Dear Zoo

Dear Zoo. No doubt its a hugely popular book. I just never expected my son to love it THIS much. Reading the book has to be one of the rarer occasions where he will actually sit still for the few minutes it takes to read it to him.

It is read so often that some of the flaps in the pages are crumpled and some just barely held together by sticky tape.

But I love seeing him sprawled out on the bed like this flipping through the pages by himself. It makes me smile.


P/S: STILL no sign of some real summer weather yet...

Staying indoors when out

My dear blog, I don't mean to neglect you. It has just been a busy few weeks!

Speaking of neglect, Melbourne's been DEPRIVED of summer, which technically starts on the first day of December. It has been rainy and muggy for the past 2 weeks with probably only ONE actual summer day so far!

So to make up for the lack of INactivity OUTdoors, I have been busy planning for things to do indoors, in this rainy weather we have. We brought Kayden to the aquarium a few weekends ago, and he loved the penguins. Probably so because they were at his height? A few of them actually waddled right up to the window to check us out! The rest of the marine life were lost on Kayden though.There were walkways through a glass tunnel to view the sharks, stingrays and all the other fishes. It was dim, and being snuggled up under his footmuff in the pram, Kayden dozed off for the rest of the time at the aquarium after the penguins haha!

The rainy weather saved me from procrastinating Christmas shopping! We hit the shops real early, so there was no veering the pram this way and that to avoid other shoppers. In fact, we had a nice relaxing time and even sat down at a Lindt cafe for a surprisingly good sandwich, ending with a selection of some chocolate desserts too of course. No photos of that lunch unfortunately. I was too busy keeping Kayden's fingers out of the food.

But the sun came out and spent ONE entire day this December with us. And oh boy, I was ready on the go and was out the door before you know it. I took Kayden out for a looooong walk and we stayed at the playground for an equally long time too. And when we got home, I popped him into his froggie pool for a cool down splash.

But right now, it just feels like the tropics. It's like a dress rehearsal for our Singapore trip next month. Muggy nights don't go well with a polar bear baby who loves the cool winter weather.

Come on Summer! COME ON!

When are we going back there again Kayden?

I remember it wasn't all that long ago when I was pregnant or when Kayden was younger that I have said "One day, he'll be playing in there!".

Last week, I went into one of these free indoor play areas at our local shopping mall while I was doing some supermarket runs. He loved it!  At first, he just sat down right where I left him. Quietly observing how the other children were playing. Then he copied what they were doing. He turned some toy steering wheels, climbed over some cubes and went through a kiddy obstacle course.

Half an hour later, he didn't want to leave! And of course, the little one was at the furthest corner in one of the tunnels. I had to physically crawl into the small little tunnels, through the obstacles to grab him out!

And me, I loved seeing him so very happy! He was all smiles and in the cheeriest of moods!

In fact, as we left, I was the one looking forward to going back there again! Hmmmm, I need another run at the supermarket tomorrow right? Right.

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!

Funny hair

MMmm??? What's wrong with my hair?

Fresh from my bath

Umm... there's just a little something at the top of your head Kayden

Birthday morning! Excitedness! BOOF!

 Would you believe this is the same baby! Kayden's hair has a life of its own. On some days, it decides its a happy day and it reaches for the skies. And then on some days, it is as though, it is feeling down, and is as flat and stiff as a surfboard.  Or it feels like it is going to be an exciting day, and boofs itself up, looking like Bloat the blowfish in Finding Nemo.

Part 2: It's party time Kayden!

A balloon which is almost twice the height he is!

What? I can't hear youuu!? OoOOoh Yes! It's MY birthday!

YUP! That looks like it belongs to me!!! (he perpetually snatched it off!)

  

Somebody lovesss duckies!

 

Happy birthday our baby boy!

 

It was a glorious sunny afternoon. Perfect for an outdoor BBQ partay! The day couldn't have gone any better. It was a joyous occasion spent with people dear and close. We ate, we laughed, we enjoyed the beautiful weather, we chatted, and we all had a GREAT time! 

Kayden was given lots of cuddles, and he lapped it all up! He was quivering with excitement, without a clue that he was the star of the day! We sang the boy happy birthday, cut his cake, and perhaps overdosed him with just a liiiitle bit too much sugar loaded desserts.

I could tell Kayden was having the best time of his life on his birthday. He was laughing and smiling and waving his arms around. He waved hello, gave his guests little kisses and even shook someone's hand! We chose the location because he loves the playground there. Poor little man was exhausted mid party, but instead of taking his afternoon nap, he chose to spend time with everyone instead. Must have been on a sugar high. After all, I have never actually given him anything with much sugar in it until his birthday! Not even a long quiet walk in the park would settle him down for some rest.  He eventually dozed off for a quick nap, and was ready again for more play in record time!

We thank everyone for their well wishes, gifts and help for his little BIG milestone. It has been a full year since our little bundle of joy arrived. And what a year it has been. Wouldn't have it any other way!

Extra extra, read all about it!

Besides the little man's birthday over the weekend, this was what happened! There is no cause for alarm. We are all fine. Our neighbour's car had a gas leak, and from the looks of it, the authorities determined it was pretty serious!

I was awoken from my restful nap to hear a commotion outside the window. I looked out and I saw not 1, not 2, not 3, but FOUR fire trucks right outside our court! I leaped out of bed and scurried downstairs to ask "WHAT'S HAPPENING???".  But as soon as those words left my mouth, I realised from hubby's relaxed composure on the couch that everything was under control. I was ready to run back up and grab my sleeping baby!

The commotion outside eventually woke Kayden up of course. The firemen started moving 3 of the trucks out of our court, and huddled around to set up this black torch looking thingiemagie. Our next door neighbour who was ushered out of his house, so that the firemen could do their thing, was sitting on our front lawn taking photos.

And so, I thought I would go outside and do the same.  It looks safe to do so? I brought Kayden out along with me and he looked at it all happening, with a wide eyed look on his face. He quietly observed the firemen  walking around pulling wires and cables out.

The 'torch' made such a loud whirring sound when they were burning the gas off. We went WOW! It was quite a show! The flame went high up in the air. Kayden opened his eyes even wider and it was a look of bewilderment on his face!

What an afternoon and what an eventful weekend we had!

Before the party

We had such a fun filled and busy weekend! Happy times! We are exhausted and taking it easy. 

I'll let the pictures do all the talking today.

Kayden slept in that morning, and woke up with this boofed up hair!

On my way to my paaaaarty!

Are we there yet!?

MmmmmMMMMmmmm time for play!

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!

New house: Colours

Colours for the new house. I wanted a neutral colour palate. And I wanted a white interior. But I didn't want it to look clinical. All interior walls are a rice white. For some strange reason, the carpet and tiles in here look alot more like grey? Carpets and tiles actually look a more latte, grey brown in real life.

I freaked at the hundreds and hundreds of choices available. I refocused, and picked colours mainly based on a particular caesarstone tile I FELL IN LOVE with instantly. It is white with browny grey specks through it. You can't see it here, but it has heaps of shimmery little specks through it too.

Pre start appointment was actually a few months ago, where I picked out these colours. 

Have any of you built or renovated your house? Please tell me it's a fun process. And that I get to keep all my hair at the end of it! Can't wait till the building actually starts!

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.

Not really here

No, we haven't been away. Just out of it. The weather was erratic past week or so and it has hit the little man and I with a really bad cold! It is awful. K was a snotty baby who couldn't understand why he was spluttering when he was guzzling his milk. He was miserable and frustrated. My poor baby.

And then, when he was at the tail of it, I came crashing down with the cold too. It was inevitable I guess. All he wanted was for me to cuddle him. Snot and all (I meant the both of us). So the both of us were huddled up in bed most of the afternoons.

I'm feeling well enough to post this entry. But not looking well enough to post a photo of us. So hence, this photo instead.

I see light at the end of the tunnel. I'll be back!

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!

My manual paper shredder

And I am quick at it too!

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?

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 =)

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!