Butterfly Artwork ~ JOEY's Homeschooling Method

It's time for me to jolt down the artwork I have done together with Bryan. Today, we go on for a simple artwork, which included Drawing, Cutting, Gluing and Writing.

Herewith the artwork we did this afternoon. I did the top right butterfly, whilst the one my boy holding definitely was did by him!

Materials:

• A4 white paper
• coloured paper 
• pencil
• scissors
• glue

Method:

1. First, draw a BIG butterfly on the A4 paper
2. Cut different shapes from the coloured paper. This is a very good motor skill for a toddler to learn using scissors, beside learning the shapes they are cutting.
3. Glue the shapes on the butterfly. Allow the toddler to glue anywhere they like.
4. Last, teach the toddler to write his name and date on the A4 paper.

Time: We spent about 45 minutes. Most of the time spending on cutting.

***Parents/guidance/care taker should be always beside the toddler when they are using scissors. 

Tadaaaaaa....... That was what we did this afternoon after lunch.

Out of idea what to play with your kids at home??? Maybe you would like to have a try with your kids as well?

Share with me if your kids like it too~~~~

Kids Have BIG Imagination

Bryan was helping me in the kitchen to prepare our dinner tonight. While I was cutting the capsicum, he quickly STOP me from continue cutting the capsicum! 

Then he hold the capsicum up asking me "Mommy, what do you think this is?" 

IT LOOKS LIKE A PIG SNOUT!

~My son has BIG imagination~

Am I Happy?

Am I Happy? I will say YES!

As a full time mommy by taking care of my 2 little boys, I am not happy all days, as

they make me MAD...

they make me ANGRY...

they make me FURIOUS...

 they even make me CRAZY!

 BUT.....

When I see them laugh happily, I knew everything is worth!!!!

This is 3.5 years old Bryan & 17 months Isaac laugh happily while their daddy was blowing balloon. This video remind me about 2 years old Bryan did laugh crazily as well... Enjoy LAUGHING....

This was 24 months Bryan. Same... Daddy was blowing balloon. 

~KIDS LOVE BALLOON~

Learnt Shapes in 14 months

My darling ~ Isaac learnt 8 shapes in his 14 months! I will said he is QUICK as compare with Bryan. He learnt circle, square, rectangle, triangle, oval, star, crescent, heart shapes! Good job my little boy! 

Isaac loves reading books rather than playing with toys. Maybe this is the reason he learns faster as a toddler. He is 17 months now (Sorry back dated post again) he learnt a few numbers and alphabet! eg, A, B, C, E, G, I, J, K, T & M. Whenever he sees A & M, he can even SAY the letter correctly by pointing at the letter!

Colours ~ He learnt a few colours ~ blue, red, yellow, green, orange & purple.

To My boys ~ Bryan & Isaac, 

Sorry Isaac that mommy realized that I did compare your growth development with your elder brother. For sharing, I was being compared since young, so I will never compare my sons with others. 

Both of you are my precious boys, I will compare both you unwittingly. I am not mean to do that, but hope both of you learn from positive way in comparing.

Multi-Language Boy

We are proud to be Malaysia, as we learn more than one language in school - English, Malay & Chinese. Therefore, I teach my boy in different language start from young. My 3 years old boy was reading numbers in 5 languages - English, Mandarin, Malay, Japanese and Cantonese. 

I didn't learn Korean, Spanish, French, Italian, Thai....... If not, I will teach him as well! Hahahaha..... 

~HAPPY LEARNING~

三字经

After attending 4 weeks of school, Bryan is able to recite the 96 words from the Three-Word Chant, 三字经.

Frankly speaking, I can't even recite them, but my little boy did it! Good JOB! 

人之初，性本善。性相近，习相远。苟不教，性乃迁。教之道，贵以专。

昔孟母，择邻处。子不学，断机杼。窦燕山，有义方。教五子，名俱扬。

养不教，父之过。教不严，师之惰。子不学，非所宜。幼不学，老何为。

玉不琢，不成器。人不学，不知义。为人子，方少时。亲师友，习礼仪。

十二生肖

‎12 生肖 - 鼠，牛，虎，兔，龙，蛇，马，羊，候，鸡，狗，猪。你学会了吗？

JOEY's DIY Homeschooling Method

Question:"How do you teach your boy, which homeschooling method are u using? Montessori? Charlotte Mason? etc....."

JOEY:"I just explain to him whatever things happen around us on HOW, WHY, WHEN, WHAT, WHO, WHICH"
Maybe I can name it as - JOEY's DIY Homeschooling Method

Then, the parents will think of I do not wanna share my method with them @_@
This is the issue I'm worrying about after my post - When Will you send your kids to nursery?

First of all I really want to APOLOGIZE if my answer gave you this feeling. But I really teach my boy on HOW, WHY, WHEN, WHAT, WHO, WHICH from the things happen around us.

Isn't that true that we need to know:-
why there are day & night?
Why raining?
Why we need to eat & drink?
Why my hair is black?
WHY? WHY? WHY?

Question :"how can the little one understand all this?"
JOEY :"if the little one do not understand, definitely they will ask again and again. Then, I'll answer again and again. Repetition is very important in teaching."

If there are something that I do not know or do not understand, I will...
JOEY:"I'm not sure how it works/why, how about we search in the internet to find out the answer together later?"
Companion is very crucial for kids. Works/learn together with your kids is worth than spending $$$ for the classes.

This is how I teach my boy, Bryan about our nature, or I would say everything around us.
About those basic academic, e.g. shapes, colours, numbers....... normally I'll related with "things around us"as well.
Example: "baobei, you look great in this orange shirt" sure he will look at his shirt and understood that the colour is "ORANGE"
Communications is very important. Try to talk MORE with them.

P/S: Do not think of your kids is small and don't explain to them! Maybe they are not really understand the meaning. But they REMEMBER what you said, your words may keep in their mind for years!

Question :"Joey, all the books, flash card for babies are so expensive, not worth to buy, how to teach?"
JOEY :" I only bought picture flash card about animals & fruits for Bryan 4 years ago. I made most of the flash card all by myself."

Maybe I can share more in future post in details. Wait to go...

When will you send your kids to nursery?

When will you send your kids to nursery?

18 months? 2 years old? 3 years old? 4 years old?

I made my decision to send my boy to kindergarten when he is 5 years old. Too late???

Hmm... Let's summarize what my 3.5 years old boy learnt so far. Share with me what your kids learnt in school? In order for me to justify whether is it too late to send him to school in year 2014?


Motor Skill

• He learnt to button by himself before 3 years old (video)
• He learnt how to take off and put on shirt and pants all by himself.
• He learnt to take shower by himself.
• He learnt to use scissors.
• He learnt to use cup. He uses cup to drink milk.
• He is diaper off since 15 months.
• He learnt to put on and take off the shoes and socks all by himself. He is learning how to put on shoes for his little brother now.
• He helps me a lot on the house work, eg laundry (video), hang up clothes & collect dry clothes (video), cleaning....

Am I missing anything? What he can learnt in school in motor skill?

Shapes
He learnt the basic shape - triangle, circle, square, star & heart shape at 17 months. He even learnt oval, diamond, pentagon, hexagon, octagon, trapezium etc.... NOW.
Are these the shapes the kids learn in nursery?

Numbers
He learnt all the basic colors at 2 years old (He knows colours by 18 months, now he even can "tell" all the colours (black, brown, dark green, light green, purple, dark blue, light blue, red, pink, orange, yellow, grey, white, beige))
He learnt indigo, violet, navy blue, maroon as well.

Games

• He likes to play dots to dots. He can finish 1-100 dots to dots!
• He likes to play puzzle (video), he can finish 72 pieces puzzle!
• He starts to in love with maze now.
• We play memory game every weeks.
• We sing and dance every day.
• We paint together.
• We play dough together.
• We go swimming together.
• He cycling every day.
• ..... and more ....

Numbers

Bryan can read and write from 1-100 in English and Mandarin; read 1-10 in Japanese.
This is the video he read numbers in different language -> video
Few weeks ago, Bryan completed 1-100 on his work book without any missing numbers! While I was taking my shower, he told me that he was boring, nothing to do. So I simply told him to write some numbers on his work book.
He surprised me by showing his writing (picture on the right) while I finished shower. ^_^

Alphabet
Bryan learnt A-Z since 19 months (video).
We play alphabet game every day. eg, name the animals/fruits/musical instrument that start from A-Z. This little boy can think of some name that I can't even recall!

Writing
I will not force my boy to write before he was 3 years old as I believed that kids fingers are fully developed after 3 years.
He can write capital letter and small letter from A-Z and a-z as well. But a bit UGLY. Haha... As I just started to teach him writing when he was 3 years old. So I have no worries on this.

Language - Mandarin
I teach him mandarin flash card using the material given by my sister.

Language - Malay
I just start to teach him Malay. ^_^
He learnt some animals name (kucing, anjing etc), numbers (satu - sepuluh) and colours (merah, hitam etc).
I admit I teach him lesser in Malay as I am not really good in Malay :P......



Reading
I read story book for him and slowly he learn to read by himself. Basically he can read simple story book in English. I taught him on phonics, which makes him read.
This was the video he reads "The Three Little Pigs" at his 3 years old (36 months). It's a LONG video, so the middle part I had fast forwarded. Hahaha......

So... Experienced mommy, am I made a correct decision to send him to school at his 5 years old? I prefer homeschooling my boy. But... Am I missing anything to teach him at home?

The PURPOSE of a Nursing Room

Parents! Do you really understand what is the main purpose of a nursing room?

A nursing room is for BREASTFEEDING mommy to latch on / BREASTFEED their babies/toddlers. 

A nursing room is NOT FOR BOTTLE FEEDING your babies/toddlers!!!!!

This time, I really MAD on this. Some more, this is not the first time experience carrying my HUNGRY babies/toddlers running around to look for empty nursing room. My 15 months toddler is more than 10KG!

But I really MADDDD when I've been waiting so loooonnnggggg outside the nursing room, ended up seeing a mommy holding a MILK BOTTLE coming out from the nursing room!

Why can't the parents feed their baby outside? Why you have to occupied the nursing room for bottle feeding? Or because you are bottle feeding, you do not think there will be any BREASTFEEDING mommies around?

Would like to take this opportunity to voice out! About nursing room in Queensbay mall, Penang. I experienced carrying my HUNGRY + FUSSY + CRYING baby running from lower ground floor up to second floor. But can not find a nursing room, either it has been occupied or the nursing room is WITHOUT A CURTAIN!

I do not request a luxury nursing room with proper air conditioning (most of the nursing rooms are HOT), proper sofa (some are nothing inside, like a fitting room), toilet paper provided, different bin for diaper, rubbish bin (some don't even has one) etc... Just the curtain!
Hope they will have some improvement soon.

I think will make up some review on nursing room from now on. Hope those shopping mall will improve their service and understood the PURPOSE of a nursing room!

Kindergarten Selection in Penang area

I started visiting some kindergarten around my area for my boy during September and October 2012. So far, there are only a few kindergarten in my selection, which fulfill my requirement.

After chit chatting with some parents and friends, I realized that most of them select the kindergarten according to the reputation / advertisement. Therefore, I would like to share more about how I did the selection.

First of all, I will visit those "famous" kindergarten website to know more about their background / origin before visiting. Yet, I will not make any judgement merely on the website. As they will do the BEST in website, no matter how, I will spend my time to visit personally. MOST IMPORTANT, I will not go along with my boy, as he will distract by those teacher and the playground outside!

During the visit, I will ask below questions:

1. School fees? (mainly to compare with other kindergarten)
2. Methodology?
3. Timetable? (is there any music session, gym, IQ game etc.) 
4. Play based or academic driven? (will not prefer purely academic)
5. Language used? (I will choose trilingual - English, Mandarin & Malay)
6. Ratio - Teacher : Student (will prefer 1: 10 or below)
7. Teaching method? (some kindergarten will use TV, which I definitely will blacklist)
8. Syllabus? Text book? (go through to know my boy level)
9. How often the parent can check out their kids progress / performance in school? (It'll be great if anytime ^_^)
10. Does the teacher identified the person who pick up the kids when the school over? (parents need to aware on this, as I saw some kindergarten just let those kids to go along whoever arrived the school and called the kids' name ONLY)

Besides all these questions to ask, I will observe the kindergarten as well. Below are the priority condition I will check out during the visit:-

1. Does the kindergarten locked the gate? (If the kindergarten simply open the gate/door, without asking me, who am I / the purpose I was there will be rejected)
2. Hygiene in the kindergarten? (This is quite subjective on every personal, I will check on the toilet and pantry, toys)
3. Child safety / proofing? (there MUST be safety gate at staircase)
4. Any child friendly facilities? (child toilet bowl & basin?)
5. Handle for kids on the staircase?

Herewith all the conditions I will check base on my own judgement and standard. Parents may take these as a referral but not a standard.

YET......

After visiting a few kindergartens, I made my decision to enroll my boy when he is 5 years old in 2014. 

WHY???

I will disclose on my coming post ^_^

Emotional Mom&Son

I was hugging my boy from the back on the bed and having mom&son moment.

Mommy: I love you bao bei...
Bryan: I love you mommy...


Mommy: How long will you love mommy?
Bryan: I am 3 years old now, I love mommy, 4 years old also love mommy, 5 years old also love mommy, 10 years old also love mommy, 20 years old also love mommy, 30 years old also love mommy, 40 years old also love mommy, 50 years old also love mommy, 60 years old also love mommy, 70 years old also love mommy, 80 years old also love mommy...


Mommy: When you're 80 years old, mommy dead lor...
Bryan: Dead? like "chor chor"? (great-grandmother, who passed away last December) Then can not see mommy anymore?

My boy stopped but I heard him was sobbing. Then he turned looked at me with tears in his eyes


Bryan: I don't want 80 years old, I want mommy... I want mommy...

Started to cry... Looking at him crying, my tears started to fall as well.

Don't worry my boy, mommy will take good care of myself in order for me to take care of you and your little brother, mommy will not leave you, mommy will stay with you till the day I died.

9 months baby signing MILK

This is a 9 months baby sign for milk. http://joeymah.com/ He is diaper off on 9 months as well! All thanks for the Baby Signs® Program helps baby to TALK before they can TALK!!!
Babies have a lot to say....even before they can actually speak. With the Original Baby Signs® Program, babies and toddlers can communicate what they see, what they need and even how they feel by using simple easy-to-do signs for words like "Eat", "Milk" and "More". Research has shown that the Baby Signs® Program decreases frustration, help babies talk sooner, enriches parent-child relationships, and boosts' babies intellectual development. 
http://joeymah.com/

My 9 Months Diaper Off Baby!!!

Amazing, right? I was shocked to see DRY diaper every morning as well! My 9 months baby, Isaac really has confident on himself. He will CALL us when he needs to wee and pass motion.

The key to train up your BB to be potty trainned is - Communication!

How to communicate? He merely a 9 months BB? It through Baby Sign® Program. Signing is the allow the baby to TALK before baby can really TALK!  

By the time babies are 9 to 10 months old, they are quite capable of knowing what it is they need or want. What they don’t know is how to tell us with words – which leads directly to frustration for baby and parent alike. All this changes when a baby is able to use signs. With signs like “thirsty,” “hungry,” “hot,” and “cold” – and many, many others – at their disposal, babies can make their needs known quickly and quietly without resorting to tantrums and tears. No wonder “Decreased frustration!” is the answer we most frequently get when we ask how using the Baby Signs® Program has changed daily life.

I started to use baby sign since my elder son was 8 months and he is diaper off when 14 months. With my experience, my second baby successfully diaper off on 9 months! Baby Sign® Program really works! Other than signing, bonding also a key factor.

~Our Conversation Today~

Just update some funny conversation with my son today

Psedornna: Please keep a distance from Isaac, you're fever.

Bryan: I just miss Isaac. I just want to hug and kiss him.

~My heart was warm with this~

Bryan: Mommy! (loudly) You shame shame! You forgotten to wear pants!

(lifted up my big T-shirt to show him my short pants)

Psedornna: I wear a short pants, just my T-shirt too big.

Bryan: Opps, sorry mommy. Next time don't wear short pants. I thought you forgotten to wear pants to go out, shame shame, you know! 

~My son, who turning to 3 years old in 2 weeks was advising me~

(We were sharing a swiss roll)

Psedornna: Mmmm... This swissroll is yummy!

Bryan: It's delicious! I want more please...

Psedornna: Sure. 

Bryan: Aiya... Fever can not eat this lar. Never mind, wait Bryan recover first!

~My son has grown up, he knows how to control himself~

Skynet - The WORST Courier Service!

I really lose my temper with SKYNET this time!

I received the sender email that my parcel will reach on Friday. Therefore I was waiting for my parcel since last Friday everyday. While I check online, the status was - OUT FOR DELIVERY

On the 5th of June, I check the status online AGAIN. It was OUT FOR DELIVERY again. So I cancel all the out going activities with my boy but stay at home to wait for the delivery. Wait... Wait... Wait... It was about 4pm, I have no patient to wait for them anymore. I call their hotline in KL. Then, the customer service gave me a Penang phone number.

After calling the penang branch, she mentioned "Saya TAK TAU, you boleh call the delivery man, ini handphone dia ......"

Then I called the delivery man. Herewith the conversation with the delivery man.

Delivery Man - DM ; Mommy Psedornna - MP

MP: Saya nak check bila parcel saya sampai. saya tinggal di "Sxxxxxxxx"
DM: Oooo... "Sxxxxxxx" belum pergi sana, u nak sekarang?

MP: since last friday sudah tulis "OUT FOR DELIVERY" tapi kenapa belum sampai lagi?
DM: Oooo... "Sxxxxxxx" susah nak pergi, nak naik lift. tunggu dulu lar.
MP: sudah tunggu 3 hari, nak tunggu lagi? boleh hantar hari ini?

DM: tak boleh lar, sudah lewat, nak hujan lor! u turun ambil sendiri la!

MP: huh? skynet macam ini? nak ambil sendiri?
DM: SKYNET MEMANG MACAM INI!
Then he hang up the call!

So the reason for them to drag my parcel for 3 days was my house -"susah nak pergi, nak naik lift"

I have no choice but to call the KL office again. His feedback to me was the penang branch should not gave me the delivery man handphone number and require me to call him directly! And he promise my parcel will reach my door step by today.

After one hour, the STRONG Indian delivery man was here with my parcel. He STARED AT ME when passing the parcel to me to sign and asked "you telephone KL tadi?" Due to the size of the parcel, I need to open the door to collect, I not dare to say anything. I just signed and locked the gate immediately!

I was F~E~A~R! Just my little boy with me at home that time! no CCTV outside my house some more!

Anyway, this was really a BAD experience with SKYNET. If you have other choices, please do not choose SKYNET!

Car Washing Fun~~~

This is the first time I wash my car together with my boy. I brought along a story book for my boy to read in case he bored watching me washing my car. Surprisingly he volunteer to help me to wash.

Then he started to follow what I did, holding the sponge to clean the car. wash... wash... wash...

After washing, he even helped me to fill up water in the bucket and washed the sponge WITHOUT MY INSTRUCTION! Hahaha....
Then we dry the car together!

When I call him to pose for photo snapping, he replied me: "I am busy mommy, come to help me, FASTER!"
>.<
Anyway, we have a FUN~~~ morning.

My Boy's Update for the past 10 months

My  boy stepped into 35 months yesterday, but...... no update for him for a looongggggggggggggggggggg time. I think better jolt down everything as soon as possible rather than keep on delaying. Just a quick recall back for the past few months.

~26 Months~

= My Model =
My boy become my little model this month as his clumsy and big belly mommy the only "exercise" was kept holding the camera on my boy. Herewith my little model!

C-O-O-L  

 H-A-P-P-Y 

 S-W-I-M-M-I-N-G 

This was the first time I cut my little boy's hair. Not bad huh? My boy doesn't like hair cut at all. Whenever he saw his hair fell from the head, his tears will started to drop and started to sob, and keep asking "finish? finish????" aih... How to make hair cut is fun for him?

= Mid Autumn Festival =
Isaac due date was mid autumn. In case he come to this world on time, I took this opportunity to play lantern with him before the actual mid autumn festival. My boy more excited with the candle compare to the lantern.

= Arrival of Isaac =
After the arrival of Isaac, I just realized how lovely my boy is.
    ~ He will make a quiet sign "shhhh..." when he saw his little brother was sleeping.
    ~ He helps me to take whatever I need when I was cleaning for Isaac, eg diaper, pyjamas, napkin, handkerchief, throw poop diaper, ointment cream etc....

~27 Months~

= A Lovely & Caring Brother =
Even though he is merely 27 months, but he really act like a BIG brother of loving and taking care of his little brother. The video below was taken when he was trying to sooth his little brother.
    ~ He will put pacifier for his little brother when he cried.
    ~ He will sooth/pat his little brother when he awaken.
    ~ He will try to talk to his little brother when he fussy.





= Puzzle Lover =
This was a great month for my boy as my boy surprised me by finishing a 16 pieces of puzzle all by himself! Check-out my previous post here or his video below. I  have bought a few 16 pieces puzzle, all these puzzles are so useful when I was busy taking care of Isaac, as my boy can spend his time finished all the puzzle by himself. All the puzzle are available in Popular Book Store in a reasonable price! ^_^

~28 Months~

= Independent Boy =
He is more and more independent now. When I was busy nursing, changing diaper or rocking his little brother, this boy will know how to take care of himself. He will took off his pants and took out his potty to do his big business by himself and waited for me to clean for him after all done. Same, he will wee by himself in the potty, as he was to short to wee in the toilet bowl.
I was quite worry that he will messed up everything and kept asking him - "are you ok? do you need my help?" Yet... the answer from my boy was "no worries mommy, I can do it by myself, you take care of Ah B"
My tears dropped on the first time I heard my boy saying that in his response! It's touching!

= Good Helper =
My boy starts to help mommy on house chores since 14months to mop floor, laundry, keep toys etc...
After his little brother was born, this little boy helps a lot by taking care of his little brother while mommy take shower&cooking. He can even help me to keep all the clothes that we washed.
He is my GOOD boy ever ^_^

~29 Months~

= Speech Development =
The most memorable moment in this month was my boy starts using -ing on his speech! The first time I heard him saying that was the time I was taking shower in the bathroom. While I opened the door and realized that my boy was sitting outside hugging his puppies. I wondering what he was doing and his respond was "I was waiting for mommy finish shower". From then, I realized that he understood the meaning of -ing and use it appropriately. Due to I speak English and Cantonese with him, he don't know how to differentiate between cantonese and english. Therefore, we heard him adding in -ing in cantonese word as well. haha...

~30 Months~

= Caring big brother = 
Again, I would like to appraise him as a big brother! Just look at the picture here. He will be the first to appear in front of his little brother when he made any noise. He will soothe him with pacifier, pat him to sleep on the bed, dance and sing in front of him, take his teether or any toys to play with him.

~31 Months~

= Music Lover = 
My boy loves music since 1 years old. May you be interested to watch him play drum here and keyboard here. My sister and sister-in-law bought him his first drum set after they watched the band performance on stage. He LOVES his drum so much and take very good care of his drum till now. His little brother likes to play with it as well. But this is the only toys that he will not share with him. Hahahaha.....

= Amend Lyrics = 
I used to sing "My Bonnie" to Isaac when he was going to sleep. This cheeky Bryan changed the lyrics from "my bonnie" to "my mommy"
This was the first song he changed. Still got lots to come on the following months ^,^

~32 Months~

= Photographer = 
This little cheeky started to take photo using my sister digital camera and the photo not bad. As he knew to focus the person in the center. Then he started to use my hp to take photo when we dining out as well. Sadly, he likes to take photo of his tumbler, his puppy (and all of his soft toys), bowl, chopstick... instead of his mommy ~.~ 


= Drink Milk from cup = 
This was a great achievement for my little boy who willing to drink milk from the cup instead of his lovely milk bottle.
Bye bye milk bottle!!!!


= Button himself = 
I gain more time to take a rest as my boy took about 10 minutes to button his pyjamas every night after shower and before bed time. Hahaha... After teaching him for 1 month, he manage to button by himself perfectly now! Enjoy the video below and see how my boy button up his own pyjamas!

~33 Months~

= 70 Pieces Puzzle = 
Again, my boy breaks his own record by finishing 70 pieces puzzle all by himself! I took out his 70 pieces puzzle for him to play while I busy vacuum and mop the floor. 70 pieces is too much for him as I knew he just can finish 48 pieces puzzle. So I can vacuum and mop the house safely cause he will not running around but concentrating on his puzzle.
After a while, he came to me saying that he has completed the puzzle! Oh boy! You're great!


= First Dental Visit = 
My boy willing to sit on the chair, laid down and opened his mouth BIG to let the dentist to check for his teeth. AND... He was not doing it once but twice! As he thought it was fun to sit on a BIG chair which can FLY up and down.
Since he willing to visit the dentist, I have made next appointment for him on the 39 months. Wait to see how's he performs then >.<


= Toilet Train = 


Toilet train??? hahaha... Can't think of a suitable word to describe. My boy can go toilet "wee" all by himself now. He yet to reach the toilet bowl to wee, but he can make it by tippi toes! isn't that cute to see him wee in the toilet all by himself?
*He won't let me take photo of him, so I took it from FAR... without his notification.

~34 Months~

= Terrible 2 = 
My boy starts his terrible 2 on his 30 months. When I request him to do something, he will said "NO" / "Don't Want"! +_+|||
This naughty boy really blow me up sometime! Maybe I can't spend all my time with him now, but need to take care of Isaac, this make him start to against me. I gave him his first "cane" when I really can't control myself. His tears dropped when I cane his little hand and he knew that he has made me angry as well. So he not dare to cried out. Seeing his tears falling down, my heart felt pain too. I kept on repeating on his mistake and make sure he will not do it again. After the cane, I gave him a time out for 1 minute as well. Hope all these punishment will not repeat again.

Baking Fun ~ Steam Kuih Jagung

This was the first time WE have fun in baking. Err... This Kuih Jagung need not to bake but steam only. Anyway, this was the first CAKE we do it together!

This little fella so excited shopping with me in the market for the Kuih Jagung ingredient. Keep the long story short, enjoys my boy's photo below ^_^

First, sieve all the custard powder. My boy would like like to do it all by himself. 

He taps slowly on his hand, even though a bit careless, but he still manage to sieve all the custard powder.

Then, pour the coconut milk into the custard powder. 

Next, pour the evaporated milk into the mixture.

 Then, stirred until the mixture is smooth, cook in a pot, after the mixture started to bubble, pour into another pot and steam for 15 minutes.

Outlook - not really good ^_^

Taste - not really good as well ^_^

Hahaha... seems to be not a good starting on our baking. Anyway, as long as he has fun playing throughout the process. We will try another cake soon. 

It's started to rain...

Bryan: Mommy... It's started to rain.
Psedornna: Not yet. You should say - Its going to rain.

Bryan: No no mommy. It's raining now.
Psedornna: Oh? really? (put out my palm to check for rain drop) Nope...

Bryan: Got. It's dik (cantonese) on my face, I rubbed away already.
Psedornna: Okay. Then we better move fast. Run....

Bryan: No no mommy. Cannot run. Can fall down. Walk faster better.
Psedornna: Okay. Then we walk faster.

Bryan: Mommy mommy, remember to hold my hand.
Psedornna: Okay Okay...

Bryan: Be careful mommy....
Psedornna: Okay. Thank you.
Bryan: You're welcome!

Above was the conversation between my 33 months toddler and me. Yes, he has grown up, no more baby talk now and he is a caring person.

Care taker speaks English with him, Papa trying to speak Mandarin with him, I speak Cantonese, English and a little bit of Japanese with him, but he speaks English the most. Some of the time will mixed all language together! Hahaha... multilanguages huh?

Puff Stitch Crochet Hat

Tadaaaa...... This is my handmade puff stitch crochet hat for my colleague who just gave birth to a very cute baby girl early of March. It's not an expensive gift, but it is handmade. Hope my colleague, Angel and her lovely daughter, Yvaine likes it.

So... How you think? Nice? If anyone is interested to has one, can email, sms, pm me! ^_^

***Sorry Isaac, you force to become mommy model on this extra small girlish hat. Hahaha...

Breastfeeding......

Herewith the expressed breastmilk stock in my freezer! It is total of  34 bottles with 5.5oz each bottle. 

Hehehe... Sorry to show off a bit today ^_^  But I really satisfy to see my freezer has stocked up with my milk.

In fact, I hope my post can help some mothers, who give up breastfeeding in any reason. I showed this photo not to show off that I have a lot of milk. I have milk but not a lot. For my first boy, I lack of breastfeeding knowledge, which made me failed to fully breastfeed him since the first day he was born. Then, my milk was arrived after a week. I merely successfully fully breastfeeding my elder boy on his 3rd weeks. As for my 2nd boy, I fully breastfeed him since the day he was born till now.

So... Mommies, whoever has milk on the first day or has a lot of milk, please do not give up breastfeeding your precious baby! Do not give up because of tiring pumping milk every now and then. 

Breastmilk is the BEST!!!

Songs HE likes~

What song does a 32 months (2 years and 8 months) toddler likes? Twinkle Twinkle little star? The muffin man? Baa baa black sheep? .........
My boy did sing those songs before. NOW... He like - The Cranberries the most! (so as his mommy ^.^) & another cantonese song from Hong Kong drama.

Since I started to watch "When Heaven Burn" (天与地) on my laptop last December, my boy was following me watching this Hong Kong drama as well. He likes the ending song below and start to sing along. Even sing along when he was playing with his drum.




Some day on February, we listened to Zombie-The Cranberries from the radio station inside the car. He likes the drum sound so much. He told me that he likes this song very much and request me to repeat for him. But I can't do that! So I found the CD and play for him in the car.

Whenever we are in the car, he will request me to play these 2 songs for him. Below is the video I recorded when he sang "Zombie" a few days ago. Although all the tone are out, but very funny to see his video here. Especially the part he sang "zombie... zombie..hey... hey...dou...dou..."  Hahahaha.....




So... no restrict to play only kids song to our kids! They may like the song we like as well and sing along with us! How about your kids? What song they like?

Just to share with you all the original song - Zombie from The Cranberries ^_^

I'm BACK~~~

Been silence for months....... Busy? mmm... yupe! In fact, I have made a vital decision making to enter another stage of my life! I will announce it soon... soon... ^,^

In summary, I gave birth to my second BB on September. Temporary name him - Isaac but my little boy, Bryan name him "Ah B" since he was 5 months in my belly. On the fifth day after Isaac was born, we admitted to hospital for 2 days again as Isaac vomit with "BLOOD"!!!! Then, I experienced a "terrible confinement" which end up my confinement merely in 3 weeks! On my Ah B full month, my arms, legs, face and body was RASHES for a week.

Arrrggghhhh...... It seems to be all negatives memories! Okay... In positive, Bryan had grown up, not only becomes more independent and helps me a lot on taking care of Issac AND do a lot of house chores for me.

I try my best to blog all these soon!

My Boy can finish 16 pieces puzzle

In previous post, I mentioned about my boy likes to play puzzle and manage to complete 16 pieces puzzle after we taught him for a few times. After that, I started to bring out those puzzles I bought before for him to play.

No matter how active this little cheeky is, when the time playing with puzzle, he will sit quietly, focusing on those puzzles and put in all the pieces together.

Herewith one of the puzzle my sister bought for my boy. After we played together with him for a few times, he managed to complete the whole puzzle all by himself.


After 16 pieces puzzles, what is next? 24 pieces? But I can't find any 24 pieces puzzles in the market now? Where to buy?

My Second Prince - Isaac

Finally, I am back in blogging. I was in Maternity for the past 2 months. Sorry for waiting, especially those who are waiting to see my second prince. Ya, my second prince! This was how he looked like on his 3rd day, the first day he back home.

Isaac

Weight: 3.78kg

Length: 53cm

I know you will open your mouth like a big O when I said my second boy was normal delivery without any pain relief and he was 3.78kg in weight. Haha... Almost have the same response when my families and friends asked me how heavy he was! ^_^

How was the delivery process? Hahaha...

I am so glad that I delivered him in less than 2 hours. Hmmm... Maybe I should said that I felt period-like cramps for one hour, following by severe contraction for the next 45 minutes and my second boy was born in my second pushed. Fast huh?

But the 45 minutes really killing me! I felt the baby was coming out, but the midwife was telling me yet to push, just breath in and out, don't push! If you asked me how long was the contraction apart? I remember it was merely 30 to 45 second apart! YES, merely 30 - 45 second, not even 1 minute!

When the Gynae came to the labour room after 45 minutes, checked, confirmed was 10cm dilated, confirmed I can pushed. Then, my boy was out in second pushed and the nurse yet to hang up my leg beside before my boy was out. I was so relieved & felt my tummy was flat & my back pain was gone!

My Gynae didn't put my second baby on my tummy once he was out, which was different from my first delivery, where I could see Bryan once he was out and took a lot of photos and video for him. So, no photo taken for my second baby after delivery.

That was my second delivery and more photo will be post soon ^_^

Puzzle

Last week, after meal, I was resting on the sofa, while my boy took out the puzzle and started to play by himself. He took out the puzzle from the cupboard, pulled his blue chair to the coffee table and started to put back all the puzzle in place.

I didn't bother of him at all as I know he will ask me for help if he can't find the correct piece of puzzle. Surprisingly, my boy managed to place in the puzzle all by himself! Then, he said "yeah....finish!" and started to named all the object on the puzzle as he used to. This is a great growing milestone for him!

Before he started to walk, we put the floor mat in our living room for him to play around. During that time, he had the interest to pull out the shape & alphabet from the floor mat and put them back. I think that was the time he started to get interested playing with puzzle.


I won't not categorise my boy as a "quiet" type. But when come to the time with puzzle, he is able to sit quietly, choose the pieces of puzzle and trying to match each other. I am looking for more puzzle for my little boy from now onwards. Anyone has any recommendations?

Speech - 15Aug2011

My boy was wearing a new "Angry Bird T-shirt" while we fetched him back from BB sitter's house.

Daddy   : Who bough you the angry bird t-shirt?
My Boy: Aunty & Uncle.
Daddy   : Where Aunty & Uncle bought it?
My Boy: Mall.
Daddy   : Which mall?
My Boy: Shopping mall.
Daddy   : Which shopping mall?
My Boy:  TESCO! Bryan pay money!
Daddy   : Bryan got money???
My Boy: Bryan take money (from) uncle pocket.

28, 29, twenty TEN!

I think most of the parents came across this situation where their kids start counting.....

1, 2, 3, 4.... 28, 29, twenty ten!

Last night, when I was chit-chating with my boy, sing along with my boy (this is our routine before he sleeps), he stood up and started to count the wheels on the train of the wall sticker. I did blog about my boy is able to count by himself from 1-20 in my previous post. The number of wheels are up to 18 only. After he counted till 18, he said "18 wheels".

Then he laid down beside me, continued to count, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, twenty TEN!

This was the first time I heard him counting more than 20 and I can't stop laughing when he said "Twenty TEN!" This cheeky laugh together with me and I teach him the correct way should be "Thirty" But this cheeky fella felt funny and kept saying "Twenty TEN!" instead.

Baa Baa Black Sheep...

When I was dressing up in my room to get ready for work yesterday morning... I heard my boy was talking to himself in his room! Slowly & quietly I walked to his room and tried to listen on his speech or see which soft toys he was talking to. Surprisingly, I heard this.....

Baa Baa Black Sheep,

lala lala la....

Yes Sir, Yes Sir,

3 bags full.

1 lala lala...

1 lala la....

1 lala lala lala la....

My little boy was singing "Baa Baa Black Sheep" Although the tone was out, but I can clearly heard he saying singing those lyrics.

A month back I bought a kid's songs VCD home, I just played for him twice. As we seldom watch TV at home. These few weeks, he keeps asking me to sing a few songs for him too, eg. the wheel on the bus, shapes, ABC, Twinkle Twinkle Little Star....

This is another milestone for my little boy, since the first time I heard him sang "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" with the last word only. Besides, he sings ABC songs too, but all the tone are out. Hahaha... But at least he can sing A-Z clearly with the hand sign.

Cheeky in the BASKET ^_^

My 2 years old BOY...

I think it's time to summarize my boy's growth and development now, if not... I am sure how long I will drag... Hahaha...

My boy is independent and has his own personality.

• He will say "NO" for anything he don't want and vice versa.
• He is very particular on his pillow arrangement, must be in a CORRECT position, whereby the cartoon on his pillow case is not up side down.
• He must use straw to drink juice and yogurt drink.
• He must reads book during pooping time. If his story book is not with him, a magazine will do as well.
• He must hug a soft toy when dancing or rocking along with the song we sang.
• He title himself as a "MAN" when he needs my help, he will say "girls help man" =.=|||
• He loves to laugh, watch here.
• He must sniff on the Berries flavour Protein, which I added in his milk.
• He freaky clean little boy can't see his hands, fingers, toes, leg or mouth being a dirt on it.

My boy almost doing everything for himself in life.

• He insists wanna brush his teeth by himself although not really brush correctly.
• He takes shower by himself, I will help to clean up with the leftover bubbles on his back.
• He eats by himself a few months back, but now the lazy boy will say "mommy help"
• He puts on & takes off his shoes all by himself since 18 months.
• He takes potty to the "poop corner" every time he does his big business.
• He takes off his pants by himself.
• He will automatically put his dirty clothes in the laundry basket.
• He will takes his pyjamas by himself after shower.
• He spreads the butter on the bread by himself during weekend breakfast time.
• He will automatically put his milk bottle inside the sink after finishing, except for napping and sleeping time.
• He knows how to operate our DVD player by turning on whatever CD / DVD he want to watch.

My boy is a GOOD HELPER since 14 months as he helps me to do a lot a lot of house chores.

• He helps to do the laundry.
• He helps to clean, sweep and mop the floor.
• He helps to wash bathroom everytime he finished painting.
• He takes my shoes for me every morning when we are leaving our house to BB sitter's house
• He helps me to open the lock of our gate.
• He helps me to push his stroller and pretend baby is sleeping inside the stroller.
• He helps to clean his bath tub everytime finished bathing.
• He helps to remind me to "GO" when the traffic lights turn green and "STOP" when it is red.

My boy's growth development and learning status.

• He is about 12kg in weight and about 89cm in height.
• He will greet "Bye bye ..." and "Good night ..." but "Good morning mommy" to me only.
• He likes to read books, no matter of his own story books, our magazine or even my pocket note book. He will request us to read for him whatever written in the book and tell him the story.
• He likes to count. He can count from 1 to 20 all by himself. He counts everything he sees, the wheel on the car, the stars on the wall sticker, the bees on the wall sticker, the lamp post, the dolphin in the pool etc...
• He knows a lot of single words, like dog, cat, fish, ant, apple, ball, book, bug, egg, frog, sock, pie etc... By merely seeing the "DOG" he knows it is dog without the picture of it.
• Whatever new things to him, he will say "THIS ONE"
• He knows how to relate all the alphabet, from A to Z. For example, A - apple, B - ball....
• His speech development boost in his 20 months, he will follow whatever we say and learn the pronounciation by repeating the words.
• He knows colours by 18 months, now he even can "tell" all the colours (black, brown, dark green, light green, purple, dark blue, light blue, red, pink, orange, yellow, grey, white, beige)
• He knows shape by 17 months (square, triangle, circle, star and heart) (read this). Just realised that he knows cross, oval as well recently.
• He knows how to relate "Joey's mommy is poh poh", "Joey's Papa is gong gong"... watch the video below.
• He knows how to match the same objects, no matter it is a shapes, alphabet, or any objects (eg. animals).

These are the main 4 categories I can summarize and remember by now. He will surprise me everyday with the some new words unexpectedly.

My Boy & My Baby

This week, my boy is 25 months & my baby is 32 weeks... *grin*

Was planning to post this a few months back, but... drag till today... ^_^ hahaha...

Over all I can say my boy love my BB very much! My boy kisses, hugs and "sayang" my BB whenever I lift up my shirt to show him my BIG belly.

He will say:

"Mommy, Bryan touch BB, okay?"

"Bryan kiss BB"

"Bryan hug hug BB"

"Mommy, BB moving! BB kick Mama!"

"BB guai... BB guai (cantonese)"

My boy is so lovely♥♥♥

Since the day I realised that I am pregnant, I started to tell my boy about this good news and I cannot carry him anymore as I am carrying a BB inside mommy tummy. My boy is okay with this and won't ask me to carry him anymore.
Yet he will forget once a while, just after a few second, he will remind himself again, "Bryan walks can, Papa bao (carry) can, Mama bao - cannot, mama belly BIG BIG" ^0^

My boy starts to be more independent after I am pregnant. He is not only doing his own stuff but help me more and more with the house work.

My boy help me to bring in clothes back to his room and my room before I pregnant. Now, he even help me to fold his own handkerchief, bring in clothes, hang clothes in his closet as well. Although the outcome is not perfect for me, as long as long he willing to help out his preggy mommy, I am so happy with his effort.

Its been a habit for me to take a shower for my boy before he goes to the bed every night. Its been a habit for my boy to put his dirty clothes in the laundry basket since 14 months. So, no worries on this.
Now, he will automatically take off his pants by himself as well. But the shirt, still need us to help him up.

He knew how to wipe clean himself after bathing since 18months, so I have no worries on this as well. I can forsee that I can't take shower for him soon, especially during my confinement month. So I let him to take shower by himself and I guide him through by sitting on the toilet bowl.

 I am so glad to announce that my boy able to take shower all by himself in 20 months and he does it perfectly! From washing his body, arms, tummy, legs, toes, hair to face. But one thing He still need my help is brushing his teeth.

Meal Time. I can't carry him up to his high chair for meal. So I put a chair beside his high chair and he will climb up himself. I know that this is quite dangerous for him to do it by himself. I have told my boy to do it only with mommy beside you. I observed him so far, if I am not beside him, he will sit on the chair and talk to himself "cannot climb, wait mama, hold mama hands" hehehe...

But... My boy very lazy to eat by himself now. He used to eat by himself but now... he will say "Mommy help please..... Mommy feed Bryan please...."

Laundry. He will automatically do the laundry for his clothes if he sees us do it. Below is the video clip I recorded while he was busying putting in all his dirty clothes into the washing machine. Haha... He is really my good helper.



I really glad that he becomes more independent after I am pregnant. Hope he can help me even more when BB comes to this world. & Hope he will be a good brother as well. ^_^