Monday Made: A card for Papa

We celebrated the hubby's birthday today. We didn't manage to make him a present, but we did make a card:

The leaves from the tree were thumbprints from myself and the three boys (yes, even baby J added his mark), and the 4 little birds were again from thumbprints, which I added details to make them look like birds. The two older boys had lots of fun with the printing bit (I had to restrain Lil J or he would have been putting handprints instead of thumbprints!), and also helped to peel those alphabet stickers for me. Baby J was just pissed that we kept trying to open his little fist!

Happy Birthday, dear! We love you!

PS: We did a handprint canvas for the hubs 2 years ago. Then, Lil J was the baby and also cried when his hand was smeared with paint!
                   

Dec Daily: 2.5 weeks already?

With baby J's arrival, life has been blurred into this fuzzy dream, where day and nights seem mixed up. Its been this seemingly endless cycle of changing diapers, feeding, attending to the kids, snatched cat naps, crying kids. But there's also the nice bits: snuggling with baby, reading to the boys, capturing the moments the brothers are at peace with one another.

Whatever the case, I'm trying my best not to let my Type A personality get the better of me, as my to-do list grows longer and longer (next week we're looking at the hub's birthday, Christmas, followed by baby J's full month, Junior J's birthday, and Chinese New Year! Yikes!). All I can say is that we're slowly adjusting, and I'm learning to close both eyes and just do the important things. Step by step, day by day!

Thankful Tuesdays: Life with 3

Hello! The dust is slowly settling and we're trying to get into a regular routine over here, and I've started to get used to sleeping in bits and bobs again, while trying to feed this lil fellow. This week, I'm just thankful for:

:: God's faithfulness and all that He has blessed us with, and all the reminders that He gives us strength to go through the tough days!

:: Cool weather these days, and two lovely sunny days that allowed the two older ones to go out to play.

:: This lil boy who seems to sleep more than his two older brothers, which helps alot! And I've forgotten how cute they can be, from the bird-like noises they make, to the way they sleep all scrunched up in a blanket.

:: Lil J, who never fails to crack me up with the funny things he says, and how fascinated he is with his baby brother. He tells me when baby is crying ("J baby is crying!"), and always checks to see if baby is awake ("It open the eyes!"). He's still adjusting though (he's hit the baby a couple of times and hasn't been sleeping well), and we're praying hard for this lil boy.

:: Junior J, who has been most gentle with his baby brother. He is content to sit next to me, and tell me stories while I feed the baby and try my best to keep my eyes open, and tries to talk to baby J when he is awake.

:: My in-laws who have been such a great help at home now.

Life has been crazy, but full of blessings. Taking it one day at a time!

What are you thankful for?

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December Daily: No Christmas tree, no Christmas tree...

We've only had a Christmas tree last year, when we were still staying in Germany (since we were staying in the country from which the tradition originated from, it would be a pity not to have one!). All our attempts to set-up the artificial tree we have thus far have failed, for one reason or another.

Our decorations, chosen by the kids during overseas trips/visits to the Christmas markets.

This year, we gave away the fake tree (since Junior J has respiratory issues), and did think about getting a live tree. But in the end, we decided to do without, since it'll be a really busy month for us. However, we've hung up our tiny collection of decorations... on tree branches scavenged on walks. We're still hanging things up, so we'll see how it turns out next week!

December Daily: Back home

For the past two days, it was like being on a staycation: meals served in bed, being able to sleep without being kicked in the tummy by some little feet, no laundry to do and no poopy butts to wash. Clean sheets every day. I could surf the net without having little fingers banging constantly on the keyboard. The corridor outside my room was beautifully decorated with handmade Christmas decorations. If I needed any help, I just had to press a button. My main little companion slept most of the time, and any discomfort was bearable with painkillers.

Then we came home today. To a pile of laundry waiting to be put back, to toys strewn on the floor. To little boys who had all needed a piece of Mama before bedtime. To exploding diapers that you had to change on your own, and bottle washing. To tantrums and everyday messes.

But if you give me a choice between the two, I'd still pick the latter. While I enjoyed my "rest" and stay in hospital, it was a little too quiet. I missed the boys, and I missed home. So now we're back, and its time to try to get into a new regular rhythm. Meanwhile, I'm really thankful for all the help we've been getting from our parents (we opted not to hire a confinement nanny), and I'm glad the hubs is on leave for this week and the next to help out. We'll see how everyone settles in I guess!

December Daily: A glimpse of life with 3

The boys met their baby brother yesterday morning. They are fascinated with him, and have been treating him like their new pet: patting him and poking him, and then running off to play. It has been quiet most of the day when they are not around, and I admit I'm not used to it. That being said, I am trying my best to rest and savor the quiet, before we go home and the craziness of life with 3 little kids starts. We caught a glimpse of that yesterday: Lil J happily pressing the buttons that controlled the bed, sending me zooming up and down... chasing his new dump truck (his big brother present) and echoing "BACK IT UP!" with the truck... The room was filled with the noises of boys jumping on the sofa, boys fighting, a dinosaur show running, Papa reading a book to Junior J... while the baby slept through it all. I'm not sure how it'll be, but life is most definitely not going to be quiet. Or mundane. 

Linking up with:

  

Thankful Tuesdays: Baby J makes 5

It rained all day yesterday. And amidst the wet, dreary weather, our little baby J was born. Our third boy. Tiny and well... perfect. I've been trying to get used to carrying him, and I've forgotten how tiny and fragile they are when they are born, and how nicely they snuggle into the crook of your arm.

We are so thankful for a relatively smooth delivery, and for all our friends and family who prayed for us. And of course, for this little one, who now completes our family of five.

What about you? What are you thankful for this week?
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