Over here, we live for the food

 

Hi again. We have been buzzing around here! Of late, there has been bursts of warm sunny days. And we are loving it!

I thank my lucky stars for being on an extremely friendly street. We have since got to know our neighbours really well and we are all zipping in and out each other's houses. And we've only been at our new place for just over a month. The kids play together, and we've been taking turns making lunches. It makes such a difference having great neighbours.

Above is a photo of Kayden with his mate Harrison. They are only 4 months apart. The closeness in age means his mum and I have alot in common to talk about! We have even started swim class with them! More on that later.

With a spanking new kitchen, I've been whipping up a storm in there too. I've been churning out baked goods at least once a week. We have to feed those kids something don't we? Us Moms will have nothing less than fresh homemade muffins for afternoon tea of course. Blueberry, double choc chip, apple and cinnamon muffins in our tummy!

 

But sometimes even food fails to impress. Like this mince beef taco wrap I made the other day. 

Kayden took one look at it and literally said "Nah."  I was so taken aback by that, I burst out laughing. It's not very often my baby refuses food! My rice baby no see no rice on the taco! He ended up having leftovers instead. 

Have rice equals happy baby.

Stupidity happened

In the midst of all the initial excitment of our Singapore trip a couple of months back, I totally forgot to post about an incident the very night before our Singapore flight. MamaJ had a similar ordeal recently which has reminded me to post this entry.

Back story first. Just before christmas, we had a neighbour whose van had a pretty serious gas leak. Serious enough to have 4 fire trucks and firemen strutting around doing their thing for a bit. They told us there was a possibility that a huge explosion could happen if not dealt with tactfully.

So second time round, when I heard 2 loud explosions right outside our bedroom window (it sounded like fireworks) AND saw a fire that went up to 2 storeys high, I FREAKED. It was no fireworks.

I thought the worst. Let me just put it plainly.

I thought we were all going to die if we don't get the hell out of the place. (sorry about the pun)

Just when I realised what was going on outside, our other next door neighbour was frantically ringing our doorbell telling us there is a fire!

When you have firemen telling you once before, that a gas leak is no laughing matter, you'll know what I mean. The scenes are still very vivid in my mind. And that feeling of helplessness. The terror and the adrenalin.

A fire! With the possibility of a gas explosion no less.

I GRABBED MY SLEEPING BABY from his cot. And I RAN.

All the way to the other end of the house. I didn't run outside because at that point, I thought it was another gas leak. What if another explosion happens? I don't know if it was a good idea to stay inside. But I was visualizing being flung into the air when that explosion happens. I know. I watch too many of these action movie flicks. But hey, I wasn't taking chances! I wanted some sort of protection. Just as well I didn't step outside. It was freezing outside. I was in such a panic stricken mode, I didn't even have the sense to grab a jacket for K.

By the time I had put my baby in a safe spot (still sleeping and totally unaware of the whole fiasco), hubby had gone out to find out what happened.

Two doors away, a massive fire was eating its way into a part of a neighbour's house. Nothing to do with the said van (but that neighbour raced his van out of our court, just in case, he said later on). Neighbours were all pitching in to fill buckets of water to help douse out the fire.

But to no avail.



This time round, I know I'll be forgiven for the crappy blurry photo. My hands were shaking!

 My sister in law was quick on her feet, and had the sense to ring the police. And in no time, there was the blaring of the sirens into the silence of the night. The fire trucks arrived. In short, they scurried around in an orderly fashion, put out the flames after what seemed like an agonising half an hour or so.

I tucked K back into his cot, grabbed the baby monitor and hurried outside to find out we really didn't need to evacuate.

Fast forward an hour later, the firemen and the occupants of that house were still sitting on the grass on our front lawn. With their faces in their hands, some in tears, barefoot and dishevelled.

What happened?


Stupidity happened. That's what.


Someone was silly enough to light a naked flame next to a half installed airconditioning unit. Exposed electrical wires and all. The result was a gutted garage, affecting also part of their house. The lucky thing was, everyone managed to get out of the house in time. And that the fire didn't spread to the surrounding houses.

Thankfully for us, if we had to evacuate, our bags were already packed! Afterall, our flight takes off in another 10 hours! It was waaaay past midnight when our household calmed down enough to settle back to bed.

And in hindsight, it is now very clear, what I consider the most important thing in the world.

My baby.

I didn't grab my wallet. Our passports. Our phones. NOTHING.

Dear god, come to think of it now, I really should have! What was I thinking!? So this time, when we move into our new home, I'm gonna make sure ALL the important things are kept in one safe spot. Maybe also a small amount of cash with it. So, *touch wood* should something like that were to happen again, I will be able to grab it and go. IF I am still thinking that is!

How an earth did I not remember to blog about this is beyond me! This literally happened almost 4 months back! Having someone yell out "FIRE!" in the middle of the night is truly one heck of an adrenalin punch! Dramatic!

Who needs chocolate when there's vegemite?



We do this!



And so we get THIS!

Photos taken from my ancient mobile, crappy! My little aussie man at heart LOVES his vegemite,

this was him one evening before dinner. He had us all in a laughing fit!

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!

I treasure moments like this

This was us for most of the afternoons last week when we were sick. Me reading and Kayden crawling into my arms for his nap.

I love it! The cuddling, not the being sick part.

Burnt Toast

Couple of years ago, I think it was on Oprah that Teri Hatcher was a guest on. She was there to promote her book. It has made an impression on me because it was titled "Burnt Toast". It is her account of motherhood and other experiences she's had in life. "Burnt Toast" being the metaphor that the woman takes the leftovers or the least appealing parts for themselves.


Now as a mom, I can totally relate to that because I found myself eating the crusty parts of the bread when I gave Kayden this! A start to things to come I'm sure.

What is THAT raggedly square with holes you're eating mom?  Mine tastes waaaay better!

The boy was eyeing my plate I had in my hand, while he was happily munching on his pretty jam and butter bread cutouts I gave him one rare breakfast morning. He had one in his hand, then decides to multitask and picks up another one in his other hand. Nom nom nom! Yummy!

I have

I have unobstructed views of clear blue skies right here from home

It is not often I slip into the "If only I have/can ..." moments. But when I do, there is always something or someone that quickly yanks me right out of the thought and puts me on the brighter side of things. This morning, Jess did just that. Thank you!

With a cranky baby, waking up to the boy's cries a few times in the middle of the night because somehow he has wet his PJs or a lost dummy leaves me questioning.. "WHY!!".

Or realising, "hey... it feels like we haven't had a getaway for what seems like the longest time ever".

Or wonder why can't we afford this? I WANT this! And this.. and wow! maybe that too!". I don't go for frequent manicures. I don't go out shopping enough to realise the shop has closed down more than THREE years ago!

And what? You are going to watch Avatar? ...Umm, where exactly is it?

Kate Spade, Molton Brown, who are you?

But.

I am acutely aware I am a lucky girl despite all of that.

I have many things most money can't buy. Simple things. And they make me smile and be happy about.



I have the most supportive husband who leaps out to give me a helping hand, to love and make me laugh, making me the happiest girl in the world.

I have an adorable son, who crawls onto my lap, pulling me close to him for a cuddle and a kiss, who makes me throw my head back with a belly laugh.

I have a wonderful family near and far.

I have friends who are merely a text or a phonecall away .. for some non-kiddy chit chats. Even better when they are scattered all over the world,  different time zones means there is always somebody online to talk to!

I have the pleasure of going on day trips exploring places which most of my overseas friends yearn to visit here in Melbourne. I have the pleasure of admiring clear blue skies from this side of the world. I have the opportunity to be all dressed for up all the 4 seasons we get in a single day in typical Melbourne fashion! Woollen coats and scarves, soft and thin silky tops, all hung up in the wardrobe ready to be worn in the rain or shine!



If you are one of those who can't help but say "I don't have time! Why don't I have this?", sit down and count what you actually do have. You will most likely be pleasantly surprised. It could be the simplest things in life you feel happy about.

I have a good life =)

Hello spring!

Goodbye winter, and HELLO to you spring! When you decide to show up on some days that is.

The temperature has been slowly creeping up. It is still cold, the temperature sits in the low tens or so. But, the days are getting longer and little green buds are starting to emerge from the cherry blossom trees on the nature strips.

Despite September being the coldest spring Melbourne has had in years, we are taking our long afternoon walks again. All rugged up of course, me in my warm fleecy jumper and Kayden tucked up to his shoulders in his foot muff and hat.

The boy loves the outdoors, and one afternoon in the crisp, warm afternoon spring sunshine, he was 'singing' as we walked through picturesque scenes like these.

Beautiful!

A little spot of happiness

I love it when life gives you a little bit of a surprise sometimes. A little spot of a rainbow hidden in an overcast winter sky may just do the trick.

I heart Sydney

 

Last weekend, our little family went on a little trip to Sydney. It was Kayden's first time on board a plane! He was a dream to be with. When he was not sleeping, he would be winning over the hearts of other passengers with his winning gummy smiles and baby laughter. He was happy and hardly fussed throughout the entire trip.

We had a blast during the short trip. The forecast was for possible showers for the weekend. But what are the chances that it was overcast when the plane touched down to only open up to big sunny clear blue skies when we stepped out of the airport? And started drizzling only when we were seated in the plane ready for take off, on our way home! We indulged in going on hunts for fresh food, lots of happy laughter, long brisk warm walks along the harbour, the breeze on a water taxi ride and at the end of the day, long warm relaxing baths to soothe the body and soul.

We all left our hearts in Sydney! Can't wait to head up there again soon one day!

Finding myself a little lost

I have a confession. I haven't always been the person I am. As a teenager, I was impulsive. I make stupid and rash decisions. BUT, I acted on how I feel and followed my heart. I can honestly say I don't have regrets in my life during my teenage years. However moronic my actions were. And back then, I had all the freedom and time in the world. Nothing was too hard or impossible! I did what I did, and I learned not to make the same mistakes again in future. But those mistakes to me, were very valuable lessons in life.

As a young adult fresh out from university, I got married at a young age. We were both just starting out in life. And as a young adult, just starting out life in the harsh world of reality, I found myself having to be alot more accomodating to others because I was inexperienced in life. There was lots to learn. So, I watched. I listened and I compromised. A LOT. So the person I am now, is mellowed out so much, I have come to realise just only recently, that I think I have lost a big part of me.  And I need to find MYSELF again.

Becoming a mother and then turning 30 has been a huge milestone in life for me.

I want to live my life the way I want to. It doesn't sit well with me right now thinking that when I am 50, I am telling Des "I should done this", "I should have done that" or "I should have said that". By then, my life is far from over, but it might be too late to do things a certain way with the same gusto at a time like now.

But, I am not too sure how I am going to go about finding myself while having to juggle being a mother at the same time. I feel like I have taken a backseat in life when I gave birth to my beautiful little man 8 months ago. I desperately want to be a good parent, but I yearn to be a unique individual with a spontaneity for life. I know I have to do and say things with caution, after all I am his role model! (for now anyway)I  have blinkers going on in my head doubting whether it is still possible. I am at a crossroad in my life and I need to think about which direction I want to head toward for my years ahead.

Or is this just my post pregnancy hormones playing up? Tell me! Oh, just don't tell me I am heading towards a mid life crisis!

If you are a parent, or a busy individual, I would love to hear how you prioritize your life, to rediscover you.  Am I making any sense here today? Send me an email, or leave me a comment, I would love to read and learn from your experiences or suggestions!