you came to my room after finishing you homework.  You looked out the window and said:
Mummy,the rain is the cloud wee wee. Then the thunder is the cloud's poo poo.
The lighting is the cloud's pang pui!

Hahaha... love your creativity.  Hugs.. don't grow up so soon.

Time to Clean Evan's Pearly Whites

It was our usual half yearly appointment with the dentist. So we headed to Dr. Goh's clinic at 3p.m.After a short wait, it was our turn. Daddy started first. He had his teeth inspected and cleaned. Then you said you'd go next.

We asked if the gap between your top incissor was something to worry about. He said we'll need to see how it goes after the rest of your permanent teeth grew then only decide if braces were necessary. Then as you had some plaque in the back of your teeth, he also did some scaling and cleaning of your teeth. Nothing to worry about. You were a good boy.

After mummy had my teeth all checked and cleaned, it was time to go off. Good thing we didn't have to wait long this time.