Another day and a bonus week!

Tuesday began with me being awakened by the husband preparing to go to work. I remember him buzzing around the room in his typical tornado-style, kissing Kate and I before he went off. Kate and I, the lucky ones, continued to snooze though I was semi-awake by 7.30am. Kate was still asleep and I let her be while I savoured a half-hour on my own before she finally turned and stretched herself awake. I immediately grinned happily at her and gave her a big "Good morning!"

Cheeky Kate

Rolling Kate (she is a snoozer)

Beautiful Kate - love those half-awake eyes

Kisses for Kate (check out her sleep-mohawk)

Kate kisses me

I love these morning moments with her - it isn't very often that I get the opportunity to laze in bed and muck around with her, so it's especially sweet that I have pictures to capture them. As always, she'll cry for food (growing children are often hungry) and we quickly headed to the kitchen for her breakfast.

Today, I had to go run a personal errand, so after breakfast, I headed off. Kate didn't seem to know any different - she probably thought I was going to work - and today was a day she waved goodbye to me quite happily. I spent the whole morning out and by the time I was done, it was already 3pm (I really expected to be done 2 hours earlier). This errand of mine turned out to be a little more time-consuming than I'd expected, not just in the case of today, but turns out that I gotta dedicate some time next week to it, so very quickly, I made some calls and now, instead of having a week-long break, turns out that I have an extra week of time-off! Woot!

I missed bringing Kate for her (month-late) vaccination at the polyclinic yesterday, so after I was done with my errand and a quick-but-satisfying (in terms of quality of time spent, not food consumed) lunch with the sister, I quickly rushed home and brought Kate to the polyclinic nearby. It was a challenge getting her there as it was drizzling and I had to juggle a bag (her barang) as well as an umbrella. These weren't the difficult bits (I'd learnt how to be a juggler when I became a Mother) - it was the fact that Kate was uber insistent that I opened the umbrella (even when we were under shelter) and cried until I did. I ended up carrying her and holding an open umbrella all the way - good thing the polyclinic was merely a 10-minute walk away (could have been quicker without the challenges!

Some lessons learnt from today's trip to the polyclinic:

1/ You have to make an appointment at polyclinics

When I reached the entrance of the polyclinic at 3.45pm (officially they'd indicated that registrations close at 4pm), I was actually turned away.

They do not allow walk-in vaccination patients. I presented my case to the nurse on duty that (i) it was my first time at the polyclinic and I didn't know that I had to make a prior appointment (ii) it was raining and I'd already made it all the way there (with a bag, umbrella and a fidgety baby) so please, I'll really like to make the trip fruitful. Maybe it was the fact that I looked quite a state (ask the sister, I look a sight today post-errand), maybe it was that I had a cute baby, maybe it was that the nurse was a kind and understanding soul - whichever the case or combo of reasons, I was allowed to proceed - not without a kind reminder that in the future, I should make an appointment.

2/ The newly renovated polyclinic was rather nice

It was spacious and everything looked spanking new. I didn't feel that it was as contaminated nor 'germy' compared to other clinics - which was a great thing.

3/ It is not true that every clinic can provide your child with vaccinations

It's what I've been told by several parents: Go to any clinic, the shots are the same. The prices vary and polyclinics are much cheaper.

In a general sense, I believe this is true. However, in my case for today, it wasn't. Kate was due for her 3rd dose of pneumococcus but she left the clinic without a jab in her butt because the polyclinic did not have any records in their system that displayed the brand of vaccination she received at the private clinic. Therefore, as this was the third dose, the clinic was unable to match the brand of the previous doses provided and were unwilling to give her any possibly an un-matching brand as the previous two doses. What a letdown! I'd made the virgin trip to the polyclinic because of the heresays and the convenience of it being a walk away but turned out that it was a semi-waste of time. I say semi because ultimately, it was still time spent with Kate and that can never ever be considered waste. Of course, if the goal was attained it would have been better, but I've learnt to let go and be alot more magnanimous - virtues of becoming a mother.

Also, we had a relatively decent time playing around at the clinic while waiting for our turn:

Kate staring intently at...

Another kid being fed - this girl can sniff food a mile away!

We also played

peek-a-

boo!

After returning from the clinic, Kate collapsed from fatigue and I managed to take a shower and wash the rain grime off my body. When she awoke, I treated her to kiddy songs and videos from youtube; as well as introduced Pocoyo to her (she preferred the kiddy songs).

Mac-potatoes

After 20minutes, I distracted her with toys and books.

Playing

And crying because she didn't get her way

Humpty Dumpty

Each day seems the same with Kate - as it ought to be as routines are good for children such as her feeding and nap times, some books and toys (repetition is key to drumming it into a child's brain). However, I love to make our days a little different and special so that she is introduced to different things constantly. She's always curious and I'm certain that her vocabulary is improving each day. Even how she is very mischievous and temperamental are signs that she is developing.

I'm very thankful that we had yet another lovely day and even more that I have a bonus week with her! Yaay

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!