Saturday, February 28, 2009

Swimming with Alicia


Swimming with Alicia
Originally uploaded by kelvin and chia yen

Janice went swimming with Alicia at the Ng's the other day. She loved it and paddled around like a pro :)
We have been having an activity packed week, visited friends, errands at the shops, catching up with people over coffee, all these are rare opportunities that can only be done before I head back to work!
This also explains why I haven't found time to finish up the "Four Months" entry. Oops!

Thursday, February 26, 2009

Good moRning to all


How much more blessed can i be to wake up each morning to such a smiley alarm clock? Janice is such a sweetie.

Monday, February 23, 2009

4 Months


IMG_1217
Originally uploaded by kelvin and chia yen


My little precious,
You'll be turning 4 months soon, but there's no 30th day of the month this week, thus I have the liberty to blog anytime this week :) In actual fact, you're already about 18 weeks. I have lost count of the weeks because with you around, it's hard to keep track because there're always so much things on my mind.
Time is passing so quickly. Oh you're up, I think I'll need to continue this entry some other time.

Ok, I have been trying to put you to nap so that I could sit and finish this entry. Now you're resting in your car capsule and I hope you'll have a good nap.

You're one vibrant little girl, very alert and very awake. You only nap for 30-40 mins each time and takes 2-3 naps a day, very little for a little girl like you. But Thank God that you sleep well most nights and will knock out by 7.30pm nowadays. You're adaptable and can go to sleep anywhere as long as we put you into your car-capsule cum pram which is really great because we could still be out for Life groups, prayer, shopping and dinner out. You sleep through with 2 feeds on a good night, waking up at 8.30am.

We saw your developing your verbal skills and most times when you're awake, you'll be trying to say something to us. You're also testing the limits of your vocal chord by screaming and yelping along with your smiles that you're so generous to give. You even managed a couple of decent conversations with Popo over the phone. The PD says you're gaining weight well, and is a strong girl which explains mummy's aches and pains by the end of each day.

You love being out and about, and many times you seem to be wanting to take in every single sight and sound. Yesterday you even amused Auntie Christine with your chuckles in the middle of our conversation as if you were part of it. Well, of course you are, you're almost part of every single moment of my life now. From cooking, cleaning to cafe catch ups with all your loving aunties etc. You're always by my side. You're also like a pouchy little joey in the Baby Bjorn carrier daddy (and sometimes me) brings you in. You love it! Watching, kicking, "walking", swinging and dancing in it. You will eventually fall asleep in it too.

Your favourite activities include kicking and batting the rubber ball, walks in your pram, bashing up your activity table and just kicking around on the play mat. You've also started watching "baby can read" DVD once or twice a day and you're especially amused "Twinke Little Stars" comes on. However you enjoy most when we cuddle you and smother kisses all over you, you just love it. I can tell because your eyes light up and you smile and chuckle to them.

One of the best moments daddy and I have is lying on our bed watch you sleep in your little bassinet. We can never get enough of the little smiles you steal when you dream sweet dreams, your squirms and stretches as you sleep, and just watching you breathe. You're beautiful and I wish I could engrave all these moments in and never ever forget them.

Little precious one, having you have made us grown. As much as God is developing in through the months, He is building our character up, more than ever before. Every day is a step of faith that I take, to juggle in being the mom and slowly growing in the ministry God has entrusted to daddy and I. I hope that with this, you'll really be able to grow to love God and His people, and that as a family, we can serve God more.

Thank you darling, you've light up my (our) lives. From dreading out of bed in the earlier months because of sleep depravity, I look forward to a brand new day with you. I look forward (haha on most days) to awakening to your coos and gurgles. Thank you for forgiving me when I left you to cry when I am ultra tired and not knowing what to do with you. Motherhood has been tough on days I battle with tiredness and neverending chores, and sometimes the feeling of lack of personal space. But your daddy has been real supportive and gracious to me, and you have been a real reward.

Love you darling, my little cheeky one.

Thursday, February 19, 2009

We were at our regular leaders training session last night and one activity I had to do was to imagine myself holding my own heart. What do I see? Many would see a wounded heart, with hurts disappointments awaiting for Jesus to heal. I asked the Holy spirit silently to reveal my heart condition and He whispered the word "emptiness". I identified with that straight away. Ever since motherhood became a reality, everything has been revolving around J. Her feeding times, sleeping times, bathing etc. The sudden busyness of ministry, shepherding, meetings were quickly replaced by these. I have allowed insecurity to enter. Doubts of my calling, and inability to impact lives and purpose became real. I feared that I am not out there "fulfiling the great commission". I felt empty not "doing" what I used to "do".
I am amazed though that as the Holy Spirit spoke the issue, He spoke assurance as well. I was reminded to accept my current call of motherhood as disciple making. He spoke that be it making many or one disciple is making disciples. Its not the quantity of disciples that matter. He has called me to this and the acceptance to the call made me filled and no longer empty.
I am going to allow Him to enlarge and toughen my heart this season so that in time to come, I will emerge stronger and taller for His purposes :)

Spot our little Resident

Check out her fancy morning hairstyle, which lasts through the day :)

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Desert Song

I just read this from a very good friend's blog and decided to "steal" it over (thanks vic ^__^) because it struck me real hard.

Desert Song

This is my prayer in the desert
When all that’s within me feels dry
This is my prayer in my hunger and need
My God is the God who provides

This is my prayer in the fire
In weakness or trial or pain
There is a faith proved of more worth than gold
So refine me Lord through the flame

I will bring praise, I will bring praise
No weapon formed against me shall remainI will rejoice, I will declare
God is my victory and He is here

This is my prayer in the battle
When triumph is still on its way
I am a conqueror and co-heir with Christ
So firm on His promise I’ll stand

All of my life
In every season
You are still God
I have a reason to sing
I have a reason to worship

This is my prayer in the harvest
When favour and providence flow
I know I’m filled to be emptied again
The seed I’ve received I will sow

I am a culprit of being overwhelmed in seasons of dryness and trials. Like now, I find it hard to look beyond problems and weaknesses. I need to be freed to break forth in songs of worship and praise for His promise of harvest stands true. In every season I will not wither but flourish.

Being a Mother

As I think back, I once again salute my mom. I remembered how her day used to be filled with activities for us (my 2 bros plus me), cooking, household chores (never-ending) and when everyone is unwinding in front of the TV after dinner, the ironing board is squeking as she irons our clothes. She is the first person I see in the morning, always ready with breakfast, and when we're all in bed, she is still packing up the house so that the next day will always be spic and span.

Here I am, groaning at the lack of sleep, and that my day (as in time for housework, ministry, etc) only starts after 9pm. Janice has been really good before and throughout our sleep. She used to be fed, contented and falls asleep on her own. But since she got back, nights have been quite a battle and her naps are also hap-hazzard.

I never thought much of what my mom has done except being tremendously grateful. But as I enter motherhood, I realised how much she has sacrificed her life for her kids. Thinking these help me put things into proper perspective, but I realised too that this pair of shoes is huge to fill!

Sometimes I still can't quite believe I am already a mother of a lovely daughter.