Out of the High Chair

Last week, we bought 2 little chairs, 1 from Giant and another from Ikea.

The height of the chairs were just nice, her feet could touch the floor when she sits on them.

Teaching her the concept of sitting still during mealtimes...hopefully this is a little start to potty training.
We placed one of the chairs at Anna's place (where Thaleia goes during the day). Anna shared with me that Thaleia made a lot of noise when her cousin Charity sat on her chair. Perhaps Thaleia was trying to scold Charity for usurping her throne . I think I should pass Anna my digital camera so she can capture and I can see such dramas. Well, I guess that's the usual complain of a working mum. You miss little dramas like this.

讲华语运动

Recently, David made an observation. Thaleia would give us quite a blank look when we start to speak to her in Chinese. So the campaign is on. Mummy is in charge of speaking Mandarin and reading Mandarin storybooks while Daddy does the English.



How Day 1 of the 讲华语运动 ended:





If only there were more Mandarin stories available in boardbook versions. That would save us some scotch tape.

Top 3 Adorable Moments

Adorable moments frequently replayed in my mind:

Number three: When she sticks out her little tongue at the question, "where's your tongue, Darling?"

Number two: When she sways her upper body left and right continously upon hearing songs with a nice beat

Number ONE:

The look on her face when she is eating her biscuit and half-dozing off in her car seat..check it out.. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eQRrQN7p6n0

Mastering the Art of Walking

It looks like my little girl has mastered the art of walking. I passed her a biscuit and see if she can walk and eat with a biscuit in one hand at the same time. She managed okay!

As Baby T's weight had hit extremes (to the right of the weighing scales) when she was around 2months, we were concerned if her weight would affect her physical development and mobility in the first year. After reading up on Glenn Doman's articles and advise on creating a condusive environment to encourage physical movements for babies, we took some deliberated steps:

1) The prone position for sleeping since 2 months:

According to Glenn Doman, this is actually a more natural sleeping style for the tiny babies and they actually belly-crawl in their sleep. I did not go to the extend of building a crawling track around my bed but most of the time, my little sumo was sleeping on her belly. It suits her well too.

2) Spending as much time as possible on the floor

No playpens. Just a floor mat, mum, dad and the baby having fun.

3) Arranging bedroom furniture to facilitate her "cruising" once she could stand

We bought a small low height sofa and right placed it against the wall, next to the mattress where she sleeps. Most of the mornings, when she wakes up, she rolls near the sofa and pulls herself up to stand and cruise to reach for the toys placed at the end of the sofa seat.

4) Playing catching once she could crawl
This game really put her navigation skills to test as Mummy chases from the bedroom to the kitchen with a "scary" voice, "I'm gonna catch you, Thaleia!"

Milestones: Flipped at 5.5mths. Commando crawled at 7mth. Crawling well at 8mths Cruising at 9mths Walking all right at 14mths. It is pure joy seeing her grow.

The Start of Home Lessons

Started a home lesson programme for Baby T since 7 June. Each night her little school bag is filled with her home school materials for the next day. Thanks to Aunty Anna for executing the lesson plans!

A typically day consists of:

• A theme
• A story of the day
• Hands-on fun
• A basket of things associated with the theme or story of the day
• A hand-sign of the day

Example:

• Theme: Colours
• Story of the day : Brown bear Brown bear, what do you see by Bill Martin
• Hands-on: Coloring with crayons designed for baby's tiny fingers (found this in Japan)
• A basket of balls in red, blue, yellow and green color
• Signing: Me (hand on chest, tapping once)

I must say, this masterpiece by Bill Martin is a godsend. This book is always there when we needed to have Thaleia's cooperation during the sometimes challenging routines like diaper change, clothing her after a bath etc. She enjoys the rhythm of the story, and the brightly coloured animals introduced to her through the pages. Hubby and I must have chanted this story at least 50 times. She does not get tired of it, it seems..

"Brown bear, brown bear, what do you see? I see a red bird looking at me. Red bird red bird, what do you see, I see a blue horse, looking at me..Blue horse blue horse what do you see, I see a ..." See! I can even memorise the story now..

Outdoors at Loewen Gardens

It is always such a joy to spend time with her outdoors. Seeing her basking in the sun, jumping deliriously on the trampoline, so carefree and vibrant, makes my day. Thanks Aunty Chiewy and Uncle Phil, for constantly engaging Baby T in play. Really enjoyed our brunch at The Pantry on a Saturday morning. It is a cafe designed for group outings, located at Loewen Gardens, complete with a playground, swings and Bobby cars! Her smile says it all.

Just yesterday, I chanced upon a website of a non-profit organisation in American called KaBOOM!..A "interesting" name indeed. Addressing the decline of play in the lives of American children, they have been involved in creating over 1750 playgrounds to date. After spending the day at The Pantry, I wish there are more places like it, for little people in our little island. Don't let play decline!