life with a toddler: douzo, nani, yu-eee-chan!,

A sure fact: life with a toddler is never dull. All these events happened just this evening.
———–
We just got back home and were in the bedroom. I told Yui that we go out the bedroom already and go to the dining area so she can have her snacks (so that Mom can prepare dinner). Then I told her to open the door.

She pulled the door handle down and opened the door. And then she said, “douzo” (please go ahead) while gesturing with her hand to indicate that I go ahead.

A shocked and utterly amazed Mom walked ahead. Of course she had heaps of praise after.

———————
We usually ask her to throw her used tissue and papers on the trash bin. This evening, she was playing with an empty biscuit packaging that’s obviously plastic. Told her to throw it to the bin. I was thinking she’d throw it to the usual place that she places the paper trash into. Surprised when I saw her walk over to the plastics trash bin.

Now the baby already knows how to segregate the trash.
———————

Yui: Nani? (What’s this?)
Mom: it’s a cheetah.
Yui: nani? (Pointing at the same photo)
Mom: it’s a cheetah.
Yui: nani? (Pointing at the same photo)
Mom: it’s a cheetah

Repeat 300 times.

————
She was pointing at the wet tissue dispenser.
Yui: yochan
Mom: ne, yochan (I could not clearly understand the word she’s trying to say so I just guessed “yochan” though I have no idea what it was.
Yui: yochan
Mom: ne, yochan.

Finally, in an almost exasperated and out-of-patience tone, she slowly said,
Yui: yu-eee-chan! Clean, clean, clean.

Apparently she was trying to say that she uses her wipes to clean her hands.
——
This one was last weekend. She was putting her bears to sleep so she picked up a book to read to the teddies. Her choice couldn’t have been more perfect – Goodnight Moon. And nope, we don’t read this to her at bedtime since she prefers that I sing “twinkle twinkle little star” (and only that on endless repeat. She complains if I try to sing another song. I’ve sang it to her at bedtime since she was 1-month old that it had probably become a kind of “security blanket”.

20140704-233755-85075956.jpg

Never dull indeed!

baby diaries: silence in the house

One thing that’s definite of a house with a baby/toddler/kid on it – it’s rarely dull and silent. When the child is awake and they’re silent, parents would definitely rush in to check what’s happening why it was suddenly silent. Rush in with their hearts on their mouth. With Yui tagging along everywhere I go even when inside the house, I broke into a sprint from the kitchen to Yui’s playroom a couple times this week when I realised she wasn’t beside me and it was silent in the house. Relieved beyond words when I came upon these.

20140628-142618-51978001.jpg

20140628-142619-51979863.jpg

baby diaries: wall decor

Was awakened last Saturday morning by a small hand tapping my arm. When I opened my eyes, Yui was smiling at me. She was still lying down but with head raised, looking at me, mouth babbling whilst smiling and pointing from the wall then touching her hips. Apparently, the letter Y fell off the wall and hit her hips which then woke her up. It was so endearing how Yui finds the whole thing funny. She woke me up because she knows I want the letter back up on the wall. After putting it back, she lay down again and the both of us went back to sleep.

20140508-003122.jpg

Organized and putting back things where they usually are – you have some penchant for this, Anak. Today, your sensei pointed out on the renraku note about your inclination towards 後片付け [あとかたづけ (atokatadzuke)]/tidying up/cleaning up/putting things in order. Of course Mommy is proud! 🙂

Grow up well Anak.

baby diaries: “Mama suki”

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.

20140421-013046.jpg
(Yui! Drawn by Daddy)