baby diaries: socks in the laundry basket

Posted on April 3, 2014 by Marjorie

Around early autumn last year, I’ve been encouraging Yui to take off her socks by herself when we arrive at daycare and at home. By winter, it has already become a habit; she takes off her socks without much effort anymore and then hands it to me.

The other day, I thought of bringing it to a higher level and so asked her to bring her socks to her laundry basket by herself. Two nights she obediently followed Mom. This evening, after taking off her jacket, I went to the kitchen to prepare the rice cooker (which by the way has another Yui story since it’s her “work” to push the buttons of the rice cooker).

Much later in the evening when Yui was already asleep, I was putting Yui’s laundry on the washing machine when I saw the socks she wore today. Apparently, without me noticing, she took off her socks as usual and responsibly put them in her laundry basket in the very short time that I prepared the rice.

Anak, you never fail to amaze Dad and Mom by the day. Grow well, anak.

potty training milestone

Posted on March 30, 2014 by Marjorie

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.

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. >

baby diaries: I’m sorry

Posted on February 17, 2014 by Marjorie

Mommy has been drafting two blog posts – your inclination on figure skating and our favourite Japanese books – for two weeks now but Mommy hasn’t gotten around yet to finishing them. But this one Mommy has to write.

You didn’t have your usual baby car sleep at dusk yesterday (because we didn’t go to daycare and we didn’t have family outing) hence you slept early at 9. Mommy did some chores and after an hour, decided to cut your nails which were really quite long already. On to the second finger however, you woke up and had fun having your nails clipped, raising your legs when each foot has to have their turn. End result, you were already quite fully awake.

Mommy tried to hum you back to sleep but it didn’t work. Daddy turned in for the night and so Mommy was able to resume house chores since Daddy was already in the bedroom. But every time Mommy peeped to check on you, you’d be flashing Mommy a big smile, fully awake. You were on Mommy’s side of the bed playing, not on your crib.

When after a long while (almost 1 am! you were trying to go back to sleep for three hours already!) Mommy finally turned in for the night, Mommy asked you to share her pillow, as Mommy could see how hard you’re trying to go back to sleep. On the pillow, Mommy said, “I’m sorry, I woke you up”. What did you do, anak?

You raised your hand and softly patted Mommy’s cheek whilst flashing a big, happy smile and proceeded to kissing Mommy three times on the lips, smiled again, before turning on your other side to sleep.

In your sweet sweet way, you have shown that you’ve forgiven Mommy and shown how much you love Mommy. Thank you anak. And I thank God for giving us a daughter like you.

Life with a toddler: eyeglasses

Posted on February 1, 2014 by Marjorie

Was looking for my misplaced my eyeglasses the other night. With Yui being the treasure hunter that she is, she found it first. I found her trying to put on my eyeglasses. And so now am sporting around lopsided eyeglasses.

back to back parenting lessons learned

Posted on January 29, 2014 by Marjorie

The last couple of nights brought me blessings, blessings in the form of lessons on how to be a better parent.

Everyone who’s close to me knows that I’m a cleanliness freak. And being an OC for cleanliness poses a problem when you have a toddler who likes to explore and who needs to explore for her learning, freedom and independence. So what I did was wipe with alcohol the suspiciously dirty areas (think toilet door for one) that are within her level. But if I’d be doing that every night, what with all the evening chores, I probably wouldn’t have the time to sleep. So we decided to let go and be a little lenient and let her explore half of the kitchen (the part without trash cans and stove/grill knobs) and all the other safe parts of our house. She’s definitely happy.

Earlier, when the box of tissue was used up, I gave it to Yui, thinking she’s going to like playing with it. Then she walked about. I gave a shriek when she headed to the trash can, with “dirty! Dirty! Dirty!!” on my head. But what she did astounded me. She cleanly dropped the box of tissue on the trash can; cleanly being not touching any of the other trash. Of course our daughter heaped praises from us after that, her face radiant.

Never underestimate your baby. Let her explore and learn whilst keeping her safe.

The other lessons learned touched me more deeply. My bonding time with Yui is cuddling her during bedtime. More often than not, she would sleep with any part of my upper body as pillow (yes, even my face, during the wee hours of the morning). But last night my body was just aching all over and that I was so fatigued that her pushing her body against me made me wince in pain. And that using my tummy as pillow further drains my energy. So every time she pushed her little body against me, I pick her up, hug and kiss her and tuck her to her bed, explaining that I wasn’t feeling well and that she had to be a grown up girl for the evening. We repeated the same procedure five or six times more that night, until finally she fell asleep on her bed. I woke up in the morning with her still in her bed, woke up missing her head touching mine, woke up missing her dominating my side of the bed and sleeping soundly in the middle of my pillow. Of course it bothered me the whole day.

Come bedtime this evening, after finishing a story from her Beginner’s Bible and after prayer time, she started to crawl back to her bed, looked back at me with an expression that tells you she was weighing things, and then proceeded to crawling to her bed, holding her blankie close to her. It pierced my heart. She didn’t go to me anymore for cuddling. Then I reminded myself that I taught her to do it. With a sigh and the thought of how babies learn fast, I tucked her into her blankie so she’d feel more snug. I didn’t dare ask her to come over to me. It’ll just confuse her. So I let her be, and we just stared at each other from our individual pillows as I sang her her lullaby, me patting her arm.

But then she made a loud grunt and heaved a sigh that suspiciously sounded like exasperation. She then rose and stood up, hesitated, one feet on the top of the edge of her crib that was positioned almost attached to our bed and waited for my invitation. I stretched out my arm and she jumped down into my embrace. And so we cuddled and cuddled some more, my daughter obviously very happy. She switched into several positions, burrowing into my arms some more, and every time looking at me with a very happy face, confident that she is loved.

Babies grow up really fast. And before you know it, it might be you who’s chasing for her hug. Treasure the now. I’ve already borne the pains of childbirth, it surely doesn’t match the pain of an achy body, especially if your baby is hugging you back as well.

Yui anak, thank you for the gentle reminders. I now have my first bout of pollen allergy for the season and I know from now it’s going to be really hard, health wise. So thank you for this early gentle reminder.

Compliments on a fine autumn day

Posted on November 24, 2013 by Marjorie

We’re having yet another great weather weekend. And since I have to work overtime tomorrow (can’t work today because the networks are down) and today’s a special holiday so our Nihongo class is off, I hounded Hubs that we go out and enjoy the wonderful autumn colors. So off we go to Shinjuku Gyoen.

As the park’s quite far from our place, we first had to take the local Keikyu line and then take the rapid Shonan Shinjuku line. While waiting for the rapid train, we were queuing behind a distinguished-looking old gentleman, the type who exudes authority.

When our train finally arrived, we were lucky that we queued on the door near the priority seat and that it wasn’t crowded hence we could take Yui out her baby car and the three of us could all sit down, with Yui sometimes standing to enjoy the passing scenery, the old gentleman sitting the seat opposite us. I was doing what I usually do when we travel long distance – pointing out to Yui interesting and new stuff, giving her a book or a toy when she got bored looking about, giving her a blanket or towel when she wants one, (she already had snacks and a drink earlier in the local train) and rocking her to sleep, ultimately putting her down on the baby car so she can sleep more soundly and so I can browse the internet with my phone (hehe!).

On one of the station stops, the old gentleman stood to get off. He was standing quite close to the baby car so I looked up. And got surprised to see that he was beaming at me. And with a jolly tone, he said “いいママですよ！” (you are a great mother!). I was so touched with the conviction in his voice and that he really told me so that there were tears in my eyes as I bowed and said my thanks (heck even now I’m teary-eyed!). Being a firs time Mom who is also struggling with keeping a balance between career and being a wife (and a daughter and a friend und so weiter), being complimented like that by a complete stranger (and one who looked snobbish at first glance!) can really touch you deep. Thank you dear stranger. But thank you as well Yui, for being such a well-behaved baby.

Great weather (perfectly blue sky!) and great compliment had me floating as we entered the park. To see all this beauty (unfiltered!).