HAPPY MERDEKA

Posted by: Sharmila Rajah Post(s) by this blogger

HAPPY MERDEKA TO ALL...

Play and fun activities

Posted by: Sharmila Rajah Post(s) by this blogger

I sometimes find myself trying to come up with a bunch of new things for Ayanna to do during her spare time.  We spend time playing pretend – Ayanna gets all decked up in pearls and glittery scarves to play princess. Or we sip tea in the garden, play the alphabet and numbers game, curl up in a corner and read her favorite books, paint and mould her play dough. On other days we head outdoors to watch the dragonflies hover over the lake or into the kitchen to knead and make bread, cookies and muffins.

What do you do to keep your pre-schoolers occupied and entertained?

 

Playing Big Sister

Posted by: Sharmila Rajah Post(s) by this blogger

These days our ‘pretend play’ incorporates Ayanna playing Big Sister or Big Aka. We start off by reading I’m A Big Sister by Joanna Cole to give Ayanna an idea of what changes to expect when baby comes around. Then we engage in activities such as bathing, feeding, dressing and undressing Ayanna’s favorite baby doll. I’m not sure how much will Ayanna participate in the actual caring off the baby but we intend to let her participate as much as possible.

She’s begun in her own way by reading stories to the baby and with nightly hugs and kisses. We constantly talk about the baby, his development and involve Ayanna in the buying of new clothes and other essentials for her little sibling, in the hopes that she can inculcate a sense of ownership for her baby brother.

We hope it begins a bond that’s strong and keeps growing as they mature together.

How did you begin teaching your toddler about an impending sibling and what activities did you incorporate into this familiarization process?

 

22 weeks and counting

Posted by: Sharmila Rajah Post(s) by this blogger

Our baby’s growth is right on track, weighing almost 1 pound. My belly

is getting bigger. The baby is furiously kicking away. We are yet to

settle on a name, now that it’s been confirmed that we’re having a boy.

I’ve written a list of things to get before the baby arrives. I’m relaxed.

After all there are still several months to go. The focus right now – big

sister Ayanna.

Birthday party - recap

Posted by: Sharmila Rajah Post(s) by this blogger

Ayanna and her favourite Barney cake

Getting a taste of her cake

 

We celebrated Ayanna’s birthday exactly one week ago, surrounded by close family and friends. Ayanna was excited just having all her favourite people around. She played along with cousins and some of her school pals. There was a toy corner and a kid’s table complete with crayons and paper to keep them occupied.

The kiddie's table - for food and art

As we were planning her birthday party, we were wondering just how elaborate we should get now that she’s a little older. After much thought, we opted to keep it simple and intimate, letting Ayanna participate in the planning and decorating and also the stuffing of party packs.

She had a blast.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AYANNA !

Posted by: Sharmila Rajah Post(s) by this blogger

 

Ayanna turns a big 3 today.

Happy Birthday Ayanna love.

We've been busy this past week planning for her party. Pics to come.

 

 

More pics...

Posted by: Sharmila Rajah Post(s) by this blogger

Me and my mummy

 

Lounging with my daddy

The Beach...

Posted by: Sharmila Rajah Post(s) by this blogger

The beach is one of Ayanna's favourite playgrounds. She can spend hours at the beach, with the necessary protection of course - her sun hat, her sun block, and her UV tent.

Here are some images that recap our holiday.

playin with sand...

My beach girl

Enjoying an ice cream

 

35 month update

Posted by: Sharmila Rajah Post(s) by this blogger

My little island girl

Barely a month away from Ayanna’s birthday and she’s already telling everyone she’s three.

She’s eager to try out new things, loves to chat and most times, is being a typical toddler – playful. Because of her expanding curiosity and eagerness to engage in physical play, we enrolled her in a gymnastic fun class. She seems to be having fun rolling about, somersaulting and climbing.

Her social skills are maturing – as she finds it easier making friends, she’s listening more and interacting, and sharing. Though she needs to be reminded to interject her ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ from time to time.

We’re excited to discover what the coming year will have in store for us.

Fetal Flutter...

Posted by: Sharmila Rajah Post(s) by this blogger

It’s earlier than I had anticipated. With the second baby, I’ve begun to feel the baby kick, nudge and flutter within at 17 weeks – much earlier than I had with Ayanna, our first. We witnessed the baby’s acrobatics earlier on but feeling it firsthand remains a rather surreal, special experience. Moms tend to typically feel these subtle kicks or quickening between 16 to 22 weeks.

It typically occurs late at night when I’ve got my feet up and enjoying the quiet. The baby’s kicks are only going to get stronger and stronger as the pregnancy progresses. I’m excited about when Ayanna will be able to feel these movements too.