Baby Show

Chubbs got into the semi-finals for a baby show at the Expo BabyCare Festival. It runs from today until 1 March. I saw an ad on the Internet and sent Chubbs' photos in for fun. He was short-listed for the "Enchanting Eyes" category. Super cheesy.

Nonetheless, we dressed Chubbs in his most comfy gear, and packed many bibs along. We expected the exhibition to be rather empty considering it's a weekday afternoon. Surprise! We even had trouble with getting a parking lot.

What was more shocking was how poorly organised the event was. We were told to register at the stage when we arrived, but none of the event helpers knew what was going on. There were more than 50 babies waiting around. Chubbs looked to be the youngest there, as most of the others were old enough to run around. When the "in-charge" finally arrived, our attendance was noted and we lined up to wait for our turn. Chubbs was lucky no. 13 in the final group of contestants to go on stage. So we waited. Chubbs played with his toys and the other babies, sang with mommy, danced with daddy... after more than an hour, Mr. Enchanting Eyes ran out of steam, and I put him down for a nap. The rest of the tots were getting restless and grouchy and the parents were doing their best to keep them awake.

We were there from 1pm, and it was at last our turn to go on stage at 3.15pm (after being told to line up for the 5th time). Chubbs woke up just in time to charm the judges with his smouldering look (i.e. droopy eyes).

Still, I'm very proud of him because he behaved great throughout (didn't cry or fuss at all) despite having missed his feed and slept little.

The organisers will call to say if Chubbs made it to the finals, which will be held in two days. For once, Fuzzy and I are almost hoping we don't get a call-back. Sorry Chubbs.

 "I'd rather be doing this..."

Happy Birthday Gong-Gong and Tai-Gong!

We had a busy weekend, celebrating my dad's and Fuzzy's grandad's (TG) birthdays (both 25th Feb).

For TG's 85th birthday, we threw a BBQ for the extended family at home on Saturday. The spread was excellent! We had 200-day grain-fed beef and pork chops from Huber's Butchery, grilled sambal stingray, prawns and squid, lots of lovely salads, garlic bread and the works (kudos to my SuperWoman M-I-L). After which, we had Anderson's ice-cream cake, chocolate chip crepe cake, and Balmoral's butter-cream cake for dessert (FYI, there's always cake in our house). Predictably, we over-ate.

"I love my Tai-Gong!"

Sunday lunch was heaps of left-overs from the BBQ, and for dinner, I treated my dad to Peach Garden at OCBC building (on the 33rd floor, the view is fabulous). The food was good as usual (we were last there over CNY), even though they got our orders wrong a few times. The service over at their Novena branch is definitely better. There were a few other baby girls there that night, and Chubbs lost no time in making friends.

Checking out the girls.

He was well-behaved through the first half of dinner, but got restless after that. He needed his beauty-sleep, and it was past bed-time.

"Let's go home, mommy!"

So off we went, with our weary baby in tow. We ended our yummy weekend with a very shrieky car ride. To soothe my ears, I had left-overs from Peach Garden for lunch the next day. Heh. Time to rest our tummys now.

Over the Past Week

 new jeans

 suckling rat

This is the wrap that we used to bring him home from the hospital. It is so "small" now!

How Chubbs plays with Ellie.

Step 1: Reach 

Step 2: Crawl/ Worm/ Shimmy 

Step 3: Grab 

Step 4: Abuse/ Play/ Eat 

Peek-a-boo!

This is what Chubbs does everytime we wipe his face down.

Had a good laugh?

Play-Date

A few days back, S brought her 3-month old baby boy, Asher, over for a play-date with Chubbs. The babies were very pleased to have company, and us moms managed a little conversation too.

 Hello! Hello!

Asher took a short nap in Chubbs' rocker, fed, then the boys got into the crib for some tummy-time.

 Belly good!

 Hugs...

Chubbs was very excited, chatting with Asher and trying to touch him the whole time. I think poor Asher was a little over-whelmed :/ But it was a great play-session all round. S and I concluded that the baby boys enjoyed it because Chubbs was happy sharing his toys, and Asher fell contentedly asleep in the car-ride home.

 Till next time...

Tender Moments

Awww...

Telling Time

Last night, Chubbs demonstrated to me that he already knew how to tell time. He woke up crying at 12, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7am. I don't know why he was upset, and it was heart-wrenching to watch.

He was inconsolable except when nursed. It took roughly 30-min each time to comfort him and lay him back down to sleep. By then, I only managed to catch less than 45-min of rest before I was woken again. Don't think I had any deep sleep at all. Believe this interruption of sleep was a popular form of torture during the 70's?

 "I'm sorry, mommy..."

I Heart You

I don't care for Valentines Day. Fuzzy learnt this the hard way last year :/ Sorry again, my love. Nonetheless, an unexpected turn in events has made Feb 14 an important date in our calendar.

"Good on you, daddy!"

We celebrated by heading out to a Spanish dinner. This place is great because it is always quiet, nearby, reasonably priced, and they serve Jamon Iberico (aka Pata Negra), which is the cured ham of free-range Spanish black pigs that only eat acorns. I had it the last time we were there, and it was melt-in-the-mouth good (swoon).

on the way to dinner

Because Fuzzy has been unduly concerned about his waistline, we gave the Jamon (50% of each slice is pure, white fat) a miss. We ordered the usual Spanish suspects and wine. Food was tasty and the wine was surprisingly very good. The meal was adorably punctuated with sounds of Chubbs blowing raspberries (his new skill), and his loud conversations with everyone around (trying to out-do the restaurant din).

Today was also the first time we unveiled Chubbs' stroller. He was previously unable to use it because it was meant for kids one year and up (aka kids who can sit up). But since Chubbs has become more stable upright, we decidedly to let him try it out. He alternated between sitting in it and on our laps, all the time checking out the dinner commotion, studying how we eat and playing with his toys.

"I don't mind my pram..."

"but I prefer mommy's lap!"

Fuzzy joked that I was double-booked tonight. It is a blessed feeling... I have been converted. Valentine's is a beautiful time to remind my better half and darling son, that they are loved, and that they make my life complete. I heart you (and you).

my two LOVEs

Days are Long, but the Years are Short

This past week, I have been having a difficult time with Chubbs. His sleep pattern has gone totally bonkers. The schedule used to be: wake for 2 hours, sleep for 1 hour. Going by this, he had around 4 naps during the day. I'd put him down for his nap by cuddling and rocking him till he winds down and closes his eyes, and then lay him in his crib. He'd look up at me when I put him down, but fall asleep on his own. If he fusses, I pick him up again, comfort him, and put him down again to let him fall asleep. I repeat this process as many times as necessary. It is extremely labour-intensive and takes nuclear amounts patience (not one of my virtues). But I take deep breaths and do this because I am vehemently against the "cry it out" approach (will probably post my views on this later).

Despite our best efforts, things have changed. Chubbs has learnt that if he is being cradled, he's being put to sleep. So he wages war. He struggles, pulls his ear, scratches me, kicks, whines... So I thought I'd try something else. I lay him in his crib once he is sleepy, then I pat his back, massage his shoulders, rub his tummy/back, stroke his head, sing, hum, read... This goes on for more than an hour (I almost collapse with exhaustion). Nothing works until I nurse him. To which he falls asleep within minutes. Websites suggest the pacifier. I gave it a shot. Chubbs spat it out.

 Tired but can't sleep :(

I'm at my wits end. The past few nights, he finally falls asleep at 11.30pm (while nursing for the 3rd time). But proceeds to wake up at 1am, 4am, 6.30am, 7.30am. Sleep-deprived, and very upset that I cannot comfort my son, I read all the forums that I could lay my hands on today. To my surprise, a lot of parents face this problem between 4-6 months. Rationale is, that baby is cognitively so absorbed with learning to crawl, babble, eat, etc., that he is too distracted to sleep. Babies just want to practise their new skills as much as they can. This phase will supposedly pass in 2-4months! Also for Chubbs, his thigh was very swollen and red after his jab the other day. I think he was hurting and needed more soothing comfort.

 Yaaawn...

 The rare nap...

Because sleep is so hard to come by for Chubbs now, I have been holding him to sleep in my arms (instead of putting him down and risk waking him up). I think it's more important for him to get good rest (that's when he grows most and brain filters all he has learnt) than me being able to get stuff done. With the to-do list out the window, I have been watching him sleep in my arms, noticing his every smile, twitch of the nose, etc. I am content.

As you can guess, my arms are beyond tired, and my back muscles very sore. But I know I can never get these tough days with Chubbs back. I remind myself that the days might be long, but the years are short. All too soon, my baby boy will not need me to dance/sing/hold him to sleep, rub his back, nurse him... anymore. Meanwhile, I'm going to cherish every moment.

 Rested and happy!

Happy 5-months!

Chubbs turns 5-months old today. He had an early celebration by going on a date with gf, Isabelle, yesterday. Fuzzy, Chubbs and I met up with dear friends TW, M and their little darling for a leisurely lunch at Dempsey. Chubbs was very taken by Isabelle, and chatted to her excitedly through the day. She was keen on him for a while, but soon lost interest :/

Chubbs holding her hand...

Electricity...

Coffee was back at our place, where we put the babies in Chubbs' cot to see whether they'd play together. Chubbs was thrilled, kicking, laughing, and drooling. Isabelle was rather unimpressed.

Chubbs stayed awake the whole time Isabelle was around, only to collapse the minute she left. Think he really likes having a play-mate around. He slept for 2-hours before heading out to my aunt's place for Lo Hei no. 8 this year.

Both his vaccinations went well today. He now weighs 7.7kg, and is 65cm in length. The heart murmur that the doctor detected previously is still there. We are considering a scan next month. For now, I'm just praying that Chubbs doesn't develop a fever after this jab :/

Adios!

Recent Pictures

 Convocation already?

 The Thinker?

 Camouflage.

 Thunder thighs :/

 "I love Levi's!"

 Chubbs' guardian angels.

 Creeping along...

Quirks

1) We often wake up in the mornings to find Chubbs secretly peeking at us through his rails. He doesn't call for us. He just lays there watching :/ When I finally get up and go to him, he rolls over and giggles. Cheeky!

 I see you...

2) When Chubbs is sitting in his "potty", he has this habit of doing funny things with his feet and toes. Wriggling them, gnashing them together, ankle rotations etc. Fuzzy insists this is my (bad) influence because I always dig my feet into him (Fuzzy) when watching tv.

 Clappity feet...

3) Chubbs sleeps with his ear (only the right) folded in. We have made uncountable futile attempts to undo it, but he has this habit of thrashing his head vigorously from side to side when he sleeps. So when that happens, the ear automatically gets flipped again.

 As a result, it sticks out further than his left ear). This "imperfection" has caused Fuzzy much grieve. I think the slightly Dumbo effect is endearing.

4) He attempts to roll out everytime we put him down now.

 "I won't give up!"

5) Like most babies, Chubbs finds the concept of reflection intriguing. He is excited by mirrors because he sees another set of mommy and daddy and almost always smiles at our reflections.

 "Is that you, mommy?"

Firsts

The past couple of days were the firsts for quite a few things...

I had to pop into the office today to clear some stuff up, and Fuzzy could not take the day off. So for the first time ever, neither of us were by Chubbs' side. We left him with our trusty helpers at home for 3-hours. I'm glad to report that everything went smoothly (I admit I called home several times). He played, took a nap and was fed the bottle, all without any fuss. I came home to the same round, pink, happy baby, who was very pleased to see me :)

I also caught the premiere of him putting his foot in his mouth today. Think this will be his new fascination from now (he was previously obsessed with his hands).

 Yum yum...

I had a bite too... I must say it's definitely an acquired taste :/

Last night, we tried on pull-up pants for our little darling. He looked like a baby sumo wrestler, with his chunky legs and tummy spilling over. We were tickled pink.

A few days back, Chubbs fell asleep on his tummy for the first time, with me patting and rubbing his back. It was early in the morning and I was too tired to get up and carry him. So Fuzzy lay him beside me in bed, and went to get ready for work. When he came out of the bathroom, Chubbs had fallen asleep beside me. It was precious.

 Awww...

Lastly, we caught Chubbs sleeping in a seriously weird position. His left arm was not touching his face, and his right arm was not touching the bed. Fuzzy and I tried to sleep like so, but simply could not manage it.

 Mad skills