Very comfy

This is what William did on my bed... he arranged all three pillows back to back, lay his favourite Cat and Frog beside him, and cover his legs under the nice thick duvet a couple of afternoons ago.

It took him only less than 5 minutes as I was settling the room and told him to wait for me on the bed. Pretty impress me this boy...

Little boys are made of...

... bumps and bruises?

My William is close to 2 years and 4 months old as of today.

At 7 months old exactly, he had his first fall from the bed. And it was such a coincident that the previous day, or that morning itself I was telling Maid No.3 that we should not be using the double bed anymore, but start putting him to sleep on the mattress on the floor in another room.

From then on until today, William has unfortunately have more than his share of falls, bumps, bruises, cuts and bleeds. My heart sink everything, and sometimes I wrench with regret and at other times, clench with anger at whoever who was careless with him.

William has fallen from the guest room's double bed, our bedroom's king sized bed, his own baby cot (yes! one of the most painful experience for him), backwards from our sofa, sideways from the dining chair (he stood and landed on his back), bumped the corner of coffee table and resulted in bleeding gums, swollen lips, fell from his tricycle, almost fell head first from the stairs (thank God i was beside him and held his hand, pulled him up) and and... a couple of times tripped over and fell on the floor.

All these, and thanked God, no serious injuries, no scars and I can only pray he gets wiser and more careful each day. This boy's threshold of pain is rather high, and he regains his composure very soon after a hug, or a whack on the floor/offending item...

Just yesterday he was standing on our sofa and fell backwards, landed on the back of his head. This is the most feared and dangerous position as he may injure his spine or cause haemorrhage.

Aren't our kids so vulnerable? Is it natural for boys to have so much incidences as I remembered Vic was very cautious when she was this age. Whichever case, I think my heart will break if he comes home one day from school (more so, if Vic) with a bleeding leg or arm...

Toy Story 3 vs Avatar

Remember a couple of months back, I brought Vic for her first cinema experience to watch a harmless animated cartoon, Toy Story 3. I thought she would relate well to this show as she also has a favourite doll called Heh Heh and one day maybe, she may outgrow Heh Heh.

But she was scared of TS3 and we left just as the toys were making their escape coz she thought it was scary and wanted to cry. The other day we walked past an exhibition in 1 Utama, and Avatar was playing on a display. That caught her attention, and held her for many minutes, during that time she was so into the movie, which I thought was rather scary with all those weird looking men in blue and flying beast.

When I told her, "Let's go", she replied, "you go ahead and do your shopping, mummy" to which I had to tell her, "OK, then I go to the Kidz Sport jump jump myself..." then only she followed me.

So this is my Vic. I thought it amusing that she's one who is afraid of a cartoon, and not of something I deem scary. Haha.

The weekend that passed

This weekend, a rather rare one where we have nothing planned, no where to go (in a way) and no errands to run, no one to "kacau"... so it's just the normal routine on Saturday (always full activity) and then a free Sunday.

Saturday, 21st August 2010

Vic had her chinese tuition in the morning, followed by children church. William slept at home and then we joined Vic and Daddy in church. The kids went for Little Lambs (which is a play/worship session for kids 2-4yo but there are a couple of older kids too). Highlights of LL was the body/arm stickers, flag making, ball games and hullahoop.

William, as usual, cannot sit or stand still. He is just soooo energized, he has to run and run non stop. The poor maid have to keep up with him all the time. As a result of all his hyper and running around, he does not follow instructions... this normal for boys his age?!!

Mighty proud with her new "tattoo" (mummy wish to have one too)

See... I've also got an eagle on my arm.. cool or not??

This is how you do it, girls... watch me!!! (must shake bum bum one)


Sunday, 22nd August 2010

Had a rare and precious opportunity to laze in bed till nearing 9am, although I was awaken by the crying boy next to me a few times before that.

Went out to tapau roti canai and tosei for breakfast, and ate with the two boys while the Queen continue snoozing. It rained a little in the morning, so plans to bring the kids swimming have to be abandoned. Back up plan? Bring them to Kidz Sport & Gym

William's breakfast.... One big bite into his favourite sweet corn! Of course he couldn't finish the whole thing.

Excited to go for her "kai kai".... I told her to show off her "rose tattoo" which is still stuck in whole and neatly on her arm

I thought I'd be sporting for once, try on this monstrous-looking (at least it is to me) slide tunnel which Vic simply adores! I climbed up with her trying to catch up, actually, and told her honestly, mummy is quite scared, don't remember ever getting into one even. She said, "Don't be scared lar, just follow me!"

OKOK, here goesssssssss!!!! I slide down after her, screaming my heart out and I told hubby maybe I lost 2 minutes of my life from this ride. I think Vic is a dare-devil... at 3yo she's already bugging us to let her get on the roller coaster ride in Genting, which we denied her... and now she's onto this (considered mild to her) and the long slides over and over again... (I understand from poor hubs at night, that he got a bruise on his knee.. haha!)

Too fast for the camera... most of her pics came out blur... but caught one here!
This is how she plays the ball... "heeelllppp!! I'm falliinnggggg!!"
William on the fish swing.
This is william's first time on this very tall slide (shy shy, but have to say mummy went on two times and also screamed like crazy woman)... and what did he say the moment his feet touches the ground? "Moreeee!!!"
William on his aeroplane... someone took "his" aeroplane and he came to complain to me, I told him to get on the horse...
... which he did... and rode the horse like a cowboy should... grabbing it by the ears!
One of my two fav pics... surrounded by colorful balls...
And this... I fall in love with his smile, over and over again. No girl better break his heart, else mummy will...

Naked bum feels no pain

Yesterday Mr Rotan introduced himself to William's naked bum bum, and "so the story goes" (hehe, this is Eugene's style of writing)...

Kids were restless, bored and Daddy's on the way home. Mother ran out of ideas to entertain them but refused to let them watch TV. Some toy cars, old favourites were sprewn on the livingroom floor and then Vic decided to play Chase with William. Good idea, I thought... they can waste their energy by running around abit in our average-sized living hall.

But the rule of the game, the condition... is NOT to run up or down the stairs. Too dangerous for the little brother to be chasing her like this, am I right?

You have to trust Vic to break the rules. She is one who will keep to it only for a few minutes, and then decide that there is more fun simply by just breaking the rule, even though she knows that will really get me worked up and mad.

William's "popo buy" diaper was big and came lose. He finally allowed me to change him on the sofa, and half way through the process, Vic lay beside him and started kicking the sofa cushions.

You can imagine the little brother with his naked bum and all pride and joy exposed, also started kicking the cushion, whilst poor Mummy coaxed them to stop!

Then the angry tone at Vic to get off the cushion. The girl started running, with the brother chasing her, and down the stairs she went.

Before I could even yell "Stop", the two kids were already sitted on the floor near the dining table (maybe hiding from their fuming mother). William then repositioned himself to lie down UNDER the dining chair, with bum bum facing up.

At this point, I was brewing. I took Mr Rotan out just to send the message across that Mummy's rules are NOT to be broken.

One whip on Victoria's leg (no effect on her I think) and one on William's exposed bum.

And can you believe it? Seems like no effect on little boy either. His first cane on the bum and yet, he's ssssoooooo slumber... !! All he did was crawled out slowly, saying "help me" (coz his head was under the chair) and then he obediently went upstairs to get his diaper and pants on.

I can sense that he's gonna be one toughie... not scared pain (it's a good thing, nonetheless), not scared "pak pak", not scared Mr Rotan. I'm gonna have some challenging times ahead I think...

Celebrating cousin Theodore's 2nd birthday

Be warned, August and September (just like March and April) will be filled with birthday posts!

A week before celebrating Popo's birthday, we celebrated the kids' cousin brother, Theodore's 2nd birthday in Shah Alam with a simple dinner (but great menu) followed by cutting of the birthday cake in Theodore's house.

Here are some pictures to savour...

Daddy stealing a kiss from Vic

Vic, William and Theodore - it's not easy getting the 3 kids together for the picture, and so wonderful to see them all together.
I think she looks rather "adult" but sweet in this long skirt, which she refused to wear before the dinner, and cried and cried... aisehh!! She's really into jeans and pants, and refuse to wear anything girlish!
William and Theodore - William born end of April, and Theodore in mid August

Graffiti on the wall

From graffiti on the floor... to graffiti on the wall...

This was what happened this morning when my little cowboy went behind me on the sofa, layed down on the cushion whilst I facebooked, and then there was silence... except for a little scribbling sound which didn't dawn on me then that he was UP TO MISCHIEF!! yikes! when I turned around, he laughed when caught, but immediately handed out two little hands for me to "pak pak" and then he grinned at me, saying, "sorry mummy"

Haiyoooo... my wall, my wall! And he chose the best wall in the house to display his creativity, the one behind the 3 seater, facing the main entrance, right below the picture frame.

During Victoria's time, where got like this??? This boy is getting more mischievous lately, defying instructions, and refusing punishment. He does exactly what you tell him NOT to do and pounces on poor jie jie by hitting her on the chest, head, hands and legs! He runs as fast as he can whenver he gets a chance outside, and screams at the maid when he's displeased with her. Oh dear! What have my little angelic cowboy become? Terrible TWOS kicked in? Just a passing phase?

One thing for sure, daddy and mummy is not tolerating any excessive misbehaviours and bad manners. Sigh... (Mr Rotan cannot talk to him yet, he's too young)

Eat to live, live to eat???

Pregnant with Vic

I remembered 6 years ago, when I conceived Vic, I had a whopping appetite and a bottomless pit. My carbo-filled breakfast would not last me more than an hour, and by 10am, I would already be looking forward and thinking about lunch. At that time, I was working in KLCC area, and food was abundant there, just if you're willing to pay, lol!

My colleagues and I would walked to the the complex next door where we can find economy rice at economical prices, but don't expect much meat, the choices of food there is mainly greens and side dishes! So I made do. I remembered being charged more, and getting pissed and feeling like the stall was ripping off a hungry pregnant lady.

Hungry, hungry, hungry!!!

But after lunch, I still felt hungry. I was hungry all the time. I sometimes sneaked downstairs to grab a roll or bun and drank lotsa complimentary Milo to fill my tummy, but Vic inside me was sucking all the food at maximum speed! After work, I rush home to cook and snacked on some crackers or junk food while waiting for dinner to be ready.

Since birth till now, Vic has been a very good eater. When I say good, I mean she loves carbohydrates... she is a "rice tong" (fan tong) and loves biscuits, cakes, rice and noodles. She does not like greens or any types of vege but thank God, she still takes her fruits.

Pregnant with William

As for William, my appetite was more moderate. I ate when I should eat, never feeling more hungry than I should. I could sense that this boy was gonna have a less gluttonous appetite than his sister. True enough, he was more a milk guzzler which I am truly thankful for, and loves (even request for) his vege (all sorts, from carrots and cauliflowers to leafy greens) which I am EVEN more thankful for.

But lately, I notice more similarities in the two kids when it comes to food.

Sure, they love pastas and spaghettis. Sure they eat good portions...

But when it comes to food they love, food they go crazy over, food they fight over, food they crave and dream off... they behave as if they're a couple of hungry, starved brats (EVEN after a full meal), screaming for more, one hand stuffing target food in mouth, another hand reaching out for more.

Eg, just yesterday, they wanted the cheese. The younger one have already strategically located himself on my lap for ease and closer to target food while the older one, who haven't finished her tomatoes, quietly sneaked over and attack the cheese...

Alas!

Yes I am thankful la that they eat well... and thankful that they inherited my fast-metabolism-rate-gene... haha... but we'll see in the years to come. Need to control them also...

This was taken just this morning - William opened fridge by himself and then helping himself to the cheese.

Celebrating Popo's birthday at Tenji

Yesterday we celebrated Popo's birthday. Her actual birthday is on 19th August, but since that is a weekday this year, we decided to celebrate a few days before.

A month ago, we have planned this day to be at Tenji Japanese restaurant in Solaris Mont Kiara, mainly because they could offer us their eggless-chocolate walnut cake as Popo's complimentary birthday cake, and they also had their japanese Kindori ice cream.

Another great thing was that it was buffet, and I know my mom to be one who can easily outdo the rest of us at buffets... she and hubs will be the ones still eating whilst the rest of us rub our bellies, burping with contentment whilst the two of them are still on the mains. Yet, her size is still the envy of most ladies her age.

There is no other way to tell Popo how much the kids and we love her, not through food or words. Her sacrifice for us is priceless. Every action from us is an understatement of our love for her and we pray she has many more years filled with good health, love, happiness and a wonderful companionship from Gong Gong.

So, less said, here are the pretty pictures.

Admittedly I didn't eat a lot, and was more busy with the kids especially running after William and eyeing him like a hawk, making sure he doesn't "escape" us... so this is my first plate.


My Vic made this for me... and William fed me.

The red team... cowboy and his cowgirl ; ) but why is cowboy "smiling" like that??? Looks like Popeye's mouth

Victoria and Irene (the mom)

Vic introducing William ice cream despite me saying no. Anyway, this is William's first time eating ice cream, grape flavour, Kindori brand. He took a few small tea spoons and said he loved it, coz it was "cold cold".
The birthday girl : )

Vic with a white chocolate stick from Popo's birthday cake

How many hands does it take to cut a cake??? 4 pairs!!!

The eggless-chocolate-walnut cake, after candle blown and sliced...

A family picture for the album.
Vic smiled so naturally here. It's always difficult to get this camera-shy girl to smile, but this was almost effortless! She's truly happy here.
Gggrrrrr!!! Don't come near me... I BITEEE!!! Vic digging into the eggless-chocolate cake. Here we take our cakes and diet for granted, but for this little girl, every bite and crumb is heavenly to her!
"Errr.... I think it taste like..."
Loves her Kindori eggless ice cream. She hardly ate the mains, citing a full tummy, but there's always space for ice cream and cake. Smart one.

Assurance from my cowboy

Yesterday my little cowboy gave me the best assurance in the world.

Out of the blue, he told me, "I love you A LOT, cowgirl" followed by one of his cheeky-charming grin ; )

And again, I think too much. I wonder if 20, or even 10 years down the road, will he give me the same assurance?

I love you too, cowboy (and cowboy's jie jie)

I can't believe she did this!

This afternoon I discovered a soiled diaper inside a free diaper bag. The diaper obviously belonged to William, and it was one of the two free diapers that we got sometime back.



Victoria is 5 now and does NOT, I repeat, does NOT wear any diaper. She got off them since 3yo. But this afternoon? I don't know why, but I took this diaper bag and checked the diapers inside. One of them appeared a little bigger and messed up. So I opened it, and it looked a little soiled, not wet, but suspiciously soiled. If it is, then it must have been soiled sometime back.

Then I looked up, saw my two kids, and asked the older one, whom seemed to be the most likely suspect.

"Victoria, did you pee inside this diaper?"

Confession time. She said yes. Well, at least she was honest. Even if she said no, I'd have cornered her into telling me the turth.

I was half shocked, half upset! But didn't scold her for being honest, and well, since it was free... but I had to put on a cross face, and told her NEVER to do that again, for whatever crazy reason, and explained that pee has germs, and germs can spread to the clean diaper.

Which reminds me, the other day she took one Mamy Poko diaper and peed in it just because I was bathing William in the bathroom. Haiyaaaa!!!

So there! One diaper wasted. Looks like even diapers are not safe in this house... now to look for William's Spiderman sticker/coloring book which Vic said she hid, but forgotten where.

Graffiti on the floor

We bought some crayons that could be washed off, used in a bathroom or on most surface a couple of years back (before William's existence) in Singapore. What inspired us to purchased these special crayons were because Vic loved to play in the bathroom whilst taking her bath, and these crayons would hopefully encourage her creatively.

But they were hardly used, not because she had no interest, but mostly our fault for not giving her full access to it. Hahaha... so they were kept away, until recently discovered again. This morning as I was eating my breakfast and William was rummaging through the dining cabinet and then there were a moment of silence.

When he is silent, it could only mean trouble! Sure enough, he was engrossed in scribbling on the floor with these crayons. This is his official first graffiti... (scribblings on his sister's school work is not considered, right?)

William caught in action!

His artwork

When I said, "Hey! What are you doing?!" he immediately dropped the crayons and jumped up with a cheeky smile, and apologized, "Sorry Mommy"

I showed him how to clean up the mess with a wet sponge that came together with the purchase, in the shape of a ducky. Then I told him this crayons are only to be used in the bathroom, where he can draw as much as he like on the walls or floor. Sure enough, this morning he was first to initiate bath time!

I would like to boast about my son

Yes, I would like to boast about my darling boy boy, William. I don't know what other word to use, but I'd like to record down how polite he is at this age, thanking me for almost everything that I do, for example, he said:

"Thank you Mommy (for) buy(ing) bread (for) William"

"Thank you Mommy (for) take (ing) William (wa)ter"

"Thank you Mommy (for) change (ing) William clothes"

or just a simple, "Thank you Mommy"

: ))))))

Maybe it's the stigma of being a SAHM and never getting much appreciation around, every single thank you that comes along means so much more. Especially when it comes from the very people that you sacrifice for.

And when I scold him, he'd say "Sorry Mommy" immediately

even when I scold Vic for her wrongdoing, he comes and say "Sorry Mommy"

and when Vic sulks and tells me "I know William doesn't love me Mommy", this boy would respond in an angry tone, "Mmmmm... love you a LOT, jie jie!!!!" even when you think he can't hear us talk.

I think it's generally easier to teach toddlers this age manners as they just repeat and follow after you, purging whatever they see or learn, but once they have a "mind of their own" it'll be difficult. Eg Vic.

Vic's choice of car when she grows up

Still very much interested into cars, I explained to Vic that the Mitsubishi Triton (which we see quite a lot on the road) can do special things which normal cars can't, for example, it can go into the jungle and go through muddy soil, or even go across the road divider, hehe (I didn't teach her wrong, right?)

This week she told us that when she grows up she wants to buy a 4x4. Initially I never thought of asking why, and only assumed it was the size of the vehicle she was attracted to. Then one day when we on this topic again, she told me, and later also told Daddy and Yeh Yeh the reason...

... "because I want to drive on top of the mountains, into the jungles and go across the dividers!"


Yikes, I hope she won't be a reckless driver when she finally gets her licence. (Sometimes when daddy takes the corner, she squeals in delight and even ask him to go faster)

Don't touch my cowgirl

Would you believe that little cowboy CAN BE one possessive little fler? A few times he was like this, but we brushed it off, but I'd like to put at least one of these incidents on record.

Last night Daddy was telling stories to the kids, with William drinking his milk beside him, and Vic lying on the duvet at the bottom of the bed. When I came into the room, it was already lights off and Daddy was improvising The Little Pigs story.

I joined them on the bed, lying on the other side of William.

Then hubs thought he'd be cheeky and touched my leg. Little cowboy could actually see in the dark, with milk bottle still in his mouth, he made some protest sound.

Immediately hubs took his hand away, and without further delay, William put his whole leg on me as if to say, "Don't touch my cowgirl... she's mine!"

Am I perasan? Haha.

But on a sadder side, last night when he was trying to sleep, he touched my hair then shove it away saying, "don't like mommy's hair"... what???!! oh no, I hope this day will not come. Must think of something quick quick...

My little surprise

Today, one of Vic's homework was to color a picture of two chipmunks and some flowers surrounding them. She did it very beautifully (in the little kids' minds, animals can have 10 colors) and I gave her loads of compliments as encouragement.

Then she disappeared downstairs and came up with a plate of sandwich and inside the sandwich was her very own signature creation... cheese (sliced by herself) and an allergy-free chocolate!

Thanks, dear.

And why? I asked her. She said, "Well, since you say I color so nice, I make a surprise for you."

As I typed this, she added some raisin in my sandwich and I said, "Huh? Raisins?! Where got people eat raisins with bread?" (Maybe I should have just said thank you)

Then the little girl rebutted, "It's because I love you that's why I give you raisins. You think all mothers got raisins with bread ah?"

*shy*

I shall go back to my sandwich now.

Wow

Seriously I don't know how to title this post. I am so full of pride of how William slept this afternoon, or more like, a few minutes ago.

As usual, he takes his milk and I read two books to him. Today I read "The Frog Prince" and "The Castle that Jack built" which were two of the four new books we bought this week. Then I told him to sleep, but he seemed playful.

I got three kisses from him, which isn't too difficult, coz I'm such idiote-mom, I'm training my boy boy to kiss me from baby and hopefully he will still kiss me in his teens and adulthood without any shyness. (Tip: use bribery to kick start programme)

And here's another good part. After the lights off, I told him sternly if he continues to play on Daddy Mummy's bed, then he has to go to his baby cot and sleep by himself. (When I initially executed this "threat", he cried his lungs out but you gotta have a strong heart not to give in lar... after a couple of times, he knows I mean business, but now?)

The last time, and today, William surprised me by agreeing to go to his baby cot. No protest, no cries, no delays. He got up, walked over, and tried to climb in himself. I gave him his two favourite soft toys to sleep with, the Cat and Frog.

Then I left the room, checked on Vic downstairs who was doing her Chinese homework, and after 5 minutes, went up again to check on William.

Naughty boy was asleep, hugging his soft toys.

Aaahh... is this every mother's dream? Is my boy boy getting too independent too soon?

The Queen fumes

... at the maid! And whatever for, you may ask?

It was at the dinner table, where the usual scene takes place, as me, the Queen Mother (ahem!) coax and tells short true stories to distract the Future King (errr... William??) to finish his meal, and short of coercing the Queen to finish her royal highness' food as she is not quite fond of tomatoes and steam fish (for whatever reason, she has requested for steamed, NOT fried fish this afternoon).

Of course, the usual lecture of "don't eat too much rice, Vic... take your rice with your vege and fish... fish is good for eyesight (at this point she corrects me and says it's carrot, not fish)"

Talking about carrot, I have to dangle a little carrot at the end of this meal as their "reward", also because the Queen Mother is in a good mood.

So I told them that they can each have a Orgran chocolate biscuit animal, courtesy of a very nice blogger mommy who gave it to us this week (Thanks Elaine!).

One condition. Not easy getting their reward. Vic has to finish her water before taking her biscuit. So this is what she did.

She took her cup into the kitchen then emerged a couple of minutes later, happily declaring that she's finished her water. Suspecting something amiss, I asked her if she really did, or if she poured it away. She took a moment to answer (which sort of give you more reason to suspect, right?) that she's drank everything, all she did was added some hot water into her cup (totally impossible, as my thermos has a auto lock feature).

Then I asked her maid. Sorry, THE maid, I meant.

The maid came out and told me that Vic did poured a bit away.

Then Vic got angry that her secret was exposed. I thanked the maid and dismissed her. At this point, Victoria the Queen stomped into the kitchen and told the maid off, "You don't lie!"

Haiyaaa... look who's talking?!

The cause of my nagging

I think I aged faster after I become a mother. Is this true with the other mothers out there? (Sorry, fathers don't really apply as mothers are the ones mostly hands-on and face more time with the kids)

I chanced upon some of my pictures taken merely 2 years back and can't help but think how glamorous (hahaha) and prettier I look. Now? I'm aging fast in terms of facial lines, but also out-of-shape physically and losing a sense of humor, and now... I can't help but note that I am nagging more than 2 years ago. Quite natural, and the cause is simply this...

I have to repeat myself numemous times (minimum 3 times) for the girl to do a simple thing like putting away her homework in her homework pouch, or just to drink water, or comb her hair. Each additional time I tell her, I get more tense and upset. Is there anyway around this instead of threats or warnings?

She can be quick if she wants to, but rather dilly dally all the time. Silently worried if she'll face problems with this dilly dally attitude when she goes to Primary School.

Yeh Yeh's leather lazy chair

This huge, very comfy-loooking leather lazy chair is Yeh Yeh's place of solace when watching his movies.

But when the two rowdy kids are back in Ma Ma Yeh Yeh's house, they never fail to take over the chair, climb all over it, play with the leg rest, slide down the leg rest and do all sorts with the chair.

With cousins in Popo Gong Gong's house

Here are some pictures of the kids with cousins Grace and Andrew at Popo Gong Gong's house in Seremban. Vic, as usual, loves to carry her younger cousins.

William riding on Grace's tricycle.
All lookey here... not that easy. William was somewhere running around
Love of the two cousin sisters.