Dinos' 1st Overseas trip

I contemplated in bringing The Dinos for a short overseas trip for the longest time as they are not use sleeping without the cradle. But I did promise myself that once the transition to bed is successful, I would plan 1 trip.

Noticing that they can sleep successfully without the cradle in Mid Oct and I immediately got to work. Initially wanted to travel to TPE aka our favourite city but the tixs were overpriced with 1 month left to departure and I'm not sure whether we can handle a 4hr 30min flight witht the first time flyers.

End up I decided on BKK. Short flight time and with discounted ticket prices on TG. Mummy was not convinced that we could handle on our own and decided to come along. My Piggy Bro who had never been to BKK also tagged along. So we had quite a huge group of 4 adults and 2 infants.

Dun like to sit on stroller

Following Popo to walk around

Decent hotel in BKK will set us back by quite a bit so I went in search for an apartment in Airbnb. In the end I found a gem. Close to shopping district, BTS, airport link and half the price of what 2 hotel rooms would have cost.

What's up there?

Touch down in BKK

BD With mummy

SD with Papa

It was an unconventional choice to take airbnb in BKK as friends and colleagues around me all took hotel stay. But hey, I love the home away from home feel. And with all of us staying in an apartment instead of 2 hotel rooms meant that the Dinos can be separated efficiently during sleeping time since they are still at the stage of wanting to play with each other during bedtime.

2nd bedroom

 We booked a 2 bedroom apartment. It also had 2 more single beds in the living room, 1 of which is separated by a panel. Piggy bro decided not to share the room which has 2 single bed with mummy and instead opt to sleep in the living room.

Welcome snacks for the Dinos

Dining area

 We got lucky with a super good host who welcome us at the Airport link station near his apartment to help with the luggage which is a god sent since we did not have to navigate our way to his apartment in the unforgiving weather with the luggage and children.

Along the way, he gave simple orientation of the surrounding neigbourhood and also tips to get around.

Our host explaining how to use the TV

 We were pleasantly surprise to find 1 big box of snack for the Dinos which they got it after I enquired about where to buy near their house. The apartment is also well stocked with snacks, drinks, fruits and cooking whats not.

Master bedroom with cot

 I like it how meticulous they are to make sure the Dinos have a comfortable stay here. From cot to high chair to stroller to sterilizer to welcome snack and not forgetting a big basket of bath supplies, we wouldn't have to bring much of their things here if not for me used to using certain brands for them. Still we appreciate their kindness where they could have just not go out of their way to do these.

Bathroom

The Dinos immediately felt at home and went around exploring and playing in the apartment. Had to move the dangerous stuff out of their way since they pretty much have no concept of danger yet. 

I had brought along a thermal cooker, rice, dried scallops, sweet potato and potato to cook porridge for Dinos. My plan was that the porridge will serve as the staple food and will and whatever meat we are having that day to the porridge during meal times. 

The plan backfired on 3rd day when Dinos got bored with the porridge and I got lazy lugging the heavy stuff around. In the end they ate whatever we had though I still try to order the mildest taste on the menu for them since Thai food seems to be a little heavy on the tastes. 

Bath supplies for the Dinos

They were good eaters. In fact so good that I'm kinda impressed. Whatever we had or gave, they took it without hesitation and enjoyed the eating sessions. But we did make it a point to try have Chinese or Jap food for the benefit of them and my mummy.

But I still like it most when they fell asleep during my meal times which meant I could enjoy my food in peace though need to eat in an awkward postion with them sleeping on us in carrier. 

Piggy bro's corner

I'm also secretly please that they are good flyers. Unlike me, they don't suffer from in ear pain during take off or landing ( touch wood) and can entertained themselves with the in flight entertainment and take steal our in flight meals to eat.

Did not even used any of the entertainment I prepared beforehand in case they got bored or cranky. During departure, we managed to make them sleep before boarding and they woke up half way from into the flight. 

When coming back, SD knocked out for most of the flight while BD played awhile and then subsequently slept thru the flight before flight meal is served. 

The only down side from this trip is during their bed time when they wouldn't sleep on unfamiliar bed and I had a hard time coaxing them during the first night when they cried murder from tiredness but not able to fall sleep.

Man I felt like flying home the very night. 

Luckily my mummy came with us and she took SD to her room and coax him while I deal with the more problematic BD. 

They were also pretty cooperative when it comes to pooping time where would take a dump after morning milk and then once again at night before sleep. In this way, we need not have to change them lying down when outside. 

I managed to let them changed while standing since we brought diaper pants along. There isnt much changing stations in BKK toilets to start with. So it was kinda a relief to us that they did not poo outside.

They are able to nap on us while baby wearing them as we move around. Only downside is when it gets too hot, they will wake up screaming. 

We resort to staying indoors in shopping centers and at the same time kept the hand held fan on. BKK was really warm and stuffy when we were there. 

Even missed out the night markets cause even at night it's still stuffy.

All in all it was a fruitful trip since the Dinos enjoyed themselves and I noticed that their language skills improved tremendously during and after the trip.

SD was so happy to be walking along the Bangkok busy streets everyday during our stay there that he waved and kiss goodbye to random motorcyclists waiting for the green light to come on or those taking the old school public buses. 

Transitions

We let the Dinos sleep in cradle when they were about 2 months at the request of my mummy who says babies sleep better in cradles.

Previously, we will either carry them or put them in rocker to sleep and then transfer to cot after they fell asleep. Of course it would involve patting here and there during their sleep and my mum found it to be a hassle.

Since she will be the main caregiver after I returned to work, I try to give in to whatever request she makes.

Fast forward to when they are 18mths and we are about to send them to CC where all kids sleep on mattress and have 1 nap per day.

During registration, the principal suggested to let them transit to bed and 1 nap at home first since they will only start in next Jan.

So the big transition project began.

I requested both grannies to give them nap at 12pm which is the official nap time for CC but so far both have failed to do so. Both still need give 2 naps per day.

But during weekends, even if they wake up at 6.30am to play, we are able to drag their nap to 12pm. Of course we shifted their lunch time to an hour earlier. So far we've been doing for the past month and both can accustomed to this new timing on weekends. Not sure whether its due to having each other to play with but they seems to have boundless energy and don't even need a nap.

I'm also able to get them to sleep on bed/ mattress by making them lie beside me while nursery rhymes are put on repeat mode and I'll pat them.

Small Dino will want run around the room before sleep. When he's tired, he would come beside me to lie down and asked me to start patting him.

Big Dino on the other hand loves to "chat" while lying on the bed side by side. He would then slowly drift to sleep. This is quite my style except that he is still talking his baby language while I answer in whatever topic I can think of. Nevertheless, he's pretty happy during the sessions.

Come to think of it, I must be mad to introduce 2 changes at the same time for them. Luckily they adapted quite well and I can now say the transitions are successful but only when I'm in charge. Hopefully they will get use to it when attending CC next year.

Dinos' 1st Outing to Changi Airport

Since The Dinos have been taking 1 nap on weekends, it's easier for us to bring them out for outings.

This holiday, we had an impromptu playdate with Bestie and her family at Airport. Was initially scheduled to go Bestie house and plans got shelved and we decided to go airport and Bestie decided to join us there. Haha.

The Dinos woke up at 3pm and we fed them milk and left house at 4pm, armed with a truckload of things for them.

I've cooked their porridge with the thermal pot and packed their things while Papa napped with them. Mothers - we get to rest the least. Gonna shoot those who kept telling me that I can rest when the kids nap. Bullshit. Haha I'm in fact busiest when they sleep cause need rush to finish the tasks.

Enough of complaints. 

Enroute to Airport

So we reached the Airport at 4.30pm. Exactly the time I planned. Parked at T2 and made our way to the viewing gallery. But it was a disappointment. It's a pretty small area with quite a crowd and also only able to have view of 1 parking area. I.e. 6 parking spaces for airplanes. There's no other places to watch already. 

Papa preparing them 

Ready to explore

Them pointing to the Big Birds

I remembered there used to a long stretch of viewing gallery where we can see alot of airplanes taking off and landing and then parking to the gates.

We then decide to go to T1 as there's advertisement that T1 vieiwng gallery is kids friendly.

Big Dino, afraid of the see though glass

Then the copy cat Small Dino also expressed fear

Run baby, run

Turns out, it's only a tad better than T2 only. There's a mini playground which is over crowded and also some kiddy rides and a colouring station.

We let the Dinos roam freely at an open area. Though there's some crowd but there's still enough space for the kiddos to run about. Just have to be careful on the other kids running around too. 

So happy to be running freely

Tried to steer them look at the Big Birds (which is our main objective to come here) but they weren't interested. Further more, the passage way near viewing window were see through to ground level and it freaks the Dinos out. 

I did not expect them to understand the design but Big Dino totally wouldn't stand on it and kept telling us he's scared. Small Dino tried to go for a while before running away. 

Decided to let them just do what they want. 

They then got interested in some lighting structure inside the departure lounge and spent quite some time looking at it through the glass.

Bestie reached at 5pm and her boys immediately ran off to play after exchanging greetings. We didn't have time to chat as were all busy looking after the kids.

Big Dino then steered me to the play ground as he wanna explore it seeing so many kids there. So much for me keeping him away.

Cheers!

Meantime, Papa brought Small Dino to the colouring station and spent quite sometime there.

We have never brought the Dinos to playground except for the indoor 1 which they both literally had the whole play ground to themselves when we visited at super off peak hours.


Hence my Dinos did know the concept of queuing up for their turn.

Big Dino actually hog the whole slide to himself, wanting to climb up the reverse way after sliding down. The problem is there are other kids waiting to slide down behind him. I had to carried him away and then up the stairs again to let him have another go.

But this stubborn mule wanted to do things his way and ended up having a meltdown for not getting his way.

Took him to a corner to let him finish crying before explaining / reprimanding him. Nothing will go in when he's crying.

Not sure whether he understands or he is just being angry, he didn't go to the slide anymore after that.

Bestie on the other hand was impressed with his loud voice. Haha. Now then you know.

Colouring station

We then let them play with the kiddy rides but did not put monies in for it to move. Firstly, I did not want to expose them to the moving rides and secondly they will be afraid.

Let them be contented with sitting on the immobile rides and pretend play will do.

My handsome Godson

On their favourite - Bus

Getting down to go another ride

Left for T2 again at 6pm to go for dinner and the boys had another meltdown as they did not want to leave. We forcefully removed them and baby wear them and move on quickly.

Luckily had some snacks with me and they calm down after that.

Swensens (where we are having dinner) had a long queue and luckily I had brought home cooked porridge. I actually contemplated not to initially and wanted to let them have kids meal there. But somehow managed to convince myself to go through the hassle of cooking, packing and then carrying.

Turns out to be a wise move as the Dinos were hungry and the queue is long. Fed them while they run about outside waiting.

Lusting after Chio Bin's biscuits while he is actually having dinner

Small Dino was super funny. He was interested to eat Chio bin's Biscuit while I fed him porridge and kept hovering around the stroller. But thank god he did  not snatch, just stood there looking intently.

Had it been his brother who is eating, he would have snatched and run. So I guess he is still not so bad after all.

Kor, issit yummy?

We were ushered to our place after 20min of queuing and the Dinos are already finishing their dinner. But these 2 bottomless pit can still eat our fries and then ice cream later on. Big Dino even insist that he wants the mint flavour would not take others.


Managed to chat a bit amidst the feeding / eating session and we ended the night by changing all young kids' diaper before calling it a day.

Group photo

It's been a short but fulfilling outing and I looked forward to more of such play dates. The Dinos were so tired that they K.O on the way home.

But during bed time, both were excitedly making aeroplane sound complete with the flying action and then a string of their baby words as if to tell me what they saw/ experienced. Took a longer time than usual to let them sleep. 

Cooking again

So we brought a electric pressure cooker to kick start my cooking career again.

Reason being, we are sending the Dinos to childcare come Jan and I would want them to still have homecook dinner whenever possible.

With the short amount of time I have after work, need help of every imaginable cook appliances you can think of.

After getting my cooker, the 1st dish I tried with it is my personal favourite - Sesame Oil Chicken - 麻油鸡.

So before I forget how to cook again, gotta record it down here for future reference.

Ingredients :

Chicken breast - 300g
Boneless chicken thighs -200g
Ginger cut into strips
1 small can of button mushrooms

Seasoning: 

 
1tbsp of light soy sauce
1 1/2 tbsp of dark soy sauce
1 1/2 tbsp of sesame oil
1 tbsp of hua diao jiu
200ml water
1tbsp of corn starch

Steps.

1). In bake mode, heat up 2 tbsp of sesame oil and fry the ginger till fragrant.

2). Put in chicken pieces and continue frying

3). Add in seasoning and button mushrooms and make sure the chicken pieces are well coated with the seasoning

4). Switch to chicken mode and kpt for 10min.

5). Release vent slowly and ready to serve.

Because of personal preference, I actually used much more sesame oil. I.e for frying can use normal cooking oil. And cause I want some gravy for the Dinos, add in more water.

These can be adjusted accordingly to individual's preference.

Cooking Mama

The Dinos are due to start playground come 2018 and help from both mothers will cease when we withdraw the kids from their care.

I'm pretty confident my mummy will continue to extend her help at least for the first few months till she deem me fit enough to handle them both on my own. That being said, I cannot be banking on her help since she's not obliged to do so (and since the other mother would not give a damn after we withdraw the Dinos).

So I came up with some plans which still needs a bit of testing and trails.

For instance, we need have home cooked dinner for the Dinos. And to cook a full meal after work with them at home is basically mission impossible. To overcome this issue, I've decided to engage help of the modern electronics.

We've a multi purpose rice cooker, slow cooker, oven and air fryer presently.

Am thinking to add in electric pressure cooker and also to get a bigger capacity thermal cooker to use.

So, the plan is to cook rice and soup in the thermal cooker (I cannot live without soup for meals). Then for meats / fishes will alternate between air fryer, pressure cooker and oven.

Only veggies need to stir fry on conventional hob.

Hopefully my ideas work and can whipped up meals fast enough to feed the Dinos.

Then again, I must also disciplined myself to prepare the ingredients every night and wake up maybe say an hour earlier to cook for the thermal cooker. Am not sure whether I am up to it or not.

I think I will need plan a weekly meal sheet too and do groceries shopping on weekends since weekdays would be a mad rush to go fetch the Dinos.

As for now, I will concentrate in practicing the recipes first to at least master the taste.

This is so going to be a big project.

Wish me luck.

Of attention and love and sleepless nights

I often get questions on how is Twins motherhood for me since I'm like a zombie most of my waking hours recently. You try not to get much sleep for 2 and half months and have to pacify crying babies in the middle of the nights and you will know why I look and act like a zombie.

Then again, it's part and parcel of Motherhood and I know I just have to rough it out.

Some senseless people will comment like why The Dinos are 18mths already and yet they still don't sleep through the night while their own (kid, nephews, niece, or whoever kid they knew) is already doing so at 6months.

Really, how the heck I know? I take it that my kids are more textbooks babies i.e Go through ALL the problems listed in those help books like Sleep Regression @ 4th, 10th and 18th months, milk strike, Terrible 2 stages (Yes, it had began) etc etc.

It doesn't make things easier that they both go through these together and I do not have a 50%  discount with 1 giving me a hard time only.

My question is SO WHAT?

So what my kids are making me suffer?

I became their mother by choice. In fact I fought hard to bring them to this world knowing what I am in for though not knowing the magnitude.

I knew it's not going to be easy dealing with twins and we decided not engaging a helper.

I wanted to experience motherhood even though it is tough when I am a full time working mother.

I wanted to look back knowing that I tried my very best as a mother to my kids, bringing in the dough with their Papa and yet look after them wholeheartedly. I wanted to give them all my love and attention in whatever limited amount I have left after work.

After all you cannot be giving them life and leaving them to other's care be it Grandparents or helper.

I might not be the best mother who planned everything perfectly for them but I do plan in their best interest.

Of course there are days when I feel so tired that I just wanna fall back and sleep my butt off. But I will always be on my feet again when reminded on how not easy I got the Dinos.

I know that these shall all pass soon and a day will come that they would not need my full attention or reciprocate my loving actions to them.

But before that day comes, I wanna enjoy basking in their attention and love.

My boys including the old 1.

Dear Ah Ma 2017

Dear Ah Ma,

How are you getting on with Ah Gong, Da Jiu & XB? I hoped all of you are well.

Its been a real busy year as your great grand sons grow and with a new addition of Ah Liang's son to our family in Apr.

Er Jiu's grand son is born last Oct while Xiao Jiu got another grandson in Mar this year to. The total great grandsons you have currently stands at 6 though is not a grand number considering you have 18 of us grand children. But slowly and steadily the other cousins will add up the numbers. 

Mummy got more busy than ever with her looking after my sons during weekdays and trying to go see Ah Liang's son during weekend. But I know she is happily busy. 

We will be sending my sons to childcare next year and hope to ease her burden though I suspect she will go stand outside the school and observe them.

Please continue to watch over us Ah Ma, and blessed Mummy and Papa with good health to watch our kids grow. 

Our 2017 family photo sans Ah Liang who is away for work

I hope you all are well where ever you are and I look forward to give you an update next year. 

Missing you always,

Your eldest grand daugther, Ah Le

Dear XB 2017

Dear XB,

How are you? It's been 5 years since you are gone and I never failed to feel the pain on this very day I lost you 5 years ago. 

I dreamt of holding on to an older boy while bringing your brothers out for a shopping trip and I wondered is it that you came to my dreams to see us? The thing is I cannot recall your face in the dream. I can only remembered holding your hands tightly as we shop. This is the 1st time in 5 years I dreamt about you so clearly.

It's been a very busy day for mummy today. Trying to get through work and come home to your brothers.

Now that they are both sleeping and I have some quiet time to myself, I start to recall of how I lost you. The pain is still raw even with 5 years gone. The thought of having you with me had I not lost you pains me still. 

As I go through this motherhood journey with your brothers, I get reminded how we didn't have a chance to go through it together. It still pains me alot alot to know I will never know how motherhood is like with you and how you never know what it is to be in our household. 

But I want you to know that we love you alot alot. Not any less than your brothers though you are physically not here with us. I hope you know that you are dearly missed and had already found a good family to be reborn into and enjoy a good life ahead. 

I hope the prayers we arrange during every 7th month will let you have a smooth path ahead.

I do hope you are well where ever you are.

Always loving you,
Mummy

Dinos' 1st birthday

Mr Love and I are somehow lazy parents for we skipped Dinos' full month celebrations back then since they are born premmies and doctor caution us about exposing them to public before 3rd month.

We are also lazy to clean up if the party is to be held in our house which have ample space since there is a big common area outside. Already going crazy dealing with the Dinos, did not want extra job.

For their first birthday, we actually planned the same. No big celebrations since the Dinos will not appreciate it too. Wanted a small affair at home with our immediate family members only.

That being said, I also wanted to decorate a bit and take some pictures for keep sake. So its off to Taobao to buy the items. Haha

Xiao Jiu Jiu hard at work

Brought some balloons and party supplies and my brothers came over early in the morning of the celebration to help decorate my living room.

Thank god for them else I will have to leave it bare.

Main photo corner

Full view of photo corner

Ceiling

The balloons were cheap! Most of it costs less than a dollar, you will not get anywhere near this price in SG. And the theme of the party is Cars since this is the only thing Dinos know thanks to taking car to Granny's house everyday.

I actually wanted a 3D cake since were are saving a lot on not having a full party but the costs is insanely high! At least 300bucks for 1cake though its' 2kg. But we will no be able to finish it given not many of the family like cakes.

I went through all cake shops here to find 1 that does Cars design cake and only Begawansolo has the rights to it. For a 1kg cake with Black forest filling it costs 45 bucks only. Well within the cheapo parents budget! Haha

The cake I found

I happily ordered it since we only need a cake for blowing candles. The Dinos will not appreciate the design at this point.

I also did up a DIY photo board of the past 11 months photos of the Dinos. Printed it out on Polaroids and got my Piggy brother to help print out some pictures to decorate it.

Am pretty happy with the end product hehe. It took me many 3nights and a half day to complete it.

!

My master piece

I also brought a set of 周抓 items for the Dinos to pick up during the celebration. Each item is suppose to have a meaning to it and would symbolised the Dinos' future prospect.

I actually don't really believe but just wanna try for fun since the Kids on The Return of Superman did so for their 1 year birthday celebrations.

The items they used were different from Chinese though. Haha But the idea is the same.

周抓items

We started with Big Dino who was too cautious to pick up 1 item out of the many. He kept studying the items and staring at it.

Then Small Dino came and any how grab the most shiny one that caught his eyes.

Not a very successful session but more for the fun of it.

Making his pick

My mil made some puddings which fit in just nice om the cupcake display plates I brought. I actually wanted to order some cup cakes to place on the plates but since there's puddings already, I did not want to over buy the food.

Main table

Cake blowing/Photo area

The idea is to have a high tea party as its not possible to find caterer for lunch for such small crowd.

Ordered Durian puffs, pastries from Swiss bake and along with the cake and puddings.

Food was too much since everyone was not a big eater and the parents got no time to eat running around. Luckily we did not have a full scale party, I would be dead beat.

Big Dino was cranky and sleepy by the time we wanna cut the cake and we rushed through the photo taking sessions and then let him go catch a nap.

With 爷爷 & 奶奶

With 外公 & 外婆

Of course must have 1 with parents

干妈 & Uncle JM



大伯 & Family



The Lees

The Tans

While we were singing birthday song, Big Dino was already crying and I had to pacify him to go through the whole song and then quickly bring him into the room.

Trying to get him smile for the camera



Crying already

To be very frank, even though it was a small celebration with 2 families I am already tired out by the planning and getting things ready. And we noticed the Dinos were not able to understand the birthday concept though Small Dino is happy with the extra companionship.

Big Dino just wanna get on with his usual routine and cannot care less about the happenings.

Pressies and ang baos

1 proper photo

Blowing out candles

Perhaps when they are more aware of what is a birthday celebration, then I would throw them a party.
But that will be a few years down the road and when they have friends to invite instead of their parents' friends only. Haha

Happy birthday my Dinos. May you both be healthy, cheerful and happy.