Christmas Day

We had originally planned for a party on Christmas day. But due to the snow storm, we had to postpone the party. The Tansumas and Carolyn & Jack were able to join us since they live closeby and were able to walk over. I love having our friends as neighbours! Thank you for bringing good cheer to us on Christmas day!

Christmas morning

The case of the missing husband

Found : Inside his son's play tent. Asleep. Unshaven. Oblivious to the blocks planted around him by a little toddler amused by this giant of a visitor in his play tent.

And I thought Lucas was the only one I would catch sleeping in his tent. This story I would save for another day when I update on Lucas' sleeping habits these days.

Car ain't going nowhere. We walked.

We were snowed in on Christmas eve and we spent the day lazing around, drinking hot tea, and playing with the boys. In the afternoon, we decided to walk over to the Tansumas for Lucas to play with Viola out on the snow. The sky grew dark really quickly and we stayed for hotpot dinner with the Tansumas. What a great way to spend a cold winter night!

Now you see it. And then you don't.

We had so much snow in the last week that the BBQ, and all our backyard furniture were barely visible under the snow. This photo was taken before another almost 30cm of snow fell.
This is the first time we have seen so much snow here in Vancouver. Our neighbour tells us it is the most he has seen in his 20 years living in Port Moody.

Merry Christmas!

Christmas is extra special this year because our little family feels complete now with 2 beautiful little boys and we start to carve out our family traditions at Christmas. It's the first time we have a Christmas tree up since we moved to Canada and I begin to relive my own childhood memories of Christmas with our 2 boys. We are sad to be away from family but are grateful to have some wonderful friends to spend the holidays with.

I will be back to report on our little adventures on Christmas day!

Lucas plays with snow

I love the way he calls out to Abby.

Linus kicks. And kicks. And kicks.

Happy 2nd Birthday Viola!

We look forward to sharing your little adventures and journey into the magical world of a 2-year-old!

Lots of love, hugs and kisses!

This is how he looks when he is awfully excited

By the way, it is an exaggerated expression of excitement and no sound is emitted from the mouth wide open.

Did you just open your mouth and try that?

Hello diaper

My name is Linus and this is how I greet all objects that land in my hands.

Brrr...

I wonder who is having more fun. He was running round in circles by the way. Very small circles.Lucas woke up this morning and ran to the window and said "Wow. Cool. Snow." We had about 10-15cm of snow accumulated today and temperatures have fallen to sub-zero. Looks like we will be having a blast of a winter this year.

It's such a different experience now that Lucas is walking, running and able to play in the snow. He was so excited to go out and play in the snow today and to "help daddy" as he calls it, taking his mini shovel with him. Barely 5 minutes later, he was coming to me and asking for "hot milk" "Mommy please, hot milk."

Best burger on the mountain

At Uncle John's. I forgot to get the recipe. But it's ok, Uncle John is just 5 minutes away. Happy babysitters is an added bonus! I am taking every opportunity for Linus to be carried by someone other than myself. He is very attached to me and his eyes would be roving to look for me even when Daddy is carrying him. Whilst I love the attachment, I need the detachment for the sake of Linus and myself too!

Same hair-cut. It wasn't planned!

Edwin at 2 years old

Lucas at 2 years old

You know he had a great time when he wakes up singing "Happy Birthday" to himself

We were undecided for a while as to what we should do for Lucas' 2nd Birthday. We ended up having a small celebration at home and invited some of his buddies from the neighbourhood, whom he meets and plays with regularly. Edwin cooked chicken rice and I tried the Mee Siam recipe for the first time. Carolyn brought the chocolate fountain over which is always a popular treat. The highlight was the cake. I am so glad I found a place that could decorate the cake with Thomas the Tank Engine and tracks. Lucas was thrilled.

We had to sing him a Birthday song again on his actual birthday on Tuesday 9th Dec since he caught glimpse of the leftover cake in the fridge and wanted to eat it. I think we lit the candle 3 times and sang the Birthday song too many times after repeated requests from the birthday boy. He is happy and that's all that matters. As long as he is not asking to eat the candle.

Happy 2nd Birthday, Lucas!

It didn't seem too long ago when Lucas was still surfing along furniture, trying to gain confidence to take his first independent steps, and it sure didn't seem long ago when I was ecstatic with his first words.

Our little guy is now 2 years old. Time has just whizzed by so quickly I am already missing it. It may sound so cliche but being a parent just makes it all the more apparent that before we know it, we will all be gray-haired people buying candy canes for our Grandchildren.

Lucas is such a wonderful kid and Edwin and I constantly remind ourselves how blessed and lucky we are to have 2 beautiful boys. I know I will miss the days of now...
... when Lucas runs to me to kiss me good night every night before going to his bed
... when he sneezes and says "bless me"
... when he wakes me up with a kiss and a happy face and a loud "Good morning, Mommy!"
... when he combs his hair and tells me it's "nice"
... when he tries to help me do the laundry and the dishes
... when he tells me it is time to change Linus' diaper and proceeds to undress Linus
... when he is so thrilled the first time he sees the Christmas tree at home
... when he sings to himself in bed
... when he says goodbye to the oranges on the table when he is going out to the car
... when he lines his trains up and bids them good night before heading up to his bed
... when he answers me when I call out to Edwin with "yes dear?"
... when he looks for Grandma and Grandpa on the map and points to where Singapore is which is refers to as "a-pore"

My dear Lucas, we are so proud of you and we are delighted to watch you grow up to be a happy kid. Turning 2 is a magical time and we are looking forward to sharing more adventures and discoveries with you on your journey as a 2-year-old.

Love,
Mommy & Daddy

Happy One-month-old Adelia!

Happy One-month-old, Adelia and congratulations on passing the one-month confinement, Elisa! Adelia is such a gorgeous baby. I am looking forward to watching her grow and being a part of her little adventures and discoveries!

Elisa, Desmon - Thank you for inviting us to celebrate this special day with you and your family!

Girls' Night Out!

We finally did it or rather I finally went on a night out without the boys (x3) with relaxation as the main agenda.

It was also Atsuko's birthday last week and we surprised her with a cake. I don't know if she was more surprised by the cake or the huge lighter we brought haha.

We had a fabulous time. It was really good to just unwind, chat, and eat at a leisurely pace. A well-deserved treat for all the moms!

We definitely have to do this again and make sure Elisa can join us next time too!

Whilst I was walking around half asleep

Linus is getting too big for his infant car seat. The brothers went for a test drive around the mall on the double stroller side-by-side. It started well. They looked pretty perky.

About 20 minutes later, they both fell asleep almost at the same time. Stamp of excellence for first test drive.

Lucas is reading to Abby. Apparently, Ernie is taking a bath.

Lucas has inched up a little and is now standing almost at Edwin's hips and well, a wee bit up my [ahem] knee.Linus just grew cuter

Happy 3rd Birthday Nico!

When Nico and Lucas first met, Lucas was not even crawling yet. They are both energetic, busy little toddlers now and they have almost the same energy levels and play very well together. Nico had a fall about a month ago and has been on a cast but that didn't stop him from being his usual active self! You are a sweet little boy, Nico. Happy Birthday!

A great big brother

I am falling behind in my updates. It's almost entirely about the boys but they do take up a large part of the 24 hours of my day. I have so much I want to remember and write about the boys.

For now, I just want to say that Lucas has been really sweet and a great big brother. They have also started to interact more with each other and it's so fun to watch them.

I am currently suffering from insomnia. I have not been able to fall asleep for 2 nights in a row now and I probably slept for 2-3 hours each night and I am running on adrenalin now. I don't know how much spare energy reserves I have left. I am hoping to tire myself out now so that when I hit the sheets tonight, I will finally fall asleep.

Honey, thank you for looking so happy even though it's just milk you are having for breakfast.

I cannot remember what made Linus grin so widely. It could be Lucas making some funny noises that tickled him, or maybe he is laughing at his mommy puddering around in mismatched socks. I love the way he smiles. Some days, it creases at the bridge of his nose when he smiles and I love it.

Linus' personality is slowly emerging and I love the new discoveries I make each day, some of which I did not experience with Lucas.

Our little conductor

Hands up!

It's ok, Linus. Don't be alarmed. Your time will come.

With some effort, Lucas can finally reach above his head and clap his hands at 23.5 months old.