Work

This only lasted 5 minutes...

Dear Baby,

Today, you get to come with mummy to mommys' work place. Lets see how this will go... So far you had a walk down the corridor, met a couple of mommy's colleagues, had your bento and dismantled mommy's bento. And now it's nursing time, and it's only 10AM. Several more hours to go....

Love,
Mommy

One and A Half Year Check Up

Dear Baby,

Mommy missed out on the 1 year check up (can't remember the details)... but we have done the 1 and a half years check up!

The nurses gave an appointment date few days after you turned 17 months.

You weighed in at 12.6kg and a height of... I forgot in centimeters but it's 31 inches, oooh, 2.5 feet tall.

The nurse asked if your teeth came out, and daddy told you to do the cheeky face to the nurse and you did and she got to see your teeth.

The nurse asked whether you are eating porridge or regular food. Regular food for as long as when food got introduced to you.

The nurse asked if you were allergic to eggs. We say no as there seem to be no reaction whenever you eat dishes that have eggs in them.

The nurse asked if we want to give you a flu shot as they currently have in stock. Daddy and I decided there is no need, and daddy said you looked very happy about that.

And that was it, your next check up is when you turn 2, appointment date on the 14th June.

Monkey became one of your favourite toy to bring around

Oh, prior to us going to the clinic for your check up, we went out for breakfast first, you had the grilled tomatoes and mushrooms. Then when you got restless mommy took you for a walk and we passed by this shop that had stuffed toy monkeys, we went inside and mommy asked if you wanted to hold a monkey, and you nodded your head. Mommy didn't realise you wanted to take the monkey and almost walked out from the shop. Mommy managed to convince you to put the monkey back and we'll look for daddy so you can show him the monkey. We went back to the restaurant and you and daddy went out to the shop while mommy paid the bill. When mommy got to the shop there you were holding two monkeys! But daddy only said one and you let go of the other one. So now you have a proboscis monkey soft toy in your collection.

Love,
Mommy

Runny Poo Incident

Dear Baby,

There was one episode where mommy, daddy and you were sick. It was the first weekend of puasa, we went out with a kindermusik family who’s baby was in the same class as you for dinner. We went to a place we never ate at before, it was also the first time for them.

The next day, mommy had a bad tummy, thought it was just mommy. Apparently daddy had it too. And you had a runny poo. But we all didn’t think much about it until the day after, when one early morning you woke up and threw up! Fortunately your pediatrician was open on Sunday and we got some medicine for you.

That day we changed your diapers what seemed like every half hour and every time we tired to give you your medication you instantly threw up. You were still playing and eating as normal apart from stuff coming out at both ends. Nappy liners and sudocrem was always ready in hand. All your flat diapers were at nenek that time, and mommy used what few there was at home. The next few days were more throwing up and runny poo. We switched you to using flats for easier changing and washing until everything was all clear. With all the frequent pooing you developed a rash, a rarity.

We encouraged you to drink water and nursed a lot to make sure you were hydrated. It wasn’t until your throwing up episode lessen were you able to keep your medication down was when we started seeing the runny poo diminishing. Ten days it took before we had the all clear. You had to miss out one of your kindermusik class, we don’t want to infect anybody and have accidents happening.

Well, that was an interesting episode, and we're never going to that restaurant again.


Love,
Mommy

Words and More Words

Dear Baby,

Past few days, mommy noticed three words sentences / syllables coming out from you. The first one mommy noticed was 'I like it' and today was 'Door open'. Oooohhh...

You can already say and count 1 to 10, every time we go up and down the stairs, mommy take the opportunity to do counting with you, now mommy teaching you 11 to 20. Maybe mommy should try simple plus and minus as well....

We do the alphabet a lot, and we sign it as well. So it's really cute to see you saying the alphabets and moving your fingers at the same time to do the signs. On a good day you can say all 26 letters. We make it a game too, mommy say the first letter and you say the next letter in order and we'd take turns saying it. Sometimes we make it until the end, other times we stop half way because you lost interest. But it's all good.

Lots of single words, you know all the cats by name. You named your Cookie Monster doll as 'C', hmmm, we haven't sang 'C is for cookie' in a while.

Daddy do a lot of books reading with you, especially before bed, gives mommy a little bit of break before I put you to sleep. When daddy isn't home, mommy would spend some time with you as well for reading and playing. You like the finger puppets theater only mommy seem to get stuck making up stories for that one. We lost one of the wheel from your Postman Pat book and daddy had to get a replacement copy, and he managed to get the very last one.

You really like pop up books, still very rough with them though so some of the books needed supervision if you were going through them.

Right now, mommy is looking for ways to arrange your books, so that they'll be easy access for you and you can see what books you have without taking them all off the shelf.

Love,
Mommy

The Tea Party

Dear Baby,

When you were already in bed and mommy was tidying up your play area, turns out Cookie Monster, Darth Vader and Florrie the Fimble are having a tea party while you are sleeping....

Love,
Mommy

Mommy Upset...

Dear Baby,

Mommy really upset this morning. As mommy and daddy was getting ready for work, mommy got a call from your nenek. She said all the milk mommy had sent over last week had melted because somebody had unplugged the fridge!! And from the looks and smell of things it had been over several days already. The last time nenek had been to the fridge was when you were there last four days ago.

14 cups worth.

Spoilt.

Just like that, because somebody was careless.  (Nenek: Siapa lagi kesana and using the power outlet? Cubatah makai yang lain. Kalau bukan kedia, siapa lagi? Antu tah nganya tu. Translate: Who else would go to the room where the fridge was and using the power outlet for the vacuum cleaner. She could've used another outlet. If not her, who else can it be? A ghost? <--- refering to her amah. When confronted by Atok, she wouldn't admit to it)

It was very upsetting. Especially how nowadays mommy is only averaging 2 cups a day production on weekdays... Seeing the space available in the freezer and trying to catch up on filling it... Shed a couple of tears when mommy saw the empty cups when I came to see you at lunch time.

Sigh...

Love,

Mommy

Missing In Action

Dear Baby,

Here is the following list of the letters mommy need to write out...

• The One Year Check Up
• The First Sickie (if I can remember the details...)
• The Day When Everybody Came Down With An Upset Stomach
• The Baby Sign Language Update
• One Day At Breakfast
• The Words Update
• The Yoga Classes
• The Miri Road Trip
• What You're Into
• The Birthday Kitty

Ooooh, that's a lot...

Love,
Mommy

Rabong!

Dear Baby,

Yesterday was the first day of the fasting month and a public holiday and you got to be with mommy and daddy all day. Mommy also decided to try and fast and hopefully it won't affect your milk supply as much. You were nursing all day yesterday, mommy noticed didn't leak at all. I don't know if that's a good thing. And you had a very long nap of almost 4 hours, it helped with mommy next to you to nurse you back to sleep.

In the evening, we walked over to atok and nenek's house as there is a family function. We all wore red just for the heck of it. You were running around playing with your cousins and various family members belonging, mainly keys and mobile phones. Mommy gave you a slice of watermelon which you ate while playing. When it was time to break fast, there were catered food and mommy took for you a spoonful each of the two different rice that was available, some chicken off the bone, and bamboo shoots (rabong). Needless to say for the relatives that hadn't seen you eat before were surprised to see you eating them. They were just generally surprised that you ate by yourself anyway. All mommy did was put the food on the plate and placed it on the coffee table for you, and you would pick on your food as you toddle along doing all the various things you seem to do.

It was the first time you ate bamboo shoots. The first time was at Nini Noi's place when she cooked it for dinner, you just woke up from a nap and didn't want to be with anybody and sat on mommy's lap, and mommy was eating rabong and you had your plate of food too but you decided you wanted to eat off mommy's plate and took the rabong and kept on taking more as you finished the ones in your hand. Nini Noi and Nini Boy had a good time telling the relatives what you have been eating during one of the many family functions we've attended past month or so.

It was during one of those family functions that one of the relatives saw you eating a slice of cucumber, and she went all huffy and said oh it's not good for you and suggested for you to be given a slice of jelly desert instead because it is 'soft'. I think between the cucumber and the jelly, cucumber wins hands down. And that's when that particular relative got a list of all the food and vegetables especially, that you have been eating. They were surprised. Babies don't eat such thing they say. Well, this baby does.

In a few days we're going to have dinner with a friend of mommy's who's daughter is your classmate in your Kindermusik class, we'll go straight after class ends. I wonder how dinner will be like for all of us...

Love,
Mommy

The Sneaky Chocolate

Dear Baby,

We celebrated Auntie Lin's birthday with a family dinner at one of the baby friendly restaurants we like to frequent, Emperor's Court, near home. As soon as we came in the restaurant staff were very happy to see you, and even some of the kitchen staff was at the door to wave at you, and they were all delighted you can walk now.

We ordered a small dish of asparagus cooked with garlic and no seasoning especially for you. So for dinner you had the asparagus, rice, half a buttermilk prawn and corn with crab meat soup. Mommy spoon fed you the soup and when the rest of the food arrived you abandoned the soup and helped yourself to what was on your plate. You ate half of the prawn, most of the rice and lots of the asparagus and you insisted on having two spoons on your plate too.

Mommy also packed you some cucumber sticks as your pre dinner snack and you decided to put some of the asparagus into the same container and put on the lid. Hey, your first take away! Hahaha...

One of the conversation was maybe it'll be easier for you to call daddy's parents as Kong Kong and Po Po, instead of Nini Boy and Nini Noi. Mommy vote yes to that, not sure about the others, after all, Nini Boy is chinese and you are more than half chinese by blood. The ones I don't particularly like is the use of Nini Daddy and Nini Mommy, there are just too many syllables and it's confusing for baby.

After dinner was over out came the surprised birthday cake, and of course the obligatory photo taking of the cake.

The cake was nice, daddy had to order it last minute as your Nini Boy only told him to get one a few hours before dinner. The table near us which had another family sitting there also had a share of the cake.

By then you were sitting opposite mommy playing with Auntie Maricel next to Nini Noi. There was a piece of chocolate lying on the plate on the table. Mommy watched this whole thing happened, Nini Noi's hand moved to the plate, snapped off a piece of chocolate and was bringing it up towards your mouth! I told her stop, and her hand paused mid air. She said, "Oh, I thought she can have chocolate." She knew very well you are not allowed chocolate or any sweet stuff, not until you know how to brush your teeth properly or rather allow us to brush your teeth properly. Mommy seen too many young kids with bad teeth, and I rather we try to avoid that happening to you.

All in all, it was a nice dinner and lots of photo taking of baby. We stopped by the book store and daddy was showing you all the books and mommy picked up a potty training book, and off home we went.

Love,

Mommy

Making Bentos

Dear Baby,

For your first birthday, mommy wanted to do something special to mark this momentous occasion. With you having our first classmates and all mommy wanted to make something for all of you. At first I thought of maybe a cake or cupcake something that says 'Wonder Woman', but the more mommy thought about it, the less keen I was, it was because of all that sugar and fat in a cake. Granted it was a 'sometimes' food, but I figured you have the rest of your life to do that, as right now, mommy is still in the process of building up a healthy food choice foundation, so mommy thought some more.

It moved on to making savoury muffins and in the end, mommy decided to make a lunch pack of a sort.

Bentos! More specifically, charaben! That means character bento. Mommy made smiley snail sandwiches, little egg chicks and apple bunnies to go in the packs.

Making one took long enough, and mommy made six. One for each of your classmates, one for daddy, and one for us to share.

Don't think mommy will do this anytime again soon. We'll save it for special occassions ok when you start school and mommy packing your snacks and lunches.

Love,

Mommy

Sing & Sign

Dear Baby,

We came to an end with your sing and sign language classes mommy signed you up for under Kindermusik at Kerativgarden with Auntie Rachael. You were the youngest in the class of five babies, you were the only crawler but that didn't stop you in anyway. For the first time you got to interact with kids that is the same age range as you. You met Xavier, Zara, Safura and Toby, they were your very first classmates. You got to see them once a week with their mommies and daddies, like how mommy and sometime daddy, when he can, would take you to the class. And we got Auntie Lin to come along too, that way mommy won't have to teach her what we learned in class as she sits there right along with us singing and signing.

Baby with Auntie Rachael listening to tunes

Mommy learned a lot with the baby sign language classes, having to be conscience with using the signs with you and do the activities at home, teach everybody you interact with the proper signs to use. We were taught to show the signs to you as well as sign on you. We'd sing songs in the class and use the signs as well that correspond with words in the song, like the animals, or words like 'please' and 'more'.

We did activities in the class so we get used to using the new signs taught that day, and when we got home mommy will show everybody what we were taught.

During class, you were very interested in the glass wall with the animals stickers stuck on it. Sometimes you even gotten the other kids to join you hanging out there. Other times it'll be the socket switch at the corner. Most of the time it'll be all around the room, interacting with the other kids, parents and Auntie Rachael as she conducts the class.

Your favourite activity was when the make music toys came out. The first time you were introduced to the egg shaker you couldn't make heads or tail out of it, but it fascinated you. When you had one in your hands and started shaking, you totally loved it! And every time the eggs came out, you'd be the first to grab a pair.

I believed you enjoyed the classes, all the singing, noise making, new activities, playing with friends. You also took breaks to nurse and we stayed in the room just so you won't miss a thing when you were quenching your thirst. Once or twice you were so sleepy you napped mid class.

After almost three months of doing the 'Hello' song you can do the sign on cue, and mommy was so proud.

You turned one year old during the session, with four lessons left you took your first steps, by the last lesson, you were toddling everywhere! Just like all the other kids. Mommy liked to think that by seeing all the other children walking it encouraged you to do the same.

Group photo, somebody decided to take centre stage!

Mommy felt quite melancholic at your last class, knowing that was the last time with all the babies and parents, all the things you have experienced. Funny that it's mommy who's feeling sad isn't it. And so what did mommy do, mommy signed you up for a kindermusik babies class! We'll have about 3-4 weeks break now until the first class starts. We won't be with the same kids as they will be in the next level up as they are older than you, it's ok, we're going to meet new parents and babies.

Just so we won't forget the signs we had learned, mommy is still doing signs with you, showed you the alphabets and we sing too, and mommy asked Auntie Rachael to pick up a baby sign language book for us to use at home.

Love,

Mommy

Play Time Water

Dear Baby,

You've already figured out how to turn on the tap, and you just love playing at the sink, and since we don't have a bath tub, filling up a large basin with water for you to play in was the closest thing. Splashing all the way you did...

Love,

Mommy

1 Year Old!

Dear Baby,

One year has passed, and mommy is still amazed with having you in our lives. You have taught us unconditional love, happiness in the simple things in life, looking at the world in a new light, prepare for the future to come...

Having you also taught mommy to be more careful with what we consume and throw out. Alternatives to what is thought to be the norm for the better health. Look beyond self and to constantly be aware of thoughts and emotions.

Having you made us quick on our feet, sensitive to every little sound heard, so we can let you discover the world without hurting yourself much in the process.


We hope by having Shazam!, Chi and Elijah Snow in the house, you will grow up to be gentle, kind, patience and compassionate to other living creatures as the cats can be your source of joy, entertainment and comfort.

We hope that by bringing you out often from such an early age gives you the social skills to interact with people, a smile is always free and appreciated, meeting those who are your peers and playing with them, and confidence.

We hope by mommy enrolling you into all these enrichment classes before you were even 1 will add to your learning experience and give you an added advantage when going to school is in the picture and joy in learning.


We hope we have done as much as we can, to give you a solid foundation to the rest of your life.

Happy Birthday Dyanna...

Much Love,
Mommy & Daddy

The Diaper Drawer

Dear Baby,

Mommy finally found the camera and after charging up the flat battery here is the picture of your full diaper drawer. Mind you this was probably a couple of months ago so... the current total stash now is more than what the drawer can handle, I'm guessing a drawer and a half.

In the washing machine right now are the BabyBeeHind diapers which mommy had bought also a couple months back and only now I finally decided to prep them. Oh no! I just remembered there are two more Bamboolite premium fitted I forgot to chuck in the wash too... It can go in the next wash cycle... Anyway, the somewhat recent new diapers addition are for night diapering, as you get older you're producing more volume and therefore you would need a diaper that can hold all that until we get to the potty training stage.

We have gone beyond the saving aspect of cloth diapering, right now it is the equavilent(sp?) of high heels and handbags. We can make up some of it by selling off some of the stash, I am thinking of letting go of the BumWear covers for now, some of the Lunatots perhaps, and I do have a couple of Blueberry inserts that totally have not been touched at all, because it being hemp - mommy prefers bamboo. Also, I'm vowing with your next brother or sister, I shall be adapt at using the sewing machine so mommy can make the diapers if needed.

As for now, we just have to take good care of the diapers between when you stopped using them and when the next baby arrives. I remembered reading somewhere to wash them every 3 months just so the elasticity does not become brittle and freshen up the diapers so that they can still be used, so we must make sure we store them carefully...

Love,

Mommy

Night Diapering Baby

Hi Baby,

The first forty days of your life, mommy couldn't sleep much. On top of feeding you every few hours also had to change your diaper. Back then you were exclusively using traditional lampin, and it was always soaking wet. In one night, about midnight onwards, I would changed you up to 4 times until 7 in the morning. So for forty nights that was how it was.

When you were forty one days old, we moved back home. That night, mommy used the modern CD on you for the first time, two inserts in a pocket diaper. For the first time since you were born, mommy had a full night sleep, you slept throughout the night too. And the bed was dry! Since we only owned a few of the CDs we reserved them for night use only as during day time it'll be the traditional ones.

When the first incident of leaking occurred at night, that was when mommy made a practice to change you at midnight and you'll be ok til the next morning. And you got older, mommy had to change you around dawn before you wake up a couple of hours later to avoid leaks on the bed. After a while, mommy had to change you before dawn just to make sure the diaper won't leak. It was when the pre dawn diaper change couldn't contain your flow and having to wash and change the bedsheet almost everyday was when mommy knew I had to look for a better night diapering solution for you.

Mommy had already been hunting before all that, reading up reviews and lurking on forums on what is a good night diaper. It was when waking up too often to change the diaper and changing the bed sheets almost daily was what prompted mommy to click the order button.

After much research and reading up and talking with the owner I decided to order the Bamboolite fitted premium diapers with the fleece cover. I was looking for a regional brand, material that can hold a lot of liquid - long lasting, breathable. So this brand was able to give me just that, bamboo material is known to have a high absorbancy, allergy free as it's a natural material and a fleece cover that is breathable for long hours for night time use.

Mommy added an extra microfibre insert into the fitted on top of the bamboo insert that came with the fitted. Put you in it, put on the fleece cover, and bed time. The next day we woke up with a dry bed and mommy well rested. Yay! By this time you were about 8-9 months old.

We only had two fitted and two covers at first. Usually mommy would do the diaper laundry every third day, but because we only have two diapers for nights, it meant mommy had to wash every other day. There were days when the diapers weren't dry enough to be used as bamboo takes a bit longer to dry compared to microfibre, and that's when mommy discovered another alternative.

Using what we have, on top of the fitted diapers mommy ordered other diapers from the same brand, and one of them had the same inserts with the fitted. So that means we have three of the bamboo premium inserts. With two hanging to dry, mommy laid one Bamboolite premium insert onto the fleece cover, then added on a Blueberry bamboo trifold insert on top of it, and just in case, a Blueberry bamboo booster at the back of the cover, and put it on you.

This morning when changing you mommy realised the booster doesn't get wet, so next time we won't have to add that in. So alternative night diapering solution is fleece cover + Bamboolite premium insert + Blueberry bamboo trifold insert and we're good.

During all this time as well, mommy read up about an Australian brand called BabyBeeHinds. The reviews were very positive, up to 23 layers in the wet zone. Wow, I thought that was fantastic! But shipping it from the site was not. It wasn't until mommy found out from Auntie Chin she decided to bring them in. Great, we can just get them from her!

So now, we have three BBH night nappy waiting to be prepped for use and on top of that daddy asked mommy to order more of Bamboolite fitted because he likes their performance. So by the time everything is prepped, you're going to have a total of 7 night diapers.

I think I'll wait for the Bamboolite to arrive so mommy can prep them all in one go.

Wow... all this talk on just diapering you for nights!

Love,
Mommy

Cloth Diapers Revisited!

Dear Baby,

Remember a while back mommy said something about, we'll just go for the solid colours and no need for the fancy printed ones and blah blah blah... Well, judging from your diaper drawers you had anything but just solid colours. The more mommy look and read up on other diaper brands the more I feel tickled to maybe just get one or two, you know, just to try and see if the performance is any better, you never know right until you tried. Starting off with the Blueberry and FuzziBunz mommy picked up from Auntie Chin because they were on sale, tempting they were. And next thing mommy knew, not only do you have printed diapers we have also expanded on brands! I have now become like all the other CD mommies out there. Your diaper collection have gone beyond the two dozen in rotation to double that amount. Almost 50 diapers and there is only one of you that's using them. Your collection consists of pocket diapers, All in Twos, prefolds, traditional lampin, covers, fitted, hybrids... It's a whole new world out there with cloth diapers...

Mommy is a member of the Brunei Breastfeeders Club and mommy started a topic on cloth diapering. Strangely enough, mommy have been posting on the different types of diapers, the terminologies, different systems and various things related to cloth diapering to share the knowledge to help mommies new to cloth diapering. I figured if we can help reduce the rubbish in the landfills we can help the environment, and mommy is doing my part to help with that cause. Plus, as the new mommies have now noticed, it can become an addiction... I'll take cute cloth diapered baby's bum over designer handbags and shoes any time! There are still alot to learn and by putting up posts mommy is increasing the knowledge and helping others in the process. You will learn this is one of the best method to learning.

As soon as mommy remembers where the camera is, will post up a complete picture of your diaper drawer for posterity sake, until it expanded some more... I'm not sure if that's a good thing... hahaha...

Love,

Mommy

Baby Led Weaning Part III

Dear Baby,

Food choices have been more adventurous now. And you also learned that mommy and daddy sometimes have more interesting stuff on the plate. And mommy can officially say I have finished reading the BLW book from cover to cover. The book has now been borrowed by one of daddy's cousin who got a baby who is two months or so younger than you because she saw you eat a chicken drumstick which you picked up off daddy's plate one night at a family function and happily eating away sitting next to daddy. She was intrigued and amazed as it was always a battle with her and her baby when it comes to meal times. She read the first chapter that night.

Mommy tries to make sure your diet is varied and have lots of taste and textures. We have ventured out to curry chicken, gave you the drumstick after mommy gave it a quick rinse so the curry taste won't hit you by surprise. You tried lettuce and cabbage, crunchy food! Nini Noi's homemade burger patty, dim sum and a whole bunch of others that mommy just can't remember anymore... Snack food now consists of cucumber sticks and tomato slices, once in a while mummy will let you have half a wholemeal bun, I'm still wary with the amount of salt present in bread, so mommy make a note not to give you bread daily. I'm still trying to get you to try as many types of fruits as possible, waiting for the persimmon to ripen up and soften a bit that we bought last weekend...

Nenek asked if she could feed you cornflakes, and for a 150g box it contained 10g of sugar I said no, I rather you get fresh fruits as snack then some processed manufactured stuff. We're still laying your foundation for healthy wholesome food and we can't slack now.

Mommy and daddy like to eat out with you, and the restaurants we head to are places we like in terms of food, service and baby friendly. And you like going there too because you get entertained by the staff a lot. We have relatives that complain you look so serious, and we have the wait staff whom you'd give a ready smile to. I think the difference is that sometimes relatives don't play with you as much as others, heheheh...

You don't drop your food purposely anymore, now it's more of it fell out of your hands as you bring the food to your mouth. There are times when you don't want to hold the food but wants to eat it so we have to hold the food for you, it could be you don't like the feel of the texture. Another one you do is you'll eat the food, chew and then spit it out. I think it's the 'yay, good girl for eating' part, you like the acknowledgement but not necessarily the food, your grandparents tend to do that, and it is wrong and I remind them not to because by praising you for eating, you will learn to associate to get a praise, you must eat. So wrong. Very very wrong. They may not think it will do no harm, so said your nenek but mommy have learned a lot and experienced a lot when it comes to eating disorders, and it is a cycle that shouldn't be allowed to start to begin with.

Mommy plan on introducing you to food you can learn to use your fork and spoon with, we tried a bit last night, you would have the spoon in one hand, and you'd tried to get the food to your mouth, and then use your free hand to get more food into your mouth.

When we eat at your grandparents places, Nini Noi has learned to lessen the use of salt in the cooking so you can eat what everyone else is eating, so you get to eat a wide and varied taste and textures. At nenek's place, since nenek doesn't do the cooking anymore, the amah have been making the same stuff for you over and over. Your menu over there seems to be boiled vegetables, pumpkin soup, chicken soup and beef soup. In order to make sure you get a varied diet mommy would have to start packing food for you to bring over it seems.

Today Auntie Choo is coming over and we're going to make onigiri, and mommy wants to make some for you to try as well and maybe we'll have a picnic.

Mommy wants to introduce you to blueberries but I have to wait for the signs that you are ready for them. So many taste, texture and flavours for you to try out there!

Love,

Mommy

Baby's Italian Dinner

Dear Baby,We went out for dinner one night to meet up with a couple of mommy and daddy's old friends and Auntie Choo. Auntie Choo was suppose to have DD therapy but she was sick and didn't want to pass it on to you so she had to content herself by looking at you instead. Poor Auntie Choo, so near yet so far....

Normally you love going to this Italian place, you'd be sitting in the high chair enjoying what food put in front of you and playing with the wait staff. But something must've happened when Chef Michele who was carrying you put you into the high chair. Your face turned sour and you cried and you didn't want to sit in the chair at all all evening. I guess you were upset you got put in the chair before you were ready. So you spent the evening on daddy's and mommy's lap as we took turn holding you.

It was when you were sitting on mommy's lap was when you decided you rather eat straight from mommy's plate instead of bits being passed to you. You ate away as mommy and daddy were having a conversation with our friends, and Auntie Choo decided to whip out her camera and starting taking pictures.

Clean up involves taking you to the bathroom and washing off the tomato-ey sauce from your hands and face. Then it was horsing around with daddy before we all called it a night...

Love,

Mommy

The Diaper Drawer...

"Lookie at all my pwetty diapers!"

Photo by Auntie Choo

Of Namesakes And Defining Moments

Greetings and salutations, dearest Dyanna...

It has been 10 months, 2 days and almost 6 hours since you came into our lives. No matter how challenging it has been, you have always been our reason to smile.

Always.

Ironically, when I selected to name you after a Themysciran princess (albeit transliterated minutely), I never expected you to truly live up to your namesake. Sometimes, it is unavoidable, but we do worry about your safety. Especially when you dive head first of the bed or staircase or some such furnishings. And it will get even more worrisome when you start walking.

Even now, as you crawl faster than your remote control R2-D2, we worry. When you start standing and attempt to reach something above you or whatnot, we worry. When you start getting curious with everything that's in the kitchen (like that time you tried to touch the boiling pot), we worry.

Yes, I know it is to be expected. A piece of the puzzle that will never fit in the beginning, but would fall into place by the end of it.

And I know your mother does her best to teach you the right things. But, I'll never (ever) be certain if I'm teaching you all the right things. All I can do is let you learn by yourself, sooner or later, and make your own choices, regardless whether we like it or not. Not that your mother will agree with my perspective. And I know you'll make the best of it, no matter what.

And when we are long gone and you have done your part, I hope you know we did it because we love you.

Always. No matter what.

Because fate is what we make of it,

Your loving father

The 9 months Check Up

Hi Baby,

Mommy had to lie to the nurse who was taking down the details of your check up, it was the baby led weaning thing. It started when she asked what have you been eating and mommy rattled off the list and she did look taken aback and started saying about got to be careful giving babies solids and them holding their food as they'll choke and finger foods are a no no etc etc, and then with her hand poised with a pen ready to jot down she started with "Are you eating rice porridge?" Mommy did a "Ye-es?", and she continued, "Does the porridge contain vegetables and protein?" Mommy can enthusiastically say yes to that one, you are eating your vegetables and protein only not in the way she expected.

Baby led weaning is the square block idea that can't fit into their round hole mind. Mommy and daddy have seen you eat, your grandparents have seen you eat, other people have seen you eat, and you're doing fine, as a matter in fact, they were amazed to see you were able to feed yourself. Because of baby led weaning, you learned how to chew your food, how much food to bite off safely to fit into your mouth to chew, your handling skills have improved, you learned not to squash a banana into mush to eat - although if you're just playing then you squeezed the life out of it and smear it all over the table - you tried so many types of food and flavours, the other night for dinner you had curry spaghetti! Those people don't know what they're missing...

You weighed in at 10.03kg, height 74cm and you're just below the 95th percentile in the charts.

There were boxes which the nurse ticked, like are you crawling, standing etc all to do with your development.

Mommy asked about giving you baby vitamins, and the nurse said from what mommy had told her from what you are eating, mainly fruits and vegetables, there is no need as your growth is on the up. The nurse said they would recommend only if baby isn't developing or under nurished. Well, you're anything but that.

You're growing well and the next check is when you turn one, the day after you turn one years old. And you got one more jab left, I can't remember which it was....

And because we went out for breakfast first, and turned up at the clinic in the later morning where there were less people, we were in and out in half an hour! Yay!

You did complain when mommy took off your diaper to get you weighed. I think you were already nervous when we got there, probably anticipating injections every time you go clinic...

I wonder what'll be like when you turn one...

Love,
Mommy

One Sunny Day

With daddy in Orchard Road, Singapore

Dear Baby

Mommy can't remember how it happened... but I remembered being obsessed finding a sun hat for you months back, and that now whenever you're outside you must have your hat on.

When mommy was looking for a sling online, I came across this site that was also carrying this particular brand of hats called Sunday Afternoons. After reading that the hats have an SPF rating of 50 and they come in baby sizes and all other good things, I was sold. Since the shop was in Singapore and Auntie Lin was heading there, I asked her to pick up a couple for me, one of them is a sun hat, wide brim and all that in light purple and an adventure hat in light green, which we lost on our trip there ironically on our way to the same shop to pick up more hats, and another baby carrier. All the hats are still too big for you even at the smallest setting, but we managed.

While there, daddy picked up 3 or 4 more adventure hats, and one other hat which style mommy forgot the name to because he liked the colour.

The hat you're wearing is an infant sun hat from the same brand which I asked Auntie Sarah to pick up for you when she was there on her way to Japan. I figured it should fit you better as the other hats were 1-5 year old, but it was still slightly too big for you. But considering how fast babies and toddlers grow, it won't matter in the end...

When you start school, it's compulsory to have a sun hat for play, so we're all set for that already.

You don't like it if your hat got put on your head when indoors, you'll automatically remove it. But when we're outside and your hat goes on, you don't bother with it because you know you're heading out somewhere. Hopefully wearing a hat outdoors will become a habit for you.

You know what mommy should've done, I should've gotten an adult Sunday Afternoon hat for myself too when we were there, doh!

Love,

Mommy

Airplane Bassinet

She filled up the whole bassinet! Even with legs bent at the knees at less than 8 months old!

Woooooo....

My first airplane ride! Hangin' out in my crib!

Yay!

No TV?

Dear baby,

As you know mommy and daddy have put some restrictions on you when it comes to the television. It's not a total no television thing, we just don't want you growing up stuck to the 'interesting and flickering images' that appear on the screen so much, and get influenced by certain shows, hence, you are not allowed to watch the Disney Channel, mommy and daddy have our reasons... and if you do happen to be watching television, especially when over at nenek during the day, it'll be the Discovery channel. Although nowadays nenek don't bother having the television on as she only watches her dramas in the evenings now. News channels may be informative but it's depressing and full of negativity, so it's a no for now, argument with nenek about that.

When you're at nini boy and nini noi's place you don't watch television, when we sit down for dinner the television in the kitchen is turned off so you won't get distracted when you're suppose to eat. It's good practice anyway, you can taste and enjoy your food more.

At home we don't have cable or astro. Mommy and daddy only watches if we feel like watching something on the dvd player. So the other day, mommy figured to introduce you to musicals, lots of harmonies, songs, visual sensory with the costumes and stage, which was how you ended up watching Cats by Andrew Lloyd Webber. This musical is old. Mommy used to have this on repeat in my old studio while I was making my stuff. You were interested in the beginning, watching the cats prancing and song and dance, until daddy came home, and you lost all interest...

Love,

Mommy

Baby Wearing Daddy

Hi Baby,Check out daddy wearing you using the ring sling! How cool you both look, and totally comfortable too.

Daddy at first never wanted to use the sling, preferred to carry you in hand.... Until one day on our holiday he decided to give the sling a go. Then he discovered his arms doesn't ache anymore!

Quite useful to link up your toy to the sling as like so when you let go it doesn't get dirty. Daddy's getting pretty good with putting you in and taking you out of the sling as it's pretty quick and no messing about much.

Mommy's going to start using the manuka soft structure carrier soon as you are getting t0o heavy for me to carry you in the sling, but for short jaunts it's still ok, plus it's still pretty convenient to use the sling anyway....

Love,

Mommy

It Has Been 9 Months

Dear Baby,

Amazingly we have reached the same amount of time it took you to be incubated, in mummy's tummy, to being on this planet.

You'll be going to the clinic for check up next week, the last check up was when you were 6 months and they say see you in three months, which is time...

Using the digital weighing machine at home, you're still at 9.8kg, height we don't know, we never did get around to popping by the clinic to do all that did we.

You're eating mostly on your own, unless you're with nenek who likes to feed you, I think so you wouldn't make so much mess that she'd have to clean up, which mommy have a lot of arguments with nenek about that because its reducing your chances of learning. Mommy try to get you home early so you can eat on your own, and been making baby friendly food items to ensure that you try a whole range of taste. There is teriyaki chicken balls and wontan waiting in the fridge today...

You pull yourself up more and more and at times let go and you'd stand on your own two feet for a few seconds. If you want to be carried you'd crawl over and pull yourself up and your arms reaching up as high as possible looking up with expectation on your face. You like pulling yourself up any opportunity you can get, when you're on the bed, you pull yourself up using the headboard, when you're on the sofabed, you pull yourself up on the back rest. You pull yourself up against anything...

You'll only play with your toys if someone else is playing with you.

You're showing separation anxiety recently when mommy have to go back to work at lunch times. You don't show it when mommy leave you in the mornings. Maybe you weren't fully awake yet maybe...

Since mommy had taken up indoor cycling classes in the evenings, daddy's the one that picks you up from nenek's and you get time with daddy until mommy gets home.

We have Auntie Maricel come over to the house once a week or every two weeks to help clean, and when she's done you get to play with her as she really entertains you a lot and you're quite taken with her and that's when mommy take the opportunity to go spend some time in the studio. Mommy and daddy thought of maybe getting her to become your caretaker during the week days as you're getting to be quite a handful for nenek now, not to mention heavy.

You already got your second dose for the rotavirus vaccine a couple of weeks ago, the doctor said better to start when you were 12 weeks old for better immunization, will keep that in mind for the next sibling.

You're also turning to be a heavy wetter now, so mommy have been researching for the best night time solution, so far it seems to be a fitted with wool cover. Well, either that or mommy just have to diaper change you at 6 in the morning, just that sometimes I get too tired and can't wake up in time like this morning for instance and you leaked.

As soon as we get our hands on a potty you're getting potty trained, got to get it off Uda, she said she'll lend one. You don't have your usual indications of when you're eliminating like before which is harder now but must try anyway...

It's good that daddy likes babywearing you, but sometimes he'll forgo the sling so he can get some exercise he says. Mommy planning on using the SSC soon, have to watch the instructional DVD to refresh the memory.

You're back to taking EBM, we're now a week ahead of the expiration date, and nenek said your stock there is out, so tomorrow must remember to bring some over when I drop you off. And mommy's output has increased as well, I'm up to expressing three and over cups now, I just need to match it with your intake and a bit more to make sure the freezer is stocked up. I must remember to use the new techni ice pack I got for the cooler bag...

We have already registered you for pre kindy for next year, early registration ensure you get a spot since they only have space for 30. Mommy just wait for the interview phone call and also will start taking you for the weekly afternoon session play group so you'll be familiar with the place by the time pre kindy starts, probably next year.

Mommy would like to take you for pool play and they say it's best in a babies swimming group, the babies swimming group I know isn't swimming anymore, nuts...

That's all mommy can think of the top of my head for the moment, more new things to come...

Love,
Mommy

The First Family Holiday

Dear Baby,

Where to start...

Oh yeah, plane ride.

The Plane Ride
We got to the airport early, all of us woke up much earlier than usual. But we got to the airport and checked in and leisurely waited in the . You had breakfast while we had breakfast. Daddy took you around to keep you occupied so mommy can eat.

You had a quick diaper change in the departure lounge just before we boarded the plane.

Just so happen there was another baby sitting in the aisle across from us in the plane, he looked younger and smaller than you, but daddy learned from the grandfather that the baby was older than you. Mommy pretty doubtful about that...

You slept part of the ride in the cot provided, you played in it when you were awake, sitting up, playing with the cups, playing with money just to keep you occupied.

When the plane was about to land, this was the part mommy was concerned with, the whole pressure in ear thing. Pleasantly enough, the pressure wasn't as bad as mommy remembered back in the days, I think they've started to repressurise the cabins now because you didn't seem to be affected in any way. You only started crying because the other baby was crying, and since you were on daddy's lap who was sitting next to the asile, you tried to reach out to the crying baby and you looked quite upset and started crying too! Mommy grabbed the water cup and got you to start drinking since we know you like drinking from a cup just to distract you. Daddy whispered in your ear, "Ignore the baby, just concentrate on your water". Which you did. Then, mommy heard the crying baby was crying interval like, and mommy looked up and saw that the baby's grandmother was dipping the baby's pacifier into the water and putting it back into the baby's mouth in an attempt to stop him crying when they saw us giving you water.

On the plane ride back coincidentally it was with the same family with the baby and we all sat in the same place. Mommy didn't think we needed to change your diaper just before we got on to the plane as you just had a diaper change not long before. Then, while waiting for take off you leaked! We had to wait for the plane to be up in the air and the seat belt sign switched off and there was a scramble to get the diaper bag down from the overhead compartment. Turned out we weren't the only one who needed to do a diaper change, so did the other baby, good thing we packed extra tights for you to change into as well.

You napped for a while in the cot, daddy was snoozing away and mommy stayed up to keep an eye on you, and you also napped on mommy's lap when you didn't feel like being in the cot and when nursing. You played and made faces at the other baby when awake, laughing and cooing. And when the plane was landing, the other baby was crying away again and you didn't need much distraction, although you did give daddy the concerned look whenever you looked over to the baby.

Overall, your plane ride experience was pretty pleasant.

A week or so after we came back from our holiday, one of mommy's friend was flying back to Singapore with her baby, she said there was 7 babies on that plane at that time. I wonder how that went...

The Hotel
We stayed at this hotel that mommy and daddy had stayed in several times before, and with each visit, the service got better and better.

We asked for a cot for you in the room, and it was a nice Mothercare cot with large mesh panels and we can see you very clearly when we put you in there to play, very different from the one we have at home, and everyday the housekeeping would change the sheets and whatever toys you have in there all arranged lined up nicely.

The room came with buffet breakfast so every morning we'd go down to one of the two hotel restaurants, sometimes you'd be awake and sometimes you'd still be sleeping. We'd get a plate of fruits for you to have when you feel like having something, but most of the time, you were happy playing with some hotel guest who was sitting across from us and they'd make faces at you and you'd laugh and giggle away.

Moving Around
We have never used a stroller with you and decided to not even borrow one for the trip. So our means of moving around is to carry you. Mommy carried you in the sling and daddy carried you in his arms, although towards the last few days of the holiday he decided to try out the sling and had been carrying you that way every since. Daddy was suffering from blisters because of the shoes he was wearing and good thing they sell blister plaster there which we always seem to get lots of for his poor feet.

This trip we didn't bother going out of Orchard Road much, only on two ocassions, one was to visit mommy's friend and the other was when we went to Novena area to check out the Bumwear shop and the Baby Slings & Carriers shop that were there. Now we know where they are! Oh and one to Marina area for daddy's shop.

Feeding Baby
Baby led weaning wise, usually during breakfast, but you weren't interested to eat much that early in the morning and it's mainly fruits.

You've had mushroom soup while at mommy's friend's house, and carrot soup at one restaurant. Gave you a taste of tom yam soup, oh the expression on your face!

We carried water around for you in the bag...

Nursed you everywhere and anywhere, sitting and moving around. Let's see, in various restaurants, kinokuniya book shop, planes, in airports, nursing rooms in various malls, that was interesting...

Nappy Changing Baby
First time ever mommy and daddy walked in and out so many baby rooms. Ion's baby room is on the 4th floor, clean and spacious, fancy open door hand sensor thingy. The folding changing table had side bars, hot water dispenser, sink with counter, a standing fan and chair for nursing. Very peaceful changing and nursing you in there. Daddy said it's too sterile, mommy feel like being on a space ship or something...

At Ngee Ann City it was a foldable changing table in the female toilets. While mommy was changing you the place was packed with people queuing for the toilets and the cleaning lady standing nearby looking very displeased as she eyed us. Thankfully it was just changing a wet nappy, and everything was in hand.

Apparently we went to the number one baby room in Singapore at Union Square. They had several stations for nappy changing, with a soft mat for baby to lie on and mirrors to distract you. When we were in there there were three other babies getting changed as well. After everybody was gone, daddy stood you up and leaned you against the mirror walls and took a shot of you, ala baby can stand! In the changing room there is also two smaller cubicles with arm chairs for nursing, and the doors can be locked from the inside. You got distracted with the wallpaper a lot.

The first time mommy noticed you got distracted with the wallpapers was when we were at Plaza Singapura, you kicked up a huge fuss about changing your diaper. You cried and cried and cried. And when popping you on the breast you were still fussing. You cried, nursed, saw the wallpaper, sat up, cried, nursed, saw the wallpaper and cried again. Popped the nursing hat on you to remove all distraction and only then you settled down to nurse. We were in there a good hour most probably. The second time we used that changing room you didn't kick up that much of a fuss but you were fascinated with the wallpaper. It was a small cubicle but at least it was a comfy tub chair they provided for nursing, don't know if there was any other changing/nursing room in that building...

Changi Airport transit area, it was pretty easy to spot. Near the toy shop and a big playground area for the bigger kids. Several changing stations available, and mommy remembered it as being hot for some reason...

The worst place I had the unfortunate incident of changing you was when we were at scotts road, there was no place to change you in far east plaza we happen to be in and you were leaking as we made our way out. Figured see if there is a place to change you in the hotel next door. There was a space on the cold marble counter top at the corner of the L shaped sink area, since no one was about quickly took the changing mat out and you on it. Just as mommy took off your diaper and was about to clean you, you decided to pee! Needless to say it was messy, lots of tissue was involved and desperate clean up and changing you at the same time so we can get out of there. Worst experience ever at that time.

The Shopping
Mommy and daddy's shopping needs are pretty simple, give us a good book store and we're happy. On top of that, mommy bought several more breast feeding outfits from Mothers En Vogue in Centrepoint along Orchard Road. Daddy went to his favourite local design label Depression at Millenia Walk. We bought you several dresses from Baby Gap. And when we were at United Square more wet bags from Bumwear, I did contemplate on whether to get their cloth diapers but the prints didn't appeal to me much. And a new soft structured carrier, Manuka, for when you get heavier to carry and more Sunday Afternoons Hats, pretty ironic how we lost one on our way there, so daddy picked up five more when we got to Square2 of Novena Square.

We made a point to go to AFC store just to see where it is and what they have. There were several cook books for children that I might want to get for us when you're older. Daddy liked the t shirts they got and bought several and fridge magnets because you liked them.

Mommy was also looking for a new cooler bag since the old wine bottle bag was ripping up inside for the breast pump and storage. We went to every department store kitchen ware section looking for one. Don't people go on picnics anymore mommy wondered. We even checked out a camping shop but all they had was a cooler box. Then on our second last day we checked out Takashimaya's outdoor gear section and yay, they have one! In various sizes too. It was a Coldman, mommy decided on the 9 can capacity one and it only comes in blue. That night mommy was texting with a friend who lives in Singapore and was telling her how mommy been looking around for a cooler bag, she told me to go to Ion at the upmarket supermarket, selling a stripy cooler bag. Oh! So on our last day we figured if we happen to get there we'll look for it and it just so happen we did as we've already packed and was just chilling before we checked out of the hotel. The supermarket was really nice, mommy daddy picked up lunch there and some cakes too and the cooler bag was big and it was half price of the one already bought, and the surprise was when we got to the check out, we opened up the bag to put lunch and cakes in it to find there was a smaller cooler bag inside. Score! The cooler bag became mommy's hand carry as it doesn't collapse unlike the blue one. But it sure is pretty.

Diapering Baby
We bought along I don't remember how many pieces... 50 probably of the grobaby biodegradable diapers, basically the whole box and several of the mothercare disposables pads as well since we still have some from last time we used them when you were three months old. Was suppose to have 6 velcro diaper covers but mommy forgot to put the 6th one in the bag so we survived on 5. And 3 of the mothercare ones. Didn't really count how many diapers you went through, brought along some paperbags to put the used diapers in and disposable wipes used. Throwing them away neatly, haha.

For day use, we changed you about every three hours. If we missed changing you after three hours, leaks will start. At night, we'll change you just before midnight, risking waking you up, and again when mommy wakes up about 6 or 7 in the morning, with no leaks, yay! That was the bit mommy was worried about most, night diapering.

So for morning diaper change I just put you into a mothercare one as I know it'll last about 2-3 hours and we're still in the hotel and it gives mommy time to wash the diaper cover used the night before and hang to dry and get your diaper bag sorted for the day.

Several things about using the grobaby biodegradable diapers, one, it literally breaks easily when it's full. Case in point, was changing you and the diaper fell off the counter, it split and broke! The stuff came out. Fortunately was in the hotel room that time it was easily cleaned up and binned.

Two, never use the adhesive tabs to stick onto diaper cover, the glue was so strong it rips the biodegradable diaper apart.

Three, mommy have read about other mommies complaining how regular disposable diapers got bits of the gel sticking to the babies bums, when mommy was changing you there were times when you had those gel bits too. And the grobaby only have 3% of the gel of what regular diapers got. Apart from that, I don't mind using them as an alternative to cloth diapering while travelling, knowing they'll break down and degrade in a couple of months is good for me.

Needless to say, it was so good to get home and put you in your regular diaper again.


I think that covers our first holiday. We had a great time together and a good experience. Probably the next trip we'll make you'd be walking already won't you.

Love,
Mommy

EBM Anyone?

Hi Baby,

Mommy still writing up our holiday...

In mean time, there is this...

When we got back from our holiday, you and I had an extra couple of weeks at home together, so the need to express and the need to take EBM from a bottle wasn't required. It was all nursing on demand, and sometimes mommy pop you on the breast because you're at the age of forgetting to nurse because you're too distracted.

Then, mommy's leave from work ended and it was back to expressing for me and back to the bottle for you.

On day one, mommy had a hard time trying to fill one bottle in the morning, and according to nenek, you refused the bottle completely and went without milk all morning. Good thing mommy came home during lunch time. And you went without milk again in the afternoon. Nenek said you were really angry whenever the bottle tried to make its way to your mouth.

So in the first week, you hardly took any EBM when mommy's at work or spin class and my own expressing sessions wasn't yielding much either.

Before the break, mommy can get up to 6 cups of EBM a day, and you can drink on average of 4-5 cups a day. After a break of three weeks, I'm surprised how drastic the change was.

On top of that, there are EBM that is coming to the end of it's shelf life (3 months) and since you refuse to take any, mommy been offering them up to anybody who want them just to reduce the stock until you start taking them again. The criteria is that it has to be for baby girls because of religious reasoning (sesusuan - if babies of opposite gender to each other are sharing the same produced milk at that time, they are considered as siblings and not allowed to marry each other) and I'd like to have the cups back that they came in thanks.

I asked contacts to the NSICU at the hospitals if they need it, because breast milk are excellent for preemie babies and help reduce their stay in the hospital, no reply so far. I asked friends who's babies I know could do with breast milk because of their allergies, no one came forward. I'm at a stage of finding recipes I could use the milk with. Auntie Elaine said to mix it up with your porridge (which you don't take) and mashed potatoes (which you haven't had) to use it up. Just to throw away breast milk because they expired is so wasteful when it could've helped other babies out there.

Slowly you are starting to drink the EBM again, a cup a day, if we're lucky two cups (technically it's one and a half, nenek decided since you already sucked on the bottle and didn't want the rest they went down the drain). So now we are a few days ahead of the expiration date of the ones that are at nenek's house, only a dozen left now. The rest of the EBM are at home in the deep freezer and those have a shelf life of 6 months.

Mommy is slowly increasing EBM output from 1 cup a day to 2 and a half cups a day. It's all about the let down, the breast may be full but if the let down isn't happening nothing or very little is coming out. Like this morning for example, mommy was pumping for almost an hour when suddenly the let down happened. I almost decided to stop just before that as my hand was cramping up, I have a motorized pump but I never really need it until now.

Another factor is the deep freezer, just yesterday mommy checked and did a space count, there is room for about 30 cups left if the existing EBM stock isn't moving yet. Do I up my pumping schedule to increase supply or do I leave it? Because if I run out of space to store them then the next space available is the fridge freezer with the 3 months shelf life. Then it gets complicated...

Hmmm, probably all that is a bit difficult for baby to understand, because as far as you're concerned right now, have mommy have milk straight from the breast, you're not that interested with EBM...

Love,
Mommy

Chili Con Carne & Meatballs

Hi Baby,

Over the weekend we made chili con carne for dinner, protein packed full with beans and minced meat. Daddy had his with lots of jalapeno peppers and bread, mommy had it as is, and you had it with pasta tubes.

Normally you don't last that long at the dinner table, you'd take bites, smear some on and under the table, wave your arms around, pick things up and let it slip out of your hands onto the floor, spill some water, repeat. But that dinner, you ate purposefully. You'd grab what you could and stuff it into your mouth. Some food still managed to slip out, but majority of it went into your mouth. Mommy daddy had already finished eating but you hadn't. Mommy was amazed, it was the longest you have ever sat in the chair. Daddy had to clean you up after you finished eating and he kept on asking if you're done yet. Told daddy to just relax and leave you be since you seemed to be really enjoying the meal. You ended the meal when there wasn't any more to eat in your bowl, you emptied it out. Your face and hands were smeared with the sauce, so was your outfit, but you were happy.

Mommy forgot to have the camera handy...

After daddy whisked you away to clean up and change, mommy was left with cleaning up. Cleaning up routine after every meal was to pick up all the solids that was on the table, chair and floor. Then wipe the table down and disinfect, wipe the chair down and disinfect, and finally wipe the floor and disinfect. Done.

After the success of the chili mommy decided to try you on meatballs with organic rice pasta swirls. You ate, decimated your food as you usually do, but mommy didn't realise you were also tired, which was why you weren't that interested to eat much until with your tomato-ey saucey hands decided to run through your hair, pull your ears and rub your eyes, your signal of being sleepy. Ack!

Got you out of your chair, washed your hands, went upstairs, stripped you down and gave you a bath. Removing bits of tomato, pasta and meat. After getting dressed, you nursed and fell asleep on the sofa bed. So mommy stayed with you and waited until either you wake up or when daddy gets home before I could clean up downstairs. It was almost a full two hours before any of that happened. I bet you if the cats were home they'd probably finished up your dinner, but they weren't. And good thing cleaned up before the ants got wind of there's food available...

Wonder what to try you on next....

Love,
Mommy

Baby Led Weaning Take II

Eating spaghetti, with a piece of broccoli, a slice of roast pumpkin and a piece of lamb
somewhere under there at the dinner table with the family.

Hi Baby,

Since picking up the two books, Baby Led Weaning and Baby Led Weaning Cookbook by Gill Rapley & Tracey Murkett, when we were on holiday, mommy feels much more confident putting food in front of you to attack now that I know the guidelines, and after flipping through the BLW cookbook to give mommy an idea what foods to feed you, you can eat just about anything.

What makes sense about BLW is that you learn how to chew, learn what safe sizes of food to have in your mouth before you swollow, learning how to move your jaw, practice the dexterity of your hands and fingers and eventually learn how to use forks and spoons.

You can have anything, with a couple of rules. Like no salt in the cooking, that way you get to eat the food we're having, and if the non babies want salt they can add it themselves while at the table. babies are only allowed a maximum of 1 gram of salt, anything over is bad for the kidneys and some babies die from eating salted food, scary...

Mommy is rereading the book again, see if there is anything I missed...

What you have eaten so far:

Avocado
Watermelon
Rock Melon
Honeydew
Mango
Apple
Pear
Papaya
Banana
Starfruit
Kiwi
Broccoli, steamed
Cauliflower, steamed
Pumpkin, roast and soup
Carrot, roast, boiled and soup
Cucumber
Roasted Red Bell Peppers & Zucchini tossed with minced garlic, red onion and unsalted butter
Baked potatoes
Roast leg of lamb
Grilled Salmon
Salmon cakes
Spaghetti bolognese
Fetuccine carbonara
Chicken soup
Mushroom soup
Home made Fishballs
Eggplant and Olives dip

That's all I can think of so far...

Now that mommy had a look at the list, you've eaten quite a variety already, yet I feel not varied enough yet in terms of taste and flavours. There are some food items which you haven't been introduced to like eggs, daddy is sort of allergic to it. But you have had egg products, like the salmon cakes mommy made with just the egg yolk since it says allergies come from egg whites.

Mommy planning on making mini burgers for you this weekend, as long as I remember to take the mince out from the freezer.

Eating out is somewhat easy, fail safe is to just bring your broccoli florets which you'll happily munch on. it'll be great for you to eat what we eat, but mommy is worried about the amount of MSG there are in foods at some restaurants. MSG affect the mental developments in children.

Trying to establish healthy eating now so it will benefit you when you get older. You'll learn what food is good to eat and what to avoid, or not eat as much, as you won't develop the taste for the not so beneficial foods for you because there is no way mommy is going to introduce you those foods.

Drink wise it's just breast milk and water, juices is just sugared water no matter what they say.

Also you got to learn how to brush your teeth first too, got to keep those milk teeth healthy as possible, seen too many kids below five with bad teeth, so not good...

Love,
Mommy

8 Months Old!

Hi Baby,

Today is your 8th month birthday, in the morning we went out for dim sum with daddy's family, nini noi kept on wanting to hold you, auntie lin kept on trying to get that cute baby picture of you, auntie maricel entertained you as always, you drank water from a chinese tea cup, everybody else had 'ye sang' to bring forth the good luck for the year, you slept in daddy's arms in the sling as he shopped around a bit afterwards.

In the afternoon, we went to one of daddy's colleague's chinese new year open house and you tried to make friends with a little boy who was twice your age but the same size, but the little boy was too shy and hung on to his family amah for dear life.

In the evening you napped twice and rest of the time hung out with mommy when not in the studio or with daddy when he's not sorting out the comic books, and before bed all three of us was in bed playing when daddy eventually fell asleep and mommy nursed you until you did too.

Sweet dreams baby...

Love,

Mommy