2nd Aug Its Sunday again!

It’s Sunday again. My only rest day, was hoping to be able to sleep a little longer but I woke up with Ryann on my bed rolling on the bed, over me and using my tummy as his pillow. What a great way to wake up seeing the smile on Ryann's face. No matter how tired I may be, it just feels so good to see our todds smile.

As usual, we went over to mum's place to make sure Winnie can cope with dad. I cook for Ryann while Winnie bath him. As usual he will protest initially but the sight of water will just spurs him on to shower. He really loves playing with water. Haven had time to bring him for some swimming. I fed him his lunch and allow him to hold the spoon himself with some guidance from me and he is doing very well.

We went for his class today and it is the last class for some of them who will not be continuing after this term. As usual Ryann responded well in the class except for some running around. Before the teachers can even finish the Zoo bag segment, he already went to open the file and took out the flash cards for teacher Russell. We were learning about the letter E for elephant, elbow and exercise. And each word comes with some activities that involved movements like stomping like an elephant, hokey pokey song with elbows (Ryann was dancing along) and exercise like running, marching walking etc. All the kids seem to have all the energy they needed.
Today's artwork will be using the toothbrush and the comb to create tiny paint spots. Ryann enjoyed it alot. He was also very happy in the music class and was dancing along with teacher Wei. Seeing him so happy in class make me even reluctant to stop GUG.

After class we went to tampines for dinner with my sister in law and father in law. Great food. And the moment Ryann was free from the stroller; he will start running everywhere and will just swing our hands away and refused to be held. Overall I had a great day spent with Ryann and I am enjoying every single day spent with him.

1st Aug Time for Ryann's 2nd birthday photo shoot

Ryann’s 2nd birthday coming up soon and I am still not too sure which photographer I am going to choose. I haven't decided if I want outdoor or studio photo shoots. With Ryann so active now, I doubt we would be able to survive a studio shoot.
Should I choose cheers and tears or go back to tomato photo with the other photographer.

Tomato photo did Ryann’s 1st birthday shoot and did quite a good job. Of course Tomato photo’s pricing is a lot higher then other photographers but I am still quite please with the pictures.
If I were to go back to them this time round, I wont be using Hart any more as his charges are way above my budget. Would be using Asri their senior photographer.

Some of his works can be found in http://bambiniphotography.blogspot.com/
Another of Hart’s website – http://www.tomato.sg/
http://tomatophotojourney.blogspot.com/search/label/Children

Gold Photography Package - weekend or weekdays $250
- 1 hour of photography (Outdoor, Home, Studio)
- Three 5R + Digital negative (printable to 4R) of all images
- Online gallery for 7 days for print selection

Cheers and Tears caught my attention through the Singapore motherhood forum.
Some of the pictures really show the happiness or tears of the child, which really touched my heart too. They are also relatively cheaper.

Some of his works can be found in http://www.cheersntears.com/
http://cheersntearsphotography.blogspot.com/search/label/Children

60 minutes 199 + 66 = $265
~ 7 x 4R prints
~ 1 x A4 prints
~ all print selection pictures' soft copy are returned in hi res
~ Adults = 2 person max
~ Children = 3 person max
~ additional person at S$15 top-up/head
~ Strictly at Botanic Garden or Sentosa only
~ Island entrance fees for photographer & assistants are waived
~ photo shoot before Oct 2009
~ CTO-PMA = S$199
~ Deposit = S$99
~ Optional purchase of all soft copy in hi res at S$66

Each has their strengths and weaknesses. And I really need your help to share your views. Which one do you prefer?

31st July Toddler's cute language

We celebrated sis's birthday today since tomorrow she wont be home. Brought swensons ice cream cake for her.

Before she reached mum's place, I helped Rhys with the making of the birthday card. Using crayons and drawing paper, we drew a nice birthday card for her. Young todd like him cracked quite a bit of jokes.

Me: Lets draw an apple! Rhys, can you tell me what's the color of an apple?
Rhys: Yes! It’s 'A'. (Everyone laugh)

Rhys was drawing 2 small circles on the apple.
Me: What's that? Are you going to draw a worm?
Rhys: No! That’s the eye!

Rhys presented to sis and sang a birthday song for her. How sweet!
Wondering when will Ryann do that to me?

Ryann enjoyed eating ice cream cake thou. First time allowing him to try a bit of ice cream cake. He seems to like it.

28th July More updates on Ryann's artwork from GUG

Using candle wax to draw on black paper with me helping him.

Spices - smell the spices and stick them on the paper.

Using candle wax to draw on the paper even thou we cant see anything but Ryann was happy after he started painting with the red paint.

Bubble art again. This one below was what he did in April. Got improvements.

Introduced the word 'Coil' thus they were asked to color the coil ( made of paper plate) with 4 color paint but before Ryann can paint with the 4th color, he already got his face all painted too.

Teacher Wei helped to stick the feather on the end of the coil. Pretty isn't it?

Ended up with mummy digging from the container and matching it with the paper while Ryann coloring on the paper.

Ryann love to color with crayons.

26th July Ryann's first sunday without auntie Tri

I went over to mum's place in the morning, as Winnie (new maid) was alone at home with dad. Mum need to go to do some marketing and Winnie has yet to master the art of carrying dad from the bed to the wheelchair. She does not know how to coax dad to eat his medicine too.

Ryann as usual rejecting her most of the time and at times I see him going into every single room which I guess could be looking for Tri.
All was fine until it is almost time to cook for Ryann but she still have yet to prepare the meat and stuff. I ask her to prepare mee sua for Ryann. She just nodded but did nothing. I guessed she doesn't understand me so I demonstrated to her. Bring the meat from the freezer and soak the bag in water to de-freeze it. With my half past six Malay language, she managed to understand about the meat part.

While waiting for the meat to de-froze, I decided to cook myself instant noodles too. So I started cooking and Winnie assisted me. When I am done with my cooking. She started putting Ryann on the highchair as she had intention to feed Ryann with Maggi Mee! I didn't know how to react but I wanted to laugh. When I told her that the instant noodles are not for Ryann, she gave me this very blur look. So end up I cook for Ryann myself with her watching me.

Language is a big issue right now. I hope she will pick things up faster and able to relieve mum from the house chores soon. It is either she picks up English or I would have to pick up bahasa melayu. Anyone can help me?

24th July Ryann's version of ABC

A - Ryann will say 'A'
B - Ryann will 'boo boo' 'blowing with lips pouted out and with sound'
C - Ryann will make sounds with his tougue like a clock
D - Ryann will make the phonics sound of D - 'de'
E - Ryann will make the phonics sound of E -'Eh'
F - Ryann will make the phonics sound of F -'Fff'
G - Ryann will laugh because he dunno how to make the sound. only do action.
H - Ryann will make the phonics sound of H - 'Ha'
I - Ryann will make the phonics sound of I - 'yi'
J - Ryann will do the actions with his hands shaking like Jerry Jellyfish
K - Ryann will laugh because he dunno how to make the sound.
L - Ryann will do the actions of Lizzy lizard with his hands under his chin.
M - Ryann will make the phonics sound of M - 'Mmmmm'
N - Ryann will make the phonics sound of N - 'Nnnn'
O - Ryann will make the phonics sound of O - 'Or'
P - Ryann will stomp his feet like penquin (if he is standing)
Q - Ryann will laugh because he dunno how to make the sound.
R - Ryann will laugh because he dunno how to make the sound.
S - Ryann will make the phonics sound of S - 'sssss'
T - Ryann will make the phonics sound of T - 'Te'
U - Ryann will laugh because he dunno how to make the sound.
V - Ryann will laugh because he dunno how to make the sound.
W,X,Y AND Z - Ryann will run away and ignore me already cos he knows he dunno the sound of the rest

23rd July Rhys might has contacted chicken pox virus

My nephew Rhys might has contacted chicken pox virus from his childcare despite having taken the vaccine jab. Spots started showing on his body and neck. He is not allowed to go to school and thus would be at mum's place. My new maid and Ryann have yet to take any chicken pox jab before and thus tomorrow Hubby will take childcare leave to take care of Ryann. However, it is really impossible for us to take full 2 weeks leave if Rhys really got chicken pox, as my sis will be putting Rhys at my mum's place for sure.

However, I really have to thank God for preparing me for this incident.
Firstly, my hubby's CCL application was not self-initiated but scheduled by the company. Just in time for Ryann to be at home instead.

Secondly, I have been listening to this power sermon of Pastor Prince and he said that instead of asking God to heal us when we have lying symptoms of illness, God has something better for us. That is real protection against any disease, germs and virus and they can’t even touch us. We are immune due to the sacrifice of Christ Jesus. So instead of praying for healing every time Ryann is sick, I started giving thanks to God for protecting our family from any illness, diseases and germs. I had peace in my heart as I know 'Surely God will deliver us ' (Psalms 91).

Thirdly, I have been meditating on Romans 8:2 for the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. This was my MSN greeting message for a couple of days already.

Fourthly, I usually don't bring my bible out but these 2 days I brought along my bible with no apparent reason why. Today when I heard that Rhys might get chicken pox, immediately I pray for protection and for the peace in my heart. I took out my bible and started reading Romans 8:2 and Psalms 91.

All these add together with a stronger faith and the God of peace was with me. I know Ryann would be well protected by His angels. Just like how God protected Boyz's kids when his elder daughter got chicken pox too. Just like how God protected Ryann during our last Malaysia trip. I am feeling so blessed. Thank God for your protection and love.

Special revelation

Peter, my finance department HOD shared a story during award presentation today and I thought I should share with all as well.

We can spend lots of money on renovation or furniture of our house but we can’t buy a home.
Home is always our resting place, our shelter when we meet up with storms in the outside world.
Having a great relationship with our families are important and we need to add in the FUN factor.

F for Faithfulness and commitment
U for understanding one another
N for nurturing

In order to show faithfulness and commitment to the family, the trust must be there too. Especially on money issues, if we are able to talk about money issues openly, this shows the trust, faithfulness and commitment of the relationship. Bad days or good days, husband and wife still stand together faithfully. You know that when you meet up with any problems, your family will always be there for you.

Understanding one another through bonding activities or even through simple gestures. Quality time spent with our family is very important. Try to always spend at least 10-15 minutes daily communicating with our partner or our child. You can ask your child what he/she had learned today. Or even just simply asking our spouse "how was your day?"

Understanding one another needs communication and there are 3 important things we must always do.

• Say 'I love you' - this 3 words are really powerful
• Say ' I thank you' - We often forget to appreciate the things that we do for each other but will always be reminded of the negative things that we do.
• Say ' I am sorry' - able to humble ourselves down, showing empathy and love.

Lastly, nurturing a relationship takes time, takes personal effort and all the above mentioned - faithfulness, commitment, understanding one another and most importantly, with God's love.

21st July New maid's arrival

Our new domestic helper is here already. She is smaller in size then expected but got this smiley face. Hopefully she will be able to cope well.

We tried to let her carry Ryann and he rejected big time and started crying. I believe it will take a while more before he will get use to her. Praying for God's supernatural powers.

Most importantly is for her to learn how to handle dad properly. Our worries at first are if she has the strength to carry dad as she is only standing at 155cm if i am not wrong. Now seeing her small physique, i must really pray hard.

Anyway it is a new start and i know everything is going to be moving on towards a positive side. Just keep to an open and patient heart towards her.

19th July Ryann's super attachment with Tri

We went for class as usual and all went well until the artwork segment. Teacher Russell and Teacher Wei were introducing the word 'coil'. The kids were required to paint the 'coil paper plate' and stick a little feather at the end of it. Before we could even finish painting, Ryann had got paint on his face, his clothes and hands. Thank God for non-toxic paint.

Ryann was able to match all the cards he was given without any guidance. Instead of always guiding him along, I leave him to explore on his own.
He is not talking much yet thus I try to refrain using the actions while doing the Zoophonics cards, hopefully it will encourage him to talk.

At night, Ryann started throwing tantrums. Cries at the slightest things. He was so attached to Tri that got me worried that next week when she goes back to Indo, how would he react? Even mum said that he is too attached to Tri already.

I was trying to comfort Ryann on one occasion. Ryann was in my arms while crying and Tri attempted to carry him away, which was stopped by me of cos. Not that I am trying to be rude or what, but I really do not want her to be the one giving the comfort. If I continue to allow this thing to happen, when she go back to Indo next week, the new maid will have a hard time handling Ryann and same goes to me too.
Really relying on God for these issues. Praying hard on that.