Up up and away

SHE has been working hard to pull herself up to a standing postion.

It won't be long before she does.

She already is pretty steady on her feet with some support.


Our Sunday brunch had us pigging out again.

After munching a pao (minus the insides), Z got stuck into some heavy reading...

Mohawk

D HAS been away on a work trip since Tuesday.

You know Z's missing him when she picks up the remote control for a chat.

Sometimes you can even make out: "Aarrrrr-rowwwwww, pa pa PAAAAAAAA!"

Anyway, he's coming home tonight.

On another note, Z needs leather pants and some silverware to complete this bad-ass look.

Well, at least she's got a cool ride.

Vrooooommmm!

Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas

CAN'T quite do the Hunter S Thompson version as we're taking Z along for the ride.

For the last few years, D and I have been wanting to head to the USofA but for one reason or another, we always end up in Europe.

But not this year. We're finally doing it - as parents!

D wants to go to California (again) so California it is (again).

Flights and most of the accomodation have been booked. The trip is slated for August/September. How organised am I?

Because Z's coming along, I think our travel style is going to have to alter a lot. We're not going to be zipping about like we usually do when we're away.

At the moment, the plan is:


* LA-la-land: One week

We'll be staying on Santa Monica beach, which will be a good base to check out Disneyland, Knotts Berry Farm, SeaWorld... and Melrose!

Our hotel for the week is Le Merigot Hotel and Spa which is short stroll to the Pier and the 3rd Street Promenade. The rooms look lovely and relaxing.


* Vegas and beyond: One week

This leg is up in the air. I can't imagine us staying in Vegas for a week with a baby.

Perhpasp we'll stay in Vegas for three nights and then go on a ROAD TRIP!

Am thinking we'll drive from Vegas to San Francisco with a few stops along the way, including Death Valley and Yosemite National Park.


LEG 1

Route: Vegas - Death Valley
(1 night)

Distance: 280 miles

Driving Time: 4.5 hours


LEG 2

Route: Death Valley to Yosemite National Park
(1 night to break up the journey and then 2 nights at the park)

Distance: 280 miles

Driving Time: 7 hours


Leg 3

Route: Yosemite National Park to San Francisco

Distance: 186

Driving Time: 4 hours

Road trips are super fun! But I wonder how it will pan out with Z...

Considering the distances and driving time, maybe we'll drive from LA to Vegas with a stop in Barstow (Factory Outlets!!)... then just FLY from Vegas to Frisco, with a side trip to Yosemite.

Oh decisions!

* San Francisco: One week

Have booked us into a hotel at Fisherman's Wharf so we can just pop out whenever we fancy some chowder, crab and chocolate!

We're going to have a blast. But with Z along for the ride, D and I may need a holiday to recover from this holiday!

Anyone have any ideas and/or suggestions - keeping in mind I'll have a 16 month old toddler in tow!

Strife with a knife

"SHE'S got your STEAK KNIFE!", yelled D.

And there was Z holding it in her fist by its SERRATED EDGE!

She had grabbed it off my plate when I turned my head for a second to talk to J.

D quickly prised it out of her fist. No cuts.

Close shave.

A heart-stopping lunch at Marche.

Then we were off to walk around the shops. I found a cute little Hello Kitty T and wanted to see if it was too big on her. As I put it against her chest, I proceeded to poke her in the eye with the hanger.

Oops.

After a while, I was wondering why Z was fussing when it hit me - we had missed her milk feed by half an hour.

Double oops.

So we stopped at a kopi tiam to refuel.

Z scoffed down her milk and munched on a wafer biscuit.



She can now feed herself quite well when given long thin biscuits.

But she still has some way to go with picking up little bits with her thumb and pointer and putting it into her mouth.

Private room brunch (picturebook)

AN extravagant Christmas pressie from Aunties Smell and Charles. It's Ralph Lauren, thank you very much (not even from the more affordable Polo line!):

It forced Z to act a little more lady-like, seen seated here without her legs askew for once.

Since she was all dressed up, we headed to the Shang for brunch.

Got shoved in the smoking section so I kicked up a huge stink and we ended up in a private room.

Very nice coz there was plenty of crawl space for zippy Z.

An added bonus, no one was forced to listen to her "singing" (translation: screeching).

It was even quiet enough to take a phone call from Grandma - on speakerphone.

After all the activity, it was time for a cuddle.
Very difficult for Mommy to eat ice-cream like this!

One Toof Grin

IF you look closely, you may be able to make out the beginnings of a tooth.

Her right tooth (picture left) has broken through.

Finally.

At eight months and 12 days, she's teething a little late.

Anyway, I think it's relatively painless.

No fever. No super-dribbling. No crying.


However, she has been a little grumps the last couple of days.

And her night-time sleep hasn't been all that good. At first I thought it was the transition bavk home after three weeks in Singapore.

But then I spied the little calcium mound....

Plus Z is biting EVERYTHING within reach!

VivoCity

A VIVOCITY excursion today.

Simply because we had to pick D up from the Aeroline bus stop. Visiting a new megamall soon after its opening isn't really our idea of fun.

There was quite a bit to see and do (and eat!), so we spent about four hours just pottering about. Z slept in her pram from about 2pm to 3.45pm giving us some down time.

But while her eyes were still open, she had a lovely time taking in the colours, sights and sounds.

Here we are waiting for D to try on some shirts.

I heart pinNY!

THE cutest onesie from Aunty Bernzzzz (where's my Tee!?!), couriered all the way from USofA by Superenz.

Swim at Villa Marina

WENT swimming at Kongkie and Poppy's pool.

There's a warm spa bit in which we dipped first.

Needless to say, Z wasn't impressed when we went into the cold pool after.

Z reporting from KL

MANY moons ago, ex-anchor Aunty JL bought Z her own newsreader suit.

Finally, Z got her paws on it but I think it will be a few more months before she'll be able to wear it on CNN... or CNA.

The grub

GRANDPA and grandma got all dolled up for a wedding and wanted to take a picture with little Z despite her being in a dirty vest and diaper.

Reflections at EIGHT months

DEAR Z,

You are blossoming.

In the last month, you've learnt how to clap your hands, wave goodbye, sit from being belly down, pull yourself up into a standing position, and scoot backwards.

And you are on the brink of being a fully fledged CRAWLER!

How far you've come in just one month.

Everyone is warning me about what a handful you will be once you are able to scoot about on your own. You are super curious about everything, which means I'll be chasing after you quite a bit!

Playtime at the moment though is still pretty sane. You'll sit and play with your toys. You also love books. In fact, a Ladybird picture book is your favourite toy.


Your energy levels are pretty high, which probably stems from your love of food. You are such a good girl with your food. You scoff up green veges, fruit, bread, soup, rice krispies... in fact, everything I feed you!

You are doing well with your bottle too. Drinking about 21-24 ounces a day. You are doing so well that it's almost impossible to believe that just a month or so ago we were fighting huge battles to get you to drink.

Also suddenly, you've become so easy to put to bed. A few pats and you are out like a light.

But you haven't been doing very well in the sleeping through the night department. Not only do you wake up once in the middle of the night (about 2 to 3am) for a little cuddle (we've stopped giving you milk) but you think wake up time is 5am!

Zzzzz.


Socially, you are very wary of strangers. You hate it when people you don't know pick up up.

It takes you a while to warm up but once you do, you give them the biggest and sweetest of grins. Your almond-shaped eyes almost disappear when you smile. And there is the promise of a huge dimple on your left cheek.

You have become more social, particularly with the reles. A good thing baby, to know which side your bread is buttered on.

You "knock" foreheads with your Poppy. You are awfully noisy with your Kongkie. You sing along with Grandma. You listen intently to Grandpa when he shows you his fish. You dance in your Auntie K's arms. And you adore your cousin Marc.


You and your Dad are such buddies now.

The two week break has been great for both of you. He's been able to witness the many amazing things you can do and are learning to do. And you have relished having him around. He's been here to feed, play and cuddle you almost around the clock.

I guess we're super partial but we think you are just the cutest, most loving, sweet child.

Of course, I am still your favourite person.

In the mornings, when you first see me, you beam with such happiness. And you give me your special grin... such pure simple unconditional love.

Your eyes light up when I enter a room. You throw your little body my way. Your arms spring up to be cuddled. When I leave your sight, you cry.


You've also taken to resting your head on my lap when we are playing on the floor, or on my chest when I'm carrying you. A little time out now and then just to be close - me and you - for that moment. It's just the sweetest thing.

Love,
Mom

Sayang

ZOE loves to play dress up.

And she loved this outfit from Aunty Keng.

New Year's Day

NEW Year's Day lunch at Kongkie and Poppy's home.

It was very warm so Z hung out in just her pampers.

She was quite happy on Kongkie's lap.


Then it was Poppy's turn...


Z got to play with some Rappa' bling.

Water baby

BEEN taking Zoe for swims.

Sad to say the water has been freezing (by Singapore standards anyway) as there hasn't really been any sun.

It takes Zoe a little while to warm up and then she's quite happy to stay in the H2O.

She particularly likes drifting in her starfish float. She doesn't really bother kicking her legs or splashing her arms. She just likes to relax...

Even so, Z is pretty pooped after her half-hour sessions in the water.

It's a case of Please, just leave me alone!, as you can see here on two separate occasions:




Oh, and Z much prefers the big people pool.

On Christmas Day

HAVING gone to bed at a very late 10pm on Christmas Eve, Z missed out on the present opening at midnight.

So early in the morning, it was time to check out what Santa had delivered.


Sad to say, Z preferred to play with the colourful wrapping paper and glittery ribbons than her new toys.


Then it was time for a Christmas morning work-out.

A pig-out brunch with the family was arranged at 10.30am.

To eat so early and after a big dinner, we needed to work up an appetite.

So D and I bundled Z off for a walk at the revamped Singapore Botanic Gardens.

Grandpa came along, camera in hand.

But it was all in vain.

After about five minutes of bumping along in the stroller, Z dozed off.

At least, she was well-rested to meet St Nick. However, at their first meeting, she wasn't very impressed with him.


Go away red man with scary white hair on face!
We ate from 10.30am till 2pm.

Ooof.

Even Z had some grub, as evident in this photo. I think it was some pao.

Z with her own Santa Claus!