Naptime with Pooh

Emma insisted that she take Pooh Bear upstairs to nap with.  A little hesitant to have such a big fluffy thing in her crib, especially when she's sleeping, I didn't want a big fight before naptime.

This was the napping result.  As you can imagine, as soon as she was sound asleep, Pooh Bear came right out of the crib, and I don't think will ever make its way back in again!

I couldn't even see her face buried under all the blankets and pooh!  Just shows how much Emma loves soft things to snuggle with!

Emma's 19 Months

Another month gone by.....this time I'm on schedule, blogging on the right date!
The word of the month has been, "Ma, Ma, Ma"  Yes, thats ME, Mommy!!!
I thought the clinginess got better with time, not worse!  Even though tiring after hearing it the whole day while playing with her, trying to clean house, make dinner, it's really cute hearing "Maaaa", being called out in the middle of Costco, when I quickly run down one aisle to grab something and Dad is pushing her in the cart.  Emma hasn't been a lover of Daddy too much this part couple of weeks, breaks his heart!  If I hug Daddy, she pushes me away so she can hug me, then when Daddy hugs me, she gets angry and pushes Daddy away.  I'm sure just another phase she's going through.  I do worry that it's possibly because I spend too much time with her??

Maybe I blog too much about the good times with Emma, I forget about the "bad" times.  This blog today seems pretty appropriate.

Today was an eventful day of her turning 19 months.  Emma woke in her normal happy disposition.  Always greeting us with smiles, followed by her crawling in her crib and saying "Baba", then walking/jumping around and falling over saying, "Whoa", then grabbing all her dolls and blankets, before we can take her out and get our morning kisses.  I tried to change her in to her clothes for the day.  She was happy for me to put on her pants, but did not want her pajama top off, so we left it at that.  She had her morning milk, but with being a little sick, she's still got a bit of phlegm and coughed up her milk.  The exact same spot she deposited milk on when she was 3 months, except this time it's full cream milk and not breast milk, Yugh!!!  (Cleaning recommendations appreciated).

So we got changed again after a bit of breakfast and just before heading out to run a few errands.  We had the battle of the shoes, all excited about her wearing a new pair of shoes, she wanted nothing to do with them.  So we settled for her regular shoes.  Errands were fine, no hassles there.
We drive home and I entertain Emma with a video on my iphone in order to keep her awake, so we can get home and have some lunch.  (Emma is really good at falling asleep in the car)  5 minutes before reaching home, she has another coughing episode in the car and sounds like she brought something up again,  I tell her not to worry, we'll be home in 5 minutes then I'll clean her up.  She hands me the phone then shortly falls asleep!!! "No!!!!"
Thinking she will take a short nap now, because she hasn't had lunch, I hope she'll wake when I take her out, picturing in my mind we'll have lunch, go to the park as she'll have had her second wind, then have a nice afternoon nap. Ended up Emma napping on our bed for 2 hours!! Yay!! Mom got a nap too!

We have lunch, then get ready to go to the park.  Emma had a long sleeve top on, because it was so hot outside I wanted to change  her to a tshirt.  She wanted nothing to do with that, but she did want to wear her new shoes! "Seriously!"  We got to the park, we sit on the swing for 20 minutes, then at the top of the slide for another 20 miuntes without wanting to go down.  Eventually she decides to go down still taking her time, sitting on the edge, there's a little boy waiting for Emma. He decides to give her a nudge with his foot and she falls!  Tears and all, we leave the playground and go home.  We blow bubbles to make things better, she then eyes the sidewalk chalk and wants to draw, so we draw.  While she's doing that I decide to sweep the garage, she wants to particicpate in this chore too.  A few sweeps in she wants to take off her top, moaning and pulling at it.  So I take it off.  I try put on her tshirt, but no she doesn't this, so I have a half naked toddler sweeping our garage.  Eventually she allows me to put on her t-shirt.  She then wants to water the garden with her new watering can.  Another fun activitity, especially when Emma doesn't want the water to come out of the watering can!  She gets upset!, so she pretends and makes the sounds, silly girl!  She then wants to draw again and blow bubbles, I say No, I want to go inside now.  I try get her inside and she throws a tantrum for a good 15 minutes.  Eventually calms down and wants her water and some crackers, and wants to watch, "Baa", Timmy Time. 

Emma has dinner and cleans plate, Daddy comes home and it's this sweet cock of the head and big smiles, like, "I've been a good little girl the entire day Daddy!"  Dad had the car serviced, so we swapped cars for the day, while we switched the car seat around, Emma got to play around in the car, which brought about another tantrum when it was time to go inside.  She asks for milk, which we give her and I just hope she doesn't cough it up again.  I take a seat on the steps, while I wait for her to finish so we can go upstairs and bath.  She takes a seat next to me.  She then sees her Pooh Bear seat and wants to sit there, so she goes and sits and bounces around on it.  Then comes back to where I am, and instead of just sitting next to me, tries to get comfortable resting against the front of my legs, then stands up again and tries to find another spot, this time sitting to the left of my legs, then wrapping her one arm around my leg and resting her head against it and finishes her milk, "minish".  Thats when I forget about the crazy day we had, all the whining and crying, and just treasure that moment, kiss her hand and tell her mommy loves her so much!  I guess that is when I also forget about the "bad" times, so when I get around to blogging I only remember the good times!

I hold Emma's hands to go upstairs, each step she takes, she says, "Upstairs".  Emma has a bath, we read stories,  have our cuddles, then sleep time!

Happy 19 Months Emma, here's hoping I or we survive the rest!

Videos of Emma

I didn't take too many photos this visit, think mostly because I was just trying to keep up with the two girls.
I did however manage to take a few (this few may still be considered alot to some) videos of Emma during her trip to LA.  Enjoy watching....

As soon as we arrived in LA, Ruby showed us how she loves to jump on the bed!  This has now given Emma an idea and she now loves to jump on our bed.  Here are the two little monkey's jumping on the bed!



Emma took a liking to Ruby's ladybug ride on - after one day she got the hang of it and quite enjoyed riding around on it.  Quite cute seeing her two little legs moving that way!  It's so interesting watching the progression of Emma on this thing.  First to try coordinate the two legs to move, and then to keep her bum on the ladybug.  Then once she got the movement right, had to learn to turn.  After turning she had to get the hang of putting in that extra vroom to get over the carpet, then after getting all that right she learnt how to get off the ladybug.  Getting off something that doesn't have breaks is hard, firstly she'd try hold on and cross her one leg over, but the ladybug would wobble and she'd ask for help, after a while without assistance from us we saw her just pulling the ride on out in front of her, then she'd carry on walking and move onto the next toy.

Ruby goes to school one day a week.   It's really great that we got to tag along and experience something like this.  Almost like a playdate and daycare rolled into one, mommy's and their kids hang out together and go about the activities, from hand painting, to play dough, we got to make kites, play in the sand pit, ride bikes.  We joined in snack time too and this was the first time Emma drank out of a cup and drank juice!!  She did really well considering I hardly attempt this due to the mess.

After snack time the kids and parents split up and one group carries on playing, while the other group go for story time and singing.  Emma had no problem joining in and being part of it all.  Makes me realise that our little girl is probably ready for daycare, but mommy doesn't feel ready just yet.

Here you can see Emma joining in the fun with the music and a feather, it was very hard for Emma to give up the feather at the end.

A short video of Emma decorating her kite

Then she had the opportunity to test it outside.

Last video - Our last day in LA we just spent the day at home with Kerwin's mom and dad.  The two girls dancing to "Dancing Queen".

It was really fun seeing the girls together, although toward the end I think they were getting in each others way.  Ruby needed her space back and Emma just wanted to be able to play with whatever she wanted, her safe option was Ruby's little kitchen, anything else there was a bit of tug of way - kids! so funny!  I think another week together would have been good for them, and interesting for us to see if  they'd just give up all the resistance and just be in peace with each other over toys.

We're going back in June - so should be interesting to see then too how they interact again.  Maybe Emma will be talking more and be able to talk back to Ruby. 

Emma is 18 months

Wow, where has our baby gone??  I can't believe Emma is a year and a half old!  Time has just flown.
I held Emma in my arms like a baby and realized I have not held her that way in a LONG time! I couldn't hold her and she would not let me hold her, rather telling mommy, "WalK, WalK".  Why I capitalise the "K", Emma is in the habit of announciating her K's.  So when she wants to read a book or sees a book, she'll say BooK! 

So independent now, she tells me what she wants to do, where she wants to go, which shoes she wants to wear, and what she wants to eat.  The one day I wanted to give her fruit, she eyed these cheese puffs and insisted she have them, I tried to compromise with, "you can have after you have your fruit", but No she wanted her chips.  So I let her have her way and she had her chips, and a few chips later, she then says she wants her fruit.  At least she ate it, so I couldn't complain.
We've definitely realised that we have to give Emma time to listen to us and change her mind about certain things like giving me my purse back.  Takes a bit of persuasion and sometimes bribing, but she'll eventually do what she needs to do.
This whole discipline is scary, always wondering if what we're doing it the right way of doing things, and are we saying it right too.

Things with Emma just get more and more fun!  We can chase, hide and seek, copy movements, follow instructions.  We love to explore wherever we're walking and stop and smell the flowers along the way too.  We're at the stage where when we're walking somewhere Emma has to hold Mommy and Daddy's hands.  We love it.  And if she gives dad a kiss, she has to give mom a kiss too and vice versa.

Emma is continuing to learn new words, some words are definitely getting clearer.  Her latest words are, "all done" and "minish" for finished.  As you know we've been going to music class, and its so great to see her progress, like one week later she's doing more of the actions the songs call for.  Also in the car, I play her songs over and over, now when I look at the rear view mirror, I see Emma doing actions to the songs.

This week we're in Los Angeles.  Rod is working, and we tagged along so we could spend some time with Ruby, Kerwin and Janine.  So great seeing the girls together.  They got along pretty quickly, Ruby instantly saying I'm going to share my toys with Emma.  The sharing has been a little challenging for both of them.  Bouts of pulling and pushing, but we're getting there, and I guess it's good for them.  With all this sharing, Emma has had to say Thank you so many times, that, that word is becoming a little clearer (too me at least).  Another word Emma is using a lot this week is "share' (or so I think that is what she means) when she wants something from Ruby, which actually sounds like she is saying xie xie (shieh shieh - thank you).
Such fun seeing the girls together.

We're waiting for our 18 month check up to see how Emma is doing, but from what everyone says, she seems to be just fine!!  Definitely heavier, has her nice solid legs, round belly, round cheeks, her hands are getting big and her fingers are getting longer.  We are progressing from 14 teeth to 16 now.

This is definitely a fun time.  So much happening so quickly!  I know I've missed out on writing about other things she's doing as part of her milestones, things happen so quickly, if I don't write in my journal right away I forget.  And now I'm just too lazy to get my journal and search for each new thing she's done since last month!

Nonetheless, Emma is still the happy, just go with the flow kid (until she's tired or hungry), that brings a smile to our face all the time!

The Best Feeling in the World!

So after 5 long weeks with one week break inbetween....Rod is finally home!
Both Emma and I are glad to have daddy back home.

I don't think anything can beat the feeling of your baby running toward you to welcome you home!
Apparently her expression was that of a screaming smile!!  No squealing or shrieking this time tho.

Emma and Mr Froggie

We've been going to Music with Mar (pronounced Mer) - this music class is based on Mr Froggie.  We've been to about 5 classes now I think and Emma is really participating well.  So cute to see her get so excited and helping out.  The classes are really busy and loud, after the first class I did not think I would go back as my head was spinning.  But it's fun for the kids it seems, and that's what matters right?

Here are a few videos of her participation.

At the start of class the kids all get to play with the toy frogs.  Emma says the word Frog.

Emma loved bubbles when she was 3 months old, and now 17 months still loves bubbles.  Thats our daugther, the one shrieking, the only child shrieking!

After fun with playing with the frogs and bubbles, it's time to put the frogs away.  Before Emma would just put one frog in the case, then run back to me, or not even put a frog away just spectate from my lap.  Yesterday Emma was very enthusiastic, putting the frogs away, helping the other kids put the frogs away (more like grabbing it from the other kids), then wanting to help zip up the case.  What I find funny is the teacher said, use slow, safe feet and Emma walks/runs all over the frogs.

Time to learn about rhythm and beat with sticks, the teacher sings a song and calls each child up one at a time to fetch two sticks.   

So much more goes on in this class, couldn't capture it all, but I think you get a good idea what class is all about.  Just great seeing her enjoy class. She gets so excited when I mention we're going to see Mr Froggie.  Well, we're off to story time at the library this morning, another fun activity for Emma, and we get to see more bubbles!

Emma can Thread

With it being so cold and not quite sure if Emma is over her cold, I've been trying to find things to do with her.  I got this Lacing Beads in a Box (supposed to be one of those things you find on sale, so you buy in hopes to give it to her as a gift later), nice bright colorful shapes to thread onto a piece of string.  I  guess then I should be calling it stringing??

We started playing with this on Monday, and Emma caught on pretty quick, the only thing that put her off was the tip was too short, so mom had to come up with a solution, and used some tape to make it just a little longer.

Well this helped so much and now Emma can string on her own, so amazing to watch her catch onto things so quickly!

And they say this toy is from 3 up....pft.....haha....maybe by 3 she won't need the additional tape!
Another post from a bragging and proud mom!!  Well done Em!

Sleeping Emma

Just the other day I was saying I've never been able to take a pic of Emma sleeping as she always wakes up or moves with any sound she hears.  However today was the day I finally captured a pic.

We had gone for a walk this morning and Emma fell asleep in the stroller.  Emma has a way of falling asleep with any type of motion.  Em obviously knew I needed the exercise.   So we both benefited from this, Em gets her resting time and mom gets her "exercise".  So her naps were pushed out and she clearly wasn't sleepy even at 2pm.  Too funny, she was kicking her legs and talking away before finally falling asleep.

16 / 17 Month Update

Emma is 17 months!  It's funny that Ma Ma and Yeh Yeh always remind me of her monthly birthdays, and then I'm like shoot what has she been doing to blog about.
When I looked at Emma on the 22nd there was something different about her, despite the crusty nose (due to her first cold she just caught), she seemed to have grown an inch overnight, and by her politely pulling things from our side tables and other tables, comfortably pulling draws open and sifting through the things that are in it, confirms it.

I realise I didn't write a 16 month update, so thought I'd combine the two.  Quite a difference a month makes.

16 months was filled with lots of No, No, No's and Oh No!'s.  The No, No, No's were contagious, Ma Ma and Yeh Yeh were starting to sound like her when we would ask them a question.  And I caught myself saying it too - maybe that is where she learnt it from in the first place?  Along with "Ja".  I wondered where she learnt this from and then heard myself responding with "Ja" when asked a question.  These little things you don't realise.

Now at 17 months, everything is a stern "No!" with running away from me!  Where did she learn this from?  Seems so cheeky, but cute at the same time.
She has this way with her eyes, she'll give you this side stare and almost rolls her eyes, as if to say, you're a little crazy! Hmmm...I'm beginning to wonder if I look at people like that, if so I better change my ways! :)

We went from 9 teeth to now 14, and I learnt not to just stick my fingers in Emma's mouth to feel for teeth.  Both Em and I got a fright!  Those chompers are sharp!!!

At 16 months I was still teaching Emma how to climb down the stairs, now at 17 months, actually as from yesterday (23rd) Emma can make her way down both flights of stairs.  It's something to spectate, yesterday she was a little unsure, getting stuck on the middle platform, then today completely confident coming down saying 'Weeee!!" as she slides down on her belly.  Such a monkey!
Talking of Monkey, I now ask Emma, "Who's a monkey?" and she's respond with "Emma".

Emma's speed up the stairs has improved too - before I was able to quickly run upstairs to grab my shoes and Emma would still be at the bottom of the stairs, today I did this and as I came out the room she was almost at the top of the stairs - guess no more of doing that now!  I know my folks are cringing at the idea that I even do that.

So now Emma has caught her first little cold - little runny nose and slight cough at night.  Mothers instinct, I knew she was going to get sick after a little boy coughed over her.  Not wanting to be the paranoid mom I didn't grab Emma away for the child, instead asked Emma to move over to another piece of equipment, except she decided to stay and stare at this boy.  He coughed again and thats when I had to take her away.  And now she's sick.   I said to my sister that I wasn't given the manual nor trained to manage a sick baby, it's a little scary.  Her symptons aren't even bad, so pray for me when she's really sick.   I just hope she gets over this little cold soon, always feel so sorry for her hearing her cough.  And I think she's feeling a little cooped up, this morning after breakfast and getting dressed she asked to put her boots on and pointed to her jacket.  I asked if she wants to go out and she nodded.  Unfortunately I had to distract her with other things to keep her indoors for now. 

Emma's skills - she's improving with her ball kicking skills, only thing she never looks up, so Rod and I are always having heartattacks trying to catch her fall or just hoping she doesn't run into anything.  So weird that just when you think she's about to hit her head, she somehow manages to swoop right past and not get hurt - shew!
Same thing goes for walking backward, she walks and walks not knowing where she's going, and it's almost like she enjoys the unknown, cos as soon as she walks into the couch or the wall, she's say, "whoops" and fall on her butt.
Drawing and coloring in - subtle changes, I ask her to draw circles and she goes round and round, we're working on up and down and side to side, slowly getting the hang of it all.

I've always wondered when a baby starts to remember things.  Obviously it all starts from when she's born, but in terms of remembering names and/or saying them or times where I've said when you wake up you can play with that toy.  Well Emma seems to forget about that toy she wanted to play with before naptime, but before we went to Hong Kong we had our bathroom painted, the painter's name was John.  Emma would call him John John, well he came back in the New Year to do some other stuff around the house, and when Emma saw him, she said John John!  Now I'm encouraging Emma to learn the family's names and or "titles".

Emma's domestic skills have improved, her household duties now include dusting, sweeping, sometimes wiping the floor on hands and knees, making the bed (she especially enjoys jumping into the pillows and duvet), and cooking saying stir, stir, stir or sizzle, sizzle.

Rod's been away for a week now, two more weeks until he gets back.  So between talking to her grandparents and dad over skype, Emma has become good at giving cyber kisses (blowing kisses) and cyber hugs (wrapping her arms around herself and making hugging sounds).  I actually had to teach her how to hug me properly, when I asked for a hug she hugged me the cyber way, thats when you know you're on the computer too much.

Everyday there is always something new, something improved, this child never seizes to amaze us.  We can never get enough of her, smiles and all.  Gee 1 and a half years next month, before we know it Emma will be speaking sentences and I won't have to ask her over and over again what she's saying.  Emma will gabber away something, I have to ask her to repeat in hopes I'll understand, she'll say it exactly how she said it, but her silly mom still can't make out what she's saying.

Can't get enough of these smiles, and look at all those teeth!

Looks do change

In my mind Emma still looks the same to me as she did a few months ago.

But looking thru photos I came across this one and boy has Emma changed - so chubby and no eyes.

9 months ago.

Emma talking to Daddy on the phone

This is quite a sweet video worth sharing.

Rod is away in London for 3 weeks, so Emma started talking on my phone, saying Da-Da and chatting away (I do wonder if the high pitched voice will stick?).  It was too cute.  In this video you can see her calling her dad and talking, then showing off her skills of how she can use the iphone.  Sadly she knows how to access her favorite apps.

Emma's Words

With Emma speaking a bit more, we're asking her to repeat words we're saying.
They come out more sounding like the word, than actually pronouncing the word, it's really cute.
Goofy is Goof, Donald Duck is DoDuc, Minnie Mouse if MinnieMinnieMinnie, Mickey is Minnie too.

We reached a confusing patch when we asked Em to say the word "Please", because we've been using sign language for so long, whenever we say, "Say Please", she'll sign it.  Now with her speaking we're trying to get her to actually say the word.  Well it's a neverending, "Say Please, Emma" and she'll sign, so the other day we said, "Emma, say the WORD, Please", she signs, "Emma, use your words, say "Please"", sign again.  "Emma can you say the word?"  Emma replies with, "Word".  Almost!! haha.
Well now we have her saying "Psh", with the sign, so we've made some progress.

The other night, Emma thought it would be fun to spill/throw her food on the floor, I told her that was naughty and she must say sorry mommy.  What came out of her mouth after sounded a bit like, "I'm sorry", but saying it with gusto.  Your heart melts and you can't resist giving her hugs and kisses, but then you're wondering if you're encouraging that behaviour?

Most mornings when Em wakes up, I'll open the blinds with Em and say, "Good Morning Rustic Wood Ln" or "Jo Saan".  This morning she asked me if she could pull the blind open, by saying "Pull", then when they opened, she said "Josaan"

I know this is just the start of all the cute things that'll come out of her mouth. 

Settling back in

Just when I caught up with all the laundry, cleaned the floors, made our meals, it’s time to do it all over again!  Vicious vicious cycle!

We’re home two weeks now and pretty much back on track, mainly talking about Emma’s sleep schedule!  I got to live my/our ideal schedule for just one week.  I think it had a lot to do with jetlag, but our little Emma was going to bed at 7/7:30pm, waking at 8am and taking one nap a day for 3 – 4 hours.  I thought it was too good to be true,  just as I was getting used to this, and thinking of all the things I could do while she’s asleep (laundry, cleaning floors, catching up on my blog), she decided to wake again at 5am, resist her naps until 12pm and then only nap for an hour to an hour and a half.  What fun!

Emma got so used to sleeping in our arms, in the stroller, in the car, in our bed, I always had to be in the room for her to fall asleep, so has taken some readjusting to falling asleep on her own, in her crib.  We still have tears before bed, but she’s at least not crying for as long as she used to.  Sometimes I wonder if I’m the only mother that lets her child cry it out so often!?

Thankfully we have had some mornings of sleeping in, which always come as a surprise, and I’ll gladly take those whenever she allows.  I just need to be ready to use the time wisely.

The weather has been freezing, so we’re cooped up indoors most of the time, we do trips out to the mall when we can to play at the kidzone there, go to music class when naps allow, otherwise I have to try think of things to do around the house.  Being home must seem so boring to Em now, after everything she saw in  Hong Kong, the hustle and bustle of people and cars. She got to experience every mode of transport possible, plane, bus, train, plane, boat and taxi.  In Emma’s eyes she probably thinks of  Hong Kong as dirty and disgusting (that’s due to us continuously telling her not to touch things on the bus, wanting to press elevator buttons etc) a place where there are lots of people like mommy and daddy (quite funny when I asked her to go to daddy, she had to stop in her tracks and look at everyone before spotting her dad).  A place where she got to eat so many Cha Sui Bow (steamed roast pork dumplings), yummy mein, chicken drumsticks and egg rolls (the family were amazed at her appetite and how clean she would clean a mini chicken drumstick).  And a place where she got so spoilt with gifts and love from the family.   Thank you to the Fok Family for spoiling Emma and us so! 

Yesterday (actually now a few days ago) I attempted finger painting with Emma.  I didn’t have paint, but I read somewhere to use flour, water and food coloring.  Em kept saying draw, draw, draw so I’m trying to make my concoctions of Red, Yellow, Blue as quickly as possible before the interest dies.  I obviously didn’t play the entire thing out in my mind, as I didn’t think of an apron.  So I quickly had to think and decided to use a big plastic bag, cut a hole for the head and arms, and voila we have an apron.  Well Emma did not take to this lightly, fussing when I tried to put the bag over her head.  After a while I gave up and thought about what I was doing….I’m telling my child it’s okay to put a plastic bag over her head.  Hmm…not such a good idea, so I managed to find a plastic bib, turned up the heat, took off Emma’s layers, rolled up her sleeves, covered her pants with a  towel….goodness, what a paranoid mother.   All this for Emma to say, No, No, No, No, No when I tried to show her how to paint! Ahhh!!!!  Come on Em, it’s fun I say….dipping my finger in the “paint” and stroking the paper with my finger, which left shivers going up and down my spine, like scratching your nails down a chalkboard.  I hide this and just smile and say, “Look it’s so much fun!” , instead of stroking now, I make dots with my fingers….this seems to grab Em’s interest and she sticks her fingers in the paint and starts “painting”.  Special special moments!!!

Emma’s work of art (looks a bit like she used ketchup and mustard to paint!).

This is just one of the things we’re doing to keep busy in this cold weather.

After our two week vacation it has good to be home.  We realise how spoilt we are with living space, how many things we have in our house that probably aren’t needed, or aren’t that important, and also how you’re able to make do with the few things you might have.  We obviously miss the family, that goes without saying.  We were spoilt with being cooked for, for two weeks, that I’ve found it hard to find the energy to make a meal for us – opting for left overs, or the easiest meal to cook.  I blame jetleg, which sadly I’ve gotten over and now have no excuse. 

Red, Yellow, Blue

Emma surprised me this morning.  While eating breakfast, Emma was playing with her stacking cups and out of the blue, she pointed out the colors and identified them!  I was stunned, this was not something I had done with her recently, or made an effort to teach as yet.  I guess without realising I do label the colors when she plays with the cups, and she plays with her toys that name colors too help.

So proud of my little girl.  Growing up way too fast!

Surprisingly when I pulled out the camera to try recapture the moment, Emma was able to somewhat reenact the moment.  It's funny though, most of the time, I'll ask Emma to repeat a word I say and she pronounces it the way it's meant to be said, but when you ask her to say it again, she can't or won't.

Happy New Year

Probably the most emotional time of the year for me, reflecting on what has passed, and anxious about what lies ahead!

Just 15 minutes to the New Year!

Despite our jetlag, we're drinking some bubbly and waiting to see the New Year in, watching Backstreet Boys and New Kids on the Block performing on Dick Clarks New Year Rockin Eve.  Takes us back in time a bit!!

What a whirlwind year it seems, most of it taken up watching our little Emma grow!  Nonetheless it's been an awesome year and so much to be thankful for!!

Thank you Emma for being in our lives and bringing happiness that we never knew existed.  Thank you Rod for being the wonderful, caring and supportive husband you always are.  I couldn't ask for more!! 

Can't wait for 2011 to see what else is in store for us as a family!

Happy New Year all!  Thinking of all our family and friends afar, we miss you all!

Merry Christmas!!

My first pull case

Merry Christmas everyone!!  Or maybe Merry belated Christmas!
The most wonderful time of the year has come and gone already.
We hope you all have a wonderful day spoiling each other with gifts and just enjoying time with each other.

We're still in Hong Kong and for Christmas we just spent a chilled day at home, later with a bit of shopping and then feasting on some South African meat and Hong Kong Turkey.  One things for sure on this vacation we have really eaten well.  We have had alot of home cooking, which has been superb.  Rod's family are excellent cooks, the variety and effort, definitly better than eating out at restaurants.  We're also eating our fair share of sushi and baked cakes.....not having it so readily available and affordable in NC, we're really pigging out. 



The malls always have some cute christmas displays



family pic - we'll eventually get a pic with everyone in it

 Emma has been so spoilt by all the family as you can all imagine.  For most of the vacation she has been refusing to give certain family members hugs and kisses, and the only time she gave or gives them is when she gets something, so obvisouly today everyone got hugs and kisses.
 

Emma has really gotten to know the family members, it's been great seeing her enjoy her Ma Ma and Yeh Yeh, actually she calls them and asks to be picked up.  Of course they don't refuse, they're loving her so much.  Emma loves her Tai Ma Ma, doesn't enjoy being carried by her, but will give hugs and kisses and play peek a boo with her.

So an update on our Disney visit.  In short, Emma LOVED it!!!  (Rod and I laughed, that we came all the way to Hong Kong to go to Disney, when we have one just an hours flight away.)  The excitement started as we walked in and she saw a bubble machine, Emma saw this and got so excited, running thru the bubbles.  After bubbles, came Mickey and Minnie, somehow Emma calls them Poo...as in Pooh Bear - every disney character is Poo to Em.  Then there were balloons (ball), Emma loves balloons....there  was just so much for her to see and take in, we left her to walk around a bit and just enjoy it.  It was so cute watching her walk with her hands behind her back, or swaying them back and forth, like such a big girl.

Before her afternoon nap we squeezed in as much as we could for Emma to experience.  Her favorite ride was the Cinderella Carousel, after the first ride, she did not want  to get off, wrapped her feet around the horse and didn't want to let go.  We were hoping to get Emma to ride on Dumbo, but the wait was 40 - 50 minutes, couldn't put Emma through waiting that long.  This trip Emma has adjusted so well to napping in our arms and in the stroller, so we were lucky she took an hour and a half nap in the stroller to wake up and enjoy a bit more of Disney, unfortunately though, she missed out on the parade.  

Emma's encounter with Pooh Bear - I wasn't sure about this.  Just before we left for Hong Kong, we thought we could get a picture of Emma with Santa Claus.   Thinking I had gotten her used to the man, talking about him and pointing him out at the mall, I thought we were set.  When we were next to him she went crazy, I have never had Emma cling onto me so tight, even after walking away to the other end of the store, when we walked back in the direction of Santa, Emma started moaning, No, No, No, No, No!  Anyways, we were walking around the character greeting area at Disney and came across Tigger, it just happened that Tigger was leaving and Pooh Bear was arriving in 5 minutes, so we were second in line and waited for him  When he finally arrived, Emma just wanted to run toward Pooh.  I had to hold her back so that the kids in front could have their photo taken, she couldn't wait.  Eventually it was her turn and Emma started to walk/run toward Pooh, very excited, however when he approached her she darted for Mommy and put her head between my legs.  After picking her up she felt more secure and touched Pooh and waved to him.  I was so surprised how much she liked him, except when he tried to hold her.  It was a funfilled day - definitely different to two years when we didn't have a baby in tow.  Travelling with baby in utero was definitely easier, but experiencing all this with Emma has been priceless.  And to think it's only going to get better to see Emma's appreciation for these kind of things - or so I hope.  

I've uploaded a few videos of Emma at Disney.  More photos of our trip will be posted soon, after I've gotten some shut eye and filled up on more yummy goods.

5 more days left of our vacation here, we're going to make the most of it.  Until then, enjoy the rest of your holidays!       

We're in Hong Kong

 

 We're finally in Hong Kong on our first family vacation.  I say first because this time the three of us are travelling to and from our international destination together.  I was dreading the flight to Hong Kong, wondering how we were going manage all the hand luggage, going through security, the huge car seat, installing and uninstalling, not being able to wheel the car seat down the aisles of the plane, and taking the wheeling attachement off and on the car seat.  But it all ended up going very smoothly, as though we were seasoned travellers :p.  Phew!

Then the flying was another dread - how would Emma handle 20 odd hours of airplane travel.  Turned out that Emma napped the entire leg from Raleigh to Newark, this coincided with her midmorning nap.  The 16 hour flight from Newark to Hong Kong wasn't easy, but Emma did really well considering, napping about 8 hours of the 16 hours, being entertained by the handset and tv screen in front of her.  All the books and toys we brought along (even though new) were declined.  Sleep was hard for her with all the noises, lights and people around her, when we finally got her to sleep, we made a little tent for her to keep it nice and dark for her.

I must say I was so happy we took the huge car seat with us, made travelling sooooo much easier and comfortable. 

Now we're spending loads of time with Rod's family and trying to get Emma over the jetlag.  It's been a rough few nights/mornings, but I think we're on track now.  Poor baby.  So many changes, she must wonder why we walk everyone and has not once had to sit in her car seat.  

We've been eating delicious family meals at Debbie Koo-Che's house, everyone taking time out of their busy schedules to all be together.  It's been wonderful family time.  Really special seeing Emma with her Tai Ma Ma (Great Grandmother) - the happiness on her face is priceless.  She did comment that she loves holding Emma, but she does wish she weren't as heavy.

Emma is loving the attention from everyone.  She has her moments of not wanting to go to certain people, still warming up.  The first night we arrived, she was already giving everyone hugs.  When Ma Ma and Yeh Yeh arrived, she just sat and stared at them.  Must have been weird for her to see them in real life, and not on skype.  For us, of course we're enjoying seeing Emma being loved by everyone, making up for the missed out family time.  It's great having free hands too.

Still more to look forward to, will update about the rest of our trip later.  We're off to Disney tomorrow, not too sure that Emma will get as excited about the real Pooh Bear....it's going to be interesting.

Until then.....

Farewell Kiara

Today I had to say Goodbye to my beautiful Kiara. 10 good years of loyalty and companionship.
I do regret that fact that the past 5 years I had not been around to look after her, but my dad did an awesome job, along with mom, Shan, Nix, Charm, actually everyone in the family.

Kiara was a wonderful dog, still a puppy dog in my eyes after 10 yeares. I always wanted a Labrador, and when my gran had a contact of a breeder I quickly went to see the litter and picked out Kiara, the one with the pink nose. Such a sweet pup. I think I did about a year of training and from that she was such a good listener and pretty well behaved.  Taking her on playdates, giving her the best food, my family thought I was nuts!

I missed her already from being far away, and knowing that I'll never seen her again when I visit SA hurts!
I know she's in a better place now and no longer suffering.

Kiara, thank you for being the best dog for me! You'll always be my special pup.

Rest in Peace.

So that is what a tantrum is all about

Today I can say I truely experienced a tantrum!  I was the mom that couldn't control the screams of her baby while shopping at Target.  It's funny how you feel everyone is looking at you and judging you.  You wonder if they're sympathising with you, or just shaking their heads and thinking, poor child, not poor mom, but poor child!

What I've learnt from this, firstly, never buy a christmas gift for your baby while your baby is with you, two, there is nothing you can do to control the tantrum so just carry on doing what you're doing and hold on tight to your baby so she doesn't fall out your arms or cart!!!

Goodness...I never thought Emma was capable of such, horribleness.

It all started when Emma woke up later than normal, 7am!  Which meant that she wouldn't need her 9am nap and would probably just do one nap.  So at 9am I decided to quickly run out to Target, get the few things that I needed, we also just received the holiday catalogue and saw a toy that I've been eyeing for Emma and thought I'd go check it out again and possibly buy it for her.

Emma started getting a little antsy in the shopping cart, but I gave her a few distractions which seemed to work.  We then got to the toy section and I picked up the item that I wanted to buy for her, Zany Zoo activity block.  She saw it and wanted to play with it, now this is quite a big item, so I let her touch it a bit and wanted to put it in the cart.  She didn't like this idea.  The moaning started.  Trying to explain that we had to pay for the item first, and I would let her play with it later didn't go down too well.  Moans turned into kicking and screaming in the cart, which forced me to carry her, in hopes she'll get distracted with pushing the cart, which she normally likes.  This did not work!

Get to the check out counter, unload everything except the toy.Still kicks and screams, eventually I let her stand in the cart so she could play with the toy, then it was a big smile and laughing and shrieking!
But now we had to scan the item and the barcode is right at the bottom which meant I had to take the toy out the cart.  Obviously Emma did not approve of it and held onto the toy not wanting me to take it out.
I picked Emma up kicking and screaming and tried to lift the toy, and very politely asked the cashier to please help me lift the toy so she could scan the barcode, instead I got this blank stare and the cashier just stood there.  So I pushed the cart around to the lady, but she still stood there! Ugh, really!
This did not help in anyway, after much deliberation she eventually caught on and scanned the item!

I could not put Emma in the cart to stand by the toy and play as my other shopping items were in there too, and who knows in America if you'd be fined for not sercurely strapping your child in the shopping cart if I let her stand.  So there I was walking out of Target with one hand pushing the cart, and the other hand holding my tantruming child like a Rugby Ball!
Despite all that I could't help but smile, as there was really nothing I could do.

Thats not all.....I packed everything into the car and tried to put Emma in her car seat, she wanted nothing to do with this, pushing herself out the chair, sliding down so I couldn't secure the straps, after several attempts and still not losing my cool (which I'm pretty proud about), I decided to give up and just let Emma play with the darn toy for a few minutes.   I placed the toy next to the car and let her stand there and play.  All smiles again, as tho none of the above just happened, I cannot believe the change in mood!  But as you can imagine it didn't take the normal few minutes of play for her to be happy and move on.  She just did not want to let go of this item.
Well I couldn't just stand in the parking lot and let my child play, so embraced myself and just fought with poor Emma to get back into her seat.  The crying carried on and on, all the way home!

We get home, and the screams have died down, I take Emma out her chair, get her all excited that she can now play with her new toy for as long as she likes.  She stands buy it, plays for a minute, runs away and moves onto something else and does not touch the darn toy again that day!  Seriously!!!???

Do I take it back now?

Leaf Raking

Overnight all the leaves had fallen and left our garden covered, so Rod thought he'd tackle the raking this morning.  Gave Em the opportunity to play amongst the leaves, I actually didn't realise that Emma has not yet played nor walked on grass (we're either indoors, or else walking on mulch at playgrounds). She was not too fond of it, almost shivering when she first stepped on it.  However seeing daddy raking gave her incentive to cross the garden and see what he was doing, no sooner she was asking for the rake so she could lend a helping hand, still a little wary of the grass and leaves.  Got a few cute shots of her, I always find it so hard to select just a few!

about to help dad

this is fun

whoops, don't let me fall on the grass

trying to compress the leaves

my job is done!