Our Precious Prince Ethan & Princess Amanda

HFMD UPDATE 2

2011-10-25T09:46:00.002+08:00

Today's the 9th day. Amanda has been cleared by the doctor on Saturday. But not Ethan. Still can see some ulcers healing but not completely. Another few more days at home. Doctor said to go back on Deepavali for a review to get clearance again. Hope he gets the green light tomorrow. Mummy can't stay at home for too long already :(

Amanda has gone back to school. Asked her if she wants to go school, she answered straight "No". Then I asked her if she misses her friends and teachers, she said "yes". That's when she decided to go. As I was the one bringing her today, she made no fuss. Thank goodness she didn't cry at all.

Ethan has been asking me since yesterday if he can go back to school. He's definitely bored at home and miss all the activities and friends in school. Well, let's just hang on for one more day.

DOWN WITH HFMD AGAIN

2011-10-20T14:45:00.004+08:00

The poor kids are down with HFMD again... the 2nd time.

On Sunday, we noticed that Amanda's not eating well and she's complaining of mouth pain. We brushed it off as some ulcers in the mouth that's causing the discomfort. It was only then that we were aware that one of her school mates got hfmd, we became more wary. True to the worst fear.... we saw the symptons popping up on her.

Monday... we brought her to the clinic to confirm. We can see ulcers in her mouth. A few spots on her fingers and feet... No wonder she doesn't want to eat. Everytime she eats, she cries "There's chilli in my mouth", said her vitamin c not nice anymore... seems like she still has some humour among the pain.
The doctor also checked Ethan and confirmed he caught it too. Can see plenty of red spots in his mouth.

Tuesday... The boy is still cheeky and has no complaints of pain. No spots on the limbs. But the girl is complaining of lots of pain. No food. Only milk the whole day.

Wednesday... The boy starts pouting and can see the discomfort. Refused to eat as it hurts each time food goes in. He starts to get grouchy and cries a lot. He doesn't like to talk at all. The good thing is Amanda seems to be better. Starts to eat porridge and she said no more pain in her mouth.

Thursday (today)... Can see that Amanda has no more pain. Back to her cheerful self. The boy is still in pain but seems better than yesterday. Can see a few little spots on his feet and butts. But still in a lousy mood. Doesn't want to talk to me. He only cheered up a bit when he was given the Ribena ice popsicle which we made yesterday.

Hopes they are all well and cheeful tomorrow.

This time round, it's slightly different from the previous round they had early last year. Lesser spots on fingers and feet. But more ulcers in the mouth. Luckily they had no fever this time round.

And for this, they are away from school for a week. When we told Ethan they will be on holiday for a week, he thought he's going on a real holiday... take aeroplane and such. But the funny thing is he never ask why he doesn't need to go to school everyday.

MEMORY POWER

2011-10-16T15:34:00.002+08:00

Ethan requested to watch our wedding video. He enjoyed it and after that it was bed time. As what we always try to do... some readings before sleep. We went through the fruits on the wall chart and when it came to LIME, he stopped and said. Just now Papa and all the uncles eat this lime.

Hmmm... I was rather taken aback. I didn't expect him to have registered such nitty gritty things in his mind. Afterall, the video showing this scene of the best men eating the limes were only less than 5 seconds.

There go to show how powerful children's brains are.

HAPPY CHILDREN'S DAY

2011-10-12T23:41:00.009+08:00

7 Oct 2011... It's the first Friday of the month and it's Children's Day. From this year on, MOE has stipulated Children's Day to be on the first Friday of October.

The school is closed on 7 October and they had a celebration on the thursday. Ethan told me on Wed that they are having a party tomorrow. Am glad he's now able to tell me events happening ahead.

So mummy made some cookies pops for the children in their class for the party.

They were very happy to see the final products of the cookies pops in the morning as they were of their favourite cartoon characters.... Thomas and Friends and Princess.

All dressed up and ready to go to school for their party!!

AMANDA'S COLOURING SKILLS

2011-09-26T22:48:00.006+08:00

6 months into school... I see a drastic change in her colouring skills.

From light scribbles across the page, to now more focused colouring. I was teaching Ethan to do some writing and given her some pages to colour. Noticed that she's more able to control her strokes and made attempt to colour the main object. Great improvements in 6 months.

Top picture was few months back, while bottom picture with more focused coluring now.

ETHAN READS

2011-09-19T00:00:00.003+08:00

Maybe it's not read.... Ethan recites...

We have been trying to establish a reading routine every evening before bedtime, just to get them into a habit of reading. Every night, they will choose a few books and we read through the stories. And since he couldn't read, we will just read to him. And through reading, he seems to memorise the stories. And this is how he "reads" now.... through memorising.

The Gruffalo... was one story he likes. Without fail, I will be made to read this long story. And the amazing thing is he can recite now, and he's able to identify the various habitat to the various animals in the story. As in... fox with underground house, owl with treetop house and snake with logpie house.

Here's how he goes...

PUZZLE TIME

2011-09-18T23:04:00.002+08:00

This is what the children do every morning entertaining themselves while waiting for Daddy and Mummy to get ready for work.

They will take out their puzzles and fix it themselves. Very good way of keeping them entertained as they will get very engrossed in it for some time, leaving us to do our stuff.

I find that puzzles are a good way to improve their patience and increase their attention span. When we first introduced the puzzles, Ethan was unsure how to fix it. Showed him once and he quickly knew how to do it. Now he can fix the 15-pcs puzzle with ease in a minute. We also got Amanda a smaller version, that comes in 4,6,8 and 12-pcs set. She took longer to figure what to do. She was just hogging the pieces initially and not fixing. But after a few days, after watching what Ethan does, she started doing herself. Now she's able to fix the 12-pcs puzzle on her own and declares "I can do it" after finishing one.

And just yesterday, she surprised us by doing Ethan's 15-pieces puzzle herself. We recorded down and she took about 4 mins to do it. Well done Amanda!!

Time for more puzzles!!

BEACH EXPERIENCE

2011-09-14T23:27:00.008+08:00

Brought the kids out to East Coast Park for a morning walk with some friends. It can be considered their first beach experience. Ethan was quite alright playing with sand. Seeing his friends take out their shoes, he also requested to take out his. No complains about sands on his feet. Amanda on the other hand (as expected) did not like the sand and wasn't very adventurous on exploring further.

It was a nice experience but I think the beach at East Coast Park isn't very ideal. The sand are not very clean and we were told not to go bare-footed as there are many sharp objects among it.

While waiting for their friends, they had their breakfast while watching the fishes in the little pond.

Playing on the beach

Rest and relax at Starbucks

SENTOSA BUSKER FESTIVAL 2011

2011-09-10T23:06:00.024+08:00

After many years, we step into Sentosa once again. Today is Sentosa Day. In conjunction with the Sentosa Busker Festival, it's free entry via Sentosa Express or walk in. Looking at the Sentosa Express, it sends me back thinking when was the last time we went to Sentosa. If we are not wrong, the last time we went in and took the rail, it was 2008. This means the last time we went, it was with Ethan only when he was just less than 1 year old? And this means it's Amanda's first trip to Sentosa.

This time, we are here for the busker festival.

Both the children enjoyed themselves a lot. Despite the short drizzle, it was a nice cool weather with wow-ing stances performed by the buskers.

The children on board the rail

Amanda's first step on the sand. She's excited over the ships in the waters. But she said "I don't like the sand".

While waiting for the show to begin, we went to take a look at the Luge ride. Amanda exclaims she wants to sit. Too bad she doesn't meet the height requirement.

1st show

The children watching with amazement

Amanda clapping her hand after each performance and raised her hand when asked for a volunteer.

And since this whole event is for a charity call, we did our share.

The kids get a clapper in return

And we managed to get a shot with the busker

She got an ice cream while waiting for the 2nd show and enjoying it while watching.

The kids were watching what he's painting. Ethan said he should have used purple and pink paints.

This is the end result.

Dinner time at MacDonald's for the first time. Happy meal = toys. Smurfs!!

Back to Vivo City. The last stop of the day... Pet Safari. The children got to saw some pets....dogs, cats, hamsters, rabbits...

Guess what they are looking at?

Terrapins

THE CHILDREN'S CLASS PHOTO

2011-09-09T23:14:00.003+08:00

Another year has gone....

It doesn't seem too long ago when we received Ethan's Nursery 1 class photo.
See here http://ethango.blogspot.com/2010/12/end-of-nursery-1.html

And now it's coming to term 4 which means the end of Nursery 2 for Ethan and Playgroup for Amanda. How fast! Ethan will be in K1 and Amanda N1 next year. I always look at them and miss the baby look of them. They simply grow too fast.

Here's the new photos we have got hold of today.

Ethan's class

You can see how much different Ethan looks one year ago.

Amanda's class

(credits to the photographer.. their class is the hardest to capture all attention)

MY MUMMY

2011-09-08T07:54:00.003+08:00

We have been teaching Ethan not to fight with his friends in school even if they are naughty.
Mummy: when your friend beat you or fight with you, what must u do?
Ethan: tell teacher.
Mummy: can u beat them or fight with them?
Ethan: no

Yesterday, this conversation occurs. Something happened and Ethan insisted mummy is wrong and must apologize to daddy.
Ethan: says sorry to papa
Mummy (shake head) n refuse to say
Ethan (in a soft tone): it's ok. Says sorry
Daddy: can I beat mummy since she's naughty and don't want to say sorry?
Ethan: no. She's my mummy!
Daddy: how? She doesn't want to say sorry?
Ethan: it's ok, it's ok (as if telling him to forgive me even though I refuse)

Love how protective he is of mummy.
But hopes he doesn't get the wrong message that it's always alright not to apologise when in the wrong.

OUR SINGING BIRDS

2011-09-07T11:07:00.003+08:00

It's been almost 6 months since Amanda started schooling. Lately, I have been hearing her singing songs and it's getting clearer what she's singing. Some thoughts just came to my mind.

In the initial months, can hear her humming songs but with no idea what she's singing. After 6 months? She's singing with confidence n for some songs, her pronunciation is rather clear. Just the other day, Ethan brought a fish handicraft home. She took it and imitate the swimming motion, then she starts singing "I've got a fish swimming in the water, swimming in the water..." wow... I don't know the song but I know what she's singing. I'm impressed.

Remembered Ethan also starts singing on his own at a certain stage just like Amanda now. When I hear her singing, it dawn on me that I have not hear him sing that frequently like in the past. Is this a stage? When I ask him to sing, he's not as willing now. And he just seem to get the lyrics mixed up. The power of memory of younger minds? Although he's not singing as much now, I can see he's reciting stories or rhymes that he learns. Is this a shift in preference?

Suddenly I feel my children are growing so fast that I couldn't seem to catch up. This makes me realise I have not been recording down Ethan's certain milestones in his learning journey. I shall make it a point to catch up on both of them as much as I can.

Here are 2 videos I had captured on Amanda's singing:

And the very next day, she wanted to sing the chinese version

OUR NEW GARDEN

2011-09-04T22:18:00.006+08:00

We adopted a garden. The kids were very excited when they saw the new garden outside the house.

Here is our little gardener helping out to water the plants

Complete the job

Time to keep the pails

A DAY OUT WITH DADDY

2011-09-04T21:45:00.006+08:00

It's school holiday for the children since it's Teacher's Day. Mummy has to work and Daddy takes care of the children. Daddy decided to bring them for a swim.

The children had a great time out with Daddy and can see that Ethan is enjoying the water more.

Enjoying the water

Look how the kids enjoy

Daddy teaches them to kick

Great job Daddy!

HAPPY TEACHER'S DAY

2011-09-01T01:02:00.004+08:00

This year's teacher's day, we made something to give the teachers.
We drew a card for Ethan's teachers. He wrote the wordings himself while I help him with the drawing. He decides what pictures for me to draw. So in a way, the whole card was somehow his design.

Here's how it looks.

Nothing done by Amanda... she's unaware of what's happening and thought it was just another art n craft session. Nevermind... we will wait for next year to get her involved.

That doesn't mean her teachers get nothing. We made vanilla cupcakes with strawberry fillings for all the teachers in the school. The children are not involved in the process. But Ethan watched how Mummmy makes and was thrilled by the outcome.

The final product

The boy just wanted to watch how I finish the cakes and went to bed late with me. He thought the cupcakes are for him and told me "I will share with all the teachers tomorrow". And he was so proud of his cards that he brought them to sleep with him. Hopes he has nice first memories of Teacher's Day this year.

HAPPY TEACHER'S DAY to all the teachers out there. And special thanks to all the teachers at Nurture Cottage, particularly the teachers of Annie Apple Clever Cat and Bouncy Ben.

THE BIG BROTHER

2011-08-27T15:34:00.002+08:00

A day where Ethan supervises Amanda's homework

Kind of him or kaypo? Gets real lazy with his own exercise. But like to teach her how to do her work.

A DAY OUT AT THE MARINA BARRAGE

2011-08-26T12:53:00.009+08:00

Our first picnic at Marina Barrage. The day was warm but the kids enjoyed the open area with water play. Too bad we didn't bring an extra set of clothings, else they can have more fun soaking themselves wet.

Excited on the shuttle bus to Marina Barrage

Fun time

Amanda enjoys the water oozing out

LOVE

2011-08-26T12:47:00.001+08:00

I simply love these pictures taken recently at the National Museum.

It reminds me of how much my children has grown, and the lovely smile just puts all worries & unhappiness behind.

A very pretty Amanda... (in the eyes of Mummy & Daddy)

And a cheerful, smiley Ethan

Love these 2 pictures that were taken with them

And not forgetting our little Mr Funny trying to be funny

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SINGAPORE

2011-08-11T00:38:00.003+08:00

This National Day... the kids are able to understand what's going on better.... at least so for Ethan.

For the past week, the children (yes... both of them) has been coming home and singing several songs.
"One people, One Nation, One Singapore"
"S-I-N-G-A-P-O-R-E"... a rap version which Amanda never fails to end with a "Yeah!" and the hand gesture :)
"Rasa Sayang"

Whenever they see the Singapore flag hanging everywhere, they will go "Singapore flag". I still remember early this month when the flags start hanging outside. Ethan goes "police flag"... he associated the crescent & 5 stars with the police logo. Only recently then he knows it's the Singapore flag instead of Police flag.

And we ask what is National Day, they will answer "it's Singapore's birthday". Am very glad with what they learnt from school.

The school had a mini sports carnival in their school compound on the eve of National Day. The children were told to wear red and white clothes to school. I still remember a year ago, Ethan resisted wearing home clothes to school as he associated going to school with his uniform. This year he understands that everyone will don red and white in celebration of Singapore's birthday. No fuss that morning, and he goes telling Amanda "everyone will be in red and white today".

On National Day itself, we had a gathering at Aunty Jane's house. Mummy decorated a cake to go along this theme. And it was very nice to see how excited the kids are when the cake was brought out.

Happy birthday Singapore

OUR FIRST TRIP TO THE BIRD PARK

2011-08-09T01:04:00.009+08:00

Mummy has been putting off with the idea of bringing the kids to the zoo or bird park. For a couple of reason... distance, weather, etc. Well, we brought them to the zoo before on Ethan's 2nd birthday. It was tiring, hot and sweaty. Doesn't really like this feeling.

Nevertheless, mummy managed to get the tickets at a corporate rate to the Singapore Bird Park. And since we had never been there, we decided to take it as a family outing.

Overall, the whole trip was enjoyable. The park isn't as big as the zoo. And now it's so much more interesting than years ago. The children enjoyed themselves a lot. And more importantly, they learnt some names of the birds, watched how a swan bathe itself, how penguins really look like, how big the emu is, etc etc.

The kids were busy looking at them

Wow... a nice waterfall

Ethan gets very excited with the monorail

Feeding the birds

It's show time!

THE CONCEPT OF LIFE AND DEATH

2011-07-27T23:19:00.003+08:00

Today, Ethan started the most shocking conversation with me. Had a very rude shock and doesn't know what he really understands.

Ethan: Mummy, I think Daddy is going to die,
Mummy: WHY??!!?!!
Ethan: I think Mummy is also going to die.
Mummy(Totally stunned): Why do you say so?
Ethan: Because you all are adults. Adults are old already. So you all better don't be adults, be children ok?
Mummy: Oh... so children will not die?
Ethan: Yes. Me and amanda are children.

Oh my goodness.... first I was shocked by his first sentence. Secondly, I don't know where he has learnt about this concept that people will grow old and eventually pass away. It really makes it wonder how and what is he thinking.

SINGAPORE ARTS MUESUEM

2011-07-24T23:16:00.006+08:00

There had been this Art Garden festival held by the Singapore Arts Muesuem. We missed it last year, and had wanted to go this year. Been wanting to bring them there but it had been a busy busy July. This weekend, we happened to travel past the place on the way home and noticed that it's free admission for this weekend. And this is how we ended there.

It wasn't really up to the expectations of Mummy. But the kids enjoyed it (all except the movie screenings).

ANOTHER PLAY AGAIN...

2011-07-24T22:58:00.005+08:00

Yes... another one and the last one for the month. This time with Amanda.

Mummy managed to lay her hands on the tickets for ROCKY THE PANDA.

Amanda was all excited about going while Ethan was hesitant. Everytime we say we go for show, movie, or plays, his first reaction is "No". Not because he doesn't like, but he was afraid of the dark.

With some coaxing, we managed to get him in. Luckily this one wasn't like the previous PlayTime play. This was interactive and not as "loud" and he enjoyed it. As for Amanda, she totally immersed herself in the play and enjoyed it very much.

Waiting for the play to begin

See how Amanda joins in to the song "Itsy Witsy Spider" and do the actions without us prompting.

A very simple and attention catching play

Was totally happy to have brought them to this play. Was kinda of surprised how much they enjoyed. I simply love looking at them enjoying it, singing the songs, doing the actions all without us prompting them to do it.

ETHAN'S 2ND PLAY FOR THE MONTH

2011-07-22T23:08:00.005+08:00

July seems to be all about play play play.

Today he went for his 2nd play for the month... The Rainbow Fish. It's a day out with Ethan alone. No Amanda. Told him in the morning that he'll be on half day and we are going to go for the Rainbow Fish play... just him and mummy. He was excited.

He was kind of amused with the idea that he leaves the school without his bag and Amanda, and that we will be back to the school to bring her home.

Was happy that he sat on his own throughout the play, unlike previous cinema trips where he's afraid of the dark and wants to sit with me. He enjoyed it, with all the colourful props and interesting music. Partly also because he has read the Rainbow Fish book and knows some of the characters. Overall, it was really a fantastic play worth going.

Posing with the poster

Waiting for the show to begin

The colourful props

Some colouring activities for the children

See Ethan writes his numbers... all by himself

MacDonald's treat after the show

This boy was so thrilled with the outing that he totally forgo his nap. No signs of tiredness except the walk home from bus stop. Back home, he's all energised again and played with Amanda, and his usual evening routine. Tired but refused to admit, the boy knocked out within 5 mins on lying down on his bed.

HUG HUG DON'T CRY

2011-07-20T23:09:00.003+08:00

Every morning i always have to sneak out of the house quietly to go to work while they stay in the room. Reason being I don't want them to make a fuss. Noticed that Ethan is not as clingy as before and even told me "You go to work first, ok?", decided to say goodbye first before leaving (which I think this is more healthy and appropriate).

So this morning, they were waiting for papa in the room. I told them "goodbye". Ethan, without any fuss, returned me with a "goodbye" too. Then Amanda starts crying, wanting me to bring her to school instead.

So I told Ethan to give her a hug and ask her not to cry. And it's nice to see him obeying and hug her, telling her "Don't cry. Mummy go work. Tonight she bring us home." And after a bit of sobbing, she cried. I closed the door and hear that she's not crying anymore.

Nice of Ethan to shower some love for meimei. It's also something we need to teach them to love and console when someone else is sad.

THE HUNGRY CATERPILLAR

2011-07-17T08:32:00.004+08:00

Ethan's school had organised an excursion to The Hungry Caterpillar play.

Mummy had wanted to bring the children on her own. But since the school issued the memo of their intention, decided to let Ethan go with the school. Probably Amanda's too young to go out with the older children, so they didn't ask if she wants to go.

Anyway, on the day, we were almost late. The teachers told us that one of the children is sick and unable to go. So they had an extra ticket. They decided to let Amanda replace instead. And that's how she got to go.

Later in the evening when I fetched them, I asked Ethan:
Mummy: Ethan, where did you go today?
Ethan: Hungry caterpillar show
Amanda (interrupting): I go caterpillar show... I like!!!
Mummy: Wow! You went?
Amanda: Yes. Take big big bus

Realised she's also relate things that happened much earlier. Now when she sees those coaches, she will point and say "I want to sit bus".

Hopefully she will be able to join gor gor out for excursions in school very soon.

OUR PRINCESS SPEAKS TOO

2011-07-17T08:13:00.003+08:00

Ethan took quite some time before he really communicates in sentence with us. It was only after 18 months, he then starts to say words like "yes", "no", "bus", "van", etc. Only after 2 yrs old old, he then spoke 2 to 3 words. And it's only after 21/2 to 3 yrs old before he starts communicating in sentences.

On the other hand, our princess is much faster. Barely a month after 2yrs old, she's already talking in sentences. Still remembered her full sentence was "Mummy, gor gor beat me!!!" Hahaha... properly out in desperation.

Yesterday, mummy was out and Daddy brought then to grandma's house.

Mummy: Amanda, where did u go?
Amanda: Nai Nai's house
Mummy: Have you been a good girl?
Amanda: Yes
Then she paused a while..
Amanda: Gor gor naughty.
Mummy: Why?
Amanda: Gor gor beat me.
Mummy: Oh... did you cry?
Amanda: NO (in a very confident and proud tone)

Goodness... i don't know if she's a complain queen or just making it up so as to show that Ethan is naughtier and her and she's the angel.

Being a second child and a gal, it seems like she learns things much faster.

SAME TOPIC, 2 DIFFERENT REACTIONS

2011-07-10T22:49:00.002+08:00

On a taxi ride, Ethan sat in the middle between Mummy and Amanda...

Ethan was holding on to my hand and fiddling with my watch
Ethan: Mummy, why your watch has no numbers
Mummy *a bit lost what to reply*: I have no money to buy a watch with numbers
Ethan said "No money? " and went speechless, and just continued to look and play with my watch
Then Amanda who was silent all these while, stretch her hand into her pocket and stretched it out to me "Money... give you"

Wow... I was surprised by her reaction. Didn't know she was listening to our conversation and the reaction she gave. A wide difference between one who just went silent and one who offers her "money".

OUR WAY BACK TODAY

2011-07-02T00:34:00.003+08:00

Fetched the children from school. On the way home...

Ethan: Mummy, today I cry.
Mummy: Why?
Ethan: Miss xxx made me angry.
Mummy: What did she do?
Ethan: She made me sing song, and I don't want. Then I am angry and cry.

Oh boy... :(

And on my right where Amanda is... she goes "London bridge is falling down, falling down, falling down....."

My 2 children are totally very different!

PEE & POO

2011-06-25T23:13:00.004+08:00

Mummy is proud and happy.

@ 3.5 years old, Ethan is finally completely toilet trained. No more diapers totally including night time. That's the hardest work. It's back to "night feeding" days. Got to wake him up in the middle of night to empty his bladder. And there are some days when I didn't wake him up and yet he remained dry... hooray!

@ 2years old, Amanda's almost there. No diapers in the day. She can tell us when she needs to do her business but of course there are days of accidents when she played till she forgets. On weekdays, the school is still letting put the diaper on during nap time. But on several weekends, she went to nap without it and was dry so far. Therefore we are not sure if she's really ready to be off during the naptime.

2 rounds and the experiences are difference:

Ethan: He started off from school as I was totally clueless how to start. He had lesser accidents and took a relatively short time to understand "no diapers" but big business took a while as mentioned. Am really glad the teachers in school did a great help in toilet training him.

Amanda: She was ready much earlier... and so she started off at home... and teachers co-ordinated in school. More accidents but she has no resistance to using the toilet bowl. The whole process till she can tell us took longer... imagine the amount of mess I need to clean up. I am definitely very proud of myself for toilet training her on my own... another achievement in motherhood.

Potty training is really long and tedious... totally understood what it meant by not to be rushed. Still recall how Ethan refused to poo in the potty and only did it when diaper was on. Got a bit frustrated over this. But one day, he just did it.

Definitely happy that I don't have to lug bags of diapers back so frequently and more looking forward to the savings I can made from it. My children are all growing up!!!

LAZY CONVERSATION

2011-06-23T23:33:00.003+08:00

We had now established a bed time story reading routine. Every night before sleeping, Ethan will want to read books in his room.

Months ago, while reading, he suddenly told me this:
"Mummy, next time don't buy too many books, if not i will vomit"

Mummy went speechless....

Today, he requested to read books and he chose 3 books. Towards the end of the 3rd book, he lied down on the bed and hold his head
Ethan: Mummy, I have a headache.
Mummy: Why?
Ethan: We read too many books already.
Mummy: Then what should we do?
Ethan: Next time we don't read so many, can?
Mummy: *SPEECHLESS* again

Hmmm... with this kind of lazy excuse. I wonder how the years of education ahead will be like. Tough me :(

TAIPEI TRIP

2011-04-30T23:10:00.024+08:00

On 17 April 2011... taking a train down to Changi Airport T3 with 2 kids and 2 luggages in tow.

Off we go.... Bye bye Singapore and Welcome To Taiwan

Day 2 (A guided tour day)
Our first destination of the day

2nd destination... a scared Ethan (of the policemen) and a sleeping Amanda

Waiting for lunch at Jiu Fen

At the famous Shilin night market

Taking a train back to our hotel

This is how the ticket looks like

The kids show that they ride for free

Day 3
Miramar Ferris Wheel Ride

Taipei 101

I love this picture

Day 4
At the cooling and beautiful fishermen's wharf

Having their snacks while enjoying the cooling breeze

Ethan holding a public phone for the first time & Amanda wants the experience too

At Danshui... another fav photos

Makan time

Day 5
At strawberry farm. The kids had real fun choosing and picking strawberries.

And the strawberries are very safe in their hands

Next stop... A magnificent experience up Maokong Cable Car. Was very glad they enjoyed the ride up and not scared of the height at all.

We reached the top of the mountain!!! Nice scenery with many tea houses around

Day 6
Our last day... easy n relaxing day before we board the flight home
Lunch at Din Tai Feng. Amanda was so tired she slept through the entire lunch. While it was Ethan first meal eating independently all by himself, drinking tonnes of water. The result of this: Nice to sleep on daddy's shoulder with a full stomach and slept soon after lunch. And peed on daddy without waking up.

Our lunch at Din Tai Feng

Saw this Hello Kitty Specialty Shop with all the beautiful Hello Kitty cakes

Having fun at the Airport's transit area while waiting for our flight back home.... hello kitty themed play area

Sleepy already

The hungry girl woke up to have her dinner while the sleepy boy slept throughout the whole flight.

THE KIDS' FIRST HOLIDAY

2011-04-30T22:53:00.002+08:00

The kids have their very own passport!!!

And their first overseas trip was Taiwan.

Yes... we decided to bring them to Taiwan and have a break after so many years been confined in Singapore. We went on a 6D5N trip to Taipei. It was really an experience. Many firsts in this trip and we are glad we survived it.

First flight experience:
Our worry: fidgety and cranky children.
The result: they were fully occupied. During departure from Singapore, they were all excited to board the plane. No problem with the taking off. They enjoyed the food and the in flight entertainment. However, Ethan got motion sickness during landing. He starts crying and complain of "Stomache" which later we realised it's motion sickness. He threw out upon landing and another time during the hotel transfer. As for Amanda, she was watching the cartoon programes, ate her brunch, and fell asleep... waking up just in time to reach Taipei.
And during return back to Singapore (which was a night flight), Ethan felt sick again immediately upon taking off. And he fell asleep immediately, sleeping all the way throughout the 4.5hrs flight, skipping his dinner totally. Amanda also fell asleep shortly after take off. Woke up for dinner, watched some cartoons and time to arrive in Singapore. The whole journey was rather pleasant.

First night:
Ethan cried wanting to go home. But after the first night, he's fine.
He was always looking forward to the breakfast buffet in the hotel.
And on the last day of the trip, he cried again because he wants to go back to the hotel and doesn't want to go back to Singapore. What an irony.

The holiday:
This is the first time we bring the kids out for the whole day without the stroller. The result, a koala bear who wanted to be carried all day and only Mummy to carry. And another who napped on daddy and ended up peeing on Daddy a couple of times. Daddy and Mummy returns to Singapore with very nice lopsided biceps.

Overall
The weather was perfect.... cooling but not cold.
The kids enjoyed themselves with the strawberry farm and cable car experience. And they remembered watching Bob The Builder on cable in the hotel room.

More pics will be uploaded....

A MONTH AFTER GOING TO SCHOOL

2011-04-30T22:36:00.003+08:00

It's been almost a month or so since Amanda attended child care.

No more crying after the first few days. In fact, she has settled very well into the routine in school. On certain days when Mummy brought her to school, she happily said bye bye to me. In fact, there was once when she went in herself while Mummy puts her shoes in the right places and sign her attendance sheet. She had already sit herself at the breakfast table and was already eating when I went in with Ethan. Then she called out to Ethan to come and join her in the breakfast.

After a month there, can see she's much more sociable. She's not shy of her "hellos" and "bye bye" to other children's parents. She loves outdoor and tells me she likes outdoor. She gets along perfectly well with the older children especially Ethan's friends.

In fact, she has earned herself a few nickname in school... "chillipadi", "big sister". The teachers found her very cute and were surprised at the tantrums she can throw... thus the nickname "chillipadi". And she admits that is her when asked "who's chillipadi" and always give a giggle after. Lately, she becomes the big sister to new classmates. She has to "love love" them when they cried. And she does so by patting the new student.

And nowadays, I can hear her singing songs and doing the actions. She also starts to recognise some of the alphabets which I am very glad she does.

The only problem I face is she gets a bit upset when all her friends are leaving. There are days when Mummy picks her up slightly later when most of her friends have left. And left herself with Ethan. Ethan never had problem being the last child to leave. He usually will just sit quietly with the teacher and wait for me. But for her, she will start being whiny. She wants Ethan/teacher to wait at the door for me. At times, the teacher has no choice but wait at the door. The moment she sees me, she starts crying. Is she missing me?? or scared to be left there?

Going home time... putting on her own shoes

Let's go home

The beauty of walking back home... they enjoyed the greens and flowers along the way

Still remember her 1st day wearing her uniform...she doesn't like (for don't know what reason). But now she's not resistant to it anymore.

AMANDA GOES TO SCHOOL - DAY 3

2011-03-18T00:23:00.004+08:00

She's off on her own on the 3rd day... full day!

She cried when we try to hand her over to the teachers. But her cries were not as loud as Day 2's. It's those unhappy cries rather than her hysterical cries on the 2nd day. Mummy n Daddy have to leave quickly for work. Later in the afternoon, teacher sms Mummy to inform that she did not cry after we left. Was playing, bathed and had fell asleep.

When mummy picked her up in the evening, she was playing toys with Ethan and the other children. When she saw me, she sat there, smiled and happily said "Hello...". Then she walked up to me and held my hand, pointing to her toys "I play... I like". Wow... she's enjoying herself. And I am very glad!

Teacher told me she did not cry the whole day. But she's a bit clingy to the teachers. They had given her a nickname "koala bear". The teachers were surprised she can eat quite a bit. 2 milk feeds of 180ml in the afternoon (before nap and tea break time) and a few kueh kuehs.

Overall, mummy is very happy that she's adapting well and in fact faster than we expected. Hopefully, she will stop her morning cryings very soon.

Going through this process just brought memories back to the first few days Ethan attended school too. It aches the parents' hearts to see them going through all these at such a young age. But at the same time happy to see them grow, learn and be independent. Different children do behave differently!

AMANDA GOES TO SCHOOL - DAY 2

2011-03-15T10:20:00.005+08:00

Today's the 2nd day.
Mummy accompanied her for breakfast. Was still in a happy mood... she even said "hello" to the teachers. Then when chinese class start and we go into the classroom, she gets very hesistant. Teacher carried her in and she starts wailing away.... struggling to get out, crying "Mummy mummy mummy". Mummy decided to let the teachers handle her and leave the compound. Ask mummy how she feels??? Seriously, I feel very heartpain. But I'm not very worried as I have confidence in the teachers.

Mummy went home and it's the first time I'm back to a house with no children bugging me. Kind of peaceful but at the same time miss their sounds and voices.

At 10.30am, the teacher send me an sms to tell me she's fine and not crying. Am so happy about it.

Picked her in the afternoon. When I reached, she was having her lunch. Had expected her to cry when she see me, but the little girl surprised me by showing her happy face.

AMANDA'S GOES TO SCHOOL - DAY 1

2011-03-15T10:07:00.006+08:00

Amanda will be 21 months old this Thursday!

Still remembered Ethan was about the same age when he went to childcare centre. The same goes to Amanda.

Yesterday (14 March- Monday) was the first day she stepped into the classroom.
Mummy accompanied her for half a day. She started the day with breakfast on the same table as kor kor. Then it's Chinese class... singing songs, paper cutting and she was enjoying it. First time she touch the scissors and she's proud of her masterpiece. Then it was followed with outdoor activities. She loved this part. There are cars and bicycles for her to ride and her favourite is the swing and slide. After outdoor, it was back to classroom and have a little rest... Water parade and snack time. She finished up all the biscuits in no time and she queued up to wash her hands. Next was English class. A bit boring for her as she needs to sit down and listen. By this time, she was a bit sleepy too. Getting restless and wants to go out. Luckily it was lunch time too, moving out to have lunch kind of wake her up a bit. She wants to eat her rice on her own... eating herself and watching the other children around her. And after lunch we went off.

Overall on the first day... she cried a bit when she was ushered away... only reassured when I told her I'm around. A bit clingy to me. But still fine. When back home, asked her if she wants to go to school, her answer is still "yes". And in evening, she's happily back to fetch kor kor home.

Self checking herself to see if she's ready for school

Here we go

Ethan the big brother taking care of Amanda, waiting for bus

Outdoor activities

Back from outdoor activities and taking a break

HOW ABOUT MY BOY

2011-03-11T01:00:00.002+08:00

Ethan is now 3 yrs old and (can't recall or rather lost count) months old now.

How is he?

More sensible now... I would say.
Less tantrums from him and more funny conversations with him. Enjoy talking to him now. But it also means more arguements as he knows how to bargain too.

In school... he's able to relate of incidents of what happened in school, who scold who, who cries, who is sick and didn't go to school and who's birthday,etc... He can tell me one day on the way back "Today I've music class. Tomorrow I've speech and drama class?" And I'm very glad he tells me he likes these additional enrichment classes he's attending his school. Made me feel money worth spending.

At home... I feel he's more independent now. He can play and entertain himself. He's fine with being left alone while i accompany Amanda to sleep or I do my housework. No fussing from him. What's the trick? Just let him play with his Thomas the Train toys or watch his favourite Thomas DVDs and I am spared. This boy LOVES Thomas. His collection is growing! Mummy is very scared to bring him anywhere near the toys department now. He doesn't demand for new engines... but he will nag and nag and nag day in day out.

As a brother... sometimes very caring and sometimes a big bully. He likes to oppose his sister. But most of the time, he's still nice towards her. When she's naughty and gets scolded, he will be at his best behaviour because he doesn't want to be scolded too. He takes care of his sister when we go out... ensuring she doesn't get left behind. The boy will hold her hands when asked to, but always get very upset cos his sister doesn't want to hold his hand.

Just feel that my children are all grown up. Long are those baby days gone.

A BIG GIRL NOW

2011-03-11T00:35:00.003+08:00

Ok... let's start with Amanda...

Yippeee!!! She's officially pacifier free and yaolan-free.

Quitting the yaolan was surprisingly not a big issue for her. It just took her slightly longer to fall asleep on the mattress. And the funny thing is she has learnt to feign asleep when we caught her playing on the mattress on her own when she's supposed to be asleep. It has been almost 3-4 months since she stopped using it and never once requested to go back in it. And now she's a big girl, she's graduated to sleeping on her own bed in her own room with her big brother!

Quitting the pacifier took slightly longer. Poor girl cries to sleep initially... with each episode getting shorter gradually. She got used to no tutu when falling asleep, but the problem is in the middle of night crying for it. Loud and long cries. End up it goes back again. It's only lately that she managed to totally forget about it. She does wake up to cry once in a while but quickly soothes herself back to sleep. Thank goodness for this. Now try asking her if she wants tutu? Her answer will be "Yes"... then she will tell you "No. No more tutu... Papa throw away". The fact is papa never touched her tutu at all. Don't ask me why she associate her father with her cold turkey treatment. Mummy has no idea :)

My girl is all grown up now. Way to go... Amanda!!!

Next mission: TOILET TRAINING!!!!

MIA

2011-03-01T00:48:00.002+08:00

Yes... we seems to have MIA and this blog seems to have grown cobwebs...

Fret not, mummy is figuring out how to transport all the photos and promises to update real soon

CHRISTMAS 2010

2011-01-06T23:59:00.006+08:00

It's Ethan's 3rd Christmas and Amanda's 2nd Christmas...

This year, we definitely enjoyed the holiday moods of Christmas. Our boy is singing Christmas song, recognise Santa, Christmas tree, etc.

And this year, we got our own Christmas tree right in our house. The kids enjoyed picking up the leaves that dropped on the floor, putting presents under the tree, and enjoying the blinking lights on it.

It's also this year that we went various shopping malls just to watch the special christmas shows. Mummy remembered she never bothers about such shows in the past. But with them around, we are always checking out which malls have what shows and at what time... something Mummy will not do if she's not a mother.

And not forgetting taking photos with the many many nice trees out there.

This year, we also had a Christmas dinner with the Ongs family. Our first log cake and a sumptuous dinner followed with lots of fun.

ETHAN'S BIG 3 (PART 2)

2011-01-05T15:08:00.002+08:00

Part 2.... the actual day...

It's school day... so we bought a cake for Ethan to bring to school to celebrate with his friends. The difference this year... Mummy and Daddy won't be there as we need to work. As usual, we prepared party bags for him to distribute to his friends.

Early in the morning, a boy beamed with joy... another Thomas cake! He says "I bring my birthday cake to school and share with my friends".

Just the night before, he was busy packing the party bags for his friends. Little Amanda is there to help pack too

Look at the cheeky boy trying to make funny faces in front of the camera.

ETHAN'S BIG 3 (PART 1)

2011-01-05T14:54:00.009+08:00

Ethan's already 3!!!!

Daddy decided there will be a party for him since he knows what's happening in a birthday party now.

We had a simple and small party.... at MacDonald's. There were games and not forgetting food.

And when it comes the cake cutting, Ethan had the greatest surprise! He had a Thomas & Friend's cake. His favourite cartoon character. Everyone wowed at the cake and our little boy was shyly proud of his cake. Nevertheless despite feeling very happy, he was very overwhelmed by the attention he was getting.

Finally a smiling picture of him wih his friend Ryan

END OF NURSERY 1

2010-12-22T21:47:00.004+08:00

2010 is coming to an end soon. That also marks the end of his Nursery One class soon. He'll graduate to N2 next year. We met the teachers in charge to discuss his performance. A great improvement seen. More to catch up too. But overall, we are very glad with his progress in school.

A photo of his class... Annie Apple... With English teacher (also principal) Ms Madeline and Chinese teacher Chen Lao Shi

Proudly showing off his class photo. He can named all his friends in it and point out who are his good friends

ETHAN'S VERY FIRST CONCERT PERFORMANCE

2010-11-14T01:39:00.005+08:00

Mummy is very proud today. She's very proud of her son who actually made his first performance for the school's year end graduation concert.

He has been practising for months in schools. Initially, teachers said he's not very willing to participate. They feared they might have to pull him out in the involvement. But after a few sessions, teachers said he's doing well and he's definitely in it.

Mummy definitely does not know his role as the teachers are keeping it a surprise. And this boy doesn't really tell us much too. At times, he does do some of the dance movement but mummy never get a clue what he's dancing or singing.

Well, today's the BIG day. He had went for 2 rounds of rehearsals at the venue and teachers commented he danced very well. But mummy's fear is he will have stage fright or cry when he sees us among the audience crowd and wants to get down. But he proves us wrong. I can see he looks a bit lost when he saw the crowd. But he still performed and did very well. We can see he's looking around and when he finally saw us, he gave a sheepish smile. All these while.... performing as he should.

See.... Ethan's big supporter

Can you spot him???

At the end of the finale, a flower is presented to all the children to give their parents.

Ah!!!! My boy is so grown up now. I'm looking forward to the day of his kindergarten concert... and seeing my boy recites/sings confidently like the bigger boys and girls in his school.

*** we definitely have a video of his first performance. Too bad it's too long to share here.

SIBLINGS HAND IN HAND

2010-11-14T01:31:00.006+08:00

For the very first time, both the brother and sister hold hands and walk together. It's so sweet to see Ethan holding and leading the way and Amanda obediently follow him.

And seeing they enjoy each other's accompany during playtime. It just reassure me of the decision we made to have 2 children with close age gaps.

Something that's definitely not to be missed... and it warms the parents' hearts very much. It does feel good to be able to witness such incidents.

OUR NEW CORNER

2010-10-30T14:47:00.011+08:00

Yippee... Something new for the kids.
A fast-food stall playset! Mummy has always wanted to get something like this for a long time but did not do so fearing that it'll become a white elephant after they outgrow it or get bored with it. We happen to know of this new toy rental website and mummy got to know this playset was totally new. So we grab the opportunity and rent it for a month.

Mummy says in this way we get to play new toys every month.

The kids were super excited when the uncle came to assemble the stall. They were watching him eagerly and started playing even before he finished setting up.

This is one Saturday morning when the kids are busier than the mummy.

Ethan decides he be the boss and collects money.

And the work be done by Amanda. She seems busy cooking.

Mummy has her first hotdog from Ethan.

And Amanda wants to serve daddy.

Tired from the cooking, she decides to stop and have a drink first.

For once, the kids entertained themselves for the longest time. Mummy is freed to do her own things.

OUT WITH MUMMY

2010-10-27T00:37:00.006+08:00

Another successful trip out with the 2 kids alone.
The challenge this time... it's night time, which means I'm only allowed to be out for 1hr+ at most before they get sleepy.

It's a Friday evening and Mummy needs to do some grocery shopping for the weekends' meals. Nowadays, with 2 kids, it's a challenge to do marketing on weekends. Ethan had finished his dinner and bath early. And so we decided to head off for the supermarket at 8pm.

Achievements:
1) Managed to get Ethan to walk in and out the train himself. (Usually, he wants to be carried as he's afraid of the gap between the platform and the train.)
2) Groceries bought.
3) Some happy times with them.
4) Amanda sits on a normal chair to eat for the first time as there's no highchair around.

Proud of the achievements, Mummy decides to give them a treat.

Super happy Ethan with his strawberry yoghurt. He chooses the flavour and toppings himself.

Another happy child... not really interested with the sourish yoghurt but still wants bits of it because it's cold and also enjoying the strawberry bits.

The kids are not sleepy because of the kiddy rides. Enjoying themselves very much.

Sweet siblings in the act

The night ends well. Both enjoyed themselves and also tire themselves to sleep very peacefully.

ETHAN'S FIRST BAKING SESSION

2010-10-25T17:20:00.005+08:00

Mummy has always been secretly baking in the middle of the nights after the kids go to bed. Finally there's a chance to let Ethan lay his hands on the flour and dough.

It was a good suggestion given by Auntie Jane to let the kids do some baking.
Ethan's reaction when he lay his hands on the flour: "Eee... dirty! Clean!" LOL

Anyway, he had a good time playing with the dough, touching the flour, cutting out cookies, eating them and also decorating the cupcakes. Too bad Mummy missed out a lot pictures of the boys having fun.

A bit reluctant to put the decorative stuff on the cupcakes.

The boys at work

Very proud of his masterpiece

The final product

Look who's joining in the fun? It's Amanda!

Her masterpiece too

FINALLY....

2010-10-25T17:07:00.005+08:00

Finally, he can colour more sensibly. Just a few weeks ago or rather all along, he had been grabbing the colour pencils/crayons and just scribble through the whole page. That's the reason why the books are always kept aside.

Took it out once more and let him try again. Can see a great improvement. Hope to be able to teach him to write soon.

The beginning stage:

See his terrible colourings....

Finally, putting in some efforts

The outcome = something more decent now

Great job to the teachers in school.

ALL ABOUT ETHAN

2010-10-19T01:28:00.008+08:00

Had lost track of the the months. I can't remember how many months old he is now. All I can remember is he's going to be 3 years old in 2 months time... calculating back, that means he's 34 months old!

Remembering how difficult a baby he was... in fact, we kind of had forgotten the difficult times...and now he has grown into a toddler and now a preschooler. With all his growing ups, the newborn stage is really far back at the end of my mind. It's only looking through his old photos which made us realise what we had gone through with him.

Has he grown that much???

Or he looks the same?

The Ethan now?
He's definitely more chatty and smiley now. I still remember the serious look he always had and it's so difficult to make him smile. But now, he laughs crazily just like most kids do. But when he's with unfamiliar faces or at new surroundings, he will be very quiet and give a very shy look, without much words from him. However, when he's more warmed up, then he starts to mix around. Nowadays I enjoy having conversations with him as all the innocent questions and remarks start to come out from him. He's now starting with "Where?", "What's that?".... expecting more "W" to come from him.

On the other side of him, he has a very strong character... very stubborn and very strong willed. Very bad and something that needs to be changed. And mummy here have to crack her head hard thinking of ways to deal with him during his moody times. But overall, when he's in his good moods, he's really a loving boy.

His favourite toys now....

His cheezy smile.

DADDY'S BIRTHDAY

2010-10-17T16:36:00.005+08:00

We celebrated Daddy's birthday last weekend. This year is definitely different as Ethan knows what's a birthday. To him, it means singing a Happy Birthday song, gets to cut cake and blow the candle. And more importantly, he gets to eat the cake.

I'm impressed he's able to sing the song in both english and mandarin. And he's able to differentiate how to sing if it's his birthday or papa's birthday. Mine.... my boy has grown!!

Daddy's darlings

Amanda says "I want to give Daddy a birthday kiss"

A sweet picture of Ethan and Daddy

Perfect picture of them blowing the cake together

Let's see Ethan sing the birthday song

And gotcha... we caught Ethan in a notti act. Using the straw as a gun and "bang" mummy.

A happy family photo

OUR INDOOR POOL

2010-10-14T23:01:00.007+08:00

Thanks to Auntie Jane who got us an inflatable pool, we have an indoor pool now. We had great fun!

This is how we play in it with our toys. Mummy said we can bring the balls over from ah ma's house and turn it into a ball pool.

But Daddy said it's more fun to turn it into a water pool. So one day, we get our water play *yeah* *yeah*

Look up everyone!!!

We really had a lot of fun!

Ryan & Kyan, come and join us the next time ok?

POTTY TRAINING UPDATE

2010-09-19T23:58:00.003+08:00

Our dear Ethan is now diaperless in the day. He can hold his pee and is able to tell us when he wants to pee. But poo-ing is still of not much a success. Not that he cannot control but he refused to sit and poo. He insists he must poo in the diaper. So we just let him be and hopefully he will be ready to sit on the potty soon.

We tried letting him go diaperless during his afternoon nap the last 2 days. Fingers crossed and no bed wetting. Saturday nap - he was slightly awake and quickly we brought the potty to him, after which he went back to sleep. Sunday nap - similarly he was half awake but he doesn't want to pee when asked. Was very worried he will wet our bed. But thank goodness, he remains dry.

Wondering if he can be diaperless during nap time very soon. And the next hurdle will be the nights. That's even a greater challenge.

SESAME STREET LIVE

2010-09-18T00:02:00.006+08:00

Last weekend, we went to watch the Sesame Street Live at Indoor Stadium. The theme was on "When Elmo Grows Up". After trying out our first cinema experience, we decided we should go for such kids activities.

Mummy told Daddy that we will go for this show and Daddy surprised us with tickets to the front seats. As such we get to go to the Meet and Greet Session.

Well, thinking the kids were familiar with Elmo, we thought they will be excited to meet and greet Elmo. Alas, Ethan was as such. In fact he was kind of scared off by the big and moving Elmo. And it was pretty embarrassing with the scene he had created. Amanda on the other hand was initially amused by the characters coming live. But hearing and seeing the frantic Ethan crying, she joined him in the orchestra.... but with her hands reaching out to shake Elmo.... Alamak!!!

See the crying Ethan wanting to go and another crying girl trying to touch Elmo's eyes.

Relaxing outside after the Meet and Greet Session and have a quick dinner before the show start...

The show begins!!!!

The good thing about getting the front row tickets... u get to see and touch those muffets when they come down to mingle with the kids.

As usual, he wastes his seat and must sit with Mummy

Amanda enjoying her show with Daddy

Break time... Amanda giving one of her funny faces

Ultimate enjoyment...

After the show, we headed off to Kallang MacDonald's for a drink.

They were playing with the Pediasure milk bottles that were distributed at the end of the show.

Siblings in loving mode.

THE KIDS' FIRST CARD

2010-09-10T22:49:00.003+08:00

It's their first card.... No, no... it's not credit cards.... but it's the National Library's membership card.

We are trying to get them into the interest and habit of regular reading. And hope it turns out that way. Mummy was surprised to find the range of books that's available there as that's the first time she actually steps into the children section to seriously look for books.

Their cards... comparing to our era's library cards... the laminated ones.

A free tote for each member

The first set of borrowed books

SIBLING LOVE

2010-08-02T00:19:00.004+08:00

On good days both can be really loving.

I just find this very sweet of Ethan. He's having his favorite yoghurt. As usual, Amanda will always come and demands a share. This boy is really kind to share with her and even offer to feed her, remembering that he has to feed her a smaller serving each time. And he's very gentle with feeding him... never shoving the spoon roughly into her mouth.

I am proud of my boy!

CREATIVITY AT WORK

2010-07-31T15:54:00.006+08:00

Sometimes I'm amused and caught by surprise by Ethan's imagination and creativity. These days he's pretending play a lot... using the daily stuff, toys and imagine this and that.

An example

Can you guess what he's doing?

He lined all the chairs up and pretend it's a bus and he's the bus driver. Look what he did with his bowl? They become his steering wheels. And he's singing "The Wheels on the Bus".

And what's that he's holding?

It's the wipers on the bus that go whish whish whish

And what's the girl up to???

Helping herself to the plates and bowls

She thinks she's playing mah sak mah sak???

@ THE PLAYHOUSE WITH JUST ETHAN

2010-07-28T22:57:00.011+08:00

Mummy took half a day leave and brought just Ethan out to play @ Rochester PlayHouse and to meet up with Aunty Jane and Ryan. It's a nice place for the kids to have some fun and for the adults to gather and chit chat. Ethan had a great time and became good friend with Ryan!

While waiting for Aunty Jane and Ryan to come, he played himself first.

This boy has a funny likings to arranging toys in a straight line.

Some quiet time playing Lego

Having fun sliding down the mini ball pool

He decide to do some drawing

Here comes Ryan

See how the boys play

Ethan trying hard to give a smile to the camera

Now you can help mummy with the washing and ironing

OOPS!!! Ethan.... you are too big for this already

Ok... time for a break and it's snack time. Nice cakes right?

The boys warming up to each other

And eventually, they became good friends and hold hands....

I WANT TO BE A POLICEMAN!

2010-07-25T22:55:00.003+08:00

The boy's rather into police related stuff nowadays.... police car, police van, police motorbike (actually it's TP) and anything with that has those blue and red lights on the vehicles.... all thanks to the police post below our block....he gets to see one of these vehicles everyday.

Today, he decided to take a picture with the car

AT KID'S AMAZE LOUNGE

2010-07-25T22:32:00.004+08:00

We were at Jurong Safra Club and could have gone into Kid's Amaze!
But Ethan just refused to go and play. So we chill out at the lounge outside instead.

See how they can self entertain and all the funny stunts and faces they make.

1ST STEP

2010-07-18T01:01:00.003+08:00

On 17 July 2010.... our highness turned 13 months old.

And this is the day she finally walked on her own. Not by pushing any trolleys or push walkers. All on her own. Just a few steps... but it marks the start of a new chapter in her life. She's also able to walk rather steadily while holding our hands. Looking forward to the new chapter of her toddlerhood.... But hope it's not the start of a new headache too.

EVENING OUT WITH JUST MUMMY

2010-07-17T01:44:00.002+08:00

It's one of those weekends Daddy has to work and Mummy's alone with the 2 children. Now Mummy's getting the hang of handling them alone. It can get crazy at times... when anyone of them fuss.... be it at home or outside. And when both fuss at the same time, it's hair pulling and blood boiling!

But now Mummy's more daring to go out alone with them. Usually short distance outings, not too far from home. The good thing about going out is both will get excited and all fussing at home stops. And Ethan is usually more obedient when out with just Mummy and Amanda. Mummy's rule of thumb - both must be fed and had napped before the attempt to go out is made.

Sunday evening out at Marina Square's playground.

This is also the first time I see both brother and sister play wholeheartedly. I can really see they enjoy each company and really play with each other. Why do I say that? Most of the time, they are playing on their own at home. That evening, I can see Ethan taking the lead and Amanda following. When Ethan climbs up and comes down the slide, Amanda was all excited and wanted to climb up too. When Ethan sees Amanda getting excited, he got more excited and laughed all the way. Both just laughed and played together. My worry that evening... that both gets nightmare from the overstimulation.... but luckily it didn't happen.

SUNDAY MORNING @ MACDONALD'S

2010-07-17T01:37:00.000+08:00

This is one of those mornings we take a trip down to MacDonald's for breakfast.

YAWNZ!!!! Is she really so tired at 9am??

Blur look

Oh... Food! Look at her eyes brightening up

Yum yum yum... a 360 degree change in expression

Oh oh.... her puffs are terrorised by Ethan!

Eh... what's kor kor eating?? I see something else

Apples!

I have a share too!

ETHAN'S NEW HELPER

2010-07-16T00:34:00.001+08:00

Remember months ago, we posted that Mummy has a helper?

Look here... remember?

Now Ethan has a new helper too!

See her in action:

The power of the trolley... from a sleepy girl instantly changed to energetic helper.

SOME CHILDREN TALK

2010-07-15T01:46:00.002+08:00

Some funny and heartwarming incidents lately...

Ethan: Mei mei my baby mei mei!
Mummy: Oh... is Ethan a baby?
Ethan: No! Ethan's a boy
Mummy: Is Ethan a good boy or naughty boy?
Ethan: Good boy

Ethan's favourite snack is Yoghurt!
Mummy: Want to go NTUC?
Ethan: Yes. Buy yoghurt. Yellow yoghurt, pink yoghurt
Aeroplane fly past....
Ethan: Mummy... aeroplane!
Mummy: Yes. Aeroplane goes home.
Ethan: Aeroplane goes home eat yoghurt
Mummy: Huh?!?!
Ethan grins...

Amanda's new ability: to nod her head
Want to eat? She nods her head
Want milk? She nods her head
One day, i sat down and was eating raisins...she came over. I looked at her and gave her the "you want?" look. Immediately, she nodded her head.
Finished her raisins, she looked at me and nodded her head again. I followed her nodding my head. She nodded further. I shook my head. She paused, look at me (don't know how to shake) and laughed away.

Night time...
Mummy asks "wants to sleep?"
Amanda nods
Put her down to sleep and pats her.
Talking to herself and laughing away....
Mummy says "close your eyes and sleep"
Amanda nods
Still talking to herself. Mummy gets fed up.
Mummy says "close your eyes! If you don't sleep, I'm going to scold you"
Amanda smiles and nods again!!!
Aarrgghhhh!!!!

OUR FIRST MOVIE

2010-07-12T23:45:00.001+08:00

Yes!! Ethan and Amanda's 1st movie.

Daddy and Mummy's 1st movie with a toddler and a baby.

Never dared to bring Ethan into the cinema before because we know what kind of outcome we will get. Now that he's older and he's more able to watch tv programmes, we decided to try. Amanda gets to come with us... with a baby???? Yes. My friends did it. I don't or rather I can't latch if she fuss. But I know she's easier to handle and we know how we can keep her quiet. So we went ahead!

First movie = Toy Story 3

The outcome:

Ethan got scared of the different environment. Koala bear onto Mummy throughout. He keeps saying "Mummy, let's go." But at the same time, his eyes are fixed onto the screen.

Amanda... she was enjoying the 1st half. Watching the movie and enjoying her biscuits. Soon she got tired and started crying... oh.. luckily softly. Daddy quickly gave her the pacifier and pat her to sleep. And she fell asleep very quickly and for the rest of the movie.

Phew... it was really an experience. Now we are more confident to go for another show. Most probably another cartoon movie. Because there will be children around and won't feel so embarrassed.

To "reward" Ethan for being good and finshing the show, we brought him to Toy R Us and "reinforce" the activity of the day.

Luckily he's not overly crazy over Toy Story and we walk out with no new purchase.

PRINCESS'S 1ST BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION PART 2

2010-07-11T23:53:00.005+08:00

Her actual birthday is on 17 Jun 2010.

Still some mini celebration... a day out with just Mummy and Daddy. Oopss.... brother has to go to school.

Mummy cooked mee sua with an egg. Symbol of longevity.

Baked with love from mummy for the little girl... cheese straws. She loves it!

Getting changed to go out.

Must put on her watch then mei mei

Amanda goes shopping!

At Crystal Jade Kitchen... I want to eat!!!

Playing with utensils... looks like she can really hold a spoon and feed herself

PRINCESS'S 1ST BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION PART 1

2010-07-08T01:35:00.012+08:00

Same like Ethan... no big party. Just a meal with our family and a day out with her. Everything is simple.

We have buffet hi tea at Plaza Market Cafe @ The Fairmont Hotel. Spread was good and it's Ethan's 1st buffet.

The birthday girl

Look who's enjoying the buffet more

Arrgghh... kor kor spoil the picture

Getting fidgety already... needs to roam around

She thinks she's the birthday girl and can crawl anywhere

Oh... my cake!!!

Cake cutting time

A closeup.... Nice? No big parties but Mummy always believe in a good nice 1st birthday cake.

Why is kor kor eyeing my cake like that?

After the lunch, we went to Raffles City for a walk and there was a toy fair. See the happy brother and sister helping themselves to the toys and enjoying them:

Then we went for a walk at Marina Bay Sands before going to Universal Studios

Enjoying gong gong's accompany

Long long queue at Universal Studio but it was fast

Bored while waiting

Finally got in... what's so interesting there?

My car?

Oopps.... don't slide down the car

Daddy's girl

On our way home, we met a few teenagers. They saw us and gave us some balloons which they don't want and wanted to give away. Amanda's so happy about it as balloons are her favourites.

This is her wide smile when she sees balloons.

KIDS DAY OUT

2010-07-08T00:56:00.001+08:00

It's the school holidays. We were out at Somerset 313 again and noticed there's some kids' event going on every hour in the afternoon.

We missed the story telling session. When we reached there, it was a magic show. I was surprised both kids were all eyes glued on the magician. I'm not sure if Ethan understands what's going on. At the end of every magic, he joined the crowd and clapped his hands.

After the magic show was balloon sculpting session. There were face painting and "body tattooing" too. Of course, the kids get the balloon. Their favourite!

Body tattooing in process...

Amanda has one small one on her wrist. Can you spot it?

Our princess admiring all the balloons

While the prince queue for his turn, very engrossed with the balloon sculpturing

Finally his turn

He gets a gun!!!

And he was nice to get mei mei a flower

HAPPY 1ST BIRTHDAY TO AMANDA

2010-06-17T00:12:00.004+08:00

Our princess has turned 1!

It's seems like just yesterday when we first hold her in our arms. Very chubby and very calm. The feelings are still very fresh in my memory as I can remember very clearly how different when I first hold her compared to Ethan.

I'm very gladful that she's a much easier baby to look after and more independent compared to Ethan when younger. Very grateful to her that she slept through the nights since she was 2 months old although she has a terrible habit of crying to sleep no matter what form of soothing has been applied. Those were the days...

I have been fair to both my children. They were breastfed for the same period of 9mths with Amanda gaining slightly more as she was on total breastfeeding for 5 months. Not easy to keep up but I'm proud to have made it this far. Seeing how healthily she has grown, I can't ask for more.

Our princess has grown! Her character is showing. Very observant, more focused... mild tempered girl. But she knows her rights too. When bullied or knowing she's going to be bullied, she will turn and run to mummy to "complain". Is that the difference being a 2nd child?

This little girl has her first 2 teeth erupting when she was 5 months old, sit up on her own at 6 months and crawling all over at 7 months. She's a much better eater too. She picks up such motor skills fast too. She's now an expert in eating snacks, no problem graduating from cereals to porridge, and can picks up food and self feed. She gets all excited when she sees food and points at it, making noise till she gets something in her mouth.

From a little feeble baby to a girl cruising around the house, learning to communicate with us.... the last 1 year has been super busy. Especially so when you have another toddler in hand. Probably that's also why time flies so fast.... so fast until we forget how much we have aged.

Then when she was days old only...

And how now at 1 year old

Very different right?

NEW PROJECT UNDERWAY

2010-06-09T23:45:00.004+08:00

Mummy found a new found hobby... scrapbooking.

Came across a newly opened shop at Novena and went in to browse. Saw a starter kit and they were having promotion. So I decided to lay my hands and give it a try.

Copying idea is easy... coming up with own design is tough. Mummy's brain is a bit rusty and needs some creative juice re-injected. It's been a long long time since I did handicrafts.

But I must admit... it's an expensive hobby.

My result:
The newborn photos

POTTY TRAINING 3

2010-06-09T23:37:00.003+08:00

Ethan now doesn't wear diapers when he goes to school. Occasionally, he doesn't wear any home too.

And last weekend, he went out the whole afternoon without diapers. He peed 3 times outside upon prompting!

Nowadays he will choose not to wear diapers and insist on wearing his underpants. (hehe... cos it got pictures of his favourite racing cars). Asking him to wear diapers before sleep is now a coax and/or fight affair.

Anyway, good job Ethan!

AT THE FIGDETS

2010-05-31T00:15:00.005+08:00

This is our first visit to the Fidgets @ Turf City.

Quite a nice place except the main play area are more suitable for older children as the slides are much higher. Quite dangerous for a 2yr old. We still prefer to hang around at the younger children section. Suitable for babies too.

I think Ethan enjoys himself there more too as the children are not as rough and not as crowded.

His favourite... cars!

Amanda decided to have a ride too

At the slide area

Amanda in the ball pool

Figuring out the shapes?

Sleepy head but still want to play

POTTY TRAINING 2

2010-05-31T00:04:00.003+08:00

Update this week....
Big improvement. He'll go to his potty on his own when he has the urge to pee. And he has no problem with poo-ing in it now. But we still need to constantly remind him that he has no diapers on and to do his business in the potty. There are just time that he played until he forgot he wanted to pee.

So for now, he diaperless unless he's going for his nap or sleep or if we are going out.

POTTY TRAINING 1

2010-05-23T15:47:00.003+08:00

Ethan begins his potty training...

He started off in school. Teacher will remove his diapers and made him go to the toilet every half an hour. In the first week, we only let him do it in school. But we decided since the school already starts him off, we should continue at home, else he'll get confused.

First week... A LOT of accidents... yes... it's A LOT.
He totally has no idea when he's going to pee, and just let go. A lot of mess. Initially, he was just surprised how come he's wet. In the 2nd week, he got very frustrated when he's wet. He can't poo in the potty.

This week, things get better. He'll ask for the potty at times. And for 2 consecutive morning, he asked for it and poo-ed in it. Lesser accidents. Even the teacher said he's improving.

Hope he will be diaperless soon... save me some money.

MY FIRST MOTHER'S DAY GIFT

2010-05-08T01:01:00.003+08:00

Mummy is proud of Ethan and feels very honored to receive a card and gift made by Ethan. This is my 3rd Mother's Day with Ethan and 1st with Amanda. But this is the first Mother's Day gift I get as a mother from my son.

A pot of flowers

And a greeting card

Well... it definitely looks like it's 90% done by the teachers more than he doing it himself. But I do see his fingerprints on it and the pasting done. :) That's good enough. Will I get 2 gifts next year then?

A DAY WITH JUST AMANDA

2010-05-08T00:36:00.006+08:00

It's a rare day that Amanda gets to spend the day with JUST mummy.

What did we do?

Morning... we send Ethan to school. Back home and it's breakfast time for Amanda. She had a short nap, followed by lunch and it's activity time.

First, we play the popping balls.

Then I play these colourful beads.

For once, I get to catch these balls without kor kor snatching from me.

Then I decided to conquer the remote control cos Grandma is not around... something I'm not allowed to touch when she's around

This teddy bear's nose and I like to dig dig

Then I start to get sleepy

But I still give a cheeky smile to Mummy

Ok... shall entertain mummy a while more and learn my ABCs

Hmmm.... too tired now. My lazy bones are coming out

And it's zzzz time.

After the afternoon nap and tea break, Mummy decides to bring me out shopping... this is what we girls do! Off we go to Suntec City & Millenia Walk

Guess what made her smiled widely?

Balloons!!!!

After our window shopping session, we went to fetch Ethan home.

Well, what did I observe? I realised how much Amanda has grown. She understands what we are saying and follow simple instructions. And she seems to be more cheerful as she doesn't have someone who takes over whatever she lays her hands on.... haha... that's a very obvious difference when kor kor is not around.

Ok... mummy is going to have more such opportunities in the coming weeks till she's ONE. Definitely, I'm going to make full use and spend some quality one with this lil darling.

MUMMY'S NEW HELPER

2010-05-02T01:33:00.003+08:00

We've a new helper to do our grocery shopping now. Now we know this supermarket near our house has the mini grocery trolley. Ethan... now you will be trained to go there and buy groceries for us.

The training begins....

My mini trolley

Aiyo... too short to reach

My loots for the day

See me in action... not too bad right? Daddy said I passed.

OUR PRINCESS

2010-04-28T00:56:00.006+08:00

Thanks to Aunty Joanna and Meibao for taking such nice shots of Amanda. Actually she hasn't been quite cooperative that day.

Who is this??

Let's take a photo, teddy bear

Deep in thoughts

You do look pretty when you smile, darling

Ehh... are you laughing or crying?

Oops... crying angel

Sleeping angel

Sweet dreams with teddy's accompany

HIPPO BUS!!!

2010-04-26T01:28:00.009+08:00

Ethan is crazy over the Hippo Bus ever since the day we passed by Suntec City and saw the bus parked there. Every night before he sleep, he'll ask if we are going to take the hippo bus tomorrow. Every time we go out, he ask if we can take the hippo bus......

So the day finally came, we decided to satisfy his "cravings".

In conjunction with the opening of the circle line, we took the train to Suntec City. There were some balloon sculpturing and each of the kid got one. Both were so happy especially Amanda who will go ga-ga over balloons.

There's the Hippo Bus. Ethan was very happy!

Our city tour begins... But he was too tired as he had refused to nap earlier on. With the wind blowing, he fell asleep on it shortly.

Amanda enjoying the wind and getting a bit excited too.

After that journey, we board the Monster Rhino Bus to Sentosa.

Alighting the Rhino bus and inside Sentosa waiting for the transfer bus service... both necks waited until rather long.

What shall we do in Sentosa? Explore Resort World Sentosa and Universal Studio!!

1st stop... Universal Studio

The must-take picture

Hershey store... Mummy with a big bar, and Ethan with a small one. Mind you... the big bar is real!

What shall Amanda have? Cannot eat chocolate yet. So you shall have the pillow.

Ethan, we have no tickets, you can't go in.

Let's just take a peek of what's in it. ok? We shall go in another time.

Next stop... the Casino!
Wait... u 2 are not eligible to go in yet. Wait another 21 years ok?

See what kind of face Amanda will give when she's told not she can't go in.

Ok... a long day. Dinner time.

Amanda's famishing.... aiming at our bag for food.

Ethan's busy helping Daddy look through the menu and order his dinner.

It's been some time since we had such long outings. Shall plan for more of such ok Daddy?

THE MANY FACES OF AMANDA

2010-04-24T23:04:00.006+08:00

Our little girl is 10 months old... just 2 months short to her 1st birthday.

OOPS!!! Saw her 2 big front teeth? Makes her look ugly huh??

She's a darling at times and can also be a chilli padi when she wants to be.

See how unglam she can be when it comes to eating.

THE WAY HOME

2010-04-24T22:51:00.004+08:00

Mummy decided to be daring and tried bringing Amanda out in the stroller, walked to Ethan's childcare centre, fetch him and bring the 2 back home.

1st try and it succeeded. Amanda has never like to be in the stroller, thus the challenge. So armed with a pacifier and her smelly pillow, off we go.

It was rather a sweet and pleasant trip. Amanda smiled when she saw kor kor. Ethan was surprised mei mei came and fetch him. On the way back, they seem to be in their own world and "talked" to themselves. Ethan pointed the flowers, birds, cars, van, buses to Amanda while the girl innocently listen and looked. Very sweet.

The way home

See Ethan explaining the surrounding to Amanda

Look... Amanda touching Ethan's hand while he hold on to the stroller

We finally made it home

A DAY OUT IN THE BALCONY

2010-04-24T22:42:00.004+08:00

It was a cooling day and the brother and sister decided to play outside at the balcony without asking Mummy's permission. But they did enjoy the breeze and the sunshine.

Playing the digger quietly

Amanda giving her cheeky smile

Amanda decided to try pushing Ethan in the shopping trolley

Good try... let's see what's in it

Ethan trying to do some monkey acts

2 of them entertaining themselves

A NICE PLACE TO EAT AND PLACE

2010-04-08T23:29:00.010+08:00

Found a nice restaurant that allows us to eat while the children get to play and entertain themselves. They even served baby food jars there. Impressed! At least for me cos this is the first place we ever come across.

Entertaining himself with the playset... good quality ones

The little corner for the kids... toys for the toddlers and hanging mobiles for the babies.

He decided to read a book... I didn't know he understand Japanese???!!!

Seriously concentrating... or trying to guess what is what colours?

What are you looking at, Ethan???

Mummy... cows! That's mei mei's zodiac sign

Horses... Daddy and mummy's

Pigs.... MINE!!!

Look that's a playhouse.

Let me explore it.

Oh... Amanda woke up... still in a blur state

Shall try the horse ride

More interested in the mobiles on the ceilings???

Can I join the big brothers and sisters in the fun?

CAN???? But Amanda, you still don't even know how to walk!

Mei mei, just stay here, be good and listen to Mummy ok? Come, come, let me hug hug you...

The ending??? A happy Ethan with a balloon to end all the fun.

Btw, this place is Marche at Somerset 311.

COUNTING 1,2,3

2010-04-06T22:13:00.002+08:00

My kids are asleep now... just minutes ago, Ethan did something which I couldn't help laughing to myself while pretending to sleep.

Ethan has been counting in this manner: 8,9,3,4,5,6,7. Think the teacher must have been correcting him in school. Today, he finally counted 1,2,3,4,5.... I heard him counting the right sequence while climbing up the stairs on the way home. Just now, he was doing his usual monkeying around on the bed before settling down to sleep, while i pretend to sleep. Suddenly he just lie down quietly and start counting 1,2,3,4,5 and repeat again and again. All of a sudden he just stopped and stared blankly at the ceiling. Within minutes... he fell asleep.

Counting sheeps to fall asleep?

MUNCH MUNCH MUNCH

2010-04-06T00:23:00.007+08:00

Was feeding Amanda yesterday and found out that she's much a better eater than Ethan. Maybe it's a 2nd child syndrome... mummy is more relaxed in letting her explore with food, etc.

Not that I want to compare, but she's able to chew food though she only has 4 teeth now. Yesterday I tried my luck by feeding her blueberry. I just popped the whole berry into her mouth and there she goes chewing and chewing, unlike Ethan who swallows everything directly.

She's also a "better" junk eater. She snacks so much more than Ethan when he was younger. In fact, Ethan rejects all those baby biscuits. The result = doesn't know how to hold and eat biscuits all the way till he entered childcare at 18 months! Whilst Amanda is now snacking on baby puffs like nobody's business, and can chomp down 1 big piece of biscuit after a bowl of porridge. Yes... she learnt to hold her own biscuit and also pick up the puffs from the table and pop into her mouth... something that she's lazy to do at times.

Her pinch/ grasp skill are much better than Ethan... but I also hope that it does not end up with EVERYTHING into her mouth.

Some random pics of her at the table

Oh yes... she knows how to put the pacifier back into her mouth when it drops or she sees it lying around.

A DAY OUT WITH JUST ETHAN

2010-03-22T23:35:00.006+08:00

Today I fetched Ethan back from school just after his nap. His right eye is swollen since Sunday morning and decided to let the PD check to be on the safe side. When I reached, he was still napping. Waited a while before teacher decided to wake him up as it was going to rain. As usual, he woke up grouchy but lightened up the moment we stepped out of the gate cos of the changing weather. Nowadays he's very interested in rainy days, always on the lookout of the weather to see if it's raining.

Was at the clinic waiting and he helped himself to the toys and books. Luckily nothing serious with his eye. Just a blocked gland and some eye drops will treat it well. I'm surprised that this boy didn't fuss when the doctor want to check his eye. He even reluctantly leave the clinic and when Dr Ngiam asked if he wants sweet, he gladly nods his head. And there he goes, a marshmallow in return.

After leaving the clinic, we head down to Forum to have his haircut. His hair is super long and has been procastinating the trip to the hairdresser. Well he cried a bit but managed to complete the haircut after some coaxing.

To reward him for been so good and cooperative, I brought him to Secret Recipe to have a little treat.

He gets to eat a lollipop (given by the hairdresser to bribe him) for completing his haircut.

Helping himself to the cake while Mummy drinks her coffee. This boy keeps singing "happy birthday" song because of the cake.

Entertaining himself at the little corner in the cafe.

His creation...

It's been a long time since Ethan goes out with me alone... for once, i can forget about Amanda and totally enjoy the time spent with him. From this trip, I realised how much Ethan has grown up. From a fussy boy who cries the moment we stepped into the clinic to now a guai guai boy been examined by the doctor, from a little boy who's so gluey sticky (though he's still one now) to now one who can entertain himself with the toys while I sit and enjoy my coffee.... my boy has grown!

THE DAILY WALK HOME

2010-03-21T02:16:00.008+08:00

Nowadays, Ethan is getting more vocal and more imaginative. Though he's still babbling words that only himself understand, it's really interesting to see him trying to hold a conversation and also all the funny stuff he does. Fetching him home from school everyday has become more and more fun.... although there are days where he's a pain especially when he wants to be the boss and decide whether to take the bus or walk home.

Along the pavement just outside his school... it's flowers!

One fine day, he decided to pick up all the dried leaves on the ground. So i told him to put it back to the grass patch. And since that day, he loves picking up all the dried leaves and putting back to the grasses.

Yes... that's a drain

Do you see a cat?

Then he'll tell me his palms are dirty cos he touched the dirty railings.

At the void deck, he would be amused by the ceiling lights. He says "whites"= lights.

Because one of them is spoilt and he always point that to me and says "Spoil"

Then it's numbers learning time in the lift.

I really treasure the short 20mins walk home everyday. It's sort of a bonding time between us and it's also the opportunity to teach him real life things eg the diggers, cranes at the nearby construction site, the cars, buses, vans on the road, etc etc, aside from what he sees in books at home.

In fact, mummy feels guilty about not spending enough quality time with him to teach him, play with him especially during this first 3 years where they learn and absorb the most. At the same time, even lesser time is spent with Amanda as after settling Ethan down, it's just about an hour a day with her. And most of the time, she's already tired and sleepy.

The children are growing too fast for us to catch up!

Children, if only mummy can be a million dollar toto winner, I would definitely want to be a stay home mum looking after you guys myself and be more involved in your growing up stage.

KAROKE SIBLINGS

2010-03-21T02:10:00.003+08:00

Ethan seriously trying to sing?

Amanda tried and decided she wants to eat it.

AMANDA IS 9 MONTHS OLD TODAY

2010-03-17T11:17:00.006+08:00

Yes... a quarter of a yr more and she'll be ONE.

But the poor girl is down with a viral fever (luckily no running nose, cough, etc). Don't know where she caught the bug from. And thank God Ethan is spared.

Now that she's 9 months old, she is developing her own character, showing more and more each day. Separation anxiety seems to start kicking in. But seems to be much better than Ethan. And same like Ethan, both of them sticks to me like plasters.

At 9 months,
- She has already has 2 lower teeth and just spotted 2 upper teeth cutting through.
- Now she doesn't do the commando crawl anymore. She had learnt how to do the proper crawling on her knees. But when she gets lazy and needs to move around fast, she goes back to her commando crawl.
- She likes to stand a lot. Even though she doesn't really cruise well, she's all confident to stand up and attempt to move with the push along walker. It can be scary to see how she tries to follow up with it.
- She's on full 3 solid meals with 1 cereal feed in the morning and porridge for lunch and dinner and taken all new food well so far. In fact, she's more adventurous in food than Ethan.
- And she's still very petite. Only a 6.9kg girl and height of less than 70cm only.

Amanda's routine has more or less been fixed. Was very glad and thankful that this girl has slept through since she was 2 months old. This made our life much easier.
8am - wake up. Have milk + cereal + fruits
10am - nap time
11.30pm - wake up. Have porridge for lunch
1pm - nap time
3pm - milk for tea break
5pm - nap time
6.30pm - porridge for dinner
9pm - sleep time
after 11pm (depends on mummy's timing) - dreamfeed (thinking to stop doing this and give her milk just before her sleep time but not too sure if it's too close to her dinner).

NICE

2010-03-03T22:46:00.004+08:00

After a few episodes of "not nice"... today it's finally "nice".

Dinner time:
Scoop a bowl of porridge for him.
Ethan ate a spoon.
Then with food in his mouth, he pointed to his mouth waiting to talk while he swallow everything down. (I was expecting him to say "not nice")
He said "NICE!!!" and nods his head.
Hmmm.... today's porridge is really nice? I tasted it... very veg smell in it with no fragrance as I didn't use any stock. I don't like it. But strange that he likes it.
And for once, he finished his bowl of porridge without any fuss, spoon after spoon... no other food to distract him... everything down his stomach in 5 minutes.
What a blessing today!!! May everyday be like today PLEASE!!!

As a treat, he gets a cheese cube after that.

THE CONCEPT OF SHARING

2010-03-02T22:32:00.001+08:00

Mummy bought some apple puffs for Amanda... ended up it's Ethan's treats. And poor Amanda has to beg Ethan for more.

Watch how they share food

And how Amanda asks for more food from kor kor

NOT NICE

2010-03-02T00:27:00.003+08:00

Ethan's new phrase "Not Nice".

Not sure where he learnt this. Nowadays he used these words so freely that at some point it irritates me.

Scenario 1:
Mummy: Come and eat your rice
Ethan: Soup
Mummy: Ok ok... put some soup in your rice ok?
Ethan: Thank you
(pointing to the carrots in the soup): I want
Mummy: ok. Here you go
Ethan: Not nice
(and he starts picking out all the carrots from the bowl)
Mummy: Ok... don't want. How about brocoli
Ethan: Not nice
(again picking out all the veg)
Mummy: Ok Ok... you eat just the rice and soup
Ethan: Hmmm... soup.... nice

Scenario 2:
Ethan comes back from school and is having his dinner. He was eating some porridge. Half way through the meal, he pointed to the porridge, give a frown and said "Not nice". I was ???!!!!
Nevertheless he finished up everything. I guess when one is hungry, anything goes.

HAPPY LUNAR NEW YEAR

2010-02-17T23:43:00.007+08:00

The brother and sister wishing all a happy lunar new year... GONG XI GONG XI

It's Ethan's 3rd CNY and Amanda's very first CNY.

Oops... pls pardon Ethan for not wearing his pants.

AMANDA'S VIRGIN SWIM

2010-02-12T23:24:00.005+08:00

Amanda had her first swim... and she LOVES it!

Hello everyone... my pink thermal suit does look good on me right?

Test water first

I can't wait to get into the water

Jump jump... i'm having fun

Water water... I like it

In contrast... her brother's reaction: CRIED AND CRIED AND CRIED.

More swimming sessions to come.... for Amanda to enjoy and for Ethan to accept swimming.

AND NOW ABOUT THE PRINCESS

2010-02-12T23:06:00.004+08:00

In the short 1.5 months, Amanda seems to have grown very fast of a sudden.

At 6.5months old, she sprouted her first tooth. Now she has 2 lower front teeth,

On the day she turned 7 months old, she decided to sit up all by her own.

And don't know since when, she has started to crawl. It all started with just dragging herself before she was 6 months old. But without we knowing, now she's really into crawling.... EVERYWHERE!!! From the living room to the kitchen, from the bedroom into the bathroom.

And she's showing little signs of stranger anxiety and separation anxiety. Now she leeches to us all day long... expecting us to either carry her or stay by her side while she plays.

Her latest want to do: WALK. She's not contented with her new found skill of sitting up or crawling. She wants to stand and walk!

Her weaning process seems to be much faster... probably this mummy here is not as kiasi as compared to Ethan's time. She's tried far more things than what Ethan had when he was 7months old.

Her first biscuit treat:

Her first outside food: potato at Ikea... and her first attempt to sit in a high chair outside.

UPDATES ON ETHAN

2010-02-12T22:49:00.003+08:00

There are times when this boy does things that caught us by surprise.

I'm not sure if i've been lagging behind in teaching him new things. Sometimes I feel I'm just leaving the responsibility to the school to teach him. Everyday I seem to be just meeting his daily physical needs. The day always start with giving him milk in the morning, sending him to school, picking him up to go home, feed, bathe, play a while and off he goes to bed. There's hardly anytime left to "educate" him.

So one fine day, while we were walking out of the school gate, he pointed to the road and shouted "VAN". I was stunned. I've never teached him that. How does he know? And of all vehicles on the road, he chose VAN instead of the usual CAR or BUS. I was impressed. My boy is getting cleverer.

Another incident... we bought him a small cup thinking of letting him to learn to drink from the cup. But when we pour water in, he simply just took the cup, put his 2 palms around the cup n drink from it. Hmmm.... thanks to the teachers.

The latest can-do : Say cheeze... and smile into the camera. Well, this is something to shout out cos this chap has never like or willing to look into the camera when we try to snap pics of him.

Overall, I'm very glad with all the things he picked up in school (except all the sick bugs).

BUSY BUSY BUSY

2010-02-12T22:43:00.002+08:00

2010 seems to start off with a busy note.

First, we were all down with HFMD, then Ethan continued his ordeal with a viral fever immediately after HFMD.
Then we were busy moving house... we finally have our own home. It was crazily busy moving all on own... packing, transporting and unpacking... all with an active toddler and a baby in tow. At the end of it, it really feels good to have our own nest.
And now it's all the CNY preparation...

Phew... no time to rest.... no time to blog. Poor kids are left to entertain on their own most of the time. It's time to catch up with them and get back to all our routine.

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN U HAVE NOTTI CHILDREN?

2010-02-12T22:21:00.001+08:00

Pack them in a box and send them away?