What Would I Do Without You?: Daddy Hubby Hero

Okay, the title sounds a little heavy here but I've finally found time to put this down in words. 
Read an article (click to read) on a list of 19 things that a father does in this modern day and my own interpretation of that is, "What would I do without you?". You basically complete the whole list and more, single-handedly.
Of the top things that I love about you (next to accepting me for who I am, the whole deal), I love that you always put your family first. You plan ahead, you progress, all that in the name of love for the family.
You are always there.  I never have to make a big decision by myself because you aren't around. You know what's happening in the kids' lives; their latest words, current muses. You don't miss out.
Thank you for being always around. I can't do motherhood, or parenting without my best friend and partner. Happy Father's Day to you today, on tough days, even on days when you least feel like a hero,  cos' you ARE THE HERO, even when I don't say that enough.

 Of course we all adore you!

This is our latest family photo, taken last December (and we are looking everywhere but the camera). We need a take a new picture!

 

2013 - A Year of Settling Down

I'm writing in retrospect of 2013 that went past - yes, I'm only writing now because December and January were such busy months that I could only harbour nuggets of thoughts here and there, and not find time to properly pen it down. I found my mind in a whirl too, and my heart unsettled, and I don't know why. But now, peace and a sense of calm has returned and I don't find it right if I didn't give thanks for the year passed.
2013 was a great year. It was a year of settling down.
We moved into our new abode in January, with my 18 month old and a new baby, and I spent the better half of maternity unpacking and enjoying the new place. It was a specially chosen place and God worked His magic by helping us secure the flat with a low COV (Cash Over Valuation). My hubby and I thought up the theme for the flat from scratch, and every tile, colour and furniture was carefully selected. We love our new nest - we sort of built it with our hands (with hired help from the interior designer and contractors of course). Most of all, we were able to pay up all the renovation and furniture bills in cash, God is an awesome Provider.
The first half of 2013 was spent transiting into day-to-day routines of having an addition to the family - our jovial Jovan - and recceing the neighbourhood. We hosted cell group meetings at our new place (and hoped we had provided a cosier setting for the members; the living room was decorated with them in mind).
Back at work, I am thankful for being able to find a good confidante in my colleague Patricia, who offered practical parenting tips, her listening ear, and is an admonisher to my silly fancies. The office is a warmer place because of her. 
Towards the end of the year, we had a successful mini vacation in Sentosa with our extended family. Jaeden also started going to childcare and we are so blessed that he is such an adaptable boy. He adjusted quickly and is now enjoying school. More than that, he had improved in his speech by leaps and bounds since he started school - the teachers are doing such a fantastic job!

Welcome The Interruptions

Kids. They mess up our lives. They make us recalibrate our plans because there is no knowing where their spontaneity leads us.
There was this one morning, I was marveling at how the whole house was so peaceful - it was the weekend and there were no traffic noises that early, birds were chirping, best of all, my babies were still sleeping. I thought to myself, "So my life can be this harmonious when there are no children." Uninterrupted.
Before the kids came, the hubby and I would sleep in till mid morning, then crawl out of bed for brunch. Everything is in a comfortable routine. To the extent that it becomes boring and dry sometimes. So when we parents wished that such mornings will become a norm, we may want to wish again. Wouldn't our lives be so mundane if we get what we wished for?
As much as I enjoyed soaking in the tranquility of a quiet beginning to my day, it was way more fun to hear my babies fill the house with their antics. There is something to look forward to everyday; something new always. My babies will grow up to be teenagers one day and I can have my undisturbed life then; their childhood will pass in a flash if I don't savor the moment. 
For now, I just want to S-A-V-O-R  T-H-E  M-O-M-E-N-T. And yes, I welcome the "interruptions" to my life.  And I could hear the little one babbling in his cot when I was rounding up this thought, so I'm gonna sneak into the room to peep and make his day with the sighting of mommy, followed by smacking kisses on his barely-awakened face! Yummyz! 

Double The Joy

 

To be honest, when I had kid number one, I didn't think that I will be having kid number two so soon. And if you had leave me to my own planning, I might not have the courage to go for a sibling for Jaeden since the older he gets, the easier it becomes to manage our lifestyle - no need to draft mental checklists of milk bottles, warmed breast milk, chilled breast milk everytime we head out.

But the pros of having children with a close age gap have its winning edge in that:

1. Everything is still fresh in your mind; breastfeeding, pumping, night feeds, burping, 
    weaning, vaccination etc.

2. It is easier to plan itineraries as both kids will have similar capabilities/ limitations with regards to  

    where you can go and what you can do.

    But the biggest motivation for me at the end of a busy work day will be:

3. To see the kiddos interact with each other. They can be so amusing, yet so endearing. I find myself 

    missing my babies at work more than when I had one. I feel that the toil of getting house chores done 

    everyday all worthwhile when I see my darling boys. It's not that I am a great mom or what to think this

    way. It's just that the equation works out and the returns on the investment are substantial to me. You'd

    get what I mean.

This is what makes me tick everyday

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