Junan's grandma gave mummy a call yesterday noon and told mummy Junan was having a fever - 39.1 degrees armpit temperature... He was fine over the weekend. And mummy thought he has fully recovered from his running nose. Worried, mummy asked daddy to take off and bring Junan to see Dr Heng.
Dr Heng told Daddy to give Junan the usual fever, cough, running nose medicine and if the fever persists after 5 days, Tamiflu is needed!
Oh gosh, mummy is so glad that after one day, the fever is gone and Junan is back to his active self.
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Friday, September 25, 2009
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Running Nose again
Junan has a running nose again.. Dr Heng's clinic is closed so we decided to go for TCM instead. It's the bitter-sour powder again but surprisingly, it's easier for mummy to ask Junan to drink the medicine than plain water!
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Pretend Play
Junan planted an apple tree, watched it grow and plucked the apples from the tree for everyone :) He held the tree in his hands so gently, so lovingly.
Mummy is glad and happy that Junan is getting more and more imaginative.
Read more on Toddler Pretend Play: Tips for Boosting Your Child's Imagination:
http://www.whattoexpect.com/toddler-development/toddler-pretend-play.aspx
Mummy is glad and happy that Junan is getting more and more imaginative.
Read more on Toddler Pretend Play: Tips for Boosting Your Child's Imagination:
http://www.whattoexpect.com/toddler-development/toddler-pretend-play.aspx
Sunday, September 13, 2009
What Everyone Should Know and Do.
Snort. Sniffle. Sneeze. No Antibiotics Please!
http://www.cdc.gov/getsmart/antibiotic-use/know-and-do.html
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Atlanta, GA 30333, USA)
Extract from the website:
Antibiotics cure bacteria, not viruses such as:
Colds or flu;
Most coughs and bronchitis;
Sore throats not caused by strep; or
Runny noses.
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Atlanta, GA 30333, USA)
Extract from the website:
Antibiotics cure bacteria, not viruses such as:
Colds or flu;
Most coughs and bronchitis;
Sore throats not caused by strep; or
Runny noses.
"Necklace for mummy"
Playdoh is one of Junan's favourite Sunday morning activities. While mummy still trying to catch up on lost sleep for the past few days, Junan is happily moulding his playdoh. This morning, he did some snowmen (he knows X'mas is coming?!) and suddenly he held something in his hands and exclaimed "Necklace for mummy!". Mummy is so touched. This is the first time Junan actually did a craft for mummy so spontaneously. I think he did a paper 'apple' for daddy once.
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Dietary Fiber and Reduced Cough with Phlegm
Came across this article today: http://ajrccm.atsjournals.org/cgi/content/short/170/3/279
Smoking is the major risk factor for chronic respiratory symptoms, but dietary factors may also play a role. Most studies of diet and lung disease have been cross-sectional and conducted in populations with a Western-style diet. We analyzed the relation between dietary intake at baseline and new onset of cough with phlegm in a population-based cohort of 63,257 middle-aged Chinese men and women initiated in Singapore between 1993 and 1998. Beginning in 1999, we ascertained respiratory symptoms by telephone interview and have identified 571 incident cases of cough with phlegm among the 49,140 cohort members with completed follow-up. Nonstarch polysaccharides, a major component of dietary fiber, total fruit, and soy isoflavones had the strongest associations. Odds ratios comparing highest and lowest quartiles after adjustment for age, sex, dialect group, total energy intake, and smoking were 0.61 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.47, 0.78; p for trend < 0.001) for nonstarch polysaccharides, 0.67 (95% CI: 0.52, 0.87; p for trend = 0.006) for fruit, and 0.67 (95% CI: 0.53, 0.86; p for trend = 0.001) for soy isoflavones. These data suggest that a diet high in fiber from fruit and, possibly, soyfoods may reduce the incidence of chronic respiratory symptoms. Associated nutrients, such as flavonoids, may contribute to this association.
Smoking is the major risk factor for chronic respiratory symptoms, but dietary factors may also play a role. Most studies of diet and lung disease have been cross-sectional and conducted in populations with a Western-style diet. We analyzed the relation between dietary intake at baseline and new onset of cough with phlegm in a population-based cohort of 63,257 middle-aged Chinese men and women initiated in Singapore between 1993 and 1998. Beginning in 1999, we ascertained respiratory symptoms by telephone interview and have identified 571 incident cases of cough with phlegm among the 49,140 cohort members with completed follow-up. Nonstarch polysaccharides, a major component of dietary fiber, total fruit, and soy isoflavones had the strongest associations. Odds ratios comparing highest and lowest quartiles after adjustment for age, sex, dialect group, total energy intake, and smoking were 0.61 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.47, 0.78; p for trend < 0.001) for nonstarch polysaccharides, 0.67 (95% CI: 0.52, 0.87; p for trend = 0.006) for fruit, and 0.67 (95% CI: 0.53, 0.86; p for trend = 0.001) for soy isoflavones. These data suggest that a diet high in fiber from fruit and, possibly, soyfoods may reduce the incidence of chronic respiratory symptoms. Associated nutrients, such as flavonoids, may contribute to this association.
Monday, September 7, 2009
Best Friends
One day, mummy decided to give Junan a "best friend hug" and the cute thing is Junan tried to put his arm by mummy's waist the same way. (he is not tall enough to reach my shoulder but at 1.03cm, he is able to reach for my waist :)
Mummy: Are you my best friend?
Junan: Yes mummy, you are my best friend.
Mummy: Really?
Junan: Mummy is my best friend!
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
"I don't like you"
Ouch, that hurts. Especially when it comes from my usually cute and cheerful little boy (and all because he doesn't like me applying lotion on him). Mummy knows the way I react to his "I don't like you" is not good (I will get angry and talk to him like he is an adult).
So I did some research online and found this more than 20 years old article that gives some good advice..
http://www.nytimes.com/1988/01/07/garden/parent-child.html
THE first few times you hear your child say that he doesn't want you, but wants his other parent, it can be crushing. What have you done so wrong that he has rejected you many years before you can blame it on the churning hormones of puberty? Where are the adoring looks, the tiny arms flung around your leg as you return home? Is this the thanks you get for your years of changing soiled diapers and soothing the pains of colic and teething?
If it's your preschool child who's rejecting you, you probably shouldn't worry. Shifting affections and identifications in 3- and 4-year-old children are normal, child psychologists say. Daddy's little girl will, in due time, want to spend more time with Mommy. Mommy's little boy will soon identify more closely with his dad. It is a normal pattern that may be repeated several times during the first 10 years of life. There's nothing you can do to prevent it. It doesn't mean you're a bad parent.
What should you do when your 3-year-old rejects you? First, don't do anything dramatic. Keep in mind that children are not miniature adults. ''A child can say 'I hate you!' and not mean it the way an adult would,'' said Dr. Robert B. Brooks, a clinical psychologist at Harvard Medical School. The connotations we attach to such words make them appear more piercing than the child intends. At age 3, a child is just beginning to deal with the subtleties of language. While he may appear to be fluent and in touch with his emotions, he is not. His vocabulary and range of experiences are limited. Although he says that he hates, he may simply feel frustrated and tired.
One way to check if there may be a more serious problem than crankiness is simply to ask the child why he hates you. A preschooler probably won't be able to explain why he said it. If that's the case, your child was probably trying to cope with more than he could handle at the time. He had to do something to demonstrate his frustration, so he said what you didn't want to hear.
If your child is frustrated, talk to him about that feeling. Help him learn that you still love him when he feels that way. If he's tired, have him take a nap or go to sleep for the evening. Be sure not to present the nap or going to bed as a punishment for what he said.
Older children who say they hate you should be treated a bit differently. As children ... (see http://www.nytimes.com/1988/01/07/garden/parent-child.html
for full article)
Another similar article: http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1385&dat=19940528&id=huwVAAAAIBAJ&sjid=DhUEAAAAIBAJ&pg=2131,4565842
So I did some research online and found this more than 20 years old article that gives some good advice..
http://www.nytimes.com/1988/01/07/garden/parent-child.html
THE first few times you hear your child say that he doesn't want you, but wants his other parent, it can be crushing. What have you done so wrong that he has rejected you many years before you can blame it on the churning hormones of puberty? Where are the adoring looks, the tiny arms flung around your leg as you return home? Is this the thanks you get for your years of changing soiled diapers and soothing the pains of colic and teething?
If it's your preschool child who's rejecting you, you probably shouldn't worry. Shifting affections and identifications in 3- and 4-year-old children are normal, child psychologists say. Daddy's little girl will, in due time, want to spend more time with Mommy. Mommy's little boy will soon identify more closely with his dad. It is a normal pattern that may be repeated several times during the first 10 years of life. There's nothing you can do to prevent it. It doesn't mean you're a bad parent.
What should you do when your 3-year-old rejects you? First, don't do anything dramatic. Keep in mind that children are not miniature adults. ''A child can say 'I hate you!' and not mean it the way an adult would,'' said Dr. Robert B. Brooks, a clinical psychologist at Harvard Medical School. The connotations we attach to such words make them appear more piercing than the child intends. At age 3, a child is just beginning to deal with the subtleties of language. While he may appear to be fluent and in touch with his emotions, he is not. His vocabulary and range of experiences are limited. Although he says that he hates, he may simply feel frustrated and tired.
One way to check if there may be a more serious problem than crankiness is simply to ask the child why he hates you. A preschooler probably won't be able to explain why he said it. If that's the case, your child was probably trying to cope with more than he could handle at the time. He had to do something to demonstrate his frustration, so he said what you didn't want to hear.
If your child is frustrated, talk to him about that feeling. Help him learn that you still love him when he feels that way. If he's tired, have him take a nap or go to sleep for the evening. Be sure not to present the nap or going to bed as a punishment for what he said.
Older children who say they hate you should be treated a bit differently. As children ... (see http://www.nytimes.com/1988/01/07/garden/parent-child.html
for full article)
Another similar article: http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1385&dat=19940528&id=huwVAAAAIBAJ&sjid=DhUEAAAAIBAJ&pg=2131,4565842
Monday, August 24, 2009
Good article on Air Purifier
http://www.aircleaners.com/difference.phtml
The Difference Between HEPA Air Cleaners, HEPA Air Purifiers & Ozone-Ionizer Air Purifiers
This information, is brought to you by Absolute Air Cleaners and Purifiers Inc.
HEPA is the abbreviation for "High Efficiency Particulate Arrestor {Air filter}." HEPA is not a brand of air cleaner. It is a type of air filter that is used in air cleaning and purification equipment including air cleaners, air purifiers and in high quality vacuum cleaners. Most HEPA air cleaners will filter particles in the airborne environment down to 0.3 microns in size, at an efficiency rating of 99.97%. They will filter and remove some of the smallest microns of allergens such as dust, smoke, pollen, animal dander, Dust Mite allergen etc. When companies remove asbestos in buildings, and clean up pharmaceutical and other potentially toxic spills, the HEPA filtered air cleaners and vacuum cleaning equipment are the required tools for the job. These air cleaners work by filtering the particulate (allergens) in the air through a HEPA filter, which traps the particles, allowing only the clean air to return back into the indoor environment. The more times the air is exchanged through the HEPA air cleaner in the room or open area, the better the air quality. The higher the air exchange rate per hour, the cleaner the air will be in that room. HEPA air cleaners will most efficiently service one room or open area at a time. NOTE: If you operate a HEPA air cleaner in your bedroom, it will not be able to clean the air in your living room or in other areas of your home. All HEPA Air Cleaners can only clean the air in the room or open area they are operating in! They cannot pull the air through walls or doorways. If you put a HEPA air cleaner in the hallway between three bedrooms, you will mostly clean the hallway, not the bedrooms. Most people will place a HEPA air cleaner in all needed bedrooms or home office areas and one in the family room area where the family hangs out to watch TV together. The better brands of HEPA air cleaners such as Austin Air and the EZ Air will provide up to 15 air exchanges per hour in an average size bedroom and up to 8 air exchanges per hour in a 1000 square foot open room or area. The average {lower quality} department store HEPA air cleaners will only provide approximately 2 to 4 air exchanges per hour in an average size bedroom. In a larger size room or space, these lower quality brands of air cleaners will not provide a high enough air exchange rate to make a noticeable difference in your indoor air quality.
Some high quality HEPA air cleaners also have the added feature of a medical grade ultra-violet light systems. These air cleaners are often called HEPA air purifiers because they include ultraviolet light systems that will also quickly kill viruses, bacteria and fungi {mold spores} when the contaminated air enters into the air cleaner and air filter protecting your indoor air environment from biological and virus contamination as well as dust, Dust Mite allergen, pollen, odors and out-gassing chemicals. The best HEPA Air Purifier to look for is the TRACS HEPA air purifiers.These high quality units also contain pounds of activated carbon and Zeolite blends to quickly absorb and remove out-gassing chemicals and odors from your home or office indoor environment. The lower quality brands of HEPA air cleaners and HEPA air purifiers on the market often contain pre- filters that have been sprayed with only a small amount of carbon dust which is extremely short lived and more of a sales gimmick than a viable way of removing odors and out-gassing chemicals. Some of these low quality air cleaners are called HEPA air purifiers. BE VERY CAREFUL WHEN CHOOSING A HEPA AIR CLEANER or HEPA Air Purifier! DO YOUR OWN RESEARCH AND ASK LOTS OF QUESTIONS TO THE PEOPLE THAT KNOW!
Ozone-Ionizer Air Purifiers are often confused with HEPA filtered Air Cleaners and Air Purifiers. The fact is that they operate quite differently. Ozone-Ionizer Air Purifiers do not clean the air by filtration as HEPA air cleaners do. There are two types of Ozone-Ionizer air purifiers. First, ozone/ionizer air purifiers use two steps to clean the air. The ozone purifies the air by oxidation. Ozone is naturally occurring gas. It is created by nature when lightning cuts through the oxygen molecule in the air. It splits the O2 molecule into O3, which is ozone. The fresh clean smell after a thunderstorm is the ozone that has just been created. Ozone penetrates into the cellular structure of odor, bacteria and fungus molecules, rupturing the cell wall of the contaminant. After this process is complete, the contaminants and odors are greatly reduced. The second step in this system is the ionization. There are two types of ionization. The first is needlepoint ionization where the particulate in the air directly in front of the unit is charged with negative ions. These ionic charges attach to airborne particles such as smoke, dust, pollen, animal dander, etc., forcing the particles to quickly drop out of the air in the breathing environment, down to the ground. These needlepoint ionizers usually cover a five to seven foot area in front area of the ionizer. The second type of ionizer is called radio ionization. Radio ionization is a newer technology that uses similar principles as needlepoint ionization except that the radio ionizer uses a specialized and safe radio wave that ionizes the air for aprox 50 feet right through the walls in all directions. With radio ionization, you can actually drop particles {allergens} out of the air in surrounding rooms. One unit can often cover an entire home. These air purifiers work especially well on removing cigar and cigarette smoke and odors and that's whom we sell them to SMOKERS!
NOTE: When operating any air purifier that produces ozone, be careful to adjust the ozone level as per factory instructions. Ozone can be an irritant to your mucus membranes if turned up to high. This is especially true for people with asthma and lung problems.
REMEMBER, HEPA Air Cleaners are best for removing airborne allergens, out-gassing chemicals and odors from your indoor air environment. HEPA Air Purifiers with Ultraviolet Light Systems add the IMPORTANT ability to also kill and control mold spores bacteria and viruses in your indoor air environment. Ozone-Ionizer Air Purifiers are best for quickly removing cigarette and cigar smoke and odors from your indoor environment. For families with smokers and allergy problems sometimes the most effective solution will require the use of an Ozone-Ionizer Air Purifier in the smoking area of your home and HEPA Air Cleaner{s} or HEPA Air Purifier{s} in the bedrooms for the people in the home with allergy problems.
It is very important to utilize HEPA Air Cleaners or HEPA Air Purifiers to capture and remove allergens, particulates and if needed to also kill viruses and biological contaminates in your sleeping areas. Our customers report that they sleep more soundly and wake up feeling more refreshed with less allergy and asthma symptoms with a high quality HEPA Air Cleaner or HEPA Air Purifier operating in their bedrooms.
For More Information on quality HEPA air cleaners, HEPA air purifiers and Ozone-Ionizer air purifiers for smokers, please see the website at http://www.aircleaners.com/
This report is 100% free and you are welcome to reprint it on your website to share with your readers as long as you include the resource information links to the website{s} shown above.
The Difference Between HEPA Air Cleaners, HEPA Air Purifiers & Ozone-Ionizer Air Purifiers
This information, is brought to you by Absolute Air Cleaners and Purifiers Inc.
HEPA is the abbreviation for "High Efficiency Particulate Arrestor {Air filter}." HEPA is not a brand of air cleaner. It is a type of air filter that is used in air cleaning and purification equipment including air cleaners, air purifiers and in high quality vacuum cleaners. Most HEPA air cleaners will filter particles in the airborne environment down to 0.3 microns in size, at an efficiency rating of 99.97%. They will filter and remove some of the smallest microns of allergens such as dust, smoke, pollen, animal dander, Dust Mite allergen etc. When companies remove asbestos in buildings, and clean up pharmaceutical and other potentially toxic spills, the HEPA filtered air cleaners and vacuum cleaning equipment are the required tools for the job. These air cleaners work by filtering the particulate (allergens) in the air through a HEPA filter, which traps the particles, allowing only the clean air to return back into the indoor environment. The more times the air is exchanged through the HEPA air cleaner in the room or open area, the better the air quality. The higher the air exchange rate per hour, the cleaner the air will be in that room. HEPA air cleaners will most efficiently service one room or open area at a time. NOTE: If you operate a HEPA air cleaner in your bedroom, it will not be able to clean the air in your living room or in other areas of your home. All HEPA Air Cleaners can only clean the air in the room or open area they are operating in! They cannot pull the air through walls or doorways. If you put a HEPA air cleaner in the hallway between three bedrooms, you will mostly clean the hallway, not the bedrooms. Most people will place a HEPA air cleaner in all needed bedrooms or home office areas and one in the family room area where the family hangs out to watch TV together. The better brands of HEPA air cleaners such as Austin Air and the EZ Air will provide up to 15 air exchanges per hour in an average size bedroom and up to 8 air exchanges per hour in a 1000 square foot open room or area. The average {lower quality} department store HEPA air cleaners will only provide approximately 2 to 4 air exchanges per hour in an average size bedroom. In a larger size room or space, these lower quality brands of air cleaners will not provide a high enough air exchange rate to make a noticeable difference in your indoor air quality.
Some high quality HEPA air cleaners also have the added feature of a medical grade ultra-violet light systems. These air cleaners are often called HEPA air purifiers because they include ultraviolet light systems that will also quickly kill viruses, bacteria and fungi {mold spores} when the contaminated air enters into the air cleaner and air filter protecting your indoor air environment from biological and virus contamination as well as dust, Dust Mite allergen, pollen, odors and out-gassing chemicals. The best HEPA Air Purifier to look for is the TRACS HEPA air purifiers.These high quality units also contain pounds of activated carbon and Zeolite blends to quickly absorb and remove out-gassing chemicals and odors from your home or office indoor environment. The lower quality brands of HEPA air cleaners and HEPA air purifiers on the market often contain pre- filters that have been sprayed with only a small amount of carbon dust which is extremely short lived and more of a sales gimmick than a viable way of removing odors and out-gassing chemicals. Some of these low quality air cleaners are called HEPA air purifiers. BE VERY CAREFUL WHEN CHOOSING A HEPA AIR CLEANER or HEPA Air Purifier! DO YOUR OWN RESEARCH AND ASK LOTS OF QUESTIONS TO THE PEOPLE THAT KNOW!
Ozone-Ionizer Air Purifiers are often confused with HEPA filtered Air Cleaners and Air Purifiers. The fact is that they operate quite differently. Ozone-Ionizer Air Purifiers do not clean the air by filtration as HEPA air cleaners do. There are two types of Ozone-Ionizer air purifiers. First, ozone/ionizer air purifiers use two steps to clean the air. The ozone purifies the air by oxidation. Ozone is naturally occurring gas. It is created by nature when lightning cuts through the oxygen molecule in the air. It splits the O2 molecule into O3, which is ozone. The fresh clean smell after a thunderstorm is the ozone that has just been created. Ozone penetrates into the cellular structure of odor, bacteria and fungus molecules, rupturing the cell wall of the contaminant. After this process is complete, the contaminants and odors are greatly reduced. The second step in this system is the ionization. There are two types of ionization. The first is needlepoint ionization where the particulate in the air directly in front of the unit is charged with negative ions. These ionic charges attach to airborne particles such as smoke, dust, pollen, animal dander, etc., forcing the particles to quickly drop out of the air in the breathing environment, down to the ground. These needlepoint ionizers usually cover a five to seven foot area in front area of the ionizer. The second type of ionizer is called radio ionization. Radio ionization is a newer technology that uses similar principles as needlepoint ionization except that the radio ionizer uses a specialized and safe radio wave that ionizes the air for aprox 50 feet right through the walls in all directions. With radio ionization, you can actually drop particles {allergens} out of the air in surrounding rooms. One unit can often cover an entire home. These air purifiers work especially well on removing cigar and cigarette smoke and odors and that's whom we sell them to SMOKERS!
NOTE: When operating any air purifier that produces ozone, be careful to adjust the ozone level as per factory instructions. Ozone can be an irritant to your mucus membranes if turned up to high. This is especially true for people with asthma and lung problems.
REMEMBER, HEPA Air Cleaners are best for removing airborne allergens, out-gassing chemicals and odors from your indoor air environment. HEPA Air Purifiers with Ultraviolet Light Systems add the IMPORTANT ability to also kill and control mold spores bacteria and viruses in your indoor air environment. Ozone-Ionizer Air Purifiers are best for quickly removing cigarette and cigar smoke and odors from your indoor environment. For families with smokers and allergy problems sometimes the most effective solution will require the use of an Ozone-Ionizer Air Purifier in the smoking area of your home and HEPA Air Cleaner{s} or HEPA Air Purifier{s} in the bedrooms for the people in the home with allergy problems.
It is very important to utilize HEPA Air Cleaners or HEPA Air Purifiers to capture and remove allergens, particulates and if needed to also kill viruses and biological contaminates in your sleeping areas. Our customers report that they sleep more soundly and wake up feeling more refreshed with less allergy and asthma symptoms with a high quality HEPA Air Cleaner or HEPA Air Purifier operating in their bedrooms.
For More Information on quality HEPA air cleaners, HEPA air purifiers and Ozone-Ionizer air purifiers for smokers, please see the website at http://www.aircleaners.com/
This report is 100% free and you are welcome to reprint it on your website to share with your readers as long as you include the resource information links to the website{s} shown above.
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Happy Birthday, Daddy!
We got this D(ecor)IY Cake from The Icing Room @ JP. See the apple and caterpillar :D Junan has the fun and Daddy has the cake! 
The Very Hungry Caterpillar, 1969
Recently mummy bought The Very Hungry Caterpillar for Junan. He has requested for it since he got The Grouchy Ladybug (he was into ladybugs when he saw the ladybug book in Harris).
Junan is hooked on the hungry caterpillar (so is mummy). He would tell us he is a hungry caterpillar when he is eating lots of food. And that he is a hungry caterpillar with a stomachache when he is super full. Told us he has no cocoon (daddy tried to do a cocoon by using pillows but that doesn't seem convincing :p). And he is not turning into a butterfly because he can't fly. :)
Junan is now able to read the book by himself after listening to Daddy reading it a few times. :D
On 20 March 2009, Google had this on it's page... so cute!
What mummy didn't know till now is that The Very Hungry Caterpillar is already 40 years old!
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Girlfriend
Today Junan told Grandma he has a 'girlfriend'. Mummy was very amused when Grandma told mummy about this. So below is the conversation between mummy and Junan :-
Mummy: Junan, do you have a girlfriend?
Junan: Yes, I have a girlfriend.
Mummy: Is your girlfriend one of your classmates?
Junan: (Nodding his head) Yes.
Mummy: What is her name?
Junan: Joy (or is it Joyce?). Her name is Joy.
I'm sure Junan doesn't really understand the meaning of Girlfriend. Perhaps he thought Girlfriend = Girl + Good Friend.. which isn't wrong too :) I wonder who taught him the word 'Girlfriend'
Mummy: Junan, do you have a girlfriend?
Junan: Yes, I have a girlfriend.
Mummy: Is your girlfriend one of your classmates?
Junan: (Nodding his head) Yes.
Mummy: What is her name?
Junan: Joy (or is it Joyce?). Her name is Joy.
I'm sure Junan doesn't really understand the meaning of Girlfriend. Perhaps he thought Girlfriend = Girl + Good Friend.. which isn't wrong too :) I wonder who taught him the word 'Girlfriend'
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
nose. running.
Just after a week back in school, Junan starts having running nose again. It started last Tues (14/7) with soft stools on Fri (17/7) evening. Junan called mummy that afternoon and said "I want to see doctor". He must be feeling v. uncomfortable (his stomach). So we went to Kidslink that night and Dr. Heng told us he saw several patients with same symptoms, some even vomited. Whether H1N1 or not, need to monitor and go back for consultation if the flu turns serious. Dr. Heng also said Junan sensitive nose seems to be coming back and prescribed Zyrtec (mummy tries not to give unless absolutely necessary). Junan is on his 2nd bottle of running nose medicine and hopefully he will be well soon.
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Friday, July 17, 2009
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Spring Onion
Junan brought back a plant from school today. On closer look, it's a spring onion. Interesting.
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Butterfly Lodge
On the way to management office to purchase entry tickets to the butterfly lodge.
Butterfly.
and more butterflies...
pretty flowers too!
Time to go. What a hot afternoon!
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Pasta + Tomato + ...
Junan in nude (just semi-naked :p) and eating one of his favourite food - pasta in tomato sauce.
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Monday, June 1, 2009
I like this:
http://health.asiaone.com/Health/News/Story/A1Story20090601-145228.html
The virus and my vow
BY CLARA CHOW
Mon, Jun 01, 2009
my paper
ATTENTION, H1N1 virus: Thanks to you, I'm being made to look like a lying parent. You, swine (flu), you.
Letme explain. A few months ago, The Supportive Spouse and I planned a trip to Tokyo. It would be our first long-haul family holiday with our three-yearold son, Julian - a feat we wanted to accomplish before our second child arrives in November.
We wanted to take train-mad Julian to a Thomas And Friends railway theme park near Mount Fuji.
For weeks, Julian and I looked forward to visiting Thomas Land in Japan. We found a video of the theme park online, and spent hours watching children board the toy-train rides and roller coasters. Several times a day, he would ask me: 'Are we going to Thomas Land now?'
I explained to him that we had to take a plane there, no small undertaking and one that required us to wait for his Dad to come home from the office.
To that, my inquisitive son asked impatiently: 'Is Papa taking a plane home from work?'
In the end, I showed him the calendar and counted the blank boxes between 'today' and the date of our departure late last month. When he seemed to understand, I gleefully congratulated myself on imparting an important lesson on delayed gratification. Then, the H1N1 flu began spreading in Japan.
The Supportive Spouse and I monitored the news about the outbreak, still harbouring hopes of making our trip. But when the virus surfaced in Tokyo, and friends and family expressed their concerns over our travel plans, we decided to cancel our trip and get a full refund.
The hardest part about our no-go holiday was the thought of letting Julian down. I didn't think a preschooler would quite understand the implications of a pandemic.
Trying to find a substitute for Thomas Land, we bought him his first ez-link card and took him on a journey to nowhere on the MRT. Desperate for him to enjoy himself, I hyped everything up ('Look! People waiting on the platform! Ooh, in-carriage announcement!' were some lame Mummy quips).
The dear child humoured me by checking out everything I pointed at with a happy smile, before falling asleep on my lap 15 minutes later.
If you think three-year-olds are easy to fool, think again. 'Can we pleeease go to Thomas Land?' Julian asked suddenly while I was driving one night.
I silently gripped my husband's hand, willing him to come up with an answer that would let our son down gently. The man, however, muttered something unintelligible.
Finally, I came up with a passable answer: 'Er. We'll have to call the people who run Thomas Land and ask when would be a good time for us to go, okay? Sometimes, the engines get sick, and people are not allowed to visit them. The engines have to get better first before they can see visitors.'
'Oh. Okay,' said Julian in a small voice. His disappointment was all too obvious in the confines of our car.
I doubt Julian will forget about my Thomas Land promises soon. Yet, tasting disappointment is important for him. As parents, we all want to protect our kids from unpleasant things and frustration. But childcare experts believe that such overzealous shielding may ultimately inhibit kids' ability to cope with rejection.
Dealing with these temporary setbacks will let my son grow emotionally, allowing him to acquire the grace and maturity to accept the things he cannot change, and the determination to change what he can.
So, please, H1N1 virus, I am praying that you will be eradicated soon. Because I have a promise to keep and a special place to get to, eventually.
The virus and my vow
BY CLARA CHOW
Mon, Jun 01, 2009
my paper
ATTENTION, H1N1 virus: Thanks to you, I'm being made to look like a lying parent. You, swine (flu), you.
Letme explain. A few months ago, The Supportive Spouse and I planned a trip to Tokyo. It would be our first long-haul family holiday with our three-yearold son, Julian - a feat we wanted to accomplish before our second child arrives in November.
We wanted to take train-mad Julian to a Thomas And Friends railway theme park near Mount Fuji.
For weeks, Julian and I looked forward to visiting Thomas Land in Japan. We found a video of the theme park online, and spent hours watching children board the toy-train rides and roller coasters. Several times a day, he would ask me: 'Are we going to Thomas Land now?'
I explained to him that we had to take a plane there, no small undertaking and one that required us to wait for his Dad to come home from the office.
To that, my inquisitive son asked impatiently: 'Is Papa taking a plane home from work?'
In the end, I showed him the calendar and counted the blank boxes between 'today' and the date of our departure late last month. When he seemed to understand, I gleefully congratulated myself on imparting an important lesson on delayed gratification. Then, the H1N1 flu began spreading in Japan.
The Supportive Spouse and I monitored the news about the outbreak, still harbouring hopes of making our trip. But when the virus surfaced in Tokyo, and friends and family expressed their concerns over our travel plans, we decided to cancel our trip and get a full refund.
The hardest part about our no-go holiday was the thought of letting Julian down. I didn't think a preschooler would quite understand the implications of a pandemic.
Trying to find a substitute for Thomas Land, we bought him his first ez-link card and took him on a journey to nowhere on the MRT. Desperate for him to enjoy himself, I hyped everything up ('Look! People waiting on the platform! Ooh, in-carriage announcement!' were some lame Mummy quips).
The dear child humoured me by checking out everything I pointed at with a happy smile, before falling asleep on my lap 15 minutes later.
If you think three-year-olds are easy to fool, think again. 'Can we pleeease go to Thomas Land?' Julian asked suddenly while I was driving one night.
I silently gripped my husband's hand, willing him to come up with an answer that would let our son down gently. The man, however, muttered something unintelligible.
Finally, I came up with a passable answer: 'Er. We'll have to call the people who run Thomas Land and ask when would be a good time for us to go, okay? Sometimes, the engines get sick, and people are not allowed to visit them. The engines have to get better first before they can see visitors.'
'Oh. Okay,' said Julian in a small voice. His disappointment was all too obvious in the confines of our car.
I doubt Julian will forget about my Thomas Land promises soon. Yet, tasting disappointment is important for him. As parents, we all want to protect our kids from unpleasant things and frustration. But childcare experts believe that such overzealous shielding may ultimately inhibit kids' ability to cope with rejection.
Dealing with these temporary setbacks will let my son grow emotionally, allowing him to acquire the grace and maturity to accept the things he cannot change, and the determination to change what he can.
So, please, H1N1 virus, I am praying that you will be eradicated soon. Because I have a promise to keep and a special place to get to, eventually.
Friday, May 29, 2009
Junan's 1st Performance!
You can see Junan standing nearest to the camera (back facing us) at the beginning of the video. He is holding an yellow scarf. Junan told me they are 'fishes' and mummy realised they are actually pretending to be whales in an ocean :)
* Video courtesy of Ernest's Daddy.
* Video courtesy of Ernest's Daddy.
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Meet the parents session
Today's the 2nd 'meet the parents' session at JCK.
We browsed through Junan's work for the term and, as usual, mummy is v.proud of Junan's work.
Junan's teachers told mummy Junan is able to read most of the words taught in school, even recognises some Chinese words. Mummy is pleasantly surprise at Junan's progress and happy that my inconsistent effort in flashing cards, reading story books, scribbling on doodle boards and showing Junan (sometimes boring) educational dvds, actually yield some results! Feedback was relatively good except that Junan, being a boy, tends to be more mischevious.
:D
We browsed through Junan's work for the term and, as usual, mummy is v.proud of Junan's work.
Junan's teachers told mummy Junan is able to read most of the words taught in school, even recognises some Chinese words. Mummy is pleasantly surprise at Junan's progress and happy that my inconsistent effort in flashing cards, reading story books, scribbling on doodle boards and showing Junan (sometimes boring) educational dvds, actually yield some results! Feedback was relatively good except that Junan, being a boy, tends to be more mischevious.
:D
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Happy Mother's Day!
This is Mummy's 4th Mother's Day and this year, Junan finally understands that Mother's Day is about flowers, cakes and gifts, and of cos saying "I Love You, Mummy". Heh.. actually, every other day, Mummy will say "I Love You, Junan" and Junan will reciporate by saying "I Love You, Mummy" with a big *Muacks* :)
Ok, so Mummy told Junan it's Mother's Day and so Mummy going to buy a pretty cake for Ah-Ma and 外婆 because Ah-Ma is Daddy's Mother and 外婆 is Mummy's Mother. So we managed to get a pretty teapot yam cake from Break Talk for Junan's Ah-ma and the very popular Lychee Martini cake from Pine Garden for Junan's 外婆.
While we were on the way to 外婆's house for a mother's day lunch, Mummy asked Junan what does he want to buy with the 80 cents in his pocket (Daddy gave Junan the 80 cents earlier).
Mummy: Do you want to buy Thomas the Train with the 80 cents or do you want to buy a mother's day present for mummy and make mummy happy?
Junan: Buy Thomas to make Junan happy (that's very 'encouraging'!)
Mummy: (With a mock sad face) Do you want to buy Thomas or buy present for mummy?
Junan: (sheepishly pointing to mummy) Mummy!
That's very funny and mummy, of cos, won't deprive Junan of a Thomas.
Ok, so Mummy told Junan it's Mother's Day and so Mummy going to buy a pretty cake for Ah-Ma and 外婆 because Ah-Ma is Daddy's Mother and 外婆 is Mummy's Mother. So we managed to get a pretty teapot yam cake from Break Talk for Junan's Ah-ma and the very popular Lychee Martini cake from Pine Garden for Junan's 外婆.
While we were on the way to 外婆's house for a mother's day lunch, Mummy asked Junan what does he want to buy with the 80 cents in his pocket (Daddy gave Junan the 80 cents earlier).
Mummy: Do you want to buy Thomas the Train with the 80 cents or do you want to buy a mother's day present for mummy and make mummy happy?
Junan: Buy Thomas to make Junan happy (that's very 'encouraging'!)
Mummy: (With a mock sad face) Do you want to buy Thomas or buy present for mummy?
Junan: (sheepishly pointing to mummy) Mummy!
That's very funny and mummy, of cos, won't deprive Junan of a Thomas.
Saturday, May 9, 2009
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Bicycle Ride at Jurong Central Park
It was a hot, humid afternoon and Junan ended up with a few mosquito bites despite having a mosquito patch pasted on his tee (this is the 1st time the patch failed me, or mosquitos here are super strong?!)
In short, Mummy doesn't like this park.
