Gong Xi Fa Cai! Gung Hei Fatt Choy! This is Puppy's first Chinese New Year, well, second, if you count the time he was in my womb. We went to the Singapore UK Association's CNY dinner at Oriental City last night. It was a wonderful evening, way past Puppy's bedtime, although he seemed to enjoy the lion dance entrance, and the sumptuous 10 course banquet which included a yummy salmon Yu Sheng (lou hei! lou hei!), crispy suckling pig and juicy lobster! SUKA even flew Ivan Heng over for entertainment, which was rather nice of them.

Puppy also got the opportunity wear the gorgeous costume which his Kong Kong bought for him in December when we were over in Singapore:

Getting ready to go out

'OK, I'm dressed for the occasion, where's the food?'

Today, being CNY proper, we went to Mass, then went to Mandarin Palace for Dim Sum. It was absolutely packed. After that, we decided to pay his greatgrandma and greatgrandpa a visit. Puppy had a ball of a time, showing us just how he probably is like at nursery, very active and vocal throughout. Nowonder he's lost weight despite eating like a horse!

'Let me show you how to use the chopsticks, Daddy!'

'I'm an angel, honest'

'At least I look like one'

10 months old now, and Puppy's getting more and more active. So active, in fact, that for the first time, he's lost weight. He was 9.45kg at baby clinic this morning. So I reckon his portion sizes may just not be enough although considering how he managed to eat a huge portion of minced pork, courgette and brocolli congee at lunch, wonder where all that is going to. He is a very sturdy and well built boy though, I must say.

Anyway, I'm a bit of a no-mess freak when it comes to babies handling fluids/semi-fluids. I just don't see why the house has to be re-decorated after every meal time. Darling husband though, is of the opposite persuasion. So, after all this time of helping Puppy drink from his cup (without the lid on), I finally relented and allowed him to handle his own drink, so to speak. Lid on, of course!

'Please mummy, I promise to be very good!'


'I told you! No mess!'

'I cleaned up with my shirt!'

We went to Nandos for lunch today, boy did Puppy enjoy himself! He had a wonderful time using his hands to eat sweetcorn, chicken and fries, and at the end of it, still wanted more. For dinner, he devoured a cheese sandwich, half a yogurt and some blueberries. I'm glad his appetite has returned, especially since he hasn't been well the past few days. He's had a chesty cough for the past 3 weeks, and weekly runny nose, all thanks to his friends at the nursery I'm sure. I brought him to the GP yesterday, and although he said he couldn't hear any wheezing, decided that since it had gone on for such a long time, to give Puppy a presciption for some Amoxycillin. I'm in half minds whether to actually let Puppy take a course of antibiotics, or just let nature run its course. I suppose 3 weeks worth of phlegm isn't pleasant.