CHOMPS

We are progressively allowing Jae to self feed. To a point where she now demands for her own spoon and bowl with some food in it whenever we try to feed her.

Most of the time she would make a mess. Especially when she starts flinging food she don't like onto the floor. 

At the same time we are also extra careful about the type and size of food she's feeding herself. Anything that doesn't breakup easily has to be in nibble size. 

Last night was the first night she pretty much fed herself the whole dinner portion. Mummy prepared some diced potatoes, baby carrots and a drum stick which eventually we took out the bones and cut into little bits. 

I think she enjoyed it a lot. 

T3 = Toddlers Under 3

My daughter. Sitting in the huge T3 lobby, watching lives goes by in a seemingly philosophical way...

Not.

But looking at how she was so at home at T3 and how she pulled our lunch bag like a pro, I reckon she might be a potential air stewardess...

...or airport auntie/cleaner :P

*Notice that critical 40 degree angle

I can imagine T3 being at the top of the list of favorite playground among the children. Boy such huge empty spaces for these kids to run and roll. Jae was absolutely out of control when we were there for dinner. In the end she was so tired she refused to stand up after we took a photo of her infront of the Disney lanterns. The group of men who was waiting for their turn, sat down and took photos with her instead. That was before she realized what was happening, stood up and ran for daddy and mummy. That was so funny.

Judo Master

Marina Barrage

We were dead bored not sure where to go for the new year's eve. Mummy suggested Marina Barrage so off we went.

Firstly, I think the name blows. Barrage? Seriously. 

Secondly, I think the architect did something naughty. The design of the building said to base on the number "9" which sounds like longevity. So the structure plays with the shape of a "9" and an invert "9", which is "6".

Surely they know what "69" means????

Anyway the carnival was okay. We walked with a guided tour group in the visitor gallery. Spent an hour there before we head off to the supermarket then home for some home-cooked New Year's Eve dinner

more photos here

Ipoh and KL

When the agenda of the trip is eat, what you have to do is quite simple; digest as fast as possible. 

It's like we were trying to get a taste of as much food as possible during our one week vacation to Ipoh and KL. Mealtime is pretty much out of the window. The opening time of the coffeeshops and stores dictates when and what we eat.

But I have to admit the food in Malaysia is gorgeous. The TV is always saying about the great tasting and variety of Singapore food. That's because they haven't gone to Malaysia yet. Maybe more specifically they didn't have a local to bring them around where all the good food are.

I still can't forget the rojak, the "po piah", the bean sprout chicken and prawn noodles. Taste me, nothing in Singapore even come close to those I had in Ipoh.

The only thing I don't miss are the mosqitoes. They were giant size and everywhere. I don't mind getting bitten but the little one has allergy to mosqitoe bites. So I have to smoke out the rooms every night with insecticide before going to bed. I didn't do that the first night and Jae woke up with 9 bites on her face! (She was wearing long sleeves so not much skin exposed) Her whole face was swollen by the second day.

Back to the food, I think I'm suffering from MFWS now. (Malaysia food withdrawal syndrome)

More photos here

A Funny Conversation

Daddy was giving a cheese cracker to the little one...

Mummy: I don't know why you bought that bag of crackers. They're too hard for her to chew.

Daddy: You should ask yourself. You bought it.

Mummy: No you bought it.

Daddy: You bought it!

Mummy: You were the one who put it into the trolley.

Daddy: Now think about it, why would I deny if I really bought it.

At this time both of them realized what was going on and turned to look at the little one, sitting on the couch innocently watching TV while munching her cracker.

Mystery solved.

*Munch munch*

F1 driver in making!

1st class photo

Jae's 1st class photo @ GUG. It's also her last lesson for the term, she enjoyed the most today. It could be because she has been practising all the action songs for the past 7 lessons and finally she can do all of it by herself without much assistance from mummy. She will stretch out her hand when teacher draw a picture on her hand. She knows how to close her eyes for 3seconds and count down for the zoo puppet to come out from the magic bag.

Well Done Jae!

Happiest moment!

Teacher Eerie and Teacher Reana

Last class @ GUG!

It's her 1st time and she seems to enjoy crawling thru it.

2nd Last Swimming Lesson

Jae and her swimming buddy, Hannah

KL

Watching Jae grow up each day, a little taller, a little smarter and well, a little more mischievous makes me feel more alive than any other time in my life. I have my high in my career. But that kind of high always go away after a few days and everything's back to normal. Not this one. Everyday's a new discovery for me and the kid. I wish I can do more for her. Find time to bring her to the museums and exhibits instead of shopping malls and food courts everyday. Have the energy to read her a story before bedtime or something. 

We are planning for a trip to KL and Ipoh on Christmas. It'll be her first trip out of this little island. Everything is planned around her, from the time of departure to the mode of transport, to minimize our little princess' fussiness. 

Let's hope it'll be fun!

GUG and Swimming

Back when I was small, there's nothing like pre-kindergarden. There's kindergarden and no kindergarden. Sending your kid to a pre-kindergarden/nursery was somehow unnecessary to the people of those time. Now, there's a playgroup school round every corner. New methods from Europe, Japan and US. Left brain, right brain. All of them promise to make your kid a smart alec before she even go to kindergarden. Such kiasu-ness. Jeez I don't even remember how I spend my days before I went to kindergarden.

We have almost decided to end her swimming lessons by the end of this term. Nothing new taught. All the same old routine everytime. But I know Jae loves swimming. Hopefully we'll be able to find another class that teaches something fresh. We are also contemplating if we need another term at GUG. Somehow I'm not very convinced by it. I don't mind the drawings and toys but I thought the lessons can be better. Jae is happy as long as there's toys and new things for her to break.

Maybe we'll send her somewhere else. Somewhere with a smaller playgroup, more songs and dancing and perhaps muppets too. I know these classes wouldn't be cheap. Oh well we shall see. It's got to be worth it at least.

Jae now spend more than 8 of her waking hours at the center, much more than the 4 hours we get to spend with her after school. I'm not sure if this is the right proportion or not. None of the people I know from my generation grew up in the childcare center. Back in those days childcare is almost unheard of. Nanny maybe. Childcare no. 

She's enjoying herself at school. A little too much now. The teacher told us she's been going around sinking her brand new teeth into other babies. We didn't know if we should laugh or what. At least we know she's not being bullied over there.