BB's teething update - 12th/13thteeth

at 15th month, my missy now has 13 teeth..way to go..

Book: Positive Discipline A-Z

Positive Discipline A-Z: 1001 Solutions to Everyday Parenting Problems (Positive Discipline Library)
By Jane Ed.D. Nelsen, Lynn Lott, H. Stephen Glenn


Am reading this now. First few pages seem good as it keeps me reading on.

Product Description
As a parent, you face one of the most challenging—and rewarding—roles of your life. No matter how much you love your child, there will still be moments filled with anger, frustration, and, at times, desperation. What do you do? Over the years, millions of parents just like you have come to trust the Positive Discipline series for its consistent, commonsense approach to child rearing. In this completely updated edition of Positive Discipline A–Z, you will learn how to use methods to raise a child who is responsible, respectful, and resourceful. You’ll find practical solutions to such parenting challenges as:

- Sibling Rivalry
- Bedtime Hassles
- School Problems
- Getting Chores Done
- ADHD ·Eating Problems
- Procrastination
- Whining
- Tattling and Lying
- Homework Battles
- And Dozens More!

This newly revised and expanded third edition contains up-to-the-minute information on sleeping through the night, back talk, and lack of motivation as well as tips on diet, exercise, and obesity prevention, and new approaches to parenting in the age of computers and cell phones.

BB's teething update - 9th/10th/11th teeth

more teeth coming out at 14th month-old..

More Toys- Toysrus

More toys this month..this time from toysrus.. im going crazy shopping toys. i bought all Melissa & Dough puzzles and stack ups.. i find Melissa & dough toys are mostly wooden (fit into Montessori nature) & educational. Here are my purchase this afternoon

(1) Beginner pattern block - $23.95




(2)Farm Cube puzzles - $16.95 (april offer was $14.95, miss it!)


(3) Stack and Sort Board - $16.95



Wanted to buy Lego(Duplo) for my little missy, but still considering whether to buy now, as missy may not know how to play with it now ? i already have some simple blocks for her at home..i guess most likely i will buy one duplo set for her as a starter.. to develop her creativity maybe ?






Now selling at $89.90

My New Toys...

Recently, found a local online store selling montessori materials which we feel the price is so much affordable compare to UK/US website. i so wanted to buy the movable alphabets but Jenny said too early to buy , missy need to at least recognise the alphabets before moving to forimng words.. yeah.. im too rush hee cos only selling at $190 for 2 boxes.. wow !! what a bargain..now, im still thinking should i buy and keep first heee

kk.. my purchase this weekend from her (the online store)

1. Ants on the Apple (book + CD) - $28.90 really feel expensive cos the CD only plya ;ess than 15 mins.. and the book super simple. but the cd is good for missy to recognise the sound of each alphabets

2. Three layer puzzles - In the garden -i manage to get a good bargain at $12.90

3. Matched images - 36 pieces of matching photos - $19.90

4. Magnetic farm animals puzzle - 6 animals - $19.90

5. World map with sticking flags to poke at the right country - $19.90

6/7 - bought two clearance toys (alphebets in box & maths ) - this is for Jenna.

here's the photos..

My Lapbook : My Birthday

Done with missy's second Lapbook. This is to mark her First birthday celebration ! purposely choose her drumstick eating photo as cover.. hee cute.

There are two more lapbooks to do. a. My first walk at Botanic Garden & 2. My day at the beach

Busy mummy.. happy missy !

Book: How To Raise An Amazing Child the Montessori Way

I find this book is easy to follow with photos and all. Im keen to start montessori at home. There are changes to make even with my home decor/furniture arrangement as montessori stress on respect for all,. children should have their children-friendly furniture and racks that is of their height that is reachable.. my understanding of montessori is an approach that nurture children in a peaceful and safe environment and at the same time dissolve problems with very controlled manner.

I like the idea of montessori but whether it's workable is another story. Im not montessory raised. so im not sure if this experiment will be successful . haa.. but, hey no harm trying it out since it's all about GOOD parenting !

Creative all the way

I wanted to get hold of this book..
http://www.amazon.com/D-I-Y-Kids-Ellen-Lupton/dp/1568987072/ref=si3_rdr_bb_product

From the amazon description, it gives a lot of ideas how to create things from basic.. got to ask my sis's favour as library near my home/work place do nto carry this book.

Current Reading: Thinking parent, Thinking child

reading this book this week.

This week reading: Teach Your Child to Read in Just Ten Minutes a Day

Got this book title from a mummy which she shared this method works for her son ... Shall read through and see how i can apply this method to my missy.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0773760350/ref=cm_rdp_product_img

Remarks:
Gave up half way as the techniques given in this book seems not interesting. it's teaching using phonics. maybe Leap frog is more exciting.

My Lapbook : Missy Family Album

So, i've completed little missy's FIRST Family Album.. in a Lap book.. hee.e. being a not so creative mum, i guess this will make do..

This is one of the activities i wanted to do to go-inline with the suggestion in my earlier post on Raise a Reader



Missy is rather excited to see people she is familiar with like her maternal grandma & paternal grandparents in the lapbook.Somehow, i think she is more fastinated by those cartoon picture like doggie & duck that i pasted in the cover..

Anyway, shall let her enjoy her family members..while enhance her memory by remembering them by image..

Happy parenting !

This week reading : The Creative Family

http://www.amazon.com/Creative-Family-Encourage-Imagination-Connections/dp/1590304713/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1221113842&sr=8-1

Finally, i found this book from library. I remember the call number wrongly that's why until now then i realise the correct call number is 749.XXX and not 371.XXX. today quickly go & grab it.

Shall start reading it tonight.

It seems like a MUST-Have or at least MUST-read book for all mummy. Even mummies in Oz take this as "hand-book"..mmm.. interesting.

After-reading Thoughts:
I'm so inspired by this book. Im inspired in the sense that i determine to create a very "creative" environment for my child to grow up in. Soulemama said, parents learn creativity from their child, as children is so pure and they just do things the MOST creative manner..

Shall try to do some "Creative" stuff at home, start bit by bit.. muahaha..

my head is so full of things.. wonder why i did not learn to sew /knit earlier.. sigh.. now i feel handicap, cos i wanted to do many things, but i don't have the basic skill to carry it out. shall find some time to pick this up ! i always think seing or knititng is so "aunty".. mm.. so i think im walking into this auty stage..but im happy i do now.. than later.. heee

Will bring missy to more nature places..see more hills.. sea.. sand.. just thinking of me make me happier.. haaa..

Good book to read for all mothers or i should say parents.. !Thumbs UP ! You can actually just visit her blog to be inspired more..

Leap Frog purchase

I wanted to buy Leap Frog DVD but seems like it is not sold in Singapore. Thus, i daringly ordered from Amazon.com.. My first purchase from Amazon. I just click 'proceed ro order" and it just went through, never even prompt "confirm" ?

anyway, i guess, it's ok to try. I will use the "extra income" earned last week for this DVDs.. heee *feeling smart*


Order Details: (order date : 10th September 2008, afternooon )
1 "Leap Frog - Talking Words Factory"
Leapfrog; DVD; $8.99


Sold by: Amazon.com, LLC1 "Leap Frog - Letter Factory"
Leap Frog; DVD; $8.99

Sold by: Amazon.com, LLC

Subtotal of Items: $17.98
Shipping & Handling: $12.97
---------
Total for this Order: $30.95 (USD) SGD with 1.5 conv rate= SGD47

Delivery estimate: October 7, 2008 - October 28, 2008

Shipping estimate for these items: September 11, 2008



The stupid delivery is more than 1 DVD's price. but after i converted to SGD, it's still cheaper to buy from Amazon. But, i ordered 2 DVD, each including shipping will be about SGD23 per CD

My search on SG online:
1. Wondebox - SGD 27.95 per DVD with SGD 8 delivery charges. Unless i buy 4 DVDs (they only have letter factory for leap frog) , delivery fess will be waived. still amazon is cheaper even after adding the shipping.

2. ebay.sg - SGD32 no delivery charges. bidding price is SGD31. Still amazon is cheaper wor..

So, i guess it's ok for first attempt to shop in Amazon. Shall update after i receive the DVDs.

Today (11th September 2008), i received email from amazon saying that my order was shipped. Woah ! that's efficient. Thumb's up. So shall see when i will receive it !
******************************************************************************
Greetings from Amazon.com.

We thought you'd like to know that we shipped your items, and that this
completes your order.

You can track the status of this order, and all your orders, online by
visiting Your Account at http://www.amazon.com/gp/css/history/view.html

There you can:
* Track your shipment
* View the status of unshipped items
* Cancel unshipped items
* Return items
* And do much more

The following items have been shipped to you by Amazon.com:
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Qty Item Price Shipped Subtotal

---------------------------------------------------------------------

Amazon.com items (Sold by Amazon.com, LLC):

1 Leap Frog - Talking Words ... $8.99 1 $8.99

1 Leap Frog - Letter Factory $8.99 1 $8.99

Shipped via Standard Int'l Shipping

---------------------------------------------------------------------
Item Subtotal: $17.98
Shipping and handling: $12.97

Total: $30.95

Paid by Mastercard: $30.95

------------------------------------------------------------------

******************************************************************************

Yipeee.. my Leap Frog DVDs arrived yesterday 17th September.., so it took only 7 days to reach me, Not Bad ! very impressive and the condition is tip-top ! warp up in box.

I've yet to watch all the DVD, just started a bit of letter Factory. the alphabets are dancing and it teaches the right sound of each alphabet.

The Benefits of Preschool Songs and Nursery Rhymes

Check this out:
http://www.shirleys-preschool-activities.com/preschool-songs-and-nursery-rhymes.html

extracted the benefits from the website above:

There are many benefits to learning nursery rhymes and preschool songs:
1. Nursery rhymes, poems and songs will provide your children with opportunities to develop an appreciation for rhyme and rhythm, as well as to develop their memory and auditory skills .

2. Research in the field of early childhood development and reading has shown that children who struggle to recognise words that rhyme, often have difficulty in learning to read. Hence the importance of familiarizing children with rhymes and preschool songs.

3. The rhythm of songs, poems and rhymes help children to remember the words and helps to develop auditory memory skills .

It has been said that the golden age for memory is between ages 6-9. At this age a child can memorize more quickly and remember for longer than at any other time in his life (Raymond Moore, Better Late Than Early, p197). I have also heard it said that children, who cannot yet read, remember better than their peers who can read, as the non-readers cannot refer back to the text for information but have to remember everything they have seen or heard.

4. Listening is an important skill to encourage – and it is an important step towards one day learning to read.

5. Poems and verses use words to paint word pictures and nursery rhymes help to activate that awareness.

6. While you read, sing, play and act out nursery rhymes together you are conveying to your children that sounds make words and that words are fun!

7. Nursery rhymes also help children to appreciate and develop an understanding of humour.

8. Since many nursery rhymes also include mathematical concepts, like counting, time, height, measurement, position, volume, weather, temperature etc… you should use them as opportunities to develop vocabulary around these concepts.

9. Fingerplay rhymes and clapping songs are a delightful way to help children develop motor skills and co-ordination .

10. The intriguing and fanciful stories, colourful characters and vivid language of nursery rhymes and preschool songs have fascinated children for centuries and helped expand their imaginations. People who live in shoes, dishes that run, eggs that sit on walls – what an enchanting introduction to the world of literature, storytelling, play-acting and make-believe.

11. Since there are always new children, there is never a need for new preschool songs and nursery rhymes. Children and their parents have kept them alive for centuries and maintained them as an integral part of our language and cultural heritage.

Upcoming project - Playgroup

I'm thinking of forming a playgroup for my little missy and some mummies who are interested.

Since, im working, my playgroup will be on sunday and we will take turn to organise in each other's home. We will have themes each week on activities to carry out.

Still studying the step-by-step of forming a playgroup.

So far, i have 2 mummies who are interested. However, both mummies have boys who will be turning 4 next year, missy will be 2 next year. So, we have to do something that suits all.

Hope this will be a success for us all, as i think home playgroup is more beneficial that childcare. They get to play, do structure stuff and socialise but in small groups.

Mummies get to control what type of activities to do.

My next year project. For now till year end, i'll be homeschooling my missy. y homeschool means doing something structured like reading/singing/rhymes/flash cards/practical life activities on weekday evening and weekends.

Solid food - recipe #1

This recipe is for baby above 6th months. In singapore, baby is recommended to start eating egg yok from 9th month onwards to in small portion. This is to ensure baby body does not reject egg yok or not allergic to it. as baby needs to take MMR (have egg yolk substance) when 15th month-old.

i've been letting missy ea porridge with fish(threadfin/cod/salmon) for the past few weeks (since mum not around) + broccoli+carrot+pumpkins..sometimes with drief scallops & sweet potatoes/potatoes.. i think she is tired of these food. so i thought maybe it's time for a change huh !

So, i got this simple recipe from my collection of baby recipe.


Ingredients:
1. 1 egg
2. carrot
3. drinking water

methods:
1. Chop the carrots into small small cubes, just a small portion of the carrot.
2. break the egg into a bowl , add about 100cc water
3. add in the carrots
4. put the bowl into a pot with water surrounding the bowl.
5. steam for about 20 minutes

Little missy seems ok with this steam egg, as she does not seem familiar with the steam egg texture/taste, i cook pumpkin porridge to go with the steam egg.

This is the first tiem missy eat the whole egg.A new try for her. No allergy so far ! *relief*

Raise a Reader -Upcoming activities

http://www.babycenter.com/0_how-to-raise-a-reader_11545.bc

Extracted from babycenter:

It's never too early to steer your child toward books. But for toddlers, the goal is not to make sure they can read the classics before they're out of preschool. "The phrase to remember is 'developmentally appropriate,'" says Roni Leiderman, associate dean of the Family Center at Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. "Parents often come to me wanting to push academics too much, too fast, too soon. In fact, children learn best through play. Make reading a joyous event for them."

There are many developmentally appropriate — and fun — ways to help your little one learn to love books and stories. And, surprisingly, not all of them involve sitting down with an actual book.

Use books to bond
"It's not about reading the words," says Leiderman. "At this age it's about learning to love the interaction with Mom, Dad, or a caretaker." When your child sits in your lap as you read aloud, she doesn't just enjoy books, she also enjoys the security of your undivided attention.

Set up a ritual
A regular reading time establishes a calming routine young children love — that's why the bedtime story is a time-honored tradition. But don't forget that many other daily events also provide good reading opportunities. Once in a while try establishing a new ritual with a breakfast story, a bathtub story, a just-home-from-daycare story. Some toddlers (and older children) who are heavy sleepers are much better able to face the day when their parents "read them awake" rather than hustle them out of bed.

Choose appropriate books
Toddlers love board books, bathtub books, and pop-up books — any type they can hold easily and manipulate themselves. They love stories accompanied by bright, clear, realistic pictures. And of course they love rhymes. That's not to say your 2-year-old won't appreciate the stories her big brother chooses — who knows, Rocks and Minerals may end up being her favorite book. Just make sure she has access to simpler books as well.

Repeat, repeat, repeat
Stifle your yawns if you've read The Very Hungry Caterpillar every night for the past month and your child still asks to hear it again. Repetition is a hallmark of the toddler years. "The reason children love to read the same stories over and over and over again is that they're so thirsty to learn," says Leiderman. You'll soon find that your toddler has memorized her favorite passages and is eager to supply key phrases herself — both signs of increasing reading readiness.

Ham it up
Lose your inhibitions when you read to your child. Growl like the Papa Bear in Goldilocks, squeak like Piglet in Winnie-the-Pooh. Kids love drama as much as adults do — in fact, your youngster may love to pretend to be the scary wolf in The Three Little Pigs. Encourage her, even if it slows the story's progress. She'll get more out of the story if she's participating actively.

Follow her interests
Choose books about her favorite activities — visiting the zoo, swimming, playing ball. Back up your kids' favorite videos and TV shows with books about the characters. You may be mystified by the appeal of Teletubbies, but if your child loves the cheery little creatures, she'll love the books about their exploits as well. Follow her lead, but do experiment with a wide variety of books before you decide you know exactly what your child will like. Your little girl who loves dress-up and dolls may, to your surprise, also be the one who asks to hear Godzilla Likes to Roar or Monster Bugs over and over.

Go to the library
Even babies like library story-hours, and they're wonderful adventures for toddlers. Your child may well discover a new favorite when it's presented by a beguiling librarian with a soothing voice and perhaps some pictures or puppets to illustrate the action. And, of course, libraries let parents — and kids — try out countless stories without spending a bundle.

Push play
Many wonderful books exist on cassette or CD. Your toddler may not be interested in them because what she really likes about books is the interaction with you, says pediatrician Laura Jana, a national trainer for Reach Out and Read. But if your toddler does happen to like them, great. She may want to sit with the picture book while she listens to the recording, or you may want to put it on while the two of you do other things. You could also record yourself — or another relative or friend — reading stories. Just remember, says Jana, that recorded stories can't take the place of sitting down together.

Don't make books a reward
Don't tell your child she can listen to a story if she finishes her dinner. When reading is associated with systems of reward and punishment, it isn't a positive experience. Instead, pick times to read that feel natural, such as when you want your toddler to quiet down before her nap.

Dealing with the wigglers
Some wiggly youngsters just won't sit still through all of Blueberries for Sal. What to do? "Sit down and leaf through something short for just 30 seconds, and then say, 'Wow, we read this whole book!' Then let them go," says Leiderman. The next day you can try a little longer session. "Some children will always be more interested in motor activities than in reading," she says. "Respect that, and don't make reading a negative experience." If your toddler is the physically active type, she may respond best to the non-book-related activities described below.

Make storytelling a part of life
"Promoting reading readiness is more than reading a traditional book," says Leiderman. While you're at the dinner table or in the car, tell stories — standards like "Goldilocks and the Three Bears" anecdotes from your own childhood, or stories that feature your child as a central character. Make books of your child's drawings or favorite photos, and tell stories about them — or ask her to be the narrator.

Point out words everywhere
Wherever you go, you can show your child that words are an important part of everyday life. Even the youngest toddlers quickly learn, for example, that traffic signs say STOP. Alphabet refrigerator magnets are staples in many homes. Other families label objects around the house, such as the shelves that house BLOCKS, DOLLS, and other toys. If your child is in daycare or preschool, slip a daily note into her lunchbox. Even if she can't yet read CAT, seeing the word printed on a piece of paper, along with a drawing or sticker of a cute kitten, will be a high point in her day and help excite her interest in reading. If this seems too ambitious, try drawing a heart or smiley face with a simple "I love you," which will help get your toddler excited about the meaning behind words.

Talk
Children from families who converse at the dinner table have larger vocabularies, according to researchers at Harvard University. Talk with your toddler, and don't be afraid to use complex words and phrases. Encourage her questions and explanations. Toddlers are curious and wonder endlessly about the world, so don't be shy about trying to explore her interests with her.

Demonstrate your own love of books
Your child wants to imitate you. If she sees books all around the house and knows that you like to settle down with one whenever you have a moment to yourself, she'll learn that books are essential to daily life. Modeling your own love of reading is more powerful than making your child sit through a rigid story time.

Books for you
Numerous books have been written for parents who want to nourish a love of reading. Try Jim Trelease's The Read-Aloud Handbook, E.D. Hirsch's Books to Build On, Elizabeth Wilson's Books Children Love, and Bernice Cullinan's Read to Me: Raising Kids Who Love to Read.

My own activities inspired by above reading:

I'll be making a lap book with family photos and photos of little missy .

She loves to see photos and she will point and call herself baby when she sees her own photos. so i guess i shall make full use of her interest and stetch her interest into something useful like recognising her family members.

Work in progress...will update when done.

Morning sickness- Girl ?

http://health.asiaone.com/Health/Women%2527s+Matters/Story/A1Story20080831-85083.html

Extracted from the website
The claim: Morning sickness means a woman's more likely to have a girl.

The facts: Old wives' tales about predicting a baby's sex - relying on clues like the way the woman carries and the foetal heart rate - are usually more fantasy than fact.

However, the notion that morning sickness can sometimes indicate that a girl is on the way may be an exception. A large number of studies in various countries have examined the claim and almost all have found it to be true, with caveats.

Specifically, studies have found that it applies to women with morning sickness in the first trimester and with symptoms so severe that it leads to hospitalisation. It's a condition known as hyperemesis gravidarum.

One of the most recent studies was conducted by epidemiologists at the University of Washington. The scientists compared 2,110 pregnant women who were hospitalised with morning sickness in their first trimester and a control group of 9,783 women who did not get severely ill.

They found that the women in the first group were more likely to deliver a girl and that those who were the most sick - hospitalised for three days or more - had the greatest odds: an increase of 80 per cent compared to the women in the control group.

Other studies in The Lancet and the journal Epidemiology, among others, have repeated the findings. It is thought that certain hormones produced by female foetuses may be the culprit.

The bottom line: Severe morning sickness may indicate a higher likelihood that the baby will be a girl.

This story was first published in Mind Your Body, The Straits Times, on Aug 28, 2008


Our own experiences:
Me/Jenny/Jane - all have morning sickness and girl
Jenna/Jenny's first pregnancy/Jan's first pregnancy - no morning sickness and boy..

So, it does make sense. heee

Baby Bottles- BPA

This news is not new. But, never really change my Avents bottles as AVA published the outcome that Singapore plastic bottles are within safe range.

AVA article:
http://www.agri-biz.com/ttd_bizenterprise/Singlenews.aspx?DirID=65&rec_code=176035

"24 April 08 The Strait Times



No ban as plastic baby bottles are safe: AVA



ALL plastic bottles sold here are safe and no stores have been asked to stop selling them, the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) said yesterday.
The announcement came after Toys 'R' Us voluntarily pulled plastic baby bottles from its shelves on Tuesday, in response to concerns that they might leach a potentially toxic chemical. A Toys 'R' Us spokesman here declined to comment on the decision.

However, it comes amid growing global worry over the safety of drink and food containers made from polycarbonate - a hard transparent plastic - which is produced using a chemical called bisphenol A or BPA.

A report by the United States National Institutes of Health, released a week ago, expressed concerns that BPA could affect brain development in infants and increase their risk of developing breast and prostate cancer later in life.

But tests conducted early this year by the AVA showed that the levels of BPA in baby bottles were within safe limits.

It also cited a 2006 European Union review which concluded that the average BPA levels taken in by adults and children did not pose a threat to their health.

Other local retailers, such as NTUC FairPrice and Mothercare, said they had no plans to pull the bottles.

The AVA suggested that worried parents minimise their infants' exposure to BPA by using lukewarm, rather than boiling, liquids. The bottles should be sterilised according to instructions on infant formula labels and allowed to cool before the milk is poured into them.

Parents can also switch to using glass bottles. "


However the outbreak of the news still create alarm to us, parents. The Avent bottles that i bought are BPA-version. Now, Avent revealed that their latest version are BPA-Free

http://www.consumer.philips.com/pageitems/locales/en_US/CONSUMER/grouppage/MotherAndChildCare/ArticlePages/BPA/img/Material_Chart_20080423.pdf

I think, maybe it's time to change new bottles ? I wonder how to use glass bottle.. so heavy and what if it breaks..

Sigh..Nowadays not easy to be parents huh !

Vaccination Online

Wow, so cool.

SG child's vaccination record/schedule can be found online. Each compulsary jabs are recorded. Optional jabs can be included by submittng your child's health record( optional jabs record are recorded in child's health book) for them to update on your child immunisation chart.

So very cool and convenient. Just login with your Singpass and input your child's birth cert ID or name/DOB. Simple as that !

http://www.nir.hpb.gov.sg/nir/eservices/eservice.jsp

Montessori Site

Loads to read: http://www.montessorimom.com/baby-introduction/

BB's teething update - 8th teeth

This one takes awhile to pop out, but finally it's out !

Montessori:The Three period lesson

one of the approach in Montessori is the three period lesson, which i touch on in my previous entry on the book i Read esp in sensory development. I think i will blog in more detail on this approach for my future reference.

The three period lesson has 3 stages:
Stage 1
take 3 objects. Place one of the objects in front of child and say its name clearly. Do the same for each of the other two objects.

This stage is characterised by the words "This is a.."

Stage 2
Place all thees objects together and ask for one of them by name. Once your child has identified the object you want, mix all three up together and ask for another one. repeat this until she is able to identify the objects swiftly when you ask for them.
Encourage her to repeat the name of the object after you from time to time, but don't at this point ask her to try to remember the name.
Keep this stage interesting and fun by varying the requests you make and keep them short so that her attention is not distracted by the command.

This stage is characterized by the words "Give me the ..Show me the..Put the..Hold the..Touch the..Point to the.."

Stage 3
Point to one of the objects and ask child if she knows its name.Do the same for the other two objects. Repeat this step a few times until she is really convinced that she knows the names of the object.

This stage is categorized by the words "What is this? Do you know what this is ?"

The lesson follows a logical process, which helps children associate objects and ideas and, through a more flexible application, it can also be used to great effect in learning any new knowledge.

The first stage clearly sets out the parameter of what is to be learned.

The second stage gives your child time to actively connect the new information to her own experience, If you don't give this phase long enough she may not have had enough time to gain the new knowledge. If she is unable to remember the names of the objects during the third phase, this usually means she has not spent enough time learning them properly in this stage.

The third stage helps your child to identify what she now knows that she didn't know before. To know that you know gives confidence. She may use her new knowledge to extend her ideas and experience .

mm.. maybe i should start with fruits like apple/orange/pear with my missy ? since she now knows orange is on the altar and apple is in the poster..shall try out.

Rhymes progress

After i keep singing the rhymes with action to little missy, she seems to like
(1) Pat-a-Cake
(2) The Wheel-on-the-bus

whenever she is running away from me, i can just sing these rhymes to get her attention back, she will stop, and clap hands then come back to me.. haaa.. cute !

Itsy-bitsy spider, im still learning.. i keep finding the words a bit tongue twisting.. haa.. old woman learning kid's rhymes !

Current Reading: Montessori Read & Write

Do some quick reading during Missy's nap time.

Some guidelines to develop concentration in children:
1. cut down the number of Tv/videos programmes that your child watches
2. if you are playing a game, try to have the table or floor clear of other distratctinf item
3. Make sure you have everything you will need to play before starting
4. When your child is concentrating on an activity, try to avoid interrupting.

Still reading the book

Body Weight matter

Wanted to record this for ages, just never got around to do it.. today i started my SAHM's life till end of this week, so, while missy is catching her morning nap, here i am in fron of my PC and of course, cooking her porridge at kitchen at the same time. Never HOPE maid to help, she din even know when things are boiled. wonder what kind of training they got before coming over to SG. *Thumbs DOWN*

From 0th month - 11th month

At birth(sept07) - 3.305kg / 49cm
Oct'07 - 5.1kg
Dec'07 - 3rdmonth assessment - 7.825kg/63.5cm - 50 percentile
Jan'08 - 8.4kg
Mar'08 - 8.6kg
Apr'08 - 9.165kg
May'08 - 9.1kg
Jun'08 - 9thmonth assessment 9.7kg/72cm - 90 percentile for weight & 75 percentile for height
July'08 9.98kg/74.8cm

Certain month, we never weigh, thus, teh above statistics..Missy had her very first diarhoea end of Dec'07 which lasted for 1 week plus. her first flu, in June'08 (9th month) and of course her very first UTI/hospitalisation due to duplex kidney in Aprl(6th month plus)

Just wish she grows up healthily and happily..that will make her mummy happy and healthy too.. heee

Rhymes with action - The Wheel son th bus

This ryhmes will be in used later.. just put it in my blog first.. cos i need time to pick up all these ryhmes..

The wheels on the bus go
round and round
roll forearms forward in a circular motion

Round and round,
continue to roll arms

round and round
roll arms

all through the town
draw a circle in the air

The horn on the bus goes
beep beep beep
press imaginary horn with hand

beep beep beep
press horn with hand

beep beep beep
press horn with hand

The horn on the bus goes
beep beep beep
press horn with hand

all through the town
draw a circle in the air

continue with:
the wipers on the bus go
swish swish swish
sway forearms back and forth

the driver on the bus says
"move on back"..
point over shoulder with thumb

The lights on the bus go
blink, blink, blink
open and close fists

The baby on the bus goes
waah waah waah
make cradling motion with arms

The parents on the bus say
"i love you"
hug child

Rhymes with action - Itsy Bitsy Spider

so far, missy already knows when i do the round the garden means tickle her armpit after circle her palm.. pat-a-cake means we clapping hands..little piggie still on going as she refuse to let me wriggle her toes when i sing the rhymes..she will just pull her leg up..

anyway, i shall add one more rhymes into our repertoire..:

Itsy-Bitsy spider

Th witsy-bitsy spider
went up the water spout
walk fingers up in the air

down came the rain and
washed the spider out.
wiggle fingers downward to make rain

Out came the sun and dried up all the rain
form a circle with fingers above head

and the itsy-bitsy spider
went up the spout again
walk fingers up again

This fingerplay suppose to train fine motor skills;listening;tactile stimulation

Current reading #2 : Teaching Montessori in the Home: Pre-School Years:

Teaching Montessori in the Home: Pre-School Years: The Pre-School Years (Teaching Montessori in the Home)

http://www.amazon.com/Teaching-Montessori-Home-Pre-School-Years/dp/0452279097

Another Montessori reading.. just got this book from col who help me to borrow from woodlands library.

Sort of glance through the whole book.

Summary of the book, extracted. Will make a copy of the detail of activities to be done in this book, follow the montessori way.

Montessori early years education ( 2- 6 )
- focus on precious formative years from birth to 6 years of age.

(1) Sensitive periods:

Birth - 3 years absorbent mind; sensory experiences
11/2 - 3 years language development
12/2 - 4 years coordination and muscle development; interested in small objectes
2 - 4 years refinement of movements;concern with truth and reality; aware of order sequence in time & space
21/2 - 6 years sensory refinement
3 - 6 years susceptibility to adult influence
31/2 - 41/2 years writing
4 - 41/2 years tactile sense
41/2 - 51/2 years reading


there are some misunderstanding with Montessory method due to her writing, as she stresses "word" instead of learning.

(2) Practical-life exericises:
For many parents, this mean asking their kids to do housework in school ?

opening & closing drawers - 21/2 - 4
busy board or dressing frames - 21/2 - 5
pouring rice - 21/2 - 5
dusting 21/2 - 5
carrying a chair - 21/2 - 5
folding a napkin- 21/2 - 5
setting a table 21/2 - 5
washing dishes - 21/2 - 5
washing hands - 3-4
washing a table 3-4
sweeping the floor - 3-5
polishing silver- 3-5
shining shoes - 3-5
lcaing a shoe- 31/2 -5
tying a bow - 4-5
bead stringing- 11/2 -4
bottles and tops 2-4
using a dropper 21/2 -5
cutting 3-5
painting & coloring - 3-5
working with clay
doing puzzles
sewing
nature study
geography


(3)Early sensorial exercises

three period lesson: ( repetition required)
first perioed : recognition of identity - make association btw the object being shwon and its name
second period : recognistion and contrast - to assure the child understands
third period : descrimination between similar objects - see if the child remembers the name itself


The tower - 21/2 - 4
cylinders & solid insets - 21/2 - 5
fabric basket - 21/2 -5
thermal bottles - 21/2-4
button games 21/2-3
rough and smooth boards 21/2 -4
silence game 21/2 -5
walking the line 3-5
basic tablets 3-5
mystery bag 3-5
sound bottles 3-5
color tablets 3-5
scent bottles 3-5\geometric insets 21/2 -5
geometric shapes 31/2-5
naming the colors 41/2-5

(4) reading and writing exercise
sandpaper letters- 3-5
command cards 3-5
pictures and sounds 31/2-5
the movable alphabet 4-5


(5)Arithmetic exercises
number rods 3-5
the spindle box 3-5
sandpaper numbers 3-5
writing numbers 4-5
number progression 41/2-5
measuring exercise 4-5

Current reading: Montessori Play And Learn

http://www.amazon.com/Montessori-Play-Learn-Parents-Purposeful/dp/0517591820
Montessori Play And Learn: A Parent's Guide to Purposeful Play from Two to Six

Im still reading this book. borrowed on Sunday.

Some Maria Montessori's background learned from this book:
1. She was an italian born in middle class family.
2. She was a doctor and was educated in ROME
3.She started her first school for age 3-6 , The children House in Italy.

The essense of the Montessori Method:
1. All children have "absorbent" mind
2. All children pass through "sensitive" periods
3. All children want to learn
4. All children learn through play/work
5. All children pass through several stages of development
6. All children want to be independent

The Absorbent mind
Mind that soak up all information unconsciously - eg language learns from parents
fisrt 6 years of life

The Conscious mind
Second phase 3-6- mind still absorbent, but now consciousness begins.

The Sensitive periods
6 sensitives periods:
1. Sensitivity to order
2. sensitivity to language
3. sensitivity to walking
4. sensitivity to the social aspects of life
5. sensitivity to small objects
6. sensitivity to learning through the senses

Children want to learn
Learning begins from birth and that the fundamental processes of how children learn are laid down very early in life. To start with, they learn through play, through experimenting with things in the world around them eg, water is wet, it can be cold and hot, it can be poured from one cup to another etc.

Learning through play
Play is enjoyable, voluntary, purposeful and spontaneously chosen activity. It is often creatuve as well, involving problem solving, learning new social skills, new language and new physical skills. play is important to the young children to help her learn new ideas and put them into practice, to adapt socially and to overcome emotional problems eg imaginative games

Stages of Development
Stage one : Birth to six
birth to three - unconscious/absorbent mind
Three to six - develop conscious mind , remain absorbent

stage two : six to twelve
childhood

stage three : Twelve to eighteen
adolescene

Encouraging Independence
exercises of practical life activities

Lots of activities given in this book. I have make copies of them for future reference.

Rhymes with action - This little pig

Another Rhyme for me to learn.. tiring huh ! i have to learn the rhymes one by one.. but when i see missy enjoying it.. all is worth it la.. heee..i still cannot recall learning all these rhymes back then.. mmm..

This little pig went to market.
This little pig stayed at home;
This little pig had roast pork <-- i change beef to pork, cos i don't eat beef..
This little pig had none.
And this littlw pig cried
"Wee.Wee.Wee."
All the way home..

Action: wiggle each of baby's toes in turn, starting with the big one anfd on the last line run fingers up to baby's leg and tickle tummy..

Weekend reading- Baby Read-Aloud basic

I managed to finish this book during this weekend, due to backache, i have to rest on bed and have the luxury to do some reading ..Thanks to MIL for helping me to entertain my little missy


I started reading to missy when she is around 5-6 months..i started flashing her flash card earlier.. as early as 2-3 months..as i think what's the point of reading to an infant who does not even have clear vision..haaa.. seems like im very wrong..

The book describe how important and useful, later in a child's life if we start reading to them earlier, as soon as she is born..this book introduces stages from 0 2 years old..

Summary of this book:

age 0-2 months - The listener
age 2-4 months - The observer
age 4-8 months - The coor
age 8-12 months - The babler
age 12-18 months - The word maker
age 18-24 months - the phrase maker

my bb is now 10+ months.. she is still in the babaler stage. suggestions on types of books to read to her:
1. homemade books about baby's first birthday
2. books with rhymes with repeating words
3. word books with label of objects
4. books that explore concepts : in/out/under/inside
5. books that illustrate action -running/jumping
6. books that flaps and noise buttons


Im thinking of making a family book with photos of her closer family member so that she remembers everyone..

and im thking when she is 1 year plus, i shall make small booklet with pictures for every places we visited, e,.g zoo, bird park, beach.. etc.. so we can always refer to these books for things we have done, such as in zoo, we see tiger/monkey.. we play sand on beaches..swimming in the pool.. we see peacock in bird park..mm.. lots of ideas but have to get it out first..

Busy mummy..

This week Reading - Gymboree Play

Found this Baby Play (Gymboree) book from lib. Interesting as it gives pictorial sample of activities to engage with baby of each month.

Shall try out some.

There are many activities to play with bb.. some that i wish to do woth missy as below:

1. Bubbles for baby - watching bubbles float: cause and effect/eye-hand coordination/visual development

2.Surprises Inside - wrap toys and let bb unrwap - fine motor skill/problem solving/tactile Stimulation

3. Little Drummer baby - pots/container for her to play as drum : cause & effect/eye-hand coordination/listening

4.How puzzling - big wooden puzzle pieces with colorful pictures - bought these matching puzzles some time back, it's about time to introduce to missy : fine motor skill/problem solving/size & shape discrimination/visual discrimination

5.searchlight - use torch light to let her search the direction: balance/eye-hand coordination/gross motor skills

6.Pouring Practise - play with sand - im thinking on her 1st birthday we shall go beach : eye-hand coordination/fine motor skills

7. Boxed set - give her few boxes with things hidden inside for bb to search : fine motor skill/problem solving/size& shape dirscrimination/spatial awareness

8. Rhymes with action -itsy-bitsy spider/The wheel on the bus

That's about all for bb's age activities.. shall continue to exploe more games for little missy


Games for 1 year-old
1. fun fileed jars - learning to remove lid and take out toys : fine motor skills/language development/social skills

2. Shake it up, baby : playing with handmade instruments

3. sand skills : sand is wonderful for artistic exploration. grasping and releasing the sand and using tools to manipulate it exercises toddler's fine motor skills and stimulate senses of touch

4. photo fun - help children sharpen memory skills by filling her world with images of familiar faces and intriguing objects

5.crayon creations: grasping and using a crayon build fine motor skills and eye-hand coordination. it also helps to identify colours and express herself by choosng her colours and scribble in her way pleases her..

6. Shape to fit - classifying skills/eye-hand coordination/fine motor skills/size & shape discrimination

Current Reading - Charlotte Mason Method

This week, my reading is about Charlotte Mason Method in parenting. Got this link from one the of the SAHM, as usual. They are full of information. heee.

http://simplycharlottemason.com/planning/eyguide/

mm.. Quote CM
"Education is a discipline - That is, the discipline of the good habits in which the child is trained.

education is a life, nourished upon ideas and

education is an atmosphere - that is, the child breaths the atmosphere emanating from her parents; that of the ideas which rule their own lives "


The quotes make me so determine wanting to nurture my child to be a well-behaved girl and grow up in a happy and cheerful environment.

Somehow, i already changing my home into a more cheerful, more child-like place compare to before.. i guess im on the right track..

Now, i may need to put in more effort in ensuring my child grow up to be a well-mannered and well-behanved girl.. her mummy aka me has a lousy temper, i hope she don't take after me. means, i've got to have my temper in check !

Nursery Play-A-Long - Pat-A-Cake

Recently, i've borrowed this book which i've longed to master since little Missy comes around.. I have never heard this rhyme when i was younger. Don't remember it at all. LGG too said he can't recall reciting this ryhme during his childhood day.. But it is everywhere.. librat/parenting books/activities..so i decided to learn it..

I can recite it now..heee Missy loves to hear it too when i recite it..but, we haven reach the stage that she is able to do the hand action..

Pat-A-Cake:

Pat-A-Cake Pat-A-Cake Baker's man
Bake Me a cake, as fast as you can..
Pat it.. Roll It... and Mark it With B
And out it in the Oven for Baby and Me..

Simple right ? must read it with rythm.. heee..there is a story behind the rhyme.. i've photostated the whole story, in case i forget next time..

The next Rythme, im going to learn is "Hickory Dickory Dock.."

Missy's reading - Touch & feel book

I thought i will good if i record down what i let missy read. This week onwards, i borrowed quite a number of "Touch & feel" book, which she loves so much ! I'm so satisfied to see her reaction towards these books, in my heart, I'm telling myself ! YES, I've got the right book ! heee

Sweet Dreams, Sam [Yves Got]
http://www.amazon.com/Sweet-Dreams-Chronicle-Books-Staff/dp/B000GFR9V2/ref=pd_sim_b_2


baby ABC - Roger Priddy - cant find the exact photo, it is the one with a bearand hairy ears on the cover page

Happy Reading, little missy !

Parenting Books

This is the book im reading now (borrowed from library).. which i find it very interesting and give me lots of ideas on what type of activity to engage with my little missy.

Entertaining and Educating Your Preschool Child (Usborne Parent's Guides)


amazon website on this book: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Entertaining-Educating-Preschool-Usborne-Parents/dp/0746001339/ref=pd_sim_b?ie=UTF8&qid=1217379235&sr=1-2

There is this another version for baby & toddler.. which is about the same as the one im reading. maybe i will search in library to see if there is this book available.

Entertaining and Educating Babies and Toddlers (Parents' Guides)
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0746000065/ref=sib_rdr_dp

Happy parenting !

Cognitive Development - A round in the garden

I've been playing this game with bb since last week, which is suppose to train her cognitive skill in remembering what had happened.

Simple game:

Hold out her hand and start singing this rhymes:
(Use finger play, combining words and actions)

Trace a circle on baby’s hand as you say:
“round and round the garden, like a teddy bear”, then walk your fingers up her outstretched arm while you say,
“one step, two steps,” and tickle him under the arm as you say,
“tickle him under there!”

bb enjoys this game, she already knows what im going to do whenever i started to circle her palm and say the "round and round the garden" she will smile before even i tickle her..

So, she has learned this game.

will repeat this game for few more weeks.

Motor skills -development

BB is able to hold her milk bottle now when we feed her with her milky..last time we used to hold for her.. recently, since last weekend onwards, she is able to hold her milk bottle when feeding until she finishes the milk.. Way to go !! *Proud mummy*

seems like her fine motor skill is developing well.. she can even hold one string of thread without much effort.. and can pull anything hanging which is very fine without much effort too.. *wink wink*


She started to dance more whenever there is music (nursery rhymes or her toys or my singing or tv show ).. she will bob her head up and down.. and shake her body front and back.. if she is in seating position,she will sway front and back too.. very cute as she is chubby.. u see like round round ball rolling like that... yesterday we noticed, she can shake her legs too when she hear musics.. very amazing.. as we never taught her how to dance. she just know it by herself.. thus, mum and i were thinking , maybe she has this natural instinct towards music ? mm.. good good as i wanna let her learn piano.. haaaa..*ambitious mum*.. not only that, she will sing together if we sing to her.. of course not the real words.. but she will mumble things with our singing..

Apart from her crusing at home, she now started to show more interest in walking.. she will always just let go and stand on her own.. and start to walk..shall see when she can do that independantly.. way to go my girl

She is officially 10 month yesterday and she already can do so much..her gross and fine motor is developing better than her age ..

Sometimes, i really think diet plays a great part. as she is drinking the best milk powder.. and she only eat home-made solids.. no colouring.. no perservatives.. no artificial sweetness.. all so natural.. maybe i should keep it that way at least until she is 3 years old.

Happy Feeding baby !

Milk Powder

Bb has been drinking Similac milk powder ever since i decided to stop breastfeeding around 1 month after she was born.

No reason why we chose Similac, cos KKH recommended Similac during our stay in hospital when she was born. so i just bought this brand for her.

Before she was born, i determined to give her full breast milk till she is 6 months but easier to say than do la.. some more working so troublesome.

But, i never regret choosing Similac after i started to have more interest in the milk powder contents, the contents really helps bb's growing.. eventhough the price os one tin of Similac is really not that cheap.. so far, it's the MOST expensive milk powder in Singapore but also the MOST popular brand for Singapore parents.. What to do, Singaporean are basically kiasu la when come to parenting and children..

Some of the areas Similac focuses on are the three below:
IQ (Intelligence Quotient)
Measure the potential cognitive skill or what people generally understand as intelligence in a person.

EQ (Emotional Quotient)
Measure how well a person interacts and gets along with others.

AQ (Adversity Quotient)
Determine one's ability to overcome setbacks.

Some of the terms i've learn from Similac milk powder are:
1. AA(arachidonic acid) and DHA(docosahexaenoic acid)
Brain and eye development
DHA and AA are essential fatty acids for developing brain cells, while CHOLINE aids in the mental functioning
2. CHOLINE
Mental functioning
3. TAURINE (is an amino acid found naturally in mother's milk. It supports overall mental development and function)
Mental and physical development
4. NUCLEOTIDES
Growth and development
5.FOS (fructooligosaccharides)and PROBIOTICS (good bacteria help suppress the growth of harmful bacteria inside the digestive system to keep it healthy)
Healthy digestive system


She already completed her Similac (0 - 6) months, switched to Similac Follow-on(6-12) months.. now we are going to switch to Similac Gain-IQ (1 years above) in 2 months time.

Hope the best for my bb's health.. mummy's pocket got one big hole for milk powder alone.. haaa.. but it's all worth it !

Books Im eyeing..

Only in tampines library ENGLISH 649.5 CLO (FAM)


In Sengkang & tampines library ENGLISH 649.51 CLO (FAM)


Sengkang only - ENGLISH q649.123 WOO-{FAM]


tampines & sengkang English 371.042 ADA - already got this book.


Sengkang & Tampines - English 649.5 KEM -[FAM]

BB's teething update - 7th teeth

Fast growing.. 7th already.. more to come !

Antenatal package -2007

Today, while helpign my col who just got pregnant, i digged out the expenses i recorded last time during my own pregnancy.. the following did not include (1) doc fees to confirm my pregnancy - saw 2 doc, 1 Gp, 1 Poly doc (2) charges for bb during her birth on checkup such as hearing and son on..

the following charges solely for my checkup and delivery in KKh private suit, under Dr John CS TEE - Senior Consultant

Follow-Up -Duplex Kidney

Yesterday we went to see Dr. Chao again to decode the DMSA scanning report done 2 weeks back.

well, good news.. both her kidney are functioning normally. as in the percentage aded from both kidney's fucntion is appx 100% , just like any normal person without any duplex kidney problem. But her left kidney has two portion, one additional portion function at 1/3 of the whole kidney's function-- duplex kidney, and the other normal kidney function at 2/3 of the whole left kidney fucntion..

so, we are so relief to hear the result of the scanning. Dr Chao said we can stop the antibiotics and see her only after 4 months later.. so finger cros no more recurrent UTI.

BB's teething update - 6th teeth

more to come..

Jesse bear series

To keep a record of the jesse bear's book to be borrowed from library:

Jesse bear series : by Nancy White Carlstrom

1. Jesse Bear, what will you wear?
Geylang East Community Library J P 03-06-08 English CAR

2. Climb the family tree, Jesse Bear!
Tampines Regional Library J P 26-04-08 English CAR
Sengkang Community Library J P 26-07-08 English CAR

3. Where is Christmas, Jesse Bear?
Sengkang Community Library J P 28-09-07 English CAR

4. What a scare, Jesse Bear!
Sengkang Community Library J P 02-06-08 English 398 CAR

5. It's about time, Jesse Bear, and other rhymes
Sengkang Community Library J P 28-05-08 English 398 CAR

6. Hooray for me, hooray for you, hooray for blue : Jesse Bear's colors
Woodlands Regional Library J P 19-07-08 English CAR -[BA]

7. Let's count it out, Jesse Bear
Sengkang Community Library J P 13-08-07 English 513 CAR
Tampines Regional Library J P 05-05-02 English 513 CAR

8. Happy birthday, Jesse Bear!
Sengkang Community Library J P 06-07-08 English CAR

9. How do you say it today, Jesse Bear?
Jurong Regional Library J P 16-06-08 English CAR
Marine Parade Community Library J P 30-06-08 English CAR

10. Better not get wet, Jesse Bear
Central Lending Library J P 28-07-08 English CAR

Not on loan yet:
11. Guess who's coming, Jesse Bear
12. Jesse Bear's wiggle-jiggle jump-up
13. Jesse Bear's tra-la tub
14. Jesse Bear's yum-yum crumble
15. Jesse Bear's tum-tum tickle


Those i bold are books i already have.

Children's right to play

chanced upon this article on website about children has their right to choose their game to play.. play is their right.. they have to play to grow up .. which i find it interesting and totally agree !

play nourishes every aspect of a child's development which lay the foundation of necessary skills development such as intellectual, social, physical and emotion.

Play paves the way for learning. It does not have to be structured activities all the time. Outdoor play contributes to children's physical development.

Young children need a balance of opportunities for different kinds of play, indoors and outdoors. They need the support of knowledge adults and parents who do the following:
1. Provide long, uninterrupted periods(45-60mins)min for spntaneous play

2. Provide variety of materials to stimulate different kinds of play -blocks and construction toys for cognitive development;
sand, mud, water, clay, paint and other open-ended materials for sensory play,
dress up clothes and props for pretend play,
balls, hoops, climbing places and open spaces for gross motor play

3. provide loose parts for play, both indoor and out and encourage children to manipulate the environment to support their play

4. consider the opportunities for challlenge and age-appropriate risk taking in play

5. recognise the value of messy play, rough and tumble play and nonsense play

6. take interest in their play, asking questions, offering suggestions and engaging eagerly as co-players when invited

Have fun !

Sleeping pattern

usually, bb will sleep around 8 plus to 9pm.. or much earlier. nowadays, even after her night feeding around 7 plus, she refuses to sleep.

She will yawn, but when we put her in her spring cot, she will turn over to become "spider-man" u know.. on fours in her cot .. like hanging on net.. *eye rolling* if we put her in her cot.. she will be performing her standing stunt.. let go hand.. fall, stand,let go hand, fall.. for many may times..after she is bored, she will be making noises..

I read many articles on how to make bb sleep on their own, one of the method is to let them cry until they fall to sleep after they are tired. so i thought bb now already 9 months plus, should be able to try this method, so yesterday again, she acted up, refuse to sleep.

I bring her to her cot, dim the light, close the door, then let her stay in her cot. she plays for awhile, then started making noise, wanted to be out from her cot. i ignore her, she is like pleading me to carry her out from her cot.. she then started crying.. getting louder and louder.. climb up and down.. she can still yawn whne crying.. it shows that she is very sleepy but refuse to sleep..

i have to be cruel to continue to ignore her..but my mum cant stand it, come in and carry her out.. SOB.. wasted my effort.. wasted bb's crying..

mum said this method is not good, cos it will scare bb..make her not happy..sigh.. i guess i cant use this method anymore.. since bb has her grandma to protect her..

Baby activities

I always try to do as much activities with my girl during weekends as possible.. as weekday i cant spend that much time with her, thus, got to make full use of weekends to bond with her more and at the same time stimulate her senses..

some of the games suggested by some of the website for baby games

1. stacking game
we are suppose to stack up the blocks and topple it in front of bb, they will do like wise in return. They will get addicted with this game by waiting anxiously to topple the towers/blocks.. my bb seem to know immediately how to topple it haaa..i think by nature all babies know.. but i noticed that she is able to grab the block on the top only.. an achivement i guess.. as it means her hand-eye coordination is good. she can grab the block she wants and then of course, send direct to her mouth...

2. tunnel game
we use big boxes to create tunnel and encourage baby to crawl from one end to the other end. my baby is learning to stand now, thus, this game is effortless to her. she can crawl with control. just the tunnel itself is new to her.. she has to go through an enclosure to reach the other end. Not much interest shown in our first tunnel game. Shall try again this coming weekend.

3. Reading
reading is always the encouraged even at very young age. She does not seem to understand what we are reading but whenever we read and we show her the pictures, she can stay quiet for awhile just to look at each picture shown to her. That's a very good achievement already. As it seems to progress from past few months of ignorance to now looking at each pictures flip to her ..

More games to come .. Have fun !

BB's teething update - Fifth teeth

Muahh.. 5th teeth.. lalalala..

Wall decorations

So, finally i've pasted the tulips and animals onto bb's room's wall.. the height measurement chart from fisher & price.. if u noticed it was a bit out of shape.. cos bb manage to grad it from the wall and pull it down..

so, you can guess the rest.. right into her mouth as she needs to test the taste other than the look of it..*eye rolling*.. that explains why the giraff chart become a bit wrinkled.. but i just paste it on ..

so, now my next project will be making her flash cards that i read from Dr Robert C. Titzer. I got a set of lift the flap cards from similac milk powder.. so will read on how they gain baby interest in flash cards..

Happy educating !

Antibiotics Study

There are 3 antibioctics that im interested.
1. Cephalexin
2. Nitrofurantoin
3. cotrimoxazole

All the above are antobiotics to treat UTI, especially E.coli bacteria.

Bb's been taking Cephalexin since she was discharged in April. 3 doses per day for 2 weeks. then once a day for 7 weeks.

In between, we switched to Nitrofurantoin as advised by Dr Chao Xin ming ( the nephrology specialist we are seeing now in KKH private children clinic )

So, this antibiotics is a mild antibioctics which is oral administered that does not achieve significant blood and tissue levels but is excreted in the actuve form in the urine. It is therefore only used for the treatment of uncomplicated lower urinary tract infection due to mosy gram positive or gram-negative bactiria.


extracted from website
Nitrofurantoin.
Nitrofurantoin is an anti-bacterial drug that is used to treat urinary tract infections caused by many gram-negative and some gram-positive bacteria. (Nitrofurantoin was approved by the FDA in 1953.) There are three forms of nitrofurantoin available: a microcrystalline form (Furadantin), a macrocrystalline form (Macrodantin), and a sustained release, macrocrystalline form used twice daily (Macrobid).
Nitrofurantoin can cause acute and chronic liver disease. Most commonly, nitrofurantoin causes mild and reversible elevations in blood levels of liver enzymes without symptoms. In rare instances, nitrofurantoin can cause hepatitis.
Symptoms of nitrofurantoin hepatitis include:
• fatigue,
• fever,
• muscle and joint aches,
• poor appetite,
• nausea,
• weight loss,
• vomiting,
• jaundice, and
• sometimes itching.
Some patients with hepatitis also have a rash, enlarged lymph glands, and nitrofurantoin-induced pneumonia (with symptoms of cough and shortness of breath). Blood tests usually show elevated liver enzymes and bilirubin. Recovery from hepatitis and other skin, joint, and lung symptoms is usually rapid once the drug is stopped. Serious liver disease such as acute liver failure and chronic hepatitis with cirrhosis mostly occur in patients who continue the drug despite developing hepatitis.

so far bb does not exhibit any side effect from the once daily antibiotics. it is rather worrying with the long term side effect to the liver. But i guess doctor must have reason for the continuing oral antibioctics. she said to prevent UTI till she is 1 year old.

The alternative antibiotics that bb can take is cotrimoxazole ( trimethoprim + Sulhamethoxazole), this is also to treat UTI. it active against a broad spectrum of gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria. This combination is used to treat gram-negative UTI Side effect is skin rashes inclusing Stevens-Johnson Syndrome.

bb does not like the taste of Nitrofurantoin, but due to the stronger side effect from cotrimoxazole, i rather continue with nitrofurantoine than switching over to cotrix.

So, shall seek doc advise when see her again in July.

BB's teething update - Forth teeth

Yipee.. bb's forth teeth pop out le..all her central incisor are out.. so we shall keep track for her lateral incisor..

so within 2 months April- June ( bb's 7th month - 8th month -plus ) she has all her central incisor.. good job !

Muak.. happy teething.

BB's food

yeah, you can see how much effort mum &i put in to ensure bb get the nutrition she needs at her age..

At her age now, 8th month plus, we no longer just feed her brown/organix rice cereal, but we add in more solids like vege + fish.

Usually, we will cook in the morning and feed her in 2 sessions, morning and afternoon. We will boil the vege/pumpkin/sweet potatoes/carrot/baby spinach/peas.. in a pan and cook rice in another pan..the aftre both cooked/boiled, we will put into the blender to puree it..

we will slowly turn the pureed solid into a coarser solid so that she can get used to our adult food.

Food we feed her so far:

vegetaboles:
1. brocolli -Broccoli is very high in Vitamin C and is a great source of soluble fiber

2. Carrot- Carrots are very high in beta carotene. Beta carotene is a Carotenoids, a set of darkly colored pigments called provitamin A carotenoids that can be converted to Vitamin A

3. Cauliflower -Cauliflower (like other veggies in the same family such as broccoli and brussel sprouts) is packed full of phytochemicals which are said to help prevent cancer. A cup of cauliflower is packed with Vitamin A, Vitamin C and even calcium.

4. Sweet potatoes-They are high in Vitamin A and beta carotene as well as potassium. They also contain a good amount of Vitamin E, calcium and folate

5. spinach -Spinach is an amazing source of Calcium! Spinach also contains respectable amounts of Vitamin A and Selenium

6. Peas- One cup of peas contains more protein that a tablespoon of peanut butter and also provides calcium, Vitamin A and C and Iron

7. corn- Corn contains a good amount of protein and carbohydrates - making it a great food for energy

8.Potatoes-white- The nutritional value of White Potatoes is really not all that high. While white potatoes have respectable amounts of Vitamin A and Vitamin C, as well as potassium, their starch component is high

9. tomaties- loads of vitamin C ., whihc helps to absorb iron.

10. radish - Radishes have a very sharp flavor and are good sources of folate, calcium, potassium and fiber

Fruits:
1. Kiwi
2. apple
3. blueberry - once
4. banana

fish:
1. threadfin


shall add more like cod/salmon in her diet soon.


Happy feeding bb..

Good source:
http://www.asiaone.com/Just%2BWoman/Motherhood/Stories/Children%2527s%2BHealth/Story/A1Story20080612-70509.html

BB's vocabulary 01

Bb's now loves to call her papa.. she can "papappapapapa..papappaappa..papap" all the time.. i keep telling her.. "mama. mama.. mama.." she will ignore me and continue to "papapapap...pappapa".. sob

most of my fren's bb's first word will be papa.. so, im kinda expecting this to happen.. i wonder why baby find pap is easier than mama.. for us.. we think both equally easy in the sense that u just put ur lips together and it'll be either papa or mama... but why papa first..

shall find out more on this and blog about it.. heee

BB's teething update -third teeth

Bb's third tooth is out.. the upper centra incisor.. rather big tooth compared to her first two..

My Weekend project

This weekend i finally find time to do something for bb's room's decoration.. i wanted to buy the wall stickers to create some colourful environment for bb which i strongly believe will help to stimulate bb's senses.. i noticed she is easily attracted to colourful toys or decorations..

so this is what i've made. tulips..using patterns i found from magazines.. this is when those magazines that piled up for so long come to use.. heee.. talking abt recycling huh..

nice bo..i will go n get the 3m wall sticket tmw and get it pasted on the wall.. my next project will be to create a family tree with her granparents photos and all.. shall post here when done.. sometime la.. dunno when can have time to do all these..