Staycation at Sentosa

Last month, to celebrate me turning 29, the hubs decided to bring us for a 3D2N staycation at Sentosa. Checked out a few hotels and finally booked a one bedroom villa at Amara.

Joshie as usual was besotted with the cake and sang a birthday song to me. After that, we used our forks and dug into the birthday cake just like that. Hehe, no need to cut since it's just amongst the three of us.

The bedroom and the living room are separated by a mini pool. That night, my little cheeky slept in a portable playpen provided by the hotel. No complains at all from him even though he can't fully stretch his long body.

The next day, we explored Sentosa, LOL. Walked up to Imbiah Lookout. Visited the insect and butterfly farm. Saw lots of Halloween decorations since Halloween was just a week away. That day, Josh learnt a new word - skeleton :) Hubby then decided to go on the Luge with Josh. Here is a picture of both of them with their helmets.

The best picture I could take of them going downhill. It wasn't very fast and the little cheeky enjoyed it.

In the evening, we relaxed in our mini pool before dinner.

Good time spent together as a family. However, we were disappointed with the hotel. The service and facilities were not what we would expect, from the price we paid. The main swimming pool was unimpressive, lousy spread of buffet breakfast, poor housekeeping and lots of mosquitoes swarming around!!! We will not go back there again.

Short holiday at Rasa Sayang Penang

The hubs has been wanting to stay at the newly refurbished Rasa Sayang hotel in Penang but we have always ended up at some other hotel, mainly because of the price. However, last September, I bravely went ahead and booked a room in the Rasa Wing (more expensive than the Garden wing). I told myself that we've not had a holiday this year so it's ok to spend a bit more =) hahahaha.........

There are additional perks for Rasa Wing guests; namely that we have our own lobby, fast check-in and out, all-day drinks (coffee, tea and soft drinks) and titbits at the lounge, high tea and pre-dinner drinks. Oh, and we have our own Rasa pool too, but children are not allowed.

Here's Joshie and daddy at the Garden wing pool. Cooling and shady. Mummy was lounging on the chair =)

A picture just before sunset. Joshie took this for us, with some guidance from daddy.

Our walk amongst the lush greenery.

Joshie and daddy sliding down the mega slide at the kids adventure zone. The adventure zone is situated at their sister hotel, Golden Sands which is just a mere 5-10 minute walk away.

Week 30

Preggo mummy with little Joshie at the waterfalls just before Halia Restaurant @ Botanical Gardens.

So far, weight gain is around 7-7.5kg. I hope not to exceed 12 kg by full term, which was how much I gained with Joshie. Feeling occasional aches in my lower back and bum bum thanks to the extra weight. Prenatal massage really helps a lot and I try to go once a week.

Baby #2 has been actively moving, especially when I lie down to sleep around 11ish every night. Hope he doesn't keep me up at that hour after he is born. =P

Child talk

We were having dinner at Bakerzin. I was still eating while Joshie had just finished his pasta. He turned towards me and said "mummy, I am waiting for you to hurry up."

After that, we headed to the car park and I was quite deep in thought. I knew he was asking me something but my mind was still not concentrating. He then said very loudly, "mummy, you are not clever like my papa."

Our first trick or treat

Halloween is not widely celebrated by the Asians, thus the hubs and I have never ever participated in the event. However, since we mingle with Westerners here, we were invited to join them in their "trick or treat". Bought Joshie a pirate costume from the newly opened H&M and also some sweets and chocolates for the kids.

Our little son posing in his pirate costume. Happily holding on to his pumpkin bucket.

Meeting his friends at the playground. From left to right, Gaspar the skeleton, Marci the soldier, Claire the witch and Joshie the pirate.

The group before we started. Eight houses to visit in total =)

Was fun but really hot, especially for the kids in costumes. Josh had his whole bucket filled with sweets. I only allowed him to eat two that night and another two the next day. After that, the bucket of sweets have been kept on top of our refrigerator. He asks for them but I firmly told him no. Maybe I'd give him a couple this weekend =)

Trial lesson at Aqua Ducks

It was a parent-child class. The coach sang songs to dispel their fear and she used a little bucket to slowly wet their face and eyes. Everything was done gradually. She encouraged them but did not push them real hard.

Encouraging the kids to lie down and relax in the water.

It was a very quick class, only 30 minutes in total. Joshie was crying a bit initially as he didn't want the coach to hold him, only daddy. We bribed him with M&Ms again =(. Luckily he was willing to try again and didn't fuss much when the coach put his head underwater for a second or two. He was offered a slot with kids his age and he is starting his first lesson really soon =)

How he overcame his fear

My little boy had no problem swimming in the baby pool in our condo. However, each time we drag him into the big pool, he'd scream, cry and cling to either on of us like a little koala bear. All heads would turn towards us and we would cringe in embarassment as the little cheeky hollers away. Even though we kept reassuring that we won't let go, he wouldn't want to listen and would just bawl.

Hubby and I decided that we need to brainwash him and explain to him properly that there's nothing to be afraid of. But that didn't really work too. He'd come out of the big pool and run towards the baby pool. I was about to give up and thought of trying again when he was a little older. However, in the midst of this, I received an email from Aqua Ducks, a swim school, offering Joshie a trial lesson. They would assess him and decide if he can fit into their programme. We have been put on the waitlist for a long time already and I was happy that our turn finally came. BUT, I don't think they'd accept him if he starts to holler away at the swimming pool.

So, we tried again. Brainwash him. Told him he's a big boy and there's nothing to be afraid of. Bribed him with M&Ms too. And the good thing was, his two close friends have already started swimming lesson and can swim in the big pool quite independently. I purposely brought him to the poolside to watch his friends swim and asked him if he wanted to be like them.

So into the pool he went again, during the recent Deepavali holiday. We tricked him and said that his friends are watching from upstairs. He believed and so went into the pool with little fuss. Had his arm floats on and kickboard in his hands. Daddy held on to his kickboard to give him confidence and so he started kicking. With each kick, came words of encouragement and praise from both the hubs and I. Soon he was enjoying himself and didn't even realise that daddy had let go of the kickboard. He was kicking on his own, with his arm floats and kick board. And before we knew it, daddy could move away and he was all OK. He was excited and didn't ask to go to the small pool anymore.

And then, his friend came to join him in the big pool. When he saw that his friend was swimming with just the swim jacket on, he let go of the kickboard too. I could hardly believe my eyes. Of course he was very pleased with himself and asked his friend to look at him too =) I guess peer pressure really works, even at such a young age eh?

My little boy looks so small in the big pool. The hubs and I are real glad that he has overcome his fear =)