I can’t get over how she has grown every time I look at her. Keira is a big girl now.

In her behaviour, her speech, her conversation and mannerisms, I see the glimmering of the person she is becoming.

I’m missing the baby girl already! Luckily there’s another one on the way to cuddle for another year or two. Hehe.

So at 2 & a half years old, Keira finally voluntarily gave me her first proper hug. She’s not a hugger you see. She likes to be hugged and carried, but never really hugs back.

Until today, when she wrapped her arms around my neck and said “I want to hug mummy.” It was a happy moment for me

She does show her affection in other ways. One night, while I was groaning about how uncomfortable this big bump is making me, Keira said, “Don’t worry Mummy, I take care you.” *smile*

Her increasing vocabulary shouldn’t surprise me anymore, but it still does. Her latest words and concepts - “Maybe”, “Could be” and “Later”.

And she has gotten the idea that when she is bigger, she can do all the things she can’t do now. Eg. “When Keira grow bigger, I can eat lollipop!”

Keira is still an eating machine. Some days it seems like she doesn’t stop eating! Everytime she sees someone with food, she’ll want to have some too. But there are some things we have established she doesn’t like. She doesn’t like durian. And of course any vegetable, and it is still a struggle to get her to drink water.

She is quite independent in some things, like wanting to feed herself and brush her own teeth. But she doesn’t hesitate to grumble for help with the things she can’t do.

She is as demanding as ever in terms of needing attention and interaction, and is still a bad traveller. I really hope No. 2 will be able to sit still in the car seat for more than 5 minutes without complaining!

Well, that’s the two and a half year progress list. Other than getting potty trained, (which she still hasn’t been) Keira is well on her way to becoming a playful, cheeky, talkative three year old.

And there’s nothing I can do about it. She is growing up too fast! Sigh…

Anyway, that’s all, Happy Chinese New Year folks! This is definitely a year for the baby Tigers to roar!

I had the longest conversation I’ve ever had with Keira last night. It went something like this:

Me: Keira, are you cold?
K: No, I not cold.
Me: If you’re cold, tell me and we’ll wear your jacket ok?
K: Ok, I not cold, later I cold I wear jacket.
Me: (Astounded that Keira knows and understands how to use the word “later”) OK.
K: Mama, you cold?
Me: Yes, that’s why I’m wearing this blanket.
K: I warm, no need wear blanket.
Me: Ok.

She’s growing in leaps and bounds.

So we’ve been here two weeks. Keira has gotten homesick once or twice, when she remembers all her toys at home, and Daddy at home, then she’ll say “I want to go home now.”

I sort of encourage it by saying “When we go home Daddy will buy you a kite OK?” Just to keep her mentally prepared that we will have to leave all the fun and games of this “holiday” in Australia eventually.

She wants a red kite.

I’ve taken lots of pictures and videos of Keira and Yong Hao together, but can’t upload now, cos of slow internet… will put them up later.

CY will be coming over in a week plus time for CNY, yay! Looking forward to us taking Keira around Melbourne, and showing her all the sights:)

Here we are, five days in Melbourne already. More or less settled in…

Keira was a very good girl on the flight over. No tantrums or crying or anything. She even slept for five hours on the plane, woke up just as we were landing.

And now, in my parents house, she has so many new things to play with, gong gong, po po, uncle and cousin to play with her and new experiences to enjoy, she’s not homesick at all.  This is like a holiday for her!

The only thing the change is affecting is her bedtime. I’m having ALOT of trouble getting her to sleep at night. Either because it is a different environemnt, and new routine, new bedroom, and Daddy not around, or her day is too exciting.. Keira refuses to sleep in her cot, actually refuses to sleep, full stop.

Every night, she only sleeps at 12am when she is so exhausted, she cries until she cannot stay awake anymore. Ai yo. And I have had to let her sleep in bed with me. So, this is something I have to work out… how to get a stubborn toddler to go to sleep?

In the day time tho, Keira is getting all the experiences I’ve always wanted her to have. Especially enjoying outdoor life and playing with her cousin, Yong Hao..

She has been gardening with my father!

Playing with Yong Hao.

And been out enjoying the Australian summer. Here she is at the playground with po po.

The weather here has been typically weird Melbourne weather. The first day we were here was hot, 28 degrees C. The second day cold, 10 degrees C!! Tomorrow it will be 32 degrees. so pretty hot. Especially when Melbourne houses don’t have air cond or fans built in!

Water is also an issue here. Their water reserves are so low, everybody is living with water restrictions. They have advertisments on TV that “encourage” people to only take 4 minute showers, and you are only allowed to water your garden on allocated days!

The weather is very dry and all the grass is yellow. If only Malaysia could send some rain over here. No lack of water problems in KL eh? I wonder if it is still raining every day there?!

I’m feeling the stress already. Less than two more days left here before we fly to Oz. And it has been so hectic, and I have been so lacking in energy, I have hardly been able to prepare for the next few months away.

Stress. Stress.

Not to mention other issues and demands putting pressure on me.

Stress.

Also feeling sad… as I always do, when I have to leave one place for another. Especially when CY won’t be around. Sigh. at least he will be coming over to Melbourne in a few weeks time for CNY:)

If only this baby inside wasn’t sucking up so much of my strength, and if only Keira was less demanding. And if only, alot of things…

Sorry, just venting abit here. I think you all got the message that I am stressed. Will move on to the photos now.

So. We had lots of good times this last couple of weeks with family and friends. Some pics below:

Having a quiet moment at a New Year’s dinner with Ah Ma & Co.

Meeting up with my Mum’s sisters, none of them stay in KL, but three of them happened to be here at the same time, so we had a surprise reunion.

Last dinner with William before he went back to UK. They were copying everything the other was doing. hehe.

Oh, and here’s a pic without Keira in it! Just me, CY and the baby (bump) in front of Pavillion.

That’s all for now. Next post will be from Melbourne. Hopefully no more 43 degree C days! Just warm enough for us to enjoy some picnics and BBQs again please!

Wow, it’s 2010 already. 10 more years and we can all finally label the decade properly and say we’re living in the “twenties”, instead of stumbling over the silly sounding “noughties” and… “teenies”?? hehe.

In 2009, I accomplished… nothing significant personally. Sigh. No new skill, no interesting career, still haven’t picked up yoga, or tai chi or any of those new fangled aerobic dance exercises… fitball?? zumba..?? Didn’t do anything that contributed to society either. No community work, didn’t write a book, didn’t change the world… zilch, kosong, nought(ie).

I don’t feel as if I’ve done anything in line with what Oprah - my inspiration -  says to do. ie. “Live your best life.” But, I don’t feel too guilty about it either

After all, I didn’t make any new year resolutions last year, so can’t be disappointed if didn’t accomplish anything! OK.. I do feel abit guilty. I mean, what’s the point of life if you don’t do anything with it?

I wasn’t planning to have any resolutions this year either - they are so… “last year” aren’t they? but maybe I should, just so that I do achieve something.

The only thing I’m proud of from 2009, is what all full time stay at home mums would have in common - their kid(s).

I’m really happy with how Keira has grown and developed. She is our little star - 70% of the time. 30% of the time she’s our little monster

But, as predicted 2009 was another year devoted to her.

So in 2010, maybe my resolution - besides bringing up two kids as best as I can - should be to do something in terms of personal development. Find some way to get part time work and earn some money maybe, or learn to sew, something I’ve wanted to do forever,  or at least attend a play or a musical just to get some arts and culture into my life.

I think as long as I achieve even one of these things in 2010, I’ll be satisfied.

Can this be done with a toddler and new born baby on the way? We’ll see.

Here’s wishing everyone a great year ahead! Happy 2010!