Before K goes to bed in the evenings, P and I would try to read a few books to her. She would sit on our bed, my pillows specifically, while we read to her.
One night last week, our pillows, bolsters and duvet were all pushed towards the headboard. She climbed on the bed and as she couldn't find her usual spot, she asked, "Things everywhere. Where Kimberley sit?"
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Big sister speaks
How does one introduce an upcoming baby to a toddler? How do you ensure that the toddler will accept the baby and love the baby?
It all started many moons ago when K and I took a trip to Parkway Parade after hanging out at my mil's place. We were at the foodcourt having lunch. I had just found out that I was expecting no.2 so this must have been about Oct '09 thereabouts. These days in sg, everywhere you look, you would see a preggie woman, a pram or a baby in a sling. Is it baby boom again? But somehow it seems the govt is still frowning at the low stats. Oh well.
Yes, so we saw an expectant woman who was quite advanced into her pregnancy. So I pointed out the huge belly to K (discretly of course!) and told her that there was a baby inside. I also told her that our friend, Michelle, was also expecting and had a tiny baby within her belly too. Incidentally, K adores Michelle. She very often looks for her in church.
That night while putting her to bed, I told her that I had a tiny baby inside my belly too. She then said, "Aunty Shel, baby inside tummy." I dunno if she heard me. I guess she must have and then made the connection to what I had told her earlier that day.
From that day on, we would encourage her to speak to the baby and introduce herself as Jie jie. On her own accord, she would sometimes hug my belly and say that she was hugging the baby. She would also lift up my top and kiss my belly, also insisting that she was kissing baby. I am always encouraging towards such behavious except when we are outside of course and even when we have passed the half an hour mark lolling/singing/chatting in bed before bedtime. I hope to encourage a bond even now.
These days after she has showered her affection on my belly, she would ask me to hug baby, meaning hug my own belly. She has also asked me to kiss baby as well. Haha. I'd definitely need more than just a pair of giraffe's lips I think. So I would oblige (hug I mean) but make sure I hugged her and told her I loved her too.
We have stopped referring to her as baby now. We now call her our little toddler. She likes the term and is able to identify with it since that's what her class is called in school. We are leaving the term "baby" to her sibling.
While we were lolling in our bed on Saturday after her nap, K was stroking my belly. Really catching us by surprise, she said, "Don't worry. Baby's ok."
We were completely surprised. Firstly, were we worried? Hmmm....I guess I am. Cos this baby is much much more active than K. So I'm praying he doesn't turn out hyper-active, ADHD or anything. Must be the hazzardous paranoia of working in ACPS where such conditions are quite rampant. Also, that was my apprehension with having boys. They don't really just sit there quietly eating a cookie, isn't it? They sort of kick around and jump around while gobbling a cookie, while ensuring that the whole floor is covered with crumps? Secondly, we are going to have the detailed scan tomorrow. I'm really hoping that the report will show that everything is in order and baby is doing great. Did she know? Is she being prophetic?
I had to post this photo. P has commented that my recent posts lack photos. Which is a fair comment. I know he would hate this photo but I really like it. How long more will she be able to sit on his shoulders? And if you are wondering what she is doing, well, she was kissing him. Awww. Isn't that precious? And check out where her fingers are. She would stick her little pointers into P's ears while she held his ears for support.
A side note. Finally after 26 months, I am confident to say that I can wean our little toddler when I want to. Yay!
It all started many moons ago when K and I took a trip to Parkway Parade after hanging out at my mil's place. We were at the foodcourt having lunch. I had just found out that I was expecting no.2 so this must have been about Oct '09 thereabouts. These days in sg, everywhere you look, you would see a preggie woman, a pram or a baby in a sling. Is it baby boom again? But somehow it seems the govt is still frowning at the low stats. Oh well.
Yes, so we saw an expectant woman who was quite advanced into her pregnancy. So I pointed out the huge belly to K (discretly of course!) and told her that there was a baby inside. I also told her that our friend, Michelle, was also expecting and had a tiny baby within her belly too. Incidentally, K adores Michelle. She very often looks for her in church.
That night while putting her to bed, I told her that I had a tiny baby inside my belly too. She then said, "Aunty Shel, baby inside tummy." I dunno if she heard me. I guess she must have and then made the connection to what I had told her earlier that day.
From that day on, we would encourage her to speak to the baby and introduce herself as Jie jie. On her own accord, she would sometimes hug my belly and say that she was hugging the baby. She would also lift up my top and kiss my belly, also insisting that she was kissing baby. I am always encouraging towards such behavious except when we are outside of course and even when we have passed the half an hour mark lolling/singing/chatting in bed before bedtime. I hope to encourage a bond even now.
These days after she has showered her affection on my belly, she would ask me to hug baby, meaning hug my own belly. She has also asked me to kiss baby as well. Haha. I'd definitely need more than just a pair of giraffe's lips I think. So I would oblige (hug I mean) but make sure I hugged her and told her I loved her too.
We have stopped referring to her as baby now. We now call her our little toddler. She likes the term and is able to identify with it since that's what her class is called in school. We are leaving the term "baby" to her sibling.
While we were lolling in our bed on Saturday after her nap, K was stroking my belly. Really catching us by surprise, she said, "Don't worry. Baby's ok."
We were completely surprised. Firstly, were we worried? Hmmm....I guess I am. Cos this baby is much much more active than K. So I'm praying he doesn't turn out hyper-active, ADHD or anything. Must be the hazzardous paranoia of working in ACPS where such conditions are quite rampant. Also, that was my apprehension with having boys. They don't really just sit there quietly eating a cookie, isn't it? They sort of kick around and jump around while gobbling a cookie, while ensuring that the whole floor is covered with crumps? Secondly, we are going to have the detailed scan tomorrow. I'm really hoping that the report will show that everything is in order and baby is doing great. Did she know? Is she being prophetic?
I had to post this photo. P has commented that my recent posts lack photos. Which is a fair comment. I know he would hate this photo but I really like it. How long more will she be able to sit on his shoulders? And if you are wondering what she is doing, well, she was kissing him. Awww. Isn't that precious? And check out where her fingers are. She would stick her little pointers into P's ears while she held his ears for support.
A side note. Finally after 26 months, I am confident to say that I can wean our little toddler when I want to. Yay!
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Love this shot
She screamed when Goofy (my uncle's dog) ran up to her to sniff her. P caught it on film! Good one, P! P and I were of course, highly amused (as was her cousin in the picture). But no child was physically hurt in the taking of this photo.
K @ 26 months
K loves having conversations. Not that we always understand what she is saying but we usually try to be encouraging and either try to verify what she is saying or simply respond by nodding.
She enjoys singing tremendously and you can always find her singing loudly or humming away, at home anyway. She has also somehow managed to string some songs together into medleys that sometimes do not make sense. But we enjoy watching and listening to her. It never fails to bring a smile to our faces.
"Plastic bag! Bottles and cans!" followed by "Beewd dup dup with iron bors" (the second verse of London Bridge which I never knew existed till now: Build it up with iron bars).
Every night before she goes to sleep, she'd start her medley of songs and talk about the day's events or even the events from weeks and months before that she recalls. She can go on and on. I usually let her cos such moments lying there talking and singing together are so precious. But after about half an hour, I would have to stop her and get her to go to sleep. So this really pushes her bed time back till about 10plus, which is a little late. Have to aim to start this wind down routine earlier.
Our Fallen Nature
On 12 Feb, I was very much saddened. When I collected her from school, I was told by the school teacher that during bath time, she told the teachers that I had said that she didn't need to wash her hair, "Mummy said no need to wash hair" was what she told her teachers. So her teachers didn't. She got what she wanted. Grrr..... I was shocked that she knew that using authority would get her what she wants. It was a time of much explaining and showing of disapproval after.
I called P up immediately when we got home and he merely said that it was our sinful nature. Yea, that may be true but when your child tells a lie for the first time, it can be quite shocking. Told my mil and she laughed. Told my dad and he was rather disapproving, shocked and remarked, "That is not good." My sentiments exactly.
Train adventure to papa's office
Decided to bring K to P's office and have dinner in the area last week. The purpose was mainly to bring her on the trains. So we had to take the LRT and then the MRT. While on the LRT, she asked, "Where windows, mummy?" So I explained that it was really crowded and not everyone had a seat so they had to stand, therefore, we don't see all the windows and what is out there. She thought about it and referring to a lady standing at the front of the LRT, she said, "Aunty block the way." Yes, the lady was blocking a window, thus, blocking the view. :)
Quite......
She has started using the word "quite". Not sure she really understands it though. She had a sip of my watermelon juice at my parents' place last nite. My dad asked her whether it was nice. She replied, "Quite nice." My dad was highly amused.
She enjoys singing tremendously and you can always find her singing loudly or humming away, at home anyway. She has also somehow managed to string some songs together into medleys that sometimes do not make sense. But we enjoy watching and listening to her. It never fails to bring a smile to our faces.
"Plastic bag! Bottles and cans!" followed by "Beewd dup dup with iron bors" (the second verse of London Bridge which I never knew existed till now: Build it up with iron bars).
Every night before she goes to sleep, she'd start her medley of songs and talk about the day's events or even the events from weeks and months before that she recalls. She can go on and on. I usually let her cos such moments lying there talking and singing together are so precious. But after about half an hour, I would have to stop her and get her to go to sleep. So this really pushes her bed time back till about 10plus, which is a little late. Have to aim to start this wind down routine earlier.
Our Fallen Nature
On 12 Feb, I was very much saddened. When I collected her from school, I was told by the school teacher that during bath time, she told the teachers that I had said that she didn't need to wash her hair, "Mummy said no need to wash hair" was what she told her teachers. So her teachers didn't. She got what she wanted. Grrr..... I was shocked that she knew that using authority would get her what she wants. It was a time of much explaining and showing of disapproval after.
I called P up immediately when we got home and he merely said that it was our sinful nature. Yea, that may be true but when your child tells a lie for the first time, it can be quite shocking. Told my mil and she laughed. Told my dad and he was rather disapproving, shocked and remarked, "That is not good." My sentiments exactly.
Train adventure to papa's office
Decided to bring K to P's office and have dinner in the area last week. The purpose was mainly to bring her on the trains. So we had to take the LRT and then the MRT. While on the LRT, she asked, "Where windows, mummy?" So I explained that it was really crowded and not everyone had a seat so they had to stand, therefore, we don't see all the windows and what is out there. She thought about it and referring to a lady standing at the front of the LRT, she said, "Aunty block the way." Yes, the lady was blocking a window, thus, blocking the view. :)
Quite......
She has started using the word "quite". Not sure she really understands it though. She had a sip of my watermelon juice at my parents' place last nite. My dad asked her whether it was nice. She replied, "Quite nice." My dad was highly amused.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
新年快乐
Happy Lunar New Year everyone!
Two days ago, I suddenly remembered that I had to dress Kim up in some CNY clothes for school so lazily, I took out all the CNY clothes we had bought for her during our HK trip plus one given by a friend to wash them so they would be ready.
Today, however, I was very excited as I got her dressed up in a 2 piece and tied her hair into two little buns like a China doll (the things you can do to a willing little girl!). She held her two precious and cold (I forgot to take them out of the fridge earlier) oranges, which the school indicated she should bring to exchange with her friends, all the way to school.
The only problem was that when we got to school, I realised no one else was wearing their CNY outfit. Oops. It was the wrong day. Sheepishly, we went back home to change her out of her outfit (to be worn on the actual day). Oh well, at least we have a nice photo to post.
So have a happy Lunar New Year everyone!
Another growing up experience
K has been attending childcare / school for about 7 plus months now. I've resisted buying the uniform because 1) it's ugly and 2) the smallest size still makes her look like she is wearing oversized pjs. But I finally gave in after months of gentle reminders from the school and also, I was grateful that they were trying very hard to solve the diaper abrasion issue with K. She is now being toilet trained, did I mention?
So I tried to buy the minimum number. Who knew that uniforms this tiny could cost so much? And this ugly too! The green in my opinion is quite hideous and doesn't quite go with the top. But oh well, I blame it on Jo's company / colleague who helped with the rebranding of the school, and yes, the uniform as well. You be the judge.
I had to try it on K for a start cos I knew I would probably need to do some alterations to make it fit better. She cried and wailed while I struggled to put her into the uniform. She basically just didn't want to be in it. And as expected, the skort looked more like three-quarter pants on her and were threatening to fall off if she were so much as to hop or run.
So I had to add buttons to the waistline to tighten it. Can't do much with the length so am just leaving it. I also wrote her name on each item and left it to dry on the dining table. When she saw them, she said, "Dun wan wear this." I'm certainly not going to have to fight with her again about getting into her uniform. So I sneakily packed a set in her school bag. Her teachers could have the honor of putting her in the uniform. So yesterday, it was her first time in her school uniform in school. She was mighty pleased with it and didn't want to change out of it when going to grandparents' place for dinner.
On another note, she has been very curious about things around her and has been asking many W questions.
She would suddenly realise I'm no where to be seen and go, "Mummy, ere are you?"
Then she was see me doing something and would say, "What you doing, Mummy?"
When she sees P eating, the greedy little girl would ask, "What you eating, Papa?"
And sometimes when I do something, like move things around, she would ask, "Why mummy?"
Very cute and I guess it's her way of making sense of the world. I really enjoy those moments just before she goes to bed or after she wakes when we lie in bed and have funny toddler conversations. She loves recalling her past experiences and would always ask us if we remember something.
Two nights ago, as we were lying in her bed, she held up an animal plaster (which she refused to let go of) in her hand. So I pushed her hand down and said, "Silly girl. No one sleeps with their hands up in the air" and I laughed. She laughed too and said, "Make Mummy happy." :) Yes, she certainly does with her little ways.
So I tried to buy the minimum number. Who knew that uniforms this tiny could cost so much? And this ugly too! The green in my opinion is quite hideous and doesn't quite go with the top. But oh well, I blame it on Jo's company / colleague who helped with the rebranding of the school, and yes, the uniform as well. You be the judge.
I had to try it on K for a start cos I knew I would probably need to do some alterations to make it fit better. She cried and wailed while I struggled to put her into the uniform. She basically just didn't want to be in it. And as expected, the skort looked more like three-quarter pants on her and were threatening to fall off if she were so much as to hop or run.
So I had to add buttons to the waistline to tighten it. Can't do much with the length so am just leaving it. I also wrote her name on each item and left it to dry on the dining table. When she saw them, she said, "Dun wan wear this." I'm certainly not going to have to fight with her again about getting into her uniform. So I sneakily packed a set in her school bag. Her teachers could have the honor of putting her in the uniform. So yesterday, it was her first time in her school uniform in school. She was mighty pleased with it and didn't want to change out of it when going to grandparents' place for dinner.
On another note, she has been very curious about things around her and has been asking many W questions.
She would suddenly realise I'm no where to be seen and go, "Mummy, ere are you?"
Then she was see me doing something and would say, "What you doing, Mummy?"
When she sees P eating, the greedy little girl would ask, "What you eating, Papa?"
And sometimes when I do something, like move things around, she would ask, "Why mummy?"
Very cute and I guess it's her way of making sense of the world. I really enjoy those moments just before she goes to bed or after she wakes when we lie in bed and have funny toddler conversations. She loves recalling her past experiences and would always ask us if we remember something.
Two nights ago, as we were lying in her bed, she held up an animal plaster (which she refused to let go of) in her hand. So I pushed her hand down and said, "Silly girl. No one sleeps with their hands up in the air" and I laughed. She laughed too and said, "Make Mummy happy." :) Yes, she certainly does with her little ways.
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