Achieving MORE with Less

What is your toddler's favorite color

2012-01-13T17:31:00.001+08:00

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 :)

2012-01-05T15:27:00.000+08:00

Useful software: Camtica 4.3.2417

2011-12-29T17:49:00.000+08:00

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!

2011-12-23T13:12:00.000+08:00

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.

Don't listen to people who be-little you

2011-12-07T16:04:00.000+08:00

When I was young, no one taught me the skill to think and decide whether to accept or reject the opinion that people pass on you. As a result, I accept everything, and that affect my self-esteem. I know of a friend who said their families belittle them, and because those remarks came from families, she felt much hurt and discouragement

But now, I know it and this is something that I want to teach my children. Occasionally, I will remind hubby to "don't listen to people who belittle you". When I heard that sentence came out from my word, my mind knew that it is the right way to response in your mind to what people say.

I always think it is important to be around with people who are positive, kind and diligent. More importantly, being that kind of person. It'll make it easier for you to achieve your dreams.

Add toy room in living room

2011-12-07T15:46:00.000+08:00

As I am writing this entry, L.A is a 21 months and 3 weeks old toddler.

Being a mom, change a lot of things around me, and this includes my living room. L.A usually plays with her toys in the living room. On daily basis, I will arrange the toys nicely, and within a few minutes, the toys were scatter around the floor, again. Seeing it, gets me a little bit frustrated at time, but we will always give grace and be patient with toddler. Although she is not able to contribute much at this age, every evening, I will ask her help to assist me in organizing her toys in the living room, before we go upstairs to get ready for night time.

On one fine day, I figured out that I have to do something about this...so, I created a toy space for L.A in our living room. Basically, I just move around the furniture and left the corner space of our room empty....to be filled with her toys, and her books. I am still thinking whether it is necessary to add a huge tall cupboard to keep this space more organized. Still thinking.

Also, I noticed, my little girl will only actively play in the toy room if her toys are organized...probably she cannot stand the idea of leaving toys stagnant in their storage boxes. Toys are not meant to be in the box, agree?

In one of the classes that I went, I learned that kid at the age of 4 years old are much more independent, they are are able to do simple chores, and take basic care of themselves (putting clothes, wearing shoes, etc). I look forward for that day.

But in the meantime, I told myself to enjoy watching my almost 2 years old girl grow.

Potty training a 21 months old toddler

2011-11-25T23:43:00.000+08:00

Potty training at 21 months old toddler has been a challenge for me, after almost 2 months of holiday, I have a pimple today. I will only have pimple when I am in stress. I will sleep early tonight. The thing that I enjoyed about potty training is that it is so easy to dress her up (not need to put on diaper)

Today marked the fifth day that she was on diaper-free in the morning till evening. During these 5 days, I look forward for the day when she will put on the diaper - the night time :p

I also realized how convenient and stress-free it is to have toddler wearing diaper, instead putting them on training. How I took those days for granted....

It is tempting to put her back on diaper, but I think I am stronger and persistent, this time.

I started potty training L.A since she was 18 months old...but it did not work out well as she did not showed signs of readiness. But, I was very proud, because although that training was not successful, from that day onward, L.A gave signal each time she want to poo :)

Then, when she was 20 months old, the training went almost smoothly...for two days. I think she had only two 'accidents'. However, when the weekend arrives, and there were needs for many outings, I was not sure how to handle potty training outside the home, so I put her back on diaper, thinking I will continue the training when weekend is over. Boy, what a mistake I made. But I forgive myself immediately :p

After weekend was over, L.A couldn't remember single thing about potty training. I took the advice of www.babycenter.com, I postponed the training to next month.

I always think that when I put her back on diaper, she got confused.

Another month passed on, so here I am. Tomorrow is a weekend, and I have a wedding to attend to, and a birthday celebration - both on Saturday. All the best, mummy pauline *self-talk*

But I must also say it again, I am proud of you, L.A for having no 'accident' when we went out for breakfast at mamak or Chinese stalls, and when you accompanied mummy and daddy to do a one hour grocery shopping (although mummy already get ready the resources, should any 'accident' happen)

Always love you, and that will be forever, L.A

-mummy-

A worried mum

2011-11-14T16:30:00.005+08:00

Today, I have a worry about whether I will get what I want after I have done my part to influence the decision. I have done all I can. So now, I should be sitting back, wait and relax.

But as I sat back and looking at my little L.A napping, I knew I was worried. Then, I knew that worrying about it will only make the issue double. So, I stopped there. No worry. At all.

We all have worries such as worry about the future, worry about whether we are pleasing others or not, worry about whether we meet the expectation of others, or worry about our child. After worry, we have fears, agree?

Today, I maybe this happy bubbly person, but the next day, I might be overwhelmed with worries. Or the next day, it might be you going through this worry thing.

So, rest assured that it is normal and it happen to all of us, living in this life. What we need to do is to find ways to minimize or if possible, get rid of it :)

Usually when I am worried, I will talk to God, or write it down, or get busy. These three actions usually work for me.

When I worry about something, I will also tend to figure out what is the root cause and ask myself; Was it beyond my control or within my control? When the latter happen, I will work toward improving myself. It makes me a better person.

A worry is like a stumbling block, and like the expert said, it is an unproductive work that waste only more time.

Happy Monday mom

2011-11-14T16:27:00.000+08:00

I had the chance to meet with several interesting people, this week for some discussion. I am enjoying my life right now, every seconds of it. Smile. But I will admit that sometimes I miss the companies of great people that I had met in my working place. I miss working with them, and talk with them. I remembered the laughter, the chit-chatting and the lunch-on meeting, there were never boring. But I also remembered myself as a mom who constantly miss and think a lot about her child during that 9-5 working hours, and the journey back from office to home.

"But this path is fulfilling, and making me happy, too" I said to myself. I always wanting to be a full time mum when I received the honor to be the mom for L.A

There is just something special about raising (or being raise by them?) and watching them grow.

For the past 38 days or more, I learned the benefits of being a full time mummy, and at the same time, the cons. As I am embarking this journey, I try to focus more on the pros as I think they make me more happy.

I enjoyed the benefits of being a full time mummy. I recognized the list below:-

I can choose my sleeping, napping and waking time
I can spend more time doing things that I like to do
I have lesser people to please
I have more family time
I have more reasons to be happy, all the time.

Have a good Monday, friends!

One of my many desires.

2011-11-12T18:40:00.000+08:00

I want to be financially ready to help those who are in need.

Diary at fourteen

2011-11-09T15:36:00.000+08:00

May I always be happy with what I have, or what I am doing, everyday.

May my eyes be opened to see the unseen things, to appreciate things that I always take for granted

Deep thought for one particular fine Monday morning.

In the afternoon, as I sorted documents, I found my diary. A book that I kept my thoughts since I was 14 years old. I read about a girl that has a lot of crushes on the guys that she met in the school, that has worry about finance, that has few close friends and was afraid of losing them yet was smart enough to recognize that if they are meant to be her best friends, nothing will break that relationship.

As I sat down and read through that bitter sweet memories, L.A sorted some of the documents with her own creativity, (for adult like us, it will be another mess that her parent will have to deal to, later.)

I threw some documents that I thought are not important anymore, but I left that diary in the box.

I learned some lessons today, and I am left thankful to many.

What is your fulfillment in life?

2011-11-06T23:30:00.000+08:00

As I am writing this entry down, it is 6th November 2011 already. Hmmm, time flies without or with us realizing it. It is going to be December soon or for some, they are counting days for Chinese New Year Celebration, which will fall on 23rd January. I am always excited when the festival that I celebrate with family will be coming soon. Smile.

Other than Christmas and Chinese New Year, I have few wedding celebration, and newborn celebration to look for.

Let's talk about what happen on my Sunday, today.

I had such a wonderful time that I have to record it down. It was a long day, but it is worth it. I was out with family, and in-laws. We visited one of our relatives, and we were offered delicious food in a luxurious home. I admired the interior design of the home, and enjoyed the moments when I was there.

L.A had the chance play in the swimming pool as well:-

As I sat back and relax, I was once again reminded that although these things are enjoyable and admirable, they are not everything.

There are numbers of material items that I would love to possess which includes technology gadgets and beautiful homes. I will be on top of the world when I become their owner. But they will not give me the sense of fulfillment.

I am fulfilled when I do the following activities;

Carry my responsibilities as a wife and a mum
Manage my time, work, stress and finance well
Allocate some personal time (me-time) for my hobbies
Care for the well-being of the needy, people around me and the stray animals.
Worship God in spirit and in truth

The list are not in order. I am sleepy now. Have a good rest, and goodnight!

The need to find a quality daycare center

2011-11-04T17:23:00.002+08:00

I have been a working mum before, and a stay at home mum too. I think both has it pros and cons. If my mum was not able to take care of my child, I will probably quit my job right after my maternity leave ends. In other words, I think if you have someone that you can trust, reliable when you are away from your child to work, you will be at peace and relief when you are working.

My friend shared with me about the incidence that happen to her baby at one particular daycare center; the care-taker gave her baby cough syrup so that the baby will cry lesser and sleep more. My friend was alert, she noticed that her baby was not as active as usual, constantly drowsy. She brought her baby to see the doctor, and doctor confirmed, and remind her to be careful in selecting a daycare center. In addition to that, the doctor said that it is a quite common scenario.

I listened. I was speechless. I empathized my friend's feeling. Her alertness brought her baby to immediate attention.

It is sad when you came across daycare center that put profit first before the child's well-being.

They are few requirements that I would take into consideration when I select a daycare, there are;

1. The daycare center must have their daycare operating licence.

2. The daycare assistant must have strong knowledge in taking care child, in other words, they must have a certification.

3. The daycare center assistant must have knowledge in handling emergency situation, like CPR.

4. The security of the center, the cleanliness of the center must be taken into consideration, as well.

Just my two cents, I hope you will have a good weekend. Enjoy with everyone at home. Take a break! :)

20 months old toddler's favorites meal.

2011-11-03T23:18:00.000+08:00

As I type down this entry, L.A is now a 20 months 2 weeks years old toddler. She has slept at 10am. I like to put down what is her favorite beverages and foods as of today.

Foods:

- Selected yogurts

- Sweet corn

- Cereal such as corn flakes, coco crunch, etc

- Spaghetti

- Vegetables including Siew pat choi, cabbage, bean sprout, and kai lan

- Fried chicken and nuggets (I try to offer only home-made)

- Fried potato, sweet potatoes, and banana.

- Varieties of nuts

- Fragrant rice

- Bread, buns.

- Hard-boiled eggs

Fruits:

- Sweet oranges

- Grapes

- Pear

- Apple

- Honey dew

- Guava

- Mango

- Durian

Beverages:

- Milk

- Warm water

- Chocolate beverages like Milo

- Vitagen

Happy 20 months old, L.A. Mummy loves you :)))

xoxo,

24yomummy

My very first post - 28th October 2011

2011-10-28T21:25:00.001+08:00

You read that, "achieving MORE with less", that's the motto of my life, besides, applying the rule of "balance in life". You can't go wrong when keep that in mind. Smile.

So, one evening, I decided to change my blog for some reasons. The magical thing about posting information is that you can delete them. I hope you will enjoy your stay in this webpage. Till then, ta!

xoxo,
24yomummy