Another milestone

Champion!

Aidan slept through last night without a nappy.

We thought since he's turned 4 it's about time he started leaving nappies behind...and about time he slept in his undies, like a proper, grown up boy.

That, plus the fact we ran out of nappies. Hah!

Anyhoos, we'll see how tonight goes!

In the meantime, here's a shot we took today. Because, really, he's my hero <3 <3

Looks pretty fierce here, but there's another pic I took where he's smiling...

Back to school

These past few days since returning home from SG has been a busy whirlwind.

Aidan's started in the 3 y.o. room at his regular childcare on Tuesday, but because it was just 2 days since returning I only had him in there for 3 hours, 1 of which I spent playing with him to acclimatise. But when I said I'll be back right after he's had lunch and dessert, he smiled and said, "Ok, you can go now... bye!"

And just yesterday, he started on 3 y.o. kinder at Maribyrnong Kinder with new teachers, new environment, new friends. He ran right in and starting playing with the new toys...he typed typed typed on the computer at the "office area" as he's seen me and EG do countless times and said he was sending "an emu". Then he picked up the phone and dialed Sai Yee's special number, and said "I'm calling Sai Yee now!" I sms-ed Tessa, and she quickly rang so she could speak to him and pretend he'd rung her. How cute.

However, when it was time for me to go...He DID NOT like it! At first he said I could go, but silly me I lingered in the waiting area, he wandered past and started clinging in when he realised I was really going.

It was HORRIBLE, the pains of leaving him behind again...I carried him back to the room and the teacher had to pry him off me finger by finger, and as the door shut and I walked towards my car I could hear him running back to the door with a thump and shouting "Mama!!!! Mama!!!"

OMG. It was a terrible feeling.


But when I came to pick him up he was happy playing agian. Phew!

Added to these new changes, I had two orders for this Thursday and Friday - 50 teal-coloured mini cupcakes, and a birthday red velvet cake enough to feed 60 people. It's been great getting right back into baking, and though it took me forever to get the right shade of teal (I had to refer to Wikipedia a few times), they turned out great. Well, at least the mini-cupcakes did, jury's still out on the red velvet cake! More baking tomorrow!

Friends

It's been a whirlwind 4 weeks as we had the Foos staying with us and Kienan being Aidan's new best bud! They look for each other each morning and play great...that is until 5 mins later when one's crying coz the other's hit him. Kidsssssssssss....

But we bid adieu to them today, *sob*!!! It's been a terrific time together, and I'm going to miss all our late night chats and snacking on cheese, tim-tams, wine, teas (altho my waistline will thank me!) The house is so quiet and lonely...only the refrain of cheering coming from EG playing Winning 11 on the XBox (only thing missing is the slap of high-fives between EG and Kev...withdrawal symptoms methinks...)

We will miss you fondly, Foos!

Their trip here has been pretty fruitful (judging by all the luggage they had to lug home!) But I reckon both little boys have learnt much from each other, like K's learnt to eat a bigger variety of foods and fruits and sleep well, and Aidan's finally getting the hang of toilet training.

YES! Toilet training! He actually knows when to go to pee when the urge strikes; I think going cold turkey (for me) and putting him in underwear helped...just a month ago he was oblivious to his wet pants and undies, but now he can actually hold his bladder and rush to the toilet!

And TODAY! A poo in the toilet when he needed to (he used to do it only when we put him on, but today he said "Mama, I need to poo!") I'm really hoping that this is the start of a brand new beginning and the end of expensive nappies (will start training earlier for the next kid...cheaper!!)

Anyhoos, here're a couple pics from Aidan and Kienan's time together...and their favourite Buzz Lightyear (they each have one, with their names under Buzz's "spaceboot", just like in the movie!)

 

Kienan's favourite pose - sticking his tongue out

I can't believe how our kids are now friends. Charmaine, Kev and I have known each other since WE were Kienan and Aidan's age (maybe a bit older...5 years?) in GMC Sunday School (I met EG much later, although Kev and EG met in Sunday School about age 5 too.) Now it's our kids' turns!

It's amazing isn't it, the journey of friendship? I'm just so grateful for the history and moments we've shared through the years, and look forward to more to come! From holidays to Desaru and Malacca that Maine's and my parents brought us on when we were little, to the Penang church camp that the four of us really bonded (four friends becoming two couples eventually!!), to now our 2 kids being friends...even though we're separated by seas. It just really shows how God's hand is really upon all our lives.

 L-R: Random person, Cheryl, Tessa, Joanna, Uncle Lawrence, Me, Charmaine

Model child 2

OK! So it's official, Aidan's now signed up with Brats Models.

We took awhile to decide, but they seemed to be one of the bigger agencies around, and the guy has had heaps of experience, so we really do hope Aidan gets some work out of this!

In the meantime, enjoy some pics we took over the weekend, hanging out with the Chews.

Family photo!

Cheeesssee!!

Chew family, with their latest addition, Noah!

Hmm...maybe that's where Aidan gets his cheesy smile from...

I want chips...PWEEASSSEEE!!!

And today...we made sushi for lunch! Aidan loves his sushi, especially the vegetarian rolls we get at food courts. Today we made salmon onigiri!! Aidan had a lot of fun pressing the rice molds and popping the sushi out.

Start with some steamed rice - I used less water so it'll be more sticky

Add some onigiri seasoning

Some sushi molds - Teddy, little boy and little girl.

Stuff mold with rice

Pop the lid on and squish real tight

Pop the rice out

Ta-DAAAHHH!!

Yummers!!

Nomnomnomnom....

I LOVE Sushi!!

Lately...

Sorry for the lack of updates lately, but at least there's Twitter and FB to keep you guys informed of what's been happening at the Soh household ;p  Will just write a quick one of what's been happening; forgive the 'dry' writing...

SO! Quick news, Aidan did a POO in the toilet ALL BY HIMSELF the other day! Woohoo!

Skip this part if you don't want all the gross details: 

EG left him on the can and closed the door, sat in the hallway to wait (Aidan told him to 'step outside' haha) and promptly fell asleep (?!) I came up to check and lo and behold, after 15 mins he'd done it! After a quick wipe, he got a reward sticker AND a prize from the prize box. Here's to hoping it continues regularly...

We fell pretty sick over the weekend. Aidan caught conjunctivitis AND a chesty cough/cold, which passed on to me by Sunday as he's been making a habit of crawling into my bed in the middle of the night and coughing into my face! Hate being sick, but I'm hoping lots of water will help. At least last night, when I returned him to bed he stayed there after I patted him for a bit. "Goodnight mum," he said.

His imagination's been really taking off, and we've been inventing and telling each other stories lately...he's really into astronauts and rocket ships, and loves Buzz Lightyear! We've just bought Buzz for him during the toy sale and keeping it for his b'day, although I hope we can hold out because his DAD can't wait to open it...I can see the longing in EG's eyes...tsktsk. "I've always wanted a Buzz!" - this, coming from a 32 year-old!!

Our friends Kev and Charmaine are visiting in a couple of weeks and bringing the kids! Woohoo, really looking forward to it!! It'll be rather cozy over here for awhile, and Winter is COLD, but it's SO nice to have people visiting. Can't wait!

In the meantime, here's a couple photos from our church's Annual Dinner on Saturday! I was hosting it again, this time with Carissa, and it was SO MUCH FUN!

Carissa and I at the start of the night. 

That's my mum's kebaya btw!

I did the 1940s hair and tucked the kebaya shirt in. 

Everyone said I looked EXACTLY like my mum!

Side view...yah lah...Poser...

Hmmm...not sure what I'm saying/doing here.

Us dressed up for the Gameshow segment...

I was Candelabra from Kuching, she was Bridget (formerly Xiao Mei...)

Yup...we're a couple of crazy chicks. 

You should've been there, it was a laugh-a-minute riot!

Criss was SO FUNNY and WITTY...we're a great combo ;p

The final contestants all lined up on stage

Candelabra torturing poor Jules...

Final two left...Krystal and Kev! Kev won!!

With the gorgeous Sam Su, whose laughter I could hear all the way on stage!

And my beautiful boys. (Candelabra: "SO HAMSUM AH!")

Hmm...guess that's where he gets his smile from - his Dad!

(You can see his left eye was a little red by the end of the night :-(((  )

Bye bye paci!

OOOH! And before I forget, we've finally weaned him off the pacifier!

It wasn't as hard as we thought it'd be, EG just said "Oh, we can't find it!"

He actually had a couple of days like this in SG last trip, but we hadn't tried it since coming home.

But yay! Hooray. It's done. My son won't be a social outcast.

That said, I'm grateful for the many years of sleep-FILLED nights I got because of this gem. Even though all the books and people said it'd be hard to wean him off later. HAH. Phooey to you, know-it-alls!


RIP, Aidan's paci.

Aidan's first haircut - VIDEO

Finally! We got ahold of the video of Aidan's 1st Professional haircut, taken last year.

Voila! Take note especially to what he says at 0:33.

Another milestone!

Aidan can wear his pants on his own now!! Woohoo! Just taught him to pop down, put one leg in, then the other, and voila!

So proud of the little bubs. Now if he can only stay put and do a number on the toilet, instead of rolling the toilet paper around, or asking me to sing Around the Mulberry Bush over and over again.

The Big Three O

Aidan fed himself noodles with chopsticks the other day. CHOPSTICKS. Albeit the kind with handles for training little kids, but he's pretty adept and handling food with it. Impressive!!

We got the Pororo ones from Mama Moo, as well as this thing called the Wean Machine for mushing up baby food, as a baby shower pressie for Ivy, and an anti-bacterial spray (rather than the alcohol gels which are nasty on my dermatitis-ridden hands).

In other news, I had a whole gadzillion of these at my b'day party over the weekend:



which is probably why I fell sick and am still nursing a sore throat. But thanks Candice they were lovely! And she actually gave me the recipe, which I'm dying to try out!




EG has more photos which he'll upload to FB soon!

It was a terrific weekend, I felt so loved! Friday nite out with the girls, a whole day of parties on Saturday with beautiful weather - Ivy's baby shower and Jin's housewarming - followed by a walk around the Flemington Twilight craft markets and dinner (if you can call eating at 5.30pm dinner) at Hellenic Republic where I got stuffed fatter than a Christmas turkey.

Then Sunday with a celebration in the park (great weather again!) with friends. And food prepped by Ivy. Who can ask for more?

Thanks for journeying with me!

Communication

He said a full proper sentence the other day, albeit a short one.

"I want to stay home."

There you have it folks, subject and predicate! Pronouns, preposition, subject, object, the whole shebang!

I was pretty proud, even though I still had to convince him that no, Mama had to run errands and go to school too, and that he'll have fun in school playing with Mia and Genevieve and Oscar and all his friends in the sandpit.

Poor bubba, what a pout. But he lightened up.

We've been having quirky moments lately with his use of the English language (vagaries with his use of Mandarin and Hokkien abound as well). Like last night, as EG recalled (I have a vague memory of it), he woke up in the middle of the night (sleeping in a cot our room while we have guests sleeping in his), and said loudly, "Mama! What you do-een?", to which I'd apparently grumpily replied, "I'm sleeping!"

And this morning, when we finally woke up, and played our "let's hide under the blanket" game, he shouted very VERY loudly, "Anybody in-SIIIde??", over and over until Wendy shouted back "Hi Aidan!!" which left him very surprised!

So he shouted again, "Any, out there?" (I'd corrected him and said that's what he should've said, since WE were IN the room)

No reply then. But we went downstairs, and Wendy relayed her amusement at having gone down earlier to check her email only to hear such an unlikely call coming from above!

Our P-plater (literally!)

The following post is not suitable for those with a weak constitution. Or those currently eating while reading.

Today we mark the beginning of the end. The end of nappies!

Woohoo! Aidan did his first pee AND poo on demand in the toilet! It was a little one, hiding among the folds of the MOUNDS of toilet paper he likes throwing into the bowl, but there it was.

What celebration and rejoicing! (And I have spared you graphic photos.)

As a reward, he got to stick a star onto his potty training chart (although we don't use a potty - just straight onto the loo with a a training seat attached), and HAVE CHOCOLATE!!

Yum yum. Somehow, chocolate seems to suit the occasion (the colour brown, perhaps?)

Ok, I think I've grossed enough people out by now.

Aidan's first haircut in the salon

Aidan's first professional haircut!

See the pictures here!




I'll add more details soon.


NB: Finally, we got the video from Terence, who was visiting Melbourne and tagged along to the salon. It's here.

Fame!!! part 5

Aloha everyone! The ad's finally out! Presenting.... Aidan's first print ad!!

July '09 issue of Practical Parenting, Page 8

We're now taking offers...

I kinda wish I had the nerve to snap pics during the photoshoot, but somehow thought if I was being a busybodies our chances would be slimmer! Weird I know! Maybe next time (if there is one)?? ;-)

Happy 21 Months!

So much has happened in the past month it's hard to pen it all down. But I'll do my best!

He loves bike rides, especially since his Grandad brought him cycling around the neighbourhood when he was here, he's learnt how to fake a snore, and he got up to heaps of mischief with his cousin Ariel while she was visiting.

He's really learned a lot in the last few weeks, new words, an EXTENSIVE vocabulary, and he's really recognising numbers and alphabets now. He can point to the correct word (I've been sticking up labels in his room, like "Clock" or "Wardrobe"), and we've started potty training - he can tell us "Poo Poo", although sometimes it's a false alarm. But now he gets out of his bathtub to pee (we'd put the his bathtub into the grown-ups bathtub, and he steps into the big one to watch himself drip a couple drops), instead of weeing into his bathwater. Although for the very very first time, he pooed into his bath on Monday.

Charles has just taught him 'kah' and 'chiu'. (Can we start with English first before Hokkien?!!) And he's also learnt to say a mumbled grace before meals (which sounds something like "isygwehvviuhwiheioheoif.... AMEN!"), as well as sing "Twinkle twinkle little star", while filling in the last word in other songs we sing together. And he's changed "Oh where...is my hairbrush" to "Oh where....is my Gong Gong (what he calls my dad)!" Bob and Larry would have a fit!

Nowadays he's been playing with my iPhone and learning words and shapes through the Apps. He actually sits still! But I limit it to a couple of minutes, so his eyes won't deteriorate too quickly - ack, video games at 21 months! Terrible!

He's also got his first haircut on Monday. It was meant to be a trim, to retain his Zac Efron look, but I think I've turned him into Moe from the Three Stooges. Although I think it's calmed down since then, and it looks a little better. Will post pics soon.

As for today, we were well on our way to our first swim class, but it started raining...again! Battling howling winds, piercing drizzles and a runaway pram for the 30 minute walk to the (indoor, heated) pool was NOT the way I'd imagined it. And I didn't exactly relish the thought of having to corral the little munchkin in the ladies' locker room for a post-swim shower either. I finally decided to turn around. Sigh...maybe next week...when we actually have the car!




So today's rainy-day activity... baking (healthy) butter cookies!

Also... Aussie readers, look out for his Heinz ad in the July issue of Practical Parenting, out this month!!

Fame!!! part 4

Monday's shoot went pretty well, we were told to bring several outfits for him to change into but in the end they had an orange jumper for him to wear. We showed up bright and early at a beautiful house in Armadale (1/2 an hour early actually, 'coz I was so afraid of being late!), got him changed, and were led into a bightly-lit kitchen filled with important advertising types, production co-ordinators, art director, stylists, photographer, photographer's assistant... in short, lotsa people.

He was then presented with POTS and WOODEN SPOONS. That's like releasing fish into water. Or chocolate to me.

So there we were, time-slotted between 2 other adorable kids (blonde-haired, blue-eyed, what else?), rotating turns and having my eardrums pierced by the pounding in the room, punctuated by sounds made by my MIL re-enacting her version of an air-traffic controller at a children's circus. It definitely elicited responses from Aidan, 'coz when the other kids had a go (and we were ushered out of the room) they didn't seem to have done too well. One was fussing, and the other seemed rather afraid of the "drums", so much so that they had to call A back into the room to show her how to do it! I think it helped that he was a little older than the other two (yet looked between 12-18 months, which was the brief), so was better at co-ordinating his limbs. And all the while, he was smiling, rearranging the pots just the way he liked it (how pedantic, like his Dada!), banging away so hard the wooden spatula broke, and using his mouth to drum by biting on the spoon and nodding!! I think he did the last one 'coz he figured, Hey, these people have been watching me do the same ol' same ol' for awhile now, let's try something different!

I almost thought we should forget the whole affair, with him bunging his face TWICE in the preceding week, leaving a scratch across his forehead between his brows, and under his left eye (Murphy endangering my career as a future stage-mum?!!) But we showed up anyways, and I'm glad we did, because we just found out that HE'S THE NEW HEINZ BABY!!!

Yes folks, we made it! I've seen a draft copy of the ad, it looks fantastic, our little precocious tyke has just earned his first paycheck, and I'M GOING TO GETTING AN EXPENSIVE MASSAGE FOR MOTHER'S DAY. Minus the manager's fee (Stevie, who sent us the casting-call email), and grandparent's fee (for dancing around like a lunatic to get him to respond) of course.

Fame? Part 3

So, great news, we got picked for the new ad! We're not sure if it's gonna be a print ad or an online one, or if he'll even be featured in the final edit, but we're just really excited to be part of the experience.

The shoot takes place on Monday, and we'll have more details then. My MIL's coming along, since my in-laws arrive tomorrow morning. Yay! We're really looking forward to their visit! Woohoo...it's always great to have family around. :-)

Anyhoos, in other news, Aidan's vocabulary has been expanding daily. He greets me "Morning!" when he wakes up, before asking "Dada, where?!" then "Work!", he can name all his body parts (some even in Chinese!) says "Hi" and "Bye" (did I mention this before?). Yesterday he said "No no NO THANKS!" (hmm...firm but polite I guess!), he can also say the 3 Cs - "cookie", "cake", and "cracker", the 3 Bs - "bird", "bubbles", "bath", "phone", his own name, "Mama, Dada, IVY!" and lots more, I can't keep up! He can even recognise ring tones, and knows whether it's Mama's phone or Dada's.

There are also some words that tickle him to bits which I prefer him not to say. Like "kookoo", which Ivy and Stephen taught him. HARRUMPH! Now he keeps pointing to himself and saying it! Adorable I guess, at this age, but not so when he's like, er, 22.

He's also getting better with sitters, although times at childcare can still be teary. The other day, before I'd even finished leaving instructions with Jon, he'd already said "BYE!!" and waved me off. The same on Monday at Em's too, when I was just heading out to load the car! Cheeky little bugger!

Well, the Foos and Kienan are arriving on Monday...it's gonna be great to see the 2 boys play together again!!

Here's a photo sequence taken at a friend's wedding the past weekend, featuring the Soh boys and Faith, one of Aidan's run-around playmates. Thanks Joy for the photos and captions.

Girl: Wheee!
Boy: Just a minute...

Girl: Ooh, I'm way up high!
Boy: He's MY daddy!

Boy: Get off my dad's arm.
Girl: Eh? What did I miss?

Fame? Part 2

So we made it to the casting today, after driving for about 45 mins in peak hour morning traffic. I was so nervous about being late that I couldn't really sleep the night before! But we got there with enough time to spare, and for me to compose myself after the harried zipping and speeding through the streets, praying I wouldn't hit a traffic jam.

It lasted for about 15 mins, after the initial "wah" factor of arriving at the made-to-impress office - they own the BUILDING. Yikes! And it's all open-plan, so you can see everyone working as you arrive. And the impressive ad campaigns all strung up on the walls.

We were led by a very pretty lady to a room where the art director, a petite girl, got Aidan to play with some pots and pans with wooden spoons (phew! His favourite activity at the moment!), while she took some shots. He was shy at first, but banged and smiled happily away, occasionally looking up to half-smile at the camera. She said she got some cute pics, so hopefully that's good news for us!

After filling up some forms and such, we were handed a Heinz goodie bag, and whisked back to the car in the morning drizzle. Fingers crossed. Maybe he could be the next Heinz Nurture baby! They said the ad could either be a print or online ad, and I had to sign a talent-release form stating the compensation paid for the shots, if we were chosen ($800 for main kid, $400 for the back-ups), would be for unlimited use worldwide.

I did some googling last night, wondering what it'd take to start Aidan's career as a child genius slash star slash prodigy slash beloved national treasure, and found out it'd take a LOT. Modelling agencies charge a registration fee, followed by an annual fee to maintain an online profile of your child, head shots, composite etc. For $500!! Every year!! And that doesn't even guarantee your kid'll get picked!

Hmm.

Methinks it'll be awhile before I'm a stage mum.

Anyhoos, after we left, I dropped him off at childcare where he did his usual sobby goodbye. And of course I felt really terrible and guilty leaving, even though I knew he'd stop once I left (his carers always say he's pretty happy the rest of the day, and whenever I arrive to pick him up and spy through the class window, he's always toddling around playing and having fun).

But I just couldn't shake the feeling today, and I felt so lonely and anxious and purposeless at home, that I decided to head out again and catch up with C over lunch. It was pretty good to have our chat.

I wonder if I'll ever shake the horrible feeling like I'm abandoning him there, even though I know the environment's really good for him and he learns a lot there, especially interacting with the other (ang moh) kids. SIGH! Man, when he starts real school...

Fame?

Some interesting news. We recently sent in Aidan's photo for a Heinz ad call-out, and got shortlisted! So tomorrow he'll be in for casting/audition, bright and early at 9.30am, and we're keeping our fingers crossed.

Let's hope he'll be his sparkly self and won't be intimidated by all the strangers! Now I'm just contemplating what he'll wear, what I'll wear (*ahem*, ad people DO look at the mums y'know), what time we should leave the house to avoid traffic, and whether the whole shebang's gonna be like that in Mad Men.

There'll be one main kid for the Heinz Nurture print ad campaign, and 2 "back-up" tots who may or may not be in the ad. Hope we get into the top 3! If all goes well, it'll be a fun experience for me (if he behaves), and a real eye-opener.

(And maybe my career as a stage-mum will be kick-started into gear!) Muahhahaha.....

PS. The photos I sent in were the bath troll-hair one, and this:

Dentistry

Hooray! After much reisistance, A has decided he'll give brushing his teeth a go. He's currently got 10 teeth (I think!) - 4 top front, 4 bottom front, and 2 top molars on either side.

He'd never let me get near his mouth with his toothbrushes - I'd bought plenty to try (the ONE thing he has to put into his mouth, he refuses). But today, after watching me brush my own teeth, and ONLY after I propped him up to the mirror so he could see he'd be doing the same thing with his own toothbrush, he popped it in. And we have blast off. Brush brush brush!

He hasn't quite got the hang of it yet, but at least it's IN HIS MOUTH! We had great fun after rinsing our mouths, and spitting out water into the sink. Too much fun. Methinks a sign of portent - will he never swallow and drink his water again, forever spewing liquids out in a perfect plume?

Aidan's Pigeon Toothbrush Training Set
He's got another one from my dentist, but uses it as a plunger because of its suction base. Hmpf.

Firsts

Sorry for the lack of updates recently, I've been pretty busy, but I do have many wonderful pictures and videos to upload - if only my poor iBook has the hard drive capacity for it! Yesh...it's dear little memory bank is almost full.

If you've read the Twitter feed however, you'd know that the little tyke has taken his 1st few steps! It started off with him pushing himself up on his feet, then tumbling down. Then a couple days later, another try. Then a couple weeks later, 3 little steps (L-R-L!) and plop onto the floor. He can walk steadily when you hold his hands and he totters around. But the feeling of euphoria when he walks on his own! 5 steps at Westfield Doncaster (outside the Alannah Hill boutique to be exact), and 5 more at music class 2 weeks ago. Then a whole heapful of walking and tumbling around in Stevie's living-room prarie (with Faith standing by laughing her little head off), and now he's up and about! He's getting better and better each day. Bravo bello! Bellissimmo!

Speaking of which, our Mainly Music performance last Thursday was fun! As expected, Aidan bopped around and looked a little lost while the other kids sang along to the music (no, nobody was dressed as singing vegetables, although there was the appearance of a giant koala at the end), but we had fun, and even got presents at the end!

Anyhoos, when I can finally d/l the pics and vids onto my computer, I'll post them up!

Three weeks till Christmas...and Singapore!!