CNY 2009

Some pics of lil' Adri during CNY 2009...
She's simply cute in the cheongsums!

Noticed she has two cheongsums?

Don't try asking the obsessed Mummy why...

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We didn't manage to get Adri to "bai nian" to us last year cos' we were in a mad rush.

We couldn't bear to miss it this year!

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The cinderella decided to do some cleaning up before we set off!

3 missing 1
Waiting for Cousin Aly...

We forgot to take a family pic on Day 1!

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As usual, the multi facades of Adri...

What else can i say?

CUTE! =D

P.S. Half thru' Day 2, she tore her red cheongsum and we changed her into this! =D
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PRETTY!
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No?

I vividly remember trying to teach Adri to shake her head and say "no no" as a means of expressing her dissatisfaction but regardless of my relentless effort, Adri didn't manage to catch that good practice at 12 months of age. Gradually and subconsciously, I became less diligent and gave up trying.

Nature really has her way with things.
I have never really noted when Adri first started to shake her head as an indication of her displeasure and/or her rejection of things offered.
Some time last week, Adri added smiles to us by shaking her head while uttering "no no" whenver she had had enough of or didn't want an offer. At times, she even waved her palm concurrently to reinforce her point! =D

It's yet another level of communication and understanding. Today, we understand Adri perfectly whenever she doesn't want:
- to be carried
- more food/milk
- to brush her teeth
- to sleep
- to be changed
- to sit still (and eat her food)
- a particular toy...

*and the list continues

Is the saying "language is taught, not caught" true?
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I wonder when she will surprise us by nodding her head while muttering "yes yes"... =D

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Water Fun!

01.02.09

Yet another trip to the zoo.

Adri loves the water theme park!

All dressed and ready to set off

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Admiring Mummy's bright pink Crocs.

Truth is, the pair of slippers that i had set off with snapped!

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At the waters with Daddy.

Adri wants to play but is no confident of venturing on her own

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Some close-up shots

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Some lemon tea after the fun!

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Home Sweet Home!

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D.A.D.D.Y

04.02.09

For the very first time, i regretted asking Adri where her Daddy was.

Mart was on reservist and would not be home til 12 midnight. Maid aside, I was home alone with Adri. It was rather habitual of me to ask her "Where's Daddy?" every day. I don't know why.
1) Perhaps i needed a short break from Adri who can get rather clingy at times?
2) Perhaps, I just wanted to test if she understood the word "Daddy".

DO NOT ASSUME that because they have been mouthing certain word(s), they have comprehended the word entirely.
When used in the wrong context, the supposed sweetest word in the word ie "Mummy" may not be that soothing to your ears.

Just a few days back, Adri surprised me by running to the maid after she had uttered "Mummy"! I was within her range of sight! Upset i was of course, but i chose to believe that she hadn't totally understood "Mummy". Perhaps she equated "Mummy" as a caregiver, regardless of primary or seondary? Well, perhaps that's why Mart and I have been "testing" Adri on a regular basis. (typical of a teacher, isn't it?)

Adri had never once disappointed me in the "Daddy Test".
Each time i asked her where her Daddy was, she would pause whatever she was doing (most of the time, whining of some sort), scan the house for Daddy, repeat the word "Daddy" and thereafter look for her daddy.

I was tired, for Adri was a little whiny this evening. Nothing i did pacified her so somehow, i decided to try my magical question.

"Where's Daddy, Adri?" I spouted amidst her whines and cries.
"Mmm? Daddy?" Adri quietened and asked me with a quizzical look.
"Yes, Adri, where is Daddy?" I prompted.

For the rest of the evening, Adri went "Daddy? Daddy!" every few minutes as she searched for her daddy.
Make a guess. How do you think she reacted when she couldn't find her PaPa?

Daddy Mart, for once, the magic (you) didn't work.
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A New Game

03.02.09

*Pant Pant*
"It's really tiring to be doing this," I thought. "Let me try this!"
Instead of having Adri chase me for the xxth time (i lost count) around the house, I wanted to chase Adri. I thought it would be easier to simply engage in a robotic motion of moving instead of having to plan my route.

I stopped, turned and ran towards Adri.
"Mummy catch Adri," i said.

Adri stopped too, she stopped trying to catch me.
She didn't know what i wanted.

No choice, I then continued running (and panting).
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