Jonathan

Jonathan, 徐乐, my youngest boy, the baby of the family.

He's Jon or 弟弟 to us though he would much prefer for us to call him Jay Chou.

He's a dynamite, a chilli-padi, small but potent!

I cant really figure him out.

There will be days when he's an absolute gem and a sweetheart to be around, where everything is wonderful and he's the perfect gentleman and companion.

But on bad days, he can be grumpy, grouchy, disagreeable and I just want to either pull my (or his) hair out or dig hole and bury myself.

Everybody melt at his handsome, pretty-girl face. They want to touch him, hold him and play with him.

He, on the other hand much prefer to be left alone and usually wont respond.

He's most comfortable with family where you will be treated to his real cheeky and playful self.

He's quieter than Ethan. He's not as sociable. He is more impatient. He's stubborn as a mule. At 4, he knows what he wants and how to go about getting it. He knows how to pull at daddy's heart-strings to get what he wants. He doesn't think he's young, he thinks he's equal with Ethan and wont back down in an argument or dispute unless the judge (Mr Cane) is out. He finds it hard to say sorry. He dictates what you should ask and how you should answer.. He is persistent! He is particular about cleanliness and keeps track of his belongings from toys to stroller. He doesn't care about what he wears as long as he's clothed.

He has an asian palette when it comes to food. He would rather go hungry than to eat spaghetti and any western meal with the only exception of pizza which he would eat when he's really starving. Give him rice and noodles everyday and he's as happy as a bird.

He dislike milk, loves ice-cream, cheese & yogurt. The only milk he would drink is soya bean milk. Other than that, he lives to eat. He gets excited at pictures of food. He can eat at anytime of the day, the whole day, snacking throughout. His eyes lit up, gets all excited, goes WOW when he steps into a food-court eons ago when we were back in Singapore. A foodie just like his daddy.

He sleeps on his own lower bunk of the bed with Ethan. He chases us out of the room at night, pretending to go to sleep only to run out of his bed to sit on the window sill to sing, dance and play once the door is closed and our back is turned. How did we find out? He seems so tired in the morning and of course we asked and Ethan told us all about the 'concerts' his brother gave at night.

He loves to dance and sing. His favorite artiste is Jay Chou. He wants to be Jay Chou, he makes facial expression likes him, dance like him, sing like him, he wants to be strong like him so he tries hard to eat everything we give him now.

He loves watching Jay Chou's MTVs and concerts DVD, he can sing a few songs very well.

He even sings to his 阿姨 in school when she tends to him.

He's a mummy's boy. He showers me with praises, compliment me on my dressing. He calls me a beautiful princess. He thinks I have nice shoes, bags and clothes. He says I am pretty all the time. He hugs me all the time. He sticks to me like superglue. He wails when I don't send him to school somedays. He only wants me to push his stroller.

He is a very cautious boy. He's doesn't like swimming or washing his hair, anything that gets his hair and face wet! So its been a struggle having to wash his hair daily especially now that its summer. He can soap up on his own while I just have to hose him down thereafter.He is finally toilet-trained for the day after so many failed attempts where he just refused to be off diapers. He cant be forced to do things, he has to agree to doing them in his own time and speed. You can encourage him, tempt him, convince him, but force him and he goes the other way immediately.

He loves Ethan to bits! Though they fight and squabble from time to time, he looks for Ethan in the crowd and feel secure and happy when Ethan is around. He's happiest when James is home in the evening, he will always run straight into daddy's arms and that always melt daddy's heart.

He is a home-body. He enjoys being in the comfort of his home among his toys and shows. He only wants to be out for three things #1 Cars seeing or buying #2 Supermarket shopping for food and #3 meal-times... and once these are done, all he wants is to go home.

He loves cars... loves pointing out the different brands and makes of the cars on the road. He has crates and crates of cars at home. We have to bring cars out everywhere we go. He plays with them all the time. He knows the cars he has and those that he doesn't. While other kids his age loves the playground, he loves sitting by the porch looking at the cars whizz by.... pointing out Toyota, Bentley, Beemer, Mercedes and many more.

He is the least singaporean among us, having been out since he was 6 weeks old. He only spends summer holiday back home. I hope he remembers that he has many loved ones, cousins, families and dear dear friends who adored and love him just as much. I hope he will be able to enjoy the same bond that Ethan has with his cousins and little friends.

Jonathan couldn't be more different from Ethan. He's more challenging to parent though just as fun to be with. He is the brother that Ethan has always wanted and prayed for.

With him, I am praying for more wisdom and patience.

He has brought us so much joy. He's the baby I prayed for, argued with James for (when he wanted to stop at Ethan). James hasn't stopped smiling since the day he was born.

We couldn't imagine our family without him now even as he has his quirks and all.

弟弟, please know that we love you very very much! Be good ok?