Miso Soup, Chawanmushi and Rice

And that's the smile you get after.
He simply loves it, the old-fashion miso soup and rice.

Rakuzen, Hartamas. 7 March 2010

Ethan Say....

Ethan, say:

Apple – Apple
Car – Car… car car
Cat – Cattttttttttttt
Caterpillar – CAT
Pear – pear
Cocoon – ca-oon
Butterfly – a-a-fy
Banana – ba na na
Yogurt – gurt gurt
Gorilla – eh eh ah
Red balloon – ed-alloon
Elephant – el-le-hant
Computer – cong-u-te
Thank you – ank u
Handphone – hung phone
Escalator – ah ah lay eh
Kakak wait – kak kak a ti
Yiyi – eh eh
Por por – por por
Ku por – kuh por
Daddy – ady
Mummy - ….

I should be really proud of him for being able to communicate a bunch of words at just slightly over a year old.. but, sigh, he just doesn't say mummy (unless he is really in distress, which I've probably only heard... about 3 times?!)

I'm depress.

12.48am

I need help.

We recently went to Hong Kong and left Ethan’s best friend there. His best friend, 'the monkey' was given to him by uncle Zuhun when I went over to Sydney last year. However, what makes this little primate special is that it’s a custom-made soft toy promoting the Orang Utans for the Sabah Tourism.

This monkey has some calming effect on Ethan especially during bedtime. He has to hug it to sleep every single night and the fact that we brought it over to Hong Kong was to make sure he had this comfort item with him. How idiotic of me not to check his cot before I send the luggage down for check out.

Now it’s pass bed time for Ethan and he is screaming on top of his lungs, probably looking for monkey. My only hope now is that uncle Zuhun has extras to spare…

Ethan turns 1

Ethan’s First Birthday

Date : 28 November 2009
Venue : The Paddington House of Pancakes

This is a delayed entry as my little one turned 1 December last year. It was all smiles and laughters at the little party held in The Paddington House of Pancakes, The Curve. We prepared him months (well, maybe 1 month) in advance singing him the traditional birthday song and putting on the “Mickey Party” hat. And yes, you have guessed it right, he loves Mickey. His first Mickey was given to him by his Uncle Chee Wah and Aunt Elaine from Singapore. I have to acknowledge that this whole Mickey thing is not just a marketing gimmick or what not, the character is actually something children just love. I remember my first Mickey, and I bet you had yours.

So, the party started with throngs of assorted tiny pancake canapés lining beautifully on the plates waiting to be served. The guests were of course excited and some ambitious to fill their plates to the brim. I was chuckling quietly seeing them getting so excited over these little delights. The atmosphere was merry and cheerful with Mr. Clown sculpting balloons to young children and those claimed young - "at heart".

I would have loved to bake Ethan's first birthday myself, except I couldn't stand the mental pressures of "what-if-the-cake... ". Therefore, after a long domestic discussion, we got this beautifully decorated 2 tier Elmo Birthday Cake. Contradictorily, we wanted Mickey birthday cake instead, but was told that the cake designer makes Elmo better than Mickey. And so, this was how we ended up with the 2 tier Elmo cake. Surprisingly, we ended up liking the Elmo cake. In fact, everyone did!

It was a blast for the little man as he saw many familiar faces. I am humbled and blessed to have almost all of our family members, relatives and close friends attend our little one’s first birthday. Of course he had people who couldn’t make it but have sent greetings, cards, presents and prayers.

When I look back at Ethan’s first birthday, what struck me really, was the one year of journeying with him in our lives. He has taught me to laugh at little things, smile at small accomplishments, and understand the fact that teaching takes immense patience while learning takes time. He has also taught me patience, perseverance, determination, unconditional love and most of all, to accept and love imperfections as it is. I love him to bits and I thank God for this little miracle.