Home for Christmas

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Greetings! From Japan.


We actually flew back home a week ago, for reasons better forgotten, but our bags packed with toys and hearts full of joy. We're reunited with papa for this very special year end, our first Christmas, and first New Year together.


So all is good, and God is good for bringing us back so that we could celebrate the little guy who is another 6 months to a year old!


The cub was the apple of so many eyes then... my family, friends and even strangers. I was a proud mama throughout my stay in Singapore, my trophy, medal and prize lie in him. I've probably finally understood why people love to have kids?





At 5 months, the playful one was rolling over like a pro. I knew it, he looooves attention and is a big show off. He teased my family so much that everybody hurried home to catch their superstar. My brother must forgive me for posting this, know how much the cub liked it high on his uncle's shoulders. They are just too cute together!


I was most touched when my outrageously playful one was good throughout both flights, and even having passengers who couldn't resist him coming over to play. My eyes warmed when an Irish old lady praised and blessed him, these very warm-hearted people were too kind to an almost crippled mom struggling with a infant on the 7 hours flight.






I know you feel me when I say I'm thanking God for keeping the good spirits in my boy throughout those hours. :)






Someone may be right about me thinking too much for my little one is constantly in a good mood. True, but Mr. Sunshine has his Achilles' heel too. See what I mean.













And he means it.


Now into 6 months, I think I'm going grey if he's not going to love his semi-solids soon. HE~LP!!

*****

It's Christmas tomorrow, the birthday of our Savior, who came just as helpless as any babe in the world. As I carressed my little one and ponder upon the many miracles and blessings in my life... who am I, to have Him come and give... I can't really put into words, but the story of Nativity just touches me anew, again.


Blessed Christmas everyone, wherever you are, know that His blessings have never left you. May the beautiful spirit of Christmas fills your heart and home.

How many days...

To Christmas did you say?? I've been so dazed with so much late happenings that I'm missing all the fun of my favorite day.

*****

A surgery is carried out successfully on my left wrist 4 weeks ago, and now the fella has forgotten how to rotate, bend or twist freely. It is recovering little by little, but surely, and a complete healing is just a matter of time. It's been so long that I'm able to carry my baby with ease again. :)

We're extending our stay in Singapore until February of the brand new year. I do have some concerns though cos my family members simply dote on my little one too much, I can't imagine returning Japan with a spoilt brat. :(

I know, I know. They can't help themselves. Even strangers love him.

Well, I guess it'll be good to siam ( Singapore slang ; avoid ) winter for a wee bit.

I'm not forgetting everyone who have cared about my condition. All the concern, emails, and follow-ups, thank you so much! Things were hard for quite a while, but kind people like you have made days bearable.

Going home

In another 3 days, I'll be travelling with my 4 months old on a 7 hour flight home.


It isn't an easy decision. I worry about how the cub will cope with his first flight in his tender months, I guess it's why I'm not too thrilled about the trip this time.





The medical sectors in Japan aren't helping me, so I'm making a hopeful trip back for surgery on my wrists which are about to give way anytime soon. This Tendonitis has been tormenting me for years and been most unbearable the past months. I've been clenching my teeth so hard that I may lose them soon.


Looking back I couldn't have survived the past months with 2 bad wrists and an active baby without a new supply of grace granted to me day by day. Sniff...


Now I just need to pull through the flight, hoping that my fella stays his sweet self. After the surgery, I may not be able to use the keyboard for quite a while so catch up later everyone! Meanwhile, stay good and blessed.

At 4 months

4 months have passed and we're still calling our little thing 'Breadcrumbs'. We use this cute icon conveniently whenever we text about the cub.




















The 7300 grams of Breadcrumbs flips over with little help, and lunges himself forward as if he's ready to crawl.


His baby vowels have increased so much and it's really hilarious when he babbles non stop. He is starting to laugh and giggle aloud.


He has the most generous smiles and very friendly to strangers too.


I love it most when he looks at me affectionately and wraps his little fingers around mine.






Of course there are hair pulling moments like how he pulls his own hair and everybody elses, but he quickly makes up with his cute self.






At the mention of hair, I'm getting really scared as I'm shedding like autumn. Also, losing weight at an exponential rate too.. I didn't gain too much pregnancy weight to begin with due to the morning sickness slash, so it's all showing on my hollow cheeks and I'm looking as if I'm having morning sickness all over again.





It's a mixture of feelings whenever I bring the baby to the mirror, there he is all smooth and soft while I've never looked more haggard and tired.


It sounds great to look like a radiant mom holding my baby, but really I won't dwell too much on what's beyond my control. I'll be really happy though if I can just spend this winter cold-free.

The Anniversary

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Today is when we celebrate our wedding held in Japan 7 years ago.


I wrote about the same day last year, and named the post 'The Anniversary'.


What I didn't tell in the post back then, I was 5 days late by the anniversary day.


I didn't want to think too much about it for afterall it was the first time we tried. To be sure, I got my kit that morning and that's how all that cramping, headache and bloating explained.


I remember my feelings back then with so much detail that my eyes are warm with the same happy tears right now. :)


And so I had a surprise ready for Bear at our anniversary dinner! I was impatient throughout the slow meal as I couldn't wait for dessert, that's when I would pass him the kit ~ Happy Anniversary honey, I have a present for you. ;)


’本当に？’ he said. Yes honey, I know it all seems very orchestrated but yes, you are becoming a daddy soon!


But I remember telling him too that we may be rejoicing too soon as my age is a factor, and my health hasn't been too good since I've started living in Japan.

*****

This year, there are 3 of us at the dining table. Bear and I had our favorite pizza, the little one watched on curiously and was foaming like a crab. It's ok we didn't make it to any place fascinating. Happiness has never been nearer next to the one you love. :)



Thank you God, for every single blessing.

Mothers

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My sweetest little thing has turned 4 months today. :)



Every morning, I will breathe from behind his ear deeply, and hoping that I'll smell like him. I tap happiness from my darling my waking hours, it's soley him I see in our photos. There's a new self worth when I know how much my voice can calm my angel. The inner child in me holds his hand, we'll go to moon and return with a star together. I've never known a bigger motivation, hope and purpose.



Did I mention I'm a mom of 4 months already? I'm a newborn, a born again, a new being called 'mom'? Poke me, I'll ooze love.


But soon after I've typed all these from top of the world, I'm feeling everything else a mom doesn't want to know.



Especially after reading Fiesty Princess Charmaine.



The Dragon Mom.



Poor Yue Yue.



The missing 2 year old girl in Japan.



It's scary. You thought you're now an invincible new creation, but you're so wrong. A mom doesn't run the world for her own, but for the little ones she gives life to whose destinies she has no control over. She protects, defends, prays and hopes to her last breath.



Moms. You may not know them, but you connect with them all across the world. You'll shed tears for a stranger mom, and get on your knees for a suffering one. You even feel for your worst enemy, and bless her children. And humble yourself before God with hope that you'll never be tested.



It's all too bold for the gentler gender. And because I'm convinced not every woman has motherly instincts, I've been avoiding the issue my married years.



But now, let me embrace this complicated, delicate, vulnerable role. No regrets.



God, please bless the mothers and their children.



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Grin

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Day 2 without Bear's paws. My shoulder and neck twisted as they go cahoots with the bad wrists.


Worry not. Every ballet-trained knows how to deal with twists. Never freeze yourself into a statue, that's making things worse. Rotate or move the affected part very slowly in all possible directions, it'll be painful but the stressed muscles will loosen up. Massages help too.





I'm cool, really! Catch this!



Me : I love you.

Baby : Smile.

Me : My 心肝宝貝 ( precious ).

Baby : SMILE.

Me : What's for dinner ... hmm. Can I pop one of your thighs into the oven tonight?

Baby : Grin.

Me : You like it with spice and herbs, or terriyaki style?

Baby : Big grin and started kicking excitedly.



I swooped my darling up, and gave the biggest tightest hug that could restore him back into my belly if we're made of jellies. Pain? What pain? He's my healer, my sweetener, the reason I carry on.


I'm blessed.

10 days

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LOOK! He's using both hands!





Silly Bear almost jumped over the sofa to grab the camera, just because the cub held the zebra's tail in his right fist.


The cub has been doing his stuff with both hands since 1st week of 3 months Darling. I do pity the busy dad who has been missing the cub's milestones.


Lucky him, he had some 10 days break to catch up with us, but not so lucky anymore when he had to lend his hands on home chores. Also, driving places to seek second opinion on my bad wrists.



We did some shopping, purchased new bulbs for the garden, chillax at cafes and eateries wee bit... Oh yes, and the cub's passport applied.

Today onwards, I'm back to my own with my chap. Sitting here recalling the past 10 days short of blog-worth...


But it was nice just by being together.