Busy elf!
Dragging the two packs around as if he's heading for a holiday. They were with him everywhere he went for half a day.
Saturday, November 29, 2008
House Elf at Work
Gabe loves to "help out" around the house and will fight for his turn at the mop or magic clean. He will even request for mummy to clean the house just so he can help out. He details to instructions of cleaning under the various furniture but mostly just runs around excitedly with the stick that's much taller than he is.
Busy elf!
Dragging the two packs around as if he's heading for a holiday. They were with him everywhere he went for half a day.
Busy elf!Dragging the two packs around as if he's heading for a holiday. They were with him everywhere he went for half a day.
Gabe & Golden
Golden has gotten a status upgrade. Instead of simply being a sleeping partner (ie just lying beside Gabe), he's become somewhat of a comfort at times. I get amused at the various positions the two get into when I come in to check on the boy during nap times.
How on earth can one be comfortable like that?!
The arm first secures Golden before closing the loop with the two beloved fingers in the mouth.
Golden flat on top of his face. But Gabe tilted his face a little to leave some room for breathing.
How on earth can one be comfortable like that?!
The arm first secures Golden before closing the loop with the two beloved fingers in the mouth.
Golden flat on top of his face. But Gabe tilted his face a little to leave some room for breathing.Thursday, November 27, 2008
Papa's Birthday
We celebrated derod's birthday yesterday with both sets of parents at an outdoor steamboat dinner. Prior to that, we had some time on our hands and went to Vivocity where Gabe's sharp eyes zoomed in on "WATER FOUNTAIN!!!" located outside of the shopping centre when he was tucked about a hundred metres deep within the barracades of shops. So, father and son spent some time exploring the feature before stomach-filling time.
Gabe's favourite Chinese song is sheng ri kuai le. So imagine his delight when everyone was singing it while he was secured on his papa's lap. He's probably thinking that everyone's singing the song to him!
We are three, for the moment. And derod is three-ty something.
After all the fanfare, we returned home and carried out our nightly routine with Gabe. I reiterated that it was papa's birthday and asked if he'd like to sing the happy birthday song to papa. Gabe happily belted out both renditions in English and Chinese. We were so amused yet amazed. You see, we've always known that Gabe knew the song(s) but since we've never heard nor requested for him to sing the whole song on his own, we were never really sure of the extent of this knowledge, until tonight. And the papa was so touched, he told me that it was "the best birthday present ever".
Gabe's favourite Chinese song is sheng ri kuai le. So imagine his delight when everyone was singing it while he was secured on his papa's lap. He's probably thinking that everyone's singing the song to him!
We are three, for the moment. And derod is three-ty something.After all the fanfare, we returned home and carried out our nightly routine with Gabe. I reiterated that it was papa's birthday and asked if he'd like to sing the happy birthday song to papa. Gabe happily belted out both renditions in English and Chinese. We were so amused yet amazed. You see, we've always known that Gabe knew the song(s) but since we've never heard nor requested for him to sing the whole song on his own, we were never really sure of the extent of this knowledge, until tonight. And the papa was so touched, he told me that it was "the best birthday present ever".
Monday, November 24, 2008
The Fuzzy Wuzzy Feeling
I've been taking time to prepare the logistics required for the arrival of #2 and today's task was to take out all the clothes that Gabe has outgrown, sort them out and repack them according to the different categories I have in mind. They go something like this:
Unisex Clothes #2 Can Wear
This would comprise mostly of home wear for the first few months. They are mostly in whites, yellows and pale blues. If #2 is going to be like her brother, then she would outgrow these by the beginning of the third month, if not earlier. Then they will be packed and stored away for certain buddies who are awaiting the arrival of the stork.
Boyish Clothes - For Home/ Rough Wear
Obviously #2 won't be needing these, which fill up a large vacuum bag. They are already packed and sitting in the store for the above-mentioned buddies.
The Choice Clothes
Most of Gabe's clothes were bought by family members and close friends, or were good quality hand-me-downs. Derod and I contributed to a few choice pairs of shoes. I had such a tough time sifting through these garments. To my surprise, I got quite emotional picking up and looking at these little pieces. Gabe spent much time in these choice ones. There I was, bathing and changing him into these little outfits then time flew by and he has outgrown them just like that. I recall him being so tiny and tubby, looking so wide-eyed and innocent in them. My baby is gone; he's all grown up into this talking, running toddler. I miss him. So I'm keeping some of these pieces with me as keepsake for times that have past us.
Such unexpected emotions at such mundane tasks...
Unisex Clothes #2 Can Wear
This would comprise mostly of home wear for the first few months. They are mostly in whites, yellows and pale blues. If #2 is going to be like her brother, then she would outgrow these by the beginning of the third month, if not earlier. Then they will be packed and stored away for certain buddies who are awaiting the arrival of the stork.
Boyish Clothes - For Home/ Rough Wear
Obviously #2 won't be needing these, which fill up a large vacuum bag. They are already packed and sitting in the store for the above-mentioned buddies.
The Choice Clothes
Most of Gabe's clothes were bought by family members and close friends, or were good quality hand-me-downs. Derod and I contributed to a few choice pairs of shoes. I had such a tough time sifting through these garments. To my surprise, I got quite emotional picking up and looking at these little pieces. Gabe spent much time in these choice ones. There I was, bathing and changing him into these little outfits then time flew by and he has outgrown them just like that. I recall him being so tiny and tubby, looking so wide-eyed and innocent in them. My baby is gone; he's all grown up into this talking, running toddler. I miss him. So I'm keeping some of these pieces with me as keepsake for times that have past us.
Such unexpected emotions at such mundane tasks...
Saturday, November 22, 2008
20 November 2008 - A Good Day
Gabe has somehow wandered into the realm of the terrible twos and life, at least for the parents, has never been the same. I have absolutely no idea exactly how and when this happened but it beginnings can be traced to somewhere after he turned 18 months. Someone once told me that the terrible twos do not begin when the toddler turns two and neither do they vanish on his third birthday. So the last few months have been an increasingly challenging journey for the parents, and especially me as the main caregiver.
Life with Gabe can be sooooo trying at times, there are days that poor derod returns from a hard day's work to a grouchy wife and a difficult child. But today, oh today, was glorious! Gabe was the most obedient, cooperative, amusing, polite little boy throughout the day. Today, being around him was pure joy and it magically erased the effects accumulated from all those months of horror.
On top of that, we had these two bits of conversations that stuck with me.
I was showing Gabe some pictures of him as an infant and pointed out someone who is in need of prayer. After describing the situation in simple language, and reiterating that we should pray for this person, Gabe put his hands together and said the only prayer he knows. "Thank you Jesus for xxx..." He hung on the last few words while looking at me for further direction and after giving him a few helping words, we closed the prayer in Jesus' name. I was shocked! I didn't expect a response, and one that required him to dig into his reserve of capabilities and fish out something that was closest to the situation and apply it. You see, the only prayer Gabe knows is the prayer at meal times; he says his own grace at milk/ meal times so it's the only one he can fall back on. But it was the gesture of him praying for someone that really touched me. Derod and I hope that he will be a boy who grows up to embrace the Father in prayer and to keep others in prayer too.
The other conversation took place after lunch. I was peeling one of two oranges for us to share and he was holding on to the other. After some rough handling, I reminded him that he should be gentle with the fruit and be careful not to drop or throw it off his tray. At one point, he got so carried away he actually threw the orange on the dining table, upsetting some utensils. Sternly but gently, I repeated my instructions (makes you wonder why mothers become naggy). He read the expressions on my face and the tone of my voice and concluded, "Cannot throw orange. Mummy upset. Kiss mummy happy."
?!?!?!?!??!?!??!?
Well, it was a wonderful day. Enjoy it while it lasts, cheoklet, even though it's only for one day.
Life with Gabe can be sooooo trying at times, there are days that poor derod returns from a hard day's work to a grouchy wife and a difficult child. But today, oh today, was glorious! Gabe was the most obedient, cooperative, amusing, polite little boy throughout the day. Today, being around him was pure joy and it magically erased the effects accumulated from all those months of horror.
On top of that, we had these two bits of conversations that stuck with me.
I was showing Gabe some pictures of him as an infant and pointed out someone who is in need of prayer. After describing the situation in simple language, and reiterating that we should pray for this person, Gabe put his hands together and said the only prayer he knows. "Thank you Jesus for xxx..." He hung on the last few words while looking at me for further direction and after giving him a few helping words, we closed the prayer in Jesus' name. I was shocked! I didn't expect a response, and one that required him to dig into his reserve of capabilities and fish out something that was closest to the situation and apply it. You see, the only prayer Gabe knows is the prayer at meal times; he says his own grace at milk/ meal times so it's the only one he can fall back on. But it was the gesture of him praying for someone that really touched me. Derod and I hope that he will be a boy who grows up to embrace the Father in prayer and to keep others in prayer too.
The other conversation took place after lunch. I was peeling one of two oranges for us to share and he was holding on to the other. After some rough handling, I reminded him that he should be gentle with the fruit and be careful not to drop or throw it off his tray. At one point, he got so carried away he actually threw the orange on the dining table, upsetting some utensils. Sternly but gently, I repeated my instructions (makes you wonder why mothers become naggy). He read the expressions on my face and the tone of my voice and concluded, "Cannot throw orange. Mummy upset. Kiss mummy happy."
?!?!?!?!??!?!??!?
Well, it was a wonderful day. Enjoy it while it lasts, cheoklet, even though it's only for one day.
Monday, November 17, 2008
Conversations with my 1.8 Year Old
I can't believe the time has come for me to have conversations with my son. I mean, not too long ago he was still sitting there goo-goo ga-ga-ing away and here we are today communicating in long phrases and sentences.
Gabe started out repeating the things that I tell him. He does a lot of his repeating immediately, but what I meant from the previous sentence is that he'll see a situation/ scene which I gave him some description of on previous occasions, and tell me exactly what I told him back then. He'd also repeat instructions that were given to him some time ago when the same situation comes on again. Till today, he'll still be telling us, "Cannot come down the bed yourself. Must ask mummy and papa help. Cannot scream and shout and cry. " And this was the instruction that was first told to him when his bed arrived three weeks ago. The scary part of this memory thing is that he actually remembers promises (big or small) be it a day or a week later.
These days, he requests for things -- a certain CD to be played, a certain drink, a certain toy, to speak with someone on the phone, to go to someone's house, requiring you to perform a certain action.
He'll also tell us what's on his mind, and they reveal what he associates various places or people with. If we're heading to pick derod up from work, he'll rattle off that we'll get to go inside the tunnel (CTE), see water fountain (there's one just down the slope from derod's office) and name some of his colleagues. If we told him we're going out, he'd try his luck with some of his preferences e.g. to go to waigong and waipo's house. Then he'll fantacise that we'll "take the escalator and take the MRT train to go to Potong Pasir and drive taxi".
The other day I was home feeding him his lunch. He was so hungry that he asked for The Sound of Music to be switched off so that he could eat. I chided him for rejecting his breakfast and hence being so hungry that he couldn't wait for lunch to be served.
Cheoklet: See? You didn't want to eat your Sara Lee cake so now you're so hungry.
Gabe: Don't want cake.
Cheoklet: What about bread? What if mummy gave you bread instead? Would you have eaten it?
Gabe: *small pout and paused in silence for a while* Don't say "no!" to mummy. Cannot say "no!" to mummy.
There were so much unspoken thoughts in those two short phrases that I couldn't help but give in to laughing. I suppose I can still react like that for now, while his ability to comprehend is still limited. But not for long. Not for long.
Gabe started out repeating the things that I tell him. He does a lot of his repeating immediately, but what I meant from the previous sentence is that he'll see a situation/ scene which I gave him some description of on previous occasions, and tell me exactly what I told him back then. He'd also repeat instructions that were given to him some time ago when the same situation comes on again. Till today, he'll still be telling us, "Cannot come down the bed yourself. Must ask mummy and papa help. Cannot scream and shout and cry. " And this was the instruction that was first told to him when his bed arrived three weeks ago. The scary part of this memory thing is that he actually remembers promises (big or small) be it a day or a week later.
These days, he requests for things -- a certain CD to be played, a certain drink, a certain toy, to speak with someone on the phone, to go to someone's house, requiring you to perform a certain action.
He'll also tell us what's on his mind, and they reveal what he associates various places or people with. If we're heading to pick derod up from work, he'll rattle off that we'll get to go inside the tunnel (CTE), see water fountain (there's one just down the slope from derod's office) and name some of his colleagues. If we told him we're going out, he'd try his luck with some of his preferences e.g. to go to waigong and waipo's house. Then he'll fantacise that we'll "take the escalator and take the MRT train to go to Potong Pasir and drive taxi".
The other day I was home feeding him his lunch. He was so hungry that he asked for The Sound of Music to be switched off so that he could eat. I chided him for rejecting his breakfast and hence being so hungry that he couldn't wait for lunch to be served.
Cheoklet: See? You didn't want to eat your Sara Lee cake so now you're so hungry.
Gabe: Don't want cake.
Cheoklet: What about bread? What if mummy gave you bread instead? Would you have eaten it?
Gabe: *small pout and paused in silence for a while* Don't say "no!" to mummy. Cannot say "no!" to mummy.
There were so much unspoken thoughts in those two short phrases that I couldn't help but give in to laughing. I suppose I can still react like that for now, while his ability to comprehend is still limited. But not for long. Not for long.
Saturday, November 8, 2008
Edelweiss
Gabe was introduced to The Sound of Music a few months back and it struck a chord with him. He caught on the favourite tunes of Doe a Deer and the likes and has been singing them through the day. But it was the scene of Captain Von Trapp playing the guitar while singing Edelweiss to his seven children that really captured the attention of little Gabe. He'd often fantasize aloud when the scene comes on, saying, "Baby play guitar. Baby sing Edelweiss." Perhaps part of the reason for being so familiar with the instrument is credited to watching his father play in the church band.
So you can imagine his delight when Auntie Lili gifted him with a toy guitar. He beamed with uncontrollable joy and to our amazement, belted out Edelweiss while trying to look like a professional strumming the instrument. Henceforth, everytime he reaches for the toy guitar, he'll go singing either Edelweiss or Doe a Deer, imitating the actors in the show.
Check him out in action, in erm, distracted action. By the way, Gabe has always shown much ease when it comes to rhythm but I can't say the same with regards to pitching. But there has been tremendous improvement of late and hence, what you see today.
So you can imagine his delight when Auntie Lili gifted him with a toy guitar. He beamed with uncontrollable joy and to our amazement, belted out Edelweiss while trying to look like a professional strumming the instrument. Henceforth, everytime he reaches for the toy guitar, he'll go singing either Edelweiss or Doe a Deer, imitating the actors in the show.
Check him out in action, in erm, distracted action. By the way, Gabe has always shown much ease when it comes to rhythm but I can't say the same with regards to pitching. But there has been tremendous improvement of late and hence, what you see today.
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