We did it!

Hello! Long time no blog. Don't think I need to tell you how crazy life has been nowadays. Blogging ultimately has taken a back ride although there were times that my fingers were itching to tap on the keyboard. Guess today is one of those days! Can't contain the excitement as it has been over a year since our intention to potty train che-che O. I can now declare that she is officially nappy free!! Yay!!!!

Well, we had been really good with the pee-pee. Not even wearing nappies during naps and at night. She would wake up in the morning and go to the toilet herself. Not 100% accident free. Like last night, we were out and she had announced that she needed the loo but fell asleep on the way home. We completely forgot about waking her up to empty her bladder first. Aiyaiyai... messy... just when I needed my sleep... Anyway, still very proud of her.

Then came the poo-poo bit. She just for some reason would refuse to poo in the toilet or potty. Maybe it's the sight? The smell? On and off I would throw her the question of poo-ing in the toilet or nappy again and it had always been nappy. Then a few weeks back, we had two last nappies and I had prompted her and asked her what is she going to do after the last nappy has been used up. She replied to poo in the toilet. This scenario is actually not new. It happened before and she just ended up not wanting to poo at all or throw a fuss and cry for nappies! This time round, D-(poo)-day arrived and I asked her where would she want to do it and she again replied at the toilet. So I calmly brought her to the toilet and stayed with her holding her hands (and my breathe) till she did it! I couldn't believe it at first! She actually did it! I just kept praising her and reminded her how clean it is to poo in the toilet and not get your bum all smeared in poo. She was of course feeling chuffed herself. And we of course had to call Papa to tell him about the business. And I of course had to reward her with lots of stickers. Low and behold, she went about the poo business that same night again! *Doing a little dance*

I guess this potty training thing can't be rushed and when the little one is ready, it will just happen one day. I'm just glad that day came before her 21st birthday! ;-D

Welcome Baby J!

Baby J was finally delivered safely and naturally on 30 November 2011 weighing a whopping 3.75kg! (I blame it on the Penang food!!) He was still feeling all warm and fuzzy in there and had to be induced out 6 days post due date. It was a relief when all that weight was taken away and then whizz! boom! bang! and he is already two months old! Time flies when you have a baby to care for, and even faster when you have a toddler as well!

Baby O is officially now Jie-jie O who loves her Di-di to bits! She has been such a little gem of a sister. She had her share of temper throwing and attention grabbing antics but generally, she has been such an understanding little girl. She would play on her own knowing that I have to tend to the baby and is ever ready to grab me a piece of muslin cloth or nappy when needed. Amazing coming from a two and a half year old.

I do feel sorry for Jie-jie O sometimes as she would often say 'Papa, can you play with me?' when he gets back from work (like right now!) as I have not been able to spend the time doing things with her like I used to the last two years! To begin with, I was super huge this pregnancy so even before Baby J's arrival, I had pretty much stopped most activities. I couldn't sit at the play area with her so she was left to play on her own most of the time. Cooking a meal felt like I was moving a whole house so she was left to our trusted and never failing babysitter, the television a lot too. Sigh... So I have tried to work around that and try to play and read together with Baby J now or do something with her while he naps since he has a more predictable routine now. On the other hand, I feel like I wish I can spend more time nurturing Baby J as he is growing up so fast!

Well, this is what life is now with two! Absolutely no time for myself washing the never ending pile of laundry and all, but at the same time enjoying double the smiles, double the hugs and double the love... ;-)

MOMMade: Magnetic Funny Faces

Made this for Baby O sometime earlier this year but never got a chance to post it up. It is pretty simple. All you need is:

An empty square/rectangular biscuit tin
Paper
Magnetic paper
Markers
Scissors
Magnetic tape

First draw a couple of 'faces' on pieces of paper cut to fit the size of the tin you will be using. Mine is half A4. I cut four pieces of magnetic tape for each corner of the paper so they stay on the tin.

Next, draw different types of features on magnetic paper and colour them in - hair, eyebrows, eyes, ears, noses, lips, mouths, beard, moustaches, etc. You can include some accessories like sunglasses and bows. Whatever you fancy really... Cut them out.

Finally, get creative! Place a piece of paper with an empty face on the tin and add features on! Here are some of ours. The possibilities are endless!

This craft can keep a toddler busy for some time. Not recommended for less than two I suppose due to the small bits which may be a choking hazard. Irregardless, I would still advice supervision. Plus playing together is fun!

This Mama Loves... I'm A New Big Sister

As mentioned in my previous post, there were not many choices of books available in our local bookstore to help prepare our little toddler in becoming a big che-che. I am really thankful that the only two available were great finds.

'I'm A New Big Sister' by Nora Gaydos is recommended for toddlers two years onwards. Perfect for Baby O. Illustrations are simple and cute and gives the reader an idea of what to expect when the new baby arrives. Firstly, it tells the reader that things will be a little different now. Then it explains things like the new baby won't be able to play with the big sister yet, or she has to pick up her toys so no one gets hurt, helping around during nappy change and holding baby gently, and to expect crying when baby needs something and lots of cuddling the baby. At the end, the book emphasises that the reader will still be able to spend a lot of time with mommy and daddy when baby is asleep to remind the child that she is still special. There is also a note to parents with some ideas of how to help your toddler adjust to her new role as big sister and a note to the big sister too telling her to lookout for all the many exciting baby milestones together.

Baby O seems to love the idea of being a big che-che from this book as she thinks she gets to read books to her di-di, sing lullabies and feed him. She somehow loves the page where baby does a poo and laughs every time we get to that page. (???!)

The 'I'm A New Big Brother' version is also available.

Read the review of 'What's Inside Your Tummy, Mommy?' by Abby Cocovini here.

This Mama Loves... What's Inside Your Tummy, Mommy?

Some time in my eventful first trimester, I managed to gather enough energy to look for relevant books that will help prepare Baby O to be a big che-che (elder sister). Not surprisingly, there weren't many. Thankfully, there were two (and only two) great books available! The first would be 'What's Inside Your Tummy, Mommy?' by Abby Cocovini. Unfortunately there was only one tatty and torn copy left and Borders reluctantly offered me a 20% discount off and I reluctantly bought it. (Thought they could do better than that. ;-P)



The book gives a simple explanation of how baby is growing month by month with some simple illustrations.

What I like about this large size paperback is that it is designed to be placed on Mommy's belly to give the toddler a visual of what is inside the growing tummy.

Baby O loves this book and reads it almost every night! She can even tell us the 'story' now - "Month number five, baby is like (a box of) milk. He can blow the trumpet with his thumb - pa, pa, pa, paaa." Well, this is the only page that she kinda made up the story and diverted a little.. haha....

Overall, no regrets getting the copy even in its shabby condition. Definitely a keeper!
Next: Review on the other book 'I'm A New Big Sister' by Nora Gaydos here.

Preparing for a new sibling

Got this from one of those baby sites that I subscribe to and thought I would share it with all those expecting another bundle of joy as it is pretty applicable to our family as D-Day draws nearer:

Be aware that your daughter will need plenty of attention to assure her that she is not being replaced by a newer model.

1. Plan on giving her plenty of one-on-one time with Daddy. Though it is not inevitable, close spacing (less than three years) can create friction between siblings because both will have high needs for parental attention.

2. Read books about babies. You will still have undivided attention to give to her, which will help her adjust to a new situation. Begin reading books to her about babies coming into the family and talk with her about the baby in utero. Though she will not completely understand, she will be primed for the baby's arrival.

3. Stagger the timing of changes. If a new bedroom or bed is required, make this change at least four to six weeks before she becomes a big sister. Your daughter will be less likely to associate her new room or bed with displacement. Any changes that you believe necessary should not coincide with the new baby's arrival.

4. Encourage her regular contact with babies. Teach her the concept "gentle" in touching babies, as well as other living things such as cats and dogs. This will help her get some practice in before she becomes a big sister.

5. Allow her to still be a baby. Despite the fact that she will become a big sister, do not rob her of her own baby-toddlerhood. Don't assume that she must sleep in a bed instead of a crib, especially if she still enjoys and feels comforted by the crib she is now using. Continue to diaper her and offer her the bottle or breast, if you're breastfeeding. She is still very much a baby herself! Expect her to want to be held and even play "baby" by being cuddled and cooed in your arms.

6. Expect moodiness. Don't be alarmed if she seems more clingy or crabby than usual. She will need to express herself and see that her place in the family is still secure. With time and your consideration, she will adapt and gain a sense of mastery (rather than jealousy) about her new role in the family.

7. Remind her that she was a baby too. Show her pictures of herself, the attention she got and the gifts that she received when she was a new baby.

8. Buy a few special toys. It may also help to buy a few gifts that are just for her, so that when you are receiving gifts for the baby and attention is being showered on the newborn there is something for her.

9. Encourage her to help once the baby is born. This will give her a sense of competence. She can bring a diaper to Mommy, take an adult by the hand to show the new baby or giving the baby a toy.

10. Show her the benefits of being a big girl. Involve her in activities she can do which separate her from the new baby and give her the message that she can do certain things because she is not a newborn. Sitting on your lap and pointing to pictures as you read, putting a simple puzzle together or other activities appropriate to her development will continue her excitement in her own growth and the things she can do now that she could not do as a baby.

Whether a new child is being born or a teenager is leaving for college, transitions in families require profound physical and psychological adjustments. Family researchers have identified changes in daily family household membership to be the most stressful. It's natural for your toddler to regress during this time.

Potty Re-training Day ??

I just realised that we have been travelling and having visitors non-stop since the beginning of August till about an hour ago. What brilliant timing This Mama has to start potty training. Nappies were more on than off during this period of time. However, since we came back home from breakfast this morning, I was surprised by the request of wearing panties instead of a nappy as well as pee-ing and poo-ing in the potty without being asked at all!!!! I was really chuffed that Baby O actually told me that she wanted to pang-sai in the potty and willingly sat for a good 10 or so minutes before poo-ing in the potty! If you know her, she usually hides and does her 'business' and tells you that she has done it later if she has her nappy on. She has also been so used to doing it standing up (Yes, I know!) that it was previously difficult to convince her to sit and do it in the potty. So I think this is a real achievement! She was also so proud of herself that she wanted to call her Po-po (grandma) and Gung-gung (grandpa) what she did! Lol.

Certainly hope that we will be nappy-free really soon! Although I must admit that I do miss the convenience of the nappy sometimes! ;-P Especially now that I am carrying a huge bump along everywhere I go!