At the park

A couple of weekends ago, we met up with a couple of friends and their two little boys to spend a warm Saturday afternoon together at a park. It is really nice to have friends who are at the exact stage of life to ours. And to be able to share all the ups and downs of parenting over a cuppa every now and than is just priceless.

Our friend's first born "J" is just 1 week older than Annie so they are at an age where they are able to occupy themselves for a good 15 to 20 mins (if we are lucky). That means we get to actually sit down and chat a little, which is fantastic. Of course we also have our 2nd born to care for but after having used to taking care of two children, having to care for just one is a walk in the park.

Annabel has always been a very careful and guarded child. And for that reason, she is never usually adventurous at playgrounds. J on the other hand is the complete opposite. Being true to his boyish make out. He is adventurous and is very skilled with his hands and feet. So I am always very keen to get the two together to hopefully entice the little adventure junkie in Annie to come out and play. They have been "friends"since they were babies so it's really nice to see them finally interact and play with each other and having mini chats of their own.

Anyhow. I really wanted to share some pictures she took on her own with my compact digital camera that afternoon. Not too bad for her first attempt me thinks *proud mum beam*.

They were trying to take a picture of each other at the same time. How cute is that! A fail shot

Annabel's day at the Park

We have had ourselves a big Saturday celebrating Annabel's birthday. I had not planned for it to be big. Just picnic amongst ourselves. Plus the grandparents. And Luna Park. It was supposed to be relaxing and light. That somehow turned epic, partly due to the weather.

The forecast was for light showers but we thought we'd press on. The day turned out to be hot and humid instead. REALLY hot and humid

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Thankfully the girls were not the slightest bit affected by the sticky air. As for me. It was the worse weather ever. I could stand a scorching sun. I don't really mind windy days or drenching downpours. I just don't do humid. In fact, that's one of the reason for marrying Melvin. To get out of warm humid Singapore!

Of course I'm just kidding..... tsk tsk

So all afternoon I was in discomfort central. I had to drink heaps of cool water. While frantically fanning myself down with any piece of brochure I could get my hands on to stay sane. It almost robbed me off the will to live! Yes. For me. It was THAT bad

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And. Did I mention I had NON-WATERPROOF eye liner on. You think a gal like me, coming from the tropics, would handle herself more eloquently.

Putting the panda look aside. And feeling absolutely spent by the end of the day. Our day at the park was a hit with the girls. And that's what counts. We had multiple rides passes for Annie and myself (some rides needed an accompanying adult) and she had a ball.

Except for the Tumble Bug ride which freaked out the both of us. I thought I was going to lose a child there!

Here are the pictures of our somewhat wonderful weekend.

Picnic by the harbour

Blowing bubbles.

Enjoying her very own chair.

We were in the blue carriage.

The view midway from within the Ferries Wheel.

Eating her first fairy floss.

The moment before the terror began (Tumble Bug ride)

Annie's birthday coming soon

Annabel's Body Guard

I need one because I'm so darn freaking cute.

Couch art

We were doing our usual sing and dance routine of dinner rituals. Feeding the kids. Feeding ourselves. Washing the dishes. Catching up on each other's day.

The whole time through. The kids would hang around the living room playing with whatever toys left over from the day. Nothing unusual. But we did notice Annabel running busily through and fro from the kitchen to the living area.

Than we saw this on our couch.

Now. We have absolutely no artistic fibre in our bodies. Back at school. I strive to just pass in arts. My best art projects were 3 dice made from clay. And perhaps a pencil sketch of some office buildings.

So naturally I never did have any idea in helping the kids develop. Artistically.
Seeing this tonight made me realise I should do something. We may have a little artist on our hands.

Annabel Tang

Since I haven't blogged about Annabel for such a long time. And with my last post about Rachel. I thought it be fitting that I update you all with my no 1 as well. AKA Cheeky Monkey 1.

Annabel has grown into a bubbly outgoing toddler. She is just under 3 and has recently started kindy. She is quite a homely child and genuinely enjoys staying indoors if not encouraged to head out into the sun. And like her mummy and daddy, she enjoys her food. And to our delight, vegetables too. She speaks fluently and is capable of expressing herself quite clearly. And excels in parroting most sentences very well. That includes all the intonations complete with full on dramatic facial expressions. And she loves to sing.

Together with cheeky monkey 2, Annabel attends a weekly swim class with Daddy. In the beginning, it was perhaps not her most favourite thing to do. But in the 6 months she's been attending, she has grown fond of the pool and now manages a confident full head submission dip. We are such proud parents.

Asserting her independence is apparently her thing now. She wants to do everything herself . Wear her own clothes. Brush her own teeth. Put on her own shoes. Choose her own shoes.

It all sounds great except for one thing. Her love relationship with one 2 letter word. You know what it is. The dreaded "NO".

And it's no to everything too. Even things she wants. Sometimes it manages to slip out before a question is even finished! And it is driving us. Absolutely. Insane. But all in all, she is a great kid who loves to laugh. Who enjoys being a girly girl and is all softy in and out. And we love her very very much.

Rachel Tang

Let me introduce my second daughter. Rachel Tang. Aka - Cheeky Monkey 2.

She was born last November on the 7th and has just turned a year old. Rachel is a very cheerful baby and loves getting into mischiefs. Amongst her many attics, she enjoys throwing things around and watching you pick them up the most.

And she points. To everything. To foods she wants to eat. To new things she sees. To places she wants you to take her to. And she also grunts if her demands are not met.

She has not learnt how to walk yet, but is sprouting an ultra-cute bud shift crawl. And when annoyed, could belt out quite a scream in protest. She could arch her back really well and would often throw herself backwards just for the fun of it when carried by Daddy. That act is also reserved for when she throws a tantrum, which is not fun at all, for Daddy.

Rachel loves her elder sister Annabel and finds her amusing. Especially when Annie is throwing a hissy fit and is all upset and crying. Of course, this sentiment is not reciprocated by the elder sister and often sends her deeper into her little abbys. But most other cheery moments, they do enjoy each other's company and loves laughing at each other over nothing at length.

Like her elder sister, Rachel is a fairly easy going baby and has learnt the art of sleeping through the night since 9 weeks of age. She is growing well and has hit most of her major developmental milestones. She has recently moved on from semi-solids to solids and is extremely loving trying out all the different textures of food. She has yet to utter a real word but has mustered up a faint "ma ma" to which we are unsure whether its food or mummy.

And with that, I shall end (though quite abruptly) with pictures of my cheeky monkey. 2. Enjoy!

1 Day

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6 Month

7 Month

8 Month

10 Month

1 Year

Weekend frenzies

The past couple of days had been complete madness. We managed to pack lunch at a friend's (who is also our pastor. We were also planning for the church activities 09), dinner party at Mum and Dad's, and 2 birthday parties all within 2 short days! We are SO pooped!

I know I had posted quite a few pictures in past entries already so I figured, why stop now! Here are some more pictures of our weekend past.

Mother's group 1st birthday party.

Can you believe none of the bubbies went for the cake??!!

A big shout out to Leigh for baking the cutest birthday cake. I love it!

Jaiden's 1st birthday

Annabel's first swing
Under daddy's watchful care

Cuteness overload

Annabel's swim class

It has taken me 6 months to take these picture, but nevertheless, here they are. Pictures of Annabel's swim class. Mum was the unofficial photographer.

Annabel @ 9 months old

Annabel is just 3 months shy from the big 1. I know I have been saying this a lot but I am constantly in awe of how quickly she is growing! And also very aware of how much I must treasure these precious moments. She is starting to crawl and can walk really well when held by both hands now. And since we got her her walker, she has been really keen to try walking on her very own!

She has a total of 4 teeth and can chomp off big pieces of banana. Amongst the many foods she enjoys, yogurt has been her new favourite thing in the world. And if given the chance, I am pretty sure she is capable of eating a full 6 tubs pack.





Annabel has always resembled Mel but of late, I was told by many that she is starting to look like me! I cannot really see the resemblance but I am really happy that she is FINALLY starting to look like mine. Just let one more person tell me how much she looks like everyone else but me..!! GRrrRRr!!

Besides her rapid development in her motor skills. She is also quickly growing into a little girl. Her joyous nature is contagious and just listening to her chuckle would make our day. She loves her Por Por and Gong Gong whom have been caring for her when mummy goes to work. And is also quickly discovering that her Grandparents are a lot more flexible and tolerant when it comes to rules around the house.

Annabel can get very animated and it is a scramble for the camera when it happens.
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