Xuan fell asleep on our way home from the mall, so En was left to lunch with Ya Ya and myself once we settled down at home. Ya Ya fed her rice with potatoes, eggs and vegetables and she happily finished her meal. But just when we adults were about to start our fried bee hoon lunch, our little glutton walked over, did a QC inspection on our food, and decided she wants a share too. So we brought out her plastic bowl, a dessert fork and scoop a handful of bee hoon (without the chilli sauce) into it.
En insisted on feeding herself, very unusual for a toddler who has always been given the "princess" treatment. Anyway, self feeding is one of their KPIs I've listed on the routine chart for them, so I decided we'll just let her be.
It was a very amusing sight initially when the bee hoon simply won't remain on the fork by the time the cutlery reaches her mouth. Slowly, but steadily, she managed to put a strand into her mouth, then use her fingers on her left hand to push the noodle in! And she just keep getting better. By the time we were done with our lunch, our little princess had almost got everything in her bowl into her tummy, on her clothes and everywhere within 20cm radius of where she was, which is not too bad considering she's not seated on her high chair but standing at the coffee table.
Well, looks like its high time to get the bib (with a holding pocket) out for meal times. Not forgetting the picnic mat as well. Self feed training will start from today!!!
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Holiday
At last, I confirmed and booked the air tickets for 21 Dec 08 - 5 Jan 09. Covers both Christmas and New Year season perfectly. Sounds like a great holiday package, isn't it? Well, it is. Except the passenger going on board the flight is our maid, Ya Ya, and not us.
Ya Ya's current contract with us is terminating in December. Time flies... Though I hate to admit life's going to be chaotic without her around for 2 weeks plus, I can understand her longing to be home since she hasn't seen her family for coming to 3 years. Being a mother myself, I too feel for her parents. They must miss her dearly.
So while Ya Ya have a good time celebrating the festive period back in Philippines, Di and I are going to toddler-sit the munchkins. Looks like we'll be lugging the munchkins around to parties and gatherings (provided Di muster the courage to do so! Hahaha...) and there'll be days where I'll be holding the fort alone because of Di's work commitment. I pray I'll survive those dreadful days! (God, help me!)
Now here comes the most exciting event of all. We'll be dressing the munchkins in their first sets of school uniform and sending them off to school at the start of the year! Di and I would probably have to hold each one of them by their hand, walk them into their classroom and watch them begin a new chapter of their lives. Hmmm... Just thinking about this makes me a little emotional...
Anyway, its just as well Ya Ya's only returning from her holiday on the 5th. Otherwise, we might conveniently get her, instead of Di, involved in the kiddos first day at school. It'll be really sad for Di to miss out another of the many "firsts " in En & Xuan's life. :)
Ironically, I think I'm starting to look forward to the end of the year! Hey, I can almost hear the jingle bells and taste the yummy log cakes already! Kekeke...
Ya Ya's current contract with us is terminating in December. Time flies... Though I hate to admit life's going to be chaotic without her around for 2 weeks plus, I can understand her longing to be home since she hasn't seen her family for coming to 3 years. Being a mother myself, I too feel for her parents. They must miss her dearly.
So while Ya Ya have a good time celebrating the festive period back in Philippines, Di and I are going to toddler-sit the munchkins. Looks like we'll be lugging the munchkins around to parties and gatherings (provided Di muster the courage to do so! Hahaha...) and there'll be days where I'll be holding the fort alone because of Di's work commitment. I pray I'll survive those dreadful days! (God, help me!)
Now here comes the most exciting event of all. We'll be dressing the munchkins in their first sets of school uniform and sending them off to school at the start of the year! Di and I would probably have to hold each one of them by their hand, walk them into their classroom and watch them begin a new chapter of their lives. Hmmm... Just thinking about this makes me a little emotional...
Anyway, its just as well Ya Ya's only returning from her holiday on the 5th. Otherwise, we might conveniently get her, instead of Di, involved in the kiddos first day at school. It'll be really sad for Di to miss out another of the many "firsts " in En & Xuan's life. :)
Ironically, I think I'm starting to look forward to the end of the year! Hey, I can almost hear the jingle bells and taste the yummy log cakes already! Kekeke...
Friday, May 23, 2008
Routine
I never quite like a routine lifestyle. I prefer one that's more "exciting" with ad hoc "surprises". That's me. Hence, there's one aspect of SAHM-hood which I'll never get used to --- routines!
In the munchkins' first year, many mommies I knew often emphasize on the importance of a routine for their infants or toddlers. It never occur to me why it should be so and honestly, I couldn't be bothered to find out why. My usual response to these mommies would be "Why do you want to organise your life around your kid's schedule? It should be the other way round, isn't it?" As such, whenever we have an appointment and my girls are still napping when its time to go, I'd just put them in my arms and make our way there. Very often, they'd wake up by the time we hit the lift lobby of our flat. Sleepy but happy to be out of the house, they'd normally behave themselves, so I don't see the need for a routine then. Looking back, I count myself very blessed to have breezed through the first year. Or perhaps, I'm already suffering from dementia such that I cannot recall those difficult times in the first 12 months of motherhood. Kekeke... (Oops! I should review my earlier blogs before posting this! Hahaha...)
Over the past 2 months, I began to intensively read up on books on the toddler years because I find myself suffering burnouts and getting stuck in "no win" situation so very often with the munchkins. And guess what? Routine, routine, routine... This word kept appearing pages after pages in one of the books I read, until I decided to seriously give it a try. I have a chart placed on the door to the storage room, so everyone at home have a clear idea what activities are expected for the munchkins throughout the day. So far it was Di who find the routine particularly useful because he now knows exactly what to do for/with the girls on his off days. As for me, I'm trying my best to stick to it, though I still find myself deviating from it time and again. Hee! Old habits die hard!
But I must stressed that post implementation of the chart, the kiddos are napping longer and sleeping better lately. They also seemed a lot happier. It may not be directly due to the routine but its definitely because I can better manage them (and my own expectations) after so much reading. For a person who's not an avid reader, this is an achievement, you know! Hopefully my pea brain can retain those information or I may have to revisit those books again. Darn!
In the munchkins' first year, many mommies I knew often emphasize on the importance of a routine for their infants or toddlers. It never occur to me why it should be so and honestly, I couldn't be bothered to find out why. My usual response to these mommies would be "Why do you want to organise your life around your kid's schedule? It should be the other way round, isn't it?" As such, whenever we have an appointment and my girls are still napping when its time to go, I'd just put them in my arms and make our way there. Very often, they'd wake up by the time we hit the lift lobby of our flat. Sleepy but happy to be out of the house, they'd normally behave themselves, so I don't see the need for a routine then. Looking back, I count myself very blessed to have breezed through the first year. Or perhaps, I'm already suffering from dementia such that I cannot recall those difficult times in the first 12 months of motherhood. Kekeke... (Oops! I should review my earlier blogs before posting this! Hahaha...)
Over the past 2 months, I began to intensively read up on books on the toddler years because I find myself suffering burnouts and getting stuck in "no win" situation so very often with the munchkins. And guess what? Routine, routine, routine... This word kept appearing pages after pages in one of the books I read, until I decided to seriously give it a try. I have a chart placed on the door to the storage room, so everyone at home have a clear idea what activities are expected for the munchkins throughout the day. So far it was Di who find the routine particularly useful because he now knows exactly what to do for/with the girls on his off days. As for me, I'm trying my best to stick to it, though I still find myself deviating from it time and again. Hee! Old habits die hard!
But I must stressed that post implementation of the chart, the kiddos are napping longer and sleeping better lately. They also seemed a lot happier. It may not be directly due to the routine but its definitely because I can better manage them (and my own expectations) after so much reading. For a person who's not an avid reader, this is an achievement, you know! Hopefully my pea brain can retain those information or I may have to revisit those books again. Darn!
Saturday, May 17, 2008
Career Switch
I've worked for approximately 13 years before I became a full time home maker. Throughout that decade, I did a few career switches and looking back now, I don't regret being in the various fields as those working experience definitely helped made me who I am today.
However, there is a particular field which I'd love to be in, but somehow that "ambition" was never materialised. I guess my circumstances never favoured that "ambition" through those years of career building, so the craving to be in that field was "lost in transit". Then today, yes, just this morning, I was reminded of that "ambition" again. You see, Di took the munchkins and Ya-Ya with him to his parents' place and I had time (and the entire house) to myself, so I started to "catch up" with my thoughts. I thought of what I'd love to do in my golden years, and that led me to rethink my plans for the coming year, which in turn brings to mind that desire for my long lost "ambition".
As usual, I don't think this reminder came as a coincidence. God must have prompted me for I have been wondering what I should or could do as a career come next year when the kiddos go to playgroup. Despite $$$ being very important to ensure our monthly income covers our expenditure, I selfishly hope I can still embark on a career which satisfies my self-actualisation needs even though they don't pay big bucks.
So my dear friends, pray with me for confirmation and assurance. As long as I know this is His plan for me, I would fearlessly take the step of faith and go forth. I need to know, and I know I will know... I just have to walk and wait upon the Lord. And that's the most challenging task for an impatient brat like me. So pleeeeeeease, pray with me and for me! Thanks!
"Wait patiently for the Lord.
Be brave and courageous.
Yes, wait patiently for the Lord." - Psalm 27:14 (New Living Translation)
However, there is a particular field which I'd love to be in, but somehow that "ambition" was never materialised. I guess my circumstances never favoured that "ambition" through those years of career building, so the craving to be in that field was "lost in transit". Then today, yes, just this morning, I was reminded of that "ambition" again. You see, Di took the munchkins and Ya-Ya with him to his parents' place and I had time (and the entire house) to myself, so I started to "catch up" with my thoughts. I thought of what I'd love to do in my golden years, and that led me to rethink my plans for the coming year, which in turn brings to mind that desire for my long lost "ambition".
As usual, I don't think this reminder came as a coincidence. God must have prompted me for I have been wondering what I should or could do as a career come next year when the kiddos go to playgroup. Despite $$$ being very important to ensure our monthly income covers our expenditure, I selfishly hope I can still embark on a career which satisfies my self-actualisation needs even though they don't pay big bucks.
So my dear friends, pray with me for confirmation and assurance. As long as I know this is His plan for me, I would fearlessly take the step of faith and go forth. I need to know, and I know I will know... I just have to walk and wait upon the Lord. And that's the most challenging task for an impatient brat like me. So pleeeeeeease, pray with me and for me! Thanks!
"Wait patiently for the Lord.
Be brave and courageous.
Yes, wait patiently for the Lord." - Psalm 27:14 (New Living Translation)
Saturday, May 3, 2008
2nd Date with Di
Well, shortly after our recent date at Gelare, I decided to "invite" Di for lunch at Sakae Sushi (not the best but its the nearest!) since I didn't get him anything at all for his birthday. I was thinking we either have a quick lunch while the munchkins nap, or bring one of the twins along.
I SMSed Ling about my plans and to my surprise, she not only volunteered to babysit the girls, she asked if she could bring them (along with Ya-Ya) to the regional library. She had been wanting to get the girls there to explore the library cos she found the decor (a bunch of cute, colourful mushrooms) very attractive, especially for toddlers like En & Xuan.
So there you have it! A fabulous weekend plan for the family. Ling arrived at 10am to "pick" the 3 of them up then head straight for the library. After the "battalion" left, Di read the papers without any rascals pulling away the pages, while I updated my blog. We headed for Sakae Sushi at 11.30am to avoid the lunch crowd. Our craving for sashimi was finally satisfied at a total damage of $66+. We then spend the next hour doing grocery shopping - something we haven't done together in ages!
We would love to have more time to ourselves, but we had to head home. I had arranged a playdate with the mommy of another pair of twins that afternoon. Nevertheless, the 4 hours break was enough for me to feel like we're "newly weds" again. Hahaha... Sorry, kids! I'm not denying your existence. Both En & Xuan are my absolute darlings but daddy has to come first. After all, he's providing for all of us, so we had better treat him well. Kekeke...
So when's our next date, Di?
I SMSed Ling about my plans and to my surprise, she not only volunteered to babysit the girls, she asked if she could bring them (along with Ya-Ya) to the regional library. She had been wanting to get the girls there to explore the library cos she found the decor (a bunch of cute, colourful mushrooms) very attractive, especially for toddlers like En & Xuan.
So there you have it! A fabulous weekend plan for the family. Ling arrived at 10am to "pick" the 3 of them up then head straight for the library. After the "battalion" left, Di read the papers without any rascals pulling away the pages, while I updated my blog. We headed for Sakae Sushi at 11.30am to avoid the lunch crowd. Our craving for sashimi was finally satisfied at a total damage of $66+. We then spend the next hour doing grocery shopping - something we haven't done together in ages!
We would love to have more time to ourselves, but we had to head home. I had arranged a playdate with the mommy of another pair of twins that afternoon. Nevertheless, the 4 hours break was enough for me to feel like we're "newly weds" again. Hahaha... Sorry, kids! I'm not denying your existence. Both En & Xuan are my absolute darlings but daddy has to come first. After all, he's providing for all of us, so we had better treat him well. Kekeke...
So when's our next date, Di?
Elevator
Yesterday was "Gong Gong" day. Usually, both the munchkins would gladly follow him out for their "free & easy" session while Ya-Ya and I feast on the lunch Gong Gong bought for us. While I have my concerns about Gong Gong's decreasing agility (Come on, he's already 65!) which poses as a challenge since he had to handle 2 tots who has no sense of danger, Gong Gong had proven himself time and again he could manage them for a good 20 minutes at least.
But when I headed for the kitchen to wash my hands after I helped the munchkins put on their shoes, I heard my dad shouting for me frantically from the corridor. In my heart, I was thinking "Did you forget to bring something? Wet wipes? Biscuits? Do you have to shout this loud?" as I brisk-walked to the door.
There at the main door was Xuan, standing alone and looking pretty innocent. Then as I turn to the direction of the lift lobby, I could see Gong Gong shouting my name, staring at the floor indicator and pressing the elevator buttons almost at light speed. And you guessed it! En was nowhere to be found!!!
I rushed to the lift lobby immediately, leaving Ya-Ya to pick up Xuan and ran after me. Gong Gong tried to explain in details how he had left En at the lift lobby while running after Xuan who headed back to our house. And like most toddler horror stories go, he said "I merely looked away for a second and she was gone!".
Horror images started to form in my head and I had to take a deep breath before turning to look at Ya-Ya. I wanted to ask her to standby at the corridor with a phone. I was going to search for En via the stairs and Gong Gong would conduct his search via the elevator. Before I could even vocalise my hunting strategy, the elevator came back up to our floor since Gong Gong had pressed both the up/down buttons. Viola! The elevator door open and princess En walked out quietly, hugging her toddler's Bible close to her chest. Thank God!
She didn't cry. Neither was she freaked out by this incident. Gong Gong and I gave her a big hug to reassure the brave little one. But knowing how timid she'd always been, I thank God no one else had been using the elevator, hence the door did not open on any other floors. As for the brief moment En spent alone in the elevator, none of us will ever find out how she reacted or felt since she's not talking yet. One thing for sure, she must have been praying to God and was comforted by Him. For she walked into the elevator carrying the Bible but emerge hugging it. Praise God!
Here's to share with you a pix of her beloved Bible which comes with a little handle for her to lug around.
Well, we've all been reminded once again that where toddlers are concerned, NEVER take your eyes off them, EVEN if its only for A SECOND. :)
"For He shall give His angels charge over you,
To keep you in all your ways." - Psalm 91:11 NKJV
But when I headed for the kitchen to wash my hands after I helped the munchkins put on their shoes, I heard my dad shouting for me frantically from the corridor. In my heart, I was thinking "Did you forget to bring something? Wet wipes? Biscuits? Do you have to shout this loud?" as I brisk-walked to the door.
There at the main door was Xuan, standing alone and looking pretty innocent. Then as I turn to the direction of the lift lobby, I could see Gong Gong shouting my name, staring at the floor indicator and pressing the elevator buttons almost at light speed. And you guessed it! En was nowhere to be found!!!
I rushed to the lift lobby immediately, leaving Ya-Ya to pick up Xuan and ran after me. Gong Gong tried to explain in details how he had left En at the lift lobby while running after Xuan who headed back to our house. And like most toddler horror stories go, he said "I merely looked away for a second and she was gone!".
Horror images started to form in my head and I had to take a deep breath before turning to look at Ya-Ya. I wanted to ask her to standby at the corridor with a phone. I was going to search for En via the stairs and Gong Gong would conduct his search via the elevator. Before I could even vocalise my hunting strategy, the elevator came back up to our floor since Gong Gong had pressed both the up/down buttons. Viola! The elevator door open and princess En walked out quietly, hugging her toddler's Bible close to her chest. Thank God!
She didn't cry. Neither was she freaked out by this incident. Gong Gong and I gave her a big hug to reassure the brave little one. But knowing how timid she'd always been, I thank God no one else had been using the elevator, hence the door did not open on any other floors. As for the brief moment En spent alone in the elevator, none of us will ever find out how she reacted or felt since she's not talking yet. One thing for sure, she must have been praying to God and was comforted by Him. For she walked into the elevator carrying the Bible but emerge hugging it. Praise God!
Here's to share with you a pix of her beloved Bible which comes with a little handle for her to lug around.
Well, we've all been reminded once again that where toddlers are concerned, NEVER take your eyes off them, EVEN if its only for A SECOND. :)
"For He shall give His angels charge over you,
To keep you in all your ways." - Psalm 91:11 NKJV
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