2 big heads

Daddy Elvis took some photos of Emma one afternoon and he realized that Baby Emma looks even more like Baby Joel! Here's it...

We also found out that Joel's head circumference is SMALLER than Emma's! Haha! Joel was born 7 days before EDD. Emma was born 8 days before EDD.
Baby Joel: 33cm, 2.655kg
Baby Emma: 34cm, 3.035kg

That makes 3 big heads in the family! ;)

emma

Here's our lovely little girl, Emma.

Born on 15 October 2010, 1146 hours
3.035kg, 47cm

Day 5
Baby Emma we are home

elvis' emma

Thanks to Elvis' colleagues who took these photos of the Coffee Bean cupcakes. All of them said it's so nice!!! I'm assuming the taste, THE LOOK, especially THE FLAGS!

But i'm quite disappointed becoz they look completely different from the ones shown inside the menu/catalogue. I feel quite "cheated"! These "creamed toppings" (or whatever it's called) look quite ugly to me...and the flags are not placed at an angle, about two-thirds to the right of the cupcake! Hahahaha... ;p But at least they remembered to stick in the flags for us. (Thank you, Coffee Bean)

this is it!

Baby Emma will be arriving tomorrow morning.

In preparation for her arrival, we've ordered 200 cupcakes from Coffee Bean & Tea Leaves for Daddy Elvis' colleagues, to be delivered on Monday for their tea-break.

Here in Shanghai, people give away pre-packed preserved egg ("lor"-egg) or egg-shaped chocolates when they have given birth to a baby boy. And if it's a baby girl, they dont have to give anything. So unfair!!! We decided to get the cupcakes anyway. And becoz Elvis says he always doesnt know who has given birth AND he doesnt eat the "lor"-egg, Mommy Jo made these mini flags so that people will know that Elvis has a little baby girl! ;)

Hope Coffee Bean remembers to stick them in. (I was quite disappointed we couldnt get to see the actual/sample cupcake before ordering)

delayed again

As expected, the bottom pullout bed is NOT going to be delivered tomorrow. Mommy Jo is angry!

joel's new bed

Joel's room is almost complete. The pull-out bed we ordered 25 days ago finally arrived today. BUT, the bottom pull-out bed is still not ready. I was told a few days ago that it's Out of Stock. I was pretty angry becoz they did not inform me beforehand. I was only told when i called them 2 days ago to check since the scheduled delivery date falls within the 3-day Mid-Autumn Festival holiday. They said that it's also becoz we wanted the pine wood bed painted in white and it needs a longer time (to order & dry). So, i made them deliver the pull-out bottom in the original pine wood colour (from their showroom). They will replace it when my white bed is ready.

So now, i can "close" the sofabed the Ahyi(s) have been sleeping on and get Joel's room looking more like his bedroom! Joel was excited when they delivered and fixed up the bed. I told him that it's his New Bed! After that, he climbed onto it and tested it. Hmmm...not bad! (Mommy Jo also searched high and low and found another shop that sells the mattress that i like. The mattresses were delivered yesterday.)

About an hour later when Joel was about to take his nap, i made him get onto the bed and he fell asleep shortly. Not bad after all! ;)

The new bed looks shorter than what it really is becoz we bought the bedframes as well, leaving only a small section for Joel to climb up. It's actually a standard 2m x 1m adult single-bed.

organizing

Everyday after the Ahyi keep the washed-and-dried laundry, i have to pack my wardrobe again... It's been 3 weeks and she still doesnt know how to put back the clothes accordingly.

So, i resorted to writing post-it last night... Thanks to this online Translator!

I did this for 3 of our wardrobes and the washing machine (instructions). Up next will be Joel & little sis' wardrobes, followed by the super headache Monday to Friday Menu-Of-The-Day!

happier at school

Starting from the eighth day of school, Joel didnt cry when we leave him with the teacher. He still fusses a little in the morning when we're preparing to go to school. Hope he'll adjust better in time to come. ;)

After 1 week of school, here's the good/bad things about attending school:
THE GOOD
1. Joel goes to bed much earlier at about 8+pm and he wakes up automatically at about 7+am. He used to sleep too late - anytime from 10pm to midnight.
2. Joel doesnt scratch our elbows as much when he's trying to fall asleep.

THE BAD
1. Mosquito bites!!!
2. Joel fusses more when at home, always wanting Mommy to be with him.
3. Joel sometimes cries for Mommy in his sleep and needs to be assured that we're beside him.
4. Joel gets REALLY HUNGRY and eats lots of biscuits before his meals.
5. Joel wakes up too early on weekends. *yawn*

trolley bag

Joel loves pulling trolley bags around the house. So, on the following day after Daddy came home from Bangkok, we gave him this trolley bag and said that Daddy had bought it. Keke... Actually, Daddy only shopped for his own stuffs - on his only 1 free day. Mommy had bought this for Joel - in Shanghai. ;p

13 Sep 2010, before Joel left for school.

1 week of school

On the seventh day of school, Mommy brought Joel to school. Daddy is away in Bangkok till Sunday night. I was worried that without Daddy's reminder not to cry at school, Joel will fuss when we reach.

When i pushed his stroller past the school gate, he saw his teachers standing in a row (to welcome the students) and he waved and said a big HELLO! Then he got out and hugged his teacher! WOW~

We continued inside to help him change into his indoor shoes. At that point, Joel knew i was going to leave (soon) and his eyes were teary. But he didnt cry or sob. He held his teacher's hand and walked in. Just as i thought he's not going to look back at Mommy, he DID! And he said ByeBye. It made Mommy very happy.

This day, i went out shopping (again) and reached Joel's school slightly later than 4pm. When i reached, Ahyi, Joel & his teacher were waiting at the school gate for me. His teacher said that Joel showed BIG improvement today! So she had to tell me about it! She said that Joel was completely different today. He laughed happily (and loudly) and played with the children today. Joel's appetite was also very good. She said it must have been the Mr Happy tshirt he's wearing. ;)

Back at home, Joel is showing Mommy how he takes his nap in school. (We have to bring his quilt and pillow home every Friday to sun/wash. I dont know why they made the bedsheets PINK!!!)

sixth day of school

On the sixth day of school, Daddy Elvis & Mommy Jo walked Joel to school. Daddy still had time to have breakfast with Mommy - something we did everyday since Joel started school. As usual, Joel fussed and whined when he was at home...but i think he knows he doesnt have a choice. Keke... ;p

And as usual, Daddy carried Joel before we reach the school and told him not to cry. He was a brave boy yet again! We're so proud of him! ;)

After our breakfast, we walked home and Daddy Elvis left for the airport while Mommy Jo went shopping for Joel & little sis. (Spent too much again) Daddy Elvis will be back on Sunday night.

When Mommy picked Joel up from school, his teacher told me that Joel showed great improvement today! He played with the children and sang very loudly in music class. I think the 'very loudly' is an understatement becoz i know how Joel can be when he's happy & singing something he likes. I hope Joel will continue to enjoy school as much tomorrow. Mommy is also quite "relieved" that tomorrow is Friday and we can both take a break from school. ;)

8 Sep 2010

My hungry boy back from school.

fifth day of school

On the fifth day of school, Joel started fussing at home from the time he took his bath. He also didnt want us to get dressed. When we were about to reach his school, Daddy Elvis carried him and told him not to cry. When we reached the school gate, we could see that Joel was trying to hold back his tears again (just like yesterday)...

His teacher said Joel was much better after he entered the classroom. Maybe he felt less lonely with the rest of the children in class.

Tomorrow & Friday, Daddy Elvis will be away in Bangkok and wont be able to send Joel to school. He'll also be away for a week in Hong Kong 2 weeks later. (It's the Mid-Autumn Festival holiday and Ahyi will also take the day off) So, Mommy Jo will have to coax Joel into not crying and being brave when he's preparing to go to school.

His school is located inside another condo, about 10 minutes walk away from our apartment. Here's how his school looks like from the outside...

Little Knight's Kindergarten

(I also found another website here with the same logo as Joel's school but the address is different. Hmmm....)

fourth day of school

On the fourth day of school, Daddy Elvis had to rush to the airport but he still walked Joel to school first. On the way there, Joel wanted to be carried instead of sitting inside the stroller. When we reached the school, he knew that we were going to leave him and he wanted to cry. Daddy told him not to cry... and we could tell that he was holding back his tears and said goodbye to us when the teacher carried him in. Even if he DID cry after we left, i'm still so proud of him. ;)

Back home from school...

third day of school

On the third day of school, Joel cried when we reached and he clung onto Daddy. He looked so sad... Before that (while we were walking), he was still happy and said that he's going to "teacher school".

When Mommy went to fetch him home at 4pm, the teacher said they're having an "extra" lesson and asked me to join them in class. I felt that Joel look "lost in his own world" with the teachers speaking in Mandarin. Here's some photos...

second day of school

Even before we walked into the school, we could hear some kids crying. Joel was rather unfazed until he changed into his indoor shoes. (But maybe he's blur blur as usual lah) The crying boys beside him made him want to cry too! The teacher had to carry him away from us. I was a little sad to see my poor baby sob...

When Mommy Jo went to fetch Joel home, the teacher said he's (still) good, eat well, slept well. Hmmm... I wonder if they say this to ALL parents! Haha! But he does look better than yesterday. No runny nose, no puffy eyes. (Elvis & i figured that Joel probably had puffy eyes from crying the whole day followed by napping)

Joel also wanted to hold onto my hand while Ahyi pushed the stroller home. On the way to school, he will hold onto Daddy's hand. So fair, huh! We love you, Joel! Hope you'll enjoy school soon. ;)

Whenever Joel reaches home, he'll go and find his soft toys first. Usually, it's his favourite Bear Bear which we bring everywhere but i didnt pack it into his schoolbag. He likes to call to his "gang" - Bear Bear, Mickey, Goofy and Panda - and hugs all of them into the room whenever he wants to drink his milk or go to sleep. He walks straight into our bedroom without telling us and slams the door. Lately, he's added another member to the group. Giraffe. He can barely see where he's going when he grabs the whole bunch. Sometimes, Joel will carry Bear Bear & Mickey, then ask Mommy to help him with the rest. It's kinda cute to watch him with the 5 soft toys. I hope doesnt rope in more soft toys...

P.S. The school has a LIVE online video which we can watch from our homes. But there's a specific timing for each of the class (Mondays to Thurdays only). I'll see how we can download the software and catch a glimpse of how our little one is doing in school. Good or bad, happy or sad...we'll know. ;p

joel's first day of school

Today is Joel's first day at school!

Mommy Jo, Daddy Elvis & Ahyi walked him to school but we had to turn our backs and leave him with the teacher as soon as he changed into his indoor shoes for school. We were barely past the gate, at the shoe racks area. I bought a cheap Mickey Mouse grey "crocs" for him and realized that there were at least 2 other kids with the same colour! (The kids will have to leave their own shoes on the racks and change into them before they go home)

Joel is in the 月亮/Moon Class. When his class teacher led him inside the school, he said ByeBye but i think he didnt realize that he was actually saying ByeBye to us instead. It all happened too quickly - even for us. As we walked away, i heard something that sounded like a cry... My poor Joel must have felt a little confused... :(

When it was time to come home (at 4pm), Mommy Jo & Ahyi was very kiasu and went there earlier to wait. I thought that i could bring him home earlier but the guard said have to wait till 4pm. The teachers brought the younger kids out one-by-one. Soon, i saw Joel carrying his backpack. He had runny nose and looked like he had just woke up. Immediately, i gave him a big hug. He asked me to take out his bag. Haha... Joel has never liked carrying any bags - except smaller shopping bags which he will drag along the floor.

The teacher said that he was very good throughout. Ate well and slept well. I asked her if he scratched her elbow before he fell asleep...and she said YES! O no... I quickly apologized to her. I also told her that he doesnt know his Chinese name. She said no wonder no response when they called him 周泽.

On the way home, Joel wanted to hold my hand while Ahyi pushed his stroller. He kept saying, "Go home." When we reached home, i asked him what did he do in school today. He replied "Drawing." When i asked him how many teachers were there, he said 10. And there were 10 boys and 10 girls too! HAHAHA... ;)

thunderstorm warnings

The first day of school has been postponed due to typhoon/thunderstorm warnings last night. Nursery to high school have been affected. However, there's only slight rain in the afternoon. Not considered heavy rain at all. Not windy either. It's sunny most time of the day too. Hmm...

Joel has been coughing very badly since last night and i was a little worried about him. So the thunderstorm warnings came quite "timely".

Mommy Jo is also sick! Having flu and sore throat... :(

more tasks

Lately, there seems to be endless tasks to be done. Mainly around the house... I dont enjoy being pregnant... So being this heavily-pregnant and dealing with all these just made it worse.

Firstly, there's the Ahyi problems which i'm hoping this 2nd Ahyi will prove herself to be capable and adapt well into our family and lifestyle. So far, i dont have any problems with her character except that she favours cooking/eating vegetables - which i dont like to eat. And since Elvis is hardly home to eat, it's just me & her.

Then, our bathroom ceiling leaked during one of the heavy rain! The condo technician confirmed it's got something to do with the aircon "pipes" which can only be fixed from the OUTSIDE of the building. So, they needed to get someone from outside to scale the wall... BUT, we have to pay for the service and i had to go and buy the "supply" they needed to use. Soooo stupid!!!

Then, Elvis kept rushing me to bring Joel to the body checkup for his nursery enrollment. (He was supposed to start schooling in August but he has been sick since we came back from Singapore and i didnt want him to do the tests.) Finally, we went last Tuesday with the new Ahyi. It wasnt complete until they test his urine. After countless unsuccessful attempts to make him pee into the small cup, i decided to let him go without his diapers on Thursday morning. We sat on the (cold) marble window/balcony until i collected his pee! So i rushed down to the clinic with his carefully-wrapped urine. The school also called to say he should start 1 September. So i have to go down to the school these few days (likely tomorrow) to pay the fees and find out what else we need to prepare.

We went down to a furniture mall on Saturday to look for Joel's pullout bed (i didnt like the IKEA ones). Found only 2 shops that sells similar to what i have in mind. Decided on the "better quality" pine wood which i dont like the colour...but we havent got much of a choice... So i will go down again to pay the deposit next week. It takes minimum 25 days to deliver it to our house becoz we wanted to paint it WHITE. Hope it'll be ready before i deliver to the new baby...and the confinement lady comes in... Target: End-Sep.

Other smaller tasks that needs to be settled...
- Moving the phone line (in Joel's room) to the living room that requires getting the guy to come and do some connection. Before that, i had to go down to the office to put in the request. Cannot be done over the phone. So silly! (DONE!)
- Buying a cordless phone (DONE!)
- Ahyi "spoilt" the microwave which was a little faulty but still can use after on/off the switch. Bought new one. (DONE!)
- Our landlord finally gave the green light to seal the balcony (after weeks/months of emailing pictures & quotes. He's paying for it - 100%.)...so i have to contact the balcony glass guy again, pay him deposit etc...and he should get it fixed up in less than 2 weeks. Target: Mid-Sep. (NOTE: 1 of the glass panel on our balcony which covered the "exterior aircon" was already "missing" since we moved in in April. I've always been very paranoid. Elvis, on the other hand, doesnt worry much about it!)
- Getting wireless internet and dont know who to go to... The internet company doesnt do it.
- Fixing a date for our baby's arrival via c-section (likely mid-Oct, 7-10 days before my EDD). Elvis' dad will "calculate" the auspicious date/time from the Chinese "tong shu". As a Christian, i dont like the idea but (as usual) i dont have much of a choice...

I believe i'm pretty exhausted.

vegetarian

Lunch, 25 Aug 2010

Thank goodness i ordered a McDonald's fish burger for breakfast...then i kinda didnt have time to eat it... So i had it for my tea-break. The fish patty was soooo super yummy!!!!

new live-in ahyi found

Good news!

We found a fulltime live-in Ahyi through an agency and she's starting work on Monday! It's 6-days work week, 1 day off (flexible) which she'll sleep out too. Hope she's good and Joel likes her.