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!
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Friday, October 16, 2009
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.
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.
Monday, October 12, 2009
To wit, I say
My! Time flies when you're having fun. Or at least being so extremely busy you forget to blog!
Life has been really full lately, what with Tupp parties and writing for Meld and taking care of my darling talking motormouth of a two-year-old.
Did I mention what a motormouth he is? Talks non-stop, with so many words, and he's really communicating his wants, likes, dislikes. Although he sometimes also has the unfortunate habit of hitting things out of frustration. Like people.
In addition, I get the sneaky sensation I'm being conned most of the time. Case in point: On our trip to Tassie, EG wouldn't let him have the remote-control for the TV. He said, "Aidan, you've had enough TV." Then A starts to whine and cry, as you'd expect, and EG stayed firm, while A kept going on and on. Then suddenly, he stopped, looked at EG with a sly smile and said "Aidan, pretend cry!"
OMG.
You kinda know that kids are smart and manipulative, but you figure it's an unconscious move on their part, being unable to harness self-control. But I didn't imagine HE KNEW he was manipulative. Maybe on a subconscious level, but not overtly!
Now I know why my friend said kids are dead cunning.
Anyhoos, here's another recent video: A responding to a video of his Kaofu (Uncle).
Life has been really full lately, what with Tupp parties and writing for Meld and taking care of my darling talking motormouth of a two-year-old.
Did I mention what a motormouth he is? Talks non-stop, with so many words, and he's really communicating his wants, likes, dislikes. Although he sometimes also has the unfortunate habit of hitting things out of frustration. Like people.
In addition, I get the sneaky sensation I'm being conned most of the time. Case in point: On our trip to Tassie, EG wouldn't let him have the remote-control for the TV. He said, "Aidan, you've had enough TV." Then A starts to whine and cry, as you'd expect, and EG stayed firm, while A kept going on and on. Then suddenly, he stopped, looked at EG with a sly smile and said "Aidan, pretend cry!"
OMG.
You kinda know that kids are smart and manipulative, but you figure it's an unconscious move on their part, being unable to harness self-control. But I didn't imagine HE KNEW he was manipulative. Maybe on a subconscious level, but not overtly!
Now I know why my friend said kids are dead cunning.
Anyhoos, here's another recent video: A responding to a video of his Kaofu (Uncle).
Monday, September 21, 2009
Today's post has been brought to you by the number 2
So we went up to Mt Hotham last weekend:
In other news, we had Aidan's 2nd b'day bash combined with Zoe-Grace on Saturday. Crazy - 50+ adults and 15 kids. Yikes! Pictures will be up soon...
In other news, we had Aidan's 2nd b'day bash combined with Zoe-Grace on Saturday. Crazy - 50+ adults and 15 kids. Yikes! Pictures will be up soon...
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Happy 2nd Birthday!!
Yes, my little man, you've finally turned 2.
2 years since that fateful day, when the contractions came fast and furious, and you came roaring out to greet the world. (ok, maybe not quite roaring, probably more of a quiet salute).
Time flies, and from a little bubsy who was born after a tiring 17-hour labour, you've blossomed into a fine young man, sitting on my lap crunching Special K while I type this.
I love mornings like this when it's already 10.30 and we're still in our pajamas having breakfast and watching Babar on TV.
And you've already got 4 birthday wishes! (I sang "Happy Birthday" to him and he shouted"Hip Hip Hooray!" after - must've been the many times he's heard us say this at other people's birthdays.)
Can't wait to celebrate the rest of the day with you!
2 years since that fateful day, when the contractions came fast and furious, and you came roaring out to greet the world. (ok, maybe not quite roaring, probably more of a quiet salute).
Time flies, and from a little bubsy who was born after a tiring 17-hour labour, you've blossomed into a fine young man, sitting on my lap crunching Special K while I type this.
I love mornings like this when it's already 10.30 and we're still in our pajamas having breakfast and watching Babar on TV.
And you've already got 4 birthday wishes! (I sang "Happy Birthday" to him and he shouted"Hip Hip Hooray!" after - must've been the many times he's heard us say this at other people's birthdays.)
Can't wait to celebrate the rest of the day with you!
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
On the eve of...
WOW. What an eventful day. It started with two rude men and ended with a nosebleed!
All this the day before his 2nd birthday!
Delivering the fruits and veg to GB, I was told off by the Irish gent (rudely I might add) to drop it off at the loading zone around the corner. And after deliveries was done, was sworn at by the guy blocking my exit in the loading zone for parking there. We got into an altercation, but suffice to say, I can understand why Fight Club members feel exhilarated after a bout. Feels good to blow off steam.
The rest of the day was uneventful (save for Aidan's THREE-hour nap), until after dinner when Aidan started jumping on the couch, and FELL OFF, hitting the glass coffee-table on the way down (landed on his fours though - good instincts!) and promptly burst into tears with BLOOD DRIPPING FROM HIS NOSE.
Yikes! The sticky red liquid soaked up tissue after tissue, and I had to yell up to Ellie for some help 'coz EG was out, but eventually he settled down, and was happy after some chocolate. His upper lip's a little swollen though.
My hope is that he learns from this, and not think of the incident as a performance he can repeat to get more chocolate.
That said, he's bouncing up and down on the couch next to me again. SIGH...
All this the day before his 2nd birthday!
Delivering the fruits and veg to GB, I was told off by the Irish gent (rudely I might add) to drop it off at the loading zone around the corner. And after deliveries was done, was sworn at by the guy blocking my exit in the loading zone for parking there. We got into an altercation, but suffice to say, I can understand why Fight Club members feel exhilarated after a bout. Feels good to blow off steam.
The rest of the day was uneventful (save for Aidan's THREE-hour nap), until after dinner when Aidan started jumping on the couch, and FELL OFF, hitting the glass coffee-table on the way down (landed on his fours though - good instincts!) and promptly burst into tears with BLOOD DRIPPING FROM HIS NOSE.
Yikes! The sticky red liquid soaked up tissue after tissue, and I had to yell up to Ellie for some help 'coz EG was out, but eventually he settled down, and was happy after some chocolate. His upper lip's a little swollen though.
My hope is that he learns from this, and not think of the incident as a performance he can repeat to get more chocolate.
That said, he's bouncing up and down on the couch next to me again. SIGH...
Monday, August 24, 2009
Aidan's first haircut in the salon
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Healthy Cookies (yes they exist!)
We've been on the hunt for healthier snack alternatives for Aidan, without too much sugar ('coz he's energetic enough as it is!) So after Googling around, I found a great cookie recipe which we tried this morning!
If you've been following my tweets today, you'd have seen the results as the cookies were being made.
Here's what happened (click on photos to see larger version):
Mash a large ripe banana
Add in butter & sugar
Sift the flour
Add all the dry ingredients to the wet ones and Mix!!
Chop up an apple in the Happy Chopper
Add it into the mixture
Mix it into a dough!
Spoon them and drop 'em onto the cookie pan
Bake for 20 mins at 160 degrees C
Here they are baking...they SMELL DELICIOUS!
All done! Onto the rack to cool...
...and into Aidan's tummy! Yum!!
If you've been following my tweets today, you'd have seen the results as the cookies were being made.
Here's what happened (click on photos to see larger version):
Mash a large ripe banana
Add in butter & sugar
Sift the flour
Add all the dry ingredients to the wet ones and Mix!!
Chop up an apple in the Happy Chopper
Add it into the mixture
Mix it into a dough!
Spoon them and drop 'em onto the cookie pan
Bake for 20 mins at 160 degrees C
Here they are baking...they SMELL DELICIOUS!
All done! Onto the rack to cool...
...and into Aidan's tummy! Yum!!
Here's the recipe, which I got from ChefMom.com. I've tweaked it a little...didn't add the cinnamon or macadamia nuts, 'coz I didn't have any at home!
Apple-banana wholemeal cookies
1 large ripe banana
1/2 cup unsalted butter, really soft (or use olive oil as a healthier alternative)
3/4 cup brown sugar
1 cup of oatmeal
1/2 cup white flour
3/4 cup wholewheat flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup macadamia nuts, chopped
1 apple, chopped
Preheat oven to 160 degrees C. Mash banana in a large bowl. Add butter (or olive oil) and brown sugar. In another bowl, mix dry ingredients. Add these to the banana mixture. Add the nuts and apples last.
Spoon onto cookie pan lined with greaseproof paper, about 5 cms apart. Bake in oven at for 20 minutes or until golden brown.
Prep time: 30 to 45 minutes. The recipe makes about 30-40 cookies, depending how big you make them!
And trust me, they were REALLY yummy. I usually gravitate towards chocolate, but these weren't too sweet so I just kept popping them into my mouth! WARNING: 1 or 2 cookies might be a healthier alternative to chocolate; pop 6 or 7 of these babies like I did, and you'd need to swim 10 laps!!
Apple-banana wholemeal cookies
1 large ripe banana
1/2 cup unsalted butter, really soft (or use olive oil as a healthier alternative)
3/4 cup brown sugar
1 cup of oatmeal
1/2 cup white flour
3/4 cup wholewheat flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup macadamia nuts, chopped
1 apple, chopped
Preheat oven to 160 degrees C. Mash banana in a large bowl. Add butter (or olive oil) and brown sugar. In another bowl, mix dry ingredients. Add these to the banana mixture. Add the nuts and apples last.
Spoon onto cookie pan lined with greaseproof paper, about 5 cms apart. Bake in oven at for 20 minutes or until golden brown.
Prep time: 30 to 45 minutes. The recipe makes about 30-40 cookies, depending how big you make them!
And trust me, they were REALLY yummy. I usually gravitate towards chocolate, but these weren't too sweet so I just kept popping them into my mouth! WARNING: 1 or 2 cookies might be a healthier alternative to chocolate; pop 6 or 7 of these babies like I did, and you'd need to swim 10 laps!!
Monday, August 10, 2009
Thinking thoughts
Just some quiet reflections.
I made a new friend recently, my Tupperware manager actually, E (yes, I've recently joined Tupperware; for Tupperholics, my AP was on 2/8/09, and 1st demo this Sat after Sessions!), and our long car rides to Demos and Sales meetings have given us an avenue to talk, and swap stories.
E's such an amazingly wonderful person, very open about her life and what's she's battled with, and I'm just so impressed with her positivity in spite of everything. It really feels like God's had a hand in bringing us together, for such a time as this.
Tonight we talked about lots of things, our family as usual, and based on her own experience post-birth, it made me wonder if all the feelings and anxieties I had with my newborn could've been classified as post-natal depression.
Now labeling anyone with the big D-word is pretty scary, although during the 1st year of Aidan's life I did check out a few websites to see if I exhibited signs. While I ticked a few boxes, it wasn't quite enough to label me with PND. I guess there's a spectrum.
I think my feelings mostly tied in with a sense of a loss of control. I think I was angry most of the time. Not angry enough to yell or scream or throw a plate, but I often felt stressed, anxious, tired, and got the sense I was well in over my head. Which resulted in me snapping at everyone, all the time.
So maybe it wasn't just the baby blues, maybe it was more than that. I guess I'll never know. I'm hoping I'll be more aware when the next one comes along.
In the meantime, I've learnt a bit more about myself in the last week, why a lack of control over situations tend to tip me over the edge (esp. nearing my period...hmmm...hormones do play a part!) and what amazing AMAZING girlfriends I have. And a gracious husband. And a merciful God.
Here's to tomorrow!
I made a new friend recently, my Tupperware manager actually, E (yes, I've recently joined Tupperware; for Tupperholics, my AP was on 2/8/09, and 1st demo this Sat after Sessions!), and our long car rides to Demos and Sales meetings have given us an avenue to talk, and swap stories.
E's such an amazingly wonderful person, very open about her life and what's she's battled with, and I'm just so impressed with her positivity in spite of everything. It really feels like God's had a hand in bringing us together, for such a time as this.
Tonight we talked about lots of things, our family as usual, and based on her own experience post-birth, it made me wonder if all the feelings and anxieties I had with my newborn could've been classified as post-natal depression.
Now labeling anyone with the big D-word is pretty scary, although during the 1st year of Aidan's life I did check out a few websites to see if I exhibited signs. While I ticked a few boxes, it wasn't quite enough to label me with PND. I guess there's a spectrum.
I think my feelings mostly tied in with a sense of a loss of control. I think I was angry most of the time. Not angry enough to yell or scream or throw a plate, but I often felt stressed, anxious, tired, and got the sense I was well in over my head. Which resulted in me snapping at everyone, all the time.
So maybe it wasn't just the baby blues, maybe it was more than that. I guess I'll never know. I'm hoping I'll be more aware when the next one comes along.
In the meantime, I've learnt a bit more about myself in the last week, why a lack of control over situations tend to tip me over the edge (esp. nearing my period...hmmm...hormones do play a part!) and what amazing AMAZING girlfriends I have. And a gracious husband. And a merciful God.
Here's to tomorrow!
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Aidan's first girlfriend
SUCH a cute thing happened yesterday. As usual I picked him up from childcare, and Mia, the friend he always talks about, was getting picked up by her Dad too. We always tease Aidan about Mia, saying "Is Mia your girlfriend?" to which he always shyly/slyly turns away and says "Nooooo!"
Well yesterday, as they were leaving, he pointed to Mia and said, "Mia, girlfriend!" I was a little embarrassed mind you, after all her Dad whom I'd never met before was standing there, and here my son was, declaring his eternal devotion. But Mia was nonplussed.
I said, "Aidan, why don't you give Mia a hug goodbye?" and Mia's dad added "Yeah, go give him a cuddle and a kiss. " So they cutely toddled towards each other, gave each other a hug and pat-pat on the back, and MIA LEANED IN FOR A KISS - ON THE LIPS!!
Then they toddled back towards their respective parents.
Sniff, my boy's all grown up. Got his first kiss (from a peer, not like, from Aunties he knows...). And in front of the girl's Dad too!! What a stud haha!!
Well yesterday, as they were leaving, he pointed to Mia and said, "Mia, girlfriend!" I was a little embarrassed mind you, after all her Dad whom I'd never met before was standing there, and here my son was, declaring his eternal devotion. But Mia was nonplussed.
I said, "Aidan, why don't you give Mia a hug goodbye?" and Mia's dad added "Yeah, go give him a cuddle and a kiss. " So they cutely toddled towards each other, gave each other a hug and pat-pat on the back, and MIA LEANED IN FOR A KISS - ON THE LIPS!!
Then they toddled back towards their respective parents.
Sniff, my boy's all grown up. Got his first kiss (from a peer, not like, from Aunties he knows...). And in front of the girl's Dad too!! What a stud haha!!
Monday, July 27, 2009
Parental gushings
Ooh...a quick update! A just brushed his teeth on his own, properly! He usually just smooshes the brush around his mouth, but today he really looked like he was doing it properly, back and forth, left to right, even BEHIND! WOW!
Sometimes I forget that HE'S NOT EVEN 2 YEARS OLD!!
I think I have a genius on my hand, whose vocab is big, can recognise Alphabets (letter O! letter A!), Numbers (counts 1 to 10, altho sometimes he skips 5, 6, 7, 8) and Shapes (cheese Square! Crescent moon!), is physically adept (he can really catch himself before he falls) and is gorgeous (proof here)! Whaddaya know, we scored the Trifecta, the type of kid/person you can get so jealous of 'coz they're so good at everything!
Haha, ok, I'll stop gushing now.
Must...be...humble...
Sometimes I forget that HE'S NOT EVEN 2 YEARS OLD!!
I think I have a genius on my hand, whose vocab is big, can recognise Alphabets (letter O! letter A!), Numbers (counts 1 to 10, altho sometimes he skips 5, 6, 7, 8) and Shapes (cheese Square! Crescent moon!), is physically adept (he can really catch himself before he falls) and is gorgeous (proof here)! Whaddaya know, we scored the Trifecta, the type of kid/person you can get so jealous of 'coz they're so good at everything!
Haha, ok, I'll stop gushing now.
Must...be...humble...
Vocab
New words recently: CRESCENT moon, aunty, uncle, kookaburra, wake up (which he yells into my ear each morning), and a host of others too numerous to mention. He's really getting the hang of this whole communicating thing, which I'm really proud to watch happen! Although sometimes he stumbles and trips over his words, and reminds me of myself as I fumble through my Italian. Molto patetico!!
Nowadays he does this little jig around the house, and Ivy's house too, and says "dance dance dance"...how cute!!
Anyhoos, more photos from my bro who took these on his recent trip!
Click on the photo below!
Nowadays he does this little jig around the house, and Ivy's house too, and says "dance dance dance"...how cute!!
Anyhoos, more photos from my bro who took these on his recent trip!
Click on the photo below!
Friday, July 17, 2009
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
New AUDIO recordings
Here're some new recordings Aidan did on my iPhone recently! Note - AUDIO ONLY!
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Swim
Phew! Finally, THREE weeks of Aidan and E-Gene falling sick, getting well, and falling sick again have passed. I've been inoculating myself with echinacea pills TWICE a day just so I can take care of the 2 babies. And trust me, the taller one's the bigger baby when he's sick... ;-)
Today, sadly is the last day Aaron, Aidan's kao fu (Uncle in Cantonese) will be with us before he leaves this evening back home to Singapore! Boooohooo....
Little A's really enjoyed having his kaofu around, waking each morning calling his name, and the silly games they play. My brother's always been great with kids, and with his nephew, it's no exception. A big stocky giant gone mushy putty with his little bubba.... I've also really enjoyed spending quality time with my bro, catching up and seeing the sights and eating eating eating!
Anyhoo! Today we FINALLY went to the pool for a little swim, and boy did little A love it! Slid down the froggy slide, a giant (you guessed it) frog's mouth into which he hops in from the back and slides down the frog's tongue! SO CUTE! When I've got the pics I'll upload it. He also loved the "fountains" and bubbles, and wading through the water while holding my hand. And even accidentally dunking his head underwater didn't faze him! And with big A pretending to be a crocodile and splashing little A, they make quite the cute couple!
Sigh. I think Aidan and I are both gonna be really sad tomorrow when we wake up, and don't see the snoring giant asleep on our couch in the morning...
Today, sadly is the last day Aaron, Aidan's kao fu (Uncle in Cantonese) will be with us before he leaves this evening back home to Singapore! Boooohooo....
Little A's really enjoyed having his kaofu around, waking each morning calling his name, and the silly games they play. My brother's always been great with kids, and with his nephew, it's no exception. A big stocky giant gone mushy putty with his little bubba.... I've also really enjoyed spending quality time with my bro, catching up and seeing the sights and eating eating eating!
Anyhoo! Today we FINALLY went to the pool for a little swim, and boy did little A love it! Slid down the froggy slide, a giant (you guessed it) frog's mouth into which he hops in from the back and slides down the frog's tongue! SO CUTE! When I've got the pics I'll upload it. He also loved the "fountains" and bubbles, and wading through the water while holding my hand. And even accidentally dunking his head underwater didn't faze him! And with big A pretending to be a crocodile and splashing little A, they make quite the cute couple!
Sigh. I think Aidan and I are both gonna be really sad tomorrow when we wake up, and don't see the snoring giant asleep on our couch in the morning...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
