Was I a bad mother?

I did something that I never thought I could ever do.

1. I let Valerie cry herself to sleep during her afternoon nap.

2. I "smack" (very lightly) her cheeks.

We came back from the gym and we were having lunch together at home. Usually she's quite good while having her meals... but she started to spit the food out! Not because she was full... but because she found it funny and I guess it was just play to her. I warned her a few times (obviously she didn't understand what I was saying) and then I just smacked her on her cheeks!! She screamed!! And I screamed too!! And I just walked away. Couldn't take the frustration anymore. Anyways, eventually came back and finish up our meal and got ready for nap time.

Valerie was showing signs of "sleepiness" but she wouldn't go to sleep. She keep crawling around the bed and we were on the bed for an hour! So I decided to put her in her crib and let her cry. I went to take a shower and actually sobbed in the shower. I was just filled with so much emotions, of guilt, of anger, of frustrations. When I came back, she was still crying, so I thought, "Let's try to sleep again". Lo and behold, half hour later, she's still not asleep. I gave up and put her back into her crib and walked out of the room. She cried for awhile (about 5mins) and then there was no sound. I checked on her and there she was, sound asleep.

Sigh.... many a days, it's like a struggle. A power struggle between Valerie and I is what some books/articles said. Valerie's very stubborn and sometimes even when I smack her hand for touching things that she's not suppose to, or I smack her thighs because she was kicking me and squirming away while I change her diapers, she doesn't cry at all. She'll look at me blankly or even look away.

I'm beginning to worry when the time comes to discipline her. I'm sure it's not going to be easy. She's not someone who will do whatever you ask her to.

Just wanna get it off my chest.

Valerie's First Steps

We have finally seen Valerie taking her first steps. Although only 3-4 at a time, it is still a joy to watch! And my friend Cyndy (babysitter at the gym) said that Valerie walked across the childcare room today. I think that is probably about 8-10 steps.

Have not taken any pictures these last few days. So here's the latest I've got, taken last Friday. She was playing with one of her latest toys. It's kinda like a house, one side features the front of the house with mailbox, garden, house "number" and even a sun/moon face. The other side features the inside of a house with a light switch, windows, radio, clock and lights. It seems fun (hee hee... to me atleast) as it has music, the features make sounds (sound of an open/close door; morning/night sound; children playing when window is open/shut & etc) and I bought it from a garage sale pretty cheap. Am still thinking whether I wanna bring it back to SG or not as my 3rm flat may not have space for that.

As for her outfit, it's just a basic denim jumper (her b-day gift) and I paired it with a lavender polo-T.

I went to play basketball with daddy....

Thought that the basketball court will be a big enough place for her to learn her walking skills. Bought a contraption call "Walking Wings" and it is suppose to help us parents support the child while they learn how to walk. Have read from articles that it is not helpful to the child when we hold their hands as they are unable to learn the basics of balancing themselves. And it is also not very good for the parents' backs as we tend to hunch over while holding on to them.

Sadly, Valerie wasn't very fond of the "wings" as she keeps hanging on to me! She'll be either holding on to my fingers, or pulling my pants/clothes.

As for the outfit... hee... hee... this I have to love as I paid a bundle for them. They are Hanna Andersson and apparently very "boutique" price. Check out http://www.hannaandersson.com/. I bought a few different sets, some new, some used. I particularly like this set cos of the pattern and if u can see from the picture, the dress and capri tights are the same pattern but different shade. It also comes with a diaper cover (panty) so that it can be worn just as a dress. The size of this set is a little big (can be worn up to 2yrs old) so it looks a little baggy on Valerie. As for the shoes, this I must mention - they are from her godmother Liz. :O) Strawberry Shortcakes sneakers, lovely, can match with almost everything in her wardrobe.

http://www.walkingwings.com/

Target/Garage sale outing

This was just another outing and we were resting at the Target cafe, having lunch. And Valerie was playing peek a boo with Felicia just being her silly self again.

As for the outfit, it's a 2pc blouse and capri set. Very cute and super feminine, but the material is not stretchy. Therefore might hinder her movements, and she actually started chewing on the buttons. Which could become a choking hazard if it pops out!!

Chilling out in the park

We went to Anthem, a small factory outlet located 20-30mins away from our home. The goal of the trip as shopping but we ended up spending too much time in a toy store and also at the garden with Valerie. And it was well worth it.

Here are some pics of Valerie... just being Valerie. Hee hee hee...

1: She was so engrossed in this electric toy bike. Once she learned how to make it move, she didn't even want Paul to hold on to her!! What a show of independence. But yet she was trying hard to stay on the bike while it moves.

2, 3, 4: Paul is taking a stroll with Valerie at the Garden. She just wouldn't walk to the grass. There was a very pretty Easter flower garden decoration, but she wasn't interested at all. So we decided to just let her roam whereever she wants.

5: As you can see, she hates the grass. Was trying to get Paul to carry her. We think her Princess skin is just not comfortable with grass. Hee hee.. just like the story about the Princess and the pea (under her bed)!!

6. Valerie was playing peek a boo with paul and we got this beautiful shot! It's so her...

PS. Nearly forgot. Her outfit for the day!! Disney Nemo spagetti strap and checkered skirt. Isn't she cute? But I also realised that Valerie doesn't look too good in 2pc clothing. It makes her look unproportionate. As though her body is longer than her legs, and with those chubby legs... it makes her look even weirder!!

No longer afraid of Elmo

Paul bought a Elmo TMX back from Florida for Valerie. In the beginning, she was very afraid, she wouldn't even go near it. And when she's in her playroom and I place Elmo in the middle of the doorway (the doorway is wide), she wouldn't even come out!! Anyways, after 2 weeks of "breaking in", she's finally gotten use to it. Now, she would shake her hands, and once in awhile, even "kiss" her. Wish I had recorded it, but today she even danced with Elmo by holding her hands!!!

The last 2 pics, she's actually trying to put on a sock and a shoe. Nowadays, whenever I say "come wear you shoe", she'll lift her leg up to me. And she has tried to do it on her own.

As for the dress, love the material, it's super soft. And it comes with a hat, but I forgot to let her wear it.

Retro Valerie

Here's another one, taken yesterday. Super retro... so far my favourite. But the material is also retro (the scratchy polyster kind), not cotton, but she seems fine in it the whole day. It's a bare-back halter romper (means it's a short, not dress)

It was such a great day, with the sun shining and still cool enough to have lunch in our backyard. Tried having her walk on the grass... and as u can see, she's not too happy about that. Cos the grass pokes her feet (can't be help, princess' feet are softer and more vulnerable!!) Will try having her on the grass again another time!!

Dress up Valerie

Bought a lot of clothes for her... and many are also gifts from friends and family. Can't resist, have to take a picture for memory sake. And furthermore, it will allow you to vote your favourite or least favourite dress/clothes. It will also help me decide which to keep and which to sell away. And hopefully this will get more people to comment on my blog!! Hahahahaaha....

Here's the first one,

Took this last Sunday at PaMa Watson's house for Easter. The little boy is Eric (16-17mth old) and they seem to be having so much fun!! He is such a cutie!! He was trying to sit into the walker (folded) and then trying to get up!! Hahahahaaha....

Seafood Galore

When Paul came back from Florida, he brought back lots of Oysters, Crab, Shrimp and some fish. Oysters, you'll have to eat them raw with lemon and Tobasco sauce. I did thought about "Oh Chien" (Fried oyster omelette) but the oysters were too big!

Eventually, I made a Baked cheese rice in crab shell and Chilli Crab, and ate the oysters raw. The Baked rice was awful; rice was hard, the cheese didn't melt and the crab shell was too small. Oysters were yummy, hard to de-shell though. Thanks to the guys that opened almost 50 of them!! The chilli crab was pretty good, as in the sauce! Hahahahha... and it wasn't from a premix box!! The crab was lousy though. Meat was crappy and very little.

It was fun... Wish I had lobster! Will try the Chilli crab again, this time with bigger crabs!!

Valerie's first encounter with Sashimi

Brought Valerie to a Japanese restaurant today. Of course we didn't feed her raw fish. But I did feed her some California roll. Her parents love Japanese food, therefore she'll have to learn to acquire a liking for it too! Hahahhahaa....

Yum, it's Finger Lickin Good!










Eeks... it's so slimy.