If you are forced to be a fan of Playhouse Disney Channel for the sake of your kids, then you would notice that one of the previews they’ve been showing during intermission consists of Pocoyo and his friends dancing around to the tune of a fast classical music. Joel absolutely loves it, and he’ll do his jump-and-skip dance along with the music without fail.

At the end of the song, Pocoyo and his friend Ellie would bow down. Joel, who hasn’t mastered the art of bowing down, always tries to do the same. His way of doing it is to bend down as low as he can, until his head is between his legs so that he can see what’s behind him! And after 10 seconds or so, he’ll stand up right and does his very own standing ovation! Eric and I can’t help but laugh and clap along, it’s just so hilarious!

Hallelujah! My little toddler’s turned two today I made a simple cake and will be celebrating with just us five — myself, Daddy, birthday boy, big bro Eric, and little Ezra. I’m expecting when we make our trip back to my kampung this weekend that we’ll have another small celebration there like Eric had with his birthday.

I can’t help but compare him with Eric; Joel had grown almost like Eric was at 3! He can even fit into Eric’s shirts that I bought when Eric was five. Joel’s not fat, just taller and a little tougher than I’d expected. Not that I’m complaining

Thank you Lord for giving me a healthy and happy family. Many more happy returns to Joel!

Recently, one night, Joel vomitted. Three times. The next morning, he vomitted some more, and had diarrhea. Oh no, I dreaded. Was it going to be the same episode of vomitting and diarrhea that could wind him up in the hospital?

Diarrhea and vomitting are my two worst nightmares ever since I have my kids. When Eric was about 1-1/2 years old, he had a case of D&V so severe that he went into shock. Even thinking about it makes me teary-eyed. (more…)

My kids are at the ages where hugs are still abundant — they love being hugged and getting hugs. Eric would come to me for his big boy hug at random times, especially when he’s tired. Joel demands one every morning, noon, and night with such gusto that sometimes I would almost fall back as he run towards me and jumped, expecting me to catch him every time (do I have a choice not to?). When he’s not too excited, he’ll just calmly sit on my lap, grab my arms around him, and he’ll hum “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star”. Ezra… well, he’s still a baby, but what baby doesn’t like to be hugged? Ezra will either put his head on my shoulder, or be most alert, smiling and babbling himself away.

There will come the day when giving a hug to Mommy and Daddy becomes more and more sporadic, somewhat of an embarrassment, not to be given publicly. But that’s a long time away. I hope. I’ll take things one day at a time.

Joel had his head shaved while he was staying for a few nights at his Nenek Tuaran’s place. This is the third time he’s had a hair cut; the first one was when he was 7 months old, and the second while he was 14 months old.

Just like his big brother Eric, Joel’s hair has been growing unevenly, though lately it’s looking better. This should be his last shave-off, I hope. He’ll be getting a normal haircut from now on.

*Gondol is a Malay word meaning bald-headed.