Merry Christmas - Seafood Feast

We planned to have seafood feast in JB for family Christmas dinner over the weekend quite a long time ago. We were really looking forward to it as we have never been to the place before but heard of the beautiful scenary and yummy food! Drool……

It was quite a distance from JB town. There are a few seafood restaurants built by the seaside and Sembawang is just on the opposite shore.

We managed to catch the sunset and it was wonderful! It was long time since we last have seen such a nice sunset scene. This was the first time Darling saw so many different types of seafoods –razor clams, oysters, fishes, prawn, crab, lobster, etc.

We enjoyed our seafood feast very much!

Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells

‘Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way, oh what fun it is to ride, a one horse open sleigh, heh’. Darling sang this song so many times a day. He can remember the lyrics and sings it correctly after daddy had taught him once! Darling is superb!

Wherever we went, he would sing this song when he saw Christmas trees and other Christmas decorations.

Bad Boy Bad Habits!

All the time Little Darling has bad temper but is still manageable. This afternoon we brought him shopping at a nearby shopping centre to buy him some Christmas accessories. When I realized that I left my wallet in the car and daddy was away to buy lunch at the other floor, I told Darling that we shall come back to the shop later after gotten money from daddy. But Little Darling refused to leave the shop and started to throw tantrumns. To my surprise he wailed very loud and refused to let me hold him.

I told myself do not give in as he would using it as ‘weapon’ in future, so I walked away to force him to leave the shop… but he just lying down on the floor instead!!!!! I was so mad yet I really lost, not knowing how to deal with his mischievious behavior! I ignored him and continued to walk away, he quickly rose and followed while wailing but he would stop and lie on the floor again when I stopped to wait for him. I was worried that people might knock on him because it was pretty crowded in the shopping mall. No choice but to continue to walk and turn round to peep, to make sure that he was following. This dramatic movie lasted for about 10 minutes untill we saw daddy coming. I saluted! He became naughtier recently!

In The School Javier, At Home Darling

We have been calling Little Darling since he was born and we are so used to this. He addresses himself as Darling also though he knew that his name is Javier. Before long Little Darling became known as Darling at school. He would say ‘ Teacher saying darling!’, ‘Teacher, bathe Darling’ etc….. He in fact is the everybody’s Darling. His teachers told him ‘In school you are Javier, At home you are Darling!’ Nowadays on and off he would remind us ‘In school Javier, at home Darling’. :-D

Darling Want Massage

Little Darling was eyeing to sit on the massage chair since we stepped in ah mah house. He kept asking if he could sit on the chair but mummy did not allow him to do so. Ah mah was having her massage while watching television after dinner when he told mah mah ‘ After this Darling sit on the chair ok?’ … hahahaha… He was minded to queue for his turn!

Little Darling's 3rd Week In The Childcare Center

16 Nov 2008 Sunday
Little Darling woke up at 10am. He started to drink and eat more today. The red dots on his hands and legs faded a bit.



17 Nov 2008 Monday
Little one had superd appetite. He drank a lot of water and fruit juices and asked for a lot of porridge. He swallowed most of the food without proper chewing as the ulcers were still there. He was recovering from HFMD but his voice become rough in the late afternoon.

18Nov 2008 Tuesday
Mummy called up the center that to tell them Little one‘s MC would end tomorrow and we shall send him back. We brought him to see doctor to get an approval letter at the same time get some medicine for his throat. Doctor said his throat was attacked by virus; main suspect was from mummy who had lost her voice, suffered from sore throat and cough for more than two weeks. Sigh!

19 Nov 2008 Wednesday
We planned to let little darling stay half day morning in the center and then daddy would fetch him home in the afternoon to take medicine and nap at home. We would want him to have as much rest as possible at this point in time.

Little one cried and refused to go in to the center. He kept shouting that darling don’t want go school. Sigh!

20 Nov 2008 Thursday
Since waking up he kept asking mummy to hug him and saying that darling don’t want go school. No matter how we talked to him, he just replied darling don’t want go school. Teacher came to help when he put up a struggle on entering the school gate!

When mummy reached the center around 6pm. Little one was sitting together with one of the teacher watching other kids play. Same thing, he opened his mouth and wail loudly when saw mummy and asked for hug hug. Again he told me darling worried, darling sad sad, darling don’t want go school.

21 Nov 2008 Friday
Today the center was having their concert so they would dismiss all the kids who did not participate after lunch. Daddy would have to fetch Darling home after lunch.

Early in the morning, he told me that he don’t want to go school, volunteered to go stay with ah mah!!! Again he refused to go in the school and clang onto the gate there. Finally Teacher Pan carried him in after struggling…… when will this ‘hassle’ end?

Little Darling's 2nd Week In The Childcare Center

10 Nov 2008 Monday

Mummy started work today. Daddy was charged with bringing Little Darling to school everyday since daddy starts work later than mummy. Heard from daddy that Little Darling was wailing when teacher took him from Daddy.

Mummy left office on the dot rushing to fetch darling from childcare, we had promised him that we would fetch him as early as we could and not let him be the last one to leave the center. Little darling was playing blocks with an ang moh jie jie at the common hall when I arrived. He started to wail loudly when he saw me and asked for hug hug and kiss. Teacher said he was doing well except he carried on and off. He would ask jie jie (the one playing with him) to hug him when he was crying! He skipped his afternoon milk and nap! He looks so haggard. Heartache but have to bear with it! Sigh!

On our way home, he told me that darling sad sad! After his quick dinner, I let him had an early night, off to bed at about 8pm after drinking some milk. Poor thing! Must be extremely tired! He fell asleep immediately when he landed on the mattress.

Little Darling did not sleep well throughout the night, woke up many times in the middle of the night to cry and ask for daddy and mummy. Guessed he must have felt insecure staying with teacher and friends in the center. What a tough day for our darling!

11 Nov 2008 Tuesday

Little Darling stayed home today. Daddy took leave to stay home with him as the center was having concert rehearsal in the morning. I would like him to stay home to have his afternoon nap.
Daddy complained that Little did not take nap in the afternoon and refused to drink milk. Darling complained that his mouth was painful when I gave him porridge. When I checked his little mouth which he refused to open wide, I saw two small ulcers. I took it lightly thinking that may be due to the fact he did not drink enough water in the past few days.

It was when he refused to suck milk during bedtime that I was shocked. I then insisted he open his mouth wide to let me take a look. I almost fainted! His mouth was full with tiny ulcers. And there were some tiny faint red sports on hands and legs. He was suffering from a small fever! Goodness me! We quickly rushed to the nearest kid clinic. Doctor diagnosed that was HFMD which we find it hard to to believe. How could it be so fast that he caught the virus? I most weary of HFMD yet he contracted it within such a short period of time! Now I was clear why he refused to drink or nap and was unable to have good sleep!

12 Nov 2008 Wednesday

It was only the third day after started working when I had to take unpaid leave to stay home to take care of our Little Darling. He refused to drink and eat. I forced to pump him fluid using syringe. He complained of mouth painful and I fully understood that.

13 Nov 2008 Thursday

It was only the third day after started working when I had to take unpaid leave to stay home to take care of our Little Darling. He refused to drink and eat. I forced to pump him fluid using syringe. He complained of mouth painful and I fully understood that.

14 Nov 2008 Friday

Things were slightly better today; Little Darling was willing to drink sucking from straw and this saved us the pump. He started to eat some light porridge.

15 Nov 2008 Saturday

We did not go to SM class. Little one was awake at 8.30am, some waking-up the night before, in the middle of the night. Little darling drunk a lot of water and took some porridge, still with mouth pain complaints at times.

Little Darling's 1st Week In The Childcare Center

Daddy bye-bye! Mummy bye-bye! Little Darling likes to say so happily when he carrying a bag! But I was wondering and doubtful that he will really so happy when he goes to school or he will cry for weeks since he was sticking to me badly since born!?

03 Nov 2008 Monday
First day Little Darling in the childcare center. Many kids were happily dancing and singing at the common hall when we reached. But he was more keen to play with all the toys on the racks. He joined and enjoyed himself playing with the group only when teacher gave them instruments like shakers, tambourines, bells etc Else he clinged tightly to mummy and sat aside remains as viewer.

After music session, teacher brought them to their classroom for Chinese stories telling. Again Little Darling pulled mummy along to sit next to him. Children songs and rhymes were introduced too during the half an hour session. Though most of the kids in the class are foreigners but their Chinese better then our Little One!!! :-(

Mummy intended to let Little Darling stay till lunch break. But teacher suggested to let him try to eat together with the rest of kids. Little Darling learned to hold spoon and scooped porridge but did not put into his mouth properly. He got a slice of apple but did not want to eat after one bite. This is one of my worry --- would not eat if do not push him!

We left the center at around 12noon when the rest of the kids were preparing to shower. Little one told me he was happy when I drove him home. I understood because mummy around and I very sure that he will cry when I am not around.........

04 Nov 2008 Tuesday
We stayed home as the childacre center was closed today because of their concert rehearsal.

05 Nov 2008 Wednesday
We met another two new comers (one enrolled same day as Little Darling and a girl who was there for two weeks already) this morning. Both were crying which I think Little Darling will join them next week. How? I really don't have faith....... :-(

No lesson for toddlers’ class today. Two teachers were looking after them at the Gym Room and letting them to play with toys while K1 and K2 kids were practicing their singing at the common hall.

We left at around 12.45noon but I told Little Darling he will stays whole day in future and daddy or mummy will fetch him only in the evening. ‘ Don’t want! Darling don’t want!’ as expected from him.

Mummy told him tomorrow he has to stay in the center with teachers and friends while daddy and mummy go to work. He has to listen to teachers, read books and plays with friends. Must take porridge and drink water. Let teacher change him after lunch and mummy will fetch him home for nap immediately after he change. He sometimes said ok, sometimes said no. :-(

06 Nov 2008 Thursday
Daddy’s turn to bring Little Darling to class as mummy has to go to new office for SOXA meeting (though officially start 10 Nov).

Mummy physically sat in the meeting room but totally cannot concentrate, simply couldn't stop worry our Little one. Since born, this was the first time he staying in a new environment without daddy or mummy’s company. .Mummy flew back to the center immediately when the briefing was end and reached the center at about 10.35am.

Mummy peeped from the window, Little Darling was playing puzzles with and an ang moh boy. What a relief that he was not crying. Teacher sneaked out to tell mummy that he was absolutely fine and asked mummy continue to observe from out without his acknowledgement. He followed the rest to their mini canteen for lunch.

He tagged to Teacher Pan who took over him this morning when daddy leaving for work. He followed teacher to collect bags for shower and saw my car, he pointed to the car and said mummy mummy! I was so careless to park my car just in front of the center. Little Darling non-stopped telling teacher mummy mummy but teacher tried to distract his attention by asking him to help to carry bag. Little Darling refused to help!!!!!!

Little Darling refused to let teacher change his diapers and cloth though mummy has reminded him that he shall let teachers do so. I was quite happy that he was not cry at all till I appeared to fetch him home at around 1pm.

07 Nov 2008 Friday
Mummy has reminded Little Darling that he has to stay in the center with teacher and friends till afternoon. Mummy will fetch him home only after he wake up from nap (planned to fetch him at 3pm). Mummy hand over Little Darling to teacher and hide at the outdoor playground to ensure that he is fine before I leave. He was struggled and cried a while but stopped and calm down within 5 minutes time. I left him in the center and heading home myself.

I rushed back to the center around 1pm worried that he would cry. True enough our Little one was wailing, refused to nap and drink milk. Planned failed, I have to bring him home for his afternoon nap.

Right Foot Pain!

From next week onwards, Little darling is going to stay in a childcare center as mummy is started work week after next. Thought of spending a peaceful and relaxing day with Little Darling at home since we have been very busy last two weeks zooming everywhere sourced for childcare center and Little Darling could not have his proper nap too.

This morning, when I was preparing breakfast, Little Darling was playing in the kitchen as usual though I keep reminding him that coffee is very hot, kettle is very hot etc. Before I finished nag, he kicked on the cup of coffee and burnt his right foot! I quickly soak his feet in a pot of room temperature water and tried to calm him down. He wailed loud and kept shouting ‘Mummy hug hug mummy kiss, Darling pain Darling pain Darling worry!’ After half an hour then I applied some toothpaste on the burnt foot and brought him to see doctor.

Luckly doctor said is minor and prescribed us some pain relief cream and pain killer in case Little Darling cry pain. He was fine when reach home. I applied the cream on his right foot and told him to sit tight on the chair and he really sitting there whole morning till I carried him! In the afternoon, he quikly asked mummy to hug him as he worried when he saw I made a cup of coffee! Guess he still has the phobia! Sigh.................

Hindhede Reserve Park

We have been busy running around searching for childcare center for our Little Darling on weekdays. So when it comes to weekends mummy would be simply dog tired and not able to move anymore. That was how it came to pass that long time no outing for our Little Darling. Daddy suggested bringing him to Bukit Timah Nature Reserve to see monkeys. Before that for every day Little Darling would point to Bt Timah hill faraway and say monkeys there when he saw Bt Timah hill from window in our room.

After a short stop at Farm Mart, we headed to Bt Timah Hill… The sky was dark and then clear, unpredictable, so I was worried if it would be pouring when we are half way up the hill. Ended up we let Little Darling played at the Hindhede Reserve Park. There are so many recreation facilities for kids to spend their time there. Little Darling so happy with the swing, monkey bar, etc.

When he was enjoying himself, he did not forget to look around hoping to see monkeys! We spent hour plus there but did not see any monkeys out there. Little Darling complained ‘Monkeys naughty! Go holidays not coming out!’ hahaha…. He still wanted to see monkeys, we spent an hour walking round hoping to bump into one but in vail. Little Darling was so disappointed and wailing loud! He had got too tired calling monkeys to come out. We tried our best to console him and finally lured him to go to the fast food restaurant! When he saw the statue sitting on the roadside, he said ‘ Uncle McDonald naughty, sitting on the roadside!’… hahahahaha
(all photos lost when daddy lost his handphone)

Uncle McDonald Naughty!

Have been busy running around searching for childcare center for our Little Darling on week days. When comes to wkeend mummy was simply dog tired and could not move anymore. Long time no outing for our Little Darling. Daddy suggested to bring him to Bukit Timah Nature Reserve to see monkeys. Every day Little Darling would point to far and said monkeys there when he saw Bt Timah hill from our room.

After a short stop at Farm Mart, we heading to Bt Timah Hill… The weather was dark and clear unpredicatbale, I was so worried what to do if pouring when half way up the hill. End up we decided to let Little Darling played at the Hindhede Reserve Park. There are so many facilities for kids to spend their tie there. Little Darling so happy with the swing, monkey bar etc.

When he was enjoying himself, he never forget to look around hope to see monkeys! We spent hour plus there but did not see any monkeys out. Little Darling complained ‘Monkeys naughty! Go holidays not coming out!’ hahaha…. He insisted to see monkeys, we spent one hour walking around hope to bump into one but no one is out! Little Darling was so disappointed and wailing loud! Guess he was too tired calling monkeys to come out but refused to leave. We spent a lot of effort to console him and finally lured him to go to the fast food restaurant! When he saw the statue sitting on the roadside, he said ‘ Uncle McDonald naughty, sitting on the roadside!’… hahahahaha
(all photos lost when daddy lost his handphone)

See Horse

After dinner, we brought Little Darling to Turf Club for folk songs around the world performed by Singapore Chinese Orchestra.

When we just stepped down from car, Little Darling cried ’Horse smell, horse smell!’… hahaha The air was full with horses waste smell and this little one recognised that as horse smell! He was too eager to see horse! He hustled daddy to walk fast towards the racecourse, he couldn’t be bother that the performance was started soon. With great expectation came great disappointment when he saw no horse at all! He was already not in good mood having skipped afternoon nap and now he cried to the fullest as he pestered daddy and mummy that he wanted to see horse.

Finally he cooled down after much effort to pacify him. I thought that we could enjoy the performance with peace but all seats were occupied, looked like it was some family activity as the audience was mainly grandparents and parents who brought their little ones there. With the cranky and sleepy Little one, we could only enjoyed few songs and left Turf Club before the performance ended. On the way home, our Little one kept nagging “daddy and mummy where is horse? see horse, see horse” Tomorrow go to see horse! He really loves to see animals!

Evening Walk

We went to Henderson Wave bridges late afternoon together with aunty Fei Yen and aunty Wei Ling. A green, windy and serene forest park with tall walk paths built in. Nice place for family or friends outings. Even monkeys come join the crowds too!

Little Darling was running freely on the bridge. On the way back, he stopped to admire kids sliding on the edge of the bridge (though is not advisible to do so as the rough surface could cause accident) and refused to walk further. He had forgotten about the story of ‘The Black Lamb’ (a naughty lamb who did not listen to mummy sheep, walked away from group and lost; fell from cliff when it turned dark.) Mummy purposely left him alone and observed him from far. He was shocked when he realised that he could not find daddy and mummy and started walked in the opposite way crying. Daddy quickly chased him up and hugged him.

We walked to the Henderson Arch too. It was metal canopy top where Little Darling fell three times. The Little one asked mummy to kiss his painful hands and knee caps and told mummy ‘ Darling poor thing!’ hahaha….. Poor thing because fell three times! We turned back half way before reach Hortpark as it has turned dark and mosquitoes started to attack Darling.

New Teacher New Classmates

First day of the morning class, we met Teacher Lynn in the washroom and mummy asked Little Darling to greet teacher and give her a hug. It was after a long persuasion that he said ‘teacher’ reluctantly but still insisted not to hug Teacher! I asked why he refused to hug Teacher, the answer shocked me! He said’ Darling angry!” but he did not give reason. We could only guess that he was angry because Teacher is not going to teach him. Hahaha… Actually mummy was the one who changed the class and not that Teacher did not want him! I explained to him but wondered if he understood it.

In the new class with new teacher and new classmates, Little Darling shied off for the first 10 minutes. Teacher Helen tried to talk to him but he was giving her the cold shoulders! He refused to say hello to his new friends too!
But he warmed up pretty fast when the class started. He actively participated when teacher asked him to do so and he did all the activities pretty well too though still refused to respond when Teacher Helen talk to him!

Go Farm Eat Grass

Little Darling likes to say ‘stay with goats, stay with cows, stay with horse in the farm and eat glass’ ! , just because he likes animals!

We brought him to experience it today. Instead of calling it farm I would rather say that it was kampong. There were goats, geese, ducks and cranes kept in the fenced-up area outdoor while rabbits, hamsters and iguana were kept in the hut. Dogs and parrots kept in air-con rooms.

We had to use force to drag him away from one to another section………… He simply refused to go. He stayed hours in the hut and refused to leave even though he finished feeding all the carrots to the rabbits. Hehe…. But immediately he left the place when he saw the big iguana sharing the same hut lying on the branch just next to the cage! So far he doesn’t like lizards and a bit scared of them. Again he spent a lot of time seeing dogs!

As expected we had to drag him to the car as he refused to leave. He protested and refused to take dinner but asking to go farm again. He pestered daddy and mummy to bring him go farm again and again after we reached home!