Footprints in Sydney

I was in Sydney again, after a very very long time - 5 years? And this time, I packed my bags, and board the plane all by myself, yes! Very couragious one may say, but really, I was crushed inside for having to leave hubby and lil' E at home. Unfortunately habby is not able to take just that couple of days off, thus the reason I'm travelling alone.

However, I after boarding on the plane, I watched some in-demand movies and went straight to sleep. When I woke up, the stewards were just serving breakfast and 1 hour and 15 mins before we land in Sydney Kingsford Airport.

Nice! That was how I felt....

When stepped out, it was Swine Flu Alert all over Sydney airport! I was amused by the termal videocams set up all over. Passed the cameras and yippie, went straight to the luggage belts.

Not too long later, saw a familiar face. Zuhun was as big as ever. No wonder buddy loves hugging this giant.

I wondered around town on my own, no hubs, no bubs. And that was really good. I could just wake up in the morning, not having to think about what do I need to complete for the day. I could just take my time and do nothing.

Of course I didn't do nothing! I just sipped coffee and smiled.

Spent a good 3 days in Sydney, revisiting and re-living it again. It was indescribable. But most of all, spending some time with buds. That was priceless .

We ate, drank, chatted, gossiped, 'sucked' (ahem, oysters), giggled, laughed and I teared when I left.

Pacific Oyster at the Fish Market.

$18.99 a dozen.

Buds and I each had half a dozen... and

half a lobster, half a dozen of scallops, salmon and tuna sashimi, 3 prawns.. all within an hour!

Sigh, that was what you call a taste of heaven!

Ethan - Starting Solids

When Ethan turned 6 months on the 1st June, I was really excited wanting to see how he'd react when this alien spoon reached his tiny mouth with some white gluey paste in it. We have been training him with the spoon for the past month, feeding him just water using a baby weaning spoon.

We follow strictly the recommended time when solids should be introduced, and according to the WHO, it is best to introduce solids to infant at and around 6 months old because the iron stores that baby gained will begin to run low and a full term baby will need the iron from other sources. Therefore it is important for the little one to gain a balanced nutritional intake. Also, it is a perfect time to start him at this point because he is showing massive signs that he is ready for solids (he drools a whole lot, puts everything and anything into his mouth, sucks his thumb profusely). I was told by my pediatrician that the danger begins when we deliberately start him much later (after he has shown all these signs but we still insist on not starting him on solids until much later) will do more harm than good. And if infants are not introduced to solids after 6 months, they will then to rely on their milk intake only. This is dangerous as milk alone will not be able to sustain a growing infant’s nutrient requirements.

Therefore, we started him right on the dot when he turned 6 months old. This little champion took us by surprise because it actually turned out quite alright as I was expecting him to throw out 50% of his baby cereal. He really did made us proud by showing us that he can eat, and I mean eat properly. He did not kick any fuss, but welcomed each spoonfuls of cereal by opening up his mouth and launching himself forward excitedly every time when he sees his food coming close to his direction.

Referring to a little note written by his pediatrician:

1st week : Baby cereal anytime between 5 - 7 pm
2nd week : Baby cereal anytime between 7-9am and 5-7pm
3rd week : Mashed fruits and vegetables

I am at week one! 2 more week sto go... What kind of mashies should I start?
Carrots, avocado, Carrots, avocado, Carrots, avocado, Carrots, avocado, ... Avocado!

counting down

I got these colourful baby feeding spoons, ready in time for Ethan's first solids which will be a week time. Have been standing, squatting, leaning, sitting along the aisles of these infant/toddles department reading each of these usage instructions.


However, what was eye catching and somewhat consistent in most packaging were the "BPA Free" baby products. I later found out that BPA stands for Bisphenol-A which is a hormone-disrupting chemical considered to be potentially harmful to human health and the environment. It has been known that scratched and worn polycarbonate feeding bottles will leach this chemical into liquids.

Urghs, didn't help much though when I bought Ethan's full set of Avent bottles "BPA un-free". However, after finding out his has definitely made me more aware of the conditions of his bottles and will have to painfully discard his bottles away once signs of deterioration.

Anyways, 1 more week to go... What should I start him with?
Carrots, avocado, Carrots, avocado, Carrots, avocado, Carrots, avocado, ... Avocado!

Jelly Bean Prayer

Red is for the blood He gave
Green is for the grass He made
Yellow is for the sun so bright
Orange is for the edge of night.

Black is for the sins that were made
White is for the grace He gave
Purple is for the hour of sorrow
Pink is for the new tomorrow.

Give a bag full of jelly beans
Colorful and sweet

Tell them it's a Prayer...
It's a promise...
It's an Easter Treat!

the young lims

Ian Lim, our first Godson now 5 years old, has turned out to be a fine young man.

Pio Lim, born 1 week after our wedding is known to be Mr. Smiley for his generous cheerful smiles.

And we shall wait, one more Lim on the way... in 7 months time!