The 100th entry to complete my 2009...

I have been planning for my 100th entry since I started blogging 6 months ago. Since my blog title is "Reflection of life..." thus I am going to reflect the year 2009 with Maximus. Every month it's an excitment for us especially when we go through together with Maximus in his developemnt. Hence, being an excited new parents, we are always out and about, having our family time together. This 100th entry will be filled with memories of 2009 - stories with photos to close my 2009.

January 2009 began with a bang! It's the CNY bang with Maximus who is only 2-months old. He had his 1st family celebration and his 1st trip to mummy's hometown. It's a reflection of a family reunion with the new generation - the 3rd Ong & Tan generation.

February 2009 was Maximus 1st visit to DK and having his stay there. He is 3-months old and getting very smiley too...
March 2009 was Maximus having his "training" to be on his tummy and getting new toys and new hats... Mummy getting adventurous in dressing him! He always look good wherever he goes! Exploring new toys and environment as he moves on to his further development. Other the other hand, Maximus had eyes-infection too and caused everyone in the family to be infected also. It's a painful experience for us but God was good (all the time) because Maximus was strong to face it.
(Note: Do ignore the year on the photos because I wrongly set the year in my camera)
April 2009 was April-fool but my Maximus is not a fool! He learnt his 1st nursery rhyme and still enjoying it till today! He also found his 2 little feets and pop them into his mouth. And my lil one had his 1st tooth on this month too...so it's not a fool month.
May 2009, I had the most memoriable month! I celebrated Mother's Day... since being a mother in Nov 2008. This month is also Jin's birthday and we celebrated it with our 6-months old Maximus. Other than that, Maximus is also having his 1st solid in May and he got his booster seat for his meal time and in his walker too. He was quick to pick up his control in the walker and began to run in it towards the end of May when he started in the early month.
June 2009 was the time of crawling for Maximus... he learnt to crawl by imitating how mummy showed him. Slowly but surely he began his few steps on his tummy but able to lift up himself. He enjoyed playing on his tummy too... It's also Father's Day for Jin! Again we had our celebration. We took a perfect family photo in a Chinese restaurant. Maximus was able to sit independently in the high-chair enjoying the meal with us.
July 2009, Maximus has mastered his crawling skill and able to crawl independently. He was getting more moblie and enjoyed chasing after his toy car. His first acheivement in grasping his language skill was to point at the picture of the bear when asked. That made mummy and daddy proud. Check out the story here.

August 2009 was Maximus's adventurous time! He was full with expression and being very affection towards his family members. He showed lots of different facial expressions to express his feeling. He began to grab and kiss them. He also began to develop his interest in cars and books. He had his 1st trip to the highland (Cameron Highland). It's a full adventure for a 9-months old baby. On this month, Maximus was weighing at 10 kg! ... A packet of rice!!!

September 2009 was the most happening month! I labelled this month as the "wedding and the funneral" There are more funneral unfortunately. However, my 10-months old was getting smarter as he began clap his hands, climb stairs and drink from the straw. I also began to discover his creativity from observing his play... he was able to do immaginative play at this stage and it was really surprised me.
October 2009 was a month before his 1st birthday...and I was already getting excited planning for his birthday celebration. And before his 1st birthday, Maximus began to project his 1st few independt steps towards walking independently. He also grasped a few sign language to express his needs especially showing "no-more"and full. He also started to sounds his first few words such as book, oh, and dog.

November 2009 was Maximus 1st Birthday! The celebration was on and everyone (the in-laws and my family) had dinner in Melaka. Maximus was being pampered with lots of toys and most of all ang-pows. He wore his 1st shoes and started to walk independently. This was the time that my lil Maximus was in the transition from his infant to his toddlerhood. It was a load of great acheivement and fun memories.
December 2009, Maximus was officially in his toddlerhood. He was so much ready for play school or in a play group because he was able to play independently even when I am away from him. This is the month of celebration with Dongzhi festival and Christmas too. Maximus had great memorable celebration with us and his extended family members. This is to enable him to experience family gathering in his growing process.
This reflection will lead us to 2010 with more thanksgiving and prayer in our heart. We won't be able to go through days after days, months after months and face the new year with God in the center of our life.

Christmas Now and Before...

As I reflected the last Christmas, Lil Maximus was just 2-months old infant who doesn't know what's Christmas all about. Now, my lil baby has turned to toddler and he is 13-months old!

Check out the differences...


Maximus sleeping and lying down in his stroller when we went out for our Christmas lunch in Curve (2008)

Maximus now (2009) with full expression and alert...In addition, looking gaya and walking, exploring around independently.

This is just a year of differences... There will be more thankful years ahead as I look forward to. And mostly, on this Christmas my prayer and thankfulness go to Jesus who giveth me the most precious gift!

Thank you Lord Jesus and my Heavenly Father...

Maximus enjoying the view of Christmas deco

December is the month of joy and love. Every mall, street and restaurant is nicely decorated with the Best Christmas decoration and trees! And there the attraction of the place is determined by how beautiful and spectacular the decorations are.

As for that, we also join the crowd in visiting malls with stunning Christmas decoration along with Maximus. In the beginning, he was just amazed with the lights, then the trees and the ornaments. Then he also begin to look out for those Christmas trees, ornaments and lights where ever he goes. It's really amazing seeing how he can admire and enjoy those colourful and bright decoration. When he sees those beautiful decoration he will express himself in awe, "uhh..." or "oooh..." while pointing towards the decorations.

Toddlers at his age will begin to enjoy beautiful things and start to develop interst. Looking at how he enjoys so much of those Christmas decoration and each time when he sees one, his responce towards them really excite me. And it bring me delights and joy... That's the best Christmas decorations ... it's in Maximus's eyes!

So far, he has visited Leisure Mall, Pavillion, BSC, Mid-Valley and Gardens. Check out his expressions...


Pavillion in-door and out-door decoration


Mid-Valley and Gardens Decoration


At BSC

Winter Solstice (Dong Zhi) Festival

The date is always the 22nd December to celebrate the winter solstice festival. Each time when the date arrived we will be rolling tang yuan from glutinous rice flour. It's the Chinese tradition and I remembered that when I was younger, mother will say that each tang yuan that I ate it means that I am older by a year. So...we used to joke around... we will count the number of tang yuan we ate and said that we have reached a certain age...! Well...that's the folk story.
The fact for this festival...well, I just found out that it's known as "Winter Solstice" festival from Wikipedia and it's written all about the astronomical event. But for the Chinese it's a reunion where everyone will eat the tang yuan.



















Whatever the fact is about Dong Zhi festival, the most important is giving Maximus the exposure and experience in celebrating this festival with the family...this including of rolling of the tang yuan together. He has so much fun playing with the dough and wanted to eat it instead of rolling it.
This is his officially first Dong zhi festival because last year he was only a month old when we celebrated it. Time flies...there goes another year and this year he gets the opportunity to taste the tang yuan. He does enjoy it although not knowing what are those...
Whatever festival, all I wish is to celebrate it as a family with Maximus so that he will grow up knowing that his family must stick together in every festival and occasion.

From Fear to Fun...

Today we went to Jungle Gym in BSC again with Didi Jayden and Rachel. This is Maximus 2nd time in Jungle Gym since his last birthday on 6th Nov. As he just touched 12 mths old, he was still in the transistion of baby stage to toddler but now he is 13 mths and enjoying his toddlerhood.
He has mastered his walking still and enjoy exploring around... so it does make a lot of differences in Jungle Gym as compared to the 1st time.

From fear of being in the ball-pit pool, he is now having so much fun.





Maximus enjoying himself in the pool of balls. He also tried to give away some balls to the other children...




And now he is also enjoying himself with loads of fun and mostly want to be independent and trying to join the other elder children. Well, it's really amazing to watch his learning process and him growing from stages to stages.
He is quick to learn especially from imitating others especially the elder children. During his exploration in Jungle Gym, he is not afraid to climb and to slide down. Although at a certain point he hesistated to pass through the obsticle, after looking at the other children he will try again.


















It's really a huge change...from being fearful to now knowing to have fun. I am sure Jungle Gym will be his favourite place to explore physically and socially. Since it's FREE for children below 2 years old...so why not! He can still enjoy it till he is 2 years old. But mostly, he has the opprotunity to explore freely without being fearful of the environment.

Feeding medicine

Toddlers begin to understand that taking medicine is something that isn't fun or yummy. They can resist medicine now and will struggle to keep it from getting into their mouth and system. Although there are many persuasions, toddlers won't understand the reason of taking medicine. It's like giving them some eekie yuckie things to eat! And the nasty taste of medicine will remain in their mouth for a while.
It's really a struggle for us to feed Maximus medicine especially when he knows the taste of it after the first time. He will recognise the bottles of his medicine and know that it's time for medicine. He will quickly shows his hand-sign as he refuses to take the medicine with some whinning. Since day one, we have been using tricks, persuasions, pep-talks, strategies etc to convience him to take his medicine. Whatever we did are in vain!
But I found that the syringe is the best tool although my MiL likes using the measuring spoon.

It's not easy to feed using the measuring spoon.

I read some of the tips to give toddler medicine online too... but just don't help much. Some of the sites are from Family Education and i-village parenting. Yet, the bottom like is that I must really know the best method that suits him. Otherwise, he will end up vomitting everything after feeding. So, I realised a few soothing ways to feed medicine to Maximus:

1. I just have to let him know that it's time to take his medicine and will shows him the medicine. MiL will try to trick him by saying it's ice-cream or orange juice but he is smarter though. He knows the taste... So, I won't lie to him. I am telling him directly that it's medicine and it will taste aweful but good for him. Although he will whine and struggle to escape, I have Jin or the maid to help out.
   
2. Two is better than one - so it's not a one-man show in giving toddler medicine. It needs at least 2 of us; One to hold him and another to get the medicine ready.
   
3. Do it fast and without delay because once he refuses he will just push away or spit it out.
   
4. Put the syringe at the side of his cheek and give a quick push to let the medicine flow into the mouth without delay.
   
5. Give him some honey or juice to wash away the nasty taste.
   
6. Comfort him and tell him it's over. We are putting it away now. Praise him for being a brave boy.

It is really a hard task to feed medicine to any toddlers. As I reflect, I found out that it's easier to feed an infant medicine rather than toddler...of course! Toddlers are smarter and quicker to respond.
Anyway, I do hope that Maximus will get well soon... and will not have to take any awful medicine again...

Mil forcing the medicine down to his throat...

The Caricature of Maximus

My colleague drew a caricature of Maximus playing with the balloon when we had dinner together with Maximus along. During the dinner, Maximus was playing with the balloon with some of them. So, my colleague drew this experience into a beautiful caricature.

Check out the master piece.

The caricature of Maximus

The next generation reunion

I have not met my JB closed friend for about 2 years since the both of us were pregnant and busy after that with our own child. Then finally the opportunity to meet up arrived! We went down to JB and we were reunited - with our next generation too.

She has been so dear to me... then our husbands become friends...soon our son will be friends too! It's a great devine appointment as the both of us are from different state - Im in KL and she is JB. We witnessed each other marriage and then both of us became mummy. Her son is 6-months elder than Maximus.

It's really wonderful to meet again after a long time. We have so much to catch up especially now we share the same interest... our son! I would say that this is the reunion of our next generation. We hope that they will grow up to be friends too. Maximus looks more like the "tai-kor" (bigger brother) as compared in size. But size doesn't matter. As long as our next generation can be friends just like us, it's a great joy.

Maximus on that particular day was extremely playful, cheeky and active. He wants to go every where with his new friend. It's really fun to see how the little ones are getting to know each other in a unique ways. It's all reflected in their facial expression...

My Favourite Family portraits

A family reflects the beauty, happiness and love within. These can be seen in the perfect family portrait. A picture speaks a thousand words... and so is my family photo. It speaks of my joy, true happiness and loves. A friend commented that she likes my family photo that she took when we met. Of course, I thanked her for her remarks and added ...this are the pictures of a prefect happiness and love. She totally agree with it.

So, judge for yourself...

Top Left: Our 1st family photos taken when Maximus was born.

Middle: Our 1st mother's day family photo (Maximus was 6-months)

Bottom Left: Another perfect shot taken when Maximus is 1-year old)

Can you feel the love within? Just check out our smiles... That's prefect happiness!

Long Distant Car Travel

There are 2 types of travelling that I will define here - the long distant and the short distant. Both are car travelling on the road. I have experienced both and from the infant stage to the toddler. I found that travelling with infant is easier but some different safety measures. We first started travelling when Maximus was 3-months and it was only a one-an-half hour ride to Melaka. He was soundly asleep in his car seat at that time although I have to hold him to keep him comfind and feel safe. Then in his late month, we travelled up to a highland (Cameron highland). That trip was a real adventurous experience because of the long hours in the car and the windy road especially up the highland with changes of pressure.

Then, Maximus turned 1-year old and recently we travelled down south to JB... a 3 and the half hours of ride in the car. The transition stage from infant to toddler made a huge different in such travels. Here I realised that Maximus will need to be entertained and attended too yet not forgetting the extra safety especially when he wants to stand up, touch everything and move around. It's not easy to get his seated or to sleep. His routine at home has also been disturbed especially without his sarung-cradle, his toy box, and spaces to move about!

So, for three and the half hour journey I have equipped him with some new play-stuff and snacks. These are the most important tools to get him settled. He got every excited in the beginning when we started the journey but that only lasted for half an hour. He got bored and wanted to move around... so it's time to play!

He ated his little snack while playing with the food containers and bottles. I then realised that I have a "new" toy that he seldom play. Those toys that I brought along were his usual toys that he got bored within a minute. But he was really engrossed into playing with his snack container - opening and closing the lid. I created a little funny game (with sound effect) that he laughed and giggled till he got tired.

So the next one-half or two hours was to cuddle him in his cuddling napkin and also the "human-pacifier" to sooth him. Then he slept... till the car stopped! It's the toll-booth. Each time when the car stops, he will automatically be awaken. By the time he awoke, I have to reassure him that he is in the car, travelling to where ever the destination to. Will give him some fluid and then get him to have his fun play again till we reach our destination.

It's a routine for toddlers when they are travelling in the car or on road... play-sleep-settled and then it continues. Whenever he gets too cranky or fussy, we will stop at the rest area. Allow him to explore the outside then tell him that we are going to countinue with our journey.

At the end, it's really a tiring trip yet fun! Our journey will normally be extended to an hour. I also realised that having another older kid (a play-mate) helps too. Maximus loves to have his nine or twelve years old cousin along with him. He will be entertained by them. So it does make me relax and smoothen the journey too.

I can't imagine having to travel by air next time! It's another learning experience....

Transition object

Transition object is an object such as a smelly pillow, napkin, smelly teddy, pacifier etc used by a child to bring him/her comfort. I learnt about this during an Art Therapy workshop organised by NASOM and then I reflected it on Maximus's habit of wanting to hold his napkin or a peg when he was being tucked to sleep especially without giving him the breast to suckle on.

During the newborn period, the baby lives in an illusion world when he feels that he is in control over it. However during the later months, he begins to realise that he is no longer in control and there will be a seperation period with his parents or carer. From his illusion world he has moved into the disillusion and will make him feel unsafe. Therefore the gap/space between his illusion world and his disillusion world will be replaced by his transition object to make him feel safe and back to his own illusion world.

This is very true because when Maximus wanted to fall asleep usually without mummy around, he will want to hold on to his napkin and his peg (especially when during nap time since he is sleeping in his sarung). I like watching him holding to his transition objects when he wants to fall asleep. His little fingers will nibble the napkin and another grasping to the peg. Slowly and surely yet feeling safe he will close his little eyes to sleep.

Wheter or not in his illusion or disillusion world, I will always make sure that Maximus will be safe and feel secure. Although he has moved into his toddler stage now, he is still very vulnerable and need a sense of security. And this will not stop here... it will be through out the period until he grows up to be more independent.

Maximus's and his cousins

Children are quick to identify and recognise their extended family especially with their cousins when they spend most time playing and growing together. At their late months before turning 1-year, they can point to the name of their family members when being asked and easily associated with them. It's also amazing to see that they have their favourite person that they especially reacted to - smile, excited or playful with the particular special person.

This is exactly the same to Maximus. He loves to play with his both cousins Zhi Hao and Wen Hao although he has the other cousins around. However, these 2 particular cousins are special to him because they play together most often. Maximus usually waited for them to be back from

school and will quickly cling to them and asked to play with him. He wants to be with them at all time!During our trip to Melaka to celebrate Maximus's birthday, we went for a walk around the historical area around Pahlawan Mall in Bandar Hilir. Maximus was so attached to his cousins and wanted to be with them at all times. He was all full with excitment when he watched his cousins around him.

Top-Left: Maximus with Zhi Hao

Left: Maximus with Shi-Min from JB who Maximus hardly spend time with except when they are around.

Right: Maximus with some of his cousins

Maximus 1st Birthday celebration

We celebrated Maximus's 1st birthday in Melaka on the 7th Nov. It was just among the family and everyone from the both side of the family (my family and my in-law) came together to dine and celebrate Maximis's 1-year birthday. We had our dinner in a vegetraian restaurnt. Maximus was excited over his 2 tiers Race-track cake especially the 2 toy cars on the cake as his birthday present. His birthday theme is "Carz". It was a great time of celebration with family. Maximus got so used to receiving gifts and ang pau and he will hold onto it.

Seeing so many people around, as usual he will put on his cool look and doesnt smile much even having his photo taken. Check out the photos...

My Little Explorer

In nature, children love to explore. As Maximus begun grasping his skill in walking, he enjoys walking and exploring around too. Although sometimes he may think that it's faster to crawl than to walk, he enjoys the sense of achivement using his new skill especially when he is being acknowleged of it. He claps when we praised him "Clever boy".

This video shows him walking around with daddy's help... He turned exactly ONE on this day when we brought him out for exploring and playing. Slowly but steadily, he is walking and walking till his little feet got tired!

Walking around in Jungle Gym, BSC Bangsar

Announcing MumCentre's October Photo Blog Contest Winners

Yes! This notice was sent to my email and I wasn't really very optimistic that I would win...But out of the blue, I saw the photo of Maximus...We won!
Not sure what will the gift voucher would be but it's all about the joy of winning. Check out the site here at MumCentre Malaysia site. Maximus photo blog calendar was most viewed and visited. For that we got gift vouchers from MumCentre but it's not about the gifts...it's the joy of winning!
Thank you MumCentre and all those who visited my photo blog...

Birthday Outing

It's Maximus's 1 year old birthday on the 6th Nov. I took half-day off work (it's boring anyway) to be home with Maximus and get ready for our outing. It was a great experience for Maximus to explore and play in the HUGE playground for children. We went to JungleGym in BSC...and it's FREE for children below 2 years old.

It was a spacious place but Maximus felt very much insecured because of the new surrounding and those HUGE play equipments.

There are the ball pool, giant slide, tunnel, climbing frame etc but Maximus just clinged onto me most of the time! So I have to keep him company to explore and create the sense of security for him. Besides that he also kept on looking out for his daddy too. Daddy wasn't allowed because he didn't have his socks. And mummy gets tired and body-ached after going through the physical play with Maximus.

This sort of opprotunity created for Maximus shows an example on how the adults can play a role to create an opening for the little ones to play. I would called this as a "partnership-play" when both adult (more experienced) and the child (less experienced) join venture into getting involved in playing. It's obvious that the playground is a totally new environment for Maximus and also intimidating for a one-year old child! So in this situation, the adult's role changed through out to create a play experience for the child. Normally, in play for young children, it should be a free play senario where children are free to choose and play independently.

But I don't think free play can be internalised in this new environment for Maximus.

After all the play, Maximus prefers to be out and about to walk/crawl around to explore the enviornment. So we let him cruise around the furniture before we head for out dinner in Monte.

It was a wonderful Birthday outing for Maximus and us!

Maximus's cutest baby id #0027

I submitted Maximus's baby photo to LittleWhiz.com for the cutest baby contest. Click here and look out for Maximus's id #0027 and vote for him if you think he is the cutest baby.
Thank you for your support

Body parts

As Maximus turned 11-months and now moving into his 12-months, his learning process has stimulated and progressing pretty fast. He can recognise some body parts begining from the eyes both in English and Mandrin. When he reached 11-months, his ganny used to use his hand puppet bear and asked him where is the puppet bear's eyes. Then happily Maximus will point or poke the eyes. Then I follow through the learning in English and till now he knows the eyes, ears, nose and mouth. But can only recognised it on the puppet!

I proceed with stimulating the learning using his own body parts - eyes, ears, nose, mouth, hands, legs and even his penis! But he is yet to capture all and I do not put much expectiation on this since I associated this as academic skills.

Neverthe less, I do play with him games that involved his body parts especially the "Round, a-round the garden" and he can use his little pointer and to go around his own palm. Next I am planning to teach him the "Head and Shoulders, Knees and Toes" song just to induct him into recognising his whole body parts.

Yesterday, my MiL told me that Maximus can show his bumb-bumb (butt) when she asked him in Mandarin. Since she wants to potty train him especially in doing is motions then it's a good start.

Solitary play to onlooker play

Solitary play happened at 1-year and below when a baby played alone to entertain himself. Solitary play is a type of play that we usually observed among babies below 1-year old and from solitary play they moved on to onloooker play. Onlooker play occured when a child watches another child or children at play and doe not become an active participant but will be amused or entertained by their play. Occasionally, these toddlers will look at each other playing but it’s just a curious phrase in their development.

I put Maximus into a group play for at least an hour in a mall when Jin was busy negotiating with a car-dealer. In the beginning it was just solitary play on the rocking pony. When I wanted to place him with the other children, he whined a little. But slowly he started to explore the environment, looking at the play equipments and the other children playing, screaming and running around. He was just curious and checking out those equipments one at the time.

Then he noticed the play house, started to crawl into it. Playing peek-a-boo with me for a short while before he proceeds to exploring on his own. Then, those children came into the play house to play together. Maximus was just looking at them but not playing with them. So the children started to lose interest in them.

This is an example of how Maximus has switched his type of play from being into a solitary player to be an onlooker player. It’s common for babies like Maximus to just enjoying playing together with other children but not with them. I hope to give Maximus more exposure to experience those different types of play in his childhood development since I am equipped with the theory, now it’s the practical or experimental stage.

It’s really interesting observing Maximus in his play. Playing in the early years in childhood is a learning phase and helps them to learn, nurture and develop. Especially when Maximus is turning one, I am sure he will go through a different milestone in his developmental stages – equipped with different skills and knowledge. Hence, I wish to provide him an extended environment for him to explore and learn rather than being cooped in his on environment (at home) continuing with his solitary play. In additional, with being into the parallel play after 1-year-old, soon Maximus will be able to ease into associative play at 3-year-old and cooperative play at four.

Parallel play - children play separately at the same activity at the same time in the same place but do not play together.

Associative play - chidlren are still focused on seperate activities but there is a considerable amout of sharing, lending, taking turn or expansive coomunication.

Cooperative play - represent the hight level of social maturity. Play actively with a common goal and will be working together to acheive the goal.

Coping with biting and tantrum

Parenting a soon-to-be toddler can be a time of a heartfelt joy yet tremendous frustration. It's also a wonderful discoveries too. It's an experience for every parent when their baby is moving into toddler's stage but not there yet. So, packed with enormous amounts of patience then a huge dose of serenity when deal with the "in-between" behaviours. What do I mean by "in-between"? Well, they are not exactly baby anymore but not yet a toddler too... so it's like half-past-six especially in gauging the understanding of discipline, rules and also "reward-punishment". So, how do I cope with all these "in-between" behaviours?

My Maximus is soon turning one-year and displayed some of the negative behaviour especially in biting and throwing tantrum!

Biting! When he was much younger in months, my mother in law kept on associate biting as he is teething. So he bit everything and everyone just to "sooth" his teething problem. Teether doesn't sooth him, so my mother in law gave him napkin and the teets to bite. Now, as he grew older in months, the biting continue with biting the couch, biting grandpa's leg, biting mummy's arm, biting daddy's shoulders or biting grandma's hand! Do I still want to associate this with teething? The answer to it is a big NO!!! My mother in law won't be right this time... it has turn into a bad habit! Maximus enjoys biting anyone at any time... and it's not fun, nor cute. It's painful. But how do I cope with it? He doesn't know anything about punishment. Do I need to inpose it to him? Well, the normal traditional ways are: give chilie (too cruel but don't work because Maximus can take chilie), smack him (he can't understand that action), give his own hand to bite (Doh! He is smart and won't bite himself) or bite him back! (tht's not the way)... So what should I do? I am yet to equip myself with strategies to cope and handle these biting behaviour. I read about it in books and internet but what's the most suitable ways is yet to be discovered.

Tantrum throwing...hah! Jin always associate Maximus's tanturm to me. He said he inherited it from me. Well, this is not something that can be inherited... so I better get to the solution to the problem. Of course at the moment whatever we did is chasing out tail and not gaining anything but I am sure soon Maximus will learn to understand when he turns into his toddlers stage at his later months.

Check out this video on how Maximus show his tantrum when he can't get the CD case to open... And of course whatever I said don't make any sense to him.

Tactile Sensorial Activities

During the younger month of an infant, his sensory skills have started to discover the environment around using his 5 senses. These mulitsensory activities will later help this infant to be less anxious about his external world. This is according to Sigmund Freud in his psychoanalytic theory regarding objective anxiety among infant and young children. In short, these sensories help my little Maximus to be an explorer. However, this little explorer dislike certain textures such as the thorny, furry, and soggy texture.

For thorny, I got Maximus the touch durian. One day, Jin wanted to have durian, so we went to the pasar malam (night market) to get some durian. Maximus was very excited but when I gave him the durian shell, slowly but surely he touched it using his finger tip. Then he refused it. I guess he can sense that it will hurt or injured him.

Furry texture is also not his favourite especially the sense of the cotton. I also recalled that during his early months, I made some corn starch mixture and put him into the tub with him. He refused to touch it and gave a disgusting look. Maybe I should try it again at this age and check if he has grown out of the anxiety on this texture.

Giving infant and young children this tactile sensorial activities will surely will enhance his sensory-motor development. Maximus has a strong grasp in his fine motor developement since his early months. At 3 months, he had learned to explore his fingers, open and closed them and looking at them. This is the part and parcle of their fine motor development which eventually most infants will acheive it. But I believe that with a little enhancement and experiences given, these skills will have a better grasp.

I will plan for the next snesorial activities with Maximus and make comparission to it. I hope there will be a difference in his acheivment. Check out for photos too.

Baby's vocabs and sign language

Little ones' brain are like sponge and especially during this sensitive period learning is rather at the peak! Maximus is picking up his pace in learning. Each day, I discovered new things that he has mastered and improved i.e. in his motor skill, language skill or cognitive skill. Even his characters and personality is getting more obvious too. I am always looking forward to spend my time with him-observing him, exploring with him, learning new tricks and skills and playing with him. These are the best moment especially I am thrilled with his acheivment.

Maximus has moved up to graps new vocabs. Othe

r than being able to understand simple instructions, he can express some of his wants into words by using the sounds. I am sure when he begins talking formally, he sure will be a little parrot and very talkative too. When Jin and I talk, he will try to make some sounds to as if he want to join in our converstaion.

1. Yesterday, he spoke "up" (using the sound of "ark") while pointing up because he wanted to go upstairs.
2. Then he heard the plane flew by and it was out of sight. Not only he showed the "no-more" sign but he even reported it to his grandma but babbling all sorts of sounds while using his hands and sign language.

I used to train some single mothers about baby's sign language. This is an obscure language but proven to work as a communication between baby-parents. There are basic signs for those common things such as milk, sleep, drink etc.

I recalled training some single mothers in using these signs in order to create a communication with the babies under their home-based care.

There are no fix signs yet. And my opinion, we can even create our own signs with our baby.

For further reading on baby sign language visit here.

Maybe for my next baby, I may want to try inpose the sign language since I forsee that I will be the one taking care of him/her full time. Anyway, that's the future plan.

Maximus's 1st visit to his Great-grandma

It's my desire to bring Maximus to visit his great-grandma in Bahau since the day he was born. However, due to the long distant and narrow route we waited till Maximus is a little older. My grandma lives in Bahau, Negeri Sembilan. It's not convenience for her to travel or to move about due to her stroke attacked many-many years ago. Therefore, it should be our responsiblility to bring Maximus to her. This is the 4th generation in the family-line and I am sure she is very happy to meet Maximus. I considered Maximus is being so blessed to have 2 great-grandmas (paternal and materal) to love and pampered. My maternal grandma has seen Maximus since he was born but the other grandma is not as fortunate.

This Deepavali break opened an opportunity for us to bring Maximus to his great-grandma. Of course his great-grandma was so happy to see her great-grandson. Although she just sat on the lazy-chair and not moving much, she was a little more chatty than usual (as I thought). She commented that her great-grandson is smart and handsome! Well, that very usual then.

We are glad that Maximus meets his great-grandma. Life is short and soon she may be gone from this world. So at present I hope that she will be happy especially seeing another generation of her's in the family line.

He is walking alright!

My Maximus is walking with confidence now! From day 1 he started his first few steps to now, he shows progress in walking! Back in Melaka during this recent weekend, he got more practices in walking because of the carpeted floor in my mother's house. He can even walk from one couch to the next or from the coffee table to the couch without being asked. Each time when he walks a little more steps or ready to walk, I don't get the opportunity to grab any of the recording devices! Darn! All I have seen are firstly recorded in my own memory...

Anyway, I am sure there will be more opportunities to record down every moment of him walking... My Grandma said that Maximus should be walking well when he turns one! I will see about this then... there are more to learn in walking properly such as being able to stand up independenly without support. At this moment, he can only stand up with support and then only balance himself to start walking.

I am sure the day will arrive soon...

Go...GO...Go!

As babies transits to the toddlers stage, from cooing to babbling and making sounds, in their later months they begin to form words from the sounds. It's all about catching those sounds that they made and trying to give a positive responce in reassuring them that those sounds mean a word. As a parent, I am always paying close attention to my lil one each time I heard him making a new sound. This i can reassure him and respond to him by repeating his sounds into proper words. Then he will be so excited and continuing using his new vocabs.

Yesterday when I reached home from work, Maximus greeted me with his warm smile and lifting his arms for a hug and to be carried. As usual I will lift him up and hug him. Yesterday was different! As I carried him, he pointed to the door and started saying "Go, go, go!" indicating that he wants to go out! My usual respond is to repeat the sounds into proper word "Go?" Ok, let's go... but where does Maximus want to go?" Hence, he pointed again to the door.

His tiny little voice and fingers are such an amazing things to me. That little voice echoes in my heart and soul, bringing joy to me. I am so proud of his acheivement... However, we are still trying to get him to say "Mummy or Daddy" but instilling the sounds of /ma/, /mi/ or /dah/ and /di/... hoping that one day he will eventually get that sound!

More that I have learnt in my early childhood degree course, I know the stages of the vowels and consonants sounds that a baby can make naturally, and sounds of letter "m" and "d" aren't the easiest sounds... but it's our joy when our lil one started calling us! hehe... sounded like I am putting an expectation on him. Anyway, his other first words are a great acheivment. his first words are:

1. book (he says it as "buk" without the vowel blend)
2. bird (he says as "bek" without the vowel blend of "ir" and the sound of "d" sounded like a "t" or a "k")-cant really figure out the last sound but he meant bird because he looked up and pointed in the sky when a bird flew by.
3. dog (he says it as "og" without the "d" sound)
4. car (he says it as "ar" - without the c sound)
5. recently was go-go-go (with very accurate pronounciation)

His sensitive period began during his late 9 months where he began to learn things at the fastest. And his learning continue on daily. We just need to discover his new ability every day.

Learning through imitation

Learning is a process to gain knowledge or skill by studying from experience. Yes, the experience is the keyword. An educator or a parent who educate the child will usually create a learning experience to allow learning process to take place. There are different methods of experiences that can be created and one of it is to imitate.

This process of learning from imitating is the fastest method for baby or young toddler. It's like "monkey see, monkey do" or as a copy cat. Most of Maximus's skills in doing certain things are from imitation. He watches and laughs before accuired the skill. There are many examples such as sticking out his tongue, making the vroom-vroom sound, the red indian ritual, clapping and etc. He picks up these skills instantly as he watch and learn. Everything begins as a fun, funny and playful process nevertheless he learns from it.

This video shows how he laughed at his daddy's action. He then tried to imitate his daddy... So at the end we are the one laughing. It's fun and playful too...

Maximus was laughing so hard that he eventually got tired. Yet, he still wants his daddy to show him the action. This is just a game using my lip gloss! Hah... daddy's creativity but acceptable!

First few steps...

Finally, we witnessed Maximus taking his first few steps to walking. We were so excited over it and keep on getting him to practise walking on... In the beginning it was only 2 steps then he will throw his whole body towards us and we will catch him. But after few attempts, he started to be more confident and started to take more steps before reaching us. I even tried dangled candy so that he can continue walking on...but I think he knows his limit. Each time when he lost his balance he will go down into squartting position and started to crawl.

So since he started learning walking, this means I have to be extra cautious! Some of my friends commented in the facebook that I will be chasing after him, he will be running very shortly... well, these are feedbacks from those experienced parents. I am sure I will be enjoying this moment as how I enjoyed the other milestone!

I am beginning to plan for his walking activities... hehehe... we can take a walk in the park, during holidays we can bring him walking on the beach! In addition, I can start packing picnic basket and have picnic in Taman Tasik. I have been wanting to go there with Maximus since he started crawling but never get the chance. Wow! Fun activities ahead with him... cool!

Nevertheless, I am also fearful of "Falling", "Bumps" and "Climbing"... As an active little boy I am sure Maximus will be as excited with his new skill too! He will sure to try climbing up the stairs instead of crawling, he will be also walking everywhere the house and start opening cupboards (he did this even before he walks)! But I have to keep a full watch and allow him to explore around... Surely God will watch over him too.

Climbing up the stairs (advance stage)

This blog is the follow up of Maximus's ability to climb up the stairs. Now, this is the advance stage of his ability to climb up the stairs. He can climb up the entire flights of steps on his own and with confidence. Of course, we monitor him as he climbs. It's very easy now to bring him upstairs since he is ain't light! So, we put him down and watch him climbing up till he reaches the top.

When he acheived this skill in the beginning during his early 10 months, he was a little afriad to go all the way up. Now as he entered into his eleventh month, he has shown a better skill and confidence in doing so. But he will want to climb up all the time even without supervision. Therefore we have to block the staircase with the couch to avoid him from going through. Of coure I am very excited and proud of his acheivement but will have to keep a very close watch over his safety too.

Climbing up the stairs is his first acheivement in the climbing skills. Other than that, Maximus is able to climb up the stool, to the coffee table just to get his hands on the television. He is also learning to climb the bed, the couch and every chair. My MiL was hoping that he won't learn to climb out from his walker, otherwise we can leave him in the walker anymore.

It's really amazing to see how his physical development has progress to another level. It's all happened in a very natural way - all the sudden we noticed that he can climb! Nobody taught him to (other than up the stairs).

As Maximus moves from one level of the milestone in his development to the next, we really get all the excitment, and fun watching him "showing-off" his skills.

Enjoy the video!

A month before turning ONE

Today marked the date that Maximus has turned 11-months! It's 1 month before turning the big ONE year old. As his mummy, I am pretty excited over it! What do I expect from this 11-months old baby that soon to be a toddler? Well, there are so much changes and development happened month-by-month as he grows. Of course I am expecting him to WALK!!! Yes! His first step... Although he has shown sign of walking as he cruise along the furniture, pushing the stool to move about and standing without support for a few short minutes, I am sure he will be taking his first step very much sooner than I thought.

I recalled the day when Maximus was able to cruise along the furniture, he was 8-months old or so, and i was already telling him not to start walking at 10-months old. But now, I can't wait for him to start walking... it's such a fickle-minded mummy am I! Sooner or later, Maximus will be independent walking around and about. We will soon be chasing after him too.

Hence, I know I will have less chance carrying my little boy to cuddle and bringing him around. He will be walking on his own and maybe refused to be carried too.

Well, whatever happen... let it come as it may. Whenever it happened, I am sure I will be so proud of his acheivement. So, check out for the blog when I will be writing about Maximus's first step or walk. hehe...

On the other hand being a 11-months baby, Maximus has 8 teeth, biting and chewing much. Chatting away and learning fast. He is able to:

1. climb up the stairs as fast and with confident.
2. scream for attention.
3. knows and can remember what he wants and doesn't want.
4. recognise the programme on tv or pictures that he likes. Eg: the ad on Colgate, picture of cars in every printed materials.
5. choose his food from the plate, pick it up and start eating it.
6. Push along the stool or walker to move around.
7. Press the switch "on" and "off" on the remoto control, telephone and the suis.
8. Drink from a straw
9. Follow along a story from the story book and turn the pages.
10. tell by pointing what he wants and where he wants to go - in other word, he can order people around.

There are so much about Maximus that I can't catch up recording it, taking photos and even remember jotting it in my journal or blog. But I am enjoying every moment of his development. Thank God that HE is always there to bless us and watch over our Maximus. Praise Jesus.

Toy Car Ride

During the last visit to Melaka, Maximus's cousin (Leroy) was so generous to lend his little car to Maximus. We wanted to buy this rides (car / motorbike) for Maximus but then MiL stopped us because she said it will be a waste of money since the child will outgrown it. And, she is very right. Leroy has a lot of these rides "parking" along the living room in his house. There are the car, motorbikes and bicycle, but he hardly ride on them now. He is 3 and the next thing we know, he will probably learn to cycle instead.Maximus was very excited over the car when he first saw it. We even got the opportunity to bring it home for him to play and ride on it. Well, I would think it's a good loan because we can test out before really deciding to get one. Back at home, he was riding on the car for even less than 10 minutes. He came down from it and started exploring the car instead - turning it upside down and playing with the wheels.I am glad that we didn't dash into buying the toy car rides earlier as it will be a waste of money!

Maximus with his youngest yee-yee giving the cheeky grin as he "test-drive" his 1st toy rides.

Lossing a Mother's Love

It was such a news when I heard that Jin's cousin, Yean has passed away recently after delivered her 2nd son. Everything was fine on the 1st day but due to her heart failure the toxin in her system wasn't able to be flushed out and so she breathe her last breath on Saturday at 7:30 pm in HUKM. I thanked God that she gets to know and accepted Jesus before leaving forever. Yes, she returns to heaven and it shouldn't be such a depress moment. However, I am only concern about her 3 years old daughter and her newborn son. They will be missing their mother's love as they grow up. There won't be any replacement for a mother's love.

Upon hearing the news, I broke down on Sunday and get my comfort from my mother. I know that it's my mother's love that I can get the comfort. Moreover, being a mother myself I know that our children do need our tender, loving and care. It's really pityful seeing these little ones growing without their mother. It's a painful experience for me to bear.

I was confused and I questioned God on this issue. Why did God take Yean away from her children? Why should God allow this to happen? All this questions and no proper answers... deep in me, I also feel that I have failed to carry out my responsibility well as a Christian - to continue praying until the end. It's like we had counted the chicks before the eggs hatched! Yes, the doctor told us that she is under observation for 3 days, she will only be confirmed well after 3 days! So... I failed to continue praying for 3 days...!

There are so many "why" but I can only accept the fact that it's God's plan and His will!

Oh, God I pray that Joey and her little baby brother will be well taken care of even without their mummy around. Heavenly Father, send your angels be with them. Shower them with your love. Please Lord, give Joseph the strenght and be with him. Assure him of YOUR mighty and unfailing love. Only in you we depend on. Bless the little children. Thank you Jesus. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

Everyone's Darling

Last weekend during our visit to Melaka for cousin's wedding, lil Maximus became the center of attraction in the family. He is everyone's darling and in return he also accepted everyone very well. I was really relief to see how he cope so well even we have not been back for so long. Maximus doesn't mind anyone carrying him but with a condition that they have to bring him for a walk...good trick!

During the wedding dinner, my youngest ah-ku was carrying him for the whole time and Maximus was so willing to be with him too. That give me some freedom although I wasn't get used to it because I have him with me all the time. Maximus was also having fun with his cousin Leroy (3 years old) and both enjoy each other company too. Leroy takes good care of him - wiping his drooling salvia, sharing his toys and playing together. It's was such a sweet thing to see both little ones having each other company. All the yee-poh can't wait to get their hands on Maximus too. It's like a passing puzzle where everyone passed him around.

It's a good family gathering-good food, fun and laughter. And I am glad that my Maximus was able to adapt well into his extended family.

My sensitve lil one

I read about baby at 10-months are easily frighten with unfamiliar loud noise or things that he doesn't understand. There are things that a 10-months enjoy exploring but not the ringing doorbell, the vacum cleaner or a bang! Parents need to reassure them and comfort them when they are fighten and fearful.

Maximus on the other hand is a little sensitive towards these loud noises especially a cry of little children or other baby! He started to show the first sign when he was in his late 8-months but now, he does it more oftern than usual. It's more like a domino effect! Each time when other child / baby starts crying... in less than the count of 3, he begins too. My mother said he is full of compassion and can empathized on the other's feeling. Well, I am not sure about it but can agree to it. I associate it with being sensitive and timid. Maybe he senses and associates crying sound to danger or scolding. So he started to get frighten.

Other than that, he cries when we (besides me - he laughs when i say "no") said "No!" He understands what's a scolding is. Recently, he cries when he heard a loud sneeze or daddy blowing his nose or "hep" as to stop him from doing certain things.

He is an intrapersonal child. He is fit and strong physically but on the inner side he is rather sensitive. He doesn't cry when he knock his head or fell down but he cries when he heard other baby cries. I hope to toughen him so that he can be more emotional in control. Of course, he is just a 10-months but it's better to start now from early age. Hope he will understand in his later age as he matures further.

Settling himself to sleep final...

After few months of trying to train Maximus to settle himself to sleep (part1 & part 2), every patient and hard work has bear result. Finally, Maximus is able to settle himself back to sleep when he suddenly jerk from it. I guess he has found his favourite spot and position to comfort himself.

This is also the result of the weaning process - Maximus is no long given breast milk before bed but on formula. He is slowly in the process of weaning off from breastfeeding. So, the formula milk makes him full and sleepy too! hehe... (just assuming).

Now from his last feeding at 10 pm, Maximus sleeps through till 6 am for his next feeding. Then I will breastfeed him till the second feeding in formula. He has also learn to be independent when it's bedtime. But sometimes, during his mood swings he will just refused mummy feeding him with formula, so Jin will take over.

Maximus has really grown and matured now. But sometimes, I still want to cuddle him. I am glad that he can be independent sleeper although he doesnt sleep very long hours now especially during his nap. Anyway, he still has successfully obtain this skill. It takes a while but finally acheived it.

Imaginative Play

The first sign of imaginative and pretend play emerge around 12-18 months. Imaginative and pretend play stimulate the cognitive development for creative thinking and creates opportunities for exploration. At this early form of imaginative and pretend play, toddlers will emerge into solitary play until he reaches 2-years old.

This is a little facts about imaginative and pretend play. How about a 10-months old? My Maximus has already potraying his first sign of imaginative and pretend play. He started it in his late 9-months and becoming more obvious in his 10-months. How does he do it? It started with his interest in cars and ability to make the sound of the car "vroom..." Then, he enjoys playing with the remote control (for TV, fan, DVD player and air-cond). Soon, everything turn out to be an imaginative play for him. He turns the remote-control up-side-down and starts to play like how he plays his toy car. He pushes it around and makes the sound of it... the vroom sound. He discovers that the remote-control is fun to use as a car especially when it moves with the rubbery texture with the buttons downwards.

Next, the sign of him emerging into his imaginative and pretend play was to use the remote-control as a telephone. But he only use the black colour remote-control to be his phone. The reason is that mummy's mobile phone is black. Other than a remote-control, he took my mobile phone pouch (black too) to be his phone. Guess he watches us doing it so often that he begins to imitate our action through his imagination. I hope to capture some photos to support my observation and also to keep it a memory.

Since Maximus is in my womb, I knew he will turn out to be a creative person... it's the pre-natal education and exposure. I was doing a lot of creative work with children for a full 30 weeks of my pregnancy when I started working in a preschool.

I thank God for this wonderful gift upon Maximus. All in all, it's HE who giveth all... Praise Jesus.

A 10-months old Book's Lover

Maximus was given the exposure on books since he was 3-months. It begun with the cloth book about Lady Bug. Since then, he was cooing as interacting to it. Now, at 10-months Maximus has a good attention-span in reading a book. He enjoys looking and interacting with it. Yet, he understands and able to point out the pictures associated with the words when being asked. It started when he was 8-months when he pointed at the picture of the teddy bear when I asked him "Where is bear-bear?". His vocabs has expanded so much that he can basically understand common instructions such as "Give mummy the book.".

I have to admit that he is a book's lover. He loves his books more than any other toys except for his toy car. He can spend time looking and interacting with it. Being a mummy, I am of course happy but I don't want him to turn out to be a "book-nerd"! Daddy doesn't like reading... so it must be from my side, or his 3rd ah-kor (aunty) who is a bookworm. He enjoys going to the book store compare to the toy store. He has a longer attention span with his books compare to playing with his other toys (of course not his toy-car). He is indeed a bookworm then! His language development covers most of the things he sees from his books other than exploring the outside environment. And of course I spent more on books (got tax rebate) each time I want to get him something.

Mostly, Maximus doesn't abuse or mistreat those books... the only book that he tore was the sensorial book with flap. He tore out the grasshopper that can turn around and the flap for the peek-a-boo game. Other than that, he can handle a book very well even reading it the right way! What a progress for a 10-months.

Boys and their heavy vehicles

I think this is very natural and common... Boys and their vehicles (especially car). Even to a 10-months old, my little Maximus is already enjoying his toy car and everything with wheels. He started showing his interest in cars since in his late 6-months old. He will play with his toy car for hours and independently.

Then, at his 9-months he began to imitate the sound of cars "vroom....vroom...vroom" each time when he plays his toy car. And now, the latest development at 10-months Maximus enjoys looking at pictures of cars and other vehicles (with 4 wheels). He is able to associate it with cars and will intereact with it by making his usual sound "vroom...vroom". He enjoys looking at books and especially related to vehicles.

Recently in Borders, he got hold of the heavy vehicles book - Trucks, Touch and Learn. I am impressed with his attention span. He is so independent and behaving like a toddler instead.

Check out the video.

Climbing up the stairs

Being a curious and active explorer, a 10-months baby will start to move around and about. This is the same for my lil Maximus. He is so fast crawling around and prefer to be free from his walker. He will crawl at every corner of the room, and look out for new things to explore. Maximus is very persistent in knowing his wants and if he refused he will insist not to have it at all. For instant; being in the walker. If he refused to be put into his walker he will throw himself backward, refused to bend his knees to sit and started to wail.

At this moment, his favourite corners are: near the staircase, the door, the telephone cables and near cupboards. Each time when he is near the staircases he will try climbing up the steps. 1...2...3... and he will stop because it's too high for him. Haha... I am not sure if he has height phobia just like his daddy! Then he will slowly slide down. Of course being parents, we have to always keep watch when he is near the staircase.

Check out the video

1...2...3... steps and back down! With daddy holding onto him.

Settling himself to sleep Part 2

There was the part 1 of this blog title. Then now it's the 2nd part especially when now my lil Maximus is going to be 1-year old. There are so many things to get him ready as he steps into his toddler's stage and one of it is to settle himself to sleep independently. Since when Maximus turned 6-months old, I was wanting to get him to be independent in his sleeps. But not successful because he had already associate sleeping with breastfeeding!

But I can't be doing it anymore especially when the number of teeth he has increased! It's painful! So I have decided to cut down the number of breastfeeding during the odd-hours when he suddenly awaken. I tried to pat-a-pat him, reassure him to get back to sleep, and get him into his comfortable position. He whines and tosses around to look for his comfortable position. I started this early this week and during the first attemp he did settle back to sleep when i pat-a-pat him gently on his butt. Yes, I thought that he has learned and get the message.

But, I was counting my chicks too early... the second day, he whined and started to climb out from his cot! Oh... hinting to me that he wants to be carried while pulling my pyjamas. Sigh... get his daddy (Jin) to cuddle him to avoid him wanting to be breastfed. Unfortunately from whining it turns to crying so we have to give in. Ops... failed!

Till today, we are still trying to let him to settle himself back to sleep especially when he jerked up from it. The cutest event was he did settle to sleep independently this dawn but in our bed tucked in between the both of us. Owh... sleeping in his comfort between mummy and daddy.

Well, I have to continue to train him so that he will learn how to settle himself to sleep. Soon, when he turns one, we will move him into the single bed from his cot! At the moment, we have so save up first since we have gotten the car-seat instead.

I hope in this 2 months of lesson, Maximus will learn fast and get to settle himself to sleep independently soon. *fingers-crossing