oh noo...strangers strangerss...

All of us thought Caden didn't mind to be carried by everyone, even people whom he never met before, but being at 6 months now, he changed. He recognize strange faces. So yesterday, grandma invited few of her friends to come over and all of them are excited to see Caden, grandma first and - currently - only grandson. Unfortunately, when the guests were out from our private lift, Caden started crying! In addition to the strange new faces, they made so much noise that Caden were not used to. So in the end, he cried so loud and the guest were just able to see Caden from afar. Sorry grandmas.... I am scared!!!

Solid solid solidd....

Yey....I have been looking forward for this day...for the "best" day to introduce Caden to solid food. I am so exited that I already bought all the different kinds of 'first-foods' for him a long time ago.... His doctor had give me a green light when he was only 5 months old but gave the decision back to me as Caden was still in a good shape (increasing in weight) by drinking only my breast-milk. I decided to wait until after I get back from vacation from Jakarta. So here we are 6 days after and I think today is "the day."

I gave him 2 spoons of "Gerber" rice cereal, mix it up with breast-milk and making sure that the cereal will be perfect for him (not to watery but at the same time not too thick that could choke him).

*Look at the picture* This first time solid eating is not bad at all. Caden seems to enjoy it although I am not sure if he really enjoys the food or the company of his grandparents, aunty Valerie, my maid, his baby-sitter and I who was cheering for him. ^_^

I love my feet...

==>> Caden has a new hobby, he is currently obsessed with his "handsome" feet. Everytime he sits up, he will hold his feet one by one with his two hands and admire them for quite sometime. ^_^

sitting up

Sitting up requires a good sense of balance, as well as muscle strength and control in the trunk and hips. Caden now is 5 months old and had started to learn how to sit in this past few days. Caden seems to be interested with the learning of sitting up as when he sits in my lap, he holds his head steady for long periods of time and enjoys looking all around. (His vision has improved to the point that she can actually see things across the room fairly clearly). He balances in a sitting position only for a few moments by himself, but when I prop him up with her legs in front, knees bent, to provide a wide base, and brace her arms on her thighs, he could balances much longer. Caden has begun to figure out how to maintain his balance while seated by leaning forward on one or both arms and to make small, unconscious contractions of the muscles in his back, needed to keep his balanced. At first, it takes concentration, but soon, like riding a bicycle, it is second nature. I can't wait to see him sitting all him himself!!!

with mommy at the balcony...

Today after Caden woke up from his afternoon nap, and we asked suster to take this pictures for us.

PS: Caden was wearing a 6-8 years cap that I bought from Mothercare. It was on sale and I thought he can wear it now, it's just won't look tight. hehe...

the Tyra Banks pose...

This is what ii valerie called "the Tyra Banks pose"

Well, she was the photographer and I was amazed that she was able to call out Caden to look at the back of his jumperoo and actually stopped for a few second of the picture... Good Job, ii!!!

Jumperoo

Caden start to understand the function of each body part, for example when I place his newly found feet on the floor, he first curl his toes and stroke the carpet or the floor, but soon he'll discover he can use his feet and legs to practice "walking" or just to bounce up and down. Which mean: "Watch out!" Soon he will be crawling and standing.

In preparation to that, Daddy had bought Caden this Jumperoo from Fisher Price at the "Baby Fair" that was located in Takashimaya. I told Paul that this is Caden's present for his 6 months birthday (read: so there will be more presents in months to come) hehehe.... Caden is a very active boy, so with this jumperoo, Caden will be able to play safe jumping in the house while giving us a few minutes break...just a few minutes.. cos' soon he will be bored and want us to play other things with him.

Back to Singapore

Daddy wants us to go back to Singapore today (if possible) as he would be able to play with Caden before returning to work the next day. He misses Caden a lot as the last time that he saw him was almost a week ago. Suster approval letter came 2 days ago (at lasttt!!). The timing was great as oma (Caden's great-grandma) went back home to Jakarta from Singapore the day after, therefore she could bring back the approval letter which the immigration as to sign at time of suster's arrival in Singapore.

I want Paul to be able to play with Caden too, so I agree to go back home this morning --with such a short notice. Short notice is okay if I am travelling alone -- but now, with Caden is a whole different story. He has so much stuff; his toys, his bottles, breastpump, milk, etc etc. Furthermore, I was still have to unpacked the stuff that we brought back from US, so many boxes (more than ten of them), and stacked it nicely in the cupboard. And not to mention, the people who wanted to meet with the 'star' before returning to Singapore. I was so tired and knew that there are still lots of stuff to packed or unpacked but could not disagree with the lunch offer from Ima Nanny.

This morning was bad...slept at around 1 am (came back from Santi' enggagement party at around 10pm and continued unpacking/packing) and woke up at around 4...making sure that everything was in the luggages. Went out from the house at 6.30am with a headache as I did not have enough sleep. Arrived at the airport at 7. 15 am and SHOCKED! It was packed! SUPER PACKED! We have to queue for everything, I wasn't expecting it! Everything take so long, plus with me carrying 'heavy' Caden in the baby bjorn, feeling sleepy and headache just add everything up. Then I realized that tommorow is the first day of school for public school students after a week holiday. I seriously vowed to myself to take note of school holidays and not going anywhere between the school holidays.

In the plane, Caden was not behaving really well. He screamed when I put his seat belt on and wanted us to carry him continuosly. I wanted to sit because in the plane, everyone is sitting, so when you are the only one who was standing, every eyes will look but well, what can I do? Caden screamed when I sat down! I think he is getting naughtier!

Baby fair...

Astrid and I went out together to see the somewhat called "biggest baby fair this year" in Suntec City Convention Hall. I thought it would be a great event for me to see lots of baby stuff or get more information about infant schools in Singapore. Looking forward for this a lot but quite dissapointed when I actually saw it.

They have almost nothing good for Caden. The toys are either the same price or cheap but doesn't look nice. In the end I bought a hat (which I regret it) and bought an infant pillow that has a whole in the middle for Caden's round shape head. This pillow turn out to be pretty good and is $2 cheaper than the regular price *dughh???*. And that's all I get! I thought I will get lots of stuff and lots of info about anything...but well!!

Today I think the first time Caden went out for almost 4 hours straight. He even slept on my chest in the baby bjorn...only for half an hour though but it was not bad considering him never slept if it's not in his room! I was thinking of going back home when he cried on his car seat stroller but quickly fell asleep when I carried him. As usual, he did not ask for milk at all. This is what that prevent me from going out too often...Caden doesn't seem hungry when we took him out. I am just afraid that is not healthy for him. But well, I think it's okay to do it once in a while.

Together

I am always reluctant to take picture with Caden because I feel so huge and fat. But if I don't take any pictures with him now, I will have no pictures with 'small' Caden and I know that I will regret it later. So today I told myself to forget about how fat I am and try to feel confident to take pictures with Caden (although reminding myself not to take close-up photo). Yes I think I should do this more often!

I am not sure how can auntie Valerie took this pictures below..it's so cute.... They were spending time together and auntie Valerie took his picture and the next thing I know, I download the pictures and it was all nicee... "Thanks ii for the nice pictures of me..."

Happy Chinese Lunar New Year!!!

at paragon

Went out shopping with oma today. Caden was sitting quietly in his car seat and looking at the people passed by and the stores in Paragon. Mom said, "I should have brought Caden out more often so that he won't act like a 'kampong' boy!" But I don't believe it. By keeping him at home he will have the maximum rest that he need and avoid awful diseases from visitors at the mall.

Happy Valentines day!!

bumbo chair

Auntie Valerie called this chair as "Caden's Throne" and made a small crown for Prince Caden to wear whenever he sit on it

This past few days, Caden doesn't really like it when we put him on his back or tummy, he wants to be sitted on our lap. Then I saw this bumbo chair at Takashimaya and another time at a child-care center that I mistakenly thought a school for infants. When I asked the owner of the child-care center about this bumbo chair, she said the it is really good for babies who just started to learn how to sit; the chair is also safe and confortable for them.....they could not stand up from it as the rubber suck their bottom to the chair when placed on flat surface.

So this afternoon I went to Takashimaya and bought this chair for Caden. I just hope that Caden will like his first chair to play with.

PS: His left eye on the photo is a bit shiny, that's because we put vaseline on it as Caden scratch it with his own nails. It was pretty deep!! Believe it or not vaseline really helps to heal it faster.

Noah met Caden for the 1st time

Noah and mommy came to visit Caden for the 1st time. Caden and Noah seems to get acquainted very fast (they are holding hands in no time). I let Caden rub Noah head which has full of hair a few times...hoping that Caden will have hair similar like Noah soon. ^_^

Noah mommy and I had a great time, too. It's been a while since we met. We chat a lot but this time, mostly about our babies...hehe...how time has changed...we knew each other since we were Secondary School and never thought of getting married, but now, each of us have a son of our own.

Come by again Noah! Next time, bring your float and swim suit too...so we can go swimming together.

PS: I looked so huge...I still had 10kg with me...yup! TEN KILO!!!

Going to school!!

I want to enroll Caden in a school for him to have fun and meet his other little friends. I thought it could be an interesting experience for him as he doesn't have any small friends in the family (he is the first child, first grandchild from both sides, and first great-grandchild, too). Most of the school in Singapore start at 6 months but I found this school called 'The Little Gym' that allowed infants as young as 4 months old in their 'bugs' class (4-10 months of age). So I called last week to have a trial session.

The class was great. It was a relatively small class with only about 6 children and their mommies. Teacher Amy was great too; she is a young, energetic person who teaches us (parents) lots of tricks to increase the child ability to build a strong bodies as well as high self-esteem using songs, or props in the gym.

1st time in the class Caden looked very happy. He smiled and follow the class quietly and attentively. So I conclude that he like the class..that means...we will be coming here every Wednesday at 9.10am. Yey...!!!

swim @ ardmore

Today is the first time Caden swim at ardmore. The swimming pool was great but unfortunately they don't have heated pool at all; they have 4 swimming pool -- 1 big and 3 small ones but none is heated. Luckily Caden can tolarate the cool water ... people said he likes water therefore whanever there is water (whether is cold or warm), it's okay with him.

Caden loves the small pool because with the 'car float' that I bought him, his feet are just right touching the bottom pool floor so he could sort of walk in it. He was so enthusiastic 'driving the car' forward, backward, right and left.

Today is Saturday, daddy is at home so daddy took Caden swim and had a great time. Paul has been away every Sunday night to Friday night so he doesn't get enough time to see Caden and wherever Paul is in Singapore, he always make use of Caden's wake up times to play together. I guess, Paul is just afraid that Caden won't recoqnize him as his daddy if he did not make the time. Whatever it is, it's good to have a fatherly bonding for Caden and Paul and I will definately encourage this father-son time.