Twin's 1st Birthday; Reflections on the First Year
Hello babies
The above is not entirely accurate as you guys are technically no longer babies. A year has passed and you guys have graduated from babyhood to toddlerhood. In some ways, time flew by though at times it felt interminable (those periods of crazy crying - looking at you meimei, and those times where both of you resisted sleep and naps - both of you equally guilty). Glad to see you guys growing up, but part of me misses the times where both of you were tiny little babies.
We just celebrated your birthday last weekend. Thanks to COVID (which will hopefully be a distant memory when you guys are old enough to understand), the guest list had to be very limited. Papa and I were very excited nonetheless, it is not everyday that your rascally twins turn 1 year old
Got excited and bought some party decor from Shopee. Your papa wasn’t too impressed initially but he loved the backdrop eventually
Thankfully, both of you managed to get a good nap before the festivities. That meant we had a good window where the two of you would not be too cranky. Meimei, you woke up just before the party, and cried when you saw the guests that arrived. It was perhaps too overwhelming for you initially in your sleepy state. However, both of you did well for the most part in letting the adults have their photo-ops with you. After lunch (which was partially cooked by your Hainan heritage papa), it was time for cake! I allude to papa’s Hainan heritage as it is said that Hainanese men are good cooks - that’s something for you to note Chubby. We were super excited as it would be the first time we let you guys taste ice cream cake. Chubby, you were more interested in digging it into it with your hands though, after which you looked startled that your hands were stained blue by the cream. Both of you seemed to like the cake, but did not seem as thrilled by it as we expected. This is probably a good thing, not good to have an overly sweet tooth, with the war on diabetes and all that.
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| Not unexpected |
Following cake, it was time for you guys to do “zhua zhou”, basically pick up items that may give us a hint into your future. This was your nainai’s idea, not that I believe in it but it was fun to watch. Chubby, you made a beeline for the book - I remember months ago I referred to you as Professor Chubby, so hopefully that is on something on your cards, but if you do become a professor please make tenure for career stability and income.
Meimei, yours was rather more eventful. First, you decided to sit on the floor and not move towards the items. After we tried to lure you to the items, you ignored the items and headed for your popo who was behind the items. Following much coaxing to pick something up, you touched the keyboard. Everyone decided that was unacceptable, definitely a fluke requiring a redo.
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| There is no photo of her with the drawing board. This Asian family was just didn't want to document failure again. |
Following a redo, you went for the drawing board. This struck chills into your papa and me, for being a creative in Singapore is arguably a more difficult way to pay the bills. Anyway, papa is now relooking his retirement plans.
So that was a brief snapshot of your first birthday party! You guys will not remember it, though we hope you enjoyed it, and you can see the pictures next time. Your papa and I definitely enjoyed it (albeit very tired at the end of it).
Now for a little more on how you guys are doing.
Demand and supply is a concept that both of you have grasped, meaning to say a toy / or person is only fun when it is in short supply. You guys would want the same toy or attention from the same person at the same time. This is even when it is a toy that you guys would normally not give a second glance to. You guys would try to snatch from each other, and when the adults would try to correct this behaviour, both of you would cry indignantly. Please try to play nice as you guys grow up!
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| Meimei enforcing sharing by Gorgor |
We have made our foray into kids playgrounds - started with Tayo Station, then another indoor playground in Buangkok, and now we are trying to bring you guys to the playground in the park. You guys seem to enjoy indoor playgrounds for the most part (refer to Papa’s other posts), and now finally seem to enjoy the swings at the outdoor playground.
However, we cannot bring you guys too late as both of you can get very cranky close to your bedtime. Anyway, your papa is super excited at bringing you guys to playgrounds, and is planning a playcation at the Buds playground in Shangri-La next year. Honestly, methinks you guys are a little too young for Buds but you guys have your papa in your corner.
Both of you have not walked independently, instead preferring to walk by holding the hands of adults. This was perhaps something that we inculcated. You guys would grab one hand, then look for the other hand, wrap your fingers, and then plunge ahead. Meimei, you seem to be making more progress towards walking independently, but you have a tendency to plunge forward without fear (which scares your more fearful mama). Chubby, you are slightly heavier so I think walking will take slightly longer, but am sure you will get there soon too.
It is also fun see how you guys grow in your communication skills. I do not think either of you have achieved your first meaningful word yet, but you guys are definitely babbling alot more. Lots of “mama” and “dada”, but we cannot be sure if you are referring to a specific person. However, you guys have your way of controling the hapless adults. Chubby, you will reach out your arm and open and close your hand when you want attention, you love being the centre of attention and every adult around must have a turn at carrying you. Meimei, you cannot be ignored for too long either, though you are more selective in the ones you want attention from (usually your popo and your papa).
We now enter your first toddler year, super excited about it, and looking forward to more adventures with you guys! Another adventure that you guys will have is a little brother, coming some time next year! (However, papa and I are not entirely sure if this is something you guys will be excited about given how you guys like to be the star-star of attention). No matter what, papa and I love you guys to the moon and back, and we will have loads of fun (along with didi) together :)
Love,
Mama
P.S. We also made a photobook to document your 1st year journey, you look so different now. Sometimes wish we could go back in time, but we are also eager to see how you two continue to grow!
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