Rote counting 1 to 10 (English and Mandarin)

Mama used to count the steps with me when I just learnt how to walk. She counted in English, Mandarin and Cantonese. Just a month or so ago, I began to "vomit" all these "registered" in me.

I am good with counting in English from 1 to 10 (Lately, I could count with assistance to twenty too!)However, I got Mandarin and Cantonese mixed up. The "9" in Mandarin has become the "9" in Cantonese whenever I count in Mandarin. No worries, researchers said that it has been proven that a child before 3 years old can learn up to an amazing 20 languages! So don't underestimate my language bank! Too bad these are the 3 languages I can learn for now. If not I could be a linguist!

Anyways, here's a video clip of me counting. The Mandarin version of "9" was too soft. Mama couldn't even tell if I said it correctly. Oh by the way, Gugu sometimes will call me to request to hear me count. Hahaahahh....And I will gladly "show off" my counting skills. Probably that's one of the reasons I am counting more confidently nowadays! Next, I shall try to master up to 20 and say my alphabet in sequence! Who wants to call me?!

"I don't know" and " I forgive you"

Evangelia has been chattering away alot recently. Her ever endearing voice never ceases to tug my heart whenever she talks.

Gary and I noticed she has a bit of "xiao chong ming", AKA--try to be smart. But of course, the early childhood trained me has a term for it to make it sound a little less demeaning--prediction (of what comes next).

She often will say things that she knows will typically be the reply. Example, whenever she calls out "Papa/Mama!" We will reply, "Yes?!" So she has learnt a response; that if she calls out for us, a "Yes" will always be returned. So now, she'll skip a step, not waiting for our reply, "Mama/Papa! Yes?!" But she will still want us to reply, "Yes!" If not, she'll go on and on repeating.

Gary, being the one who is more firm and persistent in disciplining her, will expect her to apologise when she misbehaves. Gary and I make it a point to say, "I forgive you." (It's an assuring and affirming thing to a child, in fact, to anyone who seeks forgiveness, isn't it? To know that when I make mistakes, I apologise, my sought for forgiveness is accepted. Something I learn through inner healing--a simplified example of God's fogiveness for our sins.)

So, once she was very mischievous at the supermarket and Gary had to discipline her. However, just when Gary was barely through with reasoning with her and made her realised her mistake, she quickly said, "Sorry, Papa. I forgive you." I couldn't help but burst out laughing beside her and that gave her a chance to "escape" from the situation. She tried to force out a laughter, an attempt to manipulate her Papa to laugh too. And so he did, of course.

And one evening, we knocked off from work and went to pick her from my in laws. I spotted my father in law's mobile phone on the floor. I picked it up, knowing the culprit must be her, and asked, "What happened? Why is Yeye's phone on the floor?" Lia replied, with a matter of factly expression and she used a "twisted wrist" gesture, "I don't know!"

Her yeye upon hearing his phone was on the floor also came out just then and asked her again. Without a thought, she repeated, "I don't know." And walked away.

Some things kids do to make adults' day better after a hard day's work. :)

Evangelia the Builder

Mama took out this set of blocks for me to play just 2 weeks ago. It was a gift from Uncle Robin and Aunty Irene for my 1st birthday. Mama kept it because she wanted to wait till I was developmentally ready to play with it. And I am all ready man!
First week was only stacking about 3 to four blocks high, and I would kick them down with my legs. Then as Mama and Papa played with me, demonstrating how to 'build' stuffs, I grew a great liking for blocks. I kept playing with them whenever I was back home. Now, I could build house, train and swimming pool! Or at least, I imagined them to be so.
See, my house had a roof! Mama said typically only boys like to play with blocks for a long long time. That is also why generally boys are better at Math than girls. Block play has alot of mathematical concepts in it, that's why. And she is surprised that I love to play with blocks and my concentration for it is better than for reading! Oh well, guess I might take after Papa and be an engineer next time?! Or architect? Hmmm......a hippy singing engineer, perhaps! And revolutionize the geeky image of engineers!!! Ops! Sorry, engineers out there!? (Papa, no sorry for you cos your image is much redeemed by Mama when you knew her! wahahhaah...she made me say that!) :P
Tada! My finale pose for my master piece!
After that, I started to notice my domesticated Papa hanging clothes in the kitchen. He forbid me to disturb him with his bamboo stick. I had wanted to hang there like a monkey! Heheh....
So I amused myself (and Mama) by pegging his bermudas!

"Papa, you need to dry your bermudas. Come, let me help you!"

In this picture, do you notice I am as dark and lean in figure as Papa?! Gosh! Just pray hard I don't inherit his hairy legs! Yucks!!!

Kow Fu & Kow Mo came to play with me

Last Saturday night, Kow Fu and Kow Mo came to my house for dinner and played with me. As usual, I always had fun with doting people around. heheheh. Kow Fu also played soccer with me.

I said to Kow Fu:"Kow Fu, coffee for you."
I had a party whistle and Kow Mo was cheering me on to blow it till the "tongue" came out.
Jia you!

I did it! But Mama's camera skill not that good to capture it quick enough.

I asked Kow Fu to build house with me.

I was already almost done with a relatively big house when Kow Fu was still figuring out how to build!?? Oh I forgot. Mama said Kow Fu don't like to assemble things together, he prefers to dismantle them like he did to all his toys when he was a kid and the computer when Poh Poh bought them their first one ages ago! HAhahaaa...

I saw an opera on TV with orchestra. So I took a teapot and ladle, pretended that I was violinist!

Heidi and Elizabeth's birthday cell-la-bration!

Last Saturday was cell group again. We had a mini birthday celebration for Heidi and Elizabeth who turned 2 in Mar. Before we started the potluck, all the kids went for a swim at Aunty Viv's house (thanks, Viv for opening up your house again).

Well, I was afraid to venture in the water alone again. Think I am growing more and more conscious about things. I wasn't like that when I was younger. I didn't even want my parents to hold me as I could walk all over the wadding pool myself! Now, Papa became my lifeline; I held onto him tightly.

But soon I was able to smile a bit, because my friends all joined me in the jacuzzi. Hehehee....the water was warmer there! It was fun until the sky turned grey and it started to pour. So we had to wrap up.

It was a great time. Papa and Mama are thankful they found a cell and made friends with nice people. People who understand about parenthood in current times, shares the same faith and tries to be a good parent that God wants them to be. So they all learn together in this journey. As for me, I'm happy to play! Apart from sweet Xavier gorgor I think I am the 2nd eldest.

I "bullied" the others alot. Snatched their toys and not sharing. Got alot of reprimanding and correction from my parents. Guess I'm at this stage where I need t learn to be less egocentric. Well, give me time. I'm still learning! :P

God sent me an angel

I was having a bad sprained neck yesterday. Lia saw Gary pasted a Salon plaster on the back of my neck and immediately her face was filled with question marks. She insisted I squat so she could see the plaster.

Lia always has a thing with plasters and bandages. They gave her a sense of uneasiness. She would either ask for it to be removed immediately or she would be fearful about it when she was younger. It didn't matter if those things were stuck on her or others. Her reaction is the same.

Last night, I thought she would, as usual, insist that I remove it. Well, she did try to peel off at first. But I told her my neck was painful and showed her a painful look. Then she saw Gary massaging my neck and came over to the sofa with us too.

She removed his hand and did the massage for me! Then she whispered with such tenderness, "Are you ok?" And that look of empathy and care on her face was the most angelic face I had ever seen. My pain was there, still is today. But that little gesture of hers had melted my heart instantly. It was another of God's way of telling me,"I love you, my child." :)

Happy 4th Anniversary, Papa & Mama!

I went out to celebrate my parents 4th wedding anniversary on 5 March 09.
Papa brought us to Thai Express because Mama wanted to satisfy her long awaiting craving. Papa had wanted to treat her to some nicer places, maybe more romantic ones for dinner. But she rejected and simply wanted Thai Express. Well, don't mess around with a pregnant woman's craving. They can turn nasty and lose their senses. Like werewolf when the moon is out, or is it gone? So papa surrendered.

Mama had been wanting to eat her favourite curried soft shell crab rice for some time.
Finally, she could eat it and she couldn't wait!

Started without us?!? Oh well, steer clear of a hungry pregnant woman, remember?!

So poor Papa and I just waited.....

"Where is my supper?!"

Papa and me--just having fun while Mama's attacking her craving of curried soft shell crab rice!

" Ok, sure Mama. You wanna take photo with me. How long will it take? Eehhh..can I go off now...."

Busy with a straw.....

I made a triangle with a straw! And exclaimed, "Triangle!" Guess watching Barney has its advantage, huh?!

Then we proceeded to Swensen's. Well, not exactly straight away. Mama had to be hijacked by some shops that she claimed were calling out to her! Sigh...

Papa and me: "Life without ice cream is meaningless....."

All with nice smiles!

I squeezed them tightly.

Who has the nicest smile?

See who has the biggest mouth!

"Look there, Lia! The camera's not in my mouth!"

The waitress took a very long time to serve only 5 scoops of ice cream. They had forgotten our order and we grew so bored......

Finally our topless 5 for dessert came. Yummy! But I could eat a little because I was having slight cough.

So thirsty from all the noise I made......

So bored, so we posed silly poses....."Mama, my tongue is longer!"

I was very happy, as usual......

" I zap you into a frog!"

"Nay Nay Ni Boo Boo....." Mama taught me this...

Pretended to sleep

Pretended to be angry

Surprise!

Scared.....

Just plain silly.....

I'm Held By Your Love

When my parents got married, Mama chose this song (amongst others) as one of the songs for worship. Apart from the fact that the singer from New Creation has such mesmerizing vocal and Bob Fitts harmonizes (Bob Fitts's voice is not in this clip though)so well, Mama was instantly moved by this love song to Jesus. God's love never fails, no matter how we sing them in so many versions. Amen.

I'm a Ga Jie to a Mui Mui

Mama's gynea did a scan and was able to see the gender of my baby sibling. It's a girl! Yeah! I'm having a Mui Mui. I saw how the doctor did the ultra scan on Mama's tummy and could imitate the action when I got out.

I also sat on Mama's lap when she was having blood drawn from her for tests. I saw her crumpled face as the needle was poked into her arm. Ouch!

As for me now, don't think the Mui Mui thing is getting to me yet. Or at least I don't behave as if it bothered me. Not yet, I think. :P

For Mama, she is glad for another girl because she likes girls too. And on the practical side, she can recycle all my toys and clothes that I hardly used or wore much.

As for Papa, guess he has to learn to survive longer shopping hours and carrying more shopping loots with us one day! HAhahahhaa.....1 queen, 2 princesses and 1 slave! But he has the love of 3 ladies. That's not bad, right Papa?!

Cell group at Aunty Vivien's

I had cell group last Saturday at Aunty Vivien's house.

Playing with Heidi's toy.

Actually, the cell sharing was going on amongst the adults. But parents with kids like us have master the art of talking and child minding at the same time. Amazing skill God can give to parents, huh?!

And yes, the sharing was still going on while I disturbed Papa.

Piggy back on Papa too. Look at the mess on the floor!

Sharing session was over, then it was makan time! And that's Papa, playing with Xavier's gorgor's transformer! What's new?!

So sweet of Aunty Vivien. She made Tiramisu for us and one "child-friendly" one without alcohol and coffee. The first time she made, only Papa and Mama were there. But Mama just knew she was having another baby so couldn't eat because of the alcohol content.

So she gave a tub all for Mama to bring home! (Thanks, Viv!) Yum! Yum!

Then I spotted this Audi kiddy car in one room and "helped" myself. Cool car, right?

I was "driving" my first Audi when I couldn't help but look down at the swimming pool. Papa had told me I could swim when we were on our way to Aunty Vivien's. I was so excited along the way in the car, kept shouting, "Go swimming, yeah!" And I also pointed at other condos and said, "Swimming, yeah!" Mama wondered how I could tell these buildings were condos just like Aunty Vivien's house???

Then soon, little Heidi and Elizabeth joined me in looking the pool too.

Lia: "So nice if we could go into the water, right, guys?!"

Then Elijah (at the back) also wanted to take a look.....

Cake cutting ceremony! Aunty Vivien's birthday also in February! Happy belated birthday, Aunty Viv!

Xavier gorogor was trying to decorate the cake further with his dinosaur!