A Malacca trip Part 3..may 2009

So after a good nite's rest, it was back to more shopping and food! Before coming back to singapore!

A Malacca trip part 2..may 2009

Looking at the food. what more can I say? Just enjoy it lah.. wow...

A Malacca trip part 1.. may 2009

Maumau goes on a 2 day trip to Malacca with uncle steven and family. Also with Eunice and mom, and Joanna. From these pictures, mau seem to be having a lot of fun.

We have another good news!! Maumau is pregnant again! April 2009

After so many birthdays, we are now going to expect another birth this year! YES! MAU IS PREGNANT! Well, we kinda know it a couple of weeks ago, but delayed till recently to get checked.

For those of you that says, "ah ha! This must be an accident!" no no no no. We planned. Mau and I decided to try to have another baby.

Another point we have not shared. Honestly, when you plan to have a baby, it is not easy. Having a baby means you need to make sure both of you "work hard" when the chance of being pregnant is high. For those that want to know our successful technique, you can email us privately. Hahaha..

OK, seriously, we are delighted. I think Mau is happy as she is hoping this time, it will be a girl. A you can see, there is 75% are guys. Mau is now currently the only girl in the family. So my little baby in my Mau's womb, we are hoping you're our long awaited Matilda.

I am 1 year old. Hear me roar! part 5 april 2009

My name's Elijah. I am Ethan's younger brother and i am 1 year old today!

Yummy cake.. part 4 april 2009

Argh. ku-ku is cutting up the cake!!!

You like the uniform? part 3 april 2009

These are our uniform. this year, uncle monster, ku-ku yvonne, and grand uncle steven all had uniforms too.

i hope everyone likes them.

Elijah's 1 year old! part 2 .. april 2009

We are all up in arms. As you can see, we all have "elijah uniforms".

The cake we bought was from the same store where we bought Ethan's cake. It is a custom cake. Cost us $200.

It is not just for you, but also for all to enjoy the cake. To enjoy your celebrations.

Elijah's is 1 year old!! part 1 April 2009

It's finally Elijah's birthday. My dear son, you are now 1 year old. Its a sigh of relieve and a sense of contentment to know that you are now 1 year old. And we want to share this with all our friends and family. And they will come. Because we all love you. You look so smart in your cute T-shirt. And we start the day, preparing for your celebrations, taking out all the chairs for everyone.

Welcome!

Elijah was born a month before my birthday (we picked the date) in Mt. Alvernia Hospital. Same nurses, MAH offers us the really nice and cozy atmosphere we loved.

Checked-in in the afternoon of a day in April 2008, we were all ready (more pictures coming soon). Unfortunately they did not have a single room and so we had to check into a suite and was transferred into a single ward later.

It was a smooth delivery. Everything went as scheduled. However, I remembered feeling overwhelmed when I first saw Elijah outside the op theatre. Partly due to some workload; but seeing my new-born baby was like Elijah was telling me everything is going to be alright.

Elijah was much lighter than Ethan; smaller and looks more fragile; he is really a blessing. Fortunately he is not G6PD. Mau coped better in this delivery.

We checked out 3 days later.

Here's to u!

It's been a hectic crazy month (or actually more than a couple of months). Honestly, sometimes I feel so tired. Don't want to bitch too much but life's like that isn't it.

We sometimes just want to say.. )@_$)%^#@!

Anyway, back to the topic; we've started teaching Ethan how to point but unknown to us (must be genetics), he points with his ermm... "unique" finger! That's when he was 2 years old.

He doesn't do that anymore. HAHA.. This is a great picture. yes?

Teaser: Do you know who is this kid?

Ok.. ta-da! Here's Elijah. Born last year (2008), Elijah is our latest addition in the Tham family. You'll see a lot more of him in the next few blog posts.

A quick thought from this father of two.. Having kids really change the way you view the world.

I still remember in the not too distant past, drinking a jug of Long Island Tea was the best way to spend a Saturday nite. Not any more.

On the other hand, while Ethan's arrival was like stepping into the unknown, Elijiah's arrival was like a visit from an old friend. Many couples with kids would tell you that the initial excitement is lost for the 2nd kid. There are some truth in this. I mean, we don't worry that much during Mau's last trimester; the visit to the hospital was almost routine; we talked about how we'll handle Elijah.. in another words, we did not "kanang kaboh".

Perhaps sometime to tell Elijah about when he is older and reads this blog; it's not that daddy did not care any lesser; but daddy was more confident to be your daddy. Those mistakes that we made with Ethan, we know we will not. For example, when Ethan fell off the bed when he was about 9 months old.. I'm proud to say we had been diligent in 'implementing contigency plans' to make sure that does not happen. Daddy knew more about how to take care of you; that i think is important.

Mommy and Daddy loves you..

OK! So I have slacked!

ok guys.. sorry sorry sorry.. we've not posted anything since we last came back from Australia. That was what, 2 years ago! A lot has happened..

Ethan has grown up..
He had has 2nd and 3rd birthday..
We worked hard and had Elijah..
Elijah is come 1 year old! yup yup!

and...

Maureen is pregnant again!!! yes!!

Ok, so there is really really a lot more that has happened.. So hang in there for more updates.. i'll have to update 2 years of info!!

I am 11 months old!! Elijah.. Mar 2009

Elijah is now 11 months old. And quite a handful. Many a times, he will struggle if you don't put him down while carrying him. He's still not ready to walk but he wants to. And instead of walking, he runs! So here's Elijah, hole up in his cot.

Dancing and Singing on my birthday .. Mar 2009

My talented son, Ethan, dancing and singing.




I also can feel the pleasure of seeing my son enjoy himself. his boost in confidence in evidence to his growth.

Spanking.. right or wrong? ..Mar 2009

OK. Have you spanked your kid before? I have. Todate, I've probably spanked Ethan perhaps 2 times. Spanking means 1 smack to his buttocks using my palm.

Am I proud of it. NO! No parent (I would assume, a loving parent) would want to spank his/her kid. But spanking is 1 form of punishment among many. It is perhaps the most serious. It is meant to shout "wake up" and "stop". Like an emergency brake before an accident. You would only use it very rarely. That means that if you have other means which will better teach your kid, then you should use it.

Another reason is also perhaps an act of desperation. When you don't know what to do to teach your kid. I do personally say that I don't condone spanking. But there will be moments when spanking is necessary. Yet, restrain is necessary as well. Let's remember that your kid will always be a minor and only a kid. Like I'd said. It is means as a "stop what you are doing" purpose. Nothing more.

Another technique would be our version of naughty chair. If Ethan is naughty, he sits on the stairs. He doesn't like it. And nowadays, this is a better solution. I think it depends on kids. Ethan, being more mild mannered knows that when I say sit at the stairs, it is very serious. It also means, "stop what you are doing".

I am glad I don't need to spank Ethan for a long time. I am also glad, my son obeys me, not because he is scared of me, but he knows that when Papa is serious, Papa needs to be obeyed. But I also explains, or someone else explains to him why he needs to listen. I also make a point to hug him and love him 1 hour after the whole episode.

I am proud my sons loves me deeply. And I believe there is a level of respect in their love. I don't abuse their love. If I promise them something, I will get it done, no question about it.

Its a ritual.. free ice-cream for the B'day boy.. compliments from Swensens.. Mar 2009

Thank you Swensens. Again. you are part of my family's celebrations. You are an important part of our family. Because we will always remember that we share moments of joy and laughter in your restaurant. Thank you..

Ethan's B'day at home.. mar 2009

Ethan's B'day celebation was a close family affair with only great grand uncle steven's family attending. We didn't tell them until they came over. I think spending B'days with close family is important. No objective to achieve; no invite cards to send, and everyone can just do what they want. We got the durian cake again. Keep in mind, durian cake is kong-kong's favorite cake. We are all happy. and so is Ethan..

Happy Birthday Ethan.. you're 3. not 2! Mar 2009

Happy B'day my son. For those who wants to celebrate their kid's B'days in school, you've got to inform the school in advance n prepare a cake big enough to feed the whole class.. Honestly, why bother? I'venot really celebrated my B'day in a party for decades. But for a kid, its special. I want to shout out loud that I love my kis; that's why parents bother to celebrate their kids' B'days. Will he know the effort put in to those celebrayions? not really. But we do it, because we want to do it. we hope to share our passion with Ethan's classmates; that our precious is 3. Hee.. fyi, Ethan still insist he is only 2. haha..

Ethan's first excursion: Sentosa's Underwater world.. Feb 2009

Wow! My son went for his first excursion. My son has grown up. As a parent, letting go is hard. Can he handle himself? Yet, this trip allowed 1 adult to go with him; Grandma went along and came back to tell us more too.. hee..

Ethan is a really mild mannered kid. He's easily afraid of things he is unsure of. That's no issue with me. I think he will outgrow this. But this also shows his loving nature. He follows instructions if asked. And he flashes his "V" willingly. Come to think of it. Where did he learnt the "V" and typical grin? I don't know. haha.

This catalogue of events (God-forbide this site to crash!!) is meant for my sons. For them to know what they did. But also to let them know my thoughts.

We are all excited to know what happened. I am even a little jealous Grandma was present and I wasn't. Yet, it is about letting go. And I am calm. I hope, when I get to be a grand-dad, I am able to share my time and love with my grandkids too...