Happy Birthday, Daddy!

Happy Birthday!!! :)

Jeremiah was a.....

Kayla had her first public performance on Thursday with her class of preschoolers at her school's Fund Run spirit rally. Every grade level got to put up a performance and the preschoolers boogied to "Joy to the World."

She's the tiny second last one. Pardon the poor quality but it was the closest I could get to the stage and my Flip, unfortunately, doesn't have great zoom capability. Anyhow, I had lots of fun watching her. She even took a bow at the end of the performance!

Enjoy!

Snip, snip!

For the longest time, I've resisted snipping Kayla's tresses, apart from the much needed bang trims. Kayla, too, wanted to keep her hair long, just like a princess.

But with our time stretched so thin these days, keeping track of her hair ties and clips and taming her unruly crown has become a real chore. So I suggested a trip to the salon, expecting some resistance. Surprisingly, there was none.

So two days ago (Sep 18), Kayla and Daddy took a trip to the neighborhood salon (Googooli) that many fellow moms have given the thumbs up to. Kayla had a blast. Not only did she get to sit in a pink jeep, watch Elmo Dvds and lap up a lollipop, she returned with a sockdolager of a haircut. OK, that might be pushing it a little but I thought her makeover was rather fetching. The salon even gave her a "First Haircut" certificate, complete with a keepsake of her snipped hair. Neat!


Messy hair...

At the Salon...

Kayla with her first haircut cert

Pleased as punch with her haircut and lollipop!

A Special Bond

I couldn't be prouder of Kayla who has stepped right into those big sisterly shoes without much fuss. Yes, she definitely has her moments when she demands attention but more often than not, she's been terribly understanding and loving.

Just the other day while I was trying to rouse a sleepy Mia to nurse, Kayla did the cutest thing. She chirped, "Mommy, I'll go get something to wake her up" before running out of the room. I wasn't quite paying attention but when I saw her dragging her little drum set into the room, I couldn't help but laugh. She fished out her drumsticks and proceeded to pound as loudly as she could so her little sister would wake up.

Here's a snippet of the duo sharing a moment.

The First Hours

We were obviously better prepared this time round since it was a scheduled C-section. Here's a chronological photo re-telling of Mia's birth - minus the blood and gore.


We arrived at the hospital at 10.30am and waited as the nurses prepped me for surgery. The C-section was scheduled for 12.30pm.

Weighing station: The official numbers- 6lbs 12.6 oz.

The nurse checking her.

Still has gunk all over.

She gets her first bath in a sink and you can tell she's not liking it one bit. She likes getting baths at home though. She even smiles when I shampoo her head!

Clean and contented.

A drugged-out me post-op. After a brief glance at her in the operating room, I didn't get to see her till probably an hour or two later. I was in the recovery room with a nurse who kept prodding me to find out if the anesthesia has worn off and if I could move my legs.

Meet Mia

On Sept 4, Kayla became a big sister to little Mia who wailed her way into the world a little past noon. She looks a whole lot like Kayla and is a total dream baby. She sleeps well, eats well and has such a sweet little soul. In short, she's one of those babies that are really easy to love.

It's been a really hectic week since we returned from the hospital. Mia, like Kayla, also has jaundice (due to blood group incompatibility) and had to be re-admitted on September 10 for a full-day tanning session. Fortunately, the levels dipped and she could come home today (September 11), but we still have to keep a close eye on her and return a week later for another check-up. Do pray that she'll be well.

Kayla's adjusting well to having a little sister. In fact, she's been showing a lot of love to the little one. I know she can't wait to play with her. I'm still a little dazed from my pain meds and all that crazy running around so I'll keep this short and sweet. Here are some shots of little Mia Kay-Ann.

I'm also working on setting up a blog for both of them. Stay tuned. :)

She looks a lot like Kayla when she was a newborn, except Mia has a full head of jet-black hair with the cutest little curls at the ends.

Like Kayla, she spent a lot of time in the tanning booth.

Chilling out in Daddy's arms.

I'm a Girl: Mia arrived weighing 6lbs 13 oz, measuring 19 inches long with a 33-cm head circumference.

Thrilled with becoming a big sister: I think this picture perfectly captures her amazement and awe!

Showing more love to her baby sisi.

Even more love.

Chilling at home.

The obligatory feet shot.

For comparison, here are the Hong sistas side-by-side.