My old blog

Looking back at my old blog at http://danietan78.multiply.com/ it makes me recollect every memory of what I had – single life and then marriage. Now starting with blogging at blogspot it shows my next level – motherhood. I read over and over some of my journal that I posted and it gave me some flash back of those days. I may want to revive this blog again at multiply or maybe just combined both.

I don't wish to abandon this blog at multiply since I started it and it's full with information, pictures, links and mostly memories. There are some photographs that I am not sure if I still keep a copy of them. So, I have decided to continue exploring my blog at multiply and then try to revive it by putting in more information or to write a journal – completely about myself, my thoughts and maybe at work. Since Facebook is blocked in the office, this will be the best time for me to update multiply blog each time when I am bored with work. Sound good…!

Enjoying my stays at home as a mother and wife

I have the opportunity to stay home - full day on Monday and half day on Tuesday because MiL was away for a holiday. I took turn with Jin and with my mummy to be around to supervise. What can I say? I do enjoy my time at home - doing the cooking for Maximus and later for the family, doing laundry, bathing, feeding, and changing Maximus and etc...etc... The "working-hours" starts earlier than normal office working hour and has no end. But I enjoy every hour and time seems to be flying off fast too comparing to sitting in my cubicle from 8 am-5:30 pm!

Maximus seems to enjoy the time being with me especially when he got comfort and soothing from his full breast-feeding. He even enjoy his sleeps and slept longer than usual. And most of all, while he is sleeping, I can also take the time off - catching up with my sleep too.

Having an extra hands from mummy also does help out a lot. Mummy will help to carry him for a short while or playing with him when I tried to keep away the dirty clothes or clean up mess. Maximus was so independent at times too... playing on his own while i watched from far and this gives me the time to watch movies or chat with mummy. I can't tell how much I am enjoying the time! ....ohhh... TIME - is never an issue. It just passes by so fast.... This is the time when I do not need to rush while playing with Maximus and slowly spending my quantity and quality time with him.

Having to stay home for one and a half day, I just can't stop thinking about quitting my job and start something on my own so that I can have more time watching Maximus - growing, playing with him and care / cuddle him. I want my child(ren) to grow with me in my carrer... so I have to start now!

I will plan ahead to make this come to pass....

My Sleeping Prince

During our holiday to Cameron, Maximus was still in his bedtime routine – slept between 10:00 to 10:30 pm. And almost that hour, we gathered at one room for supper and fellowship, but Maximus will be in his deep sleep despite the noises! Even Little J was trying to disturb him but in avail since my Maximus is the sleeping prince of the night. That sleep is a total-knock-out position!!!

Little J with Maximus who were sleeping soundly. And then little trying to imitate Maximus.

Snatching and being a sore-looser!

Maximus knows how to snatch and fight for things that he wanted. This videos show he was trying to snatch J's toy and when he can't get it he started crying and throwing tantrum.

J was much calm when his toy is being snatched!

Video 1: Maximus snatching J's favourite rattle and J refuesed to let go yet staying calm.

This whole senario happened during our journey up to Cameron Highland. Maximus was feeling figety over the long journey. J decided to join us at the back seat since he kept on turning his head to look at Maximus. Then, this happened! Maybe Maximus was trying to create a scene out of his boredom. hehe...

Facial Expression

Maximus's excited expression when he saw the swimming pool...

Maximus's curious look when he was playing with the texture on the floor...

Maximus's attention when he is outdoor and there are so much to see.

From Top left - He was exploring and focusing. That's how his mouth will be when he is focusing mode.

From Top Right: Staring mode... staring at something.

Middle Left: He is peeping while thinking.

Middle Right: That's the "dreamy" look and he did his hands position unconsiously.

Bottom Left: Look at mummy taking his photo and trying to balance himself while standing.

Bottom Right: Staring at an object and having the blur look.

From Left -

1st: Maximus was happy when he stood leaning against the couch.

2nd: Hitting and making sound on the couch.

3rd: Saw something interesting...

4th: Annoyed face when mummy didn't allow him to pick that up.

1st attempt to taste the strawberry... but at the end the facial expression tell all.

Giving and Sharing

Maximus has learnt the art of sharing and giving especially his food. He will even try to put the food into your mouth as if he is feeding you just like how he is being fed. But due to his poor eye-hands, he will miss the target (the mouth). This also show that he is has already know what is giving and sharing. Each time when he is asked to give something to anyone, as we put out our palm he will give the thing by putting it on our palm. That's so cute and smart too…

Maximus got hold of his half eaten biscuit.

He continue to enjoy his biscuit. He gave the biscuit to me when I asked for it.

Who am I?

This is the reflection of my life especially when I have been through a huge change – from a single to be in motherhood. At 30 going to 31 soon (on 8^th Sept), I have to really search myself. After an embarrassing and unexpected incident that happened yesterday (driving home without petrol and got stuck at the toll booth), I began to reflect on the question "Who am I … now?" I have never been such a slumber, sloppy and disorganised person. I used to be a tip-top perfectionist and plan ahead before things happen. But now… What I have in mind is my son? Of course it's not wrong as this is a process of change. However, the change should have transformed me into someone better… but the contrary.

This really is disturbing! Looking at myself in the mirror and reflect, I realised that I am not who I was before! The changes should be for the better but I have:

1. completely less bother about my physical appearance.
   
2. not been planning for myself.
   
3. been slacking and sloppy with the management of my life agenda / daily agenda – such as my carrier path, social life etc.
   
4. been spending too much time thinking and planning for Maximus.
   
5. And the lists will go on…
   

It's better to realise now! Therefore I am going to make it my birthday resolution… I want to change to the better especially when being in motherhood. I am no "Super-girl" but I must at least be a good role model mother and wife. I must not be so sloppy and disorganised. I pledge my life for a change. The changes will be:

1. Firstly, I must get myself back to shape and groom myself. I am in my early 30s and it's no reason for me to look haggard.
   
2. I must reorganise my life – strike a balance between being a wife, mother and an employee.
   
3. I must continue to know what is the end of mind – what I want to achieve in life. I will not just go to work for the sake of passing time and earning the salary.
   
4. I will regain my social life with friends.
   
5. And most important get back on track with God.
   

I will start everything one-by-one till I achieve it. By 2010, I must be proud to see my achievement. I want a change and it will start with me!

I am sure that I will find out "Who really am I?" and will be who that person really is. Mostly I must continue to stay happy and enjoying my life I am living in now with God in mind, along with my husband and son.

Being Possessive

Maximus has started to develop his possessiveness in his early 9-months old. Being the only one who gets all the attention, he doesn't have the opportunity to experience sharing. This occurs not only with his toys but sharing his mummy! I was so surprised that Maximus was making noise and scream when he saw me carrying J during our journey up to Cameron. Although his daddy was carrying him at the moment, he pushed himself away from his daddy and started to scream to get my attention. He reached out his hands and showed that he wanted me to carry him instead. We tried talking to him but he refused to give in. So I have to exchange J and him with daddy and finally he hugged me and cuddle me as if he is showing J that "I am his mommy." It's really fun to see my little one grows and develops. He has a mind on his own…knowing what he wants and will get it!

On Higher Altitude with baby(ies)

We have our first challenge with our baby and we travel along with 2 other babies / tot (8 months ++ and 14 months) to a higher altitude place – The Cameron Highland! Maximus was playful and having fun in the car with J until when we reached a different altitude and windy road. Maximus cried uncontrollably and we have to stop just to let him settled before continuing our journey. From this vacation, I also realised that Maximus is unable to cope with long distant. He gets fidgety, reckless and cranky which needed lots of attention and comfort.

Despite all these, it was a fun vacation too. We have lots of mix feelings – feeling impatient, excited, tired, sad, anxious, perturb and mostly satisfied. These feelings were good experiences and also a bonding between us (Jin and I). We took turn to attend to Maximus especially during meals when he got too fidgety sitting too long in his baby high-chair. We took turn to comfort him especially when he got shock from him sleep. We even took turn to take our nap when he wasn't napping. These experiences give up something worth to share together especially when both of us were so busy with jobs, Maximus, chores etc.

Travelling with these little ones to a higher altitude is also a great challenge and scarifies. What are those scarifies? We have to forgo the adventurous outing such as hiking up the Tea farm but using the proper route, we have to spend more time attending to our little ones and so less time moving about and also we have to sacrifice food with egg and milk because one of the nursing mother is unable to take those since her son is allergic to it. Above all, it's still worth since we also have a good time together – little ones playing with each other, mothers to mothers and fathers to fathers' sharing laugher, fun, joy and cash! Haha…

In addition, each of our little one seems to be well synchronised with their sleeping, crying and playing time! Once the 3 of them were sleeping when we were having our lunch – gave us a more peaceful lunch and then after our food, they took turn to wake up! One after another… and one cries the other follows. It's like a Domino effect!

I am sure we will have many more adventures and vacations together within us families. But the first is always the greatest experience! Tired but worth!

Maximus's mates - Lucia (14 months) and Jayden (8 months +) together in Cameron Highland

The naughty boy trying to bully the little girl... hehe...

Note: More to come…

No! … Turns into a playful thing.

Playfulness is a natural thing with babies and children. This is reflected in Maximus even before he is 9 months old. He is so playful but yet displays cuteness in his playfulness. I have been trying so hard to discipline Maximus especially when comes to grabbing my spectacles or messing up things i.e. his clothes, napkins in the basket. Each time when I say "No" he will laugh and thinks it's funny! Maybe it's my tone… not too firm? Or not too harsh? At the end, it will turn out to be a play rather than to discipline him. I hope that Maximus won't go overboard with it till he associates "No" with play.

Now that the word "No" tickles him, I have to find new method to discipline him especially when he messes up things. I did slightly tap the back of his hands when he tried to mess up his diapers but then he doesn't understand my action. I don't want to hurt him also therefore I didn't tap him too hard. Well, I guess have to be creative to find ways and means to instil discipline into Maximus. But at the moment I will just enjoy his little laugher each time when I say "no" to him.

A full physical development... 9-months old

This is a full physical development before being able to stand up independently without support. Maximus has already mastered the turning over, sitting up and now he progress on with kneeling down... he even can pull himself up to stand with support!
The next stage, he will be able to stand without support then slowly taking his steps to walk... wow! What a superb physical acheivement for a baby before turning to be a year old toddler.

Maximus exploring his book

He knows that this is a pull-up Me too title book... Every nite when we has this story for bedtime "Teddy goes to bed" I will pull-up the Me too picture of the baby just to let him explore. Today he tried to explore the book on his own accord...

Maximus's into his cars...

He is really focus while playing with his toy car... such serious looks too. He didn't take any notice of the camera.

Maximus's interest in books

Maximus has developed a liking for books since in his early months. Between toys and books, my this lil one will choose his books. Each time when there is a book sales, I will not miss out the opportunity... and mostly Maximus's elder ah-yee will buy him books from Singapore - good quality imported books with very good price from Singapore.
Recently I happened to meet up friends in Subang Parade. I have not been to Subang Parade for years since I stopped working in SS19 SJ. So happened there was MPH Sales... I grabbed the time looking and buying lots of board books for Maximus. There are series of Flip up shape books, and the Me too series. Good bargian and good books too!
I took a copy out for upstairs bedtime and another for downstairs play time. Others I have to keep it otherwise it will be everywhere.
Maximus loves to interact as I read or tell him the story. Yet he can point to some familiar pictures too. Sometimes, he will sit on his own and look at the book independently. And this is the best time where I have the opportunity to take some photos of him.
In one of the book title, Maximus is so fond with the Teddy's toy car! He keeps pointing at the toy car and "talk" about it making the "ohhh...uhhh...ahhh..." sound as if he wants to say something about it! I am so impressed and proud of his acheivment... It's beyond what I have expect him to do.
I am glad that Maximus has develop interest in books since his early months. It's a good habit to start young and yes, I am also very flatered by the comment from my friend Adel, saying that Maximus has good focus and able to sit quietly looking at his books or playing at his favourite toys comparing to her son. Although both are a difference individual, I am proud of the comment.
Praise God for HIS blessing upong Maximus and it's HIM who shape Maximus's characters in this early months. I have only God to give thanks to.

Shoes before walking? Is it a “pantang” or for better development?

I have been very eager to put on shoes for Lil Maximus when he started standing and moreover I found so many cute little shoes in stores. Both MiL and mother forbid putting on shoes before the baby turns toddler. I thought it is just some "pantang" that they hold on to for generations. Lately, richrach too asked me about this issue and I told her it's just a mere believe from the elders. Despite all, I am obedient to their belief too.

Today, I came across this article in http://www.babycenter.com.my/baby/development/09mth/. While reading my baby 9-months development, I also read about the shoes topic. After reading, I can understand and relate to this elders "pantang". According to this article, most experts do not think that shoes are necessary for baby below 1 year old. Their reason is rather logical and for developmental purpose. It said that going barefoot not only strengthen the baby's arches and leg muscles but also encourage good balances while their shoeless feet are free to feel different texture. Now that I can associate closely to this theory rather than just following blindly the "pantang" since I don't know what's their theory behind it.

So, I guess the little brown shoes given by a friend from UK to lil Maximus have to wait! And I just need to stop looking at those cute little shoes again. Till my Maximus turns a year and beyond, he will sure to have lots of cute, beautiful even branded shoes from everyone at home. Just need to be a little patient then…

Richrach in reading, hope this helps you to know the reason too although your princess Sarah is already wearing her pretty shoes especially her latest Converse Shoes!