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.

Kayden Uncut

His fruits that is. I've come to realise, he enjoys his fruits alot more when he has them whole. My mum's fruit basket looks like it has been attacked by mice overnight. Kayden picks an apple up and proceeds to leave a bite mark on it. Then he puts it down and does the same to the rest of the fruits. Ergh. It's like an uncontrollable urge he has. He does that everytime he sees a fruit. So now, I park the supermarket trolley a few steps away to prevent all of you from buying Kayden branded fruits (which has happened plenty of times already!).

After dinner, Goong Goong cuts apples and pears for everyone. Kayden goes "Air-per!" and tries to clamour onto him as he does it. He would be happily munching on a slice of apple until he notices more uncut apples in the fruit basket.

So what's the most natural thing to do? Throw sliced apple onto floor and make a mad dash for the fruit basket of course!

Kayden finishes his meals usually within ten minutes flat. A blessing I know. But sometimes he (still) forgets to chew. And ends up with a face like that last picture, which PoPo describes as "Eyes as big as marbles! Chew boy boy!".

Plenty of apples in the fruit basket. No hurry. Nobody's going to fight you for those apples you've marked.

Hello? This is a library.

DO NOT be fooled by that face. That is called a look of oblivion. Around us were many pairs of dagger sharp stares looking our way. I took this photo while hiding in between 2 rows of bookshelves with this little monkey face!

The other day, I brought Kayden to a library. I thought I'd let him get oriented with the place first before we sat down for a read. Well, let's just say that reading part didn't quite happen. 

He was madly dashing around the place. I couldn't keep up. The more I tried to move forward to stop him from running around, the louder he laughs, and the faster and wilder he runs in the opposite direction, his legs kicking into the air and his arms flinging around at his sides. It looked like I was an incompetent mom who couldn't control her child. Luckily I have developed the 'thick skinned mother syndrome' where no amount of staring at me will make me feeling embarassed no more.

But still, argh!

So I decided to follow him around loosely instead. BAD move. He thought that I was playing a game of hide and seek. He peeks through the rows of shelves like that, trying to see where I am. Everytime he spots me a few rows away, he would wait until I mak eye contact, then cackle away loudly, turn away and run off again!

Just a word of advice. Yes, that's right. From me. When your child misbehaves at a library, head to the parenting section right away. Like I found myself wandering. Titles like these will pop out at you within 5 seconds flat, so you can flip through it wildly then attempt to rectify his misbehaviour asap.

But on your way home, remember to pick up books like these so you can do some desperate late night reading as your 'strong-willed child' sleeps. Maybe something for Daddy to read too.

Leave the actual baby lift the flap books for next time.

More Thailand

Would you have believed me if I said I had never been to Bangkok?

It seems like the whole world around me had, and I didn't. But now, I can say I've been. And I LOVE BANGKOK! I think I've fallen in love with Thailand! But this city is my new love for sure.

The bestie and I jetted off for a girly trip away.

Indeed, it is THE land of smiles. People are friendly, despite the busy nature of their lifestyles. Their skytrain is superb! Clean, timely and efficient. Even when it is crowded, people give way and are considerate. Once during the peak lunch time hour, we approached a office lady for directions. She did it gladly with a smile and a slight bow. That very same minute, somebody else came up and tried to offer help too! Of course, it also helps that both the young and the old are largely able to converse in English.

It was a girly trip where we intended to shop until we dropped. And that we did! There were trinkets of all sorts and sizes. The only hard bit was to try not to buy everything we saw.

A friend has purchased an apartment to retire there in his future years. When I first heart of that, I was thoroughly surprised. Retire in Bangkok? He described the place that is chaotic, peaceful, ancient, modern, magical and realistic all at the time. I have never had anyone paint me a picture of Bangkok that way. Not even my Thai friends. I was naturally intrigued.

But after the trip. I get it.

Traffic snarls, temples and swanky hotels all along the same stretch of road. Monks in their orange robes and women dressed in the latest designer gear all living together at the same place. Street side stalls line the streets. People who had just moments ago, just swiped their magical cards (quoting my Thai friend N) at the posh Prada store across the road sit on make shift tables and chairs, enjoying their grilled delights. Stray cats sitting at their manicured feet, quietly hoping somebody throws a bone or two on the ground.

Amazing!

A gelati like icy treat encased in a ball! i-maru

 

My 40baht lunch (AUD1.20) Can't beat that!



It is a place to be explored. I find myself wishing I am back sooner than later!

Week 8

Bear with me while I relish in the building process. Bricking is complete. Des has been dutifully going into the house every weekend to check and capture shots of the the house for me to look at. And as I look at the space, I try and imagine us lounging on a new couch, mug in hand, everybody snuggled up under the covers watching the telly. Or sitting at the kitchen bench, reading the papers as we have our morning cereal.

So now, the outside is waiting to be rendered. Thank god for that. I don't have the answer to those different coloured bricks. 

The builder says the kitchen goes in next. Right smack in the middle of this area too. The island goes on top those little stumps on the ground. Woohoo! My lovely sparkly benchtop, I am looking forward to seeing you!

Can't wait, can't wait!

Couch potato in the making

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

Not good.

It's not really that funny Kayden

He thinks it's really funny when I walk into our room to see it in a state like this.

Then he laughs.

At me.

So what do I do? Laugh along with him of course. Kayden, you're lucky Mommy has a sense of humour. Even when you do this at least once a week!

Looking a little more complete

Whoooooooopeee! More progress in another week. Bricks go on next.

I can already picture K stomping around in puddles in our backyard here after a rain. And us having family and friends over for BBQ on a nice summer afternoon.

But my mind flickers with different images everytime I try to picture what sort of plants to grow under those windows you see here. Sometimes I think white iceberg roses, and sometimes lavender bushes comes to mind. And then I think maybe some lily pillys?

Time for some research. Actually, A LOT of research. My thumbs aren't exactly green.

I want to go to the beach.... in winter

A little bit crazy I know. But it really isn't.

These Korean dramas that my mom has been chasing day and night (that is another story altogether) are anything but real. They sit or stroll hand in hand so contentedly, all rugged up in their scarves, winter coats and boots as the waves roll near their feet.

Very convincing. To me at the very least. Missing hubby and melbourne so much, we've both been discussing what to do when we're all back home together again - already. We skype with Daddy-O every single day since he's gone back to work, but it's just not quite the same.  So something alittle crazy like this doesn't actually seem so crazy.

Plus K & I missed out on most of last summer (it didn't quite arrive with a bang) in Melbourne. So we need to catch up on some beach time.

Anyway, I am now so totally convinced that going to the beach in winter, as cold as it would be, would be the most romantic thing to do. As romantic as it can be, with our little man in tow of course.

Looking forward to some teeth chattering cold time at the beach!

Look what happened in a week

Remember 2 weeks ago? I take my hat off to our builders! In less than 10 days, the framework for the entire house is complete! How do they do that!? 

This is how the site looked like last week. We were so amazed we even had it checked, just in case it was a dodgy job. So far, so good!

I am keeping my fingers crossed that the work moves along, as smoothly for the rest of the process.

But it is Oh.So.Satisfying to see our to-be-home being materialized.

And as you get to the end of this post, the roof tiles, bricks and windows are being installed at the site back in Melbourne this week. How quick are they these days!

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!

Nostalgia

So, it's time to come clean.  I am actually not in Melbourne. For almost the past 2 months, I have been back at my other home - Singapore!

We have been a little more busy than usual since we arrived. Sights to see, people to meet, places to go and things to do. And most importantly, rest to be had. Hence my very sporadic posts of late. I try to keep my posts short so I have more time to catch up on all the things I have missed out on doing over here since my last visit.

Kayden has adapted surprisingly well. From the second day we arrived, his meal and bedtimes are according to routine, despite the 3 hour time difference (Melbourne is 3 hours ahead).

He loves that there are so many buses, cars and trains to see. So much so, sometimes when I am calling out to him on our walks, I am totally ignored! The boy is a little afraid of the dark, especially when we are outdoors back home in Melbourne. When it gets dark, he whines to be picked up from his pram. But over here, in this vibrant city, he is loving every bit of the hustle and bustle, day and night!

And so am I.

It has been a long while since I have returned to my home country for a long stay like this. I love going through my old photo albums and laughing at my own nerdy self years ago.

But what really touches a heart string (I think a lot more for K's grandma than myself), is watching my very own son splashing around in the very same bath tub I used to use when I was a baby!

I never thought I'd be this happy to see a slab of concrete

Finally! Something to update on our new place. For the past month or so, there has been big fat envelopes being delivered by couriers from our builders. Drawings and variations we have had to go through. Huge sheets of papers we had to peer over, trying to make sense of the tiny little icons in and around the house. Errors to be weeded out. Instructions to be conveyed back to the builder on improvements. Which then meant big fat envelopes at our doorstep again, and us going over the documents over and over and over and over again.

But we made it through that boring part and they've finally poured out the concrete. Wet conditions have prevented the builders from laying the slab on any earlier. I am still hoping we're at our new place by Christmas!

Plain, grey NEW concrete ground, boy am I glad to finally meet you!

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!

My little lift boy

Photos 1: Only Goong Goong gives me free rein of the lift buttons. Mummy only lets me press them once.

Photo 2: When we reached the lobby, most of us got out. Kayden peeked out and waved us all goodbye and ducked back inside! I had to physically try to pull him out of the lift. In the end I carried the boy out!

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!

Holiday snaps

I swear blogging has been at the back of my mind, but Mrs Relaxation took over! I have been away on holidays and LOVING it. So all this while, I've been collecting all these photos so I can show you all here.

Hubby and I went on a tropical escape without the boy. It was relaxing, but we both realised we have been missing him! Over a year of incessant attention from the baby meant we had both gotten used to having him constantly budgering us. And the time away without him felt a little weird for us both! The irony!

Nonetheless, it was a trip not to be forgotten. Sipping king coconuts (young coconut with its flesh scooped out and blended with coconut cream and ice. The best drink on earth to date!) by the pool, sunbathing and napping the afternoon under the canopy of trees while swinging in the hammock. Ah the life!

Happy Chinese New Year to all who are celebrating it, and Happy Valentine's Day!

Sun Burn

 

I have been jumping out at every chance I get when the sun comes out lately. Being outside in the golden warm sunshine just makes me happy. And tanned. And sunburnt. I forgot to apply sunscreen on my shoulders one day. By the time I remembered, damage was already done. Ouch!

But look! I'm not the only one! Out on one of our walks in the parks one afternoon, I spotted this tree standing all tall and majestic, but with most of its tree bark peeling off its trunk. Standing under that tree, I was in awe of its colours, and the way the tree bark fell and was held suspended from the ground by its own branches.

I love it when I spot something out of the ordinary, on an ordinary day out.

Venus Bay

Over the Christmas break, we went away on a day trip to the beautiful beach at Venus Bay. It was a glorious 32 degree day. Our quick thinking cousin remembered to grab a beach tent. Yay!  We got there, set up the tent and sat down in it for a picnic before we went out to dip our toes in the cool clear waters.

Well, I thought that was how I was going to spend my afternoon at the beach. Kayden, however thought otherwise. Somebody turned into a real sook! I held that certain somebody in my arms and slowly inched my way towards the splashing waves. The closer I got to the edge of the water, the higher he climbed up my body. By the time my feet were actually in the water, that certain somebody was clinging onto me for dear life, with a hilariously fearful look in his eyes. Yes I did say hilarious and fearful in the same sentence. That somebody didn't think it was funny at all though.

So I bent down and held him out to dip his toes in the water. And what do you know? That somebody clamoured right up onto my shoulder, tears and all. Despite his pretty boy looks, that baby is LOUD. Even out in the open.

So, with a sigh, we went back onto our tent where hugs and kisses were offered.  Kayden thinks the best vantage view point of the beach was from inside our tent. So with a nectarine in hand, he stood under the shade and waved goodbye at me. I was STILL in the tent. I broke out in hysterics because I found it so funny he was implying for me to go ahead without him!

Oh my, Kayden, that is a beach day not to be forgotten. When you get to your 21st birthday, maybe one of your friends will find this blog post about that certain somebody's day at the beach.

Parenting is about eating my own words

Once upon a time, I have said :

• I will never let my child throw tantrums when he doesn't get what he wants. I will STOP him.
• I will never let my child eat anything off the floor
• I will not spoil my child, and give him an alternative but the meal I have prepared for him
• My child will never have poop ride up his back like hers did!
• My child will never have screaming attacks in public

 The list can go on, I had plenty of those "I will nots". If there was a reward for paying people some good money for capturing what I said I will never do, those people would probably have a small little wad of cash in their hands by now.

Today, when I see other moms and dads in the change room cajoling a squirming baby on the change mat, I give him a knowing smile. And as that mother picks her baby from the pram and buckles her in her car seat, the pram and grocery bags still next to the car, waiting to be packed up in the boot. I am still waiting patiently while sitting in the car for a park. I have skin possibly thicker than a mule these days. I am able to comfortably ignore pairs of eyes looking at me, as I try to distract my screaming baby who is getting bored in his pram as we eat our lunch at a restaurant.

What's my point? Parenting is humbling.