we're talking business

I know i'm sounding cheapskate AND kiasu. But dont you just LOVE business class?!

These Agnes b. pouches are also filled with Murad and Dermalogica goodies! I'm so keeping (and using) the blue pouch with stars! *.*

mikids

I just got this picture in an email. It's Joel's class at MiKids, taken last Saturday.
From left (kids only): DuDu, BooBoo, Hansen, Joel & Miller. (I think there's also AhWang & Wooba who were absent that day.)

man enough

Just saw the last page of Joel's Playboy...
becoz it got stuck together by spray-mount.

Man indeed. ;)

you did it!

Joel started using a soother/pacifier when he was 2 months old. Mostly, he only needs it when he's trying to doze off. We remove it as soon as he's sound asleep. But during those times when he feels insecure (eg. like when only Mommy & him were in Singapore while Daddy has left for Shanghai), he needs to have his soother almost all the time. It can be such a pain becoz he kept asking for it. He never forgets.

We're very proud to announce that he's off the (bad) habit on his 2nd birthday! Today is the 5th day...and counting!

Joel, you did it! You're wonderful! ;D

Joel on his first birthday, 24 Dec 2008

on the day it snowed

Due to the snow plus rain, it was sooo cold on Sunday that we decided to skip Joel's Gymboree class. We had dinner plans for the night too (at XuJiaHui BBQ meat)...but we changed it to steamboat dinner at our house instead. Becoz we were afraid it's too cold for Joel. However, the snow & rain stopped around the early evening, so we went ahead for BBQ! YEAH!!!

After our yummy dinner, we went for hot drinks at Starbucks - an end to a perfectly freezing day! ;)

We didnt bring the stroller becoz we thought that it was a hop-in/out-cab dinner. But becoz we had to walk (about 15 mins) to Grand Gateway for coffee, we needed to make Joel walk a little on his own...so we shouted "RUN RUN RUN"... Here's some photos of the cute little "dumpling" running happily in the underpass. Joel really made heads turn! (but ran till his hat also "crooked"! No time to adjust. Haha!)

it's snowing

It started snowing (and raining) this morning! Look!!!


P.S. It doesnt snow in Shanghai. When the climate was crazy and it snowed in 2007, we were back in Singapore to give birth to Joel. And when it did again last year, we also missed it somehow...

merry merry christmas

Christmas Eve & Joel's 2nd Birthday!
Rise & shine! Such a cute two year old boy! ;)

A parcel arrived from the US. Joel loves running around in his new home shoes!

Daddy reached Shanghai in the afternoon and we went out to have lunch and shop. We collected the set dinner we ordered from Masala Art before heading home in the evening.

Joel's Silent Night cake. No one noticed that the words 'Happy Birthday' are upside down!!! Hahaha... (Whoever put the tag up? Elvis?)

The gang who came to Joel's party! From left: Pick, Carol, Raymond, Mommy Jo, Daddy Elvis & Joel, Michelle & Ann.


Christmas Day
In the afternoon, Mommy & Daddy went out shopping (since Daddy is off today), leaving Joel with Ahyi. In the evening, we had Christmas dinner with some friends.


Boxing Day
We went to MiKids class in the morning. Joel received a set of crayons in the Christmas gift-exchange.

This is Roma, who likes to disturb Joel becoz Joel is scared of him. (He's also quite irritating lah... Keke!) -.-lll

This is Miller. He picked Joel's present in the gift-exchange! It's a Zara beanie and Winnie The Pooh stickers. He seemed more interested in the stickers though. Keke...

After Joel's class, we went shopping around XuJiaHui and then home to rest before going to FeiFei and 老Wu's house for dinner.

At FeiFei's... Joel's so naughty but so cute! Hahaha... ;p

it's boxing day

Time to open up your presents!

On Joel's birthday, he received a cool handmade scarf and his first copy of Playboy (!!!)magazine from Ann, and also a cool tile room tag from Michelle! It meant Baby's Room. ;)

Here's some pages inside his magazine... Keke... Cool, huh!

From Ann also is Laline essential oil diffuser from Pure Life (Check out the cool shop at 328 Nanchang Rd). It's so pretty!


From Daddy is this Mickey Mouse "toy" which he saw at the Hong Kong airport during transit. (It is solar-powered and Mickey's head sway from side to side. It's supposed to make one feel calm and relaxed. I dont think Joel will feel serene looking at it though. Haha!) Joel likes it and he carries it around, holding it by its ears. We didnt buy Joel any other gift becoz he still had unopened toys at home. Sorry, Joel.


On Christmas Day, Ken & Diana gave Joel this car set and the Shintori porcelain set is for us.


From BeeKheng in the US are these... It arrived on the morning of Xmas Eve. So timely! Yummy goodies for Mommy Jo and cool stuffs for Joel. Such cute monkey home shoes!


Here's wishing everyone a Merry Merry Christmas & A Happy Happy New Year! ;)

happy second birthday

To our dearest Baby Joel,

You're not that baby anymore because you're TWO today! Daddy's made it home - from Australia, 14 hours away - in time to celebrate your birthday. It meant a lot to Daddy to be with you on your special day.

This year passed particularly quickly because we enjoyed ourselves so much being with you. Although you're not exactly talking much, or making any sense most of the time, but you seemed to understand us and you'll always respond with your sweet sweet smile and very weird laughter. Your small eyes smile when you smile, and it warms our hearts each time. ;)

You're a well-travelled baby by two years of age, having been to Brussels, Paris, Amsterdam and Bangkok in your first year. We didnt travel much this year. You only went to Bali, Bintan, and of course, to Singapore and Shanghai. We had wanted to bring you to Tokyo Disneyland on your second birthday (which is why we started to let you watch the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse DVDs), but it'll have to wait till the new year so you can enjoy yourself better. (Walt Disney World Height Requirement here) Sorry. You have to reach 100cm sooner. But we'll get you there for sure - to see the Mickey & Goofy you so love. YEAH, from now, you'll have your own airplane seat too! Please continue to be the Happy Little Traveller. ;)

We carried you on the BabyBjörn till it really started to strain our backs and shoulders. But we simply love having you so close to us, and you seemed to love facing us all the time too! Haha! You started walking only at about 14 months, but you still liked to be carried. When you're 22 months, walking and running around really worked those baby fats. You grew taller and skinnier all of a sudden! Daddy says, "No more fat thighs. No more big buttocks. (Sob Sob)". You started to look more like a little boy instead of a 'baby'.

You're always the most stylish kid wherever you go. Not the most handsome, but you are so cute. You make us proud! Haha! Daddy always get stares from girls when he's walking down the streets with you! He'll bring you clubbing when you're 18 - if you dont mind going out with a "havoc" old man. Nevermind the white hairs, let's just pray hard that whatever little hair Daddy has now stays on his head, ok? We certainly hope you dont inherit his weird ("standing") hair though.

You've also grown naughtier too - much to Mommy's dismay. The Terrible Two started when you were about 18 months old. You tested Mommy's patience and tolerance. We overcame the "trying times" together. The 2 of us. In Shanghai, Ahyi helped Mommy out a lot and you're sweet with her too, except during meal times. You're not a fussy eater but i've just realized that you dont like cabbage. You always spit them out. Cabbages are Mommy's favourite. You are the opposite. You love green, leafy vegetables. You love to eat rice - even plain - anytime.

You love your dearest Bear-Bear, Mickey Mouse, Goofy, cars and reading. You can count from 1 to 13 ...then it's 13, 13, 13, 13 and 13 all the way till 19 & 20. You also know the alphabets A-to-Z and you can read! Yes, you started to read at 18 months! (You really amazed us and everyone who knows you.) You sometimes sing on your own. It makes Mommy laugh because you invented your own lyrics. Haha! Soon, you'll start schooling and spend more time away from Mommy. You will have other friends besides Daddy & Mommy. You will start to meet more people in your life, but we'll always be there for you.

Daddy & Mommy have decided to have only you. You will have undivided love and attention. But i wish you will not feel lonely in the course of growing up. You have to learn to be strong to face life's challenges. Sorry that we brought you away from our families in Singapore - your grandparents, aunties, uncles and cousins who love you dearly. We only see them in Singapore 2 or 3 times a year, but you remember their faces each time you go back. We hope you'll grow up and get to know them better, and be equally sweet to them.

Last year, Mommy wrote that we loved you from the day we met you. We still do, and always will.

Happy Second Birthday, Baby Joel!

Lots of love, hugs & kisses,
Mommy Jo & Daddy Elvis

Family photo taken in Bintan, Indonesia.
- Joel at 21 months

Joel at birth: 2.655kg, 49cm
Joel at 1 year: 10.5kg, 73cm
Joel at 2 years: 12.4kg, i think about 85cm (will measure in time)

the magic pen

The MiKids package that we signed-up with came with a lot of reading materials. All the books are of really good quality. You're supposed to introduce the books to your child step-by-step. I've got 2 cartons of books kept underneath my desk!

There are board books and paper books, for their own reasons. The board books are for the kids to read on their own. Hence, the tougher material. Whereas, the paper ones are meant for parents to read to them. All along, i kept the Dinoops books. I only took out the 2 Dinoops hand puppets and stacking blocks for Joel to play with, and familiarize himself with the characters - for later. Joel has only been using the Your Baby Can Read books and flashcards, but i can tell that he's slowly losing interest in them.

Last week, i went to the bookstore to look for some new books for Joel. When i got there, i decided not to buy any becoz i remembered the cartons back home. Of course, English books are also very expensive here. So i had my second thoughts. Haha! There is a particular book, however, that i regretted not buying...so i will go back again. ;p

When i got home, i took out a few of the Dinoops books. I also thought that Joel might be ready for them. It so happened that today, Jenny & Victoria (from the MiKids) arranged to come to our house to observe Joel and see his progress. They also advised me to start Joel on some of the other Dinoops series...and also let him use "The Pen". I shall call it the Magic Pen.

Elvis & i are VERY AMAZED with this Magic Pen. When you place it over any word or picture in the Dinoops reading materials, it READS out the sentence or make a sound if it's an object/dinosaur character. Yes, it reads out loud! The paper books are the thickness of normal paper (maybe about 100gsm) and there are so many books in the entire series. The board books are also the thickness of normal board books. Even the stacking blocks and poster are "readable"! It's like MAGIC!

So tonight, i took out more Dinoops books and the Magic Pen for Joel. He loves it! He's been pointing at them all night! ;)

Point Point Point... (Shown here is the Flap Book)

Joel, this is your birthday present, ok? Haha... ;)

more words

It suddenly occurred to me that i havent been updating new words Joel has been saying. I guess once kids really start talking, it's hard to keep track. Or perhaps parents simply loses the kick out of hearing it - unlike for the first time. I still get very excited and happy when Joel uses new words. ;)

I've just uploaded the long-overdue videos of Joel's word game (at 21 months in Sep 2009). Now, he seldom force me to play the flashcards with him. He still likes to take them off the shelf everyday. But instead, he will put the whole pile on the coffee table and he reads them on his own. Sounding like a good kid, huh?! Not at all! Many a time, he loves throwing them on the floor and see them "splash" all over. It thrills him to bits! -.-lll

Joel hasnt really started talking yet, but he seemed to understand us better. He can also convey what he wants though simple singular words and gestures...and whining, of course.

calendar

Look, we've got a Limited Edition 2010 Calendar!
3 more sets are also on their way to Singapore...

Happy New Year!


Joel likes to play with this dustbin we bought from Tokyo. Fortunately, it's more for display. Not dirty at all. Keke... ;p

First, he takes the lid off. Spin it on the floor. He loves the clanking sound it makes. Then he takes the removable ashtray...and spin it again! Lastly, he moves the whole bin somewhere else.

placing orders

I've ordered Joel's birthday cake from 21Cake. It's Silent Night 平安夜. Recommended by Elvis (who ate it for his colleague's birthday), and so appropriate too since Joel was born on Christmas Eve. ;)

I'm also looking into ordering food from Masala Art - a very yummy Indian restaurant - through Sherpa's. I called and emailed the restaurant Manager to ask for recommendations and he came back with 10 dishes (for 8 pax)...but i'm still very confused. Elvis says, "How come only 2 are meat (chicken & lamb)...the rest sound like vegetarian dishes...or bread or nuts". -.-lll

WE LOVE MEAT! WE WANT MEAT!

P.S. Masala Art can also cater the same 10 dishes at a set menu of ¥110/pax.

chubby cheeks

Joel lost weight when he fell sick in Singapore. Made everyone so sad...

Happy to announce that he's chubby again! Got his double-chin back too! Chubby cheeks once more. ;)

joel misses daddy

On the weekend that Daddy is away in Australia...

Daddy arrived in Melbourne Shanghai time 9am and he called us. Joel always act coy with Daddy over the phone. The shoot starts tomorrow, so Daddy can go shop a little today (Hurry! The shops close really early, even on weekends).

gymboree sunday

Mommy wasnt lazy today! I brought Joel to Gymboree! But i changed his 4pm Art Class to Music Class at 11.15am. Joel woke up very early and we could have even made it to the 10.15am class but it was fully booked.

Today is a sunny day and also about 2-4˚C but it doesnt feel as freezing as yesterday. At Gymboree, more people said we wore too little. A granny said her grandson is wearing 5 layers including thermals. Teacher Joyce also commented that Joel is wearing "summer pants"...which is true. Haha! It's real-feel of -2˚C. (In the evening, the temperature will drop to real-feel of -11˚C)

I realized that today, Joel seemed to miss his Daddy A LOT. Before we left the house, he kept calling for Daddy and wanted to cry. (See picture & video here) Then when we reached Gymboree, he thought that Daddy was waiting there for him. When we left, he also thought that we were going to look for Daddy. :(

Mommy & Joel went Crystal Jade to dabao the expensive fried rice & egg-tarts for dessert and then we went home. The portion isnt enough for us to share. Joel asked for milk afterwards and Mommy drank milo. -.-lll

Daddy, we miss you! See you on Thursday!

Some kid tries to snatch the toy Joel was playing with...then Joel (who cannot win him/her) scream!!! And Joel loves the wave slide. He goes "WOW" when he slides down. Halfway down, he will also flip over to tummy-down position. ;)

freezing saturday

Daddy Elvis left for HK>Aussie this afternoon, but we still went to Joel's class at MiKids since it's really really early in the morning. We always rush like mad - drag ourselves up (which is particularly difficult when it's so shiok to stay in bed in our heated room), rush to prepare ourselves AND Joel - but somehow, we're always one of the earliest to reach. Class starts on time at 9.15am and ends at 10am.

Today is only 2˚C in the day. The minute we left our house, our hands, nose, ears all started to turn numb. Even with my hair down, my ears still froze! Quite unbearable. We're quite worried for Joel.

We agreed that today, Daddy will accompany Joel in class. But becoz Joel wanted to cry (when that black teacher disturbed him "on purpose" again), we were both allowed to be in the class. Today, we wrote down our wishes - or rather Joel's wishes - and hung it on the Christmas tree. I wrote, 'I wish I will be very happy on my birthday & on Christmas Day. Joel'. We also made a Christmas card. Again, it's the nicest despite being very very slipshod. Since Mommy Jo's good at Art, it has to be "still quite nice". Of course, Daddy Elvis kept nagging, scolding and saying, "It's Joel's work, not yours". Hahahaha... ;p

After the class, we wanted to have brunch, but most of the places were not opened yet. So we decided on 一茶一坐 Chamate. Both of us havent eaten at Chamate for a while. Dont know why... Maybe coz it's not that yummy although the "bak chor" (minced pork) is very appetizing and goes well with rice. Keke... Actually, i also like some of their dessert. There's a caramel pudding and some fried yam/tapioca fries... And i like their mini sweet potato balls which i ordered. They taste exactly the same as the bigger ones from Singapore. My friends LOVE their red bean kacang. I dont eat/like red bean though. Chamate is from Taiwan and they have lots of teas for you to choose from. A good place to sit for hours. Keke... ;p

We did not send Daddy to the airport since it's too cold. Back at home, i tried to keep Joel entertained for the rest of the day...and i still get bullied even before we go to bed. Here's evidence of him pulling my hair. He does that every night! (DADDY!!!!)


I might stay in tomorrow and skip Joel's Gymboree class. Will try to go on the weekdays instead. ;p

pre-xmas work

Daddy Elvis will be away in Melbourne for work from 21-23 Dec. It was a last minute decision (we cant tag along), and given the 14-hour flight, we were worried Daddy wouldnt be back in time for Joel's birthday on Christmas Eve. Although Joel wouldnt know the difference, Daddy Elvis felt very bad about it but he had to make the trip down nonetheless.

Fortunately, if all goes well (the shoot goes smoothly, no flight delays & no problems during transit), Elvis will arrive on the afternoon of 24 Dec. Then we can still have a good dinner together! ;)

We havent thought about what to buy for Joel and we havent ordered a cake. Terrible parents. Sorry, Joel.

out and about

Daddy Elvis has been able to get off early from work...so we sometimes go out to eat instead of dabaoing dinner home. Joel has also recovered from his flu. It's been freezing though...and temperatures will start to dip - yet again.

On one of the weekdays, we had CocoCurry (YUM YUM!) at Sogo JingAn. I ordered the tomato asparagas egg omelete rice ADD a pork cutlet. Elvis ordered his usual hamburger patty rice ADD squid.
(Yesterday, Mommy Jo also dabao CocoCurry for dinner when i went to XuJiaHui in the afternoon coz Daddy had to work late.)


We had dinner at Crystal Jade (ordered the super yummy crab) and Daddy went to cut his hair afterwards in the same building. First time trying this Maxim salon which he's quite satisfied. Phew~ Thank God.


And we had dinner at Legend Taste (YunNan cuisine) for Jennie's farewell with Raymond & Carol. She had to leave last minute, and earlier than planned. Pick was away in Beijing when she left, so they didnt manage to catch up. :(

joel's boots

Presenting... Joel's first pair of UGG boots! (As seen on Hollywood celebrities and their kids) Toddler's Classic Short in Chestnut. They look and are soooo comfortable (becoz of the thick fur inside) that, now, Daddy wants to buy a matching pair too! ;)

Daddy Elvis will be going to Melbourne this weekend, and many people have already asked him to help them buy UGGs back. Mommy Jo also wants a new pair! I'm thinking of probably a Classic Tall Navy coz Purple seems too "loud". Haha! (I have a Classic Tall Sand & a Classic Tall Metallic Pewter which i wear all the time in winter.)

Joel's face looks a little oily here coz he just applied his own baby moisturiser from Mustela. It helps to prevent his face - especially the cheeks - from turning chilli red, "cracking" and peeling like most of the other kids' faces we see. (Ouch!) Joel has been using it since he was 8 months old. Baby soft skin - even in winter! (Just yesterday, i was "conned" into buying more products in the Mustela range. The sales staff here are REALLY GOOD at up-selling! And i hate myself for being an easy target - all the time.)

it's the weekends again

I know i'm a little late in posting this. I've been a litte busy...

Saturday, we went to XuJiaHui for Joel's 3rd class with MiKids after we stopped for 2 months (and Joel was sick last week). A little improvement this time. Joel didnt cry when we entered the classroom. He didnt cry when the black teacher talk to him. This month, the topics are about Christmas. During this lesson, the mothers had to do up a Christmas tree with pieces of paper (6 semi-circles). Mommy Jo was the fastest to finish making the tree. Haha! I think becoz i'm a designer. (So proud!) ;)

After that, we had breakfast and shopped around XJH before we went to meet Ann, FeiFei & her husband 老Wu for lunch at XTD Afternoon Tea. (Taiwanese 老Wu looks so much like our Singapore friend, Benson. Just that he wears specs.) FeiFei is 5 months pregnant now, and needs Mommy-Baby info from me. So i'm like the expert, huh! ;p

After lunch, we shopped all the way till our dinner appointment at 8pm. We walked sooo much i kept asking FeiFei if she's tired - becoz i was. Haha! We walked to Ann & Elvis' favourite ChangLe Road, then to JuLu Road and FuMing Road. Along the way, we discovered a very cool shop Aegis Co.op. Daddy Elvis just couldnt resist another pair of shoes. (For the record, he didnt buy anything last week. Nothing.) The last destination is to Edison's new shop - Juice. By then, all of us were tired and hungry, so we quickly hopped onto the cabs. Dinner was the yummy BBQ meat back at XJH. Shiok!

Joel sleeping while we shopped...

Sunday, we went to Gymboree in the afternoon, then to Daddy Elvis' office. It was supposed to be "for a short while"...but as usual, we stayed there for a few hours. We met our Sunday dinner kakis for 元世祖涮羊肉 hotpot. (上海 闵行区, 金汇路463弄28号近吴中路) They serve basically meat balls...but all of them have some ingredients wrapped inside. Some of the balls will give you a surprise too! Eg. salmon roe, cheese. It's VERY YUMMY! (I dont eat mutton but i love this hotpot. However, towards the end...i could taste a little of the "foul mutton smell" from the soup.)

Joel got very excited when he saw the steam coming out from the (very elaborate-looking) pot. He kept shouting and kicking his legs!

History of 'Boiled Mutton Slices' or 涮羊肉.

happy new year