3 Cheeky Monkeys

I had to help look after my nephew again this weekend. Luckily I had my husband to help me out this time. It's a fair amount of work to look after 3 kids. Especially to have a 10 months old and my own 3 months old that requires almost the same amount of attention.

The 3 year old is perfectly fine as he is more than capable of entertaining himself and can play with the 10 months old while I am busy with Chloe. The only hard part is my nephew, Jordan is a crawler but hates to be left alone. He needs to be picked up constantly and whinge everytime I am out of his sight. And I need to watch where he is as he could possibly crawl into any black hole in my house.

That aside, he is a happy little baby and JD loves having his cousin around.

I have helped looked after my nephew a fair bit now since Chloe came along. I kept trying to take a picture of 3 of them, but always have one of them sleeping or crying or something else.

Finally, we have a lovely little photo of 3 of them. Except Chloe does not seem to be too happy sitting among the boys.

I m a big KID now!

JD is now officially in the Big Kidz club. Well, I think so anyway.

We have lots of kids on the street we live in. At the last count, Chloe has added to the 25 kids already living on the street. Now that's a lot of kids for a nice little cul-de-sac of just about 8 houses!

When the kids are back from school, we usually see them riding bikes, scooters, roller skates, kicking footie, girls playing tea party in the front yard, dads and moms chatting to one another.

It's a really nice street.

Before we had kids, we were probably the only young couple household with no kids. We were hardly at home, either at work, or out with friends.

These days you would find me sitting at the front steps with 2 kids, enjoying the evening breeze while watching JD riding his bike in the driveway. Lately, he started to notice other kids and each day I see him stepping a step further from me wanting to join in the fun with the others.

From the sideline, I encouraged him to make friends and introduced himself.

And it took him less than a few seconds to make friends and before I know, he was running around with other kids, kicking a footy!

But I must say, funny as it may sound, JD would be the kind of future party host you would love! Not long after he started making friends, he rushed into the house to get a picnic rug out so that all his friends can sit down on the grass. Next he went through the fridge and took out a few mandarins so that his friends could have something to eat. Then he ran back into the house again to bring out his toys for showing off but also for his friends to play.

It was quite cute. And all the kids are so lovely because they are all much older but don't mind his kiddiness at all!

Zombie

This week has been yet another challenging week. First the husband's work was busy which means late night every single night for the week plus he was also working during the weekend. But the hardest part must have been Miss C's sleeping pattern. It must have been the change in weather. First it was too humid one night and she had trouble sleeping. The next night it was cool and she slept soundly. Then the next few nights were a bit of a blur as I lost count of the number of times I woke up in the night, 3, 4, 5 times...I lost count. Last night I only had 3 hours sleep, wahhhh, I was like a walking zombie by this morning.

On top of that, JD had a tummy bug for 3 nights which means I also had to wake up in the night for him.

By this morning I could hardly hold my eyelids up. I almost resort to toothpick at one point.

So, I thought what the heck, enough of me being this disciplined, minimal TV mom. I plonked JD in front of the TV for an hour in the morning to watch his Play School and stuff whilst I quickly took a 1 hr power nap whilst Chloe slept!

Yes, sleepless nights I had a fair share this week. I am scared now. I am dying for a good night sleep. Pleessseeeee, Miss C, just be a good girl, and let your mommy rest.

The kids are laughing

Well, despite my lack of sleep, we are all still a happy bunch.

I put JD and Chloe on the couch this afternoon after their naps.

And they were happy. Really happy.

Caught in the act

I was playing with the camera today and trying to figure out what all the different functions were. Anyway, caught Chloe doing her morning aerobics while mucking around on the camera. See her floral leotard, wahahaha!

Friday's Best

Some lovely shots taken on a beautiful Friday morning to bring smiles to your face as she has to me everyday.

Cooking Mexicana

JD has a special thing with food! He loves to eat and love to be involved in the kitchen!

Sometimes it drives me nuts when I am trying to prepare a quick meal and he insists on helping me.

A couple weekends ago, we decided to make taco which was just ideal for JD to participate.

Here's how you make taco according to JD.

First you put some lettuce in the taco shell

Next you put some tomatoes

Then the beef

Sprinkle some cheese

Tada! The finished product

The proud chef

Brother n Sister

On a good day, I would be able to snap some lovely photos of Chloe without JD sticking his head in front of the camera or wanting to have a go at taking the photos.

But on a even better day, I could at least get them both to look at the camera, well kind of!

My 30 mins "babysitter"

I got Steve the carwash man to come over and give my car a good wash n vacumm today. Since Chloe came along, I have just been way too busy to even wash my car. So after a while, I have bird shits on my windscreen, biscuit crumbs on the floor, spilled coffee on my handbrake, sand in the boot and just way too dirty and messy. Truth is most of the time I am either just too busy or too tired to even bother about washing the car.

Why is he my 30 mins "babisitter"? Because in that half hour, JD had fun chatting to Steve, telling him about the rain last night, playing with his dog - Sam, helping him to wash the car, jumping around in the puddle of water, helping Steve to fetch water for his dog to drink and all the while I sat on the front steps with Chloe drinking my cup of coffee!

I got my car wash, JD had someone to entertain him for a while, and I had a bit of rest. It was money well spent, hee hee!

My day.

Mondays, Fridays and weekends are the busiest for me. JD stays home with me every Mon, Fri and on the weekend, I have another big kid in the house as well.

Being Friday today, I have to think of a list, actually LOTS of activities to keep my 3 yo occupied. I have been cutting down his time in front of the black box over the last number of weeks and making a conscious effort to do things together with him. The weather looks a bit overcast this morning, so we have to shelf our plans of going to the park.

Instead, this was our day moment by moment.

5.45am - Chloe wakes for her morning feed. Put her back to sleep in cot whilst I showered, washed my hair.

6.30am - Had my raisin toast and black tea for breakfast, watched the morning news, check out on the internet for Play Dough Recipe. Chatted to hubby n saw him off to work.

7.00am - JD wakes up, bright eyed and bushy tailed. Picks a pair of blue cargo shorts to wear, some cat t-shirt as he calls them, and put on a pair of Bob the Builder jocks. He had his Cheerios for breakfast and then entertained himself with his car set, some marble toys, bouncing balls and etc.

8.00am - Got JD to do some home made playdough by mixing flour, salt, water and some food colourings. It was lots of fun and we made a purple, red and green ones. We sat down, making noodles and vegies out of playdough. JD insisted he had to cook the noodle and we took out his kitchen set too.

JD making red playdough

9.00am - Chloe wakes up. Picked her up, gave her a feed, sang to her, changed her nappy, put her on the rocker to have a look around whilst her brother tickled her feet.

9.30am - Packed 2 kids in the pram and off for our morning walk. Bought bread and some other groceries along the way. JD felt really happy that Chloe could come in the pram together with him and happily munched on some sultanas whilst I pushed a 16.5kg toddler, an almost 6 kg baby plus a 10kg pram along! It was good workout nonetheless.

10.00am - Prepare morning tea. Today he had watermelon, crackers and yoghurt. JD stole half of my yoghurt when I wasn't looking. Time for Chloe to sleep again.

10.30am - Story time with JD and he picked a dinosour book today. We did counting and colours recognition as well.

11.00am - Time for play in the backyard. We kicked ball, blow bubbles, spotting ants, snails, some water play, sitting down on the garden bench listening to birds chirping, car noises and talking about whatever that came to our minds.

12.00pm - Time to make lunch. Make ham and cheese toastie for JD whilst I finished up last night's stir fry. JD talked to me about the sun coming out, birds in the garden, asking where his Aunty Wendy had gone. I popped my head out from the kitchen and saw him sitting like a "towkay" and deep in thought too. Noticed that he was clever enough to put another chair to rest his leg on.

We did puzzles, teach JD to play snake n ladders, and I had bit of break whilst he rummaged through some toys in the play room.

1 pm - Chloe woke up from her nap, all happy and smiley. Sat her up at the rocker in the kitchen whilst she watches us busy. Got JD to help me make some chocolate cup cake for afternoon tea . He had fun. He loves cooking and loves the little blue apron given to him by his wai po. Some sales person came to the door, followed by more sales calls from some phone companies, termite control, financial planning...looks like 1pm is a good time to catch people at home.

Happiest in the kitchen

2.00pm - Send both kids to nap. Both kids went to sleep by themselves and Chloe also went to sleep without a peep.

2.30pm - Did a quick sweep up in the house, folded some laundry, washed some dishes, packed away toys, search the internet for some pork chop recipes.

3.15pm - Chloe crying in her room, picked her up, put her in the sling whilst I checked my emails, read, prepared dinner, had a cuppa and ate a cup cake too. Honestly, I really should not be eating the cake as I am trying to lose some weight. But hey, it was all too tempting.

Can you resist these?

5.00pm - Both kids woke up from nap at the same time. JD was all happy and ran out of the room looking for me. He had a cup cake and we went across the road chatting to neighbour while he played with the other kids on the street.

6.00pm - Bathed both kids. Sitting on the steps waiting for daddy to come home. Waited too long, and JD came to help me washed the vegies for dinner.

7.00pm - Daddy came home. He entertained the kids while I prepared dinner. Tonight we had pan fried pork chop with a white musroom sauce.

7.30pm - Family time. Lots of laughters, chasing around in the house, daddy playing hide n seek with JD, Chloe sitting at her rocker taking in all the excitements.

8.00pm - Put Chloe to bed.

8.30pm - Bed time stories with JD. He picks "Little Hippos's New Home" and "A Dragon at the Doorstep" tonight.

9.00pm - I lay in bed, reading "Raising Boys" by Steve Biddulph at the moment .

Some thoughts as I lay in bed - The best times JD learnt was when we do things together. At this age when his attention span is still short, I have found he learns the most about colours, numbers, new words, new things when we have our nice little conversations while cooking, gardening, hanging up the laundry, and etc. And it's so much more fun because I always pick up some funny little remarks made by him.

I hope we keep our little conversations going for the years to come. Because according to the book I am reading boys often don't talk about their worries, schools, friendship rivalry, love life like we girls do. "Boys tend to open up more when they are talking to someone working alongside them. Boys like to be engaged in some useful activity whilst talking. Apparently this gives them time to search for the right words, and none of that embarassing eyeball-to-eyeball stuff that women like to engage in" - quotes from Steve Biddulph.

And if I want to be close to my son, share his worries and joys even in the years to come, we have to do things together!

A day on the beach

A few weeks ago, making use of the warm weather, we packed the family to Point Walter. JD tried to master the art of surfing, and to my amazement, this little fella kinda knew what to do. I think he got the idea from watching Hi5 Surfing Safari!



The rest of the time, I sat on the grass with Chloe sound asleep in my arm while I occupied myself playing with some twigs and dried leaves! Haha, talk about being purposeful!

My 3 Months Old

My little 3 months old is a little chub chub. She is all cheek and tummy at the moment, but we are all loving it. She is staying awake more during the day and loves looking at herself in the mirror, our faces and especially more when her brother looks at her really closely. She will give out big smiles and gurgle non stop everytime her brother plays with her. It's really nice.

No, she is not sleeping through the night. I still get the midnight "dial-a-milky" call from her and diligently I will deliver the food! Most of the time, I fell asleep on the chair while she nursed. But there is something very nice about her nursing in my arm, when the night is quiet, and only to have her falling back asleep sweetly after a nice full tummy.

She has started rolling over one way to her side. So we are not putting her on the sofa anymore and she spends lots of time on the floor. In this respect, she is a bit quicker than her brother. I have also introduced lots of tummy time for her to build up her neck muscle and looking at the world from another prespective.

Oh, and she started her very first lesson at Gymbaroo yesterday. Now, this is hard work ok! She gets her tummy rubbed, back massaged, getting her legs squeezed, feet being tapped, dancing to music with mommy and lots of exercise for the little people.

And you know what, she is so still full of smiles!

More on food

My lunch today.

Tuna and salad sandwich on soy n linseed bread.


Weather warming up. It's time again for salads n sandwiches. Easy n simple meals.

So rare but so good

This is so rare in my life these days that I have to blog about it.

It's 7.30am on a Monday morning, the 3 yo toddler and the 12 wks old baby are still sound asleep in their room.

I am sitting at my desk, having my Vegemite toast, cup of black tea, checking out the latest news, blogging, catching up on emails ...

Just enjoying the quietness in the house for just a little while.

Sometimes all I need in a day is a bit of time to myself, not much, 10-15 mins when I can get to do stuffs that I enjoy.

Sunday morning breakfast

Home made banana and blueberry muffins! Yummo!

Mooncake

It was moon festival yesterday, and we bought some mooncakes from the Asian grocery shop. This year they have lots of different flavours, the traditional lotus seed, red bean paste, and those with 5 nuts and seeds. But they also have some new ones such as the durian and green tea flavour.

Being a bit more conservative in my taste, I opted for the lotus seed and also one of the green tea flavour.


It was yummy.

But the green tea one is a bit too green for my liking, actually it tasted a bit too sweet and a bit like pandan flavour.

I didn't have any good shots of the kids playing with the lantern coz it was way too windy last night.

We had a good day

After my previous post, I packed the 2 kids in the car and off we went to the park. It was a great day out. JD had fun playing in the sandpit and playground, showing me the the rocks, the leaves, the gumnuts he found...we munched on tuna sandwiches, apples, crackers, just enjoying being outdoor and the beautiful sunshine.


So far today, zero tears! Hallelujah!

I am dealing with...

The last week or so have been rather turbulent. Yes, I am dealing with the "Terrible Threes" syndrome. Just last night, I had to deal with a 3 yo tantrums for almost 3 hours on my own. Constantly I found myself dealing with his tantrums, whining, screaming, shouting, crying, refusing what I offered him, then only to change back his mind, crying in the middle of the street so to make me feel uneasy...and the list goes on and on.

I was almost holding onto my last nerve last night. Holding myself together, but with my head pounding from just sheer exhaustion.

It's funny how these terrible stages would just come on out of nowhere.

Just a week ago, I found myself watching him with smiles and pride in my heart. Feeling so grateful for a wonderful little man he is. The little boy that would ask mommy for "Lots and lots and lots of kisses" and a "big cuddle" when he goes to bed. The cute brother that would hold his baby sister's hand in the car so that she won't cry. A protective brother that would rush to her cot singing "Rock a bye baby..." when he hears her cry. The little man that would remind me to watch out for cars when I cross the road with him. Telling me we must hold hands when walking. The helpful little boy that would help me to drag a heavy bag of groceries because I have my hands full.

A little boy that would turn around looking at me and says "Thank you for my Mommy!"

Those are the days when I feel like things are great. I have smiles on my face. Telling the husband everything is under control when he rings. When I beamed with pride of what a lovely little boy he is.

And then just as sudden as the tantrums started, I began to wonder what a monster I have created. Maybe I have been too harsh sometimes. Too much TV perhaps. Far too many treats and surprises. I have scolded him too harshly on the weekend. I haven't been sensitive to his emotional needs. He felt left out. I haven't spend enough one-on-one time with him.

You start to run these thoughs through and through and began to review everything again. Perhaps changing my techniques. Surfing through the internet reading up about the 3 years olds.

And kids are sooooo smart. They know when we are in doubt of ourselves. When we feel less that confident of ourselves. Uh huh, that's when they flash their manipulative sticks at us again.

Ah, I am not going to fall for that trap. I am not going to give in.

Today I am packing a picnic basket with tuna sandwiches, apples, mandarins, rice crackers, some water n juices to the park.

Hoping for a better day with the beautiful sunshine.

恺仪 11 weeks old

恺仪 is already 11 weeks old, almost 3 months. She is a lil darling, getting chubbier by the day. She is a cool baby these days, love it when we tease her with tickles and noises of all kinds. I love her smiles, she looks so happy everytime she smiles. She is not as serious looking like her brother when he was a baby.

With 恺仪, smiles come easily, whether it be just someone talking to her, smiling at her, massaging her scalp, tickling her, bathing her, changing her nappy, she smiles!


And because she smiles, I smile too, and making others smile too, whether it be the little girl sitting next to me at the doctor's room, or the old lady next to me at the cafe, the cashier at the supermarket, the old uncle at the Asian groceries store...

See, babies are cute, and they can bring so much joy n happiness to us.

And that's why my parents have selected this beautiful name for her.

恺仪 - 含意是和乐，快乐 (Merry, jovial)

My 4 days with JD

This weekend had been a long one for us, with today being the Queen's Birthday, thus a public holiday. This will be the last public holiday that sees us through till Xmas...

Lots of things have happened this weekend. It felt like I was constantly busy doing things and wanting to blog about everything that has happened. There were some really BAD 3 yo tantrums, enough to test the patience of any parents out there, there was the "quiet spot" being pulled out times and times again, and I wasn't the "all so cool" parent anymore. I was the bad cop! But I won't dwell on the bad moments.

But then there were also lots of fun things that have happened, JD and me chasing each other around with a spray water bottle, rolling and running around in the backyard, the ever so happy laughter of a 3yo through the open space.

There was also craft time, where we decided to make a 3 eyes monster. Lots of fun with this one, though I did most of the cutting and JD helping me to apply the glue.

There was also his own special time when he quietly putting strokes of colours through his painting.

And there were also some really funny times when I could just laugh at the imagination of a 3yo. At home, I drink my water from my water bottle. But I was looking high and low for my bottle on Sat morning and when I was about to give up looking for it, thinking the sleep deprivation has finally caught up with me, I saw this odd looking thing.

Yep, my 3yo "marine biologist" told me he is creating an aquarium.

Oh, and when that was fun to him, I also realised a 3yo can turn one object into another. JD went to visit his mama (grandma), and picked out 2 cumquats from her tree.

When he first showed it to me, he said "Mommy, look I got fruits". So I said "Oh yeh, that's cumquat". For the next hour, he kept practicing "cumquat, cumquat". But then suddenly, he told me that they were tiny balls. Then he said they were fruit salad. The last I heard those 2 cumquats have turned into melons.

And we were making Wanton for dinner tonight. He insisted on helping me "Please mommy, let me help". I politely declined, he insisted, and I gave in. This was mine.

That was his. It may not look that good, but when I took a shot of it, I thought "Fuiyoo, looks like those from Donna Hay magazine type. Mine look ordinary compared to his : ) His has got a splash of character.

Time has changed

Before when there were just the 2 of us...

The house was most of the time neat n tidy. No mess, no fuss, no stepping on some freakin' lego bricks in the dark, no cleaning up vomit mess, none of kids clothes tossing around on the sofa because you had to rush out of the house, and will come back to sort out the mess later, instead of one load of washing, you do 3 these days, your groceries bill tripled, and the list goes on and on.

How things have changed when kid no.1 came along, and I thought I was busy, huh, wrong! Then when kid no.2 arrived ... suddenly 24 hours a day just never seem to be enough, weekend came and gone too quickly, u collapse into bed like a wreck each night, waking up like a zombie the next day. Part of you just want to lay in bed and hibernate some days, but hey there's still the breakie, lunch, dinner to fix, errands to run, fun to have, laughters to share, children waiting for you to love n play, just too many good things to miss out on.

So you pick yourself up, dust off the crumbs of your hair from your child's breakfast, fake a smile at the mirror and do it all over again...cleaning, feeding, playing, reading, singing, nursing, disciplining, rocking, settling, fetching, all hoping to raise a happy and contended child one day!

And when the kids are happily in their dreamland, you gather just that last bit of energy to put together the house that has looked like a warzone for most part of the day.

Before you know, riiiiinnnnng, alarm clock at 6am! Time to do it all over again.

To my mom, now I know how hard it must have been for you before. And she had 5, yes, FIVE girls!!!!

To all the other moms with young kids out there and feeling the same,

我们一起加油! (Let's do it together)