Day out at the zoo

Been wanting to bring Cavan to the zoo. Since he started walking, he likes to walk and walk. Shopping malls aren't the best places. People keep trying to get out of his way. I feel bad for them.

I was suddenly down with a cold late that morning, after preparing all the makan. Nevertheless, we made our way to the zoo to meet our friends.


Freedom!














With his friend, Bernice










Watching the monitor lizard










Riding on the fake-o giraffe













Here, the kids were more attracted to the volunteer than the hamsters in the pen. They were watching him even though he wasn't speaking nor moving at all. Guess he was more of a sight than the cute furballs.

When this boy got up, he was quite a sight. He had a face of a 14-year-old but the height of a coconut tree! Yes, I exaggerated but he's really tall!

Cavan and his Mah-mah

Cavan simply adores his Mah-mah. And rightfully, he should.

His Mah-mah had fighted much for her life so she could care for him.

When I was pregnant with Cavan at 3 months, we were informed that my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer (Stage 2-3). We were devastated. I cried for weeks and prayed like never before. Sometimes, words just failed me and I could only cried out to God.

Mom underwent chemo, radiotherapy and finally a surgery to remove her right breast in Nov 2004. After that, she went on a regular bim0nthly checks and was given clearance.

She took care of Cavan after his 1st month. Of course, her physical strength waned. But her mental and emotional strength never waivered. She lost the ability to use her right arm as it was not as strong as before. She still persisted on carrying Cavan, her marketing stuff, his stroller and showed us she could. My dad gave up his job so they could take care of Cavan together.

On Cavan's 1st birthday, my mom was diagnosed with liver cancer (Stage 4). In my heart, I asked why. But my mom never did. There is a time when everyone has to go, she believed. Hence she went about in her life as normal. I don't know whether she ever questioned why such a thing happened to her. She's been such a strong person.

Her daily joy and happiness is very much built upon Cavan. His little antics made her smile. He simply loves to snuggle up to her, teases her with his mischevious pranks and makes funny faces at her when chided.

I hope he will know what his Mah-mah had done for him despite her illness and will honour her.

75th percentile

Cavan's height had all along been 75th percentile since he was 1 month old. This means he is taller than 750 babies and shorter than 250 babies his age and gender given a sample of 1000. People ask, who does Cavan inherit his height from, since Clem and myself are not very tall (ok, I'm short). Perhaps from Clem's maternal grandpa. Quite a tall and feisty person for a 80+ year-old. Perhaps my dad, whom people say is tall as well.

What I was concerned with was that Cavan's head was also on 75th percentile. This is not news to us, as we sometimes had difficulty putting on a T-shirt for Cavan cos his head will get in the way. So we usually buy tops with buttons by the shoulder. I was concerned cos the nurse brought it up. In the past development assessments, no one had ever mentioned although on record, Cavan's head had consistently been that percentile. The nurse said if it had been consistent, then shouldn't be a cause for concern. But why did she bring it up? Should I bring Cavan for a check?

I surfed the internet for info. As the growth has not deviated from normal development and had consistently been on the same graph line, shouldn't be worried. It says that 75th percentile for head circumference coupled with higher percentile for height indicates that baby might be tall.

Well, my parents say that I have a big head too. That's true. I can't even fit into Clem's hat and some glasses are too tight for me. Cavan could get his big head from me.

Now, that's a relief.

Look, mom, no hands!

Cavan started walking more than 10 steps on his own today.

He has been walking but required our support. The only funny thing was, he only wanted us to hold one hand. If I were to hold his right hand, then Clem comes along and holds his left hand, Cavan would let go of my hand.If I try to rejoin the hand-holding and hold his hand, he would
let go of Clem's.

We were at Marina Square. I was shopping so Clem was coaching Cavan outside the store. By the time, I came out, my beaming baby was walking toward me. We were so proud of him!

We found that Cavan didn't want to be carried anymore! He just wanted to walk. And walk. And walk! Of course we didn't get to shop much cos half our time was spent trying to stop him from running into glass walls, and into other shoppers.
Guess that marked the first day of our chasing around...

Then: Tap-walking at 8-&-half mths

Then: Strutting along

Then: Cavan held by his daddy just the day before.

Happy to be on his own.









Throwing tantrums cos didn't want to be carried.







Bushed!

Growing up 

"Dar!"

That's what Clem and I call each other. And that what Cavan calls us now.

Cavan started out by calling Clem "dare dare" and me, well, anything. He started observing how Clem and I interacted and watched how I would yell "Dar!" from the room and Clem would answer from somewhere else in the house. So whenever I yelled "Dar!", he would look out of the room expectantly and looked back at me after Clem's reply.

About 2 months into the observation, he started calling us "Dar!"

My parents and in-laws were certainly amused by this reference.

Little Explorer

Upon checking into the hotel rooms/ resorts, Cavan would first explore the room and test out the equipments...

Checking out Mt Sorak Resort room and phone












Checking out the phone and heater at Pacific Hotel room.

Surviving the Korea trip

Really thank God that Cavan enjoyed himself so much throughout the trip. It was beyond my expectation.

Flight to Korea
Our flight was 1am and it was way past Cavan's bedtime. He was excited about this new experience and was wide awake. Plus Aunt Judy and family were here to see us off, so he couldn't get much sleep before that. It was only when the plane was on the runway that he fell asleep... He didn't have much complain about the air pressure, probably thanks to the pacifier. He did shuffle a few times, as he was unable to stretch out and sleep. Nevertheless, he did not complain.

Korea
He pretty did what everyone did. When people napped on the coach, he napped. When people got off to sightsee, he did (although there were times we wanted to stay in the coach so he could sleep longer). When people ate, he ate. His routine was hay-wired but he was not fussy. He was a good baby travellor. Clem and I were so inspired to bring him on another trip.

I think Cavan enjoyed Waterpia the most. He loved swimming and spent a splashing great time. Other than this, he was just happy to be out everyday.

Korea is family-centric. The parks that we went had strollers for rent. Koreans also love kids. Cavan always had someone coming up to him, to play and talk with him.

So what did Cavan eat?
We were kiasu parents. Brought loads of milk powder, 2 types of cereals (1 for milk feed, 1 for direct feed), biscuits, bread, even Singapore-boiled water. Cavan was able to eat most of the local food- rice, udon, soup, chicken, veg (not kimchi). We had to bring back the cereal. Water-wise, it was safe as long as we boiled. I tried not to give him mineral water.

Although Cavan only paid infant fare (flight plus airport tax only), he was given a share of every meal we had. He had his own bibimbap, ginseng chicken (yes, the whole chicken) with glutinous rice etc. Of course, it was his daddy who downed everything eventually. He got double portion, that lucky guy.

On flight, Cavan was served Gerber's mashed chicken n veg, mashed green beans, banana n custard pudding and applesauce. Clem and I tried some. Yucks and double yucks. Do they really expect babies to eat these?

Cavan was very adaptable. He ate whatever we ate altho we had so much more. I think we put on weight during the time. Cavan, on the other hand, seemed to have lost weight...

The weather was really cold. Was below 5 deg then. 

"Is this really going to be my lunch?" 

With mommy 

Doesn't Cavan look like he's from Shaolin? 

Pic taken at Nami Island, supposedly made famous by Korean Drama "Winter Sonata".

Cavan's fav grandaunt Judy sent us off at the airport with her family. Gave Cavan a red packet as this was his 1st trip by air. She was going to miss him so much!  

Cavan was so excited about the trip! Here he was looking out from the coach's window.

So blessed!

Cavan is so blessed. Knowing that this is his 1st trip by air and the weather is going to be cold, there are so many favours done for him.

My director's PA went specially to buy him 2 sets of thermal wear upon finding out that I couldn't get his size. Not only that, she went back to wash them so they can dry in time for the trip! I was so touched...

Hiro, Clem's brother bought him a cute Winnie the Pooh pullover. It was sooooo cute!

Preparing for Korea trip

Can't imagine there's so much to pack for a little guy! Had wanted this vacation so much after a busy 1st quarter. But this seems to be more work.

Will I get to enjoy myself, or spend time watching over Cavan instead?

Will I get to enjoy the rides, or spend time carrying him instead?

Not forgetting several what ifs:
- what if Cavan cries on the plane and annoy everyone else?
- what if he starts to poo during the flight, or during the journey as we travel to places?
- what if he can't get adjusted to the time and climate? The temperature is about 4-18 degrees C.
- what if the water is not safe for him to drink? And I'm not keen to feed him on mineral water yet.

I checked on the price of items in Korea. A loaf of bread cost 1600 won. A can of beer costs 1500 won. It's cheaper to let Cavan drink beer than to eat bread...

Spotted!

Cavan was due for his MMR in May 06. Meanwhile, we had a few scares.

During Chinese New Year in end Jan, he developed a fever up to 39.4 deg C. His eyes seemed a bit puffy. And spots started appearing all over his body. Measles? Chicken pox? No, false measles. The doc told us.

In end Mar, he had mild fever. Again spots all over his body. What was it? German measles, or rubella, or 3-day measles.

Clearing out clothes

Never have I thought this would be such an emotional activity.

Every quarter (or is it 2 months?), I would clear out Cavan clothes. Those that don't fit him anymore.

As I unfold the pieces, I would remember the little body of my baby boy. He's grown! On occasion, I would freeze at moments of nostalgia...

That day, Dar was clearing the clothes together with me. I don't think guys would share such sentiments, I thought. Maybe it only happens to mommies.

To my surprise, he remarked as he was unfolding a piece, "Do you remember how small Bebe was at this age? So cute!"

At least I know I'm not the only one...

Rear in

Poor Cavan. Instead of celebrating his birthday, the thing we did was to bring him to the doc's.

He had been having fever over Chinese New Year. 39.4 deg C. We brought him to a GP on New Year's Eve. His PD was not open so we had no choice but to visit the clinic.

After CNY, his fever hadn't subsided so we brought him to the PD. If paracetanol and sponging still didn't work, we would have to administer Voren suppository if his temperature continued to rise. It was a little white waxy bullet-shaped thingy.

Dar and I tried to insert into Cavan's anus. Hmm, that boy didn't protest nor cry but he did try to escape. Hey! Wait that little bullet got expelled out of his butt! So hubby grabbed him and I tried again. I pushed it in. Cavan pushed it out. The thing went in and out, in and out. Finally, I gave up. So Cavan got released and quickly scurried off.

How are we supposed to keep it in? Did we do it the right way? I tried surfing the net for more info and instruction. Apparently, there wasn't much info on this.

Later, I found out from my mom that we are supposed to press it in for approx. 5 sec. The wax will melt in the body heat and won't stand the chance of being expelled.

Ah, this thing should come with an instruction, or step-by-step guide. But spare the illustration pls.

Cavan wearing Bernstein's New Year outfit. Bernstein is now 16 years old...

Happy New Year!

Cavan's grandparents were so excited this CNY. Last year, we were in confinement so couldn't go out. This year, they were raring to bring their "prized" grandson around for visits.

Chinese New Year with Yeye and Ah Ngin

Hari Raya Yee Family

Presents

This has got to be one of my fav activities- opening presents! But of course I had to respect the owner of the pressies and leave it to Cavan to carefully tear the wrappers. Come on baby, I can't wait!








A month ago... the same delighted baby opening Christmas presents...

I wish...

Cavan's 1st birthday. With his blueberry and chewy chocolate ice cream cake. So yummy!

A collage of Cavan

Cavan loves doing actions! Here he was, practising "gongxi gongxi" although it's still a month away from CNY.