Exploring Our Children’s Potentials

[The sun sets everyday, but a new day filled with new hopes begins the next day. Photo was taken at Siloso Beach, via iphone]

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I have been wanting to write this post for the longest time.

But each time I wanted to sit and pen down my thoughts, there seemed to be 1001 other things that I felt I needed to do.

Perhaps it’s my mind’s way of avoiding something.

This is one tough post to write. And I really don’t know how to start.

Umm. Okay.

Let me try. .

(I think it’ll be a rather long post. Hope you’re willing to sit and read for a while)

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Some of you may know that my hubby has been traveling overseas for business, since the beginning of last year. He flies back to Singapore every weekend to be with us, and flies overseas again on Monday or Tuesday morning. It’s been like this, every week.

Last year was a tough year for our family, because we had to be away from each other so much.

Hubby and I struggled day in and day out, in our own areas of responsibilities.

In two different countries.

Last year was especially challenging because it was the year when I was pregnant and had a newborn baby Brie too. It was also the year when Anya entered Primary One.

The coaching, sending and picking up from school, managing our home and housework, handling the day to day activities, dealing with tantrums and attitudes, while being heavily pregnant and then caring for a small baby.

Frankly, now, when I look back, I can’t quite imagine how I managed to get through the whole of last year.

All I know, we did sail through it all. And hey, we did have fun too along the way! =)

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Many did ask, ‘How did you do it?’.

Well, frankly though, there’s no straight answer.

I only know of these TWO things:

1. I know I would NOT be able to cope one single day with three kids and no helper / family support and my hubby being here only over the weekend, IF I were to depend on my own strength and capability. It’s a tough reality and I’m definitely not a super woman!

2. I know I sailed through only because of God’s grace, mercy and strength. Everyday, I humbly asked God to give me the needed strength, patience and endurance that’s enough for me to go through the day, and HE did give what I needed.

[Spending my days and growing up with Daddy? Yes please! Here is 3-year-old Vai hand in hand with Daddy at VivoCity, back in 2009]
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It took us one whole year of praying and really seeking after God’s will. Do the kids and I stay here while Daddy continues to travel in and out of Singapore? Or perhaps, we should move and stay together as a family?

I guess, like most people, I personally prefer to stay in my comfort zone. I prefer familiarity. I’m settled here in Singapore. I’ve built my home, my family, friends and community here. From zero. I like things the way it is.

The question is: Is it all about me and what ‘I’ want?

Could there be wonderful and bigger plans ahead of us that we’re not yet aware of, waiting to unfold, when we ourselves are willing to ‘enter the unknown’?

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We have recently come to a decision.

And, we have chosen to stay together as a family.

Yes, I’d like to stay put, but given the option, I much prefer to stick together, and face challenges TOGETHER. To be with each other in whichever country God wants us to be.

Anyway, my hubby and I also believe that God’s plans are always good for those who place their trust in Him. We also believe that if we ourselves are willing, God can use our family as a blessing too in our new place, new community, new surroundings.

(It won’t be easy for sure. And we know we’ll need to go through a whole lot of learning journeys ahead!)

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PHEW.

There. I’ve finally managed to pen down our family’s big adventure!

[We shared with the kids our plans from day 1. Together with them, we prayed and asked for God to clearly show us what HE wanted us to do. When we finally decided to move, Anya drew this, the surrounding of her home in Jakarta]

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So where is this city we’ll be heading out to next?

It’s JAKARTA!

Yep, the city where I was born and raised for over a decade.

And, errr … it’s been TWENTY TWO years since I last lived there, so ummm, yep, it’ll be an adventure alright, adjusting to life WITH THREE KIDDOS there this time round! =)

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When are we leaving?

Eeeks, … in three-and-a-half weeks!!

(I’m still trying to get the idea to sink in my head that our little family will start a whole new adventure in a different country in less than a month!)

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Am I sad? Am I excited?

I DEFINITELY am missing Singapore already!

I can’t help but feel sad about leaving Singapore!

Career, marriage, friendships, children, and millions of other memories were built right here in Singapore!

Thinking about leaving my home, my friends, my neighbourhood, and everything already makes my heart ache and feeling all emotional! SO, I’ve been trying to not think about it much all this while, and just face the fact when the day comes! I’m sure I’ll look like a wreck at the airport! *Arrrrgghhh*

On the other hand though, I am also excited about the new adventure our family will be having together in Jakarta! I know, it’s a HUGE move for us! Lots of adjustments too! Imagine ME, driving the 3 kids around in the jam-packed streets of Jakarta! And btw, the last time I drove a car was back in Australia, THIRTEEN years ago!

(Oh btw, there are also other big plans that I’ll be doing in Jakarta this year! Am super excited about those as well!)

Ah. It’s a weird mixture of feelings, really!!

[Anya’s drawing of our new home in Jakarta]

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Anyway, I’ll sure keep on blogging away! Hope you’ll continue to follow our family’s big adventure in the city of Jakarta! =)

(Most welcome to follow my daily updates and add me on Facebook and follow me on Twitter!

And Jakarta oh Jakarta, … hope you’ll welcome our little family there! =)

*Okay, I think I need to get back to spring cleaning and packing our stuff. Have a wonderful weekend, everyone!*

Okay.

Check this out.

Someone pointed out this newspaper advertisement to me earlier today (Thanks heaps, Liz!) and told me how she spotted two familiar faces, right in the middle of the main photo in the full-paged advertisement on The Star, a Malaysian newspaper.

My oh my!

I think I KNOW these two children!

I went to check out the company’s main website, and YES, I also spotted the same advertisement there, and this time, in full colour!

Those two happy kids seemingly enjoying their time in Disneyland sure looked familiar!

And, it really looked like this photo of Anya and Vai taken by me at Marina Bay, no??

[My blog post dated 19 July 2010]

Just in case you’re wondering, no, I did NOT know anything about the advertisement nor any campaigns arranged by a Malaysian Travel company where my two children appeared to happily participate in.

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Some people may say, “Wooo … how nice! Your kids appeared in a Malaysian newspaper!! It’s free advertising!”

The question is, should we feel happy that our kids appear on a Malaysian newspaper?

Well, frankly I don’t feel that way.

I don’t think it’s a ‘privilege’ nor a ‘legally approved’ action when a big corporation uses a photo, taken off the internet, for their COMMERCIAL use, WITHOUT the photo owner’s permission.

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Now some others may think, ‘But your photos are online, and people can freely use them, right?”

Errr, no.

Especially NOT when you’re making money / profits from the use of the photo!

I know we are now living in a digital era where photos are shared on the internet. And I know ‘anybody’ can easily grab any photos posted online too.

BUT, really, does it mean it’s okay to do so?

To me, asking for a permission before using someone’s belonging is just plain courtesy.

(I’m not too fussed if say, I discover someone is using my photo for a personal school assignment. Still, please do ask for my permission yeah. I’m sure it’s not too hard to drop me an email? I love reading emails sent by readers of this blog and those who feel my photos can somewhat be useful for their projects … )

Anyway.

I’m really not happy with what’s been done by the company (or its advertising agency).

And to think that they most likely make millions of dollars every year and yet they disregard ‘copyright issues’ when they’re attempting to make another million is just disturbing.

Here’s what I think.

I don’t think it’s right. It’s not fair. And I really don’t think it’s legal.

Question is, can I really do anything about it?

We have heard about it.

We have watched glimpses of it from across the river.

And today, we finally managed to watch it live, right in front of it.

It’s the Light and Water Show at Marina Bay Sands.

A FREE event held daily!

And it’s NICE!

Love the Singapore city skyline backdrop and the combination of lights, music, bubbles, fire, laser and water!

And when we were there, the nice evening breeze and having my loved ones with me made it all even much nicer!!

[Kids waiting for the bubbles to fly towards them! =) ]

Now.

If you’re thinking of catching the show (You should! =), here are the show times :

Sunday to Thursday
8pm AND 9.30pm

Friday and Saturday
8pm, 9:30pm AND 11pm
The free show is held daily, if weather permits.

Take loads of photos while you’re there yeah1 =)

Regardless of our children’s age, the reality is, our children ALWAYS look at what we do, and hear what we say, … about them, and about others.

Now the question is, how do WE live our lives everyday?

How have WE spent our days with others and with our own family, including our little ones?

Here’s an inspirational poem I’d like to share with you today.

Have a blessed Sunday, everyone.

…
When you thought I wasn’t looking,
I saw you hang up my first painting on the refrigerator, and I wanted to paint another one.

When you thought I wasn’t looking,
I saw you feed a stray cat, and I thought it was good to be kind to animals.

When you thought I wasn’t looking,
I saw you make my favourite cake for me, and I knew that little things are special things.

When you thought I wasn’t looking,
I heard you say a prayer, and I believed there is a God I could always talk to.

When you thought I wasn’t looking,
I felt you kiss me goodnight, and I felt loved.

When you thought I wasn’t looking,
I saw that you cared, and I wanted to be everything that I could be.

When you thought I wasn’t looking,
I LOOKED… and wanted to say thanks for all the things I saw when you thought I wasn’t looking.

…

Author: Unknown

[Brie is now 8.5 months old and is 8.9 kg]

I thought I should keep these shots on my blog so our little family could look back one day, years from today, and remember how it was like watching Brie learn to balance herself everyday =)

One of her exciting milestones yet again.

Since about two weeks ago, she’s been holding onto something, pulling herself up, letting go off her hold, and just … standing and wobbling, all on her own.

And of course, falling back on her buttocks seconds later, hehe.

[Loveee Brie’s cute outfit from petiteberries.com =)]

It started with a one-second standing stunt.

Then it lasted for three seconds.

And by now, she can balance herself and stand all on her own for about 15-20 seconds.

Whoopee!! =)

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If you’ve just started visiting my blog in recent years, I guess you haven’t seen this shot of Vai? =)

He was around Brie’s age in this photo! Close to turning 9 months.

He too started to stand up on his own when he was around 8 months old!

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Hmm, interesting isn’t it, how the world’s influential leaders, the best athletes, the fastest swimmers, and millions other people started life exactly like THIS?

Little feet, short legs, wobbling, standing, with both arms stretched outwards =)

One’s growing up journey never fails to amaze me.

I’m grateful that I can be there to watch these little (yet big!) milestones.

While at the same time am reminded yet again how God creates us all with so much potentials. And how we should never look down on anyone, simply because they are still little, still incapable, today.

When it comes to babies and their food, I’m sure most moms have questions, lots of questions!

Like,

When should I introduce solids to my baby?

How many times a day should my baby eat?

Should I buy those ready-made baby food in jars sold at supermarkets, or should I make my own homemade food?

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All my three kids started their solids when they were about 5.5 months old. All started with 2-3 spoonsfuls of very runny rice cereals, once a day.

When I had my first child, Anya, I was totally clueless about making own baby food though!

I heard how friends prepared home-made baby food, but somehow I just had NO idea what to do. They fed their babies porridge, but at the time, I didn’t know where to start or how. It might sound weird, but really, everything just sounded so foreign, and … difficult?

So, guess what?

Till Anya was about 11 months, she either had bananas, rice cereals, or jarred baby food! Really!!

When I had my second child, Vai, I learned how a small blender made baby-food-preparation SO much faster and easier! Vai had a mix of home-made baby food, rice cereals and ready-made baby food in jars.

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Things were a little more familiar when I had my third baby! =)

Again, thanks to my old little blender, Brie has been eating pureed fruits, vegetables, brown rice, etc.

Yes, I’ve been making baby food at home! *Yay!*

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Personally, I’m not against those ready-made baby food in jars. They’re fine for babies, very practical to bring with us when we’re out and about. But, they ARE costly.

So, for our case right now, if we need to leave home in a hurry, or when I don’t know how long I’ll be out and about, I usually just bring along some rice cereal in a small Tupperware container. I’d then just add water, and voila, I have baby food! Sometimes I bring along a banana too (Brie’s favourite!)

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If you are like me when I had Anya, feeling clueless about what to feed your baby, I just want to say, you are NOT alone! =)

But today, I’d also like to say that making our own baby food IS possible, and it’s not at all complicated.

It’s so much more economical to prepare our own baby food too!

[Mashed banana for breakfast. These bowl and spoon are made of corn, btw! Click HERE to read more about Dandelion Tableware!]

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Here are some tips and info on making our own baby food:

> Steam to soften food, making it easier to chew. Minimise boiling as more vitamins and minerals are lost when prepared this way.

> A small blender really saves your time and energy in food preparation.

> To make your baby food more runny, use plain water, or better still, pour some of the water left from steaming the food earlier into the blender.

[Steamed carrot pieces, ready inside a blender]

> Often, there’s no need to prepare separate meals for your baby. Simply put aside portions of your adult food (before we add seasonings to it), then grind/mash/use a blender, according to the ‘stage appropriate’ texture for your baby.

(I do sometimes just steam sweet potatoes or carrots separately, meant just for Brie)

> No need to add salt or sugar.

Click HERE to read more on why it’s not recommended.

[Petite Creation Baby cubes, 4oz / 140ml]

> Make batches of baby food at a time, and pour the cooked / pureed food into an ice cube tray (good idea to cover with cling film) or baby cubes (see picture above). Then freeze them.

> If you use an ice cube tray, it’s recommended to remove frozen food cubes from the tray and store in air-tight freezer bags.

> Homemade baby foods can be safely kept frozen for three months (but I usually prepare just enough to last for about 3-4 days)

> To slowly thaw, place frozen baby food (enough for a day) in the refrigerator. Usually it’ll thaw in about 4-5 hours.

> If you use a microwave to thaw or warm baby food, make sure you stir the food well and test its temperature before feeding to baby.

> Once thawed, do not re-freeze.

> If you do not plan to freeze your homemade baby food, you may want to consider preparing your puree every 1 – 2 days.

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Now I wonder, how is / was it for your children?

Did you prepare home-made baby food, or did you mostly feed ready-made baby food in jars?

Please also share more practical tips on baby food making and preparations yeah!

[Petite Creation Baby Cubes, 70 ml. The ‘mark’ helps in letting us know how much to put inside. As you can see, there’s ‘too much’ carrot puree here =) ]

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Here’s one great news:
To help moms in their baby-food and baby-feeding journey, we’ll be giving away bowls, plates and baby cubes, thanks to Doolbydoo.com!

And, we’ll be randomly selecting EIGHT giveaway winners!!

Here’s what you need to do :

1. ‘LIKE’ Our Everyday Things Facebook Page, if you haven’t done so =)

2. ‘LIKE’ Doolbydoo Facebook Page

3. Share this giveaway post on Facebook or Twitter

4. Leave a comment here on this post, and share your baby feeding story or baby food preparation tips!

Also, let us know which one (out of the four options) you’d like to win!

Here are the 4 items to choose from:

a) Dandelion’s Corn Bowls (2 pack)

b) Dandelion’s Corn Divided Plates

c) Petite Creation Baby Cubes (8 x 70ml)

d) Petite Creation Baby Cubes (4 x 140 ml)

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Open to those with Singapore mailing addresses, and contest ends on Thursday, 9 Feb, 11.59pm, SG time.

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Enjoy this week’s giveaway, and I really look forward to hearing YOUR baby feeding stories and tips!

And, have a great week ahead, everyone!

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[added on 12 February 2012]

Here are the eight winners of the giveaway!!

Ready?

Here they are:

1. Sofia’s Mummy
2. Bazilah Mohamad Yusof
3. Daniel
4. Jay
5. Dina
6. Debbie G
7. Nic Wong
8. San

CONGRATS to all eight winners!! You all have won a prize from Doolbydoo.com!

And, HUGE thanks to all of you too who participated in the giveaway and shared your useful tips and stories / experiences!

More giveaways coming soon! Do check my blog out often! =)

PS: Dear winners, please claim your prizes by sending your mailing address to me within 48 hours yeah!

Email: leonny[at]oureverydaythings[dot]com

[Anya, the firstborn, is 7 years and 11 months; Brie, the lastborn, is 8.5 months old today]

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We see things, and we tend to compare, don’t we?

But when it comes to raising our children, this is something that we parents should remind ourselves to NOT do.

AVOID. COMPARISONS.

Of course this is easier said than done. It’s hard to do in day-to-day living.

But really, let’s be aware of the famous words, ‘Why aren’t you like your brother/sister/cousin/friend?’

Obviously, one child is NOT like his or her brother/sister/cousin/friend.

Such remarks are damaging.

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[Inspired by Dr. Kevin Leman’s book – The Birth Order Book]

“If I had my child to raise all over again,

I’d build self-esteem first, and the house later.

I’d finger-paint more, and point the finger less.

I would do less correcting and more connecting.

I’d take my eyes off my watch, and watch with my eyes.

I’d take more hikes and fly more kites.

I’d stop playing serious, and seriously play.

I would run through more fields and gaze at more stars.

I’d do more hugging and less tugging.“

– Diane Loomans

I see my three children growing up way TOO fast.

And I know how there’s NO way to turn back time.

So everyday, I tell myself this:

Treasure what I have with me,

And remember, to do things WITH them TODAY, everyday.

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PS: I’ve been really busy lately. Like, really REALLY busy, every single day.
(Will share with you more about that next week yeah)