Reminiscing - Christmas 2013

When Disney Frozen was first released in the theaters in Singapore, I wasted no time in bringing Heidi for the movie. And true enough, the movie did not disappoint and Heidi was then mature enough to pay attention throughout the movie.

She was infatuated with becoming Elsa and sung the lovely song "Let it go" whole day long, memorizing the lyrics and acting and singing along.

So infatuated that I've decided to chunk the Play-doh Candy machine and bought her the Mattel Elsa and Anna dolls from ToySRus as Christmas presents instead.

The dolls are lovely and detailed enough...

Elsa & Anna dolls images from website.

My hub then instructed me to get 1 more Elsa doll for our niece, who's 3 yrs older than Heidi. We bought 2 dolls for Heidi and 1 doll for Tilly (Heidi's cousin, our niece). For some strange, unfathomable reason, I do not get along very well with Tilly's mom. We aren't even speaking to each other at all except out of necessity...even though we probably bump into each other daily.

So before Christmas actually arrive, and not very sure if we will meet Tilly by then, it so happened that they were at our place...so I asked Heidi to pass the wrapped up Elsa to Tilly. (Note that at this point, Heidi do not know that it is a Elsa doll, and she didn't know that we got her Anna & Elsa dolls as well)

I thought Tilly's mom will bring the present home since she usually send the kids to school with my MIL and then she will head  home. I didn't count on the fact that she didn't remember to take the present home and neither did I anticipated that Tilly and family has no regards for boxing day and will tear open the present immediately after school, in front of Heidi.

We didn't reach home in time. Heidi was heart-broken and fought for the doll the only way she know how...cried terribly...

Imagine my shock when she was playing with the Elsa doll when we reached home...she told me a tale...that Tilly didn't like the doll...my FIL passed a snide remark that Heidi lied...

I asked Heidi what happened...she went quiet...but I think I already knew...

I gave her a good dressing down about taking back presents and I made her lead the way to Tilly's house and return the doll. (They stayed only next block).

Heidi was crying all the way...but she gave up the doll willingly...knowing she was in the wrong...

So...we had no choice but to give her her Christmas presents earlier...she was happy again. Moments like this made me wished I was home earlier and she wouldn't have to go through all those heart pains...but I guess I can't be shielding her forever. She has to learn...bit by bit...and it wouldn't do with me helicoptering around all the time...

I am thankful to God for blessing me and Kelvin with such a wonderful and understanding, sweet child...

But meanwhile, preventive measures:
1) To give Heidi her present first before giving Tilly's.
2) Involve Heidi in present selection and present wrapping.

10 Powerful Prayers to Help You Fight for the Heart of Your Daughter

Sharing this amazing article by Lysa Terkeurst.

10 Powerful Prayers to Help You Fight for the Heart of Your Daughter:

1. Give my daughter a deep desire to listen to You, Lord, and pray often, “What message does my Lord have for his servant?” (Joshua 5:14b).

2. Let her learn early in life that to obey You, God, is the best way to the life her heart truly desires, (1 Samuel 15:22).

3. May she find comfort in Your ability, God, to reach her, hold her, and rescue her, (2 Samuel 22:17-18).

4. May she please You, Lord, by desiring, asking for, and utilizing a discerning heart full of wisdom, (1 Kings 3:9-12).

5. Let her find confidence in You, God, even when hard times come and she doesn’t know what to do, by keeping her eyes fixed on You, (2 Chronicles 20:12).

6. Give her a great desire to accept Your word, God, and store up Your commands within her so her ears will turn to Your wisdom, (Proverbs 2:1-2).

7. May she keep herself under control and not give full vent to people and situations that anger her, (Proverbs 29:11).

8. Give her the ability to rise above the traps of people pleasing so she can be kept safe by trusting You, Lord, (Proverbs 29:25).

9. Let her walk in the security of Your assigned worth to her. Give her a strong work ethic and health to accomplish all her tasks. Give her a heart that desires to extend her hand to those in need. Protect her for the right husband, a man of respect and godly honor. And let her be a woman of joy and laughter whose Christ-centered character is what makes her most beautiful, (Proverbs chapter 31).

10. And every time you, Jesus, whisper, “Follow me” she does so with great grace, (Matthew 4:19).

Today, I’m giving five commenting blog friends a copy of the book I wrote with my daughter, What Happens When Young Women Say Yes to God. To enter, leave a comment below.

(For “10 Powerful Prayers to Help You Fight for the Heart of Your Son” click here.)

Swimming freely

Heidi didn't want to nap yesterday and the sun was shining so gorgeously after like...forever...(its been light shower and drizzling in Singapore for the past 2 months). I was actually thinking of a quick trip to the zoo but then, it started to shower lightly out of a sudden but only for a short while before it stopped again.

Blessed are we that my cousin was staying around and she happened to be home, so we decided to head over to her place for a quick swim.

As the sky is still rather dark with threatening dark clouds looming over us, I decided not to hit the pool but hang around from the side instead. And with me hawking around Heidi, my hub decided to go for a swim. Sorta on her own...with no nosy, nagging parents right beside her, Heidi tried to make friends with the boys in the kiddy pool and to my utmost amazement...she learnt how to use the float and paddle in the pool!

Proud mommy moment...

Much thanks to the older boy who was fooling around with his float. Heidi imitated him and got braver at each attempt until eventually she figured out what we (the nosy and noisy parents), had been trying to tell her to do. :)

This is a new milestone and a very proud moment for me. I've sorta figured out that Heidi learn best with gradual exposure and through observation. But it works better only if the demonstrator's another child. I am blessed with a curious girl with a sense of humour and who picked things up rather quickly.

I shall look forward to our next swim...

Ballerina dream

Heidi's been telling me that she wanna learn ballet during the start of 2013 4th quarter. I asked her if she's serious, and she said she is. So I said...you have to give up drawing...and she agreed! (much to my disappointment...she's a really fast worker in drawing class and I get to see her completed work at the end of every lesson)

Oh well...but since its towards the end of the year...I am holding off her ballerina dream until she's 4 yrs old. There's a few centres around us that we can go for trials...I will start the hunt next year...that is tomorrow...and book us a few trial lessons.

Ballerina dreaming~

Sending her for ballet has never been part of my dream for her. So I was genuinely surprised when she started requesting for ballet lessons. Why...even the only tutu dress I got for her is a BLACK one to match her black DVF black top from GAP...

But I will respect her will and decisions and send her to the best I can afford.

Photoshoot yesterday...

After the Botanical Garden experience, and after some psycho-ing from the SG mommies in the March thread, I decided to join their group to have a proper photoshoot session with Studioloft. Group offer - at $180, instead of 6 photos, you get to chose 8. Per additional photo chosen is $15. To take home the whole CD? I think about $200 more or something.

After discussing with Kelvin, he said $180 is cheap lor! Let's go for it!

Waahh...since he said so we went for it...yesterday (at 37th week and 4 days...I can't drag anymore liao because I will be in my 39th week when Studioloft reopens for business after CNY) which means I might pop anytime. ^^

Will blog about my photoshoot experience after I get the photos back. hehehe...meanwhile, photos of us after we rush from the studio to my gynae check up at Thomson.

Dr Tan said my baby is 3.2kg already but her head is still high up and not engaged...hmm...

Should I rejoice?

The bah kut teh is damn shiok!!!

I paid for the photoshoot and told Kelvin it is my V-day cum B-day present for him...hehehehe...

Counting my blessings time...

...to battle Monday blues tomorrow...

So I am going to count my blessings...

1. I am really thankful for the car which we brought last year where COE is literally ZERO and Honda gave a huge discount for this model (though there was a discount for the Civic too but I don't want to pay more than $600 per month for a car, so City it is! Also I like its design better)
2. My wonderful husband who fetch me to and fro from work and places on whimsical demands and irrational schedules...(from West to Central, Central to East, East to West...blah blah blah...I just overplanned so much that I always manage to squeeze in 4 to 5 errands in a day. But not anymore. Not when you feel like peeing each time you get up from a chair...)
3. Lil Apple's been head down since week 20 something...and been head-down ever since. (stay that way, baby!)
4. The joy of tickling Apple when she sticks out too much.
5. The kaypoh-ness of Apple when she sticks out to let me 'massage' her as well when I am applying stretchmark cream.
6. Lil' Apple is growing well and showing no signs of wanting to be out early (no serious contractions, show or etc etc...though lately I think I am starting to hear her swallow in the quietness of the night...weird! I wonder if she can fart.)
7. The way my tummy is being distorted by Apple is super funny sometimes...better than primetime shows.
8. We are almost ready to welcome her anytime! (as soon as mommy clears out her 'dog hole)
9. It is fun to have new challenges in life...(getting pregnant, learning new things everyday...testing out the breast pumps and etc etc...)
10. Finally...the end to my blythe chasing hobby...now that I have a real one to play with, don't think I need to get anymore new dolls...hehehehe...

I've also stopped buying clothes for Apple. Many reasons...is she going to be bigger than normal babies? Or smaller than normal babies? Or...define normal? Will she grow very fast? Or very slow? And last but not least...will she be tan like her father or fair like her mother??? I still wonder what does my MIL see when she told me that my husband is fair. That I am as pale as the white wall or toilet white ceramic tiles?

Then I begin to suspect my own eyesight. Maybe my husband is fair but I see him as tanned??? Aye...so is Kelvin tanned or fair???

心动不如行动!!!

I really made my obliging husband popped by Ikea just now. Hehehehe...anyway its en route from work to home and also Tampines Ikea is FREE parking! I didn't buy the table cloth nor the apron nor the table mat. I only got the pot holders (for the bottle steriliser and bottle warmer), cushions (for our car) and bedroom slippers for myself (I tried my hardest to convince my husband that he need a pair too but to no avail).



Since I am not getting the apron, I still put it on and asked my husband to help me take a pic. (a lot of kaypohs were pointing at us...siao ar...never seen ppl take pic in Ikea meh? I do it all the time)

Hmm...the apron made me looked fat, not pregnant...

Too stuffed from durians to sleep

...so I am here typing away...and chatting with some friends on msn.

Hubby suddenly blurted out..."Are you recording your weight?"
-_-

Narrowed my eyes and said..."No..."
Hubby:"Might be good to record your weight..."
Me:"No..."
Hubby(invisible sigh imagined):"Ok..."

Trying to talk Sandy out of spending $350+ on a plastic watch...but I can tell she's bent on ignoring my good advice. Haiz...

Trying to talk Maggie out of rerooting her Ichigo Heaven...cos the original pink hair(trademark of Ichigo Heaven) is probably not available from doll parts shop...

Busy night...Sandy just went offline to totally ignore me...LOL...maybe MiniV off the modem again...

I am still burping durians...even though I pulled twice a shit...phew! Otherwise I will be even more bloated and I might even throw up. Getting concerned that if I don't sleep soon, I might fall asleep at work tomorrow...guess I better kick my husband off the bed, force him to off his recorded F1 race and go off to bed...

*YAWNS*

Tiffany Keys

I want one I want one...but I don't know which one to chose!!! Maybe I will pop by and grab one at Changi Airport before flying off to Bali in July!!! I deserve it! I do! I DO!

What should I chose??? What should I chose???

Guard your men!!!

I don't know what came over me but the first thought that jumped at me was...what a lot of cute gals out there!!!! AARRGGHHH!!!

Anyway...I've finally recovered from my flu well enough to go back to my affectionate self towards my hubby. I noticed that he is SO mirroring all my bad habits! Like how I will shut up and turn up my mouth and refuses to talk when something upset me...he does that!!! He's turning into this nasty piece of foul mannered bitch...LIKE ME!!!

AAaarrgghhhh!!!

That means I can't be my usual mean, foul mannered, bad mouthing bitch or he will mirror me!!! He's even mirrored my stupid monkey jiggle! AAAaarrgghhhhh......

ANYWAY...we are going to start dating again this Saturday...after a baby shower...we are going to have dinner and a movie....woohoo...it will be just like the old times...

Bride Wars

Yep...still catching up on all the movies I've missed out.

Bride Wars - starring Kate Hudson and Anne Hathaway sure reminded me of my own wedding. No doubt there are wonderful and perfect moments as well as a little flaw here and there...BUT at the end of the day...it is your groom that counts!

It doesn't matter if you are draped in Vera Wang or Armani...it's the one who's walking down the aisle with you that matters. And I thank the prompting in my heart to show my appreciation for my husband today...and every day...

oh yeah...and movie is good....

Kelvin's new phone

It's the google phone...known as HTC DREAM~

He likes the keyboard...

Kelvin's one of those guys that's been constantly questioned why he didn't get the iPhone. All mac person uses the iPhone...much less a mac guru such as my husband. While I pretty much need to change my mobile plan and there's nothing that caught my fancy so I delightfully signed on a 100 percent free incoming call plan with Singtel to get Kelvin this dream.

We are aware that the HTC Magic will be released soon but unlike the Dream, Magic do not have the keyboard.

So got the dream and not the magic...haha...

My husband is the greatest!

Ever since we got the car, he's been sending me to work and fetching me from work.

Bukit Panjang to Changi is no joke...and so is the other way around. *fei hua* But I didn't notice how long and tiring the drive was until one day...

That's Liping walking by as Kelvin turn in...

My husband took off his shirt to change (after we reach home and safely in our room), I was shocked to see distinctive red marks on his chest...created by his stomach. Wanting to tease him, I said...
Me: 怎摸会这样？？？你坐太久了啊？？？
Kelvin: Boohooo....人家驾一个多小时的车嘞，你还说人家坐太久!!! BOOHOOO....

hahaha...I think I am really blessed to have this husband...thank you, God~

Happy Birthday, Kelvin!

Instead of surprising him with a 'song and dance' (fancy dinner and etc like I usually do) this year...I decided to act nonchalant...

Present Blast 01

Framing up of his precious Hokkaido Calbee Potatoe chips....

Present Blast 02

Portrait of Kelvin Lam done in watercolor by yours truly..."sorry I cheated with color pencils but you left me with no choice, darling."

The portrait was done YESTERDAY! with what little time I have left after my watercolor class, shooing Kelvin out of the spare room and dinner with my in-laws. I am quite satisfied with the end result BUT...I think I screwed up a little with the lip area...but nonetheless, it is the first time I did a portrait in watercolor...so...have some mercy lah...

Present Blast 03

Birthday cake from Four Leaves...

I was deciding against going to church today but today was a special service. But my original plan to go Gordon Grill for bday celebration was thwarted after deciding against spending $300+ for a dinner. My husband will not be happy. So I decided to place an order for Kelvin's birthday cake on Friday on my way from work and then collect after church service today.

Probably arranged by God, I bumped into my in-laws downstairs on my way home with the cake just now. They are on their way out and wouldn't be home much later. Great! That means its just me and Kelvin! Then when I came into the house, our bedroom door was closed...Kelvin usually left it open to wait for me...so I hurriedly prepare the cake by getting it out of the box and lighting the candles.

I busted into our room with the birthday cake while singing the birthday song...my husband was surprised but pleased...but the first words from his mouth was..."浪费..."

.......................................................................wah liao...of all things he had to learn from his mother...it is this word!?

I was so annoyed that I cut him off abruptly and commanded him to blow the candles, cut the cake, pose for me to take picture and leave a huge slice for me. Then I gave him a lecture on why the word is not suitable...
1) I cannot afford to spend $32 on a cake issit?
2) I want to eat a good cake and the best opportunity is a birthday.
3) No one in his/her right mind will order a cake just for leisure eating...it has to be a genuine birthday! Pre-ordered cake are 'FRESH', spongy and delicious! Especially when I took care to order something not on their regular shelf.

Wah liew...obigood lor. Made me scold him on his birthday...hiak hiak hiak...he better don't let me hear that word again or I am so gonna let him have it...

浪费...my arse....

Sidenote: Today's service is really GOOD! I am so glad I didn't skip it afterall...amen!

Necessities over want

Needs over want...

I've overcome my desire to get the entire Harajuku Lovers collection after my Shu Uemura spree...phew...

Recently I've taken to wishing my husband "Merry Xmas" for every bo liao stuffs I got for him. I got him a Eu Yan Seng 膏药布...and I passed it to him saying..."Merry Xmas!!!"

Then I got him the original original 苏打饼...(took me quite a while to figure out which one is the original as there were many of them marketed as Jacob's biscuits off the shelves)...and I passed it to him saying..."Merry Xmas!!!"

A bit bo liao now that I noticed what I was doing...haha...but he will smile and said "Thank you!"

I guess the key fundaments in our relationship is respect and trust...although he did caught me snooping around in his hp mailbox this morning... :P

Ok...screw the fundamentals and points of keeping a relationship alive...just be yourself...love one another and stay happy!!! Don't ever make the mistake of comparing for it is not worth the time nor the efforts...no one can have what you have...SO THERE!

Our V-Day 2008

My darling's birthday falls on 15th Feb. Just a day AFTER Valentine's day. I felt very happy because...1) Not only do I get to save on just one gift for him...2)I also get to plan what we do for V-day/B-day and 3)This will also ensure that we get to celebrate (some men will make up nonsenses such as-laofu laoqi liao no need lah etc etc ...V-day is commercial tactic...over-hyped...waste money lah....etc etc)...and 4)Also ensure that he can do no wrong!

Means that I can chose where we celebrate! Being guy...he will NEVER be able to plan in advance and definitely NEVER heard of such a thing as "make a reservation"! Being a coordinator is in my blood and there is nothing I enjoyed more than planning in advance yet dealing with adhoc situation...yes my husband is a lucky man...

So we(or rather, I) decided to skip town on 14th Feb and catch CJ7 at heartland mall - Causeway Point

...to his credit...he really got me something on 14th Feb...

Something from Dollz Inc!

It's obviously a doll...

Welcome Winter!!! Isn't she a beauty???

And not so to his credit...I actually placed a pre-order with Dollz Inc for the doll...but still...he surprised me by going down to Orchard (while on his way to lunch with his colleagues) and getting the doll!!!

Happy...CJ7 is a so-so movie only...but I didn't have any high expectation for it in the first place anyway...but the cinema is really stuffy and I am not so sure if I want to go back there ever again.

Causeway point is SO crowded that there were long queues everywhere!!! Even Sakae Sushi! And even McDonald were packed!!! We had McDonald since my cravings never cease...

Then on 15th Feb...I've already made reservation for two (even before we left for Phuket) at Prive Restaurant! Thanks to HG for showing me the informations on ieatishoot.blogspot.com

I was still trying to decide where to celebrate my Dar-dar's bday when HG sent me the link...so its to Prive we go!!!

His bday present - a bouquet of pink roses...

Actually I was pissing mad by the time I meet up with Kelvin at Harbourfront. He was supposed to WAIT FOR ME at Outram!!! But he was in a mad rush to get out of work and sped all the way to Harbourfront liao! I was still on my way to Outram when his sms came...

F*&K!!! I have to carry the bouquet all by myself all the way from Tampines to Harbourfront! He was supposed to carry for all to see from Outram to Harbourfront one!!! Anyway...I've given him a sound thrashing before proceeding to the restaurant.

He has to pose with the flowers before we made the long walk into Keppel Marina.

It sure was a long walk in...

Admiring the sea view...

This yacht looked quite cool...

We soon found our way into Prive and was lead by the very professional team of staff to our reserved table.

The table was big enough for our food and the bouquet.

Complimentaries: Corn bread and Australian fried mussels..

Finally our food arrived...

Starter: Oyster in oxtail sauce

Shiok and fresh...


My main course: Grilled Double Lamb shank


Kelvin's main course: Grilled dunno what steak

The staffs at Prive are really really friendly...not too overbearing...and the ambience was great! The red wine I had was very nice too. Easy drinking and not siap siap kind...

When we cleared our main course...one of the captain came over to ask if we wanted any desserts and I happily told them its Kelvin's birthday!!! *I pulled the same stunt at Fullerton last year...*

Kelvin's complimentary Bday cake!!!

Happy Birthday, my dear Husband!!!

Okay...so what if I engineered this whole celebration thing and end up paying for everything with my supplementary card? The most important thing is that...we have each other and we had a great time! Right? Right?

Oh and one more thing to note...after our dinner, we tried to get a cab home. But all the cabs who send passengers in...REFUSED to pick us up! It's 9pm + wor...then we have to call for cab and pay $3.50 more to get home. It's ok since we are in a great mood...but if you wanna go Prive...either you drive or get someone who drives...

Another thing to note...contrary to some perception...the restaurant is not EMPTY. Just that the particular lens that I used...Sigma 30mm F1.4...created the blurry background effect...

Happy Valentine's Day

It's Valentine's Day tomorrow and I will like to wish all my family members and friends..a

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!!!

I am very fortunate that my hub's bday falls on a day JUST after V-Day so I can skip V-Day present...or rather...combine V-Day and his B-Day presents into ONE!

WAHAHAHA...damn 划算！！！

This year...I am going to outdo myself again...I've booked a place on his bday and I am so not going to tell him where it is! Just gonna make sure both of us dresses up a bit for this special event! I think I will even throw in one or two fake eyelashes just for him! SMOKY!!!

I am a little high today as I've managed to clear ALL of the urgent stuffs thrown at me and I am so efficient and proud of my achievements that I am going to give myself a pat on the back by going for a wonderful dinner with my hub and parents tonight!

Celebrating the top 10 qualities of Mr Lam

I, Mrs Lam, have just decided to give myself a pat on my own back...to congratulate myself on snagging the most suitable man for me by listing his top 10 优点!

*disclaimer: I didn't say most handsome or most cool or most gentle or most desirable here...though he is all of that in my eyes...so no one can spam me for being shameless...

1. Loves me for being me.
2. Laugh at my silly jokes.
3. Laugh at my silly antics in real-life situation.
4. Encouraging at everything I want to try my hands at.
5. Quitted drinking after we started dating...of his own accord.
6. Talented and cool as a cucumber.
7. Good at everything he do.
8. Wait for me to wake up every morning to have breakfast together...not waking me even when he was hungry as hell...he will wait...
9. Kisses me everyday.
   
10. Last but not least, we can fart at each other then run out of the room together.

I am sure my friends and family will love to pelt me with rotten eggs for being such a show-off...but they sure as heaven, are very happy for me too...

On a lighter note...

My dar-dar is a good boy!

Today he was on leave and he stayed home to paint our room, throw out the old furniture, move in the new furnitures...ALL BY HIMSELF!!!

YAY!!! Now our room smells really new....and new mattress is coming in tomorrow...*MUACKS my good dar-dar)

And my trial make-up tomorrow...!!! argh...restless again. I think I better sleep early tonight!

Kelvin's Bday celebration

In between planning my HK trip, worrying about finance and rushing to the dentist for my root canal + crowning treatment...I managed to book romantic spa treatment for couple and table for 2 all at Hotel Fullerton. All for the sake of Valentine's day and Kelvin's Bday. We get to celebrate 2-in-1...haha...

It was no mean feat keeping it a secret from Kelvin. All I have to do is not talk about it. I am quite a motormouth...yes I admit...but this round...I am glad I have so many other things to think about that I didn't have to waste too much effort quenching the urge to squeak!

So I instructed Kelvin to dress well and meet me at City Hall. Steve was SOOOOOO kind to drop me off there after work...his daughter's childcare had shifted to Amoy Street.

Anyway...we met up and I told him..."Fullerton!" and off we go. He was genuinely surprised when I lead him to level 1M for Asia spa...the experience was gorgeous. We each had our own Swedish massage then flower bath...hehehehe...

After that we head down to level 1 for Town Restaurant. We opted for Buffet as the Ala Carte menu contained Mee Goreng...Laksa and etc...

Turns out that we made the right choice! The theme that night was seafood and the Buffet turned out much much better than what we first imagined..

Fresh Boston shrimps. As delicious as a lobster!

My Boston Shrimp with some clams.

This is our favourite.
Fragrant rice with curry shrimps.

Fresh oysters...ooooOooohh

Then while Kelvin was scrutinising the dessert bar...I went to the waitress to order coffee and tea and at the same time...requested for the complimentary birthday cake.

She is really really sweet...I enjoyed the best service here at Town Restaurant at Fullerton! The captain was funny and the waitress is so sweet and accomodating. She sorta winked at me and they bring in the cake at the right moment after lighting the candle.

This surprise really really hit Kelvin and he was so surprised! The captain even helped me sing a birthday song to him...hehehe...

The cheeky boy with his chocolate cake.

The captain then made fun of me saying I made the reservation a month ago and planned everything so detailedly for him. Haha...I didn't realise I was so advance for my bookings. He even jested that he will see us again on my Birthday and reminded Kelvin to book one month in advance! haha...all in all...We had a smashing great time at Fullerton!

Kudos to their service and the warm staffs!