What will happen to my blog?

As you know, daddy and mommy has been putting in a lot of effort in this blog - which would capture the early adventures of my life. So when I grow up, I can see how colorful and magical life was around me - mainly because of the magic I bring. It also allows you all, from different parts of the world, to keep up with me as I grow up.

Lately, mommy found another way to capture this magic. She would be turning this blog into a book. What a wonderful gift that would make for me when I grow into an adult. I suppose I can read that book to my little kids or grand kids! I hope they still read books in those days.

Magic moments

Happy 7 month! But I wanna go to bed.

Stop making me laugh, Elmo

It's the bub's conference in my mom's mother's group and the chairperson gets to wear the biggest hat

It's all about me now

There comes a time with little girls when they learn to claim their belongings - start to build their own little world. Mine has just began. I am now learning to ask for what I think is mine and am not shy to express when I don't get it. But when I do get it, I say thank you too (in my little way). Check out the video.

Trick and teeth: from a 7 m.o.

Daddy was in Brisbane all week. He came back on Friday night and was very keen to see me. He missed me a lot while away from home. Mommy kept on sending him picture messages and made video calls. But it was far different from hugging me. Also mommy kept the biggest secret away from him all the week. When he came home - she revealed my latest milestone. I have got a new teeth! Daddy was shocked. He missed a big one. But then, he was ecstatic - seeing me hit another step.

Check out the picture - can you see my little teeth right on top of my mom's finger tip? Yes, it is a lower central incisor. I got to say one thing though, ever since they have figured out I have teeth, I get pressed to show it to everyone all so often. Not to mention the effort they put in capturing it on camera. It isn't something I am enjoying too much. I suppose I got to give up something for their happiness!

Anyways, that was the teeth story. Just as daddy thought he had not missed much more than that, mommy pushed me to show the next trick. I can now sit up all by myself (without any support) and play with my toys. Daddy almost jumped through the ceiling! He missed so much in just a week. That would teach him a lesson not to leave me for too long. So I can now sit completely unattended for as long as I want to. Only once in a while I lean to a side and slam on the deck - so there needs to be some pillow or adult supervision when I am sitting.

Look pa, no hands!

Well, what a way to get to the weekend which was also my 7 month birthday. Not bad milestones to mark another month, huh?

Daddy had to make up for his being away - so for the weekend he made sure he was available for me. We went out on Saturday for a bit of shopping and eating out. We had our usual cake to mark the day. Then on Sunday we went down to Fagan Park in Hornsby to meet up with mommy's mother's group and exchange kris kringle. 7 babies in this group and I am the youngest of them all! Plenty of inspiration from there as I could see what the others were up to.

Fagan Park

Happy Birthday, Mommy

We are celebrating another milestone as the clock ticks 12 o'clock tonight. It's mommy's birthday! Yey!!

What an year it has been for her. It will be an understatement to say - she pretty much dedicated most of it for me. First part of it to carry me in her tummy and the next part to look after me growing up. While I know she's so proud of the way I am growing up - little she knows how much prouder we all are for her. She's such a strong and assuring person to have around us. With mommy around, all's taken care of. Be it's my food, my health, daddy's well being and everything else under the sun. And did I say, she's the house-joker too? She keeps that smile on everyone's face. Mommy, you got to know how much we appreciate it all. Simply put, we will all be helpless little kids running around if you were not around.

You think I am making it all up? Check out her daily routine - she's been back to full-time work for some time now. As she comes back home, first she sorts out my food and set me up for dinner. She'd then give me a bath or fix me up after daddy gives me a bath. As I go to bed, she'd grab her own dinner. Finally, she'd be in her bed with the laptop either following up her office-work or research on the Internet for me. She's always looking out for the next nutritious food she'd make me or checking out the stores for things I would be needing soon or finding out about my next development stage.

So mommy, here's to you for all the hard work you are doing for me and all the beautiful thoughts you carry for the family. Many happy returns of the day. And I hope the years to come brings you joy and happiness to make up for all the sacrifices you are making now. You are the best mom ever!! Love you so much, mommy.

World's greatest pram stroll

Daddy disappeared again for most of the week - busy with what he calls 'work'. It was only Friday morning when I got to see him again, thanks to getting up early in the morning. Daddy reckons I grew few centimeters taller in the days he was away. And I picked a few new tricks too. Mommy got me to demonstrate to daddy how I can push myself up to a sitting position while lying down on a cushion. I also showed him how I can push myself up and go round a circle to pick up toys around me. I think I am just this far away from starting to crawl.

The biggest day of the week was today, when we went to world picnic day. It was a cloudy morning but we took the punt and set off in the morning for Sydney Olympic Park. Mommy has already registered for the "world's greatest pram stroll", so we had to rush to make sure we can make the starting lineup. It wasn't a bad crowd for an event like this. Not too many people were interested in the 4km stroll though - most of them were keen on lazying around the grass and join the occasional dance routines called by the DJ.

Top-left: mommy/daddy/me posing at the starting line; Top-right: daddy in his brisk pace halfway through the stroll; Bottom-left: daddy and me dashing to the finish line; Bottom-right: we are at the finish line

We all started the stroll but lola decided to stay back after she heard it's going to be 4km. Tita decided to stay back with lola. So the three of us started off briskly under the cloudy sky. The day remained cloudy - but without rain. Which is probably good as it was less warm than the usual summer day this time of the year. Apart from the annoying flies, I was quite enjoying the walk. Towards the end though, the flies got the better of me and I was really annoyed. Daddy decided to dash to the finish line so I can take a well-deserved break. Mommy followed behind with her camera. Not sure if I'd consider it my 'greatest pram stroll' but mommy and daddy certainly had a good workout from the walk. And oh, we didn't make the top 3 finish, so we missed out on the prizes as well.

After the stroll we sat down on the grass enjoying the music and games and having our lunch. I also had the opportunity to settle down and drink my milk. Although for a few minutes I got spooked by Tita as I couldn't recognize her while she had her sunglasses on. I started to wonder who this person was trying to carry me. But as soon as she took them off, I was back to happy mood again - as they danced with me and the music.

After staying there for a short while, we went to DFO for mommy's leftover shopping. It won't be a complete trip to Olympic Park until mommy blesses DFO with her presence. After struggling through the pre-Christmas crowd to find a parking spot, we finally got through our to-do's and was on our way back home. I started to feel very tired in the car - as I sang myself to sleep.

I do enjoy my day trips. The cool breeze towards the end meant I had to put on my jumper. But all-in-all, it was a fun day out.

Chicken tonight

Last week I went for a series of veggie recipes. Some were instant hit - some were not. Today, lola cooked for me chicken rice porridge (Arroz Caldo) and blend into thick soup. My first taste of chicken. I was a bit suspicious of it at first - either because of the taste or the texture. But went along with it for a while. I do have a clear sign of disliking. The other day daddy was trying to feed me parsnip and I made it very clear to him that "I don't like parsnip". After trying for a while he gave up and switched to pumpkin.

You know I like to kick a lot. Even though it doesn't get me crawling when I am on my tummy, I do like throwing my legs. For that matter, I do it when sitting or when held by someone. So little surprise that my legs are growing strong each day. The other day mommy was changing me and stood me up to slip on the tops easily. She put my hands on the wall as a support and to her surprise, there I was standing one my feet with the wall to support me. Yahoo! Another milestone reached!

Last poll result

Quite a few votes were put in on this poll. Majority pointed to November - the current month. Well, you guys are spot on. I can already sitting unsupported for a short while. If I am left in that position for too long, I tend to bend forward and eventually turn to my side to make way for a decent fall.

Here's an update on the previous poll. Most of you said I'd get my first teeth in the month of November too. Tell you what, that is likely to be correct to ... There are already signs of teeth in my upper gum and I love my teether.

Don't forget to vote again.

Magic moments

I do take this walking business too seriously ...

I see the adults finish off their meal with a drink or two ...

I love my banana

I am getting more and more adventurous with my solid. Mommy packed a small piece of banana for me yesterday. It's official - banana is my favorite fruit. Catch me enjoying my banana while having an afternoon chat with my parents. Only problem was, I needed a full shower to get the banana off me.

From the tummy series

There's something exciting coming up. While I was in my mommy's tummy, daddy had been compiling a weekly journal leading up to my birthday. I am sure I would love to treasure the handwritten journal (My Pregnancy Journal) as I grow up, because it details the wider world around me while I was in a rather small world. Daddy will now post the content on this site so it makes a great read all the way from the beginning. Enjoy reading!

Since they would be back-dated posts, you can read them all here or look for the back link in the links section on the right.

Hit for a six

Hip hip! Hurray!

I turned 6 months. Countdown to my first birthday has begun. I am a little girl no more. Last few weeks has been particularly exciting. Pretty much everyday brought in something new in my life - or I learned a new trick or two. How time flies!

Anyways, daddy (always too busy at work) was not in town on 28th and was not back home till late on 29th. So mommy decided to push out our six month celebration by a day. We had the usual little home party to mark the occasion. This time it was pizza and pasta night. Check me out reaching for the food! Unlike last times, I had my bowl of food too, to enjoy along with the adults.

I am developing into a grownup pretty fast (don't forget to check on what I learned in last few weeks here). My personality has matured as I learned to express what I like and don't like. I have also learned to express fear or affection. Daddy loves it when I touch him on his face when he comes back from work! Mommy is loving the full-on communication she is having with me - she reads me too well.

I am sure this is only the beginning and the journey ahead would be far more exciting.

Later in the week we caught up with Evie and Myah - two of my friends from mommy's mother's group. Evie was born the same day as me and Myah is couple of weeks younger. We all were born in Westmead Private Hospital. While the mommies got together pretty frequently, the daddies met up after quite a while. We had some good times playing with each other and then ourselves as our parents chatted through the lunch.

I love to go out. Apart from the fact that my car seat is my second favorite place to sleep, I do enjoy the sun and the birds. So mommy and daddy tries to take me out once in a while. Last week we spent a lazy (and rather hot) Sunday afternoon in the park. It was a picnic lunch (just milk for me though). This is my first summer and I am getting used to the open breeze and clear sky above me. I suppose I also need to get used to the ants in the grass!

So, that was the recap for the week. Another eventful one, especially because I turned six (months). You know, it's funny how time changes perspective. When I was born, each day was a milestone. When I stepped into my first week, we counted the next weeks and followed my progress. Until I turn one (my first real birthday), each month is a step in the stone. And my parents are so excited with the steps I have been taking.

My vegan week

This week was all about trying new solids. At the end of the week, here's how it went:

• I loved banana, sweet potato, pear, apple and carrot
  
• I hated avocado and pawpaw
  
• Mommy even ventured me into the world of green mango - I had a bit to taste and was certainly interested
  

So as you can see, within the week I have managed to try quite a variety of solids - mostly mashed either by itself or mixed with rice cereal and milk. Eating solids is my second nature now. Its like I have been doing it for some time.

Mommy is spending quite a bit of time preparing this too. She spends some of her weekend cooking a number of dishes and packing them into small cubes to be used throughout the week. All it needs is a bit of thawing in hot water and voila, my dish is served. Mommy is also trying to follow the recipe guide from a book (Annabel Karmel's Superfoods for Babies and Children) so I get enough variety and required nutrition.

Now a bit about what I liked and disliked. You see, you can easily tell when I do like some food. I simply finish it until there isn't a drop left in the bowl. But when I don't, you can tell it too. I sneer, I shake and I refuse to eat. Enough clue for my mom (or dad) to stop pursuing it any further. Also, there seems to be a pattern in my liking too - easy to tell. My baby taste is following daddy's so far. Avocado isn't my thing.

The plan is to up the bar a notch next week through the introduction of meat - possibly with chicken! More on that soon.

Oh yeah, before I go, here's a cool video daddy captured yesterday while I was playing in my play-gym. Enjoy!