1 more day and we turn 4 years..

.. For Caleb, it's 4 years old. For us, 4 years old as parents. What a journey.. What an adventure! I've never been in a job that has drawn out so much emotions from within! Never realize I had this much in the first place. Heh.

Often people would ask "how are things?" I used to say "it's same same but different everyday" (still holds true till now) but more recently, since Timothy came along (oh.. Did we mention we just had our latest addition? He's beautiful!! But will leave that for another blog post) my answer has been "sometimes crazy, most times busy, but I am happy".

Feels quite surreal to have a son turning 4 years old tomorrow.. Thankful for this learning experience - which is still on-going and probably is a life-long thing. And even though I don't really have skill sets that compliments my "job" as a stay home mom e.g. Baking, crafts, gardening, etc, I'm grateful to have this "job". Because my love language is time I.e. Loving someone by spending quality time together. So I'm giving the best years of my life to the best "things" in life. :)

Blessed birthday Jia Le.. Remember that papa and mama love you and are always proud of you.

My sisters.. Their nephew.

Note: this was written prolly 2 years ago now.. When Caleb was the only baby in the family. :)

Read "Faith begins@Home MOM" recently and after every section there was a box with Qs in it which required some thinking/ reflection. One of it was this:- "What would you want to pass on from your childhood to your children?"

I can prolly think of a few things but the first that came to mind was growing up with my sisters and cousin. They're a big part of who I am today. Because I'm the youngest, they all looked out for me. In a way unique to their own personalities. And because I'm the youngest, I also became the reason they got into trouble with Ma when I misbehaved. Ah.. Good times. :P

Now having a child of my own, they are looking out for Caleb. All of them really really sayang him very much - maybe because he's really adorable? Or maybe because he's my son? And because they love me, they now love him too? Or maybe it's all these reasons and more..

A song by Corrinne May which prolly would have a special meaning for my sisters..
Entitled "My little nephew"

its funny how one thing happens and changes your whole point of view

everything that seems to matter, has cast aside for a better truth

you're growing faster with every minute, second, photograph

i wish i could spend more time with you

my little nephew

everyday a new discovery i'm a child again looking through your eyes

with every step you're teaching me how to fall and cry, get up and smile

you're growing faster with every minute, second, photograph

i wish i could spend more time with you

my little nephew

but you're far away and i am over here

memories are lost in these span of years

so, when i go will u miss me?

when i go will u remember me?

you're growing faster with every minute, second, photograph

i wish i could spend more time with you

my little nephew

see you'll learn to tie your shoes

say the sky is blue

and that your bestfriend has winnie the pooh

my little nephew

Hannah

Thumbelina, nah2, mimei, sweetheart, Qi.. These are just some of the ways we'd call her. Even before she came into the world, we wanted to give her a name which would remind her that she's very special to us. Mainly because we've heard so much about "the middle child syndrome" and we'd love to have more than 2 children; which would essentially result in her being the middle child but we wanted her to know that her position doesn't make her any less than who she is, especially who she is to us. But in the end, her Chinese name meant that she was the blessing of the family. And she really lived up to that name.

Ever since she came around, she hardly complained I.e. cry or fussed. Well, surely there are moments of hunger and crying out for attention but the laughters and smiles surpassed it all! She's at the "tod-by" stage now (baby transitioning to toddler) and she's less of a sleepyhead now than in her first 6 months of life but her awaking moments bring all of us so much joy - including Caleb. For a toddler to love his baby sister is not exactly the most natural thing I guess (I mean, imagine putting puzzles together and getting it dismantled by this tiny dude or how she waits to pounce on his snacks when he's not looking) but Hannah is really lovable. Not just likable. She's lovable.

Her babyhood passed so quickly. I'd love to relive those moments except that I do enjoy now being able to sleep through the night but more so how she's able to do silly things with her brother and laugh their heads off together.

Hannah, even though we didn't give you a name which means precious, never forget that you are very very precious to us and truly God's gift and blessing in our lives.

Been a long time since..

So what's happened almost 2 years from the last entry?

Another pregnancy come and gone, our baby boy became a toddler and soon graduating from that phase in a matter of months and Hannah! Our beautiful sweetheart who's fast approaching 1year old in a week's time! That's an overview.. We're now KFCH!

Plan to take baby steps in reviving our blog so we can look back on all the memories created hence this post.. Gonna keep it short and sweet though and end with wishing my dear husband a blessed birthday. Thankful for the man that you are and excited to see the man that God would mould you to become in the days ahead. Oh, Hannah's crying. Gtg!

16 years in the Lord...

Today I turn 16 in my Christian faith as a Jesus-follower.

I've learnt much...

I've grown much...

Still more to learn...

Still more to grow...

Thank you Lord for the past 16 years... Here's to the next few years of growing more in love with you Jesus, my Lord and my Savior. :)

Balik Kampung, OoooOooo, Balik Kampung... (7-10 August 2011)

Balik Kampung! That was where Papa and Mummy brought me over the National Day Weekend; back to Mummy's Kampung.

Papa put me in the car and we zoomed up to KL to meet some of Mummy's friends for dinner. Thankfully I could sleep in the car now so the journey wasn't that miserable. Was just glad to be picked up from the car seat when we got there.

At dinner, I saw Jonah (Uncle Jon and Aunty Lemon's baby) who would be my playmate when I come up to KL. Don't have to be entertained by the adults all the time. Jonah quickly come play with me when you can ok? I also saw Uncle Kelvin and Aunty San. She's carrying a baby friend for me and he'll come out to play with me in December. Yay! Another friend to play with. Thank you Jesus for giving me so many friends! =)

We went to Uncle Daryl and Aunty Hui Yin's place to stay for the first night. They live in a very big house in Klang with rivers and bridges and playgrounds too. When I can walk/run I'll want to climb onto those things. See if my parents can catch me then! Hah! :) I wasn't used to this new hoe so had to stay near Papa/Mummy before falling asleep. At least those were safe arms I trust. =P

Went back to PorPor's house the next day where I was welcomed by my Momo; my eager beaver ayee. Actually I can't determine who is the biggest fan among my ayees cos they love me a lot. No need to compare I guess. Thank you Jesus for my Ayees who shower me with so much love. =)

Here are some of the things I did when I was there:

 

 

 

 

Cycling at Pulau Ubin

Papa brought Mummy and I to Pulau Ubin as part of the staff cohesion day. =)

It was so fun cos I got to ride on a ferry boat as well as on the bicycle with Papa!

 



 

  

Woopiee!! My first time on a bicycle and I really enjoyed myself! =)

I must have fallen asleep along the way cos the next thing I know I was at home liao.

When are we going Pulau Ubin again Papa? =P

Vrrroooommmmm....

Perhentian Trip (5-8 June 2011)

Woohoo!! Caleb is now a certified islander!! Well I'm counting the fact that he actually had to take plane, car then boat just to get to our destination (not ot mention it was on an ISLAND!). But we eventually made it to Bubbles Dive Resort! We as in the entire Lim Clan + Leem siblings in the package. Woot! :)

It was a packed trip for Fannie as she was on a mission - to get her diving license! Everyone else was chilling on the hammocks, snorkeling, playing 'Pass the Bomb' and busking in the sun while Fannie had to study and do a crash course with Pei See.

Jee Yen and I took the time to go diving (5 in all!) and were wondered by the vast amount of sea creatures in the deep. Too bad didn't take any pictures underwater but it was totally breath taking. We saw turtles, sting rays (even an eagle ray at a distance!), moray eels, shrimps, sharks and all kinds of fish! Its a totally different world down there. Thank you Lord for showing me a glimpse of your wonders! God's creation is too amazing to put in simple words. Indescribable!

Fannie was able to join us on our last dive and I have a confession to make: I spotted a shark sucker following Fannie and was so excited to see it near her. So I to get her attention I grabbed her and turned her around and pointed frantically to that sucker. Turned out I was the 'sucker' cos Pei See had just signalled to her of a SHARK just ahead. But cos I turned Fannie around to see the shark sucker, the shark swam away before she could refocus on it. Sorry dear.. =( Hopefully next dive we can see some more amazing sea creatures ok? =P

Caleb was spoiled all trip with his 3 ayees + grandmother crowding over him all trip. He never had a dull moment on the island with so much attention showered on him. But that also meant we (the parents) could do our diving. :) We brought Caleb sea swimming which was a major event for him with SO MANY supporters cheering him on his inaugural sea swim experience. This little fellow just doesn't like large water masses. But he did settle after awhile; especially after I 'dunked' him in the sea. Heh. More swimming lessons to come for sure! :)

On our last day we also got to see a female turtle surface to lay eggs on the beach! We also got to transport some of the eggs and put them in a safe hole where the poachers can't find them. Poor things get their eggs poached in the market which is causing the turtle numbers to drop drastically. Lord you must feel for the lost of your creation. Forgive us for not being good stewards to take care of your creation. Have mercy on the little turtles Lord. :)

Here are some of the pictures of the trip to put sight to my words. Enjoy!

 

Daryl and Hui Yin's Wedding

We drove up to KL for the "wedding of the year" - Daryl and Hui Yin's wedding! :)

Its been a long time coming and its finally here. So happy for them as they've come a long way, been through much, and now happily married.

We played small roles in the wedding:
I (Kevin) was invited to be the worship leader at church.
Fannie was invited to make a speech during their dinner.
Caleb was given the role of entertaining the OCFers and his ayees + grandmother.

It was also a great time to catch up with overseas friends like AnneMaree, Myra, the Keasberries and the KL folk. Weddings have such abilities to bring friends together. :)

Caleb in a suit together with Daryl and the Kwans

In all we are happy to be part of this special day in their lives.

All glory to God. :)

Who's wedding would we be attending next I wonder? =P

Funny Moments Collection #1

River Dance Prodigy

Feeding frenzy

Boot2 Face

@my playgym while mom's on her laptop

One of the infamous butting backwards moment

p/s: Found him sitting up in his cot when I got up this morning! Boggles the mind... especially Kevin's.

Caleb's Developmental Milestones

He turns 6 months today.

As he gets to know the world around him and the people in it, we're also learning much about who this little fellow is.

Girl got him this coinbank sometime back..

"Active and humorous with the loudest stomp in the swamp"

I think the description is somewhat accurate. Since birth, he was on several occasions given the unofficial award of being the loudest baby in the nursery. And he's since lived up to that reputation. Crying, laughing, burping, talking, farting, sighing, poo-ing... all also loud.

His first chuckle was heard before he turned 3 months. He's a rolly polly at the moment, just happily rolling around and at times "belly-ing" around like a worm. Loves to stand & sit, bite his nappy cloth (which by the way is his fav "toy"), watch his fairies go in circles and talks a lot in his husky voice. Loves his milk and cereal and we believe anything that we put into his mouth eventually. At this moment he seems to be a people baby. Doesn't mind being carried by our friends/family who are complete strangers to him on numerous occasions.

He's not a fan of his car seat but thank goodness he's growing more and more accustomed to it (in recent days he can doze off on his own while traveling). He can be quite impatient when it comes to his feeds and he doesn't hesitate to let you know how he feels. He has a beautiful smile and when he laughs, we'll definitely laugh with him. The term "bundle of joy" is very very apt.

The first 6 months we've been watching him grow... the next 6 months, he will be watching us more closely as he learns the ropes in becoming a little person.

Here are some of your funny and beautiful pictures captured in the past 6 months Caleb..

Of course there were plenty of other moments which could not be captured by technology.. but I'm thankful that I could capture it to memory. Too many thoughts which can't be penned down now but just let me put in an excerpt which is recorded in the Bible (Joshua 14: 6-12), of what the man whose name we named our boy said: 

“You know what the LORD said to Moses the man of God at Kadesh Barnea about you and me. I was forty years old when Moses the servant of the LORD sent me from Kadesh Barnea to explore the land. And I brought him back a report according to my convictions, but my fellow Israelites who went up with me made the hearts of the people melt in fear. I, however, followed the LORD my God wholeheartedly. So on that day Moses swore to me, ‘The land on which your feet have walked will be your inheritance and that of your children forever, because you have followed the LORD my God wholeheartedly.’

“Now then, just as the LORD promised, he has kept me alive for forty-five years since the time he said this to Moses, while Israel moved about in the wilderness. So here I am today, eighty-five years old! I am still as strong today as the day Moses sent me out; I’m just as vigorous to go out to battle now as I was then. Now give me this hill country that the LORD promised me that day. You yourself heard then that the Anakites were there and their cities were large and fortified, but, the LORD helping me, I will drive them out just as he said.”

What big shoes to fill... then again... God has your exact shoe fit so if He's made the shoe, your feet would fit.