Caden's 2 years old birthday!!!

26th Feb 2010, 2 years since Caden first lay his sight on this world. Yes, it’s our little prince birthday. He is 2 years old today. I took leave specially to company him today. Though dear is not able to take the day off as she has an event going on in school, she still managed to request to be free in the morning.
Today we decided to bring Caden out for breakfast. Dear decides to go to MacDonald’s at Bras Basah Complex. While ordering our food, Dear told the crew that its Caden’s birthday and if there’s anything special treats for birthday boy. They were nice to say yes and got us to go to our table first while they prepare. And true enough, after we settled down for a while, the shift manager brought up a nicely decorated hot cakes, with the words, Happy Birthday written on it.

They even gave him a Happy Meal box with a transformer toy inside. Caden was so happy to see all these and can’t wait to dig his teeth in to the yummy hot cakes. He also has a nice time playing on his new transformer toy.
Next we decided to go to Swenson Bugis to reserve tables for his celebration with Dear’s friends tonight. But we were very disappointed by the attitude given by the manager. He keep insisting that they do not do any reservations. And eventually when they did after my pressing, he said we are not allowed to decorate the chairs with balloons. That really pissed us off and we decided against having our dinner there. And all these while, there were no sense of apology from the manager and to add to that, he even give a very stuck up face. Well done, Swenson has just lost some customers. I swear I will not hold any celebrations there ever again.
So with a dejected heart, we went to the second storey of bugis junction and saw this nice little restaurant that we have not tried before. NYDC is its name. We proceeded to check with the counter staff if it’s possible to reserve seats for the evening. No problem, was the reply. What a good start to the conversation. Then we asked further questions like is it possible for us to decorate the place with balloons and this and that. Totally no issues with them at all! My god, what a stark difference from stinking Swenson. It’s like finding water in the dessert. And so, we settled everything in NYDC and glad to make the choice.
After which, dear went back to work and Caden went back to rest. And me, I went to NYDC to passed them some foil balloons and also went back home at Eunos to settle some housework.
2 hours later, I am back at home and ready to bring caden to dear’s school to pick her up.
As it was raining, I booked a cab. Once we were there, we went to the auditorium to find dear. But she was not around. Amusingly, her students were still around and seeing him, they all started singing Happy Birthday to him at the count of 3. It was indeed nice and kind of the students. Caden was happy and also surprised to have so many people singing the birthday song to him. Then dear came along, we waited for her to settle some stuff before rushing down to NYDC Bugis.
Before we reached, Fanling and Lishan ah-yi were both there waiting for us already. I looked at the place, it was really nicely done up with balloon on every seats and also some on the wall. Waiter and waitresses were absolutely friendly and also attentive. Food was very good also. Especially when Caden enjoys his fish, pasta and meat. And at the end of the dinner, they even gave us a discount and a cake because one of the gal there was a student that me and dear once teach.

After dinner we all went home. What an enjoyable night.

Visit to Second Grandaunt House

After Caden woke up from his nap, deardear and I brought him to my second aunt's house at Clementi, as my second aunt called for this gathering for new year. This is the second time he has visit my second aunt's house. He seems to like the piano the most in the house, kept running into the room to play the piano.

My second aunt purposely bought loads of cod fish for Caden. We ended up have to packet some uncooked cod fish back... SO pai sei. My youngest aunt even has to buy a ball for him to play. Just a short stay at my aunt's place, so many things and preparation to be done for him. Feel so bad. After dinner, we took a cab back home as Caden need to rest.

Return of Nebuliser set

Today, I brought Caden to Doc Ong to return the nebuliser set and for Doc Ong to do a review of Caden. Lucky Caden has fully recovered. However, Doc Ong warned us to take good care of him as he has sensitive nose like Adrian and is prone to be asthmatic like Adrian too. I feel that I just have to keep him away from people who smokes and switch on the air purifier often. After seeing Doc Ong, I brought him home immediately as have to let him rest before more program later.

Mild Bronchitis

Today, my mum worked only half day. She brought Caden to see doc after her work. According to Doc Ong, Caden is down with mild bronchitis. He mentioned that Caden has a sensitive air passage way thus has high chance of getting asthma if he is not taken care properly. So Doc Ong wanted Caden to be put on nebuliser. Thus mum has to rent the nebuliser back. And Caden has to be nebulised 4 times a day. Lucky Caden is a good boy and did not reject the machine. He seems to be having fun. Poor Caden... Have to keep him away from cigarette smoke and people who smoke as Doc Ong said that cigarette smoke can trigger asthma symptons. Its really heart wrenching to see my poor son going through all these because I remembered my father in law smokes and has been in close contact with Caden in the recent few days. He even smoked in the house when Caden is around. Sigh...

Lunch Buffet at Allson Hotel

Today is the last day of holiday for the Lunar New Year. We woke up at the usual time today as we need to prepare to go back to my mum's place early.

Grandmother decided to give everyone a treat at the Allson Hotel. Its a lunch buffet. Thus, we need to go back to my mum's place then go over to Allson Hotel. We arrived at my mum's place at around 11.30am. Then my parents and Caden went over to Allson Hotel with my grandmother and aunty first. As for deardear and I, we waited for deardear to settle his work first as his server is down again. He has been working every night on his server for the past few days. Poor deardear.. Think he is falling sick soon...

Lucky we managed to rush down to Allson Hotel before 1pm for the lunch buffet. However, we only stay for an hour then have to rush back home as the server is still down. Though its a short lunch, I am still able to savour the food. The buffet lunch is quite nice.

Second day of Lunar New Year

Its the second day for new year. Today, deardear and I slept till 9 plus as there is no more any house visiting so we can rest and relax at home. My dad is not used to sleeping at my place thus kept saying that he wanna go back home. So I suggested to go out for lunch first. My mum feel like eating Ding Tai Fung so I suggested to take a train to Tampines Mall for lunch.

It was so crowded at Tampines Mall. Many people are out for lunch, maybe as a celebration for Chinese New Year like us. After waiting for about 10 to 15 min, we gotten a table. Had an enjoyable and fulfilling lunch. After lunch, we took a train back home whereas my dad took a train back to Selegie.

At home, we noticed that Caden is not feeling too well - down with cough and flu. Deardear was hesitant to bring him to his friend's place tonight. After the nap in the afternoon, Caden seems better so deardear and I brought him to deardear's friend, Dennis house. Its his annual gathering with his sec friends. As there are also other toddlers around, Caden enjoyed himself. I think deardear also enjoyed the gathering with his old friends. We did not stay for long as we are aware of Caden's situation. Moreover, my mum is waiting at home with Tita so we went home at 8 plus.

First day of Chinese New Year 2010

Its the TIGER year finally. We woke up at around 8 plus. As the saying 早起的鸟儿有虫吃, so we decided to wake up early for the new year.

After all the cleaning up, we took a cab down to deardear's uncle's house to meet up with my in laws. Its a terrace house at sunset way. We are the first to arrive as usual as my in laws are always late. About 15 min later, my in laws arrived. Soon after, all the relatives from my mother in law side gathered at the house. Its so crowded and noisy. I ended up standing outside with deardear. As for Caden, he enjoyed himself in the house playing with all the aunties and uncles. Half an hour later, we took another cab to deardear's grandmother's house at Ris Grandeur.

At the condo, Caden seems to feel so at ease, walking round the house as if its his own. He even went to the balcony and look at the swimming pool below. He told me that he wanna to bathe there. After wishing his great grandmother, my father in law drove us back to my mum's place to wish my grandmother happy new year and for Caden to have his lunch.

After lunch, all of us went to take a nap. At 4 plus, my youngest aunt and my cousins came over to my parents' place. Then we eat the leftover bee hoon from afternoon and pack up to go back to my place in Eunos. As its holiday for 3 days, I asked my parents up to my place to stay over.

We arrived at our house at around 8 plus and relax for the night.

Lunar New Year's Eve 2010

Today is the eve of the Lunar New Year. Finally its the year of Tiger... Deardear and I have been having a bad year last lunar year. Anyway, we will be having 4 days of holiday. From today till tuesday.

Our family slept till 9 plus in the morning. After all the cleaning and packing, we took a cab down to my mum's house for reunion lunch. Caden is very excited.. I doubt its because of the lunar new year.. More about the food. There is so much variety of food for steamboat lunch. Deardear and I had a very filling lunch.

After lunch, Caden went for his usual nap while deardear and I went to pray and do some grocery shopping.

At 6pm, my father in law came to drive us to his house for another round of reunion dinner. Another steamboat but with more food and also my fav, ngor hiang and minced meat egg. So I ended up eating again but not the steamboat ingredient but my fav food. As for Caden, he is again very excited about his food... He has my fav food which he likes too. I wonder why... Hehe.. and also fish. After dinner, he played with his aunt and all his new toys they bought for him.

At 8 plus, we decided to bring him home for a rest as he was out the whole day and there will be more activities tomorrow. After cleaning him up, deardear and I pat Caden to sleep. After Caden fell asleep, we stayed awake to watch the new year show and find out more about our lucky colors. Haha... Looking forward for the new year though...

Happy Anniversary Dear Dear!!!

Today is 8^th Feb, a very special day for dear dear and me. Today is our 6^th Anniversary of being together. So I made plans for a nice dinner tonight.

The place is Hill Top Japanese Restaurant at Jurong Hill. We seen this place a few years ago but have not tried it as it quite far from our place. But I have been reading reviews that the teppanyaki there is great, so I guess this evening will be a great time to try it out.

View Larger Map

I kept this a secret from dear dear so as to give her a surprise. I told her we are going to Pan Pacific for teppanyaki. But when we got onto the cab, I told the cabbie, “Jurong Hill”. She was quite shocked. Hahaha. Gotcha.

Anyway, we reached the place at around, 1910, after a near 30 minutes ride. Up on the hill, it was pretty bare and empty, just a tall tower and a carpark. There was no restaurant in sight. We were worried. So I called the restaurant, and they told us, they are at the tower. And so, we begin to climb the tower. We were going round and round the tall and big tower. It’s at least 4 to 5 storey high I swear. During this time I was carrying Caden. He was so excited to get down and walk. But I know if we do so, we can catch the sun rise the next morning. But the view from the tower was pretty good as we get to see as far as Jurong Island.

By the time we reached the top, we were surprised that there was no restaurant. My god! So dear dear called the restaurant again, guess what, they are at the lower level. So we have to walk all the way back down. Caden at this point is crying out for food now.

Soon we reached the restaurant. The place has a very authentic Japanese setup. Not those fanciful lights and decorations but simple cozy furniture. There was around 3 teppanyaki tables each serving up to 9 diners. Before the dinner, the waiter even helps put on a dining bib for us. Something that is common in a teppanyaki restaurant. We went through the menu and decide to order food that Caden is able to eat also. We ordered a teppan salmon, salmon special, garlic rice, olive rice, teppan chicken, teppan pork miso, 3 miso soup, teppan tofu and fresh mushrooms. Seems a bit too much? But heck, I just want dear dear to enjoy her food. The starter was nice, octopus and salad. But both of these, dear dear don’t eat. So I was tasked to chomp down all the starters. YUM YUM.

Caden was at this point pretty hungry. He keep looking at me, wanting to eat my share of the starters. But the octopus is not suitable for him. So I gave him a bit of the lettuce salad. But he spitted it out. Apparently he doesn’t like it.

Food was cooked pretty fast, by 10 minutes, Caden is drinking miso soup, eating his salmon and also his tofu. My oh my, the food tasted great! The waiter and waitress were very polite, attentive and helpful too. They enjoyed teasing Caden and Caden likes “disturbing” them also.

We were absolutely enjoying the rest of the food. And I am really to see dear dear giving me the nod when I asked her how the food is.

Near the end of our dinner, the chef was cooking beef for other diners, and during cooking, he told us to be careful, we knew something is going to happen. So I held Caden tight in my arms. The chef poured some kind of liquid on the food and then lighted the meat on fire! And it was a big fire. Caden was shocked! He never seen such a big fire before and so near some more. He can totally feel the heat. When I ask him hot hot? He nodded he head. I guess he is scared and shocked.

After that, whenever he sees the chef putting things on the teppan table, he will be a bit scared and wants me to hold him. Silly boy, actually he is not that scared, he just want protection.

After the dinner, we even get to get complimentary ice-cream in a separate lounge. I thought that was nice. It’s a nice place to chill out also. Quiet and comfortable. We stayed there for around 10 mins.

The total bill of the dinner came to less than $100. We thought it was reasonable for the quality and amount of food we got. The restaurant even helped us book a cab. What good service.

The cab came in 5 to 7 mins and we proceeded to join dear’s mum and dad at suntec city. We walked around Carrefour for a while and while touch and went around the fountain of wealth.

To sum up the day, though it was a simple celebration, but it was a nice dinner. But most importantly is that I am glad that I can spend the evening with my 2 most loved ones. Not only today but every day. I told Caden, as long as Caden and Mama is happy, Papa will always be happy.

Happy Anniversary to you again, Dear Dear!

Caden's CNY haircut

First Visit of the Year 2010 to Doc Ong

Last night, I felt that Caden's forehead has some weird feel. I decided to take child care leave to bring Caden to Aglow in the morning in case we need to take X ray of his forehead.

When we woke up in the morning, Caden is down with slight fever. All the more I feel that we should bring him for a thorough check

At 10 am, we arrived at Aglow. Waited for half an hour for our turn. Doc Ong touched his forehead and felt the bump. I told him of my fear - fractured skull. He agreed. He said that it might be cracked skull. If its dent skull, there will be a need for an operation. But Doc Ong said that its not a dent skull. However, it might be a cracked skull so he advised us to go for x ray at Thomson medical. I rushed a cab down to Thomson Medical. In order not to scare Caden, I told him we going taking picture and he is very excited. In the x ray room, the x ray technician and I tried very hard to get Caden to stay at a position. Finally it took about 10 min to do just 2 x ray. While waiting for the x ray report, deardear turn up at the clinic. Caden was overjoyed. We went down to Delifrance to grab a bite. 15 min later, the report is out. We collected the report and went back to Doc Ong's clinic.

On the way back, I took out the x ray and asked Caden if its him. The nuaghty boy shook his head and said its monster. Deardear and I laughed off our head.. haha... Back at Doc Ong's clinic, I am relieved to hear that his skull is fine. No fractured, no cracks, no dent at all. Just have to monitor his slight fever which might be caused by his upcoming flu as he has been sneezing. Lets hope that he will be well soon.

My mum will be taking leave tomorrow to take care of him as he is still having slight fever. Get well soon Caden...