Hong Kong Holiday

We made used of the long weekend to take a short holiday in Hong Kong.  In a way, this is her first flight, because she took her first real flight when she was still not old enough to appreciate what was going on around her.

The flight to and fro went relatively smoothly.  The change in air pressure during take-off and landing didn’t seem to bother Jan.  Jan couldn’t really sleep on the plane though, think it’s too exciting for her to close her eyes.  We were glad we took SQ and got the first row because it was a lot roomier and it came with the bassinet.  I feel for other parents with young children who didn’t manage to get the front row…they looked like they were cramped in their seats.

Above: Jan in her bassinet

Jan also tried her first airplane meal.  SQ has this post-weaning meal for baby who just started on solids.  The one on our going flight (shown in the photo) was very heavily flavoured, so Jan didn’t eat very much of it.  The one on the return flight was much better.

Right: Jan’s first airplane meal

Traveling with young children is definitely not easy…have to constantly keep an eye on Jan throughout the flight, so we didn’t get to enjoy much of the inflight entertainment, i.e. the movies.  We had to eat our meals later because we have to feed her first.  Jan definitely kept us very busy throughout the flight.  The good thing was my parents helped to take care of Jan for part of the flight, so my wife and I were able to eat in peace and catch parts of the movie “Hancock”.

Our first night in Hong Kong wasn’t easy though.  Jan slept very late that day (past midnight!!), plus she was teething and she was in a new environment, so consequently she woke up at 4am and couldn’t get back to sleep till 6am….we spent the following day recuperating from that saga.

Amazingly, Jan was able to catch her naps during the trip in the baby carrier.  That gave us more flexibility in planning our time.  Nonetheless, Jan definitely slept less than her usual.

Left: Wonder mama carrying the 10kg baby all around town while baby catches a wink

We spent one of our days at Hong Kong’s Ocean Park.  It was numerous attractions packed into one, and we visited the ones suitable for families: Seeing the Panda and the Chinese Sturgeon, the aquarium, riding the cable car and seeing the ocean theatre.  It was a good place for the family to spend the day.  My parents had a good time showing Jan the animals, and we all enjoyed the sights and sounds there.  And at the end of the day, there is a cafe with a great view for all of us to unwind!

Below: Cable car ride; Grandma showing Jan the fishes in the aquarium; A great cafe to rest your legs while enjoying great scenaries

 

Right Brain Education?

I had always found it hard to understand why some parents send their children to all those fanciful right brain, left brain, centre brain training classes, and many of those kids have not even reach one!!!??  Why waste money on some useless classes?  Why be so kia su?  Why subject your children to school pressure so early in their lives?  Can’t we let kids be kids and enjoy their childhood?!!

Well, the amazing thing is…I am now also considering sending Jan to those classes.

I realised that because Jan’s generation is brought up so different from my generation, I can’t apply how I was brought up to bring her up.  Moreover, one of my fears is that Jan will start school a lot less equipped than her peers.  I don’t believe that having a bigger vocabulary or being able to play more instruments will give a child much advantage in school, but I do believe that equipping them with better learning methods and tools will let them learn faster and help build their confidence.

So now I am still half skeptical how useful those classes are, but I am willing to give them a try and see for myself how useful they are.

And I will definitely see if my girl enjoys those classes or feel pressured by them.  I doubt she will feel pressure though, ‘cos now everything new is interesting to her, and I don’t think they will put her through examinations yet.

Well, will tell you more after we get to those classes.

It has been a while!! Sorryz….

Many fans of this blog have hunted us over the past weeks for having kept silent for so long on this blog…a big apology to everyone…it’s all the mother’s fault =P

(…guess who took all the pictures…?)

Anyway, you must be wondering how our little girl has been these months?

She has definitely grown.  We know that because she outgrown her previous set of shoes.  We bought her a new pair recently, it is one of those that squeaks.  She enjoyed the squeaking sound a lot, and will intentionally stamp her feet to hear those sounds =)  My mum’s been complaining about how the sounds would impact Jan’s hearing though…but well…

Oh…and I forgot to mention, Jan is walking and walking and walking and walking nowadays!  Hmm…looks like I really haven’t blogged here for a long while, ‘cos I thought I should have mentioned that already.  Anyway, sometime in mid-August, she started walking more than crawling, and nowadays she barely crawls.  She enjoys going out for walks very much, and would get very excited when we put on her shoes for her.

Check out these cool photos!