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)