tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-52477761038716180502012-01-19T20:48:40.308+08:00Thoughts on parenthood, childhood, and life in general.Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07112924346592375925noreply@blogger.comBlogger1671100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247776103871618050.post-77302221284363558512010-07-14T09:00:00.000+08:002010-07-13T16:33:01.687+08:00

The little girl was watching TV, giving it her full and focussed attention as always.The little boy was keeping his sister company, messing about with his cars and engines, not really interested in a program that featured neither firemen nor trains.As the end credits rolled, their mother stepped into the room saying, 'Alright kids, time to turn off the TV. It's bedtime.'A wail of protest from the

Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07112924346592375925noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247776103871618050.post-18747687515028087202009-10-25T01:42:00.002+08:002009-10-26T00:49:57.979+08:00

Ready...Get Set...Just say these words to Munch and watch him throw up his arms and yell:GOOOOOOOOO!At 16 months, that pretty much sums up his life's philosophy. He's always on the go, taking on each day with astounding energy and endearing good humour.Although I had initially thought he'd be a bit later on his milestones than his big sister, except for that first roll-over which he managed a

Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07112924346592375925noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247776103871618050.post-73357068438258782632009-07-28T15:50:00.000+08:002009-07-28T16:14:12.666+08:00

Okay, so this is not exactly the best subject for a comeback post, but given my abysmal rate of posting this year, I figure at least it's a post, right? D, this is for you :-)I have on occasion asked friends whose kids found all things potty hilarious, whether it's a boy thing, seeing that Moppet didn't seem to find it particularly funny. They assured me it wasn't, and that I only needed to bide

Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07112924346592375925noreply@blogger.com30tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247776103871618050.post-63481542304184544902009-06-26T21:30:00.006+08:002009-06-26T23:11:14.776+08:00

It's been an eventful year, hasn't it, my darling?Starting with the day you arrived, it's been a such a full, rich, exciting year. We've had more holidays this year than in the last 3 put together. We've moved homes and countries, and you've accumulated more stamps in your passport than you have teeth! You've taken it all with your characteristic equanimity. I could learn a thing or two from

Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07112924346592375925noreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247776103871618050.post-30046099348695862902009-05-26T15:13:00.001+08:002009-10-25T22:58:00.988+08:00

Munch is 11 months old today and I've probably done 5 posts on him, if that. It's not my fault, just blame it on the second child syndrome!Seriously though, I'm enjoying his babyhood so much more than I did Moppet's. Not that I didn't enjoy Moppet as a baby, but there was a lot more worry and self-doubt at the time. With Moppet, I'm finding her current phase much more enchanting than her baby

Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07112924346592375925noreply@blogger.com28tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247776103871618050.post-30563430347650264322009-04-22T14:43:00.006+08:002009-04-24T15:08:47.754+08:00

It's taken the combined might of FOUR bloggers to get me off my arse and do this tag, so you guys can see what a ball I've been having (not!) here in sultry Singapore. The Mad Momma, Dipali, Gauri, and Kiran, have all invited me to join this virtual mommy globetrot  and the ticket is to tell you 5 things that I love about being a mom. Only 5? Easy peasy! Here goes:1. I love that the simple things

Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07112924346592375925noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247776103871618050.post-54290179549647509912009-03-31T01:00:00.000+08:002009-03-30T21:57:35.722+08:00

When did this foot high creature turn into a lanky, tree climbing little monkey?When did my poolside splashing tot become this grinning sea sprite?When did this book-chewing little bug turn into story-reading big sister?When did my babbling baby become a full-sentence uttering, mama-scolding, cab-driver- instructing young lady?Happy third birthday, my love!(It's too soon! Too soon, I say!)

Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07112924346592375925noreply@blogger.com30tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247776103871618050.post-39135768196311326852009-03-19T14:30:00.003+08:002009-03-19T16:16:35.461+08:00

It's funny. Before we started house hunting in Singapore, we set down a prioritised list of criteria, did many many hours of online research, and spent several days seeing apartments with our increasingly frustrated real estate agent. The evenings were spent comparing notes, refreshing our memories with photographs of the properties we were discussing, and assessing each apartment against the

Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07112924346592375925noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247776103871618050.post-59229683802345139312009-02-27T16:48:00.003+08:002009-02-27T17:18:46.604+08:00

...and sorely missing Bangkok. I miss the fluidity and ease of the city, its vibrant energy and welcoming, accommodating air. Ironically, despite its shortcode SIN, Singapore strikes me as being rather strait-laced and well, rigid, for lack of a better word.  But we're still settling in, and I'm told the place will grow on me, so I'm hoping that will be sooner rather than later.So hello! Anyone

Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07112924346592375925noreply@blogger.com35tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247776103871618050.post-84804520318690133682008-11-25T12:06:00.002+08:002008-11-27T11:05:58.889+08:00

8 flights in6 weeks to5 locations in3 countries with2 small kids equals1 very tired Mama with Zero time to blogWe're moving, folks. Reluctantly on my part - I've grown to love this city - but kya karen, when you gotta go, you gotta go!I have a few posts buzzing around in my head, but I don't know if I'll be able to get down to writing them for a while. Most likely Jan 09.If I may go into Oscar

Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07112924346592375925noreply@blogger.com28tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247776103871618050.post-1576261702935700882008-11-12T15:18:00.008+08:002008-11-12T18:18:38.276+08:00

She has an answer for everything. Are you ready for some Moppet style logic? Moppet is whining for some pink ice cream. Mama reminds her of the time at the restaurant where pink ice cream was ordered for her and she refused to eat it, resulting in Mama having to eat her brownie with strawberry ice cream. [Ick!]Moppet (defensively) : I finish all the white ice cream.Mama: That was just whipped

Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07112924346592375925noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247776103871618050.post-33455776841857569972008-11-06T15:10:00.005+08:002008-11-06T17:30:12.113+08:00

So Munch rolled over by himself for the first time this morning, quite by accident I suspect, going by the comical look of surprise on his face when he found himself suddenly nose to nose with a baby bear on his playmat.For weeks he has lain on that playmat making no attempt to turn whatsoever, just grinning gummily at me whenever I nudge him and say fondly, 'Move it, you lazy lump.' Then today,

Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07112924346592375925noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247776103871618050.post-69709177323280640142008-11-05T12:25:00.002+08:002008-11-05T13:08:33.069+08:00

I'm over at Parul's today! Hop on over and say hi! I'm fairly sure everyone who reads me reads her too, but just in case you haven't yet discovered one of the wittiest bloggers on the block, do check out some of her other posts. Side-splitting stuff, I tell you.

Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07112924346592375925noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247776103871618050.post-47247132001190352622008-11-04T13:10:00.016+08:002008-11-05T10:45:55.341+08:00

To quote Dora the Explorer, (who's quoted a lot in our household these days): 'Yay! We made it!'Yes folks, the holidays were a super hit. The beach holiday was just the right sort of lazy, our time there evenly divided between beach, pool, siestas, drinks, and meals. Oh and some spectacular sunsets that had us all awestruck, but particularly fascinated Moppet. So much so that she actually, of her

Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07112924346592375925noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247776103871618050.post-74353484160411482082008-10-14T09:54:00.005+08:002008-10-14T15:25:50.733+08:00

It's been a crazy couple of weeks, with the husband travelling and bringing home some virus that had me and the kids terribly under the weather, luckily one after the other and not all together. He then promptly took off again, leaving me to deal with Munch who broke out in a spotty red rash from head to toe. Turns out it was the same virus, and the rash didn't show up on older, tougher hides

Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07112924346592375925noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247776103871618050.post-36306175832723510872008-09-26T12:49:00.012+08:002008-09-26T13:39:49.581+08:00

At 3 months, he is my angel child. Happy, peaceful, and adorable.At 30 months, she is my wild child. Fiesty, impetuous, and unpredictable.At 3 months, he coos and gurgles, and makes the most delicious baby sounds.At 30 months, she sings her own songs, adding new verses to existing rhymes, or fitting different words to familiar tunes. She 'reads', tells stories, and is constantly telling everyone

Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07112924346592375925noreply@blogger.com32tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247776103871618050.post-38734268315904148512008-09-23T20:04:00.004+08:002008-09-23T20:25:46.665+08:00

Big sis, baby bro.Come 'ere, you knucklehead.Don't be scared, I only want to kiss you.I also want to squash you like a bug, what fun!It's okay, we're like this only.And so the saga continues: she loves him one minute, hates him the next. He's just bewildered by it all.

Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07112924346592375925noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247776103871618050.post-50336643718652176412008-09-11T13:01:00.005+08:002008-09-11T18:10:06.651+08:00

She's such a contrary Mary, these days. Whatever we say or do, she MUST say and do the opposite.Sometimes, we use this to our advantage. Take for example, this scene from last week:Moppet is doing her 'nangu run' after her evening bath, where she scoots around the house without a stitch on her. She ends up in the study and screams, 'Look, I'm nangu!' expecting her father to get up and do what

Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07112924346592375925noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247776103871618050.post-91034114464130727802008-09-01T12:07:00.008+08:002008-09-01T14:50:55.885+08:00

(Or How Mama Got Her Groove Back :-)Sunday evening was pleasant and breezy, and since both the kids were up and alert, all four of us went down to the little park in our building. The husband and I sat on a bench with Munch and watched Moppet show off for us.'Mama, look! Papa, look!' she squealed as she clambered up the slide the wrong way, monkeyed her way up the frame of the swing set, and

Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07112924346592375925noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247776103871618050.post-11671484043754454102008-08-28T19:00:00.001+08:002008-08-28T19:07:16.287+08:00

There is a moment, every morning, when I look into my son's sleeping face and gently call his name. 'Good morning, pumpkin', I say, and watch his eyelids flutter and his face scrunch up at the sound of my voice. He stretches luxuriously and opens his eyes. A few seconds to focus, then his eyes light up and the most delicious smile of recognition spreads across his face.It is a moment that

Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07112924346592375925noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247776103871618050.post-47206464744249929512008-08-19T14:43:00.005+08:002008-08-28T18:24:29.393+08:00

Dropping Moppet off at school on Monday morning, I felt that familiar knot of worry, sadness and pride in my stomach. That will-she-be-okay feeling all mashed up with the happy-sad my-baby's-such-a-big-girl feeling.Why now, you ask, when she's been going to school for a whole year now, and loving it? Well, Monday was her first day in the 'upstairs class' - new teachers, a different classroom

Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07112924346592375925noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247776103871618050.post-48564500409900040162008-08-10T12:56:00.003+08:002008-08-10T13:03:04.853+08:00

For those of you who wanted to compare, here are MnM at six weeks:

Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07112924346592375925noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247776103871618050.post-78299787296338764442008-07-29T15:11:00.011+08:002008-08-28T18:24:48.191+08:00

It appears Munch is going to be the family clown. Really, I think he's hilarious. I don't recall being this amused by Moppet when she was this age. To be fair though, I was probably too tense and worried about the whole motherhood gig to really enjoy her at that age. But with Munch I'm more relaxed, and able to laugh at all the silly squishy faces he makes, and enjoy the funny squealing sounds he

Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07112924346592375925noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247776103871618050.post-40589118094082257602008-07-16T14:15:00.006+08:002008-07-16T14:44:37.331+08:00

I know Mama's been blaming me and Munch for not getting enough time to post, but y'all know that's not true, right? I've been extremely well-behaved, really. Sure, there's an occasional tantrum, but give me a break peeps, I'm two, ok?Gotta say though, this Munch baby isn't all that much fun yet. He sleeps a lot - that's a bad example to set. Everyone keeps telling me, look Munch's sleeping, why

Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07112924346592375925noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247776103871618050.post-77704538849867710492008-07-12T16:41:00.003+08:002008-07-12T18:28:31.301+08:00

Contd from Part 1: It begins and Part 2: Endless nightRollercoaster RideI had had enough. Over 10 hours of painful labour and just 2 cms dilated? Cut me open, I moaned. Get this child out NOW!Hang in there, the husband told me gently, stroking my forehead. You can do it. Come on, let's give it another hour or so.The next 2 hours were a bit of a blur. The contractions appeared to have slowed down

Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07112924346592375925noreply@blogger.com29tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247776103871618050.post-91637858931539904032008-07-11T20:07:00.010+08:002008-07-12T18:29:29.669+08:00

...Contd from Part 1: It beginsEndless NightSo anyway there I was, convinced I had been labouring all day, and just 1 cm dilated. This did not look good. With Moppet, I had very mild contractions and yet was already 3 cm dilated by the time I reached the hospital. I had thought the second time around would be easier, but obviously Munch was determined to destroy all my preconceptions about second

Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07112924346592375925noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247776103871618050.post-20140168321504067392008-07-10T18:28:00.002+08:002008-07-12T18:05:10.794+08:00

Warning: This post contains references to female body parts and bodily functions that one generally doesn't talk about in public. It is also loaded (far more than usual :-) with sappy emotion, so if you are the owner of a y chromosome and / or a delicate sensibility you are advised to give this set of posts a miss.It beginsDespite my resolve to be all zen if Munch didn't arrive by his due date, I

Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07112924346592375925noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247776103871618050.post-9246474037936357022008-06-28T18:16:00.004+08:002008-06-28T18:32:12.249+08:00

Well folks, he's here. Arrived on June 26th, 2pm Bangkok time. All of us are doing great, but it will take a week or so for us to find some sort of a rhythm as a new family of four.More details later. Thank you all for your love and good wishes. It's all good! :-DI leave you with a picture - he takes after his father, I think. Don't miss the enormous nose :-)

Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07112924346592375925noreply@blogger.com50tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247776103871618050.post-32202072884665247882008-06-18T16:19:00.003+08:002008-06-18T16:31:13.649+08:00

Just a note to say I'm taking off Munch's arrival ticker because I don't know what it's going to say after June 21 when the 40 weeks are up and the baby hasn't arrived!Apart from the fact that Munch seems way too comfortable to want to budge, everything else is going fine. Expectant grandparents have arrived and I'm grateful that Moppet is around to keep them occupied. Otherwise all of us would

Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07112924346592375925noreply@blogger.com25tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247776103871618050.post-56594827150317697162008-06-12T11:54:00.007+08:002008-06-12T12:36:20.305+08:00

This morning, Moppet decided she wanted to wear two pony tails to school - one adorned with a green rubberband, the other with a yellow one. I tried to talk some sense into her - at least wear 2 yellows or 2 greens, never mind that neither colour goes with the dress you're wearing.Brushing aside my conformist ideas regarding head decoration, she proceeded to give me specific instructions about

Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07112924346592375925noreply@blogger.com28tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247776103871618050.post-68440989049535113412008-06-07T09:34:00.002+08:002008-06-07T11:07:31.539+08:00

The ticker says 14 days to go, and I have to admit to mixed feelings about Munch's impending arrival.On the one hand, there is happy anticipation and nervous excitement about getting to finally meet the little one, to hold him, and to see Moppet's reaction. But there is also a sense of sadness, that this will probably be the last few days I ever get to feel that heartwarming sensation of a little

Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07112924346592375925noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247776103871618050.post-18411580144483446462008-05-23T13:31:00.008+08:002008-05-23T15:14:05.006+08:00

It feels like I have a new child in the house. Apparently, Moppet turned into a little girl overnight, the morning after she turned 2.Suddenly she's not talking in sentences any more; it's paragraphs.Mama, Papa, Moppet go swimming pool. Papa go swimming plant. I kick-kick-kicking. Moppet, Mama play with penguin. Moppet go DUM. Then uh-uh-uh (a coughing sound). Tha'one Moppet wed towel. Tha'one

Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07112924346592375925noreply@blogger.com25tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247776103871618050.post-45368658310395619662008-05-16T09:15:00.002+08:002008-05-16T09:16:31.502+08:00

To:Maggie,Sleep-deprived mother of two,A Harried and Chaotic Moment, Manic Street,The Near Future.From: Maggie,Toddler-survivor and mother of one,A Calm And Reflective Moment, Zen Street,The Recent Past.Dear Mags,In just a few weeks time (hoping all goes well) you will be upto your ears in bawling babies and excited family members, and calm reflection on second time motherhood will be the last

Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07112924346592375925noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247776103871618050.post-73623170630809902292008-05-14T15:59:00.005+08:002008-05-16T18:21:05.085+08:00

Mother's Day conversation in our household:Me: Did you know it's Mother's Day today? Huh?The Husband: What? No, I didn't.Long pause, pointed and laden with meaning on my part; completely peaceful, back-to-reading-online-comics on his.End of conversation.Sigh.Some days I feel so taken for granted. Sure, it's a cushy life I lead - staying at home with the kid, full-time help, no money troubles - I

Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07112924346592375925noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247776103871618050.post-81787972707700950642008-04-27T18:18:00.010+08:002008-04-28T12:38:02.732+08:00

Mother-daughter relations were at an all time low this past week.The husband was off on a long (semi) work trip. Her Papa's absence left a big hole in Moppet's routine, particularly evenings and bed-time and she did not take it well. I'd countdown the days till his return every evening, but all she knew was that he was not there to brush her teeth and play aeroplane with her, and what does '6

Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07112924346592375925noreply@blogger.com42tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247776103871618050.post-36977091142977054312008-04-25T19:35:00.007+08:002008-04-26T09:27:01.623+08:00

"Help! It's a virus!"My first thought when I logged in to Google Reader yesterday and saw 15 unread posts, all with the strange title - Riddle-me-Ree, who can she be?Without opening any of the posts, I went straight to my internet bible and googled 'riddle-me-ree blog virus'. I got plenty of results of course - you will always find an answer in the bible if you look hard enough - but nothing that

Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07112924346592375925noreply@blogger.com44tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247776103871618050.post-20256977023562256952008-04-21T20:48:00.004+08:002008-04-21T21:27:05.457+08:00

...sees a very pregnant woman carrying a sleeping toddler across the building lobby, and actually hurries forward and takes the one available lift, leaving the woman and toddler to wait for the next one, a good 3 minutes later?!Anyone good with voodoo? I need to give that guy some some serious lower back spasms - that'll teach him!

Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07112924346592375925noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247776103871618050.post-87488588493918726572008-04-19T13:05:00.008+08:002008-04-21T21:31:40.229+08:00

This is me, today, at 31 weeks:Now before all of you start composing stinging comments on how I've been frauding you about how big I am, please watch what happens in profile:Isn't that a big bump? With 9 weeks left to go? I'm already almost at the weight I had reached with Moppet at full-term. I was looking for a picture of me pregnant with Moppet at the same stage and I found this one:See what

Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07112924346592375925noreply@blogger.com36tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247776103871618050.post-46754280938512801802008-04-16T18:46:00.001+08:002008-04-16T20:50:22.753+08:00

So it's Maggie by a mile. And what better way to get to know her than by this general questionnaire type tag from Tessie:Last Movie You Saw In A Theater:JodhaaAkbar. About 45 minutes too long, but Hrithik Roshan was a revelation - I'd never paid him much attention before. He's totally droolicious!What Book Are You Reading:On Chesil Beach by Ian McEwan. Depressing book- would've ditched it but for

Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07112924346592375925noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247776103871618050.post-52541689740300487562008-04-10T12:39:00.017+08:002008-04-10T17:51:41.017+08:00

It is much harder than I thought it would be. On me, not her.I really thought I wanted a toddler-free bedroom. No more tiptoeing around in the dark getting ready for bed, no more muffling coughs, sneezes, and curses, no more reading in bed by the woefully inadequate night light...I had thought I would be dying to get her into her own room.Not so much, as it turns out.I embarked on Operation

Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07112924346592375925noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247776103871618050.post-31060364108634180732008-04-09T12:59:00.002+08:002008-04-09T20:36:57.357+08:00

Too many complaints about my chosen blog moniker - some subtle, some insistent, some polite, some downright rude (those last mostly being insults from the husband).I'm pig-headed enough to ignore this, except that I've lived with the name for a few weeks now and I have to admit, when I happen upon my own comments on other blogs, it takes a second or so for it to register that that's me!So I give

Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07112924346592375925noreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247776103871618050.post-53121293555641532192008-03-31T11:00:00.004+08:002008-04-03T21:05:46.897+08:00

For once, my darling, your Mama is at a loss for words.Happy birthday, baby of mine.

Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07112924346592375925noreply@blogger.com48tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247776103871618050.post-39971683748822927322008-03-31T10:30:00.005+08:002008-04-21T21:31:40.230+08:00

March 31, 20064:00 AMIt's taken me a while to figure it out, but I finally realise that these mild cramps I'm feeling must be contractions.8:00 AM"It's started!" I announce happily to husband and mother. "Actually, it started about 5 hours ago.""5 hours?!" The husband springs into action "Let's go then! I'll get the suitcase. Can you get to the car? Should I call the doc? Where are my pants?

Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07112924346592375925noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247776103871618050.post-86010679949286479822008-03-28T11:00:00.006+08:002008-04-21T21:31:40.231+08:00

March 28, 2006The time, 8:30 pm:The bottle is small, the liquid in it a thick, clear gold. It looks quite innocuous; inviting even, but I know how vicious its contents can be.Should I, shouldn't I? I turn the bottle around in my hand.Heck, I can't take this any longer. I just want this to be over.I add one tablespoon of the liquid to the tall glass of strawberry squash standing ready on the table

Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07112924346592375925noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247776103871618050.post-51879368900380138552008-03-24T11:29:00.005+08:002008-04-21T21:31:40.233+08:00

March 24, 2006The Big Blue SofaI am yelling at my husband. Again."You and your #$@% veto! I don't want to hear that word any more, unless I'm the one saying it! I swear if we can't agree on at least one boy name and one girl name soon, I'm going to go with my own choice. You can veto till you're blue in the face, I don't care!"He is sprawled on our enormous blue sofa, cushions precisely arranged

Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07112924346592375925noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247776103871618050.post-91772497696557503022008-03-21T13:34:00.010+08:002008-03-24T14:55:37.259+08:00

We were at a loose end this morning since Moppet had no school, so we decided to go visiting. S and Moppet are in the same group at school and are friends (to the extent that 2-year olds can be friends). Also, S has a 4-month old baby brother, and I thought it would be nice for Moppet to see the baby and play with him a little.It all started out very nicely. Having been repeatedly told to be on

Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07112924346592375925noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247776103871618050.post-54490628540379692572008-03-20T11:33:00.003+08:002008-03-20T12:00:37.281+08:00

Moppet, future art critic:Sees this photograph in an article on English eccentrics in Vanity Fair.Pointing to the cow: "Cow!"Then pointing to the anonymous artist: "This one donkey!"I think she's got an eye for art, wouldn't you agree?Moppet, future beauty pageant judge:She's on the pot; I'm perched on the bathtub and we're chatting.I ask, "Are you done? Shall I wash your bum-bum?"She twists her

Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07112924346592375925noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247776103871618050.post-44312235758054249562008-03-18T11:03:00.002+08:002008-03-18T12:08:53.429+08:00

...is spelt c-h-o-c-o-l-a-t-e.Preferably dark, and slightly bitter. It's the answer to all my blues.That completes this happiness tag from Swati. But having sat on this tag for I don't know how long, I think I should put down some more things that make me happy:- a good book.- catching up with an old friend.- freshly fried sardines. (Stinkily divine!)- Picking Moppet up from school and watching

Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07112924346592375925noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247776103871618050.post-52429685731925816792008-03-17T10:58:00.002+08:002008-03-17T12:11:12.883+08:00

Can I just be TBFKAMM or some unpronounceable symbol too? I tell you, this (nick)naming business is frying my brain. And I still haven't got a viable real life name for poor Munch yet.Anyway, I've decided there's no point in spending time I really can't spare over a nickname. So I just closed my eyes and jabbed my finger at the shortlist and picked the one my finger landed on. (Ok, I cheated, I

Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07112924346592375925noreply@blogger.com31tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247776103871618050.post-73740569472235525302008-03-03T16:42:00.002+08:002008-04-21T21:31:40.234+08:00

Another tag, this time from Sue, that I'm twisting for my own purposes.The Rules:- Post the rules on your blog.- Share six non-important things/habits/quirks about yourself.- Tag six random people at the end of your post by linking to their blogs.- Let each random person know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their websiteI'm going to make this 6 random points about being pregnant.

Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07112924346592375925noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247776103871618050.post-43742966206418737102008-02-29T10:34:00.010+08:002008-02-29T14:38:39.774+08:00

Since I'm way overdue on Moppet's 22 month update - she completes 23 months today - I'm converting this Crazy 8 tag from Kiran into an update.(Am taking some liberties with 2 of the sections - '8 things before I die' has become '8 things I do that drives Mama crazy ', and '8 things that attract me to my friends' is now '8 things that make me me')So here, in Moppet's own words, is the tag8 Things

Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07112924346592375925noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247776103871618050.post-70463614655014145092008-02-27T12:46:00.003+08:002008-02-27T12:50:51.328+08:00

Who has the funniest face of all?

Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07112924346592375925noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247776103871618050.post-53435026953520208242008-02-23T09:04:00.004+08:002008-02-23T10:46:03.767+08:00

Ok folks, so Munch it is. I'm still trying to think of something for me and hubs (he's retaining his damn veto power over his nickname, it seems. Gah!)Anyway, a couple of weeks ago, Moppet and I were sitting in my mom's rocking chair, and Moppet's insistence on sitting so close as to squish my belly uncomfortably, brought on this conversation.Me: Moppet, there's a little baby in Mama's tummy. If

Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07112924346592375925noreply@blogger.com30tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247776103871618050.post-54659767695831062502008-02-19T23:21:00.002+08:002008-02-19T11:41:28.365+08:00

This is a quick and fun tag, and it's been passed on to me by at least FIE bloggers that I can remember. So Parul, Kiran, PG, BangaloreMom, and Gauri: here we goThe rules:Post 5 links to 5 of your previously written posts. The posts have to relate to the 5 key words given (family, friend, yourself, your love, anything you like). Tag 5 other friends to do this meme. Try to tag at least 2 new

Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07112924346592375925noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247776103871618050.post-46421309147490780692008-02-14T10:55:00.005+08:002008-02-14T15:29:06.675+08:00

I am not a deliberate hoarder. If you find something in my possession that's more than a few years old, it's mostly because I've been too lazy or too absent-minded to throw it out.Books are the only exception. It was with great difficulty that my parents persuaded me (at age 19 or 20, I think) to give up all those Ladybird books from my childhood and donate them to the local library. I hadn't

Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07112924346592375925noreply@blogger.com34tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247776103871618050.post-71450079700024520622008-02-13T11:31:00.001+08:002008-04-21T21:31:40.235+08:00

Although Moppet has been doing a fabulous job of raising her parents single-handedly, we figured she could do with some help. All the arrangements have been made (what fun!) and the kiddy force in our household will receive a boost in the form of a baby brother for Moppet, expected to make a quiet, undramatic entry (!) in June this year.Baby Boy needs a blog name, and no, Poppet is not an option,

Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07112924346592375925noreply@blogger.com46tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247776103871618050.post-75783076040658576352008-02-11T13:19:00.000+08:002008-02-11T13:30:21.152+08:00

I'm always a bit blue when I get back from home, although I must admit there is something to be said for coming back to your own place, your own bathroom, and your own bed...I feel like I need to sulk for a couple of days, be rude to everyone for no reason, and like Moppet did on our return flight over when I went to the loo, yowl piteously at the top of my voice - "I WAN SOME MAMA!!"Have a ton

Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07112924346592375925noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247776103871618050.post-51187540590993396002008-01-28T17:14:00.000+08:002008-01-28T18:12:00.062+08:00

Guess what? We're currently on an impulsive trip to India, tagging along on one of Moppet's Papa's business trips. He's had to go back, of course (oh the things he has to do to put food into our bellies!), but Moppet and I are here for a couple of weeks.I'm pleased to report that unlike the last time, Moppet appears to have adjusted quickly and well, and I hope to get a lot more R & R this time

Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07112924346592375925noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247776103871618050.post-27174293455855360492008-01-19T11:07:00.000+08:002008-01-19T12:34:32.705+08:00

Less than a year ago, a few weeks into a lonely life in a new city, and adjusting to an unaccustomed stay-at-home lifestyle with only my 11 month-old for company, I wrote this. At the time, I had read exactly one personal blog, and I didn't have a clue where I was going with the one I had started.Within a month, I found myself drawn into this warm, wonderful, community of bloggers, and I wasn't

Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07112924346592375925noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247776103871618050.post-57222809957280863312008-01-17T11:57:00.000+08:002008-01-17T12:19:58.486+08:00

One would think that Fuzzy's wicked tag would be easy for me. After all, she is so fabulously wicked, and I do consider her my twin.But here's the thing. She's the sexy evil twin with the pitchfork and pointy red horns. Me, I'm the one wearing that shapeless white dress and sanctimonious expression.As a result, my career in wickedness has not exactly been stellar. I have had a few moments though

Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07112924346592375925noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247776103871618050.post-42899798334634867752008-01-11T10:36:00.000+08:002008-01-11T12:07:03.818+08:00

- when she sees Papa sitting too close to Mama?"MYYYYYY!" (in loud warning tone, complete with a proprietary hand on Mama's shoulder)- when she almost falls off the sofa but manages not to at the last minute?"Oh my gott!"- before she leaves for her first day of school after Christmas break?"Bye-bye Papa, be good!"I am beginning to understand now why all parents think their children are geniuses.

Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07112924346592375925noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247776103871618050.post-53491426228701760172008-01-02T13:21:00.000+08:002008-01-02T14:39:39.797+08:00

Moppet's Papa and I were stretched out on our matching recliners, watching Moppet potter around the living room with her toys and blocks, and singing 'Happy to you' at the top of her baby voice.It was a lovely, lazy evening during the festive last days of December, full of warmth and cheer and contentment, so I was particularly shocked to hear Moppet's Papa muse out loud, "Hmm, there's a double

Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07112924346592375925noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247776103871618050.post-64368947169897994052008-01-01T17:39:00.000+08:002008-01-01T22:27:04.211+08:00

On the first new year's eve after Moppet's Papa and I got together, he told me we should spend the first day of the year doing what we liked best so that the rest of the year would follow the same pattern. Now, this is the sort of sentimental twaddle that both of us would ordinarily have scoffed at, but we had just started dating, and this was as good a reason as any to spend the whole day doing

Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07112924346592375925noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247776103871618050.post-14837657671505491772007-12-24T20:03:00.000+08:002007-12-24T20:14:22.227+08:00

Here's Moppet stealing bells from the christmas tree. Again!She then runs around the house shaking them vigorously and singing 'Jiyal bell, jiyal bell, hey!' at the top of her voice.Merry Christmas, everybody!

Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07112924346592375925noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247776103871618050.post-87313089281864280142007-12-17T11:06:00.000+08:002007-12-17T17:13:44.930+08:00

Hello all!Mama has been sorely neglecting her duties as chronicler of my life's adventures, and despite several reminders that my 20 month update was due 2 whole weeks ago, she has neither lifted a finger to get it done, nor demonstrated any sort of remorse for letting things get to such a head.Granted, she was rather sick for a few days, but since then all she's been doing is ganging up against

Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07112924346592375925noreply@blogger.com29tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247776103871618050.post-52070498473350263212007-11-28T11:31:00.000+08:002007-11-29T09:29:43.659+08:00

The results of my first ever baking experiment are in! Determined that this would be different from my usual culinary misadventures, I prepared myself meticulously. I made a list of all the doubts I might have and found answers online before I actually got started rather than my usual strategy of making an instinctive (and usually wrong) choice while upto my elbows in eggs and flour.So I found

Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07112924346592375925noreply@blogger.com36tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247776103871618050.post-73572705643825297622007-11-21T14:04:00.000+08:002007-11-21T15:32:54.661+08:00

Dotmom handed me this tag, which is fast doing the rounds of all the mom blogs, with lots of great posts. I had better do this one pronto or all my answers are going to sound like they came from one of the other blogs.1.How do you feel after a one night stand?My feet ache.2. Do you ever get used to wearing a thong?Do you?3. Does it hurt?Oh no. You should try it sometime.4. Do you know when you

Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07112924346592375925noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247776103871618050.post-11948106942164125202007-11-20T11:48:00.000+08:002007-11-20T18:01:30.314+08:00

One of the things that bothers me about not being able to work outside the home is that as a homemaker, my skills leave much to be desired. Without the the pressures of work as an excuse, I have nothing to explain away my utter lack of imagination when it comes to our home and meals.It makes me feel incompetent. And I'm not used to feeling incompetent. Allow me a moment of immodesty here to say

Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07112924346592375925noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247776103871618050.post-52215832824575320952007-11-14T11:52:00.000+08:002007-11-14T15:32:54.568+08:00

"Moppet, do you need to go do susu?""No!""Are you sure? Come on, let's go sit and see""No! No, no, no!" (vigorous head shaking)"Ok, then"60 seconds later, she's standing in a pool of piddle, her plastic blocks and stacking cups generously splashed too.She meets my angry glare with equanimity. Straight-faced, she says: "Uh-oh"********Moppet is doing her little pick-me-up jig at my feet. I bend

Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07112924346592375925noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247776103871618050.post-12838890737168908802007-11-06T11:00:00.000+08:002007-11-06T12:03:37.887+08:00

There's no doubt about it. I have given birth to a goonda. The fact hit home last weekend when our friends and their 5 year old daughter stayed with us. We went out shopping, and the way Moppet bossed over E, one would think that she was the one who was twice as big and 3 times older. It helped that E is a lovely, sweet natured child who was happy to play along with Moppet's crazy ideas.Like they

Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07112924346592375925noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247776103871618050.post-21798291771357313542007-10-31T22:59:00.000+08:002007-11-01T10:53:32.530+08:00

Much has been happening:Friends visited over the weekend with their 5 year old daughter, and we saw a side of Moppet we had never seen before.Our first Halloween had over 60 assorted bumble bees, fairies, witches, sprites, superheroes and other nameless ghouls visit our house trick-or-treating. I had more fun than Moppet did though. I think some of the cackling witches were a bit too much for

Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07112924346592375925noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247776103871618050.post-8267350439646354872007-10-25T16:35:00.000+08:002007-10-29T11:55:42.465+08:00

So where were we? Ah, the sights.Our first stop was the Bridge on the River Kwai, made famous more by the movie (a largely fictitious account) than by its own real and fascinating history. Yes, it was built by prisoners of war in extremely hard conditions, and yes, it was a vital part of the rail link (chillingly called the Death Railway) that would have given the Japanese quick overland access

Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07112924346592375925noreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247776103871618050.post-61736149365977907302007-10-24T11:01:00.000+08:002007-10-24T11:20:43.644+08:00

A not unsuccessful weekend, overall. Moppet was surprisingly well-behaved on the drive to the resort. With a steady supply of otherwise controlled snacks at hand and her moos playing over and over again, she was quite happy to sit in her car seat for the 3 hours it took to get there. The measure of her contentment can be gauged by the fact that she only twice attempted to assassinate her father

Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07112924346592375925noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247776103871618050.post-3138795471522664612007-10-19T13:55:00.000+08:002007-10-19T18:13:18.132+08:00

I believe this is what is referred to as a hoodlum.Don't let the fluffy white bunny and the girly pinkness fool you. This is a bonafide member of the baby mafia, on a mission to rule the world.The shovel is to give me a decent burial when I give up the ghost, as I no doubt will in short order, given the accelerated aging that I've been subject to ever since I made the acquaintance of Gangsta

Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07112924346592375925noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247776103871618050.post-80546872655345510642007-10-17T13:30:00.000+08:002007-10-17T16:00:12.080+08:00

Another insanely early morning, another dull grey airport. Three times in as many days, in as many cities. But at least this time it was home.Throwing his luggage into the boot of the waiting taxi, he gave quick instructions on where he wanted to go. Home. He leaned back and closed his eyes.He missed his little girl. He called her every night - he needed her to hear his voice, to know that he was

Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07112924346592375925noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247776103871618050.post-48722673128717604562007-10-15T11:48:00.000+08:002007-10-15T11:49:40.972+08:00

Behold, I am a Schmoozing Super Power! (Except with a much nicer arm) Fuzzy and Timepass have both given me this award because they think I'm a schmoozemeister. Thank you!The creator of this award refers to schmoozing as the ability “to converse casually, especially in order to gain an advantage or make a social connection.”But in my mind, this is an award for community involvement, and the

Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07112924346592375925noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247776103871618050.post-84239132146697800942007-10-10T22:26:00.000+08:002007-10-10T22:51:13.644+08:00

This evening, Moppet and I were playing with her little doodle pad. I was drawing things on it and she would yell out what they were. I'm no artist, as is obvious from the recreation below (although I'm a bit better with a pencil than with the mouse) but Moppet was able to identify almost everything I drew.It was great fun. Some of the things she liked so much that I'd have to draw them several

Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07112924346592375925noreply@blogger.com28tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247776103871618050.post-60116304610257463482007-10-10T11:34:00.000+08:002007-10-10T13:47:39.649+08:00

Suki has given me this hot pink Rockin' Girl Blogger award and I cannot tell you how wonderful that is because of all the people who could've given me this award, she is the most qualified. For one, she's a real teen, an age that I can barely remember. Two, she is wise beyond her years (how else would she have recognised my true girly rockingness?) and three, she really, really rocks.So it's

Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07112924346592375925noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247776103871618050.post-11927315173416076352007-10-08T12:18:00.000+08:002007-10-08T14:00:43.876+08:00

...said W H Auden; a perfect line for Moppet's Papa and me. We're sensible - even practical - about us, and our relationship. We're not romantic at all. Really. Remember the proposal?But we do have our moments - completely uncharacteristic, slightly goofy, sometimes cheesy, almost-romantic moments. The song story is one such. It doesn't quite qualify as 'our song' - we don't have one - but it's

Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07112924346592375925noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247776103871618050.post-48041775962764291622007-10-03T12:54:00.000+08:002007-10-03T14:54:30.229+08:00

The intrepid Dotmom has handed me the middle name tag.The three rules to be followed are:a) The rules must be mentioned in the beginning of the tag. (Um, why? They'd work just as well at the end, wouldn't they?)b) You must list one fact that is somehow relevant to your life for each letter of your middle name. If you don’t have a middle name, use the middle name you would have liked to have had.(

Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07112924346592375925noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247776103871618050.post-10892867270387790322007-10-02T11:45:00.000+08:002007-10-02T12:52:00.777+08:00

In the two months since my last update much growing up has happened. New words are added to Moppet's vocabulary so regularly that it is no longer newsworthy, yet it was barely 4 months ago that her first word had me jumping for joy.She sings as she goes about her day and the song goes like this:Taa ta TAA ta TAA ta taaOwwa owwa waa ya waaAAPPA aappa waa saa yaaDaa ta daa ta daa ta taaIf you're

Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07112924346592375925noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247776103871618050.post-84590179017258497022007-09-27T12:50:00.000+08:002007-09-27T13:41:45.066+08:00

There were so many thought-provoking comments to my last post on religion, that I thought I would respond in a follow up post.I agree that it's hard to teach children to question at such a young age - and probably not even appropriate. This is an age where they need structure, and religion is nothing if not structured.I think I will probably end up exposing Moppet to a shallow version of religion

Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07112924346592375925noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247776103871618050.post-92037854895206048892007-09-25T17:38:00.000+08:002007-09-25T20:13:24.414+08:00

Rows and rows of little shops selling bits and pieces of hardware is probably very close to what my husband imagines heaven is like. Rarely have I seen such a gleam in his eye or such a smile on his face as when he was wandering through that crowded IT Mall, drooling over the latest and greatest in hardware, exclaiming over prices, and pointing out specs to me.I was along for translation and

Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07112924346592375925noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247776103871618050.post-7921527996843432902007-09-24T15:07:00.000+08:002007-09-24T11:42:29.330+08:00

No less than 3 loyal readers have asked me some variation of this question this weekend. Of course, 2 of them also followed it up with complaints about my last post - 'serious doesn't suit you', 'don't think too much, you'll hurt your little brain' - but I'm an expert selective listener, so that's just background noise to me.What's important to remember is that they were clamouring - literally

Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07112924346592375925noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247776103871618050.post-60282957863324725142007-09-17T08:46:00.000+08:002007-09-19T11:06:40.896+08:00

When we meet new people and I mention Moppet's name, something I often hear is 'Oh, but that's not a Hindu name, is it?' No, it's not, I reply and wait for the inevitable follow up question: So you're Indian but not Hindu? What are you then?For simplicity's sake I say we're Christian, and while it is factually correct, I often feel like a hypocrite saying it. Moppet's Papa and I are Christians

Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07112924346592375925noreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247776103871618050.post-47061565409854462452007-09-13T10:41:00.000+08:002007-09-13T12:01:19.057+08:00

Ok guys, if after this post you don't hear from me anymore, it probably means that my husband has murdered me and thrown my body into the Chaao Phraya river.Tharini, this is all your fault! :-)In the early months of Moppet's life, her Papa came up with the accurate, if unoriginal nickname of 'Poopy'. He'd go nose to nose with her and say 'Hi PooOOoopy', and about half the time she would respond

Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07112924346592375925noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247776103871618050.post-79213028125770095362007-09-12T13:01:00.000+08:002007-09-12T13:22:39.358+08:00

Tagged by not one, but two funny ladies (and I mean that in a nice way). Y and Kiran have ordered me to list my quirks, and five no less!Here goes:1. I'm a nitpickomaniac. I sweat the small stuff. Which is weird, because I'm generally pretty calm about the big stuff. My life can be crumbling about my ears and I will be worrying about whether my slippers need washing.2. You won't like watching

Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07112924346592375925noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247776103871618050.post-33345098294544816282007-09-10T14:20:00.000+08:002007-09-11T11:05:25.605+08:00

Back home, after a whirlwind weekend in beautiful Singapore. Having travelled plenty with Moppet, I have long since ceased to expect anything but the unexpected. Moppet's Papa however, was rather surprised because the holiday was nothing like the holiday we planned. It was better.We ended up doing very little sightseeing, but got to meet up with several friends, many of whom we had not met in

Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07112924346592375925noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247776103871618050.post-87035652034024963392007-09-06T18:50:00.001+08:002007-09-12T13:41:15.920+08:00

God knows I've complained enough about being unemployed, but it does have its advantages. Like tomorrow, Moppet and I are going to Singapore - just like that! Moppet's Papa is already there, and we'll be joining him for the weekend. Not the kind of almost spur of the moment thingy a working mom could do, eh?We'll be staying with a brave (some would say foolhardy) friend who I haven't seen in over

Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07112924346592375925noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247776103871618050.post-58599698217533977342007-09-03T10:57:00.000+08:002007-09-04T10:52:40.097+08:00

Far, far away, in an ancient land once called Siam, there lived a little girl. Sixteen moons after she was born, a google-eyed oracle sent warning that the child was a small yet potent version of an erstwhile dark lord, but her parents paid no heed.Indeed, it seemed that they might be right, for apart from a single unfortunate incident involving a blue elephant, the little girl showed no signs

Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07112924346592375925noreply@blogger.com40tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247776103871618050.post-21046749032368346832007-08-30T15:18:00.000+08:002007-08-30T20:06:16.010+08:00

Note to the J-monster: Please be assured that this entire post is about a certain little girl who is not Moppet. Any resemblance you may notice is purely coincidental.)So it's official. Playschool rocks.Yesterday I arrived early to pick her up, and passed the time watching the kids at lunch through the big glass windows of their dining room. I watched The-Girl-Who-Is-Not-Moppet shovel down her

Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07112924346592375925noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247776103871618050.post-11035029103463960352007-08-28T15:02:00.000+08:002007-08-28T15:28:40.983+08:00

...the frisson of new love, when it's a secret that belongs only to you and him?...those stolen kisses in an empty classroom, or on a dark night outside rented rooms hoping your nosy landlady won't catch you?...the thrill of cuddling behind the flimsy curtains of the lower side berth in a 2-tier AC compartment?Do you miss that? The danger of getting caught?Try it with a toddler sleeping just a

Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07112924346592375925noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247776103871618050.post-85833104945007006012007-08-23T16:41:00.000+08:002007-08-23T18:09:13.576+08:00

I have felt for some time now that Moppet could do with a different, yet safe and stimulating environment in which to play and explore, other than just our home. Regular play dates with kids around her age would have been enough, but we don't have any friends with kids in her age group. So she gets to play with me and Nanny day in and day out and I thought playschool would be a welcome break

Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07112924346592375925noreply@blogger.com25tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247776103871618050.post-88322341303730656292007-08-20T19:41:00.000+08:002007-08-22T15:40:50.031+08:00

Hello folks! The big news around here is that I've started playschool!Mama keeps saying she'll post about it, but I think this whole playschool thing has been harder on her than on me. She just collapses on the sofa when we get home and whines about being in no mood to do anything.Really, I don't know how she managed anything before I came along...Anyway, coming back to playschool. I wasn't too

Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07112924346592375925noreply@blogger.com25tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247776103871618050.post-34439333025972080042007-08-16T08:44:00.000+08:002007-08-16T15:00:41.023+08:00

I was nervous. This was the first time I was leaving Moppet alone with her nanny in the evening. It was just for a few hours, and I was only going to a neighbour's house, but I was still worried. Moppet's Papa was travelling, so I was going by myself.Nanny has been with us for over 6 months, and knows Moppet's routine inside out, but that didn't stop me from repeating my instructions to her a

Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07112924346592375925noreply@blogger.com29tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247776103871618050.post-49318247850431579372007-08-14T12:27:00.000+08:002007-08-14T15:33:36.018+08:00

On account of owning two parents who lose all sense of proportion when in the vicinity of a bookstore, Moppet's book collection has been expanding prodigiously. We've been buying her a wide variety of books, and she seems to be quite happy to try them all out.Like the music charts, her favourites move up and down from week to week. Some books that have had a fair amount of staying power in the

Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07112924346592375925noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247776103871618050.post-53621652525279477632007-08-10T16:49:00.001+08:002007-08-10T17:53:53.607+08:00

It's Sweeperbaby!Sweeperbaby to the rescue... this place is filthy!These corners can be tricky.And don't forget to take out the trash when you're done.After a job well done, Sweeperbaby prepares to fly off,pausing only to give the paparazzi a gracious smile.Happy weekending everyone!

Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07112924346592375925noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247776103871618050.post-50632993860262910792007-08-09T22:22:00.000+08:002007-08-09T23:15:42.166+08:00

Tagged by my good friend Just Like That.But because...This blog is G-rated.My parents read it.I have a wholesome image to maintain.I suspect this might be a ploy by evil syndicates trying to derail my campaign to be recognised as as the sizzling hot mama that I am. (Btw, if you haven't voted for me yet, please do. Did I mention that I'm shameless as well as sizzling hot?)If I said 'butts' you'd

Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07112924346592375925noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247776103871618050.post-61717012969342972122007-08-07T10:57:00.000+08:002007-08-07T14:19:06.603+08:00

Whatever the question. If it sounds like a question, her answer is ready: No!It's her new favourite word.She says it with care, her mouth making a perfect 'o'. No 'nah', 'nuh', 'nay' for her. No, she says, just as the Queen would say it."Moppet, do you like sitting in your bucket?""No!" (splashing around happily in bucket)"Do you want to wear your orange shirt or your green one?""No! " (grabbing

Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07112924346592375925noreply@blogger.com25tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247776103871618050.post-30829643045420350542007-08-06T13:55:00.000+08:002007-08-06T20:26:12.438+08:00

I spent most of this last weekend in a funk because my job search is going nowhere. This is nothing new. My job hunt has been diligently going nowhere for several months now, and on most days, it doesn't bother me too much.But every once in a while, my tendency to feel sorry for myself asserts itself and I spend a couple of days being gloomy and unpleasant and thinking dark thoughts about all

Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07112924346592375925noreply@blogger.com20