Under the weather

The little girl and I have been a little under the weather lately. She started having runny nose and last night conjunctivitis. Thank God we managed to find a PD available on Sunday and she's doing well, taking her long afternoon nap now. Considering that we felt like we were going to have a "bleak" sunday ahead when she refused to sleep because of her eye and all 3 of us were watching Hi-5 at 1.30am in the morning. She is back to this cheerful little lark and we are both very thankful about.

I have been having this chronic cough and a bad back. Terrible because it felt like it didn't warrant anymore sick days home but I cannot make proper conversations with anyone without coughing fits. And the bad back is just a pain. I've been on TCM after 3 courses of western meds, and none seems to be helping. Perhaps it's the rest I need.

The point of my entry is to remember this moment, of peace and quietness. Kel is off to Church, while the little girl is taking a nap. I've mopped the floor and cooked the dinner. I have a thousand one things I want to do, catch up on my work, perhaps do some painting, or sewing .... but instead I chose to slump on the amazing couch, with the air con on. I savor this quiet moment in prayer and I know, I can do with such moments more often.

4 years and stronger

Being married has brought out the ugliest and best side of us. 4 years, we have gone through a fair share of highs and lows. Its amazing because from the time we got married, our lives have been in constant transition. There has been a major change going on every single year. Employment, baby, moving back Singapore, Kel going into full time ministry, and now studies. Flashback of the past 4 years, I remember fun times, endearing moments, forgiving, and reconciliation. I wouldn't say it was a bed of roses always when grindings of the daily routines take over. Considering how different we both are, we clash big time. When I am stressed up, I see every single hair on the floor, the unwashed cups, the magnified dust and mess. When he is stressed up, he takes a back seat, and disengages a little (sometimes more :)); And funnily, we normally get stressed at the same time, so you can imagine the tolerance that has to come on both ends.

4 years has been rewarding and I am so glad that God gave me a man whose love for me is unwavering. I saw how he has grown to give in and give up, how he humbled himself. I thank God for humbling me and moulding me, for teaching me to give thanks, hope and trust when things do not go my way. I thank God that we can look into each other's eyes and still be passionate for each other. For giving us a beautiful daughter to remind us that we ought to remain faithful to love each other for her sake too. We told each other when we had our date yesterday, that we will constantly remember to keep our excitement for each other strong and not forget how we love spending time together, and that nothing should rob that away. Not age, not the weighs in life, not anything.

I enter the 5th year of marriage with a prayer that I will walk stronger with the Lord, because it is only through Him that I can gain strength to love and wisdom. I enter in this new phase excited because God is doing so much more in Kel's life that I know I trust this man to lead the family to deeper love with our Lord.

Happy Anniversary my dear ... I love you ...

Tri-Color Rule

One of the fun things of motherhood is to try out new and interesting recipes. I love scouring blogs and Annabel Karmel's recipes for ideas. Most times, I derive my own, so I'll let my imagination run a little, imagine combination of taste and what could be whipped out from it.

I have a couple of simple rules I abide by.

1. Quick meals

2. Easy to obtain ingredients (mostly revolved around what I already have in the fridge)

3. Tri-color rule

Tri-color rule is important. Firstly, it has aesthetic value. Who can resist a colorful meal? Secondly, it offers higher nutritional value. A PD's advice to me was, you need to have minimum 3 colored vegetables. Sounds troublesome, but actually it's simple. Green, Orange, Yellow are my rule. So its always a combination between the greens, a root vegetable/Fruit like sweet potatoes, pumpkin, or corn. Then there's also cauliflower, onions, Zuchinni, squash etc. to play around with.

So after a tri-color rule, the meal will require 1 source of carbo, usually brown rice or pasta/noodles, and then your protein. Chicken/Fish are my main ones, sometimes I'll have beef and pork, but I haven't tried lamb personally because I hardly ever cook that, so I don't really know how to handle lamb.

So if you've any suggestions of good toddler meal ideas, please feel free to drop them in my comments!

At Two and a Half

Dear purple,

You've turned 2.5 yesterday. I am calling you purple because 3 weeks ago, you declared that your new name is Purple Mok because you like purple. You've later named me Pinky and daddy Blue. That's you, at 2.5, you are clear of your likes and dislikes. No matter how people try to confuse you, you will stick on to your decisions. It's good, because when we manage to come eye level with you to get you to listen, you will, and will also stick on to your decision. However, there will also be times when you are so adamant about something that nothing can change your mind. Your sense of humor is hilarious and has on many occasions sent us rolling with laughter.

The way you named us also reflected your ability to cluster similar things together and piece things together. You're also full of interesting imagination and that has been super entertaining.

It has been heaps of fun lately because of you are almost like a little grown up. We can negotiate, get you to make choices and get you to 'problem solve' and figure things out. That has greatly reduced tantrums because we are now able to negotiate within the boundaries. Most times you're predictable, and we are just so glad that we've stuck on to routines since you were born. It's helped us to also know what you need and want.

You're extremely expressive with your 1001 funny antics. You love showing your affection and your random moments of "I Love you daddy, or I like you buddy, or you're handsome/beautiful" often melt us to bits.

I think creativity is probably one of your strengths. You're quite natural when it comes to drawing and painting. You also turn nothing into something fun and funny. Like yesterday, you took a few pieces of serviettes at the cafe, and turned them into eggs and magic show. You can be emo at times (mostly in the evenings, so its most likely due to tiredness) but mostly, you're happy. You seemed to be energized after being in the midst of people, be it Sunday School, or adult company. And such social activities will lead to you singing songs to yourself, humming a melody and very chatty. It's fun to talk to you because you can now hold a decent conversation.

Of late, you've really become quite sociable, and that surprised us a little. You used to take a while to warm up to strangers. The other day, you went up to daddy's classmate and told her that you wanted watermelons! That was quite funny actually!

You've made us look good as parents, and we know we have little to boast about ourselves and we're just thankful that God has been the one leading us. We're thankful for good company we have, like your Cow Fu, Kum Mows, Gu Gu ... They've all taught us a lot about Parenting, and your cousins are also very good influences.

I hope you'll continue to grow up with that big and inquisitive heart of yours. This morning, you made a remark saying that you've not changed into your pretty dress thus not pretty yet. We assured you that no matter what you wear externally, you're beautiful. God reminded me on my 5th week of pregnancy, when I was in doubt of whether I have lost you, that you are beautifully and wonderfully made. Today, I know its true and it will forever be.

I love you precious, and I pray I will never be afraid to lead you in Godly ways, and love you in His ways.

Love, Pinky