We have been living in frenzy for the past few weeks. The move and flu bug going around the household leaves Mummy with a blank mind on most days.
Unknowingly, Elaina is now able to mouth a few words. It didn't dawn on me until 2 days ago when she asked for "water" and pointed to her bottle. We took for granted that she babbles most of the time and never really paid attention to whether she actually meant something.
I finally took count of what she can say at 15-month old:
- open
- bye bye
- hello
- see you
- water
- that
- mine
- mum-mum (for food)
- bao-bao (carry)
- hua-hua (flower)
- apple
- pa-pa
- ma-ma (for both Mah-Mah and Mummy)
- gong-gong
- gor-gor
- shake shake (for milk-shaking and bum-shaking... in other words dancing)
- baby (referring to her Baby Einstein disc)
Actually Elaina is doing much better than I had initially thought.
Thursday, 26 June 2008
Tuesday, 24 June 2008
The Bug is Here Again
Mummy is dozing off sitting in the office and staring into the computer. The utter lack of sleep is the culprit, and the culprit for the lack of sleep is the persistent flu bug that has been bugging us.
First, Daddy fell sick and then Matty came down with the flu. We were cleared for a mere one week before the bug stroked again hitting Daddy and Matty. Elaina has since caught the same strain of virus and is making her really sick. She hasn't been sleeping well since last Friday and Mummy has been surviving with a 3 to 4-hour sleep each night. I can hardly feel my brain except for the backache that usually lingers when I need to share the bed with Elaina.
We wake up each morning wondering if Elaina will be better tonight but so far we hadn't had any luck.
Better end-off here because I just caught myself falling asleep.
First, Daddy fell sick and then Matty came down with the flu. We were cleared for a mere one week before the bug stroked again hitting Daddy and Matty. Elaina has since caught the same strain of virus and is making her really sick. She hasn't been sleeping well since last Friday and Mummy has been surviving with a 3 to 4-hour sleep each night. I can hardly feel my brain except for the backache that usually lingers when I need to share the bed with Elaina.
We wake up each morning wondering if Elaina will be better tonight but so far we hadn't had any luck.
Better end-off here because I just caught myself falling asleep.
Wednesday, 18 June 2008
Kids Say the Darnest Things
I recalled reading an article online somewhere detailing how many words a child will know and be able to say at what age. Now that Matty is turning 3, his skills in the department of language is undoubtfully doing well and deserves a distinction at times.
Some nights ago while getting dressed, Matty was getting cranky after a long day and was saying "no" to whatever we tell him to do. When I attempted to comb his hair for him, he retorted with "No... I don't want to comb my hair... I don't want to be cute". I was getting agitated with his constant "no-this" and "no-that"... but at that moment I burst into laughter.
Matty got into the phase of not wanting to brush his teeth yet again. I was trying to reason with him why he needs to just the other day:
Mummy: Matty, do you know why Gong-Gong's teeth dropped and he needs to wear dentures? That is because he doesn't brush his teeth before going to bed. Don't you think you don't look nice without teeth?
Matty: Mah-Mah has teeth.
Mummy: Yup... because she brushes her teeth. So do you want to brush your teeth?
Matty: I want to be a handsome boy
Expressing his feeling is what Matty is capable of doing these days. He had a quirky exchange with Mah-Mah weeks before when he told her that he doesn't want to be a big boy because big boys are not allowed to do alot of things (well we tell him that he is a big boy now and therefore he cannot be doing things like throw tantrums etc) and that he wanted to be a baby. But after Mah-Mah evaluated the pros of being a big boy, for instance going to the supermarket for shopping when little babies like Mei-Mei needs to take her afternoon nap and that only big boys can eat french fries... he pondered over it for a few minutes and declared that he wants to be a "big boy baby". He obviously wants his cake and eat it too.
Of course other than saying how he feels, Matty tells us what he wants us to do or buy. In anticipation of his upcoming birthday, he has been constantly reminding us every other day that he wants a Mickey Mouse on his cake. One night after watching the episode "Birthday Machine" in Little Einstein, he told Mummy that he wants a big birthday with a Mickey Mouse cake, hats for everybody and a blue schoolbag as present. I hope the list will stop growing. He is pretty long-winded for a 3-year kiddo - doodled on his doodle board on Sunday and came running to me showing off his masterpiece. It resembled a box and he explained that it was a present. I prompted him further and he clarified that it is his present and guess what is in the box... a blue schoolbag.
Matty has started to ask "why" and not just "what" and "where". But he does it in an unusual way unlike most children I know - he phrases it with "because?".
Some nights ago while getting dressed, Matty was getting cranky after a long day and was saying "no" to whatever we tell him to do. When I attempted to comb his hair for him, he retorted with "No... I don't want to comb my hair... I don't want to be cute". I was getting agitated with his constant "no-this" and "no-that"... but at that moment I burst into laughter.
Matty got into the phase of not wanting to brush his teeth yet again. I was trying to reason with him why he needs to just the other day:
Mummy: Matty, do you know why Gong-Gong's teeth dropped and he needs to wear dentures? That is because he doesn't brush his teeth before going to bed. Don't you think you don't look nice without teeth?
Matty: Mah-Mah has teeth.
Mummy: Yup... because she brushes her teeth. So do you want to brush your teeth?
Matty: I want to be a handsome boy
Expressing his feeling is what Matty is capable of doing these days. He had a quirky exchange with Mah-Mah weeks before when he told her that he doesn't want to be a big boy because big boys are not allowed to do alot of things (well we tell him that he is a big boy now and therefore he cannot be doing things like throw tantrums etc) and that he wanted to be a baby. But after Mah-Mah evaluated the pros of being a big boy, for instance going to the supermarket for shopping when little babies like Mei-Mei needs to take her afternoon nap and that only big boys can eat french fries... he pondered over it for a few minutes and declared that he wants to be a "big boy baby". He obviously wants his cake and eat it too.
Of course other than saying how he feels, Matty tells us what he wants us to do or buy. In anticipation of his upcoming birthday, he has been constantly reminding us every other day that he wants a Mickey Mouse on his cake. One night after watching the episode "Birthday Machine" in Little Einstein, he told Mummy that he wants a big birthday with a Mickey Mouse cake, hats for everybody and a blue schoolbag as present. I hope the list will stop growing. He is pretty long-winded for a 3-year kiddo - doodled on his doodle board on Sunday and came running to me showing off his masterpiece. It resembled a box and he explained that it was a present. I prompted him further and he clarified that it is his present and guess what is in the box... a blue schoolbag.
Matty has started to ask "why" and not just "what" and "where". But he does it in an unusual way unlike most children I know - he phrases it with "because?".
Thursday, 5 June 2008
Falling in Place
We finally (well almost since there are still some work left to be done) crossed the biggest hurdle anticipated for Year 2008 - the move back to Waterplace.
As much as we hate it, the move was an eventful one... rectification to be done at the very last hour because we found out about something really late or someone forgotten clean about it or someone wasn't using his brains in the process. A hood that failed to work just when we thought that we are almost at the finishing line. And like every move, the shopping list just gets longer by the day and up until now the list is still being revisited and revised now and then. The whole process was truly back-breaking... from the washing and cleaning to the unpacking and organising. It will not be a exaggeration to say that a gazillion hours were put in to get the place ready.
I thought that I could have managed this better since I have moved a few times in the last 4 years but things didn't seem to flow the way that I had wanted to despite all the prior planning and even the nice worklist that was composed so that we will not lose sight of what needs to be done. But like we all know, expectation and reality do not gel. The washing and cleaning took twice the amount of time that was factored for. We worked till the dawn just one day before the big move and still not all things were where it should be for "Day 1".
The amazing part of life is that no matter how bleak the situation might appear to be at the beginning, things do somehow fall in place. We got through the first night working on the basis that as long as the kids get their shower and milk, have a bed to sleep in... the rest is something to worry about the following day because by then we were all burnt out and the mind and body just couldn't work another minute. And so we survived "Day 1" and even "Week 1" despite all the prior planning seemed to have failed miserably.
We used to wonder and worry about alot of things in the last 4 years. We cracked out heads over not having the space for a cot in our room before Matty came long and how are we to fit 2 car seats plus a maid at the back of the car when we need to ferry everybody home each night. We never got an answer to how the cot is to be placed or if we need an MPV. By the time we got Matty, we were moving into a place that was big enough to fit a bed plus a cot, convert a room into a baby changing room and a kitchen big enough to accommodate a bottle sterilizer, bottle warmer, and whole lots of other baby stuff. When we had even gone through that stage with Elaina it was time for us to move in to an apartment once again. We don't have to ponder if a saloon needs to make way of an MPV because we are now comfortable with the thought that Matty is sensible enough to take the front passenger seat and making sufficient room at the back to fit in 3. We discovered that if we stack things the right way, all the tupperwares, containers, pots, pans, cutleries which used to fill 2 kitchens can now go into that one little kitchen. It seems that time and time again things will work its way out naturally and eventually much to our surprise.
It is high time for me to get used to the notion that a good plan is when we do not to have one and just let matter run its own course.
As much as we hate it, the move was an eventful one... rectification to be done at the very last hour because we found out about something really late or someone forgotten clean about it or someone wasn't using his brains in the process. A hood that failed to work just when we thought that we are almost at the finishing line. And like every move, the shopping list just gets longer by the day and up until now the list is still being revisited and revised now and then. The whole process was truly back-breaking... from the washing and cleaning to the unpacking and organising. It will not be a exaggeration to say that a gazillion hours were put in to get the place ready.
I thought that I could have managed this better since I have moved a few times in the last 4 years but things didn't seem to flow the way that I had wanted to despite all the prior planning and even the nice worklist that was composed so that we will not lose sight of what needs to be done. But like we all know, expectation and reality do not gel. The washing and cleaning took twice the amount of time that was factored for. We worked till the dawn just one day before the big move and still not all things were where it should be for "Day 1".
The amazing part of life is that no matter how bleak the situation might appear to be at the beginning, things do somehow fall in place. We got through the first night working on the basis that as long as the kids get their shower and milk, have a bed to sleep in... the rest is something to worry about the following day because by then we were all burnt out and the mind and body just couldn't work another minute. And so we survived "Day 1" and even "Week 1" despite all the prior planning seemed to have failed miserably.
We used to wonder and worry about alot of things in the last 4 years. We cracked out heads over not having the space for a cot in our room before Matty came long and how are we to fit 2 car seats plus a maid at the back of the car when we need to ferry everybody home each night. We never got an answer to how the cot is to be placed or if we need an MPV. By the time we got Matty, we were moving into a place that was big enough to fit a bed plus a cot, convert a room into a baby changing room and a kitchen big enough to accommodate a bottle sterilizer, bottle warmer, and whole lots of other baby stuff. When we had even gone through that stage with Elaina it was time for us to move in to an apartment once again. We don't have to ponder if a saloon needs to make way of an MPV because we are now comfortable with the thought that Matty is sensible enough to take the front passenger seat and making sufficient room at the back to fit in 3. We discovered that if we stack things the right way, all the tupperwares, containers, pots, pans, cutleries which used to fill 2 kitchens can now go into that one little kitchen. It seems that time and time again things will work its way out naturally and eventually much to our surprise.
It is high time for me to get used to the notion that a good plan is when we do not to have one and just let matter run its own course.
Wednesday, 7 May 2008
Ques: What can wreck your Sunday?
Ans: A blazing sun, 2 babies who fights over toys and attention constantly, a toddler who only replies with "I don't want...." and a coughing bug that refuses to go away.
A blazing sun - The scorching sun causes a hike in the temperature and thus making everybody cranky.
Sibling Rivalry - The concept of "sharing" and the phase of "what you have must be better than what I have" do not go well together. Inability to keep both separate can cause major damage. Be prepared for 2T and 2S (tears, tantrums, shouting and screaming) to occur as a result.
"I don't want" - The common phrase of T2 stage. Sentences instinctively will begin with "I don't want....". It is a show of uncooperativeness. Telling the T2-stager otherwise will again result in 2T and 2S to occur.
Coughing Bug - A bug that drives one nuts especially over a prolonged period of 3 weeks. Condition can worsen when the sufferer sees "sibling rivalry" (defined as above) or hears the phrase "I don't want".
A blazing sun - The scorching sun causes a hike in the temperature and thus making everybody cranky.
Sibling Rivalry - The concept of "sharing" and the phase of "what you have must be better than what I have" do not go well together. Inability to keep both separate can cause major damage. Be prepared for 2T and 2S (tears, tantrums, shouting and screaming) to occur as a result.
"I don't want" - The common phrase of T2 stage. Sentences instinctively will begin with "I don't want....". It is a show of uncooperativeness. Telling the T2-stager otherwise will again result in 2T and 2S to occur.
Coughing Bug - A bug that drives one nuts especially over a prolonged period of 3 weeks. Condition can worsen when the sufferer sees "sibling rivalry" (defined as above) or hears the phrase "I don't want".
Friday, 18 April 2008
An Equation to Better Skin... Birdnest or Shea Butter?
We can now conclude that birdnest does not give one better skin. Matty and Elaina are classic examples. I took so much more birdnest when I was expecting Matty but his skin is so sensitive to insect bites and heals poorly leaving his limbs with marks all over. On the other hand, Elaina who had half the dosage of it while “incubating” in Mummy’s womb has a much better skin condition.
Matty now faces a condition that is worse than mosquito bites that swells and takes forever to subside – he has eczema! It started with his fingers mid of last week with skin peeling off. Initially we thought that it was a result of his handling of art and craft material in school and making his skin dry. Shea butter helped his fingers to get back to normal in 2 days. Last Friday, the skin on one of his toes started to flake. It couldn’t have been something he did in school because he goes around in socks while in the class and never barefoot. Shea butter failed to perform magic on his toes. By Sunday, peeling started to show on his other toes.
Mummy and Daddy brought him to the skin doctor on Wednesday and it was confirmed that the peeling is a form of mild eczema and most probably induced by perspiration. The word “mild” gave me some comfort. Unfortunately, such condition will come back to haunt him now and then until he is a little older (like in his teens). The not so bad part - it is so mild Matty did not experience any itchiness other than peeling skin.
There is no way to prevent the eczema from recurring except to try our best to keep his skin moisturized as much as we possibly can. Mummy have gone out to invest in a tub of shea butter cream suited for babies and resolve to make it a nightly regime to slap on some cream for Matty (and Elaina when she is a little older and have learned to stay still while being dressed!). I did some reading on the net and found out that shea butter is good for eczema amongst other things like insect bites, cuts and burns, which is probably why Matty’s fingers managed to heal.
Speedy recovery to Matty.
Matty now faces a condition that is worse than mosquito bites that swells and takes forever to subside – he has eczema! It started with his fingers mid of last week with skin peeling off. Initially we thought that it was a result of his handling of art and craft material in school and making his skin dry. Shea butter helped his fingers to get back to normal in 2 days. Last Friday, the skin on one of his toes started to flake. It couldn’t have been something he did in school because he goes around in socks while in the class and never barefoot. Shea butter failed to perform magic on his toes. By Sunday, peeling started to show on his other toes.
Mummy and Daddy brought him to the skin doctor on Wednesday and it was confirmed that the peeling is a form of mild eczema and most probably induced by perspiration. The word “mild” gave me some comfort. Unfortunately, such condition will come back to haunt him now and then until he is a little older (like in his teens). The not so bad part - it is so mild Matty did not experience any itchiness other than peeling skin.
There is no way to prevent the eczema from recurring except to try our best to keep his skin moisturized as much as we possibly can. Mummy have gone out to invest in a tub of shea butter cream suited for babies and resolve to make it a nightly regime to slap on some cream for Matty (and Elaina when she is a little older and have learned to stay still while being dressed!). I did some reading on the net and found out that shea butter is good for eczema amongst other things like insect bites, cuts and burns, which is probably why Matty’s fingers managed to heal.
Speedy recovery to Matty.
Monday, 31 March 2008
A Big Milestone
Should have put a note here last week but never found the chance to do it.
2 days after Elaina turned 1, she started to walk a few steps unsupported. Unfortunately the very next day she came down with a fever (caught the bug from Matty) and since then she hadn't taken any further steps.
2 days after Elaina turned 1, she started to walk a few steps unsupported. Unfortunately the very next day she came down with a fever (caught the bug from Matty) and since then she hadn't taken any further steps.
Tuesday, 18 March 2008
Whose birthday is it?
Passe as it may be, I still need to say this - time flies! A year ago I was cut up the 2nd time to bring a new life to this world. It felt like yesterday when I became mummy to Princess Elaina but in actual fact it was much longer than that.
In the last 365 days, Elaina had been busy doing a lot of growing up, hitting milestones, learning new stuff and getting acquaintance with how the world around her works. Today we finally welcome her to toddlerhood as she leaves the stage of infancy. It will be another exciting year for her... more milestones to meet, search of her own individual identity and equipping herself with what she needs to get to the Terrible Two (we have the other baby in the T2 stage and it is no longer amusing when he puts the skills he had acquired in the first 2 years of his life to good use and practice!).
Like all babies do, Elaina had her birthday celebration for crossing the big 1. It wasn't a big affair... but it was a long one spanning 3 days in total. We had 2 cakes over the weekend and today Mummy and Daddy took time off work to spend this special day together with Elaina. Matty definitely enjoyed the candle-blowing and cake-cutting more than Elaina. Elaina just had this blank look throughout - the same what-the-hell-is going-on expression we got from Matty when he turned 1. I'm sure come next year both of them will fight over the candle-blowing and cake-cutting when Elaina finally realises what birthday is all about.
In my opinion the first birthday is to be celebrated more so to congratulate the parents for surviving the last 12 daunting months and to remind ourselves of what's going to coming in the next 12 (or more) months.
Before Elaina turns 1 year and 1 day old in another 1 hour and 40 minutes... here's to her - HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!
In the last 365 days, Elaina had been busy doing a lot of growing up, hitting milestones, learning new stuff and getting acquaintance with how the world around her works. Today we finally welcome her to toddlerhood as she leaves the stage of infancy. It will be another exciting year for her... more milestones to meet, search of her own individual identity and equipping herself with what she needs to get to the Terrible Two (we have the other baby in the T2 stage and it is no longer amusing when he puts the skills he had acquired in the first 2 years of his life to good use and practice!).
Like all babies do, Elaina had her birthday celebration for crossing the big 1. It wasn't a big affair... but it was a long one spanning 3 days in total. We had 2 cakes over the weekend and today Mummy and Daddy took time off work to spend this special day together with Elaina. Matty definitely enjoyed the candle-blowing and cake-cutting more than Elaina. Elaina just had this blank look throughout - the same what-the-hell-is going-on expression we got from Matty when he turned 1. I'm sure come next year both of them will fight over the candle-blowing and cake-cutting when Elaina finally realises what birthday is all about.
In my opinion the first birthday is to be celebrated more so to congratulate the parents for surviving the last 12 daunting months and to remind ourselves of what's going to coming in the next 12 (or more) months.
Before Elaina turns 1 year and 1 day old in another 1 hour and 40 minutes... here's to her - HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!
Wednesday, 5 March 2008
The Aches & Pains of Parenthood
Barely 2 weeks after Matty recovered from his fever, it is now Elaina's turn to come down with stuffy nose. I hate it when the kids are sick - flu, cough, fever... it makes them ultra cranky especially at night when they are unable to rest well. They are so helpless but there is only so much that we can do to offer some relief. We can only wait for the body to fight the bug.
Mummy has been suffering from a stiff neck since yesterday - a result of co-sleeping with Elaina. In order to get Elaina to rest properly during times like this, the best way is to let her bunk in with Mummy. The princess is growing big and the bed is getting squeezy with her, Daddy and Mummy in it together. It was still ok few months ago but these days it is no longer comfy for Mummy. I think I probably didn't move an inch for 6 whole hours with Elaina on one side and Daddy on the other and end up waking to a very bad ache in the neck and shoulder area. Mummy couldn't even turn my head at all yesterday. The $10 massage which I paid for plus the medicated plasters to aid in circulation helped in giving me back some mobility in the neck area. Still hurts a little with bits of knots here and there. Talk about the aches and pain of parenthood.
Mummy has been suffering from a stiff neck since yesterday - a result of co-sleeping with Elaina. In order to get Elaina to rest properly during times like this, the best way is to let her bunk in with Mummy. The princess is growing big and the bed is getting squeezy with her, Daddy and Mummy in it together. It was still ok few months ago but these days it is no longer comfy for Mummy. I think I probably didn't move an inch for 6 whole hours with Elaina on one side and Daddy on the other and end up waking to a very bad ache in the neck and shoulder area. Mummy couldn't even turn my head at all yesterday. The $10 massage which I paid for plus the medicated plasters to aid in circulation helped in giving me back some mobility in the neck area. Still hurts a little with bits of knots here and there. Talk about the aches and pain of parenthood.
Wednesday, 13 February 2008
Self-Feeding Finally
After celebrating the little successes that Baby Elaina had in the last blog entry.... it is now time to give a big pat on the back for Matty.
Not sure if Matty had been influenced by his little friends in school or just a natural progression, he decided all of a sudden last Friday that it was high time he held the spoon on his own and insisted that he wants to do it. He has been doing well when it comes to self-feeding with fork... but little luck with the spoon and chopsticks with a tendency to spill the contents unless of some sticky consistency.
8 February 2008 is a date to remember - for the first time ever, Matty managed to feed himself a full bowl of fried rice without much help. The idea of "self-feeding" caught on and since then he has been taking his own meal, from rice, to porridge, to yoghurt and even soup.
I admit that this important milestone was delayed due to our reluctance to clean up the mess that he is likely to create after each meal... it felt much easier for us to feed him and still keep the place in order. But come to think of it... it probably is a lot easier on us if we just let him learn to take his own meal and free up our time to do something else. Mah-mah is definitely pleased because it means she can pretty much leave Matty alone these days during meal-time... and as he is now too preoccupied with making sure that his food gets to his mouth safely, he has no time to ask for toys or tv.
Not sure if Matty had been influenced by his little friends in school or just a natural progression, he decided all of a sudden last Friday that it was high time he held the spoon on his own and insisted that he wants to do it. He has been doing well when it comes to self-feeding with fork... but little luck with the spoon and chopsticks with a tendency to spill the contents unless of some sticky consistency.
8 February 2008 is a date to remember - for the first time ever, Matty managed to feed himself a full bowl of fried rice without much help. The idea of "self-feeding" caught on and since then he has been taking his own meal, from rice, to porridge, to yoghurt and even soup.
I admit that this important milestone was delayed due to our reluctance to clean up the mess that he is likely to create after each meal... it felt much easier for us to feed him and still keep the place in order. But come to think of it... it probably is a lot easier on us if we just let him learn to take his own meal and free up our time to do something else. Mah-mah is definitely pleased because it means she can pretty much leave Matty alone these days during meal-time... and as he is now too preoccupied with making sure that his food gets to his mouth safely, he has no time to ask for toys or tv.
Saturday, 2 February 2008
Three Cheers for Elaina
Hip~Hip~Horray for Elaina!! For the 3 achievements today:
One... she mastered the skill of sliding down the bed while on her tummy.
Two... she clapped her hands when she was happy.
Three... she was able to climb the stairs.
One... she mastered the skill of sliding down the bed while on her tummy.
Two... she clapped her hands when she was happy.
Three... she was able to climb the stairs.
Tuesday, 29 January 2008
King on King-Size Bed
Since moving back in with Mah-Mah, Matty has picked up the bad habit of climbing onto our king-size bed in the middle of the night. We forsee alot of hard work in trying to get Matty accustomed to sleeping in his own room when we move out again. As for Elaina, Mummy bears half the blame... because we know that she will eventually go back to sleep as long as she can "smell" me somewhere near here, I would always carry her out from her cot and put her next to me so that I can go back to sleep promptly while she gets her "aromatherapy" session. It has become a habit for Elaina as a result. There were nights when the bed became too squeezy with all of us on it... of course the 2 babies didn't seem to mind.
Last night, Matty threw a fit when he woke up in the middle of the night realising that he was back in his own bed. For the fear that his tantrums would wake Elaina up and make the situation even more uncontrollable, we had to let the "king" have the bed. Not for long I promise! Hopefully when we move back home, he will not find it as convenient as now to crawl into our bed, since it definitely will require more effort on his part.
For now, Daddy takes it as a fair exchange. The "king" gets his king-size bed and thrown-out-of-bed Daddy gets to sleep on the more comfortable mattress which I don't understand why Matty would readily give up for.
Last night, Matty threw a fit when he woke up in the middle of the night realising that he was back in his own bed. For the fear that his tantrums would wake Elaina up and make the situation even more uncontrollable, we had to let the "king" have the bed. Not for long I promise! Hopefully when we move back home, he will not find it as convenient as now to crawl into our bed, since it definitely will require more effort on his part.
For now, Daddy takes it as a fair exchange. The "king" gets his king-size bed and thrown-out-of-bed Daddy gets to sleep on the more comfortable mattress which I don't understand why Matty would readily give up for.
Friday, 18 January 2008
Slacking and Lacking
As I was browsing through the blog last night and reading some of the old blog entries, it confirmed my recollection that Matty actually started to talk (as in like say a few words) when he was about 9 months old. In fact he was able to mouth a few words even earlier than that... at about 8.5 months old. To name a few, he was able to express words like "mum-mum", "up", "down", "go", "on", "off", "clock", "bird", "car" and "flower"... and it wasn't random sounds that he was making. He points to the item and says it clearly.
I was proud that the boy was steadily increasing his vocabulary back then. I have always attributed Matty's strong verbal skills to the amount of talking that we constantly do with him. It wasn't intentional... it was never in our agenda to "groom" him in this aspect. Maybe because he doesn't really sleep a lot back then and we ended up distracting him and entertaining him with constant chattering. We carried him and walked him around the house, the garden, the neighbourhood and gave him all the exposure that a child needs - the sight, the sound, the smell.
Flip side of knowing that Matty was doing well in this area is that now I feel we haven't done enough for Elaina and the guilt of neglecting her seems to have crept back quietly. At 10 months old today, Elaina has not been able to mouth any recognisable word... probably just "mum-mum" when she sees food, which we are not even sure if she is pronouncing the word itself or just random baby sounds made. The excuse of "time is so stretched" is often cited to get ourselves off the hook when we cannot get something done for someone. To say that I have failed as a parent may sound a little too strong, but I hate to think that I may not be doing enough for the girl. I have always tried not to compare Elaina with Matty and stay away from being uptight about a lot of things.... but with that, I seemed to have slacked in making the effort when it comes to Elaina.
Probably in a few months time or in a few years when Elaina has learned what she needs to know and able to do what she needs to do... the guilt will stop haunting me. Until then...
I was proud that the boy was steadily increasing his vocabulary back then. I have always attributed Matty's strong verbal skills to the amount of talking that we constantly do with him. It wasn't intentional... it was never in our agenda to "groom" him in this aspect. Maybe because he doesn't really sleep a lot back then and we ended up distracting him and entertaining him with constant chattering. We carried him and walked him around the house, the garden, the neighbourhood and gave him all the exposure that a child needs - the sight, the sound, the smell.
Flip side of knowing that Matty was doing well in this area is that now I feel we haven't done enough for Elaina and the guilt of neglecting her seems to have crept back quietly. At 10 months old today, Elaina has not been able to mouth any recognisable word... probably just "mum-mum" when she sees food, which we are not even sure if she is pronouncing the word itself or just random baby sounds made. The excuse of "time is so stretched" is often cited to get ourselves off the hook when we cannot get something done for someone. To say that I have failed as a parent may sound a little too strong, but I hate to think that I may not be doing enough for the girl. I have always tried not to compare Elaina with Matty and stay away from being uptight about a lot of things.... but with that, I seemed to have slacked in making the effort when it comes to Elaina.
Probably in a few months time or in a few years when Elaina has learned what she needs to know and able to do what she needs to do... the guilt will stop haunting me. Until then...
Thursday, 17 January 2008
New School
Matty has finally gone back to school after a 2-month break... except of course he is now in his new school. So far the one good thing that came out from it was that our fear of him rejecting school did not materialise. He insisted that he wanted to go back to his "old school" when we first brought him there to check the school out. That added on to our fear.... the fear that Matty needed Mah-Mah to stick with him in school for almost a month before he is convinced that school is a pleasant place, that he can face school all by himself and that he will still come home in one piece at the end of the day.
Even though we were told by the school that one parent can remain in the classroom with the kiddo for the first 3 days, the teacher - Ms Simmone persuaded us to just drop and go. Otherwise it will be very hard for her to bond with the child if the parent continues to hoover around. And so we did…. after spending 15 mins with Matty and basically showing him around the classroom just to interest him with the crayons, toys and books, Mummy left him there and only keeping close watch through the observation room. Circle time, snack time, playground, singing, free-play filled the 3 hours. He did well – not a single drop of tear! Of course, we weren’t too sure on the first day if it was because the reality hasn’t sank in yet and the tears will start to pour on the subsequent days to follow. We even pre-empted Ms Simmone of that possibility before she gets overly impressed with his “steadiness” on the first day of school.
Then came the second day. Unexpectedly, Matty’s enthusiasm for school started to show. Right after lunch, he insisted that he wants to leave for school even though it was still way too early before the class starts at 2 in the afternoon. He puts on his shoes and waited at the door for Daddy to send him there. So he ended up waiting for the class to begin in the deserted school… because it was only 1.30 and all the teachers were still out for lunch.
It has been almost a week and Matty seems to be enjoying his new school. Guess our worry was an unfounded one. Glad to be proven wrong in this instance. If not it will be another stressful month for everyone.
Even though we were told by the school that one parent can remain in the classroom with the kiddo for the first 3 days, the teacher - Ms Simmone persuaded us to just drop and go. Otherwise it will be very hard for her to bond with the child if the parent continues to hoover around. And so we did…. after spending 15 mins with Matty and basically showing him around the classroom just to interest him with the crayons, toys and books, Mummy left him there and only keeping close watch through the observation room. Circle time, snack time, playground, singing, free-play filled the 3 hours. He did well – not a single drop of tear! Of course, we weren’t too sure on the first day if it was because the reality hasn’t sank in yet and the tears will start to pour on the subsequent days to follow. We even pre-empted Ms Simmone of that possibility before she gets overly impressed with his “steadiness” on the first day of school.
Then came the second day. Unexpectedly, Matty’s enthusiasm for school started to show. Right after lunch, he insisted that he wants to leave for school even though it was still way too early before the class starts at 2 in the afternoon. He puts on his shoes and waited at the door for Daddy to send him there. So he ended up waiting for the class to begin in the deserted school… because it was only 1.30 and all the teachers were still out for lunch.
It has been almost a week and Matty seems to be enjoying his new school. Guess our worry was an unfounded one. Glad to be proven wrong in this instance. If not it will be another stressful month for everyone.
Friday, 11 January 2008
First Blog for the New Year
Couldn't bear the thought that the blog hasn't been updated at all since we crossed over to 2008. Just gonna write something for the sake of it. Let's see...
Matty and Elaina caught the flu bug from Mummy a week ago and are on their way to full recovery. Other than the 2nd night which was really bad and resulted in Mummy only getting 3.5 hours of sleep that day.... I think we were pretty lucky to say that the babies were not as cranky as what we thought will be. Maybe we should thank Dr Chan for the "magic green potion" which can even knock Matty flat out.
Elaina is starting to get very demanding these days. She throws her tantrum more often and over minor things at times. We can hardly strap her to the car-seat lately. She will cry as though something devastating had happened. Elaina is definitely more daring as compared to her brother. She had been letting go of her grip without much thinking and can actually stand unsupported quite well. Everybody is betting on her walking real soon. I guess we will find out eventually.
For Mummy... it has been alot of money spending despite the end of Christmas. Now we need to start buying clothes and shoes for the Chinese New Year. I can't help but feel that my pocket is burning a big big hole... and will only get bigger when we start getting the red packets out.
I think that's about it. Time to knock out. Nitezzzzz
Monday, 31 December 2007
BAD
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.
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.
