End of the Line

Regis thought I should name this post as such, which is fairly accurate really since it is the end of the train line for Singapore. This train line runs from the southern most tip of Singapore to the northern most point, where it runs into Malaysia and then Thailand. The line through Singapore has now been closed and the rail line is being reclaimed and incorporated into a big project offering trails through Singapore. So for this month, the now-closed rail line has been open to the public to walk along the tracks before they are removed. This probably doesn't seem like a very exciting prospect to you, especially if you live anywhere in the middle of America where train tracks would be readily accessible. However, if you grew up in Singapore, there is a good chance that you have never had the opportunity to walk along train tracks.

Since Adrienne falls into this latter category, and since she is almost two and everything is exciting to an almost 2-yr old, we thought it would be a fun outing to walk the 3km tracks open from Rifle Range Rd to the Rail Mall. Seeing as this was the last weekend that the tracks were open and that it was a FREE event, we anticipated throngs of people to come marching out. However, we were pleasantly surprised with a nice walk and not too overly-crowded to enjoy (Although there is one guy that is totally ruining my picture of Adrienne posted here. Any suggestions on how to crop him out?). You can tell that Adrienne enjoyed herself; I think she was really getting in touch with her American roots. Regis didn't want her laying on the tracks but I thought it made for a cute picture, and besides, it can't be worse than half the things she normally tries to lay on, lick, rub her hands on, etc...

As a side note, I cannot walk along train tracks without feeling a 'Stand by Me' moment.  Its probably because my siblings and I watched that movie over 100 times growing up. I kept expecting a train to come while we were crossing the bridge and for someone to say "Chopper, Sic'em boy!". Incidentally, I think we taped and watched the TV version over and over. Later in life I saw the unedited version... the train tracks in these photos have nothing compared to the dirt on some of those lines! 

 

P.S. Thanks a lot to Hannah for driving us to the start of the tracks!  I'm sure you were regretting that offer after the jam getting there... 

He Who Nose Best

We had our 25 week check up yesterday. Everything looks good. Baby boy is growing and kicking and has a steady heartbeat. He weighs in at 800g, which probably means nothing to most of you but I have finally learned after 4 years in Singapore that it's around 2 lbs.  I won't tell you what I am weighing in at (especially after my sweet week last week), I am a lady after all. Our shy guy finally decided to show his face yesterday, long enough for our OB to take a 3D picture. So proof that he has more than just fingers and toes (since my mom and sister weren't seeing anything in my last ultrasound photos).

Anyway, I sort of have mixed feelings about these 3D ultrasound pictures.  I mean, for one, every single one I have seen looks THE SAME. Of course they are all neonates in a black and white reconstructed picture from sound waves, so what can you really expect? For all I know, the Dr could have a generic 3D baby picture on his computer and just prints out the same photo for each patient that walks through his door. Also, if you are like most expecting moms, you start staring at the picture for too long, trying to see your future son in the picture and wondering why it's not invoking the appropriate feelings of love and adoration towards this little face.  And worse, you may start thinking, gosh, that is an awfully big nose...  I hope he is not ugly.  Is it possible to have that big of a nose and not be ugly? Then you chide yourself for being so vain. But later you might start staring at old men with big bulbous noses on the train and try to picture these noses on a newborn, and then you feel guilty because the image is horrible and you know that you should love your big-beaked neonate unconditionally and think he is handsome, even if he does have a face that only a mother could love. You would be that mother, right??  And it might even drive you to go digging through all of your daughter's birth forms and medical records until you find her 3D ultrasound picture so you can compare your daughter's nose to your son's nose.  At which point you might breathe a big sigh of relief, because sure enough your daughter had a huge honker on her too while in the womb but she came out with the most perfect and proportional little nose you had ever seen. So you are confident that your son is going to be absolutely adorable too....hopefully.

What?
Are you trying to tell me that's not the typical mother's response to these pictures?
Oh....well....that's not how I responded either... 

Here's the picture of our little man.  We are looking forward to meeting you, no matter what your nose looks like!

Eye of the Tiger

Some nights after Regis and I get home, we like to walk Adrienne over to the local playgrounds before dinner. It's a great time to be out in Singapore as the hot sun is finally down and people start to slowly emerge from their afternoon hibernation. These community playgrounds are a great place for toddlers to climb and explore (and despite the general emptiness of these pictures, they are typically full of playful young kids). I think I mentioned in an earlier post how much Adrienne likes the slides at these playgrounds. She has since discovered the joys of monkey bars and how fun they are to swing on. Sometimes she and Regis (since he is really just like a big kid) like to have contests to see who can hang in there the longest. You can tell from Adrienne's face that the competition is ON. I think Adrienne won this particular round. While they were competing, I was snapping a few pictures with my iPhone and thinking about how cute the two of them are.

But then I started looking at these pictures a little closer.  I mean, there is Adrienne hanging like a funny little monkey and looking adorably sweet...but look a little closer, at her eyes. There is a seriousness in them, a plan of sorts, the eye of the tiger. I think she has realized that the only thing between her and total chaos freedom is some core muscle strength.  I can see it in those eyes: she is envisioning herself catapulting out of her crib and onto the dresser containing all her beloved stuffed animals; she is scaling the dinning table to reach the forbidden and highly-desired pens and markers that we keep just out of her reach; she is climbing the kitchen cabinets to eat all the delicious goldfish crackers and chocolate cookies hidden on the top shelf; she is mounting the shelves to have constant access to her cherished Dora DVDs. Oh no....this is not the look of child's play; this is the look of a champion with a plan. Watch out world! Things may never be the same....

See, the proof is in the pudding: what kind of 20 month old does leg lifts?? 

Gettin' my Betty Crocker on

I have always enjoyed baking but don't often find the time nor am I particularly good at it. This week, however, I did some serious baking. I'm not sure what inspired this sugarfied productivity kick; maybe it's a by-product of the nesting syndrome that I have been experiencing lately? No matter.  Its a sweet reward for those around me.

I first decided to attempt to make the Almond Mixed Berry Cake recipe that my aunt sent me (Thanks, Jan!). We had a discussion in Europe about how much we like almonds and berries, so this recipe seemed like a genius combination.  Plus I had a tube of marzipan in my freezer that was in mortal danger of getting the ax the next time my hubby went on a freezer cleaning streak. (Regis is afraid of the freezer.  We may have to save that phobia for a separate blog.) I did have to make some minor adjustments to this recipe, since the key berries were blueberries and raspberries. Unfortunately I could find neither of these berries (fresh or frozen) at the store that day, so strawberries it was! Since I was using a tube of marzipan instead of almond paste, I reduced the sugar to 1/3. I also inadvertently added too much flour, which I wouldn't do the next time. Anyway, even with my alterations, this cake is nice and I would recommend it with coffee.  (recipe at bottom of page)

Next up was peanut butter chocolate chip cookies.  This was because my husband thought I was in the kitchen making cookies one night when I was actually just preparing lunch for the next day.  But once he put the idea in my head, I just HAD to have some cookies.  I originally just planned to make plain peanut butter cookies.  Because they are more healthy, right?  I mean, all that protein from the peanuts? But then I found a half-full bag of mini-dark chocolate chips in the back of the fridge and they just really seemed like they wanted to be together. (Its almost like a reverse Reeses peanut butter cup, and we LOVE Reeses.)

Then we rounded out the week with Martha Stewart's key lime pie bars with Graham Cracker crust.  Except, of course, we don't get key limes here in Singapore. But we do get Malaysian limes, which are small and tangy and must be very similar to the key lime.  So it was Malaysian Lime Pie Bars, if you want to get technical. Anyway, these were made to bring to a wedding shower for our friends (Congrats Sharon and John!).  I actually don't even know if our bride and groom like key lime pie, but I can tell you that I am pregnant and it sounded delicious to me. Everybody knows you don't mess with a pregnant lady, and I figured I should take advantage of it. I would highly recommend giving this recipe a try if you are a fan of key lime.  It was so easy and really good.  Also, you really can't put a price on Graham Cracker crust because its SO yummy...but I would like to inform you that one measly box of Graham Crackers costs $10 in Singapore. Sorry, Adrienne, that will be the last of the Graham crackers that you get to enjoy while we live here. 

 

Now as I am writing this up with my belly up to the edge of the table, I am starting to have baker's remorse. Because, you see, this week brings with it my monthly check up at the OB. After this saccharine spree, I am really NOT looking forward to getting on the scale at the doctor's office. However, I do hope your week was equally full of good things!   

Mixed Berry Cake

9" spring-form pan

350 degree oven

50 to 55 minutes or until done

One 7 oz tube of almond paste (grated)

1 C. sugar

1 stick plus 2T. butter, melted

3 large eggs

1 3/4 C. flour

1 1/2t.baking powder

1/4 t. salt

2 C. mixed blueberries and raspberries

3 T. sliced almonds

 

Mix  almond paste, sugar and butter and beat til smooth.  Add eggs 1 at a time, beating well after each egg.  Beat on high 3".

Add flour that has been combined with the baking powder and salt and mix til combined.

Put about 2 1/4 cups of the batter in the pan.  (The dough is quite stiff)

Sprinkle the berries over the dough and top with the remaining batter.  Sprinkle top with the sliced almonds and bake.

Dust with powdered sugar.

Travel Options

Regis and I have a bit of a travel problem, in that we like to do it semi-regularly.  It has been a bit more difficult to manage this problem since Adrienne came along, although she has stamps in her passport ranging across four continents so she certainly hasn't been a total hindrance. However, seeing as Adrienne is rapidly approaching her second birthday (which necessitates a purchased air ticket) and the impending arrival of number two, we are considering some options that might make our travels less troublesome. The following is one of our ideas. For the trial run, we let Adrienne pack her own bag; as you can see, she packed all the essentials.  Let us know if you have any other ideas. I am worried this solution is a bit too much in the proverbial box.          

Waiting for Waves

Last weekend, we all got up early and ventured out to the East Coast Park in Singapore.  We were motivated by a triathlon swim training session for Regis and Adrienne's love of anything related to sand, dirt, and especially rocks. While the hubby was off doing swim training drills and Adrienne was digging holes and moving piles of sand, I could sit back in the sand with a lazy eye on both of them and enjoy some early morning sun. Eventually Adrienne apparently got all the sand sorted so it was just right and wanted to venture down to the water. While she is a 'head-first' sort of gal in a lot of things, she is always  cautious when it comes to the ocean shore. She grabbed my hand and pulled me down to the water's edge, just close enough that big waves would greet our feet but we were otherwise safe from the water.  This, like so many other seemingly trivial things, is endlessly fascinating to a 20-month old.  So we would stand there waiting and guessing if this wave was going to reach us or not, all the while the excitement building and climaxing in squeals of laughter once the waves hit our feet.  

Waiting for waves is a fun game to play with Adrienne, however it sometimes seems that we have been doing this figuratively in our life for awhile. Waiting. Our plan was to come to Singapore for 2-3 years. We are now rapidly approaching our 4 year anniversary and yet still no immediate plan to move back. This past year has brought a lot of good-byes to our Singapore friends; friends that have now come and gone in the time we have been here. That has been hard for us to see, both in seeing friends go and in being left behind. We are anticipating that wave of change to come for us soon, waiting sometimes hopefully and other times abjectly. But I realize that, like the waves, change has come and is always coming. We have grown, we have worked, we have traveled, we have become parents, we have met great people....hell, we have even started saving for retirement. Now if that is not change, I don't know what is! While we stay hopeful that our lives will move in a westward direction, life is happening now and happening so fast. The thing about kids is you feel like there is so much to teach them but then they surprise you with life's little lessons. In this case, like my daughter so enjoys, that it is important to remember to savor the sand between your toes while you are waiting for the next big wave to hit. 

Get this girl an Acadamy Award!

This morning as I was packing up for work, Adrienne saw the corner of my iPad sticking out of my purse.  I try to hide it there since Adrienne believes that it is her personal $700 toy.  She, like all other babies we have met, love the iThings.  I have even seen her giving my iPad a big hug and kiss, which I don't mind too much because it's pretty darn cute. But babies have a funny way of showing their affection, so I have also seen her throw it to the ground and jump on it in a bout of excitement (probably from managing to shoot an angry bird in the correct direction, which is apparently really hard for her to do. Shooting them the wrong way--no problem). Another downside to sharing 'toys' with a toddler is that I often find that my iPad is covered in crumbs and some questionable dried substances.  I try not to think too much about what this film could be since its most likely some gross combination of milk, snot, and finger dirt. This is the real reason I also carry hand sanitizer in my purse.

But back to my story.  This morning, when my sweet little angel saw the corner of my hidden iPad, she rushed to me and started tugging on my purse.  That is when this transformation happened right in front of my eyes.  First the tugging at my purse, then the whining, followed in rapid succession by big alligator tears forming in her eyes, her face flushing, the whining turns to wailing...As the final act, her arms and legs turn to spaghetti and she drops to the floor in a full-on screaming tantrum.  Meanwhile Regis and I are standing over her relatively stunned at what has happened so quickly.  See Adrienne, at 20 months, has just begun testing the deep waters of the tantrum. Usually when this happens, we just ignore her in hopes that she will realize this behavior will not get our attention.  This morning, as an experiement, I bent down beside her and tried to make eye contact and said, "Adrienne, if you say 'please', I will let you play with mommy's iPad for 5 minutes."  

Poof!  Just like that, she is on her feet, her tears dried up, her face returns to normal color and a big smile across those chubby little cheeks. "Pleeeeeaaaassssseeeee!" Watch out Hollywood, we have got a talented actress on our hands! I have made a mental note of this moment to draw on when she becomes more skillful with weilding the tantrum. Remember, Self, she does NOT need the iPad/french fries/permanant marker/etc no matter how convincing she gets...  

We have yet to catch her in full acting mode, but proof that she can say please.  Also, if you are prone to motion sickness, I apologize in advance about this clip.

As a final qualifier to this post, I realize that you might find some parenting flaws in this method I was experimenting with, as Adrienne may think she should always get her way when she says please.  There is also a good chance you will find other parenting flaws in older posts or future posts if you continue reading. If you feel compelled to point out these flaws and/or offer parenting advice, especially those of you who have never had children or who are not in the midst of raising a toddler, please feel free to email me directly at my account: idontcare@mindyourownbusiness.com  

I will be sure to get back to you promptly.