Meldylove @meldylove - Tumblr Blog

I’m back to our “no nap no tv time” rule on weekdays because I have seen how a tired child with screen time just becomes more angsty and emotional. My 4-year-old has about two zoom sessions a week lately, and still gets to use my phone for pictures, reading, video calls with family and listening to music. Screen time is pretty unavoidable these days, eh? Myopia is on the rise in the young due to higher use of technology. We can’t avoid it since both the husband and I had myopia discovered since we were pretty young. Even though we’ve been careful with screen time, Beth need her own myopia check up soon. In the meantime, I love giving her meaningful play that keeps her engaged without the use of screens. We loved digging into (geddit? Haha) our very first DIY planting kit from @fleurhousesg. See my stories for what went down, LOL. Get your own kit on PlanoShop via @planoapp ! More details about PlanoApp in the comments below! Download the app with the link in my bio and get 2500 points instantly to redeem awesome stuff like this planting kit. We chose Kang Kong btw, lmk what seeds you choose😘 In collaboration with @planoapp, we are also giving away 2 x @treeartsg art classes each to 3 lucky followers! Virtual art classes to teach children essential art skills, creativity and critical thinking. Each session is worth $68 so don’t miss this🤩 To join, simply: ⁃ Like & Save this post ⁃ Follow @meldylove and @planoapp ⁃ Tag at least 5 friends who will love this app and/or this giveaway. 1 tag per comment, the more you tag the higher your chance of winning :) ⁃ Share this post on your IGs for bonus entry. Remember to tag us! Giveaway ends on 14 July 2021, 2359hours and is open to all residing in SG. A winner will be chosen at random and announced on IGs. Giveaway not affiliated with or endorsed by Instagram. All the best🥳 (at Singapore, Singapore) https://www.instagram.com/p/CQ5sD3ln6pU/?utm_medium=tumblr

“We’ll cross that bridge when it comes” Crossing bridges are hard, especially if we have a more cautious personality or don’t like change. But many times crossing bridges are necessary, they help us grow in more ways than one. I’ve had a few things on my mind lately (like what I shared on my stories) but I’m reminded to take things one step at a time, and we’ll cross that bridge when it comes. I love watching my daughter take on these things btw. I’m so not the adventurous type and wouldn’t like doing these when I was young. Even now, you won’t catch be taking on obstacle courses and climbing ropes etc. But watching her do these makes me proud, and I want to be brave for her too. (at Jacob Ballas Children's Garden) https://www.instagram.com/p/CQ0xV__n9zN/?utm_medium=tumblr

My dear son, I know you’re going through yet another leap and that explains a lot with what’s been going on with you. I really look forward to you sleeping through the night again, instead of being awake suddenly for extended periods and sitting up and rolling around while practicing your screams and talking, even laughing (???) in the darkness of the night. It’s not only alarming and freaky but also means your parents don’t get rest. I know you’re cute but it doesn’t seem so in the middle of the night. We’re due to move you to your own room soon, when will we ever have a full night’s sleep again? Love, mama (and papa) https://www.instagram.com/p/CQyiDbAH9Yq/?utm_medium=tumblr

Over the school hols we finally caught the show at the River Safari. The wait time was long and toddlers like Timmy do not understand social distancing so he was trying to climb and say hi to the people around us 😅 It was so nice to see their the featured animals of the River Safari including the capybara which is actually the largest living rodent! I think that’s the cutest animal at the River Safari, after the famous giant pandas of course. I hope we renew our @wrs.ig family pass since we’ve been enjoying our regular visits✌🏼 Between the Zoo, River Safari, Night Safari and the Bird Park, which is your favourite? (at River Safari) https://www.instagram.com/p/CQxxxbwHy-W/?utm_medium=tumblr

I love my kids deeply but it doesn’t mean I love being around them all the time. And I think it’s perfectly fine to admit that. How’s the first week back to school going for everyone? I am extremely relieved to just handle one kid (instead of two) for a few hours of the morning. I had more downtime when Timmy took two naps but that’s changing now so I have to get creative and start involving him more in things around the house else the mess is just gonna build up😪 On Monday while Beth was at school, the hubs told he misses her?! I was like, “are you serious???” I had just been so relieved and grateful and actually barely even thought about her since it was vaccinations for Timmy that morning. She was back by lunch, and by dinner when she was tired and whining I reminded the hubs that he is welcome to take on all the caregiving for her since he missed her🤣 Yeah, my daughter is really papa’s girl. Also, can we take a moment to feel amazed that this @ergobaby carrier has been around carrying Beth since she was tiny and now carrying Timmy well and good 👏🏼👍🏼🙌🏼 I hope he walks soon though cause 9.5kg around is 🥵 (at Singapore Botanic Gardens) https://www.instagram.com/p/CQs2Mkwn0x2/?utm_medium=tumblr

My sleeping prince with lashes I’m still jealous about🥲 After his (early) morning milk, he will take a snooze in our bed. The nurse said at his check up today that he’s had a growth spurt! 81cm talk now, when Beth jiejie is only about 100cm?? Looks like he’s gonna overtake her real soon at this rate 😅 Also, maybe the growth spurt plus the nap transition from 2 to 1 nap will explain the sleep regression? Btw I sang to him as he got his shot and he didn’t even cry! Just whimpering and pouting. My sweet, sweet boy was so brave💙 If you’re a parent to young ones, maybe you can try singing during their immunisations too✌🏼 We were meant to move him out of our room during the June hols. It means rotating pieces of furniture around in the house and it’s turning out to be a bigger task than expected so we’ve had our delays. Hopefully we get our room back to ourselves soon but I’ll miss this sweet sleeping face💙 (at Singapore) https://www.instagram.com/p/CQpmKu8H6V4/?utm_medium=tumblr

Sometimes I still have to pinch myself that we are now 30 and building our own homes!? Grateful and glad to celebrate milestones with precious ones, especially those I’ve grown up with. Nice to reminisce the good old days and be in awe of the times we are in now. Ties like these are hard to come by but remain so, so precious. Thank you for having us in your beautiful space. If I ever move house, maybe you guys can help us design our next home heh Also, second pic by Beth cause she insisted on taking it. Not bad eh?? Haha. (at Singapore) https://www.instagram.com/p/CQnmlPen9lx/?utm_medium=tumblr

If it were just me, I would be fine hiding in my mom cave cause it’s easy to blame the sleepless nights, the hormones, the tiredness and drown in my own misery, anxiety and worry of all the what if’s but I know the children enjoy being outdoors so seeing their wonder and excitement makes it worth it. Not to mention how much I know the husband loves exploring too. When I see the world from the children’s eyes, I feel like I see things anew. There’s still so much I haven’t seen even in our own tiny red dot. With Timmy worn in front and a backpack behind, we try to pack as little as possible these days but belongings for a family of 4 still need to fit in somewhere. Our @gastonluga 16” Rullen in Black has been a great fit for us. Both mama and papa can carry it. Whether it’s across different parks, the beach, or the zoo, the space has been sufficient for our needs and the waterproof features were put to the test on our rainy day out at the zoo recently. The husband loves its modern and chic look. Who wears it better, you think? Check out my stories 😘 Get a complimentary patterned tote bag and 15% OFF storewide when you cart out with <meldyloveGL15> ✌🏼 Free international shipping applies so check it out anywhere in the world. #GastonLuga #AnywherewithGL (at Singapore Botanic Gardens) https://www.instagram.com/p/CQlEkDCHhRZ/?utm_medium=tumblr

#gastonluga #anywherewithgl

Can’t believe I was worried about the school holidays being too long. And now I’m worried we aren’t ready for school to start! Have we even finished homework??😅 Haha. Glad to hear Beth say she misses school and her friends. We’ve been having a little bubble madness at home lately cause of a bubble gun she recently got. Do you realise there is simply just no angry way of saying bubbles?? This is our favourite way to get big bubbles! Recycle a plastic bottle and use dishwashing liquid - super easy to set up but wonderful results😘 Happy Friday, all! (at Singapore) https://www.instagram.com/p/CQioMLpqHc4/?utm_medium=tumblr

Water play - love it or hate it? 🤗💦 I love seeing how much the kids enjoy themselves having water play. Though o must admit I had to steady my heart and take a chill pill since I wasn’t prepared for how soaked they were gonna get. To the outsider, we wonder why they enjoy splashing, pouring and just touching water but water play actually helps to develop and strengthen children's gross and fine motor skills. Tons of ways to get creative with it. Not to mention it keeps them occupied for a pretty long time, and that’s a huge win for me😘 Since they’ve been enjoying it so much with the neighbours, I got our own tidipool today @decathlonsg 😬😅 Will people think I’m crazy if I set up a little pool of water along the corridor??? Haha. (at Singapore) https://www.instagram.com/p/CQbLiF9Hg9d/?utm_medium=tumblr

Happy Father’s Day to all fathers! And to the best dad in the world, the father of my kids - we love you so much! Thank you for everything you do for us, and for being super dad to the kids. I’ve said time and again, but I’m truly so thankful for how involved a dad you are. 2020 was when we turned into a family of four, and being the pandemic year, it brought so many challenges. 2021 seems to be throwing its own set of challenges and I’ve seen your sacrifice, sticking it out for them, for us. They say that fathers and mothers love their children differently and I have seen how this is so true. So much of who you are is what I can never be and we thank God everyday that we have you. Beth and Timmy are so blessed they have you as their papa❤️ I’m sorry I’m still not on board with your first wish of having more kids but I hope you’re happy we acceded to your next wish of checking out Pulau Ubin today😎🤓 (at Singapore) https://www.instagram.com/p/CQV9Q7rHYNV/?utm_medium=tumblr

Was clearing my phone and I saw a video of Beth’s favourite and only bigger cousin who met her for the first time when she was just a week old. It was such a cute and precious video and almost brought me tears. Fast forward to 2019 and little Beth was busy on her toy phone while E was pretending to put make up? Enjoying the cool Aussie air. And Beth has been so pleased to spend some extra time with her cousin this school hols. So blessed to have such playmates and friends for life💛 (at Acre Camperdown) https://www.instagram.com/p/CQOA_xlHUDc/?utm_medium=tumblr

Doesn’t Timmy look so cute seated with his legs dangling? 😍 Found him in the chair on his own with a book the other day, hehe. There’s lots of benefits behind reading with our kids from birth on, I’m sure if you Google you’ll come across tons of research and articles on that. But I’ve had questions around how to get kids to like reading, and I’ve also had people comment that “maybe your kids are just the type that like books”, but I really believe that it’s more about a habit and prioritising it in simple ways. I find it helpful to: - Have books everywhere around the house: this helps me to reach out for books anytime of the day and we have all sorts of books! - Have books at their level so they can access it themselves: I see this so much in Timmy. He will reach out for them himself, and he has his favourite books now which is so cute. - Follow their lead: I know it can be so tiring but when they are young you can just talk about the pictures and enjoy the bonding with them, and know that it has long term benefits! At first it may not start long (swipe to see our videos) but the reading sessions will only lengthen over time :) - Have fun: point and read but don’t forget to animate it a little cause they just love that. It really brings stories to life for them. When I knew Beth liked Peppa Pig, I found Peppa Pig bilingual books that she loves. For Christmas 2 years ago, I gave some books as presents but my husband teased and asked if I really wanted to be THAT kinda aunt. I said if he means the kind that brings the joy of reading and imagination to children then sure😘 I was also very touched to hear another friend say her child loved the book I gave him that she had to buy the whole series for him. Awww. Now, I just need Timmy to learn to slowly pack up after himself so things aren’t everywhere every day😅 Would you like us to share some of our favourite reads?🤓 (at Singapore) https://www.instagram.com/p/CQLcpxdnVQk/?utm_medium=tumblr

My preferred vehicle to move around with these two on weekdays is our @babyjogger city mini double stroller that we got in Sydney @babyjoggerau before we returned for good. It takes up to 15kg per side so Beth still has awhile to go. And I guess it might become more of a squeeze for Timmy first haha. I have a rain cover as well for this double pram and I wear a raincoat if it’s light rain, but if it’s a heavy rain for a short distance then Beth goes by raincoat and I baby wear Timmy under a brolley. I love the side by side cause the kids can see each other and it’s easy to set up, though it’s heavy. It fits through doorways cause it’s as wide as a wheelchair. Beth is able to do naps in the pram and she is a rather heavy sleeper, much heavier than Timmy. Timmy has been sleep trained but is a terrible napper on the go. I wonder if he will be able to sleep in this pram next time... Only time will tell. (at Singapore) https://www.instagram.com/p/CQIqkxMHDh_/?utm_medium=tumblr

Were you into these ropes and obstacle courses when you were young?? When we hit the playground downstairs these days, Beth will tell me she can climb there because she has done the zoo ones before. I can feel her sense of achievement and I’m so proud of her. I hate to admit it, but she is more like me in this aspect - rather cautious and afraid of heights and new things. She asked to do the ropes at the zoo a few times, and when the stars aligned and she actually did it, there was lots of whining, complains, screaming, even tears. I don’t know why the other kids seemed rather calm, one boy even running on this thing like it was nothing. I looked at it and felt a shudder myself, I knew I would react like her or maybe not even hit the ropes at all. I’m glad the husband took on his fatherly duties so well in seeing her through. If not for the rain, she would have gone on this for longer! We learn so much as we grow through the fears of our children… the top lesson learnt is we can’t take away their fears from them, but we can tell them we are right next to them as they go through it and we can keep encouraging them to press on. I also tell Beth what I tell myself - when we are afraid, then we can be brave. (at Singapore Zoo) https://www.instagram.com/p/CP-vOyCnsYM/?utm_medium=tumblr

Why walk when you can downward dog?? And other things like splits and pulls ups😂 That smile that melts my heart, and almost makes me forget the tantrums he has been throwing at meal times. Almost. The Chinese have a saying that sons are their mothers 前辈子的情人 - have you heard that one before? Definitely my cute boy that I’ll love, for always💙 (at Singapore) https://www.instagram.com/p/CPvPjQgHHEo/?utm_medium=tumblr

I had all these places in mind to bring the kids to visit during Beth’s school holidays but with this phase 2 heightened alert then the plans have just been staying home, or visiting grandparents. Since we had kids while we were overseas, and we came back shortly before Covid hit, I still feel like there are many kid-friendly places to visit with them when the measures are lifted. Having a second kid has also given us new eyes, wanting to take him to special places so he can explore. I love the wonder in their eyes for seemingly simple things and places. I can’t remember when I was last in such a big ball pit but this one was in early May at Pororo Park @pororoparksg - never knew it was an indoor playground, hours of fun for the kids. Hopefully we get to bring them to more of such places soon. Please get better, world! (at Pororo Park Singapore) https://www.instagram.com/p/CPuQyyPH8B0/?utm_medium=tumblr

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