The Barney Bag

I walked by a pasar malam the other day and saw among other things, this.

Dangling amidst all the other "characters" was this super cheong-looking Barney. Stall holder said it costs $9. I don't believe it but I actually bought the bag. When I held it up to Gabe and asked him what it was, he replied "Barney!" without a moment's hesitation. Well, since the little guy can't tell the difference and grins from ear to ear when he's carrying it, we're all happy about the purchase *wink*. In fact, he even requests to "wear barney bag" (which we have to keep correcting to "carry the barney bag") when we do get out of the house. So on occasions, Gabe will be carrying his own change!

Doesn't he look like such a big boy with the "haversack"?

The Name Game... Again

So here we are again agonizing over the name to give to #2...

We spent the entire 10 months of pregnancy deciding what to name Gabe and miraculously came to a conclusion just when he was to pop. In fact, for Gabe's case, we spent more time laughing over what not to name him (English name). Credit given to derod for 90% of the corny contributions. As for the Chinese name, after mulling over for what seemed like eons, and given limitations like the mandatory "源" to be included in the name, we decided he should be known as 智源, the origin of which is taken from Proverbs:

16:22 人有智慧就有生命的泉源 and
18:4 人口中的言语，如同深水。智慧的泉源，好像涌流的河水。

Now that this one is a girl, it doesn't seem to make naming any easier. It's not that derod and I are incompetent with the Chinese language but it's more of trying to discern what the Lord has in stored for her, or what He wants her to be known for and hence giving a name that fits that purpose that He has planned. As parents, I think the participation of the child's spiritual journey begins here and hence the significance of naming your child.

And just when we thought we'd finally hit the bull's eye, we discovered our choice for #2, when translated into hokkien, was worse than disastrous. It was the kind of suicidal name you laughed at and swore you'll never name your child. *WAIL!* Now it's back to the old drawing board for us.

Blabber Horror

Gabe and I were scheduled for a trip out of the house today and after getting him dressed, it was my turn.

I looked through my wardrobe and declared to him in despair, "怎么办？妈妈没有衣服穿了..."

He repeated after me with "怎么办？妈妈没有衣服穿了！"

A few seconds later, he decided to have a go at it again and went "怎么办？妈妈没有穿衣服了！"

*FAINT*

"Thank You Mummy!"

I made macaroni soup for lunch yesterday and I must say it tasted pretty good. But what do kids know about good food? Anyway, this happened at the lunch table:

I was feeding Gabe his portion and somewhere around the middle of the meal...
Gabe: Mummy cook muum muum.
Cheoklet: For who?
Gabe: For Gabriel boy. Mummy cook food for Gabriel boy. Thank you mummy!
Cheoklet: Oh! *quite startled* Thank you for saying thank you. You're welcome.
Gabe: Thank you mummy cook food for Gabriel. (And for the rest of the meal, he repeated this sentence every now and then.)
Gabe: Mmm... soup is niiiiiiiiiiice. Soup is gooooood.

I was caught off guard that he could voluntarily say thanks for something that I've been doing everyday anyway. Makes me wonder if he'll say thanks to mummy for giving him a shower. In any case, I thanked him for appreciating my efforts and told him that it was really sweet of him to do so. Sigh... *face wrinkled up in emotion* so sweet hor?

Oh No!!!

Look what I'm doing already!!!!?!?!??!?!

And they are on sale.... **twiddles** Should I??????

House Elf at Work

Gabe loves to "help out" around the house and will fight for his turn at the mop or magic clean. He will even request for mummy to clean the house just so he can help out. He details to instructions of cleaning under the various furniture but mostly just runs around excitedly with the stick that's much taller than he is.

Busy elf!

Dragging the two packs around as if he's heading for a holiday. They were with him everywhere he went for half a day.

Gabe & Golden

Golden has gotten a status upgrade. Instead of simply being a sleeping partner (ie just lying beside Gabe), he's become somewhat of a comfort at times. I get amused at the various positions the two get into when I come in to check on the boy during nap times.

How on earth can one be comfortable like that?!

The arm first secures Golden before closing the loop with the two beloved fingers in the mouth.

Golden flat on top of his face. But Gabe tilted his face a little to leave some room for breathing.