Songs that Belle sings

At 2 years 6 months old now, Belle has master most of the nursery rhymes songs and some songs that she learn from her playshcool. She can sing the entire song for:

Baa baa black sheep
Twinkle Twinkle Little stars 
Are you sleeping
Alphabet Song
Itsy Bitsy Spider
London Bridger is falling down
Humpthy Dumpty
The Finger Family
Row, row, row your boat
Rain rain go away
Good Morning, good morning

She speaks quite fluently I must say for a 2.5 years old child. She has also master playing 12 pieces puzzles and she is now on 48 pieces puzzle.

Belle seems to have develop interest in story books. She likes to pick up books and look at them, every night she request mommy to read a book to her before she sleeps. She also likes picking up books to draw, color and write on them. I have yet to find time to get some paints and brushes for her to explore more on painting but lucky thing that at her play-school, they do paintings with the children. I have to be more hard working to do more activities with her otherwise she might end up being a lazy bump like me :o

Classes and activities for Belle

I have recently just sign Belle up to a music class at MusikHaus. Before I sign up at this center, I've also sent her to a trial class at Gymboree. We didn't get to trial the music class at Gymboree, instead she trail on the playgroup session which is mainly just about playing and nothing else. The thing I didn't like about Gymboree is that they offer the package to me that was way too expensive. There will be 50+ classes but I will have to pay upfront of RM2300+ for all the classes. All I wanted for Belle is just a few affordable classes to give her some activity to do on weekend and at the same time to get to mix with more children other than those at her playschool. I think she's enjoying it :) At Musikhaus, I've signup for 10 classes for RM350 and after 10 classes I can choose to continue and signup more or stop.

http://musikhaus.com.my

Isabelle 2 yrs 5 months

Belle is 2 years 5 months old now. For a 2 year old, she really speaks a lot and quite matured. I started potty training her during CNY this year and it has been 3 weeks already. She's doing quite well. She does tell us when she wants to pee and nowadays she does all her pooping in the toilet or on her potty. Is definitely a good improvement and milestone on her development.

She has also reach a new milestone where she has become the bully in her playgroup school. Through my observation, I notice when she's frustrated or angry she tend to hit other children or even me or my hubby. I've always talk to her and tell her what is right or wrong to do and she seem to understand it quite well but she can't control herself well at the moment when she's angry or frustrated. Some friends tell me this is normal for a 2 years old toddler. Things might get worst when she's three :(

I'm not really sure what is the best and right way to manage her. We tried talking logic and reason, sometimes it works but sometimes not. We tried the hard way where we will use the cane to discipline her but it doesn't seem to work well.

Isabelle's "Trigger Thumb"

This is Isabelle's first surgery and hope it's the last ofcourse. We "check-in" to the hospital and waited in the room for a couple of hours before we were called into the Operation Theater.

Nurser trying to give Belle a pre-checkup before the operation.



Here's a pic of her in the room waiting patiently. We were both so bored in the room, lucky that I bought some of her toys and puzzles along to keep her entertained.

Her operation was scheduled to be at 1:30pm. At 1:15, we were asked to be prepared to walk to the OT. Belle didn't want to be pushed sitting on the bed so I had to carry her. I was also asked to changed and followed the nurse and doctor into the OT because they knew Belle wouldn't just go in without her mommy. They put the anesthetic mask over Belle noise so she can breath in and within less than a minute, she's sleeping like a baby.  Operation only took 30 minutes and its done!

Belle cried so badly right after she's awake. She didn't like the bandage on both her hands and she got very frustrated and keep wanting to pull off the bandage. The nurse tried so hard to calm her down, gave her a glove balloon and it didn't work. It took quite a while before we could calm her down and we walked back to our room.

After a while, i gave her some water and then milk. She felt much better after taking her milk. I guess she was very very hungry as well cause she has been fasting since 7:30am in the morning until after her operation completed. Poor girl.


After the operation

Bandage on her Right hand

Daddy bought some balloons to make her feel better

Next day morning. So bored in the room waiting for doc to visit

Yay! Finally Doc is here. Doc changing the dressing on Belle's hand after which we can be release and discharge to go home.

Trip to Japan, Osaka

Vacation : 5th Sept 2012 - 10th Sept 2012

This is my first trip to Japan - Osaka. It was a very tiring trip for us as bringing a toddler along with you to a trip which requires lots of walking, it takes up 3x more of our energy and strength for a leisure travelling. But I was quite happy and glad that we took quite a lot of nice photos with Belle at this trip.

Japan - Osaka Sept 2012

Belle had Urinary Tract Infections

At age 2, Isabelle tested with Urinary Tract Infections. When I first found out, it was when she tells me "mommy, pain" when you pass urine. Not just once but a few times. I was quite worried as I have UTI before and I know very well how much pain it was for me more so for a 2 years old.

I took Isabelle to see doc and told doc everything. We took Belle's urine sample for a test and true enough that in her test results, there was some bacteria trace found and there were some other traces on her white and red blood cells as well. Thank god that after 5 weeks giving Belle her antibiotic medicine, she has recovered from UTI. Upon next visit at doc again for another urine test, the red and white blood cells readings were back to normal and there were only slight traces of bacteria found. Doc says that might just be caused by contamination when I collected Belle's urine.

We have to be very careful in managing Belle's hygiene cause as doc says, if Belle were to get UTI again the second time, he will have to do some serious test on belle which includes putting in a tube into her ureter to take some tissue and samples cells. This sounded so serious.

The disadvantage of being a female :P

Family Portrait

We have recently took some photos at a friend's studio place. The photo session wasn't really meant for us for family photos session but we just took the opportunity to get a few shots. I have always been asking for hubs to arrange for a proper photos shooting session for our family especially now that Isabelle is almost 2 years old, we should capture her cute chubby face and expression before she outgrown her 2 years toddler age. Unfortunately, I have to remind myself that I should never expect a man to do the job where I can manage it myself.

At least now I can make do with what we have so far and if it's possible I will arrange another proper photo shooting session again soon.

Stains on her teeth

Couple of months back Belle's teeth appears to have black stains on them especially her bottom front teeth. These stains has been visually disturbing to me, every time I see her smile I will surely see the black stains. The stains looks like cigarette stains but am pretty sure Belle is not smoking.

There the stain can be seen on the picture above. The stains are building up more not only on her bottom front teeth but also on the top front teeth and her back molar teeth.

I have done numerous research online and found that there are many other babies or toddlers out there who has the same problem with their teeth as well. Most of them say that the stains caused by iron built-up either from formula or the extra vitamins. Since I am not giving extra vitamins supplement to Belle, so that will not be the cause of it. Most likely the milk powder is the cause of it. Belle is drinking Gain Plus Eye Q every since she turns 1 years old. I have other friends who's kids are also drinking Gain Plus but they don't have the same problem that Belle is going through so I'm really not very sure if the milk is the culprit.

I make it a point to brush her teeth day and night but getting her to brush is also a a big challenge. Every time she finish her milk, I'll give her water to drink so at least the water helps to rinse her mouth. I've also tried using baking soda on a tooth brush and on a wash cloth (tips I found online from other moms) to rub her teeth but doesn't help remove the stains. I'm so depressed.

However, rather than sitting around and looking at her teeth getting stain more every other day, I try switching her to another brand of formula milk : Mamil Gold. In the beginning of switching she accepted the milk quite well probably because she didn't realise it was different. After a few days, she starts to reject her milk. Belle is a child who loves drinking milk and we never had a problem getting her to drink her milk. Just yesterday and today itself, we struggled to get her to drink. She won't even open her mouth at all. I've tasted both the milk, they taste about the same only difference is the Gain Plus Eye Q has a slightly stronger taste. What else can I do? I have made an dentist appointment for Belle, hopefully doctor can help identify what is the cause of the stains and helps polish her teeth and remove the stains. My other concern with the dental visit, I have no idea how we are going to get her to sit quietly throughout the check-up.

Feelings : Depress, Upset, Stress

Learning more words and into singing

Belle is 23 months old now. She has learn to speak so many words to some extend I get amazed on how she can express herself with proper words and sentences.

She can now recognise all the alphabets A-Z thanks to the little alphabets magnets. Nowadays Belle also loves to sing. Though she can't get all the lyrics perfect but she knows the songs. She loves to sing Baa baa black sheep, Two Little Tikky Bird, Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, ABC song, Row Row Row a boat. I wonder if all toddlers at this age develops the same skills at the same pace.

Some of Belle's favourite phrase now are :

- I don't like this. Not nice
- I don't want mommy .....
- Beat you
- I want play big book
- Daddy where? Mommy where?
- I don't want Daniel play bicycle
- I want grape

Belle is half potty trained now. When she wants to poo poo, she will tell us and we'll quickly bring her to her potty. Sometimes she couldn't hold it longer so after she tell us she wants to poopoo, she already pooed abit into her diaper. That is not too bad cause atleast she tries to tell us.

Belle will be turning 2 years old next month September. Time really flies at a blink of our eyes. Now is time to plan for the second lil one.

My baby's first sentence

20 Months 11 Days

My baby girl said her first full sentence "Mommy, I want book" (book refers to iPhone). I'm so proud of my baby. Every since then, things that she wish to have or get, she will utter and say "I want"... *faint*. She is definitely growing and developing well. She's not even two years old yet but she can express herself very well already. Hmmm.. when she start to make more sentences that is when she will know how to demand more on the things she wants. Oh dear! :)

First trip in year 2012 - Hong Kong

Wow, it has been so long since the my last post. I've been so lazy updating this blog, but I've still been posting and updating pictures on my Facebook and Picasa album.

2011 is gone, Isabelle is now into her errrrr 17months old. Almost coming to 1 and a half years old. She has grown a lot in terms of her speech, her physical built and also her development on her motor skills. Let me just list a few that I can think of now :

Speech
-  Can count 1-10 in english and mandarin but she repeat after us
- Ask her from A to I she can name each object or animals to that letter
- Very fluent in saying "No" to things or questions that we ask
- She says bye, bear, bird, dragon, tiger, lion, babu (means elephant), fish, apple, ball, dog, cat, gorilla, house, come, poo poo, sleep, seat, drop, hold, car, walk, milk milk, nana (for banana), book (iphone/ipad), star, good nite,

Motor skills
- walk up stairs and glide down the slide
- climb on our bed and sofa in the living room
- help herself onto her tricycle
- carry a small stool around the house
- crawl underneath the dining chair
- feed herself with a spoon (although she still make a mess feeding herself)
- and many other more

There are so many things she have learned and so many things she can do or say. I'm so amaze sometimes how fast kids learns nowadays. Yesterday I was shock when i hear her saying "Mommy, come" and waving her hand. She wanted me to help push her on her tricycle so that she can move forward. Sometimes I think in my heart, I wish time will slow down a little so that we can enjoy more time with her as a toddler. I was reading the BabyCenter website and it says that at 17months old, the child should already know how to undress herself, brush her teeth without our help, and tenderly nursing her dolls and stuff animals. Hmmm, Isabelle is not really doing of those yet except sometimes hugs her soft toys. Should I start introducing brushing teeth to her already?

We have just recently came back from our trip to Hong Kong. This is Isabelle's 3rd flight. Some friends and even my mom ask, why do I want to bring Isabelle and travel along on a trip like that? Wouldn't it be too much hassle plus she's too young to appreciate or even remember anything. Oh most importantly is waste of money. To certain extend I do agree especially the 'too much hassle' part but I'll always response and say "Why not?". Is good to let her be out at the field travelling with us and get her expose to everything. I am very sure every minute she spent when she's not asleep, she is learning and her mind is absorbing knowledge. It's definitely worth all the hassle. Am sure Isabelle enjoyed her trip very much especially the day we spent at Disneyland.

Photo Album

Hong Kong Trip 16-20th February 2012

Isabelle's 2nd experience flying on Air Asia flight

We made a trip to Bintulu early November, to be exact it was on the 4th - 6th November. Visited a friend who stays there and spent our weekend with them at Bintulu. There is nothing much to do in Bintulu but the weekend was still quite fun.

Isabelle had two of her first experience in Bintulu - playing in a inflatable pool and walk barefoot on the beach. It was a very good fun experience for Isabelle.

Our friend had a inflatable pool at their back yard so immediately I had suggested why not let the kids play in the pool. Isabelle loves it so much and I love watching this video that I've took for her while she's getting splash with water from Keith (Friend's son, also Leslie's godson). Belle is sooooo cute and her reaction is sooooo adorable.



Isabelle actually fell into the water and her face was literally in the water. My friend and her maid saw and actually panic. I quickly pull Isabelle up and she was laughing with joy. I believe babies naturally knows what to do when they gets into the water.

We were so worried that she will fall again so we put a float on her plus 2 arm floats. This way we are sure she won't slip and fall into the water again.






Beach at Bintulu

I did not expect that there would be a close by beach in Bintulu. We brought the kids to the beach for a walk (since we had nothing much to do anyways). This is the first time Belle gets to feel the beach sand and sea water. She tried to taste the sand twice and ofcourse we have quickly told her not to do that and wash the sand off her mouth. I guess after 2 attempts of tasting the sand she knows that they don't taste nice and she stop putting sands into her mouth. Belle walked on the beach, played with the sand, felt the sea breeze and I can tell she's enjoying it very much. Is always a good idea to let her explore new things and get close to nature especially.








Overall I would say the Bintulu trip was a good one. Thanks to our friend for such homely hospitality.

Isabelle is 1 years old

I can't believe I totally forgot to blog about Isabelle's birthday party and I just realise I didn't post anything in the whole of September. Very bad.

The party was great although I feet something was lacking at the party. We had the birthday party at a cafe called Little Pantry in IOI Mall. Daddy did some banner designs and hung on the wall at the party place.









I think Isabelle hard a good time that day. That day was the first time she's wearing shoes walking around and she actually walked up and down for in the party room for 2 hours. I really wonder where she gets all the energy and it can last for quite a few hours. Here's a photo of Isabelle with her birthday cake.

The birthday cake is from Isabelle's Godma (Sue). She bake this cake for Belle with lots of hearts and sweats :) Thanks Sue for the lovely birthday cake XOXOXO

I had a friend who helped us and took many pretty photos on that day but I totally forgotten to ask someone to help us take some videos as well. Thank god my sis took this video using her Iphone and this is the only video we have on her birthday.




A blink of eyes and now Isabelle is already 1 years old. Time flies. Many friends starting asking me when am I planning for a second one. My answer is always the same to everyone : "I don't know" :)

So now after Belle's 1 year old party, what's next? A few travelling plans for the three of us perhaps!

Isabelle is on the move

Isabelle is enjoying herself cruising around the house with her 2 little feet. She's 11 months old now and she is already walking without having to hold on to anything for assistance. Sometimes she's so eager to walk towards to reach to the next point, she look like she's running. Now, she can also easily  just squat and stand up again. How cool is that!

Bye bye Baby, Hello Toddler.

Shopping on Facebook

I have been doing online Facebook shopping especially clothes for Isabelle. Is nice to shop for babies cause you don't need to worry that it doesn't fit, just make sure buy a bigger size that's all. I have recently bought a few clothes for Isabelle

RM38

RM 35

RM39

RM32

RM38

RM48

Took her first few steps without holding on to anything

She is 10 months 26days old, walking a few steps without holding on to anything for support but have a remote control on each hand. This little devil is really dare devil. She's not afraid of falling, she will just keep trying and trying until she gets what she wants.

I have been taking quite a lot of videos of Isabelle's activities in the house especially when she walks. Is really cute to look at her when she's trying to take a few steps balancing herself not falling.







I was busy in the kitchen and daddy let her crawl, walk and explore around the house.


This silly girl do have her tantrums sometimes but when she smiles at you and does funny faces and all, I just can't stand but always want to hug her tight and squeeze her.

 Nowadays she makes this funny face when we say No to her. Everytime she does that, we'll laugh at how silly she is. Even when nanny says "don't put your finger in your mouth", immediately she will do that funny weird face. I must try to snap a photo that expression and post it in my blog so that next time Isabelle can laugh at herself when she sees it :)




This is a video when the 2 babies playing together. Isabelle naughty, bullying her cousin Daniel and playing rough hehehehe.

There are more videos which I've uploaded to my youtube. Not all vidoes are shown in this blog here.
http://www.youtube.com/user/snoozy000

No need walker or push cart

We have save one last toy before opening it up to Isabelle. Thanks to our beloved friend for all the great toys from various brand. This is one of it that Belle enjoys especially it helps her learn how to walk :) @ 10 months +

This is not a Baby Walker, not a push car, is just a table like toy with objects on top but Belle is using it as her push car to aid her in learning how to walk. Cool leh.  Here's some video.






This little dare devil is super naughty. She will do anything to get what she wants.

She can sleep on her own

10 months 1 day, no patting, no carrying or rocking. She slept in her cot on her own just like that. This is a blessing as we no longer need to struggle to get Isabelle to fall asleep. Nanny has done a very good job training Isabelle how to fall asleep on her own. I'm so proud of Belle and many thanks to Nanny Connie.

Potty training

I started potty train Isabelle since she is 7 months old. I've got a friend who told she start potty train her baby since full moon. This is seriously abit too early to train baby on potty before she can even sit up straight on her own right? Oh well every mom has their own way of upbringing their child.

When Isabelle is in her 7 months old, every morning after she finish her milk I will put her on potty to poo poo. I must say, out of 10 times, 7 successful with results. Not bad for a start right? I bought the potty from GIANT hypermarket for only RM1.99. The potty size fits just nice for Isabelle small butt. No plans to buy those fancy potty cause I know she won't sit on it to poo so no point wasting money.

I took a photo of her on potty of how she looks so that when she grows older, she can look at her own photos.




But nowadays (10 months old), she doesn't poo in the morning much. Out of 10, maybe only 2 or 3 times with results. Isabelle, why do you want to keep your poo poo inside your tummy.

Nanny Connie

I have been wanting to put up Isabelle's nanny photo here but i've been very lazy to update this blog for the past few weeks. We've took a photo of Isabelle with nanny Connie so next time when Isabelle grow up, she get to see who is her nanny when she was a baby.

We are currently paying RM950 every month to nanny for babysitting Isabelle. No doubt this fee is quite high comparing to the market rate out there, but atleast I can say I'm very satisfied with how nanny is taking care of Isabelle. Is definately worth the money. 

This is Isabelle with nanny Connie




The boy on the right is Caleb.