Emma loves to watch our home videos on her iPad mini. As well as home videos sent by my sisters who live far away. I usually document events of the day (like zoo trip, whatever) on my iPhone. We don't want her to accidentally delete the videos as she replay it again and again!
With iOS 7 when we get home nowadays I can easily just swipe up the menu from the bottom screen of her iPad. Tap the AirDrop to Contacts Only. Do the same from my iPhone. Then open my Camera Roll and select whatever videos or photos I want to share. A confirmation box will open on her iPad. Tap OK.
In just a few seconds (yes, literally seconds), the videos and photos will be transfered via bluetooth.
Simply amazing.
Before this, we had to use an app called WiFi Transfer. But it took longer. And we had to buy that app. AirDrop is free.
Thanks so much for making our daily lives much easier, Apple!
Emma tied this balloon to a basket filled with her kitchen toys.
Then threw it up in the air, the Pooh way. I saw the whole thing. It came down promptly with a crash. Nathan and I started scolding her for throwing toys. When I realised that she was as shocked as us. She actually expected it to fly!
And why wouldn't she? Pooh flew easily, hanging on a balloon. Curious George flew under a bunch of balloons.
Of course I immediately clarified to her that people don't fly. Not with balloons, umbrellas, or otherwise!
Then a hug. Thankful that her first try was not jumping off a ledge with a balloon.
I have been holding back on gushing about my thermomix on this blog. Time constraint! Plus I seriously doubt my ability to do justice to this wonderful machine. Simply wonderful.
When we acquired it in January, my husband suddenly was cooking mantou, brownies, profiteroles, and quiche. All by himself. He had never, ever, cooked before!
I cooked mushroom soup, green bean soup, etc. And now I use it everyday for cooking rice, making juices and lemonade. Even boiling pasta and eggs. So it does not have to be a major cooking event. Easy to clean because the TM bowl does not stick.
Recently I gathered up courage to making play dough. (Because I need it for sunday school tomorrow!) And it has not disappoint. So easy to make, so perfect in texture. And did I mention it's so easy to make?
Here's the recipe:
250g water 100g cooking salt 1 tbsp cream of tartar 280g plain flour 2 tbsp cooking oil (can be olive oil, too) Food coloring Orange flavoring or Peppermint oil or other essential oil for fragrance
Put water, salt, cream of tartare, and food colouring into TM bowl. Cook for 5 minutes at 60 deg on speed 3. Add the flour and mix for 40 seconds (without temperature). Add the oil, then 1-2 minutes on knead/interval speed (wheat button). It will look like breadcrumbs. Pour it into a big bowl and knead it in the bowl to keep it together. Store in airtight containers!
I have been so touched by the connectedness, and the simplicity, and usefulness; the almost perfection his Apple inventions had been in the last few years, that I just have to pause and write this down.
I love his iPod, iPad, and iPhone. Never has a gadget been so useful to a stay at home mum and her children.
Smile! We have eternal life. "Those who believe in Me will never die!" Jesus said in John 11:25-26.
Nathan and I just read a book titled "Pollyanna" in which she changed people's lives by teaching them to play a game called a 'just being glad' game. Basically, in any sad situation, we must find something to be glad about. There's always something to be glad about. (I highly recommend all of you to read this classic book!) Pollyanna's father made it into a game to help Pollyanna be glad about everything even though they were very poor.
Did you know there are more than 800 verses in the Bible that tells us to 'Rejoice; or 'Be glad' or 'Thanks be to God' ?
If God takes the time to tell us to rejoice so much, it must be real important.
My father told me once. When he was in secondary school, he had a wonderful christian teacher. This teacher showed real care for them and even for the naughty boys like him. My father said he used to wonder, "What is he so happy about?" Because this teacher was always smiling and happy compared to other teachers.
After my dad became a christian more than 40 years later, he realized something. That teacher must have been always joyful because he is a christian!
Yes, a christian must always find things to be glad about. She must not pout and look harrassed all day long. She must not moan and complain and lament about things she lost or cannot have.
Nay, a christian must be joyful because in our Savior and Lord there is always something to be glad about.
After all, we are the only people who will never die. Praise Him!
25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies;26 and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” (John 11:25-26)
Buy a plastic easy to clean cage with round edges on the inside so that it's safer and even easier to clean. I recommend Habitrail OVO Suite.
One hamster per cage, please. Hamsters are solitary animals. Try not to pair them unless you really know what you're doing.
When bringing her home, be careful not to shake the box too much. Quickly assemble and get her new home ready. If possible, put in a little bit of the original bedding from her old cage at the pet store to help her feel secure.
I found a really good bedding. Ground walnut chips! They're not dusty (which I really hate in other types of bedding), and they last longer. Ours last almost two weeks before we need to change it.
Hamsters want a quiet safe corner to sleep. Put some light bedding in her room. I use the shredded paper variety (store-bought).
Never wake a sleeping hamster. Leave them alone if they are not in the mood to play.
To familiarize her with you, just put a piece of sunflower seed on your palm then put your hand gently in her cage. Let her climb into your hand voluntarily. Never grab at them. Never speak too loudly. They are easily startled if you do. I guess it's hard being a really small animal.
Do not buy cheap hamster food that looks colorful but not natural. Buy one that contains lots of oats, some sunflower seeds and corn. Just buy one mixed bag is enough. They don't really need much treats. But buy them some pieces of wood like apple orchard chips or branch. They love to sharpen their teeth on those.
If your tap water is not drinkable, better fill their bottle with boiled water or mineral water.
1. Zero power up time. No need to restart like your laptop. 2. Super thin and light. 3. Super connection (for 3G). 4. Nice apps for toddlers. 5. It comes in pink!
Meet Cortana. Our brand new baby hamster. After more than a year since Remy died, we finally got ourselves a new one.
Why the name Cortana? Well, this being my son's birthday gift, he got to name it. Those of you familiar with the xBox360 Halo franchise should recognize the name. Originally we wanted to name it Kat, the only female spartan in Halo Reach episodes. But then he decided on Cortana, the super computer (AI). Those two are about the only two female names he can respect at the moment. "Wow, that's great!" I said. "Cortana. Corrie for short."
She is a normal winter white. Very healthy and curious. Very agile, too, compared to Remy, our beloved pearl white hamster. Cortana can climb up the food bowl via the back of the wheel in her Ovo suite. Remy could not when he was a baby. I had to fix a couple of ice cream sticks on the stairs last time. One of which has since fallen off. Was thinking about fixing another one back when we spotted Cortana climbing up easily.
Even though busy with his studies, my son still make time to take care of Cortana every night. Hamsters are so easy to care for anyway. My son assembled the cage himself, too. So proud of him.
Babies grow so fast! Emma is 23 months. Almost two years old!
It's like only yesterday we brought her home from the hospital.
She is a BLW baby. She started eating solids only at 6 months old. Never cereals or porridge in those early days. But big chunky finger shaped steamed vegetables or fruits. She can suck all the goodness out of fresh fruits and veggies, mushrooms, even steak cut into strips! She had been loving life because of it. I never had to force her to eat her meals!
At one year old, she started to grab the spoon and feed herself, copying us. Then she also tried her hand at chopsticks. She never poke her face with it. She can gauge the distance from the spoon/chopstick to her face. Because she is used to feeding herself.
It was so delightful to see her eat by herself everyday three times a day, seven days a week! Sitting with the whole family, having a peaceful meal together.
Whether it's at home our or outside, she sits by herself and eat by herself without too much interference from us. She even joins the conversations with us.
I wish every baby could have such a wonderful weaning experience! Instead of force feeding with a spoon and swallowing mashed food.
If you are looking for the best way to wean your baby, read the latest book on Baby Led Weaning. I hear the new edition is even better because it comes with recipes! I might buy another one myself.
Just want to praise the Lord for my baby.
Psalm 100
A psalm. For giving grateful praise.
1 Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth. 2 Worship the LORD with gladness;
come before him with joyful songs. 3 Know that the LORD is God.
It is he who made us, and we are his[a];
we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.
4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving
and his courts with praise;
give thanks to him and praise his name. 5 For the LORD is good and his love endures forever;
his faithfulness continues through all generations.
Who says a baby cannot eat ramen noodles? A BLW baby can!
Here Emma was 8 months old and she loves noodles! What fun shapes noodles are. And delicious. Our family loves to eat japanese food. So naturally Emma loves it, too.
It doesn't matter how much she actually eats. Because her main food until 1 year old was still milk. But I notice at that time more and more were actually going in.
Mealtimes were playtimes for her. It's OK to play with food. That's the only way she learns to handle food, and later on to handle table manners. At one year old, just about 4 months later, she could hold a spoon and even chopsticks already. Now, at 23 months, Emma still loves ramen noodles and could finish half a bowl by herself. I went hungry the last time I shared my ramen with her.
Everybody including the waiters loved to watch her eat. They didn't mind very much that she left some mess on the floor. I usually would pick up the larger mess so it's not too glaring. It's okay for them and it's okay for me. Most definitely it's okay for Emma!
One more thing, after she was about 18 months, she eats quite neatly if she wants to. Very little went to the floor. It's usually at the end when she is already bored that some food actually falls down. So she really eats her food. Truly thank God for BLW.
A gift that keeps on giving!
The coffee we make is always perfecto !
No more runny or stale coffee. No more running to starbucks across the road for a quick fix. It's all right here at home.
Every capsule costs about one dollar. And we are in control of how much sugar and milk we put in. No extra costs.
I love intense coffee, so my favorite is ristretto, arpeggio, indriya, and decaf intenso. They're all rated above 8 for intensity.
But I also love to get two shots if the intensity is 5. Dulsao and cappricio is ideal for two shots.
The machine is really over priced, if you ask me. So I'm glad I got this as a gift. If not, we might never have embarked on this aromatic and totally satisfying journey of nespresso.
Emma is one year old and she happily eats by herself on the table with my husband and I, and her big brother since she was 6 months old.
Recently when I went to visit my friend, she did me proud sitting by herself and eating the same food as us. We were having rice with fried tofu, boiled veggie and some prawn crackers for lunch. They didn't have a high chair, so Emma sat on the same chair as us. I make sure it's safe on both sides so she would not fall off. I didn't bring a bib because we didn't plan for lunch. So she just had a linen napkin on her nap.
Baby-led weaning is the best thing for our baby. I really do believe that. I feel sad when I see children being spoon-fed. Because actually we rob them of the joy of touching and eating food just the way it is.
Emma never had any mush, or mashed up food (except when it is supposed to be mashed like buttered potatoes or rice porridge). She is healthy, chubby and loves mealtimes!
I'd love to share some of the things you might need to go on the BLW journey:
Invest on an easy to clean, sturdy highchair. Don't take one with intricate nooks at the bottom or on the legs. Imagine yourself pouring a bowl of spaghetti down the top. If you can clean it reasonably well, take it. Here's a link to the Gulliver ikea wooden chair that Emma uses.
Always spread enough old newspaper underneath. You'll never know.
Have lots of non-moisturizing baby wipes handy.
Clean the surface of the table before eating. Foods always manage to escape the plate and into her mouth. Use anti-bacterial wet wipes, or just regular baby wipes mentioned above.
Use a disposable table mat when outside or in a restaurant if possible. If not, just wipe as you would at home. Unless you are at a food court.
Clean fresh fruits or vegetables thoroughly in running water before giving it to her.
Always be positive and praise her eating. Never scold her for spilling food when she didn't mean to. Just enjoy our time with her and try to let her be as much as possible. Don't wipe her face all the time.
Remember to start only when she is 6 months old.
Remember that her main food is milk (breast or formula). These mealtimes with you is PLAYTIME until she turns one year old.
Emma is one year old last week.
She can already handle a spoon, not poking herself. Because she is used to handling food like steamed broccoli, slices of apples, etc. So she can gauge distances from her hand to her mouth.
I can even trust her with chopsticks. Under supervision, of course. But it's unbelievable how nimble she is with the utensil. She can copy us picking up rice or noodle with the chopstick and eating it!
This will never happen if I have been feeding her cereals or porridge only with a spoon. Thanks again to Baby Led Weaning!
If I could go back to the past to meet my old self, this is what I'm going to tell her:
Don't worry about anything. It's gonna turn out fine.
God has planned it all for you. You just take His hand.
Make sure you follow His commands. Everything will turn out fine.
Although now you may have no money, and you don't know if you'll get a good job.
You'll see, sister, that you will get an amazing job. And you'll do just fine.
Now you may wonder about a husband. Much less a baby. How would you afford it?
But He'll make sure you'll get the one He has chosen for you.
And the babies, the most wonderful babies, - yes, not just one baby - will come, too!
And you wonder how you'll ever serve God. If you'll ever gonna be any good.
Sister, you'll see, He has lovingly prepared Exactly what you need to be!
So now that I'm here in this wonderful future of mine, I should remember one thing more.
It's all gonna turn out fine later. 'Cos God is still in control of it all.
I do not hold my own fate. It is all in His merciful hands.
And He says, "I know the plans I have for you. Child, you'll do more than fine."
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. " Jeremiah 29:11
I just realized that Emma has enjoyed all the food mentioned in the Very Hungry Caterpillar book.
Thanks to BLW (baby-led weaning).
She knows and has eaten all the fruits: apples, pears, plums, strawberries, oranges and watermelons.
And I mean she knows the taste and texture. She knows the fruits not from the jar. Not only as juice. Not mashed. But the real fruit.
And not only the fruits. She loves all kinds of cheese, salami, apple pies, quiche, sausages, cupcakes, corn cobs, fish, prawns, steak, even seaweed and cooked sushi. Occasionally she also enjoys chocolate cake when we have some.
She has tried all those since 6 months old. It's so much fun!
She loves to open the book and touch all the pictures. She loves to have me read the book to her. She is only 10 months old.
How cool is that.
... brushing hair together with your daughter in the morning.
As I started to brush hair, my 9-month-old Emma was very interested with my hairbrush.
So I took out her little soft-bristled, purple baby hairbrush and lets her play with it while I brushed my hair.
What bliss!
I thought about the many times when I was younger. When I was dreaming about having my own daughter doing stuff with me.
Praise the Lord for His amazing attention to detail in perfectly ordinary stuff.
Now that Emma is almost 9 months old, I am just so grateful for BLW.
It's amazing EASY to eat out with her. She can eat anything in restaurants.
My husband and I took her out for a fancy teppanyaki dinner when she was just 8 months old, and it was fantastic. We thoroughly enjoyed dinner. We could talk and eat and didn't have to fuss about her too much. She was just busy eating her favorite table water crackers and camembert, and oranges and strawberries, all of which I packed for her from home.
We went back to that restaurant last Saturday. It was a full service buffet this time (brunch). And Emma could really eat the same foods with us this time. She sucked on the grilled marbled beef, grilled prawns, grilled salmon, shiitake mushroom; everything! She closed with a couple of mini mandarin oranges I brought.
It's just so satisfying to watch her eat. It's hard to believe that she only started last December. She's just so confident in handling food. She sometimes even join in the conversation with us during meals with her baby talk.
All this sure beats force-feeding her with a spoon!
Today for the first time my daughter calls me, "Mama," very clearly! It has been "yaaa" or "maaa" for a while, but today it was a really clear two syllable word.
I can't describe how happy it made me feel.
I wonder if God also feels the same way when we call His name. When we call Him, "Father God," or "Lord Jesus," how does He feel?
Why don't we call Him more often?
Psalm 89:26 (New International Version)
26 He will call out to Me, 'You are my Father,
my God, the Rock my Savior.'
What a timely reminder.
A year ago I was still wondering how life with a teenager may look like. I still don't have a clear picture as yet. But I've had glimpses of it in the past year.
Yes, one must not fret. One must treasure.
Treasure these gifts of perfectly ordinary days that I'm having right now.
This one's for my son.
Mommy is sorry and I will always love you. Always.
