Lion-pee-dee

There's something therapeutic, and calming, about fixing a jigsaw puzzle together as a family. But after about two minutes, I realise that DN is more of a hindrance than a help.

Me : DN... you are a liability!
DN : No! I am not lion-pee-dee. I am Ong Der Nen!
Me : -__-"

Is that Tintin???

Blistering barnacles! The resemblance is uncanny!

This sure beats DN's balding pattern when he was four months old. My balding pattern however... SIGH! Let's just say I have a hairy floor now. It was like (black) magic. The day (DAY!) DS hit four months, I started to shed big time. So to make myself feel better, I turned to retail therapy and bought a whole bunch of hairclips for my own little Tintin.

And that's a big hint for next month's Raffle Wednesday! ;)

Dances with Wolves

Do you remember Dances With Wolves and Kevin Costner's butt? If you do, then you're probably a 70's baby or older. High five! Do you know, I actually remember watching it with my BFF? It was after our Sec 3 exams and we bought circle (yes! CIRCLE!) seats at Capitol Theatre. I can still see the ticket auntie scribbling our seat numbers down in the ticket booklet with that red peel-away crayon. Remember that?? And I think our ticket cost $4.50 or something crazy like that. Good times, good times.

In the movie, Kevin Costner was christianed "Dances With Wolves" because he, erm, danced with some wolves. There was another dude called "Wind In His Hair" who apparently ran (or rode his horse??) really fast and always looked like he was in some Sunsilk ad. There was a "Smiles A Lot" too. Poor chap sounds like a Care Bear though, haha! And don't get me started on "Kicking Bird". Quite an unfortunate name for the tribe's Holy Man, if you ask me.

Anyway, the whole Sioux indian naming thing got me thinking. Wouldn't it be cool if my kids had red indian names? We'd be the coolest parents when registering their births, they'd be the coolest kids at the playground AND they'll never get called on by their teachers during lessons. They'll thank me for that. The only problematic situations I can think of are:

• when I'm pissed off with them (what a mouthful!)
• when I'm trying to shout warnings to them (by the time I call their names, it'll be too late!)

PF and I had great fun thinking up names for them and have narrowed it down to three for DN and three for DS. You help me decide which ones to go for.

Ong Der Nen or...

1. Whines Too Much
2. Still Fits In Bumbo
   
3. Wants Plaster On Every Mosquito Bite (see pic)

Ong Der Shyen or...

1. Sucks On Toe
   
2. Squeaks When Put Down
   
3. Flips Over And Cannot Flip Back

Big toe en route to mouth

For PF, I think these are very apt.

1. Watch TV Ignore World
2. Writes Complaint Letters
3. Must Buy Wife More Presents

And these suit me I think.

1. Shops Online Again
2. Not Agile Anymore
3. Too Much Bak Kwa
   

What's your red indian name? ;)

Chef DN

I'm sure those of you out there with preschoolers will agree that role-playing is super super fun. And I truly believe that one of the best things to get a toddler is a kitchen set. When I was younger, one of my cousins had a kitchen set and even though I was ten years older than her, and had exceeded the age recommended on the box, that didn't stop me from drooling over (and on!) her play kitchen. I mean, come on, plastic peas and plastic steak! (You will never burn your food!) I don't know what it is about me and miniature food. We like each other very much.

When I saw this set going for 10 pounds on eBay last year, I snapped it up. Yes. 10 pounds! And that's not just for the tap okay? It's 10 pounds for the whole thingamajig PLUS crockery and cooking utensils. That same amount here would buy you a fake egg. Of course, God is fair, so it's now stuck in my friend's parents' attic in the UK because there was no way in hell we could have squeezed it into our luggage. Since PF and I do intend to ship it back here, erm eventually (we just need to get our act together... what's new?), I've resisted buying a new one here. No one will sell you an ELC kitchen set for SG$24. NO ONE. They will however, sell you a second-hand one with stickers and pen marks all over for close to the price of a brand-new one. -__-

So what do we do?

We make one! Haha!

We always have spare boxes lying around because I shop online too much I'm a firm believer in reducing, reusing and recyling. So I found one that's the perfect height for DN and taped the sides up so it's sturdy.

PF then cut two doors in the front. Tadah! An oven!

Next, I measured and cut out white pieces of paper to wrap the thing up in. I know brown is cool, but the box had all sorts of nonsense written on it.

Circular cardboard discs wrapped in foil become cooking hobs! Clever right! It wasn't my idea. -__-

 Chef DN and his little cooking stove. It still looks very bare. I need to add some nobs and draw in some doors. The apron is an art smock from Aunty Debra and the hat is courtesy of Mummy and some white paper!

   DN loves playing "restaurant". I ordered chicken. Heh.

 While waiting for my chicken, he gave me an appetiser (sushi) and even thought about my entertainment. "You can play with this (dog) first, okay?" So thoughtful, LOL!

 My chicken with vegetables!

"Stop Mummy! There's a fly in your soup!"

Raffle Wednesdays [#2 Pupsik Studio]

What's polka-dotted, sleepy and cute enough to be eaten?

Why, DS of course!

Why the lame riddle? Well, because I'm so excited about this next giveaway I just can't control myself! (Or think of better jokes for that matter...) Remember when I blogged about my own little Joey? Well, now you can have your own little Joey too! And I don't mean nicking a baby kangaroo from the zoo or the stuffed one from the little girl next to you on the MRT train.

PUPSIK STUDIO is today's Raffle Wednesday host and the winner of this raffle will win a baby pouch sling (up to a value of $45.90) of his/her choice! Okay everyone, control yourselves! No need to push the old ladies out of the way! Oh sorry, that was a telemarketeer who won't hang up? Go ahead. Need a hand?

Anyway, I'm so excited for the lucky mummy who's going to win this because honestly, my own pouch is indispensable. DS just lurrrves it! And I love it because Mr Cranky is still having issues about sharing things with his sister and sometimes insists on sitting in the stroller just so his sister can't. Argh! He will give me a hernia! Deep breaths, deep breaths. *exhale*

So it's the pouch to the rescue! DN gets on my nerves his stoller, DS gets her pouch, PF gets some peace and quiet and what about me? Well, I get better and better at using the pouch. I'm quite pro now you know? *smug face* Pop in, pop out. Easy peasy!

And I tell you, it was a godsend when we were in Phuket. It was just not possible to bring the stroller everywhere so DS ended up getting slung a lot. Not that she complained. She fell asleep in it whenever I put her in the cradle hold position. No kidding. EVERYTIME. Even now! When we're out and I know she's tired but just can't sleep because of everything that's going on around her, I just pop her into the pouch and in five minutes... zzz!

Want to know another reason why I love the pouch? It hides the wobbly belly VERY well. Haha! Now you don't have to be afraid of saying, "Is anyone having that last bit of cake?".

And do you know what? I hear that Su Ling, the founder of Pupsik Studio, is going to introduce new designs for her pouches in 2010! Can't wait. You should really check out her website. She has tons of cool stuff for mummies and babies. My other fav is the Little Milestones box. I bought one for DS. I'm going to record all her milestones here and when she's 21 (or 16... depends on how patient I am) I'm going to give it to her on her birthday. Now, how cool is that!

As always (and being the kaypoh that I am), I asked Su Ling a few questions about herself, motherhood and Pupsik Studio, so read on to find out more about her and her mummy-run business.

1. Was it easy deciding to quit your job and start Pupsik Studio?

I have always liked the idea of being self employed and having the freedom of doing something that I loved from home. The shift from being a full time architect/urban planner to a work-at-home-mom (of two girls) happened quite naturally and gradually over the course of two years. Of course, there were little hurdles along the way that made me question if I was doing the right thing. Nevertheless, I am thankful to God for the opportunity to pursue what I love from home. 

2. What's your favourite product from Pupsik Studio?

This is tough. It's like asking who's my favourite child. =) Being a mom myself, we try and test everything we sell to make sure we love it too before selling it, so I don't have a favourite product. I love them all! Whatever we cannot find that we love, we make ourselves. The baby sling pouch for instance is something that we decided to make as we could not find a good soft carrier in the Singapore market that is stylish, functional and affordable. We went through many rounds just to develop this single product. (Trust me, the pouch is not just a piece of cloth that you sew together.)

3. What did you get your girls for Christmas?

A kiss and our time. 

4. What are you planning for them to wear for Chinese New Year?

I am planning to bring in a new gorgeous line of clothing (designed by a homegrown Singaporean designer that just started her children's label) to the store so I will probably be dressing the girls in these new outfits!

So, back to business, how do you win a baby sling pouch? Simple.

1. Just go to Pupsik Studio, choose a pouch design that you like and tell me which it is by leaving me a comment.

2. For a second chance to win, be a fan of Pupsik Studio on Facebook here and leave me a comment with your FB name.

3. For a third chance to win, tweet or blog about this giveaway and leave me a comment with your twitter account, or blog link.

4. For a fourth chance to win, follow my blog by clicking here and yes, leave me another comment.

Click HERE to start leaving your comments! The raffle closes on Sunday, 31 January 2010. You don't have to complete all tasks to enter this raffle. But the more tasks you complete, the higher your chances of winning!

Now who says Christmas is over? ;)

Chinese Birthdays

If you've been following this blog, you will remember that DS was due on the same day that her brother was due - 4 September. DN eventually popped out on 2 September, so I was willing myself to give birth again on 2 September too. How cool would that be! (And cheap! Because they have no reason to complain when I combine birthday parties!) Alas, when 29 August rolled around, wild horses could not have stopped DS from making her appearance. I was gutted, but you don't mess with labour and a baby that wants to come out NOW. I'm probably still going to pull the "combined birthday party" trick, but I think I have to agree to two cakes. At least I'll get to choose two flavours. Ha!

The kiddos don't have the same "English" birthday, but they have the same "Chinese" birthday. So yes, my parents-in-law are very pleased. I really do try to be the dutiful daughter-in-law. Heh.

Anyway, Christmas Day was also DS's 4th month Chinese birthday. I don't know the significance (so if anybody knows, I'd love to know!), but it's tradition to shave a baby when he or she reaches this all-important month. We didn't shave DS, but PF did cut a lock of her hair (which he later threw on the floor... men!). DN observed the entire process and later tried to give his little sister a hair cut too. Sorry, I meant BUZZ cut.

Poor Mei Mei. She looked absolutely befuddled!

ps : Are you excited about Raffle Wednesday? :)

Can you say "par-teh"?

The September 2006 "babies" had their annual Christmas party (this is their 3rd) a few days before Christmas and it was a BLAST! In every sense of the word. From the word "go", the tots were literally blasting all over the place at supersonic speed. Seriously. It was like someone shot them out of cannons. Who fed them sugar??!

There was much planning that went into the party - location, food, decorations, goodie bags and entertainment. We were worried the kids would get bored with nothing to do in the function room, so there were games and a storytelling-cum-drama session. Well, we needn't have bothered because all they needed was a long table to run around. And around. And around. And around.

And around!

But we did the storytelling-cum-drama session anyway, and the kids LOVED it! I would post the video here, but I don't think I want to crush PF's macho image. (He was Goldilocks, wahahaha!).

On the menu : Roasted chicken, Angel hair pasta in tomato sauce, Shepherd's pie, Salad (for good bowel movements!)

 

Sweet treats include : Mini doughnuts, Gingerbread men, Log cake (not in pic), Fruits (again, for good bowel movements)

The goodie bags! Inside was a candy can pen, a snowman cup, a colouring booklet and sweets.

No Christmas is complete without a tree and presents right? Well, that's what I told PF after suggesting we bring our tree to the function room. He gave me a "my wife is bonkers" look. So I gave him my "I gave birth to two of your children... without epidural" look (and tirade!). 

The tree went in the car.

Aunty Krist surprised everyone by secretly getting one of those face painters for the party. Arianne's getting a butterfly here.

And Jovann is getting a spiderman one here. I thought DN would be keen on getting a "tattoo" too, but he refused. Does this mean I don't have to worry about him and tattoos in 16 years' time?

Too fast too furious! Couldn't get a proper pic of Reubern on the bike!

 

But Mr Camwhore obliged, every time!

DN : I detect hints of mature oak and, erm, fennel(!). This red has a racy streak and yet, subtle nutty undertones. Easy on the palate. Hmmm... a 1972?

Arianne : Aiyoh, just bottoms up!!

DN : You mean, like this?

DN, Jovann, Reubern, Clarice, Arianne, Rochelle

Not in pic : Sophie (We miss you!)

The party was great fun. A bit crazy because of all the headless-chicken-running-around the kids were doing, but great fun nonetheless. And you know what they say about having too much fun and nightmares right? DN woke up crying in the middle of the night that night and I caught him saying, "Snowman! Snowman! I don't want the snowman!"

ps : Raffle Wednesday coming up soon! ;) Stay tuned...

The Chair Series (4 months old)

DS is 4 months old today and that only means ONE thing... my maternity leave is over! I know this sounds really cliche, but gosh, time does fly doesn't it?

Same time last year, DS was just a bunch of cells and DN + PF had just joined me in the UK.

Nine months ago, we'd just returned to SG and were stuffing our faces (okay, MY face) with local food.

Six months ago, DS was still growing in my belly and DN had just started school.

Three months ago, DS was one month old and I was finally liberated from confinement.

And look at us now. 2009 is over and before you know it, DS will be one and DN will be four!

So what is little DS up to now? At four months, she's still not rolling over. Well, not "professionally" anyway, haha. She does make those turns to her side, but it's "not pro" because her entire upper torso is close to flipping over but her (Beyonce) butt is still firmly on the mattress. This is really all my fault because I keep forgetting to give her her daily dose of tummy time. :p She doesn't abhor it as much as her brother did, so I really have no excuse for skiving. It's just that I've recently discovered the joys of virtual farming (on Facebook) so the minute she sleeps, I'm plowing land and harvesting pumpkins!

At four months, she's finally sleeping through the night. And this is not "baby" sleeping through the night either. We're talking "real adult" sleeping through the night. I usually give her her last feed around 830-9pm and she sleeps until about 730-8am the next day. Oh. Em. Gee. YESSSSS! *pump fist* Want to know the other wonderful thing about this baby? She can sleep on her own! By this I mean, I don't have to rock her or pat her before putting her down in her cot. After burping her and holding her upright for a couple of minutes, I then put her down, kiss her cheek and say goodnight. She'll then lie there contemplating life for a while before falling asleep. *pump fist even more* Either my sleep training worked or it's payback time for what DN did to me. But, who cares?!

At four months, she's drooling big time. I took the bibs out about 2 weeks ago because by noon, our little missy always has a wet chest. (In another context, that would sound really skanky!) Could she be teething? I don't really know because prying babies' mouths open is not really my thing. But I don't think so because she's generally in a good mood all the time and she's sleeping well at night. DN however, might be, that whiny cranky tot!

At four months, she has started to bring things to her mouth for a good chomp. Usually, it's her thumb. -__-" I am now seriously thinking if I should introduce the pacifier because you can throw away the pacifier but you can't throw away the thumb. Looks like I am destined to fight battles with thumbs and pacifiers. *sigh* But that said, I think subconsciously I'm hesitating because I think she looks really cute sucking her thumb! But then I remember how my mother tried weaning me off my thumb (there was chilli and lots of threatening involved) and it doesn't look that cute anymore.

At four months, she's still talking a lot. Oooh, this is love. DN was never a chatty baby. In fact, I don't remember him gurgling or babbling AT ALL as a baby. We were always purring and cooing at him but, no dice. This one however, is SO fun to talk to. She usually coos, but when she's excited, she squeals! I actually have tons of videos of her cooing. I just haven't uploaded them here because they are videos that only a mother will love. Just a baby making unintelligible sounds. Horribly boring if it's not your child!

At four months, she's starting to bald. It's not as bad as her brother when he was four months, but she's starting to drop hair at the back of her head. Right now, there is a ring of scalp round the back because of all the rubbing she's doing on her pillow! Honestly, I don't know why I just spent $40 on baby hair clips. -__-

I really love DS the baby. She's such a darling. I love snuggling and sniffing her. I love brushing her soft cheek and squeezing her. I love patting her Tintin hair (more about that soon) and thinking of all the pigtails I can tie in two years' time. I love seeing her do her leg lifts and when she head-bangs because of her slightly wobbly head. I lovelovelove her!

I wish I could have DS the baby forever, but it's okay that I can't because otherwise, I won't have DS the toddler, DS the primary schooler, DS the teenager or DS the working adult who will bring her mother out for high teas in fancy hotels!