Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Chip and Olive Tapenade

I love good quality black olives. Not the canned variety.

There is something about their saltiness that I love and it is always a delight to find them in my sandwiches or salads. As much as I enjoy them on their own as a healthy snack, I rarely buy them in Singapore. Hmm... I wonder why. 

I also like tapenade. Especially the ones made with black olives. Tapenade reminds me of Europe and the years I spent in the continent.


Photo from 123recipes.com

But I have only bought tapenade once in the last decade. It is just one of those things that I don't think much about.

A few months ago, I was browsing in a supermarket when I came across a jar of tapenade made with kalamata and black olives. I just couldn't resist the packaging, so the tiny glass jar had to come home with me, together with some quality crackers that I had selected to sample the tapenade with.

The crackers swiftly disappeared from the pantry within a week. I blame the mice who sneaked into our kitchen at night.

And I forgot about my tapenade after I gave birth to my Olivia.

Few nights ago, while scouting for snacks, I chanced upon an interesting-looking jar. Ahhh.... my tapenade! :D

Still standing by the kitchen counter, I ripped open a pack of Meiji crackers and dipped one into the jar of blackness which somewhat resembled some half-chewed-and-spat-out-grapes. It tasted slightly salty with a mild pungent aroma. After the cracker was swallowed, a light bitter aftertaste lingered in my palate.

Hmm..... It took a little remembering and getting used to.

I went for it again. And again. Crunching loudly, still standing, and oblivious to someone who was watching me with interest.

"What are you eating, Mummy? Can I try too?"

Oh of course! I would LOVE to get my boys to fall in love with olives and tapenade. They are such super food!

I shoved a piece of cracker topped with a dollop of tapenade into my 5-year-old's mouth and watched his reaction keenly. I think I held my breath while waiting for his verdict. :>

He chewed on it cautiously and eyed me suspiciously afterwards.

"What is this, Mummy?"

I explained what tapenade is and showed him a jar of olives that I have in the pantry. He was so amused that it was made from olives. "You mean like our baby Olive", he asked cheekily, referring to Olivia whom he sometimes affectionately called Olive.

"Was it yummy? Do you want another piece?"

"No thanks!" replied the boy and ran off to play.

Oh well, at least he tried.

Two minutes later, he was back with mouth wide open, eager for another bigger piece with more tapenade! Yipppeeee!

So he did. He ate three whole squarish crackers (which I broke into bite sizes to dip and serve) and a whole lot of tapenade.

I was a really happy mummy that day.

Just the thought of how my little Chip has become such an adventurous eater who loves blue cheese, pâté and foie gras, and this most recent discovery of tapenade, really tickles me.

The acorn doesn't fall far from the tree.


Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Truly the Rose

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photo taken in Feb '12 @ 5 months old 

This little one is just so blessed.

She has two older brothers who adore every bit of her. In their own words, even her hair and little toes are too cute.

They regard her as the best thing that has ever happened in their young lives so far.

Sweet.




Optimus

The boy's obsession and passion for this invincible race remains strong.

After a few hours of undivided attention, M completed this Optimus piece with much delight and pride. His latest this week.

For a 7-year-old, we think he did good.




In the last few months, he gave away so many drawings as presents to his classmates. Every piece was complicated with proportionate features and looked incredibly life-like. Each was indeed a labour of love and passion. 

It was hard for me to watch him spend so many hours a week drawing and colouring pieces after pieces only to have them given away in the end. 

The thought that some of his painstakingly created masterpieces may not be cherished by the recipients just breaks my heart. I don't even want to consider the possibility of them ending up in the waste paper baskets the day he sent them out. 

Sigh. But what to do? The boy insisted on being so generous. 

Looking at his drawings, I can't help but wonder: what was I drawing when I was 7-year-old?

I really can't remember.

But it certainly wasn't anything with such details.




Saturday, February 25, 2012

To Raise an Achiever (Part 1)

One of my Christmas presents last year was the Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother

I am still reading it. Some nights, I got through 50 pages at one sitting. Then I might not read it for two weeks because I was too tired from my hectic life. Other times, I read just 10 and put the book down because I wanted to think about what I had just read.

I always reflect during and after reading such books. On this one, I have many mixed thoughts which I don't have much time to write in this blog. 

For now, here are some quick thoughts. 

I am not apologetic, and will never be, about my wish to raise my three kids as achievers. Those who have been following this blog should have gotten this idea by now. 

And I am not going to say I know the best way to do it, because I don't. I just know that this is what I want to do and I put my mind into doing. 

As with everything, there are two extreme approaches that one can take and a range of others that fall in between. To me, it is definitely about finding the balance and it is up to me to define what 'balance' is.

When the kids are still young and inexperienced, the onus lies with us, as their parents, to guide them in finding the balance: to teach them to aim for the sky, while still learning to live a happy life.

Yes, kids and adults can be happy without achieving much, but those who achieve plenty can also be happy. Who says achievements and happiness are mutually exclusive?

I always think it is a very narrow-minded view of those who believe that high achievers must be downright miserable and stressed out all the time. Let me be honest. I do think that is the view of those who haven't achieved very much. Of course, the definitions of 'achievement' and 'success' are very subjective.

I would much rather teach my children to learn to aim for the stars (so at least they will reach the moon) and strive with their very best in everything they set their minds to do and to believe that when there is a will, there is a way... than for them to tell themselves (and everyone else) that they are happy to just 'be' and take each day as it comes, with no goals nor ambitions.

But what is equally important is teaching my kids to understand that failures and setbacks are part of life too and equipping them with life skills and positive outlook is crucial. That way, when faced with disappointments and hardship, they will be resilient enough.

I do know many parents who are from and/or living in the West, and an increasing number of those here too, who discourage competition or any form of goal-setting. Oh, quite a few also boo and label parents (like me) as 'pushy', 'kiasu', 'egoistic', 'ignorant', 'selfish' etc..... 

It is all a matter of perspectives. Yours are just different from mine. And frankly, I don't care. You raise your kids; I raise mine. Time will tell if my methods work. I am often tempted to say that 'the day my kids are achievers and yours are slackers, we shall see who has the last laugh'. But immediately after this thought, I also know that I really don't care if other people's kids turn out to be slackers, as long as mine do well enough in their lives.  

These parents may have been influenced by the media and parenting books authored by American writers who are too worried about hurting their kids' fragile self-esteem and confidence.

But not me. 

I won't want to bubble wrap my kids from the harsh realities, so as to safeguard their fragile self-esteem. Whether they are introduced to stress, competition and goal-setting and failure now or not, they will have to face these facts of life in future. 

If we handle it right, and I am still learning all the time on how to do so, my kids can be achievers, lead full and happy lives and need not have fragile self-esteem.






Tuesday, February 21, 2012

7am

My favourite time of the day. 

The light is perfect. The air still and fresh. The day is only beginning to get busy. 

Ideally, I am accompanied by only a morning cup of aromatic coffee and a buttery croissant or a hot breakfast. And just my own company. 

But these days, there is usually a lot more to juggle with at this hour. 

Still, 7 am is my favourite hour of the day.

When Chip heard my remarks one morning of how much I love this hour, he suggested helpfully that we head out for picnic at 7 am every day so we can enjoy as much of it as possible. 

As he talked about the details, he was so enthusiastic and chirpy that I couldn't resist. 

The next morning, he woke before 7 am and waited patiently for me to pack our breakfast, make coffee for myself and get Bunny ready. By the time we left home, he was like an excited little pup, grinning from ear to ear as he rode his tricycle round our condo compound. 

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We stayed out for an hour and half and returned home only when the baby started yawning, ready for her morning nap. 

At least we had our breakfast, a stroll and a ride around. We even managed to squeeze in some hide-and-seek and chasing time. The bunny was the one 'chasing' after the pig, which resulted in both squealing with incredibly excitement and the baby hyperventilating at one point. 

Back home, my 5 yr old hugged me tight and told me with big innocent eyes, 'I had such a wonderful time, mummy. It was so much fun. I like to do this again. How about tomorrow?' 

I felt awesome for the rest of the day too, especially for making Chip so happy.





Monday, February 20, 2012

A Week in Pictures (mid Feb)

Engrossed

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Strategist

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Mirror, Mirror, who is the fairest of them all?

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Sweetie-Pie

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Gappy Joe's Wonky

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Houdini

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Saturday, February 18, 2012

Babies

I love babies. This is definitely an understatement. No words can describe just how much I love babies.

Whenever I think of babies, my heart melts and my face softens.

In the recent months, each time when friends shared with me news of their pregnancy or arrival of a new bundle of joy, I get teary and emotional. I can only feel utmost delight and sheer happiness for them. I smiled the entire day. I kept telling my boys that so-and-so is having a baby! I kept telling Olivia how much love the parents and baby will feel and how happy I am for them.

I think I was always happy for others at times of such blissful news, but perhaps never to this extreme.

A few months ago, I bumped into an ex-schoolmate whom I have not seen for 14 years. I was with Olivia and he had his 15-month-old toddler running around. We exchanged updates quickly and I was so pleasantly surprised that he is a father of 5! I couldn't stop smiling whenever I think of this fact. What an achievement and I am so full of envy and admiration for his wife and him. He surely seems like a wonderful dad material. When we are constantly surrounded by statistics telling us how much the birth rate is dropping, I always cheer (sometimes aloud) when I come across people with multiple kids. The first thing that comes to my mind is LOVE. Selfless love.

The next thought is slightly embarrassing. I find an overwhelming need to hug them! But I always stop myself in time, especially when they aren't my closest friends or if the opposite party is a guy.

If I were 5 years younger (and the hubby was willing), I would probably like another baby. That's also subjected to my obstetrician's approval given my three caesareans. But I am not any younger. So this is only good for daydreaming. Because of this thought, all the more I know I must cherish what I already have.

This morning, I woke to find a birth announcement from a friend afar. Within seconds, my eyes were so teary I needed a tissue. As I looked at the photos and read the brief words, my heart felt like bursting. From so much love for the little prince whom I know will be so loved and cherished by his parents for the rest of his life. And for my dear friend and hubby whom I know have their prayers answered. Just the thought of them holding their long-awaited child brings tears to my eyes (again).

Raising kids is very hard work. But it is all worth it. To me, this is what life and living is all about. Everything else pales in comparison.


~~



(As I write this, I am also remembering the passing of a sick relative. He held on to his last breath and only closed his eyes yesterday morning when his son reached his bedside. As a parent, I think I can imagine his final thoughts. May he rest in peace.)




~~

Thursday, February 16, 2012

Olivia: 5 Months

My little sunshine.
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Photos taken @ 4.5 months
Weighed her last week at the clinic. She is just over 6.5kg and 63cm long. I am surprised that she gained so little in the last 7 weeks. But I should have guessed anyway, as her appetite hasn't been good recently. Perhaps due to teething and/or slower growth rate. Looks like these shall be her final weeks of chubbiness. :<

Just like the boys, it gets harder to feed her once she turned 4 months. Hopefully, she will be more interested in food than the boys were when I introduce solids next month.

In the recent weeks, she has changed quite a fair bit. Though her hair has been falling out faster than her scalp can replace, I think she is looking girlier than before, especially when she smiles. But there are still countless passers-by who mistake her for a baby boy, even when she is dressed in mostly pink outfits which come complete with frills, ruffles and ribbons (not all at once of course!). After so many incidences of mistaken gender, I can't help but wonder: Are these people just dumb or trying to be politically correct?!




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@ 4 months 3 weeks
Developmental-wise, she is on track.

Gross motor. She rolls from back to tummy and tummy to back in split seconds. In fact, she is so fast that if we place her on one end of my Queen size bed, she reaches the other end within seconds.

Pre-crawling. When placed on her tummy, she often shuffles and wriggles. Otherwise we will find her dry swimming in her cot. Usually, after lots of tumbling around, she will stick her butt up with knees bent and rock from side to side till she loses her balance.

Social skills. A big charmer who is very generous with smiles and chuckles, she is quick to show her friendly side to just about anyone as long as she is in my arms. But if she is being carried away from me, her anxiety shows and she protests loudly.

Language development. I'm beginning to think that she makes a very specific calling sound for me - a very long and deliberate 'ahhhhh-ahhhhh-ahhhh' - until I come to her 'rescue'.
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What is becoming a little annoying is the way she makes those piercing sharp shrieks that send shudders down my spine. Usually she does them when she is bored and wants to be carried or when she drops her teething ring or toys and wants us to get them for her. I think she saves her loudest and sharpest shrieks for me, so the daddy doesn't believe that she is such a screamer.

Cognitive development. It's very exciting to see how she has learnt to anticipate. It shows in the games that we play. Her reactions and expressions often demonstrate her ability to anticipate what's coming and she will squeal with delight when her expected actions occur. She loves mirror games and my peek-a-boos. I realize this week that singing Twinkle Twinkle Little Star will calm her down and stop her from flipping over during nappy change.

The only time when she is happy to lie in her bouncer is when she first wakes in the morning. Give her a few things to chew on and she remains contented for half hour or so. After that, the high-pitch shrieking begins and she arches her back and kicks her legs, thumps her feet and shrieks louder till I pick her up. For the rest of the day, she doesn't want to go near her bouncer. Which means when she isn't napping in her cot or out in her pram, she is in my arms. ALL THE TIME! Sigh.

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Teething. Oh yes, definitely. She drools and bites me during nursing. OUCH! It's so NOT fun.

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She likes her Bee teething ring but I must admit I am so tempted to get her this. Despite my best effort to resist, I still ended up buying her way too much clothes and a growing collection of baby toys and I just know I will always find it hard to stop. I blame the little voice in me that chants 'she is only going to be this small once and there won't be another baby......' :P

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(in her super adorable onesie from Chateau de Sable which she has almost outgrown. Sob...)

She sucks her thumb to self-soothe. Usually, her four other fingers will cover her face as she sucks, as if she is blocking her act from view. Very cute to watch. The boys were never thumb-suckers since they used pacifiers in the day. I am still concerned with thumb-sucking, but given my resistance to offer pacifiers in the early breastfeeding days and I'm not going to give her one now, I guess I can only observe and decide how to wean her off it later.

Naps. She seems to be skipping her morning nap. Now she takes a 2 to 3 hours nap in midday, followed by one or two 45 min naps for the rest of the day.

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Here she's getting ready for morning stroll. Looking rather roly poly.




She still enjoys our little trips out in the pram, be it to the supermarkets or parks or just to run errands with me. Though she naps in her pram, they don't last beyond 45 min and shortly after she wakes, she wants to be lifted out so she can 'sightsee' too.

In the few times last month when I had to put her in a borrowed Beco Butterfly 2 carrier to pick up Chip in the rain, she seemed a little wary and was extremely quiet. Recently, she protested slightly when I put her in the carrier and didn't seem happy enough to stay in it longer than the few minutes. Sigh. I'm so not fond of baby wearing and is dreading the idea of checking out other brands.

In the next 4 weeks, we shall put the bouncer in storage and take out the walker and playpen. And finally, it's time to introduce solids and all my lovingly home-cooked purees.












Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Spacing and Testing

are two learning strategies that I used when I was in school.

Though I only did so in my teens and found them effective, I have been using them on my boys, especially M. 

When I was in Primary school, no one taught me how to learn. Adults, including teachers, used to just bark at kids to learn and revise. But how? That was never explained or clarified. I remember feeling baffled and all I did then was read my textbooks a million times. 

Now, I am adamant to be more constructive and effective with my boys. 


Tuesday, February 14, 2012

RED HOT Love




Chic. Sexy. Irresistible. 

My new love.

It's absolutely perfect. So beautiful that I want to take it everywhere with me. 

I'm a very happy girl. 

More about it here



 

Friday, February 10, 2012

Modern Day Student Series

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Finally a series that M will pick up to read more willingly. It's easy to see why. 

The stories are of themes that he can easily relate to and are very funny to a kid his age. 

Even Chip loves them and would pick these for bedtime reading. 




Thursday, February 9, 2012

Alone with 3 Kids

E is away on business trip. His third since the beginning of the year.  

These last two almost back-to-back trips will take him away from family for nearly two weeks. He was home only for the weekend. 

Being alone with my 7 yrs, 5 yrs and 5 months old means my 'work' days are extremely long. There is a never ending list of things waiting for me to tackle. 

6am: Alarm goes off. Wake M up. Makes him breakfast and 2 boxes of food to bring to school for recess and late morning break. Get myself ready. Nurse Bunny and get her ready. Take kids along to send M off to school bus. 

7am: Make breakfast and head out with Chip and Bunny for morning picnic and stroll. Or potter around house. 

8.30am: Bunny naps. Get light chores done while Chip plays and entertains himself. Play or home-learning with Chip. 

10am: Bunny wakes. Feed. Her play time. Plan/prepare lunch. Get Chip ready for school. 

12pm: Out and about with Bunny. Run errands and marketing. Meet friends for lunch or stay home to make lunch and/or prepare dinner. If home, put Bunny down for nap. Take my lunch. Light chores.

2pm: M's back. Lunch for him. Home-learning with M. Bunny wakes. Feed. Her play time.

3.30pm: Collect Chip. Showers him. Make snacks for both boys. Feed Bunny and bathe her. More chores. Continue home-learning with both or one of the boys. 

5.30pm: Put Bunny down for catnap. Fix dinner during boys' rest-and-relax time. Dinner time. Bunny wakes. 

7.30pm: Tidy up after dinner. Get Bunny ready for bedtime. Boys' R&R time.

9pm: Boys' bedtime. Continue with chores. 

Of course to stay sane and be functional, I have to pick and choose the tasks to handle first and ignore the rest that can wait another few hours or even days. Multi-tasking is an essential skill, without which our household will be a complete chaos. 

It helps that Bunny has more or less settled into the tried-and-tested Baby Whisperer's E.A.S.Y. method. 

I first tried the method when Marcus was about 4 months old after reading the Secrets of the Baby Whisperer which E's cousin-in-law highly recommended. It worked like magic. 

So when Chip came along in 2006, I bought this updated version. Again, it worked beautifully and by the time Chip was 6 months old, he would fall asleep at 7pm like clockwork. 



Like the boys, Olivia's feeds around 7am, 10am, 1pm, 4pm and 7pm. This is a routine, not a schedule. So I don't watch the clock to feed her. I follow her cues but on most days, it seems like her feeding times don't deviate much from these hours anymore.

While my days are hectic, life is fulfilling. And the months ahead will only get better. 


Sunday, February 5, 2012

Ah Ma pants

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(photo taken @ 4.5 mths)

From yet another angle. 

Almost caricature-like.  *.*

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E called these her 'Ah-Ma' pants because they are overly flowery. But I love them. It's a shame she is outgrowing them soon. 


Saturday, February 4, 2012

Nurturing Mum

Not that I need to be told why I should always strive to be loving and nurturing towards my kids. 

But this is another article to remind me. 

Though the sample size is way too small, the conclusion that 'school children whose mothers nurtured them lovingly have a larger hippocampus, a key brain area vital for learning, memory and response to stress' is nonetheless interesting. 




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