Dear Kristen,

You're indeed growing so fast and there's so many things you are learning to do. It's so hard to keep up!

One of the new things you have been doing for a few weeks now is to feed yourself. It is a very messy process indeed, and fortunately, you're eating in the kitchen during the weekdays with Auntie Belle, so you don't mess up the carpet in the dining room. When you're naughty and don't want to eat anymore, you would toss the bowl upside down in your tray and create a huge mess. But when you are really good, you are able to scoop the food and into your mouth with no mess, and much faster than when you're being fed too! So, it's a give and take situation.

During the weekends, you would feed yourself too, sometimes. The TV is a distraction, so when previously I would let you watch the TV while I feed you, now I would let you sit at the dining table and concentrate on eating. You definitely enjoy eating!

See, here you are at Botak Jones' Bedok outlet last Saturday after our visit to the Bedok Library. It was just Grandpa Victor, Grandma, Mummy and you there. We just wanted a snack before dinner so we popped by for some fries. You loved the fries... although the fries got a little hard by the time it cooled down enough for you to eat. Mummy wants the fries would the chilli con carne gravy next time... Mmm.. hungry.

Yum Yum eh?

Dear Kristen,

I know I've not uploaded for some time... but I hope this makes up for it! It's such a cute video of you! Yup, you've taken dancing to a whole new level!

Dear Kristen,

Mummy had bought a bumbo off the forum for Baby Debbie to use. When Auntie Naomi was done with it, she gave it back to Mummy to sell it off.

When we got it back, Grandma opened it to give it a wipe so that the bumbo seat would be in the best condition when we sell it. It was so funny when you saw it and decided that you wanted to sit in it again! It almost seemed like you remembered and wanted to be in there again. The funnier part was when you could fit into it and you could get out of it as you liked!

Dear Kristen,

We were fortunate that last weekend, the weather was good enough for us to get to the Zoo.

I'll let the pictures do the talking. You enjoyed yourself... but again, we visited only one portion of the Zoo. It's too big even for a big girl like you to stomach in one outing.

And yes, you LOVE to wear your sunglasses. You wore them 90% of the time at the Zoo.

Dear Kristen,

On our first trip to Sentosa... We... did not go sun tanning. Yup. What Mummy used to do before you came around was to hop straight to the beach and burn up some skin cells, catch some cancerous rays and try to get her skin to age faster.

But this time around, after strolling by the beach, we headed on down to the Palawan amphitheatre to catch an animal show! Sure felt strange, but it was a good change from the Zoo's crowded shows. It was somehow more raw and more personal with the small amphitheatre and the smaller crowd. We got a chance to stroke a hawk, feel a snake and pat the husky that were all part of the show! What more, with the hawk zooming past us a few times and the wing's of the hawk brushing against Grandma's hair, it was a truly memorable experience.

We later wanted to go to the Underwater World... but we were too late to make full use of the complimentary entry to the Dolphin Lagoon... So we're leaving that to another day. Sentosa... We'll be back.

Anyway, let's hope for good weather this weekend. We're heading to the Zoo!

Dear Kristen,

Over the Good Friday Weekend (yes, another long overdue entry), you taught me about fear.

You hate walking on sand. You just think it's dirty and you don't like sand stuck to your feet. We found that out at the Jacob Ballas Children's Garden where you, for the first time experienced sand in your toes. This trip to the East Coast Park... reaffirmed your dislike for sand in your toes. But sure, you enjoyed being carried to walk to the sea... and you did not mind scooping the sand onto the picnic mat!

But mostly, you were quite well behaved at the beach because you did not dare run out of the playmat!

You were once afraid to walk on the grass. Felt different from the solid ground... and much more different from carpet. Now, you've accomplished more! You no longer fear walking on grass, so long as you reach the concrete patch in the middle that is! Yup. You are very proud of yourself for walking on the grass (fast) and arriving at the concrete patch at Granny's house!

Frankenstein and the Bride of Frankenstein. No Fear.

When we were at Tampines Mall after spending some time at Toys'r'Us. Grandma and Grandpa went to buy food and Mummy was hunting for a little ride for you to sit on so that you would stop running around. We went to many coin-operated rides but all were taken except for the one that had Frankenstein and his bride sitting on. Of course I was doubtful... I mean, Frankenstein is meant to be scary looking! But. Well. You were definitely not afraid of them and you kept poking Frankenstein's eye just as you would have poked Barney's mouth. Why fear?

Love,      
Mummy

Dear Kristen,

You have started trying to sing! And you do sound very adorable singing. Again, you don't like to sing when there are many people watching you... so all your little surprises are left to to the very private moments.

You can't get all the words, but you get the bulk of the song... and the tune and the rhythm too!

Some of the songs you have tried to sing...

• ABC
• The Grand Old Duke of York
• Twinkle Twinkle
• Wheels on the Bus
• How Much is the Doggie
• I'm a Little Teapot
• Row, Row, Row Your Boat

And... Today you have managed to do a big jump! Sort of. Finally you have managed to jump and actually lift your both feet off the ground and land without falling. It's quite a feat. And you're sooooo darn proud of yourself too. You would bend down, and jump! With a "Ouf" sound effect too!

Oh oh... and new word today: Octopus.

Dear Kristen,

Today was a good day. After a week of rain, the sun is finally back in Singapore.

After your afternoon nap today, we brought you to the Pasir Ris Park playground. You love the playground. Lots of children for you to look at and you love the sl-iiiiides! I bet you'll grow to love the playground more and more. It is one huge playground and only a short walk away from Daddy's place!

We celebrated your Great Grandma's birthday today too! It was at Carlton Hotel and although Mummy and Daddy had prepared the DVD player beforehand, you were so well-entertained and we did not need to use it at all! And you know what? You hugged Auntie Li-Shi without being asked to! In fact, you were sitting on Mummy's lap and when you saw her, you said "hug-hug" and leaned forward to hug her! Ha! We've found ourselves a new Kristen-sitter. You kept hugging her and you gave her a kiss too! So sweet ya.

All in all. It was a good day today... Must be the sunshine.