Nathan@8months

Nathan's 8 month old on Christmas eve.

This yr's quite special, cos, as in the past, we often missed christmas, usually away either on holiday or mission trip. There were consecutive years when we actually missed christmas at home. So this yr, we made it a point to have home cooked dinner with family on the eve, it turned out quite pleasant. Nathan was well behaved, sitting happily in his high chair, playing and smiling lots to granny and grandpa, made their night truly so special.

Christmas day was at Tina and Jim's place. I made shepherd's pie and green salad. Everyone brought some food. We had ham, turkey, pasta and even chocolate fondue, thanks to joel and Grace. Quite an incredible spread. We all can cook, YES!

Boy is friendly these days, if he' s not hungry or sleepy, he could play on his own in his high chair and I could easily leave him there for a good hour, which leaves me good time to mail or read a book. Hopefully, with age and maturity, he could play on his own even longer. Now, he still couldn't crawl, so quite 'stuck', not so fun for him I think. Once he could explore on his own, he would probably have a more enjoyable time.

Thank God for helping me to persever this far, another 4 months, my boy would be one yr old, and that is remarkable! These days, his appetite has also increased tremendously, eating two big portions of porridge a day, about half a bowl size. When I see him gulp down what I have carefully prepared for him, it really makes my heart very glad cos i know good stuff's going down his little tummy and making him grow.

Cute, really cute

Nathan's cute, truly he is!

Some afternoons, we would just lie next to each other on the master bed and stare into each other's eyes, and smile. He likes being tickled at the sides, rubbed on his tummy, kissed on the cheeks and ears. He's adorable during play. Chong would put a ball on his head to see if he could balance it, of course, most of the time, it would drop the next sec, and Nathan would smile at that. His cuteness is hard to use words to describe though, if everything could be tapped down and replayed, the happy times.

Just introduced egg yoke and yogurt this week. He doesn't like the sour taste of the later, nor the creamy texture of the earlier, but great selection for babies for nutrition, gonna try again and again. Think yogurt helps him to poo better too.

Still a seaty boy most of the time. He would be dripping with sweat even though he was just sitting down quietly and moving very little, just chewing on some balls or toys, he is a HOT baby, and his ganny still complains that i don't dress him up warm enough when I go over for dinners on Sundays. Hmm?

He would be 8 months old soon in 6 days' time. Yeah, more interesting food to introduce to him, how exciting, hope he is a good eater, not too late for new adventures!

Shopping with Nathan

It was going to be a long day today cos Chong won't be home till 9.30pm. I thought I would be bored stiff if I don't get out of the house. Anyway, we haven't been out to meet with sunshine for the entire week, it'll be good for boy and mom. So, after his usual breakfast, got us changed and we headed down to plaza Sing for some shopping.

It was spotlight stop first. Shopped around for some fabric suitable as sofa cover. Hunted high and low, and finally chanced upon something to my liking, ordered 2.6m. nice change for the Christmas and new year. And then walked further, bought a fresh piece of plastic for the dining table, one with christmas prints, hmm, gold plated, cool.

Enough of spotlight, went to check out the christmas clothing collection. G2000, Chong's favourite stall, and guess what, my eyes were immediately set on a RED turtle neck top, yes, bought it without trying on. With Nathan around, can't get into fitting room too long. Next was Mphesis, tried on a poked dot bermudas, think it looks pretty trendy, poked dots is definitely in for all time, and berms ...? nice change.

Nathan was well behaved much of the time, except when I had to put him in the carrier, didn't want to stay in pram. So the pram was used for my shopping goods. We hoped on to carefour to buy our favourite aloe vera drink, sweet potatoes and pumpkin to top up his food supply for the comimg week. Slept 20mins in the pram and off we went to Mavis's house.

It is always refreshing to meet up with other mums and their kids at their homes. Mavis is a great model example of one stay home mom. She's pregnant with her third child now, how blessed is her womb. Didn't talk much, we just sat there watching the kids play by themselves and laugh at their playfulness. For Nathan, he was rolling about and sitting around, still wanted to be carried much of the time, probably cos of unfamilarity. It was a good afternoon spent there.

Quite a pleasant day, first time out shopping alone with Nathan has been rewarding, boost up my courage to do it more often, but of course, weighing on the pockets though.

Year end fun

Well, Nathan's going to be 8 months come christmas eve, clearly a day to celebrate his growth and developments. One huge milestone however has yet been achieved; he is still not sleeping through the night. And wakes up 4-5 times some bad days. My dad said he's probably having bad dreams, or so I disagree, he just wants mama to cuddle and nurse him back to sleep. It is my pre new yr resolution that he be TRAINED to sleep on his own before jan 1! Hope his dad supports my decision, cos he suffers the screaming boy during those long late nights too.

Mobility, well, this roly poly has yet learned to crawl. he sits on his high chair pretty well, in fact, that's the one way to keep him happy and occupied while I go about my daily chores, like now, blogging. otherwise, he lies around, rolls around, does his usual push ups, sits on a grey mat ... not very active ya.

Still hovering 9kg, some lesser days, some days more, hope he stays this way else I really can't carry him longer, my poor back and arms ... can't catch up with his weight.

Year end, many meeting ups with old friends and new, making merry, feasting, singing, and praying, hopefully, a time to remember our unsaved family and friends, to pray over their salvation, and rekindling of good times with loved ones. I love the season more than any other, besides the cooler climate, its just a jolly good way to end a year, with lots of laughters and fun.

We were hoping nathan could crawl around help us up with christmas tree deco, but clearly, our expectations r too far fetched for him, we got to do it alone again, just dad and mom, perhaps next yr, he'll be of greater help. This yr, he'll just sit and stare, and smile at the fake green tree with glimmering lights.

Baby is sick

It has been a tiring week! First it was cold for 2 weeks, then fever, then out came the rashes...

I noticed one night when he started scratching his head, thought it was his usual hair pulling fun, then the next morning, I got a shock when I saw bright red dots all over his head and body! Panic attack, quickly wiped him and got changed, ready to visit the doc, a fourth time in a short span of 3 wks!

Rang the doc, said it was nothing serious, just outbreak of measles. Nothing could be applied or subscribed. So, stay home, rest and rash would subside within 3-5 days. Thank God, I was relieved.

Boy lost appetite too, think he lost some weight too, sob sob, but slowly and steadily, hope he up his food intake soon.

Really, what we pray and hope for everyday is a happy and healthy baby, anything more is bonus.