ET Phones Home

We are a movie loving family. Daddy and I used to go for late night movies very often (pre keri time). ANd even now, we still watch lots of DVDs. And we love watching replays of our favourite shows. We made efforts to catch replays of some classics on HBO. And some time back, we managed to catch ET- The extra Terrestrial again together with Marshy after so many years.



If you have watched ET before, you'd be familiar with the following scenes when ET was wrapped in a towel.

And guess what did I see when I was tucking you in that night?

Did they say role playing is one of the most important kinds of imaginative play for toddlers? Well, you definitely excel in this area.

You wrapped yourself up in your blue blanket and sat very still for a long time -pretending to be ET.

Finally you turned and looked up at me and said: Mama, Baby Phones Home!

Twenty-One and Counting

It's strange where time goes. Tell me it's just not me. Oh time, please slow down. Marshy is celebrating TWENTY ONE months old. I thank my lucky star s that it's not 21 years old. I havn't have enough of you, my baby.

I love seeing you sing, dance and read and do so many fun and exciting things. You are speaking so well these days. Mostly intelligible and holding conversations with me. In your own time, baby.

You amazed us with your learning capability. You count your numbers, sing the lyrics of all the songs you love, you demonstrated how well you know your phonics by singing the ABC song from A-Z and you even recognised all the shapes from your toy box.- Circle/ square/ Triangle/ Oval/ diamond.......I am proud that you are learning well but nothing beats the way you curl your fat little fingers around mine. The way you break into the most cheeky of smiles. The way you say- I love you , mama in the most melodious voice and kissed and kissed and kissed me. On my left cheek, on my right cheek and on my lips.

You made me faint with love 21 months ago. You still do.

Stay happy, keep dancing, baby. Happy twenty one months old!

20 Months Ago

You have been revisiting your 'old' toys recently. And this day, you decided you wanted to get into your exersaucer which you had outgrown for many months. And I feel you are just alittle too big for it. But what Keri wants, Keri gets. So in you go and we all had a good laugh about it. You looked hmmm.. out of place. But you were unfazed. And played in your long forgotten toy for a good hour and refused to come out.

But amidst all the laughter, I got abit teary eyed. I cant stand it when you grow up so darn fast.

OMG! Look at your chubby arms!

I think you are growing up to be a pixie than a princess. That's fine with me. You inspire me endlessly as I now see the world through your eyes.

Our Time has come

Too many scattered thoughts and too little time. But I am sneaking some time here for the below post. I want to remember this.

I have been intending to blog about the spendid times we had at "Our Time". And yes! We had started another term with Kindermusik's "Our Time" program some weeks back. And you are really enjoying yourself silly there. You love the songs and kept asking for the songs to be played over and over again in my car. And most amazingly, you are engaging in pretend play at home. You'd pretend to be the teacher and I am the baby in the class. This is what you 'd do many times a day:

You grabbed a ball and my hand and said to me: Mama, sit! Roll ball to you!

I would catch the ball and rolled it back to you . And you catch it and said : 'Thank you' while signing it as well!

After some ball rolling, you picked up the ball and say: 'Bye bye, ball! and put the ball away.

Next, you sit with your legs folded and started to sing the Hello song in"Our Time"! Haha! You rocked, you clapped and you sang-OUR TIME...OUR TIME..... Loud and clear, squeling in delight.


Then you took out your musical instruments - drums and bells and flutes and passed me one. And you started saying: "Tap, tap and tap and STOP!!!! Ssshhhhhhhh!" while putting a finger to your lips. Then you turned to me with a cheeky grin and shouted: " CHANGE!" and exchange the instruments with me! Then we had a round of exchanges of instruments before you put them away again.


Then at times, you would hop on to my laps for a donkey ride once you hear the Donkey Song. And to everybody's amusement, you can sing the song really well.

" Sweetly sings the donkey at the break of day"
If you do not feed him, this is what he'll say"
"Hee-haw Hee-haw hee-haw hee-haw"

I watched you grin and sing it over and over again with pleasure- you made the song sound like the greatest hit of all times.

I couldn't stop smiling and couldn't be more happy seeing you happy.

It 's Finally Over

After more than a year of merry time with Teacher Angel, we had finally graduated with much joy and pride from 'The Village'. All the babies have have come into their own and moving on. Now at 18th months old, it's time for us to move on too.

It was here we met and still keeping some wonderful friendships. This fellowship of babies and mummies has turned out to be one of the best things in my mommyhood journey. This wonderful group of first time mommies. We double date. We share notes. We meet and talk and laugh. And best of all, we love all the babies.

It is with a tinge of regret that we had to miss your last Thursday lesson as you were not well. But it was a blessing we got to end your 'Village 'with your chummy friend- Trudy on a make up class. We started and ended Village's with her and Auntie Lina.

Life is really like a box of chocolates, you never know what you 'll get!

Trudy receiving her certificate from Teacher Angel.

Marshy taking a bow after receiving her certificate.

Scrutinising her certificate.

Kissing 'The Village' Good Bye.

My last certificate for 'The Village'

THANK YOU, Miss Angel! You are really an Angel!

More of Marshy!

You are coming into your own now. Still my fun loving Marshy. You love having fun and are blessing Daddy and I with your continuous peals of merry laughter.

We are on a constant diet of chuckles, giggles and tickles. We love the tickle monster game. I would carry you and say: I am hungry. Can mommy eats you? And you would shake your head vigorously and go: No no no! and I would pretend to eat you by planting many many kisses all over you . You love it and we laugh and laugh and laugh.

You are always trying to make us laugh. It is always immensely amusing to see you groove, dance and sing. You show us your pig pig face by scrunching your pretty face together and raise your eyebrows like the calbury's advertisement with a cheeky grin.

My world comes to a standstill when you laugh. Your expansive and infectious laughter.

This is the little girl my heart beats for.


My mischievous little girl.

This what you learnt at Zoophonics: A-ll-i-gator.... Aihhh

Getting ready to be tickled!

Words I say

Hi, wanna talk?

I am all ready to talk!

Come on! Dont be shy!

oops... Did I talk too much?

I was so caught up typing away when you came up to me. Face still flushed and tapped my arm to get my attention and said: MaMa, moo moo cheezeeeee.

You wanted your Laughing Cow Cheese.

These days, you talk and talk and talk. Excitedly all the time. The way u babble talking in exclamation marks, punctuated with peals of silver laughter.

And you say these word in the cutest way with your signature glow on your face :

1. Hop

2. PoPo

3. jiejie

4. YeeMa

5. Gorgor

6. Dad

7. Star

8. moon

9. Nenee (Barney)

10. Bop (Baby Bop)

11. work
12. gonggong

13. Bye

14. Hi

15. Five

16. kitty

17. mom

18. shoes
19. socks

20. gaigai

21. ball
22. no no no

23. bear bear
24. mouse (mickey)

25. bread

26.eat

27. yes

28. do re mi

29.cat

30. meow

31. dog

32. bubble

33. please

34. one

35. two

36. three

37. soup

38. hot

39. auntie

40.MINE

41. duck

42 Momo (elmo)

43. Big bird

44. walk

45. Spid ( spider)

46. Flour (flower)

47. me

48. jump

50. fff (fish)

51. milk

52. oh oh (is this a word?)

53. sleep

54. bu yao'- dont want in Chinese
55. Nana (banana)

56. Sits

57. Flap Flap

58. Horse

59. Yeeyee

60. play

61 balloon
62. press

63 peekboo (peekaboo)

64. nice

65 .wave

66. tap

67. No more

68. cheers

69. thanks

70. take

71. where

72. Goal!

73. four

74. roll
75. BGee (BJ)
76. DuoDuo (greatgrandmother)

77. I luv u

78. k (Ok)

79 Yang (sayang)

80. up
81. down

82. high

83. car

84. don't

85. C U (see you)

86. Ba (bus)

87. spoil

88. shame shame

89. Kiwi (her own NAME-Keri)
90. fine

91. bird

92 stickers
93.books

94 apples

95. hug
96. moomoo cheeze

97. chair

98. what?
99. pop

100. catch
101 books

102. sure

103. orange

104. pink

105. Ma Ma

106. play!

107. bowl

108. eye

109.nose

110. ear

111. face

112 mow- mouth

113. tee- teeth

114. hand

115. beat

116. knock

117. more

118. draw
119. blue
120. read

121. sun

You are definitely talking more than that. You make us laugh even when you sleep because sometimes you forgot to stop talking. Some mornings, you start blabbering even before you open your sleepy eyes.

Talk, baby. Keep Talking. Mummy is listening.

Every word is magic. Every milestone is a miracle.

Life is a Marshy Bubble bath

In the adventure, there is bath time. It's always great to find something to entertain you. And of course, which baby isnt in love with bubbles? You love bath time. YOu love bubbles.

On this warm Sunday afternoon, Daddy and I decided to let you have your first bubble bath. Oh.. it's a baby's life....

For the record, you can say "Bubble" very well.

Bubble......bubble.......bubble......

Talk to Me!

27th Oct 2009 Tuesday

Today, we attended a music trial lesson at the newly open Staccato together with Trudy and Victoria. The lesson was alright, pretty similar to what we are doing at kindermusik but using classical music instead. Oh yes, they have the flashcards too. I guess it is the 'IN' thing to do with kids now. Anyway, it is just another music lesson and as usual you girls enjoyed yourselves

Recently, i observed that you have move on from parallel play to wanting to true playing with your friends. Caught you trying to 'talk' to your friends on many occasions and wanting to have more interactions. But at this stage, you are a rotten sharer and scream at the drop of a hat. But you tried to 'exchange' toys with your friends many times.( I shall blog about you and your tantrum in another entry). I am rather surprised on your social development because I read that children between 1 and 2 years will engage in something known as "parallel play," which means they'll play side by side with another child but not really interact (other than to grab a toy). True playing, where kids will engage in an activity with another child (like playing house or a game of chase) doesn't start until around 2 years. And until about 3 years, don't expect your child to have a deep understanding of sharing.


In another words, you are moving forward in your emotional and social development slightly faster. But at the same time, I was wondering is this the consequence of being too bored and lonely at home and having no one except me and only me to talk to all the time. You have always been a sociable baby. Maybe you are desperate to interact with the rest of the world. That is why you are initiating the conversations in your baby language with your friends. You are also holding conversations with me now. You would come and stand infront of me and blabber (as if you are asking a question) and I would answer and you would reply. We can go on and 'talk' for some time before you walk away happily. Oh yes, the time you 'talk' on the phone is also longer now.


My marshmellow practising her notes- Do-do-do-do, Re-re-re-re, Mi-mi-mi-miiiiiiii

HaHa... I can sing!

Trudy and Marsh sharing a toy!

Playing happily together (for a while)

What? Time to go?

Baby Steps

10th Sept 2009 Thursday

I have been wondering to myself when will you start to walk unsupported. You had been standing up unsupported for some time but have yet to make the first steps. Then today during your kindermusik lesson, you decided to finally take your very first baby steps!!! Wow!!! I was delighted but I tried not to make a big fuss over it. This is so cool!! I didnt manage to capture this moment on camera as no photo taking is allowed in class. But this precious moment has already been registered in my mind and I will remember this moment for the rest of my life.

After your first attempt in walking today, there is no turning back. Now you want to walk everywhere. It is a joy watching you walk and flap your hands like a penguin trying to balance yourself. I love holding your small chubby hand and walk side by side with you. I love it when you walk towards me and leaped forward to give me a hug while giggling away. I love you. I love you. I feel so blessed to be able to witness your first steps. I wouldnt want to miss this for anything in the world. Thank you my baby!

Baby Steps

Monday 17th AUgust 2009

Today we went to Changi Beach again. I love this place. But instead of sitting down to watch the sunset, you want to come down and walk. Guess you want to explore mummy's favourite place on your feet....

Graduation Day

13th August 2009

Today is our third graduation Day with Kindermusik. You had completed 3 terms- Zoom Buggy, Dream Pillow and Cock-a-Doodle-Moo. How time flies!

Thank you Teacher Angel!

I was talking to Auntie Stephie during class and came to realise that we had completed 3 terms. That means- 8weeks per term x 3 terms= 6 months! That is like half of your one earthly year! Wow....

Toddler Hood

Ta! Da! Welcome to toddler hood, darling! I woke up and turned to look at you. Besides the fact that I am now officially the mother of a toddler, life still goes on as usual.

But you are slowly proving me wrong. You are living the fact that you had bloomed from babyhood into a toddler by becoming more independent.

I don't know if it is coincidental or what. But you refused to let me hold your bottle since you turned one. I mean, you already know how to hold your milk bottle since you were like 6 or 7 months old but you were not consistent and always let go when I want to take over. But since you tuned one, you hold on to your bottle fiercely till you are done and refused to let anybody hold for you.

And I have to mention that you are one smart baby. Whenever I pass you your milk bottle, you will try to touch the bottle and ensure it is not too hot before you take over. When you were younger, I always urge you to move on to the next step: flipping, crawling, clapping, waving. Now that you are becoming more independent, I'd give anything to roll them back a bit and constantly wonder where the past year went. Anyway, I am just glad I am here to witness your developments and I am going to ensure that I shall savour every future little step you take. They will be gone too soon. Too too soon.

Look Who is Talking?

I have been wanting to record this but keep forgetting. You have always been a talkative and interactive baby. You started to jabber since you were like two or three months old. And you started to say PaPa to the delight of your most favourite person when you were 6 months old. Then you proceeded to say mama, bird, tap, bread, popo.....

And when you turned 9 months old, you started calling your daddy- DAD. Yeah, you would go: Dad, Dad, Dad.... You never fail to greet him every morning when you wake up or when he comes home from work. You would point at him with your forefinger and say: Dad. This never fail to melt his heart every time!

You also started calling me : Mom. But you dont call me readily or spontaneously. You would only call out to me: "Mom" when you want me. Alot of people are surprised that you dont call me mama or mummy but 'Mom'. yeah. I told them that you are my little maid.

You love to imitate our activities. When you see us on the phone, you would pretend to put your hand to your ear and blabber non stop. And recently you have started to talk on the phone. Haha.... You would grab my handphone at every opportunity and press the redial button..

I caught you many times talking non stop on my handphone. I thought you were just pretending but then I realised you actually pressed the redial button and started to talk to the other party. You would smile and laugh and go ehhehhhehhh for the longest time. Most of the time, you will call your grandmother or auntie G. And you guys can be on the phone for like 20 mins???? And that day, I met my friend and she was like: your daughter called me the other day to chat. Ummm...excuse me.. my 11 months daughter called you on the phone to chat? Now I cant help wondering who else has she called to chat??

And sometimes when I asked you to pass the phone back to me, you would shake your head and put your forefinger to your lips and ask me to sshhhh. OMG! You mimic us subconsciously. You learn through observation and repetition. These behaviours are passed to you unconsciously through our repeated behaviour. I really have to demonstrate the right values I expect of you by living it out myself.

Oh yes, this is unbelievable but you started indicating your wants and nos since you were like 2 months old? Your grandmother and I would asked you if you want your milk and you would go ehhehhehh upon hearing that. And sometimes you would shake your head to say no. In fact you shake your head quite often and I got concerned because I never see young babies shaking their heads before. I know I am paranoid but I started linking shaking heads with fits. But after some research, I realised that babies shake their head to show their displeasure like when they feel cold or uncomfortable. This is very true for you. You would normally shake your head besides telling us that you are full and also when you are sleepy.

YOu are one baby who is not afraid to indicate your preference.

And your grandmother is very proud that she managed to diaper train you when you were 2 months old. Every morning before your bath, she would put you on the bed and unfasten your diaper. Then she would say : Mmmmmp.....mmmmmmmp...mmmppp. And strange enough, you learned to pick up this cue and poo! So every time when we go mmmmp.... you would spontaneously start to try. You would try till your whole face turned red. So you were considered diaper trained when you were 2 months old!

You are just one incredible baby who never fail to amaze me with your developments every month. Will blog more of your little steps taken and milestones soon.

Making Music

You have a new hobby- blowing the trumpet. You seem to love to learn how to use the different musical instruments. I guess you pick up this from kindermusik. You mastered blowing the trumpet last weekend. Your dad was showing you how to blow into the trumpet and you took a try and voila! And everyone clapped for you.

SO now you are hooked. And you will stop each time to make sure we clap together with you. So cute..