Pic of The Brothers

At the mall with me.  Every week, I will be the one sending Z for piano lesson unless it is raining. Beanie will be with me coz I don't trust my helper looking after him.  Sometimes L comes along if she doesn't have ballet that evening. 

Sleeping Baby

Beanie never falls asleep in the car till recently...  Whenever I need to pick L or Z from school, it is usually his nap time.  I am still trying to change his nap routine but I can't help it when he feels sleepy...

Fishy food

After being a vegetarian for few months, Beanie has his FIRST taste of fish!  I think he loves it!  I think as long as it is food, he eats it.  Hehehe...

He polished off everything except the small piece of skin.

That's my Beanie, after a hearty meal.

Brothers @ Playground

Nice weather for my boys to have fun at the playground while waiting for jiejie. This was Beanie first time having fun at a playground too.

I'm A Mom..... His Natural Defenses, My Peace Of Mind

(Dear friends & readers, it will be another 5 days before the contest ends, please vote for me @ "I'm a Mom Contest", you may vote every 3 hours.  Thank you for your support! Sorry comments are disabled for this post)

Since becoming a mother, I have encountered numerous ‘road blocks’ but that do not deter me from wanting to be a good and happy one. In fact, I am molded into a much stronger and wiser person. My 3 lovely children are my number one goal in life.

Like all parents, I would love my children to have the best. Top of my list will be to possess a healthy mind and body.

Therefore, in order for them to harbor the right thoughts, cultivate a good heart and to do the right stuff (the HEAD, the HEART and the HAND) – they must definitely be in the pink of health.

Since a strong immune system is essential for good health and that’s why they are taught 'SEX' since young! Sleep well, Eat healthy and Xercise regularly. These are the basics of building a good and strong natural immunity and we live by that.

Couple by the fact that I will always be there to encourage their heart, enable them to act and to celebrate their joy and wanting to develop their full potentials without giving them unnecessary stress, I strongly believe they will have a happy childhood and are on the right path in achieving success for their future.

Birthday Vs Exams

It is LZdaddy's birthday today! AND L's exams tomorrow! Thought of going out for dinner but LZdaddy said he preferred to spend time preparing L for her exams. 对我来说， 他真是一个好爸爸！这几天他还请假陪女儿温习功课。 If L does very well for the exams, the credit definitely goes to her daddy and not me.

While they were busied with that, I brought my 2 boys out, without distraction, L was able to focus better.   We looked for birthday presents for LZdaddy and bought him a cake too.  In the evening,  we decided to eat in and though we didn't do anything special,we all had a great time together.  We planned to celebrate together with my birthday next week.

I wanted to post out a very nice shot of him and our 3 babies but ever since I took part in the Dumex contest,  he is too shy and was reluctant to let me post it up.   Since it is his birthday, I shall obliged.  So here's the cake that Z chose for his daddy:

Happy Birthday to you my dearest Hubby!  

Beanie @ 8 months

Little Beanie turns 8 months old exactly on LZdaddy's birthday!  We celebrated both the occasion at home coz L is preparing for her exams.

Baby Z is a very cheerful baby.  He smiles at everyone!  Be it our neighbours or strangers on the street.  He may smiles at everyone but when someone wants to carry him, he will turn away..

I am very happy that I am still breastfeeding him and I enjoy it!  His milk feed is still on demand, so whenever he wants to drink, he will make funny sounds and turns towards me and I know he wants to drink.

At 8 months old : -
- He has 3 solids a day.  Breakfast usually with Z before he leaves for school. 
- wakes up once for night feed.  He is my only child that still wakes up in the middle of the night for milk feed at this age.
- He is trying to crawls on all fours but still creeping.  He loves crawling to the kitchen nowadays coz I am back cooking for us (since my maid can only fry vegetables). 
- able to sit unsupported.  He falls backwards couple of times and hit his head, he cries but usually we can easily pacify him.
- Can pull himself up to standing position.  Loves checking what's on the sofa since most of his time is in the living room.
- Learning to use pincer grip.  At meal time, sometimes I will prepare diced carrot or other food for him to try picking it up and he enjoys it.
-  now he has 4 teeth, 4 central incisor (top & bottom) & 2 lateral incisor (top) coming out soon.
- He babbles alot!  I love to hear him say "mama... mum mum!"  I mentioned that in one of the posts too.
- He loves to kiss me with his mouth wide opens!  Haha...  When I ask him to kiss me, he will lean forward and happily opens his mouth to kiss me and most of the times leaving saliva all over my mouth or my cheek.  When LZdaddy tried asking him to do it, he turned away.  He doesn't want to kiss his siblings too.
- trying to train him to sleep on his own, but unsuccessful.  In the afternoon, sometimes after nursing him, I will leave him on the bed. He cries for a short while and falls asleep but sometimes he doesn't and I have to nurse him till he falls asleep or I have to sleep with him. 
- his favourite book is the Thomas peek-a-boo book.
- He likes to 'destroy' (push down) the tower we built (using plastic cups or bowls).  He giggles when he sees it falls apart.
-  He likes it when I lie down and raise him up high.   

Graduation Concert - Z

Today is a very special day for my rascal Z! In our eyes, he is the STAR of the day!  That's what we told him too and he is so HAPPY!  It was his Graduation Concert and we have been looking forward to it.  I am so proud of him!

It is a tradition for the school that K2 students to wear white & black shoes and it took me a long time to find one that doesn't look like a uniform top.  See the shoes he wore?  I was so lucky to grab this pair of black shoes at only $9! Looks good right?  I was surprised when the sales person told me, the original price was $29.90.  Gosh!  He is so handsome!  I am so glad this year the boys need not put on any makeup at all, they look best without it.

Pics of Z during the performance.  His partner for the dance was Lindsay, pretty girl isn't she? 

He enjoyed dancing with Lindsay and she told him the other day that he is cute! Hahaha.. I love my new video cam! We were seated few rows back but managed to record it so well. Below are the videos of him for the English songs performance (you will find some parts of video shaky coz I was trying to avoid recording ppl's head, some parents were moving so much!) :

After weeks of practices and talking about it, we finally got to see his performance and most important was that we saw our little boy wearing the graduation gown and receiving his certificate.  I was tearing while recording when I saw my little boy on stage... Just like what happened 2 years ago when L graduated..  My this little boy, who is so close to me, has grown up so much.   In my eyes, they are forever my little babies.. I fully understand what my mother meant when she said that.  Till today, my mom still say the same thing to me, a mother of 3 kids.

Chinese songs performance:

A very short video clip of him in the gown. I was too emotional at that moment and didn't do a good job recording it.

He acted as one of the Kings for the Christmas Play and managed to capture a pic of him in the graduation gown. Will have to wait for the pics taken by the professional, what I took was not good shots.

Part of the Christmas Play video (he wore the green outfit):

Pics taken with us, his teachers and classmates, Jordon and Joash.

Next year, My little boy will move on to the next phase of his life.  I know he will do his best and achieve what he wants - joining chess club and do well for his exams.  Don't get me wrong, I did not tell him about exams or scoring well nor did I pressure him at such a young age, he probably thinks about it when he saw jiejie studying for her exams.   He told me all these on his own and he knows if he wants to be a scientist, he has to do well in his study.

I am so proud of my little rascal!  Who say you can't dance? (Someone said that to him and demoralized him which I do not want to elaborate)  Who say you are not good?  In our eyes, my dear boy, you are the best today! Remember what mommy told you?  You are the STAR of the day!  AND we are very PROUD of YOU!

****************************

After sending Z to the waiting room before the concert and while walking along the corridor, a mommy said hello to me and told me she reads my blog! Wow! What a surprise! I hope you enjoy reading my kids' blog and thank you for coming up to tell me and sorry that I didn't have time to chat with you longer and silly me, didn't even ask for your name.

I don't think you know it makes me feel so good to know someone reads our blog and bother to say hello to me. Thank You and hope you will continue to read my kids' blog.

Registration - Z

It was an exciting day for Z!  Not that he has never been to the primary school, he goes there almost everyday with me to pick jiejie up from school.  He went into the school a few times, when we registered jiejie in P1 and to the bookstore.  This time it was different!  He was there as a soon-to-be student!

We received the letter from the school and was asked to register for Z this afternoon and to go for an 'interview'.   The first thing was the interview....  Z went into of the rooms and was asked to read some words and the 'interviewer' chat with him.  It was to access his reading ability and to place him in the right class.  Before we went to the school (& since few days ago), I reminded him many times to greet the person-in-charge and to read the words/sentences clearly.  I know he can do it but as a mommy, I just can't help reminding him many times. He told me it was very easy and I was relieved to know he was able to do it.  Phew!

While he was doing that, LZdaddy filled up the necessary forms and waited for his turn to submit it.  I was busied chatting with some of the mommies while carrying Beanie.  Thereafter, we proceed to the uniform store.  *Sob* .....  Z tried on the uniform and I started tearing... My little boy has grown so much! I remembered clearly the same thing happened when L tried on the uniform too.  I wanted to take the pic of him then but it was tough when I had Beanie in the sling with me.

When we got home,  I can't resist asking him to put on the uniform for me.  Yes!  His mommy can't wait to see him in that uniform, knowing that he will be wearing it for the next 6 years... Me, silly mommy, started tearing again...  He was just trying out the uniform and I teared!  When my LZ saw that, they came over to hug me.  My sweet sweet babies...

Look Who's STANDING!

Little Beanie is able to pull himself up to a stand while holding onto furniture!  Took this pic when he was unhappy that we put him in the cot and it looked like he stand up to protest.  So cute! So glad that we lowered his bed few weeks ago....

I mentioned in FB (16th Oct) that Beanie said "Mama.... Mum mum...."  Many of you said he is calling me and I take it that way too.  Hehehe...  Here's a video of him (recorded today) saying "Mama...." but he was not in a good mood.

Pic of BabiesLZ - Oct

My 3 Babies.... Love every little thing about them...  Yes, including their nonsense.  Hahaha....

The Busy Crawler

Below is a video of what the partner-in-crime, L & Z did to their brother.    They used the yoyo to lure their baby brother!  Aiyo....  He just showered and was in his WHITE pj!  I didn't realised that till end of the day when I was going through my hp's pics.  L was the one recording and Z was holding the yoyo, which it is his fav toy for now.

It looks like they are 'torturing' him, but it is not. Beanie enjoys playing with his siblings.

My Little 'Ah Beng'

Meet my little Ah Beng! See how he sit! Soooo Ah Beng, with one leg up!I love the 2nd pic, look so cool, isn't it?  (mommy not shy huh)

Ballet - Open House

L's ballet teacher invited all parents for the open house.  It is an opportunity for us to see how the new teacher handle the girls and also to have a peek at their exam dance.  Her exam will be  less than half year later but the preparation starts way before that and they have extra lesson every week just for that.

LZdaddy was very sweet to take care of the boys so that I can spend time with L and watch her 'performance'.  I was happily recording the lesson when I realised that my hp battery was very low and it 'died'  shortly after.  Aggrrhhhh!  Yet to record her exam piece and the hp died!  I always like to record it down coz I love watching her dance, so graceful and lady-like., unlike the true L.  Hahaha....  Truth is so that she can watch it after her lesson, which she enjoys doing.  Watching her dance also brought back memories of myself learning ballet when I was young....

Here's the video (she is the tallest girl in the class, just in case you guys wondering which one is her) :

Don't Move!

It is getting tougher to take pics of Beanie.  Unless he is on a baby seat or when he is eating...  Gotta take more pics of him before I have to chase him!  Hehehe....

Love these pics that I took of him today.  3 different looks and I love all of them!

His New Bib

I like this bib that I bought from Ikea.  Look at the food 'collected' in the pocket! Less cleaning up for me to do.

I’m A Mom… Being a protective mom, boosting his natural defences…

Building the natural defenses of my 3 children begins the very first thing daily. Big hugs and kisses are inevitable - these are just the appetizers only. The most important of all - I am in control of what they will eat for the day. Most often, I will try my very best to prepare breakfast personally before they are off for their school.

L is in primary 2 now and she spends at least 5 hours in school daily. During days where she needs to stay for extra curriculum, her lunch is also settled in school as well. Therefore, to ensure a balanced diet - I will prepare bento for her whenever I can.

Nutrition and attractiveness are the 2 keys that can be found in the bento. Personally, I found that the food sold in the canteen are not as nutritious or healthy as I would love them to be. L tends to order her favorite fish ball noodle very often. It can be quite “boring” when eating the same thing over and over again! Vegetables and fruits are definitely a must for my kids.

Other than a balanced diet - I am very strict with their personal hygiene as well. My kids are taught to wash their hands after play and especially before having meals/snacks. They will take their shower right after they come back from school. The importance of keeping one’s cleanliness at all times has been explained to them and the poster that shows the proper steps in washing hands (given by the school) can be found on the wall besides the sink.

Now that Beanie is at the teething and crawling stage, he tends to explore every corner of the house and put whatever he picks up into his mouth. Therefore, both L and Z are taught to d0 their part in keeping the house clean. The floor is swept and mopped daily and the toys are also washed and dried after each game.

Last but not least, both L and Z have cultivated a good habit of sleeping as early as 8.30pm and wake up at 6.45am (later hour during weekends). I believe children at this age should have a healthy body and mind to enjoy their childhood life to the fullest.

Watching them grow and listening to their laughter each day is the happiest moment of my life!

LZ @ Ikea

It was a mistake to go Ikea on a weekend! It was so packed and we waited a long time for the table.  We appreciate the family who shared the table with us when they know I had to feed Beanie his meal and some of their family members went off to look around so that we can have the seats.  How often do we get to meet such nice people? 

Coping Without Maid

During these few weeks without a helper, I am like a mad woman, trying to do everything on my own and at times LZdaddy help me. 

LZ have been wonderful most of the times, apart from me having to nag them clear up their study table before bedtime.  L helped me sweep the floor while I am busy cooking.  She may not do a good job but it is the thought that counts.  When we have the elder one setting as an example, the younger one follows.  Z offered to do it too.  I let him use the magic clean instead...   I don't want both of them to fight over  such a trivial thing.

They help out with little things too.

- When I feed Beanie and  ask for the wet tissue box, either one will go to the room and get it for me.
- help to set up table when it is mealtime and bring the dishes out to the table
- They help to clean the table after meal
- pack up Beanie's toy
- they play with Beanie while I am busy with chores/cooking

These are just some of the things they do...  I used to think during these 7 months when we have a helper, my 2 older ones have become lazier and worried what will become of them if we don't have one...  The helper prepared things that they need and I was worried how am I gonna handle them plus taking care of Beanie.  They proved me wrong (most of the time).  I think we are doing quite well except that the house is a little messy, I have less time on my computer and no nap time for me.  Hehehe...  The only thing that I don't like is IRONING!  The one that complains is LZdaddy coz he needs to come home early to help me. Hahaha....  Can't blame him...  He works the whole day and when he comes home, he still have to help with the chores.  Thank you my dear hubby! 

I am thankful that during this period, my mom prepares lunch for us and bring it over to our house.  Some great friends who offer to help me fetch/send my kids and settle L's lunch if she has enrichment on that day (so that Beanie can takes longer nap).  You know who you are my dear friends. 

We are still waiting for  the agent to choose a right helper for us.  Meantime, I just have to do everything and take care of our virtual farms, restaurants & pets. Hahaha... AND enjoy times with my family without outsider around.

Her First Time

L carried Beanie for the 1st time while standing!  She has been asking me if she can carry him (while she is standing) for a long time and I finally relented....  She was able to hold him firmly  but Beanie wasn't use to her carrying him and you can see from the pic.

After she 'brag' about it to Z, he wants to carry him too!  They both love him so much that they 'fight' who did whatever with him first, feeding him, carrying him, etc.....

Video of Beanie - Sit

Today I managed to record a video of Beanie sitting on his own!  He is progressing fast!  Too fast that I wish I can stop the time....

He DID It!

 These pics were taken in the afternoon...

Yeah!  Beanie sit on his own for the very FIRST time today!  Too bad that we didn't managed to capture it on video or image... It happened just after dinner and he was crawling around as usual.  Then he sit on his own!  He was very happy to hear us cheering but I bet he doesn't know why.  Hehehe....

Reach For It #4

Beanie enjoys crawling everywhere! From living to dining to bedrooms!

Bento #136

In the box: Ritz sandwich biscuits with ham, cheese tomato, cucumber & mayo; biscuits with sprinklers; grapes & apples on sticks.

It took me a short time to prepare this... I pre cut everything last night and this morning I just have to put it together.  Not sure if I have mentioned this before, I usually soak the apples/pears in juices rather than salt water.   My kids are used to it and they like it, apples with orange taste.

L doesn't fancy mayo and she didn't know I put mayo inside the 'sandwich' (so that the the food 'stick' together). LZdaddy and Z tried it and they like it too.
 
Got this idea while I was surfing the net. My kids like ritz biscuits and I thought it was a great idea besides eating it plain. Hmmm....  I think this would be a great idea as a finger food at party.

Nursing Rooms

I thought I wouldn't be using the nursing room anymore till Beanie comes along. Everywhere I go, I try to locate it first. Sometimes the rooms leaves a good impression but not some and I never know what will I encounter when I use it.

Pic taken 11th Sep 2009 in one of the feeding room. I am impressed that they have a high chair, make it easy for me to feed Beanie.

I enjoy talking to other parents when I see them in the rooms. Most of the times the parents are friendly. We talked about parenting stuffs, exchange ideas and sometimes recipes for babies too.

I remembered the last time we were at the zoo, I used the nursing room at the Children playground. Not too bad... Except that when close the curtain, it was so HOT! I had to leave a gap otherwise I can't feel the aircon at all and Beanie was perspiring. I found out later it was because someone left the door wide open.

While I was enjoying my moments with Beanie, I saw a man came in! If he was alone and have to change for the baby, that I can understand but his wife was there! I had no choice but to close the curtain for privacy and Beanie started perspiring again. I had to fan him with a hanky. I thought he would have the initiative to leave when he sees someone nursing but he stayed on AND stand right in front of my so called room!

Then another family came in.... Not to change diaper, make milk or to nurse. They were there for the air-con! They were in a group of 5 with NO BABY!*faint* I was glad by then, I had finished feeding my baby. So 'happening' in the toilet right?

Another time I was at a mall... I needed to use the nursing room again. I was so glad to find it, only to find it lock (it is a diaper changing room & nursing room) I knocked on the door and try to find out if I can go use too. It is a huge room with sofas. Guess what? A woman replied "Wait ah! I am trying to change my clothes!" Errr...  Isn't this a room for nursing, feeding & changing diaper? Anyway I waited.... after 5 mins, she is still inside!  I told her my baby is very hungry and ask her to hurry. This time she said "Aiya! wait la!" I told her she should go to the toilet which is just next to it.  When she came out, she wasn't apologetic at all!

Some of the rooms are very well equipped but some are so miserable, with just a torn chair for us. Worst of all, was when I come across rooms with such strong smell coz no one bothers to clear the bins that is overflow with used diapers.

I remembered this particular room was good, it was equipped with hot/cold water dispenser. People tends to make use of it, even though there's a sign stated it is strictly for preparing milk/food and nursing. Once, I was nursing Beanie when staff from one of the boutique opened the door abruptly  and wanted to take some water. I told her nicely to wait and explained that Beanie will be distracted.  If she is not yakking loudly over the hp, it is fine with me. It is a public place and I don't own it.  I overheard her telling her friend or whoever that I occupied the room and refused to let her take water!  Aiyo! How can she say that?!  I am pretty sure she is not a mother!

I think I can go on and on about my experience with the nursing rooms.  Hehehe....  How about you?  What was your experience with it?

Reach For It #3 - Bulldozer

Bulldozer!  That is what Z called his brother!  I read somewhere that at this age, Beanie would enjoys games like pushing a tower of stacking cubes or whatever.  We started playing this with him sometime back and whenever he sees one, he will pushes it down.  Z likes to play this with him and he never get tired of stacking the cups for his brother. 

学华语

Recently LZ enjoyed watching Chinese series show (on Ch55)! Because their mommy loves it. When they want to talk about the show with me, I encourage them to speak mandarin.

It all started with this show, 当狗爱上猫.  They love animals so when they read the title, it caught their attention. 

When the series ended,  they were very sad....  I told them about the new series (搜神传) and when they started watching it, They were 'hooked' again. If they missed one of the episodes, they rather stay at home on a weekends to watch it. How rare!

＊pics from the links*

After watching these 2 series shows, LZ definitely speak more Mandarin at home and they also enjoy watching more Chinese programme with me.

Children Day

LZ celebrated Children Day on Sunday @ Church and in school (yesterday), sport/games day and received lots of goodies from teachers (school & centers).  What impressed me the most was one of the pressies that her form teacher gave her students.  It was personalised name stickers!  I thought it was very sweet of the teacher to give that.

They had to attend classes so we did not do anything special. Besides, I am already 'stressed' up, having to drive to Orchard road, alone with 3 kids. The traffic jam is what I can't stand and worried if any of them was lost etc...   Truth is I don't really like to drive but I have to drive daily. This is not my first time driving there but never with 3 kids!  I was glad that I decided to let LZ have early lunch before we go out and I just have to feed Beanie while waiting for Z's lesson to end.

We have only 3+ hours plus to shop around and I promised LZ a pressie each.  L chose something for her Baby Alive and Z chose a dino toy.  Beanie was on a carrier and my back was aching after few hours but I still think it was easier for me to handle 3 of them this way. It was easier to move around especially when we were running late.  LZ were of help to me and I appreciate it.  They carried the stuffs that we bought and my handbag.

By the time we drive back, all of them fell asleep in the car!  Hmmm... It turned out not as bad as I thought. In the evening, we bought mac for dinner as LZdaddy can't make it back early.  I bought something few days ago for him to give to them, knowing that he probably forgot to get something for them.  Though we did not do anything special, LZ told me they are very happy.  They are quite easy to please, just give them presents and Mac anytime.