Milestones

Walking back from Bedok Reservoir Park, Simone crossed the road--riding on her scooter! Before we crossed, I kept pinning her back in her stroller,  she strongly refused and stuck on her "tooter". I was sooooo nervous we'd run out of time! No worries, I was holding one side of the handle using my left hand and pushing the stroller using my right. :) But still! I'm so proud she was able to do that. Milestone indeed!

Meanwhile, here's a video shot last July 25.

Sand play

While at the park, I noticed a young, good-looking, trying-to-look-low-profile-but-failed couple. I seriously think they're some celebrities or high-profile rich people. Anyway later on, the wife, who was wearing chic sunnies approached me.

Girl: How old is your daughter?

Me. Turning 19 months! *smiles*

Girl: 29 months??

Me: No, 19 months.

Girl: ...You mean, she's not even 2 years old?! *looks puzzled*

Me: Haha..No.

*End of convo*

I didn't wanna go on coz.. I don't know, I think I was tired already:) Then she turns to her hubby and translated everything in Cantonese (?) 

Then I saw Simone standing next to their son, almost the same height and built but their son can speak very well and climbs up and down. I'm sure he's more than 2 years old. Maybe that's why she asked(?).

But seriously, I get asked so many times by people (by that I mean strangers!) and all of them think she's waay older than her actual age! Is she really that big? I don't think so. Can I just call it  advanced? 

Another incident:

I bought a potty from a seller a few weeks ago. Met up with her and she saw Simone. 

Seller: How old is she? Hmm... 3?

Me: *laughs sarcastically* No, she only 18 months!

Seller: 18 months? My daughter is just a little bigger than her and she is turning 5.

Me: Really.. 

Seller: Yeah, my daughter very small one..blah blah...

Me: *speechless* wondered again.

These 2 are just few of the many. Well, I will take it as a compliment. 

Anyway, back to milestones, and scooters, I'm happy she has learned how to use it. Yay! no more backaches for mommy.

Before, she was a bit scared of touching dogs. But now, look at this.

Lola smelling your diaper!!! LOL

Dog lover indeed.

FYI, "Lola" is a maltipoo, and we always play with her at the playground so she knows us. Maltipoos are so friendly!

And recently, I got her a number puzzle and I remember she had absolutely no clue on how it works! Now, she can put everything together in about 1 minute ++. I will upload the video next time.

As for her potty update, she had some regressions, some days she doesn't feel like doing it, so I just let it go. Still, she just wears panties or sometimes nothing at all (in that case I make sure she wears a dress) We would always need to go out so it's not so consistent. I'm not pushing it. The more you push, the more they won't do it. Once they feel a tiny little pressure from you, they won't do it! Just stay positive ALL the way (I know it's hard), even if they pee/poop everywhere (accept the fact that's it's going to be messy). Just tell them they peed, and show them where, and let them sit. Again, don't force them to sit. And again, say it in a happy way.

Times flies! Gotta make the most out of it!!!!

Happy sunday!

xx,

shiela

HE is with me:)

I received 3 big bags of clothes! 2 bags for Simone, from my sister-in-law, who has 2 daughters (I think I need a bigger closet for Simone!)  and one huge bag from my grandmother-in-law's neighbor. I thought the latter is for Simone too, as her granddaughter is more than 2 years old and wanted to hand me down some clothes. When I checked it, whoah! A lot of smart casual clothes from foreign brands and local designer online shop, Love,Bonito. Only catch is that most of it are medium sized (I'm a small). Dang I must gain some weight! LOL. Material of clothes are mostly chiffon, which I like.

Going to interviews (as I'm looking for a job), I needed to wear smart casual attire (at least) but I don't want to spend money just so I can wear some. I'd rather use it on grocery shopping and make pasta at home..and some useful educational toys:)

A few weeks ago, I also received a bag of cute clothes from my uncle-in-law's girlfriend. Jeez, I think I would need another closet! Oh, and some shirts from my friend Marcia, from her daughter too.

I can't thank him enough for the blessings. Financial woes will ALWAYS be there (whether you're rich or poor), but I'm just soooo grateful, and content right now. 

I think God gave me those clothes to prepare me for my upcoming job:) He sure knows I love vintage stuff! I believe the right job for me is just out there waiting. 

Patience and prayers are so powerful.

xx,

Shiela

It's time for a scooter!

I've been eye-ing to buy her a Cruzee for a long time! It is a balance bike, and it only weighs 1.9kg. I already know where to buy. LOL Eggzoited, but maybe end of the year:) We got something else.

Ugh this is the new 2014 pink! Badass!!!

Here is a 2 year old.

Simone has been grabbing kids' scooters whenever we are at the playground and refused to let go, hence, a tantrum afterwards. So we finally bought her one. Explore outdoor activities more! It's okay to stumble and fall, it's part of toddlerhood:) What I mean is that, just be there for supervision. I watch her every move LOL.

This is the new scooter of the generation LOL.  It's the 3-in-1 Y Glider scooter for 1-5 years old. I wish there was black color, it's just too pink. You can fix the seat like that or remove it once they are ready to stand and balance. She prefers to stand as she sees other kids like that.

More practice!

Of course I have to push her around until she learns on her own. Talk about backaches. Never mind. She loves it. Excuse my horrible hair! It screams "hair treatment!" 

xx,

shiela

Zonked Out Momma

Only half way to being a legit terrible two, I can say that she is already there! I am getting burned out seriously. Not complaining, but it's getting more tiring. I usually clean up when she's napping, but I just passed out haha!

Today was a productive day for the both of us. Woke up early enough to make homemade chicken nuggets. I made it really fast because Simone might wake up soon haha. Finally had our painting activity. She kept on saying "weh-whoah" for yellow, and would clap and say "wow!" every time she would swish the brush and see the color on the pad. Cute!!! 

My future Claude Monet LOL

Paint, stand, clap, and say "wow!"

Just prayed she won't pee on my new shoes LOL. She didn't. She can walk well on those.

I hadn't been so disciplined (I mean doing) on her potty learning, because we would always need to go out... Nevertheless, she will always say if she pees and poop! She knows the difference so yay for that. Whenever we are at home, I would just take off her diaper. (I have another potty in the bathroom and this... just so I wouldn't have to run all the way there LOL)

Who knew potty could be so amusing?

She had also officially played with our neighbor's dog. Official I mean by patting the dog more than several times and letting Lola (dog's name) lick her hands and she would feel ticklish and laugh. No pic, I'm too tired.

I have a new go- to grocery place! It used to be Fair Price Finest in Bedok Mall, but Fair Price in Bedok Town Center is cool too! They don't have the spinach that I usually buy, but it's just walking distance.

Because I saw this!!! I only saw this here. They have a promo, that's 2 pints for $27.85. Too bad I'm carrying a lot already (and I can't pick 2 flavors, because I want all 3) so maybe tomorrow(?) 

Why isn't there a promo for 3 pints?

And this! Lemme have this instead of the cookie butter. But I hope the cookie butter will be available soon!

"Every coffee needs a Lotus."

Simple pleasures.

Tomorrow is another day.

Ta-ta!

xx,

shiela

Busy Bee

Today was just the most exhausting (but happiest) day!

Simone wakes up at 11:30 and tells me "weh-weh" or wee-wee which means she wants to pee:) so i brought her to the bathroom and when i removed her diaper, she had already pooped:) #hashtagtoilettraining! Wonderful. But the whole day she was in diapers so tomorrow we will be back to square one again, but she would always hold her diaper and say weh-weh every time she would pee. At least she is aware of that already.

I still had to bathe her, wash bottles, cook, feed, wash dishes, and clean her up again before an appointment with the school. Not mentioning a quick prep on myself. Still had to photocopy documents, walk here and there. Tiring:) Simone is now officially enrolled in toddler school! Oh no I'm having future separation anxiety attacks already!!!!! exagge but true lol

"Mile!" when she sees a camera.

I had to pin her down in her stroller so I can strap her because she didn't want to leave the school!!! Ugh don't worry baby sarting August you'll spend your whole day there.. :)

Future classmates

I seriously wanna take that baby girl home!!!! she is also 18 months.

We left the school around almost 3pm, and went to Raffles Hotel to meet up my college bestfriend who flew in from Macau. Nothing's changed! Our other BFF came in around 7 and had dinner.

Foreva-eva

Done at 9, bought a birthday cake for my father-in-law, can you imagine me pushing a stroller with Simone in, plus a diaper bag and a cake hanging on it? Well you can guess how I carried everything when we rode the bus LOL. (I refuse to take a cab because the queue is long and its expensive and the list goes on:))

When I opened the door, I immediately sang Happy Birthday and had no reactions from my in-laws. Maybe they don't recognize the song in english? I took the cake out, greeted him happy birthday, lit the candle and planted it on the cake. I called him and said he's gonna blow his candle. Turns out he didn't understand everything I said LOL. Mother-in-law wouldn't participate in singing and taking of photos. Just for fun, it's a birthday:) Oh well :) Kevin came and I asked him why didn't he greet his dad, and turns out they don't greet each other????? All of them. WHAT. I mean WHY. Is it in their culture?  I get it. Maybe that's why they have no clue or wasn't interested at all in what I'm doing. FAIL! Anyway.... At least Simone gets a photo op with her grandfather.

Happy Birthday Ah-Gong!

Flashback Friday to last year!

Simone didn't eat much today, so I had to whip up late dinner and bathe her, put her to bed early and she slept like a husband! Lol. And I downloaded and got to watch Suits right away. Worth the two week wait!  Ughhh watch your ego, Mike Ross!!

 Great day it was!!!!

Xx,

Shiela

Potty Here We Go

Yesterday, Simone woke me up in my 5-minute nap (I dozed off) and pointed at the puddle of pee she had made. I happily sat up and proceeded to clean. Ha! I'm glad now she's aware and even woke me up.

I'm not strictly training her, I mean her having all the signs of readiness to potty train doesn't mean she is ready right? I just want her to learn the routine of going to the potty, and the feeling of being diaper-less. Mind you, during the 50's, when diapers were not invented yet, babies were toilet trained by 18 months! This article is good too, you may want to have a read Who Decides When to Potty?l

I have researched a lot about potty training but unfortunately the 3-day potty training is not so practical for us. It required no undies at all, and it was a strictly 3 days no going out of the house. It was funny because the first time I took off her diaper, I planted her to the potty to show how. Nothing. While doing this I was explaining to her that she needs to go to the potty if she needs to pee/poop. After this, I just threw her wet diaper in the bin (that was just a few steps away) and when I turned around, she was already in a squat position! Waaaah! I quickly grabbed her and planted her back on the potty. Too late. Hahaha. I pointed to her poop and she was surprised to see it there! Funny too she wasn't even aware that she peed/pooped lol i actually enjoyed it.. Now it's like the 4th or 5th day(can't rem!) and there's definitely an improvement like she will run to me and cry... Little did I know, she's already peeing and I quickly brought her to her potty, then she will say "wee wee" and point at it. Great. My mom gave Simone more than 15 bikini style undies, so cute!

Some tips I can give out is to get them used to the routine. Every morning upon waking up, and every 30 minutes, and before sleeping, bring them to the potty. It's okay to use diaper on sleeping and nap time, or when going out. Continuously give plenty of liquids so they would always pee. Stay beside her on the first 3 days (stay at home as much as possible), so when she pees, you can rush her quickly to her potty, and make sure is is comfortable with her potty. Show appreciation. Give rewards or learn a potty dance if it works for them. I also let Simone watch potty videos like Elmo's Potty Time and Alleke's potty video .Lastly, don't pressure them!

This afternoon, we checked out a child care center and we decided we will enroll Simone there. The principal said that end of the year I must potty train Simone already. Good thing I have started earlier, since I'm not yet working, I can focus on it well.

Right now she's using an Ikea potty, but I think she is not comfortable with it (her butt sinks in haha) so I'm looking for a smaller potty:)

Cute right? Comes with music.

I'm thinking. If it's my turn, I'll have to take off the ladder right?lol

This is good for travel.WANT.

Cute but same question about the ladder. hehe

All these can be bought at www.qoo10.sg . The rest I wanted were already sold out. What do you think? I didn't realize choosing a potty would be "difficile"! haha dropping french, I miss using it.

xx,

shiela

Google Mom

I'm a Google person eversince. I go to the mall and see a top I like at Topshop, but anywhere cheaper with similar design? And I'll spend probably the whole night trying to find one. I'm a little insane. Who cares, I do get to find stuff cheaper and more unique, people will ask, "Topshop?" Nope! I love brands but they're all so commercial though. I prefer hard-to-find clothes that only a few people can wear and will wonder where I bought it.Ha.

Sooo I just spent like 3 whole hours looking for a 3-wheel or 4-wheel scooter for Simone! Same time spent looking for a job, daycare and pedia! Ughhh everytime we go to the playground (that's everyday), she would grab any scooter she sees and ride on it. It's okay but so when the owner sees it, of course they would take it away and glide away. So Simone will look around and play with the next one she sees. I've had enough! "Simone that's not yours!" is already a broken record. I know she's too young, but she's just so into it... Don't worry I won't let go unless she can fully balance! Nothing, just checked the specs and prices online. Most of the ones I liked were either sold out or too expensive. Damn. Tomorrow we will check Toys R Us. CHECK only. Anyway she can only stand on it for now, and I, will have to drag her around. No, not easy. It's hard work at the playground for momma!! More running and catching LOL

xx,

Shiela