Jasper @ 15 months old

The boy started to take his few steps around 15 months old and before we knew it he is now walking on his 2 feet.  He loves making turns and is walking quite steadily; up and down little steps; and carrying balls etc while walking.  He also likes to "talk" to us and he has begun to understand and follow instructions i.e. sit down; take "chu chu"; bye bye- he will say bye and wave hands; go kai kai - he will walk to the shoe rack to get his shoe.  He is really cute nowadays and his cheeky smile will melt your heart :P

Physical & Mental

• Toddles well
• Pushes and pulls toys while walking
• Walks backward
• Discovers the joy of climbing
• Responds to instructions

Feeding

• Loves to feed himself
• Uses a spoon or fork

New Paper Big Walk 2011@RWS

Brought the Kids to The New Paper Big Walk as they were having it at Resorts World Sentosa this year, so we thought it would be interesting for the kids.  Weather was quite good - breezy and cloudy, the kids did quite well throughout the walk not much complains except stopping to snack occasionally, but I think they very much preferred the sand play at the beach after walk... :)

Outdoor Fun @ Jurong Central Park

Had a great Sunday morning with the kids. First - Macs Breakfast to fill our tummys and latter quick play at the park!

Jasper @ 14 months

Finally his upper front tooth has sprouted out this month and so are 3 neighboring teeth

• Stand well
• Take a few more steps unassisted
• Walk with help
• Empty containers filled with objects
• Put objects back in container
• Say three or more words other than mama or dada
• Eat finger foods
• Understands instrcutions like Bye Bye, Clap Hands
  

Feeding/Sleeping
•Finally he dropped his mid night feed and now wakes about 530/6am for his milk.  We have not dropped his morning nap yet will let the boy drop his nap naturally.

Captian J @ 14 mths old

Stomach Flu

Yesterday our dear son suddenly vomited out all of his dinner while drinking his bedtime milk.  Could tell his stomach was churning and that it was not due to choking or coughing.  He vomited another 2 times while I was trying to put him back to sleep, and later on every hour.  Quickly searched online for some info on vomiting and got some useful info from Dr Sears.  Really nothing much for us to do but wait out for him to stop vomiting and than give him fluids.  It could either be a case of food poisoning or stomach flu. Fortunately he stopped vomitting after 2am and drank about 80ml of water before going back to sleep .  We monitored his temperature and vomiting throughout the rest of the night, and while he had no signs of fever the next morning we brought him to see the PD anyhow to get a thorough check as well as medication.  PD told us that he caught a minor stomach flu and should take some time to recover, so in the meantime to give him small meals and drink. 

Post Illness :

Anyway the chirpy boy was fine thereafter, just lost his appetite for the next couple of days. Didn't even have to take any of the prescribed medications.  The bug however spread to Big Sister and she had it a bit worse than him- in terms of vomiting more and having a fever.  Luckily it was a minor stomach flu for both of them, cause I know how terrible it feels to keep having to vomit uncontrollably.

Jasper @ 13 mths old

Jasper has been growing well, he has been eating very well and can now finish up 2 bowls of his food. He loves his fruits (i.e. blueberries, kiwi, papaya, strawberries and cherries) and can't go without them.  We brought him to swim again the other day and he simply loves the water, he wanted us to let go of him and tried to dip his head into the water! Anyway he is getting more and more mobile and curious each day!

Physically & Mentally
•Eats with fingers
•Empties containers of contents
•Knows function of toys, e.g. hugs plush toys, pushes button on pop-up toys, builds with blocks
•Carries/pushes toys from place to place
•Holds out arm or leg to help you dress him
•Stands alone for a couple of seconds

Language & Emotions
•Says “mama” and “dada” and knows what they mean

Feeding/Sleeping
•Not much change in his sleep routine. He still needs his occasional middle of the nite feed.

 
Daily Schedule:

530/6am - Milk 150 ml
7/730am - Wake Up
800am - Bath time

9am - Breakfast: Bread/Oats/Pancake/Waffle+Egg/Cheese+Yogurt + Fruit

10am - Nap (45mins - 1hr)
12pm - Lunch: Porridge / Macaroni 230/3pm - Milk 200 ml
Nap (1.5-2hrs)
530pm - Dinner: Porridge / Macaroni

7pm - Wash up

8/830 pm - Milk 210ml & Bedtime

2am/4am - Milk 120 ml

The Boy Turns One!

It has been a year since this little bubbly boy was born. We celebrated his 1st birthday last Sunday on 21 Aug 2011, with some relatives and friends. He was thrilled and happy to meet everyone. Food was from e-creative and cake from Pine Garden (chose a Disney Car / Mickey theme).  Thanks everyone for the Birthday Ang Bao and Present!

Photoshoot

Bought a group-buy package with Benjamin from Foto-u yet again.  Ha ha was too lazy to try another new photographer since I knew he could do the job fairly well with the kids.

Booked a session with him on 8 Aug @ 130pm sometime after lunch and before the kids had their noon nap.  The shoot was more for the boy since I like to capture their baby looks at this point of time... did the same for Hazel when she was 10 mths old. The kids were good for almost 80% of the 1hr shoot, but nearing the end of the shoot no.1 was already feeling restless and and no.2 yawning. O well but we sure got quite a no. of great shots of no.2 as well as a few nice family ones.

Will be getting back 2 8R pics and all the pics in high resolution. Thereafter will be making it into a photobook.

He's actually tickled by the furry carpet



Love this Brother-Sister Picture



The Phangs

Add caption

My Lil Baby is now Lil Boy

Jasper @ 11 months

The boy has turned 11 months and he is fast becoming active and mobile. He hates to be placed in anything that will restrict his exploration and loves to open drawers, cupboards doors etc. The little boy is also starting to be abit clingy to mummy dearest here, as he shows preference towards who should carry and feed him.

Physically & Mentally

• Able to suck from straw cup
• Crawls very well, belly off the ground
• Loves to explore on his own and dislikes being place in a confined space ie the cot/playpen for too long

Language & Emotions

• Shows stronger separation anxiety- cries when he sees certain strangers
• Starting to assert his demands and throw tantrum

Feeding/Sleeping

• Sleeps about 12 hrs; with 2 naps (1 short am nap 45mins-1hr and 1 long pm nap 2hrs)
• He has started to stretch his demand for middle of the night milk till 4am; previously was 2am. So maybe after he turns 1 he may soon drop this milk feed?

Down with a cold

We're down with the flu bug... it started with Big Sister having a fever accompanied by a bad cold and cough, thereafter I caught the cold bug and now Little Jasper is down with fever and runny nose- his poor nose is blocked and has to breathe through his mouth! Yesterday night his fever went up to 39 degrees, but fortunately after medication and sponging it went down and he was able to sleep and drink.  Today is Day 2 and we just brought him to see the Dr.  Hope he gets well soon, foresee he'll be having difficulty eating, drinking and sleeping...

Doc's Prescription:
Dexchlorpheniramine 2.5ml x 3 daily
Prospan cough syrup 2.5ml x 3 daily
Nasal Drops
Fever Medication

2nd Swim Attempt and NDP Fireworks viewing

A 2nd round of swimming this time slightly longer session and both kids love the splashing and kicking! Thereafter proceeded for dinner with a great view of the Singapore Skyline and Fireworks display.

My 2 Sweet Peas

Do they look somewhat alike??? Really blessed with the 2 of them - my happy and cheerful babies!

1st Haircut

Brought the boy for his 1st hair cut last Saturday at the new Clementi Mall's EC House Express Cut. With the hot weather and his tendency to pull his own hair, it was time for us to tidy the little fella's hair.  He was quite curious initially and all went well till the sound of the shaver got him all cranky- think it was too close for comfort. Fortunately with some food bribing, and distracting we manage to get a nice hair cut for him. The cut was only $10 and includes a free kiddy ride which was in the hair salon - I would say value for money indeed!  Though I would love to try aunty Eva for his next hair cut when he's older- her's is 2x the price :P

乖乖sitting on daddy's lap

Hairdresser begins her cut

Still very cool about the haircut

Eee is my haircut nice?

Staycation @ Marina Mandarin Singapore

Booked a staycation over the 25-26 Jun weekend for a mini get-away for the family. The stay was a GSS(Great Spore Sale) offer, which was quite a good deal since we got an executive deluxe king room, inclusive of breakfast and high tea for 2 adults, and 15% discount on all F&B during our stay.

Big sister was the most excited and happy about her "holiday", while little bro was oblivious about the whole stay.  We checked in around 3pm and got a room facing the marina bay area, and to our pleasant surprise they were having NDP rehearsal, so that evening we had free entertainment from the NDP show - from the air show to fireworks!

Without delay we brought the kids for their swim after checking in.  The sunny weather was great for Jasper's virgin swim, as the water would be warm! We placed him on the float and he was initially a bit apprehensive but after familiarising himself with the water and pool environment he couldn't stop slapping the water and getting his face all wet- he liked it!  After about 15 mins of water play I brought him back to the room for a warm bath and some shut eye since it was already late into his nap time. So while he was off for his nap (which he immediately did after his bath and milk), big sister continued on with her swim with daddy. The boy had a super power nap of 30mins, as if he knew high tea was waiting for us! So we manage to indulge in our high tea together with the 2 kids, before heading back to the room to relax.

Dinner was of course room service since we should maximise our hotel stay and catch the NDP.  Room service was nice enough to send up a baby chair and we all had dinner together in our cosy room. By 9pm we were all in bed and in dreamland... everyone slept very well and 弟弟 even laughed during his sleep- so cute. Our little alarm clocks woke up at the strike of 730am and we lazed around till 8 before heading down for our mighty breakfast! After breakfast we took a short walk around marina square before checking out and heading to our home sweet home.

A short but sweet break for us and the kids.

Mummy - finding her groove

Finally went to take part in a run event last weekend.  Since having the kids I have stopped taking part in run-a-thons.  With no.1 I would still have time for weekly evening runs with Hubs but after No.2's arrival we practically do not have the luxury to run together. But after many failed attempts to run, I thought it would be good to finally go do something I enjoy. This is in my To Do List w/o the Kiddos and so far I've completed this and a short break to South Korea without the kids last May.

Anyway for this GE woman's run I participated in the 5k fun run category, cos I knew I won't have the time to train and alas I'm not as fit as before... The run turned out good, considering I have not been running for the last 8 months or more, I manage to finish in 45 mins and without stopping (hoo-ray) and my thighs only ache abit the next 2 days. But the new route wasn't all too pleasant as there were a couple of bottle necks and many ladies were walking so they were kind of in the way - but I guess I shouldn't complain cos after all I was in the fun run category.



All Smiles before the Run

Jasper @ 10 months

Milestones

Physically and mentally


• Crawls well, with belly off the ground

• Uses his pincer grasp

• Shakes, bangs, drops and throws things

• Able to stand and cruise more confidently - he can climb out of his little bamboo chair on his own

• He is very into crawling and cruising around the home as he no longer wants to be in his walker or playpen- he's beginning to show signs of wanting to be independent and free!!!

Language and emotions


• Says "mama" and "dada" to the correct parent

• Imitates words


Feeding


Anyway this little guy is not an easy eater but neither is he an extremely difficult one, he just knows how to show his preference for food. For example, when he likes the food he will happily open his mouth and take 15mins to finish, if he's not too keen on the food he will take a few mouthfuls and thereafter close his mouth shut until he chews finish and take 30mins to finish.
So me and my mom have found some ways to suit this boy's needs:


1. So far he is pretty bored with cereals and oats for breakfast so we've introduced bread and egg yolk to him. Maybe I will start him on homemade pancakes and cheerios soon.


2. His daily lunch/dinner is also alternated with porridge, macaroni, mee sua and pasta/gratin as this works best cos it seems to be different for him.


ie. main meal - break 30mins - fruits, cos by midway dinner he sometimes feels grumpy and wants a break so leaving the fruits halfway eaten. This break does wonders cos he finishes the fruits readily.


He loves his snacks (rice crackers, puffs and yogurt melts) and he has a keen interest in what we're eating- he will demand from us! As for his milk intake, he has been fairly consistent, though we have dropped his mid-morning milk feed and I have increased his bed time feed. He is back to his normal drinking self and doesn't need to drink while in sleepy mode.


Last weekend I manage to make bake vegetable and cod fish gratin, it's been a while since I cooked this so I was a bit rusty on the recipe but manage to dig out the book and the dish turn out great! He manage to finish the whole serving, spread out over his 2 meals (lunch and dinner). Initially when I gave him during lunch he didn't seem to like it as he was eating very slowly, maybe because I gave him his lunch not too long after he woke up, but during dinner he seem to take it better and finished everything including his fruits. So I see that as a good sign that he likes it.

Photo Project

Just finished doing up a picture book for the boy over the week. It's been fun selecting pictures and designing the pages. Was a bit pressed for time since there was a 50% discount on all photobooks this June but fortunately I was able to complete and send in the order. Hope it turns out nice!!!

In the meantime I'm also looking out for good lobangs for studio photoshoots, as we would like to do one for him before he turns one! They're so cute at this age and it's really nice to capture them in print professional so that you can look back and have fond memories...

Here's a  preview of the photobook I did:

9 month assessment and health check

Today we brought the boy for his 9 month old assessment at the polyclinic. This included a hearing test as well as some developmental checks (i.e. standing on his own, response), and the boy passed with flying colors.  His development milestone is definitely faster than his big sister. He is now into crawling and crusing and wants to be let loose...

The next evening we brought him over to the PD for a check on the little bump on his left cheek, it appeared in mid Feb and has since became more obvious with a bluish tinge. We just wanted to confirm with the doc if it was anything at all. PD told us it looked like a sebaceous cyst as there was a blueish tinge to leave it alone as it was not harmful.  Nothing to apply and no possible causes- it just happens in some people. Some do disappear over time, if not when older just do a cosmetic surgery since it's on his face...  >.<

Anyway the boy was really happy and friendly when he saw the PD, she was quite taken to him as he laughed when she played peek a boo with him. She commented such a happy baby! Yes indeed his one very happy, charming boy.

Jasper Ever So Happy & Cheerful

9 months and growing...

He started standing and crusing at 8mths 1wk old, and cut his 2 bottom teeth at 9mths old. So it was in deed teething which cause him to have a little bit of stuffy nose and fussy with eating and drinking at times.

I can stand on my own with some support 




I love to play and laugh



I'm a very sweet boy you know

Pictures of the boy on his Doraemon tricycle

Couldn't resit buying this Doraemon tricycle when I was in Seoul earlier this month.  I was at the toy wholesale market and there were just soooo many toys to buy!! In the end, decided to get something which I can't get it in Singapore and which he would use. And yes I lugged this and another hello kitty skate scooter onto the airport bus and checked into the plane successfully.

Jasper @ 9mths

The boy's development has been pretty fast as compared to his older sis.  He started pulling himself to standing position just a few days before he turned 9 months and now he's also started to cruise in his playpen and cot.  He's sitting comfortably better and can sit at the play area to play with the toys.  He's been talking alot to himself lately and just the other day I thought he called his sister when she walked into the house from school- I heard " Te Te" i.e. "jie jie". He loves to eat what we're eating and he will get really excited when he see us holding something to eat. So we've been giving him his happybellies puff which trains his pincer grip and after a while he can now hold and place it in his mouth. And finally his bottom 2 teeth have cut through- no wonder he has been having stuffy nose and eating less.

Milestones
Physically and mentally

• Sits, crawls and shuffles more easily and confidently

• Stands by pulling himself/ herself up while holding onto something

• Starting to develop pincer grasp

• Shakes, bangs, drops and throws things
• Enjoys peek-a-boo and other simple games

• Started to walk while holding onto furniture (cruising)

Language and emotions
• Babbles alot more (Ma Ma, Ba Ba, Da Da, Te Te)
• Response to his name

Daily Schedule:
Remains fairly the same. This month we've started him on egg yolk for breakfast, pasta for lunch and little snacks - rice biscuits, puffs and yogurt melts. He has also been taking cod liver oil and vit c since 8 mths.

Jasper @ 8 mths

At 8 mths old he’s started to make more noise and will call out when he wants our attention.  He’s still very generous with his smiles and laughter, and loves to play with people- we have another social baby. He’s observant and loves to explore new toys etc. Noticed that he is trying to pull himself up on a few occasions, so he’ll probably be able to stand soon. As for new foods, we’ve started him on porridge and he loves it! He seems to prefer mushy food and food with less texture, but he’ll warm up to the food after a few tries.  He seems to be losing interest in his milk - cos he finishes it slowly, but he's still waking up for milk in the middle of the nite!

Milestones

Physically and mentally
• Lunges forward and started crawling
• Gets up on all fours and rocks back and forth
• Bangs objects together
• Drags objects toward himself
• Trying to Stand while holding onto something

Language and emotions

• Says "mama" (isn't specific)
• Begins to understand meaning of “No”

Daily Schedule:
6am - Milk 150 ml7/730am - Wake Up
800am - Bathtime
9am - Breakfast: Multigrain Cereal(5 scoops)/Yoghurt + Fruit Puree
1030am - Milk 60-90 ml
Nap (45mins)
12pm - Sweet Potato / Potato Puree + Veg Puree or Porridge+ Veg
230/3pm - Milk 180 mlNap (1.5-2hrs)
530pm - Cereal(6 scoops)  Fruit Puree/Avocado
630pm - Washup
730 pm - Milk 180 ml & Bedtime
1/2am - Milk 120 ml

Surgery Day - 9 Apr 2011

Yes 9 Apr was DDay. The boy had to fast before his surgery so we chose the early morning slot. His last feed was around 2am and around 630 am we whisked him off to Mt E as he had to be there by 730am, the op was at 830am. Prior to that we had already done a pre-registration the week before, as such everything was already prepared when we arrived- his room/name tag etc.. The Nurse came in to check his temperature and BP, and by around 8am Dr Chui came in to take a look at the boy just to make sure he was well. Around 815am, I carried the boy and we were wheeled into the OT waiting area where we met the Anaesthesian - who was a very bubbly lady. She explained that one of us could accompany him into the OT to take his GA, and since he looks to be a very calm and curious baby she will do it slowly instead of immediately placing the mask on him. She would also need to put in an IV (for emergency) and will also given him a suppository - painkiller after the surgery.

We decided it would be me to go with him, so I had to get changed into the OT clothes. Around 830am both Drs arrived and we were once again wheeled into the OT. Inside the
Anaesthesian took out her bubble toy and got the nurses to entertain him while I was still carrying him she administered the GA by placing the tube near his mouth/nose. In about 2-3mins he suddenly felt grouchy and that was when she told me "it's coming", and she placed the mask on him and a few seconds later he went into sleep mode so I placed in on the OT table and left. Dr Chui told us to go have our breakfast and we can expect him to be out by 915am or so.


By 920am we recieved a call from Dr Chui to inform us that the op was done and we could come and wheel him back to the ward. When we enetered the OT area the boy was already awake and the Anaesthesian was carry him. Dr Chui showed us the node- size of a 20 cent coin there were 2 stuck together and we could already see abit of whitish pus. The boy still looked abit "sleeply" and kept coughing due to the GA, but he slowly recovered from that and 30 mins later he was drinking water and he managed to drink his milk and took 2 naps. The clinic nurse came to check on us and went through a checklist of things we should do / look out for when we're back home. We were given Cephalexin antibiotics (5-days course) and calpol (to be taken if he has fever) medications. Review will be next Saturday.

As were using his insurance, we had to stay the min 8hrs for Day Surgery to ensure we could make our claims. So by 315pm we were able to discharge and go home.

Afternote: The boy has taken the surgery well and is recovering. He's still very cheerful and never once grouchy during the whole surgery and back home. - So proud of this boy!

Playing with the hospital gown

Doesn't have a clue what's going to happen.

The swollen and slightly red Lymph Node

This was taken @ the OT waiting area before his OP

Post Op - back to his playful self

Resting on the big bed