Paris!

Daddy and Mummy were planning for a short get-away to Bali over the Deepavali holiday, but had to cancel it coz Daddy was assigned a work trip to Paris! We decided to go there a week before his meetings to tour the city. Initially, we wanted to bring both Nadine and Aaron, but decided that it'll be really tough for Mummy to manage both kids alone on the way back, while Daddy stays for his week-long meetings. So we had to make the heartbreaking decision of leaving Nadine behind. We decided that Paris is not a fun place for a toddler, and since Mummy is still breastfeeding Aaron, it's easier to bring Aaron.

Nadine was sent to Gong-Gong and Po-Po's place. We figured that she loved it the last 2 times when she stayed over, so she should be ok. We didn't realise that she's a lot more grown-up now, and has preferences. Apparently she kept asking to "go home". And according to Bibi, she wasn't her usual bubbly self. Ah well, this will be the first and last time that Nadine will miss a holiday with us! Unless Daddy and Mummy do a trip without any kids!

Anyway, Paris was a really beautiful city. Mummy had been there many many years ago, as a poor student. The experience this time round is totally different.

We caught the Eiffel Tower at sunset, just before it was lit up. It was magnificent!

One good thing about bringing a baby around is that we didn't have to queue! Not at the Louvre, nor at the shops!

It was amazing to see throngs of people trying to take a photo of Mona Lisa when there are so many other beautiful paintings at the Louvre!

Arc de Triomphe

Finally, on the day that we went to Chateau de Versailles, the sun was shining brightly, and the winds were taking a break, so Daddy could carry Aaron front-facing, to let him see some sights.

We bought this nice, colourful hat from Marche Bastille. It's made in Ecuador! So exotic!

Sacre-Coeur. We actually climbed all the way up! Bravo, Daddy!

Harpist busker at the stairs leading up to Sacre-Coeur. And behind him (framed by his harp's strings), was a Chinese couple taking wedding photos! So funny to have a swarm of curious, unrelated people in your wedding photos rite?!

There are so many buskers in Paris - on the streets, in the trains, etc. But this pianist we saw outside Galeries Lafayette was just awesome, for 2 reasons: 1 - he trucks his piano around to busk; 2 - he is a very very good pianist! Check out his playing:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zuHbbLETpWw

When we brought Nadine for her first trip to Perth when she was 9-months-old, the most inconvenient thing was bathing her. Most of the hotels we stayed at did not have a baby bath tub, nor a detachable shower head. So most times, Mummy showered with Nadine, and Daddy had to be on standby to take Nadine out of the shower to dress her. This time round, Mummy's much smarter. Went to Paris well-prepared with an inflatable bath tub!

Aaron was asleep most of the time. The only inconvenient thing about bringing him along is that we needed to go sit down at some cafe or restaurant every few hours to feed him. Other than that, he just quietly followed us around the whole day long. No complains. Sometimes he'll keep awake and just take in the sights.

And usually by the time we get back to the hotel, he'll be zonked out for a while. But after his bath, he'll be his happy bubbly self again, rewarding us with coos and chuckles. The previous entry of him chuckling was taken in Paris.

Aaron - 3 months old

Perhaps it's because Aaron's our 2nd kid. The ride is so much easier. But in general, he's a happy baby, and very easily contented. Even Nadine is always saying that Aaron is happy. Thank God for such a joyful bundle!

Nadine - 33 months old

33 months old Nadine is now not just climbing ladders, tables and chairs, but also Mummy! She loves to climb onto Mummy's back, and will sometimes lift her hands up, like an acrobat! Gym lessons are in the consideration!

Nadine is also quite good at reading emotions now. She knows an angry face from a sad or happy face. And she certainly knows how to sweet-talk people.

Just this afternoon, Mummy was reading the bible on her phone while nursing Aaron, and Nadine snatched the phone away. Mummy stared at her, and Nadine immediately said, "Mummy say cannot snatch." Gave the phone back to Mummy, and said, "I want." Mummy told her nicely that she's needs the phone now, and Nadine immediately said in the sweetest voice, "May I have the phone?" ... with puppy eyes. Tsk, tsk ......

Nadine is also a little vain-pot. She has already been choosing her own outfits and shoes for a while. Now, whenever she sees Mummy putting on make-up, or even just applying lip balm, she'll want to do it too. So girl!

Reliving the baby days

Aaron has inspired Nadine to want to be a baby again. Maybe it's her way of seeking attention. She wants to sleep in Di-Di's cot, and loves wearing his mittens. But to her credit, she does not bully Di-Di in order to get attention, and has been quite a good helper. She plays with Di-Di, and helps Mummy to throw Di-Di's soiled diaper into the bin, and clothes into the laundry bin. Perhaps it's really a girl thing - that the eldest girl will really help to look after her younger siblings.

Slithering baby

Aaron moves a lot when he's sleeping. And we think he'll start crawling very soon.

This afternoon, Mummy laid him in bed perpendicular to the pillows. Half an hour later, he's parallel to the pillows!

In this photo, he's doing his mini push-ups and looking for someone to play with him, at 1am.

Graffiti

Nadine was left alone in her room for 5 min this morning, and she decided to express herself by drawing on the windows.

There was no time for cleaning up nor punishment as we were rushing off to church. But we told her she'll have to clean up the windows when we come back. And we made sure she did that when we got home in the afternoon.

She actually enjoyed cleaning up! So it wasn't much of a punishment. But hopefully she got the point that she has to be responsible for her actions!

Aaron - 2 months 2nd week

Aaron is now 6 kg. He can sometime sleep from feed to feed, but when he's awake, he's really alert and fidgety. He has a very powerful kick and actually, moves a lot in his sleep too. We now often find him in a different position and angle than the one we've put him in when we put him in his cot to sleep, very much like his restless sister.

The best development to-date: for the last 3 nights, Aaron has slept through the night, after his midnight dream feed. Friday, he woke up at 5.30 am, Saturday, he woke up at 6 am, and this morning, he woke up at 5 am. Crossing fingers, toes and eyes .........