Play Date Success

April 6, 2011

The play date was a success (as the title implies).

We arrived a little late. I miscalculated how long it would take to put Caleb down for a nap and feed him. It's like every other week, he decides to switch his schedule up just enough to throw me for a couple loops.

But Nathan was super helpful and got himself ready and we rushed out the door.

We got to McDonald's to find our friends were already playing. So we let the boys play for a little longer before we had lunch. Then we went in and had a quick lunch. Both boys had chicken nuggets. Nathan finished in record time. Must have been because he knew once he finished, they could go out to play again.

Nathan and his little friend ran around Playland pretending to be ninjas and Ben 10 characters. They looked like Batman and Robin. Nathan was Batman. His little friend was Robin.

Caleb sat contently on my lap and watched the big kids run around. It was nice to just sit and chat in the breezy autumn air. Yes autumn. It's autumn here and my brain and body are getting so confused.

Play Dates

April 5, 2011

Nathan has this week and next week off school. I'll have both the boys home all day, every day and then Nathan will start full day! I'm actually a little anxious for him. Not sure if he'll be able to last the entire day.

I know he did full day back in Canada, but there's something about it here that seems to drain Nathan and turn him into a cranky little boy by dinner time.

Maybe it's the fact that he runs around and plays for almost an hour in the playground after school when I pick him up before lunch. Or maybe because the hot weather makes him hot and sticky. I know I get tired when it's too hot. Or maybe his brain is just working too hard. Whatever it is, there's going to be a lot of schedule-tweeking over the next couple weeks and I have a feeling it's going to be a lot of adjustment for everyone in the house.

* * * * * * *

We have two play dates scheduled for this week and next week.

We never really did play dates in Canada until this past summer. Nathan befriended this little boy at summer camp and they both loved cars. And all they did on their play date was play with cars and watch movies about cars. His mom was super nice and invited Nathan over a couple more times before things got too hectic for us and we moved.

That was also when Nathan learned our phone number.

Anyway, we weren't really "into" play dates back in Canada. But now that I'm home all the time, I can't really use "being too busy" as an excuse to not get together with other moms and their kids.

When Nathan plays after school, I stand around and chat with a couple other moms who also let their boys run around before lunch. Last week, they invited us to join them for lunch at McDonald's during the break, and the boys could play in PlayLand. I accepted their invitation.

We're meeting up tomorrow and with Caleb (and his once-again-unpredictable schedule) in tow, we'll see how it goes!

Crossing Roads

March 19, 2011

A couple days ago, after school, after Nathan was all finished playing in the playground, Nathan and his friend (who also happens to be named Nathan) ran along the path between the school and the parking lot.

As both Nathans approached the edge of the parking lot, they both stopped.

"Good," I thought, "Just like we taught him."

But then, just as I finished that thought, both Nathans bolted across the parking lot. By then, other Nathan's mom and I caught up to them, and we both said quick goodbyes as we questioned our own Nathans about what they were thinking, running into the parking lot like that.

Turns out, they stopped at the edge of the parking lot, looked both ways and when other Nathan said there were no cars (and there weren't), they decided it was safe to cross.


Just like we taught him.

Bartering, Among Other Things

March 17, 2011

Yesterday, while Caleb was crying inconsolably, Nathan wandered over to the couch and offered to hold him for a little bit.

I thought to myself, "Wow, that's such a kind and thoughtful offer. How mature of him. Should I take him up on the offer? Maybe he can hold Caleb sitting on the couch. It's safe enough if they're sitting on the couch. Okay, I'll do it." (All in a matter of seconds because that's how long moms are allowed to think for.)

Then, while I was propping Caleb up in Nathan's lap, he said, "Now you can go get me my ice cream!" What a sneaky fellow.


In case you were wondering, he got his ice cream because anyone who relieves a mom from a crying baby, even if it's only for a couple seconds (or an ice cream), should be rewarded.

* * * * * * *

Nathan asked me to put a bandage on his finger today. He had to inspect each of his fingers to remember which one had the boo-boo.

I asked him if I could take a picture. He agreed.

And immediately after, sighed and said "Can you put it on already?!"

Am I the only one who enjoys this whole picture-taking/blogging process?

* * * * * * *

Those little green stars right there? That's the extent of my St. Patrick's Day celebrations. Oh, and I might watch that VeggieTales movie that talks about Maewyn Succat. It's surprisingly informative!

The end.

TGIF

March 4, 2011

... because by the end of the week, I'm just barely hanging by a thread and a second pair of hands helping out is something I'm hugely thankful for.

Washing Dishes

February 17, 2011

Is it still considered a chore if it's fun?

Last week, I asked Nathan to wash the dishes with me. Like making sushi, it was something I needed to do that was simple enough for Nathan to be involved. I gave him the job of rinsing the dishes and putting them onto the racks to dry.

It was an easy job and apparently he loved it because the next day, and the day after that, he was asking me when we would be doing the dishes.


Now this week, I asked if he wanted to do the dishes with me again. He quickly agreed, but then he said we had to trade jobs. Last time, he rinsed so this time, it was his turn to wash!


I asked him to wait for me to finish feeding Caleb before starting the dishes but he got impatient and ended up washing and rinsing the dishes himself. He did half the huge pile of dishes before he hopped off his stool and said he wanted a break. I ended up doing the rest.


I'm going to miss him so much when he goes off to school in a couple weeks!


P.S. Thank you, Andrew, for opting to buy the taller stool instead. Now, not only do I no longer have to get Nathan's clothes for him, I also don't have to put his clothes away or wash the dishes... on the good days.

Ahhhh, Sucker!

January 10, 2011

Right from the beginning, I knew Caleb would be a soother baby.

He'd make sucking motions with his mouth, even when his belly was full. He'd suck on his little fist. He'd be comforted by blankets touching his lip, and he'd suck on that too.

However, I've always tried to avoid soothers. For the first couple weeks, I was adamant about not giving in, even though I knew that it might be something he needed. Nathan never had one and he was perfectly content. But every baby is different and we found that Caleb would cry and cry until someone would pick him up.

In addition to that, from the first day we arrived in Brisbane, Caleb hated sitting in the car seat. He would cry and wail until his face was red and his voice went raspy. The poor little guy. And there was nothing I could do while we were driving to console him. I knew we'd have to drive around a lot for the next little while as we got things together, so in the middle of the baby section at KMart, I found a pacifier, grabbed it and desperately convinced Andrew that we had to get it, and that it was the answer to our problems.

And I was right.


Now our little guy is consolable and happy as a clam.

I still try to keep his soother-usage to a minimum though. Generally, when we're in a situation where we can use other methods to sooth him (i.e., when we're not in a car stuck in traffic or when we're in a quiet building and we can't leave right away), I don't let him have it. And Caleb's perfectly fine with that.

Ghostie

December 22, 2010

We spent the past couple days up at Blue Mountain for some time in the snow. Nathan had requested to go skiing as part of his "list of things to do before we leave Canada". Unfortunately, he got sick on his last day of school and hadn't fully recovered but we made the drive up to Collingwood anyway.

And over the past couple days, Andrew and I got to experience the joys of having more than one child. We had to coordinate who was going to watch Caleb while the other went out with Nathan while he skied. Things got a little trickier when Nathan was really sick and Caleb was crying inconsolably for hours.

But the trickiest moment of all was when Nathan requested a stuffed animal to sleep with. Tricky because we hadn't packed any for him and he really wanted one. So I quickly grabbed one of his shirts and stuffed a bath towel into it. Then, he requested a face so I cut up some paper to stick on a face.

Voila! A make-shift stuffie for him to sleep with. Ghostie.

Introducing...

December 10, 2010

Caleb Nicholas Tsoi

Our baby boy was born December 8th, weighing 8lbs, 10oz and measuring 54cm. I'm so incredibly proud to say that Caleb was born healthy and fully alert after a completely natural birth.

That Makes My Heart Feel Super Happy

August 4, 2010

There are days when your kids can drive you crazy, when the world seems like it's going to explode all around you.

But then there are these little things that can make even the most exhausting days bearable again.

Like how...

Nathan whole-heartedly believes that the one sure-fire way to cheering me up is a kiss on the cheek.
Nathan says it "makes his heart feel super happy" when he sees a happy smile on my face.
Nathan always tries to keep the peace between Andrew and I when we have disagreements.
Nathan loves to give the baby kisses through my tummy
Nathan's face lit up/scrunched up when he felt baby kick for the first time

People have been asking me more and more how I think Nathan will be when the baby arrives. Everyone has their opinions on how boys aren't as nurturing, how the older child will treat the younger one poorly.

I'm not worried about what Nathan will be like when the baby comes because I know at the heart of it all, he's already become an incredible little person.

Going to the Beach

March 16, 2010

Our little sleuth has been asking over and over if we're going to the beach, so Andrew and I decided that it would be a good idea to let him know that yes, we're going to the beach! (Although we may or may not have withheld some other important details.)

This worked out for a couple reasons:

1. He won't be asking anymore questions about whether we'll be traveling, and where we'll be going (so hopefully the rest of the surprise - the real surprise, won't be spoiled).

2. Nathan will get a chance to pack his own toys and other things he wants to bring.

3. We can talk to Nathan about travel safety and how he can't just run off and go wherever he wants (because he has a tendency to do that now that he's more independent and adventurous).

Now I have to get back to packing before he wakes up from his nap!

Curious Mind

March 13, 2010

Yesterday Andrew went in to Nathan's class for his birthday celebration. Nathan's teacher casually mentioned that he has incredible concentration and she sees him do things that she rarely sees in kids his age. He's a really bright kid.

Ever since Nathan got up this morning, he's been full of questions.

Are we going to travel? as I was packing up some papers.

Where are we going? Are we going to Blue Mountain? He loved it up there so much he wants to go back again and again.

Are we going swimming? On a swimming trip? when I asked him where his swim shorts were.

Are we going on vacation? Where are we going?

The problem with having a really bright kid is that it's really hard to keep secrets and surprises from them.

Things get even harder last night after Andrew and I were talking and decided to have p-i-z-z-a, then Nathan asked when we're getting the pizza. Who knows what else he's capable of spelling?

Andrew thinks Nathan's asking all these questions to find out clues. He told me not to crack under the pressure. I've done so well for these past few months and it's almost time for the big reveal but it's so hard when our little guy is so inquisitive!

Test Driving Strollers

March 10, 2010

We spent a couple days last week test-driving some strollers for Nathan since his heavy legs broke the foot rest on his old umbrella stroller.


It's been a little while since Nathan's rode in a stroller, so as soon as we put him in, he demanded that we push him... to the toys!

What a guy.


Sorry for the blurry photo. The little man wouldn't sit still!

Early Saturday Morning

January 23, 2010

I'm so thankful Nathan woke up at 7:45am this morning and came to our room. I'm thankful because it made me get up just in time to see a beautiful sunrise.


I'm also thankful that Nathan's daddy had the sense to quietly bring Nathan back to his bed and nap with him there while mommy had a chance to slowly wake up and have some peaceful alone time.

Nathan Goes To The Hospital

December 20, 2009

I know this post is so overdue but it took some time for me to process and recover from this whole 'adventure'. Plus, it's for my own records, really. In case I forget.


Two Fridays ago, the three of us spent a relaxing night together as a family and headed out to Chapters. It was all nice until the germ-infested spawn of a neglectful parent showed up. He put his germy paws all over the trains and got all in our faces and wouldn't leave us alone. By the end of the night, Nathan started coughing.

For the entire weekend, I was so upset at that awful parent. I couldn't believe Nathan got sick again. The poor guy just got better a week ago and now he's sick again?! I was outraged!

We thought we could just wait it out, it's just a little cold. Then, Monday afternoon, Nathan started complaining about not being able to breathe. The poor thing kept saying, "Oh dear. I can't breathe. Mommy, help me breathe!" I was heartbroken. How could this happen to us!

We brought him to the ER and he was diagnosed with pneumonia. He was later admitted because he wasn't responding to the medication. That was probably the last thing we wanted to hear because all Nathan wanted was to go home. He was bored of being at the hospital. It was no fun and it didn't help make him better. Until...


They stuck him with an IV. My guy was so incredibly brave. Not a single cry was heard as the nurse stuck the needle in his arm, took his blood and taped the tubes down. Not even a whimper. The nurses were so impressed they told a police officer who paid us a visit to give Nathan a special present!

After that point, it was all one huge big adventure with one surprise after another. After a long wait, the EMS guys showed up with a gurney but Nathan insisted on walking by himself. He rode in the ambulance to a different hospital.


When he got to his room and actually wanted to be put into the crib. It was like he was walking into a 5-star hotel room. He was so happy and amazed... until he realized he was going to be stuck in that tiny room for a while. Then, he got bored out of his mind and kept asking when he could go home. And a million other questions. It only got annoying when he started each question with "Mom, ...".


My little genius became a little chatterbox and couldn't stop asking questions over and over again. And when I tried to ignore him, he'd just say "mom" over and over again until I cracked. He's a persistent little one! Eventually we got discharged and got to go home.


We're just so thankful that our little guy is back to normal. (And I'm so thankful we're not stuck in that tiny room anymore. It's nice to have some space...)

On The Ice

November 22, 2009

Last winter, I was determined to learn how to skate again, and to skate well.

As I stepped onto the ice, I told myself it wouldn't matter if I fell on my face, bruised my butt, or left completely soaked, as long as at the end of the day, I was able to make it at least once around the rink.

Why was I so determined?

So I could experience moments like this:


Last winter, it became clear to me that pretty soon, Nathan would be able to skate and do all sorts of other activities and sports. While I'm not exactly the most athletic mom on the face of this planet, I did want to be able to participate. I didn't want to be the one who was always sitting on the sidelines cheering my child on (although, I'm definitely going to do that anyway).

I wanted to be a part of those moments.

(A special thanks to Uncle Chris for taking this picture for us!)

Boo!

October 30, 2009

Nathan wanted to be a ghost this year.

I tried making other suggestions, persuading him to be something else, but he wouldn't budge. He wanted to be a ghost and that was final. That was good news to me - none of that last-minute changing of minds.

I was determined to make the coolest ghost costume ever. Ghost costumes are pretty simple - just toss a bedsheet over the child's head and you're done. Right? Wrong. Don't believe anything anyone tells you. It's all lies. Lies, lies and more lies. (Ahem.)

Since he had made up his mind early, I figured we could get the costume done early as well. But then I got sick. And by dinner time last night, he still didn't have a costume and his party was today.

So guess who stayed up into the wee hours of the night guessing at measurements and hand-stitching the ghost costume so that the eye holes (yes.. eye holes. Not a face hole as that would "ruin the holidays" according to my ever-so-eloquent 3-year-old, eye holes.) would stay in place when he moved around. Then I had to sew around the eye holes to reinforce them so that they wouldn't fray and become the face hole he dreaded.

But in the end, I persevered, and my son got a half-decent, made in 3-hours ghost costume.


He looks alright, doesn't he?

Ahh, whatever. You can't even tell it's him under there.

Boo.


Note: If you look really closely, you'll see that he's sad and his costume is tear-stained because he doesn't think it's a fun idea to wear a costume and it's too dusty. (sigh.)

Turning Over A New Leaf

October 16, 2009

Earlier this week, we made some changes to Nathan's schedule. We were feeling a lot of tension and stress with his old schedule and while we liked that he got a nap after school (for his own sake and sanity), it was causing him to stay up later and wake up in the middle of the night... multiple times. This routine was tiring for all of us and wearing us all down to the core.

So now, Nathan doesn't nap after school and he sleeps quite early. We're talking about him being in bed by 8PM! It's like a miracle! And he doesn't even play around in bed for very long now. He just goes right to sleep. It's bliss.

And I've noticed some changes in his mood as well.

For example, this morning, I dropped him off at school as usual. Now, for the past month and a half, he's been clinging to me with all his might, whining and even crying about how he doesn't want me to leave. It's been quite frustrating and at times, embarrassing.

This morning, I witnessed the cutest little thing. One of Nathan's classmates' father was leaving, after dropping his two kids off. The little boy chased after him, saying "Wait, I need a hug and kiss!". Then after he got his, he pleaded that his older sister gets some as well. It was a really endearing scene.

As the father walked by, I made a light-hearted comment about how that doesn't last for very long.

Moments later, as we stood in front of Nathan's classroom door, he stepped inside, turned to me, looked me square in the eyes and said "Mommy, it's time for you to go now". I was shocked!

Could it be possible? My little boy isn't clinging to me anymore? He's not begging for me to stay? He's acting like a rational person? This is awesome! But.. wait. Why doesn't he want to cling to me anymore? Isn't he going to miss me? Doesn't he want to hang out with me?

In a moment of confusion and shock, I just asked for a high-five and waltzed out the door.

My little guy has turned over a new leaf. He's all grown up and ready for the world now. Sigh.

Can't Touch This (dah da da dah...)

September 25, 2009

Do you remember those "choose your own adventure" books where you could read through a story, and at the end of each page it would let you choose what decision to make, and it continues the story from there? Yes? No? Well I'm going to share a scenario with you in the choose your own adventure format.

You have just gotten home after picking your son up from school, and the two of you are headed for the elevator. When you guys get on, you notice an old woman inside.

Do you live in a (a) house? (b) condo?

(a) Why is there an old woman in your house? and more importantly, who has an elevator in their house?! (I guess if you are rich enough to have an elevator in your house, you can probably afford an elevator attendant...) You greet your elevator attendant and she takes you to your floor. The day continues as normal.

The end.

(b) You smile at the old woman and proceed inside. As the doors start to close, she begins to try to talk to your son.

Does she seem (c) normal? (d) weird?

(c) "Hi there!" Your son smiles. "How old are you?" "3 years old" "Ohh, that's very big! Did you just finish school?" Your son nods. "You know, I have a grandson just around your age who goes to school too!" Your son looks bored, so you carry on the conversation, pretending to seem interested (so as not to seem rude), "That's great!" The elevator stops at your floor. "Have a great afternoon!" "Thanks, you too!" You smile and wave, encouraging your son to do the same. The day continues as normal.

The end.

(d) "Why, hello there!" Your son shyly hides behind you. "Are you hiding? I can SEE you!" Your son remains hidden, his shyness no longer the primary reason. She begins to try to look on either side of you, trying to catch your son's eyes. Your son dodges from side to side, always staying behind your legs.

What do you do next? (e) nothing (f) encourage your son to be social

(e) The lady tires very quickly, panting for breath. An awkward silence falls as she tries to convince herself that she's not weird, children are just shy. She scrabbles around in her purse for a piece of candy, finally pulling it out together with a used tissue. She offers it to your son. You recoil in unison, breathing a sigh of relief when the elevator finally stops on your floor. You start furiously jamming on the "door open" button, willing the door to open faster. Your son bolts out the door, and you follow quickly after, adding a "Have a great afternoon" as the doors close. The day continues more or less as normal.

The end.

(f) You try to dodge your son so that he can make eye contact with the lady and see, after all, that she's not so bad. You stop after he begins to clutch onto you with an iron grip and you catch a glimpse of the fear in his eyes. The old lady starts to edge closer to you with a smile that seems to be lost on your son. She begins to reach out with a quavery hand.

You (g) slap her hand. (h) slap her face. (i) do nothing, expecting her to know better than to touch the kid of a complete stranger.

(g) Shocked and hurt (physically, depending on how hard the slap was), the lady moves back to the corner, smile still frozen on her face. The elevator is deathly silent as the floors pass by slowly. Your son looks at you in a mixture of awe and disbelief. As you leave the elevator, you are unsure whether to be pleased or upset with yourself. The day continues more or less as normal. You sleep a little better than usual that night.

The end.

(h) Yeah right.

(i) The quavery hand continues to approach your son, as he squeezes himself against the wall hard enough to leave an impression. She pats him on the head and tousles his hair as he squirms underneath her wrinkly hand. Your son looks up at you with a look of betrayal as you alternate between hating yourself and wondering if it's too late to slap her face. As the two of you leave the elevator, your son keeps his eyes on the floor. Your day has been ruined, although he recovers immediately, racing for his toy box.

The end.

Anyways, old people always try to touch Nathan. Sometimes I subtly block them with my body, sometimes Nathan dodges them all by himself. And yes, sometimes I do nothing. What's the deal with people trying to touch Nathan anyways? Don't they have any self control? Maybe the next time some old guy tries to pat Nathan on the head, I'll pat him on the head. See how he likes that.

dah da da dah....

Don't touch him.

Does Everybody Have Sensible Shoes?

February 2, 2008

I can't believe it's February already. I can't believe it's still snowing like crazy outside. I can't believe Nathan's going to start school next Monday, for real! Andrew and I went in to speak with the principal yesterday about when he could start and all those other parent-y things. During the meeting, one of the classes was getting ready for gym time and I overheard the teacher asking, "Does everybody have sensible shoes?"

And from that point on, until we left the school, all I could think about was what I needed to get for Nathan so he'd be ready for school. This meant preparing a serious checklist and sensible shoes were at the top of the shopping list.

On our way out, we passed the hooks where the children kept their stuff. I quickly took note of all the things other children had on their hook as Andrew dragged me towards the door. I don't understand why he doesn't want Nathan to be well-prepared. I mean, sure it's only preschool and he's only going to be there for half-day sessions. But it's his first day of preschool and he's going to be gone for half a day! My baby's going to school and he's going to be coolest kid there. And he'll have sensible shoes.