We had a great time celebrating Zoey's birthday on Saturday, and she even invited a few friends from the nursery.A brief photo documentary on the cake baking process can be found here!
Monday, 8 October 2007
Happy Birthday!
We had a great time celebrating Zoey's birthday on Saturday, and she even invited a few friends from the nursery.A brief photo documentary on the cake baking process can be found here!
Friday, 7 September 2007
Great White at Large
The South China Sea is no longer a safe place to swim: This scary creature was recently seen frightening the fish off Redang Island!
Wednesday, 15 August 2007
To pee or not to pee...
Zoey is nearly potty trained! Hurrah! The reason I say "nearly" is because she still wears a nappy when she goes to bed at night.
Of course, this is nothing to shout about because if she were growing up in Malaysia she should have been free from nappies by the time she turned one! Apparently, I was potty trained at that age. However, the majority of non-Asians will disagree with that - they reckon it is the parents that are being "potty-trained" not the child - because the parents will have to put the child on the potty at regular intervals with the hope that he/ she will get the idea and make it a routine for the child to relieve himself/ herself whenever on the potty.
Anyway, the decision to potty train now Zoey wasn't an easy one. Many experienced mothers have been sharing their tips with me and some advised that Zoey is still too young to express herself when it comes to nature's call. However, I felt that she was ready as she did show interest in the whole idea when we did a few trial runs. Furthermore, with the imminent trip back to Malaysia in August, Mommy just had to make sure that Zoey is nappy free or else.....she will be in trouble (she = Mommy not Zoey).
We took advantage of the whole week at New Wine (Christian summer camp/conference) to potty train her. This made things much easier as she could run around half naked and one of us could be with her at all times. The first few days were a complete failure (we were about to give up) but then we persevered and by the end of the week, Zoey made her first wees on the potty with a little help (Philip made her play with some warm water in a basin whilst washing up, which helped to trigger the right response!). She soon got the idea that whenever she did a wee on the potty she became the star attraction - Mommy and Daddy jumping up into the air excitedly, cheering her name and clapping ... and lots of praising as well.
So you can imagine when Zoey now says: "Mommy, potty please!", I jump up at the speed of lightning; fetch the potty and let her majesty sit on her throne.
Of course, this is nothing to shout about because if she were growing up in Malaysia she should have been free from nappies by the time she turned one! Apparently, I was potty trained at that age. However, the majority of non-Asians will disagree with that - they reckon it is the parents that are being "potty-trained" not the child - because the parents will have to put the child on the potty at regular intervals with the hope that he/ she will get the idea and make it a routine for the child to relieve himself/ herself whenever on the potty.
Anyway, the decision to potty train now Zoey wasn't an easy one. Many experienced mothers have been sharing their tips with me and some advised that Zoey is still too young to express herself when it comes to nature's call. However, I felt that she was ready as she did show interest in the whole idea when we did a few trial runs. Furthermore, with the imminent trip back to Malaysia in August, Mommy just had to make sure that Zoey is nappy free or else.....she will be in trouble (she = Mommy not Zoey).
We took advantage of the whole week at New Wine (Christian summer camp/conference) to potty train her. This made things much easier as she could run around half naked and one of us could be with her at all times. The first few days were a complete failure (we were about to give up) but then we persevered and by the end of the week, Zoey made her first wees on the potty with a little help (Philip made her play with some warm water in a basin whilst washing up, which helped to trigger the right response!). She soon got the idea that whenever she did a wee on the potty she became the star attraction - Mommy and Daddy jumping up into the air excitedly, cheering her name and clapping ... and lots of praising as well.
So you can imagine when Zoey now says: "Mommy, potty please!", I jump up at the speed of lightning; fetch the potty and let her majesty sit on her throne.
Sunday, 29 July 2007
God's Goodness
Throughout the last few hectic weeks God has been reminding us of his goodness and the wonder of his creation.
A few months ago we decided to use the overgrown patch at the bottom of the garden to grow some vegetables. We didn't think much would come of it, but thought it would be a bit of fun and something that Zoey would enjoy.
Well, not long ago the peas burst into flower and within what seemed like an incredibly short period of time green pods started to appear. We had planted a variety suited for picking as mange tout so we were soon able to "taste and see that the Lord is good!". Since then the courgette plant (which has grown into a bit of a monster - one metre across!) has produced a good number of golden courgettes.
The carrots haven't been quite so successful - they taste okay but are all twisted with bits shooting off in all directions. Perhaps they needed to be left a little longer!
A few months ago we decided to use the overgrown patch at the bottom of the garden to grow some vegetables. We didn't think much would come of it, but thought it would be a bit of fun and something that Zoey would enjoy.
Well, not long ago the peas burst into flower and within what seemed like an incredibly short period of time green pods started to appear. We had planted a variety suited for picking as mange tout so we were soon able to "taste and see that the Lord is good!". Since then the courgette plant (which has grown into a bit of a monster - one metre across!) has produced a good number of golden courgettes.
The carrots haven't been quite so successful - they taste okay but are all twisted with bits shooting off in all directions. Perhaps they needed to be left a little longer!
Thursday, 21 June 2007
"Where daddy eyes?"
Zoey's vocabulary has been expanding over the last few weeks. Mommy speaks to her in Cantonese and Daddy speaks English. Some friends even speak to her in Mandarin, so you can't blame her for getting a bit confused sometimes. (Zoey's cousin in Malaysia, Jonathan - three in October, is already conversing in four different languages: Mandarin, Cantonese, Malay and English!)
Last week, on an especially hectic morning, Philip came down to breakfast without his glasses on. Zoey was already at the table and looked at Philip with a puzzled expression: "Where daddy eyes?" It was just as well she noticed or else Philip might have left for work without them!
Below are a few more of Zoey's favourite sayings. Try to work out what they mean before scrolling down.
Zoey-speak
Translation
Last week, on an especially hectic morning, Philip came down to breakfast without his glasses on. Zoey was already at the table and looked at Philip with a puzzled expression: "Where daddy eyes?" It was just as well she noticed or else Philip might have left for work without them!
Below are a few more of Zoey's favourite sayings. Try to work out what they mean before scrolling down.
Zoey-speak
- Where daddy eyes?
- Boon
- Sowee foam
- Mommy, ish arwn!
- Oupa eeshoo
- Where bubby gone?
- Watthis, Watthis? or Withat, Withat?
- Aid
- mmmmmmoi
- joi jin
Translation
- Where are Daddy's glasses?
- Spoon
- Zoey's phone (Daddy's old mobile)
- Mommy, sit down!
- Grandpa's tissue
- Where has the baby gone?
- What's this/that? (A million times a day!!)
- Wait
- No (Cantonese)
- Goodbye (Cantonese)
Wednesday, 20 June 2007
Fathers' Day Joy
By far the best Fathers' Day gift was seeing Zoey smiling again after a week of temperatures and tears.
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