The little 17 Months' babe

Dear Janice,

You're 17 months today and you're so girly that you're more like a little girl than a toddler. I remembered secretly being very happy to have a little girl as my first born, I thought about how I will dress you up and do girly things with you. Look at you, your love for shoes, accessories and anything that's pretty. I hope that you will think of me next time as your cool shopping partner (daddy will say partners in crime) just like how I love shopping with Popo.

I remembered 17 months ago, I was really struggling through motherhood. Each day was just for surviving, how to get us through the day and flash daddy a big smile when he comes back. Many times, he will receive a scowl from mummy and he will then take you down for a walk so that I can get myself together again. But as you grow, I realised that each day has gotten less intense and more enjoyable.

This month, you've transited into taking one long 2 over hr nap a day. You generally sleep quite well at night although there are times when you still want to cuddle mummy's arm to sleep. You're funny, you just need to hold my fingers and you'll be contented. You've also learnt to recognise actions and characters in books, so reading is so fun nowadays because you'll know what's coming up and start the actions or say what it is. You also have your favourites that you'd want us to read over and over again.

There are still times when you're quite reserved when you're out. When placed you at home or at Popo's place, you'll be filling us with your cheeky things and make us laugh. Giggles and laughters from you are also not uncommon. I used to lug you out a lot when you were younger, but now staying around home with you is so fun and I have to sometimes kick my laziness away and do more fun activities with you like drawing and painting, which we haven't done for a while. Usually you're quite independent when you play and can engage in puzzles, cooking and moving items from one location to the other and back. You do these a lot.

I think Mummy and daddy must have passed you some good genes. Haha that's our love for food genes. You have great appetite and on most days your bowl of rice is as much as almost 1 full rice bowl. Not counting the big bowl of green veggies that we have to hide from you. I remembered eating a lot of spinach when I was pregnant with you and now you eat it as if it was snack. Very good, keep it up ok. Veggies are good for you. and on top of that you still drink a bowl of soup after that. You're putting on weight quite slowly so I am wondering if all the nutrients have gone to your hair. But on the other hand, at 10.8kg, my arms are aching already, I can't imagine you any bigger. Now mummy just looks like I do weights training because the thickness of my arms and the Biceps are getting a little too obvious.

You're growing up so fast, and there's almost too little time to spend with you. I can sit back at the end of the day reminiscing on a lot, but most times I am flat out and doze off too quickly. But if I could, I would want to capture more of you, this journey and our family in my reflections and deep thanksgiving. God is just so good.

Happy 17 months! You're turning 1/1/2 in a month's time. Look in the mirror and may you always find joy and the reflection of Jesus!

Love, Mummy

The little grown up girl

Oh, I also need to write this down before I start to forget.

Janice has been such a cutie lately. It feels like overnight that she has transformed from a little baby to a total little girl. Where has all the time gone to? She is so into her make belief. She's been cooking, scooping, feeding herself, us ... she pretends to eat, make us to that and even says "more" as she pretends to eat out of an empty bowl. She reaches for the plastic knife and pretends to cut her cookie before eating and make us drink her imaginary soup, in which she will pretend to "ssssh" as if it was really hot. I wonder where her foodie genes come from?

She is growing up, and I can't believe that I spent an hour playing "masak masak" with her. She was even happy doing it herself when Kel and I were hustling around doing our own stuffs for the afternoon.

She's even been fixing up puzzles by herself and recognising shapes. Felt like yesterday that she was a little baby.

Home Sweet Home

Janice was extremely pleased with the kitchen that daddy fixed up :)

Staying in the furthest western point of Singapore means that we are hardly home. Coming home is usually the very last destination we have and once back, we would hardly head out unless a need calls. As a result, we're never home much of recent. Since we both started work, week-days have been burnt comuting to and fro home, work, my mom's place. With the weekends, we're usually out or at Church. and most times, we're only home on Sunday evening. Yesterday was an exception and I felt so good about it that it deserves a blog entry.

After Church and cell, Kel and I headed to Jelita where Janice slept for 1.5 hours on the pram. It was such a God given time where Kel and I had a nice quiet sandwich at the cafe, watching the outside pour in rain. We hung out at the bookshop for a while till Janice awoke. We then headed towards a friend's place only to be informed that the gathering was cancelled. So we ended up home by mid afternoon, armed with a very happy and contented toddler. We were supposed sit down and catch something on DVD. But you see, I am always filled with bright ideas on the house, and before I knew it, I cleverly lured Kel to start fixing up the cardboard kitchen he have been wanting to build for Janice, set up the little table and chair and revamped the hall a little. I sorted out Janice's toys, books and packed them neatly in categories ready for toy rotation to take place (I like to keep some toys and rotate so that toys will look fresh and not all over the place). I cooked for Janice and the house was thoroughly cleaned thereafter. It was such a good feeling that after all that hard work, I was beaming. It was home sweet home, because I feel so so recharged being home for that half a day than I ever been for eons. Result of that? I am so looking forward to go home and see a nicely organised place :) * pictures of the cardboard kitchen can be found on FB. Well done too my dear husband, and thank you for giving in to your ever itchy backside wife who can never sit still :)

Janice is 16 months (+)

My little munchkin, You're really less of a baby and more like a little girl now. You're expressive, full of cheeky things, and very playful. You often tickle us with your chuckles, your little dances, and playful acts. You warm us with your smiles, cuddles and kisses. My life have been tipped upside down since you came into my life 25 months (including pregnancy) ago. I remembered how elated i was on 17th Feb 08, the day I found out that we were expecting you. Since then it has been a big roller coaster ride for daddy and myself. We had our highs, how lows and excitments, but all in all, we're glad that you're in the picture. Though we're not money rich, we know we're rich because of the experiences we have with you and in God too.
You're a really expressive little girl. Very authoritative I must say :) Though you're limited in your speech, you somehow managed to direct people to sit where they should, what you want to eat/drink and what you want others to do for you. You're into this mode of making sure daddy drinks enough water and choosing who gets to sit next to you. You communicate mostly to us with single words or part of a word (e.g. Ter for water) and many many sign lanuguages which were mostly derived by you. Lately you would point to something you want to eat and put your finger into your mouth, sort of dangling out to tell us how badly you want to it that. Where did you learn that, I don't know.
I love it because there's always that sparkle in your eyes. You're curious and always seeking to try out something new. You've to put on earrings, clip your hair, put on make up, basically everything you observe me doing. Oh God, please give me wisdom so that I'd have a life worthy to be modelled by you.
Your sweetness melts our hearts everyday. You'd freely cuddle and kiss anyone who has been playing with you. Many of the relatives and mummy's friends have been blessed this CNY with your cuddles and kisses. Thank you for loving us everyday, and for making parenting so rewarding.
You're strong willed and many times very independent. It's been a learning curve for me teaching you and being firm with you when you demand something, especially things that is "way off". Many times, I need to be disciplined myself not to be a jelly fish parent but one who knows when to give and when to refrain. It's not easy sometimes to have a firm stance, and being able to separate anger and frustration from it.
God reminded me today to learn to really pray for you, something that I often forget to do. I used to but of recent, I've found myself just trying to keep up with things. I thank God for this timely reminder because besides praying with you daily, I need to commit your life to God because ultimately He is your creator and the best Father ever. He gives you wisdom and brings maturity. He protects and love, more than daddy or mummy ever can.
I hope to be able to teach you more constructively this month and I am looking forward to you starting Childcare too because of its structured programs offered. I pray that you'll enjoy yourself because I know you thrive being engaged in activities and playing with others.
I put up this picture to remind you how blessed you are to be surrounded by so many people who loves us. Coming back to Singapore has been one of the best decision and we are really thanking God for this season He has brought us. This picture speaks of how much you love your cousins especially, Grace. You've been so loved because Grace would often stand up for you, she will offer you her toys, she just adores you.
May you continue to grow and thrive. May you continue to experience God's love through us, and people around you. May you learn to love God and people around you too.
We love you precious, I am biased I know, but you're the sweetest thing ever :) - (oh daddy's very sweet too... hee...)
Love, Mummy