Midnight Encounters

These days around midnight or close, I'd find myself in a state of shock. Like last night, I was lying down on the floor next to the coffee table watching Idol, I saw a pair of (toddler's) legs from under it. Other times while I was in the kitchen, I'd catch glimpses of a tottering entity in the dark, accompanied by clicking sounds of the pacifier ring hitting against it's shield.

Pumpkin sleepwalks a lot. She sleeps as early as 8pm, and gets off the bed around 11pm carrying her little pillow out of the room looking for me where she'd just stand silently till I put her back in bed. Like last night, she came to look for me in the living room and stood still next to the table where my view was blocked. Before this sleepwalking phase (when she was still sleeping in the cot) she'd sit upright for a couple of seconds in the middle of her sleep before she crashed her head back on to the pillow. This, the Mister witnessed when he came home past midnight when the rest of us are asleep.

Very often, at the point of time these events happened (in the dark), it's not very funny.


Too much dark and goth isnt good

Toileting Newbies

If you're the type who has the habit of buying clothes for your kids way before they can fit into them, avoid buying trousers in advance for 2-4yr old girls. Cos that's when they're most likely to be newly toilet-trained and wearing trousers can be a nightmare when you're out in public. They have the habit of telling you only at the last minute. The only time Munches gets to wear her jeans is when we go over to grams.


Since we're still on the subject of jeans.

The 4th Year - Munchkin

We did low-key for her 4th which was just a mini-celebration at school. Aaand we finally got her a bicycle. Tried dissuading her from the pink bikes but it failed (obviously). This was a compromise and of course the psycho mother who was unwilling to disgrace her (imaginary) indie-rock reputation had to pry off every existing tacky sticker found on it. And hoping to replace it with skulls crossbones and lightning bolts. Now can anyone direct me where I can get streamers for the handle grips?

oooh when was the last time I did a panning?

Chatterbox

Munchkin is in a highly fidgetive and talkative phase.

We were at a mall and she insisted on holding on to a disposable chopstick after we had our food. She fidgeted with it and kept dropping it while we walked so the frustrated mom who was gripping her hand on one hand and carrying a plastic bag on the other said "CAN YOU STOP PLAYING WITH THE CHOPSTICK?". The next minute, we were in a shop and the mom accidentally dropped the plastic bag and Munchkin said "Mama, CAN YOU STOP PLAYING WITH THE PLASTIC?".


No, I didn't color-coord for sleeptime. This was coincidental, I swear.

Family of Black and Red

This thing with colors was inspired by Jarvis Cocker.

extracted from an interview:

Camille: Jarvis did this thing that I love. At first I thought it was weird, but now I like it. When we go out he checks to see what I'm wearing, like the colours or shapes. It's not that he tries to match me but he can dress in the same family of colours. It's this old school way of showing that you belong.

Jarvis: Yeah, but it's not like we wear exactly the same thing. It's not like it's his n' hers.

Camille: No, no, that's not what I'm saying at all. It's just like the same family of colours.

Jarvis: It's about wearing something related.

Red, White, Blue

One of the things I like about having a mini-collective of my own is, they become an outlet for my lunatic obsession with color-coords. Not a fan of identical getups though. It's just colors.

Queue for a Kiddy Show

5yrs ago, I sniggered and rolled my eyes at disgusting crazy-ass parents who'd queue over an hour with/for their kids for a space to watch one of those free kiddy shows in the malls on school hols even tho the kids didn't ask for it.

Karma's a bitch.

Well-balanced Weekend.

We arranged for band practice on Saturday so in order not to feel so bad about leaving the kids, I took them out earlier in the day for some fun.

In hopes to tire them out so when they spend the next couple of hours sleeping at home minded by Matriarch and helper, we ran for practice.

When Sunday came, Mister had to sleep in after a graveyard shift but I've gotten used to doing things with the kid/s on my own so I planned to take Munchkin to a Cat Show since the little one is skittish of cats. Taking the almost 4yr old out now is convenient cos I don't have to carry around diapers and milk bottles plus she makes great conversations (at any time there's always someone to say I'm pretty even though I look like a train-wreck). But most of the time, I feel wretched about leaving the 17mth-old at home with the helper. So we waited. As soon as the younger one shut her eyes for her 11am nap, Munch and I got dressed and left. It's less of a heartache when the other one sleeps so she doesn't miss much. By the time we got home, it was the elder's turn to nap so I didn't waste any time, got Pumpkin dressed and off we went to a another heartland mall.

Sense of achievement there when both get equal treatment. Now let me think about ways to manage this with a third kid.

Limelight Thief

Munchkin is turning into that irritating attention-hogger brat who tries to weasel her way into the center. The 5yr old Birthday Girl has always been sweet and giving towards her. Like always, she included Munch in playing together, consoled when Munch sulked about not being able to play with the toy she wanted, making the other kids take turns and letting Munch have the first turn. I was in awe at how sisterly she had become over time. Hope Munch learns a thing or two from her.


Grinning ear to ear like it's her birthday! How do I make her stop?

1st Plant

Munchkin is currently obsessed with flowers and (the act of) planting thanks to Tigger and Friends so Shad's science experiment triggered me to let her try one.

She has been overly excited about it, going "Mama! Mama! Come and see my plant! So tall now!" for the past 2 days when I got home from work.

The BEST part of this is.. I was able to con her into sleeping early so she could see how tall it has grown when she wakes up.


Munch and her 3-day old sprouts.

Eid 09

Main culprit for the absence has to be the (not so) new handphone cos my little twitter community enjoys mini-pics and text of less than 140 characters (i love my intimate twitter circle btw cos they're small and consists of mainly girls).

And Eid this year hasn't been very merry cos Matriarch was away for a mini-pilgrimage and was back only on the 2nd day which we then spent catching up and bonding with her and her side of the family who all came to fetch her from the airport and convoyed back to our house (yes we dont call her matriarch for nuffin).

I know I only had one day of visiting so far and it was rather bad of me to be complaining about dragging two fidgety kids from house to house all decked in the traditional outfit and trying to maintain my (not so) poised kebaya and make-up. But I took my words back almost immediately cos I was self-reminded of the less fortunate. There are ppl out there who'd give anything to be able to spend eid with healthy kids.

So yes. I thank God for what I have today.

We Miss Gigs

Finally got round to sending the cybergamer brother to the airport last night. He was off to Seoul to challenge but we killed two birds with a stone; gathered a bit to meet The Guragas before he heads back ozzie for start of term.



And why I still yearn for a DSLR; Depth-of-field photos. Did I mention I lost my Nikon FM2 while I studying?

Toilet-training

Following suit of being late was toilet-training. I read on parents who introduced the potty to their less-than-a-year-old babies which means Munchkin would come off as extremely delayed. I was hoping that it would be one of the things she'd be naturally ready about so I waited till she was 2.5yrs, I introduced her to training pants but upon putting them on, she hated it. She needed diapers for security. At that moment, I could see the problems I’d be getting into.

Since the time I kept persuading her to go diaper-free, she relented only a couple of months ago. Even then, she started trials on weekends since she didn't have to go to school. It was only last month when I decided to go full-force during her June hols. The things is, I skipped potty and put her straight to toilet with the child seat cos knowing her, she has difficulty adapting to changes in routine so from a potty to toilet would take another series of persuasion.

As I haven't been blessed with the virtue of patience, I found the whole issue more frustrating than weaning her off pacifier (which was horrifying but still do-able cos it was within my control). I was frustrated with not being able to control the whole toilet action- I wouldnt know when she'd have the urge; it took a lot of persuasion to get her to go to the bathroom; if nothing came out, I was not to let her sit too long (or she'd take it as a punishment); and if she had accidents, I was not come off disappointed or she'll be discouraged and want to turn to diapers instead. I did a motivational chart as a form of encouragement for her to go to the bathroom, but eventually, the novelty wore off. Pretty underpants didn’t appeal her either so the lazy mother just got more waterproof training pants to minimize cleaning up ‘accidents’. These pants are brilliant though cos not only can the child feel the wetness, but the pants itself is able to hold urine until child gets to bathroom. I kept wondering if Munchkin was not able to recognize the urge or did she forget to ‘feel’ that she needed to go so.. after the 3rd week, I sort of ‘gave up’ and just let her wet her pants in hopes that she will eventually recognize the feeling of needing to go to the bathroom. She’d usually say she’d want to pee after she did or just a second before she peed so a couple of days before her month-long holiday ended, when she said she needed to pee, I was expecting wet pants as I removed for her in the bathroom but lo and behold! It was dry!! She peed slightly afterwards (still in the bathroom) and made me feel like I just won a million dollars (ok maybe a thousand dollars).

She had been quite consistent since, a couple of accidents but not enough to cause disruption though I have not taken her off diapers when outdoors and bedtime. But the whole point is, I realized it’s a super big deal for a parent, that the lateness (at almost 3.5yrs) didn’t kill off the proud parent-moment of every accomplishment. In fact, it’s a bigger relief cos it was a task long overdue but finally completed.


A star-sticker progress chart I made for her. Oh the effort. And the prize - anything that comes in a box with ribbon excites her so I didn't need anything pricey.

Munchkin's Baby Story

Almost every blogging mom I know will, up to a certain degree, blog about their baby's milestones or kids' accomplishment. And to most, that was why they started blogging in the first place. As much as I try to avoid it, blog like I did in 2001 of all things useless and random, I can't cos the best part is, crazy mothers have the tendency to look back and check on what their children did at which age (ok not crazy but we're sentimental like that, can?).

So there aren't any here on Munchkin when she was a baby cos I was inconsistently toggling between multiply and LJ at that time but today there's a need to mention a bit cos it's a sort of reference to my next entry.

Munch was pretty much late in everything. Everything except for speech. And flipping over. She flipped at 3mths 3weeks cos she was an angry baby majoring in kicking. She was wailing and kicking 22hours a day and that day she exerted a little too much force in her kick that she accidentally flipped herself over (it also helped that she was featherweight). The wailing stopped cos she was in awe of seeing the whole world in a different perspective, not just the ceiling.

As for speech, her 1st two words she really meant (babbling mamamama or papapa don't count cos we didn't think she meant them) was burb (bird) and tet (cat) at 8mths but she had pretty good vocab by the time she turned 1. And my theory in this was, because of her short-tempered nature, she couldn't cope very well with people around her not being able to understand what she wanted.

Anyway, the rest came in late. Crawling at 8mths, walking on her own at 15mths, but there's this one that no one can beat - Teething! Her 1st tooth came out at *......drumroll.......* 22 MTHS!. I can't imagine how dreadful it'll be for her if her milk teeth will only drop when she's 13 or so (as mister said, was what happened to his brother).

So if you hear anyone complaining their babies not teething yet, well now you can tell her/him that you know of one who started teething close to turning two.

Little-Me

During the outing to PLAYtime with Feza and Elly last Sunday, we got round to window-shopping a little, first stop being the famous evil accessory shop at Raffles City. Upon entering, I found all four of us completely immersed in the frenzy of colors and glitters of the knick-knacks. In the midst of checking them out, Munchkin found interest in a purple hairband with a large flower while Elly showed her mom a colorful beaded bracelet. At this moment I laughed out loud when Feza replied "yes, yes I know you like that". The scene got recorded in my head before everything else around us turned slow-mo while orchestral music faded-in with me realising that: These 3-year-olds have turned into Little-Us! It's part endearing part frightening. Frightening cos I'm not sure if I'm mentally prepared for more grown-up-like actions from my 1st-born.

PLAYtime @ Esplanade

Munchkin seemed to have enjoyed PLAYtime (thanks, Chloe for the recommendation) at Esplanade yesterday with my friend Feza and her 3yo, Elly. Recommended for 2-4yr olds so if you've run out of ideas on where to bring your kids, consider this. There's another one happening in August: Into the Deep, Deep Forest – Adventures of the Mouse Deer.

Motherhood Unites

Cheesy title but it's a fact.

Sue and I have known each other since our days in art school but we couldn't term ourselves friends then cos in that 3 years, we barely spoke. Later we found each other working in the same building but there weren't anything more than hello-goodbye exchanges. Even our occasional running into each other at Tower Records were nothing more than 3 sentences. We were stiff like that.

Until (was it?) last year when were reunited via FB and blogsphere, we learnt that our 1st-born are both girls, only 3mths apart. We got pregnant again and we both gave birth to another girl, a month apart. All of a sudden, I think we felt like we've been BFFs forever.

Never mind the fact that we both came from the same school, same workplace, currently temporarily living in the north, share the same taste in music, had the same man attending to our southern region (we shared the same obygyn. what were you thinking?), it only took motherhood to break the ice.

I spent a lovely afternoon with her and our girls and our helpers. She has the cutest pair, they make heads turn.

What's Latest.

The Spouse and I speak Singlish. If I need to tell him to wait for me, I would most likely say "wait ar.. very fast one." Imagine how silly it made us feel when the other day, the 3yo Munches told her dad "Papa, I'll be right back" when I interrupted her playtime with him.

That is what too much telly did to her.

Meanwhile, the 11 mth old Pumps has started walking 2weeks ago but not practising enough. She only walks in favour of food.


This is us from my cousin's wedding this afternoon.

My Six Kitties

My love-hate relationship with a certain $2-shop that starts with "D". You end up buying nothing that you actually need. Like these kitty cat headbands. Which made 3yo Munches not stop pretending she's a cat.

Girl Thing

I succumbed to tutus. a girl cant help it, bb.

Gig + Zoo Weekend

Sometimes I wish The Spouse works regular office hours so that we can do normal family weekends instead of him having to take leave to do so. Since a friend was coming down from Indonesia, he took both last saturday and sunday off work. We made use of sunday for the zoo which I've been wanting to do for loooooong while. Quite a shame we took this long since we don't live that far away.

Munchkin loved feeding the goats. I think we found ourselves another regular spot.

PlayDoh-Coated Nails

We got tired of shaping food and animals out of Play-Doh. This one made The Munchkin all giggly. Mentel kan?

The Munchkin Today

This is The Munchkin.
She is 3 years 3 months and 15 days old.
She is tiny and skinny.
She barely weighs 10kg.
She doesn't fall ill very often.
She loves Lego and Play-Doh and drawing faces.
She's happy when it rains so that she can use an umbrella.
She hates re-arrangements and changes in routine.
She hates it when I'm on the computer.
She still speaks in 3rd person sometimes.

Elly & Sarah part II

Took almost a year to finally meet up again! We can do better than that, elly mommy.
I wrote an entry last year of Elly, the Munchkin's friend since in utero.

I think I can just do nothing but watch them play all day.

Sarah & Elly (2008)

Pumpkin's 1st Trip

Spent the long weekend tripping to Awana Kijal Terengganu with the camera's battery charging at home. The hotel was okay, beach was pretty but not safe for swim and the kids were at their best. Not a single whimper throughout the 8hr long bus ride except for Pumpkin's regular indication for milk.




The tantrum started as soon as we got to our doorstep last night. Munches refused to enter, wailing non-stop "Want to go to our room!". She was referring to the hotel room at Awana. Took a while to pacify her so I thought that was a good excuse to plan something for later weeks of June.

Photo Entry

why are they capable of waking up at 7am on a wet sunday despite having a late night?

guapunya minahs.

Mini gig-goers

Sunday got fine (what more with Mister beaming ear to ear over pool's win) and our trip to esplanade with the kids was fab. from the weather, to the bands to the sound technicals, to our parking spot, to our seats (thanks faezah who spared us centre top space when the place is almost packed to brim) to the company. mocca+yuna+typewriter = one of the best reasons to take the trip down with the kids.

Grape-Scented Hair

Munchkin's curls are not easy to manage. They get into nasty tangles and when she was a baby, I had a hard time finding her appropriate hair conditioner (why don't they make enough hair conditioner for babies?!). The only one I managed to get was from California Baby but I had to wait for it to be shipped internationally.

I swear by California Baby products but they're not very economical. Recently I found Loreal conditioner for Kids and since she's over 3-years-old, I thought it's time she graduates from baby products. It's fabulous. Now she has hair smelling like grape yakult has been spilled all over. So addictive.

Eventful January

Crazy start of the year when Pumpkin had to be hospitalised for viral infection for five days, Matriarch, Mister and myself took turns to do night duty at the ward but all of us came back sick after one night. Equipped with only my hp, I managed to connect to mobile blog and facebook for updates. As soon as we got her home, I had to rush through the final preps for Munchkin's birthday which turned out very different from other events we had. It was a lot of catching up on cousins-in-law and long lost pals who've got babies and little kiddos. Thanks for coming, people.

Class Birthday

I couldn't resist getting them the Drum cake from Coffee Bean.

3 days at Aloha Loyang













Special thanks to mybakingtray for the complimentary tarts and puffs.

Other sources:
Venue - http://www.aloharesorts.com.sg/

Drum Cake - http://www.coffeebean.com.sg

Image icing birthday cake - http://myssaliana.multiply.com/

Helium-filled plain and foil balloons - http://www.harvestwell.com.sg/

Mickey Mouse Theme partyware -

1. Heartlink Trading
116 Middle Rd #01-02
ICB Enterprise Hse
tel: 6294939

2. Chia Nephews Toys Pte Ltd
5 & 6 Tan Quee Lan Street
Singapore 188094
tel: 63340509

3. THE GIFT BOX (http://www.harvestwell.com.sg)
10 Sinaran Drive
#01-K01 Novena Square2
Singapore 307506

Treat Packs - Various pasar malam

Munchkin's Art Digitized

I finally managed to scan some of Munchkin's art to manipulate and animate them. Wanted to practise a bit of action scripting but all that I tried applying failed to work so I only kept to the basics of basics. Gah.. I'm not a programming person. Guess will just have to stick to visual art. Have a lookie.

Day One

I always hated being emo. I knew I would but I was hoping I wouldn't. But I did. I got all teary after she went in then I felt all silly. It's just pre-school, mimi. Gear up.



It's Day 2 actually today as I write this entry. Mister said it still didn't go very well.

Me as Baby

Following the trend of uploading stone-age photos. I realise my girls don't look anything like me and I'm not complaining.

edited: regarding queries on the nestle photo, yeppp crowned for 1st prize Geylang Constituency Baby Contest in 1976. ahem.. (but I lost at national competition - according to Matriarch, I slept through).


and I was aggro from the start:

Puddle Pop

Munchkin and I caught Madagascar 2 yesterday at a nearby (near empty)cinema not for the movie (we could've done DVDs like everyone else) but only because I hadn't gone to one in ages and I wanted her to have her first cinema experience (she sure loved it). Another first time was also her going out in wellies and I was glad I made her put them on cos she had a splashing good walk home.

Thing is, Munchkin makes great company to go out with now (I get to laugh at everything she says) but I cannot do that often reason being the dreaded feeling to have to leave Pumpkin at home with Matriarch. But I'll make sure you get your turn, baby.

Pooling About

My cousin's condo has the best pool cos they're under-utilised unlike other condo pools that I've seen which seem congested on weekends. Best thing is, her place is only a 15mins drive away and yesterday was the 2nd time I took Munchkin there to play in the pool with my cousin's daughter, Sophie, who is a year younger than Munches. Only regret is, Munchkin now keeps saying "want to go Sophie's house".

video via facebook