Haircut

Posted by: Sharmila Rajah Post(s) by this blogger

It’s that time again – Ayanna swings by for a haircut at the hair salon. I’m relieved she doesn’t mind it. She sits quite comfortably while her hair is cut. She has gotten better at it now, knowing exactly what to expect. She does get a little fidgety at times but manages to sit through the entire session without much fuss.  

Popsicle Surprise- A fruity treat!

Posted by: Sharmila Rajah Post(s) by this blogger

Yum Yum Yum

Ayanna is no fruit eater. Even after countless attempts, she's blatantly refused to try any type of fruit. Last resort - turning fruit into popsicles. What kid do you know who doesn’t like popsicles? It’s fairly simple – make your own with any fruit of your choice to get all those great nutrients in an icy cold treat.

Combining yogurt and strawberries I created the perfect princess popsicle –pink with swirls of white- and what a hit it was.

Like vegetables, fruits are chock full of vitamins, minerals, and fiber — all necessary nutrients for your child's developing body. I’m excited that I’ve finally succeeded.

Recipe:
Strawberry-Yogurt Popsicles
(makes 4-6, depending on the size of your molds)
1 pint strawberries, cored and quartered
1/4 cup sugar
2 tablespoons water
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1 cup Greek style yogurt (I used vanilla yogurt)
Bring the strawberries, water, and sugar to a simmer in a medium sauce pan. Simmer for five minutes, or until strawberries are very soft. Pour into a food processor, add the lemon juice, and pulse a few times, until fruit is almost pureed but not liquefied. Chill in the refrigerator until cool.
Stir the yogurt into the strawberry mixture until combined. Pour into molds and freeze for at least 8 hours or overnight. To remove, run some warm water over the outside of the mold until you can gently pull the popsicle out.

(Recipe courtesy of http://www.thekitchn.com/thekitchn/ingredients-fruit/recipe-strawberryyogurt-popsicles-053717)

P/S- You can purchase popsicle molds from the Kitchen Shop located at most malls around the city.

Gymboree

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Min on the parachute - an activity where he watches bubbles to enhance hand eye coordination

Shamindra has joined Gymboree. We decided to especially since Ayanna had loads of fun in the activities and enhanced many of her skills while doing so. It was also great for us as parents to participate in such activities.

Sharmindra is in the Play & Learn which encourages development through play and learning designed to support a child’s growth at their own individual pace. At Level 1 (0-6 months), a baby gets to explore their senses; sessions are designed to support visual and auditory development with tummy time, flashlight play, first songs and more.

He’s loving it…

For more information on Gymboree, check out www.gymboree.com.sg or visit their outlets at Bangsar Village Shopping Centre and Tropicana City Mall.

Fourth month update

Posted by: Sharmila Rajah Post(s) by this blogger

Shamindra rolls over quite effortlessly now. He pulls his leg over, twists his hips a little and then the rest of the body follows. He has a new perspective on things seeing his world differently.

He has more than doubled his birth weight. Shamindra now weighs 5.5kgs. He has a more mature eating schedule, in preparation of the eating schedule he will embark on when he turns 6 months. With a bigger tummy, he doesn't eat as often - about six to eight feeds a day/ night.  At this point the content of breast milk also changes, with more fat and minerals, to match baby's nutritional needs. Though nursing can be quite difficult at times as Shamindra is so easily distracted - be it his sister singing or any other environment noise.

He loves playing on his own- at least for some time, especially in the mornings. He's amused by his fingers and toes.

Earth Day - How do you celebrate the environment

Posted by: Sharmila Rajah Post(s) by this blogger

Earth Day is near– how are you planning to celebrate it with your kids? Important still, how do you inculcate the habit of protecting and cleaning up the environment and incorporate that into your daily routine?

Here are a few things we do (though little steps) and fit them into our daily routine:
1.    Going organic –eating healthy, fresh produce grown locally and avoid vegetables/ fruits that use pesticide or other chemicals.
2.    Saying no to plastic bottles – we have opted for an environmentally-friendly reusable stainless-steel bottle for carrying our water around.
3.    Not letting the water run, which Ayanna has learnt to practice seriously while brushing her teeth and washing her hands.
4.    Reusing paper for drawing, colouring etc
5.    Cleaning expedition - We’re constantly on the lookout at parks for plastic bottles, cans and other rubbish that have not been discarded properly and that can harm the earth. We discard them into their respective recycling bins.

We explain to Ayanna about the earth - her home and the importance of caring for her environment and the effects of pollution, etc. It may be much for a three-year old to take on but she seems to handle it alright - small measures go a long way. The key is to make her understand and love her 'home'. We also include certain fun activities such as colouring, using play-dough to make the earth, etc to further her appreciation for her beloved planet.

Respect for the earth and the environment begins at home.

Rolling over

Posted by: Sharmila Rajah Post(s) by this blogger

Shamindra rolled over last Tuesday. He has been rolling to his side for some time now and suddenly surprised us by making a complete roll over. He was in that position for some time before crying out loud as he could not get his hands out from under him. He has been spending the entire week perfecting his moves. He has yet to flip back from tummy to back on his own and calls out for help.

My story-teller

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My three year old is quite a storyteller, infusing her own experiences with characters from her favorite show and books to craft a tale. I sit and listen…fascinated and appreciatively. I encourage Ayanna by asking questions, which can lead to some fascinating details. Sometimes I watch from afar, as she tells her stories to herself and to her toys.

As Ayanna’s language skills evolve, her stories have begun to evolve, becoming more detailed. I tend to invite her to add details to stories I tell just to juice it all up.

At three, kids can experience something, think about it and then tell a story about it. These stories, real or fictional or sometimes a mix of both, tend to help kids make sense of everyday events and the people they encounter. Exposing little ones to a variety of stories, from fairy tales and real stories, will help keep their creative juices flowing.

How do you encourage your preschooler to be creative storyteller?

Third month update

Posted by: Sharmila Rajah Post(s) by this blogger

At 3 months and 2 weeks, Shamindra is quite attuned to his environment as he starts to draw conclusions about the world around him. He’s looking at everything with curiosity.

He listens when I speak, describing what’s all around him. He turns in the direction of my voice. He answers with coos and oohs and smiles. He has started to laugh. And when he does, oh boy can he laugh. When he laughs, I laugh. The fun has really begun.

He is also enjoying his own reflection.

Shamindra is mastering his grabbing skills. He grabs everything within reach. The play gym he’s on gives him adequate practice ground to move, swat and grab the hanging toys.

At this stage, there’s great development happening in a baby’s brain that coincides with significant behavioral changes. The part of the brain that governs hand-eye coordination and allows a baby to recognize objects is developing rapidly now.

Physically, he turns to his side often and when on his tummy, can prop up his head quite steadily.

Exciting times indeed….

Missing Daddy

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All three of us are missing our main guy – Daddy.
Daddy is away for more than a month. We miss him very much.
Ayanna is not able to comprehend the 'time aspect' -  how long Daddy’s going to be away. She keeps asking ‘Is daddy coming home tomorrow?’

Before leaving:
We talked to Ayanna about his trip, preparing her for what lay ahead.

Currently – while daddy is away:

We’ve got a calendar out and we’re crossing off the days that have passed in anticipation of his arrival. We communicate daily. Talking to him everyday helps. We Skype - being able to see his face helps to bridge the distance.

Eight days gone, 28 more to go…. before daddy comes home.

How do you and your kids deal with having one spouse/ parent away?

It’s that time again…

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It’s that time again… for vaccinations.

I’m the type of mum who is all for vaccinations. I gave Ayanna her mandatory vaccines and more (pneumococcal and rotavirus). And plan to do the same with Shamindra. Just the other day, Ayanna received her second dose of her Hepatitis A vaccine while I received my flu vaccination which I didn’t take while pregnant.

How do they work?
Immunizations are designed to protect against serious illnesses ranging from polio to measles and the seasonal flu.  Vaccines are made of weakened versions of the bacteria or virus that causes a particular disease. This results in the immune system mounting an attack that stimulates the body to produce antibodies. Once produced the antibodies remain active in the body, ready to fight off the real disease. An immunized child/ adult is much less likely to contract the disease than one who hasn’t been immunized.

A yearly dose of H1N1 flu vaccine is now recommended for children 6 months and older. Shamindra will be receiving his when he turns 6 months.

Have you kept to a strict immunization schedule for your children?