ANOTHER MONTHLY BIRTH-DAY?

Yep! You read that right!

If you have been reading this blog, ahem ... rather diligently, you might have seen some "oh-so-lame" yet rather impor-tant cake-blowing sessions that we have for our family ... well, it's just for the naughty munchkin (haha! not for the adults).

Yep, just like most kids his age, my Ryan enjoys blowing birthday candles. Errm ... not so much eating the cake though. Ryan seems to dislike any sort of cake these days ... I really don't know why. So this time round, I had this "brilliant" idea to buy a sugar-glazed donut instead. Donuts (among other things) are his new favourites, especially ones topped with chocolate or chocolate sprinkles.

Let's not forget the lone candle!

Smile for the camera!

A single blow will do it!

Will we still do this monthly cake-blowing-thingy in the future? I think we will. As long as Ryan still loves it & enjoys blowing the cartoon-decorated-cake, we will still humour him, with a candle. I think its just a simple act to show to our kid ... that we love him! That every month we spent with him ... is worth celebrating! And although its rather lame for most people, we still do it! I admit that we don't do it every single month ... due to forgetfulness & busy-busy days, but when we decide to do it, we usually celebrate it with little fanfare ... just that lone candle & cake for my angel, Ryan.

How do you celebrate the joy ... your kid brings to you? It may not be that cake or donut or eclair (or presents?), but I am sure every one of us have our own way to commemorate the happiness our children bring to our lives. I know me & Hubby will still keep on doing it, for as long as we can.

MY SON IS TURNING 3 ... NEXT MONTH!

Yes, in about a month's time, my little boy will be turning 3! Wow! How time flies! It was not long ago that I gave birth to that tiny bundle. Okay, so he was cut from my stomach ... but who wants to argue with me, on that!

Ryan, being Ryan ... was an unexpected Gift from God, as he was definitely unplanned. We waited for a child for the longest time ... so we definitely, did not see him coming. He came in our 9th year of marriage ... a long time for most married couples. Eventhough he was conceived naturally, Ryan did not want to come into this world without some "excitement" & fanfare - he was a "drama" prince, even when he was born. Not only did he gave me an emergency C-sect ... (no, no not blaming him ... just stating a fact ya!), he "wanted" to stay in hospital, for the next 11 days of his new life. Not being able to bring my baby back home with me (from my hospital stay) ... was one of the saddest thing in my life, then (guess I was having some post-natal blues). Most Mummies get to bring their baby home with them, when they leave ... nope, I wasn't one of them.

Today, almost 35 months have passed (that's nearly three years) ... yep, just one more month to go, before Ryan reaches a monumental, 3 years of age. As I look forward to having a mini celebration for Ryan (with my extended family), I am both happy & full of emotions ... when I look back on three years worth of memories ... all in photographs. When I look at them pictures, I am filled with much happiness ... for I am really thrilled that I managed to get a lot of Ryan's early growing up years, in print. I never regretted being the trigger-happy Mama coz how else am I gonna get gems of my little boy growing up.

Looking at the many photos, I can also see how both me & Hubby have grown to be parents, when for many years we had gotten used to just the two of us. Changing our lives & growing into better people (I hope), Ryan's birth & presence has turned us into better human beings. We are still learning, we are still trying, we are still experimenting ... & yet we have learnt so much & there is still much to learn!

I knew Hubby would make a wonderful Father ... & I was right! From the first day that his son was born, Steven has been a very hands-on Daddy. Sometimes he seems to revel in doing the most mundane thing for his boy. He enjoys changing his son (yep, he does poopy diapers too), giving Ryan a shower, washing the car (with sonny boy in tow) ... or even simple things like bringing his boy for a round-about trip on a bus ... just because! (Ryan just loves bus rides). I can see that he loves his son too .... very very much. I think we always tend to forget the Daddies in the rearing of the children. A lot of fathers think that being a good father is bringing home the (big) bacon. Nope, I beg to differ! Being a good father is spending precious quality time with your child ..... doing the most mundane thing. I can see that Hubby is becoming a better father each day. It touches my heart ... always!

Ryan has given me so much to be thankful for ... because of him, I was able to become a Mother. Although, we would have loved to have a second child with us, I guess God knew what's best for us, as a family. There are times that I wished for a playmate & sibling for my boy but there are times that I feel that we shouldn't tempt Fate. God has blessed us with one healthy child ... we are eternally grateful & blessed.

Mummy & Papa, love you Ryan! Hope you will enjoy your small birthday party next month. Eventhough we can't throw you a huge celebration, we hope you will have fond memories of your 3rd birthday when you are older. *Kiss Kiss!*

I wanted to put up some pics of Ryan on the monumental years of his life. Here it goes ...

His newborn photo (still in the hospital). See the sharp nose & rose-bud red lips. Well, the sharpness is gone (I guess courtesy of Mummmy's genes & flat nose, arrgh! should have had Daddy's sharper nose). His lips are still pink but no longer red ... oh well! He's still as cute as a button!

On the morning that he turned 1! So cute rite?! Ryan is one of the happiest child I have ever met. He's always happy & smiling.

Looking cute!

On the day that he turned 2! I took him for a train ride to the mall. He loved it!

Having his favourite Egg Prata. Yummy! See how Ryan's grown ... now he can feed himself, no need for Mummy to help (ya, rite ... as if! Mummy still feeds him ok!)

Oh Barney! How I love thee!

Oooooh! Mummy let me sit on a super big bike. Sweeeeet! It must be because its my birthday!

(These following pics were also taken in 2009). Another of his favourite bike ride. Acting cheeky, as usual.

Giving me one of my model-like pose (acting cool & not smiling), I seem to get a few of these poses lately ....

(This was taken in late November 09, whilst kite-flying). See how my boy has grown ... he plays with his own kite now (with a LOT of help from Daddy, no less).

When I look at these photos, I can't help but feel ... how my boy has grown over the years. From a helpless little thing, all wrapped up in a blanket ... to a gregarious toddler that has boundless energy. And although Ryan drives me up the wall, sometimes ... with his many antics, its his "nonsense" that makes me love him even more. There's no one like my Ryan & though he tests my patience (many times in a day), although he "grates" on my nerves, although he makes me angry (a lot of times) ... I love him, more than anything in the world.

I finally know what a Mother's love feel like. I am a Mummy now ... & although I have a lot to learn, I am trying to learn from my mistakes ... every single day. Although I am not the best Mummy, I will always, always, always ... do my best for Ryan. I love him ... more & more each day. He gives me so much joy & happiness, I have a lot to be thankful for. Even if I die tomorrow, I would die contented ... for I've finally known (& felt) a child's love for his Mother. And although I would miss Ryan (oh so much) if I die ... I feel blessed to have given birth to him & having had the time to be his Mum. Does that make sense to you? Haha .... I'm being nonsensical, I guess!

WHOHOO! RYAN IS 2 AND A HALF!

Alert : Another post with lotsa photos ... hehe!

This week my dear son turned 2 and a half (or 30 months, as I keep counting)! As Hubby had to work & had meetings whole day, we were stuck at home (as usual). If you didn't know by now, we as a family always try to celebrate the small milestones of our son, like his monthly-versary (his birth-day, in every month). As this is the month that he turns, 2 and a half (which is rather monumental, to me anyway) ... I thought that we should go out for a simple (cheap) meal tonight.

Alas, Hubby called at the last minute to say that he had to go for yet another meeting. Arrgh! I was rather upset but what can you do ... work is work, right!?. I guess Hubby sensed my disappointment! He called back awhile later to say he can actually miss the meeting as he just found out that he does NOT really need to be there at all. Phew! The day was saved!

The first couple of photos are of Ryan playing around, after his afternoon nap.

Trying to be cute, covering his face with the digicam cover.

Looking rather solemn.

Smiling now!

These next photos were taken from a upward angle. Ryan just loves to "bully" his mummy. He loves to sit on my tummy (or my ribs, if you must) when we are playing on the bed. Oh! he loves to jump or "dance" whilst on top of the parent's tummy too (daddy gets his turn too, sometimes). I thought it might be cute to get some pics of him whilst he was doing his thing.

The photo above is really outta focused but the pic of him was rather cute so I thought I'll just put it up. I realised that some badly-focused-shaky pics are actually rather nice. So what if the pictures aren't super clear, all that matters is that the photo is memorable or taken at an opportune time. So I will continue to post the not-so-well-taken pics & still get to enjoy that special moment in time ...

On his bike (still doesn't know how to pedal yet). His lips are full of yogurt!

A not-so-pretty pose ... haha!

Very messy hair.

Looking serious!

Playing with his favourite thing - the digicam cover.

Ryan looks rather serious here. He wasn't very happy because he was wailing in the car due to a real scolding from me. That's because he rushed into the elevator when we were leaving our home. Sometimes we let him press the buttons (although we try not to ... as we don't want him to touch the lift buttons ... germs & all) but on this night, the lift was on our floor, that is ... as soon as he pressed the buttons ... the door opened & he rushed into it ... whilst his parents are WAYYYY behind! I screamed for hubby to rush to the lift & luckily he managed to get there on time, before the elevator door closed on him. Phew!

Sigh! Why is it that kids don't listen to their parents?! Like not to go into lifts when no one's in it? Don't they know that its dangerous? I guess not huh! Ryan got a good scolding from me & he started crying ... from the lift, to the car & most of the journey to dinner. Sigh! he was being such a "monster", I couldn't understand why! Its not as if I have never scolded him before this. Sigh! And so, when the above photo was taken, he was still sulky. I asked him what he wanted for dinner. Before his tantrum, he said "tata (prata) and rice" but when I asked him again after the meltdown, he refused to say what he wanted for dinner. Well, when the kid is being stubborn & wants to have a big "show" of his new independence, the parent WILL decide. We had rice for dinner. So there!

After awhile, he "cooled" down & warmed up .. as he loves sitting on this bike.

We passed a cake counter & ...

Hubby said, " Shall we buy a cake for him?"

Me ... asked "For what? To blow a candle, you mean?"

Hubby : "Yah"

Me : "Ok, lah"

So here are the pics we took, once we reached home. Since it was kinda late by then, we rushed to sing him a birthday song & let him blow a single candle. Hehe ... I'm sure most parents don't do these for their kids. We don't really either but I guess being, no turning ... two & a half is monumental for someone that has been on this Earth for that long (only). As I said to Hubby, Ryan didn't exist, as a person, only three years ago. And now he's here, growing everyday, learning new words everyday, thinking of new things to irritate his parents (especially his mummy, who deals with his antics daily). Everyday he does new things, everyday he makes new memories, everyday is a blessing ... that I will NOT take for granted!

Waiting to blow his mini cake.

All smiles!

Waiting very patiently ...

Done, blowing out the candle! He was so happy!

Oops! Daddy's hairy arm gets in the way.

We lighted the candle again as he was disappointed that he managed to blow it only once, duh!

Second's time a charm!

Daddy wiping drool off Ryan's face. Why drool? Because as he was blowing the candle, lots of saliva joined in too ... haha!

Ok, now the cake is all ready to be eaten.

Daddy giving Ryan a small bite of the cake.

Bedtime, finally!

A last look of my son ... on the day that he turns 2 and a half. He never fails to amaze me ... how he's grown all these years. I don't think he will stop amazing me anytime soon. Sweet dreams, my Baby!

My Baby Is 28 Months Old !!!

My little rascal is another month older. He's still small for his age ... sigh ... he's still not eating well. Having parents who love food, I wonder why Ryan doesn't seem so interested at all. All he wants to have are chocolate milkshakes & biscuits. Double sigh ... whats a mum to do?!

We decided to celebrate Mother's Day earlier. Since I do not expect any gift or surprises from Hubby & son, I decided to choose a nice place to eat instead. Since we have been wanting to try this new Halal restaurant called Fish & Chicks, I told the family that we were going yesterday night for dinner. The place is rather small but they do have seats outside. As my boy was his usual active self & was being rather talkative, his voice could be heard quite "well" in the small eatery.

Hubby had the fish & chips ($ 6.50), I had the BBQ Pizza ($ 7.00) & chose the Chicken Fried Rice ($ 4.50) for my boy. We had plain water for refreshments.


First came the Chicken Fried Rice accompanied with a small bowl of soup. The rice was extremely delicious, it had the "wok hei" taste, ie. the frying technique brought out the flavour very well. It also had big chunks of delicious chicken. The soup was a little bit salty. Overall, it was a winner!

The fish was a little on the small side but it was very crispy & tasty. It came with chips that was again overly salted. Nice but the fish could have been much bigger (though we've eaten some that were even smaller ... haha).

Meanwhile, the pizza was the last to arrive. It didn't look like much to shout about but it was actually very tasty. It had the right amount of BBQ sauce (which some place put too much) & they were generous with the chicken pieces that littered the pizza. As usual, I topped my pizza with slashes of parmesan cheese, chillie flakes & tobasco. This was another winner!

I didn't go there with high expectations but we were pleasantly surprised. It was definitely value for money, they don't even have service charge or GST. So what you eat is what you pay - nothing more! If I'm not wrong, they have longer opening hours during the weekends, so thats a welcome.

We will definitely drop by the place again when we have the chance.

Location :

Fish N Chicks, 602B Sembawang Road, Singapore 758458 Tel : 68520089


Happy Mother's Day to me .... !!!

Updated : Hehe ... I got a simple card from hubby & son. Well, its the thought that counts rite?