Dearest Sweet Darling Skyler,

You’re 1 Month-Old today!!! How time flies!

We started the day by taking you to Causeway Point to get a mobile for your playpen. This is Papa and Mama’s 1st Month gift for you. We were worried that you may not like it, but fortunately, you took to it immediately. We were glad to see that you enjoyed watching the little animals go round and listening to the accompanying lullaby, particularly when we were changing your diaper.

This also happens to be your first trip to Causeway Point. We’ll probably bring you there more often in the days to come, since this is the mall nearest to our home.

Later in the evening, we celebrated your 1st Month with our families. Quite coincidentally, today is also the Eve of the Lunar New Year, the time when Chinese families have their Reunion Dinners. The Reunion dinner symbolises the unity of the family, so Papa and Mama were very happy that we got to have dinner with both Papa’s family and Mama’s family.

After dinner, we celebrated your 1st month with a yummy cake. This is the cake that Papa and Mama got you in celebration of your 1st Month. It was a “decorate-it-yourself” cake, and it came with slices of peach inside.

Here’s what your cake looked like before we decorated it.

Here’s what your cake looked like AFTER we decorated it with the “playful bear” icing ornaments we chose. Not too bad huh?

Baby Skyler, since you were born, you’ve received SO many gifts from Papa and Mama’s colleagues, students, friends and families. We keep joking about how rich you are from all the "ang baos" you received, but really, you are very blessed to be so loved by everyone. Papa and Mama are also very touched by all the expressions of love and concern our colleagues, students, friends and family have shown us all this while. Do remember to love them all when you’re old enough to know how to express your love, little one!

In this first month, you’ve grown so much already. In fact, you’re now 4kg, and it looks as if you won’t be able to fit some of your clothes soon. =P

We’ve also been very impressed by some of the new things you’re doing. You’ve started smiling and cooing very sweetly, and you’re now able to see us from a distance and turn your head to the direction of our voices. How quickly you’re growing and learning new things, baby Skyler!

Papa and Mama are SO happy that you’re a strong, healthy and happy little baby girl. Though there were times when you bawled and stressed Papa and Mama, you have been an extremely sweet little girl and we thank God for you.

Continue to grow in God’s grace, Darling Skyler!

With ALL our love,

Your tired Papa and Mama

Dear Skyler,

Since we announced your name to our family and friends after your birth, many have been asking about the meaning behind your name and why we chose this name for you. It is a very unique name, so most people were curious about how we came up with this name for you. Undoubtedly, when you are a little older, you will also be curious as to why Papa and Mama gave you this name.

Well, for one, Mama has always liked the beauty of the sky. Whether it be a clear blue sky with lovely clouds in it or a wondrous night sky with sparkling stars in it, Mama has always felt the sky to be a beautiful creation of God.

The sky also reminds Mama of the freedom we have in God’s love. When Mama was in Secondary school, a song touched me very much. When you’re old enough, I’ll teach it to you. It’s called “Spirit Wings”. Here’s part of the song:

“Spirit wings, You lift me over all the earth-bound things,
And like a bird I’m flying high above;
I’m soaring on the love Your Spirit brings.
Oh, Lord of Love, You help me see
The meaning of Your majesty.
You lift me up and carry me on Your Spirit wings.”

I’ve always told your Papa that if you were a girl, I’d like to name give you a name that’s related to the sky, since that is what Mama sees her relationship with God as – one that gives her freedom in His love. If you were a boy, I would have liked to give you a name that’s related to the river, since that is what Mama sees Papa’s relationship with God as – one that’s marked by a steadfast faith that flows steadily like the river. So since you are a girl, we decided to name you “Skyler”.

But “Skyler” wasn’t a name we thought of giving you all along. One or two nights after we found out that you existed in Mama’s tumsie, Mama flipped through a book of baby names we’ve had all this while. It’s a very pretty book with beautiful pictures inside. That was when Mama chanced upon the name “Skyler” and decided it was perfect for you.

So there, our beautiful little Skyler. That’s the meaning behind your name. Contrary to popular belief, your name has nothing to do with Papa’s and Mama’s liking for the movie “Star Wars” or the character “Luke Skywalker” inside the movie. It also has nothing to do with “reaching for the skies” or aiming “sky-high”.

Your name has a Christian derivation for us. We pray that you will always have the joy that comes from being free in the love of God, and we pray that when you do feel down, you will look to the heavens and know that your help comes from God, who made you and who loves you very, very, very much.

Psalm 19:1-4a
“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge. There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard. Their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world.”

Psalm 108:1-4
“My heart is steadfast, O God; I will sing and make music with all my soul. Awake, harp and lyre! I will awaken the dawn. I will praise you, O Lord, among the nations; I will sing of you among the peoples. For great if your love, higher than the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the skies.”

Mama & Papa love you!