Nathan@4months

Boy has become more responsive with age. He is also able to lift his head 90 degrees, like in the pic, also my favourite look. He smiles more often these days, but haven't yet managed to capture one on camera, cos it's never sustained. And when you desperately have the zoom ready and tickles him, he can't be bothered with your efforts. That's him, in a world of his own.

Some friends commented he looks big for his age, other passerbys still thought he's either 2mths or younger, we're not sure, guess he's avg, but in terms of mass, he's definitely a growing babe, weighing almost 7kg now @4months, making my arms ache sooner when carried. He's still fussy, wants to be carried. Just weekend ago, he made our lives terrible at AMK hawker. I queued for half hour for teochew porridge, and he wouldn't let me enjoy my dinner in peace, refused the pram.

Other days, they were better. He would watch Barney on Tv and Hi5, all on his own in his blue netted chair and wouldn't bother me a bit. Some good days, he would even sit on my lap and listen to stories for 30mins, that's long attention span. Wonder how much got in..? I'm not one anxious parent forcing him to be literate too soon, but I pretty much enjoy stories myself, the dad knows best. He was my audience for the longest time, and now there's little Nathan to share with.

The carrier's been serving us well. Went to Carrefour to get more containers to make space for new stuff, and Golden mile complex to have dumplings, and he sleeps through the journey, from place to place, good boy!

I look forward to the day he can play by himself for longer stretches of time, and learn to enjoy his play things too. Now, he still needs my company.

3 more days to 4 months

Juz these few days, Nat has been trying out his hands for things, like lifting up his shirt, crabbing at things and, pinching mom and dad too. Some of his pinches can be really painful, esp when a tiny bit of skin gets pulled off. He's putting his fist into his mouth too, much of the day. And in his sleep sometimes. Babies just need something to pacify themselves, eh? Btw, we're a no no to the silicon pacifier... so Nat has learnt other means to do it.

We bought him 2 soft books last weekend. One for couting to 10, and the other reading from A-Z. He is attracted by the colourful designs of the book, but doubt he understood anything read to him. I've been reading Dr Seus "hop on pop" and "the mixed up chameleon" too, if he's in a good mood, he'll patiently lie in his cot and follow left pg to rt pg all the way to the very end!

More sounds lately, and he's even beginning to 'shout' or increase his vol when he wants something. Any other sounds is still better than crying or wailing ...

Developed some patterns too, like pooing in the mornings, taking an hour nap about twice in the noon time, and sleep by 10.30p.m. at nights. Glad that he's finally set up his own routine cos mommie's bad with that fixed pattern.

Just got a new baby bjorn carrier too, second hand. Easier to handle him in there, freeing my hands for other chores. Probably makes going out easier too.

Last Sat, brought him out to the park to walk, and amazingly, he actually fell asleep in the pram! Nothing of this sort has happened before. He fusses alot and doesn't like staying in there, esp when he's awake, still preferred to be carried.

Oh, and he's drinking water from mug mag pigeon bottles! Which is a great sign, at least he takes to bottle, makes it easier when it comes to solid food in 2 months' time.

Fancies

Boy boy has new fancies lately. He enjoys listening to songs like 'twinkle twinkle little stars' and 'old Macdonald had a farm'. As you know, the second song has no end to it cos there can be so many animals to name. And when mommie does the actions and sounds of the various animals, he smiles back at me. I wonder what he is thinking ...

Nathan has also learnt to flip sideways, not very successful at a full flip over from front to back yet, but I can see that he's learning to do that very soon. Seeing each new development at different stage of his growth is fun.

But, he clings on to mommie like glue stuck!! Esp when he's gloomy, rather, sleepy. When he's happier, he is willing to lie down in his cot and be entertained by stories read to him, or look around his colourful cot. He seems to like looking up at the ceiling, even when the lights' off, does he like white background? Strange boy.

I survived the week all alone with baby when daddie's at reservice. Good grief he could return each night to sleep, else I would have been truly home alone ... but not actually, with nathan around, i'm never alone man.

My arms are aching from carrying him, growing at a fast rate, bet he's almost 7kg now, not reaching 4 months old yet. Wonder how I'd carry him until he starts walking, which is 1 yr old??

May God give me muscles quickly.

Outing @ Xiao Gui Lin

It was mummy's 1st time there, as nathan too. The wind was strong, which made our pictures look fantastic, like some kind of a 'star' eh?

Nathan was sleepy much of the hike, partly becos of the nice breeze I guess. It was a Friday noon, Chong has taken time the afternoon off from work to bring us out, cos he thinks mummy needs a break after a week long...

I really appreciate gestures as such, cos starting out as a full time stay home mum is no kidding matter at all. I truly understand what it means to be patience and endure! I thought facing naughty students at school was bad enough to test me out, but to my surprise, my very own son is far more testing than any difficult student I've encountered before, even one ADHD boy I once had in class. Well, of course, being patient with a crying baby, esp one made up by your very flesh and blood is different from somebody's else child. Though the crying is trying, I still find it all worth it.

Seeing how he has grown, adding more layers to his face and limbs make my heart truly glad. To think a rather 'thin' mum can produce a chubby babe, is to many people's surprise. This is God's design, isn't it?

Nathan @ 3.5 mths old

Nathan has since become more responsive, stays awake longer and plays longer too. Some of the things he could now include:
(a) Follow the musical mobile in circular motion.
(b) Turn his eyes towards noises, esp dad and mum's voices.
(c) Smiles spontaneously, sometimes laughs in his sleep too.
(d) Lifts up head at 45 degrees, almost lifting his chest off too, but can't flip over yet.
(e) Likes being kissed on the hands and tickled at the sides.
(f) Makes more noises, mainly the vowel sounds.
(g) Pays attention when you talk eye to eye with him, seems to learn to understand.
(h) Learns to turn his head around to watch TV... which is a bad sign eh?
(i) Still very active, kicks alot during changes.

Unfortunately, he still struggles with gas in his tummy, and over the past 2 days, been crying quite a bit. I teared alittle last night seeing him in such discomfort. His cries can be very saddening, he would choke, and cry till his voice sounds coarse. Any parent's heart would go out to him.

I've been praying with him everyday, any time of the day, esp when he starts his crying spree. I wouldn't have been able to manage if without the Lord being with me during this time. May he give me the strength to hang in there, and more importantly, joy, despite the difficulties of the child.

Next week would be a great challenge, cos I'll be home alone with the baby, as daddie's away at reservice. sob sob, God, please help!!!