Daddy loves..

Bryan, You have to know that though daddy don’t say it as often as he should, daddy loves you very much!

Today, he devoted the whole morning & afternoon to making you happy.

It was your quality one-on-one time with daddy.

Daddy wants to eat sushi, but you want to eat McD.

When daddy wanted to look at the Superbike exhibition (which have gorgeous sexy models too), you wanted to go to Toy’r'us (Mommy says, “haha”)

When daddy wanted to look at the Transformers exhibition, you wanted to go to Borders.

When daddy wanna shop for some clothing, you wanted to go to the Jusco Playland (who is just next to the men’s clothing dept).

Both of you spent nearly 4 hours in the mall, doing everything that YOU wanted.

So, don’t you think that daddy spoils loves you?

And daddy loves mommy too, because daddy did all that with you so that mommy can go to a photography workshop and have a good time.

P/S: You can look forward to bullying having fun with daddy again in 2 weeks time, coz mommy signed up for another workshop…kekekekekeke..

Gardening helpers

Back to the waters

We took the boys to the pool yesterday. I have started to swim regularly again recently and want to bring my boys back into the waters.

Initially the idea started when I heard that my BIL condo’s tenant had moved out and I suggested that we go to the condo for a swim. My SIL was also excited over the idea and wanted to bring her children along too. It would be a fun time for the children.

Bryan had not swim much since we moved to a house. The last time he swum was more than a year ago at a hotel, and he was terrified of the water there. I have no idea why because he had always loved the pool since he was a baby.

Anyway, I told him about the swimming plans and he was excited. He says,
“I want to swim like a fish.”

So I bought new floats for Bryan, as Dylan will be inheriting Bryan’s old smaller floats.

Later I learn that my MIL din have the new keys to the condo. The other in laws have helped to changed the locks when the tenants moved out and have yet to pass a set to us. My BIL is in Singapore but he is very lucky to have his in-laws to help him with the affairs related to the condo.

Though we can’t go to the condo. I still want to take the boys for a swim! And I think it is about time Dylan goes to the pool too.

So we went to PISA swimming pool.

Bryan was very excited when he saw the pool, and did not waste any time jumping into the pool with the float. Soon he was kicking his way around in deeper waters.

Dylan on the other hand was terrified. This is his first experience with the swimming pool… Our miniature pool at home don’t count.

He held on tightly to my husband and screamed, “PU YAU PU YAU PU YAU” when hubb tried to put him inside the water. A lady at the side of the pool laughed at him.

So I asked hubb to pass Dylan to me. And I carried him and walked around the pool so that he can see his brother playing in the water. I started out at the very shallow end where the water is below my knew. So I held Dylan up high without letting him touch the water.

Then I go into a deeper section where the water is now up to his knee level. I asked Bryan to continue to play with him to get Dylan comfortable.

I just continued this process until the water is now up to his chest level. All the while I held him close tightly to me.

Not long after, Dylan got relaxed. And soon Bryan and him were splashing water on each other. Water got into Dylan’s eyes, nose and mouth, but still he splashed sommo, having fun!

First he had one hand extended out to splash the water, then both hands were extended out to splash.

Noticing how comfortable he is getting, I tried to turn him around for him to face the water instead of me…He yelled, “PUYAU!”….Oooopss..not ready yet.

He also didn’t want Daddy to carry him… I supposed he felt safer with me….Errrr..that makes a lot of sense since Daddy can’t swim.

We spent close to an hour in the pool and Bryan was reluctant to leave. He didn’t want to leave until we promised that we will be back again.

Sure darling…we’ll go to Seh Chik’s condo next week ok!

P/S: No photos as both mommy & daddy is in the water taking care of the kids. Also I am afraid to leave my camera at the public swimming pool area. Hopefully will be able to take some photos when we go to the condo for a swim..coz MOMMY JUST BOUGHT A NEW LENSE AND FLASH!!!!!!!! Yippeeee!!!!!

Beginning toilet training

Frankly, I think I am quite relaxed when it comes to toilet training.

I know many people who diligently train their babies from young (some from confinement time) to poo poo & wee wee.

Me, I am just too lazy to start this early, esp not after my experience with Bryan.

I never toilet train him until he was almost 2 years old. And he was fully toilet trained within 6 months time, and that includes the night sleep time.

Another reason is, I use cloth diapers during the day. So whether he uses 3 or 4 diapers a day, it doesn’t cost me extra money. It still takes the same effort to wash them at the end of the day.

However lately, Dylan has been signaling to us when he wants to poo.

He will say..”nggg nnggg..”

If he has not done his biz for the day yet when he says that, we will rush him to the toilet or to his potty.

If he has done his biz, then we’ll probably just ignore him.

Why? Because he’ll also say “nggg nnnggg” if he wants to fart. And so he says “ngggg nnnggg” all the time. And when u check his diaper, sometimes he’ll just say, “mei you” (none) , giggles and run away.

However, depending on his mood, sometimes his signal is too late. He only tells us after his biz is completed.

Still, to be able to tell us is always a good thing – either before or after for now.

City boy

The last time we took the boys to the playground with my camera, I tried to position the boys on the grass to take a photo of them together.

Both boys were barefoot as they were climbing and playing on the slides.

I carried Bryan to the grass first but when I turned around to carry Dylan next, Bryan froze…

He did not like the sensation of his bare feet on the grass.

He froze and dare not move a single step.

Haiyo…Bryan. Just like what your T-shirt says, “GET A GRIP!”

Eat bb eat…

Dylan is a much easier baby to take care compared to Bryan at this age.

He is less clingy.
He is able to play more by himself.
He is more creative and is able to turn anything into a toy for him (saving mommy lots of money from buying new toys).
He is better at balancing which means less nasty fall (*touch wood*). So far he is able to save himself (*touch wood again*) from any nasty fall by cleverly positioning his body during a fall.
He is able to tolerate a wide variety of food. He has taken seafood, nuts and spicy food without any allergy.
He lets hubb put him to sleep (nap/ night time) which means more time for me when I needed them. Bryan would not let hubb put him to sleep last time. He’ll cry and cry and cry and CRY until I come to him.

But
Because he is more adventurous, having meals outside is a real headache for us. When he has had enough to eat, he will stand up and climb down. And he will walk ALL OVER the place, without any fear of the strangers. Luckily we seldom eat out…
And the biggest problem, he is such a picky eater.
He doesn’t like his porridge, though they taste absolutely yummy to me and his brother.

I cooked macaroni cheese for the boys’ lunch last Sat. Bryan polished his plate clean without any assistance from us and even ate some of Dylan’s portion but Dylan just won’t take a bite.

Bryan even told him, “Didi, eat your macaroni. You see I am also eating.”

Later we asked Bryan to feed him and he started to take a little. I was mentally counting…1 macaroni, 2 macaroni, 3 macaroni…

But in less than 5 macaronis..he doesn’t want it anymore. I cooked spaghetti aglio olio for hubb and me, and I had used a lot of fresh chilli. He wanted my spaghetti.

So I gave him a strand and he finished them speedily. And he wanted MORE. So hubb said..just give it to him.

Thus, I started giving him more spaghetti, strand by strand..and he finished each one happily. In between his bites, I tried to squeeze in bits of macaroni and vegetables. He let me maybe because the spaghetti is spicy and the macaroni cheese helped to ease the spiciness. I managed to get him to finish about 70% of the macaroni I offered him before he decided he has had enough and climbs up from his high chair.

Later that day, we had a family dinner. Normally I would prepare food for him, but after the lunch episode, I just didn’t bother.

So for dinner, he had some satay, tofu, chun piah (spring roll) which had lots of vegetables, and stir fried noodles.

If you see the way he had the dinner, you would not think that he has any eating problem. But I can’t feed him all those salt & MSG laden food all the time! So most of the time, he doesn’t want to eat much at home. Because his food has no salt no msg.

And he is almost not drinking any milk when I am away at work. So I think he is quite underweight for his age now.

In desperation, I have decided to give him Appeton with Lysine. I bought the tablet ones as I think he will hate the syrup because it will be similar to taking medicines.

I have started to give him 1 tablet/ day since Saturday. Hopefully he will take more food and gain some weight…

Lucky to be a baby

2am: WUAHHH.. *Dylan cries*
I rush over to his room to find him sitting at the corner of the bed. The thin foldable mattress that I had put against the wall had collapse onto their bed. This obviously woke him up. But his gerger Bryan is still sleeping like a log under the mattress.

Dylan went back to sleep as soon as I cuddle him and hubb adjusted the mattress back into position.

I continued sleeping in the boys’ room.

5am+: WUAHHHHH…. *Dylan cries* *AGAIN*
This time he wants to nurse. I nursed him lying down. Then after he is full…He wants to PLAY.
He started walking around the bed.
He started climbing all over me…
He climbed over me to his gerger and wanted to play with his gerger.
I dragged him back into position and ignore him.
This went on several times.
Then he sat on my legs and started to play horsey.. Dylan said, “KIK KOK KIK KOK”
I ignored him.
Then he said, “Mummy, chou-chou.” (walk walk)
I ignored him sommo.
So he cried louder, “Mummy, CHOU-CHOU.”
So I had no choice but to get up and carry him. But as soon as I carry him, he laid his head on my shoulder and snuggle back to sleep.

Haiyo…he wants to go back to sleep but he wants me to carry him and walk around.
He dozed off to sleep soon but as soon as he does that, I heard the alarm going off in the master bedroom…Time to get ready for work.

*SIGH*

He continued to sleep when I buckle him to the car seat and send him to my mom’s house.

And I din even have the heart to pick him up from the bed, because I din want to wake him up.

All I felt when I looked at him is AWWWWWWW… He’s soooo cute!

Dylan, aren’t you lucky to be a baby. You do all this to mummy, and all mummy can think of is you’re so cute!

My Cili Padi Problem

Friends asked me, how long do i plan to bf?
I just shrugged and said, “As long as possible.” I have no travel plans that does not include baby, and I am no longer struggling with supply issues. So what’s the rush?

But now, I am in a dilemma if I should wean my baby off sooner, from breast at least.

Dylan won’t take any milk in any other way, except latched on. He refused EBM in the bottle, cup, spoon, with cereals, etc. Don’t even start on formula ok. It is not the taste that he is refusing, it is the delivery method.

As such, he is not gaining as much weight as he should.

His latest nickname from me…. Siau La Chiau. (Cili Padi)

He is definitely not slow in his development milestones. In fact his physical and verbal milestones are way ahead of Bryan’s. He is already walking, running and climbing very steadily. He is able to verbalize what he wants to do. He understands what we tell him.

Only problem is..he won’t gain weight! At least not much. He is only 8.6kg!