what will Caden be when he grows up?

Whatever he will be it doesn't really matter with me.
.
The most important thing is, he is happy and he will not do anything that it not pleasing to GOD!
.
--- *Amen*---

big tummy!

So everyone (especially ii Valerie) has been talking about Caden's tummy a lot! They said it's huge compare to the other parts of his body. Ii Valerie even suggested that Caden has to be on diet. She said, it (Caden's tummy) start to look like grandpa's. hehe...

Yes....he is been eating a lot this days. He would asked for more food at lunch and dinner, we even sometimes give him yogurt, in addition of the usual porridge (when he asked for it). And not to mention 600ml of formula/day.

I have been trying to stop breastfeeding for the past week. He asked for it again 3 days ago but has been off for the past 2 days.

Caden also into giving people things now. In the picture, he would take his diapers (one by one) and walk to anyone in the room then give it him/her. He could do this for more than 10 times. Grandma said he is a generous boy, indeed.

He also understand when we say, "give the ........ to mommy" and he would give it to me. In some occasion when he still want the thing(s), he would pretend to give it to me but take it all back right after that. ^_^

@ Julia Gabriel School

At last I decided to try out Julia Gabriel School. Oma has been telling me to put Caden into their system since the first time I was planning to put Caden in a class. But I decided not to because they have 1.5 hours session/class and minimum 3 times a week. Caden was just about 6 months old and sleeps every 2 hours. hm...I don't think he can concentrate that long without wanting to be breastfeed and sleep.
.
He is almost 13 months old now. I think he is ready for a more challenging and longer class structure.
.
Being a very active boy, I sometimes wonder if (in the future) he could sit down nice and quiet and listen to his teacher teaching. I know it's still long way to go, but I cannot stop wondering.
.
To my surprise, today, at the Julia Gabriel School, he sat down nice and quiet when it's come to the story telling time. It wasn't short, I must say, but he could sit down until towards the end.
.
I was glad... ^_^
.
I believe it was also because teacher Winnie was telling the story with a various tones and props that makes Caden able to concentrate and always guessing what will come next!
.
The downsides of the class are:

• The mothers who are taking the class are mostly VERY unfriendly. Unlike mothers at The Little Gym class who are mostly very friendly, here, only about 1 or 2 are quite friendly. But I will always keep in mind that, this is about Caden, not about me!!!
  
• They don't allow make-ups, unless you have an MC (Medical Certificate). I almost never go to the doctor if Caden only had a flu cos' I don't believe in medicine for such illness.

Btw, they changed their policy recently, that you can take a minimum of 2 times a week class for English class. Which is good for us, since we still have The Little Gym class until the end of the term.

So now, Caden is taking The Little Gym class every Mondays and Julia Gabriel every Wednesdays and Fridays. *busy busy busy....* ^()^

PS: the napkin (or bib) around his neck is to contain his saliva. It was soaked wet when we got home!

teething....again!

Caden drools again. His middle upper teeth has just emerged (two of them) since a few weeks ago but the drools had just started about 1.5 weeks ago.

He drools so bad that we have to change his shirt very often. In about 30 minutes, the whole front part of the shirt will be soaked wet.

He like to bite on things too. Well, actually, he never overcome this habit ever since the day he knows that his hands can bring things into his mouth.

just me and my crocs!!

A relative gave this to Caden. It's still way too big now but soon he will be able to wear it.

Looks like Caden like his crocs, both to be wear on or to be play with (or chew on)

kiss-bye

We were trying to teach Caden how to do the action kiss-bye.

It’s kind of successful...

But instead of him giving a smooch sound on the hand and then let go of it, he opened his mouth wide and stick his tongue out to lick his hand and did not let the hands go until we told him to.

Haha…

Saturday Lunch out...

After 3 days stuck at home for recovery time from Bali, I finally took Caden out to Raffles City Mall. Oma, Opa and Ii Valerie came to for lunch at a restaurant called Inagiku (our used to be favorite place to eat). But they have renovated the place and the pricee, too! It's still good food but it's much more expensive now.

On the way home, we stopped by at the water fountain and Caden had a great time looking at the shooting water from the level above it.

It was a nice lunch out...

my guy posing with his new boxer

I bought this boxer for him so he would look like his daddy who loves to wear boxers at home! ^)^

what had happenned?

Caden is so much better here! He still wakes up a couple times on the first night but he did not cry as hysterically as in Bali and I did not have to carry him to calm him down. And by the second night, he sleep straight throughout the night (woke up once to breastfeed).

Meal times also not bad at all. I think he regain his weight back to normal now!

I am still wondering what had happened there in Bali? Some people said it’s because Bali is an island that has many gods and children are usually very sensitive with them. But we went to Bali with Caden when he was 3 months old and it was fine! hmm....or is it because of the resort that we stayed? Maybe they don’t have enough offerings to the gods?

I don’t think I will have the answers, ever!

But really, Caden was so different there. He was extremely moody and sad. Everything that we have done seems wrong for him.

Maybe it’s good to avoid Bali for our vacation at least until he could say when something is not right with him.

For now, I am so happy we are back in Singapore and the most important thing is, Caden (the super active and cheery boy) has return to me!!!

Fourth day

Before Caden and I going to the airport

I am dying..... *help me!* I did not have enough sleep for 2 days. But insisted to take some pictures (although I was sure I look not good for the pictures) for keepsakes. ^_^

I don’t really care anymore if Caden refused to eat cos’ we are going home soon. I thought 1 more skipping breakfast and lunch would not make so much difference. ^_^

I still tried, though! I ordered half-boiled eggs for him and he refused it, too.

In the end I gave up and can’t wait for us to get back to Singapore. I need some rest and Caden need rest and food!! I did not even get the chance to bath today as he cried (very) hysterically when mom carried him while I was going to take a bath.

By the way, for the past 2 days Caden was always in a sling or Baby-Bjorn almost 24 hours day. I even carried him while I was packing! He even cried (hysterically) when I have to change his diapers or clothes cos’ that means I have to put him down on the bed. And as soon as I was done, I carried him again, and the crying stopped! *sigh 1000x*

He is HEAVYY!!!

We arrived at Bali Airport at around 11.30am. Mom and dad accompany us there (thanks to both of you!) and went in until the check in counter. I need their help. I was shaking and shivering because of the cold temperature in the airport building. And the lacking of sleep in 2 days + carrying Caden around everywhere made it even worst.

My body, my feet, my hands, my legs, my head (read: my WHOLE body) --- ached!

I cried on the plane (Caden too!!) and kept praying to GOD for a safe journey home. I felt I was almost collapsed and could faint anywhere anytime.

We arrived in Singapore at around 3.30pm. I almost fainted when I see the arriving gate because it was the very furthest one from the immigration check point. Breathless and exhausted, I walked slowly with Caden in Baby Bjorn and told myself that we are almost home….very soon….

When arrived at home, Caden looked more relaxed. Although he did not have that much energy yet but he insisted to play (he almost did not play in Bali) with suster and my maid. Laughed a couple of times and seemed enjoying his time at home--- I was sooo happy…and glad that I decided to go home earlier.

I have a fever today…try to get as much sleep as possible and hope it will go off soon.

Third day

Before going to AmanKila and before daddy going home

We moved to a different resort. It’s the same company but different place and has a different view, it called AmanKila. This resort has a fantastic view of the beach but I barely enjoyed it.

[While we are moving to a different resort, Paul went back home to Singapore to catched the flight to Dubai for work]

As Caden has not been eating well (or rather almost did not eat anything), he looked exhausted, tired, drowsy, wear out….you named it! He barely smiles, and always wanted me to carry him everywhere (read: very very clingy to me).

He cried hysterically much more; even at day times out of small matters and nap times, too. He cried hysterically on the way to the new resort just because he wasn’t able to sleep. He cried hysterically when mom held him as I need to him. But the worst of all, looking at him so quiet with no energy (in baby bjorn or the sling) broke my heart. He is a very energetic baby but at that time, he looked so different.

By 2 pm, I called dad to arrange for earlier flights for us to go back home to Singapore. It was set for the next day at 1pm.

I was making the right move because after that Caden barely eat anything that day and he woke up more often and cried more hysterically than the previous day. At times, in the middle of the night, he did not let me even sit down and demanded me to keep swinging him back and forth. *sigh*

Second day

We went for lunch at Bebek Bengil (again!). I tried to give Caden his lunch but he refused to eat. I thought he was not that hungry yet so I let him play with mom while I ate my lunch. Then I carried him in Baby Bjorn and planned to give him his lunch when we are back to the resort. But to my surprise, soon after, he drifted to sleep (he was just woke up from his 1. 5 hours morning nap before we went to the restaurant). I felt something was not right, he never been this way EVER!

Dinner was worst, he refused to eat anything! Not even formula or my breast. He only ate a cup of yogurt for lunch and now he still did not want to eat. I was starting to worry. I wanted to force him but he cried and wail so loud that I thought, maybe he was tired and just want some rest.

Throughout the night he woke up about 6 times and each time he woke up, he would cry hysterically and I don’t know why (how I wished he could talk to me and say what was wrong). I barely get enough sleep. I have to swing him in a sling, everytime he awakened. After the 3rd times waking up, I let him sleep on my chest and I would have to sleep in a sitting down position; hoping this would make him have a more peaceful sleep.

First day

It was soooo verryyy hootttt....

It was fine; Caden seemed to enjoy his second trip to Bali (first when he was only 3 months old). We stayed at AmanDari Resort (they have huge rooms by the way) and he had a great first day there.

We arrived at the resort at around 12 pm and had lunch at Bebek Bengil – I ate my lunch while Caden was in Baby Bjorn sleeping and went back home thought of swimming at our private pool but too bad it was raining. Caden then slept at 7pm until the next morning.

When he did not eat well on the first day I let him do whatever he wants, anyway I believe babies too need to adjust to new surroundings. I offer him bottle of milk more often when I feel that he did not eat as much as he suppose to.

I underestimated our trip to bali..

Why shouldn't I?

We were only going to Bali!!! Unlike our trip to US last month which took 20 hours flight (just the TWO OF US!), 12 hours time difference, 12 days trip, and no help at all – I basically will have to take care of Caden by myself

compare to:

Bali which was only 2 hours away (by plane), NO time difference, (supposedly) 6 days trip, & with mother and sisters are coming (and they are more than willing to help me look after Caden once in a while), sounds like an easy task for me.

I don't even bring my nanny along....I did not see that I was going to need her, in fact she might even be a burden as we would have to share room and bathroom with her.

Well, I have survived in US, I think I can go anywhere in the whole world as long as not more than 12 days.

I was TOTALLY WRONG!!!

Bali here we come...

We are going to Bali today....will be away until the 18th of October. I will update the blog again when we come back!

See you all...

PS: Selamat Hari Raya Idul Fitri for those of you who celebrate it!

meeting mommy's college friends...

Went to Takashimaya's Crystal Jade for lunch to meet mommy's old friends from college. Great reunion and great food, too but unfortunately the Caden and Gaby were not in the mood for lunch!!

like mother (or father), like son...

For some reason, Caden likes to bite his lower lip (sometimes the upper lip, too!). So last Wednesday, I took the opportunity to have a picture with him while I was biting my lower lip too.

.

like mother, like son, people said...hehe...

.

But seriously, Paul likes to bite his lower lip, too sometimes.

.

Maybe, we should call it:

.

like father, like son...

eye check up result...

We just received the result for Caden's eye check up that was done on the Sept 29th 2007. I never thought to have Caden's eyes checked up as early as one year old, but since it was complimentary, why not???

.

Then to my surprise, Caden has astigmatism and plus (+) 2.00 for both eyes. Almost freaked out because I know that plus (or what sometimes people called long-sightedness) only occur (usually) in older people, like in grandmas --both of Caden's grandmas have it.

.

But, the optometrist said, it's normal for children at Caden's age to have that as his eyes are still developing. Eventually, as he gets older, they would decreased and he would get the 2020 vision that he supposed to. Well, unless, he then developed short-sightedness as what Paul and I have.

.

Although both of us have short-sightedness [mine is minus (-) 9.00 and 2.00 astigmatism for both eyes, while Paul is minus (-) 1.50 and 2.00 astigmatism for both eyes], I do really hope he would have a perfect eyes for the rest of his life. haha....maybe I am dreaming....but I would try to postponed it as long as possible, I couldn't bear looking at Caden wearing glasses at very young age.

.

Right now, I don't let Caden watch TV too much. In fact, he never watch any TV program or DVD's until he reached 1 year old and that too, I limit only not more than half an hour/day. I think in total, so far, Caden only watch about 2 hours for his entire life.

.

Not sure if this will work - that he would not wearing any glasses at all. Well, to be honest, I couldn't let him not to watch TV for the rest of his life, soon he would see his friends watching their favorite cartoon characters and favorite TV programs, playing computer, video games, etc and he would demanded those stuffs, too. But I am certain that this will at least postponed it, hopefully until he is 10 years old! *finger crossed*

bumps into...everywhere..

Now that Caden can walk (better). He would demand us to leave him alone to walk by himself. [Luckily that is not happen outside our home]

As he still wobbles a lot, a few times he fell and leaving marks on his face.

PS: the one on his nose, it's not because he fell, he scratched it!

walking perfected!

He walked much better this last few days but still wobbles a lot! And his hands always in front of him for balancing. So cute looking at him this way, he looks like a mummy walking in the movie called The Mummy's Returns! hehe...

He loves walking...(I think that's what babies do when they know that their legs are able to bring him to places that they wants). He would scream for me to let him down on the floor so that he can walk.

Soon, he would be able to run and I would not be able to catch him!

time flies...

I have been enrolling Caden since 4 months old in The Little Gym and since then, he has been growing (in lot of ways). Physically, he is bigger, taller, heavier -- although still with no hair!! ^_^

.

But he is also more curious to know and try out new things. He is now able to walk on the beam (today!), able to grab the bar tighter and I am able to lift his hips up high on the air or left him hanging on the bar (though he is not able to do it himself, just yet!), able to avoid obstacles without falling, and interested to play with other kids.

.

Time flies...it's been more than a year since I gave birth to a tiny Caden...

.

but it feels like yesterday...

3 teeth...

yeey...the moment we all have been waiting forrr: more teeth!!! ^_^ Now Caden has T.H.R.E.E teeth -- two below (on the middle) and one above them...where his friends who are only a month older have 10 and 8.

It's been more than two months since his last teeth emerged.

My parents have been telling me that he might need more calcium. But I asked around (to other moms) and found out that some kids are actually behind in developing their teeth -- and NOTHING wrong with that. I mean, I don't think he needs more calcium cos, he's been breastfeeding all along, I have been drinking (A LOT) of milk and vitamins, and now he is drinking formula at about 400-500ml a day.

Doctors also said it is okay.

*fuihh...*

Now, as Caden's lower two teeth have grown to their fullest height, Caden loves to bite and try to open everything with them. For example: If we give him a can of milk, he would try to open the lid using his teeth, leaving two small teeth mark on it. So lots of our stuffs have teeth marks on them.

As if, we have a mouse running around the house! Haha…

Also, as his third and (soon) fourth teeth are emerging, he is drooling again! Not as bad as the last time but bad enough for us to bring a cloth to wipe his saliva everywhere we go.

on my arms...

This is how we usually put Caden to sleep for the past 1 year! (not in the living room of course -- it would be in his room). Caden would be in a sling as we rock him until he is asleep, then we have to wait for about 10-15 minutes to make sure that he is really sleeping -- only after that then we can put him in his crib.

And most of the time (on his afternoon naps only) he would wake up in about 1 hour….that means, we have to rock him again in a sling and put him back in his crib, or sometimes, I would let him sleep on my chest (with a sling) for the rest of his afternoon nap -- up to 2 hours and yess...he would be on my chestt!!

[I LOVE it though -- I feel so close to him, but noww...he is getting too heavy, soon I would not be able to breath properly with him on top of me] ^_^

For the past 1 month, at night, Caden is able to sleep on his own. We put him in his crib and he would toss here and there and eventually he would feel tired and sleep on his own.

Although suster or I have to be next to his crib and accompany him throughout the whole process, I was happy that he would (at last) be sleeping on his own at night. I would love him to sleep on his own in his afternoon naps too, but I was not too sure if that would be a good idea.

It took him about 45-60 minutes to sleep on his own. When that happens in the afternoon, his nap time would be stretch out for 2 more hours and that means less play-time for him and all his routine would be messed up.

Once I thought that he would be sleeping on his own faster (time wise) as time goes by but unfortunately I think it’s not going to happen (at least not soon). I am really confused about this but I know I have to figure out something soon.

huahaha...

For the past week since his last check up to the doctor for a complementary eye check up, I have been wondering if the weighing scale at the doctor office is right. I do really feel that Caden is much heavier, bigger (sideways) and taller. Based on my feeling, I knew that he must gain weight.

.

But when were were there last Saturday, Sept the 29th, his weight shown only 8.7kg, a decrease at almost half a kilo since his last check up. I was confused but believed it anyway.

.

Then, for the past 2-3 days, I was starting to wonder again cos' I indeed feel he is MUCH MORE heavier now. So I have been thinking of going to the doctor office one of this days to try to weigh him again to confirm my judgement.

.

Since we were planning to have lunch at Din Tai Fung - Paragon today. I thought it would be a great idea to come by to the doctor office and weigh him again, anyway, I was thinking of buying some medicines for rainy days.

.

As usual, we did not bring our stroller, therefore I have to carry him. He was really felt heavier -- I almost give up especially with the heels that I was wearing!! I told myself if the weighing machine still give reading along 8.5kg, I will go and buy a baby weighing machine myself cos' there is no way that Caden did not put on weight!

.

then....

,

I weighed him!

.

and...

.

he weighed at 10kg!!! hahaa...I was laughing!

.

I am right!! Motherly instinct will not be wrong... ^)^ The scale last week must be broken or something cos' there is no way for Caden to put on weight as much as 1.5kg in a week!

.

From now on, I will have to take seriously how to make him sit in the stroller when we are out and let him sleep on his own (without rocking him) cos' for sure, soon, none of us could take his heavy baby anymore!!!

gimme gimme...

I have been teaching Caden to ask for it when he wants something. Of course he could not say it as for now he vocabularies would only be 'mama' and 'papa' and some other (very) blurry words.

So, we thought him to open up his right hand and ask for whatever that he wants.

and..

it actually works! He doesn't scream that much anymore and would ask for it when he wants something!!

I am proud and happy to understand at least a little bit more of what he wants rather than just listening to his screaming and wondering what should I do/give him?

PS: I notice that he understand a lot more (when he talked to him) but maybe his tongue is not yet cooperating with his mind to say words that he wants.

with other moms and friends...

For the first time, some of the mommies from The Little Gym went out together to have an early lunch after our class.

It was trully difficult to find a time where everybody can agreed on but in the end, we chose today for the majority.

It was great! And I think we should do this again! I do hope we find a common time so everyone of us are able to join *dream on!!* ^^

PS: Caden and Ainsley were the only two boys but they were the ones who refuse to eat their lunch! Oh well, maybe they were too shy to be around 4 other older girls! ^_^

@ vivo city