Thursday, 29 October 2009

Celestial interests : Clouds, Rainbow & Moon

2 comment(s)
29 October 2009
2 Years 4 Months Old


CLOUDS
Conversation with Shean Wenn one day as we were standing at the staircase going back to the apartment

SW : "Mama, Shean Shean likes clouds. White clouds. Mama, buy clouds for Shean Shean, please?"
Me : >.< "Ok sure. Ask daddy to buy for you ok?"

She added a please at the end of her sentence, ok? How do you say no to that??


RAINBOW
This morning after her milk, I put her sitting on her highchair and gave her her drawing book and some crayons. I was busy preparing breakfast. I came back to check on her after 5 minutes to hear her chanting incessantly "Wainbow wainbow wainbow" (Translate : Rainbow). I looked down at her pad and saw her drawing something distinctively looking like a rainbow. This was what I saw : of course, her rainbow has only a few colours but the curved lines do look very much like she knows what she is doing (drawing!). Most beautiful rainbow I have ever seen!
(Her original rainbow)
(Rainbow she drew again in the evening)

MOON
Every evening while I prepare our dinner (I do this at about 530pm-6pm), Shean Wenn will be playing on her own. Sometimes she watches TV, sometimes she does her puzzles. But without fail, she will run to the balcony sliding door and glance up to see if there is a moon. For the past 2 days, she has been shouting excitedly to me whenever she spots it : "Mama!!! Look at the moon! Moon up in the sky! Moon moon moooooooon!"

I will stop what I do and go look at the moon with her. It's very heartwarming sharing something so simple yet so meaningful (to her, the moon is) with my daughter.

Wednesday, 28 October 2009

Spotted : Limoncello Frock GIVEAWAY!!!!

3 comment(s)
I am swooning over this piece of beauty, HANDMADE and in yellow, gorgeous yellow for a sunny day when I'm back in sunny & humid Malaysia next month (attending TWO weddings)!!

Shabby Apple Dare to Design Limoncello Frock GIVEAWAY!!!!

Tuesday, 20 October 2009

Summer Sliding

4 comment(s)
So Summer has officially ended weeks ago although I still am in denial. It feels odd now that we have to bulk up again and when we go out, chilly wind keeps beating my face. And not so oddly, the sun has also retreated.

This was one of SW's favourite activity : besides swimming, jumping & singing!

video

She & her friends Joyee & Kaye (esp with Joyee) kept running up and sliding down, and giggling as they do so.. they walk ON THE SLIDE itself and at one point it was stressing me out (because I was afraid she might fall off). But most times, I am fine with her jumping & sliding all she wants.

Wednesday, 30 September 2009

30.09.2009 - 3rd Wedding Anniversary

9 comment(s)

Today is our 3rd Wedding Anniversary. Like all the past years, we did not celebrate elaborately. Infact, a few days after our 2nd Anniversary last year I was looking through some letters on the cupboard where we usually put our mails and saw this newly-bought card with wrapper still wrapped on it. It says "Happy Anniversary", I asked Meng what is this card doing there & who is it for? He said "Ooops! It's for you. I forgot to write on it. Happpy anniversary!". >.< I know.

This morning I went to the gym in the morning for "Bums, Tums & Thighs" class and realised just how unfit I am. I was partnering this must-be-60plus indian lady & I think she moved faster than me. Then, towards the end of the class, I had "bum cramp" - I always have this when I do vigorous exercise and never knew it was a cramp. I always thought i had somehow sprained my back! Anyhow, the instructor came to me & told me how I can relieve the cramp: Lie down on my tummy with legs stretched out. Then fold one leg & hold it with the opposite hand for 10-15secs each leg. I did 4 sets & I felt better.

Today is also the 1st time I put Shean Wenn in a creche. 15 mins before my class starts, I brought her there with her water bottle, a change of clothes & some wipes. A carer held her hands & walked her into the room as I had to dash out to get a token for the Creche service. When I returned to the room, SW was quietly playing at the kitchen set area. I signed in for the creche, bid my farewell to her ("Mummy will be back ok? Love you!") & gave her a kiss. She didn't even bat an eyelid! I walked out feeling proud (that she didnt cling to me) and yet also a tinge of sadness (my girl is growing up so fast!).

After my class, I went to look for a friend of mine who is at the gym. Then, we both went to the creche to pick SW up. I showed my friend around the baby-gym area because she was thinking of bringing her own daughter there one day. After that, SW & I walked around the area near the gym (there is a town centre there). I spied a Primark* store there & excitedly went in to browse. I found a very thick rain mac for SW. There were only 2 sizes left, one for 2-3YO and another for 5-6YO. I asked a supervisor to check if there were any 3-4YO sizes & they came out telling there isn't any left. Left in a conundrum, I chose to buy the bigger size (5-6YO). I thought it's just slightly longer & i can fold the sleeves up. The 2-3YO fits just snugly & i was worried if during chilly times, the rain mac will not zip up well above all the thick clothes. When I showed Meng in the evening, he frowned & said it's too big. It isn't! Anyway, it is just an outerwear and she won't be wearing it that often. I think buying bigger size will do & it will last longer.

For dinner, I cooked pork ribs with chinese sauce and some vegetable. That was our "romantic" dinner. We wished each other a Happy Anniversary & proceeded to have our dinner. It was just like any other day.

Three years on, we have a beautiful 2YO daugher. I am very grateful for having all my family & loved-ones with me. I feel grateful that we have a roof over our head, more than enough food on the table, being able to experience the joy & laughter blessed to us in the form of Shean Wenn, good body and good health. Happy Anniversary to you, my (other) darling Meng!

(With our parents)
On our honeymoon at Jeju Island, the guide told us that in Korean mythology, the "Tol-harubang" (pictured above, the statue next to me) which means Stone Grandfather is a God of fertility & the Koreans have a superstition that if you rub its nose, you will get a son. If you rub its ears, a daughter. Obviously, it remains a superstition/myth. Our guide also told us it wasn't true for them (he & his wife have a daughter as well - they are Russians).


*Primark : A value for money clothing retailer who offers plenty of fashionable choices which won't burn a hole in your pocket.

Monday, 14 September 2009

"Itsy-Bitsy" Singer

3 comment(s)
13 Sep 2009
(At 2 Years 2.5Months-Old)

My husband ("the hub") usually puts Shean Wenn to bed at night. Whenever he is at home (ie if he comes home early enough), they will sing a few songs or read a few books prior to bed-time. Due to this, SW will instinctively know a few nursery rhymes/songs. Last week, she demonstrated that she can sing a whole song on her own. Well, the lyrics are not entirely "correct" but the gist is there. I consider it a good try!



More of the "Little Miss" Series here.

Wednesday, 2 September 2009

SW's 1st McD Party

2 comment(s)
(Published 2 Sep)

You gotta love McDonald's : Ice-cream, french fries, chicken nuggets & face painting! The ice-cream keeps them quiet for awhile.
"I'm Loving It!"
(The happy, the ladybird, the lion, the birthday girl (butterfly) & her sister)

Last Saturday Shean Wenn attended her first McDonald's party. The birthday girl Joyee turned 4 and is a very girly girl, her fav colours are pink, purple & she loves cats! So I got her a pink watch with cats on the dial & strap. I think she should like it. Shean Wenn enjoyed herself, she even handpicked her outfit - the dress & the boots. She loves her boots, this girl.

Creative Play : Giant Butterfly

4 comment(s)
2 Sep 2009

Yesterday afternoon as I was lying on my bed resting, I heard Shean Wenn talking excitedly, "Butterfly butterfly!! Fly... Up im de kai (Up in the sky)!". I sat up and turned around and saw the biggest & most beautiful butterfly I have ever seen!


The GIANT BUTTERFLY in my living room. Does it look familiar? Yes, but of course it is none other than Shean Wenn donned in what seems to be our Ikea laundry basket (she helped me unload all the washes in the morning and hence it is empty and she could play in it) - carefully & creatively strung around across 1 of her arms.

Now, who says kids need expensive toys to keep them happy & entertained?

Friday, 28 August 2009

SW @ 26MO : Milestones

3 comment(s)
28 August 2009

Actually alot of these milestones were achieved few months ago but I did not have the time to record it on the blog. The video below is to show her latest developments since we (Meng & I) don't really take alot of videos of her, this will serve to remind us of her milestones from 20-26 Months Old.

PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT
Height : 85cm (as of 25 Months Old) which is at the 25th percentile.

OTHER MILESTONES
Shape recognition : She can recognise the basic shapes such as triangle, circle & rectangle. As for square, she will usually say it is a rectangle but we are currently working on this.

Colours : She knew her colours way before she turned two. Now her colour recognition not only includes primary & secondary colours, ie orange, purple, green, she also knows pink, black & white. (Colour experts out there, what do these colours fall under?)

Alphabets : She can visually link the alphabets with what the alphabet is for, for example if you show her letter "H", she can tell you it is for HOUSE. Sometimes she will point to a letter on the keyboard & tell me what it is for, how very cute!

So far, I have managed to teach her "The letter A is for Apple...." from A to F. Also, she only knows the letters in capital. She hasn't recognised, or should I say, has not been exposed to the small-caps yet.

Minding her manners : In some parts of the video, you may hear her saying "Yes, please." Or "Yes, mummy", etc. This is because before this, sometimes when I ask her a question, she just kept quiet and I do not know if she understood me, and if she wanted what I asked her. So I sat down with her and told her if she wants something that I ask her about, she should reply me with "Yes mummy" or "No mummy" and if she wanted something, she must ask witha a "please". And voila, the next day, she started saying her please and her replies. :)

Enjoy the video! HAPPY LONG WEEKEND! To both Malaysia & the UK. And to my brother, Happy Birthday to you, I'm truly blessed to have you as my only & most beloved brother. :)

Wednesday, 12 August 2009

"Discover" - The Story Making Centre

4 comment(s)
28 July 2009

Shean Wenn & I made our way to the appointed DLR station to meet with the organiser & other moms as this is a day-out organised by the Local Surestart Centre (government-funded centre for kids's welfare & activities, every borough has a few centres for the convenience of parents). We had to take the DLR (again) to get to the last station which is Stratford, walk for 15mins before reaching the destination - DISCOVER, "the story making centre".

Just the day before as i was casually informing Meng that I'd be bringing SW out to Stratford for a "Discovery Trip", he asked me what was it about? I scratched my head & didn't know how to answer him because frankly, they didn't say much on the itinery. I replied him, "It'll be fun!! Furthermore, Jessica (my friend & her daughter & another kid) will be there".

And what a perfect day it has been! The day exceeded all my expectation, in terms of "fun" factor & also, SW's behaviour - she was SO well behaved the whole day being her chirpy self. I was so impressed. I definitely had alot of fun bringing her out although I was knackered by the time we came home (and had to cook, not forgetting!).

Discover Centre is like a mini-playground attraction for kids, indoors & outdoors, there are alot of funt hings to be dicovered by kids - ageing from 1YO to probably 7YO.

Let the photos speak for itself. (Click on photos to see the full version)

(This photo is taken off their website, and it shows the downstairs where they converted it into a "Pirate" land. Story telling area is on the "ship deck" while the kids can also explore the surrounding "Island" with nooks and corners where they also can find treasures)


Upstairs, the fun begins!


Downstairs in "Pirate" Land/Ship. Shean Wenn is Pirate "Yellow Bandanadee" for the day :) Look at the yellow bandana & blue scarf that mummy put on her, thereby transforming her into the Pirate of the Day. Later on, they proceeded to next door where they could paint their own flags. They provided an apron for her and lots of colours & brushes. While the paint were left to dry & fixed to a rattan, we had snack time and also face-painting. Sadly I didnt allow SW to do face-painitng because frankly, I just didn't wanna wash off the paint from her face. And also I remember MIL telling me last year not to let her do face-painting because of her eczema.. Maybe when she is older she can do that.

It was almost 3.30pm when we were done. We then went upstairs again where the kids played. This is a "ship" area and look how enthusiastic SW is at having a go at the, umm.. what do you call the ship steering thing? Well,.. yeah, you know what I mean.


Waving their flags around - SW LOVED THIS!!! She couldn't stop waving her flag. She found this action very fun! I guess it is pretty fun looking at how the flag waves... (Photos below show Shean Wenn with friends Xin Yi & Matthew)
(Inside the room upstairs where more toys await them).
Just before going home, Jessica & I brought the kids outside to play at their playground. It isn't a very big playground but it's got loads of fun equipments for them to tire them out.

There was this slide which is REALLY high (photo below) and without any hesitation, SW climbed it without me knowing! How I realised was when she called me from the top ("Ha-know mummy!!" - Hello mummy) before proceeding to slide down! Oh my, what a brave little girl. The slide looks like a green monster. Shean Wenn on top of the "green monster" slide!

Tuesday, 11 August 2009

Ready for school?

5 comment(s)
Shean Wenn puts on her hat, TWO bags, a "glove" (socks on hand) and struts over telling me excitedly (I was on the laptop, as always), "MUMMY, go to kool!" (go to school).

I guess (and hope) I don't have to worry about her going to school. She should settle pretty well? On another note, I can't believe it's been 2 years!

 

tsulin + + All Rights Reserved Ros Designs