9 Months: Visit to Dr Ong

It's Andre's 3rd Pnemococcal Jab and Andre's 9th Month development assessment. Hurray! He is 9.05 kg and 71 cm tall. And his head circumference grew by 1.5 cm (Dr Ong commented that they normally grow by 1 cm at this stage). This shows that Andre is catching up in his growth with all the Super foods. Yay! For once, Dr Ong actually grinned at us (instead of the skeptical look she always give). We too are very glad and happy for our son.

9 Months: Mummy is away on business

Jul 17 - Jul 28: Mummy is back to HQ for business. During this period, Andre moved home with Aunty Jann as daddy may not be able to handle Andre alone. Every evening without fail, daddy will spend time with Andre, bringing him out for walks and play time, all the way until Andre is asleep.

But well, since daddy is looking after, no pictures are taken. Not a single one. Haiz, what can you expect from husbands.

Oh well, but consider the time daddy spends with Andre, daddy is still the bestest in the world.

Meanwhile, mummy is purchasing the whole of America for Andre. Oh well, they need that boost in their GDP anyway. LOL.

9 Months: New camera

Well well, at least Daddy did something good while mummy was away. He purchase this Canon powershot camera to replace our dying Ixus. Its not too bad, the images are pretty sharp. But i guess there are many features i have yet to discover.. hee.. excited. And so these are the first pics i took... The colours are good.

A sidenote: Andre's wearing the pair of blue navy shoes i bought when i was in the States. Fits so excellently, Andre couldn't flick it off his foot.

In the 2 weeks i am away, Andre seemed to have grown a little more mature... He seems to show his understanding of the world in his own way.

9 Months:Loot mummy brought from the United States of Ahmerica!

9 Months: Another usual morning

Just awake.... I'm so dazed... Why are you adults rushing around...
Sometimes doesn't Andre feels tired opening his eyes so wide?

First attempt to take a photo of us together. See the resemblance? Now you know where the big eyes come from? kekeke...

9 Months: Barney the train ride

At IMM. Mummy wanted to give Andre the 2nd ride. But daddy say "CANNOT!"... :P

9 Months: Andre learnt how to pop the tu tu into his mouth

And so i was observing Andre the other night while he was playing on the bed.

He picked up his tutu and managed to turn it in the right direction so that the rubber part goes into his mouth. In the past, he'll just be gumming the whole tutu before dropping it to the floor. After he has a good grip of the tu tu in his mouth, he knows how to remove his fingers from the ring. In the past, his fingers would can stuck and he'll pull out the tutu unwittingly and he gave up.

So to make sure he knows the skill, i conducted a repeatability test. hey hey... he did it again. There were a few occasions where he was unable to rotate the pacifier well. So little boy just arranged the teat facing up on the bed, bend down and sucked it up. Viola... he has a back up plan too.

Hmm... i don't mean to sound boastful... but but ... i think my son is really smart leh ... wahahahaha

9 Months: Food

Andre's quite a gourmet now, except when it comes to fruits (which is perpetually zilch except for orange)

The forbidden foods for a under 1 year has already been consumed with much relish by him.
Just yesterday, Andre had liver, prawns, brocolli, carrots and porridge blended into a puree for him.

Well, since grandma is looking after him, i better give her a free hand. After all, she has raised 4 kids and 5 grandchildren and we all grew well. My philosophy is, if baby does not develop an allergy, then i just close 2 eyes and let it be. It'll be hell if we go by the book all the time.

So who says no egg whites or crustacean or citrus fruits?
Andre's almost eating like an adult (just strictly no salt). And he loves his baby noodles.

9 Months: Da da da da da dee

Andre has expanded his phonics repertoire recently to include ...

Da da da da da..... and occasionally ends with a dee.

But well, i don't think he seriously mean Daddy

9 Months: Photo taking in the car

9 Months: Look what daddy brought back from China?

Mummy chose all these loot from taobao.com. I plan to let Andre wear the suspender romper during his 1st birthday party. Among all, i like the Addidas romper very much as well. Andre look so labelled and sporty in it .. haha

What gu mama bought for Andre from the States...

Sleepsuits too...

Going out clothes...

And more for Andre when he is bigger...

And little finger puppets .. :D These costs $2.50 RMB

And lastly, some beach sandles. But honestly speaking, it's not really practical as Andre does not know how to tuck his big toe and first toe in between the wedge, making it very uncomfortable for him.

8 months: First time on the carousel

At Harborfront, Andre tried the baby carousel and liked it very much. He even knows how to wave 'Bye Bye'

9 Months: The WEIRD sleeping pattern of my son

See the boy? he is kneeling as he naps

8 Months:

8 Months: Another busy sunday

At the Jacob Ballas Garden at the Botanical Gardens. We didn't stay for long as it started drizziling. I was more afraid of a mozzie attack on Andre as i did not bring any protection. Anyway, the garden is suited for the older kids who are interested in science. A bit too over whealming for Andre. But well, the morning fresh air is still always good.

As usual, disregarded all his toys and focussed on the prinkles bottle.

Drinking water. Yippeee!

Afternoon snooze...

And in the evening, we went out for hotpot at City Square. As usual, my boy is well accessorised. This time, its a cap from De de gor gor. Thank you! Aunty Veron!

9 Months: First tooth spotted

I finally managed to spot the first tooth cavity on Andre. Saw it when he was laughing away. Its the bottom, left centre. His reluctance to open his mouth will make it very difficult to take a picture of his pearly whites.

Oh well, I'm sure he has other sprouting too... cos i can hear him occasionally grinding his teeth.

8 Months: Fidgets

Dad is away in China visiting nai nai. So mummy brought baby to fidgets alone. We took out the cow suit that has been sitting in the cupboard since Chinese New Year. Andre can finally fit.

See my waggly tail.

I love this picture with gong gong and po po. The smile's so radiant. This was taken after we had vietnamese pho (my favourite) at Holland Village.

8 Months: Some thoughts

Hadn't been blogging for some time. Not really in the mood recently. Of course there are a few random events i'll like to record and thus summarising briefly here.

1. Birthday Party. I used to belong to the school of thought where birthday parties for the little one is an absolute waste of money and time. I mean, how much would a one year old or even 4-year old remember? Therefore such flamboyant events are only meant to satisfy the pride of 'hao lian' parents. I seriously question the merits of an extravaganza event and in simple terms, it just means spoiling the child and setting wrong expectations.

Because of this, i never thought of planning a first year birthday bash for Andre even though i see the mummies in the forum busy ordering party supplies and designing the perfect birthday cakes (Mind you, a 3D fondant 2-tiered cake can easily cost up to $350).

Until recently, i guess somewhat i got pulled into the bandwagon. After all, one year old is still a milestone to be remembered. Exactly, one year ago, i was heavily pregnant, huffing and puffing in a delivery suite, anticipating the arrival of our angel. Our lives has changed since. The lives of our love ones has changed. Drastically. No more personal time, no more couple time. Everything we do, Andre will be our first consideration. Not complaining though, cos kiddo has brought out the better parts of ourselves despite the challenges and we are grateful for him.

Oh yes, so back to the question of a celebration, i've decided there is indeed a valid reason to call for a party. A Thank You one. To all our love ones who has so unconditionally supported us, prayed for us so that we could walk so far. Think of all the karaoke sessions nai nai has missed. Gong gong rushing home for work so that he could feed Andre (at one point, Andre will only eat when gong gong feed him). All the well meant advice from the experienced mummies. All the cousins playing with Andre contributing his development needs etc etc. The list is too extensive.

And so, i've decided to book a chalet at NTUC. Daddy's company could get them $15 a night rate if they manage to ballot. The whole department decided to ballot for us to give us a higher chance. If any of you kind folks are reading this blog, i'll like to sincerely thank you for supporting our cause.

It will be a low profile gathering, just our immediate family and close friends. I'll order a slightly better buffet to treat everyone and the plan is to pen individual thank you notes from the thoughts of Andre for everyone's love and support. I have a few ideas in mind, i'll unroll it as i execute. But so far, cool isn't it... After the lunch event, the whole family can probably relax at downtown east, Andre's cousins will be thrilled for sure.

Of cos, now with less than 3 months to go. We're looking at Sep 18, 19 or Sep 25, 26. Sep 26 is Andre's chinese birthday. If it's Sep 18 and 19, i could probably gate crash as well, as i celebrate my 30th birthday. Well, i have 30 times more 'thank yous' that need to be said. Hmmm... okie, to be considered.

It is sure tempting to turn the affair into an Andre-centred event. But i must constantly remind myself the original agenda. Party supplies, yes. Cake, yes. But definitely, no magician, no balloon twisters, no bouncy castle. (Someone did it in my condo once and whoa... it must have set the parents back by a few K. Well, what's the point?)

2. Nai nai is sick. Nai nai had a lung operation last sunday. Daddy has gone back last night for a surprise visit. I hope it can cheer our mother up a little. I wouldn't say what, but daddy is really worried for his mummy. Its a rush trip and daddy will be back on Tuesday early morning. Let's pray that Nai nai has since recovered from the operation and no further follow up is required.

3. Andre's down with the cold bug. Just as daddy left for the airport, Andre is back with a cold again. I HATE THE COLD BUG. Cos it makes him sneeze, nose block, drippy nose, phelgm, sore throat and cough. And its the 2nd time this month. So please.... SHOO! BUG! SHOO! Andre wants to go out to play and swim.

4. Trip to the USA. Mummy's boss is leaving for another assignment so mummy hopes to be able to catch up with him and get some last minute support for her work. Looking at Jul 19 to Jul 27. It'll be the first time i be away from Andre for so long. I hope i won't miss him too much.

5. Maid. There were many initial teething issues. I was inexperienced and we happened to have a helper who likes to push her limits. But after a session with the agent, we have layed down some ground rules, settled some of Aunty J-ann's home worries, i hope we can now move on peacefully. It's been a month, and i can't deny how much help Aunty has helped our family. Feeding Andre every meal (our picky eater is now eating 3 times a day with 800ml of milk). Our house is spotlessly clean and neat (yeah, when i close one eye), we get freshly ironed clothes, and someone to look after baby when we need a mind break. So, may everything stay status quo.

Hmm ... did i mention a summary earlier on? I think i can rattle on forever... It's like a thesis. So for the rest of the agenda in my mind... we'll catch up on that again. Phew..

6. CCTV at home.
7. FM success.
8. Reading
9. Daddy's promotion