Blowing Exercise - Numbers

One of the simple games we played – blowing, fffffff-away~~~

Printed on high grade copier paper in A4 size, 250gsm.  I find it a lil flimsy though, if possible you may print on a slightly thicker piece of copier paper, say 330gsm would be great!

Download for FREE or go to my list of Free Printables!

After you had printed the template.  Follow the lines and cut out – 1 numeric to 1 word, just like the above picture.  It’s as easy as pie!  I trust that you could do it in a jiffy.

Fold the cut-out along the colored words.  Ready to play?

So here we go~

Arrange it in a single row, having them face you.  Viola! And puff-away~~~

J was in the bedroom when I arranged them.  I did it in a way that sort of ‘surprised’ her.  When she first saw the numbers, her beams were priceless!  A pity that I didn’t get to film those initial expressions. But never mind, I managed to video her playing with the cut-outs.

First few times I would puff into her face to show her what she would get.  She tried to puff, but only managed to give me a peck on my face, ha!  Then, I would say “blow”, and gave a puff, the cut-out fell and I would say “fall down”!  She chuckles happily whenever a cut-out topples by my puffs.  A very good game to teach her cause-and-effect.  Where the puff is the cause, and the cut-out falling is the effect.

J (17mo) tried to puff, and ended up biting the cut-out! Haha.. Cuteness!

❤

Flashback 2014

Phew! We’ve survived 2 years plus of parenthood!

In fact, I wasn’t the only one who was struggling thru’ parenthood, part-time degree and a full-time job all at the same time. Many of my classmates/friends are in the same vessel as me! Majority has at least 2 kids, thus far.

I didn’t even think of furthering my studies of any kind after polytechnic, there’s just too many tasks to accomplish and acquire. Such as learning Japanese language (I only have JLPT4 attained and am really interested to continue), adult piano lesson (I so wish to lay my hands on the ivories)… I so wanna have a full 10 hours of sleep daily like there’s no tomorrow before the books came and kids popped), baking classes to attend (but these can wait)… and the list goes on….

One fine day, a couple of posts by friends in academic regalia appeared on fb…
That’s it! I felt full of admiration for their achievements, I immediately got myself enrolled the very next day and looked forward to graduate since then..

‘Study-hood’ is truly not easy, am still a student at this age. Haha! (Pst, some of my classmates were even older, some were already a Grandparent! Yeah! Hats-off, really!) Well, as the Chinese saying goes ‘活到老, 学到老’ which means ‘there’s never too late (too old) to learn’.  I do enjoy going to class and learn what I gotta learn! It is also good that you have a few study-buddies to go along with! I certainly missed those ‘battling’ days with YOU guys! ^^v

After deferment of two separate semesters for two of my confinements. It was time to get down to real business of getting it through once and for all. 

These mottos keep me going too! I got them from someone who posted in FB. And added pictures of my love.. ^^v My children are my supplement to persevere! <3 <3

::: J began school :::

J had conquered another milestone! A beginning of her attending school at 26 months. No doubt every parent would worry. I’m the absolute mom to worry truckloads! J has not left us to be by herself before. Unlike the parent-accompanied enrichments like Shichida and Julia Gabriel which I was always there sitting behind or beside her. Now this is the time she has to dump her super shy nature, ultra ‘clingy’ habit and be independent once and for all!

I really hope she gets better each day. I believe she will enjoy school more after she quits her behaviour of wanting-the-pacifier-and-blanket combo to cuddle and feel secure... The time will come, slowly, but surely… You can do it, J! ^^v

Shichida

Here’s pictures of J that I snapped on each enrichment day for the year.

Each picture was taken one week apart. Look how she has grown from the top left to the bottom right..

Julia Gabriel

Looking forward to more enrichment programmes to come!

Flashback 2013

Two times of cuteness!

2013 was yet another marvellous year!

Motherhood is as busy as a beaver! Y’know, the sleepless nights milking away… rocking my precious baby to sleep… the burping… washing the milk bottles.. or just starring at the little one...

If you think that wasn’t enough… Then… On a typical day….

 The nauseous sensation came and haunt me AGAIN! I was 99.9% sure that I was preggy having been-there-done-that!! So… I tested.. Spot-on! NUMBER TWO is on her way!!  Number one didn’t came easy though.. and we didn’t expect number two to come Effortlessly.. Hoho…~ We were thrilled all over for a second time! 

Yeah! Double confirmed this time.. ^^v <3<3 We couldn’t ask for more! This was the second greatest gift of our lives! 

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.

.

.

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There you have it! Our little M!

Dear M, you’ve surprised us by coming into our world miraculously. We’re so glad to have you in our arms every day. May you flourish healthily and happily into a fine young lady, just like J! We love you loads!!

Having my version of twins who’re just a year apart is a gift to me that I couldn’t ask for more! I have secretly wished for a twin and there is definitely not in my (nor the dad’s) family history that this is possible.  Now, I have this set of sisters to dance thru’ each day with me. Am feeling super blessed to have them around, I label them as our DOUBLE COMBO!! Hoho~~~

Flashback 2012

::: PROJECT BABY :::

2012 was the most amazing year of our lives! It marked the birth of our first precious bundle!

We started trying for a baby ever since March 2010..  About a year later of not getting any results, we decided to seek help. In case you haven’t heard of the famous Chinese Sensei – TCM Physician Tan Lee Kee of Ying Chuan Chinese Medical Hall, located at Jurong East. A very nice lady who’d describe your eggs and ‘swimmers’ as ‘可爱’ or ‘不可爱’, that is, ‘cute, or not’… Recommended by a couple of mommy friends who had successful stories after consulting her!

On our visit, she took my pulse and immediately described my condition! Same for my hubby, Haha!

According to Physician Tan, I have many eggs, of which are ‘unripe’. She explained to us about our issues. Then referred us to the respective Western doctors for check-ups and instructed us to return to her with the reports on the next visit. We were prescribed with Chinese medicine, pills in pre-packed sachets. The medication was to be taken specifically in the day, noon or night. We completed the prescriptions diligently!

In my case I went to see Dr Christopher Chen at Gleneagles Hospital. A visit that burnt my pocket of $280++. His clinic is quite a luxurious one, with two assistants during the scans. Needless to say for the hubby, of course he went to have his ‘swimmers’ checked accordingly!

True enough! I really got precisely what Physician Tan had defined! Many eggs, unripe!

We returned to Physician Tan with the reports. She advised on the food intake such as me not to take too much watermelon, etc... Also, we were prescribed with another batch of sachets for one or two weeks’ supplies. We noticed that some of our medication were the same just that we consume them at different times of the day.

In addition, I have to monitor my hormones level for a period of time using these strips. This is to monitor when I am at my most fertile days.. It’s really a Project Baby for us! Picture above shows a sample I snapped from the clinic.

We were supposed to re-visit her once we complete the medication. But somehow we dragged and only went back to see her a couple of months later. We were busy, okay! Haha! Nah, we’re were randomly preparing for our wedding in Oct 2011..!

Alright! We visited her the third time in yet another months later with my ‘analysis’. And I was told that I’ve used the wrong method! Ha! Never mind, I was quite lazy with the measurement anyway.

!!! Desperado mode ON !!!

As days gone by! IVF was on my mind already! Somewhere in November, I researched and frantically booked an appointment with KKH,  clinic for women’s services in Ang Mo Kio.

The contact centre asked if I wanted a senior consultant, consultant or junior consultant, with the different consultation prices! I chose the senior one unquestionably. Who would choose a junior one when you’re desperate already?!

During the visit, Dr advised that we should go for the IUI instead, as IVF is the ultimate stage for those who couldn’t conceive for a longer period. Ours was just slightly more than a year of trying! (Refer to the KKH link for explanations). To do the procedure, first I would need to go thru’ a Day Surgery where they would punch three tiny holes below my belly and assess my fallopian tubes to see if there’s any blockage or whatsoever, if there is they can fix it for me there.

So, after few rounds of conversations, this Senior Doctor took out a colored form and started scribbling on it and said, “Okay, I will book the day surgery for you…” My dear hubby, being the most concerned about fiscal issue, speedily stopped the Doctor and probed the price of the surgery. The Doctor gestured his palm at us. The hubby then nodded and acknowledged, “Oh, it’s $500!” Doctor immediately corrected him, “It’s $5,000, but don’t worry, you can pay 50% via your Medisave”. The hubby literally fainted! Lol.. Anyway, we booked a date for the Day Surgery in Dec 2011.

Appointment of the Day Surgery…

On the day of the Day Surgery. I wasn’t feeling well but proceeded to KKH’s Day Surgery clinic. As I was running a flu and feeling feverish, the surgery could not be performed in the end. I was told to go home and book another date. Haiz, I thought I can faster have a baby y’know! Sianz…

Second appointment of the Day Surgery… approximately two weeks later…

Oh no.. I was having the same symptom as the previous time! Gosh! Why can’t I go thru’ the procedure and proceed to creating a new life! I called up KKH to seek advice on whether I can carry on with my appointment. As expected, I can’t... Due to the sickness! Faintz.. Please understand how a desperate mommy-wannabe would feel at this moment..~

It’s 2012 lo..!! Chinese New Year was near. My mom and even my relatives advised me to go for the procedure After the lunar CNY.. I was like, okay, fine lo.. Let’s listen to the ‘old folks’.. Thus, I didn’t book a third appointment and diligently wait till CNY was over…

Then..

In February 2012.... After CNY, before booking for another appointment and spend the $5K, both of us synchronously agreed to visit Physician Tan for more medication. Before the consultation, I have to do the usual pregnancy test, so that if I am confirmed preggy, I do not need to see her anymore. And so I did the urine test. …..

BINGO!!!!!!!!!!!!! I GOT IT!!!! DOUBLE STRIPS!!!!! 

We both couldn’t believe our eyes! Like finally, after 1 year and 10 months of trying. We finally hit the jackpot!!!! I was extremely ecstatic and wanted damn much to jump in joy. But couldn’t ne, preggy already ley! Moreover the first three months were always the most crucial period. A mommy’s defensive instinct was instantly ON! Phew! Our darling baby wanted us to save the $5K!! Hoho..~*

Double checked

We double and triple checked! It’s thrilling to see the 2^nd strip in the window, it’s what we’ve been yearning for, so long! Later, I got the Clearblue test kit to check how long was I conceived. Feeling super excited!!!

There you go~ this was what we’ve been thru’ to achieve our first ‘日盼夜盼’ (the one that that we hoped for, day and night).

::: THE PREGNANCY :::

Being preggy is not easy. For me I was lucky enough to experience my ‘morning sickness’ only for about 2 weeks. Where the feelings of nauseousness, tiredness, no appetite-ness attack you. I have friends who required bed-rests and even felt nauseous throughout their pregnancies. Thank goodness me!

I tried to take pictures of my slowly ‘blown-up’ belly. They gave me so much memories each time I browse thru’ them. And super love being preggy, this is the time I can behave like the Queen of all King! “Want wind, got wind, want rain and the rain will definitely come to me’ LOL.. Okay I exaggerated but that was how I felt! I love my mom and hubby! And THANKS eveeryone for putting up with me la! Hoho~

Hubby will make yummies for me, AND for our baby.. I had fresh double-boiled chicken essences, coconut drink and etc.. My mom will prepare bird’s nest soup for me and massage me when I’m tired.. <3

Okay...

Fast-track a bit…

THE SWEETEST THING on Earth is when your bundle arrives!

Dear J, we’ve been waiting for you all this while. We’re glad that you finally came! May you grow healthily and happily into a fine young lady! We love you loads!

Super Soft Playdough (28/11/2014)

I We just couldn't get enough of the playdough! We kept the playdough from the day before into an airtight tupperware and here we are again! After a day, the dough became kind of softer and stickier, so we added about ¼ cup of flour to get it going again.

Made by the mom.  A good way to show the girls how to replicate something from an image.  This is from our alphabet playmat. 

From working at the table....

To tossing on the playmat… The bits and pieces will drop here and there so we might jolly well play on the ground.

She enjoys it! I brought the playdough back onto the table so she can have an ‘appropriate’ desk to handle them.

But there’s no boundary when it comes to play, right?  So she inevitably brought it down to the floor yet again!  Haha, kids! 

Recently, J will say "let's go into the tunnel" whenever we’re travelling in the car.  This was so ever since she understood what a tunnel is.  So I made her a tunnel that she can relate to.  Till then.

withbabyloves

Super Soft Playdough (27/11/2014)

All hands-on activities with the girls always get me feeling excited! 

Taa-daa~~~ This time I have the Soft Gel Paste – Food Color to make colored playdough.  I’ve always wanted them to play safely, and my heart and mind would be at ease too! Without me getting hysterical about them tasting the playdough or having their hands in their mouth while playing. I asked J to choose a color and she chose purple. 

I followed the method here to make the playdough.  It requires cream of tartar but I didn’t add this because I didn’t have time to purchase it.  Also replaced vegetable oil with olive oil.  It did turn out soft, but I did add about ½ cup more flour than those instructed.  Hmm, will have to do one with all the ingredients and test if there’s any difference.

This is the Gel food coloring that I’m currently crazy about.  I got it from a local online store at $3.50/bot and the coolest thing is that I received the parcel just after TWO days!  It’s much cheaper AND faster than buying from Amazon though!  This is one of the best thing I like about online shopping.  It’s really so convenient!  But, if you know where I can get this product at any cheaper price, do tell me, please!  Because I would definitely gonna stock-in once they’re used up sooner or later, and any cheaper would definitely benefit me.

Here’s J, rolling and kneading away. She loves it! And can play with it for a reallllly long time by herself!
Yes, do you notice the two snails in the picture? Haha, one was done by uncle R & another is none other than the mom herself!

M, pinching the playdough in snippets using her finger tips!

Here's another shot of M poking at the playdough. 

Yes! It’s an elephant! Done by Papa. Haha! I don’t really wanna know what else you’ve guessed la! Papa also made a toilet bowl look-a-like and got us hooting non-stop!  Everyone enjoyed the construction of animals/objects out of the playdough.  I would say it’s an excellent get-together activity for the whole family!

Withbabyloves

2-Ingredient Playdough (25/8/2014)

After hearing much about the 2-ingredient homemade playdough.  Here is our version~
Like finally I have the additional time to play with the girls..~*  

Initially I was so amazed by the 2-ingredient playdough. It's like, WOW! Haha!! Read on!

The ingredients are:
- 2 parts corn starch
- 1 part hair conditioner of any brand
- Optional: coloring

Due to the inedible ingredient (hair conditioner), a full supervision by an adult is required throughout this activity.  In our case, I sat with J (22 months old) throughout the activity which lasted us for about one full hour.  Yes! Playdough can be really engaging! My eyes were exclusively fixed on her while she was enjoying the ‘game’.

Initially I wanted to get the dough ready for her.  However, seeing her ‘loitering’ around the house and watching television, I thought why not have her participate. By involving her in preparation, she can understand how exactly the playdough came about. I tried to refrain from saying the discouraging ‘no’ word, ‘cannot’ put in your mouth, ‘cannot’ rub your eyes, be careful with this.. and that…’ etc… (Haha, mommies with kids attending Shichida should know what I mean ya).  In the end I just laid back and guided her in playing it the ‘right’ (safe) way.  Well, there isn’t really a right way when it comes to free play, right?  So I just watched and be her assistant when she required. 
 
First, I got ready all the ingredients and tools on her desk. (But kept the 2 ingredients away from her reach though she had tried her hands on them a few times, but I just pulled away to ensure she don’t mess up the place.   

J happily scooping and pouring the ingredients onto the tupperware.

And then mixing the ingredients.. Concentrating, hard! She would say ‘Stir stir stir~~~'.

A potential hazard is that if either of the ingredients were to spill on the floor, it creates a slippery surface, especially for the hair conditioner which can be dangerous.  M (10 months old) was crawling around the house during the activity, playing with her own toys.  I made sure our helper was always by M’s side, as was at the stage where she puts everything and anything in her mouth.  Thank goodness we have a helper! =)
 
With an appetite on hands-on activities, I’m so very sure there will be more of such activities to entertain the girls henceforth. 

Here she is, kneading the playdough =) She doesn’t have much strength to press fully onto the mould to shape the playdough yet.

Playdough can boost children’s cognitive development on top of grasping the fine motor skills as they pinch, poke and press on the playdough.

Review
This will be the first and last 2-ingredient playdough with hair conditioner for us.  As I really feel uncomfortable about the chemical that my child is handling.  And the conditioner comes with a strong fragrance too.  I would not recommend this type of ingredient as it’s quite risky if the toddler use her hand to rub her eyes or nose synchronously playing with the playdough, and they are fast in doing that!

Check out our newly-found playdough activity! Coming soon!

Withbabyloves