Where is “bear-bear”?

To my amazement, Maximus does understand and able to relate words with picture. I showed him the colour chart yesterday and just curiously asking him "Where is the bear-bear?" and was impressed and so proud that he actually pointed to the picture of the teddy bear. Initially I thought it's just a coincident so I tried him again... consistently for 3 trials he pointed to the teddy bear and later to his 3^rd ah-kor just to "show-off" his that he is intelligent.

Being a proud mummy, I was in tears of joy seeing his achievement. I hope I won't have high expectation on him after this because I don't put any expectation on him previously. But maybe because of his routine having a liking in books, he does pick up the words and able to identify the pictures. Later then, I thought him a new vocab... tortoise! Hahaha... I will get him real tortoise just to show him. At present, Maximus is able to understand "dog, meow-meow (for cat), bird-bird, and teddy bear" although I know that his vocab has increased tremendously, I just want to be sure that he is able to relate the vocabs to the real object. Then, later he should know how to apply the vocab.

I am now sounding like a real early childhood educationist. But yet have to continue to remind myself that I mustn't put high expectation on him. I just want him to grow healthily and develop in his natural pace - as and when he is ready.

Will try to take photo of his achievement then.

Diaherra while teething... the myth? Or a fact?

Baby teething time is an excited yet torturing moment for parents. The teething sign is the one that give us the headache, heartache, and sleepless nite! Maximus is showing the bad sign of teething for the upper teeth... purging, cranky, feverish, and lacking of sleep due to stomach discomfort.
Thanks to richrach (http://richrach.blogspot.com/2009/03/sarahs-teething-again.html) that I have learn that it's a norm for baby to purge while they are teething. But Maximus has too much of purging and so being afraid of dehydrated we went to the doctor again... We got oral hydration salt and other medication to stop the diarrhea. And we found out from doctor that purging is not the sign for teething... baby purge is because of biting or putting things into the mouth during the teething period. So bacteria and germs infected the tummy which cause intestine to be infected. Therefore diarrhea. This happened mostly during teething period because of the itchy gum, baby tends to bite anything and everything that they can grab...
So we have to be more aware that while teething period, baby do not bite or put everything into the mouth. I debated with my hubby about it although he argued that when Maximus got his bottom teeth he didn't have diarrhea at all. Well, the fact was during that time Maximus wasn't able to crawl yet ... not mobile so less chances to grab things easily to put into his mouth unless we gave it to him.
To debate also with richrach's blog, diarrhea is not the cause of teething! That's why we didn't read anything about having diarrhea while teething. So the hypothesis is not true... "Diarrhea is caused by teething." The culprit is that the germs that go into the tummy because of gum itchiness and baby biting things to sooth the itchiness.
There are lots to debate about it anyway... but it's what according to the doctor. Therefore, I can conclude that having diarrhea is not a sign of teething. Anyone want to second this?

Update on Maximus ‘s hole in the heart status...

Maximus has his 2^nd check up for his hole-in-the heart problem at HUKM recently. Glad to know that the cardiologist a.k.a. the professor of the Medical Uni that Maximus is doing fine despite this tiny hole in his heart. Thank God for HIS blessing. The cardiologist told us that based on Maximus's development and growth we don't have to be worried about the hole in his heart because it won't affect him much. And since he is active and growing fine, the hole eventually will close up later.

I have continuously praying and am still praying for HIS miracle. What sort of miracle I am expecting? For the norm medical term, the hole in Maximus's heart should be closed up the latest when he turns 5 years old or so. I believe that God will do the unusual. This unusual is the miracle that I am expecting from God... the hole will disappear soon! Amen... Although initially I was hoping that on this 2^nd check up the cardiologist won't detect any murmur sound or hole but it didn't happen. However, I am still grateful that God is blessing us in other way. I will continue to believe and will not lose faith.

At 8 months-3 weeks , Maximus is already weighing 10 kg and is 78 cm tall! He has grown fine and I am going to have a tall son! Hehe

Therefore, I am giving praise and thanks to my Lord Jesus for his continuous blessing... Thank you Jesus.

From the bed to his cot

Playing with his daddy was fun but not as fun when daddy started tickling him. So Maximus decided to go to mummy when he noticed that mummy was hiding behind the cot to capture him playing. He crawled so fast towards the camera from his bed to his cot! And it's started to alarm me that it's no longer save when we put him in the cot alone.

Object Permanence skill

The skill of object permanence starts to develop as babies reach the end of 7 months. Having the skill of object permanence is reflecting the cognitive (brain) development of the babies. It's represent by Jean Piaget's theory of cognitive development. And at end of 7 months, although babies are still in their sensorimotor stage, they have begin to be aware of their world as their comfort and save environment. At the newborn, babies have no awareness of their surrounding and the object permanence skill do not exist. The object permanence skill is about the awareness that the object/people do exist although they are out of sight. This explains why a baby before 7 months or a newborn cries when do not see his/her mother when it's out of sight. And when babies begin to grap the object permanence skill, they will enjoy playing the peek-a-boo, hide & seek, and treasure hunting game.
Ok, this is about some of the early childhood development theory that I learnt during my uni course. And it's getting relavant and clearer to me when I have a baby of my own. Having Maximus gives me a reflection of all I have studied - the development theory, the psychology in early childhood, behaviour and emotional management, etc. I begin to have a better understand and able to recall/relate to these psycologist or theologiants in early childhood.
Speaking about object permanence, Maximus is getting a whole grasp of this skill. He has started to flip the pillow, search for his favourite "toy" (the remote control) or hidden object. He even look under his cot or table whenever his toys roll under it. Check out Maximus's playing process showing his object permanence skill...

1st panel (on the left): Maximus played with his "toys"(the empty bottle)
2nd panel: "Toy" moved closer towards the cot
3rd panel: Trying to get his "toy" that went under the cot
This is the poof showing Maximus knows and grasps the object permanence skill.
Richrach in reading, when you start your Early Childhood Course later you will be able to understand better the theory as you have benefit from your real life experience. I am sure you will do well...

Sweet Teeth

Maximus loves eating especially with his 2 little teeth at the bottom. He will chew his food just like an adult and I am sure he has sweet teeth. He likes eating sweet things... I have tired giving him sour, spicy and sweet taste and he prefers sweet taste. Of course many babies do too...

Maximus likes chocolate and especially the Turkish delight flavour (from Cadbury). He likes the sweet taste of the Turkish delight filling in the chocolate. He wants more after his first bite that was given from his daddy 2 days ago. And immediately he can recognise that we are eating chocolate the next day. He reaches out his hands asking for it while opening his mouth wide. When he gets a taste of it he will chew it and really enjoy it. He can finish one and a half piece (a tiny piece) of the chocolate. He doesn't want a small bite but he wants to bite from the big piece just like how we ate it. Hmmm... this little copy cat will imitate anything that he likes.

I don't really encourage giving him sweet things i.e. chocolate, ice-cream or candy but looking at him enjoying it, argh... I just forget about my dos and the don'ts. Hahaha... And we are looking forward for him top teeth to come out... now he is drooling so much! I guess with extra another 2 set of new teeth, soon he will want to have a bite on everything! Even his soft beanie bear...!

The Best of the best of Maximus...

So much of taking photos by the professional... It's just their equipments that are useful but getting the little ones to smile or focus at the camera is still the job of the parents. Maximus was rather serious in the beginning when we brought him to take the so called "free" photo shoot organised by Tesco Cheras and Tots R' U photography studio. But then when I decided to play the peek-a-boo game, he then found that mummy looks kinda funny and he laughed happily. The professional photographer's job was to take every angle and shot of him at the best.

Of course the so called "free" photo is just the gimmick to lure us especially first time parents to take the opportunity of the promotion. And as a proud mummy, it's very hard to decide the best picture to submit for the baby contest. Well, he looks his best in every way! And just because I wanted a "free" photo, I eventually spent RM 108 for 16 pieces of photos. There were 40 shots and of course I wish to have them all... but $$$ is limited. Yet, I know that Jin won't be happy with such money spent.

At the end, the outcome of the 16 best of the best photos of Maximus...

Maximus 8-month-old's development

To date, Maximus has passed his 8 month-olds and has continue to explore and develop actively in his skills. Not forgetting that he is also getting heavier and taller too! He has acheived so much and progressing fast... There are few skills he has shown but only mastered them at 8 months. It's a great load of fun seeing him enjoying his development. I have been waiting to blog about it but can't find the time at home or in the office.

Here are few of his skills at his 8-month-old:

1. Maximus continue to crawl from wiggling with his tummy to crawling with the support of his both knees and hands.
2. During his late 7 months, Maximus started to pull himself up to a standing position while clinging to the furniture with support. But now, he can do it almost independently although still stumping to fall side-way.
3. At his 7 months, he started to wave good bye... and is very good in it. But just being "rebellious" he refuses to wave good bye now! He will just hold up his hand with his fist close especially when he is so eager to go out for a walk.
4. His language has developed much and he starts to make a new vowel sound - the "o" sounds at the suitable situation i.e. when he sees somethings in the drawer when he opens it, he will go "Oooo...!" So in his language development, Maximus has already grasp 2 vowel sounds - the "a" and the "o". The can do more consonant sounds... like the m, d, b etc.
5. This little impatient 8 months old of mine, is also getting excited to walk when we hold him on his both arms. And he is doing is very fast. But I don't want him to walk at such early stage yet! He prefers to be crawling and exploring on the floor rather than in his walker.
6. Being on the floor, he like his "tresure hunting" game... the floor prints! He will look closely at them and tries to pick them up. His pincher grasp skill has well developed and he likes picking up things from the floor and pop into his mouth... So my MiL will always make sure that the floor is clean!
7. At his late 7 months, Maximus shows the ability to drop an object from his hands. He will open his fist and drop it away from him. Now, he is good in throwing things... sigh!
8. Maximus likes playing with his car... and really playing it the right method! Pushing his cars from side way seeing the car moves. Crawling towards the car that has moved away from him. His favourite toy at this moment is his cars and this can keep him playing for long.
9. Bath time is fun time since 6 months old when he has learnt to sit. Now as he is able to sit well and is very stable, he loves to sit in the tub and play in it. Be it, with or without water sitting in his tub to play is a fun time. And when it's bath time, it's also his play time too. However, he doesn't like to play with the bath toys but want to play with the shampoo and bath cream bottle instead. So, I give him the bottles to play with. As for his rubber duckie, he just watch it float in his tub.
10. However, with all the dos, there are some skills that he is yet to acheive them. Since 6 months old, Maximus should be an independent sleeper and to be able to settle himself to sleep. But till now, he is still not being independent especially to settle himself back to sleep. He still needs his "human pacifier" and now, he wants to be in the bed with mummy and daddy. When I put him into his cot after his night feeding, he will sleep till pass mid-nite and then at 1 am, he will turn himself to his tummy and starts calling for help. Today, I tried ignoring him but he crawls towards me from his cot (our bed and his cot are joint). Then he will started to whine. Sigh... I still don't know what I can do to make him an independent sleeper. But I am sure as he grows, he will be independent then. "fingers cross"

There are so much to write about him, but a picture is worth a thousand words. Check out for the photos and video that I will upload soon...over the weekends.

It's not safe anymore...

There is nothing to be paranoid about after reading the title of my blog... It's just merely about it's not safe leaving Maximus or putting him in the bed or cot without watching him.
As usual, I will put Maximus to sleep next to Jin while I get my bath in the morning before going to work. I will put the pillows around him as to secure his position so that he won't roll of the bed.
Thinking that it's safe, I will quickly get my bath. But then one morning after bath, I realised that Maximus was playing in his cot. I asked Jin if he has put Maximus in but he was soundly asleep at that time. So, that showed that Maxmius crawled back to his cot by himself without being watched by his daddy. That really shock me!
That night I did a little test on Maximus... I put him in the cot and tried to lure him to come over to bed (the cot is next to the bed and they are just side by side). And yes! He actually crawed to the bed boldly! I managed to capture the video of it...
So this shows that we can't put him alone or leave him without supervision in bed or in the cot.