Creating Sweet Nothings

We started spring cleaning some of our stuff recently and today, after clearing out his old cupboard at his mum's place, Hubby returned home with a plastic bag of cards and letters that I've written to him during our courtship days.

Looking through the pile accumulated over our 7 years of courtship, some of which I couldn't even recall giving, I couldn't believe the mushy stuff that I can write!! But most important of all, as I shift through the stack of cards and love letters, many of which were handmade, I couldn't help feeling quite amazed (wow!) at my creative talent and the simple, meaningful yet uninhibited way I expressed my feelings to my then boyfriend now husband. Well, those were the younger days and romaticism was very much alive. It must also mean that I've got lots of time on my hands then.

Well, without revealing too much details, here are a few showcases of my handmade cards:

Not Black, Not White

Read my latest 'Not Black, Not White' Chai Tow Kuay story in Service Thots.

Click on the link to the right.

16 Months

XX turned 16 months on Hubby's birthday last week. Here are some updates of his development over the last few weeks.


Naptime Lullaby

XX have been taking his naps falling asleep to the voice of Taiwanese singer Ocean 欧得洋 "Ou Deyang". It's strange but when I play his CD, the first song 幸福車站 will calm him down immediately and by the time the 2nd song is finished, he will be asleep....zzzzzzz....cool



Sleeping Thru

I officially declare XX sleeping through the night! Since about 2 weeks ago, I noticed that every morning at about 5 - 6am, he will start to toss and turn and make a bit of noise (ng....ggg). However his eyes are still closed and he is not really crying. And if I were to just pat him or hold his hand, he will soon fall asleep again quietly until about 8 plus. Since then, I've stopped feeding XX milk in the middle of his sleep.



Toilet Training

XX is quickly getting used to the idea of peeing in the potty and pooing in the toilet bowl. After he wakes up from his sleep or nap, we'll undo his diapers and let him pee into the potty. (He's still too short to stand and pee into the toilet bowl direct.) And when we sensed or smelled that he might want to poo poo, we'll bring him to the toilet bowl and let him shit right into it. So far, the success rate is about 80%. Hopefully he'll soon progress to telling us when he feels like going to the toilet.



Bath Time

XX is extremely afraid of heat. He perspires alot during the day and is usually sticky and clammy as long as he's outside of air-con environment. At night, he sleeps better if the air-con is on and he doesn't even need any blankets. One hot humid evening, mummy me is desperately in need of a shower and this sticky baby (literally) is clinging on to me like a koala bear. Maid is busy so I decided to bring him into the bathroom together. This way I can watch over him and have my bath at the same time. In the end, I stripped him and showered him as well since he's so sticky anyway.

Linguistics
XX is developing his linguistic ability by leaps and bounds. Now, in between his babyish babblings, we can make out a few English words like 'come', 'bye' and 'press', although his pronunciation is not perfect. I remembered KK was only able to speak after age of 2. I'm not comparing but I think all the fish oil that I take during my 2nd pregnancy is making a difference.

Playmate
XX is extremely playful and likes to giggle happily when something fun happens. KK remains XX's favourite playmate despite their frequent fights/quarrels (yes, XX can't speak but this doesn't mean he cannot quarrel - and he seldom lose), intellectual differences and age gap. See for yourself:

This video is taken today after dinner and they've made at least 10 round trips.

XX trying to get a turn at his newly discovered 'slide' in the bedroom.

Dinner No Dance (DND)

Last Friday I attended Hubby's company Dinner and Dance at the Shangri-la hotel. It has been a while since I've dressed up formally for such events. So it was with some excitement and anticipation that I put on my contact lens and mascara, after dropping off maid and kids at my mum's place.

The dress code was supposed to International costumes, so there were a few people dressed in eygptian costumes, kimonos and hanbok. (I promised myself that one day I must get myself a kimono and hanbok when I visit Japan and Korea.) But why is it that I see some ladies in sarong kebayas from those tourist shops in Chinatown? I couldn't believe my eyes when I turned and saw someone actually dressed in the authentic sarong kebaya uniform of SIA! Of course, being from the airline before, one look and I knew she was a fake. The uniform is not fitting and the hair - so messy, cannot make it - and the shoes, where are the batik sandals? I felt uneasy that the 'sacred' SIA uniform is worn as a costume at some company DnD but I suppose this person just wanted to have fun and meant no harm. Anyway, I was in no position to interfere anymore. Nonetheless, I cringed whenever I caught sight of her.

The crowd is also different from the crowd I'm used to. In SIA Cabin Crew division, the people are usually more lively and participative. This time, I see the MC trying his darnest to get the crowd to liven up. He really deserved every cent of his fees that night. Well, the Management is to be applauded though, for being sporty and very entertaining. The top guy from Netherlands came dressed as a chinese Emperor, complete with the 'long pao' and crown.

Dinner was good although after the 2nd course of shark's fins, one usually experience diminishing returns. By the time you reach the mushroom with sauteed spinach (or was it asparagus?), you're just nibbling politely, waiting only for the dessert.

We left after dessert to pick up our sons. We didn't wait for the last top 10 lucky draw prizes to be drawn as it was by then almost 11pm. Although Hubby asked one of his colleagues to look out for our lucky draw number, we haven't heard anything yet so I assumed we failed to get lucky.

What about the other 'D' of DND? Before dinner was served, the MC made everyone stand up and move to the dance floor. He stated that everyone had to dance now because last year, almost all went home after the winner of the top prize of the lucky draw was announced. That was about as close to dancing as we got. But it was fun, reminds me of the old days at uni's jam and hop. Those were the days...

Bond of Brothers

Introducing 2 characters from the series "Bond of Brothers" - Mr Ng and Mr See.

"Mr Ng" is played by XX and "Mr See" is played by KK.

Classic dialogue from the series involving 'Mr Ng':

1. ...wakes up and didn't see anyone around him: "ng...ggg!"


2. ...cannot open the cover of the cookie container: "ng...ggg!"


3. ...complains about 'Mr See' harassing him: "ng...ggg!"


4. ...wants to stir the cappuccino and Mummy says 'no': "Ng..ggg! Waa...hh!!

(Note: Much of the communication by 'Mr Ng' now are non-vocal, like Mr Bean. However gradually, more sensible words are being spoken, such as: "mama", "papa", "popo", "gong gong", "ball", "car", "dog", "press" and most recently, "gor gor".)


Mr See's scenes typically co-stars Mr Ng:

1. Mr Ng doesn't return the Spongebob Squarepants book even though Mr See says 'please'. Mr See says: "See?!" *



2. Mr Ng bends the KFC brochure, which for some reason counts as one of Mr See's valued possession. Mr See says: "See?!"*



3. Mr See returns home late and his favourite cartoon is over. He says: "See?!"

* "See?!" is sometimes followed by "I toldch you!"



Coming up: Watch the dynamics between the two brothers develop.
Rating: * * * *

Chocolate Cake and Handprints

Yesterday was Hubby's birthday. His age? Count the plentiful candles on the cake!

To mark the occasion, I had wanted to bake him a chocolate cake. But after scouring through a few online recipes for chocolate fudge cake, I decided I better spend money to buy one instead. I've simply no confidence that after investing in the ingredients and time x effort, I will get the cake PLUS the chocolate fudge icing right. Add to that, while googling for "chocolate fudge cakes", I clicked on many a links which reviewed where I could get the best chocolate fudge cakes in Singapore. We've always been a fan of Awfully Chocolate cakes but it seems that there are better ones out there. What added the icing to the cake was a Sunday Times review on the Top 50 Cakes in Singapore. After reading through all the reviews, I decided to pick Choc-a-bloc as THE birthday cake as it's location is conveniently in Bedok. I've no regrets, for $30, we enjoyed a perfectly baked, moist and deliciously chocolatey dessert.


For 老夫老妻 couples like us, getting a gift for each other is not easy. After you've bought a guy every practical stuff you could think of from top to bottom, you really kill brain cells thinking of creative and meaningful presents every year. Then I got this idea from Wong Li-lin's Perceptive Play! book of making a handprinted pair of pillowcase for Hubby. I'll immortalise my children's hand and foot prints on each pillowcase. This way I get the children involved and it would be both a meaningful and practical gift.


KK is all for the idea and very much in the game of keeping this project a surprise from Papa. It took us some time but we finally found some fabric paint from Spotlight at Plaza Singapura and bought 2 white pillowcases there as well.


Next is the challenging part - getting the ink to the cloth AND keeping the project a secret. However I didn't expect the biggest challenge to come from XX. For some strange reason, XX refused to touch the green gooey paint in the plastic dish. (Like I said, he's getting more discerning.) I had to grab his hand to dip in the paint and plant it on the pillowcase. I did the same for his feet but for the other hand, XX clenched his fist tight and refused to open his fingers. He was so resistant to the idea that whenever he saw the green dish being brought near to him, he'll turn around and flee as fast as he could. So XX when you grow up next time and ask me why your pillowcase artwork only has 1 hand and 2 feet, this is the story.

Full Time Housewife

Since I quitted my full time job last October to be a "Stay-at-home-mum" or SAHM, I haven't in the truest sense been a real housewife. I've my mum who comes over every weekday to prepare dinner for us so I seldom have to worry about meals for the family. Hubby works from home most of the time, thus at any one time, I often have 3 or more adults at home helping out. At the same time, I get to work on 1 to 2 days a week doing training for airport staff.

But this last week, both Hubby and my parents have to go overseas at coincidentally the same time. Hubby had to be in KL as his big bosses are there this week and my parents went on a sponsored holiday to Guangzhou at exactly the same time. Also, for the whole of this month, I have no training assignments as the program was put on hold due to courseware revision. Thus, for the past 4 days, it was the closest I've ever been to being a full-time housewife.

I have to think of what to cook for lunch and dinner everyday, drive KK to school at 1pm and pick him up again at 5pm. After I send KK to school, I'll sometimes pop over to the supermarket (like many of the aunties I see there) to buy some groceries or run a few quick errands. Back home, I'll have my lunch, play with XX and perhaps do some blogging and checking of emails. After picking him up from school, I'll sit at the playground watching KK play for a while before bringing him home to wash up and get ready for dinner. After dinner, it's more time with the kids and some TV before getting them ready for bed. Sounds like a real boring routine, huh? However, there is a small sense of satisfaction and accomplishment for me.

Satisfaction comes from playing with my children and witnessing the 点点滴滴 of their growth. When I walk around the neighbourhood during lunchtime, I see office workers at lunch and I start to appreciate that I don't have to report to office at a fixed time everyday, look forward to lunchtime and then rush back again for some meetings, missing out some 9 hours of my kids' growth everyday. (That works out to 45 hours a week, 180 hours a month and 2160 hours or 90days = approx 3 months in a year!) Maybe there're some mummies who really enjoy working but I think for most mummies, not working is not an option. Looking at them, I really thank God for my fortunate circumstances.

Accomplishment. I've always been working full-time and had the help of my mother (staying close by has its advantages) that I sometimes wonder if I can cope at home if I'm left to my own devices. This past week is kind of like a trial of the life I'll have in Australia and I'm pretty proud that I coped pretty alright.

OK, so I cheated a little. I have the help of a domestic maid who can help me take care of the kids while I cook, prepare the ingredients for dinner and wash up. She is definitely a great help in relieving some of the duties and pressure off me so I have some time for myself, to play my piano, blog and enjoy a cup of tea. Well, since I'm paying for the luxury, why not enjoy it while it last?

At least for now, I've proven to myself that my children and I won't starve to death with my limited cooking skills and I won't go mad facing my kids 24hours a day.

Peer Pressure and Role Modelling

Peer pressure can be put to good use. I have seen it in KK when he mixes with other kids his age. They try to outdo each other in the eating department when we dine together with our friends' children. At swimming, KK was very proud when he could put his whole face into the water and the other kid can't. After XX was born, we started using XX to stimulate KK on drinking his milk. Now, he always finishes his bottle very fast, especially when they're drinking at the same time, so he can show off to his brother.

XX is still a little bit young to understand or feel 'peer pressure' but having the benefit of a sibling to role model since birth, he has developed abilities in many areas earlier. He's started to poo poo sitting on the toilet bowl. I've recently started him on a "brush your teeth before you sleep" routine, with help from KK. When KK brushes his teeth at night, XX will want to tag along and stand on the stool by the sink. I thought, might as well give him a small toothbrush (detached from the electric toothbrush) and let them brush along side by side. And he enjoys doing it.

Here are 2 videos of the toothbrushing sequence:

Brothers at Play

We have been deliberately allowing KK a lot of outdoors playtime recently. Besides twice a week swimming lessons, we've also started him on learning tennis. On other days after school, he'll often play with his schoolmates at the playground with a few regular friends who always hang around after school. Nothing sophisticated, they'll just run around, take turns chasing one another and have fun sliding down the slides. Sometimes, he'll also go downstairs and meet his 'khakis' (all boys) for more fun cycling and running around.









Although I am quite worried that he may hurt himself when he runs around the condo estate, I'm also understanding that he needed friends his age to play with. The social interaction is beneficial for him to mix well with people in the future. In addition, the physical exercise is good for him. It gets him off the TV and computer and best of all, after all the running, he's sometimes so hungry that he'll finish his dinner real fast.

At home, XX is also getting ready to have more fun with his elder brother. Of course, babies being very self-centric still, there will be more complaints and protests when he doesn't get his way than actual playing, but increasingly, XX is starting to learn how to like his brother's company. He will run excitedly away when his brother chases him, sit on the 'pirate boat' with KK on the surf float and just tonight, XX was driven by KK standing on the scooter-bike. XX also likes to sit and watch his brother play games on the internet or Xbox. They also like to watch videos on my mobile phone together, so sweet....that is, until they start to fight over who gets to select the next video. XX may not be able to speak, but his ability to convey displeasure is not inferior to anyone. Often, KK will be asked to give in, much to his irritation. So to be fair, sometimes, we'll pretend to scold XX or ignore his cries of protests. "...to build a democratic society, based on justice and equality, so as to achieve happiness, prosperity and progress for our family!" Sounds familiar?

Here's a video of some peaceful playing that makes my heart smile:

Food Experiments

Life was so much simpler when babies only drank milk, wasn't it? When it comes the time for solids, how nice if babies can fill up a survey form or better still, come delivered with instructions on the kind of food that they like and dislike so everyday mummy just have to prepare the food accordingly to the list and never go wrong.

XX is getting increasingly discerning about the things around him, which is great, except that it includes the food he eats. Currently, XX's diet is supplemented by porridge twice a day. I alternate it with either cod fish or chicken/pork. But recently, he started to show signs of boredom during meal times. It's really obvious. When you bring the spoon near, he'll start fidgeting, rub his face/eyes/mouth, stretch his arms, smearing the food to his hair and twist his head away. Sometimes, I really feel like hammering him but... 我忍!

While previously he was quite adventurous with new food, opening his mouth wide to accept ANYTHING served on a spoon, nowadays, he'll eye the stuff suspiciously and then take a cautious small nibble to assess the taste first. If he doesn't like the taste, he'll wrinkle up his nose, squint his eyes and sometimes push the food out with his tongue! Of course, there won't be a chance to get him to open up his mouth again. Over the last 2 days, he's turned his nose up on mushroom soup, yoghurt and kaya bread.

Today, after researching some days on baby recipes, I experimented cooking something different for a change - an improvised western style "Potato & Fish in Cheese Sauce". It was my first attempt at making cheese sauce. Because the recipe book says for best results don't use low fat cheese and I didn't trust processed cheese, I got the most expensive natural grated cheddar cheese. With the expectation of a scientist doing an experiment and like an artist mixing colours, I combined the melted cheese sauce with the mashed potatoes and fish, slowing adding more of each until I'm quite satisfied with the taste. But of course, the real experiment was yet to come. I really hope XX will like it.


When I came back after sending KK to school, I peeped in to see the maid feeding XX his lunch. He was opening his mouth and taking in the food without much protest. Hurray! He likes it! But when I went in, maid reported that XX didn't like the original recipe. She had to add some baby cereal to it before he took it. Sigh...here goes my effort.


Well, I'm not about to give up. Dinner, XX shall try sweet potato and the remainder of the potato fish cheese puree. Perhaps he will like it when it's sweeter.

I'll worry about tomorrow's lunch and what to do with the rest of the cheese later. Right now, the scientist/artist needs to transform into a driver to pick up KK.

Entertaining XX during mealtimes includes letting him play with my mobile phone camera. He got trigger frenzy and took a whole series of self-portraits.

The 'Scientist' and her guinea pig....haha