The end

*sniff sniff

And now, the end is here
And so I face the final curtain
excerpt from Frank Sinatra's My Way

*sniff sniff

clydeandchel.blogspot.com is closing! Ending! Actually, more like moving.. TO a domain more fitting of the contents. http://aberryfamily.wordpress.com. More about Toby and family stuffs.. Come to think of it, might most probably be all about Toby. Everyone's more interested in the baby than the two people that worked hard in caring for the baby.. =P

Sigh.. Looking back to the first post. We've come a looong way. Buh bye blog! It was fun while it lasted..

water baby

What a weekend.. I'm knackered. Took a few minutes off to JUST close my eyes. Woke myself up with a snore! haha! We spend a good part of Saturday at Serasa Yacht Club for a birthday. Beautiful balloons all over. I love going to the Yacht Club. The classic clubhouse and the sight of the sea a few steps away from civilisation.

There's a pool there and we brought Toby in the afternoon for a swim. My dear son simply loves the water.. loves it with a capital L. He would actually protest if his daily bath too 'short' of a time. Bought him a mini pool for home but we finally had the chance to put him into a big pool at the birthday bash. We were in the pool for a little more than an hour. He was getting tired and we could see from his eyes that he really wanted to sleep but with so much water to play with, who needs sleep?! hehe.. Usually, he would make lots of noise and get fidgetty when he's tired and ready for a nap.

getting ready to plunge into the pool

*note his big smile!

swimming in his baby float

Another year older, a little wiser maybe? =p

Happy birthday Ping!

Gmail

Gtalking with a buddy and I realised that he's got his name for his email. Earlier this morning, Mr Friday Night was commenting about he would like to get an email add that's good for both personal and professional use. Basically something not too kiddy.. =P

I tried (again) today to see if I could get my name for my email. Then I remembered why I chose bisquit instead of my name.. Hey! It's been that long k???

Gmail Team's welcome email

28th June 2004! that's... *counting fingers* 12 more days to 5 years.

Interesting fact about Gmail. Started on April's Fool, 2004 AND now after 5 years, it's still in 'beta' mode.... Ah I remember those times. Before Gmail was released to the public. The only way you got a gmail account was by invite from someone else who had an existing account. Does anyone remember gmailswap.com? Hehe.. the things people were willing to give JUST for a gmail..

Kiasu mummy registered a gmail for Toby. Like Frankie said, he'll thank me in the future.. I hope! hehe..

Eyes tearing up...

*Sniff sniff* So proud of her. Hehe...

Water baby

Finally managed to get hold of a Bumbo seat for Toby. A relief off our arms but of course we don't leave him in there too long as his spine is still not that strong yet but he's most happy when in a sitting position or when we're on the move.

 munching on Greg's ear

Went to Caleb's party yesterday. (Happy 3rd birthday Caylupee!) So many people to see and carry him with the CONSTANT complain and exclamation about how heavy he is. Yes people! We know that he's a big boy.. And to be honest, we're really happy about it. We prayed for a strong and healthy boy. God delivered as He promised in His word that He would. Trust Him to give more than what you ask for. A really strong and healthy boy.

Toby went for his monthly checkup today. He's officially 8.13kg and 69cm long. According to the charts, he's on the 95th percentile for both weight and length. Can't wait for him to grow older. I wonder which sports he would dabble in.. Basketball like his Ah Ku? Football like his daddy? Just pray that it's NOT rugby.. Don't get me wrong, I like watching rugby and think it's an awesome game but I don't think I can stomach watching my son in such a contact sport. Maybe Toby would be Brunei's answer to Yao Ming.. Ka Ching!! $$$ =D

The only person who didn't complain carrying him was Toby's Unc Nick. The word he used was "siok". It turns out that he's finally gotten himself a camera phone!

 Practicing his skills snapping lil' Toby

All I can say is, "Great shots Nick!"

Unc Nick's SHOT OF THE YEAR of Toby

All Thumbs

I've just discovered my fingers & they are *yummy*!

new parents

Bear with us dear friends and family who check this blog to see what we're up to. Work and family (meaning our baby boy) are stretching us both thin. Whatever free time is used to just breathe and sleep! Lots of new posts coming soon.. (a few days hopefully)

Notes from Toby to Kung Kung George and Aunty Angie:

Hi Kung Kung George! I'm wearing my 6-12 mth old Baby Gap shoes that you bought for me now.. Mummy claimed that I outgrew my 0-6mths old shoes in a month.

Hi Aunty Angie! Remember the 18-24mth old "I wanna rock" shirt that you put on the monkey to give me? Well.. As you can see below, I'm wearing it already! =D

Wassup!

Mr Cool

hang loose!

ROCK ON!

Thanks Aunty Nikki! xoxo

Me, myself and Toby

It was hard not having ck around when he went off to KL for a conference right after our honeymoon. It's even harder not having him around with Toby in our lives now. At least it's not at the same time everyone's not around (mum's going to away next week) plus Toby's a little older and not as demanding as he was in the first month or so.

Ck fills in the time when I really need my rest. My power naps. Feel bad about leaving Toby with my in-laws most of the time. Toby's very manja with me.. As my mil pointed out. He bullies me! hehe.. Even though it's not time for milk he tends to cry more often asking for a feed if he sees me around. Everyone else, you need to distract him when I'm around!!


Babe, missing you lots. Not seeing you during lunch time isn't so bad. It's the nights that's hard. One down, 4 more to go! Looking forward to the end of the week. xoxo

lookie...

the more the better

Only your baby can make you so happy to see poop. Especially one who doesn't seem to be able to go number 2 easily.

Words of praise everytime he poops! Even if it's a little.. but louder and more if there's heaps!
"Well done!", "Such a good boy!", "You poo poo? Good boy!", "I'm so proud of you"

See belly?

little sleeping buddha pose

He's only 2 months+ and he's already outgrown his 3-6 months clothes. he's now wearing 6-9 months! Went for his monthly checkup yesterday. His data to date, compared to when he was born

Weight: Birth - 3.68kg ; Now - 6.5kg
Length: Birth - 54cm ; Now - 62cm

Boy is he growing.. And growing.. And growing.. Let's just say that it's a really good thing that he's fully breastfed. If on formula, he would be instructed to be put on a diet... You read it right! A baby on a diet!

where do the days go?

I don't wish for more hours in a day but I do wish I can do things faster.. Am grateful for having family around to help out with Toby but I think we would have raised him up kind of differently if we weren't staying with my in-laws. First of all, Toby won't be used to being carried around sooo much! =P

Ck's complained that I work too much. I've even overheard my mum saying that! Which, by the way, is not usual. How long should maternity leave be? DO I really do too much? Am I taking in too much too soon? I really salute all the single mum's out there. Coping through life with a child all by themselves..

On another note, our baby boy's growing well.. Alot more heavier and longer. Lifting up his head well and turning from his chest to his back! Soon, it'll be rolling, creeping, crawling and walking. We're looking forward and at the same time feeling hesitant about his speech. Half way towards his 2 months old mark, you can already hear him babbling and cooing away plenty. And I mean plenty! Talkative little boy. More than che che Chloe?? Well.. we'll see

 

First of February 

First of March

First of April

My men

Mirror, mirror on the wall. Who's the handsomest of us all?

times of change

Now you see

Now you don't

Poor baby.. was crying quite abit during the whole process. Not because of the haircut but because he wants to sleep! He was actually nodding off the whole time..

Earlier this evening

Chel: "I want cake. Let's go to Coffeebean"

Clyde: (pointing to sleeping Toby) "How about him?"

Chel: pause.. "Can I leave my boobs here??"

Toby perks up his ears and lets out a string of farts.

Mummy, Toby and cheeky chops

 

  

Taken with Photo Booth.

Time saver

Oh Avent! How I love thee...

Ikea - Inspired by you

What are you? Find out here..

to choot or not to choot

chinese: choot choot
english: pacifier aka pacie
me: binkie

2 weeks after Toby was born, we had a debate as of whether he should get a binkie.. A few concerns like
a) nipple confusion
b) dependency on it for... MANY years??
c) if not binkie then thumb where the habit would be harder to break? Vy the way, he has attempted thumbsucking from time to time with great enthusiasm but has been quite unsuccessful as he hasn't come to the understanding as of how to fully control his hands
d) having to wear braces due to bad teeth formation contributed by binkie usage

Most of our concerns stem from experience. Namely.. me.

I loved sucking a binkie til I was.. 4-5? Not too sure of the age but I do remember my popo giving me 10c (or was it 20c) to buy the cheapo binkie from the indian shop (Uncle Samad!) at the bottom of our flat when my mum goes off to work. My uncles who live to tease me would sometimes suddenly shout, "Mummy's coming!" (even though she's not..) and laugh at me as I quickly pull my binkie out of my mouth and try to hide it somewhere. My dear mummy has thrown many binkies during my time..

Anyways, out of sheer desperation (on my part), we decided to get him his very own blue binkies! Just so that I can have time to actually go about doing things aside from being a walking, talking binkie.

 One of his binkies

Two weeks into it, all worries (as stated above) were gone. He seems to dislike it very much but there have been a few occassions where we managed to get him to suckle on it. Briefly. He has even managed to whack it right into the trash can once. I can truly say that he knows the difference between his binkie and me very well. Am having very mixed feelings about his reaction. Half of me is upset that he rejected his binkie while the other half is very thankful. Oh well, I guess I just have to suck it up and be his walking, talking binkie, along with many other titles and just see how it goes.

being confined

Motherhood has been a ride of ups and downs even though it's only been 22 days! Being in the hospital for 8 days then back, I've had to adjust my sleep patterns twice and I'm anticipating another time as I need to get back to work in a weeks time or so. Dry run with tuition starting today at home.

Confinement's no fun. Especially for a person like me who loves her independence to up and go whenever she wishes and eat WHATEVER she wants! Not that I can just up and go anytime now with Toby around. Oh how I miss my food... It's pretty interesting though how different cultures have their own ideas as of how one should 'heal' after childbirth. The Chinese confinement has so many rules! Not being allowed to shower.. Cannot wash up with tap water (then again all these depends on how strict your mum or in-laws are). A do and don't list of food items. *sarcastic whoopee!* Chicken for a month. Not any chicken by the way, it has to be kampong chicken! Being literally confined to the house for a whole month! Blech!

At least there's no rule of no visitors. It's a good distraction to have peeps around even though half the time I kinda have to disappear to breastfeed. =P

 

get together before Irene goes

Favourite visitor so far, lil' Caleb K. Toby was crying and this is what he said while patting Toby. "Don't cry Toby. Popo (his popo) here. Mummy here. Daddy here. Auntie Chel here. Uncle Clyde here. Popo Geline here. Che che here. Don't cry." How adorable! Will attempt to get it on video if and when he does it again.. Makes me impatient for Toby to start talking.

6 more days then I'm FREE! In a way.. Got a list of things to do and places to go already. Haha!!

Fun in the sun

A boy after our own hearts.. Love for the sun

 

popo also getting a tan

  

sleeping soundly

Daddy's boy

blowing 'raspberries' at 3am on a weekday

plus one

 

First car ride 

After 8 long days, we finally hear the words "You can go home". On Sunday, 8th of Jan, Toby had his first car ride, first look of the outside world, first feel of being in the comforts of home and family, first bath of 'essence of bitter gourd stalks' and first night in his bed. His popo was out of her seat to welcome him before we even got to park!

Jaundice has kept us for so long in the hospital. Poor boy had his hand pricked so many times over the days to have his blood drawn. We can hear his cry from the nurses station all the way from our room which is at the end of the hall. Poor Clyde had his heart pierced each time he hears the cry each day.. Phototherapy for almost 5 days has kind of turned him into a little brown indian.

In the light

His Nana's got a project to create a photo album of his first month on earth. Have printed a number of the photos already and proudly showing them off to anyone and everyone within arm's length! Plus all the pictures must be with his eyes open wide.. Very very wide.

 

wide awake

THANK YOU everyone for your well wishes, pressies/ang pows (yay! for Chinese New Year!) and for taking time out to visit us in and out of the hospital. Having a baby's no walk in the park but nevertheless a lovely one with the occasional (or should we say constant) need to rest all konked out horizontally.*grin*

ps: The carseat's safety straps were too long. Patrick's actually strapped in together with him to make it a perfect fit! =p

=D

Hold your horses...

Almost an outie

Any day now...

Patrick, waiting patiently