pre and post christmas cheer

For those whom I had not wished some Christmas cheer: merry belated Christmas and happy new year! Christmas came and passed in such a jiffy! I wished it would be longer. We threw a Christmas Eve seafood steamboat supper for our youth and young adult leaders. Thankfully, mom-in-law was willing to help prepare some delicious chicken broth which made it all the more sumptous. Marketing with Michael was challenging, especially when he's excited to look at the different things offered at the stalls and we had to be careful as the floor is slippery and wet. It was the second time I get to prepare crabs for a meal and I forgot about those thorns jutting out of the claws! Baby was franctic being left to play alone as I got absorbed in preparing the food in the kitchen. Finally the crowd came to the rescue. With 4 or 5 people surrounding our little star, he decided to settle for some play and talking. But it was pay back time from mommy the day after - he virtually superglued himself to me and refused to let me leave him, even to make his meals.

We received many presents, even Michael received presents, which made it all the more exciting. Unwrapping presents now had to wait till we have recouped our energy and Mikey baby has slept. Besides a wipe and write board book, t-shirts and an angpow, this baby was given a multi activity walker with a electronic activity board that could be detached to be placed on the floor, placed in a sitting position or fixed with wheels as a walker. He was having a great time exploring the dashboard this morning. Really really grateful to Michelle and Danny for this costly gift, and for lugging it all the way from Singapore - thanks for the love!

In conjuction with Christmas, I decided to let Michael try some finely flaked cod fish (they are so expensive now adays!) but he doesn't seem to like it; preferring sweet potatoes and carrots instead. Maybe he's got a sweet tooth like me. Also starting him to eat some brown rice porridge with spinach and fish - he doesn't like it either. I'll let him try a few days more and then we'll see. He's scooting more often then crawling, many times attempting to stand. Looking at him grow, I can't stop telling myself how fast time passes - he's nearing 8 months now. Soon he'll be walking and talking. I do feel a little impatient wanting to see what he'll be like as more of his personality shows as he grows. On the other hand, I do wish time would not pass so quickly so I could savour him as he is now more. Maybe I'm afraid that I would forget how he was when he's little. To be honest, I seem to have forgotten how it was when I went into labour and then confinement. And now, a new year is just around the corner. Another new mile with changes coming my way. I'm excited!

first sign

I truly understand how frustrating it is not being able to get your point across, you just end up feeling annoyed. Michael grunts and throws tantrums when he couldn't get me understand what he wants. For a seven-month old, he's very expressive and assertive. We have been having battles of baby crying versus mommy trying to survive the travailing eversince day 1. The seventh month crying was much different - he expresses more clearly his particular intention and tries to communicate - just that I could not tell what he is fussing about. Every time he cries in frustration, I secretly wished beneath my seemingly cold reaction that someone should really come out with some interpreting tool that we all could afford before he wears me down - I bet it'll top Ikea as the next best seller in history.

God heard my silent prayer of desparation, really, He did. Soon, I chanced upon a book on teaching hearing babies sign language so they could use their hands to communicate before they could talk. What a great resource! It's a bit of work but I'm glad to get my hands on it. The first signs I taught myself and baby was MILK, EAT and MORE. He giggled the first few times I placed my fingers on my lips to mimic eating, later he just ignored what I was doing. I kept on signing anyway. After 2 days, Michael attempted his first signing - MILK for supper. It was his usual time for milk. When I responded with milk in a bottle, he looked very pleased and gulped down the contents with a delighted sparkle in his eye. I sensed relief and also like baby, satisfaction, that finally, we could settle some issues without going through a battle. It feels somewhat like we've advanced from savage to civilization, just because we could communicate sensibly. Really, really happy for this milestone.