Let's Go To The Zoo....

23 months & 6 days old.....

......There are lots of things to do...

I used to hear the song when I was young. I think it was a KFC song because there used to be a KFC restaurant at the zoo. Well, it's no longer there.

We brought Ethan to the zoo two Saturdays ago (19 April 2008). We planned to go there before I left for my overseas trip but we didn't make it that time because I had to prepare/ pack for my trip. So hubby brought us there after I returned.

We arrived at around 12.30p.m. and we visited the elephants first. Ethan was terrified when he first saw the elephants and giraffes. He held on tightly to hubby all the time. Shortly after we entered there was a light shower. We waited for the rain to stop and proceeded with our walk. The weather was extremely humid after the rain and all of us sweat like crazy.

Held on tightly to daddy.


It's not moving that's why he's not scared.

The second agenda was to take the train ride so that we can rest a little before heading to the animal show. Ethan kept saying 'too too train' everytime a train passed by. The services of the train has been improved. It comes with a guided tour now and the rides are more frequent.

After the train ride, we went to the animal show. Ethan was awed by it especially when the birds performed. We decided to leave at around 3.30 p.m. as it was way past Ethan's nap time and I can see he was exhausted. He slept in the car shortly after finishing his milk (with the milk bottle still dangling in his mouth).

Couldn't contain his amusement with the birds' show.
This expression lasted for a good 10 minutes.

All worn out. He dropped the bottel from his mouth
just when I pressed on the the camera.

I would say there are no drastic changes at the zoo compared to my last visit about 5 or 10 years ago, but I think the animal show and the train ride have been improved. Oh yeah, no more KFC there, which is pretty sad for me because I still remember sitting inside licking my finger while watching the flamingos outside.

I think it's a great visit for Ethan although he's scared of most of the big animals. After the visit, he showed great interest on animals especially the figurines we bought for him a couple of weeks ago. Before this, he didn't show particular interest on them but now, he would bring them to the daycare and whenever we go out. I wouldn't mind to bring Ethan there again.

Went Crazy about Flowers!

I always love to see flowers and of course to receive them. Unfortunately, I can count with my one hand (it's one hand which means 5 fingers ar) how many times I have received flowers from hubby. Ehem!!! Anyway, I took the opportunity of my trip to Brussel to stay one night in Amsterdam. It was a rare opportunity as my office booked me on a flight which transit in Amsterdam and it's Spring! Apa lagi, I extend my stay there and went to visit Keukenhof! I tell you, it was really really breathtaking! Some of the photos taken....

Change in Sleeping Time

22 months, 2 weeks & 3 days old.....

My little boy has turned from an early bird to a night owl. The crying episode in the middle of the night has come to an end since last Saturday (29 March 2008). It also marked the beginning of him sleeping late at night. He used to sleep early, as early as 7.30 p.m. but on a typical night he will sleep at around 8-8.30 p.m. and will wake up at around 7 a.m.

Last Saturday, I brought Ethan to my mum's place and we stayed overnight there. I let him slept late because he can wake up late the next morning unlike weekdays when he has to wake up at around 7a.m. He slept at around 10.30 p.m. and surprisingly he didn't cry that night. So, I was wondering if the crying episode was due to his early bed-time. It sounds ridiculous but that's the only night he didn't cry and I couldn't think of other reasons. The routine before bed-time was the same.

Ever since that night, he has become a night owl. He refused to go to bed at the normal hours and he can stay up until 11.30 p.m.! The earliest time he would sleep now is 10+ p.m and he still have to wake up at 7 a.m. If it's not because that he has to wake up early in the morning, I don't mind him sleeping late. I'm worried that he does not have enough sleep.

Every night when we brought him to the room, he will refuse to let us switch off the light and because of that he can continue to play until the wee hours. Sometimes when we have no choice, we just have to switch off the light. And yes, and he will wail, which will lead to only 2 endings:
- He cries himself to sleep or
- We give up and he sleeps very late

I think I cannot switch him back to the old sleeping time. I just don't know why the change is so sudden and not gradually. Is this also part of the terrible-two syndrome?

My mischievous little one. Wanted to
be put inside the washing machine
but regretted it shortly afterward.

P/S: There will be no updates on this blog from 9-16 April coz Mummy will be away.

Nightmares?

22 months & 5 days old.....

Ethan has been crying in the middle of night for the past 2-3 weeks, for no apparent reason. It's frustrating because we do not know what was the reason he cried so pitifully every night. When we tried to pacify him or hug him, he refused to let us touch him and will say 'NO! MUMMY NO!' and kick and cry even louder. He vomitted a couple of times. Scolding did not work either. Most of the time one of us will have to sleep with him and he will stop a few minutes after that. Milk helps sometimes. When he wakes the next morning, he's perfectly normal and sometimes very cheerful. I'm really puzzled.

I tried very hard to control my temper when caught in this kind of situation. I can feel the blood just rushed up my head when all the efforts failed to pacify him. I really, almost landed my palm on his face. I smacked his leg last night though. I was really really frustrated. One small smack and he cried louder after that.

Thinking about it again now, I wonder what makes us (or rather me) think that a smack will stop a child from crying? It doesn't really make sense right? It only let out our frustration but will never solve the problem. The child will definitely continue crying when he's smacked coz he's in pain or maybe shocked. I know in situation like this, we should take 5 and cool down but in the middle of the night, all I want is to sleep and how to take 5?

Two nights back, the same thing happened. He just cried and cried and cried and then pointed to the door and said 'Neh! Neh! Neh!'. I got up and carried him to the door. He wanted to go out so I brought him out and let him down. He stood there clinging to his favourite pillow and gave me a clueless face. He then sat on the floor. I asked him "Are you ok now?' 'Happy?' 'Can we go back to sleep?' 'Come, lets go to sleep'. No response from him. Then I went in to the room and asked the same questions. He got up and leaned against the wall, hiding himself from me.

Not knowing how to deal with him, I went back to the room and climbed up my bed. I told hubby (who had since gone back to sleep) 'Look at your son. Look what is he doing.' He held up his head to look and that time Ethan came out to peep at us. When he saw me on the bed, he started to cry and wail very badly. I couldn't bear to see him cry like that so I dragged myself up again and carried him back to the room and decided to sleep with him. Thank goodness, the crying slowly stop.

I don't know what kind of phase he is going through now. Initially I thought the crying was due to the sickness, that he was uncomfortable. But he has fully recovered for almost a week now and the crying still goes on. On a good night, there will be one episode of crying and on a not-so- good night, there will be 2 or 3 episodes. Just hope that this phase will end soon, I mean real soon.

Doing some puzzles before bed time - his latest favourite

Bad Things Come In Three?

22 months & 2 days old....

This will be the third consecutive post about Ethan being sick. Another episode of fever on Thursday (20 March 2008) evening and this time was because of throat infection.

(Updated on 24 March 2008)
I was only half way through the post when the Internet connection failed me. So, I have to update it now. Sorry to Darren's mummy that you have to read my unfinished post but thanks for your comments.

Actually, the throat infection came from me. I wasn't feeling well last week but I couldn't refrain myself from kissing Ethan. Hehehe....

Anyway, the fever lasted for a day and he is ok now (finger crossed). He was all well and happy before the fever. We went to the mall for lunch and some marketing. No symptoms or what so ever. Suddenly the fever came in the evening. We brought him to see the paed the next morning and he confirmed that it's due to throat infection. No antibiotic this time because he said it's not very serious and let the body fight for it. However, if the fever persists for another day then we should go back and ask for the antibiotic. He's right. Ethan won the war this time without antibiotic. A slight relieve.

Sigh......I am so paranoia now. I will touch his forehead whenever I wake up in the middle of the night (worry that he might have fever) and check his throat whenever he laugh or obligingly open his mouth when I ask 'where is your teeth?' (to check for throat infection and blisters).

Enjoying his carousel ride at the mall before he had the fever

It Was Ear Infection Lah

21 months, 2 weeks and 5 days old.....

The fever came back on Thursday evening, 6 March 2008. Needless to say, we made another visit to the paed. When I picked Ethan up at the daycare, I felt his body was warm. Bad sign! Checked his temperature once we reached home and it was 38.9C. Gave him medicine at 6.30 p.m. and called the clinic to make appointment.

Ethan has developed fear for doctors. I don't know why because the paed. is very friendly and gentle. When we arrived at the clinic, he was all ok and happy. He loves to be surrounded by children. But when we were called to the waiting room, he started to recognise things and asked his daddy to open the door and wanted to get out of the room. Things got worse when we went to the adjoining room to see the paed. The moment he saw the paed. he held on very tightly to his daddy and refused to look at the paed. The cry and wailing started when the doctor took his temperature. After checking his temperature, ears and throat, the doctor confirmed that it's ear infection and prescribed antibiotics for him. I think it's the third time for Ethan.

He was on the road of recovery after taking the antibiotics - but it's only his health not emotion. After this episode of sickness, Ethan became extremely CLINGY and 'UNREASONABLE'. He also developed a liking to cry whenever his wish was not fulfilled. He was never...NEVER... a 'cry' baby. Before this, he will only whine whenever he's unhappy or in pain but now, tears came rolling down his cheek within a second.....YES! ONE SECOND when things did not go his way. A sign of terrible two?

He refused to sit on the car seat (at the rear) and wanted to sit on the front passenger's seat. I gave up and put him in front with the safety belt strapped on him. He cried and wailed every morning when I drop him at the daycare. He even pulled my shirt and refused to let go. But he will stop shortly after I left. I witnessed that so I was kind of assured that he will be ok even though I look like a cruel mum, who left her son despite the crying and shirt pulling. I'm sure whoever saw the situation will think I'm a blardy cool blood mother. In that moment, I felt that way too.

I was late for work EVERY single morning since last Monday because I couldn't get up in the morning (due to the frequent wake-up at night) and Ethan refused to let go of me at the daycare. The worst was last Friday when I reached the office 1 hour late because I tried to settle him down before I left. Whoever came close or called out his name, he will cry. Tried various methods but all FAILED. In my last attempt, I sat with him on the swing for a good 15 minutes. In the end, he still cry when I left. FUTILE efforts.

Down With Fever, Flu and Cough

21 months, 1 week & 5 days old....

I think everytime after I said something good about Ethan, immediately something bad will happen. Just like the old folks said, "Don't compliment a child in front of him". I have to believe it now. I mentioned that Ethan's health has improved tremendously in the previous post. Then, he was already down with fever last Saturday.

I was attending a good friend's wedding tea ceremony in the morning and around noon I sms my sister to ask about Ethan. My mum babysat Ethan and my sister and niece were there as well. And I got a bad news! Ethan had fever and was given medicine. So I rushed back without a second thought. Me and hubby were to attend the wedding reception in the evening but I was prepared to abandon the plan. At around 4 p.m., the fever came back and I gave him another round of medicine. By 6.30p.m., he was ok and active as usual. So, we went ahead with the plan. Check with my sis on his condition and he was ok, no fever. At around midnight, the fever came back and we took him to his paed. the very next morning.

The last time Ethan went to see this paed (excluding immunisation) was in September 07 due to fever and diarrhoea. This time, no throat infection but he has to take 4 types of medicine - fever, sensitive nose, cough and phlegm. Luckily, Ethan has no problem in taking medicine (touch wood!). In fact he likes them. Choi Choi Choi!!

Jeeez......I can't recalled what exactly happened on Sunday after we visited the paed. Ok, fast forward a little. Monday.....can't recalled too. I only remembered I slept with him for the last few nights and kept on checking his temperature and he was ok. The fever came back yesterday at around 4 a.m. and 6 p.m.

Today, when Ethan woke up, he was SUPER cranky. He had very mild fever (less than 37.5 C) and his lips were all red like Snow White. I managed to take my bath but after that, he was a KOALA! Refused to let go of me and didn't want Daddy. When Daddy came closer he will SMACK Daddy and say NO! So, I decided to take EL and Daddy went to work. But he cried when Daddy left for work. Sigh...

I sat with him all the time watching his favourite VCDs. Then, he wanted to move around but wanted me to carry him instead. So, I carried him and walked around. When I wanted to sit, he CRIED! I was so helpless. Don't know what to do with him. Thank goodness he did not demand me to drink his milk from the bottle like what happened to this mummy. He looked so moody and sad. Then, I asked him "Do you want to go to Kakak?" He smiled with a nod and said "Kakak ah! Wan ah! kakak..." Off we went to Kakak (the daycare).

When we arrived his friends were playing at the lawn. He was happy and I put him on the swing together with two other girls. When I walked away to put his bag and sign in, he cried a little but stopped shortly after that. I came out to find him sitting quietly on the swing in the same position, looking blankly at other kids. My heart sank even though he did not cry. It was not his usual self. He would be all over the place if he is well.

After dropping him at the daycare (around 9a.m.) I went to the Chinese Medical Hall to buy some herbs to cool his body down. Thanks to Darren's mummy. I already had something in mind. When I asked the senseh what to boil for children of around 2 years old for heaty, he said the same thing - "Ling yong". Cost RM10 per (small little) pack and I was advised to boil 2 packs with 5 bowls of water. Tapau noodle for my brunch and went straight home to boil the thing for Ethan. I was told to boil it for around 2.5-3 hours. While waiting for it, I did some house chores - laundry, mop the floor, changed the bedsheet, watered my dying plants, etc. Since I only took half day off, I sent the herbs to the daycare and went to work.

I hope he gets better by now. By the way, there is no improvement on his flu and cough since Saturday.