BAD dreams - Matty obviously had a nasty dream last night when he kept mumbling for 15 whole minutes "my... my.... my Yizong".
BAD throat - Mummy is down with a sore throat and flu. What a way to end and start a year.
Monday 31 December 2007
BAD
Thursday 27 December 2007
Princess' First Christmas
Well... this year's Christmas is nothing more different than the last 2 years - Same Christmas tree, same honey-baked ham from Marriot Hotel, lots of food which we couldn't possibly stomach in one meal, lots of presents under the tree. The only difference is that we have our princess to share the joy *beams*.
Mummy is in a generous mood this year and splurged a little more on the presents this year. It has been a good year for Mummy... a promotion, a great increment and a salary adjustment. But after this (or probably after another round of spree at Old Navy if I can lay my hands on that hooded-toggle overcoat for Matty!) I really need to give the shopping a break before I break my bank and deplete it completely. Somehow I can never convince myself that Matty and Elaina have enough new clothings for the coming Chinese New Year even though what's hanging in the wardrobe can last them past the 15 days plus the eve of Chinese New Year.
Anyway back to the topic... Matty and Elaina each received a grand total of 8 presents. Most came in big boxes so much so that some were presents under the tree and some become "presents behind the sofa" because we ran out of space under the tree. After much anticipation, Matty finally got to lay his hands on the presents. I must salute him for the perseverance in continuously and consistently pleading to allow him to open the pressies and the patience nonetheless for actually holding out 3 full weeks before he get to see his toys. Elaina surprised us by her ability to stay up late that day. 2 hours past her bedtime and there was no sign of crankiness from her - the wonder of Christmas or should I say toys (lots and lots of them).
The person who got the most expensive toy is none other than moi. Daddy bought me a new mobile phone because the old one had been wonky for a while. It had done well to survive this long despite the many knocks and drools from Matty and Elaina in the last 2 and half years. To prevent the new phone from going through the same ordeal... we are keeping the old phone for those long car rides when you need a gadget or 2 to entertain the 2 kids.
Monday 24 December 2007
Round One ~ Fight!
Yesterday marked the first war between Matty and Elaina.
Both of them never played well together - Elaina will try and grab whatever that the big brother is playing with (despite all the efforts that we try to distract her away from his toys) and Matty will push her hands away while trying to protect his territory. Understandably... since most children only learn how to play with peers at around the age of 3. The ignition of the commotion? Elaina actually snatched a toy out from Matty's hand when she would usually just take things that Matty leaves on the floor. Matty burst out immediately as though the whole world did him some big injustice. I reprimanded the little princess for her doings and gave the toy back to the big brother. She ended up brawling too. Frankly, as the mother... I can only say that both were in the wrong. She should not have played rough and he could have avoided the whole episode if he had agreed to share his toys with the little sister.
As much as I would like not to deal with situations like these, it will not be the last unfortunately... especially tonight when they get to open up their Christmas presents. I can just about imagine Matty trying to have a go at Elaina's toy while she lacks the ability to stop him... and her trying to get a feel of his toys while he tries hard to keep her away. I can only hope that not much tears will flow and end the Christmas eve with a not so nice note.
Both of them never played well together - Elaina will try and grab whatever that the big brother is playing with (despite all the efforts that we try to distract her away from his toys) and Matty will push her hands away while trying to protect his territory. Understandably... since most children only learn how to play with peers at around the age of 3. The ignition of the commotion? Elaina actually snatched a toy out from Matty's hand when she would usually just take things that Matty leaves on the floor. Matty burst out immediately as though the whole world did him some big injustice. I reprimanded the little princess for her doings and gave the toy back to the big brother. She ended up brawling too. Frankly, as the mother... I can only say that both were in the wrong. She should not have played rough and he could have avoided the whole episode if he had agreed to share his toys with the little sister.
As much as I would like not to deal with situations like these, it will not be the last unfortunately... especially tonight when they get to open up their Christmas presents. I can just about imagine Matty trying to have a go at Elaina's toy while she lacks the ability to stop him... and her trying to get a feel of his toys while he tries hard to keep her away. I can only hope that not much tears will flow and end the Christmas eve with a not so nice note.
Sunday 16 December 2007
We All Get There Somehow
Weighing 8.1kg, our little princess will be turning 9 months old in a few days. Time seems to be creeping extremely fast since Elaina came along. Unknowingly she has hit many milestones as well.
Elaina is now a professional when it comes to changing position. Rolling over, sitting up, going onto her tummy, pulling up to stand and cruising... are no longer challenges to her. The only challenge is when we try to keep her still.
Mummy tried getting Elaina to drink through the straw yesterday and she actually did it even without being "formally trained" with any training cup and spout... unlike Matty. But of course Matty was able to drink through the straw at 7 months old. Maybe this is a good illustration that a child will somehow learn new tricks even without the parents nudging them to... other than the reluctance to do it when they are older and that they know how to express their unwillingness.
I can now fully understand why a second-time parent will start to get more and more relaxed about alot of things unlike with the firstborn. It will start out as the lack of time to worry too much and gradually you realise that the kid will still grow up and go through the same phase with or without the anxiety that parents go through.
With Matty, during the first year of his life we wonder about alot of things - when he will stop waking up for night feeding, how to make him sleep better and wake up later in the morning, is he napping enough hours, if he should be eating food that are more chunky to get him to learn to chew, if he is getting enough practice in self-feeding, is he hitting his milestones, if he knows how to wave bye bye, do we talk to him enough so that he will say his first word and the list just goes on and on and on. When it comes to Elaina, fortunately and unfortunately... we are thankful if she goes to sleep at some point, that she eats something regardless what texture it comes in, that someone actually remembers to change her diaper.
Elaina is now a professional when it comes to changing position. Rolling over, sitting up, going onto her tummy, pulling up to stand and cruising... are no longer challenges to her. The only challenge is when we try to keep her still.
Mummy tried getting Elaina to drink through the straw yesterday and she actually did it even without being "formally trained" with any training cup and spout... unlike Matty. But of course Matty was able to drink through the straw at 7 months old. Maybe this is a good illustration that a child will somehow learn new tricks even without the parents nudging them to... other than the reluctance to do it when they are older and that they know how to express their unwillingness.
I can now fully understand why a second-time parent will start to get more and more relaxed about alot of things unlike with the firstborn. It will start out as the lack of time to worry too much and gradually you realise that the kid will still grow up and go through the same phase with or without the anxiety that parents go through.
With Matty, during the first year of his life we wonder about alot of things - when he will stop waking up for night feeding, how to make him sleep better and wake up later in the morning, is he napping enough hours, if he should be eating food that are more chunky to get him to learn to chew, if he is getting enough practice in self-feeding, is he hitting his milestones, if he knows how to wave bye bye, do we talk to him enough so that he will say his first word and the list just goes on and on and on. When it comes to Elaina, fortunately and unfortunately... we are thankful if she goes to sleep at some point, that she eats something regardless what texture it comes in, that someone actually remembers to change her diaper.
Monday 3 December 2007
Siblings Rivalry
If Matty and Elaina can communicate (in a better way) with each other, here's probably what they will say to each other....
Matty to Elaina:
Mei-Mei, I really love you as a little sister and I will give you all the hugs and kisses that I can, but there are some things which I do not share - Mummy, my toys and my ex-toys which by some miracle now belongs to yo, and all the new toys... even though some may belong to you (or so I was told by the adults).
My little bimmer and F1 car belong to me too... I am only letting you have it because it sounds more fun when I have you in one car chasing after me while I am in the other.
By the way, you are not to touch or smell my books... including mouthing them. In case nobody has told you this yet, yes those books belong to me. Likewise for my mega blocks and lego blocks.
Yes, there are times when I will allow you to set your hands on my toys and books only because I was told that otherwise I will not have access to your toys in the future.
Matty to Elaina:
Mei-Mei, I really love you as a little sister and I will give you all the hugs and kisses that I can, but there are some things which I do not share - Mummy, my toys and my ex-toys which by some miracle now belongs to yo, and all the new toys... even though some may belong to you (or so I was told by the adults).
My little bimmer and F1 car belong to me too... I am only letting you have it because it sounds more fun when I have you in one car chasing after me while I am in the other.
By the way, you are not to touch or smell my books... including mouthing them. In case nobody has told you this yet, yes those books belong to me. Likewise for my mega blocks and lego blocks.
Yes, there are times when I will allow you to set your hands on my toys and books only because I was told that otherwise I will not have access to your toys in the future.
Elaina to Matty:
Gor-Gor, you are my role model. I look at you in awe whenever I see you jump and run about on your own. I can't wait to grow up and be like you.
But growing up can be a painful process especially when you refuse to let me have a go at your toys and books. They look yummilicious. I'm sure that it is the same reason why you ate my biscuits... the whole box of it when I only managed to eat one.
I want to learn from you... including how to switch the discs and press the "play" button. At least next time when you take out my Baby Einstein discs and load in your Blue's Clues I know how to get my Baby Einstein back. I can't understand a word uttered by Elmo, Blue, Big Bird or Dora... so can't we stick to something more universal like Baby Einstein?
By the way, the feeling is mutual when it comes to me having to share my toys and Mummy with you. I will not take it lying down from now on and will not hesitate to scream at you like I did yesterday morning when you tried to play with the button on Mummy's shirt while I was at it.
