Cheeks to Cheeks

It’s the last day of the year and we can’t wait for this year to end. We had a great start to the year when we welcomed Cassie into our lives. We’re thankful that she is healthy and brings a lot of joy to us. We had little roadblocks in child rearing but became more enlightened from the obstacles we’ve faced. Eczema was something new to us and we’ve become very knowledgeable in it. All these thanks to the doctors and friends who were so willing to pass on useful information.

As usual there are ups and downs in our lives and we are pretty much in the lowest dip in the down curve. That is the reason why we need the new year to renew and rejuvenate our spirits. We thought bringing the kids and family to Reno for 3 days would bring some joy to us. We did enjoy the trip. Sister, cousin and friend were able to snowboard at NorthStar. Belle and Cassie got to see snow for their very first time. Belle loves playing the snow with her Daddy. It was a good Father & Daughter bonding time.

I guess I must really read up on Feng Shui for the coming new year ‘cos we ended the year with a big bang, literally. Our car was hit by another car on our way back from Reno. Thank God no one was hurt (can’t say for the driver who hit us). We were on I-680 and was almost reaching Milpitas. There was an accident ahead of us and all cars were slowing down. Jon decided to change from the carpool the lane to the inner lanes. My sister and I were very alert at that time ‘cos we were cautious of the glaring sun that was setting at that time. Jon changed into the second lane and still had his turning signal on. Then he changed into the third lane. Right after we were in the third lane and had straightened the car and was driving ahead we heard a loud bang on our rear. The impact was so great that our car swerved all the way to the right passing 2 lanes. My body went forward then swung back to my seat and that was when I felt my head hit the head rest hard. My immediate action was holding on to Cassie’s carseat while turning back to my cousin Stef and yelled out, “Hold Belle!!!” I was bracing for any rollover, if that would happen. Thank God, no cars were on the other 2 lanes and Jon managed to get control of the car and braked at the emergency lane.

It was crazy after that. Cassie cried so loud. Belle started crying. Jon was yelling out, “Is everyone okay?!?” We went frantic feeling the kids’ bodies, checking if they were okay or not while constantly asking Belle if she has any owwie. Jon got out of the car and all of us turned back to see who or what had hit us. It was an American made car and the driver was a female. Cars were stopping to help and the driver managed to get out from her car. All I can say is it’s a miracle she is alive and we were all okay. Apart from bruises and whiplash on our necks we were very, very lucky to have nothing more than that. I truly believe there were guardian angels yesterday for both parties.

As the year ends today, we have learned a great lesson: Be very thankful of our love ones and cherish everyone at every second. For this coming year, Jon and I have vowed to be better people, better parents, better children, better siblings and better friends.

Happy New Year, everyone!

I woke up at 4.30 in the morning again. It’s Christmas Eve and we are expected to get more rain. Weather in the States for the past week has been putting a lot of travellers in damper moods.

We’re spending Christmas with my aunt and cousins at Pacifica. It will be a joyful occassion and I’m sure we will be fed very well. Aunt said they will be baking a turkey. Yum!

If you don’t see any post from me tomorrow, have yourself a Merry Christmas!

I’m now up at 5 in the morning. I didn’t have a good night sleep as my mind was busy thinking of what ifs. So, I got up from my cozy warm bed and decided to send out some resumes.

In 7 hours I will be in the airport (again) to pick up my baby sister. Last night airport incident was quite eventful. We thought we would pick up my cousin, Stef before heading out to Terminal 3 to pick up HY, but it didn’t go as we had planned. I had to get out from the car ‘cos Belle had to go pee badly. On the way to the restroom, we saw Stef at the Southwest baggage claim counter. Poor girl didn’t get both her checked-in luggages. We’re hoping it will arrive with the later flight from Chicago.

As Stef was waiting to file her claim, we couldn’t get hold of HY. For some odd reasons, she couldn’t call or receive any calls from her cellphone. She called us from the payphone. I guess we still need the good ole payphones after all. We told her to meet us up front in the load/pickup zone but she didn’t hear us clearly (loud intercom speakers) and waited for us in the baggage caroussel area. So, after a few ding-dongs, we got both young ladies and had a very late dinner.

I hope we can get Stef’s bags when we pick Angela up from SFO. Let’s keep our fingers crossed.

My aunt saw the digital frame we got for my folks last year and wanted to get one too. Luckily we bought two during Black Friday (after Thanksgiving) last year. Jon is testing it out now and we will probably get a memory card for her too. This frame (including the box) will take up a lot of space in our luggage bag. Man, it’s gonna be tough to pack now ‘cos we have to bring both winter and summer clothes.

Yup, we’re not only going back to K.L. but to Shanghai as well. I know Belle is pretty excited to see her grandparents ‘cos she is constantly saying we’re going to Malaysia to visit them. It’s great that she’s now at the age where she comprehends events. She would make up stories on what she would do when she’s in the airplane, in Malaysia, etc. Three year-olds are definitely more fun (to watch or listen to)!

Well, it looks like we won’t be going to SF city today. Both my cousin and her friend’s flights are delayed. HY flight out from Vancouver was delayed, which caused her to miss her connecting flight at Seattle. My cousin, Stef, called and told us her flight is delayed for 2 hours at Chicago.

Looks like we can’t do much but to wait. Luckily, for me both the girls and hubby are taking a nap now. We came back from her new daycare center 45 minutes ago. The new place looks impressive but the tuition isn’t. We were thinking of putting Cassie there once she turns 1 but with the new tuition fee, we are thinking twice.

When I called my aunt this evening she told me she had booked a vacation package for us to Pangkor Laut Resort. I have read and heard many good things about this exclusive resort. Jon and I are so hoping to get some good R&R with the family. Luckily for us, my parents, aunt & uncle, and grandma will be joining us. That means we have free babysitting. Woohoo!

As you know I don’t believe in weight loss pills. That means I have exactly one month to lose my tummy flab. I doubt it will be feasible. So, I’m resorting to a good tummy tuck swimsuit. Hehe…

Today we called Gong Gong, Popo and Yee Po. Why?

Because Belle said, “I miss my Gong Gong.” “I miss Popo.” “I miss Yee Po.”

So, as a dutiful Mom/Daughter/Niece, I made calls out to all three important people just so missy here could tell them she misses them. Without doubt it made their day a lot brighter.

I’m in the hunt for a good pair of jeans. My best pair of jeans (for now) has been with me for about 5 years. I can tell it has gone through a decent wear and tear. The knees on the jeans are starting to fade. I’m still amaze I could fit into this pre-pregnancy jeans. Matter of fact, this pair of jeans is becoming a tad loose for me.

Have I lost weight? I certainly hope so. I have yet to weigh myself. I remember when I was a teenager, I was crazy about the numbers in the weighing scale. I would make sure I was 100 lbs and nothing more than that. Then I came to this orgasmic burger laden country. Needless to say my weight could no longer go back to 100 lbs. I think I stop weighing myself (except during those mandatory obgyn checkups) years ago.

So, with a loose pair of jeans, I’ll just assume I have lost “some” weight. Thank goodness I don’t have take any Lipovox for my weight problem. Even though the Lipovox reviews are good, I still could not bring myself to take any sort of pills for weight lost. I guess being home with my 18 lbs dumb bell (Cassie) helps me shed those post-preg weight faster than I thought. Now, if only I could get rid of those tummy flabs…

Tomorrow’s activities: 

10am – Visit Belle’s new daycare center.
12pm – Pick up Hsian Yee from SFO. Show her around San Francisco till 5pm.
5pm – Pick up Stef from SFO.

Hopefully the girls (as in Belle and Cassie) will konk out by 8.30pm. It has been an arduous task to get them to sleep lately. Cass has associated my boobs as soothers and without ‘em she wouldn’t sleep. I have tried all methods: cry it out, lull her to sleep, sing to her, carry-her-put-her-down. Whatever you can name, I’ve tried ‘em all. Lately my last resort was Daddy. Daddy would lull her to sleep by playing “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.” It isn’t the regular nursery rhyme. Somehow he found this version on YouTube. Believe it or not, it works ALL the time!

Doesn’t this version sound soothing?

Gosh, I believe this is the longest I have been away from my blog. You would assume being home full time will give me ample free time to blog. On the contrary, I could never find time to gather my thoughts into words. Taking care of a needy infant is definitely a full-time job.

I notice I have yet to blog about Belle’s 3rd birthday bash. I need to get that done before the year ends. There’s also the Ireland trip, which I do admit, I’m taking my own sweet time going thru the photos. I probably need to post about Ireland before year end. Maybe, with my sis in town she will be able to help me sort thru the photos.

Talking about visitors, my cousin and her friend who is studying at Vancouver will fly in tomorrow afternoon. By next Monday, we have been to the airport at least 5 times and that’s just in the month of December. Jon and I haven’t plan much as we assume the girls will do their own stuff. What we did plan is to head up to Reno during the last week of December. We want our little girls to experience snow.

My last trip to Reno was about 8 years ago. I try not to go to the hills as I get motion sickness. I probably should invest in those motion sickness magnetic straps or magnetic bracelet. I heard those curb motion sickness. Anyway, I’ll brave this one trip for the sake of the kids. With all these trips coming up, I seriously have to catch up with my posts.