Kiddy Rides

"Hi Garfield, let me drive you home."

"Can't wait to drive the real thing!"

Natalie with Barney & friends

"Hey Bob, how's my driving?" 

Father And Mother, I Love You (FAMILY)

Found this very meaningful poem from one of my old emails:

I ran into a stranger as he passed by,
"Oh excuse me please" was my reply.

He said, "Please excuse me too;
I wasn't watching for you."

We were very polite, this stranger and I.
We went on our way and we said goodbye.

But at home a different story is told,
How we treat our loved ones, young and old.

Later that day, cooking the evening meal,
My son stood beside me very still.

When I turned, I nearly knocked him down.
"Move out of the way," I said with a frown.

He walked away, his little heart broken.
I didn't realize how harshly I'd spoken.

While I lay awake in bed,
God's still small voice came to me and said,

"While dealing with a stranger,
common courtesy you use,
but the family you love, you seem to abuse.

Go and look on the kitchen floor,
You'll find some flowers there by the door.

Those are the flowers he brought for you.
He picked them himself: pink, yellow and blue.

He stood very quietly not to spoil the surprise,
you never saw the tears that filled his little eyes."

By this time, I felt very small,
And now my tears began to fall.

I quietly went and knelt by his bed;
"Wake up, little one, wake up," I said.

"Are these the flowers you picked for me?"
He smiled, "I found 'em, out by the tree.

I picked 'em because they're pretty like you.
I knew you'd like 'em, especially the blue."

I said, "Son, I'm very sorry for the way I acted today;
I shouldn't have yelled at you that way."
He said, "Oh, Mom, that's okay.
I love you anyway."

I said, "Son, I love you too,
and I do like the flowers, especially the blue."

Baby in My Heart Always

One of the greatest fulfillment of being a stay-at-home mom is to be able to watch my baby grow from an infant to a little toddler. She'll always be my baby. I remember the day I was still carrying Natalie in my arms, breast-feeding her at the hospital. Today, she's able to hold a bottle by herself during her milk feeds. 

I'm happy to see Natalie through her little milestones. 2 weeks after she turned 12 months, she was able to walk unassisted on her own. A few days ago, she could get stand up on her own without holding on to anything. I'm happy with her progress and I remind myself that I should let her to learn things at her own pace. An child therapist on TV said early and more teaching of a toddler doesn't necessarily mean good as it can cause undue emotional stress.

I never regret having you. It doesn't matter if others don't love you as much, just remember that Mommy holds you dearest in her heart. 

A New Baby, Busy Like a Bee

Two 2 things have kept me very busy for the past few weeks, so much that I haven't even posted an entry for a long time. Natalie is one of them. For a while, she's been learning to walk and crawl all over the house and I feel it's my utmost duty to keep the place clean and neat. Everything and anything within her reach will go into her mouth almost immediately. How tiring! But at the same time, it's fulfilling to see her take baby steps. 

At the same time, I'm also preparing for her first birthday party. With a very limited budget, I'm doing all I can to make it a memorable one for her. I've decided to go on a "flower & butterfly" theme but then again, I personally like Hello Kitty very much. Is this my party or hers? Sigh... I miss my childhood.

I've also chosen a #1 cake from eCreative and I'm likely to use their catering service since it's convenient and reasonable. I'm also planning to make some party favors for friends. Another one of my proud achievement of being able to source for a practical yet economical gift. I'll post up a photo once it's done. 

The other thing that's kept me busy is my business. Yes, my new business. Seeing all the hair clips that my sister bought Natalie, I never thought that it'll be one of my other passionate hobby. Thanks also to my girlfriend who gave me instructions. Shopping for ribbons has made me gone crazy several times! So here's my new baby. I hope this will sustain me for a while. 

If you're reading this entry, please help me spread the word around to mommies who have baby girls - julesbowtique.blogspot.com. Thank you!

Give Thanks in All Circumstances

Today, God has again reminded me to be humble in spirit and grateful at all times, giving thanks in all circumstances. Just a while ago, my sister texted me on my mobile and asked me to read a heart-wrenching blog by mother who shared about her loss. 

This blog has reminded me to love and give selflessly. And it doesn't matter if we're not rich enough, our house or car are not big enough, our position at work is not high enough, we're not smart enough or the things we use are not branded enough. They are immaterial in God's eyes. Are my words, thoughts and deeds pleasing to Him enough?

My New Hobby - Making Clips

It all started out as a shopping craze on the motherhood forum when my sister bought Natalie some little clips from a work-at-home mom. Seeing how pretty those clips were, my hobby-buddy girlfriend found and sent me the instructions for making them. And so it fired up my passion to want to make these clips.

 

Unfortunately (or fortunately, so I can't spend any money), I couldn't find the alligator clips at those craft shops I frequent in Singapore. And so my hobby-buddy girlfriend got her mommy to buy them in Indonesia and sent them to her. This is the result of it! And definitely more to come...

Living Daily by God's Grace

When I look back and reflected at how much I struggled and seeing myself today, I must give all praise and glory to God for He has been faithful and steadfast. He has seen me through my many ups and downs and He's been with me when I was weak and tired. He reminds me encouragingly and gently picks me up each time I fall. When I stray, He draws me back closer to Him. He teaches me to be humble in spirit. Without Him, I am nothing. 

Many people look at the nicer side of being a stay-at-home mom. But managing alone has not all been a bed of roses and many a times, a lot of sacrifices have to be made. Having said that, I lack nothing.  I agree that having the privilege to spend every moment with my little girl, watching her grow each day, and seeing her achieving different milestones every time is more than what a mother can ever ask for. I'm truly blessed to have her. This second-time motherhood has moulded my character. It has torn and also patched my strengths and weaknesses. 

Matthew 11:28 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.