Caleb is almost 17m now..
and I love this age and this phase so much!
he just understands so much and watching him is always fun.
One minute he can be dancing..one minute he grabs a broom and help me clean the floor and so many things he does now..and everything he does is cute!
My boy may not be the cutest baby but he is cute! haha..cute and chubby and definetely cute in all his action. he is smart and funny just like his daddy :)
I pray that God will use him always. That when people with all their problems, when they see my baby and his cute actions..they will for a few secs have a good laugh and forget what bother them.
May he always spread the joy and become blessing to the people around him :)
Monday, August 16, 2010
Sunday, August 15, 2010
FTWM vs SAHM
Deciding to be a FTWM (full time working mother) or SAHM (stay at home mother) can be hard because you don't know what's going to happen if you choose this or that. It does take some risks. Thanks to one of my oldest friend (Merilyn) who is now pregnant and might have this consideration on her mind right now..It has inspired me to write about this topic.
My view may not be perfect solution or the best guideline but I post this with no other purposes but to help you out.
so here it goes...
You may consider to be a FTWM (full time working mom):
1. If you know for sure you are a career woman type. You just love to work, reach your target, being in a competitive environment, you love the feeling of your adrenalines at work. Well, some woman, like my mom for example, their calling is to be on a career track and they just do well on their jobs. Don't feel guilty for being a great career woman, even if you suck being a housewife. and don't be afraid that your child will bond more to your maids rathen than with you. a child will know who is her/his parents. I am a living example. My mom never on the 'hands on' taking care of me when I was a baby. My baby sitter did her job. But I grew up closer to my mom than my baby sitter (my bb sitter is still with us til now..tho she doesn't bb sit anymore, she is the chef in my house now). To me..it's just a matter of how you manage your time to spend some quality bonding time with your child when you're not at work.
2. If you are worried about your family financial situation if you quit your job, then it's probably best to stay at work.
Here are some suggestion (re: your baby care) if you decide to be FTWM:
1. Hire a helper/maid
2. Hire a nanny (in singapore you can also hire a nanny but of course it's expensive)
3. You may put your child in childcare
(you may need to request for a tour of the childcare before you decide to choose. Make sure the care taker there really cares for your child. Ask how many babies one person is allowed to handle. the smaller group, the better. Also, check on its hygine too. Usually a good childcare will maintain cleanliness and check on every child, making sure none of them are sick before they go to class..this to prevent you child to fall sick often. Because babies immune are not strong built yet. Oh lastly, choose the one that is nearby your home or your work place so that it saves your travelling time and cost)
4. If your parents or relatives stay in the same country/city and willing to take care of your child...why not?
You may consider to be SAHM (stay at home mothers):
1. If you know for sure you will love your job as a housewife.
2. You just can't trust or can't find a good maid/nanny, no parents or relative stay nearby.
3. You want to bond more with your child
4. Your family will survive with single income comes from your husband.
5. You want to eliminate maid/nanny/childcare cost
Some other tips:
If you are now pregnant and working and still couldn't decide whether to quit your job after your labour. Don't rush your decision. You have your 3 months maternity leave. During these 3 months you can see and observe yourself whether you'll be good at taking care of your baby and stay at home. Some mothers just can't wait to go back to work.
If you love being SAHM but worry about financial issues, you may consider:
1. rent one of the rooms in your house so you can get extra income without leaving your baby.
2. start online business
3. freelance job
If you love working but you don't want to leave you baby too long, you may consider a part time job (half day), but then you have to find a way who is going to take care of your baby while you work. Childcare has half day programs, if you are interested.
If you really plan to hire a maid, my suggestion is to hire one before your baby reach 7m or max is 10m, that is before the separation anxiety kicks in (baby refuse strangers). The older your baby is, the harder it will be for him/her to adjust to new person in your house.
My view towards both FTWM and SAHM:
I believe both have their own challenges. FTWM struggles to find time for their baby while SAHM deal with isolation, losing their 'me' time and so on.
I have spent almost 1.5 year being a full time SAHM. I tell you more about it since I've been there. You will feel like you are so isolated because you spend too many time just you and baby. You feel like you can't do the things you used to do. Routine is your life. From waking up til you to bed, it's the same. There are alot of sacrifices you make. this is why a career woman will find it difficult to be SAHM. One working mother who spent a week being SAHM because her maid went back to indo confessed in the forum that she couldn't do this and really can't wait to go back to work.
But I tell you..despite those scarifices, it's worth it because you will find joy to be the first person (Always) to witness your baby's milestones. When he first roll over, eat, crawl, stand up and walk etc. And it is your privilege that your baby thinks that you are his only world!!! he will love you and want you so much..all the time!! haha...
I suggest if you SAHM, involve yourself in a motherhood forum, find some mommies whose babies at the same age as your baby and arrange some playdates. It feels good knowing you are not alone and that some mothers feel what you feel.
I have now come back to the work place. Although I take part time job, but I feel this is the best for me. I honestly tell you I love working! but I really want to have enough time with Caleb. I love to be able to teach him many things and see how fast he improves everyday. It makes me proud being a good mother. For now this is the best solution for me...part time job, hiring a maid I can trust, and still be on track on the motherhood thingy.
I hope you make the right decision :)
My view may not be perfect solution or the best guideline but I post this with no other purposes but to help you out.
so here it goes...
You may consider to be a FTWM (full time working mom):
1. If you know for sure you are a career woman type. You just love to work, reach your target, being in a competitive environment, you love the feeling of your adrenalines at work. Well, some woman, like my mom for example, their calling is to be on a career track and they just do well on their jobs. Don't feel guilty for being a great career woman, even if you suck being a housewife. and don't be afraid that your child will bond more to your maids rathen than with you. a child will know who is her/his parents. I am a living example. My mom never on the 'hands on' taking care of me when I was a baby. My baby sitter did her job. But I grew up closer to my mom than my baby sitter (my bb sitter is still with us til now..tho she doesn't bb sit anymore, she is the chef in my house now). To me..it's just a matter of how you manage your time to spend some quality bonding time with your child when you're not at work.
2. If you are worried about your family financial situation if you quit your job, then it's probably best to stay at work.
Here are some suggestion (re: your baby care) if you decide to be FTWM:
1. Hire a helper/maid
2. Hire a nanny (in singapore you can also hire a nanny but of course it's expensive)
3. You may put your child in childcare
(you may need to request for a tour of the childcare before you decide to choose. Make sure the care taker there really cares for your child. Ask how many babies one person is allowed to handle. the smaller group, the better. Also, check on its hygine too. Usually a good childcare will maintain cleanliness and check on every child, making sure none of them are sick before they go to class..this to prevent you child to fall sick often. Because babies immune are not strong built yet. Oh lastly, choose the one that is nearby your home or your work place so that it saves your travelling time and cost)
4. If your parents or relatives stay in the same country/city and willing to take care of your child...why not?
You may consider to be SAHM (stay at home mothers):
1. If you know for sure you will love your job as a housewife.
2. You just can't trust or can't find a good maid/nanny, no parents or relative stay nearby.
3. You want to bond more with your child
4. Your family will survive with single income comes from your husband.
5. You want to eliminate maid/nanny/childcare cost
Some other tips:
If you are now pregnant and working and still couldn't decide whether to quit your job after your labour. Don't rush your decision. You have your 3 months maternity leave. During these 3 months you can see and observe yourself whether you'll be good at taking care of your baby and stay at home. Some mothers just can't wait to go back to work.
If you love being SAHM but worry about financial issues, you may consider:
1. rent one of the rooms in your house so you can get extra income without leaving your baby.
2. start online business
3. freelance job
If you love working but you don't want to leave you baby too long, you may consider a part time job (half day), but then you have to find a way who is going to take care of your baby while you work. Childcare has half day programs, if you are interested.
If you really plan to hire a maid, my suggestion is to hire one before your baby reach 7m or max is 10m, that is before the separation anxiety kicks in (baby refuse strangers). The older your baby is, the harder it will be for him/her to adjust to new person in your house.
My view towards both FTWM and SAHM:
I believe both have their own challenges. FTWM struggles to find time for their baby while SAHM deal with isolation, losing their 'me' time and so on.
I have spent almost 1.5 year being a full time SAHM. I tell you more about it since I've been there. You will feel like you are so isolated because you spend too many time just you and baby. You feel like you can't do the things you used to do. Routine is your life. From waking up til you to bed, it's the same. There are alot of sacrifices you make. this is why a career woman will find it difficult to be SAHM. One working mother who spent a week being SAHM because her maid went back to indo confessed in the forum that she couldn't do this and really can't wait to go back to work.
But I tell you..despite those scarifices, it's worth it because you will find joy to be the first person (Always) to witness your baby's milestones. When he first roll over, eat, crawl, stand up and walk etc. And it is your privilege that your baby thinks that you are his only world!!! he will love you and want you so much..all the time!! haha...
I suggest if you SAHM, involve yourself in a motherhood forum, find some mommies whose babies at the same age as your baby and arrange some playdates. It feels good knowing you are not alone and that some mothers feel what you feel.
I have now come back to the work place. Although I take part time job, but I feel this is the best for me. I honestly tell you I love working! but I really want to have enough time with Caleb. I love to be able to teach him many things and see how fast he improves everyday. It makes me proud being a good mother. For now this is the best solution for me...part time job, hiring a maid I can trust, and still be on track on the motherhood thingy.
I hope you make the right decision :)
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Officially back at work
How do i feel?
hmmm....biasa aja tuh...ngga excited juga ngga sedih2 banget..totally biasa banget.
not nervous too...Coz 5 years ago I worked there and I still remember what my job scope was and now is pretty much the same except that there are more accounting jobs to do.
Eventhough I was a total SAHM (stay at home mother) for 1.5 years, I'm quite confident I still got what it takes to be in the working line.. ---> not trying to boast but anyway I'm saying this also because I want to prove myself that I am right about what I say.
But I miss Caleb!!!
I was sitting on my office when I suddenly stared at a familiar cutey face nearby the PC..which is my son's picture :D
I can't help smiling at the photo...really miss him!
which is why...I want to arrive on time at office so that I can go home on time too..
Until now..I still consider part time job is the best for me.
I can't imagine working full time + the travelling time..that would leave me only 2-3 hours to see Caleb at home...that's sad! and that's not what I want.
I only want to work full time if the office is at my house! hahaha...
oh about Caleb..
he's doing fine being left at home with ibu. So far we stick to the plan that hubby will take care of him til his lunch time then he will leave to office, leaving Caleb for about 1 hour til I come home around 2pm.
we haven't tried training ibu and Caleb for nap and meal time. we decided to give them some more time to bond and then try again. But I observe that both have actually been doing pretty good in bonding in these 2 weeks. I hope soon this matter will settled!
hmmm....biasa aja tuh...ngga excited juga ngga sedih2 banget..totally biasa banget.
not nervous too...Coz 5 years ago I worked there and I still remember what my job scope was and now is pretty much the same except that there are more accounting jobs to do.
Eventhough I was a total SAHM (stay at home mother) for 1.5 years, I'm quite confident I still got what it takes to be in the working line.. ---> not trying to boast but anyway I'm saying this also because I want to prove myself that I am right about what I say.
But I miss Caleb!!!
I was sitting on my office when I suddenly stared at a familiar cutey face nearby the PC..which is my son's picture :D
I can't help smiling at the photo...really miss him!
which is why...I want to arrive on time at office so that I can go home on time too..
Until now..I still consider part time job is the best for me.
I can't imagine working full time + the travelling time..that would leave me only 2-3 hours to see Caleb at home...that's sad! and that's not what I want.
I only want to work full time if the office is at my house! hahaha...
oh about Caleb..
he's doing fine being left at home with ibu. So far we stick to the plan that hubby will take care of him til his lunch time then he will leave to office, leaving Caleb for about 1 hour til I come home around 2pm.
we haven't tried training ibu and Caleb for nap and meal time. we decided to give them some more time to bond and then try again. But I observe that both have actually been doing pretty good in bonding in these 2 weeks. I hope soon this matter will settled!
Thursday, July 29, 2010
the adjustment - week 1
Caleb was crying everytime ibu wanted to bring him down to the playground.
but once he was at the playground, he got distracted and forgot his mommy :)
But...it was still hard for both of us..
I don't like him crying so badly everytime he got separated from me.
I wished he knew that it is okay to leave mommy because after a while he can see mommy again..and that he will still have lots of fun eventhough mommy is not with him.
But one day he came home from playground, running to me happily.
I told him "see how happy you are after playing at playground..so next time don't cry when you leave mommy okay"
and since that day...he never cried anymore...when ibu said "let's go downstairs", he will take his shoes and I will put them on for him..then he will wave and say bye-bye to me (this is cute!), and go out and close the door.
I am so relieved.
Last monday I even tried to leave Caleb alone with ibu at home..just to see how it went..if he would cry looking for mommy..or if he would just be fine.
it turned out..he was fine. he didn't cry.
the only problem is that...he still refused to be put down to sleep with ibu.
he also refused to be fed by ibu.
so I'm still getting nervous about coming back to work because these 2 aren't settled well yet.
and it's just another 5 days left before I work! sigh...
My back up plan is to take turn with hubby...so I will go to work in the morning and be back by 2. While hubby will leave house after he feeds Caleb, which means around 1pm.
We will settle his nap and his meal before we leave him with ibu.
But my plan is to keep trying on training ibu so that Caleb can take a nap and have meal with ibu.
I know ibu is nervous too because of her previous failure...sigh...but this has to worked! please..please..please...
but once he was at the playground, he got distracted and forgot his mommy :)
But...it was still hard for both of us..
I don't like him crying so badly everytime he got separated from me.
I wished he knew that it is okay to leave mommy because after a while he can see mommy again..and that he will still have lots of fun eventhough mommy is not with him.
But one day he came home from playground, running to me happily.
I told him "see how happy you are after playing at playground..so next time don't cry when you leave mommy okay"
and since that day...he never cried anymore...when ibu said "let's go downstairs", he will take his shoes and I will put them on for him..then he will wave and say bye-bye to me (this is cute!), and go out and close the door.
I am so relieved.
Last monday I even tried to leave Caleb alone with ibu at home..just to see how it went..if he would cry looking for mommy..or if he would just be fine.
it turned out..he was fine. he didn't cry.
the only problem is that...he still refused to be put down to sleep with ibu.
he also refused to be fed by ibu.
so I'm still getting nervous about coming back to work because these 2 aren't settled well yet.
and it's just another 5 days left before I work! sigh...
My back up plan is to take turn with hubby...so I will go to work in the morning and be back by 2. While hubby will leave house after he feeds Caleb, which means around 1pm.
We will settle his nap and his meal before we leave him with ibu.
But my plan is to keep trying on training ibu so that Caleb can take a nap and have meal with ibu.
I know ibu is nervous too because of her previous failure...sigh...but this has to worked! please..please..please...
Monday, July 26, 2010
The copycat is in action AGAIN!
OMG
I can't believe this.
When Caleb started to walk, I wrote this in my BB status: there's a toddler walkin around in my house
and the next day I changed into : a toddler in da house
at that time noone copied anything I wrote about Caleb.
Well, yes of course...because her son still couldn't walk yet at that time.
But recently I read her post about her son started to walk already and guess what she wrote in FB?
yup..exactly the same thing: there's a toddler walking around in my house
and today her BB status is: a toddler in da house
I can't believe this!!!
that means she read what I wrote and memorized it and she had even planned that she would steal these words once her son could walk!!!
But this time I just took it lightly..not so emotionally like last time..
(cuma ngga habis pikir aja...herann ada orang kayak gitu! hahaha)
I can't believe this.
When Caleb started to walk, I wrote this in my BB status: there's a toddler walkin around in my house
and the next day I changed into : a toddler in da house
at that time noone copied anything I wrote about Caleb.
Well, yes of course...because her son still couldn't walk yet at that time.
But recently I read her post about her son started to walk already and guess what she wrote in FB?
yup..exactly the same thing: there's a toddler walking around in my house
and today her BB status is: a toddler in da house
I can't believe this!!!
that means she read what I wrote and memorized it and she had even planned that she would steal these words once her son could walk!!!
But this time I just took it lightly..not so emotionally like last time..
(cuma ngga habis pikir aja...herann ada orang kayak gitu! hahaha)
"tetu"
Caleb is always a fan of biscuits, cookies and basically...SNACKS!
He can eat alot of it!!
Today he tried to show me how nice a biscuit is!
He was eating it and suddenly put the biscuit on my mouth and said "Eat! Eat!"
So I took a bite and guess what he said: "tetu", which means: thank you
Ha! I can't believe he expected his mommy to say thanks to him for sharing his biscuit!
hello mister...Mommy gave you that biscuit! hahahahhaha..
He can eat alot of it!!
Today he tried to show me how nice a biscuit is!
He was eating it and suddenly put the biscuit on my mouth and said "Eat! Eat!"
So I took a bite and guess what he said: "tetu", which means: thank you
Ha! I can't believe he expected his mommy to say thanks to him for sharing his biscuit!
hello mister...Mommy gave you that biscuit! hahahahhaha..
Friday, July 23, 2010
Caleb's Vocabs development
Caleb's vocabs by 16m
English
1. Car
2. Cow
3. duck
4. dog
5. cake
6. fish (*fi)
7. robot (*bot)
8. apple (*ple)
9. flower (*wowe)
10. turtle
11. clock (*cok)
12. bear
13, lion (*arrgghh)
14. pig
15. nest (*ne)
16. egg
17. drum
18. heart
19. key
20. moon
21. pants
22. ant
23. tree
24. banana (*nana)
25. ball
26. bike (*bak)
27. train
28. pea
29. hat
30. bird
31. pig
32. ladybug (*bug)
33. tiger (*ger)
34. bee
35. butterfly (*ba ba)
36. truck
37. clown
38. star
39. owl
40. head
41. chest
42. go
43. bye bye
44. more
45. dont want
46. eat
47. milk
48. biscuit (*bik)
49. bottle (*baba)
50. spider (*spa)
51. daddy
52. mommy (*mama)
53. ibu (*buk)
54. Book
55. bible
56. uncle (*cle)
57. Alphabet: A and O
58. Numbers: 2 and 3
59. grandma (*ma)
60. grandpa (*papa)
61. our dogs name: chico, casey, zendo (*co, keci, dodo)^^
62. watermelon (*nemene)
63. caterpillar (*cepece)
64. no
65. yes (*ya)
66. yogurt (*gurt)
67. barney (*baba)
68. flashcard (*card)
69. cheese (*chee)
70. pampers (*pampie)
71. baby
72. girl
I know the last 2 words, he's really working so hard to say it and it really sounds cute when u hear him say these words!! :D
some of the words are also not perfectly pronounced, but most importantly is we understand what he means to say
Indonesian:
1. sudah (*dah)
2. bobok
3. enak (*nak)
Other than these words, he can actually understand many things that but he can't say.
Like when we ask him to put on his shoes, he will take his shoes and give them to me. Or he will dance when I ask him to dance.
he knows where is hand, teeth, toes, etc
he knows sun, leaf, grass, grapes,orange, elephant, etc though he can't say the word but he will point it correctly
we are still working on some more new vocabs
still practising ABC and numbers everyday
oh boy..we've alot to do! :)
English
1. Car
2. Cow
3. duck
4. dog
5. cake
6. fish (*fi)
7. robot (*bot)
8. apple (*ple)
9. flower (*wowe)
10. turtle
11. clock (*cok)
12. bear
13, lion (*arrgghh)
14. pig
15. nest (*ne)
16. egg
17. drum
18. heart
19. key
20. moon
21. pants
22. ant
23. tree
24. banana (*nana)
25. ball
26. bike (*bak)
27. train
28. pea
29. hat
30. bird
31. pig
32. ladybug (*bug)
33. tiger (*ger)
34. bee
35. butterfly (*ba ba)
36. truck
37. clown
38. star
39. owl
40. head
41. chest
42. go
43. bye bye
44. more
45. dont want
46. eat
47. milk
48. biscuit (*bik)
49. bottle (*baba)
50. spider (*spa)
51. daddy
52. mommy (*mama)
53. ibu (*buk)
54. Book
55. bible
56. uncle (*cle)
57. Alphabet: A and O
58. Numbers: 2 and 3
59. grandma (*ma)
60. grandpa (*papa)
61. our dogs name: chico, casey, zendo (*co, keci, dodo)^^
62. watermelon (*nemene)
63. caterpillar (*cepece)
64. no
65. yes (*ya)
66. yogurt (*gurt)
67. barney (*baba)
68. flashcard (*card)
69. cheese (*chee)
70. pampers (*pampie)
71. baby
72. girl
I know the last 2 words, he's really working so hard to say it and it really sounds cute when u hear him say these words!! :D
some of the words are also not perfectly pronounced, but most importantly is we understand what he means to say
Indonesian:
1. sudah (*dah)
2. bobok
3. enak (*nak)
Other than these words, he can actually understand many things that but he can't say.
Like when we ask him to put on his shoes, he will take his shoes and give them to me. Or he will dance when I ask him to dance.
he knows where is hand, teeth, toes, etc
he knows sun, leaf, grass, grapes,orange, elephant, etc though he can't say the word but he will point it correctly
we are still working on some more new vocabs
still practising ABC and numbers everyday
oh boy..we've alot to do! :)
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