C is for Chocolates

This was funny and I think I had better put in an entry for this.

Last Thursday, mummy was reading with you the phonics book which you really enjoyed for the past few evenings. For letter 'A', it goes like this:

Alex is very angry
as there are ants on his apple
and when he wiped them off, the ants crawled up his ankles
So he went a..a...a...a..a...

Mummy was feeling extremely tired and could hardly opened her eyes. While you were looking intently at the book, mummy told daddy very softly to get a piece of Royce chocolate from the fridge, hoping it could reinvigorate myself. Yes, excuse!Then we continued reading.
When Daddy came back, you turned around and said 'Daddy chocolates?' We were really stunned and little did we realise you actually eavesdropped our conversation. You were not convinced even when Daddy said they were no chocolates. I quickly took the chocolates and popped into my mouth. Daddy showed you his bare hands and you went "There!!". There was a light chocolate smudge on his finger. Silly girl.

When too much of it is a problem...

We know too much television is no good for you, so we don't switch on the TV once we are back home.

We know too much glucose will turn you hyper, so we give you occasional treats.

We know too much reprimanding will diminish a child's self esteem, so we are always mindful of that.

But what happens when you are too friendly at times to stranger and make too much comments?

We really have no clue now. But the last thing we want is to raise a kid who only dares to speak up after class, a kid who has no opinion of her own, a kid who loses her individuality. Well, we will see how.

Daddy....where are you?

Mummy loves to see moments like this when you play with Daddy and calls out for him. For most times, you are always commanding him with instructions like "Daddy make milk!', "Daddy keep", "Daddy switch on lights". On some days, you rejected Daddy totally and asked him to "go away". That's really not nice darling. You need to grow out of this phase. But on Sunday morning, a sweet surprise from you. When mummy brought you out for a playground/bubble blowing session, you suddenly remembered Daddy's absence and said "Let's go back. Daddy upstairs!" That's really sweet of you, little girl. I am sure at your subconscious level, you value Daddy's presence and so does mummy :-)

Me aloof?

Since young, a few of mummy's friends have commented that you look rather standoffish and cold for a baby. Maybe because you do look rather serious and pensive at times. Anyway, there is also this smiley and cheeky side of you that is so adorable. Here are some pictures that mummy loves.

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.

Dearest Phoebe, this morning was a harrowing one as you threw a crying fit. I remember as I held you in my arms while you struggled and cry, I felt fear. Contrary to the title of my blog, one of Daddy's biggest fear as a parent is inadequacy. I think I can vouch the same for Mummy. There's always this fear of whether we are doing enough or are we doing the right thing as parents. The worse thing about parenting is probably not knowing whether you have done the right thing until the child (you!!!) grows up.
As you continued your angry fit on the floor, I watched over you until Mummy was available to calm you down (Thank U, Mummy!). I thought about my fears and also yours. You were probably expressing your fears and frustration as any child would. There are no hard and fast answers to our own fears most of the time, the only thing I can say to that is fear not and let your light shine through!
Marianne Williamson wrote "Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us....And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."
Phoebe, fear not about inadequacy or of the unknown, love and trust yourself enough to overcome them. I am also learning to love and trust myself more each day to be a better parent. Be good and smile pretty. Daddy dearest.

Artist @Work II?

Mummy and Daddy were so proud of this drawing which you did all by yourself. The intensity and concentration which you put into this activity was awesome. When we showed to Nai Nai on Saturday, she was impressed too. Good job, darling!

Celebrating 33

This is the first year that we celebrated on the actual day as a family. Although mummy had to fall sick on this day, all of us enjoyed ourselves. You were very well-behaved and seemed to have a really good time. Seeing how you swaggered yourself in town and the beautiful smiles on your face as you sat on the "Thomas and Friends" ride was the best present that mummy could ever ask for. Of course, one present is never enough and mummy must also thank daddy for the SKI II products :-)

Mummy has two birthday wishes; one is for you to be happily settled down in childcare soon and another is for you to grow up to be a healthy and well-adjusted individual wherever you go.