Isabel is indeed growing up and asserting her voice. 

Last Saturday, she refused to eat her dinner of fishball noodles. We didn’t want her to be too fussy with food so we said if she didn’t eat her dinner, she shall have no milk too. She usually drinks a cup of milk before bedtime. She was angry and fell asleep (in her anger) during our dinner outside. 

When we reached home that night, she asked for milk but we insisted she should not have milk. When we tried to engage talking to her and get her to say sorry, she refused. She went to bed crying but still “no sorry”. She woke up on Sunday morning hungry and asked for milk. After that episode, we reminded her every time she fussed about her food. She seemed to get the message about not being fussy about her food. 

While I wasn’t too happy with her fuss…I’m (also kinda) glad she isn’t just following everything we say. She has a mind of her own. 

Izzie: Mommy, I try not to wear diaper, okay?

At this season in life, these is my love language. I am grateful. 

Me: Mommy called Teacher Jane to say that you are not going to school today because the air is smelly (haze)

Izzie: *with the widest smile* Thank you very much
Me: Izzie, do you have money?

Izzie: Yes

Me: How much?

Izzie: Zero
Izzie: Mommy, you want to make it happier?

Me: How to make it happier?

Izzie: like that *she smiled*
I went over to Izzie coz she was crying. 

Me: What happened?

Izzie: Help me wipe the tears *pointed to the water droplets on the floor*
Izzie: Something come out

Me: What came out?

Izzie: the mucus
Izzie: why mommy bring out the tablet? X 3

Me: because the tablet is charged

Izzie: the tablet charged already. Woah. So nice. 

Daddy: it’s time to sleep now

Izzie: har? Why sleep again? 

Izzie took a long while to nap yesterday. Same as Friday night. It hit my limit and I shouted at her “you are taking too long to sleep!” She tapped on my leg lightly and said softly “I love you” a few times till I acknowledge. When she still refused to sleep and did funny things (and I gave her a last warning), I caned her hard on her thigh. She cried softly, scratched the wounds and said “I love you”. I told her firmly why I caned her and she seemed to understand. Then I cuddled her and she fell asleep in my arms. My eyes got all blurred and I realized God’s love for us. When He “seemed hard”, He loves us a lot and it pains His heart too to discipline us, yet it is necessary. Izzie is special and precious. I love her more now. 😊 She is my very patient teacher 😭 #diaryofamommy

Izzie pooed at the potty for the first time tonight. Yay. I’m so proud of her!! 🙂

She was initially quite anxious but we encouraged her to be brave and she did it. 

  
One of the nicest hair tied by her teacher in school. I’m so glad it is no longer “coconut tree”. 

  
Happy Birthday to my precious darling, Isabel. You bring me hair-pulling moments and melt my heart every single day. May you enjoy every day growing up in the fear of the Lord! Love you always.