Teething and playing toys

Ali is short a few more weeks before 5mo and he is showing a lot of teething activities like drooling and putting things into his mouth. When I inserted my own index finger into his mouth, the meeting of his gum almost suggests future teeth sprouting. I have already gotten him a fuschia colour teething which I constantly chilled it before giving to Ali before his oral exercise.

Alhamdulillah!

At the same time, I have introduced him to few rattling choices, which also includes a squeaky sounding book with numerous pictures of animals. The other one is a spheral looking rattle with multiple choice of delights (if Ali has command of his little fingers). It is, after all, designed for a 6mo (yes, I am way challenging his age-appropriacy).

I also have gotten him thorny-like blue ball, which can motivate him to move in his attempt to crawl. At this moment, his arm-support needs working. He is almost there. Hopefully, this will take him a few more weeks.

Planning for his toys: Age 4mo

At four months old, Ali is excited with things that he can reach out and hold. He has already graduated from face recognition -- he knows when Atuk (grandfather) is around or passes by, even observes that his Uwan is smiling at him. He is also keen at making use of his tiny fingers; whenever feeding time comes, he is all so helpful at feeding himself that he is working hard at coordinating his hands that at times, they got in the way.

It is not Ali's first toy. Uwan has collected all the spoons from his formula milk, combining them to make a rattle-like toy but she figured that Ali could graduate to a more creative, fun-filled activity. So, here goes.

So what would be good for him?
Fisher-Price recommends that a 4mo will be able to identify familiar faces. Hands coordination is within his interest, besides the fact that he is easily tickled by things around him. (Yeay!) He would be extra interested with his hand movement so toy-grasping will likely to take place. It is a combination of three abilities - cognitive, emotional and physical

Criteria to look into:

• Something for the hands, maybe a rattle
• Something that he can shake with 
• Big enough to hold for his small fingers
• Something colourful
• Something with a mirror

Maybe a drum rattle. Here's an inspiration but my heart skipped a beat as soon as I saw the price. Hopefully, I could scout for something cheaper but of the same function. That would be interesting! 

By the way, Ali has already started to smile looking at his own reflection whenever we passed by a mirror. Big laughter will escape his chirpy heart. Will need to capture that moment for records sake.

Maybe an ABC book like this one featured in a youtube link.

Within two weeks' time, he should be able to adjust the positioning of his grasp. So, I should be focusing on making his grab objects. Ali should be able to grab things, which he has shown on several occasions. He owns this cartoon-filled flannel blankie so this morning, I caught him trying to grab the cartoons on it. Grabbing his milk bottle is another instance of his trying to hold objects. What I need to enhance is the ranges of objects -- big vs small items, colourful, ranges of shapely items (round, squarish, triagular, etc).

Here is something that I need to evaluate on Ali's physical ability as a 4mo. So, based on this link, I will need assess Ali's supine position of his age.

• Does he show interest while exploring objects with his hands?
• Is he able to gauge interest with objects either horizontal or vertically post in front of him?
• Are there movements in his forearm, wrist and individual fingers while visually connected with the object that he is observing?
• Do his legs bang down on the surface?

Here is a checklist for Ali's physical progress.

Food for thots!

At present, he is still depending on either EBM or formula milk. It is something had to be done; I am a weekend mom where I have to travel two hours away. So, Ali is staying with his grandparents. It was a difficult decision at first but after seeing him happily accompanied, I know it is for his best interest. He is best buddies with his grandfather and sleeps with his grandmother but when I am home for the weekends, he clings on to me desperately.

Anyway, I am excited to see the next two months where Ali will try on his solids. So, here's me compiling possible menus. I scooped this up from Shen Mei Hua's Facebook album. I think it's wonderful what she is doing. Shen basically compiles notes, motivations and guides, useful especially for young mommies like me.

Some of my favourites are:

1. milk + papaya
2. pumpkin + dates + milk
3. milk + bread
4. milk + apple  
5. Broccoli + rice + steamed fish
6. Rice + boiled egg + tomatoes + steamed kacang buncis

Other thots are included here. Perhaps this can be sampled after his 7th month.

Bismillah!

I am starting this blog to document all my experiences as a mom. My Ali is of 4mo this mid-Feb. Alhamdulillah, he is healthy and happy.

This blog is dedicated to all mothers out there, trying their best at making things happen, providing the best for their little ones. Ali is my first born. He arrived after dusk on the 11th of Oct on an operation bed that leaves a decoration mark on my tummy. To me, he is a survivor. I am blessed to have him, Alhamdulillah!

This is him around one and half months old, smiling so big for his mother and cheerleading her to move ahead.

This blog will also enlist everything I intend to do with him in the future, where I will stock up ideas for later. I am already eyeing on potential meals for his upcoming 6mo experience with solid food. Can't wait to try games too.

So, here goes. Enjoy!