Day 6 [12 Dec Sat] Disneysea!

We took the disney train to disney sea from Mahaima..Oh dear, since it 's a weeekend, the place was so crowded. we had to queue for close to 1hr just for the entrance ticket. When we finally got in, the kids were already both tired and hungry..so they slept.

Disneysea's theme is totally different from Disneyland..its very much the replication of Venice. But the queue was really bad each ride would probaly be more than 1hr queue..even for food! The queue for the gyoza bun was never ending..crazy.

We only managed to take 2 rides there...and its time for dinner..We were lucky to find a nice place for dinner, w food purchased, we ate while watch live performance of donald duck, chip munks!..That was a real nice place to eat dinner..But they serve burgers, and fries..which Jared hardly takes.. So on the way back, we bought him curry rice...

Took a while to tell the staff we want to takeaway..hehee..Order food was not much a problem as it works based on a ticket vending machine.

Disneysea by the night..so beautiful..

Day 5 [11 Dec Fri] Wonderful ryokan breakfast and Ginza

The breakfast provided by ryokan was again very very nice and special..We had a good time eating...We had fish, rice and miso soup. The half boiled egg with the sauce provided really tasted so special and nice..Its good feeling to eat at the restaurant with river and yellow leaves tree as backdrop

Since it was raining the whole day, so we did not try our luck with Mt fuji again..Went back to shinjiku to our fav hotel..We all bathed, and went to Ginza for a walk.

The 7 storey toy park was so so only I thought..it was not what I expected though.
And for dinner, we had bento set from 1 of the shopping center..oh dear, it cost 1000yen for a cold bento again. With this price I could buy hot food from shinjuku lor..But over at Ginza, cos it was raining, and we could not find a cheaper place to eat. When we got back to Shinjuku we got lost after exit...We walk at least 1-2hr to get back to South exit ..and really amazed how big was the shinjuku station.

Trip pics Part 1
Trip pics Part 2

Day 4 [10 Dec Thur] Hakone and Ryokan Stay

Checked out for Hakone 1 night stay..We took the earliest Romance car train..and Jared ordered a bento for breakfast..He chosed the train bento and train biscuit. I'm surprised to know these bentos were cold and ex!..Doesn't taste as nice as it looks! ..

We took the hakone loop but no mt fuji in sign even though weather was fantastic! what a pity.
The black egg at Owakudani was Kaylen's favourite. Each egg is supposed to increase the life by 7yrs..and I think Kaylen ate 3 eggs! hehe..

We spent the night at a traditional ryokan stay Ichinoyu Honkan. Me was frighten by the dark, old feel and the smell of the ryokan..and didn't know both the kids were scared too..It took us a while to convince Jared to enter the ryokan as they required shoes off and changed to their slipper..and don't know why he suddenly loved his green shoe so much and refused to take off.

When we got into our room, the smell of the matted flooring was even stronger, and after exploring the room..wow the bath room was the antique type...to bath, one have to go into a deep hole..How scary that was!..So i decided i should bath at our private outdoor onsen hehe..After we showed Jared the bathroom..he too decided to join me at the onsen hehe. But it was too hot for him to dip inside..so he sit outside while I bath him, same w Kaylen..finally even daddy bath outside only.

But dinner was good..(of cos, minus the trouble maker Kaylen)..we had shabu shabu pork..while Jared had beef patty w salad.

That night, Jared cried to sleep..kept asking to go back to Sunroute plaza shinjuku, and why we have to stay overnight there..hehe..

Trip pics Part 1
Trip pics Part 2

Day 3 [9 Dec Wed] Disneyland!

A day spent at Disneyland! We got to Shinjuku train station at 9am..which was their peak timing..there were so so many ppl in the train station..and we observed how they try to squeeze themselves into train..really frighten us..as we were with stroller, backpack and 2 kids..The staff was kind enough to help us get into the train and gotten me a seat..We took the train from Shinjuku station to Tokyo and then change train to Mahaima...the trip took about 1hr.

In Disneyland, we were able to take a few rides..and watch 3 parades..but missed the fireworks, cos both the kids were exhausted.

Xmas mood was good, the Jap were all dressed up with the nice head bands, wearing the disney pouch or holding the soft toys, and the parade were based on xmas theme. We found our long lost "food" the turkey leg..it was smaller version and much tender than the one at LA disneyland.

Day 2 [8 Dec Tue] Ueno, Asakusa and Odaiba

Stucked at Ikebukoro station due to train service down for 1hr. Kaylen cried so badly cos of sleepy, and we thought she fall sick with the cold weather?

When we reached Ueno park, both of them were asleep..By the time they woke up was lunch time already..thankfully Jared was willing to take the porridge we brought along..so he felt much better under the cold weather.

After that we continued to Asakusa temple...and finally Odaiba. We met up with ah yi & wei ming for dinner and the ferris wheel ride..It was good, cos someone help to take care of the kids hehe. They had good time at the Toyota Mega Web driving the auto car.

Today Jared told us he didn't like Japan, as it was too cold. And asked us why we are always outside? and when are we going back to Whampoa?

Ah yi heard Kaylen singing twinkle star song while carry her back to hotel..she was singing like a diamond in the sky..

Trip pics Part 1

Trip pics Part 2

Japan trip 7 Dec to 14 Dec : Day 1 [7 Dec Mon]

This trip was booked 5mths ahead, once H1N1 was announced not controllable and non- trackable.

So we were able to get really good deal for tickets, 20k miles each for daddy and Jared tics, while mine cost 30k miles. (ie a return tic fr US can give us free tic to Japan)..on the lau yar north west of cos..hehehe..

And hotel was booked early too, so it was at 30% discount.

Day 1 [7 Dec Mon]

Bag was packed few wks prior to trip..But still pass midnight daddy was still doing the packing and as usual something must be left at Semb and he had to do a late night drive back to get the porridge container..haiz

Then we woke up at 3am and left the house at 3.30am for the 6am flight. Jared was always behaving very well ..but not for Kaylen..up and down she went, still she managed to sleep 3/4 of the flight and wake up just nice for milk feed for landing..

There was no queue for us (w baby) at the imigration, and luggage was not checked at all ..so we manage to clear the custom like within 10 mins...after we bought the airport limousine tics, to my shock of life...We forgot all about the stroller!!!..Spent 30mins to get it back with the staff help, but the bus already left. So the kids had porridge at the airport.

By the time we reached hotel was like 5pm +, sky already turned dark..so went to walk around in Shinjuku area and have dinner at 1 of the ramen shop which happened to be the award winning no.1 ramen shop. Well, that was what stated in the restaurant. The ramen stock tasted strong (salty and oily) but the ramen was quite fat and al dente.

Trip pics Part 1
Trip pics Part 2

Ah yi and Wei Ming's wedding & Of cos Happy Birthday to ME!

*Long backdated post..but pics are already posted in FB*

The very much anticipated...preparation started way ahead for the kids clothing and mine..hehe
Each of them have 2 set, 1 for morning another for night.

Jared's outfit:
Morning: Boy's cardigan from SMH bp + checked shirt from US + Old navy jeans
Evening: Boy suit from mustafa (great buy at 39.90 only) + $7 for bow tie

Kaylen's outfit
Morning: Dress from SMH bp at $19, but my mum had to alter the size so much to fit her, and add in can can as per my instructions!
Evening: Dress from Kiddy palace Toa Payoh

We woke up at 5am and left Sembawang by 5.30am so that we could be in time for door open by 7am.

The kids woke up at the same time too..

It was a bz day, Jared opened the groom's car door..and cry a bit during photo taking time which was displayed during the wedding dinner..and he got really shy when watched it.

Then last min he decided he wasn't going to walk the aisle with the bubble machine as he was too scared of the disney cartoon on playing on stage. And true enough he was hiding under the table when the clips was played. But both did behave quite well during the dinner.

I had to start doing make up at 5pm and get ready for their ROM at 6pm..so didn't hv time to celebrate my birthday till dinner ended at 11pm+..

Both of them were still so excited with the hotel stay till 1am also not sleeping yet..it has been a while since we stayed in a hotel after all.

Pics

Conversation with the kids

new words @ 14-15mth
ko - for her koko
when give her a picture she can point out her koko, and me when being asked.
walk
cos we always ask her to walk
mama
if i left her in the bath tub, she'll call out ma ma to get me back
nana-oat
Daddy's creation to feed her oat with banana which both the kids enjoy so much
gurt
Yogurt...She'll keep pointing the fridge and keep saying gurt gurt..so that you give her the yogurt.
She's now taking the adult yogurt already..cos Jared like her bb petit miam yogurt so much that everytime she hardly get to eat it..The price is like $5+ for 6 small sourish, yucky, thick yogurt w/o fruits chunk..too ex for Jared to eat..hehe
baby
I brought her for jab at TMC..was so surprise she could say baby so clearly
gao1-high
meimei-pretty
she'll look at her clothes got mei mei or not, she'll pick up clothes and put on her chest, and keep saying meimei..

sing- she can sing lalalalalaalalaaa
daddy
sounds like jeddi...i've heard her saying daddy few times, but daddy dun believe..till 1 day, she hug his legs...and keep saying jeddi bao jeddi bao
helicopter
she say "copter"
Hmmm..now i believe no. 2 learn stuff easier fr koko. But my mom just mentioned...jared could read san zhi jing by 16mth before he went to perth at 17mth!


Interesting Conversation with 4yr old Jared
Mummy: Hey, Jared, mummy's birthday is coming! What are you going to buy for mummy?
Jared: I want to buy you.....sausage, char kuey tiao, meat ball.....and roti prata! hahah

Happy Birthday Jared

Hmmmm its a bz day for us!..maybe bz week..Cos we started by using lunch time to buy stuff for goodie bags, then pack the bags..and not enuff "ingredients" for bags, go buy again..and pack somemore..and Finally we pack till everyone will hv a pack, not only those in his class..we also gaved the goodie bags to Caleb who wait for the school bus with Jared every morning, and Mia, who sit beside him everyday morning..and Jian Ming and his siblings..

The cake came on the evening before..then after Jared saw the lovely toys on the cake, he wanted to take them out..But waipo refused..so he had to spend the evening crying and crying for so long..Till we got hm at 7pm+ found him lying down on bed with the alarm clock..Then we were told that he was trying to sleep early, and wait for tomorrow..the moment to take out the toys on the cake!..and even set the alarm clock to make sure he wont be late for school! The next morning when he woke up, he complained that the alarm clock never rings..and it was spoilt!..hehe.

As usual we sent him off his school bus, and we went for breakfast at the market. Caleb's mum encouraged us to bring Kaylen along..and thankfully we brought..if not we won't have the nice family photo w the cake!..hehe.

There was a few times Jared mentioned to me that he does not want to celebrate his bday in school, wanted to have it at hm instead..But when it actually happened in school..I thought he looked pretty happy..with all the attentions from the rest of the kids..They were bz exploring the cake, some say its Bob the builder..and some say its a contruction site.

After the celebration, we brought Kaylen home..and went to pick up Jared again..Got surprised his pant was being changed..Oh dear, he peed on his pants on his bday ! and his eyes was teary..When asked, he told that he peed at the toilet..and he went to the toilet alone? Maybe becos the pants was w button and zip, so he didnt know how to take them off!..But the teacher told us, he cried cos he didnt want to go K1 hehe.

Then we brought him to Central to have lunch at Waraku..and after lunch we went to collect our passport fr the Japan embassy..and sent him home..and off daddy and me for the 2012 movie..Nice break and couple time..hehe..Then come back and pick everybody to Suntec for family celebration..

Thats how the day goes..hehe

On presents
We hate to see him got engrossed with toys..so this time we got his grands and ourselves to give him books..then he said.." But I like toys"..hehe..That 2 toys from the cake, and the pack of aeroplane from waraku..already made him so crazy..cant imagine if got some other toys!

Video taken on Jared's Birthday

Taken after dinner, after leaving restaurant..but his english lauyar hehe..instead of heavy..say heavier..jia lat hehe




Taken in school, they sang 3 song, English, Chinese Happy birthday and then follow by May god bless u..

Happy 4th Birthday-Part 3 Dinner

Kaylen aiming on the cake..when Jared trying to be funny, delay cake cutting..she protested..heheh


Much more diff to take this family pic than the school grp pic..

Happy 4th Birthday- Part 2 Lunch at Central

The funny chair..


He's only concentrating on playing



Jared's kiddy meal..I love to order kiddy meal...cos its always a good deal. Like this meal, came w fried ebi, fried chicken & fries, potato salad a spaggeti..mango juice and toy only $6.80..Its a catch!

Squid ink spaggeti..I love it..also the salmon baked rice...very very tasty..Jared took all the fish eggs..and quite a bit of the baked rice..

Happy 4th Birthday-Part 1 School Celebration

The cake from ecreative


Look nice on the outside..inside quite dry..



Jared with the cake





Blowing candles



This is the pearl class-English




This zhen zhu-chinese class




Love the family pics..Everyone look so happy and good!

Cake distribution by teachers

4th Birthday Preparation

The goodie bag..

Jared: Mummy, next time don't buy this ok? I don't like.. (holding the gummy worms Yupi sweet)
Mummy: he didn't like meh? how come I donnow..I like leh

I declare: Our little gal is Walking!!!!

The moment which we waited till our neck so long..hehe

She just couldn't stop walking since 13Nov-Fri 14mth 1 wk.

Her 1st steps were at 12mth 2wk...and it took her close to 2mth to take on the courage to walk independently everywhere!

(Jared only took 3wks)

On the same day, she was also calling Jared "koko". Previously at most she could said is ko.

11 Nov 09 - Kaylen 14mth 5 day

-> For the 1st day ever since I got back to work in 1 Nov 08, I did not bring along my favourite gadget- the pump!
-> I've decided to stop pumping in the office..and slowly reduce the latching at night and early morning, and completely stop bf.
-> Feeling sad to let go..but just don't have much milk ..haiz.
-> Anyway, This time round was so much more successful than Jared time, since I never leave her behind( I went to US for hol when jared was 9mth old)..though max yield during jared time was much more, average lunch pump 8.5oz, max 10oz, tea break pump 5-6oz. Kaylen time average lunch pump 6oz, tea break pump 4.5oz.
Anyway, this is the secret recipe I've been using to increase my milk..it work so well..and hv been sharing it with ppl in the office, and they said it work well too.

First of all, I think the twiddling should replicate sensation of baby suckling, since that is the main difference btw funnel and baby. While the baby encase the nipple with his tongue and palate, we consciously avoid contact of the funnel with our nipples (imagine the friction and the pain!). This is what I did wrong at first, I thought twiddling means using the thumb and fingers on top and below the nipple to twiddle. That didnt work for me at all. What I discover is that you should use your palms facing your chest and gently tap the tips of the nipples in circular manner(this is impt for me to get the letdown sensation).
So here are my steps:-
- Pump as per normal
- After first letdown and flow stops or trickles, stop pumping
- massage breast and then twiddle the nipples at least 10-15 times
- Pump again == > instant letdown
- Can repeat for more letdowns"
For me, my 1st letdown is very slow & not sure whether it will come or not so after pumping for 15mins, I will do the twiddling method. I will gentle-ly tap my nipple with both my palms in circular manner & tap about 70times each. Almost instantly or few seconds later the letdown will come! Try it!

The bike ride..together

Jared s so cute with the helmet and ferry Kaylen along..

TRBK Concert 2009-Happy Theme

The event began with speech by principal Mrs Pamela, then prayers and church singing..also got pastor sharing parts of bibles..It 's like a typical church service..

Jared performed Song and Dance: Make my day..On item 9 of the programme..So you can imagine our nervousness throughout..Seen so many kids with stage freight..so really was so eager to know how Jared would do..especially the concert time crashes with his normal nap time..I wonder if they will leave him behind to sleep in classroom instead.


Finally it was his turn to come out on stage..and he fall!!..All the kids ran too fast..But other that, I thought he performed really well..He danced with excitement..not sian sian like some other kids..no stage fright..and sing along all the way..!!


Close up of his make up done by me! The lip color is nice..bought it for the concert purposely!


Teacher continued to style his hair when we reached school

The stage nicely decorated..

His partner is Megan..

I like the gal clothing so much more than boy's clothing..and I thk Cath wore before in last yr's concert? heh..The gal's skirt can still be used for party..boy's pants just hv to use for sleeping..hehe

I'm overdress for the 1st time..when I got down the cab..got surprise so many ppl else came in shorts or just jeans lor..I thought since its a church event, most ppl will wear nicely..(in salt lake, ppl wear coat and proper dress to church lor)..But still got some ppl wear nicely lar..

Only at the bus stop I notice the teacher even draw her eyebrow..wah..

He was exhausted after the event..thirsty, tired..brought him to swenson for a break after that.

Kaylen is 14month!

Update on Kaylen

Walking
-Oops, still not able to walk independantly
-But walk really well with 1 hand holding to us..and prefer to walk all the time when we are outside. She could walk from the carpark back to our house, while Jared sit on stroller..hehe.

Breastfeeding
-now down to 1 bottle of EBM 4-4.5oz per day
-I still latch her before sleep and early in morning
-The supply is so low that I won't have problem stopping anytime..hehe..




Update on Jared
-few more days before he officially turn 4 yr old
-Very very tired these days practising for the concert which is tomorrow!
-Yesterday I was on MC and went to pick him up from school..got shock, he was looking pale and so tired..But he did managed to walk on his own with me to the bus stop outside united sq. We had sushi at Balestier point as he preferred. We had great time eating together, and he was behaving so well..

Blog update
Since in laws has went home, my weekend is really occupied with the kids, cooking and housework...so I couldn't even update how we spend our mooncake festival..when xmas is already coming!!!

Kaylen is 13mth old!

Daily schedule
6+am Latch
8+am 5oz EBM
11.30am half bowl porridge
2.30pm 4oz EBM + 2oz FM (if cannot sleep)
5-6pm porridge
8pm+ Latch
10pm 3oz FM+latch to sleep


For weekend,she would hv breakfast usually its cornflake with fresh milk, the rest of schedule its similar except that I might not give EBM..will latch her instead.

Food
She tried fresh milk (full cream, low fat), egg white
She loves egg white...
Lazy mummy starts egg white and fresh milk on the same day..and thankfully she woke up the next day w/o rashes..still beautiful skin..hehe


Breastfeeding
5oz BM on average during 11.30am lunch pump, (min 4.5oz max 6oz)
4oz during 5pm pump
Her daily formula intake ~ 5 to 7oz.
We have started her on gain IQ sample tin...and no prob observed so far.
With her intake I thk she needs 1 tin 900g of gain iq per mth with me continue to produce EBM. (savings..savings)

The vinegar pot
She hates to see me carry kor kor, bathing or sleep with kor kor..she will come fast fast to take over the place

Walking
Still few steps only..Jared was already walking everywhere by 13mth