When I grow up 3

I want to be a soldier! ;P

J is playing with G's cap since he has reservist this morning... a pity the picture is too dark!

I am immensely proud of J especially today. After 2 weeks of starting school, he’s reached the milestone where I am able to leave him without any fuss at all. I am inclined to think that my pep talk with him may have helped since I reminded him many times while we got ready that he’s going to have fun in school after we breakfast, brush teeth, changed etc... and that his popo will be picking him up in a few hours’ time. Nevertheless, the process of adjustment was rather gradual since he could be blur initially and hence not experiencing separation anxiety plus school was still a novelty. Then he wise-up and began to cry whenever we drive near to school and had to part. Today, he managed to wave goodbye and followed his teacher with an understanding of what school’s all about. I hope he will continue to enjoy his time in school since he’s rather outgoing and sociable. Here’s his current look right now:




And here’s how we are helping him to overcome his ‘showering’ fear (at Birdz of Play in Jurong Bird Park):

Challenging transition

Sigh! J is finding it challenging to cope with school afterall. He's started to cry/whimper when I drop him off and even when he's being picked up. Worst of all is that he has developed a shower phobia after showering there (standing, not in a tub). Frankly, we are at a loss here beyond sending him to school for half a day for now...

Reaching milestones...

J is about to turn 18 months! He has quite a rich vocabulary by now (ranging from people, numbers, animals, modes of transport, fruits to furniture etc), is able to say words with 3 syllabus (BAH-NANA!) and can string together 'phrases' like mama-take, papa-carry.

Today is the first day of 'school' for him since it's time he learn to interact with other kids around his age on a more regular basis plus he's increasingly a handful to be looked after at home. Here's his sleepy look at 8 am:


It turned out to be a very good start (and fingers crossed that this will last) since he played with toys happily when we dropped him off. On the other hand, G seemed to suffer more of the separation anxiety since he took leave and was prepared to camp in school. But, he was sent packing off by the principal and basically was melancholic the entire day, thinking of J and how much he missed playing with him... Here's a shot of him having lunch:


In any case, any worries seemed unnecessary since J was rather contented (again with toys) when we went to pick him up and took some time to leave school! On the whole, he seemed to have adjusted somewhat though he appeared to have been 'starved' since he managed to eat an extra portion of porridge for dinner... This is definitely something that we will continue to monitor and here's hoping that J continue to enjoy 'school'! :D

... Hello Dragon!

This is J's second Lunar New Year but really the first one that J is able to enjoy, remember and best of all, say GONG XI! It is very funny to see him perk up and dance to the new year tunes from commercial jigs. J is also quite good at passing any angpows he receives to us since he doesn't quite understand the concept of money yet! While the past 2 days of 'pai nian' seemed to have tire him out (which is great for us since he sleeps more soundly), he has generally enjoyed the past 2 days of visiting and there are still a number of gatherings lined up :)

May the Dragon year be a joyous and prosperous one for one and all! GONG XI GONG XI!

Our Family Portrait (J guarding his red packet from us)

J in his 'long' (dinosaur = kong long) outfit and his 'kum'

J still holding tight to his 'kum'

... all the way to his grandma's place

... and my relatives'

Hm... so many goodies... what shall I eat?

At the Sentosa Flower Show... second year in a row with J

Goodbye Bunny...

This is how much J (a little Tiger) has grown in the year of Bunny. It is amazing how much he understands now and is capable of. His latest achievement is to say 'help', 'please', 'thank you' (or 'xie xie'). Sometimes, he does so without prompting and its lovely to watch him remember his manners :)

And here's a pic to send off the Bunny (double rainbow spotted at Turf City)

Happy New Year!

The first post of 2012... I suppose most people would write about new year resolutions. Since I don't subscribe to resolutions, I thought I would write about my wishes instead.

I have small hopes, mostly for my boys:

1. Junxi to enjoy toddler class/day care and that he will learn to sleep through the night. If it's not too much to ask, I also wish that he doesn't suffer sibling rejection when his little brother is born and will learn to love his Didi as much as he is loved.

2. Didi to be healthy, happy and sleeps well (second time parents know what to pray for!).

3. G to be happy and smooth progression for his career.

4. For me to learn to cope with motherhood with 2 boys and to improve as a coach.

Here's to a great 2012 :)