life with a toddler: plastic bag

Posted on July 20, 2014 by Marjorie

It’s summer and Yui’s daycare will have the pool open for two months. We were required to bring three things: swimsuit, towel (preferably with a hood – I brought Yui a bathrobe) and a plastic bag. I was really baffled with the plastic bag because I find it such a waste and not eco-friendly at all. Was about to buy a pack of plastic bag (as in the same type you’d use in grocery stores but small size) when I decided to just use the Eco bag we used as give away for our wedding since we still have a number with us. That way, I can just wash one while the other is at daycare.

And then come first day of pool and I saw what “plastic bag” really should be. And as it happens, I was the only one who misunderstood. Hubs also thought I knew what plastic bag meant. I finally bought one today, a week after the pool started.

Culture difference blooper.

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

Posted on July 4, 2014 by Marjorie

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”.

Never dull indeed!

baby diaries: silence in the house

Posted on June 28, 2014 by Marjorie

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.

First bestfriend

Posted on June 12, 2014 by Marjorie

One of the many worries that besets parents is the fear that your child would be diagnosed autistic. So you check for early signs, fearful. And with every eye contact with your child, with every smile exchanged with a stranger, with every shared pretend play, somehow your fears are allayed. And because Hubs and I couldn’t see how Yui is behaving with daycare friends, from her previous class and this year’s class, we asked Yui’s head teachers how is my child’s social interaction with the other kids. And all of the head teachers affirmed Yui is ninkimono/popular, always having a big smile for everyone. But yet again, we want to see for ourselves how our child really fares.

Ahhhh. Hearing those giggles and laughter and funny antics from toddler girls – priceless.

And Yui anak, just in case Mommy forgets in time, Saki is the name of your first bestfriend.

baby diaries: tender moments

Posted on May 29, 2014 by Marjorie

Your Ninang Maha was right, Anak. That as you grow up, there’d be tender moments that I have to give up so that you could grow well. And that as we give up one certain bonding moment, for sure they’d be replaced with other forms of bonding.

For one, I have always loved holding you close to me when you go to sleep, singing you “twinkle twinkle little star” (yes! It’s been going on for 21 months now! Counting some more!). But Mommy knows you also have to learn to sleep by yourself on your bed. Oh how I miss your head on the hook of my arm. How I miss your little HEAD and body pushed against Mommy’s. However, by letting you lie down on your bed by yourself, we get to look at each other’s eyes and smile. In the dimmed bedroom light, you smile at Mommy, alternating between an enchanting smile that stretches your mouth real wide and a beautiful smile showing off your teeth. The smile would have been more than enough. But then you look deep into my eyes, your eyes twinkling, your face radiating with love, your face looking happy and secured. During those moments, Mommy’s heart seems to be bursting from the seams. Thank you Yui.

I also had to give up/avoid carrying you with baby carry and walking long distance. Mommy’s back just couldn’t handle it anymore baby. I miss the times that we walk and you’re really close to me, most of times your head leaning on Mom’s chest. The new bonding time in exchange for baby carry? It’s walking with you, your hand firm on my hand. Such lovely walks, baby.

Everyday is such a joy with you anak.

baby diaries: wall decor

Posted on May 8, 2014 by Marjorie

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.

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.

On Chocolate Hill

A chocolatey journey, with Yui!

Category Archives: Toddler life