First MRT Rides

Mom took Caden for his MRT ride from Douby Ghaut to Ochard (and back!). Caden was just sitting quietly in his stroller and observing the surrounding. I was sure that he was stunned by the many people inside the MRT (I did not know it would be this crowded). He was being sanwiched between tall people and I was just glad that he wasn't crying for us to pick him up! Next time when we want to have another MRT ride, I should remember not to do it on school holidays!

Happy 9 months birthday!!

Today Caden turns exactly 9 months old! I thank GOD for HIS love and care for Caden that he could grow and experience the wonderful life here on earth. I hope GOD will continue to give Paul and I wisdom to be a good parents for him.

Caden accompanied me shopping in his stroller. For the first time, he wasn't crying for us to hold him up in a sling, in fact he was sitting nice and quiet in his stroller with a pacifier in his mouth and mut mut on his hands -- I was hoping that he would sleep by himself. Although he was not able to sleep by himself yet, I was happy that he could sat on the stroller for an hour.

Today, I noticed that Caden double eye lids had developed! He looks even cuter with those big round eyes. I just hope that this is not the sign for him for not feeling well *finger crossed* (when ii Valerie was young, she usually had her eyelids when she was not feeling well).

waiting for 4 hours...

We were 1 and half hour early so mommy thought chilling in the lounge would be a good idea. Little that we know that the Singapore Airline (SQ) plane was delayed for 4 hours!!! I was about to walk off to the gate and the receptionist mentioned that the plane was delayed for 3 hours due to engine problem and later was announced that it would be delayed for another hour!

I was so dissapointed that SQ gave high priority only to those that have a connection flight but not for babies. Caden usually have his dinner at 6pm but the flight was scheduled to fly at 6.15pm. And to add matter worst, when I asked them for baby food, they simply said that they don't have any which is not true. They actually have it in the plane but they need to get a ground staff to take it from the plane and they wasn't willling to to that! grr...!! I was so so dissapointed!!!

If only I know the SQ flight would be departed at 6.15pm, I should take Lufthasha instead which departs around the same time and 1/3 cheaper for the price. I thought having this 2pm flight was the best for Caden -- he had his lunch at home in Jakarta, go to airport, nap time in the plane, arrived at home in Singapore just in time to eat his usual home-made porridge and sleep soon after that. Oh well...that was just a plan. In the end, I arrived at 9.15pm and my whole body ached from carrying Caden the whole time.

us in the plane...

This time, Caden wasn't asleep in the plane and it's so hard to keep him still. Half way to Singapore, Caden was crying and wanted to sleep but he need someone to hold him in a sling and rock him (as usual). As suster was afraid of standing up in the plane, mommy took the action. I stood up in the middle-front of the aisle and sing "Jesus Loves Me' over and over again (not too loud of course) and rock him up, down, right and left -- I felt all eyes in that section was looking at us; worst, it was a full flight!!! *_*

mirror mirror on the wall...

Caden was playing by himself while suster and I was having our lunch. He was crawling in and out the dining table, standing up with the help of the chair, watching himself (or rather his friend on the mirror), thinking if he should grab mom's sandals (although mommy had repeatedly say "no no no"). Caden is an explorer indeed!

andd....he definately loves his 'same-height-same-look-no-hair' friend!

"I give u a kiss, my friend! muacchhhh!!"

PS: As of today, Caden is exactly the same height as the dining table! What I mean is when he was standing up under the table, I could not even put any of my finger on top of his head. I wonder how much taller will he gets the next time we are here!

the Cadenella story...

1st time to church

Suster was on leave today so I decided to bring Caden to church (rather than I have skipped it). Officially, today was Caden's first time to church. At his age, Sunday School would be too young for him so I brought him with me and the three of us (with daddy) were staying at the crying room. I was so glad that Caden was behaving quite well there.

Then we went out for lunch with opa (grandpa), ii valerie, ii ani, om budi, daddy and I. Food was great! but Caden wasn't enjoying his food as well as I was -- in the end he did not finished it. Well, I thought I would just nursed him whenever he wants it.

PS: A day without suster was not bad at all! I guess, i would survived not to have any help from anyone if only for ONE DAY! ^_^

far far away place....

Went to ii ani's place, in Puri -- located at the border between Jakarta and Tanggerang. It takes us about 45 minutes to reach there with no traffic -- we depart from home at 7am (I wonder how long will it takes to get there at rush hour -- huh! I don't even want to think about it).

Anyway, we had a chance to see ii any's mansion!!! It was pretty and huge and ii ani said Caden is most welcome there!!! Thanks ii!!

Before we went home, we meet auntie Melina which house located around the area. Caden met koko Jerry for the 2nd time (met the first time in March '07) but interestingly, this time koko Jerry was afraid of this 'violent-very-determine-to-get-want-he-wants' boy. We wanted to take picture of both of them but koko Jerry keep running away from Caden. hehe.... In the end we managed to get the two of them together but so far apart!! *)*

Lunch with nai nai and kongco...

Caden took his first picture with both nai nai and kongco at Gading Mall (in front of Hoka Hoka Bento Restaurant). This maybe going to be our favorite restaurant as mommy, kongco and nai nai used to eat in here at least once - everytime mommy on holiday to Jakarta...and now, mommy brought Caden along...hehe...

This naughty boy could not stand still while being photographed. Although we got one good shot, the rest are blurry -- with Caden's body and hands moving here and there and nai nai was trying to hold this almost 8.5kg boy on her hand safely. In the end, that's it! She gave up!

smaller tub?

I believe Caden was wondering how come the tub in Jakarta is much smaller than in Singapore? Despite of that, this water baby enjoyed his bath time...as long there was water in it!! ^.*

I feel bad that I did not take him to swim since we arrived in Jakarta. I wanted to bring him to a sports club in Gading but nai nai (Caden's great-grandma) said it is dirty...bla bla bla...so we end up not going at all! :(

Gading Mall Food Court

Went to Gading Mall just for the sake of going out.
We bought Caden's Pigeon hair lotion (which for some reason they don't sale it in Singapore).
then decide to buy food for dinner from the Mall 3 Food Court.
So here we are taking pictures while waiting for the food.

Ii Velly managed to take a shot of Caden's first two teeth located on the lower middle of his gum. They just started to come out, therefore only about 1/3 of the teeth are shown (may be hard to see in this picture).

Bandung!

Went to Bandung today.

The trip was truly a disapointment. It was raining cats and dogs, and it was enough to spoil our mood to have fun there.

Caden was crying so bad in the car (on the way home) as he was so sleepy but for some reason could not sleep. In the end, after about 20 minutes of constant crying, he slept out of exhaustion.

lunch @ Senayan City

Had lunch with Ima Nanny before she went overseas the next day.

Caden wasn't friendly with Ima Nanny. He cried right after the picture (on the right) taken.

arrived @ Soekarno-Hatta Airport

Caden was happily enjoying his first ride in Jakarta

He was sleeping right after we sat on the plane (and I gave him my breast) and woke up only when we were on the car.

I was glad that it was a very smooth ride for all of us.

vacation to Jakarta

We are going to Jakarta for a week -- June 18 to June 26 --- just in time for Caden's gym class the next day!

We will update more when we get back!

Until then, keep smilling and be happy!

we won!!!

Astrid text message and congratulated us that we won a contest! She accidentaly browse through a magazine and saw our picture. Never imagine that we would actually win this contest! It's mother and child lookalike contest from Today's Parents magazine. Well, definately Caden look so much more like his dad -- many people (99% of them) say Caden is Paul's little version, but I don't think much about it...I am just too happy that we won! Too bad that they wrote the wrong name (or wrong picture); our picture is in the 2nd winner but my name is below the third winner photo... sooo....are we the 2nd or 3rd winner???

wet wet wet...

Seeing so many pictures of us in the swimming pool, maybe you figured it out that most of our early evenings each day will be filled with a trip to the swimming pool (if the weather permits).

I always encourage Caden to have fun in the swimming pool (that's one of the intention of me bringing him to swim lesson --- apart from water safety), but at the same time he has to practice his swimming skill as what his swimming teacher thought him so that he would grow to be a more independent and confidence person in the water.

1st report card

Caden received his first swimming report card today! He has graduated to become a starfish and a seahorse but only part of a stingray and a turtles. ^_^ Hopefully by next term, he will become a more skillful swimmer.

Caden always enjoys himself in the water. Seeing him so happy to be in the water, makes me happy, too. I think he is a born to be swimmer. Hehe... we'll see!

curiosity...

As Caden gets older, he becomes more curious about his surroundings especially things that he is able to grasp with his two tiny hands.

My part will be to let him explore (to certain extend) and encourage him to try new things everyday.

healing...

at last!!!

now, mommy need to watch out for the scar!

@La Strada

Mommy and Oma (read: grandma) were going out for lunch and I thought it may be a good idea to bring Caden along and have his lunch there as it was very close by. At first we decided to eat in a regular restaurant then at the last minute oma wanted to try out a new - fine dining - restaurant that just opened up last Saturday, La Strada @ Shaw. If only I know we were going there, I would not bring Caden along.

By the time Caden finished his lunch, our appetizer has not even served. Well, it's not entirely the restaurant's fault; oma was keep talking with her friend and forgot to order.

In the mean time, Caden was already bored of sitting at his booster seat the whole time. He would take my napkin and play with it, wanted to take my cutleries and the plate -- drop a small plate but luckily it did not broke. The restaurant was small and packed that suster could not even carry him and take him for a walk, as what she usually would do. Oh but I should mention that Caden ete alot there, more than at home!!!
Suster took a few pictures of us, but as you can see, it was difficult to call out for Caden in the crowded and noisy place; he couldn’t concentrate on suster’s voice.

But to my surprise, we had one decent one! Hehe…

I decided to bring Caden home using a cab (while oma and the other were still waiting for their main course to be served). So here is the picture of us in a cab. Caden is very seldom to ride a cab; this is only his second time.

PS: It took us 2 hours to finish the lunch! I was glad that I took Caden home way before that.

new car seat!

Mommy picked up the new car seat last night. And today, Caden was trying it for the first time. I was praying in my heart that this new-front-facing car seat is the answer for Caden to be sitting nice and quiet in the car! Today's travel using the new car seat was not bad at all but yet, I am still hoping that Caden won't change his mind sometimes in the future! Pray for me!

Caden always loves it when it comes to this activity! I always enjoy looking at him upside down (while I am holding his torso tight) and see him laugh. We could do this again and again and he would be laughing again and again!

mommy is a stealer???

with barney after went from the doctor office

Caden seemed scared to ride with barney... i think the loud voice from barney startled him...

I have been worried about Caden’s cut because it has yet to heal. Every time it seems to have dried up, Caden would either rub his forehead onto any object he comes into contact with or pick at his wound with his fingers, aggravating it and causing the wound to re-open.

So this morning, I decided to go to the doctor to ask for an external medication and also something that will prevent scarring. But when I arrived there, the receptionist told me that I would need to meet the doctor in order to get a new prescription. However, a walk-in appointment takes 1-3 hours, so the receptionist suggested that I go down to a pharmacy.

While Caden was napping at home, I went to the Guardian at Paragon and asked the pharmacist for something similar to Betadine, but for infants. He said that he had none but also told me that the antiseptic in Betadine would be too strong for a baby as it is intended for toddlers at least 2 years old.

I was stunned. I had been applying Betadine on Caden’s cut for the last 2 days! So I walked out of Guardian, still stunned and confused as to what to do next, regretting for not finding out more about the mentioned product before applying it to Caden. So as I picked up my thoughts I reached into my bag for my handphone. Mom picked up when I called home. I told her to tell Suster not to give Betadine to Caden anymore. But then I realized that I was about to go home anyways and that there was no need to call at all. I guess I was stupefied and too worried that I could not think straight. After that, I called the pediatrics’ office, and left a message for the doctor to call me back soon.

When I reached my car in the parking lot, I reached down my bag again to find my keys. It was then that I saw what I was holding in the other hand. I was thinking of buying a Vicks Vaporub for kids above 3 months just before talking to the pharmacist. I thought it would be good to have one at home, just in case Caden needs it. I figured I would pay up after getting what I needed at the Pharmacy. But there I was in the carpark, too stunned to move. I walked out without paying, OH MY GOSH!! How could I have done such a thing?

I am sorry Caden, I was an unintentional thief today!

Then the doctor called back to say that it was okay to give Betadine. Haiyahhhhhhh!!!! What a day!!

@ this afternoon!

Today Noah, Vai and Anya came...so we went swimming again!

Noah was thristy but Caden was just curious of all things that his friends has... Caden wants it all!!!

Being smaller physically doesn't mean I did not dare to wrestle with someone who was chilling on my bed!!!

The so-called steal-head boy with 'Handle with care -- FRAGILE' t-shirt!! haha!

all by myself

One: “hm….there are so many stars, which one should I choose?”
Two: “ok, this should be the one!”
Three: "I could grab it with my left hand and transfer it to my right hand"
Four: "or… I straight away grab it with my right hand"
Five: “into my mouth it goes… – sometimes with two hands"
Six: "and when I am in the mood, I could do it with one hand"
Seven: “Sometimes I would miss it!”
Eight: “fingers + star = yummy” ^_^
Nine: “there, do you see the stars in my mouth??”
Ten: “horrayy… I can do it all by myself now!” *mom gave me thumbs up*

PS: Gerber Star is like a morphine for Caden. Whenever he is in bad mood, he would lighten up once we give him his favorite and only snacks. hehe...

shrek ears

ii Valerie watched Shrek 3 and she got this for free. She insisted that Caden has to be pictured with this huge green ears. So here are the pictures that ii Valerie took -- I got to admit, it's pretty cute! hehe...

PS: this picture was taken before he injured himself!

face with cuts

Naughty boy with cuts!

lunch time...and Caden's first cut

With mommy at Amara Hotel where Thanying Restaurant is located.

We went to Thanying Restaurant in Tanjong Pagar. We seldom go this far for lunch (especially with Caden); we usually go somewhere along Orchard Road. This time, the trip to the restaurant took longer time than usual. As I mention earlier, Caden hates to sit in his car seat, and these are pictures are some of what Caden usually do when suster takes him out of the car seat! What a naughty boy he is!

The band-aid on his forehead its Caden’s first cut! It is about 3 cm long and there was blood too! This naughty boy was trying to go down (head first) from the side of the bed. In the end he bumped his head a little on the floor (Paul caught him on time) and scratched himself!

He crieddddd, I was in shock but soon he got over it, and in about 1 hour he did the same thing again (but this time, we are there to catch him before he went straight down!). *sigh* I wonder what other things Caden would do to injured himself in the future.

PS: The scratch next to his nose is something that he did himself with his fingers ... of course with the help of his nails. ^_^

Azuki Frappuccino from Starbucks

We were meeting friends from Jakarta (Arrian and his sister, Amelia -- they were on vacation to Singapore for a few days) at Starbucks in Wisma Atria. Paul bought an Azuki (read: red bean) Frappuccino as what I suggested because for this past few days, I kept seeing their advertisement in the newspaper and I was curious of the taste. As it turned out, it tasted horrible (for me)….it’s too sweet and the red bean taste was very light…maybe my expectations were too high.

Anyway, this busy-body wanted a taste of the Azuki, too. Every time Paul try to hide it from his sight, he became more curious. So in the end, we let him play with the cup and the straw only!

“Caden, maybe when you are older mommy will give you some to try and I do hope you will not like this super sweet – little - red bean frappuccino that could destroy your teeth!”

I am driving!!!

PS: In both occasion, Caden had to stand to drive the cars!! I think the cars are meant to be for older kids! hehe...but I had a great time watching Caden driving and I am sure Caden had a great time, too.

@ the baby fair

the six of us went to Baby Fair in Singapore Expo. It was crowded and so difficult to find a spot to take pictures and it was even harder to make all the three babies to look at the camera! According to auntie Astrid, this is the best picture of all! Oh well...

Note: Noah and Nathan had just woke up while Caden was going to sleep soon -- that's explain the pacifier in his mouth.

on wednesday morning....

with mommy in front of my first school!

hint: take a closer look at Caden's tongue when he was riding the horse! ^)^

front-facing?

Desperate about what should I do with Caden in his car seat, I decided to buy a new one that could be placed front-facing. Most of the time, when we put him in his current infant car seat, that could only be placed rear-facing, he would start wailing and only stop when suster let him out. I told suster to play with him and brought a few toys every time we want to go out, but that too would not work.

At first, when he started to wail suster would let him out and this naughty boy would start smiling, laughing and gets all exited the moment she took him out. Knowing that his wailing was just an act to get what he want, I told suster not to let him out from the car seat anymore.

I believe strongly that car seat is the best for Caden; it protects him much better compared with when he is being held in someone’s hand. I really want Caden to enjoy his ride but at the same time I want him to be sitting on his car seat comfortably. One day, on the way to Takashimaya, he was wailing as usual and when I turned my back and try to talk to him, I saw him sitting forward and looking into my direction (read: he was turning his head to see me) and when he saw me, he smiled – then continue his wailing after I turned my back.

I know that he is suppose to be in rear-facing for at least a year before he could graduate to a front-facing car seat but in Singapore, I never drives longer than twenty minutes (one way) in a car (well, where can you go in Singapore?? ^_^) and there will always be suster at the back with him, plus the thought of giving Caden a much better ride in the car is important, too.

So here we were this morning, @ Mothercare, Centrepoint and browsing through their car seats and eventually choose the perfect one for Caden. The car seat is still in their warehouse, we will get it in about a week time. I can’t wait to see what his reaction will be on it and I do hope I made a wise decision by letting him sitting front-facing at this young age.

making it a good habit!

Caden's teeth is cominggg (soon!!)...mommy introduced Caden to his first toothbrush, it's a step one toothbrush from Pigeon. It is intended for babies 6-8 months of age with 2-3 milk teeth -- yeah I know Caden is kind of slow in the teeth making! He is now 8 months and 1 week old but he still has no teeth yet! Hopefully by the end of the month some of the them will show.

For now, I let him play with the toothbrush and introduce him the concept of holding a toothbrush – that’s what this step one toothbrush is for. So since yesterday, twice a day Caden would brush his teeth -- every morning, right after he woke up and pupu and every night, right before sleep. As Caden would not let suster or I put the toothbrush into his mouth, I would have to brush my teeth, too. But today, since daddy went home early, I let daddy did it with Caden and show him how a man should brush his teeth. haha... ^_^

By introducing him early to tooth brushing, I am hoping that he will get use to it quickly and take it as a daily rituals that he will never forget.