Gary Phang & Alicia Lee

This year’s Chinese New Year and Valentine Day falls on the same date 14 February 2010.

Again, having very rush birthday celebration for Emelee at home after visiting relatives.

My mom accepted an offer to work as confinement lady in Doncaster, Victoria, Australia (somewhere near Melbourne). She left for Melbourne on 3 Feb at 1:20am on AirAsia flight via LCCT KLIA. My only concern for her was her health. Since it is summer now in Australia, that reduce the worry and anxiety, furthermore I am confident our Almighty God is with her and cares for her.

So this year’s Chinese New Year is going to be another quiet affair since my mom is away and my brother won’t be coming back from Singapore. Leaving our family and my dad. We will be celebrating CNY reunion in KL. Haven’t think of what to eat since just three of us and the little ones. Cook at home may not be practical cost and volume wise. Dad said Western food is ok woh! Got to check around. Heard most of the Chinese restaurant were fully booked till 7th day of CNY. People nowadays opted to eat out due to convenient and you may be surprise it may be cheaper (depends what food menu you choose). 

My uncle and aunty on the far-right help to send my mom to airport from Seremban. Emelee former nanny’s daughter (in orange T-shirt) followed us to take care Emelee. There was a long queue during check-in but they open many counters to expedite check-in process. Seems to be many students are beginning to return to Australia for studies. My mom will be back to KL on 13 March (30 days working plus 10 days holiday!)

Brother and sister or sister and brother (we usually said the earlier). Both Emelee and Weslee were adapting well in the childhood development. Emelee started to attend Sunday school since three weeks (31 Jan) ago at our local church. The first week she was not reluctant to be left alone with other children. But last week, she needs a few words of assurance that I will pick her up after the church service was over. She obediently listen and off she goes and sat with another kids mom. Somehow she likes her. I have also advised the teacher not to give her sweets. Apparently she throws out after eating the lollipop few weeks back. Our challenge these days was getting her to finish her meal faster. She took almost an hour to finish off her meal and we have to persuade, scold and what-not. But when comes to snacks like fruits, ice cream, biscuits, raisin and etc, she finished off faster! The other challenge was her sleeping alone. We some how relented and accepted the fact that she have to sleep with us, at least the last few hours before dawn.

Yes, he can walk we exclaimed. We were overjoyed when we saw him walking a few steps unassisted. Quite stable although it was a few steps before he tumbles down. And he must be really happy to see our reaction. Alicia asked me to record down least we forget!

Nowadays he like to climb over the sofa and sometimes on top of the TV rack. There goes my audio/video speakers & wiring! ~sigh~.

In public or at shopping mall, he likes to make eye contact with strangers. Most people will give a glimpse at him and he always generously smile back! Isn’t he is adorable! Praise God for blessing us with another cheerful and adorable children.

Celebrated Weslee’s 1st birthday on the actual date (13 Jan) with Emelee’s former nanny and family. Bought another jelly cake for him. He really enjoyed himself. Here are some of the photograph. 

Yesterday was Weslee’s 1st birthday! We have thrown a big party for him last Sunday. Most of our friends from church and in KL were invited. We have sumptuous and variety of food. Most of the pictures were taken by church friend and uploaded into Facebook. Hope can sort out more and upload here. He really had a good time although he has not been feeling well for the past few days. Thank God he behave that day!

Yesterday we also had another round of birthday celebration for him albeit smaller one with former Emelee’s babysitter (more pictures again later).

Weslee, we pray that our good Lord Jesus Christ will continue to protect you and watch over you. May He gives you good health shower you with his blessing and guidance.

Lovely cards and photo frame from Alicia’s best friend Siti a.k.a Dodie.

Life at home no longer the same as it use to be where Alicia and I alone at home watching TV, enjoying our dinner and etc without interruption. With the addition of Weslee into our family, sometimes our home become war zone. Much so with Emelee who always with her stubborn character and insist not listening to our instructions. Hell break loose with shouting from both dad and mummy!

Last week both of them having fever and running noose. Emelee throws out whatever liquid or food into her stomach and had ear infection. Thank God both of them recovered in 2-3 days.

Weslee continues to captivate our hearts with his adorable characters and behaviour. We resigned to the fact he won’t be sleeping throughout the night like Emelee. He needs to wake up once either 1-2am and/or 5am.

We have just applied for a passport for Weslee yesterday for our visit to Singapore in December. I shall be there for the Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon on 6 Dec 2009. I have also registered Emelee for Kid Dash (750m) which I shall run along with her.

Again this blog in hiatus for some time.  Sometimes I wonder should I continue writing since it may be read by myself. But after some thought it may be good to record down some of my children development. Sometimes I really forgotten Emelee’s growing up years and how we went through it.

Gone are the days where we usually have a tranquil, smooth-functioning period in our house. Emelee’s stubborn and strong-willed characters are driving us nuts and turn our home into war zone. Often our family exploded into confrontation with our daughter. Sounds serious? Nah, I think most parents went through this situation. Maybe I am a bit exaggerated.

She can be quite persistent when it comes to getting what she wants. Sometimes she just refuse to receive our instructions. She took so long to finish off her meals (1 hour). Since last two weeks, she doesn’t want to sleep on her room anymore. Instead we allowed Weslee to sleep on her bed and room alone now. She sleeps at the guess room and occasionally awakes few times during the night and tried to sleep with us (she know how to open the door now).  She also insist us to sleep together with her. ~sigh~. But things are improving slowly.

Weslee starts to roam and exploring everywhere around the house and starts to create havoc by messing up all the toys. He is more interested to scattered all the toys around rather than play with it. He grew up fast, he is now wearing size “XL” diapers and already started wearing his sister’s clothes which she only wear at age 1 year plus.

Must continue to pray for God’s wisdom and grace upon bring up these lovely children. Sometimes I felt really tired, more so to Alicia.

My last post our update was back in May! Do I need to catch up with almost five months updates? I hope not but I shall let the pictures do the talking (as they said pictures tell thousand words! no?) Blame it on Facebook? I have neglected in updating this blog and spend most of my free time when online in Fbing. Probably that’s tell I am not good in writer or plain lazy (aha-gotcha!) And I have also revert this blog to its classic template.

On family life

Since the arrival of our another bundle of joy – Weslee into our life, things have changed quite a bit. Now we have new routines albeit with more “standard operating procedures”. Alicia adapted to it quite well although now she has to handle extra work to take care another child.

Emelee has grown up and started to have her own character. She is full of energy and starts to talk a lot. Sometimes we do understand what she says and we just guess. She also started to become more rebellious. It’s hard to get her to obey our instructions. She also took ages to complete her meal. At the end, she was constantly lectured and canned by us. Sometimes it is really difficult to control our anger. Now, we have to change our strategy, we seldom cane her anymore and start to use some soft but firm approach. So far it works well but we got to have lots of patience. Praise to be God; she plays together with her brother and usually made Weslee smiles a lot with her antics.

Weslee begins to stand and crawl very well since 7 months. He is into almost 9 months coming 13 Oct. He is really a big eater and can’t wait for his meal/milk. He also woke up less during the night with only one feeding at 1 or 2 am until the next morning. He is really puncture and wakes up on the dot, i mean almost exactly at 1am or 2am. He is also very alert and seems like know what’s going on surrounding him.

On parents & siblings

Celebrated dad’s birthday in Jun at restaurant in Seremban. Both mom and dad is doing fine. With dad keeps himself busy with his watch repairing business, almost the one and only such skill craftsman in Seremban. He also faithfully worked as newspaper delivery man early in the morning which we always asked him to quit. Sometimes we pondered if we request him to stop all these activities, how is it going to impact him. Surely he will not get used to it.

(Dad’s birthday dinner in Seremban)

Mom as usual busy with herself shuttling here and there. Mostly she spend her time at my youngest sister’s home. Thank God she also attends church service and cell group faithfully at Grace Neighborhood Assembly.

During Hari Raya holiday, they stayed with us for 2 days in conjunction with our cousin’s – Vincent’s wedding.

(with mom and dad at Genting Highlands)

On spiritual life

This area seems to be difficult for me to explain. Many events happen in the past few months that draws me to rethink my priorities and of course it let me closer to God.

(College youth in Passion Alive cell group birthday celebration)

I have been serving for youth ministry for almost 8-9 years. But do I really grow spiritually besides serving? Often, we just serve out of obligation or treat it as a duty (or the Bible says so!). I asked myself – do I serve out of my love for Jesus Christ or do I serve just because I am part of the team? With the new addition to my family (both Emelee & Weslee), it prompts me to look at the priority of my family (God first, family second). Besides, I am hurt by recent circumstances that I would preferred not to pen down here.

I have also decided to quit serving PA for Music ministry. More often, it’s quite stressful to shuttle to/from church to pick up my wife and kids for second service while I served in the PA during the first service. I felt I am not able to assist my wife to prepare the kids for church service and we often reached church quite late for the second service. With this, I hope I can devote more time to prepare and go to church fresh and stress-free!

I am toying with Microsoft Windows Live Writer and see how this software can help me to edit my blog.

I am tired of the previous layout and trying on the current new design. Please stay tune as I have lots of backlog of posting to be uploaded. Apology again for not being updating this site for more than a month.

Emelee got food poisoning since yesterday. She has been vomiting since yesterday morning whatever she drank or ate. But she crave for banana which I promptly bought for her yesterday evening after work. But that also she vomited after eating one piece of it. This morning, I thought her digestive system went back to normal as she drank quite lots of water and she must be really hungry since her stomach was quite empty. That also she throws out. Then next gave her some milk, that also throws out. There goes lots of cleaning up to do this morning. Can't see her suffer this much already and sent her to a pediatrician to for consultation. She was suspected to have food poisioning and could be the half-boil egg she has taken since Thurday morning. She was prescribed with "anti-vomit" drops and it seems to be working. She didn't vomit since she has taken his medicine in the afternoon until now. But I can see her body is weak and do not have a good appetite. She just took 2 bottle of Vitagen, 1 slice of bread and 4 oz of milk with some water in between since afternoon. I pray God will continue to minister to her and heal her completely. Amen!

Sent Weslee for vaccination today (3rd jabs) at government clinic. As usual, there was big crowd but surprisingly quite fast though. Now Emelee and Weslee both developed mild fever. Aik! pray they will get well soon.

This is what I have not written about Weslee. Since birth until today, he still occasionally vomited after feeding with some mucus and milk. This is what written in babycentre.co.uk.

"Reflux is the word used to describe what happens when the stomach contents come back up into the gullet or even into the mouth.

The medical name for gullet is oesophagus (spelt esophagus in the US). So the long name for reflux is gastro-oesophageal reflux disease, shortened to GORD in the UK and GER in the States.

The diaphragm is the muscle which separates the chest cavity from the abdominal cavity. As the oesophagus passes through the diaphragm, the diaphragm acts like a valve - stopping stomach contents from going backwards up the oesophagus. Doctors refer to this valve mechanism as a sphincter.

But sometimes the valve action isn't as strong as it could be - when you are pregnant, for example. In fact, one of the reasons you get heartburn in pregnancy is due to your baby pushing up onto the sphincter - it forces acid back up the oesophagus.

This also happens to babies, but in their case it is because the sphincter action of the diaphragm isn't fully developed. During the first year of a baby's life, the sphincter action gradually gets stronger and their chance of having reflux decreases. Around 50 per cent of babies will get some reflux but in only a small percentage of these is it a real problem. At the age of 10 months the number is down to about one in twenty babies"

http://www.babycentre.co.uk/baby/health/reflux/

Initially most people said it will go away by itself after few months. Weslee was regularly immunized monthly at government clinic and nurses there was not helpful in explaining this situation. But on 2 May since we were in Seremban and heard there is an experienced pediatrician – Dr Liew (Liew Children Clinic), we seek consultation from the clinic. The doctor said high possibility it was 'reflux' and we can't help much since he was breast fed (can't change baby formula to try). He prescribed some medication to minimize the symptom. As of today, Wesless still occasionally vomit after feeding though it lessen. We also prescribed him with Chinese medicine Bo Ying compound from Eu Yan Sang. There rest we just need to pray that he will recover soonest.

Emelee is already 2 years plus and Weslee 4 months old. Sometimes it hard to keep track on their exact age. Unlike previously, we only have Emelee and she was our first child, we keeps counting nad notice it every month.
According to Alicia, nowadays, Weslee was trying to get her sister attention when she was sitting beside him. Weslee really gained quite a lot. Look at the photo, Weslee's head is almost if not bigger that Emelee. haha!

Week before Mothers day, brought my parents to Fish & Co for lunch at Jusco Seremban 2. We have over-order the food and have to take-away some. About my mother? Nothing much to say leh! Except I knew she has sacrifice a lot for us five siblings and very much concern about our wellbeing. Mom has really aged and I pray she will continue to be healthy and God protection covering her daily going in and out.
Then on Mothers day, brought Alicia & Emelee, together with my sis-in-law Natalie and her son Ashley for dinner at Daidomon Japanese BBQ restaurant at Great Eastern Mall. Mother's day offer at RM49.90++ (adult) RM29.90 (child). Emelee dined free. Worth it if you are a real meat eater. You have to request for BBQ meat. Food, BBQ meat is alright but disappointed with the buffet dishes. There is no oyster as advertised.
We also went for a vegetarian dinner at MG Cafe, Sri Hartamas with Emelee former babysitter and her daughters on Sunday. Food is really good with a touch of fusion.

With Emelee and Weslee into this family, now I truly realized it is not easy to be a mother. Lots of sacrifice has to be made to bring up the children. Besides that, we need to have patience to nurture the child's character. Talking about patience, I am really lack of it and needs God's grace the more. Else, you will see me spanking Emelee very often! HAPPY MOTHERS DAY to all mothers.

Emelee got so much energy! From the moment she wakes up, she will keep herself busy all the time. As the title suggest, she is really energetic. Now she climb out from her baby cot. Gone are the days that we still can contain her in her bed even though she already woke up. She will climb out of bed, turn off the fan and tried to open the door. Barney is her favourite movie now and she keeps insist we play Barney movies. This is the only movie that she can sit still longer. At restaurant, we always have to find ways to divert her attention. Gone are the days Alicia and I can enjoy the food undistracted.

She kinda love and care for his brother. She sometimes shared interesting moments with her brother. We also need to be cautious as she may get over excited - slamming his brother! Initially Weslee was shocked while asleep; but he get used to it now! Its interesting to see what happen when they grows up.

Looking at Weslee really brighten up our day. His ever generous smiles really made us feel hilarious. He's really easy to crack his smiles most of the time. Of course there are time he cried when he feels hungry and uncomfortable. His voice it getting louder and even start to shout!. He enjoys being in sitting position and manage to lift his head when lying on bed. This is going to be another strong baby. Me and Alicia was saying we may going to have a hard time later to catch him - like her sister now. He likes her sister and smiles when Emelee doing funny reaction at him. Last Saturday, we went to seek pediatrician advice on his blocked nose at night and vomiting problem after feeding when we were in Seremban. The doctor initial diagnosis was reflux and some medication was prescibed. Something to do with passage to the stomach which is weak. Found a link on this here: http://www.reflux.org.au/gastro.php. Alicia still continue breastfeeding him and the interval is about 3-4 hours now. He can sleep longer at night at last feeding 11/12/1am (less sleepless night!) and woke up at 5 or 6am. Sometimes I am confused with the feeding interval and have to ask my agitated wife!

Picture above showing Emelee mimic her mom breast feed Weslee! Really cute ~sigh~. These days, it is not easy ask her to obey our instructions. Sometimes she really drives me up to the wall by her disobedience and causes me to spank her. I really need to control my anger and learn to love her more instead. She even know how to climb over her baby cot every morning. But good thing now she don't have to wear diapers at home during the day abeit we need to remind her to go to the toilet.
Weslee is strong strong enough now to do a mini push-up when he's lying on his tummy and able to lift his head and shoulders clear of the floor and look around as he does so. He really likes to smile when you look at him! Alicia still fully breast fed him and really put a strain on her. I know she must be really tired to look after these two kids.

Both of them were not well last week and just recovered. Emelee vomited few times and Weslee has slight fever after 2nd scheduled immunization injection applied. Thank God both of them recovered very fast.

I realized I didn't write much about my son Weslee more than 3 months. We sent him for his scheduled 2nd immunization injection today. He weights 6.5kg now, such a big difference compared to her sister. As usual, tough as her sister, he just scream a short while after being jab. Weslee really brightens up me after a hard day at work. He never fail to return a smile when you talk to him everytime. He is such a cheerful boy. Both Emelee and Weslee can be together quite well. we just need to be careful and keep an eye on her as sometimes she gets too excited and carried away by grabbing her brother too hard! Thank God Emelee doesn't jealous with her brother and hope we can manage them well and equal.

Today, Emelee is not feeling well and heard from her mother that she has vomited 2 times and mild fever. Pray both she and her brother to get well soon (Weslee also caught slight fever).

Follow the video below for a good laugh together with Weslee.