tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-348887262024-03-22T00:22:58.552+08:00A little drop of heavenAdventures of a little bear cub called Rebecca
<a href="http://lilypie.com"><img src="http://b2.lilypie.com/-kaup8.png" alt="Lilypie 2nd Birthday Ticker" border="0" width="400" height="80" /></a>iloveshoeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05492090105721030662noreply@blogger.comBlogger59125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34888726.post-87274204877371440712009-01-26T10:51:00.002+08:002009-01-26T11:01:17.095+08:00A relaxing Chinese New Year Eve<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNp6OcRyW1Lij9B43wTCl7452WE6ALn9cYnFzJRWyZsw5PY0WMC6R9d80N7o97mKGwkeTCk6GWwgeBaz0Ly-IioF9TrWByJ9gPt0FUv6m8zkatgNnyHUu08LOrakjqnCusCsQGBA/s1600-h/IMG_1766[1].jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295430283028108098" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNp6OcRyW1Lij9B43wTCl7452WE6ALn9cYnFzJRWyZsw5PY0WMC6R9d80N7o97mKGwkeTCk6GWwgeBaz0Ly-IioF9TrWByJ9gPt0FUv6m8zkatgNnyHUu08LOrakjqnCusCsQGBA/s320/IMG_1766%5B1%5D.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Its Chinese New Year Eve and we are at Ye Ye and Nai Nai's home. Having a REAL good time.</div><div> </div><div>A sumptious reunion dinner prepared by Nai Nai, lots of new toys including a remote control helicoptor thanks to Yeye and even a DVD session of My Little Pony! </div><div></div><div> </div><div>Here is me having a real good time relaxing on Yeye's seat. Mama is just thankful that its an occassional treat for me to be so throughly spoilt.</div>iloveshoeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05492090105721030662noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34888726.post-39121062414451067332008-09-28T08:51:00.007+08:002008-09-28T08:56:44.246+08:00Hippo taking a bathLast Thursday, I was literally dragged from the door to the bathroom before I had even removed my shoes.<br /><br />妈妈,来来来 (Mama, come come COME!)<br /><br />Guess what I saw? An unexpected guest lounging in MY bathroom! Gosh, good thing he/she was cute. Take a look! <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250868882470259874" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoGPlbRR5iJjg8Avjw3NJCMzMyV51X2DR21mnxDs_nbxTAfmv7WA9wTveyVI3VDOisrOb6BzrezpagTJPOQOSuE7Jb_XYqPodyogHTusP0L5Kp4wjC__WEMffJrE8RkTpQe_ziDg/s200/Chinese+edudrama+-+hippo+bathing+003.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><p>It was cubbie's handiwork from her Chinese edudrama lesson. She learned about 洗澡 (Shower/bath). How adorable. And here's Miss Picasso herself. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250869271289312482" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2VkRNdEjKNBAXY1O2-lqnmva4niHyDuXGjFzgzCtsG8j7uc2dr3mBYyLqZ2ScKR5kw_Bm3wA-MTv5p5Lr0uX1kzHcRGDGKnHqKZDz55OWzEjclR8VKlelxLdGHG6gPFkt-suxcQ/s200/Chinese+edudrama+-+hippo+bathing+001.jpg" border="0" /><br /></p>iloveshoeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05492090105721030662noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34888726.post-3903296622288335162008-09-01T13:36:00.004+08:002008-09-01T13:52:43.153+08:00The first gymnastics lessonThe start of every new term brings with it a responsibility for Mama Bear, i.e. scheduling Rebecca's after school activities. I'm still keen on keeping her on a half day schedule as much as I can to allow her more flexibility in her timing and enable her to pursue more interests as well as have fun with her friends in terms of play dates.<br /><br />One of the new classes we are trying out is gymnastics. Now, this is one of the activities I always wanted to try as a child myself, but never did. In all honesty, Rebecca was the one who asked for this. We were watching the heats during the recent Olympics and caught the US and French teams on TV. She was entralled and asked if she could "be like Jie Jie on the TV". I told her sure.<br /><br />It was a medium sized hall that we walked into at the Luwan Teenagers Activity Center. We had gotten there early and the 5 and above class was on. Rebecca was immediately taken in by all the activity going on the floor, the uneven bars, the trampoline and the balancing beam. I couldn't get her to change into her leotard as she kept saying "I want to go....I want to do"<br /><br />It was finally her turn when the clock struck 11:30am. She stood near the coach and I could see a bit of her uncertainty in her eyes. Nonetheless, she followed the coach and started off running 4 rounds around the floor mat, giggling all the way. My little girl can't stop laughing when she runs - its a joy really to watch her react this way.<br /><br />They then had in total 4 coaches going through various floor excercises including walking like an elephant (she couldn't manage to lift her bum off the floor), walking like a worm (coordination problem!) and even simple rolling across the floor was messed up as she rolled in the wrong direction instead! Through it all, she was really excited and will occassionally wave at me at the sidelines and twice even ran up to me saying "you wait here mama, I finish my gymnastics first ok?"<br /><br />They then split into 3 groups and she walked on the balancing beam. Considering its the first time and the beam must have been about a meter off the ground, I think she did really well.<br /><br />What made me most in awe as a first time parent was when she climbed up to a platform about 3-4 meters off the ground and held onto one of the coaches hands swinging for about 3-4 minutes or so before falling into the soft foam below. No cries, no tears, no struggles. Very unlike a not-yet-to-be-three kid.<br /><br />She then quickly graduated onto the beam itself. I was a bit worried, you know...typical mother...and dear papa Bear assured me that it will be fine. The coach had her grasp the bars directly and put his palms onto hers, pressing hers down to help her hang onto the bars using her own arm strength.<br /><br />Eeks.<br /><br />I could barely look. Anxious, amazed and just itty bitty proud of my little cub.<br /><br />The class ended with the coach telling all parents that we were not going to be allowed in next week. Better for the children, better for the parents.<br /><br />Rebecca is super excited and already asking when her next gymnastics lesson will be. Praise the Lord for this little girl's enthusiasm.iloveshoeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05492090105721030662noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34888726.post-10602732318332205352008-08-26T15:42:00.009+08:002008-08-26T16:13:03.588+08:00First day of Nursery II at Chiltern House<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijfx9ZAIgJB0SgWox6jfiPMEzVlp0zs9m_x-50gWjRbKr6cJ1QxcoTrhsQRAKcIT57sVhb47RttUI8QvWD582H_UHVeYoV5jwueAPlafiWAZLPlh-8b2XVaSnUiQ4_Wx4XVrKArQ/s1600-h/Airport+&+first+day+of+school+048.jpg"><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></a><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijfx9ZAIgJB0SgWox6jfiPMEzVlp0zs9m_x-50gWjRbKr6cJ1QxcoTrhsQRAKcIT57sVhb47RttUI8QvWD582H_UHVeYoV5jwueAPlafiWAZLPlh-8b2XVaSnUiQ4_Wx4XVrKArQ/s1600-h/Airport+&+first+day+of+school+048.jpg"><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;">We had dinner and prayed for "good weather so we can go to</span></div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijfx9ZAIgJB0SgWox6jfiPMEzVlp0zs9m_x-50gWjRbKr6cJ1QxcoTrhsQRAKcIT57sVhb47RttUI8QvWD582H_UHVeYoV5jwueAPlafiWAZLPlh-8b2XVaSnUiQ4_Wx4XVrKArQ/s1600-h/Airport+&+first+day+of+school+048.jpg"><span style="font-family:arial;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5238732338228244706" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijfx9ZAIgJB0SgWox6jfiPMEzVlp0zs9m_x-50gWjRbKr6cJ1QxcoTrhsQRAKcIT57sVhb47RttUI8QvWD582H_UHVeYoV5jwueAPlafiWAZLPlh-8b2XVaSnUiQ4_Wx4XVrKArQ/s200/Airport+%26+first+day+of+school+048.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijfx9ZAIgJB0SgWox6jfiPMEzVlp0zs9m_x-50gWjRbKr6cJ1QxcoTrhsQRAKcIT57sVhb47RttUI8QvWD582H_UHVeYoV5jwueAPlafiWAZLPlh-8b2XVaSnUiQ4_Wx4XVrKArQ/s1600-h/Airport+&+first+day+of+school+048.jpg"></a></div><span style="font-family:arial;">school tomorrow" and with joy and thanksgiving, we were able to. </span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;">"Mama, I want to go to school" Rebecca cried as she snuggled in our bed this morning and with much joy, we made it to the school gates at precisely 8:30am. Her friends and their parents (those would be mama's mates) were all hanging around in the hallway and there was much laughter and hugs (both kids and parents). It was lovely to see all the children again, grown up and tall. </span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;">Rebecca shyly approached her besties - Lina and Isabelle </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtx6wkZkb6SbHScks2GAQ9N_6JS88ItR9JBcVGBSGa7WlGjcuRTjuMTxLSDDSUGmINVCdehVRn1fENZm-cOd9j28OHaFyk2ehhLz6GZT-u4_H5yQPGugyNinkUIU4WOrGJdi0b3A/s1600-h/Airport+&+first+day+of+school+050.jpg"><span style="font-family:arial;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5238732342518597762" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtx6wkZkb6SbHScks2GAQ9N_6JS88ItR9JBcVGBSGa7WlGjcuRTjuMTxLSDDSUGmINVCdehVRn1fENZm-cOd9j28OHaFyk2ehhLz6GZT-u4_H5yQPGugyNinkUIU4WOrGJdi0b3A/s200/Airport+%26+first+day+of+school+050.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-family:arial;">and accepted the many compliments that she looked good in her check uniform. Well, she did even though I had gotten her really LARGE and LONG ones to last a long time. She did her health checks without much prompting and merrily took off her shoes all by herself and put them in her cubby hole. I wonder how long this model habit will last.<br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;">The tres marias, as Lina, Isabelle and Rebecca are fondly refered to by their ex-teacher, then held hands and made their way up to the "big girl and big boy" classroom on the </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd8z1RbMEy7veqmbnqQMDO8GFWzUNcRR4TvZMvFRmqI0n4B5I2cPQHeBgRdx9CSpIuAgilJVcvLu_eGhyveblI5lFsCkmz0oJMm3i2PWgyig7UHtNwEushzSnPdwfJ-3zmEvFFdw/s1600-h/Airport+&+first+day+of+school+053.jpg"><span style="font-family:arial;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5238732350761081122" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd8z1RbMEy7veqmbnqQMDO8GFWzUNcRR4TvZMvFRmqI0n4B5I2cPQHeBgRdx9CSpIuAgilJVcvLu_eGhyveblI5lFsCkmz0oJMm3i2PWgyig7UHtNwEushzSnPdwfJ-3zmEvFFdw/s200/Airport+%26+first+day+of+school+053.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-family:arial;">second floor. </span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizg4KTNZtozcOJ5q9oVdEHn2rcSeqWtbnPE5oRJfZzNDHnmePHi9G7AQ31xVPVbDN100MG8gERVmz8EztJrFEaFCluOy2fu3IVJjNvlHp4sG8gUKkuy7fHGAUeId1XWBx3lKYJgA/s1600-h/Airport+&+first+day+of+school+054.jpg"><span style="font-family:arial;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5238733207187997026" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizg4KTNZtozcOJ5q9oVdEHn2rcSeqWtbnPE5oRJfZzNDHnmePHi9G7AQ31xVPVbDN100MG8gERVmz8EztJrFEaFCluOy2fu3IVJjNvlHp4sG8gUKkuy7fHGAUeId1XWBx3lKYJgA/s200/Airport+%26+first+day+of+school+054.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-family:arial;">Once at the door, however, she suddenly became very coy. Sleaking off towards a corner. It must have been the new classroom and the new teachers which intimidated her. I reached forward and hugged her and reminded her what we talked about - how that she's now a grown up and will be moved up to a bigger class. She agreed but still remained passive. It was only when she saw her previous class assistant, Xu lao shi, then a smile broke and she became much happier again. </span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPzz7UNaIA1c1vUoBgBZzT4i_pQthdv0cLzxRUqEx3q_-kqDRrkNIyvm7Rj-03WN1Fqg7WSV5SXVcl9-hYQGBxpuIMl-bVb3ZdAR6kTnmoSt8c-aKCEiG9IOQwVWdMbojn9qoyUA/s1600-h/Airport+&+first+day+of+school+056.jpg"><span style="font-family:arial;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5238733515610041618" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPzz7UNaIA1c1vUoBgBZzT4i_pQthdv0cLzxRUqEx3q_-kqDRrkNIyvm7Rj-03WN1Fqg7WSV5SXVcl9-hYQGBxpuIMl-bVb3ZdAR6kTnmoSt8c-aKCEiG9IOQwVWdMbojn9qoyUA/s200/Airport+%26+first+day+of+school+056.jpg" border="0" /></span></a>Nanny and I stayed in class for about 20 minutes and I encouraged R to play with the new boy, Sumner. All the other kids were "repeats" from last school year and it was really boistrous to watch everyone catch up - moms and kids alike. There was even a new baby in </span><span style="font-family:arial;">class, Noah's 2 week old brother, that R was in love with.</span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;"> </span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;">The separation was thankfully surprisingly painless. She seriously told me goodbye, gave me a hug and refused to walk with me to speak to her teacher Mr Luke. She then walked to Florian's mother <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFDwIVI5RKkjE4h-umCioxPFopSBafN-25jH9DJGxecRh3a9vuO3uGPY10UTHUx09JHkWXhqZC8ZvfdQ-EOW7LrFrLaJTK2a8oTEbSobDe-se7WvzOPZQhMVgte_OYQqKH3Fp90g/s1600-h/Airport+&+first+day+of+school+061.jpg"><span style="font-family:arial;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5238734180157213826" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFDwIVI5RKkjE4h-umCioxPFopSBafN-25jH9DJGxecRh3a9vuO3uGPY10UTHUx09JHkWXhqZC8ZvfdQ-EOW7LrFrLaJTK2a8oTEbSobDe-se7WvzOPZQhMVgte_OYQqKH3Fp90g/s200/Airport+%26+first+day+of+school+061.jpg" border="0" /></span></a>who was with Florian and told her "No mamas in class, and no Ates in class", firmly shaking her hands in disproval. </span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;">Ahhh my little one, just cos you are ready to grow up, you want </span><span style="font-family:arial;">your friends around you to grow up too. </span></div><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">I was there as promised, when its 1-2-0-0. She was so delighted to see me and relieved. Amazingly, there were no tears in the entire class. A small miracle for a class who was on an accompanied program and had lots of separation anxiety issues last year in accompanied pre-nursery program.<br /></span><div></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;">Rebecca said that she ate 5 jiaozi - something really hard to believe - and I could see that she was tired out from the excitement of the morning. Lunch was a quick affair as we dug through the meal from home whilst her friends ate a school lunch. We then visited the library, read two Thomas the Train books and went home after dropping me off at work again. </span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;">We're so thankful that Rebecca is loving school and looking forward to going back again tomorrow. We're thankful that God is so gracious is providing her good teachers and a good environment to explore the world in. We're thankful that she is settling well. May she continue to find joy in the world around her as she grows each day. Amen. </span></div>iloveshoeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05492090105721030662noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34888726.post-90956240628892873342008-08-25T03:19:00.009+08:002008-08-26T15:40:56.076+08:00N2 orientation at Chiltern House<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_4CV1PuQRen-3xuC28PWK9N1AsEObe6h8LoKLETdKgphnxEH5Ttb3O-nmsrMM4jndaKkKY3u52cSZXppHhkwfDEdmV7EdeNXdHQ_uT5zXkM0hFr5Gcs01sZZ_9R6B4NSZAur86Q/s1600-h/Airport+&+first+day+of+school+040.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5238725727391337426" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_4CV1PuQRen-3xuC28PWK9N1AsEObe6h8LoKLETdKgphnxEH5Ttb3O-nmsrMM4jndaKkKY3u52cSZXppHhkwfDEdmV7EdeNXdHQ_uT5zXkM0hFr5Gcs01sZZ_9R6B4NSZAur86Q/s200/Airport+%26+first+day+of+school+040.jpg" border="0" /></a><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5238725310618729570" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggVC51mVl664KP-LMiMeR-PhVxMFmIvtz8rSenmR4BVATmjk_mH4ujJes0yYZJFELuZAUexMVEfzKr_ONTIczUXWpwufmb2sVlvj6ahTl6mYGLCVUGA8ds31UQl816GAwII__INw/s200/Airport+%26+first+day+of+school+036.jpg" border="0" /> Its finally here. The start of a new school year at Chiltern House. After much anticipation (and grousing) over summer, my little one finally dressed up in her "big girl princess uniform", snapped her velcro shoes and dragged her dora brolly out the door. High on anticipation that she'll be meeting up with her friends again. <div><br />Alas, the weather was pretty bad. It was pouring so heavily that we could hardly see the apartment blocks next to ours. The wind was howling and I kept telling Bear that it sounds like a typhoon. After checking the news channels umpteen times and upon receiving no confirmation of school cancellation, we trooped down to the car and set off at 7:50am.<br /><br />Traffic really crawled as water flooded the streets. Cars were moving at snail slow space and R looked worriedly out the window from the vantage view of her carseat.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuv9c5Dc7A9UYelq7LZ7ytIa3PzylcXx-CK3dRYphB1UiOM7hb4bl6ipcbHevCFRUWoDT6nMmW6LIOmWcL8JBCdNb_xVsuwmuoq00jSqvnOnRAiZ0gUc-k5OipJZWCDs1kcJRGfQ/s1600-h/Airport+&+first+day+of+school+043.jpg"></a></div><br />"<em>Reach already not</em>" Bear texted me about 40 mins into the car ride<br />"<em>No, still stuck on tianshan lu</em>" I messaged back. That's less than 2 km from our apartment.<br />"Better turn back then, many cars stuck"<br />"<em>See how first</em>" The silk-clad-amazon mother in me needed to prove to myself that I would do ANYTHING (rraaahhh) to get the kid to school. Education, is but of course, about the only legacy I can bestow R. </div><div><br />30 minutes after this, I flew the white flag and told my captain, opps sorry, <em>driver</em>, to turn back. It was already 9:15am and we had moved about...oh...300 meters forward. At this rate, we would have probably reached school at 10:30am or worse. </div><div></div><div><div></div><div> </div><div>R was NOT amused. She was angry and grouchy. She wanted to see her friends <em>- desperately</em>. </div><div> </div><div>Look at her dragging her umbrella home in dissappointment. Oh well, we try again tomorrow honey. Sorry. </div><div> </div><div></div><div></div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuv9c5Dc7A9UYelq7LZ7ytIa3PzylcXx-CK3dRYphB1UiOM7hb4bl6ipcbHevCFRUWoDT6nMmW6LIOmWcL8JBCdNb_xVsuwmuoq00jSqvnOnRAiZ0gUc-k5OipJZWCDs1kcJRGfQ/s1600-h/Airport+&+first+day+of+school+043.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5238726010535186610" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuv9c5Dc7A9UYelq7LZ7ytIa3PzylcXx-CK3dRYphB1UiOM7hb4bl6ipcbHevCFRUWoDT6nMmW6LIOmWcL8JBCdNb_xVsuwmuoq00jSqvnOnRAiZ0gUc-k5OipJZWCDs1kcJRGfQ/s200/Airport+%26+first+day+of+school+043.jpg" border="0" /></a></div>iloveshoeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05492090105721030662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34888726.post-50491339910786124912008-05-03T21:46:00.004+08:002008-05-03T21:49:38.831+08:00Its been a long time since the last blog entry cos of access issues. <br /><br />Rebecca is now 2.5 years old and growing fast and furious. I thank the Lord each day for this little kid as she is able to bring so much joy to my life! <br /><br />She's thriving at school and has evens started ballet lessons. Well, its really more for the fun for it since her friends are also in it. She enjoys music and loves to run and tumble. <br /><br />She's a funny kid and never fails to laugh each day. <br /><br />These days, she plays with imaginary friends and makes up her own songs with funky tunes. She made up a story last night and it went something like this. <br /><br />"Kaka, Matthew and Ash went walking. Suddenly, the big bad wolf came. He said hmmm I am very hungry (rubs her tummy). I want to eat you...."<br /><br />I love that she is so creative.iloveshoeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05492090105721030662noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34888726.post-31773546728386001282007-12-04T16:49:00.000+08:002007-12-04T17:16:09.693+08:00Turned Two<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ_VmknhPKXdNfg_xr2SOQF6GsID1hinYrgKL2OYjMyMg3OjNCnAkWmv3xwYYMUZgmZu2iJfq3YAesCOXcz403MF8nnMLPK5u3iehw9vnP3kY4S9QtiGoZ45Ao127qSBfBSZ7k3A/s1600-h/1+Dec+07+033.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ_VmknhPKXdNfg_xr2SOQF6GsID1hinYrgKL2OYjMyMg3OjNCnAkWmv3xwYYMUZgmZu2iJfq3YAesCOXcz403MF8nnMLPK5u3iehw9vnP3kY4S9QtiGoZ45Ao127qSBfBSZ7k3A/s400/1+Dec+07+033.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5140042624617600818" /></a><br /><br />Suddenly got access again. My baby has grown loads - and has officially turned TWO YEARS OLD last week. She's developed quite a good sense of speech and can rationalise quite well. Some samples of conversations go:<br /><br />Me: Rebecca, can you finish your dinner?<br />Rebecca: No mama<br />Me: Why? <br />Rebecca: I am tired Mama<br />Me: Do you want to go to bed then?<br />Reb: Yes Mama<br /><br />Teacher: Rebecca, why did you snatch Florian's toy?<br />Reb: Because I want to play with it<br />Teacher: Can you not just ask for it nicely?<br />Reb: Yes, Ok<br />Teacher: Can you go say sorry<br />Reb: Yes (and goes and gives Florian a hug)<br /><br />Teacher: Rebecca, why did you bite Florian?<br />Reb: Because he didn't want to play with me<br />Teacher: Hmmmm....<br /><br />So yes, its been getting challenging and so I pray that God will continue to give me the wisdom to teach and guide this girl.iloveshoeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05492090105721030662noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34888726.post-69694278063713667242007-06-06T22:05:00.000+08:002007-06-06T22:27:13.940+08:0018 Month - Reflections & PhotosRebecca has turned 18 months. At the risk of sounding cliche, time does fly.<br /><br />By God's grace, she has become this awesome being that is oodles of fun and laughter with a dash of cheekiness and a lashing of mischief. <strong>I count this chance that God has given her to be my child and me to be her mother a blessing. </strong><br /><br />She is speaking a lot now, lesser gibberish and a lot more "human" words and phrases. She is able to hold "conversations" -- though these conversations are often peppered with repetitive phrases and sometimes with her baby talk.<br /><br />She loves to laugh and sing and move to music and dance as well. She's already able to follow simple instructions, though she seems to react faster to instructions at school. Now at JG, she is able to approach her teacher and ask for food with 'please' and 'thank you's and totter to the table where she makes the tough decision to accept either water or juice with her snack. She is able to drink independently from a cup - though the cup cannot be too full.<br /><br />She's started her Chinese language Playgroup at JG as well and its now week 4, she's starting to sing chinese songs whilst she plays. She runs to greet me each morning with a big smack and hug and this repeats again in the evening as I pry open the door, tired from a day's work.<br /><br />She is able to say grace and ask for forgiveness - though we are still working on trying to keep still and our eyes shut and heads bowed for the entire prayer. She is able to imitate real well. To my dismay, she is mastering the 'kkrrruuuuuukkkk pppppuiiii' spitting sound symbolic of Shanghai and the popular hobby of spitting. She knows that when we stand by the curbside, it is time for her to smile and raise her hands to bring a speeding cab to a grounding halt.<br /><br />She talks in her sleep and in between her sleep - in both languages none-the-less. She loves to snuggle in bed with us, although she's only allowed onboard when its nearly time to get up. She kicks endlessly in bed and her poses are not too ladylike. She is starting to show interest in tricycles and bicycles and loves her dolls a tonne.<br /><br />She has started to experiment with boundaries and limits and tries to see how much ground she can cover with her girly whines and tantrums. I pray that she will continue to have this zest for life and grow to be a confident, God-fearing lady.<br /><br /><em>Father Lord, we thank you for Rebecca. We ask that you continue to protect her as she grows each day and guide her in your ways. Give B and I the wisdom and resources to bring this child up according to your wishes. We ask that you watch over her every moment of her life and be so real and true to her. In Jesus's name, Amen.</em><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><embed style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px" name="flashticker" align="middle" src="http://widget-33.slide.com/widgets/slideticker.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" flashvars="cy=bb&il=1&channel=144115188085128755&site=widget-33.slide.com" wmode="transparent" salign="l" scale="noscale" quality="high"></embed> <div style="WIDTH: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: left"><a href="http://www.slide.com/pivot?ad=1&tt=17&sk=0&amp;cy=bb&th=0&id=144115188085128755&map=1" target="_blank"><img src="http://widget-33.slide.com/p1/144115188085128755/bb_t017_v000_a001_f00/images/xslide1.gif" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://www.slide.com/pivot?ad=1&amp;tt=17&sk=0&amp;cy=bb&th=0&id=144115188085128755&map=2" target="_blank"><img src="http://widget-33.slide.com/p2/144115188085128755/bb_t017_v000_a001_f00/images/xslide2.gif" border="0" /></a></div>iloveshoeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05492090105721030662noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34888726.post-14432797531356608582007-04-28T14:36:00.000+08:002007-04-28T16:51:38.125+08:00End of Term Party - Term 3 Play Nest<span style="font-family:lucida grande;">Term 3 has ended for Rebecca at her PlayNest class at JG here in Shanghai. To mark the end of term, the children were requested to come dressed as animals reflecting the theme of the term. Needless to say, I had a lot of fun dolling up the little one, afterall, how else can a mother glean fun out of having a child? </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">Parents were also requested to bring some food for the children to share during snack time and we could also bring some food for the adults. Emails were also sent to encourage parents to attend the 'party' and I am so thankful that I was able to get off 1 hour from work to attend. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">As Rebecca's friend, Daniel - the leopard, is lactose intolerant, we decided to make some home-made soya bean curd using Judy's recipe, leaving out the milk factor. We also made some breaded chicken drumlets for the adults. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">I had gone through quite a lot of navigating and activiting of my shopping cum research cum sourcing skills to locate the ideal outfits for Rebecca. Daniel's mom had also asked that I find one for her son. So tah-dah, presenting, my little cutie bunny Rebecca Rabbit. Ain't she adorable? [Indulge me...]</span><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5058385324486428466" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha0B5nVjer7CfX-vGuLyhy05UE5WXaM1nTcxEHQctr5kA6YzrDeQB3JQhyphenhyphena6M9iPFEMxlyeIsUjpl6tKM9rRmt3Yx3zGX8CFyLtgALxaU844Qao0_AL72O5Iwh3tXI5Djl9BMt2w/s200/JG+End+Term+Party+047.jpg" border="0" /> <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5058385779752961874" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkR2cY7Ar74GpD_gr1Ozcl9QEj-5pIvJB-qeVRNOLD0g2y8yrktZIe82IEDBvwkD8SebSUHEWIDLpSj5EfL_5ODofB22D0-hfRQWcqtk3gMyKYs1ZZC30mnr1QF6m9CXE0E4GzxA/s320/Rabbit+Costume.jpg" border="0" /> </span><span style="font-family:lucida grande;font-size:100%;color:#cc33cc;">[Picture: Look at those cute ears and the round tums! tee hee hee...the little bobbly tail kept me giggling for some time too. I'm easily humored]</span><br /><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">I had soooo much fun watching her. We started off with free play. </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjJ3QV9k8_hsiXEg4X-Y0zuxrvn8fdgZxDJb9F_OGwMpWc3yNb4D_w1GeApJWkDTKlFbi68Pl70qffW8xZK_nD4KbzJVHcrIO5KCHquIUlbLwkGCZG4nhy7iCadqZLBJquJBa9DA/s1600-h/Free+Play.jpg"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5058385779752961858" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjJ3QV9k8_hsiXEg4X-Y0zuxrvn8fdgZxDJb9F_OGwMpWc3yNb4D_w1GeApJWkDTKlFbi68Pl70qffW8xZK_nD4KbzJVHcrIO5KCHquIUlbLwkGCZG4nhy7iCadqZLBJquJBa9DA/s320/Free+Play.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="font-size:100%;color:#cc33cc;">[Picture: Those are the covers for the soya bean curd tubs that we made. I had bought cheap animal posters and we cut them up to decorate the covers. See Daniel in his uber cool leopard outfit. Lay Theng, his mom, told me that Daniel had been practising his growl/roar at home. Kids are so adorable]</span><br /><br />Then circle hello time and the guest for the day was Percy the Pig who made his rounds greeting each child indivually. I do like that the children are encouraged to wait their turn as the other children gets their time.<br /><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxKIVCDT6tjE0m0DcLUrUnaw0tcWKAkRomG_MfpUBwX8vhMgMBziYiNGxeHZjx2A0qj4JF7GnUYdpmr87_0vvvcUpbBjLbZ3xBe5dEU9Wmuxd97d_eYKdbmQA3I3WOq1fSnNEgag/s1600-h/Welcome+Song.jpg"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5058385784047929186" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxKIVCDT6tjE0m0DcLUrUnaw0tcWKAkRomG_MfpUBwX8vhMgMBziYiNGxeHZjx2A0qj4JF7GnUYdpmr87_0vvvcUpbBjLbZ3xBe5dEU9Wmuxd97d_eYKdbmQA3I3WOq1fSnNEgag/s320/Welcome+Song.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="font-size:100%;color:#cc33cc;"> [Picture: Priscilla (Cat), Chewy (Zebra) and Kristy (was a bird but took her feather boa off) were her teachers. The little dog-looking thing is Rebecca's "BABY" dressed up as a poodle. I had gotten the poodle suit for fun - to give Rebecca, but she decided rabbit was better. Baby aka Dolly is a lifesize baby doll and her teachers kept on mistaking her for a new student, especially when when Baby was nanny's "child" during circle time. That's Lucian enamoured with the dressed up Dog/Baby]</span> </span><br /><p><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">Magic box activity for today was puppet show. It was about Penelope the Pig who lost her OINK and went around approaching various animals to seek help in finding her OINK. Chewy made us all laugh with her very realistic impersonations. I think the adults had more fun than the kids. BTW, in case you WERE interested, Percy the Pig taught Penelope how to OINK. According to Percy aka Chewy, you would need to "Open you mouth, take a deep breathe and OINK!" </span><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5058393025362790338" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0CS8CJyfnrUYA8bpd_TsWyPsKin4FCBctr4lHY2GldplEU_sx9jc9agjYTt9ONnh0EQ9CQHvNeIsxj1TDEKrxjOF4S-MClv41lhxv4udiQoEEdZo6AuqqsKw0SMQ6UKa7gbAv7g/s320/Puppet+Show-Double+Size.jpg" border="0" /></span><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="color:#cc66cc;">[Picture: Starring Percy and Penelope the Pigs, Dolly sat at the table and joined in the meals too</span><span style="color:#cc66cc;">]</span></span></p><p>The outdoor/indoor physical activity for the day was ball play. Rebecca had loads of fun squashing into the ball-filled inflatable canoe. Joshua's mom, Rose, cornered me during this time to tell me how much she will miss Rebecca's company as Josh and Rebecca will be in different classes next term due to their age gap. Rose was so sweet, she's French, and kept telling me how much she wishes her daughter can be as sweet as Rebecca. [Sweet??? Ok...at times...but most people don't know when she's up to her mischief!]</p><p>We had singspiration as usual and as this was the last lesson for the term, the kids got to choose what songs to sing. Of course, it ended up being the parents who chose the songs. The standup song for the day was <em>Ring-a-round the Roses, </em>and I was amazed to observe that Rebecca knew the actions and some of the words. Her back was facing me when it came to the line <em>"Atissue...Atissue..."</em>, and I suddenly saw 2 bunny ears jerking downwards and then she fell onto the mats. That set me off into a bout of giggles again. We ended off with "Twinkle, Twinkle", traditionally a time for the kids to lie and look at the stars (ok, manually controlled lights on a dimmer). <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxqo3YE5Oh6ENGb8fjgsNhckKJykJkXvRObRzdS92tesXlsxN9WXpiikcAYPSP2keDivYDR7LDFcSCKRkP8VuJDk5FNw6fH61wbD9-mBnIccTTW_Bbi5TmpK53lPgxy41n01RNQA/s1600-h/Activity+Play-Double+Size.jpg"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5058392978118150050" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxqo3YE5Oh6ENGb8fjgsNhckKJykJkXvRObRzdS92tesXlsxN9WXpiikcAYPSP2keDivYDR7LDFcSCKRkP8VuJDk5FNw6fH61wbD9-mBnIccTTW_Bbi5TmpK53lPgxy41n01RNQA/s320/Activity+Play-Double+Size.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-family:lucida grande;color:#cc33cc;">[Picture: Look at the resting bunny!]</span><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"> It was time to receive her portfolio and graduation cert. Awww...my daughter's first graduation. Pictures of her and me in LayTheng's camera. So here's the others that I helped took. We then ended up with <em>Bubble Time</em>, one of Rebecca's favourite activity. It was only then that she gave up on her THICK rabbit suit and pulled off the bunny ears. We were wondering how long it would take for her to get rid of those ears as she 1) dislikes having things on her head 2) fears the heat. Guess 'immersing herself into her role' overtook her physical wants and she managed to last 1hr and 15 minutes [applause]</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt18PbdEszmGryCFH_ajcLnoyQ8W9vnsfD_8EuEgaArxgOTOpldJDuYJ_Zbn8fsam99IrjGwM4FeU5wvuECtS7EeTJo9DXL5op1hIrQvEy25rm-QjDNnIjIsvcmZvylO7RV_bCsw/s1600-h/Bubble+Play-Double+Size.jpg"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5058392982413117362" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 332px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 93px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" height="131" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt18PbdEszmGryCFH_ajcLnoyQ8W9vnsfD_8EuEgaArxgOTOpldJDuYJ_Zbn8fsam99IrjGwM4FeU5wvuECtS7EeTJo9DXL5op1hIrQvEy25rm-QjDNnIjIsvcmZvylO7RV_bCsw/s320/Bubble+Play-Double+Size.jpg" width="372" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">Here's looking forward to the next Term in 2 weeks time when we start PlayGroup English and PlayGroup Chinese. I am so looking forward to the Chinese part! </span></p><p><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><br /><br /><br /><br /></span></p>iloveshoeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05492090105721030662noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34888726.post-51577190027872181152007-04-25T10:18:00.000+08:002007-04-25T10:56:02.119+08:00Appetite is back!The little one is starting to gain interest in food again. Thank God for giving her appetite, even though she can still be very picky about food. It has been a learning process trying to understand what she likes (guo teow, macroni, bones, cream of mushroom soup) and what she doesn't (mushy foods - yes, she didn't eat much squashed up or blended foods, things with color etc). Determination to try to give her the most nutritious food often result in Nanny or myself laboring over cook books, websites and in the kitchen trying to produce meals to whet her appetite, only to be given a head shake and a polite "no no" from Rebecca. Ah, we can only continue to try.<br /><div></div><br /><div>Recently however, post her recent illness, she has taken to her meals quite a bit. Rebecca has dinner rather early, about 6pm and will join me and nanny for dinner again when I have mine, about 8ish. She will sit on her highchair and have some cereals or snacks or a gnaw at my bones. </div><br /><div></div><div>Here she is getting all happy and messy. Look at her cheeky grin. </div><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5057193037270091538" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-6VkMUuVk5y-FLE0WU9gfbf64sWquIkokpUrfz4Cl6taqzV_xivMbSipTcNmd8vz31JcNm3lTygkNG0ZWia9t40E3ASSxJ0zJddN-h1pv06J9w_j0q55WscD7YygQ0_6m7WGxgw/s320/Messy+Mouth.bmp" border="0" /> <div></div><div></div><div></div><div>Trying to be a 'big girl', wanting to drink out of a 'big girl glass'. We try to keep drinks and glasses out of her sight, especially when we eat out. She's only allowed to sip at little driplets of water after I'm done with my glass.<br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWG1kVftT30e80jxeW7x1KJlP8qlZ-NfW7E6uTM5_r7Cik__yVCWjGmEdsyD8xjCsD8pxHKI1Nz9jihISqrTjACBdR-TPzeFdX-zDXtPf6g_cjLtc-ZaFjdZACO1dM_DKq0Yh5Ug/s1600-h/Drinking+Cup.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5057190945621018354" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWG1kVftT30e80jxeW7x1KJlP8qlZ-NfW7E6uTM5_r7Cik__yVCWjGmEdsyD8xjCsD8pxHKI1Nz9jihISqrTjACBdR-TPzeFdX-zDXtPf6g_cjLtc-ZaFjdZACO1dM_DKq0Yh5Ug/s200/Drinking+Cup.bmp" border="0" /></a> May God continue to watch over her as she grows and develops. Amen. </div>iloveshoeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05492090105721030662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34888726.post-69192617946854384002007-04-23T13:21:00.000+08:002007-04-23T13:45:08.857+08:00Dress JoyA parcel had arrived at home one afternoon last week and it sat on the table, waiting for me to open. Nanny had told Rebecca that it likely contains a dress that I had gotten her. When I stepped home that evening, R excitedly led me to the package and we both tore the package open.<br /><br />It was a lovely dress and my joy was outdone by the little one's. She excitedly gestured and muttered to hold the dress and we tried it on. We could see that she was very pleased with how she looked and she even preened and danced for us around the hall. It was a real joyful moment. She is truly <span style="color:#cc0000;">MY</span> daughter.<br /><br /><span style="color:#000000;">R says "Panty"...cool new word!</span> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht1KrCZxSRI7vARdM-_ASkIxwAYGUAf4W5cOY3lmxQ29Fn-HjmLiCRwt60LjYWmTo1UY0n_V3Gej9Y8kd40qC8qqzntb89zc8wysA4elkOsOyhv-RJJaN2-MADolEx_bagzb0dRA/s1600-h/2007+264.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5056491573109067730" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht1KrCZxSRI7vARdM-_ASkIxwAYGUAf4W5cOY3lmxQ29Fn-HjmLiCRwt60LjYWmTo1UY0n_V3Gej9Y8kd40qC8qqzntb89zc8wysA4elkOsOyhv-RJJaN2-MADolEx_bagzb0dRA/s200/2007+264.jpg" border="0" /></a> Demonstrating her "Cute" pose...even with a "hand action" added in! <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5056491577404035042" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ28i3R2JiAvmU-u4IHoPeWlaxwAiVzuL9blhtTnKT9Y2GcqVEXQqMKldF7WLQbx23whOl8Kh4_WHDz8vTa9N8lyalDC0rvBHjcr06rGtZOEEZe03ndHZYMESVGaFypSG61Sdk9A/s200/2007+265.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5056491581699002354" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjawPKn8t18pX7zSAc0CG5DrNwmN9vQoqawgZpP6SDfgzTwcsFOu3xGaAgp4-2jowYpGB8V28uue_WM4Mxz3DzfrqDKwuo3cu3XrNeg5lLkDii5sVBt3DZ6DM88EEJf7C23sHDwsw/s200/2007+266.jpg" border="0" />iloveshoeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05492090105721030662noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34888726.post-3045846490606604772007-04-18T09:32:00.000+08:002007-04-18T09:44:07.133+08:00Elysee's Birthday PartyRebecca's friend, Elyse, had her 1 year old birthday party 2 weekend back at the new Moon River Diner here at Tongle Fang. It was a lovely party with games and food. There was even a pinata hitting session which Rebecca throughly enjoyed. When the pinata was hit and all the goodies within the little donkey fell out, Rebecca managed to squirm from my arms and went goody hunting on the floor with the other 4,5,6 year old. I was so worried and told nanny to look out for her. But I needn't have to worry. She was down there, grabbing at the sweets like the other kids. When her hands got full, she would even turn around and give it to nanny before hitting the crowd looking for more. <br />Who knew?! <br /><br />Here is a picture of Edwin & Baby Elysee <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQFr9AaZ0xrguRoMRS9vnkUkW651zTQKiPiWBoMHNUb_yyOsCqkakrfI-BdhwphcDPOuxVnS5DDK2WSYQpg3PppJ9e42AnAaesEdzsoX75CZUkCtEomR06hXUkU02RRmtXEU_1tg/s1600-h/2007+242.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQFr9AaZ0xrguRoMRS9vnkUkW651zTQKiPiWBoMHNUb_yyOsCqkakrfI-BdhwphcDPOuxVnS5DDK2WSYQpg3PppJ9e42AnAaesEdzsoX75CZUkCtEomR06hXUkU02RRmtXEU_1tg/s200/2007+242.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5054575993470846674" /></a><br /><br />Some pictures of Rebecca in her party gear. <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRrkxJ-CX8RTOy61y8Kjjd-j71VWpGcwFw9xKLjoJ_us5nvF7vr9NZM1d_22ZrQ1Cy8pqRNzowvePO4maF758vS6oOv-zZr6pYoc11YDNgJyKHmORa3uHm3Yj2PsHZotRdXvtzBg/s1600-h/2007+237.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRrkxJ-CX8RTOy61y8Kjjd-j71VWpGcwFw9xKLjoJ_us5nvF7vr9NZM1d_22ZrQ1Cy8pqRNzowvePO4maF758vS6oOv-zZr6pYoc11YDNgJyKHmORa3uHm3Yj2PsHZotRdXvtzBg/s200/2007+237.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5054575997765813986" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUw-PC09ilEGwUISTwRt7kzsYZKn8o7_jEsIIeSJujjkYpVGfA5pd3g4yc51jrKS6MJ6CvKZp5A1OcNdsGLVuQ0cF9-uSKKEnKKwoSzf_X8siSUBukMhJqzKaFl71jiHkMD5rDwQ/s1600-h/2007+238.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUw-PC09ilEGwUISTwRt7kzsYZKn8o7_jEsIIeSJujjkYpVGfA5pd3g4yc51jrKS6MJ6CvKZp5A1OcNdsGLVuQ0cF9-uSKKEnKKwoSzf_X8siSUBukMhJqzKaFl71jiHkMD5rDwQ/s200/2007+238.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5054576006355748594" /></a>iloveshoeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05492090105721030662noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34888726.post-92063349720825734912007-04-18T09:26:00.000+08:002007-04-18T09:31:54.255+08:00Reading with DaddyThough B doesn't have a reading habit like I do, He's been doing his bit in trying to get Rebecca to love books. Here are some shots of them last weekend. Isn't it an endearing sight? <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCz3OFijLtPBOJ3Y9CtNnKNL72KZrnhdqN_Ecn7tyQccXRn2tHXPhBkFIEURaeVbt__7nj29nl9X0pwkVMboxht1wKuIkm957OrwmlSl8KA739cM8EHsGmdBPy7Pb1oMtWeptKyA/s1600-h/2007+246.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCz3OFijLtPBOJ3Y9CtNnKNL72KZrnhdqN_Ecn7tyQccXRn2tHXPhBkFIEURaeVbt__7nj29nl9X0pwkVMboxht1wKuIkm957OrwmlSl8KA739cM8EHsGmdBPy7Pb1oMtWeptKyA/s200/2007+246.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5054574382858110642" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoUTrMMUawchZVjnq2yWXdCfzQ1PFkDP9Is1T7RrW8pjSd9D-hljgsLbMGcRpjab6Hq5fe5mUiOrEWzaY0nfxVDALPz2THF1cItUPEEqwEI8fsPNO8Uvd7lBbYs1w5nl-V1OUkUA/s1600-h/2007+247.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoUTrMMUawchZVjnq2yWXdCfzQ1PFkDP9Is1T7RrW8pjSd9D-hljgsLbMGcRpjab6Hq5fe5mUiOrEWzaY0nfxVDALPz2THF1cItUPEEqwEI8fsPNO8Uvd7lBbYs1w5nl-V1OUkUA/s200/2007+247.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5054574412922881730" /></a>iloveshoeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05492090105721030662noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34888726.post-29377398992579971732007-04-18T09:14:00.000+08:002007-04-18T09:26:00.344+08:00Julia Gabriel PlaynestRebecca is currently attending PlayNest twice a week at the Julia Gabriel school here. Its a new school and its their first term of opening here in Shanghai. God couldn't love us more, not only is this school at short cab ride away from my work place, it also has loving teachers who care so much for Rebecca. We love that the school is very pro-family, pro-parent involvement and they encourage me to drop by to join in Rebecca's activities as often as I can. So far, I've been able to make almost every lunchtime with her. Its such a precious lunch hour for me and I am so thankful for it. I get to join in her snack time, outdoor play time as well as singing time! <br /><br />Here are some pictures taken from Lucien's one-year old birthday cake cutting during class last week. Lucien is the son of B's ex-secondary school mate. What a coincidence that they found each other through the kids. <br /><br />Lucien is the one with the bib and Daniel, also another close friend of Rebecca, is in yellow. They are all more interested in trying to get their hands on the cake then anything else. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCR3Isv0zuPRGopGuREyU9NZWeVdDuyG6tYf9VhYrvNsGxLXLJXTXXOw8VucU4CXbjJHt8YdVz-Yx1x8dYD0akWRomhRygp9k-IKdhjn_Ldnx6KFGjUw7JAndz2QuemjS-89quyQ/s1600-h/2007+258.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCR3Isv0zuPRGopGuREyU9NZWeVdDuyG6tYf9VhYrvNsGxLXLJXTXXOw8VucU4CXbjJHt8YdVz-Yx1x8dYD0akWRomhRygp9k-IKdhjn_Ldnx6KFGjUw7JAndz2QuemjS-89quyQ/s200/2007+258.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5054571814467667570" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvlQ2_Wby9pUG8tog5NugrPa87ldKKZiOZvXn8GjdWAQiNFToWDpWVe75uTvmz55AnoEJo8Rm9-IiiiFyqOJZ-2e_iiW4usraaQjfR4Ed82v9AvBFFg_XKzQLpXzHYS9D_ux5qvQ/s1600-h/2007+257.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvlQ2_Wby9pUG8tog5NugrPa87ldKKZiOZvXn8GjdWAQiNFToWDpWVe75uTvmz55AnoEJo8Rm9-IiiiFyqOJZ-2e_iiW4usraaQjfR4Ed82v9AvBFFg_XKzQLpXzHYS9D_ux5qvQ/s200/2007+257.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5054571823057602178" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6YMe4rlV1KZoAZsZ69HoEUt7sXjjBgg-NTkzhyfLAVYpnPZP0wI73L4YmX2XYNz0HxGBzER3RsPRi5p04XoEg9VqVLXmwm38MDcryGI7ghJNmEUox-NWr8s3FLA8GbBOwtR5bkA/s1600-h/2007+260.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6YMe4rlV1KZoAZsZ69HoEUt7sXjjBgg-NTkzhyfLAVYpnPZP0wI73L4YmX2XYNz0HxGBzER3RsPRi5p04XoEg9VqVLXmwm38MDcryGI7ghJNmEUox-NWr8s3FLA8GbBOwtR5bkA/s200/2007+260.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5054571831647536786" /></a><br /><br />Here's one of Rebecca on the toy horse during indoor playtime as it was too cold to go out that day. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirPWtsOo3zTM54OoaMgR5SQoSqKMXn3EXg2g3YJIX0bmrsaZ6XwYb8rm4ZfcGM94kuNc83uyaiZuFujJ8EgC5Zd9xRZIvfRpbRzLzqfh7KLNurHpr0a6GfNIzqGzsK94nuSKOagQ/s1600-h/2007+261.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirPWtsOo3zTM54OoaMgR5SQoSqKMXn3EXg2g3YJIX0bmrsaZ6XwYb8rm4ZfcGM94kuNc83uyaiZuFujJ8EgC5Zd9xRZIvfRpbRzLzqfh7KLNurHpr0a6GfNIzqGzsK94nuSKOagQ/s200/2007+261.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5054571835942504098" /></a>iloveshoeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05492090105721030662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34888726.post-53693674108603632462007-04-16T16:09:00.000+08:002007-04-16T16:15:58.558+08:00Vital Statistics Update<strong>16.5 months </strong><br />Height:82 cm<br />Weight:11.5kg<br /><br />(Before being ill though...)<br /><br />How much she has grown since birth<br />At birth she was:<br />Height:50 cm<br />Weight:3.39kgiloveshoeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05492090105721030662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34888726.post-29811257460043178822007-04-16T15:06:00.000+08:002007-04-16T15:58:46.912+08:00Lots have happened since the last time I managed to get access on the blog. <br /><br /><strong>Sick & Well</strong><br />Rebecca fell sick and has recovered. This time, it was quite a bad episode of fever etc which necessitated 2 trips to the ER and a flurry of phone calls back to her Singapore pediatrician and a lot of prayers from church. Sweet Auntie Michelle had even rang from Singapore to find out if the little one is doing ok. We're so touched to know that so many people care for her. <br /><br />Thankfully, all is well and she's back to being her cheeky self again. <br /><br /><strong>Reading</strong><br />She is starting to really fall in love with books and developing a habit of reading. I've always tried to interest her in books as I do love reading a lot. In the past week, her nanny has told me that she has given her toys a wide berth and chose to fiddle around with her books and flash cards. She would take them out and flip through them, then scatter them throughout her play area. <br /><br />If she sees anyone nearby engrossed in doing something else, she would bring a book up to that person and indicate that she wants to be read to. Sometimes, she will insist on being read the same story over and over again in the same sitting. <em>'Spot goes to school</em>' is only interesting after so many times! <br /><br />I am also working hard on keeping her book collection growing with both English and Chinese books. Thankfully, Chinese reading materials are very affordable in China and I've been able to track down some of her favourite books in Chinese, some bilingual. She still prefers to be read in English then in Chinese though and I'm hoping that her Chinese Playclub at JG next semester will change that. <br /><br />So far, her favorite books are not too many:<br />Go Dog Go by PD Eastman<br />Spot the Dog books [In English & Chinese]<br />Touch & Feel books [Especially the touch & sniff one]<br /><br />Her teacher at Playnest in Julia Gabriel has told me that she's the only child in class who can sit attentively listening during story time. She doesn't do that at home though, cos at times, when I read to her, she is running all about the living room. I'm praying that God will continue to keep this desire for reading and learning alive in her throughout her life. <br /><br /><strong>Clingy</strong><br />It may be due to the attention that she's received during her bout with illness....Rebecca has really turned to be a bit more clingy than normal. She will whine that she wants to be carried whenever she sees me and even when I'm at the computer trying to get something done. Hopefully its just a phase. <br /><br /><strong>Latest cool phrase: Wasstat?</strong><br />In case you did not get that: It refers to "What is that?", though when Rebecca says it, it comes out a single word: Wasstat. I had thought and read that this questioning phase starts about two and a half....why am I having to deal with this now? Its like a magic word, she points and says "wasstat" and we have to name whatever she is pointing at. Its endearing really....and tiring at the same time. All the same, another milestone for her. And yes, in case you were wondering, we've heard our first "Why" and our first "What" already. I guess for some babies, terrible twos arrive early...though for our household, it seems to have arrived at 16.5 months....7.5 months early.iloveshoeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05492090105721030662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34888726.post-51781290073346298922007-04-04T12:28:00.000+08:002007-04-04T12:33:40.357+08:00A Smile For YouSometimes, a smile can brighten up a grey day. Here are two I managed to capture while the little one was enjoying her cheese. <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCGDzOjXBtY4NWDw5pbWFelTryQ83HwkJy_Apiy62cKA5fweULSZhLuP5IrxJuu1sdSpnuegTtCHA2as43YIXcGJMxKI5yE5pxhpFEWP-wvh9YxWCf8jL6jahegXbM4DkdzGoZLg/s1600-h/2007+215.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCGDzOjXBtY4NWDw5pbWFelTryQ83HwkJy_Apiy62cKA5fweULSZhLuP5IrxJuu1sdSpnuegTtCHA2as43YIXcGJMxKI5yE5pxhpFEWP-wvh9YxWCf8jL6jahegXbM4DkdzGoZLg/s320/2007+215.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5049426216798581938" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioP7bSWqS0QyerUhV7jELHXHCFG4nRI8sjf5yLO81WAk_ehR9nAqSwQHgjaypLZ02ZMktPYSGQdxN-TBt49NjoxY3YGh8i0vGcEx0qumRwJedbolY98kCaVUQzKap3F1CU-o3Qsg/s1600-h/2007+212.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioP7bSWqS0QyerUhV7jELHXHCFG4nRI8sjf5yLO81WAk_ehR9nAqSwQHgjaypLZ02ZMktPYSGQdxN-TBt49NjoxY3YGh8i0vGcEx0qumRwJedbolY98kCaVUQzKap3F1CU-o3Qsg/s320/2007+212.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5049426225388516546" /></a>iloveshoeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05492090105721030662noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34888726.post-27864249817136990552007-04-04T12:11:00.000+08:002007-04-04T12:25:36.873+08:00Sand, Bubbles & A New HouseI am trying to be more creative in the activities I play with Rebecca. Last Saturday, since it was a rare sunny day, we spent 1.5 hours in the playground downstairs messing with sand (she's not very keen as she thinks its dirty and too soft to walk on), slides (there was this one BIG one that had my heart palpitating as I went down with her) and general fun. <br /><br />We then proceeded to the bathroom for her shower and I decided to run a bubble bath for her to try. She was at first very terrified of the bubbles and foam, kept on shaking her head and saying "no no, no no". In the end I had no choice and got into the tub with her on my lap, clothes and all. We then dumped in all 6 of her toy fish and slowly but surely, she came around to the idea of bubble fun. At the end of 20 minutes, she was splashing away like crazy. <br /><br />Sunday took a dramatic turn as the weather dropped over 10 degrees. It was rainy and cold and so I decided to make her a playhouse to play with. We took the box that came with Irene's pram, after some slits and tape, add a piece of cloth (thanks Popo!!) ...ta dah...Play House! Made with L-O-V-E somemore. No need Little Tikes! Haha. <br /><br />Rebecca was so excited that she kept on stamping her feet and running in and out. She would drag her poor dolly in there and play peek-a-boo. She would also go in there and have a good talk with...err...herself!? <br /><br />I used to do this myself as a kid for my kid brother. Building castles and forts out of pillows, sofas and cushions...having water fights with mom's cookie cutters...playing dance and direct in front of the glass mirrors (yes, I would make my kid brother perform dance routines according to MY cherography!) etc. I think imaginative play is very good for little children. I'm hoping to engage Rebecca into more such fun activities. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibKTLwwhX-y1KjtnTnFifNp5yw5zBWlgF68UFzaLqDdqOzwcnjTWsa7OQ-WizvuPza-Y-Hto5WDdIuy9lJqT-VPPgLU8OcTFzU1XjYXHK-x2H4dGuJqxvAIV_mgbVWgIYMZew0xA/s1600-h/2007+220.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibKTLwwhX-y1KjtnTnFifNp5yw5zBWlgF68UFzaLqDdqOzwcnjTWsa7OQ-WizvuPza-Y-Hto5WDdIuy9lJqT-VPPgLU8OcTFzU1XjYXHK-x2H4dGuJqxvAIV_mgbVWgIYMZew0xA/s200/2007+220.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5049422209594094706" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhULumjZDhzjeoC9g7a4v77LtS8q_rEtpdgH3rn0570b4XY073-U5gGldx2vOgUYW84P7lBMg7zfzId2UWuPYPBQSsrOYFwjUqhuFkMJVu8PtV8TMPq7GfL3NIxuQdlHxKVUzTDMw/s1600-h/2007+222.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhULumjZDhzjeoC9g7a4v77LtS8q_rEtpdgH3rn0570b4XY073-U5gGldx2vOgUYW84P7lBMg7zfzId2UWuPYPBQSsrOYFwjUqhuFkMJVu8PtV8TMPq7GfL3NIxuQdlHxKVUzTDMw/s200/2007+222.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5049422222478996610" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN6F6VAXAmVPhU53Q-OoMT-vrsrvztFn1QFRjqmwun_f5Ea0AQukr_ji5oGKOwvdTIhN_0SZZVkN2Br7J20vB0cnOMg2i8LmTT5c6roEcZ3EKVntZiNPT_9k3nVVhC4ZqPxA_cSg/s1600-h/2007+221.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN6F6VAXAmVPhU53Q-OoMT-vrsrvztFn1QFRjqmwun_f5Ea0AQukr_ji5oGKOwvdTIhN_0SZZVkN2Br7J20vB0cnOMg2i8LmTT5c6roEcZ3EKVntZiNPT_9k3nVVhC4ZqPxA_cSg/s200/2007+221.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5049422226773963922" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWqQYBwxmYGp55LpllS_EODQ4ZlqXysY-BL6hiznBDChV5qQ7lFJMVOlzxMU7cCVJ7gGAtXmTyr84ZNMN8BgLS-H-HkXoq4EmZJY-tnhdMDc_xXxOQKkzF0mfg3mKlxcAGTNbiwg/s1600-h/2007+224.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWqQYBwxmYGp55LpllS_EODQ4ZlqXysY-BL6hiznBDChV5qQ7lFJMVOlzxMU7cCVJ7gGAtXmTyr84ZNMN8BgLS-H-HkXoq4EmZJY-tnhdMDc_xXxOQKkzF0mfg3mKlxcAGTNbiwg/s200/2007+224.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5049422231068931234" /></a>iloveshoeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05492090105721030662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34888726.post-9849665315508458192007-04-04T10:38:00.000+08:002007-04-04T12:11:06.410+08:00Rebecca & Hiroshi - Part IIHere are some pictures I managed to capture from the whirlwild trip by Baby Hiroshi and Irene. Pictures speak a thousand words.<br /><br />A question to think about: What do you think the weather is in Shanghai then? One no clothes and one has clothes! <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW4hYRU1w7Lkk8XUn8sNMS3AQwmTNZJrUNKi73g68lpA8TUMzQdr8TR6BtJ65avmDEJ8u06LUaxMUkT-e2AT36nLim-TFH6vXbUlHBx7k5CZNid40Hs-1AJrbc5ObL0IZCTDXyAw/s1600-h/2007+201.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW4hYRU1w7Lkk8XUn8sNMS3AQwmTNZJrUNKi73g68lpA8TUMzQdr8TR6BtJ65avmDEJ8u06LUaxMUkT-e2AT36nLim-TFH6vXbUlHBx7k5CZNid40Hs-1AJrbc5ObL0IZCTDXyAw/s200/2007+201.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5049418580346729506" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeOb5kCXjRpcxX7h4e0-pJaXPETnCiutKFT4OfaoDuSwwV72rgsW-_EUf7tlf_34G_ugLTnPJch4TxtH-Q6r7DJnY-DrwHkB9eoqetNE8LPGlsWvp_KWo6OGNq0ygKmcZyx5fF2w/s1600-h/2007+202.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeOb5kCXjRpcxX7h4e0-pJaXPETnCiutKFT4OfaoDuSwwV72rgsW-_EUf7tlf_34G_ugLTnPJch4TxtH-Q6r7DJnY-DrwHkB9eoqetNE8LPGlsWvp_KWo6OGNq0ygKmcZyx5fF2w/s200/2007+202.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5049418588936664114" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIlP78t_nCD46hPe3tLq4yVLhsuk0iLImsLTk8xa9b8LxBM8qr20AX1eeog7Ep47ejkYyUOJZipshmbmA_z6m0Y78OeHpYTeYCuSSNq_GqqSymkbt4EsajulBRqCkXCIudrr81Ow/s1600-h/2007+205.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIlP78t_nCD46hPe3tLq4yVLhsuk0iLImsLTk8xa9b8LxBM8qr20AX1eeog7Ep47ejkYyUOJZipshmbmA_z6m0Y78OeHpYTeYCuSSNq_GqqSymkbt4EsajulBRqCkXCIudrr81Ow/s200/2007+205.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5049418593231631426" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT0PpqWkjcNdJt4YOCtr6pjWxorEzHMicIt4M0r1Fzd1IODGVtYYptOT1UzNFD38hUxLQDj90Gv5wHxVnUXmjqcWm4Y6rVT-WH3YWhvuLcWp2NuXpXImm01-KNt8Ow4dex7ZYOvA/s1600-h/2007+209.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT0PpqWkjcNdJt4YOCtr6pjWxorEzHMicIt4M0r1Fzd1IODGVtYYptOT1UzNFD38hUxLQDj90Gv5wHxVnUXmjqcWm4Y6rVT-WH3YWhvuLcWp2NuXpXImm01-KNt8Ow4dex7ZYOvA/s200/2007+209.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5049418601821566034" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2bd233v-31KJ_wNUP9j9WIUv57e-WE7jR_SN7uvCgs4BcfCNcHtl10TW8oAPaIEd7dHuvmAUW9SaTJXg7vobUg_AGmnCUDtb6ZspW_TG5TfiKJ7v1xOMCKYi7nM7wfOlRtnlNFg/s1600-h/2007+211.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2bd233v-31KJ_wNUP9j9WIUv57e-WE7jR_SN7uvCgs4BcfCNcHtl10TW8oAPaIEd7dHuvmAUW9SaTJXg7vobUg_AGmnCUDtb6ZspW_TG5TfiKJ7v1xOMCKYi7nM7wfOlRtnlNFg/s200/2007+211.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5049418606116533346" /></a>iloveshoeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05492090105721030662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34888726.post-20219012512924935992007-04-02T09:39:00.000+08:002007-04-02T09:47:14.132+08:00Rebecca & HiroshiIt is not that I do not wish to update this blog more regularly...but it keeps on hanging whenever I try to access it. Not sure if this is 'cos the blogspot server is down or ..... <br /><br />We had great fun last week with a visit from Baby Hiroshi and Irene. It was lovely to watch the babies reconnect as its been at least a year since they've seen each other. We first got to know Baby H and Irene when I was doing my teaching lessons for Baby Massage and the babies and mums started to form bonds of support and friendship. <br /><br />At first, Rebecca was very quietly observing Kitson (Hiroshi's dad), Irene and Baby H. She was sizing them up and keeping very quiet. After 30 minutes, hehe, her true colors showed and she ran around the apartment chasing after Baby H. Baby H has grown so much and is so cute with his facial expressions. He loves to go "HUH"? and does so at the most appropriate times during an adult's conversation. Its hilarious!<br /><br />Rebecca had such a great time the next day hanging out with Hiroshi....though both Irene and I made sure that the kids never saw each other buck naked. (Rest assured Baby Malcolm & Valarie!). They had so much fun that Rebecca was playing and chasing Hiroshi wayyyy past her bedtime. <br /><br />We hope that they will make this trip at least once a year. Rebecca was quite sad when they left for home...kept on saying "Kor Kor...Kor Kor". May this friendship last them a lifetime.iloveshoeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05492090105721030662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34888726.post-62066687441786777302007-03-29T14:52:00.000+08:002007-03-29T15:46:30.973+08:00Weaning Off BreastmilkI've been told that I should update this blog more often. Well, I will try, but life's been very busy recently. Thanks for asking about us though! <br /><br />Rebecca is doing great and has finally turned 16 months last Friday! <br /><br />Papa Bear and I have made the heart wrenching (especially for me!) decision to wean her off breastmilk as we feel that it is time for me to recuperate a little. It has been a wonderful and amazing journey being able to provide God-given nutrition for my little cubling...and it has made my mothering experience very special. (I'll blog more in my own blog - which has not been established at the moment since my ex-blog has been well...axed!). <br /><br />So far, she's been adjusting well and she and I are working at finding new ways to bond and enjoy each other's company. It doesn't mean that I wake up later, we still get up about 5:30 am each morning but we spend the time sitting on the window ledge watching the early morning traffic lazily pass by. Or, we cuddle and sing songs or simply have a good ole sayang. (Awwww...) <br /><br />At times, I can see that she misses the skin to skin intimacy and she would ask for "Nin Nin"...but overall, she's taken this adjustment very well. I'm so thankful that we'd shared a special 16 month nurturing journey together...now is the start of another exciting phase :)iloveshoeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05492090105721030662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34888726.post-52568437964569332962007-02-16T10:40:00.000+08:002007-02-16T10:55:04.952+08:00Bedtime RoutineI came home late last night - after Rebecca had gone to bed already. So we didn't manage to do our bed time routine together. <br /><br />Normally, I try to be with her as she prepares to go to sleep. This used to happen about 8:30 but has been pushed to 9pm. I try to read to her one longer story book or if its too long a story, say Snow White & the 7 dwarves, we will read only half the book. This will then be followed by her all-time fav: Good Night Moon whilst she tucks into her bedtime bottle.<br /><br />We will then say a quick/short prayer - something like "Thank you God for today, for helping me enjoy school. Help me rest well tonight and heal me. (since she's been sick a lot recently). In Jesus's name I pray. Amen."<br /><br />Sometimes, instead of falling asleep and getting quiet...we get a bit cheeky and have a good old tumble and tickle in bed. That normally pushes bedtime a wee bit later...but it sure is fun to spend some time together. <br /><br />Nanny tells me she even asks to be read before she takes her afternoon nap...awww...how satisfying to hear that.iloveshoeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05492090105721030662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34888726.post-80280076648149081652007-02-15T15:24:00.000+08:002007-02-15T15:35:02.146+08:00CNY Celebrations at Julia Gabriel PlaynestRebecca's last class at Julia Gabriel Playnest coincides with the class celebrations for Chinese New Year and Popo had bought her a lovely, modern looking qipao just nice for the occassion. <br /><br />Here's Rebecca decked out this morning before heading to class. I didn't manage to catch a picture of her in her pinky Chinese embriodered shoes as I was rushing to work. Will try to do so the next time. <br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixZ1zkLhWBEtkCsUiSlGioeNU7Cb4mHsuKSg-_SFp-_zXBo0ywkTfOd9LSPnMll-I0CMrEVaYaasuT0erqiszqdU5_srbTgMgnTv9SbgRJPHWGH8ER-Us9vJ3qTQE9rRhnlxpp2A/s1600-h/2007+173.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixZ1zkLhWBEtkCsUiSlGioeNU7Cb4mHsuKSg-_SFp-_zXBo0ywkTfOd9LSPnMll-I0CMrEVaYaasuT0erqiszqdU5_srbTgMgnTv9SbgRJPHWGH8ER-Us9vJ3qTQE9rRhnlxpp2A/s320/2007+173.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5031659758181261234" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtSbKFCDZAOGoOqmensfBy0DsMDX8OKqk_8jj9a-ofJ1KFTk6qJoy3xqWQscXRuXyQueSieRgp9MI-9V7mgBdoXprUodC8ufjF_Us9d_1nlfUyDEB-M3n3Vdm80AD2ofOJjrICOQ/s1600-h/2007+169.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtSbKFCDZAOGoOqmensfBy0DsMDX8OKqk_8jj9a-ofJ1KFTk6qJoy3xqWQscXRuXyQueSieRgp9MI-9V7mgBdoXprUodC8ufjF_Us9d_1nlfUyDEB-M3n3Vdm80AD2ofOJjrICOQ/s320/2007+169.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5031659363044269986" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Sjlkw8ATXkXlfINZH2-U2dhILn5KV5crwY_vPYBbt6WeLjKS22pUgqrzGTZ3_qZMyhvwT-l_efy7aTCBvJoBfdPnwEyp6ifSPa-hQbApM4I9BmK-beceTzOUsYKedIT9Eh8T1A/s1600-h/2007+170.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Sjlkw8ATXkXlfINZH2-U2dhILn5KV5crwY_vPYBbt6WeLjKS22pUgqrzGTZ3_qZMyhvwT-l_efy7aTCBvJoBfdPnwEyp6ifSPa-hQbApM4I9BmK-beceTzOUsYKedIT9Eh8T1A/s320/2007+170.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5031659088166363026" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggtco5gK9KhCPRaPCWeO5W-uPsMEiBMe7leZ0gLU4d4RL879_Mf-vmEsrCjFRclhiuDBRG6pGxdkHzywIUzXyaLKH4Rb0Pm4zsQLHjVNHm6T1c9yzaQCF7mkMbXsPDG_Bipk2B3Q/s1600-h/2007+176.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggtco5gK9KhCPRaPCWeO5W-uPsMEiBMe7leZ0gLU4d4RL879_Mf-vmEsrCjFRclhiuDBRG6pGxdkHzywIUzXyaLKH4Rb0Pm4zsQLHjVNHm6T1c9yzaQCF7mkMbXsPDG_Bipk2B3Q/s320/2007+176.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5031660041649102786" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_GqfbTprNkew_0NEiSMxW55A4Iw212tm5MGDe03gfCj9qY5mVh7mMBRoRh617g5oFv_KRTEVOrSS6LueNZe1-hSS79kdrx72C_upgPztW8XFxgIIyoCFLPUBZAeZnq-Ki95qMgg/s1600-h/2007+180.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_GqfbTprNkew_0NEiSMxW55A4Iw212tm5MGDe03gfCj9qY5mVh7mMBRoRh617g5oFv_KRTEVOrSS6LueNZe1-hSS79kdrx72C_upgPztW8XFxgIIyoCFLPUBZAeZnq-Ki95qMgg/s320/2007+180.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5031660312232042450" /></a>iloveshoeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05492090105721030662noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34888726.post-52973081793387460412007-02-15T10:37:00.000+08:002007-02-15T10:46:31.431+08:00Development - 14 Months 3 WeeksRebecca has grown quite a bit during our stay in Singapore. It may be the weather, it may be the more varied activities that she is exposed to, or it just may be God's timing that she develops some skills during this time. <br /><br />Anyhow, here are some updates (lest I forget)at nearly 14 months and 3 weeks old. <br /><br />In the past two months (at 13-15 months)...<br /><br />Motor Skills<br />- Able to drink from cup (We've got to help her hold the cup else it will spill over. She also made me change her sippy cup 3 times (YES!) before deciding to move almost straight from teat to cup within 1 week)<br /><br />- Pick up smaller objects and slot them into coin box type slots<br /><br />- Turn in circles and walk backwards and sideways<br /><br /><br />Verbal Word List<br />- Wet (13 Feb 07)<br />- Dirty (10 Feb 07)<br />- Long (14 Feb 07...She knocked on my bathroom door saying loong loongg...asking me why I was taking so long inside...honey, it was Mama's shower/me time!)<br />- Dog (including a very realistic bark/pant/bank routine! yay me for teaching her that!) <br />- Cock (to refer to our lovely, friendly neighbourhood Peacock...no matter how much we try to get her to say PEA-cock..it doesn't happen)<br /><br />She's been able to say Mama, Papa, Ate (Nanny), Nin Nin (Milk), Tu Tu Wa (Water), Kong Kong, Po Po, Yes, Hi, Bye, No etc for many months now. <br /><br />Got to try to record more of her developments.iloveshoeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05492090105721030662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34888726.post-22450181496547070752007-02-15T10:21:00.000+08:002007-02-15T10:35:44.207+08:00Visit to Grandad's officeRebecca loves to hang out at KongKong's office and likewise, Kong Kong gets a real kick to spend some time with his grand daughter. Here are some pictures taken from one evening when we popped by his office (at KongKong's insistence)<br /><br />At the carpark - with the welcome party.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWlYGMyNOk51ZcobUXAOoMqPQdu2iaiS4eP1uWpI5P-q_IRz10cnN165OyD0InPhexHqhkXJyZ0UVrf6w_l3pR-Df4CS-xLLndyXCmRwlX3EfafJRZ4_3T_cKmWZq-QGaevfqOEg/s1600-h/2007+124.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWlYGMyNOk51ZcobUXAOoMqPQdu2iaiS4eP1uWpI5P-q_IRz10cnN165OyD0InPhexHqhkXJyZ0UVrf6w_l3pR-Df4CS-xLLndyXCmRwlX3EfafJRZ4_3T_cKmWZq-QGaevfqOEg/s320/2007+124.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5031580924056543042" /></a><br /><br />In the elevator...planning her mischief<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzoXS9MQS9iAoO4cK00UyR8MtlYhAuX-F-K1LTfVQlLGxBek2Y3eqayqP3nxPquDWmaELuD15isMAvdl_wylkmtRHjQNmmTRtnBlYmm0XIwidMiGJVgg_CxQXKp9oks80i1R8SkA/s1600-h/2007+130.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzoXS9MQS9iAoO4cK00UyR8MtlYhAuX-F-K1LTfVQlLGxBek2Y3eqayqP3nxPquDWmaELuD15isMAvdl_wylkmtRHjQNmmTRtnBlYmm0XIwidMiGJVgg_CxQXKp9oks80i1R8SkA/s320/2007+130.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5031581405092880210" /></a><br /><br />With the MAN himself<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwIPngNctiFVa__w3WOOlUaMj8ptvXcK7g3UBOJL2l-0zyV2hxFWIdqZkdHBoYVBjs9XrMb8O7CVeMzmkYUlkUckyMr_a4UU0E9xaraw0fCRC4_od76eLbKDy9Dsl-p-6kbOUVvw/s1600-h/2007+132.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwIPngNctiFVa__w3WOOlUaMj8ptvXcK7g3UBOJL2l-0zyV2hxFWIdqZkdHBoYVBjs9XrMb8O7CVeMzmkYUlkUckyMr_a4UU0E9xaraw0fCRC4_od76eLbKDy9Dsl-p-6kbOUVvw/s320/2007+132.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5031581808819806050" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsGExPWGaF_mL8bu9AVAyaJ-4HtRLnTAhAmRm7CWmpB7MKc20UZMUiccB_4Fm9JoZxzF386vhCMM9f5sS5fRJv8kfEKkxV-Oi5deRc9y2hKZWG7d4ZDpa7HKqQCnX9vNiBN4lCMQ/s1600-h/2007+138.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsGExPWGaF_mL8bu9AVAyaJ-4HtRLnTAhAmRm7CWmpB7MKc20UZMUiccB_4Fm9JoZxzF386vhCMM9f5sS5fRJv8kfEKkxV-Oi5deRc9y2hKZWG7d4ZDpa7HKqQCnX9vNiBN4lCMQ/s320/2007+138.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5031582470244769666" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwJTf2w10GCeRqF5lLS3roXCrnDRr4RH4Bob-CE41ZNdcyNVzEUUD2I00n2Vf1F0xz5yTEBwRkFACqvuPXQdZd1xQPqGtrq1SmbS6fpUSQ5t86dun2n56HztWsT3SwRV75piQcOQ/s1600-h/2007+143.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwJTf2w10GCeRqF5lLS3roXCrnDRr4RH4Bob-CE41ZNdcyNVzEUUD2I00n2Vf1F0xz5yTEBwRkFACqvuPXQdZd1xQPqGtrq1SmbS6fpUSQ5t86dun2n56HztWsT3SwRV75piQcOQ/s320/2007+143.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5031582161007124338" /></a>iloveshoeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05492090105721030662noreply@blogger.com0