Two years of the Fantastic Four October 3, 2010

(Photo credits:: Who else but Noey’s very talented Daddy!)

The Fantastic Four celebrated their Terrific Two in the simplest yet grandest of ways – good old potluck in a lovely home in the sweetest company on the brightest of Saturdays.

The Auyongs were fashionably late again, this time stewing turnips and beetroots and carrots away and naively thinking it takes only half an hour to get these veggies ready for kueh pie tee.

Missy Raeann showed she isn’t all sweets and pies during the ceremonious cake-cutting – yet another year of no-show (or rather, half-show) at the birthday table.

Some things just don’t change, do they?

Yet some things do.

These four now spot longer, funkier hairdos. They now know one another’s names. They still tango from playspot to playspot, but now with greater acceptance of their friends in their personal space. They can now eat almost anything, much to everyone’s delight. And there’s the addition of babyDot! and babies-in-the-tummies-of-the-other-two-mommies.

These changes, they make me smile.

The room was a cosy comfortable clutter of toys, half-read books, plates of delicacies, stolen sips of Orangina, kaleidoscope of flying balloons, presents wrapped and unwrapped, and four awfully happy families. This is one great party, the kind of party I love, and I know she loves.

I can’t describe how much I love these people. This world is small, but beautifully so. And I’m so glad I’m sharing this parenthood journey with you guys.

Happy two, you four. Happy two, us eight.

I just want to sing under the tree in the morning May 19, 2010

Everything is illuminated at the park. The green seems greener, the blue tinted grey by fat heavy clouds, the brown of the ducks glistening with lake droplets, the black of the swans a majestic black against the deep red of their beaks. And the pink on her face glowing pinker under the rays of the late morning sun. The shadows are short, dark and strong. And our moods, soaring.

We had so much fun with Noey and Kate and their daddies and mommies (this time, missing Bean and family, and my dearest huddy who is perpetually tapping away on the keyboard meeting deadlines). Awaiting photos that I know will be beautiful.

Everyday should be a park day. Or a beach day. Or a drink-a-lot-of-coffee-and-juice-and-eat-a-lot-of-cakes-and-not-get-fat-day.

October babies turn one October 2, 2009

First of October. Their first Children’s Day. Their first birthday. Their first joint birthday party.

Bean:: We are turning one?

Desperate attempts by the mommies and daddies to get the babies to sit still for a group shot. And a beautiful candid one we got, thanks to D!

Missing Noey!

Häagen-Dazs ice cream cake (Belgium chocolate!) from Momo – the perfect entrée.

Remarkable assortment of glorious food.

Shiny swirls spiralling down from the ceiling.

Endless flow of toys making their cameos.

Chatty, high-pitched Elmo who pretends to fall.

Gerber puffs popping out and picked up from the floor.

That gait around the babies toddlers.

Continuous peals of merry laughter.

The past-the-naptime-but-I-still-want-to-play looks on all four.

Their sweat. Sweet, and says “I’ve having a ball”.

The smiles on the mommies and daddies – oh why didn’t we take a group shot of us all?

And the presents! Chosen and made with so much love it makes me smile and smile and smile.

She goes around feeding. So slow is she in eating that Kate and Bean started eyeing her leftover cookie.

In Grandma's second creation - a peachy-pink polka dotted dress.

Still clapping.

Daddy's girl alright.

I see with much pride and joy how the babies have come into their own in this one year. Noey, the eldest of the four, leads the milestone check at every point. Bean, Noey’s birthday twin, impresses us with his toilet habits and knowledge of words and pictures. Katie the sweetie is the absolute angel who smiles and waves for everyone and anyone. And my own Missy Raeann, the dainty little lady who plays the feeding game with everything and anything.

Born within eight days of one another, this fellowship of babies and mommies has turned out to be one of the best things in my mommyhood journey. This wonderful group of mommies. We double date. We share baby notes. We meet and talk and laugh. We make plans. Oh so lovely ones about them celebrating their birthdays together every year (it’s making me look forward to their second birthday already!). And best of all, we love all the four babies.

This is the first, and certainly not the last. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again – I love you all, mommies and babies.

Happy one, you four October babies.

This weekend June 21, 2009

This must be Missy Raeann’s busiest weekend to date.

It started with a double date with the October babies. The mommies had coffee and smoothies, the babies had bites and got all drooly. We were quite a sight, I must say. Till the next date, and I really can’t wait!

Then she went swimming! Finally! She was Little Miss Sunshine that day. Scarlet glow. Big hugs. Infectious chuckles. I expected her to feel clueness, or even afraid, but she was totally cool in the water. Oblivious actually.

Then Daddy came and whisked her away from the float for some much needed exercise after a heavy tea of baby bites, organic rusks and breast milk.

What’s swimming without a taste of the water? She had multiple gulps of the mineral water at the Club. Oh my funny baby.

And we had the most awesome company of Adrian, Xinyun and their Mister David. Every date with this lovely family is delightful. I think of food, laughter, magic (you two know what I mean!) and all things nice and homey. Thank you guys, for yet another great day out.

The missy’s now sleeping, maybe even dreaming, after a fabulous day of photoshoot with Gideon, our wedding photographer turned friend. Sun-splashed afternoon. Inky black hair. Pulled-out socks. Almond-shaped eyes. Pooping in Canopy.

I’m so blissed out.

And so tired.

It’s just not right May 14, 2009

I’m one singsongy mommy.

Diapertime, bathtime, bedtime, playtime, anytime.

And it bugs me to no end that I can’t find a decent Chinese song to sing to the missy.

Why do we glorify a song that tells children it is strange to have no eyes? Why do we other-ize? (Think San Zhi Hao Hu.)

What’s so strange about giving a dollar instead of the fifty cents’ fare? There is such a thing known as change. Or tips. (Think San Lun Che.)

And must we tell a child that being without a mother makes one stray like grass? Where is the sensitivity? (Think Ma Ma Hao.)

I feel ashamed of our Chinese songs. I really do.

Missy Raeann will not be stepping foot into any playschools that sing these discriminatory songs. And I’m prepared to give these schools a piece of my mind too.

This Mommy’s rights October 7, 2008

There is always this strange urge to write whenever the sky’s swollen with low grey clouds, or already storming with rage. The homeland’s looking a little solemn, but there’s still the lushness of the morning air to revel in. I had major insomnia last night, from the high of Mamma Mia-ing. I wanted to get up and dance with the huddy, but the rest of the theatre crowd looked simply sedated and contented to just passively watch the show. Good goblins, let’s have it again on DVD and we’ll SING ALONG!

So I spent the night humming away and reading up on traditional Chinese confinement beliefs. I’m so not a purist, and a strange sense of fear is compounding – I just might offend my well-meaning folks in my postpartum days (no, not calling the resting period the confinement period). I am showering (no herbal sachet, no!), washing my hair, cooking for Latte, drinking cold water, having the fan ventilate the homeland in the day, and I’m so not having anything with ginger/sesame oil/rice wine more than once (ok, twice) a week. My mum’s aware of my quirks when it comes to ancient beliefs not backed up by modern science – after all, I did away with at least three quarters of the traditional wedding customs. But it’ll be hard to tell the sweet in-laws nicely that “I want to be a happy newly-minted mum, and yucky Chinese food makes me grouchy”. I wish I weren’t so finicky with food, and such a customs-snob. But I am. And it’s going to be such a challenge come next month.

A nice slice of cheesecake, some cookies, sandwiches, plain naan, or berries would be very very welcome. Chicken essence and anything herbal/Chinese is not.

It’s time obsolete customs stop ruining poor mummies’ recuperating days.

Walkathon September 30, 2008

I shopped for a straight five hours today, from some warehouse in Keppel, to Ikea, to Anchorpoint, to Tiong Bahru Plaza, and finally to dear old Junction 8. After a short break, it was back to the familiar mall for errands and some more shopping. Yesterday was lusting after maxi-dresses in Far East, beer at Paulaners (hot chocolate and buffalo wings for me) with the huddy and Lionel , and a very fruitful trip at Jason’s (bagels, finally).

Good birkies make a difference. I can almost run.

Many asked when I’m due. I said in five weeks. They looked at my tummy, and my shopping bags, and almost all would say, “You don’t look like you’re giving birth next month!”

I am. I really am. Hence the frantic shopping.

Five more weeks.

My glow in my belly, I’ll see you really soon.

On a Monday September 22, 2008

• My sides are hurting with her twists and turns. Little tight knobs pop up and I’m quite sure those are her feet. My itsy-bitsy one, you really pack quite a punch.

• I’m sun-baked, though well nestled in the homeland. I revel in the splash of cold water on my bare skin. But there are only so many showers you can take in a day.

• Sundresses are a godsend. Nothing beats a cool cotton flouncy dress with jaunty birkies for a frumpy preggy.

• Slack skin around the arms. Stretch marks on the sides. Never a lovely sight. But the huddy gives me a hug and drops me a light kiss on my forehead. And I feel beautiful all over again.

How is your Monday?

Pretties on a pole September 14, 2008

Dear Raeann,

See those pretties? Mommy’s washed them nice and clean, and I like seeing your laundry hang fresh-smelling and swaying in the light Sunday breeze. You are lying upside down in my tummy, so it seems that Daddy has been talking to your buttocks for some time. Good girl, stay there, make yourself comfortable. We’ll see you in less than eight weeks’ time. We can’t quite wait.

Kisses (and very wet ones from Latte too),

Mommy

The week in pixels September 8, 2008

September started stupendous. I’m letting every bit of the amber sunshine into the homeland. And eating every morsel of the chocolate rounds in the cookie jar.

My very handsome boy

Pollination in progress. Do not disturb.

Bread in the baking

Tales for Baby Raeann

Japanese sweets with Min

Happy Huddy after ramen

Cheery orange top from Prissi

Gotta love this month. Good week, all.

Baby baby September 2, 2008

I crept up early this morning to make a cold large-shell pasta salad for Cyn before she takes off to Hue for two weeks. The sun was up, but my world was dark. I put on my country apron, rubbed my eyes, and I think I fell asleep standing in front of the sink for a good few seconds. Morning person I so am not. Do I sleep all I can now before Raeann comes along, or should I practise a two-hourly sleep routine just to get into the hang of mummyhood?

There aren’t many trials and tribulations of my pregnancy I can think of. I’ve been blessed with an almost dream-like pregnancy. On bad days, I feel her mighty kicks into my ribs, the depths of my belly. On good days, I just laugh at her attempts to twist my belly into odd shapes and angles aplenty. I get seats on the train, and I make sure I say my thanks loud and sincere – I really am grateful. The neighbours have been checking in on my progress and volunteering to babysit when we need some timeout. And blessings from friends and family – you can never thank them enough. The huddy bought a confinement recipe book with some fairly un-confinement-y food that I’m actually looking forward to eating (read no ginger and sesame oil). I’m going to start pasting pretty post-its.

Nine more weeks and she’ll be out of me. It’s time to start primping and stop looking like a frumpy whale with an over-nourished belly.

Snapshot on rainy days August 26, 2008

• The after-drizzle air smells of fallen wild fruit, and I’m liking the slight breeze on my skin. But it’s bad news for Latte boy, who can’t have his regular jogs with the huddy. To make up for his loss of exercise, we hide his toys and make him search the homeland for them. The clever boy knows all the names of his toys, which still amazes us to no end. Proud parents, we are.

• The huddy’s got a new toy and he’s quite contented to have the rain for company for the next couple of days. He’s one very happy man now, I must say.

• It’s strange how I’m getting cravings all over again. Today’s fudgy chocolate cake, which I hope to be able to bake tomorrow, unless there’s a new craving. One thick slice with a cup of English Breakfast. And a good read. And more drippy weather.

• My feet are sore from the shopping for Raeann (short trips only, really!). Nothing that I own seems to be able to support my weight these days. There must be pretty, reliable, affordable shoes out there that can take the walking. Ladies, any suggestions?

• The last week before the new term begins. It’s all about friends, food and flowers (the duranta plant is blooming again!)

Miracle Baby August 22, 2008

Baby David who hates to be swaddled

Their little one came early. A beautiful addition to the family. Congrats, Adrian and Xinyun! Watch out – Raeann’s very eager daddy is eyeing your baby.

Some days, I don’t even know myself August 2, 2008

Week 27 begins. Raeann is starting to grow at a rate so fast I feel her almost all the time, and walking to school with the heavy Macbook is starting to take a real toll on me. While shopping at NTUC Fairprice Finest (really, not so fine after all!) last night, I had two episodes of cramps – the left (and later the right) foot froze, with my little toes in the most awkward of positions. It was a minute of grimacing that made me almost curse this pregnancy. And then I was filled with guilt for having that thought.

At night while lying in bed, I felt a peculiar blend of anxiety and fear and longing and love. It wasn’t a bad feeling, but being so revved up with emotions wasn’t something I wanted on a night when I just wished to snuggle and cuddle. Maybe it’s the lack of sleep from the cough that is finally backing off. Maybe it’s the hormones (one of the best things about being pregnant is being able to blame anything and everything on the hormones). Maybe it’s just feeling her so constantly that day I’m reminded not-so-gently that I’m going to be a Mommy.

The third trimester is said to bring with it a new set of pains and fatigue. I’m not sure if I’m ready. But for now, I’m feeling a new-found strength and gusto that I’ve never felt before. Together with an urge to nest in. It’s queer.

Loving you, Raeann. You shall get a cup of peach and mango yogurt now. Daddy says we need more calcium. I say, we need more ice cream.

Of chicken and man July 12, 2008

Under normal circumstances, I would never have agreed to drink some black chicken soup with tonics the smell of garbage. But like the jolly gynae said, don’t quarrel with your folks. So the dear huddy spent his afternoon peeling off the rubbery black skin, scrubbing the strange-looking pot, then preparing another pot of regular chicken stock. I don’t know how I could have survived this pregnancy this well, this far, without this amazing man who seems to be able to find it in him to handle anything that comes along his way. And I’m determined to drink the soup with a smile. Brewed with love from the one I so so love.

Still surreal July 7, 2008

Mondays are usually languid for me. I grade my last class, do the light chores, run some errands, and the time is mine and all mine. Sometimes I’ll bake, sometimes I’ll read. Today, I couldn’t quite find it in me to stand for long since the leg is still hurting a little from yesterday’s fall. So I sit snug on the couch and start thinking about the baby. She’s quite a handful today, moving non-stop, and I find myself wondering many a time if I’m simply hungry or she’s just exploring.

I think about how unexpected this whole miracle is. Really, a Latte junior was in the works, not an Auyong junior. Then I think about how the huddy, despite all the apprehension at first, has grown into this amazing doting father-to-be :: he talks to the baby gently, whimsically, feels her kicks and goes, “like an alien in your tummy!”. I think about how the little one would look like. His eyes, my nose, please. I think about how lovely it is to have Latte boy and baby girl in the homeland, growing up together. I think about whether I can spare enough space in my heart to love another one the way I love my two boys.

On days like these when I feel like a whale and look like one too (today I scared myself when I looked into the mirror – flabby arms, bulging belly, bending knees – not a pretty sight), I think and I write. I tell myself it’s alright to feel befuddled. I eat a cookie. And I feel heaps better.

It’s all good July 6, 2008

This week’s big big breakfast, not unlike the previous one, has the usual staple of scrambled eggs (I did them more runny, with more milk this time), bacon (all for the huddy) and tomatoes (with loads of paprika because I love it). And we had English muffins with mild cheese from the Ikea swedish food marketplace that was just simply heavenly without the dairy aftertaste that I loathe. We tuned in low to Astrud Gilberto in the background, breathing in the Sunday morning air that comes tinted with scents of sizzling bacon and hot toast.

Right after breakfast, I had a minor fall in the hall, so now there’s a teeny bruise on my left knee.  In the split second of falling, I put my hand over my tummy, and yelled loudly. The huddy came running from the kitchen. Latte was so stressed out he pressed his head against my leg, circled around us, pawed incessantly. All the while, my heart was thumping faster than it has ever had in ages. The huddy brought me to the couch, and as I settled down, baby kicked me. I’m fine, mummy, just don’t fall again. It’s like bungy-jumping. Scary.

I must so take care of myself.

The sun seems to be smiling June 21, 2008

The day was packed beautifully. The detailed ultrasound scan, the long leisurely breakfast, the baby-everything shopping, the slow walk down the town, and finally back home to a delirious boy. Because the sun is gentle and the clouds are back, we strolled the boy for a good one and a half hours. The huddy packed in two apples and some cherries in a bag of ice, yakult for me and beer for him. How very lovely.

I like feeling the late afternoon sun warm on my face. The huddy ran with the boy, while I lumbered behind with the baby in my tummy. Then they ran back to me, and we walked side by side, hand in hand, like how I imagined a little happy family to be.

It’s gonna be a baby girl. Latte’s getting a baby sister.

She will be loved.

Butterflies in my tummy June 12, 2008

It started off as a twirly, squirmy sensation. Like that of a hungry stomach growl, only without the growl, without the hunger. I sat up, put my hand to my tummy, waited. Three seconds later, it mini-kicked me! Twice!

I would like to think it’s a gentle one.

There is much to look forward to.

bits and pieces June 8, 2008

• We splurged on a king size Sealy Posturepedic Luxembourg ultra plush mattress and some duvet set with 600 thread count. All in the name of baby and good sleep. The guilt inched in as I thought about how I won’t be working from August to April next year. But, this should at least help the huddy get more winks as I journey to the washroom countless times in the night. And baby auyong would fit in snugly and sleep like a king. Like it should.

• The auyongs celebrate our second year of marriage bliss come first of July. We talked about the impending celebrations and I giggled like a little girl in his arms. Latte and baby are joining, and I just can’t stop smiling.

• I often felt that I was forced to grow up faster than I should in my childhood days. The brother, on the other hand, was probably made never to grow up. And it’s time he does. After tears of anger, anxiety, frustration, love from all of us, please do.

• I’m not that big now, but I’ve learnt to love my belly and even flaunt it a little. That got me seats on the train thrice in two days. And the cherry on the cake – the huddy says:: you’re too slim to look like you’ve a pot belly! you’re a glowing hot mummy with a preggy belly. he sure knows how to make his wifey happy. Very happy.

• I’ve visions of the nursery bursting into a rich palette of colours, with just the right amount of country that pleases even the huddy. Now, I just have to get hands-on in the sprucing before I get all lumbery.

• Good news from the besties keep pouring in. It’s like a return to the more idyllic times when everyone’s smiling from inside out and outside in. Happiness, to me, is always doubled when shared. Share yours, won’t you?