Thursday 3 September 2009

Outing on Teacher's Day

Gabby's CC was closed on Teacher's day. The HONs decided to take leave too and have some family time. Vivo city was not the initial venue. The original plan was to Liang court, We took a train to Clarke Quay station and discovered that it was rained heavily. Anyway, no regrets, caused we had a great time in Vivo too.

We were walking ard the mall and did stop for the 'golden time' @ Modesto. We ordered 2 beers, 1 cranberry juice and 1 Penne Bolognese for Gabby and me.

After the 'golden time', it's time for the wet ones. Guess where were we????

Yes, we were at the 3rd level of Vivo city. We always wanted to bring Gabby to the beach but didn't make it for many reasons........ :P So this was the little compensation for our princess.
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Photobucket There was an indian girl join in the fun.....
Photobucket Splashing and more splashing.....
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Photobucket Oops, what's that, Papa..........
Photobucket Oh Papa, I think I saw some fishes.....
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Thursday 20 August 2009

Same place, 1 year later

Late post. I simply had a hard time loading picts to this stupid blogspot until Rachel shown me the hows of using photobucket. Thanks Rach, if not for her, this blog of mine will turn rust and moldy. same function also happen in Facebook loh. Sign, what is wrong with them?????

Anyway back to my story.

We were at Ngee Ann City on 9th August, our National Day. I deeply remember that we had taken photos there about a year ago. So when I compared the photos that were taken then and recently, Gabby has grown so much. She no longer look babyish ( to me, she still does look one) and has 'promoted' to the 'angelic' 2 ( I refusse to use the word Terrxxxx). She is so mobile and agile that we have to constantly follow her when we are in the mall/crowded places. She does 'disappear' among the crowds.

Anyway she does have her cutie sides too, so much more that this post can't contain all. Just to name a few (in case you guys start falling asleep), she is more willing to share food with us (without we asking), always offer her cheeky smile whenever we got mad with her (by doing that, most of time she got away from canning) and always make funny faces to cheer us up (will try to take picts if we are fast enough).

Cut the long story short, these are the proofs of her growing up.

Taken 27th April 2008 Ngee Ann City 1
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Taken 27th April 2008 Ngee Ann City 3
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Taken 27th April 2008Ngee Ann City 2

Friday 31 July 2009

Loving Children unconditionally

Recently I’ve subscribe to Positive Parenting weekly newsletter. Okay, I know some might says that I’m too anxious/kiasu/obsess over Gabby upbringing or being a ‘perfect’ parent. The funny thing is I’m used to think about my friends (with kids) too. It is only come to this stage of life then you realize you do need quite a lot of external advice to keep your life in ‘sane’.

To me, raising a child is like an art. It require a person to equips with the knowledge, patience, experience and most important, LOVE. Gabby is my 1st born, hence to increase my experience and lessen ‘the pain’, is to read on related topic and talk to experienced parents. So this begins my journey on my new found reading topic.

Back to the subject, there is a column in the weekly newsletter that caught my attention.

7 Helpful Reminders on Loving Children UNCONDITIONALLY*
1. Children are children.
2. Children tend to act like children.
3. Much of childish behavior is unpleasant.
4. If I do my part as a parent and love them despite their childish behavior, they will be able to mature and give up childish ways.
5. If I love them only when they please me(conditional love) ... it will make them feel insecure, damage their self-image and actually prevent them from developing better self-control and exhibit more mature behavior.
6. If I love them only when they meet my requirements or expectations, they will feel incompetent. Insecurity, anxiety and low self-esteem will plague them.
7. If I love them unconditionally, they will feel good about themselves and be comfortable with themselves. They will then be able to control their anxiety and in turn, their behavior, as they grow into adulthood.
* Reference: Positive Parenting Digest, A weekly publication of Institute of Advanced Parentology

This is a reminder to me that no matter how ‘unpleasant’ Gabby can be at times, she is still my beloved child. My love for her can never be lessened but increased over the time, just like GOD love for us is unconditional and will never change.

Wednesday 15 July 2009

Updates: Diet in school

Gabby has made some improvement on her diet. She has finally eaten half of the tuna mayo sandwich during tea break yesterday. This comment may seem strange to some parents but Gabby is a selective eater. According to the teacher, since day 1, she had been refusing food like fish, vegetables (all kinds), mushroom, honeydew, watermelon, apple with skin, etc….. . She only consumes carbo and soup (her favourite and will finish by herself). As she is still new to the environment (coming to 2 weeks), the teachers have been lenient towards her for the time being.

According to the VP, Gabby was arranged to sit with the peers that enjoy food a lot. They hope with the peer pressure, it will motivate her to eat and it works. She had been observing her peers finishing the sandwiches fast and asking for 2nd and even 3rd helpings. In turn, she starts her sandwich by tearing off the edge of the bread (which has the most tuna flakes) and scrubbed as much tuna off the remaining of the bread before she ate it. She also drank ¼ cup of milo.

According to the VP, kids like Gabby, who is a selective eater will eventually improves once they reached Kindergarten. As they needed more energy for their daily activities, they will be eating more and better. Another factor is they are constantly been feed with the food that the CC gives, it’s only a matter of time before their body senses (taste, visual, smell) will get use to it. So there is hope for all selective eaters, so long we parents don’t give up. For me, I’m more relaxed than before. At least Gabby had been eating sweets, chocolate and many others things on many occasion. I believe the important of having balance diet with enjoyment. So Gabby, Gambetta!

Tuesday 14 July 2009

Funny hats

We were @ Ikea Tampines 2 wks ago, caught Gabby putting on her fav hats.
The Birthday cake
The Fruit basket
These days, whenever she get change to new sets of clothes, first day she would do is to admire herself infront of the mirror. Did I also mentioned tossing her hair too?

Friday 10 July 2009

Comm Book

Finally the Teacher-Parent Communication book (comm. book) is here. This book supposed to be in Gabby’s bag since day 1 with Kinderland but the centre has run of stock until 2 days ago.

The comm. book is quite professionally designed. Why I said, is because most CC give an ordinary blue notebook which you can get from Popular or other bookstores. The CC will paste a label with info like: CC name, Child name and class. Well over here they give this
On the 1st page, it has a note to parent explaining some of the features that can be found in the book

At the end of each month, there is a checklist in different areas of the child development . Teacher suppose to check the 'bigger' or 'smaller' leaf at the side of each box to indicate the progress of your child. The 'bigger' leaf signifies that the skill has been 'Observed' and the 'Smaller' leaf indicates that your child is 'Working on it'. Also parents are suppose to participate in the exchange by providing specific information about your child based on the questions asked posed in 'Word to parents'. We, the parents are suppose to write our observations in "From parents to the teacher' section. I like this section as this allows me to know the progress of my child, but on the hand, it means more writing.


A copy of daily schedule is pasted at the back of the book.

Wednesday 8 July 2009

Our 1st Picnic @ Jacob Ballas Children's Garden

Sorry guys for the very late post. Our very 1st picnic @ Jacob Ballas Children's Garden.

The attendees are Joanne and Lycia, The Loks, Joey and The Hons. We met at the entrance @ abt 5ish and choose a spot near the pond. By then, everyone were ready for the fun.
Our spread

The lovely princesses

Joanne and Lycia

The 2 'Js', Joelle and Joey.


The HONs would like to thank Joanne for inviting us to this wonderful outing and we look forward to the next one.
Gabby has left the previous CC for good and started her 1st day @ Kinderland on 1st July 2009.

We had prepared Gabby weeks ahead that she be transferring to another CC by doing the following:
1. Brought her to the new CC to play on Saturday for the past weeks.
2. Whenever we pass by NTUC, we would tell her that her new school is located on the 3rd floor.
3. Told her that she be going to a new environment, meeting new friends and teachers.

The day has come. Our Princess Hon is ready for school. As a tradition, my mum would give her a red packet on the 1st day of school as signify for good start in the new environment.


Her new uniform, t-shirt with shorts (exercise attire) for the morning. After shower, she would be changed into her long sleve with track pants.
Back view
Getting ready for school

On the way to Kinderland
We stayed for an hour and left just before the lesson starts @ 9ish. We carried her and told her that we be going away for awhile (a white lie) and will be back later to bring her home. Gabby cried, of course, at the very natural state. We almost didn’t make it for the lift, cause of Gabby’s separation anxiety.
By about 1ish, the chinese teacher called me and told me that Gabby has stopped crying shortly after we left, not even a sob after that (I told you she is a smart girl, she wouldn’t waste her tears for nothing). She also told me that Gabby has been quite attentive during lesson and has no problem with the teachers and classmates. Even the vice-principal was surprise that she can adapt to the new environment fast. I told the teacher that it could be due to the preparation as mentioned above and this is the 2nd CC for her. Anyway, as her name say, Gabrielle, which means GOD is her strength (Hebrew). In whatever things she does, GOD’s strength and wisdom would always be with her. Amen.

We were very pleased that she is doing fine and continue our date with a peace of mind. :P We were there @ abt 4:30 to bring her home and Missy Gab was having her tea. So we waited till abt 4:45 and our darling Princess was done and was happy to see us. The assistance teacher told us that she needed to change Gabby to her ‘home’ clothes and diaper before she left for the day. (Think it’s the tradition of Kinderland practice but I could be wrong.) Also was told to bring a bottle of lotion so that they can apply some on her after the shower.

So far The Hons experience with Kinderland is quite good but it’s too early to tell. Let’s hope things stayed the way it is.

Monday 8 June 2009

Strawberry and Gabby

Lately, Gabby is into strawberry. It all started many weeks ago, I came back with a box of Korean strawberries. As most of you know, Korean strawberries are mostly ‘naturally’ sweet and never sour. Hence, Princess Hon is hooked ever since. She can’t take her eyes off the strawberry. Whenever, I see one, I would try to get a box home for her. Not on every occasion but whenever I can.

For the past 2 weeks, we were having strawberry short cake from Four Leaves almost every Saturday and Sunday. Gabby would take a few bites of the cake but she would eat every single pieces of strawberries (halve and slices) all by herself. The remaining was down into our stomachs. Since then, I can picture myself eating another piece of cake anymore especially strawberry short cake!!!

For those who know me long enough, I’m very into Gabby’s diet. Some would even say I’m obsessed. Well, blame it on the years that I took Food and Nutrition as my ‘O’ level subject but I do believe that diet do play apart in our future health condition. I would want Gabby to have a better eating habit.

Anyway, I did some research on the web to find out the nutritive value of strawberry and here are the findings:
Has the ability to remove harmful toxin in the blood.
A rich source of folic acid
Highly rated as skin cleansing food
Removes tartar from the teeth and strengthens and heals the gums.

Reference: http://hubpages.com/hub/Health_Benefits_of_Strawberry

Who say only an apple a day keeps the doctor away, so now we should also include strawberry in our diet too. More strawberries, anyone……

Monday 18 May 2009

Mother's day

This was the mother’s day gift from Gabby.


The CC helped her with the cupcake and card but I’m sure the heart was from Master Gabby. I’m loving it.

Friday 8 May 2009

How to raise a happy child

I always wonder if Gabby is a happy gal?

As full time working parents, time with her is always limited. That’s why JHon will bring her to CC every morning and I will fetch her back (usually we will spend minimum half hr on rides and walking around the mall). Weekend and holiday are our reserved family time. We usually spend our evening watching her favorite videos (The Little Eninsteins, Barney, Fun Songs Factory, etc…..), playing puzzles, play pretends, Alphabets tablets, etc. Not sure if these are enough but we always have a great time, laughing and end up tickling each other on bed.


Found an interesting article on baby Centre on How to raise a happy child (ages 2 to 4).
http://www.babycenter.com/0_how-to-raise-a-happy-child-ages-2-to-4_1492443.bc?showAll=true

It teaches you to learn to read signs if your child is a happy one. As mentioned in the article, “a happy child smiles, plays, shows curiosity, socializes with other children, and doesn't need constant stimulation.”

“The signs of an unhappy child are clear: The child "is withdrawn, quiet, not eating very much, doesn't spontaneously get involved with other children, doesn't play, doesn't ask questions, doesn't laugh and smile, and has very spare speech."

Read about it to find out more. Enjoy. :)

Thursday 7 May 2009

What went wrong

It had never crossed my mind that a toddler might have UTI (urinary tract infection). This can be common in adults but children??? I didn’t know until Monday.

On Monday, I met up with my best friend for dinner and had my dad to fetch Gabby from CC. When I reached home, read the communication book (a habit formed since the day Gabby started CC) and it was written that Gabby had been scratching her private part and complained to the teachers that she felt pain in that area. I thought it wasn’t that serious until 9ish that nite. I fed her with 160ml of water and half an hr later, she was screaming loudly, clenching her fists as if she was in great pain. All of us were in shock as we keep asking her what was wrong. She just kept screaming and crying loudly. When she finally calmed down and we realized that the diaper was warm. There is a very least chance for her to react to this manner unless the pain is beyond her threshold (FYI, she do have very high pain threshold. The last time she did that when she had a bad nappy rash. The wounds were raw and bright red and only reactedwhen the wound exposed to water.)

JHon said that we should go to KKH to have it checked. We reached around 10:45pm and only reached home around 6ish the next morning. The doctor had done twice the urine test and confirmed that Gabby has UTI. According to the nurse @ KKH that this can be common among the children especially girls. She was given Antibiotics for 15 days. 1st 10 days, 3 times daily, to treat the UTI and the last 5 days for prevention.

Found an article on toddler and children with UTI, it says “Baby girls using diapers are more prone to get UTI than baby boys. In girls, the distance between the anus and meatus (the outside opening of the urethra) is short and as stool remains long within the diaper, there are more chances of bacteria entering the urethra and move upwards after multiplying. Also, in girls, during toilet training, wiping which is usually from back to front tends to push bacteria nearer the meatus.”

Reference: http://www.nativeremedies.com/articles/toddler-children-urinary-tract-infection.html

Please be careful if your babes are on diaper, especially girls. If the child has a history of UTI, chances of getting it again is high. Please do let them drink barley water/ cranberry juice on weekly basis. It does help to minimize the chance.

For Gabby, the CC has started to expose her to seat on the toilet seat and the full training will start at the 3rd quarter/end of this year instead of mid next year (cause she has gotten UTI.)

Yesterday, JHon has talked to the supervisor firmly that the CC teachers have to change her diaper more regular instead at the fixed timing and be more attentive towards the children.

I was very upset that the teacher noticed that Gabby was scratching and complains about the pain but no one from the CC had called to inform us. This is not the 1st time but this would definitely be the last time I’m going to tolerate this. Otherwise, The HONS would not hesitate to take Gabby out of this CC.

Friday 24 April 2009

Building confident and self-esteem child

I was looking for some articles on toddler behavior and had come cross this interesting article on Building confident in your child in Baby centre.

The article mentioned that Children under three crave our attention, and if it is easier to get it when they are naughty, then they will be naughty. It just happens that way, because actions that lead to a desired result tend to be repeated. But there is a price. If the way he gains our attention emphasises our negative views of him this lowers his self-esteem and the confidence he has in himself.” These happen to Gabby, especially during changing of her diaper and get her to wear her clothes after bath. These things will get only get done after much shouts and occasionally some canning.

In ending, it says "In the long run a child with confidence and self-esteem will be better behaved as well as more likely to stretch himself to his full potential.”
Not sure if it works on Asian children, but The HONs are going to a try. *fingers cross*

Why confidence matters
It is easier for a child to feel confident when they feel competent and easier to feel competent when other people praise what they do. Children blossom when the adults they care about like what they do. We could, of course, write this the other way around. It is easier for a child to be competent when they feel confident and easier to feel confident when other people have confidence in them. Children blossom when we expect them to blossom. They sink when no one expects them to swim.

Adults and older children can put on a show of confidence even when they do not actually feel confident, but small children cannot do this. What you see is what they feel. Adults can pretend that failure does not matter and can talk themselves into believing that something is less important to them than it actually is -- but small children cannot. What they can do is bounce right back from failure and criticism unless that failure and criticism is persistent, in which case the elastic starts to get a little slack. Because the habits we form as small children often follow us through life, persistent criticism and persistent failure can set the mould for the rest of his life.

The power of belief
Believe in your child. Always think that he 'can' because what you project to him (knowingly or unknowingly) really does influence what he can do. Research suggests that boys are better readers in classes in which teachers believe boys learn to read sooner, while girls are the better readers in classes where teachers believe that girls do better. If teachers exert such influences in the year they teach a child, think how much benefit (or damage) a parent could do. In another study one group of children were repeatedly told they were good at maths and another group that they should be better -- guess which group did better in the maths tests at the end of the year?

How to convey your belief
• Tell your child he is special -- 'You are the very best Jamie in the whole world'.

• Tell him he can -- 'That is really hard, but I think you can do it'.

• Appreciate his efforts -- 'That was really hard and I know you tried your very best. You get a big, big T for trying'.

• Look for the good -- 'Those silly socks again -- but you got the pants, T-shirt and the trousers right!'.

• Expect -- 'I expect you to pick up that puzzle'.

• Thank him -- 'Thank you for putting the toys away'.
Building self-esteem

Because a child's view of himself is partly a reflection of the views other people have of him, the view you project as his parent is very important. In the days when most children lived in large extended families with brothers, sisters, grandparents, cousins, aunts, uncles and neighbours all interacting with a child the negative views of one doubter probably carried less weight than it does today.

Not all parents who love their children make this clear to them. Nor do parents always balance criticism with praise. Busy lives mean we often use the times children are being good to do the tasks we need to do. In effect, we ignore them when they are good. Because we cannot get on with our own things when children are naughty we inadvertently give more attention to bad behaviour.

Children under three crave our attention, and if it is easier to get it when they are naughty, then they will be naughty. Your child does not sit down and think to himself, 'If I am naughty Mum will stop making phonecalls' anymore than you think, 'If I give him attention when he is disruptive he will become more disruptive'. It just happens that way, because actions that lead to a desired result tend to be repeated. But there is a price. If the way he gains our attention emphasises our negative views of him this lowers his self-esteem and the confidence he has in himself.

To help build your child's self-esteem:
Always:
• Give regular attention to good behaviour -- a smile, a pat on the head, a 'That looks great' is all that's needed.

• Try to ignore bad behaviour. Don't shout -- either walk away or put on a stony face, pick him up and put him outside the room. When he comes back into the room (which he is allowed to do) tell him how glad you are that he has decided to be good.

• Criticise the behaviour not the child -- 'Pinching is a naughty thing to do' not, 'You are a naughty boy'. The first version leaves his self-esteem intact, the second runs it down.

• Keep a running tally of praise and criticism -- and make sure the praise is always in the lead.

• Use carrots generously and sticks frugally. They both work, but carrots build esteem and sticks deplete it. In the long run a child with confidence and self-esteem will be better behaved as well as more likely to stretch himself to his full potential.

Never, never:
• Call him names or run him down.

• Let others call him names or run him down.

• Forget to tell him you love him to bits.
How to encourage competence

• Expect it.

• Praise it.

• Say, 'I know you will try your best'.

• Say, 'I know that you tried really hard'.

• Break tasks down into manageable chunks and work with him so that he does the bits he can do.

• Help him in unobtrusive ways. For example, if you put his T-shirt face down on the bed he is more likely to put it on the right way round.

• Push gently -- when he can do a puzzle with four pieces give him one with six then 10 then 15. If he cannot manage 15 pieces then find one with 12.

• Let him know that you make mistakes: 'Silly Mummy -- look what she has done. Now I am going to have to start all over again. I hate that'.

• Let him know you sometimes need encouragement: 'I think I need a Jamie cuddle'.

Reference: http://www.babycentre.co.uk/toddler/development/stimulating/confident/

Thursday 9 April 2009

Did I mention that Megan has received RECYCLED and MISSING PARTS birthday present?

Well this person is really mean to a 1yo child.

To that person, if you have difficulties in finances or ‘heart’ or anything, please don’t give.

To me, this is Megan 1st birthday and the parents have the heart to invite you and your family to share the joyous occasion. Please, how could you do it to such a cute and innocent girl?

As I always said “The seeds that the person sow, the person will reap the fruits”. Well, if you don’t believe, see this for yourself. Ning Meng Nai Cha

Wednesday 8 April 2009

Double Joy

We were invited to a birthday party for Megan 1st birthday celebration. Would you believe that both father and daughter were born on the same day, 4th April.

We took a cab there. Here she was sitting beside JHon. Looking at the picts, she does look more “pre-schooler” as compare to her peers. Well, she does look more “mature” in picts, as commented by some of our friends.
By then, quite a number of guests were there. As usual, pass the gift to Joelle, say hi to my friends before proceed to the buffet table.

Gabby was very happy to be there. Coz there are many toys and friends to play with.
Birthday girl, Megan
Nicholas
Bernice, beside Gabby.
Play time

Time for cake cutting.
Megan's cake
Loks family portrait

Richard's cake

Look, Gabby has the JHon's sweet tooth.See how much sugar she had ate. At the rate she is going, Gabby is going to be a sugar babe. haahaa....... :P

The daddies @ work.