15 going on 16

In a week's time I will be 16 months old. This month is indeed a month of milestones and the greatest surprise I gave my mommy would be my ability to hold my urine (My Biggest Milestone for the Month!). Next would be the ability to differentiate between the left and right side of my shoes (Left-Right Oriented Am I).

Mommy and Daddy would be glad that they can now understand me better since there is also a leap in the development of my verbal expressions. Adding on to my existing verbal vocabulary are new words such as:

• dan (dance)
• lola (grandma in tagalog)
• lolo (grandpa in tagalog)
• ber (water)
• ilk (milk)
• oup (soup)
• bowl
• eese (cheese)
• car
• bock (blocks)
• cut (scissors)
• yaya (nanny in tagalog)
• bee bee (jollibee fastfood)
• ple (purple barney)
• teys (keys)
• pease (please)
• tank (thank you)
• back (put it back)
• no more
• open
  

These are the words that I can say when I would like to request or comment about them. I also comment a lot when I am making a trip in the car. I would say things like oh, wow, what's this, what's that, who's that, and see it there (do you see it there?). Mommy is still trying to decipher the meaning of my other phrases whilst lola and lolo are definitely tickled by my never-ending dialogues:

The next milestone I have reached this month is the ability to recognize some letters of the alphabet and I have to thank my mommy for being so conscientious in play-teaching with me. Now when I see big letters on the street, or in the carpark, I can read the letters out loud. The letters that I can pronounce clearly are A, B and E.

Finally, as a fast-growing toddler, I am generally a well-behaved one. I have the habit of placing things back to their original position after touching, holding and looking at them. Mommy was surprised and glad when she realized this a few months ago. Therefore she didn't have to find things in the trash bin, or engage in a treasure hunt to locate the things that I played with at home. But a toddler would always behave like a toddler. I would try my luck in manipulating my way through to assert my independence. However, mommy and daddy are thankful that I do not do this often as they provide me with an environment where I am allowed to assert my independence as much as I want to.

A busy Saturday

Mommy, Daddy and I started our day with breakfast at McDonald's. I am delighted when I saw the big yellow arch (letter M) and I was exhilarated when I saw Ronald McDonald standing at the entrance; I went OH OH OH AHH! Mommy bought me hotcakes but I am not too keen in them...I only ate half a hotcake and turned my eyes on Mommy's egg McMuffin, and orange juice (**grinned**). Mommy's breakfast tasted nicer :) Just before we headed off, Daddy stole some shots:

After breakfast, Daddy had to see some patients in the hospital and so, Mommy and I went along. We waited at the cafeteria and I got bored, so I amused myself with the bottle and the plastic bag:

Posing for a photo before we left:

Since daddy had to work today, he dropped Mommy and I off at Shangri La for my Gymboree playclass. I was waiting eagerly for this day as I would be meeting Amelia (the daughter of Auntie Doris and Uncle Ges; Mommy's friend) for the first time. Amelia is on a visit and would be returning back to Singapore on Monday. Oh, how I wish she can stay here so I can have a playmate. We had fun during our playclass and just like me, Amelia likes to play with balls. When we parted, I gave Amelia and Auntie Doris a kiss on the cheek. After parting ways, Mommy and I went for lunch at Kimono Ken and I had Udon and Tamago sashimi (**slurp**).

The rest of our afternoon was spent in the bookstore and mommy bought me more books (again). Thereafter, we went for a little dessert treat in Cafe Provencal and I shared Creme Brulee with mommy. It looks pretty isn't it (and definitely taste yummy).

Finally it's 6pm and Daddy came to pick us up and we headed off to Eastwood Mall to have dinner with the Pascual clan. However, I fell asleep whilst on our way there and only woke up 1.5 hours later to find myself buried in a background with loudspeakers sounding away. I hurriedly got off my stroller as I didn't know where I was and needed some comfort from Mommy and Daddy. Soon after some corn munching, I was on my foot and toddling away. There were many dogs in the mall as Eastwood is a "dog-friendly" city. I took no chance and sped off to see them..but not for long...

Mommy's little helper

I am a curious little girl and I am always eager to perform the tasks that the adults do. So today, I took the initiative and started cleaning the floor for mommy as she tidied up the house:

However, I need more practice to make it cleaner. Sorry mommy that you had to clean it all over again after I was done with my part :)

Left-Right oriented, am I?

Despite running a fever, I decided to cheer mommy up by giving her a surprise! I was feeling bored and so I started picking up my shoes from the rack and placed it on the stool. Mommy was surprised because I arranged my shoes in the correct order:

As mommy couldn't believe what she saw, she tried re-arranging the shoes in the wrong order and get me to arrange them again:

Ta da:

After arranging my shoes, I wanted to go for a walk so I took the left side of my shoe and asked mommy to wear it on my left foot, and the same goes for the right side. I then had a great time walking, even if its just along the corridor.

My biggest milestone of the month!

Lo and behold....I am proud to announce that I am now physiologically ready to be toilet trained. It was approximately 2 weeks ago when Mommy first realized that I was not urinating frequently, even when I was sleeping. Initially she was very worried as she thought I might be showing signs of UTI. She would take my temperature every hour to make sure I am not having any fever, and make me drink lots of water. Still, I am not urinating as often as before; once every 2 to 3 hours.

On the night of May 12, I did not urinate throughout my sleep. Mommy was worried sick as the urine indicator showed no single drop of urine. She kept dream feeding me milk but still, I did not urinate throughout my entire sleep. 5 minutes after awakening, I urinated half a diaper full of urine. Mommy was relieved but at the same time puzzled. The night of May 13 came and the exact scenario occurred. However, mommy was less worried as she read through the Potty training readiness checklist and it indicated that I might be showing signs of readiness to be toilet trained. Today is the 9th night that I did not urinate during sleep and Mommy has started me on training pants and the potty. Apart from my increasing verbal output, I guess this would be my biggest milestone for the 15 mth :)

A short vacation to Singapore

Mommy and I took a very short trip to Singapore to visit my lolo and lola (grandparents). This is my third visit and as usual, I am excited to take the plane.

When we first arrived at the airport, we were overwhelmed by the long lines of crowd at the different check-in counters. However, since I am still a toddler, we get to skip the lines and went straight to check-in.

After passing all the immigration and customs check, Mommy brought me to the Little Traveller's lounge where I toddled around:

When I arrived at the airport, I was feeling distressed seeing so many different faces. Although I know that they are my relatives and friends, I couldn't help but feel insecure. I would cling on to mommy so that no one could separate me from her. Despite this, I am still a friendly toddler. I smiled and say Hi to the people I see :)

Singapore is very warm and humid. I am not quite used to the humidity and I perspired like a water fountain:

Mommy was so worried that I might get dehydrated that she kept making me drink water. Unfortunately, I did not like the taste of the water in Singapore and would only take sips. Therefore, mommy had to make me drink every 30 minutes to keep up with the amount of fluid I lost through perspiration.

Aside the discomfort, I had fun throughout my little trip albeit a very short one . I was able to meet new friends and mommy had some opportunities to catch up with her own friends although she would love to meet up with more people. We will leave it for our next trip and hopefully daddy can come with us :)

Some snapshots taken during the trip:

Playtime at Go Go Bambini:

Visiting Baby Hannah:

Taking the MRT with Lola:

A session with my Godma:

Happy Mother's Day

This is my second mother's day. Last year, I celebrated my first mother's day in Singapore with my Singapore grandma and the rest of my mommy's family. This year, I celebrated here in the Philippines with my lola, lolo and the rest of the Pascual clan. Since it is a special day for my mommy, we took a few shots before leaving the house for our family lunch. I had just woken up, so my eyes were a little puffy:

We then headed off to Wagyu stone-grill at Eastwood mall for our Mommies' day lunch. It is a fine dining restaurant and not quite a baby-friendly family restaurant. I spent majority of my time sitting quietly in the stroller doing some imaginary play as mommy enjoyed her nice lunch (I am a good girl ain't I). When everyone has finished eating, we gathered together for an "all ladies" shot:

Once again, Happy Mother's Day to my Mommy. Thank you for your unconditional love, the self-less thoughts you have for me, and the effort and time you have showered upon me. To all the Mothers out there, Happy Mother's Day and all mothers are wonderful and great.

My usual Saturday

It's Saturday again and it's Gymboree day. We left home and arrived Edsa Shang early because daddy has to do some work in FortMed clinics. Mommy and I went to Rustan's department store to check out the Fire Sale. There was a fire 2 weeks back and the entire department store was somehow "damaged by smoke". There were many items that had to be put on sale (for up to 70% off) because they were stained with a smoke smell. Other undamaged items were also on sale because they needed to clear stocks to prepare for their renovation. Mommy got me a white fleece jacket, 8 pairs of socks and 3 pairs of undergarments at a very good price.

After an hour of shopping, Mommy brought me to Le Coeur de France for brunch. I shared a banana walnut muffin and orange juice with Mommy. Mommy got bored waiting for our food so again, she made me her model:

After brunch, we headed up to Gymboree for my music class. I was really bored in the class and so, I was not very cooperative:

After that, we went for play class and as usual, I enjoyed pushing the air log. Since Singapore grandma likes to watch me pushing the air log, I shall post another video:

When my gym class ended, we headed off to Sumo San for lunch to celebrate Mother's day for my mommy. I had chawanmushi and rice. Again, I fell asleep after eating so that mommy and daddy can have some couple time together (smiles cheekily). When I woke up, I found myself in the bookshop again. While mommy was buying materials for homeschooling, I entertained myself by walking around the store with daddy coming after me. It was indeed entertaining making these adults tired.

Our day ended with a family dinner at CyberMall after hearing Mass. Thank you mommy and daddy for this wonderful day.

The future coke endorser

I am very observant and I am also very good at imitating what I've observed. I started showing such skills way earlier (with daddy's deodorant) and my skills just got better. No teaching or parental intervention is involved. Here is my latest:

15 Months Old

I am officially 1 year and 3 months old on May 06 and according to Mommy, this is the "milestone month" whereby I will be reaching multiple milestones within a single month.

At 15 months old:

1. I am weighing 9.1kgs and standing at 75cm in height. Tita Eva commented that my weight is normal for a breastfeeding baby, and says I am petite, just like my Mommy.
2. My very first molar on the bottom right has also erupted on the day I turned 15 months. Now a second one on the top right may also be on its way.
   
3. I am walking independently and unassisted. I love to walk...mommy and daddy would hope that I can stop for a while and give them a break but......I can't
4. I can push very well too. My favorite activity is to push my stroller while walking in the mall. I am bored with my push walker but I love pushing the furnitures at home.
5. I have been climbing high and low since 11 months and I still love climbing. Mommy and daddy are no longer able to keep me in the playpen, nor the crib since I can easily climb out of them. Leaving me on the ground I reckon, is the safest choice for them.
6. I also love to dance. Mommy and daddy are often amused by my dance moves as I change my moves according to the song genre and tempo. Now when I hear the word "dance", I can't help it but dance.
7. I love stacking and I can stack 5 wooden blocks at one go. I love playing with the ball as well. I can toss and kick the ball forward.
8. Mommy and daddy are also impressed with my language skills. I can communicate verbally and the common words that I use are: come, go, up, down, shoes, ber (water), daddy, dada (my lala's helpers), per (diaper), pen (open), tain (again), teeth, bird, cat, fish, cow, dog, duck, tree, hi, bye, elo (hello), boo (pee-ka-boo) and the list goes on...
9. When I see something, I start asking "What's this". If Mommy asks me "What's this", I will reply with "this is" and followed by a string of gibberish that only myself can understand.
10. Recently I also learnt how to say "awwuu" (ouch) when I hurt myself. When I see some other children crying or getting hurt, I can't help but feeling for them. I will also express this by saying "awwuu".
11. I can also point to all the different parts of my body when I am asked and this includes the tongue...daddy finds it gross but I just like holding on to it when I hear the word tongue.
12. I guess the accomplishment that my mommy and daddy are most happiest with thus far is my ability to read some 20 over words that I learned from "Your Baby Can Read" DVD programs. Mommy would often test me different words by writing them on the doodle board or paper, and I would respond either verbally or behaviorally what those words mean. I have also began to show the pre-reading skill of print awareness. When I pick up a book, I will start "reading" aloud the title of the book, then flip the page and start "reading" aloud as I point to the words. I can also recognize that prints on papers are words and I will also start "reading" aloud when I see them.
13. I have developed a good habit of saying Hi to almost everyone I see, especially to babies, children and other adults who I do not personally know (i.e. strangers). Of course, I would also say Bye to people and things (my toys, books, place and any objects that I want to hold on to) when we have to part ways. Saying bye is my way of coping with departure. When I say bye, I can easily let go of whatever I am holding on to, or wherever I am, without feeling angry and frustrated because I know that we will see each other again.
    

There it is, a summary of the various milestones that I have reached so far. I am enjoying every bit of my toddler hood and I know there is more fun to come. Stay tune for more of the updates of my journey. :)

Here are some snapshots of me toddling around my Lala and Lolo's (grandparents) house: