"Dad Dad"

Yesterday Linus said the second word "Dad", he had already known the word "Ba" last month.

I brought him for a walk around the estate yesterday. Jeff came down, when Linus saw Daddy, he spoke "Ba Ba", then opened his arms and tended to Daddy. Jeff melted down instantly.

I am really jealous!! =p

First phase

Linus speaks his first phase finally, it is "Ah Ba"!

Little brother

Someone asks me if I love any one of my babies more than another. I don't think I would be, because each of them are unique to me.

Lucas and Linus are totally different, they are not look identical, and their personalities are not the alike. However, I am sure they can be good friends, the life-long type.

One day, I was asking Jeff what he would think they would be when they grow up. Actually I think we can hardly answer it correctly. We can never know how the world would be in the coming 20 years. Look at ourselves, our parents can never tell their children would become something called "programmer" and "researcher", they even had no idea about what they are, right?

I just wish them can devote themselves to something they enjoy and are proud of. What we should do is to provide opportunities for them to explore their talents and interest.

Kiss Axx

One morning Daddy wanted to stir up Lucas's jealousy, he said "I want to kiss Mamei" to Lucas.

Then Lucas replied, "Daddy kiss ass!!!!!", sweetly.

I burst into a big big laugh.

I asked Lucas, "did you learn it from your cousin (a boy in primary 2, it is the time kids picking up some foul language."

"No!" he said.

"Then you think of it by yourself?" I asked.

He didn't answer.

Is there really some ideas or concepts that already programed in human mind, which is universal?

Offer

By the way, Lucas received an offer from the kindergarten last week. It is the only kindergarten we applied. We are very unusual because many Hong Kong parents apply at least 5-6 schools for their kids.

We are really a pair of lazy parents, hahah.

Hurray!!! Lucas will start to receive the "institutionalized education" (I learnt this term of sociology) next year! We may accept the offer of early intake in April 09, to let him experience this "institutionalized education" earlier...

Sky

We moved to our own cozy net finally.

Lucas loves the new place, he wanders around the flat everyday and pushing bean bags and boxes everywhere.

Unlike his elder brother, little Linus needs more time to get used of the new environment, but he is still as cheerful as usual.

People comment their room is extraordinarily beautiful. It is like a lovely corner of a pair of little princes.

I love the view outside also. You can see a hill from the windows. If they lie on the floor, they can stare at a large piece of non-fragmented sky, and to study the movement of clouds, or simply to day dream.

This is the most precious thing we can give them.

I hope when they grow bigger, they will know how to appreciate the sky, which would allow them to stretch their imagination beyond any boundaries.

Interview

Lucas will have his first interview, an interview of the kindergarten.

I would accompany with him.  It is an international school, which focuses more on talent exploration, instead of squeezing kids into a shape based on social expectation, such as knowing two thousands words at two years old, etc.

The principal told me it would not really be an interview of the child, but more like a chat with the parents, to see if they go for the same goal as the school.

I am a bit nervous, hahah.

Turtle

Tonight we chatted with Lucas and asked if he would like to dress up in Halloween. He said yes, then when we asked him what he would want to dress like, he said....

TURTLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We burst into laugh. Then we asked him what Daddy should dress like, he said....

TOOTHPASTE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am so lucky that he had made up his mind what I should dress like.

We are thinking Linus can be a pumpkin that night!

Love and Jealousy

I feel there is a bonding between the brothers. They find each other interesting and love to stay together, but at the same time they are jealous with each other, especially when I am hugging one of them.

I was a believer of dualism, that means I think everything/ everyone can be distinguished into black or white, good or bad, love or hatre. Jeff always teases it is "Manki's logic". However, from Lucas and Linus, I find a person can love and be jealous on another person at the same time. Love and jealousy seems in the extreme ends of a spectrum, but they can exist concurrently.

I am sure the boys will be best friends when they are getting older. Lucas and Linus, you know what, I love both of you, and each of you is unique to me.

Sep 2008 MSN Icon

今個月係Linus!

Linus 呢個笑容好熟識.

My two little angels

I should count my blessings everyday. I am so lucky to have two angel-like babies, they are god sent gifts.

The brothers have totally different personality. Lucas is sensitive, Linus is straight forward. Lucas is delicate, Linus is more sturdy. I feel it is amazing.

I love to cuddle both of them while watching TV in sofa or in bed, the babies will stay quietly and enjoy such cozy moment. I do hope such comfortable feeling can imprint in their mind. When they grow up, they may face a lot challenges and difficulties, I hope they will recall such homey feeling, and remember that no matter what, their mommy also thinks they are the best, and support them unconditionally.

This is what mommy should be, and love to be!!

Plum and Bum

Yesterday we asked Lucas to pass us some grapes and plums. Lucas took me some green grapes and a big purple plum. He pointed to the plum and said 'Mamei, this is a big grape!'

Then I replied him it was actually a plum, not a grape. Then he said, 'Mamei, this is bum bum...' He was pointing to the centre line of the fruit.

I explained, 'No this is not a bum bum, this is a plum.'

And then he further commented, 'mamei, this is gu gu (a slang of penis in Cantonese).

I couldn't reply anymore......

Happy face

Linus is always cheerful. When he smiles, he opens his mouth wide, and squeezes his huge eyes into lines.

I always feel this is one of the most rewarding moment to see babies' happy faces. This is a 'prestige' to be a parent.

When I feel upset, I always remind myself to learn from Linus, to be happy and carefree anytime.

It is a bless that he grows into a strong baby, you cannot imagine how tiny he was after birth. I could still remember the hard feeling when I was standing in front of his incurbator.

Work hard boy, I am proud of yourself.

A letter I wrote long time ago

I am tidying up files in my computer, then I 'fished' out this one. A letter I wrote to unborn Lucas when I was in my first pregnancy.

Being a working mom?!

Dear baby,

You know, I am planning to be a working mom. A lot of friends suggested me to be a full-time mom, and someone ( I won’t count this person as a friend) even attacked me verbally as he thinks stay-home mom is the only way a mother should behave.

However, I do believe all decisions have merits and drawbacks. I am sure I love you devotedly since the first time I saw you in your first ultrasound picture. However, having a career in the same time doesn’t make me I love you lesser.

In an on-line forum of a group of working moms, some of the ladies do feel guilty to leave their new born baby at home, and feel jealous when they see their kids develop the intimate bonding with the maids. However, they stress that QUALITY TIME to stay with the baby is much more important. And impressively, they believe that their working life could also provide a positive model for the kids. Financially speaking, some of them are the main bread winners, and that is why they would not consider to quit the jobs, and other claimed that working hard to gain money is also for the good sake of their children, they want to save the education funds for their future.

For me, I would not limit my decisions; I plan to be a working mom because I want to connect to the outside world, and to continue my social personal growth. I do believe this will bring you and me a positive effect. And I can further safeguard our family financial security and provide you more opportunities for the future education.
Striving balance means that I have to choose, but the decision is not all-or-nothing. Since the first moment you appear in my life, I should face the fact that my career development will be slow down a bit, but I don’t care, I love you!!

It is really sweet.. and I am really lazy in my work.... How can I type such a long letter during working hours?

Linus can lie on his tummy and head up

What a great achievement. Linus can now lie on his tummy and raise up his head!!

We believe he can crawl soon!!

It is not easy to be a mother....

Lucas loves tunnel, but he was scared to go into this tunnel by himself, so I squeezed into the tunnel with him, which actually big enough for kids only....

Little brother love to eat solid food

Every evening I love to hold Linus while having dinner at home. (This is the secret tip of getting slim, as you cannot concentrate on eating anymore, haha). It is funny that he keeps moving up and down and tears off the plastic table cover. (now you know why I cannot be laid back and eat). Sometimes he even screams, then we know actually he wants to eat our food also.

Since last week we had tried to feed him baby cereal. He did not really know how to swallow the food, but you can tell he is learning.

This morning we had breakfast in Pacific Coffee, I fed Linus little pieces of bread (it is like feeding bird). He tried hard to keep the bread in his mouth and then spitting out and sucking in. He was satisfied and showing cheerful smile.

Did I tell you playing saliva is Linus's recent hobby? He does this when he is happy, also after eating.

Baby massage

Despite the long working hours, if possible, I would do baby massage in the evening.

I have finished a can of L'occitane Mama-bebe cream, it is no longer available in the stores. Then I switch to Julique Baby's calming massage oil, which contains chamomile and lavender essential oils.

My sister said the kids are really having great life, and Jeff is jealous about it.

Baby massage can achieve bonding between parents and children. Tonight when I was squeezing Linus's arms gently, he rewarded me a big sweet toothless smile!!!

I wish I could spend more time with them.

Maturity

This is a conversation between our domestic helper and Lucas:

Helper A: Will you go to Po Po (Grandma)'s home tonight?
Lucas: Yes.
Helper A: Who tell you?
Lucas: Mommy and Daddy
Helper A: Are you sure?
Lucas: Sure! (Confident, calm, stable and confirmed)

Lucas behaves like other toddlers in front of me, but he is actually a young man when interacting with other people....

"All good mothers are addicted to their newborn babies."

Accroading to a study show that monthers will getting high when they see babies smiles.

In a study of 28 first-time moms, seeing pictures of their babies' smiles
activated parts of the brain involved in rewarding certain behaviors — such as
finding food, water or a mate — that are vital to the species' survival, says
co-author P. Read Montague, a neuroscientist at Baylor College of Medicine in
Houston.

I am sure that you are addicted to both new bron and two years old babies! This study make me understand why you always like to see the ablums.


http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2008-07-07-babysmiles_N.htm

Blissful babyhood

Several months ago I bought a book called Your Happy Baby. It guides parents some simple ways to contribute a blissful babyhood, such as massage, aromatherapy and baby yoga.

I massage Linus whenever I have time. He loves it a lot.

Then, Lucas starts to feel interest to be massaged. He disliked it when he was a few months old. Now he enjoys lying down and let me squeeze and sliding his delicate skin.

I tried massage oil before, but I found Loccitane Mom & Baby Balm is also fantastic. It is 100% vegetable oil, no artificial scent, and smooth.

If the boys are irritating at night, I will use essential oil to create a comfortable atmosphere. I diffuse several drop of mandarin, lavender or sweet orange in a electronic vaporizer. These three essential oil are good for babies. Chamomile is also an amazing oil, which can even heal gentle skin problem, however, it is same as Rose, very expensive if you look for high quality one. I hope I will have one 100% chamomile essential oil one day.

There are many interesting baby yoga postures demonstrated in the book. Some pictures are stunning, such as the head stand. I tried several moderate one, such as tailor pose and swing. Both boys love that little movement and stretching sensation.

I do hope all these can give the babies some little happy memories.

Lucas's favourite website

Lucas's recent favourite website are:

1. www.google.com - to search for whatever he loves, such as cars, trains, Little Einsteins, etc.

2. www.youtube.com - he requested me to search Thomas train from you tube once.

What a generation in internet era.

Linus is making good progress

It is almost five months since the birth of Linus. He is growing fast. The chubby cheeks are still lingering at each side of his face.

He is doing great. Last night he saw me when I got back home from work, he looked at me with a knowing smile, it seemed he was saying ‘Mamei welcome back home!’

Life is more beautiful to have a baby welcome you warmly everyday after work..

I am sure next time he will wink at me when he grows a little bit bigger. He is that type of cute boy.

Monday Blue

Lucas was suffering from Monday Blue yesterday. This is not an exclusive pain for working people.

Every Sunday night, he refuses to sleep because he knows too well that mom and dad should resume work the next day.

He is very sensitive, takes every comments too personally. Yesterday morning Grandmom simply asked him to drink water as Nanny had reminded him many times. He then burst into big fat tears.

And then he squeezed Linus's legs during nap time and made the little brother cried.

Lucas insisted to sleep with me last night. He waited for me until I blew dry my hair after bathing. I lied next to him, then he said 'mamei' gently to me, and closed his eyes with a softest grin I have ever seen.

Dance Dance Dance

Last Saturday we celebrated with mom-in-law for her birthday in the dancing place. My parents-in-law just addicted to ballroom dancing, they go to that night club three times a week, plus all anniversary/ birthday celebrations.

We brought Lucas this time. Linus is too small and cannot take such a big noise and dazzle lighting effect. Nanny stayed with him at home.

Lucas was stunned by all pairs on the dancing floor. He suddenly took my hand and led me out. We held hands and formed a circle, we kept turning and laughing along with the vibrant music. I stared at his eyes, I found the genuine happiness.

He looked through my eyes, laughed happily, it also seemed this was one of his most joyful moments.

This is LOVE!!! The love between a little mother and her little boy.

I hope such pure sweet memory can imprint in his mind. He may not able to remember what exactly happened that night, but at least he can recall this loving feeling throughout his life. He will remember that mamei loves him unconditionally always.

Black Friday vs. Happy Friday

After a fed up working day in this rainy black Friday, I just had had a nice evening with my family to celebrate the Father's Day. We had a nice dinner in Telford Plaza.

Nothing is better than surrounding by your beloved ones after a tough day! The two gorgeous babies melted my frowning face immediately, it is like a icing cube reaching fire.

Daddy, happy father's day.

Jeff, you are doing great and I am on behalf of the two boys to say happy father's day to you!

Linus wanna stand up!!

If you put a finger in each of Linus's palm, he will grab it tight and bring himself up, with his little mouth open, like those weightlifters. To keep the balance, he will even move one step forward.

He is such as gorgeous baby.

I always want to bring Linus out to open up his eyes, but he just keeps his eyes shut literally, because he always falls asleep when people carrying him.

When four of us go out, sometimes people pass by turn their shoulder to look at Linus, and then Lucas, and then the whole chunk of us, with their eyes wide open. We can tell they are astonished by our reproduction effectiveness.

Milk tea foot spa

Yesterday was Sunday, Jeff and I walked down the hill to a tea restaurant for breakfast, with the two little boys.

I looked after Lucas and Jeff carried Linus. We tried our best to show people we could cope with the whole thing casually.

After the serious punishment on Saturday night, Lucas dared not playing mischief when eating. He ate by himself decently.

Finally, we were getting move, Lucas accidentally pushed the ice milk tea down, then my right ballerina shoe carried a 'shoe full' of milk tea, and my foot soaked in the milk tea foot spa.

Playgroup and Marriage

There is a plot in Extreme Motherhood: Jackie brings her toddler daughter Saoirse to playgroups. She finds it is pointless because the kids even do not play with each other in this age, they just practise what the expert called "parallel play" - "ignoring each other and carrying on in their own little world" - this is what she says.

So, Jackie supposes playgroups are actually the preparatory class of MARRIAGE.

This woman really gets a brain!!

Talking about preschool learning, I do not have a concrete planning about how to cultivate Lucas. Frankly, I do not have great interest to spoon-feed my sons all those super intensive talent developing classes. No one sent Einstein to any of these institution, he was still a genius. You see what I mean?

陽光男孩

有時相片唔駛太清,要有feel ,陽光永遠係最自然的光源.

Milk production in downward trend

I resumed work last than a month, my milk production has already slipped gradually from 1200 ml per day to 700ml this week.

Tiredness is the key reason of the reduction.

Which may not be bad, at least it is still enough for Linus's consumption, with the provision of reserved milk I save in past two months. And I suffered lesser from breast engorgement.

With the reference of last experience, I would not force myself too harsh, but I wish I could generate breast milk for 6 months.

Folding

Linus is very very chubby... I just realize it brings a small problem...

This afternoon, my domestic helper found a little wound at the "fold" hiding in his neck. As Linus is too cheeky, moisture is easily trapped under his neck, and then with the mix of sweat and bacteria, a mild infection caused.

Luckily it is very easy to alleviate, we just need to apply some baby powder around his neck, have a thorough clean after every feeding, and let his head tilt a bit backward when lying on our thighs for better 'ventilation'.

Big Big cheek Linus

Linus has good appetite, he could drink 150 ml per feeding.

I think he is one of the fattest premature babies. My sister said his cheeks could not resist the force of gravity, which are closer to the ground than his chin.

It is worth for me to continue expressing breast milk.

*******
I joked with Samantha that I am running a dairy product business. I have sophisticated systems of expressed breast milk production, which include:

• Production - we invest the best machinery (the cutting edge Medela swing pump), the around-the-clock milk production everyday.


• Storage - milk that would be consumed within a day would be stored in the fridge. I produce approximately 1200ml a day. The surplus milk would be frozen and saved in a freezer. Currently we have around 100 packs of frozen milk bags. Inventory check twice a month.


• Transportation - A reliable cooler with ice packs to keep milk I generate in office to maintain its freshness.

Plus the systems are flexible and adjustment is possible according to consumer (Linus and Lucas) needs.

Okay, I have breastfed Linus for almost 4 months, just 2 more months to go. Hope it can be accomplished.

Happy birthday Lucas

Today is Lucas's birthday. We had held birthday partIES in past two weeks, one with my parental family, another with my in-laws. We are on behalf of him to donate part of his birthday red packet to Sichuan.

If you ask him how old he is, he will tell you he is TWO years old.

How do you define "AFFLUENCE"? When I look at my two happy healthy kids, I feel I am an affluent person!

Yuen Look-alike Meter

MyHeritage: Family trees - Genealogy - Celebs - Collage - Morph

See? Technology tells the truth, hahahha.

Coming up, testing Linus in the next entry.

I bite you

I was wrestling with Lucas during dinner. He refused to eat but demanded to get food from all dishes. If I tried to deliver a small piece into his mouth, he just pushed my hands away.

I was furious then punished him. He was forced to stay in a little carpet for 2 minutes. He cried and struggled. After the punishment, he was willing to sit still and ate a little bit more. After the meal, I wanted to hug him again, but he just rushed to Daddy.

I felt quite exhausted and desperate. Maybe I was a bit moody, I just thought too much... I worried I would not be able to communicate with my sons when they reach adolescence, and I could not manage their radical and rebellious behaviours partly due to the enormous hormonal changes inside their bodies?

Tears dropped and crawled down my face.

After awhile Lucas came back to me, I held him tight. We watched Playhouse Disney together, Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck were speaking English. I understood Mickey perfectly but I could not hear even a word from Donald... Well, was he speaking human language? I wonder.

It was time to feed Linus. I was holding this chubby angel, he could drink more than 5 oz. each time. After the feeding, I talked, sang and massaged him. He was a cheerful and simple baby, he smiled back to me always. How could I take my eyes off him? He was just too adorable.

It was sleeping time of the kids, I said "I love you" and kissed their foreheads and lips. Lucas could not pronounce "love" correctly, instead, he replied "Mommy, I bite you!" and smiled sheepishly.

Oscar

We used to bring Lucas to one restaurant in our neighbourhood for casual meals during weekends. There is a waitress likes him a lot, but every time she mistakenly calls him Oscar instead of Lucas. I just feel too embarrassed to correct her.

I construct a scene in my mind, like those plots in melodrama - Lucas, the young man who goes back to his hometown when he has grown up, all old neighbours who knew him since he was a child recognized him. A old lady came over and held this young men's hands tight, then said, "Oh Oscar, so nice to see you again!! Wow, you are so tall, I still remember how you looked when you were a toddler...." Lucas plasters a freak broad grin on his face, he is too embarrassed to tell this lady that his real name is Lucas...

I am a breadwinner!

After longer than 3-month maternity leave, I have resumed my work this Monday.

The feeling was not that fluctuating as last time when I was just a mother of one kid. Now I still missed my two angels, but I did not feel desperate, I know I can contribute my family in various ways.

My mom visited my babies everyday to ensure everything is on the right track. My nanny is also very helpful. Mom told me that Lucas talked to her and said "Mommy goes for work and Daddy goes for work". He is a very mature baby.

Anyway, I am happy to be one of the breadwinners in my family.

I always want to protect you

Linus was a premature baby and that is why I always feel he is very delicate and fragile.

I always make him curl his body and embrace him tight in front of my chest, which is like the pose he was in my tummy.

I love this photo, it is a bit out focus but I still love it.

He is so bossy

I can't believe I listened to him...

Lucas wanted me to wear a pair of wedge when I was going to put my feet into the sandals. I turned down his suggestion politely, then he whined.

Then I gave in. I went out with those wedges.

When had he became my personal stylist??

Every time before we go out, we let him to decide what pants and shoes he can wear that day.

Jeans are always his first choice.

Between sandals and sport shoes, he usually cannot make up his mind. However, once he has made the decision, do not try to change it, he will never give in....

Oh my goodness, how come I gave in then??

New hair cut

Finally, we convinced Lucas to have hair cut in salon.

He managed to sit on my laps and stayed still when the stylist trimmed hair at the top. However, when the scissors slided near his ears, he struggled and screamed for rescue. Then we had no other choice but to hold his head with some force and distraction to allow the stylist to finish her job. Thanks god it did not spend too much time.

See Lucas's new hair style, isn't it nice?

We treated him a cup of ice milk tea afterward, you cannot imagine that it is his favourite.

******

Recently, Lucas loves singing, his 'play list' includes ABC, My Bonnie, Twinkle Twinkle Little Star and Row Row Row your boat.

This morning he sang ABC with me and woke Jeff up. How sweet!!!

Mammal

I find myself expressing breast milk. I am amazed by the fact that I am really a mammal. I can feed my babies by the milk generated from my body.

Every time when I look at Linus's chubby face, I could not help not to squeeze it gently.

He can now interact with people, if you talk with him, he will reply 'ah' or 'un-gu', which sound like angelic melodies.

And his tooth-less smile can melt me down. This morning when I called his name, he opened his mouth big and curled up a little bit, then I kiss him on his lips.

Linus I love you!

Heartthrob-to-be

Watch out ladies, we are two handsome babies, are growing up to be attractive young men.

Dare to look through our hypnotic eyes?? Blink blink!

Linus is 3 months old

Linus reaches 3 months, he looks cute, is a big-cheek and long-leg baby.

Bubbles

All kids love bubbles, I become friends with some kids in my estate because I let them play my bubbles.

I love playing with children, their imagination, clarity and intelligence impress me a lot. When kids are in 3-5 years old, they enjoy babble nonsense things with you. Last time I chatted with a little boy where the car park of our cars were. He said his car park was in a wardrobe, I told him mine was under my bed. So funny.

When children grow bigger, they love to tell you everything they know, even you have no idea about who is Dave or Mia they mention. I always enjoy to be their listener, even though I do not understand what he/she talk about.

When you look through their eyes, you can see hopes and bright future.

Q&A

Recently, I love playing Q&A with Lucas, is silly but interesting.

For example:

Me: "Lucas, do you love apple?"
Lucas: "Yes."

Me: "Do you have any girlfriend?"
Lucas: "Yes."

Me: "Is Felicia your girlfriend?"
Lucas: "Felicia."
Me: "I ask, is Felicia your girlfriend?"
Lucas:"......" (avoids to answer)

Me, holding a piece of chocolate: "Do you love chocolate?"
Lucas, doesn't answer me, but takes my chocolate and puts it into his mouth.

Me, holding a banana: "Lucas, is this an apple?"
Lucas: "Yes."
Me: "Do you really know what is Yes and No?"
Lucas, with no hesitation, and replies loudly: "YES!!!"

Me, holding a panda: "Lucas, is this an elephant?"
Lucas: "No!" (sounds like I am a big idiot.)

Me: " Who is your girlfriend?"
Lucas replies the name of his nanny....

Me: "Do you know what is a girlfriend?"
Lucas: "Girlfriend??!!" (avoids to answer)

Well built Linus

See how well built Linus is!! Thanks god he grows into a strong baby.

When people pass by or when you are feeding him, he makes eye contact with you, or even focuses on you. It is amazing.

Starting from last few days, he loves to touch anything in front of him by his little hands.

Little brother, keep it up!!!

奶咀

成長，是充滿跌碰和挑戰。

我們正替朗朗戒掉奶咀。這對他確是一項考驗，因為他在我肚裏二十週時，我們己經在超聲波檢查時看到他啜手指了。

這幾晚他跟我們睡時己不用奶咀，這是他和我們睡覺的條件。但是下午時他不肯午睡，不停的哭和鬧情緒，我抱著他，看見他雙眼皮垂得不再低時，他又哭起來。

看著他滿懷心事的臉，我知道他要甚麼，但總要硬著心腸。

我輕輕地問他﹕「你是不是要奶咀？」

他的眼淚立刻收起，兩眼發光。

「但是你知道嘛，已經沒有奶咀了。」我說。

他怔著，像收到一個噩耗，說不出話。慢慢地他又想哭，卻哭不出來。

之後我亂編了很多個「不用啜奶咀的聰明孩子」故事，又唱很多歌逗他睡。最後朗朗雖然沒有睡，但他已經心情平伏過來，他樣子告訴我他已經接受這個沒有奶咀的事實了。

希望如此。

跑

朗朗近日喜歡跑。

每次"起跑"，他會先說一聲"跑"。

有見及此，我們常常帶他去跑步。正所謂"日日運動身體好，男女老幼做得到"。

"追仔"亦成為我們的日常運動。

Lucas's new book - Around the World with the Little Einsteins

It is a magnetic play set with a travel scrapbook of the team, 8 play scenes and magnetic stickers. Acutally it is suitable for children above 3, but Linus just love it, and he will not put anything that with no good taste inside his mounth, including these magnetic stickers.

The adventures are taken place in Grand Canyon in USA, Versailles in France, Tahiti in Pacific Ocean, Great Barrier Reef in Australia, Egypt, South Africa and Antarctica.

A great educational set, even for adults!!

超級難纏的小傢伙

我在說朗朗。

他要求的不是甚麼，只是要你24小時也陪著他。

陪，不是說他在玩時你可以在旁看書，他會幫你合上書並扔到一旁。

當你上網時他會爬上你的大腿，嚷著要看巴士火車飛機或Little Einsteins。你只好乖乖上google搜尋圖片。

我與謝菲被他弄得筋疲力盡，私人時間只有在他睡著的時候。

還未提及立立弟弟......

Linus's first outing

Apart from those body checks, today is Linus's first leisure outing, the very first time he left home and took a little 'adventure'.

We chose Sai Kung as the first visit spot. The weather was a bit hot by still nice. We could see the sea breeze.

It was really funny that no matter when we went, people looked at us in dismay... I am not sure if it is because we brought two really little babies with very close age, they wondered if we had not idea about birth control... Or the way I carried Linus was a bit odd in somebody's eyes... sometimes I carried Linus straight and let his head leaned on my chest... Or both...

I heard a old lady who passed by said, 'See! Now people carry baby in such way!'

In the afternoon we visited my parents. They were more than happy. My mom and dad did not want to take Linus off them... and at the same time, what I should do was to stay with Lucas and not let him feel neglected.

The babies are very tired and hoped they sleep tight tonight.

Beach boy Lucas

I should have written this blog earlier this week.

We had visited Little Aunt in Repulse Bay and spent an hour in the beach with Lucas in the last day of Easter holiday. He is really a born-to-be beach boy. What in his mind at that moment was just sand... He did not even look at those bikini chicks.

Jeff kept taking photos by his new lens, we were his models.

After we went back Aunt's home, I bathed him and let him eat chips and chocolates. In dinner time, he insisted to drink our red wine. I thought he would not love the taste once he tried. Instead, when he was having a sipping of wine, he knew how to rinse it in his mouth and felt the aroma, then he urged for another gulp.

Of course I stopped him at once.

After dinner, he asked for chocolates again...

He slept very sweet that night. What a great day.

寶寶們愛吃的食物

朗朗愛吃：

• 麻糬波波
• 蟹子壽司
• 紫菜
• 魚
• 火腿通粉
• 奶茶
• 紅酒

立立愛吃：

• 媽咪奶奶

川字掌及黑眼圈

現在差不多是零晨，剛餵過立立。

他是一個非常固執的寶寶，不只硬頸，背脊也很硬，如果他不肯讓你掃風，他會挺得背部像木板般，誓要躺下來。

看看他的手紋，是川字掌。媽媽說川字掌的人很堅持己見。

我的右手也是川字掌，我媽和婆婆也是。

三小時後立立會再肚餓，我要爬起床再餵他。餵夜奶最折騰人，我也熬出黑眼圈來。但是看著他越見脹鼓鼓的兩腮，怎麼辛苦也覺值得。

中大歷奇之旅

今早我們到中大崇基用早餐。坐在室外雅座，看著校巴經過，朗朗興奮得很。(還有，他目不轉晴看著行過的女孩，笑得很燦爛。真是虎父無犬子。)

餐廳大柱上貼有Ms./Mr. CCBA的poster。我覺得很有趣，很有Miss California或Miss Phoenix之類選美的感覺，亦顯現這所大學的兼容及多元性。

之後我們到了崇基公園散步，那兒像一個完整的小型生態系統，有青蛙，珍禽，毛毛蟲，荷花等等。

走到運動場旁的一段，我看見一名金髮洋妞兒在跑道上跑過，當我告之謝菲，他以為我說謊以戲弄他，他說那兒沒可能有如此美好之事。我再告訴他那女的是穿上bra top及短褲，他說我越描越誇張，沒有人會信的。直到洋妞兒再跑到我們跟前，他才閉嘴。

春天的中大很舒服，在產假結束前要多點去啊。

Breast-feeding

Frankly, I am very exhausted about breast feeding. As it needs much energy to generate the milk, every time when I express the milk, I am falling asleep. Sometimes I even wet all my clothes and the pump is misplaced.

However, for the sake of my kids' health, I shall not give up at least these first few months. Hopefully I can continue to breast-feed when I get back to work.

A huge challenge is ahead, hopefully I have enough strength.

Full term baby

Linus, why do you raise your hand? You can pee on your diaper and no need to ask for a bathroom visit

Finally, Linus reached his full term last week.

He weights 9 lbs now, looks exactly the same as a new born baby in full term, if not a bit bigger.

There is really no short-cut.

He is very chubby and a really huge double chin, sometimes I feel he looks like a Buddha.

Do you think he is handsome? He is very macho, I guess he will be a sunshine sporty boy.

.

朗朗的生活品味

朗朗的口味非常地道,喜歡到茶餐廳吃火腿通粉,喝奶茶.另一方面佢亦懂得享受生活,佢喜在咖啡室吃包,慢慢品嚐,邊晚邊看四周人和物.

U turn is better than no turn

Being a parent, I concern a lot about the recent flu outbreak, infants and children are the most vulnerable group of the flu infection in this spring.

We have executed several hygienic practice - wash hands frequently and thoroughly, stop bringing Lucas to playgroup/clubhouse and measure Lucas's temperature in every morning.

The government made good decision to close all primary schools, nurseries and kindergartens for at least two weeks, even though it was an U-turn they made, as yesterday the Health Chief Dr. Chow said the closure of schools was unnecessary.

Hope the diseases can be controlled soon, and all kids have happy Easter Holiday.

June and Annie

Now I understand why Lucas always hides behind me or buries his head into my chest when he is meeting girls, it is because he is interested in girls!!!

This morning I asked him which are his favourite characters in the Little Einsteins. When I pointed to Leo and Quincy, he said 'No', but when I showed him June and Annie, he smiled sheepishly, and he likes June (the girl in purple dress) the most!!

http://www.amc-music.com/Little-Einsteins/characters.htm

Blessing

When I am looking at my two little boys, I feel my life is full of blessing. I have two adorable babies, both are my little angels.

And Jeff, he is always my guardian angel.

How lucky I am!

Playtime

Prickly heat

Linus was having prickly heat (heat rash) on his face, chest and behind the neck in last few days. It is a common baby skin problem which caused by the blockage of sweat gland.

We then cleaned the affected areas by Avene spring water and applied a thin layer of aloe vera on face, and Johnson baby powder on his body where tiny red bumps appeared. The problem was solved within hours.

To prevent its reappearance, we then tried to keep his skin dry and cool. Now is 5:36am, he slept sweetly next to me after the feeding, with no irritation caused by the prickly heat. =)

119 lbs and 8 lbs

119 lbs is my current weight, I am having a very good progress.

6 weeks had passed since Linus was born. I have a final postpartum check up today. My body recovered steadily, and I can start having aerobic exercise. I am planning to jog in every early morning.

Linus reaches 8 lbs, is a sturdy baby. His face is chubby and looks like a marshmallow.

******

Lucas is very emotional these few days, all his big teeth are coming out at the same time, he cannot sleep well and is lack of appetite, on top of these, the arrival of his little brother made him jealous. He is very rebellious in last few days. I have no choice but lectured and punished him several times. Punishment is the last resort and I always try to avoid using it, thanks god it works and he behaves very good today, and I can revive the praise tactic - highlight and appreciate his good conduct in an exaggerating way. Cheerful smile is shown across his face again!!

三月IM Icon

Handsome Linus

Linus has a pair of big eyes, honey tone skin, chestnut colour hair, and neat eyebrows.

Weight-losing progress

I have burnt out around 15 pounds of fat within this month. My current weight is 121lbs. A very good progress.

Breast-feeding surely helps me a lot, and my little secret - Cindy Crawford A New Dimension DVD guided me back into shape progressively. It is my good workout 'friend'. I have owned it for many years. I did this workout everynight before my wedding (even it is a post-natal workout, I didn't know why I chose it at that moment), and also helped me to get back into fitness after the first child birth.

Hope I can be slender again soon.

Can you see any difference?

The upper one is Lucas in his first month, the bottom one is Linus. I took this picture this morning. I think even I cannot distinguish which picture is from who when I get older.

Little Einstein's temptation

I am now sitting in front of the desktop, two browsers are showing, one is this blogger, another one is Little Einstein's website.

Lucas is sitting on my laps, he loves to attach me every minute. He always says 'Little Einstein', either pointing to the TV or walking to the computers.

I don't let him watch too much TV, but I have no choice when I am using computer, to let him stick with me, and find something to entertain him. Frankly, I am totally bored to the website because this morning is the thousandth time browsing there, but Lucas is still very enthusiastic to it.

Lucas loves Miffy when he was very young, then Noddy, now he is so sophisticated and chooses to be Little Einstein's fan. It is interesting that he is humming those famous classical music when he is happy.

Er... Q3 boy again sometimes

Well.... Linus sometimes cries for milk at the third hour after the last feeding. Don't worry, it doesn't mean he drinks lesser, instead, the amount of milk reaches 4 oz. (110ml) per feeding. We are a bit shocked. His appetite is actually more than a full term baby now.

This baby always surprises people.

Lucas enjoys an English play group

Lucas attended his first English play group this afternoon, which organized in the club house of our estate.

The teacher is a Caucasian young girl, there are three other kids in the class.

Lucas did not feel comfortable in the first song singing session, but he loves the book reading session a lot. The teacher taught all about colours, Lucas could speak all colour names in the little book and everyone praised him, he was the best in the class and the teacher gave him that book as a gift (but it was collected after the class).

After that, Lucas becomes more confident and open to others. He even waved bye-bye to two complete strangers who just passed by, when we walked back home.

Encouragement is a key driver of learning for children.

Q4 Boy

Linus was a Q3 boy in hospital - His feeding time is in every 3 hours. Most other full term babies are instead Q4 babies, their feeding time is in every 4 hours because they are bigger and with better sucking ability.

Today, Linus becomes a Q4 boy, because he can drink 90ml (more than 3 oz.) in every feeding. Great!!! That means he is growing very well, and at the same time, he is glowing. You can see his video as below!!

Linus is doing well

Linus came back home more than one week. He is in good shape, with good appetite, and now reached 2.6kg.

This morning I discovered he had a little double chin!!

Well done Linus!

Lucas loves singing

Lucas loves to sing when he is happy. He used to sing ABC song, but recently, I find that he sings 'I swear'...

His voice is so tender when singing this song. Even though 'I swear' are the only two words of the whole song he knows how to pronounce, I am very impressed, this is one of my favourite golden oldies.

It reminded me that his cousin Isaac loved to sing 'That's why you go away' when he was 4 years old. He could sing the first two sentences - "Baby won't you tell me why, that's a sadness in your eyes..."

Kids are cute!!

I have two babies

Suddenly I have a weird feeling, I just can't believe I have two babies now. Life is a miracle, but for me, they are more than miracles. Even though we experienced all those hindrances in pregnancy and child birth, I know that God love me a lot, he sent me two precious little things.

Linus is gaining weight. He is 2.6kg now, and performs well in milk-drinking, since we have switched the teats from Pigeon to NUK. My milk production is excellent, everyday is a good harvest day. You see? The whole system operates in perfect harmony.

See these two young men in the pictures, I am wondering how they look like when they are 20. I will be no longer young, but hope that I still look fab effortlessly with good composure and great fashion sense, and they will be proud of their mother. ;)

Linus's 12th day - Getting heavier

The doc told us Linus can come back home tomorrow. Hurray!!!

Our room had been transformed in a perfect nursery room. The crib and all baby stuff are ready. Jeff had set a heater and a humidifier to control the room temperature and humidity. We had also selected the outfits for him. Everything will be fine tomorrow. Jeff joked that he will bring along his camera and all lighting equipments also, he will take loads of photos when baby is discharged.

Linus finished 80 ml milk in one feeding this morning, when I fed him in hospital. He surprised nurses because he can only have 60 ml/ feeding in last few days. A nurse said he is a good baby when I am present.

I am proud of you Linus.

Linus's 11th day - Getting heavier

I feel quite exhausted but insist to go hospital twice. Linus can come back home soon, so I should try to feed him more, under the guidance from nurses.

He is a good kid, could finish the whole bottle both times.

Linus's 10th day - I can feed him again

What a good progress Linus achieved. Today I could bottle-feed him by myself, he could finish 60ml.

This evening, when we were going to hospital with Lucas, the damn traffic jam trapped us on the road for an hour. Luckily nurses allowed us to see Linus even we missed the 'visit time'. This was the first time the two brothers met. Lucas stared at Linus from the window, and kept saying 'Dei Dei'. Seems he likes his little brother.

Linus's 9th day - Left the incubator

Well done Linus, he could stay with other baby in the nursery room in the 9th night. Yes he is still tiny, but you can see he is getting well-built.