Blast from the Past

Dearest Phoebe,
on a happier note, I found this video which I took when you were exactly 13-month old. Back then, you had grassy hair and spoke in a shrilly voice.

PS: Mummy and Daddy have attempted to instill the love for reading and learning when you were just a little baby. I hope you will take what we have instilled in you to greater heights.

Be good and smile pretty,
Daddy Dearest

Harrowing Experience

Dearest Phoebe,

last week this time, we were cramped up in the hospital ward as you came down with a slight respiratory tract infection. You were in danger of dehydration as you had stopped your fluid intake totally.
Hence, we had to check you into hospital and very soon, you were put on a intravenous drip to hydrate and energise your body that was weakened by high fever and vomiting!

Mummy had to cradle you in her arms as you two slept in the cot provided by the ward. It was really uncomfortable for Mummy as the cot was meant for toddlers; however, it was the only way to get you to sleep in such an unfamiliar environment. Hence, Mummy had to become a contortionist in order to lull you to sleep.

During your hospital, you were showered with gifts from your grandaunts, aunts and cousins when they visited. Though your hospital stay was just two days, you had been battling the infection for close to a week. It really felt like an eternity as Mummy and Daddy were really worn out by the nightly sponging sessions prior to your hospital admission.

I am so glad that you are in the pink of health now. As I said to Mummy earlier, it is trying times like these that will make us stronger. It is also times like these to make us not take our loved ones for granted for their care and unrelenting support.

Be good, stay healthy and smile pretty,
Daddy Dearest

Cool Cut

Dearest Phoebe,

Here you are gazing out of the window at a restaurant in Turf City, waiting for your lunch to be served. It was a nice picture captured by Cindy Jie Jie who came along with us to fidgets, THE place which you have always loved to go. It is also the first photo you took following a haircut you had on Saturday. You were very cooperative during the session and even held a little conversation with the hairdresser like a little adult. Mummy and Daddy love this new hairstyle as it exudes much more personality. Hahha….. for a two year old.

Love, Mummy.

In My Life

Dearest Phoebe,

"The yellow submarine is at Suntec City!” you exclaimed. There was one Saturday afternoon when Mummy had to attend to her work at Suntec City, we had the opportunity to spend some time together exclusively. We ate chocolate gelare, we shopped at Harvey Norman and you took a kiddy ride that was in the shape of a yellow submarine. I did not insert any coins into the ride so I had to hum the song "Yellow Submarine" while gently rocking it.

You managed to pick up some of the song's lyrics and its rhythm as I heard you attempting to sing it recently. I'm not sure whether Mummy is particularly happy about your musical taste but I do remember when Mummy was pregnant, I did mention to some my friends that I would like to start you on a musical diet of Beatles' songs. But that idea faded into oblivion upon your arrival.

I guess I shan't carry out this idea until you are well into your teens. However, in this entry, I would like to bring to your attention a poignant song by the Beatles titled "In My Life". I have excerpted a part of its lyrics.

There are places I’ll remember

All my life though some have changed

Some forever not for better

Some have gone and some remain

All these places have their moments

With lovers and friends I still can recall

Some are dead and some are living

In my life I’ve loved them all

Last Sunday, one of your grand-aunts took her last breath as she succumbed to cancer. She walked the last leg of her worldly journey in the company of your aunt and some close friends. I can only think of one word that personified her, generosity. She was generous with her love and laughter.

According to Nainai, she even gave out free haircuts to the elderly folks who patronised her hair saloon. She eked out an honest living as a hairdresser for most of her adult life, almost single-handedly bringing up your two aunts. When you are done reading this entry, do come to me and I will fill you in on more details. There are some things I would definitely like to reminisce with you about your grandaunt. You probably would not have remembered her but I can still vividly recall her carrying you in her arms lovingly during one of our Lunar New Year family gatherings. There are just some things I cannot forget. I will always remember her kindness, her generosity and her iconoclastic spirit that was always so refreshing.

I miss her already.

PS: On a lighter note, I would really like to include a selected repertoire of Beatles songs for your musical diet. It's quite unimaginable on my part for you to grow up not liking the Beatles.

Be good and smile pretty,

Daddy Dearest

My Best Friend's Wedding

Dearest Phoebe,

We attended Auntie Siew Fun's wedding on Saturday at the luxurious Four Seasons Hotel. Auntie Siew Fun is mummy's best friend and we have known each other for 18 years! At the dinner, you busied yourself with the kid's meal comprising alphabet soup, fried chicken and fries and your favourite chocolate cake as dessert. No wonder you could stay through the dinner till 10.30pm. Here are some pictures of you helping yourself to the food.

Anyway, Auntie Siew Fun would be relocating to UK. Sigh, another one of mummy's good friend who has moved out to UK. On a brighter note, more reasons for us to visit them when you are older.

A Visit to Kids Kampong

Dear Phoebe,

It's been almost a month since Mummy last posted an entry on your blog. Gosh!

Some updates; Within a short span of two months, you seem to have grown and mature so much. You have somewhat accepted the fact that all kids need to go to school, although you still put up a little protest on some days when you woke up on the wrong side of the bed. In the afternoons, mummy would call you and you can hold a little conversation with mummy before talking to yourself again. Conversations like what you had for lunch and what you did in school etc :-)

Last month, we went on an excursion with the school to Kids Kampong at Pasir Ris. Despite the rain, all kids were in high spirits including the teachers. Here is a picture of you holding a mouse at the Kids Kampong. You enjoyed feeding the koi and geese by pouring the whole packet of aniaml feed , thereafter proclaiming "The End! Finish!"This time round, both mummy and daddy went along so it was like a family outing for us too. On the whole, I am sure you had fun.

Will write again :-)