Beginning of a short break

Today marks the first day of my week-long break. The day started slow (all my plans of jogging fizzled) as I slept in, and I ended up napping when Kate napped too. For someone who didn't use to have the habit of napping, I'll say I've been well-trained by the husband. But I digress.

By the time I'd had my lunch and fed Kate her milk, it was already 4pm. I'd wanted to bring her for her vaccination (a month late!) but it was raining and I realised the clinic was already closed by the time I looked at the time (why do polyclinics shut so early - registration closes at 4pm?!)

By 5pm, the weather cleared and although Kate didn't seem bored, and was happily trotting around the house picking up and putting down her dolls, books, bottles, paper, pens, shoes, pillows, balls... (you get the idea), I thought it'd be nice to step out and enjoy the cool air that had blown in after the sudden downpour. I packed along library books and decided to head to the neighbourhood mall.

We took the bus and here, you see our resident cheeky monkey enjoying the ride (couldn't say the same on the ride back, she was tired & hungry - bad combo). There was a pasar malam so I walked through and bought one steamed chinese muffin (multi-coloured buns that all taste the same) to share with Kate. I thought it was so sweet that she and I can share food, and I love how she picked up friends (strangers sitting along the ledge) in the short while that we sat there eating the bun. After that little snack which we both enjoyed, we headed to the library where the little girl happily walked all about. I've discovered that she's actually either lazy or unadventurous, as she does not prefer to walk everywhere in strange/new places.

She had fun there, picking books off the shelves and putting them back again (the latter I had to coax her, though the former she's an obvious natural at making a mess) and even did some gymnastics as she attempted to sit on the kiddy chairs and even stand on them - many times. After the library, Kate accompanied me as I withdrew cash and bought wassants which the husband likes. We then headed home.

Kate in her papa's favourite retro-funkilicious pants, watching kiddos play b-ball

We passed by the basketball courts walking back home from the bus-stop and as always, Kate loves to watch others playing basketball. From a while ago, she'd already learnt how to dribble (ok, not the actual dribble, but the hand action where she'd kinda flap her arm up and down) and she'd also point to the courts and say ball.

As she hadn't napped since 230pm today, she was very cranky and I put her to bed half an hour earlier today. Gives me more alone time to surf the net and update this entry. I smile happily as I recap our day, and feel very blessed that I have her in my life. Being a mother is a full-time job, even if you're not with your child every moment of the day. I'm pleased and thankful that I have this week to spend with her before I embark on a new journey (job) soon. I'm now going to go kiss her and ruffle her hair and hope that she has the sweetest dreams ever!

That fierce need to protect

Last night, we went for Kate's little buddy, Lynette's 1st birthday party. It was a rowdy affair with many guests, many of them who were below 7 (& many who behaved as if they were 7). There was a part of the night where Kate was led to the room to play with toys and other children, and the husband and I sought some reprieve while we let her be. After a while (I don't think it was more than 15minutes), I headed to the room to look for my daughter. I found her sitting quietly beside an adult, watching the kids playing "tunnel" (this long mobile tunnel great for crawling through).

The moment Kate saw me, she called out Mama and came to give me a very tight hug. I was told that she got bumped by the other kids earlier on and cried a little. What occurred to me at that moment was a mix of feelings and emotions so strong and fierce that I had a tiny lump in my throat.

My little girl was brave - so she cried, but I reckon it was probably more from shock than anything else. She also did not kick up a big fuss and cried till the cows came home. She continued to stay in the room with strangers (kids and adults).

My little girl wanted me - the way she called to me and hugged me so tightly indicated to me that she craved familiarity and obviously felt comforted seeing me. Besides feeling really touched and wanted(oh, that feeling of being needed is so lovely), what struck me was how lost and uncomfortable she may have felt when she was in the company of strangers, when she had cried, before I appeared.

I know that the scenario is nowhere sinister nor cause for alarm, and it's probably my mommy-brain working in overdrive, but I really felt so sayang that Kate had gone through that whole roller-coaster of emotions and realisation. I know that it isn't realistic, neither is it what I ought to do. But all I want to do is to hug her tight and protect her forever.

Off to work!

Children have their moods too. Some days, when I head off to work, Kate clings to me and cries like she cannot bear to let me out of her sight. Some days, she waves 'bye bye' at me enthusiastically, throwing flying kisses aplenty. Some days, she is so engrossed in whatever she's doing and doesn't even bother to look up when I step out.

This morning, she did this, for the first time:

Kate decided that she also wants to take her bag and go out.

Snapped this shot of her with her own bag (it's a princess lunch-box, birthday present from my best friend Wai) and walking determinedly towards me.

Life is always fun and funny with a spirited little girl.

Kate's favourites

Favourite books:
1. Nursery Rhymes Book (assortment of rhymes)
This was one of the first books I bought for Kate and the husband and I started reading it to her when she was still in my belly. I bought this book because the fonts are in large print and easy-to-read. The illustrations are also simple and colourful. She's so familiar with this that she'll start doing actions to the rhymes before I start reading them cos she recognises the pictures. Very cute.

2. Where's Harry? (an interactive flip-book in search of Harry the dog)
I bought this only recently, but Kate likes it because she gets to flip the pages. Since she also knows how to bark like a dog (her bark sounds like 'woah'), she'd point at the dog in the picture and bark.

3. This Little Piggy
This particular book is her favourite from a collection of rhymes in a very handy-small size (square of about 5cm). Amidst all the books, she'll pick this one up and hand it to you to read. Many times over.

Favourite toys: Current faves include the big red ball, her dolls (wa wa) and her bike (mostly because she associates going gaigai in it). However, her real favourites are non-toy items such as the our mobile phones, newspapers, thermometer, keys... you get the idea.

Favourite foods: This little girl is not a picky eater (yay! I hope it stays this way). She eats anything, but does not prefer tomatoes (she eats them but not on their own. Think she doesn't fancy the mushy texture) nor potatoes (perhaps it's too starchy for her liking?) nor avocade (attempted this several times before and didn't work with her. Maybe I ought to try it again sometime?) She loves milk (she knows to request for it) and biscuits and bread (bao bao aka mian bao; as the husband says, she's a snacker like you)

Favourite words: Papa, Mama, mum-mum (food), DA-DA! (she'll yell this with gusto - but we don't know what it means!)

Favourite TV shows: "I can read" DVD series, "Hi-5" (the MIL watches this with her, it airs on weekdays so I've not had a chance to watch it with her ever) and (tragically!), the 7pm drama series on Channel 8 (mostly out of habit as she'll watch it with the MIL. She dances to the Hokkien theme song!)

Favourite activities: Pinching, walking everywhere, touching everything and letting everyone know how she feels very loudly. Making friends (constantly smiling at other people).

My 2 favouritest people in the world

I love how the husband pulls his weight in looking after our precious one, and how she in turn loves us both equally. I love how the dynamics in our three-way relationship is growing and changing each day. I love this pic where the two of them are hand-in-hand, dressed alike in jeans and a tee.

I love them with all my heart.

My baby and I

October 2009, Kate at 5weeks old with her birth hair. Picture was taken in the bedroom.

31 December 2009. Kate and I at a friend's wedding dinner at the Singapore Flyer. She didn't have hair anymore (shaven at 2nd month) so we put on caps to make her prettier and to keep her warm.

February 2010, 6-month old Kate and I taking the bus to Orchard Road. We headed to Far East Plaza and visited the sister at work.

18 March 2010, I celebrate my first birthday as a Mother. My birthday cake bought by the husband read "Happy Birthday Mummy June".

Kate and I on the swing in a playground in the surburbs in Perth. It was her first holiday overseas in March 2010. Kate was 6 months old. She was wearing her prettiest hat which was worn most often - it was white and easiest to match with clothes.

May 2010, Kate visits House @ Dempsey for brunch. Love how we were both in yellow, nice and cheery.

Kate at 9 months old. Look how cute she was! I'd forgotten how yuan she was - haha. Pic taken on-board the tram; we were at the zoo for Matty's 1st birthday party.

Kate and I having brunch at The Saddle Club end August 2010. She was nearly 12 months old. She has hair! Again, I love how we were in the same colours.

Kate at 13months old. Pic was taken one morning 2 weeks ago before I headed off to work. I love that cheeky smile!

This is the way we brush our teeth