Talkative Thursday - The man in her life

I will admit to this - when I was first pregnant, the ending part of my prayer includes a tiny little voice asking God (very nicely) if I can have a little girl. It could be that I am very close to my mum so I like to think that perhaps, just perhaps, one of these days, I will have a daughter that would make the effort to call me, go out together and that we are able to chat about anything.

Naturally I was thrilled to little bits when I found myself in the family way with a little girl and started going amok with all the shopping before she was even born. From bows to cute little onesies (that read: Mum's little girl, no less) to pink shoes, it was just so fun having a girl. We also could communicate early on because we were doing Baby Signing and so the bond between us has been established from the early days.

I am a type A and a worrywart. Part of it stems from Dumpling having a very nasty fall when she was younger. So, I prefer to be around whenever I can. Not that I think I possess any super powers but well, I'd like to think that I can make things better. :p

Along the way, I became the defacto person for Dumpling to go to for almost anything (well, I think that's true for almost all mums!) and being girls who love pretty things, we also have loads of fun bonding through using similar colours, matching outfits, etc.

The hubs, on the other hand, work punishing hours where his version of "early" means he is home around 8+pm but more often than not, it would be around 10+pm. Naturally, he is not left with much bonding time except on Suns (he works on Saturdays too).

Being a homeschooling mum meant that I have a dedicated 2 - 3 hours with Dumpling every evening and coupled with the fact that I would bring Dumpling almost everywhere that I go, the bond between us naturally has become stronger and stronger. With Dumpling being aware of gender differences where mummy is of the same gender and we do "girl things", therein also lies a 'problem' - I was also aware that she is not as close to the hubs and I became very conscious of a widening gap between the 2 of them.

So what did we do to encourage a stronger bond?

1) Dedicated Activity
After discussing with the hubs, we decided that he would take over her swimming classes while I focus on a new class which Dumpling took a few months back. Initially Dumpling did ask me to join her instead but she subsequently stopped.

For me, it certainly is a nice change to be up at the deck where I can watch the two of them having fun. I have caught many special moments on video and camera where the hubs would commend her on the improvements made, where the two of them would 'monkey' around together and where he would  encourage her for her effort.

These days, when the hubs can't make it and I need to take over, she'd actually sulk!

2) Puzzles and Play
On days when the hubs does reach home early, I would also remind (and at times nudge) him to spend some time with Dumpling before he tunes in to the TV! This is where they two of them would tackle puzzles, blocks and legos; well, basically the things that mummy suck at! :p

3) Saturday Breakfast! 
This started when I started teaching on Saturday mornings. The hubs would have to then settle breakfast with Dumpling and this became their special 2 - 3 hours and they sometimes invite the gramps too. Now that I am taking a little break, this "tradition" still continues where we will have breakfast together as a family but I get the hubs to bring her around to get / buy the food instead.

So far, I'd say that the additional effort and the swop of roles / activities seem to be working. The two now do seem closer than before. Naturally she does stick to me more often but ahem, when it comes to things such as 'unhealthy' snacks - no surprise there as to who she reaches out to!

Talkative Thursday - In faith, there is hope

I did not plan on having a post out today till I experienced something which filled my heart with so much gratitude. I had the opportunity to review and do a giveaway on iTheatre's The Enormous Turnip. While speaking to the lady-in-charge from iTheatre and finalising details on the giveaway, she shared that Tanglin School reached out to her for the sponsorship of some tickets to the play. 

That chat had me thinking over a few days as I was not sure how I could help. Finally, after praying over it, I decided to just dive in and try. So, when I posted about the giveaway on my personal FB page and the Homelearning FB group, I 'shouted out' to ask for the sponsorship of some tickets for these children with special needs. 

To my surprise, within a few minutes of my post, a mummy friend whose son was Dumpling's schoolmate at the Chinese class for a while, reached out and offered to sponsor. That marked the start of a series of PMs, SMSs and What's App messages from my mummy friends over the next 3 hours. 

God truly is good and works in wonderful ways. Instead of the original amount the school was hoping for, after collating all the mummies' responses, I realised that we now have more than double of what was asked for. When I called the iTheatre lady-in-charge to inform her about this, to my surprise, she shared that the school reached out to her before my call to share that if more tickets can be collected, it would be great so that more students and teachers can attend. :) How truly wonderful. 

I am just in awe over these mummy friends' generosity. Amongst so many messages that I received in those 3 hours, 2 mummies have deeply touched my heart with their responses and replies. 

Mummy HS replied with this when I thanked her: 

"My pleasure.. What I have is God given..

I am just doing my part"   

Mummy K whom I only got to know recently replied me with this:

"I feel so blessed to have healthy kids... Feel blessed that I'm living in a normal country and family... So am trying to help these children.... hope that my children can share their joy (of watching these productions) with others too..." 

WOW. To all of you fabulous mummies, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. I am deeply humbled and so very thankful for all your generosity. When I first decided to have a go at rally-ing for the sponsorship, I truly did not know if I was able to gather enough contribution. But I decided to try in faith and in turn you ladies gave me so much hope. That there are wonderful souls out there who are willing to make a difference. Thank you for your support and for making me believe and see that 'in faith, there truly is hope'. 

Parenting with Love - because I have been called to be a mum

'Have you ever regretted being a mum?' someone asked me recently (am penning this on 13 Feb). I smiled at the pretty lass and said 'No. I have never had any regrets in becoming a mum.'

I get this question quite a bit especially from ex colleagues / single friends / friends without kids. They know me during my younger days where I had all the 'me-time' in the world. Big contrast to where I am now where every evening is spent racing through dinner and then homeschooling the little one. From Math to Music to Language Arts to Science / GK, am doing it all. So it is no wonder that some friends cannot reconcile the old and current me.

Hell, I do not believe it myself too. I was after all, quite possibly one of the most non-maternal persons that I know. :p

But how can I ever have any regrets when I look at Dumpling and see moments like these?

Oh help, oh no!!!!

Wa ha ha ha... me love roe!!! Gimme roe!!!

Gasp!!! It is bigger than me!!!

And how can anyone have any regret with love notes like these?

I am blessed in so many ways with this higher order of Motherhood. Dumpling brings out both the very worst and the very best in me. 

'Motherhood - the very best journey about Love that I have ever been on. Dumpling - the very best gift of love that I have ever had. Thank you God and thank you, my other half :)' - 14 Feb, Mama Sue.  

Advent Activities - A Christmas Title for Kids: Mortimer's Christmas Manger

As part of the Advent Activities series, Jennifer and I will be sharing some Christmas titles and reviews. To kickstart, I am excited to share on "Mortimer's Christmas Manger", a title which I chanced upon. 

 

A recent title which Dumpling and I read, I really did not know what to expect though I saw a few preview pages and read the reviews. I did not expect to enjoy the story and thought it to be yet another Christmas title but I was pleasantly surprised. 

Mortimer's Christmas Manger is a simple yet heart warming story told from the viewpoint of a little mouse and is written by Karma Wilson (the author of the popular "Bear Snores On" and "Bear Stays up for Christmas"). The tale tells of a mouse's search for a new house and finds his way into the Nativity scene where he creeps into a manger every night. During his little adventures, he learnt about Baby Jesus and realised whose house he was sharing. 

With all the commercialism of this season, this book shares, in a gentle manner, the spiritual aspect of Christmas which is certainly a nice change. I especially like that the author, chose a seemingly small and insignificant animal to spin the story around, very much like Jesus who does not discriminate.

We especially like the ending where even Mortimer... well, I will not include any spoiler here. :) 

We read this before bed and strangely, I felt touched and humbled. It was certainly a nice story to end the day with. 

Now, since the story centers around the stable and the entire nativity scene, here's some extension activities to share! :) 

Extension Activities Suggestions:

1) Re-enact the Nativity Scene with your children using these printables:
From Activity Village (For older children who are able to colour)
From Gospel Hall (No colouring involved but will require parental assistance in cutting and folding. Cool factor: Includes a 3D stable print out!) We did this last year and it looked amazing!  

2) Nativity Calendar Printable

3) Nativity File Folder Games (Colour introduction for the young)

4) From 1+1+1=1: Nativity Preschool Pack

5) Nativity Pre-K Pack from Over the Big Moon

ENJOY!!!! :)


This activity is part of an Advent Activities series where we aim to share on a daily basis the various activities we are doing as we lead into Christmas! 

Head over to my partner-in-crime Jennifer to see a really cute spiral craft she made! PLUS, have a go at some Trivia questions she researched and posted up! Do you know that the sleigh is pulled by 9 reindeers - why the odd number? What other the other reindeers besides Rudolf? All this and more! :) 

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If you have any posts where you can share on the spirit of giving (gifts), joy of sharing (resources/tips/ideas) or the importance of loving (musings/parenting thoughts/values, etc.), please do link up and grab our badge! 

A Man and a Woman, a Mum versus a Dad

I think that the husbands of Type A personality wives may have it tougher. After reading Justina's post, it made me ponder over the subtle differences in parenting styles. 

As you know I am a typical Type A. Full of energy and I need to potter around because I just cannot stand the thought of "wasting" time doing well, simply nothing. As a friend aptly puts it, even the style of Yoga that I prefer is the high intensity type - one breath, one movement. LOL

Because of this, I am very anal over some routines and the poor hubs had it hard initially when he could not understand why I am so insistent on so many seemingly "little" issues! Here's a look at our "differences":

Me	The man
1. Honey, she needs to go down for nap. STAT! Otherwise, she’d go down late tonight and the cycle repeats itself the next day. And, it will be a vicious cycle!	1. It is ok. She can always sleep in the car and if she did not rest enough, well, then she will know better the next time.
2. Oh dear, you gave her this soup? Herbal chicken soup? This same one with alcohol in it? *face palm*	2. Oops! It is yummy so I thought she should try it. (Dumpling was laughing a tad too much and singing off key in the background by this time. And yes, it is the alcohol in the soup because IT HAPPENED A SECOND TIME!)
3. OK, enough, the Lego set is meant for her. It is her birthday gift!	3. But I am just demonstrating and showing her how to put the pieces together!
4. And the song choices… where do I start? It does not even spell the words right!?!?	4. (both singing to the car stereo) L.U.V Madonna, Y.O.U you wanna????

The piece that topsit all? Our definition of meals… 

Disclaimer: Dumpling was not harmed in any way by the hua tiao jiu in the herbal soup though mummy Sue may have been traumatized by her off pitch key.

Talkative Thursday: Chronicles of Beanie to Dumpling

Children grow so fast that it's scary. I got a bit emo when I was looking at dumpling's hands and feet over the weekend and noted how much bigger they are as compared to when she was a baby. See how tiny her feet were!!!!

The learning curve for me into parenthood was in the first year. It was also the same time that I was battling post natal depression and I just didn't have the energy or was in the right frame of mind to bring her for a studio shoot which I so wanted to do before popping. It was until I was in the second year of mummyhood before we ventured bringing her for it and I got hooked!

We booked a family shoot with The Studio Loft and had solo shots of Dumpling as well as some family photos. :)

Year 1 of shoot - look at the baby face!

Year 1 of shoot - check out her tee! :p

In a rare moment where we have a family pic as the hubs is usually behind the lenses

Since then it's been an annual affair for me to chronicle her growth with my yearly visits to The Studio Loft. I love the first series of pictures when she still has her 'baby fats' and when she looked babyish.

She then seemed to have grown quite suddenly when she was hitting 3 ~ her features are more defined and she looks older, like a little lady. The picture below was a walk-in Children's Day promo with The Studio Loft last year. Their props are always gorgeous and I love the 'doodle' approach they use as it adds an air of child-like innocence and fun to the entire shoot. 

Year 2 of shoot - safari props

This year, their themes were 'row row row your boat' / 'fishing', 'around the world' and 'rockstar' with the same doodle props concept which I have come to associate The Studio Loft with.

They also started an appointment system instead of the walk-ins like previous years so this made it much easier for mums to schedule our time. There was also more 'help' rendered with just 1 photographer but another 2 others on hand to help with coaxing / coaching the kids and the shifting of props. 


Here's Dumpling's "fishing / row row row your boat" photos:

'Around the World' and

and 'Rockstar' (with a dash of attitude to spare!)

.

It is a special 'journey' for me, this annual shoot that we do. :) I am thankful for a healthy and happy child and I am also thankful to be able to have something to chronicle her growth and I hope to continue through till maybe she is in K2. :) We did an outdoor shoot with a friend a year odd back too. :) I will leave that for another post. Heh

What about you? Do you go for studio shoots too? :)

For the month of October, Susan is celebrating the many things we are thankful to our children for. Here's linking up:

Also linking up with Sandra: 

Disclaimer: This is not a sponsored post or did I receive any compensation from The Studio Loft. All opinions are 100% mine.