Bible Verse of the Day

Growing Up

You are currently browsing the archive for the Growing Up category.

The Caterpillar Shuffle

September 8, 2006 in Ethan, Growing Up, Milestones | No comments

Ethan is able to sit for a much longer time now, with no support. However, when he gets tired, he will topple over to one side and move over to face his front. We like to put him on his playmat, as we feel it encourages him to use his limbs and allows him more freedom of movement. Anyway, once he is free to go on his playmat, he will begin to do the Caterpillar Shuffle.Instructions for the Caterpillar Shuffle (Ethan-style):

  1. Lie down on the floor, face front.
  2. Push up and support torso with arms.
  3. Push butt up and try to move forward.
  4. Move backwards a little.
  5. Roll over
  6. Squeal
  7. Rotate body (Clockwise or counter-clockwise depending on mood)
  8. Repeat the above steps in any order
  9. Repeat till tired

Ethan has been performing the Caterpillar Shuffle for some time now. But yesterday, to our delight, Ethan made some progress! He lifted his butt, and being attracted to his toy we placed in front of him, just out of his reach, he began pushing himself forward! His first crawl!Quickly, Pete grabbed the camera to record this historical moment. Unfortunately as soon as Ethan saw the camera, he stopped moving, turned to face the lens and SMILED a wide toothless grin. SIGH… this happened a few times – we tried cajoling him with the toy again and again, but our boy just wanted to pose for the camera.

In the end, we were not able to capture any shots of our crawling baby (YET). SORRY…. We’ll try again some other time (and be sure to post the shots).

My Labor of Love

August 30, 2006 in Breastfeeding, Ethan, Growing Up | 1 comment

I’ve heard that breastfeeding supposedly becomes easier when baby attains the age of 6 months. Well, when I first started breastfeeding Ethan, it was certainly no walk in the park and at that time, I could not wait till he was 6 months old. I was under the impression that once he reaches 6 months, he would not be so dependent on milk as he would already start on solids.6 months has come and gone, and I must say that I am quite wrong about him being NOT so dependent on my milk. Yes, Ethan has been taking rice cereal for about 3 weeks now and yes, he appears to be enjoying it, but I am happy to note that he STILL prefers what he knows is BEST: Mommy’s Milk.

To date, he is taking a few spoonfuls of cereal mixed with fruit or vegetable (he loves pears, carrots and apples) at lunch time every day and completes his meal with milk. Sometimes I will give him some fruit for dinner when I get back from work. I’ve read that up till the age of 1, a baby’s diet is to comprise mostly of milk in order to provide adequate nourishment. I’m glad our Ethan is doing a great job in fulfilling this fact.

I’ve watched our boy grow from a small fragile infant into an active and bulat baby. I’ve watched him mature from crying for every single thing to babbling incoherently to giggling uncontrollably when he plays. It is so very rewarding to witness this miracle of growth, to have my spirits uplifted each time I am greeted with that toothless grin, that gentle touch and those big loving eyes…and to know I have provided him the best by breastfeeding.

What a blessing Ethan is to us! I know I will miss being his sole food provider in future as he grows up, but for now, I will enjoy this magical bond we share. And I know I will never forget this experience for the rest of my life.

Daddy’s Little Boy

August 16, 2006 in Ethan, Growing Up | 2 comments

Relatives, friends and even strangers have offered their opinions on who Ethan resembles. Most of them say he resembles Pete whilst just a handful say that he looks like me. However, a picture speaks a thousand words…so judge for yourself…

Second Swim Attempt

August 12, 2006 in Ethan, Growing Up, Sports | No comments

Determined to get Ethan accustomed to the water, we took Ethan for another dip in the pool. The baby pool was rather hot and unshady and conquered by some other kids, so we took him to the shallow end of the adult pool instead. There was no one there at that time, so it was the perfect opportunity for him to discover the water. I first went into the pool and showed him how fun it was, splashing on the water.
Then when I carried him in, he started kicking his feet!…. and smiling! Slowly I began floating him in the water, all the time talking to him reassuringly. Our boy was enjoying himself!
He proves to be a water baby after all…

Whee!!! I’m having so much fun!!

Let’s see if I can do this…

I’m bored now Daddy… can we call it a day?

Bland Cereal and Milk

August 12, 2006 in Ethan, Food & Feeding, Growing Up | No comments

Six full months of drinking breast milk only has earned Ethan the right to move on to solid food. On the menu today, I prepared rice cereal mixed with expressed breast milk, stirred to a runny consistency. We put him in his yellow Bumbo seat, got him garbed in a bib, had a hanky ready and proceeded to feed him.The first mouthful was met with a sour look and a “What’s that you are feeding me, Mommy?” expression.

Most of the cereal dribbled out the corner of his mouth though. He then grabbed the feeding spoon and began to play with it. Of course, we were hoping he would feed himself la…. hehehe… no such luck as he only used the spoon to hit the Bumbo seat and tried to chew on it.



All in all, a successful first attempt and I am not complaining. Six months of exclusive breastfeeding also earned Mommy a “present”: a slice of yummy apple crumble cheese cake 🙂

Poolside Rendezvous

July 23, 2006 in Ethan, Growing Up, Sports | No comments

Took Ethan “swimming” today at the baby pool in our apartment. Actually it was an unplanned occasion, as we had planned on taking him only at 6 months. But while shopping yesterday, we got a really huge bargain on the swim diapers and I promptly bought a pair.Eager to try the swim diapers out, we decided to take Ethan for a quick dip dressed in his new “swimming trunks”. He really looked like a big boy in the trunks, if I might say so myself. Anyway, already 5.5 months, so he should be ready for the pool, given the fact that he kicks and squeals happily during his bath time.

Upon reaching the water’s edge, I went into the pool first and then carried Ethan and sat him on the edge of the wall of the pool. He looked slightly confused – he must be thinking “How did my bathtub get so large?”. I then sat him on my knees, and slowly got him accustomed to the water. But when I tried to make him float on his front, he started making “manja” sounds…never mind, will try again another day.

Newer entries »