Tech and us today

Technology today has such a tremendous influence on our lives, it is absolutely amazing.

I have friends whose kids are below 5 and they already have an ipod for their favourite songs and ipad for their kiddie books. While I am happy that songs and books are part of the package, I still believe that it is too much, too soon. Whatever happen to flipping (and occasionally tearing) pages of books and CDs blasting for all in the family to sing along?

My kids are still relatively less exposed to all the fast moving tech. The most is Ryan having our iphones for limited time to play some (monitored) games and the TV. Internet is allowed for playhousedisney.com, and it is also monitored with limited time. He has learned that once the time is up, there is no further discussion on it.

Megan is sometimes on the iphone, but usually she will throw it away when it is not responding to the way she wants it. Her big tech thing is the TV which plays Barnie and Elmo for her.

I remember when I had to apply for jobs fresh out of university, I had to type and print and then buy stamps and envelopes to send it. Now, it is on the website. For example, peoplesearch.com and other sites where you can go check out what they want and how to apply for it.

I remember too when I was small, having a pen pall was a big thing and I used to write to a friend in the UK and would wait weeks for a reply. Now, finding old friends is so easy through Facebook. No more waiting for weeks and no more limitation of space.

Ah yes, the wonders of tech. I think it is very much like fire - when tech is your servant, it is really wonderful, but when tech becomes the master, we are doomed.

Have you ever wondered ...

Some little girls used to grow up wondering when they will meet their Prince Charming and get whisked off to a happily ever after life in an awesome castle somewhere. But I don't think I grew up with this dream, I basically grew up wondering where I can find the next boy to whack and how I was going to be No. 1 in class.

Fast forward to some 10 years plus ago when I decided that my then boyfriend was the one I will spend my life with. And now, we have 3 kids.

And I have to admit, it is not always a bed of roses. Of course the good outweigh the bad times, but still sometimes I find myself wondering if it was all worth fighting for.

And sometimes, when I am up in the quiet of the night nursing, I wonder, if it was meant to be ...

Threatened!!

So, we were talking over a late tea on Friday.

SL said that she has resorted to remove blogs which are inactive from her blog roll. And then she said to me "Your is about to be removed, so long never update".

So here I am, well past midnight, putting up a post so that SL will not remove me from her blog roll. Have mercy! I have kids to run after!!

Have a good week everyone!

Introducing Dylan

It has been exactly a month since we had a new addition to the family.

Baby Dylan was born 3.705kg with healthy Apgar scores of 9 & 10. He is really a good eater and is very loud too! He is very similar to how Ryan was as a baby except that he drinks much longer and much more! Impatience is the only vice at the moment.

His older brother thinks he is cute and cannot resist giving him a peck each time he sees Dylan. Megan will always ask "Baby leh?" Dylan responds to Megan each time he hears her talk or cry. He will look out for her until she tries to pry his eyes or poke his face. He will cry when it gets too much.

Although he is our third, we are still learning to be better parents and a better family. Time really flies as I still remember the day I found out about him and it was just like it was yesterday.

Treasure time, live life. Happy one month old Dylan.

I am so sad

Yesterday we were in the car heading towards KLCC for a late lunch from my MIL's place and the kids were a little cranky and tired.

While Ryan entertained himself on his dad's phone, the little girl said this ... "I am so sad ...".

Ok, I know some mothers will be frowning and worried, but I literally burst out laughing! Imagine a 2 year old feeling sad ... and we did not even scold her nor did anything drastic to her that will warrant her saying this.

But anyway, I discovered later that she was actually feeling tired and so, her "sadness". She napped for a while till we got to KLCC.

The things kids say will make any sitcom pale in comparison, haha.

Best ideas for raising kids ...

I was going through some notes on success principles and came across the following:

According to Zig Ziglar, the best idea for raising kids is to "Love them unconditionally. Begin and end each day properly."

Isn't that well said? I must remember to end the day right with them. Too often we get so caught up with ourselves that we lose sight of what is important to us, too often we get so caught up with petty things that we lose sight of those little ones which holds us dear. Too often .. 

And as Joseph Campbell says ... "To the whole world you might be just one person, but to one person you might just be the whole world." 

Please God, help me have the strength to be the kind of mum my kids deserve and the kind you want me to be - kind, loving and patient. 

My backdated post ...

If you ask anybody, they will tell you that I am a really really laid back mum.

I was cleaning up my hotmail's inbox and noticed that I had a post in there which I wrote but never got to put it on the blog!! It was on Megan's Week 15 milestone and so, I finally put it up here, almost 2 years later. Sigh, I am a terrible mum.

And as I look back to more photos etc, I think there will be more backdated posts to come.

Meanwhile, I will blog about current events while backdating at the same time.

Have a good day!

I lost track of time

...which is the only reason I can think of for not putting something here for so long.

Well, that is about to change. I will start updating for the next 3 weeks ... since I am stuck at home and all.

Till tomorrow then ...

Ryan's first day in school

I still remember Ryan's first day in school. It was 3 years ago. I had felt very guilty then, having to send him to school at such young age. However, I am glad I did it cause he really benefited from it.

Today, it will be his first day of his last year in pre-school. It has been a great journey for him, and us. Last night, I wrapped his communications book and I am really touched by how far he has come and the many developments that has taken place.

This time next year, my baby will be in Standard One, oh, how time flies. I am so so proud of him, although there are challenging times which I am sure is normal.

Today, as in the past 3 years, I will be off from work and will be sending and picking him up - a tradition I hope my kids will treasure for many years to come.

I thank God each day for the chance he has given us to help in moulding this child. May He blesses him with many more happy and healthy times as he journeys through life.

Have a great day Ryan!

A brand new start

2010 came and went past us all. Usually I hear people say how fast it has been, talking about where it went etc. Some years back, I have decided to take a different approach to it - I choose to think that it flew us by because we were healthy - Thank God.

There were many many incidents and occasions which happened in this year but the main things I am thankful for are:

1) My kids are healthy.
2) I am still married.
3) My parents and brother are healthy.
4) I chose a new path and am currently thankful I did it.
5) God gave us another chance to be better parents.
6) The share market has been progressing well.

As I reflect the year, I am looking forward to the following in 2011:

1) My kids being happy and healthy.
2) I continue to be married.
3) My parents and brother are healthy.
4) My chosen path becomes full bloom.
5) My newborn is happy to have come to us.
6) The share market continues to perform for us.

Hmm, seems to me there are only those few things I am concerned with. So long as the earth continues to spin, the air is breathable and the sun rises in the east each morning, I am happy to embrace each day, with its many challenges.

How about you?