Exploring Our Children’s Potentials

Now that Anya is in Primary One, she recites the Singapore National Pledge together with the other students at her school everyday, before they all go to class.

[And as they recite the Pledge, they’d place their clenched their right fists on the left side of their chests]

And the other day, she showed me how she could recite the Pledge in her own ‘fast forward’ version! =)

This is a video I recently shared on Youtube, where she did two versions : The Pledge in Normal Speed, and in Fast-Forward!

Click the image above (or THIS LINK) to watch the clip! =)

(See if you could recite the Pledge even faster than her, hehe. My attempts are still unsuccessful, btw =)

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Here are the words of the Singapore National Pledge:

We, the citizens of Singapore,
pledge ourselves as one united people,
regardless of race, language or religion,
to build a democratic society
based on justice and equality
so as to achieve happiness, prosperity and
progress for our nation.

One of the things that I notice recently is that Vai has started to draw and scribble much more frequently.

You see, he HAS been scribbling since he was much younger, but I somehow can see more ‘decipherable and recognisable’ scribbles from him lately.

Like the one above, for example.

It was a picture of a shepherd and his sheep, he said.

And when I saw it, I thought to myself, hey I COULD see that it kinda resembled a shepherd (especially obvious from the shepherd’s stick in his hand), and the creature next to him DID look like an animal of some sort (Vai did the curls on the sheep)

It was a nice improvement to how he would’ve drawn ‘a shepherd and a sheep’ a few months back.

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You see, our 4.5yo little guy is not like his older sister who has shown her interest in scribbling and drawing at a much younger age (ie. before she was 2yo).

At 4.5yo, I know she was able to do more complex and ‘recognisable’ drawings too than what the little brother could.

But.

When I looked at this drawing above, I was again reminded of how every child is unique and special in his/her own way. And how as a parent, I need to always remember to NOT expect a sibling to be, to develop or to perform like his/her siblings (To not expect a child to be like any others too, basically)

And.

I do thank today’s digital technology that enables me to ‘keep’ and treasure simple little sketches like the above (ie. photos of what the kids drew and made, instead of collecting too many little pieces of paper around our little home)

Because I sure would like to remember this phase of Vai’s development.

The phase when his strokes and scribbles are still like this.

Simple. Yet, special in his own unique way.

Anya will be 7 years old in 3 weeks time!

*how time flies!*

And, since I know for a fact that my memory gets a little worse by the year, I think I better write some updates on her and how she’s doing so far. Here goes.

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> She is detailed and relatively responsible when given a task, eg. school homework or project. She’d write all the details in her school diary and tell me all about it when I pick her up from school.

She’d study for her tests (at least a day before) and complete all her homework.

[I still need to remind her to study for her tests, but I don’t need to repeat myself much at all]

[This was one Sunday School project she happily completed. She wrote and drew on the cover of the notebook, and gave it to her school friend]

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> She’s more of a perfectionist

She’ll be very happy when she’s made no mistakes in her tests / homework, and she’ll point it out and sound a little sad when she gets 19 out of 20.

This btw, is one interesting thing that we notice about her.

Because Wilson and I never teach nor insinuate that getting the most ‘stars’, or achieving the BEST scores or marks is what we expect of our children.

We DO teach her to give and do her best in everything though. To work on things or to complete tasks as if she’s doing it for God, and not because someone’s watching/ overseeing her / giving approvals or ‘stars’ to what she does.

So, in response to her ‘perfectionist tendency’, I generally remind her that to us (and God), what matters most is she’s given her best. And IF giving to her best capability means not getting any ‘stars’ at all, we are totally okay with it.

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[Interesting scribbles, notes and drawings I often find around our house]

> She’s still into drawing and writing.

> Lately she’s more into the story of ‘Beauty and the Beast’ and ‘Rapunzel’ (the movie) than any other characters.

> She likes to tell us stories (she’d create the storyline as she goes along). She’d say something like, ‘Mommy, as I shower, can I tell you a story? The title is The Girl who Loves Sports So Much’

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> She’s an inquisitive girl who’s eager to know more about the world around her. She’s curious and she’d ask questions, detailed questions.

She’s not easily satisfied too. She’d ask MORE questions to find out more specific explanations / reasons behind certain happenings or facts.

On this one, when we happen to NOT know the answers to our kids’ questions, we’d usually tell them the truth. The same goes if we’re not too sure about something. Personally, I believe it’s better to be frank and to show them that we too are still learning a lot about many things in life. That although we don’t know about everything, we can always try to find out and learn together.

[When I don’t know about something, I often say, ‘Let’s ask Daddy later, may be he knows!’ =) ]

And oh, I sometimes tell my kids that one day, they most probably know so much more than we do, and we’re the ones who need to learn a lot from them =)

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> She likes to do role plays with Vai where she’s the teacher and Vai is the student. She’d create a simple set of ‘homework’ for him to do, and happily mark his work afterwards.

> She’s all giggly and playful when she’s with those she’s comfortable with, but she’s someone who needs time to warm up to new friends (preferring to stay quiet and distanced at first).

> She often offers her help in the kitchen (eg. cutting / washing the vegetables, washing and cooking the rice)

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> She’s lost four baby teeth so far (one more coming soon! There’s another wobbly one on top!)

> She doesn’t like sweets, chocolates, or cakes (unless it’s banana or butter cake, she says!)

> > She’s more of a melancholic girl, who can sulk and go to her room when she’s unhappy about something

> She sometimes sleep-talks at night, or wakes up crying (but remembers none of the bad-dream episodes the next morning)

> She loves the beach and sand-play

> She looks forward to her weekly swimming lessons

> She’s somehow not (yet) interested in learning how to ride a two-wheel bike

> She’s about 21kg and 115cm tall

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We love you, Anya.

And we thank God for you.

Okay. That’s our chubby little Vai when he was 9 months old.

Yes, he was into climbing and exploring things way before he could even stand without holding anything (let alone, walk!)

And he managed to climb our gate before he turned one.

And. This is him doing the ‘cliffhanger’ style.

He was 1 year and 7 months old at the time (ie. 19 months old).

AND. This is Vai last Sunday!

He officially turns 4.5yo next week, and oh well … looks like some things don’t quite change over the years =)

We love you, little guy!

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Btw, I shared some tips on How to Encourage Large Motor Skills last year.

Click HERE to have a read yeah!

Okay. This may not be a topic that I usually write about, BUT it sure is something that I’d like to share with you today.

Because,

… I know many of my readers have blogs too (and you can benefit from what I’m going to share with you)

… If you are a busy parent, you probably often access the internet from your mobile phone, eg. while you’re outside and are waiting for something, or when you’re waiting for the kids to sleep and you’d like browse the internet at the same time (like what I often do at home =)

So.

First thing first.

Do you own a Nokia phone?

If you do, you definitely MUST read on! =)

Last month I went to this ‘Nuffnang-Nokia Ovi Blogger Workshop’ at Suntec to find out more about how I could publish my blog as a mobile application (Yes, my blog as a MOBILE APP!)

Anya insisted on coming along and she did stick to her promise. She quietly sat next to me throughout the workshop, drawing and writing a story on a piece of paper. She was officially the youngest student in class that night, hehe.

And that night I found out that creating your very own Mobile Application for your blog on Nokia Ovi Store is simple and FREE!

The step-by-step instructions are straight forward (ie. Nokia’s Ovi App Wizard), and really, anyone can do it. Even if you’re totally not familiar with anything geeky!

Anyway.

There are TWO main things that I’d like to share with you today:

1. How to Create Your Mobile App and Publish your Blog on Nokia Ovi Store *So you can reach out to millions of potential readers who are Nokia users as well*

2. How to Download Our Everyday Things onto your Nokia mobile phone! *So you can updates on my blog while you’re on the go! Hehe*

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Here’s the first one: How to Put and Publish your Blog on Nokia Ovi Store

1) Go to this site : http://appwizard.ovi.com/web_nokia/signIn.jsp

2) Enter the URL of your web content feed

(Basically as long as the website has a valid RSS or Atom Feed, you can simply enter your website address and click PREVIEW)

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3) Customise your application (ie. insert your icons or logo)

Tips:

– Prepare a 256×256 pixel image (PNG/GIF/JPG format) as your app logo

– Prepare a 360×60 pixel image (PNG/GIF/JPG format) as a header image

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4) Register an Ovi App Wizard Account (You’d need to fill up some details. Just follow their clear instructions)

Btw, you’ll then pass this stage too where it asks if you’d like to ‘monetize’ your application with advertising (I chose to SKIP the advertising part)

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5) Enter your publishing information and logo

(Tips: For KEYWORDS, use words that closely describe your site, so it’ll be easier for people to search your site)

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6) Submit your information to Nokia Ovi Store

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This Application Wizard allows you to double check everything again, btw.

I’d personally recommend that you go through the images and info you entered again (as your Final Review) before finally clicking SUBMIT.

g) Finally, verify your OVI Application wizard account via your email

And that is it!

Tips:
Don’t WAIT in front of your computer for Nokia to approve your application as it may take up to 24 hours for them to get back to you =)

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And this is how Our Everyday Things look like on my own mobile phone screen!

[Yes yes, I know, I’m still using Nokia E63, and it’s not too ‘compatible’ for such mobile apps. It’ll sure be much better if you’re using Nokia N8, eg.]

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Btw, do UPLOAD and SHARE your apps here >> http://www.nuffnang.com.sg/nokia-ovi/

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And finally, if you have a Nokia mobile phone, please DOWNLOAD Our Everyday Things, yes? =)

Here’s how:

1) Click this link: http://store.ovi.com/content/82319

2) Select your mobile phone

3) REGISTER (if haven’t already) or simply, SIGN IN

4) Once you’re done, you’ll see this page, and simply DOWNLOAD the application!

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Errrr … and oneeeee last request, please? =)

Don’t forget to share Our Everyday Things’ Nokia mobile app with your friends as well, yeah!

Towards the bottom right, you can see SEND TO FRIEND.

Simply click, and fill up the info, and that’s it! =)

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Time to go and check it out yourself!!

Thanks everyone!

It was raining heavily at Orchard area (and many other parts of Singapore) that late afternoon.

But the kids so looked forward to their beach play.

So, despite the dark clouds we saw at HarbourFront area, I went ahead and bought bus tickets to go to Sentosa.

If it rained hard later on, then we could always hang out somewhere at Sentosa’s Beach Station.

But if it drizzled, the kids could still have their water-play fun, I thought.

And.

We’re SO glad that we made that decision to go anyway.

Because the weather was BEAUTIFUL at Sentosa!

NO rain whatsoever!

It was a nice late afternoon spent by the beach for us.

Note: Hardly anyone was around when we got there (because it was still very cloudy), but soon after that, the late afternoon sun started shining and LOTS of people started coming and enjoying themselves! =)

[Am now 24 weeks pregnant]

A reader recently emailed and asked me about my POST-NATAL plans.

She’s also a pregnant mother and she asked if I’ll be having confinement food and engage a confinement nanny after baby no. 3 is born.

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Btw, to those who’re not familiar with what ‘confinement food and nanny’ is (more commonly practiced by Chinese families), here’s a quick description:

Confinement Nanny / babysitter is someone who either stays at your place or comes from 9am – 6pm each day for one month (depending on the agreed arrangement you have with her). Typically, she’d cook traditional confinement food for the mother. She’d help with the mother’s and baby’s laundry and care for the baby too (bathing, getting baby to sleep, etc).

During the one month Confinement Period, the mother is well taken care of, and eats confinement food. Her strength is supposed to be ‘replenished’ to prevent future ailments like premature ageing or rheumatism.

Certain ingredients are typically used in preparing her confinement food (eg. ginger, rice wine, red dates). It’s believed to help boost the body’s vitality, as well as milk production.

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[Baby Anya at 3 weeks and 4 weeks old]

And here’s roughly my reply:

– No, we won’t be having any confinement nanny. I didn’t engage one when I had Anya and Vai, and I don’t plan to have one when baby no.3 is born.

– I did get help from my family’s long-time maid though. She’s worked for our family in Jakarta for at least 25 years, and we flew her here to help me. She stayed with us for one whole month. During this time, either my mom or my mother-in-law was around too. Then whoever’s still in Singapore at the end of that one month would fly back to Jakarta with the maid. After that, it’s back to me, hubby and the kids =)

I’ll be having similar arrangements when baby no. 3 is born sometime at the end of May! =)

– During that one month, our maid will help with the housework and cooking. She’ll go to the markets and do the grocery too. The newborn baby will be cared for completely by me though (Left Photo: Bathing baby Vai who’s 2 weeks old at the time)

It’s my personal preference, I guess. As I adjust to life with a newborn baby, I definitely need extra help with housework and cooking, and that’s where our maid’s help is greatly appreciated. At times, she’d also keep the older kids company (eg. play ball with them, accompany them to the playground, etc)

– As for confinement food, well … frankly, I’ve never liked the taste of it =) So, instead of eating ‘confinement food’, I usually eat lots of soupy stuff (eg. chicken soup), fish, meat and vegetables. Basically, any usual food that we’d eat that’s considered ‘healthy’ (ie. home-made meals, with no MSG, and not much fats or oil). And, I drank lots of milk (fresh milk, soya milk, etc).

I was blessed to have had sufficient breastmilk after I delivered both Anya and Vai. They were exclusively breastfed for 5.5months (ie. until they started eating solids). Anya was breastfed till she’s about 13 months, and Vai was breastfed till he’s about 22 months.

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Here’s one more typical post-natal question I get:

Do you shower after delivery? Or do you stick with the ‘no-shower-for-40-days’ belief?

Yes, I DID shower after I gave birth =)

When Anya was born, I waited till the 5th day. By then my hair felt so oily, and my body felt uncomfortably sticky, and I just HAD to shower. So I did.

When Vai was born, I showered as soon as I reached home from the hospital, which was the 2nd day after I delivered. And, I plan to do the same when baby no.3 is born.

A few things I’d personally do before and after I shower:

– Switch off all air-con, close all windows and doors to prevent any wind / cool air from entering the bathroom.

– Use a hair-dryer to completely dry my hair afterwards

– Wear socks, long pants and long-sleeved top

You see, I did feel a little ‘cold’ after I showered (ie. that 1st shower after I delivered). But when I got all dried up and warmly wrapped up afterwards, it was all fine. It’s so good to feel all clean and fresh!

(I guess, the ‘cold after-effect’ is the very reason why the traditional Chinese believed in NO shower for the first 40 days? ie. because the mother’s body is still regaining strength, etc)

[Taken in September 2006: Anya was 2.5yo, and Vai was 3 weeks old]

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Anyway, that’s what I personally believe in. And I must say, what works for me may not work for you and your family.

And, I believe every family is unique. If you’re planning on what you’ll be doing after you deliver your baby, I hope you find the arrangements that work best for you, your baby and your family.

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As for me, when baby no. 3 arrives some 3.5 months from today, I’m sure my first few days and months will be filled with joy, laughters, tears and all sorts of interesting ups and downs.

Yes, there are SO many things that I don’t know about the future.

But here’s one thing I’m very sure of.

If God has chosen to entrust us with these little ones, HE will surely give me the needed strength to go through everything that’s ahead of us too.

And I’m so thankful for that.

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Click HERE to read Baby no. 3 Weekly Pregnancy Journal!

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Btw, what’s your view on Confinement Period and Confinement Nanny? How about the ‘No-shower-for-40-days’ practice?

They may not always be the best of friends.

At times, they refuse to share.

And they speak in unfriendly tones too.

But.

I thank God for I can see how their relationship grows.

They’d look out for one another. They’d hold each other’s hands when they walk.

And I hope and pray that our family bond gets stronger, especially when another little one joins us. Real soon.