lamb,
yeah, you're probably right. it's the first time we are experiencing separation anxiety. It started when she was ill on the last week of the home trip. At that time, she clung on to me quite a lot. And it continued. Previously she's very independent. Although she has always been affectionate, now she'll come around and hug, or touch me every now and then when she's playing. If I'm not within reach, she'll go "mamamama x10". Sometimes when i rush from the kitchen to her playzone, i find that she's not even looking out for me. She's doing her own thing and calling "mamamama". But bedtime, she's really clingy. Doesn't even want papa.
Renee is the opposite of Nat. She's super enthusiastic about signing. She'll look very hard at my action or lips then try to do or say the same. So i take the opportunity to do a lot of new words with her. I don't know Signing Times and have been referring to
www.signwithme.com or making up my own signs. Renee is also not interested in watching TV, maybe because all I watch is BBC?! I think they develop interest in different things at different times. For example, renee just started doing the FP sorting blocks last week. Previously, she was just not interested at all. I was getting 'worried' cos the game is for 9 month olds?
Febie,
I keep talking to her already. I tell her "mummy is always going to be here for you. I'm not going anyway. It's sleepy time now and mummy will see you in the morning." Maybe she's afraid that I will leave her because she keeps asking for Ah Ma since we got back and I always say "Ah Ma is in SIngapore."
Firipy,
I'm quite strict with Renee, i think. And I make it a point to be consistent. like meals on high chair only and "Kitchens are out of bounds. Please do not cross the stop line." so even on good-mood days, I will also not let her take a step in the kitchen. She'll wait for us to carry her in and sometimes bend lower to use her hands to draw a line on the floor. Based on observation, she didn't dare to step into kitchens at my friends' place and my parents' place. My kitchen has a door but it's never closed. Next week, we are moving to a new place with an open kitchen. Let see how it goes.
At first we applied the same rule to the main door. She cannot cross the stop line without us carrying her across. But these 2 days we let her walk out on her own. True enough, today, she walked out without hesitation the moment we opened the door. But she 'eat soft, doesn't eat hard' one. Occasionally, I lose my temper and it's a waste of my energy raising my voice at her. Better take a huge breath and explain things to her patiently.
Ayden cannot tahan seeing drinks with straws... is it because you let him try your drink with your straw before?
Meg,
thanks for the link. The site you provided is better than the one I know of.
As for cheese, I still use organic mild cheddar block. Haven't tried those processed cheese yet.
and signs with the opening song. v amsuing. 
