Development - 8th Month

Step One Step Two......

Baby Zoey like to walk around her play pen or baby cot. Sometimes, she will stops holding on and takes some initial wobbly steps without help, she is progress amazingly fast (in a matter of days) from first steps to toddling more confidently on her own. She will able to stand up without grabbing any support, she will immediately lean forward on her baby cot and start playing her toys.

In the evening, mummy will bring her to playground. Here, mummy will let her do some simple excercise, such as walking. Mummy also letting her to experience the swing, she will sit quitely. She enjoy it very much!

Coping with separation

Now, the separation anxienty is at its peak. Although it's normal now for a baby to show an extreme attachment and fear of everyone else, it is difficult for doting grandparents. Mummy help ease transitions for baby Zoey by warning people to approach slowly and let Zoey make her first move. Another approach will be advising those people to holding some attractive items such as magazines or colourful toys. It usually work well......hahahaha

Little fingers

Zoey's fingers are becoming more agile. Using her pincer grasp, she able to pick up a piece of cereal or even as thin as one strand of mummy hair and other small object without having to rest her wrist on a solid surface.

She's intrigued by tiny things and is still likely to taste-test them. It is fine to let her feel all kind of surface as long as they're edible and not so small that she could choke on them. A good rule of thumb is to avoid letting Zoey have anything that won't dissolve in water, like a peanut. Mummy will make sure to wipe and clean her hand after touching any objects.

Blooming personality

Baby Zoey's personality is really emerging now. She is very social, granting broad smiles to everyone she meets, or a little more reticent, shyly hiding his face when well-meaning strangers try to engage her. She will open up her arm when she see someone she likes, she have her own preference. Zoey is likeable by most of kung kung and po po friends. Everyone likes to hold and play with her.

Most of the time, Zoey'll repeat sounds, gesture for daddy attention, and may even wave goodbye when she sees daddy head for the door.

She's also developing a mind of her own, which mummy may run up against when mummy try to put her in her car seat or stroller. Now, it is a hard time for mummy, as she knows how to object, she will stand up when she do not want to sit, usually we will try to distract her.

Communication skills

She's experimenting with new sounds and stringing syllables together. She likes to make sound. She will start to babbling when she heard kung kung mobile phone ring. She knows mummy is calling and she will babble and babble. She is trying to communicate and sometimes she can babble up to 5 - 8 minutes ( non stop).

Mummy will encourage her interest in language by avidly listening and responding to her words and babbling. This give-and-take is crucial: It teaches her about two-way communication and that what she says affects others. Zoey will repond and get excited when we talk to her.

Development - 7th Month

Teething

Finally the tooth fairy is here. Baby Zoey sprout her first white caps (at the lower central incisors) at the age of 7th month. Mummy also noticed that she has more drooling and experimenting with sounds as she is adjusting the strange new things in her mouth. She likes to bite, sometime mummy will freeze her teether and then rub at the teeth. She enjoy it.....

Testing, testing ...

By now, mummy have already told Zoey that the handphone is not a toy, rattles are not for throwing, and remote control is not for bitting, mummy's hair not for pulling and bla.. bla... bla.... The fact is, at this age my baby begin testing my authority by refusing to follow mummy directions or entreaties. Mummy knows that she's not really being disobedient or willful — but she's just curious!. So, the best tactic is to use a simple no, then distract her. Naughty, mummy !

Getting more emotional

Baby Zoey's emotions are becoming more obvious. She able to perform simple tricks, such as bouncing when we sing her favourite song - Happy Birthday, and repeated her act when we applauded.

Exploring objects

Zoey now explore objects by shaking them, banging them, dropping them, and throwing them before falling back on the tried-and-true method of gumming them. Mummy noticed that at this stage, Zoey like to see things fall down, get picked up by mummy, of course, and then get thrown down again. Mummy know that she isn't trying to goad mummy with this cycle; she just finds the spectacle interesting and naturally wants to see it again and again.

She now understands how objects relate to one another, too. For example, she realizes that smaller things fit inside bigger ones, she will throw the block into the container and she is also easily find something mummy hide - especially when mummy hide the aircond remote control.

Feeding Time

Now, baby Zoey is trying to feed herself. She is letting mummy know about her new goal by grabbing a spoon and, eventually, guiding it into her mouth. Mummy letting her to experiment and helping her to learn a new skill, but of course the cereal is end up on her bib or at her cheek. Sometimes, mummy will let Zoey to join us during family mealtime, making Zoey a habit to eat together and be part of our family.

Respond.

What a experience, when mummy found out that Zoey able to repond. When daddy hide behide her back and pat his finger on Zoey shoulder. Zoey will respond immediately by turning her head. She also will laugh out loud when we scratch her back and tickle her feet. She will also squeezed, when we tickle her waist.

Walking

At the age of 7th months 3rd weeks, Zoey knows how to pull herself up and grab on to any available piece of furniture. She will stand for awhile before starting to make her first move - walking. Mummy really amaze that she able to, figure out how to walk pretty easily on her own.

This little naughty baby, wont cries for help when she stump down, instead she will grab on the furniture and stand up again and walk around her play pen.

Introducing Solid

Yum yum time !!!

Introducing new foods is a time of exciting anticipation for mummy and baby Zoey as it is a leaping toward new milestones of development. Mummy started introducing solid to Zoey at the age of 6 months as mummy noticed she have the chewing motion, growing appetite and able to keep her head in a steady, upright position. She seems to get hungry after every 2 hours of formula feedings

A good rule of thumb is to start with rice cereal, first mummy gave her one or two teaspoons of dry cereal mixed with enough formula milk to make a semi-liquid. Then mummy use a rubber-tipped spoon to feed Zoey, this is to avoid injuring her gums. Started with just a small amount on the tip of the spoon. Begin with a once-a-day feeding.

Mummy noticed baby Zoey do not eat much at all in the beginning, she keep on splitting out the cereal but mummy gave her time to get used to the experience and mummy keep on tablespoons her few times. At the 5th feeding, she gets used to her new diet, now she is ready for a few tablespoons of cereal a day. As the amount she eats increases, gradually mummy add another feeding in the evening.

By the age of 7 months, Zoey have tried few different type of fruits and vege.

My poor baby falled sick......

She is back to hometown on 11 March 06, at first she is having a very light cough during at night, then her cough is getting more often the next day. We gave her some medicine but her condition remain unchanged. Then we bring her to clinic and give her some medicine immediately. Her cough is getting worst over the past 2 days and her flu is starting too, mummy get worried and bring her to clinic again.

This week is a tough week for po po and kung kung, as Zoey cannot sleep well during at night. She will wake up and cry, as her nose is blocked and her phlegm is stucked at her throat. Everybody is worried and pitty at Zoey. She refused to drink her milk and play as what she normally do. Looking at her condition, kung kung and po po decided to bring her to clinic again. The doctor used a equipment to sucked out the phlegm from her throat!. Zoey cried out loud.

After the treatment, Zoey starting to drink her milk again, pheeewwww...... and we still continue to give her the medicine. Her cough and flu is getting better each day and she back to herself again........ Naughty !!!

Development - 6th Month

Recognition skills
It's all about fun this month! Baby Zoey now actively engages in hiding games and can remember when she press the button on the turtle (toy) back, she will able to see the flashing light and music will start to play. Figuring out how objects relate, Zoey's beginning to understand how objects relate to one another in three-dimensional space. She may be able to sort toys, grouping items by size.

She admires her reflection in a window and when mummy suddenly appear behind her image, she will turn and look for
mummy, instead of believing that mummy are in the mirror itself. A simple game of peekaboo is absolutely fascinating to Zoey. Daddy likes to play with her and she will laugh and laugh when she see daddy face. That's because she's starting to understand object permanence (that an object he can't see can still exist) and loves games where people or things appear and disappear. In fact, this is one of the easiest ways to keep this little 6-month-old baby occupied.


Fun Time
Her fine motor skills are coming along, too. Some of her skills are include transfering a toy from one hand to the other, banging objects together, clasping her hands, and grabbing for a toy using only one hand, pushing or throwing her the toy away, grabbing her pacifier when mummy put it on the bed, touching colourful things. When mummy bring her to shopping she will move forward her whole herself to the toy or any attrative things, then she will try to touch it by using her hand. She just likes to explore and curious about everything.


Stimulating toys and games
At this age, Zoey tend to gravitate toward stuffed animals, both big and small. She likes all the soft toys given to her. Mummy have introduced some aminal toys to her such as hipo, flamingo, octupus, lion, giraffe, zebra, rabbit, cow, doggie, fish, bear and beattle. Usually, she will grab and stare at her toy and later she will stuff it in her mouth. Other good toys include balls, blinking toy and pop-up toy which she enjoy playing at this time.


Standing
It's happening already...Zoey is showing the first stirrings of independence. By six months and second week she can sit well without support. At this young age she can even pull herselves up to a standing position while holding onto furniture. she is also a good propper; if mummy stand her next to the sofa, she able to maintain the posture, hanging on for dear life. With this new independence comes the inevitable bumps and falls of childhood.


Bouncing Baby & Sitting Pretty
Baby Zoey can now support some of her weight on his legs, and she loves to bounce. When, mummy called out her name, Zoey will turn her head and smile at mummy. She will bounce and bounce at her walker, and open up her arm. This is one of her favourite movement - to indicate to us that she wants us to carry her.

She able to sit unsupported at the age of 6 months forth weeks(which frees his hands for exploring) and pivot to reach a desired object. She even able to get into sitting position from lying on his stomach by pushing up on his arms. Zoey can sit for awhile and play with her toys.


Waves Goodbye
By 6 months and 3 weeks, Zoey knows how to waves goodbye. Thanks to kung kung effort in teaching Zoey to respond and react when we says "Ta Ta". This simple act amuse most of our friends and also strangers, especially when mummy bring her out.


Da Da
Morning 15 of April 06, po po brought Zoey over to mummy bedroom, as usual when we placed her on our bed, Zoey will do her rolling action. She will roll herself to daddy on the left and then
to mummy on the right. Suddently, mummy and daddy heard she saying "Da Da" and Zoey keep on repeated the word over and over again. Daddy and mummy was so surprise and both of us look at each other and immediately we gave her a big hug her and a kiss on her cheek. Then, she look at us and gave us a cheeky smile.


Crawling
Zoey start crwaling at the the age of 6 months 4 weeks. soon after she's able to sit well without support. Sometime, she will hold her head up to look around. She gained proficiency each day, she able to go from a crawling position back into a sitting position.

Development - 5th Month

A growing range of emotions
Babies can't express their emotions in the same complex way that adults do. But in this month, baby Zoey able to shows a strong attachment to us, by raising her arms when she wants to be picked up and by crying when we leave the room. She sometimes may also give us kisses. She is beginning to get the joke — she will laugh at funny expressions when daddy show her his tougue and try to make us laugh by showing her tougue, too. Making those goofy faces and nonsense sounds, and play at pantomime and mimicry, is when the fun begins.


Ba ba ba ba ba ba . . .
Zoey is adding new sounds to his language repertoire, and her current favorites are full of bubbles. At this age, baby Zoey become so enthralled by one of her newfound abilities that she get stuck on it for a while. She is now trying to talk to us when we play with her or when mummy phone her. Listening to her baby language makes us proud - she is developing each day !

Exploring with her hands
At this time Zoey's hand control is developed enough that she can rake an object toward her. Sometimes she grab or hold mummy or kung kung face, she'll stare at us for a while and start grabing our nose and mouth. When we put our finger in front of her and tell her to shake hand, she will hold our finger. She also start to practice moving objects from one hand to the other, usually she will be able to grab any moving toy on her second attempt.

Learning to roll over
In the second week of her fifth month, baby Zoey have learned to roll over in each direction - she able to roll 360 degree !, this is a milestone that awe and amuse us. Rolling over is fun for Zoey, it also nerve-wracking for us. Each time when we put her in our bed, we will make sure all our pillow guarded her, we never leave her unattended on a bed or any other elevated surface. As she likes to make few rolls in one attempt, sometimes she will roll from one corner to the other corner of our bed. If there is any pillow blocking her from turning, she will cry for help. Mummy also noticed that Zoey able to reverse crawl, she will lift up her bump and straighten her leg and then, she will move her hand down. The way she crawl it is looks more like a baby worm going backward.

Little social animal
At this age babies not only tolerate attention from others, they often initiate it. Now mummy noticed the beginnings of stranger anxiety, anyone who approaches Zoey with raised eyebrows or a grin delights her can becomes an instant friend or if she dislike the person, she will turn her head to a different direction. Zoey is also learning that her behaviors, both the ones we like and the ones we don't, she will stop making fuss when when daddy is talking to her firmly. She able to differentiate when daddy is talking to her or when daddy is angry with her. Eveyone noticed that baby Zoey likes her daddy very much and only daddy can calm her down when she is throwing out her tamtrum. Hmmm.... mummy is getting jealous now....

Zoey will do just about anything to get our attention. Right now almost everything she does is endearing, but as she gets older, she's more likely to get into mischief to provoke a reaction from us.

Getting a kick out of story hour
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends reading aloud to your child. Mummy starting reading to Zoey when she is 2 months old. Daddy bought a animal farm book to her. Now, she able to recognized the animal when we shout the animal name. She will use her finger to grab the animal. Mummy noticed that Zoey begin to enjoy looking at books, magazine or any form of paper material. She also like to explore by feeling it with her hand. Reading giving us an opportunity for cuddling and socializing that both of us and baby Zoey can appreciate. This will improved her language skills and prime her for a lifetime love of reading.

Chinese New Year 2006

Gong Xi! Gong Xi!

May the golden dog bark away all the bad luck & wag his tail to clear the path for us......


CNY Eve
- Having lunch "tuen yuen" in hubby parent's house at 12:30pm with some of his relative.
- Went back to my parent house for dinner "tuen yuen"around 5:00pm.

1st Day
- After makan makan with hubby family when to his "Pak Leong"house for visiting.
- Chit chat with Pak Leong, Tai Pak, Kelly, Renee, Ah Kok's family and Wai Cheh's family.
- Have dinner at Pak Leong house, and went back around 7:30pm.

2nd Day
- When back to my parent house, kung kung and po po missed Zoey very much. Play with Zoey till 2:00pm.
- Went to Q Poh house - meet Ni Cheh, Ling Cheh & Nilai Aunt. Chit Chat till 4:00pm
- Went to Ah Ku house - meet Wai & Yee Cheh family.
- Have dinner at my parent house and went back home around 8:00pm.

3rd Day
- Went visitng to Templer Aunt house and shopping.

4th to 8th Day
- Shop and shop with baby Zoey.

Development - 4th Month

A new talent for rolling over

When mummy placed Zoey on her stomach, she will lift her head and shoulders high, using her arms for support. This mini push-up helps her strengthen her muscles and she is getting a better view of what's going on.

She may even amaze mummy (and herself!) by rolling over from her back to her front. Sometimes mummy will encourage this through play: Wiggle a toy next to the side, she customarily rolls. Mummy will applaud her efforts. Now mummy will never leave her unattended on a bed or any other elevated surface that she can get around.

Reaching out and mouthing objects

Zoey is now able to reach out and grab an object. Once she wraps her hands around something, she'll study it for a moment and will try to put it in her mouth, mummy will always be sure that whatever mummy give her is not too big to fit all the way in.

Mummy also notice more drooling now. Mummy suspecting she is starting teething, but I believed the first tooth usually doesn't surface until Zoey is 6 to 8 months. Mummy always encourage baby Zoey to explore and play with a variety of objects. Something as simple as a clean hankie, teether or her soft toys might occupy her for a few minutes. Watching her suck on it, hold it, and discover what happens when she scrunches it up, makes mummy laugh out loud.

Playing solo

Now, Zoey can play with her hands and feet for a few minutes at a time. A miracle! Suddenly mummy realized it's strangely quiet in the bedroom and look in, only to discovered that baby Zoey, who so far has needed my attention for most of every waking moment, is amusing herself.

Sometimes, mummy will read out her aminal book, she get very excited and will grab the book immediately with her hand and feet.

Appreciation for a full range of colors

Babies see color from birth, but they have difficulty distinguishing similar tones, such as red and orange. As a result, they often prefer red, black and white or high-contrast colors. Now Zoey in her fourth months, color differences become clearer, and she begin to show a preference for bright primary colors now. Zoey likes red. When mummy go shopping, mummy will bring her to toy department, as some great eye-catchers include primary-colored mobiles, bright posters, and colourful toys catches her attention and she will get excited and keep her eye busy.

Honing in on sounds

Baby Zoey now realizes where sounds come from, and she'll turn quickly toward a new one. One of the easiest ways to engage her is to jingle a set of keys. Those toys bell are great attention-getters, too. Usually mummy will jingle a set of keys when Zoey making a fuss or refuse to drink her milk. She will stop crying and listen to the sound and then she will start drinking her milk.

Cause and effect

Zoey's ability to interact with mummy, others, and her surroundings is growing daily. At this stage, she start playing little games as she begins to understand that simple actions have results. Sometimes baby Zoey may drop objects just to watch mummy & daddy pick them up or to see how and where they fall. She like to pull out her pacifier and drop it on the floor. Its makes us exhausting each time picking up her pacifier........ Zoey... Zoey...

Development - 3rd Month

Better arm, leg and hand coordination

Zoey can now wave his arms and pump her legs. And as her hip and knee joints become more flexible, her kicks are getting stronger. When mummy hold her upright with her feet on the floor and feel her push down. She can also bring both hands together and open her fingers. Mummy encourage her eye-hand coordination by holding out a toy to see if she'll grasp it. Truly, baby Zoey able to do it.

Attention

This month, mummy introduce a new toy to her - Nemo (The fish by fisher-price). Nemo is hung at her cot. Mummy will imitate Nemo voice and talk to Zoey. Baby Zoey will listen and stare at Nemo. Now, when mummy call out Nemo, baby Zoey will turn her head to see her Nemo friend.

Direction of voice/Clear recognition of Mom & Dad

By 3 months, Zoey has formed an attachment to mummy and daddy by recognising our voice.

Sometimes she'll will smile at strangers, especially when they look her straight in the eye and coo or talk to her. But she's able to sort out who's who in her life, and she definitely prefers some people over others, baby Zoey likes her daddy very much.

Each time when daddy talk to Zoey, she will turn to the direction of voice and smile at daddy, then she will respond by saying "ahgoo", "uuuahhh", "eeee" "aahhhh". Sometimes she can talk up to 5 minutes.

Listen & Respond

Baby Zoey able to recognized some words such as "Pacifier", "Water", "Carry". For example when kung kung trying to give her the pacifier and call out the name, she will open up her mouth.

Baby Zoey dislikes water, she will make noise or shout when we called out "Water".

When mummy or po po say the word "Carry" she will lift up her head and let us pick her up.

Holding

Zoey able to hold her milk bottle when she is 3 months and 1 week. She able to hold it using her both hand for about 1 minute.

Besides that, she also knows how to hold her pacifier and put into her mouth, when she is 3 month and 3 weeks old. She also know how to hold her rattler / teether during play time. She will hold it for about 1 minute too.

She likes to hold and hug her teddy bear pillow during bedtime. Normally she will falled asleep after few minutes.

Development - 2nd Month

Smile & Cooing

Zoey know how to smile and cooing about 1 and half month. Mummy was surprised when she first heard the "agoo". This month, kung kung and po po stay with her almost 1 month, they put alot of effort in teaching and communicating with her. By end of the 2nd month, Zoey able to make alot of vowel sound. She even know how to raise up her voice when she is angry or un happy. She will smile and laugh out loud when we play with her.

Grasp with finger

During weekend, daddy decided to go 1Utama, then we drop by at one of the baby store and daddy show Zoey the donkey rattle. She was so excited and grasp the rattle by her hand. Guess what is next ??? Daddy bought the donkey and hang over her stroller. Later, we saw Zoey punching the donkey over and over. Zoey is exploring with her arm and reacting toward her toy now. It is so fun to see the way she re act toward her toys.

Kicking

Mummy decided to introduce new toy to Zoey, then we open up one of her fullmoon gift - kick'n crawl (by fisher price). We lay Zoey on the play quilt. At first she refuse to sleep on the quilt, then mummy and daddy grab her hand and push the activity toy and spin the roller ball on the octopus (activity toy). We repeated it few times. She heard the lively music and getting excited. Then, her leg start kicking the activity ball. She kick for almost 5 minutes. So each time, when we lay her on the quilt, she will start kicking. It is really amazing that a 2 months old baby able to remember - how to play with her toy. We really enjoy seeing her playing by herself.

Development - 1st Month

Head's up

Baby Zoey's neck muscles are getting stronger now, which allows her to hold up her head for short periods while lying on her stomach. She will lift up her neck and look around. Since she cannot move herself around, this is a great excersice for her age.

Soothe herself

I discovered that a pacifier works wonders in helping baby Zoey to calm herself. Sometimes, she will make noise if her pacifier drop out. Hence kung kung managed to trained her to hold her pacifier. Now, she knew how to use her little finger to push back the pacifier if it is drop out from her mouth.

Music appreciation

Zoey likes to listen to music when time to bed. Mummy will play her favourite music song during bed time, she will listen and usually falled asleep after the 3rd song.

Track Object

Mummy noticed that red object catches baby Zoey attention. Besides, red she also can track moving object. When she awake, Zoey likes to see around the house. therefore, mummy will put her in the bouncing net and letting her to explore and getting familiar with her surrounding. Everyday, is a learning day for this little girl.

FullMoon

Back to Hometown

On 21 October'05, we bought baby Zoey back to our hometown, which is in Seremban. This is the first time baby Zoey travel in the car for almost 1 and half hour. She slept almost throughout the journey. Although we have a car seat for her, but mummy rather hold her in her arm...... but of course hand pain after that lar.....

We went back to her yeh yeh & ma ma house. Then, we put her in sleep and we had our lunch after that. Later, kung kung and po po came over and play with her, I can see Zoey really enjoy the way po po rock and carry her.....

BIG DAY, is finally here..... Zoey is 1 month old on 22 October'05.

Zoey slept till 10:30am today (Little princess mah.... won't wake up so early). I know she wanted to sleep abit longer, but it is time for praying ceremony. Therefore, ma ma wake her up and bath her. Then, mummy dress her in her new cloth (pink colour). Mummy also put some jeweleries on her neck, leg and hand. This is some sort of Chinese custom - she will bring luck to the family and luck for herself.

Then, ma ma carried her and pray. Later, all the family members arrived. Mummy put her in playpen, so everyone can see the little princess. Zoey got a lot of hug and kisses from her aunties. Fullmoon party started at 1:00pm and everyone seems to get hungry by then, without delay any further food are served and guests enjoying it very much. We served some of traditional confinement food such as pork leg vinegar, "Kai Chow", pig stomach pepper soup, salt steam chicken, angkoo and etc....

About 3:30pm, party ended and we bought Zoey back to kung kung & po po house for praying. By 4:00pm, Zoey is tired and slept in kung kung house. Later 6:30pm, we went back to yeh yeh house for dinner.

That was how we celebrated our little princes fullmoon.