Mummy's entry - How we nearly lost you!

There is always a first for Haye Li in many things in which we have never experienced with Rye Li. While I have yet to post many of the things she has done (and I blame it on time), this particular incident is the MOTHER of all her FIRSTs and a terrifying experience for us.

We lost her yesterday for more than 5 minutes. Actually, when we realized it, it was of course after 5 minutes and found her within a minute (which seems like forever to us then).

We were at Toys R Us and was somewhere in the middle of the store when we parted as a family. The girls were with their papa while I walked to the other side. Shortly after, Rye Li followed me and I assumed Haye Li was with her papa (there was a huge display in between us which blocked our view). I actually was sort of contemplating whether to inform hubby or not but I brushed it aside. A huge mistake on my side as after 5 minutes or so while browsing the store further, hubby came to us and went “Where’s mei-mei?”

I instantly replied “I thought she’s with you!”

Immediately, as on cue, hubby went to one direction and shouting “mei-mei” while I went opposite and traced back our steps screaming for her. I made sure Rye Li went with hubs.

My heart dropped big time while screaming for her in the store and of course at every aisle I looked, she wasn’t there. Flashes of stuff ran through my mind and even viewing the recordings on CCTV came to my mind (although I remembered one of the conversations I had with a client that “by the time you view recordings, it’s always too late!”)

Before I could even panic big time (was at the verge of crying already!), I approached near the entrance of the store and saw hubby carrying and hugging a very terrified crying toddler. It was a huge relief to see her and at the same time I went “Mummy was so scared already” and hubby went “It’s okay as long as she’s alright!” and soothed her from her sobbing. I think she has been crying for more than 5 minutes as she had to pause big time to breathe and cry.

She was with a staff at the time hubby found her and we think she also traced back her steps to the entrance of the store.

We are so glad that she’s alright and it was a huge lesson to both hubby and I. We now know better to ensure that both of us must be aware of the kids’ surroundings before we go our separate ways. We have only ourselves to be blamed yesterday!

Also, I took the opportunity (when she has calmed down later) that she has to always hold our hands and cannot wander off. We have tried to scare her before which worked but I think this is also a huge lesson for her to listen to us. Hopefully, she will also remember.

Gosh, I’m still shuddering at the thought that we could have lost her big time. Sorry baby for our negligence! I cannot imagine how I can forgive myself if I lost you this way. :(

My first trip to Penang

My first trip to Penang was not how Mummy envisioned it to be. We had to visit Ah Kong whom was ill and within a month, we were there 3 times. Sad to say, my Ah Kong is no longer with us and you can read all about it from my sister's blog.

In the car, first time being on Penang bridge - we went up to visit Kong-Kong in the hospital. I was very well behaved during the journey to and from (other than the fact I refused to pee in my diapers so there were stops specially for me!)

At papa's friend's place, their first time meeting me and for me, the same too. This is Kai Ji

Papa was playing with Kai Ji and I got jealous so I plopped myself on him



I didn't even want to let him carry Kai Ji!




My che-che and Kai Ru, busy playing with their new found toys!






I was happily playing with the boys' papa that I laughed and laughed!

At the hospital visiting Kong-Kong during our first trip there

look at my cheeky face! playing with Ah Mai's (papa's sister) necklace

The below were taken during our second trip there (3 nights), this was after Kong-Kong's surgery

with Shane, our cousin - he loves to pose for the camera!

with Ah Mai and uncle Phil - looks like we're one happy family ya?!

che-che and I were busy playing with i-pad touch at the hospital - this trip we were not allowed to be on the bed with kong-kong

We went to visit the place where kong-kong was brought up

This trip, we stayed 2 nights at Gurney hotel so us kids could have some fun!

uncle phil lifting my che-che

and i wanted the same!

when we checked into the room, my che-che and i were checking out the view from our bathtub!

we went swimming and i was so happy!

my che-che glued on to ah mai like a koala bear

see how brave i was! i refused to let papa hold on to me! mummy was screaming away to papa to hold on to me as i'm pretty much an accident proned baby!

after a few attempts on the water slides with papa, i'm happier going down on my own!

i kept wanting to do this at the adult's pool!

after swimming in the pool, we get to play some more in the bath tub!

The hotel had some activities for kids and we joined in for the shell painting ones during one of the days while papa and the rest were at the hospital

we played on the artificial sand after that. what my sister did, i also want to follow!

The below were taken during our 3rd trip (nearly a week) there, for kong-kong's funeral

this is where i stayed put mostly as i was afraid of the dog that roams about the funeral parlour

the dog that i was scared of - he loves to have his naps here

this was what i also did to keep me occupied and to give the adults some free time

mocking around at the lobby of Gurney hotel while being checked in, we stayed there during the funeral as it is closer to the funeral parlour

i also try to pray while the rest are praying at nights

this was taken after the funeral was over at the crematorium

loving the plain porridge that was served!

with my second cousins from kong-kong's side

Rest in peace kong-kong!

Mummy's entry - my baby is 2!!!!

My baby is 2 today and sadly, I'm not with her to celebrate as I'm away for a work trip. We celebrated earlier on Tuesday as I took the day off just to spend some quality time with her (will post this up soon). The above picture was taken on Tuesday itself at the daycare.

She is definitely our pride and joy and like I've mentioned numerous time before that she never fails to amuse us in her own special ways.

Haye Li, mummy and papa love you very much and we're so proud to have you as our baby. Happy 2nd birthday my Haye Li and here's wishing to many, many more. Keep on smiling and amusing us baby!

I heard that you will be having some celebrations on your birthday planned by papa. Enjoy my dear baby as you truly deserve to be happy on your birthday!

Mummy's update - HFMD

My poor Haye Li had another round of Hands, Foot and Mouth Disease (HFMD) over 2 weeks back. The second time within 3 months.

Her sister, Rye Li, had it first and I was sort of prepared (although praying that she would not) that she may get it and I gave her heaps of Barley juices days before she had it and also started adding "Propolis" in her milk just to give her that extra immunity.

Not sure if these worked but this round, she wasn't suffering as much as before. No fever at all and her white spots in her mouth were not as many as the first round. There was a huge blister-like spot on her tongue and that one made her complaint of pain throughout the first night she had it and the next day during day time.

And although she complaint that it's painful while eating and drinking, she will still eat and drink. But the moment she doesn't like her food, she will use "pain" as an excuse not to eat.

This round too, she had red spots on her hands and feet, something we could not tell when she had this in July. But they were not affecting her so we were just monitoring her food intake. She recovered pretty fast too, within 4-5 days.

We're thankful that she is not so sick this round. Although she had it alright, her little cousin (who also goes to the daycare) got it again like her and suffered worst compared to his first round in July. Aunty Ng (daycare) decided to close for a week last week since other kids especially the younger ones were getting affected. We hope that this will be the last episode as it is not a good thing seeing the kids suffer.

Mummy's entry - potty trained

Since May this year at 1 and a half years old, Haye Li has been nappy-less at the daycare but me, being such a lazy mom at home, I made sure she has diapers when we're at home and especially when we're out of the house.

At times, this stubborn girl of mine, refused to wear diapers at home and has insisted that she also uses the throne like everyone else at home. Depending on my mood, I will give in but most of the time, she will be wearing diapers at home.

But when it comes to poo, she will insist to poo in the throne and for this one, we will definitely take her to the toilet. We will hold on to her while she does her thing, in case, she falls into the bowl. Lately, she will insist that she holds on to the bowl herself by using both hers hands and grip on the front side of the bowl to keep her balance. She looks really cute doing that (will try and see if I get a pic of her like that! LOL!)

So far, she had a few (less than 5 times) accidents at home (all pee) and there were times, she went to the toilet all by herself without us knowing but she would have to tell us eventually as she needs help putting her pants on (she has no problems getting them off by herself).

She is really independent for her age when it comes to these things - always wanting to do things herself. And yet, she can be a clingy koala bear when she wants attention. She never fails to amuse us and she still sets the records for things which her cher-cher has never done (both good and bad stuff). Nonetheless, we still love her the same!

On sleeping

I have a very weird sleeping habit lately. Since February this year, I have been sleeping through the nights most of the time unless I'm ill. For the past few months, I do wake up on and off in the nights but I will easily go back to sleep without asking for milk till it is time to wake up in the mornings (this is a huge achievement since my cher-cher woke for up milk till she was 3 years plus old). Although mummy is thankful that I do not ask for milk, she's not happy that she is being disturbed since she is a very light sleeper!

So how do I disturb her? As you can tell from the below picture, this is how our bedroom looks like.

The top part of the bed, belongs to my cher-cher and the bottom part is mine. Those days, papa used to sleep with cher-cher while mummy sleeps with me. For several months now, mummy has moved up with my cher-cher and papa sleeps with me. Initially, I didn't want him but mummy refused to give in to me and somehow, I have accepted it.

What I will do first before I sleep is to go up to my cher-cher's bed and sleep at the side while mummy is squashed in between cher-cher and I. When I fall asleep, mummy will bring me down to my side of my bed. In the middle of the night, I tend to move around. At times, I will go up to my cher-cher's bed or I will walk down to the little mattress you see on the floor (I won't walk over papa so I will take the long walk down and to the side of my bed) and will fall asleep there. I will do this several times in the night, every night for sure without a miss! And when I do this, I tend to wake her up because of the movements in the dark.

One night, mummy could not find me on my bed (she left us when we fell asleep and the lights were switched off while she went out to do some work) and when she looked around, she found me on the little mattress on the floor. She wasn't sure whether I walked there or fell down.

The other night, she left us to sleep on our own while she was doing work outside. When she came back in later, she found me sleeping like this....this is a trait I have learnt from papa. He can sleep anywhere!


Last 2 weeks or so, when I wanted to go up to cher-cher's bed and found mummy in the way, I went "mummy, eh too me" (excuse me) and she didn't hear me so I went "MAHMEEEE, EH TOOOO ME" and only then, she moved aside to make some space for me to sleep.

The thing about me sleeping at that side is that after several minutes or so, I will purposely fall down and go "eeeeeeorrrr" (falling sound) and then continue to sleep. Mummy has told me numerous times that the bed is not my playground but I love climbing up and then falling down as it is so fun(when we just got it last December, I have always treated it as one).

First attempt in cooking - making sushi

All this while, I've seen how my cher-cher loves cooking but was too young to be bothered to want to join in the fun. Two weekends ago, she was helping papa out to make some sushi and this time I wanted to help out too!

Since the usual seaweed sheet is too big for me to roll, papa used the smaller roasted ones that we eat for snacks for me and this was how I did mine....

first, your spread out some cooked sushi rice on the seaweed on the bamboo mat

Then you roll the seaweed with you hands!

and ta daaa, you can two tiny sushi rolls! :D

On drinking milk

Ever since a baby till now, I have a very bad habit when it comes to drinking milk. I could never finish drinking my milk at one go. As I was very young then, I could still get away with it without being scolded upon.

These days, I'm being scolded for always wasting milk. Depending on my mood, when my mummy scolds me, I will finish them up. Lately, most of the time, I do not and no amount of threatening can make me finish them (unless the cane is brought out and that also, if mummy has to threaten me numerous time).

During weekdays in the mornings, before we go to Aunty Ng's, I will get away from threatens by mummy when I do not finish my milk since she's always rushing to leave the house. Over the weekends, mummy will bring out the cane and threaten me again and again till I finish the milk.

Last weekend, I took a different approach. When I stopped drinking and put down the half finished bottle on the floor, mummy started threatening me. I chose to ignore her and went "I don (t) wan (t)!" and continue watching TV. Out she came with the cane and pointed it out at me. Although I was scared of the cane, I just went "I don wan, I don wan"

Next thing I knew, she brought me to the naughty corner and I refused to sit there. Instead, I walked away. And she brought me back again and threatened me with the cane. I refused to listen to her and by this time, she was shouting at me. I just went "I don wan" and walked off. Actually, I was half crawling and walking back to my chair in front of the TV. By this time, she went hysterical and next thing I knew, "WHIPPED!" at the back of my right leg. I immediately went "OW, OW, OW!" and a "PAIN!" and cried! I have always been scared of the cane and now I know why. Never realized it's so painful.

Mummy then dragged me to the naughty corner and asked me to stay there. I cried for another 5 minutes or so till I've calmed down. After what felt like forever, papa came to my rescue and asked me to finish the milk at the naughty corner while he accompanied me (coz I got to watch the "Nobody, nobody but you" song on his phone). I managed to finish my milk and papa asked me to go tell mummy that I've finished my milk.

So did I learn my lesson after that? Not really, again, I get away during weekdays in the mornings but I'm not so lucky at nights. I know that I will not be so lucky either over weekends and I would probably finish all my milk with the threatens by the cane.

Pssst....mummy told papa that she was really heartsick having to cane me that first time. There was even a mark after that but by afternoon, it was all gone. Whatever it is, I hope I will never get another caning!

Camerons - November 2009*

* this is another backdated post and a must-have update, just to record my holidays! ;)

We went up again to Camerons last November even though we were there the month before, celebrating my first birthday there. It was a last minute thing since Mummy has to go up anyway for her company's annual dinner cum trip so we all decided to tag along except we all stayed at our Grandpa's place since families were not allowed for this trip. This round wasn't has fun as the previous month as not only was the weather soooo gloomy and I was also ill, very ill.

This was how I entertained myself on the way up there, with the bucket (in case any of us vomits) and other stuff that I can get my hands on

Since we were not able to stop by at the waterfalls the previous trip, we decided to stop there this round. And we spent some half hour or so there. At this stage, I was still alright and managed to have some fun.

Papa had to bring me in to play with the water

By the time we reached the top at my Grandpa's apartment, it was raining and it looked like this, gloomy. It was about late afternoon or so then.

I was still feeling fine then and I did eat some food although not that much. Mummy had to leave by 6pm as she needs to drive to Equatorial Hotel to attend the dinner. By this time, I had slight fever and Mummy told Papa to monitor me and to give me the fever medicine at night before I sleep. The whole time when she was away till she came back about 10-30pm, I did not eat, drink milk nor took my medicine. The whole time I only wanted Kakak (whom by the way has left us for good this June 2010) and I even refused Papa and slept while Kakak carried me.

So when mummy got back, papa and her had to force me to take my medicine and then I went to sleep while she nursed me. Not long after that I got up and coughed out all I had consumed - mummy had to watch me through the night and wet my head to manage the fever.

The next day, while papa took cher-cher to the playground, we stayed back as I was still not well but better than the night before. My nose were all runny but at least my fever went away. So while cher-cher had her fun, mummy also had her fun taking pictures of me. And as you can tell below, I was really feeling under the weather.

And my mood was as low as this, it was raining again that early evening and we could not even see through that fog.

We stayed on for another night and left for KL that next day, mummy said that we're never going up there during rainy season again!