THE LUO HAN BUMP ... LUMP

A couple of years back, Singapore was gripped with Luo Han "fever". As Singaporeans can't get enough of things that bring you luck, prosperity & ahem ... money, nearly every fish loving enthusiast had a Luo Han or two, at home. Haha ... we were no different. They could cost up to tens of thousands of dollars. We ... were contented with ones that costs just a couple of bucks (they have since died, due to fish-disease).

Ok, the story links up to the Luo Han fish ... because somewhere in early September 2009, my dear son had the unfortunate luck to land straight on his forehead after repeatedly being told to stop jumping on our bed. As you would have guessed, Ryan landed face down, before Hubby could get to him on time (muah was in the loo ... when I heard the loud thud & subsequently Ryan screaming!). Ryan was bawling his eyes out! He was crying so loudly & the bump was sooo huge, it scared the hell out of me! We quickly calmed him down & managed to put ice on the bump (plus Zambuck, of course). After awhile, he calmed down & so did the big lump. We decided to wait & see ... before we decided to bring him to see the doctor.

The following day, the bump decided to reappear big time, after Ryan accidentally rubbed on it. It grew even bigger than the previous night. Hubby was at work so I called him to hurry back home. I was petrified! After a short discussion, we decided to bring Ryan to the KK Emergency Department, to check if it was more serious than we thought. Call me a super-kiasu parent, but I wasn't gonna gamble on my son's health & well-being. Some people may think ... its just a bump, what's the worry? But a bump that re-appeared worst than when it happened? ... errm, I wasn't gonna risk it! My instincts told me to go for a check, an X-ray .... to give me peace of mind. So we waited ... patiently, for Hubby to be back home ....

A picture of the Luo Han or Flowerhorn Fish

A picture of my son, Ryan ... less than 24 hours after the fall.

At the Emergency Department, waiting for our turn.

Does he look like he's in pain, to you?

On the 3rd day, after the fall. The doc said there were no cracks visible in the X-ray. So we were very relieved!

I wasn't trying to make a joke out of my poor son's fall but Ryan did look like he had a Luo Han's bump on his forehead. Of all his falls, this was the worst by far. I really really hope it will be the last ... for my hyper-active boy (though I really doubt so). The bruise took a very long time to disappear. Until today, there's a slight bump where the bruise was ... I wonder if it will ever level? Maybe it will always remain there, as a "soldier's" scar of battle.

A lesson learnt people ... NEVER JUMP ON YOUR PARENT'S BED! - you might just end up falling on your face!

THE THINGS WE DO ... TO DISTRACT

All parents have tricks up their sleeves to entertain the kids ... to will away the time. We are no different. Some parents let their kids enjoy the PSPs or Gameboys, some hand over their handphones or digicams, gosh ... I've even seen a Caucasian child in Orchard Road, playing with an expensive computer tablet in a moving pram (can you imagine if it drops? ouch! expensive mistake!).

For us simple folks, we used some (rather) ingenious ways to distract our extremely hyper-active kid. We sometimes bring along a small notebook for him to scribble or draw on & even brought along a portable Magna-doodle. Lately, as my son is terribly obsessed with Transformers, Hubby has even his youngster hooked on the theme song for the first movie. The song by modern rock band Linkin Park called "What I've Done" is my two year old's favourite song. What is the world coming to ... when a 2 year old listens to Linkin Park ... I rest my case!

So Hubby has recently resorted to downloading his son's fav song on the handphone & playing it for Ryan to listen. It does distract him quite a bit. The only catch is that Ryan wants the song to be played over & over & over & over ... again! I told Hubby, maybe it was a big mistake to let him listen to the song ... not only is he addicted to the 2 movies (the 3rd movie's being filmed soon, I think), Ryan is equally addicted to the theme song. Oh God! what have I created? ... a Transformers ADDICT !!!

We were breaking fast that night. Waiting ... & waiting, for the right time to eat ...

Ryan, putting Daddy's handphone to his ears ... just in case, he's hard of hearing.

Ryan : "Daddy, its Mem-mem song"

Hehe ... Hubby looking rather "tired" ... as his son keeps shoving the song, right up his ear canal.

Haha! its now Ryan's turn to get the song, into his ears.

OF THOSE EYE-LASHES

If you've read this blog since its inception, you might have read about my son's (often admired) ultra-long eyelashes. Yes, people still rave about them ... I'm long pass being shy (or blush) when someone compliments his beautiful lashes. Yes, I have learnt to accept these comments rather gracefully ... if you may. I guess, Ryan will forever be commented about his lashes, whether he's a small baby or a grown man, later on. I just hope these people ... will stop thinking he's a GIRL ... that's all!

Below are just some pics at a kiddy ride. The one below captured his eyelashes very well.

Vrrroom!

His eyes look so BIG here!

Ryan wanted a chocolate milkshake at tea-time (so we indulged). He seemed to be deep in thought ... even propping his elbow to his forehead ... haha!

Sipping away!

Doesn't he look cute here?

ON THE HUNT FOR THE FLOSS OF CHICS

Lately Ryan has taken a liking to chicken floss buns, purchased at a small heartland bakery (called Champion Bread, which is Halal certified). Its pretty tasty & reasonably priced. So this budget-conscious Mummy was thinking of ways to be thrifty (whenever she can) & yet let her son "indulge" in his tasty favs.

So I came up with this idea of spreading mayo (thinly) on normal white bread & sprinkling a generous layer of chicken floss, before toasting them in the toaster oven. The trick is to lightly toast them though, to mimic the store-bought buns ... as I later found out, coz Ryan rejected my first try of the un-toasted chicken floss sandwich. Oh well, you live & learn!

The trick to all of this of course is to find Halal Chicken Floss in tiny Singapore. Well, its like finding a 4-carat diamond ring, on the sidewalk ... virtually unheard of! Months earlier, I read in a local magazine "HALAL" that a shop in Singapore selling all sorts of dendeng (barbequed meat) products, also stocks up on this elusive floss. So off we went searching for it. We went to an industrial estate in Woodlands to find their factory outlet ... duh! they moved! So we went to their shop in the early morning of a Sunday - damn! they weren't opened. Arrgh! it seemed like finding this chic floss was akin to winning a lucky draw - so bl**dy tough! Finally we managed to get the prized floss after dropping by the place in the early afternoon - well they better be opened (which they did). Coincidentally, the damn floss ain't cheap ... duh! why am I not surprised!

Which brings us to the following pics. They were taken in the Malay Village in Geylang Serai (that's where the shop is located). We were going round & round (like sweating idiots) & it didn't help that it was the fasting month! We chanced upon these kerbaus (water buffaloes). I can't help but prop my son on them, for a photo op.

Look over there Mummy!

Mummy decides to pose with Ryan.

Daddy doesn't forget his "ever-popular" & trusty, peace sign.

Ryan : "Daddy, aren't you tired of holding up your peace sign, already?"

Time to get off!

The other side ... there were 4 water buffaloes in total (a pair on each side of the entrance)!

These were also taken in Geylang Serai, at the newly renovated market & hawker centre. As it was the fasting month, most of the makan stalls were not opened in the morning. As my niece, Ayra & my son, Ryan were not fasting (kids ... so lucky), they had to be fed ... some kind of food. The adults (both my parents, Hubby & me) looked on (rather wistfully) as the kids savoured a shared plate of local chicken rice. Hhmm .... a lot of the passer-bys looked at us ... like we were the ones eating (tssk! tssk!). Hey people! kids have to eat right? ... even if the adults were fasting, we still need to feed the hungry children ... DUH!!!

The 2 kids are (mostly) game to pose, whenever I asked them for a pic. Here they are, in front of an unopened shopfront. Haha, yep I am soooo "imaginative" when it comes to photo opportunities. Anywhere, is game for me! ... as long as I get cute & adorable photos, I don't really care when or where its taken. I really don't, I tell you! As (equally) evident below, these pics were taken in the middle of the newly constructed over-head bridge that connects the new market to the popular Joo Chiat Complex. I find the weirdest place to snap a pic ... yes, I can be so anal ... in that way! Double haha!

Ayra, giving Ryan a sisterly pat on the head (haha ... which also helps if Ryan's trying to run away before the picture's taken).

ON TRAINS & BEARS

.... rides! Yep, its random pics of my boy, on the rides ... once again. When will this little boy tire of these (damn) rides? Or more importantly .... when is his Mama going to stop taking those (silly) but adorable photos of her son, sitting on the kiddy rides?? We all hope & pray ... it will be (very) soon!

Below are also some pics of Ryan & his Daddy at an indoor kids playground. I heard that Lot 1 had a kid's play area (after their reno) on the upper level, not unlike the IMM & Sembawang Shopping Centre ones. I couldn't recall if the one at Lot 1 had a wet area too, coz my son hates those (he's kinda weird, in that way) but it works out for us really well coz we won't have to "argue" with a temperamental child that insists on playing with the water, when we've got no change of clothes .... hehe! This playground is kinda small compared to the other two malls' & it had a security fella there (dunno for what?). We also had to be "shoe-less" on this particular playground ... oh well, whatever!

As usual, my boy wanted to try the slides, so Hubby had to give him a hand. We stayed only awhile. Duh! there was also a small TV room nearby, for the kids to watch cartoons ... see how spoilt kids are these days? Or should I say ... how lucky they are! To be able to play on the slides AND watch toons too .... wow! I wish adults had that kind of luxury!

P.S : These were taken in mid Aug 2009.

Holding tightly to Daddy's hands.

Standing tall, all on his own!

Daddy giving Ryan a helping hand, on the steps.

Up, we go!

W-e-e-e...! Down the slide!

This train is mine! M-I-N-E! I tell you!

Hey you! Stop looking at my train ... its mine, I tell you!

Can we bring this train home, Mummy? Please, pretty please??

Haha! Mummy said we can take the train home! She must be in a V-E-R-Y good mood!

Let's give Mummy a cheeky grin .... since she's soooo nice, to allow me to bring this huge red train home.

Hey! Wait a minute ... why did my train turn into a bear??? Mummy, I don't want the bear!