Dear Ah Ma 2018

Dear Ah Ma,

How are you getting on with Ah Gong, Da Jiu and Xiao Bao? I hope everyone is getting well. It had been a busy year with your 3 great grandsons growing up.

For the 1st time in many years after your passing, I dream of you and you carried Lucas in my dream. I would like to think that you are trying to tell me that you saw him when I brought him back to offer you prayers. I would bring Louis back once he recovered fully from the recent flu. Do let me know which Dino you find more cute haha.

Ah Liang's son is also growing up well and good. He's already learning to walk and talk and would often come home to visit mummy.

The way mummy indulges in her grandsons reminded me a lot of you spoiling us when we were young. Many times, I was reminded of the great time we had while staying with you during holidays and how you always got our back. Now that I am a mother, I finally also realised how exasperating it is to deal with a doting grandmother haha.

Our family photo 2018

There are also some good news coming from the aunties and uncles family. Nin Nin had graduated and will be starting her specialist course soon. You will be so proud that there is a doctor in our family. Ah Di has also graduated and will be soon starting work and Serena is now pursuing her studies in London. And Ah Yun is pregnant with her 1st child. Please help to watch over these cousins and let everything in their way be smooth.

After so many years of your passing, I realised I didn't really got over you. Every little things in life reminds me of you. I hope that mummy will have this special bonding/effect on my sons next time too:)

Be well and happy Ah Ma. Please watch over Mummy and Papa and blessed them with good health and happiness. Please help me to take good care of XB.

Till the next update Ah Ma.

Missing you lots,

Your eldest Grand daughter, Ah Le.

Dear XB 2018

Dear XB,

Mummy wondered where are you now? Have you already been reborn to a family and leading a better life now? Mummy will never get to find out.

6years on, I still cannot get over you though the pain has healed. I know you will be well somewhere but many times I just hope to know how well you are and whether you are doing good for it's my biggest wish to know you are currently well. But it's  too much to ask for isn't it?

Your 2 brothers are growing up well and fighting cats and dogs daily. They are a joy to be with and I sometimes hope you are here to guide them and help mummy out when I get overwhelmed.

Things are sometimes never meant to be isn't it? I've come to accept it.

No matter where you are now, mummy hope that you are growing up well and healthy and always be surrounded with love and laughter.

Be well my lost child.

I missed you dearly.

Love,

Mummy.

Perfect Mother

On the flight back to SG from TPE, I met a middle age lady while trying to rock BD to sleep at the back of the aircraft. She strike a conversation with me since noticing I have twins. The upside or downside (depending how sociable you are) of having twins and bringing them out is, you tend to have strangers coming up to you to chat about your kids :)

First question she asked is whether twins parenthood is tough.

I pondered for a while trying to give her an answer.

The truth is, I don’t find it tough anymore after going through it for 2 years, instead I found it manageable now. Sure there are some days I feel like pulling my hair out but most of the days I think I am quite happy with things.

She was kinda impressed by me not finding it tough and can have the courage to bring them on overseas trip at this age. But seriously I just feel that we will have to play by ear in any situation that comes up.

It’s not a walk in the park to bring kids overseas let alone twins and some more boys in particular. Haha But I think we (kids and parents) will just have to try and adjust ourselves. The Dinos will have to learn to sleep in places that they are unfamiliar (they can now as compared to the last trip) and we just have to learn and managed their needs and adjust our itinerary.

We moved on to our daily routine where I described to her how we managed our schedule every night. It’s basically a mad rush to settle the Dinos before they turned too cranky and then cannot sleep.

The topic of engaging a helper came up and I confessed I was pretty against it. Perhaps I’m blessed in a way that my mummy still helps me out with some housework and Dinos’ dinner but even without her help, Mr Love and I are determine to make things work even it will be chaotic initially.

The lack of helper means that we will need to do a lot of things on our own and many a times we will find ways to improvised or increased efficiency. We are also forced to learn things more quickly so as to keep up with the Dinos and not to mentioned have greater bond with them. Dinos on the other hand will grow up knowing that since there is no extra help around they would have to be more independent.

Truth to be told, its really tough and I have lost 5kg in a span of 3 months after Dinos attend school. The stress and the rushing took a toll on me and most of the time, I don’t feel like eating dinner since my mind will be thinking of the next chore to complete so that I get to rest earlier later.

Then I’m pretty obsessed with cooking proper adult food for the Dinos on weekend nights and therefore had to plan and decide what to cook and also to see the situation on the day if I can take out how much time to do the cooking. There will be some days when they are sticky to me and I can only do 1 pot rice. On good days, I can whip out 2 dishes and 1 soup using my trusty kitchen appliances.

But despite the hectic schedule we are running on now, I still feel better than before. It might be also due to Dinos being more matured now and can sometimes take instructions or they are more interactive now that its kinda fun to interact with them.

It might also be due to the pride I have knowing that I participate fully during their initial growing up years despite holding a full time job and I survived the 1st 2 years without going crazy or giving up to employ helper. Also I can feel the attachment that Dinos have for me even though I was never a full time Mother after their 4th month. Any parents will know how much effort we have to put in to let your kids formed an attachement to you. For this, I am proud.

The kind lady praised me for a job well done though I am not sure how well done it was. My parting words to her is that though I am not a perfect Mother, but I am trying my best every day to provide the best environment I can to my Dinos in my context. I was told this shall be sufficient:)

Really comforting to know that I’m on the right track though might not be the best for motherhood is such an ambiguous journey that only yourself can decide the next course of action

Tag team

2018 is the year we celebrate our Tin Wedding anniversary. A decade of marriage just flew by like that. How time flies.

When looking at younger colleague preparing for her wedding now reminds me of our own 10years back. So many details have blurred and I can still remember the excitment.

10years, 2kids and many pounds heavier later, I hope we are still the same. We don't get much chance to chat nowadays since taking care of the Dinos and then housework takes up most of our waking time. It's really not a joke juggling twins parenthood and work by ourselves with occasional help from my family but I would have it another way.

I do realised we have more arguments after the Dinos came along due to different parenting views be it within ourselves or with my mum and over the course of these 2 years we have learnt how to iron out the differences peacefully and also to work on finding the balance. It wasn't easy but certainly a good learning experience.

On the other hand because we have certain similar beliefs and values, it makes this parenting journey a tad easier on most of the issues when sometimes I take the lead and Mr Love follows.

1 thing I've learnt is not to compare and have expectations. An article I once read says that arguments usually arises when your better half did not meet the expectations you set. But if you learnt not to set any, you will learn to appreciate your half better no matter what he or she does and it also minimizes disappointments.

I've learnt not to compare too.  Be it with others or among the both of us on who does what more. The bottom line is if both is committed to make things work then we should try to compromise sometimes. This is something I still need to remind myself frequently especially when I'm dead tired and temper got better of me.

That being said, I see Mr Love changing too. He would now be more proactive instead of waiting for me to give him instructions on what to do. And he would take over certain tasks like bathing and cleaning poo while he throws all packing bags and washing bottles to me.

As we proceed with our parenthood journey, we also learnt more about each other and also try to adjust ourselves to the situation and try make things work. This is essential to keep things going and also to keep our marriage afloat.

But despite all our differences, I am glad that my tag team partner is him but not anyone else.

3am

3am and I'm sitting here drying my hair after a vomit episode from Small Dino. 

He's been coughing on and off ever since attending child care and I gave him the medication to expel phlegm. Also oiled him with Lemon EO hoping to get the phlegm out and in turn curb the coughing.

He was coughing very badly at 2am and cried out for me to hug. Went hug him and he vomitted out a mouthful of undigested food and phlegm and I washed him up. 

He would not go back to sleep and instead lay in my arms asking me to rock him and I comply hoping to make him feel better. 10min later, he had another vomit episode and I quickly brought him to the toilet where he puked out more food and phlegm. 

It was actually a good thing that he managed to get the phlegm out but seeing him vomit and crying shattered my heart. Mr Love then brought him out to drink some water, hoping to clear the bitter after vomit taste in his mouth and he vomitted a 3rd time all over his dad. 

So we cleaned him up again and changed the bed sheets and then he was tired already and requested to go sleep. Patted him a bit while his dad cleaned up the mess and then went took a shower. 

Hopefully he will get a good night sleep after expelling the phlegm but nevertheless we are going to the doc tmr to get proper med and dosage ( the current dosage was based on last Sept visit).

It certainly pains me to see him sick but I hoped he will get stronger after this episode and enjoy 

school again.

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. 

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.

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.