Joel's Full Month Cake

Yesterday was baby Joel's full month celebration. To mark this occasion, mommy Jullie ordered a cake from me. For Chinese, baby's full month (满月) is a big thing. It is also a way of announcing and introducing the new addition to family and friends. In some traditions, if you have a baby boy, glutinous rice, ang ku kueh, cakes and eggs that are dyed red are distributed to relatives and friends. For baby girls, glutinous rice is off the menu. These days, due to lower birth rates, people don't really make the differentiation. Nowadays, it is so convenient to just give out cake vouchers. Thanks Jullie for putting her faith in me. I hope everyone likes the mango mousse cake. This cake has 3 chiffon cake layers and 2 mousse layers. It weighed 4kg and it was quite tiring holding it while waiting for a cab. Fortunately I had the 'training' required from carrying Ah Boy. I was stoned (from the lack of sleep) at the party so I didn't and forgot to snap any pics of Joel.

I thought I paced myself quite well when I made this cake but in the end, there were a few hiccups. First, there was a health-scare and my dad went for an operation. Fortunately, the doctors cleared him for cancer. I waited for the op to end before heading back to bake. I slept at 4 a.m. and woke up early to visit my dad so I could catch the doc-in-charge when he was doing his rounds. Rush back at 1 p.m. and decorate the cake, have it delivered at 5 p.m. and went back to the hospital again. It has been a stressful week; from knowing my dad's suspected condition, to the tests and scans then the operation. There were problems at work. I thought I could heave a sigh of relief and steal some air after holding my breath for so long. But no, IH, had to come and remind me that I am an incompetent mother. You need not stand by me, walk with me or stand behind my decisions to do certain things. But you don't have to run me down like this when I am exhausted and at my weakest. I know where my heart is and my conscience is clear. You cannot and will not break my spirit. Seriously, I do not know what to make of this post but I need an outlet I guess. I'm sorry it had to end with a sour note.