Cingjing farm

The first time I went there, I told my hubby that we should bring our children here someday. The lovely weather, fresh air and the cute sheep were all worth the effort of driving there. So this place was definitely a must-go this time round.

We set off from Taichung after lunch at around 1pm after we bade goodbye to our friends, who had so kindly hosted us when we reached the day before. We rented a car from 和運 and the drive took about 2 plus hours. This was the 2nd time we drove with the car rental company. This company was recommended by our friends from Taichung, for the wide variety of cars and the efficient and easy procedures. The 2 girls took a short nap on the way up the mountains and we had some peace. Haha!

Cingjing was known as Jian Qing (见晴） farm initially and I thought the name sounded pretty too! Since it was near the closing time of the 青青草园 where the sheep were, we decided to visit the 小瑞士花园, where the windmills and fountain show were. 

A leisurely stroll around the park followed by dinner at Carton King and then checked in to sleep early, i would say we had a pretty great time! Having young children sure inhibited us from doing much during the day, but I thought we had covered a good deal today! 

My dinner! 

 QQ sure had a great time! Eating and drinking stuffs I don't usually allow. Haha!

Look at the 2 sisters! 

 A shot at the fountain!

I love how nicely the toiletries were packed. All with sheep!

Going to the Green Green Grassland the next day!

12 Days 11 nights Taiwan and Okinawa trip

Have been planning for this trip since the beginning of the year after XX was born. Part of me was itchy with the travel bug, and the part of me wanted to go visit our Taiwanese friends, especially a good friend who had also given birth to her 2nd daughter! I simply had to go on an overseas vacation!!!

Since this would be a super long post and to make sure the quality of the posts would be equally good, I shall break down my writing into parts- Taiwan, Okinawa and post- Okinawa in Taipei. 

We flew by Singapore airlines and were very happy with the flight experience, considering that we had a 6month old baby and a near 3 year old toddler who could throw tantrums, surprising you at the most inconvenient moments.

We took the late morning flight out and reached Taoyuan international airport around 5pm plus. We proceeded on to take the high speed rail to Taichung where we would have dinner with a friend and then stay at Taichung for the night. We were super tired when we reached Taichung! 

My good friend J and her husband helped booked a super nice room at millennium hotel! The hotel was owned by the Singapore grand copthone chain and it was luxurious!! They were kind and provided a nicely padded crib for XX and even provided baby wash basin and a sterliser for bottles in the room! Thumbs up!

We had dinner with J at one of restaurants in the hotel with a magnificent view! However, XX was very tired as it was way past her bedtime so she was very whiny. I had a hard time rocking her to sleep before I could enjoy my dinner. 

Went to J's house after dinner which was a few minutes away from the hotel. WQ had lots of fun playing with her dogs!! Even XX was excited when she saw them! I'm happy that my daughters are not afraid of animals! This Taiwan trip was an animal- themed trip!

JB Uk farm trip.

In Singapore, there are a few little farms where we can go for some nature or wildlife experience. However, I sometimes feel that they are not "real" enough and too small scale. My mother-in-law had been telling us about this UK farm in Johor Bahru and she had been wanting to bring us there, or rather, bring QQ there. Haha! So we finally went there on a particular weekday which was meant to be hubby's birthday treat.

The UK farm is primarily a goat farm. The farm grows its own vegetables like mushrooms and fruits too. We did a 3 hour tour and stayed overnight at the farm. It was a distance off the main roads, which was great because it means that there weren't many cars, leaving the air fresh!

QQ was super excited about the trip! I had been telling her a few days before the trip to prep her for it. The moment we reached, she wanted to feed the goats and the cows! The grandmother had to bring her to the goats' dorm so that she could finally fulfil her wish. However, there were no cows at the farm. But we saw some along the way out when we went out to search for lunch! So, we stopped our car and hubby took her down for close contacts with some cows. After which, she wanted to feed some horses! She had in mind the animals she wanted to feed!

The tour consisted of a tour to the goats' dorm where we could feed them with the dried grasses that was provided. The kids were fed milk and QQ enjoyed every moment of feeding the kids. She was even brave enough to carry an 8-day old kid! After the feeding session, we were taken to watch how the workers collected milk from the mother goats. My, my.. the pumps sure remind me of the breast pumps I use, but of course they were much bigger and more powerful! If we were to milk the goats manually, we would have to use 7 to 8 mins. But the milk pumps only required 45 seconds!! I need something like that (but not so forceful)! We got a try at goat's milk and I didn't really like. Hubby said it tasted like mutton! The goat's smell was strong!

We visited the ducks, fed the rabbits, some deer and ostriches! QQ had so much fun that she kept asking for food to feed the animals! We skipped the part where they brought us to the orchard because i was very tired!

Overall, thumbs up for the farm stay! Little children would enjoy it especially urban people like us. Too bad XX couldn't appreciate it yet. She slept through most part of the tour, which was great for me. Haha! We would certainly plan another trip when she's much older so that both sisters can go feed together! This was really a great trip because QQ could get up close with the animals!

Cloversoft Baby wipes

Found this bamboo wipe recently on Redmart and decided to give it a try. I've been using a Japanese -brand wipes and have tried a Korean brand before.

The package looks pleasing- green and white, with polar bears. Apparently, Cloversoft is a local company specializing in paper products made from bamboo. The baby wipes that I've bought promised organic, non- toxic and non bleached wipes made from bamboo. Seems like it's the trend nowadays to have things made from bamboo. And besides, the wipes claim to be extra moisturizing. 

The thickness is about the same as the wipes that I currently use. The size is slightly bigger (yeah, there is more surface area for poo poo!).

I've ordered 6 packs and will see how it goes. Have already started using on XX and I like it already. The price is alright too going at $10 plus for 3 packs, quite affordable. I'd probably change to using Cloversoft from now on!:)

Busy Saturday

While we stay at home most of the times during the weekdays, we are usually out and about during the weekends. 

We started the morning visiting a cousin with her newborn baby girl at KK! It's always heartwarming to see all these bundles of joy. Babies are all cute!

I'm really happy for my cousin and am already looking forward to all the playdates that we can arrange for our daughters!

Following which, we attended Avery's first birthday celebration at Mandarin Orchard. I always find that other children grow up rapidly and why is my eldest still only 2 and a half? Haha! Nah, she grows up fast too, it's just that others grow up faster.

The ballroom was nicely decorated and at one glance, you'll know the hostess had the children in mind. There was a tattoo artist, a photo booth and a balloonist! The cake table was beautifully decorated and full of yummy food which are usually FORBIDDEN! It sure was a dangerous table!

QQ had lots of fun, eating food which mummy usually wouldn't allow that much and running around madly with her balloons! Seemed like a playground to her!

What about XX? Ha! She enjoyed herself very much too! Smiling at people, sleeping and feeding. Hmm, it'll probably be her turn to become 1 soon. After all, time zooms...

What a great Saturday! Already looking forward to the next!

Flying Books!

Reading takes a person places. You don't have to travel the world to know how it is like, you can always read up. Maybe because I've started reading to QQ when she was already in my womb, she loves books now. Reading is already part of our daily activity. 

Recently, I came across Flying Books, which is a books subscription plan. 2 books based on the gender and the age of your child would be sent via mail and they are like presents to your child! I decided to give it a try as I like the idea of having presents every month. Surprises every month, how nice! 

I like that how the Flying Books team took the effort of scripting personalized letters to the recipients. They would even check with you if you have the titles they were about to send. If so, they would replace with other titles. Both books were wrapped separately and they really looked like presents! 

QQ loved her presents and we have been reading the books a few times each day since the receipt of them. I'm now racking my brains on the activities I can do with her with the themes of the books in mind. Oh well, shall think hard, hopefully before the next parcel comes next month! Haha!

Now, whenever I read to QQ, I would sit XX together so that she will make reading a habit too in the near future. Their mother loves books and hope they will too!

Pool Fun

Took the girls down to the pool on a particular weekend. It was a long haitus for QQ ever since she kept falling sick with flu and cough. And we wanted to let XX try on the pool slowly.

It was a beautiful Saturday. Hubby bought a Hello Kitty kickboard for QQ and he was eager to teach her how to use it. How fortunate to have such a father!:) 

So we went. And QQ wanted to bring down all her "equipment"! Her arm floats, her float, the kickboard.. How exaggerating.. Haha! She had fun and we are happy that at least she wasn't afraid of water. Swimming lessons in the pipeline!

As for XX, she was a little scared (well, QQ was too for her first dip). The water was a bit too cold for her. I didn't buy swim diapers for her so couldn't put her into the water. Could only let her step and feel the water. My bad.. I forgot..

I think it's essential that the children know how to swim eventually. Especially here in Singapore where the weather is so hot! A swim every now and then would be cooling! And it's such a great sport! I'm already looking forward to the next swim session to try on XX's baby float!:)

Penang trip

We flew up to Penang to attend a wedding dinner over the weekend and I'm happy that everything went well!:)

It was XX's first plane trip and QQ's first plane trip as an elder sister. When QQ first took the plane, we were joking that children these days get to fly at such a young age. XX is only 3 months and there, she has just flown with us!!

Using the same method I used when we first took QQ overseas, I just latched XX on during took off and landing. Coming home was easy because she was asleep throughout. QQ did not have problems with the pressure and I was glad about it. At least it made our flight easy this time round.

We stayed at Eastern and Oriental hotel in Georgetown where the wedding was held. The room was spacious and the hotel provided a cot for XX! For all the times we travelled up to Penang, we hadn't ventured much. Same this time round. We stayed in the hotel most of the times. Only went out during meals.

We tried 2 places. Mew's cafe and Foomg Wei Heong restaurant. Mew's cafe for lunch on the day after the wedding dinner and the Chinese restaurant for dinner. 

Mew's cafe provides local cuisine. I ordered a Nasi goreng and I was happy with it! Hubby had a pie and I thought it was good too! 

Dinner was great too as it was a big group of us and sticking by comfort food was the best choice.

So now, we are ready for more overseas trip! This Penang trip was a trial for our bigger trip in August!!

Sick!

Yesterday was the 3rd time this year that I went down with fever. First 2 during the month of my confinement. It all started with QQ having fever the day before yesterday. Not sure where and from whom we have gotten the flu bug from. Being sick with 2 children is not a good thing.

The elder one would demand your attention while the little one was asleep. And all I wanted to do was to sleep too! Darling, I'm really weak. Could you please play and read by yourself today? And the little one didn't seem too well from her vaccinations and could not really sleep properly last night, waking up almost every 2 hours. Those were the hours that I needed rest the most.. Haiz. So basically a sick mother could not rest.

Feeling much much better today and took QQ out for a quick spin, left XX with grandma. Although I didn't feel 100 per cent well, I didn't want to spend my time resting at home. Wanted to get something done. Being unwell for one day made me feel as if I had a wasted day, I needed to accomplish more today! I love my children and would waste no time giving them my time once I'm well. Aren't all mothers the same? I hope we won't fall sick too soon again. It was certainly terrible!

The Rainbow Fish

Rainbow fish was the most beautiful fish in the ocean. But because she was proud and arrogant, all the fish did not want to be friends with her until she started changing her attitude and sharing her shining scales. Sharing is fun! This is what I want QQ to remember when I brought her for the play.

The show was impressive! For a local production, I was impressed by the stage settings and props. The fishes puppets were very well made! And the actors and actresses all sang very well! I, as an adult, enjoyed the show very much too! Kudos to I-theatre! I will definitely be looking out for more of their productions! 

Ever since XX came out, I've been trying to arrange for such outings where only papa and mama would take QQ out, hoping she wouldn't feel neglected. People always say that we should not forget the elder one in the midst of caring for the newly born. I hope QQ will remember and will cherish such moments. After all, she was our first love. Hee. 

Shopping with 2

Yes, I've finally made another huge and brave (I'd like to term it) attempt on bringing the 2 girls out all by myself! 

Decided to bring them out for lunch and then shop a little, after a short shopping trip with them both. Always scared that the little one would suddenly cry for no reason while we ate, or that the elder one would not cooperate. As it turned out, my worries were uncalled for. We set out immediately after I fed XX. Went to Paradise Dynasty at Westgate. QQ was super cooperative that day! We shared a bowl of noodles and some fried pumpkin slices. And all this while, XX was asleep! Suddenly, eating out with 2 without help seemed not too difficult at all! Haha!

Well, there'll always be a first time and subsequent outings would get easier (I hope). I don't want to be affected and worry and in the end coop ourselves at home all day long. I am planning for more outings, and I hope both of them can get well totally from their coughs soon so that we can visit indoor playgrounds! 

Having 2 girls rocks!:)

Happy Mother's Day

I love my daughters, very much. But I truly admire those with more than one child. How do they do it? 

Today was a challenging day. I almost broke down several times. Had to keep nagging QQ to clean up her toys, her mess on the floor. Meal times were big headaches too. Ate super slowly and kept fidgeting. Sleep times were bad too, always. Rolled everywhere and kept bumping me. Despite the numerous times I told her gently to lie properly, she kept knocking into me! The thought of going back to the workforce crossed my mind a few times today. Was that a form of escape? From my own children? 

And XX kept wanting me to hold her as she slept. Kept waking up from her sleeps.. Maybe because QQ was making far too much noise. Or too much sudden loud noises. Couldn't sleep well, so became cranky and wouldn't want to be put down. 

And so, how does any stay at home mum cope on days like this? I could have gone mad! I'm so happy the day has ended and both of them are now sleeping. The weekend is finally here! Hubby will be with me! He can help! For once, I look forward to the weekend ever since I left the workforce. Gosh.. Mother's Day is on Sunday. Yeah.. Happy.. I hope so..