A driving holiday with a toddler

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

Hmmm… wonder how that’s like…

 

I’m in the midst of running through a list of ‘must-haves’ when traveling with a toddler. You see we’re leaving tomorrow for Penang. Needless to say it’s our first time traveling by car with Ayanna as a toddler. I’m a little tensed about it because as a toddler, Ayanna has demands (unlike a baby of course) that need to be met.

 

My tote bag is ready with all the essentials (snacks, change of clothes, diapers, stuffed toys, crayons) just in case of any eventualities.

 

Driving with a toddler only means having a sensible schedule of ample breaks for exercise, meals and snacks. Plus plenty of games and songs en route.

 

Looking forward to the sun, sea and sand!

 

 

New Year Goals

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

The year has begun.

 

And Ayanna (and Mummy) has/ have got several goals to accomplish for the year:

 

-         Mummy is set on moving Ayanna into her own room. However it seems that daddy is more keen on having her stay. After rooming with us for 17^th months now, I’m not sure how Ayanna’s going to take to sleeping in her own room.

 

-         Potty training: we’re eager to start. I think Ayanna seems quite ready.

 

-         Weaning: though the process has begun, we would like to completely wean Ayanna of breast milk. With the introduction of cow’s milk I’m hoping that’s going to be possible.

 

We’re keeping our fingers crossed that all the above will go smoothly.

 

We’re eager to hear about your personal experiences and pointers that may help us through. Or simply share with us any of your New Year goals that you've set for yourself and your toddler.

 

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year

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

Another year has gone by as we now prepare to welcome a new one. Ayanna has had quite a year, celebrating her first birthday and experiencing many milestones. She will greet the New Year with fervor as she moves further into toddlerhood and her second birthday. We look forward to an exciting year ahead for Ayanna.

 

Ayanna is all ready to usher in the new year!

 

Mummy and baby thank you for your support as you journeyed with us through falls, triumphs, running noses, cuts and bruises. We hope you will continue to support us throughout the coming year. Happy reading.

 

We wish you a prosperous, fabulous and a fun-filled year ahead.

 

Happy 2009!

 

Her First Set of Wheels

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

Ayanna with her first set of wheels...

 

This was a Christmas gift Ayanna received last year from her favourite uncle. We only recently took it out of the box for her to use. She seems quite ready to explore and experiment with her new set of wheels.

 

She most certainly loves sitting on her trike and pushing it. Though for now, only with mummy or daddy’s help does Ayanna move forward. She is slowly getting accustomed to her trike – a perfect introduction to how to ride a bike.

I really, really love it!

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

Ayanna doin the boogie-woogie

I love to dance with both my feet

I love to dance to a dancing beat

I love to sing la-la-la-la

 

Ayanna loves music! She’s got quite an eclectic taste– enjoying African rhythms just as much as she does the Salsa beat, some Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Timberland and of course her nursery rhymes.

 

Once the music comes on she sways her head, in imitation of the great Stevie Wonder, and complements it with a little bounce.

 

We’re constantly trying to encourage Ayanna to sing, dance and play music in our effort to instill a love of music in her.

 

How do you encourage/ motivate your toddler to appreciate music?

 

 

 

Better Late than Never

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

Ayanna in her party frock and hat

Here’s wishing and hoping you all had a wonderful Christmas.

 

Ayanna surely did, surrounded by family and friends… and tons of presents under the Christmas tree. Ayanna’s eyes lit up on opening her gifts but quickly tossed the contents aside as she delightedly dove into the collection of discarded boxes and wrappersJ

 

Thank you for your continued support.

 

Keep reading!

 

Getting her creative juices flowing …

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

Some weeks ago, we decided to get Ayanna a set of Crayola crayons. Though it read 18 months and above on the box, we decided to give it a go. These non-toxic, washable crayons are ideal for toddlers as they are made to fit a toddler’s grip. With little preliminary instructions, Ayanna was soon scribbling.

 

Hard at work...

 

The excitement of a new experience naturally extended to scribbling on books, floors and nibbling on crayons. That’s why Ayanna’s only allowed to fine-tune her skills under supervision. Ayanna needs to be reminded from time to time that crayons are meant for drawing and not for eating.

 

Ayanna has so far created several masterpieces, which we hope to soon adorn her bedroom walls.

16th month

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

She's quite the explorer!

Ayanna turned 16^th months this past week. We now have a full-fledged toddler living under our roof. Walking is top of the agenda for her (a bit of running also). She’s just discovered a new gross motor skill – jumping and can’t seem to stop once she’s started.

 

She loves imitating activities and everything we say. Her range of words continues to grow. She loves to scribble. Ayanna loves being outdoors. She loves to explore. She loves to stack, empty and fill up containers.

 

Move update

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

Ayanna in her new room

It’s been two weeks since our move. And we’re finally hooked on to the Internet.

 

Ayanna’s had a smooth, hiccup-free transition from her old environment to the new one. In fact it’s as if we’ve always been here. She’s had no trouble at all adjusting and loves her new routine, which includes visits to the park and playground twice a day. She also loves her new playroom.

 

Simply lovin it!

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

We had a small house warming party at our new place yesterday. Though we only move into our new home this weekend, last night was the official initiation for close family members and most importantly... Ayanna. She has, before this, seen the place in the midst of renovation but never how it looked yesterday – complete with furniture, fixtures, etc.

 

Ayanna loved the bigger space – she was so excited, practically running from one room to another. We spent a considerable amount of time in her room where she played with some of her toys. I was relieved to see how well she had adjusted to her new surroundings. She was even comfortable enough to take a nap.

 

Lovin it!

 

I reckon the transition from old to new should be a pretty smooth one.

 

I’m keeping my fingers crossed.