Oh, it has started....

oh yes....the screaming and shouting and the bullying.

He bullies.... and she screams and shouts....

It all starts because he loves her so much. He wants to do the same things she does. He wants to play with the same things she plays with. And she does not want to stop playing with the things he wants to play with as well!!!

haiya...ya...yayahhhhh....

Kenneth will calmly walk over to his sister's little table.....while she's writing on a few pieces of paper. He pulls himself up, and starts pulling at the papers. Rachel screams "KENNNNEEEETTTTTHHH!!!!! Go Away!!!!" He just looks calmly at her, and continue pulling at the papers. She screams and shouts a few times at him, and yet, he seems immune to all these. Then, without further choice, she screams "MUMMMYYYYY!!!!!!"

I came to Rachel's rescue. I pulled Kenneth away to another set of toys....and went back to my chore. He sits there for 5 seconds, and then crawls his way back to Rachel's table again...and the whole deafening scene starts again.... When Rachel throws her body onto her few pieces of precious paper to protect them from him....he merely looks at her, and attempts to pry open her fingers and arms.

Then, when Rachel at last gives up and leaves the table.....he loses interest and starts following his sister to the hall....and while he crawls towards her, he keeps on calling "EEEEHhhhhh...eh...eh..."...

Such beautiful brother-sisterly love......

All Rachel

Mummy....I am CUTE, HAPPY and SMELLY!!!!!! (she meant to say SMILEY)


Rachel, don't pose like that when taking pictures.
Daddy....why????
It's so ugly
Who said it's ugly. Everyone says I am cute!!!!

Minnie Mouse in the making

I still remember during my younger times (ehhem...), my cousins, sister and I will dress up our cousin brothers in girly clothes. It was pretty funny when we view the photos again when we are older. I hope Kenneth will grow up with a good sense of humour by the time he sees this picture.

This boy has really grown quite a bit. He is trying to walk now. Also, he tries to "talk" or "call" us, using "eh eh eh..." noises.

I just weighed him over the weekend and he is barely 10kg. Has not grown much since the last 2 months. I wonder whether it's because I am not feeding him enough, or he's just slowing down in growth now that he's so much more active...

There's no sign of him self-weaning. And it does seem like an easy way out to continue breastfeeding him. Really have to put some thought in that topic.

Rachel in her ballet gear

Learning to walk

He has been cruising for awhile already. A couple weeks back, daddy set up this trolley walker that Rachel used when she learnt how to walk. Now, it's Kenneth's turn. He can control the trolley walker to go at his pace.
Rachel walked when she turned 11 months. Let's see how lil Kenneth fares in that department. It's not a competition. But it's interesting to see that both brother and sister's physical development is nearly the same!!!!

Swimming in the morning

Took the kids swimming at 9 something this morning. It was fun. Swimming is so much easier when we have a pool right in front of our house, since there are so much stuff I have to carry to the pool, other than the 2 kids!!!!

I contemplated sending Rachel for swimming lessons. But it will cost us RM60 per hour. It's pretty ridiculous. We are already paying RM72 per hour for her ballet. Can't believe how much it costs!!!! So, Daddy gave a firm NO when it comes to swimming lessons. So, I gotta teach her myself. So far, she's quite brave. She has even started swimming without her arm floats!!!! Hmmm...maybe I should give daddy a discount and charge him RM30 per hour everytime I teach her:) He should appreciate the big discount I am giving him:)

The kids having a whale of a good time with the inflated whale...

She can even pose on the whale!!!!

Kenneth still prefers swimming without this float, as he can splash his arms more freely. Also, he tried a few times coming out of the float while in the water. And he did come out one time......have to keep an eye on him ALL THE TIME!!!!

Rachel swimming without her arm floats....growing up fast, my girl.... The strokes and kicks are still not very well coordinated, but she manages:)

Messy house

It's an everyday occurrence.....can't avoid it when you have kids!!!!!

skipping

tomorrow's her ballet class again. she still can't skip yet. even daddy has to learn how to skip and he's skipping around the house, hoping that she will catch on fast.....

He loves folding his hands

Rachel can't skip

I did not realise this....until after her first Ballet class. Her teacher told me that. And we arrived home, I got her to show me how she skips.

The first 2 days, when asked to skip, she galloped.

Then after showing her how skipping goes, she then does a mini hop and run, mini hop and run.

After nearly a week of showing her how to skip....she now does a half skip....then gallop, then half skip ....

Let's see.....

Cruising....

He loves cruising under the table....maybe coz I can't reach him easily and he has plenty of support with the chairs around.

He is 8 and she is 4

Rachel turned 4 years old when we were in Paris. And Kenneth turned 8 months yesterday.

Rachel:

...Still whiny...
...School has not started due to H1N1, so, she is pretty bored.
...Swimming is her highlight of the day now.....her daddy even bought an inflated whale for her to play with in the pool!!!! see picture!!!!
...Am teaching her phonics, which she learnt a bit back in her old school in KL
...Very manipulative
...Disciplining her is difficult.....


Kenneth:

...Crawling like a pro
...Has started cruising
...Wakes up more often at night now.....so poor me...
...loves his sister loads
...knows how to cry and scream for anything he wants
...knows how to fight his sister for whatever toy he wants
...understands NO
...knows when we are calling his name
...very squirmy when trying to change his nappy....
...loves water.....loves floating in the pool
...have not started him on porridge as he does not seem to like it. so, still on baby cereal and pureed fruits and vege...
...no teeth yet
...very sticky to me....

A happy place on earth.....

This is the trip Rachel has been waiting for, for the last few months, since we started planning:) Disneyland!!!!

Took the Paris RER to Disneyland...

Excited to see the disney characters in a small parade when we arrived

She loves the sleeping beauty castle....

All of us, including Kenneth enjoyed this ride.....took it twice!!!!

Waving to minnie mouse and gang:)

in awe with goofy...

can't believe my girl is already 4 years old....

Kenneth did not want to sit in the stroller most of the time....so, was cab-bing him with the sling most of the day!!!!

she loves the high school musical roadshow.... participated as well...

singing along during the HSM roadshow. dun think she knows the lyrics though....

getting daddy to buy her a souvenir....

managed to get her daddy to buy her this minnie mouse hairband......and where did she keep her other hairband???

.....on Kenneth!!!!

Carousel ride...

posing with her beloved aunty:) who fought her way through with Rachel just to get a picture of goofy and minnie!!!!

Bonjour Paris.....

It was my sister's idea.....Disneyland as Rachel's birthday present. And it is the most expensive birthday present hubby has ever bought for anyone in his life:)

We took the eurostar to Paris, with my sister and brother in law. Good company:) And good help as well with the kids:)

So, hubby arrived in London the day before we left for Paris. It was real fun!!!! The adults got to enjoy Paris and its food....... French food is really good and yummy....especially the confit!!!!! No shopping in Paris. But the city is really beautiful.

This is my third time to Paris. And I hope it won't be my last, as I love this city. The food is great as well. However, I would say the people are somewhat lacking....a wee bit rude and customer service is not observed everywhere...Also, the city is not that kids friendly. No baby chair in most restaurants.....but we survived:) And I still managed to enjoy the food loads!!!!!

Us in the eurostar....

My sis took this picture...really artistic....love this side of Rachel (which I don't see very often these days)....Quiet and Demure...

Family picture near eiffel tower... Despite having seen eiffel tower numerous times, I am still struck with awe every time I see it. It's magnificent. And it takes my breath away every time...

Rachel posing with her new dress from May yee (my sis).....It's one of the many gifts she bought for Rachel for her birthday:)

I made Rachel stand and pose....does it not look like a model pose????

Love this pic of the kids....

Holiday in London

Taking walks....cab-bing Kenneth around with the sling.

Rachel running around happily (like someone who has never seen green grass before in her life!!!)

Kenneth crawling around gleefully...(like someone who has never seen or touch green grass ever!!!!)

The kids in a nearby playground

Flew to London for 2 weeks with the kids. Hubby only joined us 2 weeks later, for Rachel's birthday, and also her birthday treat to Paris and Disneyland.

The flight to London was in the morning, and we could not get front seats for the kids and I. So, hubby upgraded us to Premium Economy....so, it was quite comfy for the kids ....and most importantly, I survived the flight alone with the kids:)

Before the trip, I was really worried about swine flu. I went to the doctor before the trip and consulted her about it. She said, even if I stayed in Kuwait, there's no guarantee that we won't get it!!!! hmmmm....not very reassuring, isn't it?** Anyway, I am glad that I did not cancel the trip. As it was a truly enjoyable trip for the kids and I.....

We stayed at my sis and brother in law's place. And we enjoyed many walks around that area. Also, when we wanted to go downtown for any shopping, I did not bring along the stroller for Kenneth. Instead, I was using my MumsinMind sling/sarong. I can't believe how hardy I am....he, he.....if I may say so myself. We walked and shopped for 4 hours straight... with me carrying Kenneth with the sling....He can even sleep in it!!! I think this trip has spoiled him. He does not like the stroller ANYMORE!!!!! Kenneth is roughly 10kg, and with all the walking and cab-bing him around, I lost that last bit of my pregnancy weight!!!!!

The weather in London was good:) Sunny, but cooling. The kids seem to enjoy the wind loads:) And of course, they enjoyed being able to run (for Rachel) and crawl (for Kenneth) around in the park!!!! Most importantly, we had great company in London!!!!

Unpacking.....

We are back in Kuwait. It was a night flight back, and I did not get much sleep as Kenneth was not comfortable in the bassinet. After all, he has grown quite a bit already....

Our hols were great. especially the trip to Paris. Rachel has lost her voice due to all the traveling, and also the dancing and singing in Disneyland.