Standing up for himself

It is not unknown to family and friends that Cavan does not really have a temper. He is rarely aggressive. Even when someone pushes him or snatches his toys, he does not retaliate nor fight back. He only whines. And complains. He complains to the teacher or the parent of the aggressor.

This definitely worries me, cos I'm afraid he'd end up being bullied in school next time.

As parents, it would be wrong for us to tell him to fight back, even though that option was so tempting. All we can advise is, for him to say "No!", "Stop it!" or "Don't..." to signal that the behaviour displayed by the aggressor is undesirable. But knowing kids, who would take such retort seriously?

This CNY came the turn of events. We were at my uncle's house and all the kiddos were playing and roughing it out in the bedroom. My 2.5 year old grandniece, a brassy gal, was harassing Cavan. She pushed him, stepped on him, poked him. Cavan seemed helpless as he repeatedly told her no, and tried to steer clear of her.

Finally, he felt that he had had enough.

When he saw the gal coming at him again, he clenched his fist, went to her, held her by the shoulders and pushed her a few steps.

My heart stopped a few beats. I was taken aback by what I saw. I wanted to intervene, but seeing that Cavan wasn't going to hurt her, I stopped myself.

Cavan held her so she won't fall over. Shocked, she wailed and left the room.

Cavan was visibly shaken too, as he stood there for a second, realising what he had done.

Suddenly, he threw his hands up in the air and shouted triumphantly, "Yeah! YEAH!" His cousins rejoiced with him in his victory.

He gave me a glance to see if I disapproved. I was careful in my response. I didn't want to appear angry cos he managed to assert himself. I didn't want to rejoice with the rest cos I didn't want to give the wrong signal.

Seeing my non-reaction, he seemed relieved and continued to play with his cousins.

Inside me, I was secretly pleased. At least I know that Cavan would stand up for himself.

If he had to.

Return of the Working Mama

Tomorrow, I will return to the rat race. Admittedly, I've been looking forward to this day. However, as the day draws nearer, I'm beginning to have mixed feelings. Half of me wants to stay home.

Think I enjoyed this maternity leave more than the previous, though more exhausting. Reason being I had a conversation partner- Cavan. During my 1st maternity leave, there was only baby Cavan. I didn't have a decent adult conversation the whole day. Only monologue. And the replies came in "Wahhhhh!", "Eh eh eh", "Gurgle, gurgle." As you can see, I'm a social being. I need to talk!

Well, the things I'll miss when I return to work:

* enjoying private mornings with Cavan, dunking our wheat crackers in milo kosong

* hearing him yell, "Mommy, I'm home already!" as he returns from PG before letting loose on the happenings at PG

* feeling the warmth of Verity's tiny body while rocking her on my shoulder, and having her sleep on my chest

* watching Verity's satisfied face after nursing her

* seeing my 2 kids interact with each other

* watching my 2 kids asleep in the mornings and savouring every moment gazing at their serene, cherubic faces

Resuming Sunday

After a month-long hiatus, we're back to a fully-packed Sunday!

Cavan was so glad to be back at Children's Church where his daddy teaches, joining the big kor-kors and jie-jies. Plus playing with daddy & mummy's friends, especially Uncle Victor & Auntie Yvonne!

After CC and church service, we, as usual, lunched with Kym, TC and their 2 bubbies at our fav Sunday lunch haunt - Crystal Cafe for porridge buffet!

This is our fav place cos the place is not too crowded; Our 2 toddlers have the space to move around; We don't feel pressured to eat quickly and give up our table; The toddlers eat for free! Considering the adult portion that Cavan eats, it is soooo worth it!

We usually spent almost the whole of our Sunday afternoons here if we come here for lunch and joked that we can settle lunch and dinner here (since it closes at 10pm). The waiters and waitresses probably recognised us, since we were the longest staying customers! The last time we came, Kym and I were heavily pregnant and we stayed as long! This time, we were still unstoppable despite having our newborns. Worse-still, the 2 todds were "unsupervised" since we were busy tending to the babies!

Baby Verity had been sleeping throughout. From her feed at 8.45am till 2pm, she was soundly asleep amid the loud noises and music in church! I was desperate for her to wake up so I could feed her (I was "bursting") but nothing can rouse her. Finally managed to feed her before our lunch so I could eat in peace. Alas, after that she refused to sleep so Clem had to hold her and have his lunch interrupted.

At 4+, we parted our ways and I wanted to shop at Vivocity. Desperately tried to make Cavan nap as he was up almost the whole day (napping only for 30 min during service) and having only slept 7.5 hours the night before.

I was so happy I managed to do some shopping. Have been buying stuff for the kids. Finally something for myself! Oops we forgot the time - it was close to 8pm - and we headed to my in-laws' for dinner.

It was great as there's always someone tending to the baby. Cavan had his uncles to entertain him. My hands were free while I had dinner! It's always great to be with family.

I was recharged. Now, to face another week ahead!

Mr Friendly Award

I was surprised to see a laminated piece of paper in Cavan's schoolbag. He was awarded Mr Friendly in school.

Whoa! Nowadays, they even give out awards in playgroup, I exclaimed to Clem. Nevertheless, we were so proud of him. In the report, it stated that Cavan was awarded for "showing kindness and love towards friends".

We know that Cavan is a good-natured boy. There were times he came back and 'complained' that his friend, Nathaniel hit him and snatched his toy. (Clem also witnessed a few incidents.) But Cavan seldom retaliated. In fact, he regards Nathaniel as his friend. Whenever Cavan reaches playgroup, he never also fails to say hi to his friends and the teachers.

My little Mr Friendly! : )

Cavan's 1st Friends

Cavan enjoys playing with Jedi these days and asks everyday if we are going to Jedi's house. One night, as we were returning from Dan & Evan's, I asked him, "Do you like Jedi?"

He replied, "Yes! I like Jedi!"

And on his own accord, he added, "Also like Faith, also like Bernice."

These are the 1st 4 babies of Ichthus. Since then, we've multiplied to coming 10. (Josh, Krisalyn, Seraphine, Erika, Claris and Baby Yee #2). Very productive, aren't we? I pray these kids will grow up to be men and women of God, shining brightly, serving and loving God.

The 4 kiddos: Growing up
Cavan at 4 mos, Faith at 7 mos

4 babies' dedication on Christmas Day 2005 (along with a twin). Bernice partially hidden in pic.

Chinese New Year 2006

The tumbletots

Cavan 16 mos, Bernice 11 mos

At Bernice's 2nd Birthday party How we've grown!

Go, Fly a Kite

It was one of those Saturday morning that we felt like going to West Coast Park for breakfast and activities. That day, we felt like flying a kite instead of playing sand. The weather was sunny and windy. Before long our kite took flight in the vast sky.

Run, Daddy, run!

Guess there's no point for me to run. Think I'll just wait...

Handover

Our $2- kite soaring proudly in the sky. Sadly the string was not long enough and loosen itself out of the reel. Freedom, the kite found.