Negotiating His Way Through the 'Holey Castle' Outside MMI, Pinnacle @ Duxton

This castle, so named by J, had been a dangerous place in his mind for the longest time.  But today, he conquered it!  Why dangerous?  The wooden planks are spaced such that one can see the basement car park beneath.  Scary enough for a 2-year-old.

The Third Christmas for J

What can I say except that time flies...

Junior has turned two and this is his third time celebrating Christmas.  We were warmly invited to an ex-colleague and dear friend's home for a hearty meal and celebration.  As usual, the food was superb.  The company was equally lovely.  We truly thank God for such good fortune.

Who Wants Ice Kachang?

ME!

Christmas Eve dinner at Gurney Drive with family and mil.

"Buy food."

J's favourite sentence for this season.

J's Favourite Line

Of all the sentences J mutters, this must be his favourite: Buy food.  Well, not at all surprising since his first sentence was, "I eat."

A Fresh Pair of Eyes

I'm looking at the world with a fresh pair of eyes from this day forth.  Yes, LASIK!

Waiting for My Dinner

Yay! Dinner time!

 Let me sing a song while waiting...

Hmm... taking a bit too long...

 I wonder if it's coming...

Huh?

Water Bottles

By now, he has changed so many water bottles I can't keep count.

Baby in a School Bus

One of our favourite pasttimes is to enjoy the aircon in the shopping centres... And this, is one of his favourite pasttimes in the malls:

Fun at the Botanical Gardens

Trips to the Singapore Botanical Gardens are always fun and relaxing... Wish we could have more of such trips...

My Goodnight Gift

From little boy before he went to bed.

Stock-taking

A little stock-taking at year 2 shows the little boy continuing to grow exponentially.  He must have been a good 80 cm, looking at how much he has grown....  My favourite stock-take pictures are those where he is in his car seat. kekeke...

Birthday Celebration

Time continues to fly.  It's going to be J's 2nd birthday soon.  We took him to the Singapore Flyer today.  His term of endearment for it is 'sui sui' (beautiful in hokkien).  From then on, he'd say, "Mummy, sui sui!" whenever we drive around town near the flyer.  Above, view from the top.

Singing in the Public

The little boy decided to offer a song in the public today.  Well, I think he probably has no notion of shame or any sense of embarrassment at such a young age.  Besides, it's really music to the ears.

J's Language Development - Stock Take

Barely two years old and he's been muttering sentences.  For example, "Mommy, I want ice cream!" and "Mommy, mommy go toilet." "I love choo choo train."  Some milestone!

He said a few sentences.

My dear baby muttered two sentences in a day today.
"Mummy, I want ice cream."
"I love choo choo train."

All these before he turned two.  Well done, baby!

Speaking Phrases

Over the week, Junior's language development picked up some speed.  He can now link single words together.  For example, "sleep... mummy's bed" when he wants to get out of his cot to sleep in our big and cozy king-sized bed.  When he sees the red light when we travel in the car, he'll excitedly shout "red, red."  And when I say, "Oh, do you mean the red light?", he'd go "red light, red light."  And when the traffic light turns green, he'd follow me to say, "Go!"

乖个屁

These were the words Junior replied when his granny asked him if he has been obedient today. Well, Berry thought hard about why the baby could reply these three words and then realised they originated from the baby's mum. This was the reply I gave Berry the day before when he came home and asked me if the baby had been good (in front of the baby). *Faintz*

Have to be careful what we say in the boy's presence.

The Little Helper

These days, the little boy will volunteer to throw rubbish into the rubbish bin. When he does that, the mother will frantically stand him on the high stool to wash his hands with soap under the tap. And the boy will giggle away and try to grab things hung around the tap area, turn the tap on and off and so on and so forth.

So now, we know the little helper's hidden agenda.

Some Photos from the HKD Trip

Sleeping in the plane...

Playing in the hotel room...

 Watching fireworks on a mountain...

 What a level view!

 Ice cream! Shiok! We laboured hard to enjoy this self-made ice cream...

 Marvelous view... near Lake Toya...

Sun Palace: Onsen resort at Lake Toya

Another view of the resort...

The Biggest Tour of the Year

Hokkaido! Here we come!

It was totally awesome.

1. Baby had no problem pooping when he drank and ate the food there. This was the biggest amazement ever.
2. Baby had no problem going up and down the the planes - 8 sets of up and downs in all (including the internal flights from Haneda to Hokkaido and from Hokkaido to Osaka).
3. Parents had a chance to go enjoy the onsen while baby was asleep.
4. We had the most breath-taking view of fireworks both from on top of a hill and from our hotel room.
5. We had a group of great tour mates who loved baby!
6. We had lots of ice-cream (including lavender ice cream and strawberry ice cream we made ourselves.
7. We had so much scallop and crabs in the first two days I was glad we could detox from it on the 3rd day.

Thank God for blessing us with the ability to go on this unforgettable trip.

Cute Video from the HKD Trip

A Temporary Solution

It's been decided. I shall be a part-time stay-at-home-mum (sahm) to take care of the baby. A bit troublesome but at least I get to stay home a bit with J and his body can take this opportunity to recuperate. His two po po's will help take turns to look after him.

The Very Sick Boy

The little boy contracted chest infection "worse than bronchitis." When I heard this, my heart broke. Have we been negligent parents? What will become of the boy? Should I quit my job and stay home with him? Many thoughts went through my mind as we took the boy home after a busy morning packed with an x-ray, a small procedure to draw his mucus for further testing and a follow up with the paediatrician to ascertain the current state of health for J.

The Father's News Report

Destroyed tractors and animals strewn all around, could this disaster zone really be the work of 1 baby?

The Rabbit

Hop hop hop. That's what Junior has been doing since he learnt how to do it. I've seen how Terrie learnt to hop and so I know this is not an easy deal. It's a big deal for toddlers. But when they master it, you share the exhilaration with them.

We found 2 new pearlies in Junior's mouth today! Finally... after a dry spell for so long. Now I'm proud to say Junior has 10 teeth.

These 2 teeth are on either side of the upper jaws.

Lunch at Fish & Co.

Junior looking happy and satisfied with his pasta.

My Son Damaged His Bed

He jumps. He slumps. He tumbles. He fumbles. And so, his bed collapsed. Berry tried to fix it by some hammering and managed to salvage it a little. For now, he's able to sleep in it. I'll upload a picture when it's finally gone. Haiz...

The Singing Baby

I was bathing Junior when he started singing. Although I couldn't quite decipher what he was singing and couldn't figure out the melody, it was definitely an amusing sight. I have a bathroom singing baby. Or maybe he was singing "Row, Row, Row Your Boat." His teacher said he enjoyed this song in his playgroup today. OK. I must admit what he sang didn't seem anywhere near.

More of The Cousins

Frappy the Frog

We finally decided Junior's active style needs to be reigned in today. So, Frappy came along to help us. We found Frappy at Centrepoint Robinsons just when we thought J was running away too much. This boy doesn't allow us to hold his hand to walk at all. He was going round pulling at the displays in the shopping mall I was so worried some glass ornament would be smashed by him.

"Eat"

J finally knows how to express his desire for food with words. A word, to be precise. Today, he told us he wanted to eat by saying, "eat." What a nice birthday gift my son had for me. Halleluja!

One of the new skills J picked up lately is the skill of feeding himself. The playgroup he attends seems to be teaching him well. This new skill is really useful for J and beneficial for his parents. ;)

My Handsome Boy...

... and my good taste. Junior looks so smart in this attire I can't help but feel proud of myself for being able to buy nice clothes and match them well for J. Hiak hiak.

And he realised he could stand by the side of the car. Show off...

"I eat."

Junior's first sentence. Haha. Short and sweet. This morning, J's playgroup teacher told us he said this, presumably yesterday. Berry commented, "His first sentence." Haha... What a true blue food lover. Even his first sentence has to do with eating.

The Yakking Toddler

Bay has been practising his voice box. Especially today, said his teacher. He has been repeating almost everything he heard in school. I wish I can be there to witness it.

I do realise that my son likes to learn. In fact, he can pick up things we teach him quite instantaneously. I wish I can be home full time to teach and nurture him.

The Boy That Responds

For the past week, Junior has been responding to questions like, "Where is cow cow (his soft toy cow)?" and "Put the pen and bottle back (into the cup holder). We're getting out (of the car)." Wow...

And he seems to be developing some 'neat' sense. He knows where his book is usually kept and he puts it back to the original place after reading it, to prepare to sleep. Cool!

The Reading Mother (or Father in J's Case)

THE READING MOTHER

By Strickland Gillilan

I HAD A MOTHER who read to me
Sagas of pirates who scoured the sea,
Cutlasses clenched in their yellow teeth,
"Blackbirds" stowed in the hold beneath

I had a Mother who read me lays
Of ancient and gallant and golden days;
Stories of Marmion and Ivanhoe,
Which every boy has a right to know.

I had a Mother who read me tales
Of Celert the hound of the hills of Wales,
True to his trust till his tragic death,
Faithfulness blent with his final breath.

I had a Mother who read me the things
That wholesome life to the boy heart brings-
Stories that stir with an upward touch,
Oh, that each mother of boys were such.

You may have tangible wealth untold;
Caskets of jewels and coffers of gold.
Richer than I you can never be --
I had a Mother who read to me.

Don't Mess Up My House

Haiz... That's what I scream within my mind when I see mess. Deep down, I wish to keep the house clean for J's sake. I'm sure it'd be a healthier environment if I have the time and energy to constantly keep it neat and clean.

But easier said than done. One look at this boy you know he's cheeky and naughty. ;PP

At the Playground

One of the first few times we took Bay to the playground. Still one of those good, old 'games' for little children, I believe. His look says it all.

Mysterious Pasta

The boy has been stuffing mysterious items into the pocket of his school uniform when he started attending this new play group - uncooked pasta, half-cooked pasta, mashed-up pasta, a piece of wipes, and the latest - his learning material in school. I asked his teacher if she knew -- nope, she doesn't. The boy's parents are totally amused. Hiak hiak.

Still A Baby

"Still a baby." That was what Junior's centre supervisor described him today. He refused to sleep till he was wrapped up with the mattress cover. Hur hur hur... What a description. Well, to his parents, (maybe) he'll always be our baby.

The Baby That Has Sleep Deficiency

My whole family went to my parents' flat to stay overnight one Friday. The baby, unfortunately, couldn't get used to the 'strange' environment and didn't sleep till 2+am. This was how he looked after the 'ordeal.'

Politics for My Toddler

Today is nomination day. I want to take my son to listen to the rallies, especially the opposition parties'. If Junior is to be a resident of this country, he'd better start early to get himself acquainted with politics here, if any.

The Chinese Boy

Junior was able to repeat after his Chinese teacher words that she taught him to say. It seemed the teachers were more excited than the boy when they related the story to us. He said 妈妈, 爸爸, 哥哥, 姐姐, 婆婆, etc. Strange how Bay picks up and is able to repeat Mandarin words faster than English even though his parents speak mainly English at home.

A Grown-Up Boy

Thoough J still can't speak phrases yet, he has grown mature in other areas. For one, he stopped drooling soon after he started playgroup at the new place. He doesn't even allow me to put bibs on him anymore. I think it's a result of the socialising process in school. Or to coin the words of the centre director, he is being 'normalised.' No other kids wears bibs. J doesn't want either.

One thing he still wants badly despite all 'normalising.' His pacifier. The centre supervisor said they don't give him the pacifier for his afternoon nap. They don't give any pacifiers to any kids - the normalisation process.

Swing Swing

Junior's first time on a swinging chair. He was so exhilarated he couldn't keep his mouth closed.

My son can count!

I was trying to button J's school uniform and wanting to distract him so he didn't struggle, I started counting the buttons to him. Almost immediately, he knew what I was doing and he started pointing at the buttons, from top down, as I counted, "1, 2, ..." and he said "3!" before I could say it! This is the first time he did it. This proved that he did absorb what we taught him sometime back. He may not immediately show he has learnt it but surely, he'd regurgitate it when we least expect it. What a cow!

Grumpy Little Boy's 2nd Day in His New Childcare Centre

Junior's second day there. Still grumpy but no matter how unhappy he is, he won't give his breakfast a miss.

The Boy Loves Us

Lately Junior likes to hit us on our heads. My 'mother's instinct' tells me the boy is trying to stroke our heads like how we stroke his. So I decided to teach him to do it gently. I held his hand in mine and guided him to stroke Berry's head slowly and lightly while saying, "sayang pa pa." And guess what? J learnt to do it himself and one day, he stroked my (or is it Berry's?) head gently. Our sheer delight at his action rewarded him. :)

Boy with Character

Baby! Two twin brothers called Bay this when we were in Ikea's lift this evening. Their father said, "Well, you are not much older yourselves." The 2 boys continued calling Junior 'baby' in a taunting way.

As if in response to the taunting, J pointed at the 2 bigger boys like a cowboy would with his pistols. hur hur... "You are babies yourselves!"

Some photos we took in the morning before going out today. He was 'experimenting' with his potty. No. He still isn't potty-trained. I'm wondering how to do it when Berry and I are both working. Weekends are just too short.

My Little Boy Knows HIM

J prayed to God when we sang the doxology in church today. It was a miracle. No one taught him but he just clasped his hand together as though to pray. My son knows Him.

The Beginning of the 'Remoting' Era

He's been fiddling with the remote controls at home, smashing them on the floor 90% of the time.

Officially, Friends of the Zoo

Never in my life have I imagined I'd become friends with the zoo. Well, we did, so J can become friends with the animals.