Terrible Twos

When I first read about the literature of Terrible Twos, I refused to believe that it applied to ALL toddlers. After all, every kid is unique and different right?

I hear many stories of how tods were already terrible-twoing before they even turn 2. Matt, on the other hand, displayed very little terrible twos symptoms. Some, but very little. Right up to the DAY he turned two.

On the dot.

I wanted to die laughing that I had been wishfully thinking I was one heck of a lucky mommy!

It has been harder to negotiate anything with him. For instance, it used to work when I say, "Ok, you lie down and let mama wear your diapers first, then you can have Percy." These days, he wails, and pulls away with his whole body weight towards whatever he has set his mind on. He does this in the public as well, and when he is losing the tug of war, he just sits himself down on the ground, however crowded, however dirty, and refuses to budge.

It has also been harder to distract him. It used to be that when he was upset and reasoning with him wasn't working, I was able to divert his attention away from what was upsetting him. Now, it is almost impossible, even with his favourite things.

He is much more assertive, and insists hard on what he wants or doesn't want. Almost as if he realises he has a mind of his own and is ready to fly with it. I deal with at least 3 - 4 bouts of tantrum crying a day, sometimes in one night!

Because both of us refuse to give in to each other. Sometimes he wins, sometimes I win.

Maybe people consider this mild, but to me, it's a stark behavioural change.

I am prepared for worse. It may just be the beginnings of a tough development stage.

But I hope that Matt, being the pretty easy-going chap that he is, will breeze through this phase.

The Story Teller

I look forward to the bedtime routine I have with Matthew every night, and I believe he does, too. He would drop his toys willingly and go upstairs to his room, takes his books, toddle over to me and plonks himself on my lap and we read and read till it's milk time.

In the last one or two months, he started "reading" on his own. This is one of the many stories I love to hear him tell. Jonah and the Fish.

".. got on a boat .. boom! thunder ... (no idea what he is saying) ... captain .. run away .. captain .. captain ... helping .. throw .. throw .. THROW! .. dark water ... please God help me .. the big fish eee swallow ... glub glub glub ... (no idea what he is saying) .... Jonah go home!"

I never really knew how much of what I read was absorbed by the little boy until these outward display of him reading out loud. It is so interesting hearing him tell stories through key words that he remembers me reading.

Goofing Around

Underwater Sea World

In our attempt to widen his world beyond Thomas the Train and Bob the Builder, we brought Matt to Underwater Sea World last month. He looked intrigued enough for some parts, but seemed more keen on the travellator he was on ..

Lantern Festival - October 09

Matt's first lantern. It lasted less than 10 seconds, with loads of coaxing him to carry it.

Let Him

Sometimes things happen that make me down. And outrightly lost. Last few days were, I feel, a test of where my faith is.

I searched, I researched, I tried to understand. I didn't know how or what to pray. Then I decided. Let Him.

Things slowly became clearer.

Sometimes all we really need is closure. And I've got mine tonight. Finally.

Let Him.

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding" (Proverbs 3:5)

I Love You

Dear Matthew,

You were born this day 2 years ago! Holding you in my arms seconds after you were delivered, mama was emotionless. Not happy, not sad, not relieved, not anything. Numb. I didn't know what to feel. It was only after mama was wheeled out of the delivery suite that tears came flowing freely. Tears of fear, tears of relief, tears of joy, tears of amazement, tears of gratitude, tears of love. These were the emotions that stayed with mama throughout the last 2 years, and probably for many many more years to come.

Time very quickly pass us by, and here you are today, already 2!!

You are now capable of so many things, some, mama and papa played a part in teaching, a lot of others we don't know where you picked up from.

You sometimes throw seriously bad tantrums, but you are super cute when you do it and try to peep to see why we ain't responding.

You bit mama, and especially only mama, when your molars were coming out, and when I scolded you, you learnt to melt me by giving me the "oh no i am so sorry mama" look.

Sometimes, you are outright unreasonable, like how you seem to want me to pat you through the night in your sleep!

You don't eat like your foodie parents, you don't sleep like your sleepyhead parents! Why?!

You are now capable of counting, imitating, talking, and say the darndest things that make us smile and swell with pride!

You smile and melt the hardest of hearts.

Your innocence makes me want to protect you forever.

Your frown ... omg, you are like your papa through and through!

It amuses me each time you see a baby and you call him/her "baby!" You are still my baby!

I love to see you toddle around. Initially very ungainly, but now, you are so much more sure footed. I still cannot believe you are 2!

You are the pride of mama's and papa's life.

We love love love to hear you read and animate.

You remind mama that life is not worth sweating over the little things. You remind me that life is filled with things to be thankful for.

You give mama the biggest hugs, and I especially love the ones you run with all your might and throw yourself into mama's arms so trustingly.

And yes, son, mama will always catch you.

I am enjoying the ride on our road map so far, and am looking forward to more! Happy birthday, Matty Matt! Love you to bits, baby!

Welcome to Matt's Party!

click to see enlarged

I was initially kinda reluctant and lazy to plan a party for Matt's second birthday. But hubs thought we should do some thing to celebrate, so I got my act together and pieced together a little tea party. Naturally, the theme was of Bob the Builder, given his love for the program. I shopped online on e-Bay and found Bob the Builder invites, party banners and loot bags operated by OurPartyShop.

We celebrated together with our close friends who have kids about the same age. Kids' menu comprised grapes, strawberries, cheese and ham sandwiches, cheerios, Leibniz animal biscuits and fruit jelly. Adults filled their stomachs with mini burgers from Botak Jones, canapes and mufflines from Delifrance, nuggets, taco chips and fruits.

The highlight of the party was the rented slides, from Rent-a-Toy. The kids had SO much fun. Due to some uneventful event before the party (courtesy of our helper!) which made me hopping mad (very mad!), Matt did not get his nap, and I was VERY wary of a meltdown. But the little dynamite went on and on happily at the slides, stopping often to eat loads of his favourite strawberries, cheerios and biscuits. We also rented kids tables - it was a lovely sight to see the little ones sit and eat together.

Cake was a chocolate 'construction site' with all his favourite toys on it. I had to steal his toys and give them to Debbie from Room for Dessert for a couple of days. Debbie makes the yummiest cakes! We have gotten Matt's cakes from her for 1 month, 1 year and 2 year old celebrations!

It was a great great celebration with happy happy kids!

Silly Me Picked History over Geography

I vaguely remember a lesson in geography eons ago that made me, in hindsight, chose the "wrong subject." We were examining some slimy animal eyeball thingie. Eeewwww! So I picked history, learnt about hang tuah and laksamana, of Japanese cycling in the Malayan jungles, even went on to Russian history later on, and did relatively well.

I was at a party some time ago recently, an outdoor-sy one. We were all busy eating when some kid pointed out a worm, and I said out loud to the kid, "I think it's a baby snail with no shell yet." I could tell that all the mommies around me thought so, too. Till someone's son, probably about 6, said, "Oh! It's a slug!"

Well, no other mother said it loud that it was a snail except for me. I managed a "ahahah! so it is! a slug!" and wanted to blend in with the bushes nearby.

I am sure if I had stuck on to geography, I would have learnt all about slugs!

I had better stop being so ignorant. But I am hopeless with these things!

For a start, I can now tell a digger apart from a crane or a hi-hoist. They used to be collectively known as tractors.

I want to know how to differentiate cumulonimbus, cumulus and stratus clouds; and the humus and bedrock. I want to learn these things so I can impart knowledge responsibly. I remember reading about this little English boy who said he studied about the retreating waves being an indication of a tsunami, and how with that, his parents moved away from the beach front, and that saved the entire family.

Matt's First Best Friend(s)

Meet Matt's first best pals. Actually, he does look a lot like Bob. Character-wise, he is cheeky like Thomas, the train.

Little Things 3

Matt has been watching Bob the Builder and Thomas and Friends DVDs a lot. And he loves those episodes with the machines getting into accidents. We describe these accidents "so and so fall down." One day, when he tripped over, he exclaimed "Matt-chu fore down!"

When the "machines fall down", another will come help. When he plays with his Thomas and Train playset, he does an identical role-play.

Like his mama, he is a blankie monster. But he sleeps badly with it at night with him tossing and turning around, getting the blankie caught between his legs and all over, so I remove it once he falls asleep.

He sleeps tummy down since the day he could flip over.

He really recognises roads! We tested him by driving in the opposite direction from where we told him we were going. He got all vexed up and cried until he is finally on the familiar road he knows. Then he will chuckle!

My boy is a strategist - he eliminates threat when he sees one. For example. He loves having me put him to bed. Once in a while, I will say "papa put you to bed, ok?" He will look long and hard at daddy, then toddle over, holds his papa's hand, and lead him out of the room to the stairs and say, "papa go downstairs."

I am a Big Boy

I am big enough for the adult chair eventhough you think not. And I know I am cute with only my head above the height of the table, and I can see you smiling behind that camera! I refuse to sit in my ikea highchair anymore!

Goofy Cheeky - I Loves!

Do I Even Know I Am Eating?

Sadly, I have come to this ....



I caved in, finally, to allow Matt to watch tv at mealtimes, something which I have strongly been against.
I feel bad about it, but it does a wondrous job getting the nutrients in.
Poor excuse.
I hope he grows out of it in time to come. I don't know. Help.

Happy at Seletar Reservoir

Pre-School I Come Hither ... Not?

Last Thursday, I brought Matt to the Kinderland Pre-School Open House. Toying with the idea of sending Matt to Kinderplay, and it is the nearest most convenient pre-school near my place.

Matt seemed intrigued by the many kids his age, and happily followed their every movement from classroom to the hall, ocassionally turning back and running back to me. I was, however, a little less enthusiastic. The person-in-charge kept warning me that Matt will SURELY fall sick, in fact, very often. She kept emphasizing that while it's tough on the parents, and if we pull the child out, it's a lot of paper work for them, and there will be disruption to the child. I don't know what look I had on my face, but she continued to warn me. To a point where I was wondering is she trying to scare me away from enrolling Matt.

They also focus a lot on independence, she said. The children learn to eat, shower, play, walk by themselves. Maybe because I was carrying Matt a lot, I must've projected an image of a protective mother. But hey. Cut me some slack. It was raining with wind blowing in strong gusts, and little Matt was in a singlet and shorts.

I turned my attention from her to the children. They look happy. They look like they are having fun. Things she said just drowned in the background. Matt looked like he wanted to join them.

I asked her what do they do if the children misbehaves. They don't do anything. I displayed shock, and asked if they do not correct the children? She said they do not believe in punishing the children. Well, I don't need them to punish, in fact, I do not want them to. But they do need to be stern and correct the children on the spot.

Maybe she saw through that I am reluctant to let go. To let Matt be exposed to all the germs out there. Perhaps I was holding on tightly to little Matthew that she noticed I will have trouble letting go. I guess it takes an experienced teacher to notice these signs in mothers :-P

Mixed bag of emotions as I left. Pre-school. Why not? I only want what's best for Matt. What is the best? My gut feel is to delay delay delay. Hubs thinks Matt's ready. But hey darling, we went to kindergarten only when we were 5! Shall we wait?

Sick Little Puppy

We've just been doing, doing, doing, bringing Matt out at any opportunity, almost as if it was a rush against time before hubs takes off on a trip.  No time to update the blog!  Until now.  My little man is a sick puppy :-(

Slight cough Thursday morning, slight fever Thursday night, worse cough slight runny nose Friday, 38.8C fever Friday night!  Matt always does this to me, turning me into a frazzled mommy whenever hubs is away.  I'm kinda getting used to this.  Luckily this time, hubs got back the same night when high fever developed.  Next morning, paedi confirmed he is down with a cold, and prescribed him some medication.

That afternoon, I thought it would be a breeze to put him to sleep considering the amount of medication we pumped the little fella.  Maaaan!

Have you met an eager beaver?  An eager beaver on a high?  That most aptly described Matt during the TWO hours drive in the car!

Made a call to pharmacist friend.  Terbutaline!  Charged and found guilty!  I swear this will be the last time Matt is taking it.

This morning, Matt's cough took a turn for the worse.  Another trip to the doctor, thank goodness his lungs are clear.  All medications upped an ante higher, with Augmentin on standby.

Matt remained chirpy, happy little kiddo, never once displaying any signs of being unwell.  Hope he feels 100% soon.

On My Own

Sigh.  Hub's away again.  No like it.