December playmates

December is the school holidays and Yule got to spend alot of time with Mummy and Mummy's friends and their kiddos. There's Xinhui jie jie, Ace di di and Chloe jie jie.

Family Fun at Bintan

Day 1

Day 2

Day 3

A day at Hort Park and Henderson Bridge

The World's Greatest by R Kelly

This song is so upliftting and addictive! Love it and glad the children did too! Incidentally, doesn't the name 宇乐 mean the world's greatest too! =)
Hope Yule will grow up to love this meaningful song. Every child is the greatest in their very own way!

3 birthdays in October!

Tele-conversation

I guess Yule's advanced language development and how she is such a smart and active little girl makes papa and mummy so proud of her. She is speaking in phrases now and sometimes can switch from english to mandarin depending who she is speaking to! Perhaps it is how she is able to relate to us through language that makes our heart goes with her. Love her every minute! She could now even have a pretty decent telephone conversation with us adults, cutely, at 18 month. It can go like this:

Mummy: Yu-le!
Yule: Mummy!
Mummy: 吃饱了吗?
Yule: 饱
Mummy: 有没有乖?
Yule: 有
Mummy: 你要去哪里?
Yule: gaigai
Mummy: Mummy loves you!
Yule: you!
Mummy: Kiss kiss
Yule: hmm-mack!
Mummy: Mummy coming back soon ok?
Yule: ok
Mummy: bye bye
Yule: bye bye

Time-out vs Gorilla?

The struggle for independence and autonomy goes on, even more so when little Yule's language developement is prety advanced. While she can be obliging at times, she can be testing our limits other times too. She continues to love to say '不要', and adding on to her vocabulary is 'Don't want'. Well well, mummy and papa have our ways to tackle this:

The pro-positive-parenting me will try the 'time-out' method when little Yule's behaviour gets out of the limit. Like pulling our spectacles or hitting our face when she knows she is not supposed to, she will have to 'stand in a corner', or '罚站'. She understands both the english and chinese command very well and knows exactly what she is supposed to do. When she is in a cooperative mood, she will go stand against the wall on her own (in a very cute way, she does it!). When she doesn't want to cooperate, I will be pulling her to stand against the wall. She will stand for maybe just 3 secs and come running back to me for a hug (or ask her ah ma or por por to 'save' her if they are around). I will insist that she say 'sorry', which she will gesture by placing her hand on her head. This works well so far in stopping whatever naughty acts we want her to stop.

Papa has his own unconventional way of discipline. I guess his greatest strength is to change the situations to like a big prank or joke. When little Yule gets naughty or does not want to obey our instructions, the unconventional papa will say 'Gorilla 来了!' or 'Big bad wolf 来了', and little Yule will then quickly do what we asked her to, or at least before the next 'creature' comes along! In a very strange way, Papa just always have his way of getting to our little girl! =)

Its so funny to see how she reacts to our ways of disciplining. I couldn't agree with what papa does sometimes, but then again, I can't help but give it to him that his method can be more effective than mine at times!

Happy Birthday to Mummy!

Chiam Yu Le or Dumb Yu Le?

Little Yule could say her FULL name and pronouncing her surname 'Chiam' pretty well too. It's really cute to hear her say 'Chiam Yu Le' when we ask her for her name. Ocassionally, 'Chiam Yu Le' can sound like 'Dumb Yu Le', and we'll really have a good laugh.

Happy Children's Day

Today is Children's Day, and I've got 2 new 'piggy' banks - 1 Happy Bear and 1 Happy Cat - to start to save money!

I am 17th Month Old

Star by Bryan Adams

During a motivational workshop I conducted for the primary 6 pupils, I played the song 'Star' by Bryan Adams for them. I simply love this song, and I'm glad the kids love it too. This song brings tears to my eyes and helps to heal.... We all need a shining star when things get hard to take, so tonight we're gonna wish upon a star we never wished upon before

Here's the lyrics...

What cha wanna be - when you grow up
What cha gonna do - when your time is up
What cha gonna say - when things go wrong
What cha wanna do - when youre on your own

Theres a road - long and winding
The lights are blindin - but it gets there
Dont give up - dont look back
Theres a silver linin - its out there somewhere
Everybody wants an answer - everybody needs a friend
We all need a shinin star on which we can depend
N so tonight were gonna wish upon a star
We never wished upon before - (to find what youre
Looking for)
Therell be times - in your life
Ya when you be dancin n shit - but you aint gettin it
But dont get disillusioned - no, dont expect too much
Cuz if what you have is all you can get - just keep on
Tryin - it just aint happened yet
Everybody wants ta be winner - everybody has a dream
We all need a shinin star when things aint what they seem
So tonight were gonna wish upon a star
We never wished upon before - (gotta get where youre
Headed for)

Everybody wants some kindness - everybody needs a break
We all need a shinin star when things get hard to take
So tonight were gonna wish upon a star
We never wished upon before

Mad. Sad. Glad. Scared.

Mad. Sad. Glad. Scared. The 4 basic emotions.

Little Yule has learned how to act out the 4 basic feelings. And she does it in such a cute way!. When asked how to show an angry face, she will hold her fist, stamp her feet and sometimes even given a stern look. When asked to show a sad face, she will pout her lips and make a whining sound. When asked to show happy face, she will squeal in delight, and when asked to show scared, (or 怕怕) she will pat her chest. Little Yule also know how to show a surprise look, by putting both her hands on her cheeks and opening her mouth wide! Oh, one more, Yule even know how to 扮鬼脸!

I can't help but laugh and laugh as she pleasantly surprised me that she actually knows how her feelings 'look like'!

Happy Yule

Lantern or Candles?

Carrying lantern or blowing candles? I think I prefer to blow candles!

Papa and Me

不要！

Recently, Yu Le has learned how to say '不要!' She used to love saying '要!' to most things we ask her, and when she doesn't want something ( usually during feeding time), she will just keep shaking her head or turn away or give a whining sound. Now when she has mastered '不要!', she is no longer so obliging, at least not until we play a little reverse psychology game with her. It almost seems like she realises now that she has another option other than the ever-obliging '要!', and she loves using it now! She will say '不要!' to many of the things which she would previously say yes to, and enjoy the reactions she sees in us! Like throwing her diapers, she will say '不要!' now, ask her if she wants to listen to Barney songs or not, she will say '不要!', and ask her if she wants to eat something, she will say '不要!' agian, but quickly changes to '要!' when she realises its something she wants. It almost seems like my little tod is now capable of talking back too! 'How fast she has started to talk back' I thought to myself.

Well, I guess it's a normal phase where my little girl is learning assertiveness now. I suppose she is still rather obliging despite her learning how to say 'no' now. Whenever we change the task to a little game or a little challenge or somewhat like a reverse psychology, it still works to get her to throw her diapers, or getting her to wait, or picking up her toys. So little Yu Le still remains the cute little Yu Le, or even cuter now!

Mummy's thoughts

At 16 month old, Yu Le has achieved 2 major milestones....

Everytime when we asked her 'Where is Yu Le?', she will point at herself. And when we asked 'What's your name?' and 'Who is this?' (pointing at her picture), she will still point at herself, not able to call out her name yet. Today, when we asked her 'What's your name?' or '你叫什么名字?', she is able to call out her own name. It's indeed a pleasant surprise. She's not pronuncing her name very accurately yet, but it's so cute to see her excitedly shouting her own name when asked. I'm so happy.

Another major milestone - Yu Le is weaning off her 'tutu' (pacifier). For the first night since she was 2 months old (or was it earlier?), she has slept without her favourite, must-have 'tutu'. She kept asking for it, but we just keep telling her we throw it away, snd there is no more 'tutu'. It took quite a long while of carrying, hugging and story telling (by her papa) for her to fall asleep. Again, I'm so happy. Days where we can't go anywhere without her tutu will be gone soon...

Sing-a-pore

Another attempt at 3-syllabus

Mummy: Yule, say 'Singapore'
Le: por!
Mummy: Ok, now try 'Sing'
Le: ting!
Mummy: 'nga'
Le: ah!
Mummy: 'pore'
Le: por!
Mummy: Sing-a-pore!
le: por-por-por!

Papaya

Papa is trying to teach me the 3-syllabus word 'papaya'... here's how it goes

Papa: pa-pa-ya
le: paya!
papa: ok, now let's try to say 'pa'
le: pa!
papa: pa-pa
le: papa!
papa: pa-pa-ya
le: paya!
papa: pa-pa-ya
le: paya!

Looks like I'm still stuck with 2 syllabus =)

I am a Fortune Baby

I am the little domestic helper (part 2)

Learning ballet?

Mummy: Yule, do you want to learn ballet when you are older?
Yule: (nodding head) 要 啊！

Mummy's thoughts

At 15 month old, my little Yule is learning and advancing at such an amazing rate that I realise she is no longer a baby. She is really a toddler already! Time really flies while I can only try to recall those times where she was learning how to crawl. In fact she started to crawl backwards which was really a funny sight, and then she started to do the caterpillar crawl where she will throw her body forward to move a little bit. Later she progressed to cruising and then walking. I remembered she was able to walk before she could do squats and get into a standing position without support. Now, my ever eager little girl rather runs than walks! Its just so sweet seeing her running towards me with so that I could catch her with my arms. And she is climbing up and crawling (backside first) down our bed very carefully and confidently now. She loves to play hide and seek with her papa, by going to different corners of the house to look for papa. Little Yule even knows how to hide and immediately run out to us as if she is trying to surprise us! It's really sooooo funny.

Little Yule is talking quite alot and is very responsive too! It's great to see her able to express her needs so well, which can certainly minimise her frustration in her attempt to be understood. It surprises us that she seems to understand EVERYTHING we say to her. Well, I may be a little exaggerated when I say 'EVERYTHING', but for a 15 month old, I really think its 'EVERYTHING'. She seems to understand our instructions or commands and does it most of the time. 'Throw the diapers in the dustbin', 'Put the milk bottle on the kitchen table', 'Sit down and take off your shoes'. And she is able to do all the cute and sweet little gestures like 'Hug mummy', 'Kiss papa', 'Cute Cute' (where she will put her finger on her cheek), 'Shake your backside', 'Turn around', 'Dance'.... whatever we say, she learns it real fast and does it! Now she is able to make some animal sounds like 'Moooo' (cow), 'Wo Wo' (dog), 'Mehhhh' (sheep) and when she says 'Quak Quak' (duck), she flaps her arms too! I had a good laugh the first time I saw her doing that. I think she learns that 'Quak Quak' sound and action from the Barney VCD. Its so cute seeing her doing all these little amazing things. Its no wonder Si Yi (4th Aunt) says Yule is like in a circus! She does whatever we tell her to!

One recent episode was when her papa and I was trying to put the nose drip for her to clear her nose, and I thought it will be like the usual battle where I have to hold her head and hands while her papa drip in the nose drip. Her papa decided to try something different by talking to her and to let her know that it is an ok experience and it won't hurt. So papa told her nicely what we are going to do and it won't hurt. She nodded her head a few times and said 'Orh' in response and in agreement, and to my surprise, she allowed us to do the nose drip for her without any battling or fidgeting at all! Yet another amazing episode where my little Yule has shown us that she really understood whatever we say to her.

A date with Chloe

I LOVE Ball

Just a simple Sunday at West Coast Park playing with my favourite ball with papa and mummy. I like to throw and kick the ball. It's no wonder my papa and mummy call me 'Tom Boy'! Oh, and it's my first time steppng on sand and I kinda like it though I waddle like a duck on sand!

Oh, check out my mushroom haircut too!

I love HK Disneyland!

I am the little domestic helper

I'm beginning to learn to help around in the house now. I have learned to keep my toys in the toy basket, I have learned to throw my used diapers in the dustbin, and I have also learned to put dirty clothes in the laundry basket... I am so proud of myself, and whenever I have accomplished the little task you asked me to do, I'll give myself a clap and show you a big big grin, and I'll come running towards you waiting for a 'Well Done' hug =)

Look, I am seriously not boasting. I am only 13 month old and I can wipe the floor!

A Little Explorer

I am fully mobile now, I can walk, I can squat, I can sit, I can crawl and I can get up on my own. I simply love my new found freedom and will not give any corner in the house a miss! My new favourite places to explore are those 'banned' items in the house like telephones, dustbins and even toilet bowls. Not forgetting the kitchen drawers with all those interestig plates and bowls. I am even fascinated by the expressions my mummy, papa and ah ma show on their faces when I explore these favourite places. Their 'No' makes me even more persistent to try... Guess I'll never get bored with these forbidden items...

This is me and the kitchen dustbin which I like to drag around in the house!

HuGs and KISSeS

Recently, I like to do hugs and kisses. I hug mummy, papa, ah ma, por por, barney, doggie, elmo... and I even pat pat them on their back when I hug them, just like how mummy and papa hug and pat pat me.

I love to kiss people I love too... hmmmm, but you may not think its a real kiss though, cos its like implanting my saliva on your lips or cheeks by giving you an open lips big mouth kiss!! heee heee. that's my signature KISS!!

But I have a mind of my own too... I can be 'dao' and not kiss you when you ask me to... I may just shake my head vigourously and run away!! So don't you think you can steal a KISS from me...

Happy 1st Birthday!!

Vanilla ice cream saved my life!

I had fever for 3 days, and lost my appetite. On the third day, I even refused all milk and water. Papa and Mummy brought me to see Dr Chong. Dr Chong warned that if I do not take water at all for the next 12 hours, I would be dehydrated and need to be admitted to hospital for a drip. However, I was refusing all fluids. Dr Chong suggested giving Vanilla Ice Cream to me. Mummy was shocked to hear that I can take ice cream even though I'm sick, but still went to buy the ice cream immediately... I took a few mouthful and I love it! When I reached home, I was willing to take some milk.

So... vanilla ice cream saved my life and I need not be sent to the hospital!

Few days later I developed alot of rashes all over my body. I have poor appetite, irritable, gets tired very easily and have swollen eyelids. Dr Chong says its false measles and mummy and papa need not be too worried.

Now that I have recovered, I'm wondering when I can eat the yummy yummy ice cream again!

Yes and No

Although I still can't say most things, I love to nod my head or shake my head to indicate a yes or a no when you ask me something, like 'Yu Le, you want eat this?' I will nod my head. 'Yu Le, you want to go playground and see bird bird?' I will nod my head. 'Yu Le, you poo poo already? I will nod my head. 'Yu Le, drink water.' I will shake my head. I always seem to give the right reponse to the question even though I may not understand the question, and that can sometimes give my papa and mummy a good laugh.

I always anticipate a 'No' from mummy by shaking my head even before she says a 'No'. Like climbing up the sofa to pick up the telephone, I will shake my head first before mummy says 'No'. I will also shake my head when I pull the car handle even before my mummy shouts 'No'. But the curious and mischievous me would always love to repeat these acts, and always shaking my head even before mummy says 'No'.

Walking at 11 month

Today, I walked 6 steps on my own. I tend to be really anxious about walking, like want to charge forward, and then fall into my mummy's arms... my papa says by my 1st birthday, I will definitely be running around already!

FISH

New word added to my list of vocabs today... I looked at a fish and called out 'SS'! My mummy repeated 'FI-SH' and I said 'SS'.. heeheee...

10 month old baby

At 10 month old, there's lot of things I can do now, including
many new words I can say, like

• papa


• mama


• ah mah


• po (means por por)


• oo oo (means my aunt gu gu)


• qie (means jie jie)


• berd (means bird)


• duck


• tat (means cat)
  
• bor (means ball)


• neh neh (means my all time favourite MILK!)
• ooo wah oooo wah (means I'm fascinated)
  

I really surprised my mummy one day when I looked at a rubber duckie at Toys R Us and said 'duck'! Now, early in the morning (most of the time without fail at 7am), I will yell 'papa' and 'mama' in my cot to wake them up and ask for 'neh neh'. You see! I really know how to get what I want, right?!

Learning to walk

I love playgrounds now. Every and any playground. My daily routine now includes going to the neighbourhood playground. I love to watch children play and I wish I could join them. See! I'm learning to walk now, and very soon, I want to run around, climb those slides and ride on those rides!

Gong Xi Gong Xi

First Ang Bao I got from papa and mummy on the eve of CNY

Gong Xi Gong Xi

If you're happy and you know it, you clap your hands

What's happening at 9 months old...

I have 4 teeth now! But my two upper front teeth are not even yet... 1 is shorter that the other... hopefully the shorter one catches up soon!

I have learned to clap my hands... and I do it all the time now... and when mummy sings ' If you're happy and you know it, you clap your hands', I'll be clapping!

I can stand on my own while leaning against the wall... and clap my hands too! I'm sure proud of it.. and can't stop grinning!

I am really active now.. my papa and mummy call me a worm! as I can't stop wriggling here and crawling there... and what I see, I must grab! My favourite want-to-grab... remote control!

I can even climb onto the sofa now and walk sideway along the sofa using my hands to support...

Oh I love to play hide and seek... you just have to call my name and I'll be able to find you... wherever you are in the house!

I love mirrors too! Its fascinating to see a baby looking excatly like me!

And I simply luuuuvvvvvveee to eat! Whatever you eat, I want to eat too! Whatever you feed me, I will be grinning in delight!

Fun at the pool

My third time at the pool, and finally not scared of the water anymore!