My life - an update

I forgot all about blogger application! So here I am blogging when little boy is fast asleep. 

So I have officially become a full fledged preschool teacher. I am definitely passionate about it and know that I have much to learn. In whatever I do in this ministry, I want to make sure I glorify God. I am praying for His wisdom and guidance.

Next, I am having a little life in me! It's a princess this time. This pregnancy hasn't been smooth sailing. All I can say is, God has really been my strength and strong tower. I am glad the little girl is growing. And praise be to God that Isaac is very accepting of his soon-to-be status of being a big brother. He often speaks of this sister and even tries to think of a name together with me. 

And here is a really cute conversation to share.

While watching Sofia the first, I asked him if the name would be nice for his sister. He said,"no... It's not a nice name for Mei Mei." Then he continued,"Let It Go is a nicer name for Mei Mei.".

I had such a good laugh. Can u imagine "Let it go Teng"? I think our little girl will query our wisdom in the name selection. We will happily credit it to her brother.

Isaac is growing to be such an adorable and cooperative boy. I really thank God for blessing us with him and for giving us parenting wisdom. All we do is cast our eyes on Him.

Naturally, I do have my challenges at work too. I really pray for his grace and wisdoms.

All right! Till next time.

Latest photo of us!!

P.s. It's another milestone today for us. Isaac wore underwear only the whole afternoon and was able to pass urine in the toilet when needed. Time to stock up on underwear for him!!! My boy is growing really fast.

Building Memories in His Childhood

3am and I am supposed to be up to read some notes and prepare materials for Monday's lesson. Call it procrastination, I am here, laying wide eyed surfing Facebook and going through photos.

And then I found these photos taken recently with Isaac. When Derrick was busy at work, we enjoyed ourselves being tourists on a Duck Tour and had dinner at the park near our home. We also played with flour outside the house. It was supposed to be play dough making session. But a child his age will only explore. So, it became a messy session.

I love moments like these with him. Just getting connected and spending time building experiences and memories for his childhood.

Duck Tour Day

On the Duck Tour, with Marina Bay Sands in the background. Not quite a good selfie here.

Art Science Museum - I must really make a trip there.

             Enjoying a peck from me

Some of the latest icons and hot spots in Singapore - The Art Science Museum and the Marina Bay Sands

Isaac was able to tell me this was the Merlion. I must have mentioned it before. He kept talking about Merlion "spitting" water after that.

          Yet another icon. The Flyer.

Sleepy at the end of the ride. I must say, the Duck Tour was quite good. It allows you to see quite a snapshot for a more detailed exploration. I would recommend it!

Art and Dinner in the Park

I made pasta and decided that dinner for two in the park would be fun. So, I packed everything and brought Isaac out for art and dinner in the park.

He started drawing everywhere after we did tree bark drawing.

Cleaning up was a breeze. Just pick them up.

Trying to see the effects of the railings

                Colouring the leaves

The art piece - combination of textured drawings. I'd say it's nice!

            Vandalizing on my "tree"

                     Dinner time!

Hungry after all the running about and colouring on different textured surfaces

    Energized and ready to explore again

Flour Exploration

I bought this apron long ago and saved up for painting day. We got too busy to paint and finally, I used it for flour play.

Trying to add food colouring - gotta remove cap?

             Adding flour into water

Enjoying the feeling of mixing dry flour and water

The mess it became. I put him in a bath tub after that so I could clean the mess. It wasn't that difficult considering the town council had someone doing block washing on that day! Coincidental and convenient. Of course, I did my part to clean up as much as I could. 

Lower Seletar Reservoir

So, the story is even my hubby caught HFMD. That doesn't change the fact that we need to work on the house renovation. In view of the carpentry work tomorrow onwards, we made a trip to ikea to buy Isaac's shelf. We hope the contractors would kindly piece them together for us!

After leaving the unfixed shelf at the new abode, we decided to make a quick stop at Lower Seletar Reservoir. This is one of the many attractions we like at our new estate. 

It was a fine day (before the dark clouds gathered) to walk down the jetty. They call it the heritage bridge (if I remember correctly). Nevertheless, I had a pleasant finding. This place is perfect for Isaac to hangout and for us to chill!

It has a small water play area, made of natural looking rocks/boulders. There are fountains spurting, board walks and big steps for parents to sit and observe their children without getting wet. Since it was quite confined, it is safe for adults to just sit and relax, listen to the water, breathe fresh air and look at the still water.

We were not prepare for water play at all so we promised Isaac a return trip. Then we walked on to explore the bridge. Along the way, we stopped and looked at the water and Orchid Country Club's green right across. I have to say, it's pretty scenic. We also spotted a water snake or turtle swimming, occasionally poking its head out. We couldn't make out what it was exactly. There were also tiny dragonflies with blue heads and slim bodies flying about the concrete and boardwalk floorings. Isaac had a good time chasing after them.

At the end of the bridge, there was a platform that looked like a stage. We decided to lie down and looked up at the clouds. We saw a blend of rainbow colours peeking from behind the clouds and a balloon blown away by the wind. We laid there for a few moments, eyes closed and enjoying the quietness of nature.

This is currently our favourite place in the new estate! Picnics and runs shall take place here. 

Pictures below. Enjoy!

Water play with a really small pool. Boardwalk on the side.

When we were leaving, we saw more water jets. It looked fun and very inviting in the hot weather.

Isaac observing the reservoir waters and the greenery opposite.

Daddy and son enjoying the moments of tranquility.

The heritage bridge, interspersed with history about the reservoir.

Exploring with curiosity. Chasing after dragonflies.

Orchid Country Club's golf green right across

Artistic structure at the end of the bridge

Lying down on the platform to enjoy the views above. How often do we just rest and look at the clouds? I am glad we enjoy this all the time. The platform looked like a helicopter pad actually.

Beautiful rainbow coloured light peeking from behind the clouds

I don't know how to get there yet except by car. I'll share if I travel on my own there the next time. Meanwhile, feel free to google! *wink*

Gratitude

As I watched Isaac sleep, I am mso grateful he is attending my Childcare centre. This way, I can continue to be with him.

Otherwise, after a long weekend, I will get love sick! 

Love going to the different houses to visit. Love watching him do things and surprised me with new actions or words. Love all the family time we get.

This CNY had been so fulfilling. We went to the zoo and I realized Isaac is really timid! He was afraid of the elephants after they splashed water at us. He was afraid of the dog, pony... He was even afraid of the water sprouts at the water park!

He surprises me all the time.

Anyway, I am thankful for a really good husband. He deserves all our love for spending time with us despite his sinus affecting him again.

Here's a photo of Isaac all ready to meet the animals.

Focus on the process

Easier said than done for Singaporeans!

We have been raised for generation to focus on the outcomes, i.e. results.

But really, focusing on the process of learning has many benefits. Children build characters, problem solving skills and resiliency.

I am usually irked by teachers and parents who are too concerned about the "beauty" of the works. Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder. What if, that art piece or that piece of writing appears beautiful to the child but just not by our standards? I say, leave it, respect it.

Children learn through exploration. It has been amazing for me when Isaac shows me things he learnt through his own discovery. That includes singing songs. He has been singing songs I don't teach such as "are you sleeping" and the alphabet song.

So, I am glad he is progressing just fine and happily exploring the world he is in. 

Isaac's Drawing of a Car

Isaac doodled and said "car". Creative!

Isaac's new "toy"

This is his favourite new "toy". He drags it around the house, pretends to row a boat with it when I sing "row, row, row your boat", bites and licks it like it's the tastiest lollipop, tries to pick up stuffs with it and help me with my chores. He runs to it the first thing he comes home, wakes up and whenever he is at home. 

Happy Father's Day in advance (to my baby)

The journey of parenting is an arduous and tedious one. It is most certainly not a walk in the park. And fathers are worthy to be commended for their efforts in parenting.

I would like to dedicate this special post to my baby.

From being a child himself (child at heart), he has taken on the role of being a daddy to Isaac. His love for Isaac is indescribable. Even though I feared before delivery about Baby not adapting well, he has surpassed my expectation of him as a father.

There were so many times he controlled situations much better than me. I have learnt a lot from him. Ironically, I read more about parenting and spoke more to people.

In the end, it was him who taught me that every child is unique and thus, no guide is perfect. 

A mother may love her child much. A father's love isn't lesser. Baby has to travel far for his work all over Singapore. He would rush back to pick up Isaac. 

He would settle him while I do the dishes, change his diapers and check if he has rashes or if his stool was normal. 

When Isaac had very high fever, he stayed up to take care of him even though he had to work the next day. He sponged him, took him to the doctor's and fed him medicines and took care of him. There were also the moments of vomiting where Isaac puked all over Baby.

He took care of him so mummy can work, cook, run and enjoy some me-time. All done without assistance. 

For someone who is an only child and have been independent, Baby has stepped out of his boundary and beyond. He is a great father.

His love is like that of Jesus. He gives unconditional love to Isaac. It is a no-wonder Isaac would call "Daddy". And until today, that remains one of his favorite phrases. Sadly, "mummy" isn't in his vocabulary yet. 

Baby may appear nonchalant. Deep down, I know he loves Isaac a lot. He is unknowingly loving him more than himself. No, I am not jealous. Cos he still loves me a lot. I know.

So, Baby Derrick Teng, thanks for all the thins you have done for Isaac and me. No word can describe how appreciative I am. And I am sure Isaac feels your loves and knows because he is happy in your care. He loves to be with you. And he looks forward to being with you.

You have been an amazing father and I am really proud of you. We love you. Happy Father's Day baby.

Being a new parent... Isaac was only 5/6 days old.

Giving Isaac a peck... Lovingly...

My Little Boss

Absolutely love this article.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/blackberry/p.html?id=3209305

At one point in motherhood, I was absolutely uptight and very much affected by what people think and the expectations of the "social norms" of parenting.

At one point, I was disturbed by comments and standards set up some so-called experts. 

At the end of the day, I became miserable and I didn't enjoy parenthood. What changed me was one word from my husband "chillax".

If someone says that it requires a lot of patience to be a parent, he would disagree. He would say the key to parenting is to chill and relax, this "chillax".

Since I learnt to be more laid back in my parenting style, we enjoy one another more. Isaac has a lot of liberty to explore and we watch and keep him safe.

I allow him to eat fries and he loves it. He eats chocolate wafer and ice cream sometimes. On some weekends, we skip the morning showers together. And sometimes, we go to bed late. I allow him to mess up and we learn to keep his toys together.

He plays with what my husband calls "industrial toys", such as wooden spoon used for cooking, Tupperware, a full milo tin and cutleries in the restaurant (not to mention creating a din). 

There were times he screamed and cried because he waited too long sitting with us at a restaurant, we just let him have his moment while we finish up our food. The same applies to when we have to finish up some urgent matters such as a visit to the restroom and he wouldn't allow us to. We would tell him,"too bad. You have to wait."

Who cares? If we, as parents allow him to explore the world, he will eventually learn. And yes. He turns out to be able to take instructions much better at 14 months.

He learnt that when he sees smoke from a cup or bowl, it is hot. And when there is vapour, it is cold. He learnt that when he lie down too quickly to throw tantrum, he would hit his head too hard. So, he gently put down his head before rolling and kicking, much to our amusement and often, we let him be and then pick him up to explain to him.

The incidents reduced. And he began to understand us much better. 

Some friends are amazed at my calmness. But like the article, I don't feel I am a bad parent.

I just choose to ignore all comments, views and social acceptable standards, and run my family my own way. I choose to bring up my child my own way.

And when friends think I am such a "poor thing" having to bring Isaac out everywhere. Actually, I want to! And I enjoy it. I love bringing my little terror out.

Who cares? To me, giving Isaac security and love is the most important. With security, he can be confident to expire his world. 

This little adventure I introduce him to. The liberty I allow him to have - of course, watched and loosely controlled, is how I want him to be when he grows up.

To always have the spirit of adventure to explore, take calculated risks and always keep the curiousity burning - to learn for life.

Note: Just to clarify... When I said I ignored comments, it includes compliments. I humbly thank compliments for Isaac but I don't feel proud. My pride is for my own to enjoy in his development. Having said that, I also do not judge myself. Cos judging myself means, judging others. And this also means comparison. I just bask in my own confidence as Isaac's mummy and the joy of bring a parent. That's as simple as that. And this spirit has been brought into my entire being. Not just parenthood anymore.

Job with a heart

There are not many jobs in the world where you may put your heart in to do, and feel completely satisfied about it, no matter how hard it may get.

Parenting is such a job.

It is the only job in the world that is 100% challenging but 200% rewarding.

The love, sweat, time and effort put into bringing up a child are insurmountable. But all you need is for your child to smile at you, come to you and give you a hug, call "mama" or simply following you around, you know, your efforts have produced results.

Your child loves you back. It is just that simple.Your child is growing day by day.

Looking back to the initial days when Isaac was born, it often brought such sweet memories, I felt moved.

Parenting is a job where you put in so much effort but you ask for little back in return.

It is also one of the rare jobs where your boss is demanding, difficult and may be somewhat tyrant. Yet, you will continue to serve him whole heartedly and love him deeply.

It is one job where you don't get much tangible benefits yet, you are happiest doing it.

I love my son. Everytime I watch him sleep or sing to him at bedtime, I am in awe at how much he has grown.

This is also my best job, ever.

The Milo Drum

This evening, I was busy doing the dishes and Isaac wanted to be carried so he could meddle with whatever I was doing.

To keep him occupied, I gave him a milo tin to play with. He enjoyed making music and even slammed the tin. I thought it was tightly shut until I heard an explosive sound. Then I saw the milo tin on the floor with a pile of milo powder.

Isaac had run far away from it to a corner, looking frightened and guilty. It was such a funny sight to see him standing frozen, staring at the strange brownish content from his "drum".

At that moment, I wasn't angry at all. I was responsible for it and cleaned up the mess. Whichever the case, it was a way for him to explore our world and let him grow and adapt.

One day, he will love this strange looking powder as much as mummy and daddy!