Nathan vs Ant

Nathan just started crawling two weeks ago. He's gotten quite good at it. Here's him putting his new skill to use...

By the way, the ant survived. Nathan's small hands didn't manage to squash the ant.

8 months old

Dear Nathan,

You are 8 months old today… Mommy can’t believe that time has gone by so quickly. Very soon, we’d be celebrating your first birthday.

On Apr 30, you started crawling. Your new found mobility has made you are more fidgety, and changing you is becoming more challenging. You get impatient and would start fussing and wriggling about when we take too long to change your diapers even though daddy tells you that it’d be faster if you keep still. You are able to play by yourself but I think you have started developing separation anxiety recently. You would call for us when we walk away, wanting us to sit by your side and play with you.

At 7.5 months, mommy started giving you some formula milk. Currently, you are drinking about 60% breast milk, 40% formula milk. Thankfully, you’ve no issues with taking either and continue to feed well. You love solids. At home, you’d usually have brown rice cereal and fruit/vegetable purees. In school, you’ve tried fish, chicken, pumpkin, spinach, broccoli, marcoroni, mee sua and several others.

You are pretty happy sitting in a hair chair (most times), which makes it possible for mommy and daddy to eat together. The waiter at Applebees gave you a balloon when we went there for YeYe’s birthday dinner, and you were laughing when we played with the balloon. So adorable. Your hair has grown longer and it seems that the sweat glands on your head has just started working. The weather’s been pretty hot lately, and you sweat pretty easily… though it just your head that gets sweaty. Kinda strange. Nonetheless, you still smell nice. Mommy loves holding you close, and sniffing that baby smell of yours.

Mommy has started work at IBM… the arrangement is working out great so far. I drop you off at school before work, and am able to leave work on time to pick you up. Some days, daddy and mommy both go to work at together, so we get to spend some ‘family time’ together in the car while driving to your school, then to work. Mommy and daddy also get more opportunities to have lunch together. There was one day when I didn’t want to send you to school as you were a little unwell the day before. I asked my boss if she was ok that I worked from home, and she was agreeable. IBM also has nursing rooms where mommy can express milk for you in a private and comfortable setting. All in all, this job is more ‘Nathan friendly’. Mommy’s glad that you are enjoying your time in school, while we are at work.

You continue to bring so much joy to mommy and daddy. We love you loads.

Hugs & Kisses,

Mommy

Happy Mommy's Day

Because of Nathan, I get to celebrate Mother’s Day. I’m so thankful that God has given me this babe, and continue to pray that I’d be a good mommy. He’s brought me so much joy. I think God is using motherhood to mould me into a better someone. Nathan’s entrance into this world has turned our lives around 180 degrees, but Dean and I would not have it anyway else.

Nathan’s first month was rather difficult. The 3 hourly feeds thru the day meant that I couldn’t sleep more than 2 hours at any one time. Moreover, I had to figure out breastfeeding, his different cries, how he likes to be comforted, how to put him to sleep without rocking him too much lest he becomes dependent on rocking... Thereafter, I got to know him better, and caring for him got easier. Thankfully, he started sleeping thru the night at 3 months old, and both Dean and I got more rest. That gave us more energy to do more fun things during the day. I enjoy watching him grow day by day. Each time he reaches a new milestone, my heart fills up with joy, and also a tinge of sadness. Joy as he can finally do something that we’ve been teaching / helping him, and sadness cos he's grown that little bit more. A part of me is unwilling to have him grow up so fast I guess. I look forward to picking him up from school every day. I like standing at the door, peeping in to see what he’s up to. Seeing him smile as our eyes meet, gives me this warm and fuzzy feeling. I love playing with him, singing to him, cuddling up with him. His favorite game so far has to be peekaboo. Love it when he chuckles in response. Some nights, he’d wake up crying, probably from a bad dream. I always manage to drag myself out of bed, pick him up, hug him and tell him that all is well. I think God has given moms an extra portion of His strength, cos no matter how tired I am, I still find myself jumping out of bed the moment I hear his cries thru the monitor.

Dear Nathan, thanks for being the darling that you are. Mommy is so blessed to have you. Even on lousy days, just looking at you brings a smile to my face. I have truly seen God’s goodness in my life (more than ever) since the day you arrived. Thanks too for the pair of Frank Gehry earrings that you and daddy got for me. You and daddy are mommy’s favorite boys! Love you loads!