Finally I am able to look through the album and upload them, after everyone has recovered from being sick and me from dengue and also finished marking some exam papers and catching up with the boys' homework during their absence from school. We took the opportunity to have some merry celebrations during the past Raya school holidays.
We had a few rounds of celebrations, catering for different groups of people whom I know want to celebrate her.
Round 1
Naomi's first birthday celebration round 1, at the comfort of her grandparents' home, surrounded by family and friends 🤍 Mummy did the deco and Daddy and Grandma prepared the food. Ordered some cakes and desserts from a local baker too， cakes sponsored by her wai gong, wai po, xiao yi and jiujiu. All effort was worthwhile to celebrate this beautiful life turned 1. She is so worth it! Happy 1st birthday, our cutie pie, Mummy's little girl! 😍 Blessing you with divine health and joy all the days of your life! We always love you ❤️
Round 2
Daddy did not join us as he was working and we had a yellow duck themed party to remember how Naomi likes to pout her lips, making her look like a duck at this age.
All in all, thankful for friends who helped bring in the supposed birthday picnic into indoors, despite many hiccups in this event like the rain and delayed dinner. There was a huge change of plan but I think the children still had fun and it was a good time for the birthday girl 🥰
Round 3 - On her exact birth date
On her exact birth date, we ordered in an ice- cream birthday cake for her and sang birthday song to her too. This was the day we saw her took 5 to 6 steps walking and it was finally captured on a video. I just put whatever was left from our previous celebrations' decoration on the floor.
Unfortunately, this was also the day when everyone started to get sick. Her eldest brother started having fever, her second brother had flu and she herself had cough. The next day, I started having chills and finally was diagnosed dengue eith blood test confirmation after 3 days.
As for me, I celebrate myself for one year of effort, hard work, endurance of sleepless nights as well as sacrifice. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed myself in this one year too though it was very hard. Many times I find myself forget to breathe but trying to just make sure everyone's needs are met. Still, the joy and my babies' presence far outweigh these difficulties. I just want to pat myself for doing the hard things and pushing through with the grace of God. It felt like endless at that moment but we have come out of it and now into a new year of different challenges. Life is such, I guess. We cannot run away from difficulties but we do come out of it and then we face another different set.
Some people said this to me, why celebrate so elaborately? Some say I celebrated too much. The baby won't even remember at one year old. But I will remember. Photos are taken so the memories are locked and one day she may want to look back at it too. I acknowledge my efforts and mental load in this one year and I want to tell myself, "You did it and you did well! I'm also very proud of you doing so many hard things in this one year and persevered!"
Thank you, everyone, for the wishes, help in capturing moments, help in decorating, help in entertaining the birthday girl and your presents as well as prayers for her. She is loved 😍
