Joy & Pleasure of Xavier's First Dip

Have been wanting to bring Xavier for a swim but he is too young to be in any public pools, so we brought him to the Baby Spa @ Changi Point. This is their new branch, just open in Jan 2012. There are 3 small & 1 big pool. Something special about this branch, the small pool used to be like a bathtub but now parent can get to see their little one kicking through the glass panel.

Started to prepare Xavier for the swim - change into little swimmer diaper & the handlers will then play some music in the pool area Guess wat!!!! ABC - Xavier favourite song!!!

As you can see, the first dip into the warm pool, Xavier is a little tense and he grabbed tight onto my hand.

Shortly, Xavier become more confident and relaxed. And he gets more accustomed to being hang and suspended in the water. Very soon, Xavier start to swim on his own and with a smile.

That's papa & mama with Xavier in the pool



We also managed to record a video :> enjoy!!!

Fasincated

were playing with Xavier and found that how fascinated he was with the hanging chinese new year deco haha (: All of us giggles as we see his reaction to it.

More on Xavier Rolling Over

He does it all the time now, as soon as you put him on the floor/bed on his back he rolls over and can't roll back yet so after 10minutes or so he starts screaming to be rolled back over.

Miraculously, he does not roll over in his crib during nap time. All he does is wiggles all around. Hope he will stay this way....

Should continue to EBM when mama is sick?

mama is down with a sore throat and flu !!! :( Doctor prescribed medicine that are safe to take while BF. Should I continue to EBM when I'm not feeling well??? so worried that I might pass the illness to my little one. Googled and the answer is:

YES!!!! The best thing you can do for your baby when you're sick is to continue to breastfeed. When you have a contagious illness such as a cold, flu, or other mild virus, your baby was exposed to the illness before you even knew you were sick. Your milk will not transmit your illness to baby, but it does have antibodies in it that are specific to your illness (plus anything else you or baby have been exposed to) - they'll help prevent baby from getting sick, or if he does get sick, he'll probably not be as sick as you

Withholding your breastmilk during an illness increases
the possibility that baby will get sick, and deprives baby
of the comfort and superior nutrition of nursing.

So that's it.... I will continue

Mama & Xavier "FIRSTS"

Hubby is on guard duty today. Left home at about 715am. Will only be back on Sunday 8am.

Decided to bring Xavier out for a walk together with yiyi & Ah ma. Mama & Xavier had our few "FIRSTS" today.

• Took a cab - Xavier got a blur look when in the cab, he must be thinking where is papa's car? Btw, thanks to the cab uncle for helping me with the stroller
• Took MRT - North east line from sengkang to Serangoon. Xavier slept throughout the journey
• Stroller on the escalator- am proud that I can handle the stroller well when travel up and down the escalator without hubby's help. Yeah!!! Finally I did it on my own. Used to find it quite dangerous though. Nowadays, Xavier will always look back and give a warm smile when travel down the escalator... so cute rite!!!! Will try to capture it somedays :)
• Changing Diaper in the stroller - Nursing room is too far... so I have to change his diaper in the pram... thought that he would fuzz about it but no....

Today, I'm really happy... everything was so great.... Looking forward to our next "FIRSTS".

Milestone - Xavier learn to roll over (back to front)

At day 132 (4mth 1wk & 5days), he has learn to flip from his back up to lying on his tummy! Woohooo. Once he did it, he was proud for about 3 seconds and then did not want to be on the floor any more!!!But the thing is he can only mainly flip from the right side and he still learning on how to flip back to his back again.

I also realise that his learning to flip is quite probably also due to the harder play area that we put him on. We have not allowed him to play on the ground and he is usually either being carried by us or put on his or our bed which is soft. We have seen him trying to flip several times but was not successful, I think the harder surface that he is on now makes it much easier for him to learn to flip. And he has managed to transfer that flipping technique to using it on softer surfaces!

Xavier rolled over for the first time a couple of days ago. Today was the first day I could catch it on video! Xavier is such a persevere & patient little guy.... Muacks!!!!

Xavier new trick - high five

Xavier gives papa a high five! Good job, baby!!!!

What next? flying kiss, clapping & bye bye.....

Its our 7th year!!

Today, is our seventh year wedding anniversary. Reaching this marked of marriage is remarkably. Of course, there were up and downs but the best of it all is we have weathered all the storms.

I just thought of posting this today to thank my hubby how great husband he is even though there are times that i am mean to him. Haha!!! I love my husband so much coz he loves me unconditionally. I am very grateful & feel so lucky having him in my life.

He is perfect for me because of his imperfections.
To my loving hubby,Thank you for loving me and taking care of me.
I love you so much!

Stylo Xavier

Taken a lovely pic while out shopping with family today......

A step closer being a SAHM

Back in the olden days, the idea of staying at home with their kids is seen as a waste of time and economic opportunity. However, times and attitudes are changing.

There are great advantages being a stay at home mom. The bond that mothers build with their children when they stay at home is a great bond. Mother will feel very rewarding & fulfilling. I am very much looking forward for that day to arrive (should be very soon ba??). The benefits for staying at home are immeasurable. Children grow up so incredibly fast, I don't want to have any regrets for not spending enough time with my little one. It is not an opportunity offered to everyone, I'll treasure it.

The thought of it makes me so happy everyday. I can get to kiss and cuddle him and tell him I love him many many times a day. He will have home-made food and have meals together everyday. We'll able to sing, baby talk, tickle and laugh together. These are the moments and memories that I long to have.

Taking care of children at home is often underestimated and under- considered. Being a SAHM is a full time job. I know it will be exhausting and difficult than I can image, physically and emotionally. But, as long as I'm able to form a beauitful bond with my baby and witness his every stages of growth I know is all worth it....

Thoughts on parenting from decades ago....

Before this, I have never heard of Khalil Gibran but one of his text on parenting and children caught my eye.
"Our children are not your children.
They are the sons and daughters of Life's longing for itself.
They come through you but not from you,
And though they are with you yet they belong not to you.

You may give them your love but not your thoughts,
For they have their own thoughts.
You may house their bodies but not their souls,
For their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow,
which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams.
You may strive to be like them,
but seek not to make them like you.
For life goes not backward nor tarries with yesterday.

You are the bows from which your children
as living arrows are sent forth.
The archer sees the mark upon the path of the infinite,
and He bends you with His might
that His arrows may go swift and far.
Let our bending in the archer's hand be for gladness;
For even as He loves the arrow that flies,
so He loves also the bow that is stable."
I especially like the last bit about parents being the bow and children the arrow - so true!

First Rolling Over

My little one isn't rolling yet, only onto his side
So, for the past few days, we have been practicing with him

And something great happen this morning....
Out of no where, my little one did his very FIRST roll over from tummy to back
at that split moment, baby was amazed by himself on what he did
we applaud his efforts and smile... He looks happy & proud!!!!

Baby did his 2nd roll over during his play time with ah ma
Oh gosh.... I miss it...
I'm dying to see him do it again.....

should I discipline my Baby?

Gotten some advise from some mommies & daddies
alot feels that babies should be discipline but definitely not in way you might think
discipline does not mean punishment
After all, a baby cannot talk, lacks reasoning skills, do not comprehend cause-and-effect, and yet to achieve understanding in many areas.

So as a parent, we should:

• Prevention-keep the baby safe & feel secure



• Build relationship -parent and child can communicate through giving and receiving cues



• Distract, redirect and follow through

What to avoid:

• physical discipline - slap legs, squeeze hands, pinch arms, swat mouths and spank bottoms. Harsh discipline can scare baby. It can reduce healthy exploration and risk taking resulting lower self confidence leads to lower IQ scores. The more children are spanked, the more likely they become non compliant, aggressive and antisocial.



• Avoid overusing the word "no"- must use it appropriately
  

A baby is just a baby. They are not being "bad" or "defiant" or Manipulative"; they are simply responding to the new world around them in the only way they yet know how....

It's important to get in the habits of practicing positive discipline ASAP... no more spanking from now onwards.... :)

Bowling Session 15 Feb 2012

Bowling session with colleagues @ East Coast Marine Bowl

3 groups in total

&

***the winner***

---Ladies in the house---

Laugh & Squeals

Xavier laughing out loud, squeals in delight and lots of babbles
really make our day

Happy 4 Months old

Happy 4 months old.....

papa & mama Love you, lots of kisses!!!!

He now weighs 7kg and a height of 64cm

Passport photo

photo taken by hubby while Xavier seated on his bumbo

cute right!

After edited DADA~~~~ this will be used for his passport photo

Soon, we'll be bringing him on a long trip ;)

Random thoughts

Every little setback has always made us stronger
Being a parent, has changed us for the better
It's a gift to bring life into the world, the thoughts of baby xavier make me SMILE & give me STRENGTH

Xavier New look :)

Got his hair shave on the 4 Feb 2012, Saturday at 2pm

papa & mama was worried that baby might cry or fuss about it

so we brought along his favourite rattles & sophie to distract him

We also brought along his personal chair....

When we reached the salon, we put him on his bumbo and wrap him with a towel

To our surprise, Xavier was not bother at all...

He enjoyed the whole shaving process

***Thumbs Up***

Xavier will be 4 months old in another 6 days. Yippi!!

健康快乐，幸福平安

Baby Workout

Our Little Xavier used to hate tummy time, he will fuse the moment I lay him on his tummy---I Know baby has to work extra hard against gravity to keep his head up -- it's strenuous...

But recently things started to improve.... with better neck strength and head control.... he started to enjoy his tummy time.

Also introduce a new essential baby product ---- Bumbo. Xavier is able to sit up with no support for at least 10 seconds.... yeah!!! a little improvement everyday

Will continue to practice on bumbo!!!!

papa & mama Love you, muacks!!!!

Shave or not to shave???

Xavier got a few bald patches from lying on his back too much
Thought of shaving his hair... so that can grow more evenly
Currently, he has nice beckham hairstyle which I couldn't bear to shave off. I'm afraid that once I shave it off, it will not be as nice as what he's having now.

HOW.... Shave or not to shave?????

Is it true that shaving a baby's head (or cutting his hair very short) makes the hair grow in thicker and stronger?

If yes, I will do it!!!!!

Cranky baby of the day

Xavier is such a cranky baby today
Keeps on yawning but just refuse to nap

He cries and screams after feed

Go from 3hours to 2hours feeding

Seem like he is not drinking enough

All he wants is Milk....Milk & more Milk

Is my baby going through a growth spurt????