Riding a Bike

This is a post about Sheraz riding his bike! For record purpose. LOL. (Warning: Some information may be out of date.)

I once posted about Sheraz's tricycle which we bought somewhere early last year (January 2011). He was 16 months old. Here are the snippet photos of the post. 

So we bought him a bike at the end of last year (December 2011) - He was 2 years and 3 months old. We were so proud that he could pedal and steer so well at the first attempt. But note, he only could push the pedal half way round. He just didn't seem to get enough push with one pedal to get the other one back round. Here's a video of how he rode the bike.

He's been riding the bike for about 9 months now. I was just out of idea on how to train him. He didn't listen and I thought that he's just comfortable with the way he pedaled.  AND  guess what, only recently he's able to pedal a full circle! Oh I'm such a proud parent. Now that I don't have to worry. He'll need to practice more so we can consider to take the training wheels off. 

He is going to be a big brother

We hope he will be able to be a good one.

Happy Twenty Months

Dear my Little Darling Sheraz,

You just hit the twentieth month of your life. Where has all of the time gone. Now that you're getting closer to your second birthday. It's not that I hate to see you grow, but I'll be missing the babyhood soon, very soon. I love being your mom. I love to see you smile. I love to see your funny acts. I can't get your naughty face out of my mind everyday for more than 9 hours at work. You are getting smarter and smarter everyday. You love to laugh, giggle and sing! Although you're constantly active and busy which most of time exhausts me, raising you is the sweetest challenge in my life.

You feed yourself. I have to be ready with two plates or bowls. One of them is yours, where I put some of the food for you to eat. The other one is mine, where I keep the rest and save them from not landing on the floor. The phase of throwing the food on the floor had passed. Now that you are able eat properly, even though you like to hold the spoon your own way and never you let me show how to handle it correctly.

When you're ready to take a bath, you know where to get your towel. You take your t-shirt off (with my assistance) and your pants by yourself. You quickly put your clothes in the laundry basket before proceeding to the bathroom. Thank you for helping bunda for I don't need to pick up any dirty clothes on the floor.

And yes, you love being organized, without me telling you what to do. Maybe unconsciously I've been showing you how I do things. It's amazing to witness how you had learned. Indeed it's more amazing to understand how you picked up on those things from the angle which I have never imagined. When you see used tissue on the floor, you want to toss it out. I still keep all the bins out of your sight. We have no bins in all the bedrooms, in the living room or at the kitchen. Simply because you liked to dig the bins. At least that was what you did when you started to crawl. I know you're older now, but I just don't feel ready to reveal the bin yet, in case you'll get excited seeing it. I still keep them out of your reach. One in the bathroom, at the laundry room and one in the store. When you want to toss out any rubbish, you get me to open the door.

When you accidentally dropped the rice on the sofa, you quickly climbed on the table, took a ply of tissue and wiped the rice off the sofa. Surprisingly! I know the sofa was then clean but the rice was everywhere on the floor. But who would mind the dirty floor when I have a brilliant boy with such a great effort. A few minutes after that, you accidentally spilled the water on the floor. Then again you took two plies of tissue and wipe the water off. It's amazing to know that you had found solution to your problem. The second time when you knew that it's water, you took more tissue cause you knew you need more to wipe it off. What a great decision you made, a decision by a little boy like you. I am so proud.

You also (sometimes) tidy up after playing. You put your Tonka cars back in the shoe box. You place all your toys back on the table. You put the remote controls into their pockets and you put your bottle in the sink right after you finish drinking. You're a smart cute creature and  I hope you'll stay that way.

Sheraz my little sunshine, I am glad to have you now. You have changed my whole perspective in life in just twenty months! I can't imagine my life without you.

Hugs and kisses,

He's Fine Now

At least for the last 48 hours and I hope it stays that way. He wants the milk, he sleeps better at night and his Bunda is happy :D

Who are you and what did you do with my Little Boy?

Sheraz is 19 months, 2 weeks old.

I don't know for what reason, but Sheraz is suddenly refusing his milk. He doesn't want to take it during the day. Only has it once he gets up from his nap (if he naps) and one in the morning when he wakes up for the day.

I'm worried.

By the way, he was exclusively breastfed during the first year. He rejected cows milk so he has been on soy based milk since he turned one. He's been pretty good with this one. 6-8 oz every four hours during the day.

I don't know whether I'm too early to worry. I just hope this is just another phase and this will happen for awhile.

DH is alhamdulillah FINALLY back from his looooong cycling tour. His absence was like a nightmare to me. Sheraz woke up crying  at night every two hours! When he woke up, he screamed at the top of his lung and only settled down within an hour. And then the same thing happened again the next two hours. He just suddenly woke up and cried as loud as he could. My neighbours could have been crazy hearing his screaming voice in the middle of the night.

What I did was climbing down and up the staircase and staying myself as sane as possible. I prepared his milk with him crying on my other arm, turned on the TV, read him books, recite Ayat Kursi by heart. Either one would work only after nearly an hour of struggling. On the other hand, he's a happy and cheerful boy during the day, except that he doesn't have his milk as much as he is used to.

I don't know whether his waking up at night relates the rejection of the milk or the absence of the father. But this is totally not him. *sigh of a desperate mom*

Transition to a Toddler Bed

When he exactly turned 18 months old we finally decided it was time for Sheraz to move to his big boy bed! It's his baby cot converted to a toddler bed. He's doing quite well and his sleeping pattern is way so much better. Not to say because of the transition though. For the past three months he's been sleeping through the night. He sleeps around 9 - 10 PM and only wakes up between 5:30 - 7 AM.

He's so excited.

I had to buy a bed rail for him, one side only cause it's against the wall on the other. He was a wild sleeper in his crib. This rail prevents him from falling out of the bed. Guess what, after the transition he somehow becomes less active (while sleeping).

One of the reasons to convert his cot is because he liked to try climbing out of it. Looks like this doesn't solve the issue. Even though he can get down from the end of the bed, he still prefers climbing through the rail. I trained him to get down properly and he did listen. However there're times when he thinks that climbing is still more fun. He doesn't really do it actually for he only wants to make me feel nervous. Well, Sheraz will always be Sheraz.

The Teeth

This is the record for his teeth. Up to date there are 16 of them.

Buggy Battles

We couldn't get him into the stroller. He just resisted the confinement of riding in it. That's it. All he wanted to do is to push it instead, into everything and even everyone! And yes, he didn't want a helping hand.

Video: Sheraz, a Musical Boy

Sheraz is very musical. He dances every time he hears music. He can turn around, bounce and do funny movements like chicken dance or even headbanging. If there's a music show on the TV, he would watch and concentrate on it. He even moves while he's seated in the car seat. And yes, he also sings. Sings like he knows every word.

Is being destructive a milestone?

Other than hide and seek, this has also been his favorite game since he was able to crawl: throwing stuffs! He likes to throw everything, unfortunately up to today. We have all our cabinets and drawers locked, but the lock of one in his room was broken (two times) because he had successfully pushed and pulled it so many times over and over again until it failed. He likes to unload the drawer, dumps all his clothes out, everywhere on the floor. Plus dropping everything out of his cot. He just likes it. And I'm the kind who can't stand to see the mess, so I put everything back and there he repeats throwing everything all over again. I think it's a great fun for him. Seeing the look on his face, he's so happy.

When I'm driving, he likes to play the same thing. Throwing his bolster, Hippie (his orange hippo) and bottle. And he expects me to hand them back. And mind, he's at the back seat. Of course I can 'play' with him during the red light, but not while I'm driving! If I just ignore him he would scream on top of his lung. sigh.

He likes to hold something and bang or knock it. So noisy! If he's knocking and suddenly finds the rhythm, he would just jig like he's playing a music instrument. But once again, I see the look on his face, he's so proud and happy. Who would not stop being mad seeing the little creature smiles!

Now I notice that he likes to play games which involve me or other people. He's been good at playing solo since he was able to sit on his own- 7 months ago. We could leave him playing alone in his room or in his cot. Only recently he wants to be watched while he's playing. He wants us to see that he can now stack the rings instead of just throwing them. But one minute he's stacking them, the other minute he's throwing them all. I just hope he's not being destructive. Hopefully it's more to exporing and being fascinated to play with new things and finding out how it's like to throw things and maybe also finding out other people's reaction to what he's doing.

Now let's assume this a milestone.

Separation Anxiety

It's only the three of us at home. DH has been travelling a lot. Sometimes he could be away for 3 days in a week. So left only Sheraz and me at home. For sure I can't be with the little one every time. I got to spend at least a little of my own time for the toilet or eating. He can play and be on his own terms but as when I move to leave him, he'd quickly cling to me or wail. And it's not easy to pry him off of me. This started to worsen when he nearly turned a year old. Now when I leave him at the nursery the wails grow louder. I guess when he was younger, he didn't 'understand' how to miss me. Now I can't even be out of his sight.

When I close the bathroom door to get a quick shower, he'd run to me and knock on the door and scream at the top of his lung. He'll only be calm when I hug or carry him and stay beside him while he's playing. The little boy seems to be always alert and notice every time I attempt to 'run away'.

I hope this anxiety won't last forever. He's maturing, I know. One day he'll live his own life with school, activities, friends or a mate. I'll be the one who look back on these days, when I couldn't pry his hands off my leg.

Good Night Baby, Good Morning Big Boy!

Sheraz turns one year old tomorrow. I wanted to cry & smile at the same time. I'm excited for his future but sad babyhood is pretty much over. I never realized his turning one year old would affect me so much!

My baby is growing so fast and we have no pause button! Sometimes whenever I'm with Sheraz I wish life was more like a video game. I could pause it and come back to it whenever I want!

So good night to my baby boy and in the morning I'll be kissing a sweet little toddler! I love you little Sheraz!

Playing Football

Sheraz is 11 months and two weeks old

Video: Sheraz playing Football


Previously he'd run for the ball, catch and roll it with his hand. I had shown him how he's supposed to treat it. He now understands that the ball is meant to be kicked. It's actually more to rolling the ball with his feet, not an actual 'kick'. But at least he got the idea how to play with it.

He's a walker!

Sheraz is 10 months, 1 week and 5 days old

Sheraz has been taking his first one to two steps since he was 9 months, let's say it was like walking by accident (step, step... froze... lowered to knees and crawled). Only on Saturday he took 4 to 5 steps - purposely (He was 10 months, 1 week and 2 days old). On Sunday he started to walk the length of the living room and back! He's gradually taking more and more each day. I guess this brings baby-proofing to a whole new level!

We've been having an anxious time waiting for this moment. I'm making a video clip to celebrate the accomplishment - his first four steps!

We're so proud of him.~

L e a r n    t o    W a l k



* * *

Thank you for watching :D

Skinny Baby?

"Kenapa dia jadi kurus?" That's what most people say when they see Sheraz. The little one was once chubby and he was a big baby compared to the babies his age. As he grows older now he looks lean, not chubby like most babies are. For me, that doesn't bother me at all. The most important thing is that he looks perfectly fine, he is really active, happy, making diapers, and meeting milestones. By the way, he has no food intake issue. In fact, he loves to eat, in a big quantity as well. So since at this point food is only like a supplement where milk is still the main food, I blame his weight on the milk. Not 'blame' to be exact, just to have a simple evaluation on the milk part.

People are a bit skeptical on the amount he gets compared to other formula fed babies. Well, most babies at his age take supplement like 6-8 oz per feeding. But Sheraz just got 3-4 oz of EBM per bottle during the day. In the evening I only nurse him. The thing is most of us do not aware that we do not need to increase milk intake of a breastfed baby because the composition of the breast milk changes as the baby gets older and the amount needed does not change.

About whether he gets enough amount to fill in his tummy, I just simply see the baby himself as the barometer. As long as he looks satisfied and contented, he should be fine. Anyway, during the day he has milk every 2 hours almost consistently, instead of every 4 to 6 hours.

The second thing which I'd like to highlight is he is mobile. Sheraz is an active little boy. It's hardly to see him stay still or sit properly unless if he's asleep. When he moves a lot, I'm sure he's burning calories like crazy. That contributes to his body shape. As our babies get more mobile they will start to look a little leaner and the rate of growth slows a bit as they get older too!

Lastly, people are all sizes, and so are babies. His parents are lean. So what do you expect? That should also explain, right?

I wish I can talk as easy as I write. sigh. You see, at least I'm trying to breakdown possibilities as I don't want to let other people worry me for nothing.

*cheers*

Standing Up

Sheraz is 7 months old

Since I haven't put it here, now I'm posting these pictures. So this is how he stands in the cot. Every morning, WHENEVER he's in a good mood, he'd just play in his cot while I'm getting ready to work. But if he's a bit cranky, he'd just prefer the walker rather than being 'caged'. we have lowered the cot base, as we anticipate that it's not impossible if one day he'll be able to climb without our knowing. It is yes real scary.

These pictures were taken a few days ago at 4 AM in the morning, he woke me up wanting to play. And that wasn't the first time. If he thinks he's waking up for the day, THAT'S IT, somebody needs to wake up and accompany him even if it's as early as 4 AM! He'd protest if I dim the light or ask him to get back to sleep.



Sometimes, I just lie down while he's doing his thing. But guess what, he'd stand, look for me and laugh when he sees me. He thinks I'm hiding to play peekaboo.

"B" for BITE

Sheraz is 6 months and 4 weeks old


That also applies to Baby Bites Bunda! Ouch* He got FOUR more front teeth, the top ones! So now all together is 6 numbers.

Bunda's Note: Been busy. Posting that would be something. LOL.. and I got a lot of things to write actually. It's just Time doesn't allow.

Teething (again & still) and Standing

Sheraz is 6 months, 3 weeks and 1 day old

I've been on a hiatus for a week. The same reason: not enough time to reward myself with internet and blog time :D

Within a week Sheraz has been getting smarter and crankier. Yes, he's cranky, doesn't like to be left alone and he seems to get angry very easily. I have to blame it on the teething. Now that the bottom two middle ones are now obviously there. We now also can see a few top front teeth trying to pop through. It must be frustrating for him to deal with, until those cutie pearly white poke through his gums. May Allah make things easy for him. Amin.

Last week (30th March) we witnessed him standing. Now he likes to climb, grab the nearest objects for him to climb and pull himself to a stand. This morning I saw him standing on his cot! Although it maybe now to early for him to climb out of the cot, we already have adjusted his cot base to one level lower.

DH managed to snap the LO's first attempt to stand.

He's Crawling!

Sheraz is 6 months, 1 week and 5 days old

After a week of learning to balance his body to sit, finally he is now crawling!

It all started when he showed us that he's able to rock back and forth in crawling position. Then he was able to go backwards- only moving backwards for a few days, paralleled the sitting skill.

And, Two days ago we witnessed him took about two steps stop and then another two. His biggest achievement as of today is four to five steps, and still slithers on his tummy to reach the things he aims.

Sheraz seems to be enthusiastic to be getting mobile. I think his reaching and grabbing desire encourages him to move. He likes any kind of remote controls, handphones and my laptop. Every time these 'miraculous' objects are within his sight, he would try his best to reach them.

Well done Sheraz!

Teeth!

Sheraz is 6 months, 1 week and 5 days old

Sheraz just had his two little teeth peeked through! They're the bottom two middle ones. It is so cute to see them when he cries (He doesn't let me open his mouth to see the teeth, so I only can see them when he cries).

Now that he got his first choppers and they're SHARP! Yesterday morning he bit me twice during nursing, it was sooo much ouchy unlike those previous bites. When we checked, he actually got his teeth popped up. Now at the end of nursing session he'd bite me. When I do a high-pitched cry, he'd bite more and smile at the same time. It looks like my scream is like a joke to him.


Note to Sheraz: Sheraz - sheraz, bunda takut putus!