Thank You! Mummy sit here! Mummy carry you!

These are the most common phrases I'm hearing nowadays.

Though, Mummy sounds more like "yee yee".

Thank you sounds more like "ang kyu".

And carry you, actually, sounds like it should :P

Although, she should've been saying, "Mummy, carry me."

No complaints there.

She's also been heard to say "scissors" when Papa used one to snip the vegetables at dinner time.

She's also parroting Mummy a lot when Mummy thanks the teachers in both Mandarin and English.

Best received ones are...

"Thank you, Aunty (or Jie Jie)" for the kind souls who gave up their seat in the MRT.

"Xie xie lao shi" and "Thank you Teacher" for the teachers in "school".

"Thank you, Mummy" for when Mummy gives her something or helps her do something.

Mummy's been sick, very sick. I've taken all the medicine prescribed by the doctors, and they almost took all the congestion away. Almost. Now I have no medicine left, except for the cough syrup and panadol. Let's hope the last sniffles will magically disappear by tomorrow morning.

Then Mummy can continue to care for Ning as usual again without worrying about transmitting germs to her by sharing food, or kissing! I feel so bad for keeping an arms length for so long...

Sorry, sorry, sorry! Ok...

Yesterday, I accidentally put my knee on her left hand while kneeling down to sit beside her. It must've been very painful, because she started crying instantly.

Mummy kept apologizing, while she was crying, and kissing her hand.

Then, suddenly she said, "Ok" and stopped crying.

I love this girl, she's forgiven Mummy.

She seldom cries, even when she hit her head last week she cried for a few seconds, and the bruises looked very nasty for that one.

First Happy Drop-off @ "School"

This is the third week she's been attending "school"!
 
Today, Papa carried her into the childcare and we waved "bye-bye" happily to her.
 
It is also the first time she was smiling, instead of crying, when we left her there.
 
We're so happy!

Second Week @ "School"

This week, Ning's having more fun and some food at "school".

Though this is only the second week she's in child care, Mummy's learnt to let go more. I spied on her at meal times, and found she was getting on fine with the other children. The teacher even told me something amusing. She was "cooking" with the toys and offered her friends the food she made, and they "ate" them :) The teachers, as I was told, were hiding and peeping at this game as they were so amused.

Ning may be the youngest toddler in the playgroup, but she's making waves. She's got a sweet smile and she says words that some of the slightly older children don't even know yet. Mummy wrote as much about her in the little communication booklet as I can, holding back, in case the teachers found it too long winded. And I think that it helps, because now, I can see the teachers see her in a different light.

Today, before the children can eat, the teacher told them, as usual, to "put your hands on your lap", and say, "Join us teachers, join us friends. Lao shi qing chi, Da jia qing chi." The latter is Mandarin for, "Teachers, please tuck in, everyone, please tuck in." And I can hear the teacher sound so surprise and loudly said, "Very good, Ning can say already!"  I must say, I learnt this phrase and repeated it to her only twice at dinner time. She must've caught on pretty quickly.

I went to feed her at lunch today, and skipped feeding at tea time, because yesterday, I saw her eat the biscuits and dipped them into the milk. I still went to sneak a peek, and she was cheerfully pulling the cheese out of the bread and biting off tiny pieces. At lunch, she's already eaten half a bowl of the mushroom spaghetti by the time I arrived. Still, she had a little breast milk and was pulling toys off the shelf to play with already, until it was her shower time.

At my lunch time, I stole a peek on my way back, and she was sleeping with the rest of the children.

At knock off, she was on the "bus" (a 6 seater push chair), pointing to things and saying things. When she saw me, she wanted "off" immediately. And asked for milk on the sofa.

Another teacher told me, that she was quite amused that such a young age, she can choose. She was asked, "Do you want to call Papa? Do you want to call Mummy?" And guess which she chose? Mummy! Hahaha, smart girl!

I was concerned that the school didn't really have any curricula for the groups below kindergarten levels, which was 5 and 6 years old and was going to suggest enrichment classes in-house. Then, I received a letter from the Principal that they are reviewing the curricula in a partnership with the Little Skool House International! They'll be briefing us on 1 Jun! And doing some minor renovations come August! Hurrah!

My little girl IS going to learn more than independence in this "school" after all!

I just hope soon!

Ning's First Week @ "School"

It was heart-wrenching.

She cried so hard when the lady at childcare took her from my arms, but she settled down quite quickly at the playground, the first day. Today, she cried longer. I'd thought that it would get easier for her to settle down as time went on.

The first day, she wouldn't eat or drink a drop. The teachers say that she pushed everything away. Toys. Food. Water bottle. When it was time to change to her indoor sandals, she wouldn't let the teacher put them on. She insisted on her outdoor shoes. Once the shoes were back on, she told the teacher, "there" and pointed towards the door, where we dropped her off and said "Yee Yee" (she kept referring to me as "yee yee" since this ordeal started). So, I went and feed her breast milk then, the centre's food, during each of her meal times.

By lunch today, she managed to down half the bowl of noodle, took one bite of the watermelon. By tea time, she drank 40ml of milk! The teachers told me, she still wouldn't let them feed her, so they left it on the table and explained, "Mummy will come later, drink milk first." And she drank it by herself. Good girl!

I did overhear, before walking in at tea time, the teacher tell her not to cry, or else she'd stop carrying her. It breaks my heart that the teacher can be so careless with words with the toddler. The reason for her crying, is she thinks Mummy's not coming back or not caring for her anymore, and saying that is rubbing salt into the wound. I'm so sad.

She could sleep there, from exhaustion of crying and trying to communicate to them, I guess. It's the eating and drinking which I'm worried about. Hopefully, next week, she'd do even better. Once home, we give her more time to unwind and let her sleep later, 9pm (1 hr later than usual). She's happy and seemed to be in her normal cheerful mood.

Today, in the MRT, it was crowded, we were packed like sardines and she asked for breast milk. Luckily, by the second stop, an elderly man gave up his seat for us. And, thankfullly, the young lady next to him gave hers up for him. After feeding, Ning looked at the tired old man next to us, he looked sad. 

I said that "Gong Gong is tired and sleeping." On both our sides were old men, sleeping. When I told her we were getting off the next stop, she said, unexpectedly, "Bye bye, Gong Gong." The old man pretended to continue sleeping, and I was afraid she was disturbing him, so I told her, so that she might give it up, "Gong Gong is tired and sleeping, he may not hear you." And guess what, she said LOUDLY, "BYE BYE, GONG GONG," and waved, to the amusement of the commuters right in front of us and this time, it made the Gong Gong smile and wide awake. It woke the other Gong Gong up too, and she said goodbye to him as well.

Ning Ning is really adorable, I love my daughter.

Ning Will Be Going to Play School

Exactly 1 week from today.

It seemed like yesterday, when she was born and Mummy couldn't wait for her to become more independent. Now, 1 week away from play school, Mummy's actually excited for her and anxious to let go as well.

I've called the school to ask what else I could do to ease the transition, what foods and type of beverages they will be feeding her, their shower, sleep and eat schedule and worked it into our daily routine for the past few months.

Next week, I will bring her in and stay around, making disappearances and appearances throughout the day. Will stay with her continuously until she starts to get more comfortable with her playmates and teachers. Then will start going to the toilet, or snack break, and return quickly.

As she begins to leave my side and notice me less, I might go away for increasingly longer periods of time. Eventually leaving her side for half day on the second or third.

I hope she'll love her teachers and friends and not mind Mummy going away to work...

Action Songs at 17 months!

She's been following the action songs on BabyTV very well, even when the animations change, she still recognizes the songs. I'm so proud! She can do parts of the following songs:

"Hokey Pokey"

Put right foot in and out, then shake side to side, then turn around. She started following the turn around first, then the foot, and recently the shake.

"Heads, shoulders, knees and toes"

She started off with heads and toes, then the knees came in later. Now she can point at her eyes, ears and nose. She knows the parts, it's just that the speed of the song is too fast for her to follow at the moment.

"If You're Happy"

This one's new, she just got it this week. She started with "stomp your feet", then added "clap your hands".

I'm beginning to appreciate BabyTV more and more!

Shower Pals or Toys

It's becoming more common now for her to choose a dry toy (meaning, not meant as a bath toy) to accompany her to the bathroom for a shower or bath.

Today, she picked the big plush teddy bear that she just "rediscovered" from the bedroom.

Mummy undressed her and said, okay, you can pick a toy to shower with.

And she immediately picked up and said "bear"!

I was a little surprised because she usually picked the rubber penguin and squirrel. The plush toy would take a couple of days to dry, and might smell if not machine washed immediately after.

So Mummy explained, that the bear will take a long time to dry, that she can pick another toy. Penguin, squirrel, or even the Mula cup with hole inside and watch the water leak out. She still picked the bear, and pleaded "bear". Mummy explained again, then told her to pick again, and went to bathroom to check on the water level in the tub. When I peeked out, she was already entering the bathroom with her usual pals, the squirrel and penguin.

Mummy's so relieved she didn't go confrontational. Feeling mushy now, didn't feel it just now. I love this little girl.

Teddy Bear ... tail... Me... no tail... Mummy ... no tail...

A couple of days ago, we read Sandra Boynton's "Horns to toes and in between". When we got to the tail, portion, I asked her, if she has a tail. She looked perplexed. The other parts, she quickly pointed to her own, like the eyes, toes, fingers, hands, head, tongue, etc. We skipped the horns, nowadays, she turns the pages very quickly.

So, today, she picked a teddy bear from our bedroom on waking and brought it to the living room. Lo and behold, when she put the bear face down, he has a tail! Then she spoke a lot and it went something like this. "Bear ... (a lot of syllables in between) ... tail, me (points to self and buttocks, and more syllables), no tail. Mama (more syllables, then points at Mummy, then to Mummy's buttocks), no tail".

It was really hilarious! She's telling me what she knows about tails!

So I quickly added on, tigers and monkeys have tails too. Luckily, the soft toys she has had tiny tails. The squirrel and penguin have tails too. Unfortunately, when Papa wanted to know, he picked Mickey Mouse and Pooh Bears, which didn't have tails. Sigh. Must make sure our toys are anatomically correct before purchase next time!

Downtown East Again

We went to Downtown East again on Sunday, stayed 2 nights at the chalet there and just came back this morning. As with the previous visit, the neighbours were really noisy. This time, the next door neighbours were drunk and drank Red Bull til 6:30am! I woke up at 3am because of gastric. Had diarrhea until 6:30am. They were really rowdy and spoke loudly. When I was in the toilet, the upper wall was the old fashioned bricks with slats for ventilation, they went away because of the smell. Hee hee, so I guess my diarrhea did SOME good.

On the first day, we waited for her to finish her nap before heading out. We took a taxi there, and arrived about 4pm. As usual, they gave us 2 vouchers for a total of 4 tickets to the resident attractions there. We had a quick lunch, I had 2, to make up for earlier. Then went to swim in the chalet's swimming pool about 4:30pm. Ning took to the water like a fish. Splashing and kicking in her life vest with a big smile.

On the next day, it rained mostly. We went ahead to Escape Theme Park anyway. The rain eased to a drizzle and the rides were open, though wet. We chickened out of the Haunted House, after stepping in the entrance. It was decided we didn't want to scare Ning. Our first ride was a pleasant boat ride, where we can steer the tube like boat with the engine, and squirt water at others. Our bums were wet, but Ning liked pressing the engine button and waved at Papa when we passed him. We also bumped gently into another family of 2 boats. Our bums were wet, but it was pleasant. Mummy steered with 1 hand, and held Ning with the other hand at all times, even when the water was 1.1 m deep and Papa and 2 lifeguards were on standby.

Next we went on a mini roller coaster. Mummy explained that the roller coaster is a little like a train, except it is faster, and goes up and down. Mummy's really out of touch with rides. Right from the first downturn, Mummy was screaming her lungs out. Ning was cooler than Mummy, she just sat there. Mummy had one arm behind her back to prevent her from knocking her head against the back, and the other hand holding to her hand, no hands holding the bar. Mummy was flung left and right and out of control, audibly. On round 2, she started crying. Papa was sitting behind us. Too late, Mummy must've scared her.

After that ride, she wouldn't sit on any other rides. Mummy only managed to get her on 2 more rides, not without protest though. The Balloon Ferris Wheel, and the Choo Choo Train. Not even the Carousel (or "horsie") could whet her ride appetite. So we went for lunch, then retired to our rooms to let her nap. She didn't nap after some milk, so off we went to Wild Wild Wet for some splashing good time!

Our favourite (with Ning) was the Shiok! River. It was just a long "drain" with water shot like rapids at a few points to make it flow like the river. People sat on tubes floating along it. We like to bring Ning swimming in it. Little effort, lots of distance. My favourite is with Ning sitting on my tummy, Mummy lies back facing opposite the flow, float backwards with the flow. She loves it too. She sees forward, Mummy, unfortunately no. I only needed to kick off the bottom from time to time to keep afloat. Papa's favourite is holding both Ning's hands with Ning in front, him at the back, and let her "swim" forward. She'll be smiling from cheek to cheek until she turns blue. Then, we take her out for a snack and break. When her colours return and she's responsive, she headed back for the "river" again! We also went to the wave pool, unwisely named "Tsunami". Ning was hungry, and I was "sleeping" on the tube. So I fed her on top of the tube in the pool, to some disapproving looks.

This morning, Ning and Papa got up before me. I wanted to sleep in a bit more since I was freezing the night before. We agreed to set the temperature at 25', but Papa went back on his word and set to 23' instead and it was set to blow directly at me. My nose was running and blocked at the same time, whose fault was it? I ignored Papa's effort to wake me. Ning's fine with my noises. Anyway, who can ignore a little girl climbing over her head to plant a kiss on the nose with a big dimpled smile? I couldn't, so I opened my eyes, returned the million watts smile and wet kiss :)

Finally, Ning's also have a funny habit of sitting on us to wake us up. She'd work up a grin and then step gingerly over to where we were lying and sit and rock on us. Mummy's got sat on the stomach, groin, thighs, head and face. Papa's mostly on the face, stomach and groin. Funny girl!

Early Goodbye, Long Goodnight

Tonight, Mummy explained to Ning that Ah Mah is going back to Malaysia tomorrow. She'll have to say "bye bye" then. It took slightly more than a few seconds for the message to sink in (no thanks to BabyTV in the background). Then, she went to Ah Mah arms open and headed for her, but Ah Mah told her "Ah Mah is dirty, don't need to hug (me)".

Ning looked so taken aback and hurt. Then she backed off and said "bye bye" sadly.

I immediately asked Ah Mah, which is more important, a little bit of "dirt" or saying "I don't want to hug you". Disappointingly, Ah Mah says, it's okay, when Ning grows up she'll understand. I'm so sad. She thinks it's okay to hurt her now, then when she grows up, she'll need to understand why her Ah Mah doesn't want to hug her.

Later on, when it was time for bed, she automatically went to kiss Papa (on the waist, as he was having dinner at the table) goodnight. Audibly. "Muack". Then waved and said "bye bye" while walking away. And repeated this six times before Mummy whisked her away into the bedroom. This time, she didn't go to Ah Mah. I guess she's been turned away too many times before...

The Many Ways to Wear Mummy's Bandana

Ning seems to be trying out all of them, including the unconventional ones.

She always have a blast, skips around with the bandana over her head.

Pink Squirrel, Pink Shoe

Busha Pants and "Mau Tau Ying" (Owl)

Mummy ordered 4 Busha Pants from GMarket.com.sg.

We opened them in front of Shay Ning, Ah Mah and Papa. When we identified the owl in Cantonese, it translates literally to "cat head eagle".

Ning went to get the cat and brought it over to compare to the owl. We laughed till our stomachs ached.

The pants are quite well made, only feels a little warm. Guess Mummy will keep them for the child care then.

She knows where the temple (body part) is...

and was probably confused when Mummy kept telling her we're going to the temple today.

On the way to the MRT station, Mummy said, we're going to the temple to pray to Kwan Im today. Then she tapped her hand on side of Mummy's head, where the temple is. Then I realized, hey, she remembers the body part! Mummy then explained that temple is also a place where people go to pray.

Oooh, Mummy is so pleasantly surprised.

On the way home, Mah Mah sat beside Ning in the MRT. When the MRT was out of the tunnels, Ning stood up and watched the vehicles on the road along the MRT tracks. She started pointing out, "bus", "car", "(lor)ry", "taxi" and went "wooo", Papa's sound for moving vehicles. 

Mah Mah reacted like it's the first time she heard Ning do this. I said, whenever we were on the roadside, Ning would do this. :D I'm so happy someone else shares my pride ;) Aside from Papa. Papa's already stepping up on naming things for Ning!

Ning (and Mummy) missed Popo & Gong Gong

We were just starting to eat with Mah Mah and Papa. And she asked "Popo, Gong Gong?" My heart just melted.

Then last night, or was it the night before, it was time to turn off the TV and say good night. She switched it off, then went to Papa first, first kiss, the "bye bye" for good night. Papa pushed her away, saying he's dirty, didn't want to kiss her and make her oily. Mah Mah did the same when Ning went to say good night. Then, she followed Mummy into the bedroom and asked, "Popo, Gong Gong?". She remembers the good night kisses and hugs Popo and Gong Gong gave her and craves for them.

How do I explain to Mah Mah and Papa, which actually matters more? Passing some oil over to Ning, or giving her love?

Ning shows empathy watching BabyTV

I've noticed her demonstrating exaggerated emotions like coughing/crying sometimes while watching TV. I thought she was sleepy and acting up at first. Then, I watched closer.

I saw her watch a bird being kicked by the hippo (by accident), and it fell over. It was suppose to be funny, but she coughed and "cried". Not long afterwards, Humpty Dumpty came on. The ball knocked Humpty Dumpty off the wall and off came his hat and he looked sad. Then she did it again! It's like she's telling Mummy, "Oh no! Humpty Dumpty fell down."

I wonder when she'll start trying to hit the "bad" characters on the TV, like the hippo. 

*grin*

Afternote (29 Apr 2011):

Today, the nursery rhyme came up again. This time, Ning is visibly and certainly distressed. She was already shouting out in distress before the ball hit Humpty Dumpty. I had to assure her that the fairy will make him alright at the end to prevent the tears from falling.

Slightly earlier, while watching "Love" ("Ai"), the foster mother was giving away the baby boy back to his birth mother, and the baby boy was crying and reaching for the foster mother and father. She stood in front of the television and pointed at the boy and at both parents, as if telling them and me, that he wants the foster parents to carry him! And she pulled Mummy to the television. I explained that the foster mother is very ill and may die, so she couldn't take care of him. She has to return him to his birth mother to care. Then she didn't pursue the matter anymore.

Whoa, complex!!!

First really awkward/disappointment situation with Ning

Last Saturday, something really awkward happened.

We were told weeks earlier, by our good friend, Kakak, her Mum was planning a birthday party and inviting us and the other neighbour with 3 kids.

Mummy was preparing Ning for the big day once we were told of the intent. Saying what a birthday party was, there'll be the birthday girl, lots of presents for the birthday girl, and cake, and lots of playing and laughing. We even went to pick out the birthday gift together, saying how she'll give it to the birthday girl. We'll put on a pretty dress and go over with the present and wish her "Happy Birthday!".

Up to the day itself, Kakak did not say anything afterwards, nor did her parents. So we assumed the party was still on. When the guests were arriving, lots of family members, we were surprised at the growing "small" party and thought we'd just stay half an hour at most for Ning to "party" with her Kakaks and Abang, then leave. We even asked Kakak, when she'll be expecting us over, we'll shower and come on cue.

When the last guests / family members arrived, Mummy was worried we were unfashionably late, so Mummy sent an SMS to Kakak. The reply came as a shocker for Mummy. Kakak says her Mum says there were too many guests already and Kakak cannot invite us over. The invitation was purely from Kakak. 

There was a gross miscommunication. Mummy should've checked with Kakak's Mum earlier. 

Now Mummy had the MOST DIFFICULT task of letting Ning down, that we weren't invited, she'd have to take off the party dress (Papa is really mean, we could've kept it on and went out to KFC in it), and we're not joining in the fun. Ning didn't cry, but she ignored Mummy, ignored the party hat and mask that Kakak brought over earlier. She ignored Kakak. I think, inside, she doesn't really know how to react. It is the first time she felt sour and ignored us. I suggested we went to KFC, which was one of her favourite places, for dinner to ease the pain. Put her on her overalls.

On the way out, she saw the party hat, reached for it. Mummy asked if she wanted Mummy to help put it on, she shook her head and swiped her hands at it, indicating she doesn't want it.

When we went out, she looked the other way, away from Kakak's house. I guessed she was still sad.

When we were almost at the lift lobby, Kakak called, to give us cake. Initially, I thought she wanted to ask us over, I didn't want Ning to be subjected to disappointment again, so I said, "It's ok, we're going out already!". Ning didn't want to walk back, even when Mummy had to go back to get the cake from Kakak.

At KFC, she ate and drank very little. Mummy's heart broken.

I felt like I shouldn't have let this kind of thing happen, especially when she's so young and understands what is going on.

We haven't had the chance to play with Kakak or Abang recently, since Popo and Gong Gong's visit, but I hope she'll still remember how happy she was playing with Kakak and Abang and not remember the incident for too long. Maybe I should throw the unpleasant reminders of a party hat and mask away, just in case.

She says goodbye to (good night) and kisses Popo & Gong Gong

The first few nights, Mummy carries her to kiss Popo & Gong Gong good night. Then Mummy sometimes forgets when Mummy's been trying to coax her into the bedroom.

Last night and just now, when she asked for milk and looked sleepy, Mummy said to turn off the TV and say "bye bye" to Popo and Gong Gong because we're going to bed for milk.

She walked to the TV, turned it off.

She walked to Popo, while Mummy went into the bedroom to close the window and turn on the fan, kisses Popo and says "bye bye". Then she did the same to Gong Gong, who was in the dining room. Mummy came out in time to view her saying and waving "bye bye" to Popo and the repeating with Gong Gong.

My heart just melted. Mummy planted many kisses on this sweet little girl afterwards :)

Ning's first independent somersault, in fit of anger

Ning was sleepy, we just returned from a long walk after breakfast.

To cut a long story short, she threw a fit today! For almost half an hour.

She was already sleep deficient and hungry. Mummy made it worse by bringing her to shower despite her protests. After that, she was inconsolable. She wouldn't latch on or lie down still. Even when carried, she was crying and all communications was down. So was sobbing. Mummy braved the teeth, and stuffed one nipple in, and she finally suckled to sleep.

But, before that, when I laid her down on bed, she pulled her butt up so high, hands and feet down, that she rolled over her head! She paused, surprised for a while, she'd probably laugh and try again under normal circumstances, but then, she didn't. Sigh.

I held her in my arms for full half an hour before moving her onto the bed and she suckled some more. We only slept 1 hour before she woke up and asked "ball?" Tried to nurse her to sleep again, but she was rolling about and asking for Popo and Gong Gong already.

She finally slept at 6:00pm, I'm so thankful. Hopefully she'd recover from sleep deprivation. We couldn't sleep at the chalet on Sunday because all around, people were barbecuing till midnight, and after that, our neighbors were playing mahjong till dawn! We checked out yesterday, skipping one night of paid accommodation for our sanity!