Category Archives: baby’s stuff

baby diaries: “Mama suki”

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From late last week, Yui has been alternately addressing me as Mama/Mamay.

I was handing Yui her bread for breakfast this morning and was about to ask her if she wants yogurt before her milk. But before I could utter my line, she said the most beautiful thing she’s ever said, and with a wide smile at that while saying it.
Yui: Mama suki.

I wanted to make sure if I heard it right.

Me: Honto (really)? Mommy daisuki? (You love Mommy?)

Yui: nnto. Mama suki.

This time you were nodding your head whilst smiling.

Dad: Honto? Mommy daisuki?

Yui: nnto. Mama suki. Suki. Suki.

Of course I was in heaven the whole day. Thank you anak. It’s a Happy Easter indeed.

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(Yui! Drawn by Daddy)

baby diaries: Secured

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Mommy had a beautiful moment with you earlier this evening, Anak. Thinking about it made me cry tears of joy at 1:30 in the morning.

Dinner was ready to be served (with miso and fresh salad at that!) but we were waiting for Daddy to arrive so we can all eat together. I had just turned off the stove and walked out the kitchen to take your hands off the iMac keyboard. But then you also left the iMac and met me halfway.

You were standing then and was gesturing for me to hold both your hands. Thinking how sweet it was of you to request so, I obliged. But then you turned gymnast. You folded your knees and beautifully arched your back so the top of your head reaches the floor. Achieving this feat, you burst into giggles and laughter and did it again and again, all the while using Mommy’s hands as anchor/gym bar(? hehe). Emboldened, you stood up, arched your back and slowly dipped your head to reach the floor. This being harder, you burst into more laughter when you reached the floor, laughter ringing with happiness because you’ve achieved something difficult. Holding your hands, I can feel how strong you’ve become, how tight your hold was on my hands.

Mommy was very happy to hear your laughter. But what really made Mom’s heart well up was the fact that you were very secured with me. That you know Mommy won’t let go. That you know Mommy can support you. That you know you can achieve a difficult feat by holding on to an anchor, a secure anchor. When you’ve grown up some more, your Dad and I will share with you some more WHO is that secure anchor who will always be with you. But know, dear child, that your Dad and I will try our best to be your anchor, when you need us.

At 19 months, you really haven’t addressed me yet as Mommy albeit there was a weekend when you called me Maman. You’ve consistently addressed me though as “eh-eh-eh”. And that doesn’t bother Mommy at all, Anak. What matters more is that we see you growing up secured, self-assured and able to care for others. These are more than enough.

Grow up well, Anak.

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potty training milestone

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If there’s one baby milestone that I’ve been dreading, it’s definitely potty training. I’ve read the books and articles. I’ve read the “horror stories” – one toddler dashed straight to the couch and sat around before the Mom was able to wipe his bottom. I’ve read the many ways on how to potty train – from rewards system (a cookie, a penny etc for every successful deed) to affirmations. Been looking around for training potties too for a long time now – from standalone ones with famous cartoon characters to toddler toilet seat covers that can be put on top the adults’. However, we haven’t really established yet how to really go about it.

One thing I’m sure though ever since I’ve read about potty training. That my baby has to be developmentally ready before we start to make a go for this difficult task; with my mark for “developmentally ready” being she herself making the initiative that she already wants to be trained.

From early March, Yui has been quiet interested with the toilet room. She hovers around when we go inside; sometimes even banging the door, reminding me of a very funny meme with the twilight zone words yet showing cute chubby little fingers.

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And then from last week, whenever Yui is about to do deed no. 2, (no. 1 being peeing) she would stop whatever she’s doing and present herself in front of me and put on her usual expression when she’s about to poop (mouth stretched thin, face red from effort). I always lead her to her play room for clean up but from last week, we had to make the trip to the play room twice because she still didn’t make the “go” the first time we go to the room.

And so last Friday, when she made the face, I asked her if she wants to go to the toilet. She took a couple of steps towards the toilet, hesitated, then went to the play room and did deed no. 2 there.

Saturday came and we had a spring day walk that took our whole day. When we came home and I went to the toilet, she hovered around. So I asked her if she wants to pee in the toilet. She nodded so I sat her up (no kiddie lid on! We still weren’t able to buy as we thought she still wasn’t “developmentally ready”). But nothing happened so I let her go. Later in the evening however, she came to me wearing her funny about-to-poop face. I asked her if she wants to go to toilet. She nodded yes. And so I sat her up. This time, it was a success. She just sat prim and proper and behaved while I was cleaning her up. Her Dad was very surprised that her diaper was clean still.

So relieved to get through this difficult milestone! We can only hope there won’t be a relapse. Now, we just have to make her tell us when to pee. Will push it next time, when she’s developmentally ready. >

The little things that count

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As Hubs has pointed out, I am such a paranoid and OC Mom. But as protective as I am with our daughter, I am at least at peace that she is taken cared of well at daycare (there actually are times I’m the one pressured, like making sure there’s at least two kinds of vegetables on the menu!).

Today was such a rainy and windy day but I wasn’t that worried (well, aside from the difficulty and unsafeness of maneuvering the baby stroller on one hand whilst holding an umbrella on the other hand whilst battling the strong wind and hard rain) because Yui had a rain cover over her stroller and her daycare bag was waterproof. The bag was obviously waterproof yet we were really touched how Yui’s teachers made the effort of putting the daycare journal (where both parents and teachers write Yui’s activities at home and at daycare) inside a plastic bag so that it won’t get wet.

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Little things like that somehow comforts me that they can be trusted with big things.

Daycare Market Day

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When I went to pick Yui up at daycare, I was delighted yet baffled to see this taped on the wall right near the entrance to Yui’s classroom.

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Then I got wind of the news – today was Market Day, in which the older classes “sold” goods that they helped prepare. And so the younger ones “shopped” around with bags that they helped design with stickers (look how tiny some stickers are! Very good practice for the little hands) and sketches.

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Inside their bags, they also have a wallet but sans play coins for safety purposes.

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So what did our daughter buy?
Negi/spring onion! She must have been fascinated with how long it was. Quite good artwork too. It does look like the real one.

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When she actually got “reunited” with her bag of goodies after I took it off the wall, she exclaimed an exuberant “Ahhh!” when she took out the negi from her shopping bag.

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She also “bought” a donut! She probably was curious as we haven’t given her a donut yet and have no plans to give her one in the near future.

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And, Yui’s most “expensive purchase” – a wrist watch!

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Fun day! Too bad Mom and Dad weren’t allowed to shop!