the fall

I must confess that I have been so lazy in caring for lil Em. For instance, when Ash was a baby and having solids, I would sit her down on the high chair, read her a book whilst feeding her. This worked pretty well because she would be so fascinated with the pictures, she would flip the pages of the same book over and over and over and before you knew it, she was done eating. Feeding her was such a breeze.

With lil Em, sometimes I sit her on the high chair and tried the same tactic of bringing her a book. It rarely works. Because, as soon as she spots Ash doing something fun, she would bolt from her chair, refusing to sit still. So, instead, I get her to sit on the sofa in front of the tv whilst feeding her. I really hate doing that but, like I said, I have been lazy and I want her to finish her meals fast like Ash.

This afternoon, while feeding her lunch, she started climbing up and down, fidgeting even though her favorite Barney was on tv. She went and sat on the arm rest and started to push herself till she fell backwards. She came crashing down onto the floor...which was tiled...with concrete. My heart stopped for a second and I was all ready for her to scream her lungs out whilst hoping that she wasn't hurt badly.

Thankfully for lil Em, the Thomas tent which is filled with many of Ash's balls, and floats sat next to where she fell and it kinda broke her fall. She didn't cry as badly as I thought she would, only letting out a whimper here and there. I did hear a knock though...hhmm..

Anyway, just thank God she's ok. I have found my diet pills that work because with Lil Em, I run twice as fast, walk twice as fast, even my heart beat jumps twice as hard.

2 months..

Ash's playgroup session is over for the year. A little too early methinks. But, the staff wanted a break and to prepare for their holidays, Christmas and other family stuffs...

Then, I started to moan and groan to the other moms about what I was going to do with lil Ms Ash for the next 2 months. Seriously, you have no idea what playgroups can do for your kids and for a mom of course. They are the best!! Initially Ash was this clingy kid but the last 6 months or so, that place was like her home. In fact, it's better than her home - it was her toy heaven!! Plus, she made her own friends throughout the year that she's been with them. We've had the best of both worlds whilst there.

We will surely miss some of the kids next year but most of them are returning for the playgroup like I am going to with Mini. ANd some have opted to return for the extension program instead of sending their kids to kindergarten or preschool...like me. Ash will not be attending a kindy proper next year, she will instead be joining the extension program for 4 year olds. This program will be conducted by a qualified teacher and the aim of this program is to prepare kids for kindergarten/preschool the following year.

Before the mayhem starts again next year, the little mayhem will be starting soon with Ash being activity-less for 2 months. I can foresee myself aging a lot more in the next 2 months. It looks like I may need a much stronger anti wrinkle serum if I want to re-claim my youth..heheh

busy weekend

We had a full day on Friday. It's very rare for us to be out and about from morning till night because we're such homies But, we were out the whole day since Friday. We had dinners, play-dates and what nots. Ash loved every minute of it of course. She behaved like someone announced it was payday advance weekend or something. Mini wasn't as thrilled though..she was cranky most of the time.

Also, it was my sister's birthday and we had a family dinner on Saturday night. My dad bought us all dinner at the Ship. Personally, I haven't been to the Ship in such a long time; 10 years to be exact. I used to frequent that place a lot cos my then college friend were good buddies with the Filipino band that used to play there after hours. For the life of me, I cannot remember what they were called but they were good. The place hasn't changed one bit and of course, the food hasn't changed much either. It's kind of my dad's favorite so we all went along.

Last night, after coming home from my mom's place and oh...how I missed my mom's cooking when she went on a week's holiday. My sisters and I moaned the lack of home cooked meals the past couple of weeks. I may have digressed. After we got home, it was the first time I treasured my weekdays more than my weekend. It was great and all, but there were times in between where you felt like you needs to slow things down and take a breather. I'm just glad all is over and we get to have our usual weekend yet again..heheh..:-)

ancient cave writing

The cave would be my home.

The writing can only be deciphered by lil Ash.

You know, if you've been inside my house, you'll know that I have done very little to my home in that, there's virtually zero renovation except for certain fixtures and fittings that was necessary. I didn't even paint over the walls of my house. So, perhaps my kids thought they are living in a boring home, with little or no decor at all and they'd do me that tiny little favor -- by sprucing up the walls with their writings/drawings. Maybe they figured that to have natural art is always 10 times better than getting a Van Gogh or Rembrandt. Who knows? Ash might actually grow up to be a very famous artist and I'll have her very first painting right here on my dining room wall.

If they had wanted to get me an early birthday present or even a Christmas present, I have plenty on my wishlist. They can always get me acne cream for instance since it's close to that time of the month. Certainly, having wall decor by a 3 yo and 17 month old is not on the list.

Seriously, I may have to add a new Christmas project to my list and that is to re-paint the house or at least some of the walls. Now, I think I have to go assign a wall that they can draw or write on and get them washable ink pens or something. Because, no point reprimanding or telling them not to do it, they'll do it anyway. They are, or more accurately for Ash, at the age to explore and the more you stop them, the more they want to do it. So, better just let them cos soon, they'll get bored and move on to something else..

sleep deprived

If you're a mom, chances are you know what I am talking about. There's not a mom in this world (ok, maybe not that I know of anyway) who has never experienced such a state. FOr me, my girls were kind to me. And, I should say my hubby was also kind to me when he offered to wake for lil Em's night feeds from the time she was 3 months till about 8 months or so. Once they reached 1, the girls slept right through only needing their feed around 11 or 12 and even then, they will drink in their sleep and go back to bed. Hardly have they been waking up in the middle of the night unless, they were unwell.

But, last night, lil Em couldn't sleep. She spent the day with my MIL on Friday and when she came home, her sleep was interrupted several times during the night. I worked the night shift till around 1, and then, hubby worked from 3++. Then, I worked again around 6++. Now, I am wide awake. She was warm but not feverish so we gave her some paracetamol and counted on a kiddy abacus using her little fingers to push push the little roller balls to one side. You can tell she was so sleepy and tired but just couldn't get a good night's rest. She went to bed around 7am. I turned the zircon on for her which we usually don't past 12 midnight. Actually, the unit shuts itself as we have programmed it to.

So anyway, I have no idea what set her off. It's been a while we were both made to stay awake throughout the night albeit intermittently. She had no noticeable fever, wasn't fussy with food (she has never been anyway), so I don't know what's been bugging her. At this moment, I can only think of 2 things that may have triggered her off -- the teething bit and likely the weather.

It would be nice if we knew what the problem was because then, I'll know the remedy. It would help of course if she was older like say...a 21 year old where all you need to do is stuff some cash into her pocket or they will leave you alone if you offered a perdomo. It is easier when the kids are older..in this respect in any case.

a leftie

Ash is predominantly a leftie. I say this because she can use her right hand pretty well too. But, she's most comfortable and in control with her left. Is she ambidextrous? I have no clue..as yet.

I've always known she's left-handed. I remember quite vividly of her at about 2 months, always lifting up her left arm, her fingers rolled up in a fist-like position and she would stare at it for a long long time. SHe seemed so fascinated with her left arm (and fist). It was always her left. Call it mother's instinct or what, I had the hunch but you know, was very open to the possibility that she would change since neither me nor my hubby is left-handed.

My instincts proved me right yet again 3 and a half years later as she's writing with her left. In general, she uses her left more; including when she holds a scissors. I never really thought it would pose a problem to us with her being a lefty until I tried guiding her hand in an attempt to show her how to write properly. I tried using my left hand so it would seem more natural to her but I tell you, it was horrifying. There I was, trying to make sure she does it properly but instead, made it look worst. I had the will but simply couldn't execute. I gave up. I told her to learn to write herself, following the lines. She tries. Sometimes, she makes it, sometimes she doesn't.

Then, I read an article in the local daily about dealing with a lefty child, the challenges they face and I thought "wow, how timely the article came to being!". I was glad someone chose to write about it. It didn't even occur to me how something so ordinary such as a pair of scissors are made for righties. And oh, you can actually purchase specially made items for lefties too. Things like these are very informative. Not that it matters, but would compression stockings information contain any instructions for lefties? I'm just asking :-)

dressing up

The other day, I was talking to a mom at Ash's playgroup and she casually mentioned how I should 'dress' Ash up. You know, with pretty clothes, hair accessories...the works. Her saying that was in response to me telling her the backpack Ash was carrying, was a gift from my sister. I told her I don't usually buy her stuffs like that. So, that's when she went off and advised me that I should.

Yeah..well, you know, I'm not that kind of a person. I am the kind who'd rather sleep in than to go to the gym for a work-out (assuming I have time in the first place). Or get on the wii or spend hours at the shopping mall. When I look at all the shops, the varieties of things one can possibly buy, I get overwhelmed. I don't even know what goes with what. Sure..I do have my favorite shops but that's it, I don't do the whole mall thing. I guess I am not as hardworking as I should be for me.

So, with my kids, I tend to be pretty laid-back with them as well. With lil Em, she'll let me put on whatever I want except for the hair. But, Ash, I usually let her dictate what she wants to wear. That includes getting them at the stores (if we went shopping). It's a rarity for me that she likes whatever I pick out for her. She has her own likes. Besides, they get all sorts of clothes as birthday gifts and whatnots. Why waste a perfectly good top even if it's from Jusco or Tesco? If she has no issues with it, I don't have any issues with it.

And...what's the point? The point is...I am a terribly lazy mom.

birthday present

I had wanted to post up a rant so bad last night. Was literally hopping mad. I wanted to bold the names, wanted to litter my complaint with profanities, write to the press. But..all is calm now. I had to remind myself that this is boleh-land, therefore, such things do (and will) happen.

Anyway, onward to more "exciting" news. My birthday is coming up..this month..but I am not saying when..heheh..And, guess what I got as an early birthday present?

-a vacuum cleaner-

Yes..go on, shake thy heads. I am as dumbfounded as you are. But, I am not the least bit angry because, I've wanted it for a long time since our ancient 20++ year old vacuum is about to giveaway and even though I have the part-timers come in to do the cleaning, I still wanted that vacuum. And if you're wondering why it came early..well, cos it was on discount..heheh :-P.

You know, I am seriously turning into a hardcore housewife. I take pride in my cleaning tools. I am more happy with a household appliance than with..say, a diamond ring?!!

That's it. After 4++ years of domestication, I have officially (and safely) landed over to the 'dark' side.

her signature look

Then (taken when she was 1 month++)

Now

How much she has grown. She's due for her..er, this mommy is really hopeless because she cannot remember what vaccine her daughter needs. But, yes, she's due for her jab soon. Oh did I tell you that she's just turned 17 months? Yes, she has and you can tell can't you -- that I am mighty glad that those days are over. Not entirely, but almost.

Her and Ash, they are Tom and Jerry. One is always running away from the other. One is always taking the other's stuffs. Now, one knows how to fight over the television set. Ash will want to watch her..I don't know, her Toy STory, Ice Age, Ratatouille..etc and Mini just wants Barney. She can even say "bar".

She's the littlest darling. The darling of her cousins, the darling of the family. The way she has everyone wrapped around her little fingers, there's no doubt in my mind that she knows it!

she wants the big one!!

I always try to give the girls 2 serving of fruits a day. One in the morning, and one in the evening. Each time after their food. I try to. SOmetimes, I don't when I am lazy.

So, this morning, I cut up a huge pear for them. I cut smaller cube-sizes for Mini; after all, she only has 8 tooth so far. FOr Ash, it was the bigger julienne pieces in another bowl. When I finished, I brought out the bowls and proceeded to give Mini the one with the cubes.

Take a wild wild guess which one she actually preferred????

Yup, she gestured to me waving her hands side to side whilst telling me "no..no...no...no". And, when i gave her the bigger bowl, she grabbed it with both hands and quickly ran away from her sister.

Quite a greedy lil fella this one, isn't it? and sneaky too. If she doesn't grow up to be anything, there's always a personal injury attorney Tucson to consider. I heard they make good money too.

teething

The never-ending journey of a a new toddler.

And the usual crankiness, clingy-ness..but luckily, she is ok with eating and no noticeable fever. When she's cranky, she's cranky!! Like someone gave gave her hgh releasers or something.

I don't remember Ash being this cranky during her heydays. You know what they say...every child is different so we just have to deal. And, "deal" is what hubby has to do when he gets home every evening. No partying, no boozing, no night out with the guys...he has 2 angels to entertain every evening when he reaches the front door. heheheh..NOt that he was ever the social butterfly; neither of us were. But, on occasion, someone will ask him out and usually, he will decline cos if I don't give him the stare, his 2 angels will. ANd he wouldn't want to face the stare of death...muahahah...**evil laughter**.