My darling Ayden aka little bun #2 boy is growing up sooooo quickly before my eyes. When he first arrived, I was secretly worried that I wouldn't be able to love him as much as I love his brother, but all those worries were totally unfounded. 

Ayden is sooooo easy-going (little bun was a bit of a crabby pants when he was little) and such an old soul with a look of worldly wisdom in his eyes.. LOL!! Not sure if it is because I am more 'experienced' now after little bun, but caring for little bun #2 seems a lot easier.

MAY-hem

Whoaaaaaa... I know I have not blogged for a while but at the back of my mind, I thought it was only 2 weeks or so.. I just realized my last post was dated 29 April! Can anyone tell me WHERE DID THE MONTH OF MAY GO???!!! In that last post, I wrote about going the passing of my grandmother-in-law. Little did I expect that I'd be attending yet another funeral in the family so soon. May lived up to its name and was indeed a month of mayhem!!

My younger cousin passed away on 17 May, one day before his father/ my uncle's birthday. My cousin is born with muscular dystrophy (hereditary) and it is a known and open fact that he wouldn't live past his 20s.. Well, he defied all odds and was 33 years old when he passed away. People said that we should have been mentally prepared this day would come sooner or later, but tell me, how can anyone 'prepare' for the death of someone you love??? My cousin went into hospital with heart palpitations and breathlessness, but otherwise fully conscious and joking about what to have for breakfast the next morning. He and his family fully expected that he'd be discharged in a day or two. But just as they were wheeling him to the ward, he passed away. How does one 'prepare' to watch the person you love slip away right before your eyes and there's nothing you can do? 

It was sombering to see someone who is just a couple of years younger lie in a coffin. It was even more sombering to see how grieved my uncle was. I cannot even fathom what was going through my uncle's mind when he saw his only child lying in a casket. Broke my heart to hear what my uncle said to his lifeless son moments before he was being cremated. Words that can only be uttered by a heartbroken parent. 

Parents outliving their child is just NOT the way life should be. 

By some twist of fate, out of all the halls available, my cousin was being cremated in the very same hall where we cremated Chloe. It brought back too much sad memories of that day in June 2009 and now I am adding on even more sad memories to that place. I miss my Chloe. 

We bid our final farewell to Mark's grandmother yesterday afternoon after a 4 day funeral that was filled with traditional rites. We left little bun #2 with my mom and took little bun with us to Malaysia to attend the funeral and for the rites (since he and his brother are the only 'Lee' great-grandsons).  

While we were on our way to the crematorium, I mused that exactly a week ago (Sunday) at around the same time, we were all sitting in the car on our way home after a family lunch (which was also a belated celebration for little bun #2's full month). Now a week later, we are on our way to send off the 2 bun's great-grandmother on her final journey here.. 

Sometimes we get so caught up in life/ with life that we tend to forget what is really important to us... i.e. our loved ones. Once in a while, something will happen to remind us to treasure the ones we love.

Yesterday morning, we received a call from Mark's mother that Mark's grandmother/ the bun's great-grandmother passed away in her sleep. We were all blind-sided by the news of her sudden death cos we only saw her on Sunday, barely 4 days ago. She went out for lunch with us and we were happily talking and laughing during the journey. Little bun also learnt to call her for the very first time and she was thrilled. Little did we know that it'd be the last time we'd see her and take her out for a meal. 

The dear old matriarch was 93 when she passed on and she had always been healthy save for some minor ailments (rheumatism, high cholesterol). The family only realized something was amiss when they didn't see her downstairs at her usual spot during breakfast. Mark and I are glad at least she got to see little bun #2 for the first (and unfortunately only) time.. If we had postponed the trip back a week later, which we had originally planned to but changed our minds at the eleventh hour, she would not have had the chance to see him.  

Very sad that the 2 buns have lost their great-grandmother, whom I am sure would dote on them a lot. The next few days will be hectic preparing for the final farewell. 

Little bun #2 had got his very first passport made and we brought him back to Malaysia on Sunday to introduce him to Mark's side of the family for the very first time. By sheer coincidence, I ended up wearing matching outfits with my 2 boys!!  

Admittedly, I was rather apprehensive about bringing both boys out for a long day trip and brought enough food and extra clothings to feed a small village. Thankfully, both were on their best behaviours (little bun #2 basically did what he does best, he was either sleeping or drinking) throughout. 

Took little bun for his final (YAY!! I don't have to feel like a terrible mother anymore) 5 in 1 vaccination (but my happiness is short lived because although we are done with little bun's vaccinations, we are just at the beginning of the whole cycle with little bun #2). It really pains my heart every time I have to watch him brawl when he gets an injection. 

Actually this time, we distracted him with a Barney (I love you, Barney!!) video during the jab and he barely made a whimper!! Why didn't I think of this sooner??? 

Just before we were about to leave, we bumped into my favourite doctor, Dr Anu! Took the opportunity for a quick pic (or two) and she was so pleased to see little bun. Every time I look at the photos below, I get this warm feeling in my heart. It feels SO RIGHT to see her holding him in her arms... She played such a crucial role in why he is here today, and indirectly, it led to the surprise addition of little bun #2.

She is my guardian angel, and I am sure my 2 Angels in heaven have sent her to me.

Little Bun is 18 Months Old!!

Wheeeee........ My little champion is all of one-and-a-half years old!! 18 months!!!

Now that I am no longer pregnant and no longer have to wrap myself up in bubble wrap, I am cuddling little bun a lot and bonding with him to make up for the past 9 months where I was discouraged from carrying him (or basically anything heavy for that matter). The past 1 month have been very, very rewarding because I was able to play with him, hold him, cuddle him close, carry him, etc without having to worry about over-exerting myself and jeopardizing the pregnancy. Happy to say that I am making up for lost time.

Little bun is very good-natured and it is such a pleasure watching him grow up. He never fails to make me laugh on a daily basis with his cheeky antics and silly facial expressions!! He is also picking up words/ actions VERY fast, much to our amazement and amusement. I just wish time will slow down so that I can enjoy his childhood...

Little bun #2 is a feeding machine... his meal times are right on schedule like a clock work and he hardly ever misses a beat (unless in the night when he is sound asleep. This is perfect for me cos it means I get my much needed beauty sleep too, or at least 3, and sometimes if I am very lucky, 4 continuous hours of it). 

He is so very, very unlike his big brother who is not into his meals at all. Well, this probably explains his chubbiness. Just hope I am not overfeeding him.. 

In one of his frequent milk-induced coma

A rare moment of peace (lasted all of 10 minutes) where little bun is playing with his new toy. 

*Note: Water-based erasable markers

Little bun #2 is 1 Month Old!!

Oh gosh, where did the time go? Little bun #2 turns 1 month old today!! My little chubby monkey has been with our family for one whole month already although it feels shorter than that. I suppose this is what sleep deprivation does to one.. 

As usual, we threw a 'little' party to celebrate the occasion and he slept through it, which is great for me!! His big brother, on the other hand, had a fun time playing with all guests.

So glad the party is over.. I had a hard time juggling my duties as a mother and being a party planner. Doesn't help at all that I am a perfectionist although this is something that I have been trying to change.

The STAR of the Day!