87 seconds better

After my first 5K run in 2011, I was determined to improve my timing..

I know I cannot do too much.. but I tried. I trained by running 3-4K thrice a week..

And I succeeded.. at the Desa Park City Run 2012, I finished in 38 minutes and 3 seconds - that 87 seconds faster *wink*

The Desa Park City Run 2012 FINISHERS!
The boys are definitely my motivators :)

I’ve been bitten

I thought I had experienced the winter chills that was apparently a record 12 year low when I was in US in October / November 2011, but this time it’s a freezing experience in Geneva. Apart from the low temperatures of -10 to -18 degrees, the strong winds of up to 45 km/h made it quite unbearable!

I got frost bites! *Ouch! Ouch! Ouch!*
I really thought I was gonna loose my fingers. The pain was as if I slammed the door on my fingers...

I swayed as I walk...
I felt being push (from front/back) as I walk...
I felt chills on my teeth (whenever my teeth was exposed to the cold air).. *brrrr*

Nevertheless, I enjoyed myself *wink*

In a quandry

... whenever I travel.

My business travels have affected the boys when they were little (less than 2 years old). Now as they grow older, I believed they will able to handle my absence better.
Usually, my business trips last a week.. but the most recent trip to US was for about 3 weeks! before, during and after that trip, I didn't see any issues from them. Phew!

After the 3-weeks US trip just 2 months ago, I told them that I will be away for another 2 weeks in Geneva. Aaron and Dylan were oblivious to my long absence.. considering that they are too young to note the number of days involved. On the other hand, I didn’t think that it would be any issue with Thytus and Nixon since they are bigger now. Nevertheless, since two weeks before my trip, both them took turns to ask me when would I be leaving..and kept telling me that they would be missing me. I didn’t take it literally... assuming that they are emotionally robust at the age of 8 (in 2 months) and 7 (in two months)... and fondly reciprocated that I would miss them too..

However, I was brought to shock on my journey to the airport when Nixon was tearing all the way! Thytus just sat in car being really quite throughout the journey...

The initial plan was to just drop me off since it was already 9.30pm and that I only had enough time to check in and walk to the gate. But after seeing the boys in that condition, I told apps that I will bring Thytus and Nixon with me to check in and will bring them out when I am done, while he waits in the car with Dylan and Aaron.. (Aaron was already sleeping.)

The boys were in luck that my flight got delayed by 1/2 hour. So after check-in, I suggested to apps that we have dinner before they said good bye.. and apps agreed.

But still, we couldn’t avoid the fact that I will be boarding soon... can't I? As I hugged to say goodbye, I was so afraid that the boys would get emotional again. I embraced Thytus lightly.. assuming he wasn’t into hugs (since he is too shy to say ILU (our code for I love you) or give me a peck in school (unlike Nixon), but will do it at home).. but in return, I got a real long hug! *sigh* Nixon looked better after the extra time with me.. after kissing all of them bye, I headed to the gate.

I checked with apps on how the boys were after I left.. and he said that Nixon was tearing all the way home again...

I was wrong to think that the boys were growing up and wouldn't be missing me... *sigh* It's gonna make it more difficult for me to leave them on each of my future travels.

First 5K

When I was young, I used to follow appa on the walkathon events that he participated in. He would finish his run and make the second round to walk beside me.. cheering for me all the way to the finish line.

As I was growing up, life got busy.. and appa didn't join much of these events. I wasn't much of an athlete too.. Joined all sports in school and just managed to represent the RED house in some events e.g. 4 x 100m, 4 x 200m, shot put, high jump and javelin throw. Now, I just exercise on the treadmill, doing 3-5 km three times a week (possibly).

Since the boys started joining the running events, I got interested. Why not try? I thought. If I can run indoors.. why not outdoors? And I can be their source of encouragement too *wink*

So, in the next event that the boys participated in the kids run, I registered myself for my first run - a 5km run! And guess what, not only did I finish the run, I finished the 5 km 11 minutes faster than I can do indoors! I clocked 39 minutes and 30 seconds!

the FINISHERS with their medals

Lovely minutes with him

I have a few minutes to spare...

I see him sleeping,
curled and cute.
I sneak up next to him,
sharing his comforter.
I feel the breath,
so warm and gentle.
He didn’t realize that I am here! *sigh*

I inched closer to him.
His fingers gently brushing my nose.
My arm wrapped around his warm body.

I know he can feel my breath,
I know he can feel my warmth,
I know he can feel me...

coz'
I feel the fingers moving,
gently brushing my nose.
I feel his body moving,
Getting comfy in my cuddle.
Aaah, he knows I’m here!

As much as I am tempted,
to stay with him,
to sleep next to him,
to feel him.

I had to leave him...
to sleep by himself,
to enjoy his slumber,
as I had to go to work! *argghhh*

It's ok,
I’ll see ya tonight, baby! *wink*




I have the best...

... husband in the world!

In response to my love note of thanks, my loving husband actually replied my post with another love note...

Star Light, Star Bright,
U r the star that lit my life,
U brought the brightness in my life,

This is the little I could do,
For the star that brought light & brightness in my life,

Star Light Star Bright,
I will give my world,
To keep the star lit & bright,
I will continue doing this little things,
To keep the star lit & bright.

Star Light Star Bright,
I may, I might,
No ..
I will always fulfill your wishes !

How sweet... *melt*

I love his spontaneous poems (he has written some short ones in his SMSs to me). It's cute, it's funny, it's lovable.. just like him!

I love you baby..

He fulfilled my wish!

Star light, star bright,

The first star I see tonight;

I wish I may, I wish I might,

Have the wish I wish tonight.

Star light, star bright,

It was the wish I made that night;

I wish I may, I wish I might,

Watch AR Rahman on-site.

Star light, star bright,

He noted that wish I recite;

He wish he may, he wish he might,

Make the wish right.

... and he did!

Tickets in hand. Had a great show. Left us contented!

Thank you baby!

For pictures, click here.

You are amazing...

... because, day after day you continue to amaze me!
You always do whatever it takes to be the...

BEST husband!
BEST father!
BEST son!
BEST son-in-law!
...

He (hubby) sat down with the boys and me to work on this Valentine's art & craft for the boys grandparents (both our parents). It was sweet that he forgo his weekend movie time to spend time with us...

I love you baby...
not because of what you have, but because of what I feel for you.


I care for you baby...
not because you need care, but because I want to.


I'm always here for you baby...
not because I want you to be with me, but because I want to be with you!

The butterflies of love that the boys and us created for their maternal and paternal grandparents.

Different answer

“Do you love me?” I asked Aaron.
“I love appa” he answered. Hmmpphh! I knew that.. since he is appa’s chellam. But I had to continue bugging him :)
“You don’t love me?” *pause* “I love you!” I replied.
“I love amma..” he said. Phew! *relieve*
But he didn’t stop there.. unlike his brothers, Aaron continued..
“I love anna, I love chinna anna, I love chella thambhi..” *touched*

On my special day

As I enjoy this special day, I forget to note that I am a year older today! I always forget how old I am.. You ask me my age, and I have to actually calculate it!

For the first time, I am away from home on my birthday.. far away from my loved ones. I am all the way in Hong Kong on a business trip!

I am usually on leave on birthday, but this time I am WORKING!

Nevertheless, I am..

.. loving the wishes from family and friends
.. looking forward to my conference call with my sons tonight
.. loving the cool weather in Hong Kong
.. looking forward to a great work day

Most of all, I thank God for the blessings he showers on me. I am blessed to have a great family, wonderful friends and superb life!

Bonding with him

One of the gifts from the 25 Days to Christmas count down was a DVD - the Sorcerer’s Apprentice. Thytus watched the movie at appayee’s (paternal grandma) house while I was at work.

When I asked him how the movie was, he said, “The movie was good. Amma… you should watch the movie with me.”

I said lovingly agreed to comply.

Last night, I asked him to put on the DVD while I was checking my mails on my laptop.. in front of the TV. The movie began.. and in between of scenes that I missed, I asked him what just happened and he did take pleasure in answering me.

After a couple of times bugging him, he finally told me, “Amma, I think you should just of the laptop and watch the movie with me. Then you don’t have to ask so many questions.. you will know what is happening..”

Ooopps!

I shamefully complied.. immediately.

At the end of the movie, I was pleased that I spent a solid 2 hours (with no distrations) watching the movie with my son. I felt good!

It means a lot to them

Usually, apps and I bid bye in the mornings with a kiss. As I was rushing out on Monday morning, we forgot to kiss goodbye.

Just as I took the corner near the house, Nixon reminded me that apps and I didn’t kiss. I was taken aback that he took note of our practice and that he was disturbed that we forgot about it!

Not too far from the house, I remembered that I forgot to take something. So, I made a u-turn to go back home and get it. When Nixon knew I was going back home, he immediately said, “Now you can go back and kiss appa!”

When I got back, I had to call apps out for the kiss, and I could see Nixon beaming with a broad smile. *phew*

I realize that the family traditions that we have instilled in the boys means a lot to them. Nowadays, when I speak to them over the phone, they never fail to say ILU amma. But if they do, and if they have passed the receiver to the other sibling, they will insist that they speak to me again, just to say “ILU amma”.

I’ll always be there

I casually asked Thytus.. “This Friday is ur sports day. Are parents supposed to come?”

“Parents wanna come also can come.. Parents don’t wanna come also can don’t come” he said.. and continued, “But I want you to come!”

Just the two of us

Apps and I went on our long overdue vacation to Bali last month.. minus the boys!

It was great trip.. a change to our daily routine and the time together was definitely worth it...

We should do this more often, apps!

Had a good chance to play around with my new DSLR apps got me for my birthday!

The pain of joy!

The night before.. appas and I were at a mamak stall having our supper when I mentioned that I have a 9-10 minute contraction.. little did we expect that we were gonna welcome the arrival of our first born!

We went in for my normal check-up at 37 weeks. I highlighted to my gynae that I had timed my contractions as 6-7 minutes early that morning. “Why don’t we check the opening then?” and when she did, “Yeap, you have a 3 cm opening. You can get yourself admitted today..” We were definitely caught by surprise as we were not prepared and I didn’t bring my bag that I had packed weeks earlier for the delivery.

Got admitted into the labour room at about 11.00 a.m. Knowing that I cannot bear the pain, we requested for epidural.. and thus, had to be bedridden.

Since we were planning to have our breakfast after the check-up, I was lying there so hungry.. (not supposed to eat). Apps did sneak in some milo for me as I was already feeling the gastric juice building up in my stomach.

After a long day on the bed, I was so tired. It was not easy to fall asleep with all the anxiety in the air...

At least, at about 8.05 p.m., the opening was 9 cm. The gynae and nurses were getting ready in front of me. They asked me whether I could feel the contraction.. and I said “Not really..” The gastric cramps overcame the contraction feeling! So, one of the nurse had to assist me and told me when I was contracting, and I pushed. Three pushes, and he was out.. Phew!

I looked at him as the nurses placed him on the cleaning counter next to me.. I smiled with tears of joy flooding my eyes. My FIRST born! And I couldn’t help notice that he has my lips.. a.k.a his maternal grandpa’s lips :)

Due date : 16 April 2004
Delivered on : 7 April 2004
Weight : 3.45 kg
Length : 53 cm

Introducing...

A shoulder to lean on

As I progress into my third trimester, the boys have seen me struggling with my weight. I have pain in the pelvic area, and, usually, by the end of the day, I tend to drag myself to move around.

I was touched by my sons thoughtful gesture...

Thytus and Nixon asked me why am I moving so slowly. I told them that I am getting heavier and it is more painful to walk. Innocently, both (at different times) offered their shoulder for me to hold on to.. so that I can put the weight on them instead. *sigh*

This lending a shoulder thing came up when Thytus had a bad fall and he felt pain when he had to walk. So, I asked Nixon to lend him his shoulder to help his anna.. Learning to help by lending a shoulder, I get the same sweet gesture for my pain… *sigh again*

But then again.. teaching them to help each other can make me laugh too!

Nixon complains to me that anna did not lend him his shoulder. I asked him why? “I got this scratch on my leg, and it is paining.” I looked at 'the scratch' and tried hard to not laugh. All I could ask is for Thytus to help him, even though I couldn’t SEE the scratch!

Boringlah...

A few weeks back, I asked Thytus and Nixon whether they would like me to have a baby girl or a baby boy.. and they both responded "Girl!" together.

But when I came back from my doctor's check-up last Saturday, I told them that the baby looks like another boy.. and they went, "Boy ah?" *tone going down*

Yesterday, Thytus suddenly voiced out to me..

Amma, you pray to God lah.. ask for a girl. I don’t want boy lah, so boring. So many times boy, boy, boy only!

He just made me laugh when he expressed his interest of having a younger sister instead of another younger brother :)

I told him, "Why don't you tell God that you want amma to have a baby girl?" He said, "But I don't know how to ask.."

So, that night, when we were praying at the altar before going to bed, I started Thytus off with his prayer intentions.. "God, please give amma.." and he continued.. "a baby girl, not a boy, !"

His musical tone captures our hearts..

He wants the toy in anna’s hand, he goes amma.. *musically*
He wants the food in anna’s hand, he goes amma.. *musically*
He wants the drink in anna’s hand, he goes amma.. *musically*

The way he seeks our help to get something is too cute for us to ignore, and therefore, he gets it from his brother with our help without anymore fuss!

Aaron called out to anna first, and then appa. But suddenly, he forgot the word appa and only called apps amma. Miraculously, the moment we left the Annai Velankanni Church, he started calling appa again!

Nevertheless, he still calls out amma for all his request.

Loving you by the numbers

Thytus : Amma, I love you 10.
Amma : I love you 100!
Thytus : I love you 10 100!! *saying it by the groups*
Amma : I love you 10 100 1000!!! *saying it by the groups as well*
Thytus : Aaahh?! That is a lot!
Amma : Yes, coz I love you sooo much!
Thytus : *gives his amma a BIG hug!*
Amma : *happy sigh*