All that facial muscles to buzz

Future trombonist! Bzzzzz

Sophie tries to stand!

She did a lot of this on the San Diego trip. She was trying to climb into the luggage and using it to stand.

She finally succeeded! And then she used the stroller to help her stand too. Now back at home, all she wants to do is to try to stand or sit on her knees. She even crawled into the coffee table and opened the drawer of the TV stand so she could stand on it.
dd promptly went out to buy her an activity table from kidtokid so she can practise her antics.

Goodbye Breasty

Goodbye pumping breast milk, otherwise known as breasty the besty in our home. I packed up my pump and flanges last night. And watched Soph guzzle down the last bottle of milk I squeezed for her. Six months ago, I have been dreaming of this day, yet I still feel a sense of guilt when it has arrived.
My breastfeeding history for Soph:
0 month: Can't squeeze out any bm
1 month: Visited 2 lactation consultants. Judy said I had insufficient glandular tissue and would have to supplement. I felt a great sense of loss, knowing I could not provide her with the most basic thing she need. (Thank god for formula!)
2-4 months: Struggled with breastfeeding using supplemental tubing, and pumping after every feeding 8 times a day.
4.5 months: Decided to switch to exclusively pumping because breastfeeding was still taking an hour or even more at times. She wrestled my breasts and sometimes did not want to feed which was affecting her weight. That was the most miserable part of the 9 months! Every day was crazy, watching her cry while I scrambled to tape tubes to my breasts. And then sitting there for an hour but she did not want to drink or was really slow. And still had to pump for 10 minutes after that while she played in the jungle gym. It was taking a toll on me because both of us had no time for other activities. So eventually I chose to pump 8 times a day and managed to provide half of what she needed.
6 months: Back to work and pumping 3 times at work. Struggled to wake up early and sleep late so that I could squeeze in 6 pumping sessions a day. Down to 2.5 bottles of the 6 feeds she needs.
7-8 months: Pumping sessions drop to 5 from all the buzz. Down to 2 bottles a day.
9 months: Weaned off to 2 pumping sessions a day.
And this is the only photo that leaves me a memory of sitting there pumping with my iPad in my lap.
Goodbye for now.

She's nine months old!

It's December and Soph is nine months old. Already?! After the stuffy nose-constipation ordeal, she is finally back to eating regularly, guzzling milk and munching happily away on solids again.
On Sunday, we had brunch with friends and brought along her portable booster seat. We sat her in it and she finished her meal of homemade pear sauce and oatmeal. And even managed to have snippets of avocado from our plate. Ah table food.

Soph can also army crawl pretty fast now, even though she doesn't lift her tummy off the the ground. I say she's lazy but Doc says she chooses not too. Yesterday we sat her on her playmat and we went to sit some distance away at the dining table. When she saw that our backs were turned, she started crawling toward us at top speed, her arms diving left right left right like swimming freestyle. When dd caught her before she reached the table, she burst into laughter. And so we repeated this catching game until we squeezed all the laughs out of her. I feel that babyhood is becoming more fun.

This baby does not like food

Sophie did not drink much milk over the thanksgiving weekend with us. But she was drinking back to normal when she went back to daycare yesterday. Maybe she doesn't like to be fed by me?!
We are off to a rocky start for finger foods. I started her off on bits of avocado and banana. That time, she still tried to pick up the slimy things and put it into her mouth, although none went in successfully. Then she had puffs, which she also tried to put into her mouth, but without success.
The next few days, I tried to give her bananas coated in oatmeal, so they were less slippery. She tried to pick them up, but did not try to put any into her mouth this time. After a few attempts, she became disinterested. She did not care for the puffs either.
Yesterday I gave her steamed broccoli trees. I tried them in front of her to prove they were not poisonous. She held it, looked a little disgusted and dropped it aside. I tried a few more times, and each time she dropped them aside after a while.
She used to like her sweet potato dinners and was also ok when I added mashed chicken to it. Now she does not care for dinners. Maybe she's too tired for dinner? Maybe she's bored of the food? Maybe she does not like to be fed by me? This baby is so difficult to understand regarding food!
This morning, Sophie went for her 9 month wellness checkup. Doc said we could start her off on table food, and told me not to be so uptight about her consumption of milk and overly calculative on the salt and sugar in her food. Maybe she will grow up not liking food, like me.
Anyway, I'm giving her some salmon later!

Finger Foods start - Avocado

Sophie started chicken dinners last weekend! Chicken thighs apple stew then mashed them up and added sweet potatoes. She seems ok with it, probably the meaty taste is still disguised by the sweet potatoes.
And then I tried avocados finger foods last night, so she could practise her pincer grasp. It was difficult to pick up those slimy small pieces and she did not succeed last night. I fed her a few pieces and she was able to squash it with her gums - no choking phew! She was a little upset with the avocados after a while, maybe she didn't like the independent taste of avocado on its own? What other finger foods can I try for this baby without teeth?

Sitting Update

No more runny nose and constipation for Soph! She is back to guzzling her usual amount of milk - yay!
Soph can sit for quite a long period of time now, banging away at her blocks and reaching for toys within her reach. She can slitter pretty fast on her tummy too, her arms diving in left right left right... But she can't transition from sitting to crawling yet. So if I plonk her in a sitting position, she will be stuck there, until she topples over eventually. Haha. Check out her early Christmas present - Laugh & Learning Home

Any pink of health?

Last Friday, Soph developed another bout of runny nose and sneezing. Every time she sneezed, two lines of mucus flowed down, sometimes accompanied by bubbles. So we brought her in to the doctor's. Of course, no medication, but at least there's no ear infection. We'll just have to continue her with the saline and sucking which she hates.
We showed our pediatrician her dry skin, mainly on her elbows, thighs and back and it may be eczema. The weather has been cold and dry recently, plus we have been turning on the heater at home every day so that made the air even drier. Boohoo. And I thought I was pretty diligent on the moisturizer. Dr says California baby is popular but not strong enough as moisturizer! She recommended we use Cetaphil or Vaseline. She also prescribed us some steroid creams. We were reluctant to use the steroid creams so we plastered on Cetaphil. It seemed to have become better over the weekend.
And then, constipation over the weekend. Hard, dry stool with textures like play-doh. Poor Soph was straining so hard she was sweating and screaming away, it reminded me of myself giving birth. I think it was because we have been giving her too much cereal, and lacking in the fruits and veges department. Last time, she had watery stools, so I backed off on the fruits. So instead, now she has constipation. I need to strike the right balance for her diet. On top of that, she's not interested in milk these days. Only taking a couple of ounces at each feed, waking up often at night and screams for milk, only to drink a couple of ounces again.
Babies and their never ending problems!

Autumn in the Park

On Saturday afternoon, we hung out in the park with dd's co-worker and my mommy friend L for a play date with her daughter M who is about one month younger than Soph.The last time we moms gathered together was in August during summer when the weather's was nice and warm. Back then the kiddos could not sit up yet so they could only bask under the shade.

Since both of us went back to work after our six months maternity leave, it was tough finding time to gather for a play date. Now it is autumn and it was a really chilly day for a park play date so the babies were all bundled up.Still, the tots had a great time sitting and crawling on the grassy slope, gumming away at the blocks, their Sophie giraffes and the activity triangle. Here is S hard at work trying to crawl up the slope.

By the time we decided to leave, it was getting so super cold! Soph developed these awfully red cheeks after she got home. At first I thought she was sun burnt. But I think the cheeks just turned red from the dry chilly winds - yummy like a red apple.

Flipping the pages

Sophie is getting pretty good at flipping pages. Recently we have been reading this book called "Olivia Goes to Venice". They have a series of stories revolving around Olivia the funny fussy little girl pig and her family (mainly with her mother). In this one, Olivia goes to Venice with her family and visits the attractions of Venice. They had gelato all the time! Finally Olivia decides to bring home a souvenir and she takes a block from a clock tower. The story ends with the clock tower crumbling to bits but the family does not know. As they left on a boat, they thought that the people were waving goodbye to them but actually they were waving their fists angrily to them from afar. It's funny and silly. So anyway, I left the book on the mat and Soph crawled over and started flipping here and there.

Clapping and Screeching

Sophie can clap! Although there's no sound, but it's still very cute when she does it. And screech until her face turns red.
She can also help to turn the pages of the board books during bed time stories, a sign of finger dexterity.

Clapping!

Screeching!

大小眼

Soph has been having big small eyes recently. That's because she has one double eyelid and single one. I hope the other folds itself soon.

Likes reflections

I used the camera on the same side as the iPhone screen to take a photo of Soph and this got her really excited to see her own reflection. Keeping our spirits up while dd has flown to Nippon for work this week. Check out our cheery shots!

On tippity toe

A Slice of Pear

These are my first few tries at baby led weaning. I'm still a little worried that she might choke on it so I'm really watching that pear closely. She enjoys sucking on it but not that overly excited. The pear was not that sweet.

Sitting

Soph has been slower in reaching this milestone. She sits for a few minutes and is still a little wobbly on her balance. But she is getting better everyday. Maybe slithering still take precedence. This morning she was practising sitting before going to daycare. She likes pushing the pony with blocks recently - another excellent hand-me-down from G.

Goodbye Jungle Gym

Now that Sophie is slithering everywhere, the jungle gym can no longer contain her. Still, it has served me well in keeping her occupied during all those times I had to spend pumping and couldn't play with her. I dismantled and stored it away today, marking a new stage in Sophie's life

Sophie in The 3 Musketeers in Buggy Ride

These 3 kiddos at daycare always hang out together in the late afternoons. The other 2 kids are actually from the ladybug room meant for older babies. The boy on the left is Jakie who used to be in the nursery with Soph.

Oh so cute Count Dracula

Friends at daycare

Soph hangs out with a few kiddos in the nursery. There was Jacob, a cute ten month old who is always trying to escape. He even crawls to me. He has since moved on to the older babies room.
And there is Charlie who is one day younger than Soph. Her mom works at the daycare too so she is only there for half a day and can get breastmilk as and when she wants. Lucky her. Here is Sophie hanging out with Charlie. Sophie is using the boppy because she still needs support sitting. Charlie is sitting up nice and tall and I heard she is even pulling to stand.
The story of the photos that day goes something like this. Charlie offered a rubber ducky to Sophie. But just as Sophie was going to stuff the ducky into the mouth, Charlie snatched it back so she could chew on it. Funny.

And then there is four month old Caitlin who just joined a couple of weeks ago. I heard she cries a lot because she is used to being carried. Poor girl, I hope she gets over it soon otherwise her crying might disturb Sophie's naps! She kind of looks like a baby at one of our Gymboree classes. I have yet to see the mom to verify.

Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Hot Dog Song

This song was going on forever at the Mickey Mouse party. It is so catchy and now we are so addicted to the tune.
Hot Dog Hot Dog Hot Dig-get-ty Dog!

Cleared!

Dr. Knudsen the pediatric neurologist called me yesterday evening and told me there was good news with the scan.  He said the waves looked pretty normal and we should come in for a follow up checkup three weeks later. Phew! I told Soph seems to be jerking more before sleep and he said those may be hypnic jerks but they are harmless. Actually she jerks at some other times but I am wondering if they are voluntary. Anyway, it puts my heart at rest now. We should still continue to monitor her and take more videos if we can to show the doctor during the follow up visit.

Birthday Parties Weekend

Casting aside my worries about the test results for the weekend, we attended two birthday parties and a dinner hosted by our Indian neighbours living across the street.
The first one was a birthday party for a five year old boy Tyler of the old housemates. Avengers theme party. Not too exciting for Soph but she was in a good mood that afternoon so it was great.

Happy mood on car ride to Tyler's birthday party

The second one was a birthday party for a two year old. Mickey Mouse theme party. We did not know the family very well but went because Mickey and Minnie were going to make a guest appearance. It was a very well planned party with everything Mickey. The menu was simple just hotdogs but they had Mickey themed menus describing how to make the hotdogs and Mickey related names even for drinks.. And party favour bags with Mickey jigsaw puzzle and Mickey shaped Oreo cookies. The mom made Mickey party hats too, they were so cute. All these despite the fact that she just gave birth about a month ago. It inspired me to make something unique for Soph's first birthday party too. Sophie was chill about Mickey Mouse, she was not overly excited but was not scared either. dd was apparently having a whale of a time, reliving his childhood days like a big kid.

All dressed up for Mickey Mouse party

Checking out her shoes

Mickey Mouse birthday party!

And then dinner at the neighbour's house where he invited the neighbours living beside us too. It was nice to get acquainted with people living close to us. I thought we would get dinner the moment we reached. But they sat us down and treated us to pre-dinner drinks and snacks, so I knew Soph would get cranky by the time dinner started because she missed her evening nap. But we managed to keep up the poor struggling kid until dinner and dessert was over before we bade goodbye.

What to wear for Halloween?

It's Soph's first Halloween and my second but my first to dress up.
Found some cute stuff at Target

EEG Scan 2

The scan was rescheduled for Friday so no sleeping for Soph on Thursday night. After picking her up from daycare, she gave up her evening nap by rolling around the bed and I did not persist. She even rolled onto my lap and gave me big smiles. Sweet. I think it was the first time she showed affection for me. I felt bad for what we were going to do to her later.

After dinner, we went to Target again to while away time till midnight and get her distracted. She was struggling to stay awake midway but eventually gave up and dozed. Since she did not take an evening nap we let her doze for half an hour till we left. Back at home, she played with her toys and knocked out at midnight again with her grab ball in her face.
dd tried to wake her at two but she would not budge. I was unconscious. At four, we woke her and turned on all the lights. I pumped and went back to sleep while dd took the first shift from 4 till 6. I woke up and took over from him. Entertaining a baby and playing with her for five hours is not easy! We even broke a house rule and watched Barney on TV. Poor Soph was struggling to stay awake and there were times when she was rubbing away at her eyes. But we are so lucky that even when she's tired she does not cry and kick up a fuss. I guess she potentially makes a good traveller. Finally everyone was awake at daybreak and we were out of things to do. I suggested bringing her for a stroll for the last hour before leaving. She stayed awake and even laughed when I did peek-a-boo with her on the ride. Such a happy-go-lucky baby.
On the car ride S was dozing off. Oh no, I could not let our efforts go to waste. I nudged her and she cried. She dozed I nudge and she cried repeatedly until we finally reached.
The scan was a terrible experience. This time the technician hooked her up while she was awake. She swaddled her tightly and stuck each probe on. Soph was wailing for help. I felt so heartbroken and helpless and could only pat and comfort her. After it was finally done, the technician tried to force feed her while she was crying. I yelled "she won't take a bottle if she's crying!" I took over her spot, holding Soph's neck in one hand and patted her with the other. I wanted to calm her down before offering her a bottle again. But she was so tired that she just dozed off to dreamland with her head still in my hand. I had to hold her head in that position for a good thirty minutes while she took the measurements. dd and I sang 'Twinkle twinkle little star' and 'Toe-knee chest-nut' the whole time. Soph did not wake up throughout. Phew! But she was having those little hyperventilating breaths from over crying.
She could not really wake up for the awake bit of the experiment because she was so tired out from crying. The scan was finally over and I removed the probes from her head. Ouch because they were stuck on with some sticky pasty stuff. I never want to do this again! I wanted to take a picture of her with wires on her head but I doubt I can bear looking at it again so I did not take it.
Soph fell asleep almost immediately once she got into the car. She continued sleeping when dd carried her into the house. It was heart wrenching to see her poor head with blobs of sticky stuff and all weak on daddy's shoulder.

We gave her a bath and packed her off to bed where she slept a good four hours.
Now we wait for the results. Still very lucky overall because Soph stayed cheery even though the times she was so tired. Proud of her!

What a Miserable Day!

Soph has been having some random jerks for a while. It started off during feeds and now sometimes she does it before sleeping too. They are like little hiccups in her lower body. We told the pediatrician about it and she referred us to a neurologist. We went down for an appointment on Tue and he suggested that Soph did an EEG. Some scan thingy where they paste a bunch of electrodes on your head and measure the brain waves. They want to check for infantile spasms. Wah sounds serious.
The instructions for the scan was terrible. During the scan she has to stay asleep. So the night before we had to keep her up till midnight and then let her sleep till 5am and then make her stay awake all the way till her scan at around 9am. It was tiring for everyone! She knocked out around midnight with the grab ball still in her hand. Poor girl.

Fell back asleep trying to roll over and scoot

At the hospital we put her to sleep. The technician gave us a time limit of 45minutes-so stressful! We gave her a bottle then lied down with her and she knocked out in about 5 minutes. Easy peasy I thought. Then the technician came in and started making markings on her head. That woke her up and she would not go back to sleep. Grr I did not know that she would be moving her head around so much.
Attempt number two to sleep. I lied down next to her and she tossed and turned. She looked kind of awake and I thought she was never going back to sleep. But eventually she did and I thanked my lucky stars. The technician came back in and she started attaching those electrodes to her head. I put my hand on her body to help her stay asleep but she was simply adjusting her head too much! After she had a bunch of attachments on her head she woke up and was bright eyed! And the technician was not done yet. I wanted to curse and swear at the situation. The technician said Soph did not come in sleep deprived enough. I was pretty upset because I thought we tried hard enough. I explained to her that baby's sleep cycle is only 45 minutes, so if she had to do all the markings and attaching the electrodes and still need another 20 minutes for measurements, I do not think we would be able to do that. And Soph was a light sleeper too. I did not like how she was so unsympathetic about the situation and compared how other babies and kids were able to do it because they usually come in crying, hungry and tired and crashed right after they drink their milk. So we could not carry on with the scan because it was out of the time limit. They had to reschedule.
Back at home, she was more cranky and was unable to sleep well. I had to carry her to sleep (usually not the case) and she would wake up if I tried to lower her into the crib. Eventually she adjusted and had better naps towards the end of the day.
We sent more updated videos of Soph's jerking to the neuro's office, hoping he would say she is ok and did not have to continue with the scan. But he persisted and wanted it to be completed by this week just to rule out the possibility. It was good that they were so on the ball with it. Poor Soph has to endure another sleepless night tonight because the scan is rescheduled to tomorrow. But ultimately I hope the scan shows that she is OK! She is still growing, babbling, reaching for things, rolling everywhere and even lunging foward for toys now. When I researched on infantile spasms, the information online seems very scary!

Exploring small cute pumpkin

Halloween is coming so I bought her a personal small cute little pumpkin from Trader Joes for her to touch and mouth. I picked one that wasn't too big and had a long stalk so she could hold it. Too cute!

Yes to Bananas!

Yummy yummy bananas! Soph was very excited about them. Check out her signature one raised eyebrow look. She even lunged forward for next bites!

Asleep in stroller for the first time!

If we use the new stroller (forward facing), it's tough to get Soph to sleep. She usually gets too carried away trying to look at the stuff around her. And then I would have to end up taking her out of the stroller n plop her into a carrier.
But on Saturday, we were having our lunch in an open space near some food trucks. We turned her to face us in the stroller. And while the gluttony folks were munching away on their fries and tacos, she slowly dazed out and fell asleep. Maybe it was because she needed to face us. Then we transferred her to the car seat and she continued sleeping. Wow! If only everyday is like this.

Soph loves buggy rides at daycare

This is what her teacher Ms Laura told me. She said she squeals n giggles when she goes on her rides. When I picked her up today, she just came back from her ride with Ms Molly. An older boy was sitting in the front while she was in the backseat.

Daddy's version of the human cabbie

When I was pregnant, I called myself Soph's human cabbie. Now that she's out and about, I am still her human cabbie using the carrier. This is dd's version of being her human cabbie-the horse back ride