Ashley with Singa

Ashley has been telling me she wants to take a pic with Singa for quite some time.  Last Sunday, I spotted a nice big Singa and got Ashley to pose with it..

Being princessy

Oh my gosh! Ashley is so princessy these days.  She wants to wear skirts all the time and she's into all the accessories like necklace, bracelet, headband.  Yesterday, she even told me to buy a ring for her.  She uses my lip balm, takes out my pocket mirror n pretends she's applying lipstick.  And she's creative enough to use the stamp chop to chop on her nails so that it's like red nail polish...

That's how princessy she's becoming...

Ok, I am definitely not complaining bcos I was actually abit worried that I may turn her into a tomboy as I like to dress her in pants/shorts most of the time (to avoid any accidental showing of her panty)... But these days, I just let her enjoy wearing skirts and all those accessories.  I just have to keep reminding her that wearing skirts mean she has to be ladylike... but that's easy, I usually just "threaten" her that I'm not going to buy any more skirts for you, and that'll get her to do as I say immediately... :-)

Guilt attack... AGAIN!

It happened yesterday night.

Me: Ashley, Mummy needs to work tonight.
Ashley: Ok, don't disturb you right?
Me: Uh... yes...
(I felt thoroughly guilty.  I think she must have been scolded too much by me when she comes to me and wants my attention, when I was working... haiz...)

2hrs later, I had completed most of my work, and started to wonder what Ashley was doing (yes, when I am doing my work, most of the time i become oblivious to what's happening around me), I called her.  And she gave an exuberant shout of joy and answer "Yes, Mummy...".  Like a little bullet train, she ran out of the bedroom where she was playing with Alan and came to my side with a gorgeous heartbreakingly sweet smile.  She was so happy to be able to have my attention... my sweet sweet darling...

"Why" is killing me

Let me take a deep breath, let me count slowly 1-10, let me meditate...


BECAUSE Ashley is slowly killing me with her millionth WHYs...


Just this morning,
Me: Ashley, you can't take this hello kitty bag to school.
Ashley: Why I cannot take this hello kitty bag to school?
Me: Because it's too small to put your clothes in.
Ashley: Why is it too small to put my clothes in?
Me: Because we didn't buy a bigger-sized bag.
Ashley: Why didn't we buy a bigger-sized bag?
Me: Because you have a bigger-sized bag, tt's your strawberry bag.
Ashley: Orh...
Me: (Action: breathe in, breathe out, breathe in, breathe out)...




I know, these are the simple "Whys"... wait till she gets to the level "Mommy, why is the sky blue?, why is the earth round?... "


ROFAF
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Roll On Floor And Fainted

Conversations with Ashley

Ashley: Mommy, I am going to the market.
Me: Ok, what you want to buy?
Ashley: I am going to buy fishballs and apples for you to eat.
(Me secretly "awww.....", heart melting)
Me: Ok, thank you baby


Me: Ashley, you cannot ask Ma-ma (granny) to buy things for you ok? Ma-ma not working, no money to buy things for you.  If you want to buy things, you must ask Mommy or Daddy, ok?
Ashley (in the past): Orh...  (end of conversation)
Ashley (yesterday): Then, you give Ma-ma money lah...
Me: (surprised, but quickly recovers and change direction): But you cannot ask Ma-ma to bring you out gai-gai.  Ma-ma old already, need to rest at home.  Mommy and Daddy bring you go gai-gai when we are not working, ok?
Ashley: Orh... (end of conversation)


While in the car,
Me: Why the car in front drive so slow?
Ashley: (shouts) Car, car, go away!!!
Me: Ashley, what you doing?
Ashley: I scold car car for you.
Me: :-p


Me: Ouch, mommy hurt my leg.  (Action: rubs leg)
Ashley: (Action: walks over).... where?
Me: (Action: points to leg)
Ashley: I rub for you. (Action: rubs my leg)
Me: Thank you, baby.
Ashley: Tomorrow will be ok, no pain pain already.
Me: Ok, baby.

P.U.K.E

You know how sometimes, you jinx it when you say/think that something will not happen to you, and then IT DOES!!!
 As I read about a puking incident that unfortunately happened to LJ, I was counting my lucky stars that it had not happened to me.  Well, that must have jinxed it for me... bcos it HAPPENED to me, and it was worse, much much worser than LJ's experience.


We were on the way back from Bintan.  I'd expected I'd feel a little woosy from seasickness, but thought it would be mild (as it was for me during the trip there).  I was so so wrong.  About 10 minutes after we sailed off, we could see the sea was rather turbulent, with lots of choppy wave.  And the darn jerk who manned the wheel kept riding the waves and increasing the ship's speed.  It got worse as there was a stupid stupid group of idiots sitting in front who kept cheering n egging him on.


I was feeling giddy and sick, so didn't detect that Ashley was not feeling well too.  Ashley got all whiny and kept insisting to sit on my lap.  She was hot and sweating all over, so I lifted the back of her t-shirt to cool her down.  And she kept telling me her stomach pain pain.  I didn't even catch on that she might be seasick too, and kept rubbing on her stomach.  Goodness! Now that I think back, I may have made her feel worse.  And then she P.U.K.E.D!  I was in the ship, our luggage was checked in, I didn't keep an extra set of clothes for her and myself.  The ship was full of passengers.  The stench from the vomit was overwhelming, and it made me who already teetering on the brink of vomiting myself, almost doubled over as well.  Ashley's t-shirt and jeans, and my t-shirt were all splattered with Ashley's breakfast - mostly bread and scrambled egg.... GROSS!


Immediate reaction: I closed my eyes, and tried to convince myself "it isn't real, this isn't happening..." for all of 3secs bcos I opened my eyes then, and saw my darling's face.  She looked downright miserable and scared.  I couldn't bear it, so I hugged her hard (yeah, with all the yucky stuff on our shirts and hair) and told her "it's ok, it's ok, mommy will take care of you."


I carried her to the toilet to clean up, with Alan following me.  On the way, we saw one of the crew members, explained the situation asked if we could get my luggage bag.  Initially, he said cannot, but I think he saw the pathetic situation we were in and told us he'd try.  And bless the guy, he actually came through and Alan was able to secure clean clothes for us.  I managed to clean Ashley up first.  And as I was cleaning myself up in the toilet, I also P.U.K.E.D (yep! it finally got to me, the seasickness and the pungent smell of vomit).


P/S: You can't possibly imagine the relief I had when I stepped onto solid ground...

Cheeky girl...

Haven't had time to blog much lately, but I must note this conversation down... 

Ashley is at her cheekiest stage so far.  Sometimes it exasperates me so much that I just want to slap blow up at her, but sometimes her cheeky responses and actions just tickle me so.

This morning, while I was doing my makeup, I dropped my cosmetic pouch...

Me: Haiyah, mommy is so clumsy today...
Ashley: Ohhh... drop already, spoil...
Me: Hopefully not...
Ashley: Hopefully YES... then beams cheekily...
Me: gives Ashley a stern look, but can't help grinning after tt...

The "wait"

Ashley : Mommi come, write write with Ashley.
Mommi : Wait, Mommi do things first.

Ashley : Mommi come, sit sit here (pats sofa).
Mommi : Wait, Mommi cook dinner first.

Ashley : Mommi come, go bed bed.
Mommi : Wait, Mommi (just sat down on the sofa) wants to watch TV first.

I realised I tell Ashley to "wait" very often.  At times, i will think in 20yrs, the roles will be reversed.  Ashley will be the one to tell me to "wait".  And I could be dead while waiting (morbid huh?).  So, nowadays, I will CONSCIOUSLY put aside the chores on hand n just spend 5mins with her, doing the activity that she wants - be it writing/colouring, watching TV, playing ball.  I don't want to always make Ashley wait for her Mommi.  Surprisingly, this works so well.  Rather than just telling her to "wait" which may lead her to throw a tantrum n hv negative feelings, I'll tell her, "Mommi play with you for 5mins , then Mommi got to go cook dinner ok?".  And her reaction - beams at me, nods her head, n we both enjoy our 5-mins of playtime.


5-mins of my time = forging the precious bond between mom n daughter

(taken from my Samsung Omnia II while we were camwhoring, love it!)

No wave?

As we drive past the guardhouse, sometimes the guard on duty will wave to us. Alan or myself (depending who is driving) will then wave back. Ashley, who's learning by observation, started to imitate us by waving. But for her, she will just "automatically" lift up her hand to wave at the guard, whenever we pass the guardhouse. Yesterday, she did the same thing, but the guard didn't wave back.

Next thing i know, Ashley turned to me and said: "Mommi, uncle no wave at Ashley leh."

She looked so forlorn that the uncle didn't wave back at her. And even though I was about to crack up at her comment, I forced myself to sound empathetic and told her "It's ok, uncle didn't see you wave."

Peacemaker in our family

Being an "old" couple already (14yrs+ n counting), I'd say Alan n I r so accustomed to each other that sometimes we stop being cordial to each other. That's not to say we shout or r rude to each other, but we talk to each other in a tone that we would only use on each other. It's not the polite tone u use on colleagues or strangers, not the respectful tone u use on parents or elders, not the friendly tone u use on friends. I call it a "comfy" tone that is used for my other half only. To others listening, it could sound rude. But to us, it's normal.  To Ashley, it sounds like we r quarrelling. And what does my little darling do to cool things off? She SINGS or SAY "AHHHHHH" very loudly to drown out our voices. Sometimes, Alan n I r so tickled by her "peace-making"efforts that we purposely ignore her n continue our conversation. And she gets so worked up that she'd bump up her volume. She may be little, but she's got my voice. Hah!

Cold Turkey for Ashley

I am not referring to the bird. I am talking abt subjecting Ashley to cold turkey treatment by banning her from pacifier-sucking.

It was our 1st visit at The Kids Dentist. During the initial Q&A where Dr Rashid wanted to find out more abt Ashley's history, habits, diet, etc, he'd confirmed that pacifier-sucking AFFECTs how the teeth are grown. "Some parents said it didn't hv any harmful effect on the way their children's teeth grew." - to this statement, Dr Rashid said it's not true. The most likely reason why it did not have any "so-called" harmful effect on the teeth development is bcos of the way the child sucks on the pacifier and the frequency of sucking.

Before checking on Ashley, he mentioned that he usually advises parents to stop their kids from pacifier-sucking latest by age 5, and that we shd also heed this advice. After checking on Ashley, he said Ashley's teeth development is rather badly affected by pacifier-sucking and we shd stop this asap. Hopefully after stopping, the teeth development will improve. He told me maybe it's not feasible to go cold turkey and would be better to set a deadline n allow the child to be mentally prepared for it.

Now that I know this, how can I still allow my Ashley to suck on pacifier? (internally, i likened this to allowing a person to smoke, while knowing smoking is harmfully). I couldn't do it the soft way, so I did it forcefully. I explained to Ashley many times over the day abt how her teeth would spoil if she continues to suck on pacifier (tt's the easiest explanation i could think of). Luckily, she understood and even though she put up a little fuss during naptime/bedtime, she still tearfully agreed not to have the pacifier. During the first few days, she would wake up a few times at nite and cry pitifully for pacifier (i call it "withdrawal symptoms"). But still i persisted.


We are now in week 2 of "pacifier-free" days, n it's mission accomplished... Phew!

33 mths' milestones

Ashley is definitely developing into her own little person. What's my darling like?

Ashley is sweet. A couple of times, she quietly came up behind me and massage my shoulders and ask "Mommi, got pain pain?" ( i gather tt's bcos she's seen me asking Alan to massage my shoulders.)

Ashley is patient. Even the teachers at JG praised her for it. She waits patiently for her turns at doing craft activities, washing hands, playing at playground. And she sometimes even halts me when i tell her to go ahead. :-)

Ashley is cautious, but willing to try given lots of encouragement. I noticed this whenever she's faced with challenges that she's not confident of doing, such as climbing boards, obstacles activities. Initially, she needs me to guide her, but subsequently she grows confident enough to do it on her own. (P/S: I like that my Ashley isn't reckless to plunge headlong into new activities, but instead observes, n reacts with caution.)

Ashley is asserting her own independence. There are just so many incidents to cite - dressing/undressing herself, choosing which videos she want to watch, which clothes/shoes to wear, what activities she wants to do.

Ashley is obedient (to a certain extent :-P). Most times, she's cooperative enough and listens to me, especially when i raise my voice and let her know i m serious. This is clearly evident during mealtimes when i tell her she must eat all the different types of food i place on her plate, be it fish, meat, veggies, rice, noodles, etc... Alan and my mil both tell me Ashley doesn't eat wat they tell her to eat... hmmm... this leads me to the next characteristic.

Ashley is a smart little cookie. Like most kids, she knows how and to whom to play out her cards. She knows i don't accept nonsense with her and so, she doesn't really try out her luck with me. But when it's Alan or my mil or other pple, she can be rather naughty too.

Ashley is more sensible and independent. I still remember abt 4-5mths back when i started on my new job. There was a time when i had a conference call at 9pm, which is her bedtime. I told her daddi will sleep with her first while mommi work and when mommi's work is done, i'll go in n be with her. She made a real fuss and cried so badly until Alan got real upset too. In the end, i couldn't join in the teleconference call and had to pacify her. 5 mths later, now, when i tell her i need to work, she will nod her head and tell me "Mommi work work done come sleep with Ashley, ok?"

Hmmm... it sounds like my Ashley is an absolute angel all the time, doesn't it? Of course not, she's still very much a little child, with her tantrums, her playfulness, her cheekiness, her naivete. She still makes me angry at times, especially when she whines (and Alan told me i m really really fierce when i scold her). But that's the beauty of it, isn't it - raising a child, moulding a person's character. There will be good times and there will be bad times. I love it. I love my Ashley.

My teacher?

Sometimes, the words that come out of my mouth does not match with the thought/thing in my mind. Funny though, that most of the time, it happens when i m with Ashley.  Hmmm...

Anywayyyyy....... my daughter then takes on the role of a teacher and corrects me on the spot. It makes her vv happy n she usually smiles cheekily at me after correcting me.

Me: Deardear, mommy take out your diaper for you (Ashley is not wearing diaper anymore, n in my mind i was thinking of panty)
Ashley: Noooo, it's panty.
Me: Oops, mommy forgot.


Me: Deardear, go sit on the chair (me pointing at the sofa)..
Ashley: Nooooo, it's sofa.
Me: Oh, ya hor... mommy forgot.


Me: Deardear, where is your handkerchief? (i was visualising a bath towel, n holding on to the handkerchief)
Ashley: There... (pointing to the handkerchief in my hand)
And before i can say "mommy forgot"
Ashley: Mommy forget.
Me: :-)

Family Day III

3rd stop: Fishing

Family Day II

2nd stop: Potting a plant

Family Day Part 1

Last Sunday, we went for a family day event (those who know me know that i m not usually into these events, but had no choice last week bcos the organiser was none other than Alan).

Anyway, we had really great fun there and i didn't regret going one bit.

We did alot of stuff that day and REALLY, since Ashley was born, that day was the longest time we were out (from 7.30am - 5pm)...

I observed alot of things about Ashley that day and I am really pleased with all of them. She's grown more gung-ho and open to new things like potting a plant, fishing, running on the grass, walking on muddy paths, walking along the goat farm (and keep telling me chou-chou while scrunging up her nose). I am so glad she enjoyed all these outdoor activities. I don't want her to be a "hothouse" flower.

Let the pics tell u the story instead.

1st stop: Bollywood Veggies Farm

Ashley's favourite playground

The vid was taken during her graduation class at JG too. She likes the slide alot, but through this vid, you can also see how overly courteous she is. Even after she's begun climbing up the steps, she will still climb down, intending to let other kids go first. :-) Did i teach her well? Or maybe too well?

Awwwwsssssss.........

The moment I walked into the master bedroom n saw my clothes n towel laid out nicely on the bed, my heart melted...

Sometime between watching Barney n talking to me, Ashley went into the room, took out my clothes n laid it all nicely onto the bed, as she knows i need to bathe after cooking dinner.

Awwww........

And she did it all even without telling me, wanting to give me a surprise...

Double AWWWWssss..........

Brat!

During playtime in class yesterday, Ashley was hvg fun playing on 1 of the mini slides. Then, one kid suddenly shot his hand out and grabbed a fistful of Ashley's hair n PULLED. I m not toking abt slight tugging here, but serious PULLING! Of cos, i immediately grabbed his hand n held it tightly to prevent him from pulling further. Shit! If not for his mommi who was carrying him n his daddi standing next to the mommi, goodness knows wat i wld hv done, maybe hit his hand hard or bite his hand liao! Hummpfff!!!

What a brat! And the stupid daddi just murmured a perfunctory "sorry" to me, while the mommi just carried her son away n lectured him for less than 10sec.. WTH!

Later, i asked the Ashley whether got pain-pain, n the poor little gal murmured to me yes... Awww... my poor darling!

Motor skills

Undeniably, i m most amazed by the leaps n bounds Ashley makes in her development. Last Sunday during class, the craft activity was to make a neckace. Teacher Farah gave Ashley a gold string and cut pieces of straw ( yellow n red colour). After guiding Ashley to string the first two pieces, alternating the 2 colours, Ashley was able to string 4 more pieces of straw. She could even pick up the alternating colours to string. Fantastic! Even Teacher Farah praised her for capabilities!