En Xi The Terrible Toddler

Lately, we visited Bintan or a short weekend getaway at the Nirwana Resort Hotel. Not too bad a place and it was a well deserved break from our everyday routine. More importantly, I was our first trip as a family without the extended family. So, it was just you, me and Mummy. It was great fun as we indulged ourselves (you included) a great deal. From the thrill we had on the beach to the relaxing paddle in the pool to the fantastic seafood we had.

Anyway, today's update is about something that continues to bewilder both Mummy and me and is starting to be a cause for concern. While you are beginning to understand simple instructions and communicate your basic needs, you have quite a nasty temperament. Although, your favourite book and daily bedtime story is "Say Please, Louise", good mannerism is clearly not your cup of tea. Although, at time you will say please, you will say it in the most frustrating way possible with a hint of whining to the point of screaming and irritation. Something that goes "PPleeeeeaseee Argghhhhh!" Your "Thank you" when you eventually get what you wanted is in the softest manner possible and one that is never quite sincere and never said with the look into one's eyes. Daddy and Mummy have been inculcating good mannerism in you since day 1, but to no avail. We'll keep trying and hope that this is just part of the terrible 2.

Another daily event that simple drives us nuts is your refusal to bath and change diapers. In the past, when you refuse to bath or change nappy, Daddy would play some silly games with you, make you giggle and laugh till you forgot about having to clean yourself. Eventually, tricking you to the bathroom and getting the job done. Somehow, getting you to step near the bathroom has been tougher. The old tricks no longer work and to make matters worst, you don't even want to change into your pajamas. Sigh... I just hope that this is just one of your terrible 2 symptoms and hope that you will grow out of it soon.

You have a feisty character and it shows, all I can say is good luck to the man who marries you.

Nonetheless, Daddy and Mummy still love dearly and nothing beats seeing you with that ever so sweet, adorable and charming smile while you run towards us to give us a hug when we come home from work. And let's not forget that cheeky smile of yours.

CNY 2010 Outfits & Some Random Thoughts

Mummy is away on retail therapy in Hong Kong over the weekend. At the same time, Daddy is on a few days of off-in-lieu after the overseas assignment. It felt great to connect with you again. Doing the simple things together again. Stuff like to sending you to school and back. Bathing you while playing gardening in the toilet, teaching you how to brush your teeth and feed you. Doing flashcards together and reading your favourite story books. Play catch at 'Polliwogs' and blowing bubbles and throwing balls at the Botanic Gardens tomorrow. And if you are game for it, maybe a trip to the Zoo for the water themed park on the day after tomorrow. I got the whole weekend lined up. And the best thing to this deal is to be able to exercise my own way of coaching and taking care of you. No offense to Mummy, but she's kindda of uptight and jumps instantaneously on any level 1 situation, but that's because she cares a lot about you.

Anyway, I shared with a couple of my colleagues and friends about the stuff we were gonna do together. Like any alpha-male, I had stares from my guy friends like I had eye liner on, asking me why I actually enjoy doing stuff like that. And my answer will be why would you actually ask a bewildering question as this? There is no doubt in me that I enjoy doing the difficult things (feeding you) as much as the fun stuff (play in the park). The bond that we experience and that magical smile never fails to brighten my day.

Some updates on you.

You have grown much taller since I last saw you and I guess its timely to buy one of those height measurement wall paper to chart your progress. You are able to express yourself much better with a few simple words, but is still unable to form structured sentences. You are still very very difficult to feed and is an extremely picky eater. I'm still afraid to bring you to shopping malls as you hate holding hands and run about oblivious to dangers around you.

One last thing, we are visiting your best friend (currently) aka Charlene tomorrow. Before I forgot, Grandma thinks you bully most kids who are smaller than you and that includes your cousin, Julian. Bad Girl.

To be a better man

The highly anticipated Father Daughter Day (FDD) failed to materialise as Daddy was unexpectedly pulled back to work on every other day that was supposed to be an off day. So much for Work Life Balance... :( Somehow, work is not quite the same since Daddy scaled towards the supposing-ly greater things in his career. And like any garberment job, I can't quite rant about the hand that feeds me family.

Anyway, Daddy just came back from yet another overseas assignment and missed you dearly. Funny how 3 weeks seems like an eternity. As guilty as it may be, I kindda missed you more than Mummy. While this may not sound as a concern, it is important in my own humble opinion that the couple (in this your parents) must be the bedrock to this family. For a healthy family must begin with a couple with a healthy relationship. So for a start, you will always be second to Mummy.

Its funny how one changes him or herself as one grows up or ages.

Daddy remember himself as a rather rash and gutsy young man when he was in his early 20s. Often stepping on the toes of many and thinking that he is fulfilling the heaven's work as the global policeman. Kindda the ones in a martial arts drama serial set in the 1900s? Where there will always be a lead with suave looks and unbeatable skills who does nothing at all but being a busybody who pokes around everybody's business, while maintaining a lavish lifestyle without having to make a living and has plenty of $$ dropping out of the sky.

Then, Daddy met Mummy of course. Here, the responsibilities starts. You start thinking about the future, you make plans. I pretty much changed my outlook in many things in life. I certainly was much calmer in my approach to stuff. Another corny way to view this can be "Mummy was the 'ah lian' who manage to calm the 'ah beng' aka Daddy". You probably don't understand this when you read this, you need to read this, or alternatively maybe you can google for 'Young and Dangerous". You try to be a better person who thinks for the family and cares about the family. You want to be the person everyone can depend on.

Then, came you. If getting married made Daddy a more matured person, then having you made me want to be a better person. Allow me to explain, I possess many sins. I tear the tabs of the parking coupon and sheepishly ditch the torn off tabs on the floors of the carpark. I swear as if its part of the language we speak. I drop filthy tissue papers on the ground in the public when no one is looking and the list goes on and on. But all was to change one Monday at Six when En Xi arrived in my world. School can't teach values and the ways of life. The only person(s) who can do that is me and Mummy. That is why Daddy doesn't want to disappoint you and want to be the role model that every kid wishes for.

Wish me luck.

iPhone moments

We are feeling quite guilty for not actively updating our blog.  And it's really frustrating that we are losing track of the milestones of En Xi whenever we try to start a new posting.  For me, the invention of iPhone is definitely a godsend to me! I'm quite disturbed by the tecnicalities of DSLR (I still have problems grapsing how aperture works!!) and the fact that I couldn't shoot as well as Edwin. All Apple inventions, starting from the simplicities I have experienced with Mac to my iPhone, it's what every working parent need to make the simple pleasures of documenting their little tikes so much more convenient.

Here's what our little girl has been up to recently:

1-2-3, Cheee-Cha!

She is more "camera-sensitive" now, are more open to posing for us.  Thou it's still extremely challenging to take a still shot of her, but she does have her posey moments when she is a good mood.

This is what she likes to do on her way to school - singing, dancing...and 

hidding behind the pillar pretending to play peek-a-boo.

 

The Spring/Summer Kids Collection 2010 - Just wear pink

Will the real green Shady please stand up?

Her new-found accessories is this green shades that she got from her Xmas pressies. The problem is ; En Xi has an extremely flat nose bridge, which makes it difficult to support anything on it.  But seems like she has found a solution to address this problem - simply turning the shades upside down!

Mirror Mirror on the wall

She's into self obsession or is it talking to the infamous "secret friend" in the mirror? Clearly, she is beginning to develop Mummy's traits of being magnetized by any form of reflection she sees,  and it amuses her to see herself making different expressions in the mirror.

Hey you in there, what's with the obiang color shades?  

Guitar Heroine  

Ah Ma just got a new toy for her recently - the pink electrico toy guitar.  She has included that in her entourage of favorite things, carrying this with her wherever she is...even when she is watching the TV, she makes sure that it doesn't leave her side.

 Personalizing her guitar with her Dora stickies

I love to behave..only in school

Surprisingly, En Xi turns out to be pretty well-behaved kid in school. I was appalled by how obedient she can be to her teacher's instructions, but a total opposite when she's at home.  Recently she hasn't been co-operating well with me in Shichida classes, but as soon as the teacher came along, she instantly transforms into the angel who does exactly what the teacher need her to...what a chameleon!

Teacher Risa rewarding En Xi with a "Well-behaved Sticker" at the end of the class.

Meanwhile, Daddy is away again on an jungle expedition to Thailand,  stay tune for more "exciting" adventures with me, myself and En Xi!

New Year's Resolution for 2010

Let's rewind back 10 months ago and review Daddy's New Year Resolutions for 2009.

1. Be More Patient

2. Blog More

3. Read More

Daddy had a talk with Mummy and we both agreed that I had improved on pt 1 & 3, but can improve on pt 2.

Well, I guess I had been more patient with you, taking more time and effort in feeding you taking care of your needs. However, Daddy needs more patient on the road. Alternatively, Daddy can drive less and ride more often instead. Seems like patience is reserved for you and Mummy for now. Daddy is also glad that you would hurry and grab a book when its reading time.

Now, for the New Year's Resolution for 2010:

Daddy & Mummy thought that the new table and chair would be appropriate for you, since you had shown interest in reading and writing. And since you only took 1 day to vandalise your very own table, Daddy took the liberty to visually display his new year resolutions for you.

Your grandparents will be embarking on a short trip during the CNY week and Daddy so happen to be on a week's leave during this time as well. Daddy is looking forward to blogging down the everyday life as a SAHMD. Let's hope I can find the time.

Happy 2nd Birthday

Well wishes from her kiddie friends

As the title of this post suggested, En Xi had a really happy day during her party.  Contrary to the usual practice of going for the big hype on her 1st birthday, we decided for a more elaborate celebration on her 2nd year instead since she will be much older to appreciate what's going on.

"Dora" was the party theme, since she's the biggest fan of this popular Nick Jr character.  Aside from some hiccups when airing the video we painstaking prepared over nights of OT, the party turned out better than expected. She was also completely awed by the Dora decorations, going "oooohhs", "waaahhhs" and "La-la" (how she reads Dora) when she saw her idol being plastered around the house. 

High Five, Dora! 

(p/s En Xi was obsessed with high-fiveing with this Dora balloon throughout the day)

Special mention to those who have made this successful bash possible:
Ah Ma - being the great Host and attending to our friends and family while we were busy running around.
Ye Ye - our resident's Precision Engineer; ensuring that every corner in the house is child-friendly.
Daddy - the Logistics Supervisor to ensure that the food and decorations were ready on time.  And also the Creative Director of the video, adding the funny touches to make this such a wonderful production.
Uncle Sam - taking over our DSLR to capture the best moments of the party


And finally to all the kids who spent this special day with En Xi - Thanks for coming!

When can we eat ar?

Little Tyra with Big Sista Teri

Best shot of the day goes to - En Xi and Gong Gong

The grand finale of the party - Reveal of the Dora Birthday Cake 

The Happy Birthday Song - a magical tune that instantly cheers up all the kids 

(maybe they thought it was their birthday?)

The long-awaited Family Portrait

The Ong Family (with En Xi fascinated with her Dora cake)

The Wang Family (with En Xi STILL fascinated with her Dora cake)

The Friends that complete this party

The monstrous appetite of En Xi

Hola! We love Dora!

14 Jan 2010

My precious Mei Mei,

You are turning 2 years old today, time really passes like a blink! You are officially a BIG GIRL now, and no longer the fragile baby that I once cradled tightly in my arms. Mummy is really proud of you that you have been a very brave girl, though that also means that your awareness for danger is still very worrying.You are capable of making your own decisions now, and the house is constantly resonating your "No", "Don't want" and "Please".  Mummy really tries to be firm when you start your wilful acts, but my heart just melts when you say "Saw-Rui" (how you prounounce "sorry"). 

For some reasons, you've always been a very happy child. Sometimes I wonder if it's the enormous servings of milk you have everyday.  Your cheeky smiles is a miracle potion that fuels my positive energy. No matter what setbacks I faced, the sheer mention of your name just dispels all my worries.

In no time, you may not want to manja Mummy like you do now. Before that happens, Mummy is going to indulge in your koala-bear cuddles for as long as it lasts.  Looking forward to walk you through your next stage of milestones, and hope to hear you say your first "I love you" to me.  

Happy 2nd Birthday En Xi, you are such a blessing to our family.

Love You, Mummy