BFF

At 6 year old, he knows the meaning of BFF!

Me: Do you still play chase with Alissa in the morning?
Lucas: No.
Me: Why? Who do you play chase with now?
Lucas: Alissa is not my BFF anymore.
Me: (rather stunned) What is BFF?
Lucas: You don't know?
Me: Yes, I don't know what is BFF.
Lucas: Best friends forever
Me: Oh...so who is your BFF?
Lucas: J and J and J and J.
Me: Who are the Js?
Lucas: Josiah, Jeremy, Joshua, Jaedon.
Me: Why all boys?
Lucas: Because we are playing a new game.

I must say I am rather stunned to know that they are so advance with the BFF and God knows what else they talk about in school.

Unpredictable Lucas

My son Lucas is quite unpredictable. I thought he is shy and easy going but now I have my second thought. I find him rather competitive and can be very motivated without much pushing from me. Here is why I said so. He always had excuses when I tried to get him to learn swimming. He had a swimming instructor and quit after 4 lessons. After our trip to Hard Rock Hotel in Penang, we made a pact. We will only return to the hotel if he can swims. He loves the swimming pool in Hard Rock Hotel. So, when I enrolled him for swimming lesson, he was very excited and very keen. No more excuses for not wanting to learn. In fact, he wanted to be the best and was very pleased when his swimming coach told him he is the champion in the club i.e. he can swim the best amongst his peers. When I casually suggest to him that if he is really good in swimming may be one day he can represent his school in swimming competition, his excitement grows. He is seriously considering to be a good swimmer.
Now he is into watching this Japanese show called Ninja Warrior. It is a physical obstacle game show where competitors have to go through various physical obstacles like climbing the wall, lifting weight etc. Today, he asked to buy a dumb bell. I was curious why he needs one. Then during the show, it just crossed my mind and I asked him, "Do you want to participate in Ninja Warrior?". He replied, "Yes, when I'm 27 year old I will join the competition." I asked further, "Ïs that why you asked to buy a dumb bell?". He said", "Yes, so that I can practise to be strong." I am very very impressed with his spirit and hopes it stays.

Lucas's art has also improves tremendously. He never has patience for art and his school teacher said he just rushed through his art work just to get over it. I found an art teacher that comes to the house for Chloe. Chloe loves drawing and coloring. While the teacher is at home, Lucas might as well just join Chloe. His first art work was so so. Take a look.

First painting

Most recent painting

 

The teacher said he did this all by himself with her guidance. He chose the colors to use. I am very impressed. Even the teacher is surprised with the vast improvement. That's my son, Lucas, full of surprises.

Life Goes On

Well, days are a bit more predictable now.
My boss agreed that I work from home on Monday and Wednesday. So, I can send and pickup the kids on both days. On other days, Dominic and my neighbours whom I car pool take turns to fill the gap. I have less stress on Sunday night as I know I don't have to battle the traffic on early Monday morning.

Chloe finally stopped crying when I leave her at school.......after almost 2 months!! She has finally settled down and overcome the separation anxiety. Doing quite well in school too. I received feedback from her teacher that she participated in all activities and very happy in class. She is very girlie....when she saw me applying lotions or makeup on the face, she will ask what am I putting on my face. Then she will ask to see the lotion or makeup and asked if it is hers or mine. When I put on earring or necklace, she will ask if she can wears them. I'm just waiting for the day she ask for her ears to be pierced.

Lucas on the other hand, has a very interesting story. I've just received a mid year report from the teacher. No surprises at all....same comments as last year teacher. Areas where he is strong, he is still very good at them. Areas where he is weak, he is still weak at them. The weakest link is his drawing and colouring - the teacher said 'Lucas needs to take more pride in the presentation of his work particularly colouring, which at times can be rushed. He now should try to contribute to more imaginative ideas for writing.' When I read him what his teacher thought about him on his weaknesses, he refused to listen and changed the topic. Later, Dominic asked if he thinks his teacher is right or wrong on her observation, Lucas answered 'wrong'. I have a stubborn son to handle. Then Dominic came out with this idea that maybe he should join speech and drama classes to build his creativity and confidence. Ah...I suppose we need to try something. All the comments from the teacher sounded awfully familiar as his last year teacher.

Getting both kids to eat and sleep is a darn big challenge. They are so picky on what they want to eat. Chloe enjoys noodles, rice, chicken, cucumber and grapes. Lucas likes pizzas, sandwiches, cucumber, strawberries and apples. They don't eat any green vegetables except cucumber. Chloe at least eats fish and chicken. Lucas hardly eats meat, except for minced pork and chicken. Dominic is a meat lover. Cooking for them is a big challenge. Twice a week, I will cook soup, Chinese style, along with steam/pan fried/sweet sour fish. Once or twice a week will be spaghetti tomato based or cabonara. One day will be meat heavy day, roast chicken/pork/beef/lamb. Others will be anything the kids and the adults fancy like Domino's pizza.
Sleeping is a big headache. The kids are all ready in pyjamas before 8.30pm but we are lucky if they go to sleep before 10pm. Between 8.30 to 10pm, there will be all those act of jumping up and down the bed, walking around asking for more water, need to poo, need to get books etc. To make matter worse, they won't go to sleep on their bed. They will sleep on our bed. We will they carry them back to their own bed. In the middle of the night, they will walk back to our bed without failed. Recently, we managed to convince Lucas to sleep with diaper since his diaper is dry every morning. There were a few accidents until the last 2 days. I have to wake him up to go to toilet in the middle of the night. Hope his bladder will be able to hold up to morning very soon. Then it will be diaper free for Lucas.

Calm After the Storm

The dead rats are finally disposed off and there is no smell in the house, after 3-4 days of high drama. Life is back to normal.....

Lucas had his last swimming lesson last Thursday and he made very good progress. I'm very happy and think the swimming fee is money well spent. He is very comfortable in putting his head underwater and that is battle half won. He can do short distant of breast stroke and free style. But of course, he still doesn't know how to put his head off the water to breathe and thread water. Well...slowly. The sad news is he is not continuing with the swimming. He said he wanted to continue next year and the instructor also has no free slot for weekdays afternoon. Meanwhile, Dominic will have to be his instructor and continue practicing his strokes.

Chloe, the dancing and singing queen, is growing fast. She picks up pretty much everything from her brother. If her brother doesn't want any food, she will say no as well without even trying. Sometimes, she even bosses her brother around, commanding the brother to sit down and eat his food, don't do this, don't do that.

Later today, we have an appointment to meet Lucas's teacher to talk about his progress in school.
Me: Lucas, I'm meeting Ms M (his teacher) on Monday. What do you want me to tell her?
Lucas: Don't tell Ms M that I am very naughty, ok.

iPad and TV

Lucas is on his third week of school. He hardly tells me anything on what he does at school. I was wondering if he is coping well with his new teacher and new class-mates, until today, when he comes back with Star of the Week award for 'excellent behaviour and setting example to others' and a merit. Think he is doing alright in school. He is sooooo obsessed with his iPad that he thinks and talks about it all the time. He will tell everyone about his games, how he was doing and what is he trying to achieve. I have to limit his iPad time to one hour in the afternoon, a few mins after his dinner and while waiting for his shower. We are supposed to get 2 paid games for him on his birthday but I told him I changed my mind. Until he knows how to control his addiction, he is not getting any new games. This morning, he walked to my room at 6.30am asking if he can play his iPad. I said NO. Then he very creatively re-phrased his question, 'If I brush my teeth, drink and my milk and change to my uniform, can I play for a while?'. I can't say no to this, right.

As for Chloe, she walks to my room everyday without fail between midnight and 2am. Then she asked for her blanket or handkerchief (comfort toy) and drinking water. After that she will say, 'Pat me.' I slept better when they were younger. Then when she wakes up in the morning, she will push me and said 'I want milk!' and she can't wait. Then she will say, 'I want to watch TV'. My new boss. She is also enjoying her playschool. Asking to go to school everyday when Lucas is leaving for school. She just can't wait to grow up.

Happy 2nd Birthday, Chloe

I returned from London just in time to celebrate Chloe's 2nd birthday. There wasn't much fuss. Grandparents bought her a birthday cake (chosen by Lucas), presents and dinner. I arrived home at around 7.30pm. Did not have any time to prepare dinner and buy Chloe her favourite junk food. We had dinner, sang her the birthday songs and ate ice cream.

For 2, she is progressing very well. She uses the potty in the daytime and she knows how to tell us if she needs to go to the toilet! She is talking very well for 2, eating better than Lucas. All of them say girls mature faster than boys.

Bad Temper

Lucas has such bad temper when he is at home. He is such an angel when he is in school or when we are not around. Today, we had the 'I don't want to eat rice' ordeal. He insisted that I change the food. I lost my patience after I tried to explain a few times. He lost this temper too and started pushing Chloe's high chair against the wall, kick the laundry basket which was on his way to the bathroom and smack me with his hand. I took out the cane. Cane him on his hands when he smacked or throw things, cane his legs when he kicked things. Even threatened him to give him all the cane mark to show his class-mates tomorrow. He then ate his dinner. But I won't let all those temper throwing go. As a punishment, he did not get his ice-cream. Then when I gave him his bath, the threw his wet face towel on me. He get a nice lecture from him and another punishment - I'm not reading to him and he has to go to sleep on his own. Oh....he is so difficult. I tried explaning, give him time out, take away his favourite things and nothing seems to work. You can be sure he is back to it again tomorrow.
I'm out of wits on what should I do.

It's Only Getting More Difficult

Kids are harder to manage when they grow older. When they were young, parents keep track on their first word, when the kids can make 2-3 words sentence and all the what not milestones. And now, parents wish they kids talk a bit less.
This is why I said so...

Lucas: What are we having for dinner?
Me: We are having rice and soup for dinner.
Lucas: But I already had rice for lunch. I don't want rice again.
Me: What do you want for dinner then?
Lucas: Sandwich.
Me: Well, too late. I've already cooked dinner. Maybe we can have sandwich for tomorrow's dinner.
Lucas: No, I want sandwich for today's dinner.
Me: No.
Lucas: I can make my own sandwich, you know.

Throwing a fuss at the maid...
Lucas: Aunty M, why did you always cook rice?
Maid: Your Mommy asked me to cook rice.
Lucas: Next time, don't listen to her!

Lucas: Mom, why pork ball? I like fish ball.
Me: (Went to get fish ball and cook for his dinner)
Lucas: Mom, but I don't want fish ball today.
Me: (sigh)

Me: We have noodles for dinner tonight.
Lucas: I don't want noodles. I want macaroni.
Me: (holding my patience)

He has been getting very bad and short temper. Warned him many times and still not listening. I have given up spanking him. It does not work. Instead, I punish him by taking his favourites away like no TV, no iPad (has given him the iPad again but with password protection) and no ice-cream. He is so used to the punishment that he is not bothered now. Punish him with no TV for the whole day, he does not even bother pestering or anything like that. He said, 'Yes, I remember the punishment'. Wah...he is so immune to the punishment. Need to get creative..

Violence, Obscene and Kids

How often I read about controlling children watching porns, violence and I could not relate to it. Now, I have a taste of it......

Lucas used to love to watch Disney Playhouse channel which is about all the kiddy education shows. I have no objection at all. Then, when he turned 4, he outgrown that channel. He started on more adult channel like Nickelodeon, and Cartoon Network. I did not object initially, thinking that he is getting too old for Mickey Mouse Playhouse, Handy Manny, Little Einstein. Little did I know that these so called children channels, Cartoon Network and Nickelodeon, need adult supervision. There are so many fighting shows, sadists story. I now have to lock the channel to reduce his airtime. I only unlock the channel for very specific shows like Ben 10 (Lucas latest craze) and Tom and Jerry.

Then the obscene or porn came in YouTube on iPad.... sigh. Both the kids like to watch short video on YouTube. Chloe likes the ABC songs and Elmo. Lucas used to like Tom and Jerry on iPad YouTube. Recently, Lucas made major discovery!! Some of these innocent looking kiddy videos have obscene scenes at the end. One of the ABC songs has phrases of f word. One of the Ben 10 video has scene of very obscene clips - even too obscene for adults! When I discovered that, I get Dominic to delete the YouTube from the iPad. He tried and could not figure out how. We goggle the forum and still could not find a way to do so. So, what are we doing now?? We HIDE the iPad.

Why on earth the producers / creators of these children videos do it? Are they sick or what?? And when the kids grow older and with the internet, how do parents monitor them? Oh...my hair is growing white.

Left-Handed ?

I'm beginning to think Chloe is going to be a left-handed. I just realised she hardly use her right hand when she feeds herself or when she holds the pencils. I've only really notice when once I placed her spoon on her right side. She placed it to her left side, and then feed herself using left hand. I was shocked. From there on, I have began to pay more attention and hadn't see her use her right hand much.

When Lucas was at her age, he alternated between left and right. We then thought he was not decided if he wants to be a leftie or rightie. Now, he is definitely a rightie.

Left....

Left again...

Weird or Think Out-of-the-Box?

During my last meeting with Lucas's teacher on his progress, the teacher said Lucas think out-of-the-box. She cited an example where the class was doing some artwork and they have to imagine what they are building. Most kids will say like 'I'm building a supermarket', 'I'm building a playground', all the common places/names. The smart aleck Lucas told his teacher he is building '2U', an imaginary name after a popular shopping center, 1U. The teacher was impressed. I was not very convinced.

Then 2 days ago, his classmate cum neighbour was sick and had to be hospitalised. I told Lucas to do a get well soon card for his friend. I gave him a piece of A4 orange color paper. I told him to use some color pencils to draw and write something. He asked for pencil. Then he told me 'This is my card. I can do anything I want'. He basically asked me not to boss him around. I left him alone. So, when he was done with the card, he showed me. Guess what did he write on the card???
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
getwellsoon.com

That's all he wrote!

When I asked him why .com, he said 'I just want to do something silly'.
Is he weird or as his teacher said think out-of-the-box??

Shopping is Expensive

Nowaday, going shopping is an expensive affair. A year ago, when we are out shopping, all Lucas asked to buy was a packet if gummy bears. Now, he asked to buy almost everything. When we are at a bookshop, he will ask to buy a book. Buying books is fine except that he chooses the book that he will not read more than once. He simply wants it because it has numbers, or he wants to complete his collection. To make the matter worse, he actually remembers. 2 weeks ago, he wanted to buy a scanimation book. He already had one which he doesn't read anymore. We managed to convince him otherwise. Last week, he raised that subject again before we left the house. He even said, 'It is 49.50 (the price). He can't refused him twice when he is so insistence, can we?

Then, in the supermarket, he wants all the junk food - ice-cream, rocky (chocolate coated biscuit), chips etc. If we refused to buy him those food, he will nag the whole time. It is more peaceful to give in than to have him nagging.

Last Saturday, we bought Lucas a new bicycle. His has outgrown his current bicycle. And while we were at the shop, guess what Chloe said?? 'WHERE IS MY BICYCLE?' So, we ended up buying 2 bicycles. And how many bicycles are there at home? 5!!

We are at a stage where we either buy nothing or buy 2 of everything.

Shy and Cool

The last time I dropped Lucas to school (Dominic usually send Lucas to school in the morning), his teacher asked me if Lucas is very shy. That was like a week after he had started school. He did not talk much in school. I told his teacher that once he warmed up, he talks non-stop. The teacher said OK, she will wait for the moment he opened up.

Today, I dropped Lucas to school. His teacher had a chat with me. She said 'What you said is true. Lucas is very chatty and he likes talking to older children. But I also observed that he is very cool. He doesn't want to be involved in some of the activities'. I told her, 'He does not like to participate in singing, dancing or anything like that. He looks bored and his expression is like 'why are you making me doing all these silly things' '. She nodded and said yes. Then the teacher said 'Let's see how we can help him on this.'

I am grateful that the teacher is paying close attention to his social development and finding ways to improve it.

Milestone

When I took Chloe for her one year old check-up, I took Lucas along for his check-up. Boy! Both my kids weigh below average. Sounds like I have been starving them.

Lucas weighs 14.3kg and is 103 cm.
Chloe weighs 8.4kg and is 78 cm.

Lucas has turned from an idol babies in terms of eating to nightmare when he was around two and half years old. He is such a fussy eater. No vegetables at all, no matter how finely chopped. No meat. It takes him forever to chew and he ended up spitting the food after keeping the food for 10 mins in his mouth. Fish, sometimes. He only eats mushroom, eggs, beancurd and cheese. I am giving him more noodles with mushroom now. Fruits, he only eats strawberries. He used to eat apples and bananas but not anymore. I have to resort to giving him vitamins with lysine to boost his appetite. In addition, I am massaging him with essential oil which is supposed to boost his appetite as well. His has such dry and sensitive skin. Even his nails are so brittle. I am massaging his nails too with Jojoba oil mixed with some essential oil.

Chloe is a good eater so far but is slowly turning to a nightmare. When both she and Lucas are eating, she will not want her food but instead insist on eating Lucas's food. I have to make sure they don't eat at the same time to ease this commotion. She is more adventurous and willing to try new food and fruits. But, let's not talk too soon. See how she turns into when she is a toddler. Despite eating well, she is still weighs below average.

My task now is to get Lucas to eat more varieties of fruits and vegetables. Maybe I will try fruit juice or smoothies. Let me google the recipe.

Underweight

Lucas had his check-up and jab yesterday. Well, he is underweight...he is 12.3 kg and the doctor said he should be 12.8kg to be in the normal category. Sigh....what do to with him? He doesn't eat vegetables and hardly eat meat. He spit out even a small tiny piece. The grandparents think we gave him too much carbo. Good thing is he still like to eat fruits. Height wise, he is 95cm - a bit tall for his age.
He is also developing eczema and has dried skin. The doctor suggested that I use oil based shower gel and lotion. Just bought all the oil based products for him. It is not easy raising a kid, isn't it.
The good news during the doctor visit is he did not cry during his jab. Quite a tough boy.

Mr Opportunist

Lucas is an opportunist. Today, he insists that he wants to hold his dried raisin while he was eating his dinner. He said, 'Hold only'. I gave in. Then, while I was talking to the babysitter, he quietly slip a dried raisin into his mouth. I tried to explain that when he put a dried raisin into his mouth, it is called 'eating' and not 'hold only'. He is cheating if he does that. He cheekily gave me his triumphant smile. He did that 4-5 times during the meal. When I told Dominic about this, Dominic was like 'he should be punished. we should not encourage this behaviour'. I was telling myself, OK, you can come back and punish your cheeky son.

Scolding

Lucas was quite naughty today and I have my hormone imbalance. When I tried to put him to nap in the afternoon, he repeated every 5-10 mins saying 'Buy green gummy bear, red gummy bear, yellow candy and blue candy'. He repeated that for about 45 mins. For the whole 45 mins, I keep telling him, 'Go to sleep, stop talking. We will talk about the bear and candy after you wake up'. Obviously, that falls into deaf ears. After 45 mins, my patience run out, and I left him in the room crying. He eventually felt asleep.
Then, during bath time, I tried to get him to brush his teeth. He is not keen in brushing his teeth. He simply sucks his apple flavour toothpaste, and throw the toothbrush into his bathtub. I was again have my hormone imbalance. I raised my voice and scolded him.
When I put him to bed just now, he said to me, 'Mummy talk very loud in Lucas bathroom. Mummy talk very fast in Lucas bathroom'. I gathered he must be talking about my scolding in the teeth cleaning drama. I took the opportunity to 'threaten' him. I asked him, 'Do you want Mummy to talk loud and fast again?'. He said 'No'. Then I said, 'Then, go to sleep'. When I walked out of the room leaving him to fall asleep, he did not make any fuss.
Now, I am wondering if this is the right way to discipline a child!

Lucas is 28 months old

I have to be reminded by my mother-in-law that Lucas is turning 28 months! How forgetful can I get. He has been growing so fast and trying to keep up with his milestones require writing down as soon as it happens. Let's see what I can remembered now:
Behaviour/Character
1. He is generally very patient and very 'cool'. He does not scream even when a friend's dog is chasing him. He just ran to me and complained about the dog.
2. He is very determined. If he decides that he wants to eat a candy, he will ask until we gave in.
3. He remembers. If we promise him something, he will remind us.
4. He expresses himself well, whether when he is excited or frustrated.
5. He is an introvert. When we are out with other kids, he does not mix around with the others. He sticks to us and observe the other kids play. If he wants to go anywhere, he will pull either one of us to go with him.
6. He is still undecided if he wants to be left handed or right handed. He uses both hands when he feed himself or when holding pencils.

Diet
1. He is quite picky about food. He dislikes vegetables. But generally he has sweet tooth, like Dominic.
2. He likes food with crunchy/firm textures like cucumber and apple.
3. He eats breakfast, lunch and dinner and 3 times of 7 Oz milk a day. However, this eating habit needs improvement. He can sit there for an hour to eat his meal. He just keep the food in his mouth, chew now and then and it takes a lot of patience to get him to finish his meal.

Lucas is 20 months old

At 20 months, he is quite a fellow.
1. He has finally grown more than 8 teeth. Current count is at 10.
2. He can count 1, 2, 3, 4, 10. Anything in between 4 and 10 are not in his vocabulary as yet.
3. He can recognize letter 'A', 'B', 'O' and 'Z'. Thanks to Sesame Street CDs.
4. He cannot say scissors but know the use. When I was struggling to open his corn flakes, he hands me a pair of scissors without being asked to.
5. He is still on diaper full time. Refused to even sit on his toilet seat.
6. He knows how to ask for the food he likes...ice cream, chocolate, raisins, prunes, cookies.
7. He still doesn't like to have his hair cut.
8. He can feed himself, but of course half of the food is on his bib or on the floor.
9. He is still undecided if he wants to be right-handed or left-handed. He can feed himself using both hands.
10. He knows what he wants to wear..red shirt with a doogie picture or shirt with turtle, etc.
11. He usually 'introduces' us to strangers. When he sees strangers who greeted him, he will look at the stangers and point at me and say 'Mee' (Mommy), and point to Dominic and say 'Daddy'. I guess it is his way of saying this is my Mommy and Daddy.
12. He is still using his bottle. Not cup trained yet.
13. He screams a lot less now..and hope it stays this way.
14. He has been sleeping thru the night (he was awake at 2am everyday for 2 weeks!)..and again hope it stays this way.
15. He is still very shy. When there are people in the lift, he is very hesitant to go in. If he does, he will hug my leg for his dear life.

Boy or Girl?

Do I look like a girl?


Till today, we still get question from strangers asking if Lucas is a boy or girl???!! Dominic used to get very annoyed when strangers asked this question but he is learning to accept it. He lamented 'Isn't he so boyish looking?' and I will go 'He is wearing blue, not pink'. The most predictable person is our wine seller. Each time, without fail when we go to his shop, he will ask 'Girl ah?'

I only started thinking hard when I was at a family gathering and all my cousins said Lucas look like a girl! One cousin even said if Lucas has a ponytail, no one will doubt if I say he is a girl. Then one day I asked my 'experienced' friend why people thought Lucas looks like a girl. Here are her answers:
1. He has such small and oval face.
2. He has such small sexy lips.
3. His skin is fair and so fine (aren't all babies have fair and fine skin, envious by the adults).
4. He has such fine hair...partially long too.

Let's see when will he looks like a boyish boy.