Testing Our New Camera On An Almost 2 Year Old!

So thanks to a generous Christmas gift from Grandpa Boon (thank you!), we have a new camera: a Canon Rebel! We have started to test it out and though we still have a lot to learn, we are happy that just by snapping it we get better shots than from our other camera. And of course, it helps that we have a great model! This is for the grandparents especially - lots of photos of the boy wonder! Enjoy!

Just Amazing... Boy Wonder Is Almost 2!

In exactly 2 weeks, boy wonder will be 2! Officially a toddler, the infant days have past... Wow, it's amazing to us how quickly he has grown. The last 2 years have been so intense, the first year was the hardest, but both brought us much joy and helped us grow.

I haven't written an update on Daniel and his development in quite a while. So much happens every day, it's been hard to keep track of it all! But in general he is now:

1. Talking more: Every day he has a new word. Today he started to say "peas" for please! I just love the way he says "yes" - sounds like "Yessh" (you can hear it in the video below). He says more words in English than in Portuguese - I think it's because English is generally easier! But his most recent Portuguese words are: "mar" (ocean) and "barco" (boat). He often refers to himself as "Nani" and says it to communicate that something is his (instead of "mine").

2. Is more affectionate: He now loves to cuddle and actively seeks it! Especially when he is watching a DVD, when we have been apart for a while or when he is sick. I feel like now he appreciates affection a lot more, such as having his back stroked, and doesn't think we are just trying to hold him down. We are loving this development! Oh, the other day when I was feeling unwell, I asked him to give me a kiss and some affection and he came over, gave me a big smoochy kiss on the lips and stroked my tummy - the cutest thing ever!

3. Testing us more: As he approaches 2, there is no doubt that he has been testing us more and more. He has become a lot more emotional and has outbursts of crying whenever he doesn't get what he wants. We are working on this!


Here are some recent photos of Daniel that we love, taken just a few weeks before he turns 2:

The cutest policeman in town; his weapons are: a teddy and a cracker.

And he is also a fireman and Liverpool supporter!

At times, he loves to just run around and be silly...

Shoveling snow is his new love!

And here is a video of him playing in his crib, this past weekend. This video shows some cute things such as: him jumping energetically, saying "yes" and "nao" (no in Portuguese), playing with his teddy and "wawa" (doggy), answering some of my questions such as: "Who is vozinha's passion? Nani!" and "What is mamae's (my) name? ANA!". Enjoy!

Daniel Peter, our hearts are so full of love for you! Thank you for being our precious son - soon age 2!

Our Niece Was Born TODAY!

We are praising God for the birth of our niece, Daniel's first cousin, the daughter of Peter and Jenny! She was born today in Brussels around midday, weighing about 2.8 kg (6.2 pounds). We don't know all the details yet, including her name, but we are just delighted!

We are so thankful to God for this new life that has been born into the extended Koh family! We have been praying and waiting for her eagerly the past year and now she is here! And what a cutie she is! She's got your lips P!

Jenny and Peter, CONGRATULATIONS! Enjoy your new bundle of joy and be sure that we will continue to pray for you as you begin this most exciting journey of parenthood. We love you all and can't wait to meet her in the summer!

This is a lovely photo of P and J just a few weeks ago...

More? Really?

After the historical snowstorm this past weekend, we really didn't want more snow... but this morning when we woke up, this is what we saw:


We are snowed in again! And we probably will not be able to get out again until Friday. Jonny's office has been closed all week. I had to go to DC yesterday but other than that, we have been home and enjoying the extra family time. Though we are starting to get cabin fever! I really hope this storm will be the last of the winter!

The winter has also brought a cold virus and both Jonny and Daniel have had low fevers and I have been feeling unwell too... It's not too bad though and Ibuprofen has been doing its job!

Anyway, at least we have been having fun in the snow and Daniel has really enjoyed it more now. Check out the photos of us outside earlier this week. We got to play with many of the neighbors kids too so that was fun!

Daniel having fun on Enya's traditional Polish sled

Daniel and Enya loved sliding down this hill of snow...

Nina sledding down a hill!

Devesh coming out of an igloo that fits adults!

The kids having fun...

Visiting Childhood Friends In NYC - Part 2

On our second day in NY, we went into the city to visit friends from Singapore. Jonny has known Chris L. (yes, another Chris L.!) since he first went to boarding school at age 11. I then met Chris when I went to the same boarding school at age 14. So we have all been friends for many years. What is really special is that Chris' son, Landon, is only 3 weeks younger than Daniel! We like to talk about how they will grow up being special friends too!

They picked us up at Grand Central Station and Daniel was amazed as we drove through Manhattan at the skyscrapers, buses and general busyness. He really loved it all and kept pointing at different things and saying "Wow!"

Again, didn't take that many photos but here are some:

Back on the train going into the city...

Waiting for friends at Grand Central Station - Daniel was quite tired...



Chris playing with the boys - Daniel loved all of Landon's toys!

Enjoying the boys!

Sandi giving the boys a snack...

I ate a wonderful NY cheesecake - just yummy!

First time Daniel played basketball - and he picked it up quickly!

He just loved our trip!

We now know it's easy to go to NY and plan to go back in the near future!

Visiting Childhood Friends In NYC - Part 1

Well, we are officially snowed in! We literally have a mountain of snow on our road, blocking our cars, so we are not going anywhere for a while... Both our jobs have cancelled work for tomorrow so we will have another day at home - which has been fun, like we are on vacation!

Being snowed in also means I have more time to blog! So let me go back a couple of weeks and update on our short trip to NYC.

We first decided to go to NY to participate in a pre-wedding celebration party of my childhood friend, Chris L.. Chris and I first met in Sri-Lanka when I was 11 years old, in Digana village, outside of Kandy. His family was like a second family to me; I stayed with them often. The last time I had seen Chris was at my wedding, almost 10 years ago! I had seen his sister Jessica more recently but I had not seen his parents and other 2 siblings in 19 years! So you can just imagine how special this reunion was for me!

And it was just wonderful! I had so much fun seeing Chris and his family again, but also other friends from Sri-Lanka who I also had not seen in 19 years. It was magical; I didn't want the night to end! I ended up being the last person to leave the party at almost 1 am - Jonny and Daniel left much earlier and I got to stay up having fun!

Because I was so caught up in enjoying the party, I didn't get many photos. But here are some of our trip down to NY and the reunion...

Very early in the morning waiting for the Amtrak train to NY...

Daniel loved being on the train; just as we had expected...

Speeches - the bride and groom to be is the young couple behind the speaker...

Old friends from Sri-Lanka! It was such an amazing reunion!

With Chris and Dilshad...

With Lexi, Jessi and Amelia...

With Jessi and James...

Considering all the novelty and people, Daniel also enjoyed the party! He played with Jessi's son Dylan in the basement.

And later enjoyed playing with Dylan's car!

These photos are now memories that are very dear to me! I'm so glad we went! Can't wait until our next reunion!