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Now that Desmond is getting a little bit older and more advance in language, he establishes a set of his own routine. Let's starts from his morning. After he wakes up, he needs to lie on his bed and play for a while. Then he asks for his milk and he need to sit on the chair in his room (only this chair, no other place) to drink his milk. When we eat, he needs to sit on the table with us even he already ate. Sometimes, he steals the food from my bowl.
Before he goes to nap at noon, he will say "brush teeth and then go to bed". What a delightful habit! He demands his milk after he took a shower... even when it is not the time to give him milk. He has this connection that milk is followed by shower. We ask him to wash his hand after he came back from outside. So he always rushes to the bathroom after he comes back. Yesterday, when I went shopping and came back. I just put down the grocery and he told me, "mama, wash your hands". It was so funny to hear that. And he followed me to the bathroom and made sure I wash my hands.
When we play basketball with him, we cannot just sit and shot the ball. We will need to stand up and run with him. He just never gets tired. Once in a while, Jeff sits down, he will say "daddy, stand up". Anyway, there are lots of fun with him around. I just can't believe that a two year old kid can be that challenging and fun.
5/29/09
4/30/09
Second pregnancy
People always say when you have the second one, you will care less than the first one. I guess it is just a norm. I am now 18 weeks pregnant with our second child and I did not write anything about this pregnancy yet. Pretty guilty!
I feel more tired for this pregnancy than the last one with Desmond. I don't have appetite until now. But my tummy is bigger than last time at the same stage. I guess this time I have to take care of Desmond, so I spend less time wondering what's going on inside my tummy. We do love this baby as much as Desmond.
We just went to the doctor today and he confirmed that we are going to have a girl. Yeah. Jeff and I are so happy for that. How perfect is it to have one boy and one girl! The due date will be early October. It is quite a good timing since Desmond will start nursery in September. Now our biggest task will be finding a name for our baby girl... according to Jeff, it is the toughest job.
I feel more tired for this pregnancy than the last one with Desmond. I don't have appetite until now. But my tummy is bigger than last time at the same stage. I guess this time I have to take care of Desmond, so I spend less time wondering what's going on inside my tummy. We do love this baby as much as Desmond.
We just went to the doctor today and he confirmed that we are going to have a girl. Yeah. Jeff and I are so happy for that. How perfect is it to have one boy and one girl! The due date will be early October. It is quite a good timing since Desmond will start nursery in September. Now our biggest task will be finding a name for our baby girl... according to Jeff, it is the toughest job.
4/27/09
Potty Train
I can't believe that Desmond can be diaper free during the day so fast. He started telling me after he pooped when he was around 2. We encouraged him to let us know before he wanted to poop. It took a month or so for him to do that. We were so happy when he told me he wanted to poop and he did. But he got sick for a few weeks and he couldn't tell me when he wanted to pooped during that period. After he recovered, he never pooped on his diaper again. Last week, when he just turned 2 years and 3 months old, I stopped putting diaper on him during the day. I told him if you want to pee, go to the potty. I kept reminding him to go to the potty. Of course, there were a few accidents but it just took him a couple days to learn. He now can tell me when he wants to pee pee. I never thought that his potty training can be so quick. We are so proud of him. I am sure he will be more comfortable in the hot summer time without diapers.
4/5/09
Terrible Two
I think the two-year old is really a terrible stage for us. Desmond is really in this stage. He likes to do things his way. For example, when we go out, if he wants to take the bus, we need to follow his instruction. Otherwise, he will not walk and stay at where he is. He also likes to say 'no' to other request. It is sometimes very difficult to get him to do things, such as brush his teeth, change his diaper or wash his hands. One thing that drives me crazy is that he sleeps later and later at night. Now the earliest time he sleeps is 9:30 pm. He just doesn't seem to be sleepy or tired while I am exhausted. I hope he can pass this stage soon.
Well, the good thing is that he can express himself better now. He will tell us what he wants most of time. He likes to talk to us what he is doing or we are doing. He also like to read books and play the puzzle. These two activities can keep him occupy for quite some time. Right now, he can remember some of the books and read it himself when I am not reading with him. He can put a 12 pieces of puzzle together. I think that's quite amazing. He likes to sing very much. His favorite song is ABC.
In the past few months, he becomes so attach to me. He cannot go out without me. Nobody else can give him a bath or put him to sleep but me. It is quite tough for me since I am pregnant right now! Hopefully when the grandparents come, he can become less attach to me. Luckily, he is going to school in September and hope he can be more independent before his little brother or sister is born.
Well, the good thing is that he can express himself better now. He will tell us what he wants most of time. He likes to talk to us what he is doing or we are doing. He also like to read books and play the puzzle. These two activities can keep him occupy for quite some time. Right now, he can remember some of the books and read it himself when I am not reading with him. He can put a 12 pieces of puzzle together. I think that's quite amazing. He likes to sing very much. His favorite song is ABC.
In the past few months, he becomes so attach to me. He cannot go out without me. Nobody else can give him a bath or put him to sleep but me. It is quite tough for me since I am pregnant right now! Hopefully when the grandparents come, he can become less attach to me. Luckily, he is going to school in September and hope he can be more independent before his little brother or sister is born.
2/19/09
Jeff's letter to Desmond
Hey buddy,
In a few more hours, you will turn two years old. 732 days ago, your mom and I were anxiously waiting for your arrival. We wanted to see you. Your mom couldn’t wait any longer, although it was still one week early. Then you came, so quickly and breathtakingly. When I first saw you, I whispered to you over the nursing box: hey buddy, daddy is with you.
What 731 days we’ve been together! You’ve brought me so much joy that I’ve never imagined and so much pride that I’ve never dreamed of. This past year, you have grown to be a big boy: you started to walk, you began to eat on your own, you notified us after you finished your big business (well, we are still hoping you will hint us ahead of time) and you called me baba for the first time. These wonderful moments brought me so much surprise, laughter and joy.
What can a two-year-old do? You can sing several Chinese and English songs, recite the “goose” poem, dance your street-style steps, and draw some Picasso-like pieces. Mama does a great job teaching you songs and you learn them quickly. Your “two tigers” is the most beautiful thing I’ve ever heard. You love to dance. Following the tempo of the drum, you like to show off and entertain us every evening. Some are really cool moves. You like to read. Now your favorite is the “blue-bird” that you read and sing every night before sleep.
Son, you let me see the bright side of the world. You are easily satisfied. Sometimes all you want is to take a bus. Sometimes it’s to play swing. And you never get tired of them. If we only ask for little, we will probably gain more and feel happier. You also teach me I should treat everyone equally. When I ignore someone because s/he is unimportant, you show me I am wrong and give everyone your heart-felt smile. The world will be a better place if we all generously share our smiles.
with love,
daddy
In a few more hours, you will turn two years old. 732 days ago, your mom and I were anxiously waiting for your arrival. We wanted to see you. Your mom couldn’t wait any longer, although it was still one week early. Then you came, so quickly and breathtakingly. When I first saw you, I whispered to you over the nursing box: hey buddy, daddy is with you.
What 731 days we’ve been together! You’ve brought me so much joy that I’ve never imagined and so much pride that I’ve never dreamed of. This past year, you have grown to be a big boy: you started to walk, you began to eat on your own, you notified us after you finished your big business (well, we are still hoping you will hint us ahead of time) and you called me baba for the first time. These wonderful moments brought me so much surprise, laughter and joy.
What can a two-year-old do? You can sing several Chinese and English songs, recite the “goose” poem, dance your street-style steps, and draw some Picasso-like pieces. Mama does a great job teaching you songs and you learn them quickly. Your “two tigers” is the most beautiful thing I’ve ever heard. You love to dance. Following the tempo of the drum, you like to show off and entertain us every evening. Some are really cool moves. You like to read. Now your favorite is the “blue-bird” that you read and sing every night before sleep.
Son, you let me see the bright side of the world. You are easily satisfied. Sometimes all you want is to take a bus. Sometimes it’s to play swing. And you never get tired of them. If we only ask for little, we will probably gain more and feel happier. You also teach me I should treat everyone equally. When I ignore someone because s/he is unimportant, you show me I am wrong and give everyone your heart-felt smile. The world will be a better place if we all generously share our smiles.
with love,
daddy
2/3/09
Desmond starts talking
I think Desmond is pretty good at talking right now, well, maybe just me and Jeff understand most of his talks. One thing really great is that he can reply to different languages that we talk to him. If I ask him in Cantonese, he will reply in Cantonese. He only talks to Jeff in Mandarin. Sometimes when we read English book together, he answers me in English.
After he managed his language skill, he likes to narrate what he or we are doing. When he gets up in the morning, he will say "Daddy is taking a shower". When Jeff was not home, he will say "daddy goes to work". It is quite embarrassing when we went out and I need to go to the bathroom. He will just announce what I am doing in the bathroom. One thing funny that he starts making up his own songs. He really brings lots of joy to us.
His biggest development recently is letting me know when he wants to poop poop. I am hopping he will let me know when he wants to pee soon. Wearing diaper in the summer is really hot.
After he managed his language skill, he likes to narrate what he or we are doing. When he gets up in the morning, he will say "Daddy is taking a shower". When Jeff was not home, he will say "daddy goes to work". It is quite embarrassing when we went out and I need to go to the bathroom. He will just announce what I am doing in the bathroom. One thing funny that he starts making up his own songs. He really brings lots of joy to us.
His biggest development recently is letting me know when he wants to poop poop. I am hopping he will let me know when he wants to pee soon. Wearing diaper in the summer is really hot.
12/9/08
Kindergarten challenge
I guess a lot of people cannot believe that Desmond already went through 3 interviews for nursery next year. I think going to a good school is very competitive in Hong Kong. My friend told me that you need to decide what high school and university Desmond wants to go when you apply kindergarten, because it is difficult to change between international school and local school. I immediately got an headache after hearing that. Isn't it too early to decide it now?
Desmond was born in January so he will be the oldest kid compare to his peers going to the school at the same year. For kindergarten, there is N1, K1, K2 and K3. N1 is for kids 2 years and up. K1 is for kids 2 year and 8 months old. Some children will not go to N1 because parents think they are too young to go to school at age 2. For Desmond's case, if he skips N1, he will be 3 years 7 months when he can attend K1. Therefore, we think it is a good idea for him to starts N1 next year. There aren't many good school have N1 class.
I applied 3 schools for him and if he did not get in to the one that we think is suitable for him, we will apply the fourth one in January. So far he went through 3 interviews and got two offers. We are waiting for the last one (our 1st choice) which we just interviewed last week. There were more than 200 kids competing for 60 seats for the 1st school. I think it is about the same for the second school. But the last one we went was kind of crazy. I guess there were more than a thousand kids competing for about 180 seats. We waited for an hour and the interview was just about 5 minutes long.
The school system is quite confusing in Hong Kong. I still need to do more research about it and try to find the way that maybe suitable for Desmond. Who knows? There is still a long way for him.
Desmond was born in January so he will be the oldest kid compare to his peers going to the school at the same year. For kindergarten, there is N1, K1, K2 and K3. N1 is for kids 2 years and up. K1 is for kids 2 year and 8 months old. Some children will not go to N1 because parents think they are too young to go to school at age 2. For Desmond's case, if he skips N1, he will be 3 years 7 months when he can attend K1. Therefore, we think it is a good idea for him to starts N1 next year. There aren't many good school have N1 class.
I applied 3 schools for him and if he did not get in to the one that we think is suitable for him, we will apply the fourth one in January. So far he went through 3 interviews and got two offers. We are waiting for the last one (our 1st choice) which we just interviewed last week. There were more than 200 kids competing for 60 seats for the 1st school. I think it is about the same for the second school. But the last one we went was kind of crazy. I guess there were more than a thousand kids competing for about 180 seats. We waited for an hour and the interview was just about 5 minutes long.
The school system is quite confusing in Hong Kong. I still need to do more research about it and try to find the way that maybe suitable for Desmond. Who knows? There is still a long way for him.
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