Tom the Tortoise (many months ago - 11 December 2006)

Tom the Tortoise died yesterday. We suspect he died of upper respiratory tract infection (URT). A cold.

For the longest time, Tom just refused to eat and would just sit on the little stone in the aquarium day after day. Jerry, the other tortoise, grew and grew but Tom stayed the same size. We got worried & tried other kinds of food but Tom still would not eat. We suspected then that he was sick and placed him in a separate container. Jason searched the net (?!) and found that Tom's symptoms or behaviour indicated URT infection. But it was too late to save him.

Sean knew for several days that Tom was sick. "My tortoise is not feeling well," he'd say to my mum & brothers. So, when Tom died, Jason solemnly broke the news to Sean. He took it matter of factly. I guess death doesn't register much to a toddler. He followed us outside to bury Tom. And that was it.

Sean & Chloe

Chloe is Sean & Aidan's cousin. She is only 2 months younger than Sean. She lives in PJ so we don't see her much. During the Hari Raya hols, she came for a visit. Funny thing is, Chloe & Sean often times end up "color coordinated" - we mummies somehow dress them in clothes of the same color without meaning to. Here are some photos of her & Sean.

Blowing his own trumpet

One day, not too long ago, Aidan found a toy trumpet in the toy box. He got curious and after a demo by someone (I can't remember who!) he tried it himself. He put his lips to the mouthpiece and blew. And there was sound! Yeah, it was a "cheap-plastic-toy-squeak-kinda-sound" but he was hooked!

He kept blowing the lil toy trumpet day after day. Mind you, there was lots of drool produced in this daily endeavour! My parents were tickled pink and thought he was rather smart cos most babies his age don't really get the concept of blowing into an instrument.

And then one day, Aidan decided to whack the trumpet on the floor besides just blowing it and the mouthpiece cracked. That was the end of his short career as a trumpeteer! haha!

Tales & Travails: Transportin the kiddos

Everytime we go shopping, I see parents pushing their kids around in strollers. The kids would be sleeping or quietly sitting/lying in the stroller observing their surroundings & the parents would be free to shop.

My kids on the other hand, ...

I still remember trying to shop with Sean in his stroller when he was 3 months old. We were in Tesco. He didn't like being in the stroller & would fidget or cry. As he grew, we didn't have much success keeping him in the stroller. Most times he'll sit in it for a bit & then start bugging us to carry him. So we'll be lugging him and the stroller. He wouldn't sit for long in the shopping cart either.

Then when Aidan was old enough to be in the stroller, Sean of course has to decide to assert his claim on the stroller. So the "big buffalo" (Sean at 2yrs +) would go in the stroller & I'd sling Aidan in the sarong sling. This way, we manage to get some shopping done. Sean would even fall asleep in the stroller (a feat we only dared to dream of when he was younger).

Aidan has been in the stroller once or twice and seemed to be really excited about it. Lately, he's been having a go at sitting in shopping trolleys and seemed to enjoy it as well. A good thing. He's getting a bit heavy to sling comfortably for long.

Sean was trained from infancy to travel in a car seat. Aidan on the other hand, was not, for lack of a seat belt to fasten the car seat in the back seat of the car. Lately, we've begun training him and let's just say there's still some way to go before peaceful car trips can be enjoyed.


At Tesco. Aidan's snoozing in the sarong sling.


The one & only time we managed to get Aidan into the baby-seat of a shopping trolley. He didn't stay in it for long.


The first time Aidan was put in the car seat. He cried & fretted & finally fell asleep!

Tom & Jerry

A few months ago, Sean suddenly asked for a pet tortoise. He bugged my dad so much & that very evening (granddads can work wonders) my dad came home with 2 small tortoises. Needless to say, Sean was terribly excited.

He faithfully fed them each day but left the cleaning of the aquarium to his dad - smart choice. Every few days he'll tell his dad, "Daddy the tortoises dirty edi. Please wash!"

My dad asked him to name the tortoises. He was rather stumped. So, my dad gave him a choice of "Jack & Jill" or "Tom & Jerry". He chose "Tom & Jerry". At Sean's age, gender isn't a big deal so we all happily call the pets Tom & Jerry without knowing for sure if they're both males. haha!

Sean's been watching Animal Planet. Lately, he's been saying, "Must ask kongkong (that's my dad) buy shark!" Or elephant, or snake, or crocodile....whatever animal's being featured that day! One day it was an elephant and so I asked him, "The elephant is so big! Where will it stay?" He thought a bit & replied, "Elephant can sleep on daddy's bed!" I laughed my head off! And he continued, "can eat worms!" See, to Sean, all animals eat worms! hahaha!


Tom & Jerry

ENOUGH

CHORUS:
All of You is more than enough for
All of me for every thirst and
Every need You satisfy me
With Your love and all I have in You
Is more than enough

You are my supply
My breath of life
Still more awesome than I know
You are my reward
Worth living for
Still more awesome than I know

You're my sacrifice of greatest price
Still more awesome than I know
You're my coming King You're everything
Still more awesome than I know

Breakdown/Ending:
You’re enough, You’re enough
You’re enough for me

Song by Chris Tomlin and Louie Giglio
Sung by Barlow Girl (the version I know anyway)

Lord, thank You for songs like this that help me express my heart. It's hard for me right now to say that You're Enough for me. I'm really struggling with that, but somewhere, some small part of me is crying out this song. So, there's hope for me yet (that's me "speaking to me". I know there's hope because of Your finished work on the Cross). I'm finding my way back. Hold me close, dear Lord.

Bob the Builder

Sean's a huge fan of Bob the Builder. Actually, Sean hardly watches TV. He prefers books & we prefer it that way but all that's changed now. It started innocently enough some months ago.

An electrician came to my parents' home to do some wiring & Sean, being afraid of strangers, was clinging to me. Just to distract him, I switched the TV on. Bob the Builder was showing. And that was it. I think what attracted him to that cartoon was all the trucks in it.

Now, he watches Bob everyday. He has a Bob story book, coloring book & stickers. He knows the names of each truck & character & he knows a bit of the song too.

Recently, his grandpa bought him a toy excavator large enough for him to sit on. It came with a yellow construction helmet. Yup, just like Bob's. Sean was delighted.


Sean on his tractor. He named it "Scoop" after the tractor in Bob the Builder.


Aidan's not to be left behind. Here he is playing with Sean's toy tools.

Want me to carry him?

That's what Sean says each time Aidan cries. He'll come to me, lift his arms (like we would to carry a babe) & ask that question. It's so cute & sweet. All the more because he can't carry Aidan. :)

Sean's "changing" again. He's becoming more independent. Last month, he suddenly started putting on his shoes by himself, feeding himself (alas, this happens only when he's in the mood), drinking water from a cup, putting on his pants - hasn't mastered this yet. Usually he gets both legs in one opening & starts struggling. Yesterday, I discovered that he's been watching me do the dishes for he suddenly washed (or rinse) his cup (plastic cup, of course) the exact way I do it. It was so cute. Of course it's also a great excuse to play with water, so he'll be "washing" one cup or bowl after another (even grabbing clean ones to wash) while my mum yells at him to stop. Kids....trust them to turn work into fun-time.

Lately, he's turned all "politey-gentlemanly" too. He'll rush to open the gate for me without being asked & announce with a loud voice, "I open gate for mummy already!" He's learning to ask for things properly instead of whining. It's usually, "Please can I have bread with jam" or etc, but it can get confusing for him with funny results. Like tonight. He asked my dad, "Please can I have can you bring me home?" :)

I love my boy! Wish I can capture all these candid moments on camera.

Sean's first science project

My dad thought it would be fun to do a simple science project with Sean. So he got some green beans & planted it in a container with wet cotton. A few days later, out came bean sprouts.

Sean didn't know what to make of it. He listened to my dad's explanation & suspiciously eyed the bean sprouts. He peered at it for some time & finally said, "Eeeee! Geli!" Ha!ha! So much for science!

What's become of the human race?

I am afraid of reading the news these days. Too much mayhem & murder. Too much ugliness in the world. In humans. It's inhumane.

Recently, the murder of a 19 year old student & the murder of a 3 year old toddler. They died horribly. Probably at the hands of people they trusted. News like these give me nightmares. They affect me for days on end. I cannot get it out of my head...& heart.

Now that I'm a parent, I cannot imagine the effects of such tragedy. I cannot imagine that humans can be so cruel. I think the pain is too much to bear.

Dear Lord, help us! Help us to be strong to pray against such evil inflicting our nation. Build in us courage to get down on our knees to pray for Your intervention. And protect our loved ones each day.

I'll steer clear of the news for some time. It's too painful.

It was a grand field

We went to Melaka Megamall for the first time last Sunday. It's rather grand - the interior & exterior. Wide corridors, swanky shoplots, a grand fountain at the concourse area (yes, inside the mall), a huge MacDonalds, etc.

Yet, I felt a bit sad. The Megamall is standing on what used to be Padang Pahlawan. It's a historic field. It's where our first Prime Minister declared "Merdeka! Merdeka!" It's also across the road from Sacred Heart Convent-my alma mater.

I remember just lazing under the big trees by the side of the field after extra curricular activities. Buying kacang putih or drinks from the vendors that pass by. Participated in Merdeka celebrations held at that field too.

Our church youths used to play football there on Sunday evenings. We girls tagged along to jog or just to hang out.

It was a grand field. And now, it's reduced to barely any greenery, parking lots & the Megamall. *Sigh*

It has begun

The "war" that is. Aidan began grabbing Sean's toys or anything Sean touches about 2 months ago. Sean retaliates by screaming, grabbing it back & Aidan will then scream. *sigh* I didn't expect this for another few months at least. Aidan notes that Nemo is Sean's best pal & will make extra effort to grab Nemo & when he's successful, he'll wave it in the air with a very cheeky smile as if to say, "I got it! I got it!"

Nowadays, Sean grabs any toy Aidan plays with. *sigh* But there are times he'll willingly share his toys with Aidan. Selected ones la.


If I can't get Nemo, I'll grab Bubbles!


Sean's in the shower. Quick! Grab the truck!

Aunt Sharlene

This is Sean & Aidan's Aunt Sharlene. She's....not available! haha! (ok, ok,....she'll kill me, so I'd better not say more).

Aidan goes mobile

(This Kung fu stance is called the "mattress chop")

Last month, Aidan started to sit up by himself and a week later, started to crawl. To maintain his balance when he sits, he opens his legs really wide & sometimes executes a mean, acrobatic split that Van Damme would approve.


(Here he is crawling on the bed. Yes, he's a happy boy - lots of laughter & cheeky smiles)



The first time Aidan's in a baby chair. At Wilson Chicken Rice, Bachang. No, he's not eating chicken rice!



Hot wheels. This is Aidan's walker (on loan from his cousin Chloe). Canggih eh? Comes complete with a blinky light panel that plays music.

Trucks!

Sean loves trucks. It started with the simple lorry. After a while he called it a truck. Bit by bit he expanded his interest to other kinda trucks or construction vehicles. Now he can identify & pronounce these - cement mixer, excavator, tipper truck, crane, forklift, steam-roller, contenas (did I spell that right?), garbage truck, oil tankers & trailers.

We stay quite far away from the town centre & there are always a lot of trucks & the above vehicles. Sean's always excited to see them.

He has toy trucks too - an oil tanker, a cement mixer, 2 tipper trucks, 2 excavators & a crane. Here he is with 5 of them arranged neatly (by him) by his bed.


(It looks like Sean has a moustache doesn't it? It's actually a mild rash)

The things that goes on my head....

Aidan inherits Sean's cap.


That's a bip on his head. He looks so sweet huh? hehe!

Of fruits & veg

Sean loves to "kidnap" the fruits & veg that my mum buys. He'll put them in his car or bike or display them on the table ("Sean's veg stall" as my bro calls it) or just brings it around with him.


Looks like Aidan's following in his bro's footsteps. Here he is "nibbling" on a carrot. haha!

Hot wheels

Sean on his car. He can go really fast and take corners like a pro. He loves to stash stuff under the car seat...marbles, Nemo, toys, fruits & veg (no kidding!).


Sean got this bike a couple of months ago as his 2nd birthday present from his grandparents. He can zip around quite fast on it too. And yes, he stashes stuff in the basket. He'll say he's bringing the item for "a walk" or that he's gonna go sell it . Can you see the carrot in the basket?


Aidan's just got on the walker this month. At first he can only move backwards. Now he can go in all directions and leave a trail of destruction!

Side by Side

Sean & Aidan are the "tidur nakal" type. They toss & turn & "tour" their beds when they sleep. So we were caught by surprise when one day they ended up sleeping peacefully side by side.

Introducing...

Sean's first soft toy was Benla the bear (see earlier posts) & now he has Nemo the fish. As for Aidan, his first soft toy is......



Leon the Lion!

Mini World Cup

Makan Bola


Tidur Bola


Tangkap Bola!

More Sean-isms

Sean sitting on the throne (doing business), holds a squash ball to his nose and says: This kinda thing smells!
(huh? The ball or the....?)

Sean sticking his overturned car with Ali Baba cards: Mummy, I repair my car!
Mummy: Oh, what technology are you using?
Sean: Psychology!

Sean to his kungkung: Kucing eat fish, and tomatoes and tou miao (a kind of veg) !

Was gonna wash him up one morning and he says: Let's take off this smelly pampers!

Sean announces one day: My bicycle is stubborn!
And a little later: My car is very stubborn!
(I have no idea why!)

Jason went to Penang sometime in May to wor. Since then, Sean has been fascinated with Penang. Here are some of his "Penang remarks".

Sean: I drive van, go Penang.
Mummy: Oh? For what?
Sean: I work!
Mummy: What work?
Sean: Sell food!
(for the life of me, I have no idea how he thought of that reply!)

Another day, he again says he'll go Penang to work. This time it's to "do computer". Must be because he sees Jason repairing PCs!

Last week, he again announces he's going Penang. This time Jason converses with him...
Jason: Oh? When will you be back?
Sean: This week.
Jason: What day?
Sean: Thursday.
Jason: What time?
Sean: 12 O'clock!
(We had such a laugh! All his answers "pakai tembak only" but was so candid and funny!)

My mum scolded him cos he was just too busy running around, messing things...
Por por: You ar, tak senang!
Sean: Memang tak senang!
(This caught us by surprise cos we didn't know he knew the word "memang")

Sean to Aidan when Aidan scooted down from the bed to the floor ...
Sean: Aidan, you so terrible. So cranky! So cranky-ble!

Will add more when I can remember...

Stay

You watch over me
And most days, Lord, what do You see?
Here I go again, running at the first sign of pain
When the best place for me to be is here
In Your arms
You carry me
But it seems I can't stay longer
Than it takes to talk it out
Then it's off I go again
My solutions, my strength
Till I run out, fall down and
Here I am again, come to complain
I know You want me to stay
Let things go
Your way
More than listen, You're working
In me
So that I learn to stay
Here, with You
To learn, to obey, to love
You watch over me

Shutterbugz

Latest photos of Sean & Aidan...

Sean with mummy & daddy (& Uncle Allan) at the Melaka Zoo - Feb 2006







May 2006: Sean (25 months), Aidan (5 months)











June 2006






That's Nemo & Benla on Jason's guitar.




Nemo is hardly ever separated from Sean.


Sean with his grandpa (Jason's dad).

Whoosh!

How time flies! Whoosh! I'm now 30 going on 31.Whoosh! I've been married 7 years! Whoosh! I have 2 kids! Whoosh! My firstborn is already 2 years old. Sigh.

Wish I could...
relive and savor again the happy times
undo the wrong I've done
skip the bad times

I miss the carefree days. Get home from work, unwind, dinner and maybe catch a movie or just hang out with friends at mamak stalls. These days I can hardly leave the house without the 2 kids in tow. Just to have my hair cut required careful planning and the help of my mum to look after Sean. Me time? WHAT'S THAT?!

But I do enjoy being with my sons, watching them grow. Of course caring for a 2 year old and a 4 month old can be really tiring and stressful, even with my mum's help. I've recently got shingles - a mild case, thank God! - and I think it's due in part (a large part) to stress and poor health (lack of sleep).

I realise though how not many mums get the opportunity to spend time with their kids like I do and I am thankful.

We do still keep in touch with friends via the net and we do hang out once in a while (yes, even at mamak stalls, with the kids in tow!) and watch a movie now and then at home so it's not all that bad.

I wonder though if I'll ever again pick up a mic and sing (in church, on stage, etc). It's been more than 2 years since I did that and I'm now rather, no, very, rusty....pitching all over the place, breathing kaput, etc. But it's great hearing Sean sing and watching him dance.

Whoosh!

SMILE

Sean has a peculiar way of saying "smile". It sounds like "se-mile". He likes to say the word and then give a cheeky smile. It used to be rather dificult to snap a good photo of him cos he'd not stay still and smile for the camera. He'd run towards us and ask to look at the camera instead. Recently though, he'd sit still for a few seconds and smile for the camera if we ask him to. Below's two shots taken a couple of days ago. He just woke up in the morning, hence the funny hairdo.

The boys in RED

Chinese New Year and all things red. Here are photos of Sean & Aidan in their CNY clothes.