Month 12 - First overseas trip

Went to Hong Kong with everyone including Popo and met Kaufu there. I took a month to recover from the trip! So tiring to travel with 3 even though there were other adults around to help! Quite taxing to be foreign country with young kids no matter how prepared you are. On top of that, all of  of you had a fever while on the trip. Thankfully yours was mildest and all 3 of you were not fussing even though unwell. We managed to still go quite a number of places and enjoy the trip. We will make another trip some other time when you are older to Disneyland. We will probably be able to enjoy it together then.  :)

Month 14 - Favourite songs

Some of your favourite songs and rhymes are:

If you're happy and you know it. ... u clap and stomp and lift your hand up high to say 'Amen!' Cute.

This little piggy went to market... you will proceed to hold one of your 'piggies'

Incy wincy spider... you put your pointers and and thumbs together to make a star shape as the spider

Twinkle Twinkle little star... you will try to Twinkle but looks more like a hand dance or a wave.. heehee. ..

Row row row your boat.... holding my hands you will lean back and forward as though rowing a boat

Graduation Day!

Wow.. just can't believe it. Not so long ago, you started attending kindy. And now, you are graduating and entering Primary 1! An important chapter of your life has come to an end and an exciting one is about to begin! Congratulations, Sweetie! You have done SO well! Papa and Mama can't be any prouder. A loving, caring and considerate girl. Loves to learn and doesn't mind drowning yourself in a pool of books!

I pray that you will never stop learning. And will continue to strive in all that you do. You have been so blessed with so many gifts. Use them wisely, my dear girl. May you continue to love and be loved and be a blessing to all wherever you go...

Blessed 4th Birthday, my little Superhero!

We planned your birthday together. I wanted to have a little celebration for you in school to let you experience the Montessori walk. You didn't want to. I asked you what sort of party you wanted. You said you just want to do it at home with only Papa, Mama, CheChe and Baby. Don't you want to invite any of your friends? I suggested a few names from CG and school but you were determined to only celebrate with just the family. You knew that you wanted sushi, oranges, jelly, yakult and a Spiderman cake. And we had just that. The day before Ah Gong and Popo were also around to celebrate together so we had sushi and you had your yakult and a scoop of ice-cream. We bought a cheesecake with fruits on top and you loved it. You love the fruits more than the cake actually. I knew you would.

Initially I suggested to bring you to Jump Street before the celebration. But since Turf Club was organising the International Horse Show, you agreed to go for that instead. Too bad you were not ready to ride on a pony this time. You had fun eating cotton candy and feeding the horses before we went to Sushi King for lunch.

On the actual day, Ah Gong and Popo had gone back to Ipoh. I ordered a cake and had a sugar image of Spiderman with the words Blessed 4th Birthday Jonathan printed and placed on the cake. You wanted mushroom soup for dinner so I cooked that with garlic bread and a salad with pomegranate, lettuce, oranges and apples. There's also jelly of course. We hung up the Happy Birthday banner and pushed the dining table out to make it more special, while you were still napping. So it was a surprised for you. As you weren't expecting that at all. It was such a simple birthday with just the family but so meaningful. I loved it. And you did too. Coz you were still talking about your cake and all till today, 5 days later. :)

We also brought you to choose your bicycle as we promised you one for your birthday. You absolutely love it and has been riding it everyday.

Thinking of all these just warms my heart tremendously and puts a smile on my face.

Thanking God for each day He has given you to us the last four years. (Four years?!?!) May you continue to shine brightly for Him and be a joy to all those around you! Love you so much, Honey Bun!

Month 14 - Fast Learner

Getting cuter by the day. 2nd time to the Penang Sports Club library few days ago. First time you were just walking around making lots of noises. This time you actually grabbed a book and walked all over with it. When I tell you to sit down and read, you will actually sit and flip the pages of the book. And you look like you are actually reading too! Hilarious!

You seem to learn things so quickly by observing. Yesterday I thought it was so amazing. You were sitting with your legs bent back in a 'W' shape which is supposedly not good for you. So I asked you to sit properly. You actually got up and sat down again in a proper manner. I was like 'Whoa!' You understood what I said!

When it was bed time, I asked you where are your pajamas and you actually pointed at the container with your pajamas in them, opened it and took a piece out and started lifting your leg up to put it into the pants! Amazing as we have never told you where your pajamas are kept.

So many other incidences. You are just picking things up SO quickly!

You have also started to say more Papa. You have said it before but it's mostly Mama. Now it's Mama mostly still but Papa when you see him. Today you actually also said NehNeh like NenNen for milk. You have said Nana before but it's NehNeh today. Previously there has also been something like CheChe and KoKo too. But those are not frequent.

You can be really cheeky. When asked where things are - clock; lights; fan; Mickey Mouse; CheChe; Koko, you point to them accurately. But when asked where Mama is, you will smile and pat your chest saying you are Mama.

You now make up your mind as to what you want too. When whining, I will ask you What is it that you want and you will point or show me. Like going upstairs and then lying down when it's nap time. Or wanting to go out etc.

You imitate well too. Koko was coughing with a hand over his mouth. When asked How does Koko cough, you covered your mouth and 'urgh'ed. Funny. You also imitate him when he cries. There was once when Popo was laughing loudly. When asked How does Popo laugh, you opened your mouth wide. Lol.

You love playing peek-a-boo still. Either by closing your own eyes or hiding behind curtains and furnitures. Sometimes you will even burst out laughing while playing.

You laugh out loud lots. It's just easy to make you laugh. I love hearing your hearty laughs. So free.
Keep laughing, baby. And let the world laugh with you. It needs more laughter like yours. Love you so much, baby.

Month 13 - walking and screaming

You have started to walk. Not all the time but most times. You would stumble here and there but manage to get from the back of the kitchen to the front door. You are basically walking more than crawling now. 

Other development include:

Climbing up tables and chairs and giving me a heart attack.

Able to get off bed by reversing on tummy and slide down.

Able to hold on to the railings and walk downstairs.

Able to understand simple instructions like sit down, lie down, give, open, close...

Loves sitting by the plastic containers drawer and playing on your own.

Loves to stack cups. Each time you managed to stack them all together you will come and show me with a sense of pride.

Trying to eat with a spoon instead of your hands and drink from a cup instead of a sippy cup.

You learn extremely fast and is able to point to a lot of things like flowers, clock, fan, air-cond, curtains, baby, papa, mama, che-che, kor-kor and more...

You observe very well and learn from there. Like you saw how we brush our hair and tried brushing your own hair when you managed to grab hold of a brush. Or you know saw where I took your snack from and points to that bag for more!

Eating well. Can't feed you fast enough sometimes.  You will whine when food doesn't reach your mouth in time.

Month 12 - giving

Kisses

Waves bye

Fly kiss

Stacking ring 

Giving things 

Month 11+4 - Development

Looks at hand and claps carefully when you hear the song if you're happy and you know it. 

Twists both hands at the song twinkle twinkle little star. 

Points at everything and asks you to name them! 

Shakes hands to signal 'no more. Finish.'

Flaps hands when hears the word 'fly' for birds or butterflies.  

Shakes hands when asked to flick flick after hands washing. 

Taps tummy when asked where's tummy. 

Climbs upstairs and down independently. And onto bed and down too just to get across bed!!

Can express self more. Will throw things if unwanted including food. Fakes cries for attention. Imitate coughs and sneezes and laughs. 

Vocab: Ma!, ma-ma, mom!, mum-mum!

 

The other day I was carrying you and you saw papa as you turned around and said the sweetest pa-pa ever. You've never said if again since. 

Month 11+4 - two small steps for Boo!

Thats right! You really are an adventurous little one and does not hesitate to let go of your clutch to take a few bold steps!! You are usually holding onto a piece of furniture. I'll then ask you to walk to mama. You will then turn to position yourself and start walking towards me. So far you have taken a maximum of three steps before plopping yourself into me. Well done dear sweetheart!! 

A loose tooth!

You have been complaining of toothache for sometime now. And you pointed at some random tooth so I brushed it off as you wanted to be like your friends whom have lost a tooth or two. Two days ago you again complained that your tooth hurts when you bite. I took a look and tried moving it. Lo and behold it is indeed wobbly! Looks like my baby girl is growing up and losing her baby teeth along the way!! You are soooooo happy that you are finally losing your baby teeth like your older friends! Hmm...

What's puberty?

Thats the question that you asked me today. At Toys R Us. You learnt the word from the movie Inside Out about a girl named Riley and all the emotions controlling her in her mind. I simply answered that it's the age when a child is becoming an adult. Wondering how it will be like when the time comes for us to talk about the birds and the bees! 

Ballet - 2 grades in 2 months!

So we are now back at Priscilla's and you seem to be enjoying classes there again. We started Pre-Primary classes in April. Got transferred to Pre-Primary Exam classes in July. You have just been made leader in your group but next week, you will be transferred to the Primary Exam class!! In fact we were supposed to have started last week but due to some other commitments we can only start next week. Teacher A called to talk to me about you and I thought I heard her whispering that you are better than some of your other friends who are still in Pre-primary exam class. Well can't say for sure what I heard but am proud of your progress. You seem to really love to dance so I certainly hope you will continue to do well!

Month 10+3 - Development

You started pointing to birds, fan, CheChe, KorKor, PoPo, Papa and Mama. You will flap your hands to show how a bird flies or wave bye-bye or flick your hands dry after washing them. You are able to stand on your own for maybe 15-20seconds now. Loves to open drawers and cupboards. Loves banging on things like the table or containers and smiles and bangs even more when you hear the sound you have created. You might just be the drummer in our family 'garage' band. You will now call out 'Ah! Ah! Ah!' for attention and will not stop till someone acknowledges you.

You recently had a fever and that has somehow created a double eyelid on your left eye now. Your right double eyelid also became permanent after a bout of illness so I'm hoping the left one is gonna stay too this time.

Can't believe another month or so and you are going to be ONE! Gosh... time is flying. Gonna miss all these baby moments...

Month 10+3 weeks old - Fever

This must be your 5th fever in just 10 months of your life. That's an average of a fever in two months! I'm perplexed as to what is causing you to succumb to such frequent bouts of illness. That and your low weight gain. Last checked you were 8kg. KorKor was 8kg when he was only five months old!! Maybe I have not been feeding you enough. You took only one side of the beast and since CheChe also used to take one side, I thought you are the same as each time you take both sides, you tend to regurgitate. On top of that, you would have either fallen asleep after one side and I just couldn't wake you up or you are not interested. Then we embarked on BLW which means more food ended up on the floor than in your tummy. There were also times where you missed a meal but I thought that the first few months of weaning you will still depend more on milk and solids are just slowly being introduced. Now I'm wondering if I should have just fed you. On the other hand, you have picked up on eating and do quite well on your own or being fed albeit being a tad more picky. And you get breastfed on demand as sometimes I just want to sleep or I just want you to sleep! This has also made you use me as a pacifier each time you wake up as you are unable to self soothe yourself back to sleep at all! Oh my, it was such a torture having to soothe you back to sleep at least once every hour last night!!!! Papa went back to Ipoh with CheChe and KorKor. We were supposed to go too but decided to stay when you suddenly fell ill. So my tag teammate was not around to help. Super exhausting!

Anyway, back to your health. You are fully breastfed so you should have a stronger immune system. So I'm guessing that you caught the germs from putting everything into your mouth. I have to be honest, I haven't manage to clean your toys or surrounding as much as I should. It's also not just at home. I'm in this dilemma too when we are out. The other thing would be getting exposed to more germs as both your siblings may have been bringing them back from school. A friend did ask if I'm taking any supplements since I'm breastfeeding and the answer is no. I did. Occasionally. Whenever I remember. But have not for awhile. Which I should. Let's see if that's gonna help. Here's to fever free days ahead!

Month 10+1 week old - Amazing growth

The past couple of weeks see you developing and responding so much! I'm not sure if I remember everything to write in this post. 

You look in the direction of the person or survey to find the object mentioned like your toothbrush. Yesterday you even started to point! You seemed to have pointed at the fan and at KorKor when I asked you where they are. Cute!

I love how you cooperate when we dress you and stretch out your hand to put into the sleeves. Even pants now you seem to cooperate and lift up one leg and then the other. Amazing isn't it?

You bounce up and down dancing to the beat whenever you hear music. You also recognise some songs like If You're Happy And You Know It and will proceed to stomp your feet.

Noticed you are able to play in the playpen on your own now for short burst of time if you are not hungry or sleepy. Also caught you flipping a cloth book the other day as though you were reading like real. How adorable.

When asked 'are you OK? ', you respond by shaking your head vigorously and proceed to do so each time as you get a responsive laugh from us.

Exhibit strong character. When you want something and it is not given, you will eventually scream your lungs out and cry till you get it. Contrary to that, if you refuse something, you will actually pick it up and throw it or push it away.

Loves to play. Seem to also have the cheeky trait. When you play peek-a-boo by turning your head away and turning back at 'boo!' with a huge smile. Just love the way you smile. Such a charming boy you are.

You have been waking up every night at about 2am, 4am, 6am and finally at 7am. Wonder what's causing that to happen. Could it be your blocked nose, hunger, room temperature, teething or something else... Am so sleep deprived that Papa commented I've been snoring of late.

You caught a cold on your first trip to Cameron Highlands 3 weeks ago. It has now developed into a chesty cough with runny nose still. Sent you to the doctors and got some nose drops for you. Thankfully your lungs are clear. Praying that you will fully recover soon! What an eventful first trip for you. We managed to go back to Lee Villa where my cousin's grandfather used to work. We took pictures there as kids and took one again with the five of us this time.

So much about you for now.... Amazing, ain't it? Praise God.

Month 9.5 - BLW Buttermilk Pancakes

Tried using buttermilk to make pancakes for the first time today. They make thick pancakes but still have not obtained the fluffiness. You managed to gobble them down anyway. Made you pancakes with apple cinnamon and also spinach, carrots and cheese. Trying to maximise the nutrition! Also froze some for lazy or rushed days! Happy...

Basic recipe for Buttermilk Pancakes

(Makes about 12 small pancakes)

1 cup all purpose flour

1 tsp baking powder

1 egg

1 cup buttermilk

Combine dry then wet ingredients. Heat pan on medium-low. Swirl melted butter around pan. Scoop (I used an ice-cream scoop) a scoop onto pan and leave for about two minutes before flipping over to the other side for another minute or so. 

Optional fillings

Grated organic apple with a dash of cinnamon

Chopped organic spinach, grated carrots and vintage cheddar

Will try these other fillings another time:

Mashed bananas

Cooked and mashed sweet potatoes

Other chopped fruits like strawberries and blueberries

Month 9.5 - Head Banging, Babbling and Understand 'No'

Have to make this quick. Typing while carrying you to sleep for your nap. Your long overdue nap. You usually sleep around 9.30am. It's now 11.53am. It's a public holiday and siblings at home combo today.

Anyway just remembered some observations and thought I'd quickly note them down first. Oh, you are asleep! Let me have a few minutes of gazing at you.... aah. .  Love these moments... I know I can take a thousand pictures of you sleeping and yet none can bring back the feeling you get when you are there, taking in the actual moment of a sleeping baby. Love it!

Back to writing... so you have been head banging on our chests while being carried. I suspect mainly if when you are tired or trying to get some relief from teething.  It's funny watching you do it so rhythmically.

Then there's the babbling. I think you have been saying words that sound like CheChe and KorKor and Papa since maybe you were 6 months old. I have to confirm that. You talk a great deal really!  Maybe the most amongst the three! When distress I have sometimes heard a 'Mama'! And you may have also blurted out 'Nene' (milk) before. You love watching our lips move when we speak to you.  Probably fascinating and learning at the same time!

On a number of occasions, you have understood my expression when I said 'No' to you or 'Not in the mouth' as you seem to have an automatic switch that moves everything you pick up into your mouth.

Certainly growing well my little sweetheart! Love you so much!!!

Month 9 - BLW Quesadilla

Today we went grocery shopping and didn't manage to get lunch ready. Struggled to come up with something quick for your lunch so I cut a chunk of apple for you to munch while still thinking of what to cook. Then the light bulb lit up. Fast and easy quesadillas!!!! I used one whole wheat wrap, spreaded goats cream cheese on half of it, topped with cut up broccoli florets, grated carrots and vintage cheddar. Folded over the other half and toasted it in a pan on medium heat. Flipped over and toasted other side as well. Then I cut it up into fingers for you to hold and you gobbled them up happily. So fast, so easy, so yummy!!!

Month 9 - Standing unsupported

I was just going to write about how I only recently noticed that you have been standing with only one hand holding on for support. Suddenly right before my eyes, I saw how you let go of your hand and swapped the object in one hand to the other while standing. So you have started to stand unsupported without you realising it for a few seconds! Gosh... you are fast! Wonder what you have installed for us the next few weeks!

Things J Said

28.6.2015 On the way home after dinner. 10.22pm In the car, "I wanna go back and do my somersault." I was expecting milk or to sleep. But it was somersault! As you had just managed to learn to do it on your own. Hilarious.

Month 9+2 - A different baby

No 2 babies are the same. But you are very different from your siblings. Some formula just can't be applied on you. With CheChe KorKor, we could nurse or rock them to sleep. With you, you will I will have to nurse one side, then the other, and then back again on first side. You will only squirm about and lift your head up with a smile while I declare defeat. I've rocked you a whole hour and you are obviously sleepy as you were already drowsy. My arms feel like they are about to drop and yet, you are still not asleep! The fastest way for you to sleep will be in a koala position on Papa's chest. Only on Papa's chest mind you. Sigh..

You also exhibit strong independence by pushing our hands away when you don't like what we do. For example feeding you.  You will keep your mouth closed and push my hand away. On the other hand when I place the same food on your tray, you will gladly pick it up yourself and try to shove them in your mouth hence making you the ideal BLW baby. Although CheChe KorKor did some picking up food themselves,  I don't recall them ever resisted being fed.

The other thing you dislike is having your face wiped. So much so you will try all your might to keep my hands away from your face.

You are also the only baby I have to watch like a hawk while you are on the Bumbo seat. I could leave CheChe KorKor on the seat to get something from the kitchen and come back to find them in the same position. You will be hanging out of the seat in a bridge position as soon as my eyes leave you. Hmm...

Changing your nappy is still a nightmare.  We always need a backup 'distractor' to get you to lie on your back long enough to have your nappy changed. Never had to do that before. That's how wriggly you are. 

There's also of course questions about your size and your ability to cruise so much earlier.

Whatever it is... you are just oh sooooo cute!! Even when you cry. And I just want to cherish every moment of you as a baby. Loving you loads, Baby Boo!

Month 8.5 - Roseola

Climbing upstairs and on chairs.

1st roseola. Mama's 1st bkrthday present from you. High fever. No appetite. Sticky. Can't sleep. Fever broke and rash appeared on 4th day. Back to own self. So relieved. Same time as Cheche

Mommy moments

There are many many moments in these last 6 years I have been a mom to each one of you which I truly wish I can etch in my mind forever. Or at least capture it on video or a photograph. Or written down somewhere in a diary or a blog... But many a time you just can't capture a particular moment on video or as a picture. I have tried so many times trying to get a wefie but it just doesn't capture the moment I have in my mind. And I'm not someone who has the ability to describe what's in my mind with powerful words that allows the reader to really feel the moment. Sometimes the timing is not right and I forget how I wanted to construct those sentences. So there has been many many missed moments.

Anyway the reason this post is up is so that I can write down how it was like just a minute a go to carry baby B in my arms while he sleeps and drown him in a million soft pecks on his chubby cheeks while he goes off to dreamland. He is at the age where he's nice to hold. Albeit back breaking. Since we have no plans to expand the family any further, I want to treasure every chance I get to carry baby B(8mo) in my arms. I even do that with KorKor J(3) even though he's now maybe 16kg or so? CheChe O(6) is already all grown up though she still loves being carried. She often pretends to fall asleep in the car so that she gets to be carried into the house. Although I don't carry the older ones as much, I still give them tonnes of big, fat, squeezy hugs. I know one day kissing and hugging momsie just won't be as nice or cool anymore. So the time is now. 

More Mommy Moments to come whenever I can!

Month 8 - Baby Led Weaning

You definitely prefer to feed yourself rather than being fed. You are doing very well picking up chunks of sweet potatoes,  broccoli, pasta and peas. I let you try some persimmon and you absolutely love it! Kept shoving more into your mouth and wanted more!

Another accident!

It was a long weekend with Labour and Wesak Day puboic holidays. Some friends from school had plans to meet at the water park. So off we went. The usual road there was jammed up probably due to the Wesak day possession.  So we detoured and took another route instead. We had stopped at the lights when all of a sudden there was a loud bang behind us! I turned back and saw our rear screen gone. I was probably in shock too and not thinking straight. I called for emergency help as someone seemed to be badly hurt on the ground then. I should have taken you 3 out of the car first. Papa went to get B and there were fragments of glass all over him. Thank God he was asleep so probably none fell into his eyes and mouth. CheChe and KorKor were very still and I brought you both out to the side of the road. There were glass fragments on your scalps. Thank God the only injury sustained is a pin prick on one of CheChe's fingers from a sharp piece of glass fragment.

There were two of them and one of them were laying on the floor motionless though he was able to respond and I could see him still breathing. Papa could smell alcohol from the other seemingly uninjured guy.

Thank God also for angels... Some school friend's dads actually came to bring us home first.

CheChe was pretty shaken initially but was ok after we watched Smurfs later after dinner. KorKor doesn't seem to have been affected much. 

Our car is now at the workshop getting fixed and we are looking into getting a new car. We have had clean records all our years of driving and since moving to Penang, we have met with 3 accidents all involving motorcyclist. Sigh. Thank God for His protection over us especially you three precious. Pray that He will continue to watch over our going outs and coming ins.

My little Princess

You are a very girly girl but at the same time you can be quite rough. You look so sweet but sometimes your actions just doesn't go with that face. Haiyo. The way you dance is one of the actions that doesn't match your sweet face. It's funny and weird. But you so love to dance! You look like a string puppet pulled by a child! We blame it on Papa for passing strange dance moves down to you. Haha...

Other than that, you love sparkles and pretty things. You love dresses which makes you look like a princess. In fact you love them so much that you want to wear them with stockings to places like hawker stalls. *faint* And you have to wear your home made bead necklace together. Hmm... Haven't even mentioned how you wore a pink tee with sparkles with a white base skirt with blue yellow and red stripes, beige socks with sparkles with black shoes. Oh dear....

You always want to go through my accessory stash coz they look like treasures to you. Adoi.

You will probably laugh at yourself when you look back in the future. But I will always love you no matter what, dearest princess.

Month 7 Week 3 - pulling to a stand

Everywhere you find the opportunity you will pull yourself up.  But you may have trouble coming back down and sometimes just let go resulting in a fall. Only 7 months and already standing. You are actually cruising a little too! Super fast!

Month 7.5 - Baby Led Weaning

Since starting solids, you have tried a variety of food namely purple carrots, purple spinach, baby peas, edamame, pears, bananas, sweet potatoes, spaghetti, turnip and watermelon. I started you off with puree as you didn't seem to be sitting get up with strong support yet. Yesterday, I was feeding you pear scraped with a spoon and you spat most out. I ended up giving you the piece of pear and you were gumming it up happily baby led weaning style. You also had spaghetti and turnip while we had buffet on Sunday. You seem to enjoy feeding yourself as you have been trying to grab the spoon off me even when you were fed puree. So will be giving you more food to let you eat on your own from now on. Whee.....!

Month 7.5 - Strong baby

Though you may seem petite, you are extremely strong. Need to pry open your fingers when you grab hold of my hair. You gum hard on my chin. Sometimes you just press your head against me hard. You move about and turn onto your tummy during nappy change and it takes effort to keep you down on your back even just for that one minute to get your nappy on. You managed to pull yourself up to a stand in the cot so we need to lower the base down this weekend. Your kicks are powerful and Papa will say you are suited to be a footballer.

Thanking God for a strong and healthy baby. May He continue to keep you safe and healthy and let you develop well physically, mentally, emotionally and of course spiritually.

Year 6 - Ballet exam

Teacher Annabelle says she's considering you for exams. You mentioned just after the  lessons.

Loves the violin now. Mentioned Alicia CheChe is very kind.

Complains your fingers are painful when you practise the keyboard. Haven't practised for 2 weeks now.

Loves mandarin tuition on Mondays and Tuesdays. Asked me not to pick you up too early as you want to stay and play. Loves the way Teacher Joy and Teacher David teaches.

Parent review

Went for your review and your teacher only had good things to say about you. Seems like you are even a role model in class! You are improving in your Mandarin, able to respond and can recognise more words. Your Bahasa is good. Doing well in your ejaan and able to construct short sentences. English has always been your strong subject. Teacher commented you like Science a lot and notices you know some facts even before the teacher teaches which indicate that you read a lot at home. You are also able to grasp the concept of addition and subtraction well. She mentioned that you are not as keen in art as your other classmates though. I told her about the fact that the class was out of control without enough teachers to monitor the children. The teacher mentioned that you are very popular in school too. A few of your friends always want to sit with you. So as you can see you are doing very well and Papa and Mama are extremely proud of you. We pray and hope you will continue to be successful in all that you do and give God all the glory. We also thank the Lord for blessing you with your many talents and also good teachers and friends. Praise Him!

Six! And loving it!

You have been counting down the days to your party since probably last year! And everyday, you got more and more excited. We initially said we won't be having a party this year as 5 years of celebration is good enough. Then your friends started to have a party one by one. We gave in as we thought that this is the last year you will be in kindy with some of these friends and since you are the only one registered into a kebangsaan school when all the rest are in jenis kebangsaan, you may not see them again. So we had a smallish one at home with only five of your classmates and three siblings including KorKor, who was the thorn amongst the roses!

You had a Perfectly Purple Party. There were purple pompoms and birthday banner; purple beads, homemade wand and sunglasses for the photobooth; purple bento set with purple rice and jelly! The cake was moist chocolate cake with purple frosting of course. I had baked the cake the day before for the first time and wanted to frost it in the morning. When I tried some crumbs, they turned out to be waaaaay too salty! I had read the recipe wrongly. Instead of 3/4 teaspoon salt, I had added 3/4 cup salt! Horror of horrors! Good thing I tried it early in the morning. Had to throw all my midnight effort in the bin and started all over again. Sigh... Thankfully I had help from Popo and Aunty F to cook the rest of the item so we could have cake! They did suggest for us to buy one but I just had to make it for the extra special touch.... ;-)

Back to the party... the evening started with you girls stringing beads into a necklace. Then cake cutting and dinner served. You and your friends had the privilege to sit at the dining table while the adults stood around or sat on stools! While you all munched on your homecooked dinner, the adults had sushi, edamame, tomyam meehoon and belacan fried chicken. There was also black glutinuous rice for desert and green tea to quench their thirst. Dinner followed by photo session. Your friends also wrote you little messages on cards with their instant photos on it. A little treasure that you could look back in the future.

You all had lots of fun and your friends took home a party pack which consists of purple heart stickers and glitter glue, the star wand and their necklaces, a little book and a feathery princess pen along with their purple bento boxes. They also took home their instant photo with you in a homemade glitter frame.

It was another successful party, following your 5th Frozen inspired Elsa cake party at the indoor playground, 4th rainbow party, 3rd party with Goldilocks and the Three Bears cake, 2nd party with Mickey and Minnie Mouse cake at their Clubhouse and 1st party with Elmo cupcakes. No wonder you kept saying that you want a party till you are 10! Hmm...

Month 6.5 - Getting the hang of solids

It's been over a week since you started eating. You are mainly fed puree now as I'm not ready to tidy up the mess from baby led weaning. CheChe and KorKor both stayed home this week as school was closed for a week due to a few cases of vomiting and diarrhoea. Moreover, I'm preparing for CheChe's 6th birthday party this Sunday. With no help, I dare not be so adventurous. But I do eventually plan to do baby led weaning with you later. Meanwhile, you are enjoying your food more. Fighting with me to get hold of the spoon. You have managed to finish about a cube each time now. Today you had mushy peas! My favourite!  Yum! You devoured it in seconds! Yesterday was more purple carrots. You also tried sweet potatoes, purple spinach and cauliflower mash. So far so good. Forgot to save some papayas for you. Will let you try other fruits soon. Maybe add a little grains soon. Hopefully no constipation with you as what we experienced with your KorKor. It was traumatic especially for KorKor. So I'm a bit more careful now. Feeding you water and starting grains later. Happy eating Baby Boo!

Month 6.5 - Teething part 2

Poor Lil Boo. You only managed to nap a total of maybe 1 hour yesterday during the day. Last night you woke up every 2 hourly when you have been sleeping through. Now you are having a fever. When I parted your lips to check if your upper teeth have emerged, you cried in agony. You are more cranky and wants to be carried more too. Poor baby. Praying for comfort for you. And a good night's rest.... love you baby.

Month 6 - Starting Solids

So many things happened since my last entry! First would be your second fall from the bed this week. We can't seem to transfer you to your cot when you sleep. And to avoid interruption your sleep, we sometimes leave you on the bed surrounded by pillows which is of course not ideal anymore since you can crawl now. So you ended up on the floor twice now. Poor baby. Now someone has to be in the room with you or we will still try and try to put you in the cot.

You are also biting everything! Today you feel warmer than usual and you have irregular waking up times at night nowadays. Not to mention being more sticky. I'm suspecting another round of teething. Been checking your top gums often to see if they have cut through.

And the highlight of the week is that I have finally started you on solids! Your first meal was cauliflower mash. And you had purple carrots puree last two days. You are not used to all these tastes yet and ate only maybe a teaspoonful each time. You gave a funny unsure look which says, errr. ... what's this funny texture and taste in my mouth? You successfully made a mess especially with the purple carrot. You just wanted to grab the spoon and shove the food into your mouth but they ended up flung onto the floor or your chin...

You are not able to sit on your own yet so will try to do baby led weaning a bit later. You are however trying to push your body back to rest on your bum.

You know when I leave the room and beam ever so glady when I'm back. You love to laugh at your siblings silly antics. Sometimes even just the way they talk tickles you!

Month 5+28 - Crawling

You have been getting places for maybe a week or more now. You will roll yourself over to get here and there and I managed to video you leaving the mattress and inching your way to an object. Each time you leave the mattress, CheChe will shout 'May Day! May Day!' so an adult will come and 'rescue' you. You basically commando crawl a lot now but have occasionally propped yourself on all fours. You are very advance for your age!

A 5 year old's complain

Che-che O (5) expresses yourself very well. I am always amaze at your level of maturity. You just said, on our way to dinner - Mama I don't like art class. There's (sic) no teachers. Art teacher can't handle the class. They are too cheeky. They are too noisy. I can't concentrate.

Pronunciation

Kor3 is still not very clear with your pronunciation. You just asked Papa to look for a kiwi in the book and Papa heard TV. There's more and will keep updating as and when I can. Cause it's pretty amusing at times. And of coz super cute!

Other than that, you have amazing super brains as you come back from school reciting poems and singing in Mandarin and Bahasa. There's Jala-jala ikan, jala tepi pantai, kita naik sampan, kerja ramai-ramai. Initially your pantai did sound a bit like 'pangsai' (poo poo)!!! There's also a frog poem in Mandarin. Cuteness....

By the way, I went to school to have a review with your teachers. You seem to be doing very well. You could understand instructions and obey rules. You listen attentively and participate when asked to. You know what to do and when to do it. You however are still a loner and you don't volunteer although you are happy to do it when approached. Teacher also mentioned that you can be pretty cheeky. I did warn them. :) Overall, doing well and Papa and Mama are so proud of you. Love you our little Honey Bun!

School woes and treats

I'm getting a bit confused on how to write my posts now. First person or third? Names or initials? I'm afraid that it will be confusing to read back later. Plus the fact that I'm losing my mind these days. Think for today, I will refer to O as Che. And I will put the age at time of writing next to it like Che5. So Kor3 will be J at 3 years old and Di0 will be B, obviously still a baby.

So, I want to write about how yesterday was Chap Goh Mei and we went to a café called Goh Kaki for dinner and came home super late. Like midnight. So Che5 and Kor3 slept super late. I didn't wake you two up but Kor was already awake maybe 7.45am. Che refused to wake up as she obviously didn't have enough sleep. And Kor was still struggling with separation anxiety and refused to get ready for school. After a lot of struggle, you two finally arrived in school super late.

So I had a date with Papa for lunch today since there was a promotion at Sakae Sushi and brought some home for you two as you both love sushi. Told you that it was for all the effort you took to go to school today. If I could only record the happiness and the smiles on both your faces. Priceless.

Also promised you two movie night if you both quickly have a bath and napped. Di was already sleepy so I nursed him to sleep but Kor wanted to do his big business at the same time. Di was not done but Kor kept screaming downstairs as he was done. Then found Che still had not shower but was reading in the room. I lost my temper and smacked her. Sigh.... After that I also lost my temper when there was a lot of commotion upstairs and pinched her face as I didn't want the noises to wake Di up. She was only trying to switch on the lights and fan to practice her keyboard. Gave her a hug and told her we will be watching Big Hero 6 and tried to cheer her up again which she did. I really hate it when I lose my temper. I have been trying to control real hard. Teaching the kids first time obedience. Explaining to them. They are really good kids. And they are only just kids.

Anyway we had a really wonderful movie night tonight with popcorn. Love moments like these.

Kids, if you ever read this in the future, do know that Mama is sorry for all the hurt I've caused you and all the fear I have instilled in you. I know I'm a monster at times. I'm still trying. I'm still learning. And I still love you all so so so much. To the moon and back.

5 years and 10 months old - A Loving Sister and Future Mother

What a mature girl you are. At this young and tender age you are already thinking of life. One of those nights in bed, you mention that you are thinking of only having one child in the future. That's cause this way you don't have to worry about your kids fighting with each other. Perhaps a bit like you and your Didi now? Honestly, you kids are really good kids. Yes there's fighting but there's also lots of loving.

You are excellent at taking care of Baby B. Singing him Twinkle Twinkle Little Star when he fusses and he instantly stops. You love making him laugh out loud too with your silly faces.

You now help to bathe Didi J whenever I am busy with Baby B. You try hard to speak nicely sometimes instead of getting angry with him whenever he is cheeky.

You did say things like you miss the times when it was only you and me and no Didis. You miss spending time alone with me. So I promised  you a girly day one day soon. I do miss you being a little girl too. And the alone times we spent together. They will always remain very very very special to me my dear Sweets.

As you count down to your 6th birthday, I pray that I will be able to make time before then to enjoy lots of you.

3 years 3 months old - Growing too tall

This morning you came into our room and we spent some time together. You asked if you are 3 years old,

J: Am me three years old?
Me: Yes, but you will be four this year.
J: Then 5 and 6 and 7 and 8 and 9 and 10!
Me: Yes! You are growing and growing!
J: But I don't want to hit my head up there (points at the ceiling.)

Cute..

You just farted as I'm typing this and said there's fireworks.

Cheeky..

So many more cute and cheeky comments from you. Wish I could record them all. Love all these moments but sadly can't fit them all in my brains. Gotta enjoy them now.

Month 5+6 - Tooth

Your first bottom right tooth has cut through!

Month 5+3 - Teething

At yesterday's 5 month check up, you now weigh 7.2kg. Can't help but to think that you are a bit on the petite side. Have to feed you a bit more. But you tend to regurgitate if you are overfed. So I know you actually don't need the extra feeds. Well, as long as you are growing healthily I guess. No need to fatten you up.

You were a real trooper at the check up too! Only a little startled when you received your DTAP combo jab. No crying. My strong baby.

You can inch and push and roll yourself towards an object and grab it. We are able to pull you up to a sitting position now. I usually do that while singing Row Row Row Your Boat. You also prefer to sit on my lap rather than left alone on the playgym or rocker while we have our meals. Not wanting to feel left out. Hee...

You are teething and that I think wakes you up from your naps. Sigh. We get strong bites from you too!

Can't believe you are already 5 months old. Soon to wean on solids! Must enjoy every moment before you are no longer a baby anymore! Smelling every bit of you and cuddling you lots. Flooding you with smooches every time I get a chance. 

Month 4 - Grabbing and Gumming

You are very strong for a little Bubba! As you are probably teething, you then to grab whatever within your reach and shove it into your mouth to relieve the itch on your gums. It could be a toy, the cot bars or my hand. Sometimes I struggle to release the item from your grasp! I can feel the strong tension when you gum on my hand too. Praise God for a strong strong boy.

Month 4+18 - Mornings

Love spending time lazing in bed with you in the mornings. Sometimes you tell me all about your dreams (seems like a lot of dreams!), sometimes I sing with you, sometimes I watch you flip and push yourself all over the bed, sometimes we just stare at each other. Best feeling in the world.

Month 4+2 days old - mini push-ups and crawls

Papa and I witnessed you doing a mini push-up on two separate  occasions. You have also managed to use your legs to push yourself forward. Strong legs you have there, Baby Boo! Maybe you will become the footballer that Papa dreams that you will be! Especially for his favorite club!

First week at school

My how you have grown! First you became a big kor kor. And now you are attending preschool!

*It's now a month after you first started school and I have yet to complete this post! Well, you cried. You were excited the first day but by the second day you already didn't want to wear your uniform and managed to even unbutton your buttons for the very first time without any assistance! That was how determined you were not to wear your uniform! We still went to school. Thank God Popo was around to watch Baby so I could be there with you and then leave later. 

After a month, it is still difficult to get you out of bed and still say you don't want to go to school. Since Popo has gone back home, Papa has to go down with you for a short while before going off to work. Otherwise, there will be tears again an led the teachers will have to pick you up and go... At the end of the day, you Andre usually happy and tells me stories from school. But the whole procedure starts and regain the next day. Yesterday you even told me that I went to pick you up too early and I should wait till you see CheChe first (her dismissal is 15 minutes later). Sweet. Cute.

You now participate on your own in class. I would so love to go watch you in class. Unfortunately I can't. Teacher has already commented that you are now getting cheekier. Hmm... I did warn them that you have horns. .. haha.. well, not really, you are simply just adorable. Here's wishing you success in all that you do in life in which glory belongs to God, my dear Honey Bun!

All set for school! With a flower in hand for your teacher :)

Month 3.5 - Leg Lifting

You have been more awake and loves to take in all that is around you. Your favourite thing to do is to look at a smiling face and to smile the most charming smile back. Beside that you motor skills are getting better each day. You now lift your legs up and seem to cycle in the air. You will also push yourself forward with your legs when on your tummy. Can imagine you crawling very soon! You are still turning onto your tummy through the left side. More willing to do more tummy time. More hair too!

Month 3 - New year, new sleeping position!

Since you have been able to do a complete flip over now, you have also been found sleeping on your tummy at times and we had to turn you back. We also have to turn you onto your right side now as your left side has been a bit flat of late. Sigh. 

Anyway I had just turned you before brushing my teeth and when I came out, you were back on your tummy again. This time with an arm stuck out of the cot! Aiyaiyai!