Love Letters to Natalie
Monday, November 28, 2005
My Dancing Princess
Dearest Baby Nat,
Whenever you heard music these days, you will start to twist and turn and boogie your heart out! You simply love to dance!
You have a toy drum which will play music when you will hit it. We caught you hitting it and putting your hands to your chest dancing to the music and the beats a few times. I would say you have better rhythm sense than me. You know how to sway your body from left to right or bounce your body up and down. Sometimes you do a combination of both plus clapping your hands. Either way, you brought us great laughs!
Today I switched on MTV channel for you so that you could dance to the songs and I managed to capture a short video of you doing that.
MY DANCING PRINCESS
I'll enrol you in a dance class when you are older if you continue to show interest in dancing.
Love,
Mommy
natnat's mom at 5:06 PM
Playdate with Ryan
Dearest Natalie,
This is an overdue letter from me. Looking at the date of my last letter, it has been 2 weeks since I last wrote you a letter. Please forgive mommy for being so lazy.
The Friday before last Friday, Uncle Raphael and Aunt Rachel brought little Ryan to our house to play with you. It was supposed to be a swim date but by the time they got here, it began to rain cats and dogs so we stayed indoor. Aunt Rachel was very kind to bring us puffs and pies and also a lovely Hello Kitty cake just for you.
Both Ryan and you rid on your tricycle at the pavement outside after the rain. It was very nice to see the both of you interacting. I noticed that you still do not know how to play together with other kids. Most of the time, you will try to get their attention and then play on your own instead of playing together.
When it was dinner time, they went home to have dinner and we arranged to meet for desserts after dinner. We went to Holland Village for desserts (supper) and we had a hard time trying to prevent you from tearing all the menus up. You were very sleepy and tired and unusually active. That's the thing with you, the more tired you get, the more hyper you get.
One thing to note, while walking back to the car after our supper, I slipped and fell on my knee. My poor kneecap is all bruised and I suffered a minor cut. :-( Thank God Daddy was carrying you instead of me. The ground was too slippery after the rain. I'm just so thankful that I didn't carry you.
Ryan and U
Hello Kitty Cake Aunt Rachel bought U
Love,
Mommy
natnat's mom at 12:57 AM
Wednesday, November 16, 2005
Teething & Birthday
Dearest Nat,
Yesterday por por told me that you are teething again. I thought I saw 2 white spots on your gum beside your upper front teeth the other night so what I saw are really teeth ready to sprout out. \(^_^)/
I waited till you are asleep to take a good look at your new teeth. They are not out yet, still embedded in your gum, but we can see them when we look really closely. I think they will be fully out by the time you turn 1 year old. I showed Daddy your new teeth too. I'm going to miss your toothless smile very much.
Talking about your birthday, we are planning to celebrate once in Singapore and in Hong Kong. We'll do a buffet at the function room in Singapore and on the actual day of your birthday, we'll celebrate it in Hong Kong. The Singapore celebration is quite straight forward, I just have to send the invitation out. The Hong Kong celebration is more tricky as we do not have a venue and we can only rely on the information we received from your grandpa and aunt Yvonne. Therefore we are still comtemplating whether to hold a party in Hong Kong or not or just have a small dinner with the family.
Your indulging grandpa wanted to celebrate your birthday in Disneyland! I was shocked when I heard that from your grandma yesterday. He really spoils you, my dear girl. You are so blessed. Of course we won't celebrate your birthday in Disneyland. It's too costly and I don't think you will appreciate that yet. Maybe when we are a little older, we can celebrate your birthday by bringing you there.
Your favourite activity now is DANCING! When you hear music, you will move your body to the beats of the music which is quite funny. Sometimes you will put your hands to your chest and nod your head up and down. Sometimes you will clap along and want us to clap too. Just last night, we had to entertain you by singing and clapping with you while you dance your heart away with making "oh oh oh" song. That was hilarious, we laughed till our sides ached.
Another thing I have to write before I forget, your Daddy came back yesterday with a big envelope from his company and inside it is a letter/certificate that reads "Service Star Award". \(^_^)/ Yes, my dear, your Daddy won the service star for this quarter. Though he said the award doesn't mean anything, I'm still mighty proud of him. At least his efforts are being recognised by the company.
One more month and we'll be in Hong Kong! Isn't that wonderful?
Love,
Mommy
natnat's mom at 1:20 PM
Sunday, November 13, 2005
JWT Gym
Dearie Nat,
We got up early this morning to bring you to JWT Gym. I signed you up for a trial session with them after seeing your interest in joining the rest of the kids when we went to observe Lele's class. Your Daddy went with us too.
We were 10 mins late due to the faulty lift at UE Square. We wasted time looking for another lift. When we reached JWT, we had to waste time filling in some forms too and that made us missed some part of the sessions too. By the time we joined the rest, they were already doing the last few actions for the first segment. After the first segment, it was free time and we let you try on the various toys and gym equipments in the center. You seemed quite interested in the things you saw for a while, after which you became sleepy and lost your interest. Most of the kids there are older than you as the class is for 11 to 18 mths.
Anyway, after the trial session today, we have decided not to sign you up. I would prefer the program to be more structured and with more teacher's involvement. Right now, most of the time we were left on our own to explore the gym. So my search for a suitable gym for you continues. Like what your Daddy says, maybe we have to wait until you can walk before you know how to enjoy the toys and equipments there. That wouldn't be long!
After your class, your Daddy suddenly mentioned that he would like to have BBQ Beef for dinner. Since we were near Liang Court, I brought him to Meidi-Ya, a Japanese Supermarket to buy BEEF!!! I know they sell the best and most expensive beef targeted at the Japanese living in Singapore. We bought some nice beef and decided to have shabu shabu at home instead. So off we went getting ready all the ingredients and calling Jiu Jiu and Mandy Jie Jie to come home for dinner.
You fell asleep when we were on our way to Cold Storage Jelita to get more stuffs, you were sleeping so soundly that you didn't notice us reaching and leaving the supermarket. It was funny. Normally you would be startled awake by surrounding sounds. The Gym must have worked you quite a bit. You continued to sleep as we went to fetch por por from factory and then to West Coast to get live flower crabs and prawns for our shabu shabu dinner. You only woke up when we were turning off from West Coast heading home. That was a good 2 hours sleep for you.
The dinner tonight was fabulous, the beef didn't disappoint us. A sense of happiness overwhelms me as I watched everyone busily enjoying the food. Though the beef is expensive, it is well worth the money because we get to enjoy it with the people we love most. I thank God for blessing us financially, giving us enough to splurge once in a while and to be able to enjoy when we want to. As we receive, we must remember to give. This will make the world a happier place and the "receiving" more meaningful.
Love,
Mommy
natnat's mom at 1:24 AM
Storyteller Showcase
Dearest Nat BaoBei,
Today marks the first time I am away from you to enjoy some time by myself. We go everywhere together since the day you were born. I've tried leaving you at home with por por while I go for a quick grocery shopping with Daddy once in a while. This is the first time I left you at home to do something I like, for pleasure. :-)
Thanks to Aunt Lily, I bought a S$3 ticket to the Storytellers showcase at DBS Arts Center. Your Daddy drove me to the venue with por por and you in tow. I nursed you to sleep in the car and passed you over to por por when we reached the venue. According to your Daddy and por por, you slept all the way home too and only woke up when the car turned into carpark at home.
Throughout the 2 and 1/2 hours away from you, I was worried that you might kick up a fuss and no one at home could handle you. Luckily you were very well behaved and greeted me with a eager face when I reached home. This probably means that I could leave you at home once in a while with your daddy or por por.
I enjoyed the night very much. The stories were all interesting and the delivery was superb. I was so absorbed into the stories that I didn't feel a dull moment. I couldn't decide who is my favourite storyteller coz all of them are so good. I will bring you to watch when you are a little older, I'm sure you're going to have a great time like me.
It feels kinda strange going to somewhere without you. First of all, my bagf is lighter because I don't have to bring extra diapers, clothes, toys etc for you. Secondly, I don't have to wear a sling and I feel a few kgs lighter because my hands are free. I think this kind of break is healthy for me once in a while because I came back home recharged and happy.
Before I forget, I want to thank your daddy for sending me there and picking me up. Without the "transport", I won't be able to get home so soon to see my chubby princess!
Mommy with my group of "mommy friends" from LJ and one of the storytellers, Hiroko Fujita
natnat's mom at 1:08 AM
Friday, November 11, 2005
Daddy & You
Dearest Nat,
We watched "Child of our time", a documentary by BBC together last night. The episode last night explores the role a Daddy plays in a child's life. It is very interesting to see how kids perceive/expect their Daddy to be.
The relationship between your Daddy and you is a very close knitted one. I asked him if he remembered how he felt when he first saw you and he said he couldn't remember. As I was still in the operating theatre when the nurse brought you out, I wasn't the first to see you. Your Daddy was. He said all he could rem was the tiny you in the nursery together with all other tiny babies and he wasn't quite sure whether that was you because all babies look quite alike to him. So your first meeting with him was nothing dramatic or emotional.
It was only after the first meeting that things got more intense. When he was at the hospital with me, he would ask to see you and check whether you were well taken care of by the nurses at the ward. When we brought you back home, he took photos of you nonstop and changed all your soiled diapers for you. He always check whether you are cold/warm. Till now, he'll wake up to make sure you are warm enough under your blanket. Sometimes I have to protest a little so that he won't go overboard by covering you with 2 layers of blanket. From actions like this, I know he loves you with all his heart.
Your Daddy is a man of few words when it comes to expressing his feelings and yet I'm able to see how much he loves you with all his actions. I know you're truly his little princess. There is a natural bond between both of you. A special bond which no one can come in between. You'll wave your hands excitedly when you see him taking off his shoes at the door because you know he is back from work. Your eyes will light up with joy whenever you see him and you seem to have alot of fun playing with him. You know he is your Daddy, the person who has given you life.
I hope that you will continue to enjoy this special relationship with your Daddy as you grow up. I know that in his heart, you'll forever be his sweet little girl. Our first born.
Clinging to Daddy like a Koala Bear
Eyeing Daddy's ginger beer
Asking for a sip
Daddy gave in to your request
Daddy teaching you to walk
Daddy stealing a kiss
Cosy time with me! Heh Heh
Love,
Mommy
natnat's mom at 10:43 PM
Thursday, November 10, 2005
Pretty Shoes
Dearest Nat,
According to your porpor, it is a Chinese tradition for maternal grandma to buy a pair of shoes for their grand daughter when she is born. She didn't do so when you were a newborn because as a practical person, she doesn't see the need for a pair of shoes for you then. Last Sunday, she told me it is time for her to get you a pair of shoes because you are starting to learn how to walk.
So off we went to MotherCare at Suntec City after church. We looked through many pairs of shoes before she spotted a pair we really like. I fell in love with the pretty shoes at first sight. We found it a little expensive but por por decided to buy it for you anyhow simply because "she'll look very cute in it!".
Yesterday while por por was helping gong gong to pack his luggage for his China trip, she discovered 2 pairs of shoes handed down by an auntie from our church some time ago. We have kept them in the wardrobe because they were too big for you then. I tried those shoes on you today. 1 pair was too big, the other pair fitted you perfectly.
I am now looking forward to the day you are able to walk on your own. We even made a little bet between ourselves. Your gong gong and I are betting on before you turn 1 and your por por and Daddy are betting on after you turn 1. I hope we win.
Your Pretty Shoes
Love,
Mommy
natnat's mom at 12:58 AM
Wednesday, November 09, 2005
Lovely Day
Dearest Nat,
One good thing about working in my own company is that I get to spend alot of time with you. The flexible working hours give me the opportunity to be here to witness your every milestone and to be here with you every happy, sad and special moment in your life. It has always been my dream to be a SAHM and to be involved actively in every stage of your life until you are old enough to face this world on your own. I thank your por por and Daddy for making this possible for me.
Through LiveJournal, I get to know a group of wonderful mommies, from whom I learnt many things. They form a very good support group for mothers and they are never too selfish to encourage and to share. I received alot of support from them right after your birth, from issues like breastfeeding to learning how to sling you. I learnt that every baby is different by following their journals and so learnt to appreciate you for the way you are.
This afternoon we met up with Aunt Lily and her lovely boy, Lele and the pregnant Aunt Alicia. We had lunch at Sakae Sushi at Westmall. I don't particularly like the food at Sakae Sushi usually but I enjoyed myself very much today, even the food tasted better than usual. It's the company that counts. Little Lele really impressed me by knowing the name of each of his dinosaurs. I hope you will be as verbal as him when you are older. It'll be fun to carry out a conversation with you. I'm very inspired by Lily's efforts and time put into bringing up Lele and also her extensive knowledge in alot of things. Her dedication to breastfeeding is very admirable.
Getting ready to go out
Playing happily while waiting for Mommy to get ready
Aunt Lily & Qile
Aunt Alicia who is nearly 3 months pregnant
After lunch, we headed off to UE Square. When I heard that Lele is going to attend his gym class, I jumped at the opprtunity to observe how the class is being conducted. I have brought you to the gym class at Civics centre before and didn't sign you up coz you weren't ready then. This time round, you seem more ready. You wanted to join the older kids in their fun and kept wanting me to put you on the ground so that you could crawl freely. You were so responsive to the things they were doing. When they clapped, you clapped along too. I made an appointment for a trial class with them this Saturday. If you enjoy yourself in the trial class, I'll sign you up for a term. It would be cool for you to have some other babies your age to play with. We met Max who is a month younger than you at the gym today and even made a play date with his mommy to go over to their house tomorrow afternoon.
Bubbles time at JWT Gym. I think you'll love playing with the bubbles.
Tomorrow is going to be a busy day. I have some errands to run and may need to go back to the factory for a few hours. I hope we will be able to make it to the play date. I'm going to turn in early now to join you in dreamland.
Love very much,
Mommy
P/S: You know how to shake your head when we say "shake your head" in Mandarin. You look so funny and cute when you shake your head vigorously.
natnat's mom at 11:41 PM
Monday, November 07, 2005
Daddy's 31st Birthday
Dearest Nat,
It was your Daddy's 31st Birthday on 23rd Oct. We didn't have the chance to really celebrate it on that day so we decided to make up for it by having a post-birthday celebration with Aunt May, Angel & Michelle. We went to have buffet dinner at Marriott Hotel. The 3 Aunts were very kind by giving us a treat.
It was a nice treat for your daddy and me as the evening was relaxing and we enjoyed ourselves. You were fascinated with all the buffet spread and squealed in delight! It was so funny. You didn't know where to look but all the food spread got you really happy and excited. It was fun taking turns to bring you to the buffet table as we picked our food.
There's this little boy seated near us who was very attracted to you. He kept running to our table to play with you and even took all the sachets of sugar, salt and etc from the next table to give it to you. It was a funny sight. That little boy is around 3 yrs old. All of us were very amused by his actions except your Daddy. I think he doesn't like the idea of a little boy "trying to woo" his darling daughter.
Aunt May & Angel also took a small piece of cake from the buffet table and sang Happy Birthday to your Daddy. We are really fortunate to have friends like them. I hope when you grow up, you will get to meet and have fantastic friends like them and you will be a good friend to your friends too.
Our happy family. Mommy's hair is a little messy.
Daddy's pride and joy
Reaching out for my bag. This is what you always do to our stuffs now.
Love,
Mommy
natnat's mom at 10:30 PM
Friday, November 04, 2005
Holidays!
Dearest Nat,
This week is a week of many public holidays. We have Deepavali and Hari Raya publich holidays on Tuesday and Thursday respectively. This makes everyone lazy because you only have to work one day and you get a day off the next. This week feels so "unreal".
On Monday night, we went for a ride in the van when Jiu Jiu was sending Mandy Jie Jie home. When we were about to reach her house, Jiu Jiu suddenly had this crazy idea to bring your Daddy to the Malay Village to experience the Hari Raya atmosphere. So off we went to the Malay Village. There were so many stalls there selling clothes and food. We were very happy buying food from each stall and had a great time together. Your Daddy spent S$1 on a funny looking toy with lights for you and you were delighted. We went home close to 1 a.m.
On Tuesday (Deepavali), we woke up late. Everything was in a mess when I only had 45 mins to get all of us ready and zoomed out of the house for our lunch date with Uncle Oscar, Aunt Sweeling, Aunt Ivy and Uncle Edgar. I got quite mad with your Daddy as he took forever to get ready when we were all running late and didn't bother to help me to speed things up.
Lucily we were only 10 mins late. When we were parking our car, we saw Oscar & Sweeling, they have just arrived at the carpark too. So off we went to Hanabi for their Japanese Buffet Lunch. It was quite good. Halfway thriugh the lunch, you became so sleepy that you began to fuss. We tried to appease you with food but you didn't give a care. In the end, I had to use my ultimate weapon - nursing you on the spot - and you fell asleep promptly. By the time you woke up, we were all ready to leave. I gave you some yummy Chawanmushi and you were very happy!! Such a darling you are!
After lunch, we went to Aunt Michelle's house. Most of my close friends were there already when we arrived. Aunt Michelle has just shifted into this very pretty and cosy apartment in the city and I thought that makes a good place for our future gathering. Aunt Grace brought Min along too. It was very interesting to observe the way you both interact with each other. You must be feeling very excited to see another baby coz you kept reaching out to touch her. I was afraid that you might accidentally hurt min and had to watch you like a hawk all the time. I'm looking forward to the day when both of you can play with each other while Grace and I can carry out a conversation comfortably. We left earlier to go home for a super delicious steamboat dinner.
With Aunty Dionne. Look at the beautiful scenary from Aunt Michelle's windows
Min & You
Comfy Red Couch
On Thursday, we had an impromptu BBQ. Your Daddy and me quickly got all the beef, sausages, chicken wings etc ready when he suddenly decided to have a BBQ at the backyard. It was quite fun. We had Aunt Angel over to join us in our BBQ too. We brought the high chair she got you from Ikea to the backyard and put you in it so that you could join in the fun. It was very relaxing and we had a good time.
You giving us one of your trademark funny expression.
Happily seated in your new highchair - a gift from the doting Aunt Angel
Our impromptu BBQ at the backyard
While waiting for the delicious food to be ready. Daddy and sleepy-eyes you.
Now as I'm writing this letter to you, we are going to catch a movie in an hour. We are going to watch "Just like Heaven". I hope you will be good and will not fuss much in the cinema. It has been a good week so far.
Love lots,
Mommy
natnat's mom at 9:38 PM
Thursday, November 03, 2005
Mr. Pak hack in - Shhhhhhhh
Someone forgot to logout. : )
natnat's mom at 5:44 PM
