Cooking and my mini helper in the kitchen.

Let me be honest with you. I hate cooking. Given the options between cooking and washing dish, I pick on the latter one. As I write this post, I thought, it has been 24 years since I rejected cooking as part of my role in being a daughter and a wife. In my growing up years, my mum was fine with it, she never making it compulsory for a girl to have the cooking skill. I came from a big family of 5 girls and 1 boy siblings. 

However, when I got married at 23, I was somehow being told and made known that to "make a happy husband, you have to make their stomach happy, first" and "to be a good wife, you have to be a good cook". Still, cooking was not in the agreement when we signed the marriage certificate, and he never complain if I don't cook. 

Things started to change after I become a mother and especially now that L.A (2 years) is more than ready to consume solid food as the primary food, so, I try to cook when I get the opportunity, too. I am attracted to recipe that teaches how to prepare/cook a complete nutritious meal with few ingredients. I guess being in a IT firm for more than 5 years has trained me to always be an innovative person, even when it comes to preparing a meal. 

I'll share with you some of the recipe from my kitchen, soon ;)

Another story to share before I end my post...let me introduce to you, my mini kitchen helper. 

Being a junior cook, I have the tendency to over-cook the food, or making any common mistakes when it comes to preparing food, with that, I would  prefer to let toddler out from the kitchen until I am a senior cook.

But L.A insisted to be in the kitchen with me - when when her father is around. -_-"

I tried all tactics but all failed. 

An exception to giving bribe like sweets and chocolate...but I never like that idea. 

A childcare expert shared with me that an excessive amount of fat and sugar fed to children will damages the children's heart. Too much of sugar and fat is not helping in a our child's heart development. We cannot see it now, but the consequences will be in the later stage of their life; when they are an adult.

To solve the issue of a crying toddler begging to be with me when I am in the kitchen, I put on my thinking cap, and a then thought came in... "why don't I let her to be in the kitchen? That would save a lot time negotiating with her, on daily basis and probably she will learn something other than 'debating', 'crying' and 'being rejected'..."

With that, I got her a kitchen slippers, a chair stool. I started with training her to put on her slippers each time when she wanted to step into the kitchen. The rest is a history. 

Have a good Wednesday! ;)

xoxo, 

 24yomummy

2 years old toddler imitating adults

Whenever we are in the car, we always make sure we put on our seat belt.  Each time when we lock the seat belt, there will be a click sound that goes like 'kat'

It's quite cute when L.A reminding us to 'kat', whenever we are in the car. It also taught us that the children are observing us without we realizing it. Thus, we have to be careful on what we want to model to our children...they are learning all the time.

Yesterday, we placed L.A's baby car-seat at the back of the car, as we were heading to fetch few peoples. She was excited when she got the chance to sit like an adult. I think that lasted for about 10 mins before she insisted to be carried by mummy.

Potty trained 23 months old toddler.

Finally, the day that I have waited for, has come. Put on that big smile, mummy Pauline :)

Like what the wise always say; the beginning of any new activity will usually takes much more effort and there is always a first time for everything. I am overwhelm with joy for this opportunity to carry out this responsibility.

Here is the story;

I will only put L.A on diaper during night-time. 

For her afternoon nap, before she nap, I will bring her to toilet. 

During her nap, I will watch for her signal, if she whine, or move uncomfortably, that is the signal that she will need to go to toilet.

However, if we go on trips especially if we need to drive through highways, I will put her back on diaper all the time. After we're back on trip, I will start the training, and one first day of the training, I expect 'accidents' to happen, and with that expectation, I have less stress ;)

Also, on occasion when I am sick, I apply the same way. When I am unwell, all I want is a stress-free activity and sufficient rest to get speed recovery.

 To end this post, I like to give some credits to hubby for being supportive, and helpful. He contributes his part when it comes to potty training our first toddler. Just like how he was supportive during my 18 months journey of breastfeeding L.A. Thank you.

I count my blessing.

What is your toddler's favorite color

If you ask me, to describe what is my parenthood's style, I would not know what is the answer - YET. One thing, I know for sure is that, I like to give choices to my toddler and giving her the opportunity to make a decision.

One month ago, we went to this particular toy shop and saw this cute mini umbrella. She was very excited as she is obsessing over with umbrella (after watching "If all the raindrops" video from youtube. 

Here is the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AaUWLQ052HY)

There were red, yellow, blue, green, and rainbow colors of umbrella, but L.A picked BLUE.

Just to be sure, I asked her again, "are you sure?" she pointed the BLUE umbrella.

So we bought the mini umbrella for a good price ==>  RM5. 

I always taught baby girl will choose pink over blue...

But on that day (and till today) I was proved wrong.

Probably not the best shot, here is the photo taken when L.A watched  Barney's "If all the raindrops" video.

2nd Christmas Celebration with L.A :)

Useful software: Camtica 4.3.2417

Isn't technology amazing? Like today, I was browsing and checking my email, then I read about a software that enables you to create professional screen recordings, presentation, tutorials and more. You can record any desktop activity with voice, webcam, and animated mouse clicks. The resulting video can be saved in various formats including AVI and WMV. 

I guess this software was created because the company sees the need for it. As I read further more, I knew this is one of the MUST software for a person like me. 

Yes, it is called Camtica 4.3.2417

Check out the link, if you are interested in this product. I hope you will find this product helpful in your personal or corporate business. 

As I will be owning this software soon, I know I am going to enjoy the benefit it brings!

Great day!

Happy 22 months old, L.A!

Two days ago, I received a great news from one of my ex-colleagues in IBM. I was very elated, she gave birth, and both mum and baby is doing well. When I received her text, I was filled with joy and that moment reminds me of the day that I was blessed with L.A

Such a great joy. 22 months ago.

Right now, me and hubby has a 22 months old toddler. The way we managed time, chorus, finance has changed tremendously. Gone were those days when we can watch few movies on the same days. But deep within me, I knew that time flies, and one day she'll be a happy child and will be busy with her interests and ambition.

Last night, L.A insisted me to read her favorite story book titled "The three little pigs". I was reluctant as I saw the clock; it was already 12am! Then, she cried, and said "book, book, read". 

I read, and she was satisfied. As the light was turned off, she cried asking for a comfort. For a moment, I thought about what the expert said; If you carry her and comfort her to sleep, the child may not learn how to comfort themselves to sleep. If you do it everyday, it will be a routine. 

Then, I stared at her, and another thought came "This is your moment, mummy Pauline, some day when she is a grown up, she might think it is not cool anymore to be held. I listened to my latter thought, and cuddled her for five minutes. 

After 5 minutes, she signaled that she want to sleep in our bed. So, I put her back to bed. Finally, before I dozed off,  I gently whispered, "mummy loves you". To my amazement, she took out her hand, hold my face and gave me a kiss on the cheek.

That time, if you look at my face, you will know that I am a happy mum.