Ooo-Jaa

Ooo-Jaa is the cutish sound we make which tickles our little baby. We enjoy making that silly sound, enjoy making that wide-mouth and silly face, enjoy the togetherness and enjoy the laughter. Ooo-jaa reflects my life's simple pleasures and a little snippet of my life.

Friday, April 19, 2013

Another pre-schooler

At 35th month old, Yuxi is finally attending school. So she is now officially a pre-schooler, and no longer a toddler who stays home with me. Haha!!

Yuxi just started child care early this week on Monday. Its been amazing that she was coping so well. She could wake up early at 7am in the morning, drink her milk, get dressed and be ready to leave the house. She would also pack her bag excitedly with me the night before. On her first day of school, I only stayed with her for the first hour and she was pretty ok to see me go. On the second day, she was all ready to go into the child care centre by herself and to nap there in the afternoon. These were her exact words on the morning of the second day of school: "妈咪,你不用陪我,
我不会哭的." She's such a darling! And indeed, she walked in to the centre, all composed. Later on, when she was led by a teacher to the table to have her breakfast, she sat there quietly, eating oats cereal. And she finished that bowl of oats, all by herself! What a beautiful sight! I didn't think my mischevious little Yuxi could cope so well in a new environment. In the evening, when I fetched her, teacher also informed me that Yuxi slept by herself in the afternoon and slept very well. Needless to say, I'm so surprised. At home, Yuxi would cling to me like superglue, and wants nothing but me to lie down with her when she naps. Not only that, I have to lie very close to her and she will demand that I have to face her, sometimes scratching her back. This daily routine could drag for an hour!
Perhaps it was because Yule took 6 months before she could walk into the child care  centre happily, I was all prepared for the drama to unfold when its Yuxi's turn to start school. I couldn't be more happy when none of such drama has happened so far! (Of course, fingers crossed!) When I pondered what makes Yuxi cope so well in child care, compared to Yule at that time, I tend to give myself and the fact that I'm staying at home some credits. Yuxi has been taken care of at home all these while, and got especially close to me for the past (almost) one year of me staying at home. I believe such closeness and bond have helped her to develop a fundamental and deep sense of security and that when its time for her to move on to explore a new environment, she is all ready.
In Erikson's Theory of Psychosocial Development in infancy and early childhood, a child goes through different stages of development, and if a stage is handled well, the child will feel a sense of mastery and gains confidence. At the age of 2+, Yuxi is at the stage of Autonomy vs Shame and Doubt, where she is learning to do things by herself, and feeling a sense of control and independance. I am happy that I have the opportunity to witness and walk through this stage of development with her, and affirming her little milestone successes from toilet training, to recognizing her ABCs, understanding, following and getting rewarded for certain behavioural expectations and of course being a little helper at home - small steps like putting the dirty laundry away, placing the milk bottle on the kitchen table after finishing the milk, clearing the baby brother's diapers, setting the children table and chairs during meal time and even folding the baby's clothes. The home environment, together with a full time mummy, indeed makes a difference. I am convinced, in the early childhood development, a child's learning is caught, not taught.
Of course, not forgeting the eldest sister in celebrating Mei Mei's successful adjustment in school. Yule is the type of elder sister who likes to lead (and of course who likes to make decision of behalf of others and order others around!) She has given Yuxi a role model in gaining a sense of mastery in many aspects. Though often at loggerheads, Yuxi likes to follow the sister, Yule also enjoys being able to influence the younger one.
Yesterday, on the fourth day of child care for Yuxi, we sent them early, and since in the early morning, the playgroup kiddos and the bigger kiddos are mixed together before they are splitted to their respective classes. Yule and Yuxi were thrilled that they could be together for that short time in the morning! In the evening, the girls reported to me that they were playing around in the morning (I believe making alot of noise too!) and Jie Jie was watching Mei Mei having her breakfast. Mei Mei asked Jie Jie to feed her the cereal and Jie Jie did! So Mei Mei managed to finish her breakfast. with Jie Jie's help. So cute! Can they be so loving and cute all the time??!! Being so sweet.. my girls got their surprise treat when they got home - choice of stickers, evening swim and an ice cream treat at home.
Proud of you, girls!
As for me, I'm enjoying the serenity at home while blogging!
 
 

Tuesday, January 8, 2013

Today

Blogging seems to be a luxury now, even though I am now a Stay Home Mum. The last post was dated Sept 2011, and now its already Jan 2013! More than a year has passed since my last entry. Well, new year means new resolutions, or perhaps, to revisit my resolutions? And typing this entry actually takes me two days.. not that this is a long entry, but it was halfway interrupted by An's cries and Xi's mischief, and I have to stop and continue. Hah!

The last one year saw another amazing journey. I was pregnant all over again, and Yu-An was borned, on the day Yuxi turned 2. With his arrival, I've also become a SAHM, making the decision to leave a job with much familiarity and friendships. There was alot of mix feelings, uncertainties and fears. Yet another big decision in our lives. We have decided to move. A major house purchase and major renovation underway. Excitement yet uncertainties again. How else to make the year 2012 an amazing year?

Its not easy to be a mother of 3. At times I get angry, irritable and frustrated. Sometimes I grumble, I scold and I frown. Thankfully, I also reflect. While knowing that such feelings are inevitable, I tell myself to keep such behaviours to the minimum, and reminding myself the reasons for staying at home. Afterall, I will miss these times when I am back at work. And I am not sure would I even be able to return to work?

I always love the song 'Today'. I think I knew this song when I was in Primary School? The lyrics linger in me, and often, its a lullaby song I'll hum to my babies. The lyrics could even bring tears in me.

Today is my moment, now is my story. I'll laugh and I'll cry and I'll sing.

A million tomorrows shall all pass away. Ere I forget all the joy that is mine, Today.

No matter what happens, today or tomorrow will pass away. What could be more important than experiencing the little joyful moments that will come upon today? And I am to mindfully create these little joyful moments at home, today and everyday.

So, here it is.. the song Today

Today, while the blossoms still cling to the vine
Ill taste your strawberries, Ill drink your sweet wine
A million tomorrows shall all pass away
Ere I forget all the joy that is mine, Today

I'll be a dandy, and I'll be a rover
Youll know who I am by the songs that I sing
I'll feast at your table, I'll sleep in your clover
Who cares what the morrow shall bring

Today, while the blossoms still cling to the vine
Ill taste your strawberries, Ill drink your sweet wine
A million tomorrows shall all pass away
Ere I forget all the joy that is mine, Today

I cant be contented with yesterdays glory
I cant live on promises winter to spring
Today is my moment, now is my story
I'll laugh and I'll cry and I'll sing

Today, while the blossoms still cling to the vine
Ill taste your strawberries, Ill drink your sweet wine
A million tomorrows shall all pass away
Ere I forget all the joy that is mine, Today

Today, while the blossoms still cling to the vine
Ill taste your strawberries, Ill drink your sweet wine
A million tomorrows shall all pass away
Ere I forget all the joy that is mine, Today