Chloe's First Word

Chloe has spoken her first word but unfortunately I wasn't around to hear it. Dominic was around when she said the word. According to Dominic, he thinks he heard Chloe said 'ba-na-na' when she was eating banana. The maid who was feeding Chloe at that time said she heard the same word too.

Then a few days ago, Chloe was making a fuss when we put her on her baby cot. When Dominic approached her, Dominic said Chloe said 'UP' - she wanted to be picked up!

Lucas first word was 'bird'.

Playing horsy ride

Chinese New Year

CNY comes and goes by. We had our usual CNY activities such as visiting the grandparents. On the eve, we went to the in-laws' place for dinner. Then I stayed over at my parent's place from the first day to the third day. Fourth day is a working day for me and fifth day is a school day for Lucas. Since we have a so-called bigger place than previously, we even entertained friends at home now. We had a friend who came on the third day for wine and peanuts, and a group a friends on the seventh day for Klang Bah Kut Teh dinner. It must say it is nice to be able to entertained friends at home. It it nice to have a dining table that fits 8 people and enough chairs for everyone to sit. All these at the comfort at home and safe place for the kids (friends' kids included) to run around. It is sign of getting old - like to stay at home instead of going out!!!

Ligthing up fire cracker

All dressed up for CNY

CNY, Traffic and Sick Kid

This week has been a roller coaster week. With CNY this Sunday, traffic is horrendous everywhere and at all times. It easily took an hour to get the market which usually takes 20 mins. Everywhere I go and at any times, even non-rush hour have been a nightmare. Can be quite frustrating. It slowly get to my nerve to live in suburbs now. Nothing is near and nothing is running a quick errand anymore. Everything takes half a day. Now that with Chloe eating solid, I need to do grocery shopping more frequently. A lot of her food are not available in my neighbourhood stores..sigh. No Japanese pumpkin, no organic vegetables, no fresh fish, no nice fruits, no olive oil (can you imagine!). It is either my taste is 'too high class' or I have been very wasteful in buying these goods.

CNY is a few days away.We had the lantern hung up in our car porch a week ago - not too bad. This neighbourhood is quite excited about CNY. People started hanging the lanterns a month before CNY, play fireworks (those with about 20 pops) a week before the actual day. Very vibrant. We are on our second tin of pineapple tarts, finishing the first tin of love letters, and finished our first tin of fried arrow roots. Those were gifts from relatives. Now I have to scout for more cookies.

Chloe celebrated her 7th month with a bout of blocked nose. Her nose started running 2 days ago but it got worse yesterday night. She cried and can't sleep with her blocked nose. Also, she was burping a lot. Her tummy must have discomfort. So, she slept for 20 mins, cried for an hour, slept for another 20 mins and cried for another hour. It kept going until 4am! She felt better after her poo at 4am and must have been very tired. Dominic and myself were like zombies this morning.

Can't wait for the weekends....hopefully Chloe will be fully recovered by then.

Who Has the Right Spelling?

Children learn phonics in school nowadays. The pronounce an alphabet with the sound -something I never learned in school during my time and something that Lucas is better than me. Using phonics sound, Lucas insist that 1 (one) should starts with 'W', August should starts with 'O'. He did not buy the spelling we told him. So, we asked him to go ask his teacher.

Well...he is right.

Mr Loner

Wasn't sure if he is in a rebellious phase or his character, he is sure a lone ranger. Some days, I asked him if he talks to his friends in school and he said NO. He said I only talk to Ms A (his teacher) and Ms L (his another teacher). When I pressed harder and asked why, he will always have an answer. Once he said the friends were playing a 'not nice' game, and another time he said the friends were playing without him. Once, I was even telling him no point for him to go to school if he is not talking and playing with his friends.

I got a bit worried and managed to have a short chat with Ms A when I dropped him at school yesterday. Ms A said he has no problem talking to adults but just don't talk to kids (his friends). He has 'banyak cerita' (tell lots of stories) to both the teachers. Ms A always tried to get him to join his friends but she said he cannot be pushed to hard. It may backfired.

There is nothing wrong being a loner I suppose. My only concern is if this characteristic is going to work to his disadvantage when he grows up when he has to compete with people his age. We will see....

Don't You Understand

When Lucas is very persistent such as asking the same question 10 times when I have already answered him, I sometimes get frustrated and tell him something like 'You understood what Mommy just said. Why are you asking again?'

Yesterday, the smart aleck used the 'weapon' on me. He was calling out for his Daddy but Dominic was busy. So, I went to him and said:

Me: Daddy is busy, what do you want?
Lucas: I want Daddy, don't you understand!
Me: OK...

It is NOT de-worm problem

Oh..well..we came one full circle. Lucas' not so good appetite and loose poo has nothing to do with the de-worm. I went to 2 pharmacies and asked what is the side-effect of de-worm. Both have consistent reply that is nothing. So, I was left wondering what could be wrong. Then it strikes me that I have just switched Lucas' milk to a different brand. The milk he was drinking was getting too expensive and I thought maybe I can save some money if I switched him to a cheaper brand. Lucas sure does not agreed with my idea. Now, he has back to his old brand. I guess I just have to work harder to pay for his milk.