Transitions

We let the Dinos sleep in cradle when they were about 2 months at the request of my mummy who says babies sleep better in cradles.

Previously, we will either carry them or put them in rocker to sleep and then transfer to cot after they fell asleep. Of course it would involve patting here and there during their sleep and my mum found it to be a hassle.

Since she will be the main caregiver after I returned to work, I try to give in to whatever request she makes.

Fast forward to when they are 18mths and we are about to send them to CC where all kids sleep on mattress and have 1 nap per day.

During registration, the principal suggested to let them transit to bed and 1 nap at home first since they will only start in next Jan.

So the big transition project began.

I requested both grannies to give them nap at 12pm which is the official nap time for CC but so far both have failed to do so. Both still need give 2 naps per day.

But during weekends, even if they wake up at 6.30am to play, we are able to drag their nap to 12pm. Of course we shifted their lunch time to an hour earlier. So far we've been doing for the past month and both can accustomed to this new timing on weekends. Not sure whether its due to having each other to play with but they seems to have boundless energy and don't even need a nap.

I'm also able to get them to sleep on bed/ mattress by making them lie beside me while nursery rhymes are put on repeat mode and I'll pat them.

Small Dino will want run around the room before sleep. When he's tired, he would come beside me to lie down and asked me to start patting him.

Big Dino on the other hand loves to "chat" while lying on the bed side by side. He would then slowly drift to sleep. This is quite my style except that he is still talking his baby language while I answer in whatever topic I can think of. Nevertheless, he's pretty happy during the sessions.

Come to think of it, I must be mad to introduce 2 changes at the same time for them. Luckily they adapted quite well and I can now say the transitions are successful but only when I'm in charge. Hopefully they will get use to it when attending CC next year.

Dinos' 1st Outing to Changi Airport

Since The Dinos have been taking 1 nap on weekends, it's easier for us to bring them out for outings.

This holiday, we had an impromptu playdate with Bestie and her family at Airport. Was initially scheduled to go Bestie house and plans got shelved and we decided to go airport and Bestie decided to join us there. Haha.

The Dinos woke up at 3pm and we fed them milk and left house at 4pm, armed with a truckload of things for them.

I've cooked their porridge with the thermal pot and packed their things while Papa napped with them. Mothers - we get to rest the least. Gonna shoot those who kept telling me that I can rest when the kids nap. Bullshit. Haha I'm in fact busiest when they sleep cause need rush to finish the tasks.

Enough of complaints. 

Enroute to Airport

So we reached the Airport at 4.30pm. Exactly the time I planned. Parked at T2 and made our way to the viewing gallery. But it was a disappointment. It's a pretty small area with quite a crowd and also only able to have view of 1 parking area. I.e. 6 parking spaces for airplanes. There's no other places to watch already. 

Papa preparing them 

Ready to explore

Them pointing to the Big Birds

I remembered there used to a long stretch of viewing gallery where we can see alot of airplanes taking off and landing and then parking to the gates.

We then decide to go to T1 as there's advertisement that T1 vieiwng gallery is kids friendly.

Big Dino, afraid of the see though glass

Then the copy cat Small Dino also expressed fear

Run baby, run

Turns out, it's only a tad better than T2 only. There's a mini playground which is over crowded and also some kiddy rides and a colouring station.

We let the Dinos roam freely at an open area. Though there's some crowd but there's still enough space for the kiddos to run about. Just have to be careful on the other kids running around too. 

So happy to be running freely

Tried to steer them look at the Big Birds (which is our main objective to come here) but they weren't interested. Further more, the passage way near viewing window were see through to ground level and it freaks the Dinos out. 

I did not expect them to understand the design but Big Dino totally wouldn't stand on it and kept telling us he's scared. Small Dino tried to go for a while before running away. 

Decided to let them just do what they want. 

They then got interested in some lighting structure inside the departure lounge and spent quite some time looking at it through the glass.

Bestie reached at 5pm and her boys immediately ran off to play after exchanging greetings. We didn't have time to chat as were all busy looking after the kids.

Big Dino then steered me to the play ground as he wanna explore it seeing so many kids there. So much for me keeping him away.

Cheers!

Meantime, Papa brought Small Dino to the colouring station and spent quite sometime there.

We have never brought the Dinos to playground except for the indoor 1 which they both literally had the whole play ground to themselves when we visited at super off peak hours.


Hence my Dinos did know the concept of queuing up for their turn.

Big Dino actually hog the whole slide to himself, wanting to climb up the reverse way after sliding down. The problem is there are other kids waiting to slide down behind him. I had to carried him away and then up the stairs again to let him have another go.

But this stubborn mule wanted to do things his way and ended up having a meltdown for not getting his way.

Took him to a corner to let him finish crying before explaining / reprimanding him. Nothing will go in when he's crying.

Not sure whether he understands or he is just being angry, he didn't go to the slide anymore after that.

Bestie on the other hand was impressed with his loud voice. Haha. Now then you know.

Colouring station

We then let them play with the kiddy rides but did not put monies in for it to move. Firstly, I did not want to expose them to the moving rides and secondly they will be afraid.

Let them be contented with sitting on the immobile rides and pretend play will do.

My handsome Godson

On their favourite - Bus

Getting down to go another ride

Left for T2 again at 6pm to go for dinner and the boys had another meltdown as they did not want to leave. We forcefully removed them and baby wear them and move on quickly.

Luckily had some snacks with me and they calm down after that.

Swensens (where we are having dinner) had a long queue and luckily I had brought home cooked porridge. I actually contemplated not to initially and wanted to let them have kids meal there. But somehow managed to convince myself to go through the hassle of cooking, packing and then carrying.

Turns out to be a wise move as the Dinos were hungry and the queue is long. Fed them while they run about outside waiting.

Lusting after Chio Bin's biscuits while he is actually having dinner

Small Dino was super funny. He was interested to eat Chio bin's Biscuit while I fed him porridge and kept hovering around the stroller. But thank god he did  not snatch, just stood there looking intently.

Had it been his brother who is eating, he would have snatched and run. So I guess he is still not so bad after all.

Kor, issit yummy?

We were ushered to our place after 20min of queuing and the Dinos are already finishing their dinner. But these 2 bottomless pit can still eat our fries and then ice cream later on. Big Dino even insist that he wants the mint flavour would not take others.


Managed to chat a bit amidst the feeding / eating session and we ended the night by changing all young kids' diaper before calling it a day.

Group photo

It's been a short but fulfilling outing and I looked forward to more of such play dates. The Dinos were so tired that they K.O on the way home.

But during bed time, both were excitedly making aeroplane sound complete with the flying action and then a string of their baby words as if to tell me what they saw/ experienced. Took a longer time than usual to let them sleep. 

Cooking again

So we brought a electric pressure cooker to kick start my cooking career again.

Reason being, we are sending the Dinos to childcare come Jan and I would want them to still have homecook dinner whenever possible.

With the short amount of time I have after work, need help of every imaginable cook appliances you can think of.

After getting my cooker, the 1st dish I tried with it is my personal favourite - Sesame Oil Chicken - 麻油鸡.

So before I forget how to cook again, gotta record it down here for future reference.

Ingredients :

Chicken breast - 300g
Boneless chicken thighs -200g
Ginger cut into strips
1 small can of button mushrooms

Seasoning: 

 
1tbsp of light soy sauce
1 1/2 tbsp of dark soy sauce
1 1/2 tbsp of sesame oil
1 tbsp of hua diao jiu
200ml water
1tbsp of corn starch

Steps.

1). In bake mode, heat up 2 tbsp of sesame oil and fry the ginger till fragrant.

2). Put in chicken pieces and continue frying

3). Add in seasoning and button mushrooms and make sure the chicken pieces are well coated with the seasoning

4). Switch to chicken mode and kpt for 10min.

5). Release vent slowly and ready to serve.

Because of personal preference, I actually used much more sesame oil. I.e for frying can use normal cooking oil. And cause I want some gravy for the Dinos, add in more water.

These can be adjusted accordingly to individual's preference.