Finally... got a booster seat for meals time

It's my desire to build up a well-disciplined meals time for Maximus since he started taking solid. I want him to have the best table-manners just like how my mother had instill it to me. It's all started at the very young age and I want to instill it to Maximus at the very young age too.
I remember that back then mother was very strict and firm that all of us have the good table-manners. She used to say that having good habits always begin with having good table-manners. She did a very good job in teaching, coaching and guiding us to have the best table-manners... of course not the prim and proper way but at least the acceptable manners. For example, eating slowly, not talking with mouth full, greet everyone at the table, make sure that we have speck clean plate / bowl before we leave the table, do not eat noisily or chew with mouth open etc. These are basic table-manners that I am sure most of us has taken it lightly.
So, I want to pass down this good habit and the very basic one to my little Maximus. I was rather worried since the first day he started his solid, my mother-in-law put him in front of the TV while feeding him or let him moved around the walker as she feeds. Both of these habits is a BIG NO! I started to scout and look for good high-chair for meal time. I want Maximus to be seated on one spot while having his meals.
Finally, after going few places, hunting high and low... I bought a good chair and it's called "healthy boosters chair" and I am sure it is very healthy especially in building up good habit while having meals. I am very happy with it...especially it's a portable one. So far, Maximus is able to sit quitely till he finishes his food. We tested it out first in the restaurant when we were having a family dinner on Saturday night. He sat and enjoy his food and was very well behaved. Too bad I have forgotten both my camera and my mobile phone, otherwise I have some photos to show.
Anyway Maximus has been using it for every meal time and even for drinking. I am proud of him and this is the first step towards a well-discipled and good habits child. Mostly I want to shame the others nephews and nieces (from Jin's side) because every one of them eats have their meals in front of the TV....! It's really an ugly side. I am sure that I don't want Maximus to be taking over the ill-disciplined and bad manners situation. So I have to start now...

Little complainer...

"My little complainer" always whinning... Easily contented after acheiving a little task but give up to move to the other. I guess I have to allow him to develop at his own pace although creating the opportunity and environment for him.
Just look at how he tried to get his little beanie ball but later starting to whine when asked to get the black box.
A little encouragement makes the difference especially for little children. My 6 months old Maximus did hesitate for a while when trying to grab the beanie ball. It does look simple for us... but to a 6 months old that's a difficult task. But bravo to him when he managed to get it after few tossing and turning.

The next video shows his Maximus's initial character - just contented with his 1st achievement and had enough for the day. Don't want to grab the next "target"and decided to whine...

The 1st tooth

A new parents is always excited over the new progress and development of their baby. As usual, every new parent will "show off", announce to it and the latest to blog about it. I am one of them... being a first time mummy, I am always looking forward for Maximus new development and milestones. Since 6 months old and now on his 4th week of his 6 months old, I constantly monitor and observe closely for his little by little development. Of course... on Friday night as I clean his gum I felt his 1st little tooth! Yes, my baby is having his 1st tooth... although not completely out from the root. This explains the reason he likes biting his lips, everyone's finger that he can get hold on except his, and suckling the napkin. He even want to have the breast in his mouth just to suckle for fun especially when he sleeps. Looking at this next stage, I have to accept the fact that time does pass by real fast!
6 months ago, Maximus was still a cuddly sleepy baby - feed and sleep most of the time. But now, he is an active and playful one. I enjoy every moment of his development. As I reflected, I literally watch him grow - especially physically: from a tiny legs to the fat chubby ones. It's really a life adventure watching my little one grows. And yet there are more years to come that he will out grown mummy and his daddy too.
It's my inner heart prayer for Maximus to grow strong and healthy each day. I have give his his best and I am seeing it bearing great fruit! Having to feel his 1st tooth is such an experience and excitement to me. I feel so awe and touch by God's wonderful creation and gift. Praise and Glory to God...

Settling Himself to Sleep

At 4 a.m. Maximus woke up and decided to have a chat... a chatty dawn perhaps. He was babbling and gurgling, making sounds as if he wants to get into a conversation with us. But after his short breastfeeding, he decided to chat with me instead. It's such an adorable site especially his husky pitch voice echoing through the dawn. But I was feeling sleepy and need to get my sleep before dragging to wake up at 6:30 a.m. and so I decided to put him into his cot and continue with my sleep.

I was half awake and asleep as I watched Maximus continuing to babble and gurgle to himself and those pictures of animals around him. But after few minutes, he was trying to curl up himself in his comfortable position, hugging and holding onto his napkin and trying to sleep. Under my half opened eyes I saw him trying to close his little eyes to sleep. But then are those eyes closed or was he just blinking. I lied still pretending to sleep so that he can do the same too. We were in the same position – lying side way hugging onto something (he was with his napkin and I was with my little pillow). I knew that he wants to settle himself back to sleep and imitating mummy. Since this is his first attempt, he couldn't stand it for more than half and hours trying to settle him back to sleep. Low and behold, he cried and whined a little to indicate that he wants to be carried and getting sleepy.

After cuddling him, he went back to sleep within 5 minutes. Poor little one, struggling for half an hour just to settle himself back to sleep. At least I am glad that he did at least try to settle himself before calling for help. I am so proud of him...

Motherhood – the Sacrifices

Motherhood is a journey that I have decided to step into when I reached the suitable age. Will I be willing to scarifice for motherhood? Now, I have entered into the path of motherhood. Reflecting my 5 years ago life, back when I was 25 years old...I have the most fun and care-free lifestyle. Spending money as I wish – buying this and that, well groomed and partying weekends... but now at 30 when I am a mother it's a turning point in my life. I complete change! So do I miss my previous lifestyle?

After being on the journey as a mother, I enjoy every moment. I don't think it can be made a comparison from my life 5 years ago. A care-free life without having much responsibility for someone else's life except for myself and now a more responsible and caring life i.e. having to care for another life... this is a real challenge. So this is a real life! In other words, I like it now although there are more to improve on. There are lots of things to scarifice on as I step into motherhood. Namely:-

1. Time – I have less time for myself now. Most of my time I have to focus on my little one.
   
2. Money – Whatever I have earned from a salary, I spent it more for my little one. I am willing to let go of the shoes sales (Lewre warehouse sales for an example) just to use the money for my little one.
   

These 2 pointers are the most that I have made changes in my life. Other than that, which I am going to improve on is my appearance. I am only 31 years old this year... but I do not wish to look haggard and slumber. I must still maintain to the best possible but of course without spending much time and money. So what's the tip? This is what I yet to learn and explore.

Looking back, I believed that my mother too made lots of scarifies to bring up the three of us. Having to raise us in limitation – living a moderate life and earning enough income to support us. Well, it's always the keyword "MONEY". We work and earn ... just to support our love ones. Is this a real sacrifice?

I am just thinking out loud because of having an online-chat with my friend (a mother too). We were sharing about hair loss and I realised that we have to give out a lot for our baby – labour pain, confinement, hair loss, back ached, sag breasts (hehe...) distorted figure! All our physical beauty and our strength! This is a lot that we need to bear... then to raise a child! Wow! Amazing job... fun yet challenging. More challenges – sleepless nights, worries that our baby will be getting sick or when he is sick...

I figured out that I have to take one step at the time and mostly enjoying it... that will set the sail smooth!

Sleeping Child...

Maximus is not an independent sleeper. Nor he is a good sleeper. We have to whisper, or stay around quietly to ensure that he doesn’t wake up half way in his sleep. He does have all his soothers – his napkin, his little thumb and well fed! But yet, my little one is not a good sleeping child...The only time I enjoyed sleeping throughout the night without waking up was when he was 4 months old. Then... starting from 5 months old he wakes up so frequently just to have a “taste” of his “human pacifier” when he does wake up half way in his sleep...

Oh my sleeping child...

This is not the song “Sleeping Child” by Michael Learns to Rock. But it’s about getting my lil Maximus to sleep. I want to establish independence into Maximus’s sleeping habit although he has already getting used to having the “human pacifier” to sleep. I realised that if I continue doing this he will not be able to learn to sleep independently. He started wanting to be nursed as young as 3 months old when he is going to sleep. I made a mistake by not getting his to sleep independently. I just set the environment – dim light and a napkin for him to hold onto but didn’t instil the independence to go to sleep. He knows his bedtime routines too – changed pyjamas, chat, bedtime story and lullaby. Then he will whine for the “human pacifier” before dozing off. He has already made the connection between sleeping and breastfeeding and I begin to be alarmed by this! I read the article regarding “Sleep and Breastfeeding” (http://www.babycenter.com.my/baby/sleep/breastfeeding/) and Establishing good Sleep habits... and feel that I have already made a big mistake by letting Maximus breastfeed to sleep.

Yesterday, I am determined to change this approach. From the article “Sleep and Breastfeeding” I know that there is still a chance to change this habit. I tried every approach that is listed in all the articles related to Your Baby’s Sleep (http://www.babycenter.com.my/baby/sleep/ ). I feel excited when I want to instil new approach or try new method to handle Maximus. It’s like carrying out an experiment! Hehe... So I was getting ready to put Maximus to sleep. Having all the approaches in my mind, I started:

1. Dim the light – as usual. Maximus will know that it’s time to sleep.

2. Give him his napkin – as usual. He likes to feel and hold onto the napkin (must only be the lampin materials)... and he is ready to sleep.

Of course the next step is to give him the breasts so that he can be fed to sleep ... but I changed to putting him in his cot and pat him. Ah! It’s a different routine this time. He tosses and turns, looking and searching for his “human pacifier” to suckle on. So I gave him the dummy pacifier. He suckled on it... but it’s a different feel and taste... he began to whine and scream! I told Jin that I must make him sleep independently... but I just couldn’t bear to see him screaming and whining so loudly! And of course MIL will be knocking at the door...

Yes, I went back to the normal routine. Trying to console and comfort myself I told Maximus that we can try again tomorrow night... Will tomorrow night comes? Will I be able to be as determined to change it? What if ... I encounter the pitfall? Hmmm... Maximus was a good sleeper only till he was 2 months old. Then he has becoming a dependable sleeper... depending on the bouncing net, having to breastfeed, rocking / cuddling him and of course getting a car ride! And taking nap time is a short half an hour at noon time but will sleep for an hour in the evening when he gets his soothing – “Human Pacifier”!

Has he learnt how to soothe himself to sleep? Of course he has his little thumb, his napkin (he stuffs it into his mouth and suckles it) and the pat from mummy when he suddenly jerks up in the middle of his sleep. But he has not develop the “self-comforting” technique as stated in the article – “Establishing Good Sleep Habit: 6-9 months” (http://www.babycenter.com.my/baby/sleep/habitsbyage6to9months/). I wake up every 3 hours or less just to sooth him and this has becoming his habit!

I want to establish good sleep habit into Maximus. I read every article I can get from the babycenter.com site. What else more... it’s just practise, practise and practise! I must determine and continue to establish it well... Wish me luck!

Signs of Bonding...

I came across the Johnson's Baby Tips on Bonding. There are 10 tips – Massaging, Eye to Eye, You are Special, Repetition, Cuddles, Talking, Your Sense, More is more, Giggles and Raspberries (http://www.babycenter.com.my/touchingbond/). And again I started to reflect and relate all these tips to my daily practises with Maximus. Have I done all? Proudly, I did and now I have the close bonding with Maximus. Now being 6 months and 3 weeks old, Maximus is already being clingy and wanting to be closed to me at all times. Some signs that Maximus showing that we have such close bond:

1. Each time when I am back from work, he will give me his best smile when I called him.
   


2. He will get very excited when I carry him after being "separated" for such long hours.
   


3. He will cry when I didn't give him attention when I reached home from work or from anywhere.
   


4. The first thing in the morning, he greeted me with his smile and babbling.
   


5. When I nurse him, he enjoys touching my face as a sign of showing that he loves mummy.
   


6. He wants me and only me around when he wants to sleep.
   


7. He giggles and babbles when we play.
   


8. He shows attention when I read him a story, talk or play with him.
   


9. He likes to be nursed to sleep.
   


10. He enjoys massage after bath or changing pyjamas time.
    


11. He likes to be cuddled or being patted when he suddenly awake at night.
    


12. He looks into my eyes when he is nursing.
    

Wow! It's a long list down... but I am sure that the time I spend with him and my love to him is the great contribution to this result of close bonding between us. I recalled an article that one of a partner in business shared (from Taiwan) ... survey showed that parents now hardly have 3 hours with their children daily. And this is conducted in Taiwan... Hmmm... I can't image if the survey is from US! I bet the result will be worst! Anyway since Taiwan is an Asian country, I take that survey as to remind me that I do not fall into that category of parents.

I have more time and opportunity to stay closer with Maximus during the weekends because I decided that on these days (Saturday and Sunday) I must be looking after him and not leaving it to mother in law anymore. So for the weekends, I have more hours spent with Maximus and this given me more time to create a conducive environment and opportunity for him to discover his milestone. Saturday and Sunday are Mummy-Maximus's time of playing! I enjoy every moment of this.

It is a great moment to have such close bonding with my son... Thank God for this!

A Feeling of Missing Him...

It's really hard to have the feeling of missing someone. I can go bonkers having such feeling inside. My heart cries out... longing to hold him close to me. 

Yes, I miss Maximus each time I am away from him especially long hours in the office. The feeling grows deeper each day especially with the photo slideshow at the side bar of my NoteBook and aren't helping much to ease the feeling. From the movie "Good Luck, Chuck" there is a dialog (between Jessica Alba and her brother) saying "If you love something, you will have it all around you." So I decided to put my both men pictures around my working-cubicle… Mostly are pictures of my little man. 

However, the more I look at it, my feeling grows deeper and a sense of missing him put me off work! And makes me thinking of wanting to quit and work from home… or to be a boss of my own. But that will remain a thought when i get my salary every end of the month $$$ ... the motivation factor!

Every morning, I will have the seperation reluctance- have to leave my lil one back at home and I start my day in the office. 

Lately, Maximus is getting more clingy and will know that mummy & daddy are going off to work every morning. This morning, he wakes up as early as we are and feeling so fresh and awake! So I put him in the walker... when he sees us leaving, he strolls himself to the door and lifting up his hands as an sign that he wants to follow. Owww... This makes me feeling more reluctant to leave but I have to brush him off telling him that mummy is going to the office and will be back later. He must be wondering why we didn't bring him along... How I wish that I can bring him together with me to work! A corporate child-care does help a lot to ease such feeling. 

Hmmm… day by day as my little Maximus getting more lovable and playful... and I will still be missing him every day at work. How not to? Just look how loveable and adorable is he.

     

 

 

A Playful Dawn part 2...

Continue from the 1st post "A Playful Dawn"... this took place on Saturday dawn! This time I was more excited to take some snap shots.

..

Piggy mouth

Took this shot by coincident and without rehearsal. I was surprised yet amazed by the outcome. While taking this shot, I didn't realise that Maximus was making the piggy mouth... When I preview the photo, I then saw such cute acts that Maximus did. He is full with expressions and with his cute mischievous acts. Every day there is full with surprises on what he can do. It's really fun and enjoyable playing and spending time with him although it can be tiring. But, with all his cute little things he did make all the tiredness and aching gone. It's really an excitement having little one in our life... Children are a real gift from God. And it's the little children who keep us feeling lively each day. I am so contented and happy with this perfect gift that God has sent to me. I must have done something good in my life to deserve God's goodness... 

It's just like the song from Sound of Music "Something Good" 

(The scene where The Captain proposed to Maria).

And this is my favourite part

Nothing comes from nothing

Nothing ever could

So somewhere in my youth or childhood

I must have done something good.

Discipline...at what age?

Maximus has learnt the trick and trait! He knows that when he cries, he will get what he wants. He will continue to throw his tantrum and pretending to cry (more like crocodile tears) with eyes shut and doesn't back down until he gets it. I have to give in most of the times (sob! I lost to a 6 months old) because soon the pretend cry will become real crying till he sobs and teary. Phew! When he throws his tantrum he does it with all his heart and might! He will bounce his body up and down in his walker or kick and rub his feet nonstop when he is in bed and both with eyes shut refusing to look at me! This is really bad!... But on the contrary, I want to start to discipline him now so that he won't be spoilt! It's won't an easy task!

Reflect from an incident that happened...That previous Saturday, Maximus was bouncing his body in the walker wanted badly to have the spoon when I was feeding him. My MIL afraid that he might injure himself asked me to just give it to him! Should I? At the end, I stopped the feeding and calm him. I carried Maximus and when he was calm I wanted to reinforce my point to him, but he just refused to look at me. Wow! What a character! I still insisted to reinforce my point to him at the moment so that my message gets across to him. I do hope that he does understand.

Being in early childhood and having all the skills, I thought I know how to handle this... but I don't! I tired whatever I have learnt and know from the books but in vain. I felt a little insulted when my MIL said "Well, you said you know how to teach your son..." Ah...that's like a sting to my ears. But I won't give up! Surely one day I will be in control... but I do not wish to use force or hard punishment on him. I want to be firm but yet being respectable. I want to establish the process of learning through discipline. I hope to enforce independence and good behaviour in him even as young as he is now. I want him to learn rules in a caring atmosphere and hence I will not just give it to him what he wants but to calm him and ensure him that I love him very much first. I know this does take a lot of practises and patients... wisdom from God too.

A 6 months old plus baby, will he understand reasoning? Or just like what my FIL murmured "He is still a baby and won't understand me!" Which is true? Turning to my books...I read that baby's understanding of discipline develops gradually during the first 15 months. But until the age of 6 months at the earliest he does understand rules. So, I want believe that he does understand me very well. I hope I won't get frustrated along the way... If I can handle other people's children (during my years of teaching) I should be able to handle my own son! Hmmm... fingers cross!

Then am I suppose to believe that whatever I have learnt in my course (early childhood education), from the books and gained from my life-experiences are not worth to put into practise? I am sure that this will be a one-up pointer for me in my motherhood, or am I wrong? Should I always be running back to the books when there is a situation occurs or should I just learn along the way? Disciplining a baby is more likely a long-term approach... "Consistency" is the key-word. I am sure that I can do it with this knowledge that I have learnt! I have the benefits of all...

Maximus’s growth chart

This is Maximus's growth chart... at 3^1/2 months, Maximus was out of the white area – meaning he was overweight! But when he got the eye-infection, he lost a little weight that put him back in the white area. During his last check up at the Klinik Ibu Mengandung & Kanak-kanak (13 May), the nurse said that he is healthy – weight and height increased proportionally to his age.

Praise God for HIS blessing upon Maximus's life.

To all my brothers and sisters in Christ reading my blog, do continue praying for Maximus to recover completely from the hole in the heart. The paediatrician (from the last check up) still hears a murmur sound in his heart... a sign that his hole is still not whole yet!

Dear Lord Jesus,

I pray for continuous healing upon Maximus and make his heart whole again! Blood of Jesus flow into Maximus and seal the hole in his heart with the precious blood of Jesus. Lord, I believe in YOUR miracle and I want to claim it for Maximus. Lord Jesus, we hope that the hole in Maximus's heart will be sealed in July when we go for our next check up. Thank you Jesus, we proclaim healing in Jesus's mighty name. Amen.

This is always my inner heart prayer for Maximus. Only through Jesus that I cling my hope and prayer in.

A playful dawn

It's 5 am, Maximus tosses and turns to his tummy and wakes up to play. I heard his noise and wake up thinking he wants milk. As usual when I offer him the breast he won't refuse... but after drinking for 5 min or so, he starts to burst saliva – a sign that he doesn't want anymore and want to sit up. So I put him between us, hoping that he will just toss around till he sleeps. I tell him to go back to sleep because it's only 5 a.m. and I need to sleep! However, Maximus wants to play and he keeps on bursting and blowing his salvia just to get attention and indicating that he wants someone to play and chat with him. I give him his little bolster to play but later he gets distracted by his daddy snoring. He smiles and giggles to his daddy's snore. He starts to coo and gurgle / babbling to his sleeping daddy. I watch him in haze since I feel so sleepy. Soon, I carry him back into his cot to play by himself. Upon seeing the cot cover, he starts to turn to his tummy and "chatting" with the "little animals" on the cover. I was still watching him and feel that it is really a cute act.

After more than half and hours playing on his own, he starts to rub his little eyes and whine indicating he wants to sleep. Since it's almost 6 a.m and I don't want to miss my few more minutes sleeping so I get Jin to tuck him back to sleep. I guess before 6:30 a.m. my little one goes back into his sweet dream. When I wake up, I watch him sleeping soundly... such a peaceful and calm look on his chubby little face. Argh... then I drag my feet to shower, getting ready to the office.

It's these cute acts that colour my life ever since Maximus comes into my life. He shares our happiness and no matter how tired, and stressful a day in the office I am always looking forward for his warm colourful gestures to welcome me home. Today playful dawn... from 5 a.m. my little honey bun wakes up just for a short play. That's just a great memorable act that encourage and boost me to start my day.

Do they really understand timing? Or they just play as and when they like and want to? I wonder... what is in the mind of the little one? Anyway, we think too much! It's the childlike mind that we can be as free... no barrier and not polluted by the world stress! Can we have the child-like mind back after being exposed to the world? ... Guess only God knows!

NOTE: No photos of my Maximus playful acts at dawn! Should have taken a shot or two... sigh!

A Mother’s Day Celebration

Mother's day comes and goes, year in and out! Fully booked restaurant, carnation and cake sold out and crowded mall... this is the usual scenario with the Mother's day celebration yearly. This year, I have the opportunity to celebrate Mother's day as a newly made mother and with my other friends too. We have made the day so special and a memorable one together with our lil ones and hubby.

We have a dip in the baby pool in my condo with our husbands watching over the lil ones. Mummy busy taking photos, having a few laps in the adult pool leaving the husbands to wash and change our lil ones after that. It was a great experience having to share time with other mothers leaving the husbands to take over for a short while. Indeed we enjoy every moment – a quiet, relax and leisure time with our love ones. This is the best time and I personally think that it mustn't take place only during mother's day but can be arranged for every weekend or occasionally.

Mother's day should not only be the 1^st week of May yearly but throughout the 365 days in a year! But why the day is set aside Mother's day? Commonly, human beings need a special day in order to show appreciation and having a celebration. Therefore, it's this particular date set – same goes to any other day i.e. Father's Day, Secretary' s week etc for us to have a reason for a celebration.

Hence, this day forward is the day that most restaurant owner, bakery, florist, gift shop owner get the most benefit! It's the reason to make the extras since everyone wants to show their gratitude to their mother on this particular day. On Sunday, my in-laws and I have a hectic dinner! We waited hours for our food, but it's all worth for a family gathering. However, the comment was "There is nothing special since we have such dinner gathering most of the weekends." Hmmm... "Nothing special" is there really so? My single sister-in-law couldn't understand the purpose! Although it's rather hectic for me, I do appreciate such time especially for my mother-in-law.
So, should this day be a day to pay our tribute to our mother? Can it be any other day? Any other day can be made special too. For example, my aunties and uncles back in Melaka are going to have the Mother's day celebration for grandma this week (16 May). Yes, the day has gone but I believe that my grandma will be very happy too to have the celebration during that week.
Lastly, my Mother's day wish "Hope that God will grant every women (female) in the world a good experience being a mother." Err... that's the wish for the world. Personal wish: I wish that I am able to build a great family in partnership with hubby. May Maximus grows up strong, healthy and joyful in the circle of the family.

"Dear Lord, hear my wish in my inner heart prayer. Grant this wish and give me the strength and wisdom to achieve it. Thank you Lord. Amen."

P/S: This entry suppose to be posted yesterday (11 May) but no inspiration to write... hehe...

For the mothers who are reading this, Have a great motherhood experience.

Missing the Critical Time

This title of my entry makes me recalled an incident I encountered yesterday. I was driving home, when the Red FM announced about a contest to give out 4 free movie passes for the movie “Angel and Demon”. We have to be the ninth SMS through by sending in the right answer for the question posted. I was the ninth SMS through without realising it... but I missed the phone call! My mobile is always on silent and vibrate mode but I couldn’t feel the vibration at the moment of time when the phone ring although it’s just on my lap. That was the critical time because it is not always we striked the bulls-eye! The ninth SMS through...! How can you decide when to send? But when that critical time is missed, it will never return!

This scenario brings to my attention. Will I miss Maximus's development at every critical time? His first crawl! His first stand! His first word! His first step! Once I asked Rachel Yeo about this... if she has ever missed Sarah’s every 1^st things that she achieved, and she said no! Her answer amazed me and made me realised that we can create the opportunity although it’s our in laws that are taking care of them when we are away at work. I reflected on Maximus’s first turning over achievement... We thought that Maximus will start turning over when he reached 4 months... (as stated in the book too)but not until his fifth month he did it.     

Creating an opportunity for Maximus to get comfortable on his tummy at 4 months. Eventually he acheived his first independent turning over on his fifth month.                                  

He only managed to achieve a full turning – from turning over on his tummy and then back again to shift his position, because he was giving the right environment and experiences. Yes, Rachel Yeo was right! We created the opportunity for that experience to take place. My MIL hardly put Maximus on the floor to explore – always on the walker, carrying him or just sitting down on her lap! So, it is my chance to create the experiences and right environment for him.

His 6 months, I am really excited to see how Maximus first lifting his butts and legs into a crawling position. I have started to create an experience for him since then but it’s up to him to do it himself. I am sure one day he will surprise us when he does that. Mummy and daddy will have to wait for that critical moment! And get ready the camera! Hahaha... At the mean time, he will have to learn and explore it till he achieves it! It’s like his first experience in the walker... at first he was only going backward but after few days (less than a week) he can move and manoeuvre every where even chasing after the stool! Haha... Nice stunt!   

My son is 6 months

A happy 6 months old smile... 

Happy 6 months old my dearest Maximus...

Daddy, mummy and everyone loves you. 

Mummy wants to dedicate an original poem created by mummy...

The day when you were born,

that's the day we had our firstborn...

You bring joy to our life,

after staying as childless husband and wife,

Now you have turned 6 months,

We will sure to have more fun.

Thank you for being with us,

We are really blessed! 

We love you... 

Solid Food for Maximus

Yesterday, Maximus has officially started to taste his first solid food. My MIL fed him 3 teaspoons of congee with pumpkin for his brunch about 1130 a.m. I didn’t get the chance to witness Maximus’s expression and can only ask my MIL for her feedback. MIL said Maximus was enjoying and accepting the congee very well. He is able to chew his food and refused when he is content / full. Maximus even wanted to hold the spoon but MIL has to stop him from messing around. 

Later during dinner, I took the opportunity to feed Maximus some mashed carrot. Jin carried him while I do the feeding. While having his meal, he got distracted by the music and sounds from the TV and also wanting to hold the spoon to feed himself. Mother will said that Maximus is not being mindful but I have a different opinion. Maximus is very alert and quick to respond to the surrounding. This reminded me of his nursing habit too... when i nursed him, he dislike it when I am talking to anyone. He will pull out the nipple and give me a stare. Hmmm... such characters for a baby.

I hope to allow him experience new type of food - mashed potato, and fruit puree. 

This weekend, I hope to make some fruit puree for his little snack. I can't wait to use the food grinder that I bought from http://www.littlewhiz.com/ I have been learning and experimenting on how to use it... it's like having a new toy. 

Munchkin Food Grinder

Price: RM 60.20 from littlewhiz.com

(Picture taken from http://babynkidsonlinestore.blogspot.com/)

6 Months – Past, Present and the Future

To reflect to the past ... 6 months ago! Maximus was born. I wanted to start blogging then delayed and finding excuses. Many a times, in life there is always excuses we made that hinder us to move on. So now, I have decided! Yes, let's get started!

6 months ago the seed of joy and love from Jin and I became fruitful... God gave us the perfect gift. Hence that was the day I was made a mummy. A new journey in life and many more 6 months, 6 years ... or 60 years to complete. Holding Maximus in my arms made me so close to God... it's a new life, God has created. I am in awe looking at how great the masterpiece was. Awesome! 

 Maximus was born in Hospital Pantai Cheras on 6 Nov 2008

Through the thick and thin... many challenges, trials... tears and laughter, I finally get my confirmation from my probationary period of being a mummy... (normally a higher position in a corporate sector will have a 6 months probationary...so this is the higher position in my life "mummy"...hahaha). Many events had come and gone for the last 6 months. Collecting every pieces of it to put them together in this blog is not easy. But I won't be putting the past... just need to move on. So the summary of the 6 months ago – Maximus 1^st cry, his 1^st jab, 1^st pain, 1^st laughter, smile, babbling and cooing, 1^st toys... it's everything that we gave as his 1^st. And most of all he is our 1^st born... wonderful! 

 check out his 1st drool...

Now at present, I realised that being a mummy after 6 months is not a bed of roses... I have to set priority and give-up some of my singlehood life i.e. nite-life, partying... I have yet to learn how to perfect my skill as a mummy too. And the secret main ingredient is "Prayer". Yup, the present is a "gift", therefore I am enjoying my gift yet staying in prayer mode each nights for HIS great guidance. Having fun with Maximus keeps all aches away... seeing him growing every day, keeping track on his growth record and his developmental milestones is an exciting job being a mummy. I enjoy this job scope as a mummy as much. Other than that, facing his moods and emotions especially at night or when he is sick is not an easy task. Have to have determination and know what his needs are. I must admit that sometimes I get a little frustrated when I don't know how, but still in probations... hehe...

At this 6 months, I am really excited having Maximus to have his first solid food... waiting patiently for him to crawl! All hopes and waiting, is something that I can look forward to when in my position as a mummy. Yet hoping and waiting must never be separated with prayer. Every day going to work is a hassle and having the separation anxiety... while at work I can't wait to go home to him. This is a challenge being a working mum. My mother used to tell me that how pitiful women at this time because we have to juggle between work and home. Well, I do agree with her but I don't find it pitiful. It's rather a challenge and it eventually will make us strong.

Letting him starting solid means that he can join us at the dining table. I am still looking around for a good baby chair so that he can join us at the table and dine together. Today on his 6 months old, I shall dedicate him to God...again.

"Lord Jesus, I dedicate Maximus again to your loving hand. On his 6 months old, as Maximus's life is being given by YOU, again we want to appreciate YOU for this great gift. Lord Jesus take Maximus and renew him again and again. We want to dedicate Maximus to YOU so that you can continue to make perfect YOUR perfection. May the Lord's hands be upon Maximus especially in his life. Thank You Jesus for this precious gift. And once again we want to remember YOU as the creator. Thank You Jesus. Amen."

Hmmm... I don't want to be sounded as being so pious but I have to remember HIM in everything... hehee...

6 months ahead is the future... Maximus will be turning 1 year old. Well, normally the saying, don't think of the future or do not worry about the future. But, I have to deny that statement. It was 6 month past when Maximus was born, now he is 6 months old... another 6 months will be a year. What do I have to expect other than being excited? This is the question that worth to ponder. Jin and I have already attended 2 of our friend's 1 year old birthday... and soon they will be attending ours. Planning is a must... so another task is to ponder on what will I need to prepare for Maximus 1^st year.