Day 2: London

The first night we slept in London, the kids woke at 445am. Prior to that, William woke at least 3 times before going back to sleep after playing by himself on the bed.

But 445am was the final time he woke and decided that he's not going back to sleep. That was also the time that his sister decided to join in the midnight fun. Since they slept at 4pm UK time, that's like a full 12 hours of rest. And 445am is really 1pm malaysian time to the kids and lunch time.

So we decided to unpack some of the stuff but half the time looking for things. Prepared our travelling bag for the day with 5 baby bottles and milk feeds, enough warm clothings and extra socks, our GARMIN and maps and then bathed the two kids. William bathed first because he was very quiet all of a sudden, and I think he must be too hungry. So after a quick but refreshing bath (the kids last bathed the night before we flew - more than 24hours ago), I gave him some Gorilla Munch organic snacks to eat on the bed whilst I bathed Vic.

We went down to 8th floor for our complimentary breakfast at the Regency Club. I would like to say that this is the best complimentary surprise that we got from the hotel thanks to an acquintance as it helps a lot that we don't have to rush out to look for food.

We had a selection of cereals, different types of milk including soya, buns and breads, cheese, fruits, ham and smoked salmon. We all enjoyed our breakfast as it drizzles outside.

Answered prayers and no rain
Our prayers didn't go unanswered. Weather forecast for the day was rainy, and we checked the weather forecast on tv that morning, that confirmed rain for the day. But God gave us a good day without a single drop of rain when we were out, even sunshine at times and moderate wind. Yes it was cold, even we adults felt cold but I think we were all properly geared. The kids had on their winter hats, gloves and three layers of clothings including a good jacket.

William was like a chubby Japanese baby minus the rosy cheeks which he hasn't yet acquired. He was still in his stroller, soaking in the new places and new faces and cold weather. Occassionally he would indicate to us excitedly when he sees a bus or truck.

We walked to Marble Arch tube station. Not all the tube stations here have invalid facilities so we had to carry William in his stroller up and down the stairs, while Vic walked independently. The crowd at 830am was average. We got ourselves the oyster card that allows us for cheaper rides and the kids travel for free.

Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament
The first place we went to was to see Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament. We walked along the River Thames and Vic insisted to ride on the boats. But the journey was for 1.5hour so we told her that we will see other things first. Of course she was upset but then we saw this Big Bus that is a double decker sightseeing bus that goes all around London and we decided to buy two tickets at 50pounds. Until the end of February, they give us two days instead of one because of the unpreditable weather which suits us very fine as we will still be in London the next day.

Westminster Abbey and etc
So we hop on the bus to Westminster Abbey, went into St Margaret's church, then passed 10 Downing Street and stopped at the Horse Guards, just in time to see the changing of the guards at 11am. The kids were in awe to see the majestic horses and the still guards. When we left, they protested a little but we told them there is still so much to see in London.

First souvenir
We stopped by a souvenir shop on the way to Trafalgar Square and Vic bought herself a school kit comprising a pencil case, sharpener, ruler and pencil all for 2.50pounds. Our first souvenir. : )

We had lunch at this little italian restaurant after asking a few others if they could cater to Vic's needs. Vic and William had rice in bolognese sauce with minced beef fried with olive oil. I had the humble but very filling lasagne and hubby had rice in white wine and bacon.

After that, we walked over to the Trafalgar Square where Vic sportingly climbed up to the lions with a little help from mummy pushing her behind. We quickly took photos there and rushed to the nearby bus stop to catch the next Big Bus back to the Westminter pier for a surprise boat ride for the kids.

We rode the City Cruise boat for free with our Big Bus tickets for half an hour to the Tower of London.

At the Tower of London, I thought it'd be nice to eat ice cream in the cold and bought Vic a sausage which she shared with William grudgingly because she claimed she was still hungry. In the end I bought her another sausage which she then happily shared with William. Hubby disappeared to answer nature's call and came back with a surprise ice cream (my second) in cherry flavour for me, appearing on a bended knee (he can be so romantic).

Cock-a-doodle-doo
Vic went chasing the pigeons shouting "Cock-a-doodle-doo". It was such fun to see her laugh and run. Then she pretended to be tired walking sideways. Just as we were waiting for the next Big Bus to bring us to Covent Garden, Vic said she needed to pee and daddy and her hurried back to the Tower of London shops which was quite a far walk back. William and I stayed back waiting for the bus. This little fler, who didn't sleep since 445am in the morning, and close to 12 hours now, got a little lau gai and finally fell asleep in his stroller.

As we got off at Embankment and ready for our 15minutes walk to Covent Garden, it was 330pm and we decided to head back to the hotel instead for both the kids to rest before heading out in the evenings for dinner at Leicester Square.

So back to the tube stations again, and back in the hotel, Vic went to sleep. After my english breakfast tea, I decided to rest awhile but the next thing I knew, I could hardly get up when I heard William cry at 720pm. Told hubby to go down to the Regency Club for his dinner and I will skip mine to continue my sleep.

The kids slept all the way till 3am-ish. Then William got up playful again even after two milk feeds, and I had to put him back to sleep.

London to Cardiff
Today we will pack and check out of the hotel. After breakfast, we will head to Portobello Market which is a popular destination on a Saturday morning. Pray again for good weather.

After checking out, we will take the coach to Cardiff where we will stay for 4 days.

A whisper in the night

Half an hour ago, at approximately 430am UK time, after I finally managed to put William back to sleep and fall asleep myself in the process, a little girl stroke my face, and whispered into my ears,

"Mummy, I love you. I really really love you. You are my no.1 in my heart."

And she continued to touch my face and my hair, with her face so close to mine.

That's my Victoria. My princess and my darling girl. She has been such a great help to us during this trip and so well behaved. And I can see she is really really enjoying herself.

My new baby...

... is called the Canon S90. It's a semi-pro, that means I get to play around with all the functions like ISO, exposure, shutterspeed and aperture like the professional photographers and avid photographers. Great reviews and comes in just the right size like a compact camera that I can simply chuck into my handbag.

Hubby sourced this for me together with the help of his photography-fan-friend. I have him to thank for as I was searching around for an idiot-proof DSLR but didn't want to get into all the shutterbug stuff and his friend suggested the S90.

So we got the S90 on the day before we flew. The package price was a steal, that includes a mini tripod, screen protector, lens protector, 8MG card and original leather casing. All for RM1600

So naturally, all the pictures taken during this trip is with the S90 but since I'm not a professional or semi-professional yet, I'm using mostly automatic function on the camera.. hehe. Anyway, what I really wanted to say was that hubby will help me download the pictures before I can put it up on the blog (you see, I'm too much of an idiot to even learn how to do this myself).

In the meantime, do read up on our adventures.

Hello UK!

First of all, lemme warn you that this will be a very long post. And probably all the future post on our stay in UK because I want this to be as detailed as possible as this is a very special trip, and we probably won't have the chance to return for a long time.

********

We have arrived London safely after a very very long 13hours flight that left KLIA this morning at Msian time 1045am, flight no MH004.

Airport
Mama Yeh Yeh, Popo Gong Gong and Yi Sok and even little Theodore came to send us off at the airport. We woke around 615am and shortly after William woke on his own. He immediately came down from the bed, head to the bathroom to look for his daddy who like to shower in the morning, but couldn't find daddy, then picked daddy's belt from the bed to wear. Funny guy. This all within the first 5 minutes of waking up.

Settled the house, watered the plants, and bundled Vic into the car when Yi Sok arrived to pick us to the airport. Vic woke, with hair still messy and teeth not brushed. Her blouse was already worn the night before she slept and I only had to change her pants this morning.

The kids were obviously prepared for this day from a couple of months back. We talk about UK so much to prepare them mentally. Aeroplanes, airports, english weather, crowds... but nothing beats experiencing all these themselves. They were excited.

Met up with all four grandparents in the airport, checked in and then said our goodbyes. We had just enough time to have a quick breakfast at the Plaza Premium Lounge, complimentary with one of our membership cards. (Little perks, hehe)

Journey
The flight was full, and hardly more than 10 empty seats were available from what I saw. But thank God the one next to hubby's aisle seat was empty and we used that. William enjoyed the food and snacks but unfortunately Vic didn't eat much of her lunch. All her meals, we were relieved and thankful, were prepared to specially cater to her allergies.

Restless kids and a parent's nightmare
Before halfway into the flight, the kids got restless. From hanging around walking in between the 5 steps of our seats, William became more adventurous. He kept going to the toilets, and I jokingly said he's checking out if there's any cute babes. Then he climbed the seats, stood on the table, played with the plastic cups, watched tv, played a bit of inflight games, tried on my shoe and walked around with it alot, slept a bit, walked around alot.

Vic was more well behaved.

Take off was smooth. William slept whilst drinking his milk during take off, due to fatigue. Landing was tough. He slept immediately after his meal at msian time 1030pm and just before landing. That didn't give me enough time to make milk for him and he was overly tired. He cried when he woke up suddenly maybe ears pain or just too tired. So much so that he vomitted in the toilet. Refused milk and after some time, we finally managed to pacify him with mummy's sweet lullaby of "Jesus Loves Me" song... ahem, haha!

Throughout all these, Vic didn't laugai, didn't ask for attention, but just sat happily in her seat watching tv, singing her own song and sucking onto the sweet I quickly passed to her. Later she told me that the sweet was way too sweet for her and she didn't like it but ate all of it. You believe her?

Drenched stroller
William's stroller got drenched in the rain when we arrived. My arms were hurting from carrying him from the plane to the hired car and the hotel. He stirred a few times and cried. Vic didn't want to sleep, she was a great help by helping to push the trolley as I had to carry William. She looked like a big girl, but who can guess she's only 4... going to be 5 lar. So totally proud of her.

Vic finally slept when we told her to close her eyes in the hired car on the way to the hotel.

Hired car arrived on time at 5pm. Hubby bought a local sim card here. We checked into The Hyatt Regency London - The Churchill at 7pm local time after 1hour (plus minus) travel from the airport due to the rush hour.

Got a complimentary upgrade to a junior suite and complimentary Regency Club access. Thank God for that coz we were both tired and very hungry. It was 3am malaysian time when we checked in. I kept looking at the watch because I felt nauseaus and giddy and my bladder was full even before landing (but I couldn't go to the toilet because William was crying and tired).

Had smoked salmon, orange juice, tortilla chips with tomato salsa, crackers with cheese, tiramisu (no alcohol one, cheh!) and some other finger food. Since the kids were both asleep, hubby and I took turns to eat.

It's 830pm local time and 430am malaysian time. I will probably go out for a walk by myself after this. Tired? Yea. But very happy to be back. The feeling is surreal. I thought I would cry when I step out of the plane. Guess just no time to do that... haha, what with carrying a sleepy heavy baby and a full bladder. :)

The night before take off...

Tomorrow we fly. This will be William's first time on an aeroplane and Victoria's second time (her first was to Melbourne in 2007).

Aeroplanes and helicopters fly pass our house quite often especially in the mornings and William gets very excited when he hears the sound of one.

Hope he sits or better still, sleep through the flight.

Hope I didn't forget anything in the packing.

Hope got enough warm clothings.

Hope the weather will be sun shiny and welcoming.

Hope the kids behave and Vic don't run off like she always do here.

Hope the flight is not delayed, and our luggage arrive on time too.

Can't believe this day has finally arrived.

God, see us through.

CNY 2010: 15th Feb

Second day of CNY. We had lunch at 7th Ee Por's house, another lousang and many course home cooked food consisting of prawns, salmon, chicken with wine, fish, broccoli and mushrooms. Very pau pau.

In the afternoon, Vic went for a swim at the hotel pool with Mama Yeh Yeh and Daddy. Then we had dinner inside Suntec City, at this Soup Restaurant. Popular for their soup, but we ordered everything but their soup because we didn't want to over order and Vic wouldn't be able to drink their soup anyway.

Food overly tasty but above average, especially their steamed ginger chicken (highly recommended). We waited for half an hour to get a table. Possibly longer if not for hubby's constant "harrassment" on the waitress saying that the kids are very hungry... well which is really the truth. Because it was past 830pm at that time!

Despite their full house and busyness, the restaurant catered to all Victoria's allergy needs and the waitress who took our order was very knowledgeable on the ingredients in their dishes.

Smile big big!!

This is the fountain of wealth. We watched this for a while. Apparently it's for fengshui, and at a certain time, people are told to walk in when the fountain stops, and to touch the water in the centre.
Lou sang lego at 7th Ee Por's condo!
Throughout our 4D3N stay, William busied himself with the shoes in our hotel room. No matter how we hid the shoes, he will get one out, or if we were careless to leave it around, he'd try on our shoes! He even knows how to take my shoe and place it neatly in front of me for me to wear, just before we go out.

Here's a pic of him in my walking shoes... haiyaa... so NOT macho, boy boy!

The season has changed

Victoria has her moods. Victoria also has her ever changing favourite foods. She used to eat tonnes of grapes and adores plums and bananas, and then a few months back she started disliking bananas. Some weeks back I bought bananas and she whallop almost half of it.

She used to like pork ribs, cooked in any way, be it baked or curried or steamed, but now she's lukewarm towards the ribs. As for fried fish or fish skin, there was a time when she'd bald the whole fish just for the skin (has to be fried) and also when she would "fight" with her brother over who gets more fish skin (salmon fish skin is the best, btw) but now she's offering hers to William and even turn down our offer for more fish skin.

Recently I realised that she doesn't like the fried arrowheads (ngaku) anymore, unlike just a year back when she'd down half a container or more if not controlled.

So what is her favourite food now? I guess the forbidden fruits/food are always her favourites. Once in a while, she'd reminisce about her late night suppers at Popo GongGong's house, snacking into her favourite bread with butter, and she'd tell me how she miss eating roti canai or ask to taste a little bit of the popiah...

Today I let her try just a very tiny bit of the pineapple filling on a tart, which was placed on top of the pastry (so I guess there is no egg sipped into the pineapple filling). She said it's too sweet for her liking, phew! But seriously it's not too sweet.

I'm not a sweet-toothed person (except for certain desserts) and together with the doctor's orders and my principal that children should not indulge in sweet stuff, I'm happy to say that Vic has in numerous occassions proclaimed that some food are too sweet or too salty for her liking. Mind you, she was quite a salty worm (ham choong) when she was younger and would gobble down anything very tasty or sweet.

I hope she acquires a tongue for healthy food when she grows older.

But of course, she still bugs me to let her eat sweets la. Guess the answer?

CNY 2010: 14th Feb

First day of CNY. We had our buffet breakfast at the crowded hotel restaurant. Thank God Mama Yeh Yeh went down earlier to book us all a table. Selection of food... so so only. There was a long queue of people waiting for their table, and not enough food. The hotel was shorthanded on this day, but we enjoyed ourselves, especially the kids. William had so much to eat - different varieties of cereals, porridge, cake, fruits, croissant (his fav) - that I don't recall him drinking his milk after that.

After breakfast, the kids cleaned up and changed. Watched our second lion dance where Vic freaked out. Then we pai nin with Mama Yeh Yeh in their hotel room, exchanging good wishes and ang pows. After that, we proceeded to Taipo's apartment in Bedok.

During the time there, the kids went downstairs to the playground with their two uncles, Uncle Ryan (aged 13yo) and Uncle Randell (aged 11yo). Just a few months back, they would still hold Vic's hands, but now they are now too shy to hold Vic's hand although she wants to hold their hands.

William, don't touch!!! Garbage in Singapore? Now that's rare
Wheeeee!!
Happiness


The kids with their young uncles

Move over... not enough space


In the late afternoon we went back to the hotel to rest and freshen up before heading out in search of dinner. Most of the restaurants and shopping malls are closed on this day. We had dinner at Jack's Place near the hotel. After dinner was a surprise time watching the boats, walking around Clarke Quay... crowded no doubt, but nice weather and the walking was much welcomed after a hearty meal.

A surprise Valentine day treat from hubby after dinner at Jack's Place
Mat rempit

Riding on a bike...


-to be continued-

CNY 2010: 13th Feb

As with previous years, we spent our CNY in Singapore where the children's taipo and their 6 Yee Pors (and their respective families) live. This is always a fun time for the kids as we'd stay in a hotel (different ones every year) and they love the 24hour air conditioning, the mess that they can make which mommy won't scream, the bubble bath for Vic, maybe a swim at the pool, the merriness of family and relatives, the drive around the island, etc

We arrived on Saturday after a small reunion with Popo and Gong Gong in Seremban the evening before. The traffic was smooth and the kids were well behaved in their respective car seats at the back whilst I sat in front. No maid. Vic took care of William's needs at the back.

We checked into Holiday Inn Atrium this year and my first impression of the place was good. The lobby was spacious and the kids had a happy time running up and down, and also admiring the 6 glass lifts from the lobby.

Mummy and boy boy
The lifts at the lobby

We had our reunion dinner at 6th Ee Poh's condo, together with her husband, 7th Ee Poh's family and very importantly, the matriach taipo (great-grandmother). I had my first lou sang (hubby had many before this... I tease him that he's eating lou sang like white rice... haha).

Lotsa home cooked food but a pity that Vic cannot enjoy everything. She asked about the food that we eat, wanting to taste some of it but did not cry when we told her she can't. Doctor's orders. One day soon, Vic, one day soon... her Ee Pohs kindly put aside some food for her before adding in ingredients that she's not allowed to take, and also cooked porridge and fish for the kids.

Yummy food...

William throws the mandarin oranges like balls

Vic shyed away from phototaking, so this is the best shot I had of her


-to be continued-

Hunting down the lions...

Months before CNY, Victoria has already started to mention about lion dance. This time, she assured us that she will not run away, will not cry or scream and will not be scared. She even emphasized how much she looooovvveeess to see lion dance. Knowing her, this little girl doesn't really mean what she says, sometimes it's just "dai hau gong" (big mouth talk). But well, just like almost all parents, when your child wants something (legal and moral and free) we will always try to give in. So when it was CNY, she again asked to see lion dance. She kept pestering us, and a Saturday just before the CNY we were at the Curve shopping mall for luncheon at Ying Ker Lou Hakka Restaurant. After that, we rushed off to attend her Children Church and passed the Centre Court where we saw the lion dance troop. Curious, we asked what time they will start. Since it was just another 10 minutes, we decided to wait, and it turned out that the lion - the Pink Valentine lion decided to walk around the Curve instead of prancing around the stage. So we followed the lion, half chasing it. Poor Daddy had to carry Victoria - all 20kgs ++ - and I pushed William on his stroller.

This is the pretty pink lion : )

Victoria's first encounter with the pink lion was good... it came right in front of her, and the "handsome, young uncle" gave her a sweet. Our daughter, I think, was smitten, because she cried when we insisted that we leave after that, and she kept saying that she wanted to see more lion dance.

So, Daddy search the internet and called up hotels and shopping malls. Turned out that KLCC Suria have one on Wednesday 10th Feb and so we prepared ourselves, left the house to be in time for the performance at 6pm. We got prime standing place, and this time, it's the yellow lions. One of them even tug of war with our maid for William's stroller. I told the maid to let go, so the stroller got into the stage for "good luck" (?). At that moment I thought they'd do some stunts with our stroller, haha, but pity, my thoughts didn't come true.

Scared, clinging on to Daddy for dear life when the yellow lion came near. Maybe they can smell fear, hor


As for Vic, she got scared. Daddy had to carry her, she cried and said the lion came too near to her at one time.

As for her third encounter, it was at the hotel in Singapore where we stayed in this year, Holiday Inn Atrium on the first day of CNY, 14th Feb. We just had our buffet breakfast and we rushed downstairs excitedly to see the performance. Not even 5 minutes into it, Vic freaked out and Daddy had to carry her away. William and I stayed on to enjoy the show.

Orange lions, with a red baby lion - at Holiday Inn, Atrium Singapore

The next lion dance performance which we have planned, probably the last for this CNY will be this coming Wednesday at a dealer's showroom. I'm not sure if we will have time to attend, as it will be very near to our departure date to UK.

Yes, we are going for our long holiday in the United Kingdom... finally! And despite all the stress and frustrations I had for the past few days (and today) on the new maid, I think I'm beginning to feel excited after having done some packing just now. This will be our first overseas holiday as a family of four, weather predictions in London when we arrive doesn't look good what with the scattered rain. Vic of course is hoping for snow, that little girl! I said, if it snows, we will have trouble driving on the road.

More stories to come...

William in different looks

Winter head gear

I was initially worried, before buying the winter head gear for the kids, that they won't want to wear them and that I will have wasted the investment. But the two kids seem to love it right from the beginning and when I packed some of the warm clothings the other day, they saw the headgears and each quickly grab their respective ones and wore them... I even had trouble getting William to take it out.

Here are some pictures taken sometime back when he was playing around with his. He reminds me a little of Eminen though, haha...

I am still alive

I don't know how to rekick off this blog, after close to a month of silence. What happened? We were not away (yet) and the kids were healthy, except for the routine flu which Vic caught first, and then passed on to William.

Yes I have been busy, but honestly not too busy to daily visit my blog.

So why didn't I write anything?

I couldn't.

If ever there is a term such as this, then it's called a blog identity review. A blog coma. Do I pull the plug or do I resuscitate it? To discontinue this blog pains me right into the core of my bones. Akin to killing your own creation, this blog was started because I fell in love with my kids and I knew there will be a day when I will inevitably forget all the little and big things that happened to us and in our lives. There will be one day when Vic or Will will ask me, "Have I ever.. did I... when was it..." and just like all the special mommies out there, I want to share with my kids, the hurt, the frustrations, the challenges, the special moments, the love, the tears of bringing them up. I don't want to write, govern by an invincible set of rules of what can or cannot, how to and when to.

So please don't criticize the things that I put up.

I remember there was a time when my mom used to tell me bedtime stories before I sleep. I'd like to tell stories too to Vic and Will one day.

But stories of their own.

Welcome back to my blog and I apologize for the 27-day gap.