Self-Feeding

"Our Darling feeding herself some rusk"

Huirou likes to dine with us. Unfortunately, our table food is often unsuitable for her. Luckily, she's rather happy with a teething rusk or a few pieces of bananas. I often just let her feed herself. Most of her food end up on the chair, her clothing and even the floor though, but she enjoys herself and we (Hubs and I) actually get to eat TOGETHER!! (Hey! It's a big deal when you used to take turns entertaining the baby, okay?) Hopefully, in time, she will learn to eat with us at mealtimes. Wouldn't that be fun??



"The mess that was left"

Nursing Rooms

Huirou loves going out. She will already be all geared up when in the car. She (and we) especially like to go the malls. The deal-maker? Nursing Rooms! Going to the park would mean that we either have to nurse in public, or in the car.

Most of the malls in Klang Valley have nursing facilities. Our favorite are the one at The Curve just because we are not shut up in a dingy little room.

It is truly OUR favorite because It is very spacious to begin with. If we had a pram and an older kid, and bought some stuff, they would all fit in. Definitely not some done up changing room! I like that the room is just curtained enough for privacy, so I get good air circulation. Huirou likes it too because she still can look around at the nice fabric but not too distracted to nurse. The temperature is nice and cool. Moreover because it is NOT a room to begin with we don't ever have to be startled by people trying to open the door (eg Ikea, Kids think it's part of the toilet o_O)

Now that she can sit rather well, I'll usually pack my stuff and adjust my clothing while having her sit in the nursing chair. After nursing, she would smile at me as in the picture. Picture was taken in the nursing room of Aeon Bukit Tinggi. It's only 6/10 for a nursing room but is comfortable enough. Plus it is not next to any toilet, so no "weird" smell :)

ps: go read what my ideal nursing room is at random musings :)

Hui Rou @ 8 months

Due to my heavy workload this month, I couldn’t write as often as I wanted. However, we see A LOT of development in Huirou. As usual, the beginning of each month I feel the need to jot down something so that when Huirou grow up she can read all about herself.

For the record, and with a big reassurance from the paediatrician that she is NOT TINY, Huirou

1. Weighs 7.2 kg. She’s supposed to only triple her birth weight at 1 year old.
2. Is able to crawl on all fours; as opposed to previously when she was crawling commando style.
3. Is able to climb over small obstacles eg the pillows that usually are her barrier from falling out of the bed. So now no more playing in bed with her. She also only naps on the mattress on the floor. She is also rather curious and is constantly investigating something, pulling this and pushing that. She especially test my patience when she screams for somthing that I would not let her have eg. papa's specs, my dirty wallet, the house keys. What shall I do when she's bigger?
4. Is able to sit upright consistently, enabling us to put her in shopping carts, restaurant high chairs etc... when we go out. ( Making it much much much kinder on our arms :) )
5. Is able to get from sitting to lying and vice versa. I consider this a MAJOR accomplishment! Previously she plops down when she's tired or she cries to be helped to an upright position.
6. Is able to manipulate toys in her hands. Previously if you hand her something, it goes straight to her mouth, but now she will choose the parts she wants to chew on.
7. Still speaks alot of gibberish but there are some that we can comprehend. Waah waah waah means I am hungry. Ahwoo ahwoo means I am happy and wanna play. Oklah! Only music to mummy's ears.
8. Can kiss. Say "sayang" ( malay: kiss) and she will purse her lips and approach our faces
9. Can understand when I am angry. If I scold her she will make a sad face. or scream in her determination to do things her way.
10. Recognizes her bottles and my boobs. If you give her a bottle of water when she wants milk she will push the bottle away. If she sees me when she is hungry, she will climb onto my lap and try to get into her nursing position. Incidently, I forgot to jot down that she can already hold her own bottle last month. I try to not let her do that too often, because I read that it may lead to tooth decay... but it is now so much easier to feed her.
11. Exhibits less stranger anxiety this month. I am sure by making this public I am jinxing myself and next month she will be clingier than ever.
12. Enjoys her solids chunkier now; however, we found out that she may be allergic to cow's milk. (Long story... Busy to pump, supplemented, she vomitted, had rashes) So, it's back to 100% Breast milk for now.
13. Is able to play simple games and take jokes.
    
• Many variations of peek-a-boo
• Make exaggerated facial expressions and she will laugh
• Approach her with your "tickling" finger and she will laugh in anticipation
• Pretend to sleep, then peep at her, she will touch your face.
• Blows at my arm with her mouth, making funny noises
• can do the red indian cry. she goes waaa and we help her with our hands to her mouth.
  

In short for this month, we have to put her on the floor. I have to wash my wallet more often; or get a child-friendly one; clean the house more often so she's not eating dirt off the floor . and get my milk supply up to the maximum?

Grrrrrr ... ... I've Got Teeth!

Two weeks ago, we (Hubs and I) thought Huirou was experiencing a severe bout of separation anxiety. It turns out that she's just teething. A few days ago, I realised that one of her teeth has cut through. There is another one right next to it that is still sprouting, but she seemed fine now. I tried and tried for a good photo but she did not cooperate. So maybe I'll get a good pix later to post. I posted just so that I know when she's cut her first tooth.

Take Two

On your left is THE high chair that everybody knows is cheap and good. Yep. You're looking at the restaurant-approved, minimalist Ikea Antilop high chair.

On your right, however, is the IMPROVED version. It is NOT a camera trick





Now you can feed your little one in the living room while watching TV. No need to put a leg on the walker to stop it from moving around. No more being stuck at the dining table while your little one refuse to eat and you're missing the replay of Hamilton hitting Alonso.

Only Available in Hubs Store. Made with 50% sweat and 50% ingenuity.
Baby not included.