I know that all of these would have been developing gradually but they feel like overnight developments when I suddenly realize how many there are.
...Shouting numbers randomly in Indonesian whenever he hears us using any numbers. It doesn't matter what language we're speaking or whether we are talking about time, prices or distance. He just starts shouting random Indonesian numbers.
...Wriggling out of my arms and onto the floor so that he can walk independently when we're shopping. He then walks through the aisles touching the clothes and saying "Nice"
...Calling out to various family members and inviting them to play. Taking them by the hand and leading them to the play area of choice. Bringing a book to them to read.
...Telling me "No" when I sit next to him on the Piano. He needs to sit there alone and play it by himself.
I just wanted to share a few here because the list goes on and on and I think only Richard and I enjoy going through all of them in detail, beaming with pride as we review all of Aaron's new antics.
Its just amazing to watch how he learns things and also to marvel at the things he has picked up without being taught. I'm torn between wanting to keep him a baby and helping him to develop into an independent little boy. I know there is nothing I can do to stop him from growing up but sometimes I really wish he would do it a little slower.
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
Monday, January 7, 2008
Fisher Price 1977
My mother is constantly telling me not to spend too much money buying toys for Aaron. And I don't because I've found that even the most well thought out purchases don't hold his attention any longer than some common household object (like a remote control). I understand that its all about exploration and new things at this age but sometimes a mother is just carried away by toys that she thinks she would have liked to play with as a child.
Many of Aaron's toys today are actually mine from 30 years ago. Things like Lego and Jigsaws are still in good condition. My mother kept a lot of these in a 'treasure chest' here in Ipoh and today I went through it to find more for Aaron since I didn't bring any back for him.
Here is a Fisher Price School from 1977.
According to my mother, it was very expensive at the time but she still bought it thinking that it would be something that I would become enamored with and spend countless hours make believing. She realizes now that it was more her own desire to play with it that prompted the purchase. Hence the words of advice on not spending too much on Aaron.
What my mother didn't count on was that 30 yrs AFTER she bought that little school, her grandson would be spending some time with it. And this afternoon alone, she thinks that he has already spent more time with it that I ever did. He did seem to really have fun putting the little people in and out of the chairs and swing sets.
Many of Aaron's toys today are actually mine from 30 years ago. Things like Lego and Jigsaws are still in good condition. My mother kept a lot of these in a 'treasure chest' here in Ipoh and today I went through it to find more for Aaron since I didn't bring any back for him.
Here is a Fisher Price School from 1977.
According to my mother, it was very expensive at the time but she still bought it thinking that it would be something that I would become enamored with and spend countless hours make believing. She realizes now that it was more her own desire to play with it that prompted the purchase. Hence the words of advice on not spending too much on Aaron.
What my mother didn't count on was that 30 yrs AFTER she bought that little school, her grandson would be spending some time with it. And this afternoon alone, she thinks that he has already spent more time with it that I ever did. He did seem to really have fun putting the little people in and out of the chairs and swing sets.
Sunday, January 6, 2008
Breastfeeding in Church
Yes, I've finally done it. I never thought I would dare to but today, the perfect opportunity arose.
We went to St Michael's Church today and it has a 'Cry Room'. I've always found that term a little offensive and used to say 'My baby isn't crying' whenever the wardens asked me to take Aaron to the room.
Anyway, Aaron is no longer the little baby that I can keep quiet in the sling. The 'Cry Room' is actually a good place for him now. Its a sectioned off glass area that cuts down the noise that children make but still allows everything that is happening in the main part of the church to be heard.
Initially, we were the only ones in the room today and I didn't turn the lights on. The glass is tinted so we could see out of it but the congregation couldn't really see us inside. I thought Aaron was reasonably well behaved in there. He marched around inspecting every corner of the room. Then he sat down to do some drawing. Eventually, two other families with little girls came into the room and Aaron tried to make friends.
When Aaron failed to engage the girls in any play, he eventually found his way to me, lay down on my lap and asked for a drink. I happily obliged because everybody was facing the front and nobody should be looking around anyway. I couldn't believe I was breastfeeding during Mass. My mind kept thinking of what I would say if somebody approached me at that time or maybe after mass.
"I'm sure Mother Mary breastfed Jesus"
"I thought the whole idea of the 'Cry Room' was to keep Mass times as quiet as possible"
"God made my body this way to feed babies"
I didn't need to face any grown ups. The only person that took any interest in what Aaron was doing was one of the little girls. She looked really puzzled! I actually gave him three short feeds during Mass.
When Mass was over, I felt good that I managed to pay attention to most of it and at least pray more than I usually did. We didn't have to deal with a baby that kept wanting to go outside. Neither did I have to deal with a baby that was constantly tugging at my shirt. This is another situation where I've been thankful for how convenient breastfeeding is and how easy it is to calm a baby down. It just happened that I did it in a place where I think most people would prefer I didn't. But, they don't have to know.
We went to St Michael's Church today and it has a 'Cry Room'. I've always found that term a little offensive and used to say 'My baby isn't crying' whenever the wardens asked me to take Aaron to the room.
Anyway, Aaron is no longer the little baby that I can keep quiet in the sling. The 'Cry Room' is actually a good place for him now. Its a sectioned off glass area that cuts down the noise that children make but still allows everything that is happening in the main part of the church to be heard.
Initially, we were the only ones in the room today and I didn't turn the lights on. The glass is tinted so we could see out of it but the congregation couldn't really see us inside. I thought Aaron was reasonably well behaved in there. He marched around inspecting every corner of the room. Then he sat down to do some drawing. Eventually, two other families with little girls came into the room and Aaron tried to make friends.
When Aaron failed to engage the girls in any play, he eventually found his way to me, lay down on my lap and asked for a drink. I happily obliged because everybody was facing the front and nobody should be looking around anyway. I couldn't believe I was breastfeeding during Mass. My mind kept thinking of what I would say if somebody approached me at that time or maybe after mass.
"I'm sure Mother Mary breastfed Jesus"
"I thought the whole idea of the 'Cry Room' was to keep Mass times as quiet as possible"
"God made my body this way to feed babies"
I didn't need to face any grown ups. The only person that took any interest in what Aaron was doing was one of the little girls. She looked really puzzled! I actually gave him three short feeds during Mass.
When Mass was over, I felt good that I managed to pay attention to most of it and at least pray more than I usually did. We didn't have to deal with a baby that kept wanting to go outside. Neither did I have to deal with a baby that was constantly tugging at my shirt. This is another situation where I've been thankful for how convenient breastfeeding is and how easy it is to calm a baby down. It just happened that I did it in a place where I think most people would prefer I didn't. But, they don't have to know.
Grandparents are the best
Richard's ulcer scare is providing us with some lovely family time in Ipoh. My parents are back here at the moment. My grandparents of course live here in Ipoh and don't get around much at all since they are all in their eighties.
I always feel a little sad living so far away from my grandparents when they are so old. Its just not the same meeting up with them for a few days once a year and talking to them occasionally on the phone. I like being in touch with them on a daily basis and being part of their lives here. I'll have that opportunity now for the next 4 or 5 weeks.
Here we are at my maternal grandparent's house.
My grandfather just got back from his line dancing class. He's like a local celebrity around here for being the oldest line dancer in Ipoh and has been featured in the newspapers several times. At 89, he's still a regular at all the parties and refuses to leave until the very last dance is over. Unfortunately, my grandmother never got into it because of her knees but she still sometimes accompanies my grandfather. It would have been sweet to see the both of them enjoying this together. Unfortunately, they do have a little of that 'old style marriage' with the man always out and the woman waiting to take care of him at home. After nearly 60 years, she does grumble about this a little but refuses to take a break from it even to visit me in Palembang.
I always feel a little sad living so far away from my grandparents when they are so old. Its just not the same meeting up with them for a few days once a year and talking to them occasionally on the phone. I like being in touch with them on a daily basis and being part of their lives here. I'll have that opportunity now for the next 4 or 5 weeks.
Here we are at my maternal grandparent's house.
My grandfather just got back from his line dancing class. He's like a local celebrity around here for being the oldest line dancer in Ipoh and has been featured in the newspapers several times. At 89, he's still a regular at all the parties and refuses to leave until the very last dance is over. Unfortunately, my grandmother never got into it because of her knees but she still sometimes accompanies my grandfather. It would have been sweet to see the both of them enjoying this together. Unfortunately, they do have a little of that 'old style marriage' with the man always out and the woman waiting to take care of him at home. After nearly 60 years, she does grumble about this a little but refuses to take a break from it even to visit me in Palembang.
Saturday, January 5, 2008
We're back in Ipoh
I never thought that we'd be in Ipoh this quickly. Yesterday, exactly one week after we returned from Kuala Lumpur, we found ourselves on a plane back to Malaysia again.
Richard has been having some discomfort in the stomach for nearly a week and on Wednesday night, he thought he had all the symptoms of a bleeding ulcer. He's had this two other times in his life and thought it was happening again. In a big panic, we packed our bags and tried to find flight tickets to buy online. However, it was all full. The doctors in Palembang are so unreliable that even the Indonesians (those who can afford it) fly out whenever they need medical attention.
We went to the airport early on Thursday morning but there were no flights so early and all the offices were closed. We waited until midday before finally getting the standby seats on the AirAsia flight back to Kuala Lumpur. We then took a taxi back to Ipoh.
After a morning of waiting in line to see the doctors and an endoscopy, the doctors said that he was "FINE"!! Just a bit of gastric! We were all so surprised and I must admit that I'm wondering if we over reacted. But then again, its better to be on the safe side since he was hospitalized twice before when he really did have a perforated ulcer.
Richard will probably go back to Palembang on Monday but I think I'll just stay on here instead of spending the money on tickets back to Palembang and then back here again for Chinese New Year in a few weeks.
Richard has been having some discomfort in the stomach for nearly a week and on Wednesday night, he thought he had all the symptoms of a bleeding ulcer. He's had this two other times in his life and thought it was happening again. In a big panic, we packed our bags and tried to find flight tickets to buy online. However, it was all full. The doctors in Palembang are so unreliable that even the Indonesians (those who can afford it) fly out whenever they need medical attention.
We went to the airport early on Thursday morning but there were no flights so early and all the offices were closed. We waited until midday before finally getting the standby seats on the AirAsia flight back to Kuala Lumpur. We then took a taxi back to Ipoh.
After a morning of waiting in line to see the doctors and an endoscopy, the doctors said that he was "FINE"!! Just a bit of gastric! We were all so surprised and I must admit that I'm wondering if we over reacted. But then again, its better to be on the safe side since he was hospitalized twice before when he really did have a perforated ulcer.
Richard will probably go back to Palembang on Monday but I think I'll just stay on here instead of spending the money on tickets back to Palembang and then back here again for Chinese New Year in a few weeks.
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
Please remember - Once for Lock and Twice for Unlock
Its driving me crazy! Things weren't so bad when all my immediate neighbors rode motorbikes but now, we have new neighbors next door and also diagonally opposite us.
The new neighbors also happen to have newish cars. For some reason, all the newer cars in Palembang honk their horns when they are either locked or unlocked. "Honk" for locking and "Honk Honk" for unlocking. Until moving here, I only knew of cars that beeped or flashed the indicator lights. [SEE! RIGHT NOW! "Honk" and "Honk Honk" just went off again]. These people!
Its bad enough that the cars come configured this way but these drivers can't remember whether or not they locked the car and what the number of honks mean so that they don't have to make it happen repeatedly! They never just give us a single "Honk" or "Honk Honk". They seem to get to their car, press the button and realize that they have just locked the car instead of unlocking it. So, what do they to? Press it again! Other times I think they press the button to lock then car, and then unlock it, just to be sure it was locked the first time, and then unlock it again. Its really really noisy here.
It wouldn't annoy me so much if the cars weren't right outside Aaron's window. As it is, he's had to get used to sleeping with the loud prayers, modified motorbikes and low flying planes.
HONK! There they go again......
The new neighbors also happen to have newish cars. For some reason, all the newer cars in Palembang honk their horns when they are either locked or unlocked. "Honk" for locking and "Honk Honk" for unlocking. Until moving here, I only knew of cars that beeped or flashed the indicator lights. [SEE! RIGHT NOW! "Honk" and "Honk Honk" just went off again]. These people!
Its bad enough that the cars come configured this way but these drivers can't remember whether or not they locked the car and what the number of honks mean so that they don't have to make it happen repeatedly! They never just give us a single "Honk" or "Honk Honk". They seem to get to their car, press the button and realize that they have just locked the car instead of unlocking it. So, what do they to? Press it again! Other times I think they press the button to lock then car, and then unlock it, just to be sure it was locked the first time, and then unlock it again. Its really really noisy here.
It wouldn't annoy me so much if the cars weren't right outside Aaron's window. As it is, he's had to get used to sleeping with the loud prayers, modified motorbikes and low flying planes.
HONK! There they go again......
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
Graffiti Competition and Top 10 Park Update
I was surprised today when Richard asked if I wanted to go take a look at the Graffiti Competition going on in the Pusri Compound. I didn't think there was much graffiti in Palembang but I now realize I was wrong. My eyes must have been closed during all our drives around the place. After opening them wide today, I saw that almost all buildings had graffiti on the side of them.
Here are the entries for the competition at Pusri. I can't help thinking that a real graffiti artist would probably not enjoy his art as much on a piece of legitimate canvas instead of the side of a building. Whether these were painted by real vandals or just artists who like the style, I enjoyed looking at each of them and I thought the long stretch of all the entries added a nice touch to the intersection that they are displayed at.
OK. On the topic of Palembang's Top 10 Parks, I have to inform you all that I'm giving up. I've confirmed that apart from the multiple green areas in the Pusri Compound and the Novotel grounds, there are no other parks. Luckily we live close enough to Pusri to go there on the weekends. Today, we tried out the basketball courts. Take a look at the ambition here (from BOTH of them).
Here are the entries for the competition at Pusri. I can't help thinking that a real graffiti artist would probably not enjoy his art as much on a piece of legitimate canvas instead of the side of a building. Whether these were painted by real vandals or just artists who like the style, I enjoyed looking at each of them and I thought the long stretch of all the entries added a nice touch to the intersection that they are displayed at.
OK. On the topic of Palembang's Top 10 Parks, I have to inform you all that I'm giving up. I've confirmed that apart from the multiple green areas in the Pusri Compound and the Novotel grounds, there are no other parks. Luckily we live close enough to Pusri to go there on the weekends. Today, we tried out the basketball courts. Take a look at the ambition here (from BOTH of them).
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