Pages of INK

“I see three lines! Can you guess what the gender is?”

The gynae finally confirmed that we would be having a baby girl while I was 6 months pregnant. Usually, mummies would be able to tell the gender around 4 months into their pregnancy but this has taken longer than usual as she was not very “cooperative” during previous scans.

Just like mummy, baby only wished to show her face during previous ultrasounds!

It was an answered prayer as both INK and I were praying for a baby girl. Ah, now all those beautiful dresses that we bought for Ashley can be reused! Haha. The thought of being able to doll up another child excites me. The next thing is – what to name her?

Girls just like to dress up and pose for the camera!

For Ashley, we had gone for the initials ARK (Ashley Rei Kwok) just like her daddy INK (Irving Neil Kwok). A bit of brainstorming yesterday turned up other possibilities like ASK, JFK, CK, BKK, BK, MLK…. how about OK? Its tough… any suggestions are more than welcome.

Here she is…

… looking right at you!

“He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young.”

I was doing my daily quiet time when I came upon this verse. This is not a verse that I have heard others quote before, yet I was very touched when I read it. It’s a simple yet profound declaration of God’s love for us.

Background: This chapter was written by the prophet Isaiah to comfort the people of Judah after they returned from 70 years of exile in Babylon. God used a pagan rule, Cyrus II of Persia, to conquer Babylon in 539 B.C.

Below are things that spoke to me a lot:

1. Although this verse was written hundreds of years ago, it is in present tense!
2. God describes himself as the shepherd. What kind of shepherd is God?
• John 10:11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” We know that come to pass with the death of Jesus on the cross for our sins.
• Matthew 18:10-14 Parable of the lost sheep. We see how God went after that one sheep that wandered away, not willing for any of his sheep to be lost.
3. God describes us as His little children i.e. lambs.
   As new mother of 6 month old Ashley, I love coming home from work to be with my daughter, seeing her smiling widely at me as though I am the only thing that matters to her in the whole wide world. Similarly, I believe our Father longs for us to spend time with him and He is always there for us, waiting for us to meet with him.
4. He gathers us in his arms and close to his heart!!
   I love this verse! I was very touched and I just imagine myself being carried by the Almighty God, right next to heart. God thinks the world of me. In His eyes, I am beautifully and wonderfully made!
5. He gently leads those who have young.
   God acknowledges and understand the burdens and responsibilities of those who take care of others, that is why he promised to gently lead and guide our path.
   I believe God is referring to both physical and spiritual parents ie. Those who have children and those who are taking care of new believers. He knows that we may be lost at times, not sure what to do, but he will the beacon of light that guides us. Psalm 23 talks about our Shepherd who guides us along the path of righteousness and leads us beside quiet water.

Praise God for His love!

Today (May, 26th), Mylene and I brought little Ashley to her first photoshoot and a shot at stardom – The Cutest Baby Contest! All contestants had to go to KZ Talent photo studio to have their pictures taken, which would then be uploaded onto their website for online voting (and an entry fee of $25).

Arriving at the appointed time of 3pm, we realised that Ashley was not the only one taking pictures. There were at least 5 kids there for the same contest! So, Mylene and I took turns trying to entertain Ashley to keep her spirits up while she waited for her turn (there were 3 kids before us).

Upon talking to the other parents, I realized that Ashley was the youngest baby there. The rest were like 5 months to 3 years old. In my eagerness to enter her into this contest, it suddenly dawned on me that she was at a disadvantage because:
1) She couldn’t sit yet
2) She can’t walk, run and jump
3) She can only take pictures while lying on her tummy but only for short while before her little arms get tired
4) She doesn’t understand our instructions to smile and pose!
5) She was cranky and impatient by the time it was her turn

Nonetheless, I guess it doesn’t really matter in the end because it’s just for the fun of it! Do support Ashley by voting at this link if you think she is cute!
Cutest Baby Contest

Ashley thanks you for your support and blows you a flying kiss!

Whee….today I got off work at 5.30pm!!! Becoz I’m on Excel training for THREE DAYS!!!