Hong Kong 2014 - Day 01

We woke up very early for our 8.30am flight to Hong Kong and I am so thankful we set aside enough time because in the midst of getting myself and the boys ready and ensring everything that should go into the luggage are inside the luggage, I must have lost my mind. 10 minutes into our journey to the airport, I suddenly realized that I have left the bag containing the boys' milk and milk bottles on the dining table!! **smacks forehead**

Good thing it was discovered then and NOT when we are already at the airport or in the plane!! Cannot imagine what it'd be like.. **shudders**..

Other than that little episode, we made it to Hong Kong with our sanity intact. As expected, little bun had a meltdown episode while the plane was waiting to take off. We sat on the tarmac for quite a while and Mr Crabby Pants decided he's had enough and wanted to get up and walk. 

Family picture at the boarding gate

We finally made it to JW Marriott Hong Kong and by the time we checked in, we were quite tired and famished, so Mark did what he does best - call for room service! Love the location of this hotel (stayed here previously a couple of times for work) and the rooms. We were upgraded (yay!!) so had a spacious room.

This is a very special day for Den-den cos it was at the hotel that he took MANY unaided steps!! In fact, he spent much of the afternoon walking around the room and he took a keen interest specifically in the bathroom (??!).

After we had rested enough, we decided to brave it and make our way to The Peak. It was a good 15-20min walk to the tram station from our hotel (15min walk is nothing, but try carrying a nearly 11kg baby walking up a slope) and carrying a bag with milk bottles/ millk powder/ diapers/ wet wipes, etc. On top of it, there was a queue. A very long queue. WTF? Why are there so many people on a weekday?!! But since we are already there, what the heck right?

Family photo at The Peak

FML. The queue for the tram on the way back was even worse than the one going up. Not that we have any choice cos that's the only way back. We stood in line for almost 30min (yup, still carrying my nearly 11kg baby and the works).. plus the 15-20min walk back to the hotel from the tram station.

By the time we reached the hotel, it was past 10pm (way past the boys' bedtime) and Den-den had actually dozed off on my shoulder. I am amazed by my own strength.. I have carried him in my arms for over 3.5 hours!! 

So there, our first day/ night in Hong Kong. (I slept well that night, really, really well..)

Hong Kong 2014

We will be in Hong Kong this time tomorrow! 

This will be our very first overseas holiday as a family and I am so excited, yet a tad worried. It's Mark and I versus the two boys. Seriously hope the boys cooperate and behave themselves. This trip is sort of a chance for us to have a 'trial' before our big trip in August, which we are planning to bring both boys. Just hope that little bun behaves himself and no temper tantrums. As for Den-den,  I just hope he remains as his usually chilled self. 

The boys have been sick for most of the past week.. it was a very challenging time for Mark and I to handle 2 sick and cranky boys and juggle work at the same time. Fortunately they are on the mend now, but as a precaution, I will pack all their medication with me for the trip.

Mark bought two storage containers from IKEA for the boys' toys because we are really running out of space. I think the boys found a better use for those containers! Hehehe..

Little Bun is 29 Months Old!!

Happy 29 months to my champ! You may drive us crazy with your shoe fetish, fussy eating, sudden mood swings, over attachment to daddy, weird requests (e.g. not allowing daddy to wear any shirt at home), but we LOVE you so much all the same.

You are really a cheeky monkey and your antics really brings us to tears (sometimes it' is laughing until we tear and sometimes frustrated until we want to pull our hair out) and you are learning things so very fast these days that we can barely catch up! Daddy and I really understand what 'Terrible Twos' mean now! You have learnt how to say 'Sorry' when you know you have done something wrong, and you look so darn cute when you walk to the tissue box and pull out a tissue to wipe your own tears when you cry! LOL.. (It is very tough trying to look stern when all I want to do is grab you in my arms and wipe your tears away for you). 

You drive your daddy absolutely crazy with how you like to pick and choose which shoe to wear every morning, and if you don't get your way, we will be in for a major meltdown. Hehehe.. my little vain pot (just like daddy)! The two of you are sooooo alike in so many ways..

My highlight is how you ran up to me a couple of days back and asked me to 'kiss'. When I bent over, you kissed me on my lips (before you ran back to your iPad). This is a moment that will be ingrained in my mind forever.  

Mummy loves you, my little bun.. 

Ayden is ONE (Part II)

We held a small-ish birthday party for Den-den, with mostly family and close friends. The birthday boy was really sporting and wore his birthday party hat for a long time (unlike his big brother whom I recall was highly uncooperative during his own 1st birthday party).

The birthday boy had a great time being the center of attention and received a lot of red packets and new toys (our living room is seriously looking more like a childcare center!).

Ayden is ONE (Part I)

Mark and I took the afternoon off from work on Den-den's birthday to take him out.. Since it is his big day, it was an unanimous decision that little bun will be at grandma's daycare (as per normal) while we took Den-den out. So yes, he is the only child for those few hours and had our undivided attention!

We took him to an indoor playground and he had a great time exploring the place. Definitely will be back soon with both boys.. am sure little bun will love the place too. 

With the birthday boy.

Looking so grown up...

Little bun had his very first school outing, a picnic and games at the park, and all parents are invited to join. I decided to join them since 1) this is his first school outing and I wanted to be part of this experience   2) I was a bit worried that the teachers may not be able to manage so many kids and wanted to go along to make sure he will be fine

The weather was lovely that morning and following the school's request, we dress him up in a yellow t-shirt.

We were standing in a circle and singing their routine 'Good Morning' song and some bun was so engrossed he was clapping along and giving me the occasional cheeky look! Two of his class teachers AND the music teacher told me on separate occasions throughout  the morning that little bun shows a lot of interest in music. The form teacher asked me whether Mark and/or I are good in music and I had to give a sheepish smile and admit I know nothing about music!! She suggested that we enroll him in some music appreciate classes for toddlers (didn't know such classes existed). We'll see..

Playing games organised by his teachers.. 

 

Some free and easy time before the kids had their morning break. He loved playing at the playground on  this little red fire truck.. promised him that I'll take him back there soon.

Wheeee............

My little Den-den looked quite lost while he was following me around the house as I went about with my chores. I think he was tired out from all the crawling and just sat there to take a breather. 

My little baby is looking all grown up.. no more a 'baby'. I am a bit wistful about how quickly time past and I wish I treasured every second of his 'baby-hood' more...

My double trouble, and also my double blessings... 

He insisted on holding the loaf of bread and promptly dozed off hugging it!