Back in KL

Being back in Malaysia, there is always something to occupy Leanne. Lots to eat and play. She enjoys a little bit of gardening with grandma, watering a dwarf papaya (paw-paw) tree.
We went for a morning walk in Kiara Park. There were lots of monkeys there.





Having not seen a wild monkey before, Leanne exclaimed, "A dinosaur!"





We had a little celebration too, another birthday party for Leanne.




Most of the guests are mommy's friends and our family, rather than her friends.





Joshua has been busy growing, he managed to turn over from back to tummy just before he turned 4 months old.

Flight back to Malaysia

Filled with trepidation, I tried to anticipate as many possibilities in taking a flight with two little ones. I packed the hand luggage with three spare change of clothes for all, 2 packets of instant infant milk, milk bottles, books, colouring pencils, felt tip pens, rubber stamps, baby rainmaker, teething rattles and a couple more stuff. After we checked in, Joshua did his first poo and needed his first change of clothes already. Thankfully, the rest of the trip went well.

The air stewardesses took to Joshua and entertained him whilst we waited in the lounges. As we needed to transit, there was a lady waiting for us in a buggy. Leanne was excited, saying she had never been on one before. We hanged on tightly as she beeped other travellers out of our way.

We flew in the new Airbus A380, which was only 16 weeks old, almost the same age as Joshua, albeit a little different in size. There was plenty of leg room and good entertainment. The children slept for about 7 hours in all. Leanne fidgeted alot as she wasn't used to sleeping upright in a seat. Finally, she settled for a head down and legs up position. I didn't get to finish Revolutionary Road. Leanne made some new friends by the end of the flight.

When we arrived at KLIA, both grandparents and grand aunty and uncle were waiting at the gates. We were all relieved that we finally made it. Big hugs went around. Leanne couldn't stop chatting all the way home in the car, telling us about her new teddy bear, the big aeroplane and all the things she observed during the trip.

Leanne's birthday party

3 is a magical age. A time when a child really begins to appreciate birthdays and friends. It is a time of celebration and thanksgiving for the person He has made her to be.

Here is Leanne, helping mommy by putting on the finishing touches on Dora cupcakes. We made the cupcakes the day before the party.

We had her party in the church hall. The children had party boxes with party hats and blowouts. They had fun choosing what faces to paint and jumping on the bouncy castle. There was a corner for making paper plate noise shakers, and decorating it with stickers and markers.

Mommy managed to find the perfect birthday cake, a triple layer white chocolate cake with three balloons and three stars. Leanne even recollected what colours her candles were. She had two happy birthday songs, as when it was sung for the first time, the candles were blown by another enthusiastic party goer. She blew her candles much quicker the second time round.

The two baby boys enjoying the party as well, though they didn't take part in the face painting.

ASK and AJ came visiting that day. They made cupcakes and jelly which were very well received. When mommy was busy, they kept an eye on lil Josh.

The morning after - a wide grin and party hat on, with all her presents. She spent over an hour opening them. The highlight of the party was the time spent with her friends and loved ones.

At the Look Out

During the May term holidays, we went to the Look Out with some friends. It was the first time we went there and the place was packed with school kids! There were lots of intereactive outdoor play for children, a perfect way of burning their energy out.

After that, we went for a walk in the woods. There was a really steep path where we had to push the buggies up it.

Just a few poses - the girls and the baby boys.

Joshua at 3 and a half months old. He loves a good chuckle.

Longleat

On the last bank holiday weekend in May, we decided to take a little trip to Longleat safari park. There were loads to see and do.

The welcoming sight of giraffes trying to cross the road. (hence you get giraffe crossings.) We sighted lions, tigers, flamingoes, deers and even rhinos too.

After the safari park, we took a ride on the miniature train. Joshua seemed to enjoy that. Then, we took a boat ride with sea lions swimming by the sides,and a lone gorilla living on an isle. He has sky digital to keep him occupied.

The highlight for Leanne though, must be the tea cup ride, going in circles. Poor mommy!

Friends

Being at nursery school meant that Leanne had more new found friends to play with, and more parties to go to. Ah, the carefree life of 3-year olds, sprawling on grassy lands and making daisy chains.

At a friend's birthday party. The girls are at the age where they start to appreciate company and friends.

And, it dawns on Leanne that she gets lots of sweeties at parties.

Hope Weekend

During the May bank holiday, we had the chance to participate in giving help to those who need it in our community. With our housegroup and a few others, we plunged into a gardening project.

It was a bright sunny day, perfect for a little bit of gardening. There were quite a few of us doing it.

Leanne got into the swing of things quite quickly. She started off quite clean and neat. But by the time we got half way through, she had lots of fun jumping in the sandy pit.

Leanne brightened up when she saw that it was time for a tea break. Time to replenish her batteries and fluids.

Josh didn't want to left out as well, so we took turns carrying him. A break from the toil.

For the final touch, some pots of flowers and shrubs were added in.

This is the end product. We had good fun doing it.

Overdue update

May blossoms are in full swing. Battleston Hill is filled with awesome shades of rhodedendrons and azaleas.

Josh and I in the garden admiring the colours.

Leanne was carrying her map and supplies in her backpack.. ala Dora style! Note the summer hat.

Leanne's first birthday party with friends from her nursery. The theme was singing princesses.

Initially, she was a little apprehensive, but after a little snack, she warmed up.

Leanne loves to pick pretty daisies up. One for me, one for you, and one for Joshua, she says.


The summery weather compelled us to have a picnic outside, by the canal.

Daddy gave Josh his first haircut on Saturday, a much needed one.

That was before and this is after.

Izaak and Leanne engrossed in children's songs on tele.

Having lunch at a pseudo Chinese noodle restaurant.

Different poses by Josh.

Some effort in peekaboo and songs are rewarded with smiles, coos and cheeky lopsided grins.

His sleeping patterns are still pretty erratic, during the day at least. For eg, he took a long nap from 11am to 3pm today when he usually just take lots of little naps, then again , maybe they were just interrupted naps.

My 10 week old..

The first thing most people, even strangers notice about Joshua is his hair. Some say he has an Elvis appeal, perhaps it is the sideburns. Some assume it will drop soon, being baby hair and all. Others think he just needs a haircut.
Joshua seems to be becoming more clingy, needing to be
held and soothed. He would cry when you put him down, and happy when you pick him up. He has a way of nuzzling into a comfy position.

I hope he will gradually become more confident and independent soon!

His dad thinks it is because he is teething. Can you see the white bits on his gums? It is an ongoing debate which probably will end when the teeth do come through.

Routine is still out of the window, think I need to work to establish it soon. One thing that he really enjoys is his bath time. The moment we put him down on the changing mat, he keeps quiet, anticipating the lovely warm soak that he is about to have.

Joshua is discovering his hands the last few weeks. He keeps putting them into his mouth, and opening and closing his fists tightly, in a permanent motion of waving his arms and kicking his legs. He likes to bat his mobile and little fishies on the swing.

Guess the lack of sleep and tiredness feel rewarded when we see him smile. On some occassions, he would laugh out loud in response to chin tickles and peekaboos. If you talk to him, he seems to grunt in reply, acknowledging our conversations. Sometimes, he gives you a most pitiful look, looking sorry for himself. Almost immediately, we would pick him up.

Church weekend

It was a rather refreshing weekend, blessed with sunny weather. On the first night, Leanne was so wired up that she went to bed at 10:30pm. Our accommodation was a treble room in a boys' dorm. They had bunk beds, so she was climbing up and down the ladder with delight.

We stayed at posh boarding school, which had indoor swimming pool and indoor tennis courts. Joshua had his first swim here. He took to the water well, there were no tears. 

The highlight was our vicars surprising us on Sat night with their Elvis impersonations. With the classic Elvis sideburns, shaky legs and gyrating hips, it was a sight not to be missed. Too bad Robin missed it as he fell asleep whilst putting Leanne to bed.  

The following week, we ventured out to Wisely again. Joshua was awake this time, so we managed to get a picture of him. 

We were surprised by a group of ducklings.. can't think of what you call a group of ducklings.. its late and I just had my exams today. 

 

Joshua is smiling a lot more and responds with coos when you speak to him. 

  

Going to school (well, nursery..!)

Finally, the day arrived when Leanne starts school, much to my relief.. running out of ideas to keep her busy, fun as it is. Perhaps she looked forward to it more than me. 

Can't believe she's almost three already, my little baby. She, being independent and all, said that she didn't want mommy with her at school. 

As it was a bright sunny morning, we took a walk by the canal to school. She was quite excited, walking and skipping for the first part of it, running up and down the gravel path.

By the time we were half way there, needless to say, she was pretty tired. And school hasn't even started yet. 

She did lots of painting at school, telling me that she wanted to paint baby Joshua, his blue cot and the orange changing mat, perhaps it was one of those modern pieces which required an artist's eye.