 Me & Bree Bree born 28 January 2005
Isaac Ng Hoi Kit 吴凯杰
@ 15mths old
12mths old
11mths old
9mths old
7mths old
5mths old
2mths old
1mth old
Born 26 July 2008
Birth weight/ height: 2.6kg/ 45cm
3mths: 5.8kg/ 56cm
4mths: 6.2kg/ 62cm
5mths: 6.3kg
6mths: 6.6kg / 63cm
7mths: 7.3kg / 64cm
9mths: 7.6kg / 65cm
10mths: 7.9kg / 65cm
11mths: 8.2kg / 67cm
12mths: 8.2kg / 69cm
15mths: 9.2kg / 72cm
16mths: 9.6kg
17mths: 9.9kg
18mths: 10kg / 78cm
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 9 March 2010, Tuesday, 11:10pm My posts have slowed down because I’m following some HK serials again  In the past few days, I’ve had topics I want to blog about, but they remain only in my head. TV serials are so addictive, any stretch of time longer than half an hour, you’d find me practically chained to the notebook – I watch them on my computer.
So as more topics accumulate (in my mind), they all get mixed up and I don’t know how to write it out anymore. I’m impatient in this sense, I want to write everything in the straightest most direct way, in the shortest time and captures the essence of what I want to talk about. How nice if I could just plug in and “download” my thoughts.
At the concert…
Last week I said we’d go to the concert at Botanic Gardens on Sunday. We met up with 2 families. It would have been such a great outing if only the weather was not so hot. The music was nice, but I was quite distracted with the kids I don’t actually remember much of the concert.
It could have been the place where we set up “camp” didn’t have a very good view as our “neighbour” had placed several strollers blocking our view of the stage. But it was ok as I think at concerts like these, unless you’re related to a performer on stage, you really don’t need to look at them. I would have just loved to lie down, close my eyes and listen. But we can’t of course, with babies to watch over. I noticed how we all “work” in our own tag teams, one parent will be following our children while the other parent tries to eat, drink, watch the concert, talk with a friend. It all happens so naturally and none of us really needed to tell our spouses to take over.
While we (the 3 sets of parents) did a great job at watching our brood, I can’t say the same for the neighbouring picnickers – the same group that parked their strollers in front of us. I still cannot forget what I saw that day! They had a little baby amidst them, my guess would be she would be no more than 8mths. They were all chatting and snacking away when suddenly another neighbouring picnicker jumped up and pointed at the baby. That’s when I noticed the baby was holding a swiss knife by the blade! Oh my! The mother gave a shout and very quickly, and thankfully, gently took it from her. What a hair raising split second that was! The mother looked at me as I heaved a sigh of relief. I smiled, but she looked like she was so shocked, I decided not to look at her anymore as I thought to myself such a thing could very well happen to me too and I would be feeling rather embarrassed if I noticed that a lot of people had seen what had happened and could possibly be thinking what a bad mother I was. Well, I wasn’t thinking what a bad mother she was, I was actually feeling quite sympathetic as I know Isaac would definitely be interested in my swiss knife if it was within reach.  *imagines Isaac juggling knives*
Talking about swiss knives. I keep this mini utility tool in my diaper bag all the time and was actually stopped at the customs when we returned from Bali in December last year. Those guys are good! Thank goodness they let us go. I think we look innocent enough. All they did was ask me what it was. I took it out to show them, explained that I had forgotten to pack in back into my luggage after using it at the hotel in Bali *phew*. Even though it was only a, what, 2 inch blade, I still brought it up a plane  How absent minded of me. The funny thing was, I wasn’t worried they might take me away for interrogation, I was hoping they wouldn’t confiscate my mini swiss knife! I love my swiss knife! It has come in more handy than Des would admit it 
Our time…
We went to our 3rd session of Our Time at Kindermusik today. Isaac NEVER fails to amaze me how he always take long naps beyond 3pm on days where we have classes at 3:30pm. We are ALWAYS late for class and I hate missing the welcome song… it sets up the mood – for me We missed 10mins today, but it was better than the last 2 sessions where he would cling onto me like a little koala bear for more than 15mins into class. The last 2 classes, he only warmed up nearly the end of class. But today was so much better. He started to really participate more following the actions, starting and stopping something, listening to the story, just to name a few. Sigh… my boy is growing up. I no longer have to just go through the motion with him, it sure makes everything so much more fun and meaningful.
Isaac seem to enjoy Kindermusik so much he now refuses to let me tune into the radio in the car. He is only happy when the Kindermusik CDs are playing. So “fiddle dee dee fiddle dee dee, the fly has married the bumble bee” is repeating an endless loop in my mind right now. I also proudly say I can play “When dogs get up in the mornings they always say good day” on Des’ piano.
Chugga chugga choo choo…
Isaac loves trains. He likes the Thomas train toys we redeemed at Shell even though he doesn’t get to watch the cartoon. I hate the program as I think the graphics are horrible, the voices sound so ghostly. And have you seen the Thomas kiddy rides? Eeeks! Like a ghost train! The toys are so expensive. I really don’t understand why it is so popular. But anyways, we like Chuggington and its only a matter of time the toys will come into the market, can’t wait. You know he is thinking about his trains when he says “chugg chugg”. Very cute.
Since he started playgroup, we play train and he loves it! I’ve started to lure him into the bathroom to take his bath by getting him to walk behind me holding my hand and going “chugga chugga choo choo”.
The other day, Des decided he too wanted to be part of the fun so he followed behind Isaac behind me and we walked around like some idiots around our little house Bree was so excited seeing all the fun and was dashing around us too. So simple a game that got everyone all riled up. No photos since everyone was busy choo-chooing away The things we do to entertain the little one, but I must say I enjoy seeing him so happy and if it means having to do silly things, so be it!
5 March 2010, Friday, 10:39am It’s Day 18 at playgroup today and I’m happy there has been progress in his settling in. His teacher told me he has been crawling under the tables in class. I take it as a sign that he’s feeling more comfortable with the place and the people now.
What happens on a daily basis now is I usually stay with him in class till the teachers have finished with temperature checks. Then Tr C will come and take Isaac to distract him while I make my exit. During the wait, I would have told him stuff like “I’ll see you later”, “You’ll have fun with all your friends in class ok”, “I’ll be waiting for you outside once class is over”, etc etc. He doesn’t like it when I say such things. He’ll protest and try to make me carry him. Then I’ll have to point to something to distract him again. I try not to carry him cause then it won’t be easy to peel him off me after.
Today, when Tr C took him, he shouted out “Huurhhh… nooo… don’t”. I was surprised cause it’s the first time he said “don’t” I usually only manage to get out of class around 15-20mins into class supposedly starting at 9am. That is how long they take to do temperature checks for all 10 kids.
I hope it gets easier soon because there’s going to be a new 18mth old joining the class next term and I don’t think Tr C can keep doing this for us. But the constant changes and how well we all adapt never fail to amaze me
Sometimes this boy just makes me so happy. The other day, Des went to pick him up after class because he wanted to see that look I kept telling him about. Instead all he got was a blur look because Isaac was looking for me I’m not gloating that Isaac wasn’t happy to see Des, just really happy that Isaac missed me
Here are some pictures of Isaac looking for the chameleon in the bushes on our walk home from school yesterday. He always walk funny like in a wiggly way, hit the leaves and then back up in case the lizard jumps out. He’d look up at me from time to time sheepishly and say “scared” while lightly slapping his chest.
 
OK now, I’m off to pick him up from school again. Will we see the lizard today?
4 March 2010, Thursday, 11:20pm  I never once doubted Goofy was a dog till today. I was going about my usual “me time” after Isaac’s gone to dreamland. I had been surfing the net for interesting videos or mp3 downloads to store in my phone so that I have something new to distract Isaac with in times of need – ie when he’s fussing or bored. Then it struck me.
Mickey & Minnie Mouse, Donald & Daisy Duck. Goofy ___ & Clarabelle Cow? Why isn’t Goofy’s’ name something starting with the letter D? Is he a dog? If not, what is he? A Goat? Nah, it can’t be!
Wikipedia knows everything! I can live with the answer, even though it don’t fit in with the rest of the pattern Goofus D Dawg – Wahahah… and they all have birthdays and very extensive histories! Thank goodness for Wikipedia or I’d be sleepless tonight thinking why Pluto can’t talk like Goofy.
Why did they pair Goofy with a cow? Then they say sometimes Clarabelle Cow is paired with Horace Horse. So why pair a cow with a horse? Okok, since it’s only cartoon, I’ll just let it go.
Anyways, I found some videos of the songs in Mickey Mouse Clubhouse I’m sure Isaac will love. Ever since I played the Chuggington theme song for him on my phone, he’s been demanding for me to play it over and over again. I’m sure these videos will keep him seated in his high chair long enough for Des and I to chew our food properly.
3 March 2010, Wednesday, 11:41pm 
We spend at least 3 days out of every week either in Vivocity or Harbourfront, I’m surprised we’ve never taken the train over to Sentosa till now. Isaac loves trains and he gets all excited just looking at them. We discovered it at the airport when we took the skytrain recently.
 
As we only went in nearly 5pm, we only had time to walk around a little bit. But it was a really nice walk around Imbiah Lookout. The vibrant colors everywhere really lifted our spirits. Thank goodness it was rather windy despite the heat. We didn’t ride the Sky Tower because we didn’t feel like being tourists in our own country.
So just how are the days events related to the title of this post ?
Firstly, $6 for 2 adult tickets into Sentosa via the Sentosa Express. We didn’t think much of it except that the train ride was really short between the 4 stations. We ended up walking the distance between 3 stations back any way. If it was a nice cool day, I’m sure we wouldn’t even break a sweat
Then, $6 for a bottled drink?! Ok, that shocked me. Hwah! I told Des I felt like I had just been robbed as I walked away from the counter. I must really make a conscious effort to see the price before I buy anything!
Finally, when we got back to Vivocity, it was already dinner time. Seeing that the foodcourt was not crowded yet, we just headed straight in and sat ourselves down. As usual, I asked Des to order for me while I started feeding Isaac. After having a very ordinary dinner, Des mentioned the food was just mediocre. I was kinda surprised that he would even comment, I asked him what did he expect at a foodcourt. Then he told me my plate of very ordinary nasi lemak cost more than $6, and so did his. WHAT!?! What kind of foodcourt is this? Although it wasn’t our first time dining there, and we generally know that the stuff at Food Republic costs more than most other foodcourts, but why can’t they even bother to put in the least bit of effort to justify their prices.
Fortunately, the shocks didn’t manage to spoil our very fun day
3 March 2010, Wednesday, 11:12pm 
This morning, Isaac decided to play on Bree’s bed. Usually Bree would be following us in and out, but when she saw Isaac on her bed, she went to sleep on it. She must be trying to tell Isaac that the bed is hers. I am just so amazed how good-natured she is to treat Isaac so gentle despite feeling a little threatened. She only gets rough when really excited, but you can always tell she means no malice. This dog doesn’t have a single mean bone in her.
I love that Isaac and Bree get along so well. These days, Isaac is shouting out Bree’s name before we even reach the door (when going home). This morning, when I first enter his room, instead of his usual calling out Ma or Pa, he went “Bweeeee“. He also knows the routine when we’re going out – we sayang Bree, tell her we’ll be back later, to be good and “stay” (where she is instead of scratching the door behind us), say “bye”, blow a kiss and then we can shut the door.
1 March 2010, Monday, 11:09pm  
I always made fun of Des saying that he doesn’t have a birthday in non-leap years, so there will not be any celebration or presents. And he’s reply would that because there isn’t a 29th, his should be able to celebrate his birthday on 28th Feb and 1st Mar. Of course, I never once forgotten his birthday
But this year, I was so tired of the same’ol joke, I decided to not give him a hard time all weekend. In fact, he started using his birthday present a week before yesterday. I also ordered a Laurent Bernard cake (YUMMY!!) for him and collected it secretly when he attended class with Isaac on Saturday to give him a little surprise.
Well, even if it wasn’t anything spectacular, I hope he knows that Isaac and I think the world of him, and not just on this special non-day
1 March 2010, Monday, 10:39pm  I wouldn’t consider myself socially awkward, but I often do have problems fitting in, I think because I don’t do very well with small talk. Many years ago, I would be bothered by how I always ended up blending into backgrounds, and how I never seem to make any real connections in social events or how much recognition other colleagues seem to get when my efforts never get half as much the fanfare that others seem to get for smaller achievements. The worst when I first started working. I wouldn’t say it was completely a confidence issue. Maybe self-esteem was partially to blame, but I was confident when I needed to be. At some point, I was so sure the world was only a nice place for the rich and the good looking. I was neither, so too bad for me. When you think like that, you naturally develop a resentment to anything and everything ‘nice’. I believe that was how I came to become cynical.
Thankfully, as the years pass, I don’t feel sore about it anymore. In fact, I’m not even sure if it’s really something I’ve gotten used to, accepted or have become jaded about. It just doesn’t matter anymore.
The reason I’m thinking about this today is because I’m once again not fitting in. It’s not important to me to change that situation now, but I am curious as to what they may be thinking - just one of those thinking-too-much-is-me situations
The parents/grandparents of Isaac’s playgroup-mates make up mostly of Hokkien-speaking ‘older’ people. As I can’t speak a word and only understand very little of it, I’m not able to join in their conversations. So you can imagine, at 11am every morning as I wait outside Isaac’s classroom, I’ll be checking email or surfing the net on my phone while a group of aunties chat heartily next to me. It’s a situation where you cannot act like you don’t know them, because you see the same people everyday. It’s only a matter of time before they think I’m anti-social.
Incidentally, Des told me the guy he was with when I met him at Harbourfront today said I looked very young. How young is very young? This led me to think maybe they don’t chat with me because of generation gap. I have always considered my chubby face keep me looking young and have always taken it as a blessing But after having had Isaac, the rest of me are chubby too and I think I look my age now. Surely, age isn’t a problem for a group of women when the common topic are our children.
Another possibility could be my tattoos that keep the aunties an arms length from me – I saw one of them staring at my ankle one day, another one staring at my neck.
Well, I do admit the tattoos don’t make me look very motherly in the most conventional way, but these are things I did in the past that I will not regret. Beside, they don’t mean I’m a bad person. When I got them, I didn’t expect myself to become so ‘aunty’. Of course if I had a choice, I’d want to look cool like how I thought I used to look, but it’s tough now with this kinda figure and always lugging a fidgety baby around Okok, digressing… comfort remains my top priority in terms of self-image.
Sigh… I hope Isaac will be able to network better than both of us – Des is not exactly a social butterfly either. I will try my best to help develop Isaac’s social skills, but I think there’s just so much I can do for him. I think it’s still a very individual thing.
25 February 2010, Thursday, 3:26pm 
It has been quite a while since our last picnic in a park. Despite the super warm weather recently, we decided to go to Botanic Gardens. I’m staying clear of indoor playgrounds for a while because I think Isaac caught the flu again from one of those filthy ball pits typical of indoor playgrounds.
We missed playgroup again Wed and today, most likely tomorrow as well because Isaac sneezes a bit and has a blocked nose. The sneezing started Tue afternoon during Kindermusik. I almost managed to cover his mouth as he sneezed facing a classmate. I apologised frantically to the kid’s mother, I hope he doesn’t come down with anything. Guess I’ll know if she gives me dagger stares next week
Speaking of which, I noticed that each time I bring him to an indoor playground, there’s bound to be at least 1 kid running around with snort and mucus all over his/her face. Followed by a maid holding tissues. Why do their parents think it’s alright for them to be spreading their germs about? I probably am guilty of not staying home with Isaac when he’s slightly ill sometimes, you know the case where he’s too sick to attend school, but well enough to feel restless and bored at home? I will not let him near where other children would likely come into contact with him or things he touch. Surely their parents must know when their doctors said to stay indoors, they didn’t mean the indoor playgrounds.
Oh, have I mentioned how much fun we had at the new Our Time class at Kindermusik!
Well, back to our picnic, other than the sneezing, Isaac behaved like his usual self. We thought it would be good for all of us to get some fresh air.
The doctor mentioned that Isaac needs to drink more water. I’ve been trying to get him to drink as much water as possible all these months trust me. We have too many different sippy cups and bottles. But nothing beats a straw in OUR cups. So what I do nowadays is get an extra straw and use it in his cup, removing the straw in the cover the cups come with. Sometimes when that doesn’t work, I drink up my drink quickly and pour plain water into it for him. Same goes for bottled drinks. So there, I’m not a bad mummy giving my toddler sugared drinks as the picture depicts ok, it’s just plain water in a used bottle.
Sometimes I think Bree is better behaved off-leash. Usually when we are holding onto her leash, she’d keep pulling and swerving from side to side. It’s very tiring to walk her cause we have to keep pulling her back and turning around because she’ll cause the leash to go around us.
So when I saw that there weren’t many people around, I let her run free. Funny how she ignores my commands to calm down when she’s leashed up, cause when she’s off the leash, she’ll respond to me. Well, not 100% of the time. She doesn’t care if she spots a bird or squirrel she thinks she can chase down But if she’s not chasing anything, usually she’ll come back when called.
This is her running back to me from around 100 meters away.
Isaac tries to feed Bree her water. This boy is starting to be rather helpful! I can’t wait till when he can take Bree out for her walks, bathe her… maybe wash the car too
It may feel hot, but it’s really nice to be outdoors sometimes. It won’t be long before we come back again because there’s going to be another 1.5hr concert there on Mar 7, Sun from 5pm. Anyone else interested?
I love that blogging helps me remember stuff we’ve done as a family. It’s too easy to search for old posts (first outdoor concert at 9mths, then his second at 16mths).
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