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.

The floods in Queensland

Unless you have been living under a rock, I am quite certain you would have heard about the floods happening in Queensland, Australia. I won't post any photos of it here, but I am sure if you do a quick google search, it will bring up a ton of breaking news on the flood crisis happening there. 

Aerial views show just only the roofs of family homes. Some have had their entire house under. Boats on suburban streets. People being airlifted from their roofs. Families fleeing from their balconies. Things like that.

Watching the Queensland Premier shed tears on live television this morning, brought tears to my very own eyes. The devastation.

The floods have left a trail of destruction not only in the country areas but in the inner suburbs and areas close to the CBD area as well. I recognize places I have been to while on holiday there and seeing people wading  hip deep in the flood waters there has left me stunned. Who would have thought this sort of thing would happen right here in Australia? 

I don't know anyone personally, who has been affected by the floods. But I know of members of a forum I visit, who have been evacuated from the affected areas but safe. 

They are now reporting that the Brisbane River has only peaked at 4.4m instead of the 5.5m as previously forecasted. But what what a difference that ONE METER has made. One report told of a man who woke up this morning in his suburban home, to find the water halfway up the stairs. Barely just short of the mark where the water would have gone into the bedrooms where they were sleeping. 

With the unusual amount of rain we have had recently in Victoria, it is scary to think this could happen right here where we live too. What would we do? Where would we go?How far do we have to go? Do you even take anything or just flee?

I've been whinging so much about this wet summer we've been getting here in Melbourne. I think I am going to just shut up now. So today, at home, we actually enjoyed watching the rain come trickling down the windows. And then we played cubby houses, an activity I loved doing as a child. 

My heart goes out to those affected by the floods.

So typical

 

I don't know why, but I am curious. How do boys always end up having a obsession with cars? I popped Kayden into the driver's seat of somebody's car the other day. He had a ball while he was in there.

He wiggled the key that was stuck in the ignition, obviously imitating Daddy. He tried to turn the steering wheel this way and that. Stood up in the seat and leaned over the window, making all sorts of funny faces at himself in the side mirror. Then he found a stash of lollies and at one point, looked like he was about to drive off with his find! It was so funny to watch him!

He eventually found the horn. At 8pm. So that as you can imagine, brought him to the end of his little adventure.

Best thing in the world

Have you ever wonder how true someone's words are when they tell you  that, it is the best thing in the world? I hear Celebrity chefs use that phrase all the time. I reckon its overated. Until the weekend just passed. Don't read this post on an empty stomach.

I had THE BEST SPIT ROASTED LAMB in the world.

Ok maaaybe not. Since technically, I've never actually eaten a lamb from the spit ,carved straight off it as it is cooking. But by God, it tasted devine. Look at it. How can it not? 

Granted that it took 3 hours to cook. Slow roasting it to a crisp moist perfection. It was so so worth the wait. Our friend had it on a powered rotisserie that turned the meat, so it cooks evenly. No plates nor cutlery were used. Just the carving knife and our fingers. The carved meat rarely made it to the serving platter!

It was an extremely addictive rosemary and vinegar concoction that had us all hooked. In the anticipation and excitement of it all, I FORGOT to take a photo of that basting sauce that was used! But take my word for it, it IS the best thing in the world!

Hours after the bbq, I swear I can still taste the lamb in my mouth. In a good way. If anyone happens to know the recipe for that basting sauce, please please please email me!!!

A New Year

Happy New Year everyone! I hope you have enjoyed the festive season as much as I have! Spending time with ones you love make life so much sweeter.

Summer, I am happy to announce is finally here! Yippee! We've spent countless days over the holiday season outdoors enjoying the sunshine. We are heading out for a day trip tomorrow, and I can't wait to share some pics of that later on! 

1.2. Kayden doesn't like his feet touching the grass much at all, but on this occasion at the botanic gardens where we had the most glorious and restful time picnicking on the grounds, he was happy to explore on all fours.

3. He had a field (haha literally) day finger feeding himself blueberries and fresh mangoes. Recently, he's also taken a liking to eating nectarines, Yum!

4. Love his little backpack his little friend gave him for his birthday, WE finally got to use it! It surprisingly packs heaps in it!

5.6 We had a cozy christmas with the family. Food, feast and more homemade yummys! Poor bubba was exhausted when it was finally time to open the pressies. After the first box, he pushed all rest away! Santa(s) if you're reading, he loved all his pressies, thank you!

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!