Happy 3rd Birthday Olivia!

Time flies, when you're having fun, filled with parental stress and all the anxieties that comes together with having a child. During the end of November, our not-so-little Olivia turned three. And it's amazing how fast and how big she has grown.

I remembered the cries inside the operating theatre three years ago, and the two drops of tears that rolled down my cheek. I remembered the difficult transition when we had to learn so much in so little time. I remembered the first time she called "papa", her first step, her silly laughter and giggles. I remembered the countless times we had our evening walks in her little carrier, which eventually become walking side by side her, as she rode her little scooter.

And... of course, we need to dress like sharks. Doo doo dooooo.

We had plans to get her a pinata cake online, but was quickly put off by the ridiculous price (about $200 for one). If you have no idea what's that, it's basically a spherical chocolate structure, filled with candies, chocolates and even toys. To get what's inside, they have to slowly knock the chocolate walls till it crumbles and reveals all the goodies inside.

So, I tried making it. For the first four times, I tried, but failed. Mixing white chocolate coverture and compound and what not, trying several ways to take out the structure without cracking its delicate walls. I tried and tried. Like Thomas Edison, this Thomas tried 1000 times until I succeed. All those nights trying, was all worth it with this smile.

And... of course, I need to put her favourite Kinder Bueno eggs inside.

Olivia's First Birthday

Dear Olivia,

One year ago, you came into our lives like a wrecking ball. Parenting was a steep learning curve, perhaps the biggest lesson to be learnt in life. When you just arrived, Mama and Papa have to learnt how to breastfeed, how to swaddle, how to handle poopie, comfort you and how to wake up over ten times throughout the night.

And as you grow older, we learnt how to concoct recipes, how to plan your activities, how to chase after you, how to soothe your mini-dictator's tantrums and decode your googoo's and gaga's.

It wasn't easy. Mama and Papa fight, we quarrel over little things that we never known before, but thank you to our Heavenly Papa who watch over us, we have already made it pass one year! 

Through this time, you taught us...

How to sacrifice - the personal things in life, the alone-time we had, money, all these we sacrifice just to spend a little more time with you.

How to be patient - through communicating with you, and with Mama. 

How to trust - that each and every day will be better than the day before.

How to become better people - so that we can impart right values to you.

How to be a child again - through seeing and exploring the world we thought we knew so well. All through your little eyes.

And above all, how to love - like how God loves us unconditionally, we aim to love you more and more each day, even in your not-so-cute moments.

May God help Mama and Papa to become better parents for you and for Him. Happy ONE year old to my dear princess Olivia. With the authority Heavenly Papa has given Papa, I pray that,

The Lord bless you and keep you.

The Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you.

The Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace.

And that's what your name is. Olivia. That whatever you do, you find peace. That whoever you meet, you grant life and blessings. That wherever you go, you bring with you a spirit of reconciliation and victory.

Papa love you deep deep.

~

With lots of love,

Papa Thomas

26.11.2019

A Letter to My Daughter

Dear Olivia,

In about one month, mummy and I will be carrying you in our arms. It has been more than eight months in mummy's tummy, but as they say - good things are worth waiting for. From the size of a grape seed, you grew to be a blueberry, a kiwi, an orange, and now you are the size of a melon! One thing for sure, mummy eats a lot of fruits. So many months of waiting, it was unreal initially, but as time passes, we get to see and feel you swimming inside mummy.  We can't wait to see your beautiful face - handmade and crafted by your Heavenly Father. We wonder, did you inherit daddy's dimples and double eye-lids, or did you inherit mummy's pretty face? Whatever it is, please be healthy, strong and happy inside mummy.

You mean you didn't know Olivia is coming?