Baby II - Seth

We welcomed our latest addition to the family on 9-May.

The littlest one - Seth.

The first months were tough. Having had Sas more than three years ago, we sorta forgot what things were like in the initial stages. Well, of course, our memories of the fun stuff are refreshed too - baby cooing, giggling at pretty random stuff, gazing at us like we're the most important people in his universe, and loving us with no hesitation. Aww...

Please don't grow up so fast, Sethie. Let Mommy enjoy more of your babyhood, pretty please.

Baby II

Yes, we're expecting.
Almost hitting the 34-week mark and welcoming Baby II in a few weeks' time.

Sascha, being my biggest fan, is the most supportive during this pregnancy. She comforts me when I'm unwell, offers me mini-massages and rubs, and she talks, sings, coos to Baby II too! Hope she'll keep up the loving gestures for the sibling in time to come.

Looking forward to our new member and our Melbourne trip that was supposed to take place in February, and had to be postponed.


xoxo

Perth Highlights

Greeting Stevie the Koala at Caversham Wildlife Park

Having a short break at The Berry Farm, Margaret River

Feeding Alpaca at Sunflowers Animal Farm

Bye Langkawi, hello Port Dickson... and Perth

 Ms. Chubbs chilling... well, more like binge-eating... at the Krisflyer lounge with Papa and Popo

Arrived at the resort, and relaxing with the resident calico kitty

 Cable car ride

Sun(set), sand, sea and dinner at La Sal, Casa Del Mar

Our family trip is complete.

Next stop... Grand Lexis, Port Dickson.

Our own private pool in the suite! Someone's gonna be real happy.

And since I'm not working any more, I've made grand plans for Poppy's birthday this year. We're headed to Perth. It's all about relax, relax, relax for the precious two. Can't wait.

Holiday in view!

There is a serious lack of updates on this blog.

Just recovered from a terrible bout of cold > fever > stomach flu. The greatest comforts I had were my hubby and little girl, both whom took turns to care for me. She was very understanding when I told her that I'm not feeling well, and asked if we can postpone her swimming trip to another day. The best part, she came to check on me every now and then, asking "Mommy, feeling better now?", "Mommy, you want food?", "Tummy still pain? I put oil-oil for you?" and offered to rub my tummy. *cues unanimous aww...

Oh my, how much she has grown. I hope she'll stay forever so sensible and dear.

That said, another holiday is in order. So Bro and I have organised an official family trip, this time, including his GF, and our parents. Awesome-ness.

Just browsing at the pictures of the villa already eases my post-holiday blues!

Each villa has its own resident cat, and like me, I'm sure Baby Ma would love it to bits. Can't wait for the trip. My much needed break.

Till then.

2014.08.15 - 2014.08.25 Taiwan 走透透

I just realized that I never posted the pictures taken during our August Taiwan trip.

So, here are some of the highlights. Initially intending to spend a couple of days at Kaohsiung, but we re-routed due to the gas explosion and only went to Taichung, Hsinchu, Keelung / Jiufen and Taipei.

Amongst the many places we went, Baby Ma loved the farm-stay at Flying Cow the most. She enjoyed so much that we may consider going to Perth in the near future. 

For now, I'll just let the pictures speak.

Bébé is two!

Bébé is officially two!

Before she started school, I swore I would never succumb to her requests for celebration and/or goodie bags.

But, I did. 

I did it without her even asking.

*facepalm*

I just love the look of delight spread across her chubby little face.

Celebration with her schoolmates and favorite (now second-favorite) Dora theme

Celebrations at my mom's and in-laws'

How could we miss cooking her rice vermicelli noodles with egg. Look at her enjoying her bowl of yums. Watching her eat is such a joy (cleaning up afterwards is another story altogether).

Late, late, late.

Finally. I finally have time to sit down and sort out the pictures from our photoshoot in May. O.M.G. It's been almost five months.

Five months since the photoshoot. 

Five months since she started full-day childcare. 

Five months without my stay-in Mommy helping me.

Phew! How did I even survive and get this far?

Well, I'll end off with  some of the (extremely late) pictures from the shoot below. Some of the behind-the-scene shots are so hilarious that I decided to print them out in collages. Look at Ms. Fidgety in action!

The bottom-left is darn funny. I've got a little hooligan!

Photo Session I

Two of my favorite pictures.

The many expressions of Sascha

Swinging good times with Poppy

Achievement unlocked: 18months

Sascha turned 18 months on Monday.

Can't believe how quickly she's growing!

Brought her for a photoshoot with Claire from Tree of Life Photography. We were so occupied with attracting and distracting her that we've totally forgotten about snapping pictures with our own cameras. This was the only one I managed to capture on my mobile phone.

*facepalm* 

Can't wait for the pix to be ready in a month's time!

妹妹背着洋娃娃

So much to do, so little time.
This phrase sums up my life of late, in fact, it sums up my entire post-baby journey.

So here it is, an update with a single picture -  my recent favorite.
Poppy aptly calls it "妹妹背着洋娃娃". Sascha looking really dolly-ish (and irresistibly cute!) with her Snow White pookalooz plush in her backpack.

My Little Love

正月初七: 人日

Gong Xi Fa Cai

GONG XI FA CAI

from the Ma family

We had a busy end for 2013, and an equally busy start for 2014.

Had our 3D2N family staycation at Rasa Sentosa, followed by new year celebration back in Sungai Tiang. 

Pictures coming up on Facebook shortly!

And for now...

Here's Toddler Sascha grabbing Ang Baos off Grandma's "money tree"

Sascha is turning One!

I am constantly in awe of how fast time slips past, especially when life is joyful and fulfilling.

Less than a year ago, I was still carrying my teeny babe in my tummy, suffering from heartburns and insomnia. Now, my infant is all grown up, and is turning into a terrible terrific tot.

Oh my, how she has blossomed!

To commemorate the little steps Sascha has taken thus far, I made a short video montage.

Hope you enjoy watching it as much as I did making it.

It is said that a picture speaks a thousand words. I say a word paints a thousand pictures.

And the ones we're painting now are all about LOVE.

Firsts.

Here's Papa and Mama with Sascha, at her first National Day celebration, at the Baby's Day Out organised by NTUC UFamily.

She has achieved a long list of "Firsts" as she reaches her 9th month.

2013.08.XX (8MXXD) - Cruising along with support
2013.08.03 (8M07D) - First National Day celebration
2013.08.09 (8M13D) - First indoor playground experience
2013.08.14 (8M18D) - First successful crawl forward
2013.08.25 (8M29D) - First gym experience
2013.08.30 (9M04D) - First sat up successfully from tummy position
2013.09.04 (9M09D) - First successful attempt on potty

And, now she has 8 teeth, with her pre-molars popping out soon!

We recently had a photoshoot done with Sascha's group of friends and Mommies. Dr. Ludwig did an awesome job! Here are two of my favourites.

And before I end, here's another picture of my little "Summon Auntie" on her playmat, waiting for Papa to get ready, before her Sunday music class.

July 2013

Putting up a post before the month of July ends. 

Yes, my brother has graduated! And, here's a picture of Sascha, not being entirely cooperative as you can see.

Time has slipped past quietly... well, it can't exactly be quiet when you have an infant babbling, giggling, or bawling every other minute, but the point is that Sascha turned 8 months last week! Times flies!

Hardly have any time to blog these days. Weekdays, I'm diving through work, squeezing in pump sessions in the afternoons, and rushing home on the dot to see Missy. Weekends are packed to the brim - sending Mom home every Friday/Saturday, swim sessions on Sundays with Isabelle, trial classes every now and then, and never seeming to be able to get enough rest for the work week. Took a week-long break last week, and I cleverly (not!) jammed in a couple of playdates after returning from my short trip to Bangkok, and ended up feeling more tired than before.

That said, it has been a whole lot of fun (Minus the diaper rash, teething woes, of course. Her 6th tooth has just cut through, I'm hoping the next one doesn't cut soon coz I'm totally not looking forward to getting back a cranky baby.). Since Sascha grasped the skill of sitting up at about 4 months, life has been a tat easier, and I can leave her on the playmat/in the play yard while I do my chores. Well, I know, soon she'll be crawling/walking/dashing across the house, and I'll find myself chasing after her again. Oh well...

Before I end off, here's one of my recent favorites taken at a steamboat restaurant. Sascha was caught trying to hynoptize, okay, maybe more of mesmerize, her Papa into giving her something to eat. This happens whenever her Poppy is home, and ignoring her. She'll go "baba, baba" the whole day, trying to get him to play with her. Mama feels totally left out. Bah!

Look at that cheeky face!

Happy Daddy's Day

Dear Poppy

Happy Father's Day

With Love

Mama & Sascha

Sascha's 4th Month

Our sweetie, together with Papa, at the kids salon on her 1st and 4th months, for her second haircut.

How do babies multi-task so well?

Here's Sascha snoozing and looking cute in her smurfette cap.

Marie biscuits, chives, and drumstick. Om nom nom.

Our baby is ready for solids!

Growing Up

Pictures taken in her favorite seat, a month apart

Growing rapidly to fit into her stroller within 2 months

Blooming from teeny weeny to sturdy turdy

The first days

26-Nov-2012: Our little bun, fresh out of the oven!

First picture with Mommy

28-Nov-2012: First day home