Huirou’s “New Seat”

 

We unpacked an old carseat because Zhixin is going to the babysitter’s next week. As soon as we took out the carseat, Huirou promptly claimed it. Haiya…

Now she rocks in it. eats in it. watches tv in it.

Zhixin Smile

Here’s a smile to melt my heart; and hopefully it will make today a better day for you too.

I have to admit that I spent a long time looking at this photo not knowing what to write……

Zhixin’s Fullmoon Part 2

Last Friday, we went to Granma’s house to offer prayers to the ancestors. She bought angkus (they were delicious) and made red eggs for the prayers. She was also very happy that he was growing quite well. However she was very worried about his severe shedding.

We spent the entire morning there. Huirou was so happy to be able to run around and jump on the wooden floors. They make a big BANG! especially the loose boards. She also enjoyed looking down at the swamps to find tiny little crabs crawling around. And best of all? Granma keep giving her food that she otherwise won’t have at home.  Aren’t granpas and granmas the best part of childhood?

And the two of us (Hubs and I) enjoyed the brief rest that we naturally get with Granma fussing over the kids. Just thinking about it makes me want to make the trip there again this weekend……

Zhixin’s Fullmoon

Last Friday was Zhixin’s fullmoon according to the lunar calendar. Though we are only offering prayers to the ancestors tomorrow, on the actual day, Hubs still offered prayers to the Gods. (I guess the ancestors were busy that day, eh?)

He(Hubs, not baby) had to go the market in the morning for angkus and some fruits. We also have to bring Zhixin for his first hair cut which is really a close shave. I was told that this is his womb hair and it must be removed. Traditionally, the shaved hair is wrapped in a red cloth and sewed onto his pillow to help calm him down or made into a calligraphy brush.

Here’s the “before” look:

And here’s the “after” look:

So how is his updated look?

Still Scrawny?

This post is for Aunty who nicknamed Zhixin Scrawny. Hubs thinks he has gained some weight. I like to believe the same. In any case, he appears healthy, alert and happy. He nurses a lot, poos a lot and sleep a lot. Luckily, she didn’t nicknamed him Timon.

Hakuna Matata!

 

Huirou @ 23months

It seems like only a few weeks ago Huirou was born. Then now Zhixin has arrived. It is hard to believe what she could not do as a newborn that she easily manage now.

Growth, Food Intake and General Well Being

• Eats a ton. But still about the same size.
• Generally happy, cheerful and loving.
• She is losing some of her baby features and starting to look like a little girl.
• She will behave like one too, wanting me to pin up her hair AND demands to look into the mirror at her prettier self.
• She loves to ask Hubs to bring her to the playground in the evenings.

Physical Development and Communications

• For some time now, she can go up the stairs by holding on to the hand rails. She still have to rely on us going down though.
• She can also do a true jump now.
• Often when she’s behaving cheekily, she will walk on tiptoes around the house.
• She can roll her ball with pretty good aim now; but can’t throw at any target yet.
• I have begun to teach her to count and so far she can manage one,two, three and yee, er, san (same thing in English and Chinese respectively). Something exciting usually happens on “three” :)
• She can string together simple sentences with words and phrases she already knew.
• She will claim her possessions by saying wo de (ch: mine)
• Able to sing  a (yes just one) song. actually just the chorus and not very well either. The chorus goes something like this:  yippee-ya-ya-yippee-yippee-ya-ya….

Character and Temperament

• Did I already mentioned that Huirou has a temper?
• and will throw tantrums when she don’t get her way?
• with tears and screaming too?
• Despite all that, she loves her brother very much, wanting to hold and cuddle and kiss him when she arrives home. If she don’t get to hold him in the evenings, she will ask again as soon as she wakes up in the morning.
• If Zhixin cries and we don’t attend to him fast enough she gets upset too. The slightest sound from him will prompt her to ask us to baobao didi.(ch: pick up younger brother)