18-month old Sweetie

Mummy has been too busy packing the house after we have shifted, so got to backdate this blog.



How time flies, now it's my Sweetie's turn to reach 18 months old. As Mummy looks back at the old photos of this Sweetie, she can't help feeling glad that this darling of hers has grown up well and happy. Mummy also feels bad towards her baby cos' she was not able to dedicate as much time as she did with her Jiejie. The time and effort that mummy has, is now torn between her and her Jiejie. That's one of the reasons that mummy intends to send her Cutie to a pre-school, so that she could spend more quality time with her Sweetie alone.

My Sweetie can now say quite a number of words, here's a record of words which she understands and uses them:

1) peas (please), hug hug, kiss, stand (understand), lo (hello),

2) wey (wait), there, tuck (stuck), eat, keep,

3) hap (help), cut, give, opern (open), gif (give)

4) sare (share), trow (throw), back (meaning put back), up, down

5) cold, hot (also used when referring to spicy), ye (yes), no, wet,

6) per (apple), ringe (orange), nana (banana), egg, milk,

7) bear bear, bit (rabbit), raf (giraffe), fish, bird,

8) cow, key (monkey), pig, wof (wolf), ret (parrot),

9) bra (haha... zebra), duc (duck), fly (butterfly), wer (flower), ter (water)

10) ah ra (dora), pororo, kitty (Hello Kitty), Elmo, thomas (Thomas, the train),

11) ger (Tigger, the tiger), mous (also referring to mickey/mini mouse),

12) eyes, nose, ear (ears), neck, hair

13) gers (fingers), toe, cap, bag, shoe (shoes)

14) star, har (heart), ker (abacus), wal (watch), fone (phone),

15) ball, book, ring, pen, loon (balloon),

16) tool (stool), chair, bed, matt (mat), ble (table),

17) Jie Jie, mei mei (younger sister), mama, papa, gougou (her doggie),

18) gongon (grandfather), baby, mummy, time (when telling it's lunch/dinner time), gurt (yoghurt),

19) late (chocolate), sheet (sweet), bye (goodbye), pain pain (painful), tissue,

20) tee (teeth), car, cle (spectacles), ligh (light), poopoo,

21) had (hat), snow (snowman), ki (Pinky, her softtoy), no more, sion (lotion),

22) nap, you (thank you), kock (clock), ori (sorry), milk,

23) ble (bubble), watc (watch), finis (finish), cle (spectacles), door,

24) bowl, kip (hairclip), cake, some alphabet letters especially E (yes, E for Elmo) and goes "ou ou ou" whenever she sees a doggie [Mummy finds this amusing cos' this sounds more like the seals actually].

So far, this Sweetie is able to repeat the words after us, of course remembering them is otherwise haha.... But Mummy thinks this Sweetie is already quite good to be able to say the above-mentioned words on her own and uses them correctly.

In comparison, my Cutie knows more words than her (able to recognise A-Z (video), 1-9 etc. Sorry Sweetie, Mummy has not been spending much time playing flashcards with you). However, this Sweetie is quite an achiever with many 2- and 3-syllabus words at this stage. This Sweetie is also no less more musical inclined (maybe cos' of the singing activities we often have as a threesome). Many a times, Mummy can hear this Sweetie trying to sing the ABC song herself and also some self-created songs which often only has same word as lyrics throughout eg "bear". Mummy has not been able to capture this on video cos' this Sweetie will stop whenever she knows she's on camera, *naughty*, *naughty*. She is definitely no less a happy and cheerful baby. Mummy simply loves her smiles.

Daddy is also very happy to come home everyday, with her welcoming him and calling him "papa" so sweetly and with her sweetie smile. Daddy says it melts his heart.

Recently, my Sweetie enjoys helping mummy to put the wipes back into the cupboard. Mummy is glad to have her help cos' it's getting too "expensive" to get my other helper (aka Cutie) to help [my Cutie is into playing "supermarket" and "cashier" lately, that whenever she passes me the new pampers and wipes, she will tell me 3,000 (haha... referring to Korean won of course and her Dora laptop automatically becomes her cash register)]. Mummy often has to play along to "pay" for the stuff.

Mummy only has 2 complains about this Sweetie at this moment. The first is that she's in the stage of exploring things, however she doesn't have the habit to put back Mummy's stuff after playing with them. Mummy often has to spend time looking for things which she puts on the table just a while ago. It can be so tiring, just looking for things especially when you need them urgently. *Sigh*. Mummy just need to endure through this growing phrase for young toddlers. In fact, Mummy is actually quite glad that her babies doesn't have the habit of opening drawers and cupboards.

The second is, of course, her freely used "NO". Everytime, when you asked her something, you can just predict the answer that you will get from her. When Mummy asked if she wants to eat chocolate, she will just simply say "no" and turn her head away from the chocolate with great pretence (haha... bet you didn't know that she loves chocolate). Mummy gives up after getting the same response again and again, so Mummy decides to eat the chocolate. Then this Sweetie will come running after me, calling "Mama" non-stop. Playing hard to get already at such young age? Often she's only trying that on Mummy and she will ofen come begging Mummy for the things after Mummy gives up trying . Arrgh.... getting cheeky, right?

Here's a video of my Cutie peeling the oranges which she enjoys doing very much. Do watch out for my busy Sweetie in the background. See her identify the letter "E" and share with you her "Elmo mama" and "Pororo". Gee...

Copycats

Hee... of course mummy is referring to her darlings.

Young toddlers are great at copying what they see and test it out at home, especially when they are around 2 years old (guess that's how the Terrible 2 Stage comes about). It's usually worst when they starts to attend pre-school/playgroup.

I thank God that my Cutie's Terribe 2 stage seems to have reached the peak and now she seems to be able to be able to see the light of being good vs being naughty. Mummy is glad to have the old sweet-natured Cutie back again.

Lately, this Cutie enjoys immitating what Daddy and Mummy do. She loves to wear her apron, so that she can "cook" like mummy. When I placed the coffee table near the wall, she is so happy. Why? Cos' she wants to study like her Daddy. Immediately she claims it as her study table and starts to place her laptop, cup, tissue box on it (just like her Daddy's study table).

Watch the following video to see how possessive she is of her "study table" and doesn't want to be disturbed cos' she's very busy studying.

As for my Sweetie, she's constantly imitating whatever that her sister is doing. She's also learning to exercise her rights, to fight for things that she wants etc. When mummy was sick last week, this Sweetie also copied that. Thank God now her vomitting and diarrhoea have stopped and her stool tho' is still soft, but at least not as watery and often as the early stage. Gee... guess she's too young to know what not to copy. Recently, she loves to sit on her Jie Jie's study chair and doodle on the table (just like her Jie Jie). Mummy will need to prepare a study area for her too when we shift to our new house soon.

Boxes Day

Last week, we forgot to bring our shopping bag, so we got a box to put our groceries (fyi, boxes are readily available at the shopping centre in Korea for groceries).

After that, caught my Cutie sitting in the box which she told me it's her "spaceship".

Subsequently, my Sweetie also found her way into the same box which only has space for one. Then my Cutie went to hide under the blanket which henceforth becomes her "spaceship", then the box becomes "Meimei's spaceship".

Since then, Mummy often caught both of them hiding under the blanket (aka spaceship). Everyday, my Cutie will ask Mummy/Daddy to go inside her "spaceship" (ie. inside the blanket) and if there's a opening, she will call out to us to "close the door" (ie. the blanket). So cute, it's so amazing that they can derive so much joy from the box and the blanket.

Then we got some boxes home again and my Cutie put the boxes together to become her "submarine" (see picture on left).

When mummy stacked up the boxes together, my Cutie says it is her kitchen. Everyday without fail, she will ask me to put on her apron (just like Mummy) and she will be busy preparing and cooking in her "kitchen". When asked what she is cooking, she will say "she is cooking yakult". Haha... yakult doesn't need to be cooked, darling.

Since my babies are having so much fun with the boxes, mummy decides to put on her creative cap too. Mummy suddenly remembered the popular pretty hand-made "box" bags (ie. bags made from boxes) which she had donkey years ago. Yes, it is going to be added in her "To Do List in Korea". Gee... now mummy understands why boxes can be fun.

Here's my darlings with their "helmets"(pails) , haha... ready to blast off in their spaceship.

Still my Darlings

2 Terrible 2s

This morning, my Cutie woke up early and thus we sent her Daddy off at the door together. After that, gave her the baby bun to eat and at the same time, shared with her my toast with ham. She ate half of hers and gave to me, saying to share with me. So sweet.

Haha... in actual fact, it's cos' she wants to eat my toast and so she doesn't want to eat the baby bun. Hmmm... nevertheless, I played along with her and told her she is so nice to share her bun with Mummy. *heartbroken*

This Cutie is getting smarter, she is at the stage of knowing her rights and wanting to fight for her own independence (which explains her refusal to listen at times and wanting to do things her ways). She's been observing that other kids have been able to get what they want by whining or refusal to listen, so lately she's been testing how far hers can go. I thank God that at least, she will listen and understand her actions when we explain and talk to her at the end of the day. Mummy is thus more understanding towards her recent change in behaviour.

However, Mummy will still need more deliverance from God cos' this Sweetie of mine has also grown up and is learning to exercise her rights too. She's starting to imitate what my Cutie has been doing. My Cutie is in the terribe 2 stage while my Sweetie is approaching her terrible 2 too. So advice for mummy-to-be, don't have kids at 1 year interval, will need a break to handle their individual terrible 2 stages. Yet, whenever Mummy sees her Sweetie smiling, she doesn't mind having her to come into our lives early too.

*Sigh* foresee coming 2009 will be a tough year for Mummy.

Here's some "great" photos taken by my Cutie at yesterday's function. It's her first masterpiece, so you got to see it from an artistic point of view, *grin* or rather a child's perspective of her surroundings.

(Click on the music icon on the bottom left of the picture if want to mute the song)

2 years old Cutie (Part 7)

Mummy is feeling apologetic towards my Cutie now. Mummy feels so bad that she hopes that she could have realised her mistakes earlier.

It's normal for kids to cry, cos' when they cry for you, it shows how much you mean to them.

Instead Mummy just keeps on telling my Cutie to stop crying and is only willing to carry her if she stops. When this Cutie stops crying and Mummy finally carries her in the arms, here's what she says "you hush hush, Mummy will carry you" (as if comforting herself).

This Cutie has, in fact, been a sensible girl since young and now despite her sadness, she has stopped herself from crying further and comforts herself that mummy will carry her when she stops (hush hush). Mummy suddenly feels so ashamed, realising what a tall order she has set for a mere 2 years old kid. And this Cutie has displayed such great self-control of her own emotions.

After doing some reflection, Mummy realises that it's not that the kids are getting naughtier, but rather it's her patience that is running low these 2 days (gee... got to put the blame on pms and the winter blues as mentioned in the other blog). Mummy will tell herself to do more reflections whenever her patience runs low and learn to be sensible like her Cutie - to stop and remind myself that my kids are just expressing their love for me whenever they cry.


Below is my incompleted blog update last week.
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Everyday, this Cutie has been a great helper to Mummy. She will automatically take and pass me the toilet roll/wipes when her Meimei is on the potty. When Mummy needs a new diaper, she will go to the room and take one for Mummy. Everytime, Mummy will feel so touched by her actions. At times, Mummy feels bad towards her, of expecting her to act like a big sister - to share her things with her Meimei and to help to keep/find the stuff messed up by her Meimei. She has, in fact, been very sensible being a 2-year old kid.

The other day, was surprised to hear my Cutie telling her Daddy "Papa, I love you so much". I can't believe my ears when I heard that, that not I'm jealous that this darling of mine loves her daddy, but to hear her use "SO much" which describes the great extend of her love for her daddy is a bit unexpected of a 2 years old. Oh my, she has told me "I love Mummy" only (gee... actually it's ok, I know how she feels deep down inside).

Here's my Cutie reading part of the Chinese Classic "三字经" which Mummy has taught her after coming to Korea.

人之初，性本善。性相近，习相远。苟不教，性乃迁。教之道，贵以专。

Hands-on Fun

Oh dear, our rice supply was running low and yet we were still unable to replenish it cos' either the supermarkets do not carry that brand or it's out of stock. (Gee... don't worry, rice is still abundant in Korea, just that we only know that brand which is similar to our type of rice from Thailand, ie. not sticky rice).

Instead of cooking noodles or making cereal for the kids, Mummy had a much better idea of merging fun, art and craft, vocabulary and snacks into 1 activity for the day.

Yes, it's to have their first hands-on lunch.

Both my darlings were delighted to see how the toast was transformed into a face within minutes and best of all, what they had created are edible. Yummy and nutritious too.

Guess it's my Cutie who had the most fun. Fyi, the mandarin orange was actually peeled by her(without any help). Bet you didn't know that broccoli is her favourite veggie too.

Here's a video of what my Cutie made for Mummy, gee... do lookout for my Sweetie too.

What a P-Day

Pororo, the Little Penguin is a popular cartoon character here in Korea. In Singapore, we had only caught the show a few times on television, but it is practically everywhere in Korea (whereas for Elmo, it's the opposite here). So whenever this Sweetie of mine sees Pororo, she will get very excited and often will call out "Pororo". To Mummy, it's quite an achievement for her to say a 3-syllable word cos' so far, she has only been able to say 2-syllable words. Guess cartoon characters are the only one capable of getting a 17-month old baby to do that.

So bet you can guess why we got the Pororo diapers for our Sweetie (gee... almost tempted to buy the Hello Kitty diapers actually). As usual, this adventurous Sweetie will explore the diaper box, then sit on top and finally stand on it [another heartattack for Mummy]. Guess this Pororo character will be a great helper in her potty-training sessions too. Lately, this Sweetie doesn't want to tell Mummy when she wants to PEE. She only tells Mummy when she wants to POO. This is funny cos' she has been able to signal to me when she wants to PEE since 15-month old.

Today, she sees Pororo again on television. Immediately, she points to her backside and Mummy asks her if she wants to poo. Then she walks towards the Pororo diaper (pampers) box, pointing to the box and then her backside again (using her body language to tell me that she got Pororo pampers, hee...).

Subsequently, she points to the letter P on the ABC poster. Haha... what a P-day (Pororo, penguin, peepee, poopoo, pampers, potty) and also other characters with Pororo - Petty, Poby).

9th ROM Anniversary

How time flies, today marks the 9th year since Daddy and Mummy registered their marriage in 1999 (fyi, the customary wedding was held in 2001).


Mummy is glad that this marriage has worked out well (of course, with some ups and downs along the years). The greatest fulfillment in this marriage is, of course, to have our 2 darlings to come into our lives. Sometimes, mummy wishes that time will just pause at this moment (with these 2 still in their toddlers' stage), cos' mummy enjoys the bonding time that she has with them. [haha.. exclude those times when they can be a handful].


Today, we had bought a cake to celebrate the occasion and also mummy's birthday which falls on this month [actually we had a birthday celebration earlier for mummy and gong gong (father-in-law) before he flew back to Singapore and our total age add up to 100 years old, so we put 10 big candles on the cake then]. This time round, we had put 9 long candles to signifiy 9 years. Bet you can guess who are the happiest ones (yes, another candles blowing session and to be followed with yummy cakes).



Well, guess what, today we experienced some snow in Korea. It is, in fact, the first snow for this year's winter. So sweet.

Another fashion designer??

Haha... remember last year I posted on my Cutie with her designer dress-sense. Here's my Sweetie in her self-designed outfit.

Gee... baring one's shoulder during winter? Maybe a shawl to match with in this cold weather?
















(Reference to the above pictures)
Can you count 1-2-3?

Sweetie: "One"
Cutie: "Two"
Cutie: "Three"
Sweetie: "What's next? I haven't learnt"


Hee...

We are in Korea.

Haven't really got time to blog since our arrival here in Korea. At the beginning, it has been rather taxing on me as the kids were rather excited in the new environment and we had been going sightseeing or shopping practically everyday during the first 2 weeks that my father-in-law was here.

Thank God, now my kids have almost settled down and also getting used hearing people speak in a language which they cannot understand (ie. Korean language).

Though it's coming to 3 weeks, it's quite amazing how much my darlings have improved in their language skills.

For my Cutie, actually before our arrival here, she has already known a few Korean greetings. Here, she finally got the chance to use them in context and thus deepens her understanding of how each greeting is being used. She is also a fast learner, she is able to pick up the new Korean words immediately when taught. Many are impressed that a young girl like her can remember and say the polite form of "hello" [안녕하세요] , "thank you" [감사합니다], ,"goodbye" [안녕히 계세요/안녕히 가세요] in Korean language. Mummy feels so proud of her. In fact, Mummy should feel ashamed that this Cutie is picking up the language much faster than Mummy.

For Sweetie, she's also getting more vocal. She can now say "low" (hello), "bag", "there", "ball", "hap" (help), "ye (yes), "no", "bubble", "nap nap", "night night", "1 more", "no more", "nana" (banana). Today, she called out "Elmo" when she saw the Elmo towel (fyi, hardly can find/see Elmo in Korea). Her favourite word is "NO" which she often uses it so freely, giving Mummy a lot of headaches. Naughty, naughty.

Her cutest action is to hold both her hands close to her chin and look at you sweetly with her eyes, indicating "please". A neighbour here relates that look to that of Puss in Boots in the movie "Shrek", where he often uses his sweet and innocent eyes to soften his enemy's heart. Hee... that's my Sweetie.

Here, see her latest adventurous stunt - standing on the kid's chair without support. Another heart attack for Mummy. Please help Mummy to pray to God to keep her safe.

Btw, just uploaded a post on "2-year old Cutie Part 6" for Oct which I've forgotten to post then. I've also started another blog for our stay in Korea. Do email me at antstepam@hotmail.com for the web address if you are interested.

It's a Deal

Found this video taken when Sweetie was about 1 month old while Cutie was 15 months old.

Mummy finds it amusing cos' it sounds as if they are making some sort of deal. As to the details of the deal, bet only the 2 of them know.

Reference to the video, here's what that Mummy sees/hears:

Both looking at each other.

S: (showing hand - asking "hey, how?")

C: (hand acknowledging) Scrooby deal, yaber shal..

S: (showing hand, asking "five?")

C: (showing "five") say it, it's a deal, it's a deal, shall we.. deliver (???)

S: (raising hand, saying "OK")

C: Still a deal, shall we (holding hands) ...xia da da (??? xia dao da, ie. not scared)Both laughed.

So cute. Everytime I play this video, they will be glued to the screen on the laptop (hee... as if recalling their deal). Hee...

2 years old Cutie (Part 6)

Brought both darlings to the Junior League Children's Style Salon at Suntec, intending to let them have a nice haircut before our trip to Korea. It costs $20 per haircut (with LCD TV screen to entertain the little ones, balloons and stickers). It is actually a bit expensive (just to cut the fringe only), but Mummy thot they deserved to be pampered since this is, in fact, the 2nd time I brought them to salon for haircut since birth (the first time they were at Compass Point Supercuts where they were, hee... shaved "botak" (bald) when each was 1 month old then).

Well, guess what, at the salon, my Cutie simply refused to let the stylist to look at or touch her hair and simply refused to let go of me. She said "I want Mummy to cut her hair". Few days ago, when I told her about going to salon, she had also said the same thing. Even on the way to Suntec, when I told her that she's going for a haircut, she had also kept on telling me softly "No, Mummy do your hair" (ie. asking me to have my hair done cos' on 1 occasion while shopping alone with them at IMM, Mummy suddenly decided to go for a O3 hair treatment at Jean Yip when I saw that the place is spacious and safe to bring my kids in).

It was then that Mummy realised that this Cutie actually understands what she is saying and she really meant it. Mummy had initially thot that her refusal is just like most kids who don't like to have their hair cut. At that moment, I can feel her desire to have her everything done by Mummy.

Even on a few occasions when we were going to Compass Point, Mummy was a little lazy to walk and thus intended to drive there. Mummy asked this Cutie if she prefers to walk or go by car (hee... to get consensus that it's not that I'm lazy to walk) and to my surprise, her choice is always to walk. For most kids (including us adults), we would have chosen being driven in a car without hesitation. Guess she really enjoys walking with Mummy holding her hand and singing songs along the way. That's why Mummy is often touched by this Cutie's actions and her thinking always make me wonder is she really 2 years old (haha... to be exact is 2 and 1/2 now).

She's looking forward to going to Korea cos' she knows that Mummy will be able to carry her as Meimei will be carried by Daddy then. So now she has to walk while Mummy pushes the stroller with Meimei on it. Though she knows that Mummy can handle alone carrying her and pushing the stroller (now using Maclaren Volo which is light-weight), she doesn't whine or cry to be carried. She just walks along with me. See, how not to feel so touched by her. Hence, I will often carry her whenever I got the chance to.

Be patient, Cutie, Mummy is also looking forward to going to Korea where I can carry you more often than now. Gee... guess we just love each other too much.

My Moon and My Star

Yes, I'm referring to my Cutie and Sweetie.

Last year, my Cutie was very observant with things associated with the crescent moon. Everyday, she would point to the moon in the sky (out from the window) and say "moon". There was once, she pointed to her Carebear's and told Mummy "moon". Mummy was ???, wondering where got moon over there. On closer look, Mummy was really surprised to see the "moon" on Carebear's face (haha... it's actually Carebear's eyebrow which is thick and arched like the crescent moon).

Now (similar to my Cutie), this Sweetie of mine has sharp eyes for "star". She is rather quick in identifying the star and will eagerly point and tell Mummy "star, star". That day, she was crying and Mummy tried to distract her by asking her to look for star on my laptop (gee... I dun even know if there's star on the laptop screen, just want to distract her and stop crying). Well, while I was still searching for the star, my Sweetie was already pointing and shouting "star, star". Guess, my eyesight is failing too.

Well, sometimes it can be so comforting to see both of them having fun together or enjoying each others' company. Here's a video of my Moon sharing her cornflakes with my Star. My Sweetie's latest vocabulary is "bear".

Fun n Boots

The weather is still as hot over here though Daddy shared that it is getting colder in Korea. So let my darlings have some fun with the water. Didn't know it's so tough to pump the big pool, so only pump 1 level instead of 4, hee... (got the maid to do it the other time).

Guess my action of pumping the pool must have reminded my Cutie of pumping petrol, so after her bath, caught her pumping her cars.

Last week when it rained, I was wondering why my Cutie was so happy. It turned out that she knew she can wear her boots for the 1st time cos' previously Mummy had told her that boots are for rainy day. Since then, she always requests to wear her boots whenever we go out. Everyday, she will also wear her boots and walk around the foyer area in the house.

Ended up the little one also gets influenced. Like what people say, "Monkeys see, monkeys do".

Well, anyway already pre-warn Daddy about the mess he will be facing when we went over. Actually, it's not that bad, at least these 2 darlings know that they had to put back the boots after having fun. Thank God.

Cutie's last day of school

Today is the last day of school for my Cutie and it's also the Children's Day Celebration. So I had baked some cupcakes for the kids again. As I did not have the time to do the frosting for the cupcakes, so I made them into fruit cakes. Actually had initially bought the Orea fun pack for the kids, but *sigh* due to the recent "Made in China" scandal, thought it's best not to give snacks sold in the market (tho' had checked it's made in Indonesia).

Here's a picture of my Cutie with her classmates and lovely teachers. Glad to have sent my Cutie there. If next year we are back, Mummy will then entrust both my darlings with them again (tho I did consider about Totshouse which is closer to our home and is able to accomodate till older age, ie. less transition).

Mummy really likes the style of the teachers and can feel their love for children. Mainly, my kids can be exposed and learned good mandarin from the Chinese teacher (hee... cos' Mummy is only good at teaching them English). Can you find my Cutie?

She's at the centre front of the picture.

Naughty Sweetie

Recently, my Sweetie is getting on my nerves at times. First, she really enjoys doodling as on the bedsheets, today found some pen stains on the sofa. Secondly, she really loves destroying things. Whatever I pasted on the wall, she will not just pull them down, they will be destroyed, ie. torn. A number of the flashcards if left alone with her, will end up with the same fate too. Same for her Jiejie's artwork from school. She will also find chance to mess up with my things especially those for the tour. It's so frustrating to pack/sort things out and next moment got to redo everything again, so Mummy decided to do the packing late at night (after they are asleep).

In addition, the shoes are all messed up cos' she enjoys playing with shoes lately. Mummy has packed and packed until I gave up (guess I'm a little tired lately). Even when sitting on the car seat, she will play and remove her shoes herself.

Since young, her adventurous nature is always a worry to Mummy. Lately, she loves to climb onto the dining chair herself. Though she manages to sit on her own without help, Mummy often gets shock seeing her on the chair. She has also climbed up and down on the tricycle herself (which is a little too high for her). It has toppled onto her on 2 occasions already, yet... The other day, she even tried to climb up the slide at the playground herself while Mummy was over another side with my Cutie. *headache*

Arrgh...


"Mummy, please don't throw me away. I'm made in USA, you know." (reference to previous post - Made in China)




Well, guess it's just part of her growing phrase. She's still quite a sweetie at times too.

Everytime after she finishes her milk, she enjoys helping to put the milk bottle on the dining table. She will hug and kiss her Jiejie unconditionally. despite being bullied by her Jiejie at times. Recently, she has peed/pooed many times on the potty (note: she has initiated it herself (of course she still pee/poo on her pampers), Mummy doesn't really have time to potty-train her at this moment). Guess she's ready.

She's also picking up words, her latest addition is "Star", "Rara" (Dora), "fu fu" (poopoo) and "zjei zjie" (Jiejie).



Gee... guess she knows that Mummy will forgive her no matter how naughty she is.

Made in China?

The scam about the milk powder in China is so scary, that now Mummy will check the labels on the titbits to ensure that it's not "Made in China". Couldn't believe my eye when the "white rabbit brand" sweets (which I love since young) have been confirmed by AVA to contain melamine too. Same goes to the popular "Wang Wang" Xiao Man Tou (another popular titbits for babies). That day, my Cutie was surprised to see me threw away an unopened "Wang Wang" milk candy (cos' "Wang Wang" titbits are her favourite). Mummy then explained to her that it's made in China and it's poisonous. After that, she saw me threw away another packet of Japanese brand corn cracker and also the mini individual pack of Wall's ice-cream (with cow's print on packaging). Then she said, "Made in China, cannot eat, will die". Hee... she added "will die" herself.

Wouldn't have known so many of the products are actually manufactured in China, like even the Japanese brand crackers (which are usually more expensive). I wouldn't have known that they were manufactured in China if I didn't read the label. In 2004, there's a scam of the phony milk powder with no nutrients value and affected many babies. Now history is repeating itself. Really wonder why people can be so heartless to cause harm to the sweet little ones.

Dear God, please bless and protect all children from these heartless people. Amen.

Purr...fect Mum

Yesterday, brought my darlings out to shop for luggage. Yes, we will be joining Daddy next month. In fact, it is actually quite a last minute decision, partly to get ourselves climatise before winter and also by then, my Sweetie would have completed her pneumococal and MMR jabs.

On our way home, we were in the lift with a couple who are around my age. Guess what, the man actually praised me :) He said I was very capable to bring 2 kids out on my own (then my Sweetie was sitting on stroller and my Cutie was standing next to me). Though I was surprised cos' hee... I don't know them, I gave the credit to both my darlings. Well, they are really sweet-natured and well-behaved kids. Of course, there are times when they drive me nuts too.

Looking back, actually he was not the first to compliment me. I remembered once a 50-plus years old auntie also marvelled that I could manage 2 kids alone without help whereas it was already tough on them (herself, her daughter [SAHM] and the maid) to take care of her 6 months old grand-daughter.

Well, at times, I do feel proud of myself. I have brought them to so many outings on my own - to the zoo, library, Ikea, shopping, dining at restaurants/MacDonalds and even marketing. Of course, worth mentioning are some nice people whom we met and helped along the way, such as opening and holding the glass door for us, letting us go out of the lift first etc.

Indeed, it's really not that easy to be a one-man show especially with 2 kids. Having a maid may not be a good idea, but at least there is another adult to watch over the kids (haha... my ex-maid is an exception). Really got to thank God for giving me these 2 sweet darlings.

My admiration actually goes more to those FTWM (full-time working mummies) who have NO maid and NO elders at home to take care of housework. Imagine being so tired after a day at work, yet still have to take care of kids and household chores? Another group is the mummies having kids with special needs. Can you imagine how much worse it is for these mummies when many mummies with normal kids are already "complaining"? They are really the amazing ones.

Well, guess it's the maternal-instinct in us that give us the strength to pull through (the daddies are definitely getting an easier life in comparision). We are not perfect mums, but definitely our love for our babies make us "purrfect". Meow, meow.

It's Mid-Autumn Festival again

Time flies. As I looked back at my Mid-Autumn post for last year, I can't help but feel this way. Within a year, many things have changed, especially children. Last year, my Sweetie was just a few months old baby while my Cutie was experiencing her 1st Mid-Autumn festival (same for my Sweetie now). Mummy has grown older too.

Well, I've fulfilled my wish to bring both of them to the park to celebrate the festival this year. Thank God I didn't buy any lantern for them (cos' Mummy has bought the tickets to the event which comes with a lantern each), both of them only played with the lanterns for a while and passed them over to Mummy. What to do - they find it more fun to hold something practical (aka food) than lanterns. Yummy, yummy.

There was a lion dance performance, my Sweetie managed to get a picture with the "lions" before the arrival of the Guest-of-honour. Later, some kids went off and left a row of lighted candles on the ground. Guess what, my darlings enjoyed watching the flame on the candles and they couldn't wait to blow them off (must be due to the recent birthday events). Well, it was fun. Guess this is going to be an annual affair for us.

Happy Sweetie Day

Today, my Sweetie pooed in the potty for the first time. Did not have time to potty-train her at the moment, just that saw her looked as if she wants to poo, so I asked her and she nodded her head. She seems to enjoy sitting on the potty, so mummy decided to take a picture of her.

Every time, she sees her Jiejie doing her business on the toilet bowl, she will pat pat her backside as if communicating "you peepee/poopoo, isit?" Guess she is delighted that she can be like her Jiejie, sitting on the potty.

My Cutie was so sweet to reward her Meimei with a "prize" after she pooed on the potty (see her right hand on 2nd pict).

After that, Mummy caught this Sweetie doodling happily on the easel (thank God the cap of marker was still on). The other day, she also had a great time doodling on the bedsheet with a pen. The damage was simply too bad.


Lately, this Sweetie loves to carry her Jiejie's schoolbag on her shoulder. Of course, this displeased the elder one. Amazingly, her attitude changed when Mummy told her "this baby (aka Sweetie) is going to school, are you the teacher?". Immediately, she assumed the role of the teacher and led my Sweetie into the "classroom". After that, she helped to take the bag off my Sweetie (just like what her teachers do everytime she entered the classroom). Her tone was so caring and loving like her teachers. After a while, she helped to place the bag on my Sweetie's shoulder and brought her to me, saying "this baby cried in school" (like teacher giving feedback to parent).

In the evening, saw my Cutie placed the manual balloon pump over my Sweetie's head. Guess what, she was trying to dry her hair using the "hair-dryer".

Life is never bored with 2 of them around. :)

Happy Birthday, Daddy

Ya, today is Daddy's birthday.

So got a very small cake to celebrate via msn with him. When Daddy saw the Hello Kitty design on the cake, he joked is it really for his birthday?


Hee... got to confess that Mummy bought the cake more for my darlings cos' they really enjoy seeing lighted candles and of course, mainly to eat the cake.

I thot they won't be that excited cos' this is already the 3rd birthday cake bought for Daddy's birthday this year. But amazingly they still are. Oh, hope they won't wonder why Daddy's birthdays are so close apart whereas theirs will have to wait a year later, hee...

What a lucky guy - to have 3 celebrations just for his birthday (1 with family, 1 with groups of friends, this 1 with us alone), but... too bad he can't have a mouthful of the delicious cake this time round. Mmm... guess it's my 2 darlings who are luckier (got cakes to eat everytime). Poor Mummy, only lucky enough to get a small mouthful with these 2 hungry cake-eaters.

In the past, when my Cutie was still an infant, Mummy got to eat 1 whole. Then she became a toddler, Mummy got to share half with her. With my Sweetie growing up, now got to share my remaining half with her. But very soon, this 1 whole will fully taken up by both of them. Poor Mummy, cos' nothing will be left for her. But hey... wait... it may be a blessing in disguise, Mummy can get another whole for herself. Haha...but must definitely make sure this whole is kept out of sight from these 2 food gobblers.

2 years old Cutie (Part 5)

My Cutie has often imagined herself as Dora and at times, Diego. When I call her "Darling, help me...", she will say "I am Dora/Diego". Often I will play along with her and say "Dora/Diego, can you help mummy to..." and there you will see her happily helping along. The magic is "it works" and it's much easier to persuade her on things that she may not like.

The other day, I called her "Mandy" (Mandy is another name for Amanda) and she says "I am Dora". As I'm busy, I just call her "Mandy" again. Guess what, she says "mmm? [very short mmm] What did you say?". So I repeated what I say and she also repeated what she says. It was then I realise that this is not a question asked, it serves more as a command. Haha... it's clear that she had heard me well, so she was indirectly telling me "Call me Dora first". When Mummy called her "Dora", that's where things get going.

In the past, my role is simply Dora's/Diego's mummy. Recently, I have more roles given to me and Meimei too. Once, she and Meimei are doctors, mummy is the nurse. During meal time, she said "This nurse (aka mummy) is feeding this doctor (aka Meimei). This doctor (aka herself) feed herself" The other day when going to the park, she said "Boots' sitting on stroller (referring to Meimei). Cow (ie. mummy) is pushing the stroller." [Both Boots the Monkey and the cow are characters associated with Dora].

The only problem is we are fixed to our roles and the role-playing is endless. So things relating to meimei, she will constantly say "Boots is ...." and for mummy, "Cow is ....". Though I'm born in the year of Ox, doesn't feel good to be constantly called a cow somehow. Guess I had better find another character in the show and assign a new role to myself. *Sigh* Here's a video of this Cutie reading a book. Gee... she could be reading based on memory (remember I shared about her great memory?). On the other hand, she already knows a number of words too. So guess both contribute to her reading ability now. Well, here's our "Ms Bunny".

Home-baked Cupcakes

Today is the Teachers' Day Celebration in school. Guess what mummy made for the teachers and the kids. Yes, cupcakes.

Had initially planned to make for the teachers only [gee... cos' her teachers always marvelled whenever my Cutie brings home-baked cakes for her snacks to school and also wonder how I could afford the time to bake with 2 little ones to take care of, alone].

Then it crosses my mind that I could bake some for the kids too (hee... cos' every month I will buy some titbits for my Cutie to bring to school and give to the classmates).

For the kids, I do not want to have a layer of frosting on the cupcakes (cos' I dun want them to eat too much of the sweet stuff, even though I have reduced the sugar quantity in the recipe). So have been cracking my head and finally came up with the smiley face theme.

I find it rewarding to see the kids' happy face when they got a cupcake each and especially their eagerness to show it to their parents/caregivers once the door opened for dismissal. Of course, glad that the teachers love the cupcakes too. Guess what, my Cutie was so proud to tell her teachers, "I bake one" (referring to herself). Well, err... she did participate too.

In this contemporary society, it has become a norm for most people to simply buy (ie. just pay)instead of preparing the stuff (cos' less time-consuming). Even during our "pot luck" sessions with friends, the food are usually bought rather than prepared by ourselves. Hence, when one of the friends brought along the salad made by her during the last gathering at our house, I couldn't help promoting that dish to everyone. Guess I appreciated the effort that that friend had made and especially the sincerity that comes with it. Guess the teachers can feel mine too :) [especially now I'm alone with the kids at home and the washing to follow-up with after baking]. Still, mummy feel it's time well-spent.

Here's more of my design (made previously) to share.

2nd Visit to T3

Since the opening of new Terminal 3, this is the second time we went there. Daddy is leaving for Korea.

After Daddy entered the Departure Gate, Mummy and babies went to the viewing mall, but... quite sadly can't really see much (should have remembered the experience during 1st visit), can hardly see the planes or seeing the planes taking off, T2 is still the best.

Nonetheless, both my darlings still had great fun at the viewing mall - my Cutie was busy "talking" to her Daddy on the public phone while my Sweetie was enjoying walking and venturing around on her own.

Here's my Sweetie waving goodbye to her Daddy (at viewing mall). See her cute expression when she thought that her Jie Jie is going to chase after her.