to the zoo we go!

Enjoying our time there!

This was the dirtiest Caden had ever been!! He helped to cleaned the park by picking up the dead leaves and put it into his mouth! *yuck!!*

Clean and fresh with new shirt and shorts!

We went to the zoo today and had a great time. I was glad that we decided to go. The weather was PERFECT (considering the continues rain every single day for the past 7 days) -- neither to hot nor wet and Caden was happy. This time, I feel the trip was much more worth it compared to our trip to Jurong Bird Park a while back because this time, Caden showed more interest in the new surrounding and excited to see his friends and the animals in the zoo.

I was planning to take a picture of Caden with a pony but unfortunately, Caden was afraid of the person who carried him unto the pony. He was not yet sitting on the pony when he cried so loud, wanting me back to carry him!

As he gets older, I feel that Caden is getting more attached to me and still afraid of new faces. But I am glad that now, at least he won't cry at new faces if I or suster carry him, only if the strangers carry him.

Yes! Caden is growing so fast...soon he would be the one who begged me to go to the zoo.

only two...

When friends asked me "when are you going to stop breastfeeding?", I always said "never" . Haha... it’s not true though. What I mean was, I would stretch it as long as it is appropriate for me to continue breastfeeding Caden. I LOVE breastfeeding him. I feel a sense of bonding between me and him what I could barely describe…it’s very very special and I hope he would be my little boy forever.

Friends with bigger children have told me how painful it was to breastfeed when their babies was older (some even start at 4 months old). And I, with a proud voice would say “It never happened to me, Caden is a good boy -- he know that it would be painful for mommy!” Soon I figure out that Caden is actually slow (compare to his friends that I know) in developing his teeth. At 8 months, Noah has 8 and Vai has 6, while Caden’s was just starting to show 2 of them.

And this is where the problem began. He started to bite mine about two weeks ago but never been as painful as three days ago. I believed he was in his playful mood and was almost full. Suddenly, he bite my nipple and did not want to let it go even after I told him a few times. Then I forced my pinky into the corner of his mouth and wedging it between the baby's gums (this is how I was thought how to break the latch) and at the same time, I said to him in a firm voice not to do that because it’s painful for me.

In a split second, he cried!! SO LOUD!! Extremely loud that suster thought Caden fell from the bed. It was as if he was being spanked or anything similar to a VERY painful experience.

To cut the story short, there was a cut on my nipple and it is very painful (just as what my friends described). Though I am still determined to breastfeed Caden until he is at least 1 year old, I hope I could teach him not to bite anymore ASAP.

*sigh* Soon I would have to stop him from breastfeeding --I feel that he is shifting a little further from me.

PS: A friend said, wait until Caden developed his upper teeth, then I should feel the real pain. – I hope not!!! *finger crossed*

10 months = 'mogok' eating?

We went to Ying Thai Palace, a Thai restaurant near Raffles City – they have the best Tom Yum Soup and Olive Rice, for Caden’s 10 months birthday. ^_^

Unfortunately, meal times for Caden have been very difficult (again) for the past 4 days. He would eat at 1/6 of his usual portion for lunch and dinner. After two days, I decided to change the method of eating. Now Caden have about 5-7 meal times. I would put him into his booster seat whenever I thought he would want to eat (even a little). I would try everything, baby yogurt (he loves this and would eat 2-3 times a day), baby cereal, baby cookies, porridge (usually not work at all), and baby bottle foods.

So for the past 2 days, Caden’s daily routine would be filled with sitting on his booster seat, sleep and play. Each meal times has been a struggle for all of us. He would just eat a little then he would be crying so loud, demanding us to take him out from there.

Whatever that we do to make him want to eat, I told suster, the most important is not letting him get used to be carried at feeding times. I would not want that bad habit be developed, especially when he is getting bigger, taller and heavier soon. Putting him down to sit while eating is important to let him know that at meal times, he has to sit. So when he is in bad mood, he has to learn that once he is out from the booster seat that means no more food for him.

Suster said, this would just be temporary; a child would have his difficult times at one point or another. *finger crossed* [Maybe he knew that he is gonna be a big, 10 months old boy today so he is acting weird. haha...*yeah right*]

PS: Loves the booster seat from Fisher-Price. I bring it everytime we go out to eat. It's clean, compact and it is a space-saver at home too.

@ fish farm

Caden's eyes was hooked into the fishes.

We could barely make Caden to look at the camera.

------------------------------

It has been raining everyday and the clouds has been blocking the sun – I don’t like this weather because that means we could not go swimming and play outside [we have been absent from swimming since the start of the week].

I have been postponing our trip to a fish farm because of this. But today, despite the cloudy weather and 60% of thunder storm rain, I decided to go. Caden has been staying at home too long and I am afraid he would be bored.

It was quite a long journey (took us almost half-an-hour – it’s considered far in Singapore to drive for half-an-hour especially in highways). But when we arrived there, we were stunned of the types of fishes that they have – it was maybe hundreds of them.

We had fun there, we fed the fishes and turtles and we also try the fish spa – we put our feet into a pond full of fish spa and their jobs are to eat your dead skin and make your feet smooth – like Caden’s feet :). It was very ticklish at first but after sometimes I get used to it, plus, the thought of having a smooth feet makes me determined to stay in longer. hehe...

Unfortunately, half way of the ‘pedicure’ the rain was falling very heavy. *sigh* WHY??Although we had not touring the whole aquarium of beautiful fishes, I decided that we should go home, but promise to come back here next time with oma. She must be very interested with the ‘fish spa’ too.

to the market

This morning was a special one for Caden. He woke up at his usual time (6am), I fed him a little, then up we go. We were going to the market. Oma is coming tommorow and the food are almost gone so I decided to go to the market and brought Caden along, too!

Caden looked confused a little in the car. At 6am, the sun has not rise yet, so it was still dark (just like at night) and Caden almost never go out when the sun has set.

But arriving at the market, the bright lights and the busy activities in the market excites him. He looked around here and there, sometimes talking to me [well not really actually, he was just saying something like 'eh..' and 'abu..'] -- maybe asking me what was the aunties and uncles doing or why the fishes are all so stiff?

We were there for almost an hour. Towards the end of the journey, Caden looked a little bit sleepy but I am sure he has fun there. ^_^

Caden and Nathan

playing together at the little gym was fun!
--------------------------
Today, (for the summer semester) it's bring a friend week again! This time Nathan has agree to join us for a whole 50 minutes of fun.

And yes, we both enjoy our time together!

another pictures with mommy at the little gym
-------------------
Last week, Caden could not climb up the stairs as confident as today.
Well, unlike Nathan, our expert in stair climbing, who has learn the skill from the stairs in Jakarta's home,
Caden never play with stairs except at The Little Gym.

like grandma, like grandson!

We went for dinner at Samy's Curry at Holland Road. It was one of a few days where Caden was taken out for dinner. Well, it was an early dinner, though. We went from home at 5.45pm and back home at 7pm -- just in time for Caden's bed-time.

I like to bring Caden out for dinner once in a while but usually he goes to sleep so early. Today he slept at almost 5pm and woke up at around 5.45pm -- that's why he wasn't that cranky in the restaurant, but...he wasn't eating well there!! Next time you should eat better than today, ok?!

flu shot at last!

@ the doctor office

[and yes, I am aware that this is a girl's toy

but Caden loves to walk around with it! ^_*]

I changed my mind in giving Caden flu shots when I found out that he has to be shot twice over 1 month period. But last night, I thought it’s best for him and I (for my second one) to have flu shots before our trip to US. The last thing that I want for in that trip is either one of us sick.

Caden was okay when we arrived at the doctor office. We were the 2nd person on the queue today (although we don’t have any appointment). The office was quiet and I let Caden play inside the room with the toys that they provided – thinking that they should have cleaned it the night before or in the morning. The weather has not been that good, a lot of children that came to the doctor has some kind of sickness, so usually I told suster to wait outside with Caden.

Inside the doctor office: The doctor has not done anything with Caden (even not yet touching him) but once Caden saw this dark skin (he is an Indian), familiar face, he remembered that this is the guy who used to hurt him by giving him shots and today…another one! I am sure Caden would remember him for the rest of his life! ^_^

first party....

We went to Laura's, --Paul's friend, Steve's daughter--, 1 month celebration today. It was Caden's first time to attend to a party and first time to play with a ballon. I was surprise by how happy and excited Caden was to have a new-but-soon-to-be-gone toy. He was basically enjoying himself by playing with the ballon(s) and completely ignoring everything else.

Now I know why there are always ballons at children parties! ^_^

Ps: Laura was sleeping all the way until it was time for us to go home, so Caden did not have a chance to have a picture with her! :( Maybe next time!!

best buddy forever...

We were just arrived at Steve's condo parking lot and Paul was carrying Caden out from the car. Well, look what this little guy did...he hug his daddy just like an adult hug a friend. I quickly grabbed my camera and got this nice picture right before he wriggles, trying to snatch his daddy sunglasses.

I hope Caden will remember (forever) that his daddy (and I, of course) love him so much. Especially when he is older and hate us for being too strict and (feeling) that we always say no to everything that he wants. I hope that he would understand (FAST!!) that it would be for his best. ^_^

toning my body!

Doing my routine afternoon workout
Just wait and see, guys! I will have a toned body soon!

panic?!

In about a month time, Caden and I will be going to Glen Cove, NY then to Austin, TX (the city when Caden was born) to attend Paul's little sister wedding. Honestly, I have been thinking (real) hard about this – bringing Caden along and have to take care of him all by myself. Paul will be leaving for New York 1 week earlier and will be busy with his own work, especially on the first week we are there.

Therefore, Caden and I will be flying the 20 over hours of flight (with connections) ALONE. Although the trip is around the corner, I am still figuring out a lot of things that could happen in the air or on the ground that I still could not find the solutions yet. Like, how do I go to the restroom on the plane? How could I lift the heavy luggage with Caden on my hands? How can I take a bath in the hotel? How to avoid Caden’s jet leg?

FYI, between NY and Singapore, there is about 12 hours difference in time – so when in Singapore is 8pm [time when Caden is suppose to be sleeping] it would be 8am [time when Caden is having his breakfast]

Caden is different compared to other babies who are under their mom’s care only. At home he has oma (read: grandma), my sister, the maid, suster, Paul (on the weekends), and I to play with him – basically, he is never alone, in fact he would cry if he could not see anyone sitting or playing near him. He is scared of new faces too, so he could not be carried by people who he doesn’t recognize – oma always say that Caden could not be kidnapped cos’ he would cry as loud as he can once some stranger carry him. And this makes me wonder of how could I go to the restroom in the plane? It is such a very small restroom and it would be difficult for me to bring him, too. But on the other hand, I am afraid he would scream so loud that he would wake everybody on the plane.

One of the most important thing for me to remember is that, I should not be too perfectionist about anything for that trip. Now, everyday, Caden has schedule something like this, 7am wake up, 7.30am breakfast, 9.30am nap, 12pm lunch, 2pm nap, 5pm swim, 6pm dinner, 7pm sleep (plus and minus 1 hour). I think in USA, I will let him sleep or eat anytime he wants. For one, the jet leg and time difference would mess everything up and I think I would be out of my mind if I still want him to be on his schedule!

Lastly, food food food! How can I cook for Caden’s porridge in the hotel??? Will he take Gerber food only? Will he get tired of it?

So many questions but so little answers!! In the end I just let the trip runs it’s course and leave everything to the ONE above. Although it’s going to be crazy and I am going to be so tired afterwards, I am actually kind of looking forward for my time together with my little guy ONLY and see what will happens! I am sure we would have good times (and bad times) and I would remember this trip forever!

PS: lots of people (including oma) has been telling me to left Caden under mom and suster’s care but I decided to bring him along. It would definitely be crazy but fun at the same time! Pray for us guys especially for our good health!! ^_^

"I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you"

Joshua 1:5

all by himself

This little guy of mine has been sleeping by himself for the past 6 days. Horray to mommy! When I first try it, I did't expect him to sleep all by himself on that first day. My plan was to leave him in his crib for not more than 1 hour, then I would rock him to sleep, as usual. But after almost 1 hour, he showed sign of (almost) sleeping, so I gave him a little bit more time and.... voila!! Caden slept by himself!!! *at lasttt!!* [It was June 10th]

Sleeping by himself is not easy for Caden who has been rocked to sleep the whole time. In his crib, he would toss and turn here and there; from the one part of the crib to the other end then sitting down, standing up once in a while, play with his soft toys, until he felt he is ready – that’s when he would lie down and play with his mut-mut and try to sleep by closing his eyes once in a while. When it gets to this part, it took him about 15 minutes to sleep. The longest time would be the-getting-ready part; it could take up to 30-50 minutes alone.

My job and suster’s are to accompany him, next to his crib but NOT playing or encourage him to play. Rather sometimes when he was standing up or sitting down, we would tell him to lie down and sleep – although almost all the time (if he thinks he is not ready yet) he would turned into crawling position (right away!) and continue what he was doing before.

Unfortunately, he would not still be able to sleep by himself for his nap time. (I am not sure why!). After about half an hour in his crib, he would cry so loud and tears would flow down his eyes -- begging me to carry him out. His eyes were closed because he was so tired but still he wasn't able to sleep. When I carried him, he would stop crying and sleep right away.

For now, I am happy that he is able to sleep at night alone. I believe I need to teach him gradually. So we still rock him to sleep in the afternoon but not at night. I hope he would be able to sleep alone for his nap time soon! Can’t wait!

@ Funan Mall

Browsing for a computer game

choosing the right handphone for me

Caden and Noah...

-- before swimming --
Caden was so violent with Noah that Noah was scared of him!!

-- during swimming --
I found this very interesting!
We have the SAME expression at the SAME time!

-- after swimming --
Caden was ready to sleep but Noah is coming with us for dinner!
How I wish Caden could come, too! *sigh*
If only he is not sleeping at 7pm!

the perfect shoes...

One of the things that I am surprise to find is how fast Caden’s feet grow. Like the shoes above, last December, it was still much too big for him to use. Then around February/March, it fit nicely. Last month, we have to struggle a bit to put his chubby feet into it. Now, it doesn’t fit anymore!!!

Expert say, from ages 1-5 children’s feet grow an average of two sizes a year and the bone structure of the foot will develop within the first 24 months of life. Therefore it is crucial to find the best shoes for them.

Btw, improperly fitted shoes can result in serious health issues down the road. Shoes that are too small can distort the growth and shape of the foot. Shoes that are too big create a loose fit that disrupts balance, making it hard for a child to walk without tripping.

Like Caden, most children have chunky feet. Their feet start out wide and gradually lengthen as the child starts to stand and walk. Their shoes should wide enough to accommodate this. Too much tension can affect the shape of the foot and all toes should be able to lie flat in the toe box.

With the above criteria, it is a challenge for me to find a good shoe that fit perfectly for Caden. I need to find shoes that are flexible and soft because his small feet will change so much in the first two years. Velcro closure is a must to ensure longer fitting (mostly for chubby feet like Caden’s) and flexibility, allowing the shoe to fit snugly onto the foot.

How much and how fast Caden’s foot will grows is unpredictable as children tend to grow in spurts. Because of this, it is important to get their feet measured regularly. To ensure that his feet are growing healthy, I will need to give close attention to his shoes fitting and change the ones that don’t fit anymore to bigger ones -- if I can find the one that fit onto his foot in time!

PS: The size of the shoe is US size 3.

His name is PHREK!

--- This is what happens when Shrek marries Piglet ---
--- PHREK is born!! ---

at last...

We went to swim today! Caden was excited at first but after 20 minutes, he fussed (we used to swim for about 30-45 minutes). Not sure if he was too cold or just want me to bring him home. He wasn't seem to enjoy swimming like he used to be. After almost 1 month absent from swimming, I thought today was not so bad... I hope tommorow, when Noah is here to swim with us, Caden would enjoy it even more.

the little Buddha of mine!

-- at 38 weeks --

-- 8.5 kg ---

• very thin hair (or you can call it 'no hair')
• two teeth (both only 50% shown)
• super duper active
• crawl perfectly and fast!
• put everything that he can grab into his mouth
• more attached to his mut mut -- although we don't have to bring it everywhere he goes
• only want to be carried with someone that he recognize
• loves: computers, handphones, remote control, and sandals
• still continue droolling -- but not so bad anymore!
• standing up by himself with a help of a chair or something that he can hold on to
• standing up without any support once in a while for about 1-2 seconds
• very curious about EVERYTHING! (latest that I found: very curious when people are whisperring *huh??*)
• very good appetite (eat about 4-5 times a day + breastfeeding)
• loves yougurt (yuck! I believe it's very sour), and hates avocado
• sleep from 7pm - 6 or 7 am + 2-3 times napping (total about 14-16 hours of sleep)
• wakes up 1-2 times in the middle of the night to breastfeed (I got to teach him soon how to sleep throughout the night)

upside-down with mommy

after 25 days...

Caden has recovered from his flu since a few days ago and I was planning to take him for a swim today. Unfortunately it's been raining since morning and the sun was no where in sight, therefore, the pool water was colddddd.... almost freezing.

It’s not a good day to bring Caden who just recovered from flu-like symptoms.

Including today, he has been absent from the pool for 25 long days!!! (vacation to Jakarta for 2 weeks + rainy days + sick days).

Poor Caden, he used to swim with me every single day (whenever the weather permits). I hope he did not forget his diving skills that he has mastered before.

This is basically what he did on his sick days,

Learning how to be an excellent chess player

by moving the pion(s) from his hands into his mouth! ^_*

music class...

I decided to try out for a music class at Kinder Musik today. I did not know what to expect at all, in fact I was curious on what kind of things were they going to teach on babies about music.

We arrived at 9.25 am, put on my socks (all the adults have to wear socks) and entered the fully carpeted room. The room was very clean and very cozy, too!

Caden was crawling everywhere as if he knew the place. He was not hesitant or scared of the new surroundings and friends. I am glad for that!

The teacher started the class soon after we arrived. The class was okay – not to bad but not too good, too (I think!). For one, I felt like I was on a gym class -- I got to carry this almost-nine-kg-boy again and again with lots of hopping and turning around involved! I considered myself a quite strong person in terms of carrying Caden – Sometimes, I carries Caden while I am shopping… but today, my arms ache pretty bad.

So, for now, I think we still prefer ‘The Little Gym' . In the mean time, I will be looking for another good classes for Caden to broaden his knowledge and learning about friendship at this young age.

With mommy inside the class
Caden loves this bell-like instrument. We were supposed to rotate it to the right after a song had ended but in the end, we got to keep it the whole time as Caden would not let it go!! ^_^

with mommy after the class!

with opa...

Opa was browsing to buy a new shirt and Caden was there to accompany him. After taking this picture, Caden was soundly assleep in suster's hands. I always wonder how can those big eyes sent a message of 'I am not sleepy at all' at one point and suddenly asleep a few minutes later!

meeting uncle willy!

We went out to our usual restaurant for lunch but this today was special because Caden would meet uncle Willy (Paul's friend) for the first time...

Here are pictures of uncle willy and Caden. To my surprise, Caden wasn't afraid of him, he did not cry or looking for me when uncle Willy carried him from the car and all the way up to our house. Wow! maybe uncle Willy has that fatherly touch after all and maybe we would see uncle willy's junior soon! ^_^

PS: don't forget to invite us to your very special day, uncle willy!

do we look alike?

@ school today

posing before going to school! ^_^

Caden's legs are stronger now! so teacher Pearl (yup! no more teacher Amy this term...she is teaching an older class now) challenged Caden to walk using the pole from one end to the other. It was so cute seeing him walking in this early age; he wobblies a lot and sometimes he would tip-toe but most of the time he would try to walk forward with the help of the red and blue poles.

It was not easy I know, especially when all his leg muscles are not fully ready for it but with more practice, I hope Caden will mastered it soon.

pulling himself up!

Caden loves to pull himself up. His legs are strong enough to support his body without falling (but still need to hold on onto something, though).

I am amazed how children love to eat everything that's on their hands. Like on these pictures, Caden would eat the bar of the walker...and when he could not chew it in his mouth, he would licked it until the whole bar was covered by his saliva!! yuckkk!!!

PS: I always told him not to do that but I guess it was so much fun to do that rather than listening to mommy's voice saying no no no...

chillin' on the super super hot day!

teeth are here!!

showing off my 'mommy's BREAST friend' t-shirt + my two teeth!

more on showing off my teeth!

coincidence?

Call it coincidence -- Caden is sick since yesterday. Maybe the double eye lids = not feeling very well is right after all. Caden had developed his double eye lids since two days ago and yesterday, he was coughing. This is the first time he ever had cough before….poor Caden, he looks so uncomfortable! He needs lots of sleep and keep hydrated, so I have been putting him to sleep more often (he slept about 16 hours yesterday) and give him water anytime he wants.

So I wonder, is there really a link between the double eye lids and the coughing? We’ll see if the double eye lids go away after he is well. ^_^

Including today, Caden has been absent from swimming for 17 days!!!!

PS: At the same day Caden had his coughing, mom also has a little bit sore throat! *sigh*

sunday afternoon!

This is suppose to be a candid one!

Caden was going to sleep soon while mom and dad were going to the church!