Sleeping Style

This is Julian and Gar Gar sleeping arrangement. From the sleeping style, u can tell who is the domineering type!

Gar Gar "fatal" Dive

12th September 2009 - It was an evening.

Gar Gar had not been swimming for quite some time so I decided to bring him for a swim. We went to the 1m pool and wag water near the edge cos mommy is a lousy swimmer. We were having a good time. Suddenly, a Monster appeared out of nowhere and carried Gar Gar up and threw him into the pool. Gar Gar submerged into the pool and emerged again. I was shock and all I could do was hug him closed to me. He was a brave boy and never cried (or maybe he was all choked and no time to cry).

The next day, he was having a runny nose and coughing. By Monday night, he was already developing a fever and his nose was all blocked. He couldn't sleep and was struggling to breathe the whole night. I tried several remedies for him to ease his congested nose and fever with the limited medical knowledge that I have gained from Dr Rhonda Watt and even Euclaplytus oil. Daddy came back at around 4am and told me he would take over to make Gar Gar sleep. while drifting into my sleep, I heard Daddy telling Gar Gar stories. After 2 stories, there was a total silence then followed by Gar Gar calling me, "Ma Ma..." Guess what? Daddy was already snoring away...! So I couldn't sleep again and took over to pat Gar Gar to sleep.

The next day, I brought Julian (who is also having a runny nose and cough) and Gar Gar to the lovely Dr Rhonda Watt. Dr Watt told me my poor Gar Gar is having a bronchiolities and needed Nebuliser immediately. He throat is imflammed, Ears are dull and blocked, his nose is stuffy too! The total damage is $200+ just for Gar Gar. He still needs to go back for review in 1 or 2 weeks time!

Now Gar Gar is still feverish on and off. Let's hope that he could fight off the bacteria without Anti-biotic.

P.S.: Now Gar Gar, guess who is the monster? Mommy already sms the monster that she will be kicked into the swimming pool if she ever come here, Ok?

The Cheeky Julian

Julian's kinderland class photo - PN2

Julian is very smart and cheeky. In school, he is always trying to outwit his very sweet and innocent chinese teacher...

Cheeky Moment 1

He doesn't like veggy so teacher cut it into smaller pieces so he can't pick. But nowadays, he feed himself and the teacher will observe him. She found it funny that Julian didn't pick the veggy but suspected he never eat it. They looked everywhere and cannot find it. Where can he hide? Guess what? After he finished his food and put his plate into the pail, teachers realised that he has hidden the veggy under his foot. So when he walked, a trail of veggy follows..

Cheeky Moment 2

Normally we dun let kids drink cold water, fearing they will cough. So Julian has his way of getting his favorite cold drink. In the afternoon, the teacher will refill his water bottle and he'll try not to drink it. His school air con system is centralised and very cold, so by the time I fetch him at 5pm, his "room temperature" water is icy cold. He will finish off his water in my car. Teacher keeps complaining to me that he didn't drink much in the afternoon. He couldn't outsmart me. I found it out but a bit too late, he's coughing now.

Brain Olympic!

Julian's Linking Memory

I'm so proud of Julian today! He got a PERFECT score in less than 3 minutes (time limit is 3 min) in his SHICHIDA Brain Olympic today!

He is required to memorise 40 cards in sequence using a story that links the 40 cards together.

Good Work! Julian.

Julian's touching moment

Julian is always the jealous boy and will bully his little brother all the time but this time, he displayed the bravery of a GOR GOR (little BIG brother)...

It was Sunday evening, I decided to bring them to a coffeeshop for their favourite crispy pancakes. We were walking Nicole around in the garden before we settled for food. Julian and Gar Gar were walking and wondering on their own in the garden. The "naughty" genes in me decided to play a punk on them. I told my maid to hide in a corner and observe how would they react. We were watching behind the pillars.

Finally Julian noticed mommy and aunty were MIA. He still walked around with Gar Gar and shouting "Mommy, mommy, where are u?" I just stood behind and giggled. Finally, he walked with Gar Gar to a stone table nearby to sit down. Looking at him sitting there quietly with Gar Gar really made me laugh... After a while, he continued to shout, "mommy, mommy, where are u? We are sitting here waiting for u." Then Gar Gar loses his patience and climbed down from the stone chair and walked away. At this moment, Julian panicked and quickly chased after Gar Gar. He was trying hard to hold Gar Gar's hand and said... "NO! NO! Gar Gar come back... We must sit there and wait for mommy." Seeing this moment, I couldn't control myself anymore, I dashed out, carried Julian and hug him tightly and said, "Julian, u are a good and responsible gor gor. Mommy love you so much!"

Nicole's Fetch!

I was suppose to meet a friend for lunch and I was running late but Gar Gar was cranky so I had to breast feed him and make him sleep first before I ran off for my appointment.

While I was breast feeding Gar Gar, I thought of calling my friend to inform her that I shall be late but the phone is about 1.5 arms length from me. I remember Nicole can do fetching so I called Nicole who was lying beside me to fetch my mobile. She immediately got up and used her mouth to get my phone. I was so happy and proud of her too! I praised her and told her to come to me. Guess what!? She took my mobile and ran away to the living room. Now my phone is dunno how many arms length away from me....!

LIke Mommy Like Julian

Just realised that Julian's way of talking is more and more like me! Am I suppose to be very proud of myself now or I should watch my "xuan xuan" (sarcastic) way of talking...

Conversation 1
We were playing and he got so excited and wanna bite my lip so I blew air into his mouth instead. He stopped and said to me cooly, "mommy, u think I am a balloon?"

Conversation 2
I told him Daddy is staying home for dinner and I didn't cook enough dishes. I asked if he would wanna go with me to buy additional dishes or prefer to stay at home instead. He was sitting with Gar Gar with a table infront of him. He replied, "Mommy, can't u see I am the coffeeshop. What dishes do u wanna buy?" Hmmmm..... I replied I dun like the dishes he was selling and prefer to go to another coffeeshop to buy and still ask him if he wanna follow me. He replied, "Mommy, can't you see we (and Gar Gar) are sitting here waiting for that somebody to come home?"
Ok... I go myself!

Conversation 3
I am toilet training Gar Gar and normally I will bring him to the toilet and say "bird bird, sh sh... good bird bird (if he pee)"
I brought the 2 in to shower them. After shower, as usual, I told Gar Gar to pee... Julian did so too but he had pee before the shower so obviously he couldn't pee anymore. He said: "bird bird sh sh...." No urine came out then he turned to me and said, "Mommy, u know what my bird bird told me? He said I DUN CARE!"

Conversation 4
Whenever Julian goes to this coffeeshop, he'll order the fried chicken nuggets to go with his rice. We normally cut his food into smaller piece so he won't choke. As he growing up, he wanna see his favorite food as a whole and eat it. His current favorite foods are fishballs, eggs and anything crispy n crunchy. So this evening we went to the same coffeeshop for dinner and he wants the same chicken nuggets. We cut and mixed into his rice. He still demand to eat the chic nuggets as a whole and on its own. He finished almost the whole plate of it and I got a bit fed up when he started to point his finger signalling he want somemore. I just impatiently brushed him off and said, "after you finished your dinner, I'll give u the nuggets can!?" He replied cooly, "Mommy, look at what i'm pointing? I'm pointing at my water bottle.." In my heart, I was saying, "Ok sorry, son.. U can have the water.. My mistake.. Tot u pointing at the chic again. Basket!"

Gar Gar goes to school!

Gar Gar is now attending Growing Up Gifted (GUG) at United Square. His first day of school is 15/8/2009. He has attended 3 lessons so far (twice a week) so is enjoying it very much. He has learnt the zoo-phonic of F (Francy Fish) and G(Gordo Gorilla), Cookery lessons like making fruit salad and Art lessons like making squares collage and finger printing. And most importantly, 15 minutes of Chinese lesson...

Talking about Cookery class, that will make me blood boiling. Gar Gar normally does not eat fruits at home but throughout his 3 lessons, he finished all the fruits and juice (without spitting hor!) that he made and asked for 2nd helping somemore!

His cooking lessons are:

lesson 1 : mixing cut banana and papaya with apple sauce

lesson 2 : water melon appreciation (learning the word "西瓜")

lesson 3 : making grape juice

All the above, he asked for 2nd helping.

Twinkle Twinkle Little Star

Last night was the first day of Lunar seven month and Daddy was not around so I did the burning of incense.

As this was the first time I was doing the burning in our new house so I was quite blur on how and where to do it.

A lady approached me and show me how and where I could do it. Then the lady asked me if I was new here. I told her yes and my unit is there. She exclaimed: "O! So their father is the superstar?" (My neighbour is a TCS actor) And my answer is: "NO! My husband is a twinkle twinkle little star only...."

Julian is 3!

Birthday celebration in Kinderland

Julian's cake (from coffee bean)

Julian's birthday celebration video

Julian round 2 celebration at Swenson, United Square

Video: Julian round 2 celebration at Swenson, United Square

A Hairy Story (RA)

One night before bedtime, Julian suddenly pop this question again:, "Why Daddy's bird bird has hair?" Hmmmmmmm..... How could I explain?! So I have to think of something creative.

Ok. Here goes the story....
Daddy's bird bird has hair because he is so busy with his work that he has no time to cut his hair. So the hair on his head have no more space to grow then it starts to grow on his birdie and armpits. Julian, if you dun want hair to grow everywhere till you turn into a monkey, you must cut your hair regularly.

Julian nodded his head and went to bed...

Customised Pillows

Julian is now attending Kinderland Childcare and he needs a small pillow during nap time. I wanted him to have a sense of security when mommy is not there so it got to be a special pillow and it must be his favorite Mr Bean.

The creative mommy decided she will make 1. Oop! not 1 but 2, for Gar Gar as well. So mommy bought the materials needed to make the 爱心枕头. My sewing skill really sucks but I really wanna make the pillows myself rather than asking my maid. I started making the pillows after they slept. It took me 3 hours and lots of "poke poke" on my fingers to finish 2 pillows. But it's really comfortable to hug.

Flat Footed Julian

Julian has been complaining to me that his feet hurt after putting on his shoes for a long time. He would prefer to wear slippers..

I realised it's not that his feet have outgrown his new pair of shoes but it's his flat feet! Poor julian! No wonder he always wanted me to carry him but he is already a hefty 15kg toddler and the carrying has already caused a strain on my right knee cap, I couldn't carry him anymore! I promised him that I'll buy him a wagon but till now i really dunno how to ship it back as the freight charges is really costly. Nevertheless, I have already make it a point to massage his weary feet before bedtime. Hope this will make it better.

Gar Gar fights back!

I'm so proud of Gar Gar cos he is sure no push over!

Scene 1
Gar Gar 1st day in playgroup. He was the youngest in class and could not speak well. I was so worry that his classmate might bully him. He was holding a toy car when a classmate snatched it from him. Immediately, he raised his hand wanting to hit the toddler. I was stunt by his gesture. I told him he can't do that! (but in my heart, i was like - hey! you are like me when i was a kiddo. Great! U know this is survival but dun do it infront of mom cos i need to act saint! He he...)

Scene 2
Julian n Gar Gar were playing with the medical kit that I bought for them. Both wanna be doctors! Naughty Julian keep pushing a thermoscan into Gar Gar's ear then keep hitting Gar Gar's head. Suddenly, Julian screamed n cried! Gar Gar was so annoyed by him that he bit him on his left wrist. Everyone was caught in surprise cos it was too fast. I didn't punish Gar Gar and told Julian that he was the one who started first. For that, Julian was moody the whole day and ignored me.

The LIttle Big Club Concert

6th June 2009 - Mommy's another adventure! Daddy sponsored the 1st class tickets (S$76 per ticket) for the 4 of us to attend THE LITTLE BIG CLUB CONCERT! So early in the morning, I drove them to Singapore Expo to attend the concert at 11am. And HIP HIP HOOORAY for Unique yiyi - she was able to make it to a MORNING concert!

There were fireman SAM, BOB the Builder... and the most important BARNEY in the concert. After watching the first few gigs, Julian started to get impatient and screaming for "WHERE is BARNEY?". Of course the most important one will come out last! According to the very experience concert going Unique yiyi.

I decided to bring the 2 to the front of the stage to watch their most awaited Barney! Julian and Gar Gar danced to the songs of Barney. Julian even tried crashing the gate to get in but the camerman stopped him.

P.S: Julian, u are so young and u oredi know the rules to the concert - GO CRAZY AND CRASH THE GATE!

Dumb Dumb and Gum Gum

We watched the Night Museum Part I and there is this big statute always telling the security guard "U dumb dumb, I want Gum Gum". Gar Gar picked up this phrase and went around telling people dumb dumb trying to scare them but ended up everyone so puzzled and asked me what is he talking about.

Then there is this scene about the HUN tribal who spoke the HUN language. Now Julian has picked up this language and alway converse with me, Gar Gar or the maid in HUN language. And Gar Gar is picking up too!

Yum Yum!

Gar Gar is teething and always wanna put everything in his mouth so I gave him a teether. I normally store it in the freezer so it will help numb the pain.

When Julian saw Gar Gar biting a cold teether, he asked Gar, "Nice?" So I gave him one and he happily biting it. An immature baby!

Teacher Lydia's Wedding

The pretty bride with Prince Julian & Garwyn

Souvenir from Lydia's wedding

Pretty bridemaid - Linda with Prince Gar Gar and Julian

On 31st May 2009, Julian skipped his SHICHIDA class to attend his former pretty teacher Lydia's wedding. And for the first time in my life, I brave the traffic to go to YUNG ANN road to bring my 2 sons to the wedding. I had never dare to drive to a place that I am not familiar with as my driving skill sucks! However, being a mother can really turns me into a WONDERwoman! So there I was, armed with a S$299.00 SHINCO GPS, totally clueless about where is YUNG ANN ROAD, I just trusted my GPS to bring us there. Nevertheless, we reached there safely... SALUTE MOMMY!

Inheritance

Daddy said he wanna work hard to afford another property so that he can leave the 2 kids with inheritance. Mommy being the poorer one starts to ponder what to leave for them...

My dad was an illiterate and he always said that the only way out of poverty is education so he always tell me whether he rob or steal, he must make sure we graduate with a degree. Unfortunately, he passed away in a motor accident and leaving us to struggle with our lives..

When I was in my secondary school, I met my Chinese teacher who told us that he came from a rich family and his dad was a businessman who told his children that while he is alive, they can ask him for money to do whatever they want. His siblings went into business with his dad's money and my teacher used the money to complete his education. Soon his dad passed on, his siblings' businesses failed and penniless... For him, armed with a degree, he became a teacher, VP, inspector....not rich but leading a stable live.

I do not inherit any wealth from my dad and in fact I carried his burden and unfulfilled dreams to move on with life. I struggled with part time jobs and taking care of siblings just for 1 goal - to complete my studies - For my dad and his belief - the way out of poverty!

What my father belief and my teacher's teaching are true! Altho' I'm not a super rich or successful person today or I should call myself a mediocre but I'm not in debt and lead an honest life. What I have inherited from my father is his "upright upbringing" which make me a strong and determined person.

Today I shall pass this belief and upbringing to my sons. Daddy will leave you wealth and Mommy shall make you a "better men" like what Daddy always sing ... to be a better man.

Look who's talking?

Today Gar is able to say more words like walk walk, gor gor, jie jie, po po , yi yi...

How's his development now? Popping teeth. He is a very impatient guy, he took a long time to start teething but he is never behind time cos he doesn't "pop" one at a time but several at a time.

We went to Sembawang Shopping Centre - their favourite Splash Park. After all the fun, we ate at SUBWAY and naughty Gar Gar wander off and I scolded him. I told him "if you walk away and couldn't find mommy how? Can u tell the security your name when they asked? All you know will be cry and cry....by then. " Guess what is his reply? He coolly replied "GAR GAR".

Ok, u win. U can get lost now..

A Mother's Journal - Part III

" BEST MAID OF THE CENTURY"

I read an article that says being mother will make her a smarter person. I strongly agree! I do not understand what is estrogen or scientifically tested or experiment. I flunk my science anyway.

Nevertheless, as a mommy of 2, no! 3, my experience sure proven I've become smarter because being a mother is sure a learning process! As a hands-on mommy, I played many roles!

As a nurse, I swear I never understand those medical terms and medicines names before I was a mother. When doctor asked me what I was taking, beside panadol, I could only describe to him or her it's blue tablet or sarsi favor syrup for coughing. After being a mom, I make sure I understand every words the Dr. says and thus make sure to memorize every terms and medicines.

As a educator, I am a student all over again...I will make it a point to go through all my kids' works and revise it before I teaches them. I just wanna make sure I could answer their questions and not try to "smoke" them like their daddy did! So I begin with learning phonics. Now I could sing it! I also try to be careful with my "Singlish" and speak proper English infront of them. Presently, Julian is very interested in Dinosaurs! So poor mommy has to twist her tongue and pronounce all the tyrannosaurous, albertosauraus, daplextosaurous... then comes the homophone... Next the solar system that consists of Pluto, Earth, Mar, Venus.... Although I was a As student for Geography, that does not mean I could still remember! So I had to go into NASA website to read about it again!

There is a chinese saying that goes "上梁不正，下梁歪". As a discipline mistress, I need to set good examples. So I am now always on my toe! I have a habit of nail biting when I am in stress but I always tell my 2 monsters not to put fingers in their mouths cos they will eat up all the bacteria hidding in the finger nails and the bacteria will start dancing in their tummies! Guess what, Julian caught me nail bitting again and told me this story... I feel so embarassed! I apologised to him and he told me next time dun do that again! I always check their nails weekly and make sure I trim their nails so 1 night Julian asked him to "lift up my hands and show him my finger nails" - I got caught for keeping long nails again! See it's not easy to be a RESPONSIBLE MOMMY, right!?

Now Mommy is like a Sponge all over again!

Hello! Mommies there....do u agreee!?

---------------------------------

I read a magazine somewhere and a mother said this which I totally agree and find it meaningful. So I jotted it down to constantly remind myself to practise it.

"I will stop anything I'm doing for my children. A lot of people have issues and hang-ups that can be traced back to childhood. I don't wanna equip my kids with the negatives when I can envelope them with the happiest things. Hopefully, they feel secure now and throughout their lives."

Our Evening Walk!

My kids love the evening walk after dinner! Nicole loves to walk around smelling other dogs pee and poo while my 2 monsters enjoys watching taxi, bus, train get pass and weirdest of all, they enjoy looking for lizards and snails crawling on the walls.

Gar Gar will go crazY seeing them and will come home telling everybody "LIZARD! LIZARD!"

O ya! Before we go out, the 2 of them will start fighting to hang the condo access card around their neck. So mommy has to tell them to take turn. Gar Gar will tape when we go out and Julian will tape when we come in...

Gar Gar is 15m old!

Gar Gar is 15m old! He is still unable to speak well but we will struggle to understand him otherwise he will get piss off and start biting us like a lion!

Gar Gar loves to reads and will always pester us to read to him. Whenever we asked him who is Humpty Gar Gar and he will point to himself.

Humpty "GAr GaR" - New Version Rhyme

Julian has daddy's talent. Maybe he can join the "DUN FORGET THE LYRICS" contest! HE IS ALWAYS CHANGING THE LYRICS FOR WHATEVER SONGS HE IS SINGING! And Gar Gar is always the target!

This morning when he was taking a shower with Gar Gar... He sang

"Humpty Gar Gar sat on the wall

Humpty Gar Gar had a great fall....... Couldn't put Humpty Gar Gar back...."

Silly Julian

Today I made fun of Julian again. We were preparing to sleep and were chatting. Then I suddenly hold Gar Gar's hand and asked him anxiously where was Julian. Gar Gar didn't bother but Julian came to me and responsed that he was there but I pretended that I didn't see him. I kept calling his names and looking desperately for him. He became very worry and started to say some magic words. He thought fairygodmother had cast a spell on him and made him invisible. So he told her, "I'm a good boy, dun punish me."

Gar Gar is 14m old!

Gar Gar is 14m old! What is he doing at this age? He is an ardent fan of Barney! He may not listen to what Daddy and Mommy says but he will definitlely be listening to what Barney say! I bought him a Barney water bottle but he will always snatches gor gor one. When he refuses to drink water, we will tell him, "Barney says drink more water!"

He is very interested in flashcards and he will demand for it! So mommy is working hard on printing the flashcards. Even the maid is very obssess with the flashing. His latest flashcards were about emotion so he will do a BORING FACE whenever we flash him the card of a boring face!

Bias

My mom always complain that I'm biased. I love Julian more. I guess it's because she always see me attending to him more. That's because he is always the one who is making the world upside down so I've to go after him all the time. And he is afraid of me and only the parents can control him! The more I care for Gar Gar, the more he will harrass Gar Gar. So I normally take him with me!

My 2 monsters have different characters so I need to use different approaches to handle them.

In fact, I love Gar Gar so much. I know Gar Gar loves to take bus. I brought him to take a bus when Julian was taking his nap. I play hide and seek with him and he enjoys so much. He loves to play turning round and round with me so much. I bought so many books especially those on animals cos he loves them and I brought him to Night Safari because he always mimic lion's roar. Just too bad that the lions and tigers went into hiding when they knew the 2 monsters were coming.

So Mom, I'm not biased! I take care of Julian more cos I'm his "克星" so that he will not hit or bite Gar Gar more! I do spend time with Gar Gar whenever I can! I'm still breastfeeding Gar Gar despite him waking up several time at night cos I LOVE HIM!

Sibling Rivalry

Nowadays you often hear screamings follow by crying when you put the 2 together even for juz a second.

Like for instance, I need to dispose Gar Gar's diaper after changing and left them in the room for a minute, I've already make sure the Barney's DVD is on to keep them occupied and make sure they both sat a distance away for each other..but even for that minute, you can hear a little struggling noises, and you quickly hurry back but still it's too late. You'll soon hear a screaming then crying. Guess who is the bully and what is the loser?

It's Julian! He is the bully. He will normally start by hitting Gar Gar's head or start harassing Gar Gar till he is provoked. Then this 14m old will turn into incredible hulk and pounce on Julian and bite him hard. So the screaming and crying comes from Julian in the end. The bully will cry and complain but mommy couldn't be bother.:) Maybe i should say Gar Gar has my gene, never be push over easily. Ha ha..
P.S : Good job for now, Gar Gar. However, in 2 years time n they fight like this every now n then, I will have to use my father's (i.e. your gong gong) method - one for all and all for one! Get it? I will spank all! Monsters!

Our Fight with Virus!

Poor Julian was on drip. Dr Watt disallowed mommy to enter the room when she inserted the needle into him. Dr Watt and nurses used a blanket to tie his body up and inserted the drip. I could hear Julian screaming for me even I was 2 doors away. My heart is so painful..

The hamper was given by his school - Kinderland

Julian only entertainment in Mt Alvernia. He would want us to push him around with this "pole".

For the last 2 weeks, our house was like a war zone. We put on a fierce fight with virus and bacteria. Julian & Gar Gar were down with some virus infection. It started with a running nose. After a course of anti-biotic - Augmentin, it didn't help and especially Julian, he began to develop high fever of over 40C for more than a week. Gar Gar was 38C but he was still very alert. Dr Watt changed their anti-biotic to a stronger Zinnat but Julian's fever continued to surge. I'd not being able to sleep cos I need to monitor their temperatures and sponge them in the middle of the night.

Finally on the seventh day of his fever, I started to panic. I was almost breaking down as I felt that I was so alone watching my sons suffering and Julian was talking non-senses when his fever surged to 40C. Dr Rhonda Watt was very kind. She responded to my desperate call for help. She called me back a few times to check on him that particular night.

The next afternoon, his fever surged to 40c again. I rushed him to the clinic to insert a suppository into his anus to break his fever. His fever subsided very slowly and we agreed that we had to admit him. Dr Watt put him on drip with stronger anti-biotic and did a second blood test for him again. This time, his reactive protein had exceeded the standard limit. After 2 nights in the hospital, his fever had finally gone. Then it's mommy's turn to fall ill. I had been like a 7-11, taking care of both ailing kids. During the day time, I took care of Julian in the hospital then I went back at night to monitor Gar Gar's temperature and to breastfeed him.