Late again!

Didn't mean to delay this posting, but it took me really long to post Athena's blog - all the photo editing etc... plus getting old liao - tend to feel really sleepy these days. Suppose to post it out on Tuesday, and then Wednesday, delay delay..so now gotta do mass update again and hopefully posted out today! (+ cheated on the date)

18th - Monday
Brought Athena to the Elmo & Cookie Monster Meet & Greet at Downtown East.
We bused down coz' she's been bugging me to take her on public transport. Anyway since there's a direct bus, I obliged her request.
I wanted to let her go the the playground first but being kiasu, I wanted to make sure I manage to get the pass - and the lady wouldn't even tell me what time "just wait for the DJ to make announcement" - so helpful?!?! So I promised her after I get the pass then I'll let her go playground.
Halfway through our lunch, Angeline sms-ed to ask if we're heading for the session, and to take a pass for her.
While waiting for them, Athena saw the horse ride which I gasped - $3 for a 10mins session. And knowing that she couldn't do it, I told her "no sweetheart you can't do this, it's very difficult." wrong approach, shouldn't be too negative towards her ability, should let her discover it herself. She wanted the carousel or car ride, I thought $3 is bloody expensive for something that simply turns round and round and I can save that $ + somemore $ and buy her something which she can see, rather than take a ride and forget about it. So I declined her request. Poor girl kept standing there to see the rides.
Am I really that bad to deprive her off such things?? But I do give her other kiddy rides - those 20cents kind. She asks for $1 ride, I told her I'd give her 5 rides in Punggol Plaza, she happily jumps down from the kiddy ride.

Athena found some ways to entertain herself, at the game arcade (no money involved). She danced around, took some photos.
MORE PHOTOS IN HER BLOG
When she heard that Alexandra is coming, immediately she told me "mummy, we must buy sweets for Alexandra." Somehow that has become our 'Standard Procedure.' It's strange, I thought she'd ask to buy sweets herself, she carefully selected what to get for Alexandra and made no attempt in hinting to me anything. Bad mummy again! Buy sweets for others but deprive my own daughter - no choice she's coughing now.

When Angeline came, I saw the difference in our behaviour.
First, I overheard her telling Alexandra "mummy already told you to choose only one." (and I never let Athena choose one!!) "You try the horse see whether you can move it or not. If not, you take the carousel."
Alexandra got on the horse and tried to move it. Athena upon seeing it - dunno if she's feeling rotten inside - after that whispered to me "mummy, I want to sit.." perhaps I have been too commanding and never thought of her feelings. Must be thinking coz' 'mummy knows best'. Bad mummy!
Then Angeline gave Alexandra the $ to go on the ride, I asked Athena to stay with me but Alexandra pulled her away. Angeline then paid for it, I wanted to pay back but she refused. Felt bad coz' she once paid for Athena's play in the playground. (I fight to pay with her also can lose, I think next time I must secretly pass $ first) I'm not the 贪心 kind, so no matter what must her in other ways.

The Meet & Greet session started, and only then they gave the pass. If I had known, I would have allowed Athena to go to the playground first. First they had a game, Athena's hand was up but she was not being called up the stage (quite poor thing. 2 other Meet & Greet sessions she did put up her hand but was not selected to answer the questions. I really wonder how she feels? Sad? Or.... dun have dun have lor.....? Alot of times, I was so tempted to buy her some things to replace whatever the prize was. Infact, at her last birthday I was so afraid she'd be sad for not picking up alot of things, so I kept some aside for her intending to top it up for her when she's not looking. Dunno why I'm feeling this way? Deprived as a child so I want to give her everything??)

Angeline seems to talk so calmly to Alexandra whereas I find my tone of voice is more... rough and perhaps tactless. Maybe coz' Alexandra is an obedient girl, Athena needs the 硬 and sometimes 暖 approach.
When we were both walking to the bus stop, Alexandra suddenly made a run and Athena followed suit. (they were running for the pavement)My reaction? Was to shout "Alexandra don't run. Stop! Stay there.. Athena don't run!" Whereas Angeline was still so calm (my heart was beating fast) and told me "Alex knows." Then she told her girl "Alex, you take care of Athena."
Huh? In my mind I was thinking Athena's the che-che leh?! Too kan-cheong mother, no wonder everytime the children (esp. Athena) is out with me, I never stop talking. I can't blame if my 2 girls take after me- chatterbox. Or I'm just acting too authoritative??

19th - Tuesday
Just started on sewing her backpack. Hope can finish it soon... so do other more important things. Mom will surely scream her head off at me, " can take the time to sew a useless bag when you should be sewing Aricia's rompers which are slipping off at the shoulder."

Music lessons: Her violin has improved, at least this time I didn't hear much of squeaking from her. I told Ms Low about her bow position, and she said it's alright to tilt the bow (hair), don't have to be flat down. And I've been telling Athena off all these while?!?!
For her YJC class, she was overheard being very bossy, telling one girl "you partner Shaun lah!" Haha! I think she's beginning to learn from me.

Celebrated Aricia turning 9 months on 19th. Got her a marble cake. Athena's coughing so didn't want to tempt her with a cream cake.

Argh! 3 more months to her 1st birthday and nothing much is done. Dunno why the slacking attitude, should be excitedly getting myself busy now. We plan to make it small scale for Aricia - but somehow I feel like so unfair leh......Athena's 1st birthday party was relatively big(in my context) . About 40 I think and I couldn't really entertain everyone well, but thankfully for any hosted party, my family - everyone chip in to help me entertain people. I'd prefer to have that kind of more warmth party = smaller number of guests.
If I did small, will she blame me next time for biased treatment?
So we'll probably stick to our families and Aricia's godmothers. So even if I have the theme in mind, maybe will not execute it coz' no children except Athena and Ignatius. Hubby's nephews are far too old to have cute goodie bags.Umm..... unless her 2nd birthday.

20th - Wednesday
There's a thief in our house!!
Someone stole our -
>
>
>
>
BREAD!

Who's the culprit?
>
>
>
ARICIA!

Why? Athena apparently left her half finished bread in a plastic bag on the coffee table intending to bring to school. Aricia saw it, stood up, threw the bread about and it dropped out, picked it up and eat it.
And she was eating so fast - probably trying to hide evidence.

And she's quite comfortable standing for quite a long time

Athena asked me the day before to take photo for her outside her school. So brought along the camera and took a few shots for her. Nothing exciting happened in the day, was as usual busy with Aricia...
Oh yes, I remembered. I was playing Baby Signing for her. Taught her sign for milk, which she did in a funny way. Then a funny thing happened, I was out of sight while KZ was feeding Aricia lunch, she shouted "mum. mum you see. Aricia so clever... they show the sign for bird and she can do it!" As much as I would like to think my child is a super genius, I had to tell her.."no, she made this wrong sign earlier on for milk."

Fetched Athena from school and brought her up to mom's place for a shower.
They changed the alarm system code and never tell me.... I pressed and it didn't deactivate the thing, called my sister but line busy, haven't even finished dialing father's number and the alarm went off. One guy came forward looking at me.... darn! now I feel like I'm a thief and Athena's my accomplice, the getaway car is just downstairs!!
Poor girl, the moment I turned to look at her (I didn't even comfort her while the alarm went off) she covered her ears, frowned her eyebrows, mouth a little opened and then she screamed at me "mummy! why so loud............" as if the alarm is not loud, she had to shout at me in her loud voice.

Felt guilty for not accomodating Athena's request on Monday for the ride, I'm not a good mummy mah..so when she asked to buy one toy from ToysRus, I obliged. Shit! $22.90 or was it $29-90? - should have just given her the $3 ride!! Now she has this :- and the treehouse (sibling gift from Aricia) . Bought for Elliot a Thomas, he saw I bought one for Wei Teng sometime last week and Elliot asked me in the day "auntie, can you buy Thomas for me? Thank you aunty." I wonder if the other boys will start asking me... I should buy in bulk huh? Now I feel like Christmas season has been brought forward. HA!

After her music lesson, was talking with Suzanna and Peggy. Somehow Peggy mentioned that our brain has not only left brain and right brain. It has front and back, music is stimulating the right brain. Then rhythm is front, something is back. Sightreading is left brain - haha! I've none coz' now my sightreading(esp for bass clef) is really bad. Ai yah, if you ask me I've got none now since I keep forgetting things. Forget to reply sms, forget to reply phonecalls, forget what I need to do..
At the lift, Jachelle took out the snack that Athena gave her. And then she simply tear open the top part. My reaction? "Ay? You never ask your mummy whether you can eat or not?" I can kick myself for making such a remark! Her mother never said anything, and I kapo say it. As if I'm her mother. I'm really either too commanding or too motherly - which one?

AT home was so engrossed in her backpack that I continued sewing. Actually it's quite fun and I feel like making one small one for Aricia, and another Diego - orange colour - for Ignatius. Not that it'll look nice or good.. but hey! (at least it's sewn with pricked fingers, risk myself sleeping for the next 100 years until my Prince Charming comes) it's handmade.
Athena asked me "mummy, my this bag can put in alot of things or not?"
Me : No
Athena : why?
Me : Coz' this is hand sewn, I don't know if it can hold on the weight. Better put in lesser things ok?
Athena :ok?

21st - Thursday
Athena asked to go pasar malam on Monday night but had to delay until today. So we didn't do much homework and then I whisked off with the two alone.
I just managed to do the sling - those Moms in mind kind - by sitting Aricia on the side. I tell you I'm so super stupid! I've had the slings since Athena's time, and can't do well........actually can't blame me also - my kids didn't like it. I thought since Aricia likes to cuddle close to someone she'd like to be in the sling. But no..........when she was a baby, she's just like her che-che, screamed her head off for "turning off the lights for her". I had to put her head out!! And only today I tried it again, it worked! Aricia didn't struggle.
Okay, sorry for the sidetrack. I went off with the sling and coz' of my guilt - ended up buying things for her. Argh! I spoil my children!! Found a guy that can do personalised keychain, so since my 2 girls have such unique name that I can't any keychains or whatever nots anywhere, I decided to do it for them. And when I got home, I realised I forgot to do one for Ignatius.Argh! Athena asked to go to the play area. I let her be and she wanted the bouncy castle. $ gone!! In the night, she gila gila spoke to me in her funny angmoh-ish mandarin. Asked me to read a her a book, and in that sentence she used majority english. Then a funny statement from her..
Athena :妈妈,妈妈,我小便好le(4)
Athena :妈妈,妈妈,我cha(1)我的屁股好le(4)
Me : huh? Athena : (paused)
Athena :妈妈,妈妈,ko-ko-pok (our endearing term for her private part)in chinese 叫shen(3)mo(4)
Hubby : ko(1)ko(1)po(2)
(all bursts out laughing) - I don't have to wait until I prick my fingers and sleep for 100 years, I'll fall from my bed in laughter and knock myself unconscious.

The most amazing thing happened in the evening. Aricia was looking at the Princess stickers. I asked her who's who. She didn't use her hand to hit the paper but she was pointing with one finger and making some noises - as if trying to talk to us. Then asked her "which one is you / che-che/mummy etc....She actually pointed all different characters. And she pointed the moment I finish every statement and she was making noises. It's as if she's having a conversation with me.

22nd - Friday
This morning then I remembered I was suppose to make a trip down to the YP Fiesta. Forgot to inform KZ to help me cook Aricia's lunch the night before, so grabbed the grinded rice to mom's place to cook. Mom did the cooking in the end.. haha! Thought since I'll be out today, I'll bring forward some of next weeks' errand to today.

Bought CDs for them (again) and was told that Hi5 is probably coming this September. Yippee! Innoform has such a good customer like me. Open up my drawer and it's almost entirely from Innoform Wanted to try Aricia out for the Cover Baby contest, which is a hit! As I was queuing up, this lady behind me was asking me how old is Aricia and asked if I'm going to let her try the crawling contest. I said no, she can't crawl fast. She then commented that her son is over the age but the guy allowed, so they are looking for babies. She helped me action to the MC that I'd be joining the contest.
Once photo is taken, I went to fill up the coupon and he was pointing to me the direction where I'm suppose to submit the coupon. As I was looking for ?what staff? - was a subscription booth, bumped into Ros. But I needed to submit the coupon asap, so actioned in a *oops* rude way that I'll talk to her later. Submitted coupon and then went back to look for Ros, chatted awhile, surprised that Sven is not out with her coz' she's suppose to be bf-ing.Yah, but people need breathers at times.
Then the contest started, only 5 pathetic participants. But still spilt in 2 groups, the lady's son and Aricia is in Group 2.
I kept telling Aricia : "you don't siah-suay(embarass) your mummy ok?"
They needed 2 adults to go up, and to think I asked Ros to help me take video + photo. (Ros : the videos and photos turn out alright. You're not an idiot to use an idiot-proof camera. Haha! Anyway, thanks alot for your help.) . So no choice have to be thick-skinned to ask if she minds helping me. Must strategise mah! She put Aricia with her, I must be on the other side what! If do opposite, surely won't move at all. The moment Aricia saw me on the other side she started crying. Good news! means my girl can crawl to me lor..........but I was proven wrong. I heard the MC mentioned about "cry" - is like asking whether I want to continue the contest. Ai yah heck lah, she cry and all babies cry what?!
Contest started and the two of them -Baby Joshua (10+ months old) and her didn't crawl at all. They stayed in that position.
Narration in concurrent with the video
Aricia : (looks)you calling me?
Joshua : (wolf whistles) yes babe
Aricia : what's up? Joshua : I want to ask....
Aricia : ah ha, what?
Joshua : Ai yoh... why the two ladies there shout so loud? So noisy
Aricia : (looks infront) one of the lady there is my mummy
Joshua : (looks at her) actually eh... eh... I want to ask you for your number?
Aricia : (looks at him)huh?
Joshua : your number (turns to side in embarrasment and smile)
Joshua : ai yoh... so shy how to ask
Aricia : my number huh? It's 123456789
Joshua : (mimicks writing on the floor)is that lady with the irritating keys your mother?
Aricia : yes
Joshua : Oh let's go (crawls)(thinking that he'll try to go to mummy - me to win mummy's favour)
Aricia : ay! wait for me
Joshua : wah... si bei tired. I only crawl awhile and I'm so tired.
Aricia : I lagi more tired
You can see what happened in the video clip. They both didn't move,

My girl got stucked to the mat infact Joshua moved towards her.

There's no time limit but seems like they really don't intend to move, so MC said we can move forward but cannot touch baby.I was acting like a gila mummy, the keys didn't help (which is her favourite) then I started taking whatever else I can think of that she likes to play with from my handbag, my camera pouch (which is a cloth from my kebaya) ; my handphone; my Gucci wallet - which she can open. OMG! tissue paper. Si bei crazy mother, I was shouting so loud on stage.
Joshua responded better to me, he completed his crawl. She didn't.
I thought maybe she's blur, maybe her dress is in the way. Whatever it is, I didn't expect her to come in first since she crawls really slow. It is a good try and she was enjoying it (I think), coz' she looked at the audience (end of video), sat down almost in the middle of the stage, looked and then waved to them (I think some ladies were waving to her). Haha! Hilarious. Got some laughs from the audience. Pity didn't catch that on video.

The royal Miss Baby Universe wave

Got shots of the two cute babies together. And photographer was taking shots of her, while she's in her own baby world on the side of the stage. Received comments that she's cute and pretty, should enter her for the contest blah blah blah. One even tell me "can be our cover baby" " that is if she's selected, " I added. Of course lah! Which parent don't want their child to be on the magazine cover??

The frumpy-looking me with our future Miss Singapore

Ai yoh.. next week better find a day to cut my hair, been delaying it かわい!Caught on camera by 2 photographers, but by time i took this, one of them stood aside

Was contemplating if should renew my subscription, and then caved in when I saw the gifts. Wow! Five years of subcription liao!
Anyway, Ros and I chatted a while more before we parted ways.

I had to meet Godma2 awhile before starting to run my errands at Raffles City.

Tired Aricia looking like a crab. So cute! Passer bys looked at this gigantic crab

Ever since the last time she mouthed the word bye-bye (bah bah) about a month back? I've been trying so hard to tell her to say it again. Today, she suddenly surprised me when she said it. Wah! Had to wait so long.... can buy 4D liao! Infact, in the evening, she mouthed other sounds when she wave. Hopes she does it again tomorrow and in days to come.

The selected photo for the contest. She had a few smiley shot. Really help that she's a Miss Smile-A-Lot

Am going back to Coverlooks to get more of other photos. At the same time maybe should make use of the 2 free coupon for photoshoot for the children? See how, I was thinking of nicer shots from KidsPictures (@ Forum) for Aricia, and I still need to bring Athena for another Princess shot