My 2011

Happy New Year. It comes every year doesn't it? Hah, this year we had Sukiyaki at Wai Gong and Wai Po's house.

Irwin brought some sake over, while Mummy bought some really nice beef and kurobuta. I brought Teddy over...haha, this in itself is quite an effort. I get quite tired when I bring Teddy out, but a lot of satisfaction.

Teddy is really adorable. Quite frankly, he is the centre of attraction for family gatherings. I can't quite imagine time without Teddy (but maybe more quality time to myself haha).

2011. Today Irwin and I went to Great World to do our (or rather Teddy's) groceries. I was rather amazed at the egg range. There is organic, there's kampung free range, and there's Omega plus or Vitamin E plus... After contemplation, we decided to go for organic eggs so that we can limit pesticides residues at this age. Thereafter, I grabbed the same weekly groceries, fish, pork, broccoli, pumpkin, sweet potato. Looking at our trolley versus the others, I felt we had a really healthy selection haha... but thats because its baby food.

When I came home from the supermarket, I pumped milk, and then went on to puree parsnips + Sweet Potato. Frankly, parsnips has a rather interesting/ weird smell to me. I hope Teddy likes it, but I would rather he be exposed to as many different flavours than to overprotect his tastebuds. So far, he has been an easy and sensible eater. I gave him blended broccoli + cauliflower, and he ate them quite quickly... of course if there was a sweet touch, for example if I blended in apple, he would take half the time, for example 15 mins to finish the meal.

So there you go, this post is supposed to be about 2011, and I think the above says it all. My thoughts are all about Teddy...and I guess it will stay this way... ;)

Theodore is eight months old, and I am getting ooh so busy

Theodore is eight months old. Weekdays - its work. Weekday evenings - its Theodore. Weekends - its Theodore.

Theodore is very vocal and curious now. He is 'talking' most of the time and yesterday he said 'bah bah bah bah'.

He even makes funny faces now. Apparently he started doing so after attending a kids birthday party.

I am sure he is a happy child. From my perspective, so am I happy to see him grow and grin when he sees me.

But ehhh I am so tired. We have to buy fresh ingredients for him weekly, and I puree them in advance on the weekend. I love him, but you know sometimes, you never get a break. Even if I go for a monthly facial now, I think of him while lying on the bed.

There is really a lot of work involved when having a child. Especially when you dont want to leave him in the total hands of a outsider.

Ooh haha, but I must admit we did mess up his solids a little. We decided to puree lamb and sweet potato for him. It was too heaty for him. Currently we are trying peas - I hope it is ok at eight months. Our pd recommended that each new food should be introduced for a period of seven days to test for allergy. We have decided to go for the four day rule instead... its really quite troublesome and it must be boring aint it to eat the same for seven days? But luckily we observed the four day rule, as TD showed signs of allergy to the lamb after the second day (though he really enjoyed it). We took it off his diet and he was then fine. During our parents time, they didnt go by four or seven days rule, and we survived...why are things more complex these days?

The Happy Baby

Its going to be a busy week. Tomorrow, Theodore will have his first try at swimming in a real pool. Baby Joshua will be there too. Fingers crossed that the eczema will stay in check since swimming can further dry the skin. He needs to be showered quickly after the swim as chlorine is drying for the skin.

After that Theodore has to attend Elton's first year old party at Four Seasons Hotel. On Sunday, he will attend Charlotte's four years old birthday party.

Oh yea, so he is very happy, and we are very busy. Irwin and I always joke about how we are 'confirmed parents' as our schedule now revolves around him, only. On Sunday I will buy some fresh peas to cook for him - oh yes, and to grab some diapers too...

I like to do Push Ups!

Theodores likes to get into this position. In the evening, when TD plays on Wai Po's bed, he likes to crawl, or attempt to crawl. He frequently gets into a push up positon! Not sure whether it is because he is very strong, or he is just confused...haha

Lets see - since returning home, his eczema is improving, but so sloowly... am tempted to move back to Wai Po's house where he gains quick recovery, but realised this can't be a long term solution! So we used Dettol to mop and clean the house again. Hmm didnt work as well. We then tried a Dettol air spray which apparently kills even the H1N1 virus! Ok, he is now on the road to recovery, but so sloowly.... he needs Wai Po's love..hahaha

More food for the chomper:

Puree Pumpkin... and currently

Blended Pear! Pears turn brown so quickly. I sliced up 2.5 pears this morning (very quickly) and then used the blender. By the time I freeze them, they were all brown (hopefully still very nutritious). Hah, many new things to learn..including the pears..

What A Trip...

Whoa guess what happened for the past one month? Hah, Theodore and I stayed with my parents for a month in a fight against eczema.

So it turns out that Theodore is sensitive to Bobby. We attempted to shift back home after 10 days when TD's skin looked recovered, and Bobby's too.

Within less than 24 hours, TD's eczema flared up. Irwin and I quickly packed our luggages and moved back to my parent's.

Hah, I did the night duty by myself. Nursing him in the night, cleaning his face with a cotton ball, and attempts to slap on moisturisers when he is asleep; diaper changes. There are times where I hold it in myself as I did not want to leave him alone on the bed.

I have to thank my family for hosting me! My brother had to give up his bed and room for us. My mum planned my meals and helped me took care and entertained TD in the evenings. This is the magic of family. Hah at this point, I never thought that I would have the opportunity to stay in the house I grew up in for a month!

TD came back on Sunday with perfect skin. Hmm, however it seems that after a day or two he developed saliva rash. In-laws allowed TD to crawl and rub his face on the sofa. When I went back, there were drools of saliva on the leather sofa....eeeks....

So now he has saliva rash, but I am glad that the eczema is gone. This is at the expense of relocating Bobby who is 12.5 years old. So sad, but it has to be done....

TD has also started solids for about a month now - here's the list in order

Puree Organic Sweet Potato

Mashed Banana with ebm

Organic Carrot puree - steam, blended and mixed with ebm

Happy Bellies Organic Oatmeal cereal

Organic short grain brown rice with sweet potato

Avocado

Pork Porridge

I have to say, for a lady who does not cook, I have enjoyed planning and preparing his solids!