And a Pinch to Grow an Inch

I know it's not world breaking news here but I just wanted to say how proud I am that I've managed to keep this kid alive and healthy.  And happy.  For a whole year!

Here are a few pictures of his big day (morning).

(Not that he has a clue what's going on, but he did seem to get a kick out of me and 'The Man' singing Happy Birthday to him).

'The Kid' opening his first ever birthday present

The Boys

Daddy just HAS to take a picture of Mommy
(it's a good thing you can't smell me, I haven't brushed yet)

Bath toys, sweet!!!

Rockin' the 1st birthday shirt (size 24 months...)

Tootles!

Things That Make You Go, Huh?

I'm confused.

Are you?

Tootles!

Malaysia Recap Part Three

I feel almost childish thinking I was in heaven with De Hotel in Ipoh.

While it is super-cool, it just doesn't hold a candle to The Renaissance Resort in Phuket, Thailand.

The Grandparents Chan took myself, Lady Chan, 'The Man' and 'The Kid' to a wonderful little place called Phuket.

The resort was AH-mazing.  Ohhhh yes.  So relaxing.  So sunny.  So...here's some pictures.


We passed the Reception area numerous times a day.  Each time we passed any and all staff would stop what they were doing to greet us with a friendly bow and hello.  Awesome staff.  Very accommodating.

Reception terrace

Yummy rooms.  But be warned, the bathroom is glass encased.  So if you happen to be sharing an adjoining room with in-laws say, please make sure no one is on the loo before you invite them in.  Just saying.

Guest Suite

 All you can eat Tuesday evenings.  And it's good.  VERY good.  I'd go to the resort just for the food at the Sand Box.  I had this funky drink called Rose something or other and I'd love to get the recipe for it.  It had some kind of rose and peach flavoring, mixed with some kind of clear carbonated liquid.  Topped off with green apple cubes at the bottom.  Pleasantly Interesting.  Give it a try.

Sand Box Bar & Restaurant

Other amenities include:

Massage hut on the grounds.  Patrons can look out onto the beach.  Or at other scantily-clad resort guests.  I didn't get a chance to visit the Massage hut but, it looks very nice.

Two words.  Kiddie. Pool.  This was were 'The Kid' had his first pool experience.  The pool has a number of different levels to the pool and a small water slide and waterfall.  You can see part of a building off in the left upper-hand corner...more on that below.

Making friends

Remember that building I was mentioning?  This is the inside of it.  (The windows give you a view of the Kiddie Pool).  This is the children's center.  Parents can come bring their children here to play and watch cartoons.  AND...they'll watch your kids while you (the parent) goes off to play.  

Another room at the children's center.  Tons of toys!

The suites come with, among other things, wine available for purchase.  In case you were interested.

Weird Chinese man not included

View from the balcony.  Complete with small table and chairs.  A great place to sit.  Especially when the AC is so dang cold this was the only place to get warm.  Just saying.

Tons of beach to go around.  Few people on the beach.  Even better.  

There's only one place, nearby, to buy anything.  Food, groceries, souvenirs, silk rugs, lingerie, etc.  Turtle village.  'Grandparents Chan' brought back, besides a whole wardrobe, flashing plastic birds.  You'd be amazed at how entertaining these things are.

The Resort provides complimentary breakfast.  I'm not talking about the Days Inn kind where your danish comes out of a plastic wrapper and frozen bananas.  All I can think is...I want this.  In my house.  A full kitchen staff with options, options, OPTIONS!!!  Omelet?  No problem.  How would you like it?  Fruit smoothie?  No problem.  How would you like it?  Breads?  Which kind?  Salad?  Check.  Ice cream?  Check.  I mean, I could go on for days!  

I'm hungry.

Tootles!

We're Back...Malaysia Recap Part Two

No this one isn't about the food.  Patience!!  It will come.

Today's recap is on hotels.  It doesn't sound all that exciting.  Maybe it won't be.  You'll just have to read and find out.

Just sit back, relax and enjoy the show.

While vacationing at Hotel Chan here:

We also had a chance to stay in some other places.  (Thanks Grandparents)!

The first place we stayed was in a town called Ipoh (more on the actual visit later), at De Hotel.  

So, the outside really doesn't look like much.  Don't let that fool you.

                                 

The inside is what really matters, don't you know?

Front reception

So here's something I thought was a great idea and that I have never seen before.  (I don't get out much so I may have missed it).  The elevator's won't let you go anywhere unless you swipe your room key to the card reader.  No room key, no enter.  So Mr. BadGuy can't come in and make your life miserable.  I like that idea.

2 Floor foyer

I could've hung out in the foyer and been happy has a clam.  Indeed I got my chance around midnight with a crying baby.  (The foyer isn't as fun under those circumstances).  AND I will admit that while the hotel was super swanky (they did a great job on ambiance, etc.), the walls are a bit on the thin side.  While walking my insomniac of a child down the hallway I was privy to some intimate goings-on.  It's called solid oak doors and insulation people!  Yikes!

I couldn't find decent pictures and they don't do the hotel justice, but, I loved the contemporary decor, etc.  The room doesn't look like much here, but I promise it was cool.  Even the bathroom was cool.  (Again, I don't get out much).  And growing up with the MB was the one who booked the hotels.  They were usually the one's that were one step-up from the hourly rate hotels, if you catch my drift.  In short, they were not cool.  Then again, hotels have been in re-vamp mode.  They're a lot more inviting than they were 20 years ago.  

I will also say, that if you're traveling with little ones...you'll need to BYOBB.  Bring Your Own Baby Bed.  They don't provide.  That was a fun night.  I'll spare you the horror.

Next up, Phuket...stay tuned.

Tootles!

Eggstra eggstra!

Get it?  Get it?

After many long, anticipatory months we finally have eggs.

Taken July 6: About two months old

Taken October 18: About 6 months old 

December 7 we get our first two eggs.  Finally.

December 8: Breakfast

I like to think that my Dad got the chickens to be more self-sustaining.  Our effort at being more 'green'.  Now that we have some egg-producing hens, I think we're headed in the right direction.

Now if I can just get over my skittishness of eating fresh-out-the-pooper brown eggs.

Tootles!

Grandpa Chan

Here he is....Grandpa Chan!

(For the record I'd just like to voice how weird it is to call these people 'Grandparents'.  They just don't seem old enough.  I picture a Mrs. Claus type figure as more 'grand-mothery'.  Ah well).

Because these are my favorite they'll go first:

Tra la la just a friendly stroll into the camera's point-of-view.

A normal person would have waited for Klauss Einrichtdorf to leave the frame.  

Pffhh. 

  But this next one is by far the best picture I took while on vacation.  

Wait for it....

BOO-YAAA!

Okay in all seriousness, this is the real photograph of Grandpa and 'The Kid'.

I think 'The Kid' has had enough of Mommy and her camera.  And beach combers.

Mercifully, Grandpa and Grandma Chan gave 'The Parents' a day off.  Upon returning we found that the Grandparents are both camera happy and shopping happy when it comes to this very spoiled grandchild.  Tons of pictures and a large bag full of new clothes.

Last family photo before leaving Phuket...sigh...

Did I mention the mall's in Malaysia?  They are HUGE!  There is no possible way to get through it all in one day.  In one weekend.  The grandparents took 'The Kid'.

They took him on all the kiddy rides they had.  Grandpa Chan looks like it was a real sacrifice to have to do that.

I'm just glad we found them.  Seriously...did I say how big these malls are??
 

Last but not least...the Grandparents and their first grandchild!  No we did NOT capitalize on that fact.  

I'd just like to say here again, THANK YOU so much to the Grandparents for taking 'The Kid' off our hands all the time while we were there.  I really enjoyed doing absolutely nothing every so often.

XOXO

Tootles!

Stay tuned for the Malaysian Food Issue....it's gonna be good.