H2O

These few weekends that I'm still around, we have been taking Bryan swimming. He absolutely loves the water and he loves 'diving' to pick up stuff from the bottom. With lots of our help of course. We are planning to start Bryan on swimming lessons soon. If we can find the time to send him for his lessons...

Chinese New Year Photos

It's tradition to have lots of family time during Chinese New Year. Which is great. I always love the company. And a very good time to catch up with family members we haven't seen for a year.

And the children get 'angpows' from their elders. It's also a very confusing time for me because I can never remember which child belongs to which parent. But Bryan enjoyed himself making new friends as well. While Gabriel's a little confused over the noise and all these people.

For the adults, we get to stuff ourselves with Chinese New Year goodies, like pineapple tarts, cookies, BBQ meat. I let myself go once a year. Everything is all so yummy!

Chinese New Year Album

Yet More Scrapz

In my defence, I will be starting work in Febuary and I will not have time to catch up with my scrapping.


And this scrapz is for the month of Febuary.

Happy 'Niu' Year!

This lunar new year, we welcome the year of the Ox. It's a year of hard work for all of us. Meanwhile, to welcome the new year, my in-laws got new curtains for the house.

Catching Up Scrapz

I'm waaayy behind on my scrapping. I have so many photos from last year, from zoo trips, to baby milestones, to Christmas that I'm planning to scrap. And I am also behind on my study plan. Yikes.

Bath Time

Now that he's a little older, he can hold his head up and enjoy bath time even more.

Patience

We had this air plant on our window sill for almost 2 years. It finally flowered!

Hair Cutz

I finally get rid of the last of my curls. I miss them a little but this shorter, shaggy-ish do is so much easier to maintain. Meanwhile, Gabriel is shedding hair. My poor little boy.

Gabriel's Baptism

Sunday was a special day for Gabriel. He was baptised into the family of God. It was a simple but significant ceremony witnessed by his godparents.


I've always wondered what my boys would be like when they grow up. I hope they would be successful in life, and happy with their careers. But whatever they do, I hope above all that they grow up rooted in the Word of the Lord.

My Boys

So far Bryan's taking to Gabriel very well. He always comes by to hug/kiss his little brother. Which is great. He's also more affectionate. He'd suddenly hug/kiss me too. I think he just wants to make sure I'm still there for him.

But Bryan's also getting a bit more stubborn as well. He has had a mind of his own since he was younger. So I'm not sure if he's just testing the limits or if he's acting up because of Gabriel. Meanwhile, I'm walking that fine line between setting firm boundaries and giving Bryan more independence. He still gets up to all kinds of mischief when no one is looking. Yet he can be such a well behaved and well mannered boy.

I'm hoping Gabriel will be as cheerful and pleasant as Bryan. But I'm also looking forward to seeing the differences too. I wonder what both of them will be like when they are older. If they will be followers or leaders. If they will be the studious type or the sporty type.

3 Month Expressions

Gabriel's 3 months old now! Here he is lying on his tummy, which he loves to do.


He also enjoys looking at bright coloured cloth books and toys. He's very good usually. He'd lie down and entertain himself while Mommy bathes or eats. Usually by sucking his thumb/fist.


Then he starts to get bored and restless.

New Year Scraps

One of my best friends gave me a blank calendar for me to scrap. I've only done the introductory pages and January. But it's a fabulous gift. I'm using this one to keep track of all the important family dates.


This speaks for itself. Brothers.

Favourites

Gabriel's favourite rattle/puppet toy. It's not the cutest but the bright colours and gentle rattling sound makes it irresistible. He gets so excited when I play it with him.

Fitness Fun

This month's Cleo has a very good fitness plan. There is some pilates exercises to do at home three times a week and a workout plan for the gym. Maybe that will help me shed the last few pregnancy kilos for the coming new year.

Imagine, I used to be able to run 3 km a week before my sons were born. Now that I've completed my family, I can concentrate on my fitness again. One thing I'd like to do in my life is complete a 5/10km run.

Belated Family Photo

This was taken in October before all of the mommies had their babies. Now there's three new additions to the family!

Random Photo

Scraps and Resolutions

These are the scraps I managed to find time to do during this Christmas/New Year break. I've also managed to find time to do up to January of the blank calendar that I got for Christmas. Thanks Ming.

And a very Happy New Year to all. I hope 2009 brings happiness to all. Especially in this financially difficult time.

Every year, I make the same old resolutions... spend more time with family, save more money... This year, I've decided I'm going to make monthly evaluations and be more specific with my resolutions. That way, I'm more likely to keep them.

1. I'm going to try to devote my weekdays to my study notes and books. Leaving weekends free to scrapbook.

2. As for shopping, I'm going to restrict myself to one shopping trip a month. And only to stuff that I need. Not the latest trends I see on the shelf.

3. Once I'm through with my exams in June, I'll re-evaluate. Maybe I'll have more time to scrapbook. Maybe I'll have found another hobby...

4. Bryan starts school again next week. I hope he'll enjoy it as much as last year. I'm going to send him to and from school in January. And find time to read to him and teach him to read.

5. Gabriel's actually easier to look after compared to Bryan. He's not as colicky and he's already sleeping very well at night. I'm hoping to continue to breast feed him at night while making sure he takes to the bottle and formula during the day.

6. Cannot forget hubbie. I know it's difficult to have two young children in the house and having to put them first. I'm going to try to set aside weekend time just specially for him.

7. And who can forget friends. There are some close friends whom I haven't seen in a long while. I'm going to have to find time to meet up for coffee too.

So that's my 7 resolutions for the year. Wish me all the best in keeping them!