Monthly Archives: April 2015

life with a toddler: a touch of imagination

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This was the April wall decor at the daycare; by the stairs on the way to the second floor.

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When Yui saw it, she said that “Bubu” (Japanese childish word for pig) is sad, her expression worried. She then looked up at the sky and waved at the (imaginary) balloon and was calling for it to come back.

Yes indeed; with Bubu looking up at the sky and only the elephant holding a balloon, it does seem that Bubu’s balloon floated up and away.

A big smile and warm feelings on Mommy. The imagination. The empathy.

life with a toddler: facing your fears

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We follow a limited screen-time at home for our daughter. Even at that, we’ve been having a hard time keeping our daughter sit still on the sofa whilst watching her videos. She wants to have her face just a couple of inches away from the monitor. We’ve thought of many ways how to keep her face away from the monitor including drawing scary faces and taping it on the monitor’s edge which proved effective for a couple or so days. And then we’re back to square one again.

Last week, Hubs remembered that Yui gets scared of Daruma-san. So he thought of putting the charm atop the monitor. Like magic, it worked and Yui really did keep away from the monitor.

Until one evening. I was in the kitchen cooking when she ran to me, calling “Mommy, Mommy!”, her voice urgent. When I looked up, she was running to me holding the Daruma in her right hand, her right arm stretched as far away from her face as she could, her face also angled away from the Daruma, her eyes on a squint watching out for the Daruma yet at the same time (probably) checking it that it didn’t creep up her arm.

Instantly, I was barraged with a number of emotions. Of course there was the small chagrin of seeing our scare-tactic failing again. But the most prevalent of all the emotion was pride and wonderment. That this little lady faced her fears just so she can be where she wanted to be. That this little lady overcame her fear and handled her fear bravely, this fear that hindered her from fully enjoying what she wanted to do. And yes, there’s that Mommy joy, rejoicing with the fact that my little child is fully confident that Mommy is always there to support her.
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baby diaries: love

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It’s past one and I know I should already be off to bed I could just not stop looking at you while you sleep. I thought I’d only be loosing sleep like this – gazing at you – when you’re in your infancy. But it has continued well into your toddlerhood, and probably well into your adulthood as long as we live under the same roof.

It’s inexplicable joy when you’ve met and married the man/woman you’ve been dreaming of since you were a kid. But having your own baby is a whole lot different experience that most of times, it could make a 180degrees change in you. When I was single (and some months during our married life) I wasn’t working overtime, weekends were mostly spent only on sleeping and movies and sleeping. Having a baby, there are times you find yourself about to ask, “sleep? What word is that?” .

Still Anak, the joy you bring to Daddy and Mommy and the myriad of emotions (most prominent of which is worry about your well being) and ideas you spark within us is incomparable.

From Mom and Dad, thank you. Grow up well.

Oh, The Places You’ll Go! Daycare Year 2

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First day at Year 2(つぼみ組). Yet more exciting things to come for you, Anak! From Monday, your class have started with the Moving Up transition; lockers and bins were already placed in your new room. And you yourself has been making a milestone since Monday! When we were about to leave the house and Mommy was preparing your baby car, you resolutely said, “it’s ok, it’s ok. Yui walk”. And that’s how it has been for two days now, morning and night. We leave your baby car at home, you’ve walked to/from daycare, rode the bus and had fun pushing the stop button (Mommy hopes this’ll help somehow with your self-esteem; that even though you’re still tiny, just with a small push, you can make all those switches light up and make the bus stop. Mommy can only hope!). And during the long walks (I do think they were very looong for you!), you held on to Mommy’s hand (well, there were a few struggles when you let go of Mom’s hand and made a sprint which made Mommy’s stress level soar to high heights because vehicles were passing by) and Mommy needn’t carry you at all. You did a very good job! Continue to do the great job you’re doing Anak! Daddy and Mommy loves you.

 

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