Fruitfull!

Like most other kids, Kayden doesn't like his vegetables much. Green ones in particular. But he will happily munch on carrot sticks and cauliflower florets. Basically anything non green in colour.

And thankfully, to make up for the lack of fibres through his greens, he consumes a huge amount of fruits. He LOVES his fruits. Apples, oranges, watermelon, strawberries, grapes, mangoes, kiwis, pears, mandarins, bananas, the list goes on.

If I let him have his way, he will most probably only have fruits for breakfast, lunch and dinner! On average, he has 3 whole fruits to himself a day. He prefers them peeled or deskinned and will eat the apple down to its very core. As a result, our fruit bowl is replenished at least twice a week. But it is never empty.

Is there such a thing as having too many fruits? I don't know, but surely it can't do too much harm?

Back from a blog hiatus

We've had plenty of sunny days over the past few weeks (and some downpours as well). K was happiest when  he's out and about playing with his bestie 2 doors down. We do live in a very child friendly suburb, and are extremely lucky to have 3 playgrounds to choose from, all within walking distance.

Back from his play, he declares "Apple!". He prefers them whole and will  happily munch on one for half hour or so. Work those teeth!  Pink hot pants he was wearing was a handmade gift someone made for him. I love it! No gender discrimination here. He uses the pink IKEA kiddy utensils too. 

On a cold rainy day, he lounges on Pooh bear with the iPhone attached to him. I mean literally. The only way to get him to release his hold on it is by force. Or in exchange for some sultanas. Otherwise he turns into a shrieking maniac loud enough to summon a ear cracking headache.

Apple makes it waaay too easy for babies to navigate through it. He's been uploading videos of himself through an app onto you tube! I have no idea how. I only barely manage to catch him hit send and its gone.

And the hubs is more than pleased when this warmer spring weather gets my kitchen creativity juices going and I whip up a new dish here and there. His favourite asian is easily Hainanese chicken rice. No doubt he was the happy chappy when I had that on the dinner table one evening.

But, tonight, an experimental balsamic lamb roast and a potato gratin. They don't always turn out good these experiments, but from what I smell from the marinade just then, I think its going to be a winner!

THE ALL ACCESS PASS

I have never directly addressed the issue here. Even though I knew he was capable of it, Kayden has flatly refused to say "Mommy". He says Daddy, Goong Goong (my Dad), Por Por (My Mum), Ye Ye (hubby's Dad) and Gor Gor (big brother). All perfectly. He's cantonese, and he even says it all with that perfect Hong Kong accent.

He says it in that cutsy sing song tone, which makes them all melt and go goo goo ga ga over him. I observe as they all give squeals of delight, and flash their widest grins. Then they pick him up and give him big cuddles and kisses. Then give him a biscuit. Or juice. They eventually surrender their mobiles, bunches of keys, coins, cameras, wallets and bags the moment he says "Goong Goong/Por Por" while giving them that doe eyed puppy look. Watch them cave in when he brings them their shoes and putS it at their feet. "Gai Gai!", "Let's go!". Then watch them from the window, as they walk hand in hand to the playground or for that obligatory neighbourhood walk.

Everyone does that. Except me. (And Daddy. But technically, it doesn't count, because he's not physically around).

Most of the times when I ask for a "Mommy" or 'Mama', he defiantly says "Da Da!" or "Mmmmmmm....". Yup. Just a Mmm. As in, when you're thinking about something, and you go MmmmMm... maybe? The best he said was "Maa?" Question mark intended. I was that desperate, I actually started asking if would say "Kelly". But nope he didn't want to say that either. No can do Mommy.

So..........I resorted to blackmailing. He loves songs from the Australian television programme Playschool. And I go onto youtube to let him watch it when we're here in Singapore. He recognizes the website. And he starts nodding his head vigourously, while bouncing up and down excitedly in his seat. Sometimes he says "YAY!" even before I play it. Before I hit the button, I ask.

Me: "Say Maaaaa Meeeeeee?"

Kayden: "DA DA!"

Me: "No boy. I'm not Daddy. I'm Maaaaa Meeee."

Kayden: " DAAA DAA!!!! Yea yea yea yea YEA!" (while nodding his head at the screen)

Me: "You have to say Mommy, otherwise no 'Watermelon for you'" (title of song).

Kayden: (Shakes head)

Me: "Okay then. No watermelon for you."


At the beginning, after repeating that type of conversation once or twice more I played it for him anyway. I just couldn't bear disappointing him. But I toughed up. Muahahahaha. I can tell when he wants to watch the song clip. So I'd ask him to say Mommy every single time. Most of the times he shakes his head, or struts off! My little man is that stubborn! He would rather give up listening to his favourite song than to say Mommy.

Then one day he said it. That magical word.


Me: "Would you like a biscuit Kayden?"

Kayden: (Nods head)

Me: "Say please?"

Kayden: "Mama?"

Me: "You have to say pl....Huh?! ...WHAT DID YOU SAY?!!!"

Kayden: "MaaaaMaaaa?"

Me: "Awwwww!!!! GoooOOoood boy! You said Mama! Yea yea yea yea YEA!!"

Mama's boy: "Yeaaaa!!!" (hands up in the air. By the way he loves doing that. If u say Yea! He's most likely to follow and then stick his hands high up in the air above his head)

A seemingly somewhat totally unrelated picture. But you see my new kitchen pantry? I think that corner on that top shelf right there, is reserved for the very same biscuits he was asking me for.  Because that day he said Mama, I actually let him finish a whole pack of biscuits. Time to stock up!

Happy 18 months Kayden

Kayden turns 18 months today! Later today, we have close family and friends who will be helping him blow out some candles. Most of the family won't be making it to his 2nd birthday later this year, so we're making up for it with his 18 months milestone.



Is anyone looking???

 

Oops! They caught me! *Kayden does scary*

 For the past month his emotional development has really shot through the roof. He clasps his hands in great excitement and makes little rapid steps on the spot when he discovers that someone has left the television remote unattended. The look on his face says it all! He takes furtive glances around him, then when he thinks it's safe, he sneakily goes forward to claim his prize.

My mum helps to babysit the next door neighbour's baby every so often. Needless to say, he gets jealous when any of us helps to rock her in her bouncer. Or pat her. Or talk to her. He insists on sitting on our laps or cling onto us, while we awkwardly reach over him to attend to her. 

But saying that, he also  likes patting her on her tummy, help to rock her, and fling his soft toys at her (his idea of sharing). He goes up to her real close, right in front of her nose and attempts to give her awkward hugs while she's lying in her bouncer. Naturally, baby M gets annoyed at his persistant wooings, so she cries. Ah my boy, you ain't a cassanova yet! And when she cries, K cries too.

I understand this 'contagious distress' is part of his social and emotional growth, so I pick him up, cuddle him and explain (sometimes unfruitfully) that baby does not like you sticking your face so close to her! And of course I have fallen into his trap haven't I? Having my attention back on him is what he really wants!

He also loves imitating the things I do. Here is K imitating me as I sat beside him flossing. He also pretends to sneeze when I do. Or carry my handbag like I do. His favourite gadget besides the remotes would be Por Por's old hand me down mobile which she has gifted him. He walks around the room chatting candidly to his imaginery friend. It goes "Ah! Ki na chu ah kisch mmmm ohhh bideh? Gubilah bilah BILAAAH!" It's hilarious, we all sit and watch him carry out his important business deal.

Sometimes when I lay down for some shut eye, he pats me like how I do at his naptime. But son, I hope one day you realise it's to lull Mommy into a peaceful slumber. Not a chance to see how loud your 'pats' can sound. (So when exactly does the empathy thing come?) How about one day you put out the laundry like Mommy does? Or wipe up your crayon marks off the floor and walls, like I do 10 million times a day? (Thank god for Crayola's washable crayons. I am 10 steps ahead of you my son).

And to my surprise, he sometimes also brushes his feet on the bathroom mat everytime he steps out. And he actually flicks his hands into the sink after washing! Somebody's actually considerate for a change!

He says quite a few words now. Go, wow, more, up, da da, cheese, Gai gai (cantonese for going out), take, where, yes, star, apple, dinner (lunch is also dinner), gor gor(big brother), oh oh and open. And most recently to his grandfather's delight, Goong Goong! BUT. Sadly, Mama is still a hit and miss. Why??? At the moment, I'm pulling out the guns, he can call me Kelly if he really wants!

True to his nature, he started attempting to run even before he mastered walking. These days his favourite thing to do when bored is to tear through the living room yelling 'YeeeeeeeeeAAaaaaAAA!!!!" as he waves his hands in the air. Or shake out his crayons from the box, then proceed to draw on the floor tiles if I havent't laid some paper out. Doing that while hiding behind the couch. Sneaky much?

More to come, time to celebrate!

The eating machine

I am amazed by the amount of food Kayden eats. I'm convinced he can't be the only one. Right? This was what happened the other day.

By 10am in the morning, he's usually already had cup of milk, a slice (or two) of bread with vegemite, maybe some grapes or fruit of some sort and a handful of biscuits. Then at 11am, he has his lunch. A full bowl of porridge, noodles or macaroni. Then, when its time for my lunch around noon, he's peckish again, and goes "Mmmmmore" at me. So I may feed him abit of my lunch, depending on what it is.

Then he goes for a nap and is up again 2 hours later, at 3pm. Ravenous.

Snack again. Somebody bought him some Chwee Kuehs. I took out the condiments,  he had it plain. He wolfed down 3. Then at 4pm, he had 2 slices of cheese. And then more bikkies. All these time while having water and juice.

I'd like to know where all the food went? How is he still able to have dinner again at 6pm later that night? And then yoghurt, and then his milk before bedtime?

Are his legs hollow? Just how much is he going to be eating when he's a growing teenager? I think we need to know. So we can start saving.

The face only a mother would love

Hiss

The main topic hubby and I find outselves discussing so much about this week - Kayden's temper tantrums.

Recently, they have been like nothing I have ever seen before with Kayden. When he goes into one of them, he screams. He pinches, shoves, pulls my hair, tries to slap me and finds things to stab me with and throws his stuff around. AND THEN, he tears into the room and slams his door shut.  He cries until he is beetroot red. Trembling. Going into the room to give him a hug only makes him even more agitated. From inside, he wails. I let him.

I have learnt to go in when he calms down.

When he is completely settled, I ask him for an apology after explaining to him that Mommy doesn't like it when he does that. It's just not nice to throw your chewed up fruits on the ground. I will take it away if you keep doing that. He nestles his head in my neck, and puts his arms around me to mean he is sorry (not always, but most of the times).

But it doesn't necessarily mean he doesn't repeat the misbehaviour.

I pray this sort of thing doesn't happen in public. Not a temper tantrum like this. Please?

Sigh.

Couch potato in the making

He later had his arms crossed over the pillow in front of him. Looking very comfortable.

Not good.

Looking like a bespectacled old grandfather

Since we've arrived in sunny Singapore, K has truly adapted really well. I really can't complain about him much. (I don't count the teething grumpyness - molars, my poor baby, Ouch!) The only thing he is having trouble adapting to, is no doubt the hot humid weather.

I remember how ages ago when he was alot younger, I read somewhere that babies release heat through their little heads. But I really wasn't expecting an extremely damp pillow and beaded sweat trickling down the sides of his face as he sleeps. In a cooled 22 degree room!

As such, he's been living in thin jersey singlets for most of his time here. And then, usually accompanied by these very Terminator like sunnies.

And on this particular day, he had on these very stylish outfit to go with them. But only to be let down by this sight of him peering over his sunnies instead of looking through them!

Not so smart on my part

So, earlier this evening the boy came up to me and said "Gai!" (Cantonese for going out). No surprise for me there, he does it all the time when he realises I am dressed and reiterates that we are about to go out. But after he said that, while still muttering "gai" under his breath, he went to the wall where I hung my keys. Then proceeded to walk to his pram and started climbing in himself.

I thought to myself. Oh wow! My baby is learning to communicate! I can actually 'see' his train of thoughts!

While in my light headedness delight at my (not so) baby's behaviour, I ended up actually taking him out for a walk.

Again, nothing out of the ordinary. But what happened while we were out was something that had me almost face palming myself in public.

WE spent most of the hour we were out with Kayden pushing the pram. Not me. He refused to sit in the pram. Or have me hold him. All he wanted to do was push the darn parm. For a whole 40 minutes, he pushed the pram non-stop. Only slowing down to take a closer look at somebody or something along the way. We even almost lost a shoe because I didn't realise he had kicked it off in his his hissy fit when I tried to pick him up so we could cross a road. I put him down after we crossed and after 5 minutes, realised he only had one shoe on. I had to hold a screaming baby who was red faced from throwing a tantrum over my shoulder while I back tracked where we walked before.

And to top it off, when he realised we were heading home, he finally cracked it. At our doorstop, he finally pushed away the pram and stormed off towards the direction where we came from. SCREAMING!

Just don't tell me this is the terrible twos coming on early. Or is it just the legs wanting to do more walks?

Urgh. Too much to handle tonight already. Good Night!

Kayden 15 months update

My baby recently turned 15 months. 15 MONTHS! Wasn't he just a little burrito wrap a little while back? Am I the only one who wishes he was a tiny little newborn again?

Since his first birthday, he has now fully transitioned to fresh cow's milk, twice a day. He loves yoghurt. I still buy the commercial baby yoghurt even though I am aware it is perfectly fine to give him the normal types.  I buy them for the reduced sugar content and the size per tub. He is so obsessed with them, we can't even mention the word. In conversation, I have spell "Y O G" instead to avoid a meltdown!

In general, he is not a fussy eater. He eats anything and everything we give him. Chicken, pork, beef, lamb, beans, green leafy vegetables, melons and summer stone fruits like nectarines are his favourites!

At 4 months of age, due to a very bad eczema flare I brought him to a paediatric allergist. A skin prick test revealed a moderate to high positive allergy to eggs. I was told to be mindful not to give him eggs directly (small amounts in foods like cakes and biscuits are fine) until a follow up checkup due later this year. So other than that, he really does try and eats a huge variety of food.

A month back he took his first steps. But never walking more than 3 to 4 steps each time before he bends back down to a hyper bulldog crawl again. Last week after a restful afternoon nap, he stood up and toddled (is that even a word? I don't know, but I like the sound of it!) off! Kayden is now walking! I could watch him walk around forever. Sometimes I even pop him further away from me so he comes toddling over to me. He looks so proud of himself! He even checks around him to see if I am watching, and then gives me a big cheesy smile when he knows I am. Daddy describes his walking pose as "Doing the W". He bends his arms as if he's holding 2 dumbells above his shoulders while he walks. Too funny!

He dances when he is happy or when he hears music. When I say dance, I mean like a popping style that he does. He swings his body from side to side, tilts his head side to side and also does a bum wiggle.  He also does this shoulder shrug. Sometimes one at a time, sometimes both alternatively. Passersby stop to watch in amusement whenever he does that! Even a ringtone from a mobile phone will have him breaking out in a dance!

He's a gadget boy. He picks up the television remote and points and then thrusts it out towards the television. We've obviously been watching way too much TV. He takes my bunch of keys, goes on his tippy toes and tries to open the gate. He swipes from page to page on the iphone with ease, and he pretty much thinks everything with a screen is touch sensitive. Including my camera and ancient Nokia phone.

When he hears Twinkle Twinkle, he goes "hah-tar!" (Star). Or if he likes what he's eating he goes "mmmmmORE!", and his mouth fully mimics the letter "O" when he does. I melt when he clings onto my legs and says "mumma".

My little boy's growing up!

Things you just don't say to a first time mom

OK.I rarely whinge on my blog, But this has been on my mind abit lately. It has been a full year since I had my baby. During the past year and even when I was pregnant, I had so many well wishes for the pregnancy and the birth of baby Kayden. And sure, everybody meant well when they passed on their thoughts, comments and experiences. But to be totally honest, some comments truly irritated the heck out of me.

I know quite a few of you who read my blog don't have children yet. So I thought, maybe I should make a list on what some people said that just didn't come out the way they thought it did.

For example.

"Ohhh! You are tiny!  Poor baby has no space to move around in there!" (it made me want to just get bigger so it doesn't feel like its my fault my baby's so squished in there)


"Morning sickness is just part of pregnancy. It will pass / I had it all through my pregnancy, even when I was on the delivery table!"

"Oh he's sleeping well? Just wait until he starts teething."

"He has a temperature? He must be teething."

"He has diahorrea? (sp?) It must be because he's teething."

"Grumpy/ lack of appetite/ restless? Oh it's just his teeth!"(yea teeth! All your fault!)

"Babies can sleep in a noisy environment, they just need to get used to it!" (yes he's sleeping now because of all the over stimulation from before!  A cousin and I used to gossip about people who said this to us all the time! It drove us both so mad!)

"Why are you doing/not doing this instead? OH I NEVER did that when xx was a baby!"

"I NEVER referred to books or any other materials. I just did what I had to do and it came instinctively." 

And my NUMBER ONE pet peeve? THIS.

"Women have been giving birth since the beginning of time. Labour is NOTHING to be scared of!"


It was annoying! Thankfully towards the end of my pregnancy and today, I have mastered the art of listening to things like that with one ear, and it goes straight out the other ear. I smile and nod, and change the subject. They mean well after all.

But really, as a first time mom, there are enough things on our mind as it is already. It is very often an emotional roller coaster. So saying things like that that affect our self esteem and worth as a new/to-be parent just aren't helping much.

So next time you speak to a pregnant lady or a mom, remember not to say things like that!

IT IS ANNOYING!

Happy 1st Birthday Kayden!

Kayden's birthday party invite! We're out at a bbq later today!

Kayden turns ONE today! Happy Birthday my Baby Boy!

One year ago today, I was in my hospital ward watching you sleep. Your tiny little head fitted snugly in my palm!

♥  you have yet to say Mama properly when I ask you to, but in desperate situations where you want me to pick you up, you scream out an incoherent "Mmmmmaa!!"

♥  when I am cuddling you, you curl all your fingers around a finger of mine, and I love it when you doze off in my arms to sleep

♥  you love your bathtimes and you look forward to it everyday. You LOVE your rubber duckies.

♥  I love it when you do your 'happy dance' (shaking head from side to side)

♥ You amaze me with your generosity whenever someone asks to have your favourite foods, you ALWAYS pluck it out of your mouth to share!

♥ Your face always lights up when we say "Shall we go OUTSIDE for a walk?" (which results in a happy dance after sometimes)

♥ You don't like loud people or noises. You squint and your eyelids flutter when that happens. Or just start bawling.

♥ You are born in the year of the ox. And an ox you are. You very strong, and oh so stubborn!

♥ Since when you were a few weeks old, you are mesmerized and soothed when you hear someone sing. You stop and pause whatever you are doing, and you just stare and sometimes smile as you listen intently.


♥  And, you have mastered the art of coaxing someone with a kiss whenever you want something! We just can't help but go "Awwwww" and be at your beck and call!



I can hardly believe a whole year has passed. It still feels like just last week, we brought you home from the hospital! You looked like a little burrito wrap!

You have brought so much joy to everyone around you. I hope you have enjoyed every bit of your childhood so far. Mommy and Daddy wish and want for you, nothing but the very most of what makes you happy and healthy.

Love,

Mommy

Free fun time

 

I brought Kayden to a toy store earlier. And boy oh boy, did he have fun! He looked at the endless rows and shelves of toys from his stroller, I occasionally pick one off the shelf and let him have a bit of a play. Luckily, no tantrums were thrown each time I took it away from him to return it to the shelf.

His favourite were probably the outdoor slides and ride ons. I think they reminded him of our trips to the playgrounds. The gleeful look on his face! And of course, playing with all that means I had to unbuckle him from his stroller. Well, that last picture shows how I managed to cajole him back into it! With a smile on his face, no less!

The best part of the afternoon was, that I left the store without spending a single cent! Score!

Colourful food

 

Every now and then, we should stop and smell the flowers. But, I think with Kayden around, it may not be such a good idea for now. This pansy came as a pretty garnish in hubby's iced mocha at brunch over the weekend. It was pretty, so we took it off and gave it to Kayden to hold and look at.

While he did admire it for a couple of minutes, its beauty was lost on him in no time.


The boy was too quick for us to stop! He plucked a petal off, shoved it into his mouth, chewed it alittle and it was GONE. All within a couple of seconds.

From the moment the petal touched his lips, I had my finger in his mouth trying to fish it out. All I managed was a sharp bite from his 2 little toothies.

It was a beautiful sunny day to spend at the local park after. And despite what you see here, no. He didn't get a second chance to eat (maybe a taste) it again, this time a daisy. We yanked him off the ground as soon as he started it put it to his mouth! Oh no you don't!

You know how they say make children's food colourful so it is more appealing for them to eat? Well, here you go. Perfect example.

And I'm thinking, if they used the pansy as a garnish, its not poisonous. Right?

Kayden at 11 months

 

Happy 11 months Kayden!

One more month and you're officially not a baby anymore =( I am going to enjoy all the cuddles and kisses my BABY still wants to give me (when he feels like it).

We were at the playground yesterday afternoon, and I sat Kayden on the swing and went down the slide with him. He was happiest when I sat him on the big fat rubber crocodile. But he reached for the ground playing with the mulch covering instead! Haha! The sparkle in his eyes made my heart sing!

p/s: we're finally breaking out the summer wear!

The grass is not always greener

We had a deliciously warm sunny weekend in Melbourne at long last! Spring was only here half heartedly when it first started. But over the weekend, the boy and I were out enjoying the sun in the backyard! We sat on the grass enjoying the cool breeze as it blew until it was time for lunch.

Kayden was not totally convinced about this green thing Mommy calls 'grass'.

When put on it, he hardly moved from his sitting position! He gingerly touches the grass blades and then pulls his hand back when he realizes it was a little prickly! What a DIVA! If you look carefully, when he was crawling around, his shins weren't really touching the ground, just his knees. He actually had his toes pointing up even. So, in the end, I had to go back inside to grab him a cloth to sit on instead. And he was as happy as a lark after that!

Warm weather = happy days! Can't wait for the weekend to arrive, we're going on a day trip! Yipee!

The very same foot

@First hour of birth

 

@10 months

Kayden says...

Hmmmm, after sharpening my tooth on the cot the other day, 

they went out and got this 'rail guard' thingie which they stuck at the top of my rail.

It's not so fun to chew on anymore! Boriiiing!

 

AH HAH! 

Mom left this inside my cot while she's busy clicking away 

with that metallic box in front of me. Tasty!!

Kayden tells you his routine at 10 months

 
7am   First feed of the day, dreamfeeding. Daddy gets the relaxed me, feeding and changes my nappy with ease. Then he kisses us goodbye and leaves for work.

9.30am   Wake up, roll over and try to pry sleeping Mommy's eye open. Or, if they were heartless enough to make me sleep in my cot the night before, I start bouncing in there, making a nuisance of myself, until Mommy wakes up. And then, when she tries to change my nappy, I show her one of my many wrestling moves.

11am   Milk feed

12Noon    Lunchtime (congee and yoghurt) and then on my playmat for a a bit.

1.30pm  'Ma Ma (Grandma) picks me up and pats me to sleep *Woohoo!* I am out like a light within 5 minutes.

2.30pm   I am up again. But Heyyy! When did you put me down Ma Ma!!!?? Get me out of my bouncer NOW!!!

3pm    Nappy change, and milk feed. Then I wander around the room following Mommy around, entangling myself around her feet and basically learning the word "NO!!!" a million times for the next hour or two from her. When she gets sick of removing me from some sticky situations (see above), she puts me in my playpen (read: cage), and puts something on for me to watch on the telly. And if I get lucky, Mommy gives me some crustkits to nibble on.

4pm    Maybe a long walk in the park, when Mommy decides its not freezing outside and the sun is out.

5pm    Bathtime

6pm   Dinner

7pm   Daddy's home! Time to go bother somebody else and give Mommy a break from me.

7.30pm   Dinnertime for the adults, they put me on my highchair and I sit with them at the head of the table (like Ye Ye - grandfather), and sometimes I get a nibble out of some of their food. But mainly, it's just fun for me. Like yesterday, I stuffed an entire piece of chicken into my mouth. Sneakily, chew and pretend I've swallowed it and Mom gives me another piece... until she realises what I was up to, and tries to dig everything out of my mouth. FUN!

8pm   Hang out with Daddy

9pm   Nappy change and milk feed. Mommy zips me up in my sleeping bag. Bedtime.