emma is 2 months

Emma is 2 months old. She is 57.5cm and weighs 5.35kg. She looks quite chubby too - just like brother Joel. ;)

Emma is awake more in the day/evenings and she likes to smile especially with Daddy Elvis.

Emma's skin developed eczema when she was about 1 month old. It is a very stubborn cycle (of eczema) which clears after applying the steroid cream prescribed by the paediatrician...but it comes back again in a few days. And with her bedroom heated 24/7, it is drying out her baby skin even more. It is heart-wrenching for us to see her face so red, dry, patchy, peeling, painful... (Even Joel's baby-soft cheeks becomes so dry and rough in winter)

We have tried switching her Enfamil formula milk to a special Meiji (水解蛋白 formula recommended by the PD) but it's not helping much. Hope her skin condition improves soon...

P.S. Paediatrician advised to postpone the vaccination until her skin condition improves a little. Emma was also having slight flu when we went to the doctor's for her 2nd month vaccination.

35 months

Joel is 35 months! Only 1 more month till his 3rd birthday! Joel is 92cm tall and weighs 13.4kg. He's looking like a "big boy" too (no more baby face). But when he stands next to other kids (the same age), he still looks like a small boy. Most of the time, he's also the shortest. ;p

He seems to love his sister Emma very much (from photos) but... Although we spend more time looking after Joel, he is still jealous of Emma. We love both of you! ;)

emma 1 month

Baby Emma is 1 month old! 

She weighs 4.25kg and is 54cm tall. That's an increase of 1.2kg and 7cm in her first month.

15 Nov 2010

34 months

Joel is 34 months and weighs about 13.5kg.

He's extremely "sticky" this month, fusses and cries at the slightest thing that upsets him. Perhaps it's becoz of little Emma's arrival. But Joel seems to love his baby sister. When Emma is crying, Joel will say "Meimei, dont cry". Before he goes to school or goes to bed, he will say Goodbye & Goodnight to Emma.

This month, Elvis took 2 weeks leave from work (after Emma's birth) and he noticed that Joel seems a little moody when he's playing in his room, and he's also a lot naughtier than before. On this day, Joel came home from school and he seems upset (again). So, i brought him to my room and we sat by the window to read a new book 'Elmo's Guessing Game About Colours'. When Joel guessed the colour correctly, i held his face with my hands to sayang him...and he repeated the action every time we got to that part. Joel is such a sweet boy - well, most of the time. ;)


Joel, Daddy & Mommy still love you just as much even though we have Emma meimei now.

33 months

Joel is 33 months and weighs about 13kg. He's starting to love going to school! His teacher said that in the past, he didnt like it when she wanted to paste the 五角星 star sticker on his forehead or even on his hand (whenever the kids do something good) but now, he's ok with it. So he's been coming home almost everyday with a tiny star on his forehead. ;)

Joel will have a little sister this month. Hope he'll be a loving big brother.

Before & After school.

32 months

The official school term in China is 1 September. Hence, we decided to go ahead to bring Joel for the body checkup today although he still has slight cough and cold. Mommy went there with my Baby Joel and the new Ahyi.

He wasnt very cooperative in almost all the tests and he cried the loudest when they pricked his little finger to take the blood sample. Mommy also very heartache lah. Tomorrow, we still have to go to the clinic (w/o Joel) to bring his urine sample back. Becoz our little one is still not toilet-trained. ;p

We got a little booklet to show to the school nursery - similar to Singapore's Health Book.

Here's some of the statistics from his booklet:
Weight: 12.5kg
Height: 89.9cm
Head Circumference: 47.9cm
Chest: 47.5cm
Fats underneath skin (???): 0.9cm (???)

Conclusion? Not tall, head not very big and not fat.

31 months

Joel is 31 months and weighs 12.5kg.

He can count from 1 to 99. I'm so glad he's figured out the next number after the 19, 29, 39...

He's started talking more and constructing his own phrases. He likes to ask, "What's that?" We figured that's becoz it's the same question we ask him all the time! Keke... Joel has also become braver and is able to climb (a little more) on his own. But most of the time, he still needs to hold our hands when it comes to walking up/down the stairs.

Joel seems to love singing (out of tune) and he sang the 'Happy Birthday' song on Daddy Elvis' birthday this month. We were very happy coz it wasnt out of tune. It was perfect!

He can be loving and naughty at the same time...and we've just bought our first rattan cane from Singapore - to scare him. He's terrified and his eyes keep blinking...then he will say, "Daddy, put back." It makes us want to laugh. (We've been using a plastic balloon stick for a few months with the same effect)

It suddenly occurred to me that Joel will be 3 years old very soon (2 months after baby sister is born)! He's still too short for Disneyland (the not-so-kiddy rides) and i'm beginning to wonder when we'll ever get there since baby #2 is on the way... Soon, Joel will become a big brother. Mommy is also starting to "worry" that my baby is growing up... No more cute baby proportions, no more cute baby voice... No more my little baby...

Cute little boy who wants to sit on the luggage arrives in Shanghai PVG Airport after spending 2 weeks in Singapore. This is the first time we managed to travel "light" - 1 big, 1 small suitcase, 1 stroller and 2 carry-on bags (excluding the Bengawan Solo goodies for Elvis' team).
24 July 2010

30 months

Joel is 30 months and weighs Xkg.

He's developed a love for stacking blocks and lining things up. He looks very serious when he's at it. I think he's getting cuter and more handsome too! ;)

24 June 2010

29 months

Joel is 29 months and weighs pretty much the same at 12.6kg. Lately, he has been lining up his blocks and little toys. I dont know what made him do that. Elvis was also surprised when he first saw it. (I've seen Noah does that with his toy cars. So cute and puzzling what kids can do!)

Joel is trying to talk a little more now...not exactly in sentences but a few words at a time. He also tries to repeat after us more.

When Joel says a No, he says, "不要, 不要" (Mandarin for NO). When Joel says a YES, he says, "Yes, No, Ok, Ok, Ok". Dont ask me why... It's puzzling...and funny! Haha! ;)

28 months

Joel is 28 months. He weighs about 12.5kg and stands at (only) 90cm. He seems to be growing cuter each day! I think it's his girlish hair. HAHA! ;p

27 months

Joel is 27 months and weighs 12.5kg. He's been sick since last month - cough and cold. :(

He's super naughty now and likes to throw tantrums - literally throwing himself on the floor (wherever we are) and refusing to stand up. Sometimes he will knock his hand/feet/whatever on purpose, then cries and ask us to sayang him.

He can count from 1-20 and attempts to count higher than that too! He can also count backwards from 15-0. (Although he still insists that One/1 is "nak". It can be quite embarrassing when we're inside a lift with strangers.) He can also count 一到十 (one-to-ten in Mandarin) with his cute angmoh slang.

He tries to read some books (he's very familiar with) on his own. He also reads the subtitles from his cartoon DVDs. He says his 'Please & Thank You's upon request. 'I love you's are 'Mommy you' & 'Daddy you'.

Joel has been singing quite a bit lately. The Alphabet Song is one of his best! He also sings to the songs on his DVDs. It's really really cute!

A lot of people commented that Joel is growing more handsome. This makes Mommy happy...coz i think so too! Haha! ;)

26 months

Joel is 26 months and weighs 12kg. He was sick lately and lost some weight. Joel is starting to speak a little bit more than his baby language. Now, it's 2-3 words each time! Cracks us up when he tries to tell us something more... ;)

Daddy & Mommy love you very very much, Joel. You will always be my little baby. Muack~

25 months

Joel is 25 months. He weighs 12.5kg and is 85cm tall (which is a bit short for a 2-year old).

This day, he's going to watch his first "musical" - Disney on Ice!

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)

23 months

Joel is 23 months and weighs 12kg. He seems to have grown taller all of a sudden - but only at the legs. 1 month short to his 2nd birthday! In preparation for his birthday song-&-cake, he now knows how to BLOW - an action he just learnt from the Three Little Pigs story. He also learnt many news words from his 7-weeks stay in Singapore.

He hasnt started speaking in sentences. Still just words...but he can say 'Three Dittle Pigs'.

Here's one...

22 months

Joel is 22 months and weighs 11.4kg. 2 months short to his 2nd Birthday on Christmas Eve! Yippie! (No big celebration though)

We're back in Singapore and Joel has fallen sick, perhaps due to the (super hot) weather. During this period, he's grouchy, whiny and extremely "sticky" to Mama. Hope it's just a phase.

21 months

Joel is 21 months and weighs the same at 11.6kg. He suddenly looks much taller than before.

20 months

Joel is 20 months and weighs 11.6kg. 4 more months to go before he turns 2. ;)

He knows these body parts: head, eye, ear, nose, mouth, knee, toes, fingers, bellybutton. But he only knows how to say "eye".

19 months

Joel is 19 months and weighs 11.5kg. He has learnt to say "Night Night".

Since last month, he no longer wants to eat my home-cooked porridge whenever we're outside. I will still cook the porridge, but he probably takes 3 mouthfuls. So we've been feeding him bread and adult food. Last week, we didnt bring his porridge out. He LOVES our MSG food! But we restrict it to only weekends.

As you can see in the picture, we've removed a part of the play yard so that Joel can go in/out as he please. He likes to walk around the house, particularly to the washroom and kitchen - the 2 forbidden areas. He also likes to go into the washing machine/fridge area (in another room inside the kitchen) to play with his baby hangers. He will go "BLUE, BLUE" to all his blue, white, orange and green hangers. Actually, he can differentiate blue (his all-time fav blue), red (ned), yellow (yoloow), purple (purpa/papur), black (bag), green (ginn). Sometimes, orange and pink are also "ned" (red).

Does the picture on the right look like blobs of fats in 4D scan? ;)

Wanna pinch his cheeks, right? Dont. He'll give you a kiss on your cheeks instead. Muack~ So sweet!

little tyrant

Joel looks his cutest now at 18 months. BUT he is behaving like a spoilt brat! He likes to stomp his feet and makes a fuss when he's unhappy.

When he's at home, he will stomp his feet and turn around in circles. Sometimes, he will even lie down on the floor and kick his legs.

When he's outside, he will hold onto our hands and refuse to walk. So it will look as if we're dragging him along. Or maybe he doesnt like Adidas...and wanna go see Nike instead. Haha!

Is this the so-called "Terrible Two" stage?