Wiggly Piglet and Bouncy Tigger's Playpen

We only brought the single travel stroller this trip. Our goal was to encourage Mckayla to walk more on her own. It worked so far. At the airport, both kids took turns sitting in it. We made it Marcus’ stroller so Mckayla has to get Marcus’ agreement to use it. Few days ago, we went to the zoo without stroller and both kids did lots of walking. At one point, Margaret offered LJ’s stroller to Mckayla but she declined and walked her way back to the car. We went out a few times with stroller for Marcus and Mckayla did most of the walking herself. Tonight, we walked to dinner. It was about twenty minutes there but forty minute back (slower because my grandma walked with us). Marcus was held by Jackie half of the time and walked the other half with Andre. Mckayla walked the entire way with my mom. Both kids were fighting to help greatgrandma into the elevator once we got back to the building. Hopefully we will completely graduate from the stroller soon.

Mckayla adores Jackie. She loves hanging out with her and calls her the favorite auntie (Margaret yi-ma is also her favorite). She’s been sleeping with Jackie since the third night here. Jackie also conquered Marcus. So far, she’s the only adult Marcus voluntarily asks to hold him. We were walking to lunch today after our visit to Leo’s Play Land. While Ted was holding him, Marcus turned around and asked for Jackie. He leaped into her arms before Ted could hand him over. After lunch, we were telling Mckayla about her nap. She happily agreed to sleep in Jackie’s room. Then, Marcus chimed in and asked to sleep with Jackie too.

Mckayla still lives in her own world sometimes. She thinks the whole world evolves around her. We were at the koala bear exhibit. Margaret pointed out the koala bear woke up, she immediately responded, he woke up to see me. Then, the security guards at my parents’ building stopped to chat with Mckayla. They told her she hasn’t been back for too long and she probably can’t recall them. She responded, “ya, I don’t remember you”. She was a bit of drama queen when Grandpa called her “bad egg” last night. She went to the stairs in the corner and started to sob. When she came back, she told grandpa that she’s a princess and he can only call her “princess”.

Maybe there are more people talking to him, Marcus’ language development dramatically improved the last few days. He’s speaking in full sentences most of the time. It’s funny hearing his conversation with himself. Earlier tonight, he was throwing his dogs into the playpen. Then, he turned to me and asked where are the dogs. Before I could answer him, he told me they were in the bed. Then, he climbed in the playpen himself. Threw the dogs back out, then asked me where the dogs were. Then, he responded again that they were on the floor. LJ and Marcus have been wearing the same pj the past few days. After he was bathed, he pointed at the pj and told me they were LJ’s pj. I didn’t realize they were LJ’s until i checked the tag for size. Then, he told me LJ went home (they went to Malaysia this morning for CNY).

The last few days, we’ve been busy fighting jet lag, except Mckayla. She’s such a good traveler and was already adjusted by the second day. Marcus has been waking up at five thirty in the morning until today. He slept in til seven this morning. Mckayla is getting her rest after she moved to Jackie’s room two nights ago. During the day, we also try to get some rest to make up for the early mornings. We visited the zoo with Margaret, Leong, LJ, and Mei-Wen yesterday. Without stroller, both kids did a great job walking on their own. We came home just in time for late lunch and nap. Today, Ted and I took the kids to the pier and took a boat ride. The weather has been nice and sunny. We’ve been busy eating, too. Both kids are also enjoying the yummy food here. Marcus is trying out lots of new stuff. And Mckayla also likes my favorite fruit (wax apple). Kids are also getting spoiled here with family here. They’re constantly getting gifts. And Mckayla loves being in the center of all the attention. She’s also been very affectionate towards LJ. But often gets rejected. Marcus is also doing well with his social adjustments. Saying hi and giving out hugs and kisses when asked to do so. He’s also doing very well with potty, telling he has to poo before he goes. No poo in diaper since we got here.

Marcus was exhausted. He slept the entire morning while Mckayla had fun greeting everyone. She was more than excited to see Grandpa, Grandma, Great-grandma, Great-Auntie Pony, Auntie Margaret, Uncle Leong, Auntie Jackie, Uncle Jeff, and LJ. She gave her first big hug to LJ but scared him. We showered, got our hair done, and had to wake Marcus up from his nap to head out to the party. Mckayla was still hyped with all the excitement and didn’t take a break. She was happy to see Uncle Andre and Uncle Ajay when we arrived at the hotel. The ceremony started shortly. During the ceremony, Marcus had a role. His job was to take a bite of a big chicken leg. I don’t really understand the meaning of the ritual. Despite being groggy still from not getting enough sleep, Marcus followed my lead and walked on his own. When they asked him to take a bite, he happily did. When everyone clapped for him, he was happy and clapped along. Then, as we were walking back, he turned to me and told me it was yummy. Poor thing was hungry and wanted more chicken during the remainder of the ceremony. Finally, the ceremony completed and he was able to finish the entire leg before they brought the food out. The lunch banquet was elaborate with sixteen courses. Mckayla was busy eating while Mckayla was busy socializing with family. She went around the table playing everyone and even chatted with Uncle Ian and his girlfriend Hichiro about Tokyo’s Disneyland. After the ceremony, we went home to nap. Mckayla finally fell asleep and took a long nap. But Marcus refused to sleep again. After we all got up, we went to dinner. Mckayla was jet lagged and couldn’t get up. She cried through half of the dinner and finally calmed down and started to eat. Marcus was well behaved for the first half of dinner but was getting tired. The moment I took him out of the high chair, he fell asleep while resting his head on my forehead. He stayed asleep until five this morning. Mckayla got her second wind and played with all the new toys until we told her to go to sleep by ten. She resisted a bit but fell asleep quickly. We were all exhausted and went to bed early too.

Friday afternoon, I picked up Mckayla early from school to get our evening started earlier. By seven, both kids were fed, bathed, and ready for bed. Our luggages were all packed except Marcus refused to sleep. I ended up taking him to bed with me so we could all take a nap before the long flight. Our cab picked us up as scheduled. Both kids woke up as they got in the cab. Our flight was not til midnight and they were too excited to rest. In fact, they were too excited until two in the morning when we forced them to sleep. Mckayla slept fine in the seat but refused to cooperate. Ted and I took turns holding him while we all try to sleep. Mckayla woke up four hours later and Marcus slept just a bit longer. We were less than half way through the flight and they were wide awake. They played with in flight entertainments, read some books, and watched movies on iPad, and we finally landed fourteen hours later. Both kids fell asleep right before we arrived at my parents’ apartment. Marcus remained asleep but Mckayla immediately jumped up with excitement.

Friday afternoon, I picked up Mckayla early from school to get our evening started earlier. By seven, both kids were fed, bathed, and ready for bed. Our luggages were all packed except Marcus refused to sleep. I ended up taking him to bed with me so we could all take a nap before the long flight. Our cab picked us up as scheduled. Both kids woke up as they got in the cab. Our flight was not til midnight and they were too excited to rest. In fact, they were too excited until two in the morning when we forced them to sleep. Mckayla slept fine in the seat but refused to cooperate. Ted and I took turns holding him while we all try to sleep. Mckayla woke up four hours later and Marcus slept just a bit longer. We were less than half way through the flight and they were wide awake. They played with in flight entertainments, read some books, and watched movies on iPad, and we finally landed fourteen hours later. Both kids fell asleep right before we arrived at my parents’ apartment. Marcus remained asleep but Mckayla immediately jumped up with excitement.

We eat a ton of fruits at home. Sometimes, we wonder if the kids are eating too much fruits. Last Friday, I went to farmer’s market and Ted went to Costco. Both of us purchased fruits. We thought we had too much since we’re leaving Friday for our trip. But, as of Wednesday night, we only had a box of cherries left in the fridge. Here’s what we ate the last six days:

Oranges X 12
Strawberry 6 baskets from Farmer’s market + 1 box from Coscto
Raspberry 3 packs from Costco
Grapes ~2 pounds
Apples X 6
Bananas (Costco)

I got sick on Monday. Started with the cough and runny nose. Then, fever and chills on Monday night. I was wrapped in two layers of blankets and was still freezing. I felt better in the morning and decided I was well enough to go to work on Tuesday. Bad mistake! I felt worse as the day went by. I tried my best to finish my work as fast as I could, then went home shortly after lunch. I crawled in bed and slept the entire afternoon. I woke up after Ted had picked up Mckayla and they were all eating dinner. I had no apettite and didn’t anything all day. Mckayla reminded me to drink some chicken soup when I told her I was sick. After the kids went to bed, I made some porridge for myself then went to bed again. I also kicked Ted out of our room to prevent him from getting what I have. I got up Wednesday morning still had the fever and body aches. I felt very bad but it was the best for me to stay home. I went back to bed after saying good bye to Mckayla. I slept the entire morning and woke up when I heard Marcus calling for me. He heard me coughing and kept telling Nanny that I was coughing. I came out to say hi to him then went back to bed again. Despite getting all the sleep, I was still feeling weak and dizzy. I slept for couple more hours and woke up feeling slightly better, so I decided to swung by Costco to pick up some fruits since we were running low. Mistake number two! It was a short trip but I was winded when I got back. I crawled back in bed again after taking more ibuprofen. I slept the entire afternoon and woke up when Ted was playing with Kinect with the kids. They were having fun. Mckayla reminded me yet again that I need to drink chicken soup. I went to the kitchen I heated up my left over porridge from last night. After I ate, I joined them in the family room but tried to keep my distance. Kids were sad because they wanted me to hug them. I had to keep telling them to go away because I was afraid of getting them sick. Thanks to Ted for holding down the fort on his own. I don’t think I’ve been this ill my whole life. I have two more days to recover before our trip. And I haven’t even started packing yet.