Monday, December 29, 2008

2 more nights to go!!!

ONLY 2 more nights to go!
And 1 more day to go!!!


En is just as excited. He told me just now he likes Papa, i ask him who he likes more, he says he likes Papa more.. Sigh. Our little friend is a staunch Papa's man. That is the Zhen-1 Xin-1 Hua-4.
(pardon the english phonics, i dunno why my language script does not work anymore on this laptop - which is breaking apart anyway).

Although it is only 2 nites, did not have a gd phone conversation with hubby just now..
got a bit quarrelsome over some ba-kwa business..

Well.. but like en will say, only 2 nites, only 2 nites, ONLY 2 nites
*and WAVING the fingers in your face*

Saturday, December 27, 2008

A long weekend... of activities, thoughts and longings

Back dated Xmas Entry..

This year, without Papa, we spent a quiet but joyful Xmas at home.

We ended up having Xmas lunch as my dad worked a full day on the Eve and I also had Xmas Eve invite at Ah Kim's place (where I tasted the most Heavenly Chocolate Peanut Brownie from Cicada's along with other of Ah Kim's fantastic cooking) , so end up had to do Xmas lunch with our own families instead.

Did not have as luxurious a spread as I imagined in my mind, but not too bad I thought.

We ordered a turkey, opened one of our numerous bottles of Rose that we bought from Perth earlier this year (and before I can enjoy it I am pregnant and off liquor, how can?!!!) and FIL did his magic cooking!

The kids loved the turkey, with Xuan throwing a tantrum when we told him that the Turkey was finished (was so worried he would overeat, as he had his usual healthy kiddy lunch before joining us for the adult feast, part II). He loitered by the kitchen while we were clearing up and hiding the remains of the turkey, and when we tried to force him from the kitchen, he let out a loud wail and ran from the kitchen to his usual (What I call) "sobbing place" in front of the bookshelf in the play room and cried and cried. Took a while to pacify him..





























Then we opened all the presents, although the present that i most wanted to have was not under the Xmas tree leh.. Mummy outdid herself this year, she bought me birds' nest.. woohoo.. well I been having birds' nest for like months already lah, but still her stock is high quality one mah, and it is a gift that requires her effort to prepare for me too. She is v thoughtful, as it is also a gift that Bao X can enjoy!!

Yiyi and boyfriend got the kids musical instruments (drum and guitar) for the boys to form a Superband, and the 2 little boys were indeed v happy, playing and interchaging their instruments. Xuan was most happy to dance to the tunes from the guitar - this little boy really seem to have a love for dancing..








It is a quiet but satisfying affair.. esp. since i am not up to the big parties anyway. Too taxing.
















Botanic gardens Again..


Brought the boys to the Botanic Gardens again today, as yeye was around to drive the short distance. Boy it is a bit tiring but we brought along the straw mat to sit down for a while besides the usual feeding of the fishes and tortoises.

Xuan accidentally dropped one of his new engines into the pond while feeding the fishes and playing with the train along the edge, and he was really really upset. Cried for a good while before he.. forgot about it (hopefully..)?

The weather is simply beautiful today, lots of sunlight and I managed to grab some really nice pics.. to be uploaded.. SMS-ed papa that when he is back next week, we will spend the next weekend picnic -ing at Botanic Gardens with the boys. It is not as crowded as usual, lots of car park lots, since I figured the expats who usually patronise the place have gone home for the long year end break.

When we passed by a cafe on the way to the car park, En kept wanting to eat there.. an option to be explored in the coming weekends. I remember the times when Papa, Momo and I always hang out at the same cafe in the weekend mornings, reading newspapers and walking Momo. How time flies!!
Of thoughts..

The numerous rounds of social activities around the festives inevitably got me thinking.. and hubby and I had a conversation last night about what he loved about me since we are so different. Hubby loves socialising and being with friends. He is genuine to all people and always extends a helping hand to those who need it. These are qualities i appreciate and admire in him .. maybe because they are so lacking in me? He is the Me Nice guy who is nice to everyone.

I will be a recluse and a hermit if I have a choice.. not that I do not enjoy socialising.. I do, but I kinda am a bit more "discerning" or selective with who I hang out and socialise with.. I can count who those ppl are with like a few fingers .. I do enjoy hearing stories of people and their experiences but more often than not, I prefer to hang out with ppl who know me as I am for which I do not need to exert too much of myself to socialise with. In summary, I am kinda the bitchy and the meanie gal who is not too much fun to be around.

So when hubby and I first got together, there were lots of opportunities for conflicts. And our differing views of level of socialities caused quite a strain around festive period. Over the years, I accomodated and he accepted (I hope).

However, I still maintain that I do not need to be "nice" or be popular amongst everyone. Why bother? To me, i can like a lot of people, and enjoy their company on and off (thanks to my talkative nature if the chemistry is right, or when the ambience is right), but it does not mean these ppl automatically become part of my life. It is my life, so i get to choose who gets to be in it right?!

I have a close narrow perception of my life. I do not want a lot of ppl in it. Maybe I also do not need a lot of ppl in it. and i especially do not need the fly by night kinda ppl in it.. you know, people who drifts in and outta your life at various points.. and make u feel disappointed with their drifting..
But hubby is the opposite of me. His life cannot be complete without friends, and its a very many friends.

So we have a discussion last night on the real meaning of genuinity and hypocrisy when it comes to socialising. No one is right or wrong, we are just different. VERY different. but we co-exist, and accommodate where we can. But it makes me wonder what he loves about me if we share such different views in life, about people and about how we socialise (which is a large part of being human right?!)

And his answer is always the same. And which, till now, i don't completely understand how it is possible, that he just loves me. Like hello, there must be reasons for loving someone right? Loving without reasons seems strange and implausible!! In any case, this is probably a question i need to carry to my grave, but I sure hope I am more enlightened about how this is possible when I am like...older???

Of Long-ings..

It is only a few more days before hubby is back, I can count the days using 1 hand now!
And I am excited.. It has been a long time since i last "saw" husband.. i can't believe I survived the months, days, nights, hours, minutes and seconds without him!! It is a long-ing which seems forever..

And i wonder how much time we have before baby arrives and we are caught up in the post-natal madness again.. and I do not want to think about his imminent leaving..

I sure hope we have time to "catch up" good and proper before baby arrives.. sigh. Hopefully spend some quality time doing the usual couple stuff like late night supper, movies and all..

And of course I cant wait to see what Papa got me for Christmas!! In this respect, I am forever like a little girl.. always more bubbling excited over the "thought" of opening the gift than the gift if you know what I mean.. and my wish list has been a bit long this year.. so Let's see..

All these distractions made working on 29 and 30 Dec seem like a huge chore.. Can't even properly focus on my report that is due on 29 Dec already.. sigh.

I am counting.. and counting. soon. I more night down once i sleep through tonight..
yes, tat's how precise it is! :)

Wednesday, December 24, 2008

A quiet and peaceful Xmas Eve...

The kids are asleep..
I am ready for bed but feeling wide awake.. with a tummy full of ham, turkey, yummy cake and all - thanks to Ah Kim's fabulous cooking and hospitality...
Listening to classical music and blogging..

With the snowy bear that arrived this evening to keep me company on this "silent" night..

Everything is peaceful, and I am glad that the torrential rain that has been going on for this whole day has stopped..

The after smell of rain is calming and nostalgic..
exactly like autumn...

Anxious Xuan?

This morning I drop the kids off at school for their Xmas party, and while I was chatting with teacher on Xuan's adjustment, I saw Xuan loitering behind, fingering with the buttons on his tee, as if he was feeling as bit anxious, looking at teacher and I as we conversed, as if knowing that teacher and I are discussing about him.

That is a lovely image in my mind.. this little boy looking insecure for the first time..
Teacher mentioned that he was doing fine, some days better than others but overall no issue with the concept of coming to school..

He really loves going to school. And since he started with the 3 hourly session,he has been talking alot more, much of which are still gibberish, but more single words are emerging, so that is progress I think..

Conneisseur En?

My mum related this highly interesing account for me earlier.
He said that En was watching the Little Nonya trailer on getting viewers to visit its webpage - the one which had Jeanette Aw, Joanne Peh and Qi Yi Wu.

My mum said that En told her that "She (Jeanette Aw) looked like mummy, so pretty."
:O

then my mum teased him and asked him about Joanne Peh when she appeared, whether she look like mummy, he said "No, not pretty"

Fwah.. he very discerning hor for his age. Still can say who is pretty..
Is that the Scorpio charm or what... Ho Ho Ho..
I think kids are so adorable when they are young and start to speak, they talk about the most amusing things lor! All these little anecdotes I must write down, and perhaps one day I can publish a little book of laughs!

MERRY XMAS TO ALL!! May Peace and Joy be With all!!

Sunday, December 21, 2008

Xuan is 2!!

It is been some time since I last blog.
Been busy as En was down with stomach flu after his flu and cough, Xuan started school and I was watching groups for like 2 weeks..

And also stressed with Xmas shopping and baby's imminent arrival.
Lots of stuff Happening!

Xuan's Birthday

And today, we did a mini celebration for Xuan for his 2 year old Birthday!

















Papa joined the cake and candle blowing via Skype.
We kept it amongst our family, and invited nanny's family along as well. Well, they are like En's extended family anyway.

Xuan's gifts were mostly Thomas and Thomas and thomas ... since everyone knows his fond love for the engines.





I got him a small Thomas the train cake and he was sqealingly excited when he saw the cake. And he seems to know it was his birthday, calmly standing near the cake with his expanded collection of Thomas and gang engines.





En was a sweet boy, highly excited for his brother.. and we prep him not to fight with Xuan for the exciting toys Xuan received. Here you see hime posing sweetly for pictures while Xuan does not really care a hoot about him, with all his focus on the cake..

While Xuan did not really know how to sing the birthday song, he managed a (happy birthday) "to you" well enuf, and also already know how to blow the candles. Very adorable.

We got him a Thomas the train laptop and he was excitedly dancing to the tunes. Nanny's family got him a complicated Thomas railset, with many engines that run on the track. My sis came with a big box of another Thomas assembled toys.

Thankfully the grandparents did not emerge with anything further thomases that we need to fix or assemble.. but Xuan is immensely happy. Yeye cooked us all a yummy dinner which impressed nanny a lot.

Well, another milestone for baby Xuan, and hope this little boy learns to control his anger better. the other day in his tantrum, he actually pulled down the entire Xmas tree. Luckily he was not hurt, but that was how angry he was and his urge to vent his anger.. and it all started because he was snatching toys from En En.

Xuan at School..
Sigh.. and while his transition to school is very smooth, well, the teachers seem to be having a bit of problem getting used to him..

I sensed something was wrong when the teacher asked me on the 3rd day whether he was capable of understanding and which language we speak to him in. I said he understand both English ad Chinese, stronger in his English probably, but whether he obeys or follows what was communicated is another thing.

And sure enough, by the 5th day of school.. we have the first mini feedback.
Teacher feedback to Ye Ye that when Xuan wants something, he cannot be persuaded or distracted. He would single mindedly want it. In this case, namely the toys in school.

It is not hard for me to imagine what happened actually. sigh.
Well.. as I do not know if his anger/ tantrum is a "out of normal" problem, or if it falls into any behavioral problem, it is a bit hard for me to look for books to tackle it. Meanwhile, we will continue disciplining him with a firm hand, and monitor the situation. And perhaps to look for a way to get thru to him and teach him alternative ways of venting anger, such as drawing or something.

He is a really lovable boy since most of the times he is happily dancing, playing with his engines and eating, sleeping talking gibberish. the once in a while tantrum is his only major drawback.. and for that, i guess it takes time to manage and for him to learn as well, since our little boy just turned 2 right? :)

Friday, December 12, 2008

All back.. & Xuan's First 3 Days in School

First of all, BIG thanks to all advise, help, words of concerns, text messages ... the full works. Have not necessarily been responding as I have been busy all round, work, home, kids.. so forgive me, but I am really very appreciative of the help and support! :)

Xuan in the end did not have HFMD, but he did have a major outbreak of eczema that made his whole back look hideous. He had all the dots.. and so Doc had recommended to quarantine him for a week, much like HFMD.

So En went to Nanny's place for a week, and when I was thinking it was finally over, he came back with cold and cough which continued the medical saga.

In any case, the kids are quite good now, with mild sniffs and all, and I am glad it is the weekend.

Xuan started his first day of school the past tuesday. I went with him and it was a really different experience. Our little friend was happily wandering around the classroom or engrossed in play or tasks, so much so that he does not notice me most of the time.

And it helped that the theme for these 2 weeks in school is cooking, and he had a lot of fun making moulds out of buttered bread sprinkled with colourful candy rice or chocolate flaks.. lots of fun doing it and eating as well.

Predictably, he loves the snack time, and happily finished his own snack and had 2 more waffer biscuits for good measure. He was the last kid at the table, again, predictably.

Instead, En was the one who was crying for me to stay with him and be near him all the while. He also went around telling all the teachers and his friends that Xuan is his brother, introducing him all around, that is very sweet and cute.

While the little one did not even seem to need me around. So i decided to let him go to school on his own subsequently.

And true enuf, Xuan was eager to head off to school the next day, and my mum said he went in alone by himself to the classroom. He already knew where the classroom was upon alighting from the car. While En was still bidding goodbye to grandpa and my mum, Xuan was already somewhere in the classroom.

And on Day 3 of school, he actually cried when he was fetched to come home. And by the 3rd day, he alreay knew the routine of sitting on the little stools outside the classroom to remove his shoes, I am really impressed at his adapatability - all the while i tot he can be a bit clueles about what is hapening and I was worried he would be lost and clueless in school. but no, he surprised me much.. i think the little boy really loves school. He likes looking at other kids, and was happy to wander around the classroom exploring or playing with the toys. I am quite confident he will have fun with the montessori tools once actual term starts next year and I hope he has time to pick up sufficient skills of independence before we head off to china.

And the feedback on the 3rd day was he was trying to feed soup to himself and refused help from the auntie, even though more than half the time, he was spilling the soup on himself and the floor.

I am relieved he is so easily settled into school. That means he may be the stablising force next year when both of them go to the new school in China, and he can be there to reassure the older brother....

Monday, December 01, 2008

He has....

He stays at home..
He plays alone..
His lone companion is his Kor- kor..
.... who is healthy and happy at Nanny's resort..

He does not have many "live" playmates...

SO WHERE &HOW DID XUAN XUAN GET HFMD?!!!!!!
Why the little dots on the top of his hand?!!!!

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