Let's Go To The Zoo!

We decided it was time to bring Jaeden to the zoo, right after he turned two. These days, he could articulate his feelings quite adequately. I remembered the first time we brought him to the zoo when he was one, he could hardly grasp what was going on around him.

Our toddler started verbalizing  his thoughts in pairs of words, then gradually in a string of punctuated words, and progressively to forming sentences when he was about 20 months. Though he started "talking" only recently, I am proud of his attempts and progress. I don't care so much about when my toddler should start speaking or so and so milestones and all that stuff, I only care that my baby is happy while he is learning to explore the world. 

So we went to the zoo but I didn't managed to take many photographs as I had to carrier lil Jovan for most part.

<21 July 2013> 

Jae likes to make funny faces now whenever he's asked to smile for the camera. I like his cheeky grin. Don't know where he learnt that from, but I thought it's rather creative.

Jae was afraid to sit on the tortoise for a picture (if I were that small, I would imagine the tortoise to come alive and bite me too). So we got a brooding shot.

Jae's nephew Justin looking really handsome on a pony.

We ended our excursion at Kidzworld where Jaeden managed to feed some goats.

I don't recall having that much experiential learning where I was small. Kids are so blessed these days when it comes to learning exposure, but then again, parents are more educated and equipped to use such learning tools in this generation. We are however posed with a greater challenge; to teach morality and integrity in a fast evolving society. We may try to shield our little ones in a protective bubble named 'Childhood', but soon they will break out of this bubble. And that is where the real learning starts, and another post to be written entirely. Till the next post, stay chirpy.

The Live Turtle and Tortoise Museum Singapore

On Jae's 2nd birthday, the hubby and I took leave to bring Jaeden out to spend time with him. As I was fretting over where to bring a 2 year old that is experiential yet memorable to the child, I came across this post from Klessis which is very helpful (you can read it here). Thanks Klessis for the great recommendation!
It was drizzling on and off  that morning, but it didn't deter us as we had already told Jaeden about the excursion and he was totally looking forward. The Live Turtle and Tortoise Museum Singapore is situated inside the Chinese Garden which is just a stone's throw from the entrance. You will see it after crossing the bridge. Entrance fee to the museum is only $3 per adult since Jaeden is still too young to be charged an entrance fee. <18 Jul 2013> Pig-nosed turtle

 Indian roof tortoise

Alligator snapping turtle - look at those claws!

Spotted turtle

Snake headed turtle

Mata mata

They are carnivorous in nature.

 Red footed tortoise

Tortoise/Turtle trivia:

I was stumbling over when to use "turtle" and "tortoise" and decided to look up my 'good friend' Google.

Turtles dwell mostly in water and tortoises dwell mostly on land.

For now, I don't think Jae would be able to tell the difference. Me neither, if I don't observe close enough.

Mommy Ling's verdict

It is actually a compact place good for 1-2 hours of fun if you ask me. There is a turtle feeding area which is a pond where the turtles are free to roam. We didn't get to feed the turtles since it was drizzling, but these turtles were so accustomed to being fed, they literally swarm up from the pond, stacking on one another just to get onto the bridge where we stood. I did feel like Will Smith in I Am Legend, with the infected humans turtles flanking me from both sides of the bridge. Of course, we quickly retreated to a safe spot.

I Will Hold Your Hand

Notice the brothers 'holding hands' these days. Read: Jovan likes to try and grab Jae's hand and Jae will in return allow his brother to fumble with his hand, and sometimes hold Jovan's hand back. It's those moments that make you go, "Awwwww" and feel thankful in being able to see the kids grow up together in this manner.
<5 Jul 2013>

The kids checking out Uncle Stanley's new house.

 

We Are Home

We are home at Suntec, finally! And the mommy tries to get a perfect picture of the "boys".

Lil J was wanting to be carried as it was the time of the day where he gets an evening bath to prepare him for bedtime. He's getting very good at "fake crying " these days.

<7 Jul 2013>

"Alright fine, just give it to mommy."

Glad to be back in Suntec!

S.E.A Aquarium

When my MIL was away on holiday in June, we decided to bring Jae for a local holiday treat too. It's such a waste to apply childcare leave to stay at home if the kids are not unwell. We are always too busy going for service on Saturdays and we usually make Sundays a "no agenda" day, so it's been a while since we last had a family outing.
With much excitement, we brought Jae to the S.E.A. Aquarium. It's amazing how a 2 year old can remember things. I started prepping him days ahead about seeing fishes, sharks and dolphins. While we were making the journey in the car, he was all tamed in anticipation - different from his usual sometimes whiny, sometimes fussy behaviour in the car seat. Upon reaching RWS, I stopped to ask him, "Do you remember what Mommy said we are going to see?" He signed fishes in reply. I was amazed since I did not tell him where we were going when he got in the car.

Poor Jovan could only sit inside the pram.

Hubby said this is a very good shot. I feel proud whenever he compliments my photo-taking skill. ♥ 

Jae ♥ the dolphins

If not for the awfully pricey tickets, I think I might bring Jaeden back again.

Welcome The Interruptions

Kids. They mess up our lives. They make us recalibrate our plans because there is no knowing where their spontaneity leads us.
There was this one morning, I was marveling at how the whole house was so peaceful - it was the weekend and there were no traffic noises that early, birds were chirping, best of all, my babies were still sleeping. I thought to myself, "So my life can be this harmonious when there are no children." Uninterrupted.
Before the kids came, the hubby and I would sleep in till mid morning, then crawl out of bed for brunch. Everything is in a comfortable routine. To the extent that it becomes boring and dry sometimes. So when we parents wished that such mornings will become a norm, we may want to wish again. Wouldn't our lives be so mundane if we get what we wished for?
As much as I enjoyed soaking in the tranquility of a quiet beginning to my day, it was way more fun to hear my babies fill the house with their antics. There is something to look forward to everyday; something new always. My babies will grow up to be teenagers one day and I can have my undisturbed life then; their childhood will pass in a flash if I don't savor the moment. 
For now, I just want to S-A-V-O-R  T-H-E  M-O-M-E-N-T. And yes, I welcome the "interruptions" to my life.  And I could hear the little one babbling in his cot when I was rounding up this thought, so I'm gonna sneak into the room to peep and make his day with the sighting of mommy, followed by smacking kisses on his barely-awakened face! Yummyz! 

Double The Joy

 

To be honest, when I had kid number one, I didn't think that I will be having kid number two so soon. And if you had leave me to my own planning, I might not have the courage to go for a sibling for Jaeden since the older he gets, the easier it becomes to manage our lifestyle - no need to draft mental checklists of milk bottles, warmed breast milk, chilled breast milk everytime we head out.

But the pros of having children with a close age gap have its winning edge in that:

1. Everything is still fresh in your mind; breastfeeding, pumping, night feeds, burping, 
    weaning, vaccination etc.

2. It is easier to plan itineraries as both kids will have similar capabilities/ limitations with regards to  

    where you can go and what you can do.

    But the biggest motivation for me at the end of a busy work day will be:

3. To see the kiddos interact with each other. They can be so amusing, yet so endearing. I find myself 

    missing my babies at work more than when I had one. I feel that the toil of getting house chores done 

    everyday all worthwhile when I see my darling boys. It's not that I am a great mom or what to think this

    way. It's just that the equation works out and the returns on the investment are substantial to me. You'd

    get what I mean.

This is what makes me tick everyday

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