Learning Simone: Shapes

Forgot to draw a star, and an oval.. because my battery was about to die! haha. Only left to learn to say is rectangle. Sometimes when I draw a circle, she says it's an O. Haha! Also right!

xx,

shiela

Simple Discipline

It's difficult to control a toddler because they already know what they want, plus they themselves have no control of their emotions. One minute I'm so pissed and then next minute I'm laughing my ass off! I just remind myself, "Don't let that little creature get you!" I'm lika a crazy-ass mom now! It's just full of emotions with a sneaky toddler!

How to discipline them in simple ways?

1. Start with teaching them to put back their toys after playing, as well as returning other things after using them. (Don't do every little thing for them--no to spoiled kids!)

2. Simple chores. When you open things, like biscuits for them, ask them to throw the wrapper in the bin. 

3. Simple Manners. If they want you to do something for them, ask them to say "Please" and "Thank You" when done. If they are in your way, say "Excuse Me." They will pick it up fast if you practice often. (Simone says "Eh-mee" and "Ank-oo" not so clear yet but she does) 

4. Simple learning. When your out and about, or just anywhere, find some things that can exercise their brains. "Where's number 5?" in a $5 note. Or if you see anything with numbers, letters, anything you can teach them. "where's the tree? sky? elephant?" but don't pressure them okay! Just fun learning. (Simone will always point out the letters A and O, and numbers 5, 4, 8, & 9 whenever she sees them!)

5. If they want anything that can be done by themselves, teach them. Teach them to unzip/zip back zippers, wash hands, wipe mouth/hands, etc. 

6. Teach them to eat by themselves. I admit I thought this was easy at first. When Simone was 6 months old, she can eat by herself, and eats anything from berries to carrots, but nowadays she's more on noodles and prefers eating fruits and veggies by spoon. 

7. Be very alert when they start to do anything physical to other kids like pushing or pinching. Stop them EVERYTIME and tell them it's not good. And be firm! If you don't stop them and you are around, they will think it's a NORMAL thing to do. (Simone sometimes pinch other kids LOL)

8. If they do the things you ask them to do, say words like "Good Job", "Thank You", instead of praising them or giving rewards. Show them that you appreciate! And if they did not do it, PLEASE don't say "Bad" or "Naughty girl", "Stupid" or anything negative. They will pick it up and refuse even more.

9. Hello and Goodbye

I understand some parents "sneak out" to leave while their kids are busy playing because you don't want to deal with a hysterical toddler crying when you leave the house or somewhere. And because you'll feel guilty! But if you don't say goodbye, they will just feel 'betrayed' and get even more upset because you just disappeared without telling them. Your child may look around for you and may panic, thus making separation process harder. But what is important is they need to understand this reality in life, that you need to go, tell them where you're going and you will be back. You may say "Mommy's going to work okay, be a good girl, see you later bye!" And go. Be positively happy. It's perfectly normal for them to cry, separation anxiety takes time.  We ALL go through it! They'll get over it in a while. You may give them treats when you come back so they'll look forward on waiting for you. Say, "Hello baby I'm back! You see, mommy will always come back after saying goodbye!" I like to make big gestures and scream a bit (can't help it--I miss her more) when picking up Simone:p plus her favorite drink in my hand.

All these "Simple" tips are not really simple LOL! It requires a LOT of patience and you have to be very consistent. I myself have a very hard time because at some, I tend to be lenient because.. Just because. Haha.

Remember, consistency is the key. Just do them like an everyday thing. You can start as early as you want. They may not follow it at first but I'm 100% sure it is already in their brain! You'll just be surprised one day:) Good Luck!

Tata!

Xx,

Shiela

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