Christmas 2011

Previously when my brother was still around, we'd celebrate Christmas at his place - a round of makan to be followed by the gift exchange routine for the kids. Nothing fancy, they always got those cheap toys which they got bored after 5 minutes or so. And very often, we'd bring out a cake for gooly as his birthday is just days after Christmas.

So, if you asked me, Christmas has been quite routine for quite a number of years.

This year, we celebrated Christmas in Bangkok. On the very first day we arrived, decorations at the malls has already put us in the festive mood. We took loads of pictures like what tourists normally do.

The first gifts that we received were by papah's accountant. She gave me a shopping bag (knowing how much I love bags! Papah must have been telling them stories! *frown*), a pretty dress for lolly, and a bouncy lion for gooly. Now, i must say that i am always anxious when someone gives gooly pressies by surprise. You know, what if he gives a bah! when he doesn't like it? And when i saw the stuff toy, i was thinking that he has outgrown cuddly cutey toys, and got really apprehensive about his reaction. But thank goodness, he gave a big genuine smile and started laughing while bouncing the lion away. He said thank you and gave the lady a hug. She is obviously smitten by his actions.

I know the lion wasnt really his "thing" (he wants soldiers and army stuff now) but he was really being nice and polite and most importantly, thankful for the present he received.

And then he told us that he really wanted a set of those tiny soldiers with tanks and missiles and other cool stuff. He has been eyeing it at the 7-11 nearby our place. We bluffed and said we are not getting him any. He didnt whine or complained much. And then we got it for him, secretly. For 129 baht. Lol. He woke up feeling on top of the world when he saw it the next day. And started to believe in santa, cos we just wanted to magicked the whole thing. And for him to truly believe that he has been a wonderful child. We tell him that all the time. I guess when santa says it, its even more special. :)

And then today was papah's company dinner - a food and karaoke affair. Quite an experience for us to be surrounded by happy jolly locals belting out isaan songs. Lots of clapping and dancing. Wanted to shuffle but didnt think it was appropriate. Again, we received presents. This time, we got a set of tshirts for the four of us, with the kingdom's animal icon - the elephant sewn on them. I was really touched, and to show my appreciation, quickly changed lolly into it, and asked gooly to do the same. I am so glad he obliged. He was strutting proudly in it- so happy to be wearing an identical shirt as his baby.

We also had the gift exchanging program which was a bit complicating, imho. There were electrical aplliances, ang pows, hampers and a huge panda (as tall as gooly). Before that, Gooly was really serious about choosing the right gift for the program. He really wanted it to be special, hoping that the someone who gets his gift will be extremely happy. I thought that was awfully sweet because its so darn hard to buy a present when you dont know who is it for.. So i was really getting bored and just wanted to get it over and done with. Like, here, buy this tissue box and go! But nooooo.... He gave his heart and soul into it. And chose a watch instead for that lucky person. :)

And he got a set of comforter in return. In pink! Dissappointed of course. But graciously decided to give it to his beloved sister or someone more needy.

And so it has been a simple affair - one that tells the meaning of christmas in its own way.

One that shows how easy it is to make my son happy.(note: his birthday is just days away. I havent planned anything, bought anything..in fact thought of anything related to it. And he hasnt either because, he will be happy no matter what we do on that day. I know he will be thankful with whatever gifts, parties, cakes. Or without, i hope)

One that highlights his big, gracious and thankful heart.

One that i wish to remember.

How was your christmas?

Everytime

Everytime i get tired, i think of her cute fat rounded toes and fingers.

Everytime i think i am bored, i will remember her super soft skin rubbing against mine (not so soft skin).

Everytime i remember that i havent smile, i take a whiff of her little but soft hair.

Everytime i take a breather, i reach for her hugs (she squashes our faces together)

Everytime i reach the peak of frustration, i hear her loud squeals and cheerful sounds of nothing but daada, daada.

Everytime i hear a sad tone, i look for her assuring smile of two visible bottom teeth with puffed up cheeks.

Everytime i look like crap, i search for her chuckles and giggles.

Everytime i search for the meaning of life, i see love.

Everytime i see love, i know i am blessed.

(she woke for her milk at 3 am. In the dark, she searched for my face and immediately broke into a beautiful smile for me. Only for me. At 3 am. It seemed like it was just the two of us, in the whole wide world, at this hour.)

the most considerate person i know

...would be my own son.

When someone is asleep or nursing an illness, he is always very considerate to shut the door quietly, whisper softly, turn down the volume of the tv, and sometimes even tip toe around the room. Just today, papah had a bad tummy ache (bummer! On a sunday! Ish!). He said we could have lunch nearby and just hang out at home "since papah is sick." eventhough we are on a holiday. Boy! I was more sour about being stuck at home!

When he needs something you are using, he will bring another item in exchange for the one he is eyeing on. Say for example, when i am in bed comfortably on a pillow, he would fetch me another before he grabs away the one he wants. And he is courteous to ask first, "Mom, do you mind changing this pillow with me?" eventhough i took HIS pillow at the first place.

When both of us need to take a dump, he would ask if I REALLY need to go. If he coukd hold his pee/poo, he'd let me go first. Thats very gentlemanly of him. He also lets me in into the house whenever i am carrying stuff or baby. "After you, " he says.

He helps me automatically to either push or keep the stroller. He opens the car door for me. I just told papah the other day that he should learn from his son on being a better man.

There are more examples of how chilvarous he is but I guess it matters not that I list them down.

Gooly, my perfect gentleman - thats what you are.

Recognition

For the life of me, i couldnt and cant understand the significance of giving awards or rewards to someone who has done a lot. I mean, if you are a kid, yes..stickers and stamps and stars probably give you some sort of achievement high. But when you are an adult, how does a plaque or a trophy make you feel remotely happy about what you have done?

I am a mother. Inevitably, sometimes I feel, "Why am i the only one doing stuff for the kids? Hey, what about me? Woi, i need to sleep or hang out with my friends too, you know." At the end of all these unresolved questionings, I, too would like people who matter to me, think and know that what I do is not easy and equally important as saving the poison arrow frogs.

So, do i want the person to give me an award of recognition or something? I dont think so. It wont be satisfactory to my soul.

How about a reward? A bag, perchance? I do love bags, but they are reserved for other celebrations like birthdays and christmases, rayas but not for being a "trying to be a good" mom.

I suppose i just need kind gestures and words on a daily basis. Nothing grand..some words like -

"Quiet down, mummy is resting."

"Let's bring mummy to her favourite place to eat."

"Go give mummy a hug."

When you say that, papah, I know you appreciate me. Thank you.

And for Gooly to say -

"You are the best mom in this family." (tho I am THE ONLY mom in the family)

"Mom's job is the hardest!"

"Papah, quickly finish your food and take care of meimei so mummy can eat."

"I will finish quickly so I can help you, ok, mom?"

Or for lolly to literally jump with joy when she sees me after MIA for 5 minutes or for her to smolder her face unto mine..

For all these, I must be loving them right (read: doing the best i can)

Disclaimer : I have never won the Oscar or Nobel prize before...so i may just change my mind about this recognition business when i do receive one ;-)

The holiday thus far..

...has been nothing but fun fun fun!

First off, lolly was exceptionally good during the flight! *doing the indian jiggy jive* Yes!!

The weather has been realllllly fantastic! Yesterday was down to 19 degrees in the morning. The kids wore hoodies, me in long sleeve, papah being macho, just in his normal tee - we took a walk to our neighbourhood mootun stall. Normally back home, we would have sweated a bucket, having pores like Spongebob, but here...nope, not even a drop of perspire!

Every morning, the kids and i idle the hours away. Sorry papah has to go work. We take a stroll downstairs, do a bit of cartwheels, laugh a lot. Lolly takes a nap while gooly watches telly or read. It's such a joy watching him having fun that learning the timestable is right at the bottom of the totem at the moment.

And then we decide what to eat. Every meal has been either orgasmic, satisfactory or awesome. Nothing less.

We met up with Ada and family the very next day we arrived. My sweet girl was a bit shy, but gooly said to give her time to warm up. True enough, the following day, the two of them got on like they were never separated. Sweet.

Lolly, meanwhile, was slightly cranky on the first two days, probably due to her emerging teeth and also lack of sleep. But now, she is getting really comfortable with the new schedule. Many people adore her, saying she's naalak (cute) despite not being sure about her gender. Well, as we all know, the thais never mind much about you being a man, woman, neither, either...Yes, lolly is cute but people dont tell us that back home. Cos they always think their kids are the cutest (hah! Admit it!) Thais are generous with compliments. They are also more affectionate. Every where we go, people are smiling, touching, saying hello to my baby.

Whats next? The beach, farm and shopping!

Dont miss us too much! Try -lah, at least, ok?

Teeth sighted

The bottom one came first, like how it normally appears for many other babies. The night before, at a restaurant, she was sucha monster! I swore i didnt want to bring her out again (a self promise easily made and forgotten, of course).

A few days later, she was super cranky. Again! And ahbu discovered that she was sprouting the two front teeth. And we went, "ohhh..no wonder". Truth be told, i was kinda worried that i was raising a cry baby! And the storm kinda died down a little. She was chirpy and cute again. At least for a while.

And then, it was wuahhhh..wuuuuahhhh period again, and this time gooly announced that tooth no.3 is appearing on top. FYI, its a bit hard to see her top row teeth because...err...her bottom jaw/gum is more prominent.

So we tilt her to the back when we wanna check for teeth alert. Alas, we saw tooth no.4, again on top, today! (she was duper whiny yesterday, in the car, stuck in the infamous bangkok jam! Gawd!)

Thus, now she has very imbalanced sprouted teeth. 4 on top, only one at the bottom. She's all cute when she smiles as she flashes her one and only visible pearly white.

And now we know, whenever she cranks up, its a tooth she's growing. Ouch! Poor baby.

For the record, she was really good during the flight, sleeping throughout the 2 hour. Phew! And we went chatujak today. So major brave of us, eh? She was all cuddly cute again - getting all the attention from the friendly locals.

We *heart* bangkok. Always. Again and again!

a place called home

<

On my 36th birthday, on the exact date, i signed some papers to sell our souls to the mortgage bank. I take it as a big birthday pressie, one that papah has to pay for the rest of his life.

Six months later, we offcially opened the front door to our new home, with a ceremonius albeit redundant floor mopping routine.

Reno to design a palace kingdom befitting an empress such as myself shall commence soon, but not till we are back from bangkok.

Yup, flying off in a few hours time..braving the flight with a screaming banshee. Zowee! Fun fun fun to you passengers!