Copycat or is it baby's development???

Nelson just turned 14 months yesterday (17/04/09) and he has achieved so many things.

As a parent, we need to show good manners and behaviour as they will mimic us as they grow. Nelson learns the art of "Bahasa Indonesia"... yes we want him to be able to speak and communicate in our mother tongue. He has picked up several words which he can actually apply it appropriately.

For example,

1. Nelson knows that whenever Mummy or Daddy calls his name, he needs to answer and say "Apa??"... which means "what/yes??"

2. He also knows how to say "Enga apa apa".. translating "It's ok"

3. He would say "Mamam" if he's hungry

4. Gung Gung = Kung Kung = Grandpa

5. Ba Ba = Po Po = Grandma (he still cannot say the word "Po")

Nelson also develops this long form baby vocabulary "papapa.. gagaga.. bababapapapa.." which translates "I don't know what I'm talking about". It intrigues me so much that at such a tender age, babies can pick up certain words and remembers them.

When Nelson started family daycare, the Carer tells me that Nelson always calls for me saying "mamam"... I forgot to tell her that it means "I want to eat".. Now she understands and whenever Nelson says "Mamam" she would bring his food and feed him.

Life is beautiful and precious...

The "Tale of Monkey & Lobster" portrays how love from parents are unconditional no matter how tough it is. Even imperfection cannot stand in the way of love from your parents. As a parent myself, I will always love my children and do whatever is best for them. This blog also shows how precious life is and to enjoy and share every day and every moment with your family and loved ones.

Everyday - morning & night, I would shower my son, Nelson with cuddles and kisses and letting him know that Mummy loves him very much. Nelson understands and he would in turn "kiss me" with all his saliva. Eventhough he is only 14 months old, babies are very sensitive and they can sense emotions. They know when you are happy or sad and they can make you laugh when you're feeling down or angry.

I wish I can be a full time mum but isn't this luxury not available to everyone?? In a hindsight, I enjoy every second and minute I play with my son and no matter how hard it is emotionally, physically and financially, I will always love him unconditionally and be the Best Mum to him!!

Blogging... the new means of communication

Recently I have been addicted and following couple of blogs and am amazed as to how many audiences blogging can capture just by diarising your life. The blog "Tale of Monkey and Lobster" captured my heart and attention in a way that I was able to feel the pain and siffering of loosing your baby. It transported me back to exactly a year ago with vivid pictures of my son sick with NEC (neocritising endocolytis). It also made me appreciate and love my son even more.

I have never thought of jotting down daily the bitter sweet memories which took place 1 year ago from the birth and the ups and downs that I experienced in being a new Mum.

I started blogging my experiences - joyful experience as well as some sadness, last year but I must admit that I have not diligently entering my thoughts and experiences regularly. I realise that blogging also helps in sharing your thoughts with others and down the track my son will be able to cherish all the wonderful memories that we share throughout his childhood.

First Chinese New Year & Australia Day

Everything is the "First" time for Nelson... yes Chinese New Year time!! The tradition of wearing new clothes flows on to Nelson (but not to the parents anymore)..

Nelson gave me a quizzical look when I dressed him up for CNY eve dinner at my parents' house. How come I am the only one that gets dressed up he wondered???

Food was nicely prepared on the dining table... and Nelson wanting to blend in and take part in the festivities!! I have taught him how to greet Popo and Kung Kung when we arrived inorder to get the "Ang Pao".

When Popo gave the Ang Pao to him, he gave a questioning look asking "Mami.. what is this?".. how come its small, thin and has no sounds??? I explained to him that there is money inside to buy toys. He gave me a "ya" sound as if he understood what I was telling him.

The next day we took him into the City to join in the Australia Day celebration. Well... Nelson was a good boy.. and enjoyed carrying the flag and being an Aussie.

Where has the time gone???

Nelson is 11 months old now... yes almost reached his first milestone. Time really flies and sometimes I wonder where it has gone??? My maternity leave is coming to an end and this is my last week as a "stay at home" mum before work pressure start to mount me!! Frankly, I'm not looking forward to going back to work... but then again situation pushes me to go back especially with the current economic crisis. We want what is best for our little boy..

Yes I followed and seen all of Nelson's personal development over the last 11 months and I must say it has been an extremely joyful and rewarding experience being a MUM. Nelson is now sitting up, crawling, standing (with some support of course). He loves reaching for his Dad's sound system... the more we stopped him, the more curious he gets and reaches out for it!! Yes.. another stubborn head in the family.

Another experience is the contraction of MEASLES at 11 months!! Which really caught me by surprise. Immunisation is not even due until 12 months old. But I'd guess at the end everything did work out as I was meant to go back to work this week..

Nelson's First Christmas & Overseas Trip

Time really flies when you're enjoying yourself caring for your baby and watching his development.



The time is here for Nelson's first X'mas and New Year which was spent in Surabaya, Indonesia with his grandparents, Aunties and Cousin.



Yes.. travelling overseas for the first time for a first time mum was very daunting, tiring but at the same time exciting. At the age of 9 months, Nelson has gallopped around on planes to Hong Kong, Singapore and Indonesia (Jakarta and Surabaya).



Are these the lifestyle for kids nowadays enjoying a jetsetting lifestyle at such a tender age????



Advice and tips for first timers travelling with Infants.... Pros & Cons :-



Cons:

1. Pack Extra!! Especially nappies, wipes and clothes. The Airline (Singapore Airlines) provided high level of service and assisted in sterlising our baby bottles.



2. Be prepared to pay for excess baggage!! We did as we needed to bring the baby formula and food due to Nelson's conditions



3. There will be no time for self pampering and shopping - this is agood in a way as it leads to saving monies!!



4. Screaming babies on the flight - Nelson was over exhausted on the way from Sydney to Hong Kong. He cried for approximately 1 hour on the flight from Singapore to Hong Kong (we had to transit in Singapore for 2.5 hours) but fortunately he managed to dozzed off until we arrived at Grandma's place.





Pros:

1. You receive excellent service in the Immigration and Customs everywhere!! They give priority to parents travelling with Infants. The louder your baby screams the better it is and quicker is the service!!



2. You get all the attention everywhere you go and excellent service in the shopping malls as well

3. The enjoyment of spending time with your little one in a foreign country

Nelson's activities at 8 months

Nelson is now 8 months old... yes the big 1 is almost nearing!!

At 8 months, Nelson has developed really well and is an extremely active baby. Sometimes I wonder if he gets tired from rolling over, kicking and playing? I even once asked my GP if my son is hyper active... and she said "Would you rather have a non active or active baby??".. That's a valid question and I would personally have an active kid as I know he's meant to be doing what he is doing.

Nelson loves to grab things, bangs them on the table and then chucks them on the floor... the satisfaction of hearin the sounds brings smile to his face!! That money cannot buy..

The biggest milestone is saying the words "Mama"... it brings tears of joy and melts my heart. The other word that I have been teaching him is "Mamam" which means "eat".. he can say this too, letting me know he's hungry!!

How adorable are children?? All these little things that they learn each day and communicate to you.. Nothing can take these precious moments away