Mama, Sherryn is very heavy!
Sherryn is my 'hao peng you' (good friend)
Sherryn, let's dance!
Come Sherryn, I read to you
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Sisterly love
I love to see Kaelyn and Sherryn interact.
Mama, Sherryn is very heavy!
Sherryn is my 'hao peng you' (good friend)
Sherryn, let's dance!
Come Sherryn, I read to you
Mama, Sherryn is very heavy!
Sherryn is my 'hao peng you' (good friend)
Sherryn, let's dance!
Come Sherryn, I read to you
Kaelyn's childcare update July 2010
We seem to be making some headway in Kaelyn's food intake in school. She now finishes the small portion that the teachers giver her and is able to eat on her own. Before, she would refuse to touch the food even when the teachers feed her. She just didnt like to eat.
We havent been making much progress on the napping and toilet training routine though. Guess I really have to take one step at a time. Because she sometimes skips are naps in school, we are now putting her on half days on Tues and Thurs so she can rest properly in between the school week.
I have also restarted intensive toilet training. I think she understands that she has to tell us when she needs to pee and poo but not sure why she doesnt do that. I now accept that she is a slow developer in this area...Think she still cant really tell whether she needs to go until she has let go. Within 3 hours, we can change as many as 5 - 6 training pants and bring her to the toilet 3 times. Really tiring but will try to persevere! Hope she is able to go to toilet on her own in school soon.
However in terms of other developments, her teachers say she is a fast learner like recognising patterns / sequencing, sorting balls / coins based on attributes etc. I guess you cant have it both ways!
We havent been making much progress on the napping and toilet training routine though. Guess I really have to take one step at a time. Because she sometimes skips are naps in school, we are now putting her on half days on Tues and Thurs so she can rest properly in between the school week.
I have also restarted intensive toilet training. I think she understands that she has to tell us when she needs to pee and poo but not sure why she doesnt do that. I now accept that she is a slow developer in this area...Think she still cant really tell whether she needs to go until she has let go. Within 3 hours, we can change as many as 5 - 6 training pants and bring her to the toilet 3 times. Really tiring but will try to persevere! Hope she is able to go to toilet on her own in school soon.
However in terms of other developments, her teachers say she is a fast learner like recognising patterns / sequencing, sorting balls / coins based on attributes etc. I guess you cant have it both ways!
Monday, July 5, 2010
Touring Singapore Attractions
I realise that Singapore is not that boring afterall, especially with the opening of the Flyer, RWS in Sentosa, MBS in recent years. Since it is not convenient to go on long overseas tours with the 2 kids, we have embarked on touring attractions around Singapore. Below are the places we have been to recently.
(1) The Singapore Zoo
We've been to the Zoo many times with Kaelyn, though we have not brought Sherryn there yet. Personally, the highlight for me is to bring her to the Rainforest Kidz World right at the other end of the zoo. I am not a huge fan of animals so I was always looking for the shortest route to the kids woeld. But at least we did point out to her the tigers, monkeys, otters, zebras, kangaroos, giraffes etc etc along the way.
Pictures from the Dec 09 trip
(2) Sentosa
I like going to Sentosa. There are various things to see and do there. We stayed a few nights at the Shangri la Rasa Sentosa when Kaelyn was a baby, and went to some of the attractions (see http://our-angel.blogspot.com/2007/12/our-first-holiday-after-kaelyns-arrival.html). We also went to the beaches several times with the 2 kids.
Recently, we brought Kaelyn to the Universal studio (see http://our-angel.blogspot.com/2010/05/universal-studios-singapore.html).
I would like to go back to Sentosa again for the Luge ride and go up the Merlion.
(3) Duck tours and Singapore Flyer
I had always wanted to go on the duck tours whenever I see one of those plying the streets. We finally got to do that sometime in May. I got free tickets to the Flyer too, so we did that on the same day. It was a great outing, although the kids were grouchy on the Flyer.
(4) Helix bridge
This newly opened bridge connects the Marina floating platform to the Marina Bay Sands Integrated Resort. There is a nice little garden next to the floating platform.
(5) Marina Bay Sands Integrated Resort
David and I had some time to ourselves last week and we sneaked to the newly opened IR for a peek. I wasnt too impressed with the look of the interior. It looks like another shopping centre to me but selling more high end stuff. There is a 'river' in the centre and they had boats on it. If this was to replicate Venice, then they would have failed terribly. But I later saw a sign that says those were some king of Samsui boat. Ok, then that makes sense.. but really it wasnt a pretty sight.
There were also staff in red uniforms stationed at each escalator and also walking around. We had no idea what they were doing. There wasnt a lot of people in the mall and they were just standing around, which was quite strange. But we made use of them to ask for directions to the hotel side.
We had a peek at the casino, and I was surprised that it looked quite packed inside. There really are many gamblers around.
At the hotel side, we managed to get tickets to go up to the sky park for 360 degrees view of Singapore. At S$20 per pax, it was really worth the money. View was superb. Again, at the sky park, there were also a number of staff walking around and one even voluntarily offered to help us take a picture. Talk about job creation by the IRs! There is also a beautiful infinity pool on top.
There are lots of other places to go like the Jurong Bird Park, Botanical Gardens, Merion Park, Hort Park, Alexandra / Henderson Wave, Science Centre, East Coast Park etc all of which we have brought Kaelyn to when she was small. We will be bringing the kids back to these places again in the near future.
(1) The Singapore Zoo
We've been to the Zoo many times with Kaelyn, though we have not brought Sherryn there yet. Personally, the highlight for me is to bring her to the Rainforest Kidz World right at the other end of the zoo. I am not a huge fan of animals so I was always looking for the shortest route to the kids woeld. But at least we did point out to her the tigers, monkeys, otters, zebras, kangaroos, giraffes etc etc along the way.
Pictures from the Dec 09 trip
(2) Sentosa
I like going to Sentosa. There are various things to see and do there. We stayed a few nights at the Shangri la Rasa Sentosa when Kaelyn was a baby, and went to some of the attractions (see http://our-angel.blogspot.com/2007/12/our-first-holiday-after-kaelyns-arrival.html). We also went to the beaches several times with the 2 kids.
Recently, we brought Kaelyn to the Universal studio (see http://our-angel.blogspot.com/2010/05/universal-studios-singapore.html).
I would like to go back to Sentosa again for the Luge ride and go up the Merlion.
(3) Duck tours and Singapore Flyer
I had always wanted to go on the duck tours whenever I see one of those plying the streets. We finally got to do that sometime in May. I got free tickets to the Flyer too, so we did that on the same day. It was a great outing, although the kids were grouchy on the Flyer.
(4) Helix bridge
This newly opened bridge connects the Marina floating platform to the Marina Bay Sands Integrated Resort. There is a nice little garden next to the floating platform.
(5) Marina Bay Sands Integrated Resort
David and I had some time to ourselves last week and we sneaked to the newly opened IR for a peek. I wasnt too impressed with the look of the interior. It looks like another shopping centre to me but selling more high end stuff. There is a 'river' in the centre and they had boats on it. If this was to replicate Venice, then they would have failed terribly. But I later saw a sign that says those were some king of Samsui boat. Ok, then that makes sense.. but really it wasnt a pretty sight.
There were also staff in red uniforms stationed at each escalator and also walking around. We had no idea what they were doing. There wasnt a lot of people in the mall and they were just standing around, which was quite strange. But we made use of them to ask for directions to the hotel side.
We had a peek at the casino, and I was surprised that it looked quite packed inside. There really are many gamblers around.
At the hotel side, we managed to get tickets to go up to the sky park for 360 degrees view of Singapore. At S$20 per pax, it was really worth the money. View was superb. Again, at the sky park, there were also a number of staff walking around and one even voluntarily offered to help us take a picture. Talk about job creation by the IRs! There is also a beautiful infinity pool on top.
There are lots of other places to go like the Jurong Bird Park, Botanical Gardens, Merion Park, Hort Park, Alexandra / Henderson Wave, Science Centre, East Coast Park etc all of which we have brought Kaelyn to when she was small. We will be bringing the kids back to these places again in the near future.
Random conversation
I brought Sherryn for her 5 month old jab when I had this conversation with one of the patients at the clinic (an 'auntie').
Auntie: So cute, is it a boy or girl?
Me: She's a girl.
Auntie: Looks like a boy. How old?
Me: 5 months. Ya, many people say she has the boy look.
Auntie: First one or second?
Me: Second. My first one is coming to 3 years.
Auntie: Oh, boy or girl?
Me: I have 2 girls. (I know full well where this conversation is heading..)
Auntie: Oh, never mind, try for a boy the next time.
My helper was chuckling beside me cos she knows that I have one too many of such conversations.
What's wrong with having 2 girls? I dont see the need for any consolation for not having a boy... Also, even if I do try for a 3rd child, there is no guarantee that it will be a boy. And what would people say then if I have 3 girls? Try for a 4th?
The next time people ask, I am planning to say I have a boy and a girl and see what people's reactions are.. ha ha..
Auntie: So cute, is it a boy or girl?
Me: She's a girl.
Auntie: Looks like a boy. How old?
Me: 5 months. Ya, many people say she has the boy look.
Auntie: First one or second?
Me: Second. My first one is coming to 3 years.
Auntie: Oh, boy or girl?
Me: I have 2 girls. (I know full well where this conversation is heading..)
Auntie: Oh, never mind, try for a boy the next time.
My helper was chuckling beside me cos she knows that I have one too many of such conversations.
What's wrong with having 2 girls? I dont see the need for any consolation for not having a boy... Also, even if I do try for a 3rd child, there is no guarantee that it will be a boy. And what would people say then if I have 3 girls? Try for a 4th?
The next time people ask, I am planning to say I have a boy and a girl and see what people's reactions are.. ha ha..
Friday, July 2, 2010
Sherryn is 5 months old!
Our dear Sherryn turned 5 months old a week back and weighs ard 7 plus kgs. She's growing fast, now drinking 180ml per feed 4 times a day. Whatever her jie jie could do at 5 months, she is able to too. Refer to Kaelyn's blog at 5 months.
At the PD's advice, we have started giving Sherryn apple and pear juice at 4 months, as she only as she only poos once a week, or even once in 10 days. Sometimes, we even have to resort to using suppository to help her out. I've started giving her pear puree as well but so far still dont see much improvements.. Have also let her try a little organic brown rice cereal twice just to 'test waters'.
Sherryn is still the happy, cheerful baby. My sis commented that she has never heard her cry (well thats partly because she seldom sees her. ha ha). But it's rather true that she laughs (really loudly) much more than she cries. So lucky to have such a baby! = ) I think shes getting smarter too. She knows when to call out to you and ask to be carried. She'll give you the wide-eyed 'oh I am such a poor thing' look, like the puss in boots in Shrek. Really, that always does it.
I have put her on some sort of 'programme' myself. After her milk and bath in the mornings, she will have music lessons where I play the piano and she sings along. In the afternoon after her 'lunch' and rest, we will have gym lessons where she will practise her rolling, play in her playgym and strengthen her leg muscles where I prop her up in the standing position for her to push with both legs. Then in the evening, I will read a book, or some flash cards to her. If I dont think of something deliverate like that to do, I guess I will be just chucking her into the rocker while I surf the net and do my own things. What else can you do with a baby so young?
At the PD's advice, we have started giving Sherryn apple and pear juice at 4 months, as she only as she only poos once a week, or even once in 10 days. Sometimes, we even have to resort to using suppository to help her out. I've started giving her pear puree as well but so far still dont see much improvements.. Have also let her try a little organic brown rice cereal twice just to 'test waters'.
Sherryn is still the happy, cheerful baby. My sis commented that she has never heard her cry (well thats partly because she seldom sees her. ha ha). But it's rather true that she laughs (really loudly) much more than she cries. So lucky to have such a baby! = ) I think shes getting smarter too. She knows when to call out to you and ask to be carried. She'll give you the wide-eyed 'oh I am such a poor thing' look, like the puss in boots in Shrek. Really, that always does it.
I have put her on some sort of 'programme' myself. After her milk and bath in the mornings, she will have music lessons where I play the piano and she sings along. In the afternoon after her 'lunch' and rest, we will have gym lessons where she will practise her rolling, play in her playgym and strengthen her leg muscles where I prop her up in the standing position for her to push with both legs. Then in the evening, I will read a book, or some flash cards to her. If I dont think of something deliverate like that to do, I guess I will be just chucking her into the rocker while I surf the net and do my own things. What else can you do with a baby so young?
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
First family trip to Phuket 2010
We did a 4D 3N trip to Phuket in June with the 2 little ones and David's family. It was a first overseas family trip for us and the packing before that took days! We booked a 2 bedroom resort at the Marriott Vacation Club Mai Khao Beach at special promotional price and I was really looking forward to it.
The trip turned out to be disappointing for me. Firstly, we made a mistake by not bringing along our helper so we ended up having to wash bottles change nappies, wash children clothes etc all by ourselves, when I dont even do this at home! Then I had to juggle my time between feeding baby, pumping, playing with Kaelyn.. Talk about going for a holiday... Secondly, the resort that we were booked in was very inaccessible, very very far from town and the nearest beach was not great at all. Then, Kaelyn came down with a fever the second night, and there goes the rest of our 'holiday'. We spent most of the time in the room itself or just take short walks around the resort, which doesnt have much to see anyway. But the consolation was that our room was big and spacious with full kitchen, 3 plasma TVs, large bathtubs, coffee / tea / water provided, fridge and freezer etc.
Phuket, here we come!
Kids enjoying themselves at the arcade and watching Playhouse Disney together
Sherryn and Kaelyn having a good time in the luxurious bathtub
Our day trip to the Phuket town - Having seafood, Big Buddha and Wat Chalong
I love the soft and big bed!
The beach - nothing to shout about..
The swimming pool - the kids had a great time there on the first day
Outdoor table tennis
Kids club in the resort, where the kids spend quite some time in
Home sweet home - Sherryn in the bassinet
Some takeaways from this trip:
(1) Bring your maid along if you do not want to spend most of your time focussing on a young kid and a baby. There is no time to relax at all! I feel so exhausted when I came back that I took 3 days to recover. Serious!
(2) Bring along all types of medicine for your kids. You never know when you will need them. We called the local doctor in to see Kaelyn in the wee hours of the morning. Good thing we are able to claim from travel insurance.
(3) Book somewhere accessible if you do not want to be stuck in the resort all the time.
(4) Keep the group small. It is sometimes quite difficult to move with a big group as there was a lot of waiting time, mostly contributed by us! Kids needing a change of clothes / diapers, needing to feed, I need to pump etc etc. So I feel quite guilty for holding the group back.
(5) Do planning in advance. We had no idea what to do and see there and in the end really ended up in the resort most of the time. But it was also partly because of the kids and Kaelyn being sick that prevented us from venturing out.
(6) Keep a bottle of water or pacifier or your breasts handy in the plane when the plane takes off and land. This will minimise wailing from the kids due to the pressure in their ears.
Well at least, the kids experienced their very first ride on an aeroplane!
The trip turned out to be disappointing for me. Firstly, we made a mistake by not bringing along our helper so we ended up having to wash bottles change nappies, wash children clothes etc all by ourselves, when I dont even do this at home! Then I had to juggle my time between feeding baby, pumping, playing with Kaelyn.. Talk about going for a holiday... Secondly, the resort that we were booked in was very inaccessible, very very far from town and the nearest beach was not great at all. Then, Kaelyn came down with a fever the second night, and there goes the rest of our 'holiday'. We spent most of the time in the room itself or just take short walks around the resort, which doesnt have much to see anyway. But the consolation was that our room was big and spacious with full kitchen, 3 plasma TVs, large bathtubs, coffee / tea / water provided, fridge and freezer etc.
Phuket, here we come!
Kids enjoying themselves at the arcade and watching Playhouse Disney together
Sherryn and Kaelyn having a good time in the luxurious bathtub
Our day trip to the Phuket town - Having seafood, Big Buddha and Wat Chalong
I love the soft and big bed!
The beach - nothing to shout about..
The swimming pool - the kids had a great time there on the first day
Outdoor table tennis
Kids club in the resort, where the kids spend quite some time in
Home sweet home - Sherryn in the bassinet
Some takeaways from this trip:
(1) Bring your maid along if you do not want to spend most of your time focussing on a young kid and a baby. There is no time to relax at all! I feel so exhausted when I came back that I took 3 days to recover. Serious!
(2) Bring along all types of medicine for your kids. You never know when you will need them. We called the local doctor in to see Kaelyn in the wee hours of the morning. Good thing we are able to claim from travel insurance.
(3) Book somewhere accessible if you do not want to be stuck in the resort all the time.
(4) Keep the group small. It is sometimes quite difficult to move with a big group as there was a lot of waiting time, mostly contributed by us! Kids needing a change of clothes / diapers, needing to feed, I need to pump etc etc. So I feel quite guilty for holding the group back.
(5) Do planning in advance. We had no idea what to do and see there and in the end really ended up in the resort most of the time. But it was also partly because of the kids and Kaelyn being sick that prevented us from venturing out.
(6) Keep a bottle of water or pacifier or your breasts handy in the plane when the plane takes off and land. This will minimise wailing from the kids due to the pressure in their ears.
Well at least, the kids experienced their very first ride on an aeroplane!
Friday, June 18, 2010
Reflections..
When I was younger, I have always thought that I am a kids lover, those kind who really love kids (whether their own or not) to bits. You see, my personality is of the milder temperament, and with a great deal of patience. I was in Girl Guides (think of community work, campfires, singing songs, doing good deeds etc), and had a short stint as a relief teacher. Even when playing those silly horoscope games, I am always 'most suited' to be a childcare teacher, social worker, counsellor etc. If I were to look into a crystal ball then, I should be seeing a kind and patient mother, perhaps doing some part-time work in a nursery / childcare for the sake of her children, very adept with babies and children, always smiling and patiently teaching them....
Fast forward to today, I am now a mother of 2 (and I hope to stop here!), tired out by an active, temperamental 2.5 year old and a 4 month old infant. I cant seem to work out my time and love between the 2, and my schedule is often in a mess. My patience has been tested countless times, and I find myself screaming at my elder daughter at least once a day, mainly over mealtimes and when she throws tantrums (which is quite often). I fluctuate between the patient mother and an evil stepmother when that patience limit has been breached. I have frequent mood swings that sometimes will spiral into some kind of 'blues' (not depression yet, thankfully). I sometimes am guilty of wishing I was back at the good old childless days.
Having said the above, dont get me wrong, I love my children and enjoy being with them as can be seen in my previous postings. I love it when they rely on me on the smallest things which means I am a world to them. I love it when we say silly things, play silly games together etc. But the reality is that child rearing is an extremely demanding and energy-sapping affair. And 2 is really more than enough for me for now, thank you very much..
Fast forward to today, I am now a mother of 2 (and I hope to stop here!), tired out by an active, temperamental 2.5 year old and a 4 month old infant. I cant seem to work out my time and love between the 2, and my schedule is often in a mess. My patience has been tested countless times, and I find myself screaming at my elder daughter at least once a day, mainly over mealtimes and when she throws tantrums (which is quite often). I fluctuate between the patient mother and an evil stepmother when that patience limit has been breached. I have frequent mood swings that sometimes will spiral into some kind of 'blues' (not depression yet, thankfully). I sometimes am guilty of wishing I was back at the good old childless days.
Having said the above, dont get me wrong, I love my children and enjoy being with them as can be seen in my previous postings. I love it when they rely on me on the smallest things which means I am a world to them. I love it when we say silly things, play silly games together etc. But the reality is that child rearing is an extremely demanding and energy-sapping affair. And 2 is really more than enough for me for now, thank you very much..
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