Love Letters to Natalie

Wednesday, March 30, 2005
Busy Day

Dearest Nat,

We had a really busy day yesterday. We woke up together at 11 am and mommy was rushing like mad to get you ready to leave the house asap to make it in time to have lunch with your Daddy. I know your Daddy loves seeing you so I always try to bring you to have lunch with him to cheer him up. Your poor Daddy has a very stressful job.

By the time we reached the food center, lunch hour was almost over. The taxi driver took us for a ride by going the Stevens Rd route instead of AYE. We stopped at so many traffic lights and wasted so much time in the heavy traffic. Next time, I shall insist that they go by AYE!!!

Daddy was happy to see you and you were very happy to see Daddy too. You were smiling away and attracted the attention of many uncles and aunties at the stalls. We were feeling a little funny by the attention you were getting. Guess it's not very common to see a baby during lunch hour at CBD area.

After meeting your Daddy, we went to Plaza Singapura to wait for Auntie Rachel and Ryan. Uncle Rapheal is at work so he couldn't meet us. We had tea at Secret Recipe. While waiting for Auntie Rachel, I slinged you around and tried to let you sleep. You fell asleep in my sling and didn't wake up until I almost finished my late lunch.

Looking at Ryan, Mommy can't wait for you to grow up quickly so that you can run around like him! Of course at the same time, I don't want you to grow up too quickly so that I can always cuddle you in my arms. I guess in a few more months, you'll know how to play with Ryan. I know you are very attracted by kids, your eyes will follow them like how you look at Cousin Alvin and Matthew last Saturday when they were playing.

Auntie Rachel drove us to Takashimaya after tea. We went to Kinokuniya to look for a book on baby's food. Yes! You're going to start your solids in a few months time! We went over to Paragon to wait for your Daddy after that and had dinner together at Sushi Tei. Mommy is going to become really fat at the rate I'm eating. Gosh!

Something funny happened lastnite. Daddy was looking after you while I took my shower. When I came out from the bathroom, I heard Daddy laughing out aloud saying "So cute! Come quickly!" at the sofa so I quickly went over. I saw you laughing out LOUD! The louder your Daddy laughed, the louder you tried to laugh. We were so amused by you!!! I think you laughed too hard and became really tired coz after a short while, you wanted to nurse again. This is the first time we hear you laughing out loud! You're so cute, my darling!

Alright, mommy has to go and peek at you now. Almost time for you to wake up.

Love,
Mommy

natnat's mom at 10:59 AM 2 comments

Meeting your cousins

Dearest Nat,

We were invited to a very nice dinner at the Japanese restaurant at Pan Pacific Hotel by your uncle David. The Japanese restaurant is located at the 4th floor, in the middle of a beautiful Japanese garden landscape. It's a pity that we were late for the dinner so we didn't have time to walk around and snapped some pictures for you to look at.

Throughout the whole afternoon, I've been trying to pat you to sleep but you were so awake. You finally fell asleep soundly at 5:40 pm. I went to check on you at around 6:30 pm and you were still sleeping so we called Uncle David to let him know that we'll be late for the dinner. I really didn't want to wake you up too early because you hardly sleep so well. By the time you woke up, it was already 7:15 pm, your Daddy and I rushed out of the house and reached the hotel by 8 pm. We were 30 mins late.

You met your grandaunt for the first time. She was thrilled to see you, kept saying that you're a mini version of your Daddy. I think you look a little like your Dad and a little like me now. As usual, cousin Alvin and Matthew can't wait to play with you. The moment we arrived, they came down from their seats to touch and play with you. Alvin kept pinching your cheeks coz he found your cheeks really chubby. I think you're one very blessed girl coz you're so well-loved by your cousins. They even helped me to change your poo poo. Next time when you're able to walk and run about, you'll have 2 cousins playing with you!

Natalie with Grandaunt and Cousins at the hotel lobby

After dinner, we went home. You were in such a good mood and Daddy decided play with you. He put you on his chest on your stomach and you were so funny, struggling to lift up your head. Now that your neck has become stronger, you are able to hold your head up for a longer time. I think you were amused by yourself coz you were smiling all the while. Daddy thinks that you're smiling all the while because you love lying on his chest.

Natalie lying on Daddy's chest

Mommy also discovered that you like the camera. Whenever I point the camera at you, you'll stare at the camera and sometimes you'll break into a beautiful smile. It cracks me up!

I wanted to take a photo of you crying

You saw the camera and stared at it

and you broke into a beautiful smile

Love,
Your Mommy

natnat's mom at 10:06 AM 1 comments

Tuesday, March 29, 2005
First Good Friday

Dearest Nat,

So what did we do on your first Good Friday?

We had a really busy busy day. Early in the morning, mommy woke you up unwillingly coz you were sleeping so soundly. I bathed and changed you and nagged at your Dad to get ready and we left the house to pick up Auntie May at 10:40 pm. We took almost an hour to get ready.

Auntie May made reservation for dim sum breakfast at the Noble House. The restaurant is near your Daddy's office and Auntie May's office. She wanted us to try the dim sum there and your Daddy was very happy to find his favourite "bao" there. You were in a cheery mood that morning, smiling and cooing very often and we had a very peaceful "brunch" chatting and eating without you fussing. You're becoming more and more obedient.

Sitting and smiling happily on Daddy's lap

Natalie asleep in the new sling

We sent Auntie May to catch her bus back to KL after that and on our way home, we stopped by Awfully Chocolate to buy a yummy chocolate banana cake. Something frightening happened when we went to buy the cake. Your careless Daddy forgot to hold the doors for us as we were entering the cake shop and we were almost hit by the door. Luckily I managed to use my hands to block the door and you were safe. Your Daddy told me he was so scared that his blood froze the moment he saw the door swinging at us. I was feeling the same too. We'll be more careful from now on.
We rested for a few hours at home before going out again. Your Daddy just received his pay so he treated all of us to a nice dinner at Dan Ryans. It's a pity that you couldn't eat yet coz the food was so delicious. Knowing that your grandpa & grandma won't go to western restaurant on their own, your Daddy purposely chose that place so that they can experience a good steak meal. We had a good time feasting on the yummy food!

Taken outside Regent Hotel, You were very attracted to the fountain and the lights

After a long day, we finally went home to rest! I think you enjoyed your day because you had all the attention from your Daddy and Grandma and you saw many new things too!

natnat's mom at 10:45 PM 3 comments

Monday, March 28, 2005
Yanting's Visit

My polymate, Yanting came to visit Nat with her boyfriend on Wednesday afternoon. They brought a really huge milk bottle piggy name painted with Nat's name on it. Yanting's BF painted the flowers n name all by himself. It's so beautifully done and this has gotta be one of the most thoughtful gifts Nat has ever received! Thank you very much. Nat's first bucket of gold shall start with this!

Yanting & boyfriend with Natalie

natnat's mom at 4:25 PM 3 comments

Wednesday, March 23, 2005
My talkative girl

I think Nat really takes after me. She is as talkative as me, if not more. Shestarted to babble alot a few weeks back. Whenever I sing her a song or make funny faces and noise, she'll look at me and smile or "talk". However she didn't show her true colours until yesterday.

She started to babble non-stop and smile and laugh alot yesterday and then at around 10 pm, we heard some new "sound" from her and from that moment on, she was babbling non-stop all the way until 2 am. She'll look up at me halfway through her milk time and smile and then babbles a little before continue drinking her milk. I tried to pat her to sleep while she's drinking but she forced herself to stay awake just to talk talk talk. I can tell she's really sleepy from her eyes and she's really full from all the suckling but she just forced herself not to sleep and in the end both of us got frustrated. She's frustrated coz she's sleepy and too full and yet want to sleep. I am frustrated coz I can't make her sleep and I want my rest. Thank God, I manage to make her sleep by 2 am.

This morning when she got up, she was smiling so happily to me and started to babble again when I talked to her. When I brought her to Tanglin Mall to have lunch with her Daddy, she was babbling non-stop in the breastfeeding room, not concentrating on drinking her milk. I can't help but laugh coz it's really cute to see her talk. When I was walking around while waiting for Gary, she kept talking too and sometimes smiled to herself. Ha Ha!

One funny episode:
My dad asked her in Hokkien, "Ah Gong teach you Hokkien, ai mai (want or not?)"
And she answered "Ai".
My Dad was so happy hahaha... though we all know that she just happened to make that sound.

She's so much fun to play with now. I think it's time for me to teach her how to talk. The good thing abt not working is I've all the time to my baby and I can witness her every little progress first hand. Guess I won't have that much time with her once I go back to work though I will be bringing her to the office with me.

Here's a picture of my talking darling..

Babbling in Action

natnat's mom at 6:43 PM 5 comments

Tuesday, March 22, 2005
Natalie at the church

I have been bringing Nat to the church every week for quite a while already. She is always very well-behaved when the service is in progress. She will either sleep, join in the praise & worship session by looking attentively at the stage or drink her milk quietly. She's very happy when I sling her during praise & worship time, she is not frightened by the loud music at all. When she's a little older, I'll put her in the nursery to play with othe children of her age.

My mom carring Nat when she was asleep

natnat's mom at 12:17 AM 0 comments

Monday, March 21, 2005
Botanic Garden Outing

In celebration of Natalie's 3rd month, Gary and I brought her to the outing organised by some mommies in LJ at the Botanic Garden. We were supposed to reach there at 5 pm but were delayed because Nat decided to take her beauty nap at 4 pm and slept thru the hour. When she woke up, I let her wear a pretty hairband that I bought for her a few days ago and headed out for Botanic Garden. No one will mistaken her for a boy anymore.

It was a relaxing outing. Nat has taken a liking in colourful flowers so we thought she'll be happy looking at the flowers in the garden. We went to the pond and took a stroll around the pond, pointing out the fishes, tortoises n water lilies to her. Not sure whether she was looking or not because she was in a rather sleepy and cranky mood.

She also met my friends and my children in LJ. All the kids are older than her, I can't wait for her to grow up soon so that she can join in their fun. The kids sure look like they're having a very fun time running around and blowing bubbles. Auntie Carine also carried her for a while! After a while, she became hungry and I fed her on the spot. What a great place to enjoy a meal of good milk. Ha ha.

We left a little earlier to go to a client's place to pick up his laptop for servicing and Nat poo poo on our way there and I had to change her in the car at the carpark in Wheelock Place.
After that, we joined everyone for dinner at Westlake Eating House. Nat was very cooperative. She sat in my sling quietly until I finished dinner. Ryan Korkor wanted to touch her but was too shy and got his mommy Rachel to touch her instead. It was so funny coz he got so shy that he buried his head in his tissue. Jon Jon on the other hand was very brave and came to sayang her himself. Perhaps she got too tired n sleepy after that and cried very loudly and we decided to head home.

Here are some pictures we took that day.

Daddy wearing daughter in the sling.

What is Auntie Carine doing?

Mommy with Nat sleeping after nursing

Caleb and Natalie, both not looking at the camera

Group Picture, notice Nat is crying in the picture. She was hungry at that time.

I love this picture. He is Jon Jon, son of my friend Carine. Isn't he cute?

natnat's mom at 11:30 PM 0 comments

Letter to Natalie

My Precious Daughter,

You turned 3 months old yesterday. I wanted to write you a letter when you were 1 month and 2 month old but I was hospitalised so I'm very happy that I finally have the chance to write you a letter when you are 3 months old.

You weigh 5.5 kg, measure 62 cm when I brought you to the clinic on Saturday for your 3 months old health screen. Your weight belongs to the 50 percentile while your height belongs to the 75 percentile. I hope you'll become a tall girl when you grow up. Seeing you putting on weight and growing up healthily makes me feel really happy and that all the sleepless nights and tiredness are not for nothing. You're worth everything in my life.

You're a very blessed little darling, so well-loved by many people in the family. I hope you will always remember the love we shower on you and grow up to be a strong and compassionate person. Always love the people around you for you are so loved by all of us. Don't be afriad to give away love. Mommy wants you to be a person with a big heart, who is not indifferent to people less fortunate than you. Don't ever let anyone lead you into believing that you are worth less than what you are for in my eyes, you're the world. Demand to be treated properly and also treat others the way you want to be treated. Learn how to find your own happiness and enjoy your own company. It's okay to be alone sometimes for you're never really alone. God is always with you. Do walk closely with God all your life. Mommy also wants you to be a strong person, not to let hardship or obstacles overcome you. You'll rise against all odds and emerge a winner in life's many challenges. Mommy will always back you up with lotsa love and hugs. When the going gets tough, don't forget you can always turn to me for refuge and comfort before fighting the battle again. I'll never refuse you for you're my precious one, forever you'll be.

So my little Natalie, continue to grow happily and healthily. Mommy will try my best to give you a happy environment to grow up in, and instil in you the right values.

Love,
Your Mommy

You at 3 months old, taken at the Botanical Garden

natnat's mom at 7:26 PM 0 comments

Friday, March 18, 2005
More updates

Here's a quick photos update on other things that took place since I last updated the journal.

I liberated her hands after listening to the advice of my friend, Yan Yan. She said that babies use their hands to explore the things around them so I decided to take away her mittens, cut her nails and let her have fun exploring the world. Since then, she has been doing alot of things with her fingers. She has learnt to clasp both hands together and she likes to suck her hands.

Her fingers look very much like mine! Hee Hee!

We also brought her to have dim sum at Turf City one Saturday with Angel & May. Her Daddy & I decided to use the pram for a change, to test whether she likes it or not. She was happy in the pram for a few mins, enough for us to gobble down a few har gaws and char siew baos before she demanded to be carry again. So the conclusion is ... the pram is rather useless. My baby still prefers to be sling or carried more.

Looking happy in the pram for a while

One day out of fun, I put her on the armchair in the living room. She sat on the armchair for a while and was clearly amused by it. She was laughing and playing with herself and I took a series of photos of her.

One of the photos

Many people commented that Nat has become chubbier and so I took some pictures of her bathing. :-) Look at her round round body. :-) She always cry when we clean her face and wash her hair but she'll stop immediately when we put her into the bathtub. She loves the water and also bathing her is always very enjoyable. I love to see how she enjoys herself in the tub. Planning to bring her to the Pool soon, maybe when she reaches 4 mths.

NatNat enjoying her bathtime

Like what I mentioned before, Nat is such a daddy girl. Her Daddy was too exhausted after carrying her for a long time trying to get her to sleep, so in the end, he just put her on his chest lying down. Look at how the little one is enjoying lying on her Daddy's chest.

Daddy's precious Honey

Natalie is also learning how to talk. She is able to make more and more funny noises. She'll respond to us when we sing or talk to her. Everytime I sing to her, she'll laugh heartily. I think maybe she can't stand my out of tune singing too. She also likes to be talked to so we tried to talk to her as often as we can, and she'll always talk to us in her "elm elm coo coo" language which we find hilarious! That's my precious little baby.

I have been bringing her out almost everyday last week and she loves to be carried around in a kangaroo position in the sling. Sometimes she'll get bored with the surroundings and fall alseep promptly while in the sling. Nat in the sling attracted the attention of many people, I guess it is not very often that you see a mother slinging a baby around yet but I find it so so so convenient and comfortable (for her and for me).

Daddy slinging Nat for the first time

If you want to look at more photos of her, here is the link:
http://share.shutterfly.com/osi.jsp?i=EeAMXLRyzbuWjIYA

Hope you won't get an overdose of Natalie after our absence for the past week. Have a wonderful weekend!

natnat's mom at 2:45 PM 5 comments

What a busy week!

Last week was a very busy week for all of us. Natalie's Grandpa, Granduncle, Uncle Patrick, Auntie Kimmy & Auntie Yvonne all came to visit us. It was a very hectic week since we were out on the go most of the time. That explains why I didn't update my journal for a long while!

Nat's YeYe said that Nat has grown fatter and chubbier, which I'm pleased to hear. Seems like my constant feeding has not gone to waste! Keep growing, my darling Nat! This is also the first time Nat meets her uncle patrick, auntie kimmy and auntie yvonne, oh.. and her granduncle who flew in from Canada. Oops and I mustn't leave this out: Nat also met Uncle Eric - my ex-housemate from Uni days whom I've not seen for 7 years. He was on a business trip to Singapore and we took the opportunity to meet up. It was quite fun coz after 7 years I'm already a mother and he's going to tie the knot soon. Wanted to meet him for dinner but all my nights were occupied so I met him for lunch instead.

Nat likes to be carried by her Patrick Shu Shu, maybe the broad shoulders reminded her of Daddy's. Her Ye Ye also get to carry her more this time round coz she no longer asked to nurse as frequent as when she was a month's old. It was very good for Natalie to meet so many of her relatives!

Here are some of the pictures we took last week. Let the pictures do the talking!

Group Photo taken last Wednesday at Teochew Restaurant

Natalie with Mommy & Daddy before going to airport to pick Auntie Yvonne up

More photos here: http://share.shutterfly.com/osi.jsp?i=EeAMXLRyzbuWjIQg

natnat's mom at 1:20 PM 2 comments