chatter-box Queen

There was a time when Ash refused to say anything other than the word 'NO'. She won't even mimic Barney or us or anyone. I used to read to her everyday, twice a day or whenever I sit down with her and we can flip through the same books over and over and over again..and yet, not a word. Not even something simple like "ball"..or "sun"..or whatever.

Was I ever worried? A little but I also did remember that (as a comparison and a means to provide self-comfort), hubby's nephew who's 11 now, started speaking proper sentences at 4 and a couple of words here and there at 3. So, "ok"..I thought. No rush. But of course, secretly, I wished she had responded more.

Then, she started saying many more words when she turned 2. Still slow and on a one-word basis but, we made progress. I stopped reading to her so frequently then because Em came along and just threw my schedule overboard. But, she continued to make progress; which is a good sign I believe.

Nowadays, she yaks non stop. Not in perfect sentences with perfect grammar and all. Lets face it, I tend to also get my tenses wrong so...what have I got to say about her? Also, hubby and I, we're guilty of not correcting her each time and instead, even copying her sometimes. I know, it's bad but you know, it won't be long before she finds out the proper way to say things and eventually, she'll learn (from school or well learned friends) so I simply wanted "preserve" her 'baby talk' as long as I can (like, to record all her baby talk onto usb drives). But I can see that, as the days go by, her growing up, she's learning new things, learning new words (like 'shit'...I am so gonna get an earful from the teacher one of these days)....SHe doesn't leave you alone even for a second without asking you something -- what this is, what is that...As much as I like to provide her with all the answers of the universe, sometimes, I just look at her blank and reply "err..mommy don't know wor". WHich is true because most of the time, this mommy really doesn't know O_O.

I really wonder, how long this type of questioning from a toddler will last? I hope not too long because I have another little one and she's likely to be doing the same thing, I reckon?.

the girls' playroom

I always liked to have a room where I can just stuff all their toys and whatnots so that, when they play, they only mess up the room and no where else because if you leave the toys in the living-room, chances are they'll end up under the couch, under the coffee table, under God-knows what. So, to clean one room, is easier than cleaning oh, I don't know - the entire living-room.

My problem is, I don't have a house with that many rooms to spare. We have only 2 rooms upstairs of which are occupied by us (the master-bedroom) and the girls' room. We have only 1 room downstairs which we've since turned it into a study. There used to be a gigantic sofa-bed but we've since moved it up to our room when the girls moved out. So, there's slightly more space in our study for me to put in their mickey mouse study (it comes with 2 chairs and is super cute) table and some of their favorite toys. Unfortunately, the room isn't big enough for all of their toys and books; it'll have to do for now.

So far, the arrangement served it's purpose especially when they are playing with their masak-masak. Plus, I can keep an eye on them when I'm on my lappie which turned out to be another advantage having them in the study. Everybody wins in this situation, don't you think? I am hoping of course that one fine day, when we can eventually afford a much larger house (with more rooms), we can then have a room specially for them but for now, it remains just a dream for me.

Ms Independent

So..it looks like Ash isn't just enjoying school, she's becoming more and more independent.

She won't allow me to go up the stairs towards her classroom with her. Instead, she'd shoo me away, whilst telling me "Ashley girl go (her)self. Go mommy". Every time.

Good? Of course! But...

As much as I feel elated with her new found courage, I'm also a wee bit annoyed and can't help but wonder if she's been up to no good at school. And whether, what mischief has she gotten herself into lately. If only I had bought the Nikon binoculars so I can spy-with-my little-eyes.

Alrighty...time for the CSI and Sherlock Holmes in me to get cracking!

the girl and her shadow

and her 'echo' too...

have a wonderful weekend all!!