What am I to do?

When you have a baby/toddler, how do you handle him when dining out?

Let’s say your child wants to eat by himself.. do you allow him to? You know that if he eats by himself, he would mess the place around him. Or, are you are bothered about the mess and how the staffs would look at you? So, you make him sit there being restless and you try to feed him.. which can be difficult sometimes, as he is restless in his high-chair waiting to be fed.

I choose to let lil’ President feed himself. He can hold his spoon and feed himself, most of the time being accurate, sending his food to his mouth. Or, he would just use his fingers and feed himself.

In the course, there would be rice droplets around him. Accidents do happen.. he drops his spoon, he drops his small bowl. People in the next table stares! Why?! They were looking as if my son was making a criminal offence, dropping his utensils and messing the place around him. For heaven’s sake, he is a baby. You don’t expect him to eat as perfectly as you! (if they thought they are perfect diners)

So, what am I to do?

Am I to allow lil’ President be restless, cry and fuss that he cannot eat by himself or make sure the place around him is clean?

Barney VS American Idol

Nowadays, Champion loves to watch Barney more, compared to his favourite programmes Playhouse Disney Channel on Astro, Channel 63.

Every time we get home, he would ask us, "Barney CD, puuut ammaaa.." We find that it has reduced our watch over him time considerably as he is preoccupied with his Barney show. Now we have more time to spend with lil' President who is climbing almost anything, and opening every cabinet or drawer he sees.

If I wanted to watch TV, I would have to tell him I wan to watch TV for a while, and I will put his show back on later. Sometimes he is okay, sometimes he makes a fuss.

When the show is on, I find it difficult to talk to him, coz' he is too engrossed with his show! Sometimes when he is naughty, I will be naughty too.. and threaten him that I will off the TV so he can’t watch Barney :D

It has been few weeks now, and it is I who is getting bored with the Barney shows. But I have no choice, but to let him watch his Barney shows. Since he can improve his vocabulary and learn good habits from there, I don’t mind...

Yesterday, as usual, he wanted to watch his Barney show when we got home. But, American Idol was on, and I wanted to watch it! Luckily, I didn’t need to ask his permission to watch my show. Within few minutes, he dozed off! I guess he was too tired. Lucky me! :)

The new beginning

Now we have stepped into another new year. How time flies...

Well, we started the new year with a packing spree. Since we were heading to JB later today, we had so much to pack. And I normally pack more clothes, with lost of just-in-case in the mind. Just-in-case for me, just-in-case for apps, and just-in-case for the kids. Then you can imagine how big our luggage will be, even for a day trip. Hehehe...

Phew! At last, we're were finished with the packing. I nearly thought we were not gonna leave the house that day, with the amount of time I spent packing and getting everybody ready ;)

We headed to my il-laws. We had lunch there, together with the whole family; FIL, MIL, BILs, SILs, nieces and nephews. After lunch, we started our journey to JB. My bro and KV was organising a barbeque dinner for both their parents and us.

Nowadays, Champion doesn't want to sit in his car seat in front, and only wants to sit behind, with Mr. President. So, it was pretty tough to have two kids in the back seat.

Activities in the backseat.

When we finally arrived (at last!), they were all waiting for us (or rather, the kids). Since it was already evening, we refreshed ourselves, and got ready to head to the pool side for the barbeque.

Champion was all excited with the pool. This is the first time Champion gets into a real pool. Before this he wasn't interested. but since he was already loving his baby pool at home, he loved this even more. Taatha got into the pool with Champion. I was really proud of Champion when he got into the pool, without any fear. He was even waddling in the pool! Amma is really proud of you, my Champion!

Soon, KV was in the pool too. She has got Champion a ball to play with. Champion was really having so much fun. I must say, KV was really sporting to get into the pool and join the fun with Champion.

The guys were busy preparing the barbeque...
I was busy snacking on the cocktail...
Mr. President was stealing some small bites from me...
The ladies were preparing the table...

Suddenly, it POURS! Spoil only...

I ran off to Champion, bringing him a towel. He was already feeling cold. Time to change. After his bath, we joined the others at the pool side. The rain had stopped. Champion played ball with taatha and KV. Mr. President was already hungry. So made some milk for him.

And again, it POURS! Okay, that's it. They decided that we should just get indoors. So, the party was moved indoors. Though not as exciting, it was still fun. After dinner, we played carom. It has been a long time since we played carom. I can say that I was pretty rusty.

Soon enough, we had to say our goodnights. Too tired...

In the night, we suddenly noticed that Champion was having fever. Not again! Apps guessed may be it was caused by the bacteria from the swimming pool and playing in the cool weather. We struggled to give him his medicine. Recently it has been tough.

And back to sleep...

In the morning, Champion was feeling much better. But we can see that he hasn't fully recovered, and he is still not well. After breakfast, we headed to YP, to visit our uncle. We left after lunch, and arrive KL around 5.00 p.m.

We were expecting a traffic jam as we were heading back. But luckily, there was none. I think everybody is at home, making sure the kids got everything school the next day. Thanks to them!

... our new year begins.

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KV : bro's girlfriend

A need for celebration

Well, we really needed the celebration, or rather, the time out. On my birthday, as usual, both of us took leave, to spend time with each other. Left the boys at in-laws like everyday. After cooking a meal for both of us, we spent a whole day out. Later, fetched the boys, and went for dinner.

My, my, my.. its not easy having a decent dinner nowadays.. especially when Mr. President is pulling my hand for some food.. He can't have what I'm eating.. so, I can only pass him his biscuits. The moment its finished, I can feel another tug on my blouse.. Then come Champion.. after his short meal, when he finds his hands dirty and sticky oredi, he says he wanna wash his hands.. Once he gets down to wash his hands, if he finds anything interesting, he will start heading there.... Phew! Then again, all this is fun.. and tiring.

Wanting to make it complete, apps wanted to bring me for a movie. It had been ages since we went for a movie. So, we got my parents to take care of Champion, while mils take care of Mr. President. After our movie, we headed to my parents to fetch Champion. Guess what?! He 'merajuk'. He was sooo angry. He didn't want to come to us. He was soo angry that we left him. When I went close to carry him, he just pushed me away, cried and clinged on to his thataa.

After talking to him for a long time, he came to us.. and after that, he didn't leave his father. I think he was afraid that we will leave him again. Last night, he didn't even sleep on the bed. Apps had to hold him on his chest and sit there sleeping. Only about 4.00 a.m. did Champion allow apps to put him on the bed. That also, apps had to tell him continuously that he is there, right beside him. Only then he felt more secured I think.. or may be Champion was too tired oredi. So pitiful... All this feeling of being insecure and fear of separation started last year when I went on my business trip. Hmmm....

Even Mr. President is difficult. He allows other people to carry him only in my presence. If he doesn't see mummy, he gets scared... and he gives a warning he is gonna cry. And is he still can't see mummy.. *sob* *sob*

Hmmm, I think we cannot leave the boyz overnight anywhere again.. or at least until they get bigger!

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thataa : maternal grandpa

Choosing oredi ah?!

We went on our second attempt to complete our Christmas shopping. While packing the children's stuffs, Champion came and helped me. He knew we were going out. He asks for his shoes. Then he spotted the brother's shoes. Then he says to me, "Ammi shoes". I told him, "No, thambhi is still small. No need shoes". Then I continue to pack. And you know what Champion did, quitely creeped on the floor, grabed Mr. President's shoes, and ran away... shouting, "Ammi, shoes. Ammi, shoes.". Of course, I ran behind him. He went over to his brother and ask him to wear the shoes. So cute lah Champion. He want his brother to wear the shoes and follow him.

Phew! After packing, off we go...

As usual, we had Mr. President in the stroller and Champion in the trolley. After some time in the trolley, Champion was getting bored, and starting to point here and there. He wanted to go here, there and everywhere. He also spotted the escalator, and wanted to go on it too!

Oh my goodness. I started to feel that we cannot go shopping for Christmas with the kids. But we need to shop for the kids too. It is difficult to get clothes for Champion and Mr. President, without they physically being there.

At last, we ended in his section. After choosing some shirts, we got Champion to try it on. We thought it is gonna be tough. But, he was so cooperative. He knew he is getting a new shirt. The shirt that he likes, he will give you a big smile, and say Waaah to himself. The way he says it, is as if he think he looks good. So cute. He tried another, and goes Waaah, and he likes it. Later I showed him another, and he say vena (means no). I thought he was just playing around and not paying attention. So I showed him another, with a car picture on it. I thought he will like it. He says wah... car. I asked him, you want this? He says no. Fuyooo!!! He knows to choose oredi. He points at another one and says ammi. He wants us to get Mr. President one. So sweet.

Then he says he wanna sit in the stroller. Hah? Where to put Mr. President? He can't sit in the trolley. He is too small. Okay, now apps has to carry Mr. President, while I push Champion on his stroller. Of course, apps has to also push the trolley, full of things single handed! Champion just sits there, feeling relaxed...