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.

Babysitting Aston for Dummies

It's been a while since hubby and I went for a holiday.  Well actually our last holiday was when I was only 5 months pregnant with Aston.  Geez....time does really fly! Aston is now 9 months old! Anyway, hubby's aunt from Singapore is in town for the Christmas holidays and hubby offered to send her back to Singapore  and take it as a chance to bring Aston on an overseas road trip.

After much thought, I've decided not to bring Aston along and have our post baby holiday instead.  I hinted to hubby that it's going to be a holiday where we are going to catch up on all the lost "woo hoo" time in the bedroom.  Oops too much information there! Anyway, hubby's eyes got big and he agreed without much hesitation.  Well frankly I am also looking forward to this "woo hoo" holiday of mine that I splurge on the hotel that cost a whooping RM1000+ a night.  Yes, you got that right and with RM1K a night is not even a presidential suite mind you.  Oh well, after consulting a girl friend of mine who is an expert in luxury hotels especially in Singapore I thought to myself that it will be money well spent.  I told hubby that this will be a once in a lifetime experience for both of us.  I can't wait for tomorrow because tomorrow night I will be sleeping in a 5 star hotel in Singapore that comes with a butler service!

Now...back to Aston.  My mum offered to babysit Aston while we go for our holiday.  Tomorrow will be the first night Aston sleeping over at grandmama's condo.  Deep down I can't let go.  It's a catch 22 really.  One hand I can't wait for my "woo hoo" trip but the other hand I can't let go of my son! Everyone asked why just one night.  Even hubby asked why not make it two nights.  I told hubby No 1 I can't afford another night in the hotel.  No 2 I miss my son.  I told hubby if I can enjoy this trip then we can plan for another longer trip that is also provided that grandmama is OK with the babysitting.

Anyway, I am so worried for grandmama and for Aston that I actually email grandmama a schedule hopefully everything will go smooth during the day.  The guide to babysitting Aston as follows:-

7.30am  Wake up

             Feed Aston 180ml** milk

             Change Diaper

8.00am  Walk around the garden 

8.20am  Aston Watch Brainy Baby Dvd

             I will shower / boil his porridge / prepare his breakfast

9.20am  Feed Aston breakfast (cereal mix with 2oz** milk (should be about same consistency as porridge.  If too thick please add water.  If too runny mix in some mashed fruit) + small portion of mashed fruit (eg banana/papaya/apple/pear/golden kiwi without seeds)

10.00am Morning nap for Aston (he usually will fall asleep between 10.30-11.00)

11.30am Wake up

              Change Diaper 

12.30pm  Feed Aston Lunch (porridge)^

1.00pm-3.30pm Playtime

4.00pm   Feed Aston 180ml** milk

              Afternoon nap for Aston 

5.30pm   Wake up

             Bath time

6.00pm  Feed Aston Dinner (porridge)^

6.30-9.00pm  Playtime

9.00pm  Feed Aston 210ml** milk

             Change Diaper

             Bedtime* (he usually fall asleep between 9.30-10pm)

*Tip: Off the lights leaving a night light or pitch black is fine with him.  Try to keep the room as quiet as possible.  Soft music is fine.

** Note:180ml water = 6 flat scoops of milk powder

            210ml water = 7 flat scoops of milk powder

            2oz water = 2 flat scoops of milk

^ Please include either one meal red cabbage in the porridge each day.

I know I sound like some control freak but I cannot help it.  I know for a fact that if Aston's routine is disturbed even if it's caused by Aston himself he will be one cranky baby the whole day!

Fingers cross everything will go smoothly !!!

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year !!!

              

            

Aston's First Class

Aston and I went to Bangsar Village to check out Gymboree last Thursday.  It was a pity that when we arrived the class just ended not long.  Nevertheless, we got the schedule and price and I registered Aston to attend a trial class today.

I was so excited for him today.  I was hoping that he won't be too overwhelmed during the class.  After feeding Aston his lunch, mummy quickly got ready and packed his diaper bag and off we went to Bangsar Village.  The traffic was pretty chaotic due to the rain but nevertheless we arrived just in time for the class.   A staff checked Aston's temperature and gave him a sticker with his name and stuck on his back.  I quickly put on my socks and put down the bag and I sat Aston down on the mat.  There was only one baby at that time attending the class so Aston was looking at him and exploring at the same time.  Just less that 5 minutes the class started.

The class started with a welcome song with hand movements.  I must admit I was pretty uncoordinated with Aston.  I think Aston must be wondering what am I doing.  Anyway, throughout the whole song Aston was looking around especially to the baby next to him.  After the welcome song, we continue with another song which I can't remember but this time it involves both the hands, legs and hugs.  I then have to lift Aston up on my shin and move him up and down and side to side.  I must say pretty good tummy work out there!

There's a socialising time where parents suppose to get to know each other while the child play with some balls.  Today's topic was family tradition.  I couldn't think of any and just came up with bubble bath! Yes... I said that my mum used to give me bubble bath when I was young and so this tradition is being carried on with Aston till today.  I thought to myself maybe this is not very suitable for Aston because he did not show any signs that he's enjoying himself neither did he cried so I guess he doesn't mind? Anyway, when the instructor took out the beach balls and asked them to kick it to their friends Aston was a champion.  He just kick and kick and kick.  Everyone was so amazed with his legs.  So I guess he's beginning to enjoy the class?

Mummy started to get tired after carrying him to do the kicking but the lesson must go on.  We moved to the slide to encourage Aston to crawl but he just refused to move.  He rather be in a sitting position instead but after some encouragement he manage to move just one or two steps forward.  During this time, another baby joined the class.  After trying to crawl up, we then moved him over to slide down.  Then we moved to the opposite side to encourage them crawl through the tunnel but Aston did not moved an inch while the other baby friend was already crawling in from the opposite end.  We ended up at the swing, then on a "log" then we went back to the center and that's when the instructor took out the parachute and blow bubbles which Aston is the only one trying to catch the bubbles.

Overall, I think Aston will enjoy it more once he starts to master his crawling skills.  As for me, I think I can treat it as my workout for the week.  So, I got sucked in to purchase their package which cost me RM2000 for one year but this also includes music class for him.  I think Aston really like music so I'm looking forward to bring him to his music class maybe this Sunday or starting next week.