We are still here

I know it has been awhile since I updated the blog but it has been a most trying one month. I was two staff short at the daycare centre and after 12 hours of looking after the babies and having to clean and wash up each night I was really too exhausted to think straight. I had forgotten how time consuming housework is. In addition my electricity supply kept tripping every night so cannot use the pc at all. Finally found the culprit which is a burnt out fan upstairs which we only use at night which explains why the tripping only happens at night. I got my domestic help at last and hopefully, things are back to normal now so I have time to write again.

First of all Marie celebrated her 13th birthday in April so she is now officially a teenager and coming out with spots on her face.











Update on Wei Jun and Jeun Yip





Wei Jun actually left the centre in April but came back after 2 weeks because he missed his friends here.





Here he is with his best friend Jeun Yip. Both of them are teething and they compete with each other to produce the most amount of saliva. If you do not see them just follow the trail of saliva and you will find them.




They both love playing with Marissa (one of the twins)







Jeun Yip is shy in showing his affections






Wei Jun loves kissing Marissa even though there are bars between them.

Update on Wei Jun’s progress

“Can you see my bottom 2 toothy pegs? This is why I always leave a trail of saliva all over the place".
Most babies start teething at about 8 -9 months but Wei Jun actually started at about 5 months plus.









Weaning baby onto home cooked porridge

As always I do not recommend blending the baby’s food as this will delay his getting used to eating adult food.





This is what the cooked rice porridge looks like








Use the back of a spoon to mash up the rice grains









The mashed up porridge is ready for feeding.





“Here I am, having home cooked porridge for the first time. It is fish porridge and it is yummy.”

For more info on cooking porridge for babies please go to 'weaning baby' at Babiesconsult.com


Wei Jun sitting without support for the first time


“I can sit without support for a few minutes but I need someone to help me as I still cannot move to the sitting position by myself.”


Wei Jun:"I would like to take this opportunity to say goodbye to Aunty Cecilia and all my friends at the childcare centre as my parents are going to take care of me at home"

Update on the 3 male mousekeeters

Jeun Yip and Gavin completed their 4 months so time to introduce them to baby rice cereal and get them to practice coordinating having food in the mouth and swallowing






Here I am twiddling my thumbs waiting for this rice cereal that aunty Cecilia mentioned.







Hey!! Why don’t I practice the Gong Xi Fa Cai greeting whilst waiting?







I think my fingers taste better than what they are going to give me







Ok, let’s go for the first spoonful








Hmm, I remember Wei Jun told me the first taste is yucky, but I am not sure what to make of it.






Wait lah! I am still thinking about it.








It is standard practice to push it out, so here goes.








Oops, I forgot that they will scoop it back in.







Sigh!! Guess I have to swallow it after all







Hey!! Watch that spoon eh, I do not want that stuff in my eyes ok?








I will be a good boy and finish it Aunty Cecilia







Yea!! That was the last spoonful and I actually like the stuff. It is Gavin’s turn next he he he!!!



Gavin's turn





My friends Wei Jun and Jeun Yip have told me all about eating baby rice and I am looking forward to it. Every time that I see mummy and daddy eating I want to join them but they said no, so all I can do is watch and drool and smack my lips.





The first spoonful








Actually, I like it but must push it out so I do not spoil Aunty Cecilia’s theory







There you are, they will scoop it back like my friends said.








Yes!! I love this stuff.








Come on, give me some more








Is that all? I want some more please. Aunty Cecilia said wait a few more days before she will add more so I have to drink my milk as I am still hungry.





Update on Wei Jun’s weaning progress.





It is about one month since Wei Jun started eating baby rice. He is now taking 4 teaspoons each day







Now is the time to introduce vegetables, albeit in powder form.








Replace one teaspoon of the plain rice powder with one teaspoon of rice and vegetables. I believe in introducing food slowly to make sure that the baby’s digestive system can take it. If he is ok with it then I will give half plain rice and half rice with vegetables. By then the baby will have completed six months when it is time to start on home cooked porridge.

Wei Jun and Jeun Yip's progress

Most babies will roll over onto their tummies at about six months but here Wei Jun has made it at 5 months. In fact he can roll over and over across 4 mattresses. A word of caution, if your baby starts rolling over you have to be extra careful when he is on a high surface as the chances of rolling off onto the floor is increased. Pillows and bolsters as a barricade will not stop him falling down.








Hi, I am Jeun Yip and I love playing with my hands








They are making such a big fuss because Wei Jun can turn over onto his tummy







I am sure I can do it too







Ok, here goes…….









Nearly there…..








Oh no, I am not going to make it







Looks like I did’nt make it this time








Oh well, guess I’ll stay with playing with my hands and toes for now.

Weaning baby - the first feed

When it comes to weaning baby onto solid food there are some controversies about when to start and what to give. I would like to share with you the technique that I have used over the years and so far all the children that I have weaned have fantastic appetites and will eat anything as they grow older. This makes it easy for the parents when they want to eat out and there is no fear that the child will not have a balanced diet.

A few pointers to remember:

• Do not start until the baby has completed 4 months of age.
• Do not force the baby to eat if he is not ready.
• The amount given does not replace the milk feed.

I like to start after 4 months instead of 6 months because eating something thicker in consistency and drinking milk requires 2 different actions. I find that the baby learns to coordinate taking food into the mouth, moving it to the back of the mouth and then swallowing it faster than if left to 6 months. Always start with 1 teaspoon baby rice powder mixed with water and stirred to a very fine slightly watery paste.


Wei Jun has completed his 4 months so we will try and see if he likes it.






Aunty Cecilia says that I am eating baby rice today. I wonder what it is all about.






Maybe I don’t have to eat it if I pretend to sleep.









Maybe if I look away?








Oops, guess I better open my mouth cos I can see Aunty Cecilia’s stern face looking at me.







Ok, it’s in my mouth, so what do I do with it?








Oh Aunty Cecilia says to swallow it, but how do I do that?








Ugh oh, it is all dribbling out and she is scooping it back in.








I think I have got it and it is not so bad after all.








Hey!! I am really enjoying this stuff.








Waaah! I want some more.





The video below shows you how to mix the baby rice powder.