It's Been 2 Months

Since my last post. Well, a lot has happened in between. Mah Mah is now living with us and helping to take care of baby Way. We went to Cameron Highlands for short stay, while it was pouring cats and dogs. Then upon return, I started working full-time again. And not a moment too soon. I was already "borrowing" from credit cards! Last week Way started pushing himself up to sitting position and has been crawling like a commando on a mission. Last checked, his mission is to throw toys, then fetch, repeat. Yesterday, Way's fourth incisor erupted, completing the set at 8.5 months!

Baby Way's appetite has improved quite a bit. We've increased his porridge portions to 500ml from about 200ml. And in addition to that he can still finish 100ml of Ella's Garden "The Green One" right after dinner! Without persuasion. He'd willingly open his mouth for it! This is amazing compared to Ning who ate like a mouse 🐭. So yeah,we're thrilled! On the other hand, his milk intake reduced a lot in the beginning but is also regaining volume by now. Yay! Can't wait til our next development assessment!

Way's First Foods Chart

Fun and handy!

Eating Adventures

We've been quite busy introducing the world of baby foods since Way's 6 months birthday.

So far, he's had quite a lot even before the month is over. By a lot I mean, many types of food, but still in small quantities, at most 2 tablespoons, mostly 1 tablespoon.

His favourite firsts, meaning he finished the whole portion I prepared the first time were...
1. Egg yolk custard (1 egg yolk, 60ml expressed breast milk; steamed 10 mins; 2 portion)
2. Broccoli floret (boiled)
3. Oatmeal cereal (2 teaspoons heaped ground oatmeal; 30 ml expressed breast milk; steamed 10 mins)
4. Carrots & wong bok with brown rice and basmati rice porridge
5. Sweet potatoes mash
6. Mashed bananas (1/4)
7. Mashed pumpkin (1“ cube)

I found a shortcut to cooking that porridge...
I blended 1:1 ratio of basmati and brown rice. Put 1 helpful teaspoon of the mixture to small stainless steel sauce bowl and soak it with bout 70ml of water for about 2hrs. Then put it in rice cooker to steam with my rice. The consistency is just nice like cereal. No need to monitor, my kind of cooking!

I love his food pics, eats like a Boss! Haha.

Self Fed Pumpkin Puree

Cool.

I just scoop the sticky paste on the spoon and he chews and links it off. Repeat. Easier than me trying to wrench the spoon in! Hope he keeps getting hands on self feeding!

But poor appetite, due to runny or clogged nose. Hope he recovers soon!

Broccoli-Eating Like A Pro

Baby Way has passed motion 3 times normally since starting on egg yolk custard. Instead of waiting 4 days for the second sample, we're starting today!

Initially I wanted to try oatmeal cereal, but changed my mind to broccoli! It was Ning's favourite when she was starting on solids.

The first spoonful of puree didn't go very well, it was gritty instead of smooth like the custard. And it wasn't as sweet. So it was a challenge to feed him. I had reserved some florets for Ning, but decided to give him one to hold and see what a broccoli looked like, before it was pureed.

Lo, and behold, he held it like a drumstick and chomps away without any prompting! He devoured half the floret before dumping the limp stalk and remaining branches on the table. I will cut the stalk longer next time for him to hold again! What a treat!

Am still worried he wouldn't be able to digest those as well as the purees. Will check stool to see if I should continue with the pureed version, or florets! If no difference, will let him enjoy drumstick style next time!

Finally, a Photo of the 2 Pearly Whites

He's had it for 3 weeks now... The left incisor took a little longer erupting completely from the gums, but just in time for his first egg custard on Saturday at a day to 6 months!

Cheers and happy 6 month birthday!

First Semi Solid Meal Went Quite Well

I steamed 1 egg yolk with 45ml of breast milk in the 180ml glass lock for breakfast and dinner each. He loved it! Ate 1 tablespoon of it at first try! Served one fresh and refrigerated the other.

Ooh, I loved the Pigeon spoon for puree and soups! It stops the food from spilling backwards when the enthusiastic fella mouths the whole spoon. I held it there for the food to flow in while he chews on the rubbery soft spoon. I need to get more without the set of cups it came with!

Oh, and see what happens when there's too much room in the chair? Trishaw uncle propped his leg up!

We went out for lunch and he was smacking his lips.. That's when I knew twice a day isn't enough. So today I made 1 egg yolk with 60ml milk and split into 3 portions in separate glass lock. He finished it this morning, not wasted! Had to hold his hand and some distraction. Note to buy suction bowl and give him his own spoon.

Nailed the Toilet Sign

Baby Way totally nailed the sign!

The only thing left to do is actually get everyone to respond by bringing him to the toilet... Not just take off diaper and cueing him to go lying down... Especially in the middle of the night...

That's more challenging than teaching baby sign language. Don't you agree?

Way's Lower Incisors Erupted Today

At 5 months 2 weeks and 2 days!  It wasn't there yesterday. Today is 24 Jun 2015.

No wonder he was cranky and sleepless past few nights. I was on the verge of collapsing yesterday. Luckily turned in early and recovered this morning.

After milk he grabbed my index finger to gum and that's when I felt the new teeth graze my finger... Sharp. Ready to eat!

And this morning, he called Mammee!!!

To-date, his vocabulary includes Mummy, up, ok and loads of babble new sounds. He loves it when I go "nom nom" on his sides or armpit..  He'd smile and laugh aloud. He's also starting to smile when it's 5 little piggies time. Fun!

He's also rolling further..  off the playmat but he'd stop once on the floor, because it's hard. Off the Queen mattress onto Ning's single. He's so active! Hmm... Wonder when I need to reconfigure my living room for crawling baby... Next month? Exciting!

New Study Corner

Ning was unhappily watching TV sitting on the edge of the play mat. She said she wished there was no baby, so that there is no playmat, then she can pull out her table into her usual spot right in the middle of our living room, and TV. I suppressed my response, on telling her not to say or think such unkind thoughts and tried to make her more enthusiastic about the mat by saying she also can lie on it watch TV with cushions and pillows. The Baba immediately killed whatever joy she was beginning to see in that by saying, "If tired, then go in and sleep, not watch TV." Lougong, when you were young, did you always sat up or stood up to watch TV?! Please be fair lah, lighten up. If it's late, then ok. But if it's her TV time, what's wrong with lying down?

So... As I was saying...

A newly cleared study area dedicated to my Mummy's dearest, Ning's academic pursuits! Homework laid out in plain sight for her to 'clear' before play!

Limited space, otherwise would prefer her to face the white board. We can always pull it out to face her when it's required.

Lighting, will see how she uses the place, then improvise along with her.

Will need to cordone off living from dining room, so that the space to make baby friendly is also limited. Now I can pull out more baby stuff for baby. And Ning can have her space!

Not sure if this will work, share a pic of your kids work spaces? I need more inspiration!

Sing Way is 5 months old today!

Wow, 1 more month and its time to start solids!

Gotta prepare my menu, gear and shopping lists now!

I nuked a bubble on my Comotomo bottle

This is the second time the microwave has ruined my Baby gear. Maybe I should get the steam steriliser.

Worrying that it may leach chemicals into my expressed breast milk, I have ditched it.

On the bright side, Way drank 60ml of fresh breast milk from pigeon teat on glass bottle over 2 hrs... We went out. We used the L size and he could suck quite fast, but he still prefers the breast. I counted, 6-7 squirt lines when hand expressing, no wonder he prefers it. And it won't drip if he doesn't suck.

I am happy! Thanks to Linnie Soh sharing on going out and feeding, I am gaining some confidence on bottle feeding fresh breast milk.

Mummy, why did you put my toys just out of reach?

Because I want to encourage you to move on your tummy!

Jia you!

How do you store your disposable diapers?

I slice it in the middle on 3 sides and fold it open. How about you?

Way: Now that I'm on my tummy, what's next?

That's what he seems to be wondering. This baby is intent on rolling over, over and over again. Then he seems to be figuring out what's next. I think he wants to crawl, he looks in front of him, as if willing himself forward, but his legs are held straight afloat,  as if flying...

Funny. Frustrating for him.

Keep trying, little one, you'll learn soon.

Comotomo to the Rescue

And some props to keep both of us comfortable, and we'll entertained.

I tried once a day with this bottle, he first drank 15ml, then 25ml, 25ml, then 40ml, and today 35ml again! Today, I was trying for 55ml, but I think he was sleepy already... Fussed, latched on a bit then slept.

He was actually trying to put it in his mouth today. Sucking is still a challenge for him though. He did try a few times, but think it's different from latching on. With this bottle I could squeeze the bottom, to help move things along. That's the beauty of it. And it doesn't spill easily even if I lose grip for a bit.

Thanks, Missy Sya from FB for recommending it to me!

Macho Man Can Roll to Tummy Now

And quite professional at it too. This started last week, somewhere in the wee hours of morning, after latching on... He is 4m 2w old.

Rolling back is another challenge.

Keep it up!

Doubled His Birth Weight at 4 Months

What a coincidence.

We went for his 5-in-1 immunisation last Tuesday, which included 2 injections, and 1 oral Rotarix. He weighed 6.825kg (3.4kg at birth) and measured 62cm in length. I must have looked comical trying hard to and expecting to stretch his neck out like an accordion, trying to add another half cm. The nurse was certainly amused.

Wow, just 2 more months, then he can have solids! 2 more months and I won't be his sole source of nutrition. Yay! Erm... Sorry, I love Baby Way too, but it's a kind of freedom and stress unloaded for me, since Ning seems to need me more during these transitions... Lougong, it's not just taking her to gym, but the support and pride she feels from Mummy. Hehe. I gotta do it. We don't want to kill her only interest / enrichment right? I mean, besides Math, that is due to you and her best friend...

There, I've said it. Phew. Counting down the days researching for baby food preparation, storage and feeding now!

My Mother's Day Cards 2015

These are the cards from my 5-year old, Ning. My favourite is the rainbow card which she did while waiting for school to end.

Then again, she has always shown me her love all year long, making every other day a Mother's Day. She can make me into a monster sometimes, but I will do it all again, for her.

Hua Shay Ning, Mummy love you very much, now and always.

Roll over, baby!

Lately, especially the last 3 days, the little one has been trying to rollover to his tummy relentlessly. With mixed results.

Sometimes, he manages but over-rolls right back to his back. But mostly he gets stuck like the picture below. Yesterday, he managed to roll his legs over consistently, like the second picture. The head and under pinned arm is more tricky.

Check out his expression in the mirror. He was trying to watch TV.

Like a Boss

One leg kicking the colorful pillow, one hand grabbing the skwish.

Multitasking 101 by Hua Sing Way.

Microwave "Accident"?

Today, as I was about to pump, I discovered a milk white blob on one of the cups. I thought it was because I didn't clean up properly and it's moldy.

When I tried to remove it, it is surprisingly rock solid instead of soft and powdery. Then it dawned on me... The plastic blew up. Or expanded. Am guessing super hot spot on some milk fats that caused it to melt and expand. Always suspected oil and plastics spell disaster... Luckily only 1 small bit melted. I washed and rinsed with hot water, then microwave 90s to sterilise.

Must visit Philips Service Center for replacement, hope it's not too expensive.

Help! It's Getting Harder to Fall Back to Sleep

I have been feeding average 5 times a night between midnight and 6 am for the past week, and the feeds are not short either. The last few nights I can hardly sleep after the first feed. My fuse is extremely short. What can I do? I don't know how long before I fall asleep involuntarily in the day...

Am thankful at least I don't have to carry him around to soothe him to sleep. Thankful that Lougong helps soothe him at the last feed before daybreak so I can nap at least an hour. *muAcks*

Bottle-feeding Attempts and Progress

20/04 1520: Fed 15ml of 100ml
Last feed was 4 mins at 1434.
Next feed at 1909 for 6 mins.
Used Pigeon bottle and S (small) teat
He sucked at beginning but thereafter just played with it.

21/04 1510: Fed 10ml of 60ml
Last feed was 24 mins at 1355.
Next feed was 25 mins at 1545.
Used Pigeon bottle with M (medium) teat. He tasted but didn't suck. Rejected, thereafter had to soothe him before he slept.

22/04 1830: Fed 5ml of 60ml
Last feed was 11 mins at 1638.
Next feed was 48 mins at 1907.
Used L (large) Pigeon teat with glass bottle. Accepted teat, even sucked few times, in addition to normal playing with teat, but spit most milk out deliberately. Suspect flow too fast. Try M again.

At this point, Lougong suggested trying a few times daily and portion out milk instead pouring away 50ml each time.

23/04 1620: Fed 5ml of 20ml, cold.
Last feed 1527 17 mins.
Next feed 1705 15 mins.
Used M, significant interest and accepted readily.

23/04 1846: Fed 2-3ml of 25ml, warmed.
Last feed was 1705, above.
S, rejected quite quickly. Think he's ready for bed. Fed him in bed right after.

24/04 1100: Fed at least 5ml of 35ml, cold.
Last feed was 1035 for 6 mins.
Next feed was 1153 for 35 mins.
Used wide mouth Pigeon bottle with SS teat. He likes and takes the teat readily, could be due to milk served cold. Once room temperature, he lost interest.

N.B. This is getting more challenging. Time to get expert help.

Last attempt with NUK latex teats also found strong protest from the little one. My dual pump also got downgraded to single because of the microwave incident with the funnel, so I am taking a break for now. Plus, lack of sleep past week, am feeling giddy by 8ish.

Transition from Breast to Bottle

I have been reading, pondering and planning the transition since Ning would only do certain things with me. Okay, most things, from bathing, to brushing her teeth, eating and going for her gym classes.

I feel that the baby shouldn't go out for the short trips out like gym or grocery shopping where it is crowded. Lougong can feed/ care for baby at home, while I bring Ning to gym instead of bringing the whole entourage including baby gear out.

So yesterday, I thawed and warmed, 100ml of milk and tried bottle feeding, more to let him try the sensation of having the silicone nipple in mouth. He didn't reject it, though he managed to drink 10ml in the first 15 minutes after pushing, mouthing, licking, sucking and spitting out loads of saliva. By the end of 1 hour, he only emptied another 5ml.

Will try again today during the afternoon feed. Got tips? Leave me a comment ok?

Our Kids!

Way is 3.5 months, Ning is 5.25 years...

Happy.

Loomband Charms

Today was loomband day.

We almost broke the rack I bought from Amazon, and painstakingly imported with Vpost only to discover it isn't an original!

Apparently, the original bands and racks are more durable. We did however, make 2 daisies, a ring and a cherry.

Hope to make some bracelets for her Teachers on her own initiative...

Punching at Gym

3m 13d: Baby Way has been doing some new things recently. One of them is pulling my thumb or finger towards his open mouth and trying to suck or gum it. We didn't let him. So we got him some "bananas".

Next, he is putting both fists in the center of his lower chest, sometimes holding fingers or hands, a little like the Machurians of old.

At gym, he no longer has arms on side, trying to swipe. Now he punches the suspended toy and ring like a little Rambo in training. Cute!

Do First Charts

Recently it's been getting harder to hold my patience or temperature with the routines. So I suggested charts to remind her. She was enthusiastic and drew the second chart. We drew these yesterday. Hope it works, longer term. 

Can you guess what she's supposed to do in the charts below?

The above, brush teeth and wash face on waking and before sleeping. Mummy drew this.

Ning drew this. Finish breakfast, please put on uniform then go to school.