"Papa, I don't want you to grow old"

I was driving OO to a playground she saw along the PIE on our way home from Hillview when she suddenly said "Papa, I don't want you to grow old". I didn't know how to respond to that.

I was keeping my attention on the road while starting to tear as I think about it. "Yes, Papa don't want to grow old too, I would like to be with you always" I thought. But that wasn't the right answer so I bravely told OO "Everyone grows old OO, it's more important how we spend the time with each other."

Thankfully, she didn't continue to say it. I was close to tears already thinking about it. It wasn't the first time she said it. The first was when I told her I didn't have the strength to carry her because I'm getting old. But this time it was different. She said it because I was her 'Best Friend' who could bring her to playgrounds and have fun together. And she didn't want that to stop ... and neither did I.

And yes, this gives me the drive to spend more time with Meimei, OO and YY. These are valuable years when we are still the center of their world. Enjoy it as much as we can before life takes over I say.

Hillview Trip - Dec 2018 #1

Meimei has her jujube gang gathering today so I brought OO and YY to Hillview. This week we brought the bicycle so she was taking turns on it with Gareth.

Gareth doesn't like to wear his helmet and makes sure everyone knows it.

With the older kids playing outside, I was watching YY as he rummages through the toy storage boxes.

He just kept flipping the cover up. I think he is learning how to open boxes through repetitive actions.

Hillview Trip - Nov 2018 #2

Owing to the success of the water pool, Meimei ordered another water play toy for OO. Again the kids were highly excited with it and had a great time splashing water around and getting all wet.

Disney Winter TsumTsum @Gardens By The Bay

We went out early today to Gardens By the Bay to catch the Disney Winter TsumTsum displays.

Nothing novel but Meimei has been a long time player of TsumTsum so I thought she would be excited to see the displays.

OO was particularly obedient and holding her hands together after we warned her not to touch any of the flowers. We had forgotten to bring her jacket so she was using YY's which is way too small for her haha.

YY's First Biscuit

Meimei has been careful to give only bland food to YY since he is still breastfeeding. I recall we started giving OO biscuits when she turned 7 months. So today marks the first time YY's getting biscuit treats.

It helps that he already knows how to hold food. He seems apprehensive about it at first since we have always been stopping him from putting things into his mouth. He was kinda looking for approval from everyone around the table before putting the biscuits into his mouth. But once he started he was lapping it up. Congrats YY! Hehehe more treats to come!

Carrying YY To Sleep

First time I managed to carry and sing YY till he slept. 9 months plus and this is the first time. Kudos to Meimei for enduring all the hardships of the constant waking up at night.

I got him on "Hush Little Baby". OO had silly self made one liners to bore her to sleep. Thankfully I didn't get to repeat the same and instead gave YY a proper lullaby song.

Interestingly though, I wasn't able to coax him to sleep sideways on my arms. He would only rest on my shoulders. Hmmm maybe he is repulsed by my armpit body odour. Oh well who knows. I'm just glad I was able to get him to sleep when everyone else was busy. I'll chalk this up as a win hehehe.

YY's First Taste Of Ice Cream

Meimei brought YY to collect his passport today and dropped by Bedok Mall McDonald's for lunch. The smart people at the fast food joint offered mini ice cream cones and YY got one to share with Siti. They really know how to hook them young haha.

I think there was this initial ... "Hmmm what is this?" sort of moment.

Not sure if he knows how to appreciate an ice cream yet. I suspect he is a little shocked of the cold feel of the ice cream.

Baby Garen

OO and YY have a new cousin, baby Garen! Arrive at a healthy 3.71kg and looks to be splitting image of Gareth.

I'm happy the family is growing. I'm sure YY and Garen will be playing together in no time since they are the same age. Much like how Gareth and OO loves playing together.

Ball Pool

The pool was such a success that we bought a round one for home. It looked much smaller in the picture .... We filled it with balls and was hoping we could keep YY in it. At least that was the plan when Siti suggest we bought one.

The plan was a good one ... for a couple of hours. YY started to lift up a leg and stepped on the tubes walls. Siti had to jump right after him before he fell over the edge. Hahahaha ... we were all outsmarted by a 9 month old.

YY @ 9 Months - Standing Steadily With Support

YY's pretty steady on his feet now with support. There are still the occasional backward tumbles but nothing serious. Everyone's hoping he continues to keep his joyful and smiley demeanour as he grows up.

Trying To Take A Passport Photo

Bath Time Is Happy Time

Cuddling With  姐姐

Beaming At Us During Dinner

Feeling The Hair Stumps On My Chin

Never Lose That Cheekiness YY!

"Get It Off My Head!!"

One of the rare occasions we brought both kids out for a meal. YY wore a hoody jacket and Siti couldn't resist pulling it up to his utter dismay.

He was frantically trying to pull it off and kinda made it worst when it tightens.

Thankfully it was all action and he does not go into a screaming mode. He is a different sort of baby. OO would have yelled at her loudest voice at the instant of discomfort.

We only had him struggle for less than a minute before pulling the hood down again. Don't want our sweet little sunshine having bad dreams from the hoody yah. *kiss

Hillview Trip - Nov 2018 #1

On my birthday, instead of having a 'me' day, Meimei and I were out buying 'presents' for OO and YY. Birthdays for ourselves no longer seems as important as creating and having fun with our children.

It's a good thing Hillview has a huge garden (by Singapore standard). We had bought a mini play pool for the kids. Although it was supposed to be a mini pool, it took awhile to fill it up with a third of water.

The kids couldn't wait to jump right in. We prepared the wet suit for YY too so he doesn't miss out on all the fun.

I like how the wall of the pool were thick and strong so the children will not fall out easily, especially when YY is only 9 months old.

It was a roaring success, everyone had loads of fun. We left the pool at Hillview so we can play in it next time.

Big 40

Turning 40. Average lifespan of a male Singaporean is 80.1 years. That means I've arrived at the half way point of my life. Surreal, fear, content, all boiled into a calm, unassuming thought of looking forward to the next 40.

Surreal - Life was always this endless boundary when you are in your teens or early 20s and 30s. There is so much opportunities and discovery in those ages. But now coming to 40 you start to see the end and all the finiteness and fraility of life. It's not a morbid thought but rather a realisation that I need to get things I want to do done soon.  

Fear - I believe everyone fears death. I don't say it in a bad way. I think those that say they don't fear death are not really living. It's death that gives living its worth. My fear is broken in two forms. One for myself ... can I really live up to the ripe age of 80? And live it in a healthy and rewarding way? The other fear is for my spouse, children and hopefully grandchildren. Have I spend enough quality time with them? Have I prepared them well for my eventual departure?

Content - Because I think I've lived my first 40 well. It's not like I had the chance to travel the world or make big bucks and party every night. But lived well as in life has been good to me generally. Much much more so in the last decade with Meimei and the arrival of OO and YY. I think I'm made for married life and the last ten years has been truly exciting. Content because I have a wonderful partner for the next 40 and also I see in YY and OO figments of Meimei and me.

So I'm looking forward to the next 40. The next 10-15 years is probably the golden years when everyone, including Nyaung and Nyama, would sit together during dinner and chat about our day. Also these are the best times to be travelling together as a family since the kids are going to be on holiday twice a year.

After that another 10-15 years will be the second honeymoon period for Meimei and me, with the kids in their teenage years and joining their friends for outings. Time to ditch the kids and travel the world or pick up hobbies together.

And after that, hopefully we can look forward to playing with grandchildren. Heheh. So much more life moments and events to enjoy. No doubt there will be ups and downs, surprises and disappointment. Things never really go exactly as planned. But, nevertheless nothing is going to stop me from dreaming about another awesome 40 years.

P.S. my big 40 birthday celebration was a get-together meal at home. Opened a bottle of red wine for the occasion and thoroughly enjoyed myself. Simple fun is always that much better when savoured with family.

Colouring Mat

Meimei bought a set of mats with colouring pens and OO has been happily working on it. She loves to colour and usually gets pen marks all over her arms and hands.

New Improved Disk Rack

A new disk rack to replace the SimpleHuman one which has rusted at the metal grills. Meimei got this online at a fraction of a SimpleHuman ($50+ vs $200+) rack.

I like the two tier setup. More space to dry cups and dishes.