A wonderful Mother's Day

Yes, wonderful is the word. We had a wonderful family trip to the KL Bird Park at Lake Garden on the Mother's Day, instead of going to the cinema. I wanted to let Natalie and Max to experience(still too young though) the close encounter with the nature and birds.

Besides my in-laws also had plan on their own.

We left the house right after lunch, with the maid. And it took less than 30 min to reach the place and the traffic was really smooth. I guess most of the populations were in the malls.

When we reached there, there were also other families and the crowd was alright.

The admission fee was RM15 per adult with Mykad, and kids below three are waived. So we paid RM45, well the lady at the ticket counter decided to give a discount to our maid. What a lucky day!

The moment we entered the place, we were greeted by the colourful parrots and lovebirds. Some of the visitors were feeding them while others were taking pictures.











I quickly pointed at the birds and told Natalie,"Nat, come and see the birds..."

First time to the bird park, her eyes were gleamed with excitement and pointing at the birds, "Bird, bird..." she called out. The birds were flying around freely, and she wasn't afraid at all.

On the other hand, Max was a little overwhelmed by the flying birds, started to cry.
Not again? The other time when we brought him to IKEA, he chickened out when he saw the crowd. Well, we have to bring him out more often.

Max is the opposite of Natalie, who is a people person since she was a baby. She enjoys crowd, and like to follow us to "Gai Gai"(shopping).

Anyway, back to the bird park. The day was nice day to walk and get close to the nature. Besides, the place was very cooling too as there were canopies everywhere. And we had a good walk.





At the park, we saw many types of birds, there were Indian Blue Peacock, toucan, different types hornbill, ostrich, emu, flamingo and many others which I didn't have the time to memorize their names.

They also have a bird nursery, but we skipped that, as we were with the kids.

Apart from birds, they also coil fishes and beautiful man made waterfall, nearby that was where they house the flamingo. Have you seen a black flamingo? They have one. And the flamingo can stand actually stand on one foot.

They whole place were fenced, so the birds can't escape, but I guess most of them were born there and that was their habitat, and where would they want to leave.

At 12.30pm and 3.30pm everyday, they have birds show. Unfortunately we missed that.













Also they have a little playground, Natalie tried to the seesaw, the swing and the slide for the first time in her life. Only only at that moment I realized that we had never taken her to the playground behind our house. We should do that more often as she enjoyed her time there and reluctant to leave. And she cried and made a scene...Phew.

At last I had to tell her that we were going to get chocolate for her. Then only she stopped crying. I didn't lie to her, I actually brought some chocolate cream buns with us. And she ate 2 and half of those. Can't you believe it?

While Natalie was having a great time and laughing most of the time, baby Max was rather quiet as he spent all his time in the baby carrier. But he didn't complaint a bit, and when he was tired he slept in for a bit. When he got up , it was time for milk...

And we stopped by one side, and chow down on our buns.

After the break, it was almost four, and we were all tired and decided to go back.

On our way back, there was this BIG surprise for us. We caught the same Indian Blue Peacock showing off his iridescent blue-green or green coloured plumage. What a lucky lucky day!



I remembered that read it somewhere that it's a rare sight for a peacock to show off his plumage. I should have bought some 4Ds since we manage to see one on our first trip to the bird park.

Well, like I said it was a wonderful trip and we all had a great time and got plenty of pictures to show off... hahaha...

And I highly recommend you to bring your kids there. It's a fun place to be. You will not regret it. Bird flu? Nah...

More pictures and videos...

Natalie's 2!

Last Monday was Natalie's 2nd birthday.

Sunday night we had dad coming over and joined us for the family dinner.
The dinner was to celebrate Natalie's as well as FIL's birthday, which falls in April too. Two birthday one dinner. The family tradition.

After the simple dinner, before sending dad home, dad got to play with his two favourite grandchildren.



After seeing Max happily playing with granpa, Natalie also joined in the fun and let dad carried her on his laps. This girl... Before that she was afraid of dad.

I guessed dad really enjoyed this special moment with his grandchildren.





So the next day, which was Monday, DH and I were both on leave, so that we could take the kids out to IKEA. Phew! That was quite an experience...tiring, not that fun.

Max was overwhelmed by the crowd in IKEA, not that big though and he cried. So I had to carried him in the baby carrier, facing me, then only he settled down. Well, we hardly took him out for shopping. And I guessed he felt more comfortable having me close to him. It made me feel special though...

Meanwhile Natalie, who loves shopping, simply couldn't sit still in the stroller. She wanted to run around freely. But we couldn't let her. I have this losing-her phobia.

So when I let her out to try on the rocking horse. She was so exiting and refused to sit in the stroller after that. Having to carry Max and running after Natalie was taxing, even though just for that little while.

So after the snack, we decided to go home and rest.

In the evening we brought Natalie to the nearby CakeSense to buy her birthday cake. Well, she was still too young to know how to choose her own cake, though we let her tried.

Wait the minute, she did choose something that she liked to have, Yakult. She was pointing at the Yakult in the fridge when we asked he to look at the cakes. Kids generally have sharp eyes, right mommies?

So we bought the one that she pointed, a raspberries flavoured one.

And after dinner we sang her the birthday song and cut the cake. She still didn't how to blow the candles... maybe next year.

Overall she had a great day. I could tell her expression, maybe it's because DH and I were at home and we took her out for "Gai Gai"(shopping).

DolphineChannel

Have set up a YouTube Channel, DolphineChannel to share my two darlings' videos.

Will uploaded some of their older as well as latest videos there. Do drop by to check out the videos.:)

Another homemde video...

I was testing out the Window Movie Maker.

And I have to say that it's fun to use despite of some minor hiccups on the software. But what the heck, it's free and comes with the Window.

So I decided to edit a lil movie out of some videos I took on Natalie and Max. And added half a track to the movie.

Enjoy...

How to make a lamb cap.

I learned this lamb cap thingy from 小女人,可爱的绵羊帽。And she learned from another mommy - The Wong Family..

Natalie loves wearing it. Then I thought, why not making a lil movie out of it. So I did.

Ladies and jelly beans, here I present you...



Enjoy! Happy lamb-capping with your lil jelly beans.

Related Post: Princess Leia Spotted!

Disastrous Friday Night...

Just like always, when I thought things are getting better and decided to give myself a pat on the head, something horrible always pops out unexpectedly.

Just when I thought of having a quiet Friday night. Quietly get Natalie to bed, followed by Max, something unexpected happened.

I was trying to get Natalie to bed a little early tonight, by 10.30pm, before bringing the baby o up stair and get him ready for bed.

However when baby came up, Natalie was still awake. Suddenly baby cried, Natalie followed, like always. I'm not sure why? I'm guessing she was scared, of "dirty things" maybe. I mean dead people.

Well, the ability runs in my family. My mom and my brother both has it. Luckily my sister and I don't. Could it somehow got passed to my daughter? I'm just guessing. Why? The other day, DH and I brought her to Giant. While we walked near some CNY decor section, Natalie suddenly waved her hand, as if she was waving goodbye to someone. But when I looked to that direction, there wasn't anyone there... O.k it's creepy.

Also, there were times, at home, she would stare into the air like she saw somebody there. I'm getting goose bump here.

Or perhaps I'm wrong. Maybe she just afraid I would carry baby,and not her. I hope I was wrong about that whole I-see-dead-people thing

Back to where we started...

As for baby, I'm guessing he was crying for milk and missing me of course.

So I wanted to make milk for him and add some fever medicine into the milk, coz he just got his jab. His doctor asked us to give him one dose before bed, just in case.

And the medicine was in the fridge, and I needed to go and get it, since DH refused to go. He said he didn't where was the medicine. Fine! I'll take it, I thought.

But Natalie just refused to stay with her daddy and wanted to follow. I was mad at DH, for if he went and got it, it would be easier for me as I could stay with both children for a while.

So I went down with Natalie.

Like father like daughter, both are being difficult. Who suffer? Me of course.

I got pissed off and frustrated. So later I shouted at her after I failed to get her to sleep for a second time. I banged the door(bad move) Well, it startled the baby too as he thought I was shouting at him and began to crying very hard. Gosh!

Chain reaction. DH got mad too, and he blamed everything on Natalie. He came in to our room and scolded Natalie, who was already lying on the bed sobbing after I shouted at her.

Like adding oil to the fire, she cried louder and got really scared, and came clinging tight to me.

Poor girl. She was crying and crying. I guess she must have felt sad and thinking why mommy and daddy hate me so much. She cried herself to sleep in my arms.

After that I felt so miserable and so sorry for Natalie and Max.

Why things always have end up this way? Is Natalie a little too young to have a brother? She seems too young to understand the whole concept...

What can I do to settle all these problems? Instead giving Natalie a brother, I deprive her from the attention she needs from me.

Or should I just let my PIL take care of her instead?

Feel like one step forward, three steps back.

Princess Leia Spotted!

I learned to make this lamb cap thingy from 小女人. She demo once in one of her posts, showing her children wearing it. She learnt it from here. Give it a try you may...

The first time I made it(few months ago), Natalie refused to put it on. Dying to take it out of her head...

The other day I was "free and nothing to do", so I tried the cap on her again. Well, once it on her head, she won't let it go. And she made me put the napkin for her... so she would look like Princess Leia... -.-

and started to run around the hall...

Later when I tried to take it away from her, she was screaming and crying...









Related Post: How to make lamb cap

A sleepless night...

I simply cannot sleep tonight, not because I want to stay up, because I 'm upset...

I'm feeling sad because Natalie chose the maid over me.

Last night, she was making fuss and I offered to carry her, but she went to the maid. I was really disappointed. I waited for her come to me, but she was happily clinging to the maid. How can one not be upset?

Hubby kept telling me that she is still young...

But kids aren't stupid. Felt like I'm losing her for that moment. So I came upstair to breastfeed max. After about half an hour, I went downstair again, she was still clinging to the maid.

I told MIL not to let the maid carry Natalie that often, and I got this: "Natalie was making fuss mah..."

Natalie made fuss and must be carried around the house by the maid just because I'm not free and MIL is not willing to carry?

It was heartbreaking for a mother already feeling guilty for not having to spend enough time to her daughter. And now the daughter ran clinging on some stranger instead of the mother. And the MIL did nothing to stop that but encourage.

What am I to say? *Sigh*

Back to work soon...

In about 2 weeks plus, I will have to go back to work.

After a long break like this, since 23 Oct, I simply don't feel like going back to work. Not because I'm lazy. Instead I would like to spend more time with the two kids, especially Natalie. I haven't been spending enough time with her since the day Max was born.

I know she misses me, and I could feel that she is upset that I neglected her, and she ignores me sometimes, just to let me know that she's upset. However at times she wakes and cries for me at night, since these days she's sleeping at my in-laws'. Really feel sorry for her. And I miss her too.

Of course now that she's and my MIL again is so scared that she would pass the flu virus to baby Max. She ask me to stay upstair with Max.

I'm really upset that why all thse flu things have to happen now.

Well, think of the bright side, hopefully the flu will go off completely soon so when I go back to work, I'll be healthy and fit, as I still need to take care of Max till late night and get up early the next morning.

Actually I'm thinking to extend prehaps a week or two. If possible few months unpaid, which is unlikely.

Well, I certainly can't quit, or DH has to carry the burden on his own. Seven mouths to feed on one income.

Really pray hard that something will work out. Just one opportunity...

A Blessed Natural Birth After Caeserean Journey 01

I've been pray that one day I can write about this, to share with mommies who has ONE caeserean and would like to have a varginal birth in their next pregnancy.

Both my pregnancy were planned long before I even conceived with Natalie.

But after I delivered Natalie via caeserean, my gynae warned me that I shouldn't conceive within the first 6 months to avoid complications. I was worried that my initial plan of conceiving again when Natalie reached one would be ruined due to my caeserean wound.

So I followed my gynae's advice, took good care of my wound. When Natalie was 8 months old, I revisited my gynae to check if I could start trying again. Thank goodness she gave me the green light to go ahead. It was early January 2007. She said that we could start trying end of Jan or early Feb. And I'll be allowed to try for natural birth as the previous complications was because of fetal distress prior to my due date.

I was really excited and started to prepare for it, I mean eating right. I took the steam "Gao Li Shen"(高丽参) water, which is normally used by ladies who had miscarriage, to rejuvenate the womb for conception.

It was CNY, I thought I had missed my ovulation. But I thought just give it a try, hoping we could catch the last boat. However, little did I know that my ovulation was late that month due to my anxiety.

So happened the next day I fell sick due to food poisoning and I was given antibiotic, but I told my GP that I was trying to conceive, so she gave something safe.

Then a week or two later, I got on the wrong bed, and had a stiff. It was so painful, so I went to see a "sensai"(*TCMD). He gave acupuncture and some Chinese medicine which contain Red Flower(红花). In the old days, the Chinese use it for abortion.

I took the pills one day. Then I stopped with the feeling that I might have conceived, though I did five tests but all negative.

On 20 March 2007, my period still missing in action. With a mixed of hesitation and anticipation I repeated the test, as I still have this pregnant feeling. Finally I saw this very very faint second pink line. Quickly I took the test to my gynae. And she confirmed it with an internal ultrasound but she said that the 3 weeks old embryo Max was smaller than it should. It's either the conception was late or the pregnancy might be an unhealthy one. And she asked me to come back the following week...(to be continue)

Max's pictures

Some pictures of Max and Natalie's infant photos :)











More coming...

What will you do when your kid's making a scene in public?

I recalled seeing some young children making scene while I was shopping in the mall some times. At that time, I was hoping in secretly in my heart that Natalie won't behave like that one day.

I guess kids are kids. When they see something they want or like, they will want you to either buy them, or stay there and play till they bored or dropped.

Last night, while we were in one of those baby apparrels shops, at the Curve, checking out some stroller for Natalie. She saw this interesting toy phone set and started to experiment with the buttons. So when we wanted to try her on one stroller, she simply refused and started screaming away. That was o.k. But when we decided to hop over to the next store, she refused to leave, and squatted down next to the toy phone set as an objection.

Lucky I was with my hubby. So I asked him to handle her, while I was pretend walking out of the shop and hoping that she would follow. But she didn't. What if I was aloneat that moment?

Natalie is a sutbborn little, and is determined to get what she wants. Of course we can't afford to buy her everything she wants. I think we, as parents, shouldn't spoil our chilldren. I remember when I was young my parents led a frugal life, and never spoil us. My mom hardly buy us any toys, while my dad was a bit more generous. The only one toy my mom ever bought me was this little teddy bear I had. The one and only.

However, I remembered making a fuss during one CNY shopping spree, in some night market. I saw this top and bottom which I really liked.(Of course every year we only got to buy two set each.) But mom said it was too expensive and refused to get me... I was about 10, think. And I had an auguement with my mom and finally she bought me that set of clothes. But when it comes to toys, I hardly ask my parents for anything, knowing they won't get me. Of course in the end, she gave me more than that, a good degree and a chance of living overseas for 3 1/2 years. That was the most precious gift she had ever given me.

As for Natalie, I don't mind buying her toys, but I just don't want to get her same type of toys if she already has one. Just like that toy phone, she already has one at home which my sister-in-law bought her, so I see no reason getting another one.

So mommies and daddies, what would you do? And how would you handle this type of situation or scene?

The little dancing queen

This afternoon, my SIL turned on the Wiggles Video for Natalie.

Well she was loving it and danced along with it.







While I was shooting the videos, I couldn't stop laughing watching her dancing.

My 17 months old little chili padi

Yeah, my little chili padi just turned 17 months 3 days ago.

She's supposed to get her second and last shot of pneumococcal vaccination. I’ve yet to arrange it.

Don't think she put on any weight later, maybe taller, as most of her dresses are getting shorter.



Speech-wise, she's been constantly calling Gor Gor, Jie Jie, Girl Girl, Ma Ma, Ahhh Umm.

One evening when I came home from work, she called me Jie Jie, after calling hubby Daddy.*slap head*

She also love to do that long "Ooooo...", with a surprise look on her face, eyes widened, lips in a little "o shape", pointing her little index finger at something and normally with her knees slightly bent.

The other day, she was playing with a spoon-like toy, and she fed my hubby and I each once with it and said,"Ahhh Umm". It showed she actually knew how to feed herself, but we have yet to let her try.

And I noticed that Natalie loves to play "masak-masak". We haven't bought her any, as her aunt, my SIL, has already bought her a set and she's coming back to KL in Oct. So we decided not to buy her any, instead we got her more books.

Books
I've been reading Natalie short stories every night. And nowadays whenever she got onto our bed, she will hand me one of her favourite books, "Tiny Ted's big adventure" to read to her.

And every time we reach her favourite parts, she respond happily. Especially, that part where Tiny Ted tried to get down from the tree top by whirligig, she would say a long "wheeeeee...." after me.

She also loves the part where I imitate the frog croak, "we burp", she would "wep", then giggled.



Fruits Lover
This afternoon, she brought me her "Little Book of Ten" and asked me to read. When I flipped to the page where there were 10 strawberries, her eyes beamed.
Me: Ten strawberries. Strawberries, do you like strawberries?
Natalie: I like. *She nodded happily.*

Shortly after that, I tested her again. She nodded again without the "I like" though.

Other than strawberry, she also loves banana, orange, kiwi and so on.



Little grooving tigress and her favourite TV commercials
She is learning fast overall, though she still refuses to speak properly, other than just baby talks and gibberish. She imitates sounds from her favourite TV commercials.

Lately, whenever she sees the Julie's Tiger Biscuit commercial or other similar ads with children on TV, she would let a low but loud roar, just like a little tigress. And I have to say she loves to see children on TV, she would giggle.

Or she would keep on saying “Yak!” when she sees that new Yakult ads.

Also, when she sees that latest Celcom's "Who Says" ad, she would groove along. She just loves to dance.

Last Saturday, Natalie and I spent our afternoon were dancing in our room while I was watching one of my uni time favourite movies, Hackers, which has lots the techno tracks. We had some great time together.

Mommy, where're you?
When Natalie's around, I could hardly do anything, other than sitting next to her.

So every time after I get her to bed, I will sneak out to my workstation, so I can do my work.


However, Natalie is a light sleeper, like me and has the habit to get up and check on my whereabout. Yes, even in middle of the night, she would look around our king-sized bed sleepily to see if I’m sleeping next to her, and then she would roll over, and slip her little sleepy head next to mine, just to be close to me.

Last Sunday morning, she was making a big fuss when she got up and didn’t see me around. I was working in this room while she was sleeping in the other room. She cried some time and held me really tight after I picked her up. In the end, I had to switch room with hubby and rock her to sleep, before I could get back to my work again.

I’m kinda worry how’s she going to get through it when I’m in confinement. I certainly hope that I can still co-sleep her during that period, but I’m afraid that I won’t be able to handle it, though I’m getting a confinement lady.

Let’s just hope things will fall into places when the time comes.

My two little darlings.

Updates on my two little ones.

Natalie, my little chili padi, is turning 16 months old tomorrow. Another milestone.

She finally called me "Mommy" once last night. This time I could tell she was calling me "Mommy". Hoo hoo... finally.

Not only that, she also kept calling "jie jie"(big sister) and "goh goh"(big brother). So I took the opportunity to tell her that she is becoming a "jie jie" soon. And told her that, as a big sister, she would have to "sayang"(love) and take care of baby, then took her little hand to stroke my tummy, and saying "Sayang baby..." I looked at me for a while, then started calling - "Jie jie. Jie jie." happily. Not sure if she understand.

"Mommy is mine!"
I still remembered one incident which happened when DH's cousin came over to our place with her daughter, Yu Hui, who is only a month older than Natalie. When I carried Yu Hui in my arms, Natalie quickly protested and cried. She was barely 7 to 8 months old at that time.

And another time, when DH put his arms around my shoulders and gave me "Good Night" hug before bed, Natalie saw it and quickly ran over to push her daddy away, and hugged me. And after that, we tested her a few times on purpose, she did the same.

Now I'm a bit worried that she will become Ms Jealousy when little one is born.

A friend told me that I can tell her by teaching her the responsibility of being an elder sibling. That's why Iwas trying to explain to her the baby and "Jie jie" thing and instill the idea in her. Hopefully by November, Natalie who will be 18 months plus then, will be able to understand the whole sibling idea and handle it well.

Another thing I would do is properly the little gift exchange ceremony. I'm planning to get two little gifts, one for Natalie and one for the baby, and let them exchange the gifts to each other when the little one is born. Of course, either me or DH has to do it on behalf of the little one.

Daddy's girl
She is getting closer to her daddy these days.(Of course she is still more clingy towards me.) I'm glad that's happening, because DH can share more of my duties such as carrying her around, while my tummy's getting bigger and heavier each day and couldn't afford to carry her that much. And sometimes when I'm busy, DH can take care of her by himself, without having a lots of crying.

Clingy darling
The older she gets, the clingier she gets. These days Natalie likes to fall asleep in my arms. And very often in the middle of the night, she would gets up to see where am I, and then crawls into my arms again, just to be close to me. But I love it.

The playful little one
The baby's going to be 29 week in a day or two. It means another 11 weeks to go. Simply can't wait till that day.

Current Pregnancy VS Last Pregnacy
This current one is, so far, different from last pregnancy with Natalie.

1.I vomitted less, though I'm still on and off have this nauseous feeling, comparing to the last one, in which I experienced six months of vomitting. X((

2. Can eat more, and eating more and more as I'm gets hungry every 2 - 3 hours, especially lately, my current weight is 67.5kg.
My tummy is bigger this time, my buttocks and thighs are big and as huge as cow legs. Gosh! how am I going to get back my pre-preggie figure after this???

3. Now that I'm in my third trimester, I gets tired easily, compare to last round.
During the last pregnancy, I could get very hyperactive at times. There were nights I didn't sleep and yet the next day I could still be very active. However, this time I can really feel the weight of the baby wearing me out. I need a lot of rests and I took 2 -3 hours naps on weekend afternoons. If I don't, I feel very nauseous and tired.

4. I'm still having this chronic rhinitis, though it's getting better.

5. This little one kicks a lot more than the sister. It also loves to rubbed its little feet and elbows on my tummy against. And it hiccups a lot. This can be quite annoying at times, especially when I'm busy working, or sleeping. However, these are signs of the baby being healthy, so I don't really mind, after all it's just another two months to go.

6. I have more ligament stretches this time. When it happens around my c-sec wound areas, it can be quite sore. Also I have experienced some sharp short soreness this time. There was one time, it happened middle of the night. There was this sudden short, sharp pain from within. But it went away shortly. Thank goodness. Could it be a minor contraction? Hope it's nothing to do with the wound.

My biggest fear is still uterine rupture, though my gynae did mention the chance of that is very slim. But I still can't get off my mind whenever I feel the soreness from within.

Braxton Hick
And lately I have been feeling the Braxton Hicks contractions ocassionally, a sudden tightened feeling of the uterus, the tummy would feel hard. It can happen anytime.

And I had it very often in my last pregnancy, I think it started as early as 6 months.

Boy or Girl
Two little episodes during the last check-up I had two week ago;
In the room...
Gynae: Have I scanned for your baby gender for you?
Me: The last time you said that you couldn't see the baby's p****. So I assume it's a girl.
Gynae: I think I could see something this time... (She smiled.)

Later, with the nurse at the counter...
Nurse: You are having a boy this time ah? (She was staring at my record)
Me: Doctor said maybe it's boy. But I think we shall wait and see...
Nurse: She put a mark here. (She pointed at the little mark on the remark column.) When she did this, should be 80% sure.

80% sure? It means still another 20% not sure, right?

Be it a boy or a girl, I don't really mind, though I'd had this notion of bringing Natalie s younger sister. Anyhow my main concern is still a full term, healthy, normal baby adn of course a safe delivery, be it natural or caesarean.

And DH and I have thought of some names for the baby. If it's a boy, we will name him, Maximillian or Maximus. And if it turns out to be a girl, it will be either Olivia or Faith.

Here's a sneak peek of the little one's side profile at week 27.

Little Chili Padi is turning 15 months old soon

Aiyooyoo… lazy me. This post has been long due, should have written it earlier when she turned 14 months old.

In another two weeks time, she is turning 15 months.

Actually I couldn't remember the feeling of having her in arms the first time. Instead I remember that the first question I asked when the nurse woke me up after my c-sec - "How's my baby?"

"She's fine." they replied.

It was a relief, as before I went into operating threatre, I was so afraid that I wouldn't never be able to see her or get out of the threatre. You know la first time being cut open mah, who wouldn't be scared.

When she was pushed into the wad, she was already bathed. And I think her eyes were half-opened.

I couldn't believe my eyes.
"This's the little one inside my tummy for nine months?" I was thinking to myself. I was overwhelmed, with a mixed of feelings.

And that night we shared the same for the first time.



And today she’s one cheeky little monster who runs around the house, still quite unstable, with that "Yaya..." all the time.

By now, she is 10kg and 75cm tall.

Words and phrases she understands
Many words and phrases she can understand but whether she follows or not is another matter.

The other day, I asked her, “Where’s your ball?” She squat down next to the coffee table and looked underneath. Truly the ball was there under the coffee table.

But she can't really speak yet. Only certain words, like:
Ta ta and ya ya – don’t know if she know what it means.
It probably means ‘I want that “something’, when she is really something, she would “Yayayayay…”

wower - flower, she would point at the flowers in one of my favourite tops.

bird - she would point at bird.

milk milk /nen nen - when she wants her milk

mum mum - food

ma ma - not sure if she is calling me or the grandmother

ello - when she put her toy phone next to her ears.
One morning, after the milk, Natalie climbed down the bed and grabbed my handphone, then put it near her ear, and said: ELLO... (pronunciation not so accurate yet, but could make out what she said.)

Another time, she even tried imitating what I said, "Hi, there."

Last few weeks she was in this throwing tantrum phase when she didn't get what she wants. These two weeks, she has got a little better.

Throwing Tantrums
Two Sunday ago I took her to this Sunday school for 0 to 2 y.o near my house. During the singing session she got fascinated with this little piece of dirt on floor and went to pick it up. I tried to take it away from her. She started to throw tantrums and cried. I had to take her away from the crowd and sat with her on one corner till she calmed down. It took a whole of 20 mins for her to eventually settled down.

I tried to reason with her but she just didn't listen and insisted having that piece dirt. Sometimes I really don't know to do and when I do something I 'm not sure if I doing it correctly.

Or perhaps throwing tantrums is just a phase before Natalie starts using words. She still baby talks alot, though we always speak to her properly. Since an infant I talk to her in proper words. I can tell that she understands well what we say. But she just refuse to use the words. For instance every night before bed she insists I feed her some potato buns, she loves it. The moment she sees a pack, she will grab it fast, then give it to me, wanting me to open it for her. Everytime before I put the bread into her mouth, I would say: "bread" or "say bread". Once or twice she said it angrily but lately she just open her mouth and refuse to say it.

And she refuses to drink plain water. She will just take a sip or two and push the bottle away. That's why till today I never feed her any softdrink. The only thing I let her drink are Milo kosong (plain Milo, no sugar, no milk), warm honey water 4 to 6 ounces per day (a way to make her drink) and orange juice mixed with water (occasionally).

She is a very determined person, but too determined sometimes. Hopefully I can help her to develop her determination characteristic into good use.

Clingy little darling
Despite of her 'chili padi'ness, she is a very pleasant child, as she enjoys crowds and love to observe people. She can get along with people easily, though lately she gets a little shy when some relatives come over.

She loves moving about. At home, she always walking about, climbing up and down the couch. And when we go shopping with her, she would complain when we stop to see things. Like the other night, we went IKEA with her in a trolley. When I want to look at certain things, she will put her hands up to ask me to carry her along, so she could see it too.

At night when we go to bed together, she will crawl and lie next to me, so I can cuddle her to sleep. If I'm busy in the toilet, she will climb down the bed and play in order to wait for me. The moment I get onto the bed, she will follow.

When we go out in the car, she will want to sit next to me (don't worry it's when hubby driving), having me embrace her. And when she is tired, she will lay her little head on my laps and sleep.

One Saturday I left her with hubby waiting while I went into the wet market to get my stuffs. She started looking for me after a while, and calling "Meh Meh". I guessed it meant Mama. I was so happy when hubby told me that.

Yes, she is very clingy to me, but I love it. Coz I'm a possesive mommy.

Growth
She weighs three times more than her birth weight. So imagine I have to carry her at times. It's taxing with my pregnancy though I love to carry her.

And she has grown taller. All her dresses have become shorter and shorter.

She has got only three teeth now: one top and two bottom. She teethed late, her first tooth only cut after her first birthday. I was worry then, but now I miss her big toothless smile.

She can run around quite fast now. And chasing after her is tiring. I tried the other day, and the next day, my thighs and buttocks muscle are aching.

TaiQi Move
Lately she has been doing this "TaiQi" sort of move. Half-bends her knees, with her arms swinging slowly. God knows where she learned that from. And also ballet move. She would hold on the coffee table, then lift up her right leg.

Like an toddler she loves to dance a lot. When she sees her favourite commercials on tv, she would dance along. Some of them are the Digi's 'I will follow you' ad and that Takuya's Gatsby ad on Saturday.

Back to work again and missing my darling

After 3 days of mc(sick leaves) and staying at home, mostly sleeping and resting, and of course played with my little darling.

Today back to work again, felt slack and actually missed the little darling very much.

For the past two days, the moment I opened my eyes, I could slowly took my my own sweet time to clean up and make milk for Natalie. But today I had to ask DH to help, as I only got up at 8.10am. Plus the fact I was half-awaken from 5am till about 7am, when I finally got into my sleep mode, barely an hour half morning nap.

Of course my little darling who used to getting up at 9ish for the past two days, was still sleeping soundly when I got up. She had a real nice sleep last night. No fuss was made last night though I was in and out the bathroom half the time.

When DH started making the milk and made some clinking sound of the sterilising pot, then slowly she opened her sleepy eyes, but tossed and turned a couple of time on the bed lazily, relunctant to get up. Until finally DH had her milk in front her, then she open her mouth, with her eyes half-shut, dragged her little heavy arms up to hold the milk bottle.

After her milk, she saw that I was eating my High5 JagungBread, finishing. She quickly crawled towards me, and hint to me that she wanted some. As usual I would my food with her, those I think it's suitable for her. I tell ya, she love it. We had it last night before bed, you know la, pregnant mommy eat many time, and that was supper.

Looking at that adorable face, I just love the moment. So today whole day, I had been thinking about her.

And can't wait to see her big grin later when I get home.

Updates!

It's been a while since I last updated this blog.

There are a couple of things I would like to write about, just that I haven't had the time to actually sit down and work on them. Need some research on those issues.

Besides, I have been spending most of my time on my chinese blog. Maybe it's the pregnancy craving: to blog more in chinese.

Besides, I try not to repeat similar post over here and over there, except certain
issues, regarding pregnancy and depression.

O.k, before I sum up, here's a little update on me and my two little ones.

After yesterday's follow-up. Things have cleared up a little. It's the uterus infection that causes spotting. On medication for 3 days.

My pregnancy shows improvement, the fetus's heartbeat is clearer now. And it has grown a little since last week.

I'm grateful and relieved. But keep the praying going.

And our darling Natalie is turning one year old in 2 weeks time. We have plan for a little celebration for her within the family only, as I'm not feeling too well lately. Have yet to get her any present. I'm quite exciting about it. Hopefully that day I'll feel exceptionally well, so that we can have a excellent time celebrating.

May it be a memorable day for everyone.