I am sitting unsupported

A week after the CNY, Annabelle can sit up unsupported. Being a worried mummy, I tend to put my hand around her and hold her a little to refrain her falling on her back; you know what Annabelle did, she pushed my hand away... If she could speak, I think this is what she is trying to tell me: "I can sit up by myself. Is okay, mummy! Do not need to hold me...".

Actually, we are so happy and proud that Annabelle is moving on her development milestones pretty fast. We enjoyed seeing her progress. We loves to taking video and photo on all these special moments before it past.

 Annabelle, you did well... Good job!!!

2012 Chinese New Year :) Happy Feeling

I waited eagerly for this Chinese New Year. Usually I was not that desparate, I guess reason being; this year CNY I have our "papa princes, mummy annabelle girl" to celebrate with us. I remembered clearly, I was only 16 weeks into my pregnancy for last year CNY; but the feeling of having her to celebrate this year CNY is so joyful, satisfying and one more word HAPPY!!!

This is what I meant!!! 满足 ＆ 幸福 (Satisfy & Bless)

My "ang ang" Chinese New Year costume

To welcome the CNY, we got many pieces of new dresses/ clothes for Annabelle. One of the most important thing, the papa insisted to get her a traditional CNY blouse (an "ang ang"~ red red one) too. On the eve of CNY, we got ready her ang pau (our very first ang pau to her). I tell you, the feeling of giving ang pau to others is so different as compared to a mother and father giving to their own children. There is a chinese word to it 满足 ＆ 幸福.

It is our culture many years ago, we need to wish our parents during CNY before we receive ang pau from them. So, this year; since all my sisters are coming back for reunion regathering on the 2nd day of CNY, we had our wishing session 拜年 that day then. Of course, this year; we are blessed to be able to carry Annabelle in our arm, wishing our parents and receive ang pau from them. The feeling of it is really at the top of the world.

"Gong Gong & Popo, Gong Xi Fai Cai..."

We also pay visit to our relatives during CNY. On the 3rd day of CNY, we visited our relatives from my mother's site. All my uncle and aunties were so excited and happy to see Annabelle. Annabelle got so many ang pau from them too. On the 4th day then, we visited our grandparents in Setapak. Though it is a short visit, I think it is a nice experience for the us and children to be able to spend some time with the old and elderly. It is all CNY is about...

A photo with our grandparents/ greatgrandparents (for the kids)

Seeing everyone's laugh, smile and joke in the house, I felt I am definately gifted with a good family. We bond really well. We take every opportunity to gather, though the man in the house "communicated" on the manjung table, I really enjoy the time spend with my family members during CNY.

Happy Family

祝大家新年快快乐乐，身体健康。
小孩们快高长大。。。

Her First Solid Food

Annabelle is approaching 6 months soon! As being adviced by the paediatrician, we can start her on solid food at 6 months old. However, Annabelle had been eyeing on food when we eat every now and then and she is trying to get hold on anything from cup, mug, plate, bowl and cutlery on the dining table.

I had been doing some search online on solid food and ways of preparation for the past few weeks. A week before Chinese New Year, I have decided to feed her rice cereal from Nestle (Cerelac). Since this is her first try on solid food, she did not seem to like it. I have noticed that what I fed her, she could not swallow it much but the food remains in her mouth. When I checked that with my colleague, she mentioned to me that it is pretty normal and ask me to try again as once she gets the momentum to swallow she will enjoy it and chase after the feeding spoon.


















So, I thought that rice cereal could be a bit plain and bland; I had prepared sweet potatoes puree one day and fed her. I put her on the hair chair, got all the feeding gear ready and here we go. She is okay for the first 10 minutes, soon after that; she becoming cranky and turning her body like "ular", I have no choice to bring her down and put her at my lap and continue feeding. Oppss... she rejected it again. I told Ivan: "Sweet Potatoes project failed!". In the end, I found out the cause of this; I have chosen the wrong time to feed her. She was too hungry and wanted to have her milk instead of her the sweet potatoes.

Yummmm... yum.... yum....

Oma....oooommaaa...

My very first high hair papa mummy bought for me.
Let me see what can I scoop out with this spoon.

The effort of feeding Annabelle her solid food does not end. I tried again on last Saturday. This time, I choose the right time, repeat what I did last week. She is so happy eating the sweet potatoes and finished the portion in the bowl. :) (Big smile on my face! and a "GOOD GIRL" marked on her book).
Finally, the solid food project is successful and more to go... Annabelle, you are lucky as your mummy would like to try other type of puree and I am sure you are going to like it.

Papa, We Love You!!!

I rejoined my Master class yesterday with UTAR after a semester leave of absence due to my pregnancy. I planned to take two subjects which means two days of classes from 7pm to 10pm. This was not a big deal for me 15 months ago. Of course, for now; it is not a big problem but I have a slight worries in my heart. How about my baby when I was away for classes??!!!

Few weeks before the new year, I had told Annabelle that "mummy is attending classes for two days in the evening, you be good girl, be with papa!" I do not know how much she understood but I still tell her assuming that she can remember it. The day has come for the class commencement, Ivan has called me before the end of the day; he said "Baby, do not worry about us. I am going back to fetch baby now, I will take care of her well, you go to your class and be focus in class. We see you in the evening."

I went to class and had the introduction lecture then. Many times, I was about to pick up my phone and wanted to text Ivan to check on Annabelle but I told myself, they are going to be okay. Finally, when Ivan called me; he told me that he fed her, changed her, and she was playing, crawling crawling on the floor now. I was so pleased to hear that. But Ivan also told me, she knows that I was not around; she was a little cranky because normally I was the one that comfort her to sleep.



And she sleeps like an angel while going to fetch mummy :)

At 9.30pm, Ivan brought Annabelle along to pick me up. I saw her sleeping like an angel in the car seat. I felt so happy to see her. At dinner, Ivan showed me this facebook status message; I was in tear after seeing it.

"Ah today my wife starts her Masters Class!!! All the best baby... dont worry about the both of us as we will be fine!!! We will be playing together and I will feed her, change her and put her to sleep... you just concentrate in your class OK! We love you Shirley Tiew Shuet Ling! Love Ivan Vincent and Baby Annabelle!"

God, I am so thankful to you for blessing me with Annabelle and a wonderful husband by my side. Ivan is so supportive and encouraging in whatever I do especially in my studies, on top of that; he is such as good and responsible husband (papa) that is able to take care of his child in the absence of me. I am so proud of him.

Message to Annabelle (when you read this when you know it): "Baby, you have a wonderful papa. In whatever you do in the future, you must always remember that how papa was by your side when you were young; you are always Papa Princess!!! He love you"

A Backdated Post: (Back-->Tummy, Tummy--> Back)

Yes, this is a backdated post. I reminded myself that I need to record every milestones of Annabelle in this blog, that is why I looked back at my camera recording; wanted to post this two videos on Annabelle's first turnover.

Annabelle started to turnover from her back to tummy on the 10 Nov 2011 (at her 3 months 6 days). At first she was struggling as her hand got stuck everytime she is on her tummy. She will cry and scream for help. Ivan and I need to help her by gently pulling her hand out and place it at the right direction. I remembered posting this status on my facebook.

After her roll over, she gets irritated and cry as not able to find a right position to sleep. I woke up almost every 2 hours because of that. But nvm, this is mummy's girl; I don't mind to do anything for her!
November 11, 2011 at 7:32am

Through some reading, it says that it is normal for baby to become irritated and cry because they may find it uncomfortable if they stay too long at their tummy, but they will get over this stage and turn to their back at about 5 month old so or.

Then to our surprise, on 18 Nov 2011; Annabelle managed to turn from her tummy to her back.

Yeah!!! Annabelle you did it... :)

Her First Crawl - A great achievement!

It was a great achievement for Annabelle on the last Saturday. She started to crawl... Yes, it is at 5 months 3 days old, she did it...

As usual, Annabelle, the early baby, woke up in the morning at my parents' apartment refused to sleep back and wanted to get out from the room. I brought her to the hall and put her down on the mattress. She started to flipped and turned around. She slowly moved her body out from the mattress and reaching the floor. Annabelle started by looking around the place and rested her head on the floor and began to move forward a little. Without any delay, I dashed into the room and took my camera and recorded a moment that I would not regret. Little by little, she is crawling... I was so happy seeing her progress. Though I was happy, I can't stop myself from saying "Careful!!... careful!!... 小心!!.. 小心!!". Of course, I was worried because this is her first attempt trying to crawl and she was on the hard surface and I really hoped that she remembered that she is not on the mattress.

While recording, I encouraged her to reach out to my handbag first which is not too far from her. Then, I thought I could captured her attention to the cup of coffee and spoon that I was having, but she had a better spot on. She spotted the leg rag/ carpet that near the kitchen. Anothing funny action she did that worth mention, "Tong Tong Cheng" (Ivan described it that way as it looks like lion dance step). We both love to see this step and can't stop smiling whenever we recall what she did.

I had researched on the net, this type of babycrawl is called the Belly Crawl also known as the commando crawl! About half of babies begin crawling by keeping their tummy against the floor as they move. (http://www.parents.com/baby/development/crawling/types-of-baby-crawls/?page=2). According to the source, the "Tong Tong Cheng" style that she did is actually preparing her so that she can crawl on her four when she is ready.

Seeing her crawling and trying to reach out to the object she targeted, I know that my baby has grown up; she is exploring more. I am so glad that she is not afraid and very brave in taking each step in her milestones. I also know that she might get hurt sometime during this stage, as mummy I  had to be ready with it as I guess too much of "protection" to the baby may delay her development.

To Annabelle, papa and mummy are very proud of you. Mummy had written a "GOOD" in your good/ naughty girl book.

Mummy DIY toy for me



Lucky girl, many toys to play with at all time

 

Mr. Panda & Mr. Lion

Annabelle is so lucky that she has many toys given to her by the papa, Uncle Shah, Godma and Godpa, and uncle and aunties. Recently, when I try to change her diaper, I am facing so much of problem. She likes to turn and flip over to her back (oh yes, exposing her bump bump.. :p), I had to get something to attract her attention so that my project of changing diaper will be successful.

As she grows, she is attracting to the diaper changing beg, the diaper itself, the napkin than her own toy ~ panda & lion. Out of no choice at one of the morning during changing time; I gave her the finished Pureen wet wipe plastics. She was so fascinated with it and nicely looking, turning and playing with it. It gives me an idea that I should D.I.Y. a little so that it is safe for her to play. That night, when I was home, I took some tape, and taped the edges of the plastics and since then it is a new, "cost efficient" toy for her.:)

She can hold pretty well...

After a little DIY, tape the corner of the packet, this is her new toy!

She enjoyed playing with "squeaky" new toy that she can squeeze to make sound. Like my sister in law suggested, next should be twisties plastics, plastics bottle and etc... Hahaha... good idea but need to ensure the safety and cleanliness of the item though.