Dads & Their Daughters

While in Singapore, we managed to catch up with Chee Chuan and Joey, whom we haven't seen in a while and meet Tricia, their miracle baby. Tricia was born at Week 24 and lived for a few months in an incubator; she's had two eye surgeries and a heart surgery. Her mom, Joey, had excessive bleeding after the birth and I can understand why she and Chee Chuan don't want any more kids at the moment.

It was a short, hurried, crowded meeting at Atria's Food Avenue. Being there was as hazardous as being in a crowded kitchen: strollers, babies, crowds, cramped areas and bowls of hot soup don't mix. Since Rizal and I weren't hungry and the Cheong's had had their dinner, we adjourned to their hotel where there was a Harry's and had the sampler there. Rizal swears that it's better than the food at Las Caretas in Jalan Damansara.

The meeting was short as the Cheongs had an early morning flight to Hong Kong. Wished we had more time to talk but a short meeting was better than nothing since the last time we met up with the Cheongs was a few years ago when they were back in Seremban/Batu Pahat for their wedding.

Here are the two gals with their proud dads.


Rizal does look round in this one and complained about the photo; wanted it taken down but as it's the only good photo I have of the two dads, it's staying up.

Where The Animals Cavort and Play

It's been a long time since I've been to the zoo. I avoid the KL zoo for a valid reason: looking at listless, half-starved and vapid animals in captivity is depressing. That was a long time ago but I don't have faith that there has been much improvement since the last time (15-20 years?) since I've been there.

The same can't be said for the Singapore zoo; I actually WANT to, look forward to going there. And to see how Sophie would take to an outing in the sun.

So today we met Sam and Aisha in the morning for our traipse out into the Singapore 'wilderness'.



Otters taking a break from building their dams, baking in the sun.


This is not a dear but I can't remember what it's called.


Sophie and me catching some sun, on the way to see the cheetahs.


We saw the lionesses instead.


Old man monkey.


This green tree python and his sleeping position reminds me of Janell Cannon's Verdi.


Exhibit 56: Crying baby.


This is a jaguar, not a cheetah or a leopard.


Jaguars have a black spot in the middle of their rings.


Like Trixie in the wild.


Handsome boy.


My target exhibit; there weren't any other Asian tigers, just the White Tigers at the zoo. The Asian tiger can be found at the Night Safari. Note: there are only 7,000 tigers left in the wild and they are all Asian tigers. I hope Sophie can grow up knowing tigers and that they will still exist when she's an adult.


Sam the Man.


All of us camera ready except for Sophie.


A little loving from Daddy.

Sales In Singapore

I'd forgotten why I'd avoided sales all this while. Trying to manouvre Sophie around in her stroller at Robinsons in Raffles City, it didn't take much to remind me why I'd rather shop during non-sales periods. The sheer number of people compounded with the long queues at the cashier and the difficulty in trying get through narrow aisles crammed with people are but some of the put-offs that have encouraged me to pay for my merchandise at full price. It totally turned me off trying on shoes and clothes.

I was luckier at Plaza Singapura; just by sheer luck I found a glittery dress in a style that I liked at Dorothy Perkins and good thing I had on my tank top so I could just slip it on and look at myself in the shop mirror without having to queue for a fitting room. Just my luck also that it happened to be the last piece on the rack in my size. 50% off! Wow. Talk about destiny.

All I need to complete my look for the eventual, still as yet unconfirmed New Year's Eve party is a pair of shoes to go with the dress.

Should I bother with shopping this weekend? Maybe I'll get lucky at Parkway Parade, who knows?

Anniversary

With all the excitement and hustle-and-bustle, I very nearly forgot about our anniversary. What with heading down to Singapore to visit Rizal, then Mama, Baba and Sasha showing up to spend the holidays too, and not forgetting catering to the demands of the little Miss, the date of our anniversary slipped in and out of my memory.

It shouldn't. We purposely had our dinner on the 25th four years ago so that we'd remember it when carols and decorative lights hail in Christmas every year.

Instead the thought flitted into my consciousness on the 20th, then out again a day later, in again on the 22nd and then finally I was reminded again by my mother when I called her to report about the lost earring on Christmas eve. Also, Aisha sms-ed and wished us a happy anniversary. Thank goodness for friends and family who remember.

For dinner, we decided to celebrate anyway by heading out for seafood with the girl in tow. The chilli crab and steamed fish were delicious out on the east coast. Dinner however was interrupted by Sophie's decidedly tantrum-filled behaviour just as our food arrived. We had to take it in turns to quickly savour our food while the other pacified and cajoled the girl. It's not easy trying to celebrate an anniversary with a squirming, shrieking child.

In hindsight, we should have celebrated a day or two earlier when Mama and Baba were around to handle the little monster.

At least I will remember this anniversary as being the first one with our daughter.

Cutest Cat In The Whole Wide World

On a trip to Vivo City, we stopped by at Daiso, the Japanese store with everything in it for $2. Sasha picked up a cute little hair band with kitty ears and we couldn't resist putting it on Meiyin's little head for show.

I may be biased but I still think she's the cutest little kitty in the whole wide world.

Week 21 : Giving Her Parents A Piece Of Her Mind

It's only early days into the 5-month threshold; already the little monster is starting to show her personality. We don't call her 'the monster' or 'the creature' without reason. Many times we'll find ourselves at wits' end, trying to keep up our energy levels entertaining her or keeping her from getting bored. Or trying to placate her frustration.



At the moment, she takes after her mom: easily bored and gets distracted easily. She also lacks patience but then again, most babies at this age display the kinds of traits she does. She really knows how to twist everyone around her little finger, especially her daddy, who's admitted to the possibility of spoiling her (as if he isn't already).



She displays her vocal prowess with her shrieks, both of frustration and excitement. Only mommy knows how to extract the heartiest of laughs and giggles right now. When she starts on her tantrums, it's off to daddy.



She's got one word in her vocbulary: mem. It's uttered in times of distress, hunger and disomfort. It's thrown about with frequency when she wants attention or doesn't like the position she's sitting in or doesn't want to be placed lying down on her mattress. Mem in all it's entirety and variations - mmmm, mmmeehh, memeh, memmm - is bandied about when she wants something. And mem for mom, milk and love, naturally.

Memmm is what I'll give the little creature for as long as she wants.

Hitching A Ride

Our girl riding piggy back with her daytime caretaker, Karni, as she does her housework. She's gone to sleep riding piggy back like this before.

Losing the Family Jewels

Christmas eve we went out to Orchard Rd. Not wanting to lug the stroller onto the MRT, I slung Sophie into her pouch and we schlepped on out over to meet her daddy and his family who were here on holiday.

As is her signature style now, Sophie started out attentive and curious. But her curiosity tends to meld into boredom then frustration in a matter of minutes. We weren't out for 1 hour when she started getting fussy, wanting to stand and grab anything and everything in her path. Failing to stand or be allowed to grab, she would descend into ear-splitting theatrics (gawd, what monster have I created?).

We cut short our trip and the three of us took a cab home. On the way to the cab stand, she grabbed my ear, sucked on my arm, pulled my hair, tried to grab my glasses and ate my chin. She wasn't any better in the cab and not only did she not want to sit, she announced her displeasure by wailing and shrieking.

Naturally I was distracted. So it wasn't till we got home and I was taking off my rings and earrings that I realised I'd lost the diamond studs that my mom had given to me as my wedding gift; my left ear was missing the stud that I'd put on before going out of the house. Shit! I couldn't even remember when Sophie might have reached up and pulled them off. This was only the second time I was wearing the earrings after my wedding.

And so I learned the H.A.R.D. way that you shouldn't wear anything remotely of value if carrying a wriggling, squirming, shrieking, grabbing bundle of energy.

Sigh...

The Heart of The Matter

Surfing the cable in Singapore, we came across the Indonesian national TV station; a national Christmas sermon was being broadcast. What's interesting here is that you would never see the Malaysian equivalent of national TV - RTM1 or RTM2 - broadcast a Christian/Christmas sermon. EVER.

One can only imagine the brouhaha that would emerge if such a programme was broadcast. Let's not even start. Malaysian leaders and certain quarters of the Malaysian population can be the most insensitive and hypocritical people around. Don't believe it? Click here to find out.

I stand corrected, however. Malaysian leaders are generally insensitive to people of other religions and races. They are TOO sensitive when it comes to their religion: Islam. Too many instances have occurred where this or that is construed as being insulting to Islam, the latest being this.

I wonder why we keep insisting that we're a multi-racial country? But then again I forget, what we say can only be taken at face value. Or maybe it's that we have to keep reminding ourselves that we are a multi-racial country despite the obvious Islamisation and disregard the country's leaders (and a portion of the Islamic community) have for all the other religions and races that make up Malaysia.

Multi-tasking

I am at the dining table trying to finish up on work, have some dinner and surf the Net with Sophie balanced on one lap playing with a plastic bag hanging from the chair next to me. It was easier when she was contented just to be rocked in her swing cradle.

Someone should give an award for the most things one can do with a pair of arms.

Week 20 : Houston, We Have Lift Off!

Dad thinks she's Supergirl; she's just enjoying the ride and the attention.

Time flies. Going into her fifth month, Meiyin's found the strength to get up on her knees and arms. She's also learning that she can rock on the heels of her palms and her knees. It's like she's getting ready for take-off. I croon to her an accompaniment as she goes "Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree" and she loves it.

More screeching as we go along; this one's a screamer. No doubt, she'll be talking till the cows come home once she learns how to speak.

She hasn't begun to crawl yet. God help the cats when she does.

Family Resemblance

Guess who?

On second thoughts, maybe the resemblance isn't that obvious...

Week 19: All Hail The Banshee

She's discovered that she can shriek. She shrieks when she's excited; she shrieks when she's happy; she shrieks when she's unhappy; she shrieks when she wants attention.

She's also discovered the cats. She will look at them and track their movements if they are roaming around the living room and in her line of sight. She has left her mark by pulling out several tufts of fur from Meg and Trixie.

She rolls on her other side now.

One of her eyes is definitely smaller than the other, and single-lidded to boot.

A Night In the Desert

Lest anyone think that my life is totally owned by Meiyin (I'm probably in denial), here are some pix to show that I actually do go out and have fun. The event was the company annual dinner held last Saturday.



The management team plus one: Harry's wife.


Right, so we had to do the catwalk...


Abu and me


Liew and me (we should've won best couple)


Arabs drinking?


After many years of not being in the running for the lucky draw, the committee decided that management should have a fair shot at the presents this year. And it must have been clear that we were due for a windfall: the management team swept the top three prizes this year: dad won third prize of a travel package worth RM1000, I won 2nd prize of a RM1500 Pioneer home theater set and Harry's wife won the first prize of RM2000 worth of Ikea vouchers.

We sure deserved it!

Week 18 : Wrigglies

Crawling's gotta be easier than this...

...exhausted!

Sloppier Than Her Daddy

No, I didn't stage this. Her sloppy sleeping habits is why I decided to switch her to onesy pyjamas. At least her feet and her tummy stay warm and covered. Can't do much for the perpetual motion in sleep, though.

Yumm!!

Yes, the stroller handle is much preferred over the pacifier...

Three's a Nice Number

Finally!! A family photo. Not even a proper one at that.

Week 17 (cont'd) : Rolling Over

In the blink of an eye, it happened.

A day after I wrote about her getting the hang of her feet, Meiyin pulled one on me and rolled over. On the bed. Luckily, the bolster was in the way. To prove to me that it was not a one-time deal, she rolled off her play mat onto the living room carpet when I turned away to head into the kitchen.

It's eyes peeled for disasters from here on.

Week 17 : Getting The Hang of Her Feet

No, Sophie's not learned to crawl yet. She's been pulling acrobatic moves, showing me just how flexible she is by holding on to her feet, pulling her legs across her body and stuffing her toes into her mouth. I tried it myself; I can barely bring my leg close to my body while lying down, let alone stuff my toes into my mouth. At least now that she's fixated on her feet and toes, both my hands are free when I change her diapers. I need them both now because she keeps wanting to turn on her side during a diaper change even when her toes are stuffed into her mouth.

Her trip to the doc's last week turned out great: she got her shot and was so distracted by the cute chime hanging above her head that she forgot to cry. Growth rate is tracking normal. I think her weight is not growing as fast as her length. She's sprouted 4cm in a month but put on less than a kilo. As of last Thursday, she's about 7kg. Naughty girl gets distracted easily during feeds. I now must make sure she feeds from both breasts now instead of just one during a feed.

She seems to like meeting new people. Every time she sees a new face, she breaks out in a mischievous smile. She loves looking at her own reflection. even when she's crying, she'll immediately stop her wailing and put on her best behaviour for the baby looking back at her; she'll try to wow her with her biggest smile. It's a smile that can melt the hardest of hearts.

Values Vs. Rituals

Here's an interesting link to something Raja Petra wrote on Malaysia Today.

Tie a Yellow Ribbon...

I'll be wearing yellow this Saturday. I'll be wearing yellow next Saturday. I'll be going shopping for more yellow to add to my wardrobe and accessories.

It's the least I can do to show solidarity to fellow Malaysians who are fed up with the current government and to show support for the recent BERSIH rally.

Patches Everywhere

There was a damp patch on the new sheets this morning. I'd fallen asleep breastfeeding Meiyin. She was sleeping too. She was still on her side facing me and I was still facing her but my boob was no longer in her mouth; it had slipped out. My nascent attempt at feeding her lying down and already an 'accident'.

Add this morning's patch to yesterday's one of her pee. New sheets attract damp patches like magnet.

Can I Get Out of This Grasp?

Stray fingers finding her mouth while dad holds her in his embrace...

Looking At The World From My Perch

I can bend forward!!

Week 15 : She Discovered Her Hands And Feet

This week, Meiyin (gotta alternate between her two names, if not, I'm gonna forget she has a Chinese name) discovered her hands and feet.

Freshly released from the confines of her mittens, her hands have been trying to grab a hold of anything and everything that comes her way. That, and she's also stuffing her entire fist into her mouth. The stuffing came before the grabbing. She grabs my hair, she pulls my glasses off my face, she pulls ears, literally anything that comes within range. That includes her feet. She shows off her flexibility by extending her feet in a V by spreading her legs out wide when she's on her back; it's a very useful manouvre when changing her diapers. I don't have to hold on to her feet and lift up her butt anymore while cleaning her. She can hold on to her feet very well, thank you very much.

If her pacifier isn't stuffed into her mouth by bedtime in the evenings, she'll have her fists stuffed in its place. If the pacifier is in the way, she clutches on to her bug buddy to sleep. She turns in her sleep and we've had to stuff a pillow into her side to block her from turning and possibly smothering herself while she's sleeping.

Due to bad wrists from not handling her correctly from birth, I'm minimizing picking her up for her last feed at night and first feed in the morning. That, and I'm getting too lazy as well. So I turn on my side and just pop my breast into her mouth and she adoringly clutches on with both hands. If she's sufficiently awake in the morning, she'll pop off the breast once in a while and give me a toothless grin before returning to her breakfast.

Not too long more to go before she's four months old. I wonder what other new tricks she's got up her sleeves. I'm brimming with anticipation.

An Eventful Weekend

While Sophie and I spent the Deepavali weekend across the causeway with daddy, the weekend in KL was hardly uneventful. The Bersih rally took place on Nov 10 despite warnings from the police and the ruling coalition. Bless the brave rakyat for taking a stance against a corrupt government amidst threats of arrest, even a heavy downpour, to hand their petition to the agong.

Look here, here, here, and here for more information.

A Day Out in Singapore

Snug against mom's chest.


Looking for all the world like a very contented (and chubby) baby while mom and dad tuck into lunch. That's her doggy's butt next to her head, by the way. Her two traveling companions who are ever faithful to her and go wherever she goes: her rabbit and her doggy.

A Smirk While You're Looking

One of her classics: her almost smile that looks like a smirk. This photo was taken just after she'd woken up. I guess she's still feeling sleepy, hence the half smile.

Week 14 : Happy and Rolling

She started turning about two weeks ago. She now turns every chance she gets, even in her sleep.

The Best Sister in The Whole Wide World

Did I mention I have the bestest sister in the whole wide world?

"Use me when I'm free," she said. And I did. For trips to immigration, for doctor's check-ups, to the airport, homemade dinners, etc. She's been a fortress of support.

Thanks, Ling. I love you!!

Making Use of Space

I went to bed with Sophia fast asleep next to me, her head aligned parallel to mine.

I woke up this morning to find her feet at my waist, her body at a 90 degree angle to mine.

I wonder how she'll fare in her crib when Daddy gets home. I've found her arm and leg sticking out from between the bars before. For a small bundle, she sure takes up a lot of space.

Before and after...

Somebody Stole My Bottle of Sand

Last Saturday Sophie finally managed to turn and get herself onto her stomach.

The grains of time that were somewhat still firmly in my grip trickled out of my grasp.

Spaceman, Schmuckman

For lack of anything remotely positive to say about our recent so-called space programme, check this out for a fresh take on the whole space issue.

If I Was Working Anywhere Else, I'd Probably Be Fired

You don't say. Especially since I spent most of today replaying the clip sis took of Sophia talking last night. And the fact that I keep scrolling through the scores of photos I have of her on my external hard drive.

My head needs a serious overhaul. At the moment, all I can think of is my daughter.

Why I Should Be The Queen of The Household

Right, so how did our dinner go at Popo's and Kungkung's? Sophia had a blast. Just watch and listen to the heated discourse she had with Yee yee.




And that was her having fun and being happy. You don't want to hear her when she's NOT happy, trust me.

The Chinese Bit

While looking through pictures of Sophie on my PC, my mom couldn't stop exclaiming how cute her granddaughter is.

"Only thing is, her nose is a bit flat."

Yeah, well...she has to look a bit like her mother, no? It wouldn't seem fair to let her dad take all the credit for her good looks.

In Danger of Being Hijacked

Visitors to my blog would have realised just how smitten and in love with my daughter I am just by the number of photos that I've put up. Sigh...it's difficult not to, can't you see how cute she is? If Daddy doesn't make it any easier for Mommy to post to Sophia Meiyin's site anytime soon, people are going to think this blog is being hijacked by the cutie.

You Mean You're Leaving Already? But Why?

Why It's So Hard To Leave For Work Everyday and Why I'm Always Late