This is for Celia!

Thanks for the gifts... Couldn't button the bottom cos she's too tall. So I let it hang down... and realise that she's a hip hopper... just missing a big leather jacket!! Or she could be in the latest trend of wearing tights with long t-shirt/dress!! Hahahahaha...

Christmas party at the base

We went to a Christmas party at the base, which is a yearly function, but first for Valerie. Bought her a Santarina costume just for the occasion.

10 going on 11 month old

Time really waits for no man. Valerie is already 10months old... coming to 11months in less than 2 weeks. Alot has changed. She has maintained her weight since 6months...losing also a little after her bouts of viral attacks. Yet, she's still as heavy!! Haahahahaha....

We were trying to get a picture of her 8 little teeth and she's was trying to keep Paul's fingers away by biting on them. Look at that cheeky little face!

This was taken by Felicia the day that I was sick and she was here to help me out with Valerie. Look at that sweet, innocent face... See the contrast with the picture before? Hee hee hee

The last we measured her during her 9mth well check up, she was 28inches tall. See her reaching for the dining table? I hope she's inherited her dad's tall genes.

This last pic was taken last Sunday when we were at a flea market. She seems to just stare at the camera. And she knows when a camera is pointing at her!! Not camera shy at all!!

First handsigns

Here's the latest video... Valerie's first attempt at handsigns. Albeit we've been teaching her since she was 7months.... It's good to see some results... eventhough these signs are not the ones we'd prefer to see. In fact, in this situation... she should be doing the "more" sign (one index finger pointing to the other palm). But it seems that she's willing to only do the Twinkle and Clap signs.

Valerie's 1st video

Finally I'm uploading Valerie's video on the WWW....

I went to the gym today!

Finally, I've got my butt off the floor and went to a Pilates class this morning. It feels good to work out. My muscles have been hibernating for 10mths, and it was very difficult to wake them up this morning.

I've decided to join this gym/spa called Healthnut. It's a small gym, not like California Fitness back in Singapore where I was a member, and it's for women only. So no guys to oogle at or vice versa... ahahhahaaha... Healthnut also has Spa facilities & services like Sauna(free), Jacuzzi(free), Tanning, Massage, Facial and etc. I am quite attracted to the Sauna as it seems to have lots of benefits. It is different from other saunas that I've been to. It doesn't have to much steam, in fact it doesn't have steam at all. It's just heat. Tried it for 15mins this morning and will slowly work up to 30mins. The staff said that 30min is max and will see results, in fact it will burn 600 calories!! Real or not!!?? We shall see...

This place is more intimate and I feel very comfortable and relax here. People are nice and most importantly, helpful. The two main thing that impeled me to join this place is
1. They have childcare
2. They have workout classes - eg. kickboxing, yoga, steps, pilates etc.

I'm not a fan of strength training and stationary cardio, although I know they are important to losing weight, but having the classes is an extra motivation force. It's like "since I'm here for the classes, might as well stay for another hour to do strength and cardio workout.

Check out their website here. http://healthnutaz.com/location.htm

Kampade... hope to see results in a month or two.

Thanksgiving with the Godmas

Valerie's 2 godmas, Jasmine (Kaima) and Judy (Kaimi) was here in Phx for Thanksgiving. After 2 years of money saving, they've decided to spend their hard-earned money on the famous Black Friday Sale (the day after Thanksgiving) in Las Vegas.

We were in Las Vegas for 5days. And I think only 1 day was spent walking along the famous Las Vegas strip... and the rest were shopping. Hahahahahaa... when we came back to Phx, we continued with shopping till they left for home 3 days later.


This is Jasmine, my Kaima.

This is Judy, my Kaimi.

Hello....the star is down here leh... I'm almost cropped off the picture!!

Guess I'll just have to entertain them for a week... and taking pictures. My jaws are going to hurt. heehee...

And I even have to do amzing stunts... like one-handed push ups....

All bundled up... where are we going? What?! Shopping?!

Finally, we're going into the COACH store... after about an hour of queuing since 5am! We better buy loads of stuff, otherwise it won't be worth it. Furthermore, we have to queue again if we decide to go in again later!!! Aaawwwww..........

Freemont show.... Special light show on the ceiling from the old Las Vegas.

Brrr... this is cold. Can we please hurry up and go home?

Valerie's 1st Christmas

We spent Christmas day at PaMa Watson's home. (It's Grandpa and Grandma Watson to Valerie). Ma made a full Christmas dinner and filled us all right to the top!

That's Ma, Elsie, Paul, Lionel, Paul, Valerie and Pa, standing in front of the dinner table. Had to take a picture before dinner starts. Otherwise you won't be able to see the yummy food.

That's Valerie with her American grandparents.

Valerie and me infront of the Christmas tree.

All of us at the Watsons. Elsie, me, Paul, Lionel, Ma, Valerie and Pa.

I had a wonderful time...eating food of from my mommy's plate, unwrapping my Christmas gifts. See my new dress? Isn't it pretty?

got a car, got a car

My old and trusty Mitsubishi Montero. Been driving it for the past 2 years... sold it before Christmas. Miss it a little... Cuz it gives me the feeling of being in control as I'm above most of the other cars around me. Being high up there has its advantages. Hee hee...

Just bought a 2000 Toyota Camry yesterday. Only drove it twice so far. On the day that we tested the car and yesterday when I had to drive it home. Drive seems good... although it's only a 4cyl 2ltr car. Putting Valerie in and out of the car is definitely easier than before, and so is transporting her stroller. But I hate being so low, having the trucks and SUVs shine their headlights at me. Guess I'm at the other end of the car-chain now.

Looking forward to start driving it around. hee hee

Thank you baby for getting the car! Love you lots.... for not keeping me stranded at home and so that I can have the freedom to go whereever I want to... and bringing Valerie along on my joyrides.

Thank you!

Would like to thank all of you for being patient with me, and taking care of me throughout this trip. My mummy & daddy would have gone crazy without all your help. I appreciate all your time and understanding... that going out with a baby is alot of work... therefore going on a holiday with me would be a much greater task. Guess I've given you all a heads up on being parents. Arigato...

Hugs & kisses,
Valerie

Last day in LA - at Venice beach

I wish I could just change into my bikini and jump into the water!! But they are 2 things holding me back.... my out of shape body and the freaking cold water!!

Universal Studios Hollywood

Universal Studios... where the crowds are...

It's been 6 years since we last step into Universal studios. Nothing much has changed except for a few new rides. But I did enjoy them... Shrek 4D was hilarious... Fear Factor Live was an eye-opener. The Studio Tour was quite interesting, especially if you are an avid movie and tv fan. We saw the sets for War of the Worlds (Tom Cruise & Dakota Fanning), Desperate Housewives, Jurassic Park: The Lost World, the snow-covered town of Whoville from "Dr. Seuss' The Grinch Who Stole Christmas" and many more. I think it's a good place to go every 5 year or so. Hee hee.. when they put in new rides and attractions.

Paul and Valerie at the front of the theme park.

Valerie is too mesmerized by Shrek to look at theh camera. Princess Fiona was a bitch! She was grumbling and making sarcastic comments under her breath the whole time we were standing there. Horrendous!
Taking the Studio Tour. With Gavyn, myself, Paul and Lionel. Elsie is the photographer.

In the queue waiting to watch Fear Factor live.