This evening, after dinner (and dessert of a sweet strawberry donut) for Big Bee, she suddenly exclaimed "Mummy, one of my teeth is coming out!"
I bolted out of my seat immediately and went to inspect her tooth. True enough, her lower right centre tooth was wobbling ever so slightly! We gazed at each other in wonder - Big Bee's expression of surprise was tinged with worry and uncertain fear, mine with pride and happiness.
For this is a milestone indeed! The first milk tooth to be discarded and delivered to the lengendary and elusive tooth fairy! This marks a certain maturity in Big Bee, and I scrutinized Big Bee's troubled face with a roller-coaster concoction of emotions: pride, bittersweetness, joy, happiness, worry (about whether I need to physically pluck out stubbornly wobbly teeth, ewww!).
My first baby girl has stepped up another notch in her journey to independence. One part of me rejoices at the speed of her growing up. Another more melancholic part worries at the aspect of her leaving the shelter and comfort of my protection, growing up to live her own life and dreams.
Monday, June 9, 2008
Sex And The City
Last Thursday evening, I took some time off to watch the "Sex And The City" movie with 2 of my best single girlfriends. The movie evoked vessels of laughter, tricklings of tears and scoops of bittersweet emotions. For the movie is about love, friendship and happily-ever-after...universal themes of what all of us seek in life.
I am thankful for my many best friends (the single, the married, the in-between!) who had accompanied me through life's many splendours and the occasional periods of darkness. For their listening ears. Their shoulders to cry on. For our shared laughter. Common woes. And ultimately for understanding each other, standing by one another.
Without my best girlfriends, my life would be bleaker and harder to manage.
I am thankful for my many best friends (the single, the married, the in-between!) who had accompanied me through life's many splendours and the occasional periods of darkness. For their listening ears. Their shoulders to cry on. For our shared laughter. Common woes. And ultimately for understanding each other, standing by one another.
Without my best girlfriends, my life would be bleaker and harder to manage.
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
"Making Telephone Porridge"
In Cantonese, "making telephone porridge" is synonymous with someone hogging the phone, making a large number of phone calls, and talking on the phone for ages.
And that's what Big Bee had been busy with. Brewing telephone porridge on a daily basis.
Her latest thrill with her friends in school is to exchange phone numbers with each other and call each other in the mornings or the evenings! The glow on her face when the phone rings and the caller ID reflects her friends' numbers is priceless. In fact, she is a CEO of sorts, screening calls to pick up. Whenever the caller ID shows up other numbers that are not her friends', she will refuse to pick up the calls adamantly. Luckily, Mummy's number is still in her "in" list - but I wonder when I will be bummed out (I suspect it will be soon!)
She has calls day in and out. And their conversations are so cute - they will discuss about what they are doing right then (children live immensely in the present, which is a perfect example of how we all should be living our lives), what their parents are doing, what TV shows they are watching. I even caught her gossiping about a party she attended and things that other friends say! Oh my. Is this the start of adolescent independence?
And that's what Big Bee had been busy with. Brewing telephone porridge on a daily basis.
Her latest thrill with her friends in school is to exchange phone numbers with each other and call each other in the mornings or the evenings! The glow on her face when the phone rings and the caller ID reflects her friends' numbers is priceless. In fact, she is a CEO of sorts, screening calls to pick up. Whenever the caller ID shows up other numbers that are not her friends', she will refuse to pick up the calls adamantly. Luckily, Mummy's number is still in her "in" list - but I wonder when I will be bummed out (I suspect it will be soon!)
She has calls day in and out. And their conversations are so cute - they will discuss about what they are doing right then (children live immensely in the present, which is a perfect example of how we all should be living our lives), what their parents are doing, what TV shows they are watching. I even caught her gossiping about a party she attended and things that other friends say! Oh my. Is this the start of adolescent independence?
Food Connoisseur
Little Bee is fast becoming a ravenous food connoisseur. She is in love with food!
Yesterday at lunchtime, she screamed the moment she saw me bringing out her steaming porridge of fish and broccoli. She struggled and yelled in desperation as I was putting her bib on. And kept lunging her toddlership towards the dining table, her little face full of anxiety and angst, obviously beleaguered by the fear that the bowl of porridge will suddenly grow a pair of legs and strut off the dining table! I had to use all my mighty strength to prevent her from dashing right to the steaming hot porridge!
She finally calmed down with her first mouthful of porridge - pure bliss on her face, as if she is slurping on a rich creamy dollop of chocolate ice-cream. Pure bliss followed by immediate impatience when she swallowed that spoonful of porridge in 2 seconds to see slowcoach Mummy still frantically blowing on that spoonful of hot porridge! She tugged on my arm forcefully, and gabbled some gibberish in a really angry tone, as if I was going to eat up her precious food! Whew. This struggle went on for at least 6-8 mouthfuls with her sitting vigilantly by my side, eyeing her spoonful of porridge with a hawk's eye...before she gave a satisfied, Cheshire Cat grin and started pottering about in her usual mien. I guess her voracious hunger was comfortably gratified!
Her favourite word is now "mum mum" (note: "mum mum" for eating, and definitely NOT for "Mummy"). Right after her meal, if she sees us eating, she will stop whatever she is playing with, and trot to us with her infamous uttering of "mum mum" followed by frenzied finger pointing and distraught screeching at our food! And this action is ubiquitous - every time she sees us eating, irregardless of how full she is.
I read that fat genes start brewing in our bodies from young. And Mummy here has got fat genes before. So....I am keeping my fingers crossed that Little Bee can still maintain her current svelte and petite figure despite her voracious appetite!
Yesterday at lunchtime, she screamed the moment she saw me bringing out her steaming porridge of fish and broccoli. She struggled and yelled in desperation as I was putting her bib on. And kept lunging her toddlership towards the dining table, her little face full of anxiety and angst, obviously beleaguered by the fear that the bowl of porridge will suddenly grow a pair of legs and strut off the dining table! I had to use all my mighty strength to prevent her from dashing right to the steaming hot porridge!
She finally calmed down with her first mouthful of porridge - pure bliss on her face, as if she is slurping on a rich creamy dollop of chocolate ice-cream. Pure bliss followed by immediate impatience when she swallowed that spoonful of porridge in 2 seconds to see slowcoach Mummy still frantically blowing on that spoonful of hot porridge! She tugged on my arm forcefully, and gabbled some gibberish in a really angry tone, as if I was going to eat up her precious food! Whew. This struggle went on for at least 6-8 mouthfuls with her sitting vigilantly by my side, eyeing her spoonful of porridge with a hawk's eye...before she gave a satisfied, Cheshire Cat grin and started pottering about in her usual mien. I guess her voracious hunger was comfortably gratified!
Her favourite word is now "mum mum" (note: "mum mum" for eating, and definitely NOT for "Mummy"). Right after her meal, if she sees us eating, she will stop whatever she is playing with, and trot to us with her infamous uttering of "mum mum" followed by frenzied finger pointing and distraught screeching at our food! And this action is ubiquitous - every time she sees us eating, irregardless of how full she is.
I read that fat genes start brewing in our bodies from young. And Mummy here has got fat genes before. So....I am keeping my fingers crossed that Little Bee can still maintain her current svelte and petite figure despite her voracious appetite!
Sunday, June 1, 2008
Her First Love...
Big Bee had officially started her first BGR (boy-girl relationship). Yes. At a tender age of 6.
She came back from school last week and told me her boy classmate K told her she is his girlfriend, and that he will marry her and she will be his wife next month. Since when did these kids start to know how to draw the line between buddies and BGR!?
And when she attended K's birthday party today, he gallantly gave her a gigantic bouquet of practically all the balloons in the party. I am serious. That balloon bouquet was huge - at least 30 or more balloons. I thought she was going to float up into the air when I saw her dragging that enormous bouquet around!
Hubby and I also saw him fighting off her contenders when they tried getting their hands on the gargantuan bunch of balloons. What a knight in shining armour!
When I asked Big Bee after the party whether she likes K, she coyly and shyly shrugged her shoulders and giggled out "I don't know". How cute!
Kids sure grow up fast these days...
She came back from school last week and told me her boy classmate K told her she is his girlfriend, and that he will marry her and she will be his wife next month. Since when did these kids start to know how to draw the line between buddies and BGR!?
And when she attended K's birthday party today, he gallantly gave her a gigantic bouquet of practically all the balloons in the party. I am serious. That balloon bouquet was huge - at least 30 or more balloons. I thought she was going to float up into the air when I saw her dragging that enormous bouquet around!
Hubby and I also saw him fighting off her contenders when they tried getting their hands on the gargantuan bunch of balloons. What a knight in shining armour!
When I asked Big Bee after the party whether she likes K, she coyly and shyly shrugged her shoulders and giggled out "I don't know". How cute!
Kids sure grow up fast these days...
Party Queen In The Making
We went to Big Bee's friend's birthday party this afternoon and had a great time there. This is some sort of a debutante ball for Little Bee since her evolution into a toddler. Oh my god. She had proved my sneaky suspicions correct. She will be the next party queen in the making!
Never had I seen one minuscule toddler waddling in the midst of so many strapping 6-year-old big kids, grinning away, enjoying their company and interacting briefly with different big kids depending on where she walked to.
She was a very enthusiastic participant when the party organiser entertained his crowd of big kids - sitting down together with all jie jie's big friends, not caring if her good ol' parents were anywhere near her, just wanting to have fun with jie jie and her friends, and getting highly excitable when the party programme started.
Her favourite party companions were the many big green and black balloons strewn all over the living room, and she would hobble around on her tiny legs picking up a couple balloons and offering them generously, with wide-eyed pleasure, to all the adults surrounding her, bringing smiles to the adults' faces with her cheeky beams. Not needing Mummy or Papa at all. Such gregarious nature.
Get ready, world. Brace yourself for the next party queen.
Never had I seen one minuscule toddler waddling in the midst of so many strapping 6-year-old big kids, grinning away, enjoying their company and interacting briefly with different big kids depending on where she walked to.
She was a very enthusiastic participant when the party organiser entertained his crowd of big kids - sitting down together with all jie jie's big friends, not caring if her good ol' parents were anywhere near her, just wanting to have fun with jie jie and her friends, and getting highly excitable when the party programme started.
Her favourite party companions were the many big green and black balloons strewn all over the living room, and she would hobble around on her tiny legs picking up a couple balloons and offering them generously, with wide-eyed pleasure, to all the adults surrounding her, bringing smiles to the adults' faces with her cheeky beams. Not needing Mummy or Papa at all. Such gregarious nature.
Get ready, world. Brace yourself for the next party queen.
Monday, May 26, 2008
Goodbye, Pebbles
Big Bee's first pet hamster, Pebbles, passed on this morning - just 45 days after we bought Galaxy and Pebbles (the 2 female hamsters for Big Bee's 6th birthday).
We are still at a loss as to what happened to Pebbles. Just yesterday, we bought the second mobile ball house where the hamsters can stay inside and "roll" about as they scampered in the ball house. I remembered Hubby telling us that Pebbles kept shivering. So, I wondered if poor Pebbles died of fear? Their poor little hamsty hearts could be just too weak for the shock (or thrill) of rolling all around the house in a fast-moving, dynamic ball?
Poor Pebbles. I wish you rest in peace wherever you are.
Big Bee was the first to discover Pebbles' death. Her morning routine upon waking up usually comprises of lounging on the bed with us, then she will troop with me or by herself to the kitchen and check on the hamsters to snoop on what they are doing in their cage. This morning, I was lazy to walk with her to the kitchen, wishing to loiter longer on my warm bed, so she went alone. Minutes later, she walked back into the bedroom with a worried frown on her pretty little face, telling me "Mummy, Pebbles looked like she is dead. She is just lying facing up in the bathing container, not moving."
Skeptical, I told Big Bee that Pebbles could be in deep sleep since the mornings are usually their snooze time. I walked with her to the kitchen.
True enough, Pebbles looked strange and distant...lying on her back, face-up, with a slight grimace on her furry rodent face. Big Bee bravely extended her finger into the cage to shake Pebbles but there was no movement. Only stillness. Oh my god. I was horrified. So soon, this little life ends without fanfare.
Once we confirmed that Pebbles is truly dead, Big Bee expressed her feelings saying she was very angry and why Pebbles had to die so quickly. Hubby assured her that no matter how long Pebbles lived, the most important thing is that Pebbles had lived a happy life. Big Bee seemed consoled by this fact.
In the afternoon, I called her to ask how she was feeling. She said she felt sad instead of angry, which is a good and natural transition. I told her I was also feeling sad...letting her know it is very normal to express our emotions out loud.
Goodbye, Pebbles. You will always be remembered.
We are still at a loss as to what happened to Pebbles. Just yesterday, we bought the second mobile ball house where the hamsters can stay inside and "roll" about as they scampered in the ball house. I remembered Hubby telling us that Pebbles kept shivering. So, I wondered if poor Pebbles died of fear? Their poor little hamsty hearts could be just too weak for the shock (or thrill) of rolling all around the house in a fast-moving, dynamic ball?
Poor Pebbles. I wish you rest in peace wherever you are.
Big Bee was the first to discover Pebbles' death. Her morning routine upon waking up usually comprises of lounging on the bed with us, then she will troop with me or by herself to the kitchen and check on the hamsters to snoop on what they are doing in their cage. This morning, I was lazy to walk with her to the kitchen, wishing to loiter longer on my warm bed, so she went alone. Minutes later, she walked back into the bedroom with a worried frown on her pretty little face, telling me "Mummy, Pebbles looked like she is dead. She is just lying facing up in the bathing container, not moving."
Skeptical, I told Big Bee that Pebbles could be in deep sleep since the mornings are usually their snooze time. I walked with her to the kitchen.
True enough, Pebbles looked strange and distant...lying on her back, face-up, with a slight grimace on her furry rodent face. Big Bee bravely extended her finger into the cage to shake Pebbles but there was no movement. Only stillness. Oh my god. I was horrified. So soon, this little life ends without fanfare.
Once we confirmed that Pebbles is truly dead, Big Bee expressed her feelings saying she was very angry and why Pebbles had to die so quickly. Hubby assured her that no matter how long Pebbles lived, the most important thing is that Pebbles had lived a happy life. Big Bee seemed consoled by this fact.
In the afternoon, I called her to ask how she was feeling. She said she felt sad instead of angry, which is a good and natural transition. I told her I was also feeling sad...letting her know it is very normal to express our emotions out loud.
Goodbye, Pebbles. You will always be remembered.
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Our First Art Piece(s)
For the first time last Monday, hubby and I went shopping for art gallery paintings to spruce up our new home! We went to this obscure and quaint boutique art gallery at Lavender called Moni Gallery. Hubby discovered it online over the weekend, and we were aptly impressed by their abstract/modern art pieces, hence decided to hop by their gallery.
There were 2 storeys of art pieces - all wonderful in each of their ways. Hubby and I just roamed our eyes over the different art pieces, allowing them to beckon to us...eventually, we agreed on 2 paintings that we can relate most intimately with - Motivation and Generation, by 2 Australian painters. As there is a substantial sale going on (whoever heard of art gallery sales!), we managed to purchase each painting for about $1,500, including mounting on a stunning black silk screen.
We were beside ourselves with excitement and elation - our very first art paintings at home!
And last night, we put up the Generation painting above our living room settee...after much hard work from Hubby who spent a good hour drilling in the screw to hang up the painting! It looks so cosy and at home, filling our home with elegance and warmth :)
There were 2 storeys of art pieces - all wonderful in each of their ways. Hubby and I just roamed our eyes over the different art pieces, allowing them to beckon to us...eventually, we agreed on 2 paintings that we can relate most intimately with - Motivation and Generation, by 2 Australian painters. As there is a substantial sale going on (whoever heard of art gallery sales!), we managed to purchase each painting for about $1,500, including mounting on a stunning black silk screen.
We were beside ourselves with excitement and elation - our very first art paintings at home!
And last night, we put up the Generation painting above our living room settee...after much hard work from Hubby who spent a good hour drilling in the screw to hang up the painting! It looks so cosy and at home, filling our home with elegance and warmth :)
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Picnic!
My friends (YM and LP) and I organised a picnic gathering at Botanic Gardens last Saturday evening. We decided to go somewhere non-air con to escape the HFMD epidemic, and it is always wonderful to escape into the great outdoors when you have so many kids tagging along!
We met up at 5.30pm, and it was such a hot day! The heat from the sun was almost stifling and the air felt so heavy! However, as the clock ticked closer to 6pm, we could feel the tiniest caresses of a very gentle wind that gradually became a soft easy breeze. Whew!
The bigger kids (Big Bee and LP's 2 boys) were happily indulging in some bubble play plus ball games and chasing/running around. YM's girl and Little Bee were tottling here and there, enjoying the greenery and wide expanse of verdant space, waving sociably to adult strangers! It will be a while before they will learn to play with each other, no doubt.
As the gathering involved a picnic, we had 3 mats spread out on the grass ... and unhealthy Mac's for picnic! Haha, all of us were too lazy to really cook. Besides, Mac's is always a favourite amongst the big kids. The 2 little toddlers were fed porridge, and Little Bee seemed to enjoy her porridge alfresco-style!
We packed up at 6.45pm with lavender dusk closing in on us. It was so idyllic, slowly sauntering through the darkening twilight and looming shadows, heading towards the cool of the night...
We met up at 5.30pm, and it was such a hot day! The heat from the sun was almost stifling and the air felt so heavy! However, as the clock ticked closer to 6pm, we could feel the tiniest caresses of a very gentle wind that gradually became a soft easy breeze. Whew!
The bigger kids (Big Bee and LP's 2 boys) were happily indulging in some bubble play plus ball games and chasing/running around. YM's girl and Little Bee were tottling here and there, enjoying the greenery and wide expanse of verdant space, waving sociably to adult strangers! It will be a while before they will learn to play with each other, no doubt.
As the gathering involved a picnic, we had 3 mats spread out on the grass ... and unhealthy Mac's for picnic! Haha, all of us were too lazy to really cook. Besides, Mac's is always a favourite amongst the big kids. The 2 little toddlers were fed porridge, and Little Bee seemed to enjoy her porridge alfresco-style!
We packed up at 6.45pm with lavender dusk closing in on us. It was so idyllic, slowly sauntering through the darkening twilight and looming shadows, heading towards the cool of the night...
Friday, May 2, 2008
Chilling Out
Yesterday was the May Day holiday - another day for our little family to chill out and have fun. Due to the HFMD endemic plus Little Bee's cough, we avoided all places air-conditioned, and instead, decided on nearby Holland Village to hang out!
The weather's hot and humid - the sun was blazing down on earth, as if to imbue its last remaining rays further into our atmosphere. We could feel its angry gaze everywhere! Whew!
Hence, we selected a cool table under some shade outside Haagen Daz and indulged in ice cream galore - no doubt Big Bee's favourite food! She had a scoop of strawberry ice cream, whereas I could not resist a shot of rich chocolate ice cream. The yummiest snack went to Papa, with TWO amazing scoops of cookies and cream as well as vanilla ice cream complementing a fantabulous scoop of potent, thick, gooey and moist brownie that stunned my tastebuds to bits! Absolutely sinful but totally delicious.
Poor Little Bee had nothing to eat, of course, but she was gamely sitting down in one of those adult lounge chairs by herself and grinning away. She just loves going out - anywhere!
We strolled around the idyllic Holland V area, through the old but colourful shophouses and past many new trendy shops and restaurants. Hubby and I reminisced fondly about this place being the venue of our fateful first date and many wonderful dates thereafter. And now - we're bringing (literally) the fruits of our labour back here!
We meandered around till 5pm before going back home for rest and relax as well as dinner.
The weather's hot and humid - the sun was blazing down on earth, as if to imbue its last remaining rays further into our atmosphere. We could feel its angry gaze everywhere! Whew!
Hence, we selected a cool table under some shade outside Haagen Daz and indulged in ice cream galore - no doubt Big Bee's favourite food! She had a scoop of strawberry ice cream, whereas I could not resist a shot of rich chocolate ice cream. The yummiest snack went to Papa, with TWO amazing scoops of cookies and cream as well as vanilla ice cream complementing a fantabulous scoop of potent, thick, gooey and moist brownie that stunned my tastebuds to bits! Absolutely sinful but totally delicious.
Poor Little Bee had nothing to eat, of course, but she was gamely sitting down in one of those adult lounge chairs by herself and grinning away. She just loves going out - anywhere!
We strolled around the idyllic Holland V area, through the old but colourful shophouses and past many new trendy shops and restaurants. Hubby and I reminisced fondly about this place being the venue of our fateful first date and many wonderful dates thereafter. And now - we're bringing (literally) the fruits of our labour back here!
We meandered around till 5pm before going back home for rest and relax as well as dinner.
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Birthday Girl
We decided to celebrate Big Bee's 6th birthday in school this year - due to her consistent request. It was a Wednesday, and at 3.30pm, I trooped down to school with her big birthday cake (in the shape of a pink pony!). To create the atmosphere of gay festivities, I engaged the party services of MacDonald's at only $7 per kid, complete with a host, party games and food! Very good deal.
I was slightly late, so MacDonald's was there, setting up the table etc. Before hubby could rush from his meeting, we were already cutting the cake. Big Bee looked ecstatic with all her 12 friends cheering her on and singing the birthday song for her. It is amazing to realise that she had swiftly grown to an age when it is beginning to matter a lot to her that her best friends are all around her during special occasions like this. 
After the cake cutting ceremony, games began. Kiasu Big Bee was elated that she won the pass the parcel game, although her team did not win a prize during the second teamwork game. Hubby arrived with packs of goodies for her friends (I bought miniature Guess Who? board games for her friends) as well as her favourite - her 2 new hamsters, Pebbles and Galaxy. They are our birthday gift to her, and I have never seen her soooo happy when we first bought them for her 2 nights before her birthday. She claimed she had been waiting a whole year for pets, and I am quite glad we are able to fulfill her dreams.
All her pals were amazed by the sight of the hamsters, everyone crowding around the hamsters and chatting about them. Big Bee was bursting with joy and happiness, so are we, the proud parents. Little Bee was at home with Mom as she was suffering from a bout of cough, so we wanted her to rest more.
The party ended in one hour after a chattery tea session with MacDonald's. I am so glad we had a simple yet meaningful birthday celebration to celebrate Big Bee's 6 years on this planet :)
All her pals were amazed by the sight of the hamsters, everyone crowding around the hamsters and chatting about them. Big Bee was bursting with joy and happiness, so are we, the proud parents. Little Bee was at home with Mom as she was suffering from a bout of cough, so we wanted her to rest more.
The party ended in one hour after a chattery tea session with MacDonald's. I am so glad we had a simple yet meaningful birthday celebration to celebrate Big Bee's 6 years on this planet :)
Settling In
The little ones moved into our new home on April 12. It had been 2 weeks since (which included both hubby and myself going on business trips each!) and everyone seemed to have settled down comfortably. Mum is happily shuttling between our and her home every other day (if I am in town, of course). Sometimes, she takes the public bus home and everytime she comes here in the morning, she will also take the public bus! She never fails to gush about about convenient it is to come to our place. According to her, it is only 45 minutes by bus ride!
Well, the little ones are now comfy and settled, although in the first 3 nights, Little Bee had much problems sleeping through the night. She would wake up wailing away. I guess she was still trying to adjust to a new bed (we got out her original white cot, instead of the playpen she was used to in my parents' home while we stayed there) and a new room.
Big Bee, being such a big and adventurous girl, settled down with much glee. She loves her double decked bed, and we tried our best to make everything as comfortable and welcoming for both of them, putting toys almost everywhere!
As for hubby and me, because of our 2 consecutive business trips, we did not have much private time to enjoy the house yet. Well, it is time to begin. Our own home. Our own chill out pad!
Well, the little ones are now comfy and settled, although in the first 3 nights, Little Bee had much problems sleeping through the night. She would wake up wailing away. I guess she was still trying to adjust to a new bed (we got out her original white cot, instead of the playpen she was used to in my parents' home while we stayed there) and a new room.
Big Bee, being such a big and adventurous girl, settled down with much glee. She loves her double decked bed, and we tried our best to make everything as comfortable and welcoming for both of them, putting toys almost everywhere!
As for hubby and me, because of our 2 consecutive business trips, we did not have much private time to enjoy the house yet. Well, it is time to begin. Our own home. Our own chill out pad!
Thursday, April 3, 2008
Memories
We had been unpacking the house for 6 days now. It was a gruelling task, but fulfilling when we saw our 60 boxes reducing to a mere 10 boxes now. Hubby and I had cleared almost all our stuff, and are in the process of clearing the Bees' stuff (they had about 20 boxes on their own, can you imagine!)
As I cleared my stuff, I chanced upon so many things from the past, memories that bring a smile to my tired face - autographs from primary school mates, written pats-on-the-back from ex-teachers, letters and well-wishing cards from my clique's best friends, love letters from hubby and other ex-boyfriends. Memories like these define who we are - our personality, our outlook, our choices in life. It made me realise the speed of time, how precious life is - and that life is truly a linear journey. It doesn't meander, it doesn't wait for anyone along its path. Once we miss out the little enjoyments that life provides, we miss out these moments forever. Which is why it is so important for us to live in the moment, to focus in the right-here-and-now, rather than over-indulging in the past or worrying too much about the future.
Hubby and I also saw old photos of Big and Little Bee, and gazed with wonderment at how fast and how much they had grown. From blur babies unaware of their parents and surroundings to highly alert and sensitive beings with their own feelings, thoughts and personalities. It is just so important to cherish every single day of our children's lives, to relish in their current stage rather than wishing them to grow up soon. For time is cruel, it will quickly swallow up our youth, eating its way into our prime, making no excuses if we fail to grasp precious moments.
It's amazing how moving house can stir up these past memories, making me realise just how precious life is.
As I cleared my stuff, I chanced upon so many things from the past, memories that bring a smile to my tired face - autographs from primary school mates, written pats-on-the-back from ex-teachers, letters and well-wishing cards from my clique's best friends, love letters from hubby and other ex-boyfriends. Memories like these define who we are - our personality, our outlook, our choices in life. It made me realise the speed of time, how precious life is - and that life is truly a linear journey. It doesn't meander, it doesn't wait for anyone along its path. Once we miss out the little enjoyments that life provides, we miss out these moments forever. Which is why it is so important for us to live in the moment, to focus in the right-here-and-now, rather than over-indulging in the past or worrying too much about the future.
Hubby and I also saw old photos of Big and Little Bee, and gazed with wonderment at how fast and how much they had grown. From blur babies unaware of their parents and surroundings to highly alert and sensitive beings with their own feelings, thoughts and personalities. It is just so important to cherish every single day of our children's lives, to relish in their current stage rather than wishing them to grow up soon. For time is cruel, it will quickly swallow up our youth, eating its way into our prime, making no excuses if we fail to grasp precious moments.
It's amazing how moving house can stir up these past memories, making me realise just how precious life is.
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Our New Home
I am blogging from SOL Playground in Turf City, after dropping Big Bee off at school.
Today is the BIG DAY, ie the MOVE to our new home, after 9 months of staying at Mom's. I will miss the constant pampering at Mom's place, the squashy but cosy bedroom that all 4 of us called home for the past 9 months...yet I am looking forward to staying at our own place once again, having the space and liberty to chill out anywhere, anytime. But still, am sure my parents will dearly miss having Big Bee and Small Bee staying at their home...
Hubby is now gathering the movers and I am waiting for them to complete the move to the home before he comes to fetch me. And it will be MAJOR CLEANING the whole night. We started cleaning the kitchen cabinets, shoe cabinet, master bedroom wardrobe and living room cabinet last night, together with the maid, and slogged from 10pm to 12 midnight! My hands were chaffed, but I guess a bit of suffering is a perfect harbinger for future bliss!
Alright, it's time to start buying some cleaning equipment (instructions of the hubby) and I am so glad that we will have broadband (finally! After 9 months of internet blockout at home!) so I can blog more :)
Cheers to our brand new home, another phase of our lives.
Today is the BIG DAY, ie the MOVE to our new home, after 9 months of staying at Mom's. I will miss the constant pampering at Mom's place, the squashy but cosy bedroom that all 4 of us called home for the past 9 months...yet I am looking forward to staying at our own place once again, having the space and liberty to chill out anywhere, anytime. But still, am sure my parents will dearly miss having Big Bee and Small Bee staying at their home...
Hubby is now gathering the movers and I am waiting for them to complete the move to the home before he comes to fetch me. And it will be MAJOR CLEANING the whole night. We started cleaning the kitchen cabinets, shoe cabinet, master bedroom wardrobe and living room cabinet last night, together with the maid, and slogged from 10pm to 12 midnight! My hands were chaffed, but I guess a bit of suffering is a perfect harbinger for future bliss!
Alright, it's time to start buying some cleaning equipment (instructions of the hubby) and I am so glad that we will have broadband (finally! After 9 months of internet blockout at home!) so I can blog more :)
Cheers to our brand new home, another phase of our lives.
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
First Steps!
Both my kiddos are late walkers, which I do not mind at all, judging from Big Bee's supersonic motor skills in preschool despite the fact that she started walking only at 16 months.
Little Bee is now 15+ months, and she is still scared stiff of walking, although she is quite an intrepid crawler, exploring everywhere on all little fours.
We went to Botanic Gardens last Sunday where Big Bee was whizzing adroitly about on her brand new 2-wheel scooter that Papa bought. And we decided to test out Little Bee's walking skills on the green grass of Botanic Gardens' wide expanse of meadows.
I steadied her on her feet right smack in the middle of grassy verdure, and she stood there competently, smiling away at 3 of us. All of us retreated slowly from her, cooing her on, encouraging her. Then, she suddenly started walking one step, two steps, three steps!!! Before she started wobbling. We cheered loudly, elated that we managed to capture Little Bee's first steps indelibly. Big Bee was so sweet, encouraging Little Bee proudly, like the fantastic big sister that she is.
Little Bee is now 15+ months, and she is still scared stiff of walking, although she is quite an intrepid crawler, exploring everywhere on all little fours.
We went to Botanic Gardens last Sunday where Big Bee was whizzing adroitly about on her brand new 2-wheel scooter that Papa bought. And we decided to test out Little Bee's walking skills on the green grass of Botanic Gardens' wide expanse of meadows.
I steadied her on her feet right smack in the middle of grassy verdure, and she stood there competently, smiling away at 3 of us. All of us retreated slowly from her, cooing her on, encouraging her. Then, she suddenly started walking one step, two steps, three steps!!! Before she started wobbling. We cheered loudly, elated that we managed to capture Little Bee's first steps indelibly. Big Bee was so sweet, encouraging Little Bee proudly, like the fantastic big sister that she is.
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Stay At Home Mom!
Last Friday, I took leave and had the privilege to bring both the kiddos out to meet YM at United Square. It was really fun! We went shopping around, had tea in Globetrotters and went to Toys R Us. I even spent about half an hour alone with them in Swensen's when YM left. Amazingly, I took a cab, lugging the pram and the diaper bag, with the 2 of them in tow - all alone! Pretty proud of this :)
Hubby came and fetch us home at 5pm. I was telling him how stress-free being a stay at home mom is. Tiring, true. But it's fatigue mingled with whole dollops of joy and happiness. Comparing to the hours away at work, facing people whom you dislike, absorbing all the unhealthy pressures of work.
Hubby came and fetch us home at 5pm. I was telling him how stress-free being a stay at home mom is. Tiring, true. But it's fatigue mingled with whole dollops of joy and happiness. Comparing to the hours away at work, facing people whom you dislike, absorbing all the unhealthy pressures of work.
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Writing and Talking
Small Bee is now an active toddler. Although she is pretty timid to start walking on her own (despite the fact that she is very stable when standing), she is now starting to talk little words like "Ma" for mummy or practically everything she wants, "mum mum" for food (and this is one baby who really knows how to eat!), "jie jie" for Big Bee and "pa" for hubby, amongst other baby language. So, she can communicate pretty well with us, sparing herself the frustrations of toddler angst as we pretty much understand what she wants most of the time, thanks to her little gabbles and animated gestures of either pointing to the things she wants excitedly, or shaking her head, her whole body and flailing her arms to brush away things we bring to her that she doesn't want! What a baby!
She is following the footsteps of her diligent jie jie as well. Every night, when Big Bee is hard at work at her little desk, doing her activity books, Little Bee would want a share of the action. Sitting at the same desk, scribbling random circles and haphazard lines with her favourite colourful markers, grinning away when she accidentally (or sometimes deliberately!) scribbled on her hands or clothes.
It's really fun chilling out after work with the both of them!
She is following the footsteps of her diligent jie jie as well. Every night, when Big Bee is hard at work at her little desk, doing her activity books, Little Bee would want a share of the action. Sitting at the same desk, scribbling random circles and haphazard lines with her favourite colourful markers, grinning away when she accidentally (or sometimes deliberately!) scribbled on her hands or clothes.
It's really fun chilling out after work with the both of them!
A Student Every Teacher Loves To Have
I went for Big Bee's Parent Teacher talk in school last Friday and was greeted with nothing but good news, to my elation.
Her teacher greeted me with "I love having Big Bee in my class! She is so fun, so helpful and has a great sense of humour! I will always miss her whenever she is not in school!" Which parent will not be bursting with happiness if they hear such comments? She went on to say that Big Bee is one the funniest girls in class, and is so helpful, always volunteering to help the teacher, helping her friends in class, and being so independent and neat in her schoolwork. In the teacher's own words, she is "a student every teacher would love to have in her class"!
I went back from the parent teacher talk, beaming with pride and joy, and hoping that the academic path for my 2 little girls would be smooth and seamless like it had been for me and hubby :)
Her teacher greeted me with "I love having Big Bee in my class! She is so fun, so helpful and has a great sense of humour! I will always miss her whenever she is not in school!" Which parent will not be bursting with happiness if they hear such comments? She went on to say that Big Bee is one the funniest girls in class, and is so helpful, always volunteering to help the teacher, helping her friends in class, and being so independent and neat in her schoolwork. In the teacher's own words, she is "a student every teacher would love to have in her class"!
I went back from the parent teacher talk, beaming with pride and joy, and hoping that the academic path for my 2 little girls would be smooth and seamless like it had been for me and hubby :)
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Ode To Art
This weekend was an artistic one. We brought our 2 ladies to 2 different art galleries. On Saturday, the hubby surprised us by bringing us to Old School on Mt Sophia Rd. It was the old MGS site, and the entire compound was so tranquil and rustic. We can literally hear the rustling of the leaves in those old trees and the intermittent chirping of invisible birds hidden in these verdant trees. The complex was peppered with outstanding sculptures and there was even an idyllic alfresco cafe!
We visited 2 galleries in Old School - one with 2 Asian artists (Zheng Fengjie and Charlie Co) whose paintings reflected their socio-commentary on current society, and another one that is a local photo exhibition that is not particularly interesting. Big Bee was fairly interested in the paintings, making cute remarks and asking appropriate questions, with her ubiquitous "I am bored" or "I have nothing to do" commentary as well! Little Bee seemed pretty amazed, having just woken up from her nap to be faced with all these giant coloured canvasses!
On Sunday morning, we brought them to the Singapore Art Museum, and sauntered through the various galleries there. The galleries were big and empty, so our 2 bees had a fun time skipping around the large spaces, with Little Bee cruising around, holding on to Big Bee's and my hands for support, while walking gleefully around. They both like the "Painted Faces" exhibition, because of the giant paintings and bright pink colours. Little Bee was squealing away at the paintings she enjoyed and Big Bee showed her preference by standing in front of her preferred paintings and staring at them, asking apt questions.
I thought these visits would be great to cultivate the 2 bees' preference for artistic expression...!
We visited 2 galleries in Old School - one with 2 Asian artists (Zheng Fengjie and Charlie Co) whose paintings reflected their socio-commentary on current society, and another one that is a local photo exhibition that is not particularly interesting. Big Bee was fairly interested in the paintings, making cute remarks and asking appropriate questions, with her ubiquitous "I am bored" or "I have nothing to do" commentary as well! Little Bee seemed pretty amazed, having just woken up from her nap to be faced with all these giant coloured canvasses!
On Sunday morning, we brought them to the Singapore Art Museum, and sauntered through the various galleries there. The galleries were big and empty, so our 2 bees had a fun time skipping around the large spaces, with Little Bee cruising around, holding on to Big Bee's and my hands for support, while walking gleefully around. They both like the "Painted Faces" exhibition, because of the giant paintings and bright pink colours. Little Bee was squealing away at the paintings she enjoyed and Big Bee showed her preference by standing in front of her preferred paintings and staring at them, asking apt questions.
I thought these visits would be great to cultivate the 2 bees' preference for artistic expression...!
Monday, February 18, 2008
Family Togetherness
The Chinese New Year had come and gone once again. This year's holidays gave us ample time to bond as both a nuclear and extended family. 4 days of pure bliss and carefreeness - away from the irksome stresses of work. This is true reality of life at its best. For life is about being close to famiy ties, being happy and contented. Work is a mere secondary supplement of subsistence - never the definitive element of one's life.
The main holidays are spent just visiting during the first day of CNY. Went to both sides of families (Hubby's and mine). We skipped Dad's paternal side because of grandfather's passing last October. However, yesterday, we went as a family to visit Uncle Pat's house, and had a quiet afternoon catching up in Marine Parade. I felt really comfortable there - probably brought back memories of me chilling out there when I was a kiddo.
Anyway, it was pure luxury during the CNY holidays. Waking up every day and planning what to do, where to go with our little happy family. The girls were dolled up every day of the CNY holiday, looking like angels descended from high heavens. They became much closer and very sticky to us, especially the hubby, who was elated at having 2 little girls so enthralled by him.
Family time rocks!
The main holidays are spent just visiting during the first day of CNY. Went to both sides of families (Hubby's and mine). We skipped Dad's paternal side because of grandfather's passing last October. However, yesterday, we went as a family to visit Uncle Pat's house, and had a quiet afternoon catching up in Marine Parade. I felt really comfortable there - probably brought back memories of me chilling out there when I was a kiddo.
Anyway, it was pure luxury during the CNY holidays. Waking up every day and planning what to do, where to go with our little happy family. The girls were dolled up every day of the CNY holiday, looking like angels descended from high heavens. They became much closer and very sticky to us, especially the hubby, who was elated at having 2 little girls so enthralled by him.
Family time rocks!
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