Zhi Ying's 3rd week at school & other development

Today is Thurday. Zhi Ying is in her 3^rd week at school. She’s no more crying and getting used to going to school. On Monday, after the long weekend getaway to Penang with granny, Hwa ah yi, Sin Yee & family, along with my inlaws, surprisingly she didn’t cry when she reached school. But Mag misses Sin Yee a lot & cried since they reach our place.

Mom & Yani send them to school everyday at 8:30am after their breakfast & after they have done their business (poo poo). Ever since she goes to school, she has changed slightly. She’s more open to people. When we’re in Penang, she wasn’t afraid to talk to anybody. She’d say Hello & wave her hand. Sometimes she’s shy & she would say it very softly. There was 1 time Zhi Ying & I happened to be the last 2 to enter the lift that was already quite full of people. I was carrying her & so, she was facing everybody in the lift. The way she stared at people, I knew she wanted to say Hello but she’s shy. So, I told her “say hello”. Immediately, she said it & waved her hand at the lady standing next to me. She even showed the lady that her sleeve has teddy bear prints. Then she said hello & waved to the guy standing next to me too. Everyone in the lift was laughing at her.

She is also able to follow instructions better, but not all the time. Teacher said she could understand all the instructions very well but choose to not listen sometimes. Teacher said she’s very cheeky and she’s like a leader. People will follow her & play together with her. Mag follows Zhi Ying about in the school most of the time. I’m glad they have each other in school.

One problem I don’t like about sending her to school is that she always get big mosquito bite whenever she play outside at the school garden. Then it’ll take more than a week to heal. Sometimes, it’s so itchy that she couldn’t help it and scratch until she bleeds & leaves a scar & the scar will take a long time to go off.

Starting from this week, since Monday, mom let the 2 children play for a while first before taking them to shower once they reach home. Then lunch, play  & sleep. Nowadays, they only have 1 time nap in the afternoon. So, they start to get very sleepy around 8-9pm everyday. But Zhi Ying will try her best to stay up until 10-11pm.

Teacher also said that she could really stay awake no matter how sleepy she is. There was one day last week, she was so sleepy at school but she tried her very best to stay awake. Teacher said her eyes were almost closed but she quickly turned around and keep herself awake. Teacher pitied her because she was very cranky. Then there was another day; I gave her some flu medicine before she went to school because she had flu. Then she fell asleep around 9:30am at school for half an hour.

Last 2 weeks, whenever I talk about school, she’d tell me “hai you kakak”. Mean she only wants their maid. But this week, she mentioned the word “teacher”. This means she’s slowly accepting teacher too. Then this morning, she requested me to sing about “gege jie jie” song. This means she thinks about her older friends in school too. That’s an improvement & I’m so proud of her. I’m so happy that she’s accepting her new friends, teacher & environment. At least, my heart doesn’t ache so badly now.

 

Nowadays, she started to sing my songs, the songs I created myself for her.

My version:

Teddy Bear Teddy Bear where are you/ close your eyes/ don’t you cry

TB TB I want you

TB TB I love you

Close your eyes & say good night

 

Her version: TB TB co the eyes/don’t you cry/ want nen nen… (hahahah!!! WHAT?? WANT NEN NEN?)

 

Then sometimes she will change Teddy Bear to others like mommy mommy want nen nen… Hahaha!!

 

Another song:

My version (using the elephant got wrinkles music/ tumble tot class, just change the lyrics myself):

Zhi Ying Zhi Ying sit down sit down sit down

Zhi Ying Zhi Ying sit down sit down in the car/ together

 

She’ll ask me to change to yeh yeh/nai nai. But most of the time, she likes me to use Yeh Yeh to sing this song.

 

Here are something that she always says wrongly & never fail to make me laugh i.e. she always says “at the pooh” when she sees Pooh and “ shi shi pu” when she wants to wash her buttock.

 

Lately, she likes to look at people from the corner of her eyes. So cheeky!

 

There was one day, she held my head with both her hands on my cheek & told me, Mommy, I love you. I was so touched & I can feel how much she loves me. I didn’t tell her to do that. It was only that one time.

Zhi Ying's 2nd day at school

2nd day of school, she accidentally pee once in her pants according to Kakak Siti. In the morning when granny dropped both of them at the school (8:30am), Zhi Ying refused to let teacher Amy carry her. She only wants Kakak Siti to carry her, whereas Mag was comfortable with Teacher Amy. I went to peep around 8:50 but they're all in their class already & the gate was locked. So i didn't go inside. From outside, I could only see Mag with teacher Sheryn sitting near the glass front door. Then i left & teacher Amy called me on the phone to thank us for coorperating with them in leaving the children behind & not staying there.

On the 2nd day, the children had bread with butter & sugar according to teacher Amy when i talked to her this morning (the 3rd day of school-the gate was open so i went in). She said Zhi Ying had difficulty to swallow when eating the bread & asked if she dislike bread. I told her that Zhi Ying doesn't like to chew. Teacher said she seems to eat cake better. Teacher said that Zhi Ying didn't finish her bread. Teacher said today (3rd day), they'll have koko crunch with milk & asked if she likes koko crunch. I just told her, just becareful cos she doesnt' like to chew & she might choke.

Teacher Amy also said that Zhi Ying is an out-spoken girl & a little stubborn. She can understand well teachers instructions but sometimes will not want to follow. Mag is more passive & she'll take quite some time to adapt to new things. Teacher Amy describe how Zhi Ying open her eyes wide-as if she see something very interesting. She also said that for the meantime, if the children wants to stick with kakak, she'll allow them. Until when they are ready & comfortable with the new environment, the children will leave kakak behind to explore the place themselves & will participate in games, activities & learn new things. I'm glad they do not force the children to accept new things/environment/treatment but let the children grow/accept naturally. Usually, it'll take about a week to adapt to the new environment teacher said. Teacher also said that normally every monday, children will be a bit cranky missing their parents as they usually spends time with parents over the weekend.

Teacher Amy said the breakfast will start from 9:30 & ends at 10am. After that, the children will line up & go upstairs. They'll have TV sessions too. There, they will play until 11:30am.

This morning when i was peeping from the front glass door, i could see zhi ying with kakak at the back of the group of children who were sitting down singing with teacher the head, shoulders, knees & toes song. Teacher was standing in front of everybody showing them actions while singing.  Then i heard zhi ying said " Yo, na ge jie jie de bottle" loudly. Teacher Amy & I could hear from outside. Teacher Amy laughed. Teacher Amy also pointed out to me that whenever kakak leave zhi ying behind, zhi ying will want to cry. I saw that. Zhi Ying didn't cry loudly but just "ngek ngek" a little. But if kakak never come back to her, I believe she might cry for real.

I also saw teacher with glasses (not the principal), tap tap Zhi Yings head while sitting nearby to supervise her & other children. I see that tap tap on her head as "she likes zhi ying". So, I'm not so worry about zhi ying & mag not having enough care & attention anymore. I felt better & believe they are in good hands. I feel that teacher Amy has good observation eyes & the questions she asked me shows how detail she is & how she handles the children.

Zhi ying's first day at school - 2 yrs old & 1 month old

Pin & I sent her there. Mag was already there with teacher at the big hall. All other children were playing outside the garden. Sin Yee was still sitting in her car, parked just outside the school compound. Adam left Mag with the teacher at 8:15am. We reached there about 8:45am. Sin yee told me to leave zhi ying with Pin to handle. Then later Pin left zhi ying with the teacher. She cried. That time we left was 9:05.

Then sin Yee called me & told me that she saw teacher carrying zhi ying to the garden for awhile. Zhi Ying look ok, didn't struggle. 10:30am, mom called and said she didn't hear the children crying or anything.

 

I called the teacher at 12pm.

 

Teacher said Zhi Ying asked her to carry her up & down the stairs so many times. At the end, teacher told her, i refuse to listen to you. Now you listen to me. Now, we go there and read a book. She was cranky and all. Later they had cake & soya bean at 9:30am. teacher realised she likes cake & not soya bean. She even put up her legs while eating and teacher instructed her to put them down. Teacher said she can understand very well but just doesn't want to follow instruction sometimes. Then she accidentally pee in her pants twice. After cleaning her up, she was all fine & the children went up to their room & play. She started to be herself after that, climbing on to chairs & tables until teacher had to ask kakak Siti to watch after her and take her to the toilets several times to pee as she will forget to tell when she's playing. She didn't join to play with teacher. she played by herself & She tried to cheer Magdelene but Mag ignored her. Teacher said her character is the easy-going type i.e. when she cries, it'll be very loud, then if she doesn't cry, she'll just be happy & play by herself. she's seem to be a little stubborn too.  As for Mag, teacher said she's abit long winded cos she cried on & off. Teacher said to let zhi ying have sufficient sleep, otherwise, she'd be slightly cranky.

 

Sin yee said when mom, kaka yani & her went to pick them up, Zhi ying was very happy & as if showing off & talking away (don't know what she's talking about). i think she's trying to tell them about school. SIn Yee said she's very funny.

 

later when at home, when asked if they want to go to school again, they kept quiet. Then granny said " then we don't go to school tomorrow". Zhi Ying's then quickly said she wants to go to school but Mag said she doesn't want to go. Oh dear. But i think she'll be fine soon.

 

Today, mom said zhi ying was behaving very well at home after coming back from school. She didn't turn away when mom fed her the first spoon of her porrige (usually she'd turn away here & there to avoid the first spoon). Then later, she requested for milk. mom massaged her n she fell asleep.

 

Overall, I think Zhi Ying felt better after they offered her the cake for breakfast. She left her shoes & barney bottle there.

 

 

I hope she'll be better tomorrow with Mag.

 

Pin couldn't concentrate on his work as he was the one to leave zhi ying behind crying with teacher.

 

Going to the nursery

The thought of sending zhi ying to school made me cry in the middle of the night at 2am. I couldn't sleep. I don't feel good about it as she's so active & the nursery might not be able to handle her. Before she had a fall on her nose yesterday, i was pretty happy about sending her to school. But after seeing her nose bleed and another time she nearly "dive" down the staircase, i started to feel uneasy about sending her to the nursery. But what choice have i got? I quit my job? i think i need the job. She doesn't let the maid to take care of her when mom's around. Sometimes, mom is very tired cos she's very hyperactive & too adventurous. I'm not sure if i can be a full-time mother either. Mom said zhi ying has become more active recently and love to do all kinds of dangerous stunts like jumping on the sofa, jump down to the floor with head down first as if diving into the pool. Mom has to put a mattress on the floor just incase she did it when mom look away for a second. Mom said she climbs up the staircase everyday whenever she wants few times a day to look around, laze on the bed, then go down stairs, up again, laze..few times aday. I think basically, she's feeling bored, although she has Magdelene. If i quit my job, she'll be fine. I will try to come up with different kind of games. :'( :'(..i'll still think about if i should just quit my job. 

 

Baby's development at 24mths & 2 weeks

Last night, she asked me to make milk for her to drink. I made 6 Oz. I brought the whole tin and put on the floor for her to see how i make milk for her. Then she helped me to close the lid. She then went to the 3-seater sofa to drink her milk. After awhile, she asked me to get the the mattress to put on the floor and that's where she fell asleep after finishing her milk with a mini book on her hand. Hahaha!!!

Baby's development at 23.5 months

Every night, about 11:30pm, after she finishes her 5-6Oz of milk, I’d ask her “Zhi Ying, can you help mommy to switch off the tv? It’s bedtime. We should go upstairs already.” She would press the red button to off the tv & I’d switch off the lights & fan. When we reach the bed, I’d help her to climb up to the bed. Before she sleeps, I’d give daddy a kiss & then her turn to be kissed. Then I’d tell her “ Ok, it’s Zhi Ying’s turn to kiss daddy”. She’d go over to daddy and give him a kiss.

 

Every time, in order to make sure she finishes her milk and holds the bottle herself, I’d have to put the bottle aside, a place visible to her, while I go away & pretend to do some other stuff i.e. not giving her all the attention. She doesn’t like it at all. She would come crying for me. Only after all these, will she be willing to hold the bottle & lie down to finish her milk with me by her side. If I give her the milk straight away after I prepare it, she would refuse and turn here & there trying to avoid. Hmm…rolling my eyes.

 

Every morning, the moment she opens her eyes, she’d act surprise “Huh! Where’s daddy?” Then go down the bed & run to the toilet very fast to check if daddy’s in the toilet. So drama. Sometimes if daddy’s gone to work, she’d lay on the bed and do few somersault and bum her backside on me (my head/stomach) and when I said ouch she’ll laugh and do it again. Hahaha!! Half my eyes opened still feeling tired and can’t help myself from laughing. Later, she’d ask me to take her out of the room. Sometimes, I couldn’t get up & cover myself with the blanket. This would make her cry. Hahaha!! Then I’d surrender.

 

She loves swimming. Since last month, we started to put on the floats on her arms. She could go round & round. The other day, we had forgotten to bring the float. She usually will jump in the baby pool & will not get drown as she has her floats on. So that day, she thought she had her floats on and she jumped. I was looking the other way at that time. The moment I looked back at her, she was under the water not moving!! I quickly took her up and hold her tight. She didn’t choke but she looked abit stunt. I guessed she hold her breath, that’s why she didn’t choke. Hmm, I should have been more careful. After that, she continued to jump around in the pool happily.

 

The other day, she laid her 6 soft toys on the bed in one row. Then she tickled them one by one. So funny!

Then yesterday, she locked the maid outside the house. So left her & Jen Shin in the house. Kakak was asking her to unlock the sliding door. She ran to the sofa, sat there & told kakak bye-bye while waving her hand. Luckily we have Jen Shin to unlock the sliding door for kakak.

 

Her favorite cartoon is Dora & Doraemon. In Dora, they have a fox name swiper. Zhi Ying sometimes will say “Swiper catch Zhi Ying, zhen ban?” (If Swiper caught Zhi Ying, What can we do?). Hahahah!

 

Sometimes I create songs like:

Elephant elephant, where are you

Elephant elephant, it’s time to sleep,

Elephant elephant, close your eyes,

Come here come here, I love you

Or Doggie or Kitty Cat…

 

So, sometimes she’ll create her own songs too. Grandpa Yeh yeh bought her a soft toy doggie from Ikea. She loves it. She sang a song for that doggie while hugging the doggie tight:

 

Doggie Doggie, where are you,

Doggie doggie,…(then baby talk)

…bla bla baby talk.

 

She knows how to jump now. She knows green, blue, red, yellow, orange, circle, square, triangle, star, and most of the animal on the card I bought for her.

 

Sometimes when her diaper is full, she’d shake her but to shake the diaper. Hahaha!!!

 

She loves mini connetto & cake too. For lunch & dinner, she has porridge (1/4 of the bowl) & blended vege & meat (chicken & fish- ¾ of the bowl).

 

Everyday, she has Jen Shin to play with her. She loves to share food with her. There was 1 time where she brought back a cat from Granpa yeh yeh’s house. It’s a battery-operated cat & it can move & meow. Jen Shin is very afraid of animals. So, zhi ying told granny “ Bu Yao kai, jie jie pa pa” i.e. don’t switch on, jen shin is afraid. So sweet.

Baby's development at 21.5 mths

She had her hip booster jab (18th mths immunization) the other day. This time, that spot where the doc injected her got swollen and it looked so red. The diameter was as big as her palm. She had fever in the middle of the night. It was about 38 degrees but i didn't give her any medication cos she was sweating and usually her temperature will go down if she sweats. I just monitored her and prepared her paracetamol just incase her fever goes too high. The next day, her temperature went down to 37.2. It went up and down few times and then gone. Thank God.

 

Since she learns to walk and hold things, I’ve started to teach her how to put things back to their places. Every time before going upstairs, or we go out I would say, “Can you help mommy to switch off the TV”. For the first few times, I’d hold her hand and walk over to the controller and switch off the TV together. After that, she’s able to do it herself. Whenever I say, “put it back”, she’d quickly put it back. I’d say thank you after that. She’s a very sweet baby. Whenever I say, “help mommy, please”. She’d quickly run over and help me. Now, almost every time before we leave a room, she’ll put back the things to their places. If she forgets, I’ll remind her and she’ll put back everything that she has taken out to play.

 

She has also learned to take turns when it comes to brushing her teeth. It’s either she starts to brush first then my turn to brush for her. I’d tell her now is mommy’s turn. She’d pass me her toothbrush. She wasn’t like that when she was younger. She used to insist on her ways i.e. to hold the toothbrush as long as she wants. I’d have to give her many “2 more minutes” term in order for her to give me back the toothbrush to wash or I’d have to keep on saying “ enough” until at last she gives in.

 

She asked me, pointing at the parquet at the staircase, “Wat tis (what is this)?” I answered “Parquet”. Then she said, “FLOOR”! Then I said, “Oh! Yes, this is floor”.

 

Sometimes she’ll know when she’s naughty. She’ll say, “mei mei/zhi ying huai dan”. One morning, before I left to work, she asked me to carry her to the car and told me “mei mei huai dan”. That day Mag was around, so Zhi Ying is mei mei. Haha!! She said she’s naughty cos she wanted me to carry her to the car before I go to work.

 

Whenever she goes for shower, she’ll request for the bucket and fill it up with water. She’ll be busy with that for the whole session. Sometimes, when she’s not ready to put it away, I’ll give her 2 more minutes. After that, when I say enough, she’ll quickly put the bucket back to it’s place and turn to me. I’ll dry her up with towel then after that she’ll rush of to climb onto the bed and all over the place naked, waiting for me to catch her. Usually, I’ll just run around the bed to scare her then ask her to put on her clothes by herself. Only then she’ll sit down and try to put them on and I’ll help her to do that.

 

Now she knows how to play pretend. She pretends to put ointment on herself. She was holding my contact lens casing and tells me “cha yao yao”. Cha=apply, yao yao=ointment. Hahahahaa!!!

 

Sometimes when she makes daddy angry by being rude to daddy, I’ll ask her to give daddy a hug and a kiss. She’d do it and daddy will melt. Hahaha!

 

Sometimes when granny is away for a couple of days, she’ll miss granny. When granny is back, she’ll say to granny, “Guanny bao bao ni/zhi ying”. Hahahah!!

 

She can sing Twinkle Twinkle Little Star and usually she would only sing in a very soft tone. I love to listen to her sing.

 

I got Adam Uncle to bring over a big box for her & Mag to play with. They love it. I'm going to make hats from cardboard for them to play.

 

The other day, I heard her talking to Donald Duck. She said, “See tongue?” Then she stuck out her tongue to show Donald and used her finger to touched Donald’s tongue. Hahahah!!! Just like how I teach her and she’s trying to teach Donald.