Photos by the Pro

Uncle Eu Lee came and took photos for the family last Tuesday. And he took such lovely photos despite Nadine's crankiness! He's good! And Daddy and Mummy are grateful to have such a wonderful friend to help document Nadine's growth! Thanks Uncle Eu Lee!

Here are photos Mummy copied from Uncle Eu Lee's blog, until she gets the CD from Uncle Eu Lee.

Mummy wanted to take Nadine in front of the book shelf coz that's 1 of Nadine's favourite spot to walk. But Nadine was not in the mood to walk. She preferred to be carried. Photos turned out just as nice, if not better than Mummy imagined!

Nadine's mood became much better in her crib, her comfort zone, where she's surrounded by her friends. She smiled the most in this series of shots.

Christmas Carolling

Nadine went for her 1st carolling session on Saturday. Well, sort of. Daddy and Mummy carolled while Nadine made a lot of noise, poked at balloons (to Daddy's horror), and walked around happily in her 1st pair of Nike sneakers, courtesy of Godma.

It was a Christmas party organized by the Residents' Committee near Blk 574 in Hougang, the block that Daddy and Mummy do CP work at. Not a great party, and the emcee who was dressed as a clown looked more like the Christmas Grinch. Our Children Church counsellors can do a much better job any time man!

 

Nadine can now walk pretty well, holding on to someone's hand. Strangely, she's not too keen to walk at home. But once she has her shoes on, she would walk more readily.

  

Poking a giant balloon with a dried leaf, much to Daddy's horror.  Daddy has balloon-phobia!

Happily "eating" the wind fanned by Uncle Andy.

It's been a very busy 1st Christmas for Nadine. She's gone to 4 parties, 1 Christmas service, 1 carolling session, and played with many friends. Mummy hopes that she'll continue to have many friends to spend her Christmases with throughout her life!

Celebrating Christmas with Style

Mummy bought this very Chrismassy dress for Nadine from Perth. It's Nadine's 1st Christmas. So of course she must celebrate it with style - Christmas tree, Christmas dress and Christmas gifts. Christmas food will come next year.

It's less than a month to Nadine's 1st birthday. She's been blabbering for a few months now. And Daddy and Mummy think Nadine's said her 1st words - Papa, duck duck, Mama - in that order.

Both Daddy and Bibi say that Nadine calls Daddy "Papa" whenever she sees him, and when Mummy's not around. But when Mummy's around, no amount of coaxing will make her call Papa. Yes, Nadine's a little diplomat in the making.

"Duck" - Mummy's very sure coz each time Nadine sees her rubber duckies when she's taking her shower, she'll happily call out to them "duck duck".

"Mama" - Daddy claims that Nadine's called out for Mama a few times when he's bullying her, and when she sees Mummy. And yes, Mummy's heard it herself too. But she just refuse to be as delusional as Daddy. Or rather, imaginative, the word that Daddy prefers. But since it's happened a few times now, Mummy's ready to officially acknowledge that Nadine's called her.

Mummy's more sure of Nadine's sign language. She signs milk when she's drinking, and on Sunday night, on the way back from BFC's cell Christmas celebration, Nadine actually signed milk in the car - it was an hour past the usual time that Mummy would feed her. Poor girl was hungry and tired, after 2 Christmas parties and 1 birthday dinner.

Nadine's 1st sign was actually rain. Whenever she sees rain, she'll happily sign rain. Not sure why of all words, rain gets her most excited. She can now also do her bye-bye and fly kiss. And something else Bibi taught her - "chow chow" - smelly in Hokkien. But she simply refuses to sign please, thank you and sorry. Hopefully she'll start signing those words soon!

Nadine & Elisabeth

After 3 boys, we finally have girls in the Lee family. Nadine is 2 months older than Cousin Liz.

The 2 girls are very different. Nadine is outgoing, super-friendly, and a bit tom-boy; while Liz is very shy, reserved and "xiao-jie". So it was quite funny seeing how Nadine keeps trying to go near Liz to make friends with her, and how that scared poor Liz to tears.

    

  

Nadine & her girlfriends

The good old stork has been bringing many baby boys to our church in the last few years. This year, it's doing the exact opposite - bringing us girls and many different shades of pink.

It started with Gladys, who was born on 6 Jan, 5 days before Nadine.

Vera was born on 29 March.

There are also Esther and Luanne. The girls don't quite know how to play with each other yet. But soon, soon! Yay, so glad that Nadine will have lots of girlfriends to grow up with!

11-month-old celebration

Nadine turned 11-months yesterday, and Daddy and Mummy celebrated their 5th wedding anniversary yesterday too. Daddy and Mummy got married on 11 Dec, and Nadine was born on 11 Jan - 4 years later.

The family celebrated by bringing Nadine out for her 1st block blessing! She was such a great ice-breaker. So Daddy and Mummy decided that they'll always bring her for block blessing from now onwards!

Botanic Gardens

Nadine went to the Singapore Botanic Gardens for the first time last Sunday - for Daddy and Mummy's cell picnic. It was a cool day and Nadine enjoyed the greenery, assortment of dogs, running kids and rows of Christmas trees (some quite hideously decorated).

Yes, Mummy sat very unglamorously. But that's actually a protective posture! Easy to react if Nadine falls, or to catch her when she crawls out of boundary!

Nadine with Aunty Lala - the only young 20-year-old who wants to be called Aunty! With the Children Church Pastor as Mummy, Aunty Lala is a veteran with childcare, at 20.

With Aunty Jeanette, who has to be called Aunty since Aunty Lala, who is the same age, wants to be called Aunty.

Polliwogs

Last Saturday was Gor Gor Gerald's birthday. Gor Gor Gerald is 6 already!!!

He had his birthday party at The Polliwogs at East Coast Park. It's a huge indoor children's playground with slides, stairs, nets, maze and all kinds of child-friendly stuff for kids to run around, climb and crawl in.

The party was naturally more for older kids who can participate in organized games and run around to enjoy the facilities. But it has a place for babies like Nadine too. The colorful plastic ball pool!

Nadine loved it in there and was even happy to be buried with the balls. Not scared at all. Daddy & Mummy just hoped there were not too many germs and other indescribles in the pool! Thankfully, Nadine's been well through the week!