A Mid-Autumn Night

Mid Autumn Night 2012

A first for both the kiddos.  In Sophie's words "I'm having a great time Mama"

Pointilitis

Pointilitis [pronouced point-ti-lai-tis]
noun

1.  A condition, often seen in babies between the age of 10 to 11 months, where they extend their little forefinger and start grunting with great insistence.  (Refer to Diagram 1)
2.  Pre-talkers clever (and adorable) way of getting their point (no pun intended) across.

Diagram 1

                                                                                                       Illustrations by Julianne Foo 

Memories...

So apparently she has been crying everyday since 爷爷 left us.  So tonight, after yet another break down post dinner, my aunt decided to take her for a car ride to get some fresh air and so they came by the house to chit-chat, play with Jules and just be amongst family.  The past month has been painful for 奶奶.  While life has pretty much returned to normalcy for most of us,  爷爷's passing has left a huge void in 奶奶's life, that will truly be difficult to ever fill.  

It got me thinking and missing not just 爷爷 but also my Ah-ma and Baby who left us some 2 years ago.  It brought back a lot of painful memories and also sweet ones of the times I spent with my grandparents. 

爷爷's helper - Aunt Hannah, who has been with the family for what must have been forever -  shared with me these words from 爷爷 when they visited tonight.  She said "I'll always remember Gong Gong say Sher Sher's* daughter is very beautiful.  She make Gong Gong smile."

Tonight as I was rocking Julianne to bed.  I told her that if there was anything she did for her great grandfather, it was to bless him with her smile. 

*Sher Sher is what I'm affectionately called by my family

My sunshine!

The face I wake up to every morning! 

Hello there sushine!!

Love, 

Mama

Got passport. Will fly.

I got my passport!! 

Letters to Julianne #14

Dearest Julianne,

It’s hard to believe that we’re only 2 months shy of your 1^st birthday.  You probably don’t know what all the fuss about your 1^st birthday is, but just you see, come your 2^nd or 3^rd birthday, you’ll be telling me what cake you want and what colour balloons should deck the hall!

Everyone around you seem to think that you have grown up a lot this past month.  I can’t agree more.  You have developed a stronger personality of your own, have been incredibly chatty, know how to play and be cheeky with the people around you and have this amazing sense of humour – a character of yours that I find so endearing and that I absolutely love!  You break out at laugh-out-loud moments at the most appropriate times, it’s like you know it’s funny.  Like when Mama does silly things or makes monkey faces at you.  Or when we sing the “Happy Birthday” song and you immediately start to clap along and get very excited.  With so many birthday celebrations in the past month, you seem to have learnt to associate the song with being happy and clapping of hands.  You radiate the sweetest smile, something I can’t get enough of everyday.  You also love to plant baby kisses on your favourite people (although I’m not sure if your yiyis really enjoy all that drool – I’m sure they do) but you also like to receive kisses.  Every night, Mama and Papa will plant kisses on your cheeks while rocking you to bed.  I know you enjoy those moments cos you will close you eyes and smile to yourself.  It is our daily moment with you.   

Our happy baby!

Kisses all round

August also turned out to be the month you lost your great grandfather.  He never got to hear you call him tai-ye but I am just so glad that he got to see you the day he was first admitted to hospital which was also the last time we all saw him well.  I remember him laughing as your broke into a smile for him and how he even commented that you looked like Mama when Mama was a baby.  You are not going to remember anything about tai-ye, but Mama will tell you stories about him and how we always hide in his office eating up his chocolates.  The few days of running up and down between home and the wake was like an adventure for you.  You got to go out twice every day, saw all your grandaunt, granduncles, uncles, yiyi and cousins who gave you a time of your life.  You were in such a good mood whenever we brought you to the wake, it was like you thought you were at a party.

And I think all that, coupled with Yiyi being home and you playing with Che Che Sophie has got to do with you doing so much growing up in the last month.  You know that Che Che Sophie is a little girl, like you, and you seem to want to play with her in way you don’t do with us.  I think you seem to think she’s this huge teddy bear that you can just pounce on or tear apart.  Thankfully Che Che Sophie knows better that you are just playing with her and has been so sweet in giving in to you.  But Mama has told you to be gentle so you better learn to behave. Once you’re older, I believe the both of you are going to have so much fun playing together.  She loves you and has more than once asked da-yi if she can keep you.  How sweet is that?

Cousins @ play

This month, you started to stand on your own.  You can now cruise around the house very effectively and even took one or two steps on your own.  We all think you’ll be walking mighty soon.  Good job baby!  You have also finally sprouted your bunny tooth!  I was starting to get worried when babies younger than you were already with four teeth.   Your upper left bunny teeth is in clear sight.  I can also feel your lower middle incisors making its way out but can’t quite see them yet.  You developed a mild fever as a result of your teething and because of that, we had to abandon our plans for the family outing to the zoo.  I think you’re still too young for the zoo anyway.  I’ll bring you there when you’re older alrighty?  

Standing tall

1st tooth!

You are truly such a darling and much loved.  I appreciate and believe that all that attention you get from everyone at home is helping you develop so well.  Mama prays for you daily that God will constantly watch over you as you grow up in our big world.  That you will grow up knowing who He is and then go on to do great things for Him.  You add so much joy and sunshine to our lives, I am so thankful that God even thought I deserve such a beautiful daughter like you.  Keep growing my precious stream and know always how loved you truly are. 

With all my love,

Mama