February 2005

Hi all,
Following on with the wedding theme from last months update the big news for the beginning of this year was that Frosty's sister Elaine got married and true to form asking Frosty to remember details for the website news page was just as bad as last time. The news got pieced together bit by bit over the course of the month when he would say, oh did I tell you about that ..... and with a little help from Elaine about actual details such as the name of the Church etc. Did you really think Frosty would remember things like that?

Frosty left for the Uk on the 28th of December with Joe in tow. The first time I have been separated from my little Joe ever for more than a few hours. The anticipation of a week not having to look after my boys still did not fend off the tears when it came time to say goodbye. Frosty had been joking for weeks that he was going to brand me as a wicked mother who had abandoned them both and run off with the postman to the air stewardesses to gain sympathy but he chickened out in the end and just got comments like good luck from other passing passengers!

Elaine and Gray got married on New Years Eve in Liverpool. The wedding was officially 1pm but Elaine did not arrive at the Church till 1.25pm in true Diva style! The weather was glorious according to Elaine, a bit cold but the sun was shining. Mike differs on his account of the weather saying it was bloody freezing. Mike was an usher and Joe a mini-usher! A lovely ceremony was held at St Paul's RC church followed by afternoon and evening receptions at the Liverpool Holiday Inn hotel. Everyone gave speeches including the bride and while all eyes were on the top table Joe took this opportunity to go and sit under the top table in full view of everyone and pick his nose. Talk about show me up. Then again, his dad is no better. Joe totally exhausted fell asleep before the evening reception. Frosty did not even bother to wash his face and wheeled him off to the night do with a face totally smeared in chocolate from the afternoon, how I have cringed when I have seen the photos! Everyone danced the night away and what a way to celebrate the new Year. We can have double celebrations from now on with Elaine and Gray's anniversary and Joe's birthday all falling over New Year.

Joe had a great birthday at his nana and granddads. He was excited this year about having a birthday cake with candles having been to a few birthday parties before Christmas. He had a brilliant Bob the Builder Birthday cake and just could not wait to blow out his candles that he wouldn't wait for the camera!

Although Mike and Joe were away for a week, I only actually spent 3 hours alone by myself! I waved Joe and Mike off at around 10pm and at 2am the following morning Marita was knocking on my door having come from Australia to spend New year in Singapore and Malaysia. It was great to see my best friend from Bangkok after about 3 years since we last saw each other. We stayed up talking for a few hours knowing that I had the luxury for the first time in two years of not having to get up. We didn't actually do a right lot while she was here because the weather was just terrible, it rained constantly for a week and we both were quite content to put our feet up on the sofa and watch films! I did take the opportunity though to go and visit Little India, something which I have never done since I have been here because it's about the one place in Singapore that is not really pushchair friendly. We had a great time looking round the shops and eating authentic Indian food.

Marita and I spent New Years eve in the company of a large party of friends of Gary and Penny Hall. We had a fantastic 10 course meal in a Japanese/French style restaurant. A combination of food I have not had before. It was a chance to meet new people and enjoy my first New Year out since Joe was born. It was really weird not being with Frosty though - the first new year in about 14 years! Unfortunately I have no digital photos of new year and Marita and I around town as Frosty took the camera to the UK with him. The few I took on my old fashioned camera are disappointingly dull! When Joe came back we took a day out to Sentosa and Under Water World. You know Joe, he never tires of the aquarium.

I did miss Joe a lot whilst he was gone but I also enjoyed all the following: simple things that you take for granted when there are no kids around: having a shower totally in peace. Eating breakfast with no one at your legs with an open mouth wanting a bite of your toast. Sleeping in. Not tied to a time schedule. No nappies, food to prepare and sticky hands to wipe a hundred times a day. No toys to trip over, the house remained spotless and tidy for more than 20 minutes at a time. I could go on but you get the picture.

There have been more weddings and more babies since last time. Ant and Tracey got married in Bangkok on the 30th December. Penny and Gary's third son William was born along with Prawea to Neil and Gee, all before Christmas but I didn't have time to mention last update. Uncle Mawf visited Joe again and brought a great little book about a tuk tuk from grandma Sue which Joe has thoroughly enjoyed reading. Mark was in town promoting his company Kudu at a Thai property exhibition at Suntec City so we all headed down there one Saturday morning and tried to stop Joe from demolishing the model houses. He thought his car looked great parked in the drive!

Chinese New year we were all ill. Frosty was working anyhow, but Joe came down with a bad fever which he gave to all of us eventually. CJ, Steph and Grace were also visiting from Hong Kong and we eventually met up when I was feeling better for a lovely early dinner at dusk at Indochine along the river. Grace is such a gorgeous little sweetie and kept us all entertained including Joe who definitely liked his new older girlfriend. See Joe's page for his first date photo. Jay and his lovely family were also in town at the latter end of Chinese New Year and we had a quick Sunday lunch before they hit the shops once more before heading to the airport. Joe liked Sahree a lot and gave her a big kiss and cuddle as they were leaving and his two boys were so good with Joe that we know where to send him to play next time we go to Bangkok!

Now we are just waiting for X2 to make their appearance. The next Frosty update will be when I am back on my feet again .........

Birdie x x x