Norelle's 1st Birthday Bash

Norelle celebrated her 1st birthday yesterday (actual day is on 30th Jan) at Fasta Pasta, IKANO Power Center. We chose the venue because of its location as it's easily accessible, plenty of parking (a bit hard as it's nearing CNY time), big space and entertainment for the kids as they were balloon and sand-art stalls for the kids. Dean, the manager in charge of Fasta Pasta did a very good job in decorating all the chairs with pink balloons and birthday banner. Simple and nice :)

We arrived at about 12pm (where the event supposed to start at 12pm) cos it's not easy when you have to run after your child to bath her and get her dress for 1/2 hour. Then we went to collect Norelle's birthday cake and the duck cookies (as party favours) from Tracey at Tropicana. The cake was so nice and so cute. Tracey did a fantastic job. I love the design. It was a 2-tier round cake with pastel colours polka dots and a sweet pink ribbon bow as the cake topper. Most of all her price is reasonable (believe me, I did asked around about 5-6 other bakers) We chose moist carrot as the filling of the cake. And it tasted good as well.

I asked for a space where I put up a playing mat (those ABC mat) and some toys as there are many babies and toddlers at the event, so they can entertaint themselves while their parents get to eat. I prepared some party packs for the kids which consist of some snacks, sweets, party hats, party blowers, a puzzle game, stickers, etc). I managed to look for some cute round-shape animals paper clips which I used them to sucure the party packs. There were some polka dots on the clips where it matches the theme perfectly.

We had about 70 guests at the party and it was a fun event although a tiring one for us. Norelle was a bit cranky (she's teething again) but other than that, she's fine. She had fun walking all over the place, seeing so many of her little friends and all the attention on her. She was wearing a sweet polka dots (what else?) birthday dress from Rare Editions (where I bought it online - all thanks to Vivianz for her help). This adorable white birthday party dress has pink, aqua and yellow dots and a balloon applique with dangling streamers. The interesting part of the dress is, it come with an interchangeable number patches of number 1,2 and a heart where you can clip it on for any age you are celebrating.

The food was good but I dont get to eat much (as expected) and the atmosphere was fun and lively. Kids were running around, parents chasing after them, feeding them, friends catching up with each other, busy taking pictures with all the babies, etc. The sand-art was a big hit among the older children. And it was a good activity for the parents and their children to have some bonding time. A simple activity but it requires trust, understanding, creativity and team work (wah......it's just a sand-art wor, hahahaha) And seeing the children holding on to those colourful balloons in different shape (bicycles, flowers, poodles, bears) add colours to the event.

And I am so glad that I am finally able to meet up with some of my friends which I got to know through the Malaysia Brides forum (hahahaa..last time lah). We got to know each other when we were planning for our weddings right up to now where all of us have babies and we continue our journey at Malaysia Motherhood Forum. After 3 years of 'talking' and endless of MSN, YM, we finally met up yesterday. And you know what, when I first saw them, I felt like I knew them for years (I mean literally). And there's no awkwardness among us. Really appreciate their effort for attending Norelle's birthday bash.

Izad and Azam from Secupak Photography helped us to capture all the nice moments so that I have one less to worry about. They were very hard working and professional. Very accomodating and nice people with pleasant attitude. Highly recommended to those who are looking for a photographer for any occassion. And they are extremely affordable. But I have yet to receive the photos from them so this post I am only able to show some pictures taken by my friend, Stephanie. Will put up the photos once I receive from them this weekend. Till then, here's some sneak peek on yesterday's event...

Splish Splash!

Norelle's favourite time...

Double celebration

Today, Norelle turns 1 year old according to Chinese Lunar Calendar. She was born on the twelth day of the twelth month (12 12). We went out for dinner together with my ILs. We didnt follow any sort of tradition such as preparing red egg, steeping on the ang ku (guess this is more the hokkien tradtion and we are hakka) etc...But I guess it would be nice to have this kind of tradtion but no one both of our families pratice this.

Today Norelle also attended Baby Caitlyn's 1st birthday. So many birthdays this month. Baby Caitlyn is 5 days older than Norelle but she is waaaaaaaaaaaayyyy bigger than Norelle. When they stand together, Norelle looks so tiny, hahaha...Baby Caitlyn was so lady-like unlike Norelle. She's very obidient even tough she's not feeling well. And Baby Caitlyn is such a pretty girl.

Together with Baby Caitlyn and her pretty mummy, Elaine

Upgrade...

Finally we are able to put Norelle into front-facing on her carseat. I've been waiting for this day for so long and I'm so happy for her. Come on, imagine sitting in a carseat rear-facing for about 10 months and all you can see is just the top of the rear screen. Plus, everything seems to move the opposite direction is no fun. Once we changed the position of the carseat, Norelle seems to like it and she can even stays longer on it. She managed to stay put in the seat for about 1 hour!!! But am not sure if this will continue once the 'novelty' wears off. Keeping my fingers crossed **

Oh, you mean all this while we are moving 'forward'?

Fun Day at Home

Yesterday was a public holiday, HY and I together with Norelle went for an early brunch at Subway, 1 Utama. We were there at about 11am after we met up with Tracey (the baker for Norelle's birthday cake - more on that in next post). Out goes the Christmas decorations and in comes the cheery blossoms and laterns, etc. And I love CNY!! I just love the hustle-bustle, the ever-so-loud 'dung dung chiang' songs (which seem never ending). But we have not started preparing for the festive season just yet.

We were there for a little walk and we went straight home after that. Upon arriving home, HY remembered that Alice (his 2nd sis-in-law) gave Norelle a small baby pool. He took it out and start inflating it. The 'baby pool' is really small but I guess that is why they called it 'baby pool'. So I brought Norelle up and change her into her bikini. See, I bought that sooooooooo long ago and she never really has the chance to wear it. Even though it's just at home, I can also dress her up for the appropriate occassion, right?

HY already filled the pool with water. She was a litlle bit sceptical when I first placed her in the water due to the temperature of the water. But that was only for a few minutes. Next, she was sitting in the pool happily splashing the water. She was enjoying so much with just hitting the water with her palms. Such a funny sight.

I wanna stay in here forever and ever and ever!

Norelle is 11 months old!

Norelle is 11 months old today. Can't imagine that it's going be a year since she first came into the world. And it seems like only yesterday that I held the little body in my arms - looking so angelic and sleeping soundly away. Zap! now, she's busy walking around (she can walk pretty well now) I cant even sit down for a minute and yakking away (in her own language).

And remember that I posted about 'finally' Norelle's teething? Well, it turned out to be a false alarm. I waited and waited for like, a month and yet still nothing. Hmm..but yesterday I saw her 1st tooth cutting out on the lower left gum. This time I swear that it's really happening. I checked a few times and I can even feel the tooth with my finger when I was bathing her. When I told HY about this, he broke out into a song, 'All I want for birthday is my 2 front teeth'. Haha..

My baby is growing up now. Venturing into toddlerhood very very soon.

Mummy, will I be growing up soon?

1st Christmas!

It's Norelle's first Christmas this year. And it was very kind for VT and Paik Ling to invite us for Xmas lunch at their home. And congratulations to Paik Ling for the good news. Hope your wish will come true ;) Norelle got to play along with Bryan gor gor too (more like snatching toys from each other). Norelle had so much fun playing and exploring all the toys. Baby Bryan is so adorable and macho (like VT, haha). He's so active just like Norelle and has a huge appetite. It's so much fun seeing both of them playing. Should let them meet up more often.

Busy exploring Bryan gor gor's toy

Paik Ling: Say cheese everybody
Norelle: Let me go!!! I haven't finish playing with the toys!!!
Bryan: Hmmm....how many times do I have to pose for a photo? This time, I am not going to cooperate!

Merry Christmas everyone!

Peek-a-boo!

Norelle loves this game. She knows how this game works. Mainly is because I'ven been 'playing' this game with her since she was born. So now when we say 'peek-a-boo' she will cover her face with a cloth and when we say the word 'boo', she will 'unveil' herself and laugh :)

This is Norelle doing 'Peek-a-boo' :

Now you see me...

...now you don't

...TA DAH!! Now you see me again

Norelle is walking...

On Wednesday (19th December) evening, Norelle and I were at the living room playing as usual. Half way through playing, she got up on her feet and clapping her hands - which is usual. She likes to display her ability of standing up and would clap her hands when she does. But that night, after getting up on her feet, she leaned herself forward and at that moment I thought she would fall down flat front on her face. But to my surprise, she didnt and she took her first step forward!!! Then only I realised that she's actually trying to walk - on her feet - on her own! Ha. Then she placed the next foot forward and slowly she made a few steps. I was estatic to witnessed this important milestone in her life.

She plonked on her butt after a few steps but that only made her more eager and more confident to get up and walk again. Each day, she is making progress by walking further and further. And she just can't get enough of walking - which means I have to walk with her too - right behind her. She's still abit wobbly, so I have to watch over her.

I recorded a video of her walking the walk:

Norelle is (was) 10 months old

As clearly indicated from the title of this post (above), Norelle was 10 months old on the 30th November 2007. This post is wayyyyy long overdue, thanks to the mummy who's buried herself into the pile of work at the office.

Well, back to business (Norelle's bisuness), Norelle is getting more and more active. Can hardly hold her down. I wonder where she gets the energy from? Maybe I over-indulged myself with sugar when I was carrying her?? Hmmmm.....

She can stand unsupported now. And has been doing it very frequently. And now, she wants to stand ALL the time. Irregardless where she is - be it on the stroller, bath tub, high chair, bed, car etc...PHEW! Imagine trying to feed her porridge/cereal while she's standing ON the high chair. Seriously, these past few weeks Norelle has gotten more and more mischevious. Sometimes, I think it's a bit out of hand. She is VERY stubborn, has a character of her own (this already being determined since birth!) Bad tempered (I wonder for this she takes over me or HY???)

We bought a walker for her to practice on her walking since she's been standing on her own quite steady and firm. The moment she saw the walker, she loved it! We guided her on how to walk using it and now she can 'walk' on her own using the walker. It's fun and exciting seeing my little girl is slowly learning to take her first step. Gosh....seems like just yesterday that I held the tiny little body on my arms. And in less than 2 months' time my little baby will embark into toddlerhood.

She is also getting more and more vocal - but mostly still in baby talk. She can say mamamama or mumumum. Sometimes she makes those sound like she's calling out for her daddy - dadadddadyyyy daaaaaaaadddddyy something like that, but I doubt she's calling for HY :P

Oh..she's teething now (or has been for the past 2 weeks). There's a white spot on her lower gum and I can't be happier when I spotted it. I mean - FINALLY! I am dying to see some pearlies on her gum. It would be soooo cute when she's smiling and you can see those little teeth. But that was 2 weeks ago and she is STILL teething. How long does it takes for a tooth to sprout out???

She is more responsive to us now when we are talking to her. And she did a new sign too - sign for bib. Hahaha...I notice that when I was feeding her the other day. I put her on the high chair and usually I will put on her bib before I start feeding her but that day I forgot to put it on. And there she was holding out her index finger and kept pointing it on her chest. Then I realised she was actually telling me that I forgot the bib. I was surprised when she did that.

And she learned another sign as well at my MIL's. Whenever we bid goodbye to HY's nephew s (age 5 and 3), he will do the following - wave bye bye, fly kiss and salute (dont ask me why) . So this little ritual of them has been going on for a long time and Norelle somehow has picked it up. It's so cute seeing her doing the 'salute' sign (put hand at the back of the head).

So all in all, it a good month and the year is coming to an end and when next year begins, it also marks a new begining to all of us. For Norelle especially as she will be celebrating her 1st birthday in January. Yippeee! Can't wait.

Norelle @ 10 months - and with a new hairstyle (NOT MY IDEA!!!)

A video on Norelle's learning to walk using the walker: