Friday, June 30, 2006
Something More Interesting Than Milk
30-Jun-2006:
Dominic has started solids a few weeks ago and so far he has had rice cereal, bananas, potatoes, apples, carrots, pears, green peas, peaches, lettuce, spinach, kiwi fruits, oat meal and rusk. I believe his favourite was carrot. I love watching him suck in his food. He has about 50-60 ml each meal, twice a day and he always finishes his food. He still takes in milk 5 times a day: 6 ounces in the morning and evening, 5 ounces during the day after he's had his solid food and 8 ounces at 10:30pm (the last feed for the day).
Reaching this new milestone means extra costs. First of all, we had to get him a high chair. And we got him a super cool one. It's not only a high chair. It's a high AND low chair. It has 7 height settings. The seat is reclinable to 3 positions. The tray is removable. And it has wheels so that you can easily push it around. It can be folded when not in use and best of all, it is free-standing when folded. It's a great chair and we went through a lot of trouble to buy it.
Everytime my mother-in-law calls, she would ask if Dominic has started eating rice porridge. In the Chinese culture, rice is THE food. Although I knew that she meant if Dominic has started solids, the answer that SM gave was always 'No, he has not started eating rice porridge' and I did not bother to correct him because it would mean more explanation and having to listen to more nagging. I think Dominic loves rice porridge but I do not want to get into the habit of feeding him everything mixed in porridge. He should have the opportunity to taste individual food as well. And since SM and I eat rice only once or twice a week, Dominic shall eat rice porridge only once or twice a week too. Rice porridge is convenient, but no, my Dominic shall have a balanced and VARIED diet.
Sunday, June 25, 2006
Dim Sum Outing
25-Jun-2006:
If you have been to any Chinese restaurant before (discounting the 5-stars hotel restaurants), you'd know how jam-packed the place would be. There was hardly enough space for an overweight person to walk thru, much less space for Dominic's push chair. There were 10 of us including Dominic and it was lunch time on a Sunday afternoon. Luckily enough, we got a table immediately located at a corner of the restaurant. It was great because there was just enough space in the corner for Dominic.
Half way through lunch, Dominic did a poop. There was no where I could clean him. Definitely not right there where he would be adding a little extra aroma to the meal. The restaurant loo wasn't baby-friendly at all. There was no where I could lie Dominic down to change him. I would've pushed his buggy out onto the sidewalk. Only, it would mean the person sitting next to me and the one next to her and the next and the next would have to get up to let me through. Too bad ... Dominic had to wait till we were done with lunch. 
Today, we met up with a bunch of Chinese friends to have Dim Sum. As usual, Dominic was the centre of attention for the ladies. To their disappointment, Dominic was fast asleep when we got there. "Why don't you wake him up?" Another mother would never ask this question. As if sensing their eagerness to meet him, Dominic woke up on his own, to my dismay.
Dim Sum was superb. It was one of the best meals I've had since I got here. I stuffed myself to the neck and took away some too. :p All in all, it was a great meal that cost £14 per person.
After lunch, we took a stroll at the Regent's Park. The park was so crowded with people. It was a beautiful day and Dominic fell asleep almost as soon as we entered the park!
Tuesday, June 20, 2006
Mirror, Mirror On the Wall. Who's the Fairest of Them All?
20-Jun-2006:
Some experts recommend that the appropriate toy for a baby from birth is a mirror attached to the cot. When Dominic was a new born, I put him in front of a mirror so that he could entertain himself. However, some old folks (my mother-in-law included) advised against it. Something to do with the Chinese superstitions.
Perhaps many people associate the mirror with something evil, spiritual or horror. We have seen them in various movies. In the Exorcist, there was a scary mirror. In ghost movies, images of ghosts appeared in the background when someone looked into the mirror. In Snow White, the evil queen's companion is none other than a mirror. It is almost always about a mirror. Despite everything, I still bought Dominic a mirror toy from Fisher Price. He loved it for a while, then got bored of it.
So why do experts recommend a mirror as a toy for babies? It is considered a developmental toy that helps to develop attention span and motor skills. It delights and amuses the baby because naturally, babies like other babies or children. All in all, there's a myriad of developmental benefits. I, myself have seen how delighted Dominic was when the baby in the mirror smiled back at him and immitated his gestures. Unfortunately, he got bored of it very quickly.
Monday, June 19, 2006
A Second Baby?
19-JUN-06:
Dominic will be 6 months old soon. And I've been a full time mother and housewife for 6 months now. Most people will imagine that my life is that of a "tai-tai" or "siu-lai-lai" who has nothing better to do except to go shopping, have high tea with other "tai-tai's" and have a manicure once every week. As it turned out, my current job scope as a mum and wife is far more demanding and challenging than any other jobs I've had. And I pride myself for giving the best I could ever give to the two people most important in my life - they have 100% of me.
I have always wanted more than one child. I used to want four children. Then reality got the better of me and I decided that two will be ideal. Now, I am thinking maybe one is enough. There are hints everywhere telling me not to have another baby. To start with, SM is not doing much in playing the role of a father. It is sickening to be responsible for everything. I'll bet a million dollars he doesn't know when Dominic needs to eat, how much he eats, what he can or can't eat, when he needs to sleep, how to put him to sleep, where I keep his clothes and diapers, etc etc. He has never fed Dominic once ... yes, not even once since we got here. He has never bathed Dominic. It wasn't that I did not give him a chance. When Dominic dirtied his diaper, I asked "Would you like to clean him?". The answer is always no. Do you want to feed him? No. Would like to try bathing him? No. I feel that he just isn't interested in this child. HIS CHILD. Dominic goes to bed at 6:30pm. When SM comes home, he is already asleep. The next morning, he barely looks at his son and sets off for work. When Dominic cries when he's sleepy, he'll complain that he is a difficult baby. His exact words: "You only know how to cry. That's all you know." Well, I was like just put him to sleep, damn it. You have not fulfilled his basic needs, how can you expect him to be happy? If this is the way it's going to be, I'm not having another baby. No, thank you very much!
On the other hand, I feel that all children should have at least one sibling. If I were to have another baby, it would be for Dominic.
Dominic is growing up very quickly and he looks more and more like his daddy each day. A friend told me that Dominic is getting more and more handsome, and I agree!
Well, just something cheerful to brighten up this blog entry, here are some cute cute photos of Dominic.
Well, just something cheerful to brighten up this blog entry, here are some cute cute photos of Dominic.
And to end this entry, there's one last thing I'd like to say. There should only be Mother's Day. Father's Day is not necessary at all.
Sunday, June 11, 2006
I can! I can!
11-JUN-2006:
Dominic turns 6 months in 11 days time. My baby is growing up too fast. He's getting cleverer each day (oh yes, this mummy is so proud, no shame!). He can do a lot of "tricks" now. :-)
He can now sit unsupported.
He can pretend to read.
He drools at the book too!
He can pull himself up from a reclining position.
He marvels at himself in the mirror.
He shows affection for his favourite toys.
His best trait ... to charm his mummy with his irresitibly adorable look.
And again ...
For complete photo album, visit http://thechims.ioncow.com.
Dominic turns 6 months in 11 days time. My baby is growing up too fast. He's getting cleverer each day (oh yes, this mummy is so proud, no shame!). He can do a lot of "tricks" now. :-)
He can now sit unsupported.
He can pretend to read.
He drools at the book too!
He can pull himself up from a reclining position.
He marvels at himself in the mirror.
He shows affection for his favourite toys.
His best trait ... to charm his mummy with his irresitibly adorable look.
And again ...For complete photo album, visit http://thechims.ioncow.com.
Friday, June 02, 2006
Newcastle
2-MAY-2006:
We spent a nice two-week vacation in Newcastle. We took a first-class GNER coach (Great North-Eastern Railway) from the London King's Cross railway station. The journey took 3 hours and was the most comfortable journey we've ever had. Dominic slept most of the journey ... in my arms. While he slept, SM and I watched a movie on our laptop. The coach was equipped with power supply for laptops and mobile phones. And there was wireless Internet connection too! So cool! The scenery along the journey was breathtaking. We saw acres and acres of green fields and there were sheep everywhere.
On the way back, we took the same train. This time we dined on the train and the three-course dinner was superb.
At King's Cross station, we saw Platform 9 3/4. We couldn't get past the wall because we were muggles. But the trolley managed to get half-way in. :D
At Newcastle, we stayed in a flat that overlooked a grave yard. I can assure you that it was not a nice scenery. Dominic did not get his own cot, so he slept in between SM and I. I think he enjoyed sharing the bed with us. Dominic also did not have his baby bath tub, so he had to bathe in the adult tub. We took a photo of that, but unfortunately SM lost it.
Newcastle was a very nice place. We walked around the city and went sightseeing. We took a day-trip to Alnwick to visit the Alnwick Castle, which is well known as the Harry Potter's Hogwarts School. The castle looked huge from the outside but it was mostly green field behind the walls. The rooms were small and I was disappointed that we did not see the bedrooms, etc where the family of the Duke of Northumberland supposed to have lived. It is now a museum showcasing historical artifacts such as items used during the war, ancient transportation, etc ... most of it were boring stuffs. But it was interesting to know that throughout the 700 years, the castle had been used as shelter, a university and a home.
