Just an Update......

Wow....it's been 3 months since my last post.  Time does fly by so quickly! I can't imagine the year is ending soon and Aston will be 2 in 4 months time! Someone told me that it gets easier once they are 2.  A girlfriend of mine also just told me yesterday that they are very different when they are 2.  Well, all I can say is I will cherish every moment I have with my son because you never know when they will stop bugging you and decided to close the door right at your face! I know... I'm think way ahead but I can't help it because when I was a teen I was well pretty much in my typical teen years.  You know the lock yourself in your room, blast the music and read some magazines.

Anyway, the reason why I was away blogging is because I just couldn't find time during the day.  Well, technically I do have time just that I prefer lying in bed watching some old sitcoms like Seinfeld! Got to have some silly sitcoms to brighten up the day! It's not all rosy and nice being at home with a 19 month old who still refuse to communicate in english even though he can utter a few words like hi, daddy, mama, yehyeh (grand father), dog (his favourite word) and duck but yet manage to give you instructions by pointing and pushing you around! Kids are amazing!!

Well, actually there's so much that I would like to blog about but I just don't know where to begin.  Let's see, I have some issues with my face now.  Yes.... ever since my beautician left the centre that I usually go my face went down the hill.  I've been having really dry skin, break outs and redness all over! The condition just got worst and because I still had a few more sessions to complete so I sucked it up and just went for it.  Now, I am back with my beautician and I had to go through a major makeover as in full on dig everything out from beneath and just wait patiently till everything heals.  So, basically, I can't go out without any makeup.  Yes, it's that bad...if you know me well, a zit here and there don't stop me from going out with a naked face but THIS...oh No...THIS is a totally different story all together.  I looked like I had measles!  Needless to say the amount of money I spent for a whole new set of make up, and a whole new line of skin care...I don't even dare to think about my next month's credit card statement!

As for Aston, well he just recovered from not 1 but 2 virus one after another! It started off with a sudden fever which comes and go for 3 days and then it just stopped and out came the rashes all over his face, body and back.  Just when the rashes subsided he somehow caught another virus and had fever again but this time after the fever subsided he was down with a flu, cough and very thick phlegm.

Other than that, I am still planning for a holiday where I can bring Aston and that he will enjoy himself and not make a big fuss and ruin everyone's mood.  I am envious of parents who can just pack up and bring their babies along to anywhere in the world for a holiday.  Maybe I'm just being fussy and over protective.

As usual, I will end with a few of Aston's latest photos...

Wakey! Wakey! Mummy...it's 3AM....

We had a little commotion this morning.  It all started by Aston waking me up by standing at the crib rail.  Usually, when this happens I will just give Aston a hug and he will fall right back asleep.  However, this time I noticed that his body was really hot.  I quickly take out the digital thermometer, switched on the night light and check Aston's temperature.  The thermometer read 39.7 degrees! I was shocked and was completely awake even though I had a drowsy cough syrup before I slept.

I quickly took out the suppository and lay him down on my bed thinking I should quickly insert it before the temperature goes up any higher.  So, I changed his diaper first and then I tried to open the suppository but couldn't tear open the packaging with my hands.  Desperate moment calls for desperate measures so I called daddy who was sleeping in the next room on his phone to bring in a pair of scissors.  Daddy was shocked why at 3am I called him for a pair of scissors.  I told him that Aston was having high fever so he quickly brought in the scissors.

Somehow, when I see daddy I started to calm down a little and thought do I really need to go to that extend as in to administer the suppository without even trying to give him some oral medication to bring down the temperature.  So I asked daddy to check his temperature again and it was 39.1 degrees.  It was a slight relief that his temperature came down a little so I decided to forgo the suppository and administer him nurofen instead.  Daddy helped to cool Aston's temperature by wiping his forehead and neck with cloth soaked in ice water.  After all that, we checked his temperature again and it was 38.7 degrees.  Phew! I was relieved that his temperature reducing slowly.  However, with all that commotion Aston became wide awake and started climbing up and down of my bed as if it's morning!

I tried to calm him down by switching off all the lights and it took him about an hour before falling asleep again.  I checked his temperature again and it was 37.5 degrees.  I finally fall asleep only to be woken up by my cough! At 6.30am I checked his temperature again and it was 36.8 degrees and so I moved him back into his crib so that we both can rest well.

Aston woke up at 9am this morning and his temperature went up again to 37.8 degrees.  I fed him his milk and I freshen up myself.  After feeding him breakfast, I checked his temperature again and it was 38 degrees.  I gave him another dosage of Nurofen.  This time, Aston had another problem.  He was having constipation! He was trying really hard to push his stools out that he even cried! I can tell that he was very relieved after the stool was out and went back to his usual self.  His temperature remain at 37.1-37.5 degrees through out the day.

Just before dinner, he let out a mega explosion of soft stools and daddy said Aston has recovered because he looked much more contented after the poo.  Well, I certainly hope so too! What triggers this 3Am commotion I really have no idea!    

Aston's Progress @ 15months

My little baby has grown so much.  He can understand most of the things that we asked him to do.  He definitely knows what 'NO' means but choose to ignore it.  We are still waiting for him to utter his first words.  He still babbles a lot but none of us understand what he is trying to say.  He can walk really well and recently he even walk backwards.  Sometimes he gets so excited that he try to run but usually we will ask him to slow down because he had too many little accidents at home!

One of the major changes I noticed in him is that he is slowly outgrowing his separation anxiety.  *Touchwood* Hopefully, I don't jinx myself by saying this.  He does make noise when I try to leave him alone for a moment but after I explain to him that I will be back really quickly he will continue with whatever he was doing.  Nevertheless, he do still feel insecure when there's visitors around and that includes relatives.  Some relatives will say that he's too protective by me and that I don't expose him enough but for me I'm OK with it.  I rather he is more cautious when there's someone he is not familiar around him.

I can tell that he really enjoys Gymboree both the playclasses and music classes.  Although, I must admit he much prefer to be in the play classes because he gets to roam around freely while the music class his movements are being restricted.

Physically, he looks like he has lost a lot of weight.  I suspect that he looks thinner because he has grown taller.  Well, either he has grown taller or his pyjamas shrunk! He usually wear one piece sleepsuits to sleep and I intentionally bought it one size bigger so he will always have extra space at the foot but recently the sleepsuits fit him perfect with no extra room!

Let me end this post by sharing a few photos of Aston.

Chicken and Sweet Corn Soup

Last week I cooked chicken and sweet corn soup with pasta for Aston for his lunch.  Not to be boastful but it was so tasty! I would say I was about 90% closed to restaurant standard.  The only thing that was missing was the cornstarch to thicken the soup which I omit since my intention was to cook it for Aston.  I was so surprised how easy it was to make it.  Initially, I thought of just a simple chicken soup because Aston was down with flu and I used the sweet corn just to make it more "sweet".  I didn't expect it to taste so similar to those I had in chinese restaurants.

Anyway, below is my own version of Chicken and Sweet Corn Soup:

Ingredients:
2 pieces of skinless chicken breast cut into cubes
1/2 cup of frozen sweet corn
500ml water (estimate because I never measure)
1 Egg
Salt to taste
Pepper to taste ( No pepper for Aston)

Cooking Instructions:
Cooked in Slow Cooker
1. Put in slow cooker the chicken breast, sweet corn and water
2. Cooked for 4 hours under "Auto" function
3. Transfer to normal pot to continue cooking using stove

Cooked using Gas Stove
1. Bring the soup to a boil
2. Break the egg into a bowl (no whisking is required)
3. Pour the egg into the soup as slow as possible while stirring the soup.  This will create a "egg flower" effect in the soup.
4. Salt and pepper to taste
5. Serve while hot.

I put some shell pasta into the soup for Aston and he loved it.  Unfortunately, I did not manage to take any photos because it never came across my mind until I finished it.

 

Feeding Too Much Healthy Food?

As I mentioned in my previous post, doctor mentioned that I have to cut back on feeding Aston vitamin A because Aston is turning yellow.  Eeek! Immediately, my mind was like Oh Gosh... no more butternut pumpkin and sweet potato...what else is there to feed?

Immediately when I had the time I quickly did my research on what food that I should avoid and oh my practically my whole week's menu!  Below is a list of food that is high in Vitamin A that I usually feed Aston (not in any particular order)

1. Carrots
2. Spinach
3. Rockmelon
4. Papaya
5. Sweet potato
6. Butternut squash / pumpkin
7. Broccoli
8. Salmon

So now I have to re-think my weekly menu for Aston.  I really have no idea what to cook for him because he definitely do not fancy porridge anymore but food that has slightly more texture he doesn't like it either.  Ever since last week, I've been feeding him just rice/pasta/noodle with soup and occasionally add in steam vegie which I find the diet is not balance at all!        

The Sick Bug Is In The House........

Aston and I have been sick for a week now.  I started of by having sore throat follow by cough while Aston have flu and swollen tonsils.  I would say I am 98% recovered while Aston doesn't seem to make any improvement.  Well, also because I was on antibiotics and cough medicine while Aston was left to defend for himself.

When we went to the doctor's last week the moment the doctor look at Aston, he told me I have to cut down on feeding him Vitamin A.  Aston is a bit yellow.  He was showing me the nose and the cheeks but I just couldn't  see it.  Anyway, immediately I knew I've been feeding him too much yellow vegetables.  The butternut squash and the sweet potato.... There goes my staple vegetables for Aston!

The doctor also mentioned that Aston's throat is a bit sensitive just like his daddy.  At his age, his tonsils shouldn't be swollen.  Doctor advised no french fries ( No problem we have not introduce to him), no chocolate (Also not a problem because mummy is not a fan of chocolate) basically no fried food and when I mentioned Durian it was a big NO NO.  All this will have to wait till he is much older.  There goes yeh yeh's dream of feeding Aston durians at such young age.  Yeah....yeh yeh have this thinking that if he trains Aston early eating durian, he will love it when he is older and then Aston can accompany yeh yeh eat durian.  I obviously do not understand the logic behind this because no 1 durian is a fruit that either you like it or not.  I mean my whole family can indulge in durian but not my brother.  How do we explain that? No 2 yeh yeh is diabetic.  He himself mention that he cannot have durian.  Basically, he will only eat one seed in the morning.  That's all.  So I do not see the significant whether Aston MUST eat durian or not.

Aston's flu is viral so there's no point having antibiotics.  Doctor did prescribed flu medication and also fever medication for standby only.  Well, mummy couldn't take it any longer because it has been a week and Aston's flu doesn't seem to be going anywhere so today I decided to give him his flu medication.  Hopefully, recovery is on the way because looking at Aston couldn't breath properly especially when he wants to sleep just breaks my heart.

Surprise! Surprise!

My little baby gave me two surprises today.  Remember how I was mentioning that Aston is super clingy recently, this morning as usual I was expecting the 'waaaaaahhhh!' the moment I want to walk downstairs to wash the bottles and what not.  It did started a little but again I reassured him and told him that I am just going downstairs to wash and bring some bread up for both of us to eat.  Then, he happily walk to his toys and started playing! I was like wow!

Then, right after his dinner and bath about 7.15pm he was a bit cranky.  Initially, I thought he wanted a hug so I hugged him but that was not sufficient.  Then........*denotes actions*

Mummy: What do you want Aston?
Aston: *Walk to his room*
Mummy: *Followed him into his room from behind*
Aston: * He turned back towards the door and tried to close the door which was latched to the wall*
Mummy: *Helped him to close the door*
Aston: *Saw mummy closed the door and walk to mummy's bed*
Aston: *Climbed up the bed and stand next to his own bed making noises*
Mummy:*Hands him his beanbag and pacifier*
Aston: *Put his pacifier in his mouth and hold on to his beanbag and lie down on the bed*
Mummy: *Lie down quietly beside Aston*

10minutes later.....
Aston:ZZZZzzzZZZzzZZ
Mummy: *Changed him into his pyjamas*
Mummy: *Carry him back into his cot and still couldn't believe Aston went to bed all by himself*

I'm so proud of my little baby! This is the first time that he went to bed all by himself.  Usually, we will go through a routine of giving him a nice rub with warm towel, change him to his pyjamas, milk then he will twist and turn in his crib before falling asleep and usually he will take at least 30minutes in his crib before falling asleep.

I still can't believe it!

A Romantic Night to Remember......

Last Friday, mummy got stood up by one of my girlfriends for dinner at the very last minute.  Yes! Let me reiterate it was one of my GIRLFRIENDS (you know who you are!) and it was VERY LAST MINUTE.  It was so LAST MINUTE till any minute later I received the call I would be out of the house! So, my GIRLFRIEND you OWE me a cup of hot Chai Latte and a slice of cake somewhere with COOL weather preferably.

Anyway, so since my dinner and gossip plans went out the window, I came crawling back to daddy to be my partner for the night.  I mean it is Friday night afterall and Aston was well taken care off by grandmama!  Well, to prove my love to daddy that he's not my standby partner, I made all the plans and I decided to try out one of the "Chef Creations by UOB".  We were contemplating either to have it in Daily Grind in Bangsar Village or Prego in Westin.  Mind you all the set menu is only RM168++ per COUPLE.  I must admit, I do like finest things in life and this include food so in my heart I was rooting for Prego.  I asked daddy does he prefer Burger or 450g of Angus Beef and I actually answered on behalf of daddy and said Angus Beef and straight away I called up to make reservations.  Luck was by my side, and we manage to get a reservation in Prego and to top it off we were expecting really bad traffic to town but surprise surprise we were there in 30minutes! Phew, otherwise the Angus beef is going to be a buffalo because daddy will be so mad.

So, we were all smiles all the way to town, dropped off the car at the valet and walked into Prego and I totally forgotten to take any photos from there on.  So, I can only describe what happen next unfortunately.

We were taken to our table with special "Chef Creations" menu on our table.  We ordered a bottle of stilled water and a loaf of bread was served with tomato salsa.  The bread was so good that the both of us could have just finish the whole loaf but we stopped half way.  We ordered our food and this is what we had:-

Barbequed Quail, Fig Vinegar, Grapes, Pecorino Pepato and Thyme

***

Chargrilled Yellowfin Tuna, Borlotti Beans, Salsa Verde (Mummy)

450g Angus Grain-Fed T Bone Steak, Ortiz Anchovy Butter (Daddy)

***

White Chocolate Panna Cotta, Coffee Caramel, Coffee Praline

Daddy loved the steak so much that he completely ignored the Ortiz Anchovy Butter because he said the butter overpower the beef.  The beef was really juicy and tender and it was cooked to perfection.  As for mummy, the fish was not too bad too with very tasty beans.  However, I must say the texture of the fish does resembles a little bit like chicken so it's really filling.  I couldn't finish my portion.  As for dessert, I loved the Panna Cotta but I couldn't finish it not because it's not good but I'm just too full and we wanted to have coffee to end the night.  Daddy said the coffee praline was really good too.  It leaves our mouth a nice coffee aroma hence we ended up having tea instead of coffee.  We ordered a pot of lychee rose tea to share. I remembered the last time I had lychee tea was when I was studying high school in Perth! Such sweet memory.  We thoroughly enjoyed the evening.

I complete my night by watching episodes after episodes of One Tree Hill Season 9.  Yeah...can never get enough of teen series.  Gossip girls are Next!

When to Let Go?

I have noticed that I am getting more and more attached to Aston that I can't let go of him. I mean besides from his usual weekly sleep over at grandmama's house, other than that I can't imagine myself leaving him with some one else while I do my own thing. As I mentioned in my previous entry, sometimes I do go bonkers when Aston is clingy and whiny the whole day. Then when I thought about returning to work all this negative thoughts come haunting me. Actually, why I suddenly thought of returning to work is because recently I realised that I am getting more and more impatient with Aston to the extend that I felt like hitting him or sadly slapping him did came to my mind for that spur of the moment. I thought that perhaps having such thought is not right as a mother which brings me to the big question should I return to work? Well, I did imagine returning to my previous job then when I imagine how my son is I just told myself forget it. Even if I get a helper I will not fully trust her until she proves to me otherwise. Even if she had proven she is capable I just cannot imagine what is going on at home without any supervision from some one that I can trust. I mean a helper is a helper. Just like for instance today, I was feeding Aston some steam rice when we were having our dinner and then I saw something that shouldn't even belong in the bowl! I found a freaking worm in the rice!! Luckily, I somehow manage to spot it and stop feeding Aston. I just completely lost my appetite. I mean come on a worm! My FIL saw me fiddling with the spoon because I was trying to make sure what I saw is really what I saw and asked me what is it and I told him there is a worm in the rice. He said that it's cook and it's extra nutrient. Or something to that effect because to me a worm be it dead or alive in your food is just foul! Anyway, I answered him politely that once I see it I don't like it. Then he started saying some worm from I don't know what tree is as thick as a human thumb and it tastes sweet. I just told him I am afraid of worms. So back to my point, how do you let go and trust your helper especially when there is a little one involved...? Looks like I am stuck with my precious son till the day he decides that he can take care of himself. So Aston, please don't be so whiny mummy still can't figure out your baby talk so sometimes I really don't know what you are unhappy about.

Blogging From the iPad

Gosh! I didn't realised that blogging from the iPad the outcome will be so different. I mean look at my previous entry no paragraph at all when I actually did. I didn't know that once publish is not as per what I've written. I can't upload any photos too. Oh well, daddy said that the installer for unifi is coming next week. Fingers cross hopefully our wifi will be back in action so that I can update my applications and use the laptop instead and upload some photos of Aston. Oh by the way, can someone teach me how to do watermark on the photos? It seems that people can just take the photo and use it elsewhere without getting your permission! How rude!

Mummy Lost Touch In Blogging

I've been so lazy lately...well not lately it has been three months since I last blog...I just couldn't make myself log in to blog. I enjoy reading other people's blog by the way so YES i've been on the internet but just not in blogspot. I think the major issue was due to Astro on Demand. Hahaha excuses! Excuses! Well I think that contributed about 20% of my laziness. The balance were either not much ME time during the day and by night I am exhausted. Aston just turned 14 months by the way. So for mummies out there you can imagine at this stage where they just started walking and enjoying every step of it that at times they decided to run and then they trip and the loud "wAhhhhhhh" begins. They also enjoy walking so much that they just look at their own feet or at their toys that they are holding and BANG into the wall or a piece of furniture! Recently, Aston even manage to climb up the sofa! He knows how to come down leg first but I am just worried one day he may fall from the arms of the sofa because they are quite low. So now I officially have an active toddler at home. Aston still can't call mummy or daddy. He babbles all sorts of sounds throughout the day but none of it makes any sense to me. There was once daddy scolded him for touching something that he shouldn't touch he started babbling away till he cried! The tone of his voice was like "why are you scolding me all the time? I didn't do anything wrong! I just want to see what is that thing" Then he cried and come running to mummy. I saw the whole scenario it was so funny I wish I had my phone with me at that time so I can record it. Yeah now he is like my shadow. I must be seen ALL the time! I can't even go to the toilet in peace because nowadays the moment I get up he will start making noise and come running and hug my legs. It was a very sudden change in him. I really hope this is just a phase called separation anxiety as per the book and it will pass real soon otherwise I am going bonkers! At times like this I wish I am back at work! Now I really understand why some mothers prefer to be at work. If it is like this all the time oh gosh I am gonna tell daddy that i QUIT! Well, that is all for now. Hopefully, I can get the momentum going again....

Aston's Progress @ 10months

I can't believe it! My little baby is turning one in a couple of months and this mummy still have no clue about his birthday party. Should we have a private one where we celebrate among close relatives or shall we have an elaborate party to make up for his fullmoon? All I know is that I must buy him a number 1 birthday cake. If mummy had a big number 1 cake I can't accept my son only had a small miserable cake.

Anyway, back to Aston's progress. He progressed so quick that i don't know where to start. He's been moving and exploring around as much as he can. It's a pity that his boundaries are very limited because the house is not childproof. There's always the dirt on the floor, the dust on the carpet, the little step before you enter the bathroom, the backdoor, the things in the cupboard, the things on the table and the list goes on...and mind you this is only the beginning because Aston just started moving around in his walker or crawling. I can't imagine what it will be like when he starts walking!

In terms of meals, mummy again been repeating the same food over and over again. Only this month I tried not to puree too much to encourage him to chew more. I noticed that he is a bit lazy to chew. Anyway, eversince I started mashing using the sieve and giving him tiny bits of fruits he's a lot better at chewing now.  By the way, he now has 4 bottom and 3 upper teeth.

Behavior wise, he is getting more and more mischevious. His temper is getting a little bit out of hand. I don't know what makes him shriek and once he starts he doesn't stop until you distract him with something which usually requires you to carry him. I am very worried because he puts in a lot of strain to his throat and everytime he shriek his body will shake and his face will turn red! I hope it is just a phase and hopefully it will pass soon.

Everyday there's something new about him that I don't know what to write......so I shall leave you with some photos

Aston is able to hold and stand up by himself and loves doing it too!

I am 10 months old today

First day of CNY in his new attire.

Aston can't wait to go visiting on second day of CNY

Aston with Grand Uncle Kevin

Aston and GreatGrandPapa

Aston and Grand Aunty Stacey

Aston first up close and personal with the lion

My Most Successful White Bread

I decided to bake for my parents today as they are coming to visit.  Usually, the white bread that I bake had one minor imperfection.  That is the top is very white while the other sides are nicely brown.  Something like below.

My first attempt to making rosemary bread

Anyway, the ingredients to the bread I made today using the bread machine as follows:-

235ml warm water

25g     white sugar

7g       bread machine yeast

60ml   vegetable oil

410g   bread flour ( I used high protein bread flour)

6g       salt

30g     mixed goodies (psyllium husk, flax seed, oat bran, buckwheat)

The directions as below....

According to my dad, weighing directly inside the mixer is the most accurate.

Activate the yeast by putting in water, sugar and yeast.  Wait for 10 minutes and the result will be like above or at times even more bubbles.....

After activating the yeast, add the remaining ingredients ( I forgot to take a photo) and just put it in the machine and start the cycle.  The above photo was taken after the machine started kneading.

3 hours later......

Nice and yummy bread!

Waiting for it to cool

Top View of the bread

Side view of the bread

Another side view of the bread

I will try to bake some buns once I can find a tray that can fit in my convection oven.  Otherwise, I will need to get a new oven..** Hint Hint hubby**

The "Love" Virus.....

While I was enjoying my "woo hoo" holiday in Singapore, my little baby came down with a fever.  I was not even aware until I came home.  Anyway, grandmama and grandpapa noticed that Aston is having fever.  Grandpapa even felt a little paranoid because he took him for a quick dip in the pool just hours before and thought he caught a cold.

Anyway, grandmama was worried that his temperature may go very high in the middle of the night and decided to bring him to the doctor and have him check out.  The doctor said that the fever is very mild and is due to teething.  Grandmama gave Aston some Neurofen and the fever subsided.  Grandmama noticed that once the medication wears off the fever will return.

On the way back from Singapore, I started to feel my throat a bit sore.  I knew that I'm falling sick and told grandmama to bring along her Manuka honey.  During my pregnancy with Aston, I fell ill once and because I couldn't take any medication I tried Manuka honey and it worked.  However, this time round the virus was too strong.  I felt horrible the next day maybe due to lack of sleep.  I couldn't sleep well as I kept waking up to check on Aston's temperature.

Aston had a high temperature in the middle of the night and I had to wake him up to give him his medication.   The next day I told papa that we need to go see the doctor as I am feeling very horrible and Aston is coming down with some cough.  Doctor told me that it's viral and no point giving me any antibiotics.  He prescribed some vitamins to boost my antibody and let my body fight the virus instead.  Aston also caught the virus and I suspect is from papa because he was sick before the trip! Anyway, Aston too was being told that he needs to fight of the virus on his own.  Aston also developed congested nose and had trouble falling asleep.  After we came home from the clinic, Aston fever shot up to 39 degree and I quickly administer the suppository as advised by the doctor.  Initially, I was a bit worried on how am I going to administer it but when the time comes I just did it! I ended up letting him sleep on my bed and on my pillow so that I can immediately attend to him when he starts coughing or couldn't fall back asleep as his nose was congested and also easier for me to take his temperature.

So, both Aston and I was so sick and that's how we welcome 2012....by spending time in bed.  It was so bad for Aston that we even look high and low for a pediatrician but none was open due to public holiday.  We ended up going to Pantai and got a medical officer to check him out.   After one week, we finally recovered well not 100% but 99%.  We still left with a bit of phlegm that just refused to go away.

Aston's sickly look...

Not a very happy boy....

Waiting for the Medical Officer in Pantai Hospital

Still waiting.......

And waiting.......

Can't wait no more..let's explore!

Hmm... Aston suddenly felt much better...

Daddy felt sad for Aston's discomfort

This is how Aston sleep due to his congested nose

 

Ahhhh......Money Well Spent........

Hubby and I went for a one night trip to Singapore after Christmas.  Actually, the purpose of the trip was to drive hubby's aunt back to Singapore.  So I took this opportunity to take a short break and spend some quality time just the two of us.  

After I settled Aston, we drove him to my parents' house before picking hubby's aunt in Subang.  I thought I will feel very heavy hearted after leaving Aston at my parents' place but somehow I was looking forward and couldn't wait to reach Singapore just like a small girl going for a holiday! Perhaps deep down I am desperate for a break.  Or maybe the idea of staying in St. Regis even for just one night overpower my heavy heart.

We arrived Singapore quite late because we decided to stop over in Malacca for lunch.  We were hoping the GPS will bring us to some authentic Nyonya food but unfortunately the GPS bring us to a restaurant that cannot be found! We spend nearly 1 hour looking for restaurant after restaurant listed in the GPS but all no where to be seen plus the heavy traffic in town we lost our patience and decided to just park around Jonker's Street and grab whatever we can find.  We ended up having Wanton Mee that all 3 of us agreed does not resemble Wanton Mee at all.  

We dropped by aunt's house and had dinner before driving to St. Regis.  We were a bit phobia with the GPS after our incident in Malacca.  Anyway, surprisingly it was very accurate and we arrived St. Regis without any error.  The moment we arrived St. Regis we were greeted by the porter.  We were asked whether do we want to valet the car and being a 'kiasu' hubby asked whether can we parked ourselves.  At the back of our mind we were thinking it must cost a bomb for it to be valet parked at St. Regis....but surprise..surprise... it's complimentary! So of course being a typical 'kiasu' we immediately said OK to the valet.

The porter helped us with our bag and brought us to the reception area for check in.  Suddenly we felt like some rich and fabulous.  The check-in was a breeze and we were being showed where we can have our breakfast the next day.  The porter then brought us up to our room.  And this is what our room looks like...ahh heavenly!

Entrance to the room from the inside

To the left of the foyer in the room.  There's no coffee/tea making facilities in the room as we have 24hours butler service  that will make us coffee / tea on our request

Another view of the bar.  In the drawers are tidbits and mini fridge

The elegant writing desk.  Flat screen tv and Bose hi-fi system to the right.

Our King Size Bed

The sofa by the window with automated blinds

Wash Basin for Him

Free Standing Bath Tub with TV

Wash Basin for Her

Shower with Jet and Rainfall shower head....ohh How I miss you!

I am a terrible photographer.  I have actually missed the walk in wardrobe and the touch screen telephone.  So anyway, the bed is just perfect.  Not too firm or too soft.  There's also a pillow menu which again I have missed out.  Only found out minutes before we check out.  Roughly went through the list there's all sorts of pillow ie down feather, firm, U shape etc.. The sound system was excellent! There were two jazz CD given and the music makes the room even more romantic.  We even get to choose the lighting to set the right ambience.  

The breakfast served was really good as well especially the eggs station.  They even served eggs benedict.  Hubby said that the 'har gow' was really good because it was whole prawn inside.  Anyway, we had a long breakfast to enjoy as much food as we can because everything was so good.  

Overall, it was money well spent! No regrets and I wonder when we will ever get a chance to indulge in such luxury again......

Aston's Progress @ 9months

I just realised that I have not blogged about Aston's progress at 9 months.  Frankly, the month passed by so quickly that I have no idea what to blog about Aston's progress!? Oh...yes let's start by Aston's recent statistics.  Aston now weighs 8.8kg and 70cm in height.  It seems that Aston had dropped from his current percentile in both his weight and height but the doctor assured us that he is still very healthy and I should continue what I'm doing.

Aston now eats 3 solid meals a day and he has progressed from being a vegetarian to a meat eater.  Yes, I have finally started introducing white meat to him.  He doesn't seem to enjoy it as much maybe because the meat is not as tender as it should be and caused him to choke occasionally.  I tried my best to make the meat as fine as possible from using commercial mince pork to even chopping the meat myself but somehow  some of the meat still turns out quite chunky for Aston.  Again, I am in such a dilemma because the doctor did mentioned that I should be introducing lumpy food to Aston but what consist as "lumpy" food? I noticed that even soft carrots that I chopped instead of mashed he will still gag.  Anyway, I still continue to puree the vegetables especially vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower and cabbage before putting into the porridge.  I am still waiting for hubby to buy me a handheld blender so that I can make more variety for Aston such as chicken & vegetable stew, instead of porridge every lunch and dinner.

Well, in terms of development Aston can crawl a little bit now but loves to try standing when holding onto a bolster or our body.  Anyway, here are a few of Aston's latest photos.