Tractor Madness

only some from many more

Evan is very in to vehicles lately. Anything from car, motorbike, aeroplane, truck, tractor, train, boat, etc. But the most favourite are trucks, tractors, and train. He even can say 'tata' for tractor/truck/train :) He likes to watch Thomas and friends over and over again, on tv, dvd, youtube, computer, everywhere. He likes to flip any book that have vehicles pictures in it. He would be excited to hear sounds of truck or aeroplane from the distance, and would be excited to see big vehicles on the road. He takes one of his little tractor to go out (to shops, library, everywhere). And he takes some trucks/tractors with him along to bed !

There's a big toy sale recently. I feel like also buy something for him. So many things I wanted to buy for him, but then decided to buy him a big thing, and the choices fell into a big tractor. So here he is happily riding his new tractor. :)

Big Step

Finally,... after long search and deep thinking, we found the childcare. Not a perfect one, but which we feel is the best from the others. Last week the confirmation has been received by family assistant office, and this week the registration form has been submitted to the childcare. The plan is Evan is going to spend the day in the childcare every Tuesday and Thursday start from 10 August. Next week we are going on Tuesday and Thursday for a couple hours introduction and trial.

The weird thing is Evan has been a good boy in the last few days. He became a sweet for the whole day. Made me a bit guilty to send him to 'school' (that's what I told him - that he's going to 'school' every Tuesday and Thursday). Thinking about the comfort habits and rituals we have in daily basis, that it would probably change when he goes to 'school', made me have a slight doubt to send him there, but it might be for his and my own good.

Both need a break from each other, both need to socialise with their kind. :)
I hope Evan's behaviour, social and speech skills will improve. And it would make the settling in the pre-school easily later. I hope I will have a little bit of my own during those time. I'm not sure what I'm going to do yet, though. I'll think about it later, when I'm sure Evan is happy and settle to stay in 'school' for the whole day.

Now I'm a bit nervous about it. It would be a big step for both of us. Hope everything goes well.

ambitious project

Hard to believe, lately I actually could do few things that I like, which I abandoned for such a long time. First, I started to read a book again. I currently read Mao's Last Dancer. It's slow reading, but I get there and determined to finish the book this time.

Other thing is I'm back to yarn and wools. After almost 3 years I left behind my knitting passion, I am now in to crochet. I never crochet before, but inspired by my friend's crochet blanket pictures. Later she sent me first kit to learn crochet - a book and a crochet hook from Sydney (thanks An :)). So in late May, I started to teach myself how to crochet with help of a book and lots of sites on the internet. Many long nights after that, because that was the only time I can sit down and concentrate. I am talking about until 1 - 2 am in the morning!

Then early this month the Guru came (my mum in law :) ). She visited us here and stayed for a week. I learnt few things from her. My biggest mistake was I didn't know that crochet terms in UK and US are different. I used US stitches in UK crochet pattern before, so it's all mixed up and the result looked odd. She showed me that the trick of buying wools and how to hold the hook. She should be able to teach me more, but she had to go back home. Of course she made lots of positive and encouragement comments about my crochet, then said practise makes perfect. Then later she always ask me on the phone if I still crocheting (*doh*). During her visit I successfully made an amigurumi doll, and made few squares.

I didn't know what to do next. I thought I should have project to do, but I wasn't sure what it was. I thought about making scarf or beanie, but I thought I don't wear those much even in winter. I thought of making a bag, but I have too much bag already. Thought of making more amigurumi, but I actually don't have patient in crocheting little things. So my choice ended up in making a blanket. I know it's a very ambitious project. It will takes lots of time, energy, and wools! I think it's gonna be a long project. But I, again, determined to finish it.

colourful blanket project

The project will be making a small squares like the above picture then attached it all together to make a blanket. So I will need to make lots of squares, hundreds of them, depends on how big I want the blanket to be. At this stage I want to make at least King Single bed size (around 105 cm x 203 cm). I like to make four colours combination on each squares cause i thought it will not make me easily get bored (i know along the track I might be sick of making the same thing over and over again), as it would fun to choose and match the colour before making each squares. So yes, it would be a colourful blanket. The colour probably will depend on my mood/feeling when I made the squares :)

As for the back up plan, in case I'm sick of making blanket, I might try to make more amigurumi or make scarf for next winter (by that time hopefully Evan will let me wear anything that hang on my neck)

And here is the little amigurumi turtle I made during the Guru's visit :)

Gadget boy

This is evan, playing my ipod. Have to teach him to take turn otherwise i would never have a chance to use it. But it's good i got something to keep him occupied for a few minutes. :) is it a phenomena of new generation being very smart in using any gadger and games? Or it is evan who is a smart boy. I guess both are right. Recently we discover he knows n understand almost everything we said and ask him to do. The only problem is he doesnt talk! But he add his vocabulary today : "eesss" ... Meaning: please. :)

One thing that is both good and bad is that he is very cautious with the dirt and mess. He doesn't like to have his hands dirty when eating, he likes to be fed just to avoid the dirt n mess on his hand. When he feels his mouth or nose dirty from food or tears and snots, he would get a tissue. He wipe his face by himself. Or point n wipe his dad or my face if he sees stain on our faces. When he sees dirt or mess on the table or floor, he would notice n point them. Sometimes he would ask for tissue and clean the mess! Not very clean , of course:) but clearly he is aware and annoyed by the mess. I think this is pretty extraordinary. But he probably learn from me! The clean freak in the house:) However, he is still messy with his toys and books and sometimes with the food, which is quite a relief:)

Si Ipin

Introducing si Ipin, my new toy.

It is no doubt fun and addictive. Enough to distract me from reading, blogging, crocheting, and cleaning! Even little Evan got his eye on it all the time. It's quite amazing to see how he use it. He knows how to unlock, find his games folder, and play his games one by one over and over, at his age!

Although i still have to use my multitasking E71 most of the time, mainly because I cant use it peacefully when Evan is around, this new toy has brighten our family's day. So, thank you, mr Bams, for the nice surprising gift. :)

Historical day

19 June 2010 was a special day. It's when Evan started to say 'Mum' and 'Dad' ! We've been waiting for him to talk. At his age, 2,2 years, his speaking skills is very limited. His vocab since he was 1,6 year old was Shoes, No, Juice, and Cheese. It didn't improve much for a long time. He screamed a lot though, which is frustrating and annoying. Sometimes he babbles and babbles with his own language, and didn't stop. A few weeks ago he started to say "tatata" which means Tractor. That was improvement, at least we know what he wants/talking about.

So when he finally said, "MUM" when I pointed myself and asked, "Who is this?" I and hubby was thrilled! And then he said "DAD' when hubby pointed himself and asked, "who is this?". We were filled with excitement!

He's probably doesn't talk much now, but he is definitely getting there.

Can't wait !

Evan is babbling... ;p

Blocks

One of Evan's favorite toys lately is lego and blocks. He had them for quite a while, but it takes time until he finally understand how to play it properly, that the blocks is there to be built into something, not to throw or munch on.

It's fun to see how his motoric n building skills change and improve everyday. Moreover, it's interesting to see the way he arrange the blocks. They always arranged in the same direction (not cross way or messy way), so it always resulting nice looking shapes. By the look of it, he might grow to be a tidy - ordered, organise boy (i hope! :p)

I use the blocks to teach him to learn colour too. He starts to know Red, Blue, Yellow, and Green now.:)

My next project is introduce him to blocks that can not be attached. Hundreds of block that you have to stack. It would be interesting. But I have to find the good one first.

Here is some pictures of the Lego shapes he made himself almost a month ago. It's quite amazing for me, and he gets better and better nowadays.

Blooming

My garden is blooming! Especially our Hydrangea. They keep emerging. I never have so much bloom in my garden before. So this time is kinda special. I can see them outside from our living room, so it's a nice view. As they are many of them, some of them starting look heavy for the plant. I decided to keep some inside the house so the house would look lovely too. :)

Stroll Along

It seems not so long ago when we use this stroller around with Evan in it. Other than steriliser, this is another Evan's baby's thing that is long lasting and very useful. It's rather bulky and big, doesn't look so funky, quite heavy for me and bit hard to use at first. But no doubt it's really strong, safe for baby, and eventually very useful. It's been through any kind of surface; smooth, rough, rocky, wet, slippery, etc. Been through any kind of weather; sunny, rain, and snow. Been also trough many airport and luggage handling, which was not always nice to it. We though it was broken once we took it in Amman airport after our trip to Cyprus. But actually it could easily fixed on the spot. We took it everywhere, of course. We used it in Amman, many places around Jordan, Cyprus, Jakarta, and finally Australia. Evan not always happy to sit there too long. But he stroll, eat, and many times he asleep in it, so it must be quite comfortable. The above picture was taken in Cyprus in April 2009.

Now, more than a year later, we use a toddler's stroller which is much lighter and easy to use and store. But of course Evan doesn't really like to sit and stroll in there. He prefer to walk, run and climb now.

What happened with the big stroller? It is safely stored in one of our room. But sometimes Evan insisted to use it. Not that he want to sit in it, but he likes to push it around in the house with big Barney and Baby Bob in it. :)

Little Treat Of The Day

My sister in Jakarta told me about a korean children cartoon series called Pororo, which she said it's cute and funny. Her 12 months' son likes it, then she bought one for Evan. Unfortunately it can't be played on our dvd player. So he didn't watched it until about 3 weeks ago when I found out it can be played on our computer.

By surprise, he loves it! He can sit and watch for more than half hour. More surprisingly he can laugh, squeal, yell and point while watching. He was really watching, with full attention and emotions! Another milestone, yet another problem and dilemma.

Lately he went straight to computer room after bed, and turn the computer on by himself, then insisted to sit there watching pororo. If he gets restless and difficult I'll say 'you can watch pororo after this' , and he will settle down.

Not that I like him to sit in front of computer monitor for hours, but I can have lot of things done during those peaceful time. When everything's done, I can sit with him and browse the internet on the other window - in peace as well. He didn't let me type on the keyboard, but it's fine!

Little Helper

Evan always want to do everything I do. Including hang up the washed clothes. Sometimes he really wants to help me. So he would take the clothes one by one from the basket and hang it on the line. But sometimes the clothes is too big so it kept falling, when it finally stayed on the line, it would be in an odd order and position. Other times he played cheeky. That's when he took a few clothes from the basket then ran and threw them to the floor, took another clothes and did the same. Clean wet clothes were then lying everywhere on the floor (sigh)...

So basically he is far from helping. But lately he became a bit better. I found out he is good in hanging small clothing like his own clothes. And his speciality is hanging his own socks. :)

It's here

It's when the sun is brightly shining but there is a chill in the wind,

It's when trees turned bright gold, when yellows, oranges and reds are beginning to peak through the branches,

It's when the leaves started to fall and we rake the leaves in piles,

It's when small fires are made in the fireplace, AC switched to heating mode, and heater is out of the cupboard,

It's when the warm coat, sweater, long sleeves, and boots are worn,

It's when winter clothes start to get into the stores,

It's the season after summer and before the winter,

It's the fall, it's autumn,

it's cool, crisps, sweet, sometimes wet,

it's here.

Control Issue

My little cheeky monkey started to be very difficult when we go and about. Start from the parking park, when he get out of the car. He would refuse to hold hands, he walks or run to wherever he wants. Then he would run to every stairs, automatic doors, escalators/lift, or coin's mobile toys he sees. And then he can run so so so fast, doesn't stop and doesn't look behind. It's impossible to put him in the trolley or stroller in more than half hour. He would scream and cry and climb, trying to get out. One day he ran and ran to the matic door in the mall, until I have to leave my shopping trolley and run after him, out of the door, then ran again to the street (sigh).

When he sees small merry go round or any toys that he can sit in he would go in and out the plastic car, truck (or what ever it is) a hundred times until he gets bored, which will take more than half hour. If I force him to do what I want, he would make a scene in public. From screaming (very loud), crying, struggling (so so strong) when i pick him up, or sitting down or laying down (wherever he was. on the road, on the concrete, on the grass, on the floor ... everywhere!). He would do whatever he wants and I am the one who has to run after him and follow him. (aaarrrgghhh....!). Not to mention how I feel when people looked at us, especially when he is making a scene in public.

It doesn't matter if I am not in a rush. I'm happy for him to explore and play as long as he want! But sometimes it's not the time for play. I go to the mall because I have to. I brought him with me because I have to. And since I have to do everything myself, time is very important. I don't have time to wait and play with him all day or whenever he wants. I can't sit and wait for him running around and play in the playground hours and hours until he is tired. It's impossible and is not supposed to work that way. He is the one who supposed to follow me, do what I tell him, behave and obedient.

Nobody would probably understand, but trip to supermarket, mall or playground slightly become a nightmare to me. I got very tired mentally and physically by the time we got back to the car. I didn't enjoy out and about anymore. But I have to do it now and then. No other option (at the moment).

Recently I finally bought a harness with a little backpack and a long tail. The tail is for the adult to hold, to control toddlers from running away too far. My hubby didn't really like the idea so I didn't buy it, even though I was thinking about it long time ago. Since I think it become out of control, I thought I have to give it a try.

At first I'm afraid that he didn't want to wear it. So I was surprise to see that he actually looovee it. He even didn't want to let it go until bed time! The tail works too. It doesn't stop him from running, but at least I have control and I don't loose him or I don't have to chase him anymore. It definitely made my life a liiiitle bit easier. :)

How tall he will be

Evan and I - April 2010

I found this interesting facts on the net.

* By the age of 9, an average boy would have attained 75% of his adult height
* By the age of 18, he would attain double his height at an early age.
* By the age of 8, an average girl would have attained 75% of her adult height.
* By the age of 18, she would attain double her height when two years old.

source:Height and Weight for Children


This is indeed an interesting theory. I've heard that around the time a toddler turns two years old he/she has already reached half the height they will be when they are adults. I thought it was impossible, didn't believe it. But Evan's grandad called on Evan's 2nd birthday asking me to measure his height and told me the reason. He believed it's true, as he has it as one of the family tradition and did it to all of his son and grandchildren. He said he couldn't believe it either but it came up right with all of his sons.

Well, that was what we did that day. Measuring Evan's height, which was quite challenging. Now, the result might be not very accurate, but his height on April 2010 was around 90-92cm. It means his height will be around 180 - 184 cm when he is adult. Will be shorter than his dad, but definitely gonna be way taller than me! ;p

I just hope he will still as adorable and cute. :)

Misery

Bad back pain, bad waist pain, bad headache, nausea, bloated tummy, sore tummy, lack of energy, over exhausted, swing mood. Unfortunately I have to face this every 2 weeks, about a week before the 'M' day.

All of those changes in my body practically will lead to my daily activities, because basically I wouldn't feel well and my stamina gradually dropped. I would not be interested in doing anything, very easy to get angry, would get furious from simple little problem, everybody - everything seems to be annoying, everything seems wrong.

I don't choose to feel like that. The truth is I really really hate it. I hate women's hormones and how it can cause me misery. But maybe people surround me hating me more for my bad mood and attitude during those period.

Poor Evan have to deal with me during this period, of course he doesn't stop annoying me. Anybody, better leave me alone. don't annoy me!

Love Tommy

Someone gave us a portable GPS car navigation system for our return to Australia in August last year. At first I am skeptical about the function of this little 'thing'. Not sure if it's reliable and helpful. I still prefer to use road map. We set our foot in Perth in September, where everything are new. We didn't know the way to anywhere! None of us ever lived here. The GPS was safely stay in our suitcase. What we did first was buying a big heavy road map and use it to out and about.

Until we settled in the new house and have emptied all suitcases, I just realised that we have this little gadget (i'll call it tommy - to be easy) safe and sound in the box, unopened. We finally turn it on, set it, and put it in the car, but still, we hardly use it. I don't remember when did we first use it, but out of the blue I became a big fan of tommy.

Tommy is such a smart little navigator. Not only it always choose the fastest route, it also shows lots of information such as how many km will it takes, beeping alarm if we about to pass speeding camera, tells you when you are speeding, the nearest fuel station, etc. It also very easy to use, clear instruction, clear touch screen.

I use it a lot in the last 2 months where I have to drive to places I never been to. It work out great!
I drove 40-60 km without any hassle. Never get lost, no confusion, arrived and get home on time. It's quite amazing, really. I can go on and on and on about how amazing Tommy is, but I would sounds like a sales girl. What I want to say is just this little gadget has never let me down so far. It's like a little magic box that can tell you everything about streets. Highly recommended for people who live in a new place like us.

Talking about technology, Internet connection on mobile phone is another one that I adore. It probably nothing but a tool for chatting and browse unimportant things, but at some stage it can be helpful when you know how to use it. One day I was driving by my self to find a place where I can print out a document. It was urgent, and it was on Saturday (limited shops are open on weekend here). Library was extremely busy, they couldn't do it. I didn't know where else to go, the only thing I know is a place called Snap who might be able to do printing. What I did then I google it via internet on my handphone. I got the phone number and address. I called and they're open. As I don't have any idea how to get there, I used Tommy to navigate me there. My problem solved without lots of hassle.

Now I love Tommy. I have to have tommy in the car so I feel safe, at least something to rely on when I get lost. But if you talk about my mobile phone, it's my second boyfriend (after my hubby). It has to be with me everytime and everywhere. It's my best buddy! :) Btw, I got GPS on my mobile too, but it takes the battery and not sure if it can be reliable.

Ah well, what a technology era we live in now.....

Four

A friend reminded me about today. I would completely forgot about how special today is. Today is an anniversary of my blog! Yes I started this blog 13 May 2006, exactly 4 years ago.

It's interesting to see that the layout had changed many times (unfortunately I didn't keep the record), I guess I'm not easily satisfy with what I have, always want to be better and learn new things. The way I write is different too. I must try to write in Bahasa Indonesia again sometimes. Not sure if my english improved, though. It's not me to assess. The topics moves from time to time, reflecting how colourful the journey of my life. The frequency is up and down, depending on a lot of factors. But I confess in the last year I had not much time blogging since facebook come into my daily life.

But today, this blog still exist. I'm glad I started it. Not many people following it (it's not my intention anyway), but it has a few loyal readers, which i think made this blog special. Thank you to one of them for the reminder about today's special day. :)

M day

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY 2010 !!

Two Years

My baby boy is now a big boy! he had 2nd birthday last month. We only had a good simple celebration with his oma and opa. Photos with cake, then chinese food for bday dinner. As usual we had to have noodle on birthday.

The birthday party we planned cancelled. If we did it it would be on weekend, but we prefer to use weekend for out and about as oma and opa were here. Ah well,... hopefully next year we can throw a party for this little cheeky monkey.

He is such a clever and active boy, but also a stubborn and determined little person. He can be out of control sometimes, but can be a sweet pie another time. Whatever he is, I love him so much. Wish him a bright good future with happiness and good health.

My Dear Steriliser

This is one and only tool that have been very loyal and useful for Evan as a baby till few days ago. We bought it in Amman just after Evan was born, and had travelled around following Evan wherever he went. It has contribute a lot to Evan's life and health particularly when Evan was a baby. But his service has finally come to an end. It is now totally broken. It happened at the right time, as Evan might not need to have his bottles sterilised anymore.

It's time to say thank you and goodbye to steriliser, and hope to say goodbye to bottles soon, as Evan has turned 2 last month!