It's been such a long time since the last post......

Enjoying lunch with mummy at Genki Sushi Takashimaya after visiting Dr Chan, her fave paediatrician. Ameline is now 5 years 9mths old.

Letters to Ameline 2

A Milestone Reached

She said her own name! She actually said "Ameline"! ^_^

But she said it just once and never again. Sigh...

Ameline turns 1

It's really amazing to see how fast you grow and learn new things each day. Before we know it, our little bundle of joy has turned one. Coincidentally her first birthday coincides with the Chinese New Year's 7th day which is everyone's birthday. 初七人日 =)

At age 1, Ameline 

• can say "mum...mum..." (which means food), "ma...ma..." (which means mummy), "ah ma" (which means grandma), "pa...pa..." (which means daddy) amongst other babbles and sounds which shows she is learning to talk.
• can crawl but is reluctant to as she prefers to hold our index fingers to walk around and even climb stairs at home.
• has only 2 lower front teeth peeping out of her gums.
• likes to bounce or "dance" when she hears music she enjoys.
• can imitate a fake laughter or cough.
• can wave and french kiss goodbye.
• offers her pacifier to family members whom she fancies.
• knows how to stretch out her arms during a change of clothes.
• likes to hold two items in her hands separately and knock them together to hear the sound created.
• likes to keep the item in her left hand and is willing to part with the item on her right hand when someone asks for it.
• favourite bedtime story is "Guess how much I love you" baby version with 4 sentences and mummy created actions.
• favourite song is "Elmo song".
• enjoys playing with water, kicks in excitement in the swimming pool.
• likes Craftholic soft toys.
• likes handphones (prefers real to toy phones).
• can hold small items with her thumb and index fingers.
• can do the waving action of a fortune cat.
• can touch someone's nose with her right index fingers and likes to hear the person say "ding dong".
• will smile with glee when she is praised or when she is pleased with herself.
• has a cheeky glint in her eyes or smile when told "No...no..." like putting her fingers into her mouth.

Of course the list is not exhaustive but this is what Pandakoala Lai Mummy can think of at the moment. Will need Teddy Chua Daddy to add on. 

Just want to wish our dearest daughter:

Happy 1st Birthday Ameline!

Mummy and Daddy loves you!

Letters to Ameline Part Two

Dear Ameline,

You had your first fall today. :(

We were returning home from shopping at a baby fair in Expo and visiting your grandparents. Mummy had bought lots of things for you and I placed them on one of the sofas.

Mummy laid you down on another sofa and wiped you down while I went to warm up the milk because you were hungry. Once Mummy was finished and changed you into your pyjamas, she moved away and started to unpack the shopping bags. By then, I was nearby and was getting ready to feed you.

You were still lying on the sofa but with a blink of an eye, you flipped twice and fell off the sofa. Luckily, there was a carpet so you didn't have a hard landing. You were also lucky to avoid hitting your head against the corner of a nearby wooden coffee table. I couldn't reach you in time so all I could do was just watch. :(

Nonetheless, you cried and wailed immediately. I swopped to pick you up quickly and Mummy exclaimed "Oh my god!" when she turned and found you on the carpet. Grandma came down to investigate the commotion too. We tried to pacify you, by apologising and with sayangs. You calmed down after a few minutes but was still hungry so you continued crying. We fed you and you recovered instantly.

Just to be on the safe side, Mummy boiled a hardboiled egg and roll it over your head to reduce any bumps and bruises for tomorrow.

Both of us feel intensely horrible and guilty about letting you fall. Mummy couldn't even sleep at first. :(

I guess we always picture our parents as perfect and a role model, and therefore we expect ourselves to be perfect when we become parents. But one day, Ameline, you will find out that we, as your parents, are not perfect either. We have made this mistake and will continue to make mistakes in the future. As long as we don't repeat our mistakes, I feel that the lesson is learnt and we can move on in life. We have certainly learnt from this mistake and will never leave you alone again. One of us will always be around with you, to make sure you don't hurt yourself again.

The doctor and our friends have warned us about not leaving you alone. We have always listened but never really took the advice seriously. I guess it's part of human nature to be so: until the incident happens to you, you won't take the advice seriously. Well, it has happened and we will take it seriously from now on.

We are sorry, Ameline, for letting you fall and we promise it won't happen again. :(

Letters to Ameline

Dear Ameline,

You are 5 months old today. How much you've grown ever since you entered our world.

When you first emerged from Mummy's tummy, you wailed without even waiting for the doctor to hit you. To me, that was the sweetest sound I've ever heard. To me, you were tiny but perfect. Little did I know that you had already wrapped me around your tiny finger.

We tried breast-feeding you, but you sucked so hard till it was too painful for Mummy. We had to resort to pumping breast milk out and feeding you through the bottle. I guess it worked out in the end, as Mummy could go to work smoothly when her maternity leave was over. You had lots of guests coming over to visit you and Mummy. All of them said the same thing: How cute you were and that you had so much hair. ^_^

After one month, we had your first month celebration. We had lots of relatives and friends coming over. You slept through most of the day and our friends took turns to come into your room to see you. Your beautiful hair created envy among the new mothers. :)

Mummy handled herself and looked after you very well when the confinement nanny left. She took plenty of pictures and you always frowned, as if you were trying hard to understand us and the world around you. When we found ways to amuse you, you always had a ready smile. You seemed to prefer being carried upright, instead of lying down in the typical fashion. People always commented that your spine was still developing, but you turned out fine. :)

When you were two and three months old, I had to fly for business a few times. I missed you and Mummy terribly when I was overseas. Luckily for us, you didn't have colic and were only cranky when you were hungry, sleepy or your diapers were soiled. You also slept throughout the night, so we were thankful for our much needed sleep. You had strong legs and always kicked out in excitement, just like when you were in Mummy's tummy. When you had your first injections, you didn't cry much. Your Mummy and I were so proud of brave little you. ^_^

When you were four months old, I had to fly overseas for four weeks. Mummy looked after you by herself and I was so proud of her that she did it without complaints. She brought you wherever she went and even shopping. Whenever you sat in the car or were in the stroller, you feel asleep quickly due to the soothing vibrations. You flipped over by yourself one day and I was so happy when Mummy told me the good news. When I finally flew home, I carried you and you fell asleep in my arms. It was one of the perfect moments in my life.

Your hair still keeps growing beautifully and you are still a happy baby. Mummy and I love you a lot and look forward to our future together. :)

You know...

It is LOVE when you are hungry till you are upset and finally he relents and cooks the first bowl of instant noodles for you. ^__^