Tracing Ali's diet pattern

Disclaimer: Sorry for the long hiatus! Life just got to me. The last entry was on my thesis submission and mind you, that was in 2016 and everything finally got out of the way before 24 April 2017 where I had my viva-voce on Valentine's day and officially submitted the corrections. So, it is just a matter of waiting for senate conferment by June (can I refer myself as a Phd already? Hehe.) Phewh! Then, it was back to teaching and ferrying back and forth to see the kids every weekend. Life's hectic but everything is doing just fine!

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On every other days when I am at home with the two munchkins, I would observe closely of Ali's diet.

My eldest is by now 18 months old and can't seem to sit still unless there is something on the television that catches his attention. Most of the time, he is either running from one end to another or trying to grab something off from the counter where we normally keep the dairy supply and other items like clothing and diapers. In short, he is ACTIVE which makes me quiz his state of being -- is he autistic? Or with ADHD? While observing him, I don't think I see any of both behavioral indicators (unless if I am wrongly observing him) but that's another story that needs thinking and telling.

So Ali in general, wakes up around 7 or 7:30 to either a bottle of 180 ml milk. He is still on S26, which I advocate strongly for. If grandmama has already prepared breakfast, we would all rally to the kitchen and gobble a big meal. Between then and now, Ali would be on his tricycle, making his rounds, tailed by his kid brother on the walker. This would go for about 15 minutes before I call off for a diaper change.

After changing them into their day wear, I would offer a feast of fruits, all depending on what I have stored in the fridge. Sometimes, it's grapes. Other times, it is either watermelon or dates, even raisins. Minutes after that, he would be munching on biscuits before setting off for his morning television programme and slowly, doze off after another round of milk.

By mid day, he would be up and lunch is ready. So off we go again to the kitchen where I would offer a spoonful of rice with some soup (either vegetable-based or fish-based). Ali would again, go about his tricycle before adjourning for the afternoon rest with a hands full of fruits. Sometimes, grandmama would make kuih and that would fill him up before dinner. Other times, it would be sweet porridge to go about. Either way, Ali is fairly satisfied. Alhamdulillah!

By dinner, Ali is ready for another set of heavy meal. Sometimes, omelette are the best! While, other times, fried fish does the trick. It all depends on his sense of competition. I like to have both seated nearer where I'd feed Ali and his younger brother together. His kid brother is already on solids; sometimes, we would offer soup to him and mesh some potatoes. So, this motivates Ali to race on his meals. This is where sibling rivalry is most effective! Other times, it's frustrating to they tug on the same toy! (Note for mommy: Need to work on teamwork). By eight, everyone is all full and ready to be tucked into bed. Ali might stay up a bit late with his grandparents but lil brother needs his sleep so, I'm off for the day with three bottles of milk for each Ali and kid brother.

In the future, I might try on making finger food for both Ali and his lil brother. Will update on that one!

Submitted and waiting for viva

Finally, I submitted. It was last July when I handed in my thesis and I am due for my labour some time next week. Originally I thought I could make it for my viva before delivery but Allah is a better planner! 

So I am buying time to plan and prepare for my oral. After discussing with chair, we agreed that it shall be in Feb. 

Work has started. I am reading on tips to prepare for the big day. I have to say, I have forgotten half of the things that I have written and a revisit is a must. I am finished with the first chapter and the second one is dragging me. Trying to find motivation to read I.e buying a nice bag so I can carry it around. Well that has not been done. Soon maybe. Tomorrow. 

So, just to document this milestone. 

On another note, I am currently pregnant with my second and like what I have said, next week is the big day. InsyaAllah. 

Ali is short of 7 more days before he is 6mo!

So... what can I expect from Ali as a 6mo baby?

Motor skills are expected to be refined. Six-month-olds is the time for consumption of solid food. Although Ali has started on his Farley two weeks ahead, it is stirred in a liquid form, almost like diluted in his milk. That gives him the extra energy and comfort during sleep; he sleeps sounder at night with lesser tossing and turning, calling for nursing.

Since babbling has started (he even said A-bah the other day), this formative communication effort should be encouraged by further engaging into more intense conversation. Read books to him before sleeping.

Ali is yet to sit unassisted, though he shows hints going that way but nothing is present at the moment. Soon, insyaAllah.

I'm pregnant again

After two months of absent from the monthly visits, I had strong urges to do a check-up. It was already too late and I was starting to taste the bitter side of food, besides the constant decline in appetite. So, when I finally went to the university's clinic (and it was in the afternoon), the doctor verified all doubts.

It was a clear indicated two line.

However, there was no way of knowing how old is the fetus until I do scanning. The doctor appropriated the intention; he gave a prescription to Daya X-Ray at Jalan Raja Laut.

When I told this to my husband, he suggested the scanning to be done in two weeks' time. That's on the 15th April.

So, the second journey begins. O Allah, please provide ease and protection to me and my fetus throughout this long journey and bless us with Your Providence. Amiin.

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.