Testing Limit

Qi Ning is at the stage where she is testing her limit. For the past few days, she has been trying to get away from sitting on her carseat, she will only want to sit on her carseat at the starting point i.e our home. Once we stopped anywhere and return to the car, she will not want to sit in her carseat anymore. She will cry and stiffen her body so it is hard to buckle her in. Initially I didn't realise that she was testing her limit. Because the time when she started it was during the carolling time, I thought she was being fussy due to her tiredness. She was asking for her nen nen and it was past her bedtime. So I let her, took her off her carseat and nurse her.
At first I didn't think much of it till Boxing day when we go out for breakfast with Wai Khan Ah Yee. After the breakfast, she refused to sit in her carseat again, crying loudly, it still didn't dawn on me that she is asserting her "right" not to sit in the carseat. She was crying so loud, mummy give in agian as it was near her morning nap time. She usually want to nurse before she sleeps.
Then in the afternoon, after her morning nap, daddy took us to Tesco and he went to work in church. Qi Ning and I had a good time shopping and eating ice-cream (strawberry and mongo flovour, two scoops) from Baskin Robbin. After daddy finished his work, he came to look for us in Tesco and we had lunch at the laksa place in Tesco. After lunch, we head home. this time round when Qi Ning refused to sit in her carseat, mummy suddenly wise up, realising that she is trying to test how serious we are in her having to sit in her carseat. And the incident below take place.

Mummy: "Qi Ning you must sit on your own seat."
Qi Ning: "er er er (her way of saying "no" crying and wailing loudly in the car,we are still at the carpark)
Mummy: "Sit, Qi Ning, or mummy smack."
Qi ning was stiffening her body so is hard to get her to sit, she just slide down.
Mummy give Qi Ning a light smack on the leg and she relax and ast on her carseat, but still crying.
Mummy: "Put your hand through, mummy want to buckle up" Qi Ning unwillingly let mummy buckle her in the carseat.
Qi Ning: "Wao wao wao..". (crying away). Mummy turn a deaf ear to her cries. Few minutes later, no more crying!

The above incidents repeated for two more time after mummy wise up and didn't give in. Last night, she tried agin after a farewell dinner with uncle Pey Hock & family (they are migrating to Melbourne) at IOI Mall. Again she was smack by mummy then only decided to sit in her carseat.
I think she knows now that mummy is boss when it come to carseat, so she better listens. Today, when I bring her to office, she "guai guai" (obediently) let me buckle her in her carseat, no single protest at all. Hopefully it will be a bliss from now on!

Yeah, I finally climbed up the stairs!

Qi Ning has been wanting to climb the stairs for quite sometime. I actually let her try climbing the stairs quite sometime back, but papa think that is not a good idea so I stop that for quite a while already. I put a safety gate at the bottom of the staircase when she starts walking at 12 mths. She was ok with that arrangement till about two weeks ago. She insist on climbing the stairs. She will tug at the safety gate and gesture to us she want to goes up. So this mummy will happilly teach her how to go up the staircase. She is very happy when she is allowed to climb up the stairs. I notice that when she reached the top, she will clap her hand as if to say "yeah, I make it to the top!" Is such a joy to see her grow each day.
I dunno who teach her to circle like a ballerina, but when you say "Qi Ning, dance" She will start going round and round like a ballerina, so sweet.

Christmas celebration with Qi Ning

Last year Christmas, Qi Ning was too young to enjoy it. This year she really have a ball!! It begins with all the shopping in The Curve, Ikea and Mid-valley. She saw the real santa clause in Mid-valley for the first time but she was afraid of him. We took lots of photos with the christmas deco. Too bad, i dunno how to insert all the photo or else I would love to post the photo for all to see (dh will say no no!).
This year she followed us for carolling. Last year, I left her at home while I went carolling with dh. She refused to sleep and waited till we came home from carolling, poor baby. This year we decided we will take her along but we will not go to all the houses. We manage to go for two houses each night on 23rd & 24th Dec. First night she was so excited, runnning all over the place when we reach the first house. I let her drink her first vitagen drink on the night. she was very happy.
On the second night (24th Dec), she realised she could go to the santarina to get goodies from her basket. Good thing she still dunno that all those goodies ( sweets and chocolates) can be eaten. I don't intend to let her eat all the goodies yet. She just take it out from the basket and put it back or go round giving people the goodies. So sweet!! She is more busy then all of us.
Both night we reached home about 10.30pm and by the time she get ready to go to bed she is really tired. She usually sleeps between 9-9.30pm.
On Christmas day, we went to church. She wore the new dress that auntie Grace gace to her as Christmas present. And On christmas day, she can call people auntie clearly and also say Ah Ma (grandma) clearly. We called my parents and pass the phone to her, encourage her to say Ah Ma and she did. My mum was so thrill that Qi Ning could address her as Ah Ma! :)
On Boxing day, brought her to Tesco while daddy has to rush for some church work. While waiting for daddy, we eat Baskin Robbin ice-creams, strawberry and mango ice creams, yummy yummy she says! Actually this few days, mummy has been very lazy to cook porridge for Qi Ning, she has been eating whatever we are eating and sometime just potato bread or tomato and cheese sandwich. Qi Ning also had cawanmushi for lunch.
I think overall she enjoy the festive season and most of all she had mummy and daddy with her for the past few days. So last night, dh and I had to remind her that is work day today, she should not cry when we go to work. This morning, when I have to leave for work she did not cry,what an understanding girl!! Mummy loves you so much Qi Ning!

Christmas

Two more days, is Christmas already. I was being reminded that Christmas is about Emmanuel, God with us. Sometimes one get so busy during the Christmas season and lost sight of the real meaning of Christmas. Is like we all so busy partying but we forget the main actor, the birthday boy, in case, it is Jesus birthday that we are celebrating but how much time do we spent with Him during Christmas. We are busy with buying presents, eating turkey, baking fruit cakes/pudding, partying, decrorating trees and house, carolling, church activities, a host of things going on during Christmas. And yet, during Christmas there is still so many lonely soul wanting to experience Emmanuel, God with us. Yet they don't find it in all the activities.
I don't know about you but sometime I feel like I am just going through the motion of Christmas activities. There is nothing really significant about all those activities, is just something that we do yaer after year in church. So this year, I make a conscious effort to make it different. Different in a way that I tried keeping in touch with some good friends who are far away and whom I have not kept in touch for a long time. so this morning, I spent some time calling a friend in UK, a friend in Australia, a friend in Hong Kong and some friends in Singapore. What a joy to be able to touch base with friends around the world during this Christmas. I told them that is my Christmas present for them!! :)
I hope to have time to focus on Jesus, the main reason why we celebrate Christmas! Merry Christmas to all.

My next year holidays plans!

I have been bugging dh husband about booking tickets for holidays since Air Asia announced the free tickets. I have logged on the website many times to look for available free tickets to destinations that I would like to visit. I wanna get return free tickets so the choices is kinda limited. But if you don't mind one way free tickets then there is plenty of choice. So today, I finally booked my holidays for next years, yippie!! One is to Bangkok in April, the other is in July, to Kuching.
Actually I hope to go to Macau but I didn't manage to get free return tickets so have to settle for somethinglah. And just because Qi Ning has got a international passport so at least must go out of Malaysialah. Wanted to serch for Bali but also can't get two ways free.
I am so happy that I already got my holidays for next year booked! Worry about all the details later. This is going to be an adventure, holidaying with Qi Ning. I old dh must travel before she turn two, only need to pay minimal airfare for her. When she turn two, airfare also incresed.
Actually this is the first time that I actually booked my holidays so far ahead. Usually I am the last minute person but due to the free tickets, I am "forced" to plan ahead. Is worth it hey, to Bangkok, it only cost us RM326 return air tickets for three( dh, Qi ning and me). For Kuching only RM200. What a bargain!

We are very different

Before I was married while I was studying for my counselling degree, one of the family therapist from U.S. told me this about being different. He said that God make us all unique and different, so there is nothing wrong to be different. In marriage, one should celebrate the differences rather than attck each others' differences. How often do we try to make our spouse to be like us? I know I am guilty of that at time but I am very much aware that I need to celebrate our differences rather than trying to change him.
Yes, dh is very different from me. I am more spontaneous but he plans ahead. He think through throughly while I just follow my instinct. I love to socialise, he likes to be alone. He is careful while I am "dai tau har" (blur king). To me anything goes generally but he is quite particular that everything has to be done the right way. From eating to doing house chores to social life. When it comes to parenting, he is so careful and try all to protect Qi Ning from any falls. While I am more relax and think that falling is part of growing up!:) I don't mind letting Qi Ning try things that may not actually be her age yet but he want to keep it for when Qi Ning is ready. For example, Qi Ning wanted to climb the stairs, I just let her but he thinks that I should wait till Qi Ning is older as it is dangerous.....etc. I can go on and on with our differences but then I realise that I should celebrate our differences as what Dr. Steve told me.
So let us all celebrate our differences rather than attacking each other because we are different! Is the different that complete us don't you think?!

Please don't go!!

Qi Ning is at thestage where she loves to have people in her house. She get so excited when there are visitors in our home. But each time when the visitors have to leave she will be so sad, especially visitors with little kids.
Today, we sent my sis-in-law and family to the aiport, Qi Ning came along with to the airport. When is time for us to leave the airport, she is all tear. She is learning about emotions now

Shopping in Ikea & The Curve

My sis-in-law and her family from Sabah came for holidays and saty with us. So I took leave and spend some time with them. They have a little bou about six month younger than Qi Ning. Yesterday, we took Qi Ning and her little cousin shopping in Ikea. That is her first visit to Ikea and she seems to enjoy it. She knows that she is out shopping and she refuses to nap even when she was very tired. I know that becuase when I was nursing her at the baby room in Ikea, I could see her eyes wanting to close but she fights against.
Usually, she nap twice a day. One time in the morning and one in the afternoon. She usually nap about 11/2 hour but yesterday morning, she already cut short her nap to an hour. I guess she is excited to have visitors at home. That afternoon she was just happily shopping round with us in Ikea and the Curve. On the way back, I expect her to sleep in her car seat, suprisingly she sings all the way home rather than sleep! Her little cousin was sound asleep in the car.
When we reached home, she was really tired. Just nurse her for a brief moment she is into her dreamland. Though was kinda late for afternoon nap by the time we reach home but is good that she still catch some rest. since is holiday, I am less strict on her routine. I think she really enjoys herself!
Shopping with a little one now is so different from when I goes shopping with friends. In the past, can take my own sweet time and see whatever I like. Now must be a little bit quicker in my action and MUST include kiddies shop so that little Qi Ning can have some fun too! I notice that quite a few kiddies shop include a small play area for the kids which is just wonderful. We shall go for more shopping from now onward!!

Qi Ning likes to speak over the phone

Qi Ning is now at the stage where she enjoys having conversation with others over the phone. Whenever I called or daddy called, she would loves to talk to us over the phone. Not only us, but anyone who would talk to her on the phone. In the past she would not be keen to hang on the phone but now she is. She would even babble to you in the phone. Is kinda sweet to talk to her over the phone and she seem to understand what people says to her.
She does understand quiet a fair bit. Often I gives her an instruction, she would obey. She is such a likable girl!

Qi Ning want to feed herself

My girl is wanting to feed herself nowaday but she made a mess out of herself, food all over her face and sometime on the floor as well. I am quite relax about the mess but daddy think that should wait for a while longer before allowing her to feed herself. Also now that we don't have a helper at home, I thought probably a good idea, lazy to clean up after the mess. So last night, I refrain from giving her the spoon and plate. Actually I only started to give it to her about two days ago.
Guess what happen, there was big protest from Qi Ning. She wanted her spoon and bowl!! Big drops of tears falling down her cheeck, so at the end have to give in and let her have her bowl and spoon to feed herself. Of course, I also feed herlah, while she try to feed herself.
She is trying to be independent and learning to do things for herself. At night when I change her pyjamas for her, she knows to put her hands through and strethched her legs out. Sometimes, she even try to wear the pant herself.
This little girl loves to help around. So whenever I hold her and is trying to take a small thing, I will pass it to her and tell her to help mummy carry it. without fail, she will carried out the instruction given. She is such a great helper!

Qi Ning is speaking clearly now

Qi Ning is speaking quite a few words already. She can call papa, mama very clearly. Say bye bye, nen nen, shoe, banana (nana), moon, bear, baby..etc. Is such as joy to chat with her. She actually understand a lot more words than she can say. Is a good time to get her to help in doing some errands. Sometime, I will ask her to pick up the paper, bring me the things that I want. She is actually very observant. Everyday, she saw me wearing a home slipper and one day I was lazy to wear, she brings the slippers to me and point to my bare feet!
Of course, there are time she still babble in a language of her own but the speed that she is learning is so amazing. Is very fun to see her trying to dance to the music. She is my clever girl!!

My girl "manja" her papa

Is so much joy to see our daughter grows from baby to toddler, she is now 14mths 3weeks. She is so fun to play with now. Last night, hubby, Qi Ning and I were in the room and as usual she scout the room and try to looks for things to explore. This time she took my lotion, she was playing with it and then open the cap and pop it into her mouth.My hubby sort of told her to stop it. I don't remember him been particularly loud or anything. But the expression on Qi Ning face is so dramatic. You could see her "bian zhui", darling husband quickly pick her up and try to comfort her saying that he is not scolding her but just warn her about now putting lotion in her mouth. I guess she kinda knows that her papa "xin tong" her, she starts to sob so pitifully. I was teasing her for being so manja! Such is the joy of having a child!

We make it !!

It has been a busy two weeks with so many visitors and events taking place. Family visiting, nipple blisters, birthday celebration, coming down with flu, maid running away...etc. Yet, we survived by God's grace. Initially, we do miss having a helper around but now we already get a hand of it, we are more efficient and more orgainised. We don't seem to miss having a helper at home anymore. And I find that we can have really good time with our daughter Qi Ning even without a helper. As we have do everything from changing diaper, cooking porridge, bathing, feeding..etc by ourselves. The bonding is so much better. I loves to be able to do that for her myself. In the past, with the maid around, I sort of just leave the maid to do most of the thing and I just play with the baby. Now that I am involved in every aspect of her life, I found it very rewarding!
I am thankful for a very supportive husband who chip in to take care of Qi Ning and also the housework. Actually, he did the large part of the household chores. And he is a real good father to Qi Ning, looking into her every need and he is lots more careful in taking care of her than me. Watching out for every step that she takes, just in case she falls!
Qi Ning is such a sweet girl and she behaves so well. She is very co-operatives. As a fouteen months toddler, she never cease to amaze me. She is a good helper. When we go to pasar malam, we will let her help us carry a little package of thing that we buy. she will dutifully hold on to it till we reach home. She is at the stage of imitating what we do. I notice that at time she will take her handky and start mopping the table and also the floor just like how we do it. Is such a joy to have her. She is a happy baby!