Small Talk

Teacher: "Who is this?"
Peanut: "My brother"
Teacher: "What is his name?"
Peanut: "Didi"
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Security guard, Tiru teasing Peanut: "Can I take your brother home?"
Peanut: "No, he is mama['s] son."
Tiru: "What about you?"
Peanut: "No, I'm papa['s] son."
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Just before bedtime.

Mama: "Let's go to bed."
Peanut: "No, there's a monster inside the room."
Mama: "But you are the monster."
Peanut: "No, I'm Chen Yi."
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Peanut's Dream talk

From infant to 19 m.o : "eh .... er...erm"
20 m.o: "No no no"
24 m.o: "No auntie, no auntie"
2.5 y.o: "I don't want auntie. Don't want"
3 y.o minus one month: "I don't want to drink this. This is yours, mama."

Quite apart from the advancement in language skills, can't help but notice the consistent "NO" theme. The other day, my sister reminded me of how 18 m.o. Peanut couldn't say "Yes" nor was he capable of nodding his head to indicate "yes". Instead, for the longest time (until he was past 2), he would slowly bow from his waist - just like how a Japanese would greet another Japanese - except that it is done with his face looking up at you as if he has a stiff neck. It takes a lot of physical effort, literally, for my Peanut to say 'yes'; trust me, I'm not exaggerating. I wish I have a photo to show; it was really hilarious.

The Farm

28 July 2008

Peanuts was so excited about the trip. From the moment he arrived at school this morning, his standard greeting to every teacher was, "I'm going to the farm." And every other 3 minutes or so, he would ask, "Where's the bus, mama?" Am I glad that I didn't tell him about the trip until the night before, just when he was going to bed.

On the bus, I learned from his Teacher Vivien (a student attachee from the polytechnic) that he had made repeated requests for her to play "Old McDonald's" on her guitar and happily sang along, choosing each farm animal at the appropriate pauses.

It was only when we arrived at our destination that I realised we were visiting a koi farm! I should have known better. What farms can I expect in urban Singapore, except for vegetables and chickens?? Luckily there was a special programme for school kids - (a) a show and touch of white mice, gerbils, hamsters and rabbits and (b) a feeding session where the kids are allowed to hand feed rabbits, chickens, goose and of course, koi. Phew! Though that didn't stop Peanuts from asking a couple of times (which was totally reasonable and manageable), "Where is the cow? Where is the pig?". Lesson learned - never forget to manage a young child's expectations.

Four Firsts for Sweet Potato

20 July 2008 - First haircut ... and mama brought me to EC House ($10 cut in less than 10 mins). I had no idea what was coming and was happily rocking to the music. Then the lady began the torture with the electric shaver. Believe me, I cried so hard that no one, not even mama, could pacify me. Bet you I even frightened the adults in the queue. Mama forgot all about her plans to take 'after' photo and had to scramble out as I was beyond consolation at the end of the ordeal. Almost forgot to add ... first time I see Auntie Wati in a dress.

13 July 2008 - First Unaided Climb + bonus first taste of beef pie ... at Starbucks

13 July 2008 - First Independent Steps ... at Botanic Gardens

18 May 2008 - First Four Teeth ... mama forgot to take a photo of me with just my first tooth.

RSAF Open House

31 Aug 2008

I made his day, with the help of someone above who made sure that it rained intermittently and with logistics support from indulgent family members (my mum and sister) and domestic helper in tow - who walked through mud, braved the crowd, carried umbrellas, stroller, camera and a sleeping Sweet Potato (who as usual slept through most part of the adventure).

To be sure, this is a day which goes down in history as THE DAY for each of us as we make our first visit to a RSAF Open House. Ah, but there has been many firsts - like the first visit we made to SAM (Singapore Art Museum) by the same people except that I carried Sweet Potato in my womb then. It is fascinating how having a child made such enormous differences in our lives and made us do things which we (certainly the case for my mum and my domestic helper) may not get to do, want to do or even think of doing.

Just for the records, there was an amazing array of display of fighter jets, F16s, Apaches, Chinooks, armoured tanks, helicopters and of course endless queues of adults and children waiting to get into each.

The Pianist

A private (and, may I add, talented) performance by Sweet Potato in pyjamas ... urged on by an enthusiastic Wati .. accompanied by singing from his grandaunt ... and captured by a proud mother.