Caleb's Daily Schedule

I thought to jot these down for future reference, before I forget anymore. It seems that people tend to forget lots. Especially with all the newness of being a new parent, each day is taken as it comes, and put behind us when it's over.

I am very glad and appreciative of pipi's easy going nature, accepting changes and implementations readily. Not all children are like him. He makes us look good at parenting.

As of now, his schedule is as below, and has been for at least 2 months (see how easy it is to forget things?):

• pipi wakes up between 6am - 7am
• breakfast between 7.30am - 8am
• bath between 8.30am - 9.30am
• morning tea break of milk
• nap between 9.30am - 11.30am
• lunch starts between 11.45am - 12.15pm
• afternoon tea break of milk and snacks such as fruit/cheese/yogurt/toddler snacks, around 2pm - 2.30pm
• nap between 2.30pm - 4.30pm
• Dinner around 5pm plus
• Night routine start around 7.30pm, milk at around 8pm.
• Lights out around 8.15pm - 8.30pm

In the past before this, I just gave him water before his morning nap, as he was still supplementing his dinner with milk. After he increased his food intake, we removed the dinner milk and added a morning tea.

Now, I'm thinking of reducing his milk intake, to allow him more stomach room for solids. He's taking about 650ml of milk still, and research has indicated that 1 year old kids should drink about 350ml - 450ml of milk daily, and to supplement that with dairy products such as cheese, yogurt or milk shakes for calcium intake.

Our Weekend Pictures (19 - 20 Nov)

Weekend has flown by and it's back to work after a week of SAHM. Now that it's over, I actually don't mind doing it again.

Funny habit that Caleb has recently

We went for Qiwei and Lifang's (my secondary school friends) baby shower on Sunday. It's amazing to see how tiny a one month old baby is, and to have witnessed the growth of a tiny baby to a blabbering and walking tot. We really should marvel at the speed of their growth. When I look at Lifang's baby, I kind of miss the times where Caleb just sits there and smile at you, or wiggle his toes and pump his fists. I miss that rocking bed of his. But if he stays that way, I won't get my hugs and laughter from his antics.

Big Boy means a change in Habits

There's just so much to learn about parenting! Speech, movement, nutrients, etc.

I'm always very concern about his nutrients, fearing that he does not get enough to grow. With the one year old milestone hit, I need to adjust his food intake again.

Here are some articles that I found useful:
Caring for toddler
Solids by age: 12 - 18 Months
How to feed your toddler
Caring for your toddler
Social and emotional issues in toddlers

A Week of SAHM

How fast time flies. Caleb is one, and my week of being a SAHM has ended.

My MIL went for an overseas trip and hubby was on course, so I had to take leave the whole week to take care of Caleb. Overall it was fun, and we had a good time bonding with each other. There were ups and downs, with Caleb throwing tantrums, refusing his dinner and generally doing what toddlers this age do. But after taking into account him teething (7th tooth), he has been an angel for the whole week.

14 Nov
The day started fantastic, with a slight drizzle to give rise to a beautiful rainbow.

Beautiful rainbow, wishing Caleb Happy Birthday

We went out for lunch at Jurong Point. I wanted to bring Caleb to Vivocity to play in the indoor playground, but he woke from his nap too late to reach Vivocity in time for lunch and play. It was good that we went Jurong Point too, as I could bring him back for his second nap and I could rest myself too.

Out for lunch!

16 Nov
Hubby was able to take leave on Wednesday, and we went to IKEA for lunch. Caleb loves handling cold stuff now, and seems to have an instinct on what's cold and what's not. He'll always point to those cold items to ask us to pass them to him.

Happiness @ IKEA

17 Nov
I wanted to go to my aunt's place sometime this week. But sadly, she was sick and advised me not to, so that she won't pass the germs to Caleb. So we popped by our neighbour, Sabrina's place, for a playdate with her 14month old son, Lincoln. I really believe that babies can communicate with each other with their babbles. It's really very amusing listening to them eee-eee orh-orh arh-arh at each other! They not only do parallel play, but will play a little with each other as well. It's really interesting to see the growth and difference between babies of the same age. Lincoln is much better at communicating, using hand signs and could point or respond to questions. I believe it's because there are many more people with him throughout the day to stimulate his brain. Sabrina brings him to baby classes as well. Caleb is able to stand, walk rather steadily and sometimes even run. He'll rarely sit still or crawl anymore. In this case, he's better than Lincoln, as Lincoln still sit and crawl most of the time. I guess this is what experts always advise about babies developing and reaching their own milestones at their own pace. We parents are just facilitators and should not rush them to achieve any before their time.

Forgoing the spoon during self feeding practice

18 Nov
I must admit that I was rather upset yesterday. My MIL came back late in the night on 17th, but hubby only got to know about it the day before. She could have take over babysitting duties, and I could have gone for my company's D&D. I really really wanted to go, as I missed the one last year already. I feel that hubby could have checked instead of assume on his mom's date of return. Also, hubby could not confirm on the time he'll reach home, and that he may need to do OT. But in the end, he reached home around 6pm. I really could have gone to the D&D.

I thought that since I could not go to the D&D, I could have a half day to myself, sort of like a compensation for not going. My MIL could rest for the first half of the day, and take over for awhile in the afternoon. I was planning to go for a massage and a tea session with my book. But I had to take care of Caleb for the whole day, as my MIL was not feeling well due to diarrhea. Oh well, it's my own child and I don't mind sacrificing. But still, I kind of feel unappreciated by hubby. He really could have planned things better. 

Not wanting to spend the last day of my leave at home, I brought Caleb out to Jurong Point again for lunch and decided to treat myself to Lai Lai lamien. We did not stay long, as Caleb was throwing tantrums and grumbling throughout the trip. I just kept reminding myself that he's not always like this, and is usually cheerful and funny, to accept his occasional acting up. If I as his mom don't accept it, who will?

Mummy still love you, even with your tantrums

Cutie enjoying the toys and books at JP

And now, I'm having some quiet moments at work, reflecting on the past week and kind of wishing that I have another week of playtime with my baby. Haha, playtime is learning time for Caleb and exercising time for mommy. My calves ache with all the walking that I did with him, and have surely toned them a little!

Our Weekend Pictures (11 - 13 Nov)

Weekend started early! But I have been slacking in my posts, as I was engaged in engaging the toddler throughout the week.

We celebrated Caleb's birthday over last weekend, with a little celebration with close friends and family. I brought Caleb to Somerset Grand Cairnhill by myself on Friday, and we had a little mom and baby time before daddy came over after his work.

In the cab, and our 2-bedroom unit at Grand Cairnhill

Dinner at Somerset 313, The Handburger, and pics @ Charlie Brown cafe

Caleb did not go to sleep as his usual self on both nights. He kept crying and clinging to us until 9plus, and we had to walk and carry him to sleep. I guess it was due to the new environment and over-stimulation. With this experience, we've come to really appreciate his usual self, of being able to fall asleep on his own. I really wonder how parents who have to carry their babies / toddlers to sleep do it every night.

Saturday, 12 Nov, was the little celebration. See the 3 of us in yellow? Heheh~

Happy Birthday Caleb! You are ONE!

After checking out on 13 Nov, the girls (I booked a room for them as well) and us went for lunch before going home. It was a nice chit chat session over good food at Tonkatsu Ma Maison.

Antics of a funny boy

Love Letters - 12 Months

Happy birthday my dear baby! You are one year old today!

Can't believe that a year has already flown by, and that we have known each other for 365 days.

You've been a joy to us so far, and also to those who know you. Your cheerful character n interactive manner endears you to all who come in contact with you.

I wish you good health so that you are able to do whatever you wish to. I wish you wealth in friends and love. I wish that you are happy always.

We love you.  

365 days of a love affair with our little boy

Our Weekend Pics (5 - 7 Nov)

Yay! Long weekend! Boohoo, it's over. This weekend was a longer one, as Monday was a Public Holiday. Overall it was great. Here to many more lovely weekends. This coming weekend we'll be celebrating Caleb's birthday. Can't believe how time flies.

Long and I went out for a show and a little shopping on Saturday morning, and came back in the afternoon to spend the rest of the day with pipi. We brought him out to dinner at the Mac opposite Jurong Point, and had a nice long walk in a different park.

Pipi had a funny reaction to holding cold drinks, and we finally managed to take some pics of it.

So shiok! :D

We took him for his first MRT ride on Sunday, to Clementi Mall. It was really convenient, as a bridge connects the train station to the mall. He was rather quiet throughout the trip, but could be seen observing his surroundings the whole time.

Monday was spent at home, except for a short trip to Jurong Point for lunch. We ate Din Tai Fung, and I let him try wonton skin and also the clear soup. It's a battle between wanting to give him only home cooked food or to start to let him try outside food. I guess it's to play by ear, and test the food for sweetness and salt level before letting him try. We certainly do not wish to have a picky eater.

Funny boy @ our daily evening walk