Learning through play - 19 month old

Little Zo Ee at 19months 2weeks old. (27/11/2009)

First, little Zo Ee learned to sit and rise from this chair herself independently. Once she has mastered this new skill, little Zo Ee was seen teaching and sharing her chair with her little baby.

My little book worm - 19 month old

Zo Ee at 19months 2weeks old. (27/11/2009)

Mummy was observing little Zo Ee during our latest visit to a book store. Zo Ee's reading by herself there, and of all the books, she likes the Ladybird's collection the best; where she spent the most time in front of this collection. She chose her own book, flipped through it, will spend more time browsing through it if she had interest in it (books with bigger words print and less words per page), else little Zo Ee will put the book back onto the shelf (although not at the same spot) before choosing another new one. She will also put back a finished book back on to the shelf. Seeing her putting books back onto the book shelf independently really makes Mummy so proud of her. So Mummy's coaching works and effort pays off because , little Zo Ee now carries with her a new learned skill since 17 month old .

When Mummy interrupted her reading.

Little Zo Ee ignored Mummy, before went back to her reading.

More reading and browsing for my little book worm!

3rd Song - 19 month old

Zo Ee at 19months 2weeks old. (28/11/2009)

Wow! My little Zo Ee was heard singing a new song today - her third song so far. This time, little Zo Ee was singing along with her lullaby music during bedtime. "Guess which song did little Zo Ee sing? "

Little Zo Ee was singing these, "Rock a bye baby, on the tree top. When the wind blows the cradle will rock." Again, Mummy was really shocked hearing this full sentence in her clear voice. This prompted Mummy to listen carefully and little Zo Ee was actually singing along when this song was being played on the CD player. Little Zo Ee sang these "Rock a bye baby, on the tree top. When the wind blows the cradle will rock." a few times until the song ended. WOW! WOW! WOW ! although little Zo Ee was only singing half of the song, still little Zo Ee sang this part without any missing words (16 words) .


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Then
15 month old - 1st song (1st version) ,1st song (2nd version-video)
17 month old -2nd song

Rhyme - 19 month old

Zo Ee at 19months 2weeks old. (27/11/2009)

Frankly speaking, Mummy has been extremely busy since Zo Ee turned 16 month old. Many happenings at home and yet many coming events until today and till we settle-down next year. So Mummy has not been spending much time teaching little Zo Ee other than her daily reading session; half an hour to one hour before bed and this much depending on little Zo Ee too, how much energy left she had for that day. Meaning, little Zo Ee spends more time reading by herself during the day time now than with Mummy at night. That's why Mummy really lost track on little Zo Ee's progress lately. But little Zo Ee's still doing wonders everyday.

Just now, little Zo Ee amazed Mummy with her rhyme:

Mummy: "One, two buckle my..."
Zo Ee: "Shoe." paused. "Three, four, shut the door."
Mummy: "Wow!" I was amazed as it had been a long time since I last recite this to her. So Mummy continued, "Five, Six..."
Zo Ee: "pick up sticks."
Mummy: "Seven, eight..."
Zo Ee: "lay them straight."
Mummy: "Nine, ten..."
Zo Ee: "a big fat hen."
Mummy: "Bravo!"
Zo Ee: " yeh!"

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Then
13 month old

Yeh-yeh's visit - 19 month old

Zo Ee at 19months 2weeks old. (26/11/2009)

Yeh-yeh( Daddy's dad) was coming down today to spend a few days with us. So to prepare little Zo Ee ahead, Mummy told little Zo Ee, "Zo Ee, yeh-yeh is coming today. Yeh-yeh is coming to visit Zo Ee." Surprisingly, little Zo Ee still remembered yeh-yeh from our last trip back to Ipoh - end of September 2009. Almost two months apart, little Zo Ee's memory seems still fresh, she replied Mummy, " yeh-yeh is coming today. yeh-yeh's house." Aah! yes, we did stay at yeh-yeh's house during our last trip. Again, Mummy emphasized to little Zo Ee, "Yeh-yeh will be coming to stay with us for a few days." Little Zo Ee seems excited but didn't reply Mummy.

Throughout that day, whenever little Zo Ee heard someone opening the gate (especially our next door), she will be excitedly running towards our gate, yelling "Yeh-yeh's coming!, yeh-yeh's coming!" and this happened a few times before Yeh-yeh really was at our doorstep in the evening. This time, when little Zo Ee saw Yeh-yeh at our gate, she retreated a little, hesitated to go near the gate. When Mummy assured her that it's fine to greet yeh-yeh, then only she moved happily nearer to yeh-yeh. Yeh-yeh immediately passed her the toy that Mummy asked him to buy from Ipoh, little Zo Ee was super happy upon receiving it. Little Zo Ee was holding onto it and was telling Mummy, "yeh-yeh gives this. yeh-yeh gives this." And without being reminded, little Zo Ee thanked yeh-yeh repeatedly, "thank you yeh-yeh, thank you yeh-yeh." When little Zo Ee saw yeh-yeh walked into the bathroom for his bath, little Zo Ee commented, "yeh-yeh takes bath." When yeh-yeh finally sat down at the sofa, little Zo Ee loves to be around yeh-yeh, playing, sharing seat and even asked to be carried by yeh-yeh.

Hands skill - 19 month old

Zo Ee at 19months 2weeks old. (24/11/2009)

Self-feed herself soup

Little Zo Ee has been self-feeding herself soup since two weeks ago. She wasn't keen on drinking soup all this while not until a month ago. And after a few occasions fed by Mummy, little Zo Ee insisted to feed herself with a spoon. Although she may not scope a whole spoonful of soup each time (due to her holding angle), but she is doing very well without much spilling, getting herself half a spoonful each time and thus takes longer time to finish her soup. Nevertheless, little Zo Ee will be happily and patiently sitting there drinking her soup independently. As for her other meals, she has been self-feeding since 14 month old and was reluctant to be fed. She is still not very good with the fork and spoon with other food yet, but she tries to use them occasionally. Even if we tried to help her, little Zo Ee only allows us to put the food onto the spoon and leave it on the bowl. Little Zo Ee will then pick up the spoonful of food before directing them into her mouth accurately. Little Zo Ee is a pretty clean eater, not much mess from eating. If there is a mess, it's always little Zo Ee pure intention to pour food onto the table before messing up with her hands.

Holding a normal size pencil appropriately

Little Zo Ee loves to scribble with jumbo coloured pencils since 13 month old but she has not been holding them appropriately. Surprisingly, Mummy noticed that little Zo Ee was holding a normal size pencil appropriately (like an adult) while scribbling just now. Mummy wonders when did she actually been able to hold the pencil the correct way. Hmm... this Mummy really miss out!

Pouring water
Little Zo Ee has been able to pour water accurately over her rubber toys during bathing time for some time now. Usually, Little Zo Ee will be pouring water over her rubber duck and elephant with her little sand scope and will be telling Mummy, " Zo Ee bathing duck and elephant." And lately, little Zo Ee shows interest in bathing herself too. She has been using a big plastic cup, filling it with water before pouring the water onto her body. She seems excited being able to carry that act out. Wondering is all toddler loves doing things for themselves as my little Zo Ee just loves doing things for herself since a very tender age (since 12 month old). Another sign of in-dependency!

Arranging her friends - 19 month old

Zo Ee at 19months 2weeks old. (24/11/2009)

Occasionally, little Zo Ee loves to arrange her soft toys at this corner of the sofa seat. She places them , sitting in a row like the picture shown (This was actually arranged by little Zo Ee). Sometimes, she will want to join them too, squeezing her way through in between. But if you look closely, there isn't any extra space for her, so little Zo Ee will either be sitting on top of one of them or she will throw one out from there, freeing some extra space for herself. Mummy wonders, "What is little Zo Ee thinking and what makes her do that; arranging them in a row and sitting with them?"

Are these her only soft toys? No! little Zo Ee has a few more; another baby pooh, a white bear, cats, and dogs. But these four seems like her all time favourite. Although Tigger (the tiger from Disney) is her newest collection of them all, she loves Tigger the most as she has a tigger pillow that she loves very much. In fact, her first 2-syllables word was not "Mummy or Daddy". It was "Tiger" (at 11 month old) .

Zo Ee saying short sentences(II)... 19 month old

Zo Ee at 19months 1week old. (18/11/2009)

The word "and"
If Zo Ee sees 2 colours; example pink and blue, she will be saying "pink and blue", If she sees 3 colours; example red, blue, green, she will say "red, blue and green."

Whenever little Zo Ee wants to tell Mummy her doings, she will say this to Mummy, "What are you doing?" with her intention that Mummy will notice her. When Mummy directs this question back to her, "Zo Ee, what are you doing?" and little Zo Ee will be happily telling Mummy what she was currently doing, eg. "pouring " , "eating " , "singing", etc.

Whenever little Zo Ee wants to complain any discomfort to Mummy, eg. if her ears were bothering her, little Zo Ee will be saying "What happened to my ears?" or if her eyes were bothering her, little Zo Ee will be telling Mummy, "What happened to my eyes?" to get Mummy's attention.

When little Zo Ee sees Mummy eating alone, she will be asking Mummy, "What are you eating?"

One day, little Zo Ee saw a blue-black mark on Mummy's knee, and my concerned little Zo Ee asked, "What happened Mummy's knee?"

When she sees something interested inside a bottle, little Zo Ee will ask, "What is inside this bottle?"

When little Zo Ee wants Mummy to make her a hop-scotch from the foam mats, little Zo Ee will be saying , "Mummy make hop-scotch."

Whenever little Zo Ee wants Mummy to hug her, she will be saying "Mummy gives hug."

Whenever little Zo Ee wants to sit on Mummy's lap during our reading session, little Zo Ee will be saying, "Sit with Mummy. Sit Mummy's lap."

Whenever Mummy raises her voice, little Zo Ee will comment "Mummy is angry."

Whenever little Zo Ee wants to watch her favourite VCD programme, she will be asking Mummy, "Watch baby songs." (Baby songs is the disc title)

Whenever little Zo Ee wants to show Mummy the location of a country on the globe, she will be saying, "Show Mummy, where is...."

Sometimes, she will be telling us, "Tiger is my friend." (Her soft plush Tigger from Disney)

Wooden figure - 19 month old

Zo Ee at 19months 11days old. (22/11/2009)

Mummy saw these "wooden figure" on sales and thought it will be a good idea to get Zo Ee a pair for her daily pretend play. Mummy introduced little Zo Ee to Samantha and Ben; the 2 "wooden figure" from Play Town. Since then, little Zo Ee knows them by their names. Although they are just wooden figure but little Zo Ee seems to be having fun with them. She even threw her baby doll onto the floor, just to give her new friends a ride on the toy stroller. And little Zo Ee loves to hold them in her hands while playing in the play area or walking around the house. Little Zo Ee was also seen laying on her back on the sofa alone, with Samantha and Ben in each hand, and pretend talking. Mummy was too far to hear the conversation but it seems like both Samantha and Ben were talking to each other.

Saxophone! Guitar! - 19 month old

Zo Ee at 19months 1week old. (19/11/2009)

Saxophone
Two weeks ago, Mummy found some old music CDs from the famous saxophonist- Kenny G in the house. Mummy thought it will be a good idea to expose little Zo Ee to different type of music. So everyday, Mummy tries to play a few of Kenny G's great pieces to little Zo Ee. As usual, Mummy introduced little Zo Ee to this special sound - saxophone. Initially, whenever Mummy played these CDs, Mummy will tell little Zo Ee , "Zo Ee, that's the saxophone. Do you like this nice music?" Now, whenever little Zo Ee hears these music CDs, immediately little Zo Ee will comment, "saxophone!" .

Guitar
What surprised Mummy was , little Zo Ee is able to recognize the guitar's sound too. Little Zo Ee heard this sound (at the beginning of one particular Chinese song) while we were in a private feeder bus. Little Zo Ee was so excited, kept telling Mummy, "guitar! guitar! guitar!" Little Zo Ee kept yelling this to Mummy until Mummy responded, "guitar?" So Mummy looked around; front, back, left and right but Mummy didn't see anyone carrying a guitar. Again, the impatient Zo Ee kept yelling to Mummy, "Guitar! Guitar! Sound!" Ooh! with this comment, immediately Mummy could hear the guitar solo soundtrack being played on the radio too, just in time, just before the singer started to sing along with it. This incident really amazed Mummy that little Zo Ee not only can recognize the saxophone sound but also the guitar too. Although Mummy has yet to play her any guitar's music pieces yet, little Zo Ee did have some exposure during our short trips to Perth (played by Ah Chik Gong and Uncle Amin) and Ipoh (played by Gong-gong).

Upon reflection
Little Zo Ee can recognize the sound of the drum and bell too. She has been telling Mummy these sounds long time ago but Mummy just didn't as particular notice like the guitar incident recently. Maybe, little Zo Ee does recognize the sound of other instruments too but Mummy is yet to have the chance to discover.

Other music
With this amazing discovery, Mummy is planning to get a few more different music pieces of different musical instruments. Mummy has in mind to get some nice music from the famous Kitaro, Richard Clayderman etc. Of course, other than these, occasionally Mummy played Mummy's favourite Audiophile vocal collection (Zo Ee seems to love them too.) and Mummy's favourite classical music; Mozart and Bach at home too. Maybe Mummy shouldn't restrict little Zo Ee to Mummy's liking only but to widen little Zo Ee's exposure to other nice composers too.

No! says Zo Ee - 19 month old

Zo Ee at 19months 1week old. (19/11/2009)

When Mummy was reading this book on Neptune to little Zo Ee, little Zo Ee objected with a loud "No!" upon hearing this sentence; "The planet Neptune looks blue." So Mummy stopped and asked little Zo Ee, "No? Why NO? Is there anything Zo Ee wants to tell Mummy?" Little Zo Ee paused and then pointed at the Neptune photo on the next page, while saying "purple". Oh! This Mummy must agreed with little Zo Ee, the Neptune shown in the photo does look purple to me too. Hmm...wondering why this well known publisher put such a contradicting photo there, even my 19 month old can point out the difference!

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Then

17 month old
No! Violin!

Zo Ee's 1st creation - 19 month old

Zo Ee at 19months 1week old. (19/11/2009)

What is this first creation of my little Zo Ee?

When Mummy asked little Zo Ee, "Zo Ee, what are you building?" Little Zo Ee answered without any hesitation, "Pelican!" Oh! Surprised Mummy took a second look at it, "Hmm...Pelican?" And Mummy asked little Zo Ee a few times, but her answers were the same, still "Pelican." If you are wondering, did little Zo Ee assemble this Pelican all by herself at such a tender age? The answer is, she actually modified it (Pelican) from Mummy's earlier creation "elephant" below. Earlier Mummy had assembled an elephant for her. But after playing with it for a short while, little Zo Ee started to dismantle it bit by bit, and putting some back, and the end result was the above "Pelican." Zo Ee's first Creation! : )

The Elephant built by Mummy.



Zo Ee's second creation "Arrow".

When Mummy asked little Zo Ee what was she building this time round? Again without any hesitation, little Zo Ee answered Mummy, "Arrow." Wow! little Zo Ee seems to know precisely what she is building each time and was not building randomly at all. And little Zo Ee did put everything together all by herself for this little "arrow" of hers.

An aeroplane built by Mummy.

After seeing Mummy building an aeroplane and an elephant with these plastic bricks based on simple models on the guide manual, little Zo Ee understood that she too can build something out from these plastic bricks. Seeing Zo Ee's above creations, seems like all it takes is only two sample models (aeroplane and elephant) from Mummy and the message is through!

New sleeping spot - 19 month old

Zo Ee at 19months 6days old. (17/11/2009)

My little Zo Ee seems to have outgrown her baby cot and was crying in the middle of the night,while complaining to us "sharp corner, fall down." She didn't fall off the baby cot, but her legs always get trapped between the rail and she keeps banging against them too. And after a few times, frustrated Zo Ee will be crying inconsolably about her interrupted sleep. So for the temporary being, Mummy shifted her to the floor mattress as she doesn't seem to be ready for a child bed yet.

When Mummy introduced her to her new mattress, little Zo Ee was all excited about it. She loves the new bed sheet, read the big printing on it "I love cooking." and was naming each picture " kitchen cabinet, kettle, fork, rice cooker (pot)" etc and kept telling Mummy, "new mattress! new mattress! Zo Ee's new mattress."

Playing with Mummy - 19 month old

Zo Ee at 19months 4days old. (15/11/2009)

Mummy built me this aeroplane.


Flying my aeroplane... zoomm....

Mummy made me this too, and little Zo Ee calls it "banana".

Sometimes, Little Zo Ee makes Mummy a cup of coffee.

Logic Toys - 18 month old

Zo Ee at 18 month old.

What skills will my child develop through Puzzles and Logic Toys?

1. Intellectual Benefits
Puzzles and logic toys help to stimulate the thinking side of the child’s brain, and force them to focus on problem solving skills such as process and logic. The child begins to understand that there are several ways to attack a problem, and will experiment with ways which work best for him/her. The more puzzles and logic toys a child explores, the stronger his/her personal sense of process will be. The problem solving skills learnt through puzzles can be transferred to every area of the child’s life.

2. Physical Benefits
At a young age, puzzles help children to develop fine motor skills, which in everyday terms means the ability to make small (or fine) movements. The picking up, grasping or putting of pieces together helps to develop fine muscle control, which will be in good help in learning to write later.

3. Emotional and Social Benefits
Puzzles offer a number of emotional and social benefits including:

• A sense of achievement when the puzzle is complete
• The development of determination and perseverance
• Co-operation when completing a puzzle with others
• The chance to solve problems independently and know when you have reached a right result

Basically, I don't go all out to look for specific toys for little Zo Ee's development. I'll buy whenever I see some good toys during shopping. Some were gifts while some were hand-me-down toys. Shown below are some of Zo Ee's logic toys collection. Now, at 18 month old, my little Zo Ee is capable of doing these:

Putting these puzzles together; filling in the smaller pieces in the center (eg. 2 semicircles to form the circle, 2 rectangles to form a square) before joining the bigger pieces together.

She could put 0-9 correctly in place since 14 month old. Now, she has moved on in trying to make a hop scotch with these foam mats after Mummy made her one last week.

Random building with these plastic bricks.

Joining these together.

Stacks 4 to 6 blocks tower. (stacked 2 blocks tower at 9 month old)

Stacking these too.

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Then

16 month old - better dexterity skill

15 month old - Matching shapes II

14 month old
- Shape sorter II
- Number Mats

12 month old - wooden shape sorter

9 month old - stacking 2 blocks tower

Musical instruments - 18 month old

Zo Ee at 18months 28days old. (8/11/2009)

Zo Ee's musical instruments collection; a drum set, a maracas, 2 castanets, a kazoo, a whistle, a keyboard, a tambourine, a harmonica and a saxophone. They do make nice music.

Little Zo Ee can recognize many musical instruments since 13 month old. As her language and motor skill improved, she can name and make music with her own collection. Other than her own instruments (9), little Zo Ee can name these instruments too; clarinet, oboe, violin, double bass, harp, guitar, trumpet, trombone, French horn, piano, cymbals, flute, recorder, tuba, banjo, cello, mandolin, bell, bagpipe, accordion, ukulele and xylophone (22). She may know more as these are just based on Mummy's memory. Ha! Ha! Ha!

Blowing her saxophone, playing the drum and blowing the whistle.

Blowing her kazoo and whistle.

Make milk - 18 month old

Zo Ee at 18months 28days old. (8/11/2009)

In this video, Little Zo Ee can be seen sucking her thumb, still her little trademark "hungry sign." She was asking Mummy to open the bedroom door to make her milk as there is where her milk is being prepared.

Mummy intentionally delayed in making little Zo Ee her milk, just to have our conversation captured in this video:

Zo Ee : open the door.
Mummy: Open the door? Why open the door?
Zo Ee: milk
Mummy: Milk? Zo Ee, no finger in your mouth.
Zo Ee: want milk.
Mummy: Zo Ee wants milk? Are you hungry?
Zo Ee: no finger in your mouth.
Mummy: Hmm...No finger in your mouth.
Zo Ee: shame! shame!
Mummy: Shame! shame! yes. Shame! shame! Then, why are you sucking your finger?
Zo Ee: milk.
Mummy: Milk?
Zo Ee: open the door.
Mummy: open the door? Who is hungry? Who is hungry?
Zo Ee: make milk
Mummy: Make milk? Make milk for Zo Ee?
Zo Ee: Make milk.
Mummy: Hmm....
Zo Ee: eye!
Mummy: Eye? What happened to your eyes?
Zo Ee: blink your eyes. (blinking her own eyes.)
Mummy: Blink your eyes? oh..ok.
Zo Ee: yeah! (clapping her hands)
Mummy: yeah! clever girl.
Zo Ee: baby
Mummy: Baby? Whose baby is that? Whose baby?

Twinkle-twinkle(video) -18 month old

Zo Ee at 18months 28days old. (8/11/2009)

Zo Ee sang the complete version of Twinkle twinkle little star since 18months 3weeks old but am not lucky to have it captured on video yet. Little Zo Ee seems to only sing this song to herself and not when being requested. Sigh... This is a partial version of it when Mummy requested little Zo Ee to sing for Mummy.

Zo Ee : About twinkle twinkle little star. How I...wonder what you are. About twinkle twinkle little star.

Excuse Me(video) - 18 month old

Zo Ee at 18months 28days old. (8/11/2009)

Although little Zo Ee has been saying "Excuse me." appropriately since 17 month old, but Mummy has not been able to capture this moment until today. What a lucky day?

First chair - 18 month old

Zo Ee at 18months 28days old. (8/11/2009)

When Mummy gave little Zo Ee the option to choose the colour of her new chair, Mummy asked, "Zo Ee, would you like to have a green chair or a pink chair?" Tired little Zo Ee quickly answered, "green." before impatiently rushing us to go home, telling us, "pay money. pay money"

I love my first chair!

Zo Ee saying short sentences(I)... 18 month old

Zo Ee at 18months 25days old. (6/11/2009)

Video 1:
In this video, Zo Ee can be heard saying these short sentences:

" Zo Ee holding."

" Zo Ee's holding one."

" What happened my toes?"

" Buckle my feet."

" Touching toes."

" Violin...ning..ning..ning."

" Stepping."

Video 2:

" Hug, hug my teddy."

" Hug teddy, teddy bear."

" Hi, teddy bear. "

" Hug, bear sleeping. "

" Touch the tail. Tail! "

" Hug Zo Ee's teddy."

" Light. " (When Mummy asked her, "Is bear heavy or light?" Zo Ee answered, "light")

" Feet, Stomp feet. Stomp my feet."

" Hi, Zo Ee. Nice to meet you." (Little Zo Ee introduced herself when shakes hands with Mummy.)

Humourous - 18 month old

Zo Ee at 18months 25days old. (6/11/2009)

Mummy was wondering, "What was so funny? What was little Zo Ee laughing at? Laughing at herself??? " Little Zo Ee loves to see her own reflection on the television's screen(as a mirror) , with a new learned action or a new toy. Maybe, it's time for Mummy to get her a real mirror of her own.

Blowing whistle - 18 month old

Zo Ee at 18months 24days old. (5/11/2009)

Little Zo Ee's seen blowing her whistle in this video. She also asked, "What happened your head?" and also mentioned "tou" (head in Chinese).

jumping - 18 month old

Zo Ee at 18months 22days old. (3/11/2009)

Jumping on Mummy's bed.

Kitchen set - 18 month old

Zo Ee at 18 months 4weeks old. (6/11/2009)


Zo Ee's first kitchen set.



I'm cooking.

Zo Ee loves to hang her kitchen utensils. She got it right after few try.

This is my basket.

puzzles - 18month old

Zo Ee at 18months 3weeks old. (3/11/2009)

With her improved hand and eye coordination, little Zo Ee loves to assemble things. She likes to put things together and playing with her puzzles. She is very patient and spends a lot of effort in trying things out, assembling them in their initial way or her own way. Always testing and trying!

Filling in the center of each puzzle.

finally, joining them together.

In this video:
Zo Ee was asking Mummy's help; to open her puzzle's container, "Please open, open, please open" . When little Zo Ee knew that Mummy was looking at her, she showed Mummy how to assemble the puzzle, by telling Mummy "this way".

2 digit number - 18 month old

Zo Ee at 18months 3weeks old. (3/11/2009)

Although Mummy first noticed that little Zo Ee could read aloud 2 digit number (0 - 100) at 17 months 1week old, but Mummy didn't capture little Zo Ee in action until today as Mummy was too occupied with many activities last month; Ipoh trip and visitors staying with us on two separate occasions, that's why only trying to catch up with little Zo Ee development now. Even this video was not a planned one.

In this video: 98, 90, 80, 68, 86

More questions! - 18 month old

Zo Ee at 18months 3weeks old. (3/11/2009)

Merely two weeks from her first question,"What is this?", my little Zo Ee is asking so many questions now. But most of the time, she will answer them to.


"Whose elbow is that? Daddy's elbow."
"What happened my toes?"
"What's that sound? Thunder!"
"What's that sound? Aeroplane!"
"Where is...? There, over there."
"What's that colour? Orange, etc."
"Who's crying? Baby is crying."
"What do you want? I want ... or Zo Ee wants ..."
"What's that shape? Triangle, etc"

Twinkle-twinkle little star - 18 month old

Zo Ee at 18months 3weeks old. (2/11/2009)

Zo Ee first sang Twinkle-twinkle little star (1st song) about 3 months ago. She was singing partially then but little Zo Ee stopped singing this song totally when she started singing her second song, "Incy Wincy Spider" at 17 months 2days old. She could sing the whole of this song with Mummy's help but not on her own then. Now, at 18months 3weeks old, Mummy overheard little Zo Ee singing the complete "Twinkle-twinkle little Star" all by herself with appropriate actions, self-praising and clapping at the end of the song. Surprisingly, she indeed sang this complete version a few times today with her improved pronunciation although still lacking in the tunes.

Updated as on 13/11/2009
partial song

putting things back - 18months old

Zo Ee at 18months 3weeks old. (1/11/2009)

Although little Zo Ee has been putting things back as early as 15-month-old, but this happened only occasionally then. What Mummy noticed lately is that little Zo Ee is more consistent and has the habit to put things back to their initial places spontaneously once she lost interest in them. These are a few examples:

• Zo Ee put on her own hat when we leave our home, when reached our destination, she will remove and put it back onto the stroller's basket.
• She will put back the drum sticks inside her drum set and not just into her toy basket after playing with them. This happen to other toys that she had removed from this toy basket too where she will always put them back into the basket spontaneously.
• She loves browsing her bedtime music CDs and she will always put them back into the drawer before leaving the room.
• She plays with the diaper, and things inside her diaper basket occasionally, and she will put them back inside it when she is done.

Sometimes, she even requested Mummy to put things back when she has no more interest in them. But one place that she doesn't tidy up, even being requested is her play area. Hmm.. wonder why?

Singapore Zoo - 18 month old

Zo Ee at 18months 3weeks old. (1/11/2009)

This morning, when Mummy had to wake little Zo Ee up earlier than usual as we were going to the zoo. When Mummy asked little Zo Ee, "Zo Ee, we are going to the zoo today. Do you want to go with Mummy and Daddy? We are going to see the polar bear." Immediately, little Zo Ee answered Mummy, "Bei ji siong" (polar bear in Chinese) even before opening her eyes. Little Zo Ee is very keen and self-directed in learning and practicing her Chinese, always surprising us with her many new Chinese words lately. Maybe she knows English language too well by now, that's why she is moving on to learn a new language.

This is little Zo Ee's first visit to the zoo. Zo Ee was only keen on the bigger animals which could been easily seen from afar but the warm and humid weather left her exhausted and tired all the time. She even had her afternoon nap at the Ah Meng's restaurant with the comfort of the air-conditioners while Mummy had her coffee and Daddy read his papers. As for the animal shows and performance, she's still too young to enjoy them due to the crowds at each shows where we had to sit far away from the stage.

Mummy wonders, which is little Zo Ee's favourite animal of the day, was it the elephant, rhinoceros, giant tortoise, penguin or ostrich? Mummy and Daddy think little Zo Ee loves the elephant the most, as she was all excited seeing them, imitating the elephant sound while waving her hand up and down, like the elephant's trunk.

Finally, when we were home, Mummy asked little Zo Ee again, " Would you like to go to the zoo or swimming? " Zo Ee answered, "Swimming". Ha! Ha! yeah, swimming is still her most love at this moment. When she saw the water park at the zoo, she was running towards it happily, and did spend some refreshing time ,splashing at the pool.

Zo Ee and Mummy

Zo Ee and Daddy with the Macaws.

Zo Ee and Daddy with the white tigers.

Zo Ee and Mummy with the sleeping lions.

Zo Ee and Mummy.