My little weekend

It's the end of the mini long weekend. I think I had a fruitful weekend. Mum did some shopping and feasted on some good food. It's been a while since she shopped.

We visited the 'Hello Kitty' Lab at expo. Frankly, it's mainly for kids, not a place for adults. It's quite nothing at that place. We went from station to station for some simple games and considered complete when we've visited all stations. It's nothing fantastic. Sympathize those who had to pay to get in, thank God our entrance came free, and so are babies. We had quite a long wait at the entrance before getting started on the 'tour'. Mum was worried that I'll get too cranky from the long wait, but I took it well. When we were in, I quietly enjoyed the 'tour', and made no noise.

Photo taking was not allowed in the place, but we took some discretely. OOps! Just wanted to store some memory.

Long Weekend for us

Hurray to the long weeked, the ever wonderful break from work (for mum and dad). And school is closed for me till next tues, an even longer break for me. The teachers are taking a break on Monday, Grandma has kindly volunteered to care for me that day. Saved a day leave for dad and mum.

Hmm, but what should we do over the week. Sometimes, we think that we're always chasing time. Now that time seems to have slowed down over the long weekend, we're out of ideas on what to do. Maybe we can go to the 'hello kitty lab' at expo, Big jiu jiu gave us a pair of tickets. Not sure how it is going to be like, I'll share more after the visit. 

 

Okok, I shall get ready after lunch, but know what... Daddy is still in bed! Why is mum always the last to sleep and the first to rise? Mums are truly the greatest!

My new bed

I've got a new bed! Hmm, not so new, about a month ago. However, it's lightly used. Mum and Dad still love sleeping with me. They can't sleep without me! I'm just irresistible.

Now that I've started to crawl, Mummy decided to buy a bed that's of floor level. Such that, falls and anxieties can be avoided. When they're out in the living room during my sleeps, they wouldn't have to worry about me rolling off their high bed.

This seems like a good investment, I can sleep in there for quite some years, there's ample space for growth. It's spacious and comfy! 

Spacious

Looking tiny on it

 

We bought it from kiddy palace.

I love play!

I've brisked through the first week of school. In fact, I don't really go to school, it's play that I'm going for every weekday morning. At my tender age, it's only best to learn through play. It's the most effective form of learning for children below 4 years. So Mummy, more toys please!

Well, I think I've been enjoying my play sessions this far. Other than crying on the first day of school, I've been smiling since. My school fee don't come affordable, I had better make the best out of the school's care and facilities. The affordable infant cares were either far away from home or has a very long wait list. Search was tough. In any case, Mum and Dad are happy to settle me here. Mummy didn't think preschool was important until recently.

Everyday, Mum and Dad are excited to pick me home. They get impatient when car gets stuck in the jam or when they are caught in the red light. Just like me, I can't wait to see them at the school's door.

Day 3

On my way to school with my baggy

Arrived and picked!

Day 4

Being carried out to mum and dad

Time to go home

We miss each other after a long day

My shoe rack is ready, but I've no shoes!!!

The board that updates on HFMD cases

Yes! Yes! I like going to school for play.

First day at Infant Care

It's my first day at School! I work up slightly later than before today. Grandma joked that I must have did it deliberately knowing it's my first infant care day. Mum couldn't wait, she gently woke me up by changing my diapers. It was a rushed morning, but thank God we had my bag packed the previous night. I had my diapers and clothes changed, drank some milk and headed to school. Even my appetite for milk this morning dropped, maybe I could sense some separation from this familiar home. No mood...

We arrived school, a petite and friendly teacher welcomed us. We went through some feeding schedule and administrative process. Mummy told teacher to call her if I cried badly. Mum and Dad had never intended to introduce me gradually to school until Auntie M advised them to begin from a few hours to a full day care in a week. Well, they must have had great confidence in me!

When it was time to part, guess who cried? It's mummy!!! She walked out the school with tears in her eyes. She couldn't believe her baby was going to spend a full day at a whole new environment. What an immediate change.

Then at 11 plus in the morning, the school called mummy. When the caller said, "Hi, this is calling from Jazz's schoolhouse...." Mummy's heart stopped a beat, she thought it must be time to bring me home because of bad crying. It was however, a call to notify parents of HFMD cases in the school. There was a confirmed case last Friday, but I wasn't around yet. Hopefully, the school is still safe for fun and play. Mummy took the opportunity to asked if I cried and what I was doing. The teacher who called said that I cried a little after bath and was taking my nap during their conversation call.

Mummy was at work, but her heart wasn't. She couldn't wait for the day to end before seeing me again. Every moment at work had images of my face crying in her mind, it was a helpless feel. Then after lunch, she decided that she needed to leave work a little earlier for me. She took some time off, got a cab and headed to school at 3.30pm.

Upon arriving, it was raining, it was impossible for us to walk home, mummy got the cabby to wait for her. She ran to the door, pressed the bell for my teacher and requested to peep at what I was doing. Mummy ran up to the infant's room, searched for my face, and spotted me. I was slightly away from where the rest of the babies were, some were in for story time, but I was focused on a little toy I was playing with. It was a sigh of relief for Mummy, she's comforted and assured that I've enjoyed my new found place.

Teacher packed my bag and went through my schedule with Mummy, before carrying me out to her. As I was carried past the babies, they waved goodbye to me, I spotted myself trying to wave goodbye too. It was another comforting moment for mummy, she saw me trying to wave goodbye to my playmates. I'm sure I'll learn something out of school's everyday play. This had changed mummy's mind totally. Life at infant care isn't as bad as she thought.

Hmm, but getting sick frequently will be an unavoidable problem. This will be another issue they'll have to tackle. For now, I'll just enjoy my play at school. 

Family is Joy

Mummy's a little upset today. She stepped into home with a heavy heart. I smiled so widely when I saw her and gave out a shout of excitement. This moment lifted her mood, she was so blessed. I guess I'm mummy's little inspiration. Looking at me, her perfect creation, she knew nothing else was impossible and nothing else matters.

Sometimes, the people or environment around us make paths uneven... we trip, fall and get hurt. Still we got to get up and move ahead. Mummy tells herself, however bad a day is, nothing beats coming home to cuddles and watch me smile. Her comfort note - "It's family that awaits at the end of each path." Bosses, Colleagues, Classmates and Friends are sometimes passerby of our lives. We may or may not get to meet them again. Family is here to stay and never leaves in times of need. So be sure who is more worthy of our sacrifices and be sure who to include or exclude in our lives. We don't have time for everyone. That's true! Commitment grows as we age. Maybe declines again when we become slow in our movements.

What an emotional mummy. I had better be good and smile more at her. Babies smiles are the most genuine and sincere. Pat pat mummy... Love you!

What I've tasted

It has been a month plus since I started solids. Mummy's running out of ideas on what to prepare for my meals. Rice cereal is now an occasional food, once or twice a week. These are what my little taste bud has tried so far:

• Apple
• Banana
• Pear
• Papaya
• Potato
• Sweet potato (Yellow ones are more tasty)
• Pumpkin
• Broccoli
• Cauliflower &
• Water (Yes... only tried it when I started weaning)

Mummy would introduce each food few days apart. This helps to single out the culprit if allergy occurs. Though I think the chances are low, we play safe. Moreover, there isn't much food I can try at my tender age.

Along the days, mummy would try to mix and match the ingredients. She searched online for ideas and pieced them here:

1. Pear + Apple (Steam and blend)
2. Banana + Rice cereal + Milk
3. Potato + Carrot
4. Broccoli + Cauliflower
5. Sweet Potato + carrot
6. papaya + Milk

These are some 'equations' that Mummy can recall on how she prepares my meals. She would adjust the pureed food with milk or rice cereal to make it comfortable for me. Usually, Mummy would prepare my food in the night and refrigerate it. Next day, Grandma will warm it up for my little tummy. The refrigerated food must be consumed within 24hrs. For her easy preparation, my lunch and dinner are always the same... so how should I respond?

Meal time again? Boring...

Well, as my age catches up, I'll get to try more food. For now, milk is still my primary food, I'll work for it.

Mark my 7th month

It's the first of the month again. Today, I'm 7 months young. According to a baby's milestone chart, I've completed most actions that a 7 months can do. Let me share some, I'm able to: 

1. Sit without support 

2. Drag objects to myself 

3. Lunge forward, learning to crawl 

4. Experience stranger anxiety 

5. Jabbers 

6. Stand while holding on to something 

7. Bang objects together 

 

Still, I'm unable to wave goodbye. Maybe that would be the last action I would want to pick up, it's always sad for me to watch daddy and mummy leave for work in the morning. Interestingly, I've spotted myself clapping hands together. Other than shaking my head from left to right whenever I don't want to eat, Mummy loves to watch me clap my hands. Having done this milestone checklist, she told herself that these are just references. She wouldn't be worried if I'm behind time, there isn't a perfect timing after all. Babies learn best on their own, which is why I determine my schedule, and adults have to suit me. 

 

There's nothing mummy can teach or do to expedite slow progresses. It's just a matter of time that I can catch up. When it comes to slow learners, patient is the word. One thing that really challenges her patient is my inability to sleep through the night. I would still wake up for snacks. Sometimes once, sometimes twice, or umpteen times when I need extra comfort. So who wakes up for me? It's Mummy! How does one stay patient with having to wake up in between sleeps? She's a working mummy now, sleep is so precious to her, as of before. She always share that sleep is the toughest activity to forgo. Truly...

 

Every night, she would pray that I can sleep through it, giving her a good and well deserved sleep. There was a period when I could do from 9p.m. to 5a.m, not sure what happened along the way though. I do hope I can sleep through without snacking too... "Mummy, please bear with me a little longer." 

 

Now, see this... in the midst of having to wake up early for my breakfast, Mummy lost her Sunday sleep. Spot who are still sleeping!!! 

 

Daddy and me always on the same sleep team

  

Don't deny this, Mothers work and sacrifice the most. Indeed!