I was trying to teach Christian the usage of "prefer...to...", and so I asked the following sentences to teach him the proper sentence structure.
Mama: Who do you prefer? Popo or Gonggong?
Ch: Popo!
Mama: Oh.. you prefer Popo to Gonggong?
Ch: Yes.
Mama: Hmm..who do you prefer? Ms Divine or Wang Lao Shi? (His form teachers for this year)
Ch: Ms Divine!
Mama: Oh really? You prefer Ms Divine to Wang Lao Shi?
Ch: Yes i like Ms Divine.
Mama: Oh..one last question. Who do you prefer, Mama or Daddy?
Ch: Mama! I love mama.
(Daddy goes HRMPH while driving in front. Mama is pleased and chuckles.)
Ch: Mama is my favourite. I like jelly too.. mama...
Mama rolls eyes at how his mind is wired...the word "favourite" inevitably triggers food memories. =7
He proceeded to give me the scoop on who's whose favourite in school - "Adam is my favourite in school. when i want to play with him, he doesn't say no. Brayan and Jia En too. Andrew only likes Vera. Vera is his favourite. He only plays with Vera. My favourite is Adam, Brayan and Jia En...." (Mama worries about how he'll take his change of school after we move house.)
25 February 2012
Calista with a headband
The silly girl grabbed my hairband and I had the sudden idea of putting it on her instead. Doesn't she look really cute. *shamelessly proud mama* Oh. Girls are such fun.
Milestones
At 7 months and 1 week, Calista's first tooth has made an appearance! There's a tiny hint of white on the lower right, right in front of her tiny mouth. :)
She has also started to crawl a little. P and I are the only ones who can harden our hearts to let her complain and cry during tummy time. The grandparents and helper simply ignore my exhortation to put her on her stomach as much as possible, for her to learn how to crawl. Anyway, she has started going 90 degrees to the direction initially placed, and moving backwards (cos her arms are still stronger than her legs and tend to push her backwards), just like how her brother first started out.
She'd complain like an old lady scolding the world, face all scrunched up and angry as I ignore her initial beseeching looks. This eventually escalates into an all-out 'NGEH NGEH NGEH NGEH' as I laugh at her expressions..till I can't take her cries anymore and pick her royally-sweaty highness up.
She has also started to crawl a little. P and I are the only ones who can harden our hearts to let her complain and cry during tummy time. The grandparents and helper simply ignore my exhortation to put her on her stomach as much as possible, for her to learn how to crawl. Anyway, she has started going 90 degrees to the direction initially placed, and moving backwards (cos her arms are still stronger than her legs and tend to push her backwards), just like how her brother first started out.
She'd complain like an old lady scolding the world, face all scrunched up and angry as I ignore her initial beseeching looks. This eventually escalates into an all-out 'NGEH NGEH NGEH NGEH' as I laugh at her expressions..till I can't take her cries anymore and pick her royally-sweaty highness up.
22 February 2012
Laughs
1) I forgot why, but I called him by his full chinese name in a matter-of-fact tone the other day - "W___ K___ X___."
Ch turned, looked at me and said: "Huh? What? I never do anything."
I burst out laughing, wondering if i scold him that often.
2) I was having dinner at the main dining table while Christian was eating at the kiddy table. With my back towards him, I wasn't paying attention to him until i heard him say to my mum "Later Mama scold." I wondered what that was about, and smiled when I heard him say "I feed myself."
I have effectively brainwashed the child to be independent and be his own gatekeeper against the grandparents' well-meaning-but-unhealthy habit of helping him. Hooray.
3) Christian's school brought him to West Coast Park for a picnic and he was all-excited when going to school that morning. My father told him he teased Ch by asking if he could join in the picnic. Ch was initially diplomatic and said "No. The picnic is only for children and you are an adult." When grandpa pressed further and said he'll ask Ch's teacher if he could go too, Ch blurted "You are an old man. You cannot go."
Whoa. Children can be so blunt. I'm glad my dad could just laugh it off.
4) Another exchange between the grandson and grandpa. Ch was pretending to be a baby shark. The grandpa asked if the baby shark will cook. Ch says "but there's no stove in the ocean!" Grandpa asks if baby shark will go hungry then. Ch says "No, baby shark will drink the ocean water!", with a note of triumph in logic. ^_^
Ch turned, looked at me and said: "Huh? What? I never do anything."
I burst out laughing, wondering if i scold him that often.
2) I was having dinner at the main dining table while Christian was eating at the kiddy table. With my back towards him, I wasn't paying attention to him until i heard him say to my mum "Later Mama scold." I wondered what that was about, and smiled when I heard him say "I feed myself."
I have effectively brainwashed the child to be independent and be his own gatekeeper against the grandparents' well-meaning-but-unhealthy habit of helping him. Hooray.
3) Christian's school brought him to West Coast Park for a picnic and he was all-excited when going to school that morning. My father told him he teased Ch by asking if he could join in the picnic. Ch was initially diplomatic and said "No. The picnic is only for children and you are an adult." When grandpa pressed further and said he'll ask Ch's teacher if he could go too, Ch blurted "You are an old man. You cannot go."
Whoa. Children can be so blunt. I'm glad my dad could just laugh it off.
4) Another exchange between the grandson and grandpa. Ch was pretending to be a baby shark. The grandpa asked if the baby shark will cook. Ch says "but there's no stove in the ocean!" Grandpa asks if baby shark will go hungry then. Ch says "No, baby shark will drink the ocean water!", with a note of triumph in logic. ^_^
1st visit to the optometrist
We had noticed Christian blinking furiously at times at the TV screen and I was very concerned. How could it be that he's myopic when he watches maybe 40 mins of DVDs a week? I did some research, read a lot of postings from other parents on the ksp forum, and realised that Singapore is truly a nation of myopics. My parents said 'it cannot be, he's so young..', but Christian used to have a classmate who was already wearing glasses, so I thought there's no point being in denial. Instead, we should just face up to reality and help him as early as we can.
I brought Christian to the optometrist last Wednesday 15 Feb, on my day off from work. I found this guy which offered paediatric eye examinations, and was quite pleased at how he engaged Christian in games. He didn't want to get off the car, maybe cos he was tired from school and just wanted to go home, so i had to trick and distract him by saying we were just going to see a kind uncle who would help us check his eyes and tell us whether his eyes were healthy, whether he can continue to watch tv etc etc.
It helped that the clinic had a corner full of toys so he cheered up. It also helped that the optometrist had kid-friendly tools to engage him. Ch was very fascinated with the machine which had a picture of a hot-air balloon within, and was very cooperative. He even asked if he could look into another machine which was nearby, after we were done with the first. =7
Anyway, he was proclaimed fine, with slight astigmatism and longsightedness of between 75 - 100 degrees. What a relief :) Turns out Ch was very aware that it was not just innocuous games that we were playing, cos he asked why he was leaving the shop without any glasses.
I brought Christian to the optometrist last Wednesday 15 Feb, on my day off from work. I found this guy which offered paediatric eye examinations, and was quite pleased at how he engaged Christian in games. He didn't want to get off the car, maybe cos he was tired from school and just wanted to go home, so i had to trick and distract him by saying we were just going to see a kind uncle who would help us check his eyes and tell us whether his eyes were healthy, whether he can continue to watch tv etc etc.
It helped that the clinic had a corner full of toys so he cheered up. It also helped that the optometrist had kid-friendly tools to engage him. Ch was very fascinated with the machine which had a picture of a hot-air balloon within, and was very cooperative. He even asked if he could look into another machine which was nearby, after we were done with the first. =7
Anyway, he was proclaimed fine, with slight astigmatism and longsightedness of between 75 - 100 degrees. What a relief :) Turns out Ch was very aware that it was not just innocuous games that we were playing, cos he asked why he was leaving the shop without any glasses.
17 February 2012
7!
Dear Meimei
Happy 7th Month!
You have really grown in the past month.. I probably say the same thing at the start of every letter i write to you, but the changes in you as you grew from 6 to 7 months are really marked.
The basics - food, sleep and milk
You have developed a new habit of sleeping only after using me as pacifier..I don't really mind it cos you do not seem as if you will develop a habit of comfort nursing (ha am i speaking too soon) unlike your brother who exhausted me cos he never seemed to want to release the latch.
You love to try new foods, and put everything into your mouth to form an opinion about it. ^_^
In the past month, you've tried dragon fruit, papaya, apple, pear and sweet potato/egg yolk/avocado/banana mashed up and mixed with milk. So far, you only really love cereal..and don't seem to like egg much, unlike your brother. You'll smack the table with one hand once we put you in the high chair though, like a Viking demanding his grub.
It has become very difficult to nurse you directly during the day because of the introduction of new foods, and also cos you are such a Ms Kaypoh (for the benefit of my readers in foreign lands, this means "Ms Nosey Parker"). The littlest sound or shout filtering through the window will cause your head to snap in that direction, and you'd be the picture of a deer facing the headlights. The expression really amuses me, but it is NoT amusing to have to coax you to return to the task at hand. The only time we manage to nurse successfully is at about 9pm, just before you sleep. You'd fall asleep rather quickly after having your fill, and protest as I carry you. I was just telling your Daddy, "It's amazing! She doesn't want me to carry her to sleep (probably cos you think i'm going to try and force you to drink more); instead, she's contented once i put her down in her cot!" You'll turn your head left, right, left, right, whimper a little, smile back at me, then flutter your eyelids and sleep. Heaven. It's after having you that we know why parents are keen to have more babies, even after having a firstborn.
Emerging Personality!
You aren't such a gentle rabbit no more though. (Calista's born in the Year of the Rabbit, according to the Chinese Zodiac). I sometimes wonder why my Rabbit has turned into a fierce tiger. You showed us your true colors the other day, when you tugged at me while b/feeding. I exclaimed loudly, you paused, stared at me, assessed the situation, then wailed so loudly that grandma who was in the bathroom was startled. Whoever taught babies to be the first accuser? Anyway, your poor mama, who was still hurting, was afraid that you'd go on a nursing strike after having negative emotions associated with nursing, so she had to quickly soothe you and say it's alright. Sheesh. (Though i admit that it's quite cute to see you stare, worriedly, before bawling.)
Your expressions bring us such joy..a baby's face is such an open book. You raise an eyebrow (or two) when puzzled by strange noises or phenomena, smack your lips n stick your tongue out repeatedly when hungry, flap n kick when excited.. you even growl like The Incredible Hulk bursting out of his costume when angry. Even though you can't say anything other than 'mama' and 'mum-mum' occasionally, you communicate your thoughts and opinions very well. :) We are so proud of you too, for being able to tell us you are hungry by saying 'mum-mum', starting a month or two ago. The other day, you woke at 6am and I ignored you for a while as I snoozed. When I eventually felt sorry for you and turned the light on to pick you up, you rewarded my efforts with a cackle n a jig. Oh you are definitely aware of things that go on around you. I love it when I clap my hands, and you respond by stretching your arms out and lurching forward towards me.
I think your personality is quite like mama's - that of a sileu.nt observer. We see such intelligence in your eyes, as you try to figure out the world around you. The other day, I turned the radio on you tried to look for the source, smiling when I clapped to the beat. After a while you looked puzzled n tried to grab something on the bed. I figured you were looking at shadows, and made some moving shadows with my fingers.
You looked at my fingers, then down on the bed, as if trying to figure out the connection. There was also once when you smiled at me as I looked at you probably cos you thought I was gng to pick you up. Unfortunately i walked away to the kitchen and you protested by crying.
Yes. My personality, and your daddy's features. It's as if my soul is trapped in Daddy's body. Haha!
Mannerisms
Other than the polite hollow coughs we hear when you are bored and wish us to pick you up or move you to another place, you have other amusing mannerisms peculiar to you. You love to fold and put one leg up on the high chair as you eat, in a most unbecoming manner. Ha. I think we have to do some etiquette training when you grow up. You've also started shaking your legs from the knee to the sole when happy or excited..or sticking a thumb in your mouth the way cowboys stick their thumbs in the pocket of their jeans.. =7
Physical growth
In terms of physical development, you are sitting very well and we are no longer so worried about you tumbling over whilst sitting. However, you are nowhere near crawling yet. You've discovered your toes and started munching on them when bored and in want of entertainment :)
Physical features
You still look a little boy..most strangers ask "Is this a boy?" when they see you.. we dressed you up in your brother's old romper and put a cap on for laughs. I had such fun looking at you and your brother was most amused with his 'didi'..
Dear baby, I can't wait for you to grow up a little more and yet, I treasure this time when you still give gummy grins and have just a bit of fuzz on your head. Sigh. Stay sweet and placid ok? We love you lots. Here's a snippet of conversation between Mama and your brother on you -
Ch: Why Meimei not big yet? I want her to play with me.
Me: She's growing bigger and we are feeding her so she'll grow bigger.
Ch: Must sleep to grow bigger too.
Well..know that we are all waiting for you to talk and join us in our family conversation. We are sure lots of laughs and a big ruckus is awaiting us as you and your brother interact more :)
Love,
your mama, always.
Happy 7th Month!
You have really grown in the past month.. I probably say the same thing at the start of every letter i write to you, but the changes in you as you grew from 6 to 7 months are really marked.
The basics - food, sleep and milk
You have developed a new habit of sleeping only after using me as pacifier..I don't really mind it cos you do not seem as if you will develop a habit of comfort nursing (ha am i speaking too soon) unlike your brother who exhausted me cos he never seemed to want to release the latch.
You love to try new foods, and put everything into your mouth to form an opinion about it. ^_^
In the past month, you've tried dragon fruit, papaya, apple, pear and sweet potato/egg yolk/avocado/banana mashed up and mixed with milk. So far, you only really love cereal..and don't seem to like egg much, unlike your brother. You'll smack the table with one hand once we put you in the high chair though, like a Viking demanding his grub.
It has become very difficult to nurse you directly during the day because of the introduction of new foods, and also cos you are such a Ms Kaypoh (for the benefit of my readers in foreign lands, this means "Ms Nosey Parker"). The littlest sound or shout filtering through the window will cause your head to snap in that direction, and you'd be the picture of a deer facing the headlights. The expression really amuses me, but it is NoT amusing to have to coax you to return to the task at hand. The only time we manage to nurse successfully is at about 9pm, just before you sleep. You'd fall asleep rather quickly after having your fill, and protest as I carry you. I was just telling your Daddy, "It's amazing! She doesn't want me to carry her to sleep (probably cos you think i'm going to try and force you to drink more); instead, she's contented once i put her down in her cot!" You'll turn your head left, right, left, right, whimper a little, smile back at me, then flutter your eyelids and sleep. Heaven. It's after having you that we know why parents are keen to have more babies, even after having a firstborn.
Emerging Personality!
You aren't such a gentle rabbit no more though. (Calista's born in the Year of the Rabbit, according to the Chinese Zodiac). I sometimes wonder why my Rabbit has turned into a fierce tiger. You showed us your true colors the other day, when you tugged at me while b/feeding. I exclaimed loudly, you paused, stared at me, assessed the situation, then wailed so loudly that grandma who was in the bathroom was startled. Whoever taught babies to be the first accuser? Anyway, your poor mama, who was still hurting, was afraid that you'd go on a nursing strike after having negative emotions associated with nursing, so she had to quickly soothe you and say it's alright. Sheesh. (Though i admit that it's quite cute to see you stare, worriedly, before bawling.)
Your expressions bring us such joy..a baby's face is such an open book. You raise an eyebrow (or two) when puzzled by strange noises or phenomena, smack your lips n stick your tongue out repeatedly when hungry, flap n kick when excited.. you even growl like The Incredible Hulk bursting out of his costume when angry. Even though you can't say anything other than 'mama' and 'mum-mum' occasionally, you communicate your thoughts and opinions very well. :) We are so proud of you too, for being able to tell us you are hungry by saying 'mum-mum', starting a month or two ago. The other day, you woke at 6am and I ignored you for a while as I snoozed. When I eventually felt sorry for you and turned the light on to pick you up, you rewarded my efforts with a cackle n a jig. Oh you are definitely aware of things that go on around you. I love it when I clap my hands, and you respond by stretching your arms out and lurching forward towards me.
I think your personality is quite like mama's - that of a sileu.nt observer. We see such intelligence in your eyes, as you try to figure out the world around you. The other day, I turned the radio on you tried to look for the source, smiling when I clapped to the beat. After a while you looked puzzled n tried to grab something on the bed. I figured you were looking at shadows, and made some moving shadows with my fingers.
You looked at my fingers, then down on the bed, as if trying to figure out the connection. There was also once when you smiled at me as I looked at you probably cos you thought I was gng to pick you up. Unfortunately i walked away to the kitchen and you protested by crying.
Yes. My personality, and your daddy's features. It's as if my soul is trapped in Daddy's body. Haha!
Mannerisms
Other than the polite hollow coughs we hear when you are bored and wish us to pick you up or move you to another place, you have other amusing mannerisms peculiar to you. You love to fold and put one leg up on the high chair as you eat, in a most unbecoming manner. Ha. I think we have to do some etiquette training when you grow up. You've also started shaking your legs from the knee to the sole when happy or excited..or sticking a thumb in your mouth the way cowboys stick their thumbs in the pocket of their jeans.. =7
Physical growth
In terms of physical development, you are sitting very well and we are no longer so worried about you tumbling over whilst sitting. However, you are nowhere near crawling yet. You've discovered your toes and started munching on them when bored and in want of entertainment :)
Physical features
You still look a little boy..most strangers ask "Is this a boy?" when they see you.. we dressed you up in your brother's old romper and put a cap on for laughs. I had such fun looking at you and your brother was most amused with his 'didi'..
Dear baby, I can't wait for you to grow up a little more and yet, I treasure this time when you still give gummy grins and have just a bit of fuzz on your head. Sigh. Stay sweet and placid ok? We love you lots. Here's a snippet of conversation between Mama and your brother on you -
Ch: Why Meimei not big yet? I want her to play with me.
Me: She's growing bigger and we are feeding her so she'll grow bigger.
Ch: Must sleep to grow bigger too.
Well..know that we are all waiting for you to talk and join us in our family conversation. We are sure lots of laughs and a big ruckus is awaiting us as you and your brother interact more :)
Love,
your mama, always.
15 February 2012
CNY 2012
It's been more than 2 weeks since CNY.. although, since CNY technically only ended last week (Chinese New Year is traditionally for 15 days), I guess this post isn't too late.
We didn't do very much this CNY. I'm not the type to lug my kids around to visit, insisting that they follow my schedule cos I think as their parents, we are responsible for them getting enough rest. Disrupting their schedules usually results in tired children who then turn cranky and throw tantrums for no reason. Not fun, and something you do not wish relatives-whom-you-meet-once-a-year to witness.
So. With two kids and nap times to work around, the only places we visited were the grandparents'. It was Calista's first CNY but she barely knew what was happening, other than that it was very loud at Nainai's house, with lots of children shouting.
Christian was happy for the chance to meet his cousins. He was even willing to be separated from us, after visiting P's grandma's place. One of the relatives drove a small mini-bus, and Ch piled into it together with his cousins to go to P's mum's house. Anyway, I'm glad it's over, cos it certainly was difficult to keep Ch away from all the festive goodies. We decided to give in and allowed him a cookie here, a sweet there, a small slice of cake.. and he's been coughing for 2 weeks ever since. Sigh..i wish his constitution was stronger, so I can be less restrictive in terms of his diet.
We didn't do very much this CNY. I'm not the type to lug my kids around to visit, insisting that they follow my schedule cos I think as their parents, we are responsible for them getting enough rest. Disrupting their schedules usually results in tired children who then turn cranky and throw tantrums for no reason. Not fun, and something you do not wish relatives-whom-you-meet-once-a-year to witness.
So. With two kids and nap times to work around, the only places we visited were the grandparents'. It was Calista's first CNY but she barely knew what was happening, other than that it was very loud at Nainai's house, with lots of children shouting.
Christian was happy for the chance to meet his cousins. He was even willing to be separated from us, after visiting P's grandma's place. One of the relatives drove a small mini-bus, and Ch piled into it together with his cousins to go to P's mum's house. Anyway, I'm glad it's over, cos it certainly was difficult to keep Ch away from all the festive goodies. We decided to give in and allowed him a cookie here, a sweet there, a small slice of cake.. and he's been coughing for 2 weeks ever since. Sigh..i wish his constitution was stronger, so I can be less restrictive in terms of his diet.
Outings around TBH
As stated in this earlier post, we decided to go to all our favourite places near our current house, before we move.
We made a trip to West Coast Park two Sundays ago, during the long CNY break. Christian had lots of fun at this mega public park, which had various play areas for children of different ages. It's really one of the best public parks around with lots of interesting structures, and we love it that it's free to park there =P Coincidentally, his school is bringing the N2s, K1s and K2s there this Friday, so Christian will hopefully have his fill of it before we move to the East.
We also made a trip to the beach at Sentosa last Saturday. It was the first time that I joined the boys on their Sentosa beach adventure. (P started taking Ch to the beach while I was pregnant with Calista, to get some sun and so I could sleep in on weekends without Ch making a ruckus at home.)
Ch was ready for me to not join them, but was very pleased when I asked them to wait for me before heading out :) We drove and parked at Vivocity and took the Sentosa Express train over before switching to the beach tram. Ch delighted in telling me how we were going to get there and where we should go. I was still a little sleepy and lethargic, so I sat there admiring the scenery as the boys proceeded to dig a canal, which is actually a ruse on P's part, who simply wants Ch to stay in the sun and get as much Vit D as possible.
Ah. I suppose we'll have to go to East Coast Park after we move, although I personally feel it's a lot more crowded and dirty..
14 February 2012
Valentine's Day from the Mama's boy
P brought me to the chocolate buffet at marina bay sands to celebrate v-day a day in advance.
Since the buffet starts only at 8pm, he picked me up from work and sent me home so I could have a quick shower before heading out again. Ch saw me before I left and asked why I was wearing a dress before hugging my legs, saying "I love you mama".
I laughed at how superficial boys are.
P fibbed that we were going to work (he'd surely ask to follow if we said we were going to feast!)Ch asked us "Why you go work AGAIN?" but bade us cheerfully farewell when I told him to play at home and that I'd go home to give him a kiss at night.
P and I had a good time chatting, enjoying the view from the skypark on the 57th floor. We marvelled at how well Ch took our departure. Hah. But we marvelled too early. My mum said he was acting out of character and sulky towards bedtime. He refused to sleep, to change, to drink milk (very rare!!). He flipped flopped on the mattress, decided to lie on the floor instead etc etc. They only managed to put him to bed at 10 something pm.
I had a talk with him in the morning -
Christian, did you not want to sleep last night cos you missed mama??
Ch: Yes, I missed mama, so I didn't want to sleep. *pouted*
Me: AWww.. come, give me a hug.
Ch: *hugged my legs* I love you, mama.
Me: AWWWW ^_^
I let him sit on my lap while waiting for P to drive the car down from the carpark, and Ch put his head on my chest.. My mum teased him for being such a big baby, and Ch wanted to escape my embrace and sit by himself soon after. The balm has healed him.. He is emotionally balanced again.
*shakes head smiling*
Since the buffet starts only at 8pm, he picked me up from work and sent me home so I could have a quick shower before heading out again. Ch saw me before I left and asked why I was wearing a dress before hugging my legs, saying "I love you mama".
I laughed at how superficial boys are.
P fibbed that we were going to work (he'd surely ask to follow if we said we were going to feast!)Ch asked us "Why you go work AGAIN?" but bade us cheerfully farewell when I told him to play at home and that I'd go home to give him a kiss at night.
P and I had a good time chatting, enjoying the view from the skypark on the 57th floor. We marvelled at how well Ch took our departure. Hah. But we marvelled too early. My mum said he was acting out of character and sulky towards bedtime. He refused to sleep, to change, to drink milk (very rare!!). He flipped flopped on the mattress, decided to lie on the floor instead etc etc. They only managed to put him to bed at 10 something pm.
I had a talk with him in the morning -
Christian, did you not want to sleep last night cos you missed mama??
Ch: Yes, I missed mama, so I didn't want to sleep. *pouted*
Me: AWww.. come, give me a hug.
Ch: *hugged my legs* I love you, mama.
Me: AWWWW ^_^
I let him sit on my lap while waiting for P to drive the car down from the carpark, and Ch put his head on my chest.. My mum teased him for being such a big baby, and Ch wanted to escape my embrace and sit by himself soon after. The balm has healed him.. He is emotionally balanced again.
*shakes head smiling*
Brother and Sister
Christian has been playing Jekyll and Hyde when it comes to his sister.
Yesterday when I reached home, he immediately proclaimed to me "I love meimei". I was very pleased and beamed at him, thinking "oh, there's hope yet for the two of them."
However, when I related this to P and my mum this morning, they chimed in unison (for once) that Ch is like this only when I'm around. P said he observed Ch riding his blue toy car and approaching his sister (who was sitting on the floor staring at her idol) menacingly, as if he wanted to knock her down. Sigh. (My mum did say that he blurted out of nowhere yesterday that when meimei grows up and walks, he'll "hold her hand on the pavement".)
I guess he's still fighting a hard battle between wanting to love his sister and paying heed to his feelings of jealousy.
Many many nights ago, he asked me "Why Meimei not big yet", saying he wanted her to play with him. And over the weekend, when Ida was bathing Calista, he ran into the bathroom asking "Are you bathing meimei? can I help?" He then told the silent Calista "Korkor is here" and passed her a rubber duckie. I thought that was so cute.
Hopefully Mr Hyde will win the battle!
Yesterday when I reached home, he immediately proclaimed to me "I love meimei". I was very pleased and beamed at him, thinking "oh, there's hope yet for the two of them."
However, when I related this to P and my mum this morning, they chimed in unison (for once) that Ch is like this only when I'm around. P said he observed Ch riding his blue toy car and approaching his sister (who was sitting on the floor staring at her idol) menacingly, as if he wanted to knock her down. Sigh. (My mum did say that he blurted out of nowhere yesterday that when meimei grows up and walks, he'll "hold her hand on the pavement".)
I guess he's still fighting a hard battle between wanting to love his sister and paying heed to his feelings of jealousy.
Many many nights ago, he asked me "Why Meimei not big yet", saying he wanted her to play with him. And over the weekend, when Ida was bathing Calista, he ran into the bathroom asking "Are you bathing meimei? can I help?" He then told the silent Calista "Korkor is here" and passed her a rubber duckie. I thought that was so cute.
Hopefully Mr Hyde will win the battle!
08 February 2012
Invented words
Christian loves to come up with ridiculous-sounding words. He would tag a ridiculous word to our names - bikko gonggong,
- and it always changes depending on his mood of the day. He'd come up with it on the spur of the moment, beam at you and say "i called you xxx-mama"..
The other night after our trip to the Keppel Marina, he came up with a creature called "Messtuenut".. I mangled the word a little and had to repeat until he nodded, satisfied that I got it. He said "Messtuenut" has a BIIIiig mouth (opening his mouth as wide as he could to illustrate), long legs (even longer than mama's), a lot of hair, and a BIIIG nose.
I asked him where this formidable creature lived, and he said "In God's house".
I laughed and said, "Are you sure? You cannot lie.. i'll ask God."
He looked stricken then said, "It stays on the road.. no on the pavement..then when it rains, it'll go to the restaurant." (He was thinking of the area around the Marina and the place we went to for dinner..)
- and it always changes depending on his mood of the day. He'd come up with it on the spur of the moment, beam at you and say "i called you xxx-mama"..
The other night after our trip to the Keppel Marina, he came up with a creature called "Messtuenut".. I mangled the word a little and had to repeat until he nodded, satisfied that I got it. He said "Messtuenut" has a BIIIiig mouth (opening his mouth as wide as he could to illustrate), long legs (even longer than mama's), a lot of hair, and a BIIIG nose.
I asked him where this formidable creature lived, and he said "In God's house".
I laughed and said, "Are you sure? You cannot lie.. i'll ask God."
He looked stricken then said, "It stays on the road.. no on the pavement..then when it rains, it'll go to the restaurant." (He was thinking of the area around the Marina and the place we went to for dinner..)
07 February 2012
Two anecdotes from the grandfather
My dad has taken on the duty of ferrying Christian to and from school. In the very short time that he interacts with our son, he manages to save funny snippets to entertain P and I in the evening.
Just two weeks ago, he told me that because my mum was not around and it was just him and Christian in the car, he told Christian
"You have to follow me to the carpark cos Popo's not around" (i.e. instead of alighting at the driveway).
Christian nodded, and said "Yes, if not the bad guy will catch Christian".
Then he went off on a soliloquy -
"If Christian goes with gonggong, later we see the bad guy, gonggong will get angry then the bad guy will run away."
*pauses for 2 seconds*
"Gonggong, can you show me your angry face?" (as though to check that it is sufficiently fierce).
My dad was dumbfounded and very amused.
*****************************************
Yesterday, my dad told me that he was at the entrance of the school when the principal saw Christian and said "Christian, what a nice pair of shoes you have.."
My smart-ass son retorts "That's not shoes, it's 'sandals'!"
My dad didn't dare to laugh out loud, but I did when he told me this story. I used to correct myself and Christian on the correct term and I think he has taken my corrections to heart. *grin*
Just two weeks ago, he told me that because my mum was not around and it was just him and Christian in the car, he told Christian
"You have to follow me to the carpark cos Popo's not around" (i.e. instead of alighting at the driveway).
Christian nodded, and said "Yes, if not the bad guy will catch Christian".
Then he went off on a soliloquy -
"If Christian goes with gonggong, later we see the bad guy, gonggong will get angry then the bad guy will run away."
*pauses for 2 seconds*
"Gonggong, can you show me your angry face?" (as though to check that it is sufficiently fierce).
My dad was dumbfounded and very amused.
*****************************************
Yesterday, my dad told me that he was at the entrance of the school when the principal saw Christian and said "Christian, what a nice pair of shoes you have.."
My smart-ass son retorts "That's not shoes, it's 'sandals'!"
My dad didn't dare to laugh out loud, but I did when he told me this story. I used to correct myself and Christian on the correct term and I think he has taken my corrections to heart. *grin*
02 February 2012
The Great School Hunt
I have neglected this blog. The month of December was taken up by the holidays, preparing the house for house viewings, my birthday celebration and trip.. whilst January was filled with school hunting, Chinese New Year and preparing for the move.
I am still taking a day off work each week such that I work a four-day week, but I feel barely rested. Looking for a suitable school for Christian near my mum's house (where we'll be staying temporarily until we decide on primary school and shift near that school.. which is another headache altogether) is more difficult than i imagined.
I spent weeks researching the forums online, checking out schools' websites before formulating my own shortlist...it was time consuming because you can't really know how good a school is unless you go down for yourself.. and some really good schools were way out of my budget (they would cost more than what I paid for university, which is ridiculous!).
I was getting tired of hauling myself out of bed on my 'rest day', navigating the roads and driving down to unknown locations to view schools and talk to teachers / principals. I was also becoming tired of hearing myself talk to friends and colleagues about preschools. However, i knew that i owed it to my children (hopefully we will still stay in the East / around my mum's so Calista can go to the same school i picked for her brother and i don't have to continue hunting for schools when the time comes for her to go) to be thorough and put in the effort to suss and assess.
I shortlisted 9 schools, struck two off the shortlist based on phone interactions and word-of-mouth, and visited 7 schools. Just for my personal records (i think i'll most probably forget all this in 2 years), I visited -
1) Kids n Kids
2) Twinkle Stars Montessori
3) Little Sparks Montessori
4) Raffles House Preschool
5) Hungry Caterpillar
6) MRC Katong
7) Little Big Creativity Centre
After viewing so many schools, I formed a better idea of what I was looking for in a preschool. Well-spoken, dedicated and patient teachers. A school that prepares the children well for primary school in a fun and engaging way. An individualised reading program so that my son can go at a pace that is suitable for him, be it faster than average or slower. Well-qualified teachers with small class ratios, where the children are respected. A cheery environment where my son will enjoy going everyday. A reasonable set of criteria, ain't it? Well, it was so tough finding one that fit the bill. As P said, there's no perfect school.. so I decided to focus on the items which were most important to me.
I came to the conclusion that the good teachers are usually in kindergartens, and that the teacher turnover rate is lower in kindergartens, probably because it is less tiring than taking care of children. I also feel that centres where the owner is directly involved, or better yet, teaching themselves, were the best.
I am really grateful for tips i picked up from the forum, such as viewing the work done by the graduating class of each school. Looking at the workbooks / journals kept by K2 children helped me cut through all the marketing spiel and assess the standard of the school, as well as how they taught the children.
At the end of this long long hunt of many weeks, I am glad that I finally managed to decide on one school, feeling assured that I had done my best and that Ch will enjoy learning there. Now I can't wait to start, although we are only relocating end April! :)
I am still taking a day off work each week such that I work a four-day week, but I feel barely rested. Looking for a suitable school for Christian near my mum's house (where we'll be staying temporarily until we decide on primary school and shift near that school.. which is another headache altogether) is more difficult than i imagined.
I spent weeks researching the forums online, checking out schools' websites before formulating my own shortlist...it was time consuming because you can't really know how good a school is unless you go down for yourself.. and some really good schools were way out of my budget (they would cost more than what I paid for university, which is ridiculous!).
I was getting tired of hauling myself out of bed on my 'rest day', navigating the roads and driving down to unknown locations to view schools and talk to teachers / principals. I was also becoming tired of hearing myself talk to friends and colleagues about preschools. However, i knew that i owed it to my children (hopefully we will still stay in the East / around my mum's so Calista can go to the same school i picked for her brother and i don't have to continue hunting for schools when the time comes for her to go) to be thorough and put in the effort to suss and assess.
I shortlisted 9 schools, struck two off the shortlist based on phone interactions and word-of-mouth, and visited 7 schools. Just for my personal records (i think i'll most probably forget all this in 2 years), I visited -
1) Kids n Kids
2) Twinkle Stars Montessori
3) Little Sparks Montessori
4) Raffles House Preschool
5) Hungry Caterpillar
6) MRC Katong
7) Little Big Creativity Centre
After viewing so many schools, I formed a better idea of what I was looking for in a preschool. Well-spoken, dedicated and patient teachers. A school that prepares the children well for primary school in a fun and engaging way. An individualised reading program so that my son can go at a pace that is suitable for him, be it faster than average or slower. Well-qualified teachers with small class ratios, where the children are respected. A cheery environment where my son will enjoy going everyday. A reasonable set of criteria, ain't it? Well, it was so tough finding one that fit the bill. As P said, there's no perfect school.. so I decided to focus on the items which were most important to me.
I came to the conclusion that the good teachers are usually in kindergartens, and that the teacher turnover rate is lower in kindergartens, probably because it is less tiring than taking care of children. I also feel that centres where the owner is directly involved, or better yet, teaching themselves, were the best.
I am really grateful for tips i picked up from the forum, such as viewing the work done by the graduating class of each school. Looking at the workbooks / journals kept by K2 children helped me cut through all the marketing spiel and assess the standard of the school, as well as how they taught the children.
At the end of this long long hunt of many weeks, I am glad that I finally managed to decide on one school, feeling assured that I had done my best and that Ch will enjoy learning there. Now I can't wait to start, although we are only relocating end April! :)
Death, Part II
I was getting ready to put Christian to bed 2 nights ago, when we had the following conversation -
Ch: "I want popo to make me sleep."
Me: "oh? you don't want mama?"
Ch: "No...because next time mama die then I must go popo's house to sleep and I need to go to work by myself and I must earn money you know...*slight pause* but I don't know what is my work.."
I said i won't die..not for a long time yet
Ch then asks brightly - "oh next time Christian grow up then you will die?"
I said "hopefully not soon" but he countered with "daddy said after i grow bigger than mama and daddy then you will die."
Sigh. I grilled P on his exact words. He said he told him "You must learn to read cos when daddy and mama are not around next time you need to work, earn money and you must know how to read so you can buy food."
I told him that was such a stupid way to motivate a child. P told me ruefully that Ch has also been asking him, in the quiet time they share before bedtime "Daddy, you long time then die right.."
How do we close the pandora's box now?
I remember a colleague telling me that she feared her mother's death after some relative died in his sleep, such that whenever her mother took a nap, she would go shake her mother and wake her up. Her mother eventually issued a standing order to my friend's siblings to keep her away from the mother during the latter's nap times, cos she was eventually getting migraines thanks to my friend. A parent's death is probably a child's greatest fear. I'm not optimistic, but praying that Ch will forget this topic soon.
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