New Lunch Haunt

Fuzzy sometimes surprises me on weekday afternoons by popping back home for a quick lunch with me; I'm thrilled to bits everytime that happens :) He usually packs us Subway or sushi, but recently, the choice meal has been a wrap, a fruit salad and ginger beer from Cold Storage Speciality at Tanglin. I've wondered what the place is like, since I've never been there. So for a relaxing lunch today, the three of us headed down, and tucked into roast beef wraps, fruit bowls and Saspirilla in their al fresco dining area. This is our new chill-out spot!

"Wraps make me drool..."

"Gimme fruit!"

It is not a large supermarket, but it's design is more chic than your average Cold Storage, and stocks a larger selection of wines, cheeses, dips, cold cuts etc, with a fresh wrap/ sandwich counter. I bought some organic milk, rocket pesto, and parmesan sticks that were on offer :) And it so happened that there was an organic market set up outside today. We pottered around, and I was glad to find some organic peaches for Chubbs; something I've been searching for.

I love times like this with Fuzzy and Chubbs. Makes me feel like I'm on vacation :) When we reached home later that evening, I spent Chubbs' nap preparing Fuzzy's packed lunch for tomorrow. I used the rocket pesto that we bought, and made a pasta salad with penne and Parmesan. And I also found time to bake some almond and butterscotch granola for Fuzzy and I to snack on this week. I'm a happy (greedy) mommy!

First Family Hike

Since a cousin passed us a hiking harness a couple of months back, Fuzzy has been itching to bring Chubbs to Bukit Timah Hill. I can't say that I was the most enthusiastic about the idea (I'd rather be napping at home), but I went along for the experience. Our weekends have been so packed that we never managed to squeeze in time to do it. Today was perfect because it was a lazy day in for us, which is a rarity, and Chubbs woke up from his nap at 5pm, allowing us ample time to feed him, pack the necessities, drive there and finish the hike before it got dark.

The trickiest part however, was locating my trainers. I haven't worn them since uni, and was not certain they were in the best condition. Nonetheless, I slipped them bravely on. The plastic-ky stuff around the sides started flaking off. Fuzzy shot me a worried glance and asked if they would survive the hike. I shrugged it off and said there was only one way to find out... I was prepared to go barefoot if need be. 

Chubbs loved sitting snug in his harness (he did not fuss the entire hike), and busied himself looking around at the joggers and families around. He was particularly curious about the sounds that the cicada, crickets and other insects were making. He kept staring at the logs and trees to see where the sounds were coming from. The trees provided lovely shade, the forest was cool and the air was fresh. The hike was really enjoyable, even for me. And most importantly, our little family spent good quality time together, doing something healthy for once :)

The hike up was via a steep slope. It was not easy for Fuzzy to lug a 10kg backpack up, but after some huffing and puffing, we made it to the top, all in one piece.

Chubbs was happy to pose for a picture.

Then it was time to head back down the hill. We wanted to explore off the beaten track to avoid having to walk down the steep slope; so we ventured a little into the woods. Halfway through, I casually mentioned to Fuzzy that something feels broken in my shoe, but didn't pay much attention to it. The next time I looked down, this was what I saw :/

I thought it was no big deal, and trudged on. A few steps later...

Fuzzy and I could not stop laughing. Instead of throwing it away, we decided to leave the sole on the track to provide some comic relief for the next tired trekker who came along :/

One sole less, I made my way through the dirt track, and the road, back to the car. I was thinking smugly, that at least the left shoe held up. I sat in the car and noticed this.

They have fought a good fight, only totally giving out when I got to the car, where I could change into my Birks. The best thing to come out of this shoe nightmare? I get to go shopping for new trainers tomorrow :)

Mango

Chubbs has been enjoying his peas mixed with banana/ apple. I'm pleasantly surprised. It's time to move on to mango; the one we had was sweet, juicy, fragrant and just plain yummy! I love giving him soft-fleshed fruit like this because there is barely any preparation involved. Just cut into chunks, remove the skin, pass through a strainer, mix in rice cereal and breastmilk, and we're ready to rumble.

Chubbs wouldn't open his mouth when I approached him with a spoon, so I held a piece of the fruit for him to gnaw on instead. He seemed fine with "eating" mango off my fingers (I think he only tasted a bit of juice).

Then he took one mouthful of the mango and cereal mix, and vomited. It was that bad. I don't know why. I tried giving him another bite, and he got so frustrated that he rubbed his eyes until his face was sore and red :(

"I don't want no more!"

Peas Please

Not a favourite of many, I'm sure. But it's recommended as one of babies' first foods because it's mildly sweet, mushy and very few are allergic to them.

I'm a believer in frozen peas. I think that when they are flash-frozen at their prime, they are "fresher", sweeter and more nutritional than the fresh ones in the market. Those probably were plucked when under-ripe, travelled miles before landing in the supermarket, and waited days for someone to pick them up. Besides, frozen peas are so convenient. I put a little water to a rapid boil, snipped the bag open, poured in some peas, bring water back up to the boil, wait two minutes, scoop them out, blitz them with the hand blender, and they are done!

He was in a good mood before tasting his dinner.

Then he tried some.

He took a few courteous mouthfuls before making this face.

Fuzzy and I could not stop laughing and decided not to torment him any further. Poor boy!

All the Pretty Horses

"The horse goes nnneigh...", is what I tell Chubbs everyday when reading him his Lamaze farm animal soft book. And it was about time he met these graceful creatures up close.

Our little family took a short drive to Riders Cafe at Saddle Club to meet my aunt (Yee) for lunch. We love the colonial black-and-whites, and the restaurant is housed in one. But open-air equals sweaty and sticky for Fuzzy and I, especially in today's almost 100% humidity. Nonetheless, the relaxed atmosphere, efficient staff, simple but well-exucuted dishes at reasonable prices made up for it. Chubbs settled in his seat with a rattle as the adults decided on what to eat.

Showing off his two pearly whites to Yee.

I had the Eggs Florentine (poached eggs with spinach and mushrooms, Hollandaise sauce, over toasted English muffins, served with roasted potatoes), Fuzzy ate a huge roasted beef and horseradish sandwich with steakhouse fries, and Yee ordered the beef burger with cheddar, bacon and mushrooms. The food went down very well with us; the evidence is in the spotless plates. The downside... we were too full for dessert and finished the meal with just a cuppa each. We will be back to try the rest of the menu (Buffalo wings! Yum!) and enjoy their Happy Hour too!

The most amusing thing during the meal was when a fellow diner came up to us and said that Chubbs amazing baby because he sat in his seat for 90-min without fussing. I told the man that it's probably because Chubbs has a toy for company. But he replied that toys don't matter, and babies don't sit still on their own for that long. I repeat... Chubbs surprises me everyday :) Mommy's very proud of you.

Chubbs watched the cars from his seat, but turned back occasionally to check that I was still behind him.

After the meal, we brought Chubbs to see the horses in their stables, just down the pathway from the restaurant. The horses were beautiful with slick and shiny coats. They were quietly eating hay, and looked so gentle despite thier size. Chubbs checked them out for a few minutes, and surveyed the lush, green surroundings further. He was not afraid or wary of the horses at all. Unfortunately, Chubbs didn't get to hear neighing live, and has to be content with my poor rendition for now :/

Here's a parting shot I took on our way out. Fuzzy loves this tree without leaves. Looks like a black-and-white photo, doesn't it?

Carrot

I gave Chubbs a yummy blend of apples, sweet potatoes and carrots mixed with his usual brown rice cereal for dinner yesterday. It comes in a clever tetra pack and works like a tube of toothpaste. Hygenic, convenient, and especially good for travelling because they weigh a fraction of what glass jars do. My M-I-L carried the sachets back from Australia; I have yet to see them sold here.

Chubbs has tried sweet potato before, and doesn't like it one bit. To my surprise, he was fine with this combination. However, he didn't finish his food because he was too sleepy to eat :/ I fed him the same this morning, and he finished most of his meal.

"Chewing my food carefully."

I'm pleased because carrots are great for babies and he is finally eating some vegetables. Mommy's proud of you... keep it up, buddy!

Watching TV with Daddy after dinner.

Daddy Roo

I bought this old-fashioned sarong baby carrier a few months ago, because Chubbs' weight is taking serious toll on my back, shoulders and knees :( I haven't gotten much use out of it though, since I don't feel that Chubbs sits securely enough in it. But my friend, S, has a sarong and loves using it. When she came by the other day, she showed me how to work it with baby Asher, as her trusty assistant. 

After a few trial runs, it has become Fuzzy's top choice for toting Chubbs around. We use it to lull Chubbs into a blissful, sleepy state, and he has fallen asleep snuggled up to Daddy many times :) We think it's possibly because Fuzzy provides more... urm... padding than I do, thus making it very cuddly for Chubbs. What a precious sight!

Our Favourite Izakaya

For May's date night, we went back to our favourite izakaya, i.e. a Japanese bar/snack/finger food joint, at Cuppage Plaza. Fuzzy and I used to frequent this izakaya several times a month before Chubbs came along, be it for their very reasonably priced set lunches or a simple kushiyaki (grilled skewers of meat/veg/seafood) dinner. Sadly, we haven't eaten here in more than nine months.

It was a pleasant welcome when the waitresses recognized Fuzzy and I when we arrived. They couldn't believe that Chubbs is already more than 8months old, and kept asking,"Has it really been that long?" They took turns to get to know Chubbs, stroking his face, squeezing his thighs, and all (we disinfected him the moment we got into the car). Still, it was great because they helped us entertain him for a bit. The patrons at neighbouring tables asked for Chubbs' name (surprised that he was a boy) to played with him too. Some of the aunty diners stopped by to ask who takes care of him daily, and what's his age. Chubbs was a good sport, smiling, waving hellos and goodbyes to all who conversed with him. Fuzzy kept saying how proud he was of Chubbs.

Chubbs sat in the not-so-clean high-chair provided, and looked around for about 10-minutes. It was his first time in an izakaya. He was enthralled by the delicious smells of the skewers grilling over the fire and the general buzz of the place. Once he sussed out his new environment, he settled down and played with the new Combi teether that Fuzzy got him.

"Acting out what my bib says, is overrated."

I order the oyako don (simmered chicken, egg and vegetables over rice) every time I eat here. It's my idea of Japanese comfort food. I've tried this dish across the island, and think that they make the best version of it. More often than not, Fuzzy's choice will be katsu curry don (deep-fried pork cutlet, smothered in Japanese curry, over rice). Tonight, we had a fillet of beef done teriyaki style too, and for drinks, a flask of sake. Needless to say, the copious amount of meat and rice caused us to almost roll out of the restaurant. There's always room for dessert though, which was home-baked chocolate oatmeal cookies :)

We love this place because the food is consistently above average, the prices are not exorbitant, and it's housed in a convenient location. We missed the homely Japanese fare, and will definitely be back soon. One of the waitresses summed it up when she told us that Chubbs "made all of them very happy" tonight. Yes, they made Fuzzy and I happy little campers too.

Threadfin

In case you're not very sure what threadfin is, it's more commonly known as ngor he (Hokkien)/ ma yao yu (Cantonese)/ ikan kurau (Malay). It's touted as the first fish to give babies because of its smooth and soft flesh, and many swear by it as THE fish to eat during confinement. My friends' babies all love it in their porridge. I was excited to introduce threadfin to Chubbs, and had even hoped that it will jump-start his eating.

A small cube was steamed as part of Chubbs' lunch today. I mixed it with white rice cereal, and some butternut squash puree, to mask the strong smell and give the dish some sweetness. It could be due to the texture of the meal, or the unfamiliar taste of the fish... but Chubbs took a mouthful... and gagged. Red nose and watery eyes; it was a horrible sight, so painful to watch.

I don't know when Chubbs' appetite will return. Meanwhile, I will persist in giving him what's best to help him grow up healthy, and be ready for when he wants to eat again. Admittedly, it's hard not to be discouraged when I'm throwing away all the food that I make for him at every meal. And there's always that nagging, bigger worry that he's not getting enough nutrition with milk alone :(

Froggy Bowl, Barley and a Food Sock

There have been lots of food-related happenings over the past few days. Because Chubbs' feeding problems have returned, possibly as a result of teething, I am trying out new ways to get him to eat. First up, we put some banana in his Ikea froggy bowl; since he's recently taken interest to self-feeding. The result? Let's just say that sqeezing banana through his fingers and smearing it everywhere, brought him a lot of fun, there was not much eating going on, and lots of mess to clean up :/

After this failed attempt, I whipped out Plan B(arley). It's the other organic cereal from HealthyTimes that I wanted Chubbs to try. The only way he'd eat anything nowadays, is if I make it into a soupy consistency.

As you can tell from his expression, he was not enthusiastic about it. But he was very busy kicking around, flinging food in my hair :(

By the way (sorry to digress), this is how he sits in his high-chair.

I brought out the last trick I had up my sleeve. A food sock. Well, at least that's what I call it. You put food in the sock and the baby chews on it like a teether. The mesh acts like a sieve, and the baby eats the fine bits of food that pass through.

I put some banana in it, showed Chubbs how to do it once, and he started chomping down on the sock immediately. I held it steady for him at the beginning, then he learnt to manage on his own.

I wouldn't go as far as to say it was a success. Chubbs did get the gist of the exercise, but found it more rewarding (again) to whack the cr*p out of his new "toy" on the tray table. Can someone please tell me if this is a boy thing?

In all, a couple of days of fruitless attempts to get food into Chubbs. I keep telling myself that this is a phase that will soon pass. One day, I'm sure Chubbs will eat again; I'm praying this day comes sooner rather than later.

Teething

Chubbs is officially teething! He now has two teeth! He was previously just toothing, because he only had one :/ Numero duo decided to show it's glory yesterday! However, the teething pains brought about the loss of appetite and Chubbs is again not eating any semi-solids :( He keeps pushing down in his new teeth with his tongue. Poor baby Chubbs. He must be feeling really uncomfortable.

Since he has a pair of chompers now, I figured it was time to bring out the box of HealthyTimes maple-flavoured teethers that I have been hoarding in the pantry. I laid half a piece on Chubbs' tray table, and watched him chase it around with his fingers, squealing with delight.

I brought it to his mouth, to show him that it could be eaten. He was overly enthusiastic, put the whole thing in, and was unpleasantly surprised by the sandy texture of the biscuit.

He decided it was more fun to bash his biscuit on the tray table instead, fueled by the loud noise it made with each hit. It broke down to grainy bits, and the table started to resemble a sand pit. The cleaning up was endless :/

I told him to get out of his destroyer-mode, and he thought of hiding the biscuit in his bib pouch for further bashing later.

He pouted when I caught him in the act and told him to take it back out.

When I saw that the idea of having him eat the biscuit was getting nowhere, I broke off a piece and showed him how to gum it. He caught on quickly and starting to chew the little piece he had in his hand. Only problem is, the biscuit is hard, and unless the baby knows exactly how to gnaw on it, it's a choking hazard. Chubbs proved this theory true a few times; so I had to hold the biscuit for him as he chewed.

I think he fared very well, considering it was his first teething biscuit. I shall trudge on, and let him snack on this more frequently; hopefully they will help to soothe some teething discomforts.

When Asher Came to Play

My childhood friend, S, and her little bundle of joy, Asher.

Beauty sleep before fun; the toys were patiently waiting for them.

Getting to know Asher.

Asher eyeing Chubbs' red toy :)

Sitting up on his own! Good job!

I think Chubbs was talking a little too loudly to Asher :/