10 Sneaks Up on Eskimo Boy and Another Holiday too

Dear Aidan,

Merry Christmas, Ma

It's December! December is Mama's favourite month because December means Christmas. Even for a Muslim-dominated country like Malaysia, December always finds shops and shopping malls decked up in the prettiest Christmas trimmings. The loveliest hymns and solemnities also take place in Church this season. We've already taken you gift-hunting with Grandpa, Grandma Uncle Brian and Aunty Angeline. But knowing Mama, there'll be at least one or two more trips before we manage to get everybody's presents.

The floor's inviting me to walk, Ma

This month, Mama started you on steamed cod fish and chicken. You seem fine as a pheasant when they're mixed into your rice cereal. But 'mild protestations' would be an understatement to describe your reaction to these 'meats' being directly spoon-fed into your mouth. (We really need to work on that banshee shriek of yours.) Maybe it's the taste. Maybe it's the texture. Maybe it's both. But don't hate me if I keep cooking that stuff for you to try. Protein's the engine for colossal feats requiring muscle mass. You know, climbing and getting up to general mischief?

You wouldn't be Santa would you?

Meanwhile, you're on a near milk strike again. Water's a no-fly zone save for a few sips. And broccoli and carrots aren't as welcome inside your mouth as they used to be. Bananas, apples and pears are still good to go, though. And you're always eyeing Papa and Mama's rice.

It's great that you're showing interest in adult food. It's not so great that you can be discerning this tiny. Is it possible for a 10-month-old to be fussy? Does a cat meow?




You're eager to try walking now and will smile at anyone who'll help you to your feet. This means Kung-kung's usually the willing victim. Being able to latch yourself onto helpful furniture makes you happy, too. It's early, son, but we understand your impatience. Plus action isn't action till it makes you sweaty, right? I suppose it was only a matter of time before we officially embarked on Suicide Watch.

Let's go to Disneyland

Putting up the tree this year turned out to be a bit of an anti-climatic event. Mama was clearly delusional thinking you'd be as excited as I'd be. The whole affair meant nothing to you beyond a lick-and-taste opportunity. So yes, you much preferred tasting the baubles and eating glitter to passing them on to us to hang on the tree.

Word-wise, we were surprised to hear you say 'bee'. At least that's what it sounded like to us. Maybe you were just grunting.  For books, we started reading Mel and Croc together. You're still too little to sit through an entire story but you like the pictures and Mama's making it easier by simplifying the tale.

A...for abysmally void of reality?

Er, tinge of raspberry with a grimy, metallic aftertaste

 

Em, crusty, crunchy...crappy

Story telling time now brings you an additional Sandra Boynton classic, The Barnyard Dance. When Mama and Papa act out the rhyme, you look more bewildered than bedazzled. We must seriously look into our entertaining talents.

This one's where Papa and Mama go nuts

Getting into the Swing of Being 9 Months

Hey, Good Morning World!

Hello Aidan. It's nice to watch you wake up from your nap with a smile these days. Ever since we moved out of your room, mornings have not been the same. We don't wake up to see you peering over the top of your crib at us, hoping that we're awake to come pick you up.

Fortunately, there's no missing out on your morning song. Remember, the one that goes like this:

"Good morning, Aidan, Good morning, Aidan, good morning to you...(ba da ba da ba da)
Good morning, Aidan, Good morning, Aidan, Good morning to you...
It is a brand new day, we're gonna play all the way,
It is a brand new day, we're gonna play, play, play (chi ka boom, chi ka boom)."

Ok, now that Mama is writing this down, I can see why you give us a blank stare whenever we sing this song. It's a bit naff, isn't it?

Ok, and I'm supposed to do what here?

Now that you're sligggggghtly older, we've decided to introduce you to our morning prayer at the altar. Oh, we know you have no patience for these things. What's going on anyway, right? Still, it's good to know what our routine's like. Nothing like a Hello Jesus in the morning to start the morning on a bright note.

Mama, when can I leave this unholy ditch erroneously called a playpen?

One day, you may forgive me for putting you in the playpen (read: prison). You have to understand that you're a fidgety, active baby and Mama needs to do stuff around the house without having to watch you set yourself on fire, pull the table lamp onto yourself or electrocute yourself with wires.

In the meantime, it's still Gnawing Paradise for you, thanks to the new teeth trying to catch some sunlight.

I'm just on auto here, Papa

Food-wise, Mama is introducing you to the wonderful superfood world of sweet potatoes, pumpkins and raisins. You like them steamed and mashed (the pumpkin and sweet taters, anyway) and you like them because they're sweet. This can only mean one thing: you're like Papa. Just don't develop diabetes at the age of 5, that's all I ask!

Yay, I get to do stupid things here!

You're also beginning to look forward to bath-time where it's more gnawing fun with your bath toys and splashing water with the palms of your hands. Mama always looks forward to the baby massage after the bath, where I rub your tummy with some anti-wind oil and massage your limbs with baby moisturiser. You don't always appreciate this exercise. I mean, why lie down still when one can be doing stuff, right?

Do you mind? I'm having a moment here

At this juncture, I'd like to tell you the story behind that piece of cloth in your mouth. Some babies use the pacifier, but for you, it's Chew-Chew. That's what we've started calling the cloth-nappy that used to be your pillow. One day, while trying to nap (which was a toughie for you for a while), you grabbed the edge of your 'pillow' and started chewing it. This helped you fall asleep in a jiffy. Since then, you've decided to make Chew-Chew your companion during bouts of moodiness and sleepiness. And Mama has bought an extra pack of cloth-nappies for when we have to wash your drool-drenched old ones.

Meanwhile, you're beginning to master sitting up although sometimes, a bit of back-support helps. You're also paying a little bit more attention when Mama reads your bedtime story. Less wandering around on all fours although you're more interested in flipping pages than looking at the pictures. I read somewhere that your mind's actually absorbing despite appearances to the contrary. So I guess I'll continue reading to myself and to the walls.

Mama sings this hilariously

The lyrics help tho...

Tiny Adventures into the Food World

Dear Aidan,

Month #8 welcomes you (and Mama) to a slightly bigger world of food. I must apologise that popcorn, chocolate and a warm plate of Hokkien noodles are out of the question for you at the moment. But steamed pears and apples, yes. Steamed blended spinach and broccoli, yes. And avocado mashed with bananas or bananas with oats, too.

For a newbie in the food world, you sure have discerning tastes. You never open your mouth very big. It's always a tentative taste first to ascertain if you like what's going into it or not. But so far, so good. Mama's enjoying cooking for you, by the way. Can't wait for the day you start eating a proper drumstick!

Better watch out, I can stand...

Speaking of eating, I've noticed that besides a good old chew of your favourite books, you're becoming attached to the cloth nappy that's been used as your pillow. Gnashing on it seems to help you sleep. I guess, you're just beginning to explore the world around you with your teeth and tongue. And discovering that while others have a soft toy with badly bitten ears, you can have loads of fraying cloth nappies.

...and that just means I can get out soon

Meanwhile, it's nice to note that you're beyond sitting up quite nicely and crawling on all fours. You're now trying to stand! The world may seem humongous to you right now. But soon, it'll feel quite small. Until then, don't grow up too fast. There's plenty yet to enjoy from your level.

All right, so you caught me at the toy box. So?

This month, we've taken out the baby bible Aunty Mei Yoong and Uncle Daniel got for you. The little prayers at the end are really nice and simple. Maybe we can learn how to pray together in simple ways before we attempt the Our Father.

So...I'm a boy eh?

7 Eskimo Heaven

Dear Aidan,

You've begun to go down for your naps without bawling. And it's nice to note that you're sleeping longer with each nap you take. You're down to 3 naps now: one during the mid-morning, one right after lunch and one in the late afternoon. You're able to last about 2.5 hours-3 hours in between now so Mama has had to work out some sort of schedule to plan things to do with you.

Look, Ma. One hand only!

For one, you love practising sitting up these days. It's almost becoming natural to you. For two, we've even caught you trying to stand up in your cot. I suppose cot-life is boring and one must try to entertain oneself sometimes when one's parents are busy.

Please, I'll die in here

Hey, there's potential for escape!

It's also beginning to be fun to dress you up in cute onesies. I believe it has something to do with you being more 'grabable'. I'm sure it's every parent's dream to be able to make their kids look ready for a runway show - boys included. Of course, boys simply don't get much choice when they're older but certainly you're spoilt for choice at the age you're at now. Or at least, Mama is. I wouldn't say I went overboard by colour-blocking or anything. But I did wrap you in pretty funky gear, as the camera would testify.

Now I look legit

You're going through some sort of growth spurt these days which means you're not taking forever to finish your milk. When it comes to solids, you seem to be enjoying the small range of delights Mama has been preparing for you. Oatmeal, rice cereal, blended steamed spinach, tomatoes, broccoli and not to mention, steamed, diced pear and apples, as well as mashed potatoes. There's a way of telling if you like your food: you don't push the spoon away. Thankfully, you're not the sort that slingshots food at the wall with your hand. At least not yet.

I admit that some time round about this month, Mama made a bit of a boo-boo introducing you to carrots a little too early in the game. A teaspoon into your rice cereal would've been enough but I seriously thought a tablespoon would keep you full for longer. Of course, this boo-boo of Mama's translated into poo-poo for you. 7 sessions of it, in fact. Which is a bit of an irony given that you're 7 months old this month!






You haven't stopped putting everything into your mouth. And this includes a chunk of Mama's shoulder (ouch!) when Mama's carrying you. Just as well that we started introducing you to the swimming pool. Maybe you'll have less anger issues with water therapy.

Cold, soft, potential to create a mess...I like

In the reading department, Mama has taken out the Monkey See, Monkey Do cloth book. It's got textures and some of the animals can 'pop' out. It's nice and short, too. Just nice for your goldfish attention span!

Hey, that looks like me

Then it was 6 for Eskimo Boy

Look, I'm ready to fly now

Dear Aidan,

To think Mama was afraid you wouldn't ever learn to sleep.

Not without crying a little and without a swaddle for your mid-day nap.

These days you chew your nappy cloth (sort of your pillow for now). Quietly contemplate for a while. And let the luxury of rest take over.

Yeah, this would be my 'good' side.

Admittedly, just as you were hitting the 6th month mark, you woke us up earlier than usual.

5.30am to be precise.

Is it a growth spurt? (You weren't really hungry when we tried feeding you.)
Is it part of the teething process? (You'd just grown two bottom ones.)
Is it just a phase? (please let it be a phase!)
Looking back, we think it was and still is.
Sometimes as your body changes, everything else does, too.
The way you sleep, eat and play.

Speaking of play, you definitely are one active little mountain goat. Mountain goat because when we hold you up, you'd trek upwards, from our tummy to our throat (cough, cough).

Me, active? I'm just enjoying a lazy Sunday arvo

And then there are the attempts to cover land with your paw marks. You began your lesson in crawling at about 5.5 months. But in a flash and a dash, you'd quickly progressed to sitting with one hand on the ground and the other holding a chew toy. I'm guessing you'll be trying to stand up in the next month or two. No rush, Aidan, because crawling's just as fun. Although, Mama's knees would disagree.

All right, here we go

Afternoon naps have been tough on Mama. I haven't yet figured out why they're fraught with disruptions for you. After 30 minutes or 50, you'd stir, crying, having squirmed yourself out of Aunty Audrey's swaddle. I know you have strong reflexes and maybe they keep telling you you're falling when you're actually safe in bed. I've been speaking to Aunty Su-Lyn in Brisbane about this. I think it's time to invest in a few more swaddles and think of better ways to wrap you nice and tight so you'll nap better.

I don't know why, but it always ends up out there

You're starting to like books now. Chewing them, at least. But hey, that's interest. Hopefully, you won't eat up the pages because we need to know how the story goes. This month sees you getting a taste (pardon the pun!) of simple bible stories. Thanks Uncle Brian for this cute little pictorial book!

Ok, let's see what the bouquet is like...

Food-wise, it's been an exciting time. Month #6 is the month most babies try their tongues and taste buds on solid foods. So Mama bought some Heinz baby rice cereal and prepared it for you. I'm happy to announce that you didn't spit it out or chuck it back at my face. Or worse.

I've discovered...baby rice cereal, woo-hoo!

This month, I also bought some fancy ice-cube trays in which to to steam-then-freeze your tomatoes, broccoli, apple, pear and carrots. Papa thinks I'm going crazy but you know, he's been known to be wrong before. Sometimes.

All I'll say is, Bon appetit, Aidan!

Eskimo Boy's First Holiday at 5 Months

Dear Aidan,

I forgot to log in your first holiday on planet Earth. You were 5 months and we plonked you in Papa's car, Dukie, and drove ourselves to Singapore. A journey that would normally take 3.5-4 hours, took us almost 8! And yup, it was the milk stops.

Wake me when we get there o'right?

I'll tell you, though, that you almost, maybe, got kidnapped. We were at one of the stops in Johor Bahru, a state down south. Mama had just fed you milk. Papa had gone to the toilet. An elderly Indian couple who sat at the table next to ours, turned around when I got up to burp you. They said a few words in Tamil to each other and then the lady just took you straight out of my arms. She carried you, started cooing to you and began walking away. I had to raise my voice twice and put my hands on you before she would give you up.

Now, that was scary.

Meanwhile, journey-wise, you were good in that you slept most of the way. Once we got into Singapore where there were loads of traffic stops, you near took our ear drums out! So, we get it:

NO STOPS, MAMA/PAPA. JUST KEEP GOING, EVEN IF IT MEANS WE KILL OURSELVES IN A HORRIFIC CAR ACCIDENT.

As the official bed-tester, I say...PASS.

Our 5 days in Singapore was lovely. We had come down to attend Papa's friend's wedding. So the night we had to be at the dinner, your cousin Dillon's help, Fran, popped over to our hotel room to look after you for a few hours.

We also visited HMV (or rather, your Papa visited HMV and we had no choice but to follow), had coffee at Spinelli's and lunch at Border's.

What are those green and brown things above my head?

One afternoon, we had lunch at Pierside with Uncle Khin, Aunty Swee Lin and Dillon. On another night, we had dinner with Uncle Thomas and Aunty Elise at Valentino's, a cosy little Italian restaurant near Clementi.

These parent grips are...amazingly tight

Papa,  has Mama told you you're a clown?

Hey, where's my food?

I really just want to play with that fountain

Talk to the jeans, thanks

Mama can't remember much of the ride home except that you were really bawling with hunger by the time we arrived back at our condominium. So while Papa unloaded, Mama placed you in the middle of the double bed in your room and quickly dashed off to make a bottle of milk.

And then, horror of horrors. You screamed your lungs out.

When Papa and Mama rushed to see what had happened, we found you on the floor! I guess you're early in many ways - rolling over, included.

You must believe me when I say that I cried more and longer than you did. In fact, you stopped after 3 minutes to look at Mama crying. I can only thank God now that the bed-frame is pretty low and close to the ground.

Not the best ending to your first trip ever, I must say. But lessons are learnt via pain. In this case, I learnt through your pain not to take things (or you, rather) for granted. Safety is really more important than a bit of hunger.

Tummy Time Takes Off in Month #4

Dear Aidan,

Heya, it's a great day to...move!

These days in June, your smiles are like rain in South East Asia. You don't really know when they will come but they'll come for sure. I think they show up more often when you manage to roll over or sit up with some help, balance on your tummy or when Mama and Papa pull a silly face. I suppose boys like action and daft comedy and between Papa and Mama, you're bound to get a nice balance of both.

Eh, aren't you gonna give me a real one, you cheapskates?

Ok, ok, I'm ticklish!

Don't tickle when I ain't looking!

And boy, are proving to be a restless little bum. "Toys? Bah. Give me 2 minutes and I'll have them figured out, Mama." "Milk? Bah. Why can't I look around, swirl it in my mouth a little before swallowing? Wine tasters do that!" ADHD may be unheard of at this age. But if it was, you'd have it, honey. Every time I check though, I don't see bees.

Let's see what Red tastes like

Wow, Coochy's nice and cuddly. Can I taste him?

Steady...and hey, I'm onto you, Tummy Time!

You could be an early starter for those pearly whites, though. Because half your toys seem to end up inside your mouth these days. If not your hand and fingers. I know you're partly learning about your world by tasting its contents. But trust me, you'll need those in the future so don't eat them, okay? You can thank me later.

Err, this looks factually wrong, Papa

Papa and Mama have also started reading a lot more to you. This month, apart from Sandra Boynton's books, we introduced you to good old Mother Goose, a lovely collection of favourite rhymes Uncle Suresh got for you. We know it's hard for you to sit up just yet. It's cool though that you can't move anywhere. At least you'll be getting something into your system for sure.

Curiosity and Chuckles Strike Eskimo Boy

Dear Aidan,

Expecting me to puke? Mama's got a burp cloth ready, nyah nyah!

You're 3. Months old, that is. You're growing a little longer. And our little neck is getting stronger too. Soon you'll be able to hold your head up high. Even when you've done something naughty.

Just a few days ago, you gave us your first noisy chuckle. It's good to have a sense of humour, son. Because one day, you'll find this blog and you'll need that sense of humour to help you get through the entire thing. Without slitting your wrist, that is. :)

You've also developed some dryness to your skin. The doctor says you just need some aqueous cream and you'll be fine. I suppose given that since both Papa (eczema when he was a kid) and Mama (Queen of Hives) have some form of skin sensitivity, this is to be expected. None of that porcelain-smooth pageant-standard skin for you then.

You're sleeping better these days, thanks to the swaddle from Aunty Audrey in Australia. Now, Mama simply wraps you up like a spring roll for your naps and you're out for at least 1.5 hours each time. Well, right now, you're still enjoying 3-4 naps. They give Mama a little time to do important things. You know, like breathe and pee.








In terms of sleep styles, you're like a little baby salmon who likes to swim upstream. You always start out nicely in the middle of the crib. But hours later, you're all scrunched up in the top corner. The helicopter spin is classy, too, by the way.

Ok, gotta stretch a little here...

...jiggle a little there...

...and Bob's your uncle!

"C'mon, c'mon...talk to me, talk to me"

We're beginning to see signs of curiosity. It's not just the roaming hands. Your intense stare is now usually put to good use. When you're playing with a burp cloth for instance, you like to stare at it for a long time, as if persistence will lead to (1) the cloth bursting into flames (2) the cloth starting a conversation with you or (3) the cloth revealing the mystery of life to you.

I suppose you know what you're doing.






Meanwhile, those little sensory gym mats are proving to be just a temporary relief in boredom for you. A swipe at a bell here. A death stare there. A questioning gurgle here and there.  And that's that. It's take-this-away-from-me-now, thank you very much.

"Watch my eyes,  squiggly wormy thing there: I want you to explode right now"

This month, Mama's started reading you the books Aunty Daphne got for you when you were born. Sandra Boynton's 'Moo Ba La La La' seems to be catching on as your eyes would look intently at Mama when I read it to you.

Sandra Boynton gets me, Mama!

What is that thing in my face?

A last word and it's going to be about your hair. There are high bets that it, when IT so chooses to show up with more presence, will take after Papa's curls. This might happen when you hit puberty. But right now? All I see are straight lines.