MY HUBBY'S BIRTHDAY !

We started hubby's birthday with some errands, early in the morning. Since hubby had to meet a friend to pass him something, me & sonny waited for him ... at the bus interchange. If you don't know by now, Ryan is literally "obsessed" with buses. So standing here, against the glass partitions/doors gave him a bird's eye view. He liked it! Since he was in a good mood, he gave me a few "gems" of shots.

Deep in thought ...

Is Daddy back yet?

Admiring his "obsession" ...

Stepping on the visual advertisements on the floor.

Is that an admirer I see?

Eventhough it was Daddy's big day, it seems like Ryan was the one having a lot of fun. He sat on MANY rides that day (as you can see from the pics). Anything ... for our dear son.

Aww ... posing with the big birthday boy!

Daddy, not so close ... I need to breathe!

A cheeky smile!

A rare photo-op with Mummy!

My Spider-Man pose!

Ruffled hair, whilst having a good ride.

Huh ... what?

Is it? Really??

Looking serious ...

Deep in thought again!

Money please ... Daddy.

We ended up at Swenson's for our early dinner. Ok ... so we ended there due to my suggestion coz hubby was open to any place. So I had to think of a place that wasn't too expensive & was equally special. I remembered Swenson's gave away free ice-cream if you dine there on your birthday, so I thought it would be a swell idea. They had some colouring activity kit for kids, which Ryan was happy with.

Busy colouring with Daddy.

Hubby had fish & chips, which was nothing extraordinary. The plate was overly big for the small portion. I had the crayfish spagetti. I used to order this whenever we dined as Swenson's so I was surprised at the portion size that they served now. It was tiny ... & so was the miniscule crayfish. A bit of a dissapointment really. We decided to order a kid's meal for Ryan (ok, I ordered it but hubby said that it would be a waste, as sonny wouldn't finish it). Of course hubby was right, he hardly touched his meal. Ryan was also busy "disturbing" the young lady that was serving the food. They even gave him a shaped ballon. He definitely enjoyed that.

Finally, we had the ice cream served. I think they used to serve a bigger serving of birthday ice cream but its still free, so can't complain there.

Hey I wasn't picking my nose, just an itch on the lips ok.

Overall, I felt that the dinner was a real dissapointment. I haven't been to Swenson's for a loooonnngg time & when we finally decide to dine there on all days, on my hubby's birthday, it was a real letdown. I think the standard of their food has "gone down" a lot, the portions are VERY small & overall it didn't seem a "great-value deal". I don't think we will eat there anytime soon unless someone who's been there lately tells me otherwise. Their ice creams are fantastic though but its also very expensive too.

The dinner cost less than $60 but it felt like we "overpaid" for it coz it didn't live up to the amount of money we paid for. Well, I hope they do buck up coz its an established & well-known place that has "survived" for so long, I hate to see it go under for the fact that their standards have gone down. I felt really bad for choosing a venue that wasn't that satisfying for hubby's birthday. I admit I was tempted" by the free ice cream but I told myself not to be so easily tempted next time. I will try to make it up to hubby , next year.

Oh by the way, Ryan & me went out the day before hubby's birthday to get him a small cake, for him to blow a candle. Managed to hide the cake in the fridge & surprised him with it on the table before we left for the day. He was surprised but didn't eat the cake until ... much later (like 3 days later). I was a bit sad about that but what can you do ... well at least he ate it (& shared with his son).

Happy Birthday hubby! Ryan & I love you very very much. You have done so much for your family, we don't know how to thank you ... for loving us, taking care of us, protecting us, providing for us & most of all, being there for us. Ryan & me are blessed to have you as our Hubby, Father, Protector, Provider, Care Taker, bag-carrier ... May God always bless & protect you & shower you with His grace.

BACKLOGS TO CLEAR

I have been very bad at clearing the backlogs, especially on my honey's & my mum's birthday (sorry!). So here I am trying to do my best in catching up with the pics & stories so far. Some pics are as far back as April (oops!) but they are here now for all to see. Will try to get most blogged but if I don't will still try to get all done soon. Happy reading!

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?

BEFORE I WAS A MOM

Before I was a Mom, I never tripped over toys or forgot words to a lullaby.
I didn't worry whether or not my plants were poisonous.
I never thought about immunizations.

Before I was a Mom, I had never been puked on.
Pooped on.
Chewed on.
Peed on.
I had complete control of my mind and my thoughts. I slept all night ...

Before I was a Mom, I never held down a screaming child so doctors could do tests.
Or give shots.
I never looked into teary eyes and cried.
I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin.
I never sat up late hours at nightwatching a baby sleep.

Before I was a Mom, I never held a sleeping baby just because I didn't want to put her down.
I never felt my heart break into a million pieces when I couldn't stop the hurt!
I never knew that something so small could affect my life so much.
I never knew that I could love someone so much.
I never knew I would love being a Mom.

Before I was a Mom, I didn't know the feeling of having my heart outside my body
I didn't know how special it could feelto feed a hungry baby.

I didn't know that bond between a mother and her child.
I didn't know that something so small could make me feel so important and happy.

Before I was a Mom, I had never gotten up in the middle of the night every 10 minutes to make sure all was okay.
I had never known the warmth, the joy, the love, the heartache, the wondermentor, the satisfaction of being a Mom.
I didn't know I was capable of feeling so much, before I was a Mom.


In retrospect ...

These words are so true & all Mums out there have been through it one way or another.

Motherhood is full of challenges but its also full of love, joy & devotion.

We wouldn't have it any other way.

MUMMY, MUMMY ... HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY !!!

I have always wanted to be a Mummy, since I got married ... so many years ago. In 2007, I was blessed by God, with a little bundle of joy & we named him Ryan. I can admit, more that 2 years on that mothering is DAMN HARD work. I always knew being a mum wasn't a walk in the park but I have to admit ... it did catch me off guard! I never expected nor knew that mothering came with endless sleepless nights, lots of panda eyes, lots of hollering, lots of patience & sheer exhaustion ... haha! (Was it just me or do all mothers go through these trying times?)
Sometimes, I feel like a zombie ... just walking around, doing the "pre-requisite" daily chores thats mundane, yet a real necessity. As I would say to Hubby, I can't really remember the first 6 months of my son's life ... oh no! ... I sound like a horrible mother! Thats because with the endless night feeds & diaper changes, terrible daily colic, medical scares, trips to A & E, doctors appointments, long hospital stays & surgery, etc. I was really having a hard time. As baby was born via emergency C-section, it took me longer to heal - physically, mentally & emotionally. All I can say is that being a Mummy .... its the hardest job in the world!

But almost 28 months down the road, as I am "celebrating" my 2nd Mother's day, I can say that I have survived! I feel so much joy & love when I look at Ryan. I am filled with pride today as I was, the day he was born. Even the littlest thing he does makes me proud, saying Tigger, cake & cold today; when he told me "no pat pat" tonight before he dozed into slumber land. My little munchkin brightens my day ... when I am down (haha ... though he can be the cause of Mummy's wrath most times). His smile melts my heart & the fact that he runs, dashes to the door each time he hears the keys turn at the door, just to greet his Papa ... I know that he loves us ... but I think we love him more (haha).

I am more confident now, when I wasn't then. I am more assured of the decisions I make for the good of my son's welfare. I know what I have to do for my son's sake. I think I have become stronger & more "soft" at the same time. I am strict & stern when I have to & I "melt" & give in to Ryan, when he gives me those googly eyes. Aah! At last, I have learnt to be ... a Mother.

What does Mother's Day mean to me? It means that I when I die, I know that I will leave a piece of me behind, in the shape of my only son. My own flesh & blood, someone that I love unconditionally & loves me unconditionally back (I hope!). Someone who looks like me (ok ok, he looks more like his Daddy but who's complaining), has inherited my eccentricities (making sure his toy buses are in straight lines), someone who shares my "talkative" nature & "adventure" for food, someone I will readily give up my life for ...

To all the GREAT Mummies I know ... My own Mum, my Sis, Rina, my Sis-in-law, Kak Idah, my two buds, Lisa & Jessie ... I salute you ladies. You were Mummies before me but I never knew how "hard" & tough being a Mummy was, until I became one. I am humbled & awed. Kudos & warmest hugs from this Mummy to you. Its tough being a Mummy ... but at the end of the day, its all worth it

Last but not least, "A Happy Mother's Day" to my beloved Mum! Eventhough she doesn't "do" the internet, I just wanted to show my love for her. She has been there for me since the day I was born, so many years ago. And she's still here with me, as I soldier on my new journey as a Mother. I never "knew" nor appreciated the sacrifices, the tears, the heartache, the worries ... she had to go through raising me as a child. She accepted me as I am, with all my stubbornness & chided me when I needed it. She supported me through the years & gave me invaluable advise on raising her last & youngest grandson. She has held my hand & guided me when I was just clueless. She has truly been a pillar of strength in our family. I sometimes jokingly call her our "CMPB" (Central Man Power Base - a Military centre) because if you wanted to know whats the latest happenings amongst the siblings, in-laws, nephews, niece, etc ... Mum is the first person to know & help, if its needed.

She readily busies herself with the family affairs, showing that she cares & wants everyone to be well & happy. She calls us everyday (sometimes up to 5 times a day when Ryan was a newborn .. hehe!) not because she wants to know everything ... she calls because she cares & loves us. I never knew my Mum's perspective of self-sacrificing & endless unconditional love until I had Ryan. When you "carried" your baby in your tummy for 9 months ... the love you have for that child is indescribable ... only a Mother can understand!

If my love for my son is any indication of the love my Mum has for me (& my siblings), I know that I am loved, cherished & adored, & for that I am truly blessed ... I thank God!

I love you Mum! Happy Mother's Day to all the hardworking & beautiful mummies !!!

P.S : All Mummies are beautiful because they deserve to be ... after ALL the tears & sacrifices ...

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY !!!