Conversation of the day!

Rye Li: You beat me, I beat you back

Mummy: You cannot beat people!

Rye Li: Why you can beat me?

Mummy: I am your mummy; I can beat you when you’re naughty. I beat you because you’re naughty. Next time when you are much older and when you become a mummy, you can beat your children when they are naughty.

Rye Li: I want to have so many children!

Mummy: *Laughing* Yea, we shall see about that!

Rye Li: I don’t want a husband; I only want to be a mummy.

Mummy: Cannot! You must have a husband to be a mummy. You cannot be a mummy alone by yourself.

Rye Li: No way! Choi!

[I sound so much like mummy these days!]

Why’s & other observations

Rye Li: Mummy, your husband is papa. Why you marry papa and not somebody else ah?

Mummy: If I marry somebody else, you and mei-mei not here already!

Rye Li: Oh, alright. Alright!

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Rye Li: Mummy, why you wear glasses ah?

Mummy: Because if I don’t wear them, I cannot see.

Rye Li: Oh, alright. Alright!

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I saw mummy putting on her make up the other day before leaving the house for work.

Rye Li: When I big that time, can I put that thing on my eye?

Mummy: Can!

Rye Li: Can I put lipstick also?

Mummy: Can!

Rye Li: Can I drink ice water also?

Mummy: Can!

Rye Li: Can I drink…er…what is that drink ah mummy?

Mummy: Baileys!

[I happened to chance across one night when mummy was drinking this with ice and after smelling it – a habit of mine smelling things – I really love the smell but was not allowed to drink it as it is an adult’s drink]

Rye Li: Yes, can I drink Baileys also? I like that drink.

Mummy: Can!

Rye Li: Yeah!

I’m all grown up!

Miss me?! :D

I may still be small in size but you would be amazed at how I can communicate with you, if you get my attention that is. If not, you will only see the little ms. grumps that mummy has coined for me.

From the Disney playhouse channel I have watched for the past year on TV, I have now moved on to Disney Channel. Hence, my once beloved “Mickey Mouse Clubhouse”, “Pocoyo”, “Clifford, The Big Red Dog”, “ My Friends, Tigger & Pooh”, “Little Einstens” have now been replaced with “Mr. Bean” (both animated and life series), “Hannah Montana” (Mummy still wonders why I love this show at my age?!) and the regular Disney shows they show on that channel.

I love all the princesses cartoons, in fact, I’m going for the Disney on Ice, Princess Wishes in 2 weeks time and I so cannot wait! I’ve been asking mummy this all the time and mummy has been counting down for me.

My conversations has been interesting and at times, it comes with an accent (mummy blames all the TV shows!), but mostly with Malaysian slangs (can I blame her for this slang?!).

When I can’t have my way, I will give out a big and whiney “Awwwwwwwww!!” and sound like as if it’s so unfair that I can’t have what I want.

I’ve also learn to say “Are you kidding?!” …so when I’m asked some questions which I don’t know how to answer and all eyes are on me for an answer, I will go “Are you kidding?!” which usually will get some laughter from my audience.

When I need attention and I don’t get any, I will go “Will somebody come and play with me?” or make a statement that “Nobody wants to play with me”

I can also advise my mei-mei …..”Mei-mei, you don’t bully Papa ok, you be a good girl ya” or “Mei-mei, mummy change me first and then mummy carry you ok?” or when mei-mei cries when it’s time to take her medicince “mei-mei, don’t cry, it’s good for you, for your cough, for a while only!”

I can also ‘nag’ like how mummy nags me. The other day, my aunty was at my place and didn’t have dinner with us and I went “Why you don’t want to eat? After (wards) you don’t say you (‘re) hungry ah!”

And I like being positive too, I can help you out like how my good friend, Mickey Mouse says it “No problem! Leave it to me!”

As much as I do show my maturity side a lot, I also do get into my babyish mode and want to be treated like a baby at times. And times like this, I will speak in a mono-syllabus mode like a baby.

For example, “hungry-eat bread” or “tired….sleep” or “thirsty-drink water” instead of saying them in a full sentences like I normally do. Only lately, I’m showing this and mummy always ask me why am I talking like this and I will laugh. Sometimes I will answer “Because I am a baby, I still suck my thumb” (which I do anyway but I refuse to drink mummy’s nen-nen and whenever mummy offers me her nen-nen, I will go “I’m NOT a baby but I still suck my thumb”).

Nevertheless, I’m getting too smart for my age and know how to ask questions that mummy doesn’t know how to answer. I know this as she will go “Don’t be so rude Rye Li” or “that is not a nice thing to say because….”. Ultimately, I will show my tongue to her to show that I must have my last say, which of course, I will be reprimanded for. No fun trying to argue with an adult! I still got a lot to learn I’m sure.

Mummy’s entry – the things she says!

Don't let her innocent look fool you.... :D

Rye Li’s not even 3 years old yet and she sure has a lot to say! At times I feel as if she’s like an old aunty (yes I know, she probably got the lingo off me!). There have been so many things lately she has conversed with us which (I hope I’ve remembered all) caught us by surprise but last night’s outburst from her to her paternal grandparents really reminded me that I need to update her blog on this.

Being grandparents, they like to tease her now and then which usually will make Rye Li irritated and she would reply back with a “NO!” or “I don’t want!” and even “I don’t friend you”. But last night, she went “Next time don’t come (to) my house!” which made her Ah Kong and Ah Por burst out in laughter. Of course, I had to reprimand her and told her not to be rude and further explained to her later that it was not a nice thing to say. I told her to just tell them not to disturb her if she doesn’t like what they have to say. Not sure if she understood my lecturing or not.

There was even one time when her Ah Por told her not to watch too close to the TV and she replied “I don’t want to talk to you” and continued watching her Barney, ignoring her Ah Por.

Last week, when we picked her up from the daycare, Aunty Ng told us to be careful of what we say in front of the girl. Apparently, she told one of her daycare mates, after seeing her in a Mamy Poko diapers, “So expensive diapers, waste money only!”

I have myself to be blamed for this as several weeks ago, she saw some Mamy Poko diapers for her mei-mei, Haye Li which I got as samples. I guess it reminded Rye Li of her time when she was wearing Mamy Poko diapers at nights. We used to point out the Pooh bear and friends characters from the diapers at nights before bedtime. I’ve stopped buying this brand since their quality isn’t as good anymore and that Huggies is a cheaper alternative for at nights (she only wears diapers when we go out for a long time or when she wants to poo during the daytime so I have resorted in buying cheaper diapers for this).

Anyway, when she saw Haye Li’s Mamy Poko’s diapers, she asked me to buy some for her and I replied (without thinking) “No need, they are so expensive, waste money only!”. I didn’t realize that she would use the same on others. I guess we as parents need to be mindful that not only we need to be careful for not swearing in front of the kids, but also other negative things that we are so used in saying.

Other than the above negative stuff she has to say, she loves conversing with us now. One night while watching her ritual cartoon before bedtime, she turned to me and said “You know what happen (ed) to my leg at Aunty Ng’s today?”. And I replied “what?” and she continued “I scratch (ed) and scratch (ed) until the thing (the mosquito bite on her leg) come (came) out”

Or she would tell me that her friends at Aunty Ng do not want to friend her anymore because they are all so naughty (I think it's definitely the other way round).

At times, I would ask her stuff of what she did at the daycare and she will tell me a lot of things. I wasn’t sure whether some of the things were real or not till I asked Aunty Ng and true enough, all the things she had to tell me were true.

There was one night as well that we had some guests over and they stayed till quite late. This girl came and asked me in front of them “Why the aunty don’t (doesn’t) want to go home?”. Yes, she is also getting bolder and just last weekend when we had our families over for Haye Li’s full moon, just when our guests were leaving, this girl went “Nobody can take my mei-mei home!”

I’m wondering what will the next shocker from her would be now… sigh!

Some updates

Just to update on some of my conversations with Mummy lately…she claims I talk too much and like to ask questions over and over again at the wrong time. But I feel she asks me more questions and also that I have learnt to talk from her!

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I was singing a tune one day and mummy went…
Mummy: What song are you singing?
Rye Li: I don’t know…..I think (it) is my music class song

I like to make up songs with familiar tunes I know, something I picked up from mummy.

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One night, when it was time for bed and after mummy read me my story…

Mummy: Why papa didn’t switch off the lights ah?
Rye Li: You also didn’t switch off the lights!

I can get defensive at times.

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Rye Li: Mummy, my finger pain
Mummy: How come? What did you do?
Rye Li: I didn’t do anything also
Mummy: Then why your finger pain?
Rye Li: I don’t know

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Since papa sleeps on the mattress these days while I sleep with Mummy on their bed, papa’s mattress would be laid up against the wall daytime and will be put down on the floor nighttime. One night….

Rye Li: Mummy, I put papa’s mattress down okay?
Mummy: No girl, wait for papa first. The mattress is heavy, afterwards it will fall on you.
Rye Li: *went ahead anyway to put the mattress down, and mattress hit me a little and I looked at Mummy for a response*
Mummy: *just gave me the stare* (she likes to do this a lot lately which I tend to ignore)
Rye Li: *went to papa who was showering at that time* Papa, I put your mattress down on the floor for you
Papa: Thank you baby!
Rye Li: *went to mummy* My papa didn’t scold me also

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Rye Li: Mummy, after we finish dinner, we go shopping?
Mummy: No girl, we’re going home, mummy cannot walk
Rye Li: Papa can walk, why you cannot walk?
Mummy: *quiet* (probably dumbfounded)
Rye Li: *with sarcasm tone* Papa can walk, Rye Li can walk, Kakak can walk also
Papa: *laughing*
Mummy: I cannot walk because I’m tired!
Rye Li: Oh

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Rye Li: Mummy, I’m hungry. I want to eat Chickadees
Mummy: That is not proper food for breakfast, it’s junk food
Rye Li: I like junk food
Mummy: No, you need to eat proper food for breakfast. How to grow big and strong?
Rye Li: I want to eat bread only. After I (have) finish (ed) my bread, can I eat Chickadees?
Mummy: No, we only eat junk food when we go for holidays!

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When I’m in the mood, I can tell my own stories and it will go something along like this

Rye Li: Once upon a time, there is a …….and then, he …… and then…..and then…….

After several “and thens”, I will go “the end, finish!”

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Other stuff I like to say….

Rye Li: Thank you soooo much!

Rye Li: I need to sleep ady (already), it’s so late at night

Rye Li: Why you always go toilet one? [mummy goes wee-wee all the time now!]

Rye Li: Why you all like to talk, talk, talk one ah?

Rye Li: My papa is a boy. He hold his kuku bird like this (indicating the action while standing) and wee wee

Rye Li: Don’t fight with me okay?!

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Mummy has been getting a lot of stuff ready for my mei-mei's arrival lately and one of them was my old baby bassinet. When she took it out, I kept playing with it...pics below.

see how i've grown, still can sit but my legs and head are longer!

even after the cover was taken out to wash, i still played with it!

this is me on it the first time, on our way home from the hospital. mummy wonders whether my mei-mei will also look like this, probably bigger than i was

a picture of me swimming at my kai yeh's 2 weeks back, most likely will go back ther next weekend if mei-mei is not out yet

Mummy's entry - Rye Li's speech Part 2

I just have to do a Part 2 of Rye Li’s speech as we had a funny moment last night on our back from the day care. I had a buka puasa (malay: breaking fast) dinner with my clients and lucky for me, Aunty Ng was alright in taking care of the girl and the maid till late. I reached there about 10pm and the girl asked:-

Rye Li: Mummy, where you go?
Mummy: You tell me where I went?
Rye Li: Mummy go (went) for dinner [she knows this as I told her the day before and that morning itself]

Just after we left the day care, she went:

Rye Li: Aunty Ng all alone in the house.
Mummy: Yes, Aunty Ng all alone in the house, so brave of Aunty Ng ya?
Rye Li: All my friends go (went) home ady (already) except for me.
Mummy: Yes, all your friends went home already except for you because Mummy had to go for dinner.

The following was the funny moment we had….

A little while later in the car, I told her that her papa was on the way back from the airport then from China. And that he will be flying to India next week for work. She immediately said:

Rye Li: My papa like superman like that ya Mummy?
Mummy: *Laughing* No, Rye Li, papa cannot fly like superman. He sits in the aeroplane and the aeroplane will fly to India.

This morning, I told her that it is her Kai Yeh’s (Cantonese: godfather) birthday today but we cannot call him as he is in Italy for a holiday. And I continued that he flew there and she went:

Rye Li: Kai Yeh like my papa like that like superman.

And she smiled and I corrected her again.

This is usually how our conversation goes. Just when we think she doesn’t understand, she answers us with amazing comebacks. Makes you wonder what kids are made of these days!

Another one of her ‘dirty habits’ is that she likes saying “I don’t friend you” and she has been saying this for the longest time already. So when she gets upsets with me, she will say this to me and crossed her arm with a sulky face like Pocoyo (the cartoon showing on Playhouse Disney. And my reply will be “Don’t friend, don’t friend-la” (I know, not a very nice thing to say as a mom!).

And she will go “I friend, I friend Mummy!” with a smile and come hugging me. So this has also been going on for a while; a mother-daughter’s ‘tug of war’. I recently told my sister about this and my sister warned me that I will be kept away at an old folk’s home when I get old one day! :D

Mummy's entry - on the girl's speech

Rye Li speaks really well for her age and I keep forgetting to pen those funny moments down. She has said many things to amuse us all this while but the following are the only ones I can remember (with my lousy memory now).


On the way sending her to the day care, we stopped at the traffic lights next to some commercial building.

Rye Li: Mummy, why those people walking there?
Mummy: They are walking to their office
Rye Li: I also want to go to office
Mummy: Can, when you go to school first and then when you finish school, you can go to work.
Rye Li: I don’t want to work, I want to go office only

(Laughing at this as I’m not sure whether she realized the difference between work and office)

Mummy: Then you go office for what?! To work isn’t it?!
Rye Li: *quiet*

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The night before, her papa must have told her that he was going to get her a bicycle when she turns 3. First thing she said to me when she woke up the next day:

Rye Li: Mummy, my papa said when I (turn) three years old that time, my papa (will) buy me (a) bicycle. My papa also buy bicycle and take me to the park and cycle. Mummy and Kakak walk-walk at the park.

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She loves saying “My mummy / papa said I can” when we tell her no for certain things. At times she has her point and we will give in.

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She is easy to reason with when she is in a good mood, which amazes us for her level of maturity. She understands our reasoning and will buy it even after she said no initially. Some examples are as follows:

In the past few months, I have been preparing her for Baby H’s arrival and told her how she has to pass on her things she can’t use or wear to her mei-mei (chinese:little sister). Initially, she said “I don’t want”.

Then I told her that her cousins also pass on some clothing to her as they cannot wear them already and she knows this even before I got pregnant. I further explained that when she can’t wears them, I have to pass on to Baby H or I will have to buy new ones for Baby H.

Also, we had a small fish for her lantern last year for the mooncake festival and decided to buy her a bigger one this year. So I told her that the little fish will go to Baby H and she was reluctant initially. I had to explain to her that since she is bigger, I will get her a bigger lantern and the smaller one can go to Baby H next year when she’s out.

So she will say “Mummy buy me new Minnie Mouse lantern, I give my fish lantern to mei-mei”

Lately, when she can’t wear her clothes or shoes anymore and I will keep them away, she will say “I cannot wear ady (already) ,I give my baju (malay: clothes) to mei-mei”

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She loves reasoning with us. When she can't get her way she will say

"See only, I only want to see"

or when she wants to watch tv longer, she will say

"I watch tv first for a while only"

or when it is time to get out from the shower or bath, she will say

"A little while more only"

or when she wants more sweets or chocs, she will say

"One only mummy, one only!" and at times she will test her luck like "five only!"

The concern sides of me

As much as Mummy had posted my naughty sides, I do show empathy as well towards others and lately, Mummy notices this.

When Mummy wasn't feeling well and was coughing badly, I went:

"Mummy cough-cough, Mummy cannot eat ice cream"

When Mummy was sniffling, I went:

"Mummy, why your nose stuck? Go blow your nose now"

And when Mummy was puking over the toilet bowl (she's been doing this alot lately) and so happened I was there looking, I went:

"Mummy sick, Mummy vomit"

Mummy has not been carrying me for a while now saying her back has been aching and when I want her to carry me, she will tell me this. And I will go:

"Mummy back pain-pain, Mummy cannot carry Rye Li, Papa can carry Rye Li"

I've been having a bad cough for nearly a week now and when I cough, I will go:

"I cough, I cannot eat ice cream and chocolates ya?" (but I will still ask for my sweets)

On sucking my thumb, Mummy has been telling me for months now that I'm not a baby and that I should not suck my thumb anymore and I will go:

"I big girl already, I cannot suck thumb yea?" and then I will change my mind and go "Mummy, I want to suck (my) thumb"

I'm truly Malaysian because...

I speak like one.

a) I like using "lah"....

When Mummy told me that I cannot eat her crackers as it was spicy, I replied

"Not spicy hot la"

or when she told me that the swimming pool water is cold, I replied

"Not cold la"

b) I like using "wan"...

When Mummy was opening the packet of biscuits the other day and took so long, I responded

"Mummy, why you cannot open wan?"

c) and last but not least, I like using "ady" (the Malaysian shortcut way for "already")...

"I brush teeth ady"

"I drink water ady"

Fashion Consultant

When Mummy goes shopping and tries out clothes, she will bring me in to the dressing room with her. I used to be very obedient and played by myself while she tried out the clothes.

However, lately, I've been giving her my opinions too!

Just over the weekend, she was trying out some pants and I didn't like them. So I kept telling her

"don yike pants" (don't like pants)

"don wan pants" (don't want pants)

"mummy, pu back pants" (put back pants)

and when Mummy asked me whether I like her pants (the one that she was already wearing from home), I answered "em, I yike" (Em, I like).

But she ignored me anyway and kept on trying the pants, several times. She even went out and get some more to try even after I protested with my "don wan" and "don yike".

Since I couldn't get the message across, I started playing with the dirt on the floor and that got her attention. Also, I think I annoyed her as I kept telling her while she was trying out the pants

"open door", "i wan go owchide" (i want to go outside), "mummy, open door, i wan go ow" (i want to go out).

She had to rush whatever she was doing and when we got out, she complaint to papa that she is not going to bring me in anymore.

As for the pants she tried, she bought them anyway. Hmmph, maybe there will be some other people who will appreciate my opinion!

Who's daddy?

The other day I was just talking to myself with words I know and I went on with “Ma-mee (mummy) oppis (office), Papa oppis, Deh-di (daddy) oppis” and then I was interrupted by mummy. “Huh? Daddy? Girl, who’s daddy?” and I replied “papa”.

And then another time in the car with mummy, when I went through calling people I know with her and I also asked for “deh-di” and mummy replied “Daddy? Who’s daddy rye li?” and I replied “papa”.

Guess I’m so used to other kids and my caretakers at the nursery using the term “daddy” that papa has also become “daddy” at times but I’ve yet to call him that.

And since we’re talking about papa here, Mummy calls him “Ah Pek” (Hokkien: old man) or “Tauke” (Hokkien: Boss). Don’t ask me why, I also don’t understand since mummy doesn’t understand a word of Hokkien or other Chinese dialects much. And neither of these sounds romantic. Beats me really!

Anyway, just now when mummy asked papa to do something, she called out “Ah Pek” and I also followed suit and went “aa pek” and continued saying this cause I thought it sounded funny. Later on, she was asking him something and papa ignored her and she went “Lim Ah Pek” (something she does when papa ignores her) and I also went “li aa pek” and laughed.

Demanding

I can be really demanding these days, saying out loudly and clearly what I want.

When both Mummy and Papa pick me up from the nursery (usually it’s either one), I know that we’re going out for dinner and I will say “I wan go Gian” (Giant, the hypermarket nearby where we usually have dinner when it is raining).

When I’m told that we’re not heading to Giant, I will say “I wan, I wan go gian” and will repeat this. I will also add along the way “I wan chor-chor (sit) tolley (trolley)”

If there’s no positive response from them, I will say “I wan chee (see) wor-wor (dog)” There’s a pet shop next to this outdoor food court that we usually frequent for dinner as well. And I will keep saying this even while we’re having dinner.

And I do not like to wear new clothes that I’m not familiar with unless it’s bright in colours or have interesting designs. I will keep saying “don wan” and I will protest by kicking and screaming if I’m forced to wear them.

The other evening, when Mummy was chatting to Aunty Ng (my caretaker) for so long, I got bored and really wanted to leave since I saw Papa went into the car so I just went “buhbye arn-tee ang!” (Bye-bye Aunty Ng) and waved at her. This was to indicate to Mummy to stop chatting and that it was time to leave.

And when Mummy talks on the phone when I’m really cranky and in desperate need of her attention, I will say “Mamee, buhbye”, indicating that I want her off the phone.

Mummy’s entry – “Oh Chi”

Lately, whenever Rye Li faces minor accidents like when her toys fall off her hands or if she were to fall down, she will say “Oh chi”. If you can recall from her speech posts, those words that starts with “s”, she will pronounce it as “ch”. For example, our friend’s little boy, Shawn, she will call him “chon”.

So I’m jumping to conclusion here that she is trying to say “Oh Sh*t” and I feel hubby is to be blamed for this (although he will have plenty to say about this). So whenever she says “oh chi”, I will continue to say “Oh dear” or “Oh no” in which she will also follow suit as well.

Hubby didn’t believe me when I told him this (since I spend more time with her I should know!) so when this morning, her ball fell of her hands, she went “oh chi” so loudly that her papa looked at me. He better be careful with his other swearing words which he does so often in the car (he’s that type that everyone in the car will be swore at instead at the other party who’s (driving the other car) at fault. I keep telling him that he should say “oh shoot” or “oh fish” or “mother fishes” or “tiu yee” (Cantonese for fishing) but I doubt that will work. He even looked at me weirdly when I suggested these words. Sigh!

Ms. Little Parrot and Stubborn

I'm a little parrot these days, repeating words that are told to me by mummy or papa. Most times I pronounced the words correctly but at times you have to roughly make out what I'm trying to say. It can be annoying at times but I'd rather believe that I'm more cute than annoying! ;)

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On other matters, Papa is becoming more like mummy at times, that is, he will also punish and nag me when I become naughty. Last night, while mummy was having her shower, I was playing with mummy's stuff by the bed even after papa nagged me many times not to touch them. He warned me one last time but I just ignored him and the next thing I knew, he came over and lifted me up and put me to sit down by the wall.

I was so surprised and mad by his actions that I refused to look at him nor talk to him. I just entertained myself with a little toy I had in my hand. I knew papa was looking at me but I refused to look up. This went on for like 10 minutes till mummy finished her shower and came out. She saw me sitting down on my own quietly and asked why was I sitting there.

Papa told her what happened and she asked me why was I naughty. When she walked away, I called out to her refusing to acknowledge papa. Then she asked me to say "sorry" and I lifted my hands up on my head (my actions for sorry) and she asked me to say the word "sorry" which I know how to but I totally refused and sulking away at mummy and papa.

Think papa felt sorry and opened his arms and asked me to go over to him. I quickly got up and went to him and he hugged me. And I quickly changed topic by becoming my usual cheeky self and started chatting and playing away.

Physical and other updates

I was at my doc’s 2 weeks ago for my booster jab, good news is that I don’t have to see him till I’m 2 years old! Phew!

The usual thing to do when I got there was to take my weight and height measurements by the nurse. This is the first time I cried while taking my measurements. When mummy put me on the weighing machine, I started crying. And when it was done, she carried me to the other side to take my height measurement but I refused to let go, clinging on to her so tightly like a baby monkey. She had to practically force me away while I was screaming my head off.

Anyway, my weight was 9.4kgs (nearly 21 pounds) and my height was 74cm. Still petite eh?!

And as usual, when my turn came…the moment I entered the room and had a look at my doctor, I started crying till I left the room after like 10 minutes. My cries got louder when my doctor started checking on me. In between, I was sobbing “Don want” while shaking my head and also “ma-mee” but they didn’t work. Mummy and Papa was trying to calm me down but it didn’t work coz the doctor was still checking on me. When it was time for the jab, I knew coz I felt my doctor’s touch on my waist and I screamed louder and then I felt that sharp pain. I continued crying after that and subsided a little when I was asked to say bye-bye to my doctor. I just looked at him and gave him a miserable wave and we were out of there.

I later complaint to mummy “pain-pain” while touching the area where I had the jab and also while having my shower.

On my teeth updates, my molars on my left side (both upper and lower) have finally cut through which means I can eat more of mummy’s and papa’s food which I’m demanding more off these days. But when you look at me when I smile, you will still see a set of six teeth, 4 at the top and 2 at the bottom.

As for my speech, I’m learning how to relate objects to the owners. For example, when I see mummy’s car, I will go “ma-mee tar (car)” and then I will go “rai-yee (rye li) tar”. Or I will say "ma-mee choo (shoe) and then i will go "rai-yee choo".

And these days whenever I see things I want, I will go “I want dis (this)” and I will keep repeating this until I get them in my hands. And if I’m not heard I will go “PAPA, I WANT DIS”.

A few nights ago, when it was bed time, I was on mummy’s and papa’s bed playing refusing to fall asleep while mummy was watching tv. I guess I got on mummy’s nerves as she switched the tv off and said “ok, everybody oi-oi (sleep)”. And I went “yea, oi-oi, yea, oi-oi, oi-oi, oi-oi” while I laid down in between mummy and papa. And mummy went “Rye Li, this is mummy’s and papa’s bed. Mummy and papa oi-oi here, Rye Li oi-oi in your cot-cot ok?”. I replied “em” (meaning ok) and mummy carried me over to my cot while saying “night-night Rye Li” and I replied “nait-nait ma-mee papa, papa mamee, nait-nait” and then I asked mummy to “pat-pat” while putting my hands on my back to indicate where I want to be patted to sleep.

And I know how to sing songs now to twinkle, twinkle little stars, old macdonald’s, row row row your boat, baa baa black sheep and few other songs to my music class’ CDs. Mummy is surprised that I can sing along with her and she’s assuming that I picked this up from the singing I get at the nursery. When mummy gets to capture this on video, I will post this up yea. Actually, I have an old macdonald’s video a few months back but it is too huge to be put up on youtube, so wait till mummy finds another alternative to put this up.

Calling people

I know how to ask for people lately. As I know everyone in Ai Yee’s (Mummy’s sister) family and I will go:

“Ah Yee” – Mummy will say that she is at home.

And then I will say “air-rik” (Uncle Eric) and Mummy will say he is at home, at Ai Yee’s house.

Then I will go “che-che” (referring to Ro Wyn, my cousin sister) and Mummy will say she is at home, at Ai Yee’s house.

And then I will go “tor-tor” (as in kor kor, referring to Jo Tien, my cousin brother) and Mummy will say he is at home, at Ai Yee’s house.

And then I will ask for “ta-tak” (as in kakak, referring to Ai Yee’s maid) and Mummy will say she is at home, at Ai Yee’s house.

I will also add “Pa” (referring to Grandpa) and Mummy will say he is at home, at Grandpa’s house.

And then I will ask for “em-mah” or “mama” (referring to Grandma) and Mummy will say she is at home, at Grandpa’s house.

And this whole cycle will start all over again and again.

When Ah Mai (Papa’s sister), Uncle Jason (Ah Mai’s husband), Ah Por and Ah Kong (my paternal grandparents) left KL, I’ve been asking Mummy and Papa:

“Ah Mai”
- in which they will answer “Ah Mai not here, Ah Mai in LA at home”

Then I will go “Chern” (Uncle Jason)
- and they will say “Uncle Jason with Ah Mai in LA at home”

Then I will go “Tong-Tong” (Kong-Kong)
- and they will say “Kong-Kong in Penang at home”

And then I will add “Por-Por”
- and then will say “Por-Por in Penang at home”

And this whole cycle will start all over again and again.

Another family cycle I do also is for Papa’s friend, Uncle Adrian;

I will go “Ah Wai” (referring to Aunty Siew Wye, Uncle Adrian’s wife) and then “air-jern” (referring to Uncle Adrian) and then “Chon” (referring to Shawn, their son).

And lately, I will also ask for the people I know at the nursery;

“air-lis” for Aunty Alice
“ang” for Aunty Ng
“choo” for Aunty Choo
“chon” for Shon
“min” for Baby Madalene

And of course the “che-ches” and “tor-tors” too.

Correcting my speech

Ever since Penang trip, I’ve been adding “s” into the words I know. For example:

“po-po” (wanting to be carried in cantonese)
- I will say “ I want po-pos”

“uh-oh”
- I will say “uh-ohs”

“chor-chor” (sit down in cantonese)
- I will say “chor-chors”

There was even one time I went “papas” when I was calling out to Papa.

Mummy and Papa have been trying to correct me and kept telling me “No s”….and when they do I will say “ess” (for the letter “s”) as if I understand that I’m not suppose to add the letter “s” in my words. Most of the time, I will say the right word when corrected but only to repeat the same thing over and over again.

Mummy thinks the word “bubbles” is to be blamed for this.

Mummy’s entry – Monkey See, Monkey Do

Rye Li is at the stage now where she loves to mimic others around her. We were at 1 Utama two weekends ago and we were in a children’s shop, browsing around. This girl, noticed that I was looking at the display of children’s clothes and she followed suit.

Later on, at another store, I happened to squat down and was looking at some things, this girl came next to me and squatted as well and touched those things that I’ve touched before.

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Rye Li usually sees me doing my facial regime at nights ever since she was a baby and lately, whenever I’m doing this in front of her, she will copy my actions as well. When I dab the face toner on my face, she starts to pat her face. When I put on my eye gel around my eyes, she starts pointing at her eyes or rub them. When I put on the moisturizer on my face by rubbing them gently on my skin, she will start pointing all over her face.

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She has also learnt more words. I am amazed at how fast she is picking up new words all the time. When I ask her to say a word, she will always have a go at it. Most of the time, they are never pronounced properly but you can tell that it is the word she has been asked to say.

For example;

O-ren for orange

Eh-pa for apple

I’ve also taught her to say her Papa’s name and she will say “den-nissss” (Dennis). When I asked her to say my name, she will go “neen-nee” (Syn Nee). My mistake for teaching her, her Papa’s name first as whenever you mention “name”, she will go den-nisss even when I asked her what is my name. She will also out of the blue say his name for the sake of saying it (of course I’m a bit sore as I was the one that taught her to say these…haha).


She cannot pronounce the “K” sounds so when you ask her to say “kor kor” (Chinese for elder brother), she will say “tor tor”. When I ask her to say “kong kong” (Chinese for elderly men and in this case, her paternal grandfather), she will also say “tor tor”.

When I ask her to say car, she will go ”tar”.

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At times, she will surprise me with words that I’ve not taught her and I assume it was at the nursery that she picked these words from. For example:

I was putting on her clothes after her shower one day, and when I took her shirt to put it on her, she pointed at it and went “Nais!” (nice). Luckily she says this most of the time for the clothes I chose for her.

One night while she was lying down in her cot, drinking her milk, she started scratching her neck and she looked at me and went “chi-chi” (itchy) and indicated to me that she wants me to scratch for her. Now, there are a lot of “chi-chi’s” just so I can scratch for her.

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And now that she can say “I wan” (I want), it is always “I wan” this or “I wan” that and she surprised us one day when she answered us “I wan” when we told her no. She stressed it some more with “aaiiiii waannnnnnn”.

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Few days ago, I was talking to Aunty Ng (her caretaker) about a picnic that she is organizing. We mentioned the word park and this girl went “pak, I wan pak….pak. I wan wok-wok(walk)”. Her papa used to take her to the park nearby our place to walk and she knows what “park” means. I’m also surprised that she can remember vividly what the pavement of the park looks like as when she sees her photos on our pc at home, she will say “pak”.

can u believe that she can recognize this picture as the park's? and this was taken in March!

I’m in between very proud and at the same time “why so fast?!” about her speech ability as she knows how to manipulate it to get what she wants. Even if she doesn’t get her way, she knows how to annoy me with her whines.