It has been a really busy month with work as usual and stuff on the homefront. Work has been busy as usual and it has twarted my body clock as well. Cos I stay up for late night calls, I am now such a nocturnal creature. And on the home front, the little fella just  recovered from gastric flu. And like any other parent would say, it is the most tiring when little kids fall sick. And really most of the time, you are wishing that you are the one sick instead. He had it quite bad this time around and it took him a full week before he was finally OK. Anyway…all is well now and I can only pray that all will stay well especially since Christmas is round the corner. I do want to celebrate it this year since we gave last year’s a miss cos of the Pox.So fingers crossed…all will be well.

 Last evening, we went to this Korean restaurant in West Coast. Can’t remember what it is called…food was all right but what I liked was the play room for kids. It was a ‘ball room’, pretty much like the one at Ikea,just that it is shallow-er and more suitable for younger kids.And the little fella was so happy in there, throwing the balls, swimming in it etc etc. I was just thinking how nice it would be if we had a play room like that too. Am sure the little fella would love it to bits. Well…maybe when we shift to the bigger place, he could have a play/activity room. He enjoyed himself so much that he did not want to come out for dinner or to rest. Just wanted to play ‘a little while more’.

He is now learning to bargain with us. “A little while more”..”Last one”…” 5 mins more”.. Cute but also got to teach him his boundaries already!

Posted: December 10th, 2007 under Christmas, Family, Parenting, work.
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Over the weekend, we brought the little fella shopping and as usual, he would want to sit on his kiddy rides. Though only 2, he has a mind of his own and certainly knows his preferences. So..there we were queueing for the ride he wanted. He was really good, just stood there waiting for his turn. When he turn came, he very happily climbed up the ride. He was probably in there for less than 10 secs and had not even inserted the coin. Then came along with 2 boys with their parents..The boys were quite big..probably about 5 and  3 or 4 years old…neither did they wait for their turn nor did they bother asking if they could share the ride, they simply clamoured onto it and badgered their parents for a ride. They acted like no one else was in the ride and just toyed around with the buttons, steering wheel etc. And all these while, the little fella just sat there and looked on. I did not want to say anything initially cos I wanted to see if the parents had the decency to get their kids out or something. But no…they did not do anything except to urge the kids out. Eventually, I asked if the kids were going to get out cos the little fella had not had his turn yet. And he was already looking like he was on the verge of tears.

 So, when i asked the mum of the kids, she just took her kids out and said “let’s go”. No apologies nothing…I was a bit annoyed but I was thinking more of how uncivilised she was and what sort of an example she was setting for the kids. I am certainly no supermum but at least I know how to teach my son basic manners like waiting for his turning and not clamouring up a kiddy ride when someone else is on it. The little fella is rather good, whenever the ride finishes, he will not fuss and will just say “Kor Kor/ Che Che/ Mei Mei’s turn…” Whoever he sees in the vicinity waiting. He is quite funny, the minute the ride stops, he will just spring up. :) 

Of course, after I was grouching to Iz after it all and he commented that Singaporeans were all like that. Wonder though if it is a Singaporean thing or human nature. We are Singaporeans too but I/we are certainly not like that and we are certainly not holier than thou. So perhaps it is human nature, tampered by societal values….And like I always say, it is the extent of things make the difference. Mebbe then those people were more affected by the negativities of society.

Posted: October 22nd, 2007 under Observations, Parenting.
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We recently discovered that Mana Kor Kor seemed to be having problems with his eyesight. He is unable to see bits of food even if they are placed in front of it. He cannot see the step down into the toilet and as a result, he stumbles and falls. He is a really resilient fella though, sniffing his way around. Somehow, I reckon though that he is not as happy as he used to be. He seems to growling a lot more and looking a lot more grouchy. Perhaps it is because he is older too. He sleeps a lot more these days too. I really want to spend more time with him and all but sometimes the little fella preoccupies me. I remember..when I first delivered, I felt so guilty about not spending time with Mana Kor Kor that I kept having nightmares. Dreamt that he ran away from home, committed suicide etc etc

I don’t like not being able to give him my attention too but sometimes he is so so naughty. But I try…..hope it is not too late now though.  Like I was telling a fren sometime back, aging pets scare me…it is not something I want to face. It reminds me too much of Terry.

Posted: October 16th, 2007 under Family, Parenting, Pets.
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I am tired of writing about how busy I am and how tiring it gets. To me..busy-ness is now a constant so I shall not gripe about it any longer. It shall be me just coping with it and taking it as part and parcel of work of life, in general. Some random thoughts  that have popped into my mind the last couple of days:

• Am I a good wife/mother?
• What exactly is it that holds a relationship together?
• When will we ever get to move?
• What will Matthew be like when he grows up?

These are thoughts that I had when waiting for the train,when waiting for the system to load up etc etc. Not sure if I have the answers to all of them but like think they are still interesting to think about.

Posted: October 11th, 2007 under Family, Marriage, Parenting, work.
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The little fella is almost 2 already and he is still as charming as ever. Sure, he has his moods and demands but I reckon that is what every kid is like. Can’t expect them to be perfect all the time. What can he do now? He is:

• Walking, Running, Climbing, Exploring all the nooks and crannies
• Stringing words together to form short sentences. Favourite phrase now is “No need.”
• Eating pretty much what we adults eat as well…dictates what he would like to eat..”rice”, “tzz-oop”, “fishball”, “cheese”, the list goes on.

In a nutshell, he is learning and growing up well…what more can I ask for? I thank God for little fellas and big ones too.

Posted: June 25th, 2007 under Family, Parenting.
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As a little treat for the weekend, we brought the little fella out on Sat night though it meant that his bedtime was going to get busted. So after dinner, we headed for Funan Centre cos I/we wanted a small digicam. Brought the little fella to Uncle Sam’s shop and it was good that it wasn’t as crowded as it normally it. Across the shop is a shop selling all the toy figurines and stuff. And whilst carrying him and looking at the glass display, he said ‘Change’. Then I realised what the meant….there was a shirtless figure of Neptune there and he associates being shirt-less with changing. I supposed he must have thought that Neptune was changing and that’s why he was shirtless. Hahaha..Then yesterday, he saw a picture of a girl’s back and she had a towel in covering her front. And he said ” Bathe”. See…so these all the associations he makes. Really funny at times but it is definitely reflective of how his little mind works. So we really gotta to be careful of what we say and/or do, never know when/what he picks up.

Posted: June 18th, 2007 under Family, Parenting, Shopping.
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Had a relatively easy and stress-free weekend. For the most bit of Sat, I was taking care of M cos Iz was working. Though sticky, he was such a sweet little boy. I liked it most when he was just lying on me and watching telly. He probably watches a tad too much telly but it does entertain him so…esp the song/dance ones. Quite cute to see how he learns new stuff each day…new words, new ‘dance’ movements. These days, he is also able to string words to form simple sentences. This morning he said,”Mummy, I want you to carry.” He has progressed from ‘up’ to ‘carry to ‘Mummy,carry.” to this. My little boy sure is growing up :) 

Yesterday, we went for dinner at Peramakan, which has shifted from Joo Chiat to Keppel Club. It is much bigger and nicer now. Food-wise, it is still as good. The whole restaurant was full yesterday and apparently, they had 3 seatings as well. Jeff met a few people he knew from Wesley there as well. Family dinners are great but think with 3 little restless kids, a sit down dinner does not work. Interaction is minimal cos at some point of the other, someone will be out walking one of the kids. And yesterday was worse, it was a really long table so could really talk except to person across and beside. We really need to find more places where and the adults can eat and the kids can run about as soon as they are done.M had his first taste of buah keluak and evidently he did not like it much. Tried a teeny weeny bit of it, grimaced, spat it out and cried. I love it though. So since he would not eat it, I could have the entire nut to myself. Hahaha!! M was such a gentleman yesterday, MM asked him to greet the BHL and instead, he stuck out his hand to shake her hand. It was quite a sight and though we laughed at him, I was secretly quite proud of him….Hmm…a man in the making. When he was just a sac and later a wee one in my tummy, I used to wonder what he would look like when arrived and now that he has arrived, I wonder what sort of a boy/man he would be. What sort of characteristics would he have???

Posted: May 7th, 2007 under Family, Parenting.
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The cold virus has hit our household. It started with the little fella and went on to us, the big fellas. I was telling colleagues that he was a little one but with a big or rather strong virus. Whilst the little one’s cold came and went…ours came and still is here to stay. I is resting at home today whilst I am at work cos I do need to finish up some stuff in preparation of class tomorrow. I enjoy the classes and the preps , just not when I am having a stuffy nose!

I was telling I that we really need more vitamins to boost our health. We are falling ill far too often and it is really not good. A rest once in a while is good but definitely not when it happens ever so often. Time to go make use of my GNC card. Been reading up too on the sort of supplement the little fella can take to boost his immunity. Guess it is important for him as he is susceptible to all sorts of stuff when in school. On the one hand, I dun want to over protect/insulate him but on the other hand, I do reckon he needs a shield of some sort esp since he is in school. Again today, we heard that there has been another case of HFMD in the toddlers’ class. Must pray really hard that his is just a cold and nothing else develops. Really horrid to see him feeling under the weather…gets all grumpy and uncomfortable. But the consolation is that he is still sleeping throught the nite and gets the rest he needs.

 Cold bug…disappear!!!

Posted: November 22nd, 2006 under Family, Parenting, health.
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Heh..finally I started blogging again..something I have been meaning to do for ages but somehow kept procrastinating. I have/had great ideas about starting a blog for Matthew to journal his growing up , doing a scrapbook etc etc. But just need to find the energy/time to do them. Now that M is already 14 month plus. i guess this can not only be a blog on his developments but also a parenting one. One of the many things I have learnt as a mum over the past year. It is funny actually….before M came along, I was worried about I would cope, about whether I would make a good mum or not and even if he would look too cheena-fied…the list of what-ifs went on and on. But now…I wun say I am expert but I would say I learn to cope by learning along the way and of course the reassurances and help from I. helps a lot too. And as for looking cheena-fied, to me…he is the cutest kid ever

Now that he is older, it is no longer basic child minding but teaching him and also starting to instil in him the right values. He sure has a temper of his own and likes his own way most if not all of the time…so it is learning how to say No without getting him too agitated. I have learnt that distracting him works , most of the time anyway. I like the distraction method cos it keeps him away from what we want him to be kept away from and because he is distracted by something else, he does not get agitated. Though I know it is a necessary evil, I still cannot bear to see him cry. I always say that I am too nice and too giving..But when u see the cute little him, how not to give in ?!?! Guess this is one skill I have to learn more and refine….

Posted: November 15th, 2006 under Family, Parenting.
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