Just to recap Gab's vocabulary so far (I may have missed some here and there because there are just so many new things that he is learning and doing at the same time)
Some words that he likes to say:
- Mummy
- Daddy
- Kakak (Ah Rin) - our maid's name which is accurately known as Karin
- Popo
- Kong Kong
- Ma Ma
- Yeh Yeh
- Mum Mum
- Sam Yee
- Tai Yee
- Renee
- Tasha
- ball
- dog
- Amen
- Baby Boy (this is what he likes to refer to himself; a nick I have been using on him since he was a baby)
- happy
- umbrella (once he wanted to go out for a walk but it was raining, after telling him that it was raining, he reminded me to use um-bre-lla ;p)
- newspaper
- giraffe
- elephant (el-phant)
- shoes
- socks
- car (this is one of his favourite word)
- truck
- milk (this is one of his favourite word)
- susu (this is one of his favourite word)
- duduk
- beat
- sayang
- airplane (this is one of his favourite word)
- moon
- helicopter (copter to him)
- Bob (as in Bob the builder)
- Dizzy (as in Bob the builder)
- star
- clap
- bread
- apple (this is one of his favourite word)
- coconut
- peach
- corn
- Elmo
- Bunny
- Bear
- sleep
- guava
- Tweety
- wait
- out or Kai Kai
- Roomba
- hair
- bus
- Poo poo
- papaya
- share
- no (or oh no!!! - super drama)
- brinjal
- bathe
- close
Technorati Tags: gabriel, vocabulary, words, speak
Showing posts with label milestones. Show all posts
Showing posts with label milestones. Show all posts
Friday, December 29, 2006
Wednesday, August 23, 2006
Many Stones For A Toddler
It's been very long since we updated this place with our little boy's development and news.
1. Walking - Gab has progressed from "The Mummy" style of walking, i.e. with arms stretched outward or forward, to brisk walking with arms nearly by his sides, squatting, stepping on objects on the floor with one foot, and even dancing! Since he loves going out, now he listens to us obediently when we tell him to wait or sit down by the doorway and wait for his shoes to be worn. Gab occasionally turns to back up on a wall and just stand there, very cute!2. Dance - He can alternate tapping of his feet whenever he hears music being played, much like how a footballer practises his footing. I guess he learnt to clap, swing his torso and dance on his feet by watching children's songs on TV at the babysitter's.
3. Spoken words - "dog" being his most frequently spoken word, Gab seems to use it to describe many other non-dog objects. He learnt to speak "giraffe" and "egg" immediately after I repeat the words a few times and show the flash cards simultaneously. He can say "mama" and "OK" very well and for the right moment. My boy can make the sound of the cat when he sees the flash card.
4. Hand grab sign - Not to be confused with "milk", he repeatedly opens and closes his outstretched hand and looks at you, and this means that he wants your attention or to come to him.
5. Use fingers for small objects - Gabriel is able to use his first finger to push buttons (alarms, switches), poke and mangle food and fruits, and pick up things on the floor. Can use two fingers to pick food and feed himself.
6. Constructive toys - I have been exposing Gabriel to constructive toys that gets his logic going, such as Lego and shape sorters. Other building blocks just won't do, Lego really has the quality and precision. He can pick up one block, position on top of another block, and tap it in.
7. Brush teeth - This activity is one of his top favourites. Whenever possible in the morning or before bedtime, he will walk to the washroom doorway, sit on a stool and wait for his toddler toothbrush. He would grab the toothbrush, put it into his mouth and mimic us brushing. This is one of the several examples of how he is actively imitating what he sees. The brushing would last for a few minutes and when it comes to rinsing his mouth, he would take a mouthful of water and swallow, dribble, and spit.8. Real car driving - Gab has changed from standing on his feet to handle the family car wheel to sitting on the seat. Another example of him observing what the adults do and follow them.
9. Feed himself - He loves coming up to me and watch me eat. Given a spoon, he would try to pick up food from the bowl and put it into his mouth. On the first time that I ask him to feed me, he directed the spoon to my mouth very well. He has learnt not to grab at food dishes and bowls, unless it is very interesting.
10. Understands negativity - When Gabriel is about to and has done something wrong, we would scold him and often use "no". We also follow this up with showing love by praise, distraction, reasoning, and giving him alternatives. There was a case at my in laws' place where after we warned him not to touch some dangerous objects, one of his uncles repeatedly warned him and said "no" and "beat beat" too many times. He eventually turned visibly fearful and embarrassed, which we do not believe that it is healthy.
11. Playground slides - At his home playhouse, Gabriel managed to sit on top of the slide prior to going down instead of lying on his tummy to go down. By the way, Step2 is the ultimate playhouse vendor.
12. Climb stairs - He walks up and down stairs like adults, i.e. one foot for each step, but he requires an adult to hold both his arms.
13. Less preference for semi solids - Gabriel's taste buds have changed to favour solid foods such as noodles and rice instead of porridge.
14. Music - He has recently started to take a liking to playing the organ. Combined with his dancing, he is able to play music and dance at the same time!
Mummy has gone to work overseas for almost two weeks since last Sunday morning. Throughout that day Gabriel was quite normal, but he did look slightly anxious in the evening, possibly wondering why he hasn't seen Mummy the whole day and cried slightly more during his night sleep. Compared to the previous 4-day trip when both of us were not with him, I think he is doing better as I'm still around to talk, play and go out with him. I frequently explained to him that Mummy has gone away to work and will be back soon. Fortunately we use Skype for video calls and Gabriel was able to see and hear Mummy full screen. He seemed contented and assured that Mummy is still reachable.The webcams that I bought for the calls are cheap (RM35), small and sturdy. The best part is that they have infrared capability. Maybe I can set up such cameras (especially wireless network type) as a baby monitor and surveillance points.
Mummy now knows how it feels to be leaving Gabriel behind to go overseas, and it is slightly worse than the parent staying behind. I myself also understand how helpless and burdened to be the only one to take care of him. Fortunately this time we have a maid to help out in the housework while I spend time with Gabriel, unfortunate for Mummy that her trip is the longest. Imagine having to handle two kids, or even four (like my mum)! Most likely when the next time we fly, especially for leisure, we will bring the little boy along. It doesn't matter if he will remember the trips, we want him to feel the experience of travel and family bonding, consciously or subconsciously.
In every family, it is very important to be together and to support one another.
We plan to go to Midvalley Megamall this weekend to see Winnie the Pooh and friends. I think this dude are one of the few characters that are safe for toddlers to relate to, although he does have a gender/name mismatch. Other toy/cartoon characters which I feel are OK are: Bob the Builder, Dora the Explorer, and Sesame Street. Our plan is to allow his to watch TV only from the age of two. My personal favourites are slightly more adult though, like Joe Cartoon and Itchy and Scratchy.Note to self: more topics to describe: 1. won photo competition in magazine, 2. list of favourites (flash cards, shoes), 3. eczema and cough symptoms and remedies, 4. behaviour with maid.
Technorati Tags: gabriel, development, milestone, toddler, walk, dance, spoken words, constructive toys, toothbrush, slide, playhouse, noodle, porridge, music, skype, webcam, travel, negativity, anxious, midvalley megamall, winnie the pooh, bob the builder, dora the explorer, sesame street, joe cartoon, itchy and scratchy, maid, photo competition, safe cartoons
Monday, July 03, 2006
Milestones Update Again
Just a quick update
on Gab's milestones
(I have been getting
lazier, these milestones
are accumulated over
the weeks that I did
not update the blog...
some I can't remember
the dates):
1) Walking - took his first
few steps on 23 June
(wonder if he did not get
the viral fevel, could he be
walking on his birthday,
guess we will never know)
2) Shake head to indicate 'No'
3) Able to sort out shapes using shape sorter
4) Raises both his hands and throw his head
back when we say 'Praise God'
5) First words: Ma ma, Ah (for Thomas), dog, lion, no, kay
6) Favourite food now: spaghetti, rice, tauhu
7) Going really fast on his tricycle
8) Squat
9) Clap hands (this started way back....think more than
1 month ago)
10) Wet kisses for Mummy and sometimes Daddy
11) Hugs for almost everyone
12) Point here and there (can identify some common
things by pointing when we ask him)
13) Fuss to go out every weekend - whenever he
sees mummy and daddy at home, it means he can
go out 'kai kai'
14) Love picture cards - will actually crawl towards
you, sit down and clap his hands when you are about
to flash these cards
15) Can understand simple words - stand, sit, wait,
carry, come here, bathe, sleep, change clothes,
brush teeth, drink, eat, pain, beat, no, knock, hold
(will update when I remember more)
From Baby to Toddler
My Baby is Finally 1It has really been quite a while since my last post. Let me go about my usual excuses like being very busy at work and tired at home.....hahaha but guess it is not a good excuse since Gab makes his significant transition from a baby to toddler without any updates on his blog. Sorry baby!
2 weeks have passed since Gab 1st birthday (18 June) and to tell you the truth I am still collecting the photos from Thomas and my friend, Jenn.
Yup, a big thank you for Jenn, Roger and Tammy who make time all the way from Singapore to celebrate this joyous event with us. Without whom we will only be left with memories of the party without any digital evidence (we were too busy running around to take photos or videos). We really appreciate their help and company. Love you guys!
So actually I do not have all the photos yet but will load those few that are noteworthy and the remaining you can catch it from our photos link.
Gabriel's 1st Birthday Party (June 17)
10am - Send Gab to babysitter
12pm - Have lunch with Jenn and Roger
2pm - Vacumn (thanks to Roomba), mop, decorate house with balloons and banners
4pm - Collect cake and pick Gab up
6pm - Left babysitter place without Gab as he was still sleeping. Caterers arrived to set up tables and food
7pm - Arrival of first guest (babysitter family, my elder sister and brother-in-law, Renee and *star of the day* - Gab)
8pm - Arrival of more guest, makan and drinking time begin. (We got food to occupy the hungry ones, toys and cartoon to entertain the young ones and booze to intoxicate the older ones)
9pm - Cake cutting and Gab got a taste of real 'food' ;p (a sign of toddlerhood)
10pm - Bedtime for Gab
11pm - Clean up
12am - Bedtime for mummy and daddy
Inclusive children more than 60 people attended the party (think this is the last time I am going to organize this type of party...hahahaha)
2 weeks have passed since Gab 1st birthday (18 June) and to tell you the truth I am still collecting the photos from Thomas and my friend, Jenn.
Yup, a big thank you for Jenn, Roger and Tammy who make time all the way from Singapore to celebrate this joyous event with us. Without whom we will only be left with memories of the party without any digital evidence (we were too busy running around to take photos or videos). We really appreciate their help and company. Love you guys!
So actually I do not have all the photos yet but will load those few that are noteworthy and the remaining you can catch it from our photos link.
Gabriel's 1st Birthday Party (June 17)
10am - Send Gab to babysitter
12pm - Have lunch with Jenn and Roger
2pm - Vacumn (thanks to Roomba), mop, decorate house with balloons and banners
4pm - Collect cake and pick Gab up
6pm - Left babysitter place without Gab as he was still sleeping. Caterers arrived to set up tables and food
7pm - Arrival of first guest (babysitter family, my elder sister and brother-in-law, Renee and *star of the day* - Gab)
8pm - Arrival of more guest, makan and drinking time begin. (We got food to occupy the hungry ones, toys and cartoon to entertain the young ones and booze to intoxicate the older ones)
9pm - Cake cutting and Gab got a taste of real 'food' ;p (a sign of toddlerhood)
10pm - Bedtime for Gab
11pm - Clean up
12am - Bedtime for mummy and daddy
Inclusive children more than 60 people attended the party (think this is the last time I am going to organize this type of party...hahahaha)
Roger, Jenn, Gab and Me
Three's a Family
The kids having fun with Gab's toys
Food Galore
TWO cakes....double happiness (courtesy from my father-in-law)
Cakes and presents display (of course the other half of important presents is in my pocket;p)
Cake cutting and photo session with the kids
Technorati Tags: gabriel, birthday, toddler, party, presents, children, cake, photos
Friday, April 14, 2006
Milestones Update 2
Stand Unsupported (For 5 Sec)
It happens just last week when we are at poh poh (my mum) house. We were in the computer room aka my brother’s old home office and Gab was standing while daddy was holding on to him. Then I told my hubby to let him go and he did and Gab did stand on his own for 5 sec before breaking into laughter at his new achievement and losing his balance again. I just can’t wait to see him walking on his own.
I know a lot of people have told me that when he start working it will be more difficult to take care of him since he would not want to sit still or be carried. But aren’t all mothers happy to see their child gaining more independence and achieve great milestones as this. I know I would be delighted. No doubt that I would need to be extra careful, baby-proof the entire house and run after him, but I would not for 1 second for my own comfort and convenient wish that he doesn’t walk soon. My hubby and I will embrace it with our arms open wide.
Hold His Bottle (Without My Help)
This is a bit tricky. He did hold his bottle before when he was 3 to 4 months old briefly and then I usually breastfeed him so didn’t let him practice on bottles that much. Plus the babysitter is a super nice auntie who will willingly do it for him. So I guess he become a teeny bit lazy when it comes to bottle. Besides, I do feel that the Avent bottle is a bit too wide to hold on to.
Nonetheless he did it this week without my hand supporting the bottle. He actually uses both his hands to hold the bottle while he drinks. But I couldn’t resist some assistance when I see that he did not tilt the bottle enough to fill the teat with milk.
GD Maths Program (3 Steps Equation Problem Solving)
Like most adults who start learning maths when we are in schools, I was really apprehensive teaching my son Maths. And I am not talking about just counting 1 to 10 or so on. I am actually talking maths with all the addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, sequence and algebra. I knew I had a tough time last time so you can imagine how I feel teaching my son who is not even 10 months old.
We started the maths program 5 months ago and we did the 3 step equation last week and to our surprise and delight, he got all 3 step equations problem-solving correct. *Yippee*
We started the 4 step equation yesterday, he got it wrong. It was quite confusing because I was using the same number and repeating it 4 times……even myself got a bit confused at one time and not sure if I said it correctly. We will try again tonight and see how it goes.
Brush his teeth
He is exceptionally cute when we give him his little toothbrush and he starts putting it in his mouth and moves it from left to right. Hahahahaha. He really looks like a big boy brushing his teeth. And he will do it again when you ask him to. Guess he caught on the skill as we usually brush his teeth (or more accurately massage his gums) in the morning when he was younger. Children really learn at a lightning speed. Let’s not waste their precious time!
Technorati Tags: gabriel, milestone, stand, bottle, brush, flashcard
It happens just last week when we are at poh poh (my mum) house. We were in the computer room aka my brother’s old home office and Gab was standing while daddy was holding on to him. Then I told my hubby to let him go and he did and Gab did stand on his own for 5 sec before breaking into laughter at his new achievement and losing his balance again. I just can’t wait to see him walking on his own.
I know a lot of people have told me that when he start working it will be more difficult to take care of him since he would not want to sit still or be carried. But aren’t all mothers happy to see their child gaining more independence and achieve great milestones as this. I know I would be delighted. No doubt that I would need to be extra careful, baby-proof the entire house and run after him, but I would not for 1 second for my own comfort and convenient wish that he doesn’t walk soon. My hubby and I will embrace it with our arms open wide.
Hold His Bottle (Without My Help)
This is a bit tricky. He did hold his bottle before when he was 3 to 4 months old briefly and then I usually breastfeed him so didn’t let him practice on bottles that much. Plus the babysitter is a super nice auntie who will willingly do it for him. So I guess he become a teeny bit lazy when it comes to bottle. Besides, I do feel that the Avent bottle is a bit too wide to hold on to.
Nonetheless he did it this week without my hand supporting the bottle. He actually uses both his hands to hold the bottle while he drinks. But I couldn’t resist some assistance when I see that he did not tilt the bottle enough to fill the teat with milk.
GD Maths Program (3 Steps Equation Problem Solving)
Like most adults who start learning maths when we are in schools, I was really apprehensive teaching my son Maths. And I am not talking about just counting 1 to 10 or so on. I am actually talking maths with all the addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, sequence and algebra. I knew I had a tough time last time so you can imagine how I feel teaching my son who is not even 10 months old.
We started the maths program 5 months ago and we did the 3 step equation last week and to our surprise and delight, he got all 3 step equations problem-solving correct. *Yippee*
We started the 4 step equation yesterday, he got it wrong. It was quite confusing because I was using the same number and repeating it 4 times……even myself got a bit confused at one time and not sure if I said it correctly. We will try again tonight and see how it goes.
Brush his teeth
He is exceptionally cute when we give him his little toothbrush and he starts putting it in his mouth and moves it from left to right. Hahahahaha. He really looks like a big boy brushing his teeth. And he will do it again when you ask him to. Guess he caught on the skill as we usually brush his teeth (or more accurately massage his gums) in the morning when he was younger. Children really learn at a lightning speed. Let’s not waste their precious time!
Technorati Tags: gabriel, milestone, stand, bottle, brush, flashcard
Friday, March 17, 2006
Milestones
I am writing this for a second time. Not sure what happened but the first post just disappear before I can save it......argh.
…………………………………………………………………………………
Sit On His Own
Gab is able to sit on his own. We are so excited about this. We noticed it a few days ago while he was crawling which he is getting better now…in terms of speed. He will stop on his track, push his hands against the floor and straighten his legs to lift his tummy off the floor. Once on his fours, he will bend his knees and plump his buttocks on the floor and wah lah……he sits up on his own. We are so proud of him.
Self-Soothe Sleeper
Another major milestone for us is that he can self-soothe himself to sleep. That is so amazing to us and we cannot praise God more for making this possible. Gab used to nurse to sleep ever since he was born. And this despite a lot of people and articles have advised strongly against. And we did try the “let-him-cry-it-out” method which really breaks my heart. He looks traumatized and neither of us felt much better. We did that once and I would never do it again. Not even for 5 minutes.
I am so proud to announce that Gab has been self-soothing himself to sleep without any pacifier, rocking, singing, patting and nursing for the past 2 weeks. All he needs is either mummy or daddy to be in the same bed and he will roll around quite a bit, babbles and then he will just fall asleep. One day he will be sleeping on top of me after insisting that I lift him up and place him there, another day he will be sleeping on my arm and once he sleep besides me while holding my fingers. ‘Aww……..’ I just cannot describe that feeling. Priceless.
He still nurse in the morning at 6 plus. But that’s ok, since I need to wake up at 6:30 anyway. I am making it to his ninth month this coming Saturday. Thomas thinks that I should wean since he is such a big boy now, but I guess I will miss nursing him. Especially now when he will nurse and cross and sway his little legs. I think that it is so CUTE. I guess when the time comes I will wean off completely with no problem at all…no engorgement, no upset baby…..another reason to Praise God.
Flashcards
Yesterday night we did something different on our flashcards session. Instead of holding 2 cards and asking Gab “Where is _____?” I laid all 5 cards on the floor and asked him that question. To my surprise he actually crawled and selected the correct card even though it is not the first card that he reaches. Mummy is so proud of you, baby.
Mummy Dearest
Gab also knows how to call me!!!!!!! When I reached Ah Soh’s (babysitter) place, he saw me and started calling “Ma, Ma, Ma, Ma, Ma”. Another priceless event…..Hehehehe.
Technorati Tags: gabriel, milestone, nurse, flashcard, achievement
…………………………………………………………………………………
Sit On His Own
Gab is able to sit on his own. We are so excited about this. We noticed it a few days ago while he was crawling which he is getting better now…in terms of speed. He will stop on his track, push his hands against the floor and straighten his legs to lift his tummy off the floor. Once on his fours, he will bend his knees and plump his buttocks on the floor and wah lah……he sits up on his own. We are so proud of him.
Self-Soothe Sleeper
Another major milestone for us is that he can self-soothe himself to sleep. That is so amazing to us and we cannot praise God more for making this possible. Gab used to nurse to sleep ever since he was born. And this despite a lot of people and articles have advised strongly against. And we did try the “let-him-cry-it-out” method which really breaks my heart. He looks traumatized and neither of us felt much better. We did that once and I would never do it again. Not even for 5 minutes.
I am so proud to announce that Gab has been self-soothing himself to sleep without any pacifier, rocking, singing, patting and nursing for the past 2 weeks. All he needs is either mummy or daddy to be in the same bed and he will roll around quite a bit, babbles and then he will just fall asleep. One day he will be sleeping on top of me after insisting that I lift him up and place him there, another day he will be sleeping on my arm and once he sleep besides me while holding my fingers. ‘Aww……..’ I just cannot describe that feeling. Priceless.
He still nurse in the morning at 6 plus. But that’s ok, since I need to wake up at 6:30 anyway. I am making it to his ninth month this coming Saturday. Thomas thinks that I should wean since he is such a big boy now, but I guess I will miss nursing him. Especially now when he will nurse and cross and sway his little legs. I think that it is so CUTE. I guess when the time comes I will wean off completely with no problem at all…no engorgement, no upset baby…..another reason to Praise God.
Flashcards
Yesterday night we did something different on our flashcards session. Instead of holding 2 cards and asking Gab “Where is _____?” I laid all 5 cards on the floor and asked him that question. To my surprise he actually crawled and selected the correct card even though it is not the first card that he reaches. Mummy is so proud of you, baby.
Mummy Dearest
Gab also knows how to call me!!!!!!! When I reached Ah Soh’s (babysitter) place, he saw me and started calling “Ma, Ma, Ma, Ma, Ma”. Another priceless event…..Hehehehe.
Technorati Tags: gabriel, milestone, nurse, flashcard, achievement
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