Nights at home.

Chu Phing ee ee & uncle Kae Ee came from KL to visit.

May Yinn ee ee & other relatives came too.

Rachel really adores her brother.

Trying on some gifts.

With Aunt Amy from church.

With uncle Kae Ee.

With mummy.

So relaxed & flexible.

Stretch stretch.

She is easily startled when lying down this way. Any small sounds & even the wind that blows startle her.

The confinement lady, Fong jie with Rachel, who did not burp properly after a feed & thus ended up vomiting a bit of milk after her bath.

Rachel is hitting her play gym.

Fell asleep while being burped.

My dad rules & my mom rocks – hand-me-down clothes from Anne’s cousin, Agnes.

On her change table.

Looking intently.

Sleeping on poh poh.

Anne all ready to give birth.

Rachel was actually originally due 21 July 2011, but didn’t seem to want to come out. So we set a date with the gynaecologist to induce labour on 25 July 2011.

Wouldn’t you know it, Anne started having contractions at midnight on 25 July 2011 but waited till 5+am before waking Scott up to send Josiah to her parents’ house & her to the hospital.

The doctor only came at 9am to check on Anne. Dilation was already 7cm. Too late for any painkiller. The doctor & matron was very surprised & hurriedly sent Anne to the labour room. Here is Scott, all dressed up to witness Rachel’s birth.

Rachel is born. She cried very very loudly & for a long period.

Still crying.

Nicely wrapped up.

The proud daddy – second time.

Koong koong, poh poh & Josiah koko came to visit. We could hear Josiah coming because he was squealing with delight.

See how delighted Josiah was.

Rachel holds on tightly to mummy.

It was time for Josiah to drink milk. He enjoyed climbing onto mummy’s hospital bed to lie down. Before his milk, he was climbing all over the bed.

Josiah & Rachel’s 1st photo together. They are looking into each other’s eyes.

Rachel could smell Josiah’s milk & started to cry for milk too.

Rachel’s toes as compared to Anne’s finger.

Rachel’s hair is blonde. Scott’s nickname for her is blondie.

Many others came to visit – immediate family, relatives, church friends & colleagues. But we were all to excited about Rachel’s blonde hair to remember to take photos.

Mummy, Daddy & Rachel – photo before leaving hospital.

Rachel is back at home & lying on the sofa. We thank God that she did not have jaundice.

We had a confinement lady who came everyday from 9am to 4pm for 30 days to cook & help to take care of Rachel.

Most peaceful when both kids are asleep.

Uncle Steven came to visit. There were many other friends & relatives who came too. Thank you very much!

Josiah sticks to whoever is carrying Rachel.

Oooooo….

From August 2011 onwards:

The many faces of Rachel.

Rachel’s play gym.

Rachel adores her Josiah koko.

Finally asleep in daddy’s arms.

She can lift her legs up.

Still single eyelids.

Taking over Josiah’s car seat.

Rachel & toto (Anne’s great grandma)

Josiah has a new rattan chair.

She sleeps very soundly on her front.

That’s how big her foot is.

All bundled up after a warm bath.

Daddy swaying Rachel to sleep. She bawls every night around 9.30pm & it takes a lot of effort to lull her to sleep.

Scott as new Youth Advisor was along, together with family.

After arriving and unpacking, everyone went to the PLUS stop nearby for lunch. While we were there it started raining heavily.

By the time we made it back to the hotel, the rain was down to a drizzle. So calling a vote, the youth decided to just play at the hotel swimming pools. The youth hung around the water polo area, and Josiah refused to go into the kids pool, so he joined the big pool too.

Dinner was at the hotel cafe.

The next morning, we went to the mini zoo as part of a package. We arrived too early, so had to wait for a bit.

Josiah was interested in the climbing monkeys. They moved too fast for a good photo.

The whistle was for Scott to blow to round up the youth. But mostly Josiah took it, tried to blow (put in his mouth and make an ‘Mmmm’ sound), then put in daddy’s mouth to blow.

Josiah loved the rabbits! He had been watching ‘Funny Little Bunnies‘ a lot recently at home. He eagerly touched and even sayang the bunny (ran his hand down the rabbit’s head and back). And like most little boys, pulled the ears…

He threw a short tantrum when it was time to move to the next place. Really didn’t want to leave the rabbit place.

Riding the chair lift to the next area. It passes high, HIGH over the water park. Josiah just sat unmoving all the way.

Orang Utan Island. Nothing much really, and the youth all skipped it in favour of going straight to the water park.

Lunch at the food court. So manja lor this boy, eat lying down.

At the water park at last. Josiah didn’t want to get into the water, until he reached the playland with lots of water jets everywhere. Then it was nonstop running around and around. At one point he was so overexerted that he suddenly stopped and looked around as if he forgot what he was doing or which way he was going.

Short break before back to water playland, toddle around the water park following the little river with grandparents and mummy. He just has the float around his waist, his feet still touch the floor.

All worn out and fast asleep.

After breakfast at Kayu (where the roti tiga rasa is still quite good), we stopped by a playground outside some flats in Taman Lip Sin.

Josiah had fun running about. A little trepidatious at the super tall slide, but in the end he went down a few times. When it was time to go, he stood at the top of one slide and did the ‘more’ hand motion that daddy does with him when having fun.

We stayed at G Hotel where the wedding was to be held, which is expensive but really classy. While waiting to check in, they served four little cups of really nice ice-cream.

Our room was spacious – and obviously lots and lots of fun for Josiah.

We went to Batu Feringghi beach without a nap for Josiah… But he was too tired and didn’t even want to set foot on the beach (which he loved during KCC family camp).

He didn’t wake up until just on the way back from dinner at Gurney hawker centre with our USM friends.

The next morning, here he is hiding inside a cabinet:

And under the covers:

And then it was swimming time! In the kids pool, he stumbled and fell face into water four times, and almost a fifth time. Each time he just got back up again with daddy’s help.

And contented nap.

We had to check out in the afternoon, so we spent the time at Gurney Plaza. Kuey teow thong for Josiah.

Had to force him to sleep while waiting back at the hotel. Daddy sang songs to him while holding him, and fell asleep just before he did. The song lyrics became slurred and missing words.

He woke up from the clapping at the wedding ceremony. And joined in, got to love the way he chucks aside the shirt:

Wedding group photo:

And lack of sitting still, as usual. He actually didn’t like the balloon tied to his waist for long, and then wanted to go into the lift, and got upset every time it opened back at the wedding reception floor. At the swimming pool floor, he tripped and fell off two steps onto his face onto hard tile, poor thing.

Since no one saw what actually happened, our best guess is that he either bounced on the bed and fell onto the grill, or sat up too near the grill and banged his head.

The wound was quite long and deep and bleeding (looked like a drain in his flesh), so koong koong and poh poh quickly patched it up and took him to see a doctor.

Mummy came home just as they were leaving, and hopped into the car to the doctor. The doctor took a look and recommended that Josiah go to a plastic surgeon. On the way to Pantai Specialist, he fell asleep. The doctor recommended stitches, with general anesthetic to do it while Josiah was asleep.

(Before waking up at the hospital.)

At Pantai Specialist, Josiah woke up and looked scared and cried and needed mummy to hold him. But afterwards he played happily at the playland as if nothing was different. Yeh yeh and Hakka poh poh were there too, and everybody was scared he would get hurt further as he ran down the slide and launched himself onto the bean bag.

When it was time, mummy held him and sang to him while the mask was placed on his face, and he struggled a bit before drifting into sleep.

The operation was short, just five minutes. Thirteen stiches including the two knots at the ends. Non-dissolving stitches were used as the doctor said they would heal better. Then Josiah was left to slowly wake up.

Daddy reached the hospital from a taxi straight from LCCT just before koong koong returning did. Both went into the lift, and a just woken up Josiah was just being wheeled into it on a big hospital bed!

Josiah was pretty much back to normal almost right after – getting daddy to carry him here and there (especially to use the lift), running around on the ground floor.

At home, he didn’t really like the medicine, but after a few times, cooperated to swallow quickly. He still struggled when the head bandage had to be changed, but even that towards the end got a bit better.

The stitches came off on 1 April. The doctor wasn’t ready till way past the 3.30 appointment time, it took till 4.30 when he saw Josiah and recommended he be given oral medicine to make him sleepy – too risky to take out the stitches if he struggles.

But even after the medicine and lying on a bed and lullaby, he wouldn’t sleep by 5.30. So in the end, he was wrapped in a blanket while several people held him still – daddy holding his head tight and reassuring him – while the doctor removed the stitches. Josiah fought and cried and screamed, but towards the end didn’t struggle too fiercely.

After that, he fell asleep all the way till night, woke up a bit when taken upstairs, drank milk, and slept till morning again.

We had to put antiseptic on his wound, which had closed really nicely. He struggled at first, but after a few times just scrunched his face up and let us quickly apply it.

Just after the operation. The little bandage strips are from the hospital and didn’t last long before coming off.

You can see the extra lentgh of string at the top and slightly at the bottom.

After removing the stiches. The stitching was very well done as you can see from how well the wound closed.

2 May 2011 – Scar almost fully faded.

Anne: Josiah, come take photo.
*Josiah runs off to the slide*
He really loves sliding down.

When we took him to this next playset, the first thing he did was climb onto the step bridge by pulling himself up onto the lowest rung in the middle.

See how carefully and daringly he makes his way across:

As we bought strawberries, Josiah once again charmed the aunties there and got free stuff… A huge strawberry! He sucked on it, then daddy bit the tip off so he could taste it. Then he continued nibbling on the edge until it was half finished (so messy!).

Then he dropped it and daddy washed it off, mummy ate the remainder. But at home, he finished his one strawberry for dessert down to the edges of the white part by the stem!

We were supposed to go to the Butterfly Farm but Josiah fell asleep on the way there. So, we decided to go home instead.

On Sunday 20 Feb 2011, daddy took him swimming. At night, daddy and son both felt a bit hot. We thought it was just from being out too long under the sun (though it wasn’t very direct or hot).

But on Monday, Josiah seemed to have a fever. So in the afternoon, mummy took him to see Dr B.S. Yeoh. The pediatrician concluded it was just a virus and that it would go off on its own in a couple of days.

Josiah was very funny at the clinic – when the doctor wanted to do tests on him (like stethoscope listening), the nurse held him still despite his complaining. Then when she left out the door, he looked in the direction of the door and spoke three sentences worth of scolding-sounds!

Josiah was very good and took his fever medicine with no fuss though it was late at night and he was half asleep.

Josiah didn’t like the head-cooling patch at first, and peeled it off Monday at night – maybe because he was sleepy. But on Tuesday, he left it on.

Naruto preparing for jutsu – the early years

Tuesday night was difficult, as Josiah had watery poo in the day and again at night around 3 or 4 am. Then after we washed him, he had a bit again. So on Wednesday before work, daddy took him to Dr Yeoh again, this time for diarrhea. Dr Yeoh decided it was viral and would clear up soon. Koong koong stopped by to take Josiah home.

Josiah was quite normal, except when his temperature was up. He would be easly upset and very clingy until the medicine brought his temperature down, then he’d be active as usual.

And then, on Thursday Josiah seemed to have no more fever. He pooed just around waking up. After washing him, the maid told daddy that Josiah had a rash. True enough, there was a rash on his chest and tummy. So koong koong and poh poh took Josiah to Dr Yeoh for the third time in four days. Three different sets of adults bringing the same sick little boy for checkup!

Dr Yeoh concluded it was – you guessed it, viral – and that it would clear up on it own. Actually, he was right as you will see later.

Photo of the rash as it progressed on Friday:

On Friday, the rash had also spread to his face as you see here:

So mummy took Josiah to the general hospital – four clinic visits, see how worried everyone is about their darling? – where the doctor immediately diagnosed it as MEASLES. Older doctors who walked by also said “Measles” right away. The doctor even called the younger doctors to come take a look because measles is so rare these days due to vaccinations.

Josiah did have measles vaccination at Ipoh Specialist – the doctor was of the opinion that the vaccine may not have been kept cold enough so lost effectiveness.

And Dr Yeoh was right actually – measles IS a viral infection that clears off on its own! In fact, German measles (rubella) and ‘three day fever’ also have very similar symptoms (we did a lot of searching for what Josiah’s sickness could be), and also clear off without medication.

Blood test, urine test and throat swab are required at general hospital. For urine test, they put a plastic to collect it. Josiah had drank milk before going out and his diaper was still dry. So he walked around exploring, then suddenly stood still. Sure enough, urine sample ready!

The blood test was hard. The nurses poked a needle into the back of his hand, but failed to do it right and had to poke again. Then instead of syringing it out, the squeezed – drop by drop until 2 ml! So slow, poor Josiah.

After that, he didn’t trust them anymore, so he complained when it was time for throat swab. With his mouth open, it was easy to quickly swipe a sample.

At home, poor Josiah was worn out and listless most of the day, just sitting quietly on a lap or staring dazed at his show. If you know Josiah, that’s very unusual for this active boy! His to to was so concerned over him.

On Saturday, the rash had become splotches all across his face, body and upper arms and legs.

But he was much better. No more fever, and quite back to activeness. He just needed more sleep than normal, taking long naps and sleeping very early.

Finally, on Sunday, the rashes were all gone except for a bit on his limbs. Josiah was active and back to almost 100% his usual self, and to to was smiling at his usual antics.

Praise God!

Brunch was at the same shop with the good bulgolgi.

After that, we spent the morning walking along the traditional Bukchon Hanok houses. They’re built on hilly terrain with narrow, winding lanes. But the occupants still manage to fit cars in, including parked on a raised flat concrete area and inside a hidden garage entrance. Palace officials used to stay here as it is right between 2 palaces.

Daddy was tired out by this part – pushing a sleeping Josiah around up and down the slopes.

This is a school wall.

One of the parked cars in the background.

The school where Winter Sonata’s first episodes are set.

Steep!

Long and steep.

Mmm, different flavored macaroons.

Wakey wakey, cute little sleepy head:

Gyeongbokgung palace. The guards are actually actors. We didn’t get to see the changing of the guards.

The netting may be to prevent birds from roosting and soiling the precious heritage.

Bumpy! Try pushing a stroller on that. The parts that weren’t uneven paving were dirt. Middle section for the king & queen. Sides for officials.

King’s throne.

King’s chambers

Chimney spout at the queen’s garden, Amisan.

The furnace is under the building, and the exhaust is channeled through underground passages to four chimneys further away from the building for heating.

A short break in the field.

Next to the palace grounds is the National Folk Museum of Korea.

A traditional Korean dance that captivated Josiah, and lulled daddy to a nap.

This drumming was okay.

But this drumming was way cool:

Those big round eyes looking up at you…

Night time, we went to the famous Tosokchon ginseng chicken, a short walk from Gyeongbokgung Palace. It was so-so, like chicken soup porridge with some ginseng in it. (Anne thinks it was yummy). But as we left, there was a long queue of at least 20 people waiting to get in – despite there being many, many tables inside! No wonder it’s said that you have to wait 30 minutes to get a seat.

Josiah was kept busy for a short while watching his show.

After dinner, we went back to the backpacker’s lodge, took our stuff and got a bus to Incheon airport.

Our goodies back in Ipoh.

Off we go on the train to take a ferry to Nami Island!

Josiah made a lot of friends/fans – kids on a school trip with their teachers.

This giant tower is the starting point for a super long flying fox ride across the sea and landing on Nami Island!

There was a lot of preparation going on, testing of the receiving end on Nami Island (with people arriving by flying fox), and even a TV cameraman preparing for a shoot. We guessed the grand opening ceremony must be today.

On the ferry to Nami Island. Notice the Malaysian flag behind.

Burial plot.

If you didn’t know yet, this island is where the leads from Winter Sonata went to pak-tor. Yes, we watched the whole series before our trip.

It was cold, and dressed up like Koreans from Winter Sonata, we looked very Korean.

Josiah was sleepy and we sat on a bench to let him nod off.

The ‘first kiss’ snowman scene.

Before Winter Sonata, Nami Island was (lesser) known for its historical heritage.

Nami Island is also now a UNESCO supporter.

Too much pak-torlogy everywhere.

This photo was hard to get because everyone wanted a photo without any cho-teng bystanders in it. And every other photo poser is someone else’s cho-teng bystander.

Oh, it’s them.

It just so happened that when we turned on the TV in one of the hotels, there she was again in another complicated love drama series role.

After this part, we looked for lunch. Josiah was still asleep. We wanted to try the Korean BBQ, which smelled good, but the place was fully booked. We ended up eating at a little shop, where we shared a Korean noodles with an egg in it and side dishes. It was like Maggi instant noodles, or rather the Korean packet noodles you can buy in Jusco. But it was warm and good.

Josiah woke up and had his food (and some soup from the noodles, he loves soup). Then he went to play in these little huts. Even kids have to duck a little bit to get in. He had fun going inside and squealing and chuckling like you’re chasing him.

Later, another family finished feeding their son around Josiah’s age and that kid’s daddy had to accompany him toddling around too.

Kids on a school outing.

Someone was singing opera style to promote his albums. He has a good voice.

Back on the ferry to the mainland.

You can get a different passport stamp from the rest of Korea at Nami Island.

An elderly man wearing traditional wear.

More new friends who shared some snacks with Josiah. In return, Anne gave a girl some of Josiah’s fish-shaped biscuits to share out. But the train reached their stop, and she was left holding a bunch of biscuits not knowing what to do, until Anne let her put them back in the packet.

Most times when there was a staircase at underground rail stops, daddy had to do this when Josiah was asleep in his stroller. There were lifts in some stations and wheelchair-moving devices on the side of staircases in others, but when we were in a rush (which was usually) this was the fastest way.

COEX Mall.

Bibimbap at the food court.

Daddy had to eat with a sleeping Josiah on his lap.

Kimchi, yay.

We also bought Korea snacks as souvenirs and gifts in the supermarket. One of the ladies at the supermarket gave Josiah a pack of noodles & said it’s free. Towards the end, Anne went to look for relatively cheap cosmetics. Meanwhile, Josiah played in the closed waiting area between the doors to the shopping area and the doors to the car lane.

But by the time Anne got confirmation on whether to buy the particular cosmetic product, the store was closed! It was 9pm so we were surprised.

Early morning and fly back to Gimpo, and from there to Seoul.

Back to Seoul! This is the narrow alley leading to our backpacker’s lodge, Beewon Guest House (contact details: webmaster@beewonguesthouse.com +82-2-765-0670, price: 50,000 Won). We stayed in a small room with basic amenities like hot water shower, air-con, TV, mini fridge and a heated wooden floor. Water is provided from a cooler by the stairs. Guests are free to use the two PCs, kitchen and washing machine.

There is no dryer though, but we found that after the spin cycle, leaving the clothes spread out on the lightly warm floor was enough to dry them overnight.

Changdeokgung Palace

Namdaemun Market

Good yummy beef soup set for only 5,000 Won. The best food we ate while on our trip. The yellow veg is like the sweet sour pickle you find in Sushi King sets. The kimchi wasn’t so great – the usual cabbage one you get is not very sour or salty, but tastes of chilli. Other types are more sour or salty which makes them more edible.

This is the shop. It’s right next to a subway entrance near Namdaemun Market.

These are planted as decorative flowers, not as salad that you find at buffets.

On a Seoul City Tour bus. They stop at various places of interest and provide headphones with multiple language choices. You can press buttons to choose which location they describe, or they’ll automatically load the location as the bus passes it. They also aren’t air-conditioned, or it’s switched off, and there seemed to be no windows. Koreans see much colder than we felt, mostly wearing coats and avoiding air conditioning or even a breeze from windows.

This must have been an army barracks opposite the War Memorial. On our way back, Scott saw two young soldiers manning a machine gun up by the fence. Odd that it’s 5 or so feet above the sidewalk level and pointed at traffic. Maybe it was just for show.

The War Memorial of Korea (museum). War and the sacrifices of those involved is a serious thing to South Korea, as the nation was born from a major war and they are officially only in ceasefire with North Korea, not actual peace. Every now and then, North Korea will carry out sabotage or an attack on South Korea. At the time we went, a special display on North Korea’s instigations was running.

Hwacha – launches rocket-powered arrows.

They have cannons for cannonballs, and cannons for giant arrows.

A nearly life-size diorama of the suffering and hardship of South Koreans during the Korean War (1950-1953), when the North occupied this much of the peninsula:

Josiah enjoyed this tunnel leading into the Vietnam War display. Until he fell down. But he still wanted to play there, just running and screaming back and forth.

Modern warfare section – CornerShot rifle that let’s you shoot around a corner with bending front section and camera.

Outside was a collection of old planes, tanks and ships. Most of the working parts had been replaced with props.

Also, there were swarms of mosquitos floating around as the day grew late. Don’t be fooled – Korea is cold, but they don’t seem to mind!

All cosy and asleep.

The view from N Seoul Tower. It was cold once we got out of the City Tour Bus, so daddy jogged up the slope while carrying Josiah. Mummy followed with the bags hooked onto the stroller. We were out of puff by the top!

The trees are filled with little messages hanging on the branches. It’s a gimmick here where you can buy a lock and sign your most precious pak-tor memories on it then leave it here for posterity.

N-Seoul Tower is a popular pak-tor spot for young couples.

The restaurant we ate in (where the waitress cleverly poured Josiah’s food into a microwave-safe bowl to heat it up, then put it back in its original container) also has walls full of love graffiti.

Locks on a rail.

An arcade centre underground. Nice and warm here away from the cold, cold mountain air. Josiah was intrigued by the game machine, unfortunately it wouldn’t accept our 500 Won coins.

This machine would, however.

And just before we left, a busload of tourists arrived just in time for the light show.

Apart from the lights projected onto the tower, there was also patterns beamed onto the plaza floor. Josiah of course excitedly went to step on them, and several spectators were tickled by his antics. For some reason he just plopped onto the floor and sat there stunned. Daddy came and recovered the show crasher just before mummy was about to take a photo.

It was very close to the time the last City Tour bus leaves from the area, so we rushed down the slope! Daddy carried Josiah again. It turned out we reached the bus with time to spare as the driver took his time before starting off.

Petrol stations have the filler nozzles hanging from the ceiling. Not sure how it works.