12th Apr 19 months old!

Smiley baby he is and always so cheeky. I would never trade him for anything because he is everything to me. Although sometimes he really get on my nerves but he will never fail to melt my heart too. His smiles, his laughter, his funny poses and stunts always brighten up my days.

At 19 months,

• he is able to recognize A- Z.
• he is able to recognize 1 - 12 (some progress already but not fully tested yet)
• he is able to recognize more then 20 objects on the alpha posters.
• he is able to complete the spelling game in the vtech toy with all the words spelled correctly.
• he is able to recognize more then 20 animals in the flash card book.
• he is able to do actions with some of the songs we sing.

He is still not talking yet so I hope he will call me on mothers' day. That would be a perfect gift. =p

11th Apr Ryann cute little stunt

Ryann have been coughing recently and had high fever (39degrees) yesterday. He has not been sleeping well recently thus this morning he slept till 10am in the morning. He must be feeling real tired. Thank God that Ryann's fever subsided already but this morning his nose was filled with dried mucous that blocks his whole nostrils. Hopefully his cough and running nose will recover soon.

I caught Ryann on video the other day when he was playing with the thermometer. He used to be afraid of measuring temperature. Quite cute. See his 'hao lian' smile.

Today Ryann surprised me with a new stunt too. When we were singing the 10 little fingers tap tap tap, Ryann will tap his legs. 10 little fingers clap clap clap; Ryann will clap his hands. 10 little fingers tickle tickle tickle (gu ji gu ji); Ryann will lift up his index fingers and poke near his armpit. Very funny scene but it is a pity I cant get it on video cause Ryann will not do it at the sight of the camera. Will try soon.

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9th Apr Tampines One Amore Living opens!

Been so busy for this opening. Today i work from 9.30am - 10pm again. Tampines One was so crowed and this is the first time i ever served customer non stop till i forgotten about food totally. I only had a bao and small bun for breakfast and that lasted me the whole day. I practically do not have the time to even think about food because it was so busy. Tomorrow no public holiday for me because i need to go Tampines One to help Michelle.

At the same time, Ryann caught the cough bug too. Poor boy. Just recovered from cold sores. now cough. Please help me pray for his recovery.

8th Apr Cost of having a baby

Today i met up with Amy to change my term plan to an investment linked policy that comes with some returns. But i totally forgotten that i have got another AIA policy which was also an investment linked account. With these 2 policies add into my endowment and other medical policies, my premiums every month goes up to $450. That was quite a bit of miscalculation but i think it is quite worth it.

This new plan that i took comes with the usual 300k coverage for total death, critical illness or disability up to the age of 99. In the event if i am very blessed with good health and i can live up to 100 years old which is unlikely, I will still get back some money. Better then holding on to term plan which is zero returns. I just treat them as forced savings every month.

I have read many articles about the escalating cost of every thing in Singapore especially education and living expenses. Degree is like the most minimum certification you need to get into any job position nowadays, lets not say 20 years later. I hope what i am saving now is enough for Ryann but i am sure i cant afford a 2nd child now.

Just happen to google this and thought it would be nice to share. Happy reading
http://www.ocbc.com.sg/downloads/banking/Maybe%20Baby%20Seminar_Nov%2029_released.pdf

7th Apr Ryann's crying episodes continues

My tele-conversation with mum.

Me: Mummy, did Ryann cry today?

Mum: If Ryann never cry, I kenna 4D le lor!


Ryann's protest starts from wearing his uniform. This time round he started making noise when he was changed into his uniform. He was trying to pull down his pants. *Faintz

When he reached the school, before Mrs. Koh even open the door, he already started crying. Again there was no crying when mum was around. But crying starts the moment Mum was out of sight. Again, he was asked to sit down at one corner of the classroom. Occasionally, he will watch them do the class activities. He still whines. The funny thing was when he started crying, some of the elder kids will come to him and ask him 不要哭! Although he wasn't the only one crying but he certainly was the loudest one.

Mrs. Koh was very nice to drop me an email updating me on Ryann's progress, which let me feel at ease. I am sure Ryann will get use to the environment soon.

** Some updates on Ryann's progress. Ryann is starting to learn numbers and is able to recognize 1 - 13. Everyday, we will also teach the number on the calendar (those daily tear off kind) When I asked him, where is number 7? He will point to today's calendar. Try it with your child. It is quite useful.
** Sorry for the belated post. 6th April reposted already with photos of Ryann in uniform.

6th Apr 1st day in uniform

Ryann's first set of uniform. A little too big for him but that is already the smallest size i can get. I cant help but to feel so touched to see him in uniform. I cant imagine if he is going to primary school. Maybe i will cry. Ha ha.

Obviously he wasn't really that happy going to school. Look at his facial expression. Mum don't look very happy with that 'peace' sign as well. She felt so painful to see Ryann crying in school.

All happy to go to school but things were different when he reached school. He started crying when he was at the doorstep. He stopped when Mum carried him but he started to cry again when Mum was out of sight. This time round, Mrs Koh got him to sit at one corner while she tried to lead the class with some dancing and singing. Ryann was given a toy car which seems to be his comfort object. He calmed down a little but started crying again soon. These episodes went on and off but according to Mrs Koh. He was practically whining and not as aggressive as on Friday. He was able to response to her hands on the hips or flown facial expression. He was walking in and out of the class room towards the door wanting to go home.

Lets hope tomorrow will be a better day.

5th Apr An enjoyable day out with Ryann

We had an enjoyable day out with Ryann. We went to tampines for breakfast and Ryann had some kway teow and chwee kueh for break fast. We rushed back home so that Ryann can take a nap before preparing for GUG class today.

The moment we reach GUG, Ryann was all excited to start class and surprisingly he even gave Teacher Wei a big hug. First time ever as he is usually very 'niao' with his hugs. I am glad to see Ashley back in class. We did some activities to introduce up and down using obstacles like chair and masking tape. Ryann was suppose to walk in straight line along the tape and climb up and down the chair. He enjoyed climbing up and down so much. That is like his everyday chore at home. Up and down. He was not feeling tired but i was. =p

One funny incident, Ryann stood up to get a better view of the teacher and soon he sat down not on my lap but on another mummy's lap. He didn't even realized it. After a few songs, he sensed something not right and he turned back and saw that it was not me, he quickly stood up and came straight to me. So funny.

Today we introduced Nigel night owl, net, nose and neck. Ryann refused to pass the net to Ashley. Nowadays, it is so hard to take things from him. During the flash cards, as usual this boy rushed to the front and took the front seat. I was surprised when i asked him where is Sammy snake, he pointed to the zoo phonics S card. I hope i can get the zoo phonics cards soon.

Ryann got himself all wet during the activity segment. They were asked to use the net to scoop the balls and stuff from the pail of water but as usual Ryann used his hands and got himself wet. Then he started swinging the net every where and got the floor all wet too. Phew... Strong boy indeed.

After class we went for food at ichiba boshi. Ryann loved the cheesecake there. We went to Ikea after that to shop for a computer chair but couldn't find one that we like. Ryann in good mood today. When we sing the song wind the bobbin song, he will do the actions like point the ceiling, floor, nose and toes. when we were singing incy wincy spider, he will play with his fingers too. I hope Ryann will always be a happy baby.

3rd Apr Ryann's 2nd class

Ryann's 2nd class was really bad. Initially, Ryann was all excited to go into the room. He placed his shoes on the rack himself and ran into the room together with the rest of the kids. After mum left, she peep through the window and saw him siting down on the mat happily watching mickey mouse, she went off.

By the time she is back, Ryann was already crying big time. She saw Ryann on Mrs Koh's lap. She was trying to supervise the rest of the kids eating and shaking her leg to entertain Ryann. Mum did not step in until she really couldn't take it anymore and it was already 1pm. She went in and carried Ryann. Ryann stop crying immediately. One of the little girl was fast asleep in the arms of the assistant teacher due to all the crying. The other boy was crying non stop even after the granny came in. Really big headache.

Mrs Koh spoke to me on the phone. The first thing she said:"Mrs Loh, you have got yourself a very strong son!"Ryann was practically protesting. Ryann was ok at the beginning of the class but he started crying or i shld say a little bit of screaming when Mrs Koh stopped him from touching the white board and the computer. He will start crying and stop for a while see see look look then cry again. He refuse to eat or drink. His cries are all angry cries. But i think it is time to discipline Ryann before the terrible 2 start.

I hope things will get better soon. Lets pray hard.

2nd Apr Ryann's first class

Ryann's first playgroup class today! Mummy seems more excited then him. Search high and low for a bag but don't have any really suitable thus i use the GUG bag which is too big for him.

Ryann was able to listen to instructions well when i told him to take out his water bottle and biscuit box himself. I took off his shoe for him and he put it on the rack himself. They were asked to settle down on the mat first. Ryann sat down for a while but he got distracted by the huge monkey pictures at the back of the room. When i asked him where is monkey? he pointed to the back. =p

Then they sang the hello song but Ryann refused to hold the hands of the other children. He is still rather shy on that. Toys time, he love the cars as usual and was playing with them. Scenes of snatching toys appear for a few times but i manage to stop him from doing that. He like the books corner and was found making a mess there too. During their snack break, i sneaked out while he was watching the mickey mouse cartoon. I just told him to stay here and watch tv first.Since these 3 days is like orientation and no work involved until next week, I thought maybe try his reaction and see how.

He was left inside the class for almost 1 hour. He wanted to touch the laptop but was told not to by Mrs Koh. He quietly sat down after being scolded by her.

When the class ended, Mrs Koh said Ryann refuse to come out of the class. When i walked in, Ryann and Summer (one sept forum mummy's daughter)were inside the room playing. The moment Ryann saw me, he ran towards me smiling and i carried him up. Immediately he hide his face on my shoulder. Soon i saw his face changed. He was showing this very ke lian face, bian zui, like so wei qu face and super pouting lips. I wanted to let him come down to take his biscuits and water bottle himself, but he was clingy on me so tight and started crying.

So poor thing la. Mrs Koh said Ryann did not cry during my absence. He was still wandering and exploring the place. I think he must have only realized that i was missing just now when he saw me. My heart so painful to see him cry. Tomorrow i got to work morning shift, i hope mum is able to handle. Lets hope everything would be fine.

1st Apr Ryann's april fool's day surprise

Today we went to see Dr Tan for the review. We have got a clearance letter so that Ryann can start his class tomorrow. I am so excited for Ryann. I wonder if he will behave himself in class. Feeling so nervous. To be frank with you, I am not sure what to bring for the playgroup class. I have prepared some biscuits, baby wipes, extra clothes, diapers, water bottle and hankies.

Ryann amazed me today. He knows how to recognise the alphabets already. Not all but almost. When he is playing with the vtech alphabet town, not only he is able to spell the words, when it says 'Park' he will press the letter P, when it says 'Library', he will press L,' or when it reads out the alphabet, he is able to press the right one. When the siren of the ambulance sound, he will press 'A'. Sound of the horn, he will press 'V' for van. and many more. I am very amazed at the speed he is learning. Babies are really like a sponge, absorbing it so quickly.



I also realized that he knows what is helicopter. I only flashed the helicopter flashcard less then 5 times and not consecutively days. It is just so amazing and i am so proud of Ryann. Although most children are already able to speak quite well or recognised those things long ago but it is really an accomplishment for Ryann as he never really showed us until recently. I hope next i will start to see the progress in terms of his speech.

I am not too sure if he understands the phonics taught in GUG as it is still alittle too early to tell but I am only a little worried that he might get confused with the phonics and the alpha, since he recogized by the alpha now. Another thing is, he recognized capital letters. Maybe i should slowly introduce small letters too. Not sure if it is going to be too confusing but i am not going to rush things. I am happy that God had blessed him.