First Overseas Trip

At the age of 8 months I had my first overseas trip with my family. We went to Hanoi, Viet Nam. We stayed there for 6 days, from 28 December 2013 to 02 January 2014, for a family holiday.

- my family's first holiday with me! @ Changi Terminal 3 -

It was my first time to ride an airplane. I didn't cry. I didn't make a fuss. In fact, I was very "mukan" (short form for Visayan word "samukan" that can mean cannot keep still and/or keeps moving) as Mommy and Daddy say it. It was generally an easy one except that I had wind in my tummy on our way to Hanoi. It was probably because of the plane’s air pressure. I think it made me slightly uncomfortable for the first few days because I can’t seem to have uninterrupted sleep at night (which I usually enjoy) until I was able to let it all out and pooed on the third or fourth day (I cannot remember) that I felt all fine.

- first plane ride -

- with my brother Hendrik and Gary the snail -

- touch down Viet Nam @ Noi Bai International Airport -

- welcome to Gondola Hotel -

- good morning Hanoi! -

It was also my first time to experience winter. Although there was no snow but it was cooold. The average day time temperature was 17 degrees celcius (but with cold crisp air) and the lowest temperature being 4 degrees celcius early in the morning. Good thing Mommy was prepared as she brought a lot of winter stuff for me – long sleeves, long pants, mittens, booties, beanie, thick sleep wear, etc. She even asked Ate Mitch, my cousin who is way older than me (and a year older than my Mommy for that matter) to buy me winter/snow suit from Zurich. It was very timely that Ate Mitch was scheduled to visit Singapore more than a week before our trip as the winter/snow suit she gave me kept me warm while we cruise the cold winter streets of Hanoi.

- my red winter suit courtesy of my Ate Mitch -

- with my brother, Hendrik, @ the Red Bridge, Hoan Kiem Lake Hanoi -

- family love -

- @ The Tran Quoc Pagoda -

- look at my brother! @ The Tran Quoc Pagoda -

- with Mommy @ the huge grounds of Ho Chi Minh mausoleum -

- oh, hello there! -

- smile... -

- my happy Mommy and I @ the Lenin Park -

- oh, I want to ride that too... someday... -

The cold winter breeze surprisingly caused me to naturally doze off while we were out and about. I think my family finds it funny that I was sleeping while they were exploring the sights and sounds that Hanoi has to offer. Oh well…  ;)

- I dozed off in the middle of our mini train ride despite the screech and the snort -

- thanks to the good 5-year old stroller (which has been to a lot of places than I have been to), Mommy can rest her arms from carrying me -

- fun time @ Gondola Hotel -

We also celebrated Mommy's 35th birthday in Hanoi. It has been a tradition to celebrate her birthday overseas as it always fall on the dates of my family's annual holiday trip. Lucky her!

- with the birthday girl -

- can I have the cake now? -

As our bodies had adjusted well to Hanoi’s weather, we were all sweating when we arrived at Singapore Changi Airport even after removing our layers and jackets. Two different places two different weather; and it suddenly changes with just a few hours of travel.

- "mukan" moves inside the airplane going back to Singapore -

- being nice to the girls sitting at the back trying to befriend me -

I will forever treasure my first family overseas trip. This is one happy milestone for me.  =D

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8th Month

Last 05 December 2013 was my 8^th month. I am a happy baby because I smile a lot now. Mommy always looks forward to seeing me when she comes home from work every day because I always greet her with my cutest smile ever.  =D

I have started cruising on my crib. I have also tried to balance on my feet without holding on to something. Since I am still practicing, I can only make it for a few seconds then I am on my bum or my face lay flat first on the crib foam. If I am unfortunate my head gets hit on the railings big time. I cry, but only for a bit. I am a strong and brave boy, you know. Even if I cannot balance well yet I sometimes let go of the railings knowing that I will fall down, but I still do it anyway.

Since I already dislike eating my baby food – Heinz sweet potatoes, apple, banana, etc., Mommy introduced Gerber graduate puffs. I like it because it’s solid compared to the former. I also like the waffle from Prima Deli that Hendrik eats for his afternoon snack. Mommy doesn’t give me much of it because she’s afraid my tummy is not ready yet; but I love it.

Another big milestone for my 8^th month aside from my first Christmas is my first overseas travel for a family holiday! Updates and pictures soon (on the next blog entry maybe)…  =)

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First Christmas

My family’s 2013 Christmas is more special this year because they have an adorable and delightful addition to the brood – yours truly... =D

 

 - Daddy Joseph, big bother Hendrik, me and Mommy Feona -

Mommy let me sleep at around 9pm on the eve of Christmas Day with the intention of waking me up at 12:00am for our family’s annual photo shoot and noche buena. But she need not do it because I myself woke up at around midnight. It must have been the extraordinary connection between Mommy and me that made it possible. I didn’t even cry. I just woke up and then a few seconds later I saw Mommy entering the room =) .

  - "I looove my teething husk" -

 

  - "I looove my brother" -

 

  - "My name is Fyodor..." -

 

 - family's wacky photo -

After the photo shoot and the delish food that my family and our friends enjoyed for noche buena, Ate Hazel sent me back to the bedroom and made me sleep again. That was a smooth, good and quick Christmas celebration for me.

- with family and friends -

Related post: Christmas 2013 (Hendrik's Blog)

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