Tuesday, October 31, 2006

CONGRATULATIONS, Kylie and Richard - Part II
Last Saturday, Kylie and Richard had their church wedding and dinner banquet in KL. We spent 3D2N there to join in the celebrations.

27/10/06 - The Trip to KL

We left home at 8am and took a cab to Novena Square. The coach was scheduled to leave at 9:30am. Soon, Matthew's grandparents, aunt and Mike's aunts and Kylie's best friend May and her husband Kelvin joined us at the departure lounge of the coach company.

The coach left on time and we were soon on our way. We actually passed by our home along PIE and Matthew recognised that it's Matthew de Jia (home in Mandarin). As Matthew was in a chirpy mood, it was easy to entertain him. He had lots of bread, rasins and biscuits. Mike read Matthew his book and he had his little doggy with him. Lunch was my home-cooked chicken mushroom macaroni (which I cooked early that morning) and he finished almost all of it. Yum yum. Everybody could smell what Matthew was having for lunch.

Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting
Mike and Matthew reading the book titled "Matthew's Truck"

After lunch, it was naptime. He fell asleep in my arms almost immediately as he put his cheek to my chest. It was peace in the coach as he slept for more than 2 hours. He woke up as we were reaching Sungei Besi Plaza Toll just outside KL.

Matthew was in a good mood and let Ah Gong and Yi Po (grandaunt) carry him, as we waited for Kylie and Richard to fetch us at the coach company. We made our way to KL Baptist Church for rehearsal. After the rehearsal, we went to Oversea Restaurant Imbi for dinner. According to Richard, this chain of restaurants is similar to our Tung Lok group in Singapore. The food was quite good and the service was prompt. Matthew finished a bowl of rice, a bowl of soup, ate some chicken and duck.

Then it was back to Renaissance New World Hotel for a good night rest. Our room number was 921 on the New World Wing. According to my sis KS (who's in hospitality line), there used to be two separate hotels - Renaissance and New World - until dunno which one bought over which one. Anyway, I unpacked the luggage and Mike gave Matthew a bath. He was already over-tired and it did not take us very long to put him to sleep.


28/10/06 - The Wedding Celebrations

Matthew woke up bright and sunny at 7+. We changed into our Sunday best and made our way to the Temptations cafe at Ground Level for buffet breakfast. Matthew had a hard-boiled egg and a slice of banana cake. After that, we went back to the room to get our bags and made our way to the bridal suite (1719) at the Renaissance Wing.

After Kylie had her makeup and hairdo, it was photo time.

Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting
Matthew's two pretty aunts

Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting
Matthew smiling for the cameras

Then came the groom "on his horse" - a blue BMW.

Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting
Here comes the groom!

Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting
Matthew opened the door for Richard and gave him a kiss

According to Chinese customs, the sisters of the brides gave the groom a tough time before he could get to the bride. We spent a good 20 minutes having fun. The questions asked were (not in order):

1. Richard to sing a song, loud enough for Kylie to hear

watch a video
Richard sings to Kylie

Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting

2. What was Richard's first gift to Kylie? A Gucci Bag.
3. What was Richard's most expensive gift to Kylie? Richard actually answered that it was himself, an answer Kylie accepted. It was actually the Tiffany diamond ring (it's HUGE!).
4. Which secondary school did Kylie attend? Mike was actually outside with the brothers, but kept his mouth zipped.. hahaha... all sorts of answers were given, but eventually he got the right one - Anderson.
5. Which handwriting belonged to Kylie? We had a sheet of paper with 5 handwritings on it. Richard chose the right one.
6. What is Kylie's fav colour? Green.
7. What is Kylie's fav drama? Full house.

We had angbows in assorted currency - USD, AUD, KRW, Pakistan, IDR, MYR and eventually Richard surrendered his entire wallet to us, with money and credit cards! So with his sincerity, we let him in. Of course, there was a second door to the bedroom where Kylie was waiting. So the final question was from Kylie.... Well, the answer was good enough for Kylie to let us open the door for Richard...

Matthew was actually being entertained by his grandaunts, watching the KL monorail passing by below, while Mama and Papa had fun.. Haha..


The Church Ceremony

We were at church early, because Kylie and Richard had their tea ceremony for Richard's family held there. We went to the nearby malls, BB Plaza and Sungei Wang, to walk around and Matthew slept while we walked. We then made our way back to the church for the ceremony at 2pm.

The KL Baptist Church was recently re-opened on 1/10/06 after the old building was torn down and re-built. Kylie and Richard's wedding celebrations was the first wedding at the new building, making the ceremony even more special. The lower Sanctuary Hall has a nursery room at the back of the hall, where parents could entertain the kids during church. So this was where I entertained Matthew for 2 hours during the wedding ceremony.

After the ceremony was a simple reception. We then went back to the hotel to prepare for the dinner banquet.


The Dinner Banquet

We were told that, similar to the dinner banquets here, traditionally it would start about an hour late, i.e. 8:30pm. We let Matthew have his bread, biscuits and rasins while we waited for the dinner banquet to start. By the time the banquet started, he was tired and cranky and the 3rd dish, he wanted to sleep. Mike stayed for the banquet, while I brought Matthew back to the room to sleep. He was tired, so it didn't take me very long to put him to sleep. I watched Liverpool score 2 goals before falling asleep too. When Mike was back at 12mn, the game was over. Well, Liverpool handed Aston Villa their first loss, beating them 3-1.


29/10/06 - The Last Day

It was a free-and-easy half day for us. Kylie and Richard brought Matthew's grandmother, grandaunts and aunt to Richard's place to pay a courtesy visit to his mother. We took the KL monorail to Bukit Bintang, which was two stops away from our hotel at Bukit Nanas. The last time Mike and I went to KL was 8 years ago, when we were paktor-ing. There were lots of changes to the cityscape.

We popped by at Lot 10 shopping mall, just to walk around. Matthew hates shopping, so no way I could shop for anything. The only store Matthew went in was the TimberLand store, because they had a water feature at the window, next to the entrance. Then we went to the foodcourt for lunch. Matthew had a rice set with chicken and mushroom and finished 3/4 bowl of rice. Mike had a claypot chicken rice. Me? I just had the leftovers from Matthew's lunch.

Then we took the KL monorail back to the hotel to check out at 2pm and waited for the rest to come back from their shopping spree.

Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting
Mike and Matthew chilling out before checkout

I left the camera in another bag, so no pictures to show our short trip to Bukit Bintang :(


The Trip Home

Our coach left for Singapore at 3:35pm. We had to keep Matthew entertained for the five-hour-journey. Jigsaw puzzles, books, paper and pencils, rasins, bread, biscuits, playing peekaboo etc. He disliked the taste of cantonese porridge and simply refused to take any of the porridge we bought and packed into the thermal mug. So he ended up eating more rasin buns! :p

Matthew didn't really cry in the coach, but he was sure making lots of noise. We tried to keep him quiet, but it was almost impossible, given that he's quite a vocal boy. As there was some jam along NE highway, we only reached Novena Square about 910pm. By this time, Matthew was all cranky and crying and wanted to go home. Oh yes, and he wanted to POO! He kept telling us he wanted to poo during the bus trip.

Finally we called for a cab and reached home at about 10pm. He did his big business, drank his milk, changed into his pyjamas and watched his Baby MacDonald DVD. Even before the show finished, he was already asleep on my lap.
Sandy @ 2:34 PM


Wednesday, October 25, 2006

CONGRATULATIONS, Jan, Anston and Cheng En
Yesterday, Jamie, Cayden and 3 of us went to visit Jan at Thomson Medical Centre. A beautiful healthy baby gal, weighing 2.32kg and measuring 47cm, was borned to Jan and Anston, sister to Cheng En, on 23/10/06 at 9:15pm. Again, no photo of the newborn and mummy. Mike caught a shot of the water buddies. They had a water drinking competition!

Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting

Also, CONGRATULATIONS to Evon, Peter and Joshua. I went with some of the SM forum Feb/Mar05 mummies to visit Evon and Emma Grace at Mt Alvernia Hospital when Emma Grace was borned on 11/10/06. Another beautiful baby gal.
Sandy @ 2:22 PM



CONGRATULATIONS, Kylie and Richard
CONGRATULATIONS to Kylie and Richard! Finally on 22/10/06, a new start to a new life together. The end of the road is still a long way to go; it may not be an easy road, with bumps and humps, but together you will make it! All the best and we love you!

Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting

Oh yes, one more thing, quick quick, Matthew wants a cousin to play with. :p

P/s - HAPPY BIRTHDAY too, Kylie. We knew your birthday was around this time, but forgot exactly when. What a surprise Richard has sprung on you and to get married on your birthday. Congrats again!
Sandy @ 2:17 PM


Monday, October 23, 2006

An armchair right in size
An armchair right in size for Matthew and he looked so comfortable in it. Comes with a BIG price tag - $185!

Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting
Sandy @ 2:16 PM



Caught red handed AGAIN
Haha... caught Matthew in action, messing my kitchen drawer. Well, he knew exactly which drawer contained his barang barang plasticware.

Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting
Sandy @ 2:14 PM


Sunday, October 15, 2006

VivoCity
Mike's cousin got married today and threw a wedding lunch banquet at HarbourFront Centre. After lunch, we decided to pop by at the much-talked-about VivoCity. It was quite crowded. Matthew doesn't really like department stores (except those with toys and books!) and we could only look around Tangs. Actually we were quite tired too. :p

Here's a photo of Mike and Matthew with the two Star Cruises ships and Sentosa in the background.

Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting

Labels:

Sandy @ 11:10 PM



Dinner with friends at Waraku Marina Square
It has been quite a while since Mike and I met up with some of our closer friends, so we organised a dinner at Waraku Japanese Restaurant @ Marina Square yesterday. Eric and Liyun, Terence and Grace, Siang Boon and Catherine, Tianfa, Chris and Megan and of course Mike, Matthew and myself. We missed Chen Ping, Kim Luan and Yanting, Su Hock and Angeline, Bangwen, Stephanie and baby HuiXuan.

Liyun booked a tatami room and it was quite comfy. Matthew and Megan could roam around without being confined to a high chair. If they were in high chairs, doubt we could have stayed two over hours! Lots of catching up and chit chats, but we forgot to take photo of the whole gang. But here are two of Megan and Matthew.

Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting
Megan telling Matthew a story. I wonder what the story was about.

Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting
Megan trying to figure out what to order, but that looks like the alcohol menu to me... hey, you are too young for that! :p

Oh ya, before I forget, CONGRATULATIONS to Boon and Cat on your first baby on the way! Take care!
Sandy @ 11:00 PM


Friday, October 13, 2006

Puzzle Puzzle
We discovered that we have a very patient child. Matthew loves to do puzzles. If he can't put in a particular piece, he would put it aside and try another piece. He already knows how to put all the 2-pc puzzles that Auntie Chris gave him for X'mas.

I've earlier bought some 12-pc puzzles from Daiso when I was there few months ago. I took it out recently and Matthew quite liked it. He needed help the first few times. Now with a little help from us, he could put everything together.

Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting
Putting puzzle on the board.

Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting
Matthew looking very focus, concentrating on his puzzle.

Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting
4 more pieces to go....

Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting
... the last piece and it's done!

Last Sunday, I wanted to get more puzzles for Matthew, so we went to Daiso and got 2 of those 4-puzzles-in-a-pack types with the 4 puzzles of varying difficulty. $2 each pack, good deal. Here are two of the easiest ones and he could put them together quite easily.

Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting

I'm going to get him to try the slightly more difficult 10-pc ones tonight.
Sandy @ 3:22 PM



What naughty thing did Matthew do?
HE DREW ON THE WALL!!!

I got to put this on record. We have always allowed Matthew free access to his crayons and colour pencils. He would scribble on big drawing papers (recycled from my office) and on the marble floor because it's easier to clean. On 1 October 2006, he decided to venture into the unknown! He scribbled on the floor all the way up to the wall behind the dining table.

We didn't know at first. Papa used a wet cloth to wipe the scribbles on the floor. Thank goodness it was the Crayola Washable crayons, so that came off quite easily.

But our little friend stood next to the wall and said in Mandarin, "Papa, this is dirty. Papa, clean here!" He kept pointing to the wall, only then we realised that he drew on the wall. Now our wall has a spray coating and it made cleaning difficult!

Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting

Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting

For his mischief, Matthew got 2 little smacks on his hand from me and 2 from his father and his crayons and colour pencils confiscated. :p
Sandy @ 3:15 PM


Wednesday, October 11, 2006

Update Update Update
So what did we do the past 2 weekends?

1 October 2006
We went for Matthew's last swim class with Jason at Marsden. This was the third makeup class with Jason and he had the most fun.

Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting
Matthew examining the pink tube.

Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting
Matthew crawled through the tunnel.

After swim class, we went to Ridout Tea Garden along Queensway for morning tea (which was basically MacDonalds' hotcakes and hot milo). Matthew saw lots of tortoises in the pond. We then went to walk around Far East Flora.

Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting
Matthew eating his hotcake. First he decided he didn't want the fork and took a piece of hotcake. He examined it before popping it into his mouth.

Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting
Matthew and Papa.

Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting
Matthew and Mama.

After morning tea, we parked our car at Marina Square, took a bus to Tanjong Pagar and walked to Amara Hotel, where we had free buffet lunch. Reason we were there was because the F&B voucher we had was going to expire at the end of the month. We didn't pack Matthew's lunch and fed him whatever was available on the buffet spread. So What did he have for lunch? Porridge, chawanmushi (steamed egg), soba noodles, roti prata, cake, papaya.

Then we took a train to Raffles City and made our way back to Marina Square, via Citylink Mall.

Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting
Matthew at the entrance to Citylink Mall and refused to budge!!

Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting
Matthew taking a break.

We went to 2 Guardian Pharmacy outlets at Citylink Mall and Marina Square and folic acid was actually out of stock! Then we made our way to Suntec City and finally got it.

That day was the first time in so long that we were out the whole day. Matthew took 2 short naps, first in the car (he didn't even wake up when we carried him out and walked to the bus stop) and the second in my arms while we were walking around Marina Square. He actually told us that he was tired and wanted to sleep. :p

2-6 October 2006
Matthew came down with another bout of stomach flu. Poor boy.

6 October 2006
I took leave on Friday to look after him, as everybody was down, except the pregnant me. :p

In the morning, we had breakfast at home and sent Papa to work. Then Mama decided to swing over to East Coast Park for a morning stroll. Luckily the haze wasn't so bad. There was some breeze and Matthew enjoyed the morning walk. Then we made our way to 7-11 and bought a loaf of rasin bread and Mama decided that she wanted some decaf cafe latte. So we went to Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf and had an expensive breakfast of 4 toasts and cafe latte.

Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting
Matthew enjoying his toast with jam.

Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting
Steering the viking ship.

We went home after that and Matthew had his porridge for lunch. This little friend of ours refused to sleep! No matter what I did, he simply refused. Until almost 3pm, he came to me and told me, "Mama bao bao (carry) Matthew shui jiao (sleep)." Only then in my arms, he slept and slept for almost 3 hrs! I got to wake him up. I packed his dinner and met up with Papa at Caribbean Condo when we fed Matthew his dinner.

When we reached home, there was some celebrations as it was Mid-Autumn Festival. We lit up Matthew's lantern and joined the crowd. But Matthew refused to hold his lantern. He was more curious about the wu shi (dancing lions) and wu long (dancing dragons).

7 October 2006
The haze was so so so bad that we stayed home. With the aircon blowing hot air at us for the past 1 week, Papa decided that we had no choice but to get the aircon man to come in and do something. Spent $440 for servicing and spare parts. We actually wanted to join the other toddlers at Pasir Ris Park, but it was too late and Mama wasn't feeling too good with the haze. So we went to West Mall for Jap dinner at Sakae Sushi.

8 October 2006
Haze cleared quite a bit, but we stayed home most of the day. After Matthew's nap, we made our way to IMM and walked around. Rather uneventful.
Sandy @ 5:06 PM


Monday, October 09, 2006

Another bout of stomach flu
Last week, Matthew was down with another bout of stomach flu. It started with 3x vomiting episodes on Monday night, then it was fever on Tuesday and diarrhea till Friday morning. No idea how he caught it. I was trying to recall what we did the previous weekend. On Saturday, we went to have MacDonald breakfast. In the afternoon, Auntie Jan visited with Cheng En and we went to Marsden after that. On Sunday, we were out the whole day. It was Marsden in the early morning. Then we went to Ridout Garden along Queensway before heading to Amara Hotel for lunch. We then headed for Marina Square and Suntec City.

With the bug going round and students from four schools affected, Matthew could have caught it anywhere. Things like this happened all the time, so it was just too unfortunate. This was the third time Matthew got stomach flu. Fortunately he recovered faster than the previous times. YiXuan caught it the previous week and is well now.

Today, Auntie Elaine reported that Ignatius is down with diarrhea and fever. Hope he gets well too.

Some information on the bug:
- Norovirus Gastroenteritis - Ministry of Health Advises Institutions to be Vigilant with Hygiene Measures
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevent - Respiratory and Enteric Viruses Branch
Sandy @ 11:10 PM