Play area in IKEA

Digging into those stored photography in the phone gave me an inspiration to write about the playing area in IKEA.It's a very good experience for children to explore and try out the toys displayed before buying them... of course after also considering the price too. This is the first time giving Maximus the opportunity to explore on his own since he is able to stand independently after all.
He enjoys the standing frame that he was able to cling to it and cruise about... it cost RM 149 for that piece of toy! So we are not willing to spend such amount for a toy!

The rocking reindeer and the rocking chair caught Maximus of surprise and instead of enjoying the ride, he was more curious to watch how the chair is rocking.

Being so timid

Maximus is rather timid when come to sounds or things that he is unfamiliar. When he heard a loud sound, he will cry immediately. He won't dare to touch any unfamiliar objects i.e. the fern leaf, or the brush. He still like to observe his environment and surrounding but we have to encourage him to explore using his multi-sensory especially his touch.
As for loud sounds, we have to comfort him most of the time - a loud sneeze, or door slammed. I read from http://www.babycenter.com.my/baby/development/10mth/ it's just part and parcel of the 10-months development. Handling fear the right way will definitely help our baby to be more confident and bold to explore later.
So, Jin and I have been always assuring Maximus and explaining to him things that he is not familar or unable to understand. Most of the time we show him by example. We will always demonstate to him and encourage him to imitated us. Hopefully, this will help him to handle his fear.

Climbing

Ohh... No! This is the nightmare! Maximus is starting to climb and he is climbing over any hurdle - over the cot, onto the stool, on the couch and from the floor to the bed! My mummy even encourage him to climb onto the coffee table! Sigh... not sure if it's suppose to be a good experience for him or shouldn't have encourage him.
Now, being 10 months, we have to watch him very closely - can't leave him unattended or on his own in the bed or floor! I do hope that he won't learn to climb out from his walker... since his walker is the only thing that we can leave him in without much supervision.
Anyway, he will also soon learn and experience the consequences when he is not careful but I do not hope for anything bad to happen to him. Have to be on close watch and alert at all times for now...

Lord Jesus, please watch over Maximus and keep him away from any harm and injury. If he would to fall again, oh... Jesus I prayed that you will catch him so that he will land safely without much injury. Thank you Jesus for your protection and care. Glory! In Jesus's name I prayed. Amen.

The Fall

My most paranoia when come to Maximus's safety is falling. I have to face this phobia and it just happened on Friday morning. Maximus fell from the bed! It all happened due to Jin's carelessness! But I don't blame Jin for it although I was furious in for a short while. It can also be my fault too since I was the one rearranging the position of the cot!
It happened every early when I in the shower before going to work. Jin was being such a sleepy head just left him playing in his cot. But Maximus crawled out from his cot without Jin realised since he was asleep. How does he crawl out? It's also due my fault since I didn't close the cot. The cot was connected to our bed with the barricade down. I was supposed to close the barricade when Maximus has started crawling but since it's more convenience for me during the night feeding, I just left it as is it!
I was in the shower when I heard a loud bumb and then few second later ... the loud wailing, scream... I rushed out from my shower with my towel on and grabbed Maximus from Jin. It was a very heartaching moment and I looked into Jin with furious but I also see the guilty look and hurt in him too. So I do understand that he does feel double worst than I felt!
We checked his head for any bumps but thank God! It's a miracle that he is fine... maybe his head is as hard as a coconut! hehe... Of course without the bumps do not mean it's fine too... Got my mil to monitor him later. I called up in the afternoon and found out that Maximus was completely fine - eating well, active and feeling as normal!
I really thanked God for HIS protection and blessing. Yes, every night I pray and I know that HE listens to my prayer and took care of our little one. Thank you, Jesus for keeping Maximus from any injury, harm and danger. Praise the Lord and to God be the glory...
As for percaution, I have close the barricade but there is no assurance of the safety too since he can climb out from the cot. He did it the next morning... so all I need is a close watch, lots of prayer and God to watch over us.

Maximus's Acheivment at 9 months old

Maximus has a great acheivment in his development. From 9 months onwards till reaching 10, he surprises me with his ability in the physical development componen. At early 9 months, his gross motor skills are:

1. pulling himself up with the support of a furniture.
2. clinging to a low stool and start pushing it around as to attempt to walk.
3. walking with support.
4. lifting up his butt while in crawling position as an attempt to stand up.
5. kneeling and playing
6. kicking a ball with support

His fine motor skills and eye-hands coordination skills are:

1. turning the pages of the book
2. pressing button
3. feeding himself
4. scratching
5. putting objects into a container
6. sacking things
7. throwing
8. pointing to an object accurately

His understand of instruction is pretty much of an improvement. His vocabulary increased so much although he has not yet learn to talk. Although he is still babbling and making sounds, he is already able to relate real vocabulary into his language processing.

His language ability covers:

1. Where is the key?
2. Show mummy where is the dog, cat, bird, car, plane, motorbike, book, ball, fan, light and key?
3. Does Maximus want milk? - He will pull mummy's blouse
4. Where does Maximus want to go? Point to mummy? - and he will either point to upstairs, to the door or the kitchen.
5. Let's go - he will start lifting up his both hands to be carried and getting very excited.
6. When something drops he goes "Ohhh..."
7. He likes to make the sound of the motorbike and car.
8. Show mummy how to switch on the fan? - he will push the little button on the fan (mini-fan).
9. Which one is mummy's car?
10. Where is yeh-yeh, po-po, daddy ...? - he is able to point to them or wave at them.
11. Say "hi" - he will raise his hand and wave while saying "ahhh..."

His social and emotional developemnt

1. He shy away when someone starts to approach him.
2. Give a cool look (without smile) when meeting new people.
3. Trying to shake hands with family members.
4. Cry when being sounded of his wrong doing i.e. putting things into the mouth.
5. Feel jealous or being possesive when mummy carries another baby.
6. Able to kiss mummy or daddy
7. Manja especially after waking up
8. Give Hi-5 when being asked.
9. Will accept some of mummy or daddy's friend after awhile.
10. Will not stay away from mummy or daddy in a new place.

There are so much of Maximus acheivement that I just want to jot down everything, record them but it's so much better having to experience it personally. It makes me feel so proud of my son while thanking God for HIS wonderful gift and blessing.

I have a diary that I recorded down by filling in the blanks and even writing in blog. Yet, I feel there are so much more to write and talk about.

Keeping journal, in blog, photo albums...the best is still having to experience it in real life. I am always missing my lil one when I am at work from 8-5:30 Monday to Friday.

Growing Smarter Every Day

The idea to write this blog was derived from the Huggies website:

http://www.huggies.com.my/BeingAParent/CognitiveSkills/GrowingSmarterEveryDay.aspx

After reading the article, I do agree that every baby does grow smarter every day as they begin to explore, experience and enrich from their environment / surrounding.

Maximus is also part of the process in growing smarter every day. As he turns 10 months this week, he has a profound milestones since birth. Every day is a progress from one point to another. Of course as a mother, I am proud of the little thing that he acheived and want to tell the whole world about it. However, I want to be sure that as this development moves on I have to continue to stay proud of this acheivement even in his older age. Most parents are being so kiasu and fail to praise or be proud of their children little achievement when they reached the primary age. For example; my primary 3 nephew when he scored a 90% for Maths or what-so-ever subject, his mother will ask "Why only 90%? How about so and so?" This is a very normal remarks. I hope I won't be part of this kiasu group of parents for Maximus or other child of mine in the future.

How does Maximus grow smarter every day?

Maximus learns from his observation, experimentation and imitate the actions shown. He also learn from his experiences (good or bad) and will remember them. I am sure this is the naturally skills given to every baby from God. He also begin to create his own "cause and effect" in his play. For example; dropping different plastic balls and identify the ball that bouce (He has a set of balls with different texture and effect) then he will just pick up that particular ball that bounces and continue dropping it to watch it bounce.

Every day is an acheivement and my lil one grows smarter each day. I have nothing much to expect since I am sure he will eventually grow at his own pace day-by-day.

Personality trait

Sensitive? Manja? Spoilt? or ... Rebellious? These are some common personality traits that parents consider them as the negative sign. Yet, these are the personality traits that presented by most children especially when they are turning into toddlers or are in the toddlers stage.

This make me thinking... is Maximus being a sensitive child? Or he is just manja? As he is turning 10 months old, he emerges a strong personality and characters of his own. He also develop a mind of his own - knowing what he wants or doesn't, mood changes etc.

With these personality traits, Maximus is getting predictable and easier to understand. Although he cries when he is being sounded for the his wrong doing such as tearing the newspaper or biting the furniture. He will also cry when we startle him with a "Hah!" or "Hoo-Ohhh!" each time when he drops something. This reminded me of an incident when Maximus was holiding a cone of ice-cream and he accidently dropped it! He looked shock and surprising daddy said "Oh...!" and he cried. Then daddy needed to get him another one just to comfort him. (Is it spoiling him?)

However, being a naugthy mummy (by nature) I like to watch him cries especially when we just sounded him with "Hoh-ohhh!" or "Oh...!" or even by saying "No!".

This is Maximus growing-pains as he develops his personality and own characters. I am sure he will out-grown these traits and learn along when he grows with his experience. I hope he will develop into being more emotional independent as he matures.