Little Glimpse Into Parenting

(A backdated entry)
At the Mother's Day weekend a few weeks ago, my nieces B & C stayed over on Fri so that her parents could go for a seminar on Sat morning. I brought the girls to Macgregor State School's Mayfest since hubby was volunteering with SES at that event. The girls had fun, had their first fairy floss and their first at a school fair. They also had a go on the merry-go-round. It was a great morning out.

We went back home for a small lunch and by then, I was very exhausted (later realised that I was going to be ill with a gastro bug) and hurried C to finish drinking her Chinese medicine (for her hives) so that I can have a short nap. I could hardly keep my eyes opened by then. The girls wanted to do some craft so I took out a stash of craft materials to keep them occupied while I took (what was supposed to be) a cat nap, and instructed them that they need to have a nap after completing craft. In my half drowsy state, I took a nap upstairs on my bed. Somewhere in my sleep, I could hear the screams and laughter the girls made. B at one stage, came to me to ask me if they could use the glue. I told her when the glue was and she helped herself with it. As they played, I realised that they were stomping up and down the stairs and also playing in the guest bedroom upstairs (where they slept by themselves in the room without us for the first time the night before). In my weariness, I could not pick myself up to get up and since they sounded like they were having a good time, I somehow uttered a prayer that God will keep them safe while they played (told them several times to be careful at the stairs) and I have to trust God to take care of them for that moment because I just couldn't get out of bed...

 Not sure how long later, I barely woke up, went to the room, told them firmly that they have to stop playing and get a bit of rest/nap. I closed the door behind me, in my mind thinking that they will be safe and went back to bed to lie down a bit. A few mins later, B came to my bedside and said "C didn't sleep and made a mess of herself with lotion and cream". I immediately jumped out of bed, feeling anger brewing within me and also trying to tell myself to be self-controlled. In the room, I saw C sitting on the carpeted ground, with a bottle of hand sanitiser in her hands and her face, arms and legs were white and covered with calamine lotion. Some lotion also spilled onto the carpet. I wasn't sure if I should laugh (she looked really funny and cute) or be angry with her. I quickly decided I should be angry with her. I carried and took her and put her in the bathtub, reprimanded her and left her there as a form of isolation while I sort out the mess she created. In my mind, I was thinking how tired I already was, and that they made such a mess and I was also tight for time to bath them before I take them out to meet their parents for dinner. I also questioned B about the incident in an unhappy but with controlled anger (at least I thought so). Apparently B was trying to sleep/rest on the bed. C went on to play and woke B up with her noises and then B saw the mess and came to inform me. I had a firm talk with C (while she was still in the bathtub), trying to let her know that she did wrong by playing with something she should not have, created a mess (and also throwing some of my books all over the room) and not obeying what I instructed her earlier, to stop playing and rest up. I had to be clear with myself and with her that I was upset about the disobedience most of all and not let my inconvenienced situation (tired and having to clean up the mess after them) be the reason and fuel for my anger. C was quite stubborn and refused to say sorry and was somewhat unrepentant. Anyway, due to the lack of time, I eventually bathe them and took them out, etc.

Reflecting through the incident, I realised how much more angry and irrational I could potentially get but I didn't. Praise God for that and that I did not lash out on them in a disastrous manner (I am pretty sure I am capable of that, especially if I have to deal with this on a more regular basis and for that, I'm glad I'm not a/their mum!) I also realised that I would not be as upset if I was not tired. The girls would not have been so bored that C was playing with the creams and lotions if I was spending time with them. They would have rested up earlier if I had not taken a nap. If I hadn't been unwell, I won't be napping and be able to have enough time to bath them and leave the house. God was good, He did take care of them - it was only a mess of lotions and books. The girls did not fight, injure each other or injure themselves. B was obedient to my instruction to rest when I told her to. And really, the girls were not very naughty. They only appear 'naughty' because I was inconvenienced and at one stage, I was thinking why can't they be more understanding that I was tired and unwell and not give me extra 'trouble'. Really, the girls have been really good by entertaining themselves, playing and did not disturb me much, nor insisted that I do craft or play with them. They have also heeled my constant advice to be careful with the stairs and not injure themselves. They have been really, quite good by themselves. I am so thankful for the Lord's protection over them. This is an isolated incident, in case you think I'm a bad babysitter by letting my nieces play by themselves while I napped :p It has also taught me how to be upset in a controlled and rational manner. Parenting, in particular, Christian parenting is certainly not easy, to teach and model God's love, wrath and forgiveness towards us. But our Lord will provide us with the necessary grace to do so when the time comes.

B Growing Up

At the wink of an eye, B turned 5 last December. 2012 is a big year for her as she started attending prep school. 

Before school started in late January, hubby and I brought B (and her sister C) out for a little treat - their first movie at the cinema! We were a little apprehensive as we were not sure if they will cry, feel scared watching a movie in the dark or be very restless and want to leave. I am thankful the prep talk helped. We did toilet runs before the movie, armed with little snacks to keep them occupied/well fed, showed them things around in the theatre (removable arm rest, where the movies are screened, etc). We let them both sit with each other and in between hubby and I so that we can each attend to one child. It was nice to see them enjoyed "Happy Feet 2", loved the penguins, krills, seals in the movie. B was very good, while C was rather restless (expected), was walking around a little and was a little afraid at 1 to 2 scenes but was easily assured with a hug and cuddle. 

Before the movie at Southbank

After the movie

With their balloons at Lifeline Book Fest

The first term has just ended and B was very happy to have a 2-week break. She does enjoy school very much but towards the end of the term, she was rather tired, emotionally tired of going to school. B is generally an introvert but her love for Jesus and the gospel has compelled her to share Jesus with her friends in school. B thinks that everyone needs to know Jesus and people need the Bible so that they will know the real God. I think she has been sharing Jesus almost everyday in school but has been facing rejection. At this thought, a mixture of joy and sadness fill my heart - joy because I praise God for such pure and innocent love, faithfulness and perseverance to share the gospel in a 5yo, sadness because the little her is starting to get a taste of the reality and sinfulness of the world (not everyone will accept Jesus as Lord and Saviour). 

I am very thankful and moved to see how God is growing and changing B. Some say her parents taught her well. I think my SIL and BIL do their best (but are not perfect) but most of all, the glory goes to God and the Spirit's work that B is who she is today. There is only 1 Christian (that she knows of) in her class. I shall attempt to pray with her as often as I can since I help to send her to school 2 days a week (her school is walking distance from my workplace). I pray that her love for Jesus and the gospel will grow with her as she grows physically. 

B loves to bake (influence from her mum who is very good at baking)

Jakey's First Birthday

It was J's first birthday and we had a dedication for him at his local park. We brought B & C along since we were babysitting them (while their parents celebrate their wedding anniversary).

J just started to take his first steps and was rather unstable at that time (more than a month ago). This was the first time B & C got to hold his hands and walk him and they were so thrilled to do so. Even though they do not see J much nor have much interaction with him, they love hanging out with him. C fondly remembers J and often, at the mention of J's name, would excitedly recall "I hold Jakey's hand!!". I am pretty sure J won't remember them much but hopefully this photo would help him a little some time down the road...

Southbank with Nieces

Clockwise from top left - walking along Southbank, on the bridge looking down at buses and cars, C in comparison with the shortest human on earth, B and I looking into the display of real size animals.

2 weeks ago, hubby and I spent almost an entire Saturday with our B&C nieces. Their parents were in church for a training session and some work so they asked if we were free to take them for most of the day. Since we were free, we were happy to do so. We had C stayed over with us the night before - her 2nd time. Like her 1st stayover, she woke up 2-3 times at night but this time, it took longer for her to get back to bed because she is weaned off the milk bottle which helped her to go back to bed quickly. But in the same way, she continued to sleep when I brought her onto my bed at around 6am when she woke up. In fact, I woke up earlier than her, leaving her on the bed with hubby.

After picking B up from her home, we drove to Southbank. The girls were really excited to spend the day with us. We walked quite a distance, stopping by every now and then for toilet break, drinks and morning tea,  on our way to the Queensland Museum. The girls were fascinated and wow-ed by almost everything they see - birds, flowers, water fountains, Brisbane 'eye', the top of buses and cars when we were on the bridge to the Musuem, the egg tarts I made for them, statues, displays and the promise of visiting the museum and a picnic lunch thereafter. 

The trip to the museum was both educational for the girls and us. There were exhibits on the modes of transport available in the old days - carriages, boats, cars. The most interesting was the "Animals and Man" exhibit where many real sizes of animals and insects were exhibited for us to compare how the real thing looked like. It was quite cool to be able to walk beneath a live size 'whale' which feels like you are underwater and looking up in awe of the size of the big whale. The girls were quite afraid of the sound that whales make, which was played along the public corridor. We had to carry them and assure them that it was alright. B was also afraid of some animals that looked big and threatening and refuse to go anywhere near it, e.g. an angry-looking big brown bear. She was not afraid of snakes and spiders (I wonder if she will be if they were real) and she was happily looking out for kangaroo, sea lion, penguin, koala, fishes, crabs, jellyfish, turtles. C was a little more brave but by then, she was a little tired and so hubby had to carry her quite a bit (he had sore biceps the next day :p). 

After the time in the museum, B finally had her long-awaited picnic. At the beginning of the day, I told her that we will have a lunch picnic. We chanced upon a playground along the river and decided to find a nice spot there. There were many children running and playing. I watched the girls at the playground while hubby went to the car to get the mat and grab some lunch from the nearby food stalls. The girls had a ball of time at the playground before we had a seafood platter hubby bought, along with some fruits and egg tarts I brought along. 

I was thankful that the girls held up and not sleep in the car on our way home, even though I know they were quite tired out. B usually has more energy and able to stick out for a bit more since she is older. You know when she is really tired when she has been walking the entire morning and suddenly ask to be carried. I told them to not sleep in the car and wait until they get back to our place for a nap and they did :) Back at home, it was really sweet to see them waiting to sleep with each other on a small little mattress on the ground. I instructed them to sleep and left them alone, which they did for around 1.5 hours. I promised B that I will make some jelly with her for dessert. C also got involved and they were rather thrilled to make jelly out of oranges (I figure this was one way I could get B to eat a fruit that she does not usually like to eat). After we were done, I felt tired and needed a nap. So I left them by themselves to play, while hubby was fixing something nearby. I am thankful for the girls to be quite good to keep themselves occupied with the limited toys we have at home. 

By the end of the day, I know they do miss their parents but I know they also had a lovely time with us too. Their parents were also happy, having a day of 'freedom' without kids and busy at home. They popped over for dinner and pick up their girls. I had a good day and time with the girls. I know hubby did too. :)

Yummy Food, Happy Faces

4yo niece B (above) and 2yo niece C (below)

We had B stayed over at our place some time last year. This time, we figure it is time to have C over. C came over and stay on a Friday night. We were prepared for a possibly bad night with C waking up a few times at night, like her sister B. C would generally wake up in the night (on most nights), sneak into her parents' room and sleep with them on their bed! 

We put C to bed around 9pm on the same mattress her sister slept on when she was over, on the ground just beside our bed. She'd usually have some milk in a bottle and by the time she's done, she will be asleep. Water has since replaced milk and that was exactly what I gave her - water in a bottle and she soothed herself to sleep. I was so thankful that she was easy to put back to sleep, even though she woke up 2 times through the night. All I needed to do is to give her water in the bottle. I need not pat her nor carry her to sleep, which was what I have to do with B. C did not cry for mummy too. She was contented with seeing me and knowing that it was a familiar face with her in the dark. When she woke up at 6am (her usual time) in the morning, I carried her and brought her onto our bed. Because I was still tired, I lay her beside me and went back to sleep, with my arm on her so that I will know if she moves or leaves the bed. Surprisingly, she went back to sleep and we all slept for another 2 hours, i.e. she slept for a total of 11 hours that night! Apparently, this was so so rare for her to sleep that long. Her parents tried similarly at home but C would not go back to sleep. 

Later that morning, we brought C to attend a friend's daughter's 2nd birthday party. With a few other children there, C had a great time. When we got home, she napped for 2 hours, which again, was atypical of her. Her sister B came to join us in the afternoon while their parents went out on a date. I cooked us a simple dinner of rice with prawns and zucchini stir fry and baked fish fingers. (Photo above) B & C loved the food! Both of them ate most of what was given to them and fed themselves to enjoy the meal. B was complimented for eating more than she usually does (she is quite a picky eater). Well, I guess I have fulfilled a few of their favourites - prawns and crispy something (fish fingers in this case) and made it a balanced meal too. Now, I shall think of a way to get B to eat her fruits. That will be another story.

At the end of the day, Quop and I are happy our nieces had a great time of fun, rest and meal with us. Their parents are also happy that they get some alone time, plus their girls enjoyed themselves with us too. Hmm, they were a little envious that the girls ate well with us and C slept generally well too. Hmm, I think the girls take their parents for granted. 

Lost My Patience

B with traces of chocolate moouse all over her mouth

Last week, Ikea had a "eat your discount" promotion. It means that, e.g. when you spend $20 dining at the Ikea cafe, Ikea will take $20 off your purchases. Hubby and I have a couple of things to buy and so we head there on Thursday (late night shopping until 9pm). 

I had to drop something at my SIL's before heading to Ikea. I thought I will offer B to come along with us, if she has had a good afternoon nap (otherwise we will have a cranky kid while we shop) and her parents permits her to come out with us. It turned out that B has been asking her mum when she will be able to go to my house again, when I will go pick her up, etc, since the last time she stayed over. B loves to go out. Every morning when she wakes up, she will ask her mum "Mummy, where are we going today?". The answer that she often gets is "Nowhere. We are staying at home" and B is disappointed. So when B heard that she can go out with us, she was so excited and granted that she had a 2.5 hr nap (which was unusual for her), it was ideal to get her out, wear off her energy so that she can sleep at night. 

The moment I arrive at B's place, she and C were so delighted to see me. The smiles (especially C's) that greet me at the door make my day. They are priceless! Unfortunately we will not bring both B and C out. Since B is the older child, she gets more privilege to hang out with us, just because it is easier to handle a toddler. I'd love to bring C out one day though... but B will not be happy if she cannot come along too. And so, the car seat is set up, B pops into our car and I proceed to pick hubby up from his work. B was quiet in the car (which was usual).

At Ikea, there was a long line of people waiting to buy their food/dinner. Hubby stood in the line while I brought B to the front to see what food was available and what she wanted to eat. B kept quiet, refused to talk nor even point out to me what she wants to eat. Everything I asked and everything I said had no response from her. Hubby also could not make her talk and both of us could not understand her sudden change of temperament. I tried to be patient nevertheless and since I know she likes fish and chips, we ordered one for her, complete with her favourite "funny drink" (soft drink, carbonated drink). At the dining table, we cut up the food for her and put it in her hands. She held the piece of fish for a while and just looked at us and refused to eat nor drink her "funny drink". Hubby and I tried everything we could but she remained silent. I have also asked her what was wrong and to tell me but she kept quiet. At that moment, I wanted to scream and scold B. There we are, brought her out to spend some time and enjoy with her, complete with treats that she usually don't get. Before we could begin the 'fun', she turned up in her mood. In fact, I told hubby that if she were my own daughter, I would have scolded her and be more firm. But because she is my niece and I know that scolding B will not help her to open up, I kept my frustrations and B could probably sense it too.

We decided to sms B's parents to let them know that she is not eating. We don't want B to wake up in the middle of the night asking for food because she didn't eat her dinner. Just before my SIL rang me, B started to eat a tiny bit and slowly... B's mum spoke to her on the phone but B remained silent and just listened without any response. Eventually she managed to eat quite an amount of fish (and not just the fried batter) and chips, complete with her "funny drink" (which was actually lemonade) and another treat was the chocolate moouse (which she knows it as ice cream). She ate about half the cup of moouse. Does B realise she is getting such a treat that her sister don't get? Sigh...

The rest of our time together shopping was quite alright. B still didn't talk much but she was more responsive (and she definitely was not tired). Having said that (like I always say), B is still a pretty easy kid to handle. I have seen some others which I think would have made me lose my patience many times over. On hindsight, I am not sure how I could better deal with B. I think I have tried both the soft and hard way for her but not sure which one works. I think I should have 'debriefed' with her, letting her understand why I was frustrated and say sorry, and try to suss out something from her. Even if she does not tell me what was happening with her, at least I know that she has heard me. At the end of the night, I still made a point to tell B that I love her.

We returned B to my in-law's place where her parents are. Soon after, the talkative part of her came back. Was it something that we did? It would be interesting to know what is B thinking in her mind when she doesn't talk. Her parents don't know most of the time either.

It is not easy to discipline kids as they get older, isn't it? There are still so much to learn how to discipline them in the godly way...

Niece-sitting

For the first time, B stayed overnight at our place. It was an attempt to see how we can cope with a sleepless night with a todd and also some fun for her to stay over. From here, we could possibly help care for her should her parents need a break. Before this, B has stayed over with her sister C at their grandparents' but not with anyone else. Prior to this B did not want to sleep over at our place. She only wanted to come and play at our place, saying "I need to come to your place to play with the puzzles". I think it was only one time when I asked her if she wants to come and stay, otherwise her 14mo sister will gladly want to come. 

It was quite a tiring night... B slept around 9pm in my arms while we were watching tv. I put her down on the mattress on the floor beside our bed soon after. When I got into bed around 12.30am, she started to cry, as if she had a nightmare. I patted her but could not get her to stop. I picked her up and only then did she stop and continued to sleep soundly on my shoulder. I waited until she fell back to sleep soundly before attempting to put her down. However, her disturbed sleep kept coming back throughout the night. At some points, she cries out "ma ma" or "mummy". There were 2 times when she cried waking up and opened her eyes and realised that she is not at home but staying with us. With that, she will go back to sleep for a longer period of time before crying out for her mum in her sleep again. I do not know how many times we had to wake up because she cried. But I could not fall into deep sleep (I am usually a very deep sleeper) the entire night. Finally at one time, we brought her to bed with us. B slept in between us but her head and half of her body was next to hubby and her legs were next to my face. In an attempt to keep her feeling secure, we knew she had to have her body being close with one of us and hubby place his hand on her, as if hugging her, but really it was to show her security and give her assurance. In our bed, she stirred a few times too... and we knew the morning was here when she woke up (around 6.30pm). Hubby was nice enough to let me continue to sleep while he kept B entertained, fed her breakfast and brought her to the toilet. I slept for another 2+ hours, undisturbed. 

When I woke up, I notice the active and happy B playing in the lounge. It was as if we were the only ones who did not sleep through the night but B slept through soundly. She was happy as, playing and talking heaps (most people thought she could not speak as she does not open up much to people). After a while, it was hubby's turn to take a snooze before our family comes over for lunch. 

For the record, this is what B puts her parents through every night. She will start to cry around midnight and her parents will bring her to their bed to sleep with them (so that she will cry less). And they will have to be careful of her arms and legs as she spreads them everywhere when she sleeps :)

This was what B did on our stairs in the morning, using our couch pillows and some toys in our special toy box (second hand toys that we bought so that our nieces have toys to play with when they come) to form her imaginary "bus" where she is one of the passengers. I'd say her imagination is quite good! Or perhaps it is also this 'good imagination' that causes her disturbed sleep in the night? Hmm...

My Child Helper

B did not smile but she wanted to have her photo taken

Spent the arvo with B last Friday. That gave me a chance to spend time with B and also allow her mum, my SIL to have an alone time with B's sister C.

B was rather quiet all the time she had lunch, until she got the chance to be my helper in baking. She was so excited to be my helper. She asked that I scoop the flour/sugar, etc and she pours it into the mixing bowl. I got her to hold my egg separator while I crack the egg and pour it into the separator to separate the egg white and egg yolk. B is especially thrilled with watching how the egg white runs through the separator and into the bowl. She kept on wow-ing and talking to herself, describing what she is seeing with a really excited tone of speech. On confirming with her mum, I learnt that she is thrilled because she has not seen an egg separator before. My SIL does not use one.

However when it comes to watching me use the electric egg beater, she did not want to come close to me. She said "You beat it there and I watch from here. I don't like the sound". She stood 2m away from me because she is afraid of the sound that the egg beater makes.

We also made some 'pearls' to put into our iced milk tea. That is her favourite beverage! Consider it as a treat for her... and of course we also made some pikelets which was also a treat for her.

One problem I faced was how to teach B to be more thankful and express it. After a few times of giving her some food, I reminded her that when someone gives her something, she should be saying ___? She simply refuses to say "thank you" even though I had a talk with her. I also gathered that she could be tired and hence did not want to speak. She took a nap soon after.

Thinking back, I wonder what I could have done better... how do I get her to express what she wants, what she is thinking/feeling? How do I teach her in the ways of the Lord in this case? When she is not in the mood, B will keep very silent. She only talks non-stop when she is happy. Maybe only her parents can get her to express herself... maybe I should learn to be less strict with her and so that she feels comfortable enough to share/express. But after all, she is still quite young (3 yo) and still learning how to express herself well.

Happy 3rd Birthday!

Happy birthday, B! Boxing Day marks the your 3rd birthday. 舅妈 is amazed at how quick you have grown! Just 3 years ago, you were born in the hospital that 舅妈 works in. If not because it is Boxing Day (and I was not working that day), I could have been the first to meet you other than your parents. In the end, your 大舅and I (I was not your 舅妈 yet) visited you together, as 大舅 happened to be in Singapore at that time.

Our relationship grew much more after I officially became your 舅妈 which was around the time that daddy and mummy brought you over and lived here. Now that you are 3, it still feels like you are still 2. I think it is because you are always a baby in my eyes. The truth is that you have grown so much... At the mention of Singapore, you told me "I was born in Singapore" and I told you that I was born there too! :)

In the past year, you have learnt lots of words and speak a lot. But you have your moods - sometimes you just put on a straight face, look down and not say a single word, other times you will be so happy to greet me 舅妈 and immediately want to play with me and you will talk and talk non-stop. Seeing you smile at the end of a work day or a stressful and busy day, and when you want my attention, really made my day!

Now that you are 3, you have really grown to be a girl with your own personality and you know what you like and do not like. This is the first time I see you so skillfully tear open your birthday pressie wrapper. Well, who does not like pressies anyway? :) Your face lit up so brightly when you saw the pressie I have for you.

You kinda did not like us singing birthday song to you. Maybe you were shy? But we were all very happy to finally see you able to blow out the candles, which you also did it only after mummy's coaxing and encouragement. You have never wanted to blow the candles when we asked you to, at all family birthday celebrations. Now you finally did :) We were so proud of you!

I thought it was very sweet when you handed out the cupcake to everyone in the family, some of us said "thank you, I love you", and your response was "love you too". That was so sweet! I nearly teared... I have not heard you said that. I expected you to respond (repeat after and say) "I love you" and not a "love you too". You know how much we all love you right?

The other day, you insisted to want to come over to our place and play with 大舅, even though you were tired. On the way home, you fell asleep in the car. Usually when that happens and I carry you out of the car, you will continue to sleep but this time, you choose to be awake and want to play! Your poor 大舅 don't know how to play with you after a while and he is tired and want to sleep. To you, going to bed and sleeping is a play game itself because you have a blanket to play! So in the end, we all took a nap and you slept for 1 hour. Your energy level went down after that and I was the one who played with you eventually...

At this period of time, blankets are your best friends. With a blanket, your imaginations run wild and could think of how to play with the blanket. You would invite us into your room, sit on your mattress (which is on the floor now instead of on the bed). That is the 'aeroplane'. With the blanket wrapped around the lower half of your body, that is your way of indicating that you are ready to fly the aeroplane and off we go... to Singapore (you would say)! You love all sorts of blankets to cover and play with even though it is summer now and it is hot! We gave you a sleeping bag blanket for Christmas and we were glad you loved it :) I am waiting to see what else you can imagine from playing with blankets.

Yesterday, you came over again and we made some waffles together. You were so happy the whole time, spoke so much and kept asking me "why...? and why... (that)?" This was the longest period of time that you were in such a good mood whilst you are alone with me. But well, it was quite a treat for you - getting to eat ice cream, make heart-shaped waffles for your first time, eat the waffles with maple syrup (what you refer to as honey), get to play with the toys in my 'special box',  and the puzzle set that you remembered from the last time you came. I think I was tired out by you asking me all the whys :p Now I have learnt to ask you back a WHY question so that you will stop asking me WHY at the slightest thing you can think of.

It was funny to learn that Aunty S is gonna hold a birthday party for N just because N wants you to be at his birthday party (Aunty S was not really gonna have a party for N this year)! N really likes to play with you now, surprisingly, because both of you used to not play with each other, even when I brought you to his house for a play date. I suppose it was partly due to your language barriers, since N understood more Cantonese then, while English and Mandarin are what you understand. Now, N knows a lot more English and who knows, he can teach you more canto in future, because after all, you are a cantonese! Because of all your whys questions, I explained to you the concept of husband and getting married, which I think you are still trying to understand. Anyhow, mummy and I agreed that N would be your preferred choice of "who would you marry"... at least for now. Maybe I will tell this 'secret' on your wedding day :p

B, 舅妈 is looking forward to see you grow up and learning and growin to know Jesus and love God. I am proud of you that you are more sharing of your possessions now than previously. Even though you have a sister and a cousin in the family, do know that you are still our beloved 1st child of the family :)

My ABC Nieces

I now have 3 nieces - A, B and C. No kidding, their names begin with those letters. A is d/o (daugther of) my SIL G and B and C (in the photos above) are d/o my SIL W.

The 2yo (year old) B can be rather talkative now and interaction with her is really fun and makes my day. 6mo (month old) C is getting very heavy and catching up with her sister B. She is smiling a lot now and would listen to you as you talk to her.

A is turning 1mo tomorrow! More photos of her next time.

I wonder if the next child's name in the family will be a "D", then an "E", etc... then again, maybe not "D" nor "E" since there are already 2 Ds and an E in the family. The next in order should be a someone's name starting with "F" :p

A Morning of Fun

On Monday morning, I brought my niece Belle to Stacy's place, both as a play date and to babysit Stacy while her parents (and their breastfed 4-month-old girl) go for a movie date. The movie and babysitting was our gift for F at her recent 30th. Since a weekday is easier for them to get away, Monday morning would be ideal.

Last time, I mentioned that Belle and Stacy have grown to be good friends and playmates. Both of them were looking forward to this play date. For the 2 odd hours, we watched tv, did cotton sheep craft, had lunch and learnt Chinese 华语 (yes, you heard right)!

And did I mention that both the 2-year-olds are now in the midst of being toilet trained? On the way to Stacy's, Belle was quite talkative and playful. Half way through, she suddenly kept really quiet. I asked her if she did a poo and she nodded her head. I confirmed with her a couple of times and asked her to hold until we get to Stacy's. The moment I arrive, I rushed her to the toilet. After sitting there for a few minutes, I realised that she did not poo but only did a small pee. Every hour, I am suppose to bring Belle to do a pee. She coorperatively complied with me each time. But whenever I ask Stacy, she'd say "no" or shake her head. One time, a few seconds after she said no and had a weird expression on her face, she suddenly said "o-oh" and when I looked at her again, she was standing in a puddle of 'water'. Immediately I brought her to the bathroom to clean her up and get her new change. Another time, she suddenly touch her bum as if to hold something there. I asked her if she wants to do a poo, she said no again. I checked and immediately brought her to the toilet for her to do her poo. Boy, I 'heard' quite a fair bit of poo! Maybe Stacy is not used to me bringing her to toilet and hence she kept replying me a "no". Anyway, it was quite a hilarious for me even with the trouble.

It was a fun morning with the girls and my pleasure to take care of them even with the little accidents. Children are like that... I brought Belle to Spotlight and then back to my place when she napped in the car. She was such a dear... She was so patient and did not complained a single bit when she had to wait with me to pay up at Spotlight even though she was really tired and needed her afternoon nap. I assured her a few times and she continued to be patient (some kids will just throw tamtrum and need attention). Belle's so easy to take care of because she is fairly obedient, easygoing and sensible (she has her stubborn side when she is in that mood). I hope my kids turn out like her (like hubby and his siblings) and not the naughty me when I was a child :p

Sisterly Friendship

Belle and Stacy have become closer friends... It was so cute to see them playing together in church, hand in hand jumping around, running around... In this video, Stacy was "puu-ing"me and Belle was trying to learn from her. Seeing both of them giggling and chuckling away, I was so amused and it makes me so joyful to see that :) It is so easy for them to make my day :)

Belle also made me really happy and loved whenever she so lovingly come and give me a hug and say "I love you". The very cute thing about her hug is that her hands will pat your back/arm (depending where they land) gently, as if to comfort/sayang you. How sweet is that to come from a 2-year-old?

Managing A Grouchy 2-Year-Old

My 25-month-old niece Belle just got promoted to 姐姐 (big sister) with the birth of her 妹妹(younger sister) Chris. As with most 2-year-olds, this is the time where they are able to say some words but at times, unable to fully express and communicate their emotions and thoughts well. This results in them getting extra clingy to their parents or caregivers and are generally more grouchy and moody. If their mummies are pregnant with no 2 at this time, they will naturally feel jealous and not used to having someone else share their parents' attention. Yet this is also the best time as they learn new things and it is such a joy to see them grow :)

On her day 5 of being 姐姐, my SIL G and I decided to take Belle out for a bit since we both don't work on Fridays and also to allow my MIL to bring my BIL for a doctor consult. The moment Belle got into the car and realised that my MIL wasn't gonna come along, she started to cry her eyes out. I sat beside her in the car and tried to pacify her. I placed my hand on her tummy and told her to calm down, stop crying and listen to me. It was really difficult... but when I started singing "Jesus loves me this I know", she stopped crying. But when I stopped singing, she went on crying again. Soon after, she stopped and I could tell her that we are gonna be seeing some animals and then we will go hospital to visit mummy, daddy and 妹妹.

Belle had a good time at Pet City, where we saw heaps of fishes, birds, tortoises, dogs, cats, etc. Belle was a bit better then, even though she did not smile much... but she began to speak and is willing to take photos with the fishes so that she could show mummy the photos and tell her what she saw with us. I think all kids like to see animals and pets...

姨姨 G with Belle and the fishes

Belle and her new friends - tortoises!

After the one hour we spent at Pet City, we went to Sunnybank Plaza for some morning tea. Ask Belle and she would say she is going to "Sunnybank!". At the carpark whilst waiting for a lot, she saw the pillar nearby on her left and said "G!", which was actually "G1" written on the pillar. She looked to her right and she said "F". She impressed G and myself that she knew, recognised and made known to us that she knows her alphabets.

Belle enjoyed the egg tart and taro cake and she was happy that she managed to have her favourite bubble tea (because it is sweet!). I hope she realised that it really wasn't that bad but really fun to go out with her favourite aunties. She was a lot more readily happy and okay for people to bring her out in the past. But I think she is growing up now and ever changing in her character/personality. She is such a dear... Even though she now has a 妹妹 and a cousin 妹妹coming soon (by winter), she is still our dear first born, eldest and a dear to the Wong family.

"cheese!" This is how she takes photos now, except that she can't smile here because she has food in her mouth