Least expected..

Thytus and Nixon had to prepare for an elocution activity at school.

I helped them outlined their speech, and edited based on their preference / comfort..

Since we were constrained for time.. having attended two functions in the weekend, the boys were having difficulty trying to remember the lines.. Nevertheless, they practiced hard... and I didn't let them go easily. I pestered them on every available minute to practice their lines... even on our journey for the functions!

The night before, after more practice, they managed..

When they came back from school, Thytus excited told me how his speech went.. He was proud of himself.. I felt happy and proud for him.. and at the same time, I shared his sense of accomplishment - after helping with the speech and practice *wink*

Nixon came up to me a said, "Thank you for the speech, amma." *melt*

I least expected the "thank you" but definitely loved the appreciation! And, this is not the first time he has thanked me for helping him with his school work..

Although they expressed themselves differently, I fondly felt their appreciation for my work in assisting them...

I'm gonna get a love letter

I got a sneak preview of the love letter that I will be getting in November!

Thytus took a paper of the seat pocket and tried to pass it to me. "Amma, Nixon wants to give you this."

Nixon immediately grabbed it off his hand and took it away. "This is my note. I want to give it later. Not now!" he screamed angrily.

"It's okay. You can give me later. You want to put it in my lunch box like I do for you is it?"
(I put in little comics, love /encouragement notes, jokes or riddles in their lunch box everyday and assumed he wanted me to have the same treat :)

"No ma.. Never mind, you can see it now.."

I was a little taken aback when I saw the tittle.. "Bye ma, bye pa" Huh?!

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But when I had read the note.. it was the sweetest ever.

... to be continued.

Different answer

“Do you love me?” I asked Aaron.
“I love appa” he answered. Hmmpphh! I knew that.. since he is appa’s chellam. But I had to continue bugging him :)
“You don’t love me?” *pause* “I love you!” I replied.
“I love amma..” he said. Phew! *relieve*
But he didn’t stop there.. unlike his brothers, Aaron continued..
“I love anna, I love chinna anna, I love chella thambhi..” *touched*

I’m impressed!

He has followed me to send his brothes to school since he was 1. He did express interest to go to school when he was 3 years old, but since both Thytus and Nixon didn’t stay in school more than two days at the same age, we decided that he should just stay home and enjoy his childhood, and send him when he is 4, just like his brothers.

Today, after waiting for a long long time.. the day has arrived, finally!

Both Thytus and Nixon had either their cousins or each other to accompany them to school, but Aaron is all alone. Despite the fact that he is unaccompanied, he portrays a distinctive sense of independence.

He didn’t need me to walk him to his class.
He didn’t need me to find him a seat.
He didn’t need me to be with him when he played in the playground before the bell rang.
He didn’t need me to stay with him in class (even when ¾ of his friends were wailing!)

What impressed me more is that he was able to get on the van after school, all by himself. I didn’t even show him who is the van driver.. which means he followed the teacher’s instructions and safely returned home without any qualms.

The first thing he asked when he got home is his ‘susu’ :) He usually drinks susu as often as he can think off.. and being in school has forced him to let off his at least 1 or 2 of his ‘susu’ sessions.

I was actually afraid that he might be shaken off being surrounded by wailing children.. but he proved me that he was not disturbed. I am proud of you my baby!

The pain of joy!

The night before.. appas and I were at a mamak stall having our supper when I mentioned that I have a 9-10 minute contraction.. little did we expect that we were gonna welcome the arrival of our first born!

We went in for my normal check-up at 37 weeks. I highlighted to my gynae that I had timed my contractions as 6-7 minutes early that morning. “Why don’t we check the opening then?” and when she did, “Yeap, you have a 3 cm opening. You can get yourself admitted today..” We were definitely caught by surprise as we were not prepared and I didn’t bring my bag that I had packed weeks earlier for the delivery.

Got admitted into the labour room at about 11.00 a.m. Knowing that I cannot bear the pain, we requested for epidural.. and thus, had to be bedridden.

Since we were planning to have our breakfast after the check-up, I was lying there so hungry.. (not supposed to eat). Apps did sneak in some milo for me as I was already feeling the gastric juice building up in my stomach.

After a long day on the bed, I was so tired. It was not easy to fall asleep with all the anxiety in the air...

At least, at about 8.05 p.m., the opening was 9 cm. The gynae and nurses were getting ready in front of me. They asked me whether I could feel the contraction.. and I said “Not really..” The gastric cramps overcame the contraction feeling! So, one of the nurse had to assist me and told me when I was contracting, and I pushed. Three pushes, and he was out.. Phew!

I looked at him as the nurses placed him on the cleaning counter next to me.. I smiled with tears of joy flooding my eyes. My FIRST born! And I couldn’t help notice that he has my lips.. a.k.a his maternal grandpa’s lips :)

Due date : 16 April 2004
Delivered on : 7 April 2004
Weight : 3.45 kg
Length : 53 cm

Introducing...

Her homecoming

She was born on August 29, 2008 weighing just ~800g. Her birth was 3 months before the actual due date.

After that, she was required to stay in the hospital to gain weight, up to 1.7 kg. While she was in the NICU, nobody was allowed to visit her, except her parents. So, all of us was anxious to see thambhi’s little princess. All we got to see if her picture taken on the hand phone.

We waited for more than 2 months, and today, she made her way home from the hospital.

Welcome home my dear niece, Elizabeth Ivanka!

I was touched

My bad day turned out to be a sweet one knowing that my son loves me so much. Thytus sensed that I was not feeling well and was not in the mood for anything. He came up to me and said,

"Ma, I am going to make you a card. Can you cut it out for me?"

I was speechless. When I checked on him later, he was cutting out the heart by himself. He even asked me to help him hold the hearts that were flying of under the fan!

I was so touched.. he is such a loving boy.

Sounds crazy to me

The boys do anything it takes to care for their little brother. I get to help me watch him when I am cooking, taking in the laundry, taking my bathe, etc. In order to distract him from looking for me or to entertain him when he cries, they do anything.

They scream on top of their voices, Aaron watches them in silence.
They sings the oddest songs, Aaron claps and shakes his butt.
They dance up and down, Aaron follows suit.
They bring him toys, Aaron takes and throws it behind him.

Sometimes I laugh to myself seeing them do their tricks. I just see the love in them!

I am definitely lucky to have such loving boys..

He was touched

Since MIL left to India to visit her mother on September 26, I had take leave for more than a week to take care of the boys. During this time, we were expecting our maid to arrive.

Since the maid did not arrive as expected, I had to find other people who could help. In order not to finish my leave, apps offered to take care of the boys. So, he took two days off so that I could go back to work.

Apps took back lots of lovely memories with him during the two days stay with the boys. He writes in Thytus blog...

I have read and heard about tears of joy many times in my life but it was yesterday that I realy experienced it. I was telling bed time story rather sleepyly to you my first born grandson at 11.00pm in your bedroom.

I recalled (my young time real story) how I witnessed a mother bird and father bird fed the baby bird while still in the nest without feather.I told you that the baby birds will be fed daily until they heve feathers of their own, then they will fly away.

You know what you told me?

Thatha next time the baby bird grows up it must feed the mother bird and father bird.

I was sleepy but that awoke me and I got up. I asked you what did you say and you repeated, "Must take turnlah, small time mother bird and father bird fed baby bird now must take turn isn't." I realy shed tears of joy which I will cherish all through my life.

I love u soo much grandson.

First thing that came to my mind when I read this is that I didn’t teach him to take care of me during my old age yet (that lesson was to come later).. but where did he learn this from? I really don’t know..

All I can say if that I am really proud of you, Thytus..

You can do it!

Yeap! Only you boys can do it..

You can make me mad and at the same time make me proud with your loving attitude towards each other :)

Happy Birthday lil' Presiden!

Happy birthday to you..
Happy birthday to you..
Happy birthday to lil' Presiden..
Happy birthday to you.

You are 3 years old today. Hmm, no more in the terrible twos, is that going to make any difference?

You make me scream, you make me smack your butt,
But you are not afraid. Nothing I do stops you from being yourself - naughty!

Nevertheless, I am proud of you. You take care of d-prinz whenever he cries. Every time I ask your help to talk to him while I feed him medicine or change his nappy, you are always trying your best.

You are very attached to appa. When he is not home, you come to me. Unlike anna who loves to stay with ammachi and taatha, you always think twice.

You speak very well and always impress us not just with your vocabulary, but with your wittiness as well. Sometimes you make the funniest statements. You never fail to amuse us :)

I can trust them

To some extend, I can trust both Thytus and Nixon to take care of Aaron when I have to go to the kitchen for a while. If Aaron cries, I do find one of them next to him, trying to talk to him or patting him slowly while they wait for me to come back.

However, I have those times when the TV has the stronger attraction and they ignore their little brother’s call! I have come back and found Aaron far away from his mat, happily chewing on his toys. He had crawled or rolled out of the mat and the brother did not notice.

Nevertheless, I am happy and proud that they do take the initiative to help me in taking care of their little brother. Every time they help me to care Aaron, I can see their love for him...

I feel bad

I feel so bad I can't spend quality time Champion and lil' President. That is the drawback of having kids with close age gaps :(

When I was pregnant for lil' President, I had to train Champion to be more attached to apps. Then when he was born, of course, I had to take care of the newborn and apps continued to take care of Champion.

When I knew I was pregnant with Aaron, again, I trained lil' President to be close to apps. Before that, he would only look for my arm.. to scratch my elbow. After the training, apps elbow would do too *sigh*

Now that Aaron is born, I have to take care of him, while apps concentrates of the other two. I try to spend as much time as possible with the boys. As of now, the boys are going to my in-laws during the day (as usual) and comes home with apps only late evening. So, its just few hours there for me. Unfortunately, Aaron is extremenely fussy in the late evenings till sleep time. He wants to be held and feed almost constantly! So, how can I spend even the least time with my boys? :(

Sometimes Aaron manages to sleep for 1/2 hour, which is when I eat with the boys or sit with then at the dining table (if I have had my dinner).

But the saddest time is putting the boys to sleep at night, especially when apps is coming home late. I will have to put Aaron to sleep and the boys won't sleep till I join them. Sometimes they just sit on the bed waiting for me.. calling out to me.. "Come amma.." Sometimes they come and stand beside me.. waiting for me to finish feeding Aaron and put him to sleep. *sigh*

Luckily Champion is loving and doesn't mind taking care of lil' President.. whole is still a baby even though he is the mischievous one. Last night Champion offered to and over the milk when lil' President insisted I pass it to him. He asked his brother to sleep and put the bottle in his mouth. Afte he had finished, he called out to me "Amma, come amma.. give me hand" And again, I had to ask Champion for a favour. Champion willingly offered his hand and lil' President held his brother hand while waiting for me to come. Although that moment didn't last long (they ended up playing with each other), I was touched. I had to tell Champion that I was proud of him for loving and taking care of his brother! He smiled :)

After so long of waiting, Aaron slept off. I joined the boys.. kiss each other 'good night', said our "I love yous & sweet dreams".. As I hug them to sleep, I hear Aaron start his small cry.. he needed cuddling again! Argghh.. I had to leave the boys.

After a minute I came back to them and they were already asleep *sigh*

How I miss them.. I just wish I can stop the time sometimes!

How is it going...

.. with me?

I am definitely getting so much heavier than the last two pregnancies. I'm in my 33rd week now, and can't wait to deliver already. I wonder whether I will deliver early just like my second pregnancy.. at the 37th week.

So far, we are unable to confirm the baby's sex. Since we have waited till long, we might as well wait another month, huh?

.. with Champion?

He is impressing us with his perfect sentences.. with some English accent.

"Amma, can I some orange juice please?"
"Can I watch that CD, please?"
"Can I have some more please?"
"Thank you amma." When we say welcome, he replies with a "No problem."
Or, he gives us the short "Thanks" .. sounding just like a grown up.

Hmm, apart from learning manners from us, I think the TV programmes is influencing him. He is a TV addict. Given a chance, he will sit there watching TV whole day. He does get involved with other activities like badminton with apps, loves his 12-piece jigsaw puzzle, playing with his cars and reading books, or rather, getting me to read to him.. but when he is not given any attention, he resorts to the TV. I wish I was able to spend more quality time with him.. especially at this age.. but since I am trying to cope with myself at the moment, it is tough to sit with him long enough :( I guess I can do better after the delivery...

Champion listens to our instructions well.. (most of the time). He even straightens things when they are not right.. puts back what he took. He is also easier to handle when we bring him out. When I brought him to a function without apps, he ate all by himself, even when I offered to feed him. He impressed me!

.. with lil' President?

He is getting more clingy to apps. When apps is not around, he looks for me. He is still sucking his thumb and looks for my elbow to scratch when he is sleepy. Somehow, he doesn't like apps elbow.. so it's mine that he looks for.. Even if he was sitting with apps, he will get down and look for me.. or rather, my elbow!

He too is getting involved with the 12-piece jigsaw puzzle.. but we would have to ask him for different parts of the picture and he would point out. Then, being lazy.. he would ask us to pick it up and fix it ourselves!

Somehow, he is not interested in TV.. he loves playing with toys.. even if it meant playing by himself. He loves to irritate his brother by switching off the TV while he is watching.. Hmm, may be he is seeking his brother's attention?!

His communication skills is definitely better than Champion at the same age. He speaks and understands three languages (English, Tamil and Bahasa Malaysia) quite well. I am impressed with his Bahasa Malaysia when he communicates with the maid.. Champion can do the same.. but lil' President is a year younger!

Lil' President is a little hard to discipline.. he does what he wants.. Champion was the opposite at his age. He listened well to our instructions and was an obedient boy. Lil' President loves to throw things and keep the table clean buy pushing everything to the floor!

.. with apps?

He is definitely doing his best to handle 3 people with different characters.. me, Champion and lil' President. He tries to satisfy our needs, tantrums and fusses.. and I must say, he is dong just great! ;)

Nowadays, since I have lessen my shouting and conditioning with the boys.. (to reduce my own stress..) apps is coming into action. He has been the quite one all this while.. but now the lion is awake. He can't help it but to do a little scolding and conditioning with the boys.. especially lil' President!

I guess we are just hanging in there and waiting for the arrival of the new addition to the family :)

Little baby feeds big baby!

I had dinner, but suddenly I was feeling hungry again. Being lazy and wanting to be pampered, I asked apps if he could feed me some rice.

He brought the plate of rice and started feeding me.. in between, asking Champion whether he wants a feed. After a little while watching me have my feeds, he came for his turn. The rice finished, but he wanted more. I told apps to put just enough for him, as I was done.

When apps came back, Champion ran to him and said, "I feed amma.. I feed amma."

He took the plate from his hand and sat beside me. His little fingers gathered few grains of rice and a piece of fish.. and he fed me. *heart melting sigh*

He fed himself in between my feeds.. and ended up finishing the rice again. I asked him if wanted some more and he nodded. Apps took the plate to add more rice and fish. He got up to follow apps, looked at me and said, "Wait amma.. I go and see and come. Wait ah.."

I nodded.. wondering where he was going.

He went to apps and asked to put little rice and some fish. He then came back and sat right beside me waiting for apps to come back with the plate.

This time, he only wanted to feed me (perhaps thinking I was still hungry). "My stomach full oredi, amma.. I feed you, ok."

I was only eating because he wanted to feed me, but I was full myself.. So I told him to finish up the fish and go wash his hands..

Every time his little fingers fed me, I only had a small mouthful of rice and fish.. but I felt so much love in every feed!

I do it my way.. and it works!

Apps has a problem of attending to both the boys, especially at the same time. When one is being carried, the other will ask to carried too, "Carry two two.." they will say. Apps being easily bullied, he carries both of them together!

Wherever he goes in the house, both will follow. Champion who prefers to be carried, will make apps carry him the moment he knows apps is moving away from him. Lil' President, if not sleepy, he too will go running behind apps, to be carried.

As for me, I don't entertain their request of carrying them. Most of the time, I insist on them to walk by themselves. I have a bad back and they are not light anymore!

When I have some work to do in the kitchen and need them to play by themselves and not fuss around.. I would ask Champion to take care of lil' President. When I give him this responsibility, he feels important. He will say "Okay.." and will lead lil' President to the living room and play together.

On normal times, there would be points when they fight for the same toy and find it difficult to give in. They do end up beating, biting, pushing, throwing a toy, etc. However, during the 'responsibilty' times, I notice that Champion will not fight for a toy.. on the other hand, he would give in to his brother. How sweet..

When lil' President is up to no good, he will also be fast to tell us. I find it very helpful as I can act fast, especially when he is doing things behind my back.

Somehow, if apps try my methods, it wouldn't work. The boys know their father.. they know they can bully apps, and they cannot do the same with me ;)

No worries

I should not worry, when he always watches out for him..

I was suppose to share an ice cream with lil' President, thinking he won't be able to finish it all by himself. I was wrong, he gobbled up his ice cream faster that Champion. I only helped him lick the ice cream here and there so that he doesn't mess himself. At the end, he was trying to push the whole cone biscuit into his mouth when I broke the end off and put into my mouth.. to help him out. Just then, Champion calls out to me, "Amma, why you take thambhi's ice cream?"

Oppss!

I was trying to make lil' President sit in his car seat.. against his will. He was crying so much and I was trying hard not to give in. But my little soft hearted boy pointed out to me, "Amma, thambhi don't want to sit here. Take him out. He don't like!" Hearing this, lil' President cries out louder (knowing there is someone to support him)

Arggh! So much of help..

These scenarios is becoming quite common nowadays.. when he is being forced to take his medicine, eat his meal, wear his pyjamas, banned from reaching out for something, etc.. Champion is there to protect his back!

Even though Champion does not know why we are insisting on certain things to be done, the love and care he shows on lil' President makes me proud and certain that he will always be there to watch over his brother!

Sweet Lullaby

The sweetest lullaby,
Nothing sweeter than this one.

Sung by a 2 year old,
to a sleeping 1 year old.

"Twinkle, twinkle, little star"
He sings like a star,
Accompanied with gentle pats,
My heart continues to melt.

From behind,
We exchange glances,
Deep inside,
We share the pride.

Made the cover story

Wow! I didn’t realize that my article could take place as the cover story in the Monthly Bulletin of the Institute of Engineers, Malaysia.

I knew my article entitled “Satellite Communications: International and National Regulatory Framework” was to be published in the September issue, but I didn’t know that it would be out as the cover story.

I am proud of myself! *pat on the back* ;)