MY MR. SUNSHINE

That's me with fake hair and husband with flat hair.
Wedding shot taken in Desaru, Malaysia, in 2005

At times, when I see my husband, a ray of sunlight seems to be emitting from his head as in this picture.

This sun ray - this RAY of HAPPINESS - lights up my world, instantly.

You see, sometimes when he reaches home, he'll parade around the house exhibiting a laissez-faire behaviour, together with a cheery and cheeky disposition, bantering and teasing whoever (me or son) is in his path.

Our son is fully entertained - parading after him, blushing and giggling at his silliness. For me, I can't deny that I'm really delighted to see him home. Then did I realise how much I miss him! And he insists that we're the only ones in the world to see this side of him. Otherwise, he looks serious and solemn.

Thing is, he always seems to be there for me in both my life's small (but notable) and big events. Like the sunrays, he's shining at me as if rooting for me - giving me warmth, security, and strength. And this post is a list to commemorate those moments and events, so that we can look back and have a smile.

1. My riding practical test - I failed this test thrice! And each time I retake the test, he just sat there and waited for 2-3 hours with a newspaper and several cups of tea. It's such a pleasing joy watching the minute him from a distance, as I took my tests in the circuit with trembling legs. Deep down, I know that he was rooting for me.

2. My final-year exams - All exams end at the same time and there'll be a massive student-jam on the campus. Buses will be jam-packed to the door and taxis will somehow cease to exist. Usually, my sweet husband will come and pick me up with the reason that he wants to see my after-exam reactions (which is either Yippie, I nailed it! or Oh s**t, this paper is a killer). He'll wait gingerly in his car looking out for me as I wouldn't know exactly where he parked and I usually submit my exam script before the stipulated time. He's done that for most of my exams.

3. The day he sent me off to the Middle East for a 4-month peace-keeping mission on a Navy vessel. He did something that totally stole my heart away! Together with my sister, he sent me off by 'following' my vessel, driving along the southern borders of Singapore from the eastern tip of Changi to the western tip of Tuas until my vessel disappeared. Isn't that romantic? My sister even told me that she saw tears streaming down his face (he was wearing sunglasses). Note: This is one of the reasons I marry him. One other being his bedsheets. Yes, really. It's just some common cotton sheets but I've never slept in such a comfortable one before and I was hooked till today, 10 years later! Told him about it back then but he just gave a feeble acknowledgement.

4. Once, we almost fell off a cliff in Cameron Highlands! We were venturing into the hilly roads on a car and when the roads got narrower and muddier, I insisted to continue moving upwards (that's the immature, wilful me). Halfway through, our car got stuck in a muddy puddle and couldn't move, both forwards and backwards. To make the situation worse, it was drizzling, the ground is getting softer, on our left is the high mountain wall less than a metre away and on our right is the edge of the cliff barely 2 metres away! If we want to turn back, we'll have to make a 10-point turn. We got off the car, went into the rain, and sized up the situation before we decided to find stones and logs to shove into the back of the wheels so that the car can get out of the mud. We tried to drive backwards but the car wouldn't move.

Luckily, a local man who came in the opposite direction driving a tractor came to help us. Hubby and the man then put larger stones behind the wheel. This time, I took over the wheel. As the two men try to push the car manually, I ramp the accelerator cautiously - if I'm too slow, the car won't move. But if I'm too fast, I may fly off the cliff with my car! At this time, I saw hubby grabbing the car by the side of a door with all his might and I thought, Isn't he supposed to push or pull the car instead of grabbing it?? Came to know later, he said he was pushing but at the same time, he held the car tightly so that if the car is really going to fall off the cliff, he would be able to hang on to it with ample time for me to escape out.

From that, two thoughts came to my mind. Firstly, did he think he was Hercules (?!) and had enough strength to hold on to a sedan car? Secondly, he had watched too much action-packed movies, thinking about me escaping and jumping off the car just before it falls off the cliff. Isn't he silly yet sweet? Haha! Of course, we managed to get the car going, did a many-point turn and went back safe and sound. But that was really scary! PS: A big thank you to the helpful man. God bless you!

5. He sold his beloved '1st wife', a large bike (BMW R1200C) and some insurance to get me through university.

6. He kissed me - even though I have just given birth and is fat, bloating, out of shape, and foul-smelling. 

7. When I am sad, depressed, stressed, anxious, shocked, afraid, crying, grieving, angry, cranky, lost, successful, delighted, blissful, happy, joyous, excited, wilful, crazy or mellow, he seems to always be right there. Just right there at the same spot beside me. I wonder how he takes in all of my nonsense! He's such a poor thing. In fact, he seems to be singing a Jackson 5's number:

I'll be there,

I'll be there,

Just when you call,

I'll be there. 

...I'll be there to comfort you,

Build my world of dreams around you,

I'm so glad that I found you

I'll be there with a love that's strong

I'll be your strength, I'll keep holding on -

(Yes I will, yes I will)

[PS: RIP Mr. MJ (1958-2009), I'll miss you forever]

Infant Envy

I was reading someone's blog who is a newly-minted mom. And this feeling took over.

 

That chummy baby scent,

That comforting heat from the head,

That instinctual hand grip around my little finger,

That curious gaze and heart-melting eye blinks,

That little harmless cub with a head that's just the size of my palm,

Those tiny feet and toes wrapped in those tiny mittens and booties,

That lovely bodysuit that I have decided to keep as a memento,

That cutest cry I have ever heard,

That finest soft hair,

That translucent nose and skin,

That kite-like 'soft spot' pulsating on the top of your head which made you so vulnerable,

Those precious moments when you rooted to latch on me and your cheeks pumped and pumped in milk from my body all-day coupled with that warm and fuzzy let-down sensation,

That silly facial expression and hilarious sleeping position that snaps me into the picture/video-taking mode in hopes of capturing all those moments,

That all-day cradling, rocking, and snuggling,

That mini-me who is completely defenseless and yet dictates when I eat and sleep,

That wrapped up bundle of love that has totally changed my life the instant he left my womb,

For better or worse, it doesn't matter,

As long as he is.

 

Thankfully, twenty teeth later (my son's), both of us are still intact!

We've come so far, son. And this is just the beginning of our wonderful journey. My naughty, silly rascal, mommy loves you so dearly. Baby, I miss your infant days so much that I'm envious of other new moms already. Makes me want to treasure our everydays even more, as they come, go, and be gone.

And so, a quick recall made me realised that I'd been missing from this world for months. Yes, yes. It's that horrible experience of potty training. It's so scary that I wouldn't go through it again at any cost. Once is enough. Even told one of my friend to seriously consider outsourcing potty training. Unless, of course, if she has many helping hands. 

Now that this messy job is over (it took me us 5 months), I can finally pop up and take a deeeep breather... for many more exciting events ahead. Below are pics of him at the Singapore Botanic Gardens, looking worn out after all the bouncing about. You do get tired my child, don't you?

P.S. to child: BTW, your pre-nursery teacher didn't described you as very hyperactive in your report card for nothing. Report card for Jovie aged 2+, filed.



Boy and Swan



Son: Heh heh... my idea of heaven

Mommeee, I'm scared of grass... I can't move

Hospital Bag Checklist

In a sturdy, roomy bag, you can pack the following.

1. Disposable Panties - I used my old and unwanted underwear and discard after use

2. Maternity Pads - for after birth Lochia or 'menses'

3. Pyjamas - 2 sets. Double this up as going home clothes. I wear zip-up sporty sweater and pants.

4. Large Jacket and Socks - to keep you warm in the freezing air-con room

5. Slippers - double this up as a going-home shoe or wear disposable slippers 

6. Toiletries - shampoo, shower gel, facial wash, toothbrush/paste, lip balm, body/hand lotion, pimple cream, make up, sunblock, insect repellant, comb, hairclip/band etc

7. Towel - if you prefer to use your own

8. Tissue Paper and Wet Wipes 

9. Nursing Bra/Pads - for breastfeeding

10. Baby's Diapers and Going-home Clothes - just in case, although this is usually provided by hospital

11. Camera, Phone and Chargers

12. A Few Big Plastic Bags - to store used clothings/towels or to store things given by hospitals/visitors or even rubbish

13. Important Documents - Identity cards of both spouses, marriage certificate, doctor's/hospital/government documents, and phone list for confinement nanny, tingkat/meal delivery, massage lady, etc. As usual, I'll also bring a small notebook with a pen to list down the things that I need to do or buy.

Note: I wore old clothings to the hospital to give birth, so that I can chuck them after giving birth if they're soiled. And I brought some magazines and a book for leisure reading but they went home untouched. Instead, I pored over the mini guidebooks (I love this one) that is given to us packed within the complimentary hospital bag.

Other items in the bag include: product samples (nursing pad, newborn diapers, etc), brochures and catalogues of products or services you may need (nanny hiring, full-month celebrations, confinement tingkat or meal delivery, etc).

Have a wonderful home-going experience!

Essential Baby Items (Checklist)

1. Hair clipper/cutter - to cut baby's straying hair.

2. Nail cutter

3. Pacifier - if needed. Update in 2017: My first child (in 2010) suck it like a pro the very first time I introduced it to him but my second child (in 2017) flatly refused it.

4. Toys - Buy toys that stimulate the baby's senses. E.g. toys that are colourful and has subtle movements (for sight) and toys that produces sound and music (for audio). I also play baby's classical music at a soft volume. Make sure all toys are clean, do not have sharp corners and are not painted with toxic paint. I particularly love buying stimulating toys that doubles up as a teether - it's so baby-friendly! You know, babies really put everything into their mouths

5. Digital ear/forehead thermometer - Oftenly used. Buy a good one

6. Bodysuits/Shirt and pants set - for cold and hot weather (or air-con and outdoors), 3-5 sets each

7. Mitten, booty, cap, and bib - 5 sets each

8. Baby wrap - cotton cloth to wrap baby, 3 sets, buy really soft ones for more comfort

9. Disposable diapers - or nappy with nappy liner, safety pin and nappy pants

10. Changing mat - for the endless diaper changes. Placed on floor or bed. Note: my baby cot comes with a changing table - its appropriate height is a back saver! Lesser backaches than if you change on the floor or bed. See no. 26

11. Wet wipes - for feeding spills and diaper changes

12. Tissue - lots of it

13. Cotton wipes - to clean face and eyes with warm water (also called cosmetic wipes)

14. Cotton swap - to clean nose, outer ear and belly button with warm water. (also called Q-tips)

15. Nappy cream - only Pureen cream works for my boy

16. Baby powder and lotion - if using

17. Hand sanitizer - can sterilize hands after changing diapers and I also use it to clean stool-stained areas with tissue on changing mat immediately

18. Baby shower gel - head-to-toe, tear-free

19. Several small cotton cloth - to wrap around index finger wet with warm water and clean baby's gums, tongue and teeth - instant toothbrush.

20. Towels x 2

21. Bath tub - mine's given by the hospital, reuse for subsequent child.

22. Bath non-slip mat - to put in bath tub to prevent baby slipping off

23. Bath toys

24. Baby bath thermometer - I was given one which is like a card and it's really helpful in making sure water is not too hot or cold, no guessing required

25. Baby carrier, pram and car seat - for travelling with baby

26. Baby cot - with mattress and sheets, side bumper, pillow, bolster, blanket, mosquito net, soft toys. To save space, I bought an all-in-one that is a playpen, changing table and baby cot. 

27. Baby hammock - if using

28. Milk bottle - 3-5 sets

29. Water bottle

30. Bottle sponge cleaner (see pic below)

31. Bottle sterilizer - omit this if you are sterilizing the milk bottles in a pot of hot water

32. Baby utensils liquid cleanser - to wash milk bottles, pacifiers, teething toys, nose cleaner etc. Buy those that can also be used to wash vegetables too. My fav brand is Pigeon (see pic below)

33. Milk powder

34. Milk powder dispenser/container

35. Breast pump

36. Nursing pad

37. Diaper Bag - with changing mat and milk bottle holders/bag. Mine's given by the hospital

38. Plates, bowl, fork and small spoon with long handle - to stir milk in bottle and to feed the baby mashed food

39. Blender/masher and steamer/boiler - to cut/mash and cook food respectively

40. Play mat - for tummy time or learning to crawl. I bought a thick mattress protector from Ikea and used it as a mat

41. Baby seat/high chair - for feeding time and playtime. I used the baby pram for this. It made the baby so mobile around the house and can even be tilted down for baby to take a nap. Makes things so much easier and less back-breaking. Thumbs up!

42. Baby detergent - use this esp. if baby has very sensitive skin

43. Baby nose suction/cleaner - I buy the Pigeon brand. As advised by many fellow parents, the non-tube type is better

44. Fabric Freshener - antibacterial, clears odours and germs, eg. febreze. I used it to clean baby's bedding/mattress, seats, cushions of pram, and other difficult-to-wash stuff that is stained by baby's urine or beverage/food spills. Warning: After spraying on fabric, air completely before use! In addition, I've read you can actually make your own fabric spray and they're said to be safer for your baby. Just goggle it :)

45. Storage for baby stuff - I store baby toys in a large reusable carrier bag. His clothings, folded in half and sorted in small boxes in cupboards and drawers. And his ironed clothes on small hangers for children. All from IKEA. Don't forget drying racks and clothes pin too.





Milk bottle sponge on the left and the Pigeon liquid cleanser to wash my baby's milk bottles, pacifier and teething toys. My boy is no longer a baby already but I'm still using both. I use them to wash the whole family's water bottles and to wash fruits and vegetables to get rid of pesticides and bacteria. It's also great for removing the fishy, onion and garlic odour from my hands after I cook. And it removes the sticky and oily residue on the hands after my boy and I played the Plasticine or Play-Doh.

My Ikea loot! Courtesy of my ex-colleagues ;)

Pineapple Cornflake Cookies (with Baking Details)

I'm such a scatterbrain when it comes to the kitchen. Imagine this scene:

Oh gosh! What's next? Where's my note? Quick! The egg's gonna... Oh dear, it's overcooked already... Ouch!*burns hands*...Or should it look like this? Quickly... Ahh!

Totally unglamorous.

This is what happened that day when I was making pineapple cookies - which ended up charred on the outside and brittle on the inside. I'm, therefore, vehemently compelled by my own dogged will, to post this recipe completed with pictures, and with a much more detailed instruction. 

I have to make at least one decent cookie... *hands on hips with angry brows and nose*

In retrospection, I wonder how my grandma could whip up all those countless dishes through sheer memory. During the Chinese New Year, more than 20 years ago, I remember...

When the extended family came to visit us at our kampong hut, grandma would prepare dish after dish of glorious food which practically filled the dining table to the brim. And with all that 'mountains' (as I see them) of food presented, I'm sure there wasn't a single note or recipe that grandma hid in the kitchen. I supposed, she cooked everything by means of 'agak'ration, or estimation by experience.

Amazing lady, I say. *salutes!

Hmm, guess I simply lacked the faculty to be a bona fide cook like my grandma and is destined to be a 'textbook' cook. Well, I'm pretty fine with this and will continue to fumble myself silly over the stove. At the very least, I know I'm giving my heart and soul, and that my food is usually edible. ;)

Anyway.

I've previously made sultana cornflake cookies but for variation, I'd tried this same recipe with pineapple paste instead and it was a hit for my hubby! He loves this pineapple version more because of its sweet and tangy zing. Likened to pineapple tarts, which is one of the main festive snacks of Chinese New Year, I find this variation less sugary and more healthy.

And look at them in that auspicious golden hue, somewhat resembling the ancient chinese gold ingots - an archetypal symbol of wealth. I'm so definitely gonna make these for every Chinese New Year!

To my dear grandma, who may be looking down on me from heaven, how I wish that you could sample my cookies and perhaps suggest some amendments via 'agak'ration.

And to you still reading this, thanks for sticking around :) and may you enjoy making and sharing these (what I call) Bonding Cookies with your loved ones. Till the next post, take good care!

PS: These cookies were much more presentable compared to the earlier hideous versions - although they tasted the same. Do try your hands here in the æsthetics department. Good luck :)

Pineapple (left) and sultana (right) cornflake cookies.
Don't they look Chinese New Year ready??

Recipe

Makes about 50 cookies, each cookie 30kcal

40g Salted Butter, softened/room temperature

40g Fine Sugar

1 Egg (53g, w/o shell)

100g Self-Raising Flour (SRF)

3Tbsp Cornflour (mixed into SRF)

1.5 cup/50g of Cornflakes, coarsely crushed

1 cup/100g of Pineapple paste/filling (or other fruit paste/small dried fruit that you like)

1. Whisk soft butter and sugar till batter turns white.

2. Mix in egg. And then fold in cornflour and SRF to acquire a sticky batter.

3. Next, mix in pineapple paste which is pre-moulded into little portions.

4. Using a teaspoon, scoop some batter with 1 to 3 portions of pineapple paste and drop them onto a plate of crushed cornflakes. Roll them and mould them into little balls. Then, line them on baking pan and flatten them a bit with a fork.



5. Using low to medium fire, heat them on a stove for about 8 minutes on each side. If using oven, try baking for 15 mins at 170 degree C. Enjoy the fruits of your labour!

Harvested raw cookies waiting in the 'oven' line







Finally found rosehip tea (hibiscus not intended).
Tastes like warm red wine.
Flowery and aromatic. Mmm! Goes well with the cookies :)



Milestones of My Baby Boy (0 - 2 Years Old)

Greatest gift from heaven - our little blue rose

It's incredible how time just flew by me, and my baby boy is turning 2 tomorrow! (on 8th Oct 2012). There's a saying: "Days pass slowly, whilst years pass quickly" how ironically true!

No actual celebrations though, given the sombre atmosphere in our family. Jovie's grandpa was admitted to the hospital and is still recuperating, and my husband will be bringing him to the doctor's for a medical review in the morning of Jovie's birthday.

A cosy dinner and a little cake should suffice for this year - just the three of us.

Now that Jovie is finally 2 (both of us survived!?), it's time to blog out the notes that I'd been penning regarding his milestones - together with anything I can remember straight off my head.

This list got really humongous, so be sure to have a sizeable chunk of time before you dip in.

Without more ado, here we go!

1 to 2 months old

 

8 days old. Hello world, here I come!

 

No milestones exactly notable for the first month. He just laid there, like a helpless cub, looking around, cried, ate, pooed, hiccuped, puked, cried, and ate, and pooed again. So, the parents cleaned, fed, burped, cooed, and cleaned and...

Otherwise, what did the parents do? They smelled and smelled, and smelled him - like every 5 minutes. Ooh... that addictive dose of chummy fragrance *drools... that irresistible milky-sweet blend that gets me all puffed up! (Perhaps the force of Mother Nature for instinctual bonding?) To all new parents, smell the roses baby all you can before it diminishes at around age 2. You won't find it anywhere else and you'll miss it ALOT. :)

He had jaundice when he was 5 days old and suffered for 3 days straight in the phototherapy box we'd rented from the hospital. We had the option of putting him in the hospital for this light treatment but we declined as he wouldn't be attended to as exclusively by the nurses - there were so many other babies to look after. Moreover, we were only able to see him from afar.

We were so worried when the doctor mentioned that if his bilirubin (a colour pigment) level continues to rise, he'll need a blood transfusion.

Things turned for the better (baby's skin is not that yellowish anymore) after the grueling 3 days of round-the-clock watch (on baby Jovie who is suffering in the blue-light box) which hubby and me took turns to rest.

"Come on, Jovie! We can survive this. Come on! Papa and mummy is here with you!"

The first few months of having a newborn, especially that 3-day phototherapy watch, was the most physically and mentally exhausting period of our lives! But yet, it's very fulfilling and rewarding to see your tiny clone making funny faces and kicking about.

We practically didn't sleep. I couldn't bear to shut my eyes. And if I'd dozed off and wakes up, I'll jump and check whether he's still there.

What if he suffocates when he's on his stomach while sunning his back? If 2 hours has past, we need to turn him around to sun his front body and wears his eye mask, making sure his eyes stays covered from the rays. Is he hungry already? Is it time to feed? Should I stop breastfeeding - just in case that's the reason for his jaundice? Did he poo?

IS MY BABY STILL BREATHING?

It hurts to see him enduring the treatment and I was tearing everyday. I even thought: "Sorry Jovie, it's mummy's fault to bring you to this world to suffer like this."

Thank god the demon went away after the subsequent month of sunbathing in the mornings and evenings.

He got his first teeth on his first Christmas night (Dec 25, 2010) - 2 bottom front teeth at 2 months old (that's way too early!). Papa discovered it and we thought it was tiny tissue bits on his bare gums. All I want for X'mas is my 2 front teeth, my 2 front teeth, yes my 2 front teeth...

It wows people when they hear that Jovie got his first tooth at just 2 months (some babies, by the way, is even born with a tooth). But for me, this seemingly good news turned out to be a misfortune. At just 2.52kg (5lb 9oz) at birth he was already underweight. The early onset of his teething made it worse as he gradually becomes irritable, cranky, does not eat well, and has difficulty falling asleep and staying asleep.

At this point where most mothers, I believe, would be focused on their baby's weight gain, I'm faced with a tiny baby who is not eating and not gaining weight - it was agonizing. Even the doctors whom we see for the periodic check up were getting concerned by his almost zero weight gain. Much to our relief, the overall situation subsequently improved. He slowly morphed into a chubby little tyke which is oh so adorable!

2 months old. Left: Everybody was kung-fu fighting, HA! Right: Rock-a-bye baby in the hammock...

 

*My depressing period: I feel like collapsing and giving up - it's been months since I last really slept. When I finally try to sleep when he sleeps (I'm a very light sleeper too), the faintest noise, wherever the source, would wake him up. And the dreadful cycle of feeding, soothing, washing, and changing repeats again.

Feeling like a lethargic eighty-year-old woman, especially just after giving birth, and coupled with the extreme fatigue from the lack of sleep, I would just doze off for a minute or two while doing something - like while I'm feeding him. I have never been so physically tired in my entire life. Now, I get a phobia whenever I think of having another child.

3 to 8 months old

 

4 months old. Tummy time: Mommy, look at me!

 

He wasn't mobile only until 3 months old when he kind of flipped to his side, by crunching his tummy.

When he is more stable, I'll intentionally place him nicely on the floor, on his tummy and frail arms (time to build some muscles little boy!) so that he could lift his head off the floor (45 degrees at first) independently to look around.

Smiles and giggles at 3 months without being tickled.

We call him 'sweat-head' for obvious reasons. He literally wets his bed, forming a big wet sweat ring with his head while sleeping. Came to know, baby not developed enough to regulate their own body temperature.

His right eye seems to be misaligned - looking towards the centre. Asked the doctor a few times and was told he'll eventually grow out of it - which he did.

At 5 months, stands up (bears weight on leg) with aid.

By the 6 months he started rolling (from his back to stomach and vice versa). Started to sit up supported and started to hold his head up, though, in a drunkard manner (head lag).

Kicks and waves frantically and eyeballs at us or other stimulus like sound and light.

Bites mommy's various body parts (hands, back, shoulder), scratches/slaps face, kicks, pokes eye, pulls hair. Now, imagine how I looked during this period!

By 7 months, he's able to pull himself to sit up and sits on his own (unsupported), starts to crawl (clumsily) and able to move around the house in a walker.

 

7 months old. I'm trying my best to crawl.

 

At 8 months, he could hold on to the sofa and pull himself to stand up! I saw him pulled to a stand for the first time, right before my eyes and I gasped in disbelief: O MY GOD! Talk about reactions to baby's firsts! Something to annouce to my husband again! Can't wait to see his deliberately inhibited expression tonight :) (he said it's MANLY to hide ones' expressions. *me rolls eyeballs).

Soon after, he was dragging the dining and study chairs across the rooms.

Dances to music, both feet on the floor, bobbing style.

Puts, literally, EVERYTHING into his mouth.

 

8 months old. Mmm, yummy...

 

* Dear Jovie, mummy's really looking forward to the day that I can hold your hand and take you for a walk.

 

9 months old

Starts babbling - finally. He is rather slow in the speech department as compared to his gross motor development.

Cuts 3rd and 4th teeth (right and left upper front teeth) Now, with 4 front teeth resembling tiny white mints, he looks totally cute when he flashes his toothy grin!

Started walking a few steps with aid, cruising around the house by holding on to furniture and push toys.

Had this strange bodily twitch everytime he turns his head to the left. It really scares mummy! Does he had a nerve problem? Thankfully, he eventually grew out of this too :)

Shortly after that, he began opening drawers, emptying the contents inside, pulling the curtains and everything else he could get hold of.

Gosh, this is the beginning of his exploration/experimentation madness (and my child-proofing madness!).

10 months old. I believe in miracles, where you from, you sexy thing...

13 to 14 months old

Jovie begins to walk on his own - uncoordinated and awkwardly, with his hands swinging for balance.

Saw it with my own eyes, the first time he really walked (5 steps), with his legs wide apart. Haa.. What a sight! I would describe that as stumbling! And, of course, mummy sheds the tears of joy :) In fact, it started as 1-2 steps before falling, then 5, then 10...and so on.

 

13 months old. First steps

 

Alternates between crawling and walking.

Climbs out of the walker, dangerously! Time to chuck the walker - or climb-proof it if possible.

Now has 8 teeth, the top and bottom 4 front teeth.

Waves goodbye, coupled with a flying kiss.

Clap hands.

 

 

 

15 - 16 months old

Cuts 9th and 10th teeth, his upper first molars, one gap away from the front teeth on Christmas Day (2011) once again!

Walks well, turn around in circles, walk backwards, runs quite steadily.

Here comes the temper tantrums (and my screamings!) - as his ego kicks in. p-a-t-i-e-n-c-e

Repeating words and actions after you - imitation. Ok, mummy, now start to watch your actions and speech!

Starts walking outdoors, went to the playground, eats adult food (partly mashed), eats grapes, papaya, banana, blueberry, apple and nuts.

At 16 months old, threw things out of the window! Angry papa picked up toys 15 floors below, on the grass patch.

 

16 months old. And soon, he was buzzing around the house, running amok. He was bouncing everywhere and getting hurt everyday (bumps, cuts and all). It's like he went crazy! Difficult to capture him on camera :0

 

 

17 months old

Knows who is and calls 'Papa'. I'm sure that sentimental father did teared a bit.

Says eat and outing (called mum mum and gai gai respectively in the Singaporean Chinese baby language).

Starts playing imaginatively e.g. pretending to eat, feed me, and drink.

Says 'bird' and points to it. It sounds like 'birrr'

Not potty-trained yet - treats potty as cap/hat and a bath toy!

Climbs all over the house - at times reaching the ceiling on the window grills!

 

 

Opens fridge and toilet seat. childproof, childproof, childproof! Ahhhh! It's driving me insane!

He's pretty stubborn and persistent. Very naughty but chicky, cute, and adorable at the same time - which left me rather helpless. Should I laugh or should I lecture?

Surprises me with his silly acts every other day.

Follow and act upon these instructions:

Dry your feet (with the floor mat)

Keep your toys

Wear/take off your bib, shoe, clothes, pants - all with my help.

Sleep

Laugh

Take a bow

Angry (says 'grrrh' when he sees Angry Bird in any form - on a t-shirt, a stuff toy, in a picture, on the TV)

Bao bao - which means 'full' (from eating). Pats his stomach upon hearing it.

 

17 months old. #Outdoors. #On foot #with head bump 

 

 

18 - 19 months old

Pulls me to fridge/kitchen counter/the main house door and asks for pacifier/food/water/outings.

Mimics what I do: Wipe the floor, sneeze, cough, cry, laugh, dance (at times swaying with a soiled diaper - hilarious!)

Immense interest in playing with other kids, people, animals, and things (chases/ touches/ smiles/ points/ waves at people, birds, cats, dogs, and flyover airplanes).

Throws tantrums excessively at times. p-a-t-i-e-n-c-e

Cries for no apparent reason - then laughs. Argh!

Do ridiculous things like: putting the whole can of fish food into the little pond and the fishes died the next day due to over-eating and suffocation caused by water pollution; throws everything into the basin; makes a complete mess of the house; and do dangerous stunts to scare the mommy every other day.

 

 

Loves to swim.

Starts scribbling.

Knows and points to body parts (head, eyes, nose, ears, and mouth, which came much later).

19-month-old: Diapers war! Vehemently refuses to wear diapers for a few days. Tries to potty-train him but failed. :(

Knows how to turn door knobs and opens door - should buy anti-slam door stoppers already.

20 months old

Attends playgroup! 2 hours, Mondays to Fridays. Stubbornly wants to carry his school bag. 1st teacher of his life: Mrs Wendy.

 

 

Blows trumpet and bubbles.

Knows what is "check poo poo" - walks up to me and lets me check.

By now, the house is 90% childproof-ed. Phew! I guess achieving 100% is quite impossible - there'll always be accidents lurking. Can't help it with such an EXTREMELY curious and active boy.

21 months old

That poor little boy is down with middle ear infection (Otitis Media) which lasted a month. Had fever for 2 weeks (highest up to 38.5 degrees Celsius) plus runny nose and cough. Three doctor visits in 2 weeks.

This is when I weaned him off his pacifier, cold turkey (Yippie!) - I think being too sickly and weak, he forgot all about it. Warned hubby not to mention the word du du (pacifier) in his presence. By the way, that's a great opportunity in a crisis. And, I'm actually, to quote My Little Black Book:

Find(ing) the goodness in every bad situation.

Clearly points to things or places he wants to go with some babbling.

Points to the body part which is in pain after a fall/bump.

*Important note: If your child has fever, is unusually fussy, cannot sleep well, pulls/taps his ear or head, and has runny nose, please request your doctor to check his inner ear for infection. Prolonged infection of the ear may lead to partial/total deafness!

 

22 months old

Wears socks by himself

The first time he calls me "mama" (finally!) clearly and specifically - while fetching him from school. *tears welled in my eyes. I practically wanted to shout: O MY GOD! But, with the presence of other parent, I contained myself and did the celebratory dance with him instead along the way home.

*They say a woman is a mother the day she is pregnant or the day she has given birth. But for me, I feel like I've fully become a mother the day my child calls me mummy.

Plays ipad. Although half the time he was just moving about from app to app, he could play it for hours. Children are indeed different nowadays. And great - I can get some chores done in peace.

 

Ah boy ah, why you look so sad? Got ipad still not happy?
Last time ah, mommy only have stick, stones and sand you know!

Correctly points to pictures of fish, bird, apple, shoes, baby, tiger when I ask. (90% of the time)

Throws small ball overhead and kicks ball.

* Dearest Jovie, mummy hope that we can chat about everything under the sun soon...

 

 

23 - 24 months old

By his second birthday, He has a total of 16 teeth. I didn't keep track of exactly when the 11th to 16th teeth sprouted as they were not as eventful compared to the previous ones. He should be getting his full set of teeth (total 20 teeth) by age three.

Able to find and scratches itchy spots. Hmm, sometimes I wonder whether they do itch for their first year of life.

Says 'baby' and 'ball ball' when he sees them in real life or in pictures.

Wears shoes on his own

Completes animal puzzles (on ipad) - after playing them continuously.

Can clearly differentiate between apple, blueberry, and banana.

Can jump with both feet off the floor - hopping about.

Says 'No' while shaking head. Sounds like 'naaww'.

Still babbling, but now it sounds like he is really having a blah-blah conversation with us. Hope that he can start talking soon.

Finally, my little buddy starts sleeping throughout the night. Now mummy can catch up on the lost sleep for the past 2 years!

Phew! The storm's over, and the rainbow shines at us.

*Dear mummy, please bring me to the doctor's for an overall development checkup when I turn three. Hopefully, we'll be talking our tongues off by then!

Happy 2nd Birthday my little rascal. *smells & kisses :)