Ice-cream makes people happy

Thursday was boring. Though I had plans to make plans and I tried to do so with various people, none of them materialised and the day went by with little for us to do. The highlight was definitely when the husband came back from work and after dinner exclaimed "let's go out!"

YAY!

Ice-cream time!

Kate (does not) hop-scotch

"woah woah" (the way Kate barks), says Kate the moment she saw the SPCA dog

They all look so yummy, wonder if Mommy will let me eat any?

Happy Kate

My baby and I

After a waffle with yumsy black forest ice-cream, we headed to do groceries. I realise that the husband and I do an awful lot of grocery-shopping. I think it's mostly because groceries are necessary but I also think it's a sign that we have matured and mellowed - afterall, we have to prioritise our spending and diapers are a must-have in our lives now!

Zooming down the aisles

I gotta say that the day ended on a high despite the most of it being rather unexciting. I do think that being with your loved ones make any activity more cheerful and fun, simply because.

True love

I've been walking around the past 2 days with mini-patches of plasters on my face and arm. Though relieved that I'm not in real pain, these patches are not sightly - at all. Close ones (relatives) have pointedly asked me 'what's wrong why like that ah?' whereas strangers, well, just stare (some more obviously than others).

I'm pretty thick-skinned so I just plough on as normal and try to respond with minimal fuss.

The husband and I had a wedding dinner to attend, and after much debate and (internal) struggle, I decided to go (for various reasons - the most obvious being that it was a wedding dinner to celebrate a friend's love and union. Who am I to act so selfish and vain to think that people may mind what I looked like?!) So in the middle of dinner, when the husband made a passing remark to me "my friends are rather tactful not pointedly asking you what's wrong with you, hor"; something struck me.

Truly, the only person who did not ask or question me, was Kate. Neither did she eye me strangely or differently - at all. To her, oh the lovely innocence and pureness of a child, I was her mother and still am. Regardless of what I look like, how I smelt, how I dressed, whether I ignored her, scolded her or anything - she still treated me exactly the same.

Of course, the husband and my family were cool about my looks, not like anyone dodged me like the plague - but that's not the point. What is, is that my little precious did not judge me and impressed upon me how she is really my offspring and she loves me unconditionally.

I reciprocate whole-heartedly. True love.

Mid-week public holiday; Kate turns 14-months-old

It would have been halfway through my short break. Knowing that the break is now doubled brought me immense joy. This Wednesday coincided with a public holiday and it was great the the husband could spend the day with Kate and I.

Kate heading out of the room enthusiastically for breakfast.

We'd originally planned to bring Kate to the zoo, but the doctor's ordered 'no sun' (for me) so after some thought, we decided to head to Ikea! As it was a public holiday, the crowds were crazy - there was a Q that snaked more than halfway through the popular Ikea restaurant! We were determined troupers and luckily for us, managed to share a table and the husband headed off to get us food. We had not prepared Kate's usual porridge, so she also shared the food that we ate!

Kate browsing the catalogue while Daddy prepared her food

Kate takes her reading very seriously

UMM

Not sure what, but something's tickled her fancy!

After our hearty meal, we headed to walk-around the showroom. I always like going to Ikea, even if I don't need to get anything. I find the displays extremely pretty and lovely to look at.

Fiddling with a kiddy chair

Hi Mama

Independent Kate - she'd refused to allow us to lead her, much preferring to do her own thing halfway through

Doing her own thing includes squatting in the middle of nowhere

GUESS WHAT SHE'S DOING!!

Yup, she did a poo. That pretty much ended our Ikea adventure.

We then headed off to the next destination in our plans for the day: a visit to my dayi's house. She made popiah (yums) and it was also a mini celebration for my niece, Annette.

Kate plays bubbles with the kids

Birthday girl, Annette standing on the left of the picture. She turns 9!

Relatives who hadn't seen her for a while lamented at how she's grown and how cute she looked waddling around; Kate delighted and amused everyone with her antics, and it made me happy to hear everyone praise and dote on her. She's a lucky child! We bade everyone goodbye by 4pm as she was becoming cranky from fatigue, and indeed she kicked up a huge fuss in the car on our way home; I know the husband and I were very relieved when she finally settled down to sleep.

The day with Kate ended there as the husband and I headed out to an adult affair (wedding dinner) without her. It was nice to spend adult time with the husband and I constantly remind myself how fortunate I am to have him in my life. Things may not always be smooth-sailing, but it doesn't have to be. What's important is that we are always there for and continue to love one another.

Happy 14-months old, dearest baby Kate. Love always, Mommy

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.