I'm Wa-Wa (?!)

Aidan began speaking a few months ago. Simple words like "tuck" (TRUCK), "there" and "ta-dah!" (ok, so that's not really a word). But these few weeks, it seems like he's suddenly got a speech-surge and he's sprouting many new words, sometimes a new word a day. He's even begun putting 2 words together like "make tuck" (when he wants us to fix a toy truck) or "want go".

The very first person he could call was my mum. His manja "Por Por" earned him many kisses from my mum. Then he started calling Sean, "Kor Kor". Then it was my dad-in-law's turn: "pa" or "ah pa" and sometimes a proper "grandpa" and recently, my mum-in-law: "ma ma".

There were a few times when he said "Daddy".

And me? I'm "Wa-Wa". Yep, that's what the cheeky little feller calls me. Not once has he called me "mummy". His yells for "Wa-Wa" comes loud & clear when he wants me. *sigh*

So maddening.

Sean's funny liners

Sean has always amused us with the things he says. Here are a few of the latest funnies:

Sean always pesters my dad the very minute my dad gets home from work. These days he pesters my dad to draw trucks for him. So one day, as he was pestering my dad....

Me: Sean! Let kong-kong breathe a bit!
Not to be stopped, Sean continues walking behind my dad and was quiet for all of 2 seconds and then...
Sean: Kong-kong, you breathe edi ar?

Sean was excited about seeing Tom & Jerry (the mascots) on stage in Mahkota Parade but when he got there, it was not time for them to appear, so he was disappointed. He came to me and said, "Tom & Jerry cabut edi!"

And later, we drove pass the huge banner advertising the Tom & Jerry promo and Sean said, "Mummy, that cloth (the banner), they put there oni but Tom & Jerry not there. Cabut edi!"

Will add in more as they pop to mind... And will be adding new photos soon.

Personal DNA

Hmmm....an interesting peek into my psyche. I don't agree with half of it. Maybe cos I took the test at 2a.m. plus! Or maybe cos I'm a pessimist. haha!

Dare to see what makes me tick? Click on the link below.



Full report:
My Personal Dna Report

My Joys

Wake, wake, another new day
Lists running through my mind
Kids running here and there
A happy balance of work & care?
Tough being a mum
But I wouldn't do anything else
Wouldn't miss a smile, a word, a hug
Two precious gifts from God
Two very different little boys
And many different emotions each day
Wash, clean, care, prepare
And dream?
And then the music's on
And something in me stirs
When music plays
Something rises and I can't help but sing
And I soar (as I "roar"? haha!)
Oh Lord, how You've blessed me!

Smart Wonderland

We can't go to Jaya Jusco without a visit to its playland - Smart Wonderland. Sean just loves the place! Especially the ball-room (haha!). One has to climb a bit to get to this place full of multi-colored plastic balls. The climb itself is fun for a kid, I suppose.

The photos below were taken last month.


Sean jumps in. Camera caught him in mid-air. Cool!


Jason swooshes Sean around. The kid loves it!


I love this photo!


Finally! A photo of Aidan & I. (That's Aidan's "camera face".)


Aidan enjoys "driving" around.

Whims & Fancies

Today, I was just thinking
About everything & nothing
As I usually do.
And I realised that I'm happiest
reading a book,
singing my heart out,
writing down whatever whimsical thing I think of.

But sometimes being happy just isn't enough
There's pressure to make it count
Sure, reading a book's fine,
when I have the time.

But what about singing and writing?
Can I make something of it?
Can I be a writer?
A singer?

Wow! Just the very thought!

It makes sense doesn't it?
If I can make something of it,
I can justify indulging my time & effort in it.
And not feel guilty wasting time that can be better spent
Earning money to make ends meet?

How complicated can life get?
That I feel bad in indulging in such simple pleasures?

I guess I just want things in neat, pretty packages
If I can turn my passion into my occupation,
I'd be tackling my needs & wants with one blow.

Alas! Tis not to be.
For lil old me am but ordinary.
Not unique, not gifted
Just ordinary.

Not a lousy singer,
just not a fantastic one.
Not too bad at writing,
just not good enough to be a writer.

And so, it ended -
- another bout of day dreaming -
as it usually does,
with a painful jolt to reality.

Aidan's 1st birthday

Aidan turned one years old on 19 December 2006. I looked at him and found it hard to believe that the little baby I cared for entirely on my own (for the first few months) was now a toddler. We had a party for him on the 15th of December.

That day didn't start well. I had contracted a lady to clean house for me that morning. Jason went to pick her up but she did not show up. Couldn't get through to her handphone either. I had called her more than once to make arrangements & remind her. We were very frustrated. So, we had to clean house ourselves. It's not that we could not do it. We just wanted less on our plate so that we wouldn't be so tired & stressed (lesson learnt from pass birthday parties).

And then there was the food. The last birthday party we held, there wasn't enough food. So, we didn't want to make the same mistake this time. Unfortunately, the people who cooked the food were a bit too generous and we ended up with so much leftover. Managed to give quite a lot of it away but we still had to eat the same food for the following 2 days. haha!

Aidan enjoyed himself running after food (yup, that's Aidan) and paddling his new three-wheeler ala the Flintstones. When it came to cake cutting time, he left his mark. I was carrying him and got too close to the cake. He took a swipe at it...with his foot! I had to cut that portion off. Everyone was laughing. It's just so Aidan. Always curious and getting his hands (and feet) into things.

After almost everyone had gone home, we cleaned up with the help of a very, dear friend. We were so tired by then. Aidan was tired too and Jason put him in the "sarong" to sleep. I was in the kitchen then and was shocked to hear a crash followed by Aidan's cry of pain. Somehow the spring holder that the "sarong" was attached to gave way & Aidan crashed to the floor. Poor fella was crying hard for a while but there weren't any injuries, thank God. What a way to end his first birthday party.




The birthday boy on his brand new tricycle.


Sean, up close & personal.


The toe-test; the most stringent test in baking history. Haha!

One of the things I miss the most

You know how a particular smell or song can trigger a memory? Well, I experienced something like that about 2 months ago. Only, it wasn't just one song & it triggered more than a memory.

We were visiting a church that Sunday. During worship, the songs they sang weren't new but by the second song, there was just something in the atmosphere that triggered such a longing in me. It was like someone pulled apart heavy curtains & windows to let sunshine & fresh air in. I could worship freely. I felt such liberty in that place. The longing I felt was akin to a dry well being filled again. I remembered what it was like to experience such worship and wanted it again.

And then several ladies up front took up timbrels with long ribbons and danced. When I saw the ribbons in the air, the longing deepened. I used to dance with a timbrel too. Many years ago. The songs, the timbrels...it brought back what I've missed so dearly - the worship experience in an atmosphere of freedom.

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!