I have a happy child

"Education commences at the mother's knee, and every word spoken within hearsay of little children tends toward the formation of character."
-- Hosea Ballou

Raychel is over 5 months old. She laughs, coos, makes bubbles, screams, sticks out her tongue, and of course smiles at you if you call out her name. Ever since she was first born, I would always sing to her b-c that's my form of bonding and teaching. This quote above really depicts her character development and I'm happy to have so far raised a bright, happy and loving child. When people compliment Raychel by saying she's a good and happy baby, I feel very proud and blessed - I'm doing a good job.

The following songs I sing to her which help her growing process:

• The alphabet in both English and French
• BaBa Black Sheep
• Frere Jacques
• Alouette, Gentille Alouette
• Twinkle Little Star
• You are my Sunshine
• Row your Boat
• 1234567 Violet Bicyclette

Interestingly, Raychel enjoys me singing to her even if I make up a song - like impromptu. I made up this song called, "Let's sing our Manner" which incorporates Cantonese and French terms. Also, I made up a Cantonese/English song for her when she drinks her milk b-c I don't know any Cantonese songs or nursery rhymes and I feel that it's important to keep up with her Cantonese. It's actually quite funny b-c I learn a new Cantonese word ever day so all the songs I make up use the words that I've learned and I basically repeat them so that we both won't forget. Ray thinks I'm funny but he is impressed that I'm making an effort and I've clearly improved my skills tenfold.

When life gives you poo...

...get a good quality diaper genie to dump the soiled diaper in.

Or, you can be like Ray and just leave the soiled diaper on top of the diaper genie so that it covers the lid and all its contents spill on the floor when you're changing a diaper in the middle of the night and trying to lift the lid to put in the new diaper (because of course, why would anyone not put the used diaper inside the genie?). It really only takes 3 seconds to wrap the soiled diaper and insert it into the genie; perhaps he's leaving it out to show me that "Hey, I changed the diaper. I'm so helpful. Look; now you put it away". I will never fully understand a man's way of thinking.

Last week Raychel was forced to become self-sufficient because I was occupied with my studies. I did feel guilty about this; but at the same time not. She got a chance to learn more herself and she was learning how to play. I would leave the bottle with "nai nai" (milk in cantonese) beside her and she figured out that if she was hungry, the only way to get her milk is to pick up her own bottle and put it inside her mouth. This only worked of course because since she was 1 month old she has been semi-holding her bottle so she made the connection from bottle to mouth early on.

Yesterday, out of pure curiosity, I gave her a Nuby sippy cup with handles on it and see whether or not she would drink from it. It was only filled with water. Sure enough, she put her two hands on the handle and after 4 or 5 times the spout finally reached her mouth. I was very proud. She was disappointed because it was "soy" (water) instead of "nai nai". Nonetheless, she drank it anyways. Ray came home in time just to catch her drinking from the sippy cup.

I think we need to buy more Nuby sippy cups - cool design, BPA free, easy to use and spillproof. I'll be on the lookout for them on sale.

The beginning: My Inspiration

"Of all the rights of women, the greatest is to be a mother." -- Lin Yutang

In Spring 2008, I had lunch with two good friends. Everyone was sharing about the direction they wish to take for their future and what goals they'd like to accomplish within the next five years. When it came to my turn, I was surprised by the response that came of my mouth: I wanted to be a mother. I didn't have my career or traveling on the top of my list- this was it. I love being in the workforce, learning more about society, being involved in my family and friends lives and working towards improving my self both physically and mentally - but what would truly make me feel like I was empowered is by being a mother to someone.

November 14 2009 I felt my first feeling of empowerment. Raychel Lai Ying Johnson-Kam was born at 2:50 PM. It's almost 5 months now and everyday; I feel myself growing and getting stronger with empowerment.

Here's my personal equation: My empowerment=Inspiration+Raychel

*Thank you in advance for taking this journey with me...