A long holiday...

We were away for a 5 days 5 nights holiday tooooooooooo (not overseas la...) but Ipoh and Penang...

Again, this is a business trip for daddy but a real holiday for mommy and myself. We left KL on Tuesday night to Ipoh. We stayed 2 nights in Ipoh. On Thursday morning, we left Ipoh to Penang for another 2 nights. Then, back to Ipoh on Saturday and stayed 1 more night in Ipoh. Came back on Sunday, reached home 11.30pm.

So, we get to catch up with my maternal grandparents, Ipoh yi yis and cousin sisters in Ipoh. Also, we get to have a break and holiday staying in Gurney Hotel in Penang (since kakak did not follow us to penang). Although daddy has an apartment in Penang, we decided to stay in hotel because it is more like a holiday and I got to play sand and swim in the pool when daddy goes to work during the day.

I was super duper happy seeing so many people in Ipoh. We have many good meals in Ipoh too (oppss..more like for mommy and daddy...I have lots of junk food and in Penang, I was not eating well). Anyway, mommy did not bother much coz it was a holiday. As long I am still taking my milk, mommy left it to me.

This time in Penang, I was having a good time playing with the water slides. First day, mommy went through the slides with me. She screamed so loud until my ear drum also want to break already. But I found it so funny and I laughed till non-stopped and requested to go on it AGAIN and AGAIN. We played about 4 rounds I guess and mommy could not take it anymore. She said she is going to have heart attack. So useless la....

Then the next day, I went one round with daddy. Then mommy suggested I went on it myself. Actually I have been wanting to do it on my own but daddy was worried at first. Seeing me so excited and happy playing with the slides, they decided to let me try on it. Daddy up there, mommy down there to catch me, so that I will not fall into the water. I was not scared at all and enjoyed it so much. I kept laughing and asking to do it AGAIN and AGAIN. After the 4th round, I didn't seems stable anymore. So, mommy requested me to stop. It was really FUN!!!!

Another achievement is I finally able to stand in the children pool. I requested to stand and all the while, daddy and mommy thought my leg could not reach the bottom but they were wrong. The water level just nice reaching my neck. So, I was enjoying walking in the children pool on the 2nd day.

Of course besides swimming, I also play sand, sea-shell painting and have a dinner with the Yeapies family.

Sea-shelves painting...


Happily playing sand...


Enjoying the cool water...


Must look at camera and smile smile, so that have some proper photos one...(mommy said)...


We did not take many photos this time because mommy wanted to enjoy the activities more than busy capturing moments. We all enjoyed the trip very much.....

My first experience in cinema...

updated by mommy...

We have been wanted to "try" bringing Darren to the cinema coz we were frequent movie-goers before Darren was born. Since Darren was born, we can only go for movies whenever mil is here to help us out. So, we have been planning for this outing few weeks back.

Our plan is to actually bring Darren to the shopping center in the morning and tired him out. Then, we will bring him to the cinema in the afternoon - his usual nap time. With the air-conditioned and dark environment, together with his pillow and red dog, we hope he will fall asleep in my arm..with me tapping or scratching him of course.

Last Saturday while we were in KLCC, he actually fell asleep before we decided to watch a show. But since he has just slept around 5.15pm and we have nothing to shop in KLCC, plus our chosen movie has a show on at 6pm, we decided to try our luck in getting the tickets for the show - Angels and Demons.

We needed to get seats next to the corridor coz we need a place to put our stroller. It was God's will that we managed to get 3 tickets 3 row from the top, next to the corridor. We were all too excited and hoping Darren will not wake up so soon.

We waited at the cinema until the gate is opened for us. Hubby bought a large set of pop corn and 2 cokes. We hurridly went in once the gate was opened. After checking the place, we realised that there is no way we can place the stroller at the corridor coz it is just too short and narrow, unless we sit at the top row.

Anyway, the screen then opened and started with some advertisement. The sound was loud and sudden. Darren slowly opened his eyes and starred at the big screen. I tried to pat him to sleep but failed to. (He has just slept for 45 mins). Finally the show started, the top row still have nobody sitting there. So hubby suggested that my maid get her seat first at the 3rd row, then he and myself sit the top row with Darren still in his stroller.

When the show officially started, Darren started to get up from his stroller. He looked around and was attracted to the dim light next to my seat showing the seat numbers. I carried him out of the stroller and sat on my lap. He suddenly called for my maid. We immediately covered his mouth and asked him to keep quiet.

He then asked to go "shi shi" (toilet). I brought him out. When we came back, hubby told me that he managed to convince the couple who were supposed to sit at the top row to exchange the seats with us. Darren then started to keep asking for kakak. We got to lie to him that he has to keep quiet, if not, the aunty/uncles here and there will scold him.

Anyway, to shut his mouth, hubby chucked him the pop corn. Although he was coughing, we couldn't bother much coz we just want him to sit quiet. He helped himself with the pop corn until he has enough of it. He then started to play with the stroller...putting his pillow and red dog here and there, pushing the stroller (I locked the wheel).

Then suddenly he asked to go for poo poo....we know it is his trick to get out of the place. We told him that the uncle will scold him. He then kept quiet. He then continue playing with his stroller and the dim light next to the seat.

Probably 30mins before the show ends, he asked to go shi shi again. This time hubby offered to bring him. When he is back, he started to show impatience. But i told him that the show is ending. So, he managed to sit still and waiting for the show to end.

I was surprised and glad that we all managed to finish the whole show, despite he is awake. I have prepared that I may need to bring him out half of the show if he cannot stay still in the cinema and let hubby enjoyed his show inside.

Hubby said we can bring him to cinema already. We asked whether he wants to go cinema again or not, he nodded his head and said YES. Well, I think a few more times, he will get bored and may not be able to stay inside for so long. One thing I know, I don't think he can sleep inside the cinema coz the sound is too loud inside the cinema.

Anyway, it was a great experience for all of us. AM glad we finally able to watch the show..hehehe.

Happy Father's Day...

updated with pictures...
updated by mommy.

Friday (preparation for father's day)
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I tried to pull myself up and helped Darren to do something for the up-coming father's day. Thanks Merryn for the craft blog and we decided to make a "sun" for daddy - he is the sunshine to us.

The sun...


In fact most of the work was done by me. While I was cutting the paper, he also took a piece of yellow colour paper and started folding here and there. He took the pencil scribble here and there too. When I told him that this is for daddy and told him to say "i love you, daddy!" when giving the sun to him, he copied exactly what i said and pretend to give his folded paper (not the sun) out. He repeated the act and phrase a few times happily.

After we finished everything, I secretly hide the sun and his folded paper in the study room, on top of a metal cabinet.

Saturday
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Darren started coughing today and he was quite cranky the night before. After he woke up, we brought him down and i went up to wash up. Before I went into the bathroom, I heard Darren's demanding screams (well..I assumed he must have demanding something that he should not have). Then I heard my maid told my hubby that she doesn't know what Darren wants..taking the books out and emptying the drawers. I did not bother much.

After finished washing up, I then went down. I saw some yellow small pieces of papers here and there. Hubby then told me, "Your son broke the secret already.." I then asked what happened...

Apparently, after my maid told my husband she doesn't know what Darren wants, Darren came out and dragged hubby into the study room. He wanted hubby to carry him. He then kept saying "i love you..i love you..i love you..." and seeking high and low. He looked through all book shelves, all drawers and all cabinets...basically every where. While he was checking out the highest cabinet, he noticed the yellow paper sticking out from the top cabinet and pointed that to his daddy.

Hubby then took it down and he started smiling. He took his folded paper and said "I love you, daddy!" and gave the paper to hubby. When hubby took the sun down, he didn't want the sun. Hahaha...the folded paper is his work and he knows the sun is not his work. He is proud of his work. Anyway, he then took a scissors to cut the paper.

His folded paper after cutting. Left this small piece.


So, no more secrets already. Hubby was happy and thank me for the sun (hahaha)...and he decided to bring us out kai kai. Since no more secrets, I get Darren to give him his actual father's day present 1 day advance - 2 ties from G2000.



Hubby wanted something special for us. First, we went to a chinese restaurant for lunch. We had a good lunch there. Then, we headed to KLCC. I think the last time we were there was like last year.

It was way past Darren's nap time when we reached there. But this little boy just refused to nap in his stroller. He insisted of walking. His tiredness and cough + running nose make him extremely cranky in KLCC. Hubby and I tried to be patience with him, knowing he is not feeling well. Many times, I suggested to go back home since Darren was so cranky. But we just arrived KLCC less than 1 hr, hubby then suggested to sit down and get the boy something to eat. We then stopped by San Francisco and bought 1 doughnut (his fav) for him. He finished almost the whole big doughnut. When we put him back to stroller, we walked inside Isetan. Before we knew it, he has already dozed off in the stroller. Hubby and I finally felt relief.

Hubby then suggested to go for a movie. So, this day marked the first time Darren stepped into the cinema. Will blog about this in separate post. We watched "Angels and Demons". After the show, we had dinner at the food court, then we headed home straight coz Darren has been coughing non-stop.

We all have a good day, including my maid...yes..yes..we brought her along.

Sunday (Father's Day)
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We decided not to go anywhere coz Darren's cough and running nose did not seems better. Even myself started coughing too. I did not sleep well throughout the whole night coz Darren was coughing and getting up almost every hour asking me to scratch him, this and that.

So, hubby took care of Darren after he woke up. He brought Darren out to look for doctors but most clinics closed on Sunday. So, they ended up going to McDonald drive thru to get me a McMuffin for breakfast. I was touched coz after I woke up, I have McMuffin for breakfast!!

I told hubby that he should be spending his time with Darren the whole day, taking care and playing with him. Then only he will feel more like a father. It's the bonding day for them. So, mommy should rest..hahahaha....(anyway, the actual reason is i was not feeling that well..with cough, lack of sleep and slight diarrhea..)

So, the father and son played blocks and lego together. It was so nice seeing them playing together. Darren even wanted his daddy to feed him. And hubby also spent his evening with Darren and he bathed Darren too. He is definitely a A++ daddy...We then went out for dinner at Puchong, then later went to Giant to get some grocery before headed home.

I was so happy coz this is the first time I did not see hubby working on his laptop during the weekend. He used to be in front of the laptop day and night. I sincerely have a good weekend and glad that hubby made the weekend so special for us. It is more like our day than his.

We love you, darling! Am sure Darren is very very lucky to have you as his daddy!!!

Enrichment class

backdated post

Mommy sent me for trial enrichment classes last week. This is the first time I joined other kids without mommy around.

Day 1
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One of the teachers brought me inside the classroom and looked around. Mommy said she needed to talk to another teacher. So, I was inside the classroom with other children and 2 teachers. Then, I saw the door opened and I saw mommy. I started to cry for mommy. I want mommy to join me, like my other playgroups. I hold on to mommy's hand very tight. Mommy then tried to bring me into the classroom again. Teacher then let me do some drawings. When I turned my head around, I couldn't find mommy anymore. Teacher told me mommy was inside the toilet. I kept looking at the toilet door..and also started exploring the classroom. Suddenly I saw one boy and one girl went inside the toilet and I know the teacher bluffed me. I started crying for mommy again. Teacher then distracted me with something else...i was ok for a while...then I started looking for mommy again....teacher then distracted me ..then until the class ended. I found mommy again. The minute I saw mommy, I asked for "bau bau" (carried) and started crying. But when mommy asked me do I like the school, do I like the teacher, do I still want to come to the school..I answered "yes".


Day 2
--------
Mommy sent me there again..I was happy going to school again. Teacher then brought me in and introduced some new friends to me. Mommy waited for me outside reading newspaper. I was behaving well this time. I did not look for mommy anymore. Mommy was so proud of me. I enjoyed today's play session very much until sweat all over when I came out from the class. I started to like the school.

Day 3
-----------
Surprise this morning that my piau cheh also joined me for the class. I felt much better this time. Initially I was holding mommy's hand very tight and wanted her to join me. But my piau cheh came forward and hold my hands and guide me in. I enjoyed myself very much in the class. (mommy then sneaked out with yi yi for breakfast while waiting for my class to end).

Day 4
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Same as yesterday...my piau cheh was with me in the class today. I was all ok and never ask for mommy anymore. (Mommy sneaked out again with yi yi for breakfast).

Day 5
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I woke up late and missed my class. Mommy thought gave me a break today as I started sneezing. But after my nap, I went downstairs and started packing..I told mommy I wanted to go to school. So, mommy called the school and said I can go at this hour. So, I went and joined my piau cheh again in the class.

This enrichment class proven to be quite good. I can recognise 4 chinese words (爸爸, 弟弟, 人, 口) in just 4 days classes. Daddy and mommy were amazed. So, I'll be officially attending the classes from this week onwards.

Notes from mommy:
------------------
Darren, I think mommy is the one suffering separation anxiety sending you to this classes. Mommy misses you so much when you are not within my sight. For the first two days, I was outside the classroom waiting for you. Although I was reading newspaper, my heart and mind actually thinking of you, wondering what are you doing inside the class. When mommy knew that you can be independent without me around, i left the centre after you went into the class. Mommy felt so empty without you next to me. Even though mommy was having breakfast with yi yi, I have been looking at the clock and not used to without you around. Mommy truly misses you a lot and how I wish I can be always be next to you in whatever you do. But you need to learn to be independent...in fact, mommy and daddy are very proud of you. I love you, Darren!

I love you Mommy!!

Mommy said my speech is getting better. Let's see...

I LOVE YOU....
Mommy is so happy to hear me saying this. Well..don't think i understand what it means but every time when I said this to daddy and mommy, they looked extremely HAPPY.



Hello...(talking on the phone)..


(doo.doo.helo daddy.ah.....oh..office..ah..ok...well..bye..oh..yeah...bye..yeah..bye....di)


(ah..ok..oh...ic..oh..okay..ok..bye..yup..bye...yup..bye...)

Sounds real huh??? The phone is actually a non-functioning phone. I just pretend talking on the phone with daddy or sometimes with some other people. Mommy find it very funny whenever i pretend talking on the phone.

Names...
Yes..I know mommy, daddy and my own name...........



My favourite song..Burung kakak Tua.

I can actually sing more but too attracted with the camera here..so just sing for you the chorus la..



Hope you enjoy the videos.

My 3 year old Birthday Celebrations!

backdated post

Mommy planned for an early birthday celebration for me in the KKBC playgroup on the 19 May (Tuesday) when we were told that my late great grandmother condition was not that good at that time. With grandma's help, we prepared some simple party food and mommy brought lots of junk food.

Unfortunately daddy and grandpa could not join us as daddy needed to go to work and grandpa has to go to see my late great gradma. So, grandma and kakak joined us at the KKBC playgroup. Not many children turned out on that day but a few of our close friends were there.

The party food.


Receiving presents and playing with balloons.


Enjoying sausages and the red egg.


Enjoying the party packs mommy prepared for us.


Singing birthday song, blowing candles and cake cutting with grandma.


Enjoying eating my favourite chocolate cream birthday cake.


I was having lots of fun playing with the balloons and I enjoyed the sausages and cake the most.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

My late great grandma passed away one day before my actual birthday. So, on my actual birthday, we were not allowed to mention the special day or have any celebrations. Not even a wish. Anyway, I was sent to my yi yi SY's house every evening for 3 nights since Friday + 1 whole day (Monday) coz mommy and daddy needed to attend the ritual.

I was behaving extremely well at yi yi SY's place. Yi Yi and the aunty there were amazed how adaptable I am. I ate and finished all my meals and any food given to me by sitting down throughout the meals. I slept on the sofa at night while waiting for mommy to come and pick me up at 1am. I did not fuss and fall asleep easily by myself in the living hall. I did not touch their tv, remote control, cordless phones, handphones or DVD player. I did not ask for any toys and contented with the "Dominoes" yi yi bought for me as birthday present. I did not fuss to follow when Charlotte piau cheh went out with her daddy and mommy. I did not ask for daddy and mommy. I was just behaving extremely well coz I know daddy and mommy have more important things to do. Mommy was very proud of me.

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On 26th May (Tuesday), before my grandparents going back to Melaka, mommy brought out all my presents and I opened it one by one.

Taking photos with my presents.


Opening presents!


Look at my funny expressions!!


I like grandma's present the most.


Special Notes:
I would like to thank Aunty Raynies, Aunty Judy and Aunty LH (Ethan's mommy) for the presents. I just love it very much!!!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

On 30th May (Saturday), we were having seafood dinner at Telok Gong with Toon gong gong & family and Aunty May's family. It was a birthday dinner for Aunty May. After the dinner, everyone came to our house for cake cutting. We bought Aunty May a cake and never realised that Uncle Simon also bought one for Aunty May. So we have 2 cakes that night. Aunty May "gave out" one of the cakes to me as my birthday cake. Finally, we were able to take a family photo for my birthday this year. Mommy initially thought daddy could have missed celebrate my birthday this year. So, I was having a very happy night playing with my little uncle Gerald and Jason.



So, it was indeed a good birthday celebration although mommy would love to have a party for me. I am happy as always as long I got cake to eat and presents to receive and people to play with....

Happy 3 year old!!!

Today I am officially turning 3!!! Let's do an update about myself, so that you all can know me better...

Name: Darren (I can say and spell my name but cannot write yet)
Age: thee old (sometimes I'll say "fine" coz I am confused with how are u when people ask me how old are you)
Height: 96cm
Weight: 15.5kg
Milk: Switching milk back to Enfagrow coz my poo poo even harder with Mamex Gold.

Favourite colour: Yellow
Favourite food: doughnut (chocolate chip), pancake, pau.
Favourite junk food: chocolate, keropok
Favourite fruit: Nana (banana) & orange sometimes. But I didn't like fruits lately.
Favourite drink: Plain water
Favourite pet: Dog
Favourite song: Burung Kakak Tua
Favourite cartoon: Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Animal Mechanical, WordWorld, Tiny Planet
Favourite transportation: car
Favourite word: Oh no
Favourite toy: handphones (real and used by adults) and laptops
Favourite games: play dough dough, build blocks, drawing
Favourite hobby: play water, go kai kai
Favourite hang out place: McDona
Favourite playmate: jie jie

My good friends: Emily, Quincy
People I always mention: Grandpa, grandma, daddy, mommy, enya, aunty, Diana, Ana
Songs that I like to sing: Burung Kakak Tua, I'm a little teapot, If you happy, "yi pi ya ya" (chinese song), Bangun pagi, Once I caught a fish alive, One two buckle my shoe, 10 little indian boys, Twinkle twinkle little star
Story that I like: Anything related to human. Best got daddy, mommy and boy boy (I'll treat the boy boy as myself). I hate stories about animal.
People ranking in my heart: First - any outsiders (yi yi, grandpa, grandma...); Second - mommy; Third - Daddy

My ability:
1. Vocab has improved a lot. Started to say in phrases and join words together. Some words/phrases are: naughty boy, no touch, open/close door, on tv, on light, no space, daddy office work, Diana cook.. But still cannot pronounce accurately. Not everyone understands what I say.
2. Able to follow instructions very well. Know right and left very well.
3. Able to spell certain words (base on my memory). My memory is quite strong.
4. Able to draw a face with 2 eyes, nose, mouth, ears and hair.

5. Able to build the structure that look like a house using building blocks.
6. Able to count from 1 to 10. Now learning from 11 to 20.
7. Know most of the alphabets. Not all yet.
8. Able to follow/imitate his favourite cartoon theme song.
9. Try to guess the answer from the "Oh toddles" when watching mickey mouse clubhouse.
10. Able to remember the first 4 to 6 numbers of daddy, grandma, grandpa and lau yee telephone numbers.

Routine:
1. I wake up about 8am every morning and sleep about 11pm every night. Nap around 2pm for about 2 hrs.
2. I sleep through most of the nights. No more midnight feed.
3. 3 or 2 times milk a day. (morning, before nap and before night time sleep).
4. Bath twice a day. Once after playgroup (noon), another one in the evening.
5. Evening must go out to the garden and play/talk to the next door mei mei.
6. I brush my teeth before sleep.
7. Daddy and mommy (unless they are not around) must sleep with me at night.
8. I like to put my hands behind my head when I sleep.



Moments that mommy proud of me:
1. In front of people, I behave extremely well. In front of daddy and mommy, I am a monkey.
2. I am not attached to mommy. I am a sociable boy whom not afraid of strangers. I will greet people "Hi" & "Bye".
3. Overall, I am reasonable and not hard to handle.
4. Many people like me because I am not shy.

Mommy hate most of me:
1. Not interested in food since past few months. Eliminate snack time but main meals are ok.
2. When my grandparents are around, the first thing I open my eyes is to look for them. I did not even bother about mommy. I want to sleep with them too. (Mommy is obviously jealous). But on the other hand, mommy is also glad that I love my grandparents and they love me too.
3. Scream when not given something that I want.
4. I like to put on hair clip on my hair. I also like to wear girl/women shoes. Whenever we go shopping centre, I'll get attracted to shoe shop. Mommy is afraid I'll become a "sisi". She get very frustrated when I am screaming for her hair clip.


So, I am a big boy now. Don't force me do things that I do not want coz I know how to protest.

Happy Birthday to MEEEEEEE!!!