More on my conversations

Some conversations I had with mummy (and also my mei-mei)......

a) Scene 1 ....when I was drinking milk during bedtime

Rye Li: Nah mummy, I (have) finished my milk. *passed half finished bottle to mummy*

Mummy: No, there's still milk in the bottle

Rye Li: That's not milk, it's all bones from the milk

Mummy: Very funny, finish your milk now!

Rye Li: *Giggling*

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b) Scene 2 ...when I was really grumpy having to wake up so early on a Monday morning for school

Rye Li: Why papa can sleep and I have to wake up

Mummy: Papa can work from home so he doesn't need to wake up early like you. Your school starts early

Rye Li: Why mei-mei also can sleep, (and) I cannot sleep?

Mummy: She will wake up soon when we leave for Aunty Ng's

Rye Li: Mummy, when you (were) 4 years old that time, you also have to wake up early for school ah?

Mummy: Yes

Rye Li: You cry also?

Mummy: Yes, like you la so grumpy in the mornings and grandma has to scold me.

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c) Scene 3...when mummy was angry at me and I noticed she was smiling at mei-mei and not at me

Rye Li: Why you love mei-mei (and) you don't love me?

Mummy: Did I say that?

Rye Li: *Nodded her head*

Mummy: When? When did I say that?

Rye Li: Why you smile(d) at her (and) you don't (didn't) smile at me?

Mummy: How to smile at you when I'm angry at you? I'm angry at you because you were naughty, you didn't listen to mummy. Rye Li, I will always love you whether you're naughty or not. When mummy doesn't smile or talk to you does not mean mummy do not love you. Mummy will always love you. You understand?

Rye Li: *Nodded her head*

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d) Scene 4...when mei-mei was showing her temper at me

Rye Li: You see, you didn't sleep properly, now you grumpy-grumpy

Haye Li: *whining and kicking*

Rye Li: Cher-cher ask you to sleep, you don't want to listen, now you grumpy-grumpy

Haye Li: *still whining and kicking*

Mummy’s entry – Little Ms. Smarty pants

Some of Rye Li’s countless comebacks…

When I could not answer her endless questions….”you are 33 years old, you must know!”

When we asked her to do something for us….”why you cannot do yourself? You cannot walk ah?”

When we talk to her at bed time…”can you be quiet, I am trying to sleep”

When we threatened her that she will lie in bed alone at night in her room since we need to do our work outside as she refused to fall asleep …”you go do your work-la” [this used to work when we want her to lie still in her bed].

Actually, reverse psychology doesn’t work on her most of the times. She is a bossy kid and hence, she gets into arguments with some of the kids at the daycare. I found out at one stage last year, she didn’t want to join the kids in the garden during playtime and stayed indoors. And when I asked her why, she said “because my friends don’t want to friend me” and I took the opportunity to tell her that she cannot be bossy all the time and that she needs to learn how to play with the other kids without having to win all the time too in games, if not, no one would want to be friends with her and she would be all alone.. And she responded “I don’t want to play with my friends, I want to be all by myself!”

She is very observant and has started to compare things a long time back. She loves asking us “why mei-mei can…..and I cannot?” and there was one time, her paternal grandmother was in town and when we got back home at night, we made Rye Li shower before we got her ready for bed and she went “why poh-poh didn’t shower and I must shower?”.

The most difficult part is when she noticed naughty kids got away with their wrongdoings and she started questioning on this. It is tough to come up with good reasoning when your kids ask so many questions. Now I know why my parents at times asked me to shut up and not question them when I was young. I have been told off too for being such a busybody. And as much as I’m trying not to do the same to Rye Li, I just find myself doing so especially when I do not have reasonable answers for her endless questions.

Of course I need to add that Rye Li listens to reasoning (we just need to drill it into her). She would rebel initially and only after much explanation, she will accept our answers eventually.

It's tough being a mummy! LOL

Being rude

Recently, I have been told off quite often by mummy and papa for being very rude especially when we’re out of the house.

Just last weekend when we were having lunch at a restaurant, I saw this really fat person walking past the restaurant and I went “Haha, that uncle so fat!” and I laughed away. Immediately, papa and mummy said that was rude and I should not say such things.

And yesterday morning when we were in the lift of our place to go to Aunty Ng’s, there was this uncle in the lift when we entered and I went “Eeeya, this uncle (looks) so scary!”. Immediately, I was told off again by papa and mummy.

Mummy said I need to build up my social etiquette if I want to go out often.

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!

Because my voice is so tired!

Continuing from my “Because it’s itchy” response…

I always have excuses, one after the other, when Mummy or Papa ask me a lot of questions or when they tell me to do something. I’m smart in thinking of all sorts of replies and the latest one :-

Mummy and Papa always tell me to greet people when we meet them and almost all of the time, I will just keep quiet and stare and them. I don’t get away with this though as I am always told off after that.

Several days ago, when mummy asked me why I didn’t greet her friends at their house, I went “Because my voice is so tired!”

:D

You got buy me something?

Over the phone conversation on one of papa’s business trips…

Rye Li: Papa, you got buy me something?

Papa: No, papa got no time

Rye Li: Then you go tomorrow morning la

Papa: Around here got no shopping centre

Rye Li: Then you go to Toys’ R Us la

Papa: I don’t know where Toys’ R Us is at

Rye Li: You turn right, turn left, turn right and turn left la (This is what I always tell people if you say you don’t know where so and so is or if you’re lost)

Mummy interrupted: Girl, if papa keeps buying you things how can we go for holidays? Papa need to save money for our holidays

Rye Li: Papa, you don’t buy something for me. You save money then we can go for holiday.

Papa: Ok!

Mummy’s note: To all traveling working parents out there, don’t keep buying things for your kids as they will expect it all the time. KLIA is making big bucks of her papa as you will notice a toy shop on the way out.

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!

Conversations

More on my speech (before we all forget over here):-


Giving excuses...

Mummy: Rye Li big girl already, Rye Li can go make your own milk now.
Rye Li: After (wards) my baju (malay: clothes) all wet how?


When I'm feeling generous...

"After (wards) I finish watch my Barney, I watch Mummy('s) show ok?"

"Mummy/Papa, you want?"


Being Commanding

"Mummy switch on the light, so dark ady (already)"

"Help me open, I cannot open"

Rye Li: Mummy, I want (to) go Giant, shoping-shoping.

Mummy: It's late Rye Li, we will go another day ok?

Rye Li: *sulking and whining* I want!

Mummy: Ok, Mummy give you my car keys, you go and drive yourself there ok?

Rye Li: I cannot drive-la

Mummy: Ok, then you drive your own car (indicating her toy car).

Rye Li: Cannot!

Mummy: It's so late at night, all the people at Giant also go home already to oi-oi (sleep).

Rye Li: Mmmm (indicating ok)

Being Lovey-Dovey

Rye Li: I love you mummy

Mummy: I love you Rye Li

Mummy: How much?

Rye Li: Soooo much!

Mummy: You love papa or not?

Rye Li: I love papa, I love mummy

Mummy: How much?

Rye Li: Sooo much!

Mummy says it is ok if your kid don't talk that soon!

This is what she has been telling people with kids and without kids. And she quoted me as an example! She tells people that I spoke too soon. I don't see what's her problem but she likes telling people of incidents of me answering her back...

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The other day, we were having lunch and Mummy was having mee-hoon and Papa was having fried rice. She fed me with her mee-hoon first and along the way, I wanted fried rice so she took some from Papa's plate and I went:-

"No, papa feed, papa feed!"

And Mummy started scolding me and I didn't like it and I pointed at her and told her "eat your mee". She was dumbfounded after that but she went "You getting very smart these days huh?!" and I smiled back.

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When Mummy needs to pee and I don't want her to especially when we are in the middle of doing something, I will tell her "Mummy wee-wee adi (already)!"

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When I don't agree with Mummy on certain things, I like saying "No-lah, like this, like this!"

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When I am not happy with Mummy, I will say " I don't friend you"

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I always interrupt Mummy or Papa when they are talking on the phone. I will go "What (who) is that?, I want (to) talk, I want (to say) hello"

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I'm also pretty anal about doing things my way. And how 'anal' I am? Well, it has been a habit whereby when it is time for my Vitamin C, Mummy will let me open the cover and she will put in my Vitamin on the cover for me to put it in my mouth. The other day, she was rushing and just opened it herself and gave me the Vitamin C. I protested but she ignored me, carrying me outside to greet our guest. After that, when we got back home, with the Vitamin still in my hands, I went to get the bottle and opened it with the help of Papa and put the vitamin on the cover itself and fed myself with it.

The same goes for when I want to put things back myself. When I'm in the mood, I don't like Mummy to help me so when she does it, I will undo whatever she has done and redo it myself!

So if you're worried about your child not talking that soon, it is alright, eventually they will and Mummy thinks you should enjoy it while it last!

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.

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.

Absence makes the heart grow fonder

I guess the abovementioned saying is true for me. Papa travels quite frequently for work and whenever he is away, I drive Mummy crazy with my endless “papa” questions. It’s always papa this or papa that.

First thing I wake up in the mornings, I will go “papa?”. On the way out of the house, I will look at Mummy and go “papa?”. In the car, I will go “papa?”. When Mummy picks me up from Aunty Ng’s (my caretaker), I will ask Mummy “papa?” in the car on the way home, several times. And when we have reached home, at our door, I will ask Mummy “papa?”, thinking that Papa may be at home but he’s not. When it is time to sleep, I will ask Mummy “papa?”.

Even when Mummy’s phone rings, I will go “papa?”. I have talked to Papa on the phone before but I will only say “papa” or some other words Mummy asked me to say.

And when Papa finally comes home, I will glue on to him the whole time, even refusing Mummy. Mummy told Papa now he knows how she felt when I wanted her all the time. Papa used to complaint why I want Mummy all the time even after Mummy scolded or punished me. So now he feels equally important. However, I still want Mummy when it is time for bed at nights or when I’m not feeling well.

Lately, only just a few days ago, I started saying “mummy” a whole lot too but not as often as “papa” though.

I want...

Lately, I’ve been saying “I want”, well, it sounds more like “I wa”….

It’s no longer “bor” when I want a ball to play with, I will say first “bor” and if I’m not heard, I will go “I wa bor” and I will keep repeating this till the message get across to Mummy or Papa.

The same goes when I want my toys. I will say first “toy” and point to them and stressed further “I wa toys”.

This usually happens when I’m on my baby high chair. But for other times, it is mostly when I want to be carried. I will look up at Mummy or Papa, and hit them on their legs and go “I wa po-po”

Mummy is wondering who taught me to say that or when did I pick this up.

Mummy's entry - communicating

I got this inspiration to blog on this topic from ZMM when she was speechless with her eldest daughter, Zara’s speech whom by the way, speaks very well for her age (she’s only 2 and half years old). Similar to how ZMM felt when Zara can converse and respond like an adult, I’m amazed at how Rye Li is communicating fast with us too although she can’t speak as well as Zara.

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Just the other day, I was giving her some biscuits and I thought I’d play along with her so I opened up her hand and shook the biscuits out of the packet on to her hand and she found this entertaining. When she finished her biscuits, she opened up her hand again. She thought I didn’t understand her and she went on to point at her hand till I did the same act again. And after that, when she has finished her biscuits again, she will keep pointing to her hand for more even though she’s full with the biscuits.

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Rye Li’s papa always takes her out to the balcony to feed the fishes or just to hang out there. We didn’t realise that she’s been observing his actions till one day, when he told her that he will take her out to the balcony, she went straight to get the balcony key (which is situated within her reach) and handed the key to him. And now, when she wants to go to the balcony without us indicating, she will go take the key herself and hand it to him.
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Last night, Rye Li’s papa pretended to sleep on the floor in our bedroom and when she noticed this, she went “oh oh” (her version of oi oi which means sleep in Chinese slang). So when I asked her to come out of the room to get her ready for bed, I asked her to say bye-bye to Papa and she pointed at him and instructed him to “oh oh” loudly when she noticed that he looked up at her.

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She now can say “sked-sked” (scared) and will pat her hands to her chest to indicate that she is scared. The other day, Aunty Ng (her caretaker) told me that Rye Li was telling her that she’s “sked-sked” and Shon (her playmate who’s 3 weeks older than her) also indicated with his hands that he is scared. And Rye Li put her hands on his chest and said “no-no” to tell him that it is alright, you don’t have to be scared.

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When we were waiting at the waiting lounge at the hospital the other day (when we saw her doctor for her constipation issues), she walked up to me and pointed at something and talked in her baby talk. She went on for a good thirty seconds as if we were discussing something. Unfortunately, I didn’t understand her and I told her that I didn’t know what she was talking about and she walked away and continued to observe her surroundings.

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She has this fascination for balls and balloons and whenever she sees one, she will go “bor” very loudly. I was driving one day when all of a sudden, she went “bor” and I tried in vain to see what exactly she saw. It’s was those air balloons (promotions) in the sky that I won’t even notice. The same goes when she sat on my lap (she now wants to be involved in whatever we’re doing or eating) while I surfed the net and all of a sudden, she went “bor”. I looked all over the screen and realised that she was indicating on the tiny ball icon on the bottom right of the screen. Amazing how sharp kids can be these days!

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Among other new words she has learnt so far:-

“nana” for banana (she will point to bananas and say this)

“che-che” for elder sister (chinese)

“chor-chor” for sit down (chinese)

“beh-beh” for bear

“to” for throw

“wan” for one

“sis” for six

“eit” for eight (her papa will count to her and she will respond with 1, 6 or 8)

“wok-wok” for walk

“yeh-yeh” for yea or kai yeh (her godfather) and “mama” for kai mah (her godmother)

“baybee” for baby (she will point and say this whenever she sees a baby, even babies her own age or older)

“ayo” for hello

"nmmm-nmmm" or "poo-poo" for poo

"bek" for bread

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New actions:-

She will point to whatever she wants now and if you pretend to ignore her, she will come to you and pat you on your shoulder or chest so that you pay attention to her. Since she sleeps in her cot next to me, when she wakes up in the middle of the night for milk, she will shake me awake if I'm within her reach and if I'm not, she will make sure that she is being heard by screaming "merk" (milk). I'm amazed how her papa can sleep through all that!

And when she knows that you've heard her, she will lie down on her pillow and wait for her milk to be given to her. I tried ignoring her once, hoping that she will fall asleep but she got up and made noise again.

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She can say sorry, not in words but in actions. Aunty Ng taught her to put both her hands on her head to say sorry. So, whenever she gets mischevious in which I will scold her or punish her in her corner (will save this for another post), I will make her say sorry.

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Whenever we're reaching home, once she notices our condo from a distance, she will point to it and go "heh-heh" (her laugh). And when we arrived at our destination, she will clap her hands and go "yea-yea". One time, she was sleeping in her car seat when we arrived home and when I unbuckled her from the car seat, she woke up and did just that; clapped her hands and went "yea-yea" as if she has been brainwashed to do just that.

Kids - what are they on that makes them so smart?!!!