Puppy and Ratty's Multitasking Dream Brew

2009-04-05T21:52:00.003Z

Ratty is now almost 13 months. At her most recent weigh in, Ratty was 8.26kg, putting her at just above the 9th centile. I'm extremely relieved by this, considering she had 2 consecutive months of losing weight. She seems to be eating much better at nursery now, and loves feeding herself. She's started to want to feed herself from a spoon, which is delightful to watch, and is adept at drinking from a open mouthed cup. Drinking from a straw also is proving no barrier to her. Her mobility has also come on by leaps and bounds - she is climbing onto her brother's bed with ease, and the other day, found her on our spare bed, looking very pleased with herself for getting there. She is a budding acrobat, somehow managing to flip herself out of her cot onto our bed to get cosy with us. Communication-wise, she can wave, say 'hi, bye, thank you, NO!, uh oh!, take this' among other words. She waves at things that she wants, which is marvellous (noone taught her that). What a wonderful little girl, so full of smiles, so inquisitive, so loving, so adorable!

Puppy on the other hand, is a right BOY! It might seem a little obvious, considering that is his gender, but, having no previous experience with 3 year olds, am highly amused and entertained by his numerous antics every day. He certainly has a high sense of humour and is very witty, that is apparent. He has a fascination for Thomas the Tank Engine and Bob the Builder, but I suppose most 3 year old boys are too, only not many will sing the Bob the Builder theme song on a repeat cycle, at the top of their voices, from a supermarket trolley when mummy is trying to do the shopping.

I have often envisaged that my children would be like the wonderfully behaved ones that I see in our village, sitting sedately in their shopping trolley seat. Instead I have an human loudhailer announcing the latest songs from Nikolodean programmes, and a baby who doesn't like sitting in her trolley seat. My last visit to the supermarket lasted 30 minutes, where I entered with a large shopping trolley, and bought 6 items - most of the time was spent accompanying Puppy to the toilet and trying to manoeouver the trolley while carrying a Rat who preferred to look smug on mummy than sit in her designated seat.

Still, when they give you their biggest grins and hugs every day, and know they mean it from the bottom of their hearts, it then makes perfect sense, and all the blood sweat and tears become worthwhile again.

2009-02-14T15:19:00.003Z

Ratty has been attending nursery for the past 6 weeks now. During this time, apart from the obligatory runny nose, has had a few bouts of diarrhoea and vomiting. This has really set her back, which is rather disconcerting, considering she doesn't have a big build to start with. Her weight has fallen from the 25th to under the 9th centile....mummy is getting worried! EAT!

2009-01-19T21:57:00.002Z

Ratty had a rough last week. From being her first week in nursery, to not sleeping well, waking up every few minutes to scream in pain. After a particularly fretful Wednesday night, I discovered THREE new teeth! Poor little baby! All is well now.

2008-12-26T09:03:00.005Z

Happy Christmas 2008 everyone.
The children and husband had a wonderful time. DH seemed truly happy with his presents, Puppy enjoyed watching 'The Snowman' 3 times yesterday, as well as making up a jigsaw from his paternal grandmother and Ratty just enjoyed putting everything in her mouth. Christmas dinner was reasonably successful, and there is loads of washing up waiting to be done. I'd better go do it, hadn't I?

2008-11-14T00:24:00.004Z

In memoriam

Cynthia Carrington Barrett
15.11.1924 - 10.11.2008
RIP

2008-10-31T10:29:00.004Z

Ratty is now almost 8 months old, and really really happy!

Puppy is 2.5 years old and more interested in trains than smiling for the camera.

2008-10-05T21:13:00.003Z

It's amazing to see how a child develops. Since the summer, Puppy has shown a keen interest in expanding his knowledge. He can now count to 12, read letters of the alphabet and identify colours. He has also in most part mastered use of the potty during the daytime, to the extent of emptying waste contents and flushing the loo! We still have work to do on washing his hands after going to the loo though.

In the meantime, Ratty is now almost 7 months old. She is moving around with ease, and in the early stages of babbling. Weaning is still a bit of hit and miss, although her lower left central incisor sprouted a couple of days back.

My children are growing up!

2008-08-28T22:32:00.002Z

Puppy's potty training seems to be going well. A fortnight before he resumes attending nursery, I am hopeful that he will be able to request a toilet break while he is there. We started him on wearing his underwear today, after three weeks of running starkers in the house. There were a couple of accidents, but by the end of the day, he was lowering his pants before sitting on the potty. Putting the pants back on is another matter!

Ratty seems to have overcome her tongue-thrust reflex. Having stared longingly at our food all week in the Cotswolds, I decided to try her with some baby rice. She devoured about 2 tablespoons of the stuff at lunch, and another 2 tablespoons at dinner, and seemed keen on more. More baby rice till the end of the week, and I reckon we will then start on the really fun stuff!

2008-07-27T21:12:00.004Z

In memoriam

Joan Bridge
22.02.1929 - 27.07.2008
Eternal rest grant unto her soul.
RIP

2008-07-26T08:41:00.003Z

Puppy has restarted potty training. He seems a little more willing to cooperate now, rather, willing to 'tell' us about his #1 and #2 status. So far, he's done a few #1s in the potty, and a #2, although half of it went on the carpet. Thank God for a fibrous diet!

Onto more pleasant news - Ratty is now 20 weeks old, 6.89kg (15lb 3oz), 63.5cm (25"). She is smiling a lot and loves chatting, particularly in the mornings and before dinner, i.e. times when her brother isn't around.

Holidays - Going to Brittany was a good decision. Tiring drive, but I rather enjoyed going at 130kph (80mph) on the motorways with nobody in front of me! Driving on the 'wrong' side of the road wasn't as daunting as feared.....we hope to be back, so Lobsters, you have been warned!

'Wonder when I can sink my teeth into this?'

'Fresh croissants are worth waking up early for!'

'Yay! Make another one daddy!'

'Thoroughly enjoying myself on holiday'

'Of course you enjoy yourself, especially when Mummy is carrying you about all day!'

2008-07-01T22:07:00.005Z

The difference between boys and girls is:

Puppy@12 weeks - 'Cool gadget!'

Ratty@15weeks - 'I've got daddy's PIN number at last!'

2008-07-01T21:49:00.003Z

Por Por returned home on 14 June 2008. We had a nice day out prior to her departure:

Rose garden in Hampton Court - smelling pretty!

Who has the nicer pose?

'Take that Andrew Flintoff!'

Seeing Por Por off....Boo Hoo!

Nevermind, I still have Por Por's chicken for company.

2008-04-18T07:02:00.002Z

Apparently I live in the 14th richest town in Britain, not that I am one of the well-to-do folk that live in the seven figure houses - I just drive past on the way to the Sainsbury in Basildon. The fact that I am living in a place that I can't afford was made very clear over the weekend when our family was in Manchester for the game against Arsenal (we won 2-1 by the way!). On recommendation from Puppy's godmother, we decided to go to the local chippy in Prestwich, which was better in quality and significantly cheaper than the one we usually go to in Hutton. The Chinese next door wasn't bad either, and certainly cheaper than the one in Ingatestone. Before you say anything, Prestwich isn't one of the dodgy areas in Manchester, but a reasonably affluent bit - it has a large M&S supermarket and good enough schools*. House prices? 30-50% off what you would pay in the '14th richest town in Britain'.

* To be fair, the schools around Ingatestone are outstanding, but they would have to be in order to cater to parents with outstanding pay packets.

2008-04-10T23:34:00.003Z

Ratty's baptism last week progressed without too many hiccups, considering the week it was in. She didn't bother rousing from her sleep when Father David poured the water over her head, nor flinch when he marked her with the oils. She did give a very loud cry later on though, but that was only through hunger!

Family photo

Proud Godfather, Richard

2008-03-23T22:52:00.004Z

Por Por had hoped to experience her first snowfall this winter. She finally got her wish.......in March.

'I'm dreaming of a white......Easter'?!!

'Let it snow, Let it snow, Let it snow'

'Springtime Wonderland'

2008-03-19T08:48:00.002Z

Last night was the first time we made a conscious effort to commence potty training with Puppy. He managed to do a wee while watching 'In the Night Garden', and this morning, did a poo in his potty while reading some books.

Too good to be true?

Soon, all will be revealed.

2008-03-11T22:26:00.005Z

Ratty's finally come to stay! 3.23kg (7lb 2oz) at 3.11pm on 8 March 2008. VBAC as well!

Puppy has a new playmate

Feeling happy with the world

Mother and child

2008-03-04T23:03:00.003Z

Days before Ratty is due to emerge, Puppy decides he wants his cot back. I found him looking at the cot with all intent (more the mobile), decided to ignore him and do something. When I turned back, Puppy was sitting in the cot, saying hello and kissing the soft toy animals. Ahhhh, so sweet, but remember no climbing into cot when Ratty arrives!

2008-02-09T00:11:00.000Z

Puppy's taken to watching TV big time now.....his favourite is In the Night Garden. He's already got a singing/dancing IgglePiggle toy for Christmas, the programme songbook, learnt the actions to the Tombliboo song, blow kisses like Upsy Daisy, and goodness knows what else is to come. Can't pry him away from it at all, lest the mother of all tantrums rain down on you!

Any bets on square eyes wearing glasses by the time he's 3?

2008-01-25T14:59:00.000Z

The latest tables on maternity services in England place the hospital trust where Puppy was born as 'least well performing'. Somehow I'm not surprised, considering my experiences during and post labour, as well as current knowledge about its maternity services. On the other hand, the hospital trust that I'm using for Ratty's birth has so far, in its antenatal care, been wonderful. We shall see if I still feel that way in 6 weeks though!

2007-12-13T02:10:00.000Z

We've been in Singapore for the past 3 weeks now. It's been great, apart from the weather, which has been predictably miserable for this time of the year. I'd plans to take Puppy to the beach, but this has had to be put on hold due to heavy raining this whole week.

The weather aside, Puppy has discovered that he really likes Singaporean food - he has been indulging in chai tao kway most mornings, in addition to his cereal, and pigging out on all the fabulous cuisine.

Only 2 more days to go before we head back to the even drearier land of the UK. Anymore things to eat before we leave?

2007-11-11T00:35:00.000Z

Seeing that we're going to Singapore in a couple of weeks, I have been unbelievably efficient with getting (and wrapping) this year's Christmas presents. I've to say that they aren't for me, they're for DH's evergrowing family. It's something I've just never understood....I suppose it's alright to do something for the kids, but do grown adults actually need Christmas presents, like a real NEED? I vaguely remember going on about this in a previous post, so I'll *zip* on this topic until next time when I feel like another rant!

On a more uplifting note, Puppy is becoming cuter and cuter by the day. He is definitely sticking more to me now, with a very clear 'MUMMEEEEE' on virtually everything, from wanting me to give him a biscuit, to 'I want a hug' requests. I wonder if it's all to do with Ratty coming next March......? His bed will be arriving next Friday, so it'll be interesting to see how he takes to it once he finds out that he's being turfed out of his cot.

2007-10-14T08:34:00.000Z

Photos from last weekend's trip to Dublin:

Puppy actually paying attention at mass!

Congratulations Mary and Jonathan

Symmetrical faces?

Playing a duet with cousin Isobel

2007-08-28T09:52:00.000Z

We had planned to be in Walsingham for the Youth2000 festival this August bank holiday. We were partially successful, being able to attend the morning sessions, before Puppy decided he had had enough. Our afternoons were spent visiting the lovely towns on the North Norfolk coast. We went to Cromer, Wells and Sheringham, where Puppy had a wonderful time playing on the beach and taking in the sights.

'Catch me if you can!'

'Has the train arrived yet?'

'Oorrhhh EEeeee Orrhhhh!'

'But Daddy! I don't want to go!'

2007-07-18T22:04:00.000Z

Having, for the past few months, willed Puppy to start walking, I am now entertaining thoughts wishing that I hadn't quite done so at all! Now that Puppy has a newly found freedom, he has been finding his way round the house, investigating every nook and corner!

'Wonder if my favourite DVD is here?'

'What's in this cupboard?'

'Ah! Found the biscuit box!'

'Another box to open!'

'Oops! Caught in the act!'

'Oh whatever, I like sultanas'

2007-06-22T22:19:00.000Z

Puppy had a jolly good time on a nursery excursion today. He made lots of friends, and I must say, he is turning out to be a bit of a Dr Dolittle!

'Oh there you are, Mr Otter!'

Having a tete-a-tete with Billy the Goat

'My, Mr Scarecrow, I think you look like a pumpkin!'

Puppy has also discovered that rice is rather fun to play with, and that mummy really raises her voice when he shakes the rice packet out:

'I didn't do anything, honest!'

'Let me help you clean it up'

2007-06-18T11:14:00.001Z

Father's Day took us to Ongar, first to a restaurant for Sunday lunch, then to the Ongar Railway for a bit of train geeking. We also went for mass at St Joseph's, which was well timed, as it was the first communion for a bunch of children. Puppy thoroughly enjoyed himself, having a lot of space to stretch his legs in church, and making a couple of friends on the way.

'Daddy! Daddy!'

'Pick me up, Daddy!'

'Yay! Daddy's got me!'

'I love my Daddy!'

Oh, and Happy 2nd Anniversary to TMBMITW!

2007-06-16T20:43:00.000Z

Puppy is now 14 months old. News about obese babies prompted me to take him to be weighed at baby clinic after a 3 month absence, not that I was particularly worried about him being obese. He'd put on about 1.15kg, and now weighs 11kg, which is just nice.

Over the past month, Puppy has also started walking, and over the last week, has been managing to get himself to standing position from the floor unaided. I now really have a puppy who follows me everywhere!

I've also got a new camera, a Panasonic DMC-FZ8. My old camera works fine, but I think I've outgrown it, and am ready to start trying to progress in my photography skills.

'I'll just stick to taking photos with the camera phone'

'All that photography makes me sleepy'

2007-05-31T21:49:00.000Z

We've just returned from a long weekend in Poland. Congratulations to Pzemek and Aneta who got married on 26 May. The wedding was held in a lovely church in the outskirts of Warsaw. The party afterwards was quite out of this world. This is how Puppy fared with all that vodka drinking:

Now what I need to do is get to know more Polish people so I can go to more weddings in Poland!

2007-05-17T20:41:00.000Z

Recent events are that Puppy seems to have cut his upper right first molar. I'll have to double check on this as it's not easy sticking my finger into his mouth without a high risk of it being bitten off. He's also managed 4-5 unaided steps today.

Puppy has also started driving lessons, here's how he got on over the weekend:

Mirror check

Engaging a corner

Parking the car

2007-05-10T22:29:00.000Z

I've been a little busy lately, and will post more photos when I get round to it, but the latest news is that on 8th May 2007, Puppy managed to walk unaided. Only a couple of steps, mind, before falling down in heaps of laughter. I took him to Lakeside today, and he decided to push his stroller around, which was a lot of fun for him, although this meant that I didn't get to do any shopping.

You scored as Elizabeth Bennet. As one of Austen's most beloved characters, Elizabeth Bennet represents what most women would like to become: strong, independent, and loyal. Of course, she has her faults including a stubborn will of iron and a clinging to first impressions. Overall, Lizzie is bright and lovable...something to admire and aspire to.

Elizabeth Bennet

66%

Elinor Dashwood

63%

Jane Bennet

56%

Charlotte Lucas

53%

Emma Woodhouse

50%

Lady Catherine

47%

Marianne Dashwood

38%

Which Jane Austen Character are You? (For Females) Long Quiz!!!
created with QuizFarm.com

I chanced upon this on Erynne's blog - I'm sure DH would love to see the results of this! Like Erynne, it seems I'm also Elizabeth Bennett, although not as clear cut. I have to say that the first time I did the quiz, I was Elinor Dashwood, about 58%, with Lizzie second.

2007-04-15T17:44:00.000Z

Puppy is ONE!

'Finally! I had to wait an entire year to wear my Manchester United outfit!'

'Hurry up daddy! I want to play with my new toy!'

'So this is how it works'

'I'll just get a wee snooze before the festivities continue'

'Schumacher, look out!'

'We're eating a caterpillar?'

'Wonder what it tastes like?'

'Are you sure about eating the caterpillar?'

'Mmm, tastes rather good!'

'Looks like I'll be doing something with pens when I grow up!'

2007-04-12T23:00:00.000Z

I was there, and it was an absolutely magnificent performance.

10 April 2007: Manchester United 7 - 1 Roma

2007-04-01T06:45:00.000Z

DH had the misfortune yesterday of missing the bus to Old Trafford. Pity, since Manchester United put in a stunning second half display to beat Blackburn 4-1. Fortunately for his wife, it meant we were able to go shopping, after attempts to do a bit of rambling in the countryside failed, thanks to a certain little Puppy.

We decided to go to Bluewater, which DH had never been before. It was a lovely day out....most of it was aimless window shopping, but we did get a dryer, after months of hmming and haaing.

Some light reading before setting off

Look Puppy, we're coming up to the Dartford bridge!

'Zzzzz, what's so exciting about that?'

'All this shopping makes me thirsty'

'If you ask me, balloons are more fun!'

'Going home now, via the Dartford tunnel'

'Glad the Reds won, I can sleep easy now!'

2007-03-29T17:19:00.000Z

Last Saturday, the couples in my antenatal class met up for a 1st year birthday party for the babies. It was great to see everybody again, especially those who didn't do the regular meets. Anyway, since I haven't obtained permission from any of the parents to paste their child's face on the web, I won't do any pictures of those, so you'll have to be content with a birthday cake instead, oh, and of course, an obligatory video of Puppy's antics :)

Yummy birthday cake

2007-03-18T21:33:00.000Z

Since the last post, we've been to visit Puppy's relations in Ireland. We hadn't been since Puppy was 4 months old, and he had a lovely time meeting up with Grandma, Granddad, uncles, aunts and cousins. He seemed particularly fond of Richard, who, in fairness, was probably the only one around who had the most time for him while we were there.

Looking up to my uncle Richard

'Like my new smile?'

Puppy's also turned 11 months old. He is now 9.85kg, which is a relief considering he hadn't put any weight on since December. From the way he was eating at Tarantino's this lunchtime, I suppose I didn't have to worry, really.

Puppy also had a good time at the park today, enjoying a little tete a tete with the wildlife.

'So, that's what duck looks like when not in a pancake!'

2007-03-03T09:09:00.000Z

I watched a programme last evening on the Cost of Kids. In it, it was estimated that it would cost you £180 000 to bring up a baby. WHAT?!! I ended up screaming incredulously at what I saw and heard. I'm not saying I settle for the cheapest, flimsiest items all the time, but it's weighing up quality vs. price vs. brand vs. user needs. Let's just see how I did with my also newly bought baby items.

1) The cost of setting up a baby nursery room - a couple ended up paying £2000 to get their nursery items from Mamas and Papas. Fair enough, it's a good brand, but many of the items are just not worth splashing a whole load of money on. I must admit though, that I did get a £89 changing station from them (generously donated by the parents-in-law), because it was the only one which suited our requirements and didn't look like it would fall apart after a week. 10 months on, we're still using it, and can't do without it, so justifiably it wasn't a faddy buy. Our cot was sourced from a Babies R Us sale, mobile from a Mothercare sale and there's pretty much nothing else that's newly bought in terms of nursery furniture. Total cost: £200

2) Buggies and strollers - A gold plated stroller costing £2000?! I bought Puppy's travel system (Graco Quattro Tour Deluxe) and a few months down the line, lightweight stroller (Maclaren Triumph), all for £265 - still going strong, and neither are a fashion faux pas.

3) Clothes - The programme quoted Christian Dior babygros going for £85. As much as I like their perfumes, I reckon Tesco, Sainsbury, Boots and Mothercare are the places to go to for babygros - I've probably spent around £40-£50 the last 10 months on his vests and sleepsuits, just because he goes through so many. As for daytime clothing, my mother-in-law generously contributed a gigantic bag of perfectly wearable used boy's clothes some time ago, sizes ranging from 3 months right up to possibly 2-4 years. Other relatives have contributed a few more items of clothing over time, which has been really helpful. Most of the day clothing cost has come recently, since Puppy has started nursery, but I must have spent no more than £30 - £40 supplementing the supply I already have. Many of my supplemented clothes come from NCT sales, where I've managed to pick up good quality second-hand clothes for between 50p and £1.50. Brand-wise, they range from Tesco and Sainsburys to Gap and OshKosh, so Puppy isn't exactly in rags and perfectly 'in' with the fashion.

4) Toys - I do expect the cost of toys to rise depending on what Puppy likes and what we perceive as acceptable, as opposed to what the little boy in the programme had - Playstation, handheld nintendo set etc. Mind, I had my first computer at age 6 (a little IBM-compatible 286), and had great fun playing Olympic Decathlon, PacMan and Lode Runner on it, but was never big on the girly fashion, being more interested in sport. Besides the computer which was shared with my brother, I suppose the biggest 'toy' that my mum purchased for me was a Wilson Ultralite tennis racket which cost about SGD$160, although I argue that it was a necessity since I was playing tennis competitively.

So, I don't think parents necessarily have to spend absolutely loads to kit up their children. Then again, I'm one who's opposed to the idea of the culture of Christmas and Birthday materialism (not so bad if you have one person to buy for, absolutely emotionally and financially draining if it involves EVERYBODY). I think it's about whether the gift will develop the individual, e.g. a baby getting a certain 'developmental' toy, just a good one, and not several which purportedly do the same function. It's about whether the individual needs the item, and not just buying something simply because it's the 'in' thing, or because it's Christmas and you feel obligated to do so. If it's about the 'spirit of giving' and showing how much you love your child, then I'm sure the child will appreciate just as much any undivided love and attention who show him that he's the most valuable being in the world.

2007-02-18T18:55:00.000Z

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'

2007-02-17T15:32:00.000Z

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!'

2007-02-03T21:49:00.000Z

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.

2007-01-25T20:09:00.000Z

We've experienced the first snowfall for the year. It wasn't very heavy, but I was rather glad that it finally came. It must be one of the warmest winters I've experienced since arriving in the UK. Puppy didn't seem bothered really - give him another year, and he will be revelling in the snowball fights.

Blackeyes the panda wondering why everything's turned white.

Outside.

On another note, Burn's Night is traditionally celebrated in Scotland on the 25th of January. Although neither of us have any Scottish heritage, it was an excuse to read some 'Rabbie Burns' in our best Scottish accent, indulge in a 'wee dram', or in my case, a 'wee sip', and of course some Haggis (courtesy of the good people from Macsween), Neeps and Tatties.

2007-01-21T14:53:00.000Z

So, it's official. Puppy has been out of my womb longer than he has been in it. He had his weight check yesterday - we hadn't been in a month, because I can't go to weight clinic during the week anymore now that I've started work. He hasn't put any weight on, and is still 9.5kg (21lb), not that I'm worrying too much, because he's getting more active, and eats well anyway.

Puppy loves fruit. I don't think he has any favourites, but I think if we put him in a vineyard, an orchard full of blueberry bushes or a banana plantation, it would really make his day. He had his first raspberries this lunch time:

He's also added 'nanana, ngah ngah ngah' to his repertoire of babbles.

2007-01-14T17:09:00.000Z

Puppy is 9 months old today.

Reading the day's sport headlines with daddy.

Too full to move after a big lunch

2007-01-05T13:39:00.000Z

Puppy's survived his first 1 1/2 days at nursery - and, according to the girls there, has settled in rather well. He enjoys his meals, which is a good thing. My problem is not being able to express milk for him, so I go down at lunch time to breast feed him, just to relief myself, and also so he sees a familiar face. I did agree to him having some formula, now that I've done the full 6 months of breastfeeding, and having some bottle feed doesn't seem like such a huge issue anymore. Not sure if he's actually managed to have any though, apparently he didn't know what to do with the teat when it came close to his face!

So, now to not have him cry everytime I see him after a long absence.....

2007-01-05T13:13:00.000Z

'But Daddy, I'm not sleepy yet! I want to watch the New Year fireworks on TV with you!'

'Good morning mummy'

2007-01-02T11:25:00.000Z

Happy New Year. We had Cotswold Gran to stay over the past few days. Puppy was charming her by looking cute, and not crying too much. Oh, and he started doing 'ta ta, da da' on New Year's Eve.

2006-12-26T20:07:00.000Z

Oh, and Puppy has cut his right lateral incisor today.

2006-12-26T19:41:00.000Z

Christmas has come and gone. Over the past week, thousands of people were stranded at Heathrow Airport due to flight cancellations from the fog. Even I, on one particularly bad afternoon, managed to miss the turning home, and ended up in Harlow rather than Brentwood! Poor Puppy had to sit in soiled nappies for 5 hours, and he wasn't pleased!

Christmas in the UK is still a very family orientated event. The past two Christmases have seen us celebrate it together, just the two of us, and Puppy of course. It is especially special for darling husband as it is his birthday, so it means making a bigger effort to ensure he has a good time.....only when growing up, my family tradition was going to Por Por's house for curry chicken, french loaf and iced fruit cocktail! So I've had to consult Aunty Delia yet again....

Preparing the turkey (it's supposed to be a small one!)

Pigs in Blankets

I didn't have the time to do proper mince pies this year, so I cheated with mince 'vol-au-vents' instead.....still nice though!

Everything put together

2006-12-18T05:43:00.000Z

So, we've been back in the UK for 3 days now. The weather is as expected - cold and miserable. It's nice being back with darling husband, who missed us immensely. Puppy doesn't seem to have forgotten him - in fact, has been clinging onto daddy with dear life since returning. We've been rather organised for our standards this weekend - managed to go to Ikea to get our wardrobes and bookshelves, as well as get a Christmas tree. It has been a good weekend, apart from being jetlagged - I've been awake since 5am - and Manchester United losing 1-0 to West Ham (while Chelski spectacularly beat Everton!).

Puppy goes to nursery for his first 'settling in' session today - hope it goes well.

Puppy's new gumshield....made of cucumber.

My first real Christmas tree - a Nordman Fir.

2006-12-13T01:22:00.000Z

Someone posted this on the Baby-Led Weaning forum that I'm on, entitled 'For People with Sons':

1. A king size waterbed holds enough water to fill a 2000 sq. ft house 4 inches deep.

2. If you spray hair spray on dust bunnies and run over them with roller blades, they can ignite.

3. A 3-year old Boy's voice is louder than 200 adults in a crowded restaurant. (in my case, an 8 month old :))

4. If you hook a dog leash over a ceiling fan, the motor is not strong enough to rotate a 42 pound Boy wearing Batman underwear and a Superman cape. It is strong enough, however, if tied to a paint can, to spread paint on all four walls of a 20x20 ft. room.

5. You should not throw baseballs up when the ceiling fan is on. When using a ceiling fan as a bat, you have to throw the ball up a few times before you get a hit. A ceiling fan can hit a baseball a long way.

6. The glass in windows (even double-pane) doesn't stop a baseball hit by a ceiling fan.

7. When you hear the toilet flush and the words "uh oh", it's already too late.

8. Brake fluid mixed with Clorox makes smoke, and lots of it.

9. A six-year old Boy can start a fire with a flint rock even though a 36-year old Man says they can only do it in the movies.

10. Certain Lego's will pass through the digestive tract of a 4- year old Boy.

11. Play dough and microwave should not be used in the same sentence.

12. Super glue is forever.

13. No matter how much Jell-O you put in a swimming pool you still can't walk on water.

14. Pool filters do not like Jell-O.

15. VCR's do not eject "PB & J" sandwiches even though TV commercials show they do.

16. Garbage bags do not make good parachutes.

17. Marbles in gas tanks make lots of noise when driving.

18. You probably DO NOT want to know what that odor is

19. Always look in the oven before you turn it on; plastic toys do not like ovens.

20. The fire department in Austin, TX has a 5-minute response time.

21. The spin cycle on the washing machine does not make earthworms dizzy.

22. It will, however, make cats dizzy.

23. Cats throw up twice their body weight when dizzy.

24. 80% of Women will pass this on to almost all of their friends, with or without kids.

25. 80% of Men who read this will try mixing the Clorox and brake fluid.

2006-12-12T02:30:00.000Z

Puppy's development has been progressing by leaps and bounds this past week. Friday, 8 December - started clapping his hands; Saturday, 9 December - started smacking his lips. He's also pulling himself up to a stand position with ease now. This morning, he managed to do that while sitting perpendicular to the supporting cot rail. Yesterday, he managed to shuffle across the cot length to get a piece of biscuit placed out for him. He knocked the biscuit over into the cot, and bent down to get it, one hand gripping the cot rail. I never realised he had so much control over his movements! Apart from cruising and using less arm power to support himself while standing, he also likes rattling the cot rail and jumping up and down in it. I hope our cot in the UK is ready for all the abuse it's going to get in 3 days time! Saying all this, Puppy's not actually crawling, but still creeping along the floor - at speed - I'm not sure if he will crawl, or want to, if he can get along with creeping.

Speech-wise, he is saying 'ma ma mum mum' now, whenever he wants milk - I'm not sure if that's just a coincidence though. And in case Daddy is feeling left out, I can assure him that Puppy was practising saying his 'Pa' today, only he hasn't quite mastered it yet, and it comes out as 'Pwah, Prah'

2006-12-12T01:56:00.000Z

Some photos from our holiday within a holiday in Genting Highlands, Malaysia last weekend:

Cable cars

Trying to look like a tourist

'Look Daddy! I can drive!'

Having fun at the playground

'Wonder what Malaysian cots taste like?'

'Please God, don't let me have a tummy ache!'

2006-12-01T12:17:00.000Z

1st December 2006
Puppy started babbling. It was around 3.30pm Singapore time, and we were in the study contemplating what to do next.....and it came, rather suddenly......'buah, brah, wah, row, wow, bao'. Over the course of the afternoon, it became more of a 'pah, ra, wah'. It's all rather exciting. Someone said her son at 9 months still hadn't started babbling, probably because he was getting confused over being bilingual, so I'm obviously chuffed to bits that Puppy has started, at 7.5 months.

2006-12-01T01:59:00.000Z

We've been in Singapore for the past 2 weeks now, visiting friends and relations. Puppy has been keeping us up at night, the past 4 nights with teething pains. His two upper incisors are pushing their way through at the moment, and I think he just cut the right one this morning. He's also been trying to stand, and started doing so independently about 3 days ago.

2006-11-06T22:07:00.000Z

29 weeks - 9.345kg (20lb 9oz).

His first solid poo was also discovered today - thought I had a puppy in the house. Must be the Oatibix from yesterday. He demolished a pear all by himself this afternoon, so probably another solid poo for tomorrow.

2006-10-31T16:57:00.000Z

Something that actually made my day!
And if you don't understand Mandarin, maybe Cantonese?

2006-10-30T14:12:00.000Z

More food photos. Since the shortbread incident, where we demolished a pack of butter in 2 days, I decided to make some Italian biscotti (cantuccini) in the hope that it wouldn't make us feel that guilty after eating it.

2006-10-30T08:42:00.000Z

Puppy is really trying to crawl now. He kinda lifts his bum in order to get his knees off the ground, then propel himself forward. I gestured him towards a toy last night, and he managed to move about a metre to get to it. Does this mean I can't let him out of my sight anymore? He's also got a fascination with TV cables and feet!

He ate his largest amount yet yesterday.
Breakfast - 1 1/2 tablespoons baby porridge + 3 scoops Aptamil
- Petit Filous
*all eaten*

Morning tea - Digestive biscuit (OK, this wasn't in the plan, but the lady at the parish hall offered it to him and he took it)

Lunch - Whole pear
*2/3 eaten*

Dinner - Sweet potato mash
*3 spoonfuls*

Also still breastfeeding loads.

Basically, he's eating so much that I've decided to invest in some long sleeved bibs rather than overwork our poor washing machine.

His stroller arrived today - can't wait to put it in use!

2006-10-26T08:39:00.000Z

So, Deepavali and Hari Raya Puasa have passed. I was wanting a curry, but can't afford a takeaway. So, the next best option....make my own.

Pappadoms

Chicken Mughlai

Aloo Gobi

Final result.....yum yum

2006-10-25T17:22:00.000Z

Debbie Gibson - For Better or Worse

Watching this on YouTube brought back memories. Anyone who knows me (well enough!) will know I have a serious case of Gibsonitis. This is the first single from her fifth album. I remember going to the mall the first day the album was released and then locking myself in my room, playing it over and over again. I haven't seen the video until now - she actually used to date Chris Bruno (the guy in the video) - he came with her to Singapore and fixed her piano when she performed that song at Boat Quay.....ahh, it's all coming back really vividly now......and I'm really sad for knowing all this :)

2006-10-25T16:28:00.000Z

That Boy Rooney

OK, I know he hasn't scored since goodness knows when, but hey, he's still a footballing genius.

2006-10-25T14:49:00.000Z

So, I discovered that there is a baby clinic at the GP surgery in our village. Seeing that we didn't fall under the catchment area of our previous surgery anymore, I decided to take Puppy to baby clinic, and at the same time register with the new GP. Turns out that the HV at the surgery is actually based at the baby clinic which I used to go to. We bumped into Pamela who was from the council and had a good old chat with her. She remembered us from when we first saw her, and absolutely loves Puppy. There was another lady with her little boy who was there before me, apparently she was lamenting on the fact that there weren't too many baby boys in the village (hers is 8 months old). I didn't get to talk to her much, but as I was filling out the registration forms to join the surgery, other mothers came in with their babies - all girls! We started chatting with Tracy who had come with Halle (turned 6 months on 20th October), and she told us about some baby groups in the area. All being well, we might join her at baby signing next Monday. There was also a 10 month old, and another very mobile crawler who came in - it was rather amusing half watching (half filling in form) all the babies play together. The older folks who were waiting for their doctor's appointment certainly seemed to enjoy themselves - one elderly gentleman even came up to Puppy and played with him. As usual, Puppy seemed to take in all around him. He even cried when one of the babies had to go.....awww...

2006-10-20T22:13:00.000Z

More cooking - made shortbread today. Really simple, and turned out brilliant. No more need to get any Walkers shortbread.

Puppy is also 27 weeks today. He's really becoming rather hyperactive! I managed to confirm his place at the nursery, and he's going in for some settling sessions in December.

2006-10-19T12:15:00.000Z

Singlish Security Lecture

When in Singapore, speak as the Singaporeans do.

2006-10-16T09:58:00.000Z

At 6 months, opting for a Baby led weaning approach has certainly seemed the way to go, as well as taken lots of time that could have been wasted on pureeing and mashing.

On a typical day

This is how he greets his food...

And the aftermath.......*burp*

2006-10-15T11:13:00.000Z

X Factor vs American Idol (chicken factory)

Was watching YouTube, looking for last night's X Factor liveshow, but found this instead!

2006-10-14T08:59:00.000Z

It's nice to know that my council tax is going to good causes like setting up the Essex Cloth Nappy Network. It's even more heartening to know that my wages are used to buy teddy bears. What better way to spend my hard earned salary! Maybe I should make a request that I only want British made teddies.

Puppy is 6 months old today.

2006-10-12T16:20:00.000Z

The washer fluid squirter thing on our car hasn't been working for over a week now. Not a big problem, only that if it hasn't rained for a few days, I end up with a really muddy windscreen. So I called Citroen and told them of the problem. They gave me an appointment to go in, and I said I would need a courtesy car if I left the car with them, to which they replied if I was willing to wait. I said yes, but would still rather have the courtesy car in case something went wrong and I ended up waiting for ages (they said it would take 45 minutes, hah!). They then said it would ?12.50 for the car. 'What?!', there's noway I'm paying for the courtesy car, and as my car is still under warranty, isn't it Citroen's responsibility to provide such a facility to their customers? Clearly not. So I relented and said I'd go for the waiting option. The appointment's next Thursday, and I have to be there for 8am. Hopefully it'll be sorted out before 9am. Somehow I'm not confident of that happening.

2006-10-12T09:51:00.000Z

Bringing Puppy to London yesterday evening was no mean feat. I realised that at 8.8kg, he was on the verge of being the maximum handling weight for my baby carrier. It was a fun evening though, we met up with one of DH's friends and went to Wagamama's, which was enjoyable. I really should get out more :)

As per request of Pris, here's a picture of the Christmas cake - gotta put the icing on it though, but for now, it will sit in a cupboard somewhere and be 'fed' until Christmas.

I've also made a banana loaf this morning. Have not tried it yet, so *fingers crossed*. I've baked three cakes since moving into the new house two weeks ago.

Think I'm ready to join the WI yet?

2006-10-10T12:47:00.000Z

Coming from a country colonised by the English, yet receptive of all things American, Singaporeans have come up with a truly unique identity. Ruby Pan's act on YouTube made me breakout in fits of laughter, something I suppose only the Singaporean of the 'jiak kan tang' variety can understand.

Also looks like Singapore has hopped onto the UK's PC gone mad bandwagon.....but America still rules :)

2006-10-09T15:55:00.000Z

25 weeks and 3 days old.

Puppy is 8.8kg (19lb 9) today. There was a lady from the council who was displaying reusable nappies at the baby clinic. When asked if I had thought about reusable nappies, I replied that I was already using them. She was delighted with my answer, and over the course of my time at the clinic, Puppy decided to chat to her as well. Absolutely delightful.

2006-10-09T13:22:00.000Z

Puppy's sprouting another tooth, and can't get enough of things to put in his mouth!

2006-10-06T13:29:00.000Z

I was at Ikea today, looking at their wardrobe systems. I went really early, because the carpet protector guy from Safeclean discouraged me from stepping on the carpets for 4 hours after the carpet protection spray-on. So DH suggested I go to Ikea. Anyway, go to Ikea I did. Puppy was on fine form, first screeching, then deciding to have a moan at why I wasn't feeding him. So I picked out a chair, and he fed for 2 minutes before deciding he had had enough. Off we went, and going through a narrow pathway between some furniture and a vase full of palm leaves, Puppy decided to tug at the palm. The vase came crashing down, and to my horror, it wasn't an artificial plant. Soil and water spilt out. Luckily there weren't many people around, and the staff I reported the incident to didn't seem that concerned, so I suppose it wasn't that serious. Puppy was squealing with laughter from the incident. His mother, on the other hand, didn't find that at all amusing.

Puppy also tried some Hipp Creamy Porridge for lunch. It was 1 tablespoon Porridge to about 5 tablespoons of infant formula, and a sprinkling of baby rice. I used Milupa's Aptimal Forward this time, and Puppy wolfed it down. I think it's because there was quite a bit of sugar in the porridge (tasted like Nestum, which I loved as a child, and still do).

2006-10-04T20:24:00.000Z

Attempts to make my first Christmas cake were both successful and unsuccesful. Success in view that it was actually rather delicious. Unsuccessful, in that we ended eating it rather than wait for Christmas before doing so, and the cake tin I put the cake mixture in was too big. I'll try making another one next week.

While getting the ingredients ready for the Christmas cake, I made a rather interesting discovery. Noone had ever told me this before, but black treacle, I found, tasted very similar, although much thicker and more concentrated (and yummier) than kecap manis. At 70p per 454g tin at Tesco and 79p at Waitrose, it was a right bargain. That led to a char kway teow version of 'char spaghetti', which was surprisingly good. I'm glad to say that this solves the problem of having to find sweet soya sauce for popiah, char kway teow, chai tao kway in the future.

2006-10-02T20:21:00.000Z

It looks like Puppy prefers being able to be in control and hold his food, rather than having a spoon shoved in his mouth. Perhaps it's because he's teething and so likes having something to gnaw on. I don't know. In any case, he thoroughly enjoyed the cucumber sticks at lunch and the mango chunks at dinner. He found the mango so yummy that he even pulled DH's hand towards his mouth and lunged forward for each mouthful. I must say I enjoyed today's weaning attempts as much as he did, especially since it didn't involve making up sloppy messy purees.

2006-09-30T18:35:00.000Z

Our second purchase for the house was a mirror cabinet for one of the ensuites. We bought it last week from Ikea, and finally, after a lot of huffing, puffing and squabbling, it got put up.....about 2 minutes ago. Kudos to DH, but I dread the forthcoming DIY jobs.

Wonder if I should invest in a gag gadget, or calming injections, so less huffing and puffing goes on? Then again, trying to put up a cabinet 20 minutes before having to leave for Mass is never a good idea *hint*.

Talking about Mass, the new parish is pretty small, but seems friendly enough. The congregation was rather well behaved, kids included, apart from a little 5 1/2 month old Puppy who kept cooing and squealing. It went down well with the ladies though.

PS: DH is objecting to the negative portrayal of a huffer and puffer - I'd like to stress that he actually did a remarkable job with the mirror cabinet, and has been working extremely hard with unpacking today, and I still love him very much.

2006-09-29T16:00:00.000Z

24 weeks today - Puppy's really growing up. I just felt a tooth emerging from his lower gum earlier.

2006-09-28T14:43:00.000Z

We went to the hospital today and the nice doctor confirmed that Puppy didn't have a swallowing problem. I suppose we knew that all along, but it was good to be sure. The doctor checked if he had a cavity on his upper palate, which he didn't. He is now 8.6kg, and all seems well.

I thought I'd try baby rice again, since Puppy hadn't had it in ages (weaning's a bit hit and miss at the moment). I decided to invest in some infant formula to mix the baby rice with. What a decision - standing in front of the baby formula aisle in the supermarket is mindblowing. I'm so glad I stuck with breastfeeding. I decided to just get a readymade packet of each of the major brands. I tried SMA Progress this afternoon - just 4-5 tablespoons of formula with 1/2 tablespoon of baby rice. Puppy seemed to take to it rather well.

Puppy's also managing to sit up.

We're also enjoying the new place, glad we have a bigger space to put our junk.

Now you see it

Now you don't

2006-09-27T23:18:00.000Z

So, we've finally moved. Hurrah! Well, not so hurrah as there are loads of boxes left to be unpacked. DH has been wonderful, almost singlehandedly doing the unpacking while I entertain Puppy. We've managed to clear the kitchen and dining room of boxes so far. It would help if the packers actually labelled the all the boxes accurately, but I suppose they did as good a job as possible, considering the level of mess the old house was in.

Puppy has started sitting up, kinda lunging forward, but at least not toppling over immediately. There was also a little accident last evening. DH fell out of his car seat, flat onto his face. He suffered a nasty scratch on his nose and a fat lip as well as a gashed right knee. I'm sure he will have loads more scratches and gashes in the future, but seeing him cry the way he did wasn't very fun. The immense guilt was also unbearable. I'm just relieved he didn't fall on his back.

2006-09-20T22:26:00.000Z

The movers are coming tomorrow to help us pack. The past week has been spent trying to sort out papers and tidy up a bit. I'm glad we paid the entra ?285 to have a full packing service - we couldn't have done it ourselves. I'm just really nervous with the whole thing, and hopefully by the time the movers leave tomorrow, I'll have calmed down. I know I'll feel better once everything is in boxes. Funnily, I'm not actually worried about the move, just the packing.

Will be back online hopefully in a couple of days.

2006-09-20T17:34:00.000Z

This looks good, let's hope it actually is.

2006-09-17T11:27:00.000Z

Well, Pope Benedict has addressed the issue in person. Not that the speech was anything to be sorry for.

Now, would whoever said this, issued this and did this (scroll down to graffitified Pope photo either apologise and/or say what you said/did wasn't really intended as such, or admit you're truly ignorant and forever hold your peace.

........Didn't think so.

2006-09-15T17:48:00.000Z

First purchase for our new home.

And Puppy blissfully unaware that he is 22 weeks old today.

2006-09-15T16:37:00.000Z

Glad I worship a God who I believe can see the funny side to things:

2006-09-15T16:02:00.000Z

Reports that there is Muslim anger towards a recent speech by the Pope sent me first to read it, and as I did so, into incredulity. As Puppy was wriggling around, I printed out the speech (provisional text) - there were 5 full pages of text. Of these 5 pages, the offensive material was contained in 3 paragraphs (40 lines, left justification, size 12 font, Times New Roman). Those 3 paragraphs recounted the Pope's recollection of a book he read, by Adel Theodore Khoury.

How a quote used early on as a starting point to illustrating faith and reason (and I suppose an underlying subtext to the objection of the use of violence in the name of religion) could be so taken out of context is beyond me. I accept that this is a sensitive topic, and indeed the Pope himself, well aware that this was so, went out of his way to emphasise that this was a quote. I wonder if all those protesting have read the speech, or simply accepted faithfully, and without use of reason. Talk about 'if you say jump, I'll say ''how high?''.

One more time. It was a speech on the topic of faith and reason, not whatever whoever wants to misconstrue it as. Read the text!

2006-09-14T17:13:00.000Z

Plastered on the front page of The Sun today was this article about an asylum seeker who had infected several girls with the HIV virus. Moral of the story - don't sleep around!

2006-09-14T14:02:00.000Z

Bought some Organix fruit puree from Tesco earlier. It was on offer - buy 2 packs for £2.00. In view that we are moving next week, I saw no point in making up my own purees, freezing them, only to have them all melt in the removal van. That didn't stop me from getting a couple of ice cube trays though, to prepare me for my future puree making sessions. Anyway, I tried Puppy with the summer fruits pot. He managed to eat 5 teeny mouthfuls of that stuff before giving up. Each mouthful was greeted with a grimace and frown. After that, he promptly created an avalanche from his behind. Nice one. I finished the remaining 95g of the pot. Yum! I wish I were a baby all over again ! We'll try another flavour tomorrow. Oh, and he also nibbled half heartedly on an oatcake.

2006-09-13T23:06:00.000Z

Puppy is 5 months old today. Unbelievable how much he has changed and developed. Here's to the next 5 months and beyond. Daddy and mummy love you very much!

2006-09-13T12:22:00.000Z

Puppy and I have been full of lurgy the past 2 days. I'm amazed at the amount of snot that can emerge from a baby's nose, and the severity of their sneezes! What's more bizarre is that while adults are full of self pity and lethargic while struck with lurgy, Puppies seem much livelier! He is a little more irritable, I have to admit, but all yesterday and so far today, he has wanted to do nothing but play. He refused to go to bed last night, and finally at midnight, DH had to take him out for a walk in the buggy. I was absolutely exhausted and grouchy by then.

Termite position

'Ill? Who says I'm ill?'

2006-09-11T14:47:00.000Z

5 years on, and we still remember the events of 911 like they were only yesterday. I remember it well. For some reason, I was home early. I was living in the Vauxhall Road flat at that time with Hannah and Emma. I switched the television on, and it was all over the news. A plane had crashed into one of the WTC towers. As I watched, another plane flew right into the second tower. It was so unfathomable at that time, nobody had the foggiest clue what was going on. As the events unrolled the words 'terrorist attack' were used over and over again.

All I can say is this. Whatever the media says about George W. Bush, I actually like the man. It's never easy being the leader of the most powerful nation in the world. We get terrorists bombing us all over the place and mad dictators killing their own people, you can't expect him to just sit there and do nothing. Rightly or wrongly he went into Afghanistan and Iraq. Yes, there have been loads of casualties, but casualties happen in battles and wars. All this the media is harping on, why doesn't anybody acknowledge the amount of aid that the USA gives? So, everybody will criticize anyway. I say Mr Bush, pray for the right decisions to be made, and be strong. My thoughts and prayers during this time for all who lost their lives on this tragic day.

2006-09-11T11:17:00.000Z

After yesterday's events and a night of cries for 'food! food!', I decided to try Puppy out with some baby rice.

Spoon - play!

Bored with big spoon (now flung conveniently on the floor) - try baby spoon

Hmm, where did all the baby rice go?

Bored of baby rice now

Let's have a rice thin.

Why does everyone say 'start with baby rice'? It's the stickiest, foulest product ever. Should have gone with my instincts and not bothered, since he already managed to eat an oatcake yesterday, but what to do with a packet of practically unused baby rice?

2006-09-10T21:21:00.000Z

Looks like Puppy is ready to really have a go at solids now. We spent the day at DH's godmother's. First, he kept struggling when I tried breastfeeding him, although he's doing that a lot nowadays especially when there's lots of distraction. Then over lunch, he just kept wriggling. DH offered him a piece of Krackerwheat which he demolished. We then went off to evening mass at The Guardian Angels RC church. We went back to godmother's for dinner, and although I managed to feed Puppy quite substantially (I thought!) prior, he kept wriggling. Godmother kept suggesting we try him with some gorgonzola. I must say that just because someone looks like they want something doesn't mean they should have it or that it is necessarily good for them. Anyway when she finally asked why he wasn't allowed gorgonzola, I finally told her that he probably wasn't old enough to tackle 1) Mould on cheese; 2) Salt in cheese. She seemed to accept that explanation well enough because she never asked about gorgonzola after that. As a peace offering, I decided to vaguely wave half an oatcake in front of him, to which he promptly stuck his paw out. Half an oatcake soon became bits of oatcake. I offered the other half and pretty soon that too disappeared. It's rather interesting to see how he was actually crunching on that piece of dry oatcake although he doesn't possess any visible teeth!

21 weeks and 2 days. My puppy is growing up!

2006-09-09T20:39:00.000Z

This is how domesticated I have become. I made my first lot of jam today. 'So what?', one may ask. This is a huge thing for me - jam?? I could buy a jar of that stuff for 89p in Sainsbury.Anyway, I had a punnet of greengages that needed eating, and I was afraid they would go off before we ploughed through them, considering we still had strawberries and raspberries in the fridge. 'Jam, hmm, should be easy enough to do' I thought. DH was away for the footie, and Puppy was actually behaving himself:

Cut fruit for jam.

Add sugar

Boil it up (cue Puppy, who decides now is the perfect moment to start complaining that I'm spending too much time stirring jam than playing with him).

Ready to go on toast - scrumlicious!

Later, work it off by pushing buggy a few laps round the block. *Pant*

2006-09-09T17:16:00.000Z

21 weeks

Puppy is now 21 weeks. Meeting up with the other mothers yesterday revealed that he was rather advanced with his vocals, but not very good mobility-wise. Gwyneth is already trying to crawl and Mayumi can chew her own feet :) It was a nice little session, got to catch up with some of the mums and exchange updates. The only depressing bit was that I have officially entered the realm of Starbucks mumhood. Eeekk! Never though I'd be admitting to this! :-P

2006-09-06T15:51:00.000Z

Puppy went in for his weight check today - 8.41kg (18lb 6), which puts him just under the 91st centile for his weight. I also got the health visitor to measure his length - 66.5cm (26.2inches - 75th centile). She said he was a 'textbook baby' :)

4 months and 23 days (20 weeks and 5 days)

2006-09-06T12:32:00.000Z

This is a recount from a lady on an online forum that I'm on (in italics, typos included):

I have just heard this conversation from a family going past out house - it has really upset me for the lad involved

I am going to leave the language in as I think it is quite a relevent part of the converstion - and there wouldn't be many words left without it!

Dad, I can't ride this bike it goes to slow.
change fxxxing gear then
I can't they are stuck
just put your fxxxin legs into it
I am but it is really stiff
why you have to fxxxing spoil everything you little dick
I'm not I can't make it go faster
get on it and get going dick
*crying* I can't my legs hurt making it go
you're an fxxing mary your sister can ride it
I know that is why she goes slow dad
fxxing get in front you dick you have spoilt our trip out again your a fxxing mary we're all going home
*cue other kids 2?* can't we just walk dad
No we fxxing can't just cause your brother is a dick were off home
*carries on as family ride off into the sunset*

I feel so sorry for them I estimate the lad was around 7yo.

Another recount:

I was in Asda earlier and there was a family..mum, dad and two boys of about 5 &9.

the mum and dad were walking around chatting away complelty ignoring the two boys.
they knocked a load of tins off a shelf, knocked into various people, were swinging around the trolley etc etc.

anyway the mum and dad were just carrying on regardless other than the odd "will you stop you little B***D" "keep that up and i'll give you a clump"

well the eldest boy was pushing the trolley that was very full, younger boy was hanging onto the side. running up and down the aisle....then the whole trolley flips up and is literally on top of the younger boy.

my heart was in my mouth, i ran over to help lift the trolley (which was incredibly heavy) off of the lad, i was really worried it may have broken his leg. thankfully he got up so seemed ok but clealry in pain and crying.

Mum and dad continue to shop along the aisle!! don't even look up. when the odler lad runs and tries to tell them what happened mum says " i dont want to F**King hear it" he tries again to tell her "i said i don't want to hear it" the poor lad just walks back to the trolley.

In this day and age, where people are contracepting and aborting away future generations, there are also people who, already having the most precious gift - another life - see it fit to treat their children this way. Absolutely shameful. When our government talks about having R-E-S-P-E-C-T, perhaps it should cut both ways.

I'm not talking about letting children get away with murder. On the contrary, I'm quite in favour of discipline. What I object to, is using methods which totally undermine the child, make him feel absolutely worthless, and with his mind already screwed up, trigger another generation with this behaviour, either with his own children or with his relationships with other people.

Should it be our business if we don't agree with how parents treat their own children? Is it our responsibility to intervene? What should we do if we see children abused this way in broad daylight? How should we do it?

2006-09-05T15:45:00.000Z

10 years ago today, I was in Changi Airport waiting to board the plane to the UK and embark on a life changing journey. I would be going to university. Little did I know then, that I would stay on, get married and have a child. All I wanted to do was experience a few years of life overseas, get that all important paper qualification and then return home and get a good job. Life, as they say, is unpredictable.

10 years ago, I bid farewell to my family, on my mother's birthday. I keep leaving on my mother's birthday.

Happy 66th Birthday Mama!

2006-09-04T15:21:00.000Z

Just read that Steve Irwin died while filming in Australia. Ironically, the man, who rose to fame through his enounters with crocodiles, snakes, spiders, and other deadly species, died when a stingray's barb pierced his heart. I enjoyed seeing his TV programmes, he was a delightful and colourful character who just seemed really down to earth and passionate about what he did. May he RIP.

SUKA

2006-09-03T21:17:00.000Z

DH and I have just returned from a lovely day out in London. It was SUKA's family fun day. We'd never been before, and simply went to see what it was like. Also I was craving food from home. It was a rather pleasant experience, typical Singaporean style, with loads of food, cheesy tunes blasting from the sound system and games for the children and family, with loads of prizes up for grabs. We didn't win the tickets to Singapore but we did manage to win a couple of bottles of sesame oil and chilli sauce, thanks to Yeo's.

After that, we decided to drop by at DH's godmother's on the way home. She was delighted to see the Puppy, having last seen him at his baptism, some 4 months ago. She's also booked us in for lunch next Sunday, which will surely be an enjoyable experience as she is a wonderful cook.

IQ

2006-09-02T23:49:00.000Z

DH and I sat down to do the BBC's Test the Nation quiz this evening. Out of 70 questions, I had 57 right answers while doing the TV version. Inputting my original answers to the online quiz where possible, I had 60 questions right. According to my age group, apparently this gives me an IQ of 124 doing the TV test and 145 doing the online test. Not too bad to one who enjoys reading 60p housewife's magazines and News of the World eh?