A Little Achievements by Our Princesses

It was a busy August month for me. Busy at work or at home too. :) However, I'm trying to update the blog too whenever I can.

Let's talk about Abigail.

Abigail has achieved her milestones of diapers free in the afternoon. She has done in just in a matter of 5 days, with the cooperation and encouragement from the daycare auntie; I am now saving a little more on diapers money. :) Abigail has done it without any force or using reward chart like the sister. We are so proud of her.

As a mother, we are very concern on our kid's "output" or passing of motion. It is the sign to tell us if our child is doing well as just like the computer term, (Input --> Process --> Output). As some of us may know that Abigail was having so much of troubles passing motion when she was younger. 

Everyone that saw her doing it during those days will asked me the same questions : 

" Did you give her prune juice?"

" How about pro-biotic?"

" Why not try on potty?"

and the lists go on and on. 

I even have experiences that people think I tortured my child when she try to strain it out or push it in order to pass her motions. She will be sweating, her face will be red; she cried and tears. So, as a mother; I am tearing too for her. I used to ask her to put her hand on my shoulder, I will hug her, I will make the sound "hmmm... hmmm..." to help her. I will encouraged her. I tried everything for her from prune juices, pro-biotic, potty, seater, Elmo toilet training books for her to see, rewards chart, asking friends on paed contacts who are able to help..

So, when thinking back those days when people asked me the questions above; I was really feeling mad as "No Mother" like to see their child suffered like that. As I am writing this, I can remembered all those difficult moments, Ivan and I will be discussing about how to help her, daycare Amma will text me and expressed her happiness in text message "Abigail has poo-poo.". We tears a lot for her over "poo-poo" issue!... how ironic and funny parenting processes! 

Now, Abigail is able to do it for herself. She is able to pass motions without any help now. She even learning and wanted to clean after herself. We are so happy for her now. :)

And now let's talk about Annabelle.

Annabelle now can relates many things that she learnt in school and in her life. Her command of words are good, although sometime the words "La...", "this one?", "that one?" will come into the conversations. But she accepts feedback very well and will correct it herself. 

Annabelle loves writing Chinese wordings. I am glad she does as we would like to send her to Chinese school at Year 1.

Now, whenever I have time at home; I will coach her on her writing, her reading, and also recognizing Chinese words. The roads are a little steep as I rarely speak to her in Mandarin which I regretted. But I know it is still very much possible to do it now.

Gambateh to Jie Jie Annabelle and mummy Shirley.

(by the way, need to loop papa Ivan along to speak in Mandarin.) :)

Annabelle and Abigail are our jewel.

Papa Ivan Vincent once said:"There is nothing can replace and nothing more precious than having them."

Jie Jie Mei Mei Growing Up Well

Both our princesses are doing very well since the last updates of our blog. They both just completed their ~4 years and 2 years 6 months check-up respectively at the Klinik Kesihatan, papa and mummy are very happy with their growth. 

Annabelle is handling her school well and had grown taller. It is about time to get her some new dresses and she has finally able to keep her hair long.

Abigail too are well. She is able to communicate well with us. Some of her famous phrase are:

"Oh, Mei Mei, see..." ~ actually means "Oh I See"
"Papa mummy no don't like!" ~ actually means "Papa mummy don't like!"
"Of course!" she will answered lowering her voice.
"Mei Mei, doing work!" ~ Oh yes, followed the way the mummy speak.
"Why pull mei mei's baju?" ~ fawning while saying it..

Abigail has a hobby reading storybook. Her version of storybook is picking up one of the two photobook that mummy made, flipped it and tell us who is in the photos, what we did there and she will questioned "WHY?"... and many "WHY..."

Annabelle enjoyed her school so much and especially Chinese classes. She told me many times that she likes to go to Chinese school. I had read up and had done some research about Chinese schools and had taken steps to expose Annabelle to writing strokes and also recognizing Chinese characters. I am guilty in this that I should have spoken more Chinese with her at home and now I am doing so and hoping that she is able to pick up well.

Annabelle loves her sister so much.

She will ensure papa or mummy will carry her sister when leaving the house in the morning, though we are pulling her leg that we will leave her sister behind in her room.

She will kiss the sister when seeing her sleeping in the room.

She will tell the sister, "Don't do that again, Mei Mei Ma.. You will jatuh!"

She will ensure the sister get out from the lift on time. If the lift shut, she will scream ensure the sister is with her.

Abigail on the other hand too very caring to her Jie Jie. Probably she is still learning on how to express that. Both sisters will fight and Abigail mainly will be more stubborn while Annabelle will normally giving in. Abigail is apologetic and often will apologize to the sister and even to us if she is at fault. It was so nice to see them hugging each other, talking to each other and playing with each other.

It was really so lovely to watch them grow,  and the two sisters are so dear to each other. We hope that relationships will maintain and will grow stronger.

"Girls, keep the laughter, keep the love, keep the care and joy in both of you. Papa and mummy are very proud of you both. We love you." 

有緣 ... 緣分

It was a very touched 31 May 2015 Sunday morning, the catechism Sunday school students prepared a list of items (with zero rehearsal, all from their pure hearts) for Fr. Lawrence that bids him a final farewell from children and the team of catechists.

Simple skit, simple speech, songs, simple words to describe the feeling of our children in St. Anne Church, it was so touched. 

Tears...

Joy...

Thankful...

Blessings..

Farewell...

Take care... were some of the words that I can summarized.

Since Annabelle started her Sunday school too this year. She is supposed to present a song representing the Kindergarten Sunday school kids, but probably "stage fright"; she was not able to do it. But no worries, papa and mummy have backup with a video pre-recorded for Fr. Lawrence. Mummy and Annabelle has modified a song and this song supposed to sing for Father's Day, but we think it is still very nice for Fr. Lawrence.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=posSzCBMqlM&feature=youtu.be

Flesh back memory...

I do not know when it started, Annabelle and Abigail will be waiting near the altar at the end of mass to shake hand with Fr. Lawrence. Annabelle has this feeling that I can only use Chinese words to describe "緣分" ~ "Fate"  with Fr. Lawrence. Ever since then, Sunday mass is not complete without that hand shake. We thanked God for this.. it is a blessing that our children are blessed by a priest in his hand in front of Jesus every Sunday.

The day that we got to know that Fr. Lawrence is leaving St Anne Port Klang, I told her this.

Mummy: "Annabelle, Fr. Lawrence will be leaving to another Jesus House".
Annabelle: "But! Why mummy?" "I am sure I am going to miss him, and shake his hand."
Annabelle added: "I am sure he will miss me too."

Simple gestures has bond this girl with our dearest parish priest, Fr. Lawrence Andrew.

Farewell hand shake on the 31 May 2015... 

Last Sunday, we attended the first mass celebrated by our new priest, Fr. Paulino. Annabelle still asked me near the altar, "Mummy, where is Fr. Lawrence?". Mummy replied:"Fr. Lawrence is in another Jesus House to help out there. You will see him again."

"Fr. Lawrence, take care"

Annabelle 1st Sports Day - 23 May 2015

Sports Day... Marching ... Games ... Finish Line... Prize...

Annnabelle's first sports day was held on the 23 May 2015. The day started very well.. She is well set to school and settled into the classroom.

This day, papa and mummy needs to be volunteer. We are helping out Madam June Josephine, the principal of Tadika Santa Anna. Mr. Ivan Vincent is the MC of the day and Mrs. Ivan Vincent is the PIC on the sound and music console corner. 

Beautiful weather, colourful flags, cheers, parents, students, teachers ... are geared up for this event.

As Annabelle marched into the field, we felt very proud of her. She did well... while the warm up session, a small "incident" happened. I saw Annabelle cried while another boy in the class too were crying... Oh Oh... "dominos effect?" I tried very hard to calm her down.. I was blur, not knowing the reason why she cried. Could it be she is hungry or she saw us?

The next moment after this was her event, riding the deer and start the race called "Oh...Deer..Oh ... Deer" With her sobs, tears in the eyes, she started the race and she ended it too... We were happy and proud of her. (Yes, to be honest to you; initially I was a little disappointed with this incident, but I told myself; it is okay she is still very young. A 3 years 10 months old girl.) 

The day went on well. Annabelle was laughing, joining the cheers and played with her classmates. The dedicated MC and "Console Corner Woman" are working well as partner.  Wondering where is Abigail? She is well taken care by the daycare auntie and uncle at the VIP seats. :) 

 

The sports day ended at 11.30am. Annabelle's red team received 4th place in the event. She got a prize. She is happy with it.

(Conversations in the car on the way home: 
Mummy asked: "Annabelle, why did you cry?"
Annabelle answered: "Mummy, it is just an accident."
Mummy comforting her partly while lecture her and say : "Sometime, papa and mummy may not be available with you, but you are independent enough to handle it. So, be a good girl. Don't make anymore accident like that.") 

Not everyone is a WINNER in the sports day, so the most important thing is the PROCESS:) 

KUDOS Casio ExiLIM

Our trusted digital camera had been with us for more than 7 years. It really serving us very well. Many precious and important moments were taken or recorded with it.

Talking about video recording, I have the following to share with you.

Moment 1:
Two days before Mother's Day, Annabelle told me she got a surprise for me. See what surprise she gave me.

Moment 2:
Abigail had picked up lots of words lately and she can sing very well too. Hear her lovely voice on this video.

Moment 3:
Abigail is in the process of being potty train. She is yet to achieve this milestone. But the lovely sister is very supportive, every time after the sister wet her pants accidentally; she will offer to change panties for her. So loving and lovely. See this video for yourself.

Moment 4:
The night moment before all of us go to bed, the papa will spend time playing with the daughters. See this video to know what they played.

I always believed that precious moments are difficult to re-captured. I am thankful to our little digital camera is able to help us captured many many beautiful moments together as a family.

KUDOS CASIO EXiLIM... :) 

Post by Papa's - Annabelle's Progress Report Day - Our Pride & Joy

Almost five months Annabelle attended her Pre-School, you can read the words from her papa above. We are so proud of her... Keep it up, Annabelle.

Here are some of the shots we took during her Progress Report Day.

Her progress report card... (OH yes, I had informed the teacher about spelling error in her name)

Progressed well.

Look carefully, got tears in papa's eyes when signing off the report card

Her art works on the class noticeboard

Simply beautiful

Creative in her way

BFF

BFF = Best Friend Forever!

Do you have one when you were young?

I remember someone told me, "In different stage of our life, we have different BFF." It is true?

When I was young (before schooling age), I can't remember I had BFF or even if I have I may not remember it... hahaha...

When I went to school, I had my group of friends but I guess there are friends. I may not even know how to consider someone as best friend. :)


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To Annabelle:

20/3/2015 morning, when mummy told you "OK, Annabelle; today Lavania will be leaving home and will only come again during the school holiday." You kept quiet and left the kitchen to the room, drinking your milk.

Suddenly, you walked out; both eyes are red. Tears flowing and told me:"Mummy, I gonna miss Lavania".. I comforted you, wipe your tears. You sob.

When papa came out from the bathroom, I told him, "Papa, anak you, nangis pasal Lavania is leaving home!". He called you and asked you why. You kept quiet and just cried out. You vomited too. We comforted you again.

We saw you sitting besides Lavania and watching TV then.

Annabelle, mummy took some time off from work to jot this down in this blog to remind you had a best friend when you were 4 years old.
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This incident in the morning make Ivan and I realised that children is very expressive and they can expressed themselves very well.

"But, I am gonna to miss her.."
"But, she is my best friend.."

Simple words and expressions are just touching my heart. We adult tends to be more manipulative at time that we forgotten that we can be simple.. :) Something to ponder!!!