Our First Family Vacation

Was a success! It was a very blissful, STRESS-FREE 2 days for me, something which I did not expect. I knew I had to take things easy and not fret over things like B not napping or eating, but I did not expect it to be this easy.

B slept when he had to, even when we were hoping he would try to fight it so we can all play more and enjoy the hotel more. He ate when we did and that gave me a whole new perspective of feeding him. I used to stick to a very strict routine of 3-4 hours feed but I guess he is old enough and stomach can hold out longer. So instead of having his lunch around 1045-11am and dinner at 5pm when he's home, he ate around 12-1pm and dinner at 6ish with us. In a way its easier because he's more hungry and ate faster. So now, I'm doing the same at home - I won't freak out just because it's past B's supposedly lunch time. All in all, it was such a wonderful break for us. My friend YN said she felt that her daughter who is B's age grew more every time they go on a holiday. It is true, after this short staycation, DH and I felt the difference. B seems to have grown. Hard to point a finger at exactly what, but there definitely is some form of growth.

Now, the hotel. I was somewhat disappointed. For a hotel that prides themselves as family-oriented, they aren't that great. The baby cot was in a poor condition and I was so happy with myself that I remembered to bring a couple of swaddling cloth. They did not provide any baby toiletries - not that I'm cheapskate, I brought my own, but having spent so much on their facilities to clearly target children, you would think its a given. My friend Mel took her boys to Ritz for a staycation and I was impressed with the kids amenities. Granted, its the Ritz, but I read an article that Intercon had the same too. Anyway, I think if we had asked for it, they probably would have provided.

What I liked about Rasa Sentosa:
- Kids club/tods room
- Kids section at the buffet
- Amazing breakfast spread
- Complimentary wifi throughout the property
- First round of minibar free
- Amazing view
- Great kids pool and play area
- Peacocks roaming around

What I felt could be better:
- Service. Apart from front desk and housekeeping, service is rather poor especially at the restaurants
- They have a gorgeous chill out area at the lobby, overlooking the sea, equipped with comfortable sofas and chairs and even a bar which I think is meant for when there are events like conferences or weddings. The bar is otherwise unattended. One evening, we wanted to have drinks there before dinner, just enjoying the view and letting B roam around. I asked if they served drinks there and answer was no, only at the bar. Asked if I could order drinks and have it there, they said no despite being apologetic about it. Maybe with my customer service and hotel background, I thought it was rather unacceptable and inflexible.
- The only bar at the hotel is somewhat miserable. They should move it up to above said lounge.

Regardless, it was still a wonderful vacation and I am so glad it went by without any glitch. Told DH to be prepared, cause we are looking forward to the next overseas trip!

Enjoying a snack after swimming

Cheers Mummy!

B loving the cot. 

Aloha

Quick update while the bub and hub are napping. It had been great so far - we had fun at the pool yesterday, went to the kids club which really is more suitable for older kids, but they have a small tods room which is great.

Went to Resort World for lunch and will head to the beach and pool once B is up. The hotel has it's pros and cons- generally ok but could be better. Will share upon my return.

During lunch, B was playing with his utensils and I said "can you feed mummy?" He surprised me by putting his spoon in my mouth! I've never taught him that so was pleasantly surprised. When we went on the Sentosa Bus, DH asked "what's this Bradley?" He was able to reply "bus". This mini conversation threw us off.

I've said before and will do so again- so thankful for our mummies group because I've learned so much from their experience. Just like the flashcards episode. I've stopped flashcards when b was 6mo and got inspired to do again of late by one of the mummies. Sharing what we do with our bubs, esp for SAHMs gives us ideas. So one idea leads to the creation of another and so on. Of course some of us may disagree with certain things but we are almost never disrespectful to one another just because of that. Doesn't mean we don't do things a certain way means we are wrong. We respect each other and are never condescending. Ultimately all mummies want the best for their children. And truthfully, this should be the respect for all human beings, no?

Efforts Paid Off

Deleting and backing up my videos and pictures and decided to share this. Proud mama moment.

Everytime I do flashcards with B, he will sit through maybe 15 cards max and then he will focus on trying to get the cards off my hands, scrunching it, putting it in his mouth... But this shows they are listening and learning all the time. Note to self: mind my language and behavior in front of him, even when I'm scolding him.

First Vacay

Off to our first family vacay in a few hours!

Diapers - checked

Formula milk - checked

Sunscreen - checked

Swimming float - checked

Chill pills - plenty!

14 Months On

B will be 14 months in a couple of days. And with that, I keep having thoughts of trying for a second baby. I miss being pregnant so much it's crazy. I even miss my time in the delivery room. But the more logical DH had me thinking hard so I will stick to our original plan of trying when B hits 2.

It is so much easier for me ever since giving B rice and other form of carbs apart from porridge. In the past, its 80% porridge and the occasional mee sua or pasta. But since his last bout of food strike, I had to come up with ideas of what to entice him into eating. Turns out actually his food strike wasn't caused by the food itself, but his hate for the high chair. Hate is a strong word, but the moment he gets out of the chair, he eats pretty well. So I'm guessing he really hates being restrained. As much as I want him to have good table manners from young, prioritising manners and being fed, I choose the latter.

Anyway, since then, porridge probably makes up 50% of his meals and the rest usually rice and soup with either fish/meat with veg. Gosh does he loves soup. So DH and I benefit a lot from whatever B is eating.

With the June holidays, we are avoiding all indoor playgrounds because its crazy crowded and the older kids are so rowdy. So a few of us SAHMs take turns to host play dates, it really is fun for the kids and mummies and I enjoy these play dates a lot. A couple of ex colleagues from my different ex companies asked if I am going to go back to work soon, they have opportunities for me. I was tempted at those opportunities but can't see myself going back yet. Ever? I don't know. Who's to say what will happen?

We'll see.

Of Social Responsibility, Humility & Respect

In this day and date where social media can make or break someone, practising some humility and respect for self and others is so important. We've seen how people who made insensitive remarks about certain race or nationality get booted out of the country, seen how companies get backfired with what they thought was a good social media campaign. My point? We are living in a world of freedom of speech - one is entitled to their opinions so who are we to judge? But there are kids reading, people who are less knowledgeable in certain aspect reading what we are saying or writing, so it is important not to mislead, whether knowingly or unknowingly.

Food bloggers out there giving reviews on a certain establishment; fashion and beauty bloggers giving their take on certain products; mummy bloggers sharing their review on baby products or healthy recipes. All with good intent but I say, take everything with a pinch of salt and you are your best judge.

Ok, now, moving on. We're counting down to our first family holiday! DH will be back tonight and we have loads to discuss, not just on the holiday, but generally on rearrangement some furnitures at home. I am very keen in moving B's play area outside his room because every nap time he gets distracted by his toys and wanna climb out to play. It's about how convincing I can be now. :)

The Sacred Sleep

Kids are really amazing, weird creatures. They give up important sacred things like sleep and food just for play. Don't they realise 10, 20 years down the road, they are so going to regret this and will start thinking "how I wish I was still a baby where I don't need to bother about having food on the table and can sleep whenever and however long I want". And when B does say that one day, I'm going to say "I told you so!".

He's been doing great lately, except I think he's transitioning to one nap now. He wakes up between 630-7am most days and occasionally between 730-8am. Usually, by 930am he will be down for his first nap without much coaxing, but of late, we see the return of the carrier because he will be pacing up and down in his cot, trying to get out. And even if I tried to put him in the carrier, he struggles and struggles until he gets his way, which is down on the floor. And only then, you will hear him laughing "yay I win".

There were a couple of days he didn't take his morning nap and slept only around 11ish, 12 and yesterday 130pm! Thankfully there wasn't any meltdown apart from slight crankiness and he did finish his lunch. I'm not sure if he is indeed transitioning to one nap or just having another phase of sleep regression, regardless, I keep telling myself to be flexible. As long as he gets a decent 1.5 hours nap during mid day, I'm not too particular about his second nap coz we can put him down for bedtime earlier. I read that it takes a few months for toddlers to make the full transition to one nap, so let's wait and see.

We Are Going On A Summer Holiday

Well, not quite. But it is going to be the FIRST holiday since I gave birth to B.

No, we're not going to Malaysia, not Thailand, not Hong Kong, not Japan. Guess where???????

We are going to..... *drum rolls*....

SENTOSA!!!

Eh, give me some credit lah. It takes a whole load of courage to make a decision to spend the night out and possibly have some disruption to B's nighttime schedule. I've been really inspired by my friends who have brought their babies overseas, on cruises, staycations and I thought we really should step out of our comfort zone and try something different. I remember when I made the decision to not go to my mum's place everyday, it was frightening thinking there's no one else at home to help me. Come to think of it, it was way easier back then when he wasn't flipping, crawling, walking.

Anyway, we'll go ahead and stay for 2 nights at Rasa Sentosa - it has an awesome kids club and really family oriented. Gone are the days where DH and I plan holidays based on whether there is champagne breakfast, whether its a secluded, romantic location. But now, decisions are made based on whether B will be kept entertained. Regardless, I'm sure we will have a good time. I'm going to let myself relax and not be too uptight.

On a separate note, we had an appointment with Dr Zainal last Saturday for B's vaccine and routine check up. Boy was it traumatising now that he's much older. He resists being held down to measure his height, which by the way, he's 80cm now! He has such strong stranger anxiety that when he saw the doc, he clung on to me tightly and refused to look at him. When the doctor tried to listen to his heartbeat, he pushed his hands away twice. It was actually quite funny and many times he grumbled and complained until the doctor was laughing at him. Needless to say, he cried when the jab was given - its like finally all the pent up anxiety and fear was let out until doctor had to apologise to him. Too silly.

Whilst his weight remains stagnant, he had grown 2cm taller in a month. Dr Zainal kept reminding us that sometimes being stagnant in one area doesn't mean he's not growing. There are other milestones which we may not be aware at this point. For instance, all his canines and molars are coming out at the same time. Cognitively, he's pretty advance. So, daddy and mummy please relax.

Misleading the Baby

There are a couple of things we've taught B.. consciously or unconsciously that sometimes really crack us up. For example, DH performs this play for B using his soft toys. He starts with Humpty Dumpty, followed by Jack & Jill and then Hickory Dickory Clock. He uses a Doraemon and a random penguin soft toy, Doraemon being Humpty Dumpty. One day, in our game of "Where is XX?" (usually Elmo, Ernie, Mickey Mouse), we thought just ask him where is Humpty Dumpty, and he picked out Doraemon!! It was kinda funny and we told ourselves better to correct him lest he thinks it really is Humpty Dumpty.

Flying kiss - OMG. His flying kiss is more like flying french kiss. Instead of kissing his palms and blowing the kiss, he sticks out his tongue and uses his index fingers to twirl around the tongue. I have no idea why he thinks that's anywhere close to flying kiss but it is hilarious to watch him do that I really couldn't bring myself to correct him. Sorry baby, its just like one day you will discover Santa and the tooth fairy aint real.

Most recently, I taught him to say "sorry" by doing the saluting action. Sometimes he gets it and salutes (by knocking his right temple), but most times he thinks poking his ear is the same as saluting.

Love? Dependence? Reliance?

Bugger, another week of DH's work travel. Off early this morning, back late tomorrow evening, then a day off in SG before flying off to India again and back on Saturday morning. With B, he makes it a point to make his business travel as short as possible.

Maybe because these are short business trips, I am less emotional about it. Or maybe it really was my PMS playing with me previously, I am more.... independent? In our almost 8 years of marriage, every time DH travels, I am very blue. I think more so now than before.

Is it love, or my dependence on him? Or simply just relying too much on him?