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.

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.

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.

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.

Puppy is 9 months old today.


Reading the day's sport headlines with daddy.


Too full to move after a big lunch

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.....

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

'Good morning mummy'

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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'

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!'

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.

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.

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.

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