We love Letterland

We love Letterland, yes we do. And we doesn't just refer to Declan and I, it also refers to his dad and his uncle DW.

It was a fateful night when DW and I were in the car, on the way home from my mom's house. Declan was fussing in his carseat as usual and I suspect since it was close to his sleeptime, he started crying out loud in the carseat. I had nearly done everything I could and my bag of tricks were empty when out of desperation, DW played the Letterland CD, hoping that it would calm Declan down somewhat. What happened next simply blew us away.

When he quietened down enough to hear the CD, Declan actually stopped fussing and listened to the music! And since Letterland is a phonics-teaching CD, it contains 27 different song tracks (26 letters plus an intro song). The most amazing thing was that in between tracks, Declan actually started fussing and quietened down again when the next track came on! It was as if he was complaining about the lack of the Letterland songs! And this actually went on all the way from the intro song to the letter L!

DW and I were duly impressed, but I was somewhat a little sceptical. Perhaps we had just lucked out? After all, how can a CD cause such reactions? And if it could, why couldn't the other radio songs have done the same calming effect? And then... it happened again and this time, we had Jasin as witness.

So one night, Jasin, DW, Declan and I were in the car going for a petrol refill. Declan was fussing in his carseat as usual and yes, it was close to his sleeptime too. And yes, soon I was dead tired trying to distract the boy and stop him from fussing/crying. The Letterland CD played, and lo and behold, it happened again! Declan quietened down and yes, he protested between tracks and I had to sing between tracks just to placate him. And the MOST amazing thing happened... he actually started to fall asleep! Too bad it did not happen because by the time he almost went to sleep, we had reached home.

And that is why we LOVE Letterland...

Return of the vicious Mozzies

We have been using the mozzie prevention thingy in the hall ever since Declan got attacked by mozzies a few weeks back. And the thing is, it seems to work cos he stopped getting new mozzie bites.

Then yesterday, he was having his dinner alfresco style in the front porch and when I bathed him later, I was horrified to find SIX mozzie bites on him!

DAMMIT! THOSE @#$%^&*! VICIOUS MOSQUITOES!

Guilty guilty

Declan took a tumble today. I'm going to admit it, it's my fault. I left him on the bed, thinking he would be safe enough for the short time I would take to turn on the aircon and the fan. Obviously it wasn't. When I turned around after turning on the fan, I saw him tumbling from the bed head-down onto the floor. My heart went out to the poor boy. He cried and cried, and the ones that really broke my heart were the little whimpers when the loud cries subsided. I apologised to him, after all, I shouldn't have left him on the bed by himself, no matter how short the time.

But it wasn't as bone harrowing and spine chilling as the very first time he took a tumble... I think I'm getting used to it. But the guilt never subsides; it's still as much as the first time he tumbled.

I think I will bring him to Cold Storage later. Need to buy new foods for him already!
(Edited 23 Apr 11am: I didn't bring him to Cold Storage after all, nobody went. Found out there were grapes in the fridge.)

Too heavy, Too light

Mothers worry a lot. I think it comes with the territory. Since I don't want to be seen as a worrywart, I try not to be too concerned about weight and milestones. Thankfully, this little boy has never made me worried about his milestones, hitting almost every one in his own comfortable fashion. However, his weight/height is another issue altogether.

Being born somewhat above average at 3.25kg, Declan's weight started stagnating a few months ago. Coincidentally, it started around the time I started to breastfeed him 100%. Perhaps it's true that total breastfed babies generally tend to be smaller. Note that I said generally as I have come across babies that are totally breastfed yet manage to bulk up quite nicely. Then again, it could be also due to genes as both DY and I are on the short side.

Anyway, I think my son's one of the smallest boys around. Among all the July babies on the forum, I'm quite sure he's the lightest boy. All the other boys have already hit the 8kg mark, whereas this boy is still at 7.8kg (last weighed on the scale at home). And to be honest, I'm already quite happy with his 7.8kg weight.

Mothers are never satisfied. Too heavy and we worry that our babies will grow up to be fatties. Too light and we worry that our babies aren't getting enough nutrients. When will we ever stop worrying? Will we ever stop worrying?

To all mothers: Happy Mother's Day... I have truly learnt how to appreciate my mother. Thank you Mom.

Tricks aplenty

Progress update: 9 months

And Declan turns 9 months today! Ok, so technically it's yesterday, but really, who's counting? Anyway, here goes his status report.

1) He's in no hurry to walk. Me thinks he's totally happy crawling around, cos it works and it's really fast too!
2) He loves his cereal... Me suspects it could be due to the milky taste he's used to. And he doesn't really like brown rice porridge.
3) Finally getting used to (read: tolerates) brown rice porridge although he still needs them pureed. All hell breaks loose (read: vomit alert) if he happens to taste/swallow the "husks" of the brown rice.
4) Walks assisted - if he gets his hand on a stool, he will push the stool and walk forward. Gasp! How dangerous! And I didn't even get to witness it.
5) Still hates being in the carseat. How?!?

And it just hit me today that by replacing 2 milk feeds with 2 solids, I'm actually breastfeeding less often. Which means my period may come back anytime! ARGH!!!

Where's the ball Declan?

It's really interesting how kids pick up things so fast.... sometimes even without you teaching them.

Declan did just that some time ago. He was happily crawling around, trying to get to little foam balls we scattered all over the floor to keep him occupied. Then eventually, the balls all rolled under the couch. And he actually bent down to PEEP under the couch and tried to reach for them! So cute!!!!

摇摇头

Declan's learnt a new trick lately! And I think it's his favourite one so far... can't decide if that or waving bye is more fun.

Phew... what a hectic week

Last week, I did a BP for the very first time in my life. Response was far better than we had expected and it was then that I realise, it's really difficult looking after a kid and trying to make money at the same time. I must have slept at 3am for at least 3 nights. What was I doing? Packing packages and keep track of orders. Phew... finally it's over.

What did I sell? Sophie the Giraffe. But of course.